FR. PAUL EXPLAINS THE CONFLICT IN MYANMAR (Fr. Paul Htai Naw, Sacred Heart Parish, Waterloo, Iowa)

COLLECTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF MYANMAR (FORMERLY KNOWN AS BURMA)

St. Paul: "If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy." (1 Corinthians 12:26)

  On September 10-11, Fr. Paul from our neighboring parish of Sacred Heart, will be here to celebrate Mass with us for a special Mission Appeal weekend. The focus of this mission appeal will be support for the people of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).
  Last year, the military coup that started in Father Paul’s home country of Myanmar continued to escalate and resulted in thousands of civilians in the region being killed or displaced from their homes.  Many families were forced to leave their homes with nothing except what they could carry.  These people fled to the jungle, fearful of returning home due to the heavy bombing raids and massive fighting.
  Father Paul continues to do his best to keep in touch with his family and other community members from his home.  He has been working with contacts who reside in safer regions of the country who aid those who have been displaced by using donated funds to purchase and distribute much-needed medicine, food, and other necessities.  These contacts are people that Father Paul knows and has personally worked with since this horrific violence broke out in his home country.
  As a parish known for its generosity, we would like to take up a collection for the people of Myanmar.  Father Paul will oversee the distribution of everything that is collected. Thank you for your prayers and generosity.