By Frank X. Ellis

Just as the six-hour celebration was nearing its close, Father Francis Xavier Pham Van Phuong may have summarized the entire event in a few words.

Standing near the entrance of the Honto Restaurant in Chamblee, Father Francis told a well-wisher, "We have great love and respect for the priesthood." The native of Ninh Binh, Vietnam, was referring to the celebration surrounding the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He was ordained April 29, 1966 in the basilica in Saigon.

St. John the Evangelist Church, Hapeville, was the scene earlier in the afternoon, April 28, for the primary commemoration of the ordination anniversary. A solemn Mass of thanksgiving recognized the silver jubilarian's contributions to the Vietnamese community in the metro Atlanta area as well as throughout the United States and in his homeland.

Father Francis, administrator of Our Lady of Vietnam Mission in Forest Park, also was the guest of honor at a Mass and celebration at the mission church on April 27.

Seventeen American and Vietnamese clergy joined several hundred relatives, friends and parishioners at St. John's for the Mass celebrated primarily in Vietnamese with several portions being prayed in English.

Father Ray Horan, St. John's pastor, delivered a brief message of reflections on the church's universality, noting that "our parochialism is shattered at this table. We are a worldwide community of faith in Christ Jesus."

The homily was delivered in Vietnamese by Father John Tran Cong Nghi. Earlier, greetings and welcome were spoken by Father John Phan Cong Binh of New Orleans, the man Father Francis several times referred to as "my spiritual father," indicating Father Binh had been the priest who had encouraged him to enter the minor seminary at Phuc-Nhac, Phat-Diem in Vietnam at the age of 12.

Readings at the Mass were delivered by Lai Thi Trinh, the jubilarian's sister-in-law, and by his brother, Pham Dinh Luc. The general intercessions were led by his sister, Pham Thi Le Dung. In addition to the bread and wine brought forth in the Offertory procession, two framed papal blessings from Pope John Paul II were carried forward to be displayed at the foot of the altar. As the choir continued its outstanding presentations, the Mass concluded with an act of consecration of the jubilarian to the Blessed Mother. This was highlighted by children of the Eucharistic Youth Movement offering 25 bouquets of flowers to Mary on behalf of Father Francis as a sign of gratitude and love.

Following the Mass, the honoree and others moved to the Honto establishment for a nine-course Vietnamese dinner. The dinner was interrupted several times for presentation of gifts to Father Francis as well as for brief remarks by Father Binh, Father Horan and Father Richard Morrow, among others. Father Morrow, pastor of Buford's Prince of Peace parish, was responsible for bringing Father Francis to the Atlanta archdiocese 15 years ago. He recounted the story for the dinner guests.

Father Morrow said that in 1975 a number of area priests were telling him of the lack of a priest or priests who understood the Vietnamese language and culture. He was chairman of the Priest Personnel Board at the time.

Around this time, Father Morrow's mother became ill. The native of Stamford, CT, went to visit her in a hospital there. One afternoon, while stopping for lunch in the cafeteria, he saw a priest sitting along in the dining area. He introduced himself to find the fellow-priest was Father Francis, who was not the regular hospital chaplain but was filling in for another.

Father Francis was studying at Fairfield University working toward a degree in high school administration, knowing he was scheduled to return to his role as principal of St. Monica High School in Saigon. However, Saigon had fallen to the Communists and Father Francis did not know what his bishop now wanted him to do.

Father Morrow explained that God has His ways in men's plans and voiced the opinion that there was a need for a Vietnamese priest in Atlanta. He suggested Father Francis come to give a mission at St. John's where Father Morrow was then pastor. Father Francis agreed.

Advising Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan of the proposed visit, Father morrow asked his superior if he'd like to meet Father Francis. The archbishop said yes. The two met and "hit it off well," according to Father morrow. Shortly thereafter, finishing his courses at Fairfield, Father Francis returned to Atlanta to stay. At that time, Father morrow notes, "there was not a single Vietnamese priest in Georgia, North and South Carolina."

Father Francis came to live at St. John's and has been there since. He traveled to places such as Greenville, Savannah, Charleston as well as Atlanta, ministering to Vietnamese who'd come to America.

Eventually he found other Vietnamese priests to come and help provide care at some of these locations. In time, too, the Vietnamese people wanted their own building for liturgical, educational and social purposes. The Forest Park Presbyterian Church became available and has become Our Lady of Vietnam Mission. Father Francis was named administrator in 1989.

Father Morrow summarized the feelings expressed during the celebration. "Father Francis is a real shepherd, he's a shepherd to all the Vietnamese, not just the Catholics. He has 230 families with approximately 1,000 persons but he also ministers to all his fellow-countrymen. The Buddhist Vietnamese who've come here come to him as well for guidance in secular or political matters. Yes, he's a real shepherd."

At the time the mission church was dedicated Sept. 3, 1989, by Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, there were 155 families registered.

At the Easter Vigil, six young women and six young catechumens (unbaptized persons) were received into the Church.

Members come from the Northside communities of Marietta, Chamblee and Norcross and a few from Gainesville. Several live near the Hapeville and Forest Park communities.

The mission church of Our Lady of Vietnam seats 250 people. A long wing contains classrooms, a large community hall, choir room and Father Francis' offices.

Twenty Eucharistic ministers serve at the Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses. Lay leaders (CCD teachers) assist with the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement through which the children of the mission grown in their faith.

Father Francis served as general chaplain of the movement in the U.S. in 1985. Nationally there are 13,000 children and 1,300 leaders in the organization.

The priest teaches a class in Vietnamese for teenagers and young adults no longer able to speak their native language.

Some, he explained, are isolated from other Vietnamese after coming here and have little chance to speak Vietnamese.

He speaks with sadness of the Church in his native land. In his home diocese in what was formerly North Vietnam, a mere five or six priests and two bishops, all over 65, minister to the Catholics. There have been no ordinations since 1954 when the Geneva agreement divided the country.

He believes the people remain faithful, although "no one knows much about" conditions there.

He was an altar boy, when "Father John" sent him to the minor seminary at 12, he recalls. He didn't know what to expect of his vocation. But the seminary years brought discernment on what his responsibilities would be, and the dedication required to be a "follower of Christ and to sacrifice myself to serve His people." The seminary started him on the path to discovering the beauty and meaning of the priesthood.

Of the 51 young boys who entered with him, only four were ordained with him in April, 1966, at the Saigon Basilica.

His parents remain in Vietnam but two brothers and a sister live near his church now. The parents won't leave, he said, although he obtained the necessary papers some years ago. Two brothers and a sister and their families are still in Vietnam. He is hopeful they will come to the U.S. some day.

For him, the U.S. has meant the "freedom to worship God and live the way He wants us to." He is happy that his congregation has found the same blessings through opportunity and hard work.

He extends an invitation to others to worship with his congregation. He believes they might find the Liturgy and singing in Vietnamese a reminder of the Latin Mass.

(Rita McInerney contributed to this article)