About Vietnamese Martyrs Parish · Tukwila, Washington
Vietnamese Martyrs Parish (Giáo Xứ Các Thánh Tử Đạo Việt Nam) is a personal Vietnamese-language Catholic parish in Tukwila, Washington, in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Founded in 2010 by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett, it serves Vietnamese Catholics across Western Washington without geographic boundaries. The parish currently numbers roughly 2,000–2,500 households and centers its life on the Eucharist, faith formation for children and youth, Vietnamese language and culture, and devotion to the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs canonized by St. John Paul II in 1988.
- Established
- 2010
- Patron
- The Vietnamese Martyrs (117 Vietnamese martyrs canonized by St. Pope John Paul II in 1988)
- Rector
- Rev. Thanh X. Dao (Fr. Gioakim Đào Xuân Thành)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
Vietnamese Martyrs Parish is the personal Vietnamese-language parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle, meaning any Vietnamese Catholic family in Western Washington is welcome to register. The parish offers multiple weekend Masses in Vietnamese (Saturday Vigil and four Sunday Masses), daily Mass Monday through Saturday, weekly confession before and after Mass, and a robust Saturday program where children attend catechism, Vietnamese language classes (Việt Ngữ Đắc Lộ), and the Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể (Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement) before the Vigil Mass. Add to that an active sacramental preparation track (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage), multiple parish choirs, Legion of Mary (Hội Bảo Trợ Ơn Thiên Triệu), Nazareth Family Ministry, an Autumn Moon Festival, and ministry to the elderly — and you have a parish that preserves Vietnamese Catholic identity while passing the faith to the next generation.
Mass times at Vietnamese Martyrs Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (and after Mass)
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM (and after Mass)
- Weekdays: by appointment — call the parish office
Parish Story & Founding
Vietnamese Martyrs Parish is the personal Vietnamese-language parish of the Archdiocese of Seattle, serving Vietnamese Catholic families across Western Washington. The community traces its roots to 1975, when the first Vietnamese Catholics arrived after the fall of Saigon; for years priests rotated Vietnamese Masses across Western Washington cities. The community's first church was dedicated on Fir Street near downtown Seattle by Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen on July 10, 1988.
- 1975: First Vietnamese Catholics arrive in Western Washington
- 1988: First Vietnamese Martyrs Church dedicated on Fir Street, Seattle
- Nov. 19, 2010: Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett establishes the community as a personal parish
- Jan. 30, 2014: Archbishop J. Peter Sartain blesses the temporary Tukwila church
- May 1, 2021: Faith Formation Center blessed by Archbishop Paul D. Etienne
- August 2022: New church construction begins
- Nov. 24: New church dedicated on the Feast of the Vietnamese Martyrs; relics of four martyrs sealed in the altar
Relocation to Tukwila & New Church
After outgrowing its Seattle location, the parish chose a Tukwila site — once home to a company that made cable for The Boeing Co. — and received permission from Archbishop Sartain to sell the old property. Archbishop Sartain blessed the temporary worship space in January 2014. The next priority was a faith and cultural education center (blessed 2021), followed by construction of the new church in August 2022. The new church, dedicated on November 24, includes shrines to Our Lady of La Vang and the Vietnamese Martyrs.
- Site history: former Boeing-cable supplier facility
- Shrines to Our Lady of La Vang and the Vietnamese Martyrs
- Relics of four of the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs sealed in the altar
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
The parish celebrates Mass primarily in Vietnamese. The weekday Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM, with an additional 8:00 AM Mass on Saturday. Weekend Masses include a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM (note: the 4:00 PM Vigil is not celebrated on Saturdays when the three formation programs — catechism, Vietnamese language, and TNTT youth movement — are not in session) and four Sunday Masses at 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 5:00 PM. The 9:30 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed.
- Daily Mass Mon–Fri 8:00 AM
- Saturday 8:00 AM Mass
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AM, 5:00 PM
- Livestream: 9:30 AM Sunday (vmpwa.org)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's catechesis (Giáo Lý) is the centerpiece of Saturday parish life, paired with Vietnamese language and culture classes (Việt Ngữ Đắc Lộ). The programs run out of the Faith Formation Center blessed by Archbishop Etienne in 2021. Registration and absence reporting are handled online at school.vmpwa.org.
