He speaks seven languages and dialects and zips around Singapore on his scooter to teach catechism to the elderly and housebound. He is also 88 years old.
Meet Mr. Andrew Goh, a catechist who has spent the past 34 years ministering to Singaporeans who are illiterate or speak mainly dialects.
A former insurance professional, Mr. Goh committed himself full-time to this ministry after his baptism in 1991. “God is so kind, so good,” he said, reflecting on his faith experience and the sense that he needed to “repay” God’s goodness.
After his conversion, he began hearing stories of Catholic adults whose elderly parents were not baptised—and how many children were hesitant to request religious instruction for them. He observed that most RCIA programs in Singapore are conducted in English and Mandarin, which cater mainly to adults and youth. But for elderly persons who speak only dialect, he said, “they are neglected.”
This realization led him to begin a ministry focused on the elderly, which includes praying for patients in hospitals, visiting the housebound, and conducting catechism classes in parishes.
Mr. Goh speaks English, Mandarin, and the Chinese dialects of Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hainanese. He also speaks Peranakan, a blend of Malay and Hokkien. Coming from a Hokkien-Peranakan background made it easier for him to master several dialects; others, like Cantonese and Hainanese, he learned through persistence and practice.
Catechism lessons for his elderly catechumens—most in their 70s and 80s—are simple and accessible. Mr. Goh uses children’s books with large, colorful illustrations to teach concepts such as the Sacraments, the story of Adam and Eve, and the miracles of Jesus. He has also developed his own printed materials with instructions in both Mandarin and English, accompanied by easy-to-follow diagrams.
Over the years, Mr. Goh has served in as many as five parishes. He currently teaches weekly classes at the Church of the Holy Family and the Church of St. Alphonsus, also known as Novena Church. Around 30 people attend these sessions, some of whom were previously baptised through his instruction.
In addition to parish work, he makes eight home visits each week to catechize housebound individuals. To date, Mr. Goh has helped more than 2,000 people receive baptism and has more than 560 godchildren.
The ministry, however, is not without its difficulties. Some catechumens stop attending after two or three sessions, while others eventually choose to join other Christian churches.
Despite these setbacks, Mr. Goh continues his work in good health and with the help of a few assistants. He acknowledges that finding support can be difficult.
Asked what would happen if he were no longer able to continue, he replied: “There are already people who can speak dialects.” He believes the Church could attract more workers to this ministry if it provided a regular allowance. “They will come in, those who are retired,” he said.
His catechumens say the lessons have deepened their understanding of the faith. Ms. Betty Tan, 76, who attends classes at Novena Church with her 85-year-old sister, said she is learning “how to pray, how to make the Sign of the Cross, and how Jesus helped others.”
Mr. Simon Low, 75, who joins the sessions at the Church of the Holy Family, said he looks forward to “going deeper” in learning the faith and eventually being baptised.
The writer is a Singapore-based freelance journalist and educator.
