With both sadness and gratitude, we share that our dear Sr. Mary Peter Eymard Chua, has peacefully gone home to God on the beautiful Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
For 58 years as a Good Shepherd Sister, Sr. Mary Peter gave her life generously in service to God’s flock, spending many of those years as a missionary in Hong Kong (Northeast Asia Province), where she accompanied and served migrant workers.
Sr Peter was born in 1941 in the Philippines to a Chinese migrant family. Though her parents did not have a specific religious belief, they had their children baptized as Catholics. Sr Peter attended an Episcopalian school but always had a deep sense of belonging to the Catholic Church. In her university years, her desire for God deepened and led her to search her vocation. She later entered the convent despite the disapproval of her parents. Eventually her father accepted her decision and even converted to Catholicism before he died.
Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong Diocese, shared in his homily during the funeral mass of Sr Peter:
“In 1967, after her first profession, Sister Peter was sent to Hong Kong. When she first arrived, she knew nothing about missionary life and language, but with the support of her community and the lay collaborators, she quietly adopted and began her service. She served in many roles, from teacher to counselor, from school principal to community superior.
Whether ministering to girls, students, or migrant workers, she always gave herself wholeheartedly, tirelessly reaching out to the poor and the marginalized. On December 8th, this year, the Feast of Immaculate Conception, Sister Peter returned peacefully to the father’s home while visiting her family in the United States. Her life has left us not just with memories, but with a living witness of love.”
Thank you dear Sr Mary Peter… May you now rest in the Shepherd’s eternal embrace!
