ASIA/CHINA - Three-year anniversary of the Ecclesial Base Community of the parish of Yong Nian, in the Diocese of Shang Hai

Shang Hai (Agenzia Fides) – On December 6, the Parish of Yong Nian, in the Diocese of Shang Hai, celebrated the third anniversary of the Ecclesial Base Community, in the time in which we wait in expectance for the Lord's coming. Amidst damp and freezing temperatures of the winter, over 100 people, members of the Community, along with the priests and religious, have participated in this three-year journey. In spite of difficulties, such as the distance, the daily tasks, the lack of funds and personnel, etc., the Community has managed to maintain itself abreast of the situation so as to determine the pastoral needs in the area of evangelization. During the Mass on December 6, all of them solemnly renewed their commitments, giving thanks to the Lord for the fruits of these past three years. They also elected new leaders. As the priest who accompanies the Community said, “in this moment of expectance, Advent, we are in communion with the universal Church in awaiting the Lord's coming with dedication and hope, in order to give new life to the mission.”
The Ecclesial Base Communities are a new feature in the Church, which have come from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and that has rapidly spread throughout the mainland. Many dioceses and parishes have created such communities in order to improve their mission of evanelization and promote local pastoral activity in a more efficient manner. Today, many parts of the mainland have Ecclesial Base Communities working on a local level, looking after pastoral work, catechism, evangelization, and social services and charitable work thanks to the active participation of members who have close relations to society. They are also a great source of support for the Bishops and priests. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2008)