October witnessed the unexpected return of Rev. Fr Iggy who came back specially to celebrate mass with us on a Sunday evening. Fr Iggy who is now currently an assistant priest at Divine Mercy Church, served in our parish for close to 2 years and is infamous for his dynamic preaching coupled with a tinge of humour and spirit-filled homilies. The mass was co-celebrated with Bro Clement who delivered yet another one of his inspiring and insightful sermons. In his closing address, Fr Iggy mentioned that sometime ago, one of our parishioners asked him about what food he missed having out at Katong. He replied that he missed the ‘Katong laughter’ and the warmness that encompasses it . He then went on to add that the place and the word Katong is very special, in that it is not written or recorded on any map but in the hearts of the people here.
Needless to say , I was really moved, almost to tears and could totally resonate with that because like him , I’ve spent a great part of my childhood days in Katong. Having once decked in white shirt and pants , as a Patrician , I used to spend long hours after classes prowling through the shophouses from carlton to the probably forgotten Tay ban guan (No longer in existence) past the ‘RedHouse’ and then to Katong shopping centre. Having tea and kaya bun on certain Saturdays/Sundays with my parents at CMC was quite a enjoyable treat for me. The peranakan food and architecture of the shophouses are very distinct features of Katong which I’m so glad and relieved, are being preserved till this present day. Beyond the comfort of familiarity , It is the uniqueness and colourful sights and culturally rich flavour and feeling of warmness that Katong continues to radiate and touch the hearts of people, something which cannot be experienced in any other part of this country.
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