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Nguyen family to be reunited
January 12, 2010
TORONTO - For the first time in 30 years, Bishop-elect Vincent Nguyen will be together with his eight brothers and sisters in one place, but it won't happen until his ordination on Jan. 13.
A last-minute snag delayed the youngest Nguyen brother, Hau. Hau tried to board the first international flight of his life carrying a hand-carved bishop's staff or crosier. It was not deemed appropriate carry-on luggage and by the time everything was sorted out the plane was gone. Arrangements had to be made for him to fly to Canada Jan. 12, when his big brother will be in London for Bishop-elect Bill McGrattan's ordination.
A last-minute snag delayed the youngest Nguyen brother, Hau. Hau tried to board the first international flight of his life carrying a hand-carved bishop's staff or crosier. It was not deemed appropriate carry-on luggage and by the time everything was sorted out the plane was gone. Arrangements had to be made for him to fly to Canada Jan. 12, when his big brother will be in London for Bishop-elect Bill McGrattan's ordination.
Hung, Tien, Van, Trung and An Haw did make it through the sliding glass doors at Terminal One to be greeted by Vincent, David and Vanh — the three Toronto-resident brothers — and their uncle Hoang. The Toronto contingent had with them David's seven-year-old daughter Rosa and 10-year-old son Andrew.
Having the family together at last is extremely important, especially given the importance of family in Vietnamese culture, said Bishop-elect Nguyen.
"They are certainly the most important people in one's life," he said.
Bishop-elect Vincent Nguyen with his family from Vietnam at the Toronto Pearson International Airport
(Photo by Michael Swan)