By Martin Barillas
Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jan 19, 2025 / 07:00 am
This year, Jan. 29 marks the Lunar New Year, a 15-day annual celebration in China and Asian communities that begins with the new moon and falls somewhere between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 on Western calendars. Many Chinese Catholics celebrate by attending Mass to thank God for blessings received and a parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is preparing to do just that.
On Feb. 3 at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Father John Yongli Chen will celebrate an evening Mass in Mandarin, his native language, to welcome in the Chinese New Year. A dinner and live traditional Chinese music will follow at the parish, which is in the Diocese of Lansing.
Chen is pastor of St. Ann Parish in Ortonville, Michigan, and was invited by Father William Ashbaugh, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, to celebrate the New Year Mass with the Chinese community there.
The symbols of the Lunar New Year, including the animals of the Chinese zodiac, are incorporated into Masses. Dance, gifts, and prayers for the dead also characterize the celebration.
Chen was ordained in China in 2011 and became pastor of St. Ann in 2023. He began his seminary studies in Xinjiang and completed them at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He holds a doctorate in theology from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, and taught theology and philosophy at the National Seminary in China.
In an interview with CNA, Chen said life for Catholics and other Christians in China can be difficult. Describing the process known as sinicization, or government control of Church functions, he said this means “everything is under the guidance of communist ideology. My family must apply for a permit to go to church. Officials register them and decide whether to allow them permission.”
Chen recalled that in China, he and other students and faculty were forced to participate in a Mass celebrated by an illicitly ordained bishop of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, which is controlled by China’s communist government but not recognized by the Catholic Church.
The Inspiring Journey of Father John Chen: A Story of Faith and Perseverance
When Chen stood firm in his beliefs and refused to comply with communist mandates, his teaching career at the National Seminary in Beijing was abruptly terminated by the rector, who forced him to leave.
Despite facing challenges in Xinjiang, his home province, and throughout China, Chen remained steadfast in his faith. He expressed his sorrow at not being able to serve his countrymen directly, stating, “I came from a place where the government persecutes religion, but I do not seek pity. Let us be grateful as we endure hardships with Christ, celebrating our shared faith and Church.”
Chen shared that his family’s deep-rooted Catholicism, despite the scarcity of churches in Xinjiang, shaped his spiritual journey. “We prayed together as a family and held Mass in our ‘house church’ at home a few times a year. Our faith was nurtured in these humble settings, and I am eager to impart my experiences and insights to others,” he explained.
Dr. L. Gregory Bloomquist, Chen’s thesis advisor at St. Paul University, commended his resilience in the face of persecution. He likened Chen to St. Paul, who embraced humility to embody Christ’s teachings fully, becoming a true father figure to those around him.
Ann Arbor, with its vibrant Chinese community attracted by the University of Michigan, became a welcoming home for Chen. St. Thomas Parish, where he found solace, organized an Alpha course for Chinese seekers in 2024, which Chen eagerly participated in, laying the foundation for deeper spiritual exploration and confirmation.
Monica Cai, a devoted parishioner at St. Thomas and a pillar of the Chinese Catholic community in Ann Arbor, shared her family’s tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year with prayer and a Mass last year, marking a newfound connection with fellow Chinese Catholics.
As an American cradle Catholic and a dedicated mother, Cai emphasized the significance of faith in fostering unity and fellowship within their community. Through shared traditions and spiritual practices, the Chinese Catholic community in Ann Arbor continues to thrive, bridging cultural divides and deepening bonds of faith.
