By Theresa Nguyen
I trust in your faithfulness.” Shortly before the pandemic began, I started praying with the psalms and came across this verse from Psalm 13. (In the NABRE translation, the verse is “But I trust in your mercy”; my personal Bible’s translation is NAB.) This verse – I trust in your faithfulness – became a mantra of mine in prayer as I contemplated the transitions occurring at Newman and in my personal life. My faithfulness to God is trying at best, but God’s faithfulness to us is perfect. It’s something we can rely on. I trust in God’s faithfulness to see us through this pandemic. I trust in God’s faithfulness that Newman will continue to bear fruits in the midst of transition. And I trust in God’s faithfulness in my own life as I leave the staff and this community for the next stage in my life.
On August 1, I will be getting married and subsequently moving to Nashville. My future husband, Isaac, is a FOCUS missionary there at Belmont University. I don’t know yet what my career will look like in Nashville, but I trust that God is preparing me to be at the place where He wants me to be.
When I first came to Newman, Campus Ministry said that Newman would be my “home away from home.” I didn’t believe it then. But I can, without a doubt, now say that Newman is my home. It is the place where I met my future husband (in the Disciples Room), where my friends and I spent countless nights studying and praying rosaries, where I came after finding out my aunt had died, and where I will be married.
This community has showed me what it means to be part of an active parish. I can list new ministries and programs that I have helped begin here – young adults, Acts 2:42, New Parishioner Welcome Team, the mission trip to Texas, – but they were only possible because of the vibrancy of this parish and the desire for it. My favorite part of this job has always been interacting with parishioners. I have truly enjoyed going to hospitality meetings and parish picnics and meeting joy-filled people. No words can fully express my gratitude for the patience you have shown me over the years as I learned and experimented new things, particularly with technology and livestreaming Masses. Thank you for trusting me to cook dinner for you at Acts 2:42, to teach your kindergartners in CEP, and to keep you connected during the pandemic.
Psalm 13 ends with these verses:
I trust in your faithfulness.
Grant my heart joy in your help,
That I may sing of the Lord,
“How good our God has been to me!”
There is some fear of leaving the place I’ve known for the past seven years and moving to a new city, but I can truly say “How good our God has been to me!” for keeping me here three years ago. It has been an abundance of blessings to be able to serve you in this community. I leave with joy and gratitude, and I look forward to seeing you all again someday.