JULY 20, 2003, vol 53, no 15 by CatholicNews

page 12 4

M SUNDAYS JULY 20 AND JULY 27, 2003

i o

l i c

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM 1.20 M.I.T.A.(P) No. 105/01/2003 PPS 201/4/2004 V O L 5 3 N o .'i5 l

h a le

Leadersofreligiousgroups inSingaporegathertopray forpeace.

OURS TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA has called on Catholics in Singapore to “be conscious of the responsibility that is placed on everyone ...that the living out of our faith demands that we conduct ourselves well among our neighbours and if possible, be at peace with all.” The archbishop delivered his message in a letter to mark Racial Harmony Day on July 21. A Declaration on Religious Harmony has also been drawn up with input from the various religions represented in Singapore. Archbishop Chia has instructed that this declaration be recited the weekend Masses July 19-20. Copies of the declaration in English and Chinese will be given to parishioners.

DECLARATION ON RELIG IO U S HARMONY

W E , the people in Singapore, declare that religious harmony is vital for peace, progress and prosperity in our multi-racial and multi-religious Nation. We resolve to strengthen religious harmony through mutual tolerance, confidence, respect and understanding. We shall always ■ Recognise the secular nature of our State, ■ Promote cohesion within our society, ■ Respect each other's freedom of religion, ■ Grow our common space while respecting our diversity, ■ Foster inter-religious communications, ■ and thereby ensure that religion will not be abused to create conflict and disharmony in Singapore.

Dear People of God RELIGIOUS HARMONY DAY (20 JULY 2003) In October of 2002, our Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong proposed to a group of community leaders the idea of a Code on Religious Harmony for Singapore. That idea resulted in a fairly large consultation in which the Catholic C hurch was also involved. The product o f that consultation and many m eetings has produced a Declaration on Religious Harmony. As a Church, we have contributed a fair share to its formulation and the final product. It is fundamentally a declaration of what we believe to be important as a society and as m em bers of different religions with regard to the protection of R eligious Harm ony and R eligious Freedom in Singapore. Drawing from the wisdom of the Vatican Council II’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to non-Christian Religions, we once again state that dialogue remains an important path to greater social cohesion and stability. Quoting the Council Fathers, we now encourage our Catholics to “enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among nonChristians, also their social life and culture” (Vatican 11, Nostra Aetate No. 2). Importantly, in this dialogue of life, we encounter our neighbours, and colleagues with the greatest respect while sharing our common spaces along the corridors of life. In a multi-religious and multi-cultural Singapore, we have always valued the “give and take” of living together as a community and as a nation.

As a Church, we stand on the side of Religious Harmony and the importance it has for our society. Therefore, we reiterate once again the vision, that the Vatican Council has put forward for us. The Council Fathers stated that, “There is no basis therefore, either in theory or in practice, for any discrimination between individual and individual, or between people and people arising either from human dignity or from the rights which flow from it. Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrim ination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, colour, condition in life or religion” (Vatican II, Nostra Aetate No. 5). This week, we celebrate Racial Harmony Day. Today being the beginning of this week, we are encouraging our parishioners to recite the Declaration after the final blessing of the Mass. This is a reminder for us as Catholics that as a people of God and as citizens of the society of Singapore, we have a role to play in promoting greater harmony among the rich diversity that is in Singapore. We are rightfully proud that with the leadership of the government, the main religions in Singapore were able to put together this Declaration. As we recite this Declaration, may we be reminded that peace is a gift that cannot be taken for granted. It must be protected and promoted based on universal values of respect and justice. Let us then be conscious of the responsibility that is placed on everyone as Archbishop, priests, religious and laity, that the living out of our faith demands that we conduct ourselves well among our neighbours (1 Pet 1: 12) and, if possible, be at peace with all (Rom 12: 18) and in that way to be true sons and daughters of the Father who is in Heaven (Mt 5:45) (Vatican 11, Nostra Aetate No. 5).

Our common experiences of schools, the offices, hawker centers and the market places are where our lives meet and intersect.

Yours, devotedly in Christ

As Catholics, we see this as opportunities to live out the gospel values of love and service to our fellow citizens. In this context, we are also to strive for greater service of understanding among the different cultural and religious traditions of our friends.

Msgr. Nicholas Chia, DD Archbishop of Singapore

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003 □ CatholicNews

Xfe/7. Ladan and Laleh Bijani had a dream, a dream they were prepared to die for.

We cherish their dream “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” -Jo h n 10:10

By Good Shepherd Sister Elizabeth Lim SINGAPORE - “The supreme

importance of life is that it is a sign of the reality of God’s presence in our midst.”Humanity receives this message today, through the Bijani twins. Searching for a new creation, for what is eternally real has been their pursuit. Ladan and Laleh are the icons of this message to all humanity. Warmly and graciously welcomed into the Ba’alwi Mosque in Lewis Road, my companion and I were invited to sign the Guests’ Book of Condolences. Then we were ushered to sit outside the building as the prayer services were about to begin. What came across to me as my companion and I prayed silently and in solidarity with all present, was the powerful reality of love and unity which pervaded the atmosphere of Ba’alwi Mosque, as peoples of all faiths and race gathered there. In the silence of the cool evening I truly felt transported into a new world, to a new creation. Ladan and Laleh have touched the world in a way few have done. Before the operation,

in fact months before, they articulated their deep desire to experience for themselves the infinite expansion of spirit and to live life to the full even in full knowledge of the risks involved. Their trust, hope and intense desire are expressed in their own words: “We are individual people and we have different ideas about our lives,” says Laleh. “Actually we are opposites. If God wants us to live the rest of our lives as two separate, independent individuals, we will,” says Ladan. The world considers this significant operation a failure. Christ, who died for us on the cross, was a big disappointment even to his own disciples. Ladan and Laleh, you have gone from the face of the earth, but your dream, your hope for freedom and fullness of life have been granted. Your dear family, the people of Iran and the world have lost you, but you have gained individuality in the presence of your Creator! The team of surgeons and their assistants took up your plea and manifested courage, faith and hope in God’s will. You have prophetically proclaimed by your lives that God alone is God. The fragrance and refreshing beauty of your very persons, these 29 years of patient surrendering to each other has liberated you joyfully into eternity. God be praised. ALLELUIA!

□

nen of the gospel sassion men of the g o s p A ^ flfe p ^ P v i of compassion men of ^

men of service men of the peace m

i of mission men of the mission men

ision men of the #

f of compassion men of the gospel m<

9 K S b ^ * ^ 'v

ICC 171011 o f C 0 m p 3 S S i0 n n

men of service men of peace m e n o f pG clC G men of the gospel men of the

Franciscan Friars m e n J iK e y o u men of the gospel it f compassion men of mission □mpassion men of service m< compassion men of vision m assion

he gospe men of \\

F o r E n q u i r ie s : Franciscan Vocation Office

St. Anthony Friary 5 B u k it B a t o k E a s t A v e 2 , S in g a p o r e 6 5 9 9 1 8 E m a il:

v o c a t io n s @ f r a n c is c a n s . o r g . s g

Left: Conjoined Iranian twins Ladan and Laleh Bijani speak to the media June II in Singapore about their decision to undergo surgery to separate. The 29year-old women died July 8 from massive blood loss following the highrisk operation, c n s PHO TOS

Below: Friends and members of the Iranian community pray over the caskets of Iranian twins Laleh and Ladan Bijani July 9 in Singapore. The 29-year-old sisters died following a high-risk surgery to separate their conjoined heads.

Now, the soul searching VATICAN CITY - Laleh and

Ladan Bijani, the conjoined twins, died July 8 from massive blood loss after a 52-hour operation to separate them. The procedure was performed by an international team of 28 specialists and 100 assistants at Singapore’s Raffles Hospital. The twins had spent months preparing for the operation and knew it was highly risky. Some experts gave the procedure a 5050 chance of success. In 1996, a team of German doctors refused the Bijanis’ request to perform the surgery, saying separating them could be fatal. As is to be expected following the tragedy, differing opinions have been expressed about the ethics and wisdom of the operation. A MORAL theologian at one of Rome’s church universities told Vatican Radio he thought the operation did not create any ethical or moral problems. Redemptorist Father Raphael Gallagher, professor of moral theology at Rome’s Alphonsianum, noted that the sisters prepared for the operation, were aware of the risks and had entrusted themselves to some of the world’s top surgeons. “It certainly has been very painful,” Father Gallagher told Vatican Radio. “I absolutely

respect the courage of the two women and I think that their decision to go ahead with the surgery was a very courageous moral choice. I am very sorry the operation was not successful.” “It was a very delicate operation, but they both prepared adequately,” he explained. “The doctors certainly measured up to the circumstances, and both the specialists as well as the patients were aware of the possible consequences of the operation.” Mauro Cozzoli, professor of moral theology at the Lateran University, also defended the justness of the operation. “It was of a healing nature, the condition of life of the two young women was clearly abnormal and, therefore, pathological,” the Ansa agency quoted Cozzoli as saying. According to the information available, Cozzoli said that “there was no intention to do away with life or to undertake an incautious and opportunist experiment, as it was intended to promote the autonomy and quality of life of two people severely incapacitated

by a malformation.” Their response came after the Vatican’s top health official said surgeons in Singapore should not have attempted the risky operation to separate the 29-yearold Iranian twin sisters joined at the head. “It was an error paid with the highest price possible, the price of two human lives,” Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, said July 9 in an Italian newspaper interview. “There was no moral obligation to do it. They were two persons who had lived together for 29 years.... In the face of the high risk, the operation should not have been performed,” he said. Archbishop Lozano said that it was important to stress to doctors in such cases, that the benefits must be very carefully weighed against the risks. “When one places human life in danger, there can never be too many preventative questions,” the archbishop said. □ c n s , z e n i t

CatholicNews □

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

News

■■■■■■■■■■I

"C1

S $ //

. . . ^ P e c lc ltn ^

Hey if you need someone to organize your church wedding from the Church decorations, buffet spreads in church, music, flower arrangements at reasonable prices, call us now!!!!

Opus Dei founder was Marian devotee

We will make sure that all you have to do is ju st walk down the aisle, say the vow’s and slip the ring on the finger.

By Eric Valles

ARCHBISHOP Nicholas Chia officiated in a thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva, at the Church of the Holy Cross on June 26. The Mass, one of several held around the world to celebrate the first feast day of St. Josemaria, had a Marian character. St. Josemaria was canonized by the Holy Father on October 6, the eve of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, last year. “St. Josemaria is a new jewel in the crown of the Church,” said Msgr. Ramon Lopez, the vicar of Opus Dei in Southeast Asia, in the homily to a congregation of about 750 people. “Love of Our Lady is a legacy that the saint has left to his sons and daughters.... He constantly taught that the contemplation of Christ has a model in Mary.” St. Josemaria’s devotion to Mary began early in his life. According to Msgr. Lopez, the saint was two years old when his

W e also provide... Baptism & confirmation ceremonies, Feast Day Preparation or any decoration (flower and banner type) to suit any occasion relating to the church.

6884-0973

C O L D U I6 U .

B A N K eR Q R E A L

E S T A T E

HUSBAND & WIFE TEAM

Top A chievers Since 1995 M ultiple Awards W inner

Philip Er Senior A ssociate Sales Director (MBA, CDAF, DECE, CEHA EQV) Cecilia Er Assistant A ssociate Manager (BBBA, DMS, CEHA EQV)

ArchbishopChiareceivesthe offeringfromJamesand BernadetteWong(partially hidden)duringtheJune26Mass.

parents brought him on a pilgrimage to an old chapel in Torreciudad, Spain in thanksgiving after his cure from a near-fatal sickness. Later, St. Josemaria helped to refurbish the chapel into a Marian shrine with dozens of confessionals. Many pilgrims from all over the world have attested to experiencing “miracles” of conversion there. The saint himself died while gazing at an image of the Blessed Virgin in his room on

Servin g You W ith C a r e & In tegrity Selling W ith F aster and B etter R esults For real estate solutions, call:

9007-3381

June 26, 1975. Participating in the Mass were lawyer-members of the Apostolate for Catholic Truth in Singapore, undergraduate and postgraduate students of the National University of Singapore and other professionals from diverse backgrounds . □

FranciscanFriar GerardVictor (left)concelebratesFrAndy's Memorial MasswithFr Louis LoiseauandvisitingArgentinian priestAugustineMaizon(not in photo) onJuly6.

CMI founder remembered By Mel Diamse-Lee SINGAPORE - The late Fr Andy

Altamirano, who founded the Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CMI) five years ago, was remembered by Singaporeans and Filipinos alike at the fourth anniversary memorial Mass in his honour. In his homily at the July 6 concelebrated Mass, Franciscan Friar Gerard Victor noted that Fr Altamirano was a prophet of his time. He saw the need to form communities among migrants in Singapore to give support to and be in solidarity with each other.

