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Sr. Len Montiel checks the names of the Maryknollers who have served in Cambodia since Fr. Tom Dunleavy and Fr. Joe Sherer arrived in 1989. The display on the wall showed each person's arrival year and his or her branch of the Maryknoll family. |
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Fernando, a seminarian, and Bong Ang, a PCLM working with Maryknoll, tuned up their guitars for the liturgy. Fernando and Bong are good examples of Maryknoll Cambodia's inclusive policy, doing mission also by supporting other groups working in Cambodia. |
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Fr. Charlie Dittmeier was the presider for the evening's liturgy. About fifty people attended. The liturgy noted that there have been 72 Maryknoll men and women who have served in Cambodia for various periods of time since 1989. |
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Most of those who came for the celebration were present and former members of Maryknoll, but they were joined by many of the long-term missioners from other groups who have shared much of Maryknoll's history in Cambodia. |
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Also invited to this celebration were the Khmer people who have been staff of Maryknoll from the earliest days, and who have genuinely shared in and enabled Maryknoll's work in the kingdom. Metry, a nurse, was recognized as a fine woman and a mainstay of the village health and education program in Boeung Tum Pun. |
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Because of the larger crowd than usual, and because our long-serving cooks were invited to participate as guests, not workers, the meal was catered by a local Khmer restaurant and served outside where there was more room. |
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Many trusted and true friends of Maryknoll joined us for the celebration and were able to add their own stories and experiences to the event. |
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Three of the first Maryknoll arrivals in Cambodia were Srs. Luise Ahrens (left) and Regina Pellicore, and Fr. John Barth. Here they light the official birthday cake to mark the occasion. |