相信大家都已經見過我們堂區的新臉孔，他就是接替Fr. McCabe的Fr. Everson（易唯誠神父）。《堂區通訊》早前跟易神父做了一個專訪，讓大家認識這位來自美國的瑪利諾神父。
I believe that everyone has seen the new face of our parish. He is Fr. Everson, who succeeded Fr. McCabe for the pastoral works. The Parish Newsletter had an exclusive interview with Fr. Everson earlier, letting everyone get to know this Maryknoll Missionary from the United States.
R: Reporter; E: Fr. Everson
Part 1: Something about Me
R: Good Morning, Fr. Everson. Thank you for this interview. Would you like to introduce yourself to our parishioners first?
E: 早晨. I am Fr. Joseph Everson (Father Joseph Martin Everson III). I came from New York. I am a Maryknoll Missionary.
R: You have learned some Cantonese.
E: Just “早晨” and “多謝”.
R: That’s good enough. I read that you used to be an attorney before. What drove you to become a priest? Can you share the story of your calling and formation?
E: There wasn’t a particular event that drove me to become a priest. The calling was embedded pretty much in every detail of my life.
I am the youngest of ten children in my family. We lived in San Francisco. As a Catholic family, we used to go to church together and my parents donated to the Maryknoll and subscribed to their magazine. I guess that’s when the seed was planted in me. Now, I am a Maryknoll Father.
Just like many kids in a Catholic family, I went to grammar school and by grades 4 and 5, I started wanting to be a priest. I went to a Jesuit High School in San Francisco. At that time, I wanted to join seminary, but they wouldn’t accept someone so young. So I continued my education in the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in History. I was planning to be a high school history teacher. Then, during my final year at Berkeley, I decided to take the law school exam. Finally, I went to law school in Texas and got my Doctorate in Jurisprudence, which was how I became an attorney and worked in New York.
During my days at the law firm, my seeds of Maryknoll began to grow. I started contacting them and I really loved missionary work. Three years later, I left the law firm and entered Maryknoll. I was training there, studying philosophy and theology. I was ordained to the priesthood in 1999. Shortly after my ordination, I was assigned to Latin America. I had worked in Peru, Bolivia and Mexico. I was elected the Vicar General of Maryknoll in 2014 for a 7-year term. After resigning, I was wondering what to do next? I found myself really enjoying being a missionary, and I should go somewhere to evangelize. So, I asked if I could continue the missionary work, and now I am here, in Hong Kong, as a missionary again.
R: It seems natural, indeed, to be called by God since you are young.
E: Yes, yes. On my day of ordination, everything was on “autopilot”. Everything went on so naturally. Of course I felt joyful and personally enjoy it very much.
Part 2: Something about my Community
R: Why did you choose Maryknoll as a response to your calling?
E: I think it started in my childhood, when I always found their magazines in our family. I read them and they’re always in my heart.
R: Can you tell us more about your community, the “Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America”, now known as the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers?
E: The Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America was founded in 1911 by Fr. James Walsh and Fr. Thomas Price. Our first mission was in Southern China and then expanded to Northeast China and Korea until the World War II. The war made the missionary work in Asia difficult, so Maryknoll started other missionary work in Africa and Latin America. After they were established, Maryknoll would hand over the missions to the dioceses. We would then take up a new mission site that needed to be developed. This is how Maryknoll would engage in missions.
R: So that’s why you are here now, to be a missionary again.
E: Yes, after being Vicar General for 7 years, I still miss the time as a missionary. I want to visit other places again.
Part 3: Something about my New Home
R: How do you feel about your new home, the St. Margaret’s Church?
E: People here are very friendly. I wasn’t expecting anything in particular. The neighborhood is very nice, and most surprisingly, many people know English. I remember once I came to Hong Kong and wanted to visit the Peak. I looked for the Peak Tram Lower Terminus. I asked a lady passing by, and she asked if I was the first time in Hong Kong. I said yes. She was so nice and started to introduce Hong Kong and took me to the terminus. I was really surprised with such friendliness.
The only thing I’m not familiar with are the streets. It seems that I get lost easily. But to be honest, I’m not worried about getting lost. I like to walk, look around, and feel the vibe.
R: Well, you had been adapted to the environment pretty well. It should be the “missionary blood” in you that makes everything easy for you. So, as to conclude, any Hong Kong food do you like?
E: I haven’t tried much yet. My memory stays in the “American Style” Chinese food. You know, we have a Panda Express in my hometown, and that’s when I tried Chinese food. I like fried dumpling. I also like green bean chicken and orange chicken, hot and sour soup. I love all the vegetables and fresh fruit as well. I think I like most of the Chinese cuisine.
R: Thank you so much for your time, telling us so much about yourself. I wish that you will have nice time here. We will keep you in our Prayer.
