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Week Two: A meditation on Mary, Jesus, and the love of God. The USCCA invites you to participate in the journey of Lent. Across cultures, Mary is a source of consolation. As the mother of Jesus, many turn to her with their hopes.  She was present at the marriage feast of Cana (John 2: 1-12). And many turn to her as she knows of sorrow. She stood at the foot of the Cross as Jesus suffered (John 19: 25). Lent encourages us to gain stamina and strength through her example. Photo copyright 2016: the U.S.-China Catholic Association (USCCA) Generations of Chinese Catholics have prayed to Mary. During this second week of Lent, you are invited to reflect on how this Chinese image of Mary and Jesus speaks. Through her intercession, let us seek to understand Jesus. Seek to know the love of God. Today, where is your hope? Today, where is your sorrow? These hopes and sorrows represent our lived faith in 2024. We invite you to learn more about the USCCA's Parish Mission Appeals, which, for the past 35 years, has shared a mutual story of faith, thanks, and understanding between Catholics in China, who have been discovering and living the Good News of Jesus Christ, with Catholics in the United States. Our prayers together and your financial donation (large or small) assist in our mission of friendship this Lent. Lenten Blessings and Peace, Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus And All of us at the USCCA ------------------------- Note: Monica Liu personally gifted this Marian painting to the USCCA in 2015. Known by her Chinese name, Ho Peh Liu [Liu Hebei: 劉莫尼加(劉河北)] (1928-2016), she was a world-renown Catholic artist. She was trained at the Art School of Fu Jen Catholic University in Peking, China, by Luke Chen Yuandu [陳緣督] (1902 –1967), who pioneered the Chinese 'inculturation' of Christianity in the arts. Such an approach had the support of Archbishop Celso Costantini (1876-1958), who was the Apostolic Delegate to China (1922-1933). By advocating an artistic movement away from the colonial associations and European forms of missionary culture towards the expression of Christian concepts and iconography in an authentically Chinese idiom, Costantini wished to inspire and free the longstanding faith of Chinese peoples for the world. Eventually, Monica Liu converted to Catholicism. In 1956, Costantini invited her to exhibit her Chinese paintings in Rome publicly. During the ensuing years, she split her time between Taiwan and Chicago, Illinois. May the art of Monica Liu inspire us to grow in faith. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Reflections from Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus The Journey of Lent: Week 1 The Journey of Lent: Week 3 Finally, if you have enjoyed your visit to the USCCA website and learning about our mission, donate $35 to honor the 35th anniversary of the USCCA

Week Three: A meditation-focused prayer during Lent. The USCCA invites you to participate in the journey of Lent. Lent provides us with the opportunity to draw closer to God in prayer. Photo: Rev. Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D. With confidence in God, these forty days enable each of us to deepen our spiritual life. For many, this means making the commitment to attend daily Mass, recite the Rosary, read Scripture or special devotions, light a candle at home, take a solitary walk, or share faith with another person. In all of these respective rituals we also have the chance to include prayerful intentions from our heart. No matter how we pray, Lent is a time to seek a personal relationship with God and social peace with one another. Reading Scripture in community with friends is a life-giving activity. With the Chinese-English Bible currently available on our website, you can learn more about the connections between Chinese and English through faithful translations of ancient Greek and Hebrew biblical texts. We encourage you to consider how your prayer and faith community might benefit from the introduction of several bilingual Bibles for group study. This Bible also makes a beautiful gift for anyone seeking to understand how Christ's message speaks across languages and cultures. Click on this link to place your order now. Deepen your understanding of Chinese and English words by studying the divinely inspired Word. Our prayers together and your financial donation (large or small) assist in our mission of friendship this Lent. Lenten Blessings and Peace, Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus And All of us at the USCCA -------------------------- Note: Posting this blurred photo of a Chinese woman in prayer is intentional. It represents the quest of all of us to seek a focused prayer life as part of our Lenten journey. In 2015, I made a visit to South Church in Beijing. As I walked among the pews, I was moved by the peace and presence of this woman praying her Rosary. I snapped her photo. After, I was frustrated that the image was distorted. However, as the years have passed, I have gained greater consolation that this photo represents the intent of so many of us to remain attentive in prayer. During this third week of Lent, let us draw consolation from the dynamic and diverse methods and opportunities available to us to stay focused in prayer even when our faith is chaotic or tested. God always welcomes an open heart during Lent. Photo: Rev. Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D. -------------------------- Reflections from Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus The Journey of Lent: Week 1 The Journey of Lent: Week 2 Finally, if you have enjoyed your visit to the USCCA website and learning about our mission, donate $35 to honor the 35th anniversary of the USCCA

