HONG KONG (SE): Ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Hong Kong have affected the format of the annual Caritas Bazaar season once again with the usual Sunday events at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay; Tuen Mun Cultural Square; Fa Hui Park, Boundary Street; Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre, Cheung Chau; Sha Tsui Road Playground, Tsuen Wan as well as the one at Yuen Wo Playground, Shatin; being eschewed in favour of a mini-bazaar format.
The mini-bazaar format was adopted in 2019 during the social unrest for safety reasons, while last year it was repeated due to the pandemic situation.
Over 150 Church organisations, along with parishes and Catholic schools responded to the fundraising appeal issued by Caritas and organised mini-bazaars in November.
Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Tai Po, held its event on November 14 on the parish premises. Parishioners baked a large number of cookies for sale three days before the event, while some groups sold potted plants.
Over 150 Church organisations, along with parishes and Catholic schools responded to the fundraising appeal
Paul Wong Yi-tin, chairperson of the parish council said the bazaar was long-awaited by many people, as they had not had many chances to work together for events since the outbreak of the pandemic. He was happy to see that the bazaar served as an act of charity that brought together the efforts of parishioners and enhanced their sense of community.
The youth pastoral group as well as the marriage and family pastoral group of St. Margaret’s Church, Happy Valley, together with the support of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres and four Catholic schools, organised four mini-bazaars at the parish in November. Wu Man-to, leader of the youth group, said he was happy to see that the bazaar brought more young people to the parish and that they worked well together with the schools. Gifts were also donated for charity sales, which attracted people of different ages.
According to Wu, students also brought handmade religious icons made of plaster to sell while their non-Catholic classmates also came to the event to offer help. “Our parish has been full of life for the past few weeks,” Wu said.
Parish priests also supported the fund-raising events with their talents. At the mini-bazaar at Holy Redeemer Church, Tuen Mun, on November 7, Father Paul Kam Po-wai brought joy to participants by singing a Cantonese opera song, while assistant parish priest, Father Nicolas de Francqueville, joined in the fun by singing a song in Puntonghua.
Caritas Charity Raffle Tickets remain on sale until December 1, when the drawing for different prizes will take place at the Community Hall, Caritas House, Caine Road.
