Migrant Youth Group, Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Parish, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 23 December 2022 -- At 7:00 p.m on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Deacon Dominic Pham The Hien, two Salesian brothers, Joseph Ha Duc Luyen and John B. Pham Hong Phuoc, together with the leaders of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Migrant Youth Group went to 6 different young migrant hostels located within Don Bosco Xuan Hiep parish, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City to visit and grade the Christmas nativity scenes designed by young migrants living in these hostels. This activity was within the framework of the contest organized by the Salesians and the leaders of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Migrant Youth Group with the theme 'Belem and us'.
This was one of the activities to prepare young migrants to celebrate Christmas 2022 enthusiastically and meaningfully. The objectives of these activities were to remind them to prepare their hearts to welcome the coming of the Child Jesus; to increase the solidarity among members of the hostels; to create a warm and joyful atmosphere of Christmas for young people far from home; and at the same time practise the Synodality of the Church.
Although they were quite busy with work and study, as well as participating in activities at Don Bosco Xuan Hiep parish, they have taken the time to create Christmas nativity scenes together with many creative ideas. They especially responded to Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', using recycled materials such as cardboard, styrofoam, beer cans, bottles, natural and readily available materials, to save costs and help protect the environment.
They have put many unique ideas as well as rich meanings into their designs. Not only that, while working, they also received the cooperation and enthusiastic support of material and spiritual from Catholic and non-Catholic neighbors. It is also an effective way of introducing God to those who do not yet know Him.
Hopefully, with rich preparation activities, all young migrants of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep will have a very enthusiastic, joyful and peaceful Christmas with many blessings of the Child Jesus, so that they have God in their hearts, live their faith in the midst of their daily life, and become bearers of God’s joy and peace to those around them.
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