Sharing: 2017 Trip to Fujian

I left for Fuqing on Nov 23, 2017 by train from Shenzhen around 6 hours.  Fr. Han and Fr. Chen picked me up at the train station and then we went to the elderly home.  It’s a 9 floors building next to the Church.

I attended two evening sessions by Fr. Han on history of religious life including about Teilhard de Chardin.  I also invited two youth, who were in Shenzhen and moved back to their home town around 2 years ago, to attend these sessions. 

Fr. Chen, Br. Cheng and I went to Our Lady of Fatima Church and then had lunch at a parishioner’s house and attended Putonghua Mass at a Mass center.    

I had a chance to visit an orphanage and an elderly home in Ningde, an hour by train from Fuqing, and also attended Sunday Mass before going back to Shenzhen.

Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157690312417245

Hong Kong, November 30, 2017

         

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2017 Trip to Northeast China

I left for Jilin on Nov 8, 2017 by direct flight from Shenzhen around 6 hours.  Fr. Xu senior picked me up at the airport and then we went to the seminary by car.  

There are 53 seminarians from 17 dioceses and CDD in the seminary.  Two of them were at the workshop in Hong Kong 3 years ago). 

Fr. Qian, the rector of the seminary, showed me around the seminary and introduced me to several guest priests and sisters, who are teaching in the seminary.   

I edited the power point presentation on “Evolution and the Primacy of Love” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yk-a66swN8 ) and translated it into Chinese so I asked Sr. Martha, an alumnae of Maryknoll China Project who is working in the seminary, to edit part of it.   

 Fr. James, MM celebrated the English Mass on Saturday morning and then taught English classes for the seminarians.  I met two Korean sisters, who are studying Chinese at Beihua University and teaching Korea language at the seminary.  Fr. Qian showed me the Jilin Meteorite Museum (http://beijing-travels.com/attractions/jilin/jilin/meteorite_museum.html) and invited me to eat the specialty of northeast “jiaozi”.  Br. Joe, MM came to the seminary Saturday morning to teach English in the morning and went back in afternoon to visit me.  Ms. Wang Wei invited me for hot pot dinner.  

Fr. Wang and Fr. Qian brought Sr. Wen and me to the train station as we would take the same train.  Seminarian Roger, who was at the workshop in Hong Kong 3 years ago and graduated this year, picked me up at Changchun station.  We had lunch with Fr. Bai, alumnae of Maryknoll China Project, and several youths.  I had a chance to share my vocation story with them.  I attended the English Mass at Changchun Cathedral, which was celebrated by Fr. Brian, MM.  There were three Indonesian university students attending the Mass.   After Mass, Ms. Yin, the leader of the Catholic youth, accompanied me at the rectory and shared her experiences as the leader of the group for the last three years. Seminarian Roger accompanied me to the train station after treated me for dinner.   

Deacon Xu picked me up at the Shenyang train station and brought me to the convent of the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Fr. Han celebrated Mass the next morning.  He invited me to lunch with Fr. Li, who was at the workshop in Hong Kong three years ago and was ordained last August, and deacon Zhang.  Deacons Xu, Teng and Qiao, who were at the workshop in Hong Kong three years ago and invited me for their priesthood ordination on Nov 15) accompanied me to move to the hotel near the Cathedral as arranged by the diocese and then went to Marshall Zhang’s Mansion (https://www.topchinatravel.com/china-attractions/marshal-zhang-mansion.htm) and had a local specialty dinner.  

Deacon Xu asked Sr. Xi, studied in Taiwan with Maryknoll’s scholarship, to accompany me for the rest of my visit.  We had a short visit to the seminary and convent and then went to Shenyang 9.18 Museum (https://www.topchinatravel.com/china-attractions/918-historical-museum.htm) and had lunch together.  Fr. Shaun, MM invited Fr. Roger, Sr. Heidy (both are alumnae of Maryknoll China Project) and I for a BBQ dinner. 

