HONG KONG (SE): The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong participated in the Hong Kong Book Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 17 to 23 with four of its organisations, including the Catholic Centre, the Kung Kao Po, the Diocesan Audio-visual Centre and the Catholic Truth Society. This year’s theme is “Read, Pray, and Welcome the Jubilee Year.”
The opening ceremony was officiated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing at 10:30am on July 17. Bishop Ha remarked that many people in the secular world do not know God, and they need knowledge and assistance to find him. He encouraged those present to help bring these people to God.
Referring to the reading in Luke 11:1-13, in which the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray like him, he encouraged the staff present to talk about their faith with hearts enthusiastic for God instead of merely selling books.
“Many people come here without any intention of buying anything, and they may just stroll around. So what’s the most important thing? The most important thing is if all of you, people carrying the staff cards… can receive those who know the Lord, or those who know nothing about the Lord so that they can experience the passion of Jesus while praying like the disciples,” he noted.
In the prayer of the faithful, representatives of the four organisations also prayed for determination to spread the teaching of God through different media.
Bishop Ha, together with Father Alberto Rossa and Father Josekutty Mathew of the Claretian Missionaries, then blessed all the staff. Afterwards, the bishop blessed the items on sale at the different booths.
Many people come here without any intention of buying anything, and they may just stroll around. So what’s the most important thing? The most important thing is if all of you, people carrying the staff cards… can receive those who know the Lord, or those who know nothing about the Lord so that they can experience the passion of Jesus while praying like the disciples
Bishop Ha
He also remained to sign books bought by visitors. Among them was Yoko Yamamoto, a Japanese resident in Hong Kong and a parishioner in Tsing Yi.
She said she came to the book fair every year to look for English books to help her with her spirituality as she believes reading is important for her faith. She spends several minutes every day reading spiritual guidance books.
The Catholic booths, located in the main exhibition hall, featured a special signing area for authors and presenters to interact with readers and sign their books. Representatives from the Holy Spirit Seminary also volunteered to answer questions about religious books and the faith.
Patty Chan, general manager of the Catholic Centre, said most of the books chosen this year were to encourage people to pray more often in preparation for the Jubilee Year.
A series of books were recommended by Church leaders. Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J. recommended a book about the testimonies of young people who took part in World Youth Day 2023, while Bishop Ha recommended a biblical reflection on the Gospel of Luke, the readings in Year C, for the upcoming Jubilee Year.
To attract visitors, organisers also distributed promotional fans, offered discounted eco-friendly tableware sets and held gachapon [little balls containing toys] lucky draws.
Protestant, Islamic, Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian groups also participated in the book fair. Anglican Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming together with other Protestant Church leaders came to officiate in an opening ceremony for the Protestant booths on July 17 as well.
