The Catholic faithful of St. John Church in the village of Chyet Pawng Chan in Myitkyina gathered for a transformative three-hour training session on Catholic faith and Bible sharing on September 3, 2026. The session, held under St. Michael Parish in the Diocese of Myitkyina, brought together 26 participants—parents and young people alike—eager to deepen their understanding of their faith.

Trainer Calls Catholics to Witness Christ’s Love

Leading the training from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, trainer Patrick Tu Hkawng guided participants through the essentials of Catholic faith: the importance of reading and sharing the Bible, prayer, the sacraments, and living as witnesses to the love of Christ.

“There are still many people who do not know the love of Christ. As people who have come to know His love, we are called to bear witness to that love,” Patrick Tu Hkawng told the assembled group.

He encouraged Christians to follow Christ through commitment, sacrifice, and love, stressing that faith should be expressed not only in words but also through service and care for others. Catholics, he emphasized, need to deepen and strengthen their faith by reading Sacred Scripture, reflecting on the Word of God, and regularly receiving the sacraments.

“The Gospel of Christ is a message of love. We have to help one another and become gifts to one another,” he said.

Finding Christ in Life’s Storms

Speaking about Bible sharing, Patrick Tu Hkawng highlighted the importance of taking time to speak with Christ through prayer and spending moments in silence and reflection. He drew on the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm, reminding participants that Christians also face difficulties and storms in their lives—and should not forget to turn to Christ for help.

The trainer also invited participants to reflect on the meaning of faith and to draw inspiration from the early Christians, who remained faithful to Christ despite persecution and suffering. Many early Christians sacrificed their lives for their faith, he explained, and their witness helped Christianity to grow and spread.

Patrick Tu Hkawng stressed the importance of daily prayer, particularly the Rosary, encouraging participants to make prayer part of their everyday lives. He further urged them to learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church, deepen their relationship with God, and remain faithful in their Christian lives.

Participants Deepen Their Understanding

For those who attended, the training proved to be an eye-opening experience. Participants said the session helped them gain a deeper understanding of Catholic teaching and practices.

“I learned how important the Catholic faith is in our lives. I also learned more about the Bible, including who wrote it,” said John La Wang, one of the participants.

Cecilia Seng Ram, another participant, said the training helped her better understand the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Catholic practice of praying for the dead.

“I learned more about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and why we Catholics pray for those who have died,” she said.

A Small Community with Deep Faith

St. John Church in Chyet Pawng Chan is under St. Michael Parish in the Diocese of Myitkyina. The local Catholic community consists of about 30 Catholic households, a small but vibrant faith community in the mountainous region of Kachin State.

Catechist Elizabeth Ning Ram is responsible for serving and accompanying the local Catholic community, providing ongoing pastoral care and catechetical instruction to the faithful in this remote area.

The training session, made possible through the dedication of the local Church and trainers like Patrick Tu Hkawng, represents an ongoing commitment to forming the faithful in the Catholic tradition—ensuring that even in the most remote corners of Myanmar, the seeds of faith continue to be planted and nurtured.

The Diocese of Myitkyina, established in 1961, serves a diverse Catholic population across Kachin State in Myanmar, with a strong emphasis on faith formation and catechetical training for both youth and adults.

By RVA Lisu Service