Print edition: 
The Church of the Magdalen was filled to near capacity Sunday afternoon as more than 1,300 people celebrated the Vietnamese New Year and welcomed the Year of the Tiger.
"Oh, this is going to be a really good year," Father Hien Nguyen, pastor of Holy Family Parish of Marion County, said after the Mass.
Nguyen, whose parish is part of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, said the diocese's Vietnamese Pastoral Council includes more than 3,000 parishioners.
During the 90-minute Vietnamese-language Mass, small children squirmed in their seats in anticipation of the celebration later.
But it was important to first give thanks.
"When we begin something new — whether it is a new day or a new year, we do two things," Bishop Michael Jackels said during the service."... As we begin this holy Mass to celebrate the gift of a new year, we ask the Lord's pardon for all of our sins and his blessing upon us and this new year."
The celebration also included a dragon dance, Little Miss Viet Nam pageant, cultural songs and dances, and a mini carnival.
Children received lucky money — decorated envelopes with cash inside. Jackels pronounced a New Year's blessing on those attending.
Sunday represented the beginning of the lunar new year — the year 4708 on the calendar used by Asian countries including Vietnam and China.
The tiger is one of the 12 animal symbols used in the Chinese zodiac. Last year was the Year of the Ox.
Nguyen said the New Year offers people a chance to honor their Vietnamese heritage.
