Funeral services will be held Feb. 17, 12:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for Salesian of St. John Bosco Father Joseph Cheng, former pastor of St. Bridget (Chinese) Church in Los Angeles, who died Feb. 10 of kidney cancer at USC Norris Cancer Hospital.

Father Cheng was a former National Consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and also served as president of the North American Chinese Catholic Clergy and Religious Association from 1999-2004.

Public viewing will take place Feb. 16 starting at 3 p.m. at St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church, 510 Cottage Home St., Los Angeles, followed by an evening Vigil Service from 7-8 p.m. Auxiliary Bishops Edward Clark and Oscar Solis will concelebrate the Feb. 17 Mass of the Resurrection at the Cathedral.

Born in Nankin, China, on March 7, 1930, Father Cheng made his first profession with the Salesians in Hong Kong on Aug. 16, 1949. He was ordained June 29, 1959 in Messina, Italy, and directed various ministries in Hong Kong. From 1972 to 1981, he ministered to the Chinese Community at SS. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. He earned two MA degrees from the University of San Francisco: educational guidance counseling and marriage, family and child counseling and later received his MFCC license.

Before coming to Los Angeles to serve as pastor of St. Bridget Church in 1994, Father Cheng ministered as principal, rector and pastor in various Catholic facilities in Hong Kong. During his 12-year tenure at St. Bridget's, he oversaw a significant increase in parish ministries and community outreach. In 2004, he initiated a Chinese New Year celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels involving several Southern California Catholic communities.

"He was an active, approachable pastor and worked very hard for the parish," said Salesian Father John Lam, pastor of St. Bridget, who was named pastor after Father Cheng was transferred to be pastor of Mary Help of Christians Chinese Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Shortly after arriving in Canada in September, 2006, Father Cheng took ill and returned to L.A. for treatment.

"He was a visionary," said Michael Lau, St. Bridget parish pastoral assistant. "He bridged the gap between our Chinese community and other communities within the archdiocese. He connected Chinese communities throughout North America."