Wednesday, October 29, 2014

A day 16 years ago 十六年前的那一天



27-11-1998, 差一个月就是16年前的那一天。

第二届全国天主教青年词曲创作交流会在槟城的大修院举行,主题为“心空的旋律”。

台湾著名音乐创作人/作曲家/歌星梁弘志,以及电视主持人、音乐人丁松青神父,受邀为交流会的导师及主讲人。

这是一项由八打灵芥子福音传播中心主办的活动,目的是推动/提升本地天主教青年对词曲创作技巧及知识。

我与太太也受邀参与。虽然我们是音乐门外汉,但也非常投入参加者的创作及歌曲。

那天是星期五的傍晚,在大修院的一间大厅里,参加者都忙着交流及练习歌曲。我与太太坐在后面,观赏着他们的活动。

有两位年青的修士把头伸了进来,好奇的向我们询问这是什么活动。他们是结束了当天傍晚的活动后,要回到宿舍去。

我向他们介绍这项活动的内容,同时也询问他们的名字。

一位告诉我他是 John wong, 来自山打根 ,来这里参加一项课程(课程名我已不记得)。(当时山打根还是属于亚庇教区)

我到过山打根,所以与他交谈了一下关于当地的一些话题。

另一位的名字为Julian,受英文教育。他来自芙蓉的圣母望见堂。

我开玩笑的对他说,当他晋铎神父后,有一天会被派到加影担任本堂神父一职,那可不是不可能的事。(他后来真的被调派到加影担任本堂主任神父,而且还是我以堂区牧民议会主席的职位欢迎他上任,与他共事两年左右)。

那是一个很简短的相遇。

今天,这两位修士都以在各自的教区,晋升为总主教。

大约六个月前,我到槟城大修院探访当时在那里任教的 Fr. Julian Leow (廖炳坚神父),问起他是否记得那天的活动,他说没有印象。

我没有机会与亚庇黄总主教见面交谈,但假如有那一天,我会问他同样的问题,看看他是否记得16年前那一个傍晚的活动。

梁弘志在10 年前,因癌症而蒙主恩召。不久前,台北举行了一项隆重的周年纪念会,悼念这位伟大的音乐人及耶稣的忠实门徒。他创作了许多脍炙人口的流行及歌颂赞美歌曲,流芳后世。

愿他的灵魂,依靠主的仁慈,得享安息。阿门。

( 一些照片  Facebook)

(谨靠回忆,以上内容、资料可能有差错。若有,谨至歉意,本人也会去作个脑部检查)

27-11-1998, one month short of 16 years ago.

The 2nd National Catholic Youths Song Writing and Composition workshop as held at the College General Penang with the theme " Frequency of Heart".

Famous Taiwanese song composer/writer/singer Liang Hong Zhi, TV host/public communication expert Jesuit Priest Fr. Jerry were invited to be the main workshop animators and speakers.

It was an event organised by the Mustard Seed Evangelize Center (Petaling Jaya), a lay organisation formed by the CDD order ( Congregatio Discipulorrum Domini)  with the main objectives of evanglisation through music, printed media and publishing for the Chinese-speaking community.

My wife and I were invited to the event although we did not know much about music.

Participants were young and aspiring musicians who were interested in song writing and music making.

It was a Friday evening, participants were busily practicing at a hall in the College General. My wife and I were seated at the back watching.

There came 2 young seminarians popping their heads into and checking out with us what was going on. They had just finished their evening sports activities and on their way home to their quarters.

I told them about the nature of the event and asked about their names at the same time.

One told me he is John Wong from Sandakan. He was here for a one-year course ( could not remember the programme he mentioned). Sandakan was then under Kota Kinabalu (KK) diocese.

I had been to Sandakan and shared some experiences with him.

The other one introduced himself as Julian from Seremban , a seminarian from Visitation Parish.

I joked that one day (after ordination) he might come to Kajang Holy Family to be my parish priest. ( He did come to Kajang as the Parish Priest in 2004. As the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council then, I had the honour to welcome him to the parish and served him for about 2 years)

It was a brief encounter lasted less than 10 minutes. 

Today, both young seminarians had been ordained as Archbishop in their respective Archdiocese.

