The
A g a in s t y o u , y o u
M.I.T.A. (P) No. 105/01/2003 PPS 201/4/2003
R a ve
N ew s
a (o n e
T s in n e d :
w f ia t is
c v iC
I fia v c
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D o n e . [ Ps 50 (51) ]
The O fficial Newspaper of the Roman C atholic Archdiocese of Singapore
Fortnightly: SUNDAYS, MAR. 2 -M ar. 9,2003- SINGAPORE 0.50cts./WEST MALAYSIA RM1.20 Vol. 53 No. 5
More blessed to give than to ■ ■ ■
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Local
3 , 11
R e g io n a l 6 V IE W P O IN T
4
Faith
1. Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concern for those in need. It offers all Christians an opportunity to prepare for Easter by serious discernment about their lives, with particu lar attention to the word of God which enlightens the daily journey of all who believe. This year, as a guide for our Lenten meditation, I would offer a phrase taken from the Acts of the Apostles: «lt is more blessed to give than to receive® (Acts 20:35). What we have here is not simply a moral exhortation, or a command which comes to us from without. The inclination to give is rooted in the depths of the human heart: every person is conscious of a desire to interact with others and everyone finds fulfilment in a free gift of self to others.
LENTEN MESSAGE
tn O R C ,
# s fty c m tin
PRAYER
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Fasting and Almsgiving 4. The Son of God loved us first, while «we were yet sinners» (Rom 5:6), with an unconditional love which asks nothing in return. If this is so, how can we fail to see the season of Lent as a providential opportunity to make courageous decisions inspired by altruism and generosity? Lent offers us the practical and effective weapons of fasting and almsgiving as a means of combating an excessive attachment to money. Giving not only from our abundance, but sacrificing something more in order to give to the needy, fosters that self-denial which is essential to authentic Christian living. Strengthened by constant prayer, the baptized reveal the priority which they have given to God in their lives.
The temptation toward selfishness Transformation o f self
Vatican II 9
Children’s Corner 10
U n ity Them es 14 F a m ily 1 4 , 1 5 Young C a th o lic s 1 5
M essage to t h e S ic k 16
GIVE an everlasting Gift
2. Our age, regrettably, is particularly susceptible to the tempta tion toward selfishness which always lurks within the human heart. In society generally, and in the media, people are bom barded by messages which more or less openly exalt the ephemeral and the hedonistic. Concern for others is certainly shown whenever natural disasters, war and other emergencies strike, but in general it is difficult to build a culture of solidar ity. The spirit of the world affects our inner propensity to give ourselves unselfishly to others and drives us to satisfy our own particular interests. The desire to possess ever more is encouraged. Surely it is natural and right that people, by using their own gifts and by their own labour, should work to obtain what they need to live, but an excessive desire for possessions prevents human beings from being open to their Creator and to their brothers and sisters. The words of Paul to Timothy remain relevant in every age: «The love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs»!
m oR C
generous in works of
CHARITY
The love of God poured into our hearts ought to inspire and transform who we are and what we do. Christians must not think that they can seek the true good of their brothers and sisters without embodying the charity of Christ. Even in those cases where they might succeed in improving important aspects of social or political life, without charity every change would remain short-lived. The possibility of giving oneself to others is itself a gift which comes from the grace of God. As Saint Paul teaches: «God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure® (Phil 2:13).
Giving our lives for others
m oR e oagcHncel ittia
5. To modem men and women, often dissatisfied with a shallow and ephemeral existence and in search of authentic happiness and love, Christ offers his own example and issues the invitation M Y S T E R IE S to follow him. He asks those who hear his voice to give their lives b y w h ic h w a for others. This sacrifice is a source of self-fulfilment and joy, a m re b o rn Exploitation o f others as is seen in the eloquent example of those men and women who, leaving all security behind, have not hesitated to risk their From the Vatican, Exploitation of others, indifference towards the suffering lives as missionaries in different parts of the world. It can also be 7 January 2003 of our brothers and sisters, and the violation of basic rules seen in the response of those young people who, prompted by of morality are just a few fruits of the thirst for gain. Faced J O H N P A U L II faith, have embraced a vocation to the priesthood or the reli with the tragic situation of persistent poverty which afflicts so gious life in order to serve God’s plan of salvation. It is likewise many people in our world, how can we fail to see that the the experience of the growing number of volunteers who readily quest for profit at any cost and the lack of effective, responsible devote themselves to helping the poor, the elderly, the sick and all those in concern for the common good have concentrated immense resources need. in the hands of a few while the rest of humanity suffers in poverty and neglect? Solidarity Appealing to believers and to all people of good will, I would like to reaffirm a principle which is self-evident yet often ignored: our goal Recently, we have witnessed a praiseworthy outpouring of solidarity for the should not be the benefit of a privileged few, but rather the improvement victims of floods in Europe, earthquakes in Latin America and Italy, epidem of the living conditions of all. Only on this foundation can we build that ics in Africa, volcanic eruptions in the Phillippines, as well as for other areas international order truly marked by justice and solidarity which is the of the world scarred by hatred, violence and war. hope of everyone.
Generous Giving 3. «lt is more blessed to give than to receive». When believers respond to the inner impulse to give themselves to others without expecting anything in return, they experience a profound interior satisfaction. The efforts of Christians to promote justice, their commitment in defence of the powerless, their humanitarian work in providing bread for the hungry and their care for the sick by responding to every emergency and need, draw their strength from that sole and inexhaustible treasury of love which is the complete gift of Jesus to the Father. Believers are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who, in perfect obedience to the will of the Father, emptied himself (cf. Phil 2:6 ff), and humbly gave himself to us in selfless and total love, even unto death on a cross. Calvary eloquently proclaims the message of the Blessed Trinity’s love for human beings of all times and places. St. Augustine points out that only God, as the Supreme Good, is capable of overcoming the various forms of poverty present in our world. Mercy and love for one’s neighbour must therefore be the fruit of a living relationship with God and have God as their constant point of reference, since it is in closeness to Christ that we find our joy.
r' ?«,................ ......................................... ......... Cjslf Arctlciiocese of Singapore home page, Veritas: http://www.catholic.org.sg
Role o f the media In these situations, the communications media play a significant role by allowing us to identify with and offer ready help to the suffering and those in distress. At times it is not the Christian command of love, but rather an innate sense of compassion which motivates our efforts to assist others. Even so, anyone who helps those in need always enjoys God’s favour. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the disciple Tabitha was saved because she had done good to her neighbour (cf. 9:36 ff). The centurion Cornelius obtained eternal life on account of his generosity.
Intital encounter with Christ For those who are «far-off», service to the needy can be a providential path leading to an encounter with Christ, since the Lord abundantly repays the good deeds done to one’s neighbour (cf. Mt 25:40). It is my fervent hope that believers will find this Lent a favorable time for bearing witness to the Gospel of charity in every place, since the vocation to charity is the heart of all true evangelization. To this end I invoke the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and pray that she will accompany us on our Lenten journey. With these sentiments I affectionately impart to all my blessing. □
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9, 2 0 0 3
2 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S
Be inform ed as Catholics of the C hurch’s stand
Papal diplom acy on Iraq Secular media are very silent on the efforts of our Holy Father!
on current international issues.
Meeting with UN-SG
Appointment of Special Envoy After the visit of Mr. Tarek A ziz, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Roger Echegaray as his Special Envoy to Iraq with a personal message to President Saddam Hussein. The exact contents of the message and the recent talks that preceeded it have not been disclosed. On his arrival in Bagdad, Papal envoy, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray met with Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan, centre, and Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Aziz in Baghdad.
Meeting President Saddam
After meeting with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Papal Envoy, Cardinal Roger Echegaray addresed the Press: I appreciate that you are waiting to hear with great interest what has transpired, because of the importance of the meeting which I am coming from. On your part, I am sure you understand the spiritual character of my mission and that my words have a nuance that you, no doubt, are not accustomed to. The Church has its own way of talking about peace and making peace which is very different from those who talk about the same issues, from other points of view, with such tenacity. The Church, as Pope John Paul II says, is the spokesperson of the "moral conscience of humanity as such, a humanity that desires peace and a society that needs peace." It is in this context that my meeting with President Saddam Hussein dealt with concrete questions that I cannot discuss out of respect for the one by whom I was sent and the one who has received me: suffice it to say that we have tried to guarantee peace and re-establish a climate of confidence which will permit Iraq to resume its place in the international community. At the centre of our endeavours was the Iraqi people, who from Bagdad to Mossoul, aspire for a just and lasting peace after so many years of suffering, with which the Pope and the Universal Church have always demonstrated solidarity. In the name of the Pope, I dare to appeal to the conscience of all those on whom, during these crucial days, depends the outcome of peace. At the end of the day, it is conscience that must have the last word, stronger than any strategy, ideology, and indeed, any religion. [Original text: French]
In Summary
18 February - The Holy Father received in Audience, UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, who also had the opportunity to meet with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano together with Special Papal Envoy to Iraq, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray.
Discussions with Tarek Aziz 14 February - the Holy Father received in audience, His Exc. Mr. Tarek Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, after which His Exc. Mr. Aziz met with Vatican Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, together with Secretary for Foreign Affairs, His Exc. Msgr. Jean-Louis Tauran. The meetings provided an opportunity for broad exchanges of views on the well known danger of armed intervention in Iraq, which would add to the already serious suffering of the population, as a result of the long years of embargo. Mr. Aziz gave the assurance of the desire of the Iraqi government to co-operate with the international community, in particular, in the area of disarmament. On its part, the Holy See emphasized the necessity to faithfully respect, through concrete steps, the Resolutions of the UN Security Council, which are the guarantee of international legality. Meanwhile, the assurance was given that the Catholic Church would continue its work of educating for peace and mutual understanding among peoples, until solutions for peace are found in ail circumstances. After his meeting with our Holy Father, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Aziz, a Chaldean Catholic, made a private pilgrimage to Assisi, and prayed at the tomb of St. Francis, whom, he said, had been an early advocate of peace between Muslims and Christians. [Original text: Italian]
VA TICAN
During the half-hour meeting which was cordial and profound, the Pope and Mr. Annan were able to examine diverse aspects of the current critical situation in respect of Iraq. Underscoring the essential role of the United Nations, it was hoped that it would still be possible to find just and effective solutions for the challenge of the moment in respect of international legality, of which the Organization of the United Nations is the guarantee. The solutions, on the other hand, need to avoid further grave suffering to these people, who have endured long years of embargo. They also touched on other conflict situations in the world, in particular, the continuing tragic situation in the Holy Land. In the course of their discussions, the Holy Father thanked Mr. Annan for his constant personal efforts for peace in the different areas of the world. [Original text: Italian]
On his departure from Baghdad, Card. Etchegaray issued this communique: I have spent these last few days in Baghdad with a feeling of extraordinary intensity of communion with him who has sent me, Pope John Paul II. Rarely have I felt so strongly that I was not just the mouthpiece of his message of peace, but that he himself was present, and that I was merely following him in the midst of the Christian Communities, the whole Iraqi people, in the presence of President Saddam Hussein, who paid careful attention to the living word that comes from God and which every believer descended from Abraham hears as the most sure foundation of peace. As I leave this land, unjustly cut off from others, I would want to be nothing else but the echo and transmitter of the aspirations of a country that has an urgent need for peace. Through the dark and heavy clouds that gather ominously during these days, there shines a faint ray of light. Let no one give up. The new and brief respite that is given must be maximized by all in a spirit of mutual trust, to respond to the demands of the international community. The smallest step over the next few days is worth a great leap toward peace. Yes, peace is still possible in Iraq and for Iraq. I leave for Rome declaring this with an even stronger conviction than ever before. [Original text: French]
