TRIBUTE To REV. FR. DATO LAWRENCE CHUA

VIRTUAL CONDOLENCE BOOK

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

One of Fr Lawrence Chua’s favourite quotes was, “Trust in Mother Mary”. Today, we have specially created this post for you to pen your messages to him, or maybe relate some memorable times you shared with Fr Lawrence Chua. You can write in the comments box at the bottom of the post, then click ‘post comment’. We will moderate all posts we receive. We invite you to check back often for more photos, videos and updates.

You may also drop your comments to us at the link below, or scan the QR code. https://www.menti.com/dxk4rqi1wj

Below are some messages/ tributes we have received:

Tribute to Rev Fr Dato Lawrence Chua
   Without a doubt, Fr Lawrence Chua was an exemplary man of God and conscientious servant of our Lord walking faithfully with Him.
   We, the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak had been beneficiaries of his kind deeds and compassionate assistance. He was most caring to all our Sisters (namely Sr Ita Ling, Sr Hyacintha Yong and Sr Adriana Tiong) who served in his parish while at Holy Trinity Church and Blessed Sacrament Church.
   Furthermore, we can never thank him enough for his invaluable assistance particularly for the Community in Mukah. He continued the legacy and wonderful memories of his parents to take care of our needy Convent. The concrete Mukah Convent building was declared open on 4 October 1961. He proudly recalled that his dad supervised the construction of the Convent 60 years ago. Fr Chua intended to celebrate the Convent’s Diamond Jubilee this year on 4 October, but his plan did not materialize due to his unforeseen sudden critical illness.
   His great devotion to our Mother Mary also inspired and motivated him to build a uniquely beautiful shrine of the Holy Family to replace the old dilapidated shrine in the compound of Mukah Convent during his home leave. Following that he helped repaint and renovate the Convent and Nursery buildings. His nephews and two friends happily came all the way from Miri to cut the trees, clear the compound and fixed some lightings.
   He was by nature sensitive to the needs of others and had touched the hearts of many people who knew him.
   Yes, Fr Chua, we appreciate all your untiring services for His people. As in Matthew 25:21 we hear Jesus welcoming you to the heavenly kingdom: Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your master.
   May the angels lead you into paradise. May the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city.
Superior General Sr Rose Wong & Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak
27 October 2021

Some live chat messages:

Irene Siaw
A humble shepherd… we love him forever… now he is in heaven..

laurabara61
​Father Lawrence, you are the one who gave me my 1st Holy Communion on my wedding day and became Catholic. Thank you. May you rest in peace with the Lord, his Saints and Angels. Amen🙏

Rosy Yeo
​Father Lawrence you remember you talked to me and my husband in preparation of our marriage. Next year is our 50th golden anniversary . Thank you

Isaac Mamora
​The late Father Chua will be sadly missed. May the Lord be so well pleased and grant him Eternal Rest in a place the Lord has prepared for all who have labored for the Kingdom of Heaven

faustinamary William
​I thank and praise God for giving us Fr Chua. It was at Holy Trinity that I first learnt to pray The Chaplet, The Novena to the Divine Mercy and The First Friday & First Saturday Devotion.

