HONG KONG (SE): “In the past century, with generosity and great love you have helped many old people so that they receive respect, love and care. Thank you all,” Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, SJ, said as he celebrated a Mass marking the centennial of the service of Little Sisters of the Poor in Hong Kong at St. Mary’s Home for the Aged, Aberdeen, on February 4.
The Mass was concelebrated by over 20 priests including John Cardinal Tong Hon, Abbot Dom Paul Kao, of Our Lady of Joy Abbey; vicar general, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu; head of the Holy See Study Mission, Monsignor Jose Luis Diaz-Mariblanca Sanchez.
At the beginning of the Mass, Bishop Chow expressed gratitude to the congregation for its support of the elderly over the past century.
The Little Sisters of the Poor came to Hong Kong on 2 February 1923. At present, it is running St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged in Sheung Shui as well as the home in Aberdeen, taking care of around 200 residents, including retired priests and reglious sisters, as well as poor elderly people.
St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged was first located in Kowloon Tong in 1923 when the Little Sisters of the Poor took over the work of the Canossian sisters. Later a large property was purchased in Ngau Chi Wan leading to the establishment of the earliest well-established home for the elderly in Hong Kong. Parts of the home were preserved and it is now listed as a Grade II historic building.
In the past century, with generosity and great love you have helped many old people so that they receive respect, love and care. Thank you all
Bishop Chow
In his homily, the bishop expressed gratitude to God for the presence of the Little Sisters of the Poor who came to Hong Kong at the request of then Bishop Dominic Pozzoni and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
He also expressed his understanding about the challenges faced by the congregation at present. “In Hong Kong today, it is hard to hire adequate and suitable staff for old people’s home as the job itself is really tough and it requires a lot of love and patience… What make us feel sad is that many old people in Hong Kong have a strong feeling of loneliness and helplessness. They may have serious emotional issues as well and their suicide rate is higher than other age groups. That is why we should really thank the Little Sisters of the Poor, their co-workers, their staff, their supporters and donors,” he said.
“Through the service of the sisters we can see mercy, kindness, humility, goodness and patience.” At the same time, he said he understands that there can be frustrations at work in homes for the elderly. He reminded those present that what is most important when working in the various services of the Church, is to work for Jesus with love, help each other and forgive.
He expressed gratitude to the Canossian Sisters for caring for the elderly before the Little Sisters of the Poor came to Hong Kong, and urged more prayers for those in the waiting list for old people’s homes.
A foundation book featuring the historical events of the congregation while serving in Hong Kong over the past century, as well as a residents registration book, were later offered to the altar by Sister Imelda Primosch and Sister Paula Marie de la Providence, both residents of the homes. The two books were placed under the picture of the congregation’s founder, St. Jeanne Jugan, in front of the altar as a sign of gratitude for all the blessings from God.
A letter from superior general, Sister María del Monte Auxiliadora, who is in France, was read out by Sister Cecila Hui Yuen-yuet. Sister Auxiliadora recalled visiting the sisters in Hong Kong in 2012 and 2017, and gave thanks for supporters whose contributions are significant for the development of the two homes today and urged prayers for more vocations for young women to follow the footsteps St. Jeanne Jugan.
Your selfless dedication shows your care and love for the elderly, helping us maintain the quality of our elderly care services from the beginning until today
Sister Monica Chiu
A message of gratitude was delivered by Sister Monica Chiu, superior of St. Mary’s Home for the Aged. Sister Chiu thanked the donors and volunteers who have offered their time and money so that the two homes survived different hardships such as wars, famine, typhoons and the recent pandemic.
“Your selfless dedication shows your care and love for the elderly, helping us maintain the quality of our elderly care services from the beginning until today,” she said.
The Mass was attended by around 300 people, including over 20 sisters of the congregation and its provincial superior, Sister Ana Maria, members of the Association Jeanne Jugan and other volunteers, families of the residents and around 60 residents from the two homes.
Korina Alarcon, an overseas worker shared doing volunteer work for the elderly is so meaningful that her family has served for nearly a decade at St. Mary’s Home for the Aged. She shared that four years ago she first came with her three aunts who had served for six to eight years and she was happy to come every Sunday and on her holidays to help with the cleaning work in the home.
