Gladys, Clem and I accompanied Fr. John Barth, MM to an ethnic Vietnamese fishing village, a hour or so south on Phenom Phem for Sunday mass. An American priest, saying the mass in the Khemer language to ethnic Vietnamese...the church is truly universal.
As Catholics and ethnic Vietnamese, these folks are often discriminated against. The community here has a priest about once a month. There is a strong influence from this predominately Budhist country: as in the Budhist tempes, the men and women sit on opposite side with the youngest in front and oldest in back...also sitting on the floor is the cultural sign of reverence. Following the mass we had a wonderful meal provided by the villagers.
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