JULY 06, 2003, vol 53, no 14

C

M

i o

| SUNDAYS JULY 6 AND JULY 13, 2003

l i c

N

e

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM 1.20 M.I.T.A.(P) No.105/01/2003

w

s

PPS 201/4/2004 VOL 53 No. i T

PopeJohnPaul II greetsachildat theVaticancelebration fortheHolyChildhoodAssociationJune14. Thepontiff thankedsome8,000youngchildrenforrespondingtothe cryofthepoorwithprayersandtheirownsavings. French FatherCharlesdeForbinJansonfoundedthe organization160yearsago, askingyoungchildrentopray andsaveafewcoinsamonthfortheworld’spoor, c n s p h o to

Cries of starving children should stir up hearts, says pope Pope John Paul II urges youngsters to show solidarity VATICAN C IT Y -T h e

T H E f a c e s

F A M IL Y

d e h u m

a n is in g

t h r e a t s

in the growth of pro-life movements.

Family breakdown costs society dearly, as numerous studies demonstrate.

A 2002 British government report, for instance, found that family breakup is the main cause of Pope John Paul II made two strong pleas children running away from home. this month in defense of the family. During his trip Indeed, children growing up in single-parent in Croatia, his homily for Pentecost Sunday had a families are twice as likely as their counterparts to special greeting for the families present at the develop serious psychiatric illnesses and addictions Mass.The pope recalled the crucial role played by later in life, according to a study in The Lancet the family in many aspects of society, and the need medical journal. to support families based on a stable marriage.

A Swedish study which tracked about one Then on June 13, in a speech to participants in a million children for a decade, into their mid-20s, congress organized by the Pontifical found that children with single parents Council for the Family, he warned of were twice as likely as the others to dehumanizing threats” against the develop a psychiatric illness such as T h e “Charter family. severe depression or schizophrenia, to o f the R igh ts o f John Paul II called upon politicians kill themselves or attempt suicide, and the F a m ily ,” “to fully assume their commitment in to develop an alcohol-related disease. p u b lish ed b y the defense of the family and to favor the Girls were three times more likely to culture of life.” As a guideline for their become drug addicts if they lived with a H o ly S e e is a action he suggested they use the M A G N A C A R T A sole parent, and boys were four times “Charter of the Rights of the Family,” more likely. for strong published by the Holy See in 1983.

On the positive side, studies show Otherwise, “there is a risk of paying fa m ilie s. that religion can help families stay a high social cost,” which will fall, together. A report released by the [See page 6] especially, on “future generations, National Study of Youth and Religion at victims of a harmful and confused the University of North Carolina mentality, as well as styles of life that are not showed that adolescents aged 12 to 14 who are worthy of man,” the pope added. brought up in religious households are more likely Mentalities are spreading that favor “divorce, than peers from nonreligious families to admire contraception, abortion, denying in fact the Mom and Dad, to not run away from home, to eat authentic sentiment of love and attempting, in the dinner with the folks and to have parents involved last analysis, against human life, by not recognizing in their social lives. the human being’s full right to life,” he added.

‘There is a consistent association across a Notwithstanding “the attacks against the family variety of measures that more religiously active and human life,” he said, “there are numerous families with early adolescents in the household families that continue to be faithful, despite the exhibit signs of stronger family relationships,” said difficulties, to their human and Christian vocation.”

Christian Smith, study director and report co-author These families “are organizing themselves to of the four-year project which began in August offer together a response full of hope,” as reflected 2001. □ Z E N I T

Pope John Paul II points politicians to a 1983 charter to guide their action to safeguard the family.

ROME-

“heartbreaking” cry of children who die of hunger and sicknesses should stir the conscience of everyone, Pope John Paul II said when he met with 8,000 children in the Vatican.

The little ones, who came on Saturday accompanied by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, are members of the Pontifical Society for Missionary Childhood, which is marking its 160th anniversary this year. ’’The cry of millions of children in the south of the planet, condemned to die of hunger and sicknesses linked to poverty, has become more heartbreaking and stirs everyone,” the Holy Father said.

Recalling that Missionary Childhood’s motto is “Children Help Children,” the Pontiff analyzed the profound changes humanity has experienced during the institution’s century and a half of life.

“In the so-called north of the world, the conditions of life of children have improved, but economic and social development has not always been accompanied

I

N

A

T

C

H

by human development in the fullest sense,” he said. ’’There has been a loss of values and the highest price has been paid, precisely, by the littlest ones, without forgetting that in developed nations also, areas of great poverty remain,” the Holy Father added.

Given this reality, he invited the children who were listening to him to form “a chain of solidarity across the five continents” and also to offer “the possibility to the poorest to give and to the rich to receive by giving.”

This is the work carried out

by Missionary Childhood, founded by Bishop Charles de Forbin Janson of Nancy, France, for the purpose, initially, to help needy children in China. The bishop asked children to pray a Hail Mary every day and to give a coin a month to help their Asian contemporaries. Today the “little missionaries” number in the millions, in parishes, schools and movements throughout the world.

For his part, the pope invited the children to pray the rosary daily, as did Jacinta and Francisco, the visionaries at Fatima. □ z e n i t

O

U

T

f o r the next issue o f CatholicNews

Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003 Catholic News

2

News ----~------------~--------~

••

••

By Sr Grace Lee Wherever people gather, Blessed Alberione, our founder told us to go. That is why in Singapore we have taken to a shopping mall to bring Christ to thousands.

Since June, we have been daily running a kiosk at the ground floor of Jurong Point. We feel humbled when we meet simple people who cry out in pain and depression because their lives are so empty and meaningless, and they look to us for some kind of help and direction. A kind and encouraging word, the right book that speaks of the matter, a little prayer together and show of concern and interest. This is what Blessed Alberione meant by bringing Christ to those who do not go to church anymore.

He realised that people no longer went to church to seek

SINGAPOR E -

laus Pang concelebrates Mass with Fathe r Stanis Chia and other priests after his ordination ceremony at Archbishop Nicholas the Church of the Holy Spirit June 22. The former engineer who joined the seminary as a diocesan priest seven years ago has been posted to the Church of St Anne as assistant priest.

Sr Grace and a Daughter of St Paul cooperator at the book kiosk in Jurong Point.

God, but were after materialism, entertainment, power, wealth, technology and instant satisfaction. He matched this thirst for other gods by adopting II . new inventions that attracted i people, such as the printed word and film. The 16 mm film apostolate lasted until the emergence of VCDs, DVDs, which we now also produce.

In Singapore the Pauline Cooperators are a small group, like a young seedling waiting to sprout and grow. These generous lay people work with the Sisters in their apostolate of reaching -out to people with the media by bringing the Good News to parishes, schools and groups, in their homes ' and workplaces and now in Jurong Point at the kiosk. D

I

.~

Priests at Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nichola~ Chia on June 25.

Homilists: Frs. Glen'de Cruz, Leslie R£9, Michael D'Cmz, Phillip He11!f, Ainbrose)!az, John Paul Tan, Rdc'hards Ambrose.

By Mel Diamse-Lee SINGAPORE -The World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests is a "day to take seriously."

It is the day for priests to examine their spiritual life and how to deepen it.

So began the talk of Archbishop ·· Nicholas Chia, who led the presbyterium in an afternoon of reflection on the priestly ministry June 25. The event is celebrated worldwide on the feast of the Sacred Heart, June 27, but "we want to prepare ourselves" for the actual day, said the archbishop.

Archbishop Chia's address to some 100 priests centred on the Eucharist, "a permanent way by which we can come to Christ," he noted.

The Eucharist opens to a priest a "new hope which helps to overcome burdtms in his ministerial life," he added. Priests receive a fresh insight into the role they have to assume so that the Eucharist can help them transform and build a new society in Christ.

The gathering at the Church of the Holy Family also saw the priests availing themselves of the sacrament of reconciliation from one another. They were asked to reflect on the role of the stole in their life, what it represents to them and in what area of their life they need to work on to improve their relationship with God. The day's event was capped with a concelebrated Mass in the evening. D

Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003 Catholic News

VEHICLES WANTED

News

Any model, any year commercial or used cars.

Scrap vehicles for export.

Call: 6284-3064

.......A

CUSTOM DESIGN

C ^ E D D IN G Q & TA TIONARIES

Melvyn

• In v ita tio n C ards* • Mass / Service B ooklets* • U n ity C andles* Ring P illow s* • Favours*

JENNIFER WEE "TT' 9105-0312 / 9815-8955

For e n q u irie s, call A nne M o b ile : (65) 9 2 7 1 -7 8 5 5

Buy /S e ll o r R ent W elco m e Residential H D B / PTE Commercial J

Email: enquiries@simple-creations.com www.simple-creations.com

,)

• Fast Service • 100% R eliable • 1 5 years track record

p ro p e rtIs

P

est

(I l |

M a sters

P t e L td

FOR YOUR PEST PROBLEMS

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

CALL: 6454 0439

Call: John Stephen Lim

9 6 3 7 - 1 5 4 4

32, Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 #03-03 Sing Industrial Complex Singapore 569510 Tel: 6454 0439 Fax: 6454 4784 Email: pestmast@pacific.net.sg

Blk 1 Maude Rd #02-38 Singapore 200001 Tel: 6281-7966 Fax: 63824966

“ B u s in e s s O p p o r t u n it y ” We are expanding and looking for business partner to join us in our ***P R O F IT A B L E R E T A IL *** business selling ... holy devotional items, Catholic religious articles and novelties.

V E R Y S U IT A B L E F O R R E T IR E E Interested please do not hesitate to contact H P : 9 2 3 9 -7 4 3 3 for an appointment to view our wide range o f products in our showroom.

P H IL IP T A N

S E L L IN G / B U Y IN G / R E N T A L H D B a n d P R IV A T E For reliable, fast and trustworthy services

Regina Edwards c e h a

h /p

9 64 2 -8 3 4 3

Email: regina@kbeconsultancy.com

D E N N IS W E E P R O P E R T IE S P T E L T D

m

S IN G A P O R E P R O M ISIN G BRAND AWARD WINNER

j r t f t C&H PROPERTIES PTE LTD

LISTED HOUSING AGENCY

(enjoy the benifits of Resale Net and early appointment)

Thinking o f selling, buying or renting your house?

Having problems looking for the right agent whom you can trust? L o o k n o fu r th e r .

HDBResaleN et

IcA

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

Call Jeffrey Goh now @9 - 4 5

B u y in g ,

PENANG - Cartoon movie clips can enhance catechism lessons because they are an effective audiovisual method for communicating Bible truths and moral values. This was stated by Paul Anthony of Cahayasuara, which conducted the Edutoons workshop at the Cathedral of the

ERA RIAL

ESTATE

S e l l in g

Reconciliation between Christians and Muslims is taking place at a rapid pace.

Bishop Petrus Mandagi of Amboina said this shortly before participating in a solemn ceremony of reconciliation between the two religious communities. ’’Today there is an atmosphere of confidence and hope,” he told the Fides news service. “People show good will in dialogue and look at each other as brothers and sisters. I am surprised to see the speed of the reconciliation process after years of conflict.”

The three-year conflict, ended by the Malino Agreement of February 2002, had left more than 15,000 dead and 500,000 homeless.

The ceremony of reconciliation was presided over by local religious leaders — Protestant, Catholic and Muslim — in the presence of thousands of islanders. The day marked the official reopening of free circulation of people and goods, transport and the reopening of the Protestant district of Ambon city, which had been off-limits except for Protestants.

Bishop Mandagi told Fides that the “process of reconciliation between Muslims and Protestants has taken giant steps forward. I am

surprised when I remember the intensity of the past violence.

Today people believe again in dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation. Protestants and Muslims live and work side by side; gradually the districts of the city, previously rigorously separated, are opening for cultural and commercial exchange.” ’’Everyone seems to realize that they were manipulated and exploited by radical groups from Jakarta, sectors of the army and political lobbies interested in keeping the insane conflict alive,” the prelate said. “Today it is the Muslims themselves who reject the extremism of Laskar Jihad, the group which came to bring the ‘holy war’ to the Moluccas, and which has now left the islands.”

□

Z E N IT

ISA Institute o f Estate Agents

o r

47 universities form bioethics federation ROME — An international federation of centers dedicated to bioethics has been launched. The International Federation of Centers and Institutes of Bioethics of Personalist Inspiration was established here at the initiative of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome with the support of 47 representatives from around the world.

The Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, Rome; Georgetown University, Washington, D .C .; and University of Toronto are among the founder members.

The federation was set up to address the philosophical currents within institutions of bioethics regarding issues such as abortion, contraception, homosexuality and euthanasia.

The federation is open to all.

Bishop Elio Sgreccia is the proisinal president. □ z e n i t

Pope appeals for aid for Sahel Pope John Paul II has appealed to the international community for a more concrete commitment to the people of Sahel.Their land faces growing danger of becoming a desert.This keeps the populations in endemic poverty.

