Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn will lead a bilingual Mass (English and Mandarin Chinese) in honor of the Lunar New Year on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 136-76 41st Avenue in the Flushing section of Queens. This is the Year of the Dragon, symbolizing strength, power, good fortune, and success.

After the Mass, there will be an ancestral veneration ritual. The ceremony is a New Year’s tradition in which the congregation gives thanks to God and their ancestors. The rituals include nine bows to God, the offering of fruits, flowers, and incense, and the exchange of New Year greetings among the faithful.

 The celebration of the Lunar New Year will continue at 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall and will feature cultural singing, dancing, and a special martial arts performance.

Father Vincentius Do is the Pastor of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and the Chinese Apostolate for the Diocese of Brooklyn.