By Matthew Lau
The Diocese of Geraldton will be blessed with the addition of three Godly men on Wednesday 6 November. Transitional Deacons Peter Duong, Savio Nguyen and Dominic Hoang are set to be Ordained to the Priesthood by Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey at St Francis Xavier Cathedral after years of formation at St Charles’ Seminary.
Dcn Dominic Hoang
Former banker Dominic Hoang left a life of business, money and authority in search for “true happiness”.
Dcn Dominic grew up in the small village of Bà Rịa-Vũng, southeast Vietnam, as the youngest of seven with three brothers and three sisters.
He landed a job in a bank after obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City.
“My job was quite interesting because I often had contact with many businessmen, rich and wealthy people. I learnt how to do business, use money to earn more money and interest,” Dcn Dominic explains to The Record.
“Although I had money and good position in the bank, I was never satisfied with myself and with what I had achieved. I worked harder and harder, but the more I tried, the more emptiness in my soul I felt.”
In 2011, he met Geraldton Emeritus Bishop Justin Bianchini and Fr Vinh Dong at the convent where his sister and aunt are Dominican nuns.
It was Bishop Bianchini’s vocation story that inspired Dcn Dominic to live a missionary lifestyle, en route “to find true happiness”.
“I thought about this and prayed about it. The more I tried to run away for my decision, the harder it was. It wasn’t easy for me to give up my job in the bank, to leave my family and my country, and come to Australia,” Dcn Dominic recalls.
About one year later, he entered seminary with fellow candidates Dcn Savio and Dcn Peter.
“One of our great memories on the first trip was when we were at the airport in Singapore; we didn’t know how to buy a bottle of water because we understood so little English.
“A kind Vietnamese-American passenger overheard our discussion and bought a bottle of water for each of us. I never forgot this [act of] kindness … many people have been so kind to me since I arrived in Australia.”
For six months prior to residing at St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford, the trio were placed at Greenwood Parish to adapt to Australian culture while studying English at Aranmore College.
“I studied English with volunteers from the parishes, often recording their voices then practising my English by listening to them at night. I am so thankful to God for sending to me wonderful people who kindly help me to learn the new language.
“I will never forget them and their lessons. They are always in my thought and prayers”, Dcn Dominic adds.
“I have no fear because I trust in God, my Good Shepherd, and I believe that He never leaves me alone.”
Dcn Savio Nguyen
Savio Tuan Huu Nguyen hails from Xuân Dương, northern Province of Bắc Kạn.
Raised in a devout Catholic family, Dcn Savio has two elder brothers and seven elder sisters. Prior to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, his parents were officers. After the war, they owned and ran a farm.
“I studied Catechism at the Church twice a week because I [didn’t attend a] Catholic school. I joined the altar service since I was in Year 6,” Dcn Savio says.
Upon completing high school, he studied at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts and thereafter secured a job.
Prior to his move to WA in 2012, he discerned his calling to the priesthood after receiving an invitational letter from Bishop Bianchini.
“I decided to accept the Bishop’s [invite] with peace in my heart because I have trust in God’s hand, He will lead everywhere He wants.
“I want to follow Jesus to service God and people by the great gifts that the Lord gave to me.”
Dcn Savio hopes, as a future diocesan priest, that his good deeds will lead “lost sheep” to come back to the Church.
Dcn Peter Duong
Duc Quyet Tam Duong, better known as Peter, was born-and-raised in the south of Vietnam.
As the youngest of nine, he lived a “very happy and typical childhood” – both parents worked from home as tailors.
With a brother who is a priest in the Dominican Order in Vietnam, Dcn Peter attributes his family as the bedrock for his vocation.
“My parents nurtured my faith. Each night after dinner, we always say prayers together,” Dcn Peter reminiscences.
“While I was in high school, I began to think about what I wanted in my life – the idea of priesthood kept running.
“After I finished high school, I joined the Franciscan Order for over four years. During my time in the Franciscan Order, I helped people who were disabled every Sunday.”
As he, along with Dcns Savio and Dominic, adjusted to life and culture in Perth, journey to a priestly ministry commenced with their move to St Charles’ Seminary in early 2013.
“I am glad to say after the time at St Charles’ Seminary, my misgivings about the seminary were unfounded and I am ever thankful for this time to grow, discern, be challenged and be formed be the Lord God.
“In faith, I want to offer myself to God as I trust in Him and know he will not abandon me. I remembered the Scripture verse from Genesis 2:1-2. The Lord has said to Abraham: ‘Leave your country, your people and father’s house, and go to the land I will show you’.”
This call from God to Abraham, Dcn Peter believes, is also a call extended to him.
“Each vocation story is unique and yet requires a particular openness to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
“The vocation is the work of God who uses my weakness and calls me to work in His vineyard. I just look at St Peter, the leader of the Apostles, and realise how imperfect he was,” he concludes.