Dear St. Patrick family,

I am not Fr. Quan, your beloved Associate Pastor.

I am his friend though.

I am Fr. Loi Pham, your new Associate Pastor. I was born and raised in a small town in the Central North of Vietnam. I am the fifth son out of six children of Anthony Dong (deceased) and Maria Ly. My parents are very devout Catholics who attend church almost daily. Their faith and devotion had a huge impact on my upbringing and my priesthood vocation.

I am a country boy and as a country boy, I do love spending time

outdoors with God’s beautiful creatures. I am also a big fan of soccer, fishing, swimming, traveling, and listening to instrumental music.

As a child growing up in a small, mountainous town, I was drawn to the priests’ colorful vestments. However, at that time I thought the priesthood was out of my reach since priests were someone holy and extraordinary. Nevertheless, I started thinking the priesthood might be for me after a conversation with one of my older brothers when I was a junior in high school. Since then, I have been inspired by the life of loving service to God and the people of the priesthood. Serving God in others, especially the poor, with love is my motto.

In 2011 I entered St. Francis Xavier Seminary in Vinh, Vietnam, and

earned a Master of Arts in philosophy in 2015. One year later, I was asked by my bishop to come to the United States to continue my formation for the priesthood with the Archdiocese of Louisville. On May 8, 2021, I graduated from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana, with a master’s degree in theology. I was ordained as a priest by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz 

on May 29, 2021.

My first assignment was at St. James in Elizabethtown. To be honest, I was so blessed to be assigned to this wonderful parish where there are a lot of devout and faith-filled people who have helped me shape my priesthood in a very good and positive way. I am so grateful for St. James and the people of God there. Although it was difficult for me to leave St. James, I was excited to learn that I would move to St. Patrick, another great parish of Louisville. I do look forward to being one of you and serving you. Please keep this

in mind: From now on till the end of my time at St. Patrick, if not the end of my life, I am your priest. And with the help of God, I will give myself for you completely. I am here for you all the time. And I will give every last drop of my blood and tears for you. I am willing and ready to pour myself off for you. I keep you all in my daily prayers, especially in the daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

And please pray for me, daily.