Yiwu – An unexpected event has brought joy and comfort to the Catholic community of Yiwu in its missionary zeal: the heartfelt words of fathers from various countries, who expressed their gratitude to the Church community for the thoughtfulness shown on Father’s Day, celebrated on Sunday, June 21.
These fathers are from Colombia, India, Korea, and several African countries. They are Catholic businesspeople, workers, and merchants who are in China for work. They are young people living far from their families with small children, as well as elderly fathers, some over eighty years old. During their time in China, they actively participate and contribute significantly to the life and growth of the Catholic community in the international market city of Yiwu, a city rich in humanity and closeness. Together with the priests and faithful of the local Church, they share the experience of belonging to a common home and walking together in faith, hope, and charity.
In the parish dedicated to St. Joseph, consecrated and inaugurated on March 18, 2025, by Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou, foreign fathers, along with other migrant fathers from various Chinese provinces, celebrated the traditional Chinese family festival, Dragon Boat Festival, on June 17. Many of them prepared “Zongzi,” a typical sweet dish for this festival, together. Then, yesterday, they participated in the solemn Eucharistic liturgy, receiving a fan with an image of St. Joseph at the end of Mass.
In the particular context of Yiwu, marked by a strong presence of foreign workers and entrepreneurs, their shared participation in the parish’s daily activities offers continuous opportunities to experience a communion that transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. Thus, in Yiwu, on June 22, under the guidance of parish priest Chang Zhengguo and the new Parish Pastoral Council, Father’s Day provided an opportunity to experience the integration of different cultures with traditional Chinese culture. This integration occurs harmoniously thanks to the shared faith in Christ. Father’s Day was also celebrated in various parts of China by godfathers and priests, who are called to exercise their ministry with a paternal spirit. The Bishop of Shanghai, Joseph Shen Bin, wrote on his social media account: “Today is Father’s Day. I remember to strive every day to be a good shepherd.”
An unexpected event delighted the Catholic community of Yiwu and reaffirmed its commitment to proclaiming the Gospel: On Father’s Day this Sunday, June 21, fathers from around the world thanked the parish for the kindness shown to them. They come from Colombia, India, Korea, and various African countries. They are Catholic entrepreneurs, workers, and merchants who are in China for work. Young people living far from their families, with small children or elderly fathers, some even over eighty. During their stay in China, they make a valuable contribution to the life and growth of the Catholic community in the international market city of Yiwu. Together with the priests and parishioners of the local church, they spoke about the experience of a shared home and the common path of faith, hope, and charity. In the parish dedicated to Saint Joseph, which was consecrated on March 18, 2025, by Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou, foreign fathers joined other working fathers from various Chinese provinces to celebrate the traditional Chinese family festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, on June 17. Many of them prepared “zongzi,” a typical sweet dish of the festival, together. The following day, they participated in the solemn Eucharist together and received a fan with an image of Saint Joseph as a gift at the end of the Mass. In the particular context of Yiwu, characterized by the strong presence of foreign workers and entrepreneurs, participating in parish life together offers a recurring opportunity to experience a community that transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. Thus, Father’s Day in the Yiwu parish, under the leadership of Father Chang Zhengguo and the new parish council, also provided an opportunity to witness the integration of diverse cultures within traditional Chinese culture. This harmonious integration is due to their shared faith in Christ. Father’s Day was also celebrated in other parts of China by godparents and priests who carry out their ministry with fatherly devotion. Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai wrote on his social media account: “Today is Father’s Day. This reminds me to strive every day to be a good shepherd.”
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