A few months ago when visited him at the College General, I mentioned this event to then Fr. Julian, he told me that he has no memory of that particular evening.

I have not meet Archbishop John Wong since his ordination. If given the chance, I would ask him the same to find out if he remembered that particular event.

Liang Hong Zhi died of cancer 10 years ago in Taipei. A memorial service was held in Taipei recently to remember this great musician and faithful follower of Christ. He has written many popular songs, including praise and worship that widely circulated in Christian communities.

May his soul, through the Mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.

( Some pictures in Facebook)

* Written solely from memory recollection, may contained factual inaccuracies. If so, my sincere apologies, and shall undergo voluntarily brain examination)


Jalan Jalan Sarawak (3) 沙劳越走透透



美里(Miri) 是个油城。砂劳越/马来西亚第一个油田就是在美里开采的。

我来过美里大约有四、五次吧,但都是短暂或是转站而已。

游客可以从美里乘搭内陆飞机,前往世界著名的穆鲁山洞游玩。美里也是参观尼亚地理奇景石林的出发站。

从美里前往汶莱,只需半个小时,就抵达边界,两个小时就可抵达首都斯里巴加湾。

美里教区是在1977年成立,李国兴神父被教廷委任为第一任主教,于2013年荣休。美里还未成为教区前,是古晋教区的一部分,有着多个平信徒组织,包括圣母军。

在任期间,李主教推行圣神复兴运动,而终止其他组织及善会的操作。

漫长的统治,漫长的冬天,大地都等待着春天的到来。圣母军,它是一个由圣神统管的教会组织,以圣母为领袖,盼望着能够为基督神国奉献的那声春雷的到来。

2013年,吴对龙神父接任为新的主教,开始了新的一页。美里的春天(Spring time 教宗若望保禄二世:千禧年的到来)迟了十三年,但也终于的到来了。

圣神在美里真正的得到复兴,大地万象更新。

约十多前,我遇到一位美里七十多高龄的前圣母军老妇人,她声带哽咽的说:“我希望有生之年,看到圣母军能够被允许(操作)的那一天。。”

她盼望的那一天出现了,但我不知到她是否仍然健在。

20/10/2014 星期一,下午三点四十五分,我从古晋乘搭飞机,抵达了美里机场,等待着我的是热情的美里主教座堂主任钟松锦神父。他把我载送到酒店。

在过去的三个月里,钟神父在堂区成立了五个圣母军支团(四个华文及一个英文)。

傍晚六点半,我与从诗巫过来的昌春、汶莱的志贤、坤章、子云及伯贤兄弟,来到了美里主教座堂的礼堂,看到了一群为数八十人,脸上充满圣神的光彩、 喜乐的圣母军友及家人,热情的欢迎我们。

吴对龙主教也出席了这个集会。他向大家讲话时,表示很高兴的看到这么多的圣母军团员。他在古晋服务时,曾有与圣母军接触的经验,知道它是一个为教会教会服务贡献的团体,所以晋升为主教后,马上就赞成圣母军的复会。

团员们也准备了各种美味食物,包括本身拿手的菜肴及糕饼,喜乐的共同分享。

感谢圣母召叫了钟神父与一群美里的军友,分享了她的使徒工作。

我们大家共同努力,互相勉励,成己成人的道路上,绝不会孤单、寂寞,而有的是喜乐,兄弟姐妹的亲情与主的平安常相伴。

(Facebook 照片)

 Miri is an oil town. The first oil well in Sarawak/Malaysia is found in Miri.

I had been to Miri four or five times, but only on transit or brief stop over.

Miri airport is the transit point for tourists to the world famous Mulu Caves complex. Miri is also the base station for Niah Pinacles tours.

From Miri, it takes less than half an hour to reach the border of Brunei, and two hours to the capital Bandar Sri Bergawan.

Mire Diocese was founded in 1977  with Fr. Anthony Lee was elected as the first Bishop. He retired in 2013, a long reign of 36 years.

Before its formation, Miri parish was under the jurisdiction of Kuching Diocese, with  many lay organisations including The Legion of  Mary.