Week Four: A meditation - fasting and abstinence during Lent. The USCCA invites you to participate in the journey of Lent. Diverse religious traditions of world agree that fasting and abstinence can be helpful throughout various times during our spiritual journey. The Gospel of Mathew 4:11 tells us how Jesus "fasted forty days and forty nights and afterwards was hungry." This fourth week of Lent we might consider our relationship with food. While some might equate fasting and abstinence as a kind of "cultural cleansing," such rituals should rather accentuate that we seek a "spiritual cleansing." In doing so, we are then able to turn our attention to God. In other words, the decision to "give up" some food or drink is in fact an "intentional sacrifice." And when done with purpose and humility it reminds us of our hunger to know God and let God to know us. This Lent, we also invite to join the 2024 USCCA Book Circles, whose aim is to educate friends and affiliates of the USCCA in learning more about the Church in China. In keeping with our mission, the Book Circles aim to build bridges of friendship among ourselves and across the Pacific. The most recent Book Circle conversation was held on Saturday, March 9 (U.S. time zones: 9 am PT, 10 am MT, 11 am CT, 12 pm ET). The discussion focused on Arturo Sosa, S.J.’s “The Church in China: Notes for ‘writing the future’” (La Civilta Cattolica (20 August 2019), accessible here. Father Sosa is the superior general of the Jesuits. He said the Jesuits have sought, are seeking, and will continue to enculturate themselves among the Chinese and there to seek the voice of God among the people. He spells out the Gospel dimensions of such a presence in this article. NOTE: If you are interested in participating in future Book Circle discussions, let us know by signing up for Book Circle updates through the Google Form linked here. We're tentatively planning the next Book Circles for April and May 2024. Our prayers together and your financial donation (large or small) assist in our mission of friendship this Lent. Lenten Blessings and Peace, Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus And All of us at the USCCA -------------------------- Note. Throughout the twentieth century, at least two generations of American Catholics were often told to eat all the food on their plate. After all, weren't they more fortunate than those without food in China?  Rarely was it acknowledged that the United States and China suffered from food disparity in 1930s. We have come to understand that The Great Depression was actually international in scope. Furthermore, both nations faced economic scarcities and human suffering because of war in the 1940s. It is best to remember both of these examples when looking at this photo. Let us engage with Chinese man as he enjoys his food in Shanghai during the late 1920s. This Lent 2024, our religious faith might lead some of us to decide practice fasting or abstain from food. Indeed, this is worthwhile. At the same time, another option might be our participating in a credible program that addresses the injustice of ongoing world hunger. Original Photo: Mactavish & Co. Shanghai, circa 1928. Image is now part of the Passionist China Collection. 800.02_025.038. Located at the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History, Boston College. ---------------------------------- Reflections from Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus The Journey of Lent: Week 1 The Journey of Lent: Week 2 The Journey of Lent: Week 3 Finally, if you have enjoyed your visit to the USCCA website and learning about our mission, donate $35 to honor the 35th anniversary of the USCCA

Week Five: A meditation- Catechists as apostles of modern faith and belief during Lent. How did you learn about your religious beliefs? Your age might influence how you answer this question. It might have been by attending your parish Saturday, Sunday, or weekday after-school catechism class. Maybe it was via home-school religious instruction. Or, as a convert, you might have participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Posted photo is 800.01_070.015. The Passionist China Collection. This collection is at the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History, Boston College. All these scenarios require a teacher. During this fifth week, we might take time to appreciate the significance of religious education teachers. Historically, we have also identified them as catechists. We have seen their mission as sacred: in this case, they continue to pass on the principles of Catholic faith and tradition. Perhaps it is better that they also be called apostles of modern faith in 2024. It is sometimes said that if you want to increase your faith, take time to teach the faith you believe in. This, of course, should be passed on as a gift rather than a burden of life. This Lent is an excellent time to thank a religion teacher for their witness of faith personally. Furthermore, might you consider the opportunity to read this as an invitation that you become a religion teacher, an apostle of modern faith? Lenten Blessings and Peace, Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus And All of us at the USCCA -------------------------- Note: Father Cormac Shanahan, C.P. (1899-1987) was ordained as a Passionist Catholic priest in 1925. In 1926, he was assigned as a member of the fifth "missionary band" of American Passionists to preach the Gospel in West Hunan, China. Like many of his counterparts, because he had no advanced language training and rudimentary cultural preparation, he was required to immerse himself in the daily pulse of Chinese relationships. Shanahan and his confreres knew that Americans back home followed their missionary adventures in Sign Magazine, a national Catholic monthly published by the Passionists. So, it was common for them to take photos and write articles to be published in the magazine. The posted photo is from the 1920s era. In his hand, Shanahan wrote the following comment: “Matthew, our excellent Chinese catechist at the entrance to Kaotsun Mission” (This area is Gaocun, 高 村,  in Hunan province). Shanahan's note is a clear testament to the value of the catechists. They were his and the Passionist's modern-day apostles during their era in China till 1955. Another interesting fact about Father Cormac Shanahan is that In June 1944, as a reporter for Sign Magazine, he found himself a participant in the Yan'an Press Party. The cohort was the first group of newspaper reporters that the Guomindang government, then based in Chongqing, China, permitted to visit Mao Zedong at his Communist stronghold in Yan'an, Shaanxi province, China. Fortunately, The Passionist China Collection has his handwritten diary of his participation in this historic event. ---------------------------------- Reflections from Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus The Journey of Lent: Week 1 The Journey of Lent: Week 2 The Journey of Lent: Week 3 The Journey of Lent: Week 4 Finally, if you have enjoyed visiting the USCCA website and want to learn more about our mission, please contact director@uschinacatholic.org or consider donating $35 to honor the 35th anniversary of the USCCA.

