Unique “sow” the word for students in remote areas

Na Phac Cathedral, Bac Kan Parish (Bac Kan) is not only a place of ceremony but also a place where hundreds of children in remote areas have the opportunity to study and go to school.

Na Phac Church Stepping out of the car, appearing in front of us was the “rising” church in the middle of the mountains, built according to the spacious, clean and beautiful Western architecture. Sharing with Tien Phong, Father Joseph Nguyen Van Tinh, curator of Na Phac Cathedral said, in 1979, the border war event occurred. When the war broke out, people went to Na Phap to avoid bullets and bombs. After the war ended, some people returned to Cao Bang, leaving 25 families and took the name of the land of Na Phac (meaning pumpkin field – because there are many pumpkins) to name their teachers. Most of the lay people are Mong and Dao, so the Mass is celebrated in two languages: Kinh and Mong. According to Father Joseph, the whole Bac Kan province now has more than 1,200 parishioners, mainly ethnic minorities, the largest being Mong. Someone is 180 km from the church. That is why on Sunday, this priest has to travel 170km to celebrate Mass. The missionary prospects here are enormous, added Father Joseph. There are about 300 families still wanting to join the religion. Meals of parents and students staying at Na Phac church. Photo: NT In addition to missionary purposes, we join hands with society to bring the children to school. “At first, we traveled a hundred kilometers, we had to leave every household to mobilize parents to send their children to school. However, due to many families facing difficult circumstances, the distance from the school is nearly 100km, all dirt roads and hilly roads, so few children participate. Having mobilized the children, we have to ask for vegetables, rice, food … to feed them, ”said Father Joseph. Father Joseph shared that in the past, this land had only a makeshift house made of laminated wooden slats, covered with palm leaves. Although it is a temporary house, it has 2 functions, both a place for parishioners to pray and a place for children to stay in study. After a period of time, our work has been effective, many helping organizations have so far built a spacious and beautiful cathedral to celebrate Mass and also a “dormitory” for the children. the student. Currently, Na Phac Church has hundreds of pupils living there.