Episcopal Ordination of Fr. John Wong
October 1, 2010
Thank You Note of newly ordained Coadjutor Archbishop John Wong
Good evening, my brothers and sisters in Christ,
In this joyous and important occasion, one word comes to my mind, that is, THANKFULNESS.
I am deeply grateful for at least four things:
Firstly, I really want to thank the Lord for his love and mercy in choosing me for such an important role as to be a bishop in His Church. I feel so inadequate and unworthy. But I also know and firmly believe that once I have said "YES" to Him, He will do His part faithfully. So, first and foremost, I humbly thank God for the grace of His choice.
Secondly, I wish to thank all by brother Bishops and Archbishops from the Bishops' Conference of Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei, not forgetting Msgr Marek from the Nuncio Office in Bangkok.
Your Graces and Excellencies, I truly appreciate your presence. It is an assurance of your support and guidance for me, the most junior among you. I look forward to learning from you and working with you.
Your Graces and Excellencies, and Monsignor, thank you for being with us.
Thirdly, I am grateful for the prayers, words of encouragement, support and especially the presence of all members of the clergy, the religious and the laity, from far and near. I see your presence as a pledge of your willingness to journey together with me, as His Grace Archbishop John Lee and I lead the local Church to realise the vision and mission of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, to build the Kingdom of God in respect, truth and love.
And finally, to Msgr Primus Jouil, chairman and members of the Organising Committee, and all who have worked so hard to make this occasion a memorable one. Since even the best is not perfect, we place all shortcomings under your care.
Thank you and may God bless you all.
Allow me to say a few words in Bahasa Malaysia...
Kepada setiap kamu yang berada di sini, umat yang saya kasihi, para uskup, pemimpin-pemimpin kerajaan, wakil-wakil rakyat, ketua-ketua gereja yang lain, para paderi, religious, pengerusi MPP, katekis dan setiap anda yang datang dari jauh dan dekat, terima kasih atas kehadiran dan sokongan moral kamu. Upacara ini adalah upacara kita semua. Terima kasih kerana kamu dapat meluangkan masa untuk dating pada petang ini.
Pada saat ini, saya ada dua perasaan. Pertama, saya rasa bersyukur kepada Tuhan kerana telah memilih saya menjawat jabatan tinggi ini. Saya tahu apabila Dia memilih, Dia juga akan melengkapkan sesiapa yang menyahut panggilanNya.
Pada masa yang sama, saya juga merasa gentar sebab saya sedar bahawa saya masih mentah dalam banyak hal. Sebah itu saya mohon bantuan dan sokongan dari anda semua, supaya saya dapat bertugas dengan sedaya-upayanya menurut kehendak Tuhan. Berdoalah untuk saya selalu. Terima kasih.