Faith Journey - Central

Holy Spirit Church

I woke up on Monday 9 Sep 2013 with the sun shining brightly and I was all set for the ride to the Central part of the island to cover four catholic churches.  I decided to load the bicycle on the car rack  and head towards Venus Road car park which was off Thomson Road near to my first stop - the Church of the Holy Spirit where not so long ago, a famous Singapore Olympian (Tan Eng Yoon) was killed as he was crossing the road outside the church.   This church built in 1960 and probably rebuilt in the 90s has a convenient car  drop off area and large stairs up one floor to the church proper.

Church of the Holy Spirit

Although it was a Monday, I could feel the vibrancy of this church.  There were several people including some convent students walking around, and the church doors were open unlike many other churches where all the doors were locked tightly.   I was quite inspired by the stained glass altar area and the internal layout - so I stayed for about 15 minutes inside to say my usual prayers for family and friends.

Ang Mo Kio

Next stop was the Church of Christ the King in Ang Mo Kio Ave 8.  I had estimated that it would take me about 20 minutes but I lost some time when I made a wrong turn going in the opposite direction on Ave 8, but one cannot get lost in Singapore as people are so willing to help lost souls.  The church grounds were exceptionally quiet compared to the Church of the Holy Spirit - and all doors appeared to be double-locked.

Christ The King Church

Christ the King

  Fortunately the Adoration room was open and I spent some peaceful moments inside. I saw two persons walking around the grounds, one was an elderly lady who was engrossed in silent prayer at the grotto, the other - the janitor and he questioned if I had permission to take photographs of the church building.  I told him that there was no one around in the office and most doors were locked.  As soon as he found out that I was from St Theresa's church we became the best of friends.  Fr Stephen Yim ( now at St Theresa's)  had been in Christ the King church for many years.  The janitor then helped me take a few shots on the bike.

As storm clouds were gathering, I took off for the Church St Francis Xaviour  riding along AMK Ave 1 towards Chartwell Road.  It was already 12.30 pm - I took a short cut and rode against the traffic in Burghley Dr and had to push the bike up the steep slope near the CHIJ Lady of Good Counsel.

CHIJ Lady of Good Counsel

Built in 1959 with significant renovations in 2000, St Francis Xaviour Church served residents of Serangoon Garden and vicinity.  The  church exterior looked looked like it needed a paint job  - I headed to the office to get permission to take pictures as I did not wish to be questioned again.  The office lady told me the priest was out and that there was no necessity to ask  permission for taking pictures of the church building after all the church doors were locked.  I walked around the grounds and spoke to the

St Francis Xaviour Church

St Francis Xaviour Church

chief cleaner who seemed to be working hard.  he complained to me that the food caterer for the wedding the day before had placed left over food in the bins, and he should not be clearing this garbage - I then helped him make a telephone call to the caterer to come and carry away half a garbage bin of "mee siam"which was going rancid.

Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

 Rain drops started to come down fast,  and I still had another church to visit - the church of The Immaculate Heart of Mary ( IHM - 1953). 

IHM

Before I could get to the church the rain came down hard and even with a raincoat, I was half drenched and felt miserable especially as it was already past lunch time.  I did not walk around the premises as I was quite familiar with various parts of the grounds  - my last visit was only two weeks ago for a half day retreat and evening mass.  I remember meeting my old friend Victor who was a warden there. Caught in the rain, I remained in the church grounds for half and hour before braving the drizzle riding along AMK

Sky Fruit

Ave 1 towards Upper Thomson Road.  Along the way, I stopped at the entrance of Pathlight
School - a school for autistic children - I also noticed several sky fruit trees just at the school gate. The seed of the sky fruit is known for its medicinal qualities, but it has the most bitter taste on earth - as the saying goes "no pain-no gain".  Soon I was enjoying the leisure ride in the new Bishan Park  - and  told myself that I will need to come back again.  At the end of the park was Thomson Road and within minutes I was at Venus Road car park and reac
hed home within 25 minutes way past lunch time at 2.30 pm.

Bishan Park