By Fr. Francis Xavier Phuong, SDB
Tan Cang, Vietnam, November 4, 2015 - Tan Cang community is about one hour distance by 'Honda' (=motorcycle) from the provincial house in Ho Chi Min City. It's among the first Salesian presences that were started after the unification of Vietnam in 1975.
A small rural parish (now about 1000 Catholics) was entrusted by the local bishop in 1976 to the Salesians. After few years the hardworking confreres built a boarding facility for 50+ children-youth students and the large 4ha property with large sports field and green zone was on full swing.
For different reasons the boarding house was closed down in 2004. Only at the beginning of this school year 2015-2016, a new team of five confreres with their rector Fr. Francis Xavier Phuong, young parish priest Fr. Francis Xavier Quan with other 3 Salesian priests started to clean the green forest behind the house and renew slowly the 40 years old infrastructures of the boarding and community house. It's nice to see all Tan Cang confreres sweating with the local people in the renovation work. Hopefully within this school year the community will be ready to re-open the youth facilities again. Yes, work and temperance will make flourish the Congregation!
As all other communities in the province, also Tan Cang is called to present for the incoming Provincial Chapter 2016 their plan for the revival of meaningful youth oriented mission. Among the strong points of this presence is the close distance to the Ho Chi Min City and large green area of the community - possible oasis for the retreats or youth ministry activities.
