Myanmar Catholic Community of Atlanta Celebrates

Sunday, October 9, 2022, was the historic moment for the Myanmar Catholic Community of Atlanta (MCCA) in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia. The MCCA celebrated the 15th Year Anniversary of Myanmar Catholic Community of Atlanta at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

A warm welcome for Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer, O.F.M., Conv.

Archbishop Hartmayer was welcomed by different Myanmar ethnic groups with their respective cultural music and dances. Some ethnic groups played their musical instruments – flutes and drums and others also danced while singing and playing musical instruments. All ethnic groups wore their traditional attire. Two young people gave the archbishop a garland and a bouquet of roses as he, together with Deacon Peter Swan and Fr. Robert Zaw Lwin, M.S., processed into the church. The people greeted the archbishop waving the Vatican flags.

Encouraging words from the Archbishop

Fr. Robert Zaw Lwin, M.S. (left) aside Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, O.F.M. Conv.The Eucharist was celebrated in English with the readings and hymns in Burmese. The Archbishop was so delighted to see and experience the Myanmar Catholic Community for the first time. He was inspired by the congregation who sang well together with the MCCA choir. He highlighted the beauty of the faith as well as the courage of the refugees who took risks to leave their homeland in search of a better life for their families in the United States of America. He reechoed the message of Pope Francis given to the Catholics in Myanmar when he visited there in 2017: The richness of Myanmar culture, the faith, the courage; and hospitality of the people of Myanmar that enrich the universal church and the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

On behalf of Myanmar Catholic Community of Atlanta (MCCA) and the Myanmar Pastoral Council who represent all five ethnic groups, Fr. Robert Zaw Lwin, M.S., thanked Archbishop Gregory, his Auxiliaries, Bishop Ned, Bishop Joel, the archdiocese and the La Salette Missionaries, for allowing Myanmar Catholics of Atlanta to journey as One Myanmar Catholic Family in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, which is the fastest growing diocese in the United States.

Unity amid diversity

The children sang and danced to everyone’s delightThe MCCA is very thankful for the archbishop’s fatherly support to their every effort in bringing about unity among five ethnic groups of Myanmar. They particularly expressed their gratitude to the archbishop for setting aside time to be with them to celebrate the 15thAnniversary of MCCA despite his hectic schedules.

They are very grateful to God and the archbishop for appointing a chaplain for the MCCA. They also thanked Fr. Paschal, the pastor of Corpus Christi Church, Fr. Jude Michael, the pastor of Holy Cross Church, Deacon Peter Swan, who was one of the founding members of the MCCA, for welcoming, pastoring and helping them in our work for unity.

Special Thanks to Fr. Robert Zaw Lwin, M.S.

The members of MCCA also are grateful to Fr. Raymond Cadran, M.S., Pastor of St. Ann’s Parish in Marietta, Georgia, who has been supportive of them since the military coup on February 1, 2021. Also special thanks go to Fr. William Kaliyadan, M.S., the Provincial of the Province of Mary, Mother of Americas, for allowing Fr. Robert Zaw Lwin, M.S., a Burmese speaking La Salette priest to shepherd the Myanmar Catholics of Atlanta Archdiocese. Since his appointment as their chaplain, the community has become more united. They saw a glimpse of the beauty of five ethnic groups coming together as one family of MCCA. These ethnic groups represent seven dioceses of Myanmar.

Their bishops, priests, relatives, and families are very glad to hear and see how united they have become since March 1, 2022. The MCCA believe that unity is the strength of every community and every local church. About 800 people participated in the celebration of both the Eucharist and the reception. Everyone enjoyed the food, the cultural presentations of youth and children who are the joy, the energy, and the hope of the MCCA and the Archdiocese of Atlanta. They asked for continued prayers and moral support of all leaders.
Fr. Robert (center), chaplain of this special Catholic community, welcomes the Myanmar Sisters of St. Francis Xavier, from Jacksonville, FL