HONG KONG (SE): The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Hong Kong is taking significant steps to reconnect with the local community. With over seven million residents and only about 600,000 Catholics—of whom just 100,000 attend Mass regularly—the cathedral is launching a “Homecoming Campaign” aimed at welcoming non-practicing Catholics and non-believers alike.
The campaign aims to help the participants learn more about their faith through informal settings such as coffee talks, birthday parties and hiking tours. According to parish priest, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, the campaign is gradually bearing fruits as more people have joined the catechism class in the parish in the past few months.
Father Chan has attended almost every ocassion to explain Catholic faith. “Our main goal wasn’t to organise an event. Organising a well-received event isn’t hard. Our targets are non-believers, and we need to make sure that this is focus of the events,” he said.
“We hope through these platforms, we can remind the faithful to evangelise, first to their family members and friends,” he said.
He emphasies engaging and welcoming non-believers so they can naturally learn about faith. In addition, he said these gatherings often conclude with blessings for such guests, which are well-received.
The campaign aims to help the participants learn more about their faith through informal settings such as coffee talks, birthday parties and hiking tours
One of the campaign’s standout initiatives is the monthly “Coffee and You” session. This event combines faith sharing with a handicraft workshop led by coffee experts, where participants can sample various coffee flavours while reflecting on their faith. A contemplation on the Catholic faith precedes an activity where attendees can create their personalised coffee mugs or coasters, which will receive a blessing during the Eucharistic Adoration that follows.
Catechist, Savini Ma, conducts spiritual reflections on faith during these coffee talks in a friendly and inviting manner. In September, she drew a parallel between the grinding of coffee beans and the notion of seeds dying to give rise to a new plant [John 12:24], highlighting the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation. “I hope they will recall God’s presence every time they enjoy coffee. So I strive to locate Bible verses connected to coffee,” she mentioned, noting that it is a challenging endeavour that requires the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
William Chan, the vice-president of the parish council, noted that the group’s visit to a coffee roastery on October 5 generated significant enthusiasm as attendees observed the roasting beans transform into a golden colour and releasing a wonderful aroma. Upon arriving, Father Chan blessed the roastery, which deeply touched the non-Catholic staff present; he expressed his happiness at witnessing how faith can positively influence a non-religious environment.
As part of the parish’s hiking activity on October 12, catechumens, non-believers, foreigners, and people who have not been to church for a while hiked from the cathedral to the Holy Spirit Seminary in Aberdeen, enjoying the beauty of nature and sharing their experiences.
One of the campaign’s standout initiatives is the monthly ‘Coffee and You’ session. This event combines faith sharing with a handicraft workshop led by coffee experts, where participants can sample various coffee flavours while reflecting on their faith
A group of young individuals, ranging in age from 12 to their early 20s, also took part in the homecoming campaign following their pilgrimage to Shenzhen, where they experienced the kindness and warmth of the local Church community. Inspired by this sense of belonging, they formed the youth homecoming group, and members can be seen at the cathedral entrance on Sundays greeting those attending Mass.
A monthly birthday celebration is also part of the campaign. Each honoree receives flowers thoughtfully arranged by volunteers, highlighting their special value in the eyes of God. Lucy Lee, the leader of the formation team and coordinator of the gatherings, shared that the events have garnered positive feedback from both parishioners and non-parishioners, as well as attendees who speak Chinese and English. On average, about 50 participants fill the parish hall each month, creating a warm and welcoming community atmosphere.
She believes that, in addition to being an enjoyable and meaningful way to celebrate birthdays, the parties have also been a catalyst for bringing people back through the invitation of a friend, demonstrating the importance of community support.
