The sower of goodness seeds in the parish

Upon taking up his duties in the Ca Mau parish, he reflected: “God teaches us to love, and the best way to proclaim that love is through action, through sharing”. And his actions began with very small things. On rainy days, when the country roads were muddy, he mobilized parishioners to contribute labor and resources to rebuild the wooden bridge or build a sturdy concrete bridge. During the dry season when saltwater intrusion occurs, he and his neighbors dug freshwater wells and installed water filtration systems so that everyone could have clean water to use.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ba, a parishioner emotionally shared: “The priest Nguyen Van Vinh not only talks the talk but also does the doing”. The priest often accompanied us on surveys of each road and each impoverished household, mobilizing benefactors from all over to provide assistance. Many charitable houses have been built thanks to the priest’s dedication”. The parishioners here often say to each other: “Wherever Father Vinh is, there is laughter, new bridges, and sturdy houses”.

Over the years, thanks to the initiative of the priest Nguyen Van Vinh, dozens of rural bridges have been built, hundreds of scholarships have been awarded to poor students and many sturdy houses have been built to replace makeshift thatched huts. The total value of the projects amounts to tens of billions VND, largely from social contributions and the efforts of the people. The priest Nguyen Van Vinh also regularly maintains catechism classes, charity classes and Catholic youth activities, helping parishioners’ children get a proper education. The priest shared: “A teacher who teaches children to read and write is valuable, but a person who sows the seeds of faith and compassion in their hearts is even more valuable”. I only hope that they grow up to be kind and useful members of society”.

In Ca Mau, where the majority of the population earns their living through farming and fishing, life is still difficult and the connection between religion and secular life becomes even more pronounced. The priest Phaolo Nguyen Van Vinh has repeatedly campaigned for villagers to participate in the new rural development movement, environmental protection, tree planting, keeping village roads and alleys clean and beautiful. The work of The priest Nguyen Van Vinh clearly demonstrates the positive contribution of Catholic compatriots to the overall development of the country. The spirit of “Living the Gospel in the heart of the nation” is expressed through concrete and practical actions, starting from the homes of parishioners, rural roads, to community projects.

For The priest Vinh, the path of service to both the priesthood and the secular world has never stopped. Every new bridge, every newly built roof, every child’s smile as they go to school is the greatest reward for him.

Mr. Tran Van Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ca Mau province, commented: “The priest Vinh is a living example of the spirit of reverence for God and love for the country”. He was not only close to the parishioners but also got along well and cooperated with the government and organizations”.

The priest Phaolo Nguyen Van Vinh is not only a devoted shepherd in the life of faith but also a “sower of goodness” through concrete and practical actions for the community. With the belief that “blessed are those who know how to build peace”, the priest, together with the parishioners, built bridges, opened roads, constructed schools, opened vocational training classes and literacy classes for children and adults. The priest Vinh has mobilized resources to build 350 charitable houses with a total cost of approximately 17.5 billion VND; connected with Mesa enterprise to award scholarships to more than 300 students and donated 275 bicycles to poor students. Simultaneously, they upgraded the church, renovated the sanctuary, built a center for the education of children with disabilities and constructed many community service facilities.

Under the leadership of the priest Vinh, the parish not only became more spacious and welcoming but also a shining example of unity between Catholics and non-Catholics, working together to build a new life, contributing to social stability and sustainable development.