Giáo xứ Hoà Minh

Amidst the bustling cityscape of Da Nang, stands Giáo xứ Hòa Minh, a testament to faith and community. Giáo xứ Hòa Minh’s story begins in the heart of a transformed landscape. Before 2000, the area surrounding Giáo xứ Hòa Minh was a desolate stretch of coastal land. Wild grasses swayed in the sea breeze, a stark contrast to the vibrant neighborhood that thrives here today. As Da Nang underwent a period of urban planning and revitalization from 2000 to 2014, families, many of them Catholic, relocated to this newly developed area. Some continued to attend their original parishes. Others joined the Hòa Minh mission, part of the Hòa Khánh parish. From 2008 to 2014, Father Giuse Nguyễn Trí Dũng and subsequent priests regularly ministered to the growing congregation. They celebrated mass every Wednesday and Sunday. They also made pastoral visits to the elderly and infirm. Recognizing the need for a dedicated space for worship, the community, led by their priests, petitioned the authorities for land. After persistent efforts, land was granted at the current location of Giáo xứ Hòa Minh. Between 2009 and 2013, Father Phanxicô Assisi Lưu Văn Hoàng and Father Giuse Nguyễn Thanh Sơn rallied the community. Together, they embarked on a project to build a church for the Hòa Minh mission. The church, situated on a 1308 square meter plot, would serve as a spiritual home for the burgeoning community. On December 3, 2013, after navigating legal procedures and finalizing designs, the groundbreaking ceremony for Giáo xứ Hòa Minh took place. The event was officiated by Father Giuse Nguyễn Thanh Sơn. The Most Reverend Giuse Châu Ngọc Tri, Bishop of Da Nang, along with over thirty priests, joined the faithful in placing the first stones. Giáo xứ Hòa Minh was officially inaugurated on October 11, 2014, under the patronage of Saint John XXIII. The two-story structure, designed in a gothic style, features elegant curves and arches. These are complemented by modern architectural elements, creating a space that is both beautiful and solemn. The church spans 15 meters wide and 31 meters long. The building itself covers 950 square meters and rises 23 meters high. Its foundation stands 1.2 meters above ground level. Surrounding the church are tiered steps leading down to the courtyard. On April 25, 2015, Bishop Giuse Châu Ngọc Tri formally established Hòa Minh as an independent parish within the Hoà Vang deanery. The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) was entrusted with its pastoral care. Father Phêrô Trương Văn Phác was appointed as the first administrator of the new parish. Giáo xứ Hòa Minh continued to flourish. Under Father Phêrô’s leadership, various Catholic associations were established and thrived. On January 3, 2017, Bishop Giuse visited the parish and inaugurated the newly constructed four-story parish center. This center houses classrooms for religious instruction and other essential facilities. Today, Giáo xứ Hòa Minh stands as a beacon of faith in Da Nang, serving a community of nearly 1400 parishioners.