Rev. Monsignor John Phuc
Our Master Pastor
Whatever need there was, Father John was there
The Lamb, Special Memorial Issue - December 2001
The first service Father John performed in our parish was the Way of the Cross. Afterwards he stood outside to greet the few of us in attendance. We chatted a while, exchanging a few pleasantries, then he said "I sure hope people here will like me." We all said "Sure they will, because we like you already!" Later on as we talked some more, he told how the Communists had shot his baby brother and that he picked him up and the baby died in his arms. He also told us how he and his family fled the Communist onslaught. They got in a boat with several other families and paddled out to open seas. For days, they drifted. Sun-burned, hungry, with the wind growing stronger, the boat started taking on water. Desperately, they bailed with hats, shoes and cans until they were exhausted and knowing it was over for them. They had made their acts of contrition and were ready to meet their God when a ship came to their rescue. The rest we all probably know. He went to school, to St. Ben's Abbey in Covington, to the seminary in New Orleans, and then ordination. He made a few stops in other parishes before God sent him to us. He was worried that we wouldn't accept him. He was wrong. The parish thought so much of him that they bought him a new automobile. He took his job seriously. When anyone was sick, he was there. Accidents or whatever need there was, he was there. When we prepared the fair grounds he'd work like anyone else. Then when Father Quang came to the parish, they became inseparable friends, sharing their pastime and hobby - fishing. Whenever they could, they went fishing. They did practically everything together, like brothers. I guess God figured they should make their journey to heaven together doing what they did so many times - fishing. Jesus made them fishers of men and they caught both fish and men, including the hearts of most parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish. He wondered if we would like him. He was wrong - we loved him, and we will miss his jokes before his homily, his dry wit, and his love for kids. He'd become a kid when he saw one. He'd hold babies in his arms, probably thinking of his dying baby brother. He'd snap some sarcastic barbs at almost everyone, and this was his way of showing his fondness for that person or persons. Here's one more story about our beloved pastor who was not sure if we would like him...He was trying to help the Catholic Seminary in Vietnam so he asked some parishioners for a couple of bucks to bring to the seminary, as he was going back to visit the old country. "No one liked him" to the tune of forty thousand dollars, not bad for someone who wasn't supposed to be liked. Like I said, liked - no, loved - a big resounding yes. He told a story of a woman in the old country he knew while he was visiting. She had diabetes, her leg became gangrenous, and needed to be amputated. The Communists wouldn't let her have medical attention because she had no money, so her husband did the amputation. She lived a year and a half more and then went to heaven finally free of the Communist tyranny. This story has stayed with me ever since hearing it. I can't get her out of my mind and will probably carry the memory to my grave. Father John made three trips back home. Parishioners always sent him there with money for the seminary and poorer people. Some of the money parishioners sent helped to build a new church. Father John was scheduled to go back in February with some more money for the seminary, church and poorer people under Communist rule. (God bless America) The Men of Manresa will not make the journey for him but they will make sure the seminary, the church and poorer people will get some relief. Two Sundays ago Father John told me that there was a special bond between him and us, meaning his parishioners. Father John lived the faith God gave him, the Catholic faith. Father we will say goodbye to you for now. We know the peace of Christ is with you. I heard Jesus say "Well done, John and Ben. But for heaven's sake, clean those fish!" See you later Fathers John and Ben. You are missed and loved.
Memorial Mass honors a good friend and a great priest
The Lamb, January 2003
In reality, Father John Phuc died on December 6, 2002. But in some ways, it seems like just yesterday that we packed into the crowded church and overflowed into the gym for his funeral; in other ways some of the days that we spent with him seem to be so very long ago.
