Author: Charles Dittmeier

Hospital Hangout

I have spent a lot of time at BNH Hospital in Bangkok the last four days, putting in 4 to 7 hours each day as I went through a series of tests and examinations as part of my three-years delayed physical exam. The last exam I had at BNH (where all the Cambodian Maryknollers go) was July, 2019. It is a really pleasant hospital but also a highly rated one. There are a lot of good people here. One of the “people” is this floor-cleaning robot seen here on its “lunch break” in its charging corner.

Maryknoll Bangkok House

One of the nice things about being part of Maryknoll is that through the years there was always a place to stay in many countries in Asia where Maryknoll had a presence. This photo is of a third-floor porch at the Maryknoll house in Bangkok. It’s not much for scenery but being able to stay at the house while I am in Bangkok for medical exams is wonderful.

Priests Retreat — Days 4 & 5

On Friday evening, the priests had a barbecue outside at the pastoral center.

Bishop Olivier used it as an opportunity to announce all the clergy changes and to what parishes different priests were going.
The annual retreats have always been a special occasion for the priests, a time to get together with friends who are far separated in the provincial parishes.
The next morning representatives from the parishes and groups and the faithful of the diocese came together with the priests to discuss ideas for Pope Francis’ synod.
All those attending were divided into four groups to give final recommendations for the synod document.

Bangkok Trip-Day 1

I was supposed to finish up some photos from the priests retreat today and start posting about this trip to Bangkok on Monday, but life got in the way and disrupted plans. Now it’s late and there’s no time so there will be more tomorrow. But for today here’s a picture from the plane today, leaving Phnom Penh, the first time I have flown in almost three years.

Apologies

I was fully prepared to keep posting updates here for each day of the retreat. It’s just that the wi-fi system at the pastoral center did not cooperate. The last two nights, when I was ready to post photos and comments, I could not gain access to the Internet at the center.

Priests Retreat–Day 1

Traditionally all the priests of Cambodia had a retreat together the first week of June. Because of Covid there was a two-year hiatus, but this year the diocese of Phnom Penh organized a smaller gathering of only the Phnom Penh priests at the diocesan pastoral center on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Fr. Alberto, from the Kampong Cham diocese, presented a talk each morning of the retreat.
The afternoon session was led by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler.
In the evening I sneaked out of the retreat to attend a farewell for Liz Pfifer, the outgoing country representative for Catholic Relief Services, and a welcome for her replacement. Marc D’Silva (c) organized the gathering.

Lucky “168”

Cambodians, especially in the rural areas, are a rather superstitious lot. Their world is full of spirits good and bad and there are certain omens and charms to be called upon. Some of these ideas come from the Chinese. Often the number 168 is displayed in shops and situations calling for good luck and good fortune. This practice comes from the Cantonese language. If the numbers one, six, eight are pronounced in Cantonese, they sound like the sentence “One path to prosperity” so the number is posted quite prominently on vehicles, buildings, etc.