9695-4199

Call us at (Vannessa) / (David) Or email us at allaboutus@pacific.net.sg

CMI chairman Bridget Lew said the Scheut Missions priest worked for the welfare of migrants even while he was undergoing kidney treatment. Mrs Encamacion Montales, a volunteer with the Filipino Overseas Workers in Singapore, recalled how the missionary

A R C H B IS H O P ’S O FFIC IA L D IARY July 20

6.00 pm

Confirmation at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

July 27

10.30 am

Feastday at Church of St Anne

6.00 pm

Golden Jubilee of Fr Reid SJ at Church of St Ignatius

July 28 to August 1 Bishops’ Conference in Johore Priests Retreat - No morning and evening masses in all Singapore parishes.

F A IT H

regularly visited the residents of the shelter run by the Philippine Embassy on Holland Road and celebrate Mass with them. Good Shepherd Sister Mary Laetitiae, co-founder of a skills centre for Filipino domestic workers, said, “Father was kindness personified.” Mr Hubert Teo, a Singaporean volunteer with the Filipino community at the Church of the Holy Family, said Fr Altamirano was influential in his transformation from being a Sunday Catholic to being an active migrant ministry volunteer. He noted how the late priest agreed to regularly celebrate Mass for the Catholic Prayer Society because no priest was available. Fr Altamirano served as chaplain of Filipino migrants in Singapore from 1996-1998. He founded CMI in 1998. After falling ill due to kidney failure which required dialysis treatment, he returned to the Philippines where he died on July 3,1999. □

P IL G R IM A G E S

EUROPE PILGRIMAGES ”14 days Rome/Lourdes/Nevers Pilgrimage-Special Departure : 01 Sep - 14 Sep with Spiritual Director 12 days Shrines of France/Fatima Pilgrimage Departure : 23 Sep - 04 Oct with Spiritual Director 15 days Eastern Europe Pilgrimage-Holiday Departure : 31 Oct - 14 Nov with Spiritual Director 15 days Sanctuaries of Italy Pilgrimage Departure : 02 Nov - 16 Nov with Spiritual Director 14 days France/Spain/Fatima Pilgrimage Special Departure : 16 Nov - 29 Nov with Spiritual Director 10 days Rome/Medjugorje/Assisi Retreat Departure : 05 Dec - 14 Dec Many other Ad-hocGroup and FIT pilgrimage programmes to Lourdes, Nevers, Shrines of France, Fatima, Rome, Assisi, Italy, etc. Call us for more details!!

amomz, us ^L O U R D E S V o r F A T IM A

A S S IS I o 9 Dsvs S$1988

Always travel in Faith, For Faith, with Faith Toursf

A v a ila b le a t y o u r p a r is h b o o k s to r e s

- Th e Pilgrim s C h o ice - ______ /

o r fo r a n n u a l s u b s c r ip tio n s p le a s e c a l

FAITH TOURS & TRAVEL PTE LTD 5 0 East Coast R d , R o x y Square C o m p le x , # 0 2 -0 1 , Singapore 4 2 8 7 6 9

The top selling Catholic monthly magazine to encourag daily scripture reading

g ©

Tel: (02) 6348-2722 F ax: (02 ) 6348-2724 £ ^ m a il^ a ith to u rs @ fe ith to u rs ^ c o iT i^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ;/

THE CATHOLIC NEWS OFFICE TEL: 68583055 V is it o u r b o o k s h o p a t C a th o lic N e w s (N e x t to IH M C h u rc h )

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003 □ CatholicNews

VEHICLES WANTED

MET/7:

Any model, any year commercial or used cars. Scrap vehicles for export.

-f \^ x n ° A /^ C U S T O M D E S IG N

C ^ E D D IN G

6284-3064 Melvyn

Call:

JENNIFER WEE

member of

9105-0312 / 9815-8955 Buy / Sell or Rent Welcome HDB (Resale)/ Pte (Apt / landed)

TA T IO N ARIES • In v ita tio n C ards• Mass / Service B ooklets* • U n ity C a n d le s *R in g P illow s* • Favours*

For en q u iries, call Anne M o b ile : (65) 9 2 7 1 -7 8 5 5 Email: enquiries@simple-creations.com www.simple-creations.com

• 100% Reliable • Hassle-Free Transactions • 1 5 years track record propertFes

RENTAL

By Colin Tan

4 Rm fully furnished flat in Tampines ■near am enities and transport (M RT/bus) 1opposite Trinity Church

BUILDING A N D T R A D I N G PTE LTD W e specialise in • All kinds of w aterproofin g/ roofing • Re-painting (interior/exterior) • Renovation w ork • Upgrading w o rk

2 fully furnished bedroom in Siglap

Call: John Stephen Lim

■condom inium with facilities ■near beach and am enities

9637-1544

Interested parties call

B lk 1 M a u d e R d # 0 2 - 3 8 S in g a p o r e 2 0 0 0 0 1

9066-1254

(after 4pm)

Tel: 6281-7966 Fax: 63824966

0C&H REALTYPTELTD for HDB I Private Sales & Rentals 9 6 3 0 -5 2 4 5

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

Call Jeffrey Goh now @9- 451-5085 E -m a il: jrj.e a s tv a le @ p a c ific .n e t.s g

The Infant Jesus o f Prague

D ivine M ercy Shrine, Poland

O ur Lady o f C zestochow aThe Black Madonna, Poland

Eastern Europe Pilgrimage to the Shrines in Czech Republic, Poland & Austria 10th to 24th Septem ber, 2 0 0 3 Our Austrian Pilgrimage is the 1st original tour from Singapore Spiritual D irector: R ev Fr John M ary C hin O .C .D .

TRAVELW ELL PTE LTD 9 Penang Road #10-01, Park Mall Singapore 238459 Tel: (65) 6337 3200 & (65) 6339 7556 Fax: (65) 6336 7525

SITA: SIN TW SU

nights from June 25-27, God showed himself in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in extraordinary healings through the ministry of Filipino priest Fr Corsie Legaspi. Fr Corsie concelebrated Praisefest, the 50thAnniversary Jubilee Triduum of the parish, with Frs James Yeo and Brian D’Souza. This was his second visit to Singapore in the capacity of a healing minister . Many authenticated cures of cancer, paralysis and other major illnesses have been recorded in the course of his ministry.

30 Singaporean, Sri Lankan and Filipino volunteers. “All over the world, migrants SINGAPORE - Sister Mary suffer all sorts of human rights Bernadette Guzman said violations not only from their volunteers to the migrant ministry employers and recruitment must recognise “that we do have agencies, but also from embassy a role to respond to the needs of officials and employees,” she our exploited migrant brothers said, noting that the most and sisters and to work for vulnerable group of migrants are justice, peace and integrity”. women, especially domestic The Good Shepherd Sister is workers “many of whom suffer executive director of the from beatings and Philippine-based sexual abuse.” Center for Overseas In Asia, there are Workers, which looks some nine million after the welfare of migrants of different Filipinos working nationalities, Sr overseas. The 21 -year Bernadette said. “It is old centre is under imperative at all times the bishops’ for us to closely conference of the examine our Philippines. commitment to be Sr Bernadette, who able to address travels regularly to . effectively the minister to various complex causes and consequences Filipino communities worldwide, of injustice and exploitation was in Singapore to help volunteers inflicted on migrant workers and of Hope Haven counselling service their families,” she said. understand the context of their Among others, she suggested mission to migrants. that Hope Haven volunteers help Migrant ministry engage migrants in spiritual representatives from Asia share activities and establish support common concerns about migrant groups where migrants can share workers, Sr Bernadette told some By Mel Diamse-Lee

9 2 0 7 -9 6 0 6

F or m ore pro p e rty in fo rm atio n log on to http: //w w w .Jpin2 .co m E -M ail: ju tre @ p o .p a cific.n e t.sg

IcA

SINGAPORE - During three

During the hour-long healing sessions, more than 20 people each night were cured of frozen shoulders, migraines and jointpains when Fr Corsie laid his hands on them and prayed. Some had been afflicted with their ailments for up to 40 years. Fr Corsie says what inspires him to continue the work of his international ministry, which has taken him to 12 countries over 27 years, is “making a difference in people’s lives through the healing that people receive in the name of God.” He is based in the diocese of Imus (the province of Cavite, just outside Manila) where he has been given permission by his

Fr CorsieLegaspi at thehealing sessionheldat theImmaculate Heart ofMaryChurchduring thegoldenanniversaryTriduum. bishops to pursue a full-time healing ministry since January 1989. The purpose of such a ministry, he explains, is to bear witness to the power of God, so as to increase the faith of believers. It also plays a crucial part in the missionary work of the Church. “For non-Catholics who come to my healing services, I’m able to introduce to them the kind of God we have - a merciful and loving God.” □

Working for migrant welfare is mission too

Please call: JEFFREY PINTO hp

H ealings a t IH M golden ju b ile e celebrations

E-mail: trvlwell@singnet.com.sg

SPEEDBOX DOOR TO DOOR TO CARGO TO PHILIPPINES F R E E P H O N E C A R D for every box you send from upsize to jumbo box. (only Philippines) We also provide services for * Home Removal * Packing * Crating and Shipping to international Destination. Please call 6 2 8 1 -7 7 5 9 / 6 7 3 5 -4 5 0 8 SPEEDBOX PTE LTD 304 Orchard Road, #04-71 Lucky Plaza

concerns and affirm each other. “Counselling migrants involves a holistic approach,” she cautioned volunteer counsellors and para-counsellors. “It takes into consideration their family relationships and the cultural and political concerns of their country of origin.” However, she said, “Our relationship with migrants should be for them a means of encounter with Jesus. We seek to approach them as he does. Our love and concern should awaken in them a sense of their worth and dignity as children of God. By virtue of our Baptism, we are called to deeply commit ourselves to their human and spiritual healing and to their integral development.” Sr Bernadette also conducted a workshop on leadership skills for Filipino migrant community heads on June 29. □

PIANO TUITION Wish to be a pianist? For total beginners (adults and children above 8 years old). Exam / Leisure Also for students finding difficulty in recognising Bass notes and sight reading. Discover a new way to solve this problem and pave the way to fulfilling your dreams to greater heights in piano playing. Never too old or too young to learn. If you wish to know more about this new method, two complimentary lessons await you.

Call: 6556-1602/9672-2027

CatholicNews □

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

Nfe/7:C 1

Come visit us at Wellsprings Catholic Books

“ W hen I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light l i n t O m e / ' - M k a h 7:Sc \ total o f $186,354.6(1 fo r the re c o n stru ctio n o f Ira q w as co llccted (lu rin g M asses at tlic p arish es on M a t 24 and 25 and fro m d o n atio n s In ch eq u e. T h a n k vou fo r y o u r g enerosity . ( mkI bless. ■ L e ft: An Ir a q i w om an and ch ild m ak e th e ir wav aro u n d th e ir house w ith an oil lam p b e cau se o f a pow er o u ta g e in B a g h d a d . M u ch o f the c a p ita l had gone w ithout w a te r or electricity in recen t d ays, ad d in g to th e h a rd sh ip o f u n em p lo y m en t and a la ck o f p u b lic safety. Y our d on ation will help to m ake th e ir lives b etter. ■

P erpetual A doration C h ap el’s one year old By Diana Tan SINGAPORE - Archbishop Nicholas Chia praised and thanked God on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Archdiocesan Perpetual Adoration Chapel June 2 land expressed hope that it will continue to be a source of blessing for many people in the archdiocese. Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong celebrated the anniversary Mass for the adoration chapel located at St Francis Xavier Retreat Centre with Frs William Goh and Vincent Lee. After the Mass, the congregation participated in public adoration of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

apostolic nuncio to Nepal said during his first official visit that the local church has developed tremendously since he visited the country 12 years ago in a different capacity. India-based Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana was in Nepal July 2-8 to present to King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev his credentials as papal envoy and to visit Catholic institutions and communities in the Kathmandu area. “From the small beginning with education, the Church of Nepal has set off on its way to a ‘second spring,’ spreading into areas like social service, research, education for the poor and disadvantaged, and pastoral and retreat work,” the archbishop told some 1,500 Catholics who

attended the Mass. There are now more than 20 men’s and women’s congregations. “The church’s presence has fanned out to various parts of Nepal, and the number of faithful has grown to more than 6,000,” he said. Most of them live in eastern Nepal, where three parishes were set up in 1999. The modem Catholic presence in Nepal began in the 1950s when Jesuits from India established a school in Kathmandu. Later, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary nuns from India came in to establish schools for girls. The Holy See and Nepal established diplomatic relations in 1985. Religious freedom was established only in 1990. □

Pope encourages Korean unification VATICAN CITY - Meeting with

SYDNEY - The Singapore

delegation of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order attended the 2003 Australian Assembly of the Order of Malta June 27-29in Sydney. Representatives from the various states presented and discussed their hospitaller works. The theme for the assembly was: Chivalry in the Third Millennium. An investiture was held in the crypt of St. Mary’s Cathedral and 35 postulants took the oath. □

Photofromleft: Dr. Gabriel Oon (Hospitaller), Mr. Michael Khoo (President), Mr. SimonGrenfell, Dr. PeterChew(partiallyhidden), newlyinvestedAuxiliaryBishopof MelbourneBishopMark Coleridge, Mr. JimDominguez (newAmbassadorfortheOrderin Asia) HisGraceandConventional ChaplainoftheAustralianOrder, ArchbishopPhilipWilson, Mr. TonyMacken(thenewAustralian President), Dr. AndrewKwok, Mr JimmyYim(Chancellor),Mr. Tom Hazel (MasterofCeremonies), Mr. AlphonsusTan.

