HONG KONG (KKP): While attending a cross-deanery meeting with young people, organised by the Diocesan Youth Commission on February 5 at St. Benedict’s Church, Shatin, Bishop Chow Sau Yan, sj, pointed out that good pastoral care for young people means journeying with them and being their companion.
The event was organised with to collect opinions from young people in order to better understand the formation they need now, sort them out and submit them to the diocese for future development of youth formation.
Nearly 100 young people from 37 parishes attended the gathering. One of the highlights came when attendees were invited to write down questions for the bishop on colourful paper planes and then throw them out during the question and answer session.
Bishop Chow then picked up the planes and patiently answered the questions one by one. He was asked about his views on youth pastoral care and to share some interesting experiences of his journey with young people. When he was asked how to discern vocations, he advised young people to pray more often and first listen to the Holy Spirit inside themselves and, on the other hand, to listen to those around them as well.
Some participants were concerned about the loss of young people in the parish. Bishop Chow encouraged them to form small faith communities, as they need communities, which can grow as well.
When he was asked how to discern vocations, he advised young people to pray more often and first listen to the Holy Spirit inside themselves and, on the other hand, to listen to those around them as well
Father Tito Martin, the chairperson of the youth commission, said that Bishop Chow, through his presence, showed his willingness to listen to the opinions of young people and truly understand their needs. He said that in the future, the commission would continue to organise gatherings for youth groups in the deaneries to exchange views.
“In the past three years, the whole society has been affected by the pandemic, and many parishes are faced with losing young people. And by holding cross-deanery gatherings, we hope that young people in different parishes can get to know each other and be united,” Father Martin explained.
He agreed that establishing small faith communities could help unite young people. He pointed out that young people need companions, so it is good to let them nurture other young people, but he added that they also need the support of priests or lay people.
At the thanksgiving Mass after the gathering, Bishop Chow encouraged the youth to spread their happiness to others, to care for those around them, and to make those in need happy through service and action.
In the past three years, the whole society has been affected by the pandemic, and many parishes are faced with losing young people. And by holding cross-deanery gatherings, we hope that young people in different parishes can get to know each other and be united
Father Tito Martin
Bishop Chow and the deanery’s spiritual advisors then presented each participant with oil lamps and a cross-shaped pendant with the word “YOUTH” engraved on it and commissioned them to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Yim Oi-lam, a member of the youth group of Mother of Christ Church, Sheung Shui, said she was grateful for Bishop Chow, who came in person to answer young people’s questions.
“Bishop Chow stressed that the most important thing is to walk with young people. His sharing inspired and encouraged me to continue working hard in my youth pastoral care,” she said. She has already signed up for this year’s World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, and hopes to respond with action to bear witness to her faith.
As noted in Bishop Chow’s Lenten pastoral letter [Sunday Examiner, February 19], the diocese will continue to develop and implement its youth, laity, and clergy formation programs.
“We have, through our ongoing discernment, identified the immediate needs for formation of our clergy and youth at the initial stage,” the bishop wrote.
