Rev. Philip Ba Son Lam, CRM | PASTOR

Rev. Philip Ba Son Lam, CRM was born on December 20, 1972 at Chu Hai, Vietnam.  He completed his priestly studies at Conception Seminary, earning a Bachelor of Arts on May 20, 2001 and a Master of Divinity at Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, LA on May 10, 2007.  He was ordained to the priesthood on January 12, 2008. Fr. Philip has a variety of parish life experiences!  He has served as an associate pastor, parochial vicar and chaplain in the Dioceses of Springfield, Galveston-Houston and Orlando.

(951) 277-1801 ext 406

Father Gregory Vi Tran, CRM | Associate Pastor

Father Gregory Vi Tran, CRM, was born on January 1, 1965, in Da Nang, Vietnam.  After “the fall of Saigon,” he and his family fled Vietnam and came to the United States in 1975.  At the age of twenty, he responded to God’s call by joining the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer on August 10, 1985. Father Gregory went on to professed his First Religious Vows on May 31, 1988 and later his Final Vows on May 31, 1994.  Father Gregory received his Bachelor of Arts at Conception Seminary College on May 23, 1999 and Master of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, LA, on May 12, 2005.  On June 3, 2006, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priesthood by the Most Reverend John J. Leibrecht, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Father Gregory was sent by his religious community to Denver, CO, for his first assignment as Parochial Vicar at Queen of The Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Archdiocese of Denver from 2007 to 2011.  From 2011 to June 2014, he served as director of the Infirmary for the Assumption Province.  Father was then reassigned to serve as Parochial Vicar at St. Agnes Cathedral Parish, Springfield, MO, from June 22, 2014 to June 2017.  From June 26, 2017 to August 2019, he was transferred to Houston, TX, to be Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.  From August 19, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Father Gregory served as Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in El Dorado Springs and St. Peter, Apostle Mission in Stockton, Missouri. Fr. Gregory has now been assigned as our new Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Magdalene for three years beginning July 11, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2025.  On another note, Father Gregory is a good fisherman and a great cook!  With joy we welcome Father Gregory!  All of us at St. Mary Magdalene Parish Family are looking forward to meet and to know Father.

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Margaret Miller | Catechetical Formation Coordinator (English)

Margaret Miller joined St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in 1994 after moving to Corona from Orange County.  She joined the staff in July 1996 serving as the part-time Sacramental Preparation Coordinator and the Children's Ministry Tweens until 2003.  Taking a one year break, she rejoined the staff in 2004 holding a variety of positions and currently serves at the Coordinator of Catechetical Ministry with infants to adults for sacramental preparation, on-going faith formation and evangelization.  On-going formation is vital for all parish staff and catechists.  Margaret holds certificates in Elementary Catechesis, Youth Ministry, Youth & Adult Confirmation, and Adult Faith Formation from the California Catholic Conference; Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, and a certificate in Parish Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University.  Margaret is a graduate of the Coordinators of Parish Ministry Formation in the Diocese of San Bernardino, a three-year diocesan program for the formation of Lay Ecclesial Ministers.

(951) 277-1801 ext 408

Lidia Mendoza | Catechetical Formation Coordinator (Spanish) Liturgy Coordinator

I’m 54 years old from Zacatecas Mexico; living in the USA since December 1977 Married to Jose Armando Hernandez since Aug 1985; we have three sons Armando 29 Alfredo 27 and Anibal 21 Our family has been part of this parish since July 1994 after moving from Santa Ana CA (orange county) from day one our family became part of all different ministers within the Hispanic community in Saint Mary Magdalene Church.  I was hired by Father Vincent Au on May 2012; I’m currently the Liturgy coordinator and sacramental preparation leader for the Spanish program, as well as staff support for most Hispanic ministries in the parish.

(951) 277-1801 ext 407