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Rev. Fr. A. Augustine Navaretnam

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Rev. Fr. A. Augustine Navaretnam
B. Th., S. T. L., (Rome, Italy), M. A., M. Phil. (Chennai, India) Dip. in Philosophy
Senior Lecturer Gr. II
Discipline of Christianity
Faculty of Arts & Culture
Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Biography

Name: Rev. Fr. A. A. Navaretnam
Date of Birth: 09.02.1968
Religion: Roman Catholic
Permanent Address: Bishop’s House, Batticaloa
D.S Division: Manmunai North
District: Batticaloa
Province: Eastern Province
Telephone No: +94 65 22222723/ +94 77 2375528/+94 70 3303325
Email: frnavagi@gmail.com
Civil status: single

Previous Employment:

  • Teacher, St. Michael’s College, National School, Batticaloa from 2006 - 2008
  • Deputy Principal, St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa, from 2008 – 2009
  • Visiting Lecturer, Dept of Comparative Religion & Social Harmony, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, from 2006 – 2009.

Present Employment:

  • Senior Lecturer in Christianity, Gr. II
    Discipline of Christianity, Eastern University, Sri Lanka
    Since 2009 onwards

Links to Publications

Publications

Research Articles:

  1. ‘Buddha Statue: Cause of a Religious Dispute or Harmony?’ appeared at 'சமயப்பன்மியமும் சமயப்பூசல்களும் – published by the School of Religion, Philosophy and Humanist Thought, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, February 2017.
  2. 'இரக்கமுடையோர் பேறுபெற்றோர் அவர்கள் இரக்கம் பெறுவர்' appeared in 'வெட்டாப்பு' (Veddappu - monthly magazine, Catechetical Centre, Batticaloa on May 2016.
  3. 'உலக கிறிஸ்தவர்களின் பரம்பல்' appeared in a Special Silver Jubilee Commomorative Volume of Annai Velankanni Church, Pallathotam, Uppuveli, Trincomalee on September 2013.
  4. 'தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரின் வாழ்வும் பணியும்' appeared in a Special Centenary Commemorative Volume published in honour of Late Rev. Fr. Thamilthoothu Thaninayagam Adikal released by 'தொண்டன்' (Thondan – monthly magazine, Social Communications Centre, Batticaloa), on August-September 2013.
  5. 'விடுதலை இறையியல்' appeared in 'மனிதத்தில் ஒரு புனிதன்' - 25th Death Anniversary Commemorative Volume published in honour of Late Rev. Fr. Chandra Fernando on 6th June 2013.
  6. 'திருப்பயணங்கள் விண்ணகப் பயணத்தின் முன்சுவை' appeared in 'புல்லுமலைத்தாய்' a book released in commemoration of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church, Periya Pullumalai, Batticaloa on 9th May 2013.
  7. 'திருத்தந்தையின் திடீர் இராஜினமாவும் அதன் அதிர்வலைகளும்' appeared in 'திருமலைத்தீபம்' (Thirumalai Theepam – Trincomalee Diocesan Monthly Newspaper), March - April 2013.
  8. 'கிறிஸ்துவின் உயிர்பே கிறிஸ்தவத்தின் உயிர்நாடி' appeared in 'வெட்டாப்பு' (Veddappu – Batticaloa Diocesan Monthly Newspaper), April 2013.
  9. 'பாஸ்கு நாடகங்கள்' (Passion Plays) appeared in தொண்டன் (Thondan) monthly magazine of Social Communications Centre, Batticaloa on June, July and September issues of 2012.
  10. 'கிறிஸ்தவமும், ஆலயத்தில் (வழிபாட்டில்) தலையை மூடிக்கொள்ளலும்' (Christianity and covering of head during liturgy) appeared in வெட்டாப்பு (Veddappu) monthly magazine of Catechetical Centre, Batticaloa on August 2012.
  11. 'கிறிஸ்தவ கண்ணோட்டத்தில் இளைஞர்கள் எதிர்கொள்ளும் பிரச்சனைகளும், தீர்வுகளும்' appeared in 'இறையியல் கோலங்கள்' (Irai Iyal Kolangal – a Tamil Theological Quarterly) published by St. Francis Xavier’s Seminary, Colombuthurai, Jaffna, July – December 2011.
  12. 'கிறிஸ்தவம் காட்டும் மனிதநேயமும், மதநல்லிணக்கமும்' appeared in an Inter-Religious Festival Magazine published by the Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace, Batticaloa District on 5th June 2011.
  13. 'ஒபரமேர்கா திருப்பாடுகளின் காட்சி' (Oberammergau Passion Plays) appeared தொண்டன்  (Thondan) monthly magazine of Social Communications Centre, Batticaloa on March 2011.
  14. ‘The Role of the Catholic Church in the Field of Education’ appeared at ‘Marian Blossoms – Annual Magazine of St. Mary’s College, National School, Trincomalee on October 2009.
  15. 'பொதுநிலையினரே நீங்களே திருச்சபை' appeared at a bi-centenary Commemorative volume named 'உதய தாரகை' published by St. Mary’s Co-Cathedral, Puliyantivu, Batticaloa on August 2009.
  16. 'தொன்மைமிகு விசுவாச வாழ்வு' appeared at a bi-centenary Commemorative volume named 'விசுவாசப் பேழை' published by Holy Cross Shrine, Sorikalmunai, Sammanthurai on 14th September 2008.

