Việt Nam Quê Hương Tôi! Đôi Lời

“The first task of a priest is to be a believer, and to become one ever new and evermore,” said Bishop Checchio in his homely, quoting a speech by Pope Benedict XVI. “The most lofty and important thing a priest can do for his people is to to first to be what he is: a believer. The priest believes as he baptizes a baby, witnesses a marriage of a couple, bestow the oil of sick on an ailing parishioner, and buries the faithful.”

“Nhiêm vụ đầu tiên của một linh mục phải là một người có đức tin, ngài phải làm mới đức tin của mình và cứ càng phải mới hơn mãi mãi,” Đức Giám muc Checchio trong bài giảng đã trích dẫn lời của ĐGH Bênêđictô XVI như thế. “Điều cao quý và quan trong nhất mà một linh mục có thể làm cho giáo dân của ngài biết rõ ngài là ai: người có lòng tin. Vị linh mục phải tỏ rõ đức tin của mình khi ngài ban phép Rửa tội cho một em bé, khi ngài  chứng Bí tích Hôn  phối cho đôi vợ chồng, khi ngài xức dầu thánh cho một giáo dân yếu bệnh, khi ngài cử hành lễ an táng cho giáo dân.” 

“The gift of the priesthood is to give everyone in the human family someone to believe with,” Bishop Checchio continue, “even when it seems like the whole world is against you and no one believes.” But, he cautioned, “Don’t mistakenly believe in him, though. It is Jesus who is our savior. Believe in him.”

“Hồng ân của chức linh mục làm cho mỗi người trong gia đình nhân loại cùng tin với.” Đức Giám mục Checchio nói tiếp, “cả khi xem ra thể gian đối nghịch với vị linh mục và không ai còn có lòng tin.” Nhưng, vị Giám mục lưu ý, “Dầu vậy, đừng tin vào vị linh mục một cách lệch lạc. Chính Chúa Giêsu mới là Đấng Cứu Rỗi chúng ta. Hãy tin vào Người.”

Turning towards the priest who was about to be installed a pastor, Bishop Checchio told Father Tran, “May your actions always show that you believe, and what you believe, to this parish community entrusted you, so together you can do something beautiful for God here.”

During the Rite of Installation, Bishop Checchio introduced the parish staff, clergy, parish council and trustees to their new pastor. Each group rose as one to signal their assent to Father Tran’s leadership; he, in turn, pledged his support acceptance of their counsel by reciting the canonial Oath of Fidelity.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, Father Tran evoked both laughter and tears during his endearing address to the congregation. The priest admitted to nervousness and say, “I prepared a long time and had good remarks for this, but now I forget!”

Father Tran thanked Bishop Checchio and Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski for guidance, noted the many priests of Vietnamese in attendance, and presented his parents with a bouquet of flowers in gratitude for their support.

“When I became administrator here two years ago, the culture was different,” the priest admitted, “but we all worship one God.”

“Khi tôi trở thành Quản xứ ở đây cách đây hai năm, tôi đã cảm nghiệm một sự khác biệt về văn hóa, nhưng hết thảy mọi người ở đây đều cùng thờ phượng Chúa”, vị linh mục nhìn nhận.

Father Peter Hung Tran was born in Vietnam to Khanh Tran and Binh Nguyen. Upon completion of elementary and high school in Tan Hiep, Vietnam, he traveled to United States, earning a degree in religious studies and philosophy at Seton Hall University, South Orange.

Father Tran entered Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall in 1999 and earned a Master of Divinity Degree; he was ordained that spring in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newark, for that archdiocese. He served as parochial vicar at St. Therese Parish, Kenilworth, and St. John Parish, Jersey City, before begin appointed parochial vicar at Saint James Parish, Woodbridge, in 2008, where he was also charged with the positions chaplain and coordinator to the diocesan Vietnamese Apostolate.

Describing the feeling of joy in serving as a priest in America, Father Tran declared, “I enjoy the special opportunity to serve God’s people in both English and Vietnamese, [and] I find it rewarding to offer Mass and administer the sacraments in both languages. I am fortunate and thankful to practice my vocation in a free country, and be able to openly encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life.” He continued, “I especially enjoy visiting the homebound and hospitalized, as well as working with our youth.”

Father Tran lists his greatest challenges as “developing a cohesive parish family, combining both communities and cultures, and motivating older teens, young adults and young families to actively participate to all aspects of parish life.”

The new pastor’s goals for the South Plainfield parish of 611 registered families of Anglo and Vietnamese descent and 65 religious education students are “creating family activities to integrate both communities; maintaining a positive and inviting worship site, and increasing evangelization and spiritual life development for the parishioner.”

Parishioners and others at the Mass expressed their joy at the installation for a new pastor. “He’s already brought such love and happiness,” said Theresa Bielinski. “He’s a good man.” Fellow long-time parishioner Robert Moench echoed, “He’s tremendous. He works so hard, and we are very happy for him.”

Dao Thon was one of many Catholics of Vietnamese descent who travelled from outside the diocese to witnessed Father Tran’s installation. “I’ve known him a long times, since he was in Newark Archdiocese,” she said. “He’s good with the Vietnamese people and is speaking good English. He has a bright future.”