My ex-student and me standing beside the altar of my mum's house
Raised up in the Catholic family, with the altar as shown above, I was curious about my religion. I asked my parents and my aunt many questions. My aunt was the one who told me that my religion is Roman Catholic. I also learned the word "Saint" from her. My aunt, Teresia Lee, passed away on 18 October 2016. I also learned the name of our church from her.
I am proud to be a Catholic after I know more about my faith, especially after Jesus came to save me -- my conversion. I declared myself to be a real Christian, a real Catholic. In the past, I did not dare to admit that I am a Christian.
In the year 2000, Richard left the family. I was devastated. Everything came crashing down. I was so stressed that there was not even enough milk to provide for my then newborn baby, Clara. My mind was not able to think properly too. I needed help. I needed people to talk to, to help me. I managed to got some help from the neigbourhood church and also the lawyer. The lawyer was coincidentally a Christian. He asked me "Have you heard of trials and tribulations?" Then he invited me to his church. He acted like a friend, but later on when he discovered that Richard came back home, he charged me a four figure sum for lawyer's fee. I went to his church, and I was left alone to explore. I did not feel 'homely'. It was so uncomfortable there. They wanted me to join their congregation, but I did not join them.
I went to the neighbourhood church near my house. Their church was not ready then. It was at Causeway Point then. I was invited to attend their service. I did not feel 'homely' again. Their receiving holy communion was so different from the Catholic. They just passed it around and there was no priest, but Pastor. Still further on, my neighbour came to know that I was alone. She also invited me to her church at Yishun. I did not like the environment too. Finally, auntie Mary came knocking at the door. She is a Jehovah Witness. She shared the bible with me. She told me that she withdrew herself from the Catholic church and she was baptized as Jehovah Witness. She invited me to her church in Malaysia. I went with her and I did not join her also, for the same reason as above. Then She gave up on me. She stopped coming to my house.
I was left alone with Richard, together we raised our children. I thought of teaching the children the right thing. I sent them to catechism class. We slowly went back to church at Church of St Anthony of Padua. It was more a comfortable place there, a more 'homely' feeling, a feeling of coming back to somewhere where you belong.
It was at the church where I got to see Father Terence and Father Vincent the first time. Going back to the church, I listened to hymns and songs of the church. It was so nice and peaceful. Eventually, things started to change and eventually I encountered Jesus...
The old Church of St Anthony of Padua in the year 2008
