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Bridgeport Bishop Frank J. Caggiano ordained Philip Lành Phan, a native of Vietnam, and Eric William Silva, a Trumbull resident, on June 25 at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, with over 800 people in attendance. Three choirs provided music for the ordination.
Phan, 31, was born in Vinh-Long, Vietnam, where his parents still live, according to the diocese.
Phan graduated from Can-Tho University in 2007 with a bachelor of science degree. At age 20, he was baptized as a Roman Catholic in 2004.
He began his studies at St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford in 2007 and in 2010 transferred to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., where he completed his seminary studies.
He served his deacon internship at St. John Parish in Darien. His current home parish is Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Stamford.
Phan, who is bilingual, celebrated his first Mass in English at St. John Church in Darien and celebrated his first Mass in Vietnamese at St. Augustine Cathedral.
Silva, 25, grew up in Trumbull, where St. Theresa is still his family’s home parish, according to the diocese. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 2008.
He first attended St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., until entering St. John Fisher Seminary and finishing his undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.
He served his deacon year pastoral assignment at Mount St. Mary’s University campus in the campus ministry office, where he also completed his theological studies.
Silva celebrated his first Mass at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull.
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