MISSIONER NEWSLETTER – Fall 2025

Julie Lawler, Cambodia

Deaf staff—past and present—gather with Fr. Charlie at the DDP farewell celebration. (Photo Credit: Sopor Lay)

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—After 25 years of dedicated service, Father Charles Dittmeier has retired from his ministry in Cambodia.

As news of his departure spread, three farewell celebrations were organized by the Deaf Development Programme (DDP), Maryknoll friends and missioners, and the English-speaking Catholic community. Fr. Charlie also shared many one-on-one meals with friends before leaving Cambodia on August 11, 2025. Across each gathering, people expressed deep gratitude for the wisdom, compassion, and presence he had given them over the years.

“Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I will miss you until I see you again.”

A farewell from DDP

On August 1, 2025, the Deaf Development Programme hosted a farewell celebration under the tin-roof pavilion.

• A group of five deaf young adults performed a Khmer Blessing.

• Teacher Sreytin shared the farewell reflections of the deaf staff.

• Deaf community members took turns expressing gratitude and memories.

• Director Soknym voiced appreciation on behalf of the hearing staff.

The celebration concluded with photos, laughter, and a shared lunch of traditional Khmer curry.

Friends from mission and the Catholic Church lay hands over Fr. Charlie during his final Wednesday Maryknoll gathering. (Photo Credit: Julie Lawler)

A Maryknoll gathering send-off

On August 6, Fr. Charlie was honored at the weekly Maryknoll Wednesday Mass and meal, a tradition of more than 30 years.

• Missioners and friends from various communities attended, including MKLM members, the Marist Brothers, and the Quebec Foreign Mission Society.

• The evening began with Mass, followed by a farewell blessing in which everyone laid hands on Fr. Charlie.

• MKLM members shared messages of gratitude and blessing before the evening closed joyfully with a meal and happy hour.

Farewell with the English-speaking Catholic community

Fr. Charlie’s final celebrations were held at the Saturday and Sunday English Masses, where he presided for the last time.

• Mass was interpreted into Cambodian Sign Language so that DDP members could participate fully.

• Fr. Oh Chang, SJ, Superior of the Jesuit community in Cambodia, attended in friendship.

• After Mass, community members—including choir, readers, altar servers, MKLM missioners, and DDP groups—gathered for photos and a farewell reception.

On August 11, Fr. Charlie departed for Kentucky, where he will reside with other retired priests and sisters from his diocese. Just days later, he traveled to Ossining, NY, to join the celebration of Maryknoll Lay Missioners’ 50th Jubilee.

We will miss you, Fr. Charlie—until we see you again.

Prayer for Fr. Charlie

“Lord, help (Fr. Charlie) live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently and courageously.” —Saint Francis of Assisi

At the Sunday farewell Mass, Julie Lawler interprets into Cambodian Sign Language so DDP’s deaf staff could fully participate. (Photo Credit: TT Hoang)

Please consider supporting my mission work at the Deaf Development Programme with a donation through the link below.

I invite you to walk with me as a “COMPANION IN MISSION.” Companions in Mission are friends and generous donors who give financial gifts on a regular (usually monthly) basis. For more information, visit Become a Companion in Mission. Thank you so much for your generosity!