RATCHABURI, Thailand (UCAN) -- As the country marked National Day for the Elderly, the Thai Catholic Church focused on appreciating the dignity and contributions of its older members and promoting respect for elder members of society.

Elderly people are "a blessing from God and wisdom for society," who can do much to strengthen morality by sharing their expertise with the young generation, Bishop Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit of Chanthaburi told Catholics.

The 76-year-old bishop presided at a special event on April 19 to honor 15 elderly Catholics from around the country as well as 14 young people seen as setting good examples of care and respect for their elders.

About 1,000 people, most of them elderly, attended the program at St. Anthony Church in Ban Mod Ta Noy, a village in Ratchaburi province, 120 kilometers west of Bangkok. It included entertainment, a Mass and presentation of awards before concluding with lunch. Bishop John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen of Ratchaburi, nuns and priests, and government officials joined in the celebration.

The Thai bishops' Committee for Elderly, under their Catholic Commission for Pastoral Health Care, cooperated with the elderly club of Ratchaburi diocese to host the third National Elderly Catholic Gathering.

Father Phairat Sriprasert, secretary of the Church commission, said the goal was to "highlight elderly Catholics' faith commitment, experiences, and role in the society and Church." The Church also wants society to promote its older members' human dignity and encourage younger people to show appreciation for their parents and elders, he explained.

The Committee for Elderly chose the award recipients, from all 10 Thai dioceses, after a recommendation process that began at the parish level then passed through diocesan-level committees.

The award for Regina Nipa Sangtong, 72, cited her involvement with society and the Church, such as volunteering with the Red Cross and the local administration, and serving as president of her parish elderly club. She also visits elderly, sick and needy people on a weekly basis in the St. Joseph Parish area in Ayutthaya province, a little north of Bangkok.

Award winner Piyawan Takansupagon, 21, from St. Peter Church in Tak province, along the northwestern border with Myanmar, also does volunteer social and parish work, such as helping Karen hilltribe children learn Thai language. But she was chosen mainly for taking good care of her parents amid her other work.

After the opening ceremony that morning, members of elderly clubs performed traditional Thai dance and music.

At the Mass, Bishop Thienchai pointed out in his homily that elderly people often are seen as a burden in modern society, always needing help. He said this arises from people restricting their viewpoint to materialism and economics, rather than acknowledging human dignity and the spiritual aspect of life.

Father Viroj Nuntajinda, an organizer, told UCA News respect for parents and elders has decreased in Thailand, as the extended family has given way to the nuclear family. These smaller units focus on economic welfare, often in cities, and leave the elderly behind.

In January 2007, Mahidol Population Gazette, published by Mahidol University, put the number of Thais 60 or older at 6,824,000, about 15 percent of the 65-million population. It said more than 418,000 of them lived alone.

The Church held its first National Elderly Catholic Gathering in May 2006 at Blessed Nicolas Bunkert Shrine in Sam Phran, west of Bangkok. In 2007 the venue was Our Lady of the Martyrs of Thailand Shrine in Song Kon, a northeastern village near the Mekong River.

This year's event was held on the Saturday after National Elderly Day, which is observed annually on April 14. On that day, the second of the three-day Thai New Year celebration, people pour water over the hands of their elders in a sign of respect and blessing. Thais traditionally return to their hometown or village to celebrate the holiday.

Peter Suan Tongin, 84, from Si Saket, a northeastern province, told UCA News he is "very proud and happy that the Thai Church acknowledges the value of the elderly with such an event." This, the parish elderly clubs and other activities "help the elderly show their potential and wisdom," he said.

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