Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community The Chinese University of Hong Kong

1972 – 2012

Ad majorem Dei gloriam – to the greater glory of God

adam schall-cover.indd 3 1/7/2013 PM 10:10:35  First Holy Communion 2005

adam schall-cover.indd 4 1/7/2013 PM 10:10:35 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community The Chinese University of Hong Kong

1972 – 2012

Ad majorem Dei gloriam - to the greater glory of God

adam schall.indd 1 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:17 CONTENTS

Congratulations to Interview with Rev. Fr. Deignan, S. J. 3 Rev. Fr. Alfred Joseph Deignan, S. J. 4

Baptisms and Confirmations in Biography of Fr. Alfred Deignan, S. J. 6 Adam Schall Chapel 1995– 2012 7

Fr. Ciaran Kane, S. J. Biography of Fr. Ciaran Finbarr Kane, S. J. 8 A Discussion on 18th December 2012 9

Fr. Marciano Baptista, S. J. Biography of Fr. Marciano Baptista, S. J. 10 The Adam Schall Community 10

Biography of Fr. Bernard Joseph Shields, Biography of Fr. Michel Masson, S. J. 11 11 S. J. (1931-2005)

The Adam Schall Catholic Community 12 An Example of a "Small Faith 19 Ruy & Karen Barretto Community"

Alessandra’s Notes on Community Tasks Alessandra and Joynt Family 20 21 and Activities

22 Gladys Tang 23 Gomersall Family

Adam Schall Chapel: Another Gift of the Lorrie Coleman – Music Notes 24 25 Holy Spirit

26 Song for Michelle 27 Patrick Yiu

28 Song for Patrick 29 Professor John Lagerwey

33 Lester G. Huang 33 Andrew Coggins

34 Wai & Susan Siew, Alicia and Cadence 35 The Chow Family & Adam Schall Chapel

36 Mary Paciello and Family 37 Professor Thomas C. W. Mak

38 Professor Fred Cheung 39 Appendices 1 & 2

Notes on Johann Adam Schall von Bell, Catholic Encyclopedia, Johann Adam 1st May 1591 (or 1592) to 15th August Schall von Bell, compiled 1912 (a 40 44 1666. From South China, through turbulent shortened version) times, to the Jesuit return to Peking

48 Concluding Prayers from Fr. Deignan

adam schall.indd 2 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:17 Warmest Congratulations to

Rev. Fr. Alfred Joseph Deignan, S. J.

Who received the honorary degree of

Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa

at the 72nd Congregation for the Conferment of Degrees on Thursday, 6th December, 2012 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hall The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 3

adam schall.indd 3 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:18 Interview with Rev. Fr. Deignan, S. J. (by Thomas Mak and Fred Cheung on 27th May 2012)

 (from left) Prof. Frederick Cheung, Fr. Deignan & Prof. Thomas Mak

Q1. Dear Fr. Deignan, our Catholic colleagues, students and friends at The Chinese University of Hong Kong are deeply indebted to the Jesuit Fathers for looking after their spiritual needs at the Adam Schall Residence of United College. Please say a few words on your feelings on the 40th anniversary of the Adam Schall Catholic Community, which started in 1972. A1. Time passes so quickly when we look back and consider that 40 years have elapsed since Adam Schall Residence Mass Centre began in 1972. It is wonderful that the Lord has blessed us and supported our Community by making some Jesuit Fathers available to serve this Mass Centre. We are extremely grateful to Him. I am very happy to be one of them and to be with the Community to celebrate the 40th Anniversary.

Q2. As far as we know, in the past four decades, Fr. Ciaran Kane, Fr. Michel Masson, the late Fr. Joseph Shields, Fr. Marciano Baptista and you are the Jesuits priests who have conducted the Mass Ceremony at Adam Schall Residence for extended periods. Have we missed other Jesuits? A2. Besides the names mentioned by you and myself, other Jesuits who were occasionally invited to say Mass at the Adam Schall Residence were Fr. Sean Coghlan, Fr. Lucas Chan, Fr. Philip Chmielewski and Fr. Michael Lynch.

Q3. What do you think of this Community? What impresses you most about the faith and communal spirit manifested by regular attendants, young and old, over the years? A3. Just a few random thoughts occur to me. The Community members have changed over the years. I suppose this is to be expected in a Community mainly based on University personnel. Apart from Thomas Mak who attended the first Mass at Adam Schall Residence, I think that Ruy and Karen Barretto have been members of the Community at an early stage; probably also Hsin Chi Kuan and Patrick Yiu who looked after all the arrangements for Mass in the Centre until their successive retirement. Now Alessandra Joynt has generously taken on this responsibility. The wonder is how the spirit of unity continues over the years. We remember Gertrude Tinker Sacks who led us in singing with such infectious and cheerful enthusiasm. You just had to join in. Now Lorrie Coleman has followed her and prepares the music and singing to fit each Sunday’s liturgy, with help rendered by Michelle Vosper Lo and Carolyn Gomersall. We have been blessed by having children in the Community. I always remember the First Communions with great joy. At one celebration I sat at the altar surrounded by a group of happy children, all dressed in white after the Mass. It was like being surrounded by Angels – a taste of the joy of Heaven. And then of course, we had the many baptisms welcoming new members into our family of faith. The Confirmations were less frequent but were very joyful occasions. The children now participate as much as possible in the liturgy at the offertory and often take the readings. I often wonder whether they get bored with my “words of wisdom” after the Gospels.

4 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 4 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:19 I have compiled a list of the baptisms and confirmations conducted at Adam Schall Residence, which is displayed in an Appendix. I am always impressed with the sense of Community and the generosity of the members who are always ready to help, cooperate and serve. Some members prepared the children for their First Communion and some prepared them for Confirmation. Recently Professor Gavin Joynt, even with his busy life, took the time to prepare a very good programme of instruction for the children for Confirmation. Members often prepare snacks for celebrations after Mass when we can meet each other informally and share with one another. I really appreciate Alessandra who comes on a Sunday morning to bring me to Adam Schall Residence – an early start for her! – and my other chauffeurs who bring me back to Ricci Hall. I am very grateful to them.

Q4. It is a long way for you to travel from your residence at Ricci Hall to Adam Schall Residence. Hearty thanks again! Do you think that your effort is worthwhile? In view of your advanced age, is it a kind of missionary commitment or loving care that keeps you coming here to conduct Mass service three times a month? A4. I keep coming because this is a wonderful international community of faith. In this community I experience the presence and love of God and the joy of our shared faith. It is a real community, so different from a parish Church! Members can feel at home knowing each other, and the children can experience a closer relationship with God in the liturgy and they have room to play together after Mass.

Q5. Do you plan on continuing in the foreseeable future? We are apprehensive that the Mass service here will eventually come to an end and so will the Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community. A5. I would like to be able to continue as long as I can. This is made so easy when I have such kind chauffeurs as Alessandra, Susan or Wai, Michelle, Carolyn, Gabriella, Ruy and Dee Dee.

Q6. Are there some events and recollections that strike you as special or memorable at this Community? How many Baptisms and Confirmations have your performed at Adam Schall Residence? A6. Every celebration with the community is memorable. Midnight Mass, for instance, followed by all the lovely food and drink and the experience of our Christmas Joy together. Then there was the Sunday when there was a fire alarm and we had to improvise on the lawn. We managed, and I am sure the Lord did not mind.

Q7. What are your final words on witnessing four decades of continuous Mass Service for the Catholic Community at the Adam Schall Residence? A7. I am very grateful for your love and kindness and pray each Sunday that God would bless all members of the Community and their relatives and friends. On this 40th Anniversary we must thank God who has given us so many gifts and graces. May He continue to bless us and keep us in His care.

Fr. Alfred J. Deignan, S. J.

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 5

adam schall.indd 5 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:19 Baptisms and Confirmations in Adam Schall Chapel 1995– 2012 Baptisms

Jennifer Sui-Kei Ho 30th December 1995 Jonathan Sui-Cheong Ho 6th April 1996 Oliver Michael Lars Lewis 6th October 1996 Cillian Leow 1st November 1998 Wing Yip Pierce Vosper Lo 30th May 1999 Sebastian Matthew Woods 14th May 2000 Derek Malcolm Lap Kong Huang 7th October 2001 Ronan Lawrence Fownes 5th January 2003 Marco Matthew Joynt 4th March 2007 Aiden Raymond Evans 23rd September 2007 Joshua Timothy Wu 6th January 2008 Cadence Wei-Kei Siew 4th October 2009 Esther Rose Cook 4th April 2010 Jonathan Ho Hau Yim 2nd May 2010 Maddalena Wang Zhi Ying 30th May 2010 Alistair George Lee 23rd January 2011 Oscar Veneziani 29th April 2012 Caterina Perissin 24th June 2012 Dominic Chan

Confirmations

Leo Clement Chiu Leung Diane Yi Shian Chow Sarah Elizabeth Coleman 30th May 2004 Sophia Haines Elizabeth Harris Pierce Vosper Lo Odette Wendy Arthurs Mackenzie Martin Branson Kaja Chan Maja Chan Monica Chan Natalia Chan 4th December 2011 Elanor Gomersall Thomas Gomersall Claudia Joynt Giulia Joynt Erica Catherine Markert Alicia Siew

6 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 6 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:19 Biography of Fr. Alfred Deignan, S. J.

r. Deignan was born in 1927 in Ireland. He came from a large family of 13 children. He became a Fnovice in the Society of Jesus in 1945, and two years later he entered the University College Dublin to read History, Irish, and English. After graduation, he studied Philosophy until 1953, when he came to Hong Kong. He also played Football for the Hong Kong Football Club, and he used to be a good Irish Country Dancer. To each of his students who needs help, Fr. Deignan is a patient and sympathetic listener, and he is someone in whom people can place their trust and rely on in times of crisis or disappointment. His experience in counselling was refined when he became Warden of Ricci Hall, The University of Hong Kong’s residence for male undergraduates, an office he held from 1970 to 1978. He offered his spiritual advice as Chaplain and served as an active member of the Wardens’ Committee, and President of the University’s Social Service Group from 1972 to 1978. Inspired by his apostolic mission, Fr. Deignan’s educational philosophy is grounded upon the firm belief that young people should have faith in themselves and in others. The need for a positive self-image is particularly urgent for some of his students from underprivileged backgrounds, and others suffering from abuse by family members or reacting against parental pressure to compete and succeed. His counsel to both teachers and students is to begin with self-reflection, and through this, to recognize their own good qualities, not only in gaining self-confidence, but also paving the path to self-reform and better human relations. Fr. Deignan served Wah Yan College, Hong Kong first as Vice-Principal, and then as Principal (1962- 70). Under his leadership, Wah Yan College became the nurturing ground of young men who not only excelled academically, but also received the holistic education that so well prepared them for personal fulfillment and social distinction: many now stand at the apex of Hong Kong society and some have achieved international renown. Fr. Deignan’s achievements as teacher and educationalist are equally evident at Wah Yan College, Kowloon where he was Principal (1978-1992). He is much sought after for advice and leadership by those in Catholic Education and many in the educational field. He taught classes in English and Ethics but was also in school administration - and dearly loved by the teachers, students, and parents - always encouraging and leading to trust and serve. Fr. Deignan’s vision of educational reform exemplifies the twin vocations of the Society of Jesus, for teaching and for the welfare of the spirit. “Dialogue on Teaching as a Service”, a program for teachers which Fr. Deignan initiated in Hong Kong in 1980, was followed by other programs: “Characteristics of Jesuit Education” based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, was published in 1986, which was followed in 1993 by “Reflective or Ignatian Pedagogy”, a practical pedagogy for the Jesuit schools. Fr. Deignan mapped out for teachers the detailed process of reflection, on experience, preparation, sharing, and cooperative learning. This is vocational training with a significant difference: using new pedagogical or presentation skills, teachers learn how to integrate ethical values into their periodical re-examination of themselves, their classroom experiences, and their care for students’ well-being as individuals and social members. Fr. Deignan was Assistant Secretary for Education in the Jesuit Conference of East Asia & Oceania (1992-96), Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Hong Kong and Macau (1996-2002), and since 2003, the Provincial Delegate for HK. Besides his work in the Catholic Church and in education, he was a Member of the HK Advisory Council on Aids, Member and Vice-Chairman of the HK Aids Foundation, Member of the Council for the Aids Trust Fund, and Chairman of the Expert Panel for HIV Infected Health Care Workers. He received the Governor’s Commendation for Community Service Award in 1993. In 1997, with a group of educationalists in tertiary and secondary institutions, Fr. Deignan established the HK International Institute of Educational Leadership of which he is Chairman since 1997. The Institute’s vision is “to foster a community which is fair, honest, just, caring, compassionate, responsible, trustworthy, generous, and with courage; a community which lives in harmony and sets a high standard of moral behavior.” This statement crystallizes Fr. Deignan’s educational mission. Over the past four decades, many people in Hong Kong have learned from his example, and benefited from his constancy, dedication, and capacious sympathy. Fr. Deignan has received the award of the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa by The University of Hong Kong in 2003, and then the degree of Doctor of Education honoris causa by Hong Kong Institute of Education in 2008, and recently in December 2012 he received an honorary doctorate in Social Science from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Last but not least, Fr. Deignan has been saying Sunday Mass at the Adam Schall Residence for the past few decades. He is loved and well respected by the Catholic community at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. (compiled by Fred Cheung)

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 7

adam schall.indd 7 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:19 Fr. Ciaran Kane, S. J. A Discussion on 18th December 2012

1. The original expectation for the Adam Schall Hostel was to be a Catholic presence in The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It would be different from Ricci Hall because Father Kane became a staff member of United College and hence had responsibilities to the university. Therefore he was not the official Chaplain but as the Xavier House Retreat Centre Website puts it, he was the unofficial Catholic Chaplain at the Chinese University. Father Kane took up his role saying Mass daily, making himself available to help the students generally and providing them with a hostel life similar to Jesuit hostels elsewhere such as in Singapore. The idea was to provide a residence with Catholic life. There were three Catholic societies, one for each college initially but later they amalgamated. Eventually, it appeared that it was the strong Catholic staff association which used the chapel most, being led by senior people such as Dr. Gerald Choa. Unexpectedly, this grew into a small community with wide participation by people. This was not without discussion. Some felt it was not an efficient use of limited priests on Sunday for a relatively small number of persons. As for the future, the Adam Schall Chapel Community is the only connection which the Chinese University has with the Catholic Community of Hong Kong. This connection is maintained through the name and the existence of the hostel. It is important to keep Adam Schall’s name alive as he was an unusual and important European Jesuit priest in Chinese history. The active Adam Schall Community keeps both the spirit and the memory alive and through these symbols helps to continue the faith.

