MARCH 17, 2002, vol 52 no 6

4 1 a m t h e r e s u r r e c t io n a n d t h e life . } (John 11:25)

Youths to put on Joan of Arc musical

Jean Vanier: Accept mentally disabled children as they are

DOCUMENTS OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

T h e In te r n e t r'

o p p o r tu n itie s a n d c h a lle n g e s ON 22 February 2002, the Pontifical Council for Social Communication issued two important documents on the Internet entitled "Ethics in the Internet" and "the Church and the Internet".

It is noteworthy that the Church is in the forefront in this relatively new area of social communication when it comes to assessing the use of the internet from an ethical standpoint as well as evaluating its use as a new instrument of Mission Outreach, sfc. The Press C onference to wluesent these two documents was held at the Vatican on 28 February 2002. His Exc. Msgr John Patrick Foley and His Exc. Msgr. Pierfranco Pastore, President and Secretary respectively, of the Council for So­ cial Communication made the presentations.

’Today it takes no great stretch of the imagination to envisage the earth as an inter-connected globe humming with electronic transmissions... The ethical question is whether this is contributing to authentic human development...’

— tttican document, Ethics in the Internet

Ethics in the internet In his preliminary remarks, Msgr Foley pointed out that the new docu­ ments followed the publication of the document "Ethics in Communi­ cation" in Jubilee Year 2000 and an earlier document on "Ethics in Ad­ vertising" in 1997.

This time, however, in addition to a document which discusses ethical questions regarding the use of the internet there is also a second document entitled "The Church and the Internet" that discusses how the Church itself can use the internet in its own mission.

Confining his remarks to the first document on "Ethics in the Internet", Msgr Foley declared that the reason for the document was found in para.

2 of the document itself: "Today it takes no great stretch of the imagination to envisage the earth as an interconnected globe humming with electronic transmis­

sions — a chattering planet nestled in the provident silence of space.

The ethical question is whether this is contributing to authentic human development and helping individu­ als and peoples to be true to their transcendent destiny."

Basic Principles He pointed out that the new docu­ ment assumes the same fundamental principles that apply to all forms of communication namely that: "The hu­ man person and the human community are the end and measure of the use of the media of social

communication; communication should be by persons to persons for the integral development of persons".

The document on "Ethics in the Internet" elaborates this: "As with other media, the person and the community of persons are central to ethical evaluation of the Internet. In regard to the message communi­ cated, the process of communicating, and structural and systemic issues in communication, "the fundamen­ tal ethical principle" is this: The human person and the human com­ munity are the end and measure of the use of the media of social communication; communication

A rch dio cese of S ing ap o re hom e page, Veritas: h ttp ://w w w .c a th o lic .o rg .s g .

should be by persons to persons for the integral development of persons".

The common good — "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as indi­ viduals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily" — providesa second basic principle for ethical evaluation of social communications.

It should be understood inclusively, as the whole of those worthy pur­ poses to which a community's members commit themselves to­ gether and which the community exists to realize and sustain. The good of individuals depends upon the common good of their communities.

The virtue disposing people to protect and promote the common good is solidarity. It is not a feeling of "vague compassion or shallow distress" at other people’s troubles, but "a firm and persevering determi­ nation to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, I- cause we are all really responsi­ ble for all". Especially today solidarity has a clear, strong international dimension; it is correct to speak of, and obligatory to work for, the inter­ national common good."

The international common good, the virtue of solidarity, the revolu­ tion in communications media and

information technology, and the Internet are all relevant to the proc­ ess of globalization.

To a great extent, the new tech­ nology drives and supports globalization, creating a situation in which "commerce and communica­ tions are no longer bound by borders".

The document goes on to cite "Communio et Progressio", pub­ lished more than thirty years ago: "Media have the ability to make every person everywhere 'a partner in the business of the human race’".

The Internet, noted Msgr. Foley, can certainly do that.

Problems There certainly are problems associ­ ated with the internet, and these include questions of "privacy, the security and confidentiality of data, copyright and intellectual property law, pornography, hate sites, the dissemi­ nation of rumour and character assassination under the guise of news, and much else". There is also the problem of the economic and cultural divide — a so-called "digital divide" between the technology-rich and the information-rich and those • Continued on Page 16

Intern et ed itio n of The C atho lic News: h ttp ://w w w .c ath o lic.o rg .sg /C N .

FLS to gather local bands of 60s, 70s to raise funds

FAM ILY LIFE SO C IETY EVENTS

Understanding suicide and crisis management techniques

By James Wong

Band leaders and members pose with Brian Richmond (extreme left) and Mrs Bridget Ow (seated, second from left) and Miss Eunice Olsen on March 5.

By Mel Diamse-Lee

out to people in need.

At the March 5 press conference at the Novena Church, seven band leaders and members were present.

The first Down Memory Lane Dinner and Show was conceived by Catholic radio host Brian Richmond.

He said: "We had a good show then. We’re more ambitious this time, we’ve assembled the creme de la creme, the icons of the 60s."

Many of the band members will be coming together to perform for the first time after some 20 years, he noted.

Down Memory Lane II Dinner & Show will be held at the Suntec City Ballroom 1,2 and 3 on May 5.

Tickets at $150 (single seat), $1,200 (table of 10 seats) and special charity tables at $2,000 and $2,500 are available at the ticket hotline (6281-2005).

COMING together in the name of charity this May will be Singapore s famous bands in the 60s and 70s.

Twelve bands including The Tor­ nados, Patrick Lee and Speedway, The Thunderbirds and October Cherries will be featured in Family Life Society s (FLS) Down Memory Lane II Dinner and Show on May 5 at the Suntec City.

Mr James Wong, FLS executive director, said the society hopes to raise S$100,000 from the event to fund its various programmes and services.

The event is aimed at raising the profile of FLS so that more needy people may avail themselves of their programmes and services, and so that more volunteers may come forward and help FLS reach

CHRISTIAN Brother Collin Wee in his own inimitable style recently captivated his audience of 53 social workers, volunteers from Family Life Society (FLS) programmes, serv­ ices and affiliates, and church organizations with his own goodhumoured, gutsy style of presenting.

Underlying the workshop, how­ ever, was a very serious topic and objective: to provide participants with important information on suicide intervention and crisis man­ agem ent.

With increasing urbanization burdening more people with pressures of work, stressed lifestyles and unsatisfactory human relationships, it is becoming more common to regularly read or hear about someone committing suicide.

But suicide isn’t a spur-of-themoment decision. It is normally the result of a crisis that has been experienced for a certain period of time.

Therefore, learning to detect the early signs of "high risk" behaviour and assessing possible suicidal ten­ dencies is the first step to being able to help someone in need.

For one, Br Collin clarified, any­ body can fall into depression and attempt to commit suicide.

Br Collin, principal therapist of FLS, is also a gazetted Volunteer Probation Officer with the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (Probation and Aftercare

Br Collin Wee discusses an exercise given to the participants of his seminar on March 2.

Service) and has handled many cases of depression and suicide attempt cases.

His case studies were gripping and also made participants under­ stand some of the pain and trauma that people facing a suicidal crisis in their lives experience.

Information on understanding the different types of suicide attempters, the key tasks of sui­ cide intervention, and the introduction of an important suicide intervention model were given, and practical exercises were included to develop handling skills.

He gave a very clear directive fo; those dealing with depressed or sui cidal youth. The important thing is to pay attention. Encourage them to talk. Listen. Be on their side. Reassure without dismissing. Don’t panic.

"Remember that no-one is suicidal all the time. Thoughts of self-destruc­ tion arise at times of crisis but lives can be saved by understanding and support," he said.

Br Collin will be writing a series of articles on this topic in Family Life Society’s "LifeLine" page in the Catho­ lic News to create greater public awareness of the issue. □

FAITH PILGRIMAGES W e a re p ro u d to p re s e n t o u r 2002 p ro g ra m m e s with variations a n d sp ecialisation to fulfill your every pilgrim age n eed .

M EDITER R ANEAN PROGRAMMES

EUROPE PILGRIM AGES

10 days Holyland Pilgrimage

13 days Montserrat/Santiago/ Fatima Pilgrimage-Holiday

Departure: 22 May - 31 May Spiritual Director: Rev Fr Antoni Ponnudorai, SJ

Departure: 29 Apr - 11 May with Spiritual Director

15 days “Trail of St Paul’s Missionary journey in Turkey” Departure: 01 Jun - 15 Jun Spiritual Director: Rev Fr Joachim Chang

15 days Rome/Lourdes/ Fatima Holy Pilgrimage

13/15 Days Grand Mediterranean Fly/Cruise

Departure: 06 May - 20 May Spiritual Director: Rev Fr Fundes Motiong \

Departure : May - Aug

O TH ER PILGRIM AGES

12 days Rome/Lourdes/ Fatima Holy Pilgrimage

11 days Shantou/Shanghai/Beijing Pilgrimage-Holiday

Departure: 24 May - 04 Jun with Spiritual Director

Departure: 25 May - 04 Jun Spiritual Director: Rev Fr Pierre Barthoulot, MEP

10 days Shrines of France

9-day “Lourdes of Java”

Departure: 30 Aug - 08 Sep with Spiritual Director

Departure : March - December

16 days Rome/Lourdes/Fatima Holy Pilgrimage

10-day Medjugorje Retreat

Departure: 30 Sep - 15 Oct with Spiritual Director

Departure :13 May - 22 May, 05 Dec - 14 Dec

12 days Paris/Paray le Monial/Lourdes/Fatima

Other Non-Pilgrimage services available :

/Air-tickets, Holiday tours, Rail passes, Worldwide hotel bookings; and Star Cruise Online Bookings

Departure: 18 Nov - 29 Nov with Spiritual Director

i In conjunction with

FREE & ^ EAS\l ^

n

l R

P

A

N

C

E

Mil MIL

t

7

FAITH TOURS & TRAVEL PTE LTD 6 D a ^ « 8

6 Days S$18881 9 Days.S$2^ ALL T H j.-'

F

/Always travel in Faith, For Faith, with Faith Tours ________ - The Pilgrim s C hoice-

L lG H T !!

" _ ll

50 East Coast Rd, Roxy Square Complex, #02-01, Singapore 428769

Tel: (02) 348-2722 Fax : (02) 348-2724 Email: faithtours@faithtours.com

§ •<

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

MARCH 17-24, 2002

LOCAL

C

Filipino domestic helper sends needy children to school

By Mel Diamse-Lee DOMESTIC helper Julie David Lopez began a scholarship pro­ gramme for needy Filipino children more than a year ago while the status of her own employment here was uncertain.

Today, the scholarship pro­ gramme sends 10 children to pri­ mary school with transport, clothing, food and school project allowances.

Other families with urgent needs are also being helped through her generosity.

Miss Lopez was facing uncer­ tainty in her employment in 2000 when a friend started sending her a $30 cheque each month to augment her monetary needs. Even after she found an employer, the friend contin­ ued to give her the money.

"The money was given to me out of love and I wanted it to bear fruit, so I thought of starting a schol­ arship programme for needy chil­ dren," she said, adding that it was 'sr own lack of opportunity for higher — Jucation that encouraged her.

"I am just an instrument of the Holy Spirit, because He humbled me enough to accept help from a friend," she stressed.

Miss Lopez approached Cenacle Sister Angie Villanueva, then-provin­ cial of the Religious of the Cenacle in the Philippines, to look for the beneficiaries of the programme.

Sr Angie said: "I felt touched somehow and edified by Julie and her desire to help others. I was in admiration of Julie, who had been sending money to her sister to help her with her college course on Den­ tistry and when the sister finally graduated, did not think of just us­ ing the extra money for herself but was thinking to help others.

"I was edified — a word I don’t ^^^ften use — strengthened somehow whJd challenged to respond in the i m e manner as she. And so, although I felt that I had enough work to do as it was, I decided to take this project on."

Most of the scholars live in and around the Religious of the Cenacle Provincial house in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. According to Sr Angie,

E

I L

I N

G

L

E

A

I i f l Q

W e rectify leakag i

E

?

services include

problem s by usings

P.U. a n d e p o x y grouting,

a proven system

e p o x y flooring, c o n c re te

th a t is e c o n o m ic a l,

spoiling a n d rectifying

non-m essy and

structural le a k a g e s or

n o -h a ck in g involved!

w all seep ag es.

RICHARD LIM: 9382-1779 TEL: 6289-6811

HYDRO-SEAL ENGINEERING PTE LTD 6 H arp er R o ad , # 0 5 -0 6 L eo n g H u at B u ild in g , S ingapore 3 6 9674

SPECIALISED IN WALL SEEPAGE AND WATERPROOFING WORKS

W hat's Your Agenda in Life The first pupil to be helped by Miss Lopez's scholar­ ship programme was Arlyne

G. Nazareno (right), 11, shown with her mother. they started with one child in Octo­ ber 2000. By December, they had three. "Now in 2002, we have 10 scholars," she added.

On finding out how Miss Lopez uses the money given her, the friend, Miss Virginia Sayson and her mother added some money to the scholar­ ship fund.

In January this year, the Filipino Ladies Group, a professional wom­ en s association here, adopted the scholarship project because Miss Lopez once again faced unemploy­ ment. However, she says, as long as she was employed, she would con­ tinue to send money for the children.

Added the Cenacle Sister: "It inspires me and makes me believe more in the actual and potential goodness of human persons, es­ pecially the simple, ordinary, poor and even lowly ones whom Christ

seemed to love especially and pref­ erentially."

Sr Angie continued: "Julie is not rich. She has not finished college, not what we would call, ’profes­ sional’. Yet, here she is: sharing what little she has with others. If more of us did that, the world would become a better place to live in.

"That is what I do find striking.

It is not the rich, the well educated, and the famous that are helping, but the little ones of God, the ’anawim’.

It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 1:2630 and Matthew 11:25-26."

This is not the first charity work Miss Lopez has done. She has also sent some of her relatives to voca­ tional schools before. All this is her way of thanking God, she said "I am very grateful to our loving God for sending me the people I meet eve­ ryday," she said.

Weekends 2002 Mar 22-24 Apr 26-28 May 24-26 Jun 28-30 Jul 26-28 Aug 23-25

Love? Career? Family? God? Be Empowered to Choose

CHOICE With compliments Alphonsus & Catherine __________________

fo r Young Adults

For more info, please contact either: Victor & Annabelle: 93077752 Jennifer: 63453256 Chua Web site registration: www.choice.org.sg

PERSONAL INJURIES M OTOR&INDUSTRIALACCIDENTCLAIMS G A N E S H & C O L IN AD VOCATES & SO LICITO RS Lawyers GANESH S RAM ANATHAN C O L IN K A N G S E N G K O K

5 IB T em p le S tre et S in g a p o re 0 5 8 5 9 6 Tel: (6 5 ) 6 3 2 3 -2 5 6 5 F ax : (6 5 ) 6 3 2 3 -2 3 7 3

www.grck.com .sg law @ grck.com .sg

Redemptorist Vocation Camp at 11 N a l l u r R o a d , S i n g a p o r e 4 5 6 6 1 0 1 0 a m - 5 p m , S u n d a y , A p r i l 21, 2 0 0 2

Local Sister elected to Canossian General Council CANOSSIAN Sister Marilyn Lim was elected to the General Council of the Canossian Daughters of Charity during their general chapter in Italy.

The election took place at the Generalate in Rome on March 2.

The general chapter, which began on Feb 8, will run until March 25.

Until her election to the council, Sr Marilyn, served as the vice-provincial of the Canossians here. That position was automatically terminated when she became a general councillor. She will serve the council for six years and will be based in Italy.

Until six years ago, Sr Marilyn had been holding office in Italy, as head of the Evangelization Com­ mission of the Canossian Interna­ tional Secretariat.

She is the second Singaporean to serve in the Canossian General Council. Sr Janet Wang became the first Singaporean general coun­ cillor when she was elected for two terms, from 1984-96. She be­ came the local provincial on her

return to Singapore almost six years ago.

On March 1, Sr Marie Remedios, a Hong Kong national, was elected Superior General, and Sr Marisa Varini, an Italian, was elected Vicar General.

With Sr Marilyn in the General Council are Sr Margaret Peter from India and Sr M ariangela Casagrande, an Italian serving in the United States.

^ C & H PROPERTIES PTE LTD,

' L IS T E D H O U S IN G A G E N C Y

(e n jo y th e b e n ifits o f R e s a le N et and e a rly a p p o in tm e n t)

New telephone numbers at Church of St Teresa Fr Michael Arro: 6271-7743 Fr Cary Chan: 6271-6076 Fr Romeo Yuchang: 6271-8464 Secretary/columbarium: 6271-1184/86

® Thinking of selling, buying or renting your house?

