FORMER SEMINARIANS HELP ALMA MATER

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Contribution is a chance to express deep gratitude, they say

Former seminarians from the diocese of Loikaw in northeastern Myanmar donated their labor and food to their former seminary to mark the feast day of the birth of Saint John the Baptist today.

“With the assistance of our former seminarians, we have been able to celebrate the feast day successfully,” said Father Alphonse Thai, rector of the seminary.

Bishop Sotero Phamo of Loikaw celebrated Mass along with 10 other priests and 200 former students and parishioners.

Martin Tee, a former seminarian who now works as a tour guide in Yangon, said he donated fish for the celebration, which included a group meal after Mass.

“I get the chance to express my deep gratitude to the seminary through my contribution,” he said, adding that he lived at the seminary for five years.

Other former seminarians helped clean up the grounds around the school, cooked the day’s meal, and contributed money and other items.

About 500 seminarians and former seminarians from St. John attended.

Staying in touch, some students say, has been difficult, despite the formation of an association in 2009 aimed at providing support for former students and the school.

“It’s a privilege for us to meet each other and help each other during this celebration,” said former student Bartolomeo Hla Maung.

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