Chinese Catholics celebrate Lunar New Year Mass, Cardinal Tobin urges faithful to be the light of hope for others
The Lunar New Year was celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. and the Chinese Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of Newark with Mass at the Holy Cross Church in Harrison on Sunday, Feb. 5.
More than 100 faithful attended the Mass, some of whom wore traditional Chinese clothing. Clergy celebrating the Mass donned red vestments and stoles – signifying joy and happiness during the Lunar New Year.
Apart from the visual uniqueness of the Mass, the liturgical music was also distinct to the Chinese culture, according to Sister Dong Hong Marie Zhang, the liaison to the Chinese community for the Archdiocese of Newark. The songs were written by Chinese songwriters and contain elements of Chinese culture in their forms and styles.
Perhaps the most special aspect of this year’s Lunar New Year celebration was celebrant Cardinal Tobin, who presided over the Mass for the first time.
In his homily, Cardinal Tobin noted that the start of the Lunar New Year (on Jan. 22) coincides with the new moon, “[when] the Northern hemisphere is still caught in the grip of deep winter darkness.” It is fitting, he said, that the reading from Isaiah 58:7-10 and the Gospel of Matthew 5:13-16 reference how the light of faith can shine in the darkness of the world.
“We ourselves do not have the tools to bring the light,” Cardinal Tobin said. “It shines through us from God. We allow ourselves to become transparent, so as not to obscure the light.”
This message of Christians as carriers of the Light is reminiscent of the lamp set on the lampstand in Matthew. It also brings to mind the floating lanterns of the Lantern Festival, the celebration that concludes the Lunar New Year.
The Gospel of Matthew suggests bringing light to all in the house. Isaiah says that helping those most in need allows the light of God to shine. Cardinal Tobin concluded his homily by stating we should bring the light of hope to others.
“The sense of weariness that pervades so much of Western culture may be addressed by the labor of bringing the light of hope to others,” he said. “Allow your light to shine forth brightly in the direction of the poor and the marginalized, so that they may overcome the darkness that has enclosed them.”
Sister Dong Hong reflected on Cardinal Tobin’s words, saying “Cardinal Tobin’s homily was so powerful, reflective, and meaningful to the Lunar New Year’s celebration. He used the physical darkness of the new moon, which happens in the Lunar New Year, to lead us to the importance of light that the prophet Isaiah and our Lord Jesus call us to be.”
Following the Mass, Cardinal Tobin, concelebrating clergy and parishioners gathered in the lower level of the parish for food, and refreshments, and to watch the performance of two Chinese dances.
The first dance was the “Song of the Pear Blossom,” which is a dance and song performed in the Peking Opera. The second dance came from the Uyghur people of Xinjian and expresses hope for the harvest.
As festivities concluded, the consensus feeling among the faithful was gratitude. After all, the Lunar New Year Mass is an “expression of thanksgiving” in addition to being an opportunity to ask for blessings for the new year, said Sister Dong Hong.
“Our members of the Chinese community feel deeply honored and grateful for Cardinal Tobin’s support and being with us for the Mass celebration,” she said. “We also appreciate the co-celebrants and the visitors who came to share this joy and solidarity with us.
We are truly blessed, and our community members expressed their appreciation, inspiration, hope, and joy in such solidarity through this festival event.”
Featured image: After a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin at Holy Cross Church in Harrison, a Lunar New Year celebration with dances was held. (Joe Jordan / Archdiocese of Newark).