Having problems looking for the right agent whom you can trust? Look no further.

HDBResaleNet

icA

F o r honest, reliable a n d trustw orthy services.

Call Jeffrey Goh now @9-451 -5085 E -m ail: jr j.e a stv a le @ p a c ific .n e t.sg

6 P la n tin g

the Seeds 9 r VCk would like to share w ith you some of our thoughts, ideas, insights, stories and experiences in our life and w o rk as religious priests and brothers in the ^Redemptorist 'LReligious O rder. D f you have a day to spare on Su n day, 2 1 s t ^JTlpril 2 0 0 2 , do join usI lease w rite or phone us so that w e can reserve a place for you a t our table of fellowship.

Fr. Simon Tan CSsR Fr. Glenn de Cruz CSsR Fr. Paul Kee CSsR 11 Nallur Rd, Singapore 456610 Phone: 02-6445-4009

Fr. Rudy Wong CSsR 21 Jalan La Salle 31400 Ipoh, Perak Malaysia Phone: 05-5468611

MARCH 17-24, 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

REGIONAL Church groups hail court action to fight female foeticide NEW DELHI —Church groups in In­ dia have welcomed a Supreme Court order to confiscate ultrasound machines from illegal clinics to fight female foeticide in the country.

Welcoming the court order as "much sought" relief against grow­ ing female foeticide in India, Ms Jyotsna Chatterjee of the Protestant Joint Women’s Programme said it needs to be followed by a change in people’s attitude towards women.

Fr Donald De Souza, deputy sec­ retary general of the Catholic Bish­ ops' Conference of India, told UCA News in early February that the or­ der comes against the backdrop of the Church’s decades-long fight against the "evil practices" of abor­ tion and female foeticide.

Ms Chatterjee told UCA News that such practices continue in India because of the dowry system, in which a bride’s family is forced to give cash or materials to the groom as a precondition for marriage.

The Supreme Court’s Jan 29 or­ der came as a result of a petition from a volunteer group, which al­ leged that large-scale sex determi­ nation tests led to female foeticide and to "serious imbalance" in the country’s male-female ratio.

Although the 2001 census showed an increase in the national sex ratio from 927 to 933 women for

every 1,000 men, the number de­ clined in several northern Indian states with large populations.

In May 2001, the Supreme Court ordered clinics to register with state governments to facilitate the imple­ mentation of a 1994 federal law that attempts to regulate and prevent misuse of prenatal diagnostic tech­ niques. However, hundreds of illegal medical centres continued to con­ duct sex determination tests and abortions.

The Deccan Herald newspaper noted in a Jan 31 editorial that the male-female ratio in the group from birth to age six "has fallen drastically from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001." It also noted a slackening in the states’ efforts to implement the court’s May order to get clinics registered after "an initial flurry of activity."

Besides ordering the confisca­ tion of ultrasound machines used in determining the sex of the foetus, the court has also quizzed health sec­ retaries of various states about their success in monitoring clinics.

Fr De Souza told UCA News that the Church has undertaken an awareness programme throughout the country to respect women.

It also celebrates the Marian feast day of Sep 8 as the Girl Child Day to "uphold" women’s dignity, he added. ucan

An Indian woman holds her newborn child. There has been growing concern about growing female foeticide in India.

CNS file photo

Still no justice years after People Power, says cardinal MANILA — Sixteen years after a peo­ ple’s uprising ousted president Ferdinand Marcos, people who claim to have suffered from human rights abuse under his rule have not found justice, says Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila.

In his Feb 25 homily at the Mary Queen of Peace Shrine, the cardinal said justice is the first challenge of the country’s two "people power" revolts.

Marcos was ousted from the presidency in 1986 and Joseph Estrada "vacated" his office as presi­ dent in 2001 after the House of Rep­ resentatives impeached him for eco­ nomic plunder. Cardinal Sin said, "The victims of tne (Marcos) dicta­ torship are still seeking justice (and) waiting for the dawn of a new day when justice will flourish in our land."

In 1995 the US District Court in Hawaii awarded 10,000 Philippine human rights abuse victims US$2

billion (S$3.6 billion) in damages.

The Marcos family claimed they did not have the money to pay the victims.

Some victims have since been seeking to recover a share of Marcos’ US$630 million from Swiss bank deposits held in escrow at the Philippine National Bank, but have not received a favourable ruling from the courts.

Cardinal Sin also added that there has been no justice for former president Corazon Aquino’s hus­ band, Benigno Aquino, who was shot dead in 1983 as he disembarked from an aeroplane.

The assassination fuelled the anti-Marcos movement, which cli­ maxed in 1986 when Filipinos car­ rying rosaries and images of the Blessed Virgin gathered on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

UCAN

Jiang cites judicial independence when asked about detention of priests BEIJING — No one has the right to interfere in legal action taken against religious figures in China who break the law, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said at a press conference with visiting US President George W. Bush.

The two presidents held the con­ ference soon after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People at Tiananmen on Feb 21, the morning Mr Bush arrived in Beijing.

Twice Mr Jiang ignored ques­ tions concerning restrictions on re­ ligion in China and the reported detention of more than 50 Catholic clergy.

However, towards the end of the press meet, he responded by saying that the Constitution of the People's Republic of China provides for religious freedom.

"Although I do not have any religious belief, I am interested in different religions and I have read the Bible, Koran and Buddhist Scrip­ tures," he said, adding that he has met and exchanged views with re­ ligious leaders on various occa­ sions.

However, he continued, "Any religious follower has to abide by the law of China. If they violate the law, even I as a president cannot interfere with judicial affairs under the principle of jud icia l independence."

On Feb 13, the Rome-based Catholic news agency Fides re­ leased a list of more than 50 Catho­ lic detainees, 33 of them Catholic bishops and priests who were ar­ rested or under house arrest since the mid-1990s. The names of more than 20 such clerics are not known.

At the press conference, though, neither president mentioned religion in his speech, or whether they had discussed Sino-Vatican relations.

A day before arriving in Beijing, Mr Bush, a Methodist, told reporters in Seoul that when he met with Mr Jiang he would urge China to dia­ logue with the Vatican and to re­ spect religious freedom.

US President George W. Bush walks with Chinese President Jiang Zemin to a press conference in Beijing. At the press conference Mr Jiang san. no one should interfere in legal action against Chinese religious leaders who break the law.

CNS photo from Reuters

Mr Bush also indicated in Seoul that he shared views about his faith and how significant religion is in his life when he met with Mr Jiang at the Asia-Pacific Economic Coop­ eration (APEC) meeting in Shanghai last October.

A China Church observer who uses the pseudonym Bao Rong took Mr Bush's silence at the press con­ ference in Beijing to mean that the US president and Mr Jiang had discussed issues touching on religion.

It seemed that the Chinese side had proposed something acceptable to Mr Bush who in turn agreed not to mention in public anything relating to Sino-Vatican relations and reli­ gion, the observer told UCA News.

According to Bao Rong, China

can no longer avoid the Sino-Vati­ can question, but this cannot be resolved in the near future as there is no clear policy to deal with the "underground" Church and its relations with the Vatican.

Mr Anthony Lam Sui-ki, senior researcher at the Holy Spirit Study Centre in Hong Kong, told UQ£-_ News that the China-Vatican nc malization issue rests upon the de­ cisions taken by Chinese leaders.

He predicted that relations will remain stagnant until after changes in the Chinese leadership expected in October are fully stabilized.

Mr Bush’s arrival in Beijing marked the 30th anniversary of form er US President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972. □ u c a n

Inter-religious peace walk in Sri Lanka JAFFNA, SRI LANKA — Some 5,000 people in northern Sri Lanka participated in a two-day inter-re­ ligious "peace walk" to lobby for permanent peace in the country.

The 20-km walk organized by religious groups and non-governmental organisations started on Feb 23 at the shrine of Our Lady in Sinnamadhu Church in Kayts and ended at Durgai Amman Tem­ ple in Tellipalai, north of Jaffna.

Fr A. P. Jeyasekaram, parish priest of St James Church, a stopo­ ver on the peace walk route, told the marchers that permanent peace is possible when all reli­ gions come together.

The peace walk came at a time when a ceasefire between

Tamil rebels and government troops entered its third month.

The government, responding to a ceasefire declared on the eve of last Christmas by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), has declared a cessation of hostilities.

Before the peace walk com­ m enced, Bishop Thom as Savundaranayagam of Jaffna told organizers that even though the civil war has caused untold human suffering, there is a new hope for peace with justice.

Noting the many activities for lasting peace, he said that the latest walk "strengthens our voice and shows our united spirit for peace."

Apart from the Catholic bishop,

others who expressed their sup­ port for the peace walk were Bishop S. Jebanesan of Jaffna for the Church of South India, Vener­ able Meegahajure Ganarathna Thero of Naga Vihare temple and Maulavi Mujasdeen of the Jaffna Mosque.

The walk concluded with a mes­ sage to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

The message stated that the recognition and acceptance of tra­ ditional homelands, the right to self-determination, and respect for the culture of all ethnic groups, are governing principles for peace and normalcy. ucan

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

5

WORLD!

MARCH 17-24, 2002

O C & H REALTY PTE LTD

Mother Teresa’s letters reveal her painful spiritual struggles VATICAN CITY —As Missionaries of Charity Father Brian Kolodiejchuk pores over the letters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the reports of her spiritual directors, he is in­ creasingly struck by the enormous difficulty of all she accomplished.

The priest, who is in charge of preparing m aterial for M other Teresa s beatification, is not sur­ prised by the effort it took to open houses for the dying, the sick and the homeless. The surprising aspect is how much she did despite feeling for years that God had abandoned her, he said.

Her letters to her spiritual direc­ tors over the years are filled with refj^ y e n c e s to interior darkness, to eling unloved by God and even to — the temptation to doubt that God exists.

She wrote to her spiritual direc­ tor in a 1959-60 spiritual diary, In my soul, I feel just the terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not re­ ally existing.

In another letter she wrote that she wanted to love God like He has not been loved, and yet she felt her love was not reciprocated.

In the context of Mother Teresa s life, the thoughts are not heresy, but signs of holiness, Fr Kolodiejchuk said in a late-February interview.

Mother Teresa was convinced God existed and had a plan for her life, even if she did not feel His pres­ ence, the priest said.

Everyone wants to share, to talk x ^ b o u t things, to be encouraged by wtyhers, he said, but Mother Teresa, hurting on the inside, kept smiling, kept working, kept being joyful.

In a 1961 letter to the Missionar­ ies of Charity, she wrote, Without suffering our work would just be so­ cial work.... All the desolation of poor people must be redeemed and we must share in it.

Fr Kolodiejchuk, a 45-year-old Canadian ordained in the UkrainianByzantine rite, was among the first members of the Missionaries of Charity Fathers. Members of Mother Teresa s order often heard her refer to Sep 10,1946, as Inspiration Day, when on a train in India she experi­ enced a call to live and work with the poor.

The call was so direct that she knew it was the right thing despite this darkness she experienced for many years, at least until the 1970s, the priest said.

Several of the letters and diary entries were published last year in the Journal of Theological Reflection of the Jesuit-run Vidyajyoti School of Theology in New Delhi.

The investigations into her faith life are not idle prying, the priest said.

Beatification and canonization are recognitions not of a person s life work — which is obviously praisewor­ thy in Mother Teresa s case — but of holiness.

While some people may be sur­ prised or even shocked by Mother

for HDB I Private S ales & R entals Please call: JEFFREY PINTO hp:

9630-524 5 PG: 9207-960 6

For m o re p ro perty info rm ation log on to http: / / w w w .J p in 2 .c o m E -M a il: ju tre@ p o .p a c ific .n e t.s g

w

IC f t

DENNIS WEE PROPERTIES PTE LTD SELLING / BUYING / RENTAL HDB and PRIVATE

For honest, reliable, fast and trustworthy services Please call: R egina E d w a rd s Associate Manager

Ic A

9 6 4 2 -8 3 4 3

h/p ____________ Email: regina@kbeconsultancy.com

Top Achievers Selling, Buying or Career in Real Estate

ALW AYS THERE FOR YOU For faster and better result, please call

IV Y L A U M M ANTO NAZARETH

9001 -1743 9853-0698

C e r t if ie d P r o f e s s io n a l in s a le s ^ - ) ( M IS ) C E A C e r t . - i n - C E H A

A SAINT ANNE’S CHURCH

]| & I L

66

o f in n n n n t- n C / I O C O 'l SengkangC aEast W ay, CSingapore 548593

CTI bociu.fifu.1 c o lv ir n b a r iu -r n f o r ^>ovir lor>o3. o n e s According to letters she wrote to her spiritual directors, Mother Teresa was convinced God had a plan for her although there were painful times in her life when she said she did not feel His presence.

Teresa s spiritual struggles, he said he hopes it also will help them come to a fuller and deeper appreciation of holiness, which Mother Teresa lived in a way both simple and pro­ found: she took what Jesus gave with a smile and stayed faithful even in the smallest things.

The feeling that God is far away or even non-existent is a common spiritual experience, he said.

Maybe we won t have the same intensity of experience, but most of what she did was very ordinary — it just became extraordinary when it was all put together, Fr Kolodiejchuk said.

Mother Teresa died in Calcutta in September 1997. In 1999, Pope John Paul II waived the rule requir­ ing a five-year wait before a beatifi­ cation process can begin.

Although he works on the cause daily, Fr Kolodiejchuk said he be­ lieves it will be several months before the Vatican formally recog­ nizes that Mother Teresa heroically lived the Christian virtues and de­ clares her venerable.

He said work is also underway on preparing a report on the poten­ tial miracle needed for beatification: the 1998 cure of an Indian woman who had a huge, unidentified growth in her abdomen.

People do say, Do it faster, the priest said. But the official proc­ ess takes time, he said. It is de­ signed to discern the sense of the people of God and the verification of the miracle is God s confirmation of that. □ c n s

VEHICLES WANTED Any model, any year commercial or used cars.

Scrap vehicles for export.

Call:

6284-3064 Melvyn

■ Nestled in a quiet spot between the Church Building and the Parish Complex ■ The only other above-ground Catholic Columbarium in Singapore • All are double urn niches ■ 999-year leasehold land ■ Natural light and ventilation with complete interior privacy ■ Centralized candle-burning area ■ Landscaped gardens and water feature F o r e n q u irie s , v ie w in g a n d b o o k in g c a ll C h u r c h S e c re ta ry , M r P a u l K o h Te l: 6 3 8 6 - 5 0 7 2 o r Pg 9 5 9 5 - 6 7 7 0 . Fax: 6 3 8 6 - 5 2 0 2 (Office H o u r s : 8 am - 5.30 pm)

J e n n if W o r ld w id e M o v e r s

E S T D 1961

1 Sophia Road #07-23 Peace Centre Singapore 228149.

Tel: (65)6333-4638 Fax: (65)6333-4639 . E-Mail: jennif@cyberway.com.sg

THE OLDEST INTERNATIONAL MOVING COMPANY IN SINGAPORE Y e a r 2001 w as our 40th year and moving proudly into the 41st y ea r of quality service in the moving industry.

W e set the pace fo r better se rvice D om estic and International T h o u sa n d s o f cu sto m e rs ca n n o t be w rong fo r the last 39 years For q u a lity and p ro m p t se rvice J e n n if is second to none.

NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL OFFICE Vancouver, B.C. Tel: 604-469-1934 Fax:604-469-2463 E-mail: jennifmovers@aol.com

Operational Network in conjunction with

O X F O R D V AN LIN E S (a division of Jennif Worldwide Movers. Estd 1961) 76 Kian Teck Rd, Singapore 628801. Tel: 65-6266-5900 Fax:65-6266-0567 Email: oxfordvl@pacific.net.sg

P

a n

i n

t e

r i o

r s

Specialistin all kin d s o ffu rn itu re a n d interior d e c o ra tio n . W e su p p ly m a d e -to -o rd e r kitchen cabinets, b e d ro o m sets, o ffice fu rniture, etc.

Business Hours : 9 am to 8 pm on normal working days, 11 am to 3pm on Sundays and Public Holidays Address: Bk 41, Holland Drive, #01-25 S'pore 270041 WORKMANSHIP : 12 months warranty for every job taken Government and statutory board loans acceptable.

Call

6779-5034/6779-6035

Fax:

HDB Licence N O : HB-02-0459Z (RADAC)

6778-6539

MARCH 17-24, 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

VEHICLESWANTED Private & Commercial.

Parf & Non-Parf.

Immediate confirmation and cash payment.

