Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J. called on catechists to engage with marginalized communities and serve with love rooted in faith during the 60th graduation ceremony of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre.
The event, which celebrated 50 graduates of the two-year catechetical training diploma course, was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and included a Mass concelebrated by over 20 priests, according to Sunday Examiner, the official news service of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
Cardinal Chow, in his homily, emphasized that catechism should extend beyond classroom learning. “You are called to work with and accompany the marginalized,” he said, underscoring the importance of love in faith and urging catechists to become “synodal missionaries.”
During the ceremony, awards were presented for outstanding academic performance and diligence, while long-serving catechists were honored.
Among the recipients was a catechist with 45 years of service, along with three others who had served for 40 years.
Maria Capilli, an English-speaking catechist from Visitation Parish in Tung Chung, was recognized for her decade of service.
“I find strong fulfillment in teaching children about their faith, especially in Hong Kong where not all schools offer religious education,” Capilli shared.
Connie Chung, director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, expressed joy at the increased number of graduates this year.
“We have seen nearly a 70 percent increase in graduates, with 178 students currently enrolled. This represents a diverse group from various professions, including medical, educational, and commercial fields,” Chung said.
She highlighted new developments in the center’s curriculum, which includes nine newly introduced courses addressing modern challenges such as digital evangelization.
“This year, we also organized nine talks to provide updated information for catechists,” Chung added.
Canossian Sister Betty Wah, who received the outstanding award for academic performance, spoke about the positive impact of the course.
“The collaborative learning environment and discussions with classmates enriched my faith and personal growth,” she said. Now serving as a pastoral assistant at a high school, Sister Wah guides young people through their faith journey. “I offer them a sense of direction, especially during a time when they often experience uncertainty,” she said.
The ceremony also featured testimonies from a couple inspired by their catechists to take the course. “We have learned how to become good Catholics before being good catechists,” they shared.
The Diocesan Catechetical Centre, which marked its 60th anniversary last year, continues to adapt to the needs of the Church.
Chung was particularly pleased to see native English-speaking students enrolling in the predominantly Chinese-taught course.
“These students are able to learn concepts in Chinese and apply their knowledge in their English-speaking communities,” she noted.
Cardinal Chow emphasized that true generosity encompasses more than financial contributions, extending to the sharing of time, knowledge, and sincere emotions.
He stressed that acts of giving should stem from a love for God, enabling individuals to experience the joy that comes with serving others.
