Spiritual Corner - In celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Diocese

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Jesus, before His Ascension, said to His disciples, “All power in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)

Starting with the disciples, generation after generation of Christians and missionaries answered Christ’s call, spread the good news to the whole world. The establishment of the Hong Kong Diocese eighty years ago was the result of the industrious and ardent effort of the missionaries. After the establishment of the Hong Kong Diocese, the local church there gradually developed and strengthened. With the onset of the target: “Towards a Brighter Decade” in 1989, special emphasis was laid on the cultivation of the lay Christian faithful.

In the course of my service here, I deeply feel that the Hong Kong Diocese has not only developed your faith, but has prepared you to be missionaries. On migrating to Canada, you do not come just in pursuit of a better life, but have also brought with you your fervour and vitality in faith to the local church in here. This can be well-proved by the existence
of the five Chinese parishes established in the Toronto Archdiocese. We are grateful for this, and pray that God will continue to shower us with His blessings.

This year, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Hong Kong Diocese, our parish will offer our gratitude to God and pray for the Hong Kong Diocese during the 12:00 noon Sunday mass on June 7. In expressing our gratitude and offering prayers, we also beseech God to help us to emulate the examples of faith of the Hong Kong Diocese and continue to be “upholders of hope” in the Chinese community in Toronto. This is like what is said in the Letters to the Hebrews, “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”

The series of activities in celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Diocese will end with the Closing Mass on December 8. Should you be in Hong Kong to visit relatives or on vacation, you are encouraged to participate in these activities. You may learn more in the following website: https://jubilee2025.catholic.org.hk/

Mother of the Church, pray for us!

Your Pastor,
Fr. Francis Chong