Please call Henry

V T

Special PR schemes for skilled persons, investors and entrepreneurs

9674-1842/ 9218-3289

For full details, please contact

TEH YIP WONG &TAN

: I

Tel: (65) 6438 6909 Fax: (65) 6438 6902 Email: christeh@tywtlaw.com

B U ILD IN G A N D T R A D IN G PTE LTD

Com e visit us a t

W e sp e cia lise in • All kinds of w aterpro o fing/ roofing • Re-painting (interior/exterior) • Reno vatio n w o rk • Upgrading w o rk

W e lls p rin g s C a th o lic B o o k s 201 Goldhill Centre, Thomson Road, Singapore 307637.

Tel: 6252-3390 email: wellsp@singnet.com.sg web: www.wellsprings.com.sg

Call: John Stephen Lim

9637-1544 Blk 1 Maude Rd #02-38 Singapore 200001

B ooks, CDs, C an d les, In c e n s e , S ta tu e s ...

Tel: 281-7966 Fax: 3824966

FOR

SALE

A H o m e N e a r N o v e n a C h u rc h FR EEH O LD

IN V EST A A EN T

Convenient • G ood m anagem ent Low m aintenance • Near amenities Bright and windy • Serene location I a m ju st a c a ll a w a y !!!

Please call: Alex Lean Hp 9 0 4 9 - 0 3 4 3 Email: e ra @ a le x le a n .c o m

*3*

FEAST OF

DIVINEMERCY DATE

: Sunday April 7, 2002 Nicholas Chia : Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

C E L E B R A N T : Archbishop VENUE

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY Blessed Sacrament

Queen of Peace 1.30 pm 3.00 pm 8.00 pm

: 8.00 pm : 3.00 pm

29 30 31 & A p r 1 to 3 1 to 6

7 .0 0 pm 6.0 0 pm 8 .0 0 pm 10.00 pm

Holy Spirit M ar M ar M ar A pr

29 30 31 & A p r 6 1 to 5

7 .0 0 3.00 5 .0 0 6 .3 0

pm pm pm pm

Immaculate Heart of M jry M ar 29 & 30 M ar 31 & A p r 6 A p r 1 to 5

9 .0 0 am 7.15 pm 6.45 pm

Our Lady Star of the Se a M a r 29 & A p r 1 to 4 M ar 3 0 ,3 1 & A p r 6 A p ril 5

7 .0 0 pm 3.00 pm 8.00 pm

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour M a r 2 9 & A p r 1 to 5 M a r 30 & A p r 6 M a r 31

M ar 29. 30 A p r 1 to 6 M ar 31

: 9.00 am :3 .0 0 pm

St Mary of the Angels (English)

Holy Cross M ar M ar M ar A pr

5.15 pm 6 .0 0 pm 5.45 pm

St Mary of the Angels (Mandarin)

Christ the King M a r 29, A p r 1 to 5 M a r 30, 31 & A p r 6

M ar 29, 30, 31 & A p r 6 A p r 1 to 4 A pr 5

: 6.45 pm : 6 .0 0 pm :7 .1 5 pm

M ar 29, A p r 1 to 5 M ar 30, 31 & A p r 6

:7.30 pm :2 .3 0 pm

St Ignatius M a r 29 M a r 30, 31 & A p r 6 A p r 1 to 5

10.30 am 3.00 pm 6 .3 0 pm

Ss Peter & Paul M a r 29, 30, 31 & A p r 6 A p r 1 to 5

3.00 pm 5.30 pm

St Francis Xavier M a r 29, 31 & A p r 2 to 6 M ar 30 A pril 1

8.00 pm 6 .0 0 pm 7.00 pm

St Joseph (Bukit Timah M ar 29 M a r 30 & A p r 6 M a r 31 A p r 1 to 3 & 5 A pr 4

12.00 pm 3 .0 0 pm 2 .0 0 pm 8.00 pm 7 0 0 pm

St Francis of Assisi M ar 29 & A p r 1 to 5 M ar 30, 31 & A p r 6

Ceasefire, renewed sense of humanity urged for Mid-East VATICAN CITY — Vtth the death toll mounting in the latest wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence, Pope John Paul II called for an immediate ceasefire and respect for interna­ tional law in the embattled region.

The pope spoke at a noon bless­ ing on March 3 after a week of deadly events in Jerusalem and the West Bank. On Feb 28, Israeli troops struck two Palestinian refugee camps in search of militants and killed 23 people, including several civilians.

More than 20 Israelis were killed in two Palestinian attacks that fol­ lowed, including a suicide bombing in a Jewish neighbourhood of Jeru­ salem.

The latest news from Jerusa­ lem saddens me deeply, the pope said from his apartment window above St Peters Square.

The violence, death and re­ prisal can only push civilian populations, whether Israeli or Pal­ estinian, towards desperation and hatred. May an immediate cease­ fire, together with a renewed sense of humanity and the respect of inter­ national law, silence the weapons and allow peace to be heard in the region.

As he has done many times before, the pope urged prayers for peace in the Holy Land.

The Israeli incursions marked the first time ground troops had entered the refugee camps. Israel said it took the action to find Palestinian militants and prevent them from carrying out further at­ tacks.

Palestinian leaders denounced the suicide bombing in Jerusalem

Israeli-Palestinian conflict... The pope has asked for the silencing of weapons and for peace in the embattled region, c n s me photo and said they were against violence against civilians, but they said the escalation of Israeli military strikes in Palestinian territories has pushed Palestinians to extreme measures.

The Associated Press reported that, with the latest attacks, the Palestinian death toll surpassed 1,000 since the fighting broke out in September 2000. During the same period, more than 280 Israelis have died.

The director-general of Vatican Radio, Jesuit Father Pasquale Borgomeo, said on March 5 that the international community was show­ ing negligence in failing to deal decisively with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"The Holy See has pointed to the need for a form of mediation to

Ensure Gospel, Church’s voice heard in media: pope

PROGRAMME

3 .0 0 p m E x p o s itio n o f B le s s e d S a c ra m e n t T h e H o u r o f G re a te s t M e rc y C h a p le t o f D iv in e M e rc y a n d L ita n y 3 .3 0 p m E u c h a ris tic C e le b ra tio n

M a r 29 M a r 30 & A p r 6 M a r 31 & A p r 1 to 5

VATICAN

LIVE / RETIRE IN NEW ZEALAND

8.00 pm 3.00 pm

O rganised by A rchdiocesan D ivin e M ercy D evotion C ore-team .

cate C hrist s VATICAN CITY message, but we Pope John Paul II must preach the asked C atholic Gospel to the communications w orld of the professionals to media itself. In make sure the addition to being Gospel and the tools, the media C hurch s voice reflect surround­ are not sidelined ing culture and in modern media. have created a Speaking on culture of their March 1 to par­ own that was ticip a n ts in a ready for evange­ plenary meeting lization, he said. of the Pontifical For the Council for Social Communications, The pope spoke at a meeting of Church, the pope the he called en­ the Pontifical Council for Social said, adventure is to gagem ent with Communications. File photo bring the truth of the w orld of Christ to bear upon this new world, media a vital part of today s with all its promise and all its search­ C hurch e ffo rts to preach the ing and questioning. message of Christ.

He said to evangelize is simply The special challenge before to enable (Christ) to be seen and you is to find ways to ensure that heard, and he urged Catholic pro­ the voice of the Church is not fessionals to open doors to Christ marginalized or silenced in the mod­ in print media, radio, television, cin­ ern arena of the media. You have a ema and the Internet. role to play in ensuring that the Gos­ Then the mass media will be a pel is not confined to a strictly pri­ world of genuine communication, a vate world, the pope said. world not of illusion but of truth and The pope said the Church not joy, he said. I c n s only must use media to communi-

resolve the conflict. But in the face of this daily horror, where are the United Nations, the United State, and Europe?" he said in a commen­ tary.

He noted that a failure to offer assistance to victims of crime or accident is considered a crime in many countries and asked how that could be forgotten by countries that "proclaim they are fighting terror­ ism." In the Holy Land, he said, the civilians on both sides are the victims of the violence.

Fr Borgomeo said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestin­ ian leader Yasser Arafat have shown clearly that they are unable to re­ solve the conflict and have allowed the violence to escalate out of con­ trol.

CNS

Padre Pio to be ^ canonized in June

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II and cardinals gathered at the Vatican on Feb 26 and formally approved the canonization of nine new saints, including Italian Capuchin Padre Pio; Fr Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei; and Mexico’s Juan Diego to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in 1531.

The pope also announced the canonization dates for the three men as well as for six other priests and religious. Padre Pio will be can­ onized on June 16, Fr Josemaria Escriva on Oct 6 and Juan Diego on July 30. i c n s

T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S ___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

.j-- ■-

7 \\ I/ A TI II C* y j fA “\ M I M

________________________________________________________________________ M A R C H 1 7 - 2 4 , 2 0 0 2

'T h i s i s m y B e l o v e d S o n , l i s t e n t o H im ' ON THE Second Sunday of Lent, 24 February 2002, at 9.30 in the morning, a special Mass for the Filipino Community resident in Rome was scheduled to be cel­ ebrated in the Basilica of St Prudentia at the Viminale, in Rome. The Mass was to have been presided over by the Holy Father Pope Paul II. His much anticipated presence, had, however, to be cancelled because the Pope suffered an attack of arthritis in the right knee. The Mass was then cel­ ebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Vicar General of the Pope’s Diocese of Rome.

Cardinal Ruini delivered the Pope’s Homily during the Mass.

It was a homily in a style that has become a hallmark of all our Holy Father’s addresses, powerful, incisive and coming from the heart with deep empathy for the particular circumstances of his audiences. He speaks to the migrant Filipinos in Rome and in the whole of Italy and also to all of them scattered through­ out the world. But it is a Lenten -— ■ message that, in essence, is equally applicable to all of us.

The Pope’s opening words were from Matthew 17, "This is my be­ loved Son, Listen to him!"

Writing in both Italian and Eng­ lish, the Pope continued in Italian: With the Apostle Peter I also say: "It is good for us to be here," as it was on that occasion, together with Je­ sus. His face was resplendent as the light which shines through this ancient Basilica of St. Prudentia.

While we progress along this Lenten pilgrimage towards Easter we feel that we are surrounded by a lumi­ nous cloud. The Father from on high says: "Listen to Jesus!." However, like Peter and James and John we too are sometimes filled with fear.

We prefer other voices, voices from / r v the earth, because they are easier wh to hear and seem to make more sense. But only Jesus can lead us to life. Only His are the words of eternal life. In a spirit of gratitude let us listen to His invitation: "Do not be afraid! Listen to my voice!"

With great joy I greet all those who work for the Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy here in Rome, better known as the "Filipino Centre" which co-ordinates 38 pastoral centres scattered around the City of Rome and which cater to the spiritual, moral and social needs of the tens of thousands of Filipino Migrants. " The Pope then went on to greet

Because we live in a sinful world, Lent itself must become a kind of separation.

We are called to leave behind our old ways of sin, which make our lives sterile and condemn us to spiritual death.

- Pope John Paul II

A painting of the Transfiguration of the Lord where Christ’s divinity is revealed to Peter, James and John on Mount Tabor, c n s me photo the dignitaries present for the Mass, Cardinal Ruini, his Vicar General, Cardinal Jose Sanchez, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, Auxiliary Bishop Luigi Moretti, the Philippine Ambassadors to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy as well as their own Chaplain Fr Remo Bati.

Also mentioned were various other dignitaries and groups as well as the whole congregation present.

The Holy Father continued: My affectionate thoughts go out, in addition, to all the Filipinos who live in Rome, in Italy and in every part of the world. I am aware how you, my dearest Brothers and Sisters, are

so attached to your traditions and how you keep your faith alive with devoted religious practice. I thank the Lord for this and I urge you to continue along this pathway of full fidelity to Christ.

Switching to English, the Holy Father continued: And here this morning Jesus speaks to us of blessina. He points forward to the supreme blessing of Easter and he looks back to the blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants.

In the first reading from the Book of Genesis, God promised Abraham two things which seemed impossible: a son and a land.

Abraham was a rich man, but with-

out the Lord’s promise, he was a man whose life would simply end in death. In blessing Abraham with a son and a land, God offers him a life that is bigger than death. God as­ sures "our father in faith" that the last word will belong not to death but to life. This promise finds its ultimate fulfilment at Easter, when Christ is raised from the dead. It is not enough that Sarah’s barren womb should give birth to Isaac, for death will still hold sway. The prom­ ise to Abraham is fulfilled only when death itself is destroyed: and death is destroyed when Christ is raised to new life.

We must remember too that the promise was made not just to Abraham, but to his descendants as well: that is. to us! During Lent, therefore, we bring to God all that is barren and dead in ourselves, all our sorrows and our sins, trusting that God who gave Sarah a son and who raised Jesus from the dead will turn all that is barren and dead in our lives into new and wonderful life. But this means that we must leave behind much that is familiar.

"Leave your country, your family and your father’s house!"

God says to Abraham. Many of you have done just that: you have left home and family, so that in your own way you may become a blessing for those you love back in the Philippines, contributing to their economic support, providing greater opportunities culturally

and socially for your children and families. The separation is difficult and the cost is high, but it is a price that you are willing to pay in a difficult and often unjust world.

Because we live in a sinful world, Lent itself must become a kind of separation. We are called to leave behind our old ways of sin, which make our lives sterile and condemn us to spiritual death. Yet these sinful ways are often so deeply rooted in our lives that it is painful to leave them behind and set out for the land of blessing which God promises.

This repentance is difficult: but it is the price that must be paid if we are to receive the blessing which the Father promises to those who listen to the voice of Jesus.

Remember too God’s promise that "all the families of the earth will be blessed" in Abraham. The blessing of life will embrace the whole world. Therefore, in these days of Lent and in these troubled times, we bring to God all that is barren and dead in the world. We bring the curse of war, violence, disease, fam ine, poverty and injustice to the God of all blessing.

We beg him to touch these evils and to turn them to life.

Reverting to Italian again the Pope concluded his homily: In listening to Jesus we render ourselves disposed to what St Paul calls " the power of God who has saved us." It is this power which enables us to encounter Jesus. We are rendered capable of giving testimony to this with our own lives, by virtue of the grace by which we are internally transformed. We become shining as the sun, "not because of our own efforts but for his own purpose and by his own grace," as St Paul writes to Timothy.

(2 Tim 1:9) My dearest Brothers and Sisters, this is the meaning of Lent: our whole existence, renewed through prayer, penance and charity, becomes open to listening to God and the power of his mercy. In this way, when Easter comes, we will be able to come down from the holy mountain and dispel the darkness of the world with the glorious light of the face of Christ.

This is the promise of the Lord!

I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is completed. May the Virgin Mary, the Blessed Lady of docile listening and model of daily sanctity grant this to you.

Editor - from Vatican Press Report

More than just dialogue needed VATICAN CITY — Jointly condemn­ ing religious extremism, Vatican and Muslim representatives said dia­ logue alone was not enough to com­ bat it.

"To counteract extremism, dia­ logue can be useful provided that the conditions for a positive out­ come can be guaranteed," they said after an annual meeting on Feb 23 at the Vatican.

"Yet dialogue alone is not suffi­ cient to overcome extremism; there is always need for attention to basic aspects of society: family life, edu­ cation, social development, the in­ fluence of the mass media, promo­

tion of justice and solidarity within countries and on an international scale," they said.

The statement was issued on Feb 27 by the Committee for Dia­ logue, formed in 1998 by the Pon­ tifical Council for Inter-religious Dia­ logue and a committee of al-Azhar University in Cairo, a leading centre of Sunni Muslim learning. The del­ egations were headed by the presi­ dents of the two groups: Cardinal Francis Arinze and Sheik Fawzi Fadel Zafzaf.

The statement said religious ex­ tremists "can sometimes be sincere in their intentions," but tend to be

intolerant, to violate the rights of others, "sometimes using or approv­ ing violence."

"Extremism, from whatever side it may come, is to be condemned as not being in conformity with the teachings" of Christianity and Islam, it said. "The two bodies composing the committee resolved, each for its part, to continue in the path of dia­ logue and to influence public opin­ ion in order to bring about a rejec­ tion of extremism."

The committee met on the eve of the second anniversary of Pope John Paul M’s visit to al-Azhar in 2 0 0 0 .

□

cns

The Sep 11 tragedy...

Vatican and Muslim representatives say there is a need to pay attention to family life, education and social development in the fight against terrorism.

CNS file photo

MARCH 1 7 -2 4 , 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

8

IN LIFE PASSION (Palm ) SUNDAY

5TH SUNDAY IN LENT RESURRECTION AND LIFE

SAVED

St. Paul in the Second Reading explains this when he says: ... you have been justified: and if the Spirit o f him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you." It is the fact of Christ s resurrection which guarantees our own resurrec­ tion.

