Fr Francis-Vu Tran, SCJ, is coming home

“You are the Salt of the earth
You are the Light of the earth” Matthew 5:13, 14

The scripture chosen by Fr Francis-Vu Tran for the sacred day revealed to the new ordained Fr Francis-Vu the Words of God in his life of a servant. On this day Fr Vu became a priest in the order of Melchizedek, “You are a priest forever”. In many retreats and training camps of Eucharistic Youth Society (EYS), “Light” and “Salt” were among the most frequently studied topics, and thus intrigued the spiritual depth to many. His holy order became fully grown on this day, when Bishop Jaime Soto summoned Fr Francis Vu, who responded loudly with a distinct voice, “Here I am, Francis Vu Tran” and later prostrated before altar in the ordination of the presbyterate proceedings.

Fr Francis Vu joined the EYS at St Boniface in 1995, after having escaped from the communist Viet Nam with his mother to America at the age of 10 years old. He came from a family of 3 children, his parents were Joseph Tran Van Lai and Maria Nguyễn Thi Lượt, Fr Francis Vu was the youngest son of the two older sisters. Fr Vu started his EYS in the Preteen troop, and became leader Level I of the regional southwest EYS, LDNS V; Fr Vu later became leader of Preteen EYS, and was in charge of the regional Southwest EYS Retreat Legion, he also taught Vietnamese classes in the parish. In 1995, Fr Vu sought the holy order under the council of Fr Joseph Nguyen van Son of St Boniface, and went to Texas to join the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In August of 2004 Fr Vu committed his life to the sacred vow to the order. The following year Fr Vu graduated with the Master of Divinity at Chicago Theological Union in May.

During the last 10 years away from home, Fr Vu has been actively involved in the EYS Legion “Ocean Star”, Chicago, and EYS of Midwest in the role of the spiritual advisor. He is also Vice Principle of Preteen EYS Council of USA. Whenever Fr Vu visited home in southern California, he spent time giving council to EYS retreat camps.

After the ordination, Fr Francis Vu will be the associate Pastor of St Martin de Tours of Franklin, Wisconsin. Fr Vu will continue to be involved with regional EYS, and engage with an active role working with group leaders in the EYS Midwest and national regions.

The Ordination on September 10 at St Polycarp, Westminster, was presided over by the Most Rev. Jaime Soto, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Orange County with the Cocelebrants Very Rev. Richard McDonald, SCJ, Rev. Yvonne Sheely, SCJ, and Rev. Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor of St Polycarp and President of the Vietnamese EYS, USA, and over 20 SCJ confreres coming from Chicago area. The religious orders, such as the Sisters of Loving Holy Cross, the leaders and adult counselors of various charters of EYS southern California Legions, the parishioners of St Polycarp, and of the home church St Boniface, Anaheim, friends and families were present in large numbers in the presbyterate ceremony. The reception for over 200 guests was held thereafter at Seafood Palace 2 restaurant in the early afternoon. Fr Thong, SCJ, was the MC with his way of entertaining the luncheon guests with holy humors, and rocked the place. Fr Francis-Vu cut the cake with his parents in the finale.

The reception ended in the early afternoon, and the evening Liturgy began at St Boniface…

The Thanksgiving mass for the welcoming event had been planned months ahead at the parish where Fr Vu grew up. The EYS St Boniface troopers in uniform gathered in a large number inside the church, even though they were in the mid of summer recess. The honored welcoming guards of all ranks were positioned along the isles in the marching order. The church council President Phùng văn Thích opened the marching order with the biography of Fr Francis Vu on the podium. The main church doors were closed from the inside for the last minutes of proceeding order. Everyone inside the church was waiting in a solemn, but joyful suspense.

“Troops, ready. Salute!”

The command coming from the troop leader, resembled a 21 gun salutation for dignitaries, honored the marching order of the Honorable Troop Leader Rev Francis-Vu Anh Tran, SCJ, the presiding Rev Micheal Tung, and the priests of SCJ order proceeding toward the altar.

In the welcoming greetings Fr Micheal Tung shared the essence of fellowship to each parishioner by encouraging the church members to join various fellowships, such as EYS, which had cultivated the best blessing of the holy order. After the thanksgiving mass, the church auditorium prepared 700 meals for the parishioners and guests. The EYS troopers proudly presented their skits in the full, youthful spirit with the dances, plays, and homecoming humors—one of which was a play narrating the life story Fr Vu, who started out from the EYS. The character of Fr Vu was played by the troop leader Joe who ended the finale with the blessing to his people which knocked people off their seat in laughter. After the entertainment, throngs of people continued to approach Fr Vu for the blessings. While the day was long and tiring for Fr Vu, the new ordained priest remained great in spirit as he talked to the great multitudes; as he greeted many and recalled familiar faces from the past 10 years away from home.

The parish had been waiting for a day much like the day Fr Francis-Vu Anh Tran, SCJ, returned home in the royal priesthood, the day when our Heavenly Father would bless the Holy Order upon this church. St Boniface now has been blessed with 3 priests coming from the EYS. Fr Micheal Tung, also a former member of the EYS, challenged the audience in the auditorium by asking, “Who will be the next one?” The crowd roared jubilantly into the night.
SN-Servant of EYS