“Love the good things and walk humbly with God.”
Father Vincent Thu Laing, a priest for the Diocese of Pathein – Myanmar, who served as a missionary priest in the Diocese of Salina, died on February 1, 2026, in Myanmar. He was born on October 12, 1955, in Myanmar (formerly Burma), into a Catholic farming family. The second of five children, Fr. Vincent grew up in a rural village of approximately 200 families. His community was predominantly Catholic, a rare blessing in a mostly Buddhist country. At the age of 11, Fr. Vincent left his village to continue his education at a boarding house, also known as a minor seminary. After completing high school, he attended college, where he studied mathematics. He later entered seminary, influenced by a prominent priest and guided by God’s persistent call. After six months, he knew he was called to the priesthood, attributing his vocation to a deep and lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr. Vincent was ordained a priest on April 4, 1987, at the age of 32. Following his ordination, he served as a parish priest and later as secretary to his bishop. He was eventually appointed pastor of the cathedral. After the death of that bishop, a new bishop—now a cardinal—invited Fr. Vincent to serve in the United States. Though hesitant due to language, culture, and travel concerns, Fr. Vincent discerned God’s will and eventually accepted the invitation. Invited by Bishop George Fitzsimmons, Fr. Vincent became the first Burmese priest to serve in the Diocese of Salina. Originally intending to stay for three years, he remained for more than two decades, serving faithfully and gratefully among the people of western Kansas.
During his time in the Diocese of Salina, Fr. Vincent served at the following parishes:
St. John the Baptist, Beloit (1999)
St. Augustine, Washington and SS. Peter and Paul, Morrowville (2000–2002)
St. Francis of Assisi, Norton and St. Joseph, New Almelo (2002–2015)
St. Francis Cabrini, Hoxie and St. Martin of Tours, Seguin (2015–2025)
Upon arriving in the United States, Fr. Vincent spent time in Independence, Kansas, where he studied English at a community college and learned to drive. He immersed himself in the language by watching television and listening to the radio. After one month in Independence, he was assigned to St. John the Baptist Parish, Beloit, where he served alongside Father Henry Baxa. Beloit became his “first love” in the Diocese of Salina, a place where he found great joy and happiness. Father Baxa often teased him for reading comic strips as a way to learn English—especially his favorite, Pickles.
Fr. Vincent’s priestly motto was drawn from the prophet Micah, who says, “Love the good things and walk humbly with God.” Fr. Vincent was deeply grateful to the American Church and the Diocese of Salina, often expressing thanks for being welcomed and treated as family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, at St. Mary Church in Marygone Village, Myanmar. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, at St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Hoxie.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. Please continue to pray for Fr. Vincent and for his family.