Rev. Luke Nguyen
Parishioners welcome Father Luke Nguyen to SCB
The Lamb, August 2002
On the weekend of July 7, 2002, the St. Charles Borromeo Men of Manresa joined all parishioners to welcome Father Luke Nguyen, our newly-appointed Parochial Vicar.
Father Luke was co-celebrant at several Masses that weekend, and approached the pulpit to introduce himself to the congregation at the conclusion of all Masses. In his brief remarks, Father Luke spoke with sadness of his father's death in the Viet Cong's 1968 Tet Offensive; he spoke with courage of how he fled his native Vietnam in the desperate exodus of 1975; and he spoke with joy of how he was finally reunited with his mother and sister 6 years later. When he first came to the United States, Father Luke lived in California. He later moved to Missouri and was a brother in the Congregation of Mother Co-Redemptrix order for 12 years. In 1998, he entered Notre Dame Seminary to study for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and was ordained on June 1 of this year by Archbishop Alfred Hughes. Father Luke shared his humor, sensitivity and faith with parishioners during his introduction, in conversation after Mass, and in the weeks since then. He said that he had known both Father John and Father Quang and remarked that it was obvious that we missed them dearly. Father Luke went on to say that he shared their enthusiasm for fishing, and had actually gone fishing with each of them in the past. "There is at least one difference, " he added in his remarks to the congregation. All ears were tuned to his voice as he continued, "I know how to swim." The relieved congregation responded with laughter and a warm round of welcoming applause. Welcome, Father Luke, we are so glad to have you here! May God continue to bless you in your sacred ministry. In the spirit of Christ's love, the Men of Manresa - and the entire parish - open our arms to welcome you.
Clarion Herald - June 5, 2002 "New priests called to life of genuine holiness"