Palm Sunday: A Meditation- Remembrance of celebration and sufferings.       The USCCA invites you to participate in the journey of Lent. The Palm Sunday liturgy acknowledges the beginning of Holy Week. Churches are often filled. It is essential to reflect on how we are united with other people in the churches worldwide who also receive their blessed palms. Of course, this first part of the Palm Sunday liturgy recalls Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. These people knew of and wished to celebrate the ministry of Jesus, which we know from the four Gospel narratives. Photo by Father Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D.             Then, the Palm Sunday liturgy takes on a new perspective. This year, 2024, we will listen to Mark 14: 1-15:47. This passion narrative invites us to be observant. When coupled with the Palm Sunday experience, we would do well to concentrate on the celebrations and sufferings of our lives. To live with a mature faith, we must be aware of both dimensions. As we proceed into Holy Week 2024, What two dynamic joys are present for you now? What two heavy crosses are you carrying at this time? For many Chinese international students who arrive to study in the US, experiencing "dynamic joys and heavy crosses" can be isolating. With this in mind, the USCCA launched its Chinese and American Friendship Ministr y (CAAFM) . It aims to broaden engagement with students from China who come to the U.S. for university education. In the spirit of Pope Francis, the USCCA understands the importance of this opportunity for meaningful dialogue and friendship and that a "culture of encounters" creates spaces and places to experience the best of American culture, values, and faith intelligible to people from a very different socio-cultural background.   The mission of the USCCA is inspired by the Gospel and based on building trust, friendship, dialogue, and mutual respect, which comes from the heartbeat of life. We stand ready to share the source of our inspiration with those who seek to know the Gospel through an accompaniment of our individual and shared celebrations and suffering. Yes, Palm Sunday invites us into Holy Week: a remembrance of celebration and suffering. Lenten Blessings and Peace, Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus And All of us at the USCCA -----------------------   Note: I took this photo in Chongqing, China. From 2007 to 2008, I was a foreign expert professor at Sichuan International Studies University. Weather and the urban mood during the weeks following the February Lunar New Year of 2008 were dismal. Seeking to rekindle my spirit, I took the short early morning bus to the nearby Shapingba district, where I attended the Palm Sunday liturgy. When I received my palms, I felt peaceful. It happened that I walked out of that church alongside two women and a young child. I entered into a quiet conversation. Just as we were about to go our separate ways, I asked if I might take their photo. They agreed. As the years have passed, I have found great encouragement from this photo.  I often wonder what the experience of these two Chinese Catholic women was. What have been their celebrations and sufferings? As I look at the child in this photo sixteen years later, I wonder what that person is doing.  Still, I never tire of looking at this 2008 photo. It inspires me to possess a global faith that continues to be so nourished by Chinese Catholic history, tradition, culture, and society . ---------------------------------- THE JOURNEY OF LENT REFLECTIONS ~ from Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus The Journey of Lent: Week 1 The Journey of Lent: Week 2 The Journey of Lent: Week 3 The Journey of Lent: Week 4 The Journey of Lent: Week 5 Finally, if you have enjoyed visiting the USCCA website and want to learn more about our mission, please contact director@uschinacatholic.org  or consider donating $35 to honor the 35th anniversary  of the USCCA.

