A ‘rare’ closer look at the Catholic Church in China
August 16, 2017
HOUSTON — The second China Church Forum, set for Sept. 15 at St. Michael Catholic Church and Sept. 16 at the University of St. Thomas, will help attendees understand the historical and contemporary aspects of the Church in China and how they impact Vatican-China, U.S.-China relations.
It will also provide a venue to exchange experiences of work, travel and study in China as well as opportunities to support the future of the Chinese Church through sponsoring priest formation.
“Two years ago, Auxiliary Bishop George A. Sheltz was with the participants in the inaugural forum,” Father Donald Nesti, CSSp, chairman of the Spiritian China Education Fund for Advanced Formation (Fund), said. “He was interested to learn about the suffering and hope of our sister Church in China. This year we are blessed to have him again to give a lunch talk.”
The forum is the major educational program of the Fund, whose mission is to sponsor overseas education of Chinese priests and sisters. In the Fund’s April fundraiser, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo praised its visionary work.
This year’s forum features Father Tim Kilkelly, MM, who will talk about how Maryknoll successfully continues its mission for China since 1989 under special circumstances of the Chinese regime. Also, Chinese priests and sisters currently studying in the U.S. will share their experiences.
New to the agenda is that K-12 educators in Houston will reveal their success stories and cultural shock in dealing with Chinese students.
“This and next generation American Catholics should transcend their parochial life and benchmark against their predecessors who took their initiative to reach out to those in the Far East,” said Luke Liu, who successfully directed the 2015 Forum and serve on the boards of both the Fund and the U.S. Catholic China Bureau.
“A better China is critical to human dignity and world peace. Pope Francis is concerned about the situation there and is having a very difficult negotiation with Beijing. How can you help? You can start by supporting those who convert the hearts and souls.”
“This is a rare opportunity for Catholics in Houston to sacrifice one day in a year to hear the faith of their brothers and sisters in China,” Monsignor Chester Borski, STL, a speaker of the forum and a board member of the Fund, said. “Getting educated and inspired is a way of prayer and a way to cherish the freedom often taken for granted.”
To receive full agenda and register, contact Liu at lukeliuhang@gmail.com.
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