The Salesian family gathered in the Salesian Chapel in Pallaskenry to celebrate the ordination of Fr Vinh Hien Tran SDB, on January 30 - event of the feast of St John Bosco.
“Bishop Brendan Leahy led a very prayerful and joyful ceremony,” recalled one in the congregation.
“The many cultures, languages and countries on the altar was representative of the Salesian mission in Ireland. Ireland is a multi-cultural country and the Salesians of Don Bosco have responded to this with multi-cultural communities.”
Fr Vinh was surrounded by his parents, family and friends from Vietnam and Ireland.
The Salesian secondary choir sang for the occasion, while Bishop Leahy spoke of the Salesian charism and called to Vinh to work for the poor and reflected on the contribution of the Salesians of Don Bosco to the diocese of Limerick over the past 100 years.
Fr Eunan McDonnell, Salesian provincial of Ireland, spoke of the invitation of the Salesians to Limerick by Bishop Denis Hallinan who as a student for the priesthood was interested in becoming a Salesian.
He met Don Bosco in Turin but the latter advised him to “go home to your diocese and when you’re ordained, you’ll do more for the Salesians than you would by entering”.
On January 10, 1918, Fr Hallinan was appointed Bishop of Limerick. He was then in a position to provide an opening for Salesian works in Ireland. He wished to have an agricultural college in his diocese under the direction of religious.
Negotiations were opened for the purchase of Copsewood House in Pallaskenry and the deeds were signed in September 1919.
Bishop Leahy in response said it was worth remembering how the actions of an individual can have such a positive impact on a diocese and a country.