HONG KONG (SE): Deacon Joseph Chow Yu-hong passed away at Ruttonjee Hospital, Wan Chai, in the early morning of 30 December 2020.
He was ordained a permanent deacon at St. Teresa’s Church, Prince Edward Road, on 2 October 2004 and was assigned to St. John the Baptist Church, Kwun Tong, where he had been serving since the late 1970s and was once the chairperson of the parish council.
Deacon Chow was the principal of Our Lady of China Catholic Primary School, Kwun Tong, before his ordination to the diaconate. His students fondly remember him as a friendly principal dedicated to education.
He continued his dedication to Catholic education after his ordination and became the manager of different schools. He was involved in school pastoral work, actively promoting the activities of the Young Pioneers of Christ. He also taught a catechumen class for teachers on Hong Kong Island.
He also was a regular visitor to the Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, Stanley Prison and the Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre.
A private memorial Mass attended only by family, was held at St. John the Baptist Church, and livestreamed on December 30. It was concelebrated by parish priest, Father Timothy Wan Kwok-kwong, assistant parish priest, Father Franco Bellai, along with former assistant parish priests, Father Giovanni Giampietro and Father Pierre Devos, as well as permanent deacon, Peter Leung Shing-kwok.
In his homily, Father Wan remarked that God has his plans for all things and perhaps it was meant for Deacon Chow to return to heaven in the last few days of Christmas time. The priest remembered that he went to the deacon’s home for the sacrament of reconciliation, the anointing of the sick and the Eucharist a week before Christmas. He recalled that the deacon, who was in good spirits and still able to speak loudly, said it would be a blessing to celebrate Christmas in heaven as he was suffering from his illness on earth.
Father Wan said he did not know how to comfort family members and the people who loved the deacon, but he was sure that Deacon Chow had faithfully completed his mission in life and is enjoying eternal life with God in heaven.
Deacon Chow’s vigil Mass is scheduled to be celebrated at St. Teresa’s Church on January 15, while his funeral Mass, to be celebrated by John Cardinal Tong Hon, will be held the next day. They will also be livestreamed.
May he rest in peace.
