Cardinal John Tong Hon, retired bishop of Hong Kong, expressed that every Christian has a responsibility to share their beliefs during the Mission Sunday celebrations.
Speaking at an evangelization carnival organized by the East Kowloon Deanery, the prelate underscored the importance of actively sharing faith and encouraged attendees to be witnesses in their daily lives.
“Mission Sunday reminds us from time to time that every Christian should be able to share what they believe with others, especially what they know about the Lord Jesus Christ and our love for him and his special relationship with us,” Cardinal Tong said at Tseung Kwan O Catholic Primary School.
Cardinal Tong urged Catholics to deepen their faith through catechism and consider becoming catechists, according to a report by Sunday Examiner, the official news site of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
“Participating in catechism or becoming a catechist promotes mutual learning,” he said, noting that these efforts enrich not only others but also the individual, fortifying their own spiritual journey.
The carnival featured a variety of activities, from booth games to cultural performances in dance, martial arts, and drama, organized by six parishes and Catholic schools in East Kowloon.
Volunteers, including Polly Chu from St. James Parish, took to the streets around the venue, distributing leaflets and inviting passersby to join in.
“Many were happy to receive the leaflets, especially parents with children,” Chu remarked, highlighting the community’s warm reception.
Jennifer Yu Heung-ying, an award-winning actress and devout Catholic, spoke about her journey of integrating faith into her career.
She recalled times when fellow Catholics saw her work as “God’s presence,” motivating her commitment to both acting and faith.
Yu expressed that her confidence on screen and her dedication to supporting marginalized communities stem from a deep-seated faith, which she views as a gift to bring healing and awareness.
In addition to the carnival, other deaneries in Hong Kong also celebrated Mission Sunday. The Northwest New Territories Deanery held a gospel concert at Holy Redeemer Church in Tuen Mun, featuring choirs and musicians who presented hymns with a contemporary twist, aiming to engage non-Catholic audiences.
The event was titled “I Am the World of the Heavenly Father in His Eyes,” a reference to God’s personal love, as described by organizer Wulstan Kwok.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong East Deanery organized a musical production, “The Hope of Life,” performed at Caritas Hall by a diverse group of parishioners, including 24 Filipino participants.
Musical coordinator Hilda Wan expressed joy at the unity shared among performers despite language differences, noting, “Their shared goal of spreading hope to the audience united them.”
Taking Mission Sunday’s outreach beyond traditional faith-sharing, Epiphany Parish in Mui Wo hosted a beach cleanup.
Parishioners gathered at the beach wearing Mission Sunday t-shirts, starting the event with a prayer before picking up litter and distributing small gifts to beachgoers.
Father Ezakias Anthonyswamy, the parish priest, hoped this initiative would foster greater public engagement and highlight the Church’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Mission Sunday serves as a global reminder of the Catholic Church’s call to evangelize. With approximately 392,000 Catholics in Hong Kong, the diocese remains a vibrant part of the global Catholic community, which now numbers 1.39 billion members worldwide, according to the latest Church data.