Easter: A meditation- completing the journey of Lent with baptism. The USCCA invites you to participate in the journey of Lent. Not everyone is a "cradle Catholic." Not everyone is baptized soon after their birth. For some, the forty-day journey of Lent can also be the intentional and reflective time before being baptized on Easter. The Passionist China Collection: 800.02_073.005. While some are willing to proclaim their personal conversion story, others value the solitude of their experience. In this present day,  Easter baptisms are most common in the liturgy. This is when the newly baptized and the assembled community are inspired to receive and share in this gift of faith. If you are a convert to Catholicism, how do you share your faith story? How do you listen to others' conversion stories? This Easter 2024, let us respect and reverence those who have completed the journey of Lent with baptism. Lenten Blessings and Peace, Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus And All of us at the USCCA ----------------------- Note: This is a photo from the Passionist China Collection. In 1922, the first six American Passionists arrived in West Hunan, China, to minister in a region that had been staffed by the Spanish Augustinians since 1870. Successful ministry required Europeans and Americans to let go of their initial prejudices and cooperate. As best as can be determined, this group photo might have been taken in 1923 or 1924. After the Chinese catechumens had completed their Lenten journey. The photo includes the following notation. “1st baptism class. During time of instruction they have all they can do to study catechism and prayers from morning till night. If they are too poor to pay for daily food, [the] mission must feed them. Most of them are too poor. It costs 3 to 4 dollars a month to feed them. Often [they] come with nothing…?” With these new Chinese Catholics are [(far left back row): Fr. Dominic Langenbacher, C.P., (sitting): A Spanish Augustinian, (back row right): Fr. Edmund Campbell, C.P.,] The Passionist China Collection: 800.02_073.005. Located at the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History at the Boston College. --------------------- THE JOURNEY OF LENT REFLECTIONS ~ from Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., Director Emeritus The Journey of Lent: Week 1 The Journey of Lent: Week 2 The Journey of Lent: Week 3 The Journey of Lent: Week 4 The Journey of Lent: Week 5 The Journey of Lent: Palm Sunday Finally, if you have enjoyed visiting the USCCA website and want to learn more about our mission, please contact director@uschinacatholic.org or consider donating $35 to honor the 35th anniversary of the USCCA.

By Tom McGuire, USCCA Board In preparation for the 29th USCCA International Conference, Theme: Our Hope is in Christ at DePaul University in Chicago, August 2-4, 2024. Tom McGuire, a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Maryknoll Affiliates, led a conversation with Chapter members about the USCCA mission and Catholics in China. The conversation began with the inspiring words of Maryknoll Bishop James Edward Walsh, M.M., who, in July 1970, walked into Hong Kong after being released from house arrest in China. He told reporters, “I have no bitterness toward those who tried and condemned me…I could never feel angry with any Chinese. I love the Chinese people.” The following is my summary of the conversation. ~ members of the Maryknoll Affiliates Chapter at the Maryknoll House in Hyde Park, Chicago The conversation began with the present historical moment in China and the USCCA's mission of building bridges of dialogue and friendship with the people of China within the current historical context. There was a recognition of suffering in China resulting from many historical factors and deep cultural misunderstandings about religion. Christianity continues to be considered a foreign religion with many restrictions in China. The mission of friendship with anyone from outside China and Chinese friends in China can cause tension, mainly due to political issues resulting from a long history of conflict and suffering. The question raised in the conversation was, What can Catholic missionary disciples do to lessen the tension and promote dialogue? This suggested a need to listen to Chinese people, learn from them, and engage in a partnership to seek peace on Earth. What is needed to be engaged in a mission with Chinese people in China today? The conversation reflected on Sister Lina Rong’s words, a Chinese Old Testament scholar who directs retreats and gives talks in many parts of China. She advised those interested in serving in a mission with China, “I think in our time, we need people who can go beyond themselves to build bridges among people with different faith traditions, different ways of life, different opinions on political issues, to let go of one’s sense of security in a certain ‘belief’ and ‘truth,’ to admit that my view is limited, then to listen and to appreciate the other. We can live in peace even if we are different.” Her advice suggests a need for missionary disciples with hearts that have been transformed through their friendship with Jesus. A key part of the USCCA mission is to share with Catholics in the U.S. the Chinese Christians' hope in Christ. An example of the message that can be shared is the story of Tan Jian, a Christian man in prison for his religious activities. In sharing his faith with other prisoners, a physical confrontation took place, with the possibility of significant physical harm to himself. His response was, “My Lord has been slapped among the prisoners. The soldiers mocked our Lord Jesus, putting a crown of thorns on him and then a purple robe. What use do I have for my face? What use do I have for the hypocritical, prison-affiliated face? The Lord Jesus is my face; the Lord Jesus is my countenance; the Lord Jesus is my glory. Not only is Jesus my glory- he is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s nature. God has shone in my heart. I have known and seen that Jesus Christ is the image of God, with the true light of God’s glory on his face.” Tan Jian's story is of a deep, intimate friendship with Jesus Christ. He invites those who hear his story to discover his friendship with Jesus, who loves everyone. The Maryknoll Affiliates in Chicago are involved in different missions, some with migrants recently sent to Chicago from the southern border, others with prisoners in local jails who do not speak English, some with people in Haiti, and some with USCCA mission of friendship and dialogue with people of China. In conclusion, members recognized that friendship is a common characteristic of all the ministries. The question that needs more exploration is: How can a more intimate friendship with Jesus be developed that creates dialogue beyond political and domestic divisions? I invite everyone to participate in the USCCA 29th International Conference, Theme: “Our Hope is in Christ.” Explore with Chinese sisters and brothers the mission of building bridges of friendship and dialogue with the people of China. ----------- Finally, if you have enjoyed visiting the USCCA website and want to learn more about our mission, please contact director@uschinacatholic.org or consider donating $35 to honor the 35th anniversary of the USCCA.

