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Cha Du Truong Hai Nguyen, MF
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Deacon Hai's Priestly Ordination on January 12, 2022There is no denying that the excitement to Deacon Hai’s ordination was leveled up. There has been a long wait to this day as it made the heart grow fonder. As soon as the date of the ordination has been penciled on our calendar, every one of us received the joyful news and Deacon Hai’s face of sheer contentment is so visible and his smile was undeniable.
Deacon Hai was ordained as a deacon in his motherland Vietnam, five years ago. His parents migrated to the United States in 2004. In 2017, he came to the US to accompany them and take care of his ill father. Shortly after his adjustment to the American culture, a relative contacted Fr. Benjie in Waco, TX and related Hai’s desire to be back to our community. Fr. Benjie informed the DNA superior, Fr. Celso, who facilitated his reentry to the community.
Hai offered his diaconal services to both Bremond and Franklin parishes. Moreover, he was introduced to all of the MF Delegation of Northern America confreres whom he comes to know gradually and personally from our gatherings.
Eight of us flew over to Orlando, FL for the ordination. Fathers Celso Yu, Richard Dee Du, Benjie Magnaye, Judah Pigon, Robert Chinappan, Robert Ni Ni, Joel Jores and Joy Kumarthuseril concelebrated with the ordaining auxiliary Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen of the Orange Diocese and Bishop Noonan of the Orlando Diocese. Other diocesan and religious priests also concelebrated. Bishop Thahn's key messages to Deacon Hai and to everyone present were the gift of priesthood, the companionship in ministry, the pastoral charity and self-sacrifice - to serve the people of God with the spirit of joy in priestly life.
This meaningful ordination was of many firsts. The first sacerdotal ordination for the DNA; the first ordination by Bishop Thahn of a Vietnamese; the first ordination at St. Philip Phan Van Parish.
The parish, mostly of Vietnamese contingent, did a phenomenal job with the leadership of Fr. Chau Nguyen, the pastor. The liturgy was solemn, indulged with the beautiful music. The reception following the ordination was under the tent with acquaintances’ brief remarks and gift giving to now Fr. Hai.
The following day was Fr. Hai’s Mass of Thanksgiving. This one had more of a family celebration with relatives and friends. Fr. Hai’s parents, Quynh and Huong and immediate family members were bursting with joy. There were moments of intense raw emotion and tears flowing down the cheeks as I, too, was moved by it. To express this joy and gratitude, the festivity continued in the rented hall well garnished with white accent lashes hanging down the ceiling, and delicious Asian dishes. Speeches, Singing, Instrumentalist and dancing in the end adorned the banquet.
Fr. Hai spent some time with his family afterwards and he came back to Texas with his parents to celebrate his Thanksgiving masses in Bremond and Franklin. Both parishes had a reception and threw a bountiful refreshment for all.
The Missionaries of Faith Fathers thanked Fr. Hai’s family, relatives and friends for their support and contribution to make this first ever Presbyteral ordination an indelible celebration.
