The parishioners of Nghi Son town live "good lives and beautiful faith."

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Following the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI: "Good Catholics are also good citizens," the Catholic community in Nghi Son town always unites, actively competes in labor and production, develops the economy to increase income, and works together to build an increasingly prosperous homeland.

Ms. Le Thi Ngoc (far right), a model parishioner of Thuong Chieu Parish (Hai Linh Ward), introduces the Taiwanese mulberry cultivation model, which yields high economic efficiency on sandy soil.

Hai Chau Ward (Nghi Son town) has two parishes with nearly 2,700 parishioners; of which, Yen Chau residential area has more than 1,900 parishioners. Mr. Pham Cong Nhien, head of the Catholic Solidarity Group (CSO) of Hai Chau Ward, shared: With the spirit of "charity, charity, living the faith with love," the members of the CSO, together with the local government, have propagated and mobilized the parishes and parishioners to actively respond to campaigns launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organizations, such as: supporting the "For the Poor" Fund, building solidarity houses, supporting people affected by natural disasters; participating in building community regulations, beneficial activities of the parishes, building residential areas that ensure social order and safety...

Following the call of priests, monks, parish pastoral councils, and Catholic community groups, the parishioners of Yen Chau residential area have contributed over 1.2 billion VND, donated over 500 square meters of land, hundreds of man-days of labor, and materials to expand and concrete 500 meters of rural road from 2 meters to 4 meters; build street lighting in the residential area; and contribute over 50 million VND to support charitable activities. They have actively shifted their occupations from salt production to aquaculture, fishing, and seafood processing. Currently, the average per capita income of the parishioners has reached 72 million VND per year.

Nghi Son town has 9 parishes, with approximately 22,000 Catholic residents living in 15 out of 30 communes and wards. Catholic community groups have been established in all communes and wards with Catholic populations. This is also the first locality in Thanh Hoa province to establish 15 Catholic community groups. Each group has 3 members, including the parish chiefs, deputy parish chiefs, and heads of sub-parishes. Over more than 10 years of operation, these Catholic community groups, together with the Party committee, government, and mass organizations, have united and encouraged Catholic parishioners to fulfill their civic responsibilities and complete their duties as Catholics. Among these, the eight contents of the movement "All people unite to build new rural areas, civilized cities, live a good life, and uphold moral values" stand out, being widely implemented in residential areas and receiving enthusiastic participation from Catholic people with practical actions such as: donating land to expand roads, planting flowers to replace weeds along roadsides, creating peaceful parishes, and exemplary Catholic families...

In addition, Catholic community groups have also intensified propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage Catholic parishioners to actively participate in economic development and build new production models to improve their income and living standards. From within the labor sector, many exemplary parishioners have emerged who excel in production and business. Typical examples include the families of Mr. and Mrs. Tran Duc Ngu, Tran Van Hau, and Tran Thi Hoa (in Hoai Yen Parish), who engage in aquaculture, seafood trading, and salt trading, earning between 200 and 300 million VND per year; and the families of Mr. Le Cong Huong and Mr. Nguyen Van Hoan (in Thuong Chieu Parish), who run a commercial transportation service business, have four OCOP products achieving 3-star ratings, earning over 500 million VND per year, providing regular employment for 8-10 workers and 50 seasonal workers, with stable incomes of 8-10 million VND per person per month.

In the "National Unity for Building a Culturally Rich Life" movement, Catholic community groups mobilize parishioners in parishes and sub-parishes to actively participate in building cultural villages, cultural communes, and cultural families. In 2024 alone, over 90% of Catholic households in the town achieved the title of "Culturally Rich Family," and over 100,000 families received the title of "Exemplary Grandparents, Parents, and Filial Children" at various levels. Catholic parishioners in residential areas consistently set a good example in practicing civilized customs in weddings, funerals, and festivals...

Actively participating in charitable and humanitarian activities, and contributing to the socialization of education , parishes, sub-parishes, and Catholic parishioners in Nghi Son town have supported the "For the Poor" fund, built solidarity houses; contributed to the "Gratitude and Repayment" fund; and regularly organized visits and gift-giving activities for the poor and disadvantaged families during Lent, Easter, and Lunar New Year each year, with nearly 2,000 gifts worth over 700 million VND...

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuong, Head of the Catholic Registration Committee of Nghi Son town, shared: "By maintaining regular monthly meetings on church and social work, the Catholic Registration groups have promptly resolved issues arising in residential areas and Catholic families, creating a strong bond between the government, the Catholic Registration groups, and the parishioners. The activities of the Catholic Registration groups have contributed to the development, progress, and strengthening of national unity, encouraging parishioners to follow the direction of 'Living the Gospel in the heart of the nation,' and building a town that is increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized."

Text and photos: Phan Nga

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/giao-dan-thi-xa-nghi-son-nbsp-song-tot-doi-dep-dao-247725.htm