In 1984, he established the John Paul II Foundation for the

VATICAN CITY-

P e r n

R e n t i n g

HDB and Private Residential Properties

ANTO NAZARETH

IVY LAU M. M

9 8 5 3 -0 6 9 8

9 0 0 1 -1 7 4 3

C E A Cert.-in-CEHA, CPS ™ (MIS)

AMBON, Indonesia -

education. The objective of the workshop was to impart skills in using appropriate visual media to enhance key elements of the catechism lesson.

In an earlier session, Adeline •James, graphic designer of Cahayasuara, presented cartooning techniques to participants. She also facilitated a session on the use of charades, in which participants tried to guess the Biblical character, event or verse being drawn.

As part of the MTW, a puppetry workshop was held the previous day by Talking Hands, an inter-denominational group that promotes the use of puppets in Sunday School.

Forty-eight faith educators and four seminarians participated in the two workshops. □ ,

Sahel, which trains leaders, health agents, hydraulic and civil engineers, mechanics, agricultural workers, stockbreeders, and forest specialists.

The foundation helps people regardless of their religion, thus becoming an instrument of interreligious dialogue. □ z e n i t

1 -5 0 8 5

E -m a il: jrj.e a s tv a le @ p a c ific .n e t.s g

HDB-resaleNet

By Anni Malar

Holy Spirit June 15.

“Cartoon clips are very effective in a group setting and encourage children to talk, discuss and share their thoughts and feelings. Through this process, the teacher can draw from their experiences and relate it to good values. The teacher can make the class into an interactive environment,” said Anthony.

He added that cartoon clips are able to hold the interest and attention of children. “These clips complement the catechism lesson because they can easily relate to Bible stories,” said Anthony.

The Edutoons (short fo r educational cartoons) session was part of a series of Media Toolbox Workshops (MTW) initiated by Cahayasuara to enhance faith

Peace has taken root in Moluccas

W e specialise in • All kinds o f w a terproo fin g / roofing • Re-painting (interior/exterior) • Renovation w o rk • Upgrading w o rk

Please call:

Religious educators learn to teach with puppets and cartoons

i n

t e r i o

r s

Specialist in all kinds of furniture and interior d e co ra tio n . W e su p p ly m ade-to-o rder kitchen cab in ets, bedroom sets, office furniture, etc.

Business hours : 10 am to 8 pm on normal working days, 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, 12 noon to 4 pm on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Address: Bk 41, Holland Drive, #01-25 S'pore 270041 WORKMANSHIP: 12 months warranty for every jo b taken Governm ent and statutory board loans acceptable.

Call 6779-5034/6779-6035 Fax: 6778-6539

Catholic News

July 6 and July 13,2003

5

---- ---------------- -— News -

Come visit us at

In Bosnia, pope asks God’s forgiveness for region’s suffering

Wellsprings Catholic Books

By John Norton BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina

— Pope John Paul II visited Banja Luka, a Balkans city scarred by two ethnic cleansing campaigns in recent decades, and asked God’s forgiveness for wrongs committed by Catholics and others in the tormented region.

During his 10-hour visit June 22, the pope urged rival Serbian Orthodox, Croatian Catholics and Bosnian Muslims to put “suffering and bloodshed” behind them and to embrace the difficult task of “starting afresh” together.

Beatifying a native-born 20th-century layman, he also sought to bolster a minority Catholic community threatened with virtual extinction by the 1991-1995 war’s redistribution of ethnic boundaries.

Security was exceptionally tight along the pope’s motorcade route and at the city’s airport, where three military helicopters patrolled overhead during a small, subdued welcoming ceremony. Before the pope arrived a bomb squad investigated a suspiciously parked vehicle along the motorcade route, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

In his arrival remarks, broadcast live on national television, the 83-year-old pontiff told Bosnians he greeted and embraced them all.

“I know the long ordeal you have endured, the burden of

Cardinal preaches in Methodist Church in Rome ROME

- Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, preached at the Methodist church of Sant’Angelo Bridge in the heart of Rome, in the context of an ecumenical celebration.

The celebration Sunday marked the third centenary of the

suffering which is daily a part of your lives, the temptations to discouragement and resignation which you experience,” he said.

An internationally brokered peace deal in 1995 ended BosniaHerzegovina’s 43-month war, in which hundreds of thousands of

AnOrthodoxpriest greetsPope JohnPaul IIat theCatholic cathedral inBanjaLuka,

c n s p h o to

people were killed and nearly 2 million were expelled or displaced by fighting. Many refugees have yet to return, and those who do face desperate social circumstances, including an unemployment rate estimated at more than 40 percent.

A NATO-led force of 13,000

birth of Englishman John Wesley, founder of the movement centred on the preaching of the Gospel, which gave rise to the Methodists, The cardinal began with the words “Brothers, Sisters, Friends,” and relayed the pope’s blessing, saying “the unity of the Church is in his heart.”

Cardinal Kasper highlighted the dialogue that has been under way for 36 years between Catholics and Methodists, “our ecumenical partners,” the ANSA news agency quoted him saying.

He also pointed out aspects of Wesley’s testimony that are valid today, such as “attention to the poor” and “proclamation of the Gospel of hope.”

Present at the celebration,

soldiers is still posted in the country to keep an uneasy peace.

The pope told Bosnians he stood by them “in asking the international community, which already has done so much, to continue to be close to you and to help you to reach quickly a situation of full security in justice and harmony.”

But he reminded Bosnians that they themselves must be “the primary builders” of their future and that they should rely on the “tenacity of your character” and their rich cultural and religious traditions.

The main focus of the pope’s visit, his 101st trip abroad, was a beatification Mass for a Bosnianborn Croatian layman, Ivan Merz, a liturgical pioneer and lay activist who died from meningitis in 1928 at the age of 31. His beatification was originally scheduled for Croatia, where he worked and died, but Banja Luka’s bishop persuaded the pope that holding the ceremony locally would be a big morale boost for his diocese’s Catholics, who suffered greatly in the 1990s’ war.

As many as 35,000 pilgrims from Bosnia and neighboring countries cheered the pope with chants of “John Paul II, we love you,” and Wildly waved yellow and white Vatican flags.

“From this city, marked in the course of history by so much suffering and bloodshed,” the pope said in his homily, “I ask Almighty God to have mercy on the sins committed against humanity, human dignity and freedom also by children of the Catholic Church and to foster in all the desire for mutual forgiveness.”

The crowd — which included a Serbian Orthodox delegation and Muslim and Jewish representatives — hung on the pope’s words attentively and responded with brief, polite applause. □ c n s

coordinated by Baptist pastor Pieter Bouma, was pastor Gianni Genre, moderator of the Waldensian Table, to which Italian Methodists adhere. The latter number some 5,000 out of a total of 80 million Methodists worldwide.

Split from Anglicanism, the Methodists — among whom there are various denominations — owe their start to Wesley and his friend George Whitefield, who met at Oxford in 1740.

Wesley and Whitefield sought a new method of religious perfection based on prayer, the reading of the Bible in common, and mutual vigilance. Their social and philanthropic tendency attracted many followers. □ z e n i t

CHOOSE

SINGAPORE I AUSTRALIA I NEW ZEALAND I THAILAND PR / B usiness / R e t ir e m e n t V isas & C o m p a n y R e g is tra tio n s

201 Goldhill Centre, Thomson Road, Singapore 307637.

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

ASEANA PTE LTD 11 K e n g C h e o w S t r e e t # 0 2 - 0 5 R iv e r s id e P ia z z a S in g a p o re 0 5 9 6 0 8

Books, CDs, Candles, Incense, Statues...

T el:

6 4 3 8 -6 9 0 9

Email: e n q u irie s @ ty w tla w .c o m

G e ttin g m a r r ie d s o o n ?

Are you looking for an experienced organist and singer^* N for your church wedding? Look no further!

J4 kCall: Philip Ignatius Lye (6566-1683) Organist and singer For a wide selection of hymns and songs for your special occasion.

DESIGN & PRINT Brochures | Invitations | Newsletters | Magazines | Certificates | Stickers I Business Cards I Carbonless Forms

terranceang.com 16269 7080 Qigong exercise is the way to strengthen the immune system An easy-to-leam exercise. Ideal for anyone at any age.

It takes fifteen m inutes to do the exercise.

Enquiry: contact Joseph instructor 9180-4083 Registration: contact Teresa G oh 9622-4804 Fee: $55 per person (including notes and 8 lessons taught in English) C om m encing date: July 16, 2003 Day and time: every W ednesday 7.15 pm to 8.15 pm Venue: St Josep h ’s C hurch (Victoria Street carpark)

PERSONALINJURIES MOTOR & INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT CLAIMS G A N E S H & C O L IN

5 IB T em p le S tre et

GANESH S RAM ANATHAN C O L IN K A N G S E N G K O K

w w w .g r c k .c o m .s g la w @ g r c k .c o m .s g

S in g a p o re 0 5 8 5 9 6 A D V O C A TES & SO L IC IT O R S Tel: (6 5 ) 6 3 2 3 -2 5 6 5 Lawyers F ax : (6 5 ) 6 3 2 3 -2 3 7 3

Do you w a n t to im p ro v e y o u rse lf o r le a rn so m eth in g new ?

M A D O N N A S K IL L S C E N T E R offers short term courses th at suit you in every way, every day!

Computer (MS Word & Excel) Tailoring Nursing Aide /Caregiving Curtain & Cushion Sewing Hairstyling

Dressmaking Bookeeping English Language Ballroom Dancing Cooking and Baking

Bring along a copy of your passport, work permit & 2 x 2 ID photo.

C O M E & R E G I S T E R early!

(For migrants workers only! First come, first serve)

R egistration: A ll S u n d ays in July, 10 am -3 pm

M A D O N N A S K IL L S C E N T R E Tel: 6284-8797

11 H illside D rive

For enquires call: Marivic at 6733-1679 / 9668-6830

or CMI at 6280-5424

Sundays July 6 and July 13,2003 Catholic News

6

News

Forty archbishops receive pallium in Rome

Findings have been sent to Rom e for investigaton. If approved by the pope, B lessed Dam ien w ill be declared a saint.

VATICAN CITY—Forty

archbishops received the pallium from Pope John Paul II Sunday June 29, the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul.

The pallium is a white woolen band, embroidered with six black crosses. Worn around the neck, it recalls the figure of the Good Shepherd who carries a lamb on his shoulders and is a symbol of the authority of the archbishops and their union with the pope.

Among the new metropolitans who received the pallium were Archbishop Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur, and Archbishop John Ha Tiong Hock of Kuching.

Other Asian archbishops who received the pallium were: — Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandes of Gandhinagar, India.

— Archbishop Peter Fernando of Madurai, India.

— Archbishop Charles Bo, of Yangon, Myanmar.

— Archbishop Paul Grawng of Mandalay, Myanmar.

By Patrick Downes

ArchbishopMurphyPakiamof KualaLumpur wasinRometo receivethepallium.

In addition, two metropolitan archbishops will receive the pallium in their respective sees: Archbishops Alapati Mataeliga of Samoa-Apia, Samoa, and Florentinus Sului Hajang Hau, of Samarinda, Indonesia. □

Sri Lankan archbishop urges use of parish feast funds to help poor COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A Sri Lankan archbishop has appealed to the country’s 1.7 million Catholics to celebrate lessextravagant parish feasts and to use the money to help the poor.

Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo appealed to Catholics to use money to aid victims of recent floods as well as poor archdiocesan parishes and poorer dioceses in Sri Lanka.

Over the next five months, Sri Lankan parishes are scheduled to honor their patron saints, all leading to larger celebrations at four national shrines.

“Parish-level celebrations often have much to be desired, such as in rectifying the extravagance and commercialism that at times even run counter to the spirit of Christian celebration,” he said.

Instead, the archbishop suggested that Catholics consider donating money to some poor parishes within the archdiocese and contribute to a missionary fund that would help poor parishes in the country’s other dioceses.

He also asked Catholics to think of people who had been devastated by floods . □ u c a n , c n s

FIVE CROWNS AUTO TRADING THREE CROWNS AUTO ENTERPRISI

D e a lin g in used Cars, Insurance a n d F inance “ We also o ffe r be st prices fo r yo u r o ld cars."

A lfre d Koh DID: 6552-5550 H/P: 9456-7818

Thomson / Tagore Used Car Centre Lot 19 (81-T, Tagore Lane) Singapore 787520 Tel: 6455-0822 (5 Lines) Fax: 6455-7204

Joyful Marriage & Child Adoption Agency I D , Y io C h u K a n g R o a d , S in g a p o r e 5 4 5 5 1 0 • M a n y b a b ie s fr o m A s ia n c o u n tr ie s • V e r y a ffo r d a b le a d o p tio n p a c k a g e • I n te r e s t-fr e e in s ta lm e n t p la n s

Persons to contact: A lic e N g F r a n c is T a n P e te r T an

A D a m ie n m ir a c le

: O f f ic e :HP :HP

6382 3253 9858 4777 9062 7793

W e b r in g y o u B u n d l e s o f J o y !

