“I Prayed to Mary”

The Blessed Virgin Mary is an inseparable part of Julie's journey, which includes a harrowing ocean crossing to the United States in 1984 with her husband and 6-month-old biological son. “I will never in my life forget that experience,” Julie said. Julie's mother's side of the family was Catholic, and she was baptized in Vietnam with the Christian name Agnes. Attending Mass was difficult during those turbulent times, but she always prayed to Mary. “I would say three Hail Marys and one Our Father, and I would feel warm and protected in that moment,” she said. Life in the United States would also prove to be difficult for a time.

Julie recalled, “After my brother fell into crisis, I became a foster parent to take care of his son.” She adopted her nephew in 2002 and eventually became a licensed daycare provider. Her biological daughter — one of Julie’s three adult biological children — and her father helped her. She then began a fifteen-year foster parent journey where she took care of dozens of children. In 2007, she adopted Kevin, one of the five who joined in the Zoom interview. He said this about his mom, “Seeing her navigate through difficult times with grace and determination reminds me that having faith can help us overcome any obstacle that life throws our way.” As her first adopted son, he also witnessed Julie’s continued openness to adoption.

In 2012, she received a phone call with a request to place four siblings: Mariah, who was only six months old, one-year-old Giovani, three-year-old Skyla, and six-year-old Jason. This was a life-changing moment. Julie shared emphatically, “I do not know why I loved them so much, but this time, I prayed to Mary and asked her if I could adopt all of them!" Julie also related her joy, “I was so happy because Mary heard my prayers!” All four were formally adopted in 2013.

A Family’s Journey to the Church

Julie had long wanted the kids to be baptized, but it was not until 2022, when they moved near Saint Victor’s parish, that she found a spiritual home. She recounted, “My daughter-in-law connected me with Sister Sara Michael King, who told me that the parish was accepting kids in their RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) for children program. We started going to Saint Victor every Sunday, and all felt so happy and comfortable at that church.” The first person she met was Michael Cruz, who leads the parish bible study. Julie reported that her house was never the same because of Michael's classes. “He taught me many things about baptism and the Eucharist.” She took everything home with her, and soon, the kids' interest in entering the Church was piqued.‘We watched movies and read books, and everything was fun!”

Emily Burket teaches RCIA for children at Saint Victor. She vividly recalls when she was told the Nguyen kids would join her class. “Our Director of Religious Education at the time gave me a heads up that I was going to have five siblings in my class, and I was like, oh whoa, okay!” Emily expanded on how the Nguyen family inspired her. “I also have a niece and two nephews who are adopted from my brother, and I just really felt that close attachment to them.”

As the year of catechism progressed, Julie surprised both Emily and Michael when she asked them to become godparents to the children. Michael recalled, “When Julie approached me and asked, ‘Would you like to be the boys’ godfather?’ I said, ‘Oh wow, I would be honored.’” Emily has also embraced her role as godmother to the girls and sees the hand of Providence in a deeply personal way. “I do not have kids of my own. For a time, I questioned what my purpose in life was. Then suddenly, these five kids and Julie came into my life.”

Family from the Heart

Mariah Nguyen, now in middle school, reflected on becoming Catholic. “Before RCIA, I did not feel close to God. Right after baptism, I felt really close to Him!” Mariah also said that Julie inspires her to pray, go to church, and watch movies about Jesus. Her sister Skyla also spoke of Julie’s constant reminders to her children to take prayer seriously. “She reminds me to pray before sleeping and before Mass starts.”  Their brother Jason added, “I know she prayed a lot and had a very strong belief in Mother Mary because of her experiences.”

The family also now serves at Saint Victor’s church events. Her sons Kevin and Giovani discussed getting involved. Kevin offered this about his experience: “Church events and activities help me feel connected and supported. Over time, my faith has grown stronger because of the sense of belonging and support I found at Saint Victor's.” Giovani echoed his brother’s sentiments. “We started to go to Mass every Sunday to understand more about Jesus in the Eucharist. I feel happy and comfortable because the priest, Monsignor Perata, and everybody is so nice. Sometimes, our parish has parties!”

Julie and her family of the heart cannot help but stand out as their godfather Michael attests, remembering when they first began attending Mass. “Before I met the kids, I saw the kids.” Emily has also observed how the parish has transformed since the Nguyens joined. “Everyone at Saint Victor’s loves this family so much; they pour their heart out to this family, which I have never seen anywhere.”

Emily and Michael continue to be actively involved in the parish and with their godchildren and find themselves continuously inspired by the family. Michael shared, “Jason told me he will miss having the classes. So that, to me, is just really a testament to them wanting to know more about their faith.” Emily also reflected on the family’s positivity. “During catechism, the kids never complained. They never said, ‘Oh, I don't want to be here.’ They now volunteer at every parish ‘activity. They inspire me in that way!”

Julie credits the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary with her family's faith, their journey of initiation into the Church, and the blessings they bring to others. “After the adoption was final, I felt like all the children were truly my own. I still sometimes go to Our Lady of Peace and stand at the statue and say thank you to Mary, and I feel that she is all around me and protecting me.”MN

Julie Nguyen emigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 1984 and previously worked at the non-profit Kinship, Adoptive, and Foster Parent Association (KAFPA) until 2023. She and Jason, Kevin, Mariah, Giovani, and Skyla are all parishioners at St. Victor’s, where the children fully entered the Catholic Church in 2023.

Emily Burket volunteers at St. Victor as a Catechist, Lector, and Eucharistic Minister. She is also an alumnus of St. Victor.

Michael Cruz volunteers at St. Victor as a Catechist and adult Bible Study leader and has been a parishioner of Saint Victor church for 50 years.