Saint Nicholas Church - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

by: Mr. K.J. Joseph

It was Fr. Luis Lano who started the Catholic Mission at Phitsanulok, in January 1671 with just 20 Catholics who were all Chinese. He was succeeded by Fr. Langkhua in 1675. He built a chapel, a presbytery and a hospital. However, during the Burmese war, the church was burned down.

In 1920, Fr. Andrew rebuilt the church. The Catholic community steadily began to grow. In 1929, Fr. Nicholas Bungkert was appointed to assist Fr. George Mirabal who succeeded Fr. Andrew. Due to the missionary zeal of these two priests, within a short span of time, Phitsanulok became the centre of Christian activities of Chiangmai Diocese.

In 1930 when the Indo-China war started, the church had to be closed down. The missionary activities were restarted by Fr. Mernie in 1941. It was Fr. Isidore Garrel who tirelessly worked for 14 years, built the present church and the three-storey school building. Saint Nicholas School, an integral part of the missionary activities took a new shape in 2004 with inauguration of the new massive and elegant school building. Thanks to the vision, wisdom and untiring efforts of Fr. Prajuabchoke Treesopa and Sister Maliwan Kuchati.

English mass for foreign Catholics, on a bi-monthly basis, was started by Fr. Prajuabchoke Treesopa in 2004. The Foreign Catholic Community is grateful to Fr. Prasert, the current Parish Priest, for taking care of their spiritual needs by offering English Mass on every Sunday. There is no doubt that under the able guidance of Fr. Prasert, a new era will dawn on the Catholic Community here in Phitsanulok. From its humble beginning of with just 20 Catholics, today the parish has about 1230 devout Catholics. The Foreign Catholic Community, which is vibrant, resourceful and outgoing, in collaboration with the Parish Priest, is getting ready to launch a number of activities to reach out to the youth and strengthen their faith.

Saint Nicholas Church and Saint Nicholas School are centrally located at 228 Wisuthikasat Road. It is across from Phitsanulok railway station, and just five kilometers away from Phitsanulok Airport.

The Pillars:

An Interview with the New Parish Priest

FACE TO FACE

by Cheryl A. Siapoc

“My sheep know my voice and the path that I take” said Jesus in the book of John. St. Nicholas Church has got a new shepherd by the name Rev. Fr. Prasert “Anthony” Sitthi and his sheep know his voice. He was called to follow Jesus at a young age and all through these years. Despite his very busy day and over a cup of coffee, Fr. Tony took time out to share about his family, his vocation, Catholicism in Thailand and wishes for the foreigners in Saint Nicholas Church.

Cheryl: “ Father, where did you grow up and how was your family like?”

Fr. Tony: “I was born and raised in Bangkok by my Roman Catholic parents. My father already passed away but my mother is still alive. I’ve got 4 brothers and only sister who is also a nun serving in Nongkhai. My mother was an old-fashioned Catholic who didn’t know much about the Holy Bible. She never talked about it but she always taught us many things about God and the love of our Lady until I grew up. It is Mother Mary who brings us to Jesus. She always prayed the holy rosary and went to church.”

Cheryl: “Were you named after St. Anthony de Padua?”

Fr. Tony: “Yes, that’s right. It was my mother who named me after him. We are not exactly the same but I like children by nature. In the old times, it was a Catholic culture to be named after a saint. It was just like that. Nowadays, devotion to saints isn’t encouraged anymore especially after Vatican II.”

Cheryl: “When did you have the desire to become a priest?”

Fr. Tony: “I studied Catechism at school every day. I had always been serving the church as a server of the altar. I was ten years old when I finally decided to become a priest. Nobody inspired me but it must have been the influence of my mother. I always liked looking at priests wearing white and do what they do. So, I told myself that I would want to be like them.”

Cheryl: “When did you enter the seminary for the first time?”

Fr. Tony: “At the age of sixteen after finishing Matthayom 3. I joined Stigmatin Order in the south of Thailand. After that, I studied Philosophy in Penang, Malaysia for 3 years and Theology for another 3 years in Bangkok.”

Cheryl: “When were you ordained and where did you serve as a priest?”

Fr. Tony: “It was in 1980 and I was sent to Rome for a year after my ordination. I served as a priest in Phuket for four years. I’ve been serving at Nakhon Sawan Diocese for 23 years now. Within my 25 years as a priest, I have studied Master in Pastoral Studies in Chicago, Illinois for a couple of years. “

Cheryl: “I see. That’s why your English skill is impressive. Let’s talk about the challenges about Catholicism in Thailand where it is a minority religion. What do you think about this?”

Fr. Tony: “I should say that we have to thank God because Thailand is a peaceful country. Persecution of Christians does not exist here. It must have been that peace that doesn’t bring any prosperity in Catholicism. Thai people live a comfortable life and we never really had suffered as much as other countries experience like natural calamities or violence. Even with the heat of political issues, Thai people fight but don’t really engage them selves much on bloodshed. Thai culture is good. ‘Easy come, easy go’ is Thai’s way of living. Thailand is naturally prosperous so there’s no need to work hard for conversion. Despite of the fact that Roman Catholicism is a minority religion, it gains respect from Buddhists even they don’t have faith in God. It must have been due to the fact that Buddhist monks are highly regarded in Thai society so as the priests and nuns. These are the reasons why there’s no need of doing more to make the religion prosper.”

Cheryl: “Most of the churchgoers are adults or senior citizens. Why is that, Father?”

Fr. Tony: “That is so because people here are quite well-off and due to birth control, the family size has been smaller than before. Parents send their children to big cities to study. Even so, some of them still don’t come to church even when they’re around. On the other hand, many youth are visible in smaller town or even in villages.”

Cheryl: “I understand how busy you are, Father but I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude in behalf of the Foreign Community here in Phitsanulok for officiating the English Mass for us on Sunday nights. How do you feel seeing our number here?”

Fr. Tony: “I feel greatly honoured and privileged to have many Catholic foreigners in Phitsanulok. There isn’t much of this kind in Thailand. I’ve got foreign friends and Christians I can take care of in a spiritual way and give pastoral service to. There’s enough number and it makes me happy. I like to be with people, talk to people and serve them. I’d been a foreigner several times myself so I fully understand how it feels like.”

Cheryl: “How is it like serving as the new parish priest of Saint Nicholas Church?”

Fr. Tony: “I’ve already served here just for the first quarter. Firstly, I like it here because it’s a big parish. Secondly, I like working because there are enough people to take care of. And finally, it’s a real challenge to tend the flock of God.”

Cheryl: “How do you see Saint Nicholas Parish in the next couple of years?”

Fr. Tony: “I think that I have a big responsibility. A big one because I have no assistant priest here. I’m doing everything by myself. Basic Ecclesiastical Community (BEC) has been introduced here 3 years ago. It’s the way to make a better community, a new way of living the Bible, a new way of bringing the people together and make the people keep all these. ”

Cheryl: “It’s almost Christmas. Do you have any message for the Thai and foreign parishioners?

Fr. Tony: “I wish them happiness and the best. And that God will be happy of them. If they’d be good Christians, God will be happy. If God will be happy, they’d be good Christians.”