Vatican at Security Council 19 February - Vatican Permanent Observer to the UN, His Exc. Msgr. Celestino Migliore addressed the Security Council. Mr. President. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express the Holy See’s deep concern and solicitude on the Iraqi issue, also in this Chamber of the Security Council, where the issues related to international peace and security are debated to prevent the world from the scourge of war. I am pleased to recall on this occasion, Mr. President, the successful meeting of Secretary-General Kofi Annan with His Holiness Pope John Paul II yesterday evening at the Vatican. Since the very beginning, the Holy See has always recognized the international community’s irreplaceable role in solving the issue of Iraq’s compliance with the provisions of U.N. resolutions. The Holy See realizes that the international community is rightly worried and is addressing a just and urgent cause: the disarmament of arsenals of mass destruction, a threat surfacing not just in a single region, but unfortunately in other parts of our world. The Holy See is convinced that in the efforts to draw strength from the wealth of peaceful tools provided by the international law, to resort to force would not be a just one. To the grave consequences for a civilian population that has already been tested long enough, are added the dark prospects of tensions and conflicts between peoples and cultures and the deprecated reintroduction of war as a way to resolve untenable situations. The Holy See is closely following the developments on the ground and expresses its support for the efforts of the international community towards resolving the crisis within the sphere of the international legality. For this purpose and with this in mind, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has recently sent a Special Envoy to Baghdad, who met with President Saddam Hussein and delivered him a Message from the Pope stressing, inter alia, the need for concrete commitments in faithful adherence to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. A similar message has also been conveyed to Mr. Tarek Aziz, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, who visited the Pope on 14 February last. Moreover, in view of the devastating aftermath of a possible military intervention, the Special Envoy of the Pope made an appeal to the conscience of all those who have a role to play in determining the future of the crisis in these coming decisive days “because, in the end, it is conscience that will have the last word, stronger than all strategies, all ideologies and also all religions” . The Holy See is convinced that even though the process of inspections appears somewhat slow, it still remains an effective path that could lead to the building of a consensus which, if widely shared by Nations, would make it almost impossible for any Government to act otherwise, without risking international isolation. The Holy See is therefore of the view that it is also the proper path that would lead to an agreed and honourable resolution to the problem, which, in turn, could provide the basis for a real and lasting peace. “War is never just another means that one can choose to employ for settling differences between nations. As the Charter of the United Nations Organization and international law itself remind us, war cannot be decided upon, even when it is a matter of ensuring the common good, except as the very last option and in accordance with very strict conditions, without ignoring the consequences for the civilian population both during and after the military operations” (John Paul II to Diplomatic Corps, 13 Jan.). On the issue of Iraq, the vast majority of the international community is calling for a diplomatic resolution of the dispute and for exploring all avenues for a peaceful settlement. That call should not be ignored. The Holy See encourages all to keep the dialogue open that could bring about solutions in preventing a possible war and urges the international community to assume its responsibility in dealing with any failings by Iraq. Mr. President, before concluding this statement, allow me to echo in this Chamber of peace the hope-inspiring words of John Paul M’s Special Envoy to Iraq: “Peace is still possible in Iraq and for Iraq. The smallest step over the next few days is worth a great leap toward peace”. [Original text: English]
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The Senior Parishioners Community (SPC) of the Holy Cross Parish, is in its infancy; having been born only in July last year but it is maturing rapidly in membership and activities. A Spiritual Director, a Chairman, a ViceChairman, an Hon. Secretary and an Hon. Treasurer head the Senior Parishioners Community. SPC is further sub-divided into five main Activities groups, Spiritual, Community Sen/ice, Social & Recreational, Health and Membership, each headed by a Co-ordinator. More activities planned by the sub-groups are in the pipeline for 2003. For example under Health, activities such as Meditation, Brisk Walking, the ever-popular Line Dance, and Qiqong, are activated, the last three, to encourage members to participate as a form of exercise and to keep healthy. Talks by prominent speakers on Health and other related topics have been lined up for the first half of this year. Recently, a talk by Dr Damian JC Png, (pictured) a consultant urologist in private practice, enlightened our members with a talk on Urinary Tract Infections and Incontinence. The talk greatly benefited our members, as elderly people are known to be very prone to such illnesses. Greatly encouraged by the response, the Health sub-group is planning to have Health Screening and Eye Check for its members. This is to ensure that members are in good health, and encourage them to seek early treatment, if required. Under Community Service and in conjunction with the Church’s Pastoral Care, members go to
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Muslim - Catholic bridge-building SINGAPORE (UCAN) — Good things are happen ing with Catholics and Muslims in Singapore. Thanks to two years of dialogue, they are learn ing to appreciate one another’s faith and develop personal friendships. The initiators of the dialogue — Canossian Sister Theresa Seow and Ameerali Abdeali, a Muslim — are members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), a body set up in 1949 to promote interreligious harmony in Singapore. To date, they have organized five sessions, most of them at "Malay Village", a tourist landmark in a predominantly Muslim area of Singapore. After 40 people came for the first session, the number of participants kept growing. Muslim experts and Catholic priests and Brothers have joined the gatherings to share various dimensions of their faith. Abdeali, secretary general of the Islamic Fellowship Association, told UCA News that the dialogue sessions grew out of discussions he had with Sister Seow on how to organize a small, informal gathering of Catholics and Muslims to “generate some sharing and build friendship.” The aim of such sessions, he stressed, has been “not to impress one another with how good one’s religion is, but to build friendship and enjoy each other’s company.” Sister Seow, the IRO president and a member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, said that the ongoing dialogue “has been a success” in that “we have built bridges of understanding and respect for the two traditions. We begin to approach each other with deeper trust for the goodwill we have for each other.”
Abdeali agrees, saying, ‘The fruits of the dialogue are already there.” He recalled that by getting to know one another better during these sessions, some Muslims told him excitedly that their families had been invited to the homes of Catholics for Christmas. “There are things that happen in such gatherings that we do not see." Sister Seow said Catholics will give a hand to a blood donation drive spearheaded by the Fellowship of Muslim Students Association. ‘The Church will also help in a fundraising project mooted by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, to benefit initiatives such as the Educational Trust Fund set up to help the very poor in the Malay Muslim community,” she said. She also plans to bring together young people of both communities to work on projects, between the International Canossian Voluntary Service and Mercy Relief of Perdaus, the charity arm of the Muslim community. An observation offered by a Hindu may be the most revealing on what the Christian-Muslim dialogue sessions have been achieving. Ravi Shankar Maythil told UCA News that with each session, the Muslim and Catholic participants “seem to be breaking the artificial walls that have been built over the years around their religions.” “We can see the real person beyond the veil of that person’s religion and experience the warmth of the person’s heart and character. This contributes to the overall feeling of oneness and togetherness both groups share,” he said. That is why, he suggested, the dialogue sessions could “expand to actively include other religious communities as regular participants” in the future. □
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ED ITO R
Dr. (Rev.) Robert R Balhetchet
A C ulture of Death
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The phrase has a disquieting connotation conjuring up memories of horrendous atrocities committed during periods of war and which are now the subject of trial by the International Court of Justice, under the category of "Crimes against Humanity". In his recent Message on the occasion of the 11th World Day of the Sick, our Holy Father made reference to this "culture of death", yet again. He said: «a model of society appears to be emerging in which the powerful from predominate setting aside n m t -i i • . and even eliminating the The E ditor powerless: I am thinking here of unborn children, Dr (Rev) Robert P. Balhetchet helpless victims of abortion; the elderly and incurable ill, subjected at times to euthanasia; and the many other people relegated to the margins of society by consumerism and materialism. Nor can I fail to mention the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty . . . This model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel
message» (Apostolic Exhortation The Church in America, 63). When anything enters into a culture it means that it has become a "way of doing something" in a given society. It not only becomes a way of doing something, but it becomes an acceptable way, and even, the correct way of doing something - and that is very disturbing if one is considering "meting out death" to human beings. In the context of human life there
H frnnt
THE PEWS R esponses are fr o m th e E ditor
..
is really only one "exception" - as a last and
Sabre rattling
extreme resort - and that is the defence of one's own life, based on the principle that no one has the right to take away one's life. Even in this one exceptional circumstance, there are very strict circumstances and criteria that have to be met. One can appreciate why our Holy Father is greatly disturbed, as all of us should well be, by what he refers to as a society that bears the stamp of a 'culture of death'. With abortion and the death penalty, not to mention war, being "accepted" situations of "terminating life" (sounds better than "killing") and now with a slowly growing acceptance of "euthanasia" - though some countries are recently having second thoughts about this - no, not on principle, but because it might damage the "tourist image" - one can well wonder if the 5th commandment should be removed from the tablets! It seems to us significant that the celebration of the World Day of the Sick is not accompanied by the usual fanfare and hype that other "World Days" enjoy! One cannot help wondering whether it is not another symptom of the "culture of death"! And yet, parallel, as it were, to the ominous aspects, there is an almost contradictory and unhealthy obsession with health and the preservation and prolongation of life with staggering billions of dollars being spent on medical research and health care - unless all this is to keep the research, pharmaceutical and medical professions in business. Or is this what our Holy Father is referring to when he says in his message: "a model o f society appears to be emerging in which the powerful predominate, setting aside and even eliminating the powerless.."
Disturbing observation
An Iraqi friend mentioned last week that the authorities in Iraq had called on the Moslem and Christian population for a day of prayer and fasting for peace. The ordinary folk decided to put their trust in their common Father and Creator and responded. A stark contrast to the Western leaders endless speeches, sabre rattling and discreet oil revenue and body bag calculations. They put their trust in their military and economic might. Regardless of their dubious current leadership, the Iraqi people and the Almighty go back a long way. My friend is from Nanovah (Nineveh) where the people still honour the prophet Jonah and even now have a 3 day fast every year to remind themselves of their need for God’s mercy. If only we in the west did the same! Perhaps the twin towers would still be standing. Is it too late to turn the tide ? Maybe if we pray and fast too, God could take the wind out of the sails of our blustering politicians and the anger from the hearts of the fundamentalist terrorists too, as only He can lead us to peace. S C (from England) Thank you for your thoughts which certainly reflect the words and convictions o f our Holy Father who has been appealing ceaselessly for prayer that common sense and peace might prevail on all sides. War, he has said, is never a victory but always a defeat for humanity! He has also made many appeals to the nations of the world to address the root causes of war, but that appeal seems to fall mostly on deaf ears. Bishops' Conferences, practically around the world, have cautioned against war and urged that peace and common-sense prevail - but then again, there are none so deaf as those who will not hear! Many governments and regional groupings have also lent their voices for restraint. /4s the our Holy Father has repeatedly said: Only God can move the hearts of men! We can only continue to pray and fast as you suggest, particularly during this time of Lent that is approaching.
It was more than disturbing to read a comment in one of our local newspapers recently. In a piece about the distressing news that yet another baby had been abandoned (particularly when babies are a premium commodity!), it was coyly remarked that perhaps it was not so well known that pregnant teenagers can avail themselves of abortion facili ties "w ithout their parents ever know ing o f their p re dica m e nt." The writer forgot to mention that teenagers are also perhaps unaware that while they are not allowed by law to buy a pack of cigarettes over the counter if they are under-aged, they can very easily buy a pack of prophylactics, often over the same counter! As a parent, I am very deeply disturbed by the implications of such a remark. As parents, we try to bring up our children in an atmosphere of open ness and trust. To suggest that they can indulge in unacceptable behaviour behind our backs and get away with it, is quite irresponsible. The baffling question was posed: How did they end up having to give birth in a store-room? It appears that THE question that should be posed is what is at the root of this whole issue? The article suggests that the majority of cases of "unwanted" pregnancies are related to teenage or "out-ofwedlock" pregnancies. One would have thought that at the root of the whole issue is a question of morals and values. In our country, we put a premium on academic and professional education. Perhaps we should give equal, if not greater weight to moral and values education. The absence of such would be the undoing of even the most highly academic and professionally educated societies. Examples are not lacking. As Catholics, should we not be addressing the lack of religious, moral and value education for our
children and youth? As parents we seem to be left very much on our own to shoulder this grave responsibility. Could we not have the help of the "professionals" in these very important areas, given the fact the a good number, if not the majority, of our children have to get their education in secular schools and certainly in higher institutions. B R Yes, we read what you are referring to, and it disturbed us as well. This is certainly an area of concern that is indeed relevant to the reminder of the lead story in our last issue on the role of the Laity in the political life of the country. Perhaps it would be even more effective if you replied in a letter to the same publication and other Catholic parents took up the issue as well. That might well set the public thinking! Anyway, your comments in the last part of your letter are very relevant here and are well taken. We will try to do what we can through the Catholic News, at least.
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F o r tn ig h tly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9 , 2 0 0 3
T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 5
Priestly Vocation
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D e a li n g in u s e d Cars, In s u r a n c e a n d F i n a n c e “ W e a ls o o f f e r b e s t p r ic e s f o r y o u r o l d c a r s ."