Bishop Anthony Lee dis-banded all lay organisations except the Charismatic Renewal prayer group during his reign. 
It was a long winter for the diocese. Legion of Mary, a well established lay organisation, amd many other dis-banded lay groups, were waiting patiently for the coming of a new Spring.

2013, Rev. Fr. Richard Ng was elected as the new Bishop of Mire, succeeding the retiring Bishop Anthony Lee. The long awaited New Spring Time (Pope John Paul II on the Coming of a new Millennium) has finally arrived, albeit 13 years later.

I met an old legionary (70+) from Miri more than ten years ago. She told me in tears: " I wish to see the revival of Legion of Mary in Miri during my remaining life time ...."

The Lord has sent forth the Spirit and renewed the face of the earth.

On 20/10/2014 at about 3:45 pm, I arrived at Miri Airport from Kuching, and was greeted warmly by Rev. Fr. Gabriel Chong, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Cathedral.

Fr. Gabriel has in recent months revived 5 praesidia (Latin means groups, 4 Mandarin and 1 English) in his parish.

In the evening, a fellowship was held at the parish hall. Bishop Richard Ng and more than 80 Legionaries, friends and families members attended the joyful and warm occasion.

(See Facebook for pictures)



Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Visiting and eating 拜访在吃喝中

27-10-2014 Monday

My Sibu old friend Joseph and wife Rose brought me out on the second last day in Sibu.

We visited Bintangor, a small town about one hour's drive from Sibu.

At the Church of Christ the King, I met the friendly Parish Priest Fr. Philip Hu. He presented me with his parish souvenir mug and umbrella.

We dropped by a coffee shop who is owned by Joseph's nephew John.

John is a happy and joyful man. His has a warm and happy smile.

From Bintangor, we went to a small riverine town nearby called Julau.

I met the Parish Priest of St. Alphosus Catholic Church Rev. Fr. Devadass, from Mill Hill Mission order.

He is from India and has been serving this parish for the past 3 years. He speaks fluent local Iban language.

At night, I had dinner with Rev. Fr. Taam (90 years old), the parish priest of St. Theresa Church at Sungai Merah, Sibu.


(See pictures in Facebook)

27-10-2014 (星期一)

诗巫老朋友黄禄声及太太丽馨,今天带我往外拜访。首先来到了一个小时车程外的小镇民丹莪。

我们拜访了这里的基督君王堂主任许神父。他非常的友善,还送了我该教堂的杯及雨伞纪念品。

过后,我们来到了禄声的外甥John 所开的一间咖啡店。

John 是我见过的许多咖啡店东主中,最开心喜乐的一位。他有着开心的笑容,看他泡茶,也是一件乐事。

从民丹莪,我们前往附近的一个河边小镇Julau。

我遇见了当地圣阿凡索教堂的主人Devadas (德华达斯)神父。他来自印度,是一位米尔山修会的传教士,说的一口流利的当地伊班话。

晚上,我拜候了诗巫新珠山圣德肋撒堂的谭泽荣神父。神父今年已经90岁了,但还是老当益壮,管理一间教堂及繁忙的牧灵工作。

(更多照片Facebook)


Sunday, October 26, 2014

Footsteps 脚步

At Miri 在美里

 Traveled to few more towns after Kuching... Miri, Bintulu, Kanowit, Majau, Dalat, Mukah ... story will follow later.

(Pictures in Facebook)

古晋过后,到过了几个市镇 。。 美里,民都鲁,加拿逸,沐胶等 。。。故事迟些上载。

(一些照片 Facebook)

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Jalan Jalan Sarawak (2) 砂劳越走透透


It's Sunday.

Attended 8:00 am Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Church (BDC) which took 8 minutes of walking.

After Mass, I "dictated" William to take me to a coffee shop for Kuching Laksa and Kolomee.

Wow, they tasted sooooooo good!

After a hearty breakfast, I attended the monthly meeting of Kuching Mother Most Gracious Curia at Holy Trinity Church.

Its Spiritual Director Archbishop Emeritus, His Grace Peter Chung (86) attended the meeting too.

(More pictures Facebook)



 今天是星期日。

从酒店,走了大约八分钟,就到达了圣体堂,参加早上8点正的华语弥撒。

弥撒过后,我指定William 带我去吃古晋喇沙及乾捞面。。。美味极了!

