Getting Ready for the World Cup

 Even though it's been raining and the field is muddy, since the seminarians are playing (in the background), the young students have to play, too.

 The "field" is too muddy for shoes, so barefeet are the order of the day. The small goals are perfect for the small field.

 In Vietnam, no matter who scores, everyone cheers. It's not easy to make a goal with the level of playing. It's the game of choice for most boys.

These three guys wanted their picture taken. You can guess which one asked me. (the one with the big  smile.)

 Since about 100 students are living here during the week, they have to do their own wash. Mom isn't here to do that. And the was is done by hand every night. Many students have only two sets of clothes with them.

Playing hide-and-go seek, this one wanted her picture taken, also. I have to say that I laugh most of the time. Kids are kids wherever you go.

Thanks, Magnificat!

Thanks from all of my high school students to Magnificat for their donation of MagnifiKid!, a weekly magazine that contains the readings for Sunday and articles about saints.

We use it in class for reading, writing, and practicing grammar. A big shout out to John Sacco and the staff for helping to bring the Church to the countryside.

The "Aww" Factor

While eating lunch at the celebration in Thanh Hoa last Saturday, I looked up from the table and saw this outside. Reminds me of mom and dad.

Fr. Luong's Farewell Meal

Today was a farewell lunch for Fr.Luong. He is leaving for a few years to study spirituality in Rome. I rode with Fr. An and here is Mr. Dao following us. We parked the motorbikes about a mile from the seminary and then waited for Fr. Hien to pick us up at the side of the main road (and the two cases of beer). He drove the rest of the way.

Here is Fr.Luong saying goodbye to all of us. It's a bittersweet day for me. He was in my first English class seven years ago, he was tremendous to all of our students from Serra two years ago, and now I will not see him for a while. He is much loved by everyone in the diocese.

The table at the bottom is older priests and myself. Serving us is Fr. Luong's father. He was a proud dad and you could see that he loves his son very much. The table in the back is for the young priests. It's sort of like Thanksgiving.

At the left is the seminarians' table, and in the back  you can see the sisters. Fr. Luong sat with the seminarians. He is a "baby priest" and is very close to their age. They have been his friends for many years.

The sisters from the bishop's house came to celebrate with us. It's not a party without the sisters who make everything fun.

When we got ready to leave, Fr. Hien didn't see the logs under the rice clippings and he dented the car. We were close to the canal, so being guys, everyone came out to supervise.

While that was going on, I walked along the canal. It was a lazy day and not much was stirring.

Here's the progress so far. Not much as you can see. But everyone is helping.

This is the view between two of the houses. Such beauty, but such poverty.

And here is a bit of the fun.

The Day Begins

When you're getting breakfast for 150 people, then you have to think creatively. The sister prepare the morning soup and then bring it to the dining room in galvanized pails used just for food. I think this is genius.

HEre are the seminarians having breakfast. The table for myself and the priests is at the left. This room is only temporary because the regular dining room is being used to teach sewing and this room will eventually be used as the dining room for the retreatants. The building is about 90% done.

The largest music class. Wow, can you imagine teaching this many students...and they really pay attention.

The guys...always in the back.

A side view of the large music class.

HEre is a smaller, more  advanced class. They are reviewing the solfeggio syllables: Do-Re-Mi.

At this level, everyone gets to sing solo.

A sample of the singing.

Getting Ready for the Students

On Saturday I moved from the cathedral to the seminary, about a mile or two. I found the seminarians busily getting ready for the 300+ elementary and high school students who will be coming to study music, sewing, and English.

Beds needed to be moved from the classrooms, then across the campus, and up to the second floor. In other words, it was hard  work. There is much new construction and even a building half torn down. Things are moving in Phat Diem.

Four of the seminarians are taking a quick break on the stairs in the new building. This is a minor seminary, which means that the students are here for two years, preparing for the major seminary examination. That includes theology, philosophy, literature, and English.

These guys will also help teach English and music in addition to supervising the students. There are some young ones from very far away who will stay overnight. Fr. Vong says that may be as many as 100.

These rooms are getting a full cleaning, floors, walls, and closets. This building is slated to be renovated, but will do for the summer.

Some of the pathways are muddy around the campus, so a wagon is the best way to cart things around.

The worst to transport are the cabinets for clothes. It takes brute strength and teamwork to move these big boys. And not only do they need to be taken across the campus,  but they will go upstairs.

Even though he is in charge of all the music teachers, while they are playing soccer, he is washing fan screens. That's the true dedication of an educator.

Celebration at Thanh Hoa - Part 1

This is Fr. Hien getting ready to way goodbye to us as we head on out to Thanh Hoa for the final vows of seven Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross and three sisters who are celebrating their 50th year as a sister.

It takes a lot to pack everything, and we have to especially careful that we have not only what the bishop needs to say mass, but all the food for breakfast on the way. It is, after all, 5:45 a.m. and no one has eaten!

After an hour and a half of good highway and bad dirt road potholes, we arrive in the city of Thanh Hoa. This is the bishop's house there. In it are offices and meeting rooms. Just like at Phat Diem, there are many buildings on the campus.

I was given a room on the second floor to rest and relax for a bit before the mass. Across the way is the cathedral and a huge hotel. The weather was mild and there was a slight breeze, almost like Hawai'i.