This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, BOBE STEPHEN SONG CHONGWAIN, 76, born on November 19, 1939 and passed away on October 17, 2016. We will remember him forever.
FUNERAL PROGRAM PA STEPHEN SONG CHONGWAIN
Sunrise: 19th November 1939 Sunset: 17th October 2016
FRIDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2016
8 pm:Virgil Mass Canada at Immaculate Conception Parish, 300 Ansley Grove Road, Woodbridge.
Tuesday 25TH OCTOBER 2016
7:00 pm:Virgil Mass at the Biyem–Assi Stade residence Priscilla Song.
THURSDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2016
7:00 pm: Virgil Mass without Corpse at the Family Compound Bambui
FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2016
6am: Removal of mortal remains at the Bamenda General Hospital 7:30 am: Viewing of mortal remains at the Family Compound in Bambui 9:00 am: Mass at the St. Peter and Paul’s Parish Bambui 10:30 am: Departure for Fuanantui 11:30 am: Brief stopover at the Family compound at Wombong 12:30 pm: Funeral Mass and Burial at the Fuanantui Parish. 2:00 pm:Refreshment.
SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2016
Traditional Celebrations Family Meeting
SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2016
6:00 am: Mass for the repose of the soul of Pa Stephen Song Chongwain End of celebrations and departure.
Let us Pray For Pa Stephen Song
We pray for the church and her leaders; our Holy Father Pope Francis, our bishops, priests and religious who guide and teach the faith. That God should continue to guide and protect them as they preach the Gospel of Christ to the world. Lord hear us…..
We pray for our husband, father, grand-father, brother, uncle, nephew, friend who has left this world to be with you in Glory. Almighty Father, receive the soul of Late Stephen Song whom you called to yourself. May you forgive all his trespasses and grant him eternal rest in your bosom. Lord hear us…
We pray in a special way for the wife Lawrentia Song who stood by him throughout those painful moments, the children, friends he has left behind. May God fill the gap created by this death and may they be consoled by the example of Mary who stood faithfully at the foot of the cross when her only son was crucified by sinners.
Lord hear us….
Let us pray for all other family members who are sleeping in the Lord, especially Song Emma, Bobe Nkuo Francis, ……and all departed souls that they may find favour in the sight of our most high God. Lord hear us….
Let us pray for other members of our parish who mourn their departed relatives, may they always remember that those who follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, must die in order to benefit from the saving grace of the resurrection. Lord hear us…
Let us pray for ourselves gathered here to bid our last farewell to Late Bobe Stephen Song. May we learn through his example to accept pain, sufferings and trials as bravely as he did so that when our time is ripe, we will face death happily being rest assured that we took part in the sufferings of Christ by carrying our own cross. Lord hear us…..
Let us pray for a while in silence for our own personal intention and for the intentions of the church. May our Holy Mother Mary who endured pain and sufferings on the foot of the cross when her only son was sacrificed for our sins intercede for us as we pray, Hail Holy Queen….
"Prayers of the Faithful For Pa Stephen Song
1. We pray for the church and her leaders; our Holy Father Pope Francis,
our bishops, priests and religious who guide and teach the faith. That God should continue to guide and protect them as they preach the Gospel of Christ to the world. Lord hear us…..
2. We pray for our husband, father, grand-father, brother, uncle, nephew, friend who has left this world to be with you in Glory. Almighty Father, receive the soul of Late Stephen Song whom you called to yourself. May you forgive all his trespasses and grant him eternal rest in your bosom. Lord hear us…
3. We pray in a special way for the wife Lawrentia Song who stood by him throughout those painful moments, the children, friends he has left behind. May God fill the gap created by this death and may they be consoled by the example of Mary who stood faithfully at the foot of the cross when her only son was crucified by sinners.
Lord hear us….
4. Let us pray for all other family members who are sleeping in the Lord, especially Song Emma, Bobe Nkuo Francis, ……and all departed souls that they may find favour in the sight of our most high God. Lord hear us….
