On January 28th, our Chinese Apostolate organised a Thanksgiving Mass on Chinese New Year Day. The celebration started on Saturday morning at 9.00 by saying goodbye to the Year of the Monkey and welcoming the Year of the Rooster. The Lunar New Year Mass, which was celebrated in Catholic tradition and faith, was attended by about 350 parishioners.
After the Eucharistic celebration, there took place an offering of greetings to the Trinity God, to the Priest and to the Congregation. Immediately after the offering of greetings, the Mandarin oranges and Red packets were distributed to the people present. The customary practices of distributing Mandarin oranges and Red packets are seen as signs of receiving blessings of longevity, prosperity and great health. A lion dance, performed by a Lion dance troupe and lighting of Firecrackers was held at the courtyard. According to traditional Chinese belief, the Lion dance, with the use of a gong, drums and the burning of Firecrackers are to chase away ghosts and evil spirits.
The Chinese believe that people who were born in the Year of the Rooster are very observant, hardworking, energetic, intelligent, resourceful, courageous, confident and talented. They also believe that Roosters are always active, entertaining, talkative, outspoken, frank, open, honest, and loyal individuals. They are attractive people and love to be the center of attention. In addition, they always keep their promises and are always true to their word.
We appreciate very much and congratulate the Chinese Apostolate under the leadership of Josephine Kee and her team for spending almost 3 weeks to prepare well for this celebration. In spite of being a very small group, they have made the celebration more meaningful and significant to all those who were present. As one community of St Joseph, we continue to pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters that the Lord bless them with love, joy, happiness and prosperity in this Year of the Rooster.
WISHING YOU and YOUR FAMILIES A PROSPEROUS and VERY HAPPY
CHINESE NEW YEAR! GONG XI FA CAI!
On 18 February (Saturday), our parish youth will be organising a Youth Rally. It is open to all our parish youth aged 18-36. The theme of our rally is “Made Alive in Christ,” (Eph 2). We encourage all our youth to register for this event and it will be good if you would recommend this event to the youths from our neighbouring parishes so as to enable them to join in this rally as well.
We are organising this rally to help our young people to discover their faith, find joy in their lives and discern their vocation. The Catholic Church distinguishes four vocations: married life, single life, religious life, and ordained life. The whole parish expects that our young people will take part in this meeting allowing themselves to fully participate in this event. We hope that this rally will make you more responsible in our Church community and to your parents. On your part do open yourselves up to an encounter with God and your fellow friends and actively take part in the rally.
Your contribution to the Church will help the Holy Father Pope Francis, in his preparation for the next year’s focus on Youth with the theme, “Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment.” May your faith be strengthened and grow with the young Church.
Fr. George Packiasamy
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