Priest ordination: Rev. Randy Gamboa Espinoza, Rev. Thien Ban (Joseph) Ho

  Rev. Randy Gamboa Espinoza

Newly ordained Father Randy J. Gamboa Espinoza, a native of Costa Rica, speaks both Spanish and English so he would “absolutely” like to be involved in bi-lingual ministry.

Being bilingual will make it possible for him “to help and to listen to even more people, especially nowadays when our dioceses have become multicultural,” he said.

Father Espinoza was ordained June 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen by Bishop James Checchio; other men with whom he was ordained also speak more than one language.

Father Espinoza first felt the call to the priesthood during his last year of high school in Costa Rica, and he worked for two and a half years as an accounting technician and administrative assistant while he discerned that call and met with his vocational and spiritual director.

He studied at Our Lady of the Angels National Seminary in Costa Rica where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and humanities.

Though most of his family still lives in Costa Rica, some family members live in New Jersey. “I have family living in the Diocese of Metuchen. So, I applied to the diocese in 2018 and I got accepted,” he said.

Father Espinoza, 33, said Pope Francis was an influence on his desire to be a priest: “I really like Pope Francis’ approach of being close to the people, to encounter them in their reality and introduce to them, God – God who understands them, who loves them and wants them better.”

The newly ordained priest is working toward a pastoral ministry degree at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, and he served in diaconal ministry at St. Peter the Apostle Church, New Brunswick, where he preached mostly every weekend and assisted with spiritual retreats for the youth ministry.

His ministry experience also includes catechesis and campus ministry.

Although he was not born in the United States, he does not see himself as a missionary priest here. “I believe we must serve wherever we go. I do not consider myself a missionary priest. I am just trying to fulfill my vocation the best I can,” he said.

During his first assignment as a priest, Father Espinoza hopes to be involved in parish life and ro work with the Latino community and vocations ministry.

His hobbies include soccer; spending time with his family; watching movies based on true stories, sci-fi and superheroes; and listening to music including old classics, indie and country.

By Cori Urban, Contributing Editor

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Rev. Thien Ban (Joseph) Ho

Father Thien Ban Ho worked as an event organizer before entering the seminary, so he’s got the experience for planning and undertaking parish events should the need ever arise.

But more importantly, “I would like to be a parish priest who will be available for all and doing sacraments,” he said.

A native of Vietnam, Father Ho, 35, was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Metuchen on June 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen by Bishop James Checchio.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014 from Sai Gon University in Vietnam, but he had first felt called to the priesthood in 2011. “It took me a few months to discern and to talk with some priests,” he said.

A Jesuit priest introduced him to Formation Support For Vietnam, a non-profit organization incorporated in Texas since 2010. It assists the Church in Vietnam in the formation and education of clergy, religious and seminarians for ministry and helps these students with their academic and spiritual formation by seeking scholarships from U.S. colleges and universities, seeking arrangements of room and board and providing them with academic, cross-cultural and spiritual support.

Through that organization, Father Ho was introduced to the Diocese of Metuchen.

As a seminarian for the diocese, he did transitional diaconal ministry at St. James Parish, Basking Ridge, where he preached, performed baptisms and helped prepare families for their loved ones’ funerals.

Father Ho received a Master of Divinity degree this year from Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange.

Though it is difficult for him to be so far from home, he said he keeps close to his loved ones through prayer. “I have tried to keep in mind that I will be a priest of Jesus Christ anywhere. Also, there are many priests, seminarians, religious brothers and sisters and lay people both Vietnamese and American who have encouraged and supported me,” he said.

The newly ordained priest does not necessarily see himself as a missionary priest, though he is far from home. “I will be a priest of Jesus Christ for everybody everywhere, so I think there will be the same mission to me that brings people to God,” he said.

He has a particular devotion to St. Joseph and St. Ignatius of Loyola “because they are good listeners to the words of God,” he said, and “of course, I love Blessed Mary our Mother.”

Father Ho’s hobbies include photography and sports.

By Cori Urban, Contributing Editor