News

Final trip to Thailand opens a new door

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Learn more Shawn Mulhern is available to show his film about Sarnelli House and discuss the mission. Interested parishes, schools or groups, may contact him at (920)336-5890, (920)227-8182 or e-mail: dugan@newplugins.com. For more information about Sarnelli House, visit www.sarnelli.org.

Sometimes the wrong path turns out to be the right direction.

In January of 2003, Shawn Mulhern of St. Francis Xavier Parish in De Pere was preparing for what he believed would be his final trip to Thailand.

"I had been to Thailand nine times," he said. "I love the country. I love the people. I love the culture. I was going to make what I thought was a trip of closure. I was planning to make a side trip to Laos. I had never been to northeast Thailand."

Mulhern had two sites in mind for his side trip. He wanted to see an archaeological dig, supervised by the University of Pennsylvania, which opened in the 1970s, and cross Freedom Bridge, which would take him from Thailand into Laos. While doing online research in preparation for the trip, he came across a website for Sarnelli House. Mulhern thought he had stumbled across an Italian restaurant, a potential place where he could find an English speaking guide."

"I opened the site and I saw these kids," he said. "I made a 180-degree turn at that point. Freedom Bridge was the furthest thing from my mind. I believe the Holy Spirit guided me to this site and said 'let's do this.'"

Sarnelli House opened in October of 2000 under the direction of Fr. Michael Shea, a Redemptorist priest. It serves children and babies affected or infected by HIV and AIDS. Many of the children are rejected by relatives and villagers, and often are abandoned. The Thai government doesn't provide any funding to Sarnelli House, but does give children to the facility from its welfare homes. Sarnelli House is funded by private donations from individuals, and churches of many denominations.

Mulhern set out to meet Fr. Shea and visit Sarnelli House. No one he encountered knew how to find the orphanage. Eventually, Mulhern arrived at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, located near Fr. Shea's residence.

"He wasn't there, so they called him on his cell phone," said Mulhern. "Meanwhile, these kids were coming up to me and I was hugging them and playing with them. The other adults had backed away and were looking at me strangely. The Thai people have the fear of God in their hearts about AIDS. I had forgotten about that."

When Fr. Shea arrived, he questioned the motive of Mulhern's visit, but they soon made a connection. Fr. Shea was wearing a Packer T-shirt. He grew up on a farm in Armstrong, Wis.

"We talked and talked," said Mulhern. "It didn't take long to know that we were on common ground."

Prior to Sarnelli House, which can accommodate 62 children, Fr. Shea founded and continues to operate St. Patrick's, an orphanage for boys, and Viengkhuk, a similar home for girls. He also serves five parishes and offers an outreach medical clinic each Friday.

"What he has done over there, everyone should have one chance in life to see," said Mulhern. "It's an example of what a person can do if they have faith and put their mind to it."

Mulhern said the children immediately won over his heart. All have nicknames including Popeye, one of Mulhern's favorites.

"Popeye was dumped on a highway with a bottle of milk and his papers stuffed in his shirt," said Mulhern. "His parents had died of AIDS and his aunts could not take care of him."

Other children include Sebo, who has the longest tenure among the young residents; sisters Lin and Lia who were originally sold by their parents; and Jo, named after a Missouri woman who sponsors her, who survived two attempted abortions.

"The children are beautiful," said Mulhern, "and the house mothers are amazing. Miss Peh, who takes care of all the young children, is a very special lady. She has taken care of babies as young as 13-hours old. When the children arrive, they are quarantined. You can't take children with shingles, TB or AIDS and shove them into the population. They get the kids the proper medications."

Mulhern wanted to help support Fr. Shea's ministry, so upon his return he met with Fr. Tony Dolski, then pastor at St. Francis Xavier.

"Fr. Tony initiated it," said Mulhern. "He said 'let's get him here.'"

Fr. Shea spoke at St. Francis Xavier in 2003 and 2004 and Mulhern has made presentations on his behalf.

"He needs to come back to Wisconsin for vacation," said Mulhern. "He often comes back and speaks about the mission or takes part in the Sebo Ride, a bicycle ride near Madison which has raised $75,000. He needs to get away from it."

St. Francis Xavier Parish and Notre Dame Elementary and Middle schools of De Pere are supporting Sarnelli House as a 2007 Lenten project. Mulhern, a retired radio professional with more than 35 years experience, produced and narrated a film about the mission. Mulhern shot four days of film at Sarnelli House. He edited the film in Bangkok.

"It's about 20 minutes long," he said. "I showed it to the students at Notre Dame and to the religious ed kids. Their eyes were glued to the screen."

"Fr. Jack Harper and Fr. Dave Duffeck (of St. Francis Xavier Parish) have been incredible," he added. "Mary VandenBusch (principal at Notre Dame) and all the teachers have been very kind. Thanks to the parents who are giving the children 69 or 70 cents each week. Dcn. Kurt Grube (St. Francis Xavier Parish) has been a big help with the religious education kids. He has facilitated so much for me."

Mulhern hopes to raise approximately $2,700 during Lent to sponsor children. Maggie Shea, Fr. Shea's sister-in-law processes the donations.

Self-sufficiency is a goal at the mission, said Mulhern.

"They grow 60% of the rice they use," he said. "One of the projects is a forest of fruit trees. They continue to make progress."

"Fr. Mike is the driving force," he added. "The kids are very good to him, and he has that balance of compassion and toughness to make it all work. He will never retire to Wisconsin. That is his home."

Mulhern made three trips to Sarnelli House last year. He is planning another trip this spring, and has no plans for a closure trip.

"I love the children dearly," he said. "That's why I go over there. You can't stay away."