Before the year 2023 ended, the Holy Family Parish in Choi Hung celebrated their 71st Parish Anniversary on December 31.
The Chinese and English communities of the parish gathered in a bilingual Mass celebrated by vicar general Father Peter Choy Wai-man along with parish priest Father Johnson Dhos and eight other Divine Word missionaries.
In his homily, Father Choy talked about the fulfillment of God’s promises for Abraham to have his child, to Mary and Joseph to protect Jesus as he returned home, and to the righteous and devout Simeon not to die before he has seen Christ of the Lord. They received more than what was promised.
Father Choy said promises were also made in our families which were sometimes fulfilled but sometimes not. He encouraged those present that even though our families may not be perfect and we may have been hurt as we grew up, we still need to have hope.
In conclusion he said that as we gather to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, we are not only invited to thanksgiving but we are also invited to healing and compassion. He reminded them to look at the past with gentleness, to look at the future with hope and to see the many blessing that life is offering to us. He said even in the midst of personal difficulties we are invited to look at the poor family of Nazareth which may bring some inspirations to the problems faced by the poor families of our day, and we are also called to believe that God will fulfill his promise among us.
A renewal of baptismal faith was made, after which the vicar general walked around and sprinkled the faithful with holy water.
After the Mass, the newly elected parish council members of the Chinese and English-speaking communities were blessed and introduced to the congregation.
An award was given to the participants who joined in copying the gospel of Mark by handwriting, after which a performance was made by children.
The vicar general was presented a gift from the community.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
On January 1, Cardinal John Tong Hon celebrated a Mass to mark the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God. In his homily, the cardinal encouraged the congregation to reflect and ask how they can be better for themselves, their families and communities, and how they can lead a more holy life in the new year. The cardinal encouraged the congregation to smile at one another and to smile more often. SE