Research Conference Papers:

  1. Presented paper on the theme of ‘Diversity as the Richness of Co-existence’ from the Christian point of view, organized by the Intercultural Dialogue Foundation held at Eastern University, Sri Lanka on 8th April 2016.
  2. Presented paper on the theme of ‘Smelling the smell of Christ’ to mark the introduction of ‘Year of Mercy’ organized by the Laity Commission of Trincomalee Diocese held at Pastoral Centre, Trincomalee on 7th November 2015.
  3. Presented a group Research Paper at a seminar session on ‘God’s Mission and Unity of the Church’ as post-graduate fellow under the chairmanship of Prof. James Puglisi, SA, at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome, Italy on 7th January 2015. This was sent to the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland as response to its 214th working paper.
  4. Presented a Research Paper at a seminar session on ‘Ethics in Social Communications’ as post-graduate fellow under the chairmanship of Prof. Fredrick Bliss, SM, at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome, Italy on 5th April 2014.
  5. Participated and presented a Research Paper on 'தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரின் சமயப்பணியும், தமிழ்ப்பணியும்' (Services Rendered to Tamil and Religion by Late Rev. Xavier Thaninayagam Adikal) organized by the Tamil Sangam, Valaichenai held at Hindu College, Valaichenai on 7th September 2013.
  6. Participated and presented a Research Paper on 'தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரும், உலகத் தமிழாய்வு மாநாடுகளும்' (Tamil Research Conferences and Late Rev. Xavier Thaninayagam Adikal) organized by the Tamil Sangam of Mannar District held at Town Hall, Mannar on 1st – 3rd August 2013.
  7. Participated and presented a Research Paper on 'தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரின் வாழ்வும் பணியும்' (The Life and Works of Late Rev. Xavier Thaninayagam Adikal) organized by the Centenary Celebration Committee of Thamilthoothu Thaniyagam Adikal, Batticaloa held at Teachers’ Training College, Batticaloa on 1st August 2013.
  8. Participated and presented a Research Paper on 'தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரின் தமிழ்ப்பணி' (Services Rendered to Tamil by Late Rev. Xavier Thaninayagam Adikal) organized by the Social Communications Centre, Batticaloa held at Charles Hall, Batticaloa on 12th June 2013.
  9. Participated and presented a Research Paper at a Marian International Conference on ‘The Dawn of New Era – The Devotion to Our Lady of All Nations’, special reference to Batiicaloa, Sri Lanka’ held in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 19th May 2013. 
  10. Participated and presented a Research Paper on'வாழ்வியலைத் தொடாத மறைக்கல்வி பொருளற்றது' ‘Catechism for Life’ organized by the Christian Union of National College of Education, Vavuniya held at Vavuniya on 21st July 2012.
  11. Participated and presented a Research Paper on 'இளைஞர்களும் அவர்கள் இன்றைய வாழ்வில் எதிர்கொள்ளும் சிக்கல்களும்' (Youth and their Problems of Today) organized by Psychological Society of Kalmunai held at YMCA Hall on 21st April 2012.
  12. Participated as a Resource Person and delivered a lecture on ‘Christianity and Inter Religious Collaboration’ at the Youth Convention organized by the Muslim Women’s Research & Action Forum at Sarvodaya, Batticaloa on 3rd – 4th November 2011.
  13. Participated as a Resource Person and delivered a lecture on ‘Catechism for All’ at the Diocesan Pastoral Convention organized by the Laity Commission of the Diocese of Trincomalee – Batticaloa at Manresa Retreat Centre at Batticaloa on 7th October 2011.
  14. Participated as a Resource Person and delivered a lecture on ‘Christian Sacraments’ at the National Liturgy Congress organized by the Archdiocese of Colombo in Colombo on 20th – 21st August 2011.
  15. Sent a paper to be read at an International Conference organized by the Department of Christian Studies, University of Madras, Chennai, India under the title of ‘Religious Pluralism and Peace in Sri Lanka’ held on 8th & 9th November 2010.
  16. Participated and presented a paper on ‘Non-Violence Communication in the Bible’ at Martin Luther King (Jr.) Memorial Exhibition held at the Eastern University, Sri Lanka on 22nd – 24th February 2010.
  17. Participated and presented a Research Paper on 'சுற்றுச்சூழல் பேணல் மானிடகுலத்தின் கூட்டுப்பொறுப்பு' (Preserving the Ecology Responsibility of All) at the Eighth Annual Research Session organized by Faculty of Commerce and Management, Eastern University, Sri Lanka held on 17 – 18 December 2009.

