Catholic facilities, parishioners actively contribute to local development

A new Christmas season has arrived in Binh Duong, bringing a joyful atmosphere with vibrant decorations and festive lights adorning every corner. Catholic activities and the lives of parishioners in the province have always received attention and support from Party committees, authorities and Fatherland Front. This support has strengthened the trust and determination of Catholic facilities, clergy and parishioners, encouraging them to strive together to build up a more and more prosperous homeland.

Acknowledging contributions

On the occasion of Christmas 2024, a delegation of provincial leaders, led by Nguyen Van Loi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee and Head of provincial National Assembly Deputy Delegation, visited and extended Christmas greetings to several religious institutions across the province on the morning of December 23. The event was also attended by Nguyen Loc Ha, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of provincial People's Committee; Bui Thanh Nhan, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee and Head of provincial Party Committee’s Mass Mobilization Commission; Nguyen Van Dong, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee and Secretary of Thu Dau Mot city’s Party Committee, along with leaders from provincial People's Council, Fatherland Front Committee, Party Committee’s Mass Mobilization Commission, Police Agency, Department of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs Committee and Thu Dau Mot city.

A delegation of provincial leaders visits and extends 2024 Christmas greetings to Catholic institutions, clergy and parishioners

Accordingly, the delegation visited Phu Cuong Diocese Bishop's Palace to present gifts and extend Christmas greetings to Bishop Nguyen Tan Tuoc, Bishop of Phu Cuong Diocese and Priest Le Cong Thanh, Vicar General of Phu Cuong Diocese. They also visited Phu Cuong Diocese’s Rest Home to meet and present gifts to Bishop Tran Dinh Tu, former Bishop of Phu Cuong Diocese. The delegation continued visiting Phu Cuong cathedral, presented gifts and extended greetings to Priest Ha Van Minh and five outstanding parishioners. At St. Joseph’s Church, the delegation greeted and presented gifts to priests and five outstanding parishioners. The delegation also visited, congratulated and offered gifts at Vinh Son Church and the Parish Priest of Phu Loi Parish.

In the visiting places, on behalf of provincial leaders, provincial Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Loi extended his wishes to bishops, priests, clergy and all parishioners across the province for a peaceful, joyful and happy Christmas season.

Amid the festive Christmas atmosphere, provincial Party Committee Secretary shared with bishops, priests, clergy and parishioners some achievements done by the province in 2024. In 2024, the province overcame difficulties and achieved significant results in various fields. Notably, the province implemented several key traffic projects, not only enhancing connectivity between localities within Binh Duong and other localities in the Southeastern region, but also serving as a driving force for stronger development in the future while contributing to improving the quality of local residents’ lives.

Expressing gratitude for the care and support from provincial leaders and various departments and sectors, bishops and priests at Catholic institutions shared their joy and pride in the significant achievements of the nation and Binh Duong province. They affirmed their commitment to encouraging the local clergy and Catholic community to support and accompany the Party and State, well realizing the State’s policies and laws and living with the motto of "good life, good religion”, actively participating in patriotic movements organized by all-level authorities and sectors, particularly in environmental protection efforts, improving the quality of people’s lives, working together to build up a prosperous province.

Joyful celebrations welcoming Christmas

With the motto of "Good life, good religion", over the past years, the Catholic community of Binh Duong, together with other residents in the province, actively participated in patriotic movements, making significant contributions to the local socio-economic development. Together with other religious groups, Binh Duong’s Catholic community played a vital role in strengthening the great national unity bloc within the locality.

In addition to religious activities, Catholic institutions consistently focused on promoting and encouraging parishioners to build harmonious families, foster neighborly bonds, actively participate in community activities and respond to building a civilized lifestyle.

Dang Huu Dung, one of the five exemplary parishioners from Phu Cuong Cathedral in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Cuong ward, has recently received a gift from provincial Party Committee Secretary on the occasion of this year's Christmas celebration. As a parishioner, in addition to his involvement in Parish Council activities, he has been actively participating in patriotic movements in his locality. "I feel deeply touched and happy to receive a gift from provincial Party Committee Secretary. I will continue encouraging parishioners to embrace sacrifice and dedication, actively engage in protecting the living environment and contribute to building up a more and more prosperous province", shared Mr. Dung.

In recent days, churches and parishes across the province have completed their decorations to welcome Christmas 2024. Catholic institutions these days appear truly sparkling and beautiful. Christmas is no longer just a special occasion for parishioners, but has become a shared celebration for the entire community. As a result, in addition to welcoming parishioners for religious activities, the beautifully decorated settings at these institutions haved also attracted many locals and tourists to enjoy, explore and take commemorative photos.

At Phu Loi Parish in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Hoa ward, the Christmas atmosphere fills every corner of the precinct. In addition to intricately designed nativity scenes, the parish’s precinct is adorned with numerous star-shaped lights, Christmas trees decorated with colorful ornaments and tinsel, as well as images of Santa Claus, reindeer and snowmen. Priest Tran Dinh Phung, the parish priest of Phu Loi Parish shared that on the evening of December 24, the parish will host a Christmas music and nativity play program to create a warm and joyful atmosphere for this year's Christmas season. Earlier, the parish welcomed hundreds of children for the Bethlehem Nativity celebration, featuring activities such as Santa Claus distributing Christmas gifts and a drawing competition for children…

Reported by Hong Thuan-Translated by Kim Tin