I was born in Hanoi, Vietnam on 24 December 1981, the youngest of six children, 3 boys and 3 girls. I was born and raised in a very religious Catholic family in Nam Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam. 

I completed my two Bachelors in Vietnam. I stayed with my local Parish Priest for 3 years, then I took the exam to enter the Seminary of the Major Archdiocese of Hanoi in 2004 and I had a scholarship one year after. 

In 2005, Kiet Ngo Quang, my Archbishop, who sent me to Melbourne, Australia to be commented studying for Hanoi Archdiocese Seminary, Vietnam. I studied at Corpus Christi Seminary in Carlton from 2007 – 2014 and I finished my degrees. However, after 7 years of training in the Corpus Christi Seminary in Australia I decided to transfer to the Archdiocese of Melbourne for good. 

Archbishop Denis Hart ordained me as a deacon on Saturday 13th September 2014 at St. Patrick Cathedral, East Melbourne. I was immediately appointed to Queen of Peace Church, Laverton. I worked there full time as a deacon. On Saturday 12th September 2015, Archbishop Denis Hart ordained me to be a priest in St. Patrick Cathedral. I was appointed as Assistant Priest at St. Mary’s Parish, Greensborough for almost 3 years. In 2018, I was an Assistant Priest of St. Kevin’s Hampton Park for 2 years. I appointed as Assistant Priest at our St. Andrew’s Parish, Werribee for almost one year.

In October 6th 2021, Archbishop Peter Andrew Comensoli had appointed me as Administrator for St Damian's Parish, Bundoora, and then Archbishop Peter appointed me as Parish Priest for St Damian's Church on 22/6/2022.

I truly believe that God has chosen and ordained me to serve God's people. I felt so very blessed to live in different parishes and gained more pastoral experiences. I would like to ask you kindly to continue keeping me in your daily prayers and also be assured of my continuing prayers for you, all Parishioners of St Damian's and your loved ones!

May God always keep and protect and hold you always in His love.

With Best Wishes and God Bless us & our Families!

Fr. Joe Dong Tran

Parish Priest