There is a condition to this res­ urrection. Whoever lives and believes in me w ill never die.

St. Paul echoes this when he says in the Second Reading: "if Christ is in you then your spirit is life itself." Our adhesion to Christ must be preceded by a turning away from sin and a return to him in fidelity. Our resurrection is some­ thing that must already have be­ gun in this life. On Ash Wednes­ day, ashes were imposed on us with the words: Turn away from sin and turn back to the Gospel. St. Paul today says: "People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God".

(Second Reading)

We have been constantly exhorted and invited throughout Lent to make a return to God and take new directions in our lives. The return of man to God depends on the continuing, loving presence of God gradually awakening the sin­ ner to a return. The R eponsorial Psalm today expressed that beau­ tifully: "Out o f the depths I cry to you, O Lord! Lord hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading."

No return to God on the part of man would be possible if God were to withdraw his presence.

We must maintain that repentance is a gift or a grace from God. It is the gift of God s loving presence seeking entry to our heart. The awareness of this presence of God is precisely what we call FAITH the recognition of God’s personal self-giving to man. This faith is the basis of all return to God. God does not withhold his gift from us.

It is not he who withdraws his presence from us but rather WE who withdraw from him - WE who turn away from him by our sins.

Again the R esponsorial Psalm: "If you, O Lord should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?

But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you."

The recognition of God s loving presence is at first a source of distress and confusion. No one

CROSS

Lent is fast running out. In just two weeks’ time we shall be celebrat­ ing the Resurrection of our Lord.

But will it be the celebration of our resurrection to a new life as well?

If we want to participate in the Resurrection of Jesus, we must also be prepared to die with him to sin and to ourselves. There can be no Easter without a Good Friday!

This Sunday, we begin what is known as Holy Week, a special week which begins with the celebration of Passion Sunday, formerly known as Palm Sunday. The liturgy moves from the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to the celebration of the events of the Passion and Death of Christ, through to his glorious Resurrection at Easter.

PASSION SUNDAY

i® | ;

HOLY THURSDAY

This week is the focal point for which the Season of Lent has been a preparation. Let us try to enter fully into the celebration of these mysteries by participating in the various celebrations on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, tryin~ to capture the spirit of these days, and making ourselves more conscious of what Jesus has done for us in his great love and at what great cost and, above all what our response to Him should be.

PASSION SUNDAY: The special features of the celebration are the blessing of Palms and the subsequent procession into the church.

These recall Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem as recounted in the Gospel at the Blessing o f Palms. Jesus is about to save the world by his Passion and Death. We celebrate and praise Christ the King who has won salvation for us. The Reading of the Passion narrative during the Mass recalls the purpose of Christ’s coming and sets the tone for the whole week.

We have to follow Jesus to Calvary if we are to rise with him at Easter.

But are we not like the crowds who met him at the gates of the city acclaiming Jesus their King? Yet, those same crowds would, in a few days, clamour for his death. Crucify him! " We too, acclaim Christ OUR king - we claim to be his followers - we were baptized in his name. Yet we very easily change our allegiance to Jesus though we claim that he is King of our hearts!

Application in life

Application in life Penance is essentially a return to God, the restoration of a broken love-relationship between God and man.

R eparation has been achieved by Jesus in his response to the Father through his Passion and Death on the Cross.

THE

The Texts:

The Texts: The liturgy focuses our attention on the implications of Christ s resurrection for us. Already in the Old Testament the Prophet Ezekiel in the F irst Reading says: "I am now going to open your graves, I mean to raise you from your graves, my people Christ says very emphatically in the Gos­ p e l of today: I am the resurrec­ tion. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies, he will live, and whoever believes in me will never die." Similarly the A ccla ­ mation. The raising of Lazarus from the dead is symbolic of our own resurrection to eternal life.

BY

can really stifle his or her con­ science to the point of not being aware of God s loving presence and invitation being rebuffed and rejected. The reason is that man s link with God occurs at the deep­ est level of his very existence. God more than dwells in him - he is the very source of his existence.

Hence, the sinner, can never re­ ally escape that intimate and deep awareness of a God whom he has failed.

PASSION (Palm) Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the celebration of the Jewish Passover feast.

Remarkable indeed that the Jews welcomed him as their King but would, in a couple of days, demand his death. Actually we tend to be just as contradictory in our relationship with Christ, We welcome him, yet we do not hesitate to offend him by sin!

GOOD FRIDAY

Lent is a special time when we should sharpen this awareness of the presence of God in us. We must deepen the realization that when we sin, we are failing the allloving God present to us in the very depth of our being - a God summoning us - a God inviting us to reciprocate the love-relationship which he endeavours to establish with us.

Every year, we go through Lent.

We celebrate the Last Supper, the supreme gift of God himself to us in the Eucharist. We commemo­ rate the Passion and Death of Christ, the supreme proof of his infinite love for us. We celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, the pledge and promise of our sharing in the life of God himself. All this is a beautiful liturgical pattern of the reality of the relationship of God with man. But is it the pattern of OUR relationship with Jesus?

"My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. My soul is watching for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak. Because with the lord there is mercy and fullness o f redemption." (Respon­ so ria l Psalm)

HOLY SATURDAY

The Celebration o f the LORD’S SUPPER recalls Christ’s offering of himself to the Father as the paschal Victim and the gift of himself to us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Washing of Feet commemorates this same action of Christ demonstrating to us that love expresses itself in service to others. If we are to be true disciples, sharing in his Body and Blood, then service must also characterize our relationship one to another and to those around us. This has been emphasized in our Holy Father’s message for Lent this year.

The Celebration o f the LORD’S PASSION commemorates the passion and death of Christ on the Cross, the supreme proof of his love for sinful man as he offers himself for us. "Greater love than this no man has than that a man lay down his life for his friends." This is the moment of the triumph of Christ over the domination of Satan. The death of Christ must not remain merely symbolic of our victory over sin with Christ. It must translate itself into a reality in our own lives. We must also die with Christ to sin and to ourselves. That was the whole message of Lent - it is a process that must continue all our lives. This is the love that we are challenged to bear witness to in our own lives by giving the gift of ourselves to others, as we have been exhorted to do by Pope John Paul II, again in his Lenten message.

The EASTER VIGIL celebrates Christ the Light of the World - man’s rebirth through Baptism and his union with the Risen Christ. The lighting of the paschal candle symbolizes Christ illuminating the dark­ ness of sin. The special hymn of praise and triumph, after the procession of the Paschal Candle to the Sanctuary, recounts the plan of salvation.

Our response to God’s initiative of salvation will be the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises to commit ourselves to faithful discipleship in the following of Christ.

EASTER SUNDAY Graphics: The Order of St. Benedict.

Texts: ' 2002. Dr (Rev) R. Balhetchet

EASTER SUNDAY: We tend to think of Christmas as the greatest feast in the Church’s calendar, influenced, perhaps, by all the secular celebration that accompanies the feast. However, if the preparation for Easter in the context of the Church is anything to go by, then this must be considered an even greater feast. The liturgy of the whole of Holy Week is extremely poignant. But the splendour of the liturgy will remain only "play-acting" if we have not provided the reality in our lives. Only if we have died to sin and to ourselves, only if we have achieved a change of direction in our lives, will Easter be a celebration not only of Christ’s resurrection, but our resurrection with him to newness of life, as it is meant to be!

MARCH 17-24, 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

T h e 1 Doctrine and faith in the Church must be clearly distinguished from details of practice and expressions of faith. Of course, doctrine and faith constitute the foundations for practice and living but it must be clearly understood that practice and living would definitely vary in their expressions according to customs and culture. On the other hand, faith cannot be completely divorced from life.

In this connection, we could eas­ ily overlook the fact that the Incarnation took place in time, place and history. Jesus was not some kind of "stateless" individual, nor for that matter some sort of cultureless, nondescript person. He was born a Jew and lived as a Jew. He was brought up in the customs and re­ ligion of the Jews.

He lived his life in Israel and was very much a part of the society of the day. He observed Jewish practices like every other Jew. He chose his Apostles from different occupations and some were fishermen.

His teaching used analogies that ^ v e ry o n e else in Israel would have /U nderstood. It is certain that had the Incarnation taken place in some other geographical region, the "face" of Christianity would have been quite different.

Hence it is that the Church has to "adapt" its externals and its prac­ tice and life to the countries, regions and people it finds itself in. This might not have seemed so obvious in the early days of the Church as it took root and grew in the regions around where it started. It wasn’t long, however, before adaptation

COMMENTARY A sh

W e d n e s d a y Since this year the great celebration of the lunar New Year was so close to Ash W ednesday, the Bishops very reasonably felt that it would not be too great a "disruption" to postpone the fasting and abstinence.

therefore, Jesus, too, did not follow had to be made. As early as the time that calendar which came very much of Peter and Paul, dissension was already apparent in the matter of later. Easter Sunday is what is circumcision being necessary or not, known as a "movable feast" — we do not celebrate Easter on a par­ as well as in the area of dietary ticular date — indeed, it follows the restrictions.

The Second Vatican Council was Lunar cycle, unlike Christmas which not teaching something very new is always the 25th of December (on when it spoke of inculturation. It whatever day of the week it falls) and therefore our "Lent" is also merely emphasized the need for the "movable" depending on when churches around the world to take into account the culture and customs Easter Sunday falls.

Incidentally, Christ was not born of the regions they found them­ on Dec 25. The feast was estab­ selves in. lished to "Christianize" a pagan feast To continue for so long, to con­ which occurred on that date. duct its liturgical ceremonies in a language that must have been Whether or not the Church cel­ unintelligible to almost everyone ebrates the Lunar New Year (what seems very strange, on hindsight. people in Singapore refer to as Yet even till today there are those Chinese New Year, which by the who object to the change to the way is celebrated by Koreans, Mongolians, Thais and a whole lot vernacular.

2 The question of calendar in theof people other than the Chinese!) is not a matter of faith and morals, Church is rather complex. For the most part it follows what is called the neither is it a matter of superstition, Gregorian calendar. The Jews and, or luck, or whatever! It is simply a

Broader Concerns VARIOUS points have emerged from ^ r^ ie vigorous feedback about the whfecision of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia- SingaporeBrunei concerning the disposition for Ash Wednesday, in our recent issues under the section "From the Pews".

1 We are extremely encouraged by the response of readers to this section, not just on this matter of Ash Wednesday, but on the many other matters raised.

One reader had mentioned the necessity and importance for the Church authorities to "listen to the ground." Indeed, this is very true, and the response we are having motivates us tremendously to continue listening to the ground through letters "From the Pews" and engaging in dialogue through The Catholic News.

We must apologize for not being able to respond immediately to all nor print all the letters. However, we would like to assure our readers that we are paying careful attention and are looking into ways of keep­ ing better track of what comes in so that we may be able to respond appropriately in due course.

A number of things are also surfacing — between the lines, so to speak — which can be of immense help to those who shoulder the responsibility of guiding the flock of Christ in Singapore and the territo­ ries of the Conference.

2 As we are giving a general commentary on the whole section "From the Pews", we would like also

to all even if they, the individual or to try and facilitate a good two-way individuals, are not directly involved. channel of communication. From now An issue in point would be the on, to communicate in this feedback massive church construction pro­ channel please use the e-mail gramme that is going in Singapore. address: steeole<8)sinanet.com.sa While it is important for all parish­ and NOT all the other addresses ioners to understand why they need previously given. a new building or buildings, it is also This is the personal e-mail ad­ enlightening for everyone else in dress of the Editor to which only he the diocese to know why the whole has access. Confidentiality is Archdiocese seems to be going on therefore completely assured. You a spending spree. For this we are need to provide your full name and grateful to the architect who wrote address to ensure seriousness and very lucidly on the matter. responsibility, but we will NOT 4 What is also becoming clear publish such details. We will only is that there is a need for more print your first name for purposes of instruction on matters concerning reference. However, please do give the belief, practice and living out of your own e-mail address so that, if our faith. This is not peculiar to the necessary, the Editor can seek clari­ Church in Singapore or the region. fication. If you are using "snail mail" It is practically true in a large part then please use the Catholic News of the Church as a whole. It is office address and write on the probably true for most people in the envelope: A ttn: The Editor.

3 What is certainly evident from Church that their only systematic instruction in faith and practice was the various responses on this Lenten in so-called Catechism class. matter, is the need for proper expla­ Ongoing form ation usually nations when decisions are made touches only a small proportion of and communicated. This would cer­ believers, and even so, it very often tainly make for better understanding occurs on an "ad hoc" basis rather and acceptance of whatever the than a planned systematic pro­ issue happens to be. gramme.

This refers not just to decisions of 5 If we expect people to grow in the Bishops’ Conference or individual faith, then we have to find ways and Bishops for the respective Dioceses, means of initiating a system for but at all levels of the Church. providing "across the board" ongo­ It also highlights the need for ing education in faith and life. We such explanations not just about need to identify and seize the op­ matters that directly concern every­ portunities for such an education to one in the Diocese or Region but also actually take place. — EDITOR on matters that are of general interest

Is s u e

matter of sharing and sanctifying the joy of cultures which observe such celebrations.

Neither is the blessing of or­ anges a violation of faith and belief.

The Church has blessings for just about everything from houses and cars to animals, crops and pets. We even pray for rain and harvest and good weather. This is not to be seen as "superstition". It is a recognition that God is very much a part of our lives. He ought to be, since he cre­ ated all these things for us.

For that matter, what is the sig­ nificance of giving eggs, real or artificial at Easter? The significance is "new life" which is associated with Easter, and which, by the way, is the same significance of giving red or pink eggs for a new birth in some cultures!

When we mentioned that it would not be very appropriate to begin the season of penance with a celebration, it refers to a sort of contradiction in concepts and the spirit that underlies those concepts.

Since this year the great celebra­ tion of the lunar New Year was so

close to Ash Wednesday, the Bish­ ops very reasonably felt that it would not be too great a "disruption" to postpone the fasting and abstinence.

By the way, the Holy Father himself extended a special greeting to all who celebrate the Lunar New Year and even wished them bless­ ings and prosperity!

Finally, it is very important to consider that what is of the greatest importance in Lent is not the physi­ cal fasting and abstinence, but rather the deeper element of personal conversion to effect a radical change in the direction of our lives, to bring them into greater conformity with the teachings of Christ.

(On a practical note for the one who asked the question: Fasting in the Church is having only one full meal in the 24-hour day. This can be taken for lunch or dinner. A practical thumb rule for breakfast and the other "full" meal, is to take about half of one’s usual amount.

One can have drinks in between, though the guidelines stipulate that these should not be "food-drinks" like milk and suchlike. — EDITOR

Books by Jean Vanier and Henri Nouwen COMMUNITY AND GROWTH By Jean Vanier: S$9.50 JESUS THE GIFT OF LOVE By Jean Vanier: S$7/THE SCANDAL OF SERVICE By Jean Vanier: S$3.50 BECOMING HUMAN By Jean Vanier: S$ 6 /CAN YOU DRINK THE CUP? By Henri J.M. Nouwen: S$4/IN THE NAME OF JESUS By Henri Nouwen: S$3.50 JESUS AND MARY B y Henri Nouwen: S$3.30 THE INNER VOICE OF LOVE B y Henri Nouwen: S$4.50 THE ROAD TO PEACE B y Henri Nouwen: S$11.40 HENRI NOUWEN-WRITINGS SELECTED W ITH AN INTRODUCTION By Robert A Jonas: S$9.50 Offer valid till April 8, 2002 while stocks last.

Books available at DAUG HTERS OF ST PAUL,

C A T H O L IC N E W S B O O K & M E D IA D IS T R IB U T O R S ,

2

47 Jurong West St 42 Singapore 649368; Tel: (65) 6560-8003 Fax: (65) 6562-5857

Highland Road #01-02: Singapore 549102 Tel: (65) 6858-3066 ; Fax: (65) 6858-2055

Email: cnbook@veritas.org.sg

For orders outside Singapore, please contact us for details o f payment and delivery.

GCE •O’ LEVEL C O U R S E Ful l- ti me St ud ies

Established since 1978 English E Maths Science

• Geography • History (Malaya, S.E. Asia, Modern World) • Principles of Accounts

Weekly ECA Programme ' Speech Training ■Personal Enrichment

• Time Management • Educational Tours

Easy Instalment Plan Registration now open

#06-01, S pecialists’ Centre (Som erset M RT) T el: 6235-5685 F ax: 6734-5130 E m a il: ss tc l@ s in g n e t.c o m .s g

W eb site: w w w .s stc .c o m .s g .

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

MARCH 17 -24 , 2002

FAMILY

When a child is born mentally disabled...

Jean Vanier speaks to religious leaders and parents about people w ith intellectual handicaps.

