(Plain Press, March 2019) Over 300 people gathered at St. Boniface Catholic Parish on February 3rdto celebrate the beginning of the lunar new year, Tết Nguyên Đán. The Vietnamese American Apostolate, headed by St. Boniface Pastor Father Hilary Khanh Hai Nguyen, organized the celebration of the new year, the Year of the Pig.
Fr. Hilary Nguyen concelebrated the mass with retired St. Boniface Pastor Fr. Augustine Pham Van Lan and St. Borromeo Seminary Rector Fr. Mark Latcovich. Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, head of the Cleveland Diocese Office of Parish Life joined in the celebration along with members of the parish and guests.
The colorful and joyful celebration included the presentation of fruit and rice cakes during the Offertory Procession; the distribution of lóc thánh (holy fortune) envelopes with special biblical verses to members of the congregation and guests; singing; and a flower dance. Following the mass, parishioners and guests gathered in the Metro Catholic School cafeteria for a meal, music and entertainment.
Sunday, February 3, 2019; Mass & Celebration of the Lunar New Year, Tết Nguyên Đán, St. Boniface Catholic Church, 3545 W. 54thStreet: Parishioners carry gifts of fruit and rice cakes in the Offertory Procession of the Mass.
Sunday, February 3, 2019; Mass & Celebration of the Lunar New Year, Tết Nguyên Đán, St. Boniface Catholic Church, 3545 W. 54thStreet: These young girls carry vases filled with flowers while they perform a dance following the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Mass.
Sunday, February 3, 2019; Celebration of the Lunar New Year, Tết Nguyên Đán, St. Boniface Catholic Church, 3545 W. 54thStreet: Truc, Ha, Chi, Ming and Hong prepare to serve food at a meal following the Mass.
Plain Press 
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