Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Friends of the Sick Association combined the World Day of the Sick with celebrations for its 10 years of service on 2 and 3 February in the diocese of Chia Yi. According to the bulletin of the archdiocese of Tai Pei Christian Life Weekly, a special procession made its way from Chia Yi diocese to Tai Chung. The procession started from the Bishops’ residence at midday on 2 February, it stopped over night at a Benedictine Convent in the diocese of Chia Yi, and concluded at the Catholic Hospital in the diocese of Tai Chung. On 3 February a special Mass for the Sick was celebrated in Chia Yi diocese. On 27 January the Catholic Friends of the Sick Association held its annual meeting. Some 30 delegates from all over Taiwan gathered to assess activity in the past year, approve a budget and work plan for 2007 and to elect a new board of directors confirming the importance of evangelisation and hospital pastoral.
The Catholic Friends of the Sick Association officially approved on 21 November 1996 by Archbishop Joseph Cheng of Tai Pei, was started by the former Archbishop Joseph Ti Kang in 1992. Today it has 200 members, Catholics and non who volunteer to offer loving care for people who are sick at home or in hospital. The association organises seminars, prayers, visits to the sick. On 11 November a special anniversary Mass was presided by Archbishop Joseph Cheng. During the anniversary celebration with the motto “After ten years - putting out into the deep” the founders, members, priests, religious and lay people renewed their commitment to serving the sick stressing the importance of hospital pastoral care for patients, volunteer and medical staff (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2007 Righe: 27 Parole: 339)
