Happy Birthday Monsignor Henry Van Son - Holy Trinity Celebrates a Lifelong Journey of Service & Faith

  The 83rd birthday celebration of our own Monsignor Henry Van Son is the perfect opportunity for Holy Trinity parishioners to learn more about a fascinating life founded in faith and service to others. Born on February 18, 1924, in the city of Eindhoven, located in the southern region of The Netherlands, Henry Van Son is the third oldest of ten children, a family comprised of eight boys and two girls (he really appreciated his sisters!). Where does one find the inspiration to initiate a life based upon service and faith? How does one keep to the path through struggles both global and personal? The 83-year journey of Monsignor Van Son--from his early years in Europe to his current stint with us at Holy Trinity Parish --speaks to us all about the galvanizing value of God's words and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

  Inspired by an uncle serving as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, Monsignor Van Son felt the calling to go into the world and help his fellow human beings as a missionary priest. Acting upon that call, Van Son began liturgical studies at the Seminary of St. Willibrord, The Netherlands. Unfortunately, those studies and that goal were interrupted as World War II escalated and the German Army invaded the Seminary and occupied his hometown. After six weeks of forced labor harvesting a farm for the Germans, Van Son determined that a life of Nazi subjugation would not suit him and he escaped with no money in his pockets; only his "ausweis" (a required German identification card) to his name.

  Once his hometown was liberated, the Monsignor recalls returning home to resume his studies, pursuing the humanities, and the disciplines of theology and philosophy. Political liberation didn't mean an end to personal struggles, however, as Monsignor Van Son took seriously ill during this time, temporarily losing his eyesight and the ability to walk during a ten day battle for his health. Utilizing a remote microphone that allowed him to listen to lectures while bedridden, the Monsignor again refused to let circumstances stand in the way of his goals, and passed his final coursework "with flying colors." The joy of commencement was soon replaced by the pangs of disappointment as Van Son was not offered a missionary position due to previous his health challenges. His life's pursuit seemingly dashed before it even began, Van Son once again got creative.

  With the resolve to "go where God wanted" but lacking the proper papers to travel freely, the Monsignor smuggled himself across the border to neighboring Louvain, Belgium, where he sought counsel at The American College, an American Catholic seminary. Advised to seek out family or friends in the United States for entry into that part of the world, the Monsignor looked in the direction of southern California, where his uncle, aunt, and seven cousins resided. After contacting the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Monsignor Van Son made an international leap of faith, and in 1948 left his homeland for America. One year later--with a completed theology exam under his belt--Henry Van Son was ordained.

  Monsignor Van Son's first assignment was serving the very poor St. Gertrude's Parish in Bell Gardens, California. Recalling there was "no room at the inn", he found that the rectory quarters to which he was relegated were no more than a small pantry and two boxes he kept under his bed that housed all of his personal possessions. The sad state of living conditions weighed so heavily upon Van Son's parents, who had come from the Netherlands for his ordination, that his father proposed his son return home. Reaffirming his desire "to pastor among the people", Van Son stayed at this post for more than three years before moving along to the many new and challenging roles he would accept doing God's work in later life.

  The Monsignor's long and distinguished career has allowed him to holding post as chaplain for both a hospital and a women's prison, and serving as pastor in such southern California Catholic parishes as Holy Angeles Parish in Arcadia, St. Elizabeth's Parish in Alta Dena, and Our Lady of Peace Parish in Sepulveda. The Monsignor was later reassigned to the Ventura County region of California, where he spent the remainder of his ministry at three different parishes: St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish, St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Goleta, and finally, retiring from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Montecito, near Santa Barbara.

  Van Son eventually made his way to the Pacific Northwest when a family formerly with the Monsignor's Mt. Carmel Parish now residing in Beaverton, invited the retired priest to live in their home. Finding himself at Holy Trinity as a "parishioner" Van Son was soon continuing his life's work by assisting then-presiding Pastor Father John Waldron with "part-time" assignments.

  Today, the Monsignor continues to serve us at Holy Trinity Church in various capacities, in addition to saying Mass at St. Michael's The Archangel Church in downtown Portland three times a week. Drawing inspiration from a 99-year old priest in Wisconsin who continues "to do God's work," Monsignor Van Son isn't sure when his full-time "retirement" call will finally come. Until God lets him know it is time to stop, the Monsignor will carry on... and how lucky are we to be in his midst!

Saturday: 5:30 pm

Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:15 am
Mon-Fr: 8:15 am
in the chapel; Wed in the Church.

Holy Days: 8:15 am, 7:00 pm

Reconciliation
Saturday: 4-5 pm