On Saturday, Feb 17, 2024, the online Book Circle met for the first time in the new year. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, including a few Chinese students studying in the US. We discussed two pieces of writing: the conclusion to Fr. Jean Charbonnier’s 2007 book, Christians in China, and John Wu, Jr.’s article about the friendship between his father John C. H. Wu and Thomas Merton, "God-inebriated." Charbonnier’s observations led to some first-hand personal reflections on the evolving situation in Chinese churches. The Wu article opened up fascinating conversations about the dialogue between Christianity and Buddhism. Both texts point to the contemporary relevance of interfaith dialogue for the growth of the global church. Stoked by these two articles, the Book Circle will look forward to reading more selections from the book Merton and the Tao: Dialogue with John Wu and the Ancient Sages in upcoming sessions. Food for thought from our discussion: How important is the unity and harmony between different Chinese Christian communities? Could the Buddhist concept of emptiness give us a creative interpretation of the Trinity? Both Merton and Wu believe the vocation of a monk is to quest for the truth wherever it may be found. How does this desire for truth apply to all Christians? The Second Book Circle On Saturday, March 9, 2024 (U.S. time zones: 7 am PT, 8 am MT, 9 am CT, 10 am ET). We will have our second meeting to discuss Arturo Sosa, S.J.’s “The Church in China: Notes for ‘writing the future’” (La Civilta Cattolica, 2019) Father Sosa is the superior general of the Jesuits. He said the Jesuits have sought, are seeking, and will continue to enculturate themselves among the Chinese and there to seek the voice of God among the people. He spells out the Gospel dimensions of such a presence in this article. NOTE: If you are interested in participating in the March 9, 2024 Book Circle discussion, let us know by signing up for Book Circle updates through the Google Form linked here. A reminder email will be sent -- as well as few questions from Fr. Hugh -- a couple weeks beforehand to help guide everyone's reading and reflection, and our conversation. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND SHARING How do you understand the relationship between the readings last time and Father Sosa’s Notes for “writing the future”? Father Sosa accepts the likelihood that the future in China will be increasingly secular and urban. What are the challenges and possible blessings of “urban Catholicism”? Father Sosa asserts that the new era of humanity will demand significant changes for us as well as for China. What is the best pastoral practice, according to Father Sosa, that the church can contribute in our Friendship Ministry ? What role might the Christian churches play? Who Might Benefit from the Book Circles? Chinese Christians interested in the growth of Chinese churches Emerging scholars interested in the dialogue between Christianity and Chinese culture All those interested in forming a more profound friendship between China and the United States Again, welcome to the 2024 USCCA Book Circle. Peace and blessings of the Lenten season. Mary Sluka, USCCA Board Member Fr. Hugh O'Donnell, C.M., USCCA Board Member Kathy Stout, Ph.D. in Theology and adjunct professor, The University of Dayton, “The Art of Dialogue and Proclamation: A Case Study with John C. H. Wu (1899-1986)” ------------------ Please be invited to share this Book Circle Blog post with colleagues, friends, and family members who might seek to join us in conversation and dialogue. ------------------ USCCA Mission: Inspired by the Gospel, the mission of the US-China Catholic Association is to build bridges of friendship and dialogue between people of China and the United States by offering educational, service, and cultural programs in support of the Church and the larger society. USCCA Vision: The vision of the US-China Catholic Association is to build friendship and cooperation between Catholics in China and in the United Sates for the flourishing of society.

