I. DIOCESAN COMMISSION FOR PASTORAL SERVICES TO MIGRANT WORKERS
Cardinal John TONG has appointed/reappointed the following to be Commission members for a two-year term, effective 1 March 2019:
Rev. Blaise COORAY
Rev. Jay FLANDEZ, SVD
Rev. Heribertus HADIARTO, SVD
Rev. Rodolfo JACOBE, OMI
Rev. John Baptist LE VAN BA, SVD
Sr. Luigia MINDASSI, PIME
Ms. Cinderella T. BERNARDEZ
Mrs. Tessie VELARDE-VILLARIN
Cardinal TONG is the Chairperson of the Commission.
Sr. Mary Corazon DEMETILLO, RGS, Directress of Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Filipinos, is an ex officio member.
II. HOLY THURSDAY – 18 April
Cardinal John TONG will preside at the concelebrated “Chrism Mass” in the Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. The “Chrism Mass” signifies the close unity of all priests with their bishop in sharing and exercising with him the one priesthood of Christ. It also signifies the close communion between the bishop and his flock. On this occasion the priests present will publicly renew their commitment to priestly service. All diocesan and religious priests, as well as lay people, are cordially invited to participate.
III. GOOD FRIDAY – 19 April
(a) Fast and Abstinence
All faithful who have completed their 14th year are to abstain from meat. Those who have completed their 18th year but have not yet begun their 60th year are also obliged to fast.
(b) Holy Land Special Collection
It is the wish of the Holy Father that each year on Good Friday, in all churches, Mass centres and chapels with eucharistic services for the faithful, special prayers be offered and a special collection be taken up in support of our brethren in the Holy Land and the numerous pastoral, charitable, educational and social institutions and projects sponsored by the Church there. In view of the enormous expenses, the Holy See is appealing for a more generous support from us.
The collection may take place either during the celebration of the Lord’s Passion or during the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross.
The collection should be sent to the Diocesan Procuration with a cheque issued for this specific purpose and made payable to “The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong“.
(IV) HOLY SATURDAY – 20 April
In accordance with the approved practice of our Diocese, priests who preside at the Easter Vigil liturgy and those who concelebrate may, for pastoral reasons, administer confirmation to adults and children who received baptism some time ago, provided they have been properly instructed.
(V) APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFER
Cardinal John TONG has approved the following appointments and transfers,
(i) Effective 1 February 2019
Rev. Vincent F. CORBELLI, MM, ceases to be Assistant Parish Priest in St. Jude’s Parish, North Point, Hong Kong; he will retire and reside at St. Jude’s Church.
(ii) Effective 1 May 2019
Rev. John F. AHEARN, MM, ceases to be Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong; he is taking a sick leave in USA.
Rev. Josekutty MATHEW, CMF, ceases to be Parish Priest of Epiphany Parish, Lantau Island South, Mui Wo and Peng Chau, Hong Kong, and is to be appointed Parish Priest of the above-mentioned Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
Rev. Ezakias ANTHONYSWAMY, CMF, currently Assistant Parish Priest in the above-named Epiphany Parish, is to be appointed Parish Priest of the same parish.
Rev. Piotr KRAKOWCZYK, CMF, is to be appointed Assistant Parish Priest in the above-named Epiphany Parish.