By Br. Hung Nguyen, MSC
Last month in Dec 2024, I accompanied Fr. Alex Anthony, MSC, to Soboba, California for his new assignment. It took us 5 five days to drive from Pennsylvania to California. It was a wonderful experience, and much insight happened along the way.
We stopped over to rest for one night at my cousin’s house in Fort Worth, TX. My cousin’s 4th grade son gave me a tiny Scripture book to read before going to sleep. He realized that the text was so small and kindly presented me with a magnifier to enable me to read. I was so touched by my lovely nephew, Phi.
From Texas, we continued our journey across New Mexico. After nine hours driving, we made another stop in Santa Fe where we had a chance to visit the “Miraculous Stair” in the Loretto Chapel. After I got inside the Chapel and saw the stairs, I truly felt the sacred spirit of a miracle overwhelming my soul. It was interesting to hear and to read the history of how the stairs were built. It was far more interesting to be able to see the place with my own eyes and feel it by heart. Thanks to the Loretto Sisters for being here in this land that miracles exist as witness to God’s presence on earth with His people.
Welcome to Loretto Chapel
https://www.lorettochapel.com/
207 OLD SANTA FE TRAIL
SANTA FE, New Mexico 87501
(505) 982-0092
office@lorettochapel.com
We arrived in San Jacinto at 11:30pm and were warmly greeted by Fr. Earl Henley, MSC, current pastor at St. Joseph Chapel.
Fr. Earl Henley celebrated the weekly mass for those children whose families live near the chapel. They were so lovely with their prayer for petition. I felt at home when I attended mass with them and was able to share with them my first experience in a place of the native Americans.
St. Joseph Chapel: 23600 Soboba Road
San Jacinto, CA 92581
We met with Lay MSCs and Fr. Earl at St Bernardino Pastoral Center. Mrs. Ana shared with us that people really wanted to be accompanied by the religious men and women as models with serious image in their cassocks/habit, the image that carries the identity which gives them trust as guides to follow.
Ana and Danny, LMSC, opened their home to us to help with packing more than 100 Christmas gifts for the poor in Los Angeles. Thanks to the LMSC group in Southern CA for living the Spirituality of the Heart that brings God’s love to the needy.