Sunday was a BIG DAY for Vietnamese Martyrs parish in Tukwilla, Washington. After years of planning, fundraising and construction, we dedicated their new church on the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, which was also the actual Feast Day of the Vietnamese Martyrs.
Congratulations to Fr. Thanh Dao and all the parishioners!
Below you will also find a few select photos from the celebration which highlight a few of the more significant moments, such as the Pastor receiving the keys to the church from the contractor, anointing of the altar and walls, and placing relics inside the altar. One photo shows me placing a wax seal on the relics prior to the beginning of Mass.
For those who wish the homily is also below.
Dedication of Vietnamese Martyrs Church, Tukwilla
November 24, 2024
As we gather for this Dedication of a New Church, the universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. Providentially, it is also the actual Feast of the Vietnamese Martyrs. To a large extent, we celebrate all three occasions in this one moment.
The Vietnamese Martyrs hold significant importance to Vietnamese Catholics as symbols of faith, perseverance, and unity in the face of persecution. These martyrs, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988, consist of 117 individuals (96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish Dominicans, and 10 French missionaries) who were executed for their Christian faith between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Faith Under Persecution
The martyrs represent the resilience of the Catholic faith in Vietnam despite intense persecution by various regimes. Their sacrifices illustrate the unwavering commitment to Christ and the Church.
Cultural and Religious Identity
The martyrs embody a synthesis of the Vietnamese cultural identity and our Christian faith. The martyrs are revered as role models who demonstrate how to live out Catholic values within Vietnamese culture. They also serve as a reminder of the sacrifices required to maintain our beliefs in our present day society.
Community and Solidarity
Honoring the Vietnamese Martyrs fosters unity especially among Vietnamese Catholics while serving as inspiration to all Catholics in the world today.
Venerating these martyr saints and intercessors is a source of guidance, protection, and strength in their own struggles. Most especially the example of the Vietnamese Martyrs inspires contemporary Catholics to continue evangelizing and living their faith boldly, despite challenges. Their stories serve as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of faith in adversity.
Primarily, the Martyrs and saints point us to Christ the King, our source of life and salvation.
This is the primary reason we have church buildings, sacred spaces in which to gather to celebrate our life in Christ. This is why we gather to consecrate this sacred space today.
Here, the holy, faithful people of God gather to worship God.
Here, the Word of God is proclaimed.
Here, the Sacraments are celebrated, the primary means by which Christ shares his Divine life with us.
Each of these realities are expressed in our readings today. In the Prophet Nehemiah we see the importance of God’s Word. “The people listened attentively to the book of the law.” God’s Word is proclaimed so that it may be heard and lived. Our Psalm today gives us a simple truth: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. As St. Paul says: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another.” (Colossians 3:16) The Gospel values are the building blocks that make us into the dwelling place of God.
As we live our lives in Christ, as we learn to live by the values of the Gospel, we truly understand what the Prophet Nehemiah tells us: “rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!”
In our western world and culture today, many people are feeling more and more isolated and lonely. There is a mental health crisis impacting the quality of life of many people today. All of this is telling us that the worldly values of our day do not lead to happiness and wellbeing.
St. Paul in our second reading today from the Letter to the Ephesians reminds us that we are no longer strangers and sojourners, but rather fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God. Our truest identity is found in Christ. Every human life is from God, and our redeemed life is from Jesus Christ. Our self-fulfillment is found not in greed and selfishness, but rather in living life generously in service of others.
In the life-giving waters of Baptism, the Risen Christ shares his Divine Life with us. At the same time, the Lord gives us the responsibility of carrying out his mission in the world today. Through the Eucharist and all the other Sacraments, we are conformed more fully to Christ and strengthened to live our faith – to shed the Light of Christ into the darkness of our world. Strengthened in the sacraments, we carry Christ to others and lead others to Christ. This is our mission. This is the reason we have sacred spaces such as this new church building, to gather and grow in the life of Christ.
At the beginning of our celebration today, I was given the keys to this church. In the Gospel today, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and builds upon Peter’s faith the Church which will prevail for all time. Peter gained this great privilege because of his faith that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
My dear friends and parishioners of Vietnamese Martyrs, congratulations on building this beautiful church. I wish to thank all of you for such a beautiful expression of faith and dedication. I wish to congratulation most especially your pastor, Fr. Thanh Dao!
May the beauty of this church be only a glimmer of the beauty of the faith it inspires in each of you.
Our Lady of La Vang, Pray for us!
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