AUGUST 2023 ENGLISH NEWS SUMMARY- CHIANG MAI DIOCESE
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023
On August 1-6, 2023 the atmosphere of celebration, joy and unity surrounded the Hill of Encounter and of the different areas in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. It showed how the Catholic Church is united in its diversity. The delegates of Chiang Mai with the others from Thailand were there to experience this unforgettable event with the Holy Father -Pope Francis. For more information of the event, go to the WYD 2023 website. The next appointment will be the Jubilee Year of the Youth 2025 in Rome, Italy; then, the next WYD 2027 will be in Seoul, South Korea.
CHIANGMAI DIOCESE PRIESTS BI- MONTHLY MEETING
The Priests of the Diocese of Chiang Mai had their August bi – monthly meeting last 9th August 2023 at the Mission Center. It started with the Eucharistic celebration presided by the four newly ordained priests in the month of June: Fr Paolo Vuthichai Korpaiboonthaworn, Fr. John Bosco Ruangdej Somboonpoonperm (M.Id), Fr. Peter Pichet Wijunwayu, SCJ and Fr. Matthew Panupan Saichonsrichinda, SCJ.
During the meeting, among other things discussed were the Role of the District Heads by Fr. Saravuth Haeto the responsible of the Legal Affairs of the Diocese; “How to Prepare for a Christian Married Life” was introduced with a book by Fr. Tidkham Jailerttrit. From the Pastoral and Evangelization Committee of the Diocese, Fr. Sirichai Bungasawan presented a letter on the occasion of Evangelization Sunday with the title “A Burning Heart and Walking forward Feet”, while Fr. Uthai Pahae reminded everyone the importance of praying together, going into a retreat and to be updated through continuing education.
Saravuth Haeto also announced some news regarding the progress of the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary, etc. An update of the World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal of which 8 from the Diocese of Chiang Mai participated. A summary of the content of the 50 Year FABC Document on Synodality was presented by H.E. Bishop Vira A. before the end of the meeting.
BAAN MARINA YOUTH
On August 11-14, 2023, the annual seminar was held for the youth staying in the Marina House where they receive training in spiritual aspect and skills to earn a livelihood. The speaker this time was Fr. Joseph Saravuth who spoke about “The Youth Living Together before Marriage, in the Perspective of the Local Church” and another topic was on “Child and Adolescent Psychology” by Teacher Chantima Wijitporn and her team.
Some of Marina House alumni shared their experiences. Chaiwat who was one of the WYD 2023 delegates shared his experience of the event in Lisbon, Portugal. There were fun activities on relationships: sports relations, group life, the strengthening of young women’s lives in today’s society.
SAINT CLAIRE OF ASSISSI FEAST DAY
Every 11th August, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Claire! In Chiang Mai Diocese the Poor Claire Monastery is located in Saraphi. This year the celebration was on the 13th August –Sunday and was presided by H.E. Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana. It was attended by the friends and parishioners with special participation of the Youth from Baan Marie Niramol Mission Center of Chomthong and the youth from Doisaket of the Ban Yawa Satri of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
MAHACHULALONGKORN RACHAVITHAYALAI UNIVERSITY
The Buddhist University of Chiang Mai (next to Suan DokTemple)- MahaChulalongkorn Rachavithayalai invited H.E. Bishop F.X. Vira Arpondratana to give a special lecture to 16 students who are in their 2nd-4th year Philosophy. Ajarn Dr. Pisit Khotsupho was the moderator. The following topics were discussed:
- Sacerdotal Ordination: Steps, Training and Formation 2. Governing the Priests in the Church
- Promoting Christian Rural Livelihood 4. Christian life and Religious Activities
It was another good opportunity to build friendship, cooperation and sharing.
H.E. BISHOP SILVIO SIRIPHONG CHARATSRI INSTALLATION
On June 13, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri from Chantaburi Diocese to be the bishop of the diocese of Ratchaburi, after H.E. Bishop John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen has resigned due to health reasons.
On the 5th August 2023 H.E. was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese at the Nativity of Our Lady Cathedral, Bangnokwaek, Samut Songkhram of Rachaburi province. We continue to pray for H. E. and the new assignment.
25th ANNIVERSARY OF BAAN MITR ATHORN
Baan Mitr Athorn Center was opened twenty-five years ago in Chiang Dao district! It is an occasion worth celebrating on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady to give the children from the past up to the present an opportunity to show gratitude to the founder and supporters, the administration and the congregation of the St. Paul De Chartres Sisters.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided by the H.E. Bishop F.X. Vira Arpondratana with representatives of clergy and religious men and women. Among the guests were from the alumni of Chao Fah Ubolratana School and the sisters from the Congregation of St. Paul De Chartres. The Bishop, in his homily talked about the “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” as told by St. Luke and the “Magnificat” as reflected concretely in these years in Baan Mit Athorn. He encouraged all to imitate the Lady’s example. There was also an awarding certificates ceremony for the benefactors and followed by the performances for the occasion.
PRIESTS ORDINATION IN VIETNAM
On 18th – 22th August 2023, a group of 103 Hmong Christians from Chiang Mai and Nakhon Sawan Dioceses, 2 Hmong priests from the Diocese of Nakhon Sawan, 6 catechists and 95 laymen from both dioceses traveled to attend the priest ordination and first mass of 3 Vietnamese Hmong priests at Hueng Hoa Diocese in Vietnam.
H.E. BISHOP CLAUDIO CIPOLLA’S VISIT TO CHIANG MAI
Last August 11- 25, 2023, an Italian bishop of Padua since October 18, 2015, after Bishop Antonio Mattiasso came to visit Chiang Mai. Bishop Claudio Cipolla was born on February 11, 1955, He was accompanied by Father Raphael Cuccato, the Missionary Assistant of the Bishop. The Diocese of Chiang Mai has 4 priests from the Diocese of Padua, Italy who help in the Pastoral care. They are Fr. Bruno Rossi, stationed at the parish of Our Lady of Peace, Chae Hom, Lampang Province; Fr. Rafael Sandona, Assistant parish priest of the Sacred Heart Cathedral; Fr. Bruno Soppelsa and Fr. Ferdinando Pistore at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Lamphun.
They also visited the Minor Seminary in Lampang and The Xavier Learning Center in Chiang Saen and the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The long friendship and love for Jesus was the motivating factor for him to visit us in Chiang Mai.
