Hong Kong Catholic Diocese Diocesan Commission for Permanent Diaconate Annual Report 2020
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Hong Kong Catholic Diocese Diocesan Commission for Permanent Diaconate Annual Report 2020 The Commission 1. On 1.2.1993, Cardinal John Wu initiated a task force on permanent deacon with the aim to promote the establishment of permanent deacon in the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese for a trial period of 3 years. Subsequently the Diocesan Commission for Permanent Diaconate (the Commission) was officially set up in 1996. Mission 2. - responsible for the strategic planning, publicity, promotion, selection, formation, designation and assignment of tasks - strengthen and enhance the publicity and awareness of formation of permanent deacon within the Catholic Diocese Appointment of Members 3. On 10.2.2020, Cardinal John Tong Hon, Apostolic Administrator-Bishop Emeritus appointed/reappointed the following to be members of the Committee for a term of 2 years from 1.2.2020 to 31.1.2022: Chairman: VG Dominic Chan Members: Rev. Joseph Chan Wing Chiu, Rev. Christopher Chor, Rev. Giorgio Pasini, PIME, Rev. Francis Tam, Rev. Deacon Edwin Ng, Mr. Bernard Chan, Ms. Jennie Chan, Ms. Maggie Chan, Ms. Teresa Chu, Dr. Anthony Lam, Mr. Simon Li, Ms. Cecilia Ng, Ms. Louise Wong 3.1. VG Dominic Chan was also appointed as the Director of Formation. Meetings 1 4. The Commission has convened 4 meetings during 2020, i.e. on 10.3.2020, 9.6.2020, 5.9.2020 and 20.11.2020. A brain storming, as well as a special session on review of progress and planning of future tasks, was also held during the meeting on 5.9.2020. Focus of Work 5. The focus of work for the year continues to emphasize the enhancement of spiritual formation/preparation and broadening of scope of learning for permanent deacons, candidates and aspirants; discussion as well as followup actions on the ‘Study of Development of Permanent Deacon in Hong Kong’ undertaken by the Chinese University Hong Kong Centre for Catholic Studies in 2017, and review of the scope of pastoral and charity work by deacons during the epidemic (see para 17-24 for details). Report of Director of Formation 6. As the Director of Formation and Chairman, VG Dominic Chan is in charge of implementing the decisions of the Commission. He is also responsible for the strategic planning, publicizing, promoting, selection, formation, designation and task assignment of the existing 21 serving permanent deacons, 17 candidates currently undergoing theological, pastoral and charity training in order to better understand the operation of the church, and allocation of suitable tasks and appointment of membership in committees and agencies for permanent deacons and candidates (see Appendix 1 for details). 7. The Director of Formation held regular meetings with permanent deacons, candidates and aspirants. The purpose is to understand their work, experience and insights so as to better allocate suitable pastoral and charity services, as well as provide necessary training for guidance and encouragement. Due to the COVID-19, meetings were conducted through video conferencing. 8. Log diary 8.1 The Commission has prepared 'Permanent Deacon Log Diary' for permanent deacons, candidates and aspirants to enable them to keep comprehensive and systematic record of the whole journey from formation, study and 2 spiritual pursuit to review and examination. Such record would be useful for the Director of Formation to provide suitable guidance during their interviews. This practice also allows the Director to fully understand the progress of formation and religious life of individual permanent deacon, candidate and aspirant. The Commission would further consider upgrading the Diary to electronic format in line with the changing digital technology. 8.2 For candidates and aspirants, the Director will arrange psychological assessments by professional clinical psychologists. 8.3 We are very mindful about the personal spirituality and progress in the life of prayer of permanent deacons, as well as how to maintain harmonious relationship within their families. 8.4 The Director also arrange personal spiritual advisors and tutors for the permanent deacons, candidates and aspirants, trying to provide companion throughout the evolving process of their religious journey. 8.5 Experienced permanent deacons are also appointed as tutors for candidates and aspirants as their mentors, with the purpose of building a close-knit community and enhancing greater sense of belonging and experience sharing. 9. The Commission has prepared the Parish Pastoral Ministry Memorandum to help the parish priests to give guidance and followup actions to deacons and candidates during their internship and services. 10. The Commission has also published the Prayer for Permanent Deacons as the common prayer for sharing during gatherings and publicity events (see Appendix 2). 