ASIA/CHINA - Catholic Women’s group inspired by Mother Teresa’s example makes God’s love visible through works of charity

Friday, 28 April 2006

He Jian (Fides Service) - Mother Teresa Women’s Charity Group, started a couple of years ago in Mu Zhuang village near the town of He Jian, diocese of Xian Xian (today Cang Zhou) in the province of He Bei, has become an indispensable channel of evangelisation, rendering visible God’s love through works of charity. This form of charity association is spreading to other villages. Since the group was formed its members started preaching the Gospel to friends and neighbours; visiting children at the orphanage making them feel loved; caring for lonely old villagers; helping couples solve difficulties; convince children who had run away from home to return ….. as one eyewitness said “they are wherever there is a person in need. Through them we see God’s love”. Non Christians helped by these Catholic women said: “How kind are these people who believe in God!”. Recently they began to make shoes for inmates at the Old People’s Home and the Leprosy Centre and have already delivered 100 pairs. Despite their achievements the women are humble and modest: “The Lord blesses our work and the Holy Spirit guides us along our path of growth”.
He Jian city is part of the diocese of Xian Xian (today Cang Zhou) province of He Bei. The Catholic community is very active. According to the Guide to the Catholic Church in China 2004 the town has ten parishes with almost 10,000 Catholics. Catholics run two clinics, a Home for the Elderly and there is a convent of Sisters. In Xian Xian diocese there are 75,000 Catholics, 206 churches or chapels, about 100 priests. This year it is celebrating 150 years of foundation with various initiatives diverse. (Agenzia Fides 28/04/2006 Righe: 30 Parole: 345)


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