Fr Gerard Tang Choon was born on a sunny Thursday morning at 10:30a.m. on 8th February 1973 to George Tang Choon and Marilyn Tang Choon (formerly Araujo). He is the first of five children. He is of mixed descent (Chinese, Venezuelan, African, English, Carib and others)
After spending his first couple years in St Ann’s (the region not the hospital) he and his family finally moved into Diamond Vale, Diego Martin where he grew up. He attended the Holy Name Preparatory School and St Mary’s College. After which he worked at the then National Commercial Bank, soon to be First Citizen’s Bank, most of it at the Maraval Road branch. He was teller number 5. It was while working at the bank that he felt called to do something more with his life (after he realized it was not banking).
After attending one of the vocation retreats planned by Fr. Lorcan Murray he began to pursue his call to the religious life – particularly the Carmelites. He particularly liked their stress on prayer, community and the spiritual heritage of Carmel – Therese, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
He entered the Carmelite pre-novitiate in August of 1995 in Tappan, New York, and attended the St Thomas Aquinas college where he got a degree in Philosophy. He then entered the Carmelite novitiate and professed his first vows in May 31, 1999, Middletown, NY, USA. He returned to Trinidad that August where he attended the regional seminary of St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs, where he did his degree in Theology. He lived with the Carmelites at St. Michael’s Priory, Maracas, St Joseph.
He worked in St. Michael’s Parish, Maracas with the Legion of Mary, communications, confirmation students, Elijah’s Bread and the youth. He professed solemn vows on Sep 14th 2002. As a deacon he also worked in the parish of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Blanchisseuse.
He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec 6th 2003 and on Jan 5th 2004 became parish priest of St. John the Baptist RC Church in St Augustine until May 27, 2006. He became parish priest of St. Mary’s RC Church in June 4th, 2006.
His hobbies include watching movies (esp comedies and action), gym, basketball, (esp Phoenix Suns), swimming, gardening and listening to music (he likes Kanye West, Greenday and Fall out Boy).