Sister Mary Magdalene Nguyen was born in Vietnam and came to the United States in 2003. A few months after arriving, she entered the Qui Nhon Missionary Sisters of the Holy Cross. After making her first vows, she lived in San Jose and served the Diocese of San Jose for eight years. Some of her previous ministries included coordinating the Senior Vietnamese Community, assisting with the Religious Education Program, being an Administrative Assistant, and coordinating Liturgical Dance for the Vietnamese Community.
Thanks to the strong foundation of faith she received from her family and the Church, she has acquired the spirit of service in doing apostolic ministries. It was with that spirit of service and her commitment as a Sister of the Holy Cross that she was able to adapt to the new culture and help children grow in the faith and share God's love with the elderly, the sick, and the homebound she visited.
Her apostolic mission is part of the spirituality of her religious community. As Sisters of the Holy Cross, they are called to continue the work of Jesus, especially in sharing the pains and suffering of others and praying for them. Sister Magdalene considers herself blessed with the opportunity to serve in Pastoral Care of the Sick here at Santa Maria: her hope is that the work she does, "though small," will come to bear fruit for God's kingdom and benefit others.