By Debbie Robinson

news@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Steady rain Saturday didn’t dampen the spirits of thousands of Vietnamese Catholics who gathered for 31st annual Marian Days celebration on the grounds of the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix.

However, hearts were heavy for the victims of a deadly bus crash near Dallas that has killed at least 17 Vietnamese and injured more than 30 others who were on their way from Houston to Carthage.

The CMC is a seminary founded by an order of Vietnamese monks after the fall of South Vietnam. The annual celebration began as a family reunion for Catholic Vietnamese refugees.

Frank Hoang, of Houston, was attending Marian Days for the first time.

“We got a call,” he said. “Everybody here knew someone on the bus.”

Hoang said the more than 40,000 Vietnamese gathered in Carthage prayed for the victims and their families on Saturday during an early morning Mass.

Most of the food vendors at Marian Days allocate their proceeds for their churches or for nonprofit organizations. Proceeds from the sale of food, including pso and noodle dishes, will go help veterans, he said.

Hoang said he was thrilled with the turnout at the event.

“This is a big day for Vietnamese and for Catholics,” he saId.

Tents were filled with diners despite the soggy ground and tents that were sagging from the weight of rain.

Do Van Son, of Fort Smith, Ark., was helping in a large food booth.

Son, president of the Vietnamese Committee, said proceeds were going to help build a church in Fort Smith for Vietnamese Catholics.

This year was the fifth year for the Fort Smith group to attend Marion Days.