FATIMA K.B. NEWS : Rev. Fr. Anthony Chong

Rev. Fr. Anthony Chong was born on 21^st March 1940 in Taiping and was ordained a priest on 8^th December 1968, together with Fr. Marshall and Fr. Naden. He has served in the Penang Diocese for the last 44 years, as parish priest and assistant parish priest in various parishes in the diocese.

Fr. Chong took over the parish of Our Lady of Fatima from Jan 1990 – June 1999 and during his tenure here, the church was fully air-conditioned, donated by several parishioners. The side extension of the Church was enlarged and improved for holding various functions and activities.

The RCIA first took off in 1993 with Sr. Caroline Gan organising the sessions and we had 5 graduates in the first class, among them Matthew Teoh and Adeline Tan (Anne Mary's sister). During this period, the RPP (Renewed Parish Project) which was at that time, the Diocesan Option, was launched to reostructure our BEC's and every year we had to organize a few Parish Events. One of the annual events of the parish from 1970's -1990's was the Annual Parish Outing - we used to hold picnics at different venues - Semerak beach, Bukit Keluang, Jeram Pasu, Jeram Linang, Bukit Bakar etc.

Fr. Anthony Chong served a second term from 2005-2008. In April 2008, he went on sabbaticcal leave. In his farewell speech, he ended with these 3 words: “I Love YOU”

We bid farewell to a beloved priest and spiritual father to all who come into contact with him. Simple and humble in personality, at times serious and blunt, Fr. Chong lived life to the fullest. An avid outdoor hunter and fisherman when he is not celebrating mass, he loved to go out to sea with the local fishermen who regarded him as one of them. Bringing back his treasures from his fishing trips, he shared them generously with his parishioners. His homilies were simple, yet practical, filled with down-to-earth everyday examples drawn from his own experiences.

We are grateful to God for sending Fr. Chong to be with us all these years. He was with us for a total of 12 years 7 months – 9 years 5 months during his first term as parish priest, from 1991 - 1999 and again for another 3 years 2 months from 2005 – 2008.

A Father To All

“Fr. Chong loved Kota Bharu more than anywhere else in Malaysia. Many times, he had expressed his intention and hope to be able to retire in KB as he considered the congregation and nuns at Our Lady of Fatima church like his family. After serving the Catholic Church for so many years, one would have thought his wishes would have been granted but alas, that was not to be. Many a times, he did sneaked back to KB from Ipoh, even for a day or two, in between weekend masses to meet up with church members, and of course, do a bit of his favourite fishing or hunting. Many homes have received his generosity of fish, meat and pigeons. A simple man of God, humble parish priest, quiet yet strong and consoling. Here is a man of the people and ever ready to serve and much loved by all. Jesus must really be proud of Father Chong as he has served the Lord unconditionally and epitomises the role of a good father to all his congregation(children) and that's why he truly deserves to be called Father. Thank you Father Chong.
– Rachel Tan

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Remembering His Generosity
I remember a few times Fr. Chong came to visit our rented house in Kelantan. he just came, knocked at our door and once the door was opened he would go straight to the fridge and put in all the fish, vegetables, oyster and fruits and left. He was like a father figure.
We are so blessed to have Fr Chong in Ipoh. Often he called to take wild boar from his fridge...fresh one. The other day during mass, all of us lining up to receive communion. Before he give the host, he said to Foong 'see me after church' and rezeki besar he gave us fresh wild boar again.
He loves everyone. After mass he always stand at the exit/entrance and offer everyone a sweet. So sweet of him.
He is very simple, when we call him to have an appointment to bless the new house immediately he said “ Come let's go now. When we told him the house is still in a mess, he said 'Who is complaining?' ..He was a great man. – Minsyeh

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He has always been there for me. At times when i was so down when my husband was ill, he would somehow appear at my side. Always a source of strength and encouragement.

Fr Chong has been like a family to all in Kota Bharu. One fine day he came back from his fishing trip and brought a huge shark at our convent porch and said “Share with the people I have to rush back to Ipoh”...I said “Father how to cut this big fellow?”....and he said “ Figure it out”. Sr Lucia and myself stood in front of the shark and we used all kind of knives but it did not cut, in the end we used a saw.!!... Sr. Jackie

One night we were out fishing at sea. Suddenly, a cool wind started to blow and within minutes we were caught in the muddle of a storm. Sea water was smashing the windows and I thought I better make peace with God if we were not going to make it. That day I learnt true faith from Fr. Chong!!! He was standing at the bow of the boat shouting away "ya hoo...ya h... - Edmund Yeo

In Fr. Chong’s own Words

In his homily at a Mass celebrating the 43rd sacerdotal anniversary of his priestly ordination at St Michael’s Church here on Dec 8, 2011 at the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Praise God for His love to you, and ask yourself how closely you are following Jesus. Salvation history shows the merciful love of God who made man so special with intelligence and willpower. “It is this power given to us, which killed Jesus. But God gave us a second chance, so that maybe mankind will appreciate creation. “Man failed the first time, but God’s mercy in giving us a second chance always is a reminder of his love.
“Christmas is a special grace, and a reminder to us. Do we follow Jesus, and do we welcome Jesus? “God says the son of God is coming. Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, who is fully man and fully God. That is why we have the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. “It is a special privilege for us to prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and we should be thankful.
“For these 43 years, God called me to proclaim, like Mary, the goodness of the Lord. So we must continue to thank God for his plan for us and continue to praise Him,” he said.

We shall miss Fr. Chong as he goes to meet His Master who I can hear saying to him, “Well done, Good and Faithful servant. Welcome into your heavenly inheritance” To Fr. Chong, there will always be a place in Kota Bharu for you, And your memory and example will always remain in our hearts.

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