Nankan, Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
The Local Church in Taiwan strongly promotes the devotion to Mary through Family prayer/ the Holy Mass (jiating qidao/misa) especially this month of May which is dedicated to Our Lady, in Chinese we say 聖母月- "sheng mu yue" (month of Mary). Upon the visit, we bring the image of our lady, the Immaculate heart of Mary which also bears the name of our Parish, Sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish.
Through this devotion, we recall the experience of the first disciples of Jesus, when they visit and gather in one place to pray and to evangelize the people. "Jia ting qidao" (family prayer) is mostly done in May and October, both months dedicated to our Lady. In these months, the parishioners are invited to register whoever wants to be visited or have the Holy Mass celebrated in their respective houses. In some cases, those who have not been in Church of a long time were ask if they wanted to have family prayer in their house.
Our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Ho, OFM, encourage our parishioners to visit and join the prayer/Mass in the host family. This is also one way to evangelize the locals in Taiwan.
Taiwan has a very small Christian population and not all the family members of our parishioners are catholic, therefore, we encourage the whole member to join and listen to the word of God and enjoy the camaraderie and brotherhood among us catholic.
Our parish priest emphasizes the importance of evangelization in Taiwan and encourage each one to set an example to the non-believers. Like salt that gives taste, though small, our presence in Taiwan may also be an example of Christian love to the locals.
Sr. Marnie C. Cabiles, SJBP
Taiwan Community
