Lunar New Year 2025

On Sunday, February 2, the Vietnamese and Laotian communities hosted a celebration for Lunar New Year for our parish at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. The 8 AM Mass was celebrated by Fr. Bang Cong Tran, SVD, our pastor Fr. Alejandro Lopez, OFM Conv., and Dcn. Jo Thuan Than. Attendees were serenaded by the wonderful voices of the Vietnamese Choir directed by Hoa Pham and accompanied by Fr. Thomas Fetz, OFM Conv. on the flute. Everyone was given a red envelope with money inside, a traditional gift of the Lunar New Year.

​After Mass, gifts were given to the celebrants and to key leaders of Vietnamese and Laotian communities at the parish. Then everyone gathered for the Lunar New Year party in the basement social hall of the church. The reception was overflowing with food and fun. There was even a game of Bingo!

*Photos courtesy Francis Khuc & Stephanie Held