2. There are many small community groups operating as part of other parishes and churches. Faith is not a matter for oneself and it has to be shared. It reflects how you behaves, how you think and your attitudes. It is basically about living a Christian life. Having such communities is a good thing. However, organizing such a community is time consuming but can lead to inspiring results, such as the Home of Loving Faithfulness. Attending Mass on Sundays is not the only reason for which such a community exists. It is a challenge for the laity to run a small community but links to other churches are needed. Father Kane can envisage a situation that, arising from the lack of priests, we could have Mass once a month on a Saturday night. He says that separate groups within very large parishes go to church for services on designated days of the week.

3. It is approaching 20 years since Father Kane left, and the Adam Schall Community has carried on. There is no plan for the future, yet the Community provides a wonderful experience for its members and the children as they develop their awareness and skills in their own religious life. Being actively responsible in such a way prepares the lay members of the Community to be more self-acting and better members of the wider Church. Such self reliance is going to be increasingly needed with the shortage of priests. There are many ways of taking part in religious life other than Sunday Mass, and this is the sort of thing which communities like us will need to develop independently in future.

Ruy Barretto S. C.

8 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 8 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:19 Biography of Fr. Ciaran Finbarr Kane, S. J.

r. Ciaran Kane was born in Dublin, Ireland on 28th December 1932 and studied at a Jesuit school, FBelvedere College, from which he joined the Jesuits in 1950. He was ordained in 1964 and came to Hong Kong in 1967 as a priest working in communications. He had previously been in Hong Kong during 1958-1961, learning Cantonese at Xavier House and teaching in Wah Yan College, Kowloon. Then with the opening of Adam Schall Residence at United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1972, Fr. Kane became its founding Warden (and the only full-time Jesuit Warden), serving the students and faculty from 1972 to 1994. Fr. Kane is always friendly and approachable, and well known for his knowledge and interest in church music. His sister was at the University College Dublin, a specialist in western art, while Fr. Kane has been deeply appreciated by RTHK Radio 4 for his religious broadcasts and religious music programs from 1967 to recent times. In 1967, Fr. Kane became a Member of the Advisory Committee on Religious Broadcasting and Television, an ecumenical Committee. In 1969, Fr. Kane was elected Chairman of the Religious Broadcasting and TV Advisory Committee, which consised of Catholic, Anglican, Free Church, Lutheran, and Methodist members, and was responsible for allocating and putting on the regular religious and semi-religious programs on Radio Hong Kong and TV generally. Like other priests of the Society of Jesus, his work contributed to the social fabric of Hong Kong. His work is described in Fr. Thomas Morrissey’s Jesuits in Hong Kong and South China, 2008, noting that “Easter 1979 marked Fr. Ciaran Kane’s 1000th broadcast of “Midday Prayers”, a weekday 15-minute programme, which he did once or twice each week….” After his retirement, Fr. Kane was Assistant Pastor at Star of the Sea Parish, Chaiwan. In 1998 he was appointed Director of the Xavier Retreat House on Cheung Chau Island and started a major renovation of the buildings. Since 2004 he has continued to serve as a Spiritual Director.

 (from left) Mrs. Chow Chan Man-yuen Grace, Fr. Ciaran Kane and Prof. Fok Tai-fai, 6th December 2012

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 9

adam schall.indd 9 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:20 Fr. Marciano Baptista, S. J. The Adam Schall Community

 Ruy Barretto & Fr. Baptista

he Adam Schall Community is a wonderful example of what a Catholic group should be. The people There are very kind and understanding and always willing to help. It has been my pleasure to say Mass for this Community over the last fifteen years or so. When one comes to Adam Schall’s Eucharistic Celebration he or she always feels welcome. For me as the celebrant I have frequently received good, objective and critical comments about my homilies. In general, I have felt welcome in this community; indeed, I feel that I am a member of a family, the family of Adam Schall. I wish now to give all the members of the Adam Schall Community my Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord let His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you, May the Lord be kind to you, And give you His peace. (Numbers ch. 6 verse 22)

Fr. Marciano Baptista, S. J.

Biography of Fr. Marciano Baptista, S. J.

r. Marciano Baptista was born in 1944 in Canton, and he was the twelfth child of a Portuguese family Fin Macau. Fr. Baptista completed his high school education at La Salle College, Kowloon. He pursued university education in Philosophy and Chemistry in Australia, and then studied Theology in Aberdeen, Hong Kong. Thereafter he studied Spirituality in the USA, and later he obtained a Master degree in Education in Australia. Fr. Baptista is a gifted teacher, and he also served as the Principal of Wah Yan College, Hong Kong. He has been teaching New Testament at the Holy Spirit Seminary and the Catholic Biblical Institute besides participation in other pastoral functions. Fr. Baptista has been coming to say Mass (on the third Sunday of each month) at Adam Schall Residence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong for the past few decades, and our Catholic Community are most grateful to him for his service. (compiled by Fred Cheung)

10 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 10 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:20 Biography of Fr. Michel Masson, S. J.

r. Michel Masson is a French Jesuit from Brittany. He joined the Jesuits in Paris c. 1960 and took up FChinese studies seriously. He came to Hong Kong c. 1973 and first taught French at the Chinese University, but soon switched his interest to research on Modern China, leading to many published articles in that area. He lived for about eight years together with Fr. Kane at Adam Schall Residence, United College, CUHK, and got along very well with him as his colleague, regularly saying Chinese and English Mass there and was well liked by the students and faculty members. Fr. Masson has kept up his research interest in Modern China in Paris since returning to France in the late 1980s. (compiled by Fred Cheung) Biography of Fr. Bernard Joseph Shields, S. J. (1931-2005)

r. Bernard Joseph Shields was born in Dublin in 1931 Fand educated at Belvedere College (Jesuit). He joined the Society of Jesus in 1948 and followed the formation of his contemporaries - two years of spiritual formation, university degree in classical Latin and Greek, and three years of scholastic philosophy, after which he was assigned to the Irish Province’s Hong Kong Mission in 1956. He set himself to master Cantonese at Cheung Chau for two years, and then taught in Wah Yan College, Hong Kong for a year before returning to Dublin for four years of Theological training. He was ordained a Catholic priest by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid in Dublin in 1962. He did not then return to Hong Kong after Tertianship as others but went in 1964 for Doctoral studies in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Returning to Hong Kong in 1973, he first taught New Testament in the Holy Spirit Seminary College, Aberdeen, and was its Librarian for many years. In 1977, he was invited to teach at the Theology Division of Chung Chi College, where he taught New Testament Greek and New Testament studies. Since returning to Hong Kong in 1973, he was briefly Master of Novices in Cheung Chau and then taught in several academic institutions in Hong Kong as listed below: Holy Spirit Seminary College, 1973-91, New Testament; 1977-95 College Librarian; Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, 1977-80, English and Ethics; Lutheran Theological Seminary, Shatin, 1985-2000, New Testament Exegesis and some Old Testament; The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Religion Department & Theology Division of Chung Chi College, 1977-2004, New Testament, Catholic Dogmatics, New Testament Greek, Old Testament Hebrew, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. SKH Ming Hua Anglican Theological College, Hong Kong Central, 1995-2004, New Testament, Greek, Christology, History of Christian Thought. He was also Socius (Secretary) to the Regional Secretary for Macau-Hong Kong Region, under Superior Fr. William Lo, 1991-96. Light-hearted and willing to help others in any way he can, he proof-read the Catholic Diocesan Weekly Sunday Examiner every Monday, and offered other services in priestly ministries. He was a meticulous scholar and patient teacher known for his insistence on accurate presentation of information. Being modest and well-mannered, he never engaged in argument or controversy, preferring to be a conciliator and mediator in bringing about understanding and peace. Furthermore, he fully dedicated himself to mission of the Catholic Church, especially among the Chinese people. For many years Fr. Shields offered Mass at Adam Schall Residence of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he was well respected and warmly received by the Catholic community there. (compiled by Fred Cheung)

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 11

adam schall.indd 11 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:20 The Adam Schall Catholic Community An Example of a “Small Faith Community”

1. Historical background. In 1951 Chung Chi College was set up in borrowed premises in Hong Kong and thereafter built its simple original buildings around the attractive inlet of Ma Liu Shui. In the 1960’s this in turn led to the surrounding eroded hillsides being full of construction activity as earth was excavated for fill to form the Plover Cove Dam. Subsequently New Asia College and United College were constructed on the east and west ends of the hill crest to complete the campus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1963. Not long thereafter the Society of Jesus, who had already a strong base in Ricci Hall, The University of Hong Kong, had the foresight to decide that a foothold in what would become the major university on the mainland part of Hong Kong was essential. Jesuits such as Frs. Albert Chan, Joseph Shields, Canice Egan, and Jack Deeney had been teaching in United College and Father Fergus Cronin, then the Mission Superior, put forward the original idea, which had been more ambitious, for a centre for Catholic activities in the University. Eventually it was decided that a Hostel with a Chapel would be set up. To recall the Catholic and Jesuit origins of the project, Fr. Albert Chan proposed that the Residence be named after Adam Schall von Bell. It was agreed in 1971 that after 10 years the ownership and management would revert to United College, but with renewals by mutual agreement this arrangement continued until 1994. Because of the unusual method of funding whereby more than half of the construction cost was provided by non-university sources, the premises remain the property of United College by an exception clause in the new University Ordinance.

2. The funds which came to about $4.75 million were mostly provided by the Society of Jesus (just over half) and the Government, and the structure was then built and run by the Jesuits in conjunction with the Maryknoll Sisters as a joint venture with United College. Sr. Joan Delaney was teaching at United College. Much of the funding for the Adam Schall Residence, through the good offices of Bishop Francis Hsu and Fr. Cronin, came from the German Bishops Lenten Collections, whose Overseas Aid Conference was based in Cologne.

3. Johann Adam Schall von Bell was born in Cologne on 1st May 1592. He was a famous Jesuit Priest, sinologist, astronomer, and advisor to the Emperors of China. When he died on 15th August 1666, he was held in such respect that to this day his tomb, together with those of Ricci and Verbiest, lie near the Forbidden City, where the original Jesuit church had been and is now apparently the Party Cadre Headquarters. Father Kane has a rubbing of his tombstone inscription, made before it was damaged in the Cultural Revolution. This inscription is installed into a wall to one side of the entrance. When the Residence was opened a portrait of Adam Schall was sent from Rome and hung in the Common Room of the Residence. (We need to find out where it is now.)

4. The connection was preserved when the Foundation Stone of the Adam Schall Residence (with the Maryknoll symbol) was laid by Wilhelm G. Van Heyden, German Consul General on Thursday 18th March 1971, and in the Common Room an imaginative mosaic and sculptured image of the farsighted astronomer created by Francisco Borboa, a well known Mexican artist in HK, was unveiled by The Most Rev. Franz Hengsbach DD, Bishop of Essen, Germany, on 23rd December 1971. This was the official opening although the place was not quite finished. Fr. Wilfred Chan, Sisters, and an advance group of student helpers moved into the not quite finished building in mid January 1972. Throughout the construction, Fr. Joe Mallin had worked with the architects and contractors to ensure optimum implementation of the requirements. It was built to accommodate 125 men and 125 women.

5. The first Director was Father Ciaran Kane S. J. (born in Ireland on 28th December 1932, joined the Jesuits in 1950, ordained in 1964), who took up his appointment in 1972 officially as Director of the Adam Schall Residence of United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

6. The first Mass in the semi-finished Residence was said by Father Kane in January 1972, but the original set up was not satisfactory, and the Chapel was re-designed by Mr. Edwin Li who was very active in the church architecture of the time. The first mass in the Chapel as it now appears was said at Pentecost of 1972 by Fr. Frank Doyle S. J. with Fr. Kane in attendance. The date was 19th May 1972.

12 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 12 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:20 7. The Residence was well built with a multi-purpose Hall situated between pleasant garden courtyards in which special ornamental bamboo and pomegranate trees flourished. At one end of the Hall, with side windows of stained glass, a small Chapel was portioned off by sliding doors. It was fully equipped with movable wooden altar, lectern, confessional kiosk, and plastic chairs for about 40 people. It was ahead of its time in being air-conditioned.

8. However, Father Kane's fame as a preacher and broadcaster and rapid expansion of the community group in the 1980s made it necessary to open the sliding doors as there was not enough room in the original Chapel. For many years Adam Schall was the only venue that offered English language Mass in the New Territories. Eventually in the 1980s Mass was conducted in the Hall itself with the Chapel as a backdrop. The attendance by then regularly reached to over 50 persons with two Masses offered each Sunday. There was an English Mass at 9:30 a.m. The 8.30 a.m. Mass in Chinese was for about 10 years celebrated by Fr. Michel Masson S. J. This was a multiple-dialect celebration in Cantonese, Putonghua and a sermon in English, all by a young Frenchman. Adam Schall was thus well established as a Mass Centre for Catholic students and members of staff of the Chinese University.

9. Father Kane served as Director from 1972 to 31st July 1994. During these 22 years a whole generation of Catholics was born, baptized, had their First Holy Communions and Confirmations in the Chapel. On numerous occasions important personages in the Church, Bishops and their assistants have come to officiate at First Holy Communion and Confirmation. All have spoken warmly of the work and the sense of community created at Adam Schall.

10. Examples of the distinguished visitors included the saintly and venerable Archbishop Dominic Tang Yi Ming who made one of his earliest public appearances in HK on Holy Thursday in either 1982 or 1983. Cardinal John Baptist Wu has enthusiastically officiated at either Confirmations or First Holy Communions on a few occasions. In June 1966 a visiting delegation including Bishop Jin of Shanghai were received by Professor Hsin Chi Kuan, and Auxiliary Bishop (now Cardinal) John Tong Hon confirmed nine of our young members. Not least was the return of our original supporter who was by then Cardinal Hengsbach of Germany.

11. The Adam Schall Catholic Community. The Community is unusual. It is situated in the midst of a large academic population of about 20,000 souls. It is geographically midway between new town centres of Tai Po and Shatin. It is in a beautiful and peaceful location which makes it ideal for a spiritual site.

12. Over the years, the Community has drawn supporters from a wide area but principally in the University itself. However, what makes it unique is that there is a fusion in this Community of persons from all walks of life. Here academics mingle with businessmen, trainers, jockeys, doctors, lawyers, engineers, other professionals, students, helpers and children of various ages. Within this, their spouses organize regular religious instruction to prepare children for First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, and in some cases adult Baptisms. It provides a venue where English-speaking or International members of our Community meet and have religious instruction in English. We have seen remarkable instances of conversion, including one in particular whereby a daughter of one Tai Po family whose mother was Buddhist and father Jewish, decided, at an early age, that she would be a Catholic and was baptized in this Community.

