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Message
on the Occasion of
The National Day of the Elderly 2549/2006
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of
H.E. Bishop John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen
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On
the 13th April of every year since B.E. 2525 the government
has announced this day to be the National Day of the Elderly.
The objective is to make the Thai society become aware of
the importance of the elderly as benefactors to the country
and also to promote children to be respectful and grateful
to the elderly in accordance with the Thai culture.
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| This
year, the National Day of the Elderly happens to fall on the
Holy Thursday. It is a good opportunity for us Christians
to make reflection and discernment on the love of Jesus towards
mankind by offering Himself in the Eucharist in order to be
and chat with us all the time. His presence with us should
be the reminder for us not to forget the elderly who are also
with us all the time. Every time we pray we must keep them
in our prayers whether they are in our family, in our community,
in the Thai society or in the same world with us. |
| "The
Elderly" is the beacon of a home - neither something
extra nor a burden - as defined by our contemporary society.He/she
is a family member who bridges the history and the future
of the family together. We all need to learn history of the
society,so that we will move forward prudently. This should
be so for our family as well. |
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On this
happy occasion of the coincidence for both the Thai society
and the Church I wish and bless all the elderly persons
for their physical and spiritual happiness. Though they
may be physically tired from their whole life of work, and
yet the length of time does not reduce their value at all.
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I
would like to remind "all the children" to realize
the elderly's value, to love and be grateful to them in
your home and not only on this official day. Likewise we
should not forget the elderly who live in the various elderly
centers. If you have time you should bring love and good
wishes to them, especially those who have to live alone
without any relatives, because: "Inasmuch as you did
it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it
to Me" (Mt. 25: 40). And your children will continue
these good deeds in their lives.
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| "Gratitude"
is a special grace that will always make both the giver and
the recipient happy. |
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May
God bestow upon you all His abundant graces,
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Bishop
John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen
President, The Catholic Commission for Health Pastoral Care
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