Open hose becomes One Family
By Fr. Francis Xavier Thieu, SDB
Ho Chi Min City, 16 February 2017 -- Our Migrant Services - Pastoral Care - in Xuan Hiep Don Bosco Compound was founded already in the year 2001. Based in the Salesian parish of St. John Bosco with two large communities located close to large industrial complex of more than 100.000 young workers (approximately about 10.000 Catholics) good number of these young people finds daily in Don Bosco compound their second home.
Every day there is a chance to pray the Rosary, share their joys and struggles and listen to the Good Night Talk. Sunday Catechism, counselling, various capacity - skills building activity: tailoring, choir practice, computer and photograph class: all of this is entrusted to many migrant volunteers and one Salesian Priest with two students of theology (Rinaldi community, Rector Fr. Barnaba Phong).
What do the Catholic migrant workers life? Through their sharing you can feel a vibrant faith amidst a consumerist society of their large factories. Young women (majority) and men share their temptations and strength coming from faith sharing and life transformation thanks to the participation in this group of about 400 souls. They appreciate most of all to have a second home in Don Bosco where they strengthen their faith and learn many new skills and are ready to share their faith in a multi-religion society of today's Vietnam.
Don Bosco compound is an open family for any young migrant worker (majority are from Central - North Vietnam) where many non Christians find their faith in Jesus Christ, where they find their life-long partner and marriage and where they continue to help each other family with small children. Don Bosco is really open to all!
