Uncle Bob’s first letter from Vietnam in three years
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.
It has been a couple of years since I last wrote a Vietnam News Letter...as I last left here in December 2019, and because of Covid around the world, I did not return until recently. But now I am well and truly ensconced in my eagle’s nest atop a high rise.
We MSC have been here 19 years, and I have come here most years...and certainly there have been many changes, but some things are still the same e.g. traffic is worse but pedestrian crossings are still a waste of paint and footpaths are still high risk for pedestrians too! Saigon has about 10 million people, and probably the same number of bikes! High rise apartments everywhere, but no one stares at foreigners anymore... I seem to be taken for granted despite me being Uncle dep lao (not bad for an old man!!!)
Just sending you a quick list of some things that have been happening in the MSC world here: Provincial was here for a month and amongst many other things visited the families of each student... a huge but rewarding exercise; four new first vows guys; poignant farewell on the weekend for Thoi who has been both our formator and Superior for most of our time here...the end of an era;
academic year has started for all the students; preparations for final vows, ongoing formation for those in ministry; recollection days; commitment ceremony for young Lay MSC...there have been some wonderful experiences together, especially now that Covid seems to be better under control here than in Oz, despite the fact that they had horrendous lockdowns in the past, and that there are nearly 100 million living in Vietnam, in an area about 1.5 times the size of Victoria. I’m told that Oz is 23 times the size of Vietnam!
Vietnam itself has been busy with Independence day holidays, millions of children returning to school, moon cakes, mid Autumn festival etc etc...wet season with min temps of 25 and max 35, plus storms...not much chance of boredom here.
Take care down there. Spare us a prayer every now and then. I will try to send some photos, and you will see the hopeful, positive spirit, so obvious here..
Lots of love. God bless. Uncle Bob
COMMITMENT CEREMONY OF YOUNG LAY MSC
On Sunday 11th September, a group of 14 “young” MSC lay in Vietnam renewed their commitment.
They are called young lay to distinguish them from some of the other groups of MSC lay in Vietnam. True to the hopes of Fr Jules Chevalier, MSC lay have been part of the MSC outreach in Vietnam since our foundation there, nearly 20 years ago.
The ceremony for 8 women, including one on zoom from Australia{!}, and 6 men, was held in the beautiful new chapel of the MSC scholasticate, before a large crowd of professed MSC priests, brothers and sisters, seminarians, postulants, families and visitors.
Fr Minh was main celebrant, Hoang gave a stirring homily, and Uncle Bob blessed the emblems with the help of Danh, and gave to each one, whilst students Loc and Thanh Vu kept us on track.
The mood was one of great happiness, dignity, humour, and celebration, with some very moving moments and wonderful singing.
After the ceremonies in the chapel there was a typical Vietnamese great feast and celebration.
WE are so grateful for the blessings God has given us here in Vietnam, as we all stive our best to be on earth the heart of God as religious and lay. A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
