In an atmosphere of communion and thanksgiving, the Vice-Province’s monthly retreat and year-end gathering were held at the Motherhouse of Đông Hải, with the participation of many sisters from the communities and community groups throughout the Vice-Province. It was a valuable occasion to look back together on the year that had passed with grateful hearts and to look ahead to the New Year with hope and trust.
El programa se inició con la adoración eucarística de acción de gracias y la Eucaristía del IV Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, con el Evangelio sobre las Bienaventuranzas, que ayudó a las hermanas a ofrecer al Señor su gratitud por los dones recibidos durante el año y a reorientar los valores evangélicos en la vida consagrada y en la misión hospitalaria.
The program began with Eucharistic adoration in thanksgiving and the celebration of the Eucharist for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, with the Gospel on the Beatitudes. This helped the sisters to offer their gratitude to the Lord for the gifts received during the year and to reorient evangelical values in consecrated life and in the hospital ministry.
After the Eucharist, the sisters listened to a reflection by Father José Nguyễn Văn Bích, former Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, on the theme: “Every Christian is a missionary disciple: ‘You are the light of the world.’” His pastoral, profound, and approachable words invited the sisters to pause, reflect, and renew their consecrated life and mission of service in today’s context.
Before the year-end meal, in keeping with the beautiful Vietnamese New Year tradition, Sister Teresa Kim Anh, representing the sisters of the Vice-Province, conveyed New Year wishes to Father José, to Sister Anna Maria—the first Vietnamese Hospitaller assistant who is still living—as well as to the sisters and their families, in a spirit of gratitude and communion.
Next, Sister Teresa Thúy Hồng, Vice-Provincial Councillor, on behalf of the sisters, offered New Year greetings to Sister Teresa Kim Anh, Vice-Provincial Superior, expressing closeness, support, and best wishes for her service in the year ahead. The gathering was further enlivened as the sisters sang a New Year song together, expressing the joy, unity, and hope of the great Vice-Provincial family.
