Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-Shing of Hong Kong called on communities to show love and support for migrants and refugees during the Migrants and Refugees Day celebration held earlier this month.
Bishop Ha urged participants to engage in small yet meaningful acts of kindness, underscoring the importance of collective solidarity, according to a report by Sunday Examiner.
Addressing congregants from diverse backgrounds—including the Philippines, Indonesia, Germany, Korea, Africa, and India—Bishop Ha highlighted Hong Kong’s own migration history, with many residents tracing their roots back to mainland China.
He linked this shared legacy to the World Day of Migrants and Refugees theme, “God Walks with His People,” noting, “God accompanies us during times of hardship and struggle.”
Referencing the Gospel of Mark, Bishop Ha recalled Jesus’ words, “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name… he shall not lose his reward,” likening small acts of compassion to “a cup of water” given at the right moment.
“You give us a cup of spiritual water because of your faith,” he added, recognizing the strength and joy that migrants and refugees bring to the Church community.
The Mass, attended by clergy representing various nationalities, featured Filipino chaplain Father Jay Flandez, SVD; Indonesian chaplain Father Natalius Suryanto, SVD; and Vietnamese chaplain Father John Baptist Le Van Ba, SVD, alongside other priests serving migrant communities.
Representatives from the Philippine and Indonesian consulates, pastoral sisters working with migrants and refugees, and members of organizations such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society and MercyHK were also present.
Throughout the event, community members from various nationalities shared performances symbolizing unity and solidarity.
Joseph Lambo, a Cameroonian member of the Right of Abode Community, performed with others from different Christian denominations, sharing, “Despite our differences, we all share the same God.”
He expressed that the gathering strengthened his sense of community and faith.
Theresa Fernandez, a member of the Filipino Catholic Association, described the celebration as “a cup of water,” uniting people from different cultures.
“I feel peaceful within these groups,” she said, reflecting on her sense of belonging among diverse communities in Hong Kong.
Eva Hoffmanr from the German-speaking community echoed the sentiment, noting the “unity” that permeated the event and sharing traditional German hymns as part of the presentation.
