St. Remigius Church in Taungyagone Parish of Pathein Diocese was solemnly blessed and inaugurated on May 3 as Bishop Henry Eikhlein presided over a Eucharistic celebration that also saw more than 70 faithful receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The 8:00 a.m. Mass was concelebrated by ten priests, with brothers, sisters, catechists, and numerous faithful gathering in prayer and thanksgiving for the milestone in Taungyagone Parish, Pathein Diocese.

Homily: The Spirit Renews the Earth

In his homily, Bishop Henry reflected on the Confirmation scripture: “Send the Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth.”

He noted how the Spirit of God is truly renewing the face of the earth. “Before, you could only get here by boat. It was very far. Now you can get there by car or bicycle. When you look back on these things, the Spirit of God is renewing the face of the earth,” he said.

The bishop spoke of the missionary duty to reach out to fellow believers. “Missionaries must go to places where there are people of the same faith. You must go to one house of the same faith, you must go to two houses of the same faith,” he emphasized.

He described the heart transformed by the Holy Spirit as filled with love, cooperation, generosity, and unity—becoming a solid foundation to nurture future generations.

A Parish Blessed and Guided

Bishop Henry expressed belief that God has blessed Taungyagone parish and will continue to do so. He looked to the future, noting that new generations will continue to build and develop the faith based on love and unity.

“The children ahead of us are the future of the Taungyagone parish. These children will continue to lead and develop the parish for many years to come,” he said.

He offered special thanks to parents and guardians who prepared their children to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. “Their efforts and faith have strengthened the spiritual life of the children,” the bishop stated.

A Prayer for Renewal

The bishop concluded with a prayer for the parish: “O Father, develop the Taungyagone parish. Touch and renew the hearts of the locals. Show them love, unity, and faith.”

The celebration marked a significant moment for the Catholic community in Taungyagone, combining the joy of a new church with the spiritual strengthening of more than 70 members through Confirmation. The event stood as a testament to the growth and vitality of the Church in Pathein Diocese, even as the community looks to the future with hope and trust in the Holy Spirit’s renewing power.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service