New Mission Parish in Hong Kong

Frs. Ezakias Anthonyswamy, Jojo Ancheril, Vicar General Rev. Fr. Dominic Chan, Alberto Rossa and Josekutty Mathew during a meeting in the Diocesan Centre, Hong Kong 

1 November 2015 will go down into the history of the Claretian Missionaries in East Asia as the General Government erects a new Claretian Community in Hong Kong on the Feast of the All Saints, with Fr. Ezakias Antonyswamy as its Superior. Frs. Alberto Santiago Rossa and Josekutty Mathew are the other priests who would be part of the new community which will based in Epiphany Parish in Mui Wo, South Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

On the same day, the missionaries will also take charge of the newly created Epiphany Parish which consists of mass centers in Tai O and Pingchau.

Epiphany Church, Mui Woo 

As early as 1970’s, the religious community in Mui Wo rented a small village house in 51 Chung Hau Street as the chapel. The chapel was run by priest in Tai O Church who came every week for the Sunday mass.

Claretians in HK-Macau with Fr. Henry SVD (left) and Vicar General of the Diocese of Hong Kong, Rev. Fr. Dominic Chan (4th from left) in front of the Parish in Mui Woo 

The chapel was once named “Jesus the Holy Child Chapel”. Although its origin could not be traced, people remembered that there was once a nicely carved baby Jesus statue placed in the church, which was a gift by another chapel during renovation.  The name “Epiphany Chapel” was given by Bishop John Wu in 1987.

Fr. Alberto Rossa in front of the Epiphany Parish Church, Mui Woo

Address  : Block D, G/F, Silver Pearl Mansion, Mui Woo Ferry Pier Road, Lantau
Sunday Mass : 9.00 a.m. (Cantonese), 10.45 a.m. (English)
Weekday Mass: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8.00 p.m.  (English)

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel（Tai O）

Inside the Church in Tai O with Fr. Dominic Chan, VG (3rd from right)

There was a church building at this location around 1923 but it was not designated as a church.  The building was then destroyed by typhoon.  After being redeveloped in 1937, it was designated as a church and renamed Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, belonging to the Cheung Chau Parish and operated by the Fatima Church.

Fr. Manoj SVD with Frs. Rossa and Mario on the terrace of Tai O Church 

In 1965, Tai O Church and Cheung Chau Church were separately designated as independent parishes.  In 1966, it was renamed Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and erected to parish status on 1.7.1979.  Later, the parish was shifted to Mui Woo and the and the Mass Centre in Tai O was taken care of by the Epiphany Parish of Mui Woo from 8.9.1980.

Address   : 112, Tai Ping Street, Tai O, Lantau
Saturday Mass : 10:00 a.m. the first Saturday of every month (Cantonese)

Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel（Peng Chau）

In the autumn of 1958, Madam Chan On Don, a lady who worked as a maid, donated her only property located at 21, Wing Hing Street, Peng Chau to the Diocese for evangelization.  Bishop Bianchi and the General Secretary Rev. MENCARINI, Lido PIME accepted the offer and handed the premises over to Fatima Parish of Cheung Chau. The parish rector REV. NICOLA RUGGIERO, PIME refurbished the property, turning it into a church and commenced religious services for the locals.  On 15.8.1958 (feast day of ascension of holy mother), the first batch of 30 catechumens were baptized in the chapel.   

By 1995, the chapel was placed under the care of Epiphany Parish of Mui Woo.  As the majorities of the congregation are energetic young people, they expect to spread the good news and bring God’s love to the entire Peng Chau and Lantau.  They also wish to convert all to become His sheep and sing the song of glory in praise of the Lord.

Address  : Block E, G/F, Far East Consortium Building, 15, Wai Tsai Street, Peng Chau 

Sunday Mass : 10:30 a.m. (Cantonese) 

Anticipated Sunday Mass : Saturday 8:30 p.m. (English)

Weekday Mass: Friday 8:30 a.m.  (Cantonese) , The first Wednesday of every month 8:30 p.m. (English)