Kurt Meyer, left, Francis Hai Pham and Anthony Tran kneeled during their priestly ordination Mass May 24 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)
The diocese gains three new priests in Kurt Meyer, Francis Hai Pham and Anthony Tran
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Perhaps fittingly, the Diocese of Honolulu’s latest priestly ordination occurred on the eve of the weekend marking the feast of the Holy Trinity.
Fitting because Bishop Larry Silva ordained three deacons who have spent years in prayer and preparation for the momentous occasion.
Bishop Silva ordained Kurt Meyer, Francis Hai Pham and Anthony Tran on May 24 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. The men made their priestly promises in front of their families and friends, as well as faithful from across the diocese.
“Pure joy enveloped me as I nervously pondered whether this incredible moment was truly happening,” said Father Tran.
The church was packed to the brim with loved ones supporting these three men in their sacrificial commitment to the church. Some people even had to stand outside because there was no room inside the church.
“I wasn’t nervous as years of praying, discernment and preparation brought me calmness and peace,” said Father Meyer. “At one point all three of us were together in the Blessed Sacrament (chapel) spending time with our Lord. Which was a great sign.”
Father Tran said that during his reflection in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, he spent time “contemplating the years of formation and the many people who have helped me reach this point … It was a humbling experience to see so many people who took the time to attend the ordination and pray for me and my fellow newly ordained priests, Father Kurt and Father Francis.”
Father Meyer added that his ordination wasn’t just about him, but encompassed the entire Catholic Church in Hawaii and everyone who prayed for and supported him.
“People kept telling me you made it, but the truth is we made it! Without the people’s prayers and support I would not be an ordained priest,” he said.
The three deacons lay prostrate during their priestly ordination May 24 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)
In his homily, Bishop Silva made the congregation laugh as he compared the three men to the Three Musketeers, the three little pigs and the Three Stooges.
They were all examples of famous triplets, but the point that Bishop Silva was making led to the most important triune, the Holy Trinity.
“(Meyer, Pham and Tran) like us, were so immersed, marinated, baptized in the very name of God,” Bishop Silva said. “Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. That foundational sacrament was later followed by two others — confirmation in which they were sealed, marked by the Holy Spirit. And when they received their first Communion, they headed back into the Garden of Eden to eat the fruit of the tree of life so that in Jesus they would live forever.
“These three sacraments of initiation are signs of God’s trinitarian love,” said Bishop Silva.
“Now Kurt, Francis and Anthony participate in a more profound way in the three-fold sacrament in the holy orders.”
“Today, they received the sacrament of the order of the priesthood … These men with their own sins and weaknesses will now be empowered by God himself to call down the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine through the work of human hands into the son of God himself Jesus Christ in whom all things are created,” Bishop Silva said.
In a previous interview all three priests shared their desire to minister the Eucharist to others.
“Embracing the sacramental life is essential for me to embody the role of the Good Shepherd, following the example of Jesus Christ, who knows, leads and is intimately connected with his flock,” said Father Tran.
Father Manny Hewe, left, Father E.J. Resinto and Father Mark Gantley laid their hands on the newly ordained as priests from across the diocese bestowed their blessings. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)
The new priests each celebrated his first Mass over the Holy Trinity weekend.
Father Meyer presided at St. Philomena Church in Honolulu on May 25.
“As for the first-Mass jitters, it didn’t exist as I knew the Holy Spirit, the concelebrants and Deacon Kin Shing would make sure I stayed on track,” he said. “And looking out and seeing all these people reminded me that being a priest is a privilege and a responsibility that I cannot take lightly.”
Father Tran celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach on May 26.
“In the week leading up to the ordination, I had the privilege of hosting many people — priests, religious sisters, friends, family members and parishioners — who have all played integral roles in my discernment toward the priesthood,” he said. “Their desire to encounter God, especially through their support for the priestly vocation, deeply humbled me.
“Celebrating my first Mass and seeing the diverse congregation before me felt like a glimpse of heaven on earth, as we came together to worship God in the Eucharist.”
Father Pham celebrated his first Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu on May 26.
Father Pham, who is from Vietnam, also wished he could celebrate Mass at home where his faith journey began.
“For this great grace, I thank the Mother Church through my home parish in Vietnam. It was in that beloved land that I first cried out at birth, where the neighbors cradled and nurtured me, and where I breathed in the moral atmosphere of the community,” he said. “It was there that I was welcomed and nurtured in faith, imbued with moral spirit and love, so that even now, while physically elsewhere, I still yearn and hold dear with pride and affection.”
Due to immigration issues, Father Pham is not able to return to his home country soon. He said he has some help to get his immigration paperwork fixed, but it might take longer than he would like.
“Please pray for this issue so that I can focus more on my ministry without being distracted by this matter,” he said.
Though this has been a setback, Father Pham is filled with gratitude for being called to the priesthood.
“Truly, I didn’t have much feeling leading up to the ordination in the days prior due to immigration paperwork reasons, but the gratitude in my heart was perhaps most clearly expressed during my ordination Mass,” said Father Pham. “As soon as I was laying down to pray the litany of saints, I offered thanks to God for allowing me to exist and grow within the bosom of Mother Church with countless graces.
“Today, he has called and chosen me, consecrating me to become a priest so that I may labor in his vineyard despite my imperfect and weak nature, which has no merit.”
The newly ordained priests joined Bishop Larry Silva for the Eucharistic prayer. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)
