Holy Family Vietnamese Mission in Greensboro rang in the Lunar New Year with a fashion show, Mass and a day of fun that drew thousands of people from across the region to the Meridian Convention Center in Greensboro.GREENSBORO — Thousands of celebrants surged into the Meridian Convention Center in Greensboro to ring in the Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse.
People came from all over the dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh, some traveling across the state line from Georgia and Virginia, for the Feb. 22 New Year’s Celebration hosted by Holy Family Vietnamese Mission in Greensboro.
The Fire Horse is a rare Chinese calendar combination that occurs once every 60 years. It represents intense energy and change and encourages people to take decisive action based on lessons learned in the past.
To celebrate, dancing lions bounced on the stage, hundreds of pounds of Vietnamese delicacies were eaten, and teenagers hit the catwalk – but before that, there was Mass.
Vincentian Father Michael Nguyen, formerly of St. Mary’s Parish, who often visits his old parishioners for large events, presided over the Mass alongside Father Joseph Anh Linh Nguyen, pastor of Holy Family Church, and the parish’s newest clergy member, Father Paul Phuong Van Kim Pham.
During his homily, Father Michael Nguyen reminisced about the time 30 years prior when a small community of about 60 Vietnamese Catholics gathered at St. Mary’s for a humble Lunar New Year celebration. Now, looking out over a crowd that numbered in the thousands, he welcomed his new brothers and sisters to share in a growing community of love, faith and tradition.
In keeping with the new year of the horse, Father Michael brought up a Vietnamese saying – “When one horse is ill, the whole stable refuses to eat grass” – to highlight the importance of helping neighbors.
“This year is even bigger than last year, and Father Michael encouraged us to unite with each other to grow together as one larger faith community,” Father Joseph Nguyen said. “This year was the largest so far, and he wishes next year our community will be even bigger.”
After Holy Communion, everyone received a small scroll containing a message of good fortune to carry with them throughout the year.
Parishioner Hue Lily Bui’s message came from the Gospel of Luke: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20).
“That is my verse! God is good. I have to live humbly. Instead of yelling and screaming and being stuck up, you need to be kind to others. That is what it is saying,” Bui said. “We need to go out and reach people, love them, and care for them.”
Together the three priests formed a circle and pounded a large gong with drumsticks in a symbolic new year act of protection and connection.
After Mass, while guests consumed mounds of egg rolls, sticky rice, pork belly shish kebabs and fried chicken, giant, colorful, furry lions kept to their strict fast of green cash during the traditional Lion Dance called Múa Lân.
The dance was historically thought of as a reset to ward off bad spirits and to greet a new year filled with prosperity, good health and joy.
Using acrobatics, intricate legwork and gymnastics, three huge lions bounced on stage – dancing on all fours, turning in circles, and jumping over one another.
Under the costume, one dancer worked as the head while standing on the shoulders of the other performer, who acted as the tail’s base. During their final moments on stage, the lions stood over the enthralled audience, shaking their 11-foot-long bodies in a unique balancing act.
The lions did not dismiss themselves politely but instead weaved their long bodies through the crowded hall, finding fresh targets all around them, teasing celebrants until they were fully appeased with envelopes filled with money for treats.
“We have a lot of young, talented parishioners who do the Lion Dance at local businesses, homes and at events – my son used to participate,” said Bui. “It is a fun way to bring in the many blessings of the new year.”
After the lions were tamed, a fashion show ensued with participants wearing Áo Dài, a long tunic worn over silk trousers. Boys and girls walked the stage like runway models, using props and striking poses while revelers seized the opportunity to practice their phone photography.
“This is my first Áo Dài, and this is my first time performing. I got this (the pink silk flower-patterned tunic) from my mother’s friend, who shipped it here from Vietnam,” said Ana Toneh, 15. The Holy Family parishioner has been practicing her walk and pose for the past five weeks.
“I feel confident and good wearing this,” she said.
The event included more performances by rising young Vietnamese singers and dancers, and Father Joseph Nguyen is excited that it brings the culture to the younger generation.
“I hope when we gather together like this, it helps to keep our traditions, especially for the youth.
They do not know too much about Vietnamese culture,” he said. “We try our best to keep traditions within the family and pray they grow up keeping the Catholic faith and the language. This helps.”
— Lisa M. Geraci
