JUNE 23, 2002, vol 52, no 13 by CatholicNews

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6 You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. '

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Vol. 52 No. 13

A T h o u g h t fo r F o o d ROME, Italy. Monday 10 June saw the opening of the World Summit on Food, under the auspices of the United Nations Food and Agricul tural Organization (FAO) which is headquatered in Rome. Subtitled "Five Years Later'’, it follows the last Food Summit in 1996.

800 million people, among them, 300 million children, suffer gnawing pangs of hunger and diseases, disabilities caused by malnutrition

Although convoked as a "sum mit" for Heads of State, the absence of the Heads of State of leading developed nations was conspicuous, notably, as one world commentator put it, "Messrs. Blair and Bush"! In fact, only two Heads of State of developed Western countries, Italy and Spain, were present. Practically all the devel oping nations were represented by their Heads of State. The Vatican sent a high-pow ered delegation led by His Eminence Cardinal Angelo SODANO, Secretary of State with ■His Excellency. Msgr. Agostino MARCHETTO, Permanent Ob server to FAO and Deputy Head of Delegation, Prof. Vincenzo BUONOMO, professor of Inter national Law at the Pontifical Lateran University and a team of four experts.

Noting that the current Summit, though not originally on the agenda, had been prompted by the concern that the target set in the 1996 Rome Declaration may be left unfulfilled, the Italian President said: "This Summit can be considered successful only if it gives top priority to compliance with the commitments made in the 1996 Plan of Action and if it sets a clear way forward by pointing to resources, means and actions necessary to attain the objective of allowing access to everyone to sufficient and safe food.”

International Trade

The President also pointed out that "the

current structure of international trade penalizes the agricultural produce through tariffs which, on average, are two or three times higher than the ones applied to other trade areas. This obstacle is to be removed, gradually but with determination." These tariffs

The Inaugural Address

In his opening address His Excellency Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI, President of the Republic of Italy, welcomed all the delegates and expressed his hope that they would adopt a programme with credible aims and means of implementation.

conditions, higher household incomes, social services, education and health. A profitable agriculture, in turn, requires legal security of land tenure, infrastruc-tures, rural credit and last but not least, access to the markets for production.

Malnourished Malawi child being fed through a tube

Food Summit 1966

Environmental Issues

The target of 1966 was to half the proportion of the world's hungry people. If this could be achieved by 2015 as envisaged it would mark, the President said "a higher degree of consciousness and civilization." The problem of world hunger can not be seen in isolation from the fight against poverty and the fostering of development. "Our conscience will not rest easy until our efforts succeed in establishing the necessary conditions to ensure food security for all the inhabitants of the globe, " the President added.

Touching on environmental issues which have a significant bearing on what has come to be known as "food security" - the assurance that countries have enough food for their people - the President emphasized that every country must responsibly commit itself to the global issues related to safeguarding the environment. Related Issues

The main problem related to food however was to establish decent living and working

Archdiocese of Singapore home page, Veritas: http://www.catholic.org.sg.

obviously benefit the more developed countries. The liberalization of world markets must not be allowed to occur on the basis of double standards, the President added. He also urged rich nations to consider the cancellation of the poorest countires' foreign debts as a fundamental instrument for the fight against poverty in the world. He went on to urge greater financing in order to achieve the targets of the 1996 Rome Declaration. Duty of Developing Countries

However, the leaders of developing countries themselves had to realize that they themselves hold the primary responsibility for the furture of their Nations and citizens. A deeper commitment t o peace, democracy, justice, economic and social reforms, and good governance was vital.

External and domestic conflicts also add to the tragedy of violence, the senseless waste of resources that are necessary for growth. Framework for Development

The Italian President concluded: "Hunger and malnutrition can only be eradicated through a wellbalanced growth in agriculture and by improving living conditions in rural areas, but there is only one framework for development: debt relief, access to the northern markets and more substantial financial flows towards the south are top priority actions. For them to be effective we need unity of intents and actions. The goal is ambitious, the task is not easy but it is a rightful battle we can win together.

UN Secretary General's Speech

Taking the podium next, was UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan. He drew attention to the fact that "Every day, more than 800 million people worldwide - among them 300 million children - suffer the gnawing pain of hunger and the diseases or disabilities caused by malnutrition. According to some estimates, as many as 24,000 people die every day as a result."

He appealed for concrete action on the part of the nations of the world. Hunger in the world does not mean that the world cannot produce enough food. "There is no shortage of food on the planet.

World production of grain alone is more than enough to meet the minimum nutritional needs of every child, woman and man," Mr Anan said. But while some countries produce more than they need to feed their people, others do not, and many of these cannot afford to import enough to make up the gap. Even more shamefully, there are countries which have enough food for their people and yet many of them go hungry. □ Editor - UN reports

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JU NE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

LOCAL The Church in St Paul

Sunday 14 July will be “Bible Sunday”. To help prepare for this celebration, we have put together for you a series of lectures that we hope will inspire you. Fr Raymond Collins will help us deepen and broaden our understanding of church through the teachings of St Paul. Fr. Collins was ordained as a priest of the diocese of Providence in 1959. After teaching at Our Lady of Providence Seminary (Warwick, Rl; 1962 66), he served as Catholic chaplain at the University of Rhode Island (1966 68) and taught moral theology at Pope John XXIII National Seminary (Weston, MA; 1966 70). He also served as an adjunct or visiting lecturer at Emmanuel College, Providence College, where he continued to teach summer school until the late 80s, and Andover Newton Theological School. In January 1970 he returned to his alma mater, the Catholic University of Leuven (Louvain), in Belgium, as a professor of New Testament. He spent the fall semester of 1985 as the Visiting John A. O’Brien Professor in the Department of Theology of the University of Notre Dame. In 1993 he went to the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) where he was appointed Professor of New Testament and served as Dean of the School of Religious Studies from 1993 99. He was elected President of the Conference of Catholic Theological Institutions (COCTI) in 1999 and was appointed to the Administrative Council of the International

Perpetual Adoration Chapel

Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) in 2000. He continues to teach at Catholic University. He has written more than 200 published articles and is the author of thirteen books, the latest of which is 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, to appear in September as the first volume of The New Testament Library. He is currently working on a book called The Many Faces of the Church to be published next year (2003). He has been working as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the revised edition of the New Catholic Encyclopedia, which will be on the market in mid September (2002). He has lectured in Europe, Asia, and Africa as well as extensively throughout the United States and Canada. At the end of June he will leave for a four-week lecture tour in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Remember, the Word of God is alive and active! Make a date with Fr Raymond Collins for 4-6 July 2002 at SPI. Come! appreciate and celebrate what it means to be church; Come! and be challenged to continue the Mission of Jesus. Due to limited capacity, attendance is bv registration only.

To avoid disappointment, act today! Particpants are requested to bring a copy of the New Testament, preferably the NRSV version. Course Coordinator Irene Wee Singapore Pastoral Institute Tel: 6858 7019 Fax: 6858 2011 Email: spi@veritas.org.sg

Apostle of the Eucharist by Diana Tan HC

by Diana Tan HC

The Archdiocese's only Perpetual Adoration Chapel was officially opened by His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia on the Feast of Corpus Christi. This adoration chapel, open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, is located on the grounds of the SFX Retreat Centre at 1261 Upper Serangoon Road (opposite church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary/ next to Punggol Park). Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop at 8:00 pm on Saturday, 1 June 2002 and concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong, Rev Frs Vincent Lee, Spiritual Director of the SFX Retreat Centre and 24 foreign visiting priests. These priests from Ghana, China, India and Myanmar were attending a retreat at the SFX Retreat Centre. More than 1,000 well wishers turned up for the joyous and momentous occasion. The idea for the establishment of a perpetual adoration chapel in Singapore was first mooted by Archbishop Chia and after months

of preparation, the chapel opens its doors round the clock to everyone who would come to sit and adore at the feet of Jesus. Worshippers to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel are invited to join an Association that has been formed to promote spiritual growth among its members. There will be regular monthly meetings with Mass, talks and fellowship. Members would also be responsible for keeping vigil, and maintaining the Chapel. With the opening of the Archdiocese’s first Perpetual Adoration Chapel at the SFX Retreat Centre, there is now little excuse not to devote at least an extra hour a week (beyond Sunday Mass) with our Eucharistic Lord. Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane asked, “Are you still sleeping and resting?” (Matt 26:45). So come, let us adore. For information contact:

SFX Retreat Centre: Tel: 6288-7901; Fax: 6858-2716 E-mail: sfxrc@singnet.com.sg website: www.catholic.ora.sa/SFX

New Convent Chapel BLESSINGS abounded for CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent on April 26 when its chapel was blessed during a special Mass celebrated by Arch bishop Nicholas Chia. The chapel features 10 stained glass panels, double stained glass doors and extensive woodwork.

Each panel depicts significant sym bols of the Infant Jesus badge and school motto. The new chapel will provide stu dents and staff with a quiet place for prayer and reflection as well as a venue for weekly Masses. “The presence of the chapel in

For information, please post to: Friar John-Paul Tan OFM. Franciscan Vocations Office, 5 Bukit Batok East Ave 2, Singapore 659918.

Name & Age: Occupation:

iar and priest.

ST. PETER JULIAN EYMARD

the school reinforces the impor tance of God in our lives,” said Mrs Dolly Chan, principal of St Joseph’s Convent. “It is the school’s mission to help our students imbibe moral values, and not merely strive for academic excellence.” Fr Joachim Chang played a vital role in the conceptualization and design of the chapel and the benefactors helped to turn the dream into a reality. Our heartfelt gratitude to all who help in the realization of this project. □ CHIJ St Joseph's Convent

“Give me the Eucharist, or let me die!” - such was St Peter Julian Eymard’s love for, and belief in, the Eucharistic Jesus. St Peter Julian, born 4 February 1811 in LaMure d’lsere, France, was ordained priest on 20 July 1834. He was canonized 9 December 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He founded the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Paris and in 1858, established with Marguerite Guillot, the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, a cloistered con templative congregation of women. As early as the 19th century, St Peter Julian was aware that the perpetual exposition and adoration of Christ should not be left only to priests and religious. To share his deep belief in the Real Presence with others, he founded the Blessed Sacrament Confraternity for the lay faithful. In establishing perpetual adoration of the Eucharistic Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, St Peter reminded the Catholic faithful that Jesus left behind a legacy. A legacy which lives till today - that you and I who were not present two thousand years ago may enjoy and feel His presence. In the Blessed Sacrament Jesus ensured perpetual availability of His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to His people of all ages and at all times. St Peter Julian saw eucharistic adoration of the Eucharist and the eucharistic worship of Our Lord in the Mass as fully compatible and complementary. Without the Mass there will be no Real Presence. Three years prior to his death on 1 August 1868, Fr Eymard made a long retreat in Rome where he was powerfully struck by the force of Christ’s love within him a love he felt was taking over his whole person. Anticipating the renewal of the Church brought about by Vatican Councils I and II, Eymard had a vision of priests, deacons, sisters, and lay people living lives of total dedication to the spiritual values that are celebrated and contem plated in the Eucharistic celebration and in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. In the words of St Peter Julian, “Some of them have faith in Jesus but a faith so lifeless and superficial that it does not reach the heart If we truly believe that Jesus is present in every fragment of the consecrated Host, then let us not leave Jesus for Sundays only. Jesus resides in the tabernacles in our Catholic churches at all times. □

Address:

V e ry C ritic a l

York Fire 11 chaplain

Rev Fr Simon Yim, 81 years old

ministering . Phone & e-mail:

attached to the Church of St Stephen and

Rev Fr Frank Depoorter, CICM, 54 years old, F ra n cis o f Assisi was challenged to ansicer the c a ll o f the gospel. Today, his d y n a m ic w ay o f life, Christ-centred a n d out-going, s till seeks y o u r response.

District Superior of the Scheut Missions are both very critically ill.

Prayers of the Community are earnestly soilicted for them.

JUNE 23 - JUNE 30, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

REGIONAL Vitality and Difficulty VATICAN CITY (UCAN) — A

meeting of superiors of missionary institutes called by the Vatican’s evangelization congregation drew up a list of signs of hope and vitality as well as problems in Asia. A total of 223 general superiors of missionary institutes or their delegates, 16 of whom were from Asia, met with Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. An 11-page report of the May 27-31 meeting showed that the mixture of conferences, group discussions and general assemblies generated a list of items under two main categories: signs of hope and vitality, and existing problems, for Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. In Asia, the signs of vitality include the abundance of vocations, initiatives to strengthen human formation, interreligious

dialogue, laity witnessing to their faith, options for the poor and revival of contemplation and spirituality shaped by the Asian religious experience. In the section on difficulties, the participants from Asia pointed out the need for more competent personnel to take charge of formation to provide a better discernment of vocations. They also expressed concern over popular religiosity that does not reach a deeper level of Christian spirituality and the fear of promoting inculturation because it could lead to syncretism. Other difficulties cited included the challenge of living a celibate life, financial dependence of many local churches, illiteracy that makes catechetical instruction difficult, religious fundamentalism and racism. The superiors also presented

32 general requests to, the Congregation for the Evange lization of Peoples. Among them was the desire to increase inter-ecclesiastical dialogue, consultation on the part of the Holy See with the episcopal conferences before publishing new documents, and information about the congregation’s criteria in distributing subsidies. Cardinal Sepe promised to study the requests. Addressing the group in an audience, Pope John Paul II said he recognized that mission work is not easy, and that the present difficulties could make the missioners less intrepid in proclaiming the Gospel. Confronted with this situation, the pope said he sees turning to God, “from whom alone comes the vigor to overcome the obstacles,” as the only solution.

