Sharing: 2014 Summer School at Holy Family Church

         

After picking up my China visa on August 4, I went to Shenzhen.  Our first part of Summer School was held on Aug 1 – 9. It was also the time for First Communion’s preparation.
           There were more than 50 primary school students attended the first part of the summer school, most of them were the students during last year summer school.  They were divided to the small groups.  The Church was converted to classroom by pulling the curtain in front of the altar.  The classes begin at 9.30 am (the students should arrive at 9.00 am for registration followed by warming up) and end at 4.50 pm with lunch break at 12.00-1.30 pm and 10 minutes break after each class.  Besides Fr. Lu, there were two sisters from Handan diocese, several youth as teachers and volunteers and myself helping the summer school.  The children ate lunch box inside and outside the back room, then slept at the Church or watch movie at the back room or playing in front of the Church.

            They learned about catechism, the stories in the Bible, drawing and colouring, singing, dancing, etc.  I taught “oral English” for 2 sessions.  Several students were asking about the English class before I starting to teach.  I taught Thanks be to God, Let us pray, Praise the Lord-Alleluya, The Lord be with you-And also with your spirit, The Sign of the Cross (several children learned it from the Sunday school), Glory to the Father, and Our Father, which I taught last year but I assume only they only recite the Sign of the Cross for the opening prayer of our Sunday School.   During the classes, I asked several of them to say either Glory to the Father or Our Father, either alone or followed me.  The volunteers helped me, and all the sisters and teachers, to keep the children quiet.   Saying “Praise the Lord” and waiting their “Alleluya” response usually helped to make them quiet for a while.

            It’s not easy to keep all the children to be quiet and neat including during meal.  Several children were asked to stand in front if they kept noisy.  Several children cried for several reasons.  The children cleaned the Church at the end of the day and then should recite 4-6 items of the short catechism before going home.  Fr. Lu led the meetings after the class for all the team members.   More than 10 youths, mostly university students, helping as teachers and volunteers.

            There was a written exam for all students except the younger students and sacrament of reconciliation for the students who would receive the First Communion on Aug 9 afternoon.  Fr. Lu delivered closing remark and distributed the gifts for the best students.

            The second part of the summer school was held on Aug 11 – 14.  There were more than 20 primary, junior and high school students attended it, including the altar servers.

            The sisters taught about knowing ourselves, God’s love, etc.  I taught “oral English” for 2 sessions, gave bilingual overview of the movie “Letters to God” and game “music concert”.  I taught Thanks be to God, Let us pray, Praise the Lord-Alleluya, The Lord be with you-And also with your spirit, The Sign of the Cross, Glory to the Father, and Our Father, which I taught last year.  I also taught Hail Mary and Nicene Creed.   During the classes, I asked several of them to say either Our Father or Hail Mary, either alone or followed me and also asked them to lead the opening and closing prayer.  The volunteers helped me, and all the sisters and teachers, to keep the children quiet.   Saying “Praise the Lord” and waiting their “Alleluya” response usually helped to make them quiet for a while.

            The Church (including the stair to fourth floor and back room) was full for Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.   Eight children who would receive First Communion sat in front row, followed by the rest of the students.     Fr. Lu, Srs. Huang, Zhao, several parishioners and I went to Peng Cheng for lunch and sightseeing at the beach.  There was an evening Mass at 8.00 pm followed by preparation meeting for the next youth gathering.

            In the evening, Fr. Lu, two sisters and I usually had dinner with the parishioners.  I also had chances to pray with the parishioners whenever needed including with a young woman who visited our Church for the first time as she wants to know about Catholicism and then share her burden.

            I was moved to see “那双看不见的手” (=Invisible Hands, http://video.baomihua.com/11190278/10738929?ab01), which was sung by the victims of the earthquake in Taiwan, and “Courageous” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLYmku9OJ6A).    

            I am very grateful for this opportunity to help wherever needed including cleaning up and serving the meal.  Fr. Lu expressed his gratitude for our help, sisters and volunteers, during Masses.

            Here is the link of the pictures:    http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=f6c9d59a36b78ebc&sid=0EbuWrFm4ZM2LB

             

                                 

Hong Kong, August 21, 2014

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: Altar Servers Gathering

With the help of several volunteers, the altar server coordinator and I organized an altar servers gathering at Holy Family Church on July 26.  The theme was “Letters to God” and was attended by 17 participants including the volunteers and parents.     

We had preparation meetings twice but it was changed a little bit on the day due to time limit.   It was raining around noon time so most of them came late.

Fr. Lu opened the gathering with a short talk and prayer, followed by watching the movie “Letters to God” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndW2e11Cm-s.  Fr. Lu read the description of the movie and I gave overview of the movie.

