Halleluia! The Lord is Risen
We Wish our friends and well-wishers
All the joys and blessing of Easter!
We pray for Peace in the World
and Unity in the Church
&
Among the churches
Friday, April 01, 2016
Lenten Pilgrimage to Macau
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| Pilgrims from Epiphany Parish with Fr. Jojo and Fr. Jose in St. Lawrence Church |
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| Pilgrims at the famous statue of the Black Nazarene, St. Augustine's Church |
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| In Front of the Grotto of St. Joseph's Seminary |
On 12 March a group of parishioners from Mui Wo set off on a pilgrimage to this historical city and its beautiful Churches. We have visited five Churches - St. Lawrence, St. Joseph's Seminary Chapel, St. Augustine's Church, St. Antony's Church and the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady Church. Holy Eucharist was celebrated in St. Lawrence Church and then the Pilgrims visited St. Joseph's Seminary which houses the relic of St. Francis Xavier. All of these Churches are World Heritage Sites and the Cathedral Church is also the Church of Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Ordination of Ken Masuda in Japan
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| The Archbishop of Osaka, Most Rev. Thomas Aquinas Maeda ordains Claretian Missionary Rev. Ken Masuda on 19 March in Japan |
On March 19, 2016, coinciding with the feast of St. Joseph the husband of Mary and patron of the priests, took place in the simple but majestic cathedral of Osaka (Japan) the priestly ordination of Francisco de Jesus Ken Masuda. He was ordained by the Archbishop of Osaka, Thomas Aquinas Maeda. Ken Masuda from a very young age had a close relationship with the Claretians in Japan. He was a student of the Claretian-run kindergarten at Hirakata and later the Institute of secondary education.
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| Fr. Ken During his "first mass" |
It was a simple and intimate ceremony attended by faithful and friends of Ken who came from various parts of the diocese of Osaka, especially from Hirakata (parish) and Imaichi (where he served during his pastoral year), as well as Tokyo and Saitama.
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| Laying on of Hands by Archbishop of Osaka, Most Rev. Thomas Aquinas Maeda |
Fr. Ken Masuda will continue to work for a year in the diocese of Nagoya in parish communities. His command of English and Spanish, besides Japanese, his native language is helpful when addressing the many immigrants in the diocese.
It is certainly a moment of grace for the Delegation of East Asia and we rejoice in the Lord because he has been great with us. At the same time, we ask that you continue to bless us with vocations filled with the missionary spirit that animated St. Anthony Mary Claret.
Holy Week and Easter Celebrations...
It is at the Chrism Mass, which this year was celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday, March 24, at Immaculate Conception Cathedral that the priestly identity of Christ in the local Church as a diocesan community made up of bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and lay people, is explicitly acknowledged.
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| Priests serving in the diocese of Hong Kong, together with the Cardinals and Bishops before the Chrism mass on the Holy Thursday |
The bishop of Hong Kong, John Cardinal Tong Hon, stressed that this identity is magnified this year, as it is being celebrated in the Year of the Jubilee of Mercy, which is a specific call to recognise the character and significance of the gathering of the whole diocesan community as the priestly people of God.
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| Fr. Alberto Rossa during the Washing of the Feet on the Holy Thursday, in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, Peng Chau |
He also spoke of the importance of young people in our community and called on everyone to look after them and cherish their presence. He then looked to the four-pronged pastoral plan of the diocese, asking people to be conscious of the need for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
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| Bishop Emeritus Jose Lai baptising an infant during the Easter Liturgy in St. Lawrence Church, Macau |
He also pointed to the large expatriate presence in the diocese, singling out the largest of them, the Filipino community, and thanking the Filipino people for the great interest they show in the life of the diocese, despite the limitations on their freedom and time that most of them are subjected to.
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| Fr. Jojo administering adult baptism during the Easter Vigil mass in St. Lawrence Church, Macau |
Cardinal Tong made a strong call for prayer for the Church in China, asking that there may be true reconciliation among all the Catholics in the country. He also referred to reports of violations of human rights in the mainland and asked people to pray for justice.
The Cardinal made a call for sincere prayer for all victims of the most recent terrorist atrocity, as well as those who suffer from absurd violence.
