Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is a great joy for me to convey heartfelt greetings and prayers to the Asian Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, as you prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Friday, February 12, just days before Ash Wednesday.

I pray that our Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities will have a joy-filled celebration of the Year of the Ox, an animal traditionally associated with diligence and persistence. As we approach a full year of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, these admirable qualities are particularly needed. 

Undoubtedly, this year the festivities with your loved ones will be in smaller and safer circles. While you celebrate, do not forget all those who are suffering from the pandemic and its consequences. Our society is carrying this heavy cross, and you can help to bear it by your good cheer and by bringing your faith and zeal for good works to those experiencing hardship.

Please keep especially in your prayers the Chinese Catholics and other Christians in China who are facing persecution, as well as those who are experiencing the increasing tension in Hong Kong. Let us put our trust in Our Lady Help of Christians so that, through Mary’s prayers to her Son, the political and religious conflict in that region will come to a just and peaceful conclusion.

May you and your loved ones have a joyous and blessed celebration of the Lunar New Year. Gong Hei Fat Choy!

With cordial greetings and invoking the Lord’s blessing upon you and your families, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ J. Michael Miller, CSB
Archbishop of Vancouver

Photo: The B.C. Catholic

基督內親愛的兄弟姊妹：

          當溫哥華總教區亞裔教友群體，正準備迎接二月十二日、星期五、農曆大年初一（距聖灰瞻禮不多幾天）之際，我感到非常高興能在此間向你們送上衷心的祝賀與祝禱。

      我祈求我們的華裔、韓裔、越裔，及其他亞裔社團，將有一個喜樂充盈的「牛年」── 傳統上，「牛」是勤奮、耐勞的代表！我們處於新冠病疫情的陰霾下已經差不多一整年，這些優秀的特徵正是我們所需要的。

          無疑，今年的節日要在細小與安全的聚會下渡過。請你們在喜慶之餘，不會忘記那些受著疫情煎熬的人，與及疫情帶來的後果。我們的社會在背負著這沉重的十字架，而你們可以藉你們的喜悅、信德，和行善的熱誠，幫助那些經歷困境的人。 

          懇請你們為在中國面臨迫害的天主教徒和其他基督徒祈禱，並為在香港感受到日益緊張的局面的人們祈禱，祈求聖母「進教之佑」向她的聖子轉求，好使在該地區的政治和宗教磨擦，能在公平與和平中得到解決。

          願你們和你們所愛的，有一個喜悅及蒙福的農曆新年 ── 恭喜發財！

          熱切祝賀和祈求天主的祝福中，我常是你們

主內真摯的

+ J. Michael Miller, CSB

溫哥華總主教