13. Although some people in the Community, being expatriate, moved away after spending years here, others have been regular attendants for up to 40 years. This mixture of permanency and change provides a valuable place where newcomers integrate rapidly into an existing community and find a base that provides stability and support. Even after moving away, as jobs or careers take them, members regularly return to the community when coming through Hong Kong on business to renew ties which cover all the continents. It is heartening to see those children who were baptized here coming back and renewing friendships over many years. The baptisms were initially registered at St. Alfred’s Church until 1972, then at the Blessed Martyrs of China School at Wo Che, and finally at St. Benedict’s after we came under its parish jurisdiction.

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 13

adam schall.indd 13 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:20 14. The valuable sense of kinship in this Community was reaffirmed when Father Kane eventually retired on 31st July 1994, and his successor as Director was not a Jesuit but a University staff member. As a result the Adam Schall Residence then ceased to be a Jesuit Community House. The situation then had to be faced whereby there was a complete change from a situation where there were two priests, Father Kane and Father Michel Masson S. J., on duty together with the work and attention of nuns, such as Sisters Mary Matthew and Jude Arnold, Franciscan Missionaries from the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows in Shatin, to a scenario where the Community had to stand on its own and organise itself.

15. The Adam Schall Chapel Committee. From this sprang a new organisation — the Committee. As a result of meetings from about 22nd April 1994 onwards, ways were explored to preserve the Community. It was learned that the United College had no other plans for the hall and was happy for the Community to continue to use it on Sundays. This was eventually formalised by an exchange of letters. Although the Chapel would be deconsecrated, the Society of Jesus agreed to supply priests on at least two Sundays per month. We had valuable support from one of our ex-parishioners the late Dr. Gerald Choa, a leading member of the Catholic community. Under the leadership of Professor Hsin Chi Kuan, the Committee was formed. Professor Kuan was successful in convincing the Chinese University that the Chapel with its prayer groups and Community was a valuable asset. It was also decided as a matter of principle that the Community and its Committee would include those from outside the campus as well as those inside the campus. The Committee so formed consisted of Professor Kuan, Professor of Government and Public Administration, Patrick Yiu, Senior Finance Manager, Mrs. Jean Wilson, a campus resident and Community organiser who edits the monthly Campus Community News, Professor W. L. Tang, Mr. and Mrs. Ruy Barretto, barrister and long time local residents, a representative of the Catholic Students Society, and others who were co-opted later such as Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Pang. We became a Mass Centre within the Territory of the Parish of St. Benedict, Shatin.

16. At a further meeting on 11th September 1994 Professor Kuan reported the establishment of a savings account. Guidelines were drawn up for the keeping of accounts, and it was estimated that there would be expenses of $37,000 per annum which would pay for church supplies, stipends, suitable projects submitted by the Catholic Students Society, contributions to the then local parish of Wah Fuk Tong, Blessed Martyrs of China, other student activities at Adam Schall Residence, and also to the Society of Jesus. The surplus would be used to support charities in accordance with the spirit and pattern established by Father Kane. The principles were to maintain those less established institutions that are in a disadvantaged position to attract funds.

17. Thereafter accounts were properly maintained by Mr. Patrick Yiu and audited, and considerable sums were regularly disbursed to numerous institutions and small charities by the Committee at meetings held after Mass. Examples of donations, other than to the Society of Jesus and the local Parish, included the Caritas Mentally Handicapped Unit, the Home of Loving Faithfulness and the Catholic Society of the Chinese University. In the first year's account from 1st August 1994 to 31st March 1995 in addition to the stipends of $10,200, donations of $32,000 were made. The highest has been the year ending 31st March 1998 when donations totaling $63,500 were made.

18. As a result, with hardly a break, Mass continued every Sunday, and we were fortunate to have masses said by Father Alfred Deignan, Father Michael Lynch, Father Sean Coghlan, Father Joseph Shields who died so unexpectedly in 2005, Father Marciano Baptista, and others. The Priests usually arrived well in advance to conduct the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The set of hymn books (which replaced the photocopied sheets) and the organ was donated by a previous organist Frances Stevens. An organist was thereafter engaged, and music was of a high calibre under the tutelage of Gertrude Tinker Sachs and others. Catholic instruction had been provided and continued under Michelle Lo, Sue Banister, Susanne Hill, Jane Kember, Anne Porter, Jan Walsh, and Lorrie Coleman and others as the Community flourished. Vestments and other essentials were donated. Events have shown that the Committee and Community have been well fulfilling the Terms of Reference approved at a meeting held on 22nd April 1994. The Terms of Reference included a. To preserve the Chapel at Adam Schall Residence (ASR) b. To ensure the provision of Sunday Masses at ASR. c. To advise the Wardens of ASR on the Management of the Chapel. d. To articulate the concerns and interests of the Catholic Community on Campus. e. To take steps in promotion of the well being of this Community.

14 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 14 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:21 19. March into the Bright Decade - The Pastoral Exhortation. After questionnaires and extensive consultation, the Consultation Report of the Direction of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong For the Next 10 Years was published in 1988. This considered the benefits of the active participation that small communities promoted, and encouraged the formation of these small communities and noted the important sense of belonging they fostered. The Report concluded and recommended that as a matter of priority the Diocese should, through the Parishes, “Actively build up small faith communities”.

20. On 14th May 1989 Cardinal John Baptist Wu announced in his Pastoral Exhortation, March into the Bright Decade, that the Diocese had some 10 year objectives. Leading these included the formation of Hong Kong's 250,000 Catholics into thousands of cells which were initially called Ji ji tuan but later changed to Small Faith Communities. Some 3 pages are devoted to these Communities. Just as the Adam Schall Chapel Community was continuing under its new management in 1994, a report on the Small Faith Communities as reported in Hong Kong Standard 15th November 1994 showed there had been difficulties in setting up and reaching the objectives set in 1989. The Vicar General Fr. Dominic Chan led a mid-term review under the Committee for Promoting the Cardinal's Pastoral Exhortation.

21. According to the Interim Report, these communities should be self-supporting, independent, ready to take initiative, bear witness to what's happening around them and live their faith in life. The ultimate aim was to establish the ability to develop the internal dynamics of faith and to bear witness in the social milieu. This was an apparent reference to the extreme case where it was impossible for the laity to get the service of a priest. The Interim Report quotes that such communities must be Christ-centered, mature in faith, and willing to serve others.

22. Regarding their position within the Church, the Committee said that the “Small faith communities are the most basic units of the Church's existence within the parish structure”. The Report detailed ways in which the parish should encourage the formation and growth of such communities over the next 5 years.

23. The Present and the Future. This Community at Adam Schall had certainly been an exemplary example of the features listed above which a Small Faith Community should show and provides an inspiration to the continuation of the spirit of the Pastoral Exhortation. However it found itself at the crossroads just 11 years after this welcome Pastoral Exhortation had confirmed its position in the Parish and in the Church structure. Through an unfortunate conjunction of events, the Society of Jesus was unable to provide a priest for every Sunday of the month. The Committee resolved to have a special Mass and dinner to celebrate the end of an era and thank the Jesuits for their remarkable work. It then attempted to explore ways in which the Community could be preserved rather than disbanded after nearly 3 decades.

24. With patience and understanding, Members of the Community visited and communed with Parishes around us. Additionally the Community met in Adam Schall Hall to have informal services and talks so as to preserve continuity until priests could be found for all Sundays of the month. Memorable talks were given by Professor Parker, Professor Bill Watkins and Louise Ho and others. In so doing we came to realize and experience precisely what our Cardinal had said in 1989 when he exhorted us with his words: “...The small faith communities provide conditions for members to become active Christians and live a more positive Christian life. To live and grow in the community is the normal and regular way of life for its members. They participate together, decide together and shoulder responsibilities together. In small faith communities, members feel that they are real Christians and they are the Church, so that no matter what changes there may be, they will not leave the community easily, for it belongs to them.”

25. Our prayers were answered, and for the present at least several elderly Jesuits have determined to help us despite illness and through convalescence. For this we are deeply touched and grateful.

26. The Community has resolved to continue because it believes that it continues to be essential for the Parish and The Chinese University of Hong Kong to have such a group. We can see more clearly our objectives within the Pastoral Exhortation and how we can formulate new activities to better fulfill that Exhortation. Both the Chinese University and the Catholic Church benefit from this influential group that brings together a cross section of the community in a flourishing Campus with strong international and local connections, and is well placed to spread the Faith and promote

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 15

adam schall.indd 15 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:21 understanding in an atmosphere of academic and religious freedom in Hong Kong at a time when there is increasing recognition of spiritual needs among the Chinese people in the new Millennium.

27. To celebrate this continuation, our planned Mass to mark a closure instead became a Mass of Celebration and Gratitude. It was celebrated by our dear Jesuit Fathers Kane, Baptista, Deignan, Coghlan and Shields with Father Francis Lau of St Benedict’s Shatin on 18th November 2000. Speeches were delivered and followed by a very friendly dinner which filled a new university canteen. Michelle Lo, Jean Wilson and a whole team did a magnificent job to make this a truly special occasion. Special albums to commemorate the event were prepared and presented.

28. Our 30th Anniversary was commemorated by distribution of the booklet Adam Schall Catholic Community 1972-2002 compiled by Sylvia Shive, Bill Watkins and Jean Wilson, which was full of lovely pictures and stories. The present booklet hopes to be a worthy sequel that commemorates our 40th Anniversary of the first Mass at Adam Schall Residence. We take comfort from the decisions reached by the Diocesan Synod of 30th December 2001. Of the 177 Proposals accepted, several indicated the importance of small community efforts. Ten proposals were accorded priority, including the 4th Proposal entitled “Take Part in Small Communities of Faith”. “Community life can more effectively assist the faithful to grow constantly in faith. Therefore the faithful, especially newly baptized Christians should be encouraged to choose a small community of faith that suits one's needs. Through the witness of the community, they could live up to their faith and embrace their mission of evangelization”. It is hoped that in the coming decades the Adam Schall Catholic Community can continue to further these proposals.

Ruy and Karen Barretto Members of the Adam Schall Catholic Community of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 29th April 2002 and updated December 2012.

 Trappist Monastery, Lantao, November 1999

16 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 16 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:21  Jean Wilson, Frs. Baptista, Francis Lau, Kane, Deignan & Shields

 18th November 2000

 Jean & Ian Wilson, Sylvia Shive, Ruy & Karen Barretto

 Adam Schall’s 30th Anniversary, 19th May 2002 - Fr. Kane, Glenn Shive, Ian Wilson, Sylvia Shive, Gloria Barretto & Karen Barretto

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 17

adam schall.indd 17 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:22  Baptism of Caterina Perissin  Daniele & Maddalena Perissin

 Eric & Catherine Banson & Josephine,  Fr. Deignan, Bartholomew Tsui, Louise Ho Xavier & Martin (Mrs. Tsui)

 Kenneth & Gabriela Chan & family  Gabriela & Kenneth Chan

 Laurie & Pamela Fownes  Joanna & Roberto Veneziani  Roberto with Marta & Marco Veneziani 18 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 18 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:26 Ruy & Karen Barretto

1. The Adam Schall Catholic Community is an interesting example of a Small Faith Community as advocated by the Church in recent decades, but difficult to maintain in the context of big city parishes. The idea is for lay people to run their mini-parish and thus create a higher degree of participation, which is key to a living church of the people.

2. Keeping this Community going demands time, energy, involvement and commitment, but it yields friendship, mutual support and the benefits of independent participation. It develops skills in running a small scale Catholic group. Mass is not a spectator event; there are key contributions in terms of transport, preparation, serving, music, singing, readings, religious instruction, cakes and refreshment, social contact and accounting. Donations go to needy causes or charities of our choosing. This all brings the benefits of participation to an enhanced level so that understanding and faith are strengthened, and we and the youngsters are better prepared for a wider world.

3. It is remarkable that this has continued for 40 years and for this we owe our deepest gratitude to the Society of Jesus.

Ruy Barretto S. C. 16th May 2012

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adam schall.indd 19 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:26 Alessandra and Joynt Family

emories and reflections from Alessandra and the Joynts M The first time I joined the Adam Schall community for Mass sometime in 1996, I had no idea that it would become such a big part of our family’s life. I had been invited by my good friend Rosie for the first communion of her daughter Sophia. I later discovered that Pierce was also receiving First Communion along with Sophia and again did not anticipate that 15 years later his mother Michelle Vosper would become my treasured companion for morning walks at Chinese University. I took the whole family to Mass the following Sunday and we were immediately captivated by the wonderful community spirit that has always permeated the Adam Schall community. We were warmly welcomed and when our second daughter Claudia was born we immediately asked Father Deignan to baptize her at Adam Schall. We were now very much part of the community and when 4 years later Marco came along he was also baptized at Adam Schall, the event being memorably serenaded by the powerful musical talents of Gertrude, then the musical leader of the community. Those early years were busy times, Gavin was working long hard hours and the seeds of my Catholic faith, although there were there, still waiting to grow. I can honestly say that they were nurtured by our wonderful priests, Father Shields, Father Deignan and Father Baptista. Then the year 2003 came - a very difficult year for HK and for us - Because of SARS I left HK in a hurry with the children and took refuge in Milan with my parents, while Gavin stayed in Hong Kong to continue his work in the ICU. A wonderful Catholic convent school, Angeliche San Paolo in Milan, accepted Giulia and Claudia, and looked after us with such kindness and generosity that I will be forever grateful. This was another defining moment in my growth as a Catholic, and I realized that communities were there to help each other. Becoming more active in our small community has helped me to experience the pleasure of living a Catholic life even more. Several years ago and back in Hong Kong, where our schools quite correctly teach religious history and values tolerance, Giulia came home one day expressing her desire to experience different religions – she wanted to be Buddhist for a while. This was a moment where my Catholic education re-emerged strongly - I was horrified that my child could want to be part of anything other than Catholicism. With great self-control, I answered yes we must know because through knowledge we become tolerant and understanding of differences. But please understand that these Catholic principles are your history and future. Today we look forward to the atmosphere of our community and meeting our many dear friends – the Siews and Gomersalls who have children the same age as ours, and remember the families that have left – the Boyles, the Evans family and the many others who have touched our lives. We have been privileged to see our many community members grow from babies to mature young adults and already many have finally left us to go to university. It is always a happy moment to see them when they visit on holidays. The Sunday drives with Father Deignan are a weekly highlight – He is always so measured, wise and charismatic in every word he says. As a family descended from families in Africa and Europe, we travel a lot to see family and friends around the world. While going to Mass in other places is interesting, we often reflect on how lucky we are at Adam Schall. Our community is relaxed, our Priests human and intellectual at the same time. It is something special, and always entertaining, to hear the kids playing at the back, while digesting deep theological insights from our Jesuit’s Homilies at the same time. Masses during the time of the early Church must have been something like this - rather than the formulaic gatherings often encountered in larger and more structured churches. Lastly, may I say with gratitude that the spiritual strength God has sent us through you all in this special community has enabled us to survive and grow through SARS and all other small troubles in our lives. So please allow me to conclude this piece with the words of Alessandro Manzoni, written in his masterpiece The Betrothed: “Troubles certainly often arise from occasion afforded by ourselves; but the most cautious and blameless conduct cannot secure us from them; and when they come, whether by our own faults or not, Confidence in God alleviates them and makes us lead a better Life. This conclusion seemed to us so right and just, that we have resolved to put it here, as the moral of our story.” “If this story has given the reader any pleasure, he must thank the author. But if instead we have only succeeded in wearying you, please rest assured we did not do it on purpose.”

