The following appreared in the April 25th Bulletin of St. Michael Catholic Church in Kalida, Ohio. You can visit the St, Michael website at : www.kalidastmichaels.org

Fr. Elmer Wurth was born and raised in Kalida and has been a Maryknoll priest for 54 years. Of those 54 years, he has spent 37 in Taiwan and Hong Kong. He is currently the pastor of St. Anne’s Parish (Hong Kong), which is an international parish, comprised of parishioners from 52 countries. Fr. Elmer said that he has a problem that every priest should have: his parishioners in Hong Kong are really good to him and his hometown friends are equally as good to him. He hasn’t retired because the people in Hong Kong don’t want him to, and he still greatly enjoys coming home to see his family and friends.  (...Continued)

This article by parishioner Peter O’Malley was first published online at www.catholicexchange.com.

In many respects the Faith in Asia is alive, vibrant and deep. As a banker who travels entirely too much, I am blessed to go to daily Mass in many different cities.

I notice that in the large Asian cities, Mass is often in the poorer part of town and attended by those less well off –at least from a material perspective. It is here, in the back streets of Asia, that one truly feels the Catholicity — the universality — of our beloved faith.

For instance, when I have the blessing to participate at the 7AM Mass at St Joseph’s in Beijing, joining a congregation with many humble, poor people, I truly sense the Spirit and feel Christ among them. Since my Mandarin is minimal, our communication is limited to reverent nods of "hello" and scores of smiles. Many mornings I am moved to pray the unity prayer "that we all be one."  (...continued)

Location and Map of St. Anne's Church