Butterwoth parishioners bid farewell to Fr Victor

Mar 23, 2018

By Sheila Rose Darmaraj
Parishioners of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (NBVM) bade farewell to their Parish Priest, Fr Victor Louis (pic), on Feb 25. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” and at the appreciation dinner, both the parishioners and Fr Victor Louis shared their sentiments of the eight and a half years of journey at the parish.

At the dinner, the PPC chairperson, Stephen Chin, thanked Fr Victor for his energetic and enthusiastic service as a parish priest. He also thanked him for the various achievements and developments at the parish such as the parameter fencing, new toilets and sacristy. He wished him well with the following toast on behalf of the parishioners:

To goodbyes that may never be spoken

To friendships, may they never be broken

May we always part with regret

And meet again with pleasure

May God bless you dear Fr Victor with abundant blessings and good health.

Similar sentiments were shared by the Migrant Ministry representative who reiterated that during Fr Victor’s tenure, migrant workers were given opportunities to be involved as communion ministers and hospitality ministers.

Both the Tamil and Chinese apostolate representatives also thanked Fr Victor and wished him well. Fr Victor was showered with gifts and blessings from the parishioners.

Fr Victor thanked the parishioners for their support during his service for eight and half years. He is happy and looking forward to serving in his new parish but, at the same time, feels the sorrow of parting. NBVM had become part of his life.

He is happy that he has done his duty as a priest in preserving the faith of the people through the various sacraments he had administered.

He asked the parishioners for forgiveness if he had hurt anyone unintentionally. He may have been vocal but his intention was not to hurt. He expressed his love to the parishioners and distributed a holy picture of Our Lady as a token of remembrance.