Story of our parishioner.In the heart of our small community, there lives a humb…
In the heart of our small community, there lives a humble parishioner named Francis Ng. His home was like an oasis, surrounded by pathways lined with 33 special palm trees.
Francis had planted these trees with love and care. These weren’t just any palms; they were unique, blooming only twice a year with lush, vibrant leaves that graced the landscape. But what made them truly remarkable was their resilience. Even if one was cut, new leaves would sprout within a mere two weeks, just in time to provide for the next Palm Sunday.
Every year, as Palm Sunday approached, Francis, with hands weathered from years of service, would carefully navigate the thorns to cut the palms himself. With determination in his heart, he cut through the branches, undeterred by the discomfort. Then, with unwavering patience, he painstakingly cleaned each frond, removing every thorn until only the beauty of the palm remained.
After the cutting, his family and some kind volunteers would gather to wash the palms, preparing them for the sacred day. Despite offers to pay, Francis always offered the palms freely to our parish, a gift from his heart. For nearly 15 years, he had faithfully provided palms, never seeking recognition but simply wanting to serve church and god.
Even with his other responsibilities, Francis always made time to tend to his garden and help others. His quiet, humble service spoke volumes, touching the hearts of all who knew him and reminding us of the power of selfless love in our faith.