Meet the 88-year-old scooter-riding catechist from Singapore who has brought 2,000 people into church
Andrew Goh, an 88-year-old catechist in Singapore, has brought over 2,000 people into the Catholic Church over 34 years. Goh started his ministry after being baptized in 1991, feeling a need to 'repay' God's kindness. He noticed a gap in religious instruction for elderly individuals who primarily spoke dialects, leading him to create a ministry specifically for them. Goh's ministry includes visiting the housebound, holding catechism classes, and praying for the elderly in hospitals. He is fluent in multiple languages and dialects, allowing him to connect with a diverse group of people.
5 months ago
Andrew Goh, an 88-year-old catechist in Singapore, has dedicated 34 years to bringing the Catholic faith to the elderly and housebound, successfully guiding over 2,000 individuals into the Church 1. His remarkable efforts coincide with the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, highlighting his unique contribution 1.
Goh, who previously worked in insurance, decided to pursue this special ministry full-time after his baptism in 1991, driven by a desire to "repay" God's goodness 1. He recognized a significant gap in religious instruction for elderly parents of Catholic adults, particularly those who spoke Chinese dialects and were overlooked by standard RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) programs, which are primarily conducted in English and Mandarin in Singapore 1.
To address this need, Goh initiated a ministry specifically catering to the elderly, which includes praying for them in hospitals, visiting the housebound, and conducting catechism classes in parishes 1. He is proficient in English, Mandarin, and several Chinese dialects—Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese, and Peranakan—allowing him to connect with a diverse elderly population 1. His teaching methods are simplified, utilizing children's books with large, colorful pictures and his own easy-to-understand printed materials to explain core religious concepts like sacraments and biblical stories 1.
Goh currently teaches weekly catechism classes at the Church of the Holy Family and the Church of St. Alphonsus (Novena Church), with about 30 attendees, some of whom he previously baptized 1. Additionally, he makes eight house visits each week to teach those unable to leave their homes 1. Over the decades, his ministry has resulted in more than 2,000 baptisms, and he proudly considers over 560 individuals his godchildren 1.
Despite his success, Goh's ministry faces challenges, including catechumens discontinuing lessons or choosing to join other Christian denominations 1. He maintains robust health and navigates Singapore on his scooter for his ministry, though he acknowledges the difficulty in finding assistants 1. Goh suggests that offering a regular allowance could attract more retired individuals to join this specialized ministry, ensuring its continuation 1. His current catechumens, like 76-year-old Betty Tan and 75-year-old Simon Low, express enthusiasm for learning and deepening their faith 1.
How does evangelization manifest through lay ministry?
Evangelization through lay ministry manifests in various ways, as the lay faithful are called to participate actively in the Church's mission of proclaiming the Gospel . This participation is rooted in their Christian initiation through the sacraments and the gifts of the Holy Spirit .
Every baptized person is a missionary disciple, regardless of their position in the Church or level of instruction in the faith . The new evangelization requires personal involvement from each baptized individual, not just professionals . Anyone who has truly experienced God's saving love is equipped to proclaim that love to others . This means that the call to evangelize is not exclusive to the clergy or religious, but is a fundamental aspect of the Christian vocation for all the faithful .
Lay faithful have an active role in the life and activities of the Church, strengthened by their participation in liturgical life . They are encouraged to engage in apostolic works within their communities, which includes leading people to the Church, cooperating in presenting the Word of God through catechetical instruction, and offering their skills for the care of souls and the administration of temporal goods .
Evangelization involves both the witness of an exemplary Christian life and the explicit proclamation of the Good News of salvation in Christ . While living a Christian life through example is a form of evangelization, it must be accompanied by the direct proclamation of the Gospel, which is central to the Church's evangelizing action . This witness and proclamation are meant to stir conversion of heart and life, leading individuals to cling to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to receive the Sacraments .
The new evangelization is particularly entrusted to the laity because it is through them that the Church becomes present in various sectors of society, serving as a sign and source of hope and love . Lay people are called to bring Gospel values into the vast and complex worlds of politics, society, economics, culture, science, arts, international life, and mass media . They are also called to evangelize in areas such as human love, family life, education, and professional work . The more Gospel-inspired lay people are engaged in these realities, promoting them with Christian power, the more these realities will serve the Kingdom of God and salvation in Jesus Christ .
In essence, lay ministry in evangelization is a dynamic and comprehensive effort, encompassing personal witness, active participation in the Church's mission, and the permeation of Gospel values into all aspects of human life and society .