By Mel Diamse-Lee "WHAT happens when a mother or father discovers that her or his child may possibly never talk or walk?

Many feel that this is a punishment from God. Having listened to parents from different faiths, the common feeling is that if there is a ’bad’ fruit, then the tree must be ’bad’.

This remark came from Mr Jean Vanier, founder of two worldwide communities for people with intel­ lectual disabilities.

Mr Vanier, 74, was here from Feb 18-19 to meet parents and their mentally handicapped children and address some members of the InterReligious Organisation (IRO) and to give a talk at the Novena Church.

In 1964, Mr Vanier founded L’Arche, a residential community where people with mental handicaps live together with assistance. In 1971, he co-founded Faith and Light, a movement for the intellectually handi­ capped, their friends and families.

At a room where he privately met Faith and Light families, he spoke, laughed and joked with mentally handicapped children.

Acknowledging the pain of par­ ents with intellectually handicapped children, he said: "All parents, when they are expecting a child, are hop­ ing for a beautiful, healthy child. And when they discover that the child has a severe handicap, it is very painful.

It is a big disappointment."

He added: "You will find that parents have an immense feeling of guilt, pain and abandonment. It may even cause a great conflict between the husband and the wife. Both will be wondering, ’whose fault is it? Is there some secret sin far back?’ " He narrated meeting a distraught mother who learned she was going to give birth to a severely handi­ capped child.

"I immediately saw I could not

‘Parents would like to make children what they want them to be because they have dreamsfor them.

The important thing is to accept people as they are.’

- John Vanier, left, during his meeting with Faith and Light families on Feb 18

say much in that situation. All I said was, "You know, madam, I under­ stand. It is not easy. It may take time, sometimes a long time, to be able to accept the child."

But what happens when a child feels he is a disappointment to the parents?

Mr Vanier said: "Sometimes we feel that maybe children with mental handicaps have no emotion. Every child can feel fear, joy, peace. When a child feels he or she is loved, the child is happy."

When children feel they are not loved or wanted, "they can feel al­ most guilty of existing," he said.

Some are also stricken with automutilation, such as hitting their heads, and quite often have a desire to die.

He told the story of an African child, who was named Moses by the hospital staff who took care of him before he came to L’Arche.

According to Mr Vanier, Moses was

found on the streets of Zimbabwe.

He was stricken with cerebral palsy.

"In the hospital I was told that he was always hiding. He couldn't look people in the eye, and when people with a disability can’t look at you in the eye, it’s frequently because they are ashamed of who they a re ."

The child, who had no family, became the "founding child" of the L’Arche community in Harare, Zim­ babwe, and he learned to smile and laugh again. He had also lost the desire to die.

From a desire to die or from a feeling that they are no good, peo­ ple like Moses are transformed when they "discover that they are loved", said Mr Vanier.

"The basis for peace and unity would be the conviction that every person is important, whatever their ability or disability, whatever their culture or religion," Mr Vanier added.

During his meeting with Faith and Light families, he praised the

parents for joining a community where they can "build each other up, love each other, celebrate and have fun together" and the children are accepted as they are.

He noted that in a community like Faith and Light, the mentally disabled children learn and discover what other things they can do with their friends and "not be stuck where they are".

In a community where they have similar disabilities, "they don’t have to be what everybody wants them to be," he stressed.

Encouraging the members to join the monthly gatherings regularly, he said, "for the moment, what is im­ portant is to be together and grow together. In each of the children, parents will discover how beautiful the children are."

He also noted the difficulty of the parents in accepting their handi­ capped children.

"Parents would like to make chil­

dren what they want them to be. The important thing is to accept people as they are," he gently advised.

A society is "only really human when the weak are honoured and seen as important," he said.

"I have seen many institutions, situations, societies where people with disability are pushed away. Do we really believe that they are precious?"

Mr Vanier mentioned that after one Faith and Light meeting with families in Slovenia, he was ap­ proached by a mother who said: "I have four children, three of them have severe handicaps and I have wept a lot. But since I have been in Faith and Light, I'm beginning to s^*k . more what my three children ha and see less what they have not.

"That is the difference," he said.

"To have those eyes of Jesus to see people as they are, to appreciate them as they are, to love them as they are, in their difference and to help them be themselves.

"We are not in a world which favours people who are weak, and what you are doing is saying that you can do something else," he said. "We don’t have to be like everybody else."

Instead of thinking about what has gone bad or what wrong a parent has done, he asked them to remember the Gospel of St John in which the disciples, seeing a man who was born blind, asked Jesus if his blind­ ness was due to the sins of his par­ ents. Jesus’ reply was: "It’s so that the work of God may be seen in him."

On noting the parents’ w orrie d about their children’s future, he sak "Let us not spend too much time worrying. We can spend all the time worrying, but does that help?

"We haven’t all the solutions, we don’t quite know what will happen — we’re in the hands of God.... And I think what we are called to do is to love each other a lot, have fun to­ gether..." he said. □

Jean Vanier, L’Arche and Faith and Light communities JEAN VANIER, the son of a former Governor General of Canada, was born in 1928. He was educated in both England and Canada. He left the Canadian and British navies at 22 to study and teach philosophy at a university in France.

He was later invited to live at a centre for people with mental dis­ abilities by a priest friend. In 1964, he founded the first L’Arche com­ munity, living with two men whom he brought out of a mental institution, in an old house he bought.

"I began to open my heart to the whole mystery of human pain. It was something that I had in many ways ignored. But in that pain rose up within me the desire to give life.

It also woke up the child within me," he said of his early life at L’Arche.

"Here, I discovered a secret told

by St Paul in 1 Corinthians: that God has chosen the weak and foolish to confound the wise and the strong. It is true."

The mentally disabled "help us to discover where our vulnerability is, where our brokenness is and where our fears are."

His experience of 37 years of living with the mentally handicapped, he said, "have awakened what is deepest within me. What is deepest within us all is our capacity to love.

Our capacity to be compassionate, to be kind."

Living with the mentally handi­ capped, "what we have found is the incredible beauty of the people. In the weak, the poor and broken, there is an incredible person within, if we enter into a relationship with the person," he said on Feb 18.

Mr Vanier with members of the InterReligious Organisa­ tion of Singapore at the Malay Village.

There are some 120 L’Arche communities in many parts of the world, including Australia, Japan and the Philippines.

Faith and Light communities are

present in 72 countries. Members meet on a regular basis and create strong bonds through their sharing of life experiences, hopes and strug­ gles. They also celebrate Mass,

have prayer sessions and organise fun activities.

In Singapore, two Faith and Light communities have been set up since October last year. Its national correspondent is Mr Pe­ ter Tan (6552-3361).

Members from the East Dis­ trict meet at the Church of Our Lady o f P erpetual Succour (contact: Yvonne Yeo-9681-8849, email: yyeo@ pacific, net.sg) and those from the West District gather at the Blessed Sacrament Church (Contact: Diana Low 6565-6983, email: dianalow@ singnet.com.sg).

General enquiries may be sent to Faith and Light Community, Bukit Batok Central PO Box 124, Singapore 916505, or email: faith_ light_singapore@yahoo.com.

11

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

VIEWPOINT R is in g to n e w life

CATHOLIC NEWS EDITOR Dr (Rev) Robert P. Balhetchet MANAGER Rev Fr Johnson Fernandez STAFF CORRESPONDENTS Rev Fr Richards Ambrose Christopher Khoo Mel Diamse-Lee 2 HIGHLAND RD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102 TEL: 6858-3055, FAX NO. 6858-2055 To send letters, articles and for editorial enquiries, please e-mail cnedit@catholic.org.sg.

All other enquiries: cathnews@catholic.org.sg.

For correspondence "FROM THE PEWS" \ write to: The Editor Catholic News 2 Highland Road #01-03 SINGAPORE 549102 /

or e-mail steeple@singnet.com.sg

MARCH 1 7 -2 4 , 2002

Actually doing this would probably be very, very new, if not a first time for most, if not all of us! An oft repeated and still more often heard expression especially at this time when Easter approaches and beyond.

This is actually what Easter is supposed to mean for all of us. That’s what the traditional symbols of Easter are about - Easter eggs which are pictured cracked open with little yellow chickens looking at the world through bright little eyes! This is what the Easter celebration is about - Christ’s resurrection to new life,

BY DR (REV) a 9|0rified life- W e’ after dVin9 with Christ ROBERT P through the Lenten season and the ComBALHETCHET memoration of the Lord’s Passion and Death

on Good Friday are supposed to be rising yet again with Christ as we celebrate His resurrection.

All this is very nice and indeed very true! Well, true as far as Easter IS the Church’s celebration of the Lord’s resurrection. There is a "catch" to it though! The Liturgy is a celebration of spiritual REALITIES. Our celebrations of Holy Week which culminated with the celebration of Christ’s resurrection are expected to be celebrations of what is taking place in OUR LIVES. It is not expected that we achieve this completely, otherwise the celebration of one Holy Week with one Easter would suffice. It is supposed to be a process - a gradual, continual, life­ long process of "dying with Christ" and "rising with Him to newness o f life!"

Whether or not this is an actuality in our personal lives

is for each of us to judge. It cannot, of course, be an arbitrary judgement coloured by subjectiveness. It is supposed to attain objectivity in our personal lives. But again, it cannot be achieved in a period of six weeks of Lent. It is a life-long process - a series of "Lents" and celebrations of Easter throughout our lives. At each Easter we should be looking for some tangible evidence in our practical living which indicates a change in our lives for the better. Along the lines of our Holy Father’s Lenten message, we should be looking for some tangible sign of LOVE directed to others, which would be giving testimony to the love we have experienced from Christ - giving testimony to the love that God has for all humanity.

The key words at the conclusion of the Pope’s exhortation are "practical generosity" - therein lies "objectivity" - therein lies the "testimony o f gratuitousness which the world so badly needs", as he put it so eloquently. When we can lay claim to have achieved some measure of this, then only can we claim that we have truly celebrated Easter in our lives and not mere "attended the ceremonies of Holy Week". Only when we can lay claim to testifying to greater love in our relationships with one another can we claim that our "penitential practices" during Lent have not been a mere "going through the motions of penance". Then only will our greetings of Happy Easter become "Holy Easter!".

May the newness of life of the Risen Lord be manifest in us always! Alleluia! □

FROM THE PEWS

"Choon" and "new life" I refer to the article Lenten Regret

by C.A.L.P. C.A.L.P. may be right to a certain extent. After all, what is Chinese New Year about? It is about Choon or Spring, the beginning of a New Year. But is it just a pure coincidence that Ash Wednesday and Chinese New Year ^ s h o u ld coincide. To me there is whijso a spiritual connotation. Lent prepares us for a New Life in Christ on Easter.

Spiritually, Choon is also about the beginning of a New Life in the New Year.

That is why we wish each other new strength in Body and Health.

Life in the old year has passed on and together with it our dis­ a pp ointm ents, our u n fu lfille d aspirations, our sadness and our weeping.

Today, our Pope encourages us to promote inter-faith gathering and tolerance. We must also be sensitive to the cultural nuances of parishes around the world.

It will not be long before we will gear towards Inculturation of Religion . Just as we have to understand other people s religion, one must learn to understand and tolerate the customs and culture of others.

The hanging up of bright red lanterns, red banners in many churches, orange Mass, attended by many non-Chinese parishioners and Peranakan midnight Mass to augur in Chinese New Year shows that we try to inculturate customs and cultures into our religion wherever possible and permitted.

In pre-Christianity time, our Church assimilated and adopted many stories and cultures of the Arya, Sumerians and Babylonians such as the Holy Trinity, Yuletide and

The Deluge to name a few.

Picture this scenario of a young couple returning home from Church with ashes on their forehead on the second day of Chinese New Year. They have to fast and abstain without having to touch all the food left over from the first day — Chinese New Year Day. What im pression would the elderly parents and grandparents have of our religio n if they are not Catholics? Will we have a chance of converting them if they are steeped in customs and cultures?

Many have still resisted baptism out of filial piety towards their parents who are still alive, as they are deeply rooted in the culture of ancestor worshipping.

We must thank the Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore and the Vatican fo r allow ing p arish ion ers, in p a rtic u la r the C hinese, to postpone Ash Wednesday to Ash Friday because of the Chinese New Year.

I hope to see the day, when there will be a special mass in our Church on Deepavali and even on Hari Raya Puasa.

Ronald LEE

Saddened I firmly agree with C.A.L.P. on his Lenten regret as published in CN 17th February 2002. It would have been a lot more meaningful to fast and abstain, for the LORD, on a day of human celebrations.

GOD before self.

Saddened Bradley Fernando

Mindset change I refer to the letter titled Lenten R egret, As a cradle Catholic myself, and having experienced the Catholic rituals of pre-Vatican II , I am able to em pathize with C.A.L.P. s sentiments about the postponement of Ash Wednesday — 13 February 2002 to Friday, 15 February 2002.

Initially, my mindset was similar to that of C.A.L.P. . I was unable to accept the changes in the Catholic Church brought about by the Vatican Council Two. However, I managed to overcome these personal prejudices about the changes happening in the Catholic C hurch by reading Church documents and literature.

My mindset soon changed, and I am now able to accept the changes and teachings of the Catholic Faith, which I believe is inspired by the Holy Spirit. I believe that the infallibility of the ordinary magisterium of bishops concerning matters of faith is in tune with the signs of the times.

Hence, I see nothing unfair or irregular in the Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore shifting Ash Wednesday — 13 February 2002 to Friday — 15 February 2002. I do not know the race of C.A.L.P. , but as Ash Wednesday was on the second day of the Chinese New Lunar New Year, the Bishop s Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore acted appropriately in postponing Ash Wednesday to Friday.

I believe that C.A.L.P. is aware that there is a large population of Chinese Catholics in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. Some of them are converts to Catholicism and they may be the only Catholic

in th eir fam ily of Taoists or Buddhists. Thus, being the only Catholic in the family would have been difficult, if not impossible for that person to fast and abstain on such an auspicious occasion.

Hence, the Bishop s Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore the ordinary magisterium thought it fit not to load Chinese Catholics with the burden of fasting and abstinence on the second day of the Chinese Lunar Year. I am sure that in making the decision, the Bishops had no intention of allowing enjoyment to supersede God! It is my personal opinion that Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Love and Compassion, is also a great champion of global racial and religious harmony. I undoubtedly believe th a t Jesus not only supported the Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore s decision in shifting Ash Wednesday to Friday, but He also blessed their act of love and magnanimity in showing sensitivity to our Chinese Catholic brothers and sisters.

To know that our earthly shepherds are courageous in making decisions that depict love and sensitivity, certainly makes me proud to be a Catholic — Praise the Lord !□ , Lionel J. De Souza

Questions I refer to the article from C.A.L.P. with regards to the changes made to Ash Wednesday. I, too, was born a Catholic, and am still a Catholic, after 33 years. This is my first experience with the change and like C.A.L.P., I, too, was trying to understand and rationalize the message behind it.

And, honestly, after reading your reply, I have these questions to ask: What has Chinese New Year to do with our Catholic faith? Since when has the blessing of oranges been a part of our Catholic faith? Why do we need to have a Chinese New Year Mass? Shouldn t we only be celebrating the birth and death of our Saviour Jesus Christ? I remember the parables of the fish, the wine and the bread but not the oranges. Why is it not appropriate to start Lent before the Lunar New Year?

As a Catholic, one is taught to believe in only one God and no other. To me, that means celebrating the birth and death of Christ, and only Christ, which translates to Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter. To take it a step further, what do we do if another festivity occurs around Christmas?

Should we then put that on hold, to make way for this other festivity?

Please help me to understand.

Shirley and Selvan

We must indeed thank our readers for airing their views on the Ash Wednesday disposition from the Bishops’ Conference of our region which includes East and West Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, with a total o f 3 Archbishops, 8 Bishops and one Prefect Apostolic - 12 apostles, indeed, successors o f the Apostles, to be exact in Vatican II terminology. Please turn to page 12 for a Commentary on the views.

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

12

MARCH 17-24, 2002

THE PEWS L u c k a n d s u p e r s t it io n IF MY memory has not failed me, there was one year back in the 1980s when Ash W ednesday coincided with the first day of Chinese New Year. We still had the im position of ashes on Ash Wednesday but fast and abstinence were postponed to Friday.

In view of this, I don t see why the same could not be done this year. Nevertheless, what has been done cannot be undone. We should not let this affect us. A priest, during his homily, mentioned that we are given six weeks of preparation to die to sin and then to rise with Christ at Easter. It all does not happen over- night. And I agree with this.

However, I must say that the reply given by CN to the writer of Lenten Regret (CN, Feb 17-24) was very disappointing.

