Dear Friends in Christ,
Pope Francis has proclaimed the Jubilee Year 2025, calling all Catholics to be pilgrims of hope in a world longing for light. As the year draws to a close and Advent approaches and we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, we invite you to join us on this life-changing mission —a journey of love, mercy, and transformation, where we will bring hope, love, and tangible support to orphans, the poor, the sick, and the abandoned. This is more than just a trip—it’s a call to serve the most vulnerable among us.
As St. Josemaría Escrivá reminds us:“Be men and women of the world, but don’t be worldly men and women. Be spiritual and supernatural; be men and women of interior life, of prayer and sacrifice. But don’t flee from the world.”
We are called to go forth and bring Christ’s light to those in need. Will you answer the call?
For more information, please visit:
WHO WE ARE HELPING
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Mai Tam House of Hope – A refuge for orphans and women affected by HIV/AIDS. who face stigma, abandonment, and discrimination, yet this home offers them dignity and a future. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLX4QCdca/
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Pho Cap School for the Poor and People with Disabilities – A school that provides education and free meals for underprivileged children including those with disabilities. Many come from broken homes and lack basic essentials. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14oV8ewynH/
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Nazareth Hospice – A sanctuary for the sick and dying, those with no family or financial means to care for themselves in their final days. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLDPuZsPQ/
Each of these places is a testament to Christ’s love in action, but they need our help.
HOW WE WILL SERVE
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Follow-up classes for children in our online English and music programs
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Menstrual health education for young girls, teaching dignity and hygiene
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Distribution of essential aid: food, clothing, medicines, school supplies
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Conducting training programs for income generation and vocational skills
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Offering spiritual support to the sick, elderly, and abandoned
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Bringing joy through music, storytelling, and play for children in orphanages
At these charities, the challenges extend far beyond illness. Families wrestle with behavioral issues, low levels of education, loneliness, and the struggle to simply survive. But despite the many obstacles, there is hope — and you can be a part of it.
As volunteers, we will work closely with the priests and staff to help care for the children, mothers and elderly. We will also have the chance to bring joy to the children through recreational activities, outings, and simply by spending time with them. The mission also gives us a unique opportunity to witness and learn from the immense faith and resilience of the people we serve.
Based on the number of participants and what they can and would like to do, we will schedule activities to fit the resource and time that we have during this particular mission.
PILGRIMAGE TO OUR LADY OF NUI CUI
At the end of our mission, we will journey by walking through the Holy Doors of Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon, uniting ourselves to millions around the world in this extraordinary Jubilee grace.
We will also make a special pilgrimage to Our Lady of Nui Cui, a sacred sanctuary where faith and nature converge.
This breathtaking pilgrimage site is home to the tallest Virgin Mary statue in Vietnam, standing at 50 meters, symbolizing our deep devotion to Our Lady. Surrounded by the tranquil Tri An Lake and lush rubber forests, this is a place of prayer, renewal, and gratitude.
A Special Tradition: Offering Petitions to Our Lady
During this pilgrimage, we will carry with us the prayers and petitions of our loved ones. If you or someone you know has a special intention—whether for healing, reconciliation, financial struggles, or personal concerns—you may write your prayer, seal it in an envelope, and we will bring it to the shrine.
In addition, we encourage our missioners to get to know the children and residents and ask if there is something they would like you to pray for them before Our Lady of Nui Cui.
These petitions will be prayerfully offered before Our Lady and the written petitions burned later in reverence, ensuring privacy.
For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DuFdZDDuD/
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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Volunteer: Be a part of the mission and experience the joy of serving Christ by bringing hope to this community.
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Donate: Support by donating preloved or new items like sanitary pads, musical instruments, stationery for school, school bags, toiletries, diapers, sports equipment, musical instruments, etc. Please do not buy these items as they can be purchased much cheaper in Vietnam and would not add to our baggage allowance. Instead, you can donate to CHARIS and indicate that your donation is for this mission so that we can purchase it on your behalf.
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Sponsor a Volunteer: If you cannot join, consider sponsoring someone willing to serve but unable to afford the expenses.
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Pray for Us: Offer your spiritual support and pray for the refugees and the missioners on this trip.
FACING HIV WITHOUT FEAR
We understand that some may be hesitant to volunteer, fearful of contracting the disease. It’s important to remember that HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as everyday contact with air, food, water, insects, animals, dishes, or toilet seats. It is spread through the exchange of certain bodily fluids, and by following basic precautions, the risk of transmission is almost non-existent.
(For more information, please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/causes/index.html#:~:text=Most%20people%20get%20HIV%20through,to%20help%20prevent%20HIV%20transmission.
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw191334&lang=en-ca)
A MISSION ROOTED IN FAITH
At the heart of this mission lies the teachings of the Church. The Catholic Church upholds the dignity of all human life, particularly the poor and vulnerable. In supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS, we are living out the Gospel call to "love thy neighbor" (Mark 12:31) and embrace those on the margins of society.
As Pope Francis has emphasized, we must be "a Church that goes forth" to accompany the suffering and offer hope where it is needed most.
By joining this mission, you not only help meet physical needs but restore dignity, offering companionship, love, and support to those who need it most.
It’s an opportunity to be a beacon of hope in the lives of people who are often overlooked and forgotten.
Let’s come together and make a lasting impact in their lives.
No specific qualifications are necessary—just bring your compassion, friendship, and willingness to help.
Join us now and help transform lives with compassion and service and experience the joy of giving back in a deeply meaningful way.
