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
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A COMPILATION BY
THE OLPS COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY
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