Nearly 100 parishioners gathered at Ascension of the Lord Church on Sept. 27 to celebrate the anniversary of its Basic Ecclesial Community, or BEC.
The celebration began with a Eucharistic Mass presided over by Fr. Pornchai Baraswakul, director of nearby St. Joseph Upatham School, alongside parish priest Fr. Pornchai Wilalai, Fr. Chatchawal Supalak, and Deacon Kaweesin Butsaeng.
During his homily, Fr. Pornchai reflected on his pastoral formation in India and highlighted the theological vision behind the BEC model.
He said a Basic Ecclesial Community is not an exclusive club or a separate parish program but encompasses all baptized faithful living out the ecclesial life of the early Church.
Referring to Acts 2:42–47, Fr. Pornchai said: “The spirit guiding this initiative mirrors the lifestyle of the early Christian community described in the Acts of the Apostles. It is about gathering regularly to hear the Word, breaking bread together, and supporting one another in true fraternal solidarity.”
The BEC at Ascension of the Lord Church, in Zone 5 of the Archdiocese of Bangkok, traces its origins to Sept. 8, 2015.
Responding to an initiative led by Fr. Peter Chettha Chaiyadej, manager of the parish BEC department, lay leaders Tatsanee Mathurotsuwan, Duangjai Ruangsomboon, Metinee Suphanpayak and Supannee Bunyarat held their first Scripture reflection in a local home.
What began as a small home-based prayer circle of 10 members has since expanded into a multisite network.
Following the anniversary Mass, parishioners joined an interactive exhibition featuring nine Scripture-themed learning stations aimed at deepening biblical literacy and strengthening community ties.
Activities included Scripture Bingo, Mystery Box Verse Selections and reflection exercises on holistic wellness through the Word of God. The National Catechetical Center also hosted a display of Bibles and religious goods.
The anniversary celebration was organized through the combined efforts of the clergy, Parish Pastoral Council, Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, Camillian deacons and seminarians, youth groups and local lay organizers.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand has continued to use the BEC framework to organize large urban parishes into close-knit neighborhood communities.
At Ascension of the Lord Church, grassroots Gospel sharing remains a way of encouraging participation and strengthening parish life.
