The 30th priestly jubilee of Fr. John Bosco Bo Ko and Fr. Constantine Saw Gaw Thow Oo was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Myaungmya Parish at 7:30 am on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

The Mass was presided over by His Excellency Bishop Henry Eikhlein of Pathein Diocese. At the beginning of the Mass, he introduced the significance of the day.

“Sunday is very important for our Catholic. We adore God and thank God for his blessings. Starting the sabbath, we worship God and thank God for the blessings,” Bishop Henry said.

He noted that the celebration brought together multiple jubilarians. “Today our parish priest, Fr. John Bosco, and his friend celebrate the 30th priestly anniversary, and also our marriage couples are celebrating their 30th jubilee. This is the beauty of our Catholic faith,” he said.

Homily: Christ is Our Life

In his homily, Bishop Henry reflected on the significance of reaching 30 years of service.

“30th years is not an easy one. They have passed three decades as a priest. And also our married couple passed 30 years and more than 30 years,” he said. “By taking this opportunity, we give thanks to God for all the blessings. We thank God because he is good.”

Referring to the Book of Romans, the Bishop reminded the congregation that St. Paul said in God everything exists.

“Dear Jubilants, you are here not because of you but because God is in you. So Christ is our life. God is our center,” he said.

He recalled the words of St. Mother Teresa: “I do not want success but faithfulness.”

“Our priests and our married couples are faithful to their vocations because God is with them,” Bishop Henry said.

Reflecting on the Gospel, he recalled Jesus’ question to his disciples: “Who do people say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.”

“This is a real answer,” the Bishop said. “Jesus said to Peter, ‘ You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. It is based on the confession of Peter.”

He emphasized that every moment of life, Christ lives in us. “The center of our life is Christ is the Son of the living God. St. Paul said that Christ only lives in me. So let us try to live in Christ,” he concluded.

Wishing Programs and Encouragement

After the celebration of Mass, the congregation continued to wish the jubilants with a few items. In the wishing programs, Bishop Henry gave a talk to the participants.

He noted that Myaungmya and Kanazogone are big parishes. “From these we opened ten parishes,” he said.

He encouraged parents to ask their children to participate in mission activity. “They can do what they can. Where there are primary students or high school students, we have to ask them to participate in mission activities, such as saying the rosary and participating in Mass. Through these, they can participate in mission. This is what we call the synodal church,” he said.

Interview with Fr. John Bosco

The congregation then interviewed Fr. John Bosco about his vocation. He is from Kanasogone Parish. He joined the Minor Seminary in 1983. In 1989, he joined the Major Seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin, and in 1991, he joined the Major Seminary in Yangon.

He was ordained as a priest on August 25, 1996. His motto is: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.”

Fr. John Bosco said he carried his mission with the grace of God. Whenever he met difficulty, he solved it with grace. “We have to know to serve the people only and also to be faithful in mission,” he said.

The 30th priestly jubilee celebration in Myaungmya was a moment of profound gratitude for two faithful servants of God and a reminder of the enduring power of vocation and faithfulness in the Catholic Church.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service