ATLANTA--Approximately 150 Chinese Catholics in the archdiocese had their first opportunity to come together for a Mass celebrated by Archbishop John F. Donoghue recently.

The Mass, celebrated Nov. 30, 1996, on the vigil of the first Sunday of Advent, was held at All Saints Church in Dunwoody, where Chinese Catholics have gathered for the past five years through the hospitality of pastor Msgr. R. Donald Kiernan. Archbishop Donoghue was the principal celebrant, assisted by Father Joseph Chiang of the North American Chinese Apostolate in New York and Deacon Whitney Robichaux.

"The archbishop reminded us that we are brought together because of the desire we share to celebrate our common heritage, the heritage that comes from one of the earth's oldest and wisest cultures," said Sabrina Mao Hawkridge, president of the Atlanta Chinese Catholic Community.

"However, what unites us are the Word of Jesus Christ and the way of life that comes from his Gospel, our belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and in His holy Catholic Church," she continued. The community must use its gifts to take part in the work of the Church, preaching the Gospel and doing the works of charity Christ requires of all.

"We are grateful for the faith we share as Catholics and the heritage we share as Chinese Americans," Hawkridge said.

After Mass the community hosted a dinner, presented the archbishop with artwork of the words "faith, hope, love" in Chinese and asked him if he would help the community draw a Chinese priest to the archdiocese.

The Chinese Catholic community meets the second and fourth Saturdays of every month at All Saints Church, 2443 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, at 7:30 p.m. for Scripture study, Hawkridge said. A class preparing to enter the Catholic Church through the OCIA program meets every Saturday at 6:30 p.m. for an hour before the Scripture study. When a Chinese priest visits Atlanta, normally the second Saturday of the month, Mass in Chinese is celebrated at 5 p.m., she said. The next Chinese Mass will be Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. marking the Chinese New Year and will be followed by dinner and celebrations.