07 February 2008

Happy Lunar New Year

A Happy New Year to all who observe the Lunar New Year today, especially Koreans, Vietnamese and Chinese. The Missionary Society of St Columban was formally established in 1918 to work in China. We have members working there today and also in Taiwan. We have worked in Korea since 1933 and have Korean lay missionaries working here in the Philippines. Two Columban priests are former 'boat people' from Vietnam who found their way to Australia where they were ordained, Fr Nguyen Van Hung in Taiwan and Fr Nguyen Xuan Tien in Japan..

The Columban have also been in Japan since after World War II where the Lunar New Year, I understand, is still observed by some in rural areas.

So Happy New Year to all!

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