ST. MICHAEL’S IN FLUSHING KICKS OFF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH PRAYERS AND CELEBRATION

In celebration of the Lunar New Year on Sunday, January 22, more than 400 members of the St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church parish, located in the Flushing section of Queens, hosted a special afternoon of prayer, remembrance, and cultural activities. This year celebrates the Year of the Rabbit.

Auxiliary Bishop James Massa of the Diocese of Brooklyn led a bilingual Mass (English and Chinese) to begin the parish celebration of the Chinese New Year. At the conclusion of the Mass, there was an Ancestors Veneration Ritual.

The ceremony is a Chinese New Year’s tradition where people give thanks to their ancestors and pay tribute to their family’s past. The rituals include nine bows to God, the offering of fruits, flowers, and incense, and the exchange of New Year greetings among the faithful.

A Lunar New Year party and celebration followed the Mass in the parish hall. The featured cultural music and dancing, including the Fan Dance and the Umbrella Dance, as well as food and raffles.

Father Vincentius Do is the Pastor of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Flushing. Father Do also serve as the Chinese Apostolate for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The photos attached are courtesy of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church/Diocese of Brooklyn.

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A Mass was held on January 22, 2023, at St. Michael’s in Flushing to mark the start of the Lunar New Year.
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At the conclusion of the Mass, there was an Ancestors Veneration Ritual.
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Bishop James Massa and Father Patrick Keating join Father Vincentius Do at the celebration of the Lunar New Year held at St. Michael’s.
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Children performing as part of the celebration held in the parish hall of St. Michael’s.
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A group photo of the performers at the celebration of Lunar New Year at St. Michael’s.