A group photo is taken at the conclusion of the first-ever group Safe Environment training for the Myanmar Catholic community at Holy Spirit in Bowling Green on May 18, 2024. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
First-ever Safe Environment group training for Myanmar Catholics opens up more opportunities to get involved
BY WKC STAFF
On Saturday May 18, Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green completed the first-ever group Safe Environment training for the Burmese community. With translators on hand, 40 Myanmar Catholics were trained and have submitted background checks. With about 200 Burmese families in the parish, this was an important step in opening up more opportunities for Myanmar Catholics to share their time and talents and to become more involved in parish activities.
Mary Ellen Krohn, who works closely with the Burmese community, was instrumental in coordinating with the diocesan Safe Environment office to make this training happen. Assisting her were Sally Gough; Mary Teahan; Fr. Martin Ma Na Ling, associate pastor, who assisted with the Burmese language; and Cecelia Kee Meh who is the secretary for the Myanmar Catholic Community in Bowling Green, Ky. She translated the training into the Karenni dialect.
Fr. Ma Na Ling, as the associate pastor of the parish and who provides pastoral care for local Myanmar Catholics, had informed the faithful that this was requirement of all the Myanmar Catholic leaders, the prayer group leaders who lead according to the different tribes, and all the Myanmar Catholic youth leaders who are above 18. He also encouraged others to receive this training. As a result, many did.
Presenters speak to participants of the first-ever group Safe Environment training for the Myanmar Catholic community at Holy Spirit in Bowling Green on May 18, 2024. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
“I heard from those who were at training that they got a lot of knowledge and experience for their lives as well,” said Fr. Ma Na Ling.
Janice Hendricks serves as the Safe Environment coordinator for the diocese, and oversaw the training that day.
She said that in her role, “I am always trying to help parishes bring more volunteers to compliance. Going into this, we had no idea how many people would show up. This turnout was a blessing not just to this parish, but to our whole diocesan Church.”
Hendricks said that Holy Spirit’s Myanmar community, their faith, and their willingness to be involved in all that is going on is inspiring: “It is important to welcome and put forth every effort we can to include all people in our parishes in activities we plan.”
Follow the Myanmar Catholic community in Bowling Green at www.facebook.com/MCatholicKY.
To learn more about Safe Environment in the Diocese of Owensboro, visit owensborodiocese.org/safe.
Men listen to the first-ever group Safe Environment training for the Myanmar Catholic community at Holy Spirit in Bowling Green on May 18, 2024. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
Women register to attend the first-ever group Safe Environment training for the Myanmar Catholic community at Holy Spirit in Bowling Green on May 18, 2024. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
Fr. Martin Ma Na Ling, associate pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green, looks on during the first-ever group Safe Environment training for the Myanmar Catholic community at Holy Spirit in Bowling Green on May 18, 2024. COURTESY OF ANDREW MUNG
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