It pays for Catholics to acquaint themselves with local chur
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After reading �gThe story of the Catholic Church in Singapore�h (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 Christ�fs 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 -
Eugene Wijeysingha was the headmaster of RI during my brother's time, I think.
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small world. go make friend with him la
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huh? i think it would be better if you go make friend with himOriginally posted by Honeybunz:small world. go make friend with him la
hurhur -
When is our Holy Father coming to Singapore! Argh!!!
When will the Tridentine Rite be allowed here? Argh!!! -
Good to have recorded history of the Church in Singapore.
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If its the same Eugene Wijeysingha I know, its not surprising.Originally posted by ObiterDicta:Good to have recorded history of the Church in Singapore.
He helped RI laboriously compile their nearly 200 years of history into a book, now which sits in my bookshelf.
I think he was a teacher in the history department before he was on his way to headmastership. -
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were you from RI?Originally posted by laurence82: -
My bro is, not meOriginally posted by SingaporeMacross:were you from RI?