Seoul’s new ambassador to the Vatican, John Paul II encouraged the rapprochement between the two Koreas, called for the elimination of nuclear arms, and expressed satisfaction with the impressive growth of the Catholic Church in South Korea. In 1990, there were 2.73 million baptized Catholics in the country. By 2002, the figure had grown to 4.18 million. The Catholic Church in Korea “is a promising reality that enjoys esteem and respect. It undertakes its mission inspired by the Gospel and gives concrete religious witness through its educational, welfare and charitable institutions, appreciated by so many,” the Holy Father said. John Paul said “feelings of hostility and opposition between the two nations can be alleviated through dialogue and meetings.” □

SINGAPORE I AUSTRALIA I NEW ZEALAND I THAILAND PR / Business / Retirem ent Visas & C om pany Registrations

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

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

B u s in e s s O p p o r tu n ity ' 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

P H IL IP T A N HP: 9 2 3 9 -7 4 3 3 for an appointment to view our wide range o f products in our showroom.

Nepal church growth ‘extraordinary’ KATHMANDU, Nepal - The new

CHOOSE

E RA REAI ESTATE

HDB -resaleNet

HA Institute o f Estate Agents

Buying, S ellin g o r R entin g HDB and Private Residential Properties

ANTO NAZARETH

9 8 5 3 -0 6 9 8

IVY LAU M. M

9 0 0 1 -1 7 4 3

C EA Cert.-in-CEHA, CPS ™ (MIS)

/ £ \ PERFECT INTERIOR DECORATION D

R en ovation con tractors & m aterials su p p liers E stab lish ed sin ce 1974 RADAC: GO LD AW ARD

Specialised in renovating o f HDB, HUDCflats, apartments, private houses, factories, offices and shops

W e p r o v id e th e f o l l o w i n g m a te r ia ls a n d s e r v i c e s at r e a s o n a b le p r ic e s : 1. Ceramic tiles and wall tiles 2. Marble, terrazzo, brick wall fencing 3. Kitchen cabinets, built-in cupboards 4. Cornices and centre-pieces 5. Rock-stone and wall plastering 6. Parquet and vinyl tiles 7. Electrical, plumbing and sanitary work 8. Iron gates, iron grilles, aluminium grilles, amplimesh 9. Solid timber doors, PVC decoratively laminated doors and PVC folding doors 10. Aluminium sliding doors and windows 11. Vertical blinds and Venetian blinds 12. Painting 13. Supplier o f building materials etc For enquiries and free-quotation without obligation, please call or visit us at: Block 41, Holland Drive #01-25, Singapore 270041 T e l : 6779-5034/6779-6035 Fax: 6778-6539 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.

Workmanship: 12 months warranty for every job taken. HDB LicenceNo: HB-02-0459Z (RADAC) RenovationandDecorationAdvisoryCentre

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003 □ CatholicNews

New Myanmar church growing despite trials ROME - The Catholic Church is

growing in Myanmar said Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of Yangon. “We are a very close knit community and, despite difficulties and trials, we praise God, we pray, evangelize and engage in social and charity work,” he said. According to the latest Statistical Yearbook of the Church, there are 606,000 baptized people among Myanmar’s 47 million people. The yearbook’s 1999 edition listed 484,000 baptized. Gathered in 12 dioceses in what was formerly known as Burma, the faithful are served by 16 bishops, 600 priests, 1,400 religious and 3,000 catechists. “Despite restrictions imposed by the military regime we are free to pray in our churches and to evangelize through our lay catechists prepared with good formation courses,” Archbishop Bo said. “Our catechists travel through the villages visiting remote

families. Country people are more easily led to Jesus, whereas in the cities people are less inclined to listen,” he added. “In Mandalay and Yangon, Buddhism is deeply rooted. In fact, 90% of Myanmar’s Catholics belong to ethnic minority groups. Vocations flourish. There are 1,300 seminarians in all.’ The Catholic community is active in social work. “We have schools, dispensaries, hospitals — mainly in remote areas — thanks to the work of religious congregations,” the archbishop said. “We also have religious and laity working in government structures especially in poor areas where help is most needed. The government welcomes our assistance. Poverty is a serious problem and the Church provides assistance for poor people and refugees.” However the government keeps strict control of the community and the movement of bishops, although it does not interfere with ordinations of prelates or priests. □ z e n i t

Pope’s Mongolia trip postponed By John Norton VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul

II has decided to forgo a possible visit this summer to Mongolia because the timing is not yet right, Vatican officials said. The 83-year-old pontiff still wants to visit the northern Asian country, nestled between China and Russia, and plans for the trip could be completed for next year, the officials said. If the pope were to go next year, he would travel between

late spring and early September to avoid the country’s long, harsh winter, an official added. In a July 8 statement, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Vails said the pope “greatly appreciated” the invitation by Mongolia’s government and local church but “no decision has been made yet regarding the date for this trip.” The idea of a papal visit to Mongolia, which has fewer than 200 Catholics, has been in the works for months, and a papal advance team traveled there in

February to explore the possibility. But in early June, Vatican officials began suggesting that the local church, which does not yet have a bishop, needed a little more time to grow. The Vatican had hoped the trip to Mongolia would also provide an opportunity for the pope to make his first visit to Russia, with the return of a Vatican-held icon of Mary to the city of Kazan. The possible Kazan stop is stalled by opposition from the Russian Orthodox Church but Vatican officials said the decision to postpone the prospective Mongolia visit was made on different grounds. □ c n s

Constructioncranesloomoverthe brickCathedral ofSs. Peter and Paul inMongolia’scapital ofUlan Bator inearlyJuly. Work continuedonthechurchevenas theVaticanannouncedthat Pope JohnPaul I I wouldnot makea summertriptoMongolia, a historicallyBuddhist land. There areonlyabout 200Catholicsinthe populationof2.7million. Thenew cathedral will accommodate1,000 people, c n s p h o to s

Vietnam’s rocky road for religion NEW YORK - Recent reports are confirming long-standing worries over religious liberty in Vietnam. The just-released “Violence Against Christians in the Year 2002,” published by Aid to the Church in Need accused the Hanoi government of “misleading the international community by pretending to be making improvements in human rights and religious freedom.” In fact, authorities have been intensifying the anti-Christian campaign. People who convert to Christianity face discrimination and government surveillance, and risk losing their jobs. Their children might be banned from schools. Hardest hit are the Hmong of the Chinese border region, the report said. They number about 600,000. Part of the difficulties stem from long-standing animosities between the Hmong, who fought as US allies during the Vietnam War, and the Communists. Many of the Hmong Christian pastors have been hauled from their homes at night and imprisoned in forced-labor camps. All religious organizations must be approved by the state and affiliated with the Communist Party’s Fatherland Front. Members of groups that are not affiliated are pressured with harassment and even imprisonment. There are about eight million Catholics in Vietnam. [J z e n i t

H K C atholics p rotest bill HONG KONG - Hundreds of

Hong Kong Catholics fasted and prayed before joining tens of thousands of other citizens who called for democratic reforms. About 50,000 people attended the July 9 evening protest outside the Legislative Council building in the Central district, Hong Kong’s commercial hub. Before the protest, the legislature announced it was postponing passing an anti subversion bill, which opponents fear would limit religious and civil liberties. Early July 9, the Hong Kong Diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission organized a 12-hour fast and a prayer service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Some 800 Catholics attended an evening Mass that followed, with Auxiliary Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong presiding and 10 priests concelebrating. Father Louis Ha Ke-loon, director of the Catholic Social Communications Office, preached the homily, in which he urged Catholics to follow Jesus’ example of fighting evil through fasting. Quoting Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong, who publicly opposed the bill as a threat to religious and civil liberties, Father Ha said prayer

and fasting were a peaceful yet powerful way to express discontent and to work for change. Bishop Zen was in Rome July 9. After Mass, parishioners joined the larger rally, organized by the Civil Human Rights Front, a coalition of nongovernmental organizations opposing the anti subversion legislation. Members of the Catholic contingent, who held candles and sang hymns as they walked, were welcomed with applause when they arrived. Several Catholics said they want the government to listen to the people. “We want to tell the government that we are praying for Hong Kong society and for our future,” said Li Fung Kit-bing. Keith Chau Tze-kin, who gathered more than 20 friends by e-mail to fast or join the rally, said that if citizens had not protested the bill would have passed with negative consequences for religious freedom. During the two-hour July 9 rally, students, politicians and human rights activists spoke to the crowd, calling for a continual fight for democracy and direct election of the chief executive and legislators. The day before, Bishop Zen sent a message to Hong Kong Catholics from Rome expressing

his “relief’ at the delay of the National Security Bill. The bishop thanked God and praised the Hong Kong government’s courage and wisdom for “waking up to danger at the last moment.” Nonetheless, he urged Catholics to continue supporting the cause of “returning the power to the people.” The National Security Bill is based on Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the miniconstitution that took effect when Hong Kong reverted to China from Britain in 1997. Article 23 states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall enact its own laws to prohibit any act of treason,

About 500,000protestersjamthe roadJuly1asthey marchagainst government planstoenact ananti subversionlaw.Thismassiveshow ofdissent forcedtheadministration ofHongKongChiefExecutive TungChee-hwatosuspendthe proposedchangestothelaw.The secondmarchJuly9wassmaller. secession, sedition or subversion against China’s central government, or theft of national secrets. It prohibits foreign political organizations from conducting political activities in Hong Kong and forbids political organizations in Hong Kong from establishing ties with foreign political organizations. □ u c a n , c n s

CatholicNews □

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

Plioltol feVTa

Unauthorized mosque in Nazareth demolished By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM - Israeli authorities demolished

the foundations of the unauthorized mosque that had been built next to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, bringing to an end a squabble that began some five years ago. Immediately afterward, workers began construction on the Italian-style plaza originally planned for the area in preparation for the year 2000. Israeli media reported that hundreds of Israeli police stood guard as the demolition began in the early hours of July 1. Eight people were arrested, including Nazareth Deputy Mayor Salman Abu Ahmed Zuabi, local leader of the Islamic Movement. After the demolition some 200 Muslim worshippers gathered peacefully for noon prayers on a nearby road that had been closed to traffic, the Ha’aretz newspaper reported. Ha’aretz quoted Franciscan Father Giovanni Battistelli as saying on Vatican Radio that the decision to demolish the mosque was “fair and just.” “We have been asking for this since the beginning,” said Father Battistelli, custodian of the Holy Land’s holy sites. The plot of land had been a source of contention, especially with its location next

to the Basilica of the Annunciation, where Mary is believed to have received the news that she would bear Jesus. A group of Muslim fundamentalists took over the land, claiming it as holy ground where a martyr from the Crusades had been buried. Following a protracted court battle, in March a Nazareth court ordered the demolition of the foundations of the mosque in the public square next to the basilica. Officials are negotiating to find an appropriate alternative site for the mosque. The tomb revered by Muslims will be renovated and incorporated into the square that is also intended for use by Christian pilgrims visiting the city. "The (demolition) took place with little incident,” said Ramzi Hakim, spokesman for the mayor’s office. “This is a difficult step to take because from the beginning the issue was exploited cynically by (Israeli) officials to create divisions between Nazareth residents. This has never been a religious issue but rather a political one. We still don’t know if this is the end,” he said. Hakim said the Ministry of Housing and Construction was responsible for building the plaza. Church officials in Nazareth were out of the country and unavailable for comment. □

Bush visits former slave house GOREE ISLAND, Senegal

- US President George W. Bush holds the hand of Senegal President Abdoulaye Wadeas at the departure portal from the former slave house on Goree Island in Senegal July 8. The island was a slave trade depot for millions of Africans between the 16th and 18th centuries. During his stop there Bush called slavery one of history’s greatest crimes. “At this place, liberty and life were stolen and sold,” he said. □ c n s

Priest lead march against environmental destruction TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - After years of struggling

CNS PHO TOS

Liberian children seek protection MONROVIA, Liberia - Liberian children, displaced by conflict in the capital of Monrovia, seek protection July 1 in a compound that is part of the US Embassy. Despite its reputation as a safe haven, 21 people died when rockets fell there a week earlier. Thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded in the recent insurgency against the government of President Charles Taylor. Pope John Paul II appealed to the international community to help restore peace and security in Liberia and northern Uganda, where civil warfare was taking a heavy toll on hundreds of thousands of African civilians. □ c n s

against environmental destruction in the isolated mountains of central Honduras, a Honduran priest took his protest through the countryside to the nation’s capital. Thousands of peasant farmers who suffer from massive deforestation sporadically joined Father Andres Tamayo on a 120-mile, seven-day “March for Life” as it wound through the country’s central highlands. Photo above shows a priest and a nun rub their aching feet during the march. The nonviolent protest, led by Father Tamayo and several other priests and religious marked an escalation of the environmental campaign and the church’s leadership in it. The protesters demanded a moratorium on further logging in central Honduras until a “forest audit” can be conducted and plans developed for sustainable use of forest resources. They claim indiscriminate logging has dried up water sources and exacerbated poverty in the region. On the pilgrimage’s final day, the marchers delivered a petition to leaders of the country’s National Congress. Father Tamayo then led 10,000 marchers across the city to the Presidential Palace. □ c n s

