Commemoration of the 150th Anniv

This year, the Catholic Church in Taiwan is blessed to celebrate with enthusiasm the 150th anniversary of its evangelization (1859-2009). It is a year of great jubilation!

What does this celebration remind us? First of all, the Church brings to life the memories of the first missionaries, the hidden saints and sages who came to our shore. We remember their hard life as pioneers, their travels through thick bushes and dense jungles, and the difficulties they had to undergo so that today, the Catholic Church in Taiwan is solidly built. Indeed, the Church of Taiwan today is generally accepted, known and appreciated by the society especially in the fields of culture, education and works of charity.

A closer look at the past reveals that the Catholic Church of Wanchin is intertwined with the history of the evangelization of Taiwan. The Holy See asked the Dominican Fathers to restore the Catholic mission in Taiwan, so that in 1859, the first Catholic mission was established in Takao (Kaohsiung) and a church in honor of the Queen of the Rosary was built. However, in 1865, an earthquake destroyed the small church. On December 8, 1870, a bigger church was finally inaugurated and placed under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As a gesture of veneration and deep gratitude for her great protection and motherly care throughout the years, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Wanchin traveled to all the seven dioceses beginning from September 2008 until July 2009. Furthermore, to mark this jubilee year, Paul Cardinal Shan challenged the Catholic Church to work more fervently in evangelizing others. Indeed, every faithful is to bring the Good News to non-Christians and a visible sign of our fervor is to have as many as 15,000 baptisms as possible.

To enkindle and rejuvenate the faith of young and old Catholics, the bishops have also agreed to organize in their respective dioceses several activities with evangelization as the main theme: song composition, illustrations, literary creation, stage plays and choral competitions.

Most Rev. John Hung, SVD, President of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference (CRBC) and other bishops of CRBC are inviting everyone to attend the closing ceremony: A Ceremony of Witnessing and Thanksgiving on November 21st, which is also the Solemnity of Christ the King. This solemn occasion will be graced by the presence of a special envoy of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, His Eminence Jozef Cardinal Tomko, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. Cardinal Jozef Tomko will preside the Eucharistic Celebration with four other Cardinals as concelebrants: Paul Cardinal Shan (Taiwan), Minh Man Cardinal Phan (Vietnam), Joseph Cardinal Zen (Hongkong), and Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales (Philippines).

Most Rev. Peter Liu is the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Celebration.

Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Evangelization

This year, the Catholic Church in Taiwan is blessed to celebrate with enthusiasm the 150th anniversary of its evangelization (1859-2009). It is a year of great jubilation! What does this celebration remind us? First of all, the Church brings to life the memories of the first missionaries, the hidden saints and sages who came to our shore. We remember their hard life as pioneers, their travels through thick bushes and dense jungles, and the difficulties they had to undergo so that today, the Catholic Church in Taiwan is solidly built. Indeed, the Church of Taiwan today is generally accepted, known and appreciated by the society especially in the fields of culture, education and works of charity. A closer look at the past reveals that the Catholic Church of Wanchin is intertwined with the history of the evangelization of Taiwan. The Holy See asked the Dominican Fathers to restore the Catholic mission in Taiwan, so that in 1859, the first Catholic mission was established in Takao (Kaohsiung) and a church in honor of the Queen of the Rosary was built. However, in 1865, an earthquake destroyed the small church. On December 8, 1870, a bigger church was finally inaugurated and placed under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a gesture of veneration and deep gratitude for her great protection and motherly care throughout the years, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Wanchin traveled to all the seven dioceses beginning from September 2008 until July 2009. Furthermore, to mark this jubilee year, Paul Cardinal Shan challenged the Catholic Church to work more fervently in evangelizing others. Indeed, every faithful is to bring the Good News to non-Christians and a visible sign of our fervor is to have as many as 15,000 baptisms as possible. To enkindle and rejuvenate the faith of young and old Catholics, the bishops have also agreed to organize in their respective dioceses several activities with evangelization as the main theme: song composition, illustrations, literary creation, stage plays and choral competitions. Most Rev. John Hung, SVD, President of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference (CRBC) and other bishops of CRBC are inviting everyone to attend the closing ceremony: A Ceremony of Witnessing and Thanksgiving on November 21st, which is also the Solemnity of Christ the King. This solemn occasion will be graced by the presence of a special envoy of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, His Eminence Jozef Cardinal Tomko, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. Cardinal Jozef Tomko will preside the Eucharistic Celebration with four other Cardinals as concelebrants: Paul Cardinal Shan (Taiwan), Minh Man Cardinal Phan (Vietnam), Joseph Cardinal Zen (Hongkong), and Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales (Philippines). Program on Saturday, November 21st: 12:30 – 13:00 arrival of guests 13:00 – 13:30 speeches and prize-giving 13:30 – 15:00 presentation of the Church in Taiwan and testimonies 15:00 – 17:00 Mass in honor of Christ the King Venue: National Taiwan Sport University (Multipurpose Gymnasium) 250, Wen Hua 1st Rd., Kueishan, Taoyuan County, Taiwan E-mail: bishconf@catholic.org.tw Tel. +886.2.2537.1776 Ext. 63 Fax +886.2.2523.1078 Most Rev. Peter Liu is the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Celebration. Other news: The Closing Ceremony on November 21st will be broadcasted. You may watch it via internet through: CRBC Chinese website: www.catholic.org.tw CRBC English webpage: http://www.catholic.org.tw/en/latest011150.html The total amount of donation to CRBC for the August 8th typhoon Morakot flood victims as of October 31, 2009 is NT$17,072,371.00. A Sports Fest in YMCA, Shihlin, will be held on November 7th organized by the National Council of Churches in Taiwan. The CRBC is assisting in this fest as a sign of unity with the other churches and is donating five bicycles for raffle prizes. Asian Youth Day 5 will be held in the Diocese of Imus, Philippines – November 20-27, 2009. There are 34 young people from Taiwan joining the AYD5. Starting with the November issue, an article in English will be added in the CRBC Bulletin.
Issue 304, November 2009

The total amount of donation to CRBC for the August 8th typhoon Morakot flood victims as of October 31, 2009 is NT$17,072,371.00.
A Sports Fest in YMCA, Shihlin, will be held on November 7th organized by the National Council of Churches in Taiwan. The CRBC is assisting in this fest as a sign of unity with the other churches and is donating five bicycles for raffle prizes.
Asian Youth Day 5 will be held in the Diocese of Imus, Philippines – November 20-27, 2009. There are 34 young people from Taiwan joining the AYD5.
Starting with the November issue, an article in English will be added in the CRBC Bulletin.