- Giáo Lý — Catechism for children (giaoly.vmpwa.org)
- Việt Ngữ Đắc Lộ (VNDL) — Vietnamese language & culture
- Online registration at school.vmpwa.org
Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể (Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement)
The parish hosts the Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể (TNTT), the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement, which meets on Saturdays alongside catechism and language classes. It is a central pillar of youth ministry and Vietnamese cultural formation at the parish.
- Website: chuahaidong.org
- Saturday programming before the 4 PM Vigil Mass
- Includes huynh truong (youth leaders) and catechist coordination
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for all the major sacraments: Baptism (celebrated during Masses in the 4th week of the month), First Reconciliation and First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony (with a 6-month preparation requirement), and Anointing of the Sick. RCIA (Dự Tòng) is offered for adults entering the Church.
- Baptism (Rửa Tội) — 4th week of the month during Masses
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (Xưng Tội & Rước Lễ Lần Đầu)
- Confirmation (Thêm Sức)
- Matrimony (Hôn Phối) — 6 months advance notice
- Anointing of the Sick (Xức Dầu) — by appointment; emergency line (206) 325-5626
- RCIA (Dự Tòng)
Music, Choirs & Liturgical Ministries
Music is central to Vietnamese Catholic liturgical life, and the parish supports multiple Vietnamese-language choirs serving different Masses and age groups. Sr. Maria Trần Thị Thúy Mai, LHC serves as the parish's Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy and Music.
- Ca Đoàn Thánh Cêcilia (St. Cecilia Choir)
- Ca Đoàn Tin Yêu ('Love' Choir)
- Ca Đoàn John Paul II
- Ca Đoàn Sao ('Star' Choir)
- Ca Đoàn Thiếu Nhi Vào Đời (Children's Choir)
Community & Outreach Ministries
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish supports family ministry, Legion of Mary devotion, elderly outreach, and seasonal festivals. The Nazareth Family Ministry (Mục Vụ Gia Đình Nazareth) accompanies couples and families; the Hội Bảo Trợ Ơn Thiên Triệu is the parish's Legion of Mary praesidium; and a dedicated ministry cares for the elderly with food and supply deliveries, transportation, and visits.
- Mục Vụ Gia Đình Nazareth — Nazareth Family Ministry
- Hội Bảo Trợ Ơn Thiên Triệu — Legion of Mary
- Elderly care: food/supply deliveries, transportation, visits
- Annual summer Vietnamese cultural festival (open to the public)
- Autumn Moon Festival
Clergy, Staff & Office
The parish is led by founding pastor Father Thanh X. Dao (Fr. Gioakim Đào Xuân Thành), supported by two associate priests and a religious sister. Lay staff manage the office, finances, and registration. Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. The Faith Formation Center dedicated in 2021 houses classrooms; a new church was dedicated on November 24.
- Pastor: Rev. Thanh X. Dao
- Associate: Fr. Phanxicô Nguyễn Sơn Miên
- Associate: Fr. Antôn (Anthony) Trần Hữu Lân
- Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy & Music: Sr. Maria Trần Thị Thúy Mai, LHC
- Bookkeeper: Nam Do
- Administrative Assistant: Trong Dang
- Office phone: (206) 325-5626
- Fax: (206) 324-5849
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Facilities, Bulletin & Communications
Facility reservations (parish hall, classrooms, etc.) are handled online at reservations.vmpwa.org and are reviewed by the pastor before confirmation. The parish publishes the bulletin 'Niềm Tin' (submissions: [email protected]) and livestreams the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass.
- Facility reservations: reservations.vmpwa.org
- Bulletin 'Niềm Tin' — [email protected]
- Livestream Mass: 9:30 AM Sunday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thanh X. Dao (Fr. Gioakim Đào Xuân Thành)2010–present
Ordained in 2003; installed as founding pastor on Nov. 19, 2010, the date the parish was established by Archbishop Brunett; led the relocation from Seattle to Tukwila and the construction of the new church.