Loss of a friend.

Just a short sad posting on the loss of a friend, and the poignant events that happened. I have just got back from his church funeral and the preceding three nights of wake.

Foo Tiang Koon, the husband of my wife's God Daughter, Cynthia Foo, lives a block away from us. Technically that would make him also my God Son. He was not a Catholic, but Cynthia has been trying very hard to convert him and has been asking me to convert him. Unfortunately he could not make up his mind, and the issue has been dragging for years.

In the course of time, Foo contracted cancer of the lymph node. It was thought that it has gone into remission after initial treatment. Unfortunately some time later, it surfaced again. He had high fever and was hospitalised repeatedly.

For the last few months, Foo was in the NUH, but his progress was not good. Last week was traumatic for Cynthia and the children Raymond and Grace. Cynthia consulted me on the question of baptising her husband. Since Foo had not given his consent, it was not possible.

Last Sunday morning, I met Cynthia in church and she was on her way to the NUH. She called me from the hospital to say that Foo had taken a turn for the worse and was admitted to the ICU. This was followed by her daughter who asked me for help in case her father should die. Raymond, the son, called later to say that his father was on his last breath and also asked me for help should the father dies. I was also traumatised by this chain of events and felt helpless.

Later in the morning, Cynthia called again, and this time told me that her husband would consent to his baptism. I immediately rushed to church to look for a priest. It being Sunday, all the priests would be busy handling four morning Masses. Fortunately I was able to get hold of Father Colin, who had just finished his 10:15 Mass. Together we rushed down to NUH. On the way, I mentioned to Fr. Colin that it being the Feast Day of John the Baptist, Foo could be baptised with the name of John Baptist. Father agreed.

At approximately 12.30 pm, we were in the ICU ward and commenced with the Baptismal Rites. As soon as Fr. Colin poured Holy Water on Foo's forehead and called out, 'John Baptist Foo, I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit' , all the alarms and lights started and Foo opened his eyes wide and started to shake. We were all taken aback by this.

This was to happen another four to five times, when Father confirmed the Baptism and anointed Foo. We were very astonished by all the alarm and flashing of lights.

We left the NUH after this. Later while I was having lunch with my family, my hand phone rang and Raymond informed me that his father had passed away. It was about 2.30 pm.

I then called Singapore Casket to make the funeral arrangements. Things fell in place as I managed to conduct the prayer sessions and arranged the church Funeral Mass. I arranged for Father O'Neill to celebrate the Funeral Mass on Wednesday 27 June, at 3 pm. When the hearse arrived in church, I was surprised to be told that Fr. O'Neill was nowhere to be found. While we all waited, a frantic search was made for the missing priest. Eventually Fr. O'Neill walked into the Vestry to robe. Although we started late, everything went according to plan for the cremation slated at 5.15 pm.

Now that everything is over, I am very glad that there were no hitches. The Holy Spirit worked on all of us and especially on myself. I am very grateful for all the help that the priests and my church friends rendered as they rallied round me. I give thanks to God and pray for solace and comfort for Cynthia, Raymond and Grace Foo.

Till then....