Lunar New Year dinner celebration reveals Christian love
THE sound of drums set the mood as two lions danced to welcome the Lunar New Year at a celebration dinner on 12 February.
The Malaysian-Singaporean Catholic Community of Australia (MSCCA) chairman Soma Muthucumaru welcomed the 110 diners and explained the rich culture of the festival often known as the Spring Festival which marks the commencement of a new lunar year at the South Ocean Restaurant.
Ten sumptuous traditional Chinese dinner courses were served during the evening when Bishop Donald Sproxton participated in the ‘tossing’ of the Yu Sheng dish. This traditional practice of tossing the Yu Sheng sees chopsticks cross one another and can symbolise the intertwined lives of the faithful raised as one to God. Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald encouraged everyone at the event to express Christian compassion for one another in all spheres of daily life.
The Lunar New Year can be interpreted in the Christian context as a reminder that just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, our lives are to reflect the light of Jesus by acts of charitable love for others. This love was revealed in the warm fellowship shared among the merry-makers and a sum of $1,000 which was collected that evening in aid of Queensland’s flood victims. The MSCCA is a non-profit association led by Fr Roy Pereira, its spiritual director. The association’s mission is to support efforts that alleviate suffering amongst those in society who Jesus names the ‘little ones.’
The next MSCCA-organised event is “Holywood Night”, a gala dinner event on 2 July at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Log onto www.mscca.org.au