Fr. Dung came to our country as a refugee from tyranny and as an immigrant looking to make a life here. He spoke little or no English. He had no knowledge of our culture and our customs. When he arrived, he was like a stranger in a strange land, and I am sure that he found this very difficult. On his arrival to the USA, he would have had very little in common with most of the parishioners of SJN... except for his love of the Catholic Church and his faith in God’s goodness.
In the twenty-six years that he has been with us, look at what has happened to him and through him. In his twenty-six years as an immigrant–then-citizen, look at what the Lord has done in him and through him. Now, I am not seeking to discuss the politics of “immigration reform”. That important debate is for political leaders to discuss and for your conscience to judge. Instead, I am seeking to speak in the name of the merciful Lord, and invite you to see the stranger... as neighbor. Fr. Dung was once a stranger; but now he is a brother to us and priest and servant – leader for us.
My hope and prayer is that the fruits of Fr. Dung’s pilgrimage will be evident in the way SJN welcomes all that come through our doors, with a welcome of heart-felt gratitude for the gifts they will offer us, for the way newcomers make SJN a more dynamic parish.
AMDG
Msgr. David
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