On May 13th, I participated in the funeral mass of Rev. Sean P. Burke M.M., MBE, JP. Father Burke was born on April 1st, 1946 in UK and was ordained to the priesthood on May 20th, 1978 in the United States. In the same year, he was appointed to start his missionary work in Hong Kong. He has returned to the Lord on May 5th 2009. Father Burke was elected three times as Regional Superior of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (Hong Kong region) in 1988, 1991 & 2000.<br/><br/>
Due to the different nature of work, I rarely had the opportunity to meet with him.
In his 30 years of priesthood, he worked quietly with tremendous contributions to the people and society of Hong Kong.<br/><br/>
In 1978, Father Burke helped to start a charity called Helping Hand (www.helpinghand.org.hk).
He also helped introduce hospice care to Hong Kong and established the “Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care” in the early 1980’s (www.hospicecare.org.hk).<br/><br/>
“Helping Hand’s objective is to meet the emerging housing, well-being and other needs of our senior citizens as quickly, effectively and imaginatively as possible. In order to cope with the rapid social changes and the changing needs and aspirations of our senior citizens, we are always ready to tackle problems, be creative and pioneer alternative approaches.” - (Helping Hand)<br/><br/>
“With the guiding principle of ‘adding life to days when days cannot be added to life’, the Society is dedicated to promote hospice care, provide bereavement support services, and develop related trainings. Through community education programmes, the Society advocates a positive attitude towards facing end-of-life.” - (Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care)<br/><br/>
Furthermore Father Burke was the chief spiritual director of the Prison Chaplaincies; a subsidiary of Hong Kong Correctional Services.<br/><br/>
In addition to the social work services, he was also the spiritual director of the “World Community for Christian Meditation” (www.wccm.org). He used to practice meditation for 30 minutes every morning and evening with the methods taught by Fr. John Main, a Benedictine priest.<br/><br/>
Father Burke had a habit of collecting mangers from all over the world. On the one hand, this could possibly reflect his childlike heart, and on the other hand, it could also be regarded as a special way of evangelization. His collections are frequently displayed at Maryknoll Convent in Stanley.
 
May Father Burke continue to pray in front of our Heavenly Father for the Church in Hong Kong.