Vietnamese Mass returns to Storm Lake

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
After a few years’ hiatus, the Vietnamese community in Storm Lake can again participate in a Mass celebrated in their native tongue. Father Peter Pham, a native of Vietnam, serves as parochial vicar for St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. He presided at his first Vietnamese Mass at Storm Lake St. Mary in June and will return July 28 for another Mass.

In past years, Father Peter Nguyen, parochial vicar for Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City, offered Mass in Vietnamese in Storm Lake before moving to Sioux City for his assignment at Holy Cross Parish. Father Nguyen offers a weekly Vietnamese Mass at St. Joseph Church, Cathedral Parish in Sioux City.

Having served as a seminarian in Storm Lake, Father Pham was already familiar with the local Vietnamese community. They were hopeful the new priest could come back and offer Mass in Vietnamese for them.Father Peter Pham

“They went to my diaconate ordination and priestly ordination and asked me, ‘Father Peter, can you offer one Mass a month?’” he said, noting he was just starting his ministry in Carroll as a newly-ordained priest. “I told them I could not answer you yet. After one year, it should be okay.”

The priest’s pastor, Father Patrick Behm, and Father Brent Lingle, St. Mary’s pastor, discussed the possibility and all were in agreement that Father Pham could offer a monthly Vietnamese Mass in Storm Lake.

“I think it’s a very good thing that Father Pham is able to minister to a large segment of our diocese in their native language,” Father Behm said. “It’s good for the people and it’s also good for Father Pham to be able to have a small taste of his home and culture.”

Working around his St. John Paul II Parish schedule, Father Pham was able to schedule Masses for the upcoming months.

“We decided to have one per month - the last week of the month,” he said. “I tried to avoid the week when I have three Masses on Sunday. It should not be contrary to canon law.”
Deacon Ly Tran, assigned to Asian ministry in the diocese, traveled from his home in Fort Dodge to assist Father Pham at the altar for the June Mass. He said he plans to serve once per month in both Storm Lake and Sioux City at the Vietnamese Masses.

First Mass
Nearly 30 members of the Vietnamese community attended the June 23 Mass at 3 p.m. in the Storm Lake church. Father Pham said he knew at least half of them from establishing relationships at St. Mary’s when he was a seminarian and stays in contact with the community leader. The parishioners were ready to participate in the Mass in various ministries including lector and musicians.

Vietnamese missal“We had a couple of guys play the electric organ and everyone sang together,” Father Pham said. “They get together the week before and practice.”

After the Mass, a group of 15 parishioners gathered to enjoy a dinner together along with Father Pham.

There were only a few snags with the June Vietnamese Mass – the Carroll-based priest soon found that the Vietnamese missal in Storm Lake was out of date. Also, there was not much notice given to the Storm Lake faithful before the Mass was scheduled.

“We missed three or four families because they were on vacation,” the priest said. “We communicated a little late.”

As the Vietnamese Catholic community in Storm Lake is relatively small, Father Pham said most are in contact with one another and it’s easy to share information.
“They love it – they were so excited,” Father Pham said of the Storm Lake Vietnamese community reaction to the return of a Mass in their first language.

Return to reconciliation
However, they were also anxious to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with the visiting Vietnamese priest.

“Several of them went to confession for the first time in two to four years. So, they were so excited. They couldn’t go to confession because they could not speak English. It’s hard for them. It’s one of the reasons they asked me (to come to Storm Lake) so they can go to confession monthly. Before Mass, they got in line,” Father Pham explained.

The St. Mary pastor said he was pleased that Father Pham’s efforts have resulted in his parishioners’ ability to participate in Mass in their native language.

“While our Vietnamese parishioners regularly participate in our weekend Masses, having a Mass once a month in Vietnamese gives an opportunity to worship in their native language, go to confession and celebrate their culture together. We are grateful to Father Pham for bringing this opportunity to St. Mary’s,” Father Lingle pointed out.

The Vietnamese priest said he is looking forward to gathering with the Storm Lake parishioners on a regular basis and is thankful for the collaboration that led to a second site in the diocese for Mass celebrated in the Vietnamese language.

“Thanks to our bishop for allowing us to get together as a community,” Father Pham said, adding that he is grateful to Father Behm and Father Lingle for their assistance. “I am so excited to get together with the (Vietnamese) community. I am so happy to do it.”