Vietnamese Catholics around the Diocese of Camden celebrated the Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, during the past week, marking the Year of the Horse, which began on Jan. 30 at the first day of the first month in the Lunar Calendar. On Jan. 30 a Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Atlantic City, with Father Joseph Pham, pastor; Father Jaime Hostios, parochial vicar; and Father Thanh Pham, parochial vicar of St. Peter Church in Merchantville. On Feb. 2, Bishop Dennis Sullivan led a liturgy and reception at Most Precious Blood Parish, Transfiguration Church, in West Collingswood, with Father Joseph An Nguyen, pastor. Left, Bishop Sullivan receives gifts during the offertory. Right, a dragon roams the parish grounds as part of the New Year celebration. There are an estimated 500 Vietnamese Catholic families in Atlantic City and West Collingswood.
Photos by James A. McBride