In celebration of the Month of Parents and Grandparents, the Yangon Archdiocesan Pontifical Mission Society (PMS) organized a charitable outreach to an elderly care home in Let Yet San Village on July 22, bringing gifts, meals, and compassionate presence to 50 senior residents.

Led by Archdiocesan PMS Director Rev. Fr. James Kyaw Lin Htun, the team visited the elderly home and presented donations including blankets, food supplies, and medicines worth approximately 4 million Myanmar Kyats (around US$1,000). The group also sponsored breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all residents throughout the day.

The funds for the outreach were provided through the Archdiocesan Pontifical Mission Society with generous support from donors and benefactors.

A Message of Compassion Beyond Boundaries

The elderly home accommodates people from different religious backgrounds, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. By extending assistance without distinction of religion or ethnicity, the organizers sought to demonstrate the Christian values of compassion, solidarity, and respect for the dignity of every human person.

According to the organizers, the outreach was intended not only to provide material assistance but also to inspire children and young people to appreciate, honor, and care for the elderly, especially those who are poor, abandoned, or in need of support. They emphasized that love and respect for the elderly should transcend differences in faith and religion, recognizing that every elderly person deserves care, dignity, and compassion.

A Tradition of Filial Love

The initiative reflects a long-standing tradition among Catholic youth in Myanmar. Every July, many Catholic communities organize visits and acts of charity to honor parents and senior citizens, encouraging younger generations to express gratitude and filial love through concrete acts of service.

The Month of July holds special significance for Catholics because the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on July 26. Their feast day is widely observed in Myanmar as Parents’ Day, providing an opportunity for families and faith communities to pray for parents and grandparents while promoting respect and appreciation for the elderly.

A Living Witness of Faith

Fr. James Kyaw Lin Htun expressed his gratitude to the donors and volunteers who made the outreach possible, emphasizing that caring for the elderly is not only a family responsibility but also a shared mission of the entire Church.

“Today, we are called to be the face of Christ’s mercy to those who may feel forgotten or abandoned,” he said. “Every act of kindness, no matter how small, reflects God’s love and brings hope to those in need.”

Through this charitable mission, the Yangon Archdiocesan Pontifical Mission Society reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to serving those in need and fostering a culture of love, gratitude, and solidarity. The outreach served as a reminder that caring for elderly people is not only a family responsibility but also a shared mission of the entire community, reflecting Christ’s love through acts of mercy and compassionate service.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service