Memorial Mass for founder of Thai orphanage

A Memorial Mass for Father Raymond Brennan, founder and director of the Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand, will be held in Westminster Cathedral, London on Saturday 15 November at 2.30pm. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Charles Henderson, Patron of the UK- based Pattaya Orphanage Trust. Born in Chicago, Fr Ray, who died on 16 August, was a Redemptorist priest who devoted his life to caring for children, disabled people and refugees in Thailand. More than 750 children are now in the care of his orphanage, schools and homes. Thousands more have passed through in the 30 years since he took in the first abandoned child. All receive love and the best available education and training, so that they can earn a living rather than live on the streets. Attending the service will be Fr Philip Banchong Chaiyara, over in London from Thailand for the first time since being appointed the new director of the Orphanage. Father Philip was chosen by Fr Ray to carry on his work in November last year, when Fr Ray took on semi-retirement. The Pattaya Orphanage has expanded over the years to include schools for blind children and deaf children and a vocational school for disabled young adults. Its latest project is the rebuilding of the Street Kids Centre - a refuge for around 160 homeless children who are given training or taught a trade to help avoid them returning to the streets. Any donations will be gratefully received by the Pattaya Orphanage Trust through www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk or by tel. O20 7602 6203. Email: info@pattayaorphanage.org.uk