I quote ..the B ishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore decided on this arrangement as it was felt that it

would not be very appropriate to begin the Lenten Season with a Lunar New Year celebration, since the Lunar New Year celebration is actually beginning one day before Ash Wednesday.

This gives the impression that the decision to postpone Ash Wednesday was made on the basis that the Lunar New Year celebration in the Catholic Church is not a cultural celebration (inculturation) but a celebration for good luck. Since the Lenten Season in the Church has always been associated with penance and mortification" (CN Feb 17-24, Testifying to Love) then it would be bad luck to celebrate Ash Wednesday on the same day as the Lunar New Year.

Since when has the Catholic Church believed in luck and superstition?

And more importantly, since when has God become secondary in the Catholic Church?

Jacqueline Luis

Smoking in God s house IN RECENT times, I have noted that Church of the future is entrusted, by parishioners are becoming increas­ not smoking within the church ingly casual about their observance premises, and to do so, if absolutely of the sanctity of God’s house. necessary, elsewhere. (2) Education The issue of which I speak of on the need for observing simple deals specifically with smoking. This courtesies when among other is based on my observance of about parishioners (who detest inhaling six churches that I have visited over cigarette smoke) and when on the the past few months. church grounds by not smoking It has been a matter of grave therein, and thereby demonstrating concern, especially at the national to non-Christians the high esteem level, that more and more of our and respect that we have for the youths are taking up this habit. It is Holy Church. particularly distressing that the It is my humble opinion that this numbers have risen incredibly over trend should be arrested quickly so the past two years, and that it is now that we, the Church’s faithful, might being implicitly recognised — to some find in God's house a haven of peace degree — as a legitimate activity and solemnity where all may come among those to whom we will en­ in good spirit to praise and worship trust the future of the nation and the the Lord.

Church.

Lim While I would hesitate to pro­ claim smoking as an evil, its harm to IT IS with great shock that we learn the smoker and innocent bystand­ that there are actually people who ers on a medical standpoint is smoke in God's House! irrefutable. When taken in the We thought we had seen it all, context of the church, its harmful­ including lighting a cigarette from ness takes on a divine perspective. the tabernacle lamp (apparently in Furthermore, I feel that it is impor­ desperation at not finding a lighter tant fo r parish priests to or match - but going out immedi­ acknowledge the need for the ately and NOT smoking in God's sanctity of God’s house to be house!) We have always maintained preserved without reserve and that one never stops learning! question through the prohibition of However, if one is referring to activities that are harmful to the well­ the compound or car park of God’s being of its members. house, that's different, but I don't My recommendations on this think one can enforce that if it's in matter include: (1) Encouraging the the open air. There are a lot more older generation to set a fine exam­ positive things, though, that could ple for the young, to whom the be a better witness to passers-by.

SSTC ED U C A T IO N E stab lished and reg is te re d w ith th e M in is try of E du catio n sin c e 1978

U n i v e r s i t y of C a m b r i d g e Local Exam inations Syndicate

Dg l£ll DE EH BE] l£H

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S DIPLOMA (ADVANCED LEVEL) PRIVATE SECRETARY’SDIPLOMA (STANDARDLEVEL) DIPLOMAIN BUSINESSADMINISTRATION

SSTC E ducation Centre 2 7 7 O rch ard R o a d #06-01 S p e c ia lis ts ’ S h o p p in g C e n tre (S om erse't M R T ) S in g ap o re 2 3 8 8 5 8 F ax: 6734-5130

Email: sstcl@singnet.com.sg Website: sstc.com.sg

Making the Mass come alive 1 READ with interest the letters in your Feb 17-24 issue of CN, in particular the one submitted by Mr Derrick D’Souza.

He expressed concern about the inappropriate attitude taken by some people when attending Mass and attributed this possibly to their lack of appreciation of the significance of the Holy Mass.

Indeed, for those who desire to have a good grasp of the meaning and importance of the Holy Mass, I would recommend that they read the booklet Making the Mass Come Alive written by Fr. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F. In it, Fr John observed that some Catholics do take the Mass for granted and that must have prompted him to share his insights with us as to how we the people together with the Celebrant can 'make' the Mass come alive and give it the seriousness that it deserves.

The booklet is interesting and easy to read and is not too lengthy (containing 35 pages in half A4 size).

Perhaps, if it is in order, CN could publish it in a summarised form by highlighting the salient features for the benefit of all CN readers. □ Eric Ng

For correspondence "FROM THE PEWS"

write to:

The Editor C atholic News 2 H ighland Road #01-03 SINGAPORE 549102

or e-mail steeple@ singnet.com .sg

More questions HI! I am a subscriber to the CN and I must say that I am reading more pages of the CN nowadays. I must also add that I like the Editor’s sense of humour in his replies.

It just occurred to me that under the "Catholic Services Directory", the heading "Handicapped" is very glaring. Maybe the words "Special Needs" may sound better. What do you think?

One request: can CN tell us what is the proper way to fast?

There are so many versions that most of us are confused with the actual way of fasting.

Susan Loh THANK YOU! The "correct" term to be used is often a subject of discussion. It is generally agreed that when one refers to the 'blind' one should use the term "visually-impaired" and similarly for the "deaf" one should use the term "hearing-impaired".

The reason is that for these two d isa b ilitie s there are varying degrees o f disability. The same could be said o f other disabilities.

However, the term "Special Needs" is broader and does not necessarily refer to those with disabilities. The category o f the Directory in question does not refer to this broader category. The term "handicapped" should NOT carry any derogatory insinuation, though for some it does!

Nevertheless it is the commonly used term fo r the variety o f disabilities that exist and is found quite commonly on public notices to indicate specially-built facilities.

Facing up to issues I HAVE enclosed a great article sent by my C atholic friend which addresses the recent Boston scandal from the viewpoint of a priest.

I would like to see more issues like these addressed in The Catholic News which constantly has articles about how great the faith is or how others are persecuting members of the Church but hardly (if ever) any news or reflection about issues (or faults) within the Church.

I do feel sometimes — like the Bostonian p riests pretending nothing is happening and hoping the problem would go away, the local Church is reluctant to admit that its priests are humans after all —

and offering a context for which lay folks can understand these issues instead of being alienated even more through hearing only one side of the story.

So far, despite how large this story has become and how frequent these issues have arisen around the world in the last few years, the local Church and priests have so far offered nothing but silence on these issues.

If the Church is expected to mature spiritually, I think it’s time the Church faces up to the modern issues like grownups. Thanks for reading.

Edmund

Comment THANKS for your observations. You are indeed correct. The Church does need to face up to issues, including and especially those directly and deeply affecting itself.

However, as these are very serious matters, one has to exercise prudence, especially when it involves the official newspaper of the Arch­ diocese.

This is by no means meant to be an excuse for "foot dragging". Actu­ ally we have been very concerned about how to approach and treat the subject. /4s you have mentioned, very correctly, we have all been "...hearing only one side of the story" - and that includes us as well!

First of all, the Church in Boston had to deliberate its own response and so did the Vatican. But again, we only had news wire reports on the Boston Archdiocese response, and like all wire reporting, one has to be cautious about sensationalism.

We too have had to take counsel on the matter before replying to you.

All this to allay any fears about sweeping things under the carpet.

Indeed there is no carpet to sweep things under as the matter has become quite public.

To comment on this issue of child abuse by priests and Religious, let us begin by expressing our deep sadness and shock that such a thing should ever happen in the ranks of those who are specially consecrated to God. However, painful though it is, it is a stern reminder to us all, priests and Religious as well as laity that we are all, without exception, human and prone to sin.

As for us priests and religious it is a also a very stern reminder that we must never take our special vo­ cations for granted or lightly. It is often said that the laity should not put us on pedestals— in a sense, they do so rightly, since we are called to a special vocation which we have chosen to answer.

As priests, our vocation consti­ tutes us as pastors o f the portions of the flock of Christ entrusted to our care. That is a position o f extraordi­ nary trust — and any abuse of that trust is certainly to be considered extremely serious.

The Religious, through their vows, take on the role of special witnesses of a complete and total response to the call o f Christ to

follow in His footsteps.

They are examples of the possi­ bility of a fullest possible human response to a divine calling. They too, in their work, have taken on th f* responsibility of positions of extraor­ dinary trust, and betrayal o f that trust is also extremely serious..

However, whilst we need to acknowledge and realise the utter seriousness of the matter, it must not simply remain a question o f breastbeating and/or finger-pointing. The important issue now has to be: how can we prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

The particular churches that have been affected have taken and are taking measures to forestall and to deal with such problems, and so has the Vatican. The immediate response is to instruct Church superiors at all levels to act without delay on reports of this kind and suspend from their responsibilities those involved, pending fuller investigations into the allegations.

Stricter scrutiny o f candidates fo. priesthood and religious life has also been advocated, but this will not necessarily guarantee that such problems will not recur in the future.

Suffice it to recall that the betrayer of Jesus came from the ranks of his own chosen Twelve.

In our last issue, we reported that our Holy Father in his recent address to the ecclesiastical academies in Rome noted the valuable part that psychological sciences and tests can play in the question of vocation training, but he also stressed that they cannot be a substitute for prayer and spiritual means in a matter that involves a human response to a divine calling.

Finally, we assure our readers that we are committed to prudent and conscientious information and formation through our pages.

— Editor • More commentary on page 9 member of

JENNIFER WEE Isa jwee@ cyberway.com .sg

pg:97095056 *98158955 Buy / Sell o r Rent W elcom e Residential H D B / PTE C om m ercial, ,} • Fast Service • 1 0 0 % Reliable H r. . , FIRST TREE • 1 5 years track record p r o p e r t i e s

13

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving for my late son, Edmund Foo C hee L eong, for favours granted through V illa Francis Hom e for the A ged, the intercessions of 6 269-2877 Fax: 6368-4505 A postolate o f th e M edia, 6892Mother Mary and St St Th eresa’s Hom e For The Aged, 1639 Fax: 6562-5857 oseph, St Jude 6256-2532 Fax: 6256-5610 Thaddeus, St Bridget, MIGRANT COMMUNITY Sr Bakhita, Padre Pio, St J o s e p h ’s H om e, Sr Maria Augustine, Seven Filipino C atholic C om m unity of Sim 6268-0482 Fax: 6268-4787 B lessed M artyrs of Singapore, Nelly Faminialagao n c0071b@ cyberw ay.co m .sg Thailand, Fr Jose and 9 83 1 -8 0 4 4 /6 8 9 3 -7 6 0 9 p arish io n ers o f the FAMILY Church of the Seven Francophone Catholic B lessed M artyrs of C hristian Fam ily and Social Community of Singapore Thailand in Tambon Na (French-speaking Catholics), M ovem ent, Francis Tam el Mane M ai, the various Sabine et Antoine Huet Tel/Fax: 9586-9938, 6792-6701 religious prayer groups 6472-5840 and nuns, His Grace the Fam ily Life Society, 6488-0278, G erm an -sp eaking C atholics, Bishop of Bangkok for Fax: 6285-5311 6468-1534 Fax: 6468-2402 his p ray ers, and Y O U TH E d m u n d ’s adopted H ong Kong Catholics, family. Our heartfelt 6737-9285 Fax: 6737-8502 S e e p a g e 15 g ratitu d e to fam ily Indonesian-speaking Catholics, m em bers, Fr Simon CHILDREN Tan and friends for their Josephine Handojo 6235-2820 M orning S tarF am ilyC areC entre, kind attendence Jap anese C atholics, Kiyoko co n d o len ces and 6285-1377 Fax: 6285-2715 Jarnes 6552-4060 g enerous gifts at jarn e s @ p a cific .n e t.s g Galilee C entre, 6454-0528 Edmund’s Mass and Fax: 6454-3167 Memorial service on 4 Korean Catholics, Esther You March, 2002. Rosalind 6242-5607 C lem enti C h ild ren ’s C entre, Yapp and children

Eighteenth Anniversary In everloving memory of

The C atholic News, 6858-3055 Fax: 6858-2055 cathnew s@ veritas. org.sg

Ms Maria Swee 6777-3893 ijhcc@ singnet.co m .sg

Canossaville Children’s Home, Sr Rose Low/Ms Anne Siew 67485777 canossa@pacific.net.sg M arian C entre (before and after school care), 6250-0877 M arym oun t B oarding, 63542245/6253-6816 Fax: 6353-4809 Good Shepherd C entre, 6755-6496 Fax: 6752-0670 ,j " \G o o d S hepherd Child Care Centre, Ms Helen Tan $ 24 2 -5 69 5 Fax: 6448-3454

HANDICAPPED C atholic O ffice fo r the H earing Im paired, Friar Rowland Yeo, OFM rowlandyeo@hotmail.com C anossian School For The H earing-Im paired, 6749-8971 Fax: 6749-8976 Ang Mo Kio H om e, Sr Jo Tham 6459-4801

KINDERGARTEN C atholic Kindergarten, Ms Edna Ng Poh Tiang 6283-3821 Fax: 62847783 cath kg @ singn et.com .sg Nativity C hurch C entre, 62856198, Fax: 6285-9556 nativity@ pacific.net.sg M a gdalene’s K indergarten, Mary Goh Boon How 6747-6554 C anossian C onvent K indergarten, Sr Jane Chong "P-*--*6469-2201 Fax: 6466-1307 W h \cankdg@ singnet. com .sg r" M aris Stella, Sr Marjorie Almodiel, FMM 6474-3590 M arym ount Kindergarten, Petrina Siow 6251-5049 Fax: 6252-67904 Good Shepherd K indergarten, Catherine Wong 6241-1802 Fax: 6445-3692

C arlo C ath o lic S ociety, 63372465/6337-7489 Fax: 6334-4370 c a r lo @ c a m s .o r g .s g W ebsite: h ttp :llw w w .cam s.org.sg B ible C orrespon dence C ourse in Chinese, Fr John Baptist Tou 6337-2465 C atholic A udio-Visual Centre, 6858-3077 Fax: 6858-2077 C hina C atholic C om m unication (Zhonglian Centre), Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080/6286-1826 m ail@ zl.p e r.s g web: w w w .zl.per.sg Hai Sing Pao, Ms Catherine Chia 6337-2465 carlo@ cam s.org.sg Website: http:llwww. cams. org. sg C arlo C atholic Society, 63377489 Fax. 6334-4370 carlo@ cam s.org.sg Website: http :llw w w .cam s.org.sg C atholic New s Book & Media, 6 858-3066 Fax: 6858-2055 C entral C om m o dity Services (Pte) Ltd, 6337-4238 Fax: 6339-2583 ccs55@ singn et.co m .sg Katong Catholic Book Centre Pte Ltd, 6345-1413 Fax: 6440-0272 katongcathotic@pacific.net.sg

MARCH 1 7 -2 4 , 2002

IN MEMORIAM

T hird Anniversary In loving memory of

T hird Anniversary In loving memory of

JO H N TAN G E O R G E N. RAMA T EE KW ONG CHANDRAN ARTHUR HOOI Departed: Mar 23, 1995 Departed: Mar 21, 1999 W E I LIN Three years have Departed: Mar 26, 1984 But still the empty passed away chair We cannot forget you Reminds us of the face, Our thoughts are here to stay Our loved one so dear; the smile, His memory Your memory grows O f one who once sat is as dear today Sweeter year after year.

As in the hour God Always remembered there.

Fondly remembered took him away. by mum, dad and all by wife, children, Fondly cherished loved ones. grandchildren and and remembered by loved ones. wife and loved ones.

Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of Seventeenth Seventh Anniversary Anniversary In loving memory of In everloving memory of

In fond memory of

VIVIEN MARY PETERS Departed: Mar 23, 1977 Just a thought of sweet remembrance, Just a memory sad and true, Just the love and sweet devotion, Of one who thinks of you.

Sadly missed by Marsha and all loved

Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of

Our lives have changed and our families have grown When we get together, your presence is felt.

Through memories of you, we each have our own You have found peace with God above.

But we know dear Mother, you are still watching over us with love.

Deeply missed and FLORA fondly remembered by AROKIAM ARY husband, A.S. Paul, PAUL Departed: Mar 14, 1990 children, grand­ children, great-grand­ 12 years since children and loved ones. you left us.

