Western Cathedral: The Youngest among the 4 Catholic Churches in Beijing

Before the year of 2015 bids goodbye, I finally found the WESTERN CHURCH, the youngest of the 4 Catholic Churches in BEIJING. It was established in 1723 and was restored in 1912.

I previously visited the other 3 Churches. 

It was a successful, complete, and BLESSED Journey for me in 2015. 

I already DISCOVERED THE 4 CATHOLIC CHURCHES in BEIJING!!!

inside the WESTERN CHURCH or XIZHIMEN CHURCH

It was actually really challenging to explore Beijing because of its considerable large area. BEIJING is 26 times compared to the total land area of the whole METRO MANILA. BEIJING is more than 16,000 square kilometers compared to METRO MANILA with about 600 square kilometers. It is even made more difficult because some of the signages in Beijing are written in CHINESE CHARACTERS. It is also a challenge to ask anyone along the way because majority of them do not understand English. And since it is winter, the freezing temperature is an additional burden. Today the temperature is NEGATIVE 8 degrees centigrade!!!

On my way to the bus stop, I spotted this river, the right portion is partly covered by SNOW...

After thorough research from the internet, I still couldn't really find the complete guide on how to go to WESTERN CHURCH. It is just stated in the different sources that the only available public transports are BUS and TAXI. There is no mentioned about any SUBWAY station. But as an explorer myself, I analyzed the available information. The other name of the CHURCH is XIZHIMEN. There are blogs mentioning that the location of the Church is along XIZHIMEN NEI DAJIE. Using the BEIJING map issued to us, I searched for any subway station and the road with such information. EUREKA! There is a XIZHIMEN Subway Station along LINE 4. Then the information on the net, the bus number 7, 27, 105 or 808 will pass by along the street where the church is located and should get off at XIKAI HUTONG bus stop. 

Prominent feature of the Western Church 

After breakfast, I proceeded to the nearest station to start my journey for today with the noble mission to visit the 4th Catholic Church in Beijing. After a while in the Subway train, I alighted at XIZHIMEN Subway Station, then I took bus Number 105 and got off at XIKAI HUTONG bus stop. While the bus was about to stop, I already spotted the Cross on top of the Church. Yes, I arrived at my glorious destination!!! But to my surprise, there is a nearby SUBWAY STATION about 50 meters  from the Church compound. It is the XINJIEKOU SUBWAY STATION. It is actually just one station away from where I alighted, Xizhimen. But I am still wondering until now why there is nothing in the internet that mentioned that information.

Christmas tree inside the compound of the Western Church

To make things clear, if you want to visit the WESTERN CHURCH in BEIJING, take the subway train at LINE 4, get off at XINJIEKOU SUBWAY STATION, then exit at D. Then walk west, after about 50 meters or less, you will find the WESTERN CHURCH or the XIZHIMEN CHURCH. The exact address of the Western Church is 130 Xizhimenmeinan Dajie, Xicheng District, Beijing.

The "MESSAGE WALL" inside the compound
of the Western Church

WESTERN CHURCH is the youngest and the smallest among the four Catholic Churches in Beijing. 

also located inside the compound

The beautiful facade of the WESTERN CHURCH. There was a wedding ceremony when I came.

Wedding ceremony is being held inside when I came

May the LORD BLESS our JOURNEY in LIFE ALWAYS...

inside the Western Church

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...

This is PROBABLY my LAST BLOG for 2015...

What is the Art and Science of Leadership?

LEADERSHIP can be defined in many ways. 

Many books are written and published about LEADERSHIP.

How about you?

How do you define LEADERSHIP?

This is mine...

This is inspired by the lecture about the subject with the same title: THE ART and SCIENCE OF LEADERSHIP when I took up my Command and Staff Course at the Air Force Command College in Beijing, China. The professor has a very creative way of conducting the lecture. He elaborately discussed the definition of LEADERSHIP by giving us some practical exercises and clear examples. He presented the definition of leadership and asked for 5 volunteers to give the key points in the definition. After a lengthy and thorough discussion, he gave us his own 5 key points: THE ORGANIZATION, THE LEADER, THE SUBORDINATES, THE METHODS and OBJECTIVES. According to him, those are the most important elements in leadership. Excellent explanation!

