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.

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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.