5. Let us pray for other members of our parish who mourn their departed relatives, may they always remember that those who follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, must die in order to benefit from the saving grace of the resurrection. Lord hear us…
6. Let us pray for ourselves gathered here to bid our last farewell to Late Bobe Stephen Song. May we learn through his example to accept pain, sufferings and trials as bravely as he did so that when our time is ripe, we will face death happily being rest assured that we took part in the sufferings of Christ by carrying our own cross. Lord hear us…..
7. Let us pray for a while in silence for our own personal intention and for the intentions of the church. May our Holy Mother Mary who endured pain and sufferings on the foot of the cross when her only son was sacrificed for our sins intercede for us as we pray, Hail Holy Queen…."
Tributes
Leave a tributeI miss you already , you were such a peace loving father , I saw you gather people who were scattered, You used every means possible to make us behave responsibly, i pray that i will meet you again in Glory. Goodbye (Nestor song Son).
What we see on this end is the sen of a father setting in the horizon. On the other end God and His angels alone know details about his exit from these realms below. Pa Song was a compassionate father even to children he did not give birth to , My Family and I inclusive . He was a caring person, a humble man and a good adviser. for all the years i knew him, he never got into squables with others in Bambui where he worked and Lived for many years, Even on the sick bed he would seek to know about about the well being of others , He would show a thankful heart for very minute services offered to him. Ngum Jesse Family.
On October 14th, 2016 I was in Phoenix-Arizona to participate at a wake-keep in honor of our beloved uncle Bobe Francis Nkuo (Bo Con) organized by Fabiola Muh and her hubby Bernard Ful. Two days later, while I was getting set to return to my base in Toronto-Canada, I received an unusual late night call from my kid brother Jude, sobbing on the other end of the line and tearfully saying, “Father, father, Dad is no more!” At that moment, my world collapsed. I knew this day was coming yet the reality of it hurts so badly. No words can adequately describe the depth and magnitude of this painful loss. Words cannot soften the pain and shock of losing a mentor, a guru, a role model and above all a loving and caring family man like my dad, Bobe Stephen Song. Dear dad, the trajectory from the time you became sick till the time you breathed your last was a rollercoaster of pain and suffering but also of admirable faith, resilience and strength on your part. Even at the frailest and feeblest moments of your life when you were physically consumed by sickness you remained positive and incessantly said to me, “Fala, don’t worry, I will be ok”.
Dad, you sacrificed so much for the sake of your family that was more important to you than any money or fame that the world can offer. You and Mom did your best to raise your children in the ways of the Lord and you taught us to strive for the highest goals in life. You selflessly supported and encouraged me every step of the way in my vocation to the ministerial priesthood and you never stopped praying for me. Each time I came home for vacation, you brought me into your bedroom and pointed at a rosary hanging from the corner of your bed and said, “Son, I pray for you everyday and for your vocation.” I am so blessed and thankful to God that you were my father. You gave us the best of education, you frowned at us when we misplaced a textbook or took school lightly and you had zero tolerance for anyone who dared to miss Sunday Mass. I could not ask for a better dad. You are just the best.
Today, as we say “Adieu Daddy” I will like to simply say, THANK YOU! Thank you for everything you have done for me, for the family and for humanity. Physically you are gone but your footprints shall be engraved in our hearts, on our minds, in our speeches and in our actions forever. You have left us with memories and love that will sustain us for the rest of our lives. I love you with a passion that burns as brightly as you did. Your light will never ever go out. You are in our hearts forever. Rest in peace.
With special love from,
(Fr Song Eugene, Son).
God saw you getting tired and weak,
when cure was not to be enough to heal u.
So he enveloped you in His arms and whispered "come to me my son"
He gave you rest,
and in His garden most beautiful He ushered you.
Now as you sleep so peaceful and free from pain,
We couldnt wish you back to suffer again.
You were the best dad , brother, uncle, granpa to all,
God takes the best.RIP Pa Song S....
Your cousin, Bobe Anacletus, my late husband under your instructions, used to act as a spokesperson in virtually all traditional ceremonies in your family. this is an example of your all embrasing and accomodating spirit.
I give God all the glory for your life and for all what you imparted on to your entire family. I pray that our heavenly Father should receive your soul and keep it safe in His bosom. Say hello to Anacletus on our behalf.
