With A profound spirit of gratitude, the community gathered to honor two sisters of Charity (SCCG) in Von Ne Akha Village, Kengtung Diocese.

On September 12, 2026, a solemn Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at 6:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in the Kengtung Diocese, marking the 25th Silver Jubilee of Sr. Josephine Cho Cho San and Sr. Ann Mary Nan Shan Phoo from the congregation of Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (SCCG).

Parish Priest Fr. Steven Ah No presided over the Eucharistic celebration, alongside 10 concelebrating priests. Around 300 faithful joined in prayer to thank God for the sisters’ quarter-century of dedicated religious life.

Living the Vows Amid Human Weakness

In his homily, Fr. Steven Ah No offered a deep reflection on the three evangelical counsels that guide a religious sister’s life.

Poverty: A life of contentment and non-attachment, using only what is essential and sharing the abundance with the poor.

Chastity: Practicing a pure love that extends to all human beings as children of God, transcending biological family ties.

Obedience: Dedicating one’s life to listening to God’s will, relying on Him as the ultimate strength and Lord.

The Parish Priest reminded the congregation that nuns are not born as perfect, sinless saints. Like everyone, they face human weaknesses and daily struggles. To live out their vows, he explained, they must refocus on God from the moment they wake up—striving to think, see, and love as God does in every situation. He emphasized that the prayers and encouragement of the faithful are vital, serving as an invaluable source of strength that helps the sisters persevere through times of trial.

Echoes of Gratitude and Missionary Witness

During the speeches, both jubilarians shared moving testimonies of their distinct journeys of faith.

Sr. Josephine Cho Cho San, who has served as a missionary in Italy for over 15 years, celebrated this milestone during a visit to her homeland. She shared a tender moment, noting that while the village youth and children no longer recognized her due to her long absence, the elders warmly welcomed her back as their own. Expressing deep gratitude for the villagers’ enduring love, she reminded everyone that whether serving in Myanmar or abroad, they serve the same God.

Sr. Ann Mary Nan Shan Phoo shared that her strength comes from daily Eucharistic Adoration and meditating on the Cross. Following the charism of St. Bartolomea Capitanio and St. Vincenza Gerosa, the founders of the Sisters of Charity, she highlighted how she lives by St. Vincenza’s motto: “Whoever knows the Cross knows everything.” This wisdom has allowed her to journey forward by focusing on the joyful rewards that lie behind life’s difficulties. She also revealed that she draws daily inspiration from Mother Mary’s words, “My soul glorifies the Lord,” walking hand-in-hand with Our Lady for the past 25 years. She concluded by thanking the entire parish community for beautifully organizing the Thanksgiving Mass.

Nurturing Faith in Changing Times

While this Silver Jubilee was a beautiful celebration of past perseverance, it also highlights a modern challenge facing local communities. Sr. Josephine’s return revealed a generational gap: a youth population unfamiliar with the home-grown missionaries who paved the way before them.

The rapid pace of the world often pulls the younger generation away from spiritual reflection, creating a quiet crisis of vocations. The ultimate test for Von Ne Akha Village—and the wider Kengtung Diocese—is ensuring that the flame of faith and selfless service carried by these two sisters for 25 years does not fade, but is instead passed down to the youth.

A Call to Prayer, Inspiration, and Mission

A milestone like this is not just an event to look back on; it is a spiritual catalyst for the future. The community is called to respond in three distinct ways.

First, the faithful are urged to support religious sisters and priests in prayer, uplifting them daily and providing the spiritual encouragement they need to persevere.

Second, parents and elders are encouraged to bridge the generational gap by sharing the stories of Sr. Josephine and Sr. Ann Mary with their children, fostering an environment where a religious vocation is viewed as a courageous and beautiful life path.

Third, young people are invited to say “yes” to the mission—to step out of their comfort zones and consider a missionary vocation, whether within Myanmar or across the oceans like Sr. Josephine.

As Fr. Steven reminded the congregation, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” The Silver Jubilee of these two sisters stands as a living testament to what faithfulness can accomplish—and a call to the next generation to carry that flame forward.

By RVA Akha Service