ASIA/HONG KONG - Retired should be active in life and mission of the Church

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Participating actively in the life of the Church is good for the spiritual life of retired men and women and is also a way to renew the Church. This is the appeal made by Catholic volunteers in Hong Kong to the retired. According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the director of the Catholic Marriage Support Center has urged parishes to "give more attention to retirees, making them a strong pastoral and missionary force. In addition, for the retired, it is also a chance to meet their spiritual and moral needs, overcoming loneliness." According to the experience of the director, many retirees are now real missionaries after a period of activity in the parish. Some of them were also able to re-visit their skills as teachers, translators... to serve the Church. For example, one of them today helps the Franciscan Biblical Institute in translating the Scriptures, after having received intensive formation on the subject. Others are active in the hospital, in Sunday schools, in Caritas, and more. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 05/11/2010)