I was born in San Francisco when my parents were on vacation! My family is from the East, and I lived in New England, the East Coast, and in the South. My ministry experience was primarily Campus Ministry --- on various levels and educational settings before I requested parochial experience. Prior to St. Angela’s, my parish assignments included: Saint Joaquin in Costa Mesa, Saint Anne in Santa Ana, and Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente.

(Fr. Michael-Dwight's Page Coming Soon!)

I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Orange in 2005 and had served four years as a Parochial Vicar at St. Hedwig in Los Alamitos. As of July 1st, I will begin my ministry at St. Angela Merici. I was born in Vietnam and immigrated with my parents to this country when I was ten-years-old. The three of us arrived in California in November of 1986 after spending eleven months in two different refugee camps in Indonesia. I entered St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo in 1994. After graduating in 1999, I took one year off before starting theology, during which time I worked as a teacher. I am thankful that God called me to the priesthood. It gives me great joy to have a positive impact on the faith lives of the people. I have been blessed with the Good News of the Gospel, which I love to share in my ministry.

Since my ordination as a deacon on April 30, 2005 and assignment to St. Angela Merici, our home parish since 1996, my wife Candi and I have been active primarily in sacramental programs, faith formation and liturgy.  Currently, I am facilitating the basic certification program at our parish for Deanery 2 catechists, working with RCIA and conducting lector training.   I plan to work with our men’s ministry and adult faith formation in the months and years to come.  In addition to my parish involvement, I also am the diocesan director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a master of ceremony for diocesan liturgical ceremonies and a stational deacon assigned to work with the bishops.  Candi and I have been married for more than 40 years, have four children and seven grandchildren.

Thank you for your continued support of my vocation.  Please keep me in thought and prayer as I work to serve you and your needs.

My ordination on April 30th, 2005 has become the most honorable moment of my life.

I was born in a small village in central Mexico. I come from a family of 11 and I am one the middle children. When we were young, my father left us behind to find a better life for all of us and, as so many of our fathers did, he came to America. Life was very difficult for us not having our father around, but thanks to God, he us grandparents that thave been my motivation for my religious beliefs.

I remember one day in the pasture my grandfather and I were caring for the cows and he spoke to me about leaving my belove Mexico to come to America with my father. I felt like a dream of mine was beginning to come true. He said I was leaving and going to a big city for a while and would forget about him. He told me to just remember that when I was ready he'd be waiting. Sure enough, everything he told me happened: I left, forgot aobut him and, before I knew it, he was gone.

Like many others, I consider myself the prodigal son in our family. At the age of 15 i got inlvolved with the wron crowd. I was led astray from my God and all that my grandparents had sowed into my heart had been lost. I began to live a fast life for many years. At the age of 35, however, God sent a great couple that had invited my wife Lydia and I to attend a Cursillo. I didn't know it then, but God was calling me to come back to the roots that my grandparents had sown in my heart. Naturally, after much inner turmoil, I accepted the invitation. This was the beginning for me. God had started to change my life during the four days at the Cursillo. He had set my heart on fire for him and I began my never-ending journey to draw myself closer to him.

I started to help at our church and became more active. Years later I served God as they liturgy coordinator at St. Angela Merici Church. After many years of serving at the church I was invited to apply for the diaconate. I know that God had brought me back to him for a special reason, so I applied and was accepted.

I am married to a wonderful woman Lydia. We have 7 children and 21 grandchildren. She hasn't been very involved with church ministry the last 2 years, since she has been babysitting our 2 youngest grandchildren. However she is always supportive of all I do with my ministry.

I would like to thank God, my family and my parish for their support and constant prayers. It is an honor to seve God my parish and my community.

I was born in a very picturesque town in the state of Jalisco, Mexico and came with my family to the United States when I was 11 yrs. old. Graduated from Hemet High School,and later on, received my AA degree. Three years after I graduated from high school,I was inducted into the military during the Vietnam War, stationed in Korea and served our country fol a total of two years. Upon my return from Korea, a few days later my sister introduced me to a beautiful señorita, Alicia, who later became my wife.

We have been blessed with two wonderful kids, Veronica and Louie. Veronica is now marred to our son-in-law, Joel, and has extended their family with two beautiful children, Joel and Gianina. Our son Louie is planning to wed later this year in Hawaii to a beautiful girl named Regina. Incidentally, they will wed the same week Alicia and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.

I was ordained a deacons six years ago along with my classmated Jim and Ben, who are currently serving our parish. I was assigned to St. Boniface in Anaheim and served there for those six years and now returning to my home parish.

I feel very blessed to be a servant of God and to be serving my own community. I ask for your prayers to continue serving Him with humility, dignity and love. God bless you and hope to meet you soon. Hasta pronto.