By Huili (Kathy) Stout, USCCA Membership & Administrative Coordinator Sunday, June 7th, 2026, is the Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (基督圣体圣血节). The importance of this Feast, commemorating the sacrifice of Christ as celebrated and received in the Mass, is expressed in many ways by the Church. In our time, it can particularly remind us of the Eucharist being the sacrament of Christian unity and of peace, both interior and in the universe. “The Last Supper” by Luke Yuandu Chen 陈元度, 1938 One of my favorite things to do during Mass is to people-watch while everyone is lining up to receive the Eucharist. This is the moment that the Body of Christ manifests itself to me in vivid, touching details. The communicants are rich and poor, young and old, married and single, healthy and sick. Some couples hold hands while approaching together. Sometimes a daughter holds an elderly mother by the arm. Some are pushed along in a wheelchair. Babies sleeping on their mom’s chest, a large family with a whole train of kids, or young adults whom I have watched grow up and are now miniature images of their parents. Our parish also has a group of hearing-impaired parishioners, who enjoy a dedicated front row with their own sign-language interpreter. So many people in various kinds of personal and social conditions gather together, all of them walking with a gentle, quiet peace. Watching them at Mass, I can feel my heart soften, my inner divisions melting away, and a smile unfurling from the depth of my being to embrace each and every one. It is the Body of Christ that makes the Church. This happy occasion of Corpus Christi is a great opportunity to share a momentous change that is about to take place in the structure of the USCCA. Since its founding in 1989, we have been a small organization led by a working Board of Directors. As we wrestle with many challenges, including the post-Vatican II change in the manner and activities of evangelization, the decline of American religious orders, which used to be our main supporters, the aging of current Board members, and the need to create more efficient channels of dialogue, it is clear that the USCCA will benefit from an infusion of new energy. Toward that end, we have decided that the best way to “enlarge our tent” (Pope Francis) is to create a membership structure whereby more people can join our fold and participate in our mission. We intend to pray and work for robust growth in the constitutive cells of this small body of Christ at the USCCA. In the coming days and months, you will see a concerted effort to recruit new members for the USCCA. We will invite everyone to come and see who has an interest in Chinese Catholicism and Chinese culture. Perhaps you have been our friend all along, but we will ask you to take a further step. Let us become one community, one body of Christ, nourished by the same sacrificial food of Christ, motivated by the same vision for peace, friendship, and dialogue. Let us accompany each other as co-pilgrims on the way, learn from each other, and energize each other by our mutual presence. Together, we can make the USCCA a concrete manifestation of the Body of Christ, a “sacrament” of unity and diversity, of peace and harmony in our communities and across the distance between China and the U.S. Stay tuned. Dr. Kathy Stout is a facilitator of the USCCA Book Circle and a member of the USCCA Board. She received her Ph.D. in theology from the University of Dayton, and she has taught classes on theology and religious studies as well as Daoism, Buddhism, and Chinese traditions in general at UD and the University of Oklahoma. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

by Dr. Chiaretto Yan To mark the Day of Prayer for the Church in China (May 24, feast of Our Lady of Sheshan), Pope Leo delivered a televised message: “We unite our prayers with Chinese Catholics, as a sign of our affection for them, and of their communion with the universal Church and the Successor of Peter.” A beautiful expression of reciprocal love and communion. Over the weekend, 320 Chinese Catholics gathered at Sacred Heart Parish in Padua, Italy, for the 17th annual rotating gathering of Chinese Catholics in 11 cities of Italy: Naples, Rome, Prato, Empoli, Rimini, Reggio Emilia, Turin, Milan, and Treviso—this year hosted by Padua, drawing a record crowd. Events included the rosary, a vigil Mass by Bishop Riccardo Battocchio, and an evening of song, dance, and children’s choir. The next day, Pentecost Sunday, began with a procession to the Basilica of St. Anthony, a saint beloved in China. In his homily, Bishop Claudio Cipolla of Padua invoked the image of bamboo: bending but not breaking, resilient in adversity. After Mass, all recited the prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan. Fr. Feng Bo, organizer and chaplain, noted that everything went harmoniously, from the simple sharing of meals to the careful planning and fundraising that covered all costs—a tangible sign of God’s blessing. I attended this event as a side participant, invited from Shanghai to speak about my recent book, My Chinese Dream. Chiaretto Yan is a lay Catholic theologian and a seminary professor in China. His upcoming book, My Chinese Dream: Dialogues and Encounters with Christianity, is now available. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

