HONG KONG (SE): “Through the intercession of St Francis of Assisi, let us pray for healing, for peace, and justice in the society,” John Cardinal Cardinal Tong Hon, the apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, prayed on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the dedication of St. Francis Church, Ma On Shan.
Cardinal Tong celebrated the feast day Mass of St. Francis of Assisi, together with over 30 priests on October 1. Concelebrating priests included Monsignor Javier Herrera Corona and Monsignor Alvaro Lzurieta y Sea from the Holy See Study Mission; parish priest, Father Manohar Jyothi; assistant parish priest, Father Timothy Yan Ho-fung; and former parish priest Father Moses Ngai Tak-man.
In his homily, Cardinal Tong offered his congratulations to the parish on the occasion of its anniversary and prayed that people would follow in the footsteps of St. Francis, who lived a life of simplicity with love for neighbour and care for nature, effectively witnessing to Christ in society.
“Our yoke is never heavy, because Jesus, our Master, is always with us,” the cardinal said.
To mark the anniversary, a tree of life made of wood, displaying the names of the priests and sisters who have served in the parish, was designed by Father Jyothi, Stephen Kung Kwok-sam, a retired parish maintenance technician along with a few other parishioners. It was unveiled and blessed by Cardinal Tong before the Mass.
In addition, 18 photos illustrating the history of the parish were on display along the staircases of the parish, after the parish maintenance team, led by Father Yan, spent time fixing the peeling paint of the railings and the adjacent walls.
The parish also published a memorial book telling the history of the Church as well as the activities of its Chinese and English-speaking communities in recent years.
In preparation for the jubilee, the parish conducted a novena, starting from September 22. During the opening day of the novena, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing blessed an image of St. Francis of Assisi painted by Father Jyothi to mark the anniversary.
At the end of the Mass, Father Jyothi presented appointment certificates to the 13 new office-bearers of the parish council.
In preparation for the jubilee, the parish conducted a novena, starting from September 22. During the opening day of the novena, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing blessed an image of St. Francis of Assisi painted by Father Jyothi to mark the anniversary.
Father Ngai officiated the fourth day of the novena on September 25. The former parish priest said he was happy to be back and see familiar faces. He reminded the faithful that the real Church is not a building, but the hearts of all the people.
While it is a blessing, the fruit of the hard work of many people and the contributions of many parties to have the church building, he encouraged those present to follow Christ in their daily lives and to make contributions to the development of the Church.
Father Jyothi told the Sunday Examiner that he was grateful for the pioneers of the parish, the Franciscan priests, who established a self-sufficient church building, with enough rooms for different activities and a plaza outside for people to engage in fellowship after the Mass. “It is a beautiful building. We just need to do maintenance work and take care of it like a child,” he said.
Father Jyothi, who has been parish priest since 2016, expressed his gratitude for the support of parishioners, parish council as well as various pious associations who have helped to build up a living community. He added that many young families have joined the Ma On Shan parish, bringing hope and energy to it in the past five years.
The diocese raised the chapel to the status of a parish and established St. Francis of Assisi Parish on 1 July 1979. However in 1984, the building was demolished due to the development of Ma On Shan as a new town, with St. Joseph’s Primary School being relocated to Hang On Estate. The Catholic community began to use the school as the St. Francis Mass Centre from May 1987.
The parish priest believes that celebrations can build up a community, as it is an expression of joy to glorify God. “And when we invite priests and other people to come to join us and work together for a celebration, in unity we feel the blessings of God,” he said.
In 1952, Franciscan Father Eleutherius Omer Van Hoye began his evangelisation work for the miners upon Ma On Shan Hill by establishing St. Joseph’s Chapel and St. Joseph’s Primary School. Later, in 1955, to better serve the growing population, the Franciscan friars established St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, at the foot of the hill along the coast.
The diocese raised the chapel to the status of a parish and established St. Francis of Assisi Parish on 1 July 1979. However in 1984, the building was demolished due to the development of Ma On Shan as a new town, with St. Joseph’s Primary School being relocated to Hang On Estate. The Catholic community began to use the school as the St. Francis Mass Centre from May 1987.
Construction of the new church building began in 1994. Two years later, John Baptist Cardinal Wu Cheng-chung and then-parish priest, Father Henry Woo Kin-bat, inaugurated the new St. Francis Church on 5 October 1996.
Sister Agnes Lam Ying-ying of Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, who has served the parish since 1987, recalled that St. Joseph’s Primary School offered great support when it was used as a Mass centre as the staff helped a lot in preparing for the Mass. In return, parishioners always made sure that they kept the facilities in good order.
She remembered that 25 years ago, parishioners were excited to have a church building in which to celebrate Mass and have meetings. “But their dedication to serving never changed. They served in the same way, as a sense of belonging had developed in the community no matter where it was,” she said.
Francesco Kwok Yuk-chi, the president of the first parish council from 1996 to 1998, remembered that the number of Masses increased to four within a year after the church building was completed as the parish spent a lot of effort evanglising.
Kwok was also appointed as the officer of the next parish council. He believes evangelisation work has slowed down in recent years due to the pandemic and other issues, but people’s enthusiasm to serve was kindled by the example set by the two hard-working parish priests .