11. The Commission has set up a 'Spirituality Formation Group' (members include Rev. Francis Tam, Rev. Christopher Chor, Rev. Joseph Chan Wing Chiu, Sr. Lucia Mak,Ms. Jennie Chan) to provide spiritual guidance for the aspirants, candidates and deacons. The Group has also designed a special curriculum integrating both the ‘St. Francis’ and ‘St. Ignatius’ model. The content combines the lectio divina (holy words), discernment, examination, 3 mindfulness meditation and prayer as the basis for practice in life through following the personal log dairy in their spiritual exercise. This would be a compulsory subject in the formation preparation and also a requirement for annual training for all aspirants, candidates and deacons. During the 3-year formation cycle, attendants need to select a convenient timing to attend. We have already completed four such programmes. The next round is currently under planning and would be conducted at a suitable time. We have now identified 8 potential deacons and 7 deacon wives to join the Spiritual Tutor Group to be trained as future tutors with continuous succession for the diaconate community. The Group also helped to organize retreats and promote holistic spiritual formation for deacons (see para 25 for details). 12. The Commission has established the 'Curriculum Development Group' (members including Rev. Francis Tam, Rev. Deacon Edwin Ng, Ms. Louise Wong, Mr. Simon Li, Mr. Bernard Chan) to formulate the framework of curriculum, comprising theological doctrine, diaconate leadership, charity ministry and scope of spiritual formation. It has also worked out the detailed courses to be completed before diaconate ordination. The list of subjects has been incorporated in the timetable of continuing learning schedule held on every Monday. Part of the courses are also open to aspirants and wives of deacons who are interested to attend (see para 40 for details). 13. The 'Social Concern Group' was also formed to examine and consider social issues for sounding out their views as the role of prophets and witnesses (members include Commission representatives Rev. Deacon Edwin Ng and Rev. Giorgio Pasini, PIME, Rev. Deacon Anthony Sin, Mr. Bernard Chan, Dr. Anthony Lam, Ms. Maggie Chan, candidates Francis Tang, Thomas Lam and Paul Wat). In the light of impact of the ongoing epidemic on the grassroot ffamilies and disadvantaged groups of the society, we should resort more to praying, conversion and entrusting to our Father. As part of our daily routine, we must remember the poor and helpless in our prayers, as well as take positive initiative to care for them. Please refer to para 23 for details on pastoral and charity work undertaken by deacons during COVID-19. 14. The Commission has arranged monthly meetings for deacons to enhance better mutual understanding and support (please see para 35 for details). 15. The Formation Director has already set up a direct link in the website of the 4 VG office(http://vgoffice.catholic.org.hk), which will enable direct online linkage to facilitate easy sharing of information and compilation of data bank. Appointment of Deputy Director of Formation 16. In the light of increasing size of the diaconate group and additional workload of the Commission, Rev. Deacon Edwin Ng was appointed as the Deputy Director of Formation. His role is to assist, share and support the duties of the Director of Formation as well as handle daily administrative routines of the office. Focus of Work Report on HK Catholic Diocese Study of Development of Permanent Deacon in HK – 2017 17. The Chinese University Hong Kong Centre for Catholic Studies has completed the ‘Study of Development of Permanent Deacon in Hong Kong’. The report was released during a press conference on 23.4.2017 held in Yasumato International Academic Park of the Chinese University. 18. The Study report emphasized that the success or failure of the ministry of permanent deacon depends entirely on the aim and direction, i.e. whether the selection, discernment and formation programme is in line with the principles and requirements stipulated in the ‘Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons’ issued by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, as well as the ‘Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons’ issued by the Congregation for the Clergy. 19. In summary, the direction is to provide comprehensive and holistic formation for permanent deacons. This implies that, in addition to serving the Church, deacons have to strengthen their awareness of social issues, to optimize and make the best use of their role as insiders in the society to face the world, perform community work to help the laity to understand the importance and contribution of the Church in upholding the basic principles and value of social doctrines. As such, despite the tension and contradiction in the society, people would still be able to make ethical 5 judgment for justice, so as to reflect the Vatican II decision to revive the diaconate sacrament and enable the diaconate ministry to reflect their holy role in their service to the Church. Their charity and spirit of justice would enable deacons to bear witnesses to the world as a new energy and momentum for evangelization and spreading the gospel.