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My name is Rev. Peter G. Vu, and I have served as a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan for 20 years. I was born in Saigon City (currently Ho Chi Minh City), Viet Nam. I was a young boy when the Viet Nam War ended. I witnessed the war and the end of it with great horror and deep appreciation for peace. I grew up with the Communist government system and endured significant hardships for more than a decade. What helped me and many of my countrymen tremendously during those dark days was our faith and prayers. Hence, my love for Prayers and Meditations blossomed. Also, I was able to learn and exchange new ideas for Prayers and Mediations with many of my Buddhist friends. We got along quite well despite our different faith traditions. After high school, I escaped by boat and came to the United States of America to begin my seminary training. I attended one year of high school here in the USA (Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan) to learn the language and new culture. I attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan for two years while staying at Christopher House Seminary. Then, the Seminary sent me to attend my last two years of college at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. I graduated with a double major: Mathematics and Philosophy. I then attended graduate school at the University of St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, Illinois for five years. I graduated and was ordained with the Master's Degree of Divinity (MDiv) and the Sacred Theology Baccalaureate (STB).
I have been ministering to people of God at six different churches over the last 20 years. Most of these churches have schools. I have worked extensively with children, especially at school Masses. Hence, I have led them in prayer and seen their desperate need for it. I was also trained in Clinical Pastoral Care in the hospital and nursing home setting and practiced at a General Hospital in Oxnard, California. I have been a Chaplain at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans for almost ten years. I love and enjoy my pastoral care work. Taking care of the sick, the dying, the broken, the lost, and our veterans is something I cherish and look forward to each day. My tools and supplies for this type of work are God's love and prayers. Without God's love and faith, our world would turn dark and become hopeless. I appreciate the following people who have helped me survive and grow in life:
¿ My loving and faithful God and God's Son, Jesus, who has always been by my side to protect, support, support, comfort, and show me the way.
¿ My family and ancestors: Great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts who have never wavered in their support and have continued to protect and cheer for me beyond this life.
¿ My friends and benefactors: These kind and generous people are like my guardian angels, who God has sent to me throughout my life. They give me a helping hand in times of need.
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