CatholicNews July 11 is Bible Sunday.
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Read and be nourished by the Salt & Light articles on pages 8-11 prepared by the Singapore Pastoral Institute and Biblical Apostolate.
q iv t th a n k s to tltr L o tW .fo r h r is q u o d ; f o r I d s s t e a d f a s t lore e n d u r e s forryer. L e t th e re d e e m e d o f th e L o iW s a y s o , th o s e he re d e e m e d fr o m tr o u b le a n d g a th e r e d in fr o m th e la n d s . -fro m t h e e a s t a n d f r o m t h e w e s t, f r o m th e n o r th a n d fr o m th e s o u t h .
S o m e w a n d e r r d in d e s e r t ro astes, f r n d i n q n o m a y t o a n in h a b it e d t u r m ; h u n q r y a n d th ir s ty , s h e i r s o u lfa in te d w ith in th e m . T h en th e y c rie d t o th e L o ttl) in th e ir tr o u b le , a n d h e d e h r n r d th e m fr o m t h e i r d is tr e s s ; he le d th e m In- a s r r a i q f t w a y, u n t i l th e y r r a r h e d a n in h a b i te d to w n L et th e m t h a n k th e L o tW fo r h i s ste a d 'fa s t: lent, f o r h i s w o n d erfrt! w o rk s t o h u m a n k in d . F o r h e s a t i s f i e s th e th i r s t y ,
On this page, enjoy Psalm 107 from The Saint John’s Bible, the first handwritten and illuminated Bible in 500 years. Read more about it on page 8.
a n d th e h n n q i y h e f i l l s w it h qood th in q s. S o m e s a t in d a r k n e s s a n d m q lo o m , p riso n e rs in m is e r y a n d in ir o n s, f o r th e y h a d reb elled a q a i n s t th e w ords o f (jod, a n d s p u m e d th e c o u n se l o f th e M a s t lliq h . T h e ir h e a r t s w ere b o w e d d o ir n w ith h a r d la b o r ; t h e y f r i I d o n u , w ith n o one to help. T h e n th e y c r ie d to th e l o n v i n t h e i r tro u b le , a n d h e s a v e d th e m fr o m t h e i r d is tr e s s ; he b n m q lit th e m o u t o f d a r k n e s s a n d q lo o m , a n d b ro ke t h e i r b o n d s a s u n d e r . L e t th e m t h a n k th e L o tw f o r hi-: S te a d fa s t loir, f o r h is w o n d e r fu l w o rks to h u m a n k i n d . F o r h e s h a tte r s th e d o ors o f b ro n ze , a n d C uts in tw o th e b a rs o f ir o n .
The Word Among Us
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S o m e w ere s i c k th r o u q lt th e i r s i n f i d w a vs, a n d b eca u se o f t h e i r i n i q u i t i e s e n d u red a fflic tio n ; -rhes- lo a th e d a n y k i n d o f fo o d , a n d th e y d m v n e a r to th e q a te s o f d e a th . T h e n th e y c r ie d to th e L fltW in th e ir tro u b le, a n d h e s a v e d th e m fr o m t h e i r d is tr e s s ; he s e n t o u t I n s w o r d a n d h e a le d th e m . a n d d e liv e r e d th e m fr o m d e s tr u c tio n . L et th e m th a n k th e L O tW f o r h is s t e a d f a s t lore. f o r h i s w o n d erfrtl w o r k s to h u m a n k in d 4 n d le t th e m o ffe r th a n h s q iv t n q sa c rific e s, a n d te ll o f h is d e e d s w ith so n ejs o f j o y .
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CATHOLIC EDUCATION ■ Whither Catholic schools? - page 13 ■ Choosing a school - page 14 ■ Memories and expectations - page 16
F o r a n n u a l s u b s c r ip tio n call: R ic h a r d - 6 8 5 8 3 0 5 5 S U N D A Y S JULY 4 A N D JU LY 11, 2004
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The Love Of God ~ The Flower Mercy ~ The Fruit For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding, p r 2 .6 E V E R Y TH U R SD A Y
Twice imprisoned priest celebrates diamond jubilee
Holy Infant Jesus Novena Novena 5.30pm Mass 6.00pm E V E R Y F R ID A Y
Devotion to The Divine Mercy Mass 5.30pm Followed by Devotion Sunday Devotion 2.00pm (Mandarin)
The Word was made flesh, He lived among us. John 1:14
E V E R Y SU N D A Y
I am sending you to all humanity with my mercy.
Holy Infant Jesus Novena
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6 Special Talks on Prayer. To pray for Vocations and to teach you to pray.
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15 July - Mary the Listening Woman 19 A u g 16 S e p t 21 O c t 18 N ov 16 D ec
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T raining fo r P ray e r T h e Jesu s P ray e r T h e J o u rn e y Inw ard Prayer: A F a ith E xp erien ce W aiting for the C om ing o f the S aviour
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Caring through Situations of Loss and Grief A seminar dealing with various experiences of loss and models of grief. Spiritual issues of care will be explored; skills for bereavement ministry will be discussed. All applicants m ust be currently engaged in a related field e.g. healthcare, social-work, pastoral care, etc. Class size limited to thirty persons. Five Sessions : Tuesdays, Aug 3, 10, 17, 24 and 3 1 ,8 pm to 10 pm. Location : C entre for Ignatian S pirituality and C ounselling (Kingsmead Hall), behind the Church of St Ignatius 8 Victoria Park Rd (S266492). Contribution : S$30/Closing Date: July 27, 2004 Presenters : Fr Leslie R aj, S J, Ms Jacinta Phoon and Ms Lisa Choo Registration : Ms Sharon Ng at Tel: 64676072 (Office Hours only) ______________ or e-mail at cisc6492@ singnet.com. sg_____________
FAITH PILGRIMAGES W e present our 2 0 0 4 program m es with variations and specialisation to fulfill your every pilgrimage need.
EUROPE PILGRIMAGES 10 days Shrines of France Pilgrimage-Special Departure: 01 Sep - 1 0 Sep with Spiritual Director
SINGAPORE - The French missionary who survived imprisonment under two political leaderships celebrated his diamond jubilee in the priesthood on June 19. Fr Francois Dufay, 88, was joined by relatives,including his sister Bernadette and brother-in-law Maurice Guillotte, and six other family members who flew in from France specially for the celebration. Close friends from the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, where he once served, also joined the gathering at St Teresa’s Home Chapel (formerly Little Sisters of the Poor) where a jubilee Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. Father Dufay was bom on September 9, 1916 in Normandy, France, during the First World War. During the Second World War, he was taken prisoner by the Germans and sent to work on a farm in Eastern Germany. After his liberation he rejoined the Paris Foreign Missions Society and was ordained a Paris Foreign Missioins Society (MEP) priest in July 1944. After the establishment of
FATHER D ufay’s relatives came from France to join his June 19 diam ond jubilee celebration. ARC H BISH O P Nicholas Chia presents the pope’s apostolic blessing to Fr Dufay.
Photos b y Vincent Kwa
peace in Europe, Fr Dufay was sent as a missionary in China and served in Chengdu (now Sichuan). When the communists overran the country he was imprisoned and eventually expelled in March 1951. Fr Dufay stayed close to China, in Hong Kong, for ten years as editor of the MEP magazine. There he wrote a book: “The Star against the Cross”, a study of the ideology and tactics of the Communists of which he had a first-hand experience. The book was well-received by a wide audience and was translated into several languages. In 1964 Fr Dufay was assigned
to Singapore. After a few months at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady he went to the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace and then to the Holy Family church. He served as chaplain of Boys’ Town for seven years ( 1966-1973) and then was transferred to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour for 21 years, first as assistant priest, and then as priest-in-charge of the MEP House adjacent to the church. In May 1994, Fr Dufay retired to Bethany, the home for retired priests located at Saint Theresa’s Home. Despite his lack of mobility, he remains very active, reading a lot, keeping abreast of the developments in the world and in the Church, aided by a prodigious memory, welcoming all visitors with a ready smile. Father Dufay lives with Fr Claude Barreteau, chaplain of the home, Fr Felix Brygier and Fr Louis Fossion. □
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G o o d n e w s fo r p e o p le c o n c e rn e d w ith C h in a c h u r c h SINGAPORE - Guide Book to the Catholic Church in China 2004 is now available at the China Catholic Communication Office (Zhonglian) in Singapore. This new edition is more detailed than the previous 2000 Guide. The 750-page edition includes new data such as addresses of churches, phone numbers and email addresses. As in previous editions, the English and Chinese texts are presented side by side
so that foreigners to China may easily obtain help from local guides and taxi drivers by showing them the Chinese text. The Book provides a history of evangelization in the main regions of China and of church leadership in each diocese to enable both local Chinese and foreign visitors to have a better understanding of the roots of Christianity in China. The book is expected to help promote better communications
between Catholics from all over the world and fellow Catholics in China and help foreigners who attend services in China. Orders for the book for Singapore or overseas delivery can be placed with Singapore Zhonglian Centre at mail@ zhonglian.org. It is also available at Carlo Catholic Bookshop (Queen street) and Catholic Book & M edia (Highland Road) at $ 2 0 /-. □
Singapore Knights visit Lourdes They went to prepare for next December’s “Bringing Lourdes to Singapore” project SINGAPORE - Six Singapore
Knights of the Order of Malta were among 5,000 Knights and Dames from all over the world gathered for their annual meeting late April/early May in Lourdes where Our Lady apeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Knights D r Andrew Kwok, Mr Joseph Pillay, D r Gabriel Oon, M r Michael Khoo, D r Peter Chew, M r Alphonsus Tan and Mr Jimmy Yim were accompanied by their spouses and seven Friends of the Order. The pilgrimage was a prelude to their project “Bringing Lourdes to Singapore” scheduled for Dec 4, 2004 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The sight of hundreds of Knights clothed in a Europeanstyle military officer’s uniform and Dames in their resplendent dark robes with red lining pulling specially made trolleys carrying invalids to the shrine of our Lady to seek her intercession for healing was unforgettable.
KNIGHTS Dr Andrew Kwok(left), and Dr Gabriel Oon in their “uniform ” and Mr. Joseph Pillay at Lourdes. Photo: Susie Oon
Lourdes, famous for the baths, is a thriving experience of healing, purification and miracles. A day at Lourdes often begins with meditation or rosary at the grotto and Mass. Throughout the day, there would be programmes of prayer, meditation and
A R C H B IS H O P ’S O FF IC IA L D IA R Y July 4
12.30 pm Church of the Holy Trinity: Mass - Confirmation
July 5-9 July 11
Johore - Plentong: Bishops’ Conference 3.00 pm Church o f the Holy Trinity: Mass - Bible Sunday (Chinese)
July 12-16 July 18
Majodi Centre, Plentong, Johore: Priests’ Annual Retreat
6.00 pm Church of Christ the King: Mass - Confirmation (Youths)
assisting invalids. A candlelight procession takes place as night falls The theme in Lourdes this year is “Christ is my Rock” (1 Cor. 10: 5). Cardinals, bishops and priests urge everyone to repent and turn hearts of stone to love and compassion in their homilies. Not all pilgrims to Lourdes are Catholic or practising Catholics, but everyone returning from Lourdes will have experienced the warmth and mystery of Christ’s love through his Mother. The Singapore Knights left Lourdes more determined than ever to make a success of the
Bringing Lourdes to Singapore” project to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX in 1854. The project will enable those who do not have the opportunity to visit Lourdes to experience it this December at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. St Bernadette was cannonised on Dec 8, 1933. As Dec 8, 2004 falls on a weekday, the celebrations will be held on Saturday Dec 4, 2004 from 2.00pm to 8.30pm. Preparations for the big event have begun. They include the formation of Parish Ministries of the Sick, praying the rosary with the handicapped and the sick and generally bringing people closer to God. Plans are being made by some parishes to have their own candlelight procession. Celebrations at the Singapore Indoor Stadium will start with a video of the Order of Malta International Pilgrimage (done every May), followed by the rosary in 10 languages of the region, French and Latin, Eucharistic celebration by Archbishop Nicholas Chia, blessing of the sick, scriptural reflections by Fr. Gino Henriques, and a torchlight procession. A rticle based on report by Jim m y Yim a n d D r G abriel Oon.
Pope to visit Lourdes too VATICAN CITY - Pope John
Paul II will travel to Lourdes to mark the 150th anniversary of the promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The pope is expected to celebrate Mass there Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. French church officials have said the 84-year-old pontiff, who suffers from a neurological disease and can no longer walk, would stay at a guest house for ailing pilgrims at Lourdes, a small town in southwestern France. The pope will come as “an ill man among the ill.” Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims - many in search of spiritual or physical healing - visit the Lourdes shrine annually. Catholic tradition says that in 1858 Mary appeared 18 times in a Lourdes grotto to a 14-year-old shepherd girl, Bernadette Soubirous, and led her to discover a spring of water. People of the area quickly ascribed special spiritual and healing powers to the water and the grotto, and some claimed miraculous cures. Bernadette was declared a saint in 1933. □
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News ■ Indian priest highlights destructive role of call centres MUMBAI - A priest in the Indian business hub Mumbai has warned against the social cost to India of call centre work outsourced by western countries. “The lure of money is making youngsters drop out of college to take up call-centre jobs,” said parish priest K.T. Emmanuel in a sermon. “They blow money on the latest cars and cell phones, ; while their middle-class parents struggle to save money.” Reuters reports that Fr Emm anuel’s suburban congregation included “scores of 20-somethings who spend their nights fielding calls from the customers of US multinational giants such as General Electric and Time Warner”. “My family life, social life, health ... Everything is screwed up because I work nights,” said 21 year old call centre worker Reema. “But the money is so good that I ’m willing to compromise.” □
The youths who graduated from the YISS on June 13 with A rchbishop Nicholas Chia and Bro. Emmanuel.
Lavished, indeed! By Cheryl Chia SINGAPORE - Over 70 Catholic
youth gathered June 10 at St. Gabriel’s Primary School for the 14th Youth in the Spirit Seminar (YISS). The four-day YISS organised by the Youth Praise M inistry brought the theme “L avished” (1 John 3:1 ) to life as the youths w itnessed “how great is the love the Father has lavished upon them , that they should be called sons and daughters of G od” . Packed with games, small group sharings, quiet time and praise and worship, the participants got a deeper insight into G od’s love and his call to spread the Good News. The YISS was “Power! Awesome! Great!” said Antaeus Lim, 17, a participant. It was evident how much the retreat had changed the
participants’ relationship with God. “I find it (YISS) very meaningful. I experienced God. I think it’s G od’s calling that I came,” said Benny Tan, 18. “YISS is very exciting, you can make new friends and best of all, you get to know the best friend, who is God. YISS has made me fall in love with h im ... It’s a life-changing experience!” exclaimed Joanne He, 20. Archbishop Nicholas Chia celebrated Mass with participants and expressed delight in seeing so many youths come together as one community to grow in their spirituality. “It’s very good that these young people have come, and sacrificed their time (for) a deeper understanding of the faith.” The YISS ended with the Eucharistic Congress at the Indoor Stadium on June 13. □
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■ Parishioners cheer, NGOs protest as ‘sex cubicles’ removed VASCO DA GAMA, India -
j KUALA LUMPUR - For the first time in Malaysia, awards were given to eight persons and two organisations for their contribution to the social communications apostolate in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. The awardees were Adeline James (creative designer), Anil Netto (columnist), Asirvatham Michael (catechist), Catherine
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Hon (columnist), Elena Chan (benefactor), Magdalene Rajoo (sub-editor), Neubert Ambrose (broadcaster), Bishop Paul Tan (founding editor, CANews), Costantini Research Centre (publisher of Fang Xiang and Joyful Kingdom) and the Association of Pauline Cooperators (lay group affiliated with DSP). The names were nominated by the Archdiocesan Social Communications Office, publisher of Fang Xiang and Joyful Kingdom, publisher of CANews, Daughters of St. Paul, Herald and Catholic Monthly. Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur who is President of the Regional Commission for Social Communications for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei presented the awards during a gathering of Catholics involved in communications and media W O rk. □
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Catholics of a parish in Goa have expressed relief after authorities removed some 250 small huts used by prostitutes in the parish area, but some NGOs have protested the eviction. Outsiders had identified parishioners with prostitution because of the brothels. The Goa government on June 14 demolished the huts, typically no larger than four square meters, usually containing only a bed with a rough mattress and worn bedsheet. Some NGOs condemned the demolition, however, alleging the government caused “a humanitarian crisis” by not rehabilitating those it ousted. According to them, hundreds of immigrant families also became homeless after the authorities demolished their shacks too. An NGO member said some 5,000 poor laborers who live in that area will suffer the most from the “insensitive and brutal” government action. She noted that most sex workers had abandoned the beachfront cubicles weeks before the authorities came. □
■ SFA engages senior parishioners SINGAPORE - Senior parishioners
from the Church of St Francis of Assisi were encouraged to come together for support and friendship and to be assured that they were still able to contribute to family, workplace and church. Sr Geraldine from the St Joseph’s Home reminded them that the Bible mentions that older
people were chosen to bring hope to others. She exhorted senior parishioners not to let old age imprison them in their homes and their bodies. Fr John Van Dich hoped that from this gathering, younger parishioners would see the signs of a community coming together and be motivated to help. □
News ■ Irish A rchbishop seeks w eekly phone sw itch-off ARMAGH, Ireland - Archbishop Sean By John Thavis VATICAN CITY - Warning against excessive
commercialization of modem sports, Pope John Paul II said events like the Olympic Games were essential in promoting athletics that include the poor, motivate the young and “exclude no one.” The Olympics “should not give up their noble vocation of rekindling the ideals of social harmony, understanding and friendship” and can help resist the increasing commercialization seen in some sports, he said. The pope made the comments in a June 25 message on “Sport and Tourism,” released to mark the 25th World Day of Tourism Sept. 27. The message came a few days before the Olympic torch was scheduled to pass through Rome on its way to the start of the Olympic Games in Athens Aug. 13. The pope said the Christian attitude toward sports was outlined as early as biblical times. Sporting activities should involve a sense of sacrifice, a team spirit, respect for others, honesty and humility, he said. One of the good things about sports is that it can “free young people from apathy and indifference and incite in them a healthy sense of athleticism,” he said. International sporting events can help bridge the gap between rich and poor countries, the pope said. He said that when combined with tourism, these events also help reduce intolerance - but he cautioned that aggressive forms of competition and even violence have sometimes found their way into modem sports.
