Many Catholics from parishes near Kampong Ko Krom Church joined the groundbreaking ceremony for a new church in Kampong Ko, Kampong Svay, Kampong Thom. This new church will be named St. Theresa’s church ceremony was presided over by Mgr. Enrique Figaredo also known as Kiké of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang on 7th January 2020 witnessed by priests and the local authorities.
A Catholic Nhil Sarith said that this new church to be built, will make him happy as it will remind him of the past.
The man further said: “When I was a child, there was a church here. When I grew up with the civil war, the church was destroyed. Upon getting old, I see that the church is coming back. It seems to me that I am a child as before. Apparently, it doesn’t seem to be far anymore. I have energy again. It seems to me that I am happy as when I was a child.”
He also said that he had wanted all Catholic youths to look at elderly people as models. The harmony of the elderly in early times was attributed to them going to church on Sundays and he had visited them every Sunday.
Church-run pre-school teacher, Mao Saviet who is also a catechist, said that she was very happy that a new church made of bricks will be constructed soon.
The teacher further said that Kampong Ko Krom had consisted of many Catholic children. The church had also had arrangements to bring them to church.
She added: “We always have singing practices together with the youths. Sometimes, we had time on holidays. We had activities like pleasure trips together so that we create an atmosphere for attracting the youths because the youths are all Catholics. If we do not take the effort in collecting them, they will stop meeting with one another.”
Fr. Mark Lopez, the parish priest of the whole Kampong Thom area, said that the location of the church is a hallowed place where the faithful had worshipped 100 years ago.
The priest further said that the Catholics have now organized celebrations at the wooden church. Once there is a new church, it will be a place for catechetical and health programs for the people. The new St. Therese’s church measures 12m by 20 m and has an Altar in its middle.
The priest explained that at Mass, the faithful will sit not just in front of the Altar, rather at the right and left side and in the front row.
The priest added: “We receive God through the Body of Christ and through the Catholics who congregate. They should be able to look at each other and hopefully smile at one another. They should feel that we are a large family.”
Msgr. Kiké said: “This new church is entering into the history of our Church as we start having renewed life. Kampong Ko Church has life and leads other Churches to have the same life both in Cambodian society and abroad. Kampong Ko Church carries out many activities and has many children and a parish pastoral committee. The youths have travelled to other countries to join in the church meetings. The church really has life.”
Msgr. Kiké recalled that when there is a new church, the Catholics practice the faith properly by taking active part in the development of the district and the village. They have dignity and good lives to avoid migrating to other districts.
He further said: “I am very happy to see the community is united. This is a new generation with new vision. We start renewed life in 2020.”
At present, Kampong Ko church comprises 68 Catholic families. The church has initiated many pastoral activities such as the preschool, training for primary students and health checkups and the Holy Father, Pope’s Francis’ document “Laudato si” is well implemented in this community.
