Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - The parish of Xi Liu in the city of Xian Yang, Diocese of San Yuan in the province of Shaan Xi, in mainland China, has inaugurated a project to promote cultural and religious tourism to launch a new opportunity for evangelization. Since it was chosen as a “pilot parish " of the New Pastoral by the Diocese of San Yuan, it immediately mobilized to promote evangelization in all areas, taking advantage of its strategic geographical position and making the most to welcome non-Christians .
The parish priest points out: "we are 20 km from Xian Yang airport, quite easy to reach, but we are few (Catholics). It is also true that we are a young parish, founded in 2004 in a village of 1,500 inhabitants. Catholics are less than one hundred. So we feel very motivated for the mission of evangelization and we sense the urgency of bringing the Gospel to everyone"
The project, according to information gathered by Fides, is divided into four areas: a long path of 40 feet, decorated with religious symbols, which from the church door leads to the fields and the main street; a building of 120 square meters which houses the premises for the catechism, the oratory and the library; the church and its outbuildings in Chinese style; the church door is always open to everyone, just for a visit and also for those who want to pay tribute to the Eucharist and to pray. "So people stop by to see us and maybe an opportunity to approach faith - says the parish priest -. All the buildings and furnishings have been made with our hands and our strength, so everyone is aware that the church is our home, our family. It is a duty to give everyone what he can. Even our Bishop Emeritus and the current Bishop came to work with us. Everything will soon be finished. " Since 2009 the numbers of baptisms in this community have increased, thanks to the efforts of the parish pastor and parishioners. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 05/16/2011)
