Sr. My Hoa Nguyen, fmm

Sr. My Hoa Nguyen was born on November 11 at Nha Trang, Vietnam, the eighth child of thirteen children; eight brothers and four sisters.

While in Nha Trang, Vietnam, My Hoa already has responded to God's call by teaching catechism to children.  She also helped the children in her neighboorhood with their homework.

Her love of working with children continued after moving to the United States with her family.  She worked as an assistant teacher for 3 to 5 year old children in a day care sponsored by the government for one year in San Jose, California.

Her call to religious life persisted so her brother, Fr. Khoa, OFM introduced her to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.  She visited the FMM community at Central Fall, RI and found their charism in internationality, community life, Eucharistic life and adoration very appealing.

My Hoa entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary as a pre-novice on September 4, 2001 in Central Fall, RI. She continued the pre-novitiate in Millbrook, NY.  While in Millbrook, NY she volunteered at St. Joseph School.  She also worked at Cardinal Hayes School where she cared for children with disabilities.

After a year, My Hoa entered the novitiate in West Greenwich, RI on September 4, 2002.  Her novitiate formation included ministry at John V. Doyle School in Coventry, RI where she assisted in the kindergarten class.  Her second year involved working with the elderly in a nursing home.

On September 4, 2004, My Hoa pronounced her first vows at Sts. John and Paul, Coventry, RI.  She was sent in mission to Our Lady of Hope in Cambridge, MA then after the house was sold, the community moved to another house in Brighton, MA.  While in Massachusetts, she obtained her GED which qualified her to go to college.  She brought communion to the elderly at Neville Place in Cambridge.

My Hoa was missioned back to West Greenwich, RI where she studied childhood education at the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, RI.  After finishing her associate degree at CCRI, she was missioned to DeChappotin community in North Providence, RI.  She began preparations for her final vows.  She ministered to the poor at the Poverello center which is run by the Franciscan Friars.  She was also called to help our elderly sisters in residence at St. Antoine's.

She pronounced her final vows September 4, 2010 and received her mission sending from Sr. Suzanne Phillips, superior general, to the people of the United States.

My Hoa is a very talented artist.  She continues to enrich her love of painting with Sr. Joel, fmm who is an accomplished painter and teacher herself.  She loves to paint portraits and landscapes.  She gets her inspiration with her painting from listening to music and walking along the beach.  Her natural gift of humor and cooking brings joy to whoever enjoys a good laugh and food.

My Hoa hopes that there will be more people drawn to religious life especially in our Institute.  She prays to God that she remains faithful in her vocation.