By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
After three years of missionary work in Cambodia, I returned to Hong Kong in May 2021 and was assigned to serve in the Holy Redeemer Church in Tuen Mun on June 1. It took me time to adjust from the relaxing lifestyle in a village in an economically developing country to the busy life in a prosperous city.
But to my surprise, six months later, I was appointed by Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, sj, as one of the vicars general on December 12, and I had to move from Tuen Mun to Caine Road. It was not easy to change from the familiar work of the parish to the unfamiliar position of the diocese. However, remembering the attitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary in responding to God, I gladly accepted it and followed the example of Our Lady in relying on God and facing it courageously.
“May it be done to me according to your word” [Luke 1:38]
These words are also my motto in responding to my vocation. They have become my prayer, especially in difficulties and uncertainties. This has taught me to learn from Our Lady’s complete surrender to God and her humble acceptance in responding to God’s call.
“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” [Luke 2:19]
When Bishop Chow invited me to be one of the vicars general in mid-September, I also needed to keep it in my heart and reflect on it again and again when I prayed. I could not tell anyone about this invitation from the bishop until it was announced in December. It was spiritual training to keep a secret for three months. And at the Diocesan Curia, I know and understand many important things in the diocese, but I cannot talk about them. This situation also often reminds me of the importance of keeping things and reflecting on them in our hearts.
Recitation of the Rosary
I like to recite the Rosary, and my journey from Tuen Mun to Caine Road gives me more time to do it and have other experiences. Since I am still the supervisor of Castle Peak Catholic Primary School in Tuen Mun, and since we need a priest to celebrate Mass at the Holy Redeemer Church, I stay in Tuen Mun every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and return to Caine Road on Monday. Some parishioners say, “Father, it is a long journey; it is hard for you!” But I do not find it hard at all. I enjoy it very much. First of all, every time I come back to Caine Road, I can see many people taking the bus from Tuen Mun to Central for work, and they are the ones who are having a hard time. One of the things I enjoy on the bus ride is reciting the Rosary and praying, especially for the people on the bus who are working hard every day. Also, when I arrive at Central, I always walk from Central to Caine Road, which is also a good time to pray. If I take the escalator up to Caine Road, I can even recite the Rosary slowly in the middle of the bustling city.
