My dear parishioners:
“I am among you as one who serves”. (Lk 22:27)
Today, it is with a joyful heart that I officially begin my ministry with you as your new pastor. I am honored by the confidence that Bishop
Nicholas DiMarzio, the Bishop of Brooklyn, has placed in me, and I am also grateful for the encouragement that Bishop Raymond F. Chappetto and
Bishop Paul R. Sanchez have given me. I happily look forward to our years together in this parish.
I have just completed my 2 years term of service at the Apostolic Nunciature, more commonly known as the Vatican Embassy in Washington, DC.
Prior to that assignment, I served as official of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts at the Vatican for eight years, following my advanced
studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University where I obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law. Before that, I had also served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady
of Lourdes Church in Queens Village for a full term of five years.
Although I have family roots in Saigon, Vietnam, most of my undergraduate education took place in New York after my family immigrated here in
1990. I am a graduate of Hillcrest High School and St. John’s University in Jamaica, where I obtained a B.A. in Philosophy and completed a
second major in Psychology. I attended the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington and received a Master of Divinity and a Master of
Arts in Theology.
I am the fourth of the seven children of my parents. My mom and dad, siblings, their spouses and my nieces and nephews are a source of great
happiness in my life. As you get to know me, you will come to know them as they are often the subject of my stories.
I am very excited that arriving with me this week is Father Hung Sy Tran, a newly ordained priest who will serve you as an Associate Pastor along
with our Father Michael McHugh. Father Tran is also a native of Vietnam. He has an extensive background in literature, design and
education. His strong faith and dedication, together with his enthusiasm and engaging personality, will be a blessing to our parish.
Beginning my ministry among you, I follow a long line of dedicated priests who have served this Parish for many years. I am grateful to each of
them. I specially pay tribute to Msgr. Sean Ogle who have just preceded me in this role. Together with all the others, he has laid the solid
foundation upon which I stand and continue the work of Jesus Christ–to build and proclaim the Kingdom of God in this part of the city.
As your pastor, spiritual brother and friend in Christ, I promise you my loving commitment, prayers and the constant invitation to be holy. On this
happy occasion of my Installation, I pray that Christ’s mission may be our mission, and that together, we will do our very best to be part of that
mission, building up God’s Kingdom of love here in this great community.
I thank the staff, the members of the Pastoral Council and all parish leaders for welcoming me over the last few days. I have also received warm
greetings and best wishes from many of you. I am happy that without the burden of masks, I will have the chance to meet you face-to-face from
now on.
Let us celebrate another milestone in the history of our parish with a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty God. As I dedicate my new ministry
among you to the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the intercession of St. Margaret Mary as well as the Holy Vietnamese Martyrs, I ask
for your prayers and hope to earn your support and trust as well. May God bless you all.