The Lunar New Year is a cherished occasion for families to come together, celebrate new beginnings, offer prayers, and honour their cultural traditions.
The Perth Catholic Chinese Community (PCCC) joyfully welcomed the Year of the Water Snake with a special Mass and vibrant festivities at St Pius X Catholic Church in Manning Parish on Sunday, 2 February. The event served as a time of spiritual reflection, cultural appreciation, and communal unity.
More than 200 members of the community gathered for the 11am Mass, which was celebrated by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton.
He was joined by Parish Priest Fr Anthony Vu, Gosnells Parish Priest Fr Brennan Sia, Redemptorist Monastery priest Fr Mark Chia CSsR and Fr Roy Pereira.
The celebration was enriched by the PCCC choir’s uplifting hymns in Mandarin, and Fr Brennan Sia’s proclamation of the Gospel in the same language.
During his homily, Bishop Don reflected on the significance of the Water Snake in the Chinese zodiac, reflecting on its association with wisdom, adaptability, and inner transformation. He encouraged attendees to embrace these values in their faith journey.
“This new year calls us to reflect on our personal growth, to seek wisdom, and to live with grace and dignity. Like the snake that sheds its skin, we are reminded to renew our hearts and minds, striving to become better versions of ourselves,” he said.
Bishop Don also highlighted the importance of 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope, a time for deep reflection on mercy, justice, forgiveness, and freedom. “Like the jubilee years of the Jews in the past, our jubilees are times for us to reflect and return to the work of mercy and justice” he said.
He emphasised Pope Francis’ message about “disarming our hearts” as a step toward peace and unity. “Disarming hearts is a task for everyone, regardless of status or wealth. Simple acts, such as a smile, a kind look, a ready ear, or a small gesture of friendship, can help us progress towards the goal of peace.”
As part of his message, Bishop Don reflected that “Seventeen hundred years ago, the Church gave us the great statement, known as the Creed, affirming our faith in God, the Trinity of Persons in God, and who Jesus is. Faith is essential for us to have hope.”
“We deeply treasure our faith, the gift that allows us to accept what God has revealed about Jesus and what He has done for us,” he continued.
The Lunar New Year Mass was accompanied by rich cultural customs that deepened the spiritual and communal experience.
Five young community members presented red packets to the Bishop, priests and religious sisters as a token of gratitude. In return, the clergy distributed red packets to all the youth attending, symbolizing blessings for the year ahead.
Additionally, community members received mandarin oranges, which were blessed by Bishop Don as a wish for happiness, prosperity and good fortune.
A special ancestral veneration ceremony followed, where the congregation bowed three times in reverence to the Holy Trinity — God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit — demonstrating their devotion and faith.
The festivities continued with a community luncheon, where attendees enjoyed cultural performances, including Lion Dance, singing acts, and a raffle draw, bringing joy to attendees of all ages.
Mr Gregory Lo, Liturgy Coordinator of the PCCC, emphasised the importance of the long-standing tradition of gathering as a community since its formation over 30 years ago.
“This tradition provides an opportunity to honour our ancestors, preserve our culture and values, and warmly welcome new members into our family,” Mr Lo said.
The celebration of the Lunar New Year by the Perth Catholic Chinese Community once again highlighted the harmony between faith and culture, uniting generations in gratitude, hope, and joy.
