The Dean Franklin Lee, bishops, cathedral clergy, and Anniversary organising Committee Chairman Chow Siu Lui jointly cut a birthday cake
The 135th anniversary celebration and Holy Communion service of Holy Trinity Cathedral in the East Kowloon Diocese took place on 15 June (Trinity Sunday) in the afternoon. Bishop The Rt Revd Timothy Kwok officiated and delivered the sermon, with Archbishop The Most Revd Andrew Chan blessed the event.
In his sermon, Bishop Timothy Kwok connected the readings from Trinity Sunday with the history of Holy Trinity Cathedral, helping the congregation deepen their understanding of the spiritual significance of the scriptures and revealing God''s works and guidance in the church''s history.
God''s Glory and Humanity''s Mission
Psalm 8 describes God''s glory filling the earth, showing that He entrusted humanity with the mission of stewarding the world: "What are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" During the Japanese occupation (1941-1945), Holy Trinity Cathedral was occupied by the Japanese army, and believers hid sacred items while steadfastly holding onto their faith. After the war, the church quickly resumed operations, demonstrating God''s preservation and glory, affirming the truth of "God cares for mankind" from the psalm.
Bishop Timothy Kwok pointed out that the church''s history reminds everyone that regardless of the hardships in the environment, God continues to care for us and imparts a mission. Believers are called to uphold their faith in adversity, revealing God''s glory.
Justification by Faith and Hope in Suffering
In the second reading, Romans 5:1-5 states, "Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... Hope does not put us to shame, because God''s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." This emphasises the importance of faith, grace, and hope. The history of Holy Trinity Cathedral is filled with challenges, from multiple relocations and reconstructions, to trials during the Japanese occupation and active engagement in education and social concerns in the 1980s. Each effort is a testament to faith and God''s love.
This helps everyone to reflect that the path of faith is not always smooth but is marked by experiences of God''s grace and hope in suffering. Believers are called to continue relying on God''s love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their personal lives and church ministries.
The Deacon reads the Gospel
Guidance of the Holy Spirit and Unity of the Trinity
In the Gospel reading, John 16:12-15 states, "When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." This passage emphasises the role of the Holy Spirit, revealing the truth of the Father and the Son, and revealing the unity of the Trinity. In 2010, Holy Trinity Church was elevated to a cathedral, symbolising a new peak in the cathedral’s ministry. This witnessed the Holy Spirit leading the cathedral into a new phase, demonstrating the actions of the Triune God.
Believers need to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be transformed and renewed, experience the benevolence and the will of God. Bishop Timothy Kwok hopes that Holy Trinity Cathedral will continually change and review its pastoral model to help those in need, spreading God''s gospel to give them life abundantly.
Bishop Timothy Kwok also mentioned that the Hong Kong Anglican Welfare Council Limited and Heep Yunn School collaborated on an event to assist residents of the nearby Chun Seen Mei Chuen, who were relocating to the Kai Tak new area. To help them adapt to the new environment, members of the Welfare Council and students from Heep Yunn School created a map detailing the new community and necessary facilities. This initiative not only instilled confidence in the residents about their new life but also demonstrated the pastoral care from the perish.
Through such practical actions, we can see that care and pastoral work can genuinely assist those in need. Therefore, believers should increasingly rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit, continuously review their pastoral methods, and actively respond to those in need. Where there is need, the church must take responsibility, actively fulfilling God''s love and mission.
Bishop Timothy Kwok concluded that on this special Trinity Sunday and Father''s Day, everyone should reflect on the greatness and love of God the Father. He is the creator of all things, our protector and guide. Through the fellowship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, believers can enter God''s family and become His children.
The Celebration of the Eucharist
135th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner
After the service, Holy Trinity Cathedral held a 135th anniversary thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. The event began with a historical presentation of Holy Trinity Cathedral, followed by welcoming remarks from Dean the Very Revd Franklin Lee and a thank-you speech from the chairman of the anniversary organising committee, Chow Siu Lui. Everyone then sang the anniversary song "Stay True to Our Mission," cut a birthday cake, and toasted. After the grace from Bishop The Rt Revd Matthias Der, the dinner was officially commenced.
In his welcoming remarks, Dean Franklin Lee expressed gratitude for everyone gathering to share in the fellowship of the Lord and the blessings from God. He also thanked all those who contributed to the anniversary activities and every brother and sister in the cathedral. Without them, the cathedral’s gospel work could not have been accomplished. The church is not just the clergy’s responsibility but a collective effort of all believers to develop God''s work.
Dean Franklin Lee pointed out that there would still be storms in the future. In the uncertain days ahead, everyone must trust that God would bless them. Looking at the history of Holy Trinity Cathedral, the predecessors laid a strong foundation. Even during times of war and resource scarcity, they maintained faith and hope in spreading the gospel. Today, the cathedral faces a decrease in membership and financial challenges, but Dean Franklin Lee believed that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the efforts of the brothers and sisters, they could continue to witness God''s gospel in this area.
In addition to members of Holy Trinity Cathedral and sister churches, some non-believing friends were invited to the banquet, hoping that they could experience God''s love and grace.