The Holy Mass for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time at St. Mary Church, Theinla Parish, became more than a weekly observance on September 20, 2026. It was a moment of encounter—both with the Word of God and with a growing media ministry that is bringing the Gospel to Pwo Karen communities across Myanmar and beyond.

The 7:30 a.m. Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Msgr. Pius Win Than, Coordinator of RVA Pwo Karen Service, and concelebrated by Fr. Richard Nay Zaw Aung, the parish priest. Sisters, catechists, RVA Pwo Karen staff, and the faithful gathered in prayer, worshipping fully in their native Pwo Karen language.

A Homily on God’s Extravagant Mercy

In his homily, Msgr. Pius reflected on the day’s readings, particularly Isaiah’s reminder that “my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways,” and the Gospel parable of the workers in the vineyard.

“God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and God’s generosity exceeds our human thinking,” Msgr. Pius said. He illustrated God’s mercy with a simple story: a man arrives late to a family celebration, ashamed, but the father welcomes him warmly, saying, “You are here now. That is what matters.”

“This is how God treats us,” Msgr. Pius explained. “Sometimes we come to God late. Sometimes we make mistakes. But when we return, God does not say, ‘Why did you come so late?’ He says, ‘Welcome home.'”

He challenged the congregation with three questions: “Am I sometimes jealous when God is generous to others? Can I rejoice when another person receives forgiveness or a second chance? Am I using my life to serve Christ and others?”

RVA Pwo Karen: A Growing Media Ministry

Before the Mass, Msgr. Pius introduced the RVA Pwo Karen Program to the faithful, sharing that the service is led by five dedicated staff members, including a sister and three youth, who are actively involved in preaching the Gospel in Pwo Karen, producing faith-building programs, and distributing spiritual content.

Ms. Angela Pan Ei Phyu elaborated on the development of RVA broadcasting in Myanmar. She noted that while the Gospel was previously preached through ten language-based programs, the recent launch of two more—Akha and Kayan—has expanded the total to twelve. This expansion, she said, is helping to further extend the reach of faith programs in ethnic languages across Myanmar.

She also shared details on when the RVA Pwo Karen Program is broadcast and how to access it through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and the RVA website. “Pwo Karen believers around the world can easily watch and listen anytime, anywhere,” she said.

Gratitude and a Call to Share

At the conclusion of the program, Fr. Richard Nay Zaw Aung expressed heartfelt gratitude to the RVA Pwo Karen Service team for their dedicated ministry and contribution to the Church through media evangelization.

He thanked them for faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, sharing spiritual programs, and strengthening the faith of the Pwo Karen. He encouraged the faithful to respect and value their traditional culture and to love and preserve their mother tongue.

“Through this program, you can not only listen to the Good News but also gain a lot of knowledge and wisdom,” Fr. Richard said. He urged everyone to watch the RVA Pwo Karen Program, like, and share it to reach a wider audience.

Msgr. Pius Win Than also expressed sincere gratitude to Fr. Richard and all the faithful for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. He encouraged everyone to watch and listen regularly to the RVA Pwo Karen Program, explaining that it not only helps preserve and promote the Pwo Karen language but also offers valuable spiritual and educational content on topics such as family life, youth, care for creation, the lives of the saints, messages from the Holy Father, and news from the Diocese of Pathein.

The celebration concluded with a sense of renewed mission—a reminder that in the digital age, the Gospel continues to reach hearts through both ancient languages and modern means, bringing the message of God’s extravagant mercy to all.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service