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BRAZILIAN Olympian Joaquim Cruz poses with the Olympic torch atop Corcovado Mountain in front o f Brazil’s fam ous “Christ the Redeem er” statue June 13 in Rio de Janeiro. The Olympic torch relay made its 10th stop in the Brazilian city while crossing through live continents en route to the 2004 summ er gam es in Athens Aug. 13-29. Cruz won the gold medal in the 800meter run at the 1984 Los Angeles games. CNS photo
The pope did not elaborate when speaking of the “excessive marketing” involved in some sports. At a Vatican press conference, Japanese Cardinal Stephen Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, said it was obvious that economics have changed the nature of some professional sports. Even in Japan, he said, soccer and baseball players receive “very exaggerated salaries.” “This hurts the spirit of sport. All the boys and girls want to grow up to be champions so they can earn money,” he said. □ c n s
CHAMBERS LA N G U AG E C EN TR E
S T A R T IN G SOON! • • • • • • • • •
Brady of Armagh has called on Irish people to switch off their TVs and mobile phones once a week. He said the “incessant noise of modem life” was “threatening to tear society to pieces” and appealed for a return to “a sound of silence”. ”We also live in a world, of constant noise and incessant rush,” he said. “Our ears are constantly exposed to the ceaseless chatter of talk radio, the rap and pop of digitised and downloaded music, and the endless melodies of mobile phones as they ring in the street, the car and yes, even in the church.” The Archbishop said he was convinced if people turned off TVs, personal stereos and mobile phones one day a week to reflect and pray “they would notice a significant improvement in their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being”. □ c n s
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A YOUTH presents Pope John Paul II with a soccer ball during a special audience at the Vatican June 26. The pontiff, a keen sportsman in his younger years, met with Italian sports associations and spoke of the benefits
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This is a complex question and there’s more to it E are drow ning in a sea o f voices. than meets the eye. Historically, the temptation, at S u p e rfic ia lly , we see th is in le a st in re lig io u s c irc le s, has been to overadvertising. Everyw here around us, simplistically identify the voice of Jesus with the voice b illb o a rd s , ra d io , te le v is io n , n e w sp a p e rs, that calls us toward self-sacrifice and asceticism: magazines, the Internet, and the fashion industry, “Everything is about self renunciation!” Indeed, it hold out the promise of something better for us - a is. Jesus did say that, as did every great saint. new soap, a new lover, a new philosophy of life. But Jesus and those others also said more, and More deeply, however, we experience this sea of our failure to take heed of the rest of what they said, voices as a great tension. The different voices we hear has sometimes made for a spirituality that is a halfpull us in many directions and, after a while, w e’re truth with some nasty consequences - in the name of no longer sure who we are, what we believe in, or religion, we have sometimes become unhealthily what will bring us life. Different voices tell us different fearful, tim id, and guilt-ridden. W henever this things and each voice seems to carry its own truth. happens, the other voice, the one inviting us to enter On the one hand, there’s a pow erful voice more fully into life’s dance of energy, is not blotted b e c k o n in g us to w ard s s e lf-s a c rific e , selfout but driven underground and there, renunciation, altruism, heroism, telling us because we have neglected part of what that happiness lies in giving life away, that God has called us to, instead of becoming selfishness will make us unhappy, and that martyrs, we become people with “martyrwe will only be ourselves when we are com plexes” , frustrated persons whose big-hearted, generous, and put the needs energies become negative and manipulative o f others before our own. Deep down, we in the name of love and service. Moreover, all know the truth of that; it’s Jesus’s voice in the name of this half-truth, we often end telling us that there is no greater love, nor up having God fighting God, truth fighting meaning, than to lay down one’s life for By Fr Ronald truth, wisdom fighting energy, and spiritual others. St Francis of Assisi was right: we Rolheiser health fighting physical health, because only receive by giving. And so we admire w e’ve put self-renunciation in false opposition to the people who radiate that and we feed our souls and challenge to also enter into the wonderful God-given those o f our children with stories o f heroism , energy o f this planet w here beauty, rom ance, selflessness, and bigness of heart. creativity, physical health, wit, wine drinking, and good humour also extend part of G od’s authentic The other voice invitation. But that’s not the only voice we hear. We hear also a Finding a balance powerful, persistent voice seemingly calling us in the opposite direction. Superficially, this is the voice How to find a balance in all of this? If both voices calling us towards pleasure, comfort, and security, invite us to truth and yet they seem in opposition to the voice that tells us to take care of ourselves, to each other, where do we go with this? drink in life’s pleasures to the full, to seize the day There is no simple truth, here or anywhere else. while it’s still ours to seize. Truth is painfully complex (as are we) and truth is More deeply, this is the voice that challenges us always bigger than our capacity to absorb and not to be too timid or fearful to be a full human integrate it. To be open to truth is to be perpetually being. This voice invites us to participate in, stretched and perpetually in tension, at least this contribute to, and enjoy the wonderful energy, side o f eternity. And that’s true in terms of the colour, wit, intelligence, and creativity that makes seeming opposition between these voices. At times the world go round and makes life worth living. This they are in real opposition and we can’t have it both is the voice beckoning us tow ards rom ance, ways, but have to choose one to the detriment of creativity, art, sex, achievement, physical health, the the other. Truth has real boundaries and there’s a voice telling us Jesus’s parable of the talents and danger in letting it mean everything. But there’s an holding before us a truth too often neglected in equal danger in letting it mean too little, of reducing religious circles, namely, that God is also the author a full truth to a half-truth - and nowhere, at least in of eros, colour, physical health, wit, and intelligence. the spiritual life, is this danger greater than in our Life, it insists, needs to be tasted, in God’s name. tendency to let either of these voices completely So which is the real voice? Is one of these voices blot out the other. □ t h e c a t h o l ic h e r a l d to be heeded and the other resisted?
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“D iffe r e n t voices te ll us d iffe re n t th in g s a n d each vo ice seem s to c a rr y its o w n tru th . ”
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Pope: Catholic schools must show Catholic identity
By John Thavis VATICAN CITY - Catholic
schools and health care facilities must give “convincing witness” to church teachings - especially on such key issues as respect for human life, marriage and the family - said Pope John Paul II. The church’s many religious, educational and charitable institutions “exist for one reason only: to proclaim the Gospel,” the pope told bishops from the U.S.during a June 24 meeting “It is of utmost importance, therefore, that the church’s institutions be genuinely Catholic: Catholic in their selfunderstanding and Catholic in their identity,” he said. The pope said the church’s social and cultural activities
cannot be divorced from its main task of evangelization. All Catholic organizations, he said, must witness to the faith as they operate in a pluralistic society. He said even non-Catholics who work for such institutions should show “sincere and respectful appreciation” of the church’s evangelizing mission, which is at the core of all its activities. That requires new and creative emphasis on Catholic identity, he said. “The church’s many institutions in the United States - schools, universities, hospitals and charitable agencies - must not only assist the faithful to think and act fully in accordance with the Gospel, overcoming every separation between faith and life, but they must themselves embody a clear corporate testimony to its saving truth,” he said. “This will demand constantly re-examining their priorities in the light of their mission and offering a convincing witness, within a pluralistic society, to the church’s teaching, particularly on respect for human life,
marriage and family, and the right ordering of public life,” he said. Catholic universities have a crucial role “at the forefront of the church’s dialogue with culture,” the pope said. But they cannot effectively contribute to the church’s evangelization effort unless they clearly preserve and foster their Catholic identity, he said. “This means that the content of the education they impart should make constant reference to Jesus Christ and his message as the church presents it in her dogmatic and moral teaching,” he said. The pope expressed his gratitude for the “devoted work of countless priests, religious and lay people” in maintaining church-run secondary and elementary schools in the United States. These schools have contributed much to U.S. society as a whole, he said. He also encouraged the bishops to “make every effort to ensure that, despite financial difficulties, a Catholic education remains available to the poor and the less-privileged in society.” □ cns
POPE John Paul II, as popular as ever, is surrounded by nuns from the Missionaries of Charity during his weekly general audience at the Vatican June 23. c n s photo
FAMILIES and friends o f torture victims hold a June 25 rally outside the U.N. House in Manama, Bahrain, to mark the International Day in Support o f Victims of Torture, c n s photo
V a tic a n o ffic ia l h a ils tr a n s f e r o f p o w e r in I r a q Pope says torture is ‘intolerable’ violation of human rights
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s top
foreign affairs official hailed the transfer of power to an Iraqi provisional government, saying Iraq “can only be governed and understood by its own people.” Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, an assistant secretary of state, said the stakes in Iraq are high because the outcome “could determine the development of democracy in the whole region.” “The formal transfer of power is of great importance,” Archbishop Lajolo said. “The Iraqis are a people who are proud of their autonomy; they have technical expertise, professionals and managers of high caliber. W hat’s more, a country so rich in history and complex in its composition only can be governed and understood by its own people,” he said. TTie archbishop said the handover should help convince many countries including those that opposed the war to provide aid for Iraqi reconstruction. Archbishop Lajolo said the Catholic community in Iraq is deeply involved with the rebuilding effort and the Vatican will continue to offer its help toward the rebuilding of Iraq - either by proposing advice to the international community on the course to be taken, or by providing material assistance to the Iraqi people through Caritas and other Catholic agencies. □ c n s
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul
IR AQ ’S senior judge Midhat Mahmoud and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi accept legal documents June 28 from U.S. Administrator L. Paul Bremer in Baghdad. The U.S. Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government two days earlier than planned. Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, assistant secretary o f state at the Vatican, said the success of the Iraqi government will depend on its ability to ensure political freedom, restore basic services and crack down on “cowardly acts” o f terrorism, c n s photos
II called for an end to the “intolerable” human rights violation of torture. After his June 27 Angelus, the pope reminded pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square that June 26 marked the U.N. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. He asked that “the shared commitment by individuals and organizations banish completely this intolerable violation of human rights.” Torture is “radically contrary to the dignity of m an,” he said. More than 130 countries, including the United States, have
ratified the 1987 U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The international agreement requires signatory parties to work to end the use of torture within their territorial jurisdiction and it maintains that torture is not permitted under any circumstances or emergencies. In a June 4 address to visiting U.S. President George W. Bush, the pope made an apparent reference to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers. The pope had said recent “deplorable events” undermined the values that are essential to defeating terrorism. According to the U.N. convention, torture is defined as “an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person” for a purpose such as gathering information or a confession, or for punishment, intimidation or coercion and has been carried out “with the consent or acquiescence of a public official.” Bush has promised a full and open investigation of the reported human rights abuses and use of torture in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. □ c n s
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Donald Jackson’s
AGNIF By Joseph Young
ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Donald Jackson had a special hand in producing the “Book of Psalms.” It’s an artistic hand which used a quill and flowing elliptic motions to produce an illuminated manuscript version of the biblical text. The “Book of Psalms,” 150 songs traditionally ascribed to King David, is the third volume to be completed of The Saint John’s Bible. Six pages of the 80-page volume were unveiled during a media briefing in late April at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The completion of Psalms marks “the midpoint of this great endeavor,” said Benedictine Brother Dietrich Reinhart, president of St. John’s University, which commissioned the project in 1998. The illuminated Bible is scheduled to be completed by 2007.
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Jackson, 66, is artistic director of the Saint John’s Bible. The project is his life’s dream come true. During an interview with Barbara Walters on The Today Show in 1970, Jackson said that his ultimate ambition was to write the Bible. Later he described it this way: “The Bible is the calligraphic artist’s supreme challenge (our Sistine Chapel), a daunting task.” Jackson is considered one of the w orld’s foremost Western calligraphers. For more than two decades, he has led seminars and workshops hosted by Saint John’s for the internationally recognized Calligraphy Connection. He is scribe to Queen Elizabeth’s Crown Office at the House of Lords. Calligraphy is beautiful handwriting. Illumination is decorating a page with gold, silver, copper, platinum and brilliant colors, or with elaborate designs or
The making of
DONALD Jackson showing Psalms page.
miniature pictures. “As the page turns, what is drawn there captures light, delighting the eye,” Jackson said. “That’s what it means to illuminate.” Jackson and his team of 14 calligraphers and artists is illuminating and doing calligraphy for all 1,150 or so
calfskin pages of the seven volumes from his scriptorium in Monmouth, Wales. Jackson said he created a font with a lighter weight script for the “Book of Psalms” which befits their more poetic and melodic nature compared to the text of the other completed volumes: “Gospels and Acts of the Apostles” and the “Pentateuch,” the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. The content of the “Book of Psalms” is not prose, “not even poetry. This is song,” Jackson said. “The psalms are so powerful,” he said. “In them there is anguish, fear, love, joy, regret - ‘Oh, I wish, I wish I hadn’t done that!’ - that type of thing. Yet, they are contained within the page. It is passion contained.” Undertaking a project that has been his lifelong dream has made a difference in Jackson’s life, but in subtle ways. He admits to being moved by what he renders artistically. “My soul thirsts for the Lord like a deer thirsts for flowing streams,” he said, alluding to Psalm 42. “How can you remain unaffected when you’re playing with words like this? You’re writing like God with words that are megaphonable, mega-explosive.” □ c n s
The Saint Johns Bible
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TO the ends of the earth . A page from the Saint Jo h n ’s Bible.
Saint John’s University in M innesota and the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Abbey are seeking to ignite the spiritual imagination of people everywhere by commissioning a work of art that illuminates the Word of God as something special, an expression of the Benedictine vision: “That in all things God may be glorified.” . For fifteen hundred years, Benedictine monasteries have acted as
producers and protectors of books. In keeping with that heritage, Saint John’s has become an international center of the book arts. The Saint John’s Bible continues that tradition. Like its medieval predecessors, it is written on vellum, using quills, natural handmade inks, handground pigments and gold leaf while incorporating modem themes, images and technology of the 21st century.
The last complete handwritten, illuminated Bible was commissioned shortly after the invention of the printing press at the end of the 15th century.
strong literal tradition. It employs gender-inclusive language for references to men and women, usually done in a non-obtrusive manner.
Saint John’s is not only the patron of the Bible, but has played a vital role in assembling the team of advisors, faculty, theologians, administrative staff, and artists that are collaborating on this project. Saint John’s Committee on Illumination and Text (CIT) decides which passages of the Bible will be illuminated and work with Donald Jackson, calligraphic artist, on the imagery used to depict these scripture passages, with an eye to interpreting them for our time.
Gospels and Acts of the Apostles was the first volume of The Saint John’s Bible to be written; completed in May 2002. Pentateuch was completed in August 2003 and the Book of Psalms was completed in April 2004. There are four more volumes to complete Prophets, Wisdom Books and Poetry, Historical Books and Letters and Revelation. The final completion is scheduled for 2007.
The translation of the Bible known as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) was chosen for The Saint John’s Bible for a number of reasons. Its predecessor, the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, had the distinction of being officially authorized for use by all major Christian churches: Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Also, NRSV is a modem English translation with a
The Bible will be large for liturgical and exhibition purposes (16 inches wide by 24 inches tall when closed). The Saint John’s Bible will be used by Saint John’s Abbey and University for liturgical purposes, as the book from which Scripture will be proclaimed during important Masses and other celebrations. In addition, the Bible will be a source for religious, artistic, educational and scholarly programming and exhibitions. The making of
the Bible will be documented, using the latest in technology, for closer study of art, creativity, and the spiritual life, including a better understanding of new traditions in bookmaking and calligraphy. Saint John’s will be the home of The Saint John’s Bible. An exhibition, “Illuminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible,” will m n from April 17 through July 3 in 2005 at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. It will then travel to other major U.S. venues. Episcopalian, Protestant and Jewish advisors have helped to form the vision of The Saint John’s Bible, serving as consultants and as members of committees dedicated to assisting Donald Jackson in the creation of The Saint John’s Bible. The University plans to offer the Bible for sale in several forms: a limited edition of full size facsimiles, trade reproductions of each volume, a book describing the processes involved, a book of reflections and fine art prints. Saint John’s is
inspiring people of all cultures and creeds with the spirit and beauty of this historic undertaking. Plans are being made to reach an even larger audience through exhibition tours of the Bible to museums and libraries worldwide On May 26, a reproduction of the Bible’s first volume was presented to Pope John Paul II by Brother Dietrich, St. John’s Abbot John Klassen, Benedictine Father Eric Hollas, the university’s senior associate for arts and culture, and Jackson, and his wife, Mabel. The total estimated budget for The Saint John’s Bible is more than four million dollars. It is being funded completely through private donations. You can participate in The Saint John’s Bible by sponsoring a part of the Bible and attending an exhibition or event. Sponsorship fees range from U.S.$100 for a verse to U.S. $250,000 for a volume. Those interested in learning more about The Saint John’s Bible can visit www.saintjohnsbible.org or email saintjohnsbible@csbsju.edu. □
We have not printed the regular The Word of God articles as there are several pages devoted to the Bible in this issue. The Word of God will resume in the next issue.
Bible Sunday The church in Malaysia-SingaporeBrunei will celebrate Bible Sunday on July 11,2004. The Regional Biblical Commission o f the Bishops ’ Conference has chosen the theme “FAM ILY IN THE B IB L E ”,
AT FIRST sight it seems a little strange that Jesus said so little about the family. But as we reflect on the nature of his mission we understand the explanation of his silence. He said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Mt 5:17), that is, to fill out, to expound and to expand. He endorsed the permanence of marriage, of marital fidelity of spouses and the right relation of children to parents, the ancient statute of honouring father and mother (cf. Mt 19:3-9; M k 7:9-13). The whole of the Bible and of Jewish and Christian tradition can be viewed within the tension between the B ible’s focus on family, or community worth and responsibility, and its struggle toward affirmation of individual worth and responsibility within the larger family. The major issue in ancient Israel was that of the survival of the family God had chosen to receive and live G od’s Torah (Law). The principal issue of patriarchalism in the Bible was that of survival of the corporate identity of the chosen family or tribe, just as eventually the central issue of the Exile in the sixth century BCE was whether the people whom God had chosen would survive with identity intact, and not assimilate to the culture of the conqueror, thereby losing identity - as apparently all other peoples conquered by Assyria and Babylonia did. M ost of the Bible is taken up with a history of threats of near extinction by foreign forces and natural disasters. In the fuller or canonical biblical story these are seen as challenges to G od’s promises of progeny and land (Gen 12) to Abraham and Sarah. The issue was survival of at least a remnant with identity still intact. Stories of family survival abound in the Bible: the Joseph story (Gen 37); the stories of Tamar, Ruth, Esther, Hannah and many other women in the Bible, heroic as each was in her own right, are built around the family heritage theme of G od’s fulfillment of the divine promise of progeny and land made to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 12. The divine promise in Genesis 12, of progeny and land, canonically dominates the Bible in many ways. The fourth commandment to honour the mother as well as the father underscored the family as the basic unit of society. Anyone who cursed his parents or stubbornly refused to obey them was to be put to death (cf. Exod 21:15-17, Lev 20:9). The first chapters of the Bible show us that as God authored humanity in general, he authored the primal relations within it which comes to its fullest expression in marriage. M arriage as such can work only as it conforms to the will and purpose of him who created and established it.
