HONG KONG (SE): Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church, Tsuen Wan, organised a livestreamed music show on January 1 themed, Walk with God to welcome the New Year 2021 and to lift up the spirit of the faithful in this time of pandemic. The highlights were the musical performances and sharing of vocation stories by a number of foreign missionary priests serving in the diocese.
Organised by the photography team of the Tsuen Wan parish, the event was coordinated by Emmanuel, a youth band, along with Father Matthieu Masson, assistant parish priest of the Tsuen Wan parish; Father Heribertus Hadiarto of St. Edward’s parish, Lam Tin; Father Augustine Zaw Aung of St. Peter’s Church, Aberdeen; Father Joseph Mai Van The of Christ the Worker parish, Ngau Tau Kok; and Father Dominique Mukonda of the Diocesan Youth Commission.
Father Hadiarto, chaplain to the Indonesians, sang a Latin hymn and performed an Indonesian folk song with music and dance accompaniment by the Indonesian community. He encouraged people to rely on God through a Cantonese song. “Many people are like me, feeling disappointed in the pandemic, as their lives are deeply affected. But despite the hardships, we should trust God completely,” he said.
He shared that soon after he was ordained a priest, his mother was diagnosed with cancer and he thought of leaving the priesthood to take care of her. But his mother reassured him in his faith that God would take care of her. His mother passed away, but he believes the big trial strengthened his faith.
Father Mukonda, who played the guitar and performed with Emmanuel, shared that the first trial after he came to Hong Kong was the passing of his mother in his hometown in Congo, on the same day that he arrived in the city. Father Mukonda shared, that with the comfort from God through the support of others, he was able to carry on with his missionary vocation.
The concert concluded with a performance from Father Masson who sang with the youth band.