by Dr. Benjamin T. OuYang, Executive Director of the US-China Catholic Association Inside the Shrine of Sheshan Last Sunday, May 24, was a special day for three reasons. It happened to be Pentecost and the universal Day of Prayer for the Church in China. It was also the feast of Mary, Help of Christians, on the Catholic calendar. What a glorious combination of these three occasions that match together perfectly! For Chinese Catholics, the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan near Shanghai has long been a place of devotion. Under the loving protection of Our Lady, believers throughout China continue to live their faith with courage, hope, and perseverance. I had the privilege of visiting this Marian Shrine last month on a tour organized by Peter Tan, the Chairman of the USCCA Board — the Cultural Tour of China 2026. While at the shrine, we ascended up a steep hill lined with the beautiful Stations of the Cross. Although the climb was arduous, it was nothing compared to the walk to Calvary. Throughout the walk, I found myself thinking not only about the history of the Church in China but also about my own family, especially my mom and daughter. My mom, because she was converted to Catholicism in Shanghai, and my daughter, a religious sister with the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, who would have loved to have seen this church. In the Shrine, there were beautiful blue banners in Chinese on each aisle and a breathtaking statue of Mother Mary above the altar. I became overwhelmed with emotion, realizing that my mother may very well have prayed—and perhaps even been baptized—in that very shrine decades ago. Stations of the Cross Our tour took place from April 17 to 27. A total of fourteen participants from different parts of the U.S. visited five Chinese provinces across thousands of miles. We visited important Catholic churches as well as famous cultural sites, all while bonding with each other in an unforgettable way. On behalf of the USCCA, I warmly invite you to attend an online round-table discussion of our experience on the Cultural Tour of China 2026. How did this trip change our views of China? What signs did we see that revealed the depth and grandeur of the Chinese civilization? What aspects of faith inspired us as we moved across the boundaries of language, nationality, politics, and history? How did we encounter the presence of God and the unity of the Body of Christ? Please tune in as we discuss these questions and more about our amazing cultural tour of China on Thursday, June 18, 2026. This will also be our inaugural event for a new USCCA program called “Friendship Happy Hour.” Click here to register so we can send you the link to participate in this virtual discussion. Dr. Benjamin T. OuYang is the Executive Director of the US-China Catholic Association. Prior to joining the USCCA, he served as a podcast host and coordinator for the US Catholic Missions Association. He has extensive experience in youth ministry, marriage ministry, OCIA, prison ministry, and missionary work. A lifelong educator, Dr. OuYang dedicated thirty-two years to public education, including fifteen years as a school administrator. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

By Dr. Huili (Kathy) Stout He Qi (Chinese artist, 1950–), Holy Spirit Coming, 1998. Oil on canvas. To commemorate May 24 as the Day of Prayer for the Church in China, designated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, in conjunction with the Feast of Pentecost, we offer you a short reflection on a classical Chinese translation of the scripture passage of Acts 2:25-28. This passage is part of St. Peter’s address to the crowd, who had just witnessed the miracle of Pentecost among the disciples and the “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven” gathered in Jerusalem. St. Peter declares to the crowd that God’s promise to King David has been fulfilled in Christ: 恩主恆在目 ，宛然參我前 有主扶我右 ，吾志寧能遷？ 怡悅充五內 ，歡愉騰舌端 永寄無窮望 ，形體亦自安 爾將保吾魂 ，弗使淪窅冥 寧容圣者軀 ，沾染朽腐痕？ 指我生命路 ，飫我承颜欣 Acts 2:25-28 Traditional Chinese 恩主恒在目 ，宛然参我前 有主扶我右 ，吾志宁能迁？ 怡悦充五内 ，欢愉腾舌端 永寄无穷望 ，形体亦自安 尔将保吾魂 ，弗使沦窅冥 宁容圣者躯 ，沾染朽腐痕？ 指我生命路 ，饫我承颜欣 Acts 2:25-28 Simplified Chinese （吴经熊博士翻译） （translation by Dr. John C. H. Wu） What a beautiful translation is given to us by the holy and erudite Chinese Catholic scholar John C. H. Wu (1899-1986)! It is a vivid reminder of the fullness of our hope in Christ, a fullness that satisfies the hunger of every soul. This hope is not just theoretical but permeates every fiber of our being. It is a spiritual hope that is felt physically: The presence of the Lord fortifies my willpower, bringing ease and delight to all my organs. My tongue is set free, tasting the vigorous energy of happiness. My hope is infinite and eternal, my body at rest and at home. You will never allow my soul to fall into darkness, nor my body into decay. You point me to the path of life and nourish me with gladness in the beauty of your presence. On this propitious feast day, we pray for our brothers and sisters in China and for you, our dear friends of the USCCA. May all those suffering physically or spiritually come to experience a greater portion of God’s grace. May the consolations of the Holy Spirit descend on you generously, to refresh your being and prepare you for the road ahead. Dr. Kathy Stout is a facilitator of the USCCA Book Circle and a member of the USCCA Board. She received her Ph.D. in theology from the University of Dayton, and she has taught classes on theology and religious studies as well as Daoism, Buddhism, and Chinese traditions in general at UD and the University of Oklahoma. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

