A Return to China

A Return to China

Last June Columban missionary Fr Kevin O’Neill returned to the Chinese city of Wuhan where he lived 11 years ago. He writes about some of the changes of the intervening years and the special Columban connection with this part of China. My last visit to China was five...
A Lifetime of Challenges

A Lifetime of Challenges

“Please pray for us” is a familiar request from Li Qiong’s mother when I visit the family every two weeks in their simple apartment in a densely populated area of Wuhan, writes Fr Dan Troy.  Their home is located a short walk from the Yangtze River. The request for...
Easter celebrations at Holy Trinity Church in Xiantao

Easter celebrations at Holy Trinity Church in Xiantao

By mid-afternoon on Holy Saturday, there was already a steady hum of activity at Holy Trinity Church in Xiantao, about 100 km west of Wuhan, writes Columban missionary Fr Dan Troy. Food was being prepared for those who had travelled long distances two days earlier and...
New Church Nears Completion in China

New Church Nears Completion in China

With a population of 200,000 people, Tianmen seems an appropriate place for the construction of a new church as the name literally means ‘Gate of Heaven’, writes Columban missionary Fr Dan Troy. As Fr Joseph Wang pointed to the bell towers of the new...
China: Celebrating the Assumption in Wuhan

China: Celebrating the Assumption in Wuhan

At the beginning of his homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption, Fr Joseph referred to the artwork at one side of Holy Family Church to make a point about the day’s celebration. His gentle way of highlighting the painting of the Assumption was also a good...