Visiting Vietnam

Rosemary recently spent five  weeks in Vietnam. The aim was to offer English lessons and support to the sisters in the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Tam Hiep.

The mother house is a mini village of 200 sisters – postulants, novices, young professed, mature sisters including those in care. Ministries for the sisters includes  parish work, kindergarten, media, catechetical, and the Congregational Council. Many sisters wanted to practise English as they knew the great support offered to their sisters Rose and Lieu by our Congregation.

English is becoming essential in Vietnam for university and employment. Vietnamese is still the main language. I taught a class of five students each morning. They were young sisters with some english but needing to improve both spoken and written language. We talked, read stories,  role plays and grammar. It was a rewarding time as they were enthusiastic and welcoming. I taught students of all abilities.

I took part in regular liturgy – Eucharist at 5am and Vespers. All in Vietnamese and very prayerful. Vietnamese food was very tasty with the main focus on vegetables. Fish, pork and chicken were secondary. Tropical fruit was very popular.

I made many friends and helped with motivating the study of English. There was great interest in Australia and our Congregation. Their sisters suffered very much under the communists, losing many properties and ministries. They were forced to refuse new entrants and many worked in the fields to survive. Communism still has a tight grip on the country and religious are regarded with suspicion.

We have a warm relationship with this Congregation., whose ministries include outreach to the poor and the more disadvantaged, often in isolated areas of the country.

Vietnam is a welcoming country with friendly, courteous people. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my teaching skills and also my friendship. I value their deep spirituality faith and generosity.