HONG KONG (SE): After receiving approval from Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J., Father Simon Li Chi-yuen made a personal visit to Britain during his sabbatical leave from July to September of this year. He wanted to show his concern for the Hong Kong faithful who have emigrated there in recent years and considers the three-month visit to be a rewarding “working holiday.”
He was grateful for the support of Paris Foreign Missions Father Bruno Lepeu, who had been assigned to Britain by the cardinal to provide pastoral care for migrants from November 2023 to May this year. Father Lepeu helped him make arrangements and apply for certification from the local safeguarding department, which was facilitated by a training course provided earlier by the Diocese of Hong Kong.
He also appreciated the assistance of Savio Chan, the vice-convenor of the Hong Kong Catholic Migrants Pastoral Coordinating Group, who helped him design a preliminary itinerary, as well as the Hong Kong migrants who welcomed him in 18 dioceses.
Once he received the certifications, he needed to apply for faculties to celebrate the sacraments in different dioceses. He recalled that Cardinal Chow, upon signing his application, expressed concern about the extensive travel involved, reminding him that vacations are for rest. However, Father Li believed he would enjoy the opportunity to connect with the Hong Kong migrants.
He recognised the challenges faced by the Hong Kong community in England, particularly their understanding of homilies delivered by local priests in English. Factors such as slang, accents, and cultural differences contributed to these difficulties.
Father Li mentioned that he had previously visited migrants in large cities for brief periods. However, during his sabbatical leave, he was able to visit more locations and stay longer. Throughout his three-month trip, he celebrated Mass every Saturday night in a specific location, heard confessions before the Mass, and then traveled to another place the following day to celebrate another Mass.
Starting with two weeks in Scotland, Father Li’s trip included small places where Father Lepeu did not have time to go during his earlier mission to connect with the migrants.
He recognised the challenges faced by the Hong Kong community in England, particularly their understanding of homilies delivered by local priests in English. Factors such as slang, accents, and cultural differences contributed to these difficulties.
He noted that many Catholics watched online Masses posted by Hong Kong parishes before attending in-person services to better comprehend the homilies. Additionally, he was pleased to see the newly established Hong Kong Catholic Migrants Pastoral Coordination group sharing a Chinese version of the liturgy on social media, making it accessible for the Chinese community.
Some migrants find it challenging to express themselves in English, which makes confession an even more serious issue for them. He agrees that providing a written form for confessors to fill out in advance could help these individuals articulate their thoughts more easily
In Glasgow, Scotland, he could see that simultaneous interpretation in both Cantonese and Mandarin were offered when the local parish priest delivered homily in English, and he was impressed by the considerate service.
He was even more touched to see priests learning to celebrate Mass in Cantonese through romanisation, like Father Philip Sumnar in Manchester and Canon John Minh in Cambridge who spent their time learning the language despite their busy schedules.
Some migrants find it challenging to express themselves in English, which makes confession an even more serious issue for them. He agrees that providing a written form for confessors to fill out in advance could help these individuals articulate their thoughts more easily.
He found it interesting to bless their homes, particularly because Hong Kong’s small flats do not allow much time for lengthy blessings. Therefore, he needed to consider additional content to enhance the blessings in the larger homes in Britain which often have multiple levels and gardens. For example, he might explain that the bathroom symbolizes not only physical cleanliness but also spiritual purity. He could also compare staircases to the biblical “Jacob’s Ladder,” representing a connection to heaven and encouraging safety and spiritual reflection as one ascends.
Father Li would like share a reassuring message to the Hong Kong migrants that God is always present. He encouraged them to view their current challenges as opportunities for renewal and adaptation. Additionally, he reminded them that they are chosen to be missionaries by living out their faith in their communities in the UK.