Archbishop Paul, alumnae of Maryknoll China Project, celebrated the priesthood ordination Mass of five deacons at the Shenyang Cathedral.  The Cathedral was full, sit and stand, front and back. There were 89 priests concelebrated the Mass.  Three of the newly ordained priests are the only child in the family and one of the three is a convert.  I met Fr. Peter, MM before the Mass.  I was moved during the sign of peace among the priests.  Sr. Xi arranged me to sit on the aisle of the first row of the sisters' section.  There was a buffet lunch at the basement of the Cathedral for the newly ordained priests, their family, priests and guests, which was prepared by the parishioners. 

Fr. Du and another Fr. Li, were at the workshop in Hong Kong three years ago and were ordained priest last August, visited me at the hotel.  

Fr.  Peter, MM invited Fr. Rodrigo, MM and I for dinner.  Fr. Rodrigo, MM was not feeling well so he couldn’t join our dinner with Fr. Shaun and attend the ordination.

Archbishop Paul invited Fr. Peter and I to have breakfast outside after the daily Mass at the chapel.  He just celebrated his 25 years of priesthood ordination so he gave us the rosary with his name.

Sr. Xi, Fr. Peter and I went to the convent to meet Sr. Fabian, alumnae of Maryknoll China Project and the Superior General of the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary, and had lunch at the convent.  Sr. Asisi drove us to the hotel to drop Fr. Peter and then went to the airport as I would return to Shenzhen.              

I gave away books as usual.   I am grateful for their warm welcome, hospitality, and the opportunity to meet and hear stories of so many people during this trip. 

Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157688744360501

Hong Kong, November 21, 2017

         

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2017 Maryknoll Sisters Asia East World Section Meeting

I left for Honolulu on September 27, 2017, to attend our Young Cohorts and Asia East World Section Meeting.   Our sisters in Hawaii decided to join our Asia East World Section because their ministries are being with the Asian people.

Sr. Aurora and I visited Bishop Museum (https://www.bishopmuseum.org/) after the Sunday Mass at St. Anthony’s Church.  The young cohorts went to Valley of the Temples and Botanical Garden after the young cohorts meeting.

There were twenty-nine sisters from Hawaii, China, Philippines, Japan, Korea, USA and two Maryknoll Affiliates.   Sr. Rosario, MM gave a brief history of St. Stephen’s Diocesan Centre after the Oli Aloha, E Ho Mai and introduction of the meeting. 

There were presentations about “Hawaiian Culture, History and Spirituality” by Dr. Manulani Meyer and Fr. Alapaki Kim, “The Hawaiian Renaissance: how history, culture, language, and spirituality are being lived today” including making a lei from flower and tea leaves and watching “Kapu Aloha: Mauna Kea” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7EQ2--BA0A&t=1383s) by Toni Bissen, Mikie Medeiros, Blanche McMillan and team.  

We visited the Bachelot Hall, where the first six Maryknoll sisters lived for the first few years, at the Maryknoll School compound.  Maryknoll School prepared the Thanksgiving Mass of 90^th Anniversary of Maryknoll Sisters' mission presence in Hawaii followed by lunch at the Maryknoll Community Center.  There were more than 300 people attending the Mass, which was celebrated by Mgr. Gary Secor, alumnae of one of our schools.  We went by bus to see the several places, where the early Maryknoll Sisters in Hawaii lived and worked. 

We had the opportunity to watch “Moana” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKFuXETZUsI), “Hawaiian Journey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rsFmFDczYQ) and “Ha Breath of Life” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpHOr_44WHg) in the evenings.

Several sisters and I attended Sunday Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and then went to Northshore Drive followed by BBQ at our Lanikai House.

Srs. Teruko and Anastasia, our Congregational Leadership Team, and Sr. Lourdes, our Vocation Team, gave updates on our Community Day, followed by the sharing of young cohorts meeting by Sr. Margaret.

There was English Hawaii Mass by Father Alapaki Kim on October 9, the feast day of our Foundress Mother Mary Joseph.  One of our alumnae Mrs. Olivia and her family donated Hawaiian meal: kalua pork, chicken long rice, squid luau, poi, laulau, and lomilomi salmon.  Srs. Norma and Abby organized simplicity night jubilee celebration of Srs. Cecilia Santos (70^th jubilee), Liz Kato and Ardis Kremer (60^th jubilee) and Lourdes Fernandez (golden jubilee) and also the birthday celebration for Srs. Joan and Abby.

