Veteran Maryknoll Missionaries Welcome the Claretians in Hong Kong

The parish of Christ the Worker in Hong Kong is run by veteran Maryknoll Missionaries Fr. Thomas Peyton and Fr. Anthony Brennan. Recently we visited them to listen to their experience, wisdom and suggestions for our work in Hong Kong and China.

Maryknoll priests and sisters have been running schools in Hong Kong as well.

Maryknoll School in HongKong

The history of the Maryknoll Fathers' School, in many ways, parallels the development of Hong Kong in the past fifty years.

In 1957, Hong Kong was experiencing a time of turbulence and almost explosive growth. It is difficult for many born in recent years to comprehend the difficulties faced by Hong Kong officials and citizens in dealing with the huge numbers of incoming mainlanders and their social and spiritual needs. The hills of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island were strewn with wooden shacks. Their inhabitants faced the hazards of fires, landslides, epidemics and similar calamities. When the authorities realized that the people did not plan to return to their mainland origins, it became necessary to make long-term provision for safe housing, medical care and education for the many youngsters whose parents were clamoring for schools.

Faced with this challenge, the HK Government and many religious and social organizations cooperated to build and operate schools in areas which previously had been empty fields and hillsides. Among these groups, the Maryknoll Fathers took their place in answering the needs of many parents and their children.

Fr. Peyton, 77 years old now, tells us that once he was responsible for 7 schools in Hong Kong. Three Maryknoll schools are within this parish.

Fr. Jojo has been staying in that parish for his Cantonese studies and now serves in the parish and in other centers, assisting pastorally.

Maryknoll Fathers
Peter Berry, Thomas Payton, Anthony Brennan
with Claretian visitors Piotr, Alberto and Sammy