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adam schall.indd 20 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:26 Alessandra’s Notes on Community Tasks and Activities

Donations around HK$30,000 per year to: Adam Schall Residence The Society of Jesus Missionaries of Charity Chee Sing Kok Centre of Community Love Home of Loving Faithfullness Action for Reach Out

Who is driving Father Deignan home every Sunday: Carolyn Gomersall Susan Siew Deedee Chow  Fr. Lucas Chan S. J. with Claudia & Giulia Joynt Ruy Barretto Others include Alessandra, Catherine Banson, Gabi and Michelle Vosper previously.

Altar Girls: Lian Gomersall Alicia Siew Giulia Joynt Claudia Joynt

Music: Lorrie Coleman and Piano by Sannie Tang  Joynt Family & Patrick Yiu Adam Schall Sunday Mass preparation: Alessandra Joynt

Flowers: Karen Barretto

 Sannie with her fiancée Marco & Alessandra  Michelle Vosper & Sannie Tang

John Lagerway & Ruy are our back up readers! Weekly numbers who attend range from 25-30. Sometimes more during a celebration. Currently we have quite a lot of regular children under 5. Cadence, Marco Junior, Oscar, Asya, Taya - 5 Young Marta, young Josephine, Marco Joynt - 3 Babies: Dominik, Caterina, Tor - 3 Teenagers - the Chan sisters, Alicia, Giulia, Claudia, Thom, Lian, Eric, Xavier - 11 The youth from Daniele’s group The youth from CUHK especially when they share news about special Catholic events.

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 21

adam schall.indd 21 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:28 Gladys Tang

y days at Adam Schall back in the early 90s’ constituted the best part of my life at CUHK. Just Mgraduated from The University of Edinburgh with a PhD, and not knowing what the world of academia was all about, Father Kane approached me asking if I would serve Adam Schall as Warden. I had never thought about it but I did admit I missed ‘hall life’ when I was an undergraduate. Most important of all, that Adam Schall is run by the Jesuit father was the extra dosage for me to accept the offer. I do have a remote lineage with Ricci Hall, the dorm of my husband when he studied at HKU. There I spent a good eight years working with Father Kane, who was the pillar of Adam Schall’s administration and students’ pastoral care. I could see through the gazes of the students, male and female alike, the kind of affection and respect for a senior member, but not an authority, of the hostel, a wise man, so to speak that guided the students through in times of joy and trouble. Of course, I had to give credits to the team of cleaning ladies that Father Kane assigned to me to ‘manage’, which I would say they managed my life more than I managed their work. Before me, there was already an excellent system of management set up by my predecessors with Father Kane. As I was young and inexperienced, I was treated like a baby girl to my beloved cleaning ladies. They were “Yuk Je” (the head lady), “Yu Je”, “Yuk Ying Je” (the chef), “Yin Je” (the chef), “Leong Yuk”, “Giu Je” (the noisy cleaning lady), “Ping Je” (the head lady after Yuk Je), and two male helpers “Tim Soek”, “Ho Pak” (deceased), whom I still maintain contact with until now. The students were my treasure, especially those who regretfully paid their ‘snake fees’ after being caught; we smiled at each other and I always said the fees were not high, bringing a friend back to sleepover was normal but they should not try their luck. We all laughed at the end.

9th December 2012

Photos from Gladys Tang

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adam schall.indd 22 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:29 Gomersall Family

can’t believe it is 10 years since I last wrote my entry in the Adam Schall 30th anniversary booklet and I so many of the sentiments expressed at that time remain unchanged. Mass at Adam Schall continues to be such a joy to us all and we continue to be enriched spiritually by our wonderful priests, Frs. Deignan and Baptista who we are so indebted to for coming to say Mass for us. Thomas and Elanor have since been Confirmed and once again the preparation for this sacrament was done by members of our community, especially Gavin Joynt who did such a wonderful job in preparing the children. Benefits of being responsible for helping our children develop in their faith mushroom out to both children and parents alike. As our faith deepens, friendships are formed to bring us all closer in this wonderful community. Elanor, together with her good friends Alicia, Giulia and Claudia, serves on the altar and Thomas continues to find many a sympathetic ear to listen to his latest book idea or environmental aspiration. I continue to play my flute and help out with the music when Lorrie is away and this I greatly enjoy. I would like to give a final mention of my darling atheist husband, who continues to be supportive of our weekly Mass attendance (or at least puts up with it!) and even brings the children to church when I am away. The most Christian atheist I know! Happy 40th anniversary to all Adam Schall devotees both past and present.

Carolyn Gomersall

 Alicia Siew, Fr. Deignan & Elanor Gomersall  Fr. Deignan & Thomas Gomersall

 Carolyn Gomersall, Joanna Veneziani, Susan Siew & Alessandra Joynt

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 23

adam schall.indd 23 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:31 Lorrie Coleman – Music Notes

History When I first started coming to Adam Schall, the music was done by Fran (Frances Stevens). She chose the music and played the keyboard. She donated a keyboard to us. Then Gertrude took over. She recruited Sannie who was one of her students to accompany us. Gertrude and Michelle would meet and reflect on the readings and choose the music. Gertrude would ask other members of our congregation to take part. She asked me to do a few solos. I took over when Gertrude left. Sannie left to go study in the U.S. When our accompanist Cecily left, I asked Sannie to return and be our accompanist again. We are very lucky to have her back.  Fr. Baptista & Lorrie Coleman Choosing Music The first time I was asked to choose songs for the Mass was by Father Kane on a day that Fran could not attend. Right before Mass started, he said that he had chosen the first hymn and could I choose the rest. We were going to have to sing without accompaniment. I asked him what the readings were, so I could choose appropriate hymns. I expected him to tell me the theme but he said that it was all about lepers. I told him that we should sing all the leper hymns then. Apparently missing my humor, he asked me if there were any. I replied, “Of course not.” Then it was time for Mass to start. When Gertrude left, she gave me computer discs of the music she had chosen in the past for various Sundays, but now I feel confident doing it on my own. When choosing hymns, I feel it is most important to reflect the Scriptural theme. In order to choose music for the Mass each week, I read the readings and try to remember songs which have some of the same words as the Scriptures, if possible. I have been singing in church choirs since I was a teenager so I have many songs in my memory My brothers and sisters are also involved in church music and we talk about it and share songs when I visit the U.S. in the summer and go to their parish church. My siblings tell me that there are websites now which suggest hymns from American hymnals to go with each week of the liturgical year. Our hymn book is not included, so I just rely on my memory and see if the hymns I remember are in our hymn books. Additionally, I like to include some of the more traditional hymns as well as the more modern ones. I feel that our children should hear some of these traditional songs which are a part of our church history. I also try to pick some songs which we know well so that all of the congregation can participate in the singing worship. Also, in the tradition of Gertrude, I like to involve others in the music. Carolyn, in particular, is willing to play flute at most Masses. I am thankful that people appreciate the work that I do in choosing hymns and leading the singing. I am very glad to have Sannie as our accompanist. I am also grateful for various members of the congregation who willingly take over for me when I am away. I enjoy worshipping at Adam Schall and feel happy that I am able to help.

Editors’ Remark. Lorrie and her family started coming to Adam Schall from 1991. We are lucky that she did, as she has a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and has sung in choirs since a teenager, becoming a cantor and choir director.

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adam schall.indd 24 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:31 Adam Schall Chapel: Another Gift of the Holy Spirit

By Michelle Vosper

y experience at Adam Schall Chapel spans Mthe last twenty years from 1992 to 2012 and corresponds my own personal re-entry into a conscious Christian spirituality. In recalling the many events that have taken place over this period, I realize what an important role this little community has played in my own life and that of our family. When attending Mass for the first time in 1992, I met Gertrude Tinker Sachs who eventually convinced me to join her in taking over the duty of music direction after our organist left Hong Kong … Our friendship was forged over the dining room  Michelle & Fr. Deignan table of our CUHK home on Thursday evenings during which time Gertrude taught me her broad repertoire of religious music. Our rehearsal sessions were frequently disrupted by bouts of uproarious laughter over jokes. So my earliest memory of ASC is one of JOY, a special gift that my children are blessed to witness over the years. Our son William was baptized by Father Kane and Pierce was baptized by Father Deignan. Gertrude became Pierce’s Godmother, a duty which she takes very seriously to this day. She and I have become true sisters: always arguing, always advising, always available --- LOVE with an  Fr. Deignan & Pierce Lo attitude. Pierce later became the first altar server at ASC with encouragement from his Godmother and helped to prepare a group of female servers to follow in his footsteps. I later took on the daunting responsibility of preparing children for First Communion and Confirmation, a terrifying task which required meticulous preparation and re-learning of long-lost knowledge. It proved to be stimulating and rewarding and I found my FAITH strengthened by the faces of young children whose expressions showed unquestioning belief and acceptance. Children, unlike us rational adults, do not struggle with “mysteries” like the Holy Trinity, or the multiplying of loaves and fishes. It is as though we are all born knowing, but that we forget as we grow. I once asked a class of seven-year-olds to explain how God spoke to them, and I jokingly asked whether He sent them faxes or called them on the phone. One child answered in a matter-of-fact tone: “Well, I think that God is speaking to us right now through you.” No one laughed. This observation gave me a sudden jolt and transformed my understanding of Christian responsibility and lay vocations. During the past ten years I have taken on a new mission as a leader of spiritual retreats for women at Adam Schall Chapel using materials developed for lay Catholics by Fr. Michael Lynch, S. J. My companions were Alessandra, Carolyn, Conchita, Gabi, Mary, Susan, Winnie and Gertrude via e-mail. This journey together has carried all of us into a new dimension of spiritual maturity, UNDERSTANDING and compassion, and has truly changed our thinking about our relationship with God. It has also tightened the bonds of community among these women and has perhaps bestowed upon us the FORTITUDE needed to keep ASC going strong into the future. It is a unique faith community and it may be one of a kind. We all feel deep gratitude to Fr. Deignan, Fr. Baptista, Fr. Shields and the wonderful Jesuit fathers who have served us so humbly and with such love and dedication. I hope that we have all inherited some of the WISDOM which they have shared with us for so many years. This will help us all to accept the will of God and take the future as it comes. Only then can we experience the PEACE that comes with acceptance. The friendships created and the beautiful memories will always endure.

Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012 25

adam schall.indd 25 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:32  Michelle, Pierce Lo, Fr. Deignan & Leslie Lo  Carolyn Gomersall, Ester Villaruel, Michelle Vosper, Alessandra Joynt

Song for Michelle (sung to the tune of ‘Michelle’ by The Beatles)

Michelle, our belle Thanks for all you’ve done at Adam Schall…Our Michelle

Michelle, our belle ‘Kumbaya’ and ‘Praise Him’ sung so well…Our Michelle

We love you, we love you, we love you That’s what we want to say So please come back some day Until that time, we’ll sing this rhyme so you’ll understand

Michelle, our belle Every Lent she saved our souls from hell…Our Michelle

We’ll miss you, we’ll miss you, we’ll miss you That’s what we want to say So please come back some day Until you do, we’re telling you so you’ll understand

WE LOVE YOU………………. Oooooooooooooooooo……..

We’ll miss you, we’ll miss you, we’ll miss you That’s what we want to say So please come back some day Until you do, we’re telling you so you’ll understand

Michelle, our belle Bon voyage and we all wish you well…Our Michelle

We will say the only words we know so you’ll understand…Our Michelle WE LOVE YOU……....ooooo!

~ Adapted by Carolyn Gomersall ~

26 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 26 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:33 Patrick Yiu

he changes to the Adam Schall Chapel (ASC) since the 1990s have been momentous. Since its Tinception in 1972 it had always been under the good care of Fr. Ciaran Kane. However, by the early 1990s, many of the key figures began to leave, either on retirement or for other reasons. John Gannon, Gerald Choa, Fr. Michel Mason left one after another, and then finally Fr. Kane left in 1994 on retirement from the Wardenship of Adam Schall Residence. I could hardly be blamed for taking a dim view at the time on the future of ASC. But a group of devoted Catholics was determined that we should continue the Sunday Mass, even in such difficult circumstance. It was fortunate that they eventually managed to get the Jesuits to agree to continue to say Sunday Mass in ASC, after Fr. Kane’s retirement. The arrangement was not smooth sailing, as one can imagine. But everyone made genuine and serious efforts to keep it going. We continued singing, collecting alms and donating to the charitable organizations that Fr. Kane had hitherto helped, and above all, we maintained the extremely cordial, cohesive and caring relationship amongst members of the congregation. I trust other members of ASC will agree with me that our community is like a big family in many respects. I have been touched by the genuine care and concern which members have shown for each other on many occasions and I believe it is this bond which transcends nationality, age and gender that makes ASC truly special and a living embodiment of Catholic values. Although some members left in the last decade for greener pastures, including Gertrude Sacks, Hsin Chi Kuan and Jean Wilson, while some beloved members returned to rest in God’s arms, including Fr. Shields, Sylvia Shive, Mrs Gloria Barretto and Mrs. Deedee Chou, the ASC community remained intact. Due to family circumstance I myself had to leave in late 2010. I now attend Mass mostly in Ricci Hall, the counterpart of ASC in The University of Hong Kong, and sometimes in the Cathedral. The more I attend Mass in these places the more I treasure the experience in ASC. The participants of Ricci Hall, where Mass is also said by Jesuits including Fr. Deignan, are largely professionals similar in background to my friends in ASC, but the atmosphere there is simply different and one remains an acquaintance of another even after a long period of time. I should take the opportunity to pay tribute to many of the ladies in ASC, such as Michelle Vosper Lo, Lorrie Coleman, Carolyn Gomersall, Karen Barretto, Susan Siew and Alessandra Joynt. They are instrumental in binding the ASC community together. More specifically, I wish to thank Alessandra for taking over my executive role, which obviously is a heavy load for her. Of course the male members, such as Ruy Barretto, Prof. Thomas Mak, Prof. Gavin Joynt, Prof. Fred Cheung and others, continued to complement the work of the ladies and maintain a very important link with both the outside world and the University administration. I wish ASC all the best in the years ahead. Patrick Yiu

 Baptism of Jonathan Ho, 4th April 2010 with Vivien Ho, Patrick Yiu, Ruy & Karen Barretto

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adam schall.indd 27 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:33 Song for Patrick

(words adapted from the tune of Abba’s “Thank you for the Music /Money, Money, Money”)

Thank you Lord for Patrick, that’s the song we’re singing. Thanks for all the joy he’s bringing. Can we live without him? We ask in all honesty. Where would we be. Without his smiling face where are we? So we say, Thank you Lord for Patrick. For giving him to me.

