Father Hoang (Peter) Xuan Nghiem entered eternal life on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Father Nghiem was born in Quang Bihm, Vietnam on Oct. 3, 1943, the son of Paul Hoang-Duong and Martha Hoang-Thi-Lien.
Father Nghiem attended Chanc-Phuoc-Tu, Pioxu and Saint Sulpice in Hue seminaries. On May 20, 1972, he was ordained a priest by Most Reverend Peter Pham-Ngoc-Chi in Bui-Thai, Saigon.
In August 1972, Father Nghiem was appointed Vice Rector/Teacher at St. John Seminary in Da Nang, Vietnam; in June 1976, appointed Business Manager of the Chancery in the Diocese of Da Nang, Vietnam; in June 1980, appointed Chaplain of the Catholic Vietnamese Community for the Diocese of Grand Rapids; in August 1982, appointed Director of the Vietnamese Apostolate at the Catholic Vietnamese Community in Grand Rapids; in September 1983, appointed associate pastor of St. James Parish in Grand Rapids; on January 5, 1984, incardinated in the Diocese of Grand Rapids; in June 1985, appointed associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Grand Haven; in June 1988, appointed Director of the Vietnamese Apostolate with residence at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wyoming; in August 1993, appointed pastor and Director of the Vietnamese Apostolate at the Catholic Vietnamese Community in Grand Rapids; in September 1999, appointed pastor of Our Lady of La-Vang Parish in Wyoming; and was granted senior priest status on June 1, 2012.
Father Nghiem’s funeral will be held in Florida with the burial in California.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 at 7 p.m., at Our Lady of La-Vang Parish, there will be the praying of the rosary and sharing of memories of Father Peter.
May Father Nghiem now rest in eternal peace. Please remember him in your prayers.
