By Sibu SOCCOM
SIBU (23 Dec) — The life of Mr Aloysius Lopez, in his role as a teacher, a Church leader, father, grandfather and friend, was celebrated by family, Church, friends and colleagues, in the funeral Mass at St Mary of Divine Mercy Church, Sibu this morning at 11.00 am.
His son, a Jesuit priest, Fr Mark Aloysius expressed his gratefulness to Bishop Joseph Hii, who presided the funeral Mass. “My father would be very pleased to know”.
Bishop Joseph Hii described Mr Lopez as a strong man who served throughout his life as teacher, father, husband and Church leader. His service brought the light of Christ to others.
Nevertheless, towards the last few years of his life, he was humble to allow others to serve him. In his humility, he experienced the love of Christ in return.
Fr Mark Aloysius, in his homily described his friend’s description of his father as “witty, humorous and intelligent. A good teacher and a competitive tennis player.”
Mark’s fondest memory of his father is when his father carried him in his arm while he was half asleep, from inside the Volkswagen car to his bed. That fondest memory of his father left an indelible mark, akin to an expression of God’s unsurpassed gentleness, kindness and love towards him.
The love of a father towards his son: “Think of the love of our Father has lavished on us and called us his children” (1 John 3:1). Mark was able to experience this love of God through his father, Lopez, a kind, gentle and loving soul.
Many of his friends in the Sibu community had experienced the love and kindness of this gentleman. Indeed he was a strong man, a kind man, a gentle man, a soul who had brought the light of Christ to the community of Sibu.
We salute you, Sir. Farewell Mr Lopez!