News and Events
Media Advisory: First Priest from Mainland China in Los Angeles will be Ordained

MEDIA ALERT
Contact: Marisol Barrios-Jordan
Cell: (310) 713-8567
Marisol@MBJcommunications.com

FIRST PRIEST FROM MAINLAND CHINA IN
LOS ANGELES WILL BE ORDAINED ON JAN. 12

WHO:     With the rapid influx of Asian immigrants in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and the favorable congregational funding in diocesan and national levels, Asian American mission in the Episcopal Church flourished. Evidence of this ongoing ministry is demonstrated by the ordination of the first priest from Mainland China in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, The Rev. Hui Liang "Thomas" Ni, 45.

WHAT:     First priest from Mainland China to be ordained by Los Angeles Bishop J. Jon Bruno.

WHEN:     On Saturday, January 12, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: St. John's Pro-Cathedral, 514 West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles, 90007-2616.

WHY:     “On behalf of the Asian American Ministries in the Episcopal Church, I rejoice in the ordination of The Rev. Thomas Ni as the first priest to be ordained from Mainland China in the Diocese of Los Angeles in contemporary times,” said The Rev. Dr. Winfred B. Vergara, National Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries and Director of Ethnic Congregational Development of the Episcopal Church, headquartered in New York. He adds this ordination is significant because “it will continue to make our relationship with the China Christian Council even closer. Chinese from Mainland China are some of the new and emerging immigrant groups in the United States and especially in the West Coast and we are happy that we are able to raise clergy from that community.”

OTHER DETAILS: Customary First Blessing by The Rev. Ni–According to The Rev. George F. Woodward III, rector of St. Edmund's Episcopal Church, it is customary for a priest to offer his or her First Blessing to those who may wish to receive it after a First Mass.  The Rev. Ni will offer his First Blessing on Sunday, January 13, after the 8 a.m. liturgy at the Altar Rail in the Chapel and at the Altar Rail in the Church following the 10 a.m. Eucharist at St. Edmund's Episcopal Church located at 1175 San Gabriel Blvd, in San Marino, 91118. To learn more about St. Edmund's, visit www.SaintEdmunds.org.
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Monday, January 14, 2008