AUGUST 04, 2002, vol 52, no 16 by CatholicNews

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Vol. 52 No. 16

A N e w D iv id e The preparation for yet another Summit, under the auspices of the United Nations, this time on what has been termed the "Information Society", got under way at Ge neva, Switzerland from July 1-5 with the First Preparatory Meeting.

Marc Furrer, State Secretary of Switzerland, Host Country of the 2003 World Summit on the Infor mation Society, pre-empted the question in many minds: “When I meet people, some o f them ask me: why another Summit? Isn’t it a waste o f time and money? I answer them very clearly: No, only in a Summit will we be able to find together solutions for the Informa tion Society. Only like that we find solutions which are politically rel evant, globally implemented and suitable for the civil society and the private sector..." The development of the "Infor mation Society" is well on the way

in some countries, but not at all in others. It is this which concerned the participants. Marginalization

His Exc. Msgr. Diarmuid Martin, Vatican's Permanent Observer at the Office of the United Nations in Geneva, quoted Pope John Paul ll's Encyclical "Centesimus Annus": Many people, perhaps the majority today, "“have no possibility o f ac quiring the basic knowledge that would enable them to express their creativity and develop their poten tial. They have no way o f entering the network o f knowledge and in te rcom m unication th a t would enable them to see their qualities appreciated and utilized. Thus, if not actually exploited, they are to a great extent marginalized. Eco nomic development takes place over their heads’.

Echoing similar sentiments, Marc Furrer again: “The new pov erty line is drawn this side o f the computer keyboard. You can tell the rich from the poor by their Internet connections. There are more internet connections in Man

hattan alone than in the whole continent o f Africa...”

Shashi Tharoor, UN UnderSecretary-General for Communications and Public Infor mation, added: "...the new divide in the world is not just between the high-tech countries and the lowtech countries, though that's bad enough: we also have the no-tech countries, and their prospects are grim".

Vatican Delegation Chief, Msgr. Diarmuid Martin, stressed the need for the Summit "to consolidate a vital column of the global develop ment architecture.

Communications technology has enabled the globalization process to proceed with rapidity. We must now ensure that it also enables the globalization process to proceed with equity."

Shashi Tharoor put it very succintly: “Dollar signs and GNP tables are no longer the only elements dividing the haves and the have-nots. The industrial revolution is passe(past); we are living in the era of the ‘information revolution’. But this is a revolution with lots of liberty (freedom), some fraternite (brotherhood) and no egalite (equality). Access to

information is increasingly vital for development and prosperity. "Communications technology needs to be managed to play a central role in ensuring that globalization leads to genuine integration and inclusion", he continued. Common international good

The principle of the common international good demands this equity so that these new divides can be bridged and eliminated. On this issue, Msgr Diarmuid pointed out that the principle applies in particular "to knowledge that is required to address urgent human needs, especially health.

When we are speaking of knowledge that is necessary for the very survival of people, then

"...the new divide in the world is not just between the high-tech and the low-tech countries, that’s bad enough: we also have the no-tech countries, and their prospects are grim”.

the Information Society, especially those who need to use the information and communications technologies for education or better medical help.” Vatican chief-of-mission, Msgr

as important in the area of communications as in any other sector of the economy.

Martin provided such a plan that

Msgr. Martin stressed: "In the so cial and economic realities of our contemporary world, access to

"sets out achievable goals for ensuring sustainable access to knowledge for the poorer countries, and for ensuring that such knowledge is effectively managed in the interests of the common good." The 10 -point plan

1 Identify the factors that have so far hindered inclusion and integration into the communications revolution. 2 Identify a programme of concrete steps to reverse such exclusion.

tempered by concern for the common good."

3 Propose new partnerships of collaboration to ensure the financing of that programme. 4 Put mechanisms in place to guarantee the management and to verify the implementation 5 Pay special attention to and invest especially in those areas that are particularly deprived, in termsof infrastructures 6 Be sensitive to the specific

Achieving results

needs of developing countries. 7 Invest in human capacity, to

Shashi Tharoor,

UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, the profit motive must be always

All participants stressed the need for the Summit to be a resultsoriented process.

Swiss Secretary of State, Marc Furrer said: “Perhaps this is the newest challenge for the United Nations: to work to bring access to information, and the empower ment it offers, to all the world's peoples.” Those who have no telephone, no internet — not only in their home, not even in their village nor in their neighbourhood — will not be satisfied with some nice general political statements of the World Summit on the Information Society. They will want concrete plans on how they can achieve access to

release the creative capacity of people that has been blocked by lack of access especially concerning education. Com munications technology is crucial to access education and to improve its quality. 8 Examine those factors that impede or distort honest and open communication. The distortion of communication - through subtle phenomena such as “spin” - by

powerful economic actors, or even by government itself, undermines the trust of citizens in institutions. 9 Establish new partner-ships of responsibility.

10 Set in place appropriate transparent legal and antimonopoly mechanisms which are

Honest Open Communication

knowledge is a key to an acceler ated path to development.

