Fr Frederick Quek
Dominic: Father, to start off, could you walk us through your journey to the Priesthood? Tell us a little about your Call and how you responded.
Fr. Fred: It’s difficult to put matters so close to the heart into words. Any description, no matter how I try to capture it, just seems incomplete. So please bear with me.
I took to prayer with ease as a child. So I think my Call to the Priesthood must have stemmed from this. I had committed my life to God by the age of ten. Of course, I could be naughty at times, but I knew we would never be separated for too long.
As an adult, I enjoyed my job. I was happy to serve the Church, both as a lector and as a catechist. At one point, I felt a desire to settle down and have children. But the Lord had other plans …
As my prayer life intensified, the Call to the Priesthood, which until then had seemed rather remote, came to the fore. It loomed before me whenever I spent time in prayer. I could often hear the Lord saying “Come, follow Me.”
After five years of discernment, I decided that I had to make the inevitable trip: the journey to St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. I stayed here for seven years until I was ordained a priest.
Dominic: What would one of your typical days look like?
Fr. Fred: Life as a priest is exciting, joyful, meaningful and absolutely fulfilling! The Seminary can only prepare you in theory…but real life is so full of surprises and challenges. Even after four-and-a-half years as a priest, I sometimes feel as if I still haven’t got the hang of it! You never know what tomorrow may bring…
Dominic: What would you say are the greatest joys and the hardest trials of being a priest?
Fr. Fred: Being with people, be it during sad occasions, where I can help console them – or joyful ones – to share in the happiness – gives me great satisfaction. I consider celebrating the Sacraments especially meaningful.
One thing I find rather hard is the feeling of helplessness that I sometimes experience. Helplessness at not being able to do more for someone.
Dominic: Father, I was touched recently on how eloquently you spoke about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please tell us more on this.
Fr. Fred: Well, it’s a joy when two people are reconciled with each other. How infinitely greater it is to see, through this beautiful Sacrament, a person riddled with guilt and shame brought once again into the light of Christ! It is a great happiness to see penitents’ burdens lifted as they come to celebrate God’s Love and receive the courage to get on with life.
Dominic: I’m sure there are many out there wondering where their lives should be headed. What advice do you have for youth concerning their vocation – be it to the Priesthood, or just discerning what God’s will is in their daily life?
Fr. Fred: All young people want to know what life has in store for them. “What is God’s will for me?”
Be faithful in little things that you do and pray. Maintain this close relationship with God. And as you pray, God’s plan in your life will unfold. That’s what prayer is: a raising of your mind and heart to God. It makes you receptive to the workings of the Holy Spirit and also to the words of wisdom that come from your spiritual directors.
Also trust…Trust that God wants only the VERY BEST for you…And when the chips are down, remember: GOD LOVES YOU, NO MATTER WHAT!
Dominic: Father Fred, you recently went to Cologne, Germany as part of the Singapore contingent to World Youth Day XX. The atmosphere must have been electrifying. Could you give us some recollections from your trip?
Fr. Fred: World Youth Day in August was an awesome experience! Youth – one million in all – came from all corners of the world. They indeed had “come to worship Him” (the WYDXX theme taken from Matthew 2:2). The highlight of the event was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Joyful prayer and festivity was the common thread for the whole event. There were smiles and good cheer all around as youth, waving national flags and banners, thronged the streets. It really made one feel good to be part of our Catholic Church!
Dominic: Remaining on the topic of youth, what are your thoughts on the Catholic Youth – in Singapore, and more specifically in NUS and CSS? How does CSS measure up as a Catholic Youth community? Where should CSS be heading?
Fr. Fred: I am always encouraged and hopeful for the future of our Church when I think of the CSS community. There are so many gifted and able servant leaders in the various faculties. It is a good sign too that we are reaching out to lapsed Catholics and sharing our Faith with others.
Dominic: Dear Father, as we conclude this interview, I’d like to ask you to give us a blessing!
Fr. Fred: May Almighty God bless all of you and all that you do. May he give success to all the work you put your hands to!