Priesthood, as I see it by Fr Anthony Hutjes SS.CC Graham Green wrote a book, “The Whiskypriest”. The whisky-priest is a tragic man, not very holy, not very successful in his priestly ministry and - most of all - lonely. Lonely, because all his fellow-priests are killed or expelled by an anti-Catholic government, and so, he is practically the only priest left in the country. At last, he too is caught by the police and shot on the market place of a small town. Nobody notices; nobody cares, except for one person - a doctor. Looking through the window of his office, he sees how the execution takes place and all of a sudden, although he is not a Catholic himself but some sort of a freethinker, he is overwhelmed by sadness and loss. What Graham Greene wants to say, is that even a freethinker may have a certain understanding of the great and irreplaceable dignity of the priestly way of life. If the priest is not there any more, something is lost... What, then, does a priest stand for? Perhaps the freethinker would say: he stands for eternity or he stands for the highest moral values of our human society. We Catholics simply say: he is a man of God. Of course, all Christians are supposed to be men (or women) of God, but a priest should be standing for Him in a very special and exclusive way. His whole life hangs on it. His whole profession, his whole way of living, his ideals and his thoughts, his words and his deeds are supposed to be centred on it. “Alter Christus,” he has sometimes been called, “another Christ”. In trying to sum up what the priestly ministry entails for me, I have always thought that most of it comes down to the following 3 points: A priest - in the first place - is a man, officially authorized by the church to bear witness for the Truth of Christ. In my own family nothing was so highly esteemed as the truth. My mother was an uneducated woman, but after she died, I found in her purse a small paper-cutting with the words: “Ages may pass, but the Truth will never change.” And this is one of the great responsibilities the church has entrusted to the priest: to make it his life-long commitment to preach and teach the unchangeable truth of Christ and his church. That certainly is a very great honour, but it is not always an easy task. When the bishop Athanasius spoke up against the Arian heresy, his friends were pleaded with him to moderate his tone. They told him: “Accept the situation as it is. The whole world has become Arian and you cannot do a thing about it”. Whereupon Athanasius replied with the .famous words: “If the whole world goes against the truth, then I, Athanasius, will go against the world”. That must be somehow the attitude of a true priest. Not, that he should be proud or arrogant, supercilious or pig-headed, but if his conscience tells him that something is really the Truth of Christ, then He should not count how many are against and how many are for him. No, he is to bear witness for the truth even if he has to stand for it alone and - like in the case of Athanasius - has to die as an exile, in isolation. Second, a priest is also the man who should lead his people in building a Christian community of love. For a priest, being a leader - as we very well know - cannot be the same as playing the boss or having it all your own way. The priest must be a servant. That does not at all mean that he is supposed to be a “doormat”, or a spineless character for whom everything goes, no matter how bad or stupid it is. But as Christ himself says, a Christian leader must be one who serves. In my own priestly ministry I have never known exactly who
is leading whom. Often the people whom I serve, have told me what to do. (“You must learn Mandarin, Father ... “Your sermons must be shorter and simpler.” ... “You must be more tactful, father.” ... “You must visit the parishioners.” ... “You must join the Charistmatics.” ... “You must do Marriage Encounter.” ... “Can you visit my brother in hospital?” ... “Can you look whether my umbrella is still in the church?” ... etc. etc.) Now, who is leading whom? I am glad and happy to say, that in the past 30 years the people have been leading me as much as I have been leading them. They have told me their needs, their desires, their wants, their feelings and their preferences and more often than not I have felt I should make it a point to follow their directions, as long as we keep moving on towards that true community of love which Christ had in mind. Last but not least, A priest is for me a man who should lead his people in prayer and sacrifice. I once heard another priest say: ‘There is no true religion without sacrifice.” And because our religion is essentially a religion of love, our sacrifice always includes Self-sacrifice. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not merely offer the blood of goats and bull calves to win redemption for us. It was his very own blood, His very own self, that He offered for us. And when a priest re-enacts this holy sacrifice of Jesus in mass, he must realize that he must follow Jesus in this selfsacrificial love as much as he can, and that he must teach his people to do the same. When I was ordained a priest, the bishop said: “Tony make sure that you celebrate the mass well. And if you celebrate the mass well and receive Holy communion, then it will make you into a good man, and if you become a good man, than the people will come to you and eat you up.” This indeed - should be the deepest wish of every priest who celebrates the Eucharist: that - like Jesus himself - he may become a man, more and more willing to be “eaten up” by his loving concern for God and neighbour. Yes, the priestly way of life, as I see it, has a great and irreplaceable dignity. In saying this I do not want to suggest for a moment that everything in the church and in the world depends on priests. We know better. Nor do I want to say that every priest is necessarily perfect. But without the priestly ministry something great is lost in the world. And since priesthood is part of that visible form of leadership which goes back to a positive will of Christ himself, without priests the Church of Christ cannot very well exist either. Because it is not we, but Jesus Himself who chose to appoint 12 apostle, 12 sinful and imperfect people, as you can read in the gospel, yet gifted with the almost incredible dignity to speak and to lead the Church authoritatively in His name. There is a small story about the angel Gabriel who asked Jesus when he returned to heaven: “Lord, is it permitted to ask you a question? What plans have you made for the carrying on of your work on earth?” “I have chosen 12 men” said Christ “They will pass my message on till it reaches the whole world..” ’’But” said the angel “suppose these few people fail you. You remember, Judas was a traitor, and Peter is a bit of a coward and Thomas is a doubter and Philip is not very smart. Suppose these people are going to fail you, - what other plans have you made?”, whereupon Jesus smiled and replied: “I have no other plans. I count on them”. And what he said about the apostles, can be said in a more general way about every priest as well. Priests may seem weak sometimes and perhaps terribly uninspiring and even unholy, but nevertheless they form part of Christ’s plan, and in spite of their human frailty" He counts on them”. □
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F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9 , 2 0 0 3
REGIONAL
Funds for shelter SINGAPORE (UCAN) — A Christian theatre group that stages inspirational musicals in Singapore has donated the proceeds of its latest project to a temporary shelter for teenage girls. This latest project of Artistes for Christian Theatre (ACT) had its young members carolling at various homes in December to raise funds for The Tent, an independent, non-profit temporary centre that shelters teenage girls. The young artists on Jan. 26 handed a check for S$4,200 (US$2,394) to the managers of the centre, a halfway house for girls who need a safe place to stay while awaiting reconciliation with their families. It was the fifth fund-raising project of the Catholic youth group, which is based at the Church of St. Ignatius. Wendy Wong, ACT president, said that the teenage shelter’s needs came to her group’s attention because an ACT member is on the staff of The Tent. ACT, which has also worked with youths from other Christian churches, staged the inspirational musicals “Forgiving Eyes” in 1997, “Shoes of a Stranger” in 1999 and “Saint Joan: Maid of God” in 2002. Proceeds from three ACT productions were donated to the Galilee Centre for needy children, Teen Challenge, a non-Catholic-run care centre for teenagers, and the Boys’ Town residence for teenage boys. Other beneficiaries were Poverello Teen Centre, which offers counselling to students and is run by Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and Rose Villa, a residence for teenage girls facing unwanted pregnancies. Wan Toy Leng, manager of The Tent, said his centre mainly aims to facilitate reconciliation between girls aged 11-19 and their families. The girls come from broken and dysfunctional families, or have been abused and are in need of care and protection. It also provides counselling to non-resident teenagers. A newsletter of the organization notes that the centre is an offshoot of the former Good Shepherd Teenage Centre, which was run by Good Shepherd Sisters until its closure in 2001. Four of the five staff of The Tent used to work at the nuns’ centre. Ten girls now reside at the shelter, which was registered as a society in October, last year. It gets a monthly government grant for each resident but its operations primarily depend on donations. Some residents of The Tent joined ACT to bring Christmas cheer to the homes of St. Ignatius Church parishioners. They also attended practice sessions that began in October to prepare for the project. Gemma Fernandez, the centre’s program executive, said, “We are truly grateful to ACT for choosing The Tent as beneficiary of the project.” Because the centre is new, she explained, it needs financial assistance to make it run smoothly and to reach out to girls in need as quickly as we can. She added that having some residents take part in the carolling project was an added bonus since they could do something they enjoy, as well as discover their talents and help others in need at the same time. A centre resident who requested anonymity said, “I found the carolling very interesting. Though we were helping to raise funds for The Tent, I found myself enjoying the carolling as well as making new friends. Singing at peoples’ homes also was a totally new experience for me.” □
Condolences Telegram of the Holy Father to the Most Reverend Paul Ri Moun-Hi Archbishop of Taegu Saddened by the news of the great loss of life in the arson attack on a subway train in Taegu, the Holy Father asks you kindly to convey his hearfelt condolences to the civil authoirities and the afflicted families. He prays for the eternal repose of the victims and invokes God's gift of strength and comfort upon those who are in mnourning. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State. [Original text: English]
Indonesian Delegation meets the Holy Father VATICAN CITY (News Service) 20 Feb. 2003 The Director of the Vatican Press office, Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Vals released the following announcement. This morning, a delegation of the Organization known as «Gerakan Moral Nasional lndonesia», consisting of the Heads of all the religions present in Indonesia was received in audience by the Holy Father to Whom they presented a "Statement o f Concerns" concerning the Iraqi crisis. Apart from an exchange of views concerning the evaluation of the religious situation in Indonesia and in Asia, the members of the Delegation made an appeal to the Holy See to continue and intensify its diplomatic influence until all interested parties are able to find a just and peaceful solution to the present Iraqi crisis, founded on humanitarian and moral principles shared by all the religions of the world. □ [Original Text: Italian]
New Bishop VATICAN (News Service) 13 February 2003 - The Pope has nominated as Bishop of Melaka-Johor (Malysia), Rev. Fr. Paul Tan Chee Ing, S.J., Regional Assistant for East Asia of the Society of Jesus in Rome. Rev. Fr. Paul Tan, S.J. was born 4 April 1940 in Muar, in the diocese of Melaka-Johor, of a Chinese family. He studied in Hong Kong and the Philippines; he gained a Master's Degree in Philosophy from the Milltown Institute in Dublin, Ireland; he gained a Licentiate in Theology at the Catholic Institute in Paris and a Doctorate in History of Sociology at the same Institute. He completed his Jesuit training in Colombia. He was ordained priest on 21 June 1971 in Ireland and took his solemn vows in the Society of Jesus on 2 February 1979. He has been the Jesuit Superior in Kuala Lumpur, Editor of “Catholic Asian News", Promoter and Founder of the Malaysian Council for Buddism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sihkism and the Pastoral Diocesan Institute and Catholic Research Centre; He has also been Jesuit Regional Superior for Malaysia and Singapore, Consultor for the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Malaysia, member of the Presbyterium Council and Consultors, Chaplain of a Refugee Camp mainly for Vietnamese, Ecclesiastical Assistant for Catholic Action of Catholic Doctors and member of the National Council for Catholic Education. He has also been Professor at the University of Taiwan and Parish Priest of Petaling Jaya. He is currently Regional Assistant for East Asia of the Jesuit General Council in Rome. □ [Original Text: Italian]
IN the course of the Audience, our Holy Father addressed the Delegation: Your Eminence, Distinguished Friends, With great pleasure I greet you, the members of the Inter-reliaious Delegation from Indonesia. Your presence here brings back vivid memories of my pastoral visit to Indonesia in 1989, an occasion filled with mutual affection and appreciation as I was able to experience personally the variety of your rich cultural and religious heritage. At this time of great tension for the world, you have come to Rome, and I am grateful to have this occasion to speak to you. With the real possibility of war looming on the horizon, we must not permit politics to become a source of further division among the world’s religions. In fact, neither the threat of war nor war itself should be allowed to alienate Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and members of other religions. As religious leaders committed to peace, we should work together with our own people, with those of other religious beliefs and with all men and women of good will to ensure understanding, cooperation and solidarity. Earlier this year, I said: “War is always a defeat for humanity” (Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, 13 January 2003, 4); it is also a tragedy for religion. My fervent prayer is that our efforts to promote mutual understanding and trust will bear abundant fruit and help the world to avoid conflict. For it is through commitment and continuing cooperation that cultures and religions “will be able to break through the barriers which divide them, to understand one another and to pardon those who have done them wrong” (Pacem in Terris, Vj. This is the way that leads to true peace on earth. Together, let us work and pray for this peace. Upon you and the beloved people of Indonesia I invoke abundant divine blessings. □ [Original Text: English]
Inter-religious Harmony Secretariat INDONESIA, Denpasar, (UCAN) — Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is planning to establish a joint secretariat for Inter-religious harmony to prevent religious-based conflicts in the country. Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Munawar said his ministry plans to set up the joint national secretariat for Inter-religious harmony in Jakarta. Through it, he said, “representatives of various religions are expected to come up with a multi-cultural approach to conflicts and show how to develop a harmonious and peaceful life in this plural country.” The minister and other speakers spoke at a seminar whose theme was: “The Role of Religions in Strengthening National Unity and Creating Good Governance.” The participants at the ministry-organized gathering included various religious representatives from Bali, including Church leaders in the province. Stefanus Agus, director general for Catholic community guidance in the Ministry of Religious Affairs said, "The Inter-religious office will open this year to deal with unresolved religious-based problems nationwide and to undertake measures designed to prevent conflicts. “All religions or religious councils (in Indonesia) may send representatives to the joint
secretariat. The office will then gather information about religious-based problems at provincial and district ' levels, discuss them and find proper solutions." The religious affairs ministry will provide space and funding for the secretariat, but the office will be run by the religious groups. The secretariat “will work independently in dealing with cases, and the government will respect the outcome,” he stressed. The ministiy will only ask to be informed about the religious situation nationwide, he added. Father Paschalis I. Nyoman Widastra, chairman of the Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs in Denpasar diocese, said that the secretariat is needed to foster the benefits of pluralism. Religious groups in the country, he noted, acknowledge their differences but do not yet appreciate what pluralism can contribute to society. The Ministry of Religious Affairs was created Jan. 3, 1946, to facilitate development of the religious life of all Indonesians, each according to their respective religions and convictions. One of its goals is to promote harmonious relations among the country’s religious communities, and to provide moral and ethical foundation for Indonesia’s development. □
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r . 9 , 2 0 0 3
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FAITH TOURS & TRAVEL PTE LTD h 5 0 E a s t C o a s t R d , R o x y S q u a re C o m p le x , # 0 2 -0 1 , S in g a p o r e 4 2 8 7 6 9 T e l: ( 0 2 ) 6 3 4 8 - 2 7 2 2 F a x : ( 0 2 ) 6 3 4 8 - 2 7 2 4 E m a i l : f a it h t o u r s @ f a it h t o u r s .c o m
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T h e P ilg r im s C h o ic e -
P O T T A S T A Y -IN R E T R E A T Date : March 17 - 20,2003 Venue : M E Centre (Punggol)
The Retreat will be in two languages:English and Malayalam simultaneously in two different groups. To meet the expenses of bringing the team and hosting the stay-in retreat a nominal fee is payable. The cost also includes all meals. Retreat in English $220
Retreat in Malayalam $180
$250
$220
Registration 1. Booking will be on a first come first served basis. 2. Booking must be accompanied with full payments. No refund allowed. 3. Registration form can be downloaded from our website (www.thesmcc.com) or can be obtained from the following organising committee members: Christopher M ira n d a Bridget Miranda M artin Thomas Mayma Fernandez
Montfort School
Check in : Monday, March 17 @ 7 am Check out: Thursday, March 20 @ 6 pm
The Singapore Malayalee Catholic Community (SMCC) is once again sponsoring a stay-in retreat to be conducted by Fr augustine Mundackatt and his team from POTTA, Kerala.