The last agenda was an evaluation and closing ritual.  We agreed to change our name to Asia Pacific World Section.

 It’s a moving and insightful meeting as it gives me a better understanding of Hawaiian culture, history, and spirituality and also our sisters’ presence in Hawaii besides the opportunity to exchange stories with the rest of the group.   Thank you very much! 

          Here is the link to an article about the 90^th anniversary of Maryknoll Sisters mission presence in Hawaii: http://www.hawaiicatholicherald.com/2017/09/21/maryknoll-sisters-celebrate-90-years-of-ministry-in-hawaii/ and the pictures (mostly taken by Sr. Aurora) : https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157686355696342

           

Hong Kong, October 19, 2017

         

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2017 Pilgrimage to Macau

Several volunteers of Holy Family Church and I organized a pilgrimage to Macau to celebrate 100^th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima on October 13-14, 2017. It was planned as a youth gathering but then many parishioners were interested to go, several of them for the first time go to Macau.   

More than 110 parishioners including Fr. Lu, several volunteers and I left Holy Family Church on Oct 13 morning after the special Mass for the Our Lady of Fatima.  The Church was full during the Mass.    Mr. Liu was the MC for the youth bus and Ms. Deng was the MC for the middle age bus.  Fr. Lu led the singing together. 

We had lunch at Zhuhai and the walked to the Gongbei Port of Entry.  We stayed in a hotel near Our Lady of Fatima Church and a hotel near Cathedral except for two parishioners and I stayed in our convent.  

            We walked to St. Francis Xavier Church.  The pastor Fr. Dedi, SCJ from Indonesia asked a parishioner to give an introduction to the Church after prayer together.  

We walked to Our Lady of Fatima Church before supper at a nearby restaurant and then walked back to the Church to attend the Mass.  There was a long procession after Mass.  

Fr. Lu celebrated Mass at Cathedral for us followed by going to Ruin of St. Paul in a small group.  We went back to the hall in the Cathedral for lunch, prepared by several volunteers.

We walked to Bishop Hill.  Sr. Emma, OCSO gave an introduction about OCSO in Macau after finishing the prayer.  Several parishioners wrote their prayer intention and several parishioners went to buy homemade cookies, religious articles, and T-shirt.

We walked to St. Lorenz’s Church to pray together for a while and then walked to Cathedral.  They went to Cotai Checkpoint by bus and then went to Shenzhen.  I stayed overnight in Macau but then left earlier by the last ferry to Hong Kong due to typhoon signal no. 8.

Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157687469145020

Hong Kong, October 18, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: Sep 2017 Youth Gathering of St. Anthony’s Church

Several volunteers and I organized the youth gathering on September 23, 2017 at St. Anthony’s Church.  There were 14 youth and adult, including volunteers, attended it.    

I led the opening prayer and then asked the participants to introduce themselves and take turn to read the summary of Apostolicam Actuositatem (=The Apostolate of Lay People) followed by the washing of the feet ritual. 

Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157687233841663

Hong Kong, September 27, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: Cyber Ministry

As my previous sharing, I started a group chatting ministry in 2014 by sending faith information to QQ and Wechat group chatting.  I joined around 12 group chatting with total members around 1,200 people by Dec 2014.  Little by little, I joined more group chatting and now I join more than 80 group chatting with total members more than 30,000 people.  I don’t know exactly how many people read the faith information that I sent.  For sure, there are many people join several group chatting, I can’t send faith information during their prayer and reading the Bible and not all the members read the information.

          Here is an article about my cyber ministry: http://www.globalsistersreport.org/blog/gsr-today/sisters-do-18-surprising-ministries-23956

Hong Kong, September 8, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: Sep 2017 Youth Gathering of Holy Family Church

Several volunteers and I organized the youth gathering on September 2, 2017 at Holy Family Church.  There were more than 40 youth and adult, including volunteers, attended it.    

Mr. Lu gave welcome speech and then Ms. Deng led the praise and worship.  Several volunteers cooked the lunch.  Ms. Luo and Ms. Chen asked everyone to introduce themselves during lunch. 

