Fr Wardi Saputra (IDO) wrote last December 23, "Second half of December turns the quiet Payaphyu into holy noisy compound. Various groups keep coming to share their joy of the Christmas season by singing Christmas carols. The novices did the same for three nights. Myself, Titus (Tin Maung) and Stephen (Seng Ja) had Christmas break by sightseeing around Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay and Bagan on December 16–21. While I was away, Fr Toto (Parwoto) and Joseph (Aik Maung) stayed at the novitiate directing retreat for the candidates. The youth and novices had a Christmas football competition. It was a good exercise because Taunggyi now is quite cool: 9–15 degrees. Irene is back accompanied by her sister, who will stay until the end of the year. ‘I want to see people releasing balloons,’ she said. Francis Htjaru stopped by on his way to spend some time with his family. And the novices will have their own Christmas break on December 23–January 1."