St. Clarence Parish in North Olmsted once again hosted the annual Asian Catholic Ministry’s annual Mass and celebration. The event took place Oct. 5 with Father Bao Nguyen as the celebrant and homilist. Father Nguyen, a canon lawyer, is the coordinator of pastoral formation at St. John’s Seminary Camarillo in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California.
Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, and several priests and deacons representing the Asian community in the diocese also participated in the liturgy.
A traditional gong sounded at the beginning of the entrance procession and banners representing the various Asian nationalities were placed along the side wall of the church. Many attendees wore traditional clothing from Vietnam, Korea, China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and more.
(See photo gallery above.)
In his homily, Father Nguyen told the faithful that the day’s Gospel used the image of a tiny mustard seed, which was fitting for this occasion. He noted the significance of Asian culture, explaining that Jesus “was born, lived and died on Asian soil” and two-thirds of the world’s population lives in Asian territory.
“Jesus often uses the image of a seed,” he said, explaining that seeds like a mustard seed are small and can be easily crushed, but they have life within them. “There is the potential for life in every seed … If your faith is like a mustard seed it is powerful … When a seed is planted in soil, its nature (identity) doesn’t change.”
Sometimes, Asians can be perceived as a minority, Father Nguyen said. He reminded the faithful to be “not just Asians, but Catholic Asians,” being mindful of cultural characteristics including kindness and family connections. “Be proud of being Catholic Asians,” he said.
A seed relies on soil and those who moved to a new country are being planted in new soil as they grow and become integrated in the Church here. Father Nguyen encouraged them to be adaptive as they navigate language and cultural barriers.
“Your identity is not changed. You remain Asian Catholics with a shared identity and culture … Your faith is already there and like a seed, it is faithful to its identity … We are one holy, Catholic and apostolic Church,” he said.
The Mass included readings and petitions recited in various languages. Music was provided by choirs representing different nationalities and singing songs in their native tongues. The offertory procession also included people in ethnic dress bearing gifts representing their nationalities as well as the bread and wine.
After Mass, Lynette Cisneros, assistant secretary for Parish Life and Special Ministries, thanked all for attending and invited them to move to the parish pavilion for a lunch featuring a variety of ethnic dishes including spring rolls, kimchi, rice, chick peas, adobo and more.