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Together with other Chinese Catholics in Brisbane, Fr. Albert Chan from Papua New Guinea, established the Chinese Catholic Community Brisbane (CCCB) in 1985.
Albert came to Australia when he was 14. He studied in Downlands College in Toowoomba in Queensland as a boarding student. Upon the completion of his high school studies at the age of 14, with the approval from his family, Albert decided to further his studies in theological college. He spent his first 2 years in St. Mary Towers in New South Wales. Then he spent 3 years studying philosophy and 4 years studying theology in Sacred Heart Croydon Monastery, a seminary near Melbourne in Victoria. Albert was ordained to the priesthood on 21 July 1962.
Fr. Chan is well known as an enthusiastic, joyful and helpful cleric. He has assisted numerous people, (especially migrants), both Catholics and non-Catholics, on their daily necessities (establishing their new lives in Brisbane). Being the founder of CCCB is a challenging task – especially in the early days of the establishment where we do not have a permanent site. From 1985 onwards, over the years many different parishes have been hired to facilitate group gatherings and mass celebrations. With the growing number of the community, it is hard to establish a sense of belongings without a base. After numerous discussions within the organizing committee, as well as a series of preparation and fund-raising activities over 2 years of time, CCCB purchased the land at Nemies Road in Runcorn and built the Sacred Heart Centre. The centre was consecrated on 17 March 2002 by the Archbishop of Brisbane.
It has been 30 years since CCCB is established. CCCB is a blessed community under the guidance from Holy Spirit. We are grateful to God for his love and kindness. We will continue our pastoral and evanglization work under the leadership of Holy Spirit.