Today’s Kmhmú Catholic Community of the Diocese of Oakland, California has grown into the Kmhmú Catholic National Center.
It serves more and more Kmhmú and other peoples of Laotian
origin ─ Lamet, Mien, Thin, Lue, Thaidom across the country.
Go to our Contact page to find our leaders from Boston to Santa
Ana, California to Oklahoma City and Seattle. To the right is the Golden Gate Bridge, a symbol of linking many peoples, especially those coming under the "Golden Bridge" from Asia.
This very special Catholic ministry began simply when Kan Souriya gathered seven Kmhmú families in the Richmond, California area about 1981. They began to attend Mass at nearby Catholic Churches, St. John’s in El Cerrito and St. Mark’s in Richmond. With the help of Fr. George Crespin, then Vicar General, and Sr. Felicia Sarati, Director of Ethnic Ministries, the Kmhmú Pastoral Center was launched. Today Mass is offered weekly at St. Paul's Church in San Pablo, California. To the (right) is the altar at St Paul's Parish, San Pablo California decorated for Mothers' Day. Kmhmú Mass is offered there each week.
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Our latest effort is the creation of the only Kmhmú Catholic cemetery plot in the U.S. Arranged by Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Oakland, the center piece is the Shrine to the Holy Family. “Pray for us.” is rendered in both Kmhmú and English.
Click photos to enlarge
The Thirty Year History of the
Kmhmú Pastoral Center
