HONG KONG (SE): The Hong Kong Diocesan English Youth [HKDEY] hosted an annual gathering, ‘First Love’ 2024, at Tak Sun Secondary School, Ma On Shun.
It brought together over 40 participants from different parishes and communities to connect and re-encounter Christ with like-minded individuals, for fellowship, praise and worship and games based on the Mysteries of the rosary.
The event’s guiding theme, was “We love because He loved us first,” [1 John 4:19]. A reminder that God’s love is the foundation of all relationships.
In the morning worship, Michael Ubamos said, “The Lord is inviting you to him. He’s been waiting for you to reach out.”
The day’s activities, filled with laughter, nurtured bonds of friendship and provided avenues for a deeper understanding of God’s love manifesting in our lives.
Taking inspiration from the Presentation of our Lord, groups were challenged to create a presentation on sharing Christ in the modern world.
The young people witnessed the love of Christ in action. The success of the event underscored the significance of gatherings like these in nurturing the faith of young Catholics in Hong Kong.
“Do not let your heart get small, instead, ask for the strength from Jesus’ Sacred Heart to make it big. It is the key to faith,” Father Miguel Diez’s said in his homily during the concluding Mass.
Commissioned by the Diocesan Youth Commission, the HKDEY aims to bring young English-speaking Hong Kong young people closer to the faith by providing pastoral guidance and bridging various Catholic groups, organising community building events and faith talks. For over a decade, it has hosted a Eucharistic Adoration, open to all, every first Tuesday of the month at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wanchai.
In addition, the group debuted its “Faith Unshaken, Not Stirred” series that brings together young professionals, aged 25 to 45, to discuss topics from a faith.
HKDEY will have its Christmas party at Rosary Church, Tsimshatsui, on December 13, from 6.30pm to 9.20pm.
Stay up to date. Email: hkdeyouth@gmail.com; Instagram: @hongkong.dey.
