Nancy and Dr. Harvey Chong both converted to Catholicism later in life. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
For Dr. Harvey and Nancy Chong, getting involved at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Papaikou didn’t come easily at first.
“It was definitely outside of my comfort zone,” Nancy Chong said. “However, they asked and I know that serving is our purpose on this earth. I don’t want Jesus to look at me and say, ‘I never knew you.’
“I serve because I want everyone to feel as welcome in Immaculate Heart of Mary as I have always felt. I want to greet people and welcome them, so hopefully they will feel that same sense of ownership and belonging.”
Both Nancy and Harvey grew up in Protestant households but had early exposure to the Catholic faith that impacted their conversion later in life.
“My Catholic grandfather attended Mass every day,” Nancy Chong said. “It really showed in his character. He was the most devoted person to God that I’ve ever been close to.
“I had always been a devout Christian. There was never a question in my mind that God existed, and I was close to him all those years, but when I joined the Catholic Church I felt like I was in the right place, and that my grandfather had been praying for us all these years in heaven.”
Nancy got involved at Immaculate Heart of Mary about 20 years ago when her sons were in the religious education program. She was a religious education teacher until her sons were confirmed. She has since participated as a lector, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and a member of the Stewardship Committee.
Growing up, Harvey Chong attended a Catholic school for 10 years, but it wasn’t until 2020 that he joined the Catholic Church.
“In 2020, I was diagnosed with cancer, and Nancy told me that I had better convert now,” he said. “I had always said that I was most comfortable with the Catholic Church. We got a special dispensation to get everything fast-tracked because of my health and I received my last healing rites, baptism, confirmation, and first holy Communion all at once.”
Since his conversion, Harvey has become involved at Immaculate Heart of Mary as a member of the Stewardship Committee and by assisting at Mass in whatever way is needed.
“I see the faith and dedication of everyone in the parish, and it has inspired me,” he said. “It shows me the way that we should be sharing our time, talent and gifts. It allows me to give something back to God.”
As members of the Stewardship Committee, the Chongs have been reminded of all the gifts that God has given them, and they have been encouraged to give those gifts back to the parish to try and build the church.
“I want to tell parishioners, not just at Immaculate Heart of Mary, but all parishes, to please consider serving in some capacity,” Harvey Chong said. “You won’t regret it. It will enrich your faith and deepen your relationships with others in the parish and with God. It will take you to a whole new level outside of Sunday Mass. And to our parishioners, thank you for letting us be part of such a special community.”
