(Gia Lai, Vietnam) The thanksgiving Mass and the blessing of the new church took place at Plei Bong, Kontum at 10 am on 30 November 2019. Bishop Aloisio Nguyen Hung Vi presided over the Mass, and the concelebrants were Fr provincial Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Bich and many priests, both the Redemptorists and diocesan as well. The mass was said in both Kinh and Bahnar languages.
Plei Bong community has about 2000 Catholics over the population of 8000. The Redemptorists have been looking after this community since 2005. At present, there are 8 Redemptorists doing their pastoral ministry, looking after the spiritual needs of 10000 Bahnar faithful in MangYang, GiaLai.
The old church collapsed in 2017 and therefore, to respond to the demand of the mission, the Redemptorists in Plei Bong decided to rebuild this new church.
In his homily, Bishop Aloisio reminded people the importance of the church, which is the dwelling place of God in a visible way and Catholics are the body of Christ who constantly receive the necessary sacraments to renew their lives in the Lord. He invited Bahnar faithful to become “a living church” for the rest of the people of Bahnar.
After the mass, the Redemptorists shared their joy in the Agape meal with the fraternal love and sharing with the people of God present.
Bart. Nguyen and Duc Trung Vu, CSsR.
