Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Heng Shui (Agenzia Fides) - “ How sweet is the path of evangelisation” was the theme of an Evangelisation Seminar 2008 on 5 April organised by Fu Cheng parish in the diocese of Heng Shui (formerly diocese of Jing Xian), in He Bei Province, the diocesan Bishop Feng Xin Mao, vicar and other priests and women religious, and more than 150 lay Catholics discussed the future of evangelisation after the celebration of the Lord's Paschal Mystery. Parish priest Rev Tian Jin Xiang stated the parish intentions: “to intensify the mission of evangelisation, spread the Word of God, listen to the Lord's teaching, practice charity”. A few newly baptised Catholics shared with those present the emotion of their experience of faith. The celebration of Easter truly gave new impulse to evangelisation in the life of the diocese.
Although the diocesan community of Heng Shui is situated in the least Catholic area of the province it is rich in fruits of evangelisation: no less than 300 baptisms during the Easter Vigil Mass 2008; in Fu Cheng parish alone, there were 90 baptisms. “These fruits are the result of hard work on the part of parish evangelisation groups”, said Bishop Feng
Many years ago, a Catholic woman living in Heng Shui offered to host prayer meetings and other religions activities in her home. From then on the number of Catholics in Heng Shui began to increase every year. And even more in the last two years. What is more, thanks to formation in the faith the quality of Christian life has greatly improved.
The diocese of Jing Xian (today Heng Shui) was formerly a Mission run by French Jesuits. Apostolic Prefecture since 1939, raised to the rank of diocese in 1947. In 1952, the community consisted of about 3-4,000. Today the diocese of Jing Xian (Heng Shui) has 25,000 Catholics, 31 priests, 26 major seminarians and 81 minor seminarians, 30 churches 5 clinics. The diocesan congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel, reopened in January 1987, today has 78 professed women religious, 12 novices and 25 postulants. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 10/04/2008 - righe 27, parole 353)