M EM BERS o f a fam ily re-enacting a scene from the Bible.
FAMILY BIBLE IN TH E
Disruption of harmony with God means disruption of inner human harmony; this disruption will be felt most keenly in the closest and most sensitive points of relationship - in marriage and family life (cf. Adam and Eve in Gen 2-3; Cain and Abel in Gen 4). Yet, it is through marriage and the family - that of Abraham and Sarah - that salvation will come in the personal form of the Saviour, who is their descendant. As marriage comes from God in creation, so it serves God in salvation. The active role of God in patriarchal marriage sheds light on marriage within the family. As Abraham understood it, God him self had chosen this family as his own family to work out his own purpose; its separateness or “holiness” was of G od’s gracious election. REFLECTION:
• How much do we understand today our role as family in G od’s plan and purpose? • How do we as family reflect his gracious election of us? THE family was a religious unit. The Passover was celebrated within the family (Ex 12:3f). The family was also in some sense a moral unit; they understood God would punish sin to the third and fourth generation of the family (Ex 20:5f; Deut 5:9f.) The Hebrew sense of family solidarity was extremely close, since the individual depended entirely on his family for support and protection, and life was not conceived as possible outside the family. In sum, Israelite society was familyoriented. The family, the bet ‘av (or household), was the basic unit of Israelite culture and society as a whole. It was gathered around the character of the head of
the house, the father. One returned to one’s ancestral home for certain festivals, the observation of Jubilee, territorial obligations, census, and taxation; and at death one was gathered to one’s fathers. The “tribe” was made up of a number of clans. Israel is described as consisting of twelve such tribes. Rich and poor alike belonged to the family; it was a form of “family security.” The rich could not keep their wealth to themselves. Society was based on the power of the clan or family as against the usurping power of royalty or oligarchy. When ancient Israel strayed from its family-oriented base, it was summarily denounced by the prophets. When Israel in any age strayed back into a Canaanite or common Ancient Near Eastern culture of oligarchies in which riches indicated being honoured by the gods and poverty indicated being shamed by the gods, the prophets and Jesus - lashed out against it. The family was the basic unit of Israel’s stewardship of the land which belonged to God, and the basic unit in the experience and preservation of the covenant relationship with Yahweh. The covenant relationship between God and the people in the Bible is most often expressed by use of the metaphor of the family. Throughout the Bible, God is presented as a parent. Our understanding of family in the Bible takes its lead from our understanding of the significance of marriage as a covenant and a sign of the covenant God made with his people. God sought out a partner and established a mutual bond : “I shall be their God and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:33). Isaiah sums this up when he tells the returning exiles : “For your maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name” (Is 54:5). The concept of covenant is seen as a unilateral, irrevocable, and indissoluble commitment; its validity did not depend upon the performance of either party and thus very much translated into real life the
meaning of unconditional love - a love not conditioned or determined by the response it receives. It differs from a contract, wherein two parties make a bilateral agreement totally dependent upon performance of the agreement, and which leads essentially to its dissolution when one party fails to perform according to the contract. In the New Testament (cf. Eph 5:22-33), Paul sees marriage as the primary earthly picture of the relationship between the Church and Christ - who gave his life in love for her. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews sees marriage as a relationship that bears the marks of a committed and unconditional love: “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Unfortunately, over a period of time, many have begun to forsake the biblical value of covenant in marriage and instead embrace the value of contract, leading to abuse and dysfunction in families. When there is covenant keeping within a marriage, the image of Christ and his bride (the Church) is correctly presented before the world. In his prayer for the Church, Jesus prayed : . .that they may be one, as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (Jn 17:22b-23). Because marriage does indeed bear the image of God in this world, it proclaims to those around that the Father loves them and that he sent his Son Jesus into the world. The early church was family-centered as well. The conviction that the family is the most basic religious community predates the Gospel. In Jewish tradition, the home, not the synagogue, was the centre of religious life. This is one reason why the life of the Holy Family at Nazareth was so important for Jesus Christ that he did not emerge from it until he was about thirty years of age (cf. Lk 3:23). W hen the earliest Christians were banned from the synagogues, they naturally gathered in private homes, then in large groups (cf. Acts 2:46). Family was the first church, then a structured family of families emerged. By the fourth century, St. John Chrysostom was writing of the family as “ecclesia” (church). The church is a pilgrim people on the way. This should never be understood as a form of escapism - the “this world is not my home” syndrome - but as the essential character of the church, that church called by the Spirit to press on, to be on the move to address ever new challenges, to sing a new song to the glory of God, to be constantly vigilant to oppose dehumanizing others just because they are different. Such vigilance is to witness to the power of Scripture and of Christ, as led by the Spirit. This is the vocation and the true identity of the human family called forth by God in Abraham and Sarah and expanded in Christ to the whole world. □ REFLECTION:
• How can we as family be a sign of God’s love in the world? • How do we as family build community and unity in the Church and society?
A couple’s experience with the Word of God By Leonard & Molly
“Your Word is a lamp to my fe e t and a light fo r my path” (Psalm 119:105). THE Bible is not just another book; it is G od’s revelation about him self and his Son, Jesus Christ. ; It is Good News for all people everywhere - a message both to be understood and to be applied in daily life. As Christians, we should read the Bible regularly. Come to it with faith, with expectancy and most importantly, with willingness to submit our wills to God’s will as he reveals it through our reading.
In our lives We start by looking at the Cross. The vertical signifies our relationships with God (our father), Jesus (our saviour and friend), Holy Spirit (our comforter and teacher). This is cultivated through our reading of G od’s Word and prayer.
A C OUPLE sharing the Word o f God.
The horizontal signifies our relationships with the people that God brings into our lives family, community, friends, colleagues, etc. This is cultivated through our applying of G od’s word and prayer.
In our lives as a couple “I have hidden your word in my
heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). “Do not merely listen to the Word. Do what it says” (James 1:22)
As a Christian couple, we know that without God, his word and prayer, we will not be able to have a strong foundation for our marriage and relationship. So as not to slip into complacency, we always
encourage each other in the reading of G od’s word and using G od’s word in our prayers or as some might put it, praying the Scripture. Through this process, we also help each other in memorizing the Scripture, thus keeping his word in our hearts. The challenging aspect of reading and memorizing the Scripture, is that we need to put it into action, that is be doers of G od’s word and not hearers only. And this can be difficult if not for the help of the Holy Spirit. For example, Jesus said in Mark 11:25 “If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him ”. Now, in our pride and as not to “lose face” we might not want to forgive. But, as we yield ourselves to G od’s word, with the help of his Holy Spirit, we can choose to forgive so that, as Jesus continued “your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
In our lives in a community “Let us not give up meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25).
“And let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good” (Hebrews 10:24). The Choice Community has a prayer group that we belong to that meets weekly at the host couple’s apartment to do Bible study together with the Bible study materials from the Little Rock Scripture Study. The group has a collection of singles, courting couples and married couples from several different churches. We found that as we gather together to share the Scripture, the group has become an uplifting source of comfort, inspiration and emotional strength. In the process, we also learn “to help one another to show love and to do good”. Someone has said “Christians are like coals of fire - together, they glow, apart, they grow cold”. Last but not least, we leave with this encouragement from Romans 10:17 “Faith comes from hearing the word, the word of Christ”. Amen. □
THE housewives’ Bible sharing group.
A CHILD with D ow n’s syndrome proclaiming Scripture.
Bible in the family By Florentine & Carlos Furtado
IN OUR family, the Bible was initially for our individual meditation and for Mass readings. W hen our children were young, we felt the need for them to know the faith.We started by explaining the mysteries when praying the rosary, and elaborating on the Mass readings and sermon on the way home from church. Later we purchased VCDs on the Bible and other VCDs that explained the Bible stories indirectly such as the Story Keepers. The results were that the catechists would later comment that the children knew the Bible well. Now we try to have at least a weekly reading of the Bible before the family rosary. The children take turns to select and read a passage of the New
Testament. After this, Carlos explains the passage and some applications; Florentine then amplifies with some experiences and relates the passage to the children’s recent actions. During this process the children will ask questions and give their reactions thereby reflecting their understanding of the passage. As one of our children has D ow n’s syndrome, she needed a special catechism class. We were fortunate that a home catechism group was being formed then at OLPS church which included both normal and D ow n’s syndrome children. It has been very encouraging for us that she has gained some understanding of the faith and received the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist as a result of these catechism sessions. □
Housewives sharing and growing in faith THERE is a group of women in the East Coast area who have been meeting regularly for several years. They come together on Thursday mornings at one of the ladies’ home to share the word of God. They start their prayer session with the conversational prayer, then they read and reflect on the Sunday Gospel using the 7-steps as a guide. After this they spend time in fellowship. What keeps these ladies coming together all these years? Grace Teo, a parishioner from
OLPS says that the group has helped her to grow as all the ladies are housewives with common problems and struggles. Through the sharing, they learn how the Bible helps each of them to understand what it means, Grace has come to a stage where she feels that she can share openly without any fear. Her faith has grown and she is more aware of G od’s presence in her life. Julie Cheng, who goes to Holy Family and in whose home the ladies have been meeting, says
that what she likes about the session is the “Come-as-you-are” approach. She finds the sharing enriching. She is reminded to live and share the Word of God with her family during the week. She is also comforted by the fact that she is not alone in her struggles. Elsie Yeoh, a newcomer, feels the weekly sharing makes her aware of what Jesus has done for us and that it must be the Holy Spirit that moved her to respond willingly and with joy to look after her 94 year-old grandma when her mother had an eye operation. Joselyn Wee, who is from Queen of Peace parish, said that her family has definitely benefited. She is living in a multi-tier family with non-Catholic members. The weekly sharing has made her acutely aware of God and whenever she has to deal with a difficult family member, she will ask herself what Jesus would do. She knows that by the grace of God she is no longer the person she was. Agnes Chan, another parishioner from OLPS, agrees that she is also conscious of G od’s presence in her daily life. Her faith has deepened and she has learnt to trust in God. □
Bible Sunday Parents’ comment By Carol & Eugene Lee
years old, we used story kits from our Kids Club programme. Today, at six, my daughter finds comfort in reading a short biblical reflection and a quiet prayer at the start of each day. It is very encouraging for us as parents to see this ongoing religious formation working within her. In turn, this has also rekindled our desire to know the Lord the way she knows him. □
SINCE we are volunteer parents working with St Francis Kids Club, we wish to share our experience on the importance of introducing the Bible to our children as early as we can. Although they cannot read well, it should not stop us from sharing the Good News with them. They can understand a lot more than they can read. We just need to share the Good News in a way they can clearly relate to and interact with. As adults we seek answers, prayers and comfort from the Bible. So when we saw today’s children facing stress from the fast pace of academic development and information overload, we realised the urgency to introduce the Bible to our young daughter as early as possible. As she was too young KIDS work and learn on the “Last to read and understand the Supper” story kits. Bible completely at four
LIVES PRAYING as a family helps to bring the family together and enriches the time that they spend together. I find that the more often we pray together, the easier we communicate. We seem more at ease than we usually are in this fast-paced world where every thing else seems more important than God and the family. Having attended Little Rock Scripture Study for Youth, I find that my priorities are finally in the right order. During the Little Rock sessions, a member of the group would lead the rest in a prayer called the “conversational prayer”. This is a group prayer where everyone can thank, praise and ask the Lord for the many blessings. The conversational prayer is an excellent prayer for the whole family as Jesus said that when two or three are gathered together in his name, he is there in their midst.When praying in a group, I find peace of mind in knowing that the Lord is right there next to me as I pray. During the Bible sharing sessions, we read passages from the Bible and we have in-depth group discussions which sorts out any misinterpretations that
A teenager’s sharing By Julian Michael
we may have concerning the passages although sometimes the discussions may be a little too complex for the younger members of the group. During the week after each lesson, my parents go through the week’s readings and answer any of our questions. Going through the passages a second time reinforces the teachings and helps to clear any doubts and misinterpretations of God’s word. Now my brother and I find it easier to interpret Jesus’ parables. We also try to say the conversational prayer as often as possible together at night before going to bed. W hen praying in a group, I feel that our prayers are more powerful and that if you don’t speak up during the conversational prayer, you are actually missing out on a lot of
Understanding the Bible § Life and faith issues § Article subject index
C a th o lic Y ^ u th
Bible
PRAY IT S T U D Y IT L IV E IT
Review s by Susa nn a H ua ng
■ The Catholic Youth Bible SAINT MARY’S PRESS ISBN 0-88489-489-4 $ 50.30fo r soft hack edition, $68.30fo r hardback edition
HUNGRY for the word of God but not sure which Bible is suitable for you? The Catholic Youth Bible (CYB) uses the Catholic New Revised Standard Version. Known for its accuracy and elegance, the NRSV is based on the latest manuscripts and critical editions. The CYB contains: • A thorough and comprehensive index of: § Events, people, prayers, miracles, parables and teachings of Jesus § Sacrament connections
spiritual healing. By praying together as a family, I find that I have grown more mature spiritually and as an altar server I am more reverent towards the Eucharist and feel humbled and privileged to serve the Lord in a very small way. I ’d recommend that all youth join Little Rock Scripture Study for Youth, as it is a brilliant forum for all youth to understand the word of God. □ Julian M ichael is a Sec 3 Student in ACS. He attends the Little Rock Scripture Study Youth Group at S t Ignatius Church
• Study guides such as colour photos and maps, timelines • Eye catching graphics and layout But the C Y B’s strength is in the 650 lively and youth friendly articles. (These include: “Live it!” - issues that help the reader see how the Biblical passages apply to their lives; “ Pray it!” reflections to help the reader pray; and “Catholic Connections” explains the scriptural basis for beliefs and practices that are distinctly Catholic). Drawing in famous personalities such as Michael Jordan for 1 Cor 9:24-27 and discussing issues such as peer pressure, life after death, popularity and addiction, they are written in such a way that the youth can identify themselves with. You unearth fascinating facts from these articles - for example did you know that the Hebrew root of the word compassion means “womb”? Or that 1 Cor 15:3-11 contains the first creed written in Scriptures? There are introductions to every section and book of the Bible giving details and interesting thumbnail sketches of well known (and not so well known) personalities.After reading the article describing Peter, I heard myself thinking, “Peter, you rock!” Although it is a little too American at times, the CYB will take the owner right through to old age. A good buy.
■ Teaching Activities For The Catholic Youth Bible SAINT MARY’S PRESS ISBN 0-88489-560-2 $44.90
CATECHISTS are always on the lookout for a good manual. This one contains ideas for teaching creatively in a classroom setting or in a small group sharing. An example:
• The students being travel agents of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 20:1). In small groups they are told to create a brochure to sell this destination. The brochures are then displayed and these questions are discussed: § Why would people want to travel to this place? § W hat might still attract people to the “old” earth? An imaginative way of teaching a book that some find puzzling. Other activities: • Making a psalm billboard • Holding a press conference with God (on the Book of Job) • Making a collage of faces to depict the face of Christ to reflect on the meaning of the Body of Christ • Holding a Talk Show - a comparison of the Passion narratives Handouts abound (permission to reproduce them for classroom use is granted). In addition it also incorporates prayer services and a five and a half hour retreat with thematic programmes. A valuable and useful resource for any catechist working with the youth.
■ A Family Guide To The Catholic Youth Bible LISA-MARIE CALDERONESTEWART SAINT MARY1S PRESS ISBN 0-88489-6480-X $23.30
NOT quite sure how to begin reading the Scriptures with your teenager? This book may help. It chooses as its themes issues that your teenager may be grappling with and illustrates how Scripture offers wisdom for these issues. The tone of the book is youth friendly (there is a chapter that begins with a youth chat room situation and the lingo used is quite realistic). It does not matter if you are not familiar with the Bible; verses, chapters and article page numbers from the CYB are given. This guide also offers suggestions for praying and reflection. □
Bible Sunday Sale (until 15th July 2004) Oxford Family Edition Bible LIP$4^8 Now $88 Catholic Youth Bible UP$5030 Now $39 Oxford Annotated NRSV Bible (study bible) UP$?7 Now $59 Also selected books and religious items to clear from $2 to $8 CATHOLIC NEWS BOOK AND MEDIA 2 Highland Road, #01-02 Singapore 549102. Tel: 6858-3066 OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 6pm
SALT &
By Wendy Louis
FROM March 23 to April 4, 2004, 16 pastoral leaders, both priests and lay, from 12 dioceses of Germany participated in an exposure and dialogue programme (EDP) to understand and appreciate from within, the New Way of Being Church using the AsIPA methodology. They wanted to experience first hand the lives of people who lived in parishes with neighbourhood groups using the AsIPA process. They wanted to gain some insights into what could revitalise their church in Germany especially in some dioceses where churches are nearly empty. The mission / aid arm of the church in Germany MISSIO came into contact with AsIPA through its funding of workshops and meetings in Asia. They were impressed by the growth of Small Christian Communities all over Asia and wondered if some aspect of this could be implemented in their own dioceses in Germany. They requested the Exposure and Dialogue Programme office of the German Bishop’s Conference to organise an EDP with the help of local partners in Malaysia and Singapore. The programme was supposed to take place in 2003 but was postponed due to Sars. The Singapore Pastoral Institute’s AsIPA desk coordinated the programme, which involved: 1. An introduction to the whole group of the region and the local churches. 2. The actual exposure days, living with the local families in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. These days included: a) participating in all the daily activities of the family, b) attending a neighbourhood meeting and any other activity in the parish or neighbourhood. c) meeting with the parish priest, and d) exchanging life stories in depth to appreciate the spirituality and faith of the family members. The three parishes participating in the EDP in Singapore were St M ichael’s, Blessed Sacrament and Holy Trinity. 3. The final phase consisted of a gathering of the whole group together with pastoral leaders from Penang, KL and Singapore as well as local facilitators and host family members. This phase called ‘reflection and dialogue’ drew out the insights, life stories, disappointments and gleanings during the EDP. So, what did they learn? W hat impressed them? W hat puzzled them?
