Bishop
of Chantaburi Silvio Siripong Charatsri presided over the May 20 ceremony to
remember Fr. Patin.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
More than 1,000 people marked 100 days since the death of
former Father Ray Foundation President Father Lawrence Patin at a mass
celebrated at Pattaya’s St. Nikolas Church.
Fr.
Lawrence Patin was a modern day hero.
Bishop of Chantaburi Silvio Siripong Charatsri presided
over the May 20 ceremony attended by Pattaya’s top officials, and more than
1,000 children, friends and associates of the charity organization.
Everyone observed a moment of silence before adjourning to a post-mass
dinner.
Patin came to Pattaya early last decade to take over the rectory at the
Redemptorist Center and eventually the entire Roman Catholic-based charity
and welfare organization. Patin died of a brain tumor Jan. 8 while
undergoing treatment in the United States.
Many people pray for Fr.
Lawrence Patin’s soul.
One of six children, Patin entered seminary at age 14 in
Michigan and became a Redemptorist priest in 1963.
Patin first came to Thailand in 1963 until last year worked in parishes
around the country, mostly in the north and in Bangkok. At the turn of the
century, he made a dramatic change by becoming rector of the Redemptorist
Center before taking over as president of the Father Ray Foundation.
He became ill in early 2010 and later discovered he had a brain tumor. A
course of radiation treatment was given but did hold back the tumor.
Members of the Father Ray
Foundation board of directors pray for Fr. Lawrence Patin’s soul.
Redemptorist School for the
Blind principal, Aurora Sribuaphan, says a few heartfelt words about the
former president of the Father Ray Foundation.
Fr. Picharn Jaisale performs
the Eucharist during mass.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome was
amongst a crowd of officials, state and private representatives, and local
politicians at the event.
Some of the over 1,000 people
who celebrated mass at Pattaya’s St. Nikolas Church to mark 100 days since
the death of former Father Ray Foundation President Father Lawrence Patin.
Hundreds of people made it
inside the church to remember the passing of Fr. Lawrence Patin.
Many friends say a tearful
goodbye.
