On 10 February, members of our faith communities of East and Southeast Asian heritage will ring in the Year of the Dragon in the celebrations of Lunar New Year.
Also known as the Spring Festival, the New Year celebrations are a time spent with family, eating lots of food and sharing well-wishes for the coming year.
Emphasis on family over New Year
To Taiwanese-born Fr Simon Wang IVE, from Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, New Year is a chance for families to reunite and spend time together.
“The family gets together on the first day of the Lunar New Year and watch New Year programs together. On the second day, they visit the maternal home,” he said.
“In some places, there are dragon and lion dances.
“On the last day of the New Year, the 15th day, there are activities like guessing lantern riddles and eating sweet rice balls.”
Fr Simon Wang IVE celebrates Lunar New Year with members of the Chinese Catholic community at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Supplied
In describing how Catholics celebrate Lunar New Year, you can see some similarities to how Western cultures celebrate Christmas.
“In Taiwan, parishioners go to the church to wish the priest a happy New Year and some parishioners invite priests for meals and give red envelopes,” Fr Simon said.
“In the parish I used to be in, there were small greeting cards given to parishioners after Mass and some places even decorate the church with a festive atmosphere, like red cloths or hanging lanterns.
“In this parish [Rouse Hill], we have an activity called ‘one dish from each family,’ where parishioners from different countries participate in games and shared glory.”
Parish community is family
Fr Ephraim Lam, Parish Priest at St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta, and chaplain to the Cantonese-Chinese community, appreciates being able to celebrate with those he ministers to.
“I don’t have family to celebrate with, as both of my parents are in heaven, but where I minister, they have become my family,” he said.
Fr Ephraim Lam (centre) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta (second left), celebrate Lunar New Year with the Chinese Catholic community of St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“In the parish, we are organising a Lunar New Year Mass, which will be followed by lion dancing organised by our parish’s young people – the lion costumes have come all the way from China.
“We also are celebrating with a banquet for the community at a Chinese restaurant where other members of the parish are welcome to join us.”
New Year celebrations allow connection to roots
For Phuong Hanh, a long-term member of the Vietnamese Catholic community based at Holy Cross Parish, Granville, the excitement of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is felt for weeks leading up to the celebrations.
“It’s the biggest festival for Vietnamese people. It falls on a weekend this year, so it will be fabulous,” she said.
“Having lived in Australia for over 30 years, I enjoy celebrating ‘the spirit’ of New Year. It makes me feel connected to my roots.
“The Catholic church dedicates four different Masses over four days for four specific intentions – thanking God for the past year; peace for families, the country and the world; praying for the living and the deceased ancestors and for work and employment.
Members of the Vietnamese Catholic Community choir pose for a photograph with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta (second row fourth left) and chaplain Fr Joseph Xua Nguyen (second row, second left) during the Tet (Vietnamese New Year) celebrations at Holy Cross Parish, Granville. Image: Supplied
“In the Diocese of Parramatta, the churches at Granville and [The Good Shepherd] Plumpton will be decorated with artificial Tet yellow flower trees over Tet days.
“Church attendees are encouraged to wear ‘ao dai’ (traditional outfits) when they come to Mass.
“Before the concluding rite, people are invited to pick up a Bible verse for themselves that have been hung on the Tet tree. It is like receiving God’s message and you live that message for the whole year.
“After Mass, the community will celebrate Tet by having finger food together and singing karaoke.”
A Tet (Vietnamese New Year) tree is seen at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Well-wishes from our communities
“In the New Year, may everyone improve their faults and serve the Almighty with a renewed spirit,” Fr Simon said.
Hanh said: “Be grateful to God that you are still here on Earth, and you are surrounded by your loved ones. I wish everyone a New Year with peace, health and happiness.”
