|
KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2005-06 Rotary Year : Issue 19 : 5 April | ||
| This
is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||
 | ||
| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||
| Editorial
(A
privilege to serve) - By Francis Wann | ||
| District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||
|
A Privilege To Serve
As a successor to Cardinal Wu to head the Catholic Church some four years ago, Cardinal Zen has never been far from controversies. From his stiff opposition to the government's political reform package and the school-based management ordinance, to his open support of universal suffrage and his involvement in last December's Korean farmers' WTO strikes, Cardinal Zen has proved to the outside world that he is not renowned for mincing words. But is he being political naive? As the most outspoken church leader, Cardinal Zen has almost become something of a symbol of freedom of speech in Hong Kong, especially for the minority and the underprivileged. Cardinal Zen sees it as his holy duty to intervene in the face of social injustice, and naturally he does it with the blessings of the Holy See. But even within the diocese, he is not without his critics. Many people may not agree with his undiplomatic approach with dealing with authorities. Well, if Jesus Christ had been more diplomatic in his struggle with the authority, he wouldn't have died on the cross. There are many things you'd simply grin and bear, but there're also things you have to stand up and fight. His elevation to cardinalship will give him the added privilege, apart from his duty, to intervene, to fight, and above all, to serve. He probably will be doing almost the same things in Hong Kong, but his new title shall mean new opportunities for him to serve. There's a striking similarity between Rotarians and the Cardinal's mission of service in that we should all see our opportunity to serve as our privilege, a privilege which comes with Rotary, but it's also a privilege which is not only dearly earned, but easily lost. During the official installation ceremony in Vatican last week, a prayer was read out in Chinese to remmeber "all those who still suffer for their Christian belief, and asked that they soon see the fruit of their suffering. Two days ago (March 30th) Cardinal Zen held a Mass at the Caritas catheral in Caine Road which was attended by church leaders, politicians, and dignitaries, including Chief Executive Donald Tsang. It was, indeed, a rare occasion of social harmony. May their prayers be answered. | ||
President's
Column
During the Club Assembly PP Raymond pointed out that we had not organized community service visits to institurions such as homes for the aged or the handicapped or orphanages for a long time. They are usually organized by the Rotaractors or Interactors, but they are also good for Rotarians to participate, particularly for Rotarians with children. The Board of Directors was requested to consider this. Encouraged by our CP John, our club and the Rotary Club of Sentul, Kuala Lumpur of District 3300 have applied for a Matching Grant to set up a computer centre for St. Joseph School and Sai Orphanage home in Sentul area. The children of the school and the orphanage home will have access to computers, therefore giving them an opportunity to be literate in information technology. The Rotary Club of Sentul, the host Club, and our Club, each of us will provide District Designated Fund of US$2,780 from District 3300 and District 3450 respectively. We are applying for a Matching Grant US$5,560 from the TRF and we will make the project a total of US$11,120. We are waiting for the approval of our application. The joint project will enhance the international understanding of all the parties and we will be invited to visit Kuala Lumpur when we implement the project. | ||
|
Service Projects
In a bible sharing session I attended recently, someone said that God could have saved the world by some other means than by having had His only Son Jesus crucified and died on the cross. In response, the spiritual director said that God, being omnipotent of course could have done it in many other ways. The means God had chosen is to demonstrate how much He loves man. Indeed, that is the theme of probably the most quoted passage from the New Testament - John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but will have everlasting life." Religion can be loosely defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such beliefs. Sometimes, religion is used to describe faith or a system of belief. Religion and civilization interacts constantly, and depending on which arrives first could be the dominant feature which shapes the people, their culture and value systems in the future, until some other conditions chnage or until some other events take place. Such could be said of Rotary which, though not a religion as such, as our forefathers had pointed out painstakingly, has shaped the minds and lives of many in many communities and places. Easter is a time for churches to baptize children. Such occasions are typically joyous and celebratory with happy faces and happiness everywhere. But as a priest had remarked, not all of these newly baptized children stay on and allow their Catholic faith and belief to grow. They typically become too busy and religion stops being a priority as the initial novelty wears off. One way of arresting such a trend is to encourage these young believers to join communities that share similiar beliefs and to engage them on regular activities organized by these groups. That has actually been a method recommended in Rotary to retain membership and to help add Rotary into new Rotarians. New members must be encouraged to join club committees and make decisions for the club. They must be involved in service projects, which means clubs must develop sustainable projects, which in turn are the whys and wherefores a Rotary club exists in the first place. I wish you all out there a Happy Easter and spread the work of Rotary while you are on holidays. | ||
|
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
: Dominic Ko | ||
| Return to Contents | ||
| Send
a message to Chief Editor Francis Wann 2004 and 2005 Issues, Back Issues, Home | ||