Oblate Mission in Guangzhou 广州

 

2019 was a very good year for the Oblate Mission in Guangzhou as Fr. Roy Paciente, OMI joined the Community. May God bless him and help him to fall in love with Chinese people and they culture.

Apostolate:

-          Oblate Migrant Centre - Angel’s Love / 乐福

The Centre is open every Saturday from 8.30 am to 4 pm. Around 20 children participate in lessons and activities run by volunteers (mainly youth) led by Yoyo (叶月润), who is the coordinator of the Centre and Oblate Youth China Group. Lunch is provided for children and volunteers, when the Centre is opened. Every year special events are run for the children and they families, that are: Christmas party, Chinese New Year celebration, summer camp and outings. Some of the children who regularly attended activities in the Centre, because of increasing cost of living in Guangzhou had to return to they home villages.

-          Migrant Family Support

Oblates support two migrant families assisting them with renting accommodation, school fees and some living expenses.

-          Street Ministry

Fr. Luc Young, OMI regularly visits homeless in the area of Renhe /人和 and Jiahewanggang /嘉禾望岗.

-          Pastoral Ministry

Oblates regularly celebrate English Masses in different churches in Guangzhou Diocese, that is: Our Lady of Lourdes in Shamian Island/沙面露德圣母堂 – once or twice a month; Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus/石室圣心大教堂 - once or twice a month and St. Francis of Assisi Church/圣方济各堂 – once a month. Fr. Luc Young, OMI is celebrating French Mass at Shamian Church every third Sunday of the month and Fr. Irek Dampc, OMI Polish Mass every second Sunday at the same church. Oblates, also spiritually support local clergy and different groups, they are involved in preparation for sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

-          Oblate Vocation Weekend

June 22-23 five young men attended Oblate Vocation Weekend which was held at the Oblate Community apartment. Two of them attended Oblate Vocation Weekend in 2018.

-          Hui Ling Centre and Farm /慧灵中心, 慧灵农场

Centre for people with mental disabilities living in the city and in a farm (adults and young people). Every week, oblates visit and run activities for patients.

-          Oblate Youth China (OYC)

There are 24 members in OYC group. They have regular meetings (every two months), whole night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (every three months) and do service at Angel’s Love/乐福 Centre. June 6-9 OYC had Annual Retreat led by Fr. Paul Shen, OMI who helped them to reflect on the theme: “Discovering Oblate Charism as spiritual sons and daughters of St Eugene de Mazenod.” May 1-4 the Group travelled to Zhaoqing / 肇庆 as a team building activity. Using WeChat group chat members of the group share Bible readings every day.

 Oblate Vocation Weekend