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The Land of Martyrs SEOUL (UCAN) — The Korean

Church is promoting 126 candidates for beatification and canonization, adding to the country’s 103 martyr saints who were canonized in 1984. A Church official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea said the promotion of the candidates’ canonization is being prepared again because the early martyrs were dropped from an earlier canonization roll. They were dropped because the foreign missioners, who took the initiative in the beatifications of the 103 martyrs in 1925 and 1968, did not know these martyrs well, according to Father Peter Yoo Hanyoung, secretary of the bishops’ Episcopal Special Commission for Beatification and Canonization. He told UCA News May 30 that the missioners’ work was not completed because “not only were they in danger of being persecuted but they also lacked knowledge about Korean culture and the concrete situation of earlier martyrs.” Taking the case of the Shinyu persecution in 1801 as an example, he said the missioners did not understand the martyrs’ troubles, such as the nature of the conflict between Catholicism and Confucianism at that time. On May 20, the bishops’ commission confirmed the candidacy of 124 martyrs and two witnesses out of a total of 222 proposed martyrs. It withheld the screening for 29 and excluded

69 others. Various dioceses in South Korea presented the 222 martyrs last year on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Shinyu persecution. The commission announced that the case for the 124 martyr candidates will be promoted at the bishops' conference level, but the two witnesses, Father Thomas Choi Yang-up and Thomas Kim Pom-woo, will be promoted by their respective diocese. With the decision, the commission launched a campaign to beatify and canonize the 124 martyrs titled, “First martyrs Paul Yun Ji-chung and other companions, and Chinese Father Zhou Wen-mo." Among the 124 martyrs, 13 have been declared by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as having “no impediment.” They are Paul Yun Ji-chung and his four companions of Chonju diocese, whose cause was accepted by the Holy See in 1989, and Paul Yun Yu-il and his seven companions of Suwon diocese, whose cause was accepted in 1996. The commission will hold a meeting to discuss and examine the second case for beatification, focusing on leading figures of the Church in Korea. The commission named Father Yoo as postulator, and established under it the Theological Committee, the Historical Committee and the Joint Committee for Promotion. It

Our vocation is prayer, modelled on the prayer of Christ, who gave him self to contemplation in the desert and made His whole life a prayer. So we -Hve a life of unceasing prayer in silence and solitude, :4 in accordance with the Gospel admonition to watch and pray. Write: The Carmelite Friars (Singapore) Vocation Director Church of Sts Peter and Paul 225A Queen Street Singapore 188551

also appointed heads for the respective committees. Father Yoo noted it is significant that there have been a number of inquiries from within the Church regarding the promotion, beatification and canonization process. “By doing the job with our own efforts, it shows that the Church is now more capable in studying its own history,” he observed. In 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized 103 Korean martyrs on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Catholicism in Korea. Of these, 79 were martyred during the persecutions of 1839 and 1846. They were beatified in 1925. The other 24 martyrs who died during the persecution of 1866 were beatified in 1968.

Praying for Peace NEW DELHI (UCAN) — Church and peace groups in India have organized prayer meetings and vigils as diplomatic efforts to prevent a war between India and Pakistan gain momentum. Prayers for peace in the Indian subcontinent included a vigil in Delhi archdiocese held May 31June 1 night, while sim ilar sentiments were echoed at a meeting in Ranchi, capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. Archbishop Vincent Michael Concessao of Delhi, who led the vigil the United Christian Forum organized at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, discounted war as a solution to the region’s problems and called for dialogue and negotiations. The forum comprises the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, the National Council of Churches in India and the Evangelical Fellowship of India. Some 200 people from various denominations attended the vigil and joined a candlelight procession at midnight inside the cathedral compound. Archbishop Concessao urged Christians to pray for peace “in our hearts, the community and subcontinent” since, he said, they are the messengers of peace.

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FAITH PILGRIMAGES We are proud to present our 2002 programmes with variations and specialisation to fulfill your every pilgrimage need.

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JUNE 23 - JUNE 30, 2002

th e fa m ily t t

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Bulletin of the Family Life Society, Archdiocese of Singapore

FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY i The Family Life Society is a non-profit I organisation registered under the Societies I Act of Singapore in 1985. It was established | under the auspices of the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore to make the family apostolate I a priority of the local Church. We aim to promote a deeper understanding and respect for marriage, family and human life and to make our

services available to all.

PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES Family and Marital Therapy (Counselling Services) 6488 0278

w h e n o n e fe e ls lo w e r t h a n lo w By Bro Collin Wee, fsc (This series of articles explores the characteristics of the various types of suicide attempters, the forewarnings of suicide, the basic factors in suicide risk assessment, and the key tasks of suicide intervention. The writer, Bro. Collin Wee fsc, is the Principal Therapist at the Family Life Society.)

A confidential service managed and provided | | by experienced family and marital therapists for those with marital, psychological and social problems.

Suicide intervention has become a major treatment approach to help individuals, families and groups during psychologically overwhelming Celebration of Life 6488 0287 stress situations. It is linked to the "crisis" theory. A Pro-life programme on human sexuality j Crisis is defined as a response to external or | education for chastity and the promotion of | internal stress that cannot be managed by the the sanctity of life message, thus promoting usual coping mechanisms of the person stressed. the culture of life in society. If you would like Therefore a crisis occurs when an individual, : to book a session, please contact COL. faced with an obstacle to important life goals, Pregnancy Crisis Service 6339 9770/ finds that it is for the time being insurmountable 6488 0281 by using usual problem solving techniques. I A hotline service for teenagers facing | unwanted pregnancies, and who are likely ; to turn to abortion as an easy way out. C ris is a n d S u ic id a l C risis Youth Life-Line 6252 6300

A youth crisis hot line offering help for youth 1 in distress. Joyful Parenting 6488 0286

A hotline service to support breastfeeding | mothers and help parents cope with family ; life. Catholic Legal Aid Services 6488 0278

I Provides legal advice on family-related I matters to members of the general public.

AFFILIATE ORGANISATIONS ' Marriage Encounter 6281 6468

A weekend stay-in programme for married j couples to look more deeply into their I relationship with each other and with God.

In most ways a social crisis is similar to a nonsuicidal crisis, though it differs in one aspect. The suicidal crisis is accompanied by the possibility that a person will solve the problematic and painful situation by a suicide attempt. If the possibility is high, the crisis becomes an emergency situation which demands interventions aimed at decreasing the suicide risk.

injustices are made just better enough that he or she can reconsider and discern alternatives to suicide.

A d o le s c e n ts an d S u ic id a l B e h a v io u r Why are adolescents who face virtually limitless opportunities kill themselves? Suicidal behaviour in adolescents can encompass actions, from inflicting self-harm to total cessation of life itself.

How can we identify adolescents at risk and assist those already displaying symptoms so that their momentary suicidal thoughts and behaviours do not have permanent and irreversible consequences? Adolescent suicidal gestures and behaviours are enormously complicated processes and a counsellor's intervention must take into account several factors.

Engaged Encounter 6782 3912

(To be continued. Next issue: Understanding Suicide, Attempted Suicide and Para-Suicide)

Youth Life-Line: 62526300 S O S : 1800-2 2144 44

W h e re C a n I G e t

Help in a Crisis

The Tent (Shelter for Female Adolescents): 62453497

s f la s h

Choice 9307 7752 / 9671 0767 f t 1A weekend stay-in programme for singles The Pregnancy Crisis Service (PCS) centre of the Family Life Society (FLS) has moved to the j between 18 and 32, with the aim of helping j one know oneself and in relationships with ) Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre at Unit #LG-01, No 2 Highland Road. I family, friends and the larger community. The move from its former premises at the Selegie Complex to Upper Serangoon brings PCS closer to several major housing estates (such as Hougang, Paya Lebar, Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon, Marriage Preparation Course Bishan and Sengkang) thereby making it more accessible to women who require its services. 6288 3 4 2 7 /6 2 4 1 7614 A six-weekend programme for engaged The PCS is a one-stop crisis management centre for women, usually teens, who when confronted I couples preparing for marriage. by unwanted pregnancies are likely to turn to abortion as an easy way out of their predicament. Retrouvaille 6346 1927 (Hotline)/ 6445 1375 '

j For troubled marriages (including separated : or divorced couples) who want their marriage I jj to work. Couples For Christ 6386 3836

j A family life renewal programme for singles j and married couples to look more deeply I into their relationship with each other and | with God. Natural Family Planning 6256 8123

' Based on the knowledge of the fertility I periods during a woman's menstrual cycle, I it is the only morally acceptable form of family planning allowed by the Church as it is in accordance with the moral natural law. HOPE 6488 0278

A peer support group for the divorced, j separated and widowed.

The centre, which is manned by trained counsellors and volunteers daily between 9 am to 5pm (except Sundays and public holidays), runs a Hotline service (6339 9770), where calls can be made anytime. Since its inception in 1987, the PCS has attended to more than 2,500 women and is proud to have managed to save over 1,000 babies over the past 16 years. "We are proud to be of help to others not just to the women in distress but to the unborn child, too," said Ms Rose Boon, PCS Co ordinator. The PCS currently has a team of 5 professionally trained counsellors, Brother Collin Wee, a trained family and marital therapist, is Family Life Society’s principal therapist. The team is backed by a pool of dedicated doctors and volunteers. - LifeLine

V i

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R e d e m p t o r is t M is s io n T e a m : 6 2 5 5 2 1 3 3

P R E G N A N C Y C R IS IS S E R V IC E (P C S ) C E N T R E M O V E S T O T H E H E A R T L A N D

j A marriage preparation stay-in weekend j programme for engaged couples.

Poverello Teen Centre: 62600323

Pregnancy Crisis Service: 63399770

The counsellor's goal is to keep the person alive; this is achieved by lowering the level of lethality, that is, the person's unbearable problems or

N e w

Following are some possible risk factors among adolescents: • Disturbed family relationships, especially open discord, a lack of emotional warmth and poor communication with parents; • Past history of physical ill-treatment or neglect; • Institutional upbringing - authoritative discipline; • Difficulties in school - having shown deteriorating school performance over a period of time; • A break-up of a relationship; and • Divorce or remarriage of a parent (Behaviour such as dependency, helplessness etc which are normally the child's role, are taken on by the parent and the child assumes the caretaking and nurturing behaviour usually associated with the parental role).

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T A C K L E S C A T H O L IC IN

D IV O R C E

The FLS and the Catholic Legal Aid Services (CLAS) held a seminar-workshop on the role of Catholic lawyers in divorce cases held on 18 May 2002 at the CAEC. With Fr John Paul Tan, ofm, who is the Archdiocese’ Defender of the Bond, and CLAS chairman Peter Low as seminarworkshop leaders, the half-day session drew some 140 participants, most of whom were lawyers and lay people involved in family life movements. Participants said the sessions were beneficial and interesting, adding that they were looking forward to more focused sessions in the near future. - LifeLine

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 24 Highland Rd by His Grace, Most Rev Nicholas Chia, Archbishop of Singapore at 10.30 am on 26 June 2002 on the occasion of the Official Opening of the Pregnancy Crisis Service.

JUN E 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEW S

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Synodal Plan INDIA, Panjai (UCAN) — Goa Archdiocese in western India wants to strengthen families and help the poor as part of its move toward “a new way of being C hurch,’’ according to a diocesan synod document. The document, promulgated May 19, Pentecost Sunday, expressed concern over the “high incidence” of broken homes and petitions for marriage annulments. It urged the setting up of helplines for family counseling. The 112-page document of the Feb. 17-23 diocesan synod urged the archdiocesan Family Service Center to network with NGOs, family movements and groups working for family welfare. The document, approved by Archbishop Raul Nicolau Gonsalves of Goa, urged the Church to promote pastoral care of the divorced and those who have remarried, and of couples having problems. It also asked for concrete pastoral plans aimed at the welfare of widows, battered wives, abused girls, single-parent families, unwed pregnant women

peace, it added. To ensure regular income for parishes, families should make regular contributions, it said. It added that parents should not make critical remarks about priests in the presence of their children lest they be scandalized. In order to coordinate, monitor and evaluate pastoral programs of the archdiocese, a pastoral secretariat headed by experts was suggested. The archdiocese, a former Portuguese colony with several buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, suggested having a diocesan school for the restoration of Church monuments and a coordination center for conserving them. The document proposed setting up a Bible Enquiry Center to help people of other religions learn about Christianity. It also asked the Church to request the possibility of having a chair of Christianity at Goa University. The synod also appointed a follow-up committee to facilitate practical implementation of the synod s recommendations.

and single people. The Family Service Center should provide special guidance and ongoing counseling in cases of mixed marriages, said the document, suggesting ways “toward a new way of being Church.” The document also urged programs for the welfare of poor people. It asked parish committees to help them obtain benefits from government schemes. Church assets like land and funds should be used to initiate housing projects and rehabilitation schemes for the poor, the document said, urging Catholic institutions to make an option for the poor. It asked Small Christian Communities to participate in diocesan programs meant for faith formation and to initiate dialogue with people of other faiths by participating in their festivals and inviting them to Catholic feasts. Priests should visit families in their parishes to bring about unity among the people. Bishops should visit parishes and meet with people of other religions to promote interreligious unity and MONGOLIA,.

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First Corpus Christi Procession FU ZH O U ,

China (UCAN) —

Thousands of Catholics in Fuzhou, southern China, took part in the diocese's first ever street procession to pray for peace. Led by government-recognized Bishop Joseph Zheng Changcheng of Fuzhou, Fujian province, more than 3,000 Catholics walked on the streets to “welcome the Blessed Sacrament and pray for peace” on June 2, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. According to Wong, a Hong Kong Catholic who took part in the procession, the government does not usually grant permission for such “large-scale” public religious

activities, which are restricted to registered religious venues. With public security officers clearing the traffic and opening the way, 10 priests, 30 nuns, a 120member choir, and lay Catholics holding the cross, thuribles, candles and flowers took the lead. They were followed by Bishop Zheng, who held the tabernacle in a decorated car with a band playing along the way, he added. The procession in Changle county started at 8 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Church. Along the whole three-kilometer route, more than 3,000 Catholics from four parishes holding flowers and candles knelt

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HP: 9 6 30-524 5 pg :9 2 0 7 -9 6 0 6 on both sides of the road singing hymns and praying to wait for Blessed Sacrament. “Their devotion was a strong faith witness and evangelizing power,” Wong said. They prayed for peace among ethnic groups and nations, for prosperity, stability, unity of the country, communion of all Christian communities, as well as for the peace of mind of all peoples, he added. The three-hour procession ended in Rosary Hill Village, a Marian Shrine built on a hill in Changle, where Bishop Zheng presided at a Mass to pray for the communion of the Church. -

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US Bishops' Conference Three hundred Cardinals and Bish ops of the United- States have recently concluded their scheduled and long awaited June Conference in the wake of the recriminations against the hierarchy. The Conference adopted what they termed a "Zero-tolerance policy" towards priests convicted

of child abuse. All offenders would be immediately suspended from priestly ministry. However, they stopped short of "laicization”. Suspension from the exercise of priestly ministry means that the person concerned is not allowed to perform any act of priestly min istry. "Laicization" would reduce

the individual to the lay state and relieve him of all preistly obliga tions, iincluding celibacy. The individual, however, remains a priest because of the indellible character of the priesthood. The decision of the Confer ence is subject to Vatican approval.

