Thailand: Happy Anniversary Father Mike Shea!

Fr Mike and Bishop Joseph with the dancers

Congratulations to Father Mike Shea, who celebrated 50 years as a priest over the weekend. Redemptorist Fr Mike, has served in Thailand since 1966. For the past 17 years he has been working with children with HIV at Sarnelli House in Nong Khai, northeast Thailand.

A special church feast was laid on at Pi Si Tong village on Saturday for Fr Mike. A new pavilion, built by Fr Peter (known as NT) who named it 'The Father Michael Shea Sala', was opened by Fr Mike and Bishop Joseph Luechai Thatwisai.

On this special day, some of the boys and girls were confirmed by Bishop Joseph. The a group of girls danced in beautiful Thai costume and the boys played football. People from the local villages came in their droves to pay respect to Fr Mike and many came with food for all of the guests. The children loved the occasion and tucked in to som tam isaan, green and red curries, noodle soups, spring rolls and Thai desserts.

Read more about Sarnelli House here: www.facebook.com/sarnellihousenongkhai/?hc_location=ufi

If you would like to support their work visit the Thai Children Trust here: www.thaichildrenstrust.org.uk/