OLPS MEMOIRS

A TR IBUTE TO A VERY SPEC IAL

REV FR GREGOIRE VAN GIANG

Fr Greg came to OLPS on

August 15 1997, taking

over from Fr John Lee

and Fr Ignatius Low. He

became Parish Priest of

OLPS. This year marks

his 18th year here.

After 18 years of dedicated service as Parish

Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour,

Fr Greg will be leaving for another Parish.

We asked our parishioners to send their wishes

for Fr Greg. Their outpouring of love and

tributes stand as a testimony to Fr Greg’s work

in OLPS, his Love, Faith and Charity *

Our

Tributes

*

Fr Greg,

18 years had passed at the blinking of

an eye. Sad to hear that you will be

leaving OLPS for another church.

The amount of changes you have

brought about in OLPS bears the

testimony of the number of

parishioners OLPS has to-date.

Thanks Fr for making OLPS vibrant

and most loved church in the East

District. You will also be remembered

as one of the priests who speaks the

loudest and you can be sure that no

one sleeps when you celebrate the

mass.

PE T E R T AN

*

Fr Greg,

Thank you for being an inspiration to

each and every one of us, regardless of

which race we belong. OLPS Church is

the first church I visited when I reach

here in Singapore by early month of

2011 and you're one of the preachers

that time. I've seen how dedicated and

kind you are.

Good luck to your future endeavours

and we will miss you.

Mabuhay at ingat palagi po Fr Greg!

E L L A

*

Dear Fr Greg,

All the best to you. I will definitely

miss you.

When I got baptised in year 1999 they

were 3 dragon priests. Fr Gerald, ex Fr

John and you... I am sad that you are

leaving too. I love OLPS it is like my

second home.

Hope you come visit us sometimes.

Thank you for been with us for so

many years.

God bless you Fr Greg.

PEGGY ANN

*

Thank you, Fr Gregoire, for a most

enjoyable Pastoral Year in OLPS in

2012.

I will always remember your

guidance, your encouragement & your

support.

May God continue to bless you in your

new parish & I do hope to catch up

with you one day for a spot of

Vietnamese food & Vietnamese

coffee!! :)

F R G R EGO R Y C H AN

*

Thank you Fr Greg for your years of

service and devotion to our church.

Wishing you the very best in your new

assignment. We will miss you.

MARK Y E AP

*

Hello Fr Greg!

How are you there? My best wishes as

you journey for a new assignment. I

am so grateful for your warmest

welcome every time I get to

Singapore. I felt so at home with such

warmness.

Thanks a lot for being

accommodating. Thank you for the

Friendship in the Priesthood. I am

preparing this time for my mission

work in Alaska. I hope to be there by

late of June 2015. Hope to see you

again in my nest visit to Singapore.

Kudos to your new assignment.

God Bless,

F R A RMAND

*

Dear Fr Greg,

Please accept my sincere thanks and

gratitude for being our good shepherd

all these years. May you always be

blessed with the comfort of the

Father's love, the Friendship of His

Son and the wisdom of the Spirit.

You will be deeply missed.

Best regards,

R I A N T Y

*

Dear Fr Greg

We truly appreciate your spiritual

guidance. Your homilies have always

been very inspirational and

interesting.

Thank you for strengthening our bible

knowledge through your 'Quick

Journey through the bible' course. We

are very proud to have received a

certificate even!!

We are going to miss you but we know

that God wants you to go and inspire

others with your great stories.

God's blessings be with you always.

HA R R Y & C A T H E R I N E T A N

*

Thank you Fr Greg for being part of

our OLPS family and also our spiritual

director, advisor, confessor and

Friend.

You will be missed but God has other

plans for you.

All our love & God's blessings

GLOR I A R AQU I Z A *

Dear Fr Greg

Thank you for being with us in OLPS

the past years.

Although I have moved to a further

place hence have not frequented

OLPS, you have always been the

familiar face that I look forward to

seeing each time I attend novena &

mass at OLPS.

I will miss you, God bless!

C AROL CHUNG

*

We are going to miss you Father and

all the best for your next posting.

