New archdiocesan priest celebrates Mass in Vietnam

The Mass was celebrated by Fr Kinh Nguyen at Hoi Yen Church, in the Diocese of Vinh, Nghe An last month. Archbishop Paul Martin SM and Fr Ron Bennett were there to accompany Fr Kinh on this special occasion in his hometown.

“Although I had already celebrated many Masses before returning home for the Thanksgiving Mass, I still felt quite nervous at the beginning,” said Fr Kinh.

“Celebrating Mass in front of my loved ones and the people who have known me since I was little felt somewhat surreal. They know me very well, and I know them well too, so it was a unique feeling that is quite hard to describe.

“Above all, I felt deeply loved and supported by everyone. I was especially grateful to have Archbishop Paul, Fr Ron and some of my Vietnamese brother priests who are ministering in New Zealand there to support me on that special occasion.”

Fr Kinh was ordained at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Wellington by Archbishop Martin in July 2025. He is currently assistant priest at Holy Trinity Parish in Wellington’s eastern suburbs.

In 2023, he was valedictorian of the graduating class at Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College.

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Fr Kinh Nguyen Thanksgiving Mass Vinh (Archdiocese of Wellington/Facebook)

Te Kupenga Newsletter vol 3 issue 8 (Te Kupenga CTC)