Rosary Church

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Rosary Church (Chinese: 玫瑰堂 ; Pinyin: Méiguì Táng) is located in 125 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. It is the oldest Catholic Church in Kowloon[1]. The church was in classic Gothic style; the original floor plan was based on a Roman Basilican model. The church, St. Mary's Canossian College and St. Mary's Canossian School in adjacent belongs to same building cluster.

It is classified as Grade II Historic Building.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1900, because of the Boxer Rebellion in China, some Indian battlelions in the British army were stationed in Kowloon; there were about 200 Catholics in the brigade. At the same time, there was an increase in number of Catholics among the civil population.

A donation was made in 1903 by Dr. Anthony Gomes, a Portuguese Catholic.[2] so that the church could be built. The founation stone was laid solemnly by Fr. De Maria, Pro-Vicar Apostlic of Hong Kong on 10 December 1904.

The construction of the church was completed in 1905, for the population of Catholic was increasing even after the British troops had left. [3]

On 23 May 1905, the completed Church was consecrated to Our Lady of Pompeii, Queen of the Most holy Rosary; according to the intention of Dr A S Gomes, the benefactor, in loving memory of his parents and brother.

This is the first Roman Catholic Church to be built in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

[edit] Priests

Currently, three full-time priests are serving at this parish, including Rev John B. Tsang (Parish Priest) and Rev Jose Serafin A., MG. Rev. R Duggimpudi, PIME will join the church effective 1 October 2006.

A Permanent Deacon, Rev. Francis Wong also serves in this Church.

[edit] Time of Services

[edit] Sunday Masses

  • Anticipated Mass on Saturday Evenings
5.30pm in English (Life-teen Youth Mass)
7.00pm in Cantonese
  • Sunday
7.30 am in Cantonese
8.45 am in English
10.00 am in Cantonese
11.15 am in Cantonese
12.30 pm in English
7.00 pm in English

[edit] Masses During the week

  • Monday to Saturday
7.30 am in Cantonese
8.00 am in English
  • Monday to Friday
6.30 pm (M,Tu,W in English) (Th,F in Cantonese *first Friday in English)

[edit] Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

  • Every first Thursday: 7.15 pm - 8.15 pm (Benediction 8.15 pm)
  • Every first Friday: 9.00 am - 5.45 pm (Benediction 5.45 pm)

[edit] Reconciliation

On Sunday mornings or by appointment

[edit] Staff

Sacristan: Rowland Gutierrez

Secretary: Goretti Tong

Pastoral assistant: Alice Lee

Notable ground staff: SONG Mei-lin (May姐), CHAN Ka-Jau(就叔)

[edit] Notable Pastoral Associations

The following groups are notable pastoral association in the Church:

  • Rosary ASA The St John Berchmans Altar Servers Association.
  • Bible Reading Association
  • Various Choirs
  • Catechism groups
  • English speaking group
  • The Society of St Vincent de Paul
  • Youth at Rosary (YaR)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sally Rodwell. 1991. A Visitor's guide to Historic Hong Kong. ISBN 962-217-212-1
  2. ^ UNESCO Bangkok
  3. ^ Rosary Church, Kowloon.1996. Rosary Church, Kowloon:90th Anniversity Special Bulletin

[edit] External links