Father Valerian Cheong
Associate Priest

Family Background
Fr Valerian Cheong comes from a small family, comprising mum (Doreen, who was a civil servant) and an elder brother who is married. At age 19, Fr Valerian lost his father to cancer of the gall bladder.

Call to the Priesthood
"There really was no turning point in my life that led me to the decision," says Fr Valerian Cheong, when asked what influenced him to join the priesthood.

His story of growing up years and adulthood sounds nothing out of the ordinary - he attended Catholic schools, volunteered as an altar server and joined the workforce. Basically, like a lot of other Catholic males. However, God has always walked closely with him.

At a young age of 15, Fr Valerian together with a few Catholic friends started a youth choir at the Church of the Holy Family, his home parish. The choir enlivened the mass, with music and singing, elements that Fr Valerian felt were essential for worship. The choir, Genesis II, is still an active youth choir in that church.

His close relationship with God continued to grow - through his daily prayers as he walked to Victoria Junior College as well as the time during which he cared for his father who suffered from cancer.

Fr Valerian shares that he continued to develop his relationship with God as he embarked on a career in the hospitality industry. "Despite the irregular work schedule at the hotel, I could still communicate with God... praying in the parish's Adoration Room that was opened 24 hours," says Fr Valerian.

And even when his work brought him to Shanghai in 1995, God continued to work through him. "I was thousands of miles away from home, but I found myself active in the Shanghai patriotic church, playing the organ again," adds Fr Valerian.

There, he started an ‘international' choir which comprised parishioners of different nationalities. He continues to keep in contact with the church and visiting occasionally.

It was also in Shanghai that he gave serious thoughts to God's call to a religious vocation. It was a Maundy Thursday. Fr Valerian found that he and another person were the only ones praying in church because the local and foreign parishioners were not accustomed to attending church in the evenings. He says, "I was overwhelmed by a feeling that something was missing in my life - a void - which I have been experiencing for some time. I felt that it was time that I addressed it rather than continue to ignore it."

After praying about it, Fr Valerian flew home to meet the parish priest of the Church of the Holy Family. But it was only when he returned to China that he decided to heed God's call to join the seminary.

"I always tell people that my work as a priest is akin to that in the hotel industry. But the difference is that the hotel's rooms were marketed for temporary stay, whereas those in God's house are designed for eternity," says Fr Valerian.

Hopes & Aspirations for Our Parish
Since ordination in 2005, Fr Valerian has been working with youths, among other duties. Whilst serving at Church of the Holy Cross, he was also Campus Chaplain at the National University of Singapore, reaching out to youths at the universities and polytechnics in the vicinity. And he continues as adviser to the youth groups at Church of the Risen Christ, his ‘new' parish.

He hopes that he will be able to inspire "the young people, in the entire Catholic community, to live out their faith in their work, family and social lives". He adds, "This church (Risen Christ) has a more mature congregation, but there is always a process of rejuvenation. And I hope that the youths will be a beacon of hope in this neighbourhood."

Contributions to External Organizations
Although Fr Valerian hopes to be able to contribute to external organizations, he is currently inundated with pastoral work.

Favourite Scripture
When asked about his favourite scripture, he quotes: "I live now not with my own life, but with the life of Christ who lives in me" (Galatians, 2:20).

Favourite Food
Fr Valerian is not particular about food, "so long as it is edible. I do not have any favourites".

Leisure Activities
As for recreational activities, Fr Valerian is currently too busy for any.