Catholic association mothers experience difficulties operating Zoom during meetings

Members of the Catholic Mother Association in Myanmar’s Diocese of Pathein struggle to connect online via Zoom.  Most of the mothers were new to using Zoom video conferencing and joined the meeting with less knowledge to operate the App and add to it; there was internet disruption in some areas.

Myanmar’s Pathein diocese had canceled a planned physical meeting of the Catholic Mother Association. The Zoom meeting was held on February 19.

Catholic Mother Association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization committed to empowering women, reducing poverty, and enhancing dynamic Christian values.

“It is the very first time for us to have an online Zoom meeting. We are happy to join it through online zoom,” said Mary Kyin Htay, an active member of the Association and a parishioner from Peinnegone.

Peinnegone parish is a remote area located on an Island in the diocese of Pathein in the Ayeyarwaddy Region in Myanmar. Peinnegone parish center belongs to Labutta Township.

“We encountered internet interruption when the meeting was going on due to minimal internet access. We cannot hear the talk given during the meeting,” said another woman.

“Being the first zoom meeting, the participants did not know well how to function their zoom on mobile,” observed Father Charles Yae Shan, the parish priest.

Noises were heard due to the participants’ speeches because participants did not know using Zoom.

Father Mahn Tharsue, who gave technical assistance to Mother Group in Peinnegone parish during the meeting, noted that one day before the Zoom meeting, Mother Association members should be trained how to use the Zoom app or how to join it.

In charge of the Catholic Mother Association in the Diocese of Pathein, Father Wilfred Myint Soe facilitated the Zoom meeting and led the opening prayer.

“I am happy to see you all. This is the first time having an online Zoom meeting. First and foremost, thank you very much for joining,” said  Father Myint Soe

Father Pual Zaw Naing Win, the assistant priest of the Cathedral parish, was the main preacher.

Father Zaw Win Naing encouraged the participants not to get discouraged. However, all the representatives could not meet face to face in the diocesan center as usual because of the pandemic and political crises in the country.

“Thank God for having an opportunity to meet via Zoom. Be with God always because you are a mother in the family,” Father Zaw  Naing Win.

He added, “Let us pray for one another so that God may protect us all from any danger.”

Almost 30 participants joined the meeting, although two members from each parish were invited. Pathein diocese has 36 parishes.

“There were members who could not attend the meeting due to lack of technical knowledge and do not know how to join Zoom from their mobiles. Their parish priests also do not know how to help them technically.” Said Daw Pauline Shwe, the secretary of Catholic Mother Association.