饱餐一顿之后,我参加了古晋诸宠圣母区团会议。

指导神师荣休钟万庭总主教,也出席了会议。总主教今年86岁,体格还很好,仍然还非常活跃参与圣母军的活动。

(更多照片Facebook)

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Jalan Jalan Sarawak 砂劳越走透透

Almost one month after returning from long European holiday, my Jalan Jalan Sarawak journey started today.

I was taking advantage of cheap air fair offered by Air Asia at the beginning of the year with a round trip costing less than RM100. However, due to my careless mistake, I have to book a MAS flight in order to be in Kuching 2 days earlier than scheduled.

It is a journey of visiting old friends and acquaintances in the state of Sarawak covering Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Kanovit and beyond.

William Ting, an old friend, booked me into a small budget hotel called One Point Hotel right opposite the 4-star Four Point Hotel near the airport and church.

Next door is a big food court with tens of stalls selling delicious hawker food.

An old legionary friend Wen Ni and family invited me for a delicious seafood dinner at a big rooftop food court.

A good start to my journey thanks to Wen Ni and family.

(more pictures in Facebook)


From Left: Wen Ni, daughter Yu Ling(Beatrice) Right: Son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter

完成了长达两个月的欧洲之旅的一个月后,今天我开始了砂劳越走透透之旅。

我是因为买到亚航在年头的便宜机票促销之便,才能够实现这趟行程。(来回不超过马币一百元)不过,因为个人的疏忽,我得另买一张马航机票,比原本的计划提前两天来到古晋。

这是一趟会见及探访老朋友及相识的行程,概括了古晋、美里、民都鲁、诗巫、加拿逸等地。

老友William 帮我定了一间靠近机场及教堂的廉价酒店 One Point Hotel,它就在四星级的Four  Points by Sheraton 对面。

隔壁就是美食中心。

晚上,老军友蒙雯妮姐妹及家人,请我到一间屋顶露台美食中心享受一顿丰富的海鲜餐。

吃饱饱,一个好的开始!

谢谢雯妮姐及家人的接待。

(更多照片Facebook)


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

New Archbishop 新总主教




Fr. Julian Leow was ordained 4th Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese on Oct 6 at the Church of the Holy Family, Kajang.

The Episcopal Ordination Mass was con-celebrated by about 20 Bishops, 120 priests with Archbishop of Kuching Most Rev John Ha as the Consecrator.

About 13,000 faithful, with many invited guests, foreign dignitaries and religious communities attended this great event of the Catholic Church.

The ceremony was also live-telecast online via Youtube.

(See pictures in Facebook)

Old postings on Fr. Julian :

1. Many Years Ago 

2. Welcome home

3. Greetings from Rome



廖炳坚神父在十月六日,于加影圣家教堂举行的晋牧典礼中,正式的成为吉隆坡天主教总教区的第四任总主教。

晋牧典礼弥撒是有古晋夏长福总主教主礼,20位主教及120位神父共祭。

大约13000 人,包括邀请嘉宾,外国使节及各宗教代表,出席了这个天主教会重大的盛事。

晋牧典礼也通过Youtube,网上直播。

(观看照片Facebook)

一些有关新总主教的旧帖子:

1. 多年前

2. 欢迎回来

3. 来自罗马的问候




Saturday, October 4, 2014

Good food in Seremban 芙蓉美食

Two weeks after returning from my holidays, I am still suffering from jetlag.

I would get up at about 2 or 3 in the morning and not able to sleep anymore.

No social activities, no outing for the past 2 weeks. 

Today, we went down to Seremban to visit Anna and Stephen with Susan and Tony who arrived from Johor Baru last night.

I missed all my favourite food ... 

(See pictures in Facebook) 


假期回来了两个星期,我仍然还是有困难调整时差。

通常我会在半夜 2或3 点就醒了过来,不能再继续睡下去。

两个星期,没有什么社交活动或外跑。

今天,与东尼及苏珊一同到芙蓉探访Anna 与 Stephen. 东尼与苏珊在昨晚来到我家。

我非常的想念这里的许多美味食物。。。

(更多照片Facebook )