Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han Welcomed Once Again to Our Parish Community

Very soon, Immaculate Conception parishioners will be happy to recognize a familiar face around the parish! Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han, who spent last summer with us as a seminarian, is joining us for his transitional diaconate year beginning May 23.

“I’m very excited,” says Deacon Fabian, who was ordained in April. “Last year I was a seminarian, but this year I'm coming back here as a deacon, so I can do more than last year. Now I can do Baptisms, preaching, marriage, and funeral liturgies.”

In this ministerial role, Deacon Fabian will be able to serve in many capacities around the parish.

“We’re looking forward to having him back," says Fr. Michael Troha. "Everyone is."

Deacon Fabian will enter into parish life in many different areas, assisting our clergy with various liturgies, ministries, community outreach, events, and more. He will once again help out with our annual Vacation Bible School and Oktoberfest programs.

“He is going to enter into the pastoral work of the parish as if he was a newly ordained priest,” says Fr. Troha, adding that there are certain sacraments he cannot perform, such as celebrating Mass and hearing Confessions.

Originally from South Korea, Deacon Fabian joined us last summer as a seminarian. His home Archdiocese of Daegu has a partnership with our diocese, which has allowed him the opportunity to study here. He will continue his studies while serving as a deacon in our parish this year, then after his ordination will spend his first four years of his priesthood serving in the Diocese of Cleveland.

Deacon Fabian first heard the call to the priesthood when he was an altar server at Mass, following his First Communion. His upbringing in the faith was largely impactful for him and influenced his decision to pursue the priesthood.

“My mother’s side has a long Catholic history," he says. "I’m the seventh-generation Catholic on my mother’s side. There is also one nun and one priest. When I was a kid, I saw them and that was really helpful to enter this journey. I felt that God was calling me, so I answered.”

Deacon Fabian's journey towards the priesthood has been long, having first entered studies 13 years ago when he began high school. He has faced challenges along the way, particularly when he had to leave seminary for a year to recover from brain surgery several years ago.

“My classmates and seminarians, many people around me, they prayed for me," he says. "I got the power to continue this journey again.”

Deacon Fabian looks forward to seeing all of the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish and is excited to journey with our parish family in the months ahead.

Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han looks forward to seeing all of the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish, and is excited to journey with our parish family in the months ahead.