Verse 1 He works all night, he works all day, to the pay the bills we have to pay. That’s too bad. But still he has the time to say, “Who’s taking Father back today”? We’re so glad.

It would take a special man. To do all the things Patrick can. To pick up Father from the station. Do so much, no hesitation.

Verse 2 He gives our cash to charity, but still we have enough for tea. We’re so glad. He fixes mics and lights the candles, there is nothing he can’t handle. What a lad.

In our dreams we have a plan. To pull together and lend a hand. BUT It really will require a lot. Of willing folk to fill your slot.

SO…. We…. SAY.

Thank you Lord for Patrick, that’s the song we’re singing. Thanks for all the joy he’s been bringing. Can we live without him? We ask in all honesty. Where would we be. When he is gone, oh dear, we will see! So we say thank you Lord for Patrick, for giving him to me.

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adam schall.indd 28 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:34 Professor John Lagerwey

 Veronique & John Lagerwey

hirty years T I guess that is how long the Adam Schall Chapel has been a part of my life: thirty years. And I guess that means that I’ve been attached to this place and the people who come here for a lot longer than most, even though I still think of myself more as an interloper or a passerby than as a real member of this community, like Michelle or Alessandra or Frederick or Patrick or Ruy, to mention just a few of the many people who have certainly spent more Sundays here than I. In the beginning, in the 1980s, I came here on lightning visits, on my way to Taiwan or the Mainland. I would stop in Hong Kong to buy equipment, which in those days was far cheaper here than in France, and I would stay with Fathers Kane and Masson. This came about because Michel was a very old friend of mine, whom I knew at Harvard in the early 1970s. I had lost track of him till one day, around 1983 or ‘4 perhaps, during Mass in the beautiful Renaissance church in Anet, I was intrigued by the voice of the visiting priest. I had heard it before: who was he? And then, suddenly, it dawned on me whose inimitable voice that was, with its soft, almost sad cadences: it was Michel Masson, whose mother, as it turned out, had a country house in Anet, two kilometers from the country house of my parents-in-law in Saussay. From then on, whenever I came out to do fieldwork, I would stop off and stay on the fourth floor of Adam Schall, in one of the rooms above the apartment of Fathers Kane and Masson, and I would go to Mass in the morning. On one of those visits, I probably met Joe Boyle, who always came to Mass in his running shorts on Wednesday morning and left promptly when it was over, while I went back up to have breakfast with the fathers. The 1990s began with my first long stay at CUHK, when I taught the 1990 spring semester in the Anthropology Department. But I was here with Veronique and my daughter Odile, and we went to the French mass downtown. We would have supper with the fathers on occasion, and hear Michel say Mass once a month for the French congregation. But we did not come here. Throughout the 1990s I was on campus off and on—1991-92, 1993-95, 1997-98, 1999-2000— and, usually alone, or with Veronique visiting for at most six weeks at a time, I came to Mass here. This is when I got to know Fathers Kane and Shields especially well, and in one or two of those years, my favorite person to talk with after mass was “big Bill” Watkins. With our Chinese and Protestant backgrounds, we had much in common, and we always had plenty of stories to tell each other. At that time, Gertrude was in charge of the singing, and Michelle would often play her guitar. Their presence still lingers, because many of their favorites are still a central part of our repertoire. Gertrude always chose a swinging, charismatic, hand-clapping song to finish on, and from Michelle I picked up a number of songs I still like to sing myself, or with my family: songs written to melodies like “Michael rowed the

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adam schall.indd 29 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:34 boat ashore” and “Plaisirs d’amour” are two that come immediately to mind, but she will have to jog my memory as to which one she came to call “John’s song”. Most of that decade I remained a very marginal member because, even though I lived on campus and taught, I never taught more than once or twice a week and escaped to China for fieldwork as often as possible, and for extended periods in the long summers. One “moment” I feel I should mention is March 1994, when I had in fact fallen into depression and came for awhile to stay with Father Kane. Together we would knock off a bottle of good Scotch whiskey on ice in long evenings of intense talking and drinking. A bond was forged then that has never been broken, and it is one of the bonds I think of when we sing “Bind us together, Lord, bind us together. Bind us together with love.” When I left to take up a teaching job in Paris in the year 2000, I made a little statement which I unfortunately do not have with me, but I know that Father Deignan recalls it. What I recall saying was that you were the “part of the body of Christ” of which I was a part: I had come to feel very much at home here, in between the “old China hands” like Michelle, Patrick, and Joe Boyle, and the passers- through, who stayed for a year or two, like Bill Watkins and myself. It was in this group of transplants and transients that, yes, I felt very much at home, as I said in a lengthy letter to my parents on the eve of another departure, after a four-month stay as a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Chinese Studies in the fall of 2004. Written on 19th December of that year, not everything has to do with Adam Schall, but everything has to do with what Adam Schall is all about for all of us who come here, a home away from home: I just came away from Mass, full of musings of gratitude and decided I would spend my last “working visit” to my office here by sharing them with you. In fact, when one feels gratitude, one’s heart is overflowing and one thinks of so many things one does not know where to begin. So maybe I will begin with this: today is Tidjan’s first birthday, and this is a subject for intense gratitude, for this beautiful gift of God given to two such sweet and complex people as our dear Odile and Samuel. Today, as I prepare to leave this home away from home (which is itself a home away from home!), I think first of all of the blessings of family, and each new addition to the family is a new blessing, a new gift, and the best thing we can do is to transmit to them the love of God that you, my parents and, beyond you, the community of the faithful transmitted to us. So today we think of sweet and pudgy little (?) Tidjan, but before that there were Jeremy and Viviane, each a precious jewel, like in the song. Home away from home: we are all such wanderers, between the Netherlands and the States, from Canada to Switzerland, France to China... So finally I have understood that what we, as a bi- cultural family, received from our two sets of parents was equally priceless, equally precious, and equally focused on creating a place of safety and nurture in the family. Our lives, mine and Veronique’s, have been about learning to take the best from each other’s culture, about learning to see the best in the other. It has not always been easy to do that, for not only are men from Mars and women from Venus, but French Catholic and Dutch-American Calvinist cultures are very very different in the way they go about transmitting values and living them. But we have been blest beyond measure in that, the longer we are together, the more we are grateful for the difference of the other, grateful that the other brought us not more of the same, and grateful also to realize that we have received complementary gifts of love from our own parents. So we have learned to live hyphenated lives, and our two lovely children have also chosen hyphenated lives, and God, in his mysterious way, has performed wonders in both of their lives... But I want to say a bit more about my gratitude for all that Veronique has given me, and I want to say it with the words of a woman at church: Michelle. Michelle is an American married to a local Chinese. She used to play the guitar at Mass, and she works for a foundation that gives money to aspiring artists in China. We’ve known her for a long time, and she’s always had a liking for Veronique, but this time they went to Neigong (a kind of Taoist yoga) together, every Monday night for about 6 weeks. So while I was saying goodbye to Michelle after Mass, I’m not sure how it came to her lips, but she talked about Veronique with more perceptiveness than anyone I’ve ever heard: “She’s so nurturing. I don’t know what the word is, but she just sits there and observes everything and makes up her own opinions which are always so unexpected. In fact, she’s an artist. That’s what it is: she’s an artist.” Yes, Veronique is an artist, and also a quietly nurturing person, who gives more of herself to others than perhaps she should sometimes. But she also does this with me, and I am profoundly grateful that I was given a person with such a good heart and such a creative hand as a wife. It is Grandma Lagerwey who, when she met and was immediately attracted to Veronique in Saussay, said: “She will be your salvation, John.” I have long known that Grandma was right, but our three months here together again, in very special circumstances, has

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adam schall.indd 30 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:34 deepened again my sense of good fortune in “having” Veronique as my wife. That also nourishes my gratitude today. And I will end with you, Mom and Dad, and the precious gift of being raised in a Christian community that you gave me. You invested everything and more than you had so that we would have a Christian education, and that meant not just knowledge of the Bible but respect for community: the lived experience that God is in alliance with a community, and that this community and the spiritual traditions by which it lives transcend us as individuals and integrate us as families into something larger: God’s people. Sometimes we are idolaters and identify God’s people too narrowly, with this or that historical expression of God’s love and God’s choosing. But as I went out into the world of, first China, and then Chinese religion, especially village religion, the religion of the often illiterate, I had two precious gifts that have always nourished me and helped me to survive the storm: the first was my Biblical and theological nurturing, the fact I had a rich repertory of Psalms (“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of evil, I will fear no ill, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, thou annointest my head with oil. Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever”) and other Bible passages (like I Corinthians 13: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am as sounding brass and clanging cymbals... For now I see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face”) to guide my feet back onto the path when they slid off, to keep my eyes trained on the goal: “But then face to face”. What an extraordinary vision, that transcends all our pettiness and shortsighted judgments: in the end, we will be face to face, knowing as we are known, loving as we are loved. And then we understand too that the hyphens in our world are designed to carry us beyond our idols, to open us up to others, because in the others of our lives, we are encountering the Other, one day, face to face, not for a showdown, but for a heart-to-heart talk. Knowing, thanks to my upbringing, that life was about that, I was protected, in the end, from wasting my life on striving for power and material success, and this has been my best protection in all the storms I have traversed: that I was open to the grace of God, that I could wait until He revealed what He had in mind by what was, when I went through it, intense suffering. (But I must confess, sometimes I am terribly impatient!) The other was acquaintance with God’s people: that God’s people is not any political or cultural entity, not the United States nor France, not China. God’s people is the communities of the committed, of the faithful: of those who are faithful to the message of life itself, always in community, meaning concerned with things like justice (because there can be no community where there is no justice: how can there be a community of nations in such a tragically unjust world?), peace, joy, and love, these things which are life itself, and all the rest is hell, the devil, and lies. Having experienced what it was to be a member of the people of God, I knew that these communities are full of sin; they are far from perfect, but they always retain their faith in the alliance with the Almighty, with the alpha, the omega, the Living One. And because I had had that childhood experience, I could let the idolatrous scales fall from my eyes and see God’s grace operative in French Catholicism, in Chinese Taoism, and, above all, in the poor and powerless village communities where I have done my most treasured work, the work for which the Chinese are grateful to me, that is, through which I have been able to give back to China a small part of what it has given me. So there, on the eve of a new departure is my little “let me count the ways”: an account of my gratitude that, as I believe you quoted the dying Harry Jellema, “All is grace.” love, John

Such were the thoughts inspired by one departure from this community: the part of God’s people of which I had, over the years, become a part, however transient. But in September 2008 this community became, at last, our home, and we became full-fledged, long- term members. We even began to think of ourselves as “old hands,” like Carolyn and Michelle. But there were also new pillars in the community: Alessandra’s family, and Daniele’s. On 2nd May 2010, on Father Deignan’s suggestion, I believe, I became the godfather of Maddalena, and said this to her at her baptismal Mass: For Zhiying, on the day of her baptism, 2nd May 2010 What it means to me to be a Christian It means to be reborn, to be a new person with new parents: I am re-born of God the Father and

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adam schall.indd 31 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:34 Mother Church. I meet my new Father in prayer and in study of Scripture, but also in my wife, in China, and in the extraordinary intricacy of Nature. The whole world of Nature and humans is his creation, and “We are his creatures, the sheep of his pasture.” I meet my new Mother when I go to church to sing and pray, to listen and respond as a member of the community. This community is now mine; in it, I am not alone but am in communion with all the people present, in this assembly and in similar assemblies throughout the world, but also with all the saints through the ages, the men and women who found their true selves by imitating Jesus. What is so special about Jesus? – he was the first person to discover his father was the Father of all creation and history, and his mother was the people of Israel. He was the first person to discover that “I and the Father are one,” and once he had understood this, he could wash his disciples’ feet and “lay down his life for the sheep.” I am a follower of Jesus. I want, like him, to know and experience that “I and the Father are one,” and to be capable, if that is required, of “going like a sheep to slaughter” without protesting: “For greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for the sheep.” To be a follower of Jesus is to “love God above all, and my neighbor as myself.” “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love is long-suffering and is kind; love does not envy; love does not vaunt itself, is not puffed up, does not behave unseemly, seeks not its own, is not provoked, does not take account of evil; does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails: but where there is prophecy, it shall be done away with; where there is speaking in tongues, they shall cease; where there is knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:1-13)

Clearly, I like that passage! This morning, 2nd September 2012, was the first Mass of the new year, which may also be my last year, because my contract ends in August 2013. This morning, however, was a beginning, not an ending, and I can honestly say that I have rarely been so happy to see everyone once again: I now have no other community than you. This is where I am at home. It was a joy to see Caterina already sitting up so straight and observing everyone so carefully; to sing next to Carolyn, who has such a strong voice; to say once again, at Father Deignan’s behest (“Together”), “Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.” It would appear that saying this “Doxology” together is liturgically “wrong”, but my gratitude to Father Deignan for having us say it together is all the greater, for no passage in the Mass could better express the “priesthood of all believers.” Father Deignan is so much the embodiment for all of us of Christ’s humble service to humankind, of his compassion, that no one would dream of thinking we could replace him: he is truly irreplaceable in our community, and our gratitude to him knows no bounds. So that, when he invites us to say the Doxology “together”, it feels like an extraordinary privilege, that he share with us this “service”. Nor do I wish to forget Father Baptista. He comes but once a month, but it is always a feast, with each passage commented theologically: as much as Father Deignan speaks directly to our hearts, Father Baptista speaks to our heads, brings to bear his vast textual knowledge as a teacher of Scripture, and then deflates any sense of self-importance with an often self-deprecating joke. But what I am most grateful to him for is the way he ends each Mass, inviting us to “go and serve the Lord, and the poor.” He constantly reminds this privileged, well-off community that the Lord’s Church must make a “preferential option” for the poor: “Insomuch as you do it to one of these least, you do it to me.” This is the community for which we give thanks, the one so perfectly represented in the first song Lorrie chose for us today: “Peace (love, faith, hope, joy), perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord. Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends.” And then, for the offering: “Take my hands. I give them to you, Lord. Prepare them for the service of your name. Open them to human need and by their love they’ll sow your seed so all may know the love and hope you give.” This is what we learn at Adam Schall; this is what our community practices. “Thank God from whom all blessings flow.”

