The 58th World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, 25 April 2021. The theme for this year is: “Saint Joseph: The Dream of Vocation”.
In his Message this year, Pope Francis refers to the four dreams of St. Joseph as narrated in the Gospel of St. Matthew (cf. Mt 1:20; 2:13,19,22). These dreams were in fact calls from God. The Holy Father identifies three qualities in St. Joseph’s response to God’s call, qualities which should also be manifested by every priestly or religious vocation:
1. Active Acceptance:
After each dream (God’s call), Joseph had to change his own plans and take a risk in order to conform to the mysterious designs of God, whom he trusted completely.
2. Service:
With the spirit of self-giving, Joseph lived entirely for others and never for himself. Thus firstly he accepted the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, into his home; then he protected Mary and the Infant Jesus from the persecution of King Herod; finally, as head of the Holy Family of Nazareth, he tenderly looked after Mary and Jesus, supporting them by earning a living as a carpenter.
3. Fidelity:
Joseph responded to the God’s call with tranquility, perseverance, thoughtful personal efforts, as well as readiness and courage to adapt himself to difficult circumstances.
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A second collection in support of the diocesan Holy Spirit Seminary is to be taken up at all public Masses on 25 April. Cheques issued for this specific purpose should be made payable to “The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong” and sent to the Diocesan Procuration.
II. APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFER
Cardinal John TONG has made the following appointments and transfer, effective 1 May 2021:
Rev. Francis Vergara MAHILUM, CICM, ceases to be Assistant Parish Priest in Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Taipo, New Territories; he will be given a new assignment after a vacation leave.
Rev. Joseph GAO Xu, CICM, Assistant Parish Priest in the above-mentioned Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.
Rev. Simon WANG Yu Jiang, CICM, Assistant Parish Priest in Ss. Cosmas and Damian Parish, Tsuen Wan, New Territories.