Learned They learned a great deal about the way people live their faith.
THE German visitors and their Singapore hosts.
They came, they saw, they wondered! They discovered that the families in many cases have a very deep relationship with God which motivates them to serve and struggle even in parishes where there is little to motivate or encourage. They learned that women play a key role in the growth of faith in the families and that they are the core of strength on faith matters in most families and neighbourhood groups. They learned that neighbourhood groups provide a very complex set of religious and moral values which supports families and individuals which should be carefully nurtured in the face of growing individualism.
Impressed They were all impressed by the faithfulness they found in families and parishes. They found it fascinating that devotional practices belonged to the simple and the highly educated too. They were bowled over by the hospitality, the food, the fellowship and sharing in neighbourhood groups and among families in certain areas. They were intrigued by the fact that there were so many people seeking baptism and that they were from all walks of life and age groups. They were very moved by the beauty of our liturgies as well as the packed churches. Palm Sunday, on their way to the airport, we celebrated Saturday Sunset Mass at Holy Family Parish and it was a most uplifting experience of a community
celebration of Eucharist.
Puzzled? They had many questions about the main direction of the dioceses. So many programmes and groups and movements are all growing like wild flowers in a forest. There seemed to be no plan, no strategy and no common sense of direction as church. They wondered if the lay people would be helped or confused by such a profusion of groups and various types of spirituality. They wondered how people could be involved in parish life at all with the pressures coming from
not experience the 7-step Gospel Sharing method which they associate with communities using AsIPA. Generally there was a sense of gratitude for being given the chance to share the lives of the people so intimately and at the same time a feeling that the church as a whole did not have a sense of purpose which could be felt among the laity. For the local organisers it was a huge learning experience. We felt on many occasions we were standing on the outside and looking in with the eyes of guests who wanted to understand our communities and our faith. We had hardly ever asked these questions about ourselves and it was difficult to find words to explain why we do what we do. The German Pastoral leaders returned with more questions than answers but the process of reflection and dialogue will continue for them in their quest to revitalize the German Church. □
the education system and the economic situation where people are holding down two jobs in some cases or studying while working and taking care of family. They admired how people remained motivated and active in parish activities and wondered where the motivation came from. They had many questions about how AsIPA is implemented in the parishes. The role of the Pastoral centres in implementing AsIPA was not clear to them. Because it was during the Lenten season that they visited, most parishes in Malaysia and Singapore were using reflection papers which meant that they did
Through the eyes of the catechumen By Arthur Goh
DO YOU ever wonder what goes on in the minds of catechumens during the Liturgy of the Word? Let’s get into their heads to see ourselves through their eyes: First reading, still people wandering into church. I ask my sponsor if it’s always like that. She shakes her head in disapproval but says with a sigh, “It’s normal.” I tell her next time when I get my car I ’ll wake up later and make it on the dot when Mass starts. “Nonsense! Young lady, you’d better come early to prepare for Mass and not waltz in at the last minute!” “Yes, m a’am.” Bah. Can someone help me find
which page w e’re on today? I ’m lost! The girl w ho’s singing the psalm is excellent! There’re such talented singers and musicians in church. She’s really pretty some more. That settles it: I’m joining the choir. Principalities? So cheem*. Must remember to ask the catechist about that later. Hwaaaah. The cover of the book of Gospels so kilat**! Why is the priest swinging smoke all over the place? Smells nice though. Wonder where I can buy some to put at home? The phrase “passed by” is stuck in my head. Must be God telling me som ething.. .passed by, passed b .. .stoppit! How come must get a lector
to read aloud? Everyone’s reading from their missals already what. So lifeless, the way the scripture is proclaimed. At times like these, I reconsider the stuff I said about wanting to join the church during the rite of acceptance. Oh well. Love it when Father gets excited when h e’s preaching; sometimes the pitch of his voice actually goes higher. There he goes again. Hope nobody saw me giggling. That wasn’t a sermon, it was a sales-pitch. I have a headache. So impressed with Father’s preaching! He’s so handsome and eloquent! Sigh, the good ones have all been taken. Err, what was the homily about again? □ I
*profound!deep **impressive
Catholic Edit
Whither Singapore Catholic schools? B ro th e r M ich ael B ro u g h to n , F S C is D ep u ty P rin cip al (S tu d en t D e v elo p m en t) at S a in t Jo sep h In stitu tio n . H e talks to C N ’s Sr. W endy O oi, fsp o n C ath o lic ed u catio n in S ing apore.
schools cater for all students, of every calibre and endeavour to give each child the ‘best’ education available, given the resources of the school.
Q
What effect do recent changes in university entry reqirements have on Catholic schools ?
BRO TH ER M ichael Broughton
Q W hat is a Catholic education? W hy is it important? How is it different from education in non-Catholic schools? Bro. Michael Catholic education has at its centre the understanding that a holistic education cannot be complete without a spiritual dimension; in the case of Catholic schools, a spiritual dimension based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is important if we believe our faith is absolutely important and if we believe that the faith formation of the young begun at home should continue in the child’s years in school. It is different from education in non-Catholic secular schools in that we teach values and morals within the context of a Catholic school culture, a faith environment that reinforces those values and morals. Our prayer, teaching and practices are consistent and the teachers are expected to model those desired values and morals. It is different from the education offered in other Christian schools in that our Catholic understanding of faith formation is more universal and inclusive: the Gospel is always to be proposed, not imposed. Every boy and girl in a Catholic school is respected for who he or she is. In faith issues there is no coercion.
Q
How should Catholic schools be judged?
Bro. Michael Catholic schools are schools and should be judged not just by the quality of their faith life and character development programmes but also by how they perform academically, given the ability of their students. Catholic
Bro. Michael Catholic schools should be advantaged in preparing their students for the new entry citeria of the universities, i.e. not just producng the academic results but also producing men and women of character who engage in service work and a variety of pursuits outside the classroom.
Q
Are primary and secondary schools still affiliated in that students from primary schools can automatically move onto their secondary ‘brother/ sister’ schools? Bro. Michael Yes, most of those who are historically affiliated have retained their affiliation privilege to the present (though it is seldom “automatic” for all). However, this situation may have to change because affiliation has often meant that only affiliated primary school students who cannot move on to an academically ‘better’ school choose to move on to their affiliated secondary school. In the long run, this demoralises the teaching staff and can even condemn the school to mediocrity in the eyes of the public (including Catholic parents).
Q
There are many excellent Catholic teachers. Why are they not teaching at Catholic schools? Bro. Michael This is a question best answered by those Catholic teachers themselves. Frequent answers are: (1) I believe I can serve wherever I ’m posted, be it a Catholic or government school, (2) I think there is a greater mission teaching in a neighbourhood school, (3) I tried to get a posting to a Catholic school but failed, (4) I see no difference in a Catholic school compared to a government school, (5) I think there are enough Catholic teachers in Catholic schools.
Q
Are there enough Catholic principals in Catholic schools?
Bro. Michael Not really. It is difficult to have proper succession planning if Catholic principals finish their tour of duty and there is no Catholic principal available as a replacement. Many Catholic educators of the past have shied away from positions of responsibilty.
Q
Why do parents send their children to Catholic schools? Bro. Michael Many parents (Cathoic and non-Catholic) are products of the Catholic school system and having benefitted from it, want the same values and faith formation for their children. Many non-Catholic parents feel that a mission school has some sort of cutting edge over neighbourhood schools. And let’s face it, the good academic reputation of Catholic schools in the past still attracts some parents today who believe that certain Catholic schools will give their children an academic head start in their education.
Q
Do Catholic schools “sell” themselves well, if at all? Bro. Michael Some do a better job than others because no two schools are alike. We have a variety of Catholic schools in Singapore catering to the whole cross section of our children, from the academically “special” stream to the “normal technical” stream.
Q
How do Catholic schools
rank? Bro. Michael There are two rank tables presently and our Catholic schools fare relatively well in both, the ranking based on L1B5 (English Language and Best 5 Subjects) and on the Value-Added rank list which measures how well the school has performed based on the child’s expected score as against his/her actual score.
Q
W hat is the future of Catholic schools (including facts on leases, if any, and when these leases expire). Bro. Michael I think the scenario is more than hopeful. Catholic education is on the priority agenda of our present archbishop and the newly reconstituted Catholic Education Council is quickly becoming what it is meant to be, the Catholic education arm of the archdiocese, with the mandate to make local Catholic educational policy and enforce it. I believe
our Catholic schools are becoming more Catholic (in an inclusive rather than exclusive way) and our schools’ Vision and Mission statements better reflect our Catholic character and purpose. Leases of individual Catholic schools may expire but if the church (that’s all of us) believes that they still have a vital role to play then, we can renew their leases. If we feel a Catholic school has ceased to maintain the integrity of its Catholic mission, then we can surrender that school to the government or just shut it down. Better to have fewer good Catholic schools than many schools of weak Catholic identity. Q Do you have any comment on the plans by St Joseph’s Institution to adopt an integrated programme for its students? Bro. Michael As Catholic institutions of learning, our schools must cater for all - this includes a preference for the poor (however one defines this category) but does not exclude the non-poor. Elitism is not always a bad thing. Catholic schools will always have a reputation for being “elite” insofar, as they possess a unique and desirable school culture, do an excellent job, deliver high academic standards and innovate to give their students the best holistic education they can possibly give them. There must be Catholic schools that will give underachievers a good education and a strong chance of academic success but we should also have schools to cater for those Catholic boys and girls who are high achievers. All our children must be catered for. Having a few “elite” schools must not be interpreted as neglecting the less gifted. After all we do have more than 30 Catholic schools on the island! It is not against the mission of Catholic schools to cater for the gifted. It is only wrong if it is at the expense of the poor. Catholic schools do not exist only for those who are academically weak. Those who are academic underachievers can be categorised as poor but so can the academically gifted who come from dysfunctional families and/or lower income groups, and those who are poorly socialised, lonely etc. SJI ensures that the materially poor are catered for and no one loses their place because they cannot afford to pay the fees.” □
TOP 20 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE 2003 (Catholic schools in blue) 1 Raffles Institution 2 Raffles Girls’(Secondary) 3 Nanyang G irls’ High 4 The Chinese High 5 Dunman High 6 River Valley High 7 CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ 8 Singapore Chinese Girls’ 9 Anglo-Chinese (Independent) 10 Cedar Girls; Secondary 11 M ethodist Girls’ (Secondary) 12 Tanjong Katong Girls’ 13 Anderson Secondary 14 St Joseph’s Institution 15 Bukit Panjang Govt High 16 Crescent Girls’ 17 Victoria 18 Anglican High 18 Catholic High 20 Xinmin Secondary
TOP 20 VALUE-ADDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS (Catholic schools in blue) Top 10 Value-Added Schools (In Alphabetical Order) Bedok North Secondary Bedok South Secondary Chij St. Theresa’s Convent Greenview Secondary Paya Lebar M ethodist G irls’ Seng Kang Secondary St. Gabriel’s Secondary Xinmin Secondary Yuan Ching Secondary Yuying Secondary
Next Top 10 Value-Added Schools (In Alphabetical Order) Cedar G irls’ Secondary Chij Secondary Toa Payoh Chua Chu Kang Secondary Fairfield Methodist Hai Sing Catholic Maris Stella High Methodist Girls’ St. Joseph’s Institution St. M argaret’s Secondary Tanjong Katong Secondary NOTES: 1 The value-added indicator measures the difference between how well a school is expected to do based on its Sec 1 intake and how well it actually did in the O-Level examination. For Special/Express course, mean L1B5 was used in the computation of expected and actual school performance. 2 Ranking is based on 2002 GCE O-Level Results. Inform ation source: MOE. Inform ation com piled by Joyce K oh
Catholic Education T
W h a t p a re n ts s h o u ld lo o k fo r, a c c o rd in g to p rin c ip a ls o f six C a th o lic s c h o o ls
h is is that tim e o f th e y e a r w h e n parents d e c id e
w h e r e to se n d th eir c h ild ren for prim ary ed u cation . H ere, p r in c ip a ls o f six C a th o lic s c h o o ls talk ab ou t th e v a lu e o f C a th o lic e d u c a tio n and h o w their r e s p e c tiv e s c h o o ls in c u lc a te th e G o s p e l v a lu e s in their stu d en ts.
P a r e n ta l in v o lv e m e n t P a r e n ts s h o u ld lo o k f o r e v id e n c e o f s tr o n g p a r e n ta l in v o lv e m e n t w h e n c h o o s in g a s c h o o l. T h is is im p o r ta n t b e c a u s e b r in g in g u p c h ild r e n t o d a y r e q u ir e s c lo s e p a r tn e r s h ip b e tw e e n te a c h e r s a n d p a r e n ts . In o p e n in g th e m s e lv e s to p a r e n ta l s c r u tin y o n a d a ily b a s is , s u c h s c h o o ls h a v e m a n y g o o d q u a litie s t h a t th e y w a n t to s h a re w ith p a r e n ts .
J o y fu l, c a rin g e n v iro n m e n t T h e y s h o u ld a ls o v is it th e s c h o o l to so a k in th e a tm o s p h e re . Is it d e a d ly q u ie t? O r is th e re jo y f u l b u s in e s s e v e r y w h e r e ? H o w d o p e o p le tr e a t o n e a n o th e r? D o th e y tr e a t o n e a n o th e r w ith lo v e , r e s p e c t a n d jo y o u s c a m a ra d e r ie ? A c h ild w ill s p e n d a t le a s t s ix h o u rs a d a y o r m o r e in th e s c h o o l. I f th e to n e o f th e s c h o o l is n o t a c a rin g o n e , th e c h ild w ill e ith e r b e c o m e lik e th a t o r b e v e r y u n h a p p y .
E m p h a s is o n v a lu e s a n d s e rv ic e T h e s e w ill in f lu e n c e th e w a y a c h ild d e c id e s a n d in th e l o n g te r m th e k in d o f p e r s o n h e o r sh e b ecom es.
C o -c u rric u la r p ro g ra m m e s E x a m i n e th e s c h o o l ’s c o c u r r ic u l a r p r o g r a m m e . D o e s th e s c h o o l f o c u s o n d r i ll i n g s t u d e n ts f o r e x a m i n a t i o n s a t th e e x p e n s e
o f c o - c u r r i c u l a r p r o g r a m m e s th a t d e v e l o p s t u d e n ts f u l ly ? O r is t h e r e a r i c h d i e t o f r e g u la r a n d s u s ta i n e d e n r ic h m e n t p r o g r a m m e s f o r a ll s tu d e n ts ? T h e s c h o o l m u s t a ls o g iv e v a r io u s o p p o r t u n it i e s a n d e n c o u r a g e m e n t to d e v e l o p a c h i l d ’s p o t e n t i a l t o th e fu lle s t. □
C H O O SIN G A C A T H O L IC g re e t e ac h o th e r b y n a m e m a k e s th e c h ild s e ttle q u ic k ly in a n e w sc h o o l. A s in m a n y o t h e r s c h o o ls , o u r P I p u p ils a re lo o k e d a f te r a t r e c e s s tim e b y th e P 5 p u p i ls in th e in itia l w e e k s . H o w e v e r , b e c a u s e w e o n ly h a v e o n e r e c e s s a n d th e r e a re o n ly f o u r c la s s e s a t e a c h le v e l, o u r P 5 s m a in ta in t h e ir r e la tio n s h ip w ith t h e i r c h a rg e s e v e n i n to T e r m 2. □
b e g in s w ith a p s a l m a n d p r a y e r s . W e c o n s ta n tly e x h o r t th e s tu d e n ts t o p r a y f o r o t h e r p e o p le e .g . f o r th e S ia m e s e tw in s G a n g a a n d J a m u n n a w h o w e r e s u c c e s s f u lly
v a lu a b le y e o m a n s e rv ic e . W e a re o n e o f th e f e w s c h o o ls t o r e c e iv e th e p r e s t ig o u s M O E - C O M P A S S P a r tn e r s in E d u c a t io n A w a r d S e v e r a l p a r e n ts h a v e
s e p a r a te d a f te r a m a r a th o n o p e r a tio n . W e e n d e a c h d a y w ith a h y m n a n d p r a y e r . T h e r e is w e e k ly F r id a y M a s s a n d a tte n d a n c e is v o lu n ta ry . W e h e lp a ll c h ild r e n d e v e lo p
v o l u n te e r e d to b e te a c h e r a s s is ta n ts a t th e B ib le s to r y te llin g tim e . T h e y a r e a ls o a c tiv e in o r g a n iz in g th e w e e k ly F r id a y s e s s io n s d u r in g L e n t. T h e p a r e n ts h a v e a tte n d e d w o r k s h o p s o r g a n iz e d b y th e S in g a p o r e P a s to r a l In s titu te . E a c h y e a r, w e h a v e o n ly
th e i r ta le n ts to th e f u lle s t b y
a b o u t t w o s tu d e n ts in th e E M 3 tr a c k . A g r e a t te s tim o n y o f o u r lo v e f o r th e ‘d i s a d v a n t a g e d ’ is
CONOSSSA Convent students visit an old folks home.