R oc R egistration No.: 5290464 D

Website: ww w.childadoptioninternational.com

HONOLULU — It is Capuchin Franciscan Father Robert Maher’s personal opinion that a miracle occurred. If the pope agrees, Blessed Damien de Veuster could be declared a saint.

Father Maher, an associate pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea, was the delegate judge on the six-member tribunal formed earlier this year by Honolulu Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo to investigate an alleged healing attributed to the intercession of Blessed Damien.

Blessed Damien is the Belgian Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary missionary priest who served at the leper colony of Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands from 1873 until his death in 1889. Leprosy, which is now known as Hansen’s disease, was incurable and Father Damien contracted it from working with his people.

Pope John Paul II beatified Blessed Damien in 1995. A miracle is the final requirement for his canonization.

The tribunal’s task was not to determine if the cure was “miraculous,” but to gather evidence that would ultimately help the pope make that decision.

The New Catholic Encyclopedia defines a miracle as “an extraordinary event, perceptible to the senses, produced

by God in a religious context as a sign of the supernatural.”

The tribunal gathered medical and personal testimony on the extraordinary and unexplainable

St Therese’s parents closer to beatification ROME - Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, are moving a step closer to beatification.

Only the signature of the archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, is required to close the diocesan phase of the process of recognition of the inexplicable cure of a child, attributed to the Martins’ intercession, according to the Italian newspaper Avvenire.

Pietro Schiliro was bom on May 25, 2002, with severely deformed lungs and serious respiratory problems. When he was baptized last June 2, his parents were told that his death was imminent. . Pietro’s parents started a novena to Louis and Zelie Martin, praying for their child’s

nature of the alleged cure and on the corresponding devotion to Blessed Damien on the part of the person cured.

Its findings will be thoroughly examined by the doctors and theologians of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes in Rome,

FatherDamiendeVeusterposes foraphotoat theKalaupapaleper colonyonMolokai intheHawaiian Islandsweeksbeforehisdeathin 1889.CNSfilephoto which will then make its final recommendation to the pope. The pope almost always accepts the congregation’s recommendations.

Father Maher said he was “impressed by the tremendous faith” of the woman healed, whose name was not made public by the diocese. “She has a tremendous devotion to Father Damien.”

The cure in question involved

cure. Within weeks, the child’s condition improved notably. Last Sunday, Pietro celebrated his first birthday. He shows no vestiges of his birth defects.

The doctors who studied the case say there is no scientific explanation to justify the child’s cure.

The results of the investigation of the cure will be sent to Rome, where the dossier will be studied by committees of doctors and of theologians. If their conclusions agree with those of the Milan researchers, the case will be taken to a Consistory of Cardinals, which would give its approval in the pope’s presence.

Louis (1823-1894) and Zelie (1831-1877) Martin are known as the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, who was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997. Married in 1858, the Martins had nine children. Four died in infancy and five entered the religious life.

In March 1994 the pope proclaimed the Martin spouses

the disappearance without treatment of cancer from the lungs of a Honolulu woman four years ago.

The case was documented in an article about “complete spontaneous regression of cancer” published by Dr. Walter Y.M. Chang, in the October 2000 issue of the Hawaii Medical Journal.

According to the article, three malignant lung tumors were discovered by X-ray in September 1998. The cancer was a reappearance of matching malignancies surgically removed earlier from other parts of the body.

The patient, upon learning of her condition, began prayers to Blessed Damien and pilgrimages to the place where he worked and died. A month later, before treatment had begun, an X-ray showed the tumors had decreased in size.

Monthly X-rays revealed further shrinkage until scans in May and October 1999 could find no sign of the cancer. The doctor’s comment was that the “lung metastases disappeared with no therapy at all.”

The tribunal’s monthlong process involved seven meetings and interviews with six medical doctors, the former cancer patient, her husband and sister, and two priests who had counseled the patient. Of the doctors, most of whom were not Catholic, five were connected with the care of the patient and one was independent.

The Vatican investigation of the alleged miracle could take one or many years. □ c n s

venerable. They might soon be the second married couple to be beatified simultaneously. Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi were beatified in October 2001. □

ZENIT

World congress on St Therese in November ROME - A world congress will be held in Rome on St. Therese of Lisieux, to mark the fifth anniversary of her declaration as a doctor of the Church.

“Therese of Lisieux: Her Message for Today” is the motto of the congress, which will be held Nov. 10-11 at the Gregorian University.

The congress, which is free and open to all, will be in Italian and English.

More information is available at s u e n e n s @ jc u .e d u or s u e n e n s @ a o l.c o m . □

z e n it

Catholic News Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003

7

r

T /'-'tT

■r

i

«

A Q

uarterly

N

ew sletter of the

S in g a p o r e P

asto ral

I n s t it u t e

http .//www.catholic.org.sglSPII

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE “Philip ... heard him reading the prophet Isaiah (and) asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?” ’ Acts 8:30-31

A

C. To help bridge the gap between the Biblical Message and today’s local culture, through: 1. The UNDERSTANDING of Scripture, as a CALL to a conversion of life, the creation of communities of faith, and the present and final realisation of the Kingdom of God.

s we celebrate Bible Sunday, we reflect jn the great privilege of receiving the written word of God - the Bible. Yet, as Philip 2. was reminded, there is still the need for us to understand what is written, and for guidance towards that understanding. “ ...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

3.

But, how are they to call on one whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?" Rom 10:13-15a

The INCORPORATION of Scripture into the totality of Christian communitarian life: Liturgy, Religious Education, and Spirituality The UTILISATION of Scripture: to proclaim the Good News to the World: KERYGMA, and to nourish the community of Christians: CATECHESIS.

It is with this realisation that we recognise the need for greater effort to promote the Biblical Apostolate in our Archdiocese. What are the aims of the Biblical Apostolate?

A. To teach people to know and love the written word of God for the enrichment of their own spiritual life and for the benefit of all.

On the occasion of Bible Sunday, let’s commit ourselves to deepen our love and knowledge of the Word, as individuals, families, and parish communities. Each one of us is called and sent to be “apostles” of the Word. We could better equip ourselves by means of the various Bible courses and programmes of study/sharing that are available in the parishes as well as in the Singapore Pastoral Institute. Reading and sharing the scripture texts for the daily Mass and relating them to the events of the day can be a wonderful way of letting the Word come alive in us.

It is the wish of the Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate to provide for the needs of all who wish to study and share the Word of God. Support your parish efforts in promoting the Bible by participating in the various biblical courses and programmes being organised. We need to encourage one another to build community founded on the Word of God and this encouragement often needs to be seen and felt. In a world where events often leave us confused or disillusioned, let us love and help each to see and acknowledge that God’s Word is indeed “a lamp to my feet and a light to my

path" Ps 119:105

B. To help experience the Bible as a MESSAGE: a CALL from God to FORM a NEW PEO I A the KINGDOM.

Fr. Ambrose Vaz is Director of the Biblical Apostolate

C elebrate

theW qrd ofG od !

B IB L E SUNW July 13 2003

ambvaz@catholic.org.sg

Sharing the Word of God in Small Christian Communities (SCCs) start, they have taken the 7-Steps Gospel sharing as the foundation for their SCCs. Hence it is significant to ask what is unique about this method?

1.

Jesus Is The Leader

Unlike other methods, here Jesus is the sole leader. The facilitator’s task is only to read out the steps and moderate in the 6th step. We invite the Risen Lord right at the start so that he may lead.

2.

Fr. Arthur Pereira (left) is the Director SCCs, Mangalore.

An Indian experience shared

by Fr Arthur Pereira

Christian life. Some of their replies were: “The word of God has changed my life”; “Now I have come closer to my neighbour in love”; “Family prayer has become very ed ited by W endy L o u is important for me now”; “I have come closer n March 2000 a group of twenty South to my family members”; “In the beginning Koreans had an exposure programme on only a few were participating in the 5th Small Christian Communities in Mangalore step, now the number has increased and it and Goa dioceses. Sixteen of them were has bonded us together”; “The word of life priests from six different dioceses, headed gives daily spiritual nourishment”; “This by the director of the Pastoral Institute, Fr. method gives us strength to serve the needy Francis Chung, of Seoul archdiocese. There every month with a definite activity”; “Due were two journalists among them. One of to this method the word of God has the questions they asked during an effectively entered our life.” interaction with leaders of one parish in Mangalore, was “What good has the 7After almost ten years of using a Steps of Gospel sharing done to you?” The systematic approach we now have SCCs in spontaneous replies given by the members 140 out of 150 parishes. Of course, these really gave us an insight into how the 7SCCs numbering over 1000 are at different Steps has been a great tool for growth in stages of their growth. But right from the

I

Based On The Bible

We cannot have this method without the word of God or the Bible. The word of God is a sacramental sign and the Risen Lord hidden behind these words becomes really present.

3.

The Community Is Needed

This method is given for a community. It is not meant for individual prayer. The members of the body of Christ meet Christ to strengthen their bond with Him and with each other.

4.

Active Participation

Here all have equal opportunity to participate in all the steps. Nobody is expected to play a major role while others listen. All, rich and poor, learned or those with little education, youth as well as adults - all become brothers and sisters in Christ.

5.

6.

Time For Silence

This is much needed these days. It is the 4th step. To listen to the Risen Lord like Mary at His feet, and “to choose the right path” is crucial.

7.

Not For Others But For Self

In preaching or exhorting, we easily try to apply the word of God to others and to situations in general. But in the 7-Steps, I have to find out what Jesus is saying to me today. The same Jesus is expressing his desire “Come down, I must stay in your house today.” The 7-Steps Gospel sharing prepares the field for the Sower so that we can “bear as much as a hundred-fold fruit”.

8.

We Share The Faith

Jesus offers to each one the most precious treasure of good news in the 4th step.

When I share the same with others and when others share their good news with the rest, we do what the early Christians did. We share our faith and become one heart and one mind.

9.

Service Is Essential

There is no real Gospel Sharing without action. The 7-Step method fills us with the heart and mind of Christ and guides us to follow his footsteps in “washing each other’s feet” and to find him in the “least of our brethren”.

Easy To Concentrate

The word of God is alive. The texts that we read, the words that we select, the sharing that we do, the spontaneous prayer that we make are all conducive to focus our attention on Jesus throughout.

“Listen! I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his house” Rev 3:20

Published on July 6, 2002 in the EXAMINER of MUMBAI.

Sundays July 6 and July 13,2003 Catholic News

8

Bible Sunday Catholic Neighbourhood Families (CNF) The Deeper Reality C on trib u ted by J e n n ifer N oronha

I

often pondered on w hat C N F really is all about before I got m yself involved in CNF. I guess it all began during the Parish A ssem bly in St M ichael’s.

D uring the Parish Assem bly, I began to understand w here the church was heading particularly in the area of being a participative and collaborative com m unity o f believers. A nd by that it m eant that the com m unity is m ade up o f people who saw a vision o f sharing and love in these small com m unities.

T his m ade m e realize that the C N F is not ju st another parish group like that of, say, SSV D P or Legion o f M ary or Catechists.

CN F in short is a way o f life, a way o f being a participative and coresponsible church right in the heart o f where I live. It is in the diocese’s plan that in the bigger picture o f things, there w ill com e a day when in each neighbourhood we will have a com m unity o f believers, com m union m inisters who give com m union to the hom e bound, Catechists who can teach the children, SSV D P m em bers who

visit the less fortunate, fam ily life people who m inister to those with fam ilies and so on and so forth.

It was so very exciting for me to have been blessed with this deep understanding o f where the church was heading. However, I also saw that it was going to be a long and difficult journey towards this end because believers have been so used to the idea o f being involved in the big parish and therefore cannot see such an aw esom e new understanding.

A paradigm shift was w hat it called for and we all know that this will take time. I sincerely believe that we will one day reach this end but it m ust begin with taking the first step. Each of us m ust be co-creators in the neighbourhood, ie becom e a part o f a fam ily com m unity w hether you are a Com m union M inister, Catechist, SSV D P m em ber etc.

Say I am involved in two m inistries. I am a warden and a choir member.

W here do I belong? M y answ er was to be a daughter o f the Father living out m y daughter-hood in the W ham poa CNF. As such, I am actually saying that I am living out my Christian vocation as His daughter in the W ham poa neighbourhood. And where does my parish m inistry fit in this picture?

