HONG KONG (SE): In celebration of the Jubilee of Workers declared by Pope Francis, the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs held a special Mass at Holy Cross Church in Shau Kei Wan on May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The event aimed to pray for and highlight the dignity and challenges of grassroots workers from all walks of life.
The Mass was presided over by vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, in the absence of Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., who was in Rome preparing for the conclave. Concelebrants included Father Luigi Bonalumi, parish priest of Holy Cross Church, along with Father Ambrose Mong and Father James Boey.
In his opening remarks, Father Kam invited the congregation to pray not only for workers but also for Pope Francis, who inaugurated the Jubilee Year as a time of reflection and renewal.
In his homily, Father Kam shared his personal empathy with workers, recounting his own experiences of factory work during his early years. Drawing from his missionary service in Africa and Cambodia, he reflected on the difficult living and working conditions he witnessed—low wages, lack of dignity, and minimal resources—but he also acknowledged the joy and resilience of workers in such environments.
He recalled his pastoral visits to cleaning workers in Tuen Mun, where many laboured without adequate support or equipment. “As St. Joseph was a man who listened to God and acted in faith, on this Jubilee of Workers and his feast day, let us remember to care for and journey with the workers around us,” he urged.
…he reflected on the difficult living and working conditions he witnessed—low wages, lack of dignity, and minimal resources—but he also acknowledged the joy and resilience of workers in such environments
In addition to the liturgy, a special exhibition was set up in the parish compound, featuring photographs of everyday meals prepared by grassroots workers. These images, collected by the pastoral centres for workers, offered a window into the often-overlooked realities of their daily lives.
Many workers reported having only simple, home-prepared meals due to time constraints. One construction worker shared that he frequently skipped breakfast and relied on bread for lunch to meet tight deadlines. A cleaning worker described eating in a cramped storeroom behind a staircase in a shopping mall, with a ceiling lower than 1.6 metres.
The event also included the annual general meeting of the commission, where Elizabeth But, centre supervisor of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers–Kowloon, highlighted the Church’s ongoing support for labourers and the underprivileged.
She reported on a variety of initiatives, including protective gear during extreme weather, free acupuncture services, employment assistance for ethnic minorities, outreach to working mothers and retirees, and faith formation activities. These efforts, she said, illustrate the evolving and multifaceted nature of the Church’s service to the community.
In his concluding message, Father Kam emphasised the importance of deep listening and mutual empathy among officers and members of the commission to foster a spirit of collaboration in advocating for justice and unity. “Listening is the first step in walking together with the poor,” he noted.
The meeting concluded with a commissioning and blessing of the commission’s new officers and members, who pledged to continue serving and journeying with workers in building the kingdom of God.