Mr. Xu asked them to write their reflections about the movie and Mr. Huang announced the best reflections, one boy and one girl to get the prizes.

Mr. Huang led the training on ringing the bell during consecration, followed by eating dumplings together in the back of the Church.

They wish to have more participants.  The last altar servers gathering was a training of altar servers’ duty.  

Hong  Kong, July 29, 2014

         

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: Second Youth Gathering at Holy Family Church

With the help of several volunteers, I organized the second youth gathering at Holy Family Church on July 12.  The theme was “Lay Spirituality” and was attended by more than 50 youth from different Churches in Shenzhen including the volunteers.  The Shenzhen Catholic Youth chat group, which was formed after the first youth gathering at Holy Family Church, helped to spread the news as it has 178 members from Shenzhen and neighboring cities and increased to 191 members after the second youth gathering.  

We had twice preparation meetings.  Ms. Liang, with the help of her friend and an English teacher, translated the summary of the Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People “Apostolicam Actuositatem” http://www.statucson.org/sites/statucson.org/files/LT%20Times%20-%20Summary%20Apostolicam%20Actuositatem%20-%20Decree%20on%20the%20Apostolate%20of%20Lay%20People.pdf into Chinese. 

The registration was begun at 1:30 p.m. but several youth arrived around 12:00 a.m.   While waiting the gathering, we showed the pictures from the first youth gathering with background music “Hope of the Dawn” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwBCL1V8_0). Ms. Lin compiled the pictures and prepared the PPT of the flow of the gathering.  Fr. Lu delivered his welcoming speech after teaching the song “主啊，差遣我 “ (=Lord, send me, http://www.56.com/u31/v_NTg2OTY5ODg.html).  He played the guitar while led us to sing “主啊，差遣我 “ as our opening prayer.  

Mr. Dai led the ice breaking game and then I informed them that we would watch the short movie “Historic and Genesis of Second Vatican II” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOCJLb_6a_E) in mute mode while listening to the summary of the Decree “Apostolicam Actuositatem”  which would be read by Mr. Liu and Ms. Xu.

Fr Lu led game on concert.  Here is the link of the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXACkozIWPo&feature=youtu.be.  Ms. Liu led the small group discussion, followed by group discussion led by Mr. Liu.  Everyone on the group should introduce himself/herself before presenting the small group discussion.  Mr. Wu led the evaluation and survey of the outing/pilgrimage.  Fr. Lu summarized the gathering before dinner in small group.

Several youth attended the anticipated Sunday Mass by sitting together on the front rows, several youth were volunteering for the Mass, and several youth went home especially the ones from other Churches.  All the small group sharing was paste to the cross and brought forward during the offering of the Mass.

Most of the participants wrote“很好“(=very good) and”非常好” (=great) on the evaluation and wish to have more youth gatherings because they can meet more youth, learn and share about faith. 

Here is the link of the pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EbuWrFm4ZM2Kn

Hong  Kong, July 15, 2014

         

Sr.Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

Sharing: 2014 National Election/Pemilu (Legislatif dan Presiden)

  

            Sehubungan tidak pastinya jadwal keberadaan saya di Hong Kong, maka saya memutuskan untuk mengikuti Pemilu 2014 lewat pos.  Saya mendaftar langsung ke Konjen RI di Hong Kong meskipun Konjen membuka fasilitas untuk mendaftar lewat sms. 

            Setelah mengikuti pelatihan kepemimpinan di tahun 1995, saya terdaftar sebagai anggota Partai Demokrasi Indonesia.  Saat itu, bukanlah hal yang umum bagi seorang penyandang status triple minoritas: keturunan China, wanita dan Katolik, menjadi anggota partai politik.  Sayangnya saya hanya punya kartu anggota, saya tidak pernah datang ke acara-acara partai karena kesibukan pekerjaan pertama setelah lulus kuliah.  Karena beberapa kali pindah rumah (Jakarta, Tulungagung, Surabaya, dan Mojoagung sebelum ke USA dan Hong Kong) akhirnya kartu anggota itu terselip entah dimana.   

            Dengan adanya peristiwa 27 Juli 1996 dan terbentuknya PDI Perjuangan, maka partai pilihan saya adalah PDI Perjuangan.  Seingat saya, saya tidak pernah golput atau setidaknya tidak pernah punya niat menjadi golput.    

            Saatnya pemilihan Presiden 2014.  Melihat dua calon yang ada, tidak sulit untuk menentukan pilihan.  Jokowi.  Saya sempat share beberapa link di facebook tentang calon yang ada, termasuk surat terbuka Rm. Magnis Suseno, SJ   https://www.facebook.com/notes/welcome-to-agus-pribadi/surat-rm-magnis-tentang-pilpres-2014/696550417061592.

