MISSIONARY of the Sacred Heart Father Albert Chan’s 60 years of priesthood were a strong witness to religious and priestly life, his fellow brother priests said.
Fr Chan celebrated his anniversary with the Chinese Catholic Community at the Sacred Heart Centre in Runcorn.
Fellow priest to the Chinese Catholic Community, Franciscan Father Harry Chan, said Fr Albert was “truly a great and humble priest”.
“(He is) a priest not just for Catholics but for everyone,” he said.
“Over the years, he helped so many people in their needs.”
Another priest to the community, Fr Jack Ho, echoed Fr Harry’s comments, saying Fr Albert was a kind and gentle pastor who had helped many Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
“Throughout my seminary journey, Fr Albert supported me with his friendship and with many pastoral opportunities with which I could practise and learn from,” he said.
“I’m very honoured and moved that, despite finding it difficult to travel these days, Fr Albert never failed to accompany me through the many important milestones, from candidacy through to ordinations and to my Thanksgiving Mass.”
He said Fr Albert’s wisdom would continue to accompany the community for many more years.
Fr Chan’s own chaplaincy to the community grew alongside the community itself.
Before the community was formed, Chinese Catholics would attend Masses in local parishes but the language barrier hindered many from “full and active participation in the liturgy”.
Fr Chan, after teaching in Canberra for 25 years arrived in Brisbane in January, 1985, and was chosen as chaplain.
His chaplaincy took him from Coolangatta in the south to Childers in the north and Gatton in the west.
Recognising that one person could only do so much, Fr Chan decided on a bold new move.
He sponsored two religious orders from Hong Kong.
In 1989 the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres and the Chinese Sisters of the Immaculate Conception arrived.
The Sisters of St Paul de Chartres have since opened a nursing home at Boronia Heights.
To promote a positive attitude in learning for young students and to study and spread the Chinese culture, The Chinese School was started in 1989.
In 1997, it was officially re-named the Sacred Heart Chinese School.
On March 17, 2002, late Archbishop John Bathersby blessed and opened the new Sacred Heart Centre at Runcorn.
On May 14, 2022, the Shrine of the Lady of China at Marian Valley was blessed by Fr Chan.
Fr Chan was ordained on July 21, 1962.