Ciao…

RAPHAE L MOK

*

Romo Tabib Penabur Kasih yang kami

cintai, Semoga amal bakti Romo

kepada Tuhan kami Yesus Kristus

melalui umatmu di KKIS-OLPS

membawa berkat yang makin

berlimpah di tempat pengabdian

Romo yang baru, kini dan sepanjang

masa. Semoga Romo diberi kesehatan

yang prima dan kebahagian yang

sejati oleh Bapak, Putra dan Roh

Kudus. Amin! Tuhan memberkati.

Cium Hangat dari Keluarga Lemanza:

W i l l y , N a n i k ,

H e n d r y , W i n a ,

I w a n , D r a g o , N i c h o

*

I'm writing on behalf of my mum,

Theresa Lopez.

She is very grateful to Fr Greg, He has

done so much for the church, he

improved the church facilities

especially for the disabled (mum is in

a wheel chair) e.g. the bridge and the

ram. He provided free coffee for

parishioners which she enjoys weekly.

Personally, I will always remember

how he visited my Father, Joseph

Lopez in hospital and later his

touching and comforting homily/

sermon during my dad's funeral mass.

He also celebrated my parents 60th

wedding anniversary mass.

The Lopez family, wishes Fr Greg well

in his new appointment and may GOD

continue to bless and protect him.

We will miss him terribly!

V E RON I C A LOPE Z

*

Hi Fr Greg!

First and foremost, I wanted to say

Thank You! Thank you so much for

bringing us home. Thank You for

allowing our culture and traditions

continue and for always supporting

the Filipino Community in OLPS.

My deepest thanks and gratitude for

your love, service, passion, acceptance

and courage to build and inspire each

and everyone of us to be with Jesus.

We love you Fr Greg and we will

certainly miss you! :) Take good care

always and we do hope to see you

soon! �

PR & ABB Y ABR I CO

*

Dedicated servant of God!

Thanks very much for the 18 years of

sweat & toil, & oh yes, the constant

reminders of considerate parking,

almost sounding like a broken record

hehe.

We'll cherish your time at OLPS, be

assured of our prayers for your next

mission.

God bless you Fr Greg! ♡

T E R EN C E T A N

*

Dear Fr Greg

When I heard of your recent posting

to another parish, naturally I was sad

as you have been not only a good

pastor but a trusted Friend to my

family.

However, what is good must be

shared and therefore in true Christian

charity I am happy that you will soon

be able to bring your charisma to a

new parish.

May the Lord continue to work

through you to bring joy and Fresh

ideas to a whole new people.

God bless you.

S H I R L E Y WEE

*

Fr Greg,

You have been an untiring priest at

OLPS and have initiated so many new

projects and charitable ones too.

May you have good health and

strength to continue God's plan in the

many years to come.

RAPHAE L L EONG

*

We've (me and my husband) been in

OLPS community for less than a year.

Celebrating every Sunday mass and

those church special occasion has

been a wonderful experience to us.

Especially the first time we celebrate

Simbang Gabi here in SG. We are very

grateful of Fr Greg's participation and

allowing this kind of Filipino

traditions alive.

Thank you very much Fr Greg and we

certainly miss you, your Sunday

homily and your smile every time we

greet you. We will visit you in your

new community soon.

We love you and thank you very much

Fr Greg.

L YNN ABAB AO

*

Dear Fr Greg,

Praise and thank the Lord for having

you in OLPS with us for the past 18

years.

My family and I will surely miss you.

May God continue to shower

abundant blessings on you!

With best wishes,

C A THER I NE CHU & F AM I L Y

*

Dearest Fr Greg,

My family and I will miss you and your

sermons. Please take care.

May God Bless You with Good Health

and Happiness Always!

Love,

JOV I AN & F AM I L Y

*

Fr Greg,

Thank you for your inspirational

homilies which are forceful, loud,

powerful and meaningful.

May God bless you in your new

posting, you will be greatly missed.

My wife, Debbie and I were honored

to have you during the ME in June

2014, only then we realised that you

were actually a funny person!

DOM IN I C Y I P

*

Dear Fr Greg,

It is with a deep sense of loss that I

hear you are going to head another

church. As a Catechumen attending

daily Mass and the Saturday afternoon

Mass in OLPS, I always loved your

stirring sermons and fervour which

you preached, for the Lord.