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JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

CHILDREN’S CORNER This quiz is open to children who are preparing to receive Holy Communion and are attending classes

Results of Contest No. 2

at their Parishes.

The God we believe in

It has to be the children's own effort and parents are asked to use this as an opportunity to teach the children the value of honesty. Prizes will be awarded to the first three correct entries to reach the Editor AFTER Wednesday 26 June 2002, by e-mail to steeple(3)sinanet.com,so. The first three correct entries will be based on the date and time as recorded in the "Inbox". The Editor's decision is final. Closing Date: midnight (Fri/Sat 28/29 June)

All that is needed to send the answers, is to use the numbers of the clues as indicated and state the answer for each clue. Children must give their full names, addresses, and the First Communion Class they are attending at their Parishes. Do not forget to provide your OWN contact, otherwise it will not be possible to advise you, if you have won. All entries will be acknowledged. Winners, the first three correct entries, will be announced in the following issue of the Catholic News, and will be informed of how they can collect their prizes.

(1st. Com m .)

CLUES Across:

4 6 7 8

How many persons are there in God? THREE The foster-father of Jesus was JOSEPH. How many Gods are there? ONE The mother of Jesus was MARY .

Down:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Jesus worked many MIRACLES. Jesus lived in ISRAEL. Jesus was born in BETHLEHEM. Jesus also did a lot of TEACHING . The persons in God are called the TRINITY. Who died to save us? JESUS

NOTES: 1

Contest No. 3 (1st Comm.)

Holy Eucharist

CLUES

Across 3. Can you receive Communion more than once in the same day? 5

4. When you receive Communion, the priest says:”The Body of Christ’’. You must answer: 5. When you receive Communion you see 9. You must have very great the Eucharist.

for

10. Must you receive Communion every Sunday? It

11. Normally we receive the Eucharist during

Down 1. When you receive Communion you must be free from sin. 2. There is no time limit for Prizes for Contest No. 3 (1st Comm.) EUCHARIST are very kindly sponsored by: a donor who wishes to remain annonymous.

8. You receive Holy Eucharist.

A few of you got "2 Down" wrong. Jesus lived in ISRAEL, not Jordan nor Europe. Of course, in all the three country names the third letter is R and there were no other letters to check your answer against. You really needed to know the answer. Never mind, don't be discouraged, at least you tried your best! That is always the most important thing. Do keep on trying! The WINNERS ARE .....

6. When you are going to receive Communion you must not from one hour before. 7. Neither can you one hour before.

We believe that there is only one God. In God, however, there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We express this belief every time we make the Sign of the Cross which should be made with the words, "In the name o f the Father and o f the Son and o f the Holy Spirit. Amen." This belief of ours is known as the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity, because we cannot understand how there are three persons and yet only one God. But that is what Jesus made known to us and we believe him, even though we can't understand how this is so. We celebrated this mystery of God on Sunday, 26 May, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. It is the Second Person of the Trinity who became Man and was born of Mary in Bethlehem. He became Man, but was still God, the Second Person of the Trinity. This, too, we cannot fully understand - it is a mystery which is known as the Mystery of the Incarnation. This is what we celebrate at Christmas - the Birth of Christ. There is also a special feast for the Third Person, the Holy Spirit. After Jesus died and rose again (the Resurrrection - Easter), he ascended into heaven (Feast of the Ascension, May 9), and then he sent the Holy Spirit, the Third Person, on the Apostles. This is what we celebrated on the Feast of Pentecost on May 19.

1 Sharmaine Cheng Jing Yi

Class : Sunday, 8.30 am. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour,

from ..................... in the

2 Emily Koh Jia Ling : Class: Saturday, 3.10pm. Holy Spirit 3

Peter Mah Cihui

Class: 17/12/2000. Holy Trinity

Children please take note: C o n g r a tu la tio n s

You need to look at the DATES when you are to send in your answers and YOU NEED TO KEEP TO THEM.

‘You about

W ill th e

n o tifie d

c o lle c tio n

Other correct entries were from:

The winners are the first three correct entries, between those dates, according to the times indicated in the "Inbox”.

Francesca Kok Si Hui of Risen Christ. Jonathan Chua Wei Jin of St Anne's. Marian Ng Se Lin of Christ the King.

Top Achievers S e llin g , B u y in g o r C a r e e r in R e a l E s ta te

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The reason for the dates is because some children would receive the Catholic News as early as the Wednesday BEFORE the Sunday that it is dated. For example some will get this issue on Wednesday, 19 June, when it comes off the press! Others will get it on Saturday or Sunday 22, 23 June. Still others will get it through the mail, even later.

C o m e v is it u s a t

th e

p r iz e s .

Congratulations to you three as well.

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JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

WORLD

Latest Merce

Making History VATICAN CITY - (Vatican Press).

CNS Photo from Reuters

The ML 430 - specs and price (without COE) on request. VATICAN CITY - (Vatican Press)

During a General Audience at the Vatican recently, the Holy Father received a gift of a new "Popemobil" from the famed Mercedes Benz stable. At the end of the audience he said: "I greet the Directors and Administration of Daimler Chrysler and I thank them for the gift of this new "panoramic car" which they have brought as a gift to the Pope. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart." Editor's Note: Mercedes Benz

has for decades provided the offi cial state car for the Pope, and since the assasination attempt on Pope John Paul's life in 1981, they provided a glass bullet-proof vehi cle, as he was shot in an open vehicle in St Peter's Square. The new ML 430 replaces the now aging original Popemobil. The Pope already tried it out (see photo) and the vehicle is expected to be used in Canada for his week-long stay on the occasion of World Youth Day in July.

The Deputy Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Ciro Benedettini gave the following press release. This morning, Friday June 7, 2002, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Dr. Dato' Seri Mahathir bin Mohamad, was received in audience by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. He then held meetings with His Eminence Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State and His Excellency Jean-Louis Tauran, Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States (Foreign Affairs) During the course of the conversations, the present state of Church-State relations in Malaysia was discussed, as well as the mutual cooperation for the promotion of dialogue between culture and religions, with a particular consideration of the cultural links between Islam and Christianity. Also, there was an exchange of opinions on current international questions, particularly those regarding Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The meetings which took place today mark the first time in history

Malaysian Prime Ministr Dato Sri Dr Mahathir with the Holy Father

that a Prime Minister of Malaysia met with the Holy Father and the highest officials of the Holy See. Editor's Note: Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See, so Dr Mahathir was p re s e n te d to the Pope by

Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy. The Vatican maintains contact with the Church in Malaysia through an Apostolic Delegate, who is also Nuncio (ambassador) to Singapore and other countries in the region.

News Briefs

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

On the occasion of the recent World Food Summit in Rome, the Holy Father met a number of Heads of State. Among them were: His Exc. John Agyekum Kufuor, Presidentofthe RepublicofGhana, and his Consort, Her Exc. Megawati Soekarnoputri, President of the Republic of Indonesia, with her Consort, His Exc. Andres Pastrana Arango, President of the Republic of Colombia, with his Consort, His Exc. YoweriKaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda,

His Exc. Gnasingbe Eyadema, President of Republica of Togo His Exc.Teburoro Tito, President of the Republic of Kiribati, His Exc. Kessai H. Note, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and His Majesty Mswati II, King of Swaziland. ARRIVAL IN TORONTO

World Youth Day cross bearers, completing the final leg of their pilgrim age across Canada, celebrate after bringing the cross to St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto June 9. The city will host the international gathering of Catholic youth in late July, with Pope John Paul II celebrating the closing vigil and Mass.

St Peter's Basilica during the Beatification Ceremony o f Blessed Padre Pio, 2 May 1999

VATICAN CITY. On 20 February

1971, barely three years after the death of Padre Pio, Pope Paul VI, speaking to the Superiors of the Capuchin Order, said of him: ‘‘Look what fame he had, what a worldwide following gathered around him! But why? Perhaps because he was a philosopher? Because he was wise? Because he had resources at his disposal? Because he said Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was - it is not easy to say it - one who bore the wounds of our Lord. He was a man of prayer and suffering”. Even during his lifetime, he enjoyed a vast reputation for sanctity, because of his virtues, his spirit of prayer, sacrifice and total dedication to the good of souls. In the years following his death, his reputation for sanctity and miracles grew steadily, and became

established in the Church, all over the world and among all kinds of people. God thus showed the Church his desire to glorify on earth his faithful servant. In a short time the Capuchin Order took the steps prescribed by canon law to begin the Cause of Beatification and Canonization. After examining the case, the Holy See, in accordance with the norm of the Motu Proprio “Sanctitas Clarior”, granted the nihil obstaton 29 November 1982. The Archbishop of Manfredonia was thus enabled to introduce the Cause and set up the informative process (1983- 1990). On 7 December 1990, the Congregation forthe Causes of Saints recognized its juridical validity. When the Positio had been completed, there was the usual discussion on whether the Servant of God had

exercised the virtues to a heroic degree. On 13 June 1997 the Special Meeting ofthe Theological Consultors was held and gave a positive judgement. In the Ordinary Session on 21 October 1997, with Bishop Andrea Maria Erba of Velletri Segni, the Proposer of the Cause, together with the Cardinals and Bishops, recognized that Padre Pio da Pietrelcina had lived to a heroic degree the theological, cardinal and associated virtues. On 18 December 1997, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the Decree on heroic virtue was promulgated. For the Beatification of Padre Pio, the Postulation presented to the competent Congregation the healing of Signora Consiglia De Martino of Salerno. The regular canonical process on this case was held at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Archdiocese of SalernoCampagna-Acerno from July 1996 to June 1997. On 30 April 1998 at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints the Medical Board examined the miracle, and on 22 June 1998 the Special Meeting of Theological Consultors gave its judgement. On 20 October 1998 the Ordinary Congregation of the Cardinals and Bishops belonging to the Congregation was held in the Vatican. On 21 December 1998 in the presence of Pope John Paul II the Decree on the miracle was promulgated. On 2 May 1999, in the course of a solemn concelebrated Mass in St Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul 11 by his apostolic authority beatified the Venerable Servant of God Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, naming 23 September as the date of liturgical feast. For the canonization of Blessed

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina the Postulation presented to the competent Dicastery the cure of the young Matteo Pio Colella of San Giovanni Rotondo. The regular canonical process on the case was held at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Diocese of ManfredoniaVieste from 11 June to 17 October 2000. On 23 October the documents were forwarded to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On 21 November 2001 the medical testimony was examined by the same Congregation. The Theological Consultors held a special Congress on 11 December and on 18 December the ordinary Session of Cardinals and Bishops took place. On 20 December, in the presence of John Paul II, the Decree on the m iracle was prom ulgated. Finally, on 28 February 2002 the Decree of his Canonization was promulgated. He was canonized, 16 June 2002.

JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

1 12 Ordinary j

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

FAITH IN LIFE

13 Ordinary June 30

June 23

TRUST IN GOD The Texts:

1 Rd: Jer 20:10-13 2 Rd: Rom 5:12-15

Resp: Ps 68 Gospel: Mt 10:26-33

The focus is quite clearly confidence and trust in the presence and power of God.

In the First Reading Jeremiah laments the fact that every one seems to be against him, even his friends. But he does not lose courage .. He expresses his trust in God. “But the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero;

Forthose whotrust inthe in

LIFE W ITH CHRIST The Texts: 1 Rd: 2Kg 4:8-11.14-16 2 Rd: Rom 6:3-4. 8-11

Resp: Ps 88 Gospel: Mt 10:37-42

The First Reading is about a certain woman's welcome given to the Prophet Elisha, and the reward she received as a result. The choice of this incident for the First Reading would seem to be the injunction in the Gospel passage about welcoming a prophet and a holy man. The Responsorial Psalm sings of the love of God and the happiness of those who follow in the ways of the Lord and draw strength from him.

my opponents will stumble, mastered, confounded by their failure. “

with your help that never fails. ... for the Lord listens to the needy and does not spurn his servants in their chains. “

The Second Reading reminds us that baptism in the Lord must mean a death to sin and a rising with him to newness of life. This new life has two dimensions. We have to live a new life on earth, and that will ensure that we rise with Christ to a new life in eternity, a sharing in the life of God himself.

In the Second Reading, St. Paul gives a spiritual dimension to the difficulties of this life. He refers to sin in the world, but also to the certainty of God's gift of divine grace to overcome sin: “...divine grace, coming

The Gospel has various instructions for us from the instructions that Jesus gave to his own Apostles. First of all, the following of Christ involves total commitment and a willingness to sacrifice all. “Anyone who

through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant, free gift."

prefers father or mother to me is not worthy o f me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy o f me".

In the Gospel we have the explicit assurance of Christ himself-. “Do not be afraid o f those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." He points out that God takes care of the sparrows: “So there is no need to be

Christ goes on to define further the quality of discipleship. “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy o f me". If our response is expected to be a total commitment, then it will

The Responsorial Psalm, expresses the same sentiments - recognition of the difficulties in this life, yet sings of the great love of the Lord which can be relied on in difficult times: “In your great love answer me, God,

surely involve sacrifice on our part and we need to be prepared for this. This is what St Paul is precisely alluding to in today's Second Reading when he speaks of dying with Christ in order to rise with Christ to a new life. The taking up of the cross is an obvious allusion to Christ's own death on the cross.

afraid,- you are worth more than hundreds o f sparrows. “ .

