120 mothers from across the Myaungmya Zone gathered at the Marian Grotto of Theinla Parish in Pathein Diocese on October 23, 2026.

The flag was raised, the Rosary began, and hearts opened—marking the start of a three-day gathering that would strengthen faith, deepen friendships, and remind these women of their sacred calling.

Organized and led by Fr. Columban Htun Lin, Diocesan Coordinator for Mothers of the Diocese of Pathein, the gathering brought together mothers from different parishes to strengthen their faith and love, share their experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of their roles within their families and the Church.

A Journey of Learning and Sharing

The first evening was filled with introductions and fellowship, attended by Msgr. Wilfred Myint Soe, Msgr. Pius Win Than, Fr. Columban Htun Lin, and Fr. Richard Nay Zaw Aung, the parish priest of Theinla Parish, along with sisters and faithful.

On the second day, the mothers rose early for Mass celebrated by Fr. Columban. Then the learning began. Ms. Mon Mon Soe shared reflections on the Holy Scriptures. Ms. Odi offered a lesson on family life. Ms. Christina provided health-related knowledge and information.

At 10:30 a.m., Fr. Saw Isidore, dean of the Myaungmya Zone, gave a talk on “Mothers and the Family,” explaining in detail the important roles and responsibilities of mothers within the Church and the wider Christian community.

The afternoon brought a general discussion where mothers shared their personal experiences and exchanged ideas about activities they could undertake to support their families and contribute to the life of the Church. The day concluded with Eucharistic Adoration and a farewell entertainment program.

‘Love God with All Your Hearts’

On the final morning, Msgr. Pius Win Than presided over the Thanksgiving Mass, delivering a homily that touched on the heart of Christian living.

“When we reflect on today’s first reading, we find that we are called to welcome strangers and show love to everyone,” Msgr. Pius said. “In particular, the Scriptures remind us to pay special attention to the most vulnerable, the least among us, and those who are in need of help.”

He reminded the mothers of St. Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians, who accepted the Word of God with faith and put it into practice. “Through their faith and actions, they demonstrated that the God in whom they believed is the living God,” he said.

Drawing from the Book of Deuteronomy, Msgr. Pius called the mothers to love God with all their heart, soul, and might. “When we reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, we see that He completely followed the will of God the Father and offered Himself out of love,” he said. “His life serves as a model for us.”

‘Do Small Things with Great Love’

But perhaps the most memorable part of his homily came when he spoke of Mother Teresa.

“Her life reminds us of the importance of doing even the smallest things with great love,” Msgr. Pius said. “We do not always need to accomplish great deeds to demonstrate our love. Treating our family members with kindness, keeping lonely people company, helping the vulnerable, and welcoming those in need are all valuable expressions of love.”

He urged the mothers to remain close to God through prayer, to love and respect one another without discrimination, and to put Christ’s love into practice in their daily lives.

“We must not express Christ’s love through words alone; rather, we must put it into practice through our actions, attitudes, and relationships with others,” he said.

As the flag was lowered on October 25, bringing the gathering to a close, these 120 mothers returned to their homes and parishes, carrying with them the words of Msgr. Pius: “Let us do even the smallest things with great love, sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others through our daily lives.”

By RVA Pwo Karen Service