S P IR ITU A LITY

Oh Holy St Jude Thaddeus Apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles near kinsman of Jesus C entre For Ignatian Spirituality C h rist, faithful and C ounselling, Br Gerard intercessor of all who Choo, SJ 6467-6072 invoke your special Franciscan R etreat C entre, patronage in time of 6567-9771 Fax: 6567-9786 need, to you I have recourse from the depth In fan t J esu s R etreat and Youth of my heart and humbly C entre, Sr Gerard Lee to whom God has 6760-2461 Fax: 6769-9369 given such great power com e to my Life D irection Team , Sr Theresa to assistance. Help me in Koh, FMM 6474-2422 Fax: my urgent petitions. In 6472-5895 Sr Florence Wong, return I prom ise to FM D M 6753-9602/ 9264-6733 make your name known LifeSprings C anossian and cause you to be S pirituality C entre, Sr Lily Tan invoked. Thank you St 6466-2178 Fax:64 6 6 -13 0 7 Jude for all your prayers lifsp rn g@ sing net. com .sg answered. Continue to St Francis Xavier M inor Sem inary bless pray and intercede for me and my family (SFX R etreat C entre), always. S.K.Lim 6288-7901 Fax:6858-2716

C enacle, 6565-2895 Fax: 6565-3875 cenacle@ m box4.singnet.com .sg

s fxrc@ sing net.com .sg Website h ttp llw w w .catholic.org.s g lS F X

‘O H oly St Jude apostle and martyr, T h e Sojourners Com panions. great in virtue and rich in m ira cles, near 9 268-6723 sojoumets_companions@yahoo.com kinsm an o f Jesus Christ, faithful inter­ cessor of all who invoke PROFESSIONAL your special patronage C atholic N urses G uild of in times of need. T o you Singapore, Miss Janet Chan I have recourse from the Poh Goon 6442-8546 depth of my heart and humbly beg you C atholic Tea c h e rs ’ M ovem ent whom God has given Mrs Gail Siow (R) 6454-4094 such great power, to come to my assistance, Th e C ath olic M edical G uild of Help me in my present S in gapore, Dr John Hui Keem urgent p etitio n Peng johnhui@cyberway.com.s return I prom ise to make your name known SPECIAL SERVICES and cause you to be C atholic A ID S R esponse invoked. St Jude pray Effort (C AR E), Peter Lau for me and all who 6353-4976, 9745-8991 invoke your aid Humbly in need of your R. C. Prison M inistry, Sr Gerard intercession. Amen Fernandez, RGS 6250-9151 Thank you for Fax: 6250-1804 answering my prayers.

H eartville, Susan William 6542-6559 Fax: 6542-9486

Holy St Jude, many thanks for praying for Singapore A nti-N arcotics my fam ily. P lease Association — Catholic Aftercare continue to do so for (Counselling) Service Com m ittee my son Jeremy. May SANA Co-ordinator: Tan Lee Hoon he recover from his 6732-1122 Fax:6732-4564 illness.

A postleship o f th e Sea (C atholic Seam en s M is s io n ),F rR o m e o Y u Chang, CICM 6271-8464/ 9783-5191 Fax: 6271-1175 p o rtc h a p @ s in g n e t.c o m . sg Website: w w w .stellam aris.net G ift o f Love H om e, Sr M Andrianne, MC 6251-6004 ’R ose V illa ’, 6253-6556

H eartfelt thanks to Jesus and St Jude for answering my prayers and favours received ' will always honour you as my special and powerful patron. Please continue to intercede and pray for W illiamteh.

JO SEPH LEONG SEONG YIN Departed: Mar 19,1993 Although nine years have gone, Deep in our hearts the pain remains, But our love for you still lingers on until we meet again.

Sadly missed by loving wife, sons, sisters-in-law and loved ones.

In loving memory of

G E O R G E N. RAMA CHANDRAN T. V. PUNNOOSE Departed: Mar 23,1995 Departed: Mar 22,1985 Dearest father/ His helping hand husband, was always first You toiled all those To render years for us, any aid he could; You helped countless His voice was always people, raised in praise, And then you had His words were wise to go, and good.

To eternal peaceful Dear Father, rest, since you went away, Promised to the just The ones you loved and honest. so true, With love and sweet Try hard to carry on remembrance by the way We know you’d want beloved wife Jenny, children (including us to.

Always remembered Angeline), grandchildren, by wife, children and relatives and friends. loved ones.

MARY M AGDALENE SUGIRTHAM PETER Departed: Mar 28,1996 “W e’ve been lonely since you left us, Home has not been the same.”

Always remembered by husband, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

In loving memory of

In loving memory of

JO H N LUKE PER EIRA

MARY MAGDALENE PEREIRA Departed: Mar 17, 1992 Mar 15, 2000

God took them home, it was His will.

But in our hearts we love them still, Their memory is as dear today As in the hour they passed away.

We often sit and think of them When we are all alone, For memory is the only friend That grief can call its own.

LIO NEL YONG Departed: Mar 23,2000 Two years now have gone But in our hearts You still live on..

Lovingly remembered and dearly missed by wife Teresa, Daughter Carol, son Andre, sonin-law Seng Chang and grandson Ke Bin. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Christ the King on Saturday March 23, 2002 at 5.30 pm.

In loving memory of our parents

G. R. MANUEL Departed: Feb 26,1976 Dearest father, You toiled all those years for us, And then you had to go To eternal peaceful rest PrnmieAII to tflthp lllSt and Mnd Promised the just honest.

JO SEPH IN E BARTHO LOM EW Departed: Sep 23,1945 Dearest mother, We miss you so much.

- ^ e ]ove yOU gave us g p ^ g beautifully of you.

Still rem em bered by your loved ones.

HENRY MANUAL PEREIRA Called home to be with the Lord on Mar 18,1999 You will live on forever in God and in our hearts.

May your soul rest in peace.

Always and dearly remembered by wife, children, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grand-children and loved ones.

In loving memory of

SABASTIAN DAVID Departed: Mar 22, 1995 Time changes many things But not the memory This day brings.

Always remembered by wife: Maradas Sauremuthu, sons, daughters, daugther/sons in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and loved ones.

Mass will be held at the following Churches: Our Lady Star of the Sea at 8 pm, St Anthony at 7.30 pm, Holy Trinity at 8 pm.

OBITUARY In loving memory of

T hird Anniversary In loving memory of

Always loved and remembered by children and loved ones.

DOMINIC MORRIS Departed: Feb 7, 1980 You are gone dear father, Gone beyond the world of tears, But the memory of you will ever linger Through the passing years.

Jesus said "I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes in me though he were dead, yet shall he live”.

Loved by wife Lengkah David, daughter Maryanne, son-in-law Edwin and all in the family.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, on March 22 at 8 pm.

JA M ES HEA TH C LIFF ZEHNDER Called to be with the Lord on Mar 18, 1996 Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace, Amen.

Lovingly remembered by sister Valerie, brothers Patrick, Desmond, Barry and loved ones.

Second Anniversary In loving memory of Dear Bob, Pa / Grandpa

Tenth Anniversary Second Anniversary TJIOE BOEN TJWIE (HENRY EDWARD CHOW ) Departed: Mar 17,1993 He had a smile, a pleasant way, A helping hand to all he knew, He was kind, generous and true, On earth he nobly did his best; Grant him, Jesus, heavenly rest.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by wife Maysie, children, grand-children, great­ grandchildren and all those dear to him.

T hird Anniversary In loving memory of

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

The C om m ission fo r M igrants & Itinerant People (CM I) 6280-5424 or m igrants@ singn et.com .sg

May the most Sacred H eart o f Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the J esu it R efugee Service, whole world now and jrs@ jesrefsg.org Fr Colin Tan S.J. forever.

Am en.

6463-6022 cxtsj@singnet.com.sg G rateful thanks to Almighty Father, our China Catholic Com munication, Lord Jesus and Holy Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080 Spirit for answering our mail@ zl.per.sg prayers.

P lease continue to bless and SOCIAL SERVICE guide our family with good health and C ath olic W elfa re Services, Michael Chua 6337-6165 / success. Thank you 6337-7954 Fax: 6336-1513 Mother Mary for your p rayers and N a z a r e th S p e c ia l L e a rn in g intercession. Continue C entre, Sr Anne May Chua, FMM to bless and intercede 6276-3200 for our petitions to be answered. S.K.Lim

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

JO SEPH TAN THIAM HOCK Departed: Mar 29,1999 His smiling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall He had a kind word for each And died beloved by all Some day we hope to meet him Some day, we know not when, To clasp his hand in the better land Never to part again.

Mass will be celebrated on March 28,2002 at St Teresa’s Church at 6 pm.

Always remembered by loving wife, children and loved ones.

EDMUND FOO CHEE LEONG Bom: December 21, 1966 Departed: February 22, 2002 Called home to the Lord most peacefully and was laid to rest in St Jude’s cemetry in Bandung, Udon Thani, Thailand.

Your demise has left a deep void in our broken hearts Which the passing of time can never heal.

Only in God we trust and believe That He has taken you home and will safely shield.

Grieved for everlastingly by mother Rosalind Yapp and siblings Rena and Bernard.

May you rest in God’s peace and love, my son.

14

MARCH 1 7 -2 4 , 2002

Trinity Casket Pte Ltd Your Right Choice....

For: • C om plete & dignified funeral arrangements by

professional and caring staff.

• Catholic male & female specialist embalmers.

Note: Female embalmer will attend to all female deceased.

• A ffo rd a b le a ir-co n d itio n e d m em orial chapels w ith m icrophone, electronic organ & appropriate furnishing & lighting.

• All other funeral-related services including im p ort & repatriation o f human remains.

• No overtim e charges.

• Special discount for Catholics.

• Catholic guidance counsellor Ms O livia Stravens Pg: 9524-9940

IN MEMORIAM

Fifth Anniversary His voice was always In loving memory of raised in praise, His words were wise and good, Dear Father, since you sent away, The ones you loved so true, St John o f the Cross Try hard to carry on the way Thank you for being We know an exemplary model of you’d want us to.

Christ’s love and truth.

Always remembered Forever remembered VICTOR ] by wife Agnes, Jackie SHEPHERDSON BENEDICT TEO and deeply missed by KOLANDASAMY and Jude.

NORBERT FRANCIS your family, relatives KAH LENG Departed: Mar 20,1999 Mass will be Departed: Mar 18, 1997 Departed: Mar 26, 2001 and friends.

His helping hand was celebrated at Church When someone you always first of St Joseph, Victoria love becomes a Seventeenth Anniversary St on Mar 20, 2002 To render any aid memory, the memory In loving memory of at 5.45 pm. he could; becomes a treasure.

Deeply missed and First Anniversary Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of In loving memory of always loved by family and loved ones.

First Anniversary In loving memory of

“LET CHRIST CRUCIFIED BE ENOUGH FOR YOU, and with him suffer and take your rest...

Let all find compassion in you”

In loving memory of

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

O p e n 2 4 H o u rs Blk 38, #01-527/531, Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575712 Tel:

6451-4496

CASKET FAIRPRICE T e i: 6 4 5 5 * 9 9 0 9

Complete one-stop funeral arrangements Affordable air-con funeral parlours with facilities All funeral-related services including columbarium works, exhumation, import & export of human remains etc Embalming by qualified lady embalmer available Quality service affirmed by families which we had served No overtime charges Good discount off casket packages Our products and services are offered at truly reasonable prices that lliterally save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars!!

Blk 37 Sin Ming Drive #01-569 Singapore 575711 Website w w w . c a s k e t f a i r p r i c e . c o m

S IN G A P O R E CASKET Tel: 6293-4388 2 4 H ours

®

D e d ic a te d F u n e ra l D ire c to rs since 1 9 2 0

• 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.

All Church Members Are Entitled To Discount *Cater within your means* 131 Lavender Street, Singapore 338737.

Internationally linked worldwide with established Funeral Dirertors

THERESA LEE HOI LAN Departed: Mar 15, 1996 Just a thought of sweet remembrance, Just a memory sad and true, Just the love and sweet devotion, Of one who thinks of you.

Always remembered by loved ones.

A. THAVASAGAYAM Called to the Lord on March 18, 1998 Our thoughts are always with you Our hearts are sore with pain This world will be like heaven If you were here again Always and dearly remembered by loved ones.

In loving memory of

IRUTHAYA M ARY DAVIS

MR M.A. VICTOR

Departed: Nov 10, 2000 Departed: Mar 25,1983 The depths of sorrow we cannot tell, of the loss of one we love so well As in life we loved you dearly so in death we do the same.

You are a precious gift to us, we praise and thank God. Dearly missed and fondly remembered by your children and loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, on Monday, March 25, at 6 pm.

DANIEL DHANESHAN ACHUTHAN Departed: Mar 20, 1995 The years may wipe out many things.

But this they’ll wipe out never, The memory of those happy days Which we had spent together.

Remembered by loved ones.

THERESA SENG Departed: Mar 11, 2000 On this day of your passing, The memory of you is especially vivid in our minds and hearts.

Always remembered by children, grand­ children and loved ones.

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

MICHAEL WONG TENG KIAN Departed: Mar 15, 1996 I dream of you, dear loved one, And see your smiling face, And know that you are happy In your Father’s chosen place.

Always remembered by loved ones.

A S IA C A S K E t ;Tel:645W288,6456-5283,9691-3229 Professional services for Christian Qualified professional embalmers Quality local and imported caskets Special package and discount price for Catholic Professional handling of repatriations and import cases , Blk 38 Sin Ming Drive, #01-523 Singapore 575712 .(COMPLETE FUNERAL SERVICES)

CASKET COMPANY EMBALMING & FUNERAL SERVICES PTE LTD 2 4 -H O U R S C O M P L E T E S E R V IC E S

• Christian and non-Christian funerals - local / export.

• Qualified Embalmers.

• Columbarium work, exhumation, photo enlargement etc.

• Air-con, non air-con Palours, tentage etc.

• Good Discount on Casket price!! m b ie ,

NICHOLAS PILLAI Departed:Mar 23,1995 Dear father, since you went away, The ones you loved so true, Try hard to carry on the way We know you’d want us to.

Forever remembered by wife Mary Pillai, daughter Dorothy, sonin-law Martin, grandchildren Patricia, Adrian and Andrea.

In loving memory of

FREDDIE MORAES Departed: Mar 26, 1986 Missed is the touch of your friendly hand, Gone is your kindness beyond recall; Gone to a world where peace and love Are given and gained by all.

Always remembered by loved ones, especially his grand­ daughter.

Twentieth Anniversary In everloving memory of

Charles Wan

m b ie

Blk 37, Sin Ming Drive, #01-575 Singapore 575711

Tel: 6454-8167, 6456-7423 Fax: 6458-2151

MRS CONSTANCE MARSH NEE GOMES CONSTANCE Bom: Mar 28, 1926 Called to eternal rest on Jan 10, 1997 in Singapore Age: 71 The years may wipe out many things But this they’ll wipe out never; The memory of those happy days Which we had spent together.

Always remembered by loved ones.

JOSEPH LEK SONG POH Departed: Mar 28, 1981.

Upright and just in all his ways, Loyal and true through all his days, Silently suffered, patiently bore, God took him home to suffer no more.

Always remembered by loving wife, children, daughters-inlaw and grand children.

May he rest in peace.

Please turn to page 13 for more “In Memoriam'' announcements and classified dvertisements.

Second Anniversary In loving m em ory o f WILLIAM SEE HELEN LIM GIM SIANG KEE NEO Departed: Mar 9,2001 Departed: Apr 25,2001

ALL ARE WELCOME.

Directors: Philip Tan

Seventh Anniversary In the never ending and everloving memory of

Ffith Anniversary In loving memory of

JOSEPH CHOO KIM CHW EE

Departed: Mar 28, 1985 Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Holy Family on Mar 28, 2002 at 6.15 pm.

Deeply missed by loving wife, children and grandchildren.

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

W IN IFRED VICTO RIAN JANSEN Departed: M ar 13, 2000 Her smiling face and pleasant ways Are a pleasure to recall She had a kind w ord for everyone And died beloved by all.

W e will love and miss you always Y our loving husband Freddie The families: Barbara, Bertie, Salma, Doris, Prissy, Quinten, Helen, W illy, Gladys, Julie, Allan, Jock, Vera, Bernice Campbell, relatives and friends.

Dr Jean Paul and Mrs Ro Ly. Anita Louise Hope, Doris Thomas, Pat Phua, Pat Kwok Co Com m issioner, In the Girl Guide Movement, Frs Tim othy, Johnson Fernandez, and all loved ones.

What would I give to clasp her hand, Her happy face to see.

To hear her voice and see her smile, That meant so much to me.

Brenda & Edward Jenner & Yvonne, Moira, Diane, Damien, Olivia, Jerem y, Katherine, G od/s Gordon and Tina, Joyce, David and Eileen, Rhatti & Irene, and Cheng Ho. M asses will be offered for the repose of W innie’s soul at the Church of Christ The K ing at 6.15 am on W ednesday M arch 13 and at 6.15 pm on Friday M arch 15.

Rest in peace, dear loving mum and dad, One year has passed away; Y ou’re gone, but are still living In the hearts of those who stay.

