Bishop Larry Silva gave the homily during Father Khanh Pham-Nguyen’s funeral Mass Aug. 16 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Honolulu. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)
By Jenny Duhaylonsod Delos Santos
Special to the Herald
The faith formation program, the Olakino food distribution program, the Catholic Care Bag Project, the acquisition of the 771 Amana St. property, and outreach to the homeless are part of Father Khanh Kim “Alphonsus” Pham-Nguyen’s legacy over more than a decade at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Honolulu, near Ala Moana Center.
“We have a very strong faith formation program,” said Yvonne Toma, a retired executive secretary and administrative assistant and former faith formation coordinator. “It was our religious education program, and it was changed to faith formation program.”
The program serves kindergarten through adults. Father Pham-Nguyen believed faith formation was important and wanted families involved.
“He always wanted to make sure we took care of the poor, the lowly, the homeless, and he had such love for both the kupuna and the children,” said both Toma and Anna Flores, a former Pastoral Council member, catechist and current liturgical coordinator. “He really showed his love for both.”
Caring for others
In 2000, during the pandemic, Father Pham-Nguyen embodied charity in numerous ways. He launched the Olakino food distribution program, serving hundreds of families every month, and also founded the Catholic Care Project for kupuna and the homebound.
That year, he also became a member of the Knights of Columbus.
“Forty-pound bags of food were prepared,” said Vincent “Vinnie” Lopez, a parishioner and member of the Knights of Columbus. “He’d drive around the community in his church van and personally deliver those heavy bags!”
Father Pham-Nguyen cared greatly for people struggling with homelessness. He told the hospitality ministers that they “do not” escort any homeless individuals out of the church.
His message, Flores recalled, was that “(the homeless) have every right to be there worshipping alongside all of us.”
“Instead, stand by them to provide support, compassion, as well as security for others.”
Jonahlyn Sabado, current parish secretary, shared in an email interview: “I remember one time a passerby needed oil or gas for his car, and Father went out and got it for him. The passerby was very grateful and appreciative that Father took the time to help him.”
Grace Porras, main sacristan, also felt close to Father Pham-Nguyen: “I was one of the Hawaii (Healthcare) Heroes in 2015, and he gave me flowers. He was so proud of me.”
A graduate of the confirmation class last year, Jasmine Wong, recalled her last conversation with Father Pham-Nguyen during the church’s feast day: “He looked so happy and vibrant!”
Another significant accomplishment was the acquisition of the 771 Amana St. property. With God’s blessing, the remaining debt was later paid off by a generous donor.
“A major undertaking — it will forever be his lasting legacy,” Lopez said.
On July 1, Father Pham-Nguyen left the islands to embark on a 150-mile pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago — walking alone for 10 days, eight hours a day, through Portugal and Spain.
“I know he crossed the border into Spain, and I got an email during his pilgrimage,” Sabado recalled. “He said he kept our church and everyone in his prayers.”
After the pilgrimage, Father Pham-Nguyen went to see his family in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
After picking him up from the airport, “we noticed his skin was yellow, and we thought something was wrong, but he said he might have food poisoning,” said Huy Nguyen, Father Pham-Nguyen’s nephew.
“We told him to get checked, and he agreed. They did blood work, and two days later he was told to go to the hospital immediately.”
Father Pham-Nguyen underwent surgery and was hospitalized for a week.
“He actually waited for his older brother, Sy Nguyen, from Houston, Texas, to arrive,” Nguyen said. “After Sy and Sy’s wife came in on Friday afternoon, they spoke to Father Khanh, and he immediately went into a coma.”
Father Pham-Nguyen died peacefully on July 27 at 11:17 a.m., surrounded by his family.
“It brings us a lot of comfort knowing Father Khanh is at peace,” Nguyen said. “We are so proud of the legacy he has left behind.”
A poignant final request
Father Pham-Nguyen had a favorite poem he kept in his prayer book, and he asked Flores’ friend to read it at a parishioner’s memorial blessing earlier this year. Afterward, Father Pham-Nguyen lightheartedly asked Flores to read it at his funeral someday.
Before his funeral Mass on Aug. 16, with over 500 people in attendance at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Flores honored Father Pham-Nguyen’s last request.
“The Lives of Those I Touched”
Please don’t say I gave up, just say I gave in.
Don’t say I lost the battle, for it was God’s war to lose or win.
Please don’t say how good I was, but that I did my best.
Just say I tried to do what’s right,
to give the most I could, not to do any less.
Please don’t give me wings or halos, that’s for God to do.
I want no more than I deserve, no extras, just my due.
Please don’t give flowers or talk in harsh tones.
Don’t be concerned about me now,
I’m well with God, I’ve made it home.
Don’t talk about what could have been, it’s over and it’s done.
Just see to all my family’s needs, the battle has been won.
Don’t just remember good times, but also the challenging ones,
For life is full of many things, some happy and some sad.
But if you must do something, then I have one last request:
Please forgive me for my transgressions and shortcomings.
But always thank God for my soul’s resting.
Thank God for I’ve been blessed,
Thank God for all who loved and cared for me,
Praise God who loved me best!