I feel your love and faith for the Lord,

which never fails to stir my desire to

be even more closer to the Lord, to

walk closer with HIM, and to grow

stronger despite the trials during my

catechumenate period, and time as an

Elect.

OLPS will never be the same without

such a special Father like you. And it is

certain that your new church will find

a renewal in faith and spirit in her

congregation, with your ever loving

and kind presence.

Dear Fr Greg, in parting, I wish you

good health, a long life, and happiness,

and unceasing faith in the Lord.

May you always inspire in your

congregation, great love for the Lord

our God.

I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for

allowing me to know such a Christ-

like Father who is so full of the Holy

Spirit and humility.

Yours sincerely,

M I CHAE L JOSE PH NG

*

Welcome Fr Greg to Church of Our

lady Star of the Sea.

We're waiting for you here with open

arms, hearts and mind to be

transformed by you.

I don't know you personally but I've

read about you. I believe God is

sending you here to make a difference

in our parish.

Mabuhay Fr Greg. Maligayang

pagdating sa OLSS. :)

From Art & deco ministry of OLSS

REBE C C A

*

Thank you Fr Greg for all these years

of humble dedication to OLPS Church.

Being an altar server in the mid 90s, I

remember you came in at a time we

needed spiritual and leadership

direction, and you led us all well.

May you bring your humble Spiritual

leadership to your next posting.

God Bless!

Ex-OLPS Altar Server,

F R ANC I S T A Y

*

Fr Greg has been one of the primary

reasons we decided to stay at OLPS

out of all the rest of the churches here

at the east side. Besides his

commitment to the parishioners and

his support to the communities, esp.

to the Filipino community. He has

shown time & again what love he has

for God thru his profession and

service.

He will continue to be our beloved

parish priest, we are sure he will be an

inspiration to his next set of

parishioners.

All the best Fr Greg! You will surely be

missed.

PHIL IP & JOY ABAJA *

Fr Greg,

We wish and pray for you that God

will always showers you His blessings

wherever you go. We as Filipino, here

in SG, felt like that the church (OLPS)

gives/allows us to feel like we're at

home when you allow us to celebrate

the "Simbang Gabi" and "Sinulog".

May the Lord always gives you good

health and laughter. More power...

Come back to OLPS From time to time

to celebrate the Mass.

We thank you and will miss you in

Mass/Eucharist Celebration.

God Bless,

A Y ENG & F AM I L Y

*

Fr Greg,

My son and myself wishes you all the

best in your new posting. We will miss

your wonderful homily and your

laughter. Hope to see you again.�

J ANE T T A Y

*

Fr Greg,

We have been blessed to have you as

our Parish Priest. You have always

been the most humble person I have

seen. When dad passed away, you

paid a visit to the wake and I saw you

paying respect to dad with the most

humble bow.

That sight always reminded me Jesus

teachings of the 'humble servant'. And

you are really one like Christ Thank

you. God bless you always.

GERARD OEN

*

Dear Fr Greg,

You have gone beyond your call of

duty in bringing the love of Christ

even outside the boundaries of OLPS!

For that, we are truly grateful. May

God grant you good health, our

Blessed Mother Mary always watch

over you & the Holy Spirit be your

constant guide so that you may

continue to be a blessing & a beacon

of light & inspiration in your new

parish for many years to come.

Thank you also for the fond memories

of Medjugorje.

Your warm hospitality & kindness will

be long remembered. We will really

miss you....

Keep the joy in serving the Lord! Take

care & keeping you in prayer.

From HF & for my extended family,

S ANDR A JU L I AN A TH IO

*

Terima kasih Romo Greg atas

pendampingan dan bimbingan selama

hampir 10 tahun di KKIS-OLPS.

Selamat berkarya di tempat yang

baru, Tuhan Yesus memberkati.

ARMAN GUNAWAN & KK I S

*

Fr Greg

Your presence in OLPS been very

visible, can be felt and liven up every

Mass you officiated, every occasion

you graced. Your absence will be

greatly affect most of us. Your homily

is very impactful and will make a

person renewed as he/she leaves the

church and always wanting to come

back for more.

You will be greatly missed. MAY GOD

BLESS AND USE YOU to touch more

lives. WE WILL PRAY FOR YOUR

GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

always wherever you maybe. Though

we will miss you but we can always

see you again.

