| This
is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||||
 | Kingspark News Rotary
Club of Kingspark | | ||
| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||||
Editorial
(O Come All Ye Faithful) - By Francis Wann | ||||
District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||||
|
O Come All Ye Faithful Just under a week ago, the world witnessed what they hailed the funeral of the century as more than 300,000 mourners descended on Vatican's St Peter's Square, and with over two million gathering in Rome, and billions all over the world watching the procedures broadcast live. Despite calls to make him a Saint, the Pope was always reminding people that he was only human. Here is a man born Karol Jazef Wojtyla in 1920 in Poland and had been the head of the catholic world for more than quarter of a century. But he was no ordinary pope. He must have his own vision of a new holy world order. Pope John Paul II was a fighter in every sense - he supported the Solidarity moverment in Poland, he pulled down the Berlin Wall, he challenged Communism, and he travelled extensively spreading the gospel of love. How on earth would the world pause to listen to the man when probably the majority of those in the Catholic community don't understand a word of Polish, the Pope's native language. And it's natural that what he told the world was no rocket science. The Pope, like the rest of us, must have his more personal moments when everything he did was symbolic, But to the world outside, he was more than the binding force uniting the catholics, but the symbol of faith and hope for humanity. The funeral brought together the faithful and converts, friends and foes, all under one roof - even his assassin was there. During his reign, the Pope repeatedly reminded us of our stupidity and the evils of the material world. He might have been stubborn, like his staunch opposition against abortion, but he practised what he preached, and allegedly he used all his strength to finish his final word - "Amen", humble to the very last. Possibly not everyone would agree with everything the Pope said and did. Among the millions who mourned at his passing, many of them might be Rotarians, and Rotarians with various religious creeds and denominations. The way to serve may be different, but the will to serve is universally the same. As Rotary prepares for the start of its second centennial, perhaps we can get our inspirations from the Pope. Even if he couldn't give us all the answers, at least he'd help us ask the right questions. Let there be light. | ||||
President's
Column
It is obvious that our potential members are new to the Rotary world. However, how much do you know about Rotary? Have you ever thought of attending our Orientation Seminar? Why not? I was, in fact, impressed by our Hon. Secretary Joyce because she was the only Kingsparican who attended our Orientation Seminar with the purpose of knowing more about Rotary. She has again demonstrated her commitment to our Club and Rotary, other than playing the role of our Club's secretary. As I always believe that commitment is one of the key factors that make us and our Club success, it is our treasure that we have a committed Kingsparican. To encourage you to be committed, I would suggest you to start getting pleasure from Rotary - To enjoy our fellowship, enjoy lending our hands to those in need in our community and the World, enjoy learning from fellow Rotarians from different professions and enjoy sowing your seeds of love in an international level. Please do enjoy yourself in Rotary because we need more committed Kingsparicans. | ||||
From
the Club Service Director Long time no see! It's been a long time since Kinsparicans meet for happy hours. We intend to have such a gathering on 25th April (Monday evening) at 6:30 p.m. in Central. I know some of you are currently out of HK and some on you have not been able to meet up as regularly as you'd like. It will be a great opportunity to catch up with each other if you are able to make it by some chances. I certainly look forward to catching up with you. The other thing is about sponsorship for gifts for our club anniversary dinner on 7th May. Many members are very kind and generous in sponsoring for this event. We need sponsors for lucky draw gifts and table prize gifts. Members have already responded positively and generously. We already have sponsors for some lucky draw gifts and for two table prizes, we need one more table prize (for 14 tables) and, of course, the more lucky draw gifts the better. The gifts can be in cash also. I am just wondering if you would like to participate in this? I look forward to hearing from you soon! | ||||
|
Memory & Identity That is the title of the book published recently under the authorship of His Holiness John Paul II based on questions and answers with an editor. The publication was not timed as such, we were told, but it just happened the way it did. You would have read about commentaries on the book or may have read it, in which case I congratulate you. It is a highly readable account on "the most challenging issues and events" by a person who had held possibly the most influential office for a long time, more than 26 years. There are discussions on Good and Evil and their coexistence, freedom and responsibility, the possibilities and risks of democracy, together with an epilog in which the Holy Father said that "Someone must have guided that bullet." Reflecting on his assassination, the Holy Father said that his assassin had shot to kill, but had failed because God has plans for him to carry on his pastoral work on earth, which he did in examplary fashion as witnessed by so many in so many nations. It is a reminder that matters of life and death are not controlled or decided by man, but rather by someone divine. A corolary of this is that man should seek to remove human sufferings and soothe afflictions. As we look around our imperfect world, we see millions of people underfed, displaced and made homeless because of armed conflicts between nations, we see people, mainly children dying from starvation, malnutrition and causes that could have been avoided, we see sufferings caused by natural disasters and uncontrolled human activities, and so on. Rotary and other service organizations are trying to make a difference. They need help, which is where Rotarians can come in, through contributions to the Rotary Foundation and through active volunteerism. Personal involvement in service projects often change individuals and their outlook to life forever and for the better. Many Rotarians have experienced that joy and satisfaction and will always want to do more. These are the people who would always stay in Rotary, through thick or thin, in good times or bad. We don't need too many of them. After all, Rotary began with just one person, aided by three of his friends. | ||||
Views in any article in Kingspark News reflect those of the authors. They are not necessarily the views of the Rotary Club of Kingspark or of District 3450. You are welcome to write to Chief Editor Francis Wann or Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response from the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. | ||||
Chief
Editor : Francis Wann The Board of Directors President
: Thomas Chan | ||||
| Return to Contents | ||||
| Send
a message to Chief Editor Francis Wann 2004 Issues, Back Issues, Home | ||||