It started off nicely enough, on this National Day, with the Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass for 41 couples of this parish together with their family, friends ansd relatives. Along with them too were a smattering of other parishioners who usually attends the morning Mass but today have to bear with this celebration. 4 Priests were in attendance of whom Fr AJ was the main celebrant. The Mass was then followed by a lunch reception. So far so good. I was still a little worn out by my session with the YC'ers last night where, after confession and Mass, I came back a little after 1 a.m. this morning. Both the Milestone and YC's Masses were experiences of camaraderie and fellowship and the strenghtening of commitment and love to one another. Grab a short nap after that.
In the late afternoon, however, another sort of experience took centrestage. It began with a call this morning at around 8.00 a.m. Someone passed away yesterday in an accident. A Filipino working in Singapore. An employee of Shangrila Hotel. Could I come over to conduct a short funeral prayer service during this moment of sorrow for the bereaved family (a wife and a 1 year old child)? I said OK and they told me that they will pick me to Trinity Casket (Sin Ming) for the service at 5.00 p.m. When I went there a large crowd had already gathered. The deceased, Norberto, seemed to be well loved by his friends and colleagues of Shangrila. I did the service and comforted the widow who was distraught by her husband's sudden death.
I felt a little surreal with all these as it was a series of differing events and emotions that came all in one day. These are not uncommon items that can happen in the ministry. Nonetheless to be found in the midst of one can be a little discomforting experience to undergo. By the way, it gets more interesting because I have a gathering at a friend's place later this evening over BBQ and some drinks as we watch the National Day Parade on TV!
Truly Uniquely Singapore!
In the late afternoon, however, another sort of experience took centrestage. It began with a call this morning at around 8.00 a.m. Someone passed away yesterday in an accident. A Filipino working in Singapore. An employee of Shangrila Hotel. Could I come over to conduct a short funeral prayer service during this moment of sorrow for the bereaved family (a wife and a 1 year old child)? I said OK and they told me that they will pick me to Trinity Casket (Sin Ming) for the service at 5.00 p.m. When I went there a large crowd had already gathered. The deceased, Norberto, seemed to be well loved by his friends and colleagues of Shangrila. I did the service and comforted the widow who was distraught by her husband's sudden death.
I felt a little surreal with all these as it was a series of differing events and emotions that came all in one day. These are not uncommon items that can happen in the ministry. Nonetheless to be found in the midst of one can be a little discomforting experience to undergo. By the way, it gets more interesting because I have a gathering at a friend's place later this evening over BBQ and some drinks as we watch the National Day Parade on TV!
Truly Uniquely Singapore!
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1 comment:
Most certain that by going through the exceptionals, your presence would have been a great source of strength and comfort to the bereaved, and help to the deceased.
In faith.
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