ASIA/HONG KONG - Vocational Prayer Encounter widely attended; Year for Priestly Vocations to be inaugurated by Bishop Tong on July 1

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – The Year for Priestly Vocations in Hong Kong will coincide this year with the Year of the Priest declared by the Pope. According to a report from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), during the Prayer Encounter organized by the Diocesan Vocations Commission in recent days, over 200 men and women religious, diocesan priests, seminarians, and laity, shared the vocational experience and the happiness of a life dedicated to the Lord. The religious also renewed their vows in front of Diocesan Bishop John Tong, promising to continue working in their own vocation and promoting vocations, especially in this Year for Priestly Vocations. Bishop Tong announced that he will personally inaugurate the Year for Priestly Vocations on July 1. During the encounter, the Bishop also played the violin, bearing witness to the joy of the priestly life and the vocation.
Fr. Benedict Lam Cho Ming, President of the Diocesan Vocations Commission, said that the diocese is preparing a series of programs for parishes, especially geared towards the singles, for their formation. We have designated a priest to be in charge in each district, to organize activities, etc. The Mass for vocations will be celebrated on June 29, in addition to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the priesthood of 5 diocesan priests.” Sister Louise Lam, FDCC, Secretary for the same Commission, “we want to bring the joy of vocations to every parish. We want to 'sow' the vocation in the life of the faithful, perhaps through catechesis, meetings, seminars, workshops...using every possible means to promote vocations.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 2/6/2009)