JUNE 2024 ENGLISH NEWS SUMMARY- CHIANG MAI DIOCESE
(Summarized and translated from FB Chiang Mai Diocese by Santa Agustilo)
Feast of Corpus Christi
On 2nd June, Sunday, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the Chiang Mai Cathedral was full to celebrate the center of the Catholic life- the holy Eucharist. A very solemn mass was celebrated for the feast and after the Holy Communion, all participated in the procession around the grounds of the Cathedral,stopping in 3 points to pray; led by the 10 children from Baan Phonsawan laying flowers on the way.
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Two other altars were set up: at the Sacred Heart School to pray for the staff of the 3 Catholic schools, at the entrance of the Cathedral to pray for the sick and the elderly and finally at the altar inside the church to pray for Peace. In addition to worship, Christians are invited to help their neighbors, especially the poor, the lonely and the refugees.
9th Anniversary of “Laudato Si” (2015-2024)
“Laudato Si” celebrated its 9th anniversary. The Social Development and Pastoral Committtee with the Youth Section, in cooperation with Chomthong Ban Thidarak, Ban Niramol, Panthakit Center, the Nagoli Foundation, Ban Pha Khao, and members of Ban Doi Thong planted trees at Betharram and Noah Garden in Chom Thong. The ceremony began with a liturgical readings, and reflections by Father Mongkol Charoentham who is the parish priest of St. Michael church, Chom Thong. Seedlings were distributed to each person to be planted in the designated areas.
Chiang Mai Sacred Heart Cathedral Celebrates 93rd Anniversary
On Friday, 7th June 2024, Sacred Heart College students and teachers had the opportunity to celebrate in the morning. In the evening, Fr. Chanchai led the First Friday prayers to the Sacred Heart, followed by the Eucharistic celebration with around 70 choir members from Montfort Secondary School and Sacred Heart College. There was a procession around the Cathedral and roses were offered to the Sacred Heart. Catholic students from the three Colleges joined the celebration.
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Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has begun 351 years ago, on December 27, 1673, Jesus appeared to the French saint Margaret Marie Alacoque to have this devotion known. The Gospel of the day from John 19:31-37 made us to look up at the cross on the wall of the altar of the Cathedral, it’s written: “He loves us so much” which was the motto of late Bishop Joseph Sangval Surasarang. To return this love, one could love back by doing good deeds at home, at school, at work and help the poor in the community.
Annual Diocesan Priests Seminar
The 41 diocesan priests held their annual seminar on June 11-14, 2024 at the St. Francis Assisi Learning Center, Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son. They reviewed and evaluated the activities that were agreed in the previous meeting first.
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This year, among other things discussed were: 1.How they carried out pastoral care in their parishes. 2. Parish management and accounting guidelines. 3. “Join Forces to Care for the World” by Dr. Sunthorn W. e.g.; planting trees in the rice fields. 4. Guidelines of 1 activity for each district to help the parish and the diocese. 5. Support and assistance for SFX Minor Seminary in Lampang by Fr.Sarawut Haeto.
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Fr. Wirasak Yongsripanithan summarized the seminar results to be approved as a resolution that must be implemented together. H.E. Bishop Vira closed the meeting by updating about the general activities of the Church of Thailand as a whole and in the diocese. They prayed together, listened to each other’s sharing of each parish and ate together. They returned happy, energized and have a new direction to move forward together.
Young Betharram Priests’ Meeting
On June 17- 20, 2024, a meeting was organized for the 16 young priests. H.E. Bp. Francis Xavier Vira was invited to celebrate the closing mass on the last day. H. E. was invited for breakfast and lunch together and shared with them on the Pastoral work and Catechesis. The book “To the Young Priest” was presented, and it says on pages 17-20- “You have to listen to the senior priests, the pastor… “Don’t sleep late”… and also introduced the book on Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 2357-2359.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
On this feast day, the Church looks back to its origins and celebrates the memory of two great men who were the molds for its early life, and who have left indelible traces in their foundations and characteristics. Different as they are, St. Peter and St. Paul are called “the two pillars of the Church,” “two lamps or lights” burning for Christ, illuminating the way to heaven. In Chiang Mai, several church and chapels are named after them. Below was one celebration of St. Paul’s Church, Huai Tong on this occasion.
Celebration of HM King Rama X
The Chiang Mai Interreligious Committee met to prepare for the celebration of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s birthday and National Mother’s Day at the Ban Ho Islamic Mosque on June 29, 2024. In Bangkok, Channel 11 invited the 5 religious representatives to greet HM King Rama X in a recorded television program. His majesty’s birthday will be on July 28th 2024.
Catechetical Center of Chiangmai Diocese (Mae Rim)
Sister Arun Praikhoji, MSCJ from Baan Marina went to teach and share about Prayer with Mae Rim students during the month of June 2024.
Announcement
On 27th June, 2024, an announcement from the Apostolic Nunciature of Thailand was made regarding the appointment of Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, the bishop of Chiang Mai Diocese as APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR (Sede vacante et ad natum Sancta Sedis) of the Archdiocese of Bangkok.
Deacon Ordination
On 29th June, 2024, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles, Brother Cyprian Aphikorn Komophitakchai was ordained as a DEACON by H.E. Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana at Saint Peter Church, Mae La Noi, Mae Hongson. Please pray for the vocation in the church especially for the youth who are called to priesthood, religious life and consecration to God
