HONG KONG (SE): Reverend Andy Lau Wai-ming, Reverend Victor Lee Hon-kit and Reverend Simon Chan Yuk-keung were ordained permanent deacons by Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, on November 24. 
 
The Mass was concelebrated by the bishop with John Cardinal Tong Hon, Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing and other priests of the diocese. 
 
During the ceremony, vicar general, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, president of the Diocesan Commission for the Permanent Diaconate, recommended the three. Their wives also showed their support for their husbands on behalf of their families.
 
In his homily, Bishop Yeung said that the three married permanent deacons have shown that families can build up the Church and a church can be built up in a family. He urged them, through their ministries, to also make the church a home for those who are burdened.
 
At the end of the Mass, Reverend Lau, speaking on behalf of all the newly-ordained, expressed gratitude to all people who supported their vocations. He thanked his wife and family for their understanding and allowing him to respond to his calling. Above all, he thanked God for choosing them to bring God’s love to people outside the Church.
 
Yeung Kit-wah, the wife of Deacon Lau, said she once worried that her husband’s ministry might make it hard for him to take care of his family. However, she was able to gradually lend her husband more support after joining some gatherings organised by the commission.
 
Chow Ling-ling, the wife of Deacon Chan, shared that the couple had been volunteers of the Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Advisory Council and that she believes the vocation of her husband can help them to further support families.
 
Kwan Yuen-yuk said it is a great blessing for her husband, Deacon Lee, to be ordained on that day as Lee had been diagnosed with cancer more than 10 years ago and has now overcome the disease.