All of us at one time or another have experienced difficulties, anxieties and adversity. The assurances that we receive today should be sufficient to bolster our faith in the presence and power of God. There is however, one condition mentioned by Christ: “So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence o f men, I will declare myself for him in the presence o f my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence o f men, I will disown in the presence o f my Father." Fidelity to Christ is the key condition. If we live as true followers of Christ, we have nothing to fear in this world, but it is up to us.

The remaining instructions about welcoming a prophet and a holy man as well as charity shown to others are, as suggested earlier, the reason or the choice of the First Reading, but in the context of the understanding of a "prophet" as someone who speaks on behalf of God, then, welcoming a prophet would imply welcoming God's messenger and more so the message he conveys.

Application in life

Surely none of us harbours any illusions about the difficulties of life. If anyone claims that he or she has never known difficulty at some point and even many points in life then, "Blessed are ye!" We sometimes think there are such people who seem to simply sail through life. Every good thing seems to come their way. Yet we never really know what goes on in the life of people. Some learn to "suffer in silence" and don't make a big fuss about the difficulties they experience.

Today's theme is "life with Christ". One cannot help but wonder sometime, whether this is just a "nice phrase" or whether this is a reality that all of us experience. The question poses itself: "Is being a Christian something really special? Does being baptized make us any different from others who are not?" We believe that it does. At least, it's supposed to make a difference! It's supposed to mean that we have died with Christ to sin and to ourselves and that we have risen with Christ to a new life that has been transformed by grace. We are supposed to be familiar with the basics of Christ's teaching beginning with his new commandment to love one another as he has loved us. Indeed, it has been said one way or another, that love characterizes Christianity. If that is so, then love must characterize our lives in all its facets, in all its activities - our daily living, our work and recreation, our relationships with one another, our whole existence. All this, of course, is very nice indeed when said. Whether this is a reality or not, is the important question. Of course we would all be quick to point out that it is not so easy to actually implement this in our lives. But then again, who said it was supposed to be easy? The path of Christ to glory was not easy - it was the way of the Cross. If we are to go by what Jesus says in the Gospel today, we have to follow in his footsteps. It is not so much a question of to what degree we have achieved identification with Christ, but rather to what degree we have and are seriously making efforts to work towards achieving this identification. Actually we will not achieve identification until we are fully in union with him in the next life. But this must not be taken as an excuse not to work towards that identification. Surely after years of professing to be disciples of Christ, there must be some tangible difference between us and those who don't believe in Christ and who do not follow in his footsteps. We must continually examine our lives, our behaviour, our attitudes , our relationships in day to day living to determine whether there are differences and signs of change for the better- not to be able to boast about being better than others, but to ensure that we really are following Christ! Being different in our case, is the acid test of true discipleship. If we want to be disciples of Christ, the path we shall have to tread must necessarily be also a way of the Cross. Ultimately we shall follow Christ also to victory and reward, but not until we have climbed Golgotha, the hill of crucifixion. St Paul alludes to this in the Second Reading today:

Whatever it is, our faith should make a difference. We claim to believe in a God of love. He himself assures us of his providential care in today's liturgy. What happens, however, is that we often forget to remember that we believe in a God who is providential and takes care of sparrows, and that we are, in his own words, more important than sparrows! Apart from not being conscious enough of God's providential care, there is another aspect to the whole issue of the difficulties we encounter and this question of God coming to our help. We tend to view our situation with our own perceptions, which is of course only natural. Even if we do talk about our problems and situations with others, they too will give us suggestions and perceptions from their point of view. What we have to remember is that all these points of view and perceptions are necessarily human, and therfore necessarily limited. We can only base our ideas on our own experiences and those of others. If we are talking of God's providence, then we're talking about something else altogether. We are talking of a divine perception. We're talking of no limitations with regard to space and time. We're talking of someone who knows all and sees all. This makes all the difference! Thus it is that when we do eventually remember to turn to God in prayer, we forget that he "knows better". Yet, we seem to want him to come to our help and our aid and "arrange" things in our perspective, the way in which we think things ought to be arranged. That's actually very dangerous, because of our limited perception and knowledge. We would certainly do far better to leave things to him since he "knows best". Strange though, why we find it very difficult to do this to abandon ourselves to his loving care. Parents and adults in general tend to expect children to do this, becaue "we know best", because of our greater knowledge and experience in life. But that is nothing compared to God’s knowledge and "experience", if we can talk like that.

“...when we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized in his death . . . we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life".

Our best bet is to pray like Jesus: "Not my will but yours be done!"

Special Feasts: Mon 24 June: The Birth of St John the Baptist, Precursor o f Jesus. Sat 29 June: Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles

Special Feasts: Mon 01 July: 34th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination of Archbishop Emeritus of Singapore, the Most Rev Dr Gregory Yong,

ordained Bishop of Penang, 01 July 1968 Wed 03 July: St. Thomas, Apostle

JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

FAMILY

Catholic lawyers and Divorce By Mel Diamse-Lee DO CATHOLIC lawyers betray their faith and the Church’s teachings when they participate in divorce proceedings? Are there other ways Catholic lawyers can protect the rights of their married clients without resorting to di vorce?

These questions were answered recently when Franciscan Canon lawyer, Fr John-Paul Tan, and civil lawyer, Peter Low, spoke on “Di vorce: the Role of Catholic Lawyers”. Fr John-Paul said the talk, or ganised by Family Life Society and the 40-strong volunteers of the Catholic Legal Aid, was to clarify the Church’s teaching in light of the pope’s January address to the Ro man Rota. In translating the address ofthe pope to the Roman Rota, “we should understad the context of his speech,” he told some 200 Catholic lawyers, priests and volunteers of Family Life Society affiliates who attended the May 18 talk at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre. “What the pope is inviting Catho lic lawyers to do is not just become technicans who say OK to every one who wants to apply for a divorce,” he said. “As Catholic lawyers, there is a role where, if we look at all the avenues available, hopefully the lawyer can become a pastor also, proposing a reconciliation at all cost, if possible,” said Fr John-Paul. Catholic lawyers also need to make a certain judgement and ask themselves if they can help save the marriage, he said. “That is the obligation of every Catholic lawyer, to look at the marriage to see if there is a possibliity for reconcilia tion. Even if there is a minute chance, you should work at trying to reconcile the marriage. In order to understand the sanc tity of a Catholic marriage, one has to understand the theology behind the Church’s understanding of mar riage, he stressed. “If the marriage that comes to you has already broken down and all the couple wants is for some legal ties to be taken care of, in conscience you have to make a choice. Are you fulfilling your job to defend the rights of the parties?” He noted that even civil laws were created to protect rights. “We do not support a free di vorce mentally. But we have to be very clear as to how to help people whose marriages, in all essence, have broken down and need maintainance for themselves and their children.” He said that the local tribunal, which comprises three courts of three judges each and him as de fender of the bond, sees about 50-60 cases of annulment petitions each year, although he noted that a lot more Catholics go through di vorce without ever applying for nullification. He noted that when marriages break up civil lawyers are caught in the dilemma as to whether to fulfill their task as civil lawyers or to fulfill their duty as Catholic. This is why he said the Church Tribunal insists that before a mar riage case is submitted, “we insist that they (couple) have decreed

absolute, that they have gone through the civil process of divorce. “This is to ensure that the mar riage has had no chance of reconciliation. Even then there is no guarantee that the marriage will be declared null,” he stressed. He noted that a lot of the people break down in the tribunal inter views because they have to dig out all their past hurts. “Many of them say they have already gone through it once in a civil court during divorce proceedings and now they are do ing a second round. “But we believe if it is dealt with pastorally and carefully, it is a proc ess of healing, and hopefully, a chance at reconciliation. So our job is also pastoral, it is not clinical or legal,” Fr John-Paul said. He clarified that the Tribunal leaves it to the civil forum to deal with rights, while it deals with the issue of sacramentality and indis solubility of the marriage. “The Church Tribunal is a serv ice of justice and truth, to clarify for a person his or her status in church,” he stressed. The tribunal does not exist to destroy marriages and render them null, neither is it there to say no to everyone that comes along asking for a declaration of nullity of a mar riage, Fr John-Paul added. “We study the case, we put the facts together with all the opinions of the defender of the bond and the advocate and, in conscience before God, they arrive at a moral cer tainty,” he said. Unlike civil law, which requires an “absolute balance of probability”, Canon Law does not ask for absolute certainty but “moral certitude” in the rulings because the Church believes “in the middle is the truth,” he said. To emphasise this, he quoted Pope Pius Xll's 1941 address to the Roman Rota where he said, “no ecclessiastical tribunal has the right or power to demand more than this.” A couple might go through a divorce but if the Church Tribunal judges their marriage valid, they are not free to marry, he noted. “When canons are applied prop erly, positive values help prepare persons for marriage, provide a clear listing of those instances when a wedding has not produced a mar riage and offer a number of presumptions which enable Church officials to consider practical solu tions,” Fr John-Paul stressed. “The more we understand mar riage for what it really is and the more we make a correct judgement that a marriage is null or valid and have a clearer understanding of what marriage should be, the more we have a better understanding of how to promote married life.” The job of the Church Tribunal is “to understand the human per son, to understand theology, so that when we make a correct judge ment, it is always towards the upholding of marriage, even in cases when we declare the marriage null. At the end of the day, what we want to promote and uphold is marriage in its theological understanding,” he said. Canon Law recognises a coun try’s civil law, such as the legal age for marriage in Singapore, he said,

Fr John-Paul Tan (above) at the May 18 talk attended by Catholic lawyers, priests and FLS affiliate organisation members (right).

adding that when one reads Canon Law, one must be careful not to read it with Common Law traditions. Singapore law has its roots in the British system, which is a Common Law tradition, he added. Because the Church holds mar riage in such a high ideal, there are also more areas in which a mar riage may be deemed defective, noted Fr John-Paul.

Canon Law 1060 holds as a legal presumption that every mar riage is valid because it is an important institution that enjoys the favour of law. “The onus of over turning this law is on the people who want to challenge their mar riage. They have to provide the reasons why they think their mar riage is not valid,” he said. Mr Peter Low presented the civil proceedings lawyers can recom mend to married clients to ensure that their clients’ rights to their chil dren, the conjugal property and monetary help are protected. In Singapore people seek di vorce for irretrievable breakdown of the marriage due to adultery, deser tion, separation or unreasonable behaviour of the spouse as mani fested by abusive behaviour, indifference to the children, possessivness, habitual gambling or drinking, etc. For the same reason as divorce judicial separation can be applied. The couple can later apply for di vorce proceedings. Lawyers can also apply for nul lity proceedings for non-consum -mation of marriage, invalid consent, mental disorder, if the spouse has a communicable form of sexual dis ease and pregnancy by a third party. One participant at the talk sug gested that lawyers “take on the role of a theologian and adapt the Church's teaching”, barring them selves from participating in divorce

proceedings. However, Friar John-Paul stressed: “The pope does not say that Catholic lawyers cannot be involved in divorce. As lawyers, we need to be pastorally-oriented, not technicians. Try as much as you can to promote family life, human life, encourage reconciliation if pos sible and if the marriage has broken down, professionally look at your role as to how you can protect the rights of the couple.” FLS executive director James Wong revealed that the govern ment, noting the 5,000 divorces in 2000, has started a programme, Project Heart, with the Family Jus tice Court and five family life agencies to give couples a chance to work out their marriage. FLS has been chosen as one of those agen cies to give them counselling. Mr David Cheong, a volunteer with CHOICE, said he found the talk “enlightening. It’s not every day that we get to know the Church’s stand on divorce.” The pope’s address to the Roman Rota and to civil lawyers, which was largely misinterpreted by the secu lar press, was given more clarity, he added. Following the talk, a group of lawyers expressed the need to form a Catholic lawyers’ group, which is now being organised. For more in formation, contact Mr Jimmy Yim (6531-2505, email: jimmy.yim@ drewnapier.com). □

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JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

FEATURE THE

The PRIMACY of PETER

FEAST - 29 June

St Peter is the Head of the

Apostles and Head of the Church founded by Christ. He was chosen as the head by Jesus himself. "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church." St Paul has traditionally been celebrated together with St Peter, because of the fact that St Paul, though not one of the Twelve origi nally chosen by Jesus, was, nevertheless, specially chosen by the Lord as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9. St Paul went on to become known as the Apostle to the Gen tiles (the non-Jews), while Peter and most of the other Apostles appear to have focussed mainly on the conversion of Jews. In terms of rank importance of feasts, the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul has the title of Solemnity with the recitation of the Gloria and Creed during the Mass. It is in the same category as the Solemnities of Our Lord, though it comes after feasts associated with Jesus. The Papal Coat of Arms

Since the 19th Cent., the two crossed keys have been the official insignia of the Holy See. The gold one, alludes to the heavenly power, the silver one, indicates the spiritual authority of the papacy on earth. The mechanisms are turned up towards the heaven and the grips turned down into the hands of the Vicar of Christ. The cord and bow that unites the grips alludes to the bond between the two powers.

THE

H O LY

Heavenly Pow er - th e gold key

the time of Jesus there didn't exist the structures of the Church as we see them today. Nevertheless, Peter and the apostles certainly appear in the Scriptures to have exercised responsibility to carry on the mission of Jesus. The Second Vatican Council describes this process in its Dogmatic Constituition on the Church "the Light of the Nations". The Lord Jesus, after praying to the Father, calling to Himself those whom He desired, appointed twelve to be with Him, and whom He would send to preach the Kingdom o f God; and these apostles He formed after the manner o f a college or a stable group, over which He placed Peter chosen from among them. He sent them first to the children o f Israel and then to all nations, so that as sharers in His power they might make all peoples His disciples, and sanctify and govern them, and thus spread His Church, and by ministering to it under the guidance o f the Lord, direct it all days even to the consummation o f the world. ... And the apostles, by preaching the Gospel everywhere, and it being accepted by their hearers under the influence o f the Holy Spirit, gather together the universal Church, which the Lord established on the apostles and built upon blessed Peter, their chief, Christ Jesus Himself being the supreme cornerstone.

