HONG KONG (SE): To maintain its community spirit, Caritas-Hong Kong celebrated the Lunar New Year together with more than 300 benefactors, supporters, staff and representatives from different Church organisations for its annual spring reception on February 14 at the Community Hall of Caritas House, Caine Road. As the reception fell on Valentine’s Day, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., presiding officer of the Council of Caritas, urged those present to support Caritas with love.
The event was off with a drone performance expressing New Year wishes from the Caritas Fanling Chan Chun Ha Secondary School, highlighting themes of abundance, prosperity, and connectedness.
After welcoming guests and supporters, Cardinal Stephen emphasised the importance of being vigilant and shrewd in the same way as a snake, encouraging attendees to navigate life’s challenges with agility.
Highlighting the complexities of the current world, he stressed the necessity of collective efforts to support those in need, particularly through the services of Caritas.
“So may our hearts be connected to help Caritas together to face everything. In fact, the support does not go to Caritas itself but to those we serve. They may be students, the elderly, the sick, the lonely and the widowed. Helping Caritas is helping them,” he said.
On Valentine’s Day, he connected this support with the spirit of love, reminding participants that they have shared a common affection for Caritas despite its imperfections.
Cardinal Stephen also urged everyone to practise self-love and kindness. “Let’s maintain positive energy, which can help us advance our goals, and be a pilgrim of hope,” he said, ending his message with a joke that Father Joseph Yim Tak-lung, chief executive of Caritas, might need to change his name in the Year of the Snake, as “lung” in Cantonese means “dragon”—the name of year of which has passed. Father Yim said he would seriously consider it, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Cardinal Stephen was then joined onstage by Father Yim and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing in raising a toast.
Father Yim thanked supporters, expressing his hope that they will make good use of their talents and serve, following the will of God.
Performances were also presented by the Caritas Wong Yiu Nam Centre and the Caritas Nursery School – Yau Tong.. The center provides drug counseling services for young people under 35 who are willing to stay for one week to one year to aid in their recovery.
The energetic singing of a male youth band and the innocent dance of children expressed the blessings and support of Caritas throughout different stages of people’s lives.
