Surat Thani Catholic Diocese, Thailand, 21 May 2020 -- Last year the Surat Thani diocese celebrated 50 years since its foundation. Located in the most southern part of Thailand, it is a typical missionary territory where the Catholics are only 0.1% (7000+ faithful) of the population of 9 million scattered across a territory of 76,000 km2 and where the majority are Buddhist and Muslims.
Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil already started his Lectio divina online sharing before his appointment as the 3rd Bishop of Surat Thani in October 2004. For the past 16 years he has not spared energy and time to share the Word of God among his clergy, religious and faithful. However over the years the digital platform has changed many times, but his constant and regular sharing goes on, thanks to his collaborators.
The Salesian Bishop shares: "I am adjusting myself to the "New Normal" way of living amid this COVID 19 pandemic. One of the blessings I am getting out of this event is to continue spreading the Word online. The Word of God cannot be chained. Everyday we transmit our Eucharist via "Facebook live" from Baan Chumpaban or even from the Cappucine sisters where I said Mass at Baan Saeng Arun.
What is encouraging is that the number of viewers during the last few months has gone from 600-900, and at times even more than 10,000. It is a wonderful opportunity to spread the Word of God via "Lectio Divina". Without COVID 19, I would just share the Word of God only with my two SIHM sisters and two priest collaborators in the diocesan center.
Now our schools are preparing for the new school year which will be starting on July 1.
Now we are used to cleaning our hands, keeping our mouth masked, and keep distancing, as much as is possible."
Another consistent ministry of the Word online within our EAO region:
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