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003 □ CatholicNews

Ns/z&Brlafe Pope John Paul II speaks

YoungwomenlistenasPopeJohn Paul II tellsyouthsgatheredfor celebrationshonoringSt. Maria Goretti tobechasteandusetheir summertimetobolster their prayer life.

today that true happiness requires courage, a spirit of sacrifice, and a willingness even to die to be faithful to God’s commandments. “Today, pleasure, egoism and even immorality are often exalted in the name of false ideals of freedom and happiness. It’s necessary to reaffirm clearly that purity of heart and body must be defended, because chastity ‘protects’ authentic love,” he said. The pope told young people that purity, like all virtues, “requires daily training of the will and constant interior discipline.” Another essential is dedicated recourse to God in prayer, he said. The frenetic pace of modem life can make it difficult to cultivate this spiritual dimension, he told young people, but summer vacations can be a good opportunity to start. □ c n s

□ Faith and justice □ Be chaste, be prayerful As summer vacation season approached in the northern hemisphere. Pope John Paul II offered young people two pieces of advice: Be chaste, and use your holiday time to boost your prayer life. The pope made his remarks during a midday blessing in St. Peter’s Square July 6, the close of centenary celebrations of the death of St. Maria Goretti, an 11 year-old Italian girl who died from stab wounds inflicted by a neighbor after she refused his sexual advances. The pope said the saint reminded young people even

Those who trust in God demonstrate their faith by working for justice and caring for the poor, Pope John Paul II said. “It is necessary to live according to God’s will, offering bread to the hungry, visiting prisoners, supporting and comforting the sick, defending and welcoming strangers (and) dedicating oneself to the poor and needy.” □ c n s

□ Global economy A Catholic response to the globalized economy must be a globalization of solidarity marked by true sharing and work for

M a n ’s coins donated to church Fills three pickups NEW HOPE, Minn. - Melvin Doyle, surrounded by odds and ends of things he has collected, talks on the phone at his business in Minneapolis. His parish was on the receiving end of loose coins he collected over the years. The first large donation toward building a new sanctuary at St. Joseph Church in New Hope came in the form of coinage — a hefty bit of it at that. It took 12 men and three pickup trucks to haul Doyle’s lifelong coin collection from his basement to a locked room at St. Joseph. All sorts of buckets and jars held loose change that Doyle, 90, had accumulated since age five.

After years of nagging by three wives to get rid of the coins, the twice-widowed Doyle finally gave in. “It felt good,” said the self-proclaimed hoarder. “It isn’t mine anyway; it belongs to God.” Most of the coins had little or no additional worth beyond their face value. Coins of major value — 52 of them — were being sold at a New York auction house and were expected to bring in $15,000. The total worth of the collection is estimated to be $75,000 to $85,000, said Father Bob Hazel, St. Joseph pastor, who knew Doyle had a coin collection, but had no idea how extensive it was. news

justice, Pope John Paul II said to the July 7-12 general assembly of Caritas Intemationalis, the umbrella organization of Catholic charities worldwide. The pope said solidarity flows from a recognition of the poor as brothers and sisters and not simply from pity. Assistance without love leads to humiliation, the pope said. Globalizing solidarity, he said, also requires international political efforts to guarantee the security of aid efforts in situations of conflict and new models for sharing between rich and poor countries. Too often, the pope said, aid has been a one-way street that resulted in the “permanent debt” of poor countries. □

□ ‘Ecclesia In Europa’ At the release of his apostolic exhortation, “Ecclesia in Europa,” June 28, the pontiff said the Christian roots of Europe should be recognized in the new constitution of the European Union and also in the way European Christians live their lives. □ c n s

C hurch studies genetically m odified food SACRAMENTO, California - The

Vatican’s representative to a global agriculture conference in Sacramento said he would observe discussions on food engineering technology to become better informed and to advise Pope John Paul II about its ethical implications. Archbishop Renato R. Martino said the pope is interested in learning more about genetically modified food and whether it could be used to feed billions of starving people around the world. “He wants to know how these new technologies might help people who are hungry or are living in poverty,” said Archbishop Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. “We are in the process of study in order to recommend to him what the church’s stance might be.” □ c n s

Vatican posts $15 m illion deficit VATICAN CITY - In 2002 the

Vatican took in about $246 million and spent about $261 million, leaving a $15 million deficit due mainly to a global economic downturn and the cost of constructing new embassies and purchasing real estate in Rome. Contributions for Vatican operating expenses from dioceses, religious orders, foundations and individuals around the world unexpectedly had more than doubled to $96.9 million in 2002. Worldwide donations to Peter’s Pence, a fund used by the pope for charitable giving, amounted to $53 million. □ c n s

B ritish archbishop criticizes new research using aborted fetuses MANCHESTER, England - A British archbishop criticized reports of new research that harvested eggs from aborted fetuses which could be used for in vitro fertilization treatment. “There is something deeply wrong with a society that can even contemplate harvesting eggs from the ovaries of aborted fetuses,” said Archbishop Peter Smith of Cardiff, Wales. “How is it that we can recognize that the aborted fetus is human enough to become a biological parent and yet not human enough to have the right to life?” the archbishop said. Another British pro-life leader said the proposed technique would repulse “most normal people.” “Who would want to know that their mother was an aborted baby?” said Nuala Scarisbrick, a trustee with the British pro-life organization Life. \J C N S

C haldean Patriarch dies

A ’

ChaldeanPatriarchRaphael I Bidawidina1991filephoto. VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul

II sent his condolences to Chaldean Catholics around the world after the July 7 death of their spiritual leader, Patriarch Raphael I Bidawid. The 81 -year-old patriarch, whose offices were in Baghdad, Iraq, died in Lebanon, where he had been hospitalized for months because of a kidney ailment and complications from diabetes. In a July 8 telegram, the pope prayed that “God, the father of all mercy,” would grant the patriarch peace and light after his 59 years of ministry as a priest, bishop and patriarch. The patriarch, who repeatedly called for peace in Iraq and throughout the region, spent years appealing for an end to the economic sanctions imposed on the country following Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait and tried to explain to people in the West the danger of continually antagonizing Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi people. Patriarch Bidawid had led the 300,000-member Chaldean Catholic Church since 1989. When he was elected bishop of Amadya in 1957, he was — at 35 years of age — the youngest bishop in the world. □ c n s

“W ords T hat M atter” VATICAN CITY - The Vatican

released a compendium of its interventions at the United Nations and other international meetings that officials said underscored the church’s central concern for human dignity and rights. “Words That Matter,” a 750page collection of central passages from statements given by Vatican delegations at international conferences from 1970 to 2000, was presented June 30 at a Vatican press conference. Published in English and French by the New York-based Path to Peace Foundation, the book includes a CD-ROM containing the complete and searchable texts of the roughly 1,300 interventions referenced in the book. The book is aimed principally at international law scholars, diplomats and others interested in the Vatican’s position on international questions, said Archbishop Andre Dupuy, apostolic nuncio to Venezuela and the project’s main editor. The text selections are grouped in chapters by theme, including religious freedom, development, peace, disarmament, human life, women and children, families and refugees. Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, Vatican secretary for relations with states, said he hoped the book would help inspire diplomats and government leaders to “look for reasonable, peaceful, equitable and impartial solutions, capable of promoting the resolution of conflicts and to banish force from international life.” “May this book increase understanding of the fundamental reason for the Holy See’s presence in the heart of the international community: to be the voice that the human conscience awaits,” Archbishop Tauran said. □ c n s

N ext w orld Synod o f B ishops VATICAN CITY - Six cardinals

and four archbishops met at the Vatican in early July to discuss plans for the next world Synod of Bishops, a gathering likely to take place in late 2004 or 2005. The theme is likely to focus on the Eucharist. The synod would be the 11th general assembly of the synod since Pope Paul VI reinstituted the structure after the Second Vatican Council. The worldwide meetings generally are held every three or four years. The last synod, focusing on the ministry of the bishop, was held at the Vatican in 2001. dews

CatholicNews □ Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

t i l ; i~r , B renda R ou ndtree adopted four ch ild ren w ith D o w n ’s S yn d rom e. O n e o f them lead her and her fa m ily to the C ath olic Church.

Who’s the angel?

By Susan Brinkmann PHILADELPHIA - Few people will ever forget the day Brenda Roundtree and her four adopted special-needs children entered the Catholic Church. It was during the Easter Vigil this year at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Norristown. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the church,” said one eyewitness. But the story actually began a year ago when Meredith Roundtree announced to her mother at the breakfast table: “I want to go talk to a special person. I have to go over there. I know where to go.” Brenda Roundtree, a Mormon at the time, had no idea what her daughter was talking about. “She kept saying over and over, ‘I have to go over there. I know where to go,’” she recalled in an interview with The Catholic Standard and Times, newspaper of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Finally, Brenda piled everyone into the family van and headed out, and Meredith led them straight to Visitation. The “special person” Meredith insisted on seeing was someone she had never met before — Msgr. Thomas A. Murray, the pastor. “Brenda came in to our office and told me that her daughter had led her there,” Msgr. Murray said. Although this might not seem unusual for a child, it certainly is for one with Down’s syndrome. Meredith, 27, functions at pre school level. Msgr. Murray realized that he had a special situation on his hands and welcomed them with open arms. Brenda Roundtree, who has been a widow for a couple of

years, had been raising her seven biological children and nine adopted children in the Mormon Church. Eventually, she stopped going to church because she was uncomfortable with some of the tenets of the church. She tried to return to the faith of her childhood, Lutheranism, but halfway through a service thought, “This isn’t it either.” After the trip to Visitation, Meredith would say over and over, “I want to go to my church.” That prompted Brenda to inquire about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults there; she found that the parish also had a religious education class for children with special needs.

EL-SHADDAI O O O O

(Door to Door) Movers

House & Office Moves Storage Services Professional Services Disposal Services

BrendaRoundtreeandherfour adoptedspecial-needschildren werewelcomedintotheCatholic Churchat Visitationofthe BlessedVirginMaryParishin Norristown, Pa., thisyear. Picturedfromleft areDebbie, David, CassandraandMeredith.

special needs is as compelling as the story of them joining the Catholic Church. Brenda Roundtree, who has been active in the pro-life movement since its early days, was known in area hospitals because she would go and talk to people there about “how they were killing living humans” by performing abortions, she said. “One night, I got a phone call from a hospital about a baby who had just been bom and thrown away,” she said. It was Meredith, bom with Downs syndrome, and she “was literally thrown in the trash. They were hoping she would die right away.” The newborn was determined

CNS PHO TO

So she and four of her adopted children began to prepare to become Catholics. The first time they attended Mass, Brenda Roundtree said, “everything was so beautiful.” It “made so much sense” she knew she had found the right church, she said. How she and her husband came to adopt four children with

P^pfek P R U

R E A L T Y

(S ) P T E

PRU Realty belongs to Propnex, Singapore’s

L T D

largestreal estate network.

Sales & Rental of Landed Properties, Apartments, Offices & HDB

EfficientandResponsiveService. HigherReturnsandGreaterSavingsforYou! caii: Irene Lim 9652-8568 or Email: limirene@singnet.com.sg a dm S ow c SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST!

M o ses D e Laure T e l: 6 2 6 2 - 2 0 2 3

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

DESIGN

• 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

t e

1 6 2 6 9

. c

7 0 8 0

m ^

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

: O f f ic e :HP :HP

6382 3253 9858 4777 9062 7793

We b rin g y o u B u n d le s o f J o y ! R oc Registration No.: 5290464 D

W ebsite: w w w .childadoptioninteniational.com

E L E C T R O N IC R E A L T Y A S S O C IA T E S

E R£ Amember of ERASingapore Pte Ltd

to be a child with a “failure to thrive” because she had no sucking reflex. Brenda Roundtree enlisted the help of Dr. C. Everett Koop, then on the staff of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; the surgeon, who later served as U.S. surgeon general (1981-89), and the Roundtrees were close friends. The physician went by ambulance to the hospital to retrieve the child. A few days later, Koop called Brenda Roundtree. “Come down and see your daughter,” he said. When she arrived Koop was in a room with six bassinets. “Can you pick out the one who was so disgusting that they threw her away?” he asked her. She couldn’t. So he told her: “You’re looking for the wrong thing. Look for the most beautiful little girl you’ve ever seen.” Her eye went right to Meredith. After Meredith, came Cassandra, another abandoned child with Down’s syndrome who was living in terrible conditions in a foster home in New Jersey. She was a year old and had never had solid food. “When I picked her up, she had sores all over her back,” Brenda Roundtree recalled. “She was so thin, but so beautiful, with curly blonde hair and big blue eyes.” Next came Debbie, who was in a New York institution for hydrocephalic children. Today she is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Then there was David, v/hom the Roundtrees adopted from a social service agency in New Jersey. Brenda’s biological children are grown and living on their own now. She could retire, but is instead caring for a house full of children with special needs. “I’m spoiled with these kids,” she said, as if no greater blessing could befall her. But she did receive a greater blessing — finding her spiritual home at Visitation. “The whole congregation of people there has loved us,” she said. “It’s the warmest, sweetest, most loving place I’ve ever been.” □ c n s

P .

