The Catholic faithful of Assumption Church, Chanthargone Parish in Pathein Diocese, gathered in large numbers on Sunday, August 30, 2026, for the Holy Mass of the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

But beyond the usual liturgical celebration, the 7:00 a.m. Eucharistic gathering served a dual purpose: introducing the RVA Pwo Karen media program and its mission of ethnic-language evangelization.

Mass Celebrated in Native Pwo Karen Tongue

The solemn liturgy was presided over by Msgr. Pius Win Than, Coordinator of RVA Pwo Karen Service, and concelebrated with Fr. Alexander, the parish priest of Chanthargone. Sisters, catechists, RVA Pwo Karen staff members, and the faithful gathered in prayer as the Mass was celebrated entirely in the Pwo Karen language, enabling the congregation to worship fully and participate intimately in their mother tongue.

Homily: Embracing the Cross with Faith

Delivering the homily, Msgr. Pius Win Than reflected on the profound message of carrying one’s cross. He reminded the congregation that Christ willingly endured suffering and gave His very life for humanity’s salvation. In the same way, Christians are called to face life’s trials with faith, not to flee from difficulties but to confront and overcome them.

“Difficulties and sufferings are unavoidable realities,” Msgr. Pius said. “We must not allow such hardships to lead us to discouragement, loss of hope, or weakness in faith.” He drew parallels between Christ’s path of suffering, which became humanity’s pathway to salvation, and the spiritual journey of every believer, calling them to keep their eyes fixed on Christ and embrace their crosses with courage.

RVA Pwo Karen Program Introduced to Faithful

Before the Mass, Msgr. Pius took the opportunity to introduce the RVA Pwo Karen Service to the community. He shared that the media ministry 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.

Sr. Mary Naing Naing Win elaborated on the growth of RVA in Myanmar. While previously the Gospel was being preached through ten language-based programs, the recent addition of two more RVA programs—Akha and Kayan—has expanded the total to twelve ethnic language services in the country. This expansion is helping to further extend the reach of faith-based programming across Myanmar’s diverse ethnic communities.

She also shared practical details on when the RVA Pwo Karen Program is publishing and how to access it through social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and the RVA website. Pwo Karen believers around the world can now easily watch and listen anytime, anywhere.

Parish Priest Expresses Gratitude

At the conclusion of the program, Fr. Alexander, the parish priest of Chanthargone, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the RVA Pwo Karen Service team for their dedicated ministry and valuable 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 community through their service.

Fr. Alexander encouraged the faithful to respect and value their traditional culture, to love and preserve their mother tongue, and to watch the RVA Pwo Karen Program to gain both spiritual and intellectual benefits. He also invited everyone to Like and share the program to reach a wider audience.

Msgr. Pius: A Call to Regular Viewing

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

As Chanthargone Parish continues to build upon its rich history, established as a parish in 1997 with approximately 435 families and a Catholic population of about 2,610, the introduction of this media ministry marks a significant step in blending faith with modern means of communication, ensuring that the Good News reaches the faithful in the language of their hearts.

By RVA Pwo Karen Service