Recollection by Sister Joan Delaney
by S. Joan Delaney, MM (S. Albertus Marie)
April 30 ,2010
Sister Ann Carol and I arrived in Hong Kong after being treated royally by Gloria Hsu, a MSS former student who was the hostess on our United flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. By Friday, I was over the jet lag and attended the gathering at MCS where I met dozens of former students. On Sunday, we gathered together for a Mass celebrated by Fr. Marciano Baptista, S.J. (Marciano is a former student of MCS Primary School) held in the school auditorium.
It is difficult to note all the wonderful elements of the Banquet on Sunday evening. There was the spectacular setting of the Convention Centre overlooking the Harbour. More than 2200 attendees meant that one met many former students , but the visits were necessarily brief. The entertainment was provided by the talented primary school students and included a lion dance! There was a preview of Nancy Tong’s documentary on the work of the Maryknoll Sisters in Hong Kong. The evening came to an end all too soon.
The day after the Banquet, I left with four members of the class of 1960 and three stalwart husbands ,one MSS 1973 alumnae, one MCS 1962 alumnae , a total of 10, for a trip to Vietnam and Angkor Wat. It included a tour of Hanoi, a boat trip of the fascinating Haphong Harbour, a visit to the famous Angkor Wat temple, a tour of bustling Ho Chi Minh City and a memorable boat trip on the Mekong Delta. The climax was a surprise party for my anticipated March birthday.
I welcome the opportunity to write this inadequate account as it enables me to thank the many former students who sponsored my trip, gave me gifts and provided many happy occasions during my visit.
It is always a joy to return to my ‘Hong Kong home’ where I reunite with old friends and make new ones. It was a special pleasure to have a tour of the new MPS and MSS since that is where I began my Hong Kong life. What a wonder the new building is and the students, both in the primary and secondary, exceptional in their hospitality and enthusiasm for their school. (As, I may add, were the students from MCS.) I am eternally grateful to the generous and thoughtful Former Students Association for making it possible to return to Hong Kong as they made it possible for me not only to attend the fabulous World Wide Reunion but also to attend a reunion of former teachers from Our Lady of China School in Kwun Tong where I taught after having left Maryknoll Sisters Primary School. The whole experience was a wonderful gift for which I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.