Welcome to episode 10 of our series discussing the history of Burmese American Christianity (Pearl Dive episode 229)! This series is part of Fuller AACHI’s Burma Diaspora Christianity Project led by Dr. Joseph Cheah and Dr. David Moe.

Welcome to episode 10 of The Pearl Dive (Pearl Dive episode 229) brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at Fuller Theological Seminary! In this special installment of our Burmese Diaspora Christianity Project, host Tim Tseng and co-host Dr. Joseph Cheah dive into the inspiring journeys of John Lee and Elizabeth (Liz) Garrick-Law. Born to Chinese parents in Burma, both guests share their profound stories of resilience, grace, and maintaining a vibrant cultural identity in the United States. Liz recounts her life-changing experience at a convent school in Yangon and her family’s steadfast faith through severe medical trials, while John details his transition to American life and the deep-seated spiritual longing that sparked a movement.

Together, John and Liz provide a remarkable look at the formation and legacy of the Burmese American Catholic Fellowship (BACF) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1995 out of a pressing need for cultural and spiritual support after the passing of John’s father, BACF has grown into a cornerstone for Burmese immigrants and refugees over the last three decades. The episode beautifully explores the “parish within a parish” model at St. Thomas More Church — a stunning mosaic of five distinct ethnic communities—and highlights the vital, ongoing effort to pass down Burmese Catholic traditions, music, and spirituality to the next generation.

Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges

You are warmly invited to attend the 2026 Our Story, Our Faith (OSOF) Conference: Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges, taking place August 7–8, 2026 in Indianapolis, IN, and online.

📍Dates: August 7–8, 2026📍In-Person Location: Falam Baptist Church of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN📍Virtual Attendance: Airmeet

Glossary

* Burmese American Catholic Fellowship (BACF): A community established in 1995 in the Bay Area to offer Mass, prayers, and emotional support in a way that reflects Burmese culture and language.

* St. Philomena’s Convent High School: A boarding school in Yangon run by Irish Good Shepherd nuns, where Liz Law and her twin sister were educated and first introduced to Christianity.

* Parish within a Parish: A structural model used by St. Thomas More Church, which houses five distinct ethnic communities (Burmese, Arabic American, Brazilian/Portuguese, English/Irish, and Filipino/Tagalog) under one overarching parish.

* Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord: A Catholic feast celebrated on March 25th. Liz Law and her twin sister Jean share this birthday, with their names reflecting the Biblical relationship between Elizabeth and John the Baptist (Jean being the French variation of John).

* American Needs Fatima: is a special campaign to spread the message of Fatima in the United States. The goal of America Needs Fatima is to win the heart and soul of America for Mary by spreading Our Lady’s Fatima message and promoting devotion to Her Immaculate Heart.

Discussion Questions

* Liz Law faced several profound trials, including cancer and her husband’s medical issues, which ultimately deepened her reliance on God. How can cultural and faith-based immigrant communities better mobilize to support individuals going through severe physical or emotional hardships?

* John Lee highlights the “real gap” between the faith experiences Burmese immigrants had in their home country and what they encounter in American parishes. In what specific ways can established churches honor and integrate the unique cultural traditions, music, and spirituality of immigrant congregations?

* The “parish within a parish” model at St. Thomas More Church successfully accommodates five different ethnic groups. What are the potential benefits and challenges of this multi-ethnic ecclesiastical structure compared to a more culturally homogenous congregation?

* BACF was created in part to preserve Burmese Catholic identity across generations. Without intentional effort, how might young Burmese Americans lose touch with their heritage, and what innovative spaces can communities create to pass down these values today?

This podcast series is funded by the APARRI Working Grant and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

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