“Oh taanks,” says Father Tri – a common way that he signs his email responses. Beneath this spirit of humble, joyful simplicity lies a life of service that can be described as anything but “common.” You’ll find here someone who is deeply rooted in his vocation – having just celebrated 10 years as a Jesuit priest – and is continually convicted of His love for God, and God’s unconditional love for him. Meeting Father Tri may seem like meeting anyone else at first though – he is fun-loving, likes to poke fun, and just finds joy everywhere. There is no sense of intimidation or being “too holy” as society may view religious figures today. Father Tri seems to “get” people right away – in his draw to connect and build relationships, he is able to bring larger ideas around faith and religion to a much more personal level.
It is from this foundation that his gifts truly shine light to others, as they journey to discover their own sense of light and calling in life. Elena Mireles, a young adult who, as a student, formerly worked with Father Tri in campus ministry at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, describes her service with him as a time filled with life and grace
Fr. Tri’s first assignment after his ordination in the summer of 2000 was Loyola Marymount University where he worked in Campus Ministry as director of the CLC program. Upon his arrival, only ten groups existed. Within three years, his “Cura Personalis- care of the whole person” approach to formation and ministry quickly grew the program to fifty groups. This dynamic growth sparked the attention of other universities and young adult communities and in turn spurred the initiation of the Cura Personalis conference in 2004. In its initial phases, the conference helped empower several Jesuit universities to begin their own CLC programs that continue on today. This accomplishment serves to be a noteworthy grace in the history of CLC and the implications it has held for continued attention to young adult formation. Fr. Tri formally left LMU in 2007, however, he continually affirms the significant ways in which his ministry there has been formational for him in his early years of priesthood and beyond.
Among the Vietnamese Catholic community, Father Tri served as the Vice-Ecclesial Assistant within Dong Hanh, a part of the international Christian Life Community organization. Dong Hanh’s ministry is to help each person discover and live out his or her personal vocation. Father Tri embodies this vision in every aspect of his life and service. While this community serves all age ranges, his gifts have shown particularly life-giving to young adults. Through retreats, talks, gatherings, social outings, informal conversations, and more, he is able to meet them at their level. Furthermore, as a Vietnamese-born yet much Americanized priest, he effectively grasps the cultural struggles they (and also their parents) face living in the United States – the so-called “generation gap.” Yet, he remains deeply rooted in the Vietnamese culture and shows a deep respect for his heritage – which in turn draws others to do the same.
Father Tri also understands the intricate complexities that young adults face in today’s society – the influences that pull at, around, and within them – and through the lens of faith, is able to sort through and bring clarity to otherwise confusing situations. Being a young adult myself, God through Father Tri has helped me tremendously as I continue to seek and live out my own personal calling in life. I have known him since I was about 10, but did not truly get to know him until recent years through retreats, young adult ministry projects, and general gatherings. These recent years I have been asking the big question, “What’s my purpose in life? What does God have planned for me?” His simple yet very significant statements continue to remain in me during my journey. For instance, as I was teetering at exploring different paths in life, he asked, “Do you know what comes after deep fear?” His response – “Deep peace.” That was all I needed to hear to know what I needed to do next. He knows that deep down, there is much confusion, fear, doubt, frustration, concern, yet always encourages and challenges others to live to their full potential – never with pressure, condescension, or guilt. Rather, he is always concerned about how he can help others to grow.
Father Tri has often stated that when we take a step further in discovering and living out our personal vocations, we encourage and help others to do the same. His next position will involve young adults throughout the Western and Northwest regions of the U.S., as Regional Ecclesial Assistant for CLC. This next step will continue to deepen his journey and affect even more people along the way. Many, if not all who have had the opportunity to walk with him can probably attest to how God – through Father Tri - has profoundly influenced their lives. Through mediums such as his blog, “Glimpses of Grace” (www.tdinhsj.com), we are also able to experience and share in his journey – to connect with him as well. As we glimpse into the person who is Father Tri Dinh, S.J., we find God working throughout every aspect of his life, because of his openness in responding to God’s call. May we be inspired to do the same in our own lives and, journeying together, more fully experience God’s dream for each of us.
Nhi
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