Rev. Benedict Quang
Living the Word
"Chalmette accent" never got in the way of Father Quang's message
The Lamb, Special Memorial Issue - December, 2001
When Father Quang first came to St. Charles Borromeo Parish, he jokingly apologized for the "Chalmette accent" he had supposedly picked up at his previous assignment.
During the two years he was here, he would often begin his homilies with such a joke. Raising the pitch of his voice slightly, and stretching his words, he would begin, "A story is told..." His humor never stopped, nor did it ever get in the way of his sacred message. He would occasionally make a teasing reference in his homily to Father John's driving habits. Of course, Father John would hear about his comment and would have a good-natured follow-up in his own next homily! Sometimes they would comically go back and forth like that for weeks about such topics as who knocked whose glasses in the water, some other such mishap, how peaceful it was for one priest when the other was gone, or one of their latest haircuts. After Mass and at every other opportunity, he would take time to talk and joke with parishioners, and to play with the kids. Sometimes when he left he would say "See you later, alligator." He was a very holy man, truly blessed by the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. You could hear it in the love of his voice, as he passionately described the teachings and sacrifices of Christ. You could hear it in the urgency of his message as he related the Gospel to the way we should live. And you could see it in the way he lived out his life, as he humbly served Christ as we all should. One of his homilies was about driving. Father Quang said that we need to love our neighbors, even if they happen to be unskilled drivers. He said to be nice to other drivers, to be courteous to them, even if they are not. I think of this now every time I see someone waiting for a break in traffic, trying to get onto River Road; if the situation allows, I will let them in. Father Quang would like that. I think of this every time someone cuts me off in traffic; I resist the urge to get angry and yell. Sometimes I will even wave, "That's OK." Father Quang would appreciate that, and I have learned that it is actually more effective than the alternative approach. I think of this every time someone lets me into traffic when I'm running late, and I think of this every time someone gets angry with me for some foolish mistake I have made while driving. Father Quang helped me learn to be thankful and forgiving, even behind the wheel of a car. Father Quang helped make this a nicer place to live in many ways, this is just one of them. While he was at St. Charles Borromeo, Father Quang also revived the annual "Family Playhouse." The event featured performances by all ages, and brought together families, friends, and ministries to practice and perform their acts. One year the show featured a hilarious multi-act performance by Father Quang as the "innocent" little lemonade salesman, out to make a quick buck. To the crowd's delight, he played the part like a pro! When he first left our parish to become pastor of St. Gertrude's, I attended his first Mass at his new parish. As the celebration began, his parishioners leaned and stretched for a first glimpse of their new pastor. After an introduction by another celebrant, Father Quang - later to be known as Father Ben - began (you guessed it!) with a joke. He began "A story is told..." The congregation erupted in laughter at the punch line, all at once! And after the wonderful celebration of the Eucharist, after hearing his homilies and seeing his devotion to Christ, his new parish fell completely in love with him, just as we at SCB had from the start. All he had to do was to mention that he needed something, and his new parishioners - just like his old parishioners - found a way to make it happen. He didn't even have to ask, and he may have wondered why... It's because we love you, Father Quang. It's because you carry and teach and live the Word of Christ. It's because you serve Christ the way we all should. It's because that is the Word of Christ, as we learned it from you and Father John and continue to learn it from our other beloved priests and deacons. Thank you for every little thing you did, Father Quang. Only God and the dear people of St. Gertrude's Parish know how much we miss you, because there are no words that adequately describe either our love or our loss. "See you later, alligator!"
Clarion Herald - December 19, 2001, cover page
Clarion Herald - December 19, 2001 "Tears and pain and heartache"
St. Charles Herald-Guide - December 12, 2001 "Priests perish in fishing accident"