C anossa C onvent P rim ary School (C C PS) 1 S a llim R o ad
P r in c ip a l: M r s C h r is tin a T eo . A p p o in te d in J a n u a r y 2 0 0 4 S tu d e n t p o p u la tio n : 8 2 3 C a th o lic p o p u la tio n : 1 2% O U R h o lis tic C a th o lic e d u c a tio n lo o k s i n to th e t o ta l d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e c h ild , n o t j u s t in te r m s o f h e r a c a d e m ic a b ilitie s a n d s p o r tin g a c tiv itie s b u t a ls o in te r m s o f h e r v a lu e s a n d h e r h e a rt. V a lu e s f o r m a t i o n is h ig h li g h t e d in th e s c h o o l t h r o u g h a s s e m b ly ta lk s o n k e y e v e n ts in th e litu r g ic a l c a le n d a r a n d th e g i v in g o f a w a rd s , s u c h a s th e M a g d a le n i a n A w a rd , to th e c h ild w h o b e s t e m b o d ie s th e v ir tu e s o f o u r f o u n d r e s s : c h a r ity , h u m ility , s e r v ic e a n d f o r g iv e n e s s . O u r s c h o o l m is s io n e m p h a s is e s th e “ f o r m a tio n o f th e h e a r t ” - m o u ld in g a c h ild s p ir itu a lly , s o c ia lly , in te lle c tu a lly , e m o tio n a lly a n d p h y s ic a lly . W e a tta in t h is t h r o u g h a c a d e m ic p r o g r a m m e s i n c lu d in g in te g r a te d p r o j e c t w o r k th a t p u lls to g e th e r m u lti- d is c ip lin a r y s tr a n d s a n d p a s to r a l c a r e le s s o n s th a t in v ite r e f le c tio n b a s e d o n b ib lic a l
th e f a c t th a t w e k e e p th e s e s tu d e n ts in S t N ic s a n d d e s ig n a te o u r b e s t te a c h e r s to t e a c h th e m . S o m e te a c h e r s w ill p e r s o n a lly f in a n c e s tu d e n ts w h o h a v e d if f ic u lty p a y in g e x a m in a tio n
s to r ie s , p o e m s a n d a c tiv itie s . W e s ta r t th e d a y a n d e n d th e r e c e s s p e r io d w ith p r a y e r s a n d h y m n s . M a s s e s a n d C h i ld r e n ’s L itu r g y a re h e ld a t le a s t f o u r tim e s a y e a r. W e a ls o o r g a n is e r e s id e n tia l c a m p s f o r C a th o lic g irls , r o s a r y r e c ita tio n in M a y , th e C o m m u n i t y I m p r o v e m e n t P r o g r a m m e , e tc . N o n - C a th o lic s a re in f o r m e d th a t th e y n e e d n o t p a r tic ip a te i f t h e y c h o o s e n o t to ; w e a s k th a t th e y sh o w re sp e c t fo r o u r p ra y e rs b y k e e p in g sile n t. V a lu e s e d u c a tio n is p a r t o f h o lis tic e d u c a tio n . I t is im p o r ta n t to u s f o r p a r e n ts a t h o m e to w o r k w ith th e s c h o o l o n th is . W e h a v e p a r e n t v o lu n te e r s w h o h e lp u s n u r tu r e o u r v a lu e s t h r o u g h o u r p a s to r a l c a r e p r o g r a m m e o n a w e e k ly b a s is , le a d th e s in g in g o f h y m n s o n F r id a y s , e tc . W e e d u c a te a c h ild a b o u t C a th o lic tr a d itio n s , b e lie f s a n d v a lu e s a n d h e lp h e r u n d e r s ta n d th e ra tio n a le f o r a c tio n s . C a th o lic p a r e n ts c a n b e s u re th a t th e v a lu e s e m p h a s is e d a t h o m e a n d b y th e s c h o o l c o in c id e , b o th b e in g b u i lt o n C a th o lic b e lie f s a n d v a lu e s . C a n o s s a C o n v e n t P r im a r y S c h o o l is a s m a ll s c h o o l, a n d t h e r e a re b e n e f its to b e in g p a r t o f a s m a ll s c h o o l, e .g . p u p i ls a n d te a c h e r s a re q u ic k ly k n o w n to e a c h o th e r, a n d b e in g a b le to
fe e s . O u r s ta f f s h o w t h e i r lo v e f o r th e g ir ls in a t a n g ib le m a n n e r
ST NICHOLAS Girls sports day. The school encourages the participation of parents.
C H IJ St N icholas G irls’ School (Fullschool) 501 A n g M o K io A ve 2, St 13
P r in c ip a l: M is s H e le n C h o o . A p p o i n t e d in J a n u a r y 2 0 0 1 . P r im a r y s c h o o l p o p u la tio n : 1 5 0 0 C a th o lic p o p u la tio n : 2 5 % W E p r o v id e a C a th o lic e n v ir o n m e n t in w h ic h s tu d e n ts , s ta f f a n d p a r e n ts c a n e x p e r ie n c e a n d liv e t h e i r u n iq u e c a llin g a s c h ild r e n o f G o d . V a lu e s e d u c a tio n a n d c h a r a c te r d e v e lo p m e n t a re th e f o u n d a tio n f o r s tu d e n t f o r m a tio n a n d a c h ie v e m e n t. W e b e lie v e th a t v a lu e s a re b o th ta u g h t a n d c a u g h t. A ll s tu d e n ts a tte n d w e e k ly le s s o n s in b ib lic a l s to r ie s a n d c h u rch hy m n s. T h e school day
p r o v id in g t h e m o p p o r tu n itie s f o r c o - c u r r ic u la r a c tiv itie s . T h is is e v id e n t in o u r s tr u c tu r e d m o d u la r e n r ic h m e n t p r o g r a m m e f o r a ll s tu d e n ts f r o m P r im a r y 1 o n w a rd s . O n e o f o u r b a s ic s c h o o l v a lu e s is r e s p e c t i n g th e d ig n ity o f a ll p e r s o n s a s c h ild r e n o f G o d . A n o th e r o f o u r s c h o o l v a lu e s is to lo v e o n e a n o th e r a s s is te rs in C h ris t. T h e s ta tu e o f th e H o ly F a m ily i n th e s c h o o l g a r d e n is s y m b o lic o f th e s c h o o l ’s p r o m o ti o n o f f a m ily b o n d in g . T h e s c h o o l h a s a f a m ily life p r o g r a m m e f o r s tu d e n ts , te a c h e r s a n d p a r e n ts . F a m ilie s a re in v ite d to a tte n d a n d p a r tic ip a te in k e y s c h o o l f u n c tio n s , e .g ., th e S c h o o l S p o rts D a y . T h e r e is a s tr o n g “ f a m i l y ” a tm o s p h e r e in th e s c h o o l p a r e n ts a re v e r y v is ib le in s c h o o l d a ily . T h e s c h o o l e m b r a c e s p a r e n ts a s k e y p a r tn e r s a n d in v o lv e s th e m in d e c is io n m a k in g o n s c h o o l m a tte r s . P a r e n ts a ls o p r o v id e
t h r o u g h t h e i r d a ily in te r a c tio n w ith th e m , in a s p irit o f g o o d h u m o u r , te n d e r n e s s a n d lo v in g d is c ip lin e . O u r s t a f f d e m o n s tr a te th e v ir tu e o f h a r d w o r k a n d p e r s o n a l d is c ip lin e , a n d a re a n in s p ir a tio n to th e s tu d e n ts . W e h e lp a ll s tu d e n ts s tr e tc h th e m s e lv e s to t h e i r f u lle s t p o te n tia l a n d a t th e s a m e tim e p r o v id e th e m w ith a sa fe e n v ir o n m e n t in w h ic h to f a il, p i c k th e m s e lv e s u p , ta k e th e ir c ro ss an d carry o n. □
M ontfort Junior School 52 H o u g a n g A venue 8
P r in c ip a l: M r s J u d i n a C h e o n g . A p p o i n t e d in D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3 S tu d e n t p o p u la tio n : 1 4 0 0 C a th o lic p o p u la tio n : 2 0 % W E n u r tu r e s tu d e n ts in th e C a th o lic f a ith t h r o u g h g o o d r o le m o d e llin g b y a C a th o lic p r in c ip a l a n d b y C a th o lic te a c h e r s . W e p r o v id e o p p o r tu n itie s f o r s tu d e n ts to c a re f o r th e d is a d v a n ta g e d th r o u g h th e v a r io u s sc h o o l p ro g ra m m e s . W e e n c o u ra g e
P I registration begins July 6 P h a s e 1 - J u l y 6 a n d 7. F o r c h ild r e n w ith b r o t h e r o r s is te r s tu d y in g in th e s c h o o l. P h a s e 2 A 1 - J u l y 9 a n d 10. F o r c h ild r e n w h o s e m o th e r o r f a th e r is a f o r m e r p u p i l o f th e s c h o o l a n d m e m b e r o f th e a lu m n i a s s o c ia tio n o r is a m e m b e r o f th e s c h o o l a d v is o r y / m a n a g e m e n t c o m m itte e . P h a s e 2 A 2 - J u l y 15 a n d 16 F o r c h ild r e n w h o s e m o th e r o r f a th e r o r b r o t h e r o r s is te r h a d s tu d ie d in th e s c h o o l; o r w h o s e
m o th e r o r f a th e r is a s t a f f o f th e s c h o o l. P h a s e 2 B - J u ly 2 2 a n d 2 3 F o r c h ild r e n w h o s e m o th e r o r f a th e r h a d jo i n e d th e s c h o o l a s p a r e n t v o l u n te e r n o t la te r th a n J u ly 1, 2 0 0 3 a n d h a d g iv e n a t le a s t 4 0 h o u r s o f v o lu n ta r y s e r v ic e to th e s c h o o l b y J u n e 3 0 , 2 0 0 4 ; o r w h o s e m o th e r o r f a th e r is a m e m b e r o f th e c h u r c h / c la n d ir e c tly c o n n e c t e d w ith th e s c h o o l o r is e n d o r s e d a s a n a c tiv e c o m m u n ity le a d e r. □
SC H O O L
a n d b e lie v in g th a t fa ith is a w a y o f life a n d a n a ttitu d e w ith w h ic h w e g o a b o u t liv in g o u r liv e s ( a n d n o t j u s t g o in g to c h u r c h o r a tte n d in g c a te c h is m le s s o n s o n S u n d a y s ). B e in g a C a th o lic s c h o o l, th e f a ith d i m e n s io n is a lw a y s e m p h a s is e d in th e c u ltu r e , a ttitu d e s , v a lu e s , p r o g r a m m e s , a c tiv itie s , b e h a v io u r s a n d d e c is io n s in C H I J B u k it T im a h . F o r e x a m p le , p u p i ls a re le d in p r a y e r ( th e y a ls o g e t to le a d s o m e tim e s ) a t th e b e g in n in g o f e v e r y s c h o o ld a y , d u r in g r e c e s s a n d a t th e e n d o f th e sc h o o ld a y . S p e c ia l d a y s - s u c h a s C h in e s e N e w Y e a r c e le b r a tio n s , F o u n d e r ’s D a y , C h i ld r e n ’s D a y b e g in w ith a M a s s f o r e v e r y o n e . T h is e m p h a s is e s th e im p o r ta n c e o f p r a y e r a n d t h a n k s g iv in g to G o d , a s w e ll a s p r a y in g f o r e a c h o th e r, o u r f a m ilie s , th e n a tio n a n d th e w o r ld . T h e s c h o o l ’s c a te c h is m p r o g r a m m e is b a s e d o n th e b ib lic a l s to rie s a n d h e lp s p u p ils to m a k e c o n n e c tio n s b e tw e e n th e ir f a ith a n d d a ily liv in g . T h e s c h o o l a ls o e m p h a s is e s c a r e a n d c o n c e r n f o r o th e r s , e s p e c ia lly t h o s e w h o a re d is a d v a n ta g e d in
MONTFORT Junior School’s rugby boys. stu d e n ts to a s k q u e s tio n s a n d le a rn m o re a b o u t th e ir re lig io n th r o u g h c a th e c h is m , b ib lic a l s to rie s a n d a s s e m b ly ta lk s. T o in c u lc a te C a th o lic v a lu e s , w e h o ld d a ily m o r n in g p r a y e r s , m o n th ly s c h o o l M a s s e s a n d w e e k ly c a th e c h is m le s s o n s . W e a ls o h a v e B ib le s to rie s t o ld d u rin g m o r n in g a s s e m b lie s o r re c e s s . W e h a v e a p r a y e r r o o m a n d a S p iritu a l D e v e lo p m e n t C o o r d in a to r to o v e rs e e th e C a th o lic e d u c a tio n o f o u r s tu d e n ts . W e a ls o try to d e v e lo p in o u r s tu d e n ts th e M o n f o r t i a n v a lu e s o f m o tiv a tio n ; o p p o r tu n itie s f o r d e v e lo p in g o n e ’s p o te n tia l, n a tio n b u ild in g , h e lp in g th e d is a d v a n ta g e d , f a it h in G o d , o p e n n e s s to n e w id e a s , r e s p o n s ib ility , ta k in g p r id e in th e ir w o r k a n d t e a m sp irit. T h e p r in c ip a l, te a c h e r s a n d s u p p o r t s t a f f r o le m o d e l th e s c h o o l ’s C a th o lic v a lu e s a n d s u p p o r t th e v a r io u s C a th o lic a c tiv itie s t h o u g h s o m e o f th e m a re n o n - C a th o lic s . N o n - C a th o lic s tu d e n ts a re g iv e n th e c h o ic e to o p t o u t o f C a th o lic a c tiv itie s b u t m a n y o f t h e m o b s e r v e a n d le a r n a b o u t th e C a th o lic f a ith t h r o u g h d a ily m o r n in g p r a y e r s a n d b ib lic a l s to rie s . P a r e n ts a re th e s c h o o l ’s p a r tn e r s in e d u c a tin g t h e ir c h ild r e n . T h e i r s u p p o r t a n d in v o lv e m e n t in t h e i r c h i l d ’s e d u c a tio n is in v a lu a b le . S o m e C a th o lic p a r e n t s h a v e b e e n r e c r u ite d to te a c h c a t e c h i s m to th e b o y s w e e k ly . W e h a v e a n a c tiv e M J P a r e n ts C o n n e c tio n s c o n s is tin g o f a b o u t 6 0 m o th e r s a n d 2 0 f a th e r s . T h e y
h a v e e v e n set u p th e ir o w n w e b p a g e a n d th e y h a v e th e ir o w n M J P a r e n ts R o o m in th e s c h o o l. O u r p a r e n ts h a v e e n th u s ia s tic a lly p a r tic ip a te d a t th e s c h o o l ’s v a r io u s e v e n ts , lik e O p e n H o u s e , F o u n d e r s ’ D a y , S p o r ts D a y , e tc □
C H IJ B ukit T im ah 4 C h estn u t D rive
P r in c ip a l: C e c ilia L im . A p p o in te d in 2 0 0 1 . S tu d e n t p o p u la tio n : 7 1 0 C a th o lic p o p u la tio n : 3 5 % B E S ID E S d e v e lo p in g th e m e n ta l, so c ia l, p h y s ic a l, e m o tio n a l a n d p s y c h o lo g ic a l a re a s o f th e c h ild , o u r C a th o lic e d u c a tio n p la c e s e q u a l im p o r ta n c e o n th e f a ith d im e n s io n o f a c h il d ’s g r o w th a n d d e v e lo p m e n t. H o lis tic C a th o lic e d u c a tio n e n a b le s c h ild r e n to g ro w in a n e n v ir o n m e n t k n o w in g
a n y w a y . F r o m th e tim e th a t p u p i ls j o i n th e s c h o o l in P r im a r y 1, th e y g r o w in a s c h o o l c u ltu r e w h e r e th e y c a r e f o r o n e a n o th e r as a f a m ily a n d a s a c o m m u n ity . P u p ils a re a ls o ta u g h t th a t e v e r y c h ild is a g ift f r o m G o d a n d th e y ta k e s p e c ia l c a r e o f t h e ir p e e r s w h o a re d is a d v a n ta g e d . C a th o lic v a lu e s (i.e . th e G o s p e l v a lu e s ) a r e b a s ic a lly u n iv e r s a l a n d in c lu s iv e . T h e y d o n o t e x c lu d e t h o s e o f o th e r r e lig io n s . W h e n w e h a v e th e th a n k s g iv in g s e r v ic e a t th e e n d o f e a c h a c a d e m ic y e a r, w e h a v e th e m u ti- r e lig io u s a s p e c ts i n c o r p o r a te d in to th e s e rv ic e . In C H I J B u k i t T im a h , p a r e n ts a r e c o n s ta n tly r e m in d e d to r e in f o r c e th e v a lu e s w ith th e ir c h ild r e n . O n e m a jo r w a y is f o r p a r e n ts to a c tiv e ly s u p p o r t th e ir c h il d r e n ’s in v o lv e m e n t in s c h o o l p r o g r a m m e s a n d a c tiv itie s , f u n d r a is in g o r o th e r a c tiv itie s to h e lp th e le s s f o r tu n a te in th e s c h o o l o r s o c ie ty , p r o v id in g a s s is ta n c e , c a r e a n d s e r v ic e t o t h e i r p e e r s in th e s c h o o l, b e it a s s tu d e n t le a d e r s o r k e e p in g a lo o k o u t f o r a s p e c ia l c la s s m a te . P a r e n ts a ls o a s s is t in th e s c h o o l ’s C a th o lic a n d o t h e r a c tiv itie s a n d th e te a c h in g o f c a te c h is m . □
THE joy of tap dancing is in the faces of these girls from CHIJ Bukit Timah.
PARENT volunteers were among organisers of St Gabriel’s food and fun fair in late May.
