Some of you may have noticed a new face here at our parish, and many of you have already met me. I would like to let you know a few things about me. I was born and raised when Vietnam was experiencing war and famine, so survival was the big concern for my entire family since my father had been put in a prison which the Vietnamese Communists called "The Re-educational Camp." While my father was imprisoned, my mom worked very hard to support our whole family. She has been a devout, kind, and compassionate woman. Although she was busy working hard, she never forgot to instruct me to love God and the people who were in the same
situation as my family.

I came to the United States in 1991 and lived in Garden Grove, California. From that moment, I encountered a new way of life which was very materialistic. It could be said that I lost my identity as "the Catholic," and became a self-indulgent person even though I was raised and taught in a traditional Catholic family. However, it happened to me that one day after I got up from a drunken party, I reflected and told myself that I had to do something which would be meaningful for my life. So, I started to pray and to ask God for help in find a way out of my problems, by going to Mass daily and confessing my sins frequently. So, God answered my prayer. He wanted me to serve Him and His people It was then, I decided to enter into the Conventual Franciscans of California, in 1998.

I began my life with the Franciscans as an "English as a Second Language" student. My daily responsibilities were to pray and to study English at a community college. After 2 years in the candidacy program, I was approved to enter into the Conventual Franciscans. In 2001 I took my First Vows, and in August of 2005, I officially and publicly took my Solemn Vows at your parish here in Hermosa Beach. My parents were very happy, but my joy was short-lived. My father died two weeks after I had taken my Solemn Vows. However, the loss of my father caused me to see that God would not let me experience distress or loneliness. He sent His comfort through the love of my Franciscan Brothers and the many people who I had met. After I completed my philosophical studies in 2006, I was sent to study theology at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California.

This year is my Pastoral year which I will learn how to preach the Gospel and how to run a parish when I become priest. However, at this moment I am entrusting everything to our loving God, and firmly believe that if God calls me to serve Him through His Church, He will open the path for me. He will guide me through this year, and He will embrace me with His love that I have seen through the warm welcoming of the Sisters and Brothers in the parish.

May God give you peace and goodness.