Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - The opening of the bridge that connects the island of Chong Ming to the mainland, to the city of Shang Hai, is being welcomed by the local Church as a new opportunity to revitalize the mission of evangelization at the Expo 2010 to be held in Shang Hai. In fact, after the opening of the bridge, the first group of pilgrims, consisting of 200 faithful of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Shang Hai, led by the pastor and the vicar of the diocese, Msgr. Ai Zu Zhang, visited the island of Chong Ming on November 16. According to information received by Fides, the pilgrims celebrated a solemn Mass in the church dedicated to the Sacred Heart, then listened to the historical presentation and the project of evangelization for the future, outlined by the parish priest Fr. Song Jian Li.
This pilgrimage was regarded as a "practice run" in revitalizing the mission of evangelization during the Expo 2010 by the local Church. The new bridge, 26 kilometers long, opened for the Expo 2010, can be crossed in two hours. The island of Chong Ming, today the Deanery of Chong Ming, is a place full of missionary witness, so the Church will take the opportunity of the Expo, taking advantage of the easy connection between Shang Hai and the island, to revive the missionary commitment.
The Deanery of Chong Ming, on the island of Chong Ming, the third largest island of China in size, is composed of 12 parishes and chapels. Evangelization requires great commitment and dedication due to transport difficulties, the low educational level of the faithful (the majority are farmers and fishermen), and the shortage of priests and nuns. But, without being discouraged, the priests who work in Chong Ming said: "We sow the seed of the faith by taking care of it, watering it patiently. As for the harvest, we entrust everything to the Lord. Working here on the island requires zeal, ability, and a missionary spirit of dedication, a deep faith and profound inner preparation. We try our best in fulfilling this mission." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2009)
