Thousands bid farewell to Fr John Yu

Nov 06, 2015

By Percy D’Cruz
Fr John Yu Huai Jen, the priest in residence at Gajah Berang’s St Theresa’s parish, passed away in the wee hours of Monday, October 19. He was 88.

After five days lying in state, Fr Yu’s remains were cremated at Jelutong on Thursday, Oct 22. His ashes were interred at the Ayer Salak Columbarium adjacent to St Mary’s Church on Oct 25.

Bishop Paul Tan was the principal celebrant at the Mass on Oct 22 afternoon. Archbishop Julian Leow, Bishops Emeriti James Chan and Soter Fernandez, Frs James Rajendaran, Eddie Rayappan and Micheal Mannayagam concelebrated, with Deacons Anthony Chua and Adrian Ng assisting. The huge turnout of laity and friends included three relatives of the late cleric from China’s Jin Lin Province.

The service also incorporated a eulogy, delivered in both Mandarin and English, by Fr Joseph Heng, the first of seven priestly vocations nurtured by Fr Yu at St Theresa’s. The others included that of Frs Paul Wong, John Yoew, Patrick Tyoh. Peter Ng, Matthew Bun Joseph Ng Swee Chun.

Said Fr Heng, “The huge turnout today testifies to the fact that Fr Yu touched many lives and was a much loved priest, friend and counsellor. His pastoral care for the poor, the marginalised, the needy and also the migrants was immense. Today, we are gathered for a thanksgiving celebration to God for the person of Fr Yu. The Lord has taken him to celebrate in the halls of heaven, true to His promise, ‘If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’

“It is only when we journey with Jesus, through His passion and death, that we become one with Him in His resurrection. For those who knew Fr Yu well, you can vouch that he had spent his life shepherding and caring for the faithful and laity communities in many ways, both in word and deed. He had identified himself with Jesus’ passion.

“Jesus had completed His mission after His Resurrection. Likewise, Fr Yu, too, completed his mission on earth. We are here to say “Thank you, Father” for all that he had been, and done, for us. He was a symbol of religious devotion to all, a man who put God above everything and strove to do His will. He was a man with a fidelity to prayer and meditation, with daily acts of charity and compassion.”

His fellow brother contemporaries generally describe Fr Yu as one who lived a fruitful life, serving faithfully as a diocesan priest in several parishes in the Melaka-Johor diocese, and earlier, in Singapore. He was known for his devotion and faithfulness to prayer, duty and service at all times. He is generally touted as the ‘soul of the presbyterium’.