“Put out into deep water.” (Luke 5:4)<br/><br/>

These are the words of encouragement that Pope John Paul II spoke to the universal Church at the closing of the Great Jubilee and at the beginning of the new millennium. 。(See Novo Millennio Inuente, n 1)<br/><br/>

First of all, let us recall the significant events that happened in the universal Church and the Diocese of Hong Kong during the past decade<br/><br/>

January 1, 2000: The beginning of AD 2000 (the new millennium)<br/><br/>

On October 1st 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized 120 martyrs of China (including 87 Chinese believers and 33 foreign missionaries).<br/><br/>

July 2002: World Youth Day (Toronto, Canada)<br/><br/>

September 23, 2002: Cardinal JB Wu returned to the Heavenly Kingdom. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Zen succeeded as the Bishop of Hong Kong.<br/><br/>

October 2002 to October 2003: Year of Rosary.<br/><br/>

October 2004 to October 2005: Year of Eucharist.<br/><br/>

April 2, 2005: Pope John Paul II returned to the Heavenly Kingdom.<br/><br/>

April 24, 2005: The inauguration of Pope Benedict.<br/><br/>

July 2005: World Youth Day (Munich, German)<br/><br/>

February 22, 2006: Bishop Joseph Zen is promoted to Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.<br/><br/>

May 27, 2007:  Pope Benedict XVI issues a letter addressed to the Chinese Church.<br/><br/>

April 2008: PIME celebrated its 150th anniversary of missionary work in Hong Kong.<br/><br/>

June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009: Year of St. Paul.<br/><br/>

July 15-20, 2008: World Youth Day (Sydney, Australia)<br/><br/>

October 1, 2008: Paris Foreign Missions celebrated the founding and the 350th anniversary of evangelization in Asia.<br/><br/>

April 16, 2009: Cardinal Zen was permitted to retire and John Tong succeeds to become Bishop of the Hong Kong Diocese.<br/><br/>

June 2009: The beginning of the Year of Priestly Vocations.<br/><br/>

Pope John Paul II was founder of World Youth Day, yet Pope Benedict XVI continues his work by hosting the ceremony. They both have different characteristics but the gift of grace remains the same. God will complete His Work.<br/><br/>

We should remember the source while drinking water. We have to show our gratitude to the hard work of all missionaries. In addition to Paris Foreign Missions and the fellows of Pontifical Foreign Missions Institute, there are also Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (MM), Guadalupe Missioners (MG), Quebec Foreign Mission Society (PME), Scarboro Foreign Mission Society (SFM), South Korean Foreign Missions (KM) and so on.<br/><br/>

As of today, Hong Kong is not considered to be an actual missionary area (it is still under the Ministry of Communication in Rome), but due to the insufficient amount of local clergies, Hong Kong still heavily relies on the large number of foreign missionaries to assist in pastoral work. There is a seemingly illogical conclusion that when Foreign Missions Institutes were established in Hong Kong, the local clergy community tends to be much more dynamic. I do not know if Fr. Paul Kam who has now undertaken a three-year mission of evangelization in Africa shares the same feeling.<br/><br/>

The lawsuits of School-Based Management Policy will come to a conclusion soon and the result will deeply affect the future direction and management of Hong Kong’s diocese school culture. Let us pray for this intention.<br/><br/>

In the coming year, let us continue to “put out into” the altar of Eucharist and seeking His guidance and consolation.