HONG KONG (SE): The Indonesian Catholic Community in Hong Kong celebrated the nation’s 77th Independence Day on August 21, with a Mass at Christ the King Chapel, Causeway Bay,.
Divine Word Missionary Father Anthonius Reynolds Baluban concelebrated the Mass with four other Indonesian missionaries: Father Heribertus Hadiarto, Indonesian chaplain, along with priests of the Sacred Heart, Father Adi Purnama, Father Albertus Suryadi and Father Agustinus Guntoro.
Each year on August 17, Indonesia commemorates its declaration of independence from the Netherlands in 1945. The proclamation led to four more years of diplomacy and conflict before independence was officially recognised in December 1949.
In his homily, Father Balubun said that Independence Day is a reminder not to forget the obligation to be law-abiding citizens. He called on those present to free themselves from the burdens caused by negative behavioural traits such as discrimination and gossip, but instead build a community of love and peace. “You are called to be free, so serve one another in love,” he said.
All the participants sang the national anthem in front of the national flag, which had been carried into the chapel by a marching team of three, and saluted it.
Yungki, one of the flag-bearers, said she was honoured to open the folded flag but was also nervous. “The red part should be on top. We have to finish it without mistakes to show respect for our country,” she stressed.
In the prayers of the faithful, representatives in traditional costumes led intercessions for world peace, the Indonesian government, migrants worldwide and the Indonesian community in Hong Kong.
Most participants wore masks with the national flag’s design and dressed in red and white—the two colours that represent the nation.
Lyna, a participant who came to Hong Kong a month ago, said she was happy to have the chance to celebrate Independence Day in Hong Kong. She shared that the city is a place where people expect good manners and good quality of work, and she is happy to come here to learn. At the same time, she said that community support is essential for her too. According to the Indonesian consulate, Hong Kong is home to over 155,000 Indonesian migrant workers.
Vinsensia Gunu, another participant, said she was going to participate in a flag-raising ceremony, organised by Paskibra JBMI, right after the Mass at Victoria Park, where she joined a marching team of 30 to 40 people. For the past three months, she has been practising with the team for two hours weekly for the Independence Day performance. She felt honoured and happy to participate and show her love for the country.
An Indonesian birthday cake was brought in after the Mass as part of the celebrations.
The Indonesian Catholic Community adopted a three-year theme: One Community in Solidarity from 2021 to 2023. “In this special situation because of the pandemic, we are called to be a community in solidarity,” Father Hadiarto explained.
To better support community members, it has organised monthly spiritual talks, seminars about financial management, and health check-ups. Members are also invited to visit needy families and do evangelisation work, for example, by distributing leaflets on the streets.