The mission that the Apostles

SEE

The State of Vatican City covers 0,439 km2 (about 44 ha; 108,5 acres), a maximum length of 1,045 meters and width of 850 meters. Saint Peter’s Square is at 19 meters above sea level and the highest part of the Vatican Gardens is at 77 meters. It is an Enclave within the City of Rome, in Italy.

It extends from a short distance from the right bank of the Tiber and includes a slight elevation, of what was anciently known as the Vatican Hill, on which summer villas were built during the republican period. Caligula constructed there his private circus, in which, as in the adjacent gardens, the early Christians would seem to have been martyred. To the north route, there was a necropolis in which Saint Peter was buried. Between the years 324 and 326 Constantine erected over the place of the tomb of the first Pope, an imposing basilica which was replaced by the actual one built between the 16th and the 17th century. The entire territory of the State of Vatican City is placed under the protection of the La Haye Convention of 14 May 1954, concerning the safeguard of cultural goods in case of armed conflict. The Vatican City is thus recognized - and this is so also in international discipline - as a moral,

individually to Peter, the first among the apostles, is permanent and is to be transmitted to his successors, so also the apostles’ office o f nurturing the Church is permanent, and is to be exercised without interruption by the sacred order o f bishops. Therefore, the Sacred Council teaches that bishops by divine institution have succeeded to the p la ce o f the a po stles, as shepherds o f the Church, and he who hears them, hears Christ, and he who rejects them, rejects Christ and Him who sent Christ.

The expression, "the Primacy of Peter" refers to the function of supremacy over the whole Church which was entrusted to St Peter by Jesus himself, when he made him head of the Apostles. Obviously at

received from Jesus has to endure till the end of time, hence they in their turn ensured that there would be continuity in the leadership of the Church. They therefore appointed such men, and gave them the order that, when they should have died, other approved men would take up their ministry. Among those various ministries which, according to tradition, were exercised in the Church from the earliest times, the chief place belongs to the office o f those who, appointed to the episcopate, by a succession running from the beginning,are passers-on o f the apostolic seed. ... Bishops, therefore, with their helpers, the priests and deacons, have taken up the service o f the community, presiding in place o f God o ve r the flock, whose shepherds they are, as teachers for doctrine, priests for sacred worship, and ministers for governing. And just as the office granted

S p ir itu a l A u th o r ity

artistic and cultural patrim ony worthy of being respected and protected as a treasure belonging to humanity. From 1984 the State of Vatican City is registered in the World Heritage List. There exist some minor areas outside State territory and located within Italy which enjoy extraterritorial rights, such as the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo fuori le Mura, with adjacent buildings; some palaces and Roman villas which house pontifical administrations; the villas and Palace of Castel Gandolfo, which is the summer residence of the Pope; the area located in Cesano at about 25 km from Rome Structure and Diplomatic Relations.

The expression Holy See refers to the supreme Authority of the Church, and thus the Pope as Bishop of Rome and head of the College of Bishops and defines, therefore, the Central Government of the Catholic Church, As such, the Holy See is an institution which,

E a rth

The Second Vatican Council draws a parallel between the Apostolic College of the Apostles with Peter as the Head and our modern-day bishops with the Pope, as the Successor in unbroken line from Peter, as the head. Just as in the Gospel, the Lord so disposing, St. Peter and the other apostles constitute one apostolic college, so in a similar way the Rom an P ontiff, the successor o f Peter, and the bishops, the successors o f the apostles, are joined together.

The general practice of this form of "operation" as a College is seen through the centuries with Bishops coming together in councils, both regional and general (ecumenical Councils) to discuss and settle common issues. The practice of several bishops coming together to take part in the elevation of new candidates for the high priesthood is yet another indication of this colegiate action on the part of Bishops in the Church. The council then concludes: Hence, one is constituted a member of the episcopal body in virtue of sacramental consecration and hierarchical communion with the head and members of the body.

th e

the person of the Supreme Pontiff, as Head of State,

according to the international laws and customs, has a juridical personality which permits it to sign treaties and to send and receive diplomatic representatives, as juridical equivalent of a state. The State of Vatican City came into existence with the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy on 11 February 1929 and ratified on 7 June 1929, by which Italy recognized the full property rights and exclusive sovereignty on the Vatican as it is made up at present. It is a very small territorial entity, with the purpose of making it possible for the Pope to exercise freely his

The supreme power of the Pope already defined in the First Vatican Council is strongly reiterated by the Second Vatican Council. In virtue o f his office, that is as Vicar o f Christ and pastor o f the whole Church, the Roman Pontiff has full, supreme and universal power over the Church. And he is always free to exercise this power. The order o f bishops, which succeeds to the college o f apostles and gives this apostolic body continued existence, is also the subject o f supreme and full power over the universal Church, provided we understand this body together with its head the Roman Pontiff and never without this head. This power can be exercised only with the consent of the Roman Pontiff. For our Lord placed Peter alone as the rock and the bearer o f the keys o f the Church, and made him shepherd o f the whole flock; it is evident, however, that the power o f binding and loosing, which was given to Peter, was granted also to the college o f apostles, joined with their head. The supreme power in the universal Church, which this college enjoys, is exercised in a solemn way in an ecumenical council. A council is never ecumenical unless it is confirmed or at least accepted as such by the successor of Peter; and it is prerogative of the Roman Pontiff to convoke these councils, to preside over them and to confirm them. - Editor

silver key

Ministry of governing the universal Church. The State of Vatican City and the Holy See, both sovereign subjects of international public law, universally recognized, are indissolubly united in

The State o f Vatican City

But the college or body o f bishops has no authority unless it is understood together with the Roman Pontiff, the successor of Peter as its head. The pope's power of primacy over all, both pastors and faithful, remains whole and intact.

who possesses full legislative, judicial and executive powers. In periods of Vacancy of the Apostolic See, these powers belong to the College of Cardinals. The Supreme Pontiff governs the State through the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City (legislative power); composed of cardinals, nominated by him for a 5 year period) and the Governatorate of the State of Vatican City (executive power). The legislative regulations are published in a special supple ment of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis. The judicial power is exercised, in the name of the Supreme Pontiff, by the constituted organs according to the juridical structure of the State: a Magistrate, a Court of First Instance, a Court of Appeal and a Court of Cessation. The Supreme Pontiff represents, through the Secretariat of State, the State of Vatican City

in relations with foreign States, for the conclusion of Treaties and for diplomatic relations. Between 1870 and 1929, when the State of Vatican City did not exist, the Holy See maintained diplomatic relations with many States. Diplomatic envoys to the Holy See, with a certain stable character, are found since the end of the XV century. In the XVI century the constitution of permanent representations began. The Holy See, besides the active right of diplom atic representation (the Apostolic Nuncio is a pontifical Rep resentative, who covers the permanent function of rep resentation of the Roman Pontiff with States and with the local ecclesiastical hierarchy), exercises the passive right, which means that it receives Representatives sent by States in extraordinary and temporary mission or ordinary and permanent mission. Both the State of Vatican City and the Holy See, as the sovereign organ of the Catholic Church, have obtained an ever growing re cognition of their distinct inter national character. They are members of international organ izations and participate in international conferences according to the relative agreements. □ Vatican Information Services

THE CATHOLIC NEWS ■ rhem m m m m m m m m

JUNE 23 - JU NE 30, 2002

VIEWPOINT

CATHOLIC NEWS

Shutting the Stable Door

EDITOR Dr (Rev) Robert P. Balhetchet M ANAG ER Rev Fr Johnson Fernandez

Much has been "aired" about the very sad and regretable scandal of the conduct of some members of the hierarchy in the Church. Judging from world media reports the end does not seem to be anywhere in sight. Indeed, what seemed to be a country or regional problem appears to have spread to many areas of the world. Words are not adequate to express the magnitude and seriousness of the issue and the inestimable damage that has been caused, first and most of all to the victims, but also to all levels in the Church. It is truly disconcerting to read in world media that in terms of statistics and "percentages", the problem is very small. One, is one too many, in an BY DR (REV) issue of this kind! What has happened, cannot be un ROBERT P. done! What is most important, is what is to BALHETCHET be done! It appears that there has been a tardiness in reaction on the part of Church authorities. One would have imagined that Bishops' Conferences around the world should have met in "emergency sessions" to address the issue, whether or not the problem directly affects their area of jurisdiction. The issue is one that gravely damages the Church's mission and affects the work of its ordained ministers. Of course, one cannot expect instant "solutions" and "remedies" to result from such emergency sessions, but at least, the whole Church and the world, must know that the leaders of the Church have sprung into action to face and tackle the issue and are seen to be doing so. By way of example, in the United States, where the problem seems to have assumed such enormous propor tions and where news coverage has been and still is so intense, the US Bishops' Conference has only just held its

STAFF CO RRESPO N DENTS Rev Fr Richards Ambrose Christopher Khoo Mel Diamse-Lee 2 HIG HLAND RD #01-03, SIN G APO RE 549102 TEL: 858-3055, FAX NO. 858-2055 e-mail: cathnew s@ catholic.org.sg.

To send letters, articles and fo r editorial enquiries e-mail: steeple@ singnet.com .sg

From the P e w s : e-mail: s t e e p le @ s in g n e t . c o m .s g

please include full name, address, contact number/ e-mail address.

regular scheduled June meeting, months after the issue surface! Debate was rife concerning the outcome of this meeting in terms of action. One heard of arguments of so-called "zero-tolerance" as opposed to "after one incident", imme diate laicization, reporting to civil authorities, a "charter", etc. The Conference has now decided on "immediate suspension from the ministry" but stops short of laicization. Very little, however, has been said about stricter scru tiny of potential candidates and continuing assessment during training. It has been pointed out that existing psychological tests are inadequate to "predict" possible future deviant tendencies, but even then, there surely are indicators that could sound alarm bells. Time was, with vocations in abundance, when there was little or no hesitation in declaring candidates unsuit able for whatever reason and asking such to discontinue their priestly training. Granted that one must not under estimate the power of divine grace, but this needs to be balanced against an over-expectation of the occurence of miracles of grace. The increasing paucity of priestly and religious voca tions cannot be allowed to result in a lowering of standards of selectivity. Indeed there exist factors in society today which might well call for an even stricter evaluation of candidates on more than just the issue that has currently spawned a media blitz in some countries. We cannot just wishfully hope that the passage of time will heal the wounds caused by this veritable tragedy in the Church. We need to work hard to restore faith and confidence of the laity, and the world at large, in their trust of the hierarchy. □

FR O M T H E PEW S

Praise

Constructive Criticism Like any new columns in any publication, I note that From The Pews has, since its launch, received its fa ir share of readership criticisms on the ‘New' Catholic Newsletter as well as other church issues . A newsletter with no criticisms can mean no readership interest therefore I believe from the response received so far through From The Pews is an indication that the Catholic News is a successful communication media. My congratulations go to the editorial teams, past and present, for keeping up the good work. In the last edition of Catholic news, a letter by Lynette was published in From The Pews column and the content of her letter has actually prompted this letter. I need not repeat what was said but I would like to highlight to the writer and also to others that before one starts to criticise and to make comparisons, he must be ready with a plausible solution. We need to be constructive in our criticisms and not criticise for the sake of it. It is always easy to air our dissatisfaction over what should be written and how it should be done but has anyone sat back to think how difficult it is for the publication team to constantly have a stream of new ideas and materials each fortnightl to ensure that the Catholic community will always have an issue of the newsletter to bring home? Deadlines cannot be missed for when a publication is born, it is a commitment of the publication

team to put in their 100% to see through each publication until the day the house is closed down!. Moreover the Catholic newsletter is not a profit making publication house and its publication team is not made up of external private professionals. The point I am trying to make here is to try to have everybody understand that we cannot compare our newsletter on the scale as those published by big international publishing houses who rely on their publications to make a profit for survival. Our expectations of our Catholic news editorial team should be moderated by these facts. Likewise each editor has his own styles, just like God makes us as what we are, each having his own individualistic character and special gifts! With time, one will grow and appreciate the style of the new Editor. So let us all be patient to give the new editorial team room to breathe and be inspired with more new ideas that will bring our newsletter to higher heights. Rather than just bombarding them with OUR expectations why not we use the energy and breath to add another verse to our daily prayers - that God will continue to inspire our Editorial team and that they never be lack of HIS WORDS AND IDEAS to promote. I too have the task of helping out on my company inhouse newsletter and therefore I fully understand and appreciate what the editorial team faces each issue, the challenges and the

headaches, not to mention nightmares when one runs out of ideas and the deadline is drawing near! Alethea Your comments on being construc tive are most welcome because the quality is not exactly common. Criti cism is easy indeed, but it can only be really useful if it is constructive, and that what doesn’t seem to come too easily. There is a “process” to achieve this that I would like to share. Something that I learnt from my “big boss" when I was working in a “secular jo b ”. Whenever you criticized some thing, he would listen very care fully, interuppting from time to time with “Why?” You had better have good reasons to support what you were saying. When he was satis fied that the criticism was valid, he would then ask: “What do you sug gest?" You had better have a very good alternative, because he would interrupt from time to time, with powerful objections and probems that could arise, you had better have good answers and solutions. Then would come the “acid test”. He would say: “I think it's a good idea. If I give you the job, are you prepared to do it? If you hesitated and started to come up with excuses, he would say:" You are the best person to do it because it is your idea. No one else would be able to do it as well as you." Over the years I found it a very useful process to achieve construc tive criticism that results in positive action and improvement.

I wish to congratulate you and your staff on the Catholic News new format. Being the major source of Catholic information in Singapore, I am glad that the serial has now more content. Furthermore, the inclusion of important Church documents such as Papal encyclicals, or the recent Special Session in the UN over the care of children has now allowed for a greater dissemination of such news to the Catholic community in Singapore. This would create a greater awareness among us of issues worldwide, as well as “bridge the gap” between what the Universal Church teaches and our need to be better informed about what we should believe. C.M Thank you very much. Praise is always welcome. It is very sur prising how rare a commodity this is. This also seems to be the case with appreciation. Both o f them cost nothing, yet are so valuable. For some reason, it appears that we Asians are somewhat reluctant to dispense these two elements. There seems to be an attitude o f taking things for granted, or still worse, as being owed to us by others, or that others don't deserve to be praised or thanked because they are sim

ply fulfilling their duty or being paid for what they do. One seems, to find this at all levels and in all sorts o f relation ships between persons, whether in the family, or in the workplace or in society at large. Certainly, as Christians, if for no other reason, we should all try to change these attitudes, correct ing our own personal interaction with others, and, if we are in posi tions o f "teaching" and "forming" others, we should seize opportuni ties to foster change. Change in this area will make for a much better relationship and interaction with others. More than that, it will bring out the best in other as well. Many will attest to this and any parent or teacher or 'boss' who uses the approach o f praising and thanking will have many examples to narrate o f what this does to those under their charge. Q , From the Pews : e-mail: s t e e p le @ s in g n e t . c o m . s g

please include full name, address, contact number/ e-mail address.

