WASHINGTON (August 2, 2002) –- More than 1,000 Chinese American Catholics from the United States, Canada, and Japan will convene at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, for the dedication of Our Lady of China mosaic, Saturday, August 3.

Events of the day include the rosary, beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a banner procession, and Mass at 2 p.m.

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington will preside at the Mass. Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Wenski of Miami; and Auxiliary Bishop John Tong of Hong Kong also will be present.

In related activities, Bishop Wenski will speak August 2, at 2 p.m., on the U.S. bishops' pastoral statement Asian and Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith, at the Franciscan Monastery, Washington. Bishop Tong will speak on "The Church of China," August 3 at 9:30 a.m., at The Catholic University of America's Caldwell Hall.

On August 2-3, the 24th Annual Convention of North American Chinese Clergy, Religious, and Laity will be held at the Franciscan Monastery with over 100 people participating.

The first ever North America Chinese Catholic Youth Conference will take place at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, in Potomac, Maryland, August 2-3, with 150 young people attending.

Information about the two year history of the MOSAIC/ project can be found at
www.ourladyofchina.org/news.htm and www.nationalshrineinteractive.com/News/News.cfm?ID=491&c=4&RequestTimeout=500
For more information, contact:
Carolyn Ng
240-463-0368

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