By Chiaretto Yan Kin-sheung, a Catholic Chinese theologian and author of My Chinese Dream As reported in a Catholic News Agency article on January 12, 2024, Pope Francis met with representatives of DIALOP (Transversal Dialogue Project), an association of European leftist politicians, academics, and members of the Focolare Movement, of which I am a member. One of DIALOP's main goals is to bridge Catholic social teaching and Marxist theory. DIALOP promotes and supports dialogue between people of goodwill and secular and religious backgrounds, particularly between Socialists/Marxists and Christians -- in cooperation with universities and other formal or informal educational institutions, DIALOP. In his audience with members of DIALOP, the Pope emphasized the need for SOLIDARITY, especially toward socially disadvantaged people, through an integral approach, with radical changes of perspective in the sharing of challenges and resources among individuals and peoples. Politics at the service of humanity cannot be dictated only by finance and market mechanisms. He called for DIALOGUE, discussion, and listening, encouraging their commitment to solidarity and dialogue. At the end of the audience, Pope Francis encouraged DIALOP to launch a transversal dialogue capable of involving the broadest strata of society and, above all, the youth. Right after this private audience with the Pope, DIALOP held a three-day conference at the Sophia University Institute, the Institute at which I wrote my dissertation, the basis of my book My Chinese Dream. The conference was a moment of rich confrontation, open and full of very stimulating perspectives. The DIALOP Conference points to what I mentioned in My Chinese Dream, Pope Francis’ commitment to the culture of dialogue and encounter with China. I think involving a broad strata of society in such dialogues would greatly benefit from having exchanges and open dialogue with the people of China. Can we all agree with Pope Francis? “Don’t back off, don’t give up, and don’t stop dreaming of a better world. For it is in imagination, the ability to dream, that intelligence, intuition, experience, and historical memory come together to make us creative, take chances, and run risks.” GREETING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO MEMBERS OF THE DIALOP (TRANSVERSAL DIALOGUE PROJECT) ASSOCIATION  Room adjacent to the Paul VI HallWednesday, 10 January 2024 [note: Chiaretto Yan Kin-sheung is a good friend of Tom McGuire, USCCA Board member; we are pleased to feature his writing on the USCCA blog] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pope Francis calls for greater dialogue and cooperation between Christians, Marxists By Matthew Santucci Rome Newsroom, Catholic News Agency, Jan 12, 2024 / 10:30 am Pope Francis this week called for cooperation between Christians and Marxists as a way to achieve greater “dialogue” and help in the search for the “common good.” “I thank you for your commitment to dialogue,” the pope said in a private meeting on Jan. 10 with 15 representatives of DIALOP (Transversal Dialogue Project), an association of European leftist politicians and academics that seeks to bridge Catholic social teaching and Marxist theory. “There is always a great need for dialogue, so do not be afraid,” the pope said during the event at the Paul VI Audience Hall. Highlighting the nexus between social, economic, and ecological issues, the pope said that “politics that is truly at the service of humanity cannot let itself be dictated to by finance and market mechanisms.” The pope buttressed his call for a more inclusive participation in economic and political decision-making by suggesting that “instead of rigid approaches that divide, let us cultivate, with open hearts, discussion and listening.” “And not exclude anyone at the political, social, or religious level, so that the contribution of each can, in its concrete distinctiveness, receive a positive reception in the processes of change to which our future is linked,” the Holy Father added. “Don’t back off, don’t give up, and don’t stop dreaming of a better world. For it is in imagination, the ability to dream, that intelligence, intuition, experience, and historical memory come together to make us be creative, take chances, and run risks.” The pope argued that “solidarity is not only a moral virtue but also a requirement of justice, which calls for correcting the distortions and purifying the intentions of unjust systems, not least through radical changes of perspective in the sharing of challenges and resources among individuals and among peoples.” The pope closed his speech with a reflection on the importance of the rule of law, saying: “It is only in honesty and integrity that healthy relationships can be established and that we can cooperate confidently and effectively in building a better future.” Pope Francis has made critique of the market economy one of the defining themes of his pontificate. In his 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the pope wrote: “We can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the invisible hand of the market.” “Growth in justice requires more than economic growth, while presupposing such growth: It requires decisions, programs, mechanisms, and processes specifically geared to a better distribution of income, the creation of sources of employment, and an integral promotion of the poor, which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality.” Vatican News noted that the Jan. 10 audience was “not a short greeting but an interview that lasted with spontaneous questions and answers for about 40 minutes.” DIALOP was founded in 2014 after a meeting between Pope Francis, the Vienese leftist politician Walter Baier, former Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, and Franz Kronreif of the Focolare Movement, a spiritual and social renewal founded in 1943 — and approved by the Church in 1962 — to promote universal brotherhood and to foster dialogue between different religious groups. Both Baier and Kronreif were present at the Jan. 10 meeting. In an interview with Vatican News following the audience, Baier noted that during the speech the pope highlighted “the need for solidarity” especially “toward socially disadvantaged people.” “He called for a dialogue that goes beyond historical patterns, a dialogue that deals primarily with the excluded and vulnerable and that respects the principles of the rule of law.” Kronreif said to Vatican News that following the pope’s call from the meeting, the association is “preparing a two-year project that should start in the autumn on peace, on how to build peace ... a project to involve especially the young generations in how to make peace grow from below, so that everyone feels called upon to create peace around themselves, to help the victims of war to realize what the roots of war may be and what are the tools to prevent it.” Matthew Santucci is a CNA Rome correspondent based in EWTN's Vatican bureau. He grew up in Connecticut and has been living in Rome since 2020. He has a B.A. in History from Fordham and an M.A. in International Relations from Luiss Guido Carli.

