In July, the U.S.-China Catholic Association (USCCA) held a three day in-person workshop at the Berkeley offices for partners interested in the USCCA's new initiative of welcome and outreach to Chinese international students in the Bay Area. The workshop offered participants a time to reflect on the Church's mission and to better understand the worldview of this generation of Chinese students on our college campuses.
Each day, participants had the opportunity to listen to a wide range of speakers and discuss topics relevant to this new ministry. Topics included discussing the Church document Joy of the Gospel and listening to a Chinese doctoral student at Duke University speak about “The Worldview of a Post-90's Generation in China."
Participants included current and present students, the chaplain at UC Berkeley’s Newman Hall, a pastor of a Chinese Catholic community, local Chinese Catholics, and a few of our Protestant partners as well. Thanks to this diverse group of participants and the thought-provoking presentations, lively discussions and a real desire to serve Chinese international students marked each day of the workshop.
One participant noted that, "The workshop was way above my expectation. Thank you for your hard work and all the speakers' presentations. I am so thankful for the USCCA's ministry. I am thankful for you bringing the Catholic faith to the young Chinese generation." We hope the same energy from the workshop will carry over into the fall semester, when we finally get to meet the many Chinese international students who come to our shores for an education!
Pilot programs will launch at UC Berkeley, the University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University, and San Jose State.
Would you like to be involved in the Bay Area pilots and meet students from China? Would you like to discuss expanding the Campus Engagement Imitative to your area? Contact Fr. Michael (Director@USCatholicChina.org) or Kathleen O'Brien (CEI.Coord1@uscatholicchina.org).
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