In m y recent illness and having to be at hom e, I saw the W ham poa com m unity becom e the collaborative and coresponsible church in the area where I

Jen n ifer (extrem e left) a n d her Sm all C hristian C om m unity, together w ith Fr. A n g e l L uciano. live. M em bers prayed for m e and even visited me in hospital during m y recent operation, I received Holy Com m union from Fr A lbert Ng through the com m unication o f m em bers o f the community.

M y neighbour Henry is a good handy­ m an and cam e over to fix the lighting.

Fong Leng cooked liver to help me regain my strength. D aphne even went to the nearby m arket to buy m e some housecoats as I was still recuperating.

There were others who cam e by ju st to offer their time.

By this bonding, I was able to see how this com m unity o f believers not only prayed for m e but cam e to see to my tem poral needs as well and like the

This is how we norm ally begin our regular gathering as an SCC (Small Christian Community). We are known as SCC 16, that is the SCC o f district 16 from the Church o f St. Bernadette. Since the year 2000, w e’ve been m eeting in the homes o f m em bers fortnightly, first on Fridays then later on Saturdays. A t each m eeting we conscientiously use the 7-step Gospel sharing m ethod to encounter the Word o f God.

Teresa’s com m unity gathers around the W ord o f G od.

A Light unto Our Path A Community Encounter of Gospel Sharing C on trib u ted by Teresa Lye G ospel Sharing fa c ilita to r & SC C trainer (M andarin & E n g lish )

ood evening brothers and sisters.

Thank you Cindy & Perry fo r opening your home to welcome us. Let us now prepare our hearts and minds to welcome Jesus to our m idst.”

G

“Lord Jesus, you said where two or three are gathered in your name, you will be there in their midst. We invite you now to come into the midst o f our humble gathering, Lord.” “ M ark chapter 6, verses 7 to 13.”

“Then Jesus went to the villages around there, teaching the people....”

Initially, some o f us were already friends while the rest were unfamiliar with one another. But now we know each one to be a brother or sister o f the same faith, and we come together as a family to get a taste o f com m unity life as well as experience the Lord through the Word.

Did we start off thinking we would be able to achieve what we have now?

Honestly, we were not sure then, but somehow we believed that if we kept the Bible as the centre o f our gathering and sharing, we w ouldn’t go far wrong.

We fum bled at first with the Bible and o f course, sharing out loud how a Gospel phrase or word touched us was even more awkward. Now after 3 years, what do we have to say? Both M adeline and Angeline agree that reading and sharing the com ing Sunday’s Gospel text helps them to rem em ber the Gospel m essage better and serves as a rem inder

early C hristian com m unities I tasted the L o rd ’s goodness in that everyone shared and I was not in want.

In m y experience o f com m unity life in W ham poa / Jalan Bahagia neighbourhood, I am determ ined to live in faith m ore deeply com m itted to the vision and to m ake Jesu s’ dying wish “Father m ake us one so that the w orld will believe that you sent m e” a concrete reality right where I live!

Thank you m y brothers and sisters for deepening m y faith in God. I am sure God is not done w ith m e yet and I am equally sure He is not done with you too! Jesus paid in full, let us spread his love in the neighbourhood.

every day to live the gospel life.

Angeline adds that coming together as a com m unity o f believers and sharing our deepest selves through Gospel sharing has bonded us in a special way. We actualise and experience a truly Christian life, one with Christ as the centre.

Previously, the Bible was for m e an ornam ental piece on our hom e altar, now it has becom e a fam iliar book o f life. We turn to G o d ’s W ord for com fort, guidance and assurance o f our share in the treasures o f heaven. Cindy, who seldom turned the pages o f the Bible before, after experiencing G ospel sharing w ith the com m unity in the last 3 years, now reads the Bible every night and finds great jo y and strength in the Word.

Before, we w ere fam iliar strangers to one another. N ow we are deeply bonded through His W ord as we have opened our hearts, our lives and our world to one another. The W ord o f God has definitely com e alive in our lives thanks to the com m unity that com es together to share, we have tasted the sweetness o f com m unity life, we have tasted God! W ith G ospel sharing, we now do not w alk alone, we walk together. Thy word is a lamp unto our

fe e t and a light unto our path!

Catholic News Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003

9

Bible Sunday

Exit the church Enter the Church I see catechumens being sent out of church after the homily every Sunday.

Doesn’t that seem inhospitable of us Catholics? What do they do after they leave the church?

Puzzled Catholic

Dear Puzzled, Let’s begin with a story.

Sanjay was a visiting foreign student on an exchange program. His host, Karen, invited him home to meet her family and to learn more about the local culture over dinner. On his arrival, Sanjay was given a place at the dining table, where Karen’s family gathered for the meal.

As conversation began, Karen’s family paid little attention to Sanjay, who spoke little English. Later, to his shock and surprise, Sanjay discovered that he was

not served any food at all! Karen told him, “Sanjay, you are most welcome to join us here every evening and learn all you can about our culture by observing us.”

Few people would say that Sanjay was treated hospitably. However, when Catholics deliberately celebrate the eucharist in the presence of those who are not yet baptised, the situation is not too far from Sanjay’s story.

Baptised into Christ, Catholics enter into the eucharist as more than mere spectators.

When Catholics gather to offer thanks and praise to God the Father, it is Christ himself who prays through them. At the celebration of the eucharist, Catholics take part in the priestly work of Christ to pray for the world, and to offer thanksgiving and sacrifice. Those who are unbaptised are not able to take part in this priestly ministry.

During the Rite of Acceptance, catechumens express to the Catholic community their desire for God’s word to

shape their lives. Through this act, they become a recognised part of the community that hears and is formed by the word. The Church admits them to the liturgy of the word so that they may be taught, strengthened, challenged, and converted by Christ who is powerfully present in the proclamation of scripture.

When the assembly prepares to celebrate the eucharist, the catechumens are invited to go and deepen their understanding of the word of God. They are blessed by the priest and leave the church accompanied by the assembly’s prayers in the form of sung acclamations. Then, in a prayerful setting, a lay minister of the word guides the catechumens to share their experience of the liturgy - ‘breaking open’ the word so that God’s invitation to grow in faith can be heard. This way, each catechumen becomes more familiar with connecting scripture with life itself and learns to face the challenges put forth by Christ in the gospels. The ritual dismissal of catechumens has become an

indispensable part of preparing individuals for Christian discipleship.

‘Dismissal’ may sound negative if not understood as ‘sending off for a purpose’.

Catholics are dismissed after the liturgy of the eucharist to ‘break’ open our own lives to build God’s kingdom. In like fashion, catechumens are dismissed after the liturgy of the word to ‘break’ open their lives, allowing God’s word to prepare them for their baptism. Whenever we see catechumens being dismissed to reflect on the word of God, we are reminded of how important proclaiming the word is in the life of the Church. We begin to cherish our baptismal dignity and responsibility more.

Catechumens being sent to break the word is an assurance that the Church is indeed growing - definitely something worth celebrating every Sunday!

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION beginning my idea was simply p till 2001, my life centred to attend weekly lessons and be on my career. Towards the end of that year my complacencybaptized. I was not prepared for was shaken. God tested me at mya transformation and personal meeting with God - feeling his workplace for several months love and forgiveness, the touch and I lost my self-worth and of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus confidence. I became Christ who suffered for us. Each discouraged and depressed. time I fell, Jesus picked me up At one healing session in St and comforted me. My faith and Michael’s Church, a minister trust grew stronger. asked me “Do you promise to be Never have I felt so happy and faithful to God, to come to joyful than being among our church everyday?” How could I RCIA group and the closeness come to church daily? and warm fellowship that Impossible! developed within. Their Somehow, the question stayed in inspiration, support and my mind, over and over again. A guidance have sustained me all simple thanksgiving to God for this time. God smoothed the answering my prayers was not way for me to leave work on enough. I felt a very strong urge time for my weekly lesson. I to know more about the Catholic attended Masses faithfully with faith. I eagerly signed up for the a deeper and meaningful RCIA. understanding. I longed to receive Holy Communion but The past year has been an could only watch from my seat. amazing journey. In the

U

C ecilia (second fro m left) a n d A n g ie (centre) together w ith other N eophytes.

NEOPHYTES ’ TESTIMONIES

I

n January 2001,1 found a lump m my breast. Since both doctors I went to told me it was probably nothing, I went through a battery of tests - ultrasound scans, fine needle biopsy, mammograms with a light heart. The results were inconclusive and I had to go for a minor surgery to extract a tissue sample for further testing. The test results shattered my peacefulness: it was cancer.

Cancer has wrought much pain in my life. My mother died of it when I was just 14 and it took my dad two years ago. My parents went through hell battling their illnesses.

I remember how chemotherapy reduced my mum to a bald-headed bag of skin and bones. Her stomach was distended with fluid retention which had to be drained at the hospital every week. My teenage years were spent mostly in hospital, weeping silent tears as I watched kids staring at mum, calling her ‘freak’ behind her back.

SPI RCIA Coordinator send inquiries & feedback to spircia@catholic.org.sg

She died a painful death, and that hurt everyone in the family.

When dad was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, my world fell apart again. Despite his cheerful spirit, he suffered the ravages of a massive surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. His spirit was not broken, but his body rapidly deteriorated. In his final hours, he asked for God’s forgiveness and was baptised a Christian at his deathbed. While my sister and brother, both Christians, took comfort from the fact that Dad was now with God, I felt sceptical over Dad’s change of faith. Dad had been a diehard atheist.

As the news of my own illness was told to me, all the dreaded memories came back. I told Wilson, my husband, that I would never go through chemotherapy. I especially didn’t want my kids to go through what I experienced as a child - tormented by seeing

someone you love slowly and painfully diminishing every day. I wanted them to remember me as I was - full of energy, happy and laughing - for as long as I could.

Things happened quickly. I received the bad news on Friday, sought a second opinion on Saturday, and was scheduled for a mastectomy on Tuesday. That weekend, I felt a compelling need to go to church. Deep inside me, I felt so much fear for my children.

Who would mother, love and nurture them the way I did? They were still so young - one was 22 months old and the other was 5.

In my despair, I turned to God. As I sat in the pews of St. Bernadette church for the first time in almost two decades, God answered my prayer.

Miraculously, I felt the darkness in me lifting. For the first time in many days, I felt peace in my heart. I knew deep inside God would be there for my children.

Holding on to this faith, I went into the operating theatre peacefully. I felt His presence when I awoke from the anaesthesia. Over the next few nights the pain got pretty bad. I would pray to Him and He never failed to grant me sleep thereafter.

God gave me courage to face chemotherapy. He gave me humour so that I could joke about my ‘botak’ look with my children and in so doing got them to accept the side effects of my treatment.

He gave me strength to accept what I can’t change. God granted me talent so that I would spend my days in bed making teddy bears and other crafts for charity.

Most of all, my eyes were opened to the gifts God had given me: my wonderful family who stood by me, my friends, who inundated me with care, my bosses and colleagues, who helped in my working arrangement, the doctors

I now accept what God wants for me and not question why I had been put to the test many times.

I have learnt to let go of my ill feelings, pettiness and quick judgement on others. Material goods have become less important to me. In return, God gave me peace, joy and comfort.

He opened my eyes to love and compassion for others. I was healed of my eczema condition.

I appreciate my family more.

I learn to pray for others first before praying for myself.

I was uprooted from my everyday routine when I fractured my right foot recently.

With faith and determination, I walked up in a cast to give glory to God at my baptism. No obstacle will hold me back from continuing to walk the new journey God calls me to.

Cecilia Loke

StBernadetteChurchRCIA2002-3 and nurses who kept me going with a smile everyday. Every time I was well enough to go outdoors for light exercise, I would look at the blue sky, the flowers, the bees and butterflies. I thanked God for being alive to enjoy His creation. I was beginning to see the world in a new light. I felt bom again.

It’s been almost two years since my surgery. I attended RCIA for a year and was baptised this Easter.

My RCIA journey helped me grow tremendously. I found special encouragement in prayers, especially the prayers of my RCIA mates.

I’m thankful that God allows me to live yet another day to the fullest. And through my new­ found faith, I know that Dad freely chose to walk with God at death.

As I will when my time comes.

Angie Lim

St BernadetteChurchRCIA2002-3

10

Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003 Catholic News

LIBRARY Book Review Asian Dreams and Christian Hope At the Dawn of the Millennium

If you believe that dreams can come true and you have a keen eye for the effects of globalization on the poor and what the response of the Asian church should be, then this book may interest you. I say ‘may interest you’, because although the author is well-versed with the economics of globalization, he stresses more on India, with sporadic references to other countries in Asia. I suppose it’s because he is more knowledgeable of his own country.

In the early part of the book, the author gives a well-rounded view of the effects of globalization on the poor and marginalized, to whom he calls a “subaltern” culture, meaning “of inferior rank,” like the caste system, tribals, women, etc. The author is concerned that the trouble with globalization is that it seems to believe the future of the world is in the net-working of the entire globe, and forgets the primary question of survival which is that of the victims.