YO L ANDA L E E

*

Dear Fr Greg, thank you From the

bottom of my heart for being our

Spiritual Director of the Ministry of

Hospitality. It was an honor and with

deep gratitude that you presented me

with his Holiness Pope Benedict's

Apostolic Blessing certificate for 30

years of service in OLPS Church.

I would also like to thank you for

initiated both Mother's and Father's

days gifts for our parish, which

affirms all mothers and Fathers.

May God our Almighty Father and our

Lord Jesus Christ Bless you

abundantly with Good health, Joy,

Peace and Happiness in your new

posting ahead at Our Lady Star of the

Sea. And May the Intercession of Our

Lady gives you strength in your

vocation.

God Bless!

Group 2 Leader, Ministry of

Hospitality,

T I T U S T A Y

*

Dear Fr Greg,

I am already eight-teen years old and I

have listened to your summon for 10

odd years. I have really enjoyed

myself when I am in church, listening

to your homily and your

pronunciation of "Spirit-tenn". You

bring laughters to the whole church

community, and I am really grateful

you are our church reverend for

eighteen years.

Personally I have something I really

need to thank you. Back then when I

was twelve, I was diagnosed with

acute lymphoblastic leukemia and I

was undergoing chemotherapy at that

time. A few months later I had gotten

a potentially fatal lung infection that I

thought it will end my life.

I have stayed in the hospital for 50

days when the infection started.My

mother quickly emailed to you,

Father, to come down to KK hospital

to bless me with your holy powers. I

still remembered vividly of you

coming to see me, but at that time I

was too weak to entertain guests.

You held my hand, seated beside the

bed and bless me. Making the sign of

the cross on my forehead, in the name

of the Father, and the Son, and the

Holy Spirit, you carried out with your

blessing.

I believe that your blessing has helped

me to gain more courage and strength

and guess what? I am still alive till this

very day. Still serving god in our

church St Pius X choir, singing and

praising God.

I think if it wasn't you who came to

bless me, I think I will have a harder

time coping with the infection, or

maybe, not making it till the very end.

Thank you Fr Greg for all that you

help me and the people around me. I

believe you will still do a fantastic job

in Star of the Sea Church, continue to

inspire others and help others if in

need of help.

Thank you Fr Greg for all the

wonderful memories,may you be

jubilant everywhere and all the best in

what you're going to do next!

Love,

J A R ENN F OO

*

We'll miss you Fr Greg!! Will

definitely miss your homilies and your

passionate delivery. Bon Voyage!!

V I N C EN T Y AP

*

Dear Fr Greg,

I'm going to MISS YOU!!! Thanks for

building this church and making it

such a cosy refuge from all the crazy

worldly troubles.

MAR Y

*

Dear Fr Gregoire,

Thank you for your guidance,

Friendship and spirituality during

your 18 years with OLPS Church. We

have enjoyed working with you and

will miss your leadership and

dynamism in the church.

I am particularly grateful to you for

appointing me as a Eucharistic

Minister of Holy Communion in

October 2007 and I will continue to

persevere in serving Him with

reverence and dignity every time I

give Holy Communion to the laity. You

had accompanied us on many spiritual

journeys overseas namely to Vietnam,

Indonesia and Malaysia and had

always discharge your responsibility

as our Spiritual Director with

sincerity, enthusiasm and integrity.

I am sad that you are leaving us but

God has other plans for you and am

sure that your new parishioners are

rejoicing and waiting in anticipation

at your arrival. We wish you peace

and happiness in your new

environment and may God bless you

with holiness, good health and

renewed vigor to shepherd your new

flock at the Church of Our Lady Star of

the Sea.

Yours in Christ and Mother Mary

JO S E PH &

MA RG A R E T T EO

*

Fr Greg,

You left most of us a deep impression

when you conducted the Bible Study

sessions every Wednesday 8pm in

2006. It went on for a few Fruitful

years and those of us who faithfully

followed your lessons, learnt so much

through your teachings, biblical jokes,

in-depth explanations and you fired

our interest of wanting to understand

the Word of God even more.

As a Parish Priest, you helped me

through my difficult years when I lost

my loved ones in the family, counseled

and prayed with me when I was losing

faith during my tough times.

