“Fifty years a parish” reads the anniversary banner. Welcome to Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c. This church stands as a testament to faith and community. It marks a half-century of growth.
Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c is located in the dynamic city of Bien Hoa. Bien Hoa is in Dong Nai province. Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c has adapted to urban life.
Picture this: National Route 1A bustles with traffic. Amidst this chaos, Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c stands serene. Its large grounds offer a peaceful retreat. Many years ago, this land was undeveloped. Now it is a vibrant center of faith.
In 1954, Father Dominic Mai Duc Can led 700 Catholics here. They came from Trang Quan parish in Thai Binh province. They formed the Trang Quan group. Initially, they belonged to Van Coi parish. They built a temporary prayer house. In 1966, they rebuilt it with Father Giuse Pham Duc Su’s help.
September 15, 1966 is a special day. Bishop Giuse Le Van An officially established L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c parish. He appointed Father Gioan Baotixita Pham Hung Thi as its first pastor. In 1971, Father Gioan Baotixita and the community began building a church. It measured 18m x 50m.
That same year, Father Giuse Maria Nguyen Vinh Thien replaced Father Gioan Baotixita. He continued the work with dedication. Together, they built the bell tower. They also constructed a parish house in 1991. A cultural center followed in 1994. In 2013, they added a pastoral house.
By 2017, Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c had grown significantly. What started with 700 people now had over 11000 official members. Around 7000 migrants also joined the community.
To foster unity, Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c created sports activities. These took place during major holidays. They also organized festivals. These events helped people from different regions connect. Each Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas, the church hosts food fairs. These serve everyone in the community. Many parishioners buy extra tickets. They give them to non-Catholics. This allows them to participate. It helps them understand Catholicism better.
A highlight is the annual charity concert. It is called “Embracing Love”. The money raised supports poor families. It helps them celebrate Tet. It also provides gifts for those who cannot return home.
Every Sunday, Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c holds eight masses. This makes it easier for parishioners to attend. Each week, groups visit boarding houses. They pray with residents. They create a sense of community. This helps migrants feel less isolated. These visits also re-evangelize those who have grown distant from their faith.
Over 2,000 children are a major focus. Throughout the year, especially in the summer, the parish organizes sports events. These include soccer, tug of war, and camping. Two assistant priests dedicate their time to these children. They teach catechism. They ensure high attendance at Mass. Parents also support their children’s religious education.
Like many parishes, Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c emphasizes charity. Each month, it distributes rice to families in need. A scholarship fund encourages poor students to continue their education. When groups visit families, they assess needs. They then plan assistance. Many houses have been donated to the poor. Needy people also receive health insurance.
The Caritas soup kitchen is vital. For over two years, it has offered affordable meals. One regular customer noted meals cost only 7000 VND. He said he appreciates the dedication of the volunteers.
Today, Nh\u00e0 th\u1edd Gi\u00e1o x\u1ee9 L\u1ed9 \u0110\u1ee9c stands as a testament to faith. It is a thriving community. It embodies both religious devotion. It embraces modern life.