ASIAN DREAMS AND CHRISTIAN HOPE At the Dawn of the Millennium

By Felix Wilfred

This is connected to human rights, but the idea of human rights in Asia may not necessarily be the same as in the West.

Human rights are linked to cultural and Asian values. Here, he defends Asian Paperback: 312 pages women, who have long suffered in the Publisher: the Rev. Ashish Amos of the church, in India and in other Asian Indian Society for Promoting Christian countries as well. In Asia, particularly Knowledge (ISPCK), Post Box 1585, those countries under Confucian influence, Kashmere Gate, Delhi - 110006. the family and kinship have greater importance than and priority over the individual, the primary reference point of hy the title “Asian Dreams and human rights in the Western liberal Christian Hope?” According to the tradition. Here, he mentions, Singapore’s author, people dream always for a better Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, as an future. And while they can dream, there is outspoken champion of this. hope. People are ready to bear any suffering as long as they are able to see However, the author believes that light at the end of the tunnel. globalization is going back to the law of

W

New Resources Videos The Visual Bible ACTS Volumes 1-4 M atthew Volumes 1-4

the jungle, of the survival of the fittest.

And obviously the poor would be at the bottom of the food chain. That’s why he writes, that any state that promotes neo­ liberal economy and capitalist market and at the same time wants to be protector of human rights, which are more the rights of the poor, obviously falls into deep contradiction.

And how should the church deal with this? He recommends the hope of a new shape of Christianity. In its history, Christianity has been often tempted by the splendour of universalistic and imperial models of unity. But this new shape of Christianity must be seen from the perspective of the poor. A church historian like Eusebius was so much taken up by Constantine’s empire that he saw in it not only God’s providential instrument for the expansion of the church, but apparently also the very realization of Jesus’ vision of God’s Kingdom. But when faced with a multi-cultural society like India this idea of God’s Kingdom has severe limitations.

If globalization is not primarily to elevate the poor from their ‘dung heap’, then it must be for the rich who become richer. He even quotes historian Michel Mollet’s work, that in the twelfth century the poor were referred to as vicarious Christi - the vicar of Christ. And this being the case, the church should help to promote the Kingdom of God, not by looking at how we read the ‘Great Commission’ in Matthew 28:19 to go and baptize all nations in the world, but rather to look at Jesus and the ‘Sermon on the Mount”. For in the “Great Commission” mould, one would want to enhance the number of Christian converts in India. Here is where

The Living Pulpit is a unique source o f help to energise sermons in order to renew confidence in the power o f the preached Word.

of the

Books The Cultural Dictionary of the Bible

by John Pilch 220.3 PIL

Dr. Felix Wilfred is a professor in the School of Philosophy and Religious Thought, University of Madras. He is currently pursuing a research project on Christianity and Indian Culture, sponsored by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Book Review by Fr Glenn de Cruz, C.Ss.R. Redemptorist.

Done to Me

A

p p r o a c h

t o

P

r a y e r

Pope John Paul II and ^ The Ycat xiUhgjposary

£ r

S

c r ip t u r e

www.wau.org

The Story Keepers

Cultural Dkttotury

This is not an easy book to read, with political, social, theological and cultural jargon used, unless you are familiar with them. But for those who want to know the struggles of the poor in Asia, especially in India, and the challenge of the Christian response, in an age where globalization has taken root, then this book may give you some hope of a better tomorrow.

Or else, continue to dream.

Living Pulpit

The Life and Times of Jesus

The

To promote and encourage this change the author advocates a theology of liberation as an underlying concern working hand in hand with social sciences to help to bring about a spirituality with the interest of the poor at heart.

Periodicals

W ho was the real Jesus?

This acclaim ed series re-exam ines the questions and the evidence in a dramatic search for the historical Jesus.

An animated series on the Bible for children aged 6-12. Titles include : Breakout, Catacomb R escue, Raging Waters, Roar in the Night, Sink or Sw im , The Christmas Episode, Starlight Escape, and Trapped!

the Hindutra fundamentalists, who are promoting an exclusive nationalistic identity and are on the rise, exploit this to their advantage, claiming that all the Christians want to do is to convert the Hindus. And this has lead to communal tension and riots. According to scholars, a deeper reflection of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” will bring in a more balanced picture of the scriptural understanding of mission. However, these efforts need to be continued. They go in the direction of a better understanding of religious heritage and tradition of the other great Asian religions.

The Bible Today | Features: B iblical Update, Puzzling Passages, Seers’ Comer, Translating B iblical texts, A Window into the Biblical World, and Book R eview s.

Catholic News Sundays July 6 and July 13,2003

11

Viewpoints CatholicNews ED ITO R:

Msgr Eugene Vaz M ANAGER:

Rev. Fr. Johnson Fernandez STAFF CO RRESPO N D EN T:

Angry writers wrong on “culling of cats” debate on Class95

Ms. Mel Diamse-Lee

Foradministrativematters:

2 Highland Road #01-03 Singapore 549102 Tel: 6-858-3055 Fax: 6-858-2055 Email: cathnews@catholic.org.sg

Foreditorial matters: ■email: cnedit@catholic.org.sg Please include your full name, address, telephone nnumbers and e-mail address.

H o ld in g hands add n o th in g to c o m m u n it y b o n d in g I REFER to the letter from Carmel De Souza in CN June 22 and 29 and would like to say that I am one of the many others she referred to who believe that we should not resume the holding hands practice for the hygiene reasons she stated.

Further, I believe this practice has become merely a ritual during Mass and does not at all add to community bonding when the very same people holding hands during Mass lose patience with each other when they are driving out of a crowded church car park, or avoid eye contact and smiling at others when they walk in and out of the church.

If we can overcome our shyness or pride and reach out to each other with a simple smile or hello before or after Mass, we would indeed be taking great strides towards Christian community bonding.

Esther de Rozario Singapore 820187

CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent

COME JOIN US we are family the light of the nation

Sunday20thJuly2003 9.00am -

' 4.30p m

Mr Hawazi Dap Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower tickets available at school

a 62703050

I REFER to the articles by Rosalind Ong “Praise Rod Monteiro and the Flying Dutchman? No way!” (CN June 22) and “In praise of Rod Monteiro and the Flying Dutchman” (CN June 8) by Jillian Cheng.

On 27 May, Class95’s Morning Express show carried a heated debate on the culling of stray cats. Three distinct views were debated. Rod was against such an act, Flying Dutchman felt a cats’ ranch should be built to safeguard the animals, while Glenn was for the culling. We received many angry emails following the show from animal lovers who thought we were

instigating the culling of cats. We investigated and discovered that this originated from an email that badly misunderstood the debate and the writer’s feelings were forwarded to many others, like Ms Ong, who reacted angrily.

There are severe consequences for misquoting a written work, but none for a radio debate. The issue about “drowning cats en mass” was suggested by a cheeky listener’s sms. The DJs slammed the caller on air for his remarks.

The shipping of cats to Peru idea was a listener’s comment that was immediately put down by the DJs. We’ve gone on air to correct the misunderstanding and sadly,

P h o to o f pope y a w n in g b a d fo r im a g e

The last word on communion debate

I REFER to “Memories and magical moments from 25 years of papal travel” in CN June 22 and 29. The photograph on the top of page 16 shows our Holy Father yawning in his popemobile while entering Osijek, Croatia on June 7. It is his 100th trip out of Italy as pope.

John Travis has done a good job of highlighting many significant events on the pope’s travels to many countries.Indeed, “the trips have yielded many memories and magical moments”. In his own words, our Holy Father has traveled tirelessly throughout his pontificate “to get to know [the people of the world], embrace them and tell them all that God loves them”.

Now, if that is the case, why was this particular photograph of the pope yawning chosen for the article? Is it meant to imply that, at 83, he is tired of traveling? It is hardly a reflection of his determination to serve God’s people all over the world, despite his age and health, as seen from his recent trip to Croatia.

Since this is our own Catholic newspaper, I would like to urge you to be more selective in choosing the photographs of our leader that are to be published.

He is the Vicar of Christ, after all. As Catholics, we have a responsibility to protect the pope’s image and to present him to the public at his best, not at his moment of tiredness.

Joseph Eh Yong Sing Singapore 310163

I WOULD like to comment on some of the letters published in the Catholic News in May and June 2003 concerning receiving Holy Communion on the tongue or hand.

John Hui’s letter commented that properly done receiving Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling down with head tilted up “minimises the chances of the Minister’s hand coming into contact with the communicant’s tongue”.

The problem is some communicants do not hold up their heads in the proper manner and some even close their mouths before the Communion minister can finish depositing the Host onto their tongues, resulting in the Communion minister inadvertently coming into contact with the saliva of such communicants and even dropping the host on the floor.

Edith Tay’s letter stated that “the Body of Christ if received in sincere belief and with a pure

Ms Ong didn’t even tune into our show. She had (as admitted her mail) read a forwarded email and formed her own judgments about the personalities on the show. By the way, “lunatic” as mentioned

by Ms Ong, was not even heard throughout the entire morning show that day.

It’s important to clear the air, as Rod, Flying Dutchman and Glenn are good Catholic church-goers who practise religious obligations and duties with their families, relatives and friends. Rod and Flying Dutchman are godparents to many of their relatives’ children.

It’s unfair to attack their characters and morals based on inaccurate

heart will make inert every microbe that could be present on the communicant’s tongue or palm or the priest’s or Communion minister’s thumb and index finger”. This view is presumptuous and cannot be Catholic Church’s teaching. The Archbishop has recognised the potential health hazard of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue and the holding and shaking of hands during Mass, and has demonstrated that the Church has a social responsibility to prevent the spread of Sars by stopping these practices following the Sars outbreak.

We should not adhere to the contention made in Anthony Oei’s letter that Catholics be given the choice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue or hand. As pointed out in Raphael Leong Sai Moi’s letter , “it will be rude of us to step away when the person before us receives Communion on the tongue. We will also be placing

facts and stories.

I’d like to thank Ms Cheng for her original letter, which commented on the boys’ values on virginity. It’s very hard to be a fair media presenter (while maintaining relevance with the masses) without compromising one’s own individual beliefs and religious faiths. We hope our listeners can empathise and be more willing to praise than criticise.

Bernard Lim Senior Assistant Vice President English Progamming MediaCorp Radio

the person behind us in an onerous position.”

As medical experts have pointed out that Sars will continue to be around for a long time and new infectious diseases can arise, we should learn to change our mindset and accept the changes made by the Archbishop. We should practise social responsibility at all times.

Linda Liang Singapore 150093

THE EDITOR SAYS: We thank all those who wrote to us on the proper way to receive Holy Communion - on the tongue or on the hand . We have not been able to publish all the letters but those that made it into the newspaper have provided a reasonably broad range of views on the subject. We think it’s time to close the debate. No more letters on the subject will be published.

Please clarify procedure for collecting Holy Communion for sick.

DIFFERENT parishes seem to have different procedures for the collection of the sacred Host on behalf of the sick. I am a Communion minister and have been issued with an authorisation card by the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour to bring the sacred Host to my ailing grandmother.

Due to work commitments, I was unable to attend Mass at OLPS, going instead to Holy Family.

Hence I was very disappointed when I was not allowed to collect the Host at Holy Family even though I showed the authorisation card.

Please clarify this matter for me and also for all those who may be in a similar situation.

Maggie Poey Singapore 119963

“We are bom to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

Nelson Mandela

,

Sundays July 6 and July 13 2003 Catholic News

12

Viewpoints The behaviour of some people at Mass: An “old-timer” speaks his mind I AM a Catholic from the “old school” and it seems to me that many practices have changed.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Creator to seek his forgiveness for our sins. Now, take a look at the congregation at any Mass on a Sunday. The dressing is atrocious, especially the girls and women who think they’re going to a picnic, party or a fashion show. The men come in shorts, slippers and round neck T-shirts. I just can’t understand it.

Would these people dress the way they do when attending a function held by the Prime Minister of Singapore?

Attending Mass During the old days, poor we may have been, but we were all neatly dressed for Mass. It was only one hour once a week that we were obligated to be with our

Children They’re innocent and not to be blamed for what they do but surely they can be and should be taught to behave during Mass.

Instead the parents of these

children allow their children to make a playground of the church during Mass, especially during the homily. Some of these parents even participate in their play, laughing and giggling. What a shame. Why should the Church allow such things to take place and keep quiet about it?

Shouldn’t a wrong be corrected?

Latecomers We see so many in our churches, especially those with cars. Why? With today’s transportation services, there is no excuse.

Communion Look at the way some people queue for Communion — not

In Loving Memory with hands clasped . Why? Many talk and laugh while going to receive the Lord. Look at the way they return after receiving the Lord. It’s atrocious and unbecoming of a Catholic.