On the eve of Chinese New Year, the Pope Expresses His Closeness to China By Tom McGuire, Board Member Pope Francis greeted all who celebrate the Spring Festival that begins Saturday, February 10, 2024. His greeting expressed a feeling of closeness in his heart for all in China, Southeast Asia, and around the world who observe the celebration as “an opportunity to experience relationships of affection and gestures of attention, which contribute to creating a supportive and fraternal society, where every person is recognized and welcomed in their inalienable dignity.” In this Lunar New Year of 2024, let us pray: May we discover the deepest desires in our hearts. May we make choices that support good health. May we recognize the inalienable dignity of each person. May we discover the Joy of the Gospel May we be witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ. ------------------ Churches in China Care for the Needy Before Spring Festival in the China Christian Daily The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year or the Chinese New Year, is a holiday in China that kicks off what is expected to be the busiest annual celebration in history; there may be a record 9 billion domestic trips made during the 40-day travel period, along with winter weather that will not make travel difficult. (Photo from Catholic News Agency) This article by Serena Tse, Churches in China Care for the Needy Before Spring Festival in the China Christian Daily, February 6, 2024, reports the way Christians are giving witness to a fraternal society by including people in need in their preparations for the Spring Festival celebration. As the 2024 Chinese New Year approaches, churches in Hubei, Fujian, and Shaanxi provinces carry out caring visitation activities. According to the Hunan Provincial TSPM, on January 31, St. James Church in Yichang, along with three local St James, along with three local communities, provided 120 needy families with essential foods in Yichang City, Hunan Province, on January 31, 2024, communities provided 120 needy families with essential foods. For more than 20 years, St. James Church and the local communities have co-organized the "Three Supports and One Assistance" event (supporting students, the elderly, and the disabled; assisting the underprivileged), with the assistance aim increasing from one to three communities recently, a visiting team of pastoral staff, and co-workers at distinct meeting points, and group leaders from Shashi Church in Jingzhou paid visits and sent warmth to the elderly and sick," said Jingzhou Municipal CC. A church in Jianli City (a county-level city affiliated with Zhangzhou City City) visited aged co-workers, the elderly, those who live alone, and those in need. Recently, a visiting team of pastoral staff and co-workers at distinct meeting points and group leaders from Shashi Church in Jingzhou paid visits and "sent warmth to the elderly and the sick," said Jingzhou Municipal CC. Achurch in Jianli City (a county-level city affiliated with Jingzhou City) embarked on a visit to aged co-workers, the elderly, those who live alone, and those in need. On January 31, leaders of the Shaanxi Christian community extended a visit to the retired leaders of the provincial TSPM with money. Furthermore, the visiting team provided financial support to 120 pastoral staff members from grassroots churches who were experiencing living challenges, with encouragement for their Service to the church. The charity organization of Wenfeng Church in Dongshan County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, distributed food to the impoverished and disabled on February 3, reported the church. ~ Translated by Poppy Chan

Board Member Fr Doug Mullin, O.S.B. Elected  Abbot Doug of St John’s Abbey My wife Florence and I watched, online, The Blessing of Abbot Doug Mullin, our friend and member of the U.S. China Catholic Association Board. We received a letter from Fr Geoffrey Fecht, OSB acknowledging our online presence. We share a section of his letter that describes the significance of the blessing and the role of the Abbot in his monastic community at St John's. Abbot Doug has been a faithful member of the U.S. China Catholic Association Board since 2013. During my time as Chair of the Board and continuing to the present, he has contributed invaluable wisdom and leadership in the mission work of building bridges of friendship and dialogue with the people of China in partnership with our Chinese Catholic sisters and brothers.  