A Christian community composed of Indonesian students and citizens of Taoyuan in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, gathered for a Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 30, at Chung Yuan Christian University.
In a welcome speech by Ignatius Reyner Giovanni, the community’s Chairman of the Christmas celebration, he said, "Like Jesus, who fulfils His word by growing, bearing fruit, and becoming a blessing to many, the Christmas momentum serves as a reminder of His presence in every journey of our lives.”
Giovanni also stressed the “importance of solidarity among the Indonesian community members who are currently living abroad; to remain united and strengthen the bonds of friendship among fellow citizens.”
He also said that the star of Bethlehem may guide them as they live their lives as it did for the “kings, intellectuals, and scholars from the East.”
The Chargé d'affaires of the Vatican Holy See for the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. Monsignor Stefano Mazzoti (馬德範), also graced the event and delivered the Christmas Message and Blessings to the Ecumenical Christmas Celebration.
Associate Professor Cole N. Carnesecca, also the Head of the Chaplain's Office at Chung Yuan Christian University, delivered the Christmas Sermon, while Rev. Marsheel Sahempa, S.Th from Bethany Church Chungli, led the prayer and Christmas blessing.
Several figures from Indonesian Churches in Taipei and Taoyuan also attended and supported this ecumenical gathering.
The Joint Christmas Celebration was organized in collaboration with Indonesian Students from 4 major universities in Taoyuan: Chung Yuan Christian University, Yuan Ze University, National Central University, and Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology.
The event with the theme, "Glory be to God and Peace on Earth" (Luke 2:14), was based on the Christmas 2023 theme by the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) and the Union of Churches in Indonesia (PGI).
The gathering ended with the 2024 Democracy Awareness Campaign from the Panitia Pemungutan Suara Luar Negeri (PPLN)-Taipei, a dinner reception, and performances by Taiwanese student groups. - Ignatius Reyner Giovanni
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