Adieu, Adieu Pa Song!!!
Magdalene and children
It is with a heavy heart that I write down these words about my dear husband Song Stephen who slept in the Lord on October 17, 2016. Steve, I am deeply saddened our time together has been cut short by your passing away but the happiness we shared together as husband and wife in the past 46 years of our marriage will last a lifetime. Even in this darkest and saddest moment of my life, I know how lucky I was to have found a man so loving, so patient and God-fearing like you. I am eternally grateful for every minute we spent together loving each other and nurturing our family. You were my rock, my inspiration, my soul mate, my everything
Our life together was not always a bed of roses. We had our fair share of the trials and tribulations, the highs and lows of life but God has always been on our side. We were blessed with 6 amazing children whom we loved and cared for but in 2006 we were completely distraught when our beloved daughter Emma Fuentum Song went to be with the Lord. Yet we held on to our faith that God’s ways are not our ways. On January 4th, 2013, you became very ill and I did my best to care for you with the same love and tenderness I had for you the very first day we met.
You have left a legacy of love and integrity with the family and those who knew you. You were a loving husband, a caring father, a role model for our six children, an amazing grandfather and a great teacher not only to your pupils at school but also to me. I learnt a lot from you Steve. There was nothing i did without letting you know and without seeking your ingenious and generous advise. I will forever be grateful for each day we spent together and for the lessons learned.
When I became a member of the CWA you wholeheartedly supported and encouraged me. When I was away for days to attend CWA meetings, you stayed home and took great care of the children without ever whining or complaining. When I was elected the President of the CWA, you were always there to support me. I still remember when my EXCO decided to buy a piece of land for our diocesan projects; you generously offered to help us find the plot, you helped with the paperwork and supervised the project for a period of time and the women were so proud.
As we put the love of my life to rest today, I want to sincerely thank each one of you for the out pouring of love and support throughout this tough and trying moments in the live of my family. I am persuaded that my husband’s good deeds will live on in the stories people will share of how he touched their lives. Steve, my life will never be the same again without you but I know you are now in a better place where you no longer have to face the pains and sufferings of this world. You will be greatly missed. Rest in perfect peace my dear husband until we meet to part no more.
With love from your wife
Song Lawrentia
Sr Bridget Nkuo,
Bo Prisci, you have finally left us! You do not belong to death, you belong to Jesus. We are sad, as you have parted from us. We grieve in our hearts, trusting that you have rested and gone to God, to a better place sharing in the risen life of Christ.
Bo Prisci you had a secret which I admired so much and will always remember you; your deep faith and trust in God amidst pain and suffering. You died empty with nothing else left to do. You poured out your dreams on thousands of pupils you taught. You died like the apostle Paul who said “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, I have been poured out like a drink offering, and there is nothing left. I am ready to die.
I will treasure your deep spiritual life and faith, your family life, your life of helpfulness, your humility and the many precious moments and memories. No doubt you are called Stephen. For Stephen was the first martyr of the church who left an impact in the lives of the people and after his death his followers continued to be faithful to the Lord.
In our sadness, Lord, be with us. Give us courage and make our faith strong in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rest in Peace.
Nindum Eucharia Niece
Farewell.
Njuakom Francis (Nephew)
Nain Theodosia (Beloved Sister)
Toh Cyprian (Nephew)
Nange Patricia (Niece)
Nange Patricia (Niece)
Nange Patricia (Niece)
Dad you were my mentor and my strength . The tears that runs down my chicks are not tears of sadness and sorrow but tears of joy and happiness because you challenged the race of life and kept the faith. Am firm today because of you and be rest assured that your children's children will keep the legacy going on for ever. With much love from Your son Jude Song , wife , Violet Tubuo And grand Son Bimisimbom Song . Adieu Papa, uncle, grand papa and friend.
( Ngoinjang Elnorina.Eldest Grand Daughter)
Your Grandaughter. Goodnight GrandPa Goodnight. (Emma Afumbom Angel)
One great thinker once said, "Do not seek death but death will find you". Faith has taken an unexpected twist and closed the life chapter of Bobe Stephen Song, the quarter head (Bo-nteh) of kom in Bambui.
