Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Tét, also known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year in the United States, is a weeklong celebration marked by various traditions such as cleaning homes, visiting elders, honoring ancestors, and preparing for a prosperous new year. On January 29, 2025, Bishop John Noonan participated in a Mass at St. Philip Phan Van Minh Parish in Orlando to celebrate the occasion with the Vietnamese community. The event featured a colorful liturgy accompanied by singing.

During his homily, Bishop Noonan highlighted the Jubilee Year of Hope and referenced Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen van Thuan's faith and perseverance. The cardinal spent 13 years imprisoned, including nine years in solitary confinement. Bishop Noonan quoted from Cardinal Thuan's book "Prayers of Hope," noting how he “created space in his mind and in his heart to think of God and the people.” He added that Cardinal Thuan “saw hope, not despair,” which gave him "the love of Jesus Christ in his heart and in his life."

Bishop Noonan also reflected on the courage shown by many Vietnamese who left their homeland under challenging conditions seeking better lives. He urged them to embody hope for others.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, January 31, 2025