Easter Preparations in Mui Wo!
Easter Preparations in Mui Wo!
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| Easter Eggs are getting ready .... |
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| And the Empty tomb too... |
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| Altar Servers were in-charge of preparing the Easter Eggs! |
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| And they were quite serious ... |
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| They were supposed to colour the eggs...! |
WYD+CF preparation in Taiwan
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| Claretian Youth Taiwan during their preparation for WYD 2016 |
Claretian Youth Taiwan (CYT) is in full swing preparing both physically and spiritually for the World Youth Day 2016. On March 5-6 a youth training programme was conducted at Chiayi for the young people from Taiwan who will go to the World Youth Day. It was an opportunity for the Claretian Youth to have a prior experience of a pilgrimage.
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| Participants with Fr. Bobin, the Youth Coordiantor for the East Asia Delegation |
On March 12 the Claretian Youth had a retreat to prepare themselves spiritually for the WYD. The retreat centered on “Pilgrimage, an Amazing Experience” with Sr. Incarnata Chen OP as retreat animator. In the afternoon they had time for reflection and sharing on the different themes related to the Year of Mercy and how to become instruments of mercy and compassion as Claretian youth.
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| Sr. Incarnata Chen OP leading the retreat for the youth |
It was a very amazing session for most of the participants. Many were in tears as they recalled some of their day-to-day experiences in connection with some of the gospel words they picked to reflect and meditate. It was also an occasion for the members of the group to strengthen their bond of friendship and feel that they were one and they were there to support one another.
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| Poland, We are coming! |
From the Publisher's Desk...
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| No Captions needed here! |
Amity Printing in Nanjing is where we print our Bibles and Daily Gospel for China. On March 18, 2016 Amity has printed more than 145 million bibles for China and for the rest of the world. Over the years, Claretian Publications and Pastoral Bible Foundation have developed much more than a business relationship with the Amity Press. PBF has printed several million Bibles over the last 18 years in Amity. New technologies The technical advances ensure quality printing, fascinating finishing and attractive presentations. Here are a few samples!
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| Wait for the days, when you can grab a copy in your favourite colour and design! |
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| Can't resist what is "in it" and outside of it! |
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| The Deluxe version of the Chinese New Testament - ready for grab! |
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| A French version of the Bible for Cameroon, Africa |
Celebrating life and friends...
Birthdays are occasions of reunions. Jose celebrated his birthday in March and had some beautiful moments to share with our mentors, associates and friends! Here are a few stills from the reunion gatherings!
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| Lucia with her parents Maria and Canice at Silver Mine Falls, Mui Wo |
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| Some of the parishioners of Epiphany Church, Mui Wo |
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| Fr. Tom Peyton and Claretian Friends from Ngau Tau Kok |
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| Friends from Shatin |
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| Pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of St. Thomas Church in Tsing Yi |
The Mercedarians coming to Hong Kong
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Father Paul Ordoñe (Argentina) and Father Juan Carlos Saavedra (Peru)
in the Claretian Community in Mui Wo
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The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy is an international community of priests and brothers who live a life of prayer and communal fraternity. In addition to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, their members take a special fourth vow to give up their own selves for others whose faith is in danger.
The Order, also called the Mercedarians, or Order of Mercy, was founded in 1218 in Spain by St. Peter Nolasco to redeem Christian captives from their Muslim captors. The Order exists today in 17 countries. In 2018 they will celebrate their 800 anniversary of its foundation. To mark the occasion, the Order is considering the expansion of their presence to China.
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| In Tai O |
The Major Superiors of the Order were in Hong Kong for a couple of days to meet the Bishop and to visit the Catholic communities here. Fr. Alberto was their local guide.
Our Visitors ...
It was indeed an added joy on Easter Monday to receive Fr. Simon Li and friends from St. Benedict Church, Shatin who came by walk from Tung Chung to Mui Wo.
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| Fr. Ezakias, Fr. Alberto, Fr. Simon Li and Fr. Jose in Epiphany Church, Mui Wo |
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| The Hikers ...! |
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| The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!! |
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| Thank you friends for your visit! |
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