By SC THA
Banpong, Thailand, 30 May 2024 -- On 28 May 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil SDB, presided at the Requiem for Fr Augustine Yarat Chaiyara, a Salesian priest, at St Joseph Church, Banpong, Ratchaburi. Fr Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, the Provincial of Thailand, concelebrated together with many other Salesian confreres and other diocesan clergy. Other members of the Salesian Family, teachers and students from Salesian institutions, and parishioners, came to join the funeral.
Fr. Augustine Yarat Chaiyara passed away in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 22 May 2024. He was born on 6 September 1964 at Ban Na Kham, Chang Ming Subdistrict, Phanna Nikhom District. He made his first profession in 1986 at the Salesianum, Samphran Thailand, and perpetual profession of vows on 24 March 1992. He was ordained priest on 30 April 1994 at St Joseph Church, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province. He returned to the house of the heavenly Father after 38 years of Salesian consecrated life and 30 years of priesthood.
Father Augustine Yarat was an eloquent speaker and a good preacher. He had a way of conveying stories using words that were easy to understand and that touched the hearts of the listeners, especially the young. With a personality that was smiling and welcoming to everyone, he was warmly loved by everyone. Apart from that, he was also a writer who used expressive, heartfelt language. Another outstanding feature of his was that he was creative in pastoral work, which indeed was his personal characteristic.
His 30 years of Salesian priesthood were dedicated to the education and pastoral work in the following Salesian communities:
- 1994 – 1996 School Director of Hua Hin Vitthayalai School, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
- 1996 – 2000 Vice Rector and Economer of the Salesian House, Samphran, Nakhon Pathom Province.
- 2000 – 2002 Vice Rector of Hua Hin Vitthayalai School Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
- 2002 – 2003 School Director of Saeng Thong Vitthaya School, Hat Yai, Songkhla Province.
- 2003 – 2007 Rector of Nazareth House, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province.
- 2007 – 2011 Rector of Hua Hin Vitthayalai School, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
- 2011 – 2017 Rector of Sarasit Phithayalai School, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province.
- 2017 – 2021 Vice Rector of Nazareth House, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province.
- 2021 – 2024 Chaplain for Pastoral Ministry of St. Dominic School, Bangkok.
- 2024 Vice Rector of Chiang Mai Community – Parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
Special assignments
- 2004 – 2011 Provincial Councillor
- 2011 – 2017 Provincial Vicar and Provincial Delegate on Formation
We give thanks to God for his life-long witness of a committed Salesian life, and pray for his eternal peace in the Salesian garden!
