Churches, hotels, and restaurants in thecity were dazzled with evergreens and Santa Claus, reindeer andsnowflake figures decorated outside, filling the air with excitementthat often comes when Christmas Eve is just hours away.
Pre-Christmas visits to and gatherings with dignitaries and followerswere held by municipal authorities, with the latest honouring those whostood out in 2014.
In the year, Catholic and Protestantcommunities have worked closely together with the administration andfollowers of other religions in programmes and campaigns that help allenjoy a better life.
Prominent campaigns were “Kinh Chua yeunuoc” (Believe in your country as you believe in God), “All people uniteto build a cultural life in residential areas” and “Day for the poor”.
The Catholic community of Phu Cam parish in Phuoc Vinh commune,which is home to Phu Cam Main Cathedral, the oldest one in the city,has been praised in those activities.
They haveenthusiastically participated in reducing poverty, helping ensuresocial order and security, and encouraging education in the area.
In 2014, the parish presented 300 million VND (14,000 USD) worth ofgifts to 125 students from disadvantaged background and awarded 37million VND (1,730 USD) to 32 students who passed university entranceexams. Its programme “Rice jar of love” has been providing the poor andelderly followers with 10kg of rice each per month.
Meanwhile, the municipal Evangelical Church has offer financialassistance totalling 65 million VND (3,040 USD) to parish inpatients andgranted 15 scholarships worth 33 million VND (1,540 USD) to studentswith outstanding academic performances.
Archbishop of HueDiocese Le Van Hong pledged to encourage Catholic believers to workclosely with the local authority and other residential communities inthe national construction.-VNA