HONG KONG (SE): The Christ Youth Action [CYA], a diocesan lay youth organisation, launched a fundraising campaign during Lent at a ceremony held at St. Jude’s Church, North Point, on March 7. The initiative invited participants to embark on a personal challenge over four weeks, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and encounter Christ in new ways.
About 40 individuals attended the event, including spiritual director, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and former CYA member Precious Blood Sister Alexandra Cheung. The ceremony began with a welcome speech by chairperson, Andrew Hung, followed by a commemorative video celebrating the group’s 10 years of service.
Bishop Ha delivered a message focusing on the importance of growing up in a community and enthusiasm for youth engagement. A highlight was a symbolic activity where Bishop Ha and participants threw darts at a large target, representing the theme of embracing challenges.
The participants were invited to take on one or two concrete challenges to complete over the month, aiming to seek sponsorship for donations. This approach moves away from traditional fundraising walks to encourage personal spiritual practices. The selection of challenges was diverse, including preset options such as 10 days of fasting and prayer, walking 100,000 steps in 10 days, reading the whole Gospel according to Matthew during Lent, abstaining from sweets, as well as self-designed options, fostering a personal and spiritual dimension to their experiences.
The event concluded with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Ha. Participants included vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, who committed to paint over 10 holy icons, and Bishop Ha, who pledged to pray daily for the group by reciting the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Father Francis Xavier Wong and Jesuit Father Simon Wong also engaged in these challenges.
Father Kam announced a workshop on March 21, where he would teach participants the art of icon-making. An online voting system lets the public vote for categories such as “most challenging” and “most creative,” with an awards ceremony to follow.
Simon Yam, director of the group, hopes this interactive approach will enhance public understanding of participants’ efforts and foster shared spiritual growth during Lent.
Established in December 2015, CYA accompanies young people as they discover their vocational paths and has produced various online videos tackling young people’s daily challenges. All funds raised will support CYA’s daily operations and youth pastoral services, including collaborations with Catholic teachers and pastoral workers for evangelisation activities, efforts to revitalise college Catholic societies—particularly those affected by the pandemic—and ongoing support for young adults.
The campaign features a matching fund of HK$400,000 from two generous donors [HK$200,000 each], with a total goal of HK$800,000. It continues until April 11.
