Kupang Catholic Church Hold Holy Mass in Chinese New Year
8 February 2016 18:38 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Kupang-The Chinese New Year is not only celebrated by Buddhist or Confucians. Several churches in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, are holding holy masses to celebrate Chinese New Year on Monday, February 8, 2016.
The holy mass was held at a Cathedral church, Kupang City. The mass was predominantly attended by residents of Chinese descent who are Catholics. The church altar was altered in a Chinese style; decorated with lanterns and mei wha tree flowers.
The Chinese New Year mass was decorated with Chinese ornaments. Lanterns were decorating the church entrance. The gospels were even sung in Mandarin.
Most of the mass attendee were wearing red dresses or the Chinese New Year’s color. Even the five priests leading the mass were wearing read robes. After the mass, lion dance were held at the church’s yard.
Father Ambros said that Chinese New Year is not only celebrated by Chinese or Confucians since many of Chinese descent residence have also followed Catholicism, Christianity, Islam and others.
“The Church celebrates Chinese New Year as an expression that the church is a home for all, not only for certain people,” he said.
At a separate location, residents of Chinese descent also performed lion dance using atoin meto dragon (from Timor Island) and watched by hundreds of Kupang residents.
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