Receive Grace, Always

The sun is gently beating onto the ground outside while I sit in the comfort of an aircon room. I am only hours away from a neighbourhood mass over at Lucky Heights this evening. Usually around this time if I have time to spare, I would put on my blades and into the tracks of the East Coast parkway I would go for a spot of blade whizzing.

But timing is not possible for today's recreation. So, I continue to sit here...

As I look around me, I can't help but feel a little sad and do wish that things - some things - could remain the same or that they don't change. For starters, our secretariat has seen the retirement of two of our well known staff who was with us for quite a while - Douglas Rozario and Agnes Quek. Between the two, Agnes took the front most of the time with her efficiency and dedication to the administrative work before her. Douglas lended his support and presence as and when he could as he concentrated on more minor and supportive role in the background. After all he is already in is 70s.

I shall miss their efficiency and expertise of Church secretariat matters, not to mention Agnes' tea and breakfast goodies which she shares with us priests when the mood or occasions arise. In place of these two stalwarts who left us for greener pastures, are three 'neophytes' feeling their way around the environment and people we have here as the community of HolyFamily. They are still getting use to us as we are to them. I must be patient and practice patience as I deal with Mary Chee, Benny Yeo and Lawrence Wong in their effort to be part of this new secretariat team that they are. Certainly, they can't beat the added years of experience between Agnes and Douglas but in time they can slowly be a team that can bring about 'quality fruits.'

I also received news of another friend leaving. Mel Diamse-Lee from the Catholic News emailed me and few other of her friends informing us that she is leaving the establishment. She wants to concentrate on her motherhood and wants to see how working life in the secular world is all about. I wish her the very best.

I sense also of age slowly creeping up and the last cataract operation is certainly a clear indicator of this. On June 29, next month, I celebrate my 2 years in the priesthood and just about 2.5 years in this parish of the Holy Family! Fr Ignatius Yeo (Holy Cross) today celebrates his 3 years as he invited me to join him for a breakfast celebration. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it. These passing time of changes and the reality of being a mortal can be rather sobering thoughts that put me in my place and not to feel any greater than anyone. I am only a humble and struggling servant that is continuing to find what he is in the scheme of God's plan.

It is quiet here now and the silence only softly broken by the hum of the aircon blower above. I looked to the Franciscan calendar at my desk and the phrase there struck me. 'Receive grace - always'. Yes, give me that and I ask for nothing more!