My Story: Jacky & Sheila Wong

Together in faith, finding home and hope at St. Mary’s.

Migrating to the UK was not what we have planned, it was not an easy decision to make for my husband and I to leave Hong Kong - where we grew up and spent decades - in 2022. Hong Kong was an energetic, upbeat and free city. Due to political reasons, a lot of changes happened. Our daughter then planned to move to the UK and the UK government has introduced the BNO 5+1 visa, therefore we made the decision to move here.

When we first arrived in the UK, we have noticed a lot of cultural differences, and it took some time to get accustomed to it. Luckily we have the chance to volunteer in the community and to join St. Mary’s R.C. Church. By communicating with local residents and churchgoers, we were able to learn more about the culture, and we are grateful to serve God through these ways. We are glad to know a group of Hongkongers and we are able to support each other in integrating into the society.

One of the couples we met from Church had faced challenges when arriving. The wife was diagnosed with depression after being in the UK for a year and was struggling to keep her spirits up. Her husband then brought her to St Mary’s R.C. Church and attended mass regularly, which helped her recover. They are grateful to God’s constant blessing and to have met a group of Hongkongers, and is now enjoying every moment of their lives.

There’s also another family where the wife has been diagnosed with cancer, and has now returned to the arms of God. During the year of her treatment, we have held prayer meetings regularly and bonded closely. Although she has left us, we believe she is still there in spirit.

Each family has their own story, some has gave up their jobs and left their relatives, and arrived in an unfamiliar country to live. Just like Abraham, we were called to a new place to learn and to live. We shall follow the steps of the father of Faith, believe in God and support one another. With the blessings of God, everything is good.