HONG KONG(SE): The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, began a homecoming campaign, to encourage baptised Catholics to go to church through different hobby groups.
Father Dominic Chan Chi-Ming, parish priest, pointed out that Hong Kong has more than six hundred thousand Catholics, but only about 100,000 of them regularly go to Sunday Mass. “Therefore, the homecoming campaign is intended to appeal to non-churchgoers and non-believers. We hope that, through hobby groups, we can provide them with a platform to learn about what the Church is like,” Father Chan said.
Among the groups are hiking, coffee making, and cooking. Additionally, the campaign includes a monthly birthday party as well as visits to other faith communities to promote spiritual exchanges and cooperation.
Wengee Poon, chairperson of the parish council, stated that the council is aware of the issue of baptised Catholics not attending Mass. “Every year, many adults and infants are baptised in the parish and many couples are married. On Sundays, however, we see the same people all the time,” she said.
Through parish bulletins, posters, and WhatsApp messaging channels, the campaign encourages active parishioners to bring back those who have not come to the church for some time in a way that they feel comfortable.
According to Poon, a simple cooking class will be held at the parish for newly-married couples, targeting some easy recipes that can fit into their busy schedules. She believes, that as the historic cathedral is a favourite place for the sacrament of marriage, newlyweds may want to know more about the parish.
A visit to an Islamic community in Wanchai will be conducted by the group on June 29. She hopes visitations to different faiths will help participants come to understand more about other religions, and clarify some basic principles of Catholic faith.
According to Poon, a simple cooking class will be held at the parish for newly-married couples, targeting some easy recipes that can fit into their busy schedules
Savini Ma, a catechist in charge of the coffee group called “Coffee and You” said the plans include 12 monthly coffee and faith sharing events combined with a handicraft workshop.
Experts will share their coffee knowledge at each event and allow participants to taste a variety of coffee beans. In the second part of the programme, participants will reflect on their relationship with God and give thanks for Creation. To experience the joy of Creation, participants will be able to create their own coffee cups, or coasters, in the third part.
The coffee programme will take place right before Eucharistic Adoration on Saturdays. After the event, participants can bring their coasters or cups into the cathedral to receive a blessing from a priest or deacon.
As part of the parish’s formation team, Lucy Lee was responsible for organising the cooking group, which will take place in an Aberdeen restaurant or parish hall. It is her firm belief that food can touch people’s hearts. “A feeling of home is created when people eat together as a symbol of unity. Talking with food is also relaxing,” she said.
Recipes will include foods mentioned in the bible, such as barley and fig, and the food will be delivered to needy or elderly people.
“Being sincere when inviting them to join the class is important. We don’t know what the outcome will be, as bringing people to church is a step-by-step process.” she said.
