For Catholics originally from Hong Kong and mainland China, a recent “night market” at St. Francis Xavier Church in Vancouver this summer may have offered a taste of home.
Father Joseph Ly, pastor, said the community hosted a large celebration Aug. 15 to honour the Feast of the Assumption and to make new Catholics, recent immigrants, and other members of the community feel joyfully welcome.
“The event was hosted in our outdoor playground ‘night market’ style so parishioners could reunite with their friends and meet some neophytes and connect with new immigrants,” he said.
After more than a year of pandemic lockdowns and being unable to gather as a full church community, “seniors appreciated this opportunity to catch up with their friends and parents appreciated the safe environment for their children to play while they socialized with their friends.”
An estimated 500 people arrived for Mass with Archbishop J. Michael Miller. The outdoor festival followed and included a pig roast, various cultural goodies, and carnival games. For $10, participants could sample 18 foods including dumplings, fried noodles, fish balls, chicken wings, cotton candy, egg waffles, and various beverages.
Event organizer Karina Lai said 25 immigrants from Hong Kong have joined the community in the last nine months, and 70 members of the church were recently baptized, making this summer good timing for a warm welcome.