TO THE PEWS We truly appreciate views expressed. The focus that is coming up in the next issue: THE BIBLE - Bible Sunday, 14 July

JUNE 23 - JUNE 30, 2002

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Litu rgical E x p re s s io n s Sacred Separation I would like to share some personal reflections with the prayer that these thoughts could perhaps help us to grow into a continuing and deeper experience for what is without doubt “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, (and) the fount from which all her power flows” (Sacrosanctum Concilium). Being a Catholic and convert to the faith for over a decade, the celebration and worship through the Church’s Liturgy has been my only source of nourishment and growth as a disciple and follower of Jesus our Lord. For it is through the worship of the liturgy, (the “melody o f theology" as Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople in the 8thCentury once so marvellously put it), that I experience the invisible m anifestation of the saving mysteries of faith, through the visible life and celebration of the Church. With the growing Catholic population, aging Church buildings, need for better ministry facilities, and not to mention the warming clim atic changes, it is understandable that there is a need for this work. And I must congratulate those who have put in tremendous effort and love in thinking through the planning, design and con-struction of those churches. To these people, we the Catholic community owe our

prayers and thanks. However, I feel that it is unfortunate that we have not considered the possibility of placing or reintroducing communion or altar rails within the design of these Churches. In our desire to create a “barrier-free” space between the nave of the Church and the sanctuary, perhaps the hope is that this will help create a more dynamic and participatory ambience within the worshipping community. Yet, I feel that the neglect of such rails has at last shown a lack of pastoral sensitivity to our human religious inclinations and emotions. There is always a sense of sacred separation within the depths of any religious man, between his brokenness and God's holiness, and in the encounter between the divine and the human, the basic response has generally been one of kneeling. One can only recall the apostle Peter’s first encounter with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, and how ‘he (Peter) fell on his knees and said; ‘‘Leave me Lord; for I am a sinful man" (Lk. 5:8). In the act of kneeling at the reception of communion, we not only have a moment to compose ourselves before the sanctuary, but the sacred gesture itself testifies to the wonderful words of Saint Paul that even in the midst of our great diversity of human

occupations and status, the truth is that in the Christian community, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free. ..for at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow....and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Gal: 3:28; Phi: 2:10-11). We are privileged and grace partakers of the Eucharist, “the medicine .of immortality, the antidote against death, and everlasting life in Jesus Christ.” (Ignatius o f Antioch). How can we then come before such divine gifts standing in Q-like fashion, so reminiscent of shopping marts or other similar situations common in Singapore! Would not a more fitting response before the Blessed Sacrament be one of kneeling? And, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger wrote so succinctly, “the gesture

You are very right in your conclud ing remark about gestures having an implicit way o f creating and enhancing significant spiritual im ages and disciplines within us. Indeed, human inter-relation ship is b uilt on and through "symbolism", that is what language, writing, art, music, icons o f various sorts, etc. are all about - symbol ism and imagery. Indeed the

Church herself builds her whole liturgy with symbolism o f rites and rituals. And to go even further, Jesus himself was always using symbolism and imagery, and in deed we are told that the Old Testament was a figure o f things to come. The particular element you mention concerns the "distance" yet "closeness" between God and

Man. There is much in the history o f the Church's liturgy on this point. Maybe a partial rail could be a balance between "distance" and "closeness". As for posture and mode for reception o f Communion, the Church wishes to give freedom to individuals and indicates in her instructions that options should be maintained. □

this time, perhaps a congregation that -lives the experience of j receiving Jesus’s body and blood in silence would be a far greater witness to the solemn and reverent atmosphere it deserves. Furthermore, the silence could at the same time promote a sense of sacredness that we seem to be losing in our Churches. With so much prevailing noise in our lives we rarely have the opportunity to be silent as a praying community. We can practice individually this special spiritual discipline of silence, but what of the community at large? Would it not be appropriate to also include this dimension of community silence within our liturgical setting? After all active liturgical participation, if it is to be holistic, must take into account both the individual and community experience of inward and external expressions. Again, Cardinal Ratzinger in his reflections on the liturgy, has put it most penetratingly when he wrote, “if there is to be real participation, there must be silence...we need to be taught to enter into the heart of things.... the only way we can be saved from succumbing to the inflation of words, is if we have the courage to face silence and in it

learn to listen afresh to the Word. Otherwise we shall be overwhelmed by ‘mere words” at the very point where we should be encountering the Word.”

which is central to worship, namely the practice o f kneeling....attains the status o f a confession o f faith in Christ and words could not replace such a confession”.

My hope therefore is that in the renovation or rebuilding of Churches, this important pastoral consideration is rethought through. Gestures have irreplaceable significance in bridging our outer expressions with our inner dispositions. And gestures have an implicit way of creating and enhancing significant spiritual images and disciplines within us. Michael

Spiritual Silence We p r o v i d e th e f o l l o w i n g m a te r ia l s a n d s e r v ic e s a t r e a s o n a b le p r ic e s : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

C e ra m ic tile s a n d w a ll tile s M a r b le , te rra z z o , b r ic k w a ll fe n c in g K itc h e n c a b in e ts , b u ilt - in c u p b o a rd s C o rn ic e s a n d c e n tre -p ie c e s R o c k -s to n e a n d w a ll p la s te r in g P a r q u e t a n d v in y l tile s E le c t r ic a l, p lu m b in g a n d s a n ita r y w o r k I r o n g a te s , ir o n g r ille s , a lu m in iu m g r ille s , a m p lim e s h S o lid tim b e r d o o rs , P V C d e c o ra tiv e ly la m in a te d d o o rs a n d P V C f o ld in g d o o rs A lu m in iu m s lid in g d o o rs a n d w in d o w s V e r tic a l b lin d s a n d V e n e tia n b lin d s P a in tin g S u p p lie r o f b u ild in g m a te r ia ls e tc

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The Church has over the years seen a greater awareness and participation of the laity in the various ministries, and we can praise God for His abundant grace and gifts to these lay members. In a way this can be seen as an extension of the Second Vatican Council call for a greater active participation among the laity, particularly in the liturgical celebration. Hence in several parishes we have more lay readers, choir members, lectors, communion ministers and wardens. What I am concerned about is the spiritual discipline of silence. We thank the Lord that hymns can now be sung in the vernacular (meaning no disrespect to the Latin language), as this can allow for the participation of the congregation in singing and praising Him. Yet, I think active participation must encompass a dimension that is far wider then singing or even seeing more lay members in church ministry. It is especially during the time of communion that I am particularly concern about. Could we not allow for a form of congregational silence at this special time, instead of choirs singing? While there is nothing inherently wrong with singing at

M.C. You are "spot o n " to the recommendations o f the new Third Typical Edition o f the Roman Missal. There is indeed, a special exhortation to periods o f sacred silence for reflective prayer during the Mass, in the Instructions for this Third Typical Edition which was released just a few months ago. Again a question o f balance between "community participation" and "personal reflection".

From the P e w s : e-mail to:

steeple@singnet.com.sg please include full name, address, contact number/ e-mail address.

COMING UP

Solidarity with Workers By Victor Ong

THE Christian Family and Social Movement (CFSM) and the Social Concern Committee of the Church of St Francis of Assisi jointly organised a solidarity gathering to commemorate International Workers’ Day on May 1 in the parish hall. Members of the CFSM, migrant workers, unemployed parishioners and friends were amongst those who attended the gathering which began with songs and prayers for the unemployed led by CFSM chaplain Fr Andre Christophe. CFSM president Francis Mane, delivered the CFSM message, which focused on job security, decent work and fair wages. There is a lot of pressure and tension at work as competition in creases among workers in order to protect their jobs, he noted. Most couples now work long hours to supplement their income. This means many parents are spending less time with their chil dren. Work with fair wages means better living conditions and access to basic necessities. “We are gathered here in soli darity to support one another in our development of family, work and social life,” he concluded.

The May First message from the World Movement of Christian Workers was also distributed. Mr Paul Long,of the parish Social Concern Committee (SCC), said the team was formed to answer the pressing needs of the unemployed in the parish. His personal sharing served as an inspiration to those who are unemployed. Participants in small groups discussed their work-related prob lems including retrenchment, unemployment, long hours of work, low wages, and discrimination. They highlighted to the CFSM and SCC the need to consider form ing a network for emotional, spiritual and material assistance for the un employed and help workers how to manage work and family-related stress, and motivate workers to up grade their skills and be up to date with CPF policies and health insur ance benefits. They also highlighted the need to pray for families, workers, the unemployed and for migrants to be able to balance life and work. The celebration ended with prayer and lunch. The first Church celebration of St Joseph the Worker was on May 1. 1955. □ /

Pentecost healing rally Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong speaks with Sr Briege McKenna at the Pentecost Healing Rally on May 25.

ADULT CATECHESIS Under the New Evangelization Team, catechesis in English and Dialect is provided for housebound senior citizens. Catholics who know of elderly people wanting to know Jesus and the Catholic faith contact: Elizabeth Tay for catechesis in English (9324-0471) or Andrew Goh for catechesis in dialect (9502-0402). CATHOLIC LEGAL AID CLINIC MOVES TO HIGHLAND RD The Catholic Legal Aid Clinic has moved to the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre at Highland Rd. For the past four years, about 40 Catholic volunteer lawyers have.been giving free legal aid and advice at the Selegie Complex. Legal aid and advice sought by applicants mostly concern family-related issues and work-related. The clinic will operate on the 1st Monday of the month with 4 volunteer Catholic lawyers manning the clinic between 7 pm to 9 pm. Enquiries: 6488-0278.

Villa Francis Home for the Aged, 6269-2877 Fax: 6368-4505

Bible Correspondence Course in Chinese, Fr John Baptist Tou 6337-2465

St Theresa’s Home For The Aged, 6256-2532 Fax: 6256-5610

Catholic Audio-Visual Centre, 6858-3077 Fax: 6858-2077

St Joseph's Home, Sr Maria Sim 6268-0482 Fax: 6268-4787

China Catholic Communication (Zhonglian Centre), Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080/6286-1826

nc0071b@cyberway. com.sg

FAMILY Christian Family and Social Movement, Francis Tamel Mane 9586-9938, 6792-6701^_______ Family Life Society 6488-0278 website: www.familylife.org.sg

Morning Star Family Care Centre, 6285-1377 Fax: 6285-2715 Galilee Centre, 6454-0528 Fax . 6454-3167 Clementi Children's Centre, Ms Maria Swee 6777-3893 ijhcc@singnet.com.sg Canossaville Children's Home, Sr Rose Low/Ms Anne Siew 6748-5777

canossa@pacific. net.sg MASS FOR THE PREGNANCY CRISIS SERVICE celebrated by archbishop Nicholas Chia at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on June 26, Wed.: 10.30 am. All are welcome! Enquiries: Al Dizon (6488-0277) or Rose Boon (6488-0278). PAULINE ECCLESIOLOGY (St Paul Teaches on the Church) By Fr Raymond Collins, Professor of New T estament, Catholic University Of America (Washington, DC)on July 4 & 5, Thur& Fri: 7.45 - 10 pm and July 6: 3 - 7.30 pm. Contribution: $40. Attendance is by registration. Register with Singapore Pastoral Institute (6858-3011 email: spi@catholic.org.sg). For details, visit http:/ /www.catholic.org.sg TRIP TO FERRINGHI BEACH, PENANG Dates: Aug 2 to 4 Price: $399 per pax (inclusive of airfare, taxes, most meals and city tours). Enquiries: Caroline 9841-7592, Dolly 9824-3564 or Paul 9733-5644. Organised by the Catholic Singles Encounter of Church of the Holy Cross. MALACCA-SINGAPORE RECOLLECTION 2002 Come and join the young adults (18-35 yrs old) of Malacca and Singapore for a weekend of discovery on Aug 9-11. Venue: Good Shepherd Seminary (Malacca). Enquiries: Gary (9790-2533/ glee@alumni.nus.edu.sg) Serene (94776197/ renoir@pacific.net,sg). Organised by Verbum Dei Missionaries. CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN PARISH FEAST (27TH ANNIVERSARY) Rosary Benediction Mass: Aug 20,21,22, 7.30 pm. Preachers: Redemptorist Fathers.

