First-ever Cantonese Catholic children’s group in Cambs

The first-ever Cantonese Catholic children’s group in Cambridgeshire has started and is called Jesus Hug, report Frances Tai and Elizabeth Lam.

The Cambridge Cantonese community has been able to celebrate Mass monthly in its first language, Cantonese, since April 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Sawston.

Now, with the continuous support of the Diocese of East Anglia and Canon John Minh, our children’s group – Jesus Hug – came into being on September 1. In the run-up to its inaugural meeting, planning included adherence to the safeguarding process and all volunteers underwent DBS vetting.

There were 18 children enrolled at the first meeting at Sawston. Canon John opened and blessed the first meeting and, in his remarks, encouraged the children to value their first language, whilst learning and enhancing their Catholic faith.

Jesus Hug meetings are held after the Cantonese Mass each month. Children are accompanied by their parents in the class.

The community hopes that the regular gathering will encourage the children to understand more of what the Bible teaches and to hone their praying practice. Also to follow the precious tradition of Cantonese sacred music and to take part in more Cantonese faith-based group activities, all the while focusing on integration and exchanges within the Diocese.

Many of the children attend first communion and confirmation catechism classes in their own parishes and a number are training to be altar servers.

You can enrol for the group here: https://forms.gle/3JhLWXnTLAm7qLME9

Pictured above is the Jesus Hug group in Cambridge.

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