Claretian Missionaries Philippine Province Vietnam Community

Three (3) PARTS 1. History of the Vietnam Mission 2.Present Situation 3.Possible Future Missions

1. Brief History 2000 Visit of Vietnam Bishops in the Philippines for the World Meeting of Families - meeting of Vietnamese bishops together with + Fr. Domingo Moraleda, CMF and Fr. Carlos de Rivas, CMF - Bishops invited the Claretians of a possible presence in Vietnam.

Brief History 2000-2002 - initial visits of Fr. Angel Ochagavia, CMF to Vietnam for ocular inspection and vocation promotion July 20, 2002 formal assignment of Rev. Angelito S. Ancla, CMF to the Vietnam mission - initially stayed with the students house of the Assumptionist Brothers - formal language course (Vietnamese) - entry of our first 9 candidates

Brief History Aug. 15, 2002 our candidates were transferred to our own rented house in HCMC (Barbastro House) Sept. 2002 Rev. Lito S. Ancla, CMF transferred to Barbastro House October 2002 arrival of Bro. Richard Suttle, CMF (US Province) Feb. 2003 arrival of Fr. Vincent Lee Hoi Jin(East Asia Delegation) Feb. 2003 first batch of students were sent to the Phils. To study English and Philosophy June 2003 ordination of Fr. Lito S. Ancla, CMF

Brief History 2005 Bro. Richard and Fr. Vincent left Vietnam for new assignments 2005 Fr. Gerry Balavendra, CMF arrived (Bangalore Province) 2007 Fr. Bong Sunaz arrived (Philippine Province) 2008 initial planning and discussion for buying a lot for the construction of our own house 2010 start of the construction Frs. Lito and Bong left for new mission January 2011 arrival of Fr. Jose Kattath, CMF (Bangalore Province) and Fr. Charles M. Mortela, CMF (Philippine Province)

Brief History January 2011 arrival of Fr. Jose Kattath, CMF (Bangalore Province) and Fr. Charles M. Mortela, CMF (Philippine Province) March 18, 2011 blessing and inauguration of the new Claret House of Vietnam

Main Thrust: Initial Formation and Vocation Promotion of Vietnamese candidates to be trained and formed in the Philippines (starting postulancy program)

2. Present Situation and Set-up

Two houses: CLARET HOUSE

Sallent House

Claret House Community Fr. Jose Kattath, CMF Province of Bangalore Superior Fr. Gerry Balavendra, CMF Province of the Philippines Formator/Econome Bro. Peter Phan Van Dat, CMF Pastoralist 13 Philosophy Students 1 University Student 8 Third Year English Students

Sallent House Community Fr. CJ M. Mortela, CMF Formator/House-in-charge Province of the Philippines Bro. Paul Levan Luyen, CMF Pastoralist 16 Second Year English Students 10 In-coming First Year English Students 4 University Students

STUDENTS ABROAD 1. Sch. Anthony Vu Van Tung (4 th year Theology-Philippines) 2. Sch. Thomas Kiem (3 rd year Theology-Philippines) 3. Sch. Gabriel Hoan Taison (Theology Student Spain) 4. Sch. Peter Vu - (Theology student Spain) 5. 2 Postulants ( Ormoc, Philippines) 6. 4 Novices (Ormoc, Philippines)

3. Possible Missions in the Future

1. Tribal Group Gia Lai Province (Southern part) At present many sisters are working Possible mission is basic education No formal invitation but we can initiate if we have enough personnel

2. Parish Ministry Possibly in the North of Vietnam But one big consideration is that we must have a Vietnamese Priest (may or may not recognized by the Vietnamese government) One Bishop is informally asking our help in his area Specific task: more on sacramentals

3. Publications For the past 5 years we are already re-printing the Daily Gospel from Claretian Publications(Philippines). This year we are printing the Daily Gospel in Vietnamese language. There are many congregations/groups who are doing this kind of apostolate but we are also trying our best as a form of campaign.

Some Considerations: As of the moment we are still underground to the government of Vietnam (not recognized as a religious order). We cannot establish our own mission as of the moment. The thrust of the Province is more on the formation of Vietnamese Students. We are considering, on the process of discerning, reflecting of establishing/starting a possible mission to the church of Vietnam.

Identified Lands