ASIA/CHINA - Evangelisation reaches remote villages thanks to team of women religious and catechists led by a priest

Shan Xi (Fides Service) - Although far from any town the Catholic community Xin Jiang, Shan Xi province is very active. In view of mission the parish priest divided the surrounding villages into three zones for itinerant evangelisation and the method is proving successful. Over recent years more than a hundred people have embraced the faith and many lapse Catholics have rediscovered the joy of practising the faith. According to Faith Catholic bulletin published in HeBei, the priest responsible for this area, Rev. Niu Guang Xing, plans ahead to ensure fruitful mission. During the season when farmers have less work Father Niu Guang Xing and a team of Sisters and Catechists go around the villages visiting local Catholics and sharing the faith with others. Before the team arrives the local Catholics put up posters to announce the event encouraging also non Christians to come along. When Father Niu Guang Xing arrives he finds the people ready to listen to the Word of God and celebrate the Sacraments. First there is Mass , then the Sisters present a short spectacle on some part of Holy Scripture on the theme of evangelisation. This is followed by catechism instruction and reflection. This team work is proving most successful: in remote villages Catholics are finding their way back to practising the faith and many non Christians are embracing faith in Christ for the first time (Agenzia Fides 28/06/2004 Lines: 18 Words: 189)