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My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Five months ago, when I was finishing a Master’s Program in Pastoral Ministry at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, in a conversation with Father Joseph Phung, a Vietnamese priest who serves as the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison, I learned that he has to take care of two big churches without any parochial vicars. I thought maybe someday I could give him a hand if God wanted. After praying and discerning, I talked to him about my thoughts. Without any hesitation, he contacted Bishop Zinkula and my Bishop, and let God lead me wherever He wants me to go. Amazingly! Five months later, now I am here… in this beautiful church of Saints Mary and Mathias as your new parochial vicar.
My name is Fr. Khoa Anh Le. I was born in a family with seven children, four girls and three boys, living in a rural village near the City of Hue, in the central part of Vietnam. Three of my uncles and one of my older brothers are priests, and they often encouraged me to think about the call to the priesthood. After finishing college, I decided to join the diocesan seminary for eight and a half years. In 2015, I was ordained a priest and sent to serve as a parochial vicar in a parish. Ten months later, the archbishop sent me to study in the US.
I spent two years studying English first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then in Houston, Texas. For the past three years I have been in New Jersey pursuing a master’s degree. I just finished my program this past May.
I believe that God has had a wonderful plan for me, and because of your prayers, God sent me here to serve you and to learn from you as well. I am so excited to be here and to work with you for the Kingdom of God. I know my human limitations, so please help and pray for me in my priestly ministry.
Fr. Khoa Le
Parochial Vicar