•i.i ••mi Leader in the real estate industry with over 25 years of experience

Sales & Rental ofHDB, Apartments, Offices & LandedProperties Looknofurther. For fast, reliable and trustworthy services. Please call: E u g e n e K oh (bbba, aust) H/P9 7 9 0 “4 2 2 8 Email: eugenekoh era @ yahoo.com.sg

Thinking of selling your property? Having problems looking for the right agent?

Do you know of a good story? CatholicNews is interested in stories of Catholics in Singapore who live lives of heroic love and faith - similar to the story of Brenda Roundtree. We believe there are many such stories out there. If you know of someone who fits the description, do drop us a line. Please do not write long articles. One paragraph of 40-50 words giving us a gist of the story will do. We will contact you for more information if we think it is suitable for publication. Email us at: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

Sundays July 20 and July 27,2003 □ CatholicNews

MANY RELIGIONS

3p e

lie porJ:

Dialogue: St. Paul's way By Sister Theresa Sanders, RSCJ

Christians have been involved in interreligious dialogue since the beginnings of Christianity. In the Acts of the Apostles we find the apostle Paul in debates with the people of Athens (Acts 17:15-34). Paul had gone to Athens on one of his missionary journeys. Almost immediately upon entering the city he found himself embroiled in arguments with the people who lived there about their religious beliefs. Arguments, however, seldom produce genuine faith or good will. So it was in Paul’s case. After numerous debates which seemed to accomplish little, finally some philosophers from Athens sat down with Paul and offered simply to listen while he explained exactly what he was trying to preach. At this point, Paul does three things: - First, he acknowledges the faith that the people of Athens already practice. “Athenians,” he begins, “I see how extremely religious you are in every way.” Paul explains that he has gone through the city and looked carefully at their shrines, seeking to understand their religious beliefs and ways of worship. - Second, Paul speaks from

his heart about the God he knew first as a Jew studying the law and later through the words of Jesus. This one God created all people, he says, and thus “all people search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him - though indeed he is not far from each one of us.” Third, Paul tries to find ways to connect his religious beliefs with those of the Athenians. He notes that among their shrines there is an altar dedicated “to an unknown God.” This God, says Paul, is the one he preaches. Paul explains that he is not bringing them a new God but is merely preaching the good news of a God they already worship. He quotes some of the Athenians’ own poets and shows how his message is not so different from theirs. This process of first learning about others’ religious beliefs, then speaking honestly, lovingly and faithfully about one’s own, and finally searching for points of true connection among them, has been necessary throughout Christian history. Unfortunately, Christians have not always heeded Paul’s example. At times they have not taken the time to learn about the beliefs of other cultures or to seek genuine places of communion and conversation.

The pope has made conversation with our brothers and sisters of other religions a priority. Such dialogue is necessary first so that Christian faith can be enriched by the insights that other faith traditions have to offer. If we really believe, as St. Paul says, that “God is not far from each one of us,” then we can learn of God throughout the world’s cultures. Second, real dialogue is needed so that the good news of Jesus can be preached to anyone willing, like those philosophers in Athens, to listen. The New Testament records that some of Paul’s hearers that day scoffed at his preaching. Others listened attentively. Still others, a few at least, were moved to become followers of Jesus themselves. This is a mission of attentive listening and evangelization. Anyone interested in the topic of interfaith dialogue can find a wealth of information on it. Catholics can begin by reading Vatican Council II’s document titled “Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” (also called “Nostra Aetate”). This text affirms that the Catholic Church rejects nothing true and holy in the world’s religions. □ cm

Killing in God’s name By Father Dale Launderville, OSB

HijackedUnitedAirlinesFlight 175flies towardtheWorldTradeCentertwintowers beforeslammingintothesouthtowerasthe northoneburnsintheSept. 11, 2001, attack. Atleast 2,819peopleperishedintheattack. CNS PHO TOS

We should heed God’s admonition to Cain to master the jealousy, hate and vengeful feelings when we feel that we have been wronged. Life’s injustices tempt us to reshape situations in ways that seem more just to us. But our perception of what is just is tainted and we need God’s help to make just decisions. Unfortunately, we tend to link divine help to purposes that advance our own goals to the detriment of others. Fear for the survival of one’s group or nation can generate extreme responses. When ethnic groups or nations promote warlike practices as the divine will, there is a potential for violence to escalate to horrendous proportions. Palestinian suicide bombers have been honoured by their supporters as martyrs but demonized by their opponents as terrorists. In Croatia in the 1990s, Christians tore down mosques and uprooted the

Muslim population. In India in the 1990s, Hindu nationalist groups called for mob violence against Muslims . There is a common thread in the strategies of these extremist groups using violence to promote political goals .They select those parts of religious teaching that seem to support extreme actions but ignore other parts that would put a check on them. Their violence thus appears justified as the carrying out of the divine will or is in accord with their spiritual tradition. Throughout the history of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, the experience of the holy could bring about ecstasy or madness, provoking both constructive and destructive actions. For an oppressed people, an experience of God’s presence may inspire extremely violent efforts to achieve justice. An important force for restraining such violence is rigorous criticism and qualification of the claim that God supports such violence. □ c n s

Pope tells Indian bishops to increase missionary efforts

Pope John Paul II told bishops from majority-Hindu India to step up missionary efforts without downplaying Jesus’ uniqueness as the| incarnate son of God. Speaking to southern Indian bishoj July 3, the pope said a Christianity separated from proclamation of Jesus as the only saviour “is no longer Christian.” The bishops were in Rome for their “ad limina” visits, which heads of dioceses make every five years to report on local church conditions. The question of the church’s evangelization efforts in India, a country steeped in ancient religious and philosophies traditions, has been a sensitive subject of debate in recent years. Some local church leaders and theologians have rejected traditional missionary efforts as disrespectful to the ancient religions and God’s ability to save people through them. But the pope told the bishops that especially in the Indian context “we see how absolutely essential is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as the son of j God.” □ c n s

CatholicNews □

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

LONE GOD John Paul IPs way

The pope is the best advocate and tireless leader o f interreligious dialogue as the path to God and peace. H is exam ple is follow ed by Catholics everywhere.

Left: Franciscanfriarspresent oil lampstoreligious leadersattendingaspiritual summit withPopeJohnPaul IIinAssisi, Italy. Thelampslaterwereset onatableby theparticipantsasasignofsolidarityandhopefor peace. Right: IranianPresident MohammadKhatamishakes handswithPopeJohnPaul IIat theVatican. Thetwo discussedrelationsbetweenChristiansandMuslims Below:BishopMalcolmRanjith, secretary-general ofthe Sri Lankanbishops’conference, sitswithHindu, Muslim andmostlyBuddhist religiousleaderswhileprayingat a peacerallyinaparkinColombo, Sri Lankaearly2001.

How others pray By Father Raymond Finch, MM

Prayer, lifting of our minds and hearts to God, is important in all cultures and all religions. The diverse practices and techniques are very different and might even seem contradictory, but when we look beneath the surface we see that all forms of prayer endeavor to open us up to God’s mysterious presence within the contexts of our person, our community and our history. We build churches or temples, and we designate different parts of our world or environment as especially sacred. Hindus designate the Ganges River as sacred. Christians, Jews and Muslims give special significance to the Holy Land. Prayer is not limited to these sacred places but there is recognition that sacred space helps us to be aware of God’s presence in the rest of the world. We also separate out sacred times. Christians celebrate Easter and Christmas, Muslims observe Ramadan, Jews celebrate Passover, Buddhists observe the birth of Buddha and Hindus celebrate the Diwali festival of lights.

~r*-

OrthodoxJewishyouthsprayat Jerusalem’sWailingWall, asacred siteforJews.

When

FollowersofIslamgathered outsideHaram,theGrand Mosque, attendanevening prayerserviceontheeveof Hajj, thepilgrimageseasonof penanceandsacrifice. The mosque, whichcan accommodateonemillion worshippers, containstheblack stoneofKa’aba,aroundwhich worshippersprocessandrecite prayers. Muslimsareobligated tomaketheHajj pilgrimageto MeccainSaudi Arabiaat least onceintheirlives, iftheyare physicallyandfinanciallyable.

Muslims pray By Sr Theresa Sanders

PopeJohnPaul meetsHinduholyman ShankaracharyaMadhavanandaSaraswati ataninterreligiousmeetinginNewDelhi November7,1999 “The method o f courageous and persevering dialogue is particularly useful for facing the many tensions existing in the world. In the face of any attempt to distort religion and to illegitimately use sacred traditions, Christians and Muslims must forcefully reaffirm that practices that incite people to violence and to disrespect human life are contrary to God.”

- PopeJohnPaul II, speaking to Abdulhafed Gaddur. Libya’s ambassador to the Vatican.

MUSLIMS and Christians pray to the same God. The most immediately striking feature of prayer in Islam is its regularity. Muslims pray five times a day: at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and nighttime. This way of arranging life around a prayer schedule is familiar to many Christians as well. Since the sixth century, religious-order members especially have observed what is called the Liturgy of the Hours, chanting psalms and praying at specified times during day and night. The Muslim tradition of using one’s body to pray is also familiar to Christians. Muslim

rituals include standing, kneeling and bowing one’s head to the ground to express humility before God. Many Christians likewise pray with their bodies, clasping their hands in supplication or bowing, standing and kneeling. Muslims and Christians share other spiritual practices. For instance, both stress the importance of fasting as a way of disciplining the self and of learning compassion for the poor. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, while many Christians fast during Lent.

Both groups focus on almsgiving as a spiritual practice; both have a tradition of pilgrimage. Every Muslim, insofar as possible, is encouraged to travel to the holy city of Mecca at least once in life. Christians historically have made pilgrimages to any number of holy sites. Both Islam and Christianity have produced great mystics and spiritual teachers. Any Christian mystic might agree with the words of the 12thcentury Sufi master Al-Ghazali,

Devoteesprayat theGanges, aHinduholyplace. Prayer is not limited to these specific sacred times, but the observance of these special moments helps us to be aware of God’s presence and thus the sacredness of all time. Each culture and religion developed it own special symbols, formulas, expressions and ways of praying over hundreds of years. But underlying all the diversity and difference is the mystery of God who created us all and calls us to be one. The Hindus of Nepal greet each other with the “namaste,” a simple ritual greeting consisting of hands joined as if in prayer and a slight bow. The greeting signifies the recognition of a presence of the divine in the other. We Christians strive to recognize the presence of Christ in each other. The variety of prayer forms reveals an underlying unity. God is one, and some day we, God’s children, hope to be one. □

who lived in Baghdad and wrote of his decision to embark on a spiritual journey: “The key was to sever the attachment of the heart to worldly things by leaving the mansion of deception and returning to that of eternity, and to advance toward God most high with all earnestness.” Of course, there also are differences between Muslim and Christian prayer. Muslims pray facing Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. Christians gather on Sundays, Muslims on Fridays. Mosques, the buildings where Muslims gather to pray, have no images of God, fearing they lead to idolatry. By contrast, of course, Christian churches usually contain artwork depicting God. Nonetheless, Christians and Muslims look to the same God as the source of each person’s life and destiny. Like Muslims, Christians can call on God as the “Merciful One,” “Compassionate One” or the “One Who Provides.” □ Sr Sanders is an associate professor o f theology at Georgetown University.

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003 □ CatholicNews

i i i i h

i h

JK R ow lin g’s highly successful books are a fine set o f moral tales, according to Ray Lyons,w ho says that children learn the difference betw een good and bad w hile enjoying adventures o f the boy wizard.

