There is a great tradition which has long been carrying out in Thanh Hoa diocese (140km South of Hanoi): priests and religious pay visits to the poor families in the diocese, and present them with gifts to make their New Year celebration less of a financial burden.

Priests and patients at Cam Thuy Leprosarium
The poor fishing village of Thanh Hoa
This year, the appeal made by bishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh of Thanh Hoa during a year end retreat in late 2008 has turned out to be such a splendid experience for everyone involved in this love driven campaign.

On Jan 21, 2009, Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Binh led the Cathedral Parish Choir to visit the patients at Cam Thuy Leprosarium, where they got straight to the business of cleaning and cheering up scores of patients with their fun filled stories. More than 100 portions of gifts were also distributed during this visit.

On Jan 24, 2009, Bishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, accompanied by Fr. Joseph Vu Thanh Long who is in charge of Vocation in the diocese; Fr. Joseph Pham Van Que pastor of the Cathedral Parish, and other brothers and sisters of The Cross' Lovers paid a visit to residents in the fishing village South of Thanh Hoa city

This village by all accounts has been the most destitute region in the city. People here are registered as residents but they have never been exposed to the city light. Family members of up to two, three generations can be packed into a small boat. Most of them are illiterate and their only dream is to make daily ends meet. Years have passed by but better living condition still remains a distant dream for these down to earth, simple but poor fishermen. Things are especially hard this year when customers' demands seem to cut back sharply due to slumping economy.

These villagers are always on the top priority list of the Archdiocese when it comes to distributing aid, although the diocese's major goal is to provide them with a fishing rod, the best thing it can come up with now is only a few fish to keep people's stomach from being empty.

The delegate also made their way to visit disabled children at Gia Ha center and patients at Mental Institution in Quang Xuong.

Sister Ann Huong, from Gia Hoa- Sisters of the Cross' Lovers said the children at the center were so excited about their much loved visitors that they could not sleep the night before and had been ready to welcome the delegate since early morning.

To his disabled but beloved little friends, Bishop Joseph Nguyen delivered a heartfelt speech as follows:"Although you are considered disabled and less fortunate that regular children, but rest assured that you will be on the mind of other people. As of now the diocese has not been able to afford a place where we can provide proper assistance to meet your needs, but I promise you children, as soon as we're able to, we will build a place where all of you can gather and live your live under much better condition."

The bishop also encouraged the families of the disabled children to be resilient in loving and caring for their less fortunate loved ones.

At the Quang Xuong Mental Institute, Bishop Joseph Nguyen and his delegate visited each and every patients staying at the institution. They were warmly received by the physician director and his medical staff.