austraLasia #1837

Surat Thani Diocese plays its part for Thai King's 80th birthday

SURATTHANI: 2nd May 2007 -- Surat Thani Diocese, headed by Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil sdb, has played its part in the recent (21st April) celebrations for the 80th birthday of the much revered monarch of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej.  Surat Thani lies in Prachuab Khirikhan province, one of 76 Thai provinces, which stretches 1200 kilometres all the way to the border with Malaysia.
    Fr John Tamayo sdb, parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Ban Saeng Arun, led the liturgy of the Word in an interfaith celebration involving Buddhists, Moslems and Catholics. The entire prayer ceremony was led by the Governor of the province.  For the small Salesian community, this was a tiny piece of history being made, as they led a moment of evangelisation and proclamation of God's Word in this interfaith context.  The Governor later expressed his personal satisfaction for the musical and liturgical participation of the parish.
    The Salesians of Don Bosco came to Thailand in 1927.  For Salesian visitors to the province, perhaps its best known location, further to the north of Ban Saeng Arun, is Hua Hin, the location for major events for the EAO Region. A formation meeting for Rectors from around the Region will be held there in August of this year.
      _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use BoscoWiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm   Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org. To contact austraLasia by voice on Skype, the Skype name is austraLasia.