HONG KONG (SE): Father Nicolas de Francqueville of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, expressed his gratitude to the donors who contributed to the excellent outcome of a fund-raising campaign selling Chinese New Year lai see packets in January. All the proceeds will be used to support church buildings, renovations and a youth centre in Laos.
In cooperation with Camay Lam, a terminal cancer patient, he promoted nearly 1,000 sets of packets designed by Lam and himself. The Chinese New Year packets feature the Chinese calligraphy of Father Francqueville. The charity sale was promoted through the Footprint of Grace, a Facebook page set up last year by Lam with the support of her friends [Sunday Examiner, January 30].
Lam also thanked donors for their support. “Thank God for being with us. Although I am sick, God gives me strength and peace. I hope more people can come to know God through the project,” she said.
According to Father Francqueville, $70,000 was raised, in addition individual donations came to over $30,000. The programme managed to raise $110,000 Hong Kong for the Church in Laos.
Father Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa, the apostolic administrator of the Vicariate of Pakse in Laos, wrote a letter expressing his gratitude to Father Francqueville, the Holy Redeemer Parish, and donors for their support. Part of the funds will be used to renovate a church building in St. Joseph Khampeng Village.
Thank God for being with us. Although I am sick, God gives me strength and peace. I hope more people can come to know God through the project
Camay Lam
Father Guillaume Lepesqueux of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, manages the funds. The donations will also support the Nazareth Centre in Vientiane. Father Lepesqueux regularly celebrates Mass there and ministers to the spiritual needs of the young people in the centre.
The youth centre was set up by Sister Anne Latsamy Thavivanh and other sisters from the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne Antide Thouret. At present, it offers accommodation to over 50 young residents.
Around 20 of them, mostly young women from low-income families, who are unable to fund their studies, are given training in professional sewing. While a few are working, others are still studying in secondary schools or universities. Although the centre receives sponsorship from the French association, Enfants du Mekong, and occasional donations, these are not regular sources of funding. Two years ago, the centre set up a boutique to sell products made by the students and to promote the school.
The funds will also support the construction of a church in Pakse and help low-income families. During Lent last year, the Holy Redeemer Church raised $70,000 for the Church in Laos, which was used for the St. Jean Marie Vianney Seminary in Thakhek, the renovation of a church in Pakse, as well as the Nazareth Centre.
Father Francqueville said the Church in Laos needs funding and that people who are interested in offering support are welcome to contact him at nico_defrancqueville@yahoo.fr.
