Today is certainly a day of rejoicing—not only for the Society of Divine Word (SVD), or as they are commonly known, the Divine Word Missionaries—but also for the Diocese of Udon Thani and for the entire Catholic Church. A day when we ought to be thanking God in a special way, for the great love and manifold blessings that He has so generously poured out on the Church and on our own Diocese of Udon Thani—through Brother Damien Lunders, SVD, and the 50 years that he has offered his whole life to the Lord.

This undeniably long period of 50 years, I am sure, has been a time of great blessing—for Brother Damien himself as well as for all of us: 50 years of celebrating the love and faithfulness that Brother Damien has dedicated to the Lord. On this momentous occasion—and in behalf of all the Priests, Religious/Consecrated Men and Women, and all the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Udon Thani—I would like to congratulate Brother Damien Lunders on the golden anniversary of his Vows. I would like to thank him too for bringing the Lord’s abundant love and blessings to the Diocese of Udon Thani, especially through the various works of mercy that he has initiated to do and is still doing. In particular, the invaluable assistance and support to those who are afflicted with HIV/AIDs—men and women, young and old, who are in need of special care and attention. We recognize and appreciate the love and sacrifices that Brother Damien has dedicated to the service of the poor in the Nong Bua Lamphu area, for the last 12 years—along the way of true missionary service to others. He deserves our encouragement, so let us be such an encouragement to him. Today, we are likewise honored by the presence of Rev. Fr. Tim Norton, SVD—the current Provincial for the Divine Word Missionaries-Province of Australia, and Rev. Fr. James Knight, SVD—Administrator of Santa Teresa Parish, Central Australia. So most fittingly, let me also take this opportunity to especially thank the Divine Word Missionaries, for their generosity to send ‘workers’ to God’s vineyard here in the Diocese of Udon Thani. In fact, another four more Divine Word Missionaries are coming to Thailand this year to fortify their ranks at Nong Bua Lamphu—which I believe is indeed a great blessing for our Diocese. (CONGRATULATORY GREETINGS OF BISHOP JOSEPH LUECHAI THATWISAI ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VOWS OF BROTHER DAMIEN LUNDERS, SVD Thursday, 29 November 2012)