Afternoons

So, after lunch and a good siesta, it's time for work around the grounds. Here, Truong is cleaning the large bird cage. While Fr. An has small bird cage, this large one holds three birds, including two doves. It needs to be washed and restocked with food and water, not a very pleasant job.but it's better than digging up trees.

This new small building will be the home for the retired bishop of Phat Diem. To provide some shade, trees from the back of the house are being replanted to block the afternoon sun. It's dirty work in 95 degree heat. They'd much rather be cleaning the bird cage.

The soccer field is getting a much needed leveling. Heavy equipment was brought in. I don't know the operator, but he wanted his picture taken. I have to say he was expert at moving the dirt.

Yes, that's Fr. Vong, the rector of the seminary, up in the mango tree. He wanted to get a bird's eye view of the grading of the field and decided this was the next best thing to going up in the press box.

As always, soccer is #1. The field is being torn up so there is no alternative. Some scraping of knees and a little blood, but it's soccer, so no excuses.

The afternoon is the time for the sisters to make dinner, and I always volunteer to help. This time they made the mistake of saying yes. I was assigned to beat the eggs for the omelette. As usual, it was done with style and panache.

As always, Hien and Han manage to take time out from soccer to mug for the camera. I'd get mad, but they are two of my best students.

Quy is the right hand man here at the seminary. He is the student who can fix anything and willing to do whatever it takes to get things done. We rely on his expertise to keep everything running smoothly.

The New and the Old

Yesterday, I went with Hien, a seminarian to visit an old church, his fa,ily, and a brand new church. First, we went to the first parish ever in Vietnam. Hao Nho parish was founded in ???? This church on the parish grounds was not built then , but later, and in the style of the cathedral in Phat Diem.  

The bell tower and statues of both St. Peter and St. Paul flank the front of the church. The buildings could not be refurbished for many years by order of the government. Now, things have changed and the parish has build a new youth center (far left in the picture) and rectory (in the middle of the picture in the back). Soon to be built are a new home for the sisters and renovation for the church.  

Next we went to visit Hien's family just a few blocks away. His father (left) recently completed the house and it is beautiful. It has not been painted yet because that will cost a lot, but it will be done soon. On the right is his brother-in-law.  

We then visit mission St. Joseph where Hien's brother-in-law is caretaker.  It is small, but magnificent. Mass is held once a week here. The gold on red paint is magnificent and the inlaid ceiling something to behold it is a gem.  

As we toured the mission, a group of local people formed. As it turns out, I am the first foreigner they had ever seen. We had so much fun laughing and talking. Everyone wanted to pose for a picture, well everyone except for some shy teenage girls. But they, too, were very welcoming.  

We went back to Hien's house and I mentioned that I liked some baskets I saw on the floor. It came as a surprise when I found out his mother makes them by hand. She showed how she does it. Baskets come like Russian dolls, three nested inside each other, each with a lid. They sell at the market for $2. Pretty inexpensive for something so lovingly made.

Visitors and Visiting

Forty-two Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross have just made their final vows. They are now on a silent retreat here at the seminary for eight days. Fr. Suit, a Jesuit from Saigon, is leading the sisters in sessions and prayer. They are all lots of fun and I enjoyed toasting each table with beer.  

I went with Tien to visit his mother. Each year I take the time to go to the house of Tien's parents. In November of 2015 his father died unexpectedly, so this was the first time to see his mother since then. She is a strong woman, but it is not easy living alone in such a big house. We posed where we always do in front of the statue of Mary. I am so glad we got to spend the time together.  

Today was a special meal at the bishop's hose, a celebration of Fr. Bo leaving for Paris to attend the ordination of one of his spiritual directees. First, Bishop Joseph spoke and said such kind words about Fr. Bo.  

Then Fr. Bo spoke in his usual soft spoken style. He has been my spiritual director on my visits to Vietnam and I miss him greatly when he's not here. He will return a few days before I leave and I look forward to his stories from France.  

