Father Viyakorn, Vicar General of
the Redemptorists of Thailand, along with Father Michael Weera from the Pattaya
Orphanage and Father Michael Picharn from the Father Ray Foundation, lead the
celebration of mass in honor of Father Ray.
Derek Franklin
Of the more than five hundred people who attended the tenth anniversary Memorial
Mass for Father Ray Brennan, most had never met the man. The majority of those
who sat through the catholic service were Buddhists, but this did not stop them
attending to pay respect to the man whose devotion to the underprivileged in
Thai society will never be forgotten.
But two people who new Father Ray very well, and who flew from Texas in the
United States to attend the service, were his younger sister, Sharron Purtell,
and his niece Amy. They came to attend the service, to remember Father Ray and
to witness for themselves that the work he started is continuing, and they were
not disappointed. They visited the babies at the Pattaya Orphanage and played
with the deaf toddlers. At the Father Ray Children’s Home they were entertained
with a traditional Thai dance and an exhibition of Muay Thai, while the students
with disabilities showed off their English skills. The youngsters at the Pattaya
School for the Blind sang for them and the toddlers at the Father Ray Day Care
Center all demanded hugs. For Amy, who was making her first ever trip to
Thailand, it was an experience she will never forget.
Father Michael Picharn presents
communion to Toy, Father Ray’s ‘right hand woman’.
On the morning of the 16th August, the anniversary of Father
Ray’s death, more than two hundred students, teachers, foreign volunteers and
local residents gathered at the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with
Disabilities to provide alms to monks from a local Buddhist temple, and to make
merit for Father Ray.
Twelve hours later, at St. Nikolaus Church on Sukhumvit Road, the anniversary
Memorial Mass took place. The service was led by Father Michael Weera, from the
Pattaya Orphanage, Father Michael Picharn, from the Father Ray Foundation, and
Father Viyakorn, Vicar General of the Redemptorists of Thailand, the catholic
order Father Ray belonged to. The choir from the Pattaya Orphanage, led by
Sister Supatra, sang throughout the service and Father Ray would have been very
proud of how beautiful his children sang.
Once the final note of the final hymn was sung, the priests led a procession to
Father Ray’s final resting place. As each person, young and old, stood in front
of the grave they laid down a single red rose. While Thais placed their hands
together and performed a wai, others bowed their heads and paid respect to
Father Ray, the man whose work changed the lives of thousands and whose legacy
continues here in Pattaya.
Alter boys lead the procession into
the church.
The monks arrive at the Father Ray
Foundation.
Foreign volunteers give alms to the
monks.
Never too young to make merit.
Sharron Purtell offers food to the
monks.
Children from the projects Father
Ray founded each gave a reading.
Sister Supatra pays her respects to
Father Ray.
Father Ray’s younger sister Sharron
Purtell fondly remembers her brother.
The choir from the Pattaya Orphanage
led the singing at the Memorial Mass.
Children, too young to remember
Father Ray, nonetheless sing with all their heart at his memorial service.
Father Ray’s sister, Sharron, niece
Amy, and good friend Brother Denis.
Students from the Vocational School
left red roses at Father Ray’s grave.
Children of all ages attended the
service.
This young boy never met Father Ray,
but still he pays his respect.
The blind students also attended the
memorial mass.
