Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – The community of the diocesan seminary, the priests, the spiritual director of the retreat for the Year for Priests, the three vicars, his predecessors, the pastoral staff, all people of good will, are "the stars that accompany me" and it is to them that Bishop John Tong of Hong Kong wished to express his gratitude in the first Christmas letter written as bishop of the diocese, inspired by the Gospel verse: "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Matthew 2:2).
In the letter, published by the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the Bishop, as head of a family, tells his family members about his life, his feelings, his work, with deep spirituality. It is the summary of his private life, but is completely compatible with the life of the Diocese of Hong Kong: a list of the stars that have illuminated his life as a man, as priest, and as Bishop, written with love to inspire deep emotion in those who read it.
“ In the eight months that I have been the bishop of Hong Kong, many shining stars have appeared in my pastoral ministry too. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to them,” Bishop Tong writes in his letter. “As everyone knows, it has been 40 years since I took up residence in the Holy Spirit Seminary. Having taken on my new office as diocesan bishop, I decided to stay on in the seminary after serious thought,” as “the community has therefore become a shining star for my priestly life.” During the retreat for the Year for Priestly Vocations (being celebrated in Hong Kong), on the theme “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of Priests,” he considered the spiritual director of the retreat and all his brother priests “my shining stars” on his spiritual journey this year. In ending, Bishop Tong announces: “I will ask the Lord to reward them a hundredfold when I celebrate the Eucharist on Christmas Eve, in communion with our Holy Father and the bishops and priests around the world.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 19/12/2009)
