By Alan Chen
KUCHING — “Glory and Praise to Our God.” 18 February 2020 marked 25 years of Fr Patrick Heng’s priestly ordination. To commemorate this joyous occasion, a celebratory dinner was held on 16 February at a local restaurant with about 800 people from different parishes, near and far, attending.
The dinner was graced by Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh and Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, as well as invited priests from West Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Pakistan.
In his speech, Fr Patrick Heng thanked everyone for their support throughout his 25 years of service to the people of God. He also added that the love and care God gave him through fellow parishioners have also made him a joyful priest despite all the challenges he faced.
He hopes that through his sharing in the jubilee booklet, many young people may be inspired to consider the religious vocation and answer God’s calling.
Entertainment at the celebration dinner included performances from the Tabuan Dayak Group, HTC Sunday School, Chinese Youth Ministry, Combined Choirs, Parish Pastoral Council and the Fransiscan Sisters.
Fr Patrick Heng’s Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated on 18 February, his anniversary day of ordination, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Archbishop Simon Poh expressed his gratitude and thanks to the “Heng” family for giving Fr Patrick to serve the people of God.
Archbishop Emeritus John Ha in his homily, reiterated that Fr Patrick’s dedication as an altar server must have given him a very profound experience of God’s love for him, especially in the Holy Eucharist. It must have drawn within him something so overpowering that he decided to forgo a very bright future in the secular world, as he saw an even brighter future in the hands of God in His vineyard.
He further added that the joy Fr Patrick experienced, is God’s affirmation that He loves us unconditionally; “Love begets Love” (God’s love for me begets my love for God and my love for others). Loving others is loving God and that brings joy.
Our heartiest congratulations to Fr Patrick Heng and thank you for your 25 years of ministry of love for all of us. We wish you many more years of this ministry of Love of God and for his people. Our prayers are with you always, gloria et laus.
*Editor’s Note – Follow the story of Bishop Richard Ng (ordained with Fr Patrick Heng) Here.
