The vibrant rhythm of the lion dance and the solemnity of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass merged this past Sunday as the Vietnamese Catholic community of Eastern North Carolina gathered to celebrate Tet Nguyen Dan, the Lunar New Year, which begins Tuesday.
The celebration, hosted by the Wilmington Vietnamese community and dedicated to the Vietnamese Martyrs, drew faithful from across the state to St. Mark Catholic Church. The event served as both a spiritual homecoming and a cultural showcase, honoring a heritage that remains deeply rooted in the Diocese of Raleigh.
A Foundation of Faith
Bishop Luis Zarama presided over a bilingual Mass with a number of priests from within the diocese and several who joined from out-of-state. Bishop joined in offereing thanks for the blessings of the past year and asked for divine grace for the new one. He brought smiles to the congregation as the sounds of a heavy rainstorm outside could be heard during his homily. Bishop noted that rain is needed for grass to grow — and horses need grass. He felt this was God’s sense of humor at work as well as a sign for a prosperous new year.
For the local community, the Lunar New Year is more than a change of the calendar; it is a moment to honor ancestors and the courageous legacy of the Vietnamese Martyrs.
"Together at St. Mark parish, we joyfully greet the new year, remembering our roots and sharing the festivities with friends and neighbors,” said Father Cong Le, parochial vicar at St. Mary in Wilmington and the event's host. “It was a wonderful way to come together, celebrate, and embrace the spirit of the season!”
Culture in full bloom
Following the liturgy, the St. Mark Catholic School gymnasium was transformed into a kaleidoscope of color and sound. The program featured a high-energy lion dance to ward off misfortune and welcome prosperity; star-studded performances from renowned Vietnamese-American singers Hà Thanh Xuân and Wendy Nguyễn headlined a musical program that included several live bands and regional artists. An array of traditional Vietnamese cuisine was shared among parishioners and guests.
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