O POTTER mania has struck again as children and adults alike queued to get their copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. And religious fundamentalists are once again condemning it and its highly imaginative author, JK Rowling. Such twisted and narrow minded condemnation of all things Harry Potter as encouraging witchcraft and wizardry show why so many people today wrongly perceive the Christian religion as irrelevant to their lives, and that of their children. The condemnation of the Harry Potter books only plays into the hands of a cynical press that is only too happy to show the Church in a negative light. The truth is of course that the Harry Potter books have about as much to do with witchcraft and wizardry, as the Three Wise Men have to do with astrology. JK Rowling’s books are as good a set of moral tales as any I’ve read. They have simultaneously helped millions of children to learn the joy of reading while at the same time teaching the basics

of right and wrong, good versus evil, as well as the triumph of love, friendship, courage and self-sacrifice over greed, self interest, cheating and the misuse of power. Consciously or not, JK Rowling has given the rest of us a feast of opportunities to help our young people understand some of the most important and basic insights to life, and made it fun too. Every parent, teacher and priest involved in the education of children should be grateful for the gift of Harry Potter. It is hard to think of many scenarios that might arise with a child where a parallel cannot be found in the books that help us to explain it to children and to draw a clear moral lesson for them that they will understand.

understood. Reading the books is HE WILD Goose Studios hugely enjoyable, but their use as a produces a lovely Celtic catechetical tool is a real bonus. plaque that says “Imagination is evidence of the Handing on the riches of our faith to others, especially to a new Divine”, which I have often given generation, is one of the passions as a present to friends at their of my life and I am deeply ordination. In our fast-moving saddened when I visit parishes and world, I believe that as priests, see very few children or we really do need to use our Godteenagers. My heart breaks when I given gift of imagination more hear parents or youngsters say and more to try and reach the Mass is boring, or the Church is young in our society and to help out-dated and irrelevant. them hear and accept the gospel. Certainly, in some places it is Over the years, I have been boring - I’ve been there. On the grateful for JK Rowling’s other hand, where parishes, parents imagination and her characters, and priests find imaginative ways themes and plots in the Harry to present the Good News of Jesus, Potter books. They have helped me then children and teenagers are make a link with the Gospel message for our young parishioners usually present in significant numbers. The Church gives us and their parents that they may not considerable resources and a otherwise have made, or

degree of flexibility in how we celebrate to help children enter more fully into it. Simply to use the specially adapted set of readings at Mass from the Columba Children’s Lectionary can make a huge difference for children when they hear the Good News in language they can comprehend. There is a saying that it’s important to “meet people where they are at”. I agree totally. It’s the right place to begin. The problem is that all too often, the next step is not made, to help move them on to where God wants us to be. The reality of our missionary task as a Church is to start from where society is at and to use every positive modem cultural link we can to re-introduce Christ and his message to the situation. Every survey ever produced shows that the vast majority of our contemporaries still believe in God but frequently have little knowledge or time for his Church. The challenge for us within the Church, and especially for bishops, priests and deacons is to use our imagination more and to reach out to our children and young people especially using their culture and language. To do so is to do the same as Jesus did when he used stories and examples from a rural and pastoral society to help them discover the Kingdom of God and their place within it. If we use our God-given imaginations, we too can help our children, teenagers and adults alike to find their rightful place in the kingdom. But do we have the courage to use it? □ t h e u n i v e r s e

Abstinence is better, really Abstinence is the new wave in sex education. Its advantages are gaining proponents LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas, a town not normally associated with moral restraint, was the site early July for the seventh annual National Abstinence Clearinghouse Conference. The conference, gathered around 750 people. The abstinence movement has grown rapidly in recent years. There are now more than one million teens and college students registered with True Love Waits, one of several abstinence campaigns. One of the participants, Luis Galdamez, an abstinence educator from California, said it was important to stress that anyone can practice abstinence until marriage, even if you’re no longer a virgin. “It’s your body. It’s your choice,” said Galdamez, who spoke at the event. “You’re worth the wait.” Abstinence education is very valuable in promoting a viable alternative to sexual activity and

“Believing that true love waits, I make a pledge to God, myself, my family and my future spouse, to be sexually pure until marriage, by the grace of God.” can reduce the risks of unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease and single parenthood. Outside of the United States there are signs that support for abstinence programmes is growing. A report published in April by the Heritage Foundation provided a wealth of information on the benefits of abstinence and the negative consequences of precocious sexual activity. Unwed teen mothers are likely to live in poverty and be dependent on welfare, and only about 50% of them are likely to finish high

school while they are adolescents or young adults. Additionally, children bom to teen mothers are more likely than other children to have lower grades, to leave high school without graduating, to be abused or neglected, to have a child as an unmarried teen-ager, and to be delinquent. The Heritage Foundation also highlighted the high risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Each year three million teens — 25% of sexually active teens — are infected with an STD. The report explained that if

untreated, these diseases can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Studies have also found that up to 15% of sexually active teen-age women are infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV), an incurable virus present in nearly all cervical cancers. The study criticized many of the sexual education programs in use among teens. The majority of schools teach “safe sex” programs that are normally limited to providing information about sexuality, leaving it up to adolescents to make their own decisions. Abstinence is downplayed and sexual activity and condom use are encouraged in these curriculums, noted the Heritage Foundation. Abstinence is barely mentioned. The importance of a moral element in sex education programs was backed up by a recent study in the United States by the National Institutes of Health: teens — particularly girls — with strong religious views are less likely to have sex than are less religious teens. □ z e n i t

& XX. Wettjugendtag Koln 2005

World Youth Day 2005 Goes Online COLOGNE - The official Web page of Cologne’s World Youth Day 2005 has just come online. The page, at www.wyd2005.org, is in German and Italian. The English, Spanish and French versions are still being built. The event is scheduled to begin August 11, 2005. Plans calls for a vigil with the pope on August 20 and a Mass with the Holy Father the next day. Organizers say that nonCatholic young people are welcome to attend the World Youth Day events. □ z e n i t

CatholicNews □

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

Faiffi&Life ■ * & .u s - j

By Gerri Pare D etcnnined lo w in her grandfather's love and respect, a 12-year-okl M aori g irl defies his edict that she not learn w a rrio r s k i l l s in “ W hale R id e r" (N ew m arket). The very contem porary retelling o f the M aori legend is w ritten and directed hy N ik i Caro, based on the 1986 best seller by W iti Ihimaera, New Zealand's first published M aori novelist. Local legend holds that the sea god Paikea arrived in their North Island village o f Whangara on the back ol a whale. A ging tribal c h ie f K oro (R a w iri Paralcnc) is distraught when his son's w ife dies bearing tw ins, w ith the male infant d yin g as w ell. Resenting K oro's insensitivity to his baby daughter, the grief-stricken father ( C lill C urtis) gives her the m ale-only name o f Paikea and leaves New Zealand. Called Pai, the child (Keisha Castle-1 lughes) is aware her grandfather wishes her brother had lived instead, but her grandmother (V icky I laughton) provides the affection her grandfather feels but does not show. W ith no male heir available lo lead, Koro begins training local boys in the gestures and lighting stances the new leader must possess. Pai surreptitiously practices and excels in the necessary skills, exhibiting a natural leadership lacking in the unmotivated boys around her. When Pai s lather returns fo r a visit, an ugly flareup again distances him from his own father and he o ile rs lo lake Pai back to (ierm any w ith him . She is sorely tempted but decides her destiny is to prove herselt to her grandfather as the person he is seeking to succeed him. IX 'spile K oro's refusal to acknow ledge her talents, she speaks in beautiful tribute lo him at a school

ceremony where she has won tw o top prizes. A p o lo g izin g for upsetting his tradition-bound ways, she can hardly gel the words out as he has not shown up to hear how much she loves and honors him. Instead, on the way, K oro is sidetracked by a crisis o f beached whales that w ill lest the resolve o f the entire village and trigger a significant change o f heart. Castle-1lughes makes a radiant debut as the lovin g child whose youth belies her emotional and spiritual m aturity. Indeed, her w illingness to sacrifice herself for her people is C h rist-like, and her a b ility lo forgive her grandfather's many slights deeply touching. Caro orchestrates a remarkable exploration o f an ancient culture con Iron ling change during hardscrabble times w hile p u llin g together as a com m unity it' maintain their sacred lies to nature. A lthough Pai is specifically hauling the tribe's rigid patriarchy and accepted gentler bias, the narrative embraces universal themes and evokes intense emotions. The a ll-M a o ri cast and the on-localion shooting in the village o f Whangara, on New Zealand's east coast, only adds lo the cinem atic experience. Viewers are sure lo notice the exquisitely carved interiors o f the trib e ’s meeting house, but it is the interiors o f the spirit o f this indigenous people that is so impressively celebrated in "W hale Rider." Because o f a b rie f sexual and drug-related relerence, the USCCB O ffice for f ilm Broadcasting classification is A l l adults and adolescents. Singapore rating: PG-Parcntal Guidance. ■ I ’tire is th e dire d o r o f th e O ffic e fu r l i h n it Itrotulcastiiifi o f th e I '..S'. C o n feren c e o f C atholic Hisliops.

CNSPHO TOS

Danger in the Inter The Internet is a valuable and exciting tool for learning but there are risks. Below , a lawyer and mother o f seven, gives som e advice on how parents can protect their children. By Maureen Mullally

Terminator 3: R ise o f the m achines Warner Brothers Lavishly violent sci-fi actioner has Arnold Schwarzenegger returning as the cyborg stud from the future sent to protect soonto-be-savior-of-mankind John Connor (Nick Stahl) from yet another terminator upgrade (Kristanna Loken). Despite a steroid-sized special effects budget, director Jonathan Mostov’s film flexes little muscle beyond its smash-and-crash sequences, resulting in an adrenalin-heavy, plot-light reboot of the two earlier films. Excessive, graphic sci-fi violence, some rough language and profanity, as well as fleeting rear nudity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. Singapore rating: PG-Parental Guidance. □

ARENTS trying to create a Christian atmosphere in their homes are facing greater difficulties than those of any previous generation. When we were bringing our family up, the TV was a cause of parental anxiety. Programmes had to be carefully monitored and our children were never allowed to switch on the TV without asking. There would be themes or images which Catholic parents did not want impressionable youngsters to see. However, our worries were as nothing when compared to the dangers vulnerable children now are daily being exposed to. In many homes, computers afford all members of the family access to the Internet, which can be beneficial educationally, and it is for this reason that parents are keen to encourage children to acquire skills in its use. But the Internet has a downside, one which is causing alarm to those concerned with the protection of children. A recent survey has disclosed that pornographic ‘spam '- unsolicited e-mails promoting sex websites - increased 20-fold during 2002. Presently, almost one in ten emails promotes pornography. Only a small

proportion of spam is being deflected. A major hazard is that parents are all too often far less computer-competent than their own children. The adults may be quite unaware of the disgusting material to which their sons and daughters can so easily be exposed. Parents would be well advised to concentrate on honing their own computer skills to enable them to monitor what is going on in their homes. Children’s in boxes should be checked regularly, and there are a few steps which can be taken to reduce the risks of unwanted and explicitly sexual e-mails being received. Do not use, or allow your children to use, ‘unsubscribe’ buttons. Much spam is generated on a random basis by computers guessing at e-mail addresses. If you reply by pressing ‘unsubscribe', you are confirming your address, which will then be sold on to producers of exciting pornographic material. Most Internet providers let you choose who can or can’t send you email. Check whether the one you use has this control facility. When you do receive unwanted spam, you can notify your email provider. Most providers will try to act to prevent known spam from reaching its targets.

ChildrenareencouragedtousetheInternet foreducational purposesbut therearerisks. Another tip is to use a different screen name when you are contacting public areas of the Internet. A separate account can be created for these areas, so your private email address is not disclosed to organizations which could misuse it. Some of us feel we are never going to be computer literate, so we bury our heads in the sand. But, unfortunately, parents can no longer afford to take this attitude if they wish to protect their children from the threat which the Internet can pose. □ t h e u n i v e r s e (EDITO R’S NOTE: Father William J. Byron, SJ will provide a different pespective on the sam e problem in ‘‘A question o f character" in the next issue o f CatholicNews.)

O R D I N A R Y GIRL. E X T R A O R D I N A R Y SAINT.

THE ST OR Y OF S A I N T

Actress Lindsay Younce stars as one o f the most popular m odem saints in the new m ovie “Therese.’