Visiting Ba and the Big Game

Sometimes just visiting makes all the difference. I went with Fr. them and Hien to spend time with Ba, a 95 year old widow whose home is 8 feet by 8 feet. He children let her live in a room and do not spend time with her. The ministry of presence is so important for people like Ba who have very little contact with the outside world.  

Here I'm am with Fr. them standing with Ba, and Hien with One of Ba's grand nephews. We all laughed and enjoyed each other's company. We promised to visit her in two weeks. She cried when we left.

We got back in time for the Big Game, which pits the students at the seminary with the students at the cathedral. It was a knockdown, drag out fight to the end.  

In the end it was Seminary 6 and Cathedral 3. Here is Head Coach (and head of the seminary) Fr. Vong celebrating after the game. We had no Gatorade, so we just had ice water and called it a day.

The Classes and a Haircut

In the morning, I teach the advanced class in English to the seminarians. We work on pronunciation, speaking, and reading comprehension. In August they have their examination to enter the major seminary in Hanoi and English is an important part of the test.  

The afternoon is the time for the intermediate class. Here they have their English basics, but need lots of vocabulary and pronunciation work.  

I needed a haircut and Fr. An was going to take me to a barber in town (very expensive - $1), but then Truong volunteered to do it after he cut Huy's hair. Here Huy is getting the VIP treatment.  

Then it was my turn. I have to say that Truong did a professional job, but I was constantly getting razzed by the students. You see...well, look at the next photo.  

While I was getting the haircut, the students were weeding the lawn and watching. As you know, you can't keep your dignity with college students around.

The Seminary Grounds

I am mostly staying on the campus of the minor seminary in Phat Diem. Once in a while I will spend some time at the cathedral. This morning I took a walk at sunrise around the seminary. It was perfect weather, a slight breeze and cool.  

This is the eastern side of the retreat center on the seminary grounds. If you look carefully, on the third floor ledge there are some shoes. It's a game that is sometimes played, with the winner going home with one bare foot.  

Alongside the retreat center is one of two gardens kept by the sisters where all the greens used for the meals are frown. The sisters are amazing farmers and can grow anything.  

Exotic birds are kept. They each have special care instructions. Their music is haunting first thing in the morning.  

Fr. An has a large orchid garden. He knows what to do and when to do it so that they all thrive and blossom.  

The colors of the orchids and their shapes vary greatLy, and together it's like a symphony of color.

Back Again

  Hello, everyone. So here I am again in Vietnam. I missed coming in 2015 because of my being with my father. Now begins my time teaching and being with my friends in the countryside. After so many years coming here, I travel pretty light. Oh her than this suitcase, I brought my computer and books for Fr. Vong and for Binh.

Danny took me to the airport. I was early, but that put me early in line. Danny stayed with me until I checked in.

While I was waiting for my flight, up came my former student Edwin Lindo. Edwin graduated from Serra High School and is famous in the Bay Area. He was one of the protestors against police brutality in San Francisco through a hunger strike. We prayed for him at school. I am happy to say he was successful and now is looking very healthy.  He is truly a fine man.

At No Bai International! Binh, Vinh, and young Nam Vu met me in the new terminal. It was good to see them in person after two years. We sat down and relaxed and talked. Lots of hugs all around. We waited for two hours until Bishop Joseph and Fr. Hien arrived, then I left for Phat Diem. I will see this special family again in a week.

After a good dinner in PHat Diem, I slept soundly. As always, my morning started out with coffee and my good friend Mr. Hieu. This has been our daily routine for years now. Sometimes we talk, and sometimes we just sit and try to wake up. A fine start to any day.

Fr. An was taking me to the bishop's house for dinner from the seminary and I didn't have a helmet to ride the motorbike. It's the law here, so we went to visit Mr. Hoa's store. We are in Vietnam, so first we had tea and talked for a while. Then I tried on some until Mr. Hoa was satisfied it was not only safe and fit me well, but that I looked good in it. In the end, he gave it to me as a gift. Now I have another friend in Phat Diem.