CELEBRATION OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR

On January 28th, Our Chinese Apostolate organised a Thanksgiving Mass on Chinese New Year Day. We began the Mass at 9am by bidding farewell to the Year of the Monkey and welcomed the Year of Rooster. About 350 parishioners gathered that morning for the Mass and celebration of the Lunar Year with Catholic tradition and faith.

After the Eucharistic celebration, there were offering of greetings to The Trinity God, the Priest and congregation. Immediately after the offering of greetings, the Mandarin oranges and Red packets were distributed to the congregation. The custom and traditional practice of distributing Mandarin oranges and Red packets are signs of blessings and good wishes of longevity, prosperity and great health. The Lion dance group performed the lion dance at the courtyard and also set off firecrackers. According to traditional Chinese belief, the Lion dance, gongs, drums and firecrackers’ noise 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 always appear as the center of attention. Besides this, 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 this celebration well. In spite of the small numbers, 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 will bless them with love, joy, happiness and prosperity this Year of Rooster.

WISHING YOU and YOUR FAMILIES A PROSPEROUS and VERY HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! GONG XI FA CAI!

On 18th February (Saturday), our parish youth will be organising a Youth Rally. It is opened to all our parish youth aged 18-36. The theme of our rally is “Made Alive in Christ,” (Rom 3:23). We encourage all our youth to register and it will be good to recommend youths from our neighbouring parishes to join in this rally as well.

We organise this rally to help our young people to discover their faith, find joy in their lives and discern their vocations. 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 yourselves 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 friends and actively take part in the rally.

Your contribution to the Church will help you be a part of Pope Francis preparation for next year with the theme, “Young people, faith and vocational discernment.” May your faith be strengthened and grow with the young Church.