3106 THA-Cambodia Silver Jubilarians
austraLasia #3106

 
Like rain drops: God's gifts in abundance
ROME: 30 July 2012 -- The Thai Province has just finished celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Priesthood of Frs Louis Phonchit Phoolvithayaij, Dominic Savio Suphot Riungham, and the 25th Anniversary of Religious profession of Bro Dominic Savio Worawut Jirasujarittham on 28 July, 2012 at Don Bosco School, Bangkok. One of the jubilarians, Fr Suphot, spoke of the occasion as being "like rain drops, seeing God's gifts in abundance".

1. Fr. Louis Phonchit was born 25 May, 1958. He entered the Salesian aspirantate at Hua Hin when he was in grade 5. After having finished his pre-university studies, he went to the Philippines and studied at Don Bosco Seminary, Canlubang. He entered the novitiate in 1978, when Fr Alfred Cogliandro was the Novice-master. On April 1, 1979 he made his first Profession. In 1979-1981 he went to study the philosophical subjects at The Retreat, Yercaud, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. After 2 years of Practical Training, he went to study Theology in the Philippines. He was ordained on May 23, 1987 in Don Bosco Church, Bangkok.
2. Fr Dominic Savio Suphot was born 25 July, 1958. He also entered the Salesian aspirantate at Hua Hin when he was in grade 5. He entered the novitiate in Don Bosco Seminary, Canlubang, Philippines, together with Fr. Louis and another 13 Novices, and made his first Profession on April 1, 1979. From 1979-1981 he studied Philosophy in India. After his Practical Training, he went to study Theology in UPS, Rome. He was ordained on July 11, 1987 in Fatima Church, Ban Saeng Arun, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Thailand.
3. Bro Dominic Savio Worawut was born 8 September 1960. While working, at the age of 21 one day he read a passage from St. Francis Xavier Parish Newsletter; and was moved by the examples of many people who followed Christ in  religious life. That night he could not sleep at all, thinking that the Lord was calling him to follow him more closely. The next day, he decided to leave everything and to detach from everything (money, work, etc.) and apply to serve the Lord in the Salesian Society. He entered the novitiate at Salesianum, Sampran, Thailand; and made his first Profession on May 1, 1987.

50 priests concelebrated and 500 people attended the celebrations. Fr Louis Phonchit was the main celebrant; Fr Suphot preached the homily and Bro Dominic Savio gave a 'thank you' speech at the end of the Mass. The singers, conducted by Bro Anusit Chanpen (Assistant to Don Bosco's boarders), came from three groups: boarders from Don Bosco School (Bangkok), Salesian Aspirants from Nazareth House (Banpong) and DQM Aspirants from Pra Mae Mary Sathorn (Bangkok).

Fr Suphot's homily reflected on: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field ..." (Mt 13:24). He mentioned three gifts that the Lord has given  us: 1) The gift of Life 2) The gift of Vocation 3) The gift of Friendship. He also spoke of the "Weeds" in our life. Although "weeds" seem to be part of our life, they cannot harm us. God allows them to grow together with the good seed. But at the end, "weeds" will be burned while the wheat will be put into His barn, in the kingdom of heaven. "Thank you, Lord, for 25 years of Priestly life and 25 years of Salesian life".

It was a wonderful day for the THA Province.