ASIA/HONG KONG - Catholic schools start academic year with a Mass

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Hong Kong have opened the new school year on September 1, with the celebration of Holy Mass. According to the results of a recent survey, the local Church feels an urgent need to work especially on ministry in schools. During the Opening Mass of the school year, as reported by the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the priests urged students to always be grateful to the Lord for giving them the opportunity to study in an atmosphere of peace and he exhorted them to imitate Christ in their relationships with their teachers, classmates, and others. “In making a maximum effort at school, you follow Jesus.”
A survey conducted by in late August the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, to learn about the psychological preparation of young students, found that 34% of 1,182 respondents in Hong Kong - from primary school to university - show anxiety and tension in view of the new school year. According to the Church, this result calls for a constant pastoral and spiritual accompaniment designed to help young students in finding self-confidence by opening up to Jesus and to others. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 02/09/2010)