Hong Kong Family Movement 齊家運動
The Hong Kong Family Movement started in 1994 in the International
Year of Family. The Spiritual Director is Rev. Giovanni Giampietro, who initiates
the birth of the Movement. The Diocesan office for Laity Formation Centre
& Caritas - Hong Kong are organizers of the Movement. In the beginning, we
had about six groups in three parishes. Now, it expands to 29 groups (about
169 families) in 18 parishes in the Hong Kong Diocese.
Aim of the Movement:
To help Catholic couples to live their marriage vow and to develop
their children's religious formation through the sharing and support of a
family community.
Structure:
Four to eight families from the same parish meet monthly. Content
of the meeting includes prayers, bible sharing, sharing of daily life experiences
in marital relationship and parenting issues, and discussion of social issues
affecting families.
The group is led by a catholic social worker from Caritas -
Hong Kong.
The Family Movement is co-ordinated by a Core Group, which would
plan the direction of the Movement and different levels of activities. The
Core Group met bi-monthly, and group members started to participated in it
since Feb. 1999.
Activities:
-
Annual Formation for members of the Movement All members
would meet once a year on the Holy Family Day for discussion and understanding
of social issues that affected families in Hong Kong. Starting from 1998,
the Annual Meeting was organized by the group members, which signified
their further involvement and participation.
-
Quarterly Meeting of the Social Workers - the group leaders
The social workers have regular meeting to develop and share ways to lead
Christian Communities and cultivate their own spiritual formation. Discussion
of strategy for expansion of the Movement is the theme as well.
-
Other Formation Activities
- In Oct 1998, the first family retreat was held, and parents were
eager to explore ways to be evangelization agents to their children
and community.
- Quarterly Formation Programme for parents also started in April
1999. The theme for April meeting is "How our Faith helps families
cope with financial crisis". The July meeting is "How parents facilitated
the Emotional and Religious Formation of their children".
- In order to help the second generation of the Family Movement to
develop their personality and affiliation, a summer camp with follow-up
meetings were organized for those 10 to 12 years old. The experience
is fruitful.
-
Annual Campaign
-
1996 in response to the increasing problem of extra-marital
affairs in Hong Kong society, a campaign on "Marriage is an eternal vow"
was held. The programme included a signature campaign, a parade, witnesses
by couples, singing songs and Renewal of Marriage Vow. It helps to raise
public concern on the importance of marriage for healthy families and
good society.
-
1997 "Healthy Media Campaign"
In joint effort with Radio Hong Kong, we run a election for healthy media.
Media includes popular songs, cartoon, T.V. programme and Radio programme.
More than 10,000 persons participated in the election. It raised the concern
of how children and families are affected by the different media and families
expressed their demand for healthy media.
-
1998 "Love Your Neighbour Campaign"
By distributing cards & Easter eggs, mobilizing families to serve single
elderlies, we tried to spread the message that "Hong Kong Society need
more sharing of love", especially in this time of economic crisis. At
the end, we use a drama show and a declaration of love to state our determination
for more love action in daily life.
-
1999 " Families in the Third Millenium"
An open "Prayer Meeting" was held on the Eve of Mother's Day, with the
theme of praying for the welfare and blessings of families in Hong Kong
and all over the world, especially those in warfare. Format included singing,
prayers, personal witness and distributing a "Carnation" flowers with
a wishful message to all passersby.