Thank you for celebrating Mass at my

wedding. It meant so much to both

Joshua and I that you were there on

our Special Day.

We wish you well in your new parish

and we will all miss you here at OLPS.

If you can, please come back to

celebrate Mass and share your

inspiring and yet humorous Homilies

with us. Thank you for being there

whenever your parishioners needed

help and guidance.

God bless you always

C ON S T A N C E & JO SHU A

*

Dear Fr Greg,

We wish you all the best in your next

chapter. You live such a wonderfully

rich life and we get to share in your

joys and blessings when you share

your riches with all of us.

You are such a great role model in this

ever changing and modern Catholic

Church. Anyone who has met you

before or who has listened to your

sermons, will always remember you.

Your words are so sincere, so

powerful and so moving.

May God keep you protected and

strong for many more years ahead, so

that you can touch many more lives

around.

God bless you Fr Gregoire.

C L I V E , B R E NDA , a n d C H A R L E S C O L L E EMA L L A Y

*

Thank you Fr Greg.

You have always been a Father to us

all. Regardless of what difficulties we

encounter you are always patient and

listen to our pains. Also to advise us

most of the time.

We are going to miss you are lot here.

God Bless,

SH IRLEY CLARE CHOO

*

Dear Fr Greg

My family and I will miss your

booming voice, your captivating

homilies and your kindness to all

parishioners.

You always have a ready smile for all,

and have a true interest in the elderly

in our community.

Thank you for your pastoral care and

spiritual guidance over the years. May

God continue to inspire you and bless

you abundantly with peace, joy and

hope.

C A RO L I N E PHU A

*

Filipino community at OLPS will

surely miss you Fr Greg! You showed

and made us feel that we are a family

despite of being away From our true

home.

We wish you most that God will fully

blessed you in your next journey. We

will see you again Fr Greg!

M I C H E L L E

*

Hi Father.

All the best for your new posting. God

bless you always. Thank you for your

guidance in walking with Christ.

B EN J AM I N GOH

*

Fr Greg,

You have been a great inspiration to

this community of OLPS. You have

kept the community growing in faith

and in action.

All of us have been much inspired by

your good sermons and kind gestures.

Thank you Father.

Wishing you all the best in your work

in the next parish.

MA R Y S A V A R I

*

Dear Fr Greg,

Many thanks for all your efforts n kind

attention couples with lots of prayers

in keeping the OLPS Church n all its

Parishioners functioning well.

Stay healthy and we will remember

you in our daily prayers �����

S I MON P E T E R

*

Dear Fr Greg,

Thank you for being a big part of

OLPS, for being the guiding light for

the whole church especially the

Filipino community. I will never forget

how you touched our lives. My stay in

OLPS may have been short lived but I

will be forever grateful that I have

found a placed that welcomed me and

other Filipinos whole heartedly. This

wouldn't be possible if God didn't

gave you to shepherd us.

I was really saddened when I heard

you were leaving OLPS. Although I am

already thousands of miles away, I can

still feel the difference knowing that a

big part of the church we came to love

will no longer be there all the time. At

the same time, I am happy because

other community will be able to

experience the love and guidance you

have shared with us. We were very

fortunate to have you and be blessed

by you.

Thank you Fr Greg, we love you and

we wish you all the best in the next

chapter of your vocation. This is

definitely not a goodbye but see you

around.

A NGE L I C A S A N T O S

*

Dear Fr Greg,

Thank you so much for loving and

shepherding the beloved sheep at

OLPS for so many years!

We love you and will always

remember you as our humble and

Friendly shepherd!

Your story of faith, past persecution,

and the way you walked with Nguyen

in 2005 that led to his conversion to

and salvation in Christ bear witness to

Jesus' love.

May the Lord be with you and comfort

you always, so that you may continue

to work for the salvation of souls, and

bring more brothers and sisters to

know the faithful and sacrificial Love

of Jesus.

We love you Fr Greg!

GA B R I E L L I U

J I AWE I

*

Dearest Fr Greg ,

Thank God, our Heavenly Abba Father

for sending you to us. For in, through

& with you, we see the Face & Light of

Christ.

