Golden Anniversary of Father Paul Tang’s Ordination

Father Tang had left the Chinese Martyrs Catholic Church for about five years now. When I accepted installation from the former parish priest in August 2002, Father Tang came all the way from New York to support me. Father Tang and I had already worked together for over a year before that.

Father Tang graduated from Reginal Seminary of South China. I also studied in the same seminary, but a year after I enrolled it was renamed to Holy Spirit Seminary. Anyhow, we were from the same alumni, and he was my senior schoolmate.

The impression Father Tang gave me was amiable, hardworking and determined.

Father Tang was very down to earth and attended to everything himself. Despite his age, he was very proficient in Chinese data-entry. He also invented a new simple way for Chinese data-entry and had admitted many apprentices.

His sensitive thinking was also evident from his journal. For example, he marked down every single detail about the organization of the Spring Festival. He was such an expert in administration.

Whenever I hold masses in the church, I always see Father Tang’s shadow in everything I see. Ordered seats, wide altar, beautiful stained glass, red carpet; Father Tang indeed spent a lot of effort. Raising funds for the building of the church wasn’t an easy task either.

After he passed his retirement age, Father Tang accepted the position of secretary for the North American Association of Chinese Ministers. The member address book he compiled was very beautiful.

Father Tang will be holding a mass celebrating the golden anniversary of his ordination at our church on July 14th at 3:00pm. During the mass, we will be inviting him to place St Jean Gabriel Taurin Duffresse MEP’s relics on our altar.