Accommodation Type Dormitory Twin Sharing
B a c k to s c h o o l - w h ite a n d b lu e a ffa ir
9 7 3 6 -4 2 1 8 9 8 3 9 -1 4 7 2 9 1 3 8 -2 0 7 5 6 4 4 6 -0 7 8 3
Helen R Chandran - 9 0 0 9 -0 9 5 1 M ary D Cruz 9 6 1 7 -0 3 1 4 M ary Lopez 9 0 6 7 -5 9 8 0 Trassiamma Earnest 6 2 5 9 -2 2 2 3
is pleased to invite you to our fundraising event (the theme for the evening is ‘Back to School’) Date Venue Price Guest of Honour
: 7 March 2003 : Marina Mandarin Hotel Grand Ballroom : $100 per head His Grace, Archbishop, : Nicholas Chia
Please call Ms. Seah Bee Leng at 63869351, ext. 14 (Administration Manager, Montfort Secondary School) for details.
in By Bishop Dominic Su
BfMhilkS LkfflU Discos' 1 9 - 2 2 March 2003
1 9 /0 3 /0 3
(W e d n e s d a y )
7pm - Rosary 7:30pm - Praise & Worship
8pm > Mass
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8 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S
FAITH IN LIFE If Parish Priests wish to use these texts for their Parish Bulletins they are most welcome. Please contact the Editor (steeple@sinaet.com.sa) for free downloads, wihout the need to re-type.
The Bridegroom SUNDA Y 2 M ARCH 2003 TEXTS
8 O R D IN A R Y
A pplication in Life
First Reading: The figure of betrothal is applied to the bond that God wishes to establish with his people.
F IR S T READIN G Hos. 2: 16-17. 21-22 R ESP O N SO R IA L Ps. 102 SECO N D READING 2 Cor. 3:11-6 G O S P EL Mark 2: 18-22
We have seen that Vatican II, in its exposition on the Church, mentions the figure of "bridegroom" in expounding the nature of the Church. It is one of many figures, but like all the figures that it presents we need to look at the elements of similarity. In the figure of the bridegroom it is the bond of love and betrothal between bride and bridegroom which constitutes the parallel. The two elements are of course integral. It is love which constitutes the bond. So it was with the Covenant in the Old Testament. God frequently reminded the people that it was his love that prompted him to choose them to make a Covenant with. It was his love that made him their God and they, his people. So it is too with us, the People of the New Covenant. God chose us as his people solely out of love and not merit on our part. He sealed that covenant with his death on the Cross for us. We accepted that Covenant, and necessarily the terms of the Covenant as well - love that motivates fidelity to God. It is love and fidelity on our part that must inspire a total transformation of ourselves.
Responsorial: Despite the past infidelities of his people God is one who forgives all guilt and is full of compassion and love. I
CELEBRATIONS OFTHE WEEK Mon 3: Ordinary Week 8 Tues 4: St. Casimir WED 5: ASH WEDNESDAY fast & Abstinence Thur 6: Thurs after Ash Wed. Fri 7: Fri. after Ash Wed. Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs 8: Sat. after Ash Wed. Sat St. John of God, religious
Second Reading: St. Paul does not need the approval of men. His approval comes from God and the work he does is confirmation of this approval. Alleluia: Belonging to Christ is proven by deeds, "listening to his voice and following him". Gospel: The figure of the bridegroom again. Jesus empha sizes the need for a total transformation - a total renewal. The reference was directed to his audience, but it is equally directed to his present audience - we ourselves - who are now listening to his voice.
S in n e rs a re w e W ednesday 5 M arch 2003
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ASH W EDNESDAY
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First Reading: a powerful call to repentance
TEXTS
and a cry for mercy. “Come back to me with all your heart."
FIRST READING Joel 2: 12-18 RESPONSORIAL Ps. 50 SECOND READING 2 Cor. 5:20 - 6:2 GOSPEL Matt. 6: 1-6. 16-18
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Responsorial: A cry of acknowledgment of our sinfulness and a plea for mercy. "O wash me... from my guilt ..." Second Reading: There is no better time than the immediate present to make a change in our lives for the better. “Now is the time of salvation." Gospel: A genuine change of heart is called for, and not just external signs and practices. Jesus' warning is quite blunt: "Do not imitate the hypocrites!"
Sunday Cycle 2-B
Weekday Cycle: 1
OUR HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS for MARCH
Application in Life
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent, the period of preparation for Easter which celebrates our rising with Christ to newness of life. This can only become a sacramental reality if we have died with him to sin and to ourselves. The ashes are both a reminder of our earthly death and the "penance" that we need to undertake to achieve the transformation that is required already in this life. "Penance" however, is not doing difficult or distasteful things. The warning of Jesus in the Gospel is very forthright. Penance is a reorientation to God - which certainly cannot be distasteful! The problem arises when we consider "penance" as some "practices" which we "perform" during the six weeks of Lent and are over and done with at Easter. That won't bring about the transformation that is required. The injunction that was said when ashes were imposed says it all: "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel!
The Sacram ent Of Reconciliation. -That each one of the People of God and their Pastors, may grow in their realization of the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation, thegift of God’s mercifullove.
General :
local Churches of Africa.- That the local Churches of Africa, in the midst of the difficult situations of the present moment, may feel the urgency of announcing the Gospel coherently and courageously. Mission : The
GRAPHICS: COPYRIGHT. THE ORDER OF ST. BENEDICT. TEXTS: COPYRIGHT. DR(REV) ROBERT P. BALHETCHET
Time to repent S U N D A Y 9 M arch 2003 TEXTS
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VIOLET Violet is the liturgical colour used mainly during Advent and Lent, and denotes periods of prepara tion for the great feasts of the Incarnation of our Lord (Christ mas) and the Resurrection of our Lord (Easter). It is a "penitential" colour denoting the changes we have to make in our lives in preparation for a fruitful celebra tion of these great mysteries.
A pplication in Life
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Testament we too are People of the Covenant, the New Covenant effected by Christ’s death on the Cross and sealed in his Blood. God will always be faithful to his part of the Covenant, but it is our duty to keep fidelity to the covenant also. This means doing our best to remain faithful in our commitment to Christ.
CELEBRATIONS OF THE WEEK Mon: Tues: Wed: Thur: Fri: Sat.:
1 LENT
First Reading: Like the people of the Old
FIR S T READING Gen. 9:8-15 R ESP O N SO R IA L Ps. 24 SECO N D READING 1 Pet. 3:18-22 GOSPEL M ark 1:12-15
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Responsorial : A good response to the First Reading. Fidelity to the New Covenant that we have with Christ is essential and we pray for guidance. "Teach me your paths." Second Reading: The significance of Easter for which Lent is a preparation is set out by St. Peter: Christ himself, innocent though he was, died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us back to God. “ We need to recall and meditate often on what Christ came on earth to do. He died for our sins ... to lead us back to God. This reconciliation has already been effected by Christ, but we need to do our part to make that reconciliation a reality in our own lives. Baptism is a process and not just an event. Acclamation: The response of Christ to the devil during "the temptations" referred to in today's Gospel. Gospel: ‘The time has come, and the Kingdom o f God is close at hand. Repent and believe the Good News.” (Gospel). The invitation of Christ sums up the spirit that underscores the Lenten Season. It is period of time specially set aside to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the mysteries of our redemption by Christ - the Easter Mystery.
The themes of Lent are all very similar and, in a sense, repetitive. It is necessarily so, because THE one thing that we have to do is to be faithful to Christ. Given the fact that our infidelities are so repetitive, it should be no small wonder that the exhortations to fidelity are equally repetitive. We are going to be reminded continually throughout the period of Lent that we have to change our lives. Perhaps, it is our mentality that has to change. Perhaps it is our whole concept and attitude to our religion and our professed faith that have to change. We tend to view our "religion" as a "set of practices" rather than a way of life. Our whole vocabulary seems to favour that sort of mentality. We speak of "practising" our religion, "going" to Mass or even worse, "going to church", "going" to communion, "going" to confession and so on. This can very easily create a mentality of just "doing" something, fulfilling obligations that we are "bound" by - the same goes for fasting and abstinence. Perhaps we might try a change of vocabulary that shifts from just "doing" and puts the emphasis on "becoming" and "being". That might point us more in the direction of "transformation" and "changing direction" which is what penance is supposed to be about. It is not just a question of "going" to church or Mass, but entering into the mystery of our redemption, being a part of the redeemed community, encountering Christ in Word and Sacrament, being united with Christ in the reality of the Eucharist. It is not a question of "practising" our religion but letting Christ come into our lives, LIVING our faith in Christ, and witnessing to the love that binds us to Christ through the covenant of Baptism.
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9 , 2 0 0 3
T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 9
FORMATION
GENESIS - The Story of CREATION^
TEACHES
^»en 2:4* - 3:26 : The “J” (Yahwist) CreationWVccount
The Creation of Mart and Woman
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T H E O LD TESTA M EN T BIBLICAL' PRIMEVAL HISTORY The "Creation Story" recounts events that ranged from creation*to around 1850 BC. • • •
Not a detailed history. Not a histo'ry of rfiankind. Primary objective*-theological
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By Rev. Ambrose Vaz, SSL Professor of Sacred Scripture St Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary
The Garden of Eden : Gen 2:8-9
(continued)
2:10-14 The four streams that make the earth fruitful come from the river that flows through the garden. In some Ugaritic and Akkadian texts, the high god dwells at the source of all life-giving waters of the earth. The garden, therefore, is the locale of God. The totality of the world is symbolized by the number four (cf. Zech 1:8,1%). An attempt is made to link the ‘information’ about God’s garden with geography, with the rivers flowing out to the four corners of the known historical world, particularly the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates (Mesopotamia)
Eden, meaning ‘delight’ is a ‘garden of God’ (cf. Is 51:3; Ezk 31:8-9; Joel 2:3). There are two trees placed bevond human use - the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life appears again at the end of the story (3:22) as a remaining temptation, from which danger God expels the couple. Eating it might have enabled the couple to “live forever”, i.e. to become gods! Ancients believed that the tree of life confers eternal life (cf. Prv 3:18; Rev 22:2,14,19)
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2:15-17 : verse 15 resum es verse A limit-is placed on the earth creature’s mastery : he is not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge o f * good and evil. “yo u s h a ll d ie ” : “to die" here means to be cut off, excluded from community with God, as in Ezek 18 and in other texts; the man and the woman will be driven from the garden of God, not killed! *
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil confers wisdom (cf. 2Sam 14:17; Is 7:15). The story, however, is'cbncerned with the tree o f the knowledge of good and evil. Good and evil is a 'merism', a literary figure by which totality is expressed by the first and last in a series of opposites (cf. Ps 139:2) ‘To k n o w ’,’ in Hebrew, is experiential and relational, not only intellectual. Eating the fruit, of the tree* therefore, imparts a mastery of life* and an autonomy that is inappropriate to the earth creature, created from dust. The man would then cea§e to be finite and human.
A different anthropology in early Judaism and Christianity insisted that God m ade.liumans incorruptible (Wis 2:23; Rom 5:12), and from this arose the Christian theological tradition that death is the result of sin. Tn the ancient Near East, not to die would fnean that one had to become a god, since only the gods were immortal.
Next : The Creation o f the Woman TEXTS: Copyright - Rev. Ambrose Vaz and Dr. (Rev.) Robert P Balhetchet
Chapter 1 - The Mystery of the Church
TEACHES
S chem atic P resentation o f the N ature o f the C hurch
The Documents of Vatican II Dogmatic Constitution on the Church "Lum en G e n tiu m " - L ig h t o f the N ations
M Y S T E R Y
PLAN OF SALVATION * hidden from all ages >
W e have com pleted o ur notes on Ch. 1 of the Vatican II C onstitution on the C hurch
TRINITARIAN DIMENSIONS
* revealed in the person, words and works of Jesus
> origin & finality
HOLY SPIRIT (soul - life)
SON-CHRIST (implementation)
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7 Sacraments = modalities
THE Sacrament of Salvation
R Link with w hat has been covered:
FATHER (concept plan)
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CHURCH Sacrament in Christ
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- L ig h t o f the N ations.
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W hat w e have for this issue is a schem atic representation that attem pts to illustrate the elem ents that w ere touched upon in the w hole of that C h ap ter 1 w hich deals w ith the N ature of the C hurch as M ystery and S acram ent as well as the im ages of the C hurch. By Dr. (Rev) R obert P B alhetchet, Ph.D. (Theol.)
