Born in Vietnam, Nguyen moved to the U.S. when he was 10 years old.
Nguyen was ordained when he was 27, and Danville is the first place he has worked as a pastor. In Georgetown, he'll find a congregation working to build a new church, activity center and school. Nguyen said the success of the project depends on the desires of the congregation.
"I've been sent, so I'll come," Nguyen said. "It's God's work, not mine. My job is to be there for the people and support and love them."
Houston said Nguyen loves to play golf and cook, and said he's very involved with the youth of the church. Houston adds that Nguyen is highly involved with Centre College, which will be an asset to Catholics who attend Georgetown College once he arrives in Georgetown.
Houston said Nguyen is fluent in several languages, including Spanish, and that he performs a Spanish Mass in Danville.
New challenge
Houston said she thinks Nguyen needs a challenge, and said what she will miss most about him are his homilies and his loving, supportive nature.
"We're really sad, but we will move on," Houston said. "We're into our religion, not our priest."
Another parishoner in Danville, Sam Ponsoll, said he's attended Mass every day since he retired last year, and said a big reason is Nguyen.
"He doesn't talk over your head," Ponsoll said.
Ponsoll, a veteran of the Vietnam War, initially didn't like the idea of having a Vietnamese priest. After the two got to know each other, Ponsoll said, he realized that his opinion of the Vietnamese people was wrong.
"He's been trying to talk me into going back to Vietnam, because he's going back there next year," Ponsoll said.
Ponsoll advises parishioners in Georgetown not to judge Nguyen too quickly.
"Father Lihn is a different kind of priest. He kind of grows on you from week to week," Ponsoll said.
His wife, Kathy Ponsoll, secretary of the parish council in Danville, said she is deeply saddened by the priest's departure.
"Father Lihn is a great spiritual leader and cares deeply about the sheep in his flock," Kathy Ponsoll said. She added he is easy to relate to, but has high expectations for the spiritual growth of his parishioners.
"The biggest impact he's had on our parish is that spiritual growth," Ponsoll said.
She added one of the great things about Father Nguyen is that he makes connections between the Bible's scriptures and people's daily lives.
Ponsoll said parishioners in Georgetown should be prepared to answer questions during homilies, not because the priest is trying to put people on the spot, but rather he wants people to participate.
Nguyen said he cares for the members of his parish in Danville, and said he will miss them. "They've been kind to me," Nguyen said. "They're good people."
