少小离家老大回，
乡音未改鬓毛衰，
儿童相见不相识，
笑问客从何处来。
张神父离乡也已超过六十多年了。他的生命，他的圣召，也是一个历险和传奇。他父母不是教友，但十二岁就进入的修院，然后在共产党接管中国后，修会把他们撤离中国。他辗转的到了越南的河内，再去海防，乘船到新加坡，然后进入槟城大修院。完成修院课程后，在何处是尔家的情况下，得到本地主教的收纳，晋铎成为教区神父。（有些则不被接纳，回到俗世生活，或到别个国家）
在他五十年的神父生涯中，也是充满了坎坷。所谓往事不堪回首，其实他非常不愿意庆祝他的生日及晋铎周年。这次，他选择了回云南家乡欢庆生日，也是经过一番思考才决定的吧。
八十是个大寿，晋铎五十一周年也是一个大日子，家乡的也已以他为荣。他们精心的策划，隆重的庆祝，场面的热烈，确也令我们惊喜，出乎我们想像之外。
所以，张神父是非常的高兴和老怀安慰。一个八十岁的老人，能够看到这个场面，享受到这么多人的关爱及重视，实在是一个福气，也就是我们说的一个恩宠。
他的九十岁哥哥，静默寡言，但这次却也有所感动，和张神父说了很多话。在最后告别的时候，他热泪满眶的对他弟弟说：“你要好好照顾身体，要写信回来”。虽然是简短的几句话，但意味深长。
我们离开时，也有一个简单的欢送仪式。他们步行把我们送到村口，然后全体跪下，由神父降福，燃放了爆竹，我们才上车离开了。
这可能是张神父，也是我们最后一次的到来，但这次回乡，在我们心田里，留下了美丽的回忆。村民教友的热情，他们脸上纯朴的欢笑，聚餐时的那种浓厚乡情，几天的入耳笑声，融洽的交谈，至今仍然历历在目。
但是，更重要的，是看到老神父高兴及安慰，他的一生为主奉献，也受到了肯定。我们分享到了天主的恩宠，他的心愿也完成了。
sending off
送行
送行
Fr. Leo Chang left his home village and family more than sixty years ago. His life and his Vocation was filled with events and adventure. He came from a non-Christian family and entered seminary at the age of 12. When the Communist took over China, he was evacuated. Together with other seminarians, they fled the country to Hanoi. By ship, they sailed from Haipong to Singapore. Later they settled in Penang and continue their seminarian formation at the College General. After the study, he was accepted by the then Bishop Vendagan and ordained as a diocesan priest. His first posting was the Assumption Church in Seremban as an Assistant Parish Priest.
Throughout his priestly formation years and later more than fifty years of priesthood, his life was peppered with events of joy and sorrows. He was quite reluctant to celebrate anniversary and birthday. They brought back memories, bitter memories. He must have given a long thought before deciding to celebrate his 80th birthday and Ordination anniversary in his home village in China.
Eightieth birthday and Golden Jubilee of priestly Ordination were grand occasions. The villagers in Fr.'s home village must have took pride in this celebration. The grand welcoming, the big turnout at the dinner and beautiful presentations at night, the 3 sets of 8-tier birthday cakes, must have touched the heart of Fr. Leo Chang. Not many people can live to see such grand occasion and celebration.
His village was proud of him. His life-long dedication and services for the Kingdom of God has been recognised and appreciated.
When we left, there was a small group of villagers and relatives walked us to the exit of the village. They knelt down for Father's blessings, lighted firecrackers before we bid one another goodbye.
I am glad that Fr. was happy of the trip to his home village and enjoyed very much of his birthday and anniversary celebrations. His wish has been fulfilled.
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