HONG KONG (SE): A series of online monthly reflections under the title, My Relationship with God in the Pandemic, brings people under frustrations much needed encouragement and hope. The series, which recorded the feelings of the people during different stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, was produced by the formation team of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.
“Sharing the common experiences and feelings about the pandemic can remind people that they are not alone in their sufferings,” Lucy Lee Yuk-mui, chairperson of the cathedral’s formation committee, said.
She recalled that at a Zoom meeting of the parish council early last year, members thought about of how to address people’s anxieties. Cathedral parish priest, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, floated the idea of online sharings.
“Different people may have their own ways of maintaining their relationship with God, so I encouraged the formation team to look into it. The life testimonies of people in the programme have touched the hearts of people in the past months,” Father Chan said, adding that the pandemic has given them a chance to do things online, which is the way of the new evangelisation.
The formation team then began to look around for people with inspirational experiences. Most of the interviewees were relatively quiet parishioners who rarely shared. Production started in June last year and the first episode was released in August.
Giselle Liu, the sharer in the episode uploaded in March, said she felt depressed upon hearing news about unemployment and the economic downturn in Hong Kong during the fifth wave of Covid-19 outbreak. She shared that the bible verse, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear” [1 John: 18a-c], touched her heart. She then determined to put love first above her fears and tried to help people around her through prayers, sending encouraging messages and buying the daily necessities for them.
We often say ‘Peace be with you’ at Mass. Before the pandemic, I used to think it was formulaic. But in the first open Mass in the middle of June last year, I could feel that it was a heartfelt wish exchanged with praying hands among the congregation
Wilson Chong
In the sixth episode, Helen Woo, a caregiver in an elderly people’s home, shared that since the pandemic, pressure at work had dramatically increased as the residents are vulnerable to infection and tend to at higher risk of severe illness. She has to observe a lot of virus prevention measures and follow updated government regulations. She and her colleagues are often at a loss what to do. “We needed to protect the elderly and follow the changing guidelines. I can say we are in extreme misery every day,” she said.
Woo said her blessing came with the chance to take part in more online Masses and listen to the daily readings. “After encouragement from God, I feel empowered to deal with my daily work and go on with my life,” she said.
In the fifth episode, Wilson Chong, said that the pandemic enabled him to develop a closer relationship with God through online spiritual courses and Masses. The posted videos can conveniently be replayed and meditated on.
Chong was also moved by the dedication of the volunteers undertaking virus prevention measures before the Mass and the cleaning up afterwards. “They all regarded the Church as a family and a second home instead of a public place where they stay for two to three hours every week,” he recalled.
He added that sharing resources, support from many parishioners who donated goods and provided free deliveries with their vehicles, all showed God’s love before non-believers.
“We often say ‘Peace be with you’ at Mass. Before the pandemic, I used to think it was formulaic. But in the first open Mass in the middle of June last year, I could feel that it was a heartfelt wish exchanged with praying hands among the congregation,” he recalled.
