ASIA/TAIWAN - 7 catechumens examined at Saint Paul Parish in Hsinchuang: “the Christian faith is not a philosophy, but rather a real personal encounter with Christ”

Hsinchuang (Agenzia Fides) – "Lent is a privileged moment of grace that one must live by praying, fasting, and being more generous in their own offerings." With these words, Fr. Paolo Costa, FSCB (Priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo), Pastor of the Parish of St. Paul in Hsinchuang encouraged the 7 catechumens and all those present during the Lenten Rite of Election in preparation for the celebration of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) to be received at Easter. According to Father Costa, "the Christian faith is not a philosophy or a simple 'value', but the real and personal encounter with Christ. Lent allows us to prepare this meeting. We are always reminded that we live for the Lord, not for ourselves." After the Rite of Election, there was a concert to commemorate the 5 years since the death of Msgr. Luigi Giussani, founder of the "Communion and Liberation" Movement.
The Parish of St. Paul, in the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, is very active in pastoral care, including in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Catholic University of Fu Ren and the Le Sheng Provincial Leprosarium. The Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of China offer their services in the parish pastoral ministry and run the Ming Yuan Kindergarten. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/03/2010)