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Four Jesuit priests ordained June 12, 2004, at Blessed Sacrament Church

Date Posted:  June 13, 2004

Fr. Lan Ngo, 34, from Dalat, Vietnam, the tenth of eleven children, has a bachelor’s degree in biology from University of California San Diego and taught geometry and theology at Brophy College Prep in Phoenix. He also worked with a Vietnamese Youth Group in the Bronx, directed retreats for inmates at a women’s prison in Dublin, and had an internship directing eight day retreats at El Retiro Retreat House in Los Gatos, Calif. After ordination, he will start graduate work in Asian studies with a special interest in Vietnamese Church history.

 Fr. Tan Robert Pham, 36, from Saigon, Vietnam, has degrees in mechanical engineering and speech communication from California State University Fresno. He spent two years teaching theology and working on the yearbook, in campus ministry, and on Kairos retreats at Jesuit High in Sacramento. He also worked with the L’Arche Community in Seattle, at a hospital, and at St. John of God Retirement Center in California. After ordination, he would like to work in a parish or campus ministry. His hobby is taking black and white photos, especially landscapes and portraits.

 Fr. Dennis Recio, 33, from Manila, Philippines, has degrees in English and psychology from University of  California Santa Cruz and taught English at St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco and Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles. In Chicago, he served at Genesis House, a rehab facility for prostitutes. He has also done retreat work and served in convalescent homes and at the Jesuit Urban Center in Boston. After ordination, he plans further studies in literature.

 Fr. Manh Tran, 37, from Saigon, Vietnam, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. John’s Seminary College in Los Angeles. He has worked with abused women and children,  and worked with the mentally handicapped at a L’Arche community. He also taught religion and music at Brophy College Prep in Phoenix, and worked on staff at St. Sabina Parish in Chicago. He hopes to do family and spiritual ministry in the future.