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adam schall.indd 32 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:34 Lester G. Huang

came to know of the Adam Schall I community through Deedee Chow, just in time for the baptism of my younger son Derek. Since then, and Derek’s big day, I enjoy coming to mass more and more. What appeals to me are the size of the congregation, the warmth that exudes from each and everyone, and the true peacefulness in the proceedings, even with the occasional babble of the young ones – don’t we just love to see the youngest among us having the all important role of making our offerings? Beautiful. And I enjoy being in communion with the Church through the Jesuits, Fathers Deignan and Baptista today and Father Shields then. I only get to know Father Kane by his name, but feel a fondness for him just through hearing of his unique contributions. The ritual being a ritual, there may appear to be seemingly little to distinguish the proceedings from that in any other church. But NO, every moment of mass at Adam Schall’s is a moment of closensss to HIM – perhaps because a microphone is not used, or because the ritual is never just recitation. No, because the Fathers manage to bring all our hearts in it. As we mark this significant milestone of Catholic life at Chinese University, may the Lord let his face shine down upon us all.

Andrew Coggins

hat does Adam Schall mean to me W The Adam Schall Chapel Community means many things to me. These can be best summed up in the words: spiritual wealth and community, warmth, friends, home, and fond memories. Adam Schall is a welcoming, vibrant community overflowing with spirituality. There’s genuine warmth from the friendship of the members. I was honored to be a part from 2004 to 2010 and still cherish my friends from that time. Adam Schall was and still is my spiritual home in Hong Kong. It was the beginning and the end of my week. Lastly, Adam Schall holds a special place in my heart with fond memories of Jesuit wit and wisdom, friends, smiling faces, being the readings’ underwriter, music and heartfelt singing, snakes at Mass, Father Deignan’s Jubilee and researching his journey to Hong Kong, Halloween candy, baptisms, Father Shields, Gloria, Sylvia, and Pauline, coffee, cakes and cookies, and running kids! Congratulations on forty years of service and best wishes for many more!

Andrew

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adam schall.indd 33 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:35 Wai & Susan Siew, Alicia and Cadence

e have been attending mass at Adam Schall since 2004. We were impressed by the warmth and Wfriendliness of the community. Alicia received her First Holy Communion in 2005. The joint effort by everyone involved in all aspects of the preparation; such as typing out the programme, arranging the music, planning the refreshments, flowers etc., made the whole occasion even more meaningful. Another memorable milestone for us was the baptism of little Cadence on the 5th of January 2008. We are grateful to the active musical members namely Carolyn, Mary and Lorrie for the beautiful music arrangement. We have celebrated several masses dedicated to our dearly departed loved ones. It is always warm and touching to hear your loved ones especially mentioned and remembered in everyone’s collective prayer. The most recent significant occasion was the Confirmation ceremony on 4th December 2011. It is encouraging to see that despite sometimes having waning numbers at mass, they are always replaced by newcomers and of course, old timers are welcomed with open arms when they have the chance to visit. It is truly a blessing that both Father Deignan and Father Baptista, have been and still are, our constant mentor and spiritual rock (as my Cadence would pronounce when she was 2, Father “Diamond” – very aptly chosen name, nature’s hardest substance!). We cannot do without Alessandra’s commitment and dedication, which she took upon herself, to transport the priests to mass on time every week. It is very much appreciated Alessandra, thank you! Forty years is an amazing feat! Although we have had our times of uncertainty and change, we have come through with mutual cooperation and, at times, by just hanging in there. We hope that this community continues to survive and thrive for many more years to come.

 Baptism of Cadence Siew, 5th January 2008

 Susan & Wai Siew, Alicia and Cadence

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adam schall.indd 34 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:35 The Chow Family & Adam Schall Chapel

lthough the AAdam Schall Chapel, built in 1972, was originally for the benefit of the Catholic community of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, it is now the weekly Sunday meeting place of nearby Catholics from different walks of life – those associated with the University, the racing circle, the business sector, professionals in the legal, medical, education and engineering field, and domestic helpers. The CHOW family first joined the Adam Schall community around the time of the 1997 Hong Kong Handover when the Mass at the Chapel of St. Mary’s Canossian College was suspended upon the departure of their British Military priest from the Gun Club Army Barracks in Austin Road, Kowloon. At that time, our two children, Daryn and Diane, were still in secondary school. We did the right thing to come to Adam Schall over 14 years ago as this was where we met the best Catholic community that we have ever known, both in Hong Kong and overseas. Over the years, we are privileged to have made many friends with those who come to church regularly. Despite the comparatively small assembly of church goers, we are most fortunate that two senior retired priests, Rev. Father Alfred Joseph DEIGNAN, S. J. and Rev. Father Marciano BAPTISTA. S. J., continue to perform service for us on Sundays. The former is well over 80 and travels all the way from Ricci Hall in Pokfulam, Hong Kong on the first, second and fourth Sundays of the month whilst the latter, who is over 70, comes on the third Sunday from the Wah Yan College in Yaumati, Kowloon. I can still remember vividly Adam Schall’s 30th year anniversary Mass in 2002 and the buffet dinner which followed. I can also remember whom we shared our table with that evening but I cannot recall which movie I saw three weeks ago! It was decided that each family of our close-knit community was to provide a family photograph and a write up for our Anniversary publication. After looking at our family picture and those of others in the “Adam Schall Catholic Community 1972 – 2002” booklet, I can see the many changes that have taken place and how much have all the children grown in the past 10 years. Most families contribute to the operation of the Sunday Mass in one way or another. Alessandra JOYNT would pick up the Father at the University Train Station before the church service and another family, including Susan SIU, Carolyn GOMERSALL, Michelle VOSPER, Karen and Ruy BARRETTO, Catherine BANSON, Gabi CHAN and I would take the Father home after the Mass on a volunteer basis. Lorrie COLEMAN, and sometimes in her absence, Carolyn, Michelle and Mary PACIELLO, would take care of the music and the hymns. Owing to the fact that we do not have boys of the right age group to execute the duties of altar boys, Giulia and Claudia JOYNT, Alicia SIU and Elanor GOMERSALL have been performing the functions of altar servers. My family is very happy and thankful to have come to Adam Schall Chapel 14 years ago. Without this move, we would not have been able to make acquaintance with the two exceptional Jesuit priests and the great community that we can now see every Sunday. Deedee CHOW (19/5/2012)

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adam schall.indd 35 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:36 Mary Paciello and Family

he Adam Schall community is a truly unique one. From my first Sunday mass I felt that this was the Tmost welcoming and inclusive church I had ever been to. In truth for the first few years, Beth and Liam came to Adam Schall to play and eat the cookies and cakes after mass but over the years it’s become much more for us all. It is here that we feel we have made so many good friendships and encountered such warmth and caring. We have grown to love Fr. Deignan’s profound messages so clearly and simply expressed and Fr. Baptista’s jokes and politics. In the congregation we have seen our babies grow into young adults moving through baptism and fun and games at the back of the church to first communion, confirmation and altar service and then out into the wide world. Although we have had to say goodbye to many good friends in the community it is always such a pleasure when they return for visits. Above all for my family it is a place where Liam has experienced kindness and acceptance. Mary Paciello, Neil Harris, Liam Harris, Beth Harris and Betty Ballaret.

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adam schall.indd 36 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:36 Professor Thomas C. W. Mak

fter finishing Amy primary and secondary education at Wah Yan College, Hong Kong (WYCHK) during the period 1948─1957, I spent the next dozen years in North America during which I obtained my PhD degree in Chemistry, gained postdoctoral research experience, and served four years as an Assistant Professor at the University of Western Ontario. Heeding the call of my parents, I returned home in 1969 to join New Asia College at Farm Road, Kowloon. In the summer of 1972 the Chemistry Departments of New Asia College, Chung Chi College and United College (UC) amalgamated into one in the new Science Center, and United College also moved from Hong Kong Island to its present site. Adam Schall Residence (ASR) then opened for accommodation of UC students, and the first Mass ceremony was conducted by Fr. Ciaran Kane in September. As my family had already moved into Staff Residence No. 6 that summer, my daughters Susanna (now my colleague) and Sandra and I were the lucky ones who attended Sunday Mass at ASR from the first day. My son Stephen was born in 1976, and Joseph Kwok kindly served as his godfather at baptism. My children regularly attended Sunday Mass with me till they went abroad for their university education. All three returned to work in Hong Kong right after graduation, but their choice to reside on Hong Kong Island precludes their coming to mass at ASR. I recall that in the first several years, Fr. Kane was assisted by Sr. Rose Duchesne Debrecht and other nuns. In those days the “Chapel” occupied the present stage secluded by movable partitions, and the number of attendants seldom exceeded thirty, but a few students were often present. In the course of time, Catholic people living in the neighborhood started to join the community, and the Chapel gained permission to use the entire function room. Meanwhile, the Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community (ASRCC) came into being in a natural and congenial way. A Committee was next organized by enthusiastic members to take care of ritual arrangements, financial matters, social activities and donations to local charity organizations. In the capable hands of Hsin Chi Kuan, Patrick Yiu and now Alessandra Joynt who generously took on the responsibility as successive Chairpersons, ASRCC continues to function smoothly as ever. In the mid 2000s, ASRCC was heading toward dissolution as the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong could ill afford to send its priests to cater to a small group. Luckily, through the steely determination and unwavering personal commitment of our beloved Rev. Fr. Deignan, Sunday Mass Service at ASR has survived and prospered to this day. As fate would have arranged it, I actually got to know Fr. Deignan in my matriculation years soon after he joined WYCHK as a young, affable and handsome scholastic. Our paths would not have crossed had he confined his missionary activities to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Despite the saying that “Time flies like an Arrow”, keeping our small community of ever-changing membership intact for four decades is a remarkable feat. Will ASRCC continue to flourish and march purposefully toward its 50th Anniversary? The realistic answer is no, as Sunday Mass attendance at ASR is a privilege we hardly deserve in view of the acute shortage of priests in the Catholic parishes in Hong Kong. We current members of ASRCC should count our blessings that, by the grace of our Lord, Fr. Deignan continues to guard and illuminate our spiritual lives through his loving care and shining lessons on faith and morals.

Thomas C. W. Mak (28th May 2012)

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adam schall.indd 37 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:37 Professor Fred Cheung

I am really grateful to Fr. Alfred Deignan, S. J., who has been so kind and supportive to me and my family, and so caring and loving to the Adam Schall Catholic Community. Let me quote one of Fr. Deignan’s favorite prayers:

“My soul magnifies the Lord My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior For He that is Mighty has done great things for me And Holy is His Name” (Luke 1v.46-49)

May God bless us all! Yours gratefully and respectfully in Christ, Fred Cheung (2012)

 Fred with Fr. Deignan  Fred with Fr. Hyde S. J. & Glenn Shive

 Fred with Fr. Lucas Chan S. J.  Fred with Prof. Fr. Philip Chmielewski S. J.

38 Adam Schall Residence Catholic Community, CUHK 1972-2012

adam schall.indd 38 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:38 Appendix 1

r. Deignan’s story in his sermon on 26th June 2005 (Sunday) at Adam Schall Residence, The Chinese FUniversity of Hong Kong, with reference to St. Matthew’s Gospel 10:42 “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple --- amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” A king, who had no son to succeed him, sent out a notice inviting young men to come along and apply for adoption into his family. The two qualifications needed were a love of God and a love of neighbor. A poor peasant boy was tempted to apply, but felt unable to do so because of the rags he wore. He worked hard, earned some money, bought some new clothes, and headed off to try his luck at being adopted into the king’s family. He was half way there, however, when he met a poor beggar on the road, who was shivering with the cold. The young man felt sorry for him and he exchanged clothes with him. There was hardly much point in going further towards the king’s palace at this stage, now that he was back in rags again. However the young man felt that having coming this far he might as well finish the journey. He arrived at the palace, and despite the laughs and jeers of the courtiers, he was finally admitted into the presence of the king. You can imagine his amazement to see that the king was the old beggar he had met on the road, and that he was actually wearing the good clothes the young man had given him! The king got down from his throne, embraced the young man, and said “Welcome, you are my adopted son.” This illustrates the welcome God will give us for every kindness we do for others. “Whatever you do to these little ones, you do to Me.” Acknowledgement: Hearty thanks again to Fr. Alfred J. Deignan, S. J., who has kindly given me his version of the story (above), which I find enlightening and meaningful. -- recorded by Fred Cheung

Appendix 2

A story of Christmas wisdom (compiled by Fred Cheung) Another Wise Man e all know that there were three Wise Men from the East paying their tributes to the newly born WJesus Christ. Actually, there was a fourth wise man. He had prepared three pieces of pearl as his gift to Jesus. However, he missed the other three wise men, because he tried to take care of some poor people on his way. In fact, he had used one pearl to save the poor people. Anyway, he was late and he missed his chance to see Baby Jesus. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the soldiers were killing the babies. This wise man used his second pearl to save the life of an infant. After many years, he heard that Jesus was among the poor and the sick. So, he sold his last pearl to serve the poor and the sick. One day, he heard that Jesus Christ was about to be crucified in Jerusalem. By that time, this wise man was old and sick, but he still tried to go there. However, because he tried to serve some sick people on his way, he missed the last chance to see Jesus Christ alive. The wise man was very disappointed. When he was dying, Jesus Christ appeared in front of him. This wise man cried and told Jesus that he had no pearl to give Him then. But Jesus told him, “I tell you, indeed, whenever you did this for the least of my brothers, you did it to Me --- so, I have already received all your gifts!” (Acknowledgement: Hearty thanks to Fr. Alfred Deignan, S. J., who has suggested the following passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel, which has similar themes.) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer Him and say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the Lord will say to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew, 25:35-40)

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adam schall.indd 39 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:38 Catholic Encyclopedia, Johann Adam Schall von Bell, compiled 1912 (a shortened version)

n especially prominent figure among the missionaries to China, born of an important family in ACologne in 1591; passed away in Peking, 15th Aug., 1666. Johann Adam Schall von Bell studied in Rome, where he entered the Society of Jesus on 20th Oct., 1611. After his novitiate and some years devoted to philosophy and theology, he asked to be sent on the missions and in April, 1618, he set sail from Lisbon for China. When he reached Macao (1619) the Chinese Christian settlements were still deeply troubled by the war waged against them since 1615 by the high mandarin Kio Shin. Four of the chief missionaries, two of them from Peking, had been expelled and conducted to Macao; the others had only escaped the same fate through the devotion of some Christian mandarins who hid them in their houses. It was only in 1622, when the persecution began to relax, that Schall could penetrate to the interior. He laboured first at Si-ngan-fu in Shen-si. His ministry, which for a long time was difficult and thwarted, had just begun to afford him great consolation when he was summoned to Peking in 1630. He had to replace Father Terrentius (deceased) in the work of reforming the Chinese calendar. The task was far removed from his ordinary duties of the apostolate but it was one on which the future of the mission then depended.

