Myanmar

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Dear Patti Melvin,

How are you? Hope, you are well as I am here. I have just come back from the Capital City, Yangon which is more than (300) miles away from Loikaw, our Capital Town in Kayah State. I was sent to attend the Course of Linguistics Introduction for Translation. We were all together six to attend the Course, three priests, and three laymen. Unfortunately, I was the only senior one and could not attend the Course up to the end due to my poor health (high blood pressure).

Our professors were O.J from Canada, J.W from United State, and Michiyo from Japan. It was wonderful for me to know that three of them could talk and explain everything in Burmese. From the Course, I have learnt many things and I hope to translate more Religious Literatures into our own mother tongue. So far, I have finished some translations such as Prayers, Hymns, Catechisms and the Fourth Gospels into our local dialect.

Regards to the new enrolment of the Living Rosary, I will discuss with the new comers of the Seminarians and the Legion of Mary. The old Seminarians and Legion of Mary who were already enlisted their names in the Rosary Association; I believe they are faithful to their assigned decades as I do. It is said that many of their Rosaries became old, rustic, broken and lost. So, please do remember all of us whenever you send out some Religious Articles and Pious Objects.

Dear Patti Melvin, what about the Motor Cycle or Van Car we proposed for the pastoral activities? It is really very unpleasant or rather it feels me bad to ask you again and again about this project. But, what can I do? It is indeed sine non qua for me as I have mentioned in the former letter. I have been praying and now am praying for this particular need for my pastoral work. Please let me know either the positive or negative answer so that I may be able to approach other agency if I can.

Thanking you and praying for you.

Fr. Paul Maphroi
Myanmar (Burma)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Dear Patti,

I am very happy for the prompt reply. You can send as many as you like. I have some students in Thailand and they can bring or send them back the rosaries and other holy articles. I come to know about you from Bishop A. Than. He shares me a few rosaries received from you.

You see, I have many Catholics in my small diocese. There are 20 per cent of 200,000 populations and each time I make my pastoral tour each is eager to get something from me. I pity them if I have nothing. They are very devoted to our Lady.

Children also need medals. They are very proud to show of!

Will be waiting for the parcels of rosaries.

+ Sotero Phamo
Bishop of Loikaw
Myanmar