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agricultural: vine, branches, field
MISSION Witness — tt*
M
A G E S
pastoral: shepherd, sheep, sheepfold
Mystical Body of Christ (St. Paul)
nuptial: bride / groom, banquet
Analogy of the Incarnate Word (Vatican II)
1 0 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S
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CHILDREN’S CORNER C .ltC H S fS W O -R O
.C O IN T I E 'S
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No 21 - In th e D essert
A C R O S S
Children, you must follow these RULES
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2. For a while all was fine, but again the people began to grumble because they were short o f _____ . 5. The next morning they saw a sort o f ____all around on the ground. 6. In the dessert, it was very _ _ _ to find food and water. 8. The people of Israel were now free and no longer____ 9. Moses turned to God fo r ____ again. 11. Then God told Moses to hit a . with his stick and a fountain of water would come out of the rock. 12. They called this “manna” - a sort of honey____which tasted very good. 13. Moses did as he was told and true enough, th e _____ had more than enough water.
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This contest is for ALL PRIMARY school children
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It has to be the children's own effort and parents are asked to use this opportunity to teach the children the value of honesty.
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Prizes will be awarded to the first three correct entries to reach the Editor, AFTER midnight Wed/Thur 5/6 March 2003, by e-mail to steeple @sinanet.com.sa. The first three correct entries will be based on the date and time as recorded in the "Inbox". The Editor's decision is final.
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Closing Date: midnight. Fri/Sat 7/8 March 2003.
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1. So they began to . to Moses and his brother Aaron. 3. Even though they were slaves there and had to work very hard, they h a d ____food and drink. Thus, God looked after his people in the dessert for fo rty ____, giving them all they needed. 6. But they were now in the . 7. In a way, life was not as _ . as when they were in Egypt. 10. God heard their grumbling and told Moses that he himself w o u ld ____food for the people. 12. The next day, a whole lot of quails, a type o f ____, landed among the tents in the camp, so the people had meat to eat.
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Since there are so few children preparing for First Com m union and reading the C hildren's Corner we are opening the Crossword to ALL PRIMARY School children.
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You must give your full name, address, and Parish.
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Winners, for the first three correct entries, (according to the "Inbox") and the Consolation prizes will be announced in the following issue of the Catholic News.
T H E W IN N E R S For No. 19 - MOSES - Freedom
So it was that the People of Israel were finally free. But then the King of Egypt changed his mind. He sent his army after the People of Israel. The soldiers began to catch up with them. The people were trapped because a great lake was in their path and they could not cross it. God ordered Moses to stretch out his arm over the water. The waters separated and left a dry path for the people of Israel to cross. All the people ran through the path to the other side. Close behind them came the soldiers and their horses and chariots. The people were so frightened by all this. But when all of them were on the other side, God told Moses to stretch his arm out again over the water. This time the waters rushed back and covered the pathway. The army of Egypt was still in the middle, and they were all drowned and so the People of Israel were safe. Now they were really free.
S p e c i a f f y
the
Created by Catholic News with EclipseCrossword © 2 0 0 3 by Green Eclipse Software
NO. 20: Crossing the Water 1 2 3 4 5
To send the answers, just use the numbers of clues and give the answer for each clue.
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Hello, Girls and Boys. It's me again. How's school? Settled down in your new schools, classes, with your new teachers, friends and the other aunties and uncles in the school? I hope so, because you must enjoy going to school, then you will do well. If you get up every morning and say: "Oh, no! Not school again today!” - then it's going to be terrible for you. Learn to start off your day, first of all by saying "HI" to Jesus and thanking him for a new day. Then ask him to bless your day and help you through it so that you can be his little helper in school to share his love with others. You see, he has to work through others like yourself. If Jesus is going to help someone in school, he needs someone to do it for him. If there is a teacher struggling to carry a whole lot of books, what do you expect God to do? Send an angel to help her? In a way, yes, you are his little angel, and you happened to be there, and you saw the teacher struggling and you are the one God sent along to be there in the right place and at the right time to help that teacher. You too get God's help in the same way when you need it. God sends someone else along at the right time and in the right place to help you. Of course there's a little catch to this. If you don't notice, or you notice and don't care, then the teacher won't get help. And neither will you, when you need it, if someone else doesn't notice or doesn't bother. You get the picture, children? That's what we mean by listening to God - whispering something to you in your heart. He whispers to all of us, but we must learn to listen. "Speak, Lord, your little ones are listening!" - Love you. Fr. Bob.
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$5.00 voucher
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1 Joseph Gwee Ming-Wei - Holy Family
2 Joel Leong Yoong Seng - St Francis Xavier
C o n s o la tio n
P r iz e s
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l voucher :
Only 3 entries for No. 19, but one was incorrect.
For No. 20 - C rossing the Water
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$5.00 voucher
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$4.00 voucher
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$3.00 voucher
Mary Ann Lim Hui Ming - St Francis Xavier
Looks like we're running out of children!! Contest is now
open to ALL PRIMARY children C o n s o la tio n
P r iz e s
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i v o u$2.00 c h e r;
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Lessons from “Crossing the Water” By now you must realize that the Bible has many amazing stories. Actually we have only seen just a few of them. There are many, many more to come! At this point you might be wondering whether all these sotries are true or not. Actually, the stories are quite fantastic, almost unbelieable, like our present story of the crossing of the water and the previous ones about the Egyptian king letting the people of Israel go free. For that matter, we began with the wonderful story of how God created the world. I wonder whether you remember that we did mention when we were doing the story of Creation, that the actual details of the story are not important, and that there is no such thing as "time" for God. What is important are the LESSONS we can learn
from the stories. The Bible is not meant to be a history book - it is meant to teach us very important things. We call the Bible "God's Word". You might notice that at the end of Readings during Mass, the reader says: "This is the Word of the Lord". And you are supposed to answer ... WHAT? - I'm not going to tell you! Go and find out for yourself !!! (Sorry, there is no voucher prize for the answer!) What then, can we learn from this story of how the people of Israel crossed the water. No! Don't try to say a prayer and stretch your arm out over the Singapore River and expect the water to part for you to cross. Please use one of the bridges! Actually all the stories are leading up to a very important teaching which you will slowly begin to see
as we go through the various stories. For the moment, children, just try to see one thing. The people of Israel had to rely on God a lot. It was he who got them freed from slavery in Egypt, It was he who saved them from the soldiers that the king sent after them. But we will be seeing that while the people did realize that God was looking after them, they very often forgot this and tried to do their own thing, as it were. We are also like the people we are reading about. I hope we realize that God is looking after us - sure Daddy and Mummy are looking after you, but God is working through Mummy and Daddy to provide for you, just as he worked through Moses to look after the people of Israel. We forget that God does actually work in this way. He works through you, too, children!
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9 , 2 0 0 3
T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 11
St Patrick’s heritage gallery By Mel Diamse-Lee On Feb 11, St Patrick’s School officially opened its heritage gallery under a joint project with the National Heritage Board. “The school has gone through many changes and it’s appropriate that we preserve its history lest we forget the lessons that we can learn from the past,” said school principal Lucas Lak Pati Singh, in his opening address. T h e heritage gallery will tell students about the school’s history, its transition and its values,” said La Salle Brother Nicholas Seet, a teacher in the school. “We hope that as the students learn of the lives of so many people who lived the school’s virtues of humility, humanity and honesty, they will learn to imitate them,” he added. The school’s history and transition is illustrated through photos, artefacts, storyboard panels, oral interviews and other documents. The school’s Humanities Department head, Rajinder Singh, helped by several past and present students, made an appeal via the Internet for memorabilia and other documents to be donated to the gallery . Among those received is a school certificate from a student who left the school in 1935, two years after it opened. The school’s rich history dates back to 1897 when big plot of land in the East Coast was bought to be used as a seaside resort for the La Salle Brothers at St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) in the centre of town. As years passed the Brothers saw the need for an extension school as SJI’s enrolment continued to rise. Thus began St Patrick’s School in 1933. It was not all smooth sailing for the school on East Coast Road, however. Prior to the fall of Singapore to the Japanese forces, the main school buildings were converted to a hospital for wounded Australian and British soldiers retreating from the Japanese, and then into an army camp during the Japanese Occupation. The library on which the gallery was located was turned into a wireless communication
station and the chapel above it was made an officer’s mess. However, it was said that the Japanese preserved the school’s icons and statues. The school reopened in 1946. It had its heyday as one of Singapore’s top secondary schools from the 1960s-70s, enjoying an academic and sports edge. It counts among its graduates Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo, and top civil servants Moses Lee and Barry Desker. The archive, which is open to the public during the library’s opening hours, will give students the opportunity to investigate, research and write about their own heritage, facilitating the development of a sense of identity, belonging and pride for the country and the school, said an SPS press release. SPS spokesperson, Ms Shakthi Siva, said the opening of the archive is among a series of events to celebrate the school’s 70th year anniversary. On April 6, a fund-raising dinner will be held together with the launch of the book “70 Years of Teaching Minds and Touching Hearts” at the Neptune Theatre Restaurant. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to convert the Brothers’ quarters into a multimedia hub. Ms G. Uma Devi, an officer from the National Heritage Board told CN that they began the archive project in schools with known history and reputation in 2000. The aim is to cultivate in students “a love and passion for our heritage by recreating the past through varying display styles and bringing our history and heritage out of our museum walls and into the everyday lives of our younq in school.” NHB shouldered S$25,000 of the $60,000 spent on the gallery. The official launch was led by Brother Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, Superior General of the La Salle Brothers who is visiting the region. Fr Adrian Yeo, an Old Boy of the school, presided over the blessing ceremony.
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Workmanship: 12 months warranty for every job taken. HDB Licence No: HB-02-0459Z (RADAC) Renovation and Decoration Advisory Centre
1 2 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S
UP COM ING CALLING ALL OLD GIRLS OF CHIJ PONGGOL CONVENT / SJC PRIMARY TO JOIN THE SCHOOL ALUMNAE! Date: Thurs Mar 13, 6.30 pm. Venue: new school premises at Church of Nativity of the BVM. RSVP by Mar 11. Enquiries: Li Li (6385-2455), Crescentia (9151-6758) or email olnalum@yahoo.com.sg LENTEN REFLECTION IN TAMIL by Fr A Ponnudurai on Sun. Mar 16, 2-6.30 pm, Mass at 7 pm in Church). Venue: Blessed Sacrament Church, Damien Hall. FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING; OUR QUEST FOR THE TRUTH Venue: Church of St Bernadette’s Church. Time: 7.30 pm - 9 pm. Dates: Mar 7: The Church of Christ continues the mission of Jesus. Mar 14: The Eucharist: How do you know it is the real presence? Mar 21: Mary — the woman in salvation history. Mar 28: Understanding and practice of ecumenical dialogue. Talks presented by The A postolate for C atholic Truth. Enquiries: email kelvchia@singnet.com.sg PREPARING FOR EASTER with the Cenacle Sisters. Dates: Mar 21, 28, Apr 4, 11. Day: Fridays, 9.30am-11,30am at Church of the Risen Christ. Contribution: $20. SALVATION HISTORY by Msgr Eugene Vaz. At Singapore Pastoral Institute on Fridays 9.30 am-11.30 am. April 4, 11, 25 May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Jul 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug 1, 8,15,22,29, Sept 5,12,19 or Mondays, 7.45 am-9.45 pm Apr 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12, 19, 26 Jun 30 Jul 7, 14, 21, 28 Aug 4, 11, 18, 25 Sep 1, 8, 15 or at Blessed Sacrament Church on Tuesdays, 7.45 pm to 9.45 pm Apr 8,15, 22, 29 May 6,13, 20, 27 Jul 1,8 ,15 ,2 2 ,2 9 Aug 5,1 2,1 9 ,2 6 Sep 2, 9, 16. Contribution: $60. Registration forms available in the Parish Office or visit www.catholic.org.sg/SPI/ (6858-3011)
VEHICLES WANTED Any model, any year commercial or used cars. Scrap vehicles for export.
call: 6284-3064 Melvyn
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r . 9 , 2 0 0 3
AGED
Private & C om m ercial. Part & Non-Parf. Im m ediate confirm ation and cash paym ent. Please call Henry
9674-1842/9218-3289
Come visit us at Wellsprings Catholic Books 201 G old h ill Centre, T h om son R oad, Singapore 3 0 7 6 3 7 . Tel: 6 2 5 2 -3 3 9 0 em ail: w e llsp @ sin g n e t.c o m .sg w eb: w w w .w ellsp rin g s.c o m .sg
B o o k s , C D s, C a n d le s , In c e n s e , S ta tu e s ...
