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ALA_5541

Giving Ignites Hope and Happiness

Bangkok, Thailand, 29 December 2020 -- Since the beginning of December 2020, Thailand has experienced a new round of Covid - 19 virus infections, after almost six months of a zero tally within the country. This pushed the authorities to impose measures to control the gathering of people, to close possible dangerous areas that may cause the scourge, like, schools, cinemas. With regards to the liturgical services, especially in the Bangkok Diocese, the authorities still allow their celebration provided the places follow strict measures. And in churches that will have more than 300 attendees, they should first receive approval from the health authorities. Because of these, for the Christmas celebration, there were no fun-fare and food-fare just like the past years.

Mary Help of Christians Church, under the leadership of the church director, Fr. Aaron Alcoseba, and the pastoral council, therefore, initiated the project "Sharing the Joy of Christmas - From Us to You". The faithful were encouraged to donate money and necessary materials to share the joy of Christmas with 4 social centers taking care of the marginalized people, instead of enjoying the season by themselves. The 4 designated places were:

1. House of Hope - Nonthaburi Province: takes care of 96 poor children and youth, ran by the PIME Fathers; the youth group of MHoC took charge of the coordination.

2. St. Clare House - Pathumthani Province: takes care of the people affected with HIV, ran by the Franciscans; the ADMA group took charge of the coordination.

3. The House of God the Father - Ratchaburi Province: takes care of poor children and those without proper citizenship documents; the joint Thai and Philippine pastoral councils would take charge of the coordination.

4. Bethany House - Banpong, Ratchaburi Province: takes care of the elderly people, ran by the Camillian Sisters; the MHoC Choir would take charge of the coordination.

These activities brought joy both to the giver and the receiver, and ignited hope to the marginalized people in society, in the midst of the new wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand.