Friday, November 9, 2012

Sharing: Maryknoll Sisters China Region Centenial Thanksgiving Mass



            As part of centennial celebration, Maryknoll Sisters China region held a thanksgiving Mass on Oct 27, the birthday of our foundress Mother Mary Joseph, at St. Theresa’s Church-Hong Kong.  Srs. Joanna and Molly also joined our celebration.  There were more than ten celebrants besides Fr. Paul Kam as the main celebrants.
            Our Mass was in between two wedding Masses so with the help of several volunteers, we prepared and cleaned up the Church quickly.  Several students of Maryknoll Convent School (MCS) Secondary Section helped to distribute liturgy booklet before the Mass and centennial pens and holy card after the Mass. 
            The MCS Secondary Section students choir led the opening song “We are Called” http://audioboo.fm/boos/1028138-maryknoll-sister-s-10th-celebration-opening-hymn. 
Sr. Michelle in her English welcome note shared the reason of choosing Oct 27 for our celebration.  She said that the month of October is Mission month, a reminder that we all are called to share in Christ’s mission to bring the Good News to others; Oct. 9th, 1955 Mother Mary Joseph died peacefully; today, we celebrate the birthday of our Foundress, Mother Mary Joseph. There was a lamp on the altar because one of Mother Mary Joseph favorite quotes was from Lowell’s poem Yussouf “As one lamp lights another nor grows less, so nobleness enkindles nobleness.”
The first reading in Cantonese was taken from Is 42: 1-4 while the second reading in English was read by Sr. Sue which was taken from Rom 10: 13-15.  Fr. Brian read the Gospel and gave the homily both in English. 
Sr. Norma in her Chinese dress professed her final vows in Cantonese and English after being called forward by Sr. Annie. 
I read the prayers of the faithful in Indonesian while the rest of the prayers were in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Tagalog and Cantonese.    
Two students from primary section brought candles, two students from secondary section brought flowers, while Srs. Arlene, Maureen and Marya brought water and wine, ciborium, and host.  Here is the link of offertory song: http://audioboo.fm/boos/1028159-maryknoll-sister-s-100th-year-celebration-offeratory.
After communion, each sister took turn to pronounce our name and then renewed our vows together.  Sr. Annie in her thank you note said, “Here they met and fell in love with the thousands of women, men and children who welcomed them and showed then the language and culture of their villages and cities.  How does one thank generations of people who have shared our lives for 90 years?” besides mentioned a few names of those present.  Here is the link of the closing song: http://audioboo.fm/boos/1028171-maryknoll-sister-s-100th-year-celebration-closing-hymn. The Mass ended with group pictures with all celebrants and then singing “Maryknoll my Maryknoll.”
            Tea reception after Mass including cutting the centennial cake was held at Maryknoll Convent School Primary Section, followed by the opening of the Maryknoll Convent School Heritage Centre.
            After touring to Heritage Centre, Srs. Norma, Agnes and I visited Garden of Peace, which was blessed on Oct 19 by Fr. Brian, and the prayer room both at Secondary Section to see the tribute to the Maryknoll Sisters who have served in the China RegionHere is the link of the video of the blessing ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97waCE1ihXM
            The articles about our Centenial Thanksgiving Mass can be read at:
  1. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151079942896556&set=a.118911496555.108641.658706555&type=1&theater
  2. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151081038156556&set=a.118911496555.108641.658706555&type=1&theater
  3. http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_87497ade0101b8q6.html
  4. http://china.ucanews.com/2012/10/29/%E7%91%AA%E5%88%A9%E8%AB%BE%E5%A5%B3%E4%BF%AE%E6%9C%83%E7%99%BE%E5%B9%B4%E6%9C%83%E6%85%B6%E5%B1%95%E7%8F%BE%E6%89%BF%E5%82%B3%E7%B2%BE%E7%A5%9E/?variant=zh-hans            
  5. http://www.tzjwzjq.com/Look_News.aspx?MID=4533&CID=0
  6. http://www.chinacath.org/news/haiwai/2012-10-30/18265.html
                                 
Hong Kong, November 3, 2012


Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.
Let’s do simple things with simple love to make God’s love visible
         


                                 

No comments:

Post a Comment