“The series of trials brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic are a tough test for the whole world. They test our resilience, endurance and ability to collaborate. In this protracted fight against the pandemic, Hong Kong faces unprecedented challenges,” writes John Cardinal Tong Hon in his appeal for the Caritas Hong Kong 2021 fundraising campaign.
So, for the third consecutive year, there will be no big, annual Caritas Bazaar. Instead, separate fund-raising events will be organised on a smaller scale by individual parishes, schools and Caritas units.
The annual raffle ticket sale will go ahead as usual, however. Caritas hopes its supporters will purchase more raffle tickets this year to make up for the cancellation of the Bazaar. The raffle tickets are priced at $20 and will be available for purchase between October 7 and December 1.
Given that the Hong Kong government has issued consumption vouchers worth $5,000 to all permanent residents in its attempt to support the people in time of the pandemic, Father Joseph Yim Tak-lung, the chief executive of Caritas Hong Kong, would like to “Encourage people to buy raffle tickets at least for $200 from the consumption vouchers.”
When the government disbursed $10,000 to all the residents through its Cash Pay-out Scheme in 2020, many generous Hongkongers donated the full amount to Caritas to support its charity work across the globe. Besides the enormous charity projects undertaken locally, Caritas extends its care to regions and countries around the world in need of assistance. This is especially true during the pandemic, when it has been dispatching face masks and protective gear to various destinations, while also offering financial aid to countries severely hit by Covid-19.
Pope Francis says, “a Church without charity does not exist.” Caritas shares the mission of the Church. In Hong Kong, the period of social unrest and the outbreak of the pandemic, with consequent lay-offs and unemployment, have pushed a lot of people into uncertainty and helplessness. In such moments, Caritas has presented the concerned and empathetic face of the Church by giving witness and help to those in misery.
Its services to the elderly, physically and intellectually challenged, ethnic minorities, youth and children, in areas from development and education to medical care, make Caritas Hong Kong perhaps one of the largest charity organisations in Hong Kong. It is the arms of the Church, embracing all people without distinction.
Empowering these caring and comforting arms is the sacred responsibility of all. Cardinal Tong’s appeal is an invocation to all to grow in the virtue of charity through our concern for our brethren in difficulties: “With a loving heart and by working hand-in-hand, every little bit of help in terms of time, money and goodwill can make a big difference. And no matter what adversities are facing us, together we can be one another’s light in the darkness, live out the meaning of life and know joy in the midst of trials!”
St. Paul has a valuable piece of advice for us when we find it tough to give: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Jose CMF
