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

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About the venue

How to get there from Bangkok
​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

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. 

Tentative programme

Saturday, 26 October 
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  • 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
  • To drive from Bangkok to Songkhon takes about 12 hours, including stops
  • To fly, there are direct flights from Don Muang Airport to Nakhon Phanom airport. From there, it takes only 1.5 hours to get to Songkhon by car 
  • Google map location 

Special guests

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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.
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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.
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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. 
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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. 

How to participate?

Members from Bangkok interested in attending should inform their respective chapter leaders on or before Sunday, 13 October. CFC Bangkok will support the cost of transportation. Details on this can be obtained from the chapter leaders. Accommodation and meals during the event will be provided at the venue at minimal costs.

For those travelling by land should leave Bangkok on Friday early morning to arrive at the venue on Friday evening. Departure at Songkhon will be after lunch on Sunday, expected arrival in Bangkok on Sunday midnight. 

For those travelling by air should arrange their own transport from airport in Nakhon Phanom to Songkhon and return. More advice on this matter will be provided later.

More photos of the venue

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