Oct 2024
We would like to share with you the news that Fr. Joe has been honored with the Thai government Moral Award.
The award is given annually by the Thailand Ministry of Culture and the Center for Morality Promotion (CMP) to those whose actions have inspired positive change and have stood as pillars of integrity and goodness. The 2023 award was given recently at the 14th National Morality Assembly.
The event seeks to recognize and celebrate organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to enhancing morality within Thai Society. The award recognizes Fr. Joe as being an “inspirational figure” for his work of over fifty years with the Mercy Centre in Bangkok, protecting and educating the poorest of children in the Bangkok slums.
We at Mercy Centre USA, all volunteers and most of whom have served directly with the Mercy Centre in Bangkok, are proud to share with you this recognition of Fr. Joe and the staff of the Mercy Centre for their devoted service to the poorest of children and families in the Bangkok slums.
Fr. Joe told me some years back that early in his time in the Klongtoey slum, Mother Teresa visited Bangkok and he was asked to show her the work he and Sister Maria had started. As the visit was ending Mother Teresa turned to him and said, “Serve the poor Fr. Joe. Serve the poor.” He has, with your generous help, certainly done that exceedingly well over the past fifty years.
We thank you for your support of the Mercy Centre and hope you share in our pride of this well- deserved recognition of Fr. Joe and the Mercy staff. Due to illness Fr. Joe, who will turn eighty-five on Oct. 31st, was unable to attend the award ceremony himself. Khun Usanee, Director of the Mercy Centre, is shown accepting the award from H.E. Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk-Privy Councilor on Fr Joe's behalf.ll over the past fifty years.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Mercy’s programs.
Tom Crowley
Director of Mercy Centre USA
