Battambng Parish: On 14-15 January__ All the staffs in the Pastoral Center with Fr, Totet and Br. Francis met to each other to discuss about the Leadership Development Strategy for the prefecture work in more 3 years.

We seek to hone skills that will allow the youths to work together as agents of social change and development in their communities and in Cambodian society. We believe that the next generation of community leaders should be empowered, courageous, freedom-loving, and liberating influences in their communities.

In this meeting we found out the three main points. There are Education, Modal, and Opportunity. We hope that strategy will help the youth to be a leadership, and  to be brave.

Fr. Totet Said: This strategy is going to announce  to the other communities in the prefecture to know about it.

The Pet Yiey Chi Musical Program of Battambang Church has been established since March, 2012, under the direction of Br. Soo Young, a Jesuit seminarian. At 4.40pm on 27 October 2012 a small concert was performed by the latest batch of 17 graduates. This event followed a previous concert given on June 17 2012 by the first batch of graduates. After the concert Br Soo Young presented each graduate with a Certificate of Attendance in recognition of their excellent results.   

The aims of the Pet Yiey Chi musical program are; to give an opportunity to students who otherwise couldn't afford to attend musical classes; to corporate and fulfill some of their social needs and to build confidence by giving them the chance to perform in front of a live audience.

The 6:00 evening mass yesterday, September 3, 2012 was quite different than any other Monday evening masses. The church was packed as Fr. Manoj Ekka, SJ and Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ concelebrated the mass and the choir for the Sunday mass did

The singing. The mass was certainly a special one since it opened the 2012 Diocesan Youth & Catechists Synod. 

This year’s synod theme tags as "Faith Is A Gift From God." There are 207 young people and catechists from different provinces under the tutelage of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang such as Kompong Chanang, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, Kompong Thom, Banteay Mencheay and Battambang province.

After dinner, the formal opening of the synod was highlighted with a gospel reflection led by Fr. Pedro Gomez, the chairman of the synod. A procession from behind the audience to the stage by Fr. Pedro bringing the holy bible with two candle bearers started the refection. The gospel was taken from John 4: 14, about Jesus’ encounter of a Samaritan woman at a well which read: ““Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” It was interpreted through a dramatization which captured the feelings of the participants.
 
Mgrs. Kike welcomed the delegates after the gospel reflection. He also blessed the water used to bless the participants. Each parish was called and representatives got up on the stage for the blessing. Most of the priests in the entire prefecture were present in the opening program. Several sisters coming from different parishes are also participants of the synod. 

There are 3 main purposes in the synod
  1.     Give the youth and catechists good communication to each other.
  2.     Give the youth and catechists good communication with Lord through prayer, listen, and practicing the Gospel.
  3.     Give them through the theme “Jesus met Summary women…….” John 4, 1-38.

In the first day of the synod they discussed about them “Where is the faith from” and the second day they discussed about “What does the faith push us to do?”  And the last day they also discussed about “ how do we catechize?”  in this three they learn and share about their faith to each other well.

Fr. Pedro shared: I am very happy in this year because the youth and catechists had meeting to each other that we have never before. In this synod there are many icons as the well that we already performed, the water of the life, and especially the bible that is the food to feed our spiritual. Love and Mercy will be change the mine of the people who far away from God will beck and live near him.

Mgrs. Kike shared: The faith is a gift from 100% and we are son and daughter of God should receive from him100% as he gave us. We already discussed before about the strategy of our prefecture for 5 year from 2010-2015. We have 4 important strategies 1. Values formation, 2. Education, 3. Faith formation, 4. Leadership. We should continue to follow  our strategies it will helpful in our communities in Battambang prefecture. 

Living as a catholic life we should show  your faith to other people around you.  Life of prayer, Take care of our Liturgy, know how to serve other, and create a good habit in your society  

On 21 August 2012 there are some guest from Korea came and visit to our Lady of Assumption parish. And they also showed their ability to the parish with the music performance. This group name Music for One. There are 10 people in the group some are student from university of Korea. They came to Cambodia is not only visit but they want to make a communication with the Cambodian through the Music and they also want Cambodian interest with the music as the world like it. In the beginning of the performance the parish also welcomes them with tradition blessing dance. There are around 200 people came to visit them in the church including Fr. Pedro, Br. Soo young, Br. Pilo and Mrgs. Kike.

Mrgs. Kike shear: We are happy that you came to visit us and thank that you showing us about your ability with your great us in our parish. We believe that art and music will be make us feel communicate to each other. 

For more pictures, please visit our Facebook Page.  

The 2nd Battambang Taekwondo Competition held at Dewey International University concluded today, August 19, 2012. The competition was participated by more than ten teams coming from different places including Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Our very own Catholic Team harvested 8 medals – 3 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze. Our little dancers also performed at the awarding ceremony. The traditional ensemble performed the music with our youth group singing which made the Catholic community presence unique and awesome. 

For more pictures, please visit our Facebook Page.