Chumphon, Thailand – January 2024 – On 27 January the first 50 years of the Catholic community of Chumphon were commemorated at the Church of the Conversion of St Paul, led by the parish priest Fr Nopphorn Joseph, SDB. The celebration, which was attended by numerous faithful, diocesan religious and the Sisters Handmaids of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – 14th group of the Salesian Family –, was presided over by Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, SDB, bishop of the Diocese of Surat Thani. Fifty years ago, in 1973, the then Bishop of Surat Thani, Bishop Peter Carretto, SDB, planned to make Chumphon the pastoral centre between Baan Saeng Arun and Surat Thani and chose Fr Natale Mane, SDB, to start Catholic works in the province. Fr Mane, who became the first parish priest of Chumphon, together with the assistant parish priest Fr Sanong Chornthong, built the rectory, the chapel dedicated to St Paul and the youth centre, and the Catholic community grew continuously to become what it is today.