St G ab riel’s P rim ary School 3 0 P arry A venue (H o ld in g sch o o l till end 2005)
P r in c ip a l: M r s A n n e S e o w . A p p o in te d in D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 2 S c h o o l p o p u la tio n : 9 6 0 C a th o lic p o p u la tio n : A b o u t 3 0 % O u r s c h o o l ’s m is s io n is “ S h a p in g L iv e s f o r S e r v ic e to G o d a n d N a t io n ” . S p ir itu a l c h a r a c te r f o r m a tio n is a n i n te g r a l p a r t o f th e to ta l e d u c a tio n f o r o u r c h ild r e n . W e w a n t to te a c h o u r b o y s s u c h th a t th e y w ill k n o w , lo v e a n d s e rv e G o d a n d th is is t h e n e x p r e s s e d in a ll a r e a s o f t h e i r liv e s . T h e y le a r n to k n o w G o d t h r o u g h ta lk s a n d c a te c h is m le s s o n s ; lo v e a n d s e r v e G o d th r o u g h t h e ir lif e w ith p r a y e r, d e v o tio n s a n d liv in g th e v ir tu e s . T o a c h ie v e th is w e h a v e a n a c tiv e p r o g r a m m e th a t d e v e lo p s b o th th e C a th o lic a n d n o n C a th o lic s in th e s c h o o l. T h e s c h o o l ’s C a th o lic E d u c a tio n C o m m itte e s tr a te g iz e d a c o m p r e h e n s iv e p l a n r a n g in g f r o m c a t e c h i s m c la s s e s to M a s s e s to L e g io n o f M a r y a c tiv itie s , c a m p s a n d r e la te d a c tiv itie s w ith c le a r tim e f r a m e , o b je c tiv e s a n d o u tc o m e s . W e h a v e b e e n b le s s e d b y a s tr o n g c o m m itm e n t f r o m b o th s c h o o l a n d v o l u n te e r c a te c h is ts in c lu d in g p a r e n ts w h o a s s is t th e s c h o o l to r u n v a r io u s r e lig io u s a c tiv itie s a n d c la s s e s . C a th o lic te a c h e r s a n d p a r e n ts a re im p o r ta n t r o le m o d e ls a n d w ith a p la tf o r m in C a th o lic s c h o o ls , th e y c a n i n f lu e n c e th e b o y s p o s itiv e ly . O p e n in g o f th e c h a p e l th is y e a r m a r k e d a v e r y im p o r ta n t e v e n t in o u r s c h o o l ’s h isto ry . D a ily p r a y e r s a re h e ld a n d d u r in g r e c e s s o u r b o y s g a th e r in th e c h a p e l f o r p r a y e r s . M a s s e s a re c o n d u c t e d r e g u la r ly a s w e ll a s o b s e r v a tio n o f th e m o n th o f th e R o s a r y , c o n f e s s io n s , e tc . B e in g a c tiv e a n d o p e n to s h a r in g o f s c h o o l p r e m is e s w ith th e p a r is h e s f o r t h e i r a c tiv itie s a re p a r t o f o u r r e s p o n s ib ility to th e c h u r c h . B e s id e s w e e k ly c a te c h is m c la s s e s , th e r e a re a ls o c h a r a c te r
e d u c a tio n c la s s e s . M o n th ly th e m a tic v a lu e s a n d v ir tu e s th a t w e w a n t to in c u lc a te in o u r b o y s a re p la n n e d i n to th e c u r r ic u lu m a n d r e la te d a c tiv itie s , e .g ., O b e d ie n c e ( J u n e ) R e s p e c t ( J u ly ) . E v e n n o n - C a th o lic te a c h e r s te a c h th e b o y s th e s e v ir tu e s . P a r e n ts a r e a n im p o r ta n t a r m in s tr e n g th e n in g th e C a th o lic v a lu e s o f th e b o y s a n d th e s c h o o l. T h e s c h o o l h a s th e P a r e n ts o f G a b r ie lite s ( P o G ) c o m m itte e th a t is r u n b y p a r e n ts in s u p p o r t o f th e sc h o o l p ro g ra m m e s. □
D e L a Salle School (C o-ed) 11 C h o a C h u K a n g S t 52
P r in c ip a l: M r s . W a n g C h e e T in g . A p p o in te d in D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 1 S c h o o l p o p u la tio n : 2 3 0 0 C a th o lic p o p u la tio n : A b o u t 2 2 % D E L a S a lle S c h o o l in c u lc a te s v a lu e s t h r o u g h its C h a r a c t e r F ir s t p r o g r a m m e . I t is i n te r d is c ip lin a r y a n d th e v a lu e s a re r e in f o r c e d in E n g lis h , M a th s , S c ie n c e , M u s ic , A r t a n d C r a f t a n d P E le s s o n s . Its c o lo u r f u l a n d l iv e ly c u r r ic u lu m is d e s i g n e d to c a p tu r e c h il d r e n ’s a tte n tio n w ith s o n g s , s to rie s , c r a f ts , m e m o r y w o r k , c h a r a c te r c a r d s a n d p o s te r s . A n e w a ttr ib u te is in tr o d u c e d e v e r y th r e e w e e k s a n d it is d o n e w ith f a n f a r e a t th e s c h o o l a s s e m b ly . T h e p r o g r a m m e in s p ir e s p u p ils to b r in g to life p o s itiv e c h a r a c te r q u a litie s in e v e r y a s p e c t o f s tu d e n t life . C h a r a c t e r a ttr ib u te s a re in te r n a lis e d s u b tly t h r o u g h p u p ils s tr iv in g t o a tta in A ttr ib u te /M o d e l P u p il- O f - T h e - M o n th A w a rd s . T o a tta in th is a w a rd , p u p ils m u s t m a n i f e s t o v e r a th r e e - w e e k p e r io d th e c h a r a c t e r a ttr ib u te s f o r th e g iv e n m o n th . L e a r n i n g is n o t lim ite d to v a lu e s fo r m a tio n . W e h a v e an O u t d o o r C la s s r o o m s @ D e L a S a lle S c h o o l p r o g r a m m e to p r o v id e a s tim u la tin g e n v ir o n m e n t f o r th e le a r n in g o f s c ie n c e a n d r a is e c h il d r e n ’s a p p r e c ia tio n o f th e n a tu r a l h a b ita ts a n d s o p h is tic a te d m o d e m liv in g . □
Catholic E ducatvon
M e m o r ie s e x p e c ta tio n s B e lo w are e x c e r p ts o f w h a t s o m e o ld b o y s o f St. J o s e p h ’s In stitu tio n r e m e m b e r and w a n t in C a th o lic e d u c a tio n . T h e o r ig in a l in te r v ie w s w e r e r e c o r d e d in la te 2 0 0 3 and e a rly 2 0 0 4 b y M ic h a e l S n g (c la s s o f ’7 5 ) and G era ld N g (c la s s o f ’9 2 ). F o r m o re in fo r m a tio n v is it w w w .s jio b a .o r g
Value system key to good school
G O V ER N M EN T M IN IS T E R S W e le a m t to h a v e a lo t o f fr e e d o m . T h e s c h o o l h a d re so u rce s e v ery w h e re a n d w e w e r e in c h a rg e o f th o s e r e s o u r c e s a s s tu d e n ts . S J I s h o u ld a s p ir e tb e a
(class of ’65), Chairman, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, and Co-Chairman, Economic Development Board, Catholic P h ilip Y eo
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S J I g a v e h im a c h a n c e a n d h e m a d e g o o d 6 6 1 w a s v e r y a v e ra g e a c a d e m ic a lly a n d d id n o t h a v e m a n y s c h o o l c h o ic e s. S J I g a v e m e a c h a n c e . I ’ll b e v e ry p r o u d i f S JI c o n tin u e s to b e g u id e d b y th e p e rc e n ta g e o f p a s s e s ra th e r th a n th e n u m b e r o f A ’s. I b e lie v e in g iv in g late ‘b lo o m e r s ’ a c h a n c e . I w o u ld a ls o ( w a n t S J I to ) e m p h a s is e m o r e o n
G o o d s p o r ts m e n p r o d u c e t e a m w o r k , g o o d d r iv e a n d p e r s e v e r a n c e in i n d iv id u a ls , w h ic h is w h a t lif e a f te r
s p o rts a n d p h y s ic a l a c tiv itie s . A h e a lth y b o d y p r o d u c e s a h e a lth y m in d .
- Simon Cheong (’75),
s c h o o l is a ll a b o u t. S p o r ts a ls o e n c o u r a g e s r i s k ta k in g . A s u c c e s s f u l s p o r ts m a n is a ll a b o u t tim in g , s ta m in a a n d r i s k ta k in g . T h e s e a re th e e x a c t a ttr ib u te s th a t a re n e e d e d in th e c o r p o r a te w o rld . 9 9 C E O o f SC G lobal D evelopm ents L td
4 6 1 p u b lis h e d th e s c h o o l n e w s p a p e r ... h e lp e d s ta rt th e le n d in g lib ra ry . W e w o u ld a ls o r e p a i r th in g s in th e P h y s ic s w o r k s h o p . T h o s e d a y s w e d id a ll th e s e th in g s o u rs e lv e s . T h e b e a u ty o f i t a ll w a s n o b o d y f o r c e d u s to d o a n y th in g . W e j u s t d id th e m . L i f e ’s p r e tty d if f e r e n t n o w . T h e r e a re c o m p u ls o r y a c tiv itie s th a t s tu d e n ts m u s t b e in . ( B u t) I th in k w h a t w o r k e d b a c k th e n m a y n o t w o r k n o w . Y o u h a v e to b e c a r e f u l in w h a t y o u w a n t to b r in g f ro m th e o ld d a y s to th e p r e s e n t. ? ? - Lim Chee Onn (class o f ’62), E xecutive C hairm an, K eppel C o rpo ration L im ited, C atholic
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6 6 1 w a s in c h a r g e o f a e r o - e n g in e e r in g ... s e c r e ta r y g e n e r a l o f th e B le s se d S a c ra m e n t S o c ie ty ... a lib r a r ia n a n d a ls o i n c h a r g e o f a u d io v is u a l in s c h o o l. I s ta y e d in th e lib r a r y u n til m id n i g h t o n m o s t d a y s . 11 o f 2 2 o f m y g r a d u a tin g c la s s g o t o v e r s e a s s c h o la r s h ip s . I d o n ’t b e lie v e th e r e w a s a r e c o r d lik e o u r s e v e r s in c e . T h e b r ig h te s t o f u s w e r e in th e S c ie n c e s tre a m . T h a t ’s a ll o f u s s c h o la r s . W e e n d e d u p w o r k in g f o r th e g o v e rn m e n t and g o v e r n m e n t a g e n c ie s . T h e A r ts g u y s - t h e y ’r e th e r ic h e s t g u y s to d a y !
t o p s c h o o l th a t ta k e s in th e b e s t a n d b r ig h te s t p e o p le a n d y e t ta k e in t h o s e w h o a re le s s in c lin e d in s tu d ie s , b u t a re p r o f ic ie n t in s o m e th in g e ls e , lik e s p o rts . T o s a y t h a t w e ta k e c a r e o f a ll... y o u ’ll n e v e r g e t to th e to p . I b e lie v e S J I s h o u ld n e v e r o n ly b e a n e lite a c a d e m ic s c h o o l b e c a u s e th a t d o e s n o t g iv e a b a la n c e d p e r s p e c tiv e to th e s tu d e n ts . I b e lie v e th e k e y to a g o o d s c h o o l is th e v a lu e s y s te m t h a t it m u s t h a v e . N o p o i n t p r o d u c in g b r illia n t p e o p le i f th e y a re s e lf is h a n d c a r e o n ly f o r th e m s e lv e s . B e y o n d g r a d e s , y o u r v a lu e s a re im p o r ta n t in d e te r m in in g w h o a n d w h a t y o u are. S J I s h o u ld g o b a c k to th e s y s te m o f h a v in g p r e u n iv e r s ity s tu d ie s in th e s c h o o l. S J I c a n in tr o d u c e t h is th r o u g h - tr a in s y s te m so th e r e is n o d is r u p tio n f r o m S e c o n d a r y 4 to J u n i o r C o lle g e , a n d y o u c a n i n f lu e n c e th e s ta n d a r d s b e tte r. 9 9 □
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8 o u t o f 19 M in is te r s in th e S in g a p o r e G o v e r n m e n t w e re e d u c a te d in C a th o lic s c h o o ls d u r in g th e ir p r im a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l y e a rs . T w o C a b in e t M in is te r s a re C a th o lic : G e o r g e Y e o a n d L im B o o n H eng L e e H s ie n L o o n g (b 1 9 5 2 ) D e p u ty P r im e M in is te r a n d M in is te r f o r F in a n c e E d u c a t e d in C a th o lic H ig h S c h o o l T o n y T a n (b 1 9 4 0 ) D e p u ty P r im e M in is te r a n d C o - o r d in a tin g M in is te r f o r S e c u r ity a n d D e fen c e , P r im e M i n i s t e r ’s O f f ic e E d u c a t e d in S t P a t r i c k ’s S c h o o l (1 9 4 7 -1 9 5 6 ) an d S t J o s e p h ’s I n s titu tio n (1 9 5 7 - 1 9 5 8 ) . L ee B oon Y ang (b 1 9 4 7 ) M in is te r f o r I n f o r m a tio n , C o m m u n ic a tio n s a n d
Qualities an employer wants 661 w a s fr o m D e L a S a lle p r im a r y a n d m y frie n d s a n d I a ll w e n t to S J I to g eth er. I w a s D e p u ty H e a d P r e f e c t, V ic e C h a ir m a n o f
c o n tin u e d o in g th e sa m e : to g iv e s o m e m o r a l tra in in g a n d to te a c h th a t in te g rity h a s its v a lu e in life . I t ’s n o t th e stu d ie s th a t d e fin e s th e s c h o o l a n d th e s tu d e n ts , e v e n th o u g h w e s tu d ie d lik e c raz y . I th in k w e n e e d to g e t p a r e n ts to
th e S c ie n c e a n d M a th S o c ie tie s , a n d a c tiv e in th e S t J o h n A m b u la n c e B r ig a d e . I a ls o p la y e d te n n is , c h e s s a n d s o f tb a ll f o r th e s c h o o l. I r e m e m b e r th e C a th o lic C e n tr e n e x t d o o r w h e r e w e m e t a ll th e C H I J g ir ls . I a ls o r e m e m b e r th e f o y e r b e n e a th th e d o m e w h e r e I u s e d to p la y c h e s s a lo t. W e s ta y e d in s c h o o l f o r m a n y a c tiv itie s . O n e o f th e m o s t im p o r ta n t th in g s I le a m t a t S J I w a s e n tr e p re n e u rs h ip .
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T o g e th e r w ith P h ilip Y eo, w e o r g a n is e d f ilm s h o w s to ra is e m o n e y f o r o u r o w n c h e m is tr y la b . P h ilip h e a d e d th is c a m p a ig n . T h e s c h o o l h a d a c h e m is tr y la b b u t it h a d lim ite d h o u rs w h e r e y o u c o u ld r u n e x p e r im e n ts . W e w a n te d o u r o w n la b s o w e c o u ld h a v e m o r e fle x ib le h o u rs . W e b o r r o w e d f ilm s a n d g o t p e r m is s io n to f ilm th e m in
W o n g K o k S ie w (class of ’6 5), CEO
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th e s c h o o l h a ll. W e p u t u p p o s te r s to a d v e rtis e th e m o v ie s a n d w o u ld c h a rg e 5 0 c e n ts to a d o lla r e a c h f o r a m o v ie . In to ta l, I th in k w e p a id a b o u t $ 2 0 to $ 3 0 to r u n th e s h o w s. T h e s e a re th e th in g s I r e m e m b e r m o s t, n o t th e s tu d ie s . T h e s e w e r e th e r e a l f u n th in g s . S tu d ie s y o u f o r g e t a b o u t it a fte r y o u le a v e s c h o o l. S J I h a s a lw a y s g iv e n J o s e p h ia n s a g o o d g ro u n d in g in m o r a l tra in in g . I w is h S J I to
s ta te m e n t p u ts it “ le a r n in g h o w to le a rn a n d le a r n in g h o w to liv e ” . T h e f o c u s h e r e is c le a rly n o t o n w h a t is le a m t b u t r a th e r o n le a r n in g to le a rn , a n d n o t o n le a r n in g h o w to g e t stra ig h t A ’s b u t r a th e r o n le a rn in g h o w to liv e . T h is
a c c e p t th a t th e s c h o o l is th e re to te a c h th e ir so n s h o w to liv e w ith in te g rity a n d b e g o o d p e o p le . O u r fo u n d e r S t J o h n B a p tis t d e L a S a lle w a s c o n v in c e d n o t o n ly o f th e n e e d f o r u n iv e rs a l
is r e a lly w h a t tru e e d u c a tio n is a ll a b o u t. A s B .F . S k in n e r, th e w e ll-k n o w n p s y c h o lo g is t o n c e sa id , “ E d u c a tio n is w h a t s u rv iv e s w h e n w h a t h a s b e e n le a m t h a s b e e n fo r g o tte n .” W e w a n t th e m to le a rn s o m e M a th , S c ie n c e , G e o g ra p h y , H i s t o r y ... S u re ! B u t m o re
e d u c a tio n , b u t th a t th e e d u c a tio n h is s tu d e n ts r e c e iv e d s h o u ld b e r e le v a n t
im p o rta n tly , w e s h o u ld w a n t th e m to b e w e ll e q u ip p e d w ith th in k in g ,
a n d h o lis tic . T h is is a p tly e n c a p s u la te d in S J I ’s m is s io n - “ E n a b lin g
p r o b le m - s o lv in g a n d c o m m u n ic a tio n sk ills. T o h a v e th e a b ility to w o r k in
y o u th s in a L a s a llia n c o m m u n ity to le a r n h o w to le a r n a n d to le a rn h o w to liv e ; e m p o w e r in g th e m to b e c o m e m e n o f in te g rity a n d m e n f o r o th e rs .” T h is is n o t a p ic tu re o f a o n e -d im e n s io n a l e d u c a tio n fo c u s e d o n ro te le a m in g a n d s in g u la r a c a d e m ic a c h ie v e m e n t.
a te a m a n d in te ra c t e ffe c tiv e ly w ith o th e rs . W e s h o u ld w a n t th e m to h a v e
B u t r a th e r a s th e m is s io n
le a d e rs h ip sk ills , a n d d e v e lo p s tr e n g th a n d d e p th o f c h a ra c te r. F a r m o re c r itic a l is th is “ le a rn in g h o w to liv e ” th a n p u r e a c a d e m ic p u rs u it. O u r a im s h o u ld b e to n u r tu r e o u r s tu d e n ts a n d c h ild r e n w ith life sk ills a n d
th e r ig h t v a lu e s a s a p e rs o n . V a lu es a n d sk ills t h a t w o u ld ta k e th e m th r o u g h life a s r e s p o n s ib le a d u lts a n d tr u s te d m e n e m p o w e r in g th e m to b e co m e “m e n o f in te g rity ” , “ m e n f o r o th e r s ” a n d “ p e r s o n s o f fa ith a n d s e r v ic e ” a s L a S a lle p u t it. E v e n in th e b u s in e s s w o r ld , a s C E O o f S e m b C o r p In d u s trie s , w h e n I l o o k f o r ta le n t to b e p a r t o f m y o r g a n iz a tio n - 1 c a n a s s u re y o u th a t I lo o k a t m u c h m o r e th a n j u s t a c a d e m ic re s u lts . W e l o o k n o t o n ly f o r p e o p le w ith I Q - b u t a ls o p e o p le w ith E Q . P e o p le o f in te g rity w h o c a n in te ra c t w e ll in re la tio n s h ip s , w o r k in a te a m , th in k , e x p lo re a n d e x p e r im e n t in d e p e n d e n tly a n d crea tiv e ly . P e o p le w h o a re p r o a c tiv e a n d a d a p ta b le to c h a n g e s a n d c h a lle n g e s , an d w h o sh o w d e te r m in a tio n a n d re s o lv e in th e f a c e o f se tb a c k s. P e o p le w h o c o n d u c t o u r b u s in e s s a n d th e ir o w n liv e s w ith h o n e sty , tr u s t w o r th in e s s , d e d ic a tio n a n d re s p o n s ib ility . 9 9 □
th e A rts E d u c a t e d in M o n tf o r t School L im B o o n H e n g (b 1947) M in is te r , P r im e M in is t e r ’s O ff ic e E d u c a t e d in M o n tf o r t School L i m S w e e S a y (b 1 9 5 4 ) M i n i s t e r f o r th e E n v ir o n m e n t E d u c a t e d in C a th o lic H ig h S c h o o l M a h B o w T a n (b 1 9 4 8 ) M in is te r f o r N a tio n a l D e v e lo p m e n t E d u c a t e d in S t. J o s e p h ’s In s titu tio n T eo C h e e H e a n (b 1 9 5 4 ) M in iste r fo r D e fe n c e H e w a s e d u c a te d in S t M i c h a e l ’s S c h o o l a n d S t J o s e p h ’s I n s titu tio n . G e o r g e Y eo (b 1954) M in is te r f o r T ra d e a n d In d u s tr y E d u c a t e d in S t S t e p h e n ’s S c h o o l, S t P a t r ic k ’s S c h o o l a n d S t J o s e p h ’s I n s titu tio n . □
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O N L Y tw o w o r d s r e s o n a te d in m y m in d , s o u l a n d h e a r t d u rin g th e E u c h a r is tic C o n g r e s s - G O D IS . I w o u ld lik e t o e x p r e s s m y G o d - e x p e r ie n c e in th is w a y . A t th e e n d o f G u s ta v M a h l e r ’s “S ym phony o f a T h o u san d ”, I y e a r n e d to r e tu r n to G o d v e ry s o o n . B u t, a t th e e n d o f th e E u c h a r is tic C o n g r e s s , m y e n tir e b e in g a c c la im s “ C h r is t o u r lig h t” .
