Sunday, January 21 will be the third Sunday in Ordinary Time for Catholics around the world, but for many members of the Church of the Transfiguration in Chinatown, it will mark the first day of the Year of the Rabbit.

The largest Chinese Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of New York, the Church of the Transfiguration will offer its four regularly-scheduled masses on Sunday: 9 am in Mandarin; 11 am in Cantonese; 12:30 pm in English; and 2 pm in Mandarin. A flower offering to Our Lady will take place at the 9 am mass, and “an incense offering to ancestors as Lunar New Year tradition” will be made at all masses, according to the church bulletin

On Saturday, January 20, Lunar New Year’s Eve, the church will celebrate with a Chinese calligraphy workshop sponsored by Lion Rock Café, with two sessions, starting at 2:30 pm and 4 pm, respectively. Those sessions are $10 each or $15 for both, with a limit of 15 people per session. Pre-registration is required.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is assigned an animal, based on a 12-year cycle. Similar to Western astrology, people born during that year are believed to have certain personality traits. The Year of the Rabbit is generally considered to be one of hope.

The Church of the Transfiguration has transformed itself several times in its more than 350-year history. Founded in 1664 as a Dutch Lutheran church, it has since served German immigrants and English settlers. In 1853, it was sold to the Right Rev. John Hughes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York, and, consecrated as a Roman Catholic church, served Irish, Italian, and most recently Chinese immigrants.

More recently, the Church of the Transfiguration has been merged with the nearby parishes of St. James and St. Joseph. It is served by the Maryknoll Fathers.

Church of the Transfiguration offers daily masses in Mandarin and English (no English on public holidays), and Sunday Mass in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. Saturday evening vigil Mass is celebrated in English. For more information, visit the church’s website