The Portuguese-language catechesis group at the Cathedral Parish recently organized a Christmas meeting at Cheoc Van that brought together about 80 catechists, children and their parents. The initiative, in which the 11th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father Daniel Ribeiro was also celebrated, should set the pattern for future events of the kind, now that Macau has come to terms with Covid-19.
Bishop D. Stephen Lee Bun-sang requested and Coro Dóci Papiaçám di Macau obliged. The interim choral ensemble sang Christmas carols in Macanese Patois outside the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady on Saturday afternoon. Later, the group accompanied the evening mass at Saint Dominic’s Church. The purpose? To convey a message of hope, in times of crisis and rapid change.
“Evangelho Diário para os Jovens” is a book born during trying times in Macau. In an interview with noted economist António Félix Pontes, O Clarim gets an insight into the making of a book that is seen as an important addition to the spiritual education of the younger generation not just in Macau but in lands with Lusophone heritage.
The parish of Our Lady of Carmel has organized a drawing contest as a way to teach the younger generations the true meaning of Christmas. Under the motto “We Celebrate the Coming of the Lord with Peace and Love”, children of catechetical age who attend Sunday School in the only Catholic Church in Taipa, are invited to create Christmas-inspired artworks until December 18. The initiative aims to draw the kids’ attention to the fact that the real meaning of Christmas goes far beyond Santa Claus and exchanging gifts.
The new parochial administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Macau’s remotest parish – Saint Francis Xavier in Coloane – assumed office recently. Father Tiago, a Brazilian missionary who doubles up as the rector of the Redemptoris Mater College, takes on a mission of overseeing pastoral and spiritual life in the parish, with the purpose of helping to revitalize the life of the Church on Macau’s largest island.
The Macau Catholic Culture Association wants the Christmas manger to become a familiar presence in the homes of local Catholics. The organization has launched a competition to choose Macau’s most beautiful Nativity scenes. The association is also selling a 12-day Advent Calendar that allows for the creation of a complete Christmas crèche.
Advent chants, choral compositions by great symphonists, and even popular music. On Saturday, December 10th, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady will host a special Advent Choral Vespers service, featuring the Diocesan Choir and the Cathedral Schola of Macau. The initiative aims to prepare local Catholics for one of the most fundamental mysteries of the Catholic faith: the Nativity of Jesus.
Members of the GELMac organized an annual food drive, collecting food donations at four different local supermarkets last Saturday. The donations were offered to Caritas and helped relieve Macau’s most vulnerable and needy.
Last weekend, 20 people participated in a silent retreat under the guidance of Father Daniel Ribeiro at the Diocesan Retreat House in Coloane. More than just engaging in a period of spiritual reflection, the retreat provided participants with an opportunity for a personal encounter with God.
The pastoral care team in charge of the Portuguese-speaking community at the Cathedral parish invited elderly parishioners to a social event – the first of its kind aimed at the Lusophone flock – which sought to answer some of the concerns that were raised by local Catholics during the diocesan phase of the Synod of Bishops.
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