By Joseph Tek Choon Yee
How should we respond? Not just with applause, but with accompaniment. With prayers, kindness, patience and support. Their vocation doesn’t erase their humanity – it sanctifies it.
Thus, we are called to be a Church that walks with its priests. One that forgives, uplifts and reminds them “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as inspired by Liverpool FC’s anthem. And let us storm heaven for more vocations, not just more priests, but more supported, joy-filled ones.
The following reflections are simply my personal observations from hosting Fr Albert. Not to glorify him, but to honour a shared journey, one that revealed the quiet grace of priesthood lived well.
All our clergy including priests and religious are special, each carrying unique gifts and personal crosses. We are called to take time to truly see them, to walk alongside them, and to share in their journey. Their vocations are not solo missions; they are shared callings, lived out in communion with the faithful.
Welcome to Malaysia and Sabah
Fr Albert’s Malaysian sabbatical began with an unexpected love affair – with durian. “Tastes like jackfruit!” he grinned, before sampling just that, followed by sweet potatoes and other local delights. Each bite brought back memories of home and widened his smile.
A 10-hour delay in KL turned into a blessing. I made my way there, did some errands, picked him up, and turned it into a whirlwind tour: Petronas Towers, Menara 118, Petaling Street, and pilgrim pitstops at St John’s and St Francis Xavier Church. He could now officially say he’d “done” KL.
Then at the airport, a brief hiccup – departure staff paused. “Ugandan?” checked, asked the staff “All clear.” Had he been Nigerian, we might still be sipping teh tarik in KL!
Landing in Sabah, he dove into Kadazan hospitality at a Montfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) dinner- food, dancing, laughter. “Sabahans serve joy,” he said, “not just food.”
Soon came a joyful “Anselmo alumni reunion” with Sabahan priests Fr Cosmas Lee, Fr David Garaman and Fr Russel Lawrine at various occasions. They swapped Rome stories and reflected on the martyrs of Uganda and also in Sabah – two continents, one burning faith.
In Sandakan, during Fr David’s event, a Sunday school teacher approached wide-eyed: “You’re the Ugandan priest? Our class just learned about the Ugandan Martyrs today!” Coincidence? Or a nudge from heaven?
Martyrs remind us: faith is not just belief, it’s the gift of self. Their surrender bridges continents. Their courage speaks across cultures. In their witness, we’re reminded that love – true, self-giving love – is always stronger than fear.
To be continued in the next issue