Being inspired, I crafted the definition in my own unique way. As shown in the second slide, the words ART and SCIENCE are embedded in the word LEADERSHIP to show the relationship between the three words. Then in the third slide, I added letters HE to the ART and the letters CON to the SCIENCE to form new words, HEART and CONSCIENCE. 

LEADERSHIP should be exercised with HEART and CONSCIENCE.

LEADER should have a HEART and a CONSCIENCE to be able to lead with UNQUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY during the process and accomplishment of an objective. 

HEART for EMPATHY 

and

CONSCIENCE for INTEGRITY

This is the kind of leader that we need to have a BALANCE between having to feel what is really needed by others while doing the right things in the process.

The HEART determines the right OBJECTIVES 
while the CONSCIENCE determines the right PROCESS. 
Process is consist of the ways, the means, and other things in between.

Do you have your own definition of LEADERSHIP? 

Please share it in the comment portion below...

Eastern Cathedral: The Catholic Church at Wangfujing Street

It is always my first priority to visit a Catholic Church whenever I visit a place for the very first time.

My journey in CHINA especially in BEIJING started more than 3 months ago. During the first week of my stay, there was a long break because it coincided with the celebration of the founding of the new China. Conditions that provided me the opportunity to explore BEIJING. 

During my first week in China, I conducted thorough research thru the internet about the interesting places to visit with emphasis on the Catholic Churches in BEIJING.

It is interesting to note that there is a Catholic Church in the busiest street in BEIJING, the WANGFUJING St. 

After familiarizing myself from riding the SUBWAY TRAIN up to how to go to the WANGFUJING ST., I finally proceeded to explore one Sunday after lunch.  My primary mission is to locate the ST. JOSEPH CHURCH which is also being called as WANGFUJING CHURCH obviously because of the street where it is situated. It is also known as the EASTERN CATHEDRAL since it is built at the eastern part of Beijing. If you can observe, majority of the places in China are named based on direction.

After getting of from the WANGFUJING Subway Station., I initially explored the WANGFUJING ST,. I was amazed by the wide and busy street which is devoted only to pedestrians. All types of  vehicles are prohibited to pass which pave the way for the tourists to enjoy the majestic views of the creative designs of the buildings while freely walking along the wide lane. There are numerous shops, bookstores, fast food chains, snack houses, souvenir shops, and even stores for branded products like APPLE.

After satisfying my senses and savoring the Wangfujing St., I headed for my main destination, the Eastern Cathedral. 

Most of the time, it is really challenging to locate one place because what you read on the net is different from the actual situation unless the written article is comprehensive stating all the necessary details including the exact street, the building number, and even the prominent landmarks.

After several minutes of analyzing the given address on the net reinforced by the map that I was holding, I finally spotted this magnificent view.

I hurriedly walked towards the remarkable structure. I was really excited to visit a Catholic Church outside the Philippines for the very first time. Although I already visited MALAYSIA and INDONESIA, I failed to visit any Church because of the very busy schedule in a very limited time of stay. But my long in journey in China provided me the wonderful opportunity to explore more.

I finally found my primary objective for the day. I entered the gate leading to the 10,000 square meter compound of the Cathedral. There were many tourists both local and foreigners like me, taking pictures while being enthralled by the remarkable structure.

As I gazed closely upon the towering Church, I really felt the overflowing blessings. My sincerest gratitude to the Almighty for always providing me a safe and enjoyable journey. 

Although the Church was closed when I came, it didn't stop me to offer a Thanksgiving prayer infront of the Church. Prayers for the Lord to continuously guide me throughout my journey in life so that I can also continuously serve others. 

How to reach the EAST CATHEDRAL or ST. JOSEPH CHURCH?

The easiest way is by subway train. Take subway Line 1 or Line 5.

For subway line 1, get off at WANGFUJING station, then exit at C2, then take a very long walk along Wangfujing St., then cross another street, then you will find the Church on the right.

For subway line 5, get off at DENSHIKOU station, then walk heading CYPRESS HUTONG for about 300 meters.

For schedule of mass services:

Monday to Saturday: 6:30am and 7am in Chinese

Sunday: Latin 6:15am, 7am and 8am in Chinese

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE...
GOD BLESS US ALWAYS...