Diocese of Hong Kong celebrates the Mission Sunday with a difference

The Celebrants at the podium

The diocese of Hong Kong celebrated the Mission Sunday with a difference on 17 October 2010. Over 20,000 faithful from all over Hong Kong poured into the Hong Kong Stadium , So Kon Po, for a special Mission Sunday Mass celebrated by Bishop John Tong Hon. The Mass was concelebrated by over 200 priests. "On this Mission Sunday in the year of Priestly Vocations, I ask you all to pray for priests and help them in their response to Christ's call to love that they may become all things, to save at least some", said Bishop John Tong in his Homily.

During the Mass, the priests were invited to renew their vows of their Ordination, after which they were presented with new chasubles by representatives from each parish in the Diocese. At the Altar

The whole gathering joined in renewing the commitment of their own baptisms and the recently baptized were presented with a book of the Gospels to take back to their Parishes, with the command to ensure that the Word of God is proclaimed in their Communities.

Over 20,000 strong gathering participated in the Celebrations
Bishop Tong exhorted the newly baptized to "give witness to justice and love, not forgetting the blessings you have received in the Sacrament of Baptism". Welcoming the Catechumens, the Bishop said, "Today you can experience for yourselves that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. You can see how you will be blessed in the future". Fr. Ezakias (Second from left) during the Priests' procession
During the Eucharistic Celebration, Fr. Dominic Chan Chi-ming, the Vicar General launched the "Year of Laity - 2011". The Diocese will celebrate 2011 as the Year of Laity, focusing on the collective responsibility of both the Ordained Ministers and the laity to build a community of Faith, Hope and Love.