Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan sj. announced the official launch of Mission Sunday 2023 through a video produced by the Diocesan Committee for Mission Sunday Celebrations. The footage screened in parishes this Sunday introduces a series of activities for Mission Sunday 2023.
The term “mission” in Mission Sunday refers to spreading and sharing the Gospel of Christ with people who do not know it. Therefore, the diocese encourages participants of Mission Sunday activities not to attend them alone but to bring along a non-Christian friend with the hope that faith in Jesus could be achieved through participating in the activities together.
Previously, our diocese held solemn Mission Sunday events, including outdoor Mass services at Hong Kong Stadium and faith-sharing sessions at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground. In addition to listening to different groups’ evangelisation experiences, faithful from across the diocese interacted and supported one another on their journey of faith.
Now that the Covid pandemic has receded, Church gatherings can resume, especially large-scale events. Compared with the situation before the pandemic, the number of parishioners in the city has indeed declined. A lot of Catholics have left the city due to social movements, immigration or other factors. However, an average of more than 2,000 newly baptised join the Church family yearly, and they have become the new force for parishes and various pious associations. The top priority for the Church is to maintain their connection and help them understand the evangelisation mission of the faithful. As they pass on the torch of spreading the Gospel to those around them, ensuring continuity of faith, and especially encouraging youth participation in parish activities, the faithful are encouraged to engage in building the Church family together.
There are several activities scheduled for Mission Sunday 2023. They start with a pilgrimage organised by the Diocesan Commission for Following Thy Way, a trip to Yim Tin Tsai, paying tribute to the missionaries of the past and retracing their footsteps as a testimony of faith. Moreover, the Canossian sisters and the Paris Foreign Missions (MEP) are also invited to share their experiences in evangelisation. It is very appropriate for these two missionary congregations to share their evangelisation insights since they have been missionaries in Hong Kong for several decades.
In addition, many Hong Kong lay missionaries will share their experiences in overseas evangelisation. Since the establishment of the Hong Kong Catholic Lay Missionary Association in 1988, more than ten people have been sent on missions abroad. Currently, there are four missionaries in Cambodia, two of whom are couples. Similarly, Mercy HK, another local Catholic group, will share their low-price grocery store operation that alleviates the economic pressures of marginalised people.
The event’s highlight is the celebration of Mission Sunday on October 22, when the faithful and their friends will gather to receive the bishop’s commissioning to evangelise, testify, and share the joy and renewal of faith.
“As Jesus has sent His disciples into the world, Father, send us also into society to preach your Kingdom.” (Excerpt from Prayer for Mission Sunday 2023) SE
Come and follow me, go and give witness
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