When you testified & shared your life

story, it brought tears to our eyes, as

we felt God's presence throughout

your eventful life with its ups &

downs, especially when your parents

brought you a Consecrated Host

hidden in a bottle of preserved food,

during your time of solitude,

loneliness & despair when you were

locked up in prison during the

Vietnam war & how our Good Lord led

you to complete your life in the

seminary & theological studies till you

were ordained as a priest.

We have much to learn of, from your

humility, patience, obedience & your

faith in the Lord, our God. Through

your witnessing of His Love & Grace,

His Mercy & Compassion in your life,

we give Praise & Thanksgiving to God

for His Faithfulness.

We pray that you will be filled with

love, strength, courage & fortitude

through & by the power of the Holy

Spirit, to minister to His people & to

do His Will, in your new assignment &

posting to Our Lady Star of the Sea

Church as Parish Priest.

May our Blessed Mother Mary pray &

intercede with & for you to the Lord,

our Faithful & Living God.

Thank you, once again, with our

heartfelt gratitude, gratefulness & a

thankfulness for the 18 years you

have been with us, Fr Greg, for being

the instrument & steward of God &

shepherding us at Our Lady of

Perpetual Succour Church.

With love,

R A YMOND & PHE B E T A Y

*

Hello Fr Greg!

I used to be a parishioner of OLPS! It's

still the church with my most fond

memories. I got confirmed in this

church, I grew up in this church and

attended Pri 1 Catechism to

Confirmation 4 classes in this church.

I just wanted to say Thank You to you,

Fr Greg for being a part of my

memories in OLPS, for your years of

serving OLPS' parishioners too.

My years in OLPS were many. And you

too, Fr Greg spent a good number of

years in OLPS too. Thank you for

being my parish priest as I was

growing up in OLPS and for telling us

stories about your missionary and

order at times during Homily, I

remember.

Although I have moved house now to

the North, OLPS will always remain in

a special place in my heart. And thank

you Fr Greg for being part of OLPS and

serving your people so dedicatedly

these years!!

G I L L I A N

*

Dear Fr Greg,

My hubby Kenny and I joined RCIA

J52 and were baptised together with

our 4 Angels on 20th November 2005

- Feast of Christ the King.

Fr Greg then was one of the Spiritual

Directors, we need to go through

"interviews" by him on the Faith

Journey and at the same time clearing

doubts on the Catholic Faith with him.

Asking him it is alright for Baptised

Catholics to keep our Ancestors Altar

at home, Fr Greg specially tells us

without our Ancestors existence, we

will not be here. He really so truthful

and approachable Father.

In year 2009, my Father-in-law was in

critical illness, almost till his death

bed he told us (family) that he would

like to be baptised as a Catholic. God

really works miracle. My hubby and I

frantically went to Church not

knowing how to go about doing it.

We approached Fr Greg informed him

on the situation we are facing.

Without second thought, He told us

that he will be at our residence to

celebrate the Baptism Mass for both

my parent-in-law on 05 Oct 2009.

Although my Father-in-law pass on

the following day but we were glad he

is God's arms.

Thanks to Fr Greg. Amen.

We had knew Fr Greg for past ten

years, being OLPS Parishioners, my

gals and us really enjoy his homily

both English and Chinese - simple and

understandable.

May God bless you, Fr Greg abundanly

especially with His Peace, Love, Hope

and Joy.

Last but not least we miss you like

crazy!

K ENN Y & E V E L Y N

*

Dear Fr Greg,

"We thank God for sending Fr Greg

who had guided the establishment of

the Indonesian Community in

Singapore (KKIS) chapter in OLPS

Church in November 2005.

Currently - when we are celebrating

our 10th Anniversary this year - KKIS

at OLPS has grown up in numbers and

some of our members have integrated

very well into OLPS's various

ministries, such as choir, welfare

service, PPC, etc.

May God shower Fr Greg with His

abundant blessing, so he could remain

faithful and fortitude in His calling."

The Indonesian Catholic Community

in Singapore,

K K I S

Facebook COMMENTS

Jennifer Liow: All good things must come to an end May our Lord continues to bless you with good health and guide you through your new journey. All the best to you, Fr Greg, and take care.