Publications:

  1. திருச்சிலுவைப்பாதை தியானம் – Way of the Cross Reflections, Bishop’s House, Batticaloa, 2012.
  2. நாளும் ஒரு நற்சிந்தனை – Lenten Reflections, Bishop’s House, Batticaloa, 2007.
  3. வாழ்க்கைப் பாதை– Way of the Cross Reflections, Mater Dolorosa Church, Royapuram, Chennai, 2003.
  4. Editorial Team of fpwp];jt ehfhPfk; (Christian Civilization) Grades 12 & 13, National Institute of Education, Maharagama, 2009, 2010.
  5. Editorial Team of கிறிஸ்தவம் (Christianity) Grades 12 & 13, National Institute of Education, Maharagama, 2009, 2010.
  6. Editor, வெள்ளிவிழா மலர், Our Lady of Velankanni Church, Pallathotam, Uppuveli, Trincomalee, 2013.
  7. Editor,திருமறைச்சுடர், Episcopal Ordination Silver Jubilee Commemorative volume of Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomalee – Batticaloa Diocese, Batticaloa, 2008.
  8. Co-Editor, அர்ப்பண ஆரம், Commemorative Magazine of Our Lady of All Nations’Church, Panichiyadi, Batticaloa, 2012.
  9. Co-Editor, பல்சமய சமாதானப் பெருவிழா - 2011> Commemorative Magazine of Inter-Religious Festival – 2011, Sri Lanka Council of Religons for Peace, Batticaloa District, 2011.
  10. Co-Editor, எழுவான், History of the New Diocese of Batticaloa, Bishop’s House, Batticaloa, 2008.

Other:

  • Participated on the theme of ‘Student Counseling’ organized by the Staff Development Centre, Eastern University, Sri Lanka held on 16th October 2016.
  • Participated on the theme of ‘Outdoor Training Program’ organized by the Eastern University, Sri Lanka held on 3rd & 4th May 2012.
  • Successfully completed the course on “Certificate of Teaching Methodology” conducted by Staff Development Centre, Eastern University, Sri Lanka held on 23rd June 2012.
  • Participated at Nature Camp 2010, on the theme of ‘Nature Awareness and Leadership Training’ organized by the Ministry of Higher Education held on 11th – 13th October 2010.
  • Participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program under the theme of “Religion and Social Justice in America” organized by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, held on June 28 – July 16, 2010.
  • Participated at ‘Basic Translation Skills Development Course’, organized by the National Institute of Language Education and Training, Ministry of National Languages & Social integration held on 8th – 18th November 2009.

Research Interest

  • Christian Unity and Inter Religious Dialogue
  • Christianity and Tamil Culture
  • Church History and Archives
  • Peace, Reconciliation and Social Harmony
  • Leadership and Youth Formation

Teaching

  • CH 1112 – Introduction Christian Religious Traditions
  • CH 1212 – The Study of Christian Scriptures – The Bible
  • CH 2112 – Jesus and His Mission presented by the Evangelists
  • CH 2122 – Old Testament Prophets and their Teachings
  • CH 2212 – Sri Lankan Church History
  • CH 2222 – Christianity and Tamil Culture
  • CH 3112 – Fundamentals of Christian Beliefs
  • CH 3122 – The Place of the Church and the Sacraments in Christian Life
  • CH 3212 – Christian Approach to Inter-Religious Dialogue
  • CH 3222 – Mysticism and Christian Spirituality

Awards

  • Selected by the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka to participate at the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in June 2010 for a period of three weeks.
  • Received Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Archbishop Emeritus award for the overall best performance in Theological Studies at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka, Ampitiya, Kandy affiliated to Pontifical University of Urbaniana, Rome, Italy in 1994.

Positions Held

  1. Coordinator, Discipline of Christianity, FAC/EUSL, November 2015 onwards.
  2. Faculty Representative of Senate, FAC/EUSL, December 2016 onwards.
  3. Students’ Counsellor, FAC/EUSL – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 and to date.
  4. Chief Counsellor, Catholic Association, EUSL – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and to date.
  5. Member of the Faculty Program Review Report writing team, FAC/EUSL, 2017.
  6. Chief Coordinator of Christmas Carol Service ‘Oli Vizha’, EUSL, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2016.
  7. Representative of Lecturer Probationary at the Faculty Board, FAC/EUSL, 2012 & 2013.
  8. Committee Member of FAC/EUSL proposal writing team of QIG (windows 1 & 2 undergraduate study programs – round under the HETC project 2012 & 2013.
  9. Principal Proposal Writer of FAC/EUSL, IDAS (Innovatory Development grant for Arts Students) under the HETC project 2013.
  10. Served as Member of the Disciplinary Action Committee on several occasions, 2012 & 2013.
  11. Academic Coordinator, NOMA-CPDS program of EUSL, 2011, 2012 & 2013.
  12. Coordinator, EUSL for the first ‘Kavitha’ (Mw;wy; - Talent) competitions organised among students of National Universities and Higher Education Institutions by the Ministry of Higher Education, 2011 & 2012.
  13. Convenor of the 15th Annual Memorial Lecture of Swami Vipulananda, FAC/EUSL, 2010.
  14. Executive Member of the 9th Annual Research Session organised by FAC/EUSL, 2010.
  15. Coordinator, ‘Yaal Nool’ Research Forum organised by FAC/EUSL, 2010.