The La Salle Sisters in the United States after 1975.
From the refugee camp in Guam, the La Salle Sisters had been transferred to Fort
Chaffee. The American La Salle Brothers came to visit them and at their request,
presented their case to Bishop of Fresno in California, Hugh A. Donohoe. On June
19, 1975, Bishop welcomed and offered to them the whole property of Ryan
Seminary at 1530 N. Fresno Street for their stay, at least temporarily. The
delegation of seven American La Salle Brothers, Philip Thez, Michael Walsh,
Daniel, John Achin, Clarence Schenk, Christopher Donnelly and Bradley Francis
came to welcome the La Salle Sisters at Ryan Seminary. The District of San
Francisco assisted and subsidized in providing them with food supplies and
everything they needed for their living. Brother Raphael Willeke, Visitor of the
San Francisco District, assigned Brother Philip Thez, Director of the La Salle
Brothers Community and Principal at San Joaquin Memorial School, as Supervisor
to the Sisters. Brother George Kohles took the role of Liaison Brother between
the La Salle Brothers and the La Salle Sisters.
After resettled in Fresno, the La Salle Sisters tried to adapt to the new life
in America. But, so many turbulent and painful happenings more than two months
earlier had psychologically and sentimentally affected younger Postulants and
Sisters. Most of them had no news from their families and relatives since the
first day they had to leave Mai Thon for Vung Tau (Cf. Journal 1, pages 43-45.)
The total of Sisters and Postulants were twenty. Nearly two thirds of them were
from 16 to 24 years of age. These young ladies left the Congregation a few
months later.
Five years later, in 1980, Bishop Madera in the diocese of Fresno, , who had
replaced Bishop Hugh A. Donohoe a few months earlier, wanted to take back Ryan
Seminary transforming it into a retreat center for different Groups and
Associations of the diocese. Reverend Nguyen Van Tnh, pastor at a Vietnamese
Mission in San Jose, suggested that the La Salle Sisters move to San Jose and
help him in apostolic works like catechism and certain activities for young
people. He promised to look for a house for them, and assured them of canonical
permission from the diocese of San Francisco. [At that time, the diocese of San
Jose didn’t yet exist.] Thanks to Sister Sheila, a representative for all
Vietnamese Women Congregations in the United States, Sister Theresa Claire
Nguyen had opportunity to meet with Bishop Pierre DuMaine who became the first
bishop of the diocese of San Jose at the moment the diocese of San Francisco had
been split into two dioceses: Arch-diocese of San Francisco and diocese of San
Jose. On August 31, 1980, the La Salle Sisters officially moved to San Jose.
***
On June 1, 1990, some Vietnamese La Salle Brothers created a new community in
San Jose, La Salle Vietnam House at Maxey Drive in Berryessa area. From then on,
the La Salle Sisters and Brothers have been “together and by association”
administering different apostolic activities.
1. The first “Vocation Retreat” was opened at Assumption Hall of Saint
Mary’s College in Moraga. During three days and nights, about fifty young ladies
and gentlemen together shared their ideas and opinions and thoughts about
“Nowadays Vocation.” Because it was the first of the kind, young people were
enthusiastic and optimistic, and wished to have more opportunity gather again in
thinking of their future life, especially in discerning for their vocations.
The “Vocation Retreat” was ended in a meaningful way with the ceremony of “the
taking Religious Robe” for Ms. Thoa and Ms. Tuyet, on October 20, 1991. It was
the first “Religious Robe Taking” of the La Salle Sisters in the United States
since the events of 1975.
Such a fruitful first “Vocation Retreat” was a really effective catalyst for the
La Salle Sisters and Brothers to choose the date of April 30th - in memorial of
Saint De La Salle Birthday, April 30, 1651 - in following years as a “Vocation
Day.” In fact, since April 30th of the year 1992, nearly one hundred young
ladies and gentlemen in the Bay Area gathered at De La Salle Chapel to hear
different Congregations or Orders - more than ten of them - present their own
“Vocation.” In average, there had been two or three “fishes” caught per year,
becoming Nun or Priest or Brother.
2. For Summer Times, from the second week of June to the third week of
July, a Summer School has been opened to first graders (six years old) to ninth
graders (fourteen years old.) In the morning, the youngsters enjoy learning
Vietnamese language, watching video about and listening to biblical and
Vietnamese cultural and legendary stories. In the afternoon, they enjoy
swimming, doing art works. In average about one hundred fifty kids gathered at
De La Salle Chapel for each Summer School.
3. Other apostolic and youth activities:
+ After School Program from 3PM to 6PM, five days/week;
+ Catechism and Vietnamese Language Classes every Saturday;
+ Activities of the “Vietnamese Culture&Music Performing Group” every Sunday;
+ Computer training classes composed of:
- setting up a new computer,
- Microsoft Office,
- Publication courses, e.g. Page Maker,
- etc.