HONG KONG (SE): The Focolare Movement marked its 50th anniversary in Hong Kong and the 100th birth anniversary of its founder, the late Chiara Lubich, with a Mass celebrated by Father Lawrence Lee Len, at St. Francis of Assisi parish, Sham Shui Po, on November 29.
Father Lee, the diocesan chancellor, shared the history of the community in his homily.
Lubich established the community during the Second World War in Trent, northern Italy, in 1943. The community kept growing and now it has centres all over the world promoting unity and ecumenism among people.
Its first centre in Hong Kong was established in 1970. In the same year, the first Mariapolis—the annual gathering of Focolare members and friends—as held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
In the sharing session after Mass, Lee Ching-wah spoke of her trip to Loppiano, Italy, during the summer holiday last year to join the international formation school for youth group leaders set up by movement. She said she was happy to participate with over 50 young people from 20 countries.
She said the school was set up to train leaders to promote ecumenism. Its curriculum included the spirituality of the FocolareMovement, psychology and ethics. Students attended classes in the morning and joined activities in the afternoon.
They were also required to work in exchange for their board and lodging.
Lee recalled that she worked in a factory with other young people to make cloth facemasks. They produced around 100,000 facemasks this year to help the needy deal with the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Members sang songs expressing their gratitude to God for what the Focolare Movement achieved in Hong Kong over the past 50 years as well as appreciation to Lubich for her contributions.
