With the first ordination in living memory taking place in the parish, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Waterloo was overjoyed as Deacon Tai was ordained into the diaconate on Thursday 14 November.
With family and friends from the parish and his hometown in Vietnam, Deacon Tai felt humbled by the love being shown to him.
“I am feeling blessed because God loves me so much,” he said.
“God’s love is what I experience from people. I think it will take time to absorb this occasion and to give thanks to God for all the things he has done for me.”
Ordained by longtime friend Bishop Danny Meagher, the occasion was one of reminiscing on the journey to this point and hope for the future.
“I met him in Vietnam when he was a seminarian there and I remember him approaching me very sheepishly and not speaking any English at all,” said Bishop Danny.
“I wrote an email to the archbishop asking him what he wanted to do with this fella as quite a few had approached me but there were two standout; Tai was one of them.
“Now he’s here being ordained a deacon. I particularly notice that he’s got a great ability to listen to people and to understand them in a very mature way.
“He shows patience and compassion which are great strengths, it’s wonderful to see.”
Having left behind a career in IT, a relationship, and his homeland to join the seminary, Deacon Tai’s first year in Australia was not without its hardships. He battled homesickness, culture shock and the need to learn a new language. However, he says the perseverance has paid off.
“It’s been quite a long, journey; 13 years!” Deacon Tai said.
“But the time helped me deepen my formation, experienced the love of God and the love from people.
“I hope I can still keep the spirit that God has bestowed on me, to put my effort and all of God’s blessings into serving people.”
Father Paul Smithers, parish priest of Our Lady of Mt Carmel was also present at the ordination, describing the occasion as “a great joy for the Church in Sydney and for the parish of Sydney City South.”
“I hope it’s an encouragement for people to follow what God wants them to do in their life. Whether it be priests or religious or a faithful politician or a good shopkeeper,” he said.
“I hope it plants a seed where God can be glorified, and that people are inspired to come and worship here and to launch out in in good works.”