Welcome to the China Bulletin - September 2014

Episcopal Ordination in Hong Kong 

From left to right: Archbishop Savio Hon, Auxiliary Bishops Joseph Ha and Michael Yeung, Cardinal John Tong, Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Lee and Cardinal Joseph Zen

Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong ordained Frs. Joseph Ha Chi-shing, Stephen Lee Bun-sang and Michael Yeung Ming-yeung as auxiliary bishops at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Saturday. They were the first episcopal ordinations in Hong Kong since Britain returned the former colony to China in 1997. 

“As a pastor, I feel an urgent need for more priests to care for the more than 500,000 Catholics in our diocese,” Cardinal Tong said in his homily. He gave thanks to Pope Francis for appointing the three auxiliary bishops to assist him in “facing the new challenges of our age”. The three were appointed by Pope Francis in July.

Retired bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and Archbishop Savio Hon Ta-fai, secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples, served as co-ordainers in the ordination. Eight other bishops and more than 200 priests from the Diocese concelebrated in the ceremony, attended by 2,000 Catholics, including several priests and laypeople from Mainland China.

Courtesy: UCA News 

Courtesy: HKDAVC  

Fr. Jojo leads a Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

Fr. Jojo accompanied a group of pilgrims from Macau, Hong Kong and China to Medjugorje, to participate in the Medjugorje Youth Festival. The 25th International Youth Festival of Medjugorje was celebrated from 31 July - 6 August 2014. The Youth Festival was held under the theme: “Behold, your Mother”. Thousands of young people from more than 60 countries gathered in Medjugorje this year. 

534 priests were also accompanying the youth from all over the world and concelebrating the Holy Mass. The priests from all continents were available for the confessions throughout the whoe time of the Festival. 

All of these events were more beautiful and special due to the singing and orchestra of the International Choir conducted by Prof. Damir Bunoza where young people from 24 countries played and sang. The Rosary and prayers of the faithful were said in 25 languages, while the whole Festival was simultaneously translated in 17 languages and directly broadcasted by many radio stations and Internet portals.

Divine Moves to Nanjing

Divine de Leon, the Operations Manager of Claretian Publications has moved to the City of Nanjig in China for her Mandarin Classes.

Knowledge of Chinese language becomes imperative while living in this part of the world. After several years of service in Macau, she decided to learn the language which she feels a necessity. We wish her very best!  

Asian Youth Day

The Diocese of Hong Kong had a 100 member strong delegation participating in the 6th Asian Youth Day held from 13-17 August in the Diocese of Daejeon, South Korea. The theme of this year's AYD was

Giovanni Pang, a delegate from HK had a rare chance for a selfie! 

Asian Youth Day (AYD) is the coming together of Catholic youths from different Asian countries. This weeklong life experience enables young people to gather in formation programs and plan their future spiritual lives. At the same time, the gathering aims to provide an opportunity for Catholic youths to explore and renew their faith, so that they can share the Gospel with others through the work of justice and peace. 

Ms. Bobo Suen, one of the delegates from Hong Kong with Pope Francis 

The experiences shared by the participants about the week-long celebration were indeed inspiring. The way they were welcomed and taken care of by the host-families or the dioceses, the days of faith formation and the opportunity to participate in the Beatification liturgy of 124 Korean Martyrs by Pope Francis have created a great sense of belonging in the minds of the participants. Some of them also had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in person! 

HK Delegates in Korea 

Birthdays

Frs. Ezakias, Simon Li and Jijo during the celebrations in HK

Fr. Ezakias Anthony Swamy celebrated his birthday on 7 August and a week earlier was the birthday of Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy [30 July] . The Month of August also marked the birthday of Fr. Simon Li, Parish Priest of St. Benedict Church.

The Claretian conferrers from Macau and Hong Kong together with the some of the 'Friends of Claretians' in HK gathered together in Hong Kong to celebrate their birthdays.

Happy Birthday dear Fathers!