Fondly remembered and cherished by children, grand­ children, relatives and friends.

FIRST ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of

HENRY TAN KENG ANN

Departed: March 19, 2001 You are gone, dear father Gone beyond the world of tears But in our hearts you live And always will in memory.

Lovingly remembered by children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at 6.00 pm, Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at Church of St Michael.

Fr Michael Sitaram is stil recu­ perating from his cardiac setback! He will resume when he feels up to it.

We welcome feedback and comments from our youth readers who have something to share with other readers.

This page is specially dedi­ cated to you! You could use it as a special section of "From the Pews". Maybe you could suggest a special name for this feedback section through which you, as "youth" could air your concerns and com­ ments.

We will be waiting!

I Will Listen: The total obedience of St Joan of Arc The cast and crew of the musical "Saint Joan: Maid of God". The story of the saint reverberated strongly through their lives. "The reality of a call from God became a time to reflect on one’s own faith and commitment."

just e-mail the Editor at steeple@sinanet .com.sa.

By Anthony Siow WHAT would you do if God called you to do something extraordinary for Him? This question has been confront­ ing some 80 youths from Artistes for Christian Theatre (ACT) as they pre­ pare to inspire audiences in a new musical, "Saint Joan: Maid of God".

Plucked from the predictability of everyday existence, they were own into the furnace, as it were, in challenge to live their lives for God. The subject of their inspiration — St Joan of Arc. Joan was only 14 when she heard the voices of saints prompting her to do God’s work. She was burnt at the stake at 19, an unjust remuneration for a girl who put morals and morale into the French army, and converted thousands through her exemplary faith. An ordinary peasant girl, in an act of pure obedience, became an

extraordinary testimony that pure faith conquers all fears.

The story and its themes have reverberated strongly through the lives of all involved in the musical.

For most, if not all, the reality of a call from God became a time to reflect on one’s own faith and commitment.

We are all caught up with our lives, with passing an examination, with closing a deal where is God in all that? Indeed, where do we place God in our daily timetable?

Putting aside weekends for the musical has been, for some, a step towards wearing their faith on their sleeves. As Sunday Catholics forthe better part of their lives, the call to evangelise through music became a timely wake-up call for some.

One cast member reflected on how

she "happened to attend Mass" one Sunday when the recruitment leaflets spoke to her. "God is calling. Will you listen?" was the message in the drive to find cast and crew for the musical.

The "ordinariness" of the young Joan is one of the central themes of the musical. Forthe cast and crew, she is a symbol for lay empowerment. Like Joan, we areall ordinary people. Which means that like her, we can and must do extraordinary things for God. Another cast member considered what it meant to do something ex­ traordinary for God. "I’m not talking about saving the world from hunger orthe rainforests from extinction," he muses. "Holding the door for some­ one, saying ’thanks' what may be ordinary to you may be extraordinary to someone else."

The call for lay empowerment resonates with urgency in the Vati­ can II Decree on The Apostolate of the Laity: ...the unmistakable action of the Spirit who is making lay people more aware of their responsibility, who is inspiring them all over the world to serve Christ and the Church Saint Joan then becomes a rel­ evant and powerful symbol of our times with her unwavering faith, de­ votion and focus. Even as the flames engulfed her as she was burnt on the stake, she called on the name of the Lord and fixed her gaze on the cruci­ fix at the nearby church.

For those involved in the musi­ cal, the gaze remains firmly fixed on giving glory to God. A crew member involved with costumes pointed out the poignant fact that Joan neither

nor read nor wrote. For this crew, sewing costumes each weekend is a symbolic tie that binds us with Joan in the fabric of our faith, in wanting to listen to, act for, and serve God. Joan was also a beacon of Chris­ tian charity. She was known to have given her own bed to some home­ less woman and to have spent the night herself by the hearth in another room. It is then both fitting and grati­ fying to note that all proceeds from the musical go towards helping needy youths in the Poverello Teen Centre and Rose Villa.

The musical "Saint Joan: Maid of God" is more than just the girl in armour who was burnt at the stake.

She stands as one of the most re­ vered and relevant saints today, as a symbol of pure obedience to God in the face of obstacles and therefore, as a symbol of hope.

We can listen. We can learn.

God is calling. In the words of a committee member, "Just answer."

"Saint Joan: Maid of God" will be staged at the National University of Singapore University Cultural Centre from April 12 — 14. For ticket details, contactWellsprings Catho­ lic Books (6252-3390) or Adeline Wan (9414-0113 or email: mlwan@ asiaone. com).

The author, a regular CN con­ tributor and parishioner of the Church of the Holy Family, is a member of the marketing team of the musical. □

World Youth Day: message of the beatitudes VATICAN CITY —Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, presented the event at a Feb 5 press whwference hosted by the Canadian Embassy to the Holy See in Rome.

He said the WYD theme is taken from the words of Jesus, "You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world."

He listed the challenging issues which he hoped young people would tackle at Toronto — bioethics, globalization, hostility between men and wom en, the m eaning of freedom, violence and war, peace and reconciliation.

Fr Rosica said that WYD p articip a nts would seek to emphasize that the WYD is the antithesis of the events of Sep 11 and th e ir tra g ic afterm ath characterized by "m onologue, tyranny, oppression, an unequal distribution of the world’s goods, terrorism, darkness and poverty".

The WYD "flies in the face of the tyranny o f m onologue and oppression, and exclusion and domination", he said. "It’s about the fundam ental m essage of the beatitudes. It’s a story about what the Church represents at her best, about universality."

W orld Youth Day is about "bringing people together for the sake of peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, and giving the world a counter-sign," he said. "It will be a real school of peace, a laboratory of

‘

tti

Singaporean WYD 2000 delegates in $ 2* I Rome. As of j u j Feb 1, P i ! 110,000 youths from 122 countries have registered and more and expected to sign up.

M

peace, as the pope called it."

The event, he added, will have an ecum enical and interfaith dimension particularly in the area of social justice, because "you cannot do anything without reference to other religious groups". He noted that young people will be housed among families of different religions in Toronto.

Though the interna tion al gathering remains an explicitly Catholic project, "we’re excluding no one,” he emphasized.

Pope John Paul II gives World Youth Day his personal attention, Fr Rosica said. "It makes him tick, it keeps him alive", he added.

"When you mention the WYD he completely lights up", the Canadian priest said, adding that even though his body "is broken now and tired", nevertheless "inside that old man is a very young heart, and a young spirit".

The pope is "an old man who has

Update on WYD 2002 preparations in Singapore THE Catholic Youth Office hopes to send 50-60 delegates to the youth event in Toronto, Canada.

To date, only 10 young people from Singapore have registered for the World Youth Day 2002.

The recruitment of delegates is ongoing in parishes, according to youth coordinator Yohann Yao. Closing date for registration is midMay. The delegates are expected to gather for the first time to get to know each other at the end of this month.

a tremendous vision", he said. "I think that is his appeal to young people; he is giving them a reason to hope and to believe, and he shows them what commitment means."

"He is the father that many of them do not know. He is the grandfather most of them never had the privilege of relating to. This is not pope-mania, but this is the love of a human being who keeps them going B akhita Search-lnn, C hristina/S r Veronica just as much as they keep him going," ( 6 3 6 7 -6 2 6 4 /6 4 6 7 -4 2 9 0 ) he added. y scchris@ yahoo. com I c an osis@ pacific.n et.sg Pope John Paul will attend the World Youth Day celebration July B oys Tow n Fraternity, gaud ette@ bo ystow n.o rg .sg 25-28, before flying to Mexico to B r D om inic Kiong 6769-1618 canonize Blessed Juan Diego.

Fax: 6762-7846 He is also expected to make a C atholic O verseas Students stopover in New York and pray at D ow n U n d e r A d ria n (9 83 6 5217) o r D ennis (6274-2979) Ground Zero, the site of World T rade or cosdu@ yahoo .com .au Center towers that collapsed due to Choice, 9307-7752/9671terrorist attacks, but the Vatican will 0767 choice@ cheerful.com not confirm that until the last moment, H osanna! M usic M inistry sources said. □ w w w .hm m online.org Gerard O Connell, < h ttp ://w w w .h m m o n lin e .o rg > contact Tam m y 9747-8570.

Special UCAN Correspondent

Delegates, who will be joined by 15 youths from the diocese of Kuala Lumpur, will leave Singa­ pore on July 17 and come back on July 31.

Before the WYD proper on July 22-28, they will be hosted by Youth Arise International in Ot­ tawa, Canada.

Throughout Asia, some 1,700 delegates have signed up, many will be coming from the Philip­ pines (832), China (205) Japan (200), Korea (170) Pakistan (169) and India (106). □

DIRECTORY FOR YOUTHS/YOUNG ADULTS C atholic Stud en ts S ociety — U niversity o f Singapore, M r Irving Teo 6296-0897 irving teo @ catho lic.org Nanyang Technological University Catholic Students Apostolate, NTU Branch: Mr Budi S usanto 9478-7827.

National Institute of Education Catholic Students A posolate (N IECSA), NIE Branch: Ang Mei Ling 96663234 Infant Jesus R etreat and Youth C entre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461/92947521 Fax: 7699369 srtlee@ yahoo.com Poverello Teen C entre, S r M aria Sylvia Ng, FMM Tel/Fax: 6544-2603 ju b 2 00 0 @ s in g n e t.c o m .sg

P raise@ W ork Juliana 9799-9184 o r em ail w elcom e@ praiseatw ork.org St Patrick House, (Boarding) Br Collin Wee, FSC 63455929 Fax: 6345-4635 Y outh Life-Line, 6252-6300 Fax: 6285-5311 Youth P raise M inistry Helen Lee (9029-0118) em ail y p m sin gapore@ yahoo.com .

Y ou ng C hristian Students M ovem ent (M andarin­ speaking), M r Stephen Chia 6286-4166 95024549 Young C hristian W orkers (M andarin-speaking), M aria Ng Kim Luang 6763-0137

O

p

p

o

r

t

u

n

i

t

i

e

s

a

n

d

c

h

a

l

l

e

n

g

e

s

• From Page 1

‘It is important... that people at all levels of the Church use the Internet creatively to meet their responsibilities and help fulfil the Church's mission.

Hanging back timidly from fear of technology or for some other reason is not acceptable...’

who are poor, also in these key areas of modern development.

However, Msgr. Foley stressed, "Fundamentally, ... we do not view the Internet only as a source of problems; we see it as a source of benefits to the human race. But the benefits can be fully realized only if the problems are solved."

In other words, the Internet is an opportunity and a challenge and not a threat.

The Internet and Church Mission Taking over from the President of the Council, Msgr. Pierfranco Pastore, the Secretary of the Council, went on to introduce the second new document entitled "the Church and the Internet."

Repeating the words of Msgr.

Foley that the Internet is an oppor­ tunity and a challenge and not a threat to the Church, he pointed out that while this is true, one cannot, at the same time, ignore that the Internet has been used for evil, in innumerable ways and on innumer­ able occasions.

The Church, he emphasized, cannot remain silent in the face of such situations of irresponsibility.

Thus the Church now calls upon persons and groups to address this reality, and, to identify various means, rules and systems to en­ sure that the Internet is used in an informed and disciplined manner for morally sound purposes. (Cf. Ethics in Internet, n. 15), The Church, he added, "reminds all men of goodwill that the Internet is a gift of God, and as such, can and ought to be used for good, and be an instrument for good."

There were, he said, many as­ pects of the document that merit particular attention, but due to con­ straints of time, he would restrict himself to three short considerations.

1 Numerous citations There are numerous citations of preceding docum ents of the Magisterium (the official teaching authority of the Church) concerning social communication. The reason for this was to offer to the reader the overall context in which the theme of communication has been treated over the past ten years. This would help the reader to understand the various facets of the problem.

2 Church and Internet Among the many aspects of the relationship between the Church and the Internet, Msgr. Pastore men­ tioned that he would like to highlight those mentioned in no. 6 of the Document "The Church and the In te rn e tThe Church also needs to understand and use the Internet as a tool of internal communications.

This requires keeping clearly in view its special character as a direct, immediate, interactive, and partici­ patory medium.

Already, the two-way interactivity of the Internet is blurring the old distinction between those who com­

— The Church and the Internet *

municate and those who receive what is communicated, and creating a situation in which, potentially at least, everyone can do both. This is not the one-way, top-down commu­ nication of the past. As more and more people become familiar with this characteristic of the Internet in other areas of their lives, they can be expected also to look for it in regard to religion and the Church.

The technology is new, but the idea is not. Vatican Council II said members of the Church should dis­ close to their pastors "their needs and desires with that liberty and confidence which befits children of God and brothers of Christ"; in fact, according to knowledge, compe­ tence, or position, the faithful are not only able but sometimes obliged "to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the Church".

Communion and Progress re­ marked that as a "living body" the Church "needs public opinion in order to sustain a giving and taking among her members". Although truths of faith "do not leave room for arbitrary interpretations", the pasto­ ral instruction noted "an enormous area where members of the Church can express their views".

"Two-way communication and public opinion " is one of the ways of realizing in a concrete manner the Church’s character as communion".

Ethics in Communications says: "A two-way flow of information and views

between pastors and faithful, free­ dom of expression sensitive to the well being of the community and to the role of the Magisterium in foster­ ing it, and responsible public opinion all are important expressions of ’the fundamental right of dialogue and information within the Church’ ". The Internet provides an effective techno­ logical means of realizing this vision.

Here, then, is an instrument that can be put creatively to use for various aspects of administration and governance.

Among the problems that can be created by the Internet and are indeed created is the proliferation of web sites that claim to be "Catho­ lic." In reference to this, the document has this to say: The proliferation of web sites calling themselves Catholic creates a problem of a different sort. As we have said, Church-related groups should be creatively present on the Internet; and well-motivated, wellinformed individuals and unofficial groups acting on their own initiative are entitled to be there as well.

But it is confusing, to say the least, not to distinguish eccentric doctrinal interpretations, idiosyn­ cratic devotional practices, and ideological advocacy bearing a ’Catholic’ label from the authentic positions of the Church.

Msgr Pastore drew attention to the concrete suggestions and the words of encouragement that the document addresses in art. 11 to

P U B L IS H E D B Y A R C H B I S H O P G . Y O N G , 2 H IG H L A N D R O A D # 0 1 - 0 3 , S IN G A P O R E 5 4 9 1 0 2 .

the various categories of people who make up the Church. We indi­ cate briefly here some main points of this article.

Church leaders: need to under­ stand the media and make the fullest possible use of them in the many different aspects of the Church’s mission.

Pastoral personnel: should have media education to increase their understanding of the impact of so­ cial communications on individuals and society. This, needless to say, is particularly applicable to those directly involved in media.

Educators and Catechists: should provide education in the media es­ pecially the aspects of ethics and issues in social communication.

Parents: for their own sake and for the sake of their children have to acquire relevant knowledge and skills to be in a position to train and supervise their children in the use of the media.

Children and young people: need to be open to formation regarding the media. They owe it to them­ selves and to society and ultimately to God to use the media well. They should see the media not just as entertainment but as tools for ac­ complishing useful work.

3 "Information" and "Internet" In his third point, the Secretary of the Council distinguished the Internet from information in general

and drew attention to the fact that the document dealt with the Church and the Internet and not the Church and Information.

He emphasized that the Church does not confuse the Internet with information technology as a whole.

The Internet, he added, does not exhaust the channels of informa­ tion. In its mission of evangelization the Church does not confine itself to the Internet but makes use of the whole range of information dissemi­ nation technology.

Msgr. Pastore concluded his presentation quoting art. 10 of the document "The Church and the I n t e r n e t "It is important, too, that people at all levels of the Church use the Internet creatively to meet the* responsibilities and help fulfil thv Church’s mission. Hanging back tim­ idly from fear of technology or for some other reason is not accept­ able, in view of the very many positive possibilities of the Internet. Methods of facilitating communication and dia­ logue among her own members can strengthen the bonds of unity be­ tween them. Immediate access to information makes it possible for the Church to deepen her dialogue with the contemporary world.

"The Church can more readily inform the world of her beliefs and explain the reasons for her stance on any given issue or event. She can hear more clearly the voice of public opinion, and enter into a continuous discussion with the world around her, thus involving herself more immediately in the common search for solutions to humanity's many pressing problems".

Editor: from Vatican press reports In later issues, we shall be dealing specifically with the content of the two new documents on the "Internet". As the internet has become so common in its usage by so many people, it would be useful to consider the many useful points that the Council for Social Communication has raised in its latest documents N o te :

P R IN T E D B Y K H L P R IN T IN G C O P T E L T D , 5 7 L O Y A N G D R IV E , S IN G A P O R E 5 0 8 9 6 8 .