A new poetry contest aimed at children that attend the Portuguese-language Sunday school classes at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady was launched last month. The initiative, mainly aimed at new methods of meditating on God’s Word, attracted more than two dozen participants.
The Choral Vespers worship service presented by the Cathedral Schola Choir has become a longstanding Lenten tradition in Macau and this year will be no exception. The Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady hosts this Saturday “a sung meditation on the Lord’s Passion”. The one-of-a-kind worship service starts at 7pm.
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.
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.
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.
The parishioners requested and the parish was happy to comply. The pastoral care team of the Portuguese-speaking community of the cathedral parish recently unveiled a pack of new digital resources and announced the creation of a new monthly bulletin. The purpose is to answer the concerns of the Portuguese-speaking community that were brought to light during the diocesan phase of the Synod of Bishops.
The love towards the saint and requests for his intercession has been increasing day by day among the faithful.
The team in charge of the pastoral care of the Portuguese-speaking Catholic community at the Cathedral parish intends to celebrate the Feast of the First Holy Communion as soon as the local churches reopen. The ceremony, nevertheless, might be delayed until September, father Daniel Ribeiro told “O Clarim”. The First Communion Feast, that should have taken place on June 19th, was postponed for pandemic-related reasons.
Three children received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the first time at the Church of Our Lady of Carmel in Taipa on Sunday, June 12th. The ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, however, put a damper on the ceremony at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady for 15 other children as restrictions were imposed. Masses and other public religious celebrations were suspended in all local churches.
Holy Week is for millions of Catholics worldwide a time for seclusion and reflection, and Macau is no exception. The Cathedral parish will once again organize a spiritual retreat as well as initiatives to help the younger generations better understand the mystery of the Resurrection during this Lenten season of prayer and spiritual enlightenment.