We know he will continue to carry in his heart love for the people of China. We are grateful for Abbot Doug's service on the Board and pray he will be the faithful Face of Christ in his monastic community. Shalom, Tom McGuire Member of the USCCA Board ----------------------------------------------- Dear Tom and Florence, The following is taken from A Monk’s Chronicle – 27 January 2024, by Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB The Blessing of an Abbot is an important occasion in the life of any monastery. So, Abbot Douglas's blessing on January 28th marked a milestone for us at Saint John’s Abbey. It was an event laced with all sorts of symbolism, intended to convey a great deal of meaning. The presence of our bishop, Patrick Neary, CSC, was only the most obvious of them. As the bishop of St. Cloud, Bishop Patrick conferred the blessing, and that action recognizes the relationship between the monastery and the diocese in which we live. Saint Benedict, in his Rule, made clear that a monastery in the Benedictine tradition has an important spiritual relationship with the bishop, even if, at times, the details can be a bit murky. Still, the bishop’s presence is a visible reminder that Saint Benedict did not intend for his monks to wander off, doing their own thing. We monks are part of the Church, and with the larger Christian community, we pilgrimage to the Lord. Complementing that relationship with the Church, the very nature of the office of abbot distinguishes a Benedictine monastery from a secular institution. It’s true that Saint John’s Abbey has a legal existence in the state of Minnesota as the Order of Saint Benedict, Inc. But unlike other corporations, we believe that our CEO holds the place of Christ in our midst. It’s an awesome responsibility to be the face of Christ to the monks, but Saint Benedict makes explicit that the abbot does have that responsibility. With it comes the allegorical language that Saint Benedict invests in the office. The abbot is a shepherd of souls. He is a wise physician. He is a careful and dexterous manager, seeing to the needs of each monk. But he is not a dictator. He ought to inspire the strong but not run the fragile monk into the ground. He is accountable for his actions, and Saint Benedict cautions the abbot that at the last judgment, there will be a performance appraisal. He will have to give an accounting for each monk in his care. Given all that, why would any monk want that kind of job? A qualified candidate would not! And why would such a monk accept such a job? A monk accepts it out of a sense of duty. He accepts it, convinced that the Holy Spirit has spoken through his brothers who called him to the task. And he accepts it in the conviction that the Lord who has begun such good work will walk with him and bring it to completion. Blessings, Fr. Geoffrey Fecht, OSB --------------------- Click here: To view the Mass and blessing Abbot Doug's remarks begin at 1.39.14 Abbot Douglas Mullin, OSB Elected Eleventh Abbot of Saint John's Abbey

By Tom McGuire, USCCA Board Member St Ignatius of Antioch (50-110 AD) wrote, “Give heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you.” This ancient advice would not be possible if there were no bishop. The 2018 Provisional Agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Holy See made the ordination of three Bishops in China possible. For Catholics who have been without a bishop, this is an opportunity to heed the pastoral direction of a bishop that God may give heed to them. This is a time of building communion of the Catholic Church in China with the universal Church. The opinions about the 2018 Provisional Agreement have been divisive. Division and quarrels among the friends of Jesus are not new. The New Testament makes clear that even on the night before Jesus was to suffer and die, he prayed: ‘May they be one as we are one.’ (John 17.11). His friends did not understand what was happening to Jesus. They were instead focused on fear about their future, which brought about division and quarrels among them. Like Jesus’ first friends, today, Catholic friends of Jesus in China and the United States are fearful of how the decisions of Church leaders may impact their future, leading to division and quarrels within the Church. Is this what Jesus was praying to prevent? The ordination of three new Bishops in China is an opportunity for us to leave room for doubt. The ordination of three bishops may not be a bridge to friendship and dialogue between the people of China and Catholics. Rather than quarrel and create division, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will move the bishops' hearts to witness genuine reconciliation within the Church, which seemed impossible in earlier times. May all the Catholic friends of Jesus live the mission of the Church as a proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel for all people. John C.H. Wu, a great Chinese Catholic legal scholar, states the mission in these words. “...there is no other way of loving God than by loving. Love—as Christ loved Compassionately Serve—as Christ served Mercifully Forgive—as Christ forgave Willing to suffer—as Christ suffered Be Free, life-giving, and joyful—as Christ is.” The three new bishops are: Bishop Wang Yuesheng, 57, of the Diocese of Zhengzhou in the Province of Kaifeng, was ordained to the episcopacy on December 16, 2023. The Diocese has been without a bishop since Bishop Faustino Tissot, a Xaverian missionary appointed by Pius Xii in 1946, was expelled in 1953. Bishop Anthony Sun Wenjun, 53, of the newly formed Diocese of Weifang Shandong Province, was ordained to the episcopacy on January 29, 2024. Bishop Peter Wu Yishun, 59, of the Diocese of Shaowu (Minbei) in the Province of Fujian, was ordained to the episcopacy on January 31, 2024. I invite your comments and prayers for the good of the pastoral mission of the Catholic Church in China.