Msgr Daniel Lim — Celebrating 50 years in the Lord’s vineyard

Feb 13, 2015

By Bernard Anthony
February 2 this year held special meaning for Msgr Daniel Lim as he celebrated his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary (HRC). Over 40 priests, together with Archbishop Julian Leow, Archbishops Emeriti Murphy Pakiam, and Anthony Soter Fernandez, Bishops Emeriti James Chan and Antony Selvanayagam were also present.

In his homily, Archbishop Leow said that the day felt like an overdose of celebrations. Many priests present also marked their priestly anniversaries on the same day: namely Fr George Harrison (11 years); Fr Michael Chua (11 years); Fr Clement Lim (11 years); Fr Lawrence Ng CDD (11 years); Fr Thomas Loh CDD (11 years); Fr Surain Dorai Raj (6 years); Fr Alan Pereira (6 years); and Msgr Anthony Thomas (50 years).

Fr Michael Thoo (50 years) from Penang and Fr Lawrence Chua (51 years) from Kuching were also present and were Msgr Daniel’s classmates in the seminary.

The Kuala Lumpur Archbishop reminded the congregation that Feb 2 is the day when the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Archbishop Leow said that the candles remind us that Christ the Light is the glory of the world. Jesus should be the light in our lives. We are called to be His light and to prepare a way for the Lord. He comes to purify and to refine — to make clean, pure, free from fault, without moral blemishes.

He added that we were also celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life.

Touching on Msgr Lim’s 50 years as a priest, the prelate said that as a refined person, precise, definite in thought, word and deed, Msgr Lim is a gentleman who reflects Christ in his own way. Msgr Lim is now 77 years of age. “When he was born, his parents would have asked, ‘What will he be when he grows up?’ Today, we celebrate his 50 years of priesthood. We are reminded so often how Christ is forgotten by the world. The priesthood calls priests to be another ‘Christ’, a tall order — to enlighten the Gentiles and those who still sit in darkness. All who are baptized are also called to bring Christ to others.”

Archbishop Leow went on to say that we are the chosen ones. But sometimes we forget to follow Him. Jesus came to be human — to be like us in all, except sin. Our Compassionate God came to forgive our sins and to forgive us. Jesus understands us as He is not only fully divine, but human too.

The prelate asked the assembly to pray for our priests and religious to be signs of Christ in the world. He also asked them to pray for our country’s leaders to work for peace and pray for the prosperity of the nation.

In concluding, Archbishop Leow said that we are not alone. God is walking with us so we can be a light to everyone around us.

After Mass, Msgr Lim thanked God for His goodness and mercy in allowing him to share in the priesthood for the past 50 years and to Mother Mary for protecting him. Both Msgr Lim and Msgr Thomas were ordained in the cathedral in 1965 on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Msgr Lim said Msgr Thomas was unable to be present due to poor health. His other seminary classmate, Archbishop Emeritus John Lee of Kota Kinabalu, was unable to come.

Talking about Msgr Thomas, Msgr Lim said that he is multi-talented, a great builder of parish halls, gifted in music and able to play a variety of musical instruments. He is also an expert in producing several liturgical books for the archdiocese. Then Msgr Lim congratulated all those who were ordained on Feb 2.

Thanking Fr Joachim Tan of HRC and the Organizing Committee for organizing the event, all well-wishers and those present, he thanked God for this special Thanksgiving Mass.

Before ending his speech, Msgr Lim said that over the years the meaning of these words have become clearer: “I have chosen you...to go out to bear fruit...” (John 15:16). He realized it was Jesus who had chosen him for God’s Kingdom and noted that without God, he is nothing. Msgr Lim advised young people to focus their attention on life...“Not what you want to do. But ask God what do You want me to do.”

Later that night, a dinner was held at the Marco Polo Restaurant.