In China the establishment of the annual calendar was from time immemorial one of the most important affairs of State. The official astronomers who were entrusted therewith composed the "Board of Mathematics"; there were 200 members in this board, which was divided into several sections, presided over by exalted mandarins. They had to make known in advance the astronomical situation for the whole year, the days of new and full moons, movements of the sun with the dates of its entrance into each of the twenty-eight constellations forming the Chinese zodiac, the times of the solstices and equinoxes, and the beginnings of seasons, the positions and conjunctions of planets, finally, and especially, eclipses of the moon as well as of the sun. For these announcements the Chinese had several empirical rules inherited from their ancestors, and especially those which the Mohammedan astronomers had brought to China during the Yuen or Mongol dynasty. These rules were insufficient to prevent errors, which were sometimes very serious, and, having no scientific principle, the Chinese astronomers were incapable of discovering the defects of their methods and calculations, far less correcting them. Here was an opportunity for the missionaries to render a service and thus do much to strengthen their position in China. This had already been well understood by the founder of the mission, Father Matteo Ricci. His direct offer of assistance would have been ill received, but he had discreetly inspired in the most intelligent of the Chinese literati a desire for his aid. A translation of the Catholic liturgical calendar which he had communicated in manuscript to his neophytes had very greatly excited this wish. Expecting that the mission might be ready for the official appeal which would come sooner or later, he repeatedly urged the General of the Society of Jesus to send a good astronomer, and in 1606 Father Sabbatino de Ursis, a Neapolitan, arrived.

Father Ricci had been dead but a few months when, because of the mistake of an hour by the Board of Mathematics in the announcement of an eclipse, the Government decided to request the aid of the missionaries for its tangled astronomy. At the beginning of 1611 an imperial decree entrusted the missionaries with the correction of the calendar and requested them to translate books containing the rules of European astronomy. Father de Ursis at once undertook this task, assisted by two Christian doctors, Paul Siu Koang and Leon Li-ngo-tsen, but the work had scarcely begun when it was halted by the intrigues of the native astronomers. Then the persecution of Kio Shin forced Father Sabbatino and his companion, Father Diego Tantoya, to withdraw to Macao, where both ended their days. Nevertheless these same illustrious neophytes, who had saved the mission from total ruin, succeeded not only in securing other missionaries from Peking but in having confided to them anew the duties of official correctors of the calendar. This mandate was renewed by an imperial decree of 27th Sept., 1629. The great Christian mandarin Paul Siu again resumed the high offices of which the persecution had deprived him and received by the same decree the direction of the reform with full power for its execution. The fathers were certain of obtaining through him all the means necessary for the success of the undertaking. The first missionary to resume the work was unable to devote to it his remarkable abilities for any length of time. This was Father John Terrentius, or to call him by his true name, Schreck. Born at Constance on Lake Geneva in 1576, he embraced religious life in Rome at the age of thirty-five, being then enjoying an enviable prestige as physician, botanist and mathematician. The Academia dei Lincei (founded in Rome by Prince Frederico Cesi) had admitted him among its earliest members; here he had as colleague

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adam schall.indd 40 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:38 Galileo Galilei, whose discoveries he followed with admiration and sympathy. In his first letters from China, which he had entered secretly in 1621, we find Father Terrentius endeavoring to obtain from the Florentine astronomer through the mediation of mutual friends, "a calculation of the eclipses, especially solar, according to the new observations", for he says, "this is supremely necessary to us for the correction of the [Chinese]calendar. And if there is any means by which we may escape expulsion from the Empire it is this". This learned missionary died prematurely on 13th May, 1630, and Father Schall was summoned to Peking to replace him. Father James Rho, a native of Milan, who had also come from Europe to China in 1618, and who since 1624 had been working in the Christian settlements, was also called to the capital to assist Father Schall in his scientific undertaking.

The task imposed on the two missionaries was very difficult; they had not only to convince the Chinese of the errors of their calendar, but also to make them understand the causes of these errors, and to demonstrate to them the reliability of the principles on which they themselves based their corrections. To do this they had to establish at the Board of Mathematics a complete course in astronomy, and they had to begin by compiling in Chinese a whole series of text-books comprising not only astronomy properly so-called but also even the most elementary foundations of the science, such as arithmetic, geometry, and other parts of mathematics. In 1634 they had composed as many as one hundred and thirty-seven of these works, of which they printed a hundred. The foreign reformers were not without opposition from superstitious believers of the traditional methods and especially from the envious. These became particularly violent on the death of Paul Siu (1633, when he was Colao or prime minister). Happily, Emperor Ts'ungcheng, who judged very intelligently of the methods in dispute by the results of the prediction of celestial phenomena, continued to support the fathers in the kindest manner. In 1638 Father Schall lost his deserving fellow-worker, Father Rho, but by that time the reform had already been accomplished in principle; it had become law and needed only to be put into execution.

All the provinces of China were soon informed of the important commission of reforming the calendar which had been entrusted to the missionaries. The news created a great sensation which benefited the whole mission. The honour paid to the missionaries of Peking redounded to the credit of all their brethren; many mandarins felt it necessary to offer public congratulations to those working within their territory. Everywhere the preaching of the Gospel was allowed unprecedented liberty. Father Schall profited by this, interrupting from time to time his scientific labours for the apostolate, not only in Peking but also in the neighbouring provinces. Thus he founded a new Christian congregation at Ho-Kien, capital of one of the prefectures of Chi-li. However, his zeal was especially exercised at the court itself. Christianity, which hitherto had won but few souls in the imperial palace, now took an important place there through the conversion of ten eunuchs, among whom were the sovereign's most qualified servants. This class had always been most opposed to the preaching of the missionaries. This happy progress of evangelization was disturbed and for a time stopped by the invasion of the Tatars and the revolution which, by overthrowing the throne of the Ming dynasty, brought about the accession of the Manchu dynasty of the T'sings. In the provinces laid waste by the insurrection prior to the foreign conquest several missionaries were massacred by the rebel leaders. At Peking Father Schall assisted the last of the Mings in his futile resistance by casting cannon for him. Nevertheless the Tatars regarded him favourably. Shun-chi, the first of the Ts'ings to reign in Peking, was only eight or eleven years old when he was proclaimed Emperor (1643). The regent who governed in his name for six years confirmed all Schall's power regarding the calendar. The young Emperor was still kinder to the missionary; not only did he summon him to familiar interviews in his palace, but, in spite of the most sacred rules of Chinese etiquette, he also paid him unexpected visits, staying in his modest room a long time and questioning him on all kinds of subjects.

The imperial favor became a source of serious embarrassment to Father Schall and his fellow workers. Prior to Shun-chi the "new rules" established by the Jesuits for the making of the Chinese calendar became compulsory for the official astronomers, but the correctors themselves had no authority to insure application of them. Shun-chi wished to alter this, impelled no doubt by his affection for Father Schall, but also because he had recognized the inefficiency of the native direction of the Board of Mathematics. He therefore appointed Father Schall president of this Board, at the same time conferring on him high rank as a mandarin to correspond with this important office. The missionary thought he might accept the office, which was more onerous than honourable; the success of the reform, which was theoretically accomplished, required it. But the rank of mandarin accorded ill with religious humility. Schall did all in his power to avoid it; from 1634, when it was conferred on him for the first time, until 1657, he made five appeals to the Emperor or to the Supreme Tribunal of Rites, to be relieved of it. In his explanations to his brethren in the mission (16th Dec., 1648) he declared that he had refused it eight times, that he had pleaded on his knees before the Tribunal of Rites to be delivered from it, and that he only finally

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adam schall.indd 41 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:39 accepted it at the command of his regular superior while renouncing most of the advantages, whether honorary or financial, which were connected with the rank. Nevertheless this acceptance, notwithstanding the reservations made, was the occasion of other conscientious scruples concerning which the sentiments of the Jesuits in China were divided for several years. First of all, was not every rank of mandarin as exercised by a missionary a violation of the canon law which forbade priests to hold civil offices? A more serious question arose regarding the contents of the Chinese calendar. The latter, as it was drawn up by the Board of Mathematics and subsequently spread throughout the empire, gave not only astronomical information of a purely scientific nature, but the Chinese likewise sought and found there indications concerning lucky and unlucky days, that is those which should be chosen or avoided for certain actions, and much superstition was mixed with this part. When the calendar was seen to contain the same things after Father Schall became president, uneasiness was felt among the missionaries. Everybody did not know how the publication was made. No one supposed that Father Schall had the slightest share in the superstitions; they were in fact the exclusive work of a section of the Board of Mathematics which worked independently of Father Schall. Furthermore, the definitive and official publication of the calendar was not within the father's province. That was reserved to the Li-pou (Bureau of Rites) to which Father Schall merely transmitted his astronomical calculations. Besides, Father Schall's data were expressly distinguished in the calendar itself by the words, "according to the new rule". Nevertheless, even when they were aware of these explanations, which Father Schall hastened to give, several learned and zealous missionaries considered that his responsibility was too greatly involved, and consequently, since his office did not permit him to suppress the superstitions of the calendar, he was bound in conscience to resign. Five theologians of the Roman College to whom the question was submitted with incomplete information decided in this sense on 3rd Aug., 1655. However, fresh explanations given by Father Schall and the approval of other very competent missionaries eventually placed the case in a different light, and a new and better informed commission at Rome concluded (31st Jan., 1664) that there was no valid reason for Father Schall's resignation of the presidency of the Board of Mathematics. The preamble of the decision repeated and adopted the arguments of Father Verbiest: "The father president of the board", it stated, "does not concur positively in the insertion of the superstitious matters which have been noted in the calendar"; he does not concur therein, either himself, for he does not sign these additions or set his seal to them, nor through his pupils (in the Board of Mathematics), for the latter only made the insertion, without the father taking any share therein. With regard to the distribution of the calendar, which he makes in virtue of his office, it bears directly only on the notification of astronomical observations. If the calendar also contains things which savour of superstition it may be said that they are published under the head of information and are indifferent in themselves, that is the calendar simply shows the days on which such and such things are done according to the customs of the empire, or that they are the days having the conditions which popular superstition considers favourable for certain acts; and Father Schall is passive under the abuse which is following this distribution, which he was forced to make by serious reasons and even necessity.

To remove the last scruples concerning this burning question, Father Oliva, General of the Society of Jesus, appealed to the Pope. Alexander VII, after having taken account of the whole affair, declared vivoe vocis oraculo (3rd April, 1664) that he authorized the Jesuits of China, "even professed, to exercise the office and dignity of mandarin and imperial mathematician". The decision set at rest not only Father Schall's conscience, but also those of the missionaries who might be called to the same duties. In fact, except for a short interruption caused by the persecution of which we shall speak later, the presidency of the astronomical bureau remained with the mission till the nineteenth century. It was always the best human protection both for liberty of preaching and freedom to practice Christianity throughout the Chinese Empire. Even in Father Schall's time this was clearly proved by the rapid increase in the number of neophytes; in 1617 they were only 13,000; in 1650, 150,000, and from 1650 to the end of 1664 they grew to at least 254,980. The missionaries who furnished these statistics at the very period did not hesitate to give the correction of the calendar as the indirect cause of the progress of evangelization, although the extraordinary tokens of kindness which Father Schall received from the young Emperor contributed a great deal. One of the most valuable of these tokens, especially from the Chinese standpoint, was the diploma, dated 2nd April, 1653, by which Shun-chi expressed his lively satisfaction with the services rendered in the revision of the calendar and the direction of the Board of Mathematics, and conferred on Father Schall the title of Tung hiuen kiao shi, "most profound doctor". This diploma, written in Tatar and Chinese, the text being encircled with dragons and other carved ornaments, was delivered to Father Schall

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adam schall.indd 42 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:39 engraved on a marble tablet. The tablet, which was recovered at Peking in 1880 by M. Deveria, who presented it to the Jesuit missionaries of southeast Chili, measures eighty-eight by fifty-one inches. Father Schall appreciated still more the gift of a new house and a church for the building of which the Emperor gave a thousand crowns. This was the first public church opened in the capital since the coming of the missionaries; it was dedicated in 1650.

Some years later Shun-chi gave Father Schall and the mission a still greater gift, an imperial declaration praising not only European learning but also the law of the Lord of Heaven, that is the Christian religion, and permitting it to be preached and adopted everywhere. This declaration, made in 1657, was also engraved in Tatar and Chinese on a large marble plate and placed before the church. All his goodwill towards Christianity and the welcome which the young monarch accorded to the discreet preaching of Father Schall had inspired the latter with the hope that one day he would request baptism, but Shun-chi died (1662) aged at most twenty-four years. The child who was proclaimed his successor became the famous K'ang-hi and favoured the Christians even more than his father, but during his minority the government was in the hands of four regents who were enemies of Christianity. At the denunciation of a Mohammedan self-styled astronomer, Yang-koang-sien, Father Schall and the other missionaries residing at Peking were loaded with chains and thrown into prison in November, 1664. They were accused of high treason but chiefly of the propagation of an evil religion.

