Preparation Meeting for Aids Education Camp

March 15th 2011 staff from Mother of Perpetual Help Center and group leaders from various groups in Nong Bua Lamphu and outlying Districts met to prepare for an up-coming camp to bring about more education and awareness about HIV and Aids. There will be two camps - the first for young homosexual men - better known here in Thailand as "Ladyboys or Katois", the second for Junior High students in schools.

There has already been one camp in co-operation with Aids Net for "ladyboys" and follow-up work within groups here in the city of Nong Bua Lamphu. This second camp is to reach out further to groups in ouylying Districts and to create a network of leaders to do their own follow-up among these groups to bring about more awareness about the dangers of having multi-partner and un-safe sex.

The second camp to be held later among the youth in schools will have a two day follow-up in each of the schools. Camps and follow-up work has been done in all of the Districts within the Province of Nong Bua Lamphu already over the past six years - these new activities will reach out to an entire new generation of students in all of these schools. Thanks to Misereor in Germany and other funding agencies in Germany and America these important activities can continue and hopefully will help to bring about a decrease in the spread of Aids.

Arnold and Joseph Take on a New Look

Arnold and Joseph Hall (Sala) at Mother of Perpetual Help Center. Sala being used as a multipurpose building for the Center HIV meetings and activities for groups too large for the regular meeting room at the Center, to be used for St. Michael's Church parish activities and for use by the children at Mother Teresa Children's Home.

The picture below before the renovation of the Sala

The picture below after renovations completed. A stage has
been built in as well for various performances during gatherings.
The newly renovated Sala was first used for World Aids Day
activities on December 1st, 2010. Christmas activities were
made more festive because of the changes and below photos
during the gathering of religious from the Diocese on February
February the 1st, 2011. (Bishop Joseph - new Bishop of the
Diocese of Udon Thani, Thailand).

One of the youth from the parish performing a Thai cultural
dance during the gathering of religious.

Below pictures during the renovations.

Gathering of Religious of the Diocese of Udon Thani

February 1st 2011 all religious from the Diocese of Udon Thani, Thailand gathered together in Nong Bua Lamphu - hosted by the SVD (Divine Word Missionaries). The Diocese covers a wide area comprised of 5 Provinces, Udon Thani (Diocese Headquarters), Khon Kaen, Nong Khai on the boarder with Laos, Loei and Nong Bua Lamphu. The day began with the celebration of Mass and renewal of vows as a group. In the Diocese there are 16 different religious groups of nuns, priests and brothers as well as the local Diocesan priests. While many of the religious gather together after Christmas this special day has taken place so that everyone could become more familiar with each other. The day was a great success and enjoyed by everyone.

After Mass everyone gathered together for a meal at our Sala. The meal was prepared by the people of the Thabom parish. In the Diocese there are 16 different religious groups - the most of any Diocese other than Bangkok.

One of the Vietnemese workers from St. Michael's parish and one of the youth dress in traditional Vietnemese attire.

Celebration of Mass in St. Michael's Church, Nong Bua Lamphu.

Group of Philippina nuns entertaining during the meal. In the Diocese are two groups of Dominican nuns - above is one of the Dominican "Singing Nuns", along with Sisters of Mother Teresa and Augustinian Nuns.

About 65 priests, nuns and brothers enjoying their meal. More nuns than priests and brothers. Altogether 16 different religious groups working in the Diocese of Udon Thani.

Above some of the SVD's eating along with the Bishop. Brother Ron has been cut off the picture (sorry), Brother Bernd and our guest from Australia returning to Germany is Brother Herman. The SVD's are the only religious group to have Brothers working in the Udon Thani and many other Diocese's in Thailand.

Father Anthony, SVD as Master of Ceremonies for the day with the Sisters of Mother Teresa giving their introduction and entertaining with a song. The Missionary Sisters of Mother Teresa are looking after the HIV children at Mother of Teresa Children's Home in Nong Bua Lamphu. Once the children become teenagers they are received at Ban Mae Marie under the care of the Divine Word Missionaries.

Vietnemese religious introduction and entertainment along with two SVD's, Fr. Truc and Anthony. Fr. Anthony and Truc celebrate a Mass once a month in Udon Thani for the Vietnemese people living and working there along with Fr. John Tabor, an American Diocesan priest who had worked in Vietnam previously.

Fr. Paul Nathan, CSsR (Redemptorist). Fr. Paul was very helpful in the beginning when the SVD arrived in the Diocese helping us to get funding toward the building of St. Michael's church and very supportive in many ways.