Brought to you by: Father Ricardo Teixeira
The recent opportunity during the month of September to celebrate mass in the Chapel of Penha de França was a wonderful moment to recall the celebrations with the foreign communities in China.
In fact several times I had to go to other cities to help the local Chinese priest for the English mass. At the beginning I was a little afraid, nevertheless it made me really impressed with the amount of people that during their vacations, or at the weekend of their hard working week got some time to celebrate mass with a community.
In Shanghai, where I gave most of my help for the English mass, I could find a wonderful international community where, like the Chinese, all would follow their books and take part in the hymns. It was really amazing. Something I still miss in the other Portuguese celebrations – if there is the choir, the people just “forget” to sing. And sure, sadly, no one has a book to follow the answers of the mass.
The celebration of Mass at the Chapel of Penha de França made me remember the communion of different people and talents all working together for a more lively celebration. And after the celebration, the good moments in the “tea house” where we continue to celebrate the wonders of God in the nature and in the person that share their ideas, their time and their goods, people that really help people.
I want to thank you all for this wonderful opportunity. 谢谢 *
My best wishes,
Fr. Ricardo Teixeira, scj *(Editors note: “thank you” in Chinese)