Parish: St. Michael of Forest

Spouse: Diem Thuy Nguyen

Favorite Scripture passage: Matthew 6:33 – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Favorite saint: My favorite saints are St. John the Apostle and St. Theresa, the Little Flower of Jesus. I love St. John for he is truly a friend of Jesus; and I like St. Theresa for she discovered the simple and easy way to holiness.

Favorite religious image: Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Did you come across something you learned in your formation that you did not expect?
Knowing that the “harvest is plenty, but laborers are few.” I want to contribute whatever I can to ease the burden of my pastor.

What are you most looking forward to doing?
I am most looking forward to creating a lively atmosphere at church, so the liturgical service would be more enjoyable for all who come to worship.

Deacon’s wives questions:

Name: Diem Thuy Nguyen

What did you think when your husband first began to consider ordination?

Truthfully, I was hesitant and afraid when my husband considered ordination. My fear stemmed from the change and responsibility that this will bring to my life. My husband and I are usually busy with managing our business, raising our children and helping the community. With the added duty and responsibility, I didn’t know if we would handle it.

How has the preparation deepened your spirituality?

The preparation for my husband’s ordination has deepened my spirituality. In the last question, I talked about fear. I overcame this fear by praying, using the rosary and reciting the Divine Mercy. This gave me the peace that I needed to support my husband in this journey. I chose to have faith instead of fear.

How has the preparation impacted your relationship as a couple and as a family?

The preparation positively impacted our relationship as a couple and as a family. My husband and I had many discussions throughout this journey. We prayed for guidance to ensure that this is the right path for us. Through figuring everything out, we grew deeper in love with each other and our love for God. My husband becoming a deacon will allow us to serve our community better and to be a guiding light towards God’s love.

Favorite Scripture passage: 1 Corinthians 15:10 — “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all — yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

I struggled with defining who I am. This passage helped me to understand that I am a daughter of God. This means that I am a strong and loving woman who can do everything with my loving father by my side.

Favorite saints:

My favorite male saint is St. Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis was born into a life of wealth and luxury. However, he gave up this life to walk with Jesus. He is an inspiration to me. I always pray to him to have the courage and strength to do what is asked of me even if it is difficult.

My favorite female saint is St. Theresa of Lisieux. Saint Theresa is also known as the “little rose.” She showed me that we are able to perform important and meaningful work through our daily routine. An act is never too small for God to notice.

Favorite religious image: My favorite religious image would be Divine Mercy. This image creates a version of what I pictured when I prayed. I always picture God as a loving and protective father and this is what Divine Mercy portrays.

Favorite liturgy: My favorite liturgy of the year would be Advent. Advent season is my favorite because it is a time of reflection and gratitude in anticipation of the birth of Christ. I take this time to appreciate the blessing that God has given me throughout my life. This is also the time where my whole family get together and make memories.