Women in traditional Vietnamese dress present a liturgical dance with paper flowers and candles at the eucharistic prayer.  IC photos by Barbara Stinson Lee

by Barbara Stinson Lee
Intermountain Catholic

Pastor Father Dominic Thuy Dang Ha and elders of the Vietnamese Catholic community offer prayers at the shrine of the Vietnamese martyrs.

KEARNS — The celebration of the Vietnamese New Year – the Year of the Rat – was an occasion of great joy for the people of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Vietnamese Parish Feb. 3. Making his first visit to the parish since his arrival in the diocese, Bishop Wester opened the Mass with the Sign of the Cross in the language of the people – Vietnamese.

Bishop Wester confirmed 34 young people at the Mass, and in his homily, which reflected on the Scriptural story of the Beatitudes, the bishop told the young people another word for “blessed” is “honored.”

“In today’s society, people will tell you that what brings honor is wealth, power, or prestige,” he said. “Jesus Christ tells you and me that honor comes from being united in Christ.”

Bishop Wester shared his memories of a trip he made to Vietnam and celebrating a Mass with Bishop Michael there for more than 3,000 people.

“These people were honorable because they were close to Jesus,” he said, talking about how oppressed the Church is in Vietnam.

The church is very poor there, and it suffers greatly, but it has much honor.”

The Mass was followed by a reception and lunch.

Left, Bishop Wester opened the Mass by making the Sign of the Cross in Vietnamese to the delight of parishioners. At right, Bishop Wester confirms one of 34 young people who presented themselves for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This visit was the bishop’s first to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. IC photos by Barbara Stinson Lee