In the heart of Western Sydney, where cultures blend and communities thrive, one man is dedicated to guiding the Chinese Catholic community with humour, humility and unwavering faith. Source: Catholic Outlook.
Fr Ephraim Lam, the parish priest at St Monica’s North Parramatta, serves as the Chinese Chaplain for a large number of Chinese-speaking Catholics across the Parramatta Diocese.
Despite the occasional mix-up – “People think I’m the Filipino chaplain all the time! I’m not!” – Fr Lam has embraced his unique role, as he strives to unite a diverse group through faith, compassion, and a deep connection to their cultural roots.
As the Chinese chaplain, Fr Lam brings faith, hope and unity to a community far from their homeland.
Fr Lam’s role is multi-faceted. As chaplain, he helps maintain the faith of Chinese Catholics and offers programs in Cantonese such as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those wishing to learn about the Catholic faith in their native language.
It’s a role he describes as running two parishes in one – the English-speaking local parish at St Monica’s and the Chinese chaplaincy with its Cantonese Masses.
“My role basically is to maintain the faith of Chinese Catholics,” he said.
“Also, if anyone would like to learn the Catholic faith in their own language – Cantonese mostly – we try our best to provide the RCIA program for them.”
Fr Lam, originally from Hong Kong, was invited by the diocese’s Vicar General, Fr Fernando Montano, to consider ministering in Australia. After prayer and discussions with senior priests in Hong Kong, he moved to Australia in 2018.
Fr Lam acknowledged the challenges faced in his role and noted that his key struggle remains bridging the cultural and political divides that sometimes exist within the Chinese community: a community deeply affected by tensions in China and between China and other countries.
“Chinese living overseas come from very diverse backgrounds. The Chinese Diaspora is formed by people who come from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Mainland China, and other places,” he said.
“It’s not easy.”
However, Fr Lam approaches these challenges with patience and humility, saying that Chinese Catholics are seeking “clarity”.
“The world has been teaching them something that does not align with their beliefs.
“Through the teachings of the Catholic faith, we offer values and principles in a thoughtful and systematic way,” he added.
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Meet Fr Ephraim: the Diocese of Parramatta’s Chinese Chaplain (By Belinda Gadd, Catholic Outlook)
