On the first Thursday of September, Super Typhoon Yagi side-swiped Hong Kong on it’s way to Hainan, prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to raise the first Signal No. 8 of the year in the early evening. It stayed up overnight and was only lowered the next day in the early afternoon. Many office workers got a half-day off of taking the opportunity to rest.
But amidst the wind and heavy rains brought by the typhoon, let’s spare a thought for those who, despite the weather, still had to work: healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, property managers, transportation and food service workers, and cleaners. And let’s also consider the marginalised who are most vulnerable during such adverse weather conditions, particularly the impoverished, migrants and the homeless.
Reports indicated that more than 200 people sought refuge in temporary shelters opened by the Home Affairs Department, including homeless and street sleepers. Many left their belongings on the streets, and when a storm hits their “homes” and possessions are lost in an instant. Even those fortunate enough to have a roof over their heads often live in cramped subdivided flats, sharing the space with family members in such close quarters that dining and going to the toilet may take place in the same room. These confined living conditions can easily lead to friction and conflict which strain family relationships.
Some, commonly referred to as “McRefugees”, take refuge in 24-hour fast food restaurants. During the Covid-19 pandemic when dine-in services were closed overnight across all restaurants in the city, these McRefugees were temporarily “displaced.” Now that the pandemic is over, they have returned while the number of government-provided homeless shelter spaces continues to fall short of meeting their needs.
Many Church groups including parish social concern teams, and Caritas-Hong Kong offer care and support. The Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Migrants also recognises the plight of asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong. Many of them are waiting for their cases to be processed by the authorities and are therefore unable to work and receiving only minimal assistance. They are often stigmatised as societal outcasts, subjected to discrimination.
In response, the commission invited groups that regularly interact with these communities to form the Migrant Pastoral Care Group, including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Mercy HK. Together, they plan practical initiatives to provide pastoral services for the approximately 14,000 asylum seekers and 200 refugees currently in Hong Kong, embodying the spirit of a synodal Church journeying together.
Let us, from today, show greater care for others, break the culture of indifference, and become good Samaritans in our community. SE
As the new school year enters its second week, students are transitioning from the leisurely pace of summer back into the structured environment of school. While many are reconnecting with their friends, others, especially freshmen, are dealing with the challenges of new surroundings, unfamiliar teachers, and peers.
During this time, students frequently experience a mixture of excitement and anxiety as they prepare for the opportunities and challenges they will face. In this context, the Education Bureau, psychologists, and social welfare organisations have appropriately highlighted the importance of mental health.
This concern extends beyond just children and adolescents; young adults, adults, and even the elderly face varying degrees of mental health challenges due to a range of issues.
In his Lenten pastoral letter earlier this year, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., underscored the critical importance of mental health, identifying it as one of the most pressing issues facing Hong Kong today.
A report released by the Hong Kong SAR government’s Mental Health Advisory Committee in November 2023 sheds light on the mental health issues from 2019 to 2023. Surveys targeting children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, young people aged 15 to 24, and elderly individuals aged 60 and above revealed that the most prevalent mental health concerns are attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] in children and adolescents, depression in young adults, and cognitive disorders in the elderly.
Furthermore, a study conducted by the Hong Kong Mental Health Association in 2023 revealed a troubling trend: the depression index among residents has been on a continuous upward trajectory since 2012, with the most significant rise observed among males aged 18 to 24.
The impact of mental health disorders, though often less visible than physical ailments, is equally profound. The Church has long recognised the importance of dealing with this issue, providing essential services to those in need, and also highlighting the growing feeling of alienation and loneliness that pervades society.
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these feelings of fear and helplessness. Elderly parents who have experienced the emigration of close family members are grappling with feelings of emptiness and abandonment.
In response, a number of Church organisations have arranged seminars to bring together scholars, priests, and social workers to examine ways to alleviate the loneliness experienced by vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, adolescents, and ethnic minorities.
Pope Francis has aptly described the Church as a field hospital, a place where those in need should find care and comfort.
In this spirit, we are all called to seize the opportunity to extend a helping hand to those around us who are struggling. By actively listening, observing, and offering our companionship, we can forge deeper and more meaningful relationships.
Parish community activities allow us to break down barriers of indifference, combat the pervasive loneliness that affects many, and most importantly, share the love and compassion that is at the heart of our faith. SE
