ASIA/TAIWAN - “Come, feed my sheep!”: vocation testimony at prayer meeting leads parents to make family “first school for vocations”

Tai Nan (Agenzia Fides) - “Come, feed my sheep!” was the theme of a Meeting of Prayer for Vocations held recently in Dong Men parish, diocese of Tai Nan, presided by Bishop Bosco Lin. According to Christian Life Weekly, priests, religious and numerous lay people listened to moving testimony on vocations. The Bishop also shared his experience and told those present that his mother offered all three of her children to the Church for the priesthood. Rev. Li Ruo Wang and DSP Sister Huang Su Ling spoke about their vocation underlining that “Love is my calling”. Rev Li Ruo Wang said who was surprised the Lord called someone as difficult as he. As a child he would run to church but only to escape punishment. Today he is a happy and busy priest. Sr Huang came from a rich family and a rich dowry had been prepared for her marriage, but the Lord had other plans and she fell “totally captured”. Those present were moved by the testimony and vowed to make the family the first “school for vocations”.
According to the Catholic Church Directory 2004 issued by the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference in Taiwan, the diocese of Tai Nan has 14,448 Catholics, assisted by 69 priests, 8 Brothers, 72 nuns, 12 catechists. The diocese comprises 5 deaneries, 47 parishes, it publishes 2 papers and runs a language school, a training school, 3 middle schools, 1 primary school, 6 colleges, 6 centres for young people with a mental condition, 1 orphanage and 1 home for the elderly. (N.Z.)(Agenzia Fides 10/11/2006 Righe: 34 Parole: 391)