Battambang:      On 23-24, October, 2012 our prefecture celebrated the pastoral meeting for the 13th. In that time there were 150 delegates from 27 communities including sisters, Brothers, and also the priests in our prefecture came to share their faith and their work in those meeting. Msgr. Enrique Figaredo, SJ share “I am very happy to see all of you here. Pope Benedict XVI chose this years as The Year of Faith 2012-2013 so please firm in the faith to make our communities more strongly and developing “

In those meeting they also introduced them-self for knowing to each other, because we are family.

Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ is a parish priest of Battambang also explained about Logo the Year of Faith. And then they also share about their faith and to be a witness of Christ in their work and their society.

Fr. Franco is a parish priest of Kompong Chhang explained about the steps to receive a new Catholic. He said: The Catechism is a way that we walk together so we have to encourage to other that is poor and help them to forward. 

We mourned for our hero king Sihanouk for 7 days. Every evening at 7:00pm many catholic came and pray for the king in the chapel  On 22 October evening there was a mass for the king more than 200 catholic came in the church to celebrated the mass for our hero king Sihanouk also.

Not long after I came to Battambang I noticed one morning that colorful banners had appeared along the paths surrounding the Church. What’s this? Well they signaled the arrival of Pchum ben.

This is a 15 day period of annual remembrance and special prayers for the souls of the dead.  
A family or several families join together and adopt a day on which prayers are said at mass for their past family members and again in a special service later that same day. 
After their services the family provides food to those attending.

At the start of morning mass the family members distribute smoldering joss sticks to the congregation who in turn place them before the altar and incense fills the air. Meanwhile, the priest reads aloud the names of departed family members ensuring accuracy of pronunciation so as not to cause any offence to the family. Oh poor Father. Today’s family has provided a list of 170 names!

As pchum ben now draws to an end I’m impressed how the church community remembers its departed souls in a Christian way which is sympathetic to Cambodia’s Buddhist culture and traditions.

Mr. Tony Fenlon                                                                         Photo by Vong Rethy