Have you registered yet for the USCCA's upcoming 30th Biennial Conference, scheduled for July 31–August 2 at the University of St. Thomas in Houston? Our Early Bird discount will only remain open until May 1 at midnight (any time zone) — register today to save! Over the years, more than thirty missionary societies and religious orders have cultivated the gifts of greater dialogue and understanding among Catholics in China and in the Western hemisphere. Our latest YouTube video features none other than USCCA Executive Director Emeritus Father Robert Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D., inviting our audience to come to the conference for opportunities to learn about the rich history of the Catholic Church in China: Click here to view this video message and share it with your friends. Even if you and your friends cannot join us for the Conference, we hope that you consider how you might support our mission by donating to help cover Conference expenses. Your support advances the USCCA's mission of peace, friendship and dialogue. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

We are looking forward to July 31–August 2, when our 30th Biennial Conference will take place at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. In fact, we are so excited to see you that we have extended the deadline for our Early Bird discount to May 1, 2026! We invite you to act today by registering as an attendee of our upcoming Biennial Conference. Even if you cannot join us for the Conference, we hope that you consider how you might support our mission by donating to help cover Conference expenses or by spreading the word with our Press Release. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

We are glad to share that the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) has opened registration for the third session in their free webinar series on the topic of "Welcoming Chinese International Students." The third webinar, scheduled for 7PM–8PM on April 14, 2026, will focus on "Forming Student Leaders to Accompany Chinese International Students with Care, Sensitivity, and Confidence." We invite you to learn more and register on the CCMA website. For more opportunities to learn about friendship and dialogue between the people of the U.S. and the people of China, we invite you to register today as an attendee of our upcoming Biennial Conference. Even if you cannot join us for the Conference, we hope that you consider how you might support our mission by donating to help cover Conference expenses or by spreading the word with our Press Release. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

We at the USCCA are glad to announce the release of our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting some of our last year's accomplishments and aspirations as we carry them forward into 2026. We invite you to read the latest Annual Report. We hope that you find our Annual Report informative and edifying as we work together toward dialogue, peace, and friendship. For in-person opportunities to learn about theology, history, and the life of the Church in China, we invite you to register today for our upcoming 30th International Conference. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

In partnership with ChinaSource and the China Academic Consortium, the US-China Catholic Association co-hosts free public lectures through the Speaker Series. We are thrilled to announce two upcoming free public lectures in the coming weeks! On March 20, via Zoom, retired US Government China specialist Gregory J. Nedved will share his perspective on "Clash of Civilizations: China, the United States, and Religion (Catholicism)." Mr. Nedved retired in 2024 from his role as a historian at the Center for Cryptologic History, where he had worked since 2011; prior to that, he worked as an analyst, translator, and instructor of the Chinese language. He is a two-time winner of the Cryptologic Literature Award for China-related topics. We invite you to click here to learn more and to register for Gregory J. Nedved's free virtual public lecture. On March 26, in Minnesota's Twin Cities area, Joann Pittman will give a lecture on "Christianity in China Beyond the Headlines." At ChinaSource, Ms. Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of the ZGBriefs newsletter. Prior to that, she spent 28 years in China as a teacher, student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer. She is also the author of Survival Chinese Lessons and The Bells Are Not Silent: Stories of Church Bells in China. We invite you to click here to read more and to register for Joann Pittman's upcoming public lecture. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

