Angelus News | July 31-August 7, 2020 | Vol. 5 No. 21

Thomas Park
Age: 58
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Home parish: St. Joan of Arc Church, West LA
First parish assignment: St. John Fisher Church in
Rancho Palos Verdes
“The one thing for sure is that there’s
always a hope and the hope is found in
Jesus Christ.”
VICTOR ALEMÁN
Though he was ready to give up his previous life, Park still
had the mind of an engineer, and he quickly crunched the
numbers and decided on an outcome.
“Because of my age, I thought becoming a priest was not
possible,” he said. “So, I thought about becoming a deacon.”
But, during a Divine Mercy pilgrimage to Europe in 2008,
he had a chance conversation with the tour’s host, a priest
who told Park, much to his amazement, that he, too, had
been called later in life, taking his final vows in his mid-50s.
Thomas Park is now 58—“soon to be 59”—but listening
to him talk about his first assignment, the energy and
excitement is obvious. While youth has its place, so do the
experiences of a lifetime, experiences he believes can help
parishioners deal with the “trials and dark times we’re going
through.”
Asked what his message will be to his new congregation
outside of “just looking forward to meeting with you all,” he
makes clear he’s much more inclined to listen.
“I’m excited. I’m just in the moment, living all for God and
letting him surprise me,” he said. “I’m looking forward to
meeting the parishioners and pastor and working together.”
Still, if his journey has taught him anything he would like
to share with others, whether they lead families or may be
considering leading flocks, it is to always maintain a patient
heart. Oh, and one other key element.
“Don’t give up hope,” he said. “We’re going through a lot of
challenges and trials at the moment. The one thing for sure
is that there’s always a hope and the hope is found in Jesus
Christ.
“There is always something to learn, you may not know it
right now, but after perhaps a few years later, perhaps 10 or
20 years later, like me, God will reveal that answer to you.”
VICTOR ALEMÁN
In these times of exceptional uncertainty, parishioners
of St. John Fisher Church in Rancho Palos Verdes will
likely count their blessings they’re being ministered to by
Thomas Park, a man who knows firsthand how quickly life
can turn, no matter your plans, no matter your age.
From the time he and his family emigrated from South
Korea to the U.S. when he was 10, Park knew he would be an
engineer. He dreamed about it, worked toward it. Yes, there
was that gnawing feeling he’d get about the priesthood, but,
“I didn’t really seriously think about it because my desire, my
dream was to be an engineer.”
By the time he reached his mid-40s, he assumed any
thought of the priesthood was pointless. But, in 2007, it was
nonetheless rekindled while reading “Divine Mercy in My
Soul: The Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska.”
“I read that and that just changed my life,” he said. “I just
totally wanted to give myself after that. I was content with my
life and all, but still I was ready to give that up and serve the
Lord.”
Thomas Park in the late 1980s, "relaxing at home listening to
music after a busy day at work."
July 31-August 7, 2020 • ANGELUS • 11
SUBMITTED PHOTO