Caritas Hanoi youth and volunteers bring 'the fruits of Lent' to the marginalized
More than 300 boys and girls prepared for Easter with a retreat in the parish of Cửa Bắc. Members organize fundraiser for the cardiac surgery operations of some children of Tràng Châu. Thanks to Canadian benefactors and the Hanoi ophthalmic hospital, free eye operations also great success.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) - With the approach of Easter, in the parishes of the archdiocese of Hanoi social and charitable activities are intensifying in favor of the poor, sick and children in difficulty (Catholics and non). In the initiatives promoted by the Church, the
There has been a significant contribution from younger faithful in In the ecclesial initiatives for lent. In collaboration with the Caritas volunteers, they are bringing material and spiritual support to combat social exclusion and inequality.
During Lent, more than 300 boys and girls took part in the retreat organized by the parish of Cửa Bắc. All members of the Hanoi Catholic Students Association were divided into 22 groups. Many come from the remote provinces and regions of the North, such as the youth of Xuân Mai, Xuân Hòa and Trường May. After several prayer sessions, the meeting ended with the sacrament of confession.
Caritas Hanoi also organized a Lenten retreat, which involved volunteers in the archdiocesan humanitarian organizations. Participants contributed to a fundraiser for medical assistance and cardiac surgery for some children of the Tràng Châu parish.
Fr. Bruno Phạm Bá Quế, director of Caritas Hanoi, celebrated Mass at the church of Lỗ Xá. At the end of the function, he donated 12 bicycles to the poor students of the community. In this way, boys and girls will be encouraged to attend classes.
The Church of Hanoi pays particular attention to disabled people living in the countryside. Living in isolated contexts, these have little chance of meeting and interacting with each other. In order to enhance the capacities of the youngest among the faithful of the Động Linh parish, Caritas has established several "self-support groups". Thanks to the initiative, the disabled will be able to study, share experiences and help each other in daily difficulties.
Caritas Hanoi volunteer John Nguyen told AsiaNews: "We hope there will be more and more young people to cooperate with us. Let us work together to bring the fruits of holy Lent to our brothers and sisters who are alone and poor ”.
"The organization - adds Nguyen - has collaborated with Canadian benefactors and the Hanoi ophthalmic hospital to implement a program of free surgical operations for the poor. Furthermore, we have distributed gifts to over 300 people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, throughout the archdiocese. "
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12/12/2006
