Remembering Fr Anthony Chong

May 29, 2014

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): A bilingual memorial Mass for the late Fr Anthony Chong was celebrated at St Michael’s Church, on May 16.

The Mass was celebrated by SMC parish priest Fr Stephen Liew, and concelebrated by Fr Robin Andrews, SMC’s priest-in-residence, Fr Andrew Stephen of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, with Deacon Anthony Liew assisting.

Fr Anthony Chong was SMC’s assistant parish priest, until he passed away on May 17, 2013, following a stroke. He was 73 at the time of his passing.

Among those paying tribute to Fr Chong’s memory was Fr Stephen Liew, who said Fr Anthony Chong was a man who lived the Beatitudes in his lifetime.

In his homily, Fr Andrew said Fr Chong was like the apostles of Jesus, who were daring, brave and courageous, in spreading the Good News.

“Fr Chong’s life was about learning, watching and journeying with Jesus. He was courageous in spreading the Good News.

“A servant cannot be greater than the Master, but rather, he was following the Master. Fr Chong lived the Beatitudes in his lifetime and his deeds speak for him.

“It is a reminder for us to be courageous, daring and brave like him in following Jesus closely. We ask for this grace from the Lord,” he said.

One couple who used to go to his parish in Teluk Intan when they were there in the 1980’s said they were always touched by his inspiring and energetic personality.

“We could argue about anything with him, he did not stop us questioning him about certain events or catechism,” the husband said.

“He took the trouble to travel into rubber estates on his motorbike to see those parishioners who couldn’t come to Church, and he always encouraged us to pray,” he said.

He added that seeing his faith in God, and how Fr Chong considered it as important to talk to someone just as it was to prepare for some big event, had taught others like himself, how to go on praying and believing.

“It’s about faithfulness in the ordinariness of our everyday life,” he said.