Peggyann Ang: I was baptised in OLPS with 3 dragon priests 16 years ago. Fr Greg is the last one to leave. I am feeling sad gonna miss you Fr Greg. Do come and visit us please. God bless you and a Big thank you!

Di Na: We sure miss you at OLPS!!!

Angela Teow: God Bless You. We grew in faith with you and your most genuine and motivating sermons. Thank you and God bless you. We will miss you.

Matche Turiana: God bless your new journey Fr Greg.

Irene Tan: Fr Greg, God bless you for being a blessing to everyone wherever you go. Will miss you in Olps. Take care & be blessed!

Jocelyn Gwee: Take care Fr Greg. God bless!

Sandra Campbell: God bless you, Fr Greg. Look after yourself.

Edmund Khoo: Fr Greg, I know that wherever you go, you'll be a blessing to others. Come over to Perth. God bless you for being a blessing to everyone.

Alicia Loo: God bless you Fr Greg! We already miss your sermons... my youngest still remembers you saying cut if off.. cut it off...!! with such fervour when you were explaining the gospel of Matthew (i think chapter 5 verse 30) … May you continue to be surrounded with loving parishioners and share the Joy of the Lord that is in your heart with others around you.

Facebook COMMENTS

Aku Napeh Mudip: We Love you Fr Greg

Priscilla Vargis: Bye Fr Greg n God bless U always with Gd health n happiness , U WILL B Greatly missed

Adeline Xene: We gonna miss u Fr Greg . Thank u for all your support all these years

May Chua: Thank you for your touching sermons. U cried and also made me cry

Merly Obinguar: Good luck Fr Greg, we miss you at OLPS

Theresia Koh: You'll be missed Fr Greg. God bless you.

Ladz Laden: Thank you so much Fr Greg. Stay healthy.

Gerard Hendriks: Fr Greg you are a very special priest wh always speaks with convictions..yr homily on yr life in Vietnam, make us realise how wonderful our life in Spore is. I must thank you specially for giving me the sacraments when i was seriously ill in CGH ICU..n yr concern when i was discharged. may u be bless always n i will definately miss you..take care n pse keep us in yr prayers..we love you.

Heny Aditio: We will miss u Fr Greg!! may God bless u abundantly..

Angela Sim: God bless you,Fr Greg.

Angela Chong: Thank you Fr Greg for being with us for 18 years. I will miss your homily. .May the Lord bless with good health & happiness. U will be greatly missed.

Jairo Panopio: Thank you Fr Greg.

Puteri Salju: God always be with you, Fr Greg. We miss you.

Sukarni Rumito Nasha: WE WILL MISS YOU Fr Greg......

Lintang Kemukus: We will miss you Father

Tina Lepanbata Kedang: We Wish you all the best on you New Mission Place & we always Miss you Fr Greg,, ( Legion Of Marry KKIS Indonesian Community .

Adeline Xene: Thanks for blessing my Mimi and the prayed over for the passing for my Husky Xb .

Jenn Tan: Dear Fr Greg, you will always be a true shepherd guiding your flock wherever you go.

Carolus Wong: A good priest

Barbara Angela Peters: Thank you Fr Greg. We will miss all your homilies and dedicated service. God bless you.

Sheila Berlee: Will miss you Fr Greg especially your sermons

Veronica Cheong Lee Ling: Fr Greg, wishing u all the best in your new posting. God bless.

Susan Lim Eng: Will missed your sermons n joke, Fr Greg, God bless and peace be with you, wherever your are

Tony Yeo Chiang Liat: Bye Fr Greg. Will always remember the mission trip with us SSVP to Cambodia in 2006/7 and all the photos you took and showed at Mass especially the little Cambodian boy sitting in a washing tub and rowing in the river with one arm and begging...

Elayne Thong-Ho: Thank you Fr Greg. You have been a good shepherd. May you be blessed wherever you go and may the Lord always keep you in the palm of His hand.

Donna Fayton: Fr Greg, we will miss you at OLPS! We love your humour and laughter. We love you From start and end of every mass. We love everything about you. Really will miss you... God bless you always.

Seow Sheun: We will miss you, Fr Greg

Richard Dias: Will you the best Fr Greg

Pat Chen: We will all meet again Father.

Corine Anne Goh: Thank you Fr Greg for being our shepherd. Michael and me wish you all the beSt We will miss you.