The principal charge against Father Schall was that he had shown to the deceased Emperor images of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Brought before various tribunals the aged missionary, who had just been stricken with paralysis, could only reply to his judges through his companion, Father Verbiest. The first complaint against him was that he had secured the presidency of the Board of Mathematics in order that he might use the authority accruing from this high office for the propagation of the Christian Faith; Father Verbiest replied for him: "John Adam took the presidency of the Board of Mathematics because he was on several occasions urged to do so by the Emperor. On a stone tablet, erected before the church, the Emperor publicly attested that he raised John Adam, against the latter's wishes, to that dignity." Another complaint of the accuser — that Father Schall had badly determined the day on which a little imperial prince was to be buried — was set aside by the regents themselves for, on investigation, they found that the priest had never meddled with the determination of lucky or unlucky days. Finally, on 15th April, 1665, sentence of death was passed against Father Schall; he was condemned to be cut in pieces and to be beheaded. Almost immediately afterwards a violent earthquake was felt at Peking, a thick darkness covered the city, a meteor of strange aspect appeared in the heavens, and fire reduced to ashes the part of the imperial palace where the sentence was delivered. The missionaries as well as the Christians could not but see Divine intervention in these events, while the superstitious Tatars and Chinese were terrified. In consequence the death sentence was revoked (2nd May) and Father Schall was authorized to return to his church with his fellow missionaries. The venerable old man survived these trials by a year, dying at the age of seventy- five, having consecrated forty-five years to the Chinese missions. Peace was not entirely restored to the Christian communities until 1669, when the young Emperor assumed the reigns of government. One of K'ang-hi's first acts was to have the sentence against Father Schall declared void and iniquitous by the Tribunal of Rites and to order solemn funeral ceremonies in his honour, the Emperor himself composing for his tomb an extremely eulogistic epitaph.

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adam schall.indd 43 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:39 Notes on Johann Adam Schall von Bell, 1st May 1591 (or 1592) to 15th August 1666. From South China, through turbulent times, to the Jesuit return to Peking

1. After Saint Francis Xavier died in December 1552 on Shangchuan Island in his attempt to establish a mission in China, his successor Melchior Nunes Barreto wrote a report in 1554 describing the stable and ordered society in China, and entered Canton in 1555. However, as laws prohibited foreigners from living in China, Jesuit efforts became concentrated on Japan. In 1579 Alessandro Valignano, the Visitor to the Asian Mission, appointed Michele Ruggieri, who was trained in law and an experienced Jesuit missionary in India, to lead the mission in China. His diplomacy succeeded in setting up a Jesuit house in Zhaoqing or Shiu Hing by the West River, then the provincial capital of Kwangtung in 1582 and there he was joined by Matteo Ricci for the next 6 years. As a result of setbacks and problems another house was set up in Shaoguan or Shaozhou in the north of Kwangtung by the East River in 1589. In 1595 Ricci set up a residence in Nanjing and after more difficulties established the Jesuits in Peking in 1601. By 1602 St. Paul’s (the Jesuit collegiate church in Macau) had been built showing the importance of the Jesuit presence in Macau. At the request of Ricci astronomical work in Peking had been conducted by Sabatino de Ursis of Naples since 1606. In May 1610, Matteo Ricci died in Peking, and in 1611 the Jesuits were formally engaged by Imperial Decree to modernize the Chinese Imperial Calendar.

2. The Jesuits' strategy towards working in China was to adopt a mixture of conventional missionary work together with literary, linguistic, philosophical, mathematical and technical ability so as to gain a successful entry into China with high level trust and influence via its capital Peking. In the opinion of Father Ciaran Kane, this approach evidently worked, but it had its share of risks as official policies or regimes often changed.

3. Macau received numerous Jesuits of many nationalities who were refugees from the severe persecution in Japan beginning from 1614. Amongst these were Joao Rodrigues, a Portuguese, who had witnessed the crucifixions of the martyrs in Japan (see Rodrigues the Interpreter, An early Jesuit in Japan and China by Michael Cooper S. J., 1974). Next came the Nanking persecution of China missionaries from 1616 to 1623, when the Jesuits were expelled from Peking to Macau. The Jesuits in Macau in 1615 and 1623 then numbered 115 and 72, respectively, so the recently completed Collegiate House was fully occupied. As the Ming Empire came under attack from the Manchu the persecutions moderated until missionary work could restart.

4. In these circumstances on 22nd July 1619 a group of 7 Jesuits led by Father Nicholas Trigault arrived in Macau (see Liam Brockey, Journey to the East, Jesuit Mission to China 1579-1724). This group included Johann Adam Schall von Bell from Cologne, then aged about 28, Giacomo Rho from Milan, and Johann Terrenz Shreck also known as Terrentius from Constance, Lake Geneva. Adam Schall was probably the first person to bring a telescope to China. His Chinese name was Tang Ruowang or Tang Jo-wang. His whole missionary life was in China, where he died after 47 years of work at the age of 75.

5. Adam Schall spent his early Jesuit career in Macau studying Chinese with other young Jesuits. Interesting events cross connect with Adam Schall’s early history in China.

6. Within a few years, Macau was under attack from a Dutch fleet. An account of this is summarized in Rodrigues the Interpreter page 316 as follows: “But when a Dutch fleet of 13 ships, accompanied by the English Palsgrave and Bull, appeared off Macau on 21st June 1622, the invading force had every reason to view the coming assault with optimism. At dawn on 24th June, 800 men were landed under cover of a naval bombardment and a smoke screen, and their initial assault on the beaches met with little opposition. But the Dutch soon ran into unexpected misfortune when a random musket shot disabled their commander, who was obliged to retire from combat. This setback was followed by an equally fortuitous cannon shot fired by the Italian Jesuit Giacomo Rho who was superintending the artillery mounted on the battlements of the fortress of Monte de Sao Paulo. The shot landed squarely on a barrel of gun powder, and the resultant explosion caused heavy

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adam schall.indd 44 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:39 casualties and much consternation among the invaders. When the defending forces, composed of Portuguese soldiers, Macau citizens and negro slaves, ably assisted by Jesuits and friars, who for once were united, “sallied onto the field to encourage our men and to fight against the enemy”, as a contemporary account notes, made a determined counter-attack, the senior Dutch officer was killed, the ranks of the invaders waivered, and then followed a stampede back to the landing boats. In the general melee the Jesuit Adam Schall, later renowned for his astronomical work in Peking, happened on a Dutch officer and promptly took him prisoner. In all, only a handful of Portuguese were killed during defence of the city while Dutch losses amounted to 300 dead, many officers captured, and the abandonment of all their artillery.” A Jesuit report of the time states: “many Jesuit fathers sallied forth with crosses, others fought with arquebuses, others fired cannon, others carried water and gun powder.”

7. In 1622 the persecutions of Christians was relaxed and the missionaries were sent out to reinvigorate existing missions and start new ones. Adam Schall was sent to Si-Ngan-Fu, also known as Hsianfu in Shensi Province, now Xian, the ancient capital of China. In 1623 (Rodrigues the Interpreter, page 326) the Nestorian Stone, an inscribed stele some 12 feet tall dated 781 AD, was unearthed in Xian, stating that in AD 635 a mission had arrived to establish communities of Christians in the ancient capital of China. Martin Palmer’s The Jesus Sutras 2001 page 4 has a description of the discovery with the later date 1625 stating how a local magistrate sent a rubbing to the Jesuits who translated it and were astonished and delighted. Palmer states: “In the most poetic language it sets out a brief history of the Creation, the path of salvation as offered by Jesus, and how the Religion of the Light of the West was transmitted to China. As a result the Jesuits revealed to the Church in the West the story of the first known Christian mission to China-almost a thousand years earlier.” Research is needed to see what part Adam Schall played in the discovery of this Nestorian stone and the use of its message in China and Europe. Father Marciano Baptista has confirmed that a replica of this very handsome stone exists in the Holy Spirit Catholic Seminary in Hong Kong. The original is in the Forest of Stone Steles Museum in Xian.

8. On 21st June 1629 a team of Jesuits including Johann Terrenz Shreck, Xu Guangqi and Adam Schall won an open competition to predict the exact time of the eclipse that day. The mandate for the work on the imperial calendar was renewed but Shreck died in May 1630, and Adam Schall and Giacaomo Rho were sent to Peking to replace him. Unfortunately Father Rho died in 1638, leaving Adam Schall to carry on the work with others as seen in the official biography.

9. The wider events leading up to 1630 are equally remarkable. The success of the Portuguese cannon against the Dutch invasion had been noted in Peking so that when the declining Ming Empire was under siege from the Manchu invaders, it decided to purchase cannons from the Portuguese and requested some technical advice in the defence of Peking (see Rodrigues the Interpreter, Chapter 17, the Last Adventure, page 342 onwards). Because of his previous experience in China, Rodrigues accompanied a small Portuguese force led by Goncalvo Teixeira from Macau which brought the cannons that the Macau Government had captured from the Dutch in 1622. The force left Macau on 10th November 1628, departing Canton on 28th February 1629 and went via the Jesuit house in Shaoguan. It was a year’s journey and when they arrived at the outskirts of Peking, they found the Manchu invaders suffering from disease and malnutrition. The small Portuguese force fired the artillery and muskets to such an effect that the Manchus retreated, believing that they were under attack by a large force. Thus, the Portuguese helped relieve the siege of Peking by a bluff, culminating in a triumphant entry into Peking on Ash Wednesday, 14th February 1630.

10. No sooner had that finished when the Portuguese and Rodrigues were asked to come back with 300 reinforcements (Rodrigues, page 345). This expedition embarked on 31st October 1630 with 5 Jesuits but en route they were told their service were not needed as the Manchus had been in retreat. Joao Rodrigues narrowly escaped from harm by some rebel troops in February 1832 but the Portuguese commander Teixeira was killed in action. Rodrigues died in Macau at the age of about 97 in 1633 and was buried in St Paul’s.

11. In the context of such turbulent times, Adam Schall became established in Peking in 1630 and worked for and defended the last of the Ming Dynasty, and then was engaged by the new Ching Dynasty from 1644 until his death. After success in establishing the new calendar, many years later Schall, his young assistant Ferdinand Verbiest and other Jesuits came under false accusation by court officials leading to arrest and a trial, with some of the Jesuits only being spared death by an

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adam schall.indd 45 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:39 earthquake which struck Peking as the sentence was about to be carried out in 1665. Adam Schall lived only a short while thereafter but was officially posthumously acquitted and honoured by the new Emperor. Once again the Jesuits had been expelled or placed under restrictions but by 1668 Verbiest had been appointed as the chief scientist and the Jesuits remained in Peking.

12. Fr. Thomas Morrissey S. J. in Chapter 1 of his recent book Jesuits in Hong Kong and South China, 2008, sets out the new approach adopted by the Jesuits to China and the reason why Adam Schall was regarded as the eminent successor to Matteo Ricci. He concludes: “Schall was raised to the rank of Mandarin of the First Class, First Division, but appears to have been too honest a man “to let intimacy with his ruler degenerate into obsequiousness, and to fail to rebuke the young man when he thought it was his duty to do so.” When the first Ching Emperor died after a reign of 18 years, it was estimated that there were 114,000 Catholic Christians living in the Empire. The high regard of the Jesuits in Peking, and especially in the Bureau of Astronomy, earned missioners a prestige that was unique in the history of foreign missions. Apart from a few troubled years, the Jesuits were to maintain their leading position in the astronomical office till the suppression of the Society of Jesus nearly a century and a half later.”

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adam schall.indd 46 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:39 “You leave us your undying fame and the glory of your name.” Postscript on Adam Schall

The monument at his grave erected at the command of the Emperor bore the above words. Adam Schall to this day has a remarkable following. If one Googles his name, numerous references appear instantly, which show his place in history and our links to him. If you Google images, you will see pictures of Father Kane, our Adam Schall Hostel, and reference to the CUHK Newsletter 205 of 19th June 2002 with Patrick Yiu. There are books about him and Fr. Kane, who is a mine of information, says there is even a novel based on his life. There is an Adam Schall Society set up in Germany for Sino- German cultural exchange. Stamps were issued by Germany and Taiwan for the 400th Anniversary of his birth in May 1992. In the Chinese University Frs. Kane and Michel Masson celebrated this and the 20th Anniversary of Adam Schall Hostel with a speech attended by the Vatican representative in Hong Kong. Fr. Thomas Morrissey’s Jesuits in Hong Kong and South China, 2008, notes the opening of the Hostel as a hopeful development, and at the closure of the Jesuit residence on 31st July 1994 notes the continuation of Mass being said by Frs. Deignan, Shields and Baptista for our community. The German Ambassador visited Adam Schall’s tombstone in Beijing Administrative College on the 420th Anniversary of his birth in 2012. An Oratorio was composed and performed in Peking telling part of his life story in 2012. There are memorial tablets, both ancient and modern, and websites referring to his work in China. In the website summaries, Adam Schall was described in 1992 by Jesuit General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach S. J. as a “very talented but sometimes obstinately stubborn nobleman from Cologne.” An article from John J. O’Callaghan S. J. in The Jesuits 1993 page 123 covers the work of Adam Schall, and Jesuit Geometers by Joseph MacDonnell S. J. states “He was a man of charm, energy and self-confidence.” Father Ciaran Kane refers to the Chapel as a Sunday Mass Centre for the neighborhood. He states “For the great majority of resident students, the Hostel is the first or only personal contact with any Catholic priest or religious group. Many graduates have remarked on the benefits of that contact, even though only a small number of them have become Christians subsequently. A few past residents, though, have gone on to join religious congregations. Thus, 400 years after his birth, Johann Adam Schall continues in a modest but significant way to build bridges between East and West, and to open cultural doors.” It seems appropriate that we should continue to draw inspiration from this remarkable Jesuit. His missionary work is imprinted in our memory, and we have a Chapel in a Hostel that bears his name. Carrying on with Mass as a community here may well continue to build bridges to strengthen the faith in future years. Ruy Barretto S. C.

 Tombstone of Adam Schall

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adam schall.indd 47 2/2/2013 PM 03:27:40 Concluding Prayers from Fr. Deignan

A Few Additions at Mass

Before “I confess to Almighty God …………………………..” As we prepare today to celebrate together this mystery of Christ’s love, let us ask the Lord to look upon us in His kindness and mercy and forgive us our faults and failings.

At the Offertory As we offer our gifts of bread and wine, they represent the offering of ourselves, our lives and this day in union with Christ’s offering of Himself on the Father, trusting in His love and care for us.

After Communion

My souls magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour, For He that is Mighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name.

 Confirmation, 4th December 2011

Edited by Ruy Barretto S. C., Prof. Thomas C. W. Mak and Prof. Frederick F. M. Cheung Typesetting by Mr. Lo Tat-sang, New Asia College

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