第一篇就是我為2016年寫的 New Year's Resolution （全文見文末），亦即是新年立志，我當時想，要是我許下些甚麼鴻願，又未能實現，就真的是丟人現眼。所以，索性期許自己要快樂一點，就立於不敗之地了，哈哈。
筆者的確是一個經常不快樂的人，幸有自己的信仰支持，不然，筆者今天只會是個憤世嫉俗之徒。文章的背景是記載筆者與友人一同前往舊校探望神父，從而勾出筆者的情感，故成文。
筆者覺得神父他是一個年紀很大的精靈，有深邃的智慧，而且他受的那套教育與現今香港教育制度大異其趣，因此筆者對神父很有好奇之心。可是，筆者很少有機會上神父的堂，故此很多有關神父的認識，只屬風聞。例如，神父執教英文，悉逢教育局官吏巡視，要求神父交出資格證明，神父只好在箱中搜呀搜的，翻出希伯來文、拉丁文、希臘文的證書，良久方才翻出教授英文的資格證明，該官吏已汗流浹背。
神父的逸事還有很多，希望可以另起篇幅以記之。
神父的名字叫 Father Harold Naylor，以下是他的網站。
http://www.hnaylor.net/
31/12/2015
"I have never made New Year's resolutions but if I have to make one for 2016, it will be -- be happier."
We met unexpectedly with Father Harold Naylor when strolling around Wah Yan. Contrary to my imagination, the respectable octogenarian did not show many signs of old age, despite his haggard face his mind was still sharp and words still impressive. His air of decorum which could only be sensed out of a reverent Father, once again took us back to the old days when he was still that towering teacher upstage with us being obedient students listening humbly to his wise words.
He seemed to be able to recognize all of us to a certain degree, except me-- whom he had taught a year's worth of Ethics (that means I did not have the honour to do English Builder in "Cal-room"). Being responsible to find topics, I asked if I could have a look at what he was reading. With his consent, I found myself holding an issue of "The Tablet", an international Catholic weekly newspaper. Before I could have a clear look at it, Father had started talking about the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference and had even gone on explaining CO2 and global warming. Through his piercing words, the whole complex international issue was boiled down to money (economic development). To illustrate that the well-being of mankind could not be measured by money, he used his pair of spectacle as an example, saying that the vision enabled by it outweighed the monetary costs incurred in purchasing it.
To put this into the context of Hong Kong, the well-being of Hong Kong people has always been entangled with the vested interest of those in power. How this power relationship chokes the vitality of Hong Kong society and stifles the many possibilities which could have been seen is beyond the imagination of each and every one of us. The point he wished to make was, I think, how we could make the place we live better. This may sound as like a cliche as many an important idea may sound. Even though we cannot solve the problem for now, we can still alleviate it. If this "cliche" was what the man, who has experienced so much and who has seen the development of countless students, wanted to share with us even in his twilight years, we really have to treasure up the idea and ponder it in our own heart.
Before we parted, we shook hands once again with this educated, wise man. I was the last to shake hands with him and when we did, he said to me, "Be happy!" Yes, I have always been a rather gloomy person who do not enjoy peace of mind most of the time. I knew not if Father could really perceive my internal state of constant uneasiness during our short chat but what he said has struck a chord in my heart. We bade farewell and Father trotted to lunch with little bouncing strides just like a child.
While we were still talking about the anecdote of Father's daunting investigators from the Education Bureau with his certificate in Hebrew Language, I couldn't help but think about the parting words by Father. I have never made New Year's resolutions but if I have to make one for 2016, it will be -- be happier. God bless and keep the great man who has given so much to our society.
Also, I would like to wish all of you a happy and prosperous 2016!
With Bok Siu Lun Matthew Chan Father Harold Naylor and Hubert Leung (who has yet to have a facebook account).
