HKSE: HK Diocese celebrates with religious jubilarians
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Robert Carbonneau
Dec 13, 2014, 1:25:16 PM12/13/14
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Hong Kong Sunday Examiner
http://sundayex.catholic.org.hk/
Saturday, 13 December 2014
Diocese celebrates with religious jubilarians
HONG KONG (SE): On December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, for which the cathedral in Hong Kong is named, the diocese held its annual tribute of appreciation to long serving priests and religious at an afternoon tea in the Caritas Community Hall and Mass celebrated in the cathedral.
This year 44 brothers, priests and sisters celebrated either their silver, golden, diamond, 70th or 75th anniversaries of ordination or religious profession.
At the tea party, which was attended by around 200 people, members of the Cathedral Choir performed two numbers in honour of the jubilarians.
The choir dedicated renditions of Panis Angelicus and In the Image of God to those celebrating anniversaries in gratitude for the service they have offered to the people of God over the many years of their religious lives.
On behalf of the diocese, the bishop of Hong Kong, John Cardinal Tong Hon, offered his warmest and most sincere congratulations to all those marking milestones in religious life and ministry.
He described the occasion as a gesture of gratitude for what he called the indispensable service that the brothers, priests and sisters have offered to the people of Hong Kong, as their work and lives have made possible the service that the Church is able to offer people.
“We will pray for you all that you may all be rewarded one hundredfold,” Cardinal Tong told the jubilarians.
He added that Jesus Christ calls all people to the pastoral ministry in order to care for the flock, but some are called specifically to the consecrated life.
He said that during this current Year of Consecrated Life, the diocese is making a concerted push to place the option of religious vocation before the young people of the diocese and he asked all present to pray that they may be generous in their response.
“During this Year of Consecrated Life we will promote vocation to the religious life, in order to enrich the development of the Church,” Cardinal Tong continued.
“It is the responsibility of all Catholics to promote vocation and I urge you all to pray and ask God to give young people a vocation and the courage to respond positively,” he concluded.
The jubilarians were then invited to join with Cardinal Tong in the cutting of the jubilee cake, as well as one presented to the group by the Serra Club of Hong Kong, which has as its specific mission the promotion of vocation in the diocese.
Responding on behalf of the jubilarians, Dominican Father Secundino Vicente Zurdo, who was marking his golden anniversary of ordination, thanked those who have supported him in life, especially his family, who first taught him to know and love God and to always pray to God.
Reflecting on his long years in priesthood, he said there have been days of inexplicable peace, for which he thanked those who have been with him, as well as days of loneliness and great difficulty, which he said he survived through the support constantly offered to him.
He added that he has seen many changes in his 50 years as a priest, with the coming of the vernacular in the Mass one of the biggest.
He then reflected on what is said at Mass, adding that we ask for blessing and we are blessed, we break the bread, but we too are sometimes broken, and we are called to give, and that is the greatest gift that Jesus Christ offers to us.
He added that he has come to know Jesus as a great giver of the strength to keep going forward, but he believes it is through this gift that we can have the courage to help others and muster the confidence to love.
He quoted from St. Bernard saying that when the storms of temptation arise, turning our thoughts towards Our Lady is always been a source of great strength in life.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Virgin Mary Tai Kit-ying, who was marking her silver jubilee, said that she believes that Our Lady has given religious an excellent example to follow.
She singled out her humility and obedience, as well as her trust in God as being a good example for life, especially during times of difficulty.
Sister Tai said that she has experienced the struggle to bear witness to the virtues of Mary a great blessing in life, as it has brought her closer to God.
http://sundayex.catholic.org.hk/
Saturday, 13 December 2014
Diocese celebrates with religious jubilarians
HONG KONG (SE): On December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, for which the cathedral in Hong Kong is named, the diocese held its annual tribute of appreciation to long serving priests and religious at an afternoon tea in the Caritas Community Hall and Mass celebrated in the cathedral.
This year 44 brothers, priests and sisters celebrated either their silver, golden, diamond, 70th or 75th anniversaries of ordination or religious profession.
At the tea party, which was attended by around 200 people, members of the Cathedral Choir performed two numbers in honour of the jubilarians.
The choir dedicated renditions of Panis Angelicus and In the Image of God to those celebrating anniversaries in gratitude for the service they have offered to the people of God over the many years of their religious lives.
On behalf of the diocese, the bishop of Hong Kong, John Cardinal Tong Hon, offered his warmest and most sincere congratulations to all those marking milestones in religious life and ministry.
He described the occasion as a gesture of gratitude for what he called the indispensable service that the brothers, priests and sisters have offered to the people of Hong Kong, as their work and lives have made possible the service that the Church is able to offer people.
“We will pray for you all that you may all be rewarded one hundredfold,” Cardinal Tong told the jubilarians.
He added that Jesus Christ calls all people to the pastoral ministry in order to care for the flock, but some are called specifically to the consecrated life.
He said that during this current Year of Consecrated Life, the diocese is making a concerted push to place the option of religious vocation before the young people of the diocese and he asked all present to pray that they may be generous in their response.
“During this Year of Consecrated Life we will promote vocation to the religious life, in order to enrich the development of the Church,” Cardinal Tong continued.
“It is the responsibility of all Catholics to promote vocation and I urge you all to pray and ask God to give young people a vocation and the courage to respond positively,” he concluded.
The jubilarians were then invited to join with Cardinal Tong in the cutting of the jubilee cake, as well as one presented to the group by the Serra Club of Hong Kong, which has as its specific mission the promotion of vocation in the diocese.
Responding on behalf of the jubilarians, Dominican Father Secundino Vicente Zurdo, who was marking his golden anniversary of ordination, thanked those who have supported him in life, especially his family, who first taught him to know and love God and to always pray to God.
Reflecting on his long years in priesthood, he said there have been days of inexplicable peace, for which he thanked those who have been with him, as well as days of loneliness and great difficulty, which he said he survived through the support constantly offered to him.
He added that he has seen many changes in his 50 years as a priest, with the coming of the vernacular in the Mass one of the biggest.
He then reflected on what is said at Mass, adding that we ask for blessing and we are blessed, we break the bread, but we too are sometimes broken, and we are called to give, and that is the greatest gift that Jesus Christ offers to us.
He added that he has come to know Jesus as a great giver of the strength to keep going forward, but he believes it is through this gift that we can have the courage to help others and muster the confidence to love.
He quoted from St. Bernard saying that when the storms of temptation arise, turning our thoughts towards Our Lady is always been a source of great strength in life.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Virgin Mary Tai Kit-ying, who was marking her silver jubilee, said that she believes that Our Lady has given religious an excellent example to follow.
She singled out her humility and obedience, as well as her trust in God as being a good example for life, especially during times of difficulty.
Sister Tai said that she has experienced the struggle to bear witness to the virtues of Mary a great blessing in life, as it has brought her closer to God.
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