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.
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.
Fr. Lawrence Patin was a modern day hero.
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.
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.
Bishop of Chantaburi Silvio Siripong Charatsri presided over the May 20 ceremony to remember Fr. Patin.
Members of the Father Ray Foundation board of directors pray for Fr. Lawrence Patin’s soul.
Many people 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.
