By Augustine DoPhuc, SDB

       Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 28 August 2021 -- Since the outbreak of the disease until now, within more than 2 months, with the compassion of the Shepherd, Fr. Peter Pham Huy Hoang SDB has joined the parishioners of Don Bosco Bencat Parish (Go Vap District, Saigon), spreading love and sharing to people who are in a difficult situation due to the epidemic. Up to now, the parish has had 9 food subsidies, distributed 12 tons of sweet potatoes in 2 times and about 10 tons of vegetables in others 5 times.

       Looking at elderly people riding bicycles to the parish to receive foods, Fr. Peter Pham Huy Hoang exclaimed: “In these epidemic days, the heavier the bicycles, the more secure the poor are . Because at least they have something to eat. Now is the time when the poor need the support of the Church most, and when the witness of a Christian needs to show the value of his faith among his brothers and sisters.”

       In these days of strict blockade, the parish also remotely supports poor students and workers by sending them some money to buy their own food.

       Looking at the examples of the parish priest and the parishioners who shed sweat and risked danger for their flock, it is poignant to re-examine the words of Bishop John Do Van Ngan, bishop of Xuan Loc Dong Nai Diocese: “There is never a time when life’s hardships are over, but we try to ‘be human’ in them by living the Paschal mystery of our Lord."

       May God pour out his blessings on the parish priest, the parishioners and the benefactors who have been doing their best for the poor.

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