Words of thanks from Deacon Luke Tran, who will be ordained a priest for the diocese of Saskatoon Oct. 18

File photo of Deacon Luke Tran Van Tam at his ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons, on the path to priesthood. He will be ordained a priest for the diocese Oct. 18, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

With praise and thanksgiving to God, the diocese of Saskatoon will gather at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18,  for the priestly ordination of Luke Tran Van Tam to the priesthood.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen will ordain Deacon Luke Tran in a celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon. Everyone is welcome!

A message of thanksgiving from Deacon Luke Tran as he prepares for priestly ordination:

Dear Beloved People of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon,

With a heart full of gratitude and awe, I write to you as I prepare for my Ordination to the Priesthood on October 18th. It has been a profound blessing to journey alongside you, and I am overwhelmed by the grace God has poured out upon me through the generosity of His faithful people here in the Diocese of Saskatoon.

Seven years ago, I arrived in Saskatoon as a stranger—with no family, no friends, and no one to turn to. Yet, through God’s providence, I was never truly alone. You, the people of this Diocese, welcomed me as part of your family. You embraced me with the love of Christ, and in doing so, I became not only a son of this Diocese but also a brother to each one of you. I have seen God’s love reflected in your support, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As I approach this sacred day of Ordination, I realize that this moment is not about me alone. It is a manifestation of God’s love, made visible through the unity and support of His Church. I give thanks to our merciful Father for calling me to serve Him, but I also extend my deepest thanks to all of you. Your prayers, your encouragement, and your contributions to the Diocese have been a testament to your response to God’s invitation of love.

May our loving Father continue to bless you and your families abundantly. May His grace surround you, and may you always experience His peace in your hearts. Together, let us continue to serve Him in faith, hope, and love, trusting in His endless mercy.

With prayers of gratitude and love, Yours in Christ,

Deacon Luke Tran Van Tam

Ordination to the transitional diaconate April 19, 2024 at St. Mary Parish, Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

Luke Tran Van Tam was born April 30, 1987 in Việt Nam and came to Canada on July 19, 2017 in order to discern the vocation of priesthood for the diocese of Saskatoon. He was accepted as a diocesan seminarian of Saskatoon in July 2018, and has been studying at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, B.C. until his pastoral year at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon, which began in the summer of 2023. He was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Mark Hagemoen in a joyful celebration April 19, 2024 at St. Mary Parish in Saskatoon.

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CALL FOR CHOIR MEMBERS: Singers from across the diocese are welcome to join in the choir for the Ordination Mass, with rehearsal to be held at 5:00 p.m. on ordination day, Oct. 18. For further details and/or to RSVP, e-mail the Diocesan Choir Director at:  shaun.bzdel@gmail.com.

The Ordination Mass will also be live-streamed that day on the diocesan YouTube Channel at: https://youtube.com/live/c0UFhHAFNEE  as well as on the Catholic Saskatoon Mass website: saskatoonmass.com

Seminarian Luke Tran Van Tam ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons (ARTICLE)

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Vocations and the Education of Priests and Future Priests is one of the many ministries supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Find Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s letter about the 2024 Bishop’s Annual Appeal “On the Pilgrimage of Hope,” as well as the BAA video at: dscf.ca/baa or for more information contact the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation at admin@dscf.ca or (306) 659-5851.