BACKGROUND

I was born in Fountain Valley, at the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital. My date of birth is June 5th, I come from a very traditional Vietnamese family and grew up in the city of Westminster. I attended La Quinta High School and then transferred to Coastline Community doubling at OCC and Fullerton for my AA degrees. I was involved in the Youth Ministry, the choir, being a Eucharistic Minister, TA, Retreat Leader, and an Altar Server.

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

I have to say that there were many various factors both big and small that led me to begin my discernment and decide to enter seminary. But if I had to really pick one, it is simply because it was one of the choices in my life that brought me peace and serenity. I had no qualms and no second guesses for the first time in my life and it was a choice that made me feel at peace.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

I believe that there are no coincidental encounters, be it good or bad, all encounters in some shape or form help form the person we are. Besides my parents and sister that have journeyed with me from the beginning till now, a person who really showed me the joy of the priesthood, would have to be Msgr. Tuan. Having worked with him for 8 years, I have seen the joy of the priesthood even through all the hardships and sorrows. It was because of that, that I too found myself wanting to live such a life and being a joyful priest and one that can help the people of God. Another person I would have to say influenced me, would be Sr. Van (LHC), in the short amount of time I worked with Sr. Van, she was so outgoing and spontaneous, showing me the joy and excitement she had in serving the Lord and His children.

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

This question kind of ties in with the factor that led me to putting my foot down, deciding to enter into formal discernment. There came a time in my life to decide what to do after having gotten my AA degrees, to continue my studies of Biological Sciences and Mathematics at UCR or finally finish my application to the Diocese of Orange. It wasn’t until I was before the Eucharist, sitting before Jesus and just allowing myself to be with Him in silence that I made my choice. It was during that moment where I had no more worries and concerns that I understood the path I should walk down. A decision that has led me to where I am today, still a seminarian and God so willing, a priest one day.