HONG KONG (SE): HONG KONG (SE): Diocesan Father Thomas Wei Sisin [魏希信] passed away peacefully at 8:50am at Canossa Hospital on October 21 at the age of 93.
Born to a Catholic family in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, on 26 September 1931, Father Wei entered a minor seminary in 1944, navigating the political turmoils in China’s history. He persevered through challenges to pursue theological studies at the Regional Seminary for South China in Hong Kong in 1952.
After his ordination in Hong Kong on 4 July 1959, Father Wei was assigned to South Korea to evangelise among the Chinese diaspora. Facing hardships, he established a church and kindergarten, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his mission.
He returned to Hong Kong in 1972 and later served as assistant parish priest at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception until 2016. He was also the supervisor of the Catholic Mission School from 1980 to 1997, and chaplain at Tung Wah Hospital from 1994 to 2014. Father Wei retired in September 2016.
In an interview posted in the parish letter of the cathedral after he served it for 30 years, Father Wei shared the biggest challenges he faced was learning Cantonese. Father Wei’s commitment to helping others extended beyond the church and the pious associations in the parish, as he was dedicated to visit hospitals and nursing homes. He emphasised the importance of fulfilling daily ministries and finding meaning in life through service and outreach.
Father Wei also shared that he considered conducting funeral rites an important part of his duties, seeing it as a chance to share faith and comfort grieving families.
Encouraging parishioners to embrace love and trust in God to build up unity in the cathedral, his dedication to his faith and his compassion for others make him a respected figure in the community in his decade’s of services there.
A memorial Mass was scheduled to be celebrated at 2:30pm on October 26 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on November 4 at 10.00am, also at the cathedrel, with Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J. presiding. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley
May Father Wei rest in peace.