I write these words in deep admiration of the character of the man, Bobe stephen song, whose humble and gentle manner of behavior attracted respect and esteem of all that matters.
He contributed greatly to the socio-economic development of the kom cultural association in Bambui. He has hosted the kom cultural association in his house for over twenty something years now. He fought very hard and contributed greatly to see that the kom people in Bambui acquire a piece of land to build their cultural hall. A project which is in its phase too now.
Pa song, we the kom people in Bambui are grieved but we cannot change God's will.
This peom we have for you says it all from our hearts.
"God saw you getting tired
And put his arms around you
And whispered "come to me my son"
Your golden heart stopped beating
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best
Even though you are gone
Your love remains and lives on
Your memory will never fade. ADIEU PAPA SONG. REST IN PERFECT PEACE.
Ntam Yuh Terence (President of the kom cultural Association in Bambui)
FOR THE KOM PEOPLE IN BAMBUI.
Fr Anthony Ndang Ndichia mhm (South Africa)
Last August I was in Cameroon, prayed with you and blessed you. Little did I know that was my last time to see you. Blessed are the dead who die in the hands of the Lord. Your passing has reminded us once again, that death is certain for all of us. Death comes to others early, to others after a long illness, or old age, rich or poor, strong or weak, death still comes. Am grateful to God for a faith well lived in Jesus Christ. You lived a life that belongs to God, a life of prayer and charity. I thank God for the good you did to us and the immense love you had for the Eucharist and the Church. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies”.
Bo Prisci, do you remember when you were small, and your parents took you up in their hands or arms? You were in the arms of your parents. Now that you have died, you have are in the arms of God. You went through pain with love and with a smile on your face. That which is good is never finished; it continues. If we live in Christ and die in Christ, we will rise in Christ. You died full of hope and faith in your heart. You died full of gratitude, love for the family and the Church.
O God who brought us to birth and whose arms we die. In our grief, comfort us, give us your love, hope in our confusion, and grace to live a new life in Jesus Christ. Lord, wipe away our tears, for in Heaven there is no death, crying, pain or mourning. In your presence, Lord may we be blessed.
How can we repay the Lord for his goodness to us? You were not only a loving husband and caring father to your family, but also to the CWA in the archdiocese of Bamenda, especially when mami Song, your beloved wife, was the diocesan president. You gave her and the CWA total support to see her achieve, during her term in service. You had a very strong character and once you were convinced, you did what had to be done. When you saw us struggling to get a piece of land for our diocesan project, you took it personal and sacrificed all your time and energy to look for one for us. Today, CWA Bamenda diocese has a huge structure that's almost ready for use, thanks to your humble kick off of the project. In your illness you fought courageously to live but the tide was against us. We prayed that you would be there when the doors of that building would be officially opened for use, but our good Lord, having called that there are many rooms in his heavenly home, you gladly answered his call to take up one. As you go ahead, all CWA members in Bamenda Archdiocese pray for God's mercy on you. We believe that the good Lord will grant you mercy and keep you in that place where there is no more suffering and no more pain. Yes, the God you served here can never disappoint you. Adieu, worthy child of God! Adieu Pa Stephen Song!
CWA Bamenda out gone diocesan executive
Adieu till we meet to part no more.
The story is still to begin another tears flowing session. Lord i need you every hour. i will be back, Feast of st. Ignatius of Antoich, the meditation text for that day was soul searching, imagine that deep sweet sleep, sleep never to return, a sleep so sound and peaceful. ----- I will be back---"
Leave a Tribute
I miss you already , you were such a peace loving father , I saw you gather people who were scattered, You used every means possible to make us behave responsibly, i pray that i will meet you again in Glory. Goodbye (Nestor song Son).
What we see on this end is the sen of a father setting in the horizon. On the other end God and His angels alone know details about his exit from these realms below. Pa Song was a compassionate father even to children he did not give birth to , My Family and I inclusive . He was a caring person, a humble man and a good adviser. for all the years i knew him, he never got into squables with others in Bambui where he worked and Lived for many years, Even on the sick bed he would seek to know about about the well being of others , He would show a thankful heart for very minute services offered to him. Ngum Jesse Family.