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P R A I S E th e L o r d I w a s a b le to g e t a t ic k e t to th e E u c h a r is tic C o n g r e s s to j o i n m y b r o th e r s a n d s is te rs in C h r is t in th is b ig c e le b r a tio n w h ic h w a s a g r e a t success. O n e th in g I lik e to b r in g u p is th a t I n o tic e d s o m e o f th e o ld e r p r ie s ts w e r e le d u p to th e to p te r r a c e a n d b a lc o n y to g iv e C o m m u n io n . S h o u l d n ’t w e g e t
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I F I N D C a th o lic N e w s v e r y h e lp f u l a n d e n lig h te n in g . I t h a s s tr e n g th e n e d a n d d e e p e n e d m y s p ir itu a l k n o w le d g e . A s fo r th e C a th o lic N e w s C a le n d a r, th e in c lu s io n o f a d d itio n a l in f o rm a tio n su c h a s b u s s e rv ic e s to th e p a r is h e s a n d th e n a m e s o f th e s e c re ta ria t s ta f f w o u ld b e u se fu l.
T he sight, befo re the latest E n g lish m atch, o f crow ds o f fans, hands raised to the sk ies, so m e o f them w ith e y e s c lo se d , sin gin g their hearts out (and, as it happens, im ploring G o d ’s salvation, though the w ords w ere probably irrelevant), it lo o k e d for all the w orld lik e
What do you believe?
w orship in a P en teco sta l superchurch. ? 9 —Stephen Tomkins in B B C O nL ine
T hinking o f se llin g , b u yin g or renting your h o u se? H avin g problem s lo o k in g for the right agent w h o m yo u can trust?
y o u n g e r C o m m u n i o n M in is te r s to g o to t h o s e p la c e s ? B y th e w a y , th e y o u n g la d y a n d m a n in b lu e w h o s a n g s o lo w e r e g re a t; th e y s a n g b e a u tif u lly . I h o p e th e y w ill s in g a g a in f o r O u r L a d y d u r in g th e n e x t c e le b r a tio n , O c t o b e r 13.
I T W A S m y m o th e r , A n n e W ebb w h o fo u n d ed C A R E ( C a th o lic A id s R e s p o n s e E f f o r t) . S h e w a s th e i n s p ir a tio n .T h a n k you, M um .
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A m a jo rity o f A m e ric a n s b e lie v e in th e e x is te n c e o f th e d e v il. G ra p h ic s h o w s p e r c e n ta g e s b a s e d o n re lig io u s d e n o m in a tio n , p o litic a l a ffilia tio n a n d g e o g r a p h ic a l re g io n . C N S g r a p h ic . S o u r c e - G a llu p P o l l
T h e H e a d m a s t e r o f S t o n y h u r s t C o lle g e , M r A d r i a n A y lw a r d , w ill b e in S in g a p o r e b e tw e e n J u ly 4 th a n d 7 th in o r d e r to m e e t c u r r e n t p a r e n ts , a n d p a r e n ts w h o m ig h t b e i n te r e s te d in s e n d in g t h e i r s o n s o r d a u g h te r s to S to n y h u r s t. T h e C o lle g e , th e o ld e s t J e s u it s c h o o l in th e E n g lis h - s p e a k in g w o rld , w a s e s ta b lis h e d o v e r 4 0 0 y e a r s a g o a n d h a s a r e p u ta tio n f o r o ffe rin g a n o u ts ta n d in g a ll- r o u n d C a th o lic e d u c a tio n . O n e h o u r b y r o a d f r o m M a n c h e s te r I n te r n a tio n a l A ir p o r t, it o f f e rs e a s y a c c e s s to its p u p ils fro m ab ro ad .
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K 1 & K 2 : P h o n ic s, E n g lish - F u n w ith W ords, R eading Program m es, Thinking S k ills in M ath s, H anyu Piny in P r i m a r y : E n g lish , M aths, S cien ce & C h in ese S e c o n d a r y : E nglish , A /E M ath s & A cco u n t
E N R IC H M E N T C O U RSES In te n s iv e T e a c h in g fo r P S L E & O / N L evel • A rt & C h in e s e -b ru s h p a in tin g • E n g lis h C re a tiv e W ritin g fo r P r im a ry S tu d e n ts • IQ M in d b e n d e rs b i-m o n th ly (b y p o p u la r d e m a n d )
Southern be happy, enjoy life, have fun
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News Belgian atholic boys choir sing here July 10
Finding God in music and liturgy S I N G A P O R E - I f y o u a re i n te r e s te d in m u s ic a n d litu rg y , th e n e w r e tr e a t o f f e re d b y th e C e n tr e f o r I g n a tia n S p ir itu a lity a n d C o u n s e llin g w ill h e lp y o u ta s te a n d s e e th e g o o d n e s s o f th e L o r d in th e litu r g y o f th e c h u rc h . “ T h is is th e first tim e a r e tr e a t f o c u s in g o n m u s ic a n d litu rg y h a s b e e n o rg a n is e d . W e a re lo o k in g a t h o w th o s e w h o c o m m it th e m s e lv e s to th is m in is tr y a re g ro w in g in f a ith a n d a re sp iritu a lly r e v ita liz e d ,” s a id F r L e s lie R a j,
p a r is h p r ie s t o f th e C h u rc h o f S t I g n a tiu s a n d o n e o f th e p re s e n te rs . A ls o p r e s e n tin g w ill b e F r T o m O ’N e ill S J , J o y c e A n g , w h o c o n d u c ts th e C h u r c h o f S t I g n a tiu s ’ S o li D e o G lo r ia C h o ra le a n d A n th o n y S io w , its c h o ir lea d e r. T h e r e tr e a t b e g in s a t 7 .3 0 p m A ugust 6 and ends at 4 pm A u g u s t 8. R e tr e a ta n ts c a n c h o o s e
ARUL ANTHONY B o m : A u g 3, 1919 D e p arted :Ju l 7, 1990
to liv e in o r liv e o u t. F o r m o r e in f o r m a tio n , c o n ta c t S h a r o n N g a t
T h o s e w h o l o v e t h e m in lif e s in c e r e ly ,
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S ti ll lo v e th e m i n d e a t h j u s t th e s a m e .
S w e e t m e m o r i e s c l i n g t o th e m .
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S a d ly m is s e d b y a ll lo v e d o n e s. In lo v in g m e m o ry o f O u r D e arest P a p a an d M u m m y
True Blue Arts Fest by IJ fam ily SINGAPORE - T h e I J C o m m u n ity
SINGAPORE - F o r 4 5 y e a r s n o w ,
“ C u ltu r a l A m b a s s a d o r o f
a b o u t s ix ty B e lg i a n s c h o o lb o y s h a v e b e e n s in g in g th e im p o r ta n t
F l a n d e r s ” , a title w h ic h w a s r e n e w e d f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s . F o r its c u ltu r a l m is s i o n a n d its i n te r n a tio n a l r e c o g n itio n , C a n ta te D o m i n o w a s a p p o in te d “ C u ltu r a l A m b a s s a d o r o f E u r o p e ” in 2 0 0 2 . S c h o la C a n to r u m C a n ta te D o m in o w ill p e r f o r m J u ly 10 a t 8 p m a t th e S C O C o n c e r t H a ll, S in g a p o r e C o n f e r e n c e H a ll. T ic k e ts a t $ 1 2 , $ 1 5 , $ 1 7 a re a v a ila b le a t S is tic ( 6 3 4 8 - 5 5 5 5 ) . F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t io n c a ll 6 3 3 2
s a c r e d c h o r a l w o r k s o f th e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s , r e h e a r s i n g d a ily a f te r s c h o o l. T h e i r e f f o rts h a v e r e w a r d e d m a n y o f th e m w ith a lif e lo n g p a s s io n f o r m u s ic , p a v in g th e w a y to b e c o m in g p r o f e s s io n a l m u s ic ia n s . T h e b o y s a re p u p ils a n d f o r m e r p u p i ls o f S t - M a r t in ’s I n s titu te o f A a ls t, B e lg iu m . R e v e r e n d C a n o n M ic h a e l G h ijs , th e c h o i r ’s c u r r e n t c o n d u c t o r a n d a C a th o lic p r ie s t, n a m e d th e c h o ir “ S c h o la C a n to r u m C a n ta te D o m i n o ” in
T r a p p is t m e d it a t io n
Every Thursday evening betw een 7 .3 0 -9 .0 0 pm at O.L.P.S Church, St Gabriel R oom , L evel 3 for those w ho are interested to grow inintim acy w ith God. □
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Courses for the 3,d Quarter Scripture: Matthew - Fr Lawrence Yeo Wed. 9am - 10.50am & alternate Fri. 9 a m - 10.50am 1Scripture: 1 & 2 Corinthians - Fr Ambrose Vaz Tue. 9am - 1 0.50am & Alternate Fri. 1lam - 12.50pm ■ Protology - Fr William Goh Wed. & Thu. 11am - 1 2.50pm Introduction to Liturgy - Fr Cyril Lee Mon. 11 am - 12.50pm ■ Sacred Liturgy: Eucharistic Prayer Fr Tom O’Neill SJ Fri. 9am - 1 0.50am ■ Moral Philosophy - Fr Henry Siew Tue. 9am - 1 0.50am & Fri. 11 am - 1 2.50pm
Courses for the 3,d & 4thQuarter ■ History of Philosophy: Contemporary Fr Henry Siew Wed. 11 am - 12.50pm ■ History of Philosophy: Medieval - Fr Noel Chin Wed. 11am - 12.50pm • Logic - Fr Noel Chin Tue. 11 am -12.50pm >Bioethics - Fr David Garcia OP Mon. & Wed. 9 a m - 10.50am >Sacrament: Eucharist & Reconciliation - Fr Michael Arro MEP Tue. & Wed. 9am - 1 0.50am
• Ecclesiology-FrKenson Koh Tue. 1lam - 12.50pm & Fri. 9am -10.50am • Divine Office & Psalms - Fr Anthony Ho Mon. 9 a m - 10.50am________ • Introduction to Christian Spirituality - Fr IgnatiusHuan Thu. 1la m -1 2 .5 0pm • Ministerial Spirituality - Fr Ignatius Huan Tue. 1l am - 12.50pm • Psychology & Spiritual Growth Fr Ignatius Huan Thu. 9am - 10.50am • Catechetics - Fr Johnson Fernandez 8. Ms Wendy Louis Mon. 11 am - 1 2.50pm &Thu. 9 a m - 10.50am C o urses for th e
4thQ u a rte r
• Scripture: Luke & Acts - Fr Lawrence Yeo Wed. 9am - 10.50am & alternate Fri.9.00 a m - 10.50am________ • Scripture: Catholic Epistles - Fr Ambrose Vaz Tue. 9am - 10.50am & Fri. 11 am - 1 2.50pm [alternate Fri.) • Sacred Liturgy: Liturgical Inculturation Fr Tom O'Neill SJ Fri. 9am - 1 0.50am • Political Philosophy - Fr Henry Siew Tue. 9am - 10.50am & Fri. 11 am - 1 2.50pm • Eschatology - Fr William Goh Wed. & Thu.11am- 12.50pm • Sacrament of Marriage - Fr John Bosco Pereira Fri.1lam - 12.50pm__________
C o u rs e s a r e o p e n to relig io u s a n d laity. For e n q u irie s, c a ll R e b e c c a Aw Tel: 6 3 8 6 - 7 1 4 0
d i n n e r a n d th e la u n c h o f th e IJ c o f f e e ta b le b o o k w ill ta k e p la c e f o l lo w e d b y th e D e c 19 h o m e c o m in g o f a ll i n v o lv e d in th e IJ c o m m u n ity . F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t io n v is it h t tp : / / w w w .c h ij l 5 0 .c o m . □
F a x :6 3 8 6 -1 3 4 2
Email: sfxms@pacific.net.sg
VAREED M ANUAL LOPEZ D ep arted :Ju l 12, 1988
M A R IA M LOPEZ A p r 12, 2003
O u r th o u g h ts a re a lw a y s w ith b o th o f y ou. O u r h e a r t s a r e s o r e w i t h p a in , T h is w o rld w o u ld b e lik e h e a v e n , I f y o u w e r e b o t h h e r e a g a in . L o v i n g ly r e m e m b e r e d a n d c h e r is h e d b y a ll h e r c h i l d r e n , s o n s - i n - l a w , d a u g h t e r s - i n - l a w a n d g r a n d c h ild r e n .
T H A N K S G IV IN G
R e lig io u s O r g a n is a tio n is h o ld in g
B I S T F R A N C I S X A V IE R M A J O R S E M I N A R Y A A i m r P f
v a rio u s p e r fo rm a n c e s . B u t th e c e le b r a tio n w ill n o t e n d th e re . C o m e N o v . 15, a g r a n d
Inter-faith course by IRO SINGAPORE - T h e In te r-
E li z a b e t h H a ll. I n 1 9 9 4 , th e g o v e r n m e n t o f B e lg iu m a p p o in te d th e c h o ir
M A il
f o u n d e d b y th re e S is te rs in 1854. T h e c o n v e n t lo c a te d o n V ic to r ia S tr e e t p r o v i d e d e d u c a t io n f o r g e n e r a tio n s o f g ir ls in S in g a p o r e . T o d a y th e IJ C o m m u n ity in c lu d e s s ix p r im a r y s c h o o ls , f o u r s e c o n d a r y s c h o o ls , o n e f u ll- s c h o o l, a n d s e v e r a l
h o m e s a n d c h il d r e n ’s c e n tr e s . F u n a t th e A rts F e s t w ill b e g in at 1 1 .3 0 a m J u ly 3. V is ito rs c a n e x p e c t a n a rt e x h ib itio n , a b a z a a r, b o o k r e a d in g a n d sig n in g , a c h o ra l fe s t, g u id e d t o u r o f C h ijm e s a n d
5813. □
1 9 5 9 . T h e c h o ir is r e n o w n e d a s o n e o f E u r o p e ’s b e s t b o y s ’ c h o irs . T h e c h o ir h a s p e r f o r m e d in m a n y p a r ts o f th e w o r ld in c lu d in g th r ic e a t L o n d o n ’s f a m o u s Q u e e n
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h e r e w ill b e g in t h e i r 1 5 0 th an n iv e rsa ry c e le b ra tio n w ith a n A rts F e s t sh o w c a sin g so m e o f th e m a n y t a l e n ts w ith in th e IJ c o m m u n ity . T h e J u ly 3 a n d 4 A rts F e s t w ill b e h e ld a t C h ijm e s , w h e r e th e f irs t I J c o n v e n t in S in g a p o r e w a s
JO S E P H A RUL A p r 28, 1909 A p r 24, 2003
a c o u r s e o n th e b a s ic te n e ts , h is to r y , c u s to m s , tr a d itio n s a n d r e lig io u s f e s tiv a ls im p o r ta n t to th e v a r io u s f a ith s in S in g a p o re . T h e I n te r - F a ith S tu d y C o u r s e is in E n g lis h a n d o p e n to all. T h e f iv e s e s s io n c o u r s e b e g a n J u n e 2 6 w ith a t a l k o n B a h a ’ i F a ith . F u r t h e r s e s s io n s in c lu d e
S ik h is m a n d I s la m ( J u ly 3 ), C h r is tia n ity a n d T a o is m ( J u ly 1 0), B u d d h is m a n d Z o r o a s tr ia n is m ( J u ly 2 4 ) a n d J u d a i s m a n d H in d u is m ( J u ly 3 1 ). T h e c o u rs e is h e ld a t J a m ija h B u s in e s s s c h o o l, 9 7 0 G e y la n g R o a d , S in g a p o r e 4 2 3 4 9 2 . F o r i n f o r m a tio n f a x 6 3 6 3 3 7 5 3 o r e m a il M r H a r b a n s S in g h a t h a r b a n s @ s i n g n e t . c o m .s g . □
What’s O: MIGRANTS Hope Haven volunteers needed. H o p e H a v e n is th e o u tre a c h p ro g r a m m e o f th e C o m m is s io n f o r th e P a s to ra l C a re o f M ig ra n ts a n d Itin e r a n t P e o p le (C M I). W e o p e ra te h e lp d e s k s in L u c k y P la z a , K a m p o n g K a p o r a n d s o o n in S e ra n g o o n P la z a . W e n e e d v o lu n te e rs w ith c o m p a s s io n a te h e a r ts to lis te n to m ig r a n t w o rk e rs in n e e d . L a n g u a g e p re fe re n c e s : T a m il, M a n d a rin , B a n g la d e s h i, S in h a le s e , B a h a s a I n d o n e s ia , T h a i, T a g a lo g , M y a n m a re s e . Contact: M e l L e e (9 6 9 4 - 5 8 1 5 ).
