A new era begins for Holy Family Parish, Emerton, with the installation of Fr Cao Nguyen SJ as its new parish priest.
Fr Cao was installed by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, on Sunday 4 August 2024.
“Fr Cao is our new spiritual leader here to continue the legacy of our forebears. Not just Fr Greg Jacobs, who was the immediate predecessor, but all others before him. People whose sacrifice and generosity have made this community possible,” Bishop Vincent said during Mass.
Fr Cao Nguyen SJ (left) is seen as Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, speaks during the installation Mass of Fr Cao Nguyen SJ as Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Emerton, in August 2024. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
In his homily, Bishop Vincent mentioned the history that he and Fr Cao shared.
“Do you know that Fr Cao and I were in the seminary together in Vietnam?” he asked the parishioners.
“We were the last class before the seminary was disbanded by the incoming communist government. So, I think we were one of three out of 60 candidates in that last year in 1975, which was the year of the communist takeover of the council.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, speaks during the installation Mass of Fr Cao Nguyen SJ as Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Emerton, in August 2024. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“God does work in mysterious ways.
“I trust that together with you, Fr Cao will lead a community that models Jesus’ outreach to everyone, especially the poor, the needy and those at the margins.”
Fr Cao mentions the work and different groups of people he has worked with in the past
Sitting down with Fr Cao, he shared the journey of his background and the different experiences he has had leading up to becoming the new parish priest.
“Originally, when I first came to Australia from a refugee camp, I was in Adelaide. I joined the Jesuits and worked with refugees and migrant workers. I then went to Myanmar and worked there for five years before I was called back to Australia to be the spiritual director for the seminaries. For the last six years, I worked as a spiritual director at the seminary in Melbourne before I was asked by my provincial to come here (Holy Family Emerton),” Fr Cao explained.
“It was interesting. I think somehow God planned for me to be with the people. Coming here, like Bishop Vincent says, the marginalised and the poor around, with 99% being migrants.
Members of the faithful are seen during the installation Mass of Fr Cao Nguyen SJ as Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Emerton, in August 2024. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“The one thing is because they are poor, they know what they need, they know the need for God. So they come and bring their own culture, very different cultures into the parish life here.”
Asking Fr Cao what his hopes for the parish were, he said, “For the parish, it’s getting closer to God, understand Jesus more, knowing who Jesus is, and developing a deeper relationship with Him particularly.
“By bringing God, because God is love, into the community, into their family life, hopefully, they will start to explore further how to pray, how to live the life of the follower of Jesus.”
Parishioners come together to celebrate Father Cao’s Installation
After Mass, the parish held a lunch filled with different types of foods including a suckling pig and a special cake for Fr Cao to cut.
Fr Cao Nguyen SJ celebrates following his installation Mass as Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Emerton, in August 2024. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Parishioners shared their thoughts about the Mass and the incoming parish priest.
“It was a beautiful and inspiring service,” said parishioner Donna Mullins who has been part of the Parish since 1980.
Parishioner Lavinia Tupou said, “Fr Cao has come in with good and new ideas. Some things that we never used to do so it’s good. I think it will be a real benefit to the communities that come to Holy Family, Emerton.”
Katie Tukala added, “we are very proud of how everything went today and we are very proud to have Fr Cao as our new parish priest. It will make help us work together as a community.”
View images from Fr Cao Nguyen’s installation here or below:
Beckie Lee is a freelance journalist and contributor to Catholic Outlook.
