30th Anniversary

CFC Thailand 30th anniversary celebration held at the Shrine of the Seven Martyrs in Songkhon, Mukdahan Province, Thailand from 26 to 27 October 2019

CFC Thailand celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Shrine of the Seven Martyrs in Songkhon, Mukdahan Province, Thailand from 26 to 27 October 2019. His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Philip Banchong opened the event with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and welcomed CFC members from Ubon Ratchathani, Tharae Nongseang, Phuket and Bangkok. Over 150 members represented the different CFC communities throughout Thailand to the celebration held at the tiny village located along the Mekong River, bordering Thailand and Lao PDR. The event also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the beatification of the Seven Martyrs in Songkhon. Father Wiradet, Vicar General of the Archdioceses of Tharae Nongsaeng hosted of the event and allowed the use of facilitates in the Shrine for CFC. Father Wiradet expressed his strong support to the work of CFC and invited CFC to expand its work in Songkhon where there are over 1,000 active Catholics, including young couples and children. Father Wiradet is the resident priest at the Shrine.

About the venue

One of the largest and most beautiful Catholic churches in Southeast Asia, Wat Song Khon is located beside the Mekong River 25 km. from Mukdahan town. It was built to honour seven Catholics who sacrificed their lives to protect their religion, and contains wax figures of the martyrs along with their ashes. In 1996, the place was awarded for its outstanding architecture by the Association of Siamese Architects Under the Royal Patronage. Read more about the Seven Martyrs of Thailand

Programme

Saturday, 26 October

08:30–09:30 Arrival, breakfast and check-in
09:30–10:00 Opening praise and worship & mass preparations
10:00– 11:15 HOLY MASS to be celebrated by H.E. Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani
11:15 – 12:30 Lunch break and rest
12:30 -12:45 Gathering song by music ministry
12:45–13:15 Welcoming remarks, opening praise and worship by Prakan Oudomugsorn
13:15–14:00 OPENING EXHORTATION – CFC Thailand past, present and future by Ajarn Arom Poolpokpol
Video presentation – History of CFC Thailand
14:00-14:10 Sharing from CFC Bangkok by Vorachat and Fang Thongpiyapoom
14:10-14:40 CFC International - Lito Tayag, CFC Manila
14:40–15:00 Coffee break and snack
15:00–15:40 TALK & SHARING ON “GODs LOVE” to be delivered by CFC Tharae
Video presentation - CFC Manila work
16:00–16:40 TALK & SHARING ON “WHO IS JESUS CHRIST” to be delivered by CFC Ubon
16:40–17:00 Closing praise and worship
17:00–18:00 Presentation and tour around the Shrine of the Seven Martyrs
18:00 – 19:00 Dinner

Evening fellowship and celebration
19:00 – 21:00 Presentations and games

CFC Ubon
CFC Tharae
CFC Bangkok (Thai)
CFC Bangkok (Expat)
CFC South
Special presentations

Sunday, 27 October

06:30 – 08:00 Breakfast and check-in
08:00 – 09:15 HOLY MASS to be celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Louis Chamniern Santisukniram, Archdiocese of Tharae Nongsaeng
09:15 – 09:30 Opening praise and worship
09:30 – 10:30 TALK & SHARING ON “WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN” to be delivered by CFC Phuket
10:30 – 11:30 TALK & SHARING ON “FAITH AND REPENTANCE” to be delivered by CFC Ubon
11:30 – 11:45 CLOSING EXHORTATION – CFC Thailand evangelization work for Thais by Prakan Oudomugsorn
11:45 –12:00 Closing praise and worship
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch, check-out and departure

Special guests

His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara of the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani will celebrate the opening mass on Saturday, 26 October 2019. The Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani has over 500 CFC Thai members.

His Excellency Most Reverend Archbishop Louis Chamnien Santisuknirand of
Archdiocese of Tharae-Nongsaeng will celebrate the concluding mass on Sunday, 27 October 2019. The Diocese of Tharae-Nongsaeng hosts the largest number of CFC Thai members. Over 1,500 Thai Catholics in Tharae completed the CFC Christian Life Programme.

Lito Tayag is a member of the Couples for Christ Board of Elders based in Manila, the Philippines. He had visited CFC Thailand several times in the past as a former Country Coordinator for CFC Thailand.

Raffy Ballesteros is the current Country Coordinator for CFC Thailand. Based in Manila, he visits regularly the CFC communities in Bangkok and provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani and Tharae Nongsaeng.

About the anniversary

The 30th anniversary of CFC Thailand is a celebration of the Light of Christ shining in the hearts of Thai people and bringing renewal in the family and community life for 30 years since the establishment of CFC Thailand in 1989. It recalls the dedication of the CFC founders both expats and Thai in abiding with the call of God to be renewed in faith and share this renewal with others. It features the transformative work of the Holy Spirit turning ordinary faithful into empowered evangelizers. The anniversary brings together hundreds of CFC Thai members from the Dioceses of Tharae Nongsaeng, Ubon Rachathani, Surat Thani, Chiangmai, Chiangrai and the Archdiocese of Bangkok. It invites Thai bishops and priests in areas where CFC communities are active.

More photos of the venue

CFC Thailand celebrates 25th anniversary

25 October 2014: CFC Thailand celebrated its 25th anniversary at Baan Phu Wan Pastoral Centre on 25-26 October 2014. Nearly 500 members from CFC communities in Bangkok, Ubon, Tharae, Surat Thani, Panom, Phuket and Chiangmai gathered in unity to offer praise to God and share their joys and talents. Under the theme "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19), the event represented a significant milestone in the 25 years history of the community in Thailand. Fr. Joseph Chalerm Kitmongkhol, Secretary-General of the CBCT Commission on Family Apostolate informed the gathering on the challenges of Christian family life in the context of the discussions at the recent Synod on Family and H.E. Bishop Prathan Sridarunslip recalled his inspiring experiences with the CFC communities. The events highlighted the achievements of the past 25 years, inspiring testimonies of CFC members and variety of talents that exist in the community.

The anniversary celebration exceeded everybody's expectation. It was truly awesome and Spirit-filled from all counts: large turnout, inspiring testimonies, breathtaking presentations, solemn masses, powerful worships and lovely ball. Two key messages came out from the event. The first calls us to remain faithful to our covenant as expressed in Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together... but let us encourage one another”. The second reminds us that God’s work is not over yet; therefore we need to persevere as long as we live just as the words from Philippians 1:3-7 “…the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” tell us. These are important messages to reflect upon as we resume doing the work that the Lord has given us. Link to photos of the event