Father Joseph Nguyen Thanh, SVD
HONG KONG (SE): On May 1, at Fatima parish in the Diocese of Macau, the Vietnamese Catholic Community marked its 15th anniversary by organising the feast day celebration of St. Joseph the Worker, to strengthen unity and to thank God for the favours and blessings bestowed upon the community.
The ceremony began at 2.30pm. Among the participants were those who had previously been members of the community but had since moved to other locations to live and work.
During the Mass, Divine Word Father John Baptist Le Van Ba, emphasised that each person in the community has a responsibility to serve God, family and people with true love, and that is why the community was able to grow over the past 15 years.
The community was established in 2007 by Father Le and his confrere, Father James Ho Ngo Lu Vien. Initially, there were only a few dozen members, but in a short time, the number increased significantly. However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and life’s difficulties, there are only about 200 members at present. Prior to the pandemic, membership ranged from 350 to 500 people.
Although it is not large, the community is dedicated to serving God and people. It holds a daily 9.15pm Mass for people who are just coming off work.
At present, the community has one priest as its spiritual director and is supported by about 15 priests or nuns.
Additionally, it has the Sacred Heart of Jesus group, whose members pray together and share with one another in love and faith.
Afterward, the community prayed together and sang hymns to praise and the ceremony concluded with a collective prayer and words of gratitude.
