By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
April 11 marked the 80th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. In addition to the morning Thanksgiving Mass and the afternoon reflection meeting on university youth pastoral work, an evening youth concert was held in response to the diocese’s anniversary theme, “Messengers of Hope.” This concert was titled “Youth On Stage.”
The preparation committee began planning for the event last November, and within five months, with God’s blessings, they organised a meaningful, vibrant, joyful, hopeful, and engaging youth celebration.
This miraculous achievement was made possible by each willing brother and sister and young individual who utilised their God-given talents. They included members from the organising committee; students and drama and dance instructors from Caritas Ma On Shan Secondary School, Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School, and Leung Shek Chee College; the Salesian Youth Movement; the St. Margaret’s Church youth pastoral group, Prism Music, the emcees, the Diocesan Youth Commission, the Catholic Education Office, parishioners from the cathedral, the Diocesan Audio Visual Centre, Caritas Hong Kong and the production company, totalling over 100 individuals.
They collaborated at different times and places to conceive, prepare, rehearse, connect, and communicate, all within a limited timeframe, dedicating their hearts and efforts across different roles. Despite some chaos in the process and challenges with cohesion, through God’s blessing, the event came together beautifully, allowing over 400 young audience members to experience, through music, song, drama, dance, and prayer, how God has enabled the Church’s educational mission, community services, and parish services to bring the message of the gospel, faith, love, and hope to the people of Hong Kong over the past 80 years. This has, in turn, helped the people of Hong Kong to know God and Jesus Christ, facilitating the transmission from individuals to families and from families to communities, eventually spreading our faith across the entire city, generation by generation.
Gathering such a large number of young people for the youth celebration is truly a significant blessing from God, showing us the strength and hope found in youth. The message of “Youth On Stage” highlights the courage needed to try, to dedicate effort, and to proclaim the faith, just as the early missionaries who passed on the gospel and faith.
May this experience, journey, and celebration encourage all young people on stage and behind the scenes, as well as all attendees, to proclaim their faith with courage and utilise their God-given talents. Like performers on stage, may they contribute wholeheartedly, not for themselves, but to share the message with others and become messengers of love, the gospel, and hope in their lives.