The US-China Catholic Association is thrilled to announce that registration is now open to the public for attendance at our 30th Biennial Conference. Scheduled for July 31–August 2, 2026, at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX, this conference will place special emphasis on the theme of "Nourishing Trust and Friendship: Following the Way of Christ." This conference is sure to be an unforgettable opportunity to build bridges of friendship among lay and religious brothers and sisters from around the world. We invite you to register today as an attendee of the 30th USCCA Biennial Conference. We are pleased to offer an early bird discount of $50, 25% savings, to all who register before April 15th. In support of students, clergy, and religious, we offer an additional 50% off the standard early bird special. These offers end April 15, so register today! We invite you to share our official press release and our email newsletter subscription form with anyone you know who might be interested in the upcoming 30th Biennial Conference. With your help and sharing of our message, we know you can help us make this conference a true opportunity for friendship and dialogue. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

On February 21, the US-China Catholic Association Book Circle discussed Terri McNichol's article, "Leadership lessons from landscape painting East and West: Cultivating a spiritual eco-imagination." "Autumn Colors on the Qiao and Hua Mountains," Zhao Mengfu, ca. 1276 Terri, a prior Book Circle participant as well as art historian and founder of Ren Associates, drew participants into the details of Chinese and American landscape painting. Themes included the relationship between humanity and nature, the therapeutic benefits of the practice of calligraphy, and the virtues of sincerity and authenticity. Through connections made over the course of the discussion, Chinese and American artistic traditions were brought into dialogue with such Catholic voices as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Francis de Sales. Our next Book Circle discussion will be held on March 21, 2026, at 6 AM PT / 7 AM MT / 8 AM CT / 9 AM ET / 9 PM Chinese Standard Time. We will be discussing chapters 1–3 (pages 1–94) Dan Wang's book, Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future. If you know anyone who might be interested in our Book Circle discussions, please invite them to sign up for Book Circle email updates today! For in-person opportunities to learn about theology, history, and the life of the Church in China, we invite you to read about our upcoming 30th International Conference. ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.

On February 21, the US-China Catholic Association Book Circle will discuss Terri McNichol's article, "Leadership lessons from landscape painting East and West: Cultivating a spiritual eco-imagination." A long-time Book Circle participant, Terri is an award-winning artist, a Chinese art historian, and president of Ren Associates — a consulting firm dedicated to the creative re-imagining of business education. Her article is available to Book Circle participants along with a separate document of the visual images referenced in the article. "Autumn Colors on the Qiao and Hua Mountains," Zhao Mengfu, ca. 1276 As participants read and prepare for the January 31 discussion, they are invited to consider the following discussion prompt from Book Circle facilitator Dr. Kathy Stout: Terri's article approaches the issue of leadership in the context of our ecological crisis through her deep knowledge of American and Chinese landscape art. As you enter the deep layers of the article, what phrases or sentences command your attention and invite a response? You will have an opportunity to directly interact with Terri at our next meeting. In the meantime, I share with you the following passages that I find particularly powerful and my questions associated with them: 1) Terri quotes Paul Crowther on page 58: "If the world is not to one's liking, we would do well to model the artist who through the beauty of art, transforms base matter and makes visible emergent ideas, that rise above the ordinary and create a reality heretofore unimagined." How does Terri's article help us understand the close affinity between nature, art, creativity, and leadership? How similar is leadership to art? 2) In comparing traditional Chinese landscape art with 19th-century American landscape art, Terri notices a "shared sensibility of the sacredness of place" (p. 50). Do you have a favorite piece of landscape painting that similarly evokes a sense of the sacredness, enchantment, power, and awe of the universe? 3) Speaking of the aesthetic power of Chinese landscape (wenrenhua) paintings, Terri remarks that "both painter and viewer were able to see what is not there--the invisible" (p. 56). She further explains the effect of this seeing: "the ability to bring forth with an embodied sincerity, the quintessential trait of a true individual of the Way, the one who hits the mark without effort. For it is sincerity that enables humans to live in social harmony with the world." "Sincerity" in this context is a Confucian virtue of foundational importance. How do you understand its significance in relation to creativity, aesthetic power, spiritual cultivation, and the role of leadership? The discussion will be held virtually via Zoom at 6AM PT / 7AM MT / 8AM CT / 9AM ET / 10PM Chinese Standard Time. If you have not yet joined us for a Book Circle discussion, please sign up for Book Circle email updates today, and invite your friends to do the same! ---------------------- The USCCA is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. The success of our work depends upon the generosity of people like you.