My Mom’s Other Boys
After nine years, today was the last Sunday Father Joseph Nguyen celebrated Mass for St. Andrew’s Parish. During the celebration of Mass, my mind could not help but a wander a little towards the impact he and other priests have had on me and my family.
For my mother, brother and I, priests are more than just the celebrators of the sacraments (although that in itself is a huge deal). Father Joseph and Father Hien (who is also leaving), are/were part of our family. Father Hien would ritualistically call my mom, “mom.” Father Joseph assured her when my brother and I left for the seminary and on mission respectively. In the absence of her sons, Father Joseph and Father Hien were her ‘other boys.’
Our God knows that I didn’t always understand, or even agree with them, but He also knows that my family and I are going to miss them dearly. God bless you Father Joseph and Father Hien. Thank you for serving us as you did.