Priests should inform the congregation that a church is a place of worship and advise them on the dos and don’ts when attending Mass.

Everything has its rules and regulations. If one has decided to follow a religion, one should do so without question. It’s better to have fewer Catholics, all true to the faith, than to have huge numbers with different practices.

Cedric Fernandez

In a June 13 speech to participants in a congress organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family, Pope John Paul II warned o f dehumanizing threats against the family. To counter that threat, he asked politicians to use the Church’s “Charter o f the Rights o f the Fam ily” as a guide for affirmative action. The key points o f the charter is summarised below. W ill politicians act on the p op e’s advice?

HE 1983 “Charter of the Rights of the Family” consists of a preamble and 12 basic rights. The T preamble observes that even though the rights of a person are expressed as individual rights, they “have a fundamental social dimension which finds an innate and vital expression in the family.” It also clearly defines the family as being based on the marriage of a man and a woman united in an indissoluble bond of matrimony, open to the transmission of life. * The preamble also explains why the family should be considered as possessing special rights. The family is a natural society, existing prior to the state or any other community, explains the document. But it is more than just a sociological phenomenon.

The family is “a community of love and solidarity, which is uniquely suited to teach and transmit cultural, ethical, social, spiritual and religious values, essential for the development and well-being of its own members and of society.”

The rights listed in the charter commence with the affirmation that “All persons have the right to the free choice of their state of life and thus to marry and establish a family or to remain single.”

The second right stipulates: “Marriage cannot be contracted except by free and full consent duly expressed by the spouses.”

And each partner in marriage enjoys an equal dignity and rights.

The next two rights deal with the theme of procreation. The spouses have an inalienable right “to decide on the spacing of births and the number of children to be bom, taking into full consideration their duties towards themselves, their children already bom, the family and society.”

M A G N A C A R TA f o r

s tr o n g fa m ilie s

allowances, that will enable mothers not to be obliged to work outside the home, if they wish to dedicate themselves full time to family responsibilities.

Article 11 calls for families to have access to decent housing, “fitting for family life and commensurate to the number of the members.” The last article asks that families of migrants be given the same rights and protection as other families.

Achieving these rights will likely take different forms around the world, but the ideals expressed in the charter remain a valuable guide for families, 20 years on. □ z e n i t The complete document can be read at

Thefamilyisacommunityoflove andmust beprotected.

This decision should be taken in accord with objective moral values, and exclude contraception, sterilization and abortion.

The fifth article defends the right of parents to educate their children and to choose their schools for them. The charter expressly asks that children not be compelled to attend classes that are not in agreement with their own moral and religious convictions, particularly in the matter of sexual education.

Articles 6 and 7 of the charter deal with relations between the family and the state. Article 6 asks that public authorities “respect and foster the dignity, lawful independence, privacy, integrity and stability of every family.” The charter not only criticizes divorce, but argues in favour of help for the extended family system.

Article 7 maintains the right of each family “to live freely its own domestic religious life under the guidance of the parents.” This includes public worship and being able'to freely choose programs of religious instruction, without discrimination.

The remaining articles deal with socioeconomic matters.

Article 8 maintains that families have the right to be active in social and political functions, forming associations with other families and institutions. Article 9 calls upon governments to provide conditions that help families achieve a dignified standard of living. The matters mentioned range from the defense of property rights to social help in times of death or sickness, or help for children with special needs.

Article 10 calls for work to be organized in a way that enables family members to live together.

It also brings up the theme of a family wage, or some other means, such as family

http://www.vatican.va/ roman_curia/pontifical_councils/ family/documents/ rc_pc_family_doc_19831022_familyrights_en.html

Twelfth Anniversary

I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me shall never die.

In loving memory of

For those who have no-one to pray for them we pray to the Lord.

D A V ID H IM A T S IN G H

Departed: Jul 17, 1991 His smiling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall; He had a kind word for each And died beloved by all.

Some day we hope to meet him, Some day, we know not when, To clasp his hand in the better land, Never to part again.

Fondly remembered by loved ones.

|

Sixth Anniversary

I In loving memory of

j

; j R O B E R T ONG CHENG TH Y E

| Departed: July 8,1997 j Only the memory’s I left of the happiness we knew, Fourth Anniversary But the love In loving memory of ! that kindled memory’s torch | Will feed our whole lives through.

Fondly loved and remembered by Dinnie, children and grandchildren.

Twenty-first Anniversary

In loving memory of M A R Y C E C IL E KLASSEN

Departed: July 6,1999 j God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around her and whispered, “Come with me”.

With tear-filled eyes we watched her suffer S. SUSARETNAM and fade away.

Departed: July 12, Although we loved 1982 her deeply, We could not Today recalls sad make her stay. memories, A golden heart Of a dear father stopped beating, gone to rest, hard-working hands And the one who put to rest.

I thinks of him today God broke our hearts ! Is the one who loves to prove to us him best. he only takes the best.

Deeply missed by Deeply missed and wife, children and always remembered loved ones. with love by husband, A Mass will be children, grandsons, celebrated at the relatives and friends. | Church of Our Lady j of Lourdes, Eleventh Ophir Road on Anniversary July 13, 2003 at 8 am.

In memory of

Oh Holy St Jude, Apostle and Martyr, First Anniversary great in virtue and rich In loving memory of in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Heartfelt thanks to Christ, faithful Sacred Heart of Jesus, intercessor of all who Mother Mary, St invoke your special Joseph, Padre Pio and patronage in times of St Dominic Savio for need, to you I have prayers answered and recourse from the depth favours received. of my heart and humbly Continue to bless and beg to whom God has guide our family.” given such geat power Grateful P A T R IC K I to come to my GEO R G E j assistance. Help me in MRS L U C Y Holy Spirit; you who PESTANA my present and urgent G EO R G E N EE make me see Bom: April 19, 1930 ! i petition. In return I D A N K ER everything and show promise to make your Departed: July 11,1992 j Called peacefully me the way to reach name known and cause In cherish memory of | home to be with the my ideal. You who | you to be invoked. St beloved husband, Lord on July 6, 2002 give me the divine Jude, pray for us and father, and grandfather j gift to forgive and Eternal rest grant all who invoke your aid. who passed away forget the wrong that unto her, O Lord, Amen. Thanksgiving on the July 11, 1992 j is done to me and I and let your perpetual and heartfelt gratitude who are in all Dearest beloved one, j ! light shine upon her. to Our Lord and instances of my life The life of one we love j May her soul rest in Saviour Jesus Christ, with me. I, in this is never truly lost. peace, Amen Blessed Mother Mary short dialogue, want His life on earth leaves ! and Holy St Jude for Mass will be to thank you for those who love him. prayers answered. | celebrated at Church everything and Life is eternal, love is j j of the Holy Family ] Please continue to confirm once more mortal. Death is in bless my family and at 9.15 am for the that I never want to be me.Patricia Lim one temporary parting, j repose of her soul separated from you no We will be together j on July 6, 2003. matter how great the Sincere thanks to the again one day.

Sadly missed and material desires may Sacred Heart of Jesus, will always be Forever loved and Holy Mary and St Jude be. I want to be with remembered by: remembered by your j Thaddeus for prayers you and my loved children, Stephen, ones in your perpetual answered. May the most loving wife Joycelyn, | your daughter Monica, | Helen Marian, Julian glory. Please continue I Holy names of Jesus, spouse Nicholas, and j Jr, Basil and Lancelot, Mary and St Jude be to intercede for me. grandchildren grandson Emmanuel I loved and adored by all.

Amen. Christabell and all loved ones. and loved ones.

THANKSGIVING

Catholic News Sundays July 6 and July 13,2003

13

In Loving Memory In loving memory of Our Dearest Papa and Mummy

In loving'memory of

Trinity Casket Pte Ltd

Second Anniversary

Fifth Anniversary

In loving memory of

In loving memory of

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

Your Right Choice....

For: ~ • Complete & dignified funeral arrangements by professional and caring staff.

• Catholic male & female specialist embalmers.

Note: Female embalmer will attend to all female deceased.

IV A R EE D M A N U A L LO PEZ

M A R IA M LO PEZ

D eparted:Jul 12, 1988

A pr 12, 2003

M A N U E L A LLA IS (A LEX )

Our thoughts are always with both of you, Our hearts are sore with pain, This world would be like heaven, If you were both here again.

Lovingly remembered and cherished by all her children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Tenth Anniversary

Twenty-sixth Anniversary

In loving memory of

• Affordable air-conditioned memorial chapels with microphone, electronic organ & appropriate furnishing & lighting.

In loving memory of

j

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.

MRS TERESA RODRIGUES

RT REV M G R J.R. de R O ZA R IO

| Departed:Jul 18, 1998 Bom: Sept 1, 1928 | Departed: July 18,2001 We cannot forget you iOur loved one so dear; Eternal rest grant j Your memory grows I unto her Oh Lord ISweeter year after year, i and perpetual light shine upon her.

Eternal rest grant May her soul unto him, O Lord, and all the souls of and let your perpetual the faithful departed light shine upon him. through the mercy of i Fofever cherished and "God rest in peace. fondly remembered Dearly missed by by the staff of your loving husband, | The Catholic News, cousins, and children, grandchildren all loved ones. and relatives.

MARY CHIA PENG LUOE Departed: July 11, 1998 You are gone, dear mother Gone beyond the world of tears But in our hearts you live And always will in memory.

Fondly remembered by children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at 6 pm on Friday July 11, 2003 at Church of St Michael.

• All other funeral-related services including import & repatriation of human remains.

• No overtime charges.

• Special discount for Catholics.

• Catholic guidance counsellor Ms Olivia Stravens Pg: 9524-9940

Open 24 Hours Blk 38, #01-527/531, Sin M ing Drive, Singapore 575712 Tel: 6 4 5 1 - 4 4 9 6

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of

CASKET FAIRPRICE

Tel:6455-9909

C om plete one-stop funeral arrangem ents M A R IA SONG G U A N NEO

Departed: July 10,1993 \ The depths of sorrow we cannot tell O f the loss of one we love so well And while you sleep | a peaceful sleep Your memory : we shall always keep. j ; Fondly remembered

by Alice, Soon Huat I and all loved ones.

A ffordable air-con funeral parlours with facilities

f

A. THERESA MARY

Departed: July 12,1977j Take her in Thy arms, A R U L A N T H O N Y JO S E P H A R U L dear Lord, Bom : Aug 3, 1919 Apr 28, 1909 And ever let her be Departed:Jul 7, 1990 Apr 24, 2003 A messenger of love j Between our hearts Sweet memories cling to them. and Thee, Those who love them in life sincerely. i Fondly remembered Still love them in death just the same. by children and loved ones.

Sadly missed by all loved ones.

GLEN CHAI CHEE FOONG Departed: July 8, 1999 We often think of bygone days When we were together; The family chain is broken But memories live for ever.

Always remembered by Dad and Mum, Grandparents, Clariss, Stephanie, Kok Chew, Hillary, Heidi and Herlene.

This is my commandment: Love one another, as I have loved you No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”

Second Anniversary

In loving memory of

John 15:12-13

ASIA CASKET

In loving memory of

Tel: 6455-5288,6456-5288,9691-3229 2m 5? * Professional services for Christians * Qualified professional embalmers * Q uality local a n d im ported caskets * Special p a c k a g e a n d discount price for Catholics * Professional handling of repatriations a n d im port cases . Blk 38 Sin Ming Drive, #01-523 Singapore 575712 (COMPLETE FUNERAL SERVICES)

R O S A LIN D W EE L IN NEO

Bom: Oct 27, 1939 { Departed:Jul 13,2001 \ In our hearts your memory lingers, | Sweetly tender, fond and true, There is not a day, dear mother, That we do not think of you.

Dearly missed and remembered by son Terence and loved ones.

BRENDAN LOO Departed: April 8, 2003 When tomorrow starts without you Emptiness and memories take the place of you When tomorrow starts without you My heart will be filled with sorrow But I remember the promise of Our Father That He has prepared rooms for us in heaven He is there to forgive and set us free And you are there with Him now So when tomorrow starts without you I know you are right here in my heart Missing you Your wife, Angie Your boy, Bryan your family and friends.

There will be a Memorial Mass for Brendan’s 100th day at the Marymount Convent Chapel on Wednesday 16th July at 7.30 pm.

Twenty-second Anniversary

In loving memory of j

K. AROKIADASS

Departed: July 10,1981 Rest in peace, dear loving father, Twenty-two long years have passed away; You’re gone, _ but are still living In the hearts of those who stay.

Very dearly missed by wife, children and grandchildren.

Pleaseturn to page 12 for more “In Memoriam” announcements and classified advertisements.

