By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
I received pastoral training at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers, formerly in San Po Kong, in 1992 while still a seminarian. At that time, there were many factories there and the diocese had set up a centre to reach out to the workers, care for them, and journey with them.
During my training, I was required to learn the labour laws so that I could help workers who came to the centre for help and explain their rights to them. Additionally, when we set up street stalls in different parts of the factory area from time to time, we explained labour laws. We handed out leaflets and introduced the centre’s activities with, of course, some religious elements, like introducing the Church and Jesus. This experience enabled me to learn how to listen to them, know them, understand them, and see how the Church can walk with them.
After a gap of 30 years, one of my duties as a vicar general is coordinating the work of the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs. In June, I had the opportunity to visit all four Diocesan Pastoral Centres for Workers, not only to get to know the staff there, to learn about their work, to cheer them up, but also to participate in their activities and to meet and speak with some of their fellow workers.
I was pleased to join a plaster icon-making workshop at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers adjacent to the Star of the Sea Parish, Chai Wan. The centre set up the workshop in 2014 for a group of young working people with mild intellectual disadvantages. These young people could develop their potential by making plaster icons and becoming known to the community. What is even more remarkable was that the workshop has become a tool for evangelisation. They have not only led workshops at different schools, but have also visited Taiwan. Apart from the eight young people, I also met their instructor, peers, trainees and staff members. This community is very happy and lively, and I felt grateful to meet them.
At the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers in Sheung Shui, I talked to four staff members and saw that their work is very significant. They have served in many places in the New Territories and are particularly concerned about the cleaning workers and friends of the “Pest Control Section.” People living nearby and workers know them. They have also worked with parishes and schools, and invited parishioners and students to pay visits and distribute materials to thank and care for the workers who serve our community.
At an ethnic minority service centre in Yau Ma Tei, I had the opportunity to share my experience with four staff members and three interns. As one staff member is Pakistani and one is Nepalese, the sharing was conducted in English. This visit was an eye-opening experience for me. I thank the staff members for their hard work and for helping many needy brothers and sisters.
I had the opportunity to share with four security guards and two friends from the “Pest Control Section” at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers at Belfran Road, Kowloon, and listen to their stories. They were very grateful for the support and assistance they received from the staff members at the centre, which was also a place for them to meet and feel “at home.”
I am very grateful to the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers staff for their service, which is a powerful testimony to the Vatican II spirit of “Option for the Poor”, which was like what Jesus did as he stayed with the underprivileged.