VICAR OF CHRIST
‘If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.’ Matthew 9 : 21
Healing 1 : Year 1997 @ Holy Trinity Church
After the daily Mass, my husband & I went to see Fr Chua to ask for his prayer as we were leaving soon for Super Kids training at Alor Setar. At that time, I was sick with fever. Fr laid hands on us and I reached out my hand to touch his cloak. The fever left at once & I was well again.
Healing 2 : Healing Mass at grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Blessed Sacrament Church
Year 1998 or 1999. The place was packed up to the car park area. People were there to seek healing from Jesus. Me too. I wanted to conceive again and have my own children after few miscarriages. After the holy communion, Fr moved around the compound with the Eucharist in the monstrance and blessed the congregation. As he moved down the staircase to the carpark area, he stopped right in front of me as I was seating at the 1st row. He lifted up the Eucharist. As I was bowing down to pray, I held out my hand to touch his cloak, thinking to myself, by touching his cloak I am actually touching the cloak of Jesus. These words came to my mind “You’ll conceive”.
Year 2000, our 1st son, Gerald was born. Year 2002, our 2nd child, daughter Geraldine was born. Both were baptised by Fr Chua. Thank you Jesus for healing me and working miracles in my life through the hands of your servant Fr Chua. Thank you Fr for being such a caring shepherd.
Do you want to go to Heaven?
Fr Chua asked during one of the daily Mass. Many nodded. “Well then, if you want to go to Heaven, you must die. If you don’t die, how can you go to Heaven?” True ho…. He was implying that we should not be scared of death, rather be prepared because it’s a reality all have to face, and the passage to eternal life. We might not be able to give you a grand funeral as you deserve but I believe the Father has prepared a feast for you. “Enter now and enjoy the inheritance prepared for you since the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25 : 34)
Thank you & Farewell Fr Chua…
P/s Terence & I had recently celebrated our silver wedding anniversary, thank you for blessing our marriage & we will always remember your words of advise. With gratitude & love. >> Magdaline

Praise her with a Flower was the first hymn I learnt from Fr Lawrence Chua. Like Jesus, you have moulded me and guided me in my Catholic Faith… all the books that you introduced to me are still in my safe keeping. My family will surely miss you Fr Chua… you were always there during our family gathering, be it at home or outside. Thank you for your blessings throughout the years. Whenever my grandchildren came to BSC, they would always look for you and you never failed to stretch out your hands to bless them. Father, all the sweet memories will remain in our hearts forever. I know and trust you will always pray for us from heaven. We will surely miss you and the fresh fish when we pass by Mukah enroute to the kampung. It will never be the same again. Farewell, Fr Lawrence, till we meet again. May your soul rest in peace. >> Cheryl

Father Lawrence Chua was a very committed, dedicated and prayerful priest. Underneath his very stern look, there was almost always a hidden smile and behind all that a very kind and compassionate heart. In the confessional with him as confessor, I encountered the power of the Holy Spirit and the mercy of Christ. Rest in Peace Father Chua. >> Perpetua Phang

Fr Lawrence Chua celebrated our wedding at Holy Trinity Church on 26/12/1994, concelebrated by Fr Noel Hanrahan. >> Irene Kueh & Donald Lam

Although Fr Lawrence Chua looks serious, but he is very kind at heart. I was deeply touched by his presence and his prayers for my late mum and brother Jimmy. I was surprised and delighted when he was in Bintulu Hospital, he texted me birthday wishes and blessings on my birthday on 11.9.2021. Thank you Fr Chua. >> Joan Yoh

I received my 1st Holy Communion at Holy Trinity Church in 1996, and also my Sacrament of Confirmation in 2002 at Holy Trinity Church. >> Sylvia Chuo

“Really miss him as mentor and close friend, bringing him to clinic, bank, marketing and celebrating masses at St Joe. The Lord gives and the Lord takes. RIP.”

“My last conversation with him was about a month ago before he got the virus in Mukah. He asked me to collect his eye medicine from Satok and stipend from ACCPC. He left his legacy, BSC.”

“Rev Fr. Lawrence Chua has given many years of dedicated service to the people of God. Now that Our loving Father in heaven has called his faithful servant home, we pray that all the saints and angels, especially our blessed mother welcomes him. May he Rest In Peace.”

“The late Father Lawrence blessed my marriage and baptized my children and was a friend and mentor to my family. May the Good Lord welcome him to eternal happiness.”

“We will miss him, the fresh fish, the Saturday night dinner with him and many more…and visiting him and dinner with him at his home town Mukah…will miss him very very much…Let perpetual light shine upon him and May he rest in peace and pray for us.”

“Adieu Fr. Lawrence Chua. May Perpetual Light shine upon his soul. We’ll miss him. Though he looked serious he was a caring and kind hearted person. Whenever he went back, he would send fish to me from Mukah.” 🙏

“I feel for you James. Monday morning your supposedly free and easy day. Market, barber and many more. Sometime as far as Bt 10 for breakfast.”

More to come...