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B U IL D IN G A N D T R A D IN G PTE LTD W e specialise in •A ll kinds o f w a te rp ro o fin g / roofing • Re-painting (interior/exterior) • Renovation w o rk • Upgrading w o rk
Call: John Stephen Lim
9637-1544 Blk 1 Maude Rd # 0 2 -3 8 Singapore 2 0 0 0 0 1
Tel: 6281-7966 Fax: 63824966
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Bible Correspondence (Chinese) Fr John Baptist Tou 6337-2465
St Theresa’s Home For The Aged, 6256-2532 Fax: 6256-5610
Catholic Audio-Visual Centre, 6858-3077 Fax: 6858-2077
St Joseph’s Home, Sr Maria Sim 6268-0482 Fax: 6268-4787 h.org.sg
China Catholic Communication (Zhonglian Centre), Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080/6286-1826 mail@zl.per.sg web: www.zl.per.sg
FAMILY Christian Family and Social Movement, Francis T amel Mane 9586-9938,6792-6701 Family Life Society 6488-0278 web: www.familylife.org.sg Family Life Counselling Service 6488-0278 Fax: 6285-5311 Morning Star Community Services, 6285-1377 Fax: 6285-2715
CHILDREN Galilee Centre, 6454-0528 Fax: 6454-3167 Clementi Children's Centre, Ms Jocelyn Kang 6777-3893 Canossaville Children’s Home, Sr Rose Low/Ms Anne Siew 6748-5777 Marian Centre 6250-0877 Marymount Boarding, 6354-2245 Fax: 6353-4809 Nazareth Learning Centre, Sr Anne May Chua, FMM 6276-3200 Good Shepherd Child Care Centre, Ms Helen Tan 6242-5695 Fax:6448-3454
HANDICAPPED
The Catholic News, 6858-3055 Fax: 6858-2055 cathnews@veritas. org.sg
Katong Catholic Book Centre Pte Ltd, 6345-1413 Fax: 6440-0272 katongcatholic@padfic.net.sg Apostolate of the Media, 6892-1639 Fax: 6562-5857
MIGRANT COMMUNITY Filipino Catholic Community Nelly Faminialagao 9831-8044 / 6893-7609
Indonesian-speaking Catholics, Josephine Handojo 6235-2820
Good Shepherd Kindergarten, Mrs Evelyn Ong 6241-1802 Fax: 6445-3692 St Francis Xavier Play Centre, Mrs Emily Goh Tel: 6280-8929
YOUTH Bakhita Search-lnn, Christine Santhou/ Sr Veronica (6367-6264) yscchris@yahoo. com/ canosis@pacific.net.sg Boys’ Town Fraternity, Br Dominic Kiong 6769-1618 Fax: 6762-7846 gaudette@boystown. org.sg Catholic Overseas Students Down Under Adrian (9836-5217) or Dennis (6274-2979) or cosdu@yahoo.com.au
Korean Catholics, Esther You 6242-5607 Comm, for Migrants & Itinerant People 6280-5424 migrants@singnet.com.sg Jesuit Refugee Service, jrs@jesrefsg.org Fr Colin Tan 6463-6022 China Catholic Communication, Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080 mail@zl.per.sg
PROFESSIONAL
Catholic Medical Guild, Dr John Hui Keem Peng johnhui@cyberway.com.sg
SPECIAL SERVICES Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE), Anne Chiang 9785-0648 Good Shepherd Centre, 6755-6496 Fax: 6752-0670 R. C. Prison Ministry, Sr Gerard Fernandez, RGS 6250-9151 Fax: 6250-1804
St Patrick House, (Boarding) Br Collin Wee 6345-5929 Fax: 6345-4635 Engaged Encounter David & Allyson Fong 6782-3912 ceespore@veritas.org.sg Web: www.veritas.org.sg/ceespore
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Peaceful be yo u r rest dea rest Jucy It is sw eet to breathe you r name A s in life I lo ved you dearly So in death I do the sam e Thousand words could not say How I miss you day by day Only in prayers and hope you be fine In the loving care of merciful God’s divine May his joy, love and peace be with thee, Thus, his kindness and blessing be with us As we journey in eternity.
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Dearly missed, fondly remembered and forever loved by: loving husband, sons, daughters, sons and
SPIRITU ALITY
Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling Fr Paul Lian-Kok Goh, SJ 6467-6072
Praise@Work Juliana 9799-9184 email: welcome@praiseatwork.org
JUCY TEO CHUAN NEO Departed: Mar 14, 1995
Catholic Teachers' Movement, Mrs Gail Siow 6454-4094
Hosanna! Music Ministry Andrew Tan 9648-1103 www.veritas.org.sg/HIMM
Poverello Teen Centre, Sr Maria Sylvia Ng, FMM 6544-2603jub2000@singnet.com.sg
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Catholic Nurses Guild of Singapore, Miss Janet Chan Poh Goon 6442-8546
Cenacle, 6565-2895 Fax: 6565-3875 cenacle@mbox4. singnet. com.sg
Infant Jesus Retreat and Youth Centre, Sr Irene Pang 6760-2461 Fax: 67699369
In precious memory of
Japanese Catholics, Kiyoko James 6552-4060 james@pacific.net.sg
Harvesters Ann 6481-5912 Web: www.harvesterscommunity.org
Catholic Students' Society - NUS Mr Alan Lim 9645-1856 alanlim@singnet. com.sg N T U Catholic Students’ Apostolate, Mr Jonathan Khoo 9793-9473 N IE Catholic Students’Apostolate (NIECSA), Ang Mei Ling 96663234
Eighth Anniversary
French-speaking Catholics, Sabine et Jean-Baptiste Juery 68870564 jbsabine@singnet.com.sg
Ang Mo Kio Home, Sr Jo 6459-4801
Marymount Kindergarten, Mrs Josephine Wong 6251-5049 Fax: 6252-67904
Love, Y ou r loving family, godchildren, relatives and friends.
Catholic News Book & Media, 6858-3066 Fax: 6858-2055
Hong Kong Catholics, 6737-9285 Fax: 6737-8502
Maris Stella Kindergarten, Sr Marjorie Almodiel, FMM 6474-3590
This is the Ninth Y ear o f our separation. Only Our Lord knows how broken-hearted we are. Nevertheless, we keep praying to Him for consolation. Y ou live daily in our thoughts. Till then, we will meet. Another place and time, Never to be separated again.
Hai Sing Pao, Ms Catherine Chia 6337-2465 carlo@cams.org.sg Web: www.cams.org.sg
Canossian School For The HearingImpaired, 6749-8971 Fax: 6749-8976
Holy Family Kindergarten, Mrs Agnes Lee 6440-4344 Fax: 6478-0402
ANTOMUS TAN CHIN HUAT (TONY)
Central Commodity Services (Pte) Ltd, 6337-4238 Fax: 6339-2583 ccs55@singnet. com. sg
German-speaking Catholics, 6468-1534 Fax: 6468-2402
Canossian Convent Kindergarten, Sr Jane Chong 6469-2201 Fax: 6466-1307 cankdg@singnet. com.sg
In loving memory of
Carlo Catholic Society, 6337-7489 Fax: 6334-4370 carlo@cams.org.sg Web: http://www.cams.org.sg
Catholic Office for the Hearing Impaired, Friar Rowland Yeo, OFM rowland@franciscan. org
Catholic Kindergarten, Ms Edna Ng Poh Tiang 6283-3821 Fax: 6284-7783 cathkg@singnet.com.sg
Ninth Anniversary
MEDIA
Villa Francis Home for the Aged, 6269-2877 Fax: 6368-4505
KINDERGARTEN
VEHICLES WANTED
IN M EM ORY
C A TH O LIC SER VIC E D IRECTO RY
Franciscan Retreat Centre, 6567-9771 Fax: 6567-9786 FMM House of Prayer and Formation, Sr Mary Chua 6474-2526 Infant Jesus Retreat &Youth Centre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461 Fax: 6769-9369 Life Direction Team, Sr Theresa Koh, FMM 6474-2422 Fax: 6472-5895 Sr Florence Wong, FMDM 6753-9602/ 9264-6733 LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre, Sr Lily Tan 6466-2178 Fax: 6466-1307 lifspmg@singnet.com.sg Verbum Dei Missionaries Tel/Fax: 6274-0251 verbumdei@pacific.net.sg Web: www.civo.com/veibumdeisingapore
Youth Praise Ministry Helen (9029-0118)
SFX Retreat Centre, 6288-7901 Tel/Fax: 6858-2716 sfxrc@singnet.com.sg Web: http//www.cathoiic.org.sg/SFX
Young Christian Students’ Movement (Mandarin), Mr Stephen Chia (9502-4549)
The Sojourners' Companions, 9268-6723 sojoumers_companions@yahoo.com
THANKSGIVING Thank you St Jude for p ra y e rs a n sw e re d . Please continue to ask Jesus to bless us and intercede for me and my fam ily. Ire n e
My deepest gratitude to St Jude fo r answ ering m y prayers. P le a se c o n tin u e to bless us and intercede for us. Id a M ira n d a
CLASSIFIED A DVERTISEM ENTS Minimum S$25/- for first 25 words. Additional words: 50C. Hyphenated words are considered two words. Post, fax or deliver. No phone advertisments. IN MEM ORIAM RATES Cost of a memoriam insertion (with or without a photograph) is S$55. An insertion exceeding a ten-centimetre column will have an additional charge of $6 per centimetre.
Praise and sincere thanks to the most Sacred Heart o f Jesus, Im m aculate Heart of Mary and St Jude Thaddeus for petition answ ered. M ay the Sacred Heart o f Jesus, Im m aculate Heart of M ary and St Jude Thaddeus be always adored and honoured. Thank you M other Mary, St Jude Thaddeus for your pow erful intercession and also m any thanks to St Joseph, St Gerard, St Alphonsus and St Perigrine. E .H .
O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman o f Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor o f all who invoke your special patronage in tim es of need. To you I have recourse from the depth o f my heart and hum bly beg you to w hom God has given such great pow er to com e to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I prom ise to make your nam e know n and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need o f your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answ ering my prayers.
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T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 1 3
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9 , 2 0 0 3 "I am the resurrection and the life He who believes in me shall never die.'
T w e n ty -th ird A n n iv e rsary In loving memory of
In loving memory o f
DAISY ALFRED & BELLA WILFRED who were called to the Lord on March l , 2000 W e’re assured of your love Even though w e’re apart, ‘Cause so much w e’ve shared Is written in our hearts.
Second A n n iv e rsary In loving memory o f
In loving memory of
Her weary hours and days o f pain, Her sleepless nights are past, Her ever patient frame Has found sweet rest at last. W e who love her know How m uch we lost twenty three years ago. Masses will be celebrated at Church o f Christ the King on Sunday M ar 9 at 11.30 am and M onday M ar 10 at 6.15 pm. Alw ays rem em bered by children, grand-children and all loved ones.
MARY GOH S IE W K H E N G Departed: Mar 10, 1980 D earest M other/ grandma,
T h ird A nniv ersary In loving memory of
R IC H A R D T U P A Z Departed: Feb 27,1982 It has been 21 years now since you returned to almighty.
ED W A R D TA N T E C K YAM Departed:Mar 1,2000
D eeply missed and rem em bered by those who really love you.
Third Anniversary In loving memory of
Remembered with love and deeply missed by All the Family.
For all those who have no one to pray for them - we pray to the Lord.
IN M EM ORY
It’s lonesom e here w ithout you, W e miss you so each day, O ur lives a re n 't the same, Since you went away. W hen days are bad and lonely. And everything goes wrong, We seem to hear you whisper, “C heer up and carry on.” Dearly missed by Doreen, Avryl and all loved ones.
Trinity Casket Pte Ltd Your R ight C hoice.... For: • Complete & dignified funeral arrangements by professional and caring staff. • Catholic male & female specialist embalmers. Note: Female embalmer will attend to all female deceased. • Affordable air-conditioned memorial chapels with microphone, electronic organ & appropriate furnishing & lighting. • All other funeral-related services including import & repatriation of human remains. • No overtime charges. • Special discount for Catholics.
Fifth Anniversary In everloving memory of
• Catholic guidance counsellor Ms Olivia Stravens Pg: 9524-9940
Second A n n iv e rsary In loving memory of
Open 24 Hours
T h ird A n n iv ersary In loving memory o f
Blk38, #01-527/531, SinMingDrive, Singapore575712 Tel: 6451-4496 MDMAGATHA HENGSWEEKHIM
ANNA C H E O N G AH N Y O N G Departed: Feb 26,2 0 0 1 Today recalls sad m emories, O f a dear mother gone to rest, A nd the one who thinks o f her today Is the one who loves her best. A lw ays loved and cherished by all your loved ones.
T H E R E S A SE N G Departed: Mar l l , 2000 Especially today, we rem em ber your smiling face. Y our m em ory is dear to us. A lways cherished by children, grandchildren and loved ones.
TH ERESA LEE H O I LAN Departed: Mar 9, 2001 Just a thought of sweet rem em brance. Just a memory sad and true, Just the love and sweet devotion, O f one who thinks o f you.
Departed: Feb 29, 2000 “All you that fear the Lord, look forward to his blessings of mercy and eternal happiness.” Sirach 2:9
Always remembered by: wife - Teresa, children - Maria & Ignatius, Paul & June, Angela and grandsons - Gerard, Gregory & Linus.
Alw ays remembered by loved ones.
N inth A n niversary In loving memory o f
T e n th A n n iv e rsary In loving memory o f
P eacefu lly sleep in g , resting at last, T he w o rld ’s w eary troubles and trials are past. In silen ce she suffered, in p atience she bore, T ill G od c a lled her hom e to su ffer no m ore. F orever cherish ed and fon d ly rem em bered by fam ily, relatives and friends.
