Chinese Catholics celebrate Lunar New Year with uplifting festivities
Chinese Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Newark and beyond came together in celebration of the Lunar New Year — the most significant holiday in many Asian communities — at a Mass on Feb. 2 at Holy Cross Church in Harrison, N.J. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, presided over the liturgy.
Father Timothy Graff, the Archdiocese’s director of multicultural affairs; Father Paul J. Duffy, M.M., a retired Maryknoll priest; and two priests from China, Father Tongyang Shen and Father John Lin Teng, concelebrated the Mass with Cardinal Tobin. The liturgy also featured worship music performed in Chinese and an image of Our Lady of China displayed at the front of the church. Many attendees came dressed in cultural attire, with some wearing red, a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture.
This year, the archdiocesan Lunar New Year celebration coincided with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. In his homily, Cardinal Tobin referenced Simeon and Anna from the Gospel reading to ask three thought-provoking questions: What and who moves us? What do our eyes see? And what do we take into our own arms? Cardinal Tobin encouraged the faithful to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit rather than the spirit of the world because the Holy Spirit enables all to discern God’s presence in their lives. He went on to advise that the faithful open their eyes, transform their gazes and change perspectives so they can see God’s salvation and embrace Jesus, which is the core of faith.
Following the Mass, visitors gathered in the church’s lower level for fellowship and a festive Chinese meal. Children played traditional word games, while adults received gift bags filled with cultural delicacies. A dance group led by choreographer Sherry Chen closed out the festivities with an elaborate performance set to the Chinese liturgical song “My God, I Want to Worship You.”
“The Chinese Catholic community is grateful to the concelebrants, religious, and friends who traveled from the Metuchen Diocese, New York, and Pennsylvania to share in the joy and solidarity of our Lunar New Year Mass,” said Sister Dong Hong Marie Zhang, the liaison to the archdiocesan Chinese community. “We are also deeply honored by Cardinal Tobin’s presence and support. This celebration was a moment of hope and inspiration for all of us.”
To learn more about the Archdiocese of Newark’s Chinese Catholic Apostolate, visit www.rcan.org/chinese-catholic-apostolate/.
Photos by Julio Eduardo Herrera/Archdiocese of Newark
Featured image: A Chinese dance group performed as part of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Lunar New Year celebration at Holy Cross Church in Harrison on February 2, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese Catholic Apostolate)