Peter Chan: Fr Greg our sincere thanks to U & really miss you. We will always love U & pray for U. God Bless!

Tan Swee Adeline: I wish you all the best in your new posting. Will visit you as soon as you have settled in. God bless.

Louise Dias: Yes I agree with my Son Richard you are the best we will miss you Fr Greg yr humour. laughter n most of all Fr yr Homily is the best too. ALLELUIAH. My Frds in Star of the Sea will love you too. Love of CHRISt Louise.

Re Bekah: Welcome Fr Greg to our Church of Our Lady Star of The Sea. We are waiting for you here.

FR GREG on

LIFE IN OLPS...

There are 8 masses, and every mass is full of people!

“Sometimes, I do not have time for breakfast. I’d

wake up at 5.30am to prepare for morning mass and

my day ends at 11.30pm.”

“There was one day, I had to go to out to the hospital

at 10pm. When I got back, I received another call to

go out again!”

“A priest is very busy, but very happy.”

During an informal discussion in Fr Greg’s office.

“I have days off. I’d watch a movie, television,

take a walk, got out to sea, fishing.”

“Everywhere I go, I’d meet parishioners.”

In San Francisco… In Korea... I met parishioners

and I hope I will continue to do so.

Fr Greg’s favorite place in church: The Adoration room, and the church

hall itself as it was the first place he visited when he came to OLPS.

Fr Greg’s FAITH STORY

Gregory Van Giang was born on October 14,

1952. He is the eldest in the family, an ethnic

Vietnamese, but was born and grew up in the

Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh.

A scholarly person, Fr Greg enjoyed studying

and he entered the minor seminary at just 16.

When Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot rose to

power, Fr Greg’s family moved back to their

home in South Vietnam where he continued his

studies at the MEP’s Da Lat Seminary from 1973

to 1975.

In 1975, the government shut down all the

seminaries in Vietnam which disrupted Fr

Greg’s studies.

However, he

continued

helping at his

local parish and

worked as a

trishaw driver

to make ends

meet.

In 1980, the bishop requested Fr Greg and 3

fellow seminarians to print new hymn books

to be distributed to the various parishes in

Vietnam.

Printing of religious material was then illegal.

They eluded the government for 3 years, but

were eventually caught.

His obedience led him to be imprisoned for 3

years. Fr Greg recounts his Prison

experience:

“God trained me. In prison, I blamed

God. Why God was unfair when I obeyed

the Bishop?”

“Prison in Vietnam was “hell”, but God

allowed my mother to secretly send me

The Host while in prison. This kept my

faith going.”

3 years later - After prison, at 37 years of age, Fr Greg managed to leave Vietnam as a refugee, for Hong Kong. “I spent 39 days out at sea, together with 24 people on a sampan,” Father Greg recalled. MEP priests welcomed him to study in France to finish his twice-interrupted priestly formation.

He was finally ordained on June 19, 1993 in

Paris, aged 40. He had spent a total of 24 years

journeying as a seminarian.

A year later, on 22 September

1994, he arrived in Singapore

and served at Church of St

Francis of Assisi in Jurong. In

1997, Fr Greg then came to our

parish, The Church of Our Lady

of Perpetual Succour.

“God has his ways. At the moment, you cannot see. But after my experiences,

my faith is stronger.”

Fun Facts About Fr Greg

Favourite Food: Peranakan food.

It reminds him of his mother’s cooking.

Favorite Hobby: Reading fables and folk tales.

There is usually a moral behind each story, which makes

remembering it easier. He especially likes Tin Tin comics, a

favourite since childhood.

Favorite Saint: St Gregory.

Fr Greg’s name was chosen by the priest who baptised him. His

baptismal name was unique in Vietnam at that time, unlike

commonly used names like Peter or Joseph. The name Gregory,

comes from the Latin word “grex”, which means “flock” or

“herd”.

Favorite liturgical season: Lent.

Because it is closer to the Passion of Christ. Fr Greg feels closer

to Jesus during Lent as he can relate to the Passion of Christ.

SEE YOU AGAIN

Fr Greg

Ph

oto

s b

y Is

aa

c L

eo

A COMPILATION BY

THE OLPS COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY