By THA SC

Hua Hin, Thailand , 11 January 2020 -- Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, SDB, Bishop of Surat Thani, ordained a new Salesian priest: Matthew Kitichai Saisawang at St Theresa’s Church in Hua Hin. Fr John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, the Provincial of Thailand, concelebrated together with many other Salesian confreres, including those from Australia, and other diocesan clergy.

Other members of the Salesian Family, relatives of the ordinand, teachers and students from Salesian institutions, and parishioners came in throng to join the celebration.

At the end of Mass, Fr Kitichai expressed his heartfelt 'gratitude' to Bishop Joseph Prathan who presided over the Mass, to Fr John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, Provincial, to Fr John Bosco Somrote Chaichana, Rector of the Salesian Community - Huahin, to Fr John Tamayo, the parish priest, to Fr Will Matthews, Provincial of Australia-Pacific, to Fr Phillip Gleeson, Rector of the Salesian Formation House, Melbourne, to the teachers and staff of Hua Hin Vitthayalai School and also to everyone who prepared and came to this celebration. The celebration concluded with a fraternal agape, with music and dance presentations, courtesy of the students and teachers of Huahin Vitthayalai School.

Fr. Kitichai is the first Salesian who came from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Nong Ku Noi, Yasothon Province. He celebrated his first Mass on Sunday 12, 2020 at St. Theresa’s Church, Hua Hin.

Fr. Matthew Kitichai Saisawang

Born: 10 August 1987 at Yasothon Province

Education and Vocation Background

• 2006 : 1st year of Pre-Novitiate at Nazareth House, Banpong, Ratchaburi
• 2007 : 2nd year of Pre-Novitiate at Salesianum, Sampran, Nakorn Pathom
• 2008-2009 : Novitiate at Salesianum, Sampran, Nakorn Pathom
• 2007-2012: Studied Philosophy at Saengtham College, Sampran, Nakorn Pathom
• 1st May 2009: First Profession at Salesianum, Sampran, Nakorn Pathom
• 2012-2015: Practical Training at Nazareth House, Banpong, Ratchaburi
• 2015-2019: Studied Theology at Catholic Theological College of University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia
• 2016: Perpetual Profession at St Margaret Mary’s Church, Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia
• 2017: Received the ministry of Lector at Salesian House, Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Australia
• 2018: Received the ministry of Acolyte at Salesian House, Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Australia
• 1 December 2018: Ordained deacon at St Joseph’s Church, Collingwood, Melbourne, Australia

Motto: "Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. And indeed, I came to call not the upright, but sinners." (Mt 9:13)

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