(Sai Gon, Vietnam) The members of Saint Alphonsus Academy joyfully welcomed on 14th June, the delegates of THAI LAN province who came and shared with the students in the Academy. The leader of the delegation was the provincial superior, Rev. Michael Picharn, and others were Rev. Peter Pattarapong, the director of Ray Center in Pattaya, and Rev. John Yuthana, Headmaster of Ruam Rudee International School.
The assistant director of Saint Alphonsus Academy, Rev Paul Nguyen Van Cong introduced the delegates to the students. He said: “We are very grateful to THAI LAN province. Many brothers were sponsored to study English at Ruam Rudee. I wish this way our relationship will be strengthened more and more.”
Then, the Prefect of Study, Rev. Anthony Nguyen Van Dung spoke about the process of formation at Saint Alphonsus Academy. He also expressed his expectations that in near future, both provinces would collaborate in formation and mission.
In response, Rev. Michael Picharn said: “I am very happy to visit Vietnam. Two years ago, I had opportunity to study Vietnamese in Vietnam. I also have Vietnamese blood as you. My parents are Vietnamese, they come from Hatinh province. My family went to Thailand when I was small, therefore, I can speak Vietnamese a little bit.” Rev Michael continued to present about the members and the missions of Thailand province. He also emphasized that theThailand province will continue to sponsor brothers of Vietnam province to study English.” He hoped that in a near future, both provinces would have practical collaborations to do mission in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Next, the brothers of Saint Alphonsus had interactions with the delegates. The young Redemptorists understood more about the Redemptorists in Thailand and the endeavors to evangelize in the East-Asia.
This was a successful meeting and it promised a better future of Redemptorists in Asia, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam.
BanVanHoa
(Translated by Duc Trung Vu, CSsR)
