Priests from neighboring dioceses and from as far away as Philadelphia and Australia came to celebrate with the diocese at the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Gerald Barnes drew on the experiences Pham has faced throughout his life and from the Mass readings to address Pham’s calling to model his ministry after the journey of Christ.
“He is a man that has lived, in a sense, a full life already,” Bishop Barnes said. “Through his story Toan will be able to identify with the many people in our world and diocese who need comfort, who struggle, who face obstacles and who have hope.”
Though he has faced several obstacles throughout his life, from having to leave his native country and spend a year in a refugee camp to suffering serious injury in a car accident, Fr. Pham continued to hope and pray he would one day serve God as a priest.
“The Lord blesses our diocese today by having someone like you as one of our priests and so we are filled with gratitude,” Bishop Barnes said. “God strengthens Toan to continue and to live the journey of Christ so that others may know that they are loved by God.”
Bishop Barnes reminded Fr. Pham that God has been with him throughout the years and in the struggles. He called on Fr. Pham to draw from those experiences and to recall God’s love and compassion in his new ministry.
“I would like to thank Bishop Barnes and Bishop del Riego for placing their trust in me and accepting me to be a priest for our San Bernardino Diocese,” Fr. Pham said at the close of the Mass. “I deeply appreciate all who have journeyed with me.”
Fr. Pham expressed his words of gratitude in English, Vietnamese and Spanish. Applause and nods of approval filled the Cathedral at his attempt to reach the diverse congregation present at the Mass.
His first assignment as a priest was not available at time of publication.