Biography of Pa Stephen Song Chongwain
Biography of Mr. Song Stephen Chongwain
Mr. Song Stephen Chongwain was born on November 19th 1939 in Wombong-Kom to Bartholomew Songku and Susana Fuentum. He was the fourth child in a family of eight. In 1950 he attended St Anthony’s Catholic school Njinikom where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) and was immediately offered a part-time teaching job in Fuanantui. After two years of teaching and still burning with the passion to permanently embrace the teaching vocation, he enrolled at the Teachers Training College in Bambui in 1962 and obtained a Teachers Grade 3 certificate. In 1973 and 1983 he obtained the teacher’s Grade 2 and Grade 1 certificates respectively as well as a Diploma in Education (ACP) from the College of Teacher’s in London. His teaching career brought him to Njinikom, Nkambe and Bambui where he permanently settled until his death.
In 1970 the young and ambitious Stephen met and married the love of his life, Fuen Lawrentia Song and God blessed the couple with six children: Natang Priscilla Song, Chiatum Nestor Song, Nkuo Walters Song, Fuentum Emma Song (RIP), Song Eugene Chianain, Yusimbom Jude Song and nine grandchildren whom he loved and cherished. Mr. Song was a loving, kind and caring husband, father and grandfather who worked so hard throughout his life to provide for his family. His kindness, generosity and sense of humor made a profound impact in the lives of all those who came in contact with him. His children remember him as a no nonsense disciplinarian who insisted on four cardinal values, hard work, education, family and above all the Holy Mass. He was a staunch practicing Catholic Christian who attended Holy Mass every single morning to start his day and always prayed that his four boys will serve God in the sacred priesthood. However, God decided to choose just one, Fr Eugene for the priestly ministry. Pa Song was also a devoted member of the Bona Mors confraternity, a Catholic prayer group that helps members to prepare for a “happy death”.
As a teacher, Stephen was a passionate, energetic and dedicated catholic schoolteacher who inspired and encouraged young people to become the-best-version-of-themselves. He was not just passionate about teaching he also believed in the core values and richness of catholic education, which he upheld and faithfully handed down to the young people he taught. In recognition of his extraordinary work and outstanding service to Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, he received the Best Teacher of the millennium Award from Archbishop Paul Verdzekov in 2000 and later retired that same year. In 2010 he received another award from Pope Benedict XVI for outstanding services rendered to Mother Church.
In the last couple of years, Pa Song wrestled with ailing and failing health. It was hard to watch a one time vibrant and vigorous man suddenly slowed down by the excruciating pains and sufferings of sickness. He suffered from Diabetes and in January of 2013 he had a debilitating stroke that changed his life forever. In spite of medical diagnosis and doctors’ allegations that he was going to die soon, Pa Song, true to his resilience and fighting spirit lived on for almost four more years to the total disbelief of his doctors. He was described by one of his doctors as “the miracle man.” Interestingly, Pa Song faced the daily grind of his various maladies with grace and patience, without ever whining or complaining. He accepted every moment of his suffering as a sharing in the passion of Christ whom he loved and served so faithful throughout his life. On Sunday October 16, he showed some disturbing signs of fatigue and complete lost of appetite. He was rushed to the Provincial Hospital in Bamenda where he passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife Song Lawrentia, and his beloved daughter Priscilla Song, at exactly 9 a.m ,on October 17, 2016, the exact date and Month his fourth child, Emma Fuentum Song died in 2006.
Pa Song was also initiated as the Quarter Head of the Kom community in Bambui on the 23rd of March 2004, by the Kwifon of Kom at Laikom . His Compound has always been a permanent meeting point for the Boyo Community in Bambui.
His legacy will live on forever in his wife of 46 years, his five surviving children, his nine grandchildren, siblings, family members friends and the thousands of people we may never know whose lives he touched and transformed at a time when they needed the comfort of a mentor, a teacher and a father. He was an icon and a larger than life figure that has written his name in the history books for generations to come. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of Abraham.
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine et lux perpetua luceat ei!
Requiescat in pace!