ASIA CASKET Tel: 6455-5288,6456-5288,9691-3229 24hrs^f
N inteen th A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory o f
* Professional services for Christians * Qualified professional embalmers * Quality local and imported caskets * Special package and discount price for Catholics * Professional handling of repatriations and import cases Blk 38 Sin Ming Drive, #01-523 Singapore 575712 (C O M P L E T E F U N E R A L S E R V IC E S ) L O U R D E S SO M A SU V A N A RIS Departed: Feb 24,1993
N EW TON EUGENE W E B ST E R Departed: M ar 5 , 1984 Eternal rest grant unto him , O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. M ay his soul rest in peace. Amen. D eeply missed by wife, children grand-children and great-grandchildren.
In our hearts your memory lingers, Sweetly tender, fond and true, T here is not a day, d ear mother, That we do not think o f you. Deeply missed by children, grand-children, relatives and loved ones.
CASKET COMPANY EMBALMING & FUNERAL SERVICES PTE LTD
3SG JA S O N A N D R E W LEE 185 SQ N /R SS Sea Dragon Republic o f Singapore N avy Departed: March 4, 1994
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T e n th A n n iv e rsary In sweet remembrance
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as
Christian and non-Christian funerals - local / export. Qualified Embalmers. Columbarium work, exhumation, photo enlargement etc. Air-con, non air-con Parlours, tentage etc. Good Discount on Casket price!!
Directors: Philip Tan
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All funeral-related services including columbarium works, (S , exhumation, international repatriation of human remains etc Quality service affirmed by families which we had the honour to serve Transparent & reasonable pricing with genuine discounts No overtime charges, no hidden cost Check out our prices at our website www.casketfairprice.com Member of the Association of Funeral Directors (Singapore)
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Charles Wan
Blk 37 Sin Ming Drive #01-569/571 Singapore 575711 Website w w w .casketfairprice.com
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Tel: 6454-8167, 6456-7423 Fax: 6458-2151
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Affordable air-con funeral parlours with facilities
Blk 37, Sin Ming Drive, #01-575 Singapore 575711
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Complete one-stop funeral arrangements
24-HOURS COMPLETE SERVICES
• • • • •
Sadly missed and always remembered by Dad: Lee Chee Cheong Louis Mum: Teo Yam N eo Catherine Bros: Lta (N .S.) Lee W eng Sun Francis Lta (N .S.) Lee M eng Sun Nicholas s* and all loved ones. *
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CASKET FAIRPRICE Ten 6455-9909
Departed: March 2, 1998
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(The B ereavem ent Service Co. catering solely to Christian and Catholic communities) F R A N C IS C O A. K EY E S Departed: M ar 8,1993 Ten long years have passed Peaceful be your rest As in life we loved you dearly So in death, we do the same Y our m emory we shall alw ays keep. Alw ays cherished by your wife, son, daughters, sons-inlaw and grandson.
Please turn to page 12 for more “In Memoriam” announcements and classified advertisements.
MISSION STATEMENT: Our company continuously seeks to provide dedicated, quality, professional, personalized, dignified, yet affordable bereavement services to fellow Christians who have been called home to be with the Lord. As a ministry partner, we seek to fulfill the Great Commission, ministering to the needs o f bereaved family members, while reaching out to the unsaved.
OUR SERVICES ■ Provides counsel for suitable funeral arrangements ■ Certified embalmers ■ Exhumation work, repatriation cases ■ Sound system, floral arrangements, food and beverages ■ Pastors & Priests arrangement for funeral services ■ Arrangement for parlors, cremation, burials, clothing, etc
Affordable package to suit budget constraints Columbarium and tombstones, etc Tentage, chairs, lightings, fans, etc Photo Enlargements Air conditioned bus transportation, hearse and pall bearers
ADDRESS : 150 South Bridge Rd, #02 - 05 Fook Hai Building Singapore 058727 Tel: (65) 6 53 3-17 87 Fax: (65) 6 53 3-17 29 Website: http://www.therestingplace. com. sg Email: resting@singnet. com. sg CONTACTS: Peter Wang
9822-6845
Tan Song Poh
9003-4494
Raymond Roy Gabriel
D edicated Funeral D irectors since 1920
Complete services for Christians and non-Christians. Air-con. parlours, open 24 hours. Qualified professional embalmers. Imported US and quality finished caskets. Photo enlargement. Florist service. Funeral supplies all under one roof. Professional handling of repatriations and import cases. • Columbarium & Tombstone services. • • • • • • •
A ll Church Members Are Entitled To Discount *Cater within your means* 131 Lavender Street, Singapore 338737. Internationally linked worldwide with established Funeral Directors
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F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9, 2 0 0 3
1 4 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S
Reflection Them e 3 - Th e FAMILY : Heart of EvangelizatiH3 Biblical reading «And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”» (Lk 4:14-19). Reflection Among the fundamental tasks of the Christian family is its ecclesial task: the family is placed at the service of building up the Kingdom of God in history by participating in the life and mission of the Church. The Christian family is called upon to take part actively and responsibly in the mission of the Church in a way that is original and specific, by placing itself, in what it is and what it does as an intimate community o f life and love, at the service of the Church and of society. A Community of Life and Love Since the Christian family is a community in which the relationships are renewed by Christ through faith and the sacraments, the family’s sharing in the Church’s mission should follow a community pattern: the spouses together as a couple, the parents and children as a family, must live their service to the Church and to the world. They must be «of one heart and soul» (cf. Acts 4:32) in faith, through the shared apostolic zeal that animates them, and through their shared commitment to works of service to the ecclesial and civil communities. The Christian family also builds up the Kingdom of God in history through the everyday realities that concern and distinguish its state of life. It is thus in the love
between husband and wife and between the members of the family—a love lived out in all its extraordinary richness of values and demands: totality, oneness, fidelity and fruitfulness—that the Christian family’s participation in the prophetic, priestly and kingly mission of Jesus Christ and of His Church finds expression and realization. Therefore, love and life constitute the nucleus of the saving mission of the Christian family in the Church and for the Church. The Family: Subject of Evangelization The Second Vatican Council also recalls this fact when it states that families will share their spiritual riches generously with other families too. Thus the Christian family, which springs from marriage as a reflection of the loving covenant uniting Christ with the Church, and as a participation in that covenant will manifest to all people the Savior’s living presence in the world, and the genuine nature of the Church. This the family will do by the mutual love of the spouses, by their generous fruitfulness, their solidarity and faithfulness, and by the loving way in which all the members of the family work together. Thus by sharing in her life and mission, the family is called to carry out its task of education in the Church. She wishes to carry out her educational mission above all through families who are made capable of undertaking this task by the Sacrament of Matrimony, through the «grace of state» which follows from it and the specific «charism» proper to the entire family community. Religious Education Certainly one area in which the family has an irreplaceable role is that of religious education, which enables the family to grow as a «domestic church». Religious education and the catechesis of children make the family a true subject of evangelization and the apostolate within the Church. We are speaking of a right intrinsically linked to the principle of religious liberty. Families, and more specifically parents, are free to choose for their children a particular kind of religious and moral education consonant with their own convictions. Even when they entrust these responsibilities to
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ecclesiastical institutions or to schools administered by religious personnel, their educational presence ought to continue to be constant and active. Reflections of the priest or leader Discussion Why are parents the first and principal educators of their children, and why is this education their right-duty? Are parents aware of their responsibility to be the first evangelizers of their children and to transmit the Christian faith to them? Commitments Hail Mary Queen of the Family: pray for us Prayer for the Family Lord God, from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. Father, you are Love and Life. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love. Grant that your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world. Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love. Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weakness and trials through which our families sometimes pass. Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family. Through Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for ever and ever. Amen. (John Paul II)
Bible Them es for reflection - U N IT Y DAYS I believed and so I spoke (2 Cor 4:13) COURAGE
Josh 1: 1-9 Be strong and courageous; do not be fright ened or dismayed Ps 113 He raises the poor from the dust Eph 2: 11-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens Mk 7: 24-30 For saying that, you may go Commentary At a time of uncertainty and fear after the death of Moses, Joshua spoke out boldly in God’s name and urged the people of Israel to cross the Jordan and occupy the land which God had promised to their ancestors: land which they had left in search of food. He urged them to be strong and brave and act in accordance with God’s law. Many generations later there were still Canaanites living in part of the land and it was a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus and courageously asked him to heal her daughter. When Jesus answered, rather harshly, that it was not right to take the children’s bread, she argued back that even the dogs under the table eat the children’s bread. A Gentile and a woman, her care for her daughter caused her to break down barriers of culture, tradition and gender with courage and audacity. Jesus had a plan of action and urgency in carrying it out. He believed that he must go first to the house of Israel. Nevertheless he was moved by the courage and the response of the woman. On his side also he reached out across these same barriers and said «for saying that you may go - the demon has left your daughter**. In the letter to the Ephesians, the Gentile Christians are reminded that they were once «aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenant of promise». But now in Christ Jesus those who were once far off have been brought near. He has broken down the dividing wall and the hostility between Gentile and Jew and reconciled both groups to God in one body through the cross. Today Christians are compelled by the law of Christ to reach out across barriers of culture and race to welcome refugees and strangers and to minister to their needs. We can also learn much from the deep Christian faith of immigrants amongst us who have crossed boundaries to come to our land and who are equally part of the body of Christ.
As individual Christians and churches we are chal lenged to testify with courage to the truth of the gospel. As we do so, we must seek to live out and to show to the world the unity which Jesus desires for his children for divided churches are weakened in their mission. To be the Church of Christ is a gift which brings the enormous responsibility of helping those without faith to discover that the love of God is the only answer to their need. We should ask God to heal us from our lack of unity and enable us to speak out with faith and courage. Prayer O God you inspired your servant Joshua to speak out with courage in a time of need and lead your people to the promised land. Your Son, Jesus Christ, reached out across barriers of culture, class and gender giving healing and hope to those in need. He is our peace and in his flesh he has broken down dividing walls and created in himself one, new humanity. We pray with faith for Christ’s body, the church in the world today. You have entrusted us with the task of advancing your kingdom here on earth, help us to do so united and not divided. Allow us to hear your voice and not insist on our own priorities. Move us to overcome our divisions and live according to your law of love. Strengthen us to reaffirm our commitment to you. Allow us to share your love. Lead us to meet all those in need of your blessing especially the refugee and the stranger in our midst. Together we form the body of Christ in whose name we pray. Amen
DAY 6 So that grace reaches out to more and more people (2 Cor 4:15) THE JUSTICE OF GOD’S GRACE
Deut 10:17-22 Who executes justice for the orphan and the widow
Ps 103:1-13 The Lord is merciful and gracious Rom 3:21-31 They are now justified by his grace as a gift Mt 5:1-12 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness Commentary Sin is the source of all forms of injustice in the world. By rejecting God’s righteousness we deprive people of their dignity and of their existential rights. Unjust structures and abuse of human rights are the result of this situation.
We believe that God has justified us in Christ, out of his deep love for us. God’s righteousness is expressed through his reconciling and outpouring grace. Through the death and resurrection of Christ he makes us all worthy of being his daughters and sons destined to eternal communion with him. As Christians we are sent to proclaim together the righteousness of God and the power of his grace. Our mandate is to spread the justice of God by our witness. We are called to become instruments of God’s kingdom, as just men and women who live for God and seek to reveal his love and justice to all. In as much as we have our homeland in heaven, we also look for a more just society and renewed life on earth, making more visible what God desires for his sons and daughters. In the experience of migrant peoples, we see one of the many faces of injustice in our times. Societies which are economically unjust expel their members by driving them into hunger and poverty, denying them human living conditions, and blocking their access to health and education. Others must emigrate because of war, or the impossibility of practising their faith freely. Such is the world in which we must cry out for a long-awaited justice. God identifies himself with the poor, the weak, the sick, the foreigner, the child, the elderly, the widow. That is why in the Beatitudes we are invited to be promoters of that justice, which goes beyond worldly justice. This includes a search for ways to overcome those structures which discriminate against people, transforming them into means of peace and justice for all. Our unity and vital mission is a sign of our hope. Our communion in Christ is a visible expression of the new humankind. A spiritual vision of the life we have in Christ is the essence of all justice and the basis of human rights. Our active solidarity with powerless people makes the power of God’s righteousness visible. Prayer God, thank you for your grace, which makes us your daughters and sons in Christ. You call us as your chil dren to be advocates of your grace-filled justice in the world. Grant us grace to work, without fear, for the justice which is the only way to a real peace and a human society. Loving God, strengthen the bonds which unite us, and call us to a life where the unity of believers is re flected in the actions of every community of faith. Powerful God, steer us once again to come nearer to each other, so that your will and not ours be put to work. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
F o r tn ig h tly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9, 2 0 0 3
T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 1 5
FAMILY
B u ild in g c h ild re n ’s faith FAM ILY DIRECTORY Catholic Legal Aid 64-880-278 Celebration of Life 64-880-287 Choice 65-536-327 Counselling Service 63-395-354 Couples for Christ 62-833-707 Engaged Encounter 65-823-195 Hope 64-880-278 Joyful Parenting 64-880-286 Marriage Encounter 62-895-349 Pregnancy Crisis 63-399-770 Retrouvaille 67-498-861 Youth Life-Line 62-526-300
INDONESIA, Mataram, (UCAN) — A diocese in eastern Indonesia is trying to boost the empowerm ent of youth and women by training youth leaders, organizing seminars, w orkshops and cultural events, and producing reading materials. Denpasar diocese has lined up several of these activities in an effort to fulfill its pastoral program fo r 2003, “ Empowerment of women and youth.” One such program in January was the training of leaders of Serikat Kepausan Anak dan Remaja Misioner (SEKAMI, pontifical society of children and youth missioners), the local chapter of the Pontifical M issionary C hildhood Society. Attending the course were 40 youth animators from seven parishes in the diocese’s deanery of Lombok and Sumbawa islands in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province. The animators, all volunteers at least 19 years old, lead and serve youngsters aged 5-15. The course was held Jan. 10-12 in Kusuma Mataram Catholic Junior High School in Mataram on Lombok Island. Mataram, the provincial capital, is 1,035 kilometers east of Jakarta. About 96 percent of NTB’s four million people are Muslims, and only some 7,000 are Catholics. Divine Word Father Rosarius Geli explained at the opening that the training aimed to prepare young people to take active part in Church life. The future local Church, he said, w ill be “ a Church of youth, not the Church of elders.” Father Terry Ponomban, director of the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies of Indonesia, encouraged the animators to dedicate their time, energy and talents to building up the faith of children entrusted to their care. A youth anim ator is called to become a raiser, saviour and m otivator o f children, one w ho brings love, solidarity and Jesus to all people. An anim ator also teaches prayer “ by guiding every child in a life of prayer and setting a good example — living a life o f love and p urity.” Fr. Terry admitted that becoming a faith builder of children is difficult and demands “certain personality traits.” To achieve success in this pastoral field, he pointed out, all parties must cooperate. But the effort makes sense because “ children are the future o f the fam ily, society and Church. M issionary guidance from an early age would enable them to become m issioners fo r others.”
