Many can imagine a musician or a comedian having a “Why be normal?” sign on his car or in his office, but a priest?
However, this is exactly what Than Vu, the head pastor at Christ the King Catholic Church, has posted on his office door, and members of his congregation agree that he is anything but normal.
“His outgoing personality and his love of life are what make him so unique,” said Mitzi Orkus, a petroleum engineering freshman and member of Christ the King. “He takes what most people think is boring and turns it into something totally fun and different.”
Joining the priesthood first was posed to Vu in the sixth grade, and at the time it did not sound appealing to him.
A few years later, after a friend told him about the benefits of the seminary, Vu again considered the priesthood as a profession.
In 1975, while in the 11th grade, Vu joined a seminary in his native Vietnam.
After leaving Vietnam and coming to the United States in 1976 as a political refugee, he continued his study at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Covington, La.
Meanwhile, Father Than studied at LSU as an undergraduate and learned to speak English.
In 1979, he left the seminary and began working to make money for his brother’s passage to the United States.
Then in 1980, the Diocese of Baton Rouge sent him to Rome to complete his graduate studies.
While in Rome, he was ordained a priest and learned to speak Italian.
Once he finished graduate school in 1985 and made a definitive decision to be a priest, he moved back to the United States and was assigned to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs as the associate priest.
He served as associate pastor in three churches during the next 10 years. He received his first pastor position at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.
Then in 2000, Father Than became the pastor at Christ the King, LSU’s Student Catholic Church.
“I would have to say that the one word that describes my ministry at this church would be ‘home’,” Vu said. “I want everyone to feel like they can come here and be a part of this church body.”
Because he speaks Vietnamese, French, English, Italian and Spanish, Father Than has become a very versatile priest for a college campus.
“I think it’s great that he speaks so many languages,” said Jaci Cole, a mass communication freshman and member of Christ the King. “I am used to my priest speaking my language. I can’t imagine going to a foreign country and not having a priest to talk to. I think that makes him more welcoming to international Catholic students.”
Those who work with Father Than also have noticed his tireless work ethic.
“He is such a dedicated worker,” said Jeff Williams, Christ the King’s director of Stewardship and Development. “He puts all that he has into his ministry. He comes to work very early and leaves very late and still manages to have a great personality.”
Others praised Father Than because he treats all students equally.
“I find myself feeling inadequate whenever I can’t speak with someone or minister to them directly,” Vu said. “We try to accommodate all of the nationalities that come into our church, but not as much as I would like.”
Christ the King Catholic Church, located at the corner of Highland and Dalrymple, celebrates Mass every Sunday at 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
In addition to Mass, the church holds Shared Praise, a worship service on Thursday nights, and a free lunch Thursdays at noon.Many can imagine a musician or a comedian having a “Why be normal?” sign on his car or in his office, but a priest?
However, this is exactly what Than Vu, the head pastor at Christ the King Catholic Church, has posted on his office door, and members of his congregation agree that he is anything but normal.
“His outgoing personality and his love of life are what make him so unique,” said Mitzi Orkus, a petroleum engineering freshman and member of Christ the King. “He takes what most people think is boring and turns it into something totally fun and different.”
Joining the priesthood first was posed to Vu in the sixth grade, and at the time it did not sound appealing to him.
A few years later, after a friend told him about the benefits of the seminary, Vu again considered the priesthood as a profession.
In 1975, while in the 11th grade, Vu joined a seminary in his native Vietnam.
After leaving Vietnam and coming to the United States in 1976 as a political refugee, he continued his study at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Covington, La.
Meanwhile, Father Than studied at LSU as an undergraduate and learned to speak English.
In 1979, he left the seminary and began working to make money for his brother’s passage to the United States.
Then in 1980, the Diocese of Baton Rouge sent him to Rome to complete his graduate studies.
While in Rome, he was ordained a priest and learned to speak Italian.
Once he finished graduate school in 1985 and made a definitive decision to be a priest, he moved back to the United States and was assigned to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs as the associate priest.
He served as associate pastor in three churches during the next 10 years. He received his first pastor position at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Baton Rouge.
Then in 2000, Father Than became the pastor at Christ the King, LSU’s Student Catholic Church.
“I would have to say that the one word that describes my ministry at this church would be ‘home’,” Vu said. “I want everyone to feel like they can come here and be a part of this church body.”
Because he speaks Vietnamese, French, English, Italian and Spanish, Father Than has become a very versatile priest for a college campus.
“I think it’s great that he speaks so many languages,” said Jaci Cole, a mass communication freshman and member of Christ the King. “I am used to my priest speaking my language. I can’t imagine going to a foreign country and not having a priest to talk to. I think that makes him more welcoming to international Catholic students.”
Those who work with Father Than also have noticed his tireless work ethic.
“He is such a dedicated worker,” said Jeff Williams, Christ the King’s director of Stewardship and Development. “He puts all that he has into his ministry. He comes to work very early and leaves very late and still manages to have a great personality.”
Others praised Father Than because he treats all students equally.
“I find myself feeling inadequate whenever I can’t speak with someone or minister to them directly,” Vu said. “We try to accommodate all of the nationalities that come into our church, but not as much as I would like.”
Christ the King Catholic Church, located at the corner of Highland and Dalrymple, celebrates Mass every Sunday at 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
In addition to Mass, the church holds Shared Praise, a worship service on Thursday nights, and a free lunch Thursdays at noon.