THE LAST WORD

Face the reality of adulthood n i c o n is a holy picture, and image

responsible. What this does, more often than not, is showing something of the divine. put us in unconscious competition with the young Perhaps the best icon to depict rather than make us their mentors. adulthood is a picture of a mother or The effects of this are everywhere. We see it in a father carrying a tired or a sleeping the cult we’ve developed around the body - the child. Few images capture as beautifully and as pressure to look young, to not show the effects of deeply what an adult is meant to do, carry the young. aging, to value physical looks above all else. Partly Today too many things tempt us away from this this is good. It’s made us more sensitive both to our and invite us instead to remain always a child, an health and our looks; a good thing in itself, adolescent. Why do I say this? aesthetically and morally. T here’s Because so much in our world something healthy about wanting to today is telling us: “Don’t grow up! look good; the first sign of clinical Don’t be a mother or a father or a depression is when we no longer care grandparent or an elder. Don’t take on about our appearance. But this has a the responsibility that comes with debilitating underside as well. What adulthood. Remain instead the puer all this pressure to remain young and or the puella, the eternal boy or the look attractive does is make it very eternal girl. Keep forever a youthful difficult for us to accept mortality and body and an untethered spirit. Have all that comes with it. no irrevocable com m itm ents or And part of what comes with it is Fr Ronald Rolheiser binding responsibilities. Assume the pressure to never grow up, to never neither the body nor the duties of an adult!” really mature, to remain forever the child, the That’s the air we breathe. More and more the adolescent, someone who looks over his or her ideal of a woman is Tinkerbell and the ideal of a shoulder for some adult to summon or blame. Too man is Peter Pan, adolescent figures swinging often our attitude mimics that of children and through the sky, youthful, slim, free. Hollywood’s adolescents. When they’re caught in a situation leading men and women are made to look younger where something’s gone wrong, invariably their and younger, the fashion industry dictates that there response is: “It’s not my fault!” “This has nothing are to be no middle-aged bodies, and men and to do with me!” “Mum and dad have a problem!” women old enough to be grandparents want still to “Someone needs to fix this!” look as if they’re 20. Notice how little different this sounds from: “Our What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong is that leaders are evil!” “The culture’s a mess!” “The Peter Pan and Tinkerbell are children. Neither has Church needs to straighten itself out!” “The bishops ever carried anything or anyone, nor made a have a real problem on their hands with this sexual commitment or assumed a responsibility. No abuse thing!” Bottom line, these are the phrases of wonder they’ve no stretch-marks, no wrinkles, no children and adolescents: “Something’s broken, but bodies stooped from carrying burdens, no middleit’s not my fault. I ’m not responsible!” Taking aged fat, no wrinkles, no grey hair, and precious responsibility and tryingto help carry things is one little anxiety about the brokenness of our world. of the primary tasks of adulthood and stepping forth They're children and children are not yet scarred to do this is one of the litmus tests of maturity. As by the burden of having to carry things. mothers and fathers, we’re supposed to be carrying Robert Bly, in his insightful work, The Sibling the children, not asking to be carried ourselves. Society, suggests that what is lacking in our culture But to do so will scar us in a way that will set us are parents and elders. Nobody wants to assume apart from the young. We’ll have stretch-marks, bent those roles because to assume them is to admit we’re bodies, anxious hearts, the stoop that comes with no longer children ourselves and we don’t want to carrying burdens, grey hair, wrinkles induced by do that. Instead, too often, a mum wants to be her worry, and probably some middle-aged fat as well. daughter’s best friend rather than the parent her Moreover, we won’t always be best buddies to our daughter desperately needs and a dad wants to be children or the coolest mum or dad on the planet, his son’s buddy rather than the father that his son but we will be the elders, the mentors; the teachers, really wants. As adults we want to be perceived as the adults, the parents, the mums, and the dads that cool rather than as parental, as free rather than our society so sorely misses. 1 1 t h e c a t h o l i c h e r a l d

Q: How has portraying St Therese affected your faith? Younce: I started the process of becoming a Catholic right before I began the film. But I had to wait until after the film to complete the process. I think getting to know Therese introduced me to many aspects of the Catholic faith that I had not been familiar with, especially the joy that comes from suffering when you offer it as a gift to God. You ask for it, you rejoice in it and it can be the little things you offer up every day. Therese’s relationship with Sister Augustine, the nun she had T H E R E S E OF L I S I E U X difficulty loving, has really impacted me, especially in my own life with people I have a hard time loving. I try to recall how she RODUCERS of a new treated Sister Augustine and how movie about the life of she made special efforts to show St Therese hope the her love even though it was movie will create a difficult for her. renaissance of Catholic film. For a closer look Q: What about St Therese did at this highly anticipated film, you find most intriguing or Zenit spoke with Lindsay Younce, surprising? What is most the young actress who plays St misunderstood about her? Therese, about portraying a saint Younce: I think what is surprising and how St Therese can inspire about her most was her youth, that viewers through the film. Younce she was young all of her life. We is a graduate of George Fox often think of saints as these University in Oregon and a recent immaculate people all of their convert to Catholicism from the lives, but Therese had to go Society of Friends (Quakers). through a transformation, and one at a young age. She was always Q: What first drew you to the spoiled, getting her own way, film? people were always catering to Younce: I found out about St her and she was favoured, Therese when I first came across especially by her father. She had her relics as they travelled to learn how to get out of that through Vancouver. After that I mindset. She was a very brave and read excerpts from her Story of a courageous girl. We often forget Soul and I was struck by her that one of the main things she wisdom and age. She had such a wanted people to understand was deep understanding of the love of that we are imperfect and you God, yet was so young. I had have to accept your imperfections. initially wanted to be an extra in Therese was imperfect and she the film. However, after I read for was discouraged and left with no the part of Celine, Therese’s consolation for much of her life. sister, I got called back to read for We are often without consolation, the part of Therese. and it is important to understand I think we all feel like we’ve been that even a great saint like Therese chosen. We’ve been involved in went through a period without something far greater than we hope and joy. We see her as so knew. We’re all such little people. sweet, but she went through so This project is really grassroots much. I think we can see from her and unexpected. that to be a saint is within our grasp. Q: Was portraying a saint rather intimidating at first? What did Q: What message does Therese you find most challenging? have for young women today? Younce: Oh yeah. I think anytime Younce: I think her understanding you portray someone who is of divine love and her romance really good or really evil, it is a with Jesus Christ can touch challenge to portray their women’s lives. Whatever you humanity because you want the discover your vocation to be audience to connect with them, wife, mother, religious - in each especially someone like Therese. of those vocations there are Her whole message was that you deserts and joys, but your main don’t have to be a famous or great vocation is to live. If you can person to be a saint. You can just learn to sacrifice your own will be an average person. I wanted to for another, whether it’s for your make sure that she was portrayed spouse, religious sisters, children, as human as possible. anyone in your life, you learn how to love and serve God. Today, Q: How did you prepare for the women are told they must look role? Did you read the writings of and act a certain way that is St Therese? pleasing to the eye, and not Younce: I read and reread Story necessarily pleasing to the spirit. I of a Soul and her Last think Therese’s message and Conversations as well as the example is the age-old line that canonisation documents and her ‘beauty comes from within.” □ letters. Basically, I read anything I could get my hands on.

CatholicNews □

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003

t h e f a m ily T -

• /"

•

ac L i n.

B u lle t in o f t h e F a m ily L ife S o c ie t y , A r c h d io c e s e o f S in g a p o r e

Jzw n tAe'

J2)

Dear Friends of Family Life, The past year or so has seen a growing awareness of Family Life Society and its Affiliates’ programs and services, because of our PR campaigns, networking, and fund-raising events. I would like to thank our staff, Coordinators, priests, volunteers, supporters and others who work faithfully to deliver the pastoral programs and services the Church offers, through us, to all those in need, and who help us plan, organise and implement the various activities throughout the year, like the recent Road Shows at IHM and OLPS, and the fund-raising Danceathon at ACS on 5 July. We also thank our Patron, Archbishop Nicholas Chia, for inspiring us to do more for the family apostolate, and for his endorsing the Human Life 10th Asia-Pacific Congress, which will be hosted by Family Life Society in Singapore from 6-9 November 2003, details of which will be announced soon. Our mission of promoting marriage, family and human life values remains vital in the face of challenges undermining the family this millennium - higher rates of divorces, lower fertility rates, high rates of abortion, widespread contraception, even euthanasia, and now samesex marriages in Canada. However, if we are united in prayer and collaboration with one another in our plans, we will succeed in our mission. James Wong Executive Director

F ashion and Fun At Line Danceathon F a n c y f a s h i o n , f u r io u s f o o t w o r k a n d f a m il y f u n

ja m b o r e e , w h i c h w a s h o s t e d b y B r ia n

t o o k c e n t r e - s t a g e a t t h e f i r s t e v e r F a m il y L in e

R ic h m o n d .

D a n c e a th o n o n S a tu r d a y , 5 J u ly 2 0 0 3 . O r g a n is e d b y F a m ily L if e S o c ie t y , t h e f u n d r a i s i n g e v e n t s a w a b o u t 6 0 0 lin e d a n c e r s ja m m i n g a t t h e s p a c i o u s a n d a i r - c o n d i t i o n e d T a n C h in T u a n H a ll a t A n g lo C h in e s e S c h o o l (B a r k e r

B a g g in g th e p r iz e fo r

O ffic ia tin g a s g u e s t o f

“Best Dressed Family” were

honour w as M r C han Soo

A nne and John Yap, and

S e n , M in is t e r o f S t a t e ( P r im e

t h e ir g r a n d d a u g h t e r , S u A n ,

M i n i s t e r ’ s O f f ic e a n d

9 a n d g r a n d s o n , S h a n W e i,

M in is tr y o f C o m m u n ity

1 1 , w h o im p r e s s e d th e

D e v e lo p m e n t a n d S p o r t s ) .

ju d g e s w ith th e ir

In h is a d d r e s s , M r C h a n

“smart dressing” a n d t i r e le s s

s a id , “ I’v e v is i t e d F a m ily L ife

p a r tic ip a tio n o n th e d a n c e

S o c ie ty a n d s e e n th e te a m a n d t h e i r w o r k a n d I’ m v e r y

The Yap family were named as the Best f lo o r . A s fu n d - r a is in g w a s b y Dressed Family for the evening.

s u p p o r tiv e o f w h a t th e y a re

m e a n s o f d o n a tio n p le d g e

d o i n g . ” T o s s in g a c o w b o y

c a r d s is s u e d t o t h e lin e

s u p p o r t i n g t h e w o r k a n d s e r v i c e s o f F a m ily L if e S o c ie t y .

p r e s e n t a t io n r o o m s w i t h a u d i o - v i s u a l p r e s e n t a t io n f a c il it i e s . It w ill a l s o h a v e it s o w n “ G a r d e n o f E d e n ” - a la n d s c a p e d g a r d e n w it h a g r o t t o h o n o r in g o u r L a d y a n d t h e p a t r o n s a in t s o f M a r r ia g e E n c o u n t e r . B e d r o o m s w ill a ls o b e ta s te fu lly u p g r a d e d .

Artist Impression of the newly renovated ME House

p r o f e s s i o n a ls , a n d e c c l e s i a s t i c a l m e m b e r s

E n c o u n t e r a n d R e t r o u v a il le w ill b e o r g a n is i n g

i n c l u d i n g F r P a u l G o h , M E ’ s s p ir i t u a l d i r e c t o r .

a s e r ie s o f f u n d r a is in g e v e n t s t o f i n a n c e t h e r e n o v a t i o n s . A m o n g t h e f u n d r a is in g p r o j e c t s

t h e t e a m , t h e p l a n is t o u p g r a d e t h e e x is t in g

is M E ’ s “ D e n im N i g h t ” - a d i n n e r a n d d a n c e

f a c i l i t i e s a t M E H o u s e t o e n s u r e t h a t it

o n 1 0 J a n 2 0 0 4 , w h ile C h o ic e w ill b e o r g a n is in g

c o n t i n u e s t o b e s a f e , c le a n a n d c o m f o r t a b l e

a f o u r - c o u r s e W e s t e r n d i n n e r - “ D in in g in t h e

f o r a ll o c c u p a n t s .

K in g d o m o f G o d ” o n 2 2 A u g u s t 2 0 0 3 .

A v e n u e h a s b e e n th e v e n u e fo r w e e k e n d r e t r e a t s c o n d u c t e d b y M a r r ia g e E n c o u n t e r ,

Dining In the Kingdom of God

C h o ic e , E n g a g e d E n c o u n t e r a n d R e t r o u v a ille .

A f u n d r a is in g d in n e r , o r g a n iz e d b y C h o ic e , in

R e t r o u v a il le a n d C h o ic e a r e c o n s i d e r i n g t h e F r a n c i s c a n R e t r e a t C e n t r e in J u r o n g E a s t o r P u n g g o l M a jo r S e m in a r y .

n u t r it io n a l e f f e c t s , t h is n a tu r a l w a y o f f e e d in g c a n c r e a t e a b o n d o f lo v e a n d s e c u r it y b e t w e e n m o t h e r a n d c h ild , a n d e n a b le t h e c h ild t o a s s e r t its p r e s e n c e a s a p e r s o n t h r o u g h t h e in t e r a c t io n w it h t h e m o t h e r . ” H e a ls o e m p h a s is e d t h e n e e d t o e d u c a t e w o m e n o n b r e a s t f e e d in g . In te r e s tin g ly , t h e r e a r e a ls o s e v e r a l r e f e r e n c e s t o n u r s in g in t h e B ib le , o n e o f w h ic h P o p e J o h n P a u l II r e f e r s t o in h is s t a t e m e n t o n b r e a s t f e e d in g . It r e a d s , “ S o h u m a n a n d n a tu r a l is t h is b o n d t h a t t h e P s a lm s u s e t h e im a g e o f t h e in f a n t a t it s m o t h e r 's b r e a s t a s a p ic t u r e o f G o d ’ s c a r e f o r m a n ( c f. P s 2 2 : 9 ) . ’’ In t h e b o o k o f E x o d u s , M o s e s is s e n t t o b e n u r s e d b y a H e b r e w w o m a n ( a c t u a lly h is m o t h e r ) , a n d is t o b e r e t u r n e d t o t h e P h a r a o h 's d a u g h t e r w h e n h e h a s b e e n w e a n e d . T h e r e a r e a ls o c o u n tle s s r e fe r e n c e s t o n u r s in g in c o n t e x t , s in c e n u r s in g w a s t h e n o r m . J o y f u l P a r e n tin g s h a r e s t h e H o ly F a t h e r ’ s v ie w s o n t h e im p o r t a n c e o f b r e a s t fe e d in g . A s s u c h , w e fir m ly b e lie v e t h a t b r e a s t f e e d in g is t h e f ir s t c o m m it m e n t a n d b e s t s t a r t t h a t p a r e n t s c a n g iv e t o t h e ir c h ild r e n a n d a g o o d b r e a s t f e e d in g r e la t io n s h ip w ill e v e n t u a lly le a d t o a b e a u t if u l p a r e n t - c h ild r e la t io n s h ip .