CASKET COMPANY EMBALMING & FUNERAL SERVICES PTE LTD 24-HOURS COMPLETE SERVICES

• • • • •

Christian and non-Christian funerals - local / export.

Qualified Embalmers.

Columbarium work, exhumation, photo enlargement etc.

Air-con, non air-con Parlours, tentage etc.

Good Discount on Casket price!!

Directors: Philip Tan m bie, Charles Wan mbie Blk 37, Sin Ming Drive, #01-575 Singapore 575711

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

All funeral-related services including colum barium works, exhum ation, international repatriation of hum an rem ains etc Q uality service affirm ed by fam ilies which w e had the honour to serve T ra n s p a re n t & reaso n ab le genuine discounts

pricing with

No overtim e charges, no hidden cost C heck out our prices at our w ebsite w w w .casketfairprice.com M e m b e r of the Association of Funeral Directors (S ingapore)

VISA

Blk 37 Sin Ming Drive #01-569/571 Singapore 575711 W eb site w w w . c a s k e t f a i r p r ic e . c o m

4 i e a*, ‘P C < & ce 24 HOURS A DAY, IN RAIN OR SHINE (The Bereavement Service Co. catering solely to Christian & Catholic communities) MISSION STATEMENT: Our company continuously seeks to provide dedicated, quality, professional, personalized, dignified, yet affordable bereavement services to fellow Christians who have been called home to be with the Lord.

As a ministry partner, we seek to fulfill the Great Commission, ministering to the needs o f bereaved fam ily members, while reaching out to the unsaved.

O U R S E R V IC E S ■ P r o v id e s c o u n s e l f o r s u it a b le fu n e r a l a r r a n g e m e n t s * A f f o r d a b le p a c k a g e t o s u it b u d g e t c o n s t r a in t s ■ C e r tifie d e m b a lm e r s ■ * ■ ■

_

In your moments of need

S IN G A P O R E CASKET Tel: 6293-4388 24 Hours

®

Dedicated Funeral Directors since 1920

C o lu m b a r iu m a n d to m b s t o n e s , e t c E x h u m a t io n w o r k , r e p a t r ia t io n c a s e s T e n t a g e , c h a ir s , lig h t in g s , f a n s , e t c S o u n d s y s t e m , f lo r a l a r r a n g e m e n t s , f o o d a n d b e v e r a g e s p a ll b e a r e r s * P h o to E n la r g e m e n t s * P a s to r s & P r ie s t s a r r a n g e m e n t f o r f u n e r a l s e r v ic e s ■ A ir c o n d it io n e d b u s t r a n s p o r t a t io n , h e a r s e a n d

• Complete services for Christians and non-Christians.

■ A r r a n g e m e n t f o r p a r lo r s , c r e m a t io n , b u r ia ls , c lo t h in g , e t c

• Professional handling of repatriations and import cases.

A D D R E S S : 1 5 0 S o u th B r id g e R d , # 0 2 - 0 5 F o o k H a i B u ild in g S in g a p o r e 0 5 8 7 2 7 T e l: (65) 6533-1787 F a x : (65) 6533-1729

Website: http://www.therestirtgplace. com.sg Email: resting@singnet. com. sg CONTACTS : Tan Song Poh 9 0 0 3 -4 4 9 4 (M an ag ing D ire cto r)

Raymond Roy G abriel 9 7 6 4 -5 1 0 5 (Liaison for C atholics)

• Air-con. parlours, open 24 hours.

• Qualified professional embalmers.

• Imported US and quality finished caskets.

• Photo enlargement.

• Florist service.

• Funeral supplies all under one roof.

• Columbarium & Tombstone services.

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

Internationally linked worldwide with established Funeral Directors

Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003 Catholic News

14

------------- ---------------------------- Family —

5 0 years o f th e w o rld ’s best fa m ily p la n n in g m eth o d The B illings Ovulation M ethod is not only an effective and safe m ethod o f family planning; it improves a couple’s married life too. Increased use worldwide is expected.

RS. JOHN and Evelyn Billings celebrated the jubilee year of their natural family planning method at an international conference in Melbourne earlie this year.

Recently, they shared with ZENIT information about the Billings Ovulation Method’s practice, scientific basis and growth throughout the world.

D

years used all over the world. He has altogether made about 750,000 tests of women’s hormones at different phases of their cycles.

The other brilliant scientist who has worked with us during the past 30 years is Professor Erik Odeblad who lives in Umea, Sweden. He is a physicist and also a gynecologist.

His research has been a study of the different types of mucus produced by the cervix, especially during the fertile phase of the cycle. He has developed methods for these mucus types to be obtained easily from the cervix and recognized under the microscope.

The combined efforts of these two professors have validated all the developments that have occurred as a result of our own clinical studies and have thrown great light upon the production and the actions of these different hormones and their individual relationships to the different kinds of the mucus coming from the cervix. The scientific research has also included ultrasound studies of the cycles.

Q: What is the Billings Ovulation Method?

A: The Billings Method <http:// www.woomb.org/> is a natural method in which women are taught to recognize natural signs of fertility and also of infertility in menstrual cycles of any length and in any reproductive situation.

Every healthy fertile woman knows that at some time between menstrual cycles she will observe a vaginal discharge of mucus lasting perhaps five to seven days. During those days there are recognizable changes in the nature of this discharge from day to day leading up to the time of ovulation that can be easily identified.

There are rules therefore for the avoidance of all genital contact for Q: How effective is it? the days during which this evidence A: There is no method of of fertility is recognized and for three avoiding pregnancy which is more days after what we call the peak of effective than the Billings fertility, which we know to Method. It has given 100% be very close to the time of success in some trials and ovulation. At other times in ‘T h ere is no consistently in recent years the cycle the woman is m eth o d o f has yielded a success rate infertile. of 99% to 100%.

Occasionally a woman a v o id in g may ovulate very early in Added to that, the p regn an cy the cycle, even before w h ic h is m ore Billings Method can be menstruation is finished, so used to help the apparently e ffe c tiv e than infertile couples to achieve' the couple is instructed pregnancy, because it will always to avoid genital the B illin g s direct the woman’s contact during M e th o d ’ menstruation because the attention to the day, even bleeding could be the time of the day when her body is telling her when she has concealing the discharge [of mucus] indicating that the woman will the best possible chance of achieving ovulate soon. pregnancy in the cycle. There is no other method at all which has the success comparable with that of the Q: How scientific is it?

Billings Method in overcoming A: There is no method at all, natural or otherwise, which has been apparent infertility. subjected to as much intensive scientific study as the Billings Method.

Q: What is the difference between Our initial studies were of the the Billings Method and other methods of natural family planning? Why nature of clinical research — the would one choose the Billings studies of women’s cycles and careful studies of the mucus Method?

A: The Billings Method relies secretion, especially the detailed upon its ability to interpret the mucus description given by women of all pattern during the fertile phase, and their observations of the mucus from at other times the nature of other day to day. We knew that ovulation discharges which may have a occurs about two weeks before the physiological or even pathological following menstruation, so we had a good idea of where ovulation was cause. Thus the Billings Method is able to help protect the woman’s located in listing of this daily reproductive health by her observance by the woman.

Later we were joined by two great recognition of a disturbance of the normal mucus pattern, indicating the scientists of international repute. One of them is Professor James B. Brown, presence of an abnormality which can then be diagnosed and treated at who has been working with us since a very early stage.

1962. He has produced laboratory techniques to test for hormones in Q: What are some reasons blood or urine and Brown’s Method for measuring estrogen was for many people use natural family planning?

A: There are many reasons why people prefer a natural method. The naturalmethod is obviously an appropriate choice because it is harmless and does not require any expenditure of money, it is highly effective and for Catholics it provides peace within the conscience of the individuals who are faithful to the moral teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Today, more people who want to

Drs. JohnandEvelynBillings believethat thenatural family planningmethodtheypioneered will continuetoexpandaroundthe world.

practice natural family planning prefer to use the Billings Method because it has clearly proved to be much more accurate and reliable than the rhythm or temperature methods.

It is sometimes suggested incorrectly that for the successful use of the Billings Method it is necessary for the husband and wife to have a high level of intelligence and that the relationship between the husband and wife is stable and happy.

However, the Billings Method has been shown all over the world, amongst people of all cultures and religions or no religion at all, to exercise a bonding effect upon the marriage relationship such that there is a growth of love, peace, happiness and fidelity between the husband and the wife.

It is important therefore to recognize that the disturbance of the conjugal relationship is a special indication for the introduction of the Billings Method into the relationship.

Q: Do you see a rise in the number of people practicing natural family planning? What accounts for this trend?

A: The number of people using the Billings Method either to achieve or postpone pregnancy is steadily increasing all over the world. Our work in China, for example, has now resulted in 36,856 BOM teachers having been trained to work independently within the Family Planning Programme.

At the same time more and more has been discovered and revealed regarding the ill effects of chemical

contraception, whether it be by pills, implants or injections. These methods damage and all too frequently destroy marriages, such that the separation of the husband and wife may result in single-parent families, young children growing up without ever experiencing love and even their complete abandonment by both parents.

The contraceptive chemicals damage the woman’s fertility and sometimes render her completely sterile. In other cases the same medication may cause cancer of the breast, cancer of the cervix, cancer of the endometrium of the body of the uterus or perhaps cancer of the ovary.

The intrauterine device causes excessive menstrual bleeding and often produces infection, which may be present as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility or as a septic abortion which may be fatal.

Q: What are some misunderstandings about natural family planning? How have these misunderstandings influenced the number of people using natural family planning?

A: Some misunderstandings are due to hostile publication of false statistics regarding the success of the Billings Method coming from the pharmaceutical industry.

Misunderstandings also come from organizations such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation and from ideas that the Billings Method should be rejected because it is acceptable to the Catholic Church.

Our own work involving repeated visits to more than 100 countries around the world have gradually helped couples to form an understanding of the sound scientific basis of the Billings Method. □ z e n i t

Billings Ovulation Method available to all at 15 parish-centres in Singapore The B illings O vulation M ethod is taught by the N atural Fam ily Planning Service o f the Fam ily Life Society. The parish-based service was established in 1973 to provide a m orally acceptable way o f fam ily planning. The service is available a tl5 parish centres. The service is open to all but m ost o f the clients are couples who attend m arriage preparation courses.

FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CENTRES DAY

CENTRE

M ONDAYS 7.30 pmR edem ptorist M onastery T hom son Road 9.00 pm

IN S T R U C T O R

DAY

M rs Audrey Yoong Pager 95976442

W EDNESDAYS 7.30 pm Christ the King Church 9.00 pm A ng M o Kio

M rs Shirley Tham Tel 64533435

7.30 pm 9.00 pm

H oly Spirit Church U pper Thom son Road

M rs Joey Pereira Tel 65520304

sj 8.00 pm i 9.00 pm

Holy Trinity Church Tam pines Ave 2, St 11 (tem porarily closed)

M rs A nne Tan Tel 64540921

7.30 pm9.00 pm

N ativity Centre U pper Serangoon Road

D r Ian Snodgrass Tel 62810502

7.00 pm8.30 pm

Blessed Sacram ent Church C om m onw ealth Drive Chinese Instruction

M rs G enevieve Soh Tel 68927922 C atherine Chia Tel 62708313

8.00 pm9.00 pm

St Francis X avier Church Chartw ell Drive (by appointm ent)

Mrs E stella Tay Tel 62864348

TUESDAYS Im m aculate H eart o f M ary 8.00 pm9.00 pm C hurch, Highland Road

Janet& Lincoln Chee Tel 62811136

7.30 pm9.00 pm

Holy Fam ily Church East C oast Road (by appointm ent)

Janet Chan Tel 64428546

8.00 pm9.30 pm

St A nthony’s Church W oodlands Ave 1

M rs C hristina Fong Tel 63644208

CENTRE

IN S T R U C T O R

THURSDAYS Risen Christ Church | 7.30 pmToa Payoh Central 1 9.00 pm

Mrs Sybil A nthony Tel 67597286

7.30 pm| 9.00 pm

St B ernadette’s Church Z ion Road (by appointm ent)

M rs Patsy Lee Tel 62258218

7.45 pm: 9.00 pm

St M ary o f the Angels C hurch, B ukit Batok

M rs Teresa Yeo Tel 66650718

[ FRIDAYS 7.30 pm • 9.00 pm

Holy Cross Church C lem enti Ave 1

M rs Teresa Phua Tel 67919257

8.00 pm9.30 pm

O L Star of the Sea 10 Yishun Street 22

M rs C hristina Fong Tel 63644208

Catholic News Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003

15

Young Catholics

By Noel Hidalgo Tan

- The Force may have inspired newly-ordained Fr Aloysius Ong, 38, to come to Singapore, but it was most certainly the Spirit that called him to the priesthood.

