Andrew Khai, a parishioner of Holy Spirit in Bowling Green, Ky., shares about his experience as a Burmese refugee while speaking on a July 16 panel during the Asian and Pacific Island Catholics National Encounter, held at Indiana University ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
Fullness and radiant faith: More than 300 Asian and Pacific Island Catholics inspired at national encounter
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
More than 300 people listened as Andrew Khai, a young adult parishioner of Holy Spirit in Bowling Green, Ky., shared about his refugee experience during a July 15-17 national encounter of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics in Indianapolis.
After escaping with his family members from the sociopolitical turmoil of Myanmar (also known as Burma), Khai resided for three years as a refugee in Malaysia before being able to enter the United States, where he has now lived for nearly 13 years.
Khai, who is today is settled in Bowling Green with an established career as a police officer, credited his “very religious” parents for their family prayer, which “kept us together.”
“If I survived, you can, too,” said Khai to the audience, encouraging them amid challenges faced by the Asian and Pacific Island (API) community in the United States.
The encounter, which was titled “Radiant Faith: The Witness of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics,” brought together a diverse array of API cultures, including that of the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Samoa, Korea, and China. Participants ranged from young adults to seniors, and included laypeople, religious, and clergy.
The sold-out gathering was overseen by the subcommittee for Asian and Pacific Island Affairs under the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church and took place immediately prior to the National Eucharistic Congress. Approximately 14 U.S. bishops who currently serve API communities in their dioceses were present, including Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt of the Eastern rite St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago.
A woman proclaims the Word during a Mass for the July 15-17 Asian and Pacific Island Catholics National Encounter, held at Indiana University ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The gathering drew more than 300 attendees. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
Over the three-day experience, participants attended liturgies, meals, prayer time, small groups, and cultural presentations, which included a reflection by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization’s Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, and Pope Francis’ special envoy to the Eucharistic Congress.
Another aspect of the encounter, which drew inspiration from the USCCB’s 2018 document, “Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters,” featured workshops on themes such as identity, immigration, generations, leadership in the Church, and evangelizing through an API lens. After the workshops, small groups gathered to share their reflections – which were ultimately brought together in a synthesis presented on the final day. A closing Mass was presided over by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States.
Near the end of the encounter, Khai told The Western Kentucky Catholic that he appreciated the experience, especially the liturgies, which had incorporated a variety of API languages: “It was inspiring.”
Khai, who had traveled out with about 22 fellow Burmese parishioners – including his parochial vicar, Fr. Martin Ma Na Ling, who was the second Burmese priest to ever be ordained in the United States – said he hoped more opportunities like this would be offered.
“I feel we should invest more in things like this,” he said, adding that he had attended the workshop on intergenerational topics. “Imagine having more young people here and involved at future events.”
Khai said that while he had previously attended gatherings for Burmese Catholics, he enjoyed meeting others from the API Catholic community. He suggested that organizers invest “time and energy” into experiences like these.
“You can see the fullness here,” he said.
Burmese parishioners of Holy Spirit in Bowling Green, Ky., are seen before traveling to Indianapolis for the July 15-17 Asian and Pacific Island Catholics National Encounter, held at Indiana University ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
