KUCHING — The morning of 7 November saw faithful particularly from Kuching and Bau in St Joseph’s Cathedral filling up the church to full capacity to witness the sacerdotal ordination of Deacon Joseph Liew Tze Jian into the Order of Priests. Concelebrating the Mass with Archbishop John Ha were Archbishop Emeritus Dato Sri Peter Chung, Msgr William Sabang and 23 priests, assisted by a deacon. Joseph Liew’s parents, younger brother and his sister-in-law were also present.
In his speech, Archbishop John Ha said although the Archdiocese of Kuching has been blessed with a priestly ordination for three successive years (2009, 2010 and 2011), the church has not loosen her pastoral belt as six priests in the Archdiocese are over 70 years old. Therefore, substitutes need to be found as the Archdiocese of Kuching is seriously short of priests.
“And so I’d like to appeal to all young men here and those who are not here today,” he said. “The Lord may be calling you. You must give the Lord a chance.” Taking Fr Joseph Liew as an example, he encouraged young men to respond to God’s call.
Addressing parents, he said, “When your sons are called to the priesthood, be generous.” He applauded heartily the generosity of Fr Joseph Liew’s parents; given that they are non-Christians, they did not object but gave their full support to their son’s decision to be a priest. Rounds of applause from all present signified their agreement with the Archbishop when His Grace expressed his gratitude to the parents of Fr Joseph Liew. He also prayed for God’s abundant blessings and protection upon them. As a token of appreciation to the parents of Fr Joseph Liew, Archbishop John Ha presented them with a gift.
Fr Joseph Liew, 39, born in Kuching, has an elder sister and a younger brother. He was baptised and confirmed on 2 April 1994 with Fr Leonard Yap as his sponsor. A graduate teacher by profession, he was serving in SMK Tebakang before joining the seminary in 2005.
After blessing his parents, the newly ordained, Fr Joseph Liew in his short speech thanked everyone for their love, support and prayers. “Priesthood is a gift,” he said. “God calls each of us to respond differently according to his will.” He especially thanked his parents and family, who had willingly offered him to God and to the service of God’s people, just like how Isaac was offered to God by Abraham. Speaking in Mandarin, he lovingly assured his parents: “Daddy and Mummy, I’m now a priest but my life will not change. I remain your eldest Son, Tze Jian who will be home for meals, to talk, watch TV, go shopping and to enjoy our favourite ‘Hakka lui cha’ together with you as before.”
In the evening, a thanksgiving dinner was held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre in celebration of Fr Joseph Liew’s ordination.
Audrey Yu
I am very happy for Fr. Joseph. Our God is always looking for humble and listening hearts. Fr. Joseph had the call, he listened and acted as our Virgin Mother had the message from The Angel and submitted herself to God’s Will. Fr. Joseph, may The Almighty God Bless you in your new vocation, and bless your parents for listening to the message you received from the Father. Though, they are said not to be Christians, their rewards may be more than those of us who call ourselves Christians. God will richly bless them and very soon they WILL submit themselves to Christ, and they will become His Apostles. Amen