Sharing: Trip to Northeast China

Srs. Fabian, Heidy, both alumnae of Maryknoll China Priests and Sisters Program, and Anjia picked me up at Shenyang airport on June 8 late evening. It’s around 3.5 hours flight from Shenzhen. 

Sr. Heidy showed me around the building the next morning.  It’s a 5 floor building for convent of the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary, retreat house, vestment production and nursing home.  I went to the Cathedral and one of the biggest wholesale stores in Shenyang before lunch and then to the Seminary in the afternoon.  It’s a 6 floor building.   

  I went to Fushun on June 10.  It takes around 1 and a half hour from Shenyang to Fushun for RMB. 12.00. Fr. Hu picked me up at Fushun bus station.  After lunch, we went to two Churches and then to the convent of the Sisters of Sacred Heart of Jesus.   Mgr. Raymond Lane, MM and Sr. Veronica, MM founded this congregation in 1941. There is a big picture of both them and statue of Our Lady of Maryknoll in the entrance.   I had a chat with Srs. Bosco (alumnae) and Teresa, both are in the Leadership Team, before joining their evening prayer, Mass and supper.  Sr. Matthias (alumnae) asked me to introduce myself to the community and then Sr. Bosco showed me around the compound: convent, retreat house and farm (vegetables, pig, and chicken for their own consumption).  We visited the recreation room of the novices and then had a chat with them including sharing my vocation story.    

I went back to Shenyang by bus on June 11 and then visited the Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty in the afternoon. There was Farewell Mass and Dinner for Fr. John.  There were more than 10 concelebrants besides the seminarians, sisters, and members of English community.  Archbishop Paul was the main celebrant. 

Ms. Wang and I went to Changchun by train on June 12.  It’s around 1 hour twenty minutes ride by high speed train.     

Archbishop Paul was the main celebrant for the ordination of 3 deacons of Jilin Diocese. There were more than 65 concelebrants.  The Church was full packed both the pews and aisles.  I met Sr. Martha (alumnae) during lunch. I went to Jilin seminary with the group, Cathedral and the light and water show at the river.

I met Sr. Wang of Sisters of Holy Family then went to train station to catch the train to Changchun airport as I would go back to Shenzhen.  It’s half a hour high speed train ride for RMB. 22.50.                 

I am grateful that finally I made the trip to northeast China, which was arranged by Fr. Brian. I was moved to experience how they appreciate my visit.  All of the communities wish me to stay longer.   The weather in Shenyang, Fushun and Jilin were not as hot and humid as Hong Kong; the meals are different with the southern part of China; they use Putonghua for daily conversation.  When I woke up for the first morning, it’s so bright outside, but the alarm on the table was still 4.30 a.m., I checked my cellphone and it’s 4.30 a.m!       

Here is the link of the pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EbuWrFm4ZM2J6

Hong Kong, June 20, 2014

         

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

Let’s do simple things with simple love to make God’s love visible