If you would like to know more about breastfeeding or volunteering with Joyful Parenting, please call us at 6488 0286.

a id o f t h e M E H o u s e P r o je c t

A lo t. O n M a y 1 2 th , 1 9 9 5 , P o p e J o h n P a u l II is s u e d a s t a t e m e n t o n b r e a s t f e e d in g . H e s a id “ ... in a d d it io n t o t h e s e im m u n o lo g ic a l a n d

Date: 2 2 A u g u s t 2 0 0 3 Time: 7 p m Place: W in e L ib r a r y , 2 9 8 B e a c h R o a d ,

FLS & AFFILIATE ACTIVITIES

Cost:

# 0 2 - 0 1 , T h e C o n c o u r s e B u ild in g $ 6 0 p e r p e rs o n .

F o r m o r e in fo r m a tio n , p le a s e c o n t a c t F r M a r tin L o w a t m lo w @ v e r ita s .o r g .s g o r te l: 6 5 6 0 3 6 9 6 .

M a r r ia g e E n c o u n t e r , C h o ic e , E n g a g e d

I t ’ s n o s e c r e t t h a t b r e a s t f e e d in g r e a p s a s le w o f b e n e f it s . B r e a s t f e e d in g g iv e s y o u r b a b y p r o t e c t io n a n d im m u n it y a g a in s t d is e a s e s a n d illn e s s e s s u c h a s C r o h n 's d is e a s e (a n in fla m m a to r y b o w e l d is e a s e ) , c a n c e r a s w e ll a s a lle r g ie s . Y o u d o n ’t h a v e t o w o r r y a b o u t c h a n g in g y o u r b a b y ’s m ilk f o r m u la a s t h e c o m p o s it io n o f y o u r b r e a s t m ilk c h a n g e s n a t u r a lly t o s u it y o u r c h ild a s h e o r s h e g e t s o ld e r . T h is m a k e s t o d d l e r n u r s in g ju s t a s im p o r t a n t a s in f a n t n u r s in g . S t u d ie s h a v e s h o w n t h a t n u r s in g m u m s , o n t h e a v e r a g e , g e t b a c k in t o s h a p e m o r e q u ic k ly a n d e a s ily t h a n t h e ir f o r m u la - f e e d in g c o u n t e r p a r t s . B r e a s t f e e d in g a ls o h e lp s p r o t e c t m o t h e r s a g a in s t b r e a s t c a n c e r , o s t e o p o r o s is , a n d h a e m o r r h a g e a f t e r b ir t h . N u r s in g a ls o r e le a s e s h o r m o n e s in a m o t h e r 's b o d y , w h ic h h e lp s h e r r e la x . In a d d it io n t o t h e h e a lth b e n e f it s , b r e a s tfe e d in g a ls o fo r g e s a d e e p b o n d b e tw e e n m o t h e r a n d c h ild .

What does all of this have to do with being Catholic?

T h e 2 2 - y e a r - o l d b u n g a lo w a t 1 7 t h P u n g g o l

h o ld in g t h e i r w e e k e n d r e t r e a t s a t S a l v a t io n

N e e d a d v ic e o n p e r s o n a l o r f a m ily m a t t e r s ? H a v e q u e s t io n s o n f a m ily a n d p r o - lif e is s u e s ? J u s t d r o p u s a lin e . E - m a il u s a t fls@veritas.org.sg o r w r it e t o u s a t Family Life Society, 2 Highland Road, #LG-01, Singapore 549102.

Why Breastfeed?

k it c h e n , a n d a i r - c o n d i t i o n e d d i n in g a n d

A r m y ’ s C h a n g i C o n f e r e n c e C e n t r e w h i le

T h r o u g h p l e d g e c a r d d o n a t io n s , t h e F a m ily L in e D a n c e a t h o n r a i s e d $ 5 5 , 0 0 0 w h i c h w ill g o t o

p r iz e s w e r e a ls o a w a r d e d t o th e t o p th r e e

R e f u r b is h m e n t s in c l u d e a t a r m a c c a r p a r k ,

E n c o u n t e r a n d E n g a g e d E n c o u n t e r w ill b e

c o l l e c t o r s w i t h t h e h i g h e s t a m o u n t o f d o n a t io n s .

d a n c e r s a n d v o lu n t e e r s o f F a m ily L ife S o c ie ty ,

a n e w e n t r a n c e - c u m - r e c e p t io n fo y e r , a m o d e r n

D u r i n g it s s i x - m o n t h c lo s u r e , M a r r ia g e

Guest of Honour - Chan Soo Sen with FLS Executive Director - James Wong (left) and FLS Vice-President Dr John Lim (right).

h a t t o t h e s e a o f e n t h u s i a s t ic lin e d a n c e r s , h e

a $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 fa c e lift c o m e D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 3 .

A c c o r d in g t o B e r n a r d K o n g , w h o is h e a d in g

Line dancers got in line for charity.

o f f ic ia l ly d e c l a r e d t h e o p e n in g o f t h e f i v e - h o u r

M a r r ia g e E n c o u n t e r ( M E ) H o u s e w ill b e g e t t in g

P la n n in g a n d o r g a n is i n g t h e r e n o v a t i o n s

“The Youngest and Oldest Line Dancer" c o n t e s t , a lu c k y d r a w a n d a c o n t e s t f o r t h e “Best Dressed Family".

600 Line dancers flooded the dance floor at ACS School Hall.

T h e s e in c lu d e

R o a d ).

ME House To Get A Face Lift

a r e a t e a m c o m p r i s i n g t e c h n i c a l s p e c ia lis t s ,

In a d d i t i o n t o t h e d a n c e li s t o f 9 0 p o p a n d c o u n try s o n g s w e re g a m e s a n d c o n te s ts .

Our Programs and Affiliates: Family and Marital Counselling; Pregnancy Crisis Service; Youth Life-Line;

Family Life Society

Joyful Parenting; Catholic Legal Aid; Celebration of Life; Marriage Encounter;

Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Road, #LG-01, Singapore 549102 ^ Tel: 6488 0278 www.familylife.org.sg

Engaged Encounter; Couples for Christ; Marriage Preparation Course; Natural Family Planning; Hope, Retrouvaille and Choice.

Choice Weekend 22 - 24 August 2003 A weekend program for single adults to discover self and the importance of family relationships. Tel: 9307 7752/ 9671 0767. Marriage Encounter Weekend 1 - 3 August 2003 A weekend marriage enrichment program for couples to deepen their relationship. Tel: 6289 5349. Engaged Encounter 8 - 1 0 August; 1 5 - 17 August 2003 A weekend marriage preparation program for couples planning to get married or who wish to deepen their relationship. Tel: 6782 3912.

- Pamela Lim Joyful Parenting, Programme Coordinator.

Legal Aid 4 August 2003 Free legal counsel on family related issues given by experienced lawyers. From 7 pm to 9 pm at Family Life Society, 2 Highland Road. No appointment required. 10th Human Life International Asia-Pacific Congress on Love, Life and Family 6 to 9 November 2003 A distinguished panel of overseas and local speakers will be making presentations on pro-life, love and family issues. The international congress is organised by Family Life Society and sponsored by Human Life International. For more details, please call Family Life Society at 6488 0278.

Sundays July 20 and July 27, 2003 □ C atholicNews

Gen 6:5 : “ ... the wickedness of humankind was earth, and every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually” introduces the fact that the world was flooded with evil. Gen 6:12 : “God saw that the earth was corrupt” and it would take another flood ... “of waters” ... to restore again humankind’s relationship with God. St. Peter saw Christian baptism being prefigured in this: cf. IPet 3:20-21: “ ... and baptism ... now saves you ... a pledge made to God from a good conscience.” 1. Do I recognise wickedness on my part as contributing to the collapse of life around me? 2. How appreciative am I to be blessed with the gift of new life through baptism? “But 1 will establish my covenant with you ... and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you” (Gen 6:18; 9:9,11). Even as we are told that “everything that is on the earth shall die” (Gen 6:17), we are reminded of God’s faithful love to those who obey him, characterised here by Noah, who “found favour in the sight of the Lord (Gen 6:8) and was “a righteous man ... (who) walked with God” (Gen 6:9) and “did all that the Lord had commanded him” (Gen 6:22; 7:5), even to the extent of building an ark in preparation for a flood of such unimaginable proportion! In Noah, we see the picture of the just man living in an unjust world; he stands out as the man of faith in God (cf. Heb 11:7) who rose above the (evil) influences of the society he lived in and was willing even to stand alone in complying with the will of God. 3. How well am I living out my covenant with the Lord? How far do I walk with him and do all that he has commanded? 4. How much do I comply with the Lord’s wishes, especially when few others seem to do so? Gen 9:1-17: “God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”’: Humankind is blessed and consecrated anew, but unlike what it was in the beginning, its rule will no longer be tranquil. |The peace of Paradise will return in “the latter days” (cf. Is 11:1 ff.)] Gen 9:18-27 : The theme of nakedness : Ham (father of Canaan) is condemned for his lack of respect for the nakedness of his father. Before the entrance of sin, being naked was a sign of accepting one’s creaturehood as good. With the existence of sin and the advent of disharmony, nakedness takes on a different dimension

'Be fruitful and multiply . and fill the earth.' BY REVEREND AMBROSE \ \Z . SSI P r o fe s s o r o r S a c re d S c rip tu re St F ra n c is X a v ie r M a jo r S e m in a n

WE HAVE all seen pictures of Jesus as the good shepherd, rescuing a lost lamb and placing it on his shoulders. It is a moving image of a loving God that refutes every distorted idea of God as a distant, uncaring deity who pays attention to us only when we need correction. The im age of Jesus &s a shepherd com es from Jesus himself (Mark 6:34; John 10: 14). Both in his preaching and in the way he lived, Jesus showed himself to be someone whom people could follow without question. He showed that we could all have the same security as trusting sheep who know the voice of the one who cares for them. Look at any passage from the gospels and watch how Jesus sought to lead his people with strength and wisdom, tending to their needs and lifting them on his shoulders. Notice how, even as he dealt w ith those who had “ stra y e d ,” he risked everything even his own life - in order to bring them home with him. In today’s gospel, Jesus dealt compassionately with a huge crowd, even though they had interfered with his plans to rest with the Twelve. Seeing how

lost and aimless they were - like • sheep without a shepherd - he set , i aside his plans and taught them v about God’s reign. Jesus wants to do the same for us. He sees us searching for fulfillment, but finding things that only lead to more thirst and hunger. He wants to guide us toward his Father, who alone can give us the life that we long for. He is ever available to us, ready to feed us with his truth in Scripture, with his body and * blood in the Eucharist, and with his love through brothers and m sisters. What’s even more striking is that Jesus wants to do all this for us not just so that we would be passive recipients of his love. He wants to make us into men and women who bring his love to others. Let us allow the Good Shepherd to care for us and through us to bring God’s love to others in the world. "Lord Jesus, help m e to open m y heart to yo u so that yo u m ight be the shepherd in m y life. H elp me to overcom e m y doubts and fe a rs and to p u t m y trust in you. M ake m e yo u r servant, so that others m ight fin d yo u through m e.” □

Sunday, July 27 □ John 6: 1 -152 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6

The food of immortality T ’S NO wonder that the people who witnessed the miracle of the bread marveled and wanted to make Jesus king. Here was one who could rescue them from earthly oppression and always give them all the food they would ever need. What a deal! Herod could never make such promises, and the Romans certainly weren’t out for the Jews’ best interests. Why not put this wonder-working rabbi on the throne instead? Ever true to his calling, Jesus resisted their efforts. He wasn’t interested in becoming an earthly king and he didn't want the people to settle just for that. Instead, Jesus wanted to raise their expectations. Over the next few Sundays, we will see Jesus trying to teach them that this miracle was a sign pointing to the greatest of miracles: that God would share his divine life with men and women. They needed to see that the multiplication of the loaves “prefigures the superabundance” of the “unique bread of his Eucharist” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1335). Jesus wants to do more than

M iracle o f the bread and fis h by Giovanni Lanfranco sustain our earthly lives. He wants to change - our very hearts into his. In the Eucharist, he invites us to find life in his body and blood. As St. Thomas Aquinas once said, the Eucharist is a “security deposit for our coming glory” (O Sacrum Convivium). St. Ignatius of Antioch called the Eucharist “the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ” (To the Ephesians 20,2). When you approach the table of the Lord, what do you expect - healing, pardon, comfort, rest? These are all parts of the gift of the Eucharist, but God has a much higher and more powerful agenda - union with Christ. Just

as bodily nourishment restores our lost energy, the Eucharist is meant to strengthen us in love and heal us of disordered attachments to created things. Jesus wants to transform you from the inside out. He wants to empower you to walk in this world with the same confidence and authority that he had when he walked the earth. Today and every day, Jesus calls to you, “Raise your sights! Let my body and blood transform you! I have so much I want to do through you!” “Lord J e su s , take m y life and fil l m e with yo u r presence and jo y as I receive you this day in H oly C om m union.” □