The opening ceremony of the RVA Akha Service Office and the RVA Day of Akha Service was held on August 16, 2026, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the Catholic Missionary Center compound in Kengtung. The office was officially inaugurated during the Holy Mass celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Before the Holy Mass began, an Akha traditional drum and flute group accompanied the Bishop, priests, and RVA members into the church. Members of RVA Akha Service carried the Holy Bible, representing Christ as the Truth; candles, representing Christ as the Light; and the RVA flag, and presented them before the altar.

During the Holy Mass, RVA members proclaimed the First Reading, Second Reading, and Prayers of the Faithful in the Akha language.

Bishop’s Homily: Connecting Faith and Culture

In his homily, Bishop John Saw Yaw Han explained the common spiritual meaning behind the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Akha traditional swing festival, which were celebrated together on the same day.

First, he noted that both celebrations express gratitude and praise to God. Just as Mary continually gives thanks and praise to God, the Akha people also give thanks to God for the successful harvest and abundant crops.

Second, just as Mary responds generously to those in need without discrimination, the Akha people demonstrate equality and solidarity by sharing meat equally among the people.

Third, because of Mary’s purity and holiness, she was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven. Likewise, the Akha traditional swing, which moves upward from a lower position to a higher one, symbolizes the hope that people may also journey toward Heaven by following Mary’s example of holiness.

Expressions of Gratitude

Following the Holy Mass, Fr. Natale Htun Aung, Coordinator of RVA Akha Service, expressed his gratitude to His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo, Bishop John Saw Yaw Han, and Fr. Patrick Soe Htun, National Coordinator of Myanmar RVA Language Services, for their efforts and support in establishing RVA Akha Service. He also expressed his appreciation to all the generous donors who contributed to the initiative.

As part of the celebration marking the opening of the RVA Akha Service Office, the winners of the essay writing, painting, and three-minute video creation competitions for children and young people were announced.

The RVA members and Catholic youth then performed the RVA Akha Theme Song.

Blessing and Festivities

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, the Bishop, priests, and RVA Akha Service staff gathered for a commemorative group photograph. The youth also supported the mission by distributing RVA stickers to the participants and encouraging them to subscribe, like, and share RVA content on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram.

The Bishop then blessed the newly constructed Akha traditional swing and officially inaugurated the traditional swing activity.

Audience Meet and Introduction

At 10:00 a.m., an RVA Akha Service Audience Meet and Introduction Program was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hall. Around 100 people, including children, youth, and adults, attended the program.

During the gathering, Fr. Natale explained the purpose of the meeting and introduced RVA Akha Service to its audience. The Bishop shared words of encouragement, while Sr. Su Su Hlaing introduced the eight Categories of RVA programs. Fr. Stephen Ah No also explained the proper use and correct expressions of the Akha language.

Following the presentations, prizes were awarded to the winners of the competitions. An informal discussion with the audience was then led by Fr. Natale, followed by commemorative photographs.

A New Chapter in Digital Evangelization

The RVA Day was organized to help Catholics understand the Church’s call to journey together in digital evangelization and to encourage them to live as missionary disciples.

In today’s digital age, the RVA Akha Service family hopes and prays that everyone may proclaim the Good News of the Gospel through appropriate and effective digital means and become active missionary disciples in the digital world.

By RVA Akha Service