English News Summary: March 2023
Summer Course on Religious Education at National Catechetical Center (NCC)
The NCC at Sampran,Nakhon Pathom has started its summer course this 20th March until 28 April 2023. There are 38 students for the 1st year and 47 students for the 2nd year while there are no students for 3rd year due to the COVID- 19 pandemic in the past 2 years. The NCC is under the directorship of Sister Petcharat Suksamran (Lovers of the Cross,Chantaburi) with Khru Tassanee Mathurotsuwan as teacher in-charge for the 1st year and Khru Sudhathai Niyomtham for the 2nd year. Among these students there are 21 coming from Chiang Mai diocese. We wish them an enjoyable course and may their faith grow as they deepen their experience in knowing God through this special course.
Pgaz K’Nyau Ethnic Catechists Seminar
A seminar was held last March 13-14, 2023 at the Saint Francis of Assisi Local Wisdom Learning Center, Khun Yuam district. The Evangelization Section of the Chiang Mai Diocese in cooperation with the parish priests belonging to district #4 in Mae Hong Son province have organized a seminar for the catechists belonging to Pgaz K’Nyau ethnic. There were 45 Catechists who attended these 2 days seminar. The themes discussed were: Retreat and Spiritual Renewal, Message of International Peace Day 2023 and Planning for year 2023.
Saint Joseph “The Righteous Father”
On the occasion of the feast day of Saint Joseph on 19th March, a grand celebration was held the day before in Baan Den Hom, Samoeng at the parish of Father Wasin Chan-arun with the assistant priest -Fr. Tanongsak Bikho. This parish is composed of 40 Villages with 20 Chapel branches. The celebration started a 3 days meeting of the staff from the Catholic Mission Center on Promotion of Women’s Welfare & Social Development and the women groups from Zone 3; it was held in Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Ban Pang Tong. On the last day, H.E. Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana concluded the meeting at the Saint Joseph parish and celebrated together the feast. They read and discussed together an article on “The Friendship Chair” on pp. 35-36 of the Magazine “Mae Phra Yok Mai”. The celebration proper started with the Sword Dance to welcome the guests. There were also 27 boys and girls who received Confirmation from the Bishop and 30 couples were recognized of being an Outstanding Family of the year. Certificates were distributed followed by picture taking. It was ended with local dishes served for lunch and strawberry fruits in season were gifted to some guests coming from far places.
For a Synodal Church
On March 9, 2023, the Diocese of Chiang Mai held the annual Pastoral Council meeting at the Chiang Mai Diocese Center. The council was attended by 45 representatives from the clergy, religious men and women, organizations and different sectors working in the Diocese. The main topic for the half day meeting was on the National Synthesis document of pre synodal-meeting CBCT. Father Suwat Luangsaat, deputy secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops’ Council of Thailand gave the overview of the document followed by question and answers. The last session was on the sharing of update by The Committee for the Promotion of Women’s Welfare, Youth Section and the Inter-religious Affairs; they shared about the activities done, current challenges and plans for the future. We are all called to be journeying companions, as we walk side by side each other.
Women’s Role in "The Church that Walks Together"
The Committee for Social Development and Promotion of Women’s Welfare in Chiang Mai Diocese wished to respond to the Church’s invitation on Synodality. The committee held 3 days gathering on 16-18 March 2023 as they realized that the Catholic women has an important role in the current social situation. The Synod calls for active participation by all, thus they are called to unite, participate, live the Good News and continue the mission they have inherited and to be co-builders of a peaceful society. The main theme was “Moving Together with Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”. Topics discussed during the 3 days included:
a. Moving together, unity, participation and mission
b. Living the Lent Season together
c. Sharing and exchanging current situation of women’s work in the community
d. Planning in line with the local church directives
e. The role of women in the family, seeds in modern times
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One of the highlights of this meeting was the moment of Meditation and prayer on the 14 Stations of the Cross and the Eucharistic celebration where everything was offered and entrusted to God for the continued progress in working with dedication for the women in particular. On 18th March 2023, the conclusion was with H.E. Bishop Francis Xavier Vira A. who came to St. Joseph Parish to meet them and celebrated the feast of St. Joseph altogether with the Christian community of Zone 3. Special thanks went to all who supported and collaborated in the success of the meeting.
