Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Liao Ning (Agenzia Fides) - “It is good to be here with you! We have experienced your joy which comes from profound interior peace”. This was said by passers by and ordinary people according to the organisers of part in a Catholic Festival held in a public park in Wang Hua organised by the deanery of Fu Shun in the diocese of Liao Ning to offer a moment of fraternity and sharing to consolidate communion in the local Catholic community. Hundreds of parish members joined the signing and dancing, and catechism quiz games. Passers by and ordinary people were impressed by the festive atmosphere and friendly attitude of priests, religious and volunteers and some joined in the signing and dancing welcomed by the faithful. When they asked the reason for the joy of the Christians there were told it is a manifestation of the power of the Love of the Almighty Father in heaven. In the end the Catholic Festival cattolico proved to be an opportunity for evangelisation, giving rise to amazement among non Christians.
Liao Ning diocese, formerly a mission run by the MEP (Parish Foreign Missions) and Maryknoll Missionaries, has 100,000 Catholics gathered in 47 parishes. Fu Shen deanery was the diocese of Fu Shen, with 10,000 faithful. Because of a scarcity of priests the religious and laity are very active, in particular the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus founded in 1941 which today has 78 Sisters involved in pastoral care and catechism and they also run clinics and social centres. (Agenzia Fides 23/06/2006 Righe: 25 Parole: 283)