Marian Centre (before and after school care), 6250-0877 __ Marymount Boarding, 6354-2245/ 6253-6816 Fax: 6353-4809

ON HER second visit to Singapore to lead a healing rally on May 25, Sr. Briege McKenna spoke about the healing power of Jesus in the Eucharist. One must make an effort to come to Jesus, she said. “We have to make ourselves present in the Eucha rist,” said the nun from the Irish Order of St. Clare, who first came to Singapore in the early 1990s. Speakirjg on the theme, “Blessed are those who have not Seen and yet Believe”, she said that Christians believe that there is no other way to salvation than Christ. “And as Catholics, we believe in the sacraments of the Catholic Church, that Christ is truly present in the consecrated host.” She told some 8,000 participants to the healing rally at the Singapore Indoor Stadium about the many mi raculous healings she has witnessed in her trips to many countries. “We do not have to prove any thing about Jesus. We just have to believe,” she said. “It is our faith that can draw the marvels out of Jesus,” said the nun who was paralysed and bound to a wheelchair at age 15 due to rheu matoid arthritis. At age 24 she was miraculously healed. Sr. McKenna and Fr. Kevin

Scallon both minister to priest, run ning renewal programmes for them. In his short talk, Fr. Scallon, noted the many speculations about the pope’s early retirement due to his deteriorating health. He mentioned how he once told a congregation that he wished the pope would resign because he has been very sickly. During his quiet moment after that Mass, he said he heard the Lord speaking in his heart and say ing," Now is the most fruitful time of his pontificate,” witnessing to the suffering of Christ. “It is alright for the pope to be come old and infirm and suffer all kinds of pain” just as it is alright for others to suffer pain, he said. “Jesus wants us to bring all that to the Cross and to nail these on the Cross. It is alright for the pope to be out on the Cross with Jesus,” he stressed. Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong also spoke briefly on the significance of Pentecost, which marks the birth of the Church. Testimonies from Mr. David Gan and Jesuit Father Leslie Raj were also heard. Fr. Raj spoke about being able to “understand and care more” after he came to accept an incurable disease affecting the gut. The rally was organised by the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (SACCRE). □

THANKSGIVING Thank you St Jude for the favours answered. Please continue to bless me and my family. Hua My deepest gratitude to St Jude for answ ering my prayers. Please continue to bless us always. Love Tong M any thanks to St Jude for prayers answ ered. Please continue to guide and protect my family. Su Thank you St Jude for answering myprayers. Please continue to bless m e and my family. A.S. Thank you heavenly Father, Jesus, M other Mary, St Joseph, St Jude, St Anthony,' Blessed Padre Pio, St Theresa, St Anthony and St Ann for helping my son to achieve such w onderful results inhis final year university exam ination. Please continue to look after us. JP

G rateful thanks to Jesus and St Jude for prayers answered. Please continue to pray and intercede for m e and my family. Irene W ith gratitude and thanks to O ur Lord Je sus C hrist and M other M ary for answ ering my prayers, w henever I com e to you in despair. Please continue to watch over my family, husband and 1 and help all those who com e to you to seek help and protection. Your daughter. Carol

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ccs55@singnet. com.sg Hai Sing Pao, Ms Catherine Chia 6337-2465 carlo@cams.org.sg W e b s ite :

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Katong Catholic Book Centre R e Ltd, 6345-1413 Fax: 6440-0272

katongcatholic@padfic.net.sg Apostolate of the Media, 6892-1639 Fax: 6562-5857 Catholic News Book & Media, 6858-3066 Fax: 6858-2055

MIGRANT COMMUNITY

Nazareth Special Learning Centre, Sr Anne May Chua, FMM 6276-3200

Filipino Catholic Community of Singapore, Nelly Faminialagao 9831-8044 / 6893-7609

Good Shepherd Child Care Centre, Ms Helen Tan 6242-5695 Fax: 6448-3454

Francophone Catholic Community of Singapore (French-speaking Catholics), Sabine et Antoine HuetTel/Fax: 6472-5840

Catholic Office for the Hearing Impaired. Friar Rowland Yeo, OFM

rowlandyeo@hotmail. com Canossian School For The HearingImpaired, 6749-8971 Fax: 6749-8976 Ang Mo Kio Home, Sr Jo Tham 6459-4801

Catholic Kindergarten, Ms Edna Ng Poh Tiang 6283-3821 Fax: 6284-7783

German-speaking Catholics, 6468-1534 Fax: 6468-2402 __________ Hong Kong Catholics, 6737-9285 Fax: 6737-8502 Indonesian-speaking Catholics, Josephine Handojo 6235-2820 ________ Japanese Catholics, Kiyoko Jarnes 6552-4060 james@paciftc.net.sg Korean Catholics, Esther You 6242-5607

cathkg@singnet. com. sg

The Commission for Migrants & Itinerant People6280-5424 migrants@singnet.com.sg

Nativity Church Centre, 6285-6198, Fax: 6285-9556 nativity@pacific.net.sg

Jesuit Refugee Service, jrs@jesrefsg.org Fr Colin Tan 6463-6022 cxtsj@singnet.com.sg

Magdalene's Kindergarten, Mary Goh Boon How 6747-6554

China Catholic Communication, Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080 mail@zl.per.sg

Canossian Convent Kindergarten, Sr Jane Chong 6469-2201 Fax: 6466-1307

cankdg@singnet.com.sg Maris Stella, Sr Marjorie Almodiel, FMM 6474-3590 Marymount Kindergarten, Petrina Siow 6251-5049 Fax: 6252-67904 St Francis Xavier Play Centre, Mrs Emily Goh Tel: 6280-8929

YOUTH Bakhita Search-lnn, Christina/Sr Veronica (6367-6264 / 6467-4290)

yscchris@yahoo.com/canosis@pacific.net.sg

By Mel Diamse-Lee

mail@zl.per.sg

Carlo Catholic Society, 6337-7489 Fax: 6334-4370 car1o@cams.org.sg

Boys’ Town Fraternity,

gaudette@boystown.org.sg Br Dominic Kiong 6769-1618 Fax: 6762-7846 Catholic Overseas Students Down Under Adrian (9836-5217) or Dennis (6274-2979) or cosdu@yahoo.com.au Choice, 9307-7752/9671-0767

choice@cheerful. com Hosanna! Music Ministry www.hmmonline.org <http://www.hmmonline.org> contact Tammy 9747-8570. Catholic Students’ Society - University of Singapore, Mr Irving Teo 6296-0897

irvingteo@catholic. org Nanyang Technological University Catholic Students’ Apostolate, NTU Branch: Mr Budi Susanto 9478-7827. National Institute of Education Catholic Students' Aposolate (NIECSA), NIE Branch: Ang Mei Ling 96663234 Infant Jesus Retreat and Youth Centre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461/92947521 Fax: 7699369 srtlee@yahoo.com

G rateful thanks to St Jude for answering our prayers. Also grateful thanks to our Lord and blessed M other Mary. R o b e r t an d M o lly Wee.

Poverello Teen Centre, Sr Maria Sylvia Ng, FMM 6544-2603 jub2000@singnet.com.sg

My sincere thanks and gratitude to St Jude, Jesus and M other Mary for answ ering my prayers for a good job. Please continue to bless my tw o sons, siblings and all my loved ones. Once again, m any thanks for all the w onderful blessings! Forever grateful Joyce Lin

Youth Life-Line, 6252-6300 Fax: 6285-5311

Praise@Work Juliana 9799-9184 or email

welcome@praiseatwork. org St Patrick House, (Boarding) Br Collin Wee, FSC 6345-5929 Fax: 6345-4635

SPIRITUALITY Cenacle, 6565-2895 Fax: 6565-3875

cenacle@mbox4.singnet.com.sg Centre For Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling, Br Gerard Choo, SJ 6467-6072 Franciscan Retreat Centre, 6567-9771 Fax: 6567-9786 _ FMM House of Prayer and Formation, Sr Mary Chua 6474-2526 Infant Jesus Retreat and Youth Centre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461 Fax: 6769-9369 Life Direction Team, Sr Theresa Koh, FMM 6474-2422 Fax: 6472-5895 Sr Florence Wong, FMDM 6753-96021 9264-6733 LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre, Sr Lily Tan 6466-2178 Fax: 6466-1307 Hfspmg@singnet.com.sg St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary (SFX Retreat Centre), 6288-7901 Fax: 6 8 5 8 -2 7 1 6 sfxrc@ singnet.com .sg W e b s ite :

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The Sojourners’ Companions, 9268-6723

sojoumers_companions@yahoo.com

PROFESSIONAL Catholic Nurses Guild of Singapore, Miss Janet Chan Poh Goon 6442-8546 Catholic Teachers' Movement, Mrs Gail Siow (R) 6454-4094 The Catholic Medical Guild of Singapore, Dr John Hui Keem Peng johnhui@cyberway.com.sg

SPECIAL SERVICES Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE), Peter Lau 6353-4976, 9745-8991 Good Shepherd Centre, 6755-6496 Fax: 6752-0670 R. C. Prison Ministry, Sr Gerard Fernandez, RGS 6250-9151 Fax: 6250-1804

Youth Praise MinistryHelen Lee (9029-0118) email ypmsingapore@yahoo.com.

Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association Catholic Aftercare (Counselling) Service Committee SANA Co-ordinator: Tan Lee Hoon 6732-1122 Fax:6732-4564

Young Christian Students’ Movement (Mandarin-speaking), Mr Stephen Chia 6286-4166 95024549

Apostleship of the Sea (Catholic Seamen’s Mission), Fr Romeo Yu Chang, CICM 6271-8464/9783-5191 Fax:6271-1175

Young Christian Workers (Mandarin speaking), Maria Ng Kim Luang 6763-0137

portchap@singnet.com.sg W e b s ite : www.stellamaris.net

SOCIAL SERVICE Catholic Welfare Services, Michael Chua 6337-6165 / 6337-7954 Fax: 6336-1513

Gift of Love Home, Sr M Andrianne, MC 6251-6004 'Rose Villa’, 6253-6556

JUN E 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

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J O H N (P H IL ) P H IL L IP S W e w ill alw ay s love you and ch erish y o u r m em ory M argie, Jo se p h an d Irena Jo h n , A n g ela an d E lliot Jea n , H arry and R eb e c c a C harles H e w ill com e to us and heal o u r sinful soul H e alo n e says y o u r sins I forgive you H e w ill lig h t y o u r w ay and m ake y o u r d ark n ess bright He keeps w atch a ll th ro u g h the lo n ely years ahead H e still finds the tim e to w ipe o u r tears aw ay S aints o r sinners still H e loves "us all the sam e T h o u g h it hurts H im m uch to see the w ay w e live H e ’ll alw ay s say: “ I fo rg iv e."

JA N ET DI-DIER Bom: Dec 26, 1958 Departed: June 28, 1976 I dream o f you, dear loved one, And see your sm iling face, A nd know that you are happy In your F ather's chosen place. D eeply m issed and alw ays rem em bered by m other Theresa, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephew s and loved ones.

THOMAS POON CHIANG ANN Departed: July 3, 1999 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1, 6 Deeply missed and dearly remembered by sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and all loved ones. REQUIEM MASS

STEPHEN AMBROSE MIRANDA Departed: May 25, 2002 Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 24 Highland Rd, Singapore 549115, on Tuesday June 25, 2002, at 6.15 pm. We, the brother and sisters o f Stephen Josephine and Blossie Mable and Francis Leon and Hilda together with their children would like all his relatives and friends to attend this Mass and the sharing thereafter, at the Church Hall. Eternal rest grant unto him.

In loving m em ory of

NOEL ARTH UR PEREIR A Departed:June 29, 1995 His life was earnest, his actions kind, A generous hand and an active mind, Anxious to please, loath to offend, A loving husband, father and faithful friend. Sadly m issed and fondly rem em bered by family and friends. Fourth A nniversary In everlasting m em ory of

M ARGARET TEO H PITT YOON Departed: June 26,1998 W e loved you then, we love you still, forget you, darling mum, we never will. W e prayed to the Lord to let you live, But He w hispered “I only lend, I do not give.” So put your arms around her Lord, Tend her with your loving care, M ake up for all she suffered, And all that seemed unfair. They say there is a reason, They say time will heal, But neither time nor reason, Will change the way we feel. For y ou’re so wonderful to think of, But so very hard to be without. Loving and m issing you always. Husband, children and grandchildren.

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M DM LUCY TEO SOO N KIM Departed: June 23,1998 Take her in Thy arms, dear Lord, And ever let her be A m essenger o f love Between our hearts and Thee. Sadly m issed and cherished by all loved ones. First Anniversary In loving m em ory of

LEONARD BERNARD EDW ARDS C alled hom e to be with the Lord on June 27, 2001 Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. M ay he rest in peace. Amen. Lovingly rem em bered by sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces and all loved ones. In loving m em ory of

M A RY M INACHI Departed: June 26, 2001 Through those long years of illness, suffering and pain Yet you never uttered a word o f com plaint All your suffering and pain you quietly bore Till God took you home to suffer no more. On earth, m ummy, you gave us your best Grant her now Lord eternal rest. A lw ays missed and rem em bered by all loved ones. Seventh A nniversary In loving m em ory of

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Departed: June 21, 1999 A d e a r, lo v in g a n d d e v o te d w if e A c a rin g m o th e r /g r a n d m o th e r a ll h e r lif e . A lt h o u g h th re e y e a rs h a v e p a s s e d b y . O u r fo n d m e m o rie s o f y o u w i l l n e v e r d ie .

| Deeply missed and fondly remembered by: Husband: Stephen Tan Soo Chuan, children and grandchildren.

Upright and just in all her ways, Loyal and true through all her days, Silently suffered, patiently bore, G od took her home to suffer no more. Sadly m issed and fondly rem em bered by children, grand children, great-grand children and all loved ones.

Please tu rn to page 13 fo r c la s s ifie d a d ve rtise m e nts.

JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

■

YOUNG CATHOLICS

Join W

I WANT to share some beautiful snippets from the handbook “Salt and Light - Preparing for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto” with the youths who will not be able to join us for the World Youth Day (WYD) gathering this year. In fact I will be giving copies of this beautiful book to your parish priests so that you can also benefit from the activities mentioned in the book. The activities will help you grow in faith together so don’t forget to get a copy. First, let’s look at the prayer specially written for WYD 2002:

Preparing for World Youth Day

2002 in Toronto

God our Father, Your Son Jesus calls us to be salt of the earth and light for the world. Let the light of your justice shine in our lives, so that our words may season the world with the flavour of the Gospel, and our lives be shining examples o f Jesus who is the True Light. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The theme of WYD 2002 is taken from Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world”. In this handbook, you can out line your own journey in faith even though you may not be able to join the rest of us on the actual trip. The book is divided into eight paths, with a message from the pope to youths at the beginning. Each path is so rich with meaning, it is simply a must for youths who are serious about growing in the faith. Here are some interesting snip pets to whet your appetites. Path One

The first path is where you will find the pope’s invitation: “I invite you therefore to get ready for the seventeenth celebration of this great international event, to be held in Toronto, Canada, in the sum mer of next year. It will be another chance to meet Christ, to bear wit ness to his presence in today’s society, and to become builders of the “civilization of love and truth.”

