HONG KONG (SE): Sister Teresa Yuen Sau-mei of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), editor-in-chief of Kung Kao Po and Sunday Examiner, who passed away on March 15 was laid to rest at St. Raphael Catholic Cemetery, Cheung Sha Wan. Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing officiated the funeral Mass celebrated at the cemetery chapel on March 27. She was 76-years-old.
Sister Yuen worked at the Kung Kao Po and Sunday Examiner from 2005, and dedicated her time as a religious to promoting personal growth and marriage formation for young couples.
Due to restrictions implemented due Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) pandemic, only the sisters of the FMM congregation and family members participated.
In his homily, Bishop Ha expressed his appreciation for Sister Yuen, her willingess to share, and her gratitude and faithfulness to God. The bishop was especially impressed by her dedication to the formation of couples, encouraging them to journey with their other halves through the ups and downs of life by keeping their covenant with God.
Bishop Ha quoted Sister Yuen who said she was grateful for her sickness as it gave her enough time to prepare for her death. He shared that she clasped her hands tight with her last breath and reminded those next to her sickbed to hold the hands of God all the time. “All who believe in God truly live their lives and in eternity,” Bishop Ha said.
Her remains were interred in the area for consecrated persons in the cemetery.
A wake for Sister Yuen was held at the Universal Funeral Parlour, Hung Hom, the previous day. Although there was no liturgy due to Covid-19 restrictions, those present were invited to pay their last respects and pray individually.
John Cardinal Tong Hon, apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, the clergy of the diocesan curia, priests and sisters as well as many faithful and friends attended.
Chan Wing-yan, a former participant of Choice Weekend, Hong Kong, a youth formation programme led by Sister Yuen, recalled that, in her school days, she was far from God and it was Sister Yuen who encouraged her to return to the Church and journeyed with her in her trials.
She recalled that the sister was a mentor who understood her feelings and offered her support. Yan later graduated from university and was grateful for Sister Yuen’s support.
Luk, a former member of the Hong Kong Marriage Encounter Association recalled that Sister Yuen always encouraged couples to put God at the centre of their marriage and reminded them to pray, and in the midst of trials to entrust everything to God.
