Portraits of the Shepherds of Cát Nội: The Sowers and Builders

August 5, 2025

GXCN – The faith journey of the Cát Nội parish community, from its humble beginnings as a small sub-parish to its maturation as a full-fledged parish, has been profoundly shaped and marked by the labors of its shepherds. Each priest, in his own era and with a unique mission, came to sow, cultivate, and build, allowing the spiritual garden of Cát Nội to blossom and bear the fruit we see today. This is a heartfelt tribute, a deep expression of gratitude from the community to its venerable pastors.

1. The Pioneering Shepherds: The Parish Priests of Sa Cát (1830 – 1954)

For over a century, Cát Nội was under the pastoral care of the parish priests of Sa Cát. With a large mother parish overseeing 16 sub-parishes, they established a unique pastoral method known as the two great blessings each year. Although their physical presence was infrequent, these weeks of grace during the feasts of the Annunciation and the Assumption were an invaluable source of spiritual nourishment. The priests brought the sacraments, the Word of God, and the presence of the Church to a remote community, planting the first seeds of faith and ensuring the flame of love never died.

2. The Shepherds of Preservation: The Priests of Mỹ Đức Major Seminary (1954 – 1973)

This was the most challenging period, as the community was reduced to a small remnant after the 1954 exodus. God, in His mercy, sent special shepherds from the Mỹ Đức Major Seminary, who were both fathers and teachers to the flock.

• Fr. Joseph Trần Trọng Hậu, Director (1957 – 1960): He not only cared for the spiritual life of the community but also left a meaningful physical legacy by sending a builder to construct the bell tower in 1959. For the first time, the sound of the Lord’s bell echoed across the land of Cát Nội.
• Fr. Joachim Trần Trọng Huyên (1960 – 1963): He continued the work of nurturing and strengthening the community’s faith during years of hardship.
• The future Bishop Joseph Đinh Bỉnh (1963 – 1973): In his capacity as Seminary Director, he showed special concern for Cát Nội. With his profound knowledge and gentle pastoral heart, he preserved and developed the young, vulnerable community, helping it to stand firm through its trials.

3. The Shepherds of Construction and Growth: The Parish Priests of Cát Đàm (1973 – 2025)

Upon being merged with Cát Đàm Parish, Cát Nội entered a new era of remarkable growth, marked by the contributions of successive pastors.

• Msgr. Joseph Bùi Văn Cẩm (1973 – 2003): A pastor with a long tenure of service, he was a man of great vision who initiated and laid the first stone of the dream for a beautiful new church during the Great Jubilee of 2000.
• The late Fr. Francis Xavier Ngô Văn Toan (2003 – 2005): He was the successor who completed the sub-parish’s project of the century. With wisdom and dedication, he brought the new church to its completion, bringing immense joy to the community.
• Fr. Luke Nguyễn Văn Định (2005 – 2008): After the new church was built, Fr. Luke focused on consolidating and building up the community’s life of faith and prayer.
• Fr. Joseph Lý Văn Thưởng, OP. (Parish Priest, 2008 – 2014): He enriched the liturgical life of Cát Nội by adding more Masses during the week, strengthening the faith life of the community.
• Fr. Joseph Nguyễn Viết Chinh, OP. & Fr. Vincent Phạm Văn Túy, OP. (Administrators): Fr. Joseph Chinh dedicated great effort to pastoral care, strengthening associations and breathing new life into the sub-parish. Fr. Vincent Túy’s profound legacy is the construction of the beautiful pastoral house, which was joyfully inaugurated on March 23, 2014.
• Fr. Joseph Đinh Khắc Vịnh, OP. (Parish Priest, 2014 – 2023): A gentle and humble shepherd. Under his guidance, numerous spiritual works were erected: the Divine Mercy Shrine (2021) and especially the major renovation and expansion of the sanctuary (2022), making the worship space ever more solemn and worthy.
• Fr. Joseph Phạm Đình Tám (Administrator): Under his care, the Marian Grotto was built and inaugurated on March 24, 2015, becoming a place where the community gathers for daily prayer.
• Fr. Joseph Nguyễn Cao Huấn, OP. (Parish Priest, 2023 – present): A pastor for a new era, he quickly consolidated the organizational structure of the sub-parish, promoted its associations, and trained new leaders. His greatest achievement was guiding the community to fulfill its long-held dream of officially being elevated to the rank of a Parish in June 2025.

A Word of Gratitude

Each pastor, a unique legacy. One planted, another watered, one built, another completed. All of them, whether still living or resting in the peace of the Lord, are the living stones of grace that have built the temple of Cát Nội today. The community of Cát Nội Parish will forever remember and give thanks for the immense contributions of these venerable shepherds. May God pour out abundant blessings upon our living pastors and grant the reward of His Kingdom to those who have passed away.