Posted February 21, 2013

The Vietnamese community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia celebrated their new year with Mass and a festival Feb. 10 at Visitation B.V.M. Parish in North Philadelphia. The Tet Festival of 2013 is designated the year of the snake. The day began with Mass at 9 a.m. and continued with singing, dancing, games, food and more. Staples of the celebration were the dragon dance and fireworks. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Sr. Lyan Tri A.C.J. prays during mass.

  • Jimmy and Andy Ly provided music on the keyboards along with the Vietnamese Choir for the mass and celebration.

  • Linda Dang receives the precious blood.

  • Huong Le prays during mass for the Year of the Snake.

  • Fr. Loung Uong C.Ss.R. from Visitation Parish and Fr. Bruce Lewandowski C.Ss.R., Vicar for Cultural Ministries, hand out red envelopes to the children for luck in the new year.

  • Fr. Bruce Lewandowski C.Ss.R., Vicar for Cultural Ministries, appeases the dragon with a red envelope.

  • Huyen Do plays the drum during the celebration for the year of the snake.