Reporter:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : The atmosphere of welcoming the new spring has filled the streets, countryside, and parishes. Catholic compatriots rejoice in the achievements of the country and the progress of the Church, with the parish community becoming increasingly zealous in their faith and joining in the rhythm of the country's economic , cultural, and social development.

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh.

In the Catholic faith, the end of the year is also an opportunity for each person to reflect on whether their actions have been worthy of God's salvation, whether they have renewed their spiritual lives fervently, or whether they remain in the "gray area" between greed and humility that the Church calls them to.

With the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, last year we successfully organized the 6th National Emulation Congress to commend good people and good deeds among Catholic compatriots and spread the significance of this event.

I am very pleased that the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, shared at the Congress that: “We are delighted to see that the patriotic emulation movement of Catholic compatriots in the 2020-2025 period has spread the spirit of reverence for God and love for the country, dedication to the community, and that good Catholics are also good citizens.” This spirit is being promoted in our operational direction for 2026.

PV:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : We are continuing to restructure the organization after the nationwide implementation of a two-tiered local government system. From 42 provincial-level Catholic Solidarity Committees, the number has now been reduced to 25; the Catholic Solidarity Committee no longer exists. Therefore, implementing activities and emulation movements at the grassroots level is a challenge, requiring localities to closely follow the new geographical areas and characteristics, and to promote the application of information technology.

On the other hand, to spread the spirit of reverence for God and love for the country, and to bear witness to the Gospel, we call upon every lay person and every member of the Catholic Solidarity Committee to live their faith exemplified in the world, as Pope Francis emphasized in his Letter to the Catholic community in Vietnam: The hallmark of the lives of Christians is “prioritizing the practice of charity, by living the Gospel in the heart of the nation and accompanying the nation through efforts towards balanced social and economic development.”

The Catholic Solidarity Committee of Thai Nguyen province joined hands to build houses for poor families in Phu Xuyen commune, Thai Nguyen.

PV:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : Amidst social development and change, the positive characteristics of Vietnamese Catholics remain strong: national harmony, charity, and many moral values. I believe that, through a life of faith built on charity, these characteristics, along with other material resources within the Catholic community, will always be a valuable source of spiritual strength, contributing significantly to the development of our parish and our beloved homeland, Vietnam.

In the spirit of the nation's joyful celebration of the arrival of spring, I respectfully extend my best wishes for peace and abundant blessings to the parishioners and committee members. May everyone have a new year filled with new hopes and new successes!

PV:

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/cac-van-de/dong-bao-cong-giao-dong-hanh-xay-dung-dat-nuoc-1026053