By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
On 8 December 2023, at the Vatican, Pope Francis proclaimed the first World Children’s Day to be celebrated in Rome from May 25 to 26, with the theme “Behold! I make all things new!” [Revelations 21:5].
When I heard this message, I did not have much reaction at first. Then, with prayer and reflection, I realised that there did not seem to be any committee or organisation in our diocese dedicated to “pastoral work with children.” From the moment I became the chairperson of the Diocesan Vocation Commission, I have always believed that family is the cradle of vocations and that vocations should begin with children in the family.
And at the Vocation Commission’s staff meeting on January 8, I proposed that the commission organise World Children’s Day celebrations, and invited a working group, headed by Sister Catherine Fung fdcc, to design the activities.
I would like to express my special thanks to Sister Fung and the team for their efforts. They quickly came up with the idea and wove the web of connections. Later we invited the Diocesan Youth Commission, Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family, the Catechetical Centre, the Hong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity and the Home for Greenery to join us in co-organising the event.
With Cardinal Stephen’s approval, we officially launched the preparations for the first World Children’s Day and cast the net.
At the first meeting on February 15, representatives from various committees and organisations worked very smoothly with God’s help. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we quickly settled on a theme—”Bless Me, You and Others” and a series of related activities.
At first, we focused on how Hong Kong could respond to the pope’s message for World Children’s Day, but then someone at the meeting suddenly asked why we shouldn’t arrange for the children to go to Rome to participate in person. This idea sparked a fire in the hearts of all of us, and we discovered that we had all thought of inviting children to go to Rome on behalf of Hong Kong.
With Cardinal Chow’s approval, we made
the arrangements immediately. At the second group
meeting on February 27, we happily and quickly decided on the date, time, venue and content of all the activities. The enthusiasm, dedication and joy of the members of the group made the whole Children’s Day programme run smoothly and satisfactorily.
On Vocation Sunday on April 20, we held an inauguration and blessing ceremony for children to learn about vocations and to receive the blessing and be commissioned as blessing ambassadors.
In response to the Year of Prayer designated by Pope Francis this year, we held a Children’s Taizé and a Eucharistic Adoration on April 28 and May 5 respectively, so that they could experience different kinds of prayers and have encounters with the Lord. Then, in line with the Church’s initiative of synodality, we will hold a children’s council on May 18 for children to express their views on the Church. Soon after that, we will have Hong Kong children participating in the World Children’s Day in Rome from May 21 to 27, and finally, we will have a closing ceremony on July 1, when the fish will be caught and the nets will be reeled in.
All these activities require a lot of manpower and material resources, from conceiving ideas, publicising the events, arranging and organising them, and finally implementing them. All of these are not easy, but they all took shape and flourished within two to three months. With God’s favour, the Holy Spirit’s impetus, and the dedication and commitment of our brothers and sisters, the outcome is successful.
I have never experienced such a group: every meeting was very smooth with a lot of laughter, and all the missions were carried out and accomplished efficiently. I felt amazed and thankful for every single moment.
May the Lord continue to favour each and every member of this group and bless our diocese so that we can accompany and nurture our children, grow up with God’s grace and meet him.
“Let the little children come to me and do not stop them!” [Mark 10:14]
