The St. Joseph Parish Church in Kyimyindaine Township celebrated a milestone on October 19, 2025, honoring Catechist Margarita Daw Tar for her four decades of missionary service in a jubilee Mass that coincided with World Mission Sunday.

The Holy Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Augustine Moe Win, parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church, with six other priests concelebrating. The ceremony served as a dual observance, paying tribute to one individual’s lifelong commitment while reflecting on the universal call to missionary work.

In his homily, Fr. Augustine expressed deep appreciation for Margarita’s dedication, calling her 40 years of service “a life worthy of honor and gratitude.” He acknowledged the significant challenges and sacrifices faced by catechists, affirming that their work is done “for the Greater Glory of God.”

Addressing a congregation filled with lay faithful and fellow catechists, Fr. Augustine used the occasion to reflect on vocation. “Many young people today hesitate to serve the Church because they seek worldly happiness,” he said. “But vocation is not only for priests and religious. Lay people, too, can serve the Church according to their calling and capacity.”

He held up Margarita’s long service as “a model for all the faithful, especially for young catechists.”

Born in 1958, Margarita Daw Tar began her formal training at the Sts. Peter and Paul Training Center in 1979. Since her commissioning in 1980, her mission has taken her to remote and challenging areas, including Ka-nyin Chaung Village and Botaung Island, where she often served dual roles as both catechist and school teacher.

Her journey was marked by both profound joy and severe hardship. She fondly recalled teaching dances for celebrations but also faced life-threatening dangers, such as a severe overnight storm while crossing the sea from Botaung Island to Myeik. She also endured illnesses like malaria during her missions in the hilly regions of Tanintharyi.

Despite these trials, Margarita finds renewed strength through the community of faith. “I sometimes feel inadequate in preaching,” she shared, “but I am encouraged and inspired by others’ dedication. Their example helps me overcome weakness and discouragement.”

With humble gratitude, she pledged to dedicate the rest of her life to serving the Church and encouraged her fellow catechists to remain steadfast. Having served in multiple parishes since 1980, she is currently assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Kyimyindaine Township, where the celebration was held.

Catechist Margarita’s years of service include:

1980–1981 – Kanyin Chaung Village, Dawei Parish, Tanintharyi Region

1982–1983 – Chaung Thar, Pyay Diocese

1984–1987 – Botaung Island, Myeik Parish, Tanintharyi Region

1988–1990 – St. Lazarus Parish, Insein Township

1991–1995 – Thabyusan Village, Twantay Parish (now Nyaunggone Parish)

1995–2015 – St. Joseph Parish, Nyaunggone Village, Kawhmu Township

2015–present – St. Joseph Parish, Kyimyindaine Township

Her four decades of service stand as a testament to lay commitment in the Archdiocese of Yangon, which currently has 101 catechists serving across its various parishes.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service