Appointment of vicar apostolic of Paksé, Laos

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa, of the clergy of Paksé, Laos, until now apostolic administrator of Paksé, as vicar apostolic of the same vicariate.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa was born on 5 August 1972 in Paksé, where he attended the minor seminary from 1988 to 1991. From 1992 to 1996 he carried out his postgraduate studies at the Pedagogical University of Vientiane, obtaining a licentiate in English teaching. From 1998 to 2002 he studied philosophy at the Seminary of Christ the King, British Columbia, Canada, and from 2002 to 2005 he studied theology at Saint Joseph Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theology.

He was ordained a priest on 30 December 2006 for the apostolic vicariate of Paksé.

After priestly ordination, he first served as pastor in charge of ten mission stations (2007-2009); youth director of the apostolic vicariate of Paksé (2007- 2012). He then carried out further studies in dogmatic theology at Saint Vincent School of Theology, Adamson University, in Manila, Philippines (2008-2010). He went on to serve as pastor in charge of twelve mission stations (2010-2017) and since 2012, visiting professor of philosophy at Saint Jean-Marie Vianney Major Seminary in Savannakhet. Since 2017 he has been pastor in charge of ten mission stations (Bolivene Region) and until now apostolic administratorsede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedisof the apostolic vicariate of Paksé.

Since 2019, he has been Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia (CELAC).

In this latest Exiit Qui Seminat St. Joseph Seminary newsletter, SJS rector Fr. Sylvain Casavant, PSS reflects on how art can help us appreciate God's creation. Deacon Tai Le considers how serving in rural Wakaw, Saskatchewan has helped him understand his calling to the priesthood as his ordination approaches, while seminarian Jake Mullin tells the story of his fruitful experience at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, the National Indigenous parish in Edmonton.

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In this latest Exiit Qui Seminat St. Joseph Seminary newsletter, new SJS rector Fr. Sylvain Casavant, PSS reflects on his first few months as leader of the seminary, while seminarian Peter Dai Nguyen considers how serving an isolated and cold arctic region has helped him grow in faith while away from his all his beloved parents, relatives, and friends back in his homeland of Vietnam.

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The 2021-2022 Prayer Calendar is available through your parish.

Copies of the Prayer Calendar can be printed by clicking on:

• Calendar, one page (tabloid-sized 11x17")

When printing, remember to specify under Page Scaling: "Shrink to Printable Area" so it can also be printed on letter size paper.

Thank you!

Rev. Stephen Hero, a former associate pastor and vocations director who grew up in Edmonton and spent nine years as rector of St. Joseph Seminary, has been appointed as the new bishop of Prince Albert, Sask.

The announcement was made in Rome on March 25.

“I’m being sent now to these people to evangelize,” Father Hero said. “I’m seeing myself as a missionary, working with a whole bunch of other good people there, trying to preach the Gospel.

"I see my role then to help build up the Catholic Church there, to help people come to faith in Jesus Christ through the Word, through the salvation of the sacraments, and to be one with each other and with Christ.”

The current Bishop of Prince Albert, Albert Thevenot, has announced that he will be retiring. The diocese has scheduled a news conference for 9:30 a.m. March 25. More information will be available on the Facebook page of the Diocese of Prince Albert.

Read the full story on GrandinMedia.ca