Volunteer facial care teacher needed to te a c h w o m e n m ig r a n t w o rk e rs tw ic e a m o n th u n d e r th e s k ills tra in in g p r o g r a m m e o f C M I. Venue: M a d o n n a S k ills C e n tre (f o rm e rly S t J o s e p h ’s C o n v e n t). Enquiries: M a r iv ic F la n d e z (9 6 6 8 -6 8 3 0 /m a v ic fla n d e z@ h o tm a il.c o m ).
SALVATION HISTORY G o d J o u rn e y in g w ith U s th r o u g h th e B ib le . T h e s e 2 0 s e s s io n s w ith M g r E u g e n e V a z ta k e s u s t h r o u g h th e O ld a n d N e w T e s ta m e n ts a n d s h o w s u s h o w m u c h G o d lo v e s u s in h is p la n o f s a lv a tio n . Tuesday mornings: 9 .3 0 a m - 1 1 .3 0 a m J u n 2 9 , J u l 6 , 2 0 , 2 7 , A u g 3 , 10, 17, 3 1 , S e p 7 , 14, 2 1 , 2 8 , O c t 5 , 1 2 , 1 9 , 2 6 , N o v 2 , 9 , 1 6 & 2 3 O R Friday evenings: 7 .4 5 p m - 9 .4 5 p m J u l 2 , 9 , 2 3 , 3 0 , A u g 6 , 1 3 ,2 7 , S e p 3 , 1 0 , 1 7 , 2 4 , O c t 1 , 8 , 1 5 , 2 2 , 2 9 , N o v 5 , 1 2 , 1 9 & 2 6 . Venue: S in g a p o re P a s to ra l In s titu te . C o u rs e Contribution: $ 6 0 . Enquiries: 6 8 5 8 -3 0 1 1 .
Dear St Jude, thank you for answering, not one, but two o f our petitions in my place o f work and both sim ultaneously. Gratefully M chin St Jude, faithful intercessor to your cousin Jesus, thank you for helping me in my exam s. Please continue to intercede on my behalf and help me alw ays to do well in the next two years. M elissa St Jude, thank you for answ ering my petition. You have never let me down. Please continue to help me. W L D earest St Jude, I w ould like to thank you for guiding me in my e d ucatio n life. Love A lfonso A n drew D earest St Jude, Thank you for all you have done for me. Please continue to guide me and my family. Love A shley A n d re w
THE BIBLE : AN OVERVIEW
EUCHARIST &THE WORD OF GOD
4 s e s s io n s w ith F r D a v id G a rc ia , O P . W h o re a lly w ro te th e B ib le ? H o w w a s th e te x t p re s e rv e d , tra n s m itte d a n d tra n s la te d ? H o w w e re th e B o o k s c h o s e n ? W h y is th e C a th o lic B ib le d iff e r e n t fr o m th e P r o te s ta n t B ib le ? W h a t d o e s it m e a n to s a y th a t th e B ib le is in s p ire d b y G o d ? Dates: F r id a y J u l 9 (T h e B ib le : F r o m A u th o r to S h e lf) , J u l 16 (B o o k o f B o o k s: H o w w e r e th e B o o k s S e le c te d ? ) J u l 23 ( G o d S p e a k s i n s p i r e d W o rd o f G o d ) J u l 3 0 (A B C s o f th e B ib le : R e a d in g th e W o rd ). Time: 8 .1 5 -9 .3 0 p m . Venue: C h u rc h o f S t F r a n c is X a v ie r. Enquiries: H e le n 9647 -5 3 1 3 h elenng@ singnet.com .sg, M a is ie 9 1 0 1 -0 3 5 3 s p ie x @ p a c if ic .n e t.s g . A n a c tiv ity o f S F X B A T
T a lk s in M a n d a r in b y F r. P e te r Z h a n g . D a te : J u ly 8 a n d 9 , 8 -1 0 p m a t H o ly T r in ity C h u rc h (In c o n ju c tio n w ith th e A rc h d io c e s a n E u c h a ris tic C o n g re s s ).
BIBLE STUDY ON EXODUS FOR YOUNG ADULTS J o in T h e H a rv e s te rs e v e r y T h u r s d a y n ig h t f r o m J u l 2 2 to 2 4 A u g 2 4 f o r th e B ib le S tu d y b a s e d o n th e L ittle R o c k S c rip tu re S tu d y fo r m a t. Time: 7 .3 0 - 9 .3 0 p m . Venue: C h in a to w n P o in t, # 1 6 -0 2 . Enquiries: J a n e (6 4 8 1 - 5 9 1 2 / E m a il: in fo @ h a r v e s te r s c o m m u n ity . o rg ) R e g is te r b y 19 J u ly . Cost: $ 2 0 (in c lu d e s m a te ria ls a n d re fr e s h m e n ts ) .
Dear St Jude, Thank you for answ ering my prayer. You have inteceded for my son and O ur Lord has healed his health problem. Sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to St Jude, alm ighty God, Lord Jesus Christ and M other M ary for petitions answered. Love and prayers always. J G
H i mm | The Catholic News | r m PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY
Stay in touch with the Church in Singapore and the world
RETROUVAILLE - A LIFELINE FOR MARRIED COUPLES Date: F r i J u l 3 0 to S u n A u g 1. Enquiries: M ic h a e l / L u c y Y e o . ( 6 7 4 9 - 8 8 6 1 )
Once again, heartfelt thanks to apostle Jude for prayers answered and favours received. Grateful thanks, also, to our Lord, blessed M other M ary, St Joseph, Holy Infant Jesus, St Anne, St G erard, St A nthony, St Theresa, H oly Spirit and G uardian Angels for the many blessings, intercessions, protection and prayers answered. Please continue to guide and protect my family. S usan & fam ily
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C A S K E T C O M P A N Y E M B A L M IN G & F U N E R A L S E R V IC E S P T E LTD F ir s t A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory o f
Second A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of
T w e n ty -th ird A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of
Eleventh A nniversary In loving m em ory of
24-H O U R S C O M PLETE SER VIC ES
«Christian and non-Christian funerals - local / export. ■Qualified Embalmers. ■ Columbarium work, exhumation, photo enlargement etc. >Air-con, non air-con Parlours, tentage etc. • Good Discount on Casket price!!
D irecto rs: P h ilip Tan
mbie,
C h arles W an
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Blk 37, Sin Ming Drive, #01-575 Singapore 575711
Tel: 6454-8167, 6456-7423 Fax: 6458-2151
A N T O N IA M M A H Departed: Jun 19,2003 D early m issed by all. A lw ays remembered by Law rence and fam ily, children, grandchildren and great-grand children. Tw enty-sev enth A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory o f
M R S LU C Y G E O R G E N EE DANKER C alled hom e to be with the Lord on July 6, 2002 Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace, Amen Sadly m issed and will always be remembered by:children, Stephen, H elen M arian, Julian Jr, Basil and Lancelot, grandchildren and all loved ones.
M A R IA SO N G GUAN NEO Departed: July 10,1993 The depths o f sorrow we cannot tell O f the loss of one we love so well And while you sleep a peaceful sleep Y our memory we shall always keep. Fondly remembered by Alice, Soon Huat and all loved ones. T w enty-second A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of
Fondly remembered by children and loved ones. In loving m em ory of
M A N U E L A L L A IS (A L EX ) Bom: Aug 27,1929 Departed: July 8, 1981 He had a smile, a pleasant way, A helping hand to all he knew, He was kind, generous and true, On earth he nobly did his best; Grant him, Jesus, heavenly rest. Always remembered by loving wife M. Mayma, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. T h ird A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of
1 0 f ' -
S. SU SA RETN A M Departed: July 12, 1982
R O BERT ONG CHENG THYE Departed: July 8,1997 Treasured memories hold you near Silent thought bring many a tear Tears in my eyes I can wipe away But the love in my heart will alw ays stay I make no outward show To w hat it meant to lose you Only I will ever know. Fondly loved and rem em bered by Dinnie, children and grandchildren.
M A R Y C E C IL E K L A SS E N Departed: July 6, 1999 G od saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms
Your presence is ever near us Your love remains with us yet You were the kind father Your loved ones will never forget.
Today recalls sad memories, O f a dear father gone to rest, And the one who thinks o f him today Is the one w ho loves him best. D eeply m issed by w ife, children and loved ones. A M ass will be celebrated at the C hurch o f O ur Lady o f Lourdes, O phir Road on July 11, 2004 at 8 am.
A. TH E R E SA M ARY Departed: July 12,1977
F ifth A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of
D IR E C T S I N G A P O R E FUNERALSERVICES 127 Lavender S t S ingapore 338735 (next to S ingapore C asket).
around her and whispered, “C om e with m e” . W ith tear-filled eyes we w atched her suffer and fade away. A lthough we loved her deeply, w e could not m ake her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-w orking hands put to rest. G od broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best. D eeply m issed and alw ays rem em bered with love by husband, children, grandsons, relatives and friends.
F ifth A n n iv e rsa ry I n l o v in g m e m o r y o f
Dearly m issed and rem em bered by son Terence, daughter-in-law Ina and loved ones.
Please turn to page 18 for more “In Memoriam” announcements and classified advertisements.
Services Rendered
• Collection fromHome or Hospital • Sending to place of wake • Manpower and Hearse on Funeral Day All for $890/Funeral Prices You Can Live with
Coffin Model Coffin Price Charity No Glass $ 10 Budget No Glass $ 598 Budget Half Glass $ 798 Economy Half Glass $ 998 Duchess Half Glass $1498
A L 0 Y S I U S D. HOEDEN Manager, E m balm er I FT (France) C atholic Funeral Advisor
NEW MANAGEMENT
We also have a wide selection of coffins to choose from. Discount 10%for church members. No GST! Call: Aloysius D. Hoeden 9 4 5 0 - 3 2 2 3
C A S K E T F A IR P R IC E
Jt/fo d su vt rU esi+ to*t tf- 6 U
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m SERVICES 2 4 h r s f u n e r a l s e r v i c e f o r C a th o lic & o t h e r C h r is tia n d e n o m in a t io n s Jesus' said/ to* tu rn pnom i&eyau/tAat today/ yo u w ill itv C f-Pamdi&& u>Uk' m e. ”
F o r b o o k in g o f M o u n t V ern on F u n e ra l P a rlo u rs, p le a se call
CASKET FAIRPRICE
cd L u ke .2 3 :4 3
Funeral Guidance please contact Raymond Roy Gabriel H p : 9764 5105
T e l:
6 455-9909 / 645 8-99 09
(2 4 h o u r s )
B lk 3 7 S in M in g D riv e , # 0 1 -5 6 9 /5 7 1 /5 7 3 , S in g a p o r e 575711 F u l l r a n g e o f c a s k e ts , f u n e r a l s e r v ic e s a r e a ls o a v a ila b le .
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Blk 351BCanberra Road #03-299 Singapore 752351 G LEN CH A I CH EE FO O N G D e p a rte d : J u ly 8 , 1 9 9 9 L o r d , a t y o u r p a s s io n lo v e d id c o n q u e r fe a r, N o w s h a r e th a t tr iu m p h w ith h is s o u l so d e a r B a n is h h is s o rro w , le t y o u r lig h t s h in e O g r a n t h im p a r d o n , J e s u s S a v io u r b le s t A n d g iv e h is s p irit lig h t a n d e n d le s s re s t. A lw a y s r e m e m b e r e d b y D a d a n d M u m , G r a n d p a r e n ts , C la r is s , S te p h a n ie , K o k C h e w , H illa r y , H e id i a n d H e r le n e .
R O SA L IN D W E E L IN N EO Bom: Oct 27, 1939 Departed:Jul 13, 2001 God know s how much we miss her, N ever shall her m em ory fade; O ur loving thoughts ever wander, To the spot where she is laid.
Tel: 6 - 5 5 5 - 1 1 1 - 5 24 HOURS
V ery dearly missed by wife, children and grandchildren.
S eventh A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of
Take her in Thy arms, dear Lord, And ever let her be A m essenger o f love B etween our hearts and Thee.
K . A ROK IAD A SS Departed: July 10,1981
7>& J lU
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CityCasket &Funeral Services Pte Ltd • C o m p le te o n e s to p fu n e ra l a rra n g e m e n ts • P a c k a g e s w ill d e fin ite ly s u it y o u r budget • E x p e rt e m b a lm e rs (w ith la d y e m b a lm e rs to a tte n d to fe m a le deceased) • W id e ra n g e o f q u a lity im p o rte d a n d lo c a l c a s k e ts a t v e ry a ffo rd a b le p ric e • Im p o rt a n d re p a tria tio n o f m o rta l re m a in s F R A N C IS T E O Catholic Funeral Coordinator • F u ll-tim e q u a lifie d p e rs o n n e l to m e e t y o u r e v e ry n e e d 2 4 hours mobile • 2 4 h o u rs s e rv ic e q u a ra n te e d w ith n o o ve rtim e ch a rg e s an d no hidd en costs
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South Bridge IRoad, # 0 2 -0 5 re 1 0 5 8 727 Fax: (6 5 ) 6 5 3 3 -1 7 2 9 ,
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• Columbarium & Tombstone services.
A ll Church M em bers Are Entitled To Discount *Cater within your means*
W ebsite: w w w .th e r estin g p la c e.c o r
131 Lavender Street, Singapore 338737. Internationally linked worldwide with established Funeral Directors
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Another genocide? A S U D A N E S E r e f u g e e m o th e r b r e a s t- f e e d s h e r m a l n o u r is h e d c h ild J u n e 14 a t a c a m p in
CNSPHOTO' T H E b r o k e n r e m a in s o f T u ts is a n d H u tu s lie in a n a b a n d o n e d s c h o o l a t th e g e n o c id e m e m o r i a l s ite in M u r a m b i, R w a n d a . S o m e 8 0 0 ,0 0 0 p e o p le w e r e k ille d d u r in g th e 1 0 0 -d a y s la u g h te r in 1 9 9 4 , a n d e th n ic te n s io n s still s im m e r d e s p ite y e a r s o f r e c o n c ilia tio n w o rk .
E l G e n e in a in S u d a n ’s n o r th e r n D a r f u r p r o v in c e . T h e U .S . g o v e r n m e n t e s tim a te s th a t m o re th a n 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 p e o p le in D a r f u r c o u ld d ie th is y e a r b e c a u s e th e A r a b - d o m in a te d S u d a n e s e g o v e r n m e n t h a s p r e v e n t e d h u m a n ita r ia n a id f r o m r e a c h in g D a rfu r. T h e U n ite d N a tio n s h a s e s tim a te d th a t a b o u t 1 .2 m illio n p e o p le h a v e b e e n f o r c e d f r o m t h e i r h o m e s a n d a re n o w in g r e a t n e e d o f h u m a n ita r ia n a s s is ta n c e . A U .N . e m e r g e n c y r e li e f c o o r d in a to r s a id in e a rly A p r il th a t th e S u d a n e s e g o v e r n m e n t w a s t u r n in g a b lin d e y e to “ e th n ic c le a n s i n g ” b y A r a b m ilitia s . F ig h tin g a n d w a r - r e la te d f a m in e a n d d is e a s e h a v e k ille d a t le a s t 2 m illio n p e o p le i n S u d a n s in c e 1 9 8 3 . T h e w a r a ls o h a s d is p la c e d m o r e th a n 5 m illio n p e o p le . M o s t c a s u a ltie s a r e f r o m s o u th e r n S u d a n . □ cns
Novena in celebration of The feast of St. Anne 2004
CNS photo P O P E J o h n P a u l II p r a is e d a n d e n c o u ra g e d th e w o r k o f th e c h u r c h in h e lp in g th e p l ig h t o f th e w o r l d ’s re fu g e e s a n d c a lle d o n th e in te rn a tio n a l c o m m u n ity to s te p u p its e ffo rts in ta c k lin g th e r o o t c a u s e s o f th e w o r l d ’s r e f u g e e p r o b le m . “ E v e r y p e r s o n n e e d s a sa fe p la c e to liv e ,” th e p o p e sa id J u n e 2 0 , b u t “m illio n s a re u n f o rtu n a te ly le f t in r e f u g e e c a m p s o r e ls e le ft w ith lim ite d f r e e d o m to e x e r c is e th e ir r ig h ts .”
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f a r m la n d s b u t th e r iv a lr y h a s b e e n s to k e d b y g r o w in g re lig io u s h a tre d . N ig e r ia n C a r d in a l F r a n c is A r in z e s a id th e n e e d to p r o m o te b e tte r C h r is tia n - M u s lim r e la tio n s w a s u r g e n t. “ C h r is tia n s a n d M u s lim s c a n in f o r m o n e a n o th e r a b o u t t h e ir r e lig io n . A f te r a ll, b o th r e lig io n s h a v e c o m m o n a r e a s o f b e lie f s in G o d , d e a th , j u d g m e n t , h e a v e n , h e ll, th e r o le s o f th e p r o p h e ts ,” s a id C a r d in a l A r in z e , f o r m e r h e a d o f th e P o n tif ic a l C o u n c il f o r
I n te r - r e lig io u s D ia lo g u e . H e c h a lle n g e d th e le a d e rs a n d f o llo w e r s o f b o th r e lig io n s to “ s in c e r e ly a n d h o n e s tly a s k t h e m s e lv e s th e k in d o f r e la tio n s h ip th e y d e s ir e ,” ta k in g in to a c c o u n t th a t C h r is tia n s a n d M u s lim s a re m o r e th a n h a l f o f th e w o r l d ’s p o p u la tio n . T h e c a r d in a l s a id q u ite o f te n te n s io n s b e tw e e n th e tw o r e lig io n s a re f u e le d b y p o litic ia n s lo o k in g to m a n ip u la te th e s itu a tio n f o r p e r s o n a l g a in . “ W h a t p e o p le k ill o th e r s f o r in th e n a m e o f r e lig io n h a s n o th in g to d o w ith r e lig io n . M o s t o f th e tim e , th e r o o ts o f th e c r is is s ta r te d w ith p e o p le f ig h tin g o v e r la n d o r e v e n c a ttle o r s o m e o th e r is s u e s th a t h a v e n o th in g to d o w ith re lig io n , b u t o n c e p o litic ia n s h i ja c k th e m , th e y in f la te th e c r is is ,” h e sa id . □ c ns
P R IN T E D B Y K H L P R IN T IN G C O P T E L T D , 5 7 L O Y A N G D R IV E , S I N G A P O R E 5 0 8 9 6 8 .