Fr. Mervyn Fernando was the Founder President of Family Studies and Services Institute. It was initially called Family Services Institute which was started in 1972 at the Aquinas College premises, and carried out counselling and related activities. In 1978, he invited the late Godwin Mendis to join the Institute and carry out the services and handed it over to him in 1979. Fr. Mervyn remained as President of the Institute and gave his guidance and support. In the early 1980s the Institute was shifted to the 6th Floor of Paul VI Centre, Colombo 11 and re-named, Family Studies and Services Institute, better known as FSSI. Mendis gave leadership as Executive Director of FSSI until his demise in 1999.
The FSSI carried on the services of counselling, counsellor training, marriage education, youth education, child education, special programs for couples planning to get married, psychology programs, family planning, etc.
The FSSI did an immense service to people across the country through its own programs and also through many other organizations including, religious organizations of all faiths, NGOs, Governmental Departments and Institutions, and other social service organizations. Fr. Mervyn’s vision of establishing this Institute for the purpose of improving and enriching family life, headed by a married lay person was 100% achieved.
Fr. Mervyn then started the Institute of Integral Education, better known as Subodhi Institute on the banks of the Bolgoda River in Piliyandala, in 1981. His vision was to give an integral education to youth, thereby enhancing their value to society.
Beautifully designed by the famous Architect, Jeffry Bawa in a landscaped rubber estate, this complex has several training halls and rooms, residential facilities for over hundred people, a beautiful chapel and ample empty spaces and land to conduct indoor and outdoor programs. Especially designed residential youth programs were organized and conducted by Fr. Mervyn and his professional team.
I was fortunate to be among one of the first batches to attend a three day program on ‘love, sex and marriage’ in 1982 as G.C.E. (A/L) students from St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10. Similarly, other Catholic schools and some parishes sent youth for these regular programs.
In 1983, Subodhi Youth Club was founded by Fr. Mervyn, to further enhance the personal development of the youth, where many activities were organized to develop leadership skills, organizational skills, communication, team building, etc. that would make the youth a valuable asset to society.
Fr. Mervyn was also a former President and an active member of the Astronomy Association of Sri Lanka, and has contributed immensely to the activities of the Association. Fr. Mervyn unexpectedly suffered a stroke and became partially paralyzed in 2014/15 and when we visited him, he could hardly talk. But with the spirit of God and his will power, over the months he recovered and even drove around. However, due to his health condition, he retired from the Institute, and remained there as his residence, until his peaceful demise on December 20, 2017.
Despite his great knowledge and education in Theology, Psychology and Science, Fr. Mervyn was a humble, simple priest, a hard to find class nowadays.
His invaluable service to Church and society cannot be replaced. As a close family friend, we hosted Fr. Mervyn for dinner at our home on June 17, 2017 and that was the last day we saw him alive. We were saddened with the news that he was called to rest on December 20 2017.
May he rejoice in God’s Kingdom forever!
Franklyn Mendis