Here life is described as a pil grimage and that it is often said, and it is true, that WYDs are pil grimages. But what if life itself were a kind of pilgrimage? We are told that the Bible is also the story of a long pilgrimage: that of an entire people. When, through the Bible, we listen to the experiences of men and women of another era, we often discover amazing and useful similarities with the lives of women and men today. Bible passages throughout this handbook will help you shed light on these connections. WYD is described as an oasis along the way, just as on any jour ney we need to take a break every so often. WYD is a kind of oasis, a meal and a bed to renew our strength. That is what World Youth

Days offer today's young adults. In the search for happiness we, like others before us, also have to answer many questions - “Who am I? Where have I come from and where am I going? Why is there evil? What is there after this life? “ We are invited to compare some approaches to searching for happi ness: the way of suffering; the way of restlessness; and The way that asks life’s big questions. The third approach is interest ing. I’m sure you have asked yourself these questions: “What must I do to be happy? What must I do in order not to waste my life and sink into mediocrity? In order not to get stuck in lifestyles that have no future? That it may be a great and beautiful adventure? I hope you ask yourself these questions while look ing Jesus straight in the eye and placing total confidence in him, for he is the way, the truth and the life. Do you believe that?” Path Two

Here the pope tells us; “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-14): this is the theme I have chosen for the next World Youth Day. The images of salt and light used by Jesus are rich in meaning and complement each other.

How do we bring salt and light to life? Jesus shows us the road to true happiness. You are invited to ask this question: “What ‘riches’ in my own life would I be most sorry to lose if I chose to ‘follow Jesus?‘ There will come a time when we all have to choose a path. Each of us creates and expresses the meaning of life through choices based on certain key values. We are reminded that life is not a one-way street. Our values, and the choices they lead us to, can make us or break us, as the handbook says. I invite you to read in particular the section on “To be Happy you Need money”. Financial responsi bility vs. selfishness, this speaks of the need to practice charity, to give to those in need. Path Three

Here the pope encourages us with the words: “Our personal encounter with Christ bathes life in new light, sets us on the right path, and sends us out to be his witnesses."

Some of us have gone to poor

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I want to share some beautiful snippets from the handbook ‘Salt and Light‘ with the youths who will not be able to join us for the World Youth Day gathering in Toronto this year. areas and helped the needy, some times even be in Singapore. How did we feel reaching out them? These are opportunities for us to witness to the love of Christ. Re cently, I was at the Gift of Love Home run by the Missionaries of Charity. I ran into a group of teenag ers who had been brought by their catechist to visit the old people there. I could see the awkwardness and fear written on the faces of the young people. It is sad that many youths have not been exposed to people who are lonely and sick. This is something that youth groups could think about seriously when doing outreaches. Path Four

Living A Moral Life is the title of the fourth path, where the pope ad vises: “Dear young people, do not be content with anything less than the highest ideals! “

We are told that the choices Je sus made throughout his lifetime can help us when we have difficult deci sions to make in our own life. We must consider three things: freedom with law, conscience and responsibil ity. Without these points of reference, no law or moral lifestyle can last. We are often faced with situa tions that require us to “discern”, filled with justice and peace. It isn’t always easy but the Gospel gives us “sign posts” to guide us. These signposts are the different aspects of Jesus’ commandment to love another. In John 15:12-13, Jesus says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one's friends.” Path Five

n this path, the pope challenges: “Your generation is being challenged in a special way to keel safe the deposit of faith (cf. 2 Th 2:15; 1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:14) Discover your Christian roots, learn about the Church's history deepen your knowl edge of the spiritual heritage which ha~ been passed on to you, follow in the footsteps of the witnesses and teachers who have gone before you!”

The young adults who attended WYD 2000 in Rome lived a similar experience of community. Many bore witness: One said: “Our participation in WYD 2000 allowed us to expand

our vision of the Church. We no longer see the Church as just a place to pray, but as a sharing, helping, generous community will ing to reach out to the world...” Path Six Prayer, Sacraments and Celebra tions are introduced in the sixth path, where the pope urges us: “Study the Word of God and let it enlighten your minds and hearts. Draw strength from the sacramental grace o f Rec onciliation and the Eucharist “.

political and economic levels and through the growing influence of communications technologies. Jesus doesn’t just draw atten tion to people who are suffering. He identifies with them; he joins with, as he said in Matthew 25:40: “Truly

When everything seems to be going wrong, we sometimes say, “Where is God?” or “If there is a God who can hear me...” and yet in the New Testament, we read: Listen! I am standing at the door; knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door; I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. (Revelation 3:20)

So ask yourself : Do you ever pray? How do you pray? The sacraments are signs of life. Remember: God gives us a sign by knocking on the door. The greatest sign of God’s love is his Son, Jesus. Do we receive Jesus in the sacraments? Path Seven

Here the pope wants young people to be aware of situations around them: “Many people are wounded by life: they are excluded from economic progress, and are without a home, a family, a job; there are people who are lost in a world of false illusions, or have abandoned all hope. ”

In order to discover what we can do to serve our brothers and sisters, must first understand the world in which we live, influenced by three

I tell you, just as you did it to one o f the least of these who are mem bers of my family, you did it to me. ” Path Eight

Heed now the challenge of the pope: “Your generation is being chal lenged in a special way to keep safe the deposit of faith. “

We often feel uncomfortable speaking about Jesus, even if he is important to us. But what if our shyness were to prevent others from finding the meaning or freedom for which they are longing in their lives? What challenges do we face when we talk about Jesus Christ? Where do these challenges come from? Very often when I celebrate the mass in our catholic schools, I feel disappointed when I see our catholic student being so awkward and afraid when it comes to making the sign of the cross just because their nonChristian friends are with them. Are you not proud of being a Christian? Don't stop at reading this article. Get the book from your parish priest and with your youth group benefit from the wealth of information it contains. God bless you. □ Fr Michael Sitaram is youth chap lain of the Singapore Archdiocese. To contact him, email: cathyctr@pacific.net.sg. The Handbook Salt And Light is available at Catholic News Books and Media at $10.70 (6858-3066).

Vo#

This weekend camp is planned by the Franciscan Family for youths from our parishes for an experience and an education towards World Peace. AH youth are warmly encouraged to come along with sleeping bags for an exciting time of sharings, prayers and fellowship!

I n v i t i n g a l l Y o u t h t o b e c o n c e r n e d f o r W o r l d P eace! FMM H ou se o f Prayer and Form ation

Speakers: Br Michael Broughton, FSC Fr Colin Tan, SJ C ontact person: Fr Michael Arro, MEP Sr M a rtin a K ang, FM M Friar John-Paul Tan, OFM Tel: 6472-4521 H /P : 9120-0110 Support Groups: Fax: 64725895 Em ail: fm m m s@ singnet.com .sg Taize Prayer Group, Foccolare, Inter-Religious Organisation, R egistration fee: $10.00 Youth Praise Ministry Date: 27 July, 2002 to 28 July, 2002

JUNE 2 3 - J U N E 30, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

W O RLD

F o o d fo r T h o u g h t Secretary General Kofi Anan The UN Secretary General Kofi Anan stressed the link between hunger and poverty." Hunger and poverty are closely linked. Hunger perpetrates poverty, since it prevents people from realizing their potential and contributing to the progress of their societies. Hunger makes people more vulnerable to diseases. It leaves them weak and lethargic, reducing their ability to work and provide for their dependents. The same devastating cycle is repeated from generation to generation and will continue to be so until we take effective action to break it. We must break this cycle. About 70 percent of the hungry and poor of the developing world live in rural areas. Many of them are subsistence farmers or landless people seeking to sell their labour, who depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their earnings.

6-point plan 1 We must improve agricultural productivity and standards of living in the countryside by helping small

subistence farmers and rural com munities increase their incomes and improve the quantity and qual ity of locally available food. 2 We must secure a central place for women, who play a critical role in agricultures in developing coun tries. They are involved in every

stage of food production, working far longer hours than men, and are the key to ensuring that their fami lies have adequate supplies of food. 3

We must fulfil the promise

given at last November’s meeting of the Wrold Trade Organization in Doha to remove the barriers to food imports from developing coun tries. 4 We must evaluate carefullly the impact of the subsidies that

are now given to producers in the rich countries . Norms and stand

ards cannot be met by developing countries without technical assist ance and further investment. 5 We must embark on sustain able management of natural re sources and the ecosystems, which

contribute to food production. The fight against hunger depends on this. 6 We also need to give direct help to the hungry poor. Food aid

can make a big difference , both in emergencies and in situations of chronic hunger. Direct nutritional support to pregnant and nursing women helps their babies grow into healthy adults. School feeding programmes not only feed hungry children but also help to increase school attendance - and studies show that educated people are best able to break out of the cycle of poverty and hunger.

What the Pope says: A Culture of Solidarity the Underlying criterion The Pope's Message was delivered by Vatican Secretary of State,

Culture of Solidarity

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State. I convey to all my esteem and regard for the arduous work that you have to undertake in order to ensure that everyone has their daily bread.

If the goals of the 1996 Summit have not been met, that can be

I express the hope that the present World Food Summit will be crowned with success: this is what millions of men and women throughout the world expect.

Concern is to be found in the statistics according to which., assistance given to poor countries in recent years appears to have decreased rather than increased.

Today more than ever there is an urgent need in international relationships for solidarity to

A complex Situation The last Summit in 1996 had already established that hunger and malnutrition are not phenomena of a merely natural or structural nature, affecting only certain geographic areas, but are to be seen as the consequence of a more complex situation of underdevelopment resulting from human inertia and self-centeredness.

attributed also to the absence of a culture of solidarity, and to international resolutions often shaped by a pragmatism devoid of ethical and moral foundations.

th e rig h t to b e fre e d fro m p o v e rty and th e d u ty to p ro v id e h e lp to th e needy 9

become the criterion underlying all forms of cooperation, with the acknowledgement that the resources which God the Creator has entrusted to us are destined for all.

Of course, much is expected from the experts, whose task it is to point out when and how to increase agricultural resources, how to achieve better distribution of products, how to set up food security programmes, how to devise new techniques to boost harvests and increase herds. The Preamble to the FAO Constitution itself proclaimed the commitment of each country to raise its level of nutrition and improve the conditions of its agriculture and of its rural population, in such a way as to

increase production and secure an effective distribution of food supplies in all parts of the world. These goals, however, involve a constant recon-sideration of the relationship between the right to be freed from poverty and the duty of the whole human family to provide practical help to the needy.

once more urging the various sectors of the international community, Governments and Intergovernmental Institutions, to make a commitment to somehow guarantee the right to nutrition in cases where an individual State is unable to do so because of its own underdevelopment and poverty. Such a commitment can be seen as entirely necessary and legitimate, given the fact that poverty and hunger risk compromising even the ordered coexistence of peoples and nations, and constitute a real threat to peace and international security.

Hence the importance of the present World Food Summit, with its reaffirmation of the concept of food security and its call for a mobilization of solidarity aimed at reducing by half, by the year 2015, the number of people in the world who are undernourished and deprived of the bare necessities of life. This is an enormous challenge, and one to which the Church too is fully committed. Concern for Human Rights The Catholic Church is ever concerned for the promotion of human rights and the integral development of peoples, and will therefore continue to support all who work to ensure that every member of the human family receives adequate daily food. Her

intimate vocation is to be close to the world’s poor, and she hopes that everyone will become practically involved in speedily resolving this problem, one of the gravest facing the human family.

Threat to global security

For my part, I am pleased that the present World Food Summit is

FAO Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf Mr Kofi Anan, Dr. Jacques Diouf and Cardinal Sodano

An Appeal from the Heart My dear friends, if we want to reverse the current trends and reduce hunger by 50 percent by the year 2015, we need a comprehensive and a coherent approach that addresses the multiple dimensions of hunger by pursuing simultaneously wider access to food and agricultural and rural development.

We need an anti-hunger programme that could become a common framework around which global and national capacities to fight hunger can be mobilized. We know that fighting hunger makes economic and social sense. It is a key step towards achieving all the development goals that we agreed to at the Millennium Summit.

It is fitting, therefore, that this Summit comes in the middle of a crucial cycle of conferences aimed at helping us improve the lives of people everywhere - from trade in Doha, via the financing for development in Monterrey, to sustainable development in Johannesburg. Hunger is one of the worst violations of human dignity. In a world of plenty, ending hunger is within our grasp. Failure to reach this goal should fill every one of us with shame. The time for making promises is over. It is time to act.

It is time to do what we have long promised to do - eliminate hunger from the face of the earth. □ UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan

The elimination of hunger an ethical imperative The promises of the the World Food Summit of 1966 have not been kept, worse still, deeds con tradict the words . The solemn undertaking to reduce to 400 mil lion by 2015 seems to have reached a hiatus. Alas, the politi cal will and the financial help have not been forthcoming. Only last year did the G8 Summit in Geneva give importance to Food security. Famine provoked by drought, floods or conflict move and pro voke outbursts of fraternity in the arena of public opinion. Chronic famine however,only encounters indifference, because, unfortu

nately it does not make a noise nor does it produce shocking images on television but it causes physical and intellectual degradation which denies the undernourished the opportunites of life.

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The elimination of hunger is an ethical imperative which rests on the most fundamental human right: the right to exist. To live, it is necessary to breathe, to drink and to eat! The societes of abundance

in the new millenium with their resources and their technologies can eliminate the unacceptable spectre of cyclic famine and the inexorable spread of chronique hunger. In the wider context of the eradi cation of poverty, the programmes should rest on the trology - nour ishment, health and education. We

have the knowledge to combat humger. It is necessary to help small farmers and to protect their production against climatic condi tions, notably those connected with water, through programmes of irri gation and drainage. It is neces

sary to transfer simple technology that can boost productivity through cooperation of experts on the land itself. It is necessary to give them access to credit to be able accu mulate and sell their products. In a word ,it is necessary to help them to fish rather than to give them fish.

It is necessary to enable them to have employment and revenue to assure thier lasting well-being and their contribution to the na tional and world economy. The mobilization of an interna tional alliance against hunger will help to revive the political will that is indispensable, so that the lot of the hungry of the world will once again occupy centre-stage in the concerns and actions of govern ments, parliaments, local collectivities and the civil society. □

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