Father Joseph Babey, who directs Denpasar diocese’s chapter of the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies of Indonesia, explained that children are “ little friends of Jesus” w ho deserve attention, love and guidance. Children cared fo r in th is way, he noted, may then recognize Jesus’ love fo r them and thus fo llo w Jesus in their lives. That is why “animators are expected to carry out the roles of father and mother to the children,” he said. Another facilitator, Father Lorens Maryono, encouraged the animators to read the Bible. “ You cannot recognize and listen to God’s Word, let alone share it w ith others, if you never open and read the Bible,” he said. Those who took the course optimistically told UCA News that SEKAMI can grow in NTB province but first it would have to overcome certain practical challenges. For example, Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sister Albertine, said SEKAMI’s guidance program at Saints Mary and Joseph Church in Dompu where she works was hard to implement due to the lack of anim ators, parents’ support and facilities. She said her parish has just some 50 SEKAMI members, led by four animators. Susan Wende, an animator at a parish in Mataram, said the lack of a meeting room is her main obstacle. Wende, who has guided children for all 10 years that SEKAMI has been active in the diocese, elaborated, “We once had a room in a building, but the building burned down during a riot on Jan. 17, 2001.” Besides training youth animators, several other events for youth and women are in the pipeline for Denpasar diocese throughout 2003. A diocesan source told UCA News the diocesan pastoral center in March will provide copies of a book on women and youth empowerment for distribution in parishes during Lent, and will issue similar materials in December for Advent. A sem inar on gender awareness is planned for May 23-25 in East Bali deanery, while a workshop on the development of basic ecclesial communities is to take place June 5-7 for participants from all over the diocese. Seminars fo r young people on their role in Church and society will be held June 27-29 in West Bali deanery, and July 11-12 in West Nusa Tenggara deanery, while a week-long sports and arts event is planned for their counterparts in East Bali deanery in August. □
YOUNG CATHOLICS ARCHDIOCESAN Y O U TH C H APLAINC Y
T elling fig u res! A n y p arallels? RESPONDENTS’ CHARACTERISTICS from UCAN feature
Archbishop Nicholas Chia Archdiocesan Youth Co-ordinator Rev Frederick Quek City District: Rev Albert Ng Rev Cary Chan North District: Rev Adrian Yeo Rev Andrew Wong Serangoon District: Rev Brian D’Souza, Rev Frederick Quek Rev Luke Fong West District: Rev Colin Tan, Rev Ignatius Yeo, Rev John-Paul Tan East District: Rev Alex Chua Rev Erbin Fernandez Vine & Branches: Bro Celestine Toh
The results of “ The National F ilipino Catholic Youth Survey 2002,” conducted by the Episcopal Com m ission on Youth, were released Jan. 29 at San Carlos Seminary in Mandaluyong City, south o f Manila. It was done to help develop a youth ministry directory for the Philippines. The findings represent a resource fo r people and institutio ns that m inister to the young. The report observed that few Catholic youths “expressed a mature personal relationship with God,” such as friendship based on trust. Most youths reported experiencing God as a parent or provider. According to the report, this reflects a weakness in catechesis and religious education for youths, their parents and other adults who are young people’s first educators. The researchers said this is “a telling factor that (shows) faith formation at the home has not been proper and adequate.” Some telling figures!
1,070 single Catholics in 80 Church territories, male (44%) female (56%) age: 13-39 (mean - 19.3) 20.0 % - workers 76.0 % - live with their families. 60.0 % - familiy monthly income below US$167. Family members: 50% - 6-10, 50% - 1-5 8 2 .4 % - parents married in Church 13.1 % - parents married in civil rite 4.5 % - parents unmarried. 54.0 % - closest to mother, 17.0 % - closest to father . Most comm on problem relationship: in personal lives and in families other problems: cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, drugs How they solve problems: 53.0 % - “pray over” them 16.3 % - “think over it by m yself 13.1 % - "ask others for help" Persons they consult fo r im portant decisions: 48.5 % - mother is the first person 1 9 .0 % - friends and peers, 14.4% - fathers 9.3 % - siblings. < 1 % - priests, < 1 % - Religious or teachers. People they admire 1 0 .4 % - entertainment personalities 5.8 % - Church personnel 5.2 % - teachers. Least admired - Public officials
Faith form ation The 3 persons who helped most: 78.4 % - family member 54.6 % - catechist, religion teacher, youth minister 46.2 % - priest, religious. Practice of 5 1.3 % 44.9 % 3.8%
religion: - practice - seldom - never
Those who practice do so by praying, doing good deeds, reflecting on the Word of God, obeying the 10 commandments and receiving the sacraments. The smallest group in this category take part in Church activities. More than 50% d on ’t belong to any religious association. Those who do belong became members for the benefits rather than what they could offer. Predominant concept o f “ C hurch” a place, a structure or building. Though most reported feeling they belong to the Church, many cited utilitarian reasons for this, rather than belonging to the Church as a result of Baptism. Most youths reported knowing little or nothing of Church teachings on pre marital sex, sex and violence in media, homosexuality and the death penalty.
F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . M A R . 2 a n d S u n . M a r. 9, 2 0 0 3
1 6 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S
W orld
A culture o f death 2. Through the celebration of this World Day of the Sick, may the Gospel of life and love resound loudly, especially in the Americas, where more than half the world’s Catholics live. On the continents of North and South America, as elsewhere in the world, «a model of society appears to be emerging in which the powerful predominate, setting aside and even eliminating the powerless: I am thinking here of unborn children, helpless victims of abortion; the elderly and incurable ill, subjected at times to euthanasia; and the many other people relegated to the margins of society by consumerism and materialism. Nor can I fail to mention the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty . . . This model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message® (Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia In America, 63).
A culture o f life
His Excellency Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Health, and Special Papal Envoy to the celebration of the 11th World Day of the Sick.
MESSAGE from one who himself knows the meaning of illness and suffering, OUR HOLY FATHER POPE JOHN PAUL II, on the occasion of the 11th World Day of the Sick, 11 February 2003, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrated at the Basilica of the National Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C. in the US.
1. «We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world . . . We know and believe the love God has for us» (1 Jn 4:14,16).
Authentic signs o f love These words of the apostle John are a good summary of what the Church seeks to do through her pastoral work in the area of health care. Recognizing the presence of the Lord in our suffering brothers and sisters, she strives to bring them the good news of the Gospel and to offer them authentic signs of love. This is the context of the Eleventh World Day of the Sick, which will take place on February 11, 2003 in Washington, D.C., in the United States, at the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The choice of place and day invites the faithful to turn their hearts and minds to the Mother of the Lord. The Church, entrusting herself to our Lady, is inspired to bear renewed witness to charity, in order to be a living icon of Jesus Christ, the Good Samaritan, in the numberless situations of physical and moral suffering in the world today. Urgent questions about suffering and death, dramatically present in the heart of every person despite the continual attempts by a secular mentality to remove them or ignore them, await satisfactory answers. Especially in the presence of tragic human experiences, the Christian is called to bear witness to the consoling truth of the Risen Lord, who takes upon himself the wounds and ills of humanity, including death itself, and transforms them into occasions of grace and life. This proclamation and this witness are to be delivered to everyone, in every corner of the world.
Faced with this worrying fact, how can we fail to include the defence of the culture of life among our pastoral priorities? Catholics working in the field of health care have the urgent task of doing all they can to defend life when it is most seriously threatened and to act with a conscience correctly formed according to the teaching of the Church. The numerous health care facilities through which the Catholic Church offers a genuine testimony of faith, charity and hope are already contributing in an encouraging way to this noble goal. Hitherto these facilities have been able to rely on a significant number of men and women religious who guarantee a high standard of professional and pastoral service. I hope that a fresh flourishing of vocations will enable Religious Institutes to continue their meritorious work and indeed to expand it with the support of many lay volunteers, for the good of suffering humanity in the Americas.
Involvement o f the local Church 3. This privileged apostolate involves all local Churches. It is therefore necessary that every Episcopal Conference, through appropriate structures, should seek to promote, guide and coordinate the pastoral care of the sick, so that the whole People of God become aware of and sensitive to the many different needs of the suffering. In order to make this witness of love practical, those involved in the pastoral care of the sick must act in full communion among themselves and with their Bishops. This is of particular importance in Catholic hospitals, which in responding to modern needs are called upon to reflect ever more clearly in their policies the values of the Gospel, as the Magisterium’s social and moral guidelines insist. This requires united involvement on the part of Catholic hospitals in every sector, including that of finance and administration.
Catholic Hospitals Catholic hospitals should be centres of life and hope which promote — together with chaplaincies — ethics committees, training programmes for lay health workers, personal and compassionate care of the sick, attention to the needs of their families and a particular sensitivity to the poor and the marginalized. Professional work should be done in a genuine witness to charity, bearing in mind that life is a gift from God, and man merely its steward and guardian.
Scientific progress and advances 4. This truth should be continuously repeated in the context of scientific progress and advances in medical techniques which seek to assist and improve the quality of human life. Indeed, it remains a fundamental precept that life is to protected and defended, from its conception to its natural end. As I stated in my Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, «The service of humanity
leads us to insist, in season and out of season, that those using the latest advances of science, especially in the field of biotechnology, must never disregard fundamental ethical requirements by invoking a questionable solidarity which eventually leads to discriminating between one life and another and ignoring the dignity which belongs to every human being» (No. 51). The Church, which is open to genuine scientific and technological progress, values the effort and sacrifice of those who with dedication and professionalism help to improve the quality of the service rendered to the sick, respecting their inviolable dignity. Every therapeutic procedure, all experimentation and every transplant must take into account this fundamental truth. Thus it is never licit to kill one human being in order to save another. And while palliative treatment in the final stage of life can be encouraged, avoiding a "treatment at all costs» mentality, it will never be permissible to resort to actions or omissions which by their nature or in the intention of the person acting are designed to bring about death.
Pastoral Aspect o f health care 5. My earnest hope for this Eleventh World Day of the Sick is that it will inspire in Dioceses and parishes a renewed commitment to the pastoral care of the sick. Proper attention must be given to the sick who remain at home, given that less and less time is actually being spent in hospital and the sick are often being entrusted to their own families. In countries without adequate health care facilities, even the terminally ill are left at home. Parish priests and all pastoral workers must be vigilant and ensure that the sick never lack the consoling presence of the Lord through the word of God and the Sacraments. Proper attention should be given to the pastoral aspect of health care in the formation of priests and religious. For it is in care for the sick more than in any other way that love is made concrete and a witness of hope in the Resurrection is offered.
Exhortation to health care personnel 6. Dear chaplains, religious, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, administrative personnel, social assistants and volunteers: the World Day of the Sick offers a special opportunity to strive to be ever more generous disciples of Christ the Good Samaritan. Be aware of your identity and learn to recognize in those who suffer the Face of the sorrowful and glorious Lord. Be ready to bring help and hope especially to those afflicted with new diseases, such as AIDS, and with older diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy.
Exhortation to the Sick Dear Brothers and Sisters who suffer in body or spirit, to you I express my heartfelt hope that you will learn to recognize and welcome the Lord who calls you to be witnesses to the Gospel of suffering, by looking with trust and love upon the Face of Christ Crucified (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, 16) and by uniting your sufferings to his. I entrust you all to the Immaculate Virgin, our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Health of the Sick. May she hear the prayers that rise from the world of suffering, may she dry the tears of those in pain, may she stand beside those who are alone in their illness, and by her motherly intercession may she help believers who work in the field of health care to be credible witnesses to Christ’s love. To each of you, I affectionately impart my Blessing! From the Vatican, 2 February 2003 IOANNES PAULUS II [Original text: English]