By Monét Guilbeau
Published October 30th, CJS Tribune Fall 2024 print edition
Monét Guilbeau for CJS Tribune
Win Hah Members.
NEW YORK - After Sunday mass, walking canes and laughter flood an auditorium beneath a Catholic church in Chinatown.
At the Church of Transfiguration, the Win Hah Society continues its decades long tradition of inviting parishoners to fellowship, celebration and moral support, all spoken through their native tongue of Cantonese.
Karen Louie, the society's president for the last 25 years, is familiar with the long history of the group's monthly gathering.
"When there were a lot of Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong who didn't speak English, we made a Cantonese group," said Louie.
Louie says that the society serves a steady senior population, ranging from members in their 60s to many in their 90s. The Win Hah Society, established for Chinese immigrants to stay connected through faith and speaking Cantonese, has grown into a close-knit group that prioritizes care and companionship. The group meets on the second Sunday of each month.
For more than 55 years, Sister Joanna Chan has worked within the Church of Transfiguration. A distinguished alumni of Columbia's Teachers College and the director of youth services at the church, she now focuses on guiding seniors on their worldly and spiritual journeys.
Sisten Chan sees the Win Hah Society fulfilling a void in these immigrants' lives. "In a Chinese setting, everything is communal and generational," she said. "When someone leaves [their home country], it's an incredibly lonely experience."
Monét Guilbeau for CJS Tribune
Win Hah members celebrating September birthdays.
The Win Hah Society is a place of repose for these "hard-working" people, celebrating birthdays and providing a space for conversation. They do all of this while pouring tea for one another over a plate of chicken and rice.
During September's post-mass gathering, Sisten Chan led a prayer service in Cantonese and gave a sermon on the importance of gratitude and forgiveness. "If you hold on to grudges, there is no peace," she said while circulating the room and handing out small brown papers. After each member wrote down their burdens on the tiny sheet, with a tone of warmth and empathy, Sisten Chan emphasized the power of prayer because without letting go, "you cannot say thank you."
Louie said that no one is left forgotten in the Win Hah Society. "We visit those who can't come anymore," she said, explaining that many members are homebound or in long-term care. For one woman who has been in rehan for 11 years after suffering a stroke, regular visits from society members help her remain a part of the community.
When COVID-19 made in-person meetings impossible, the society created a WhatsApp prayer group. Since then, members have gathered every weekday to pray the rosary for and with one another. Louie confirmed that roughly 20 people, including members living as far away as Colorado and Toronto, join these daily sessions. The WhatsApp group also serves as a space to send videos, check in on one another, and provide updates and support.
The sense of community remains strong among Win Hah members. "It's their courage, how they survive with dignity after multi-racial problems and pain," Sister Chan said.
She confessed that, though she is the one with the microphone, "I have to learn from them. They are brave and generous people." Her deep admiration for the members reflects the heart of what the society stands for - a steadfast commitment to caring for one another.
The Win Hah Society continues to be a vital source for its members, ensuring that even as they age, no one is left to face life's challenged alone, especially those of a different language.
Publication: pages 11-12 www.cjstribune.com
Monét Guilbeau for CJS Tribune
Sister Chan Bonus Photo!!
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