HONG KONG (SE): “Even though it was the first time we met, we could feel a spiritual connection with each other, and there was peace and joy afterwards,” said parish priest, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, after the pastoral council members of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, had a first ecumenical gathering with the members of St. John’s Cathedral of the Anglican Church in Garden Road on March 12.
According to Father Chan, the two cathedrals decided to pay regular visits to one another after their first meeting. Twenty members of the parish council of the cathedral met with around 10 members of St. John’s Cathedral on March 12.
A mutual exchange activity was planned during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January. Reverend Chan Kwok-keung and Father Chan have delivered homilies at each other’s cathedrals.
“During the day, we decided not to limit our meetings to that time, and it would be best if we could meet at regular times to exchange information,” Father Chan explained.
Participants were divided into four groups. It started with a spiritual conversation session in three parts, a sharing of recent experiences in which they felt grateful to God, and reflections on their pastoral work, particularly about what they learned through it and listening to the Holy Spirit. The gathering ended with a 15-minute vespers service.
Father Chan said the first meeting was rewarding as it is essential to promote the spirit of ecumenism. According to the parish priest, members of St. John’s Cathedral have been invited to come to the Catholic cathedral in August for a vespers service, a tour around the cathedral as well as a dinner.
