Thai Ha parishioners get spiritual support and blessing from their Shepherd

Following is the content of a Response Letter written by Pastor of Thai Ha parish, Rev. Matthew Vu Khoi Phung, C.S.s.R. to Archbishop of Hanoi Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet:

Thai Ha - August 23, 2008

His Excellency,

On behalf of the congregation of Thai Ha parish and monastery and personally I would like to express our appreciation for your tremendous support. In your Letter, we feel that the entire Church is in communion and praying for us.

As you are very dear to us so you probably should know that our laity as well as members of the monastery do not have any materialistic interests at all in this matter as we pray. We only hope that the matter will get resolved justly and peacefully based on historical facts and evident so that a suitable place of worship for all, especially those who are poor and marginalized, can come together for their spiritual welfare, to worship God, and to live out their lives as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please bless us and keep us in your prayer.

Respectfully yours,

(Signed)

Rev. Matthew Vu Khoi Phung, C.S.s.R

And following is the content of the Letter sent from Archbishop of Hanoi Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet to Rev. Matthew Vu Khoi Phung, C.S.s.R.:

Rev. Vu Khoi Phung, C.S.s.R.

Superior

Thai Ha Monastery

Santa Ana - August 22, 2008

Dear Rev. Phung:

Although I am now away on a pastoral trip, I closely follow the situation of the Monastery and Thai Ha parish.

I am deeply in communion with you, the Monastery and Thai Ha parish and I hold them in my prayer.

I call on every parishioner to be in communion with you, the Monastery and Thai Ha parish via their firm and persistent prayers.

May God, through the intercession of Our Blessed Virgin Mary, grant us His true peace and justice!

Yours in Christ,

(Signed)

+ Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet

Archbishop of Hanoi

+ Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet

Translated into English by Paul Anh