Fr. Li delivered his presentation about “Introduction to the Bible” and then I led the sharing and gave a summary.    

The Bible Study Group celebrated their third anniversary so they prepared a cake to be enjoyed by everyone.  We still have left over meal so we had supper together at the Church.  

 Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157685911749580

Hong Kong, September 6, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2017 Trip to Zhangjiakou and Beijing

I went to Xiwanzi Cathedral and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Tianlu, Zhangjiakou on the third week of August.  There is a cemetery of Bishop, Priests and Sisters near the Cathedral.  Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157685908351573

Mr. Wang and Mrs. Li accompanied me to visit Zhoukoudian site ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhoukoudian).  I also had a chance to visit West Church, North Church, South Church, East Church, National Center for Performing Arts, Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing in Beijing.  I visited Forbidden City 12 years ago so I decided not to enter again.  Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157685822619534

Hong Kong, August 30, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2017 Summer School

   

Sr. Huang and Seminarian Zhang helped the first part of summer school at Holy Family Church on Jul 31 – August 5.  It was also the time for First Communion’s preparation.  I taught three sessions of English classes.

          There were around 60 primary school students attended it.  The classes begin at 9.00 am and end at 4.30 pm with lunch break and short break after each class.  There were several volunteers helping to cook and prepare the lunch besides helping to keep the children in order during the classes.

          Fr. Lu asked both Seminarian Zhang and I to lead the second part of the summer school on Aug 7 – 12.  There were eighteen primary, junior and high school students attended it, including the altar servers.

          I prepared the second part of summer school program including recollection day, 8 Habits of Highly Effective People, the Secret of Water and small group performances.  Seminarian Zhang taught the Ten Commandments, Sacraments and Altar Servers.  Fr. Li taught the Bible class and Fr. Lu taught the singing class.

          A choir group from Taiwan, around twenty people, came to have join performance with our choir on Aug 8 evening.    We had Mass and supper together before the performance.

          We started our morning Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary at the Grotto by singing two Marian songs and then went to the Church.  The Church was full even though it’s not a holiday. 

          Here is the link of the pictures:  https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5RGQmZ

and https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2RkNPV

                             

Hong Kong, August 16, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2017 Pilgrimage to Guangzhou

Several volunteers of St. Anthony’s Church and I organized a pilgrimage to Guangzhou to celebrate Asian Youth Day on Jul 28-29.  The 7^th Asian Youth Day is held in Indonesia on Jul 30 – Aug 6, 2017.

Thirty seven participants from Shenzhen including Fr. Lu, several volunteers and I left St. Anthony’s Church on Jul 28 evening.  The pastor of St. Anthony’s Church Fr. Liu gave a welcome talk and led the prayer.  Fr. Lu led the singing together.  We stayed in a hostel because the rooms in Cathedral were not available due to the Children Summer Camp.  There were another six participants went by themselves to Guangzhou, Seven of the youth group of Cathedral Guangzhou and eight of Catholic College Students Association (Jiezi Community).

We left for Our Lady of Lourdes’ Church Shamian after breakfast for Mass.  Fr. Joseph gave introduction about Our Lady of Lourdes’ Chapel and their relic collection.

Fr. Lu led the opening prayer followed by blessing by Bishop Gan.  The leader of Jiezi Community gave an introduction about the Cathedral followed by visiting the upper level of the Cathedral.  

Ms. Zhou was the MC for the day.  We had lunch and ice breaking games led by Mr. Hou followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led by Jiezi Community.  Two participants read the message of Pope Francis for 2017 World Youth Day.  I showed the video of 2017 Asian Youth Day Cross Procession in Jogyakarta and part of the video of Archdiocese of Semarang. 

There were small group sharings.  Only one small group shared to the large group, the rest shared it on the bus due to time limitation.

The last agenda was action song of Asian Youth Day theme song: Joyful Asian Youth. 

Here is the link of the pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11848830@N02/albums/72157684544649513 and the videos: https://share.weiyun.com/02d3dcd941cd084b0b0ee905fc5421e7.

Hong  Kong, Aug 3, 2017

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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