Oblate Connection to the Olympics

Mission-Unity-Dialogue

By Harry Winter, OMI

(L-R) Joua and Kou Ly

Early this year, Kou Ly, an Oblate Associate and leader of the Hmong Catholic Community at St. Patrick’s Church, St. Paul, MN, contacted his pastor, Mike Powell, O.M.I., his associate Cyprian Czop, O.M.I., and Luc Bouchard, O.M.I., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, Tewksbury. He asked for prayers for his niece, Sunisa Lee, who was attempting to make the USA gymnastics team.

Fr. Michael Powell, OMI

Not only did she make the team, but with the medical crisis for Simone Biles, 18 year old Sunisa became the backbone of the gymnastic s team and won the first gold medal by a Hmong.

Kou and his wife Joua visited  Tewksbury twice in 2018 (click here) and hosted Luc and myself twice in MN (click here).  They are returning to Tewksbury Aug. 6-9 and we hope to have more on their niece to share with you.

Prior to leaving for Tokyo, the future gold medalist posed with her family (Sunisa is in middle wearing white T-shirt)

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