HONG KONG (SE): The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Central Council of Hong Kong marked its 161st anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by John Cardinal Tong Hon, the retired bishop of Hong Kong, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on September 27. Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, the group’s spiritual advisor, and six other priests concelebrated the Mass.
The annual general assembly that followed at the Catholic Diocese Centre involved discussions on the organisation’s assistance provided to the homeless, refugees, and asylum seekers, as well as the recovery of individuals struggling with substance abuse and other people in need over the previous year.
President of the Hong Kong Central Council, Ellis Suen Hon-wah, said during the meeting that the council has been engaged in the International Famvin Homeless Alliance to strengthen the care for the homeless, and is formulating a plan to improve their living conditions. It also joined a global summit on homelessness in the Philippines, and online discussions with the United Nations on plans to relieve poverty.
The council has expanded its free acupuncture services at the Ozanam Comprehensive Services Centre to St. Teresa’s Church, Kowloon, under the arrangement of the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs. In September, it started piloting a short-term free acupuncture service at the commission’s centre in Sheung Shui.
Father Chan said that after journeying with it for 18 years in Hong Kong, he could see the unity of the group members. Though conflicts have inevitably occurred, he believes they have been solved in synodality in a community strengthened by prayers
He also summarised the group’s efforts for refugees and asylum seekers, such as joining the Pastoral Care for the Displaced People group so as to offer support together with other Catholic groups [Sunday Examiner, September 15] and the launching of a “Kitchen for Friends” programme featuring dishes from displaced families and cultural exchanges to help them develop their confidence [Sunday Examiner, June 23].
Following the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres and their volunteer team, the organisation also began visiting the Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in May this year to learn about recovering people with addiction and encourage them. “Each visit is a beautiful invitation from God, combining prayer and action, teaching us that in situations where we cannot provide money or material goods, only by listening with our hearts can we draw closer to the hearts of the poor,” Suen said.
Suen expressed gratitude to its supporters, including Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., the bishop of Hong Kong, donors, priests, and all members for their continued dedication to serving the poor and vulnerable.
Father Chan said that after journeying with it for 18 years in Hong Kong, he could see the unity of the group members. Though conflicts have inevitably occurred, he believes they have been solved in synodality in a community strengthened by prayers.
…the council has been engaged in the International Famvin Homeless Alliance to strengthen the care for the homeless, and is formulating a plan to improve their living conditions
It was also announced during the meeting that Deacon Vincent Chan Lok-wang will be the group’s spiritual advisor foer the next term, starting from October 1. Born in the year of the centenary of the Hong Kong Council in 1963, Deacon Chan said that he felt a special connection with the group. He pledged to serve brothers and sisters in need with the spirit of St. Vincent.
At the beginning of the Mass, the relic of St. Vincent de Paul and his image were processed to the altar by Suen and vice president, Sophia Chow.
Cardinal Tong congratulated the earliest lay charity group in Hong Kong, which has been dedicated to helping a lot of people in poverty or sickness. He urged those present to pray for the group for God’s continuous blessing so that it can continue to show love for those in need with its selfless spirit.
Cardinal Tong recalled the dedication of St. Vincent to serve the poor in his 60 years of priesthood, the history of the foundation of the organisation by Blesssed Frederic Ozanam in 1833, and the council of Hong Kong later in 1863 by Father Gaetano Favini to care about the most vulnerable. Cardinal Tong encouraged those present to keep doing their charity work in humility and the belief in the trinity of God, and reminded them that there is a must to pray and do reflection to help better understand the suffering of the needy.
At the end of the Mass, the president, vice presidents and other officers of the society made a vow before the altar to serve with dedication and humility.
