ASIA/CHINA - Catholic youth association begins in rural part of the Diocese of Jin Zhong, to encourage youth to be “salt of the earth and light of the world”

Yu Ci (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic youth association “Salt of the Earth and Light of the World,” which is open to Catholic youth in the Qi Xian district of the Diocese of Jin Zhong (today Yu Ci) of the Province of Shan Xi, was officially begun on August 23, with a solemn Mass, “to enrich the faith life of the youth,” says Parish Pastor Fr. Zhu Tuan Cheng, along with the lay assistants who are promoting the new association. In accord with the principle of “to love the Lord and neighbor, support the needy,” the local Catholics hope to “strengthen the sense of responsibility towards the Church's and society's future, deepening the faith of the young people, promoting their collaboration, and encouraging their participation in parish life.” This is how to contribute to the Church's future.
According to the program that has been published, the association will organize two main events each year, in the summer and in the winter, to help meet school needs. In addition, each small group may organize other activities according to their own needs and possibilities, and welcome even non-Catholic youth who wish to take part in the activities.
The Diocese of Yu Ci (today Jin Zhong) was created from part of the Archdiocese of Tai Yuan (capital of the Province of Shan Xi) on June 7, 1931 and became an Apostolic Prefecture in 1932, Apostolic Vicariate in 1944, and Diocese in 1946 (with the first Bishop being Italian Domenican Ermenegildo Focaccia), the year of the establishment of the Hierarchy in China. Today, the Diocese has over 20,000 faithful, 30 priests, 29 seminarians, and some 30 religious from the Diocesan Congregation of the Assumption. The Diocese also runs a clinic that offers both modern and traditional Chinese treatment. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 3/9/2009)