Project #1.A Hung Hoa, VIETNAM $5,000

In Muong La Parish, located in northwest Vietnam, the majority of the population of 16,000 consists of the H'mong ethnic minority. Among the Catholics, the faith has been handed down from parents or grandparents who never had formal faith formation.

With funds from you, the parish would strengthen and expand catechesis by developing formation programs and activities, training catechists, and improving their skills through quarterly workshops.

Project # 1.B Tsiroanomandidy, MADAGASCAR $4,000

The Bishop of Tsiroanomandidy wholeheartedly approves funding for the purchase of a Honda 125cc motorcycle for the two priests and a seminarian serving this bush parish consisting of 13,200 Catholics (35% of the population) spread across 23 small Christian communities. It takes 8 hours on the motorbike to transverse this District covered by poor dirt roads or sand trails, and 12 hours during the rainy season. Yet when roads are not flooded out, these dedicated priests provide pastoral care to each of these communities 3 times a year, in 1 year baptizing 376, giving First Communion to 253, Confirming 119, and celebrating 56 marriages, in addition to making home visits to get to know about the lives of their people. Furthermore, all priests must travel to the Diocese chancery for monthly meetings and training, and run errands, all putting a great deal of wear and tear on a single motorcycle.

The old motorcycle inherited from the previous pastor finally gave out, and a new Honda would be a well-deserved and uplifting gift for these priests to continue doing God's work. Please, listen to your hearts and give generously.