Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
One of the unexpected blessings of these past few weeks has been watching Father Joe Pham prepare for his move to California. After forty-four years of faithful priestly ministry here at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, he simply cannot take everything with him. If you know Father Joe, you know that this is no small task.
Over the years, he has become something of a collector—not because he simply liked collecting things, but because he had an eye for beauty where others saw only something old, broken, or no longer useful. Lamps, clocks, radios, paintings, statues, furniture, tools, books, antiques—you name it. With remarkable patience and skill, he restored
countless items and gave them new life. His rooms in the rectory gradually became filled with what he lovingly considered his “treasures.”
As Father Joe prepares to leave, many parishioners have been stopping by to receive one of these treasured possessions. A few days ago, he asked our seminarians to help sort through the remaining items. There were still beautiful lamps, antique clocks, electronics, furniture, clothing, decorative pieces—and shelves filled with books. Naturally, Father Joe encouraged them to take whatever they liked.
Later that afternoon, I could not resist asking them: “Is that really all you took?” They smiled, “Yes, Monsignor.” “But there were so many wonderful things. Why did each of you take only a few books?” One seminarian answered quietly, “Because we wanted something that Father Joe himself treasured. If these books helped shape his priesthood, perhaps they can help shape ours.”
His answer floored me. In that moment, I realized they had not come looking for Father Joe’s possessions. They had come looking for what had helped form Father Joe. They had discovered the real treasure in the room.
And then I thought of King Solomon in this Sunday’s first reading. When God invited him to ask for anything he desired, Solomon did not ask for riches, power, or a long life. He asked for an understanding heart, because he knew that wisdom is worth more than wealth (cf. 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12).
The same theme echoes throughout today’s Scriptures. The psalmist proclaims that God’s word is more precious than gold (cf. Ps 119:57). Jesus tells us about a man who discovers a hidden treasure and a merchant who finds a pearl of great price (cf. Mt 13:44-52). Both immediately recognize what others have overlooked and gladly give up everything else because they know they have found something infinitely more valuable.
Perhaps that is the question these readings place before each of us: Have I recognized what is truly valuable?
Every day the world tells us to pursue more—more money, more success, more possessions. Yet the treasures that matter most can never be bought. Faith. Wisdom. Holiness. Character. A heart that knows and loves God. These are treasures that cannot be packed into a moving truck, cannot be left behind in a room, and cannot be taken from us by time.
St. Paul reminds us that “all things work for good for those who love God” (Rom 8:28). Even saying goodbye to Father Joe has become an opportunity to rediscover what truly lasts. Perhaps our seminarians understood that better than any of us.
As Father Joe begins this new chapter of his life in California, we thank God for his forty-four years of faithful service. May we also ask the Lord for the wisdom of Solomon—the wisdom to recognize the real treasure in our own lives. For once we have found Christ, we have found the only treasure that truly lasts.
May God bless you and your loved ones.
Msgr. “John” Cuong M. Pham