In order to commemorate the first anniversary of Father John's death, St. Charles Borromeo parishioners recently joined his family for a sacred Mass in our church, followed by a reception in the Borromeo Room. Nearly a dozen priests and deacons filled the sanctuary for the celebration of the Eucharist, and numerous altar servers contributed their own best effort for the memorial occasion. The solemnity and dignity of the service was established immediately in Father Harry's opening remarks, and was further emphasized in both the tone and content of the readings, done by two of Father John's closest friends and admirers. "The choir always sings a little better when we sing for Father John," said one talented tenor upon being thanked for their beautiful performance of hymns of worship, praise, and thanksgiving. Recognizing several songs from his funeral, the congregation also joined in song. Father David Rabe, a good friend and classmate of Father John at Notre Dame Seminary, delivered the homily. In a direct tribute to Father John's casual style and ever-present sense of humor, he began with a lighthearted joke. After the typically corny punchline, Father David went on to paint - with words, memories, and emotions - a stunning, vividly beautiful portrait of the man we all knew and so dearly loved. As he did so, different events and memories came to mind for each man, woman and child paying tribute by their very attendance. He spoke of the foundation of Father John's priestly service to God - his faith, his studies, his graduation, his first assignments, his deaconate, and his ordination. He went on to outline Father John's impressive spiritual and administrative service at several parishes, at one of which Father John joked that "all the people were rich or crazy, or both." And when he spoke of Father John's "early" appointment as pastor of our parish - which made him the youngest pastor in the archdiocese - the congregation's personal experience and memories surfaced faster than a frisky fish leaping skyward. "When we first met him, who could even dream what impact this man would have upon our lives?" Father David asked rhetorically. Time seemed to lose its meaning as each person's unspoken answer fell across their heart like a ton of tombstones, recalling the unique consequence Father John had on their own life. Father David also included in his remembrance of Father John his "early" designation as monsignor - again, the youngest in the archdiocese - and his likewise "early" death. Silent tears fell down captivated faces throughout the church as he read an excerpt from one of Father John's last pastoral messages to us in our parish newsletter, "Under the Oaks," in which our departed fisher of men left us with the gift of these thoughts: "When much has been given to a person," Father John began, "much will be required of him. More will be asked of a person to whom more has been entrusted." After quoting those words of Jesus [Luke 12:48], Father John said that "if anyone has been entrusted with more, it is I, me, myself." He then went on to recount the many blessings which he said had been entrusted with, including "a good education and a noble profession...not to mention many, many tried and true friends." And among those present who heard those final words come alive again, the feeling was easily mutual. Before concluding his own homily, Father David lightly commented that we were blessed that "the great priest with a funny accent was replaced by another great priest with a funny accent." Instantly realizing the insight and candor of the comment, the congregation began laughing aloud through their tears of longing, and then laughed many times louder as Irish native Father Harry Bugler - also laughing - deferred the honor by playfully pointing toward Father Luke Nguyen, from Vietnam. If you were there, you know that Father David's homily was so impressive in structure and style that it could have been written by any of the great authors of all time, including Shakespeare or Twain, Joyce or Faulkner. But on the other hand, such a sincere, loving tribute could never have been even imagined, even by the literary masters, without the intimate spiritual relationship and deep faith in God that Father David - and so very many others present - clearly shared with Father John. After Mass, at a reception in the Borromeo Room, many of those in attendance thanked Father David for his eloquent composition and his compassionate delivery. And a united Catholic parish, devoted to Christ, continued to give thanks for having known one of His great leaders, for having shared and nourished their faith together, and for all of God's never-ending blessings. Father Harry was assisted at Mass by Fathers David L. Rabe, Joseph Duc Dzien, Pat Collum, John Tran, Anton B. Than, Donald Duffy, Luke Nguyen, and Deacons Ted Roussel, Harry Schexnayder, and Mike Stohlman. On behalf of the St. Charles Borromeo Men of Manresa and the entire Parish, we thank them all, and all others who contributed to the evening.
Clarion Herald - December 19, 2001, cover page
Clarion Herald - December 19, 2001 "Tears and pain and heartache"
Clarion Herald - December 19, 2001 "Msgr. Phuc created atmosphere of love, pride"
Clarion Herald - December 19, 2001 "Thank you, Father"
St. Charles Herald-Guide - December 12, 2001 "Priests perish in fishing accident"
Clarion Herald - January 20, 2000 "Time for celebration"
Clarion Herald - September 30, 1999 "13 named monsignor"
13 named monsignor
excerpts from the Clarion Herald, September 30, 1999
Here are the archdiocese's 13 new monsignors... Msgr. Phuc is a native of Viet Nam who completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary College and Notre Dame Seminary. He was ordained in 1983. He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Westwego and was later assigned to St. Louise de Marillac in Arabi. In 1990 he became pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Destrehan... (Father John's comments) I am totally surprised. I would never have expected it. I would like to thank the Archbishop for everything, especially his leadership and support.