On Feb. 3, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Father John Yongli Chen will celebrate an evening Mass in Mandarin, his native language, in recognition of the Chinese New Year. Chen is pastor of St. Ann Parish in Ortonville, Michigan…
Michigan parish celebrates Chinese New Year with Mass in Mandarin
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In an inspiring celebration of cultural diversity and inclusion, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will host a special evening Mass in Mandarin, led by Father John Yongli Chen, on Feb. 3, 2025. This event, aimed at recognizing the Chinese New Year and honoring the rich cultural backgrounds of its congregants, reflects the community's commitment to embracing multiculturalism and fostering a welcoming environment for all.
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan, plans to hold a Mass in Mandarin on Feb. 3, 2025, led by Father John Yongli Chen, in observance of the Chinese New Year. This decision has sparked discussion among parishioners and local citizens, with some expressing worries about the prioritization of non-English languages and cultural practices over traditional American values and the unity of the English-speaking Christian community.