The Church celebrated the 6th World Day of the Poor on November 13 with the theme For your sake Christ became poor (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9). Christian communities are called to “reach out” to get in touch with poverty of all kinds.
Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the World Day of the Poor in St. Peter’s Basilica after which more than a thousand people living in poverty were invited to a hot lunch with the him in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. In addition, a mobile health clinic was set up in St. Peter’s Square for a few days offering free health care services and medicine to underprivileged groups who might otherwise not have access.
Indeed, for the poor, medical expenses are very often unaffordable. They might just give up seeking medical treatment or resort to using over-the-counter medication which can often result in the worsening of their health condition.
In Hong Kong, the diocese spares no effort in caring for the poor. Various groups such as the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs, social concern groups of different parishes, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, The Community of Sant’Egidio, MercyHK, the Little Sheepfold Social Services Centre, etc, organise different activities to visit and care for the poor. They not only provide material or financial assistance to the poor, but more importantly, they dialogue with and listen to them, and build up mutual respect and a relationship with them. To walk with the least privileged is what Jesus taught us, “whenever you did this for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it for me” [Matthew 25:40].
The diocese also provides medical and social services, coordinated by Caritas-Hong Kong. It is noted that up to 95 per cent of service users are non-Christians. In addition to getting funding support from the government and the Hong Kong Community Chest, and charging necessary fees, donations and fund-raising efforts are important sources of income to sustain the provision of these services.
One of the major funding-raising activities, the Caritas Bazaar, resumed this year on the World Day of the Poor. This is a meaningful activity, bringing together Caritas, parishes and faith groups to work together to raise funds for the provision of necessary services to those in need, especially the poor, the sick, the aged and the less privileged. It also demonstrates that the Church cares for the society of Hong Kong
Following Mother Teresa’s motto: “Do small things with great love”, we should strive to serve others with compassion, especially for the poorest brothers and sisters in society. The faithful should keep in mind that, “One should not refrain from performing good deeds that are deemed trivial; and should not commit any evil deeds that may seem insignificant.” We should be vigilant of the need to do good and avoid evil, as: “Whoever receives you receives me. And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me” [Matthew 10:40]. SE
