By Bro. Peter Phi, SDB

Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, November 25, 2015 - The over-crowded Salesian compound of the Salesian provincial center in HCM City - Thu Duc District, Xuan Hiep is witnessing many historical changes. After many years of status quo among the present works - Parish, Formation House, Elementary and Junior High school and Provincial center, the booming parish was in need to provide an adequate Church for its 10.000 Catholic faithful. After years of preparation finally last year 2014 the construction of the new Sacred Heart Parish Church started. Due to this operation almost half of the provincial house offices were demolished to give space to the Church. In the meantime the province is waiting for a construction permit in nearby district to start the building of a new provincial house.

After the installation of our new provincial Fr. Joseph Quang, most members of the new provincial council became full timers and residents in this already small house. After first meeting of our community (Rector Fr. Joseph Am, viceprovincial) we decided to do all possible that all 300+ confreres might feel at home in our community, in spite of the limited space. The key words are: Each Salesian has the right for his bed (room) - food (meals) - transportation (motorcycle) when he comes to our community! Something like Don Bosco promise: Work - Bread and Heaven!

We maximize each single square meter in our building, creating few new (small) offices, meeting room, parlor and bed rooms. Although our provincial secretary is located 'under staircase' like Don Bosco in his famous 'Cafe Pianta' (Chieri), his basic documentation and archives are also with him. In this was we are living in our refurbished house closer to the roots of our Charism in the early days of Don Bosco's life and mission. Of course, we pray for the early authorization and construction of the new provincial house within next few years. Please, join us in our prayers! And welcome anytime to Xuan Hiep provincial house community!

VIE (Vietnam - Mongolia) province of St. John Bosco has at present 305 Salesians with 29 novices and counts more than 90 Vietnamese missionaries ad gentes around the world in 36 other Salesian provinces. Not less than 20% of all EAO confreres are members of Vietnam-Mongolia province.

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