HONG KONG (SE): The fourth sculpture for the Jubilee Year, titled “Hold it Together,” by Timothy Schmalz, was blessed at St. Francis de Assisi Church in Shek Kip Mei on July 5. The sculpture portrays Jesus embracing a homeless person, symbolising our duty to genuinely care for the vulnerable.
The ceremony was officiated by vicar general, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, who encouraged people to recognise Christ’s presence in everyday life, especially among those who suffer, emphasising that his presence takes on many forms. He said, “We need to open our hearts and eyes to recognise Jesus. Sculptures are merely reminders, prompting us to discover Jesus in our daily lives. He is waiting for us to draw closer to him and to express our love.” He reminded us that having Jesus in our heart will allow us to see Jesus in others.
Father Chan pointed out that the faithful should not only seek to recognise Jesus in others but also strive to become like him, our elder brother, as the Church calls believers “brothers and sisters” to express the unity of all God’s children.
The ceremony was attended by parish priest, Father Aloysius Mak, and Sister Catherine Fung of the preparation committee for the Celebration of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025, and over 100 participants.
Father Chan pointed out that the faithful should not only seek to recognise Jesus in others but also strive to become like him, our elder brother…
After the blessing ceremony, participants engaged in discussions about effective ways to support the impoverished through service. Ellis Suen, president of the Hong Kong Central Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, highlighted the teachings of the saint that loving Jesus means loving the poor, which cannot be separated.
Suen pointed out that while service and nourishing the relationship with God through prayerful contemplation are both essential, St. Vincent taught that serving the poor should never be delayed, even if it interrupts prayer, as acts of compassion are prayers in themselves.
He also highlighted the significance of empathy and understanding the genuine needs of the poor, going beyond just providing material aid. He noted that physical gestures, such as making eye contact, are essential for conveying sincerity and respect. He stated, “True service involves personal actions, such as advocating for them and comprehending the root causes of poverty.”
Suen emphasised that no matter how much we give, those we help can reciprocate our efforts with equal generosity. “They are not simply waiting for our charity; rather, in that exchange, they provide us with love and fulfillment,” he said.
Oscar Lai, formation officer of the Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs, shared its experiences in implementing Catholic teachings through services. The commission has made significant efforts to assist grassroots workers, including cleaners and security staff, by assessing their needs to ensure effective support.
True service involves personal actions, such as advocating for them and comprehending the root causes of poverty
Ellis Suen
Its approach combines social service with pastoral care, fostering relationships through conversation and understanding. Key services include offering traditional Chinese acupuncture for work-related pain, establishing cool rest stations in parishes for outdoor workers, teaching app usage for elderly people, connecting families with affordable community resources, and distributing food packages during the pandemic. He noted that the commission was also pleased to see that such efforts led some beneficiaries to join the Church, though this was not its initial purpose.
The Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers in Kowloon then introduced its multicultural service through various booths serving milk tea, snacks, handicrafts, and hand-painted henna designs.
The event concluded with a Eucharistic adoration led by Father Chan.
The scripture is the fourth piece by Schmalz blessed by the diocese and installed in various pilgrimage churches during the Jubilee Year. The first piece, titled “Be Welcoming,” was blessed at St. Andrew’s Church in Tseung Kwan O in March. This was followed by the second piece, “Sheltering,” at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Tsing Yi in April, and the third piece, “When I Was in Prison,” at St. Anne’s Church in Stanley in June.
