Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - Spreading the faith means not only knowing how to proclaim it, but above all, witnessing it in and with one's own life. With this recommendation, the Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow, addressed the twenty catechists who received their diplomas during a liturgy in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in recent weeks. On this occasion, the Hong Kong diocese's weekly newspaper “Kung Kao Po” reports, the cardinal particularly honored the service of the almost 100 catechism and Sunday school teachers. Among them was the Canossian Sister Maria Lit, who had dedicated 55 years of her consecrated life to catechism, and four other catechists who served in this office for 35 years. Cardinal Chow encouraged all those present to share their life stories with the catechumens during Sunday school lessons, reminding them that even obstacles and difficulties can be overcome with the help of the graces of prayer and the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. According to Ms. Chung, director of the Hong Kong Catechesis Center, "The two-year catechetical training program now focuses on training lay people to work in parishes. The number of students has doubled compared to the past. This year, four new subjects have been added to the course, including a topic dealing with catechesis in the family, to help participants and catechists cope with the changes and trials of life". The Diocese of Hong Kong is preparing to establish the lay office of catechist, as desired by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation Antiquum ministerium, by intensifying its support for catechism teachers to strengthen their commitment to the apostolic work to which they are called. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 22/11/2023)
