Church – Welcome to Cambodia, and…..

Seminary Construction

Yesterday Bishop Olivier had a small ceremony to bless the foundation of the new seminary building he is erecting on the grounds of the pastoral center in Phnom Penh Thmey. Click here for photos from the blessing.

Phnom Penh Half Marathon

Today I rode along part of the final leg of the Phnom Penh Half Marathon as we went along the river on the way to the mass at St. Joseph Church. Click here for more about the marathon.

Catholic Church and Disabilities

Today Bishop Olivier asked all the Catholic NGOs that work with people with disabilities to come together for a sharing session. About 12 or 13 groups were represented. The main speaker for the morning was a spokesman from the government’s Disability Action Council

Mr. Te Serey Bon, the director of the Caritas Takeo Eye Hospital (where I had my cataract surgery) made a plea for government funding for programs that the church has set up with government cooperation but without government funding.

A lot of good networking and information sharing takes place
among the participants at the break times.

Bishop Olivier encouraged and thanked all the groups for the work they are doing, especially among some of Cambodia’s poorest people.

Priests Retreat–Saturday

Today was just a travel day. We had mass at 6:30 AM, a quick breakfast, and then everyone was on the road. Click here for photos of the last day.

Priests Retreat–Friday

Today was the final full day of the retreat for the priests of Cambodia. Click here to see how it went.

Priests Retreat–Thursday

.Today was the third day of retreat with talks by Fr. Rayappan. Click here to see what happened.

Priests Retreat–Wednesday

Today was the second day of retreat at the Catholic center in Sihanoukville. Click here for scenes from the day.

Priests Retreat–Tuesday

Today we had the first full day of retreat with Fr. Rayappan. Click here to see the day unfold.

Priests Retreat–Monday

Today was a travel day to Sihanoukville for all the priests of Cambodia coming for our annual retreat. Click here for photos from the trip from Phnom Penh down to the southern coast.

Musica Felice

Today the choral group Musica Felice presented their summer concert. Many of their members are from the English Catholic community and a special addition to this program was blind and deaf young people, including deaf students from the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme. Click here to see pictures from the performance.