After reading gThe story of the Catholic Church in Singaporeh
(June 25) published in CatholicNews, I secured the book, gGoing
forth c The Catholic Church in Singapore 1819 - 2004 and started
reading it with great interest and pleasure.
The author, Mr Eugene Wijeysingha, in collaboration with Rev Fr
Rene Nicolas, MEP, is to be highly commended for giving us a
captivating and well-documented publication worth treasuring for
posterity.
For me it is not just another history book but a special one with
personal significance. I could relate to some parts of the history
with cherished memories.
I remember the old Church of St. Joseph at Bukit Timah and the
energetic church builder cum parish priest, the late Rev. Father
Joachim Teng, whom I served as an altar boy for his Latin
Tridentine Mass. I also served in the re-burial service of the
French priests, among whom was Rev Father A. Mauduit, whose remains
were unearthed from the tombs in the church and transferred to the
cemetery nearby. This was to make way for the expansion of the old
church.
Two key events which I would never forget are the visits made to
Singapore by Mother Teresa in 1985 and Pope John Paul II in
1986.
I was fortunate to be able to hold the hands of Mother Teresa while
I shared some brief moments conversing with her. Petite, frail and
bent, she was a living saint radiating Christfs love for all,
especially the poor and destitute. I remember her message of love
for the destitute and rejected in Calcutta which she powerfully
shared with the crowds who turned up for her rally at a
stadium.
The National Stadium was filled to the brim with large crowds of
people mainly Catholics. They were undaunted by the pouring rain as
they patiently waited for the arrival of Pope John Paul II to
celebrate Mass. It was a highly emotional moment and I felt very
proud to be a Catholic as I witnessed the spirit of solidarity
manifested by all Catholics present.
I personally find the book inspiring and written with great relish.
Catholics should get a copy and start reading it to acquaint
themselves with local church history. Not to do it would be an
enormous loss to them.
Nelson Quah
Singapore 650524
