Chinese Catholics celebrate Lunar New Year with special Mass (Photos/ video)

As Holy Cross Church in Harrison celebrated the Lunar New Year at a Feb. 18 Mass, about 100 Chinese Catholic parishioners and friends sang hymns, enjoyed the choir band, and further strengthened bonds during a feast and games. 

Father Bill Wu delivered a message of strengthening community and familial ties. Part of the Chinese Catholic community within the Archdiocese for five years, the sole Chinese Catholic priest in the Garden State noted that Chinese Catholics in the community used to go to New York City or Middlesex in New Jersey for Sunday Mass. The Asian population in Harrison has grown to 20%, nearly 4,000 residents, Census data shows. Approximately 350 families are Holy Cross parishioners, many of whom come from other towns. 

“People feel more stable when they hear the sermons in their language, and it helps with confession,” Father Wu told Jersey Catholic after the Mass. “The Chinese Catholic community here is small but growing because they know there’s a schedule, whether we’re celebrating Lunar New Year or Sunday Mass (every Sunday except the second Sunday of the month). The Spring Festival, or celebration of the Lunar New Year, is a good time to organize people, make them feel we’re family and community, and celebrate our culture and church.” 

The Lunar New Year is Feb. 10 -24 this year. The 15-day tradition begins with the new moon and culminates in a lantern ceremony. It signifies agriculture, family, and renewal. Lunar New Year changes every year to represent one of the 12 animals corresponding to the Chinese zodiac which uses both the lunar and solar calendars. Lunar New Year 2024 celebrates the Year of the Dragon—those born in the years 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and 2024. Red is worn or used for décor to symbolize happiness, health, and luck. 

After the Catholic Mass, parishioners received gift bags filled with assorted Chinese cookies, peanut rice crisp squares, chocolate gold coins in red envelopes, sunflower seeds, ginger chews, fruit, lollipops, and boba tea.  

During the feast downstairs, parishioners enjoyed a variety of Chinese food prepared by church families. They played “Guess the Word” games for prizes and participated in a raffle as they sipped miso soup and enjoyed the cuisine, made new friendships, and strengthened old ones.  

“It’s important to use the Lunar New Year as a reunion celebration, bring people together, use our time to share our love for food, religion, and family,” said Lily Cao, 40, of Fort Lee. “Many of us meet here every week, but some live further away so this is a chance to ‘come home’ with good wishes and prayer for joy and health.” 

For some like Sky Christopher, 45, of New Brunswick, the language barrier does not get in the way of her connection to the Harrison, N.J. church and God. “I try to meditate during the service and feel in touch with people spiritually. Even if you don’t understand the language, your soul understands,” she said. 

Cross-cultural couple Andrew Allanson (Polish/Irish) and his wife, Cindy (Chinese) brought their infant son, Arthur. Cindy converted from a secular life to Catholicism. “I was reading philosophy, which was lacking. There was no totality in terms of understanding life. Catholicism covers all of it in a way that’s livable,” she said. 

The Woodland Park-based Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God had four representatives at the event. Sister Beatrice Yang said the nuns perform missionary work in Taiwan, the Philippines, Brazil, Angola, Germany, and Namibia. Of their 258 nuns worldwide, the 19 in New Jersey and three in New York attend Chinese Catholic Masses wherever they can. “The Lunar New Year is about people young and old coming together. Confucius teaches us to show respect, be virtuous, and connect with our roots,” she added. 

For many who grew up in secular Chinese settings, the Lunar New Year blends perfectly with Catholicism. Sister Marie Zhang, CSSF, Liaison to the Chinese Community for the Chinese Catholic Apostolate, said that when she was growing up in China, there were only three Catholic churches for about 7 million Catholics in Wuhan. 

Rector Esther Lam noted that the event signifies respect for ancestors, a nod to the Virgin Mary, and thanks for Asian culture that passes through generations.  

Sherry Yin of East Brunswick said she experienced fewer such events until her retirement. “I haven’t experienced this as much when I was working and raising kids. Lots of people from different areas have come together here to celebrate. It reminds me of when I was a young girl back in China,” Yin said. 

Father Tim Graff, Ethnic Apostolate in Charge for the Archdiocese of Newark thanked parishioners for their presence, faith, and goodness. “Celebrate the new year, new beginnings, and God’s grace,” he said.