            Surat suara Pileg sampai di biara tepat waktu sedangkan surat suara Pilpres belum sampai di biara walaupun sudah tanggal 5 Juli siang.   Akhirnya saya memutuskan untuk datang ke TPS di Victoria Park pada 6 Juli sore.  Saya sampai di lokasi TPS sekitar jam 16.40, cuaca masih panas sekali.  Panitia mengumumkan dengan pengeras suara di dekat pintu masuk terluar, yang membawa surat undangan bisa langsung menuju ke TPS, yang tidak membawa surat undangan diminta mengisi formulir validasi (warna kuning) dan antri masuk ke TPS.   Panitia juga mengumumkan berkali-kali bahwa pintu masuk akan ditutup jam 17.00 (tertera di surat pemberitahuan).  Saya berhasil melewati pintu masuk bagian dalam (dengan tulisan Pemilu Presiden 2014: Pintu Masuk) dan antri di TPS no. 13.  Salah seorang panitia berbaju bebas meminta mengisi formulir validasi berwarna pink, ketika saya tanya alasannya, beliau menjawab tidak tahu.  Saya tidak mengisinya meskipun sebagian besar antrian di depan saya membawa form validasi berwarna pink.  Sebelum saya masuk ke TPS, Panitia mengumumkan penutupan pintu masuk (bagian dalam) karena sudah jam 17.00.  Saya sempat terharu ketika mendengar salah seorang BMI mengatakan bahwa seumur hidup belum pernah mengikuti pemilu, tetapi kali ini ikut memilih karena Jokowi, yang diiyakan oleh pemilih di sebelahnya. 

            Saya masuk ke TPS 13, menunjukkan kartu identitas Hong Kong saya kepada petugas validasi berkaos abu-abu (seingat saya ada 4 petugas, ada laptop).  Petugas memilih “tidak terdaftar” di formulir validasi warna kuning saya, jadi saya info kalau saya sudah terdaftar tetapi surat suara belum sampai,  ditanyakan ke petugas pemberi surat suara di meja satunya (di meja ini ada dua orang pemberi surat suara, dua orang yang menghitung jumlah orang yang masuk ke bilik suara dan satu orang lagi), petugas pemberi surat suara meminta saya menunggu surat suara, jadi saya bertanya kalau surat suara terlambat bagaimana, dijawab ditunggu saja, tetapi lalu dia mengatakan bahwa dia percaya saya tidak akan mengirimkan surat suara lewat pos dan meminta petugas validasi memasukkan saya ke kelompok DPTLN (?).  Ada 5 bilik suara, pemilih hanya boleh membawa surat suara ke dalam bilik suara, tas diletakkan di luar bilik suara, di dalam bilik suara sudah disediakan paku untuk mencoblos.  Setelah memasukkan surat suara ke kotak suara, menandai jari dengan tinta, pemilih bisa keluar dari TPS.  Dari data Panitia Pemilu Indonesia 2014 – Hong Kong, ada 23,856 pemilih, artinya dengan 13 TPS x 5 bilik suara x 8 jam x 360 detik, setiap pemilih  menyelesaikan pilihannya dalam waktu kurang dari 7.84 detik). 

            Setelah keluar dari TPS, artinya jam 5 lewat, saya masih sempat berfoto bersama beberapa BMI lalu berjalan keluar lokasi.  Saat itu masih terdengar teriakan (dari panitia) agar yang membawa undangan secepatnya masuk lokasi TPS.  Saya melihat beberapa orang berfoto bersama dengan menunjukkan undangan.  Keesokkan harinya, saya cukup kaget ketika mendengar Pemilu di Hong Kong ricuh karena ratusan orang tidak bisa menggunakan hak pilihnya.    

            Puji Tuhan bahwa hasil quick count Pilpres 2014 siang ini, 52.54% suara untuk Jokowi-JK  http://news.detik.com/pemilu2014/quickcountpilpres, meskipun masih harus menunggu hasil penghitungan dari Komisi Pemilihan Umum.  Sebagaimana dikatakan Jokowi dalam deklarasi kemenangannya, “Ini adalah kemenangan seluruh rakyat Indonesia.” (http://www.lensaindonesia.com/2014/07/09/deklarasi-kemenangan-jokowi-pidato-politik-di-tugu-proklamasi.html)

             

Hong Kong, Jul 10, 2014

           

Sr. Anastasia B. Lindawati, M.M.

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

P.S. 11 Juli 2014: Ternyata surat dari PPLN dikirim tanggal 30 Juni dan  sampai di kantor sekolah 4 Juli dan mungkin diantar ke biara 7 Juli karena sabtu minggu libur.  Saya baru kembali ke Hong Kong 9 Juli, hari ini saya buka suratnya, ternyata isinya undangan untuk mencoblos bukan surat suara.