HONG KONG (SE): “Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sirach 7:32) is the appeal of the Church as it prepares to observe the World Day of the Poor on November 15. It was established by Pope Francis through his apostolic letter, Misericordia et Misera (Mercy and Misery), issued on 20 November 2016, to mark the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy and is observed annually on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Commission for Labour Affairs will organise a Seven Days’ Poverty in Prayer Campaign in the week prior to help people understand what it means to live on minimum wage. Participants are asked to spend only $753 in the seven days from November 8 to 14 and donate the amount saved to help the poor. It should cover transportation costs, food, daily necessities, entertainment, savings, insurance and allowances given to children.
The amount approximates the weekly expenses of a cleaning worker or a security guard who receive a minimum hourly wage of $37.5, after paying rent, electricity and water charges.
Dorothy Lee Ching-man, secretary general of the commission, said the activity sought to help participants understand the situation of the low income group. “The problem of poverty, materially or spiritually is a reality. The pandemic this year reminds us to pay more attention to the poor and respond to the appeal of the pope,” she said.
Wing, a 57-year-old substitute security guard told the Kung Kao Po that her income was unstable and was sometimes less than $10,000 a month, but she needed to pay a monthly rent of $2,000 for her tiny Sheung Shui abode. She was only paid the minimum hourly wage and might work between 10 and 20 days a month.
A rent increase is her nightmare and she hopes that she get public housing as soon as possible. She received some food and supermarket coupons from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers, but used them very carefully as meat and many items are too expensive. The need to buy virus prevention materials added to her financial burden.
Participants are encouraged to read the message of the pope for World Day of the Poor and pray after listening to the daily spiritual reflections of priests, sisters as well as lay people posted online during the seven days of the activity.
In his message, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing said, “In the pandemic, none of our plans can be carried out and we can feel a deep sense of powerlessness. But the message for the World Day of the Poor reminds Christians that we can extend our hands and do something charitable and good. These good deeds can be small but they are especially important for Hong Kong today.”
Chong Chiu-hon, who joined for the third time, said he would refrain from joining social gatherings for the duration of the campaign to save costs. He said the activity has helped him understand the life of the poor and lead a simple life by buying less.
Participants were invited to sign up online and join a livestreamed sharing session on November 15.