The Malaysia-born priest was ordained in the diocesan priesthood at the Church of St Bernadette on June 29.

In 1984, Aloysius entered the National University of Singapore (NUS) to take up a degree in computer science. “It was Star Wars that brought me here to Singapore,” he said. The visual effects of the film series inspired him towards what computers can do when fuelled by the imagination.

It was during his NUS days in 1987 that Aloysius experienced the first stirrings that would lead him to the priesthood. “It was not my original intention to join the priesthood,” he said, “but what got me in was my experiences with Father Egan.” Fr Egan, a Jesuit, was his spiritual director then. Through Fr Egan’s S IN G A P O R E

Our newest priest T e c h n o -sa v v y Father A lo y s iu s O ng w ill serve H o ly F a m ily parish and h elp out at C a th o lic N e w s Photo: Raymond Tan

n

f

■

FatherAloysiusOngblesseshissiblingsandtheirspouses,hisnieceandnephew duringhisordinationMassattheChurchofSt BernadetteonJune29. example, Aloysius learnt that “despite difficulties in life, I can be peaceful, I can be joyful, and I can share that with people.”

He was like any university student who enjoyed softball, badminton and jogging. He was

also involved with the Legion of Mary. Fr Egan advised him to take his time discerning his vocation.

After graduating in 1988, he found a job as a software developer at the Singapore office of a French news agency.

Vatican Museums’ new web site is showcase of Christian art

By John Norton

— The Vatican Museums have opened their centuries-old collections to a huge new audience — Web surfers.

Virtual visitors to the museums’ new Web site, launched at a Vatican press conference June 24, can wander through the Sistine Chapel, zoom in on details of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment,” and gaze closeup at scores of the museums’ most famous masterpieces.

Officials said the site also would help tourists get the most out of a physical visit to the museums by enabling them to plan an itinerary through their labyrinthine, mileslong corridors ahead of time.

In a related technological advance, officials hope to install, perhaps by the end of the year, wireless “hot spots” in the museum to allow visitors to access an online museum guide via a handheld computer or lategeneration cell phone.

The project took five years and 15,000 hours of labor to complete, with hardware donated

by Hewlett-Packard. At its launch, the site contained 3,200 pages and 165 high-resolution images, and officials said the site would be in continual expansion.

The first collections placed online include the museums’ most famous: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms V A T IC A N C I T Y

avourites http://mv.vatican.va/ 3_EN/pages/ MV_Home.html You can also reach the site by by starting at www.vatican.va., selecting your choice of language and then Vatican Museums. Take a tour. If you enjoy Christian art, you will love this site. and the Pinacoteca painting gallery. Others are those that have been recently renovated or are temporarily closed to the public, like the Etruscan, Egyptian and missionary museums.

Officials said special care was taken to ensure that the broadest possible Internet audience, in every part of the world, could visit the site with ease. That meant making the site compatible with Internet browsing software going back nearly a decade and designing the graphics to load quickly.

Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka, chief administrator of Vatican City, including the museums, said the site sprung from the church’s recognition both of the tremendous potential of the Internet in evangelization and of art’s role as a “universal language”

that can bring together people of different cultures and religions.

One indication of the site’s ultimate spiritual aims is the incorporation of links to biblical passages next to the images that depict them.

The Vatican Museums’ 500year-old collections are visited annually by more than three million people.

The new site is the latest Vatican expansion into the Internet and follows the launch of a similar one last October for the Vatican Library. Officials said they hope to complete a site for the Vatican Secret Archives within several months.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, who oversees the Vatican’s Internet office, told reporters that the Vatican’s 8-year-old Web site now averages about 60 million hits a month from Web surfers in 150 countries. It contains 65,000 church documents and more than 200,000 pages.

He said Vatican offices exchange about 20,000 internal emails per month and send out nearly 15,000 e-mails daily over the Internet.

The Vatican’s security software blocks about 10,000 incoming e-mail-bome viruses and malicious codes every month, and about 30 hacking attempts every week, he said.

No hacker has ever succeeded in penetrating the site’s security, he said. □ c n s

His family - he has a sister and two brothers - was supportive of his calling. In 1995, Aloysius applied for Singapore citizenship and joined the seminary.

Seminary formation was a challenge, he said. “It’s not altogether perfect, but it’s necessary. I had to grapple with what I would like out of the formation and with what actually was happening within the seminary.” He felt there was more emphasis on the intellectual and pastoral side of the formation.

Another challenge was “that we have to open ourselves more - not just to our brother seminarians, but to the people around us,” he said.

The self-confessed introvert took some time to open himself up, and is still doing so.

Although no longer programming computers, Fr Aloysius is still techsawy, and is probably the only priest in Singapore to keep a weblog. A weblog (or blog) is an

online diary that can be accessed by the public. On his blog, Fr Aloysius posts his thoughts, daily goings-on and reflections. He started it in 2001 and he used to update it daily, but because of his present schedule, updates are now intermittent.

He finds his first appointment in the Church of the Holy Family “challenging and daunting, but fun”. There, he looks after the RCIA process and the catechists.

The two groups are inter-related, he said, and it is both a sign and challenge for him to bring these two groups to work together.

As a priest, Fr Aloysius sees himself as someone trying to work within the RCIA spirit, “where everyone contributes to the wider vision of evangelisation, not just within the parish, but in the world.”

After his ordination Fr Aloysius will continue to serve the parish of Holy Family and help out at Catholic News.

Fr Aloysius’ blog can be viewed at http://sg.geocities.com/ aloyong/ □

The movie has been on fo r quite a while, so we will give you only a capsule instead o f the fu ll review.

“ F in d in g DELIGHTFUL aquatic adventure about a timid tropical fish (voice of Albert Brooks) who journeys across vast stretches of treacherous ocean in order to rescue his son Nemo (voice of Alexander Gould), who has been captured by scuba divers and placed in a dentist’s fish tank.

With beautiful computer animation and memorable characters, director Andrew Stanton creates an enchanting fish fable about friendship, heroism and the love between a father and son which overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds.

The sequence which finds

N

e m

o

*

Marlin (Nemo’s father) and his absent minded friend Dory literally making a leap of faith inside a whale echoes the biblical story of Jonah — as well as the Disney classic “Pinnocchio” — hinting at the necessity of surrendering to the will of God in times of despair.

Audiences will find it hard not to applaud this whale of a tale.

You will find a more complete review of another movie in the next issue of CatholicNews. Remember, the next issue of CatholicNews will be different. Make sure you get your copy. □

World Youth Day 2005 releases logo - The official logo for World Youth Day 2005 was released

by German organizers in mid-June. Drawing on Christian and local symbolism, a large red cross dominates the artwork. The German city of Cologne will host the international Catholic youth gathering Aug. 16-21 in 2005. According to organizers, the cross is a reminder that the event is foremost an encounter with Christ; the star symbolizes divine guidance, as it had led the three Magi on the road to Bethlehem; the comet tail represents the star’s route which comes from God; the two red peaks stand for the Cologne cathedral, a central point for the World Youth Day celebration and where XX. relics of the Magi are held; the large blue Weltjugendtag ellipse symbolizes the universal communion K8ln 2005 of the church and the water of baptism. The motto for World Youth Day 2005, “We have come to worship Him,” is from the Magi story in Matthew’s Gospel. The organisers expect 800,000 youths to attend. □ c n s C O LO G N E

16

Sundays July 6 and July 13, 2003 Catholic News

Backpage

Bishop John Ha is new Archbishop of Kuching Fr ErastoFernandezat theJune14Eucharisticcelebrationwith children, parentsandLiturgyoftheWordforChildrenfacilitators.

Celebrate Eucharist with joy, says priest

By Mel Diamse-Lee SINGAPORE - “The core of every Eucharistic Celebration is to recall the dying and rising of Jesus.

When we see that we have every reason to celebrate,” remarked Blessed Sacrament Father Erasto Fernandez June 11 to a group of religious educators in schools and parishes, Liturgy of the Word facilitators and Liturgical Music Commission members.

This talk titled “Eucharist - A Celebration of God's Love,” was part of his series of talks on the Eucharist from June 4-14.

He noted from participants’ feedback that the Mass nowadays is celebrated with little participation from the congregation, with a lack of enthusiasm and feeling, is too solemn, and with too many distractions, such as appeals for funds.

Fr Fernandez, 64, noted “it is because we think we are celebrating in our sinfulness” that hinders people from viewing the Mass as a joyfiil celebration. He said Jesus did not bother to find out whether one was worth dying for when he gave up his life on the Cross. “Change your thinking about yourself,” he

advised his audience.

In order to see the Eucharist as a joyful event, he taught the participants to “listen with their heart” and pick out the characteristics of God in the Gospel readings. As an example, he picked the passage Mark 4:3-9 where the participants noted that the verses spoke of God as a generous giver, impartial, patient, nurturing and respects one’s freedom.

Mr Kenneth Law, a parishioner of Holy Cross said he “learned a lot from the sessions.

It really increased my knowledge of the Scriptures. Now I have a better understanding of the Eucharist and I will be more focused during Mass.”

Agreeing, Ms Ann Tan from the Church of the Risen Christ said: “It inspired me a lot. My mentality needs to change and I now look forward to going to Church to celebrate with more enthusiasm.”

On June 14, Fr Fernandez celebrated the Eucharist with some 100 children, parents and Liturgy of the Word for children facilitators to demonstrate how meaningful and enriching the Mass could be, even for children. □

KUCHING - Pope John Paul II has appointed Bishop John Ha the new Archbishop of Kuching to succeed Archbishop Peter Chung, who retired on the same day upon reaching 75, the age of retirement according to Canon Law. The new archbishop was bom March 5,1947 in Kuching and educated at St Joseph’s School in Kuching. After completing his priestly formation in College General in Penang, he was ordained priest on Dec 14,1972.

He was sent to do post­ graduate study in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he obtained a Masters

degree in 1976. On his return he was appointed to lecture on Sacred Scripture at the College General. Later he went back to Kuching and was appointed to lecture at St Peter’s College in Kuching, where he became rector from 1987- 92.

Bishop Ha also served as parish priest of St Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching from 199397. He was appointed auxiliary bishop to assist Archbishop Peter Chung in 1998 and has served in this office since.

His installation as Archbishop of Kuching will be held at St Joseph’s Cathedral on July 16, 7.30 pm.

Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung has been the Archbishop of

BishopJohnHawill beinstalledas archbishopJuly16.

Kuching since 1975, after serving the Church in Sabah as its bishop for five years. Though retired, the archbishop emeritus has said he will continue to serve Kuching archdiocese under the new archbishop as long as his health permits. □

Plea for aid in Aceh — Aid organizations are asking for immediate access to help more than 40,000 people fleeing from fighting between the Indonesian military and separatist rebels in the Indonesian province of Aceh.

CAFOD, the London-based Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, said in a June 25 statement that staff from international agencies have been denied access to the region since martial law was declared in May following the breakdown of peace talks in Tokyo. Human rights workers in Aceh have been harassed and intimidated, the agency said.

“It’s imperative that humanitarian agencies have independent access to Aceh to get LONDON

help to those who need it most. We are very concerned that humanitarian workers and human rights monitors are able to continue their work without harassment,” said Catherine Sexton, head of the Asia section of CAFOD. Military sources said more than 240 people in Aceh have been killed since the military offensive began in May. Indonesian Red Cross workers

reported they have removed 194 bodies from conflict zones.

CAFOD said more than 40,000 civilians were displaced by recent violence. Borders to the province have been sealed, and movement of food has been severely restricted, leading to fears of food shortages, CAFOD said.

CAFOD told of reports of civilian beatings, killings, arbitrary arrests and kidnappings. □ c n s

C atholic Church o f S t Ignatius

C O L U M B A R IU M o 2-urn Family Niches from $5,000-$10,000 □ 8-urn Community Niches at $1,000 per urn space Memorial plaques from $1000 *Ready end 2003

F o r a d v a n c e a p p lic a t io n f o r N ic h e s , p le a s e c a ll t h e c h u r c h o f fic e .

T e l: 6 4 6 6 0 6 2 5 / 6 4 6 6 3 2 2 5 1 2 0 K in g ’s R o a d S in g a p o r e 2 6 8 1 7 2 M o n d a y : 1 2 .3 0 p m to 4 .3 0 p m T u e s d a y - S a t u r d a y : 9 a m to 4 . 3 0 p m

AnAceh-Indonesian findsthedeadbodyof hisrelativeinNisam villageinAceh, where government iscrushing rebelsfightingfor independence, c n s photo

P U B LIS H E D BY A R C H B IS H O P N IC H O L A S CHIA, 2 H IG H LA N D R O AD #01-03, S IN G A P O R E 549102.

PR IN TED BY KHL PR IN TIN G CO PTE LTD, 57 LO Y A N G D RIVE, S IN G A P O R E 508968.