This may require, for example, identifying technologies appropriate to the particular situation of developing countries or helping those countries leapfrog intermediate technologies. Free and open communication and access to knowledge fosters freedom within the global society. It spreads knowledge that, in its turn, fosters creativity and choice. Honest and open communication is an essential pillar for the functioning of democracy. It is part of the ethical core of a true market economy. Good governance is not a magic formula imposed from above. It must not be allowed to become an ideology. Good

governance in the com munications sector must also be a results-oriented process. It involves putting into place those structures that will facilitate participation and solidarity in the service of the common good, and in enabling all persons to fully realise themselves and their capacities. Yoshio Utsumi, SecretaryGeneral of the International Telecom munication Union (ITU),summed up the need for the Summit to be results -oriented: “The real goal is not just to get more computers or more telephones, but rather to extend access to information, to guarantee the right to communicate and focus on how information and communications technologies can be used to achieve the broader

social and economic goals, such as the eradication of poverty.” Editor - from UN and Vatican Reports

AUG U ST 4 - August 11, 2002

THE CATH O LIC NEWS

VATICAN Pope in Castel Gandoifo On the morning of Sunday , 7 July, the Holy Father left the Vatican Apostolic Palace for the summer residence of Castel Gandoifo. During the summer season, the usual Wednesday General Audience will take place at 10.00 am in the internal courtyard of the Pontifical Palace of Castel Gandoifo. - Vatican Press Report

Papal Mission Our Holy Father has just success fully completed ye t another mission to Canada, for the cel ebration of World Youth Day, Guatemala, and Mexico for a Canonization and Beatification ceremonies.

in Summary

Congratulations On 24 July 2002, the Holy father sent the following telegram to the newly-appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Head of the Church of England.

Breaking the silence Pope John Pauli II made his first public reference to the world-wide scandal involving Bishops and priests before a crowd of some 800,000 in Downsview Park, To ronto at the closing Mass of World Youth Day, Sunday 28 July. The Mass followed the all-night prayer vigil and heavy rain in the early hours of the morning, which

The Most Rev Dr R o w a n Douglas Wi l l i a ms , ArchbishopElect of Canterbury, Archbishop of Wales. Having been informed of your appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, I am pleased to ex tend to you my congratulations and to assure youof my prayers. I have had the opportunity to know and work closely with your predecessors, Archbishop Runcie and Archbishop Carey, in the shared task of promoting under standing between the Anglican

v an ca n p ress rie p o n s

I send my best wishes for your new and demanding ministry. John Paul II

sr World Youth Day and the City of Guatemala, 3and the City of Mexico,

As is customary, the Holy Father sent his greetings to Heads of State whose airspace he passes through. To Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic

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While I pass over France on my way to Canada for the World Youth Journeys, I remember with emotion the celebration that took place in Paris. I wish to convey my greetings to you and the French people. Above all I invoke the blessings of God on all. To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Entering British airspace on my way to Toronto for the 17 World Youth Day, I send warm greetings to Your Majesty and assure you of my prayers for the peace and well being of the United Kingdom. As I prepare to meet many young peo ple from around the world I invoke an abundance of divine blessings upon your subjects and implore God’s guidance upon all who work to build a better future for them. To Her Excellency Mrs Mary McAleese, President of Ireland.

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Dancers at audience

Communion and the Catholic Church. I am confident that, with God's help, we can make progress along the path towards unity, in order to experience anew "How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity." (Ps 133:1).

stopped at the start of the Mass. He appealed to them not to be discouraged by the scandal of a few but to give their full support to the vast majority of priests who are committed to them and seek only their good. He announced that the next

As I pass over Ireland on my way to Toronto for the 17th World Youth Day I send warm greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citi zens, assuring you of my constant prayers for the Irish People as I remember the extraordinary days of my visit in 1979. May God grant the nation abundant blessings of Justice, peace and well-being.

Dancers in Inca, Aztec and Yaqui traditional dress surround Pope John Paul II during his weekly general audience, July 17, held this time at his summer residence in Castel Gandoifo, Italy. The pope, who appeared in good spirits, takes leave from his summer break July 23 for a three-country trip to the Americas. CNS caption (CNS photo from Reuters)

Vatican Radio One-O-Five Live

Vatican Radio’s One-O-Five Live is presented on the Web by Americans Matthew Sherry and Stephen Banyra who are employed by the station. They guide the look and content for the Vatican Radio W eb site. The site — 105live.vaticanradio.org — offers a live connection to the radio broadcast as well as on-demand links to select programs, news and information. C NS p h o to b y John N orton - C aption b y C NS

T h ey served us! In our love, let us pray for them in their twilight years and in their afflictions. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev, Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev.

Fr. Claude Barreteau, MEP Fr. Felix Brygier, MEP Fr. Balthazar Chang, CICM Fr. Francois Dufay, MEP Fr. Edmund Dunne, CSsR Fr. James Wallace, CSsR Bro. Casimir, CSsR Fr. Gerard Keane, SJ Fr. Alfred Chan Fr. Simon Yim, Fr. Frank Depoorter, CICM Fr. James Yeo

AUG U ST 4 - August 11, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

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Clergy Annual Retreat MALAYSIA, Johor, Plentong -

Priests of the Singapore Archdio cese gathered on Monday, 22 July, at the Majowi Centre, in Plentong, Johor, Malaysia, for their annual retreat which lasted till noon of Friday 26, leaving the flock with "priest-less" services for the week days. The Retreat master was Msgr. Chito Bernado, of the Philippines, well known for his ministry to priests. Msgr Bernado is no stranger to Singapore as he has conducted several retreats in the Archdiocese. In his opening talk, the Retreat Master drew attention to the fact that the background perspective of the current situation of the Church, in the wake of the worldwide scan dals, could not be ignored, and what he would be saying to his brother priests would necessarily take this into account. His orientation talk on the first night, clearly emphasized the need to focus on the person of the Minister and not on the Ministry •itself, in terms of its measurable success or otherwise. He pro posed that the whole life and ministry of the priest must be viewed from a paradigm of "com passion" on the part of the person of the minister. The focus on the person of the minister should start with his iden-

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Priests with Msgr. Bernado (front right, hand on chin).

tity - as one who shares in the very Priesthood of Christ - the special share that he has in the ministerial priesthood as explained in the Sec ond Vatican Council. Every priest received this spe cial Grace of Ordination. This was the overall theme of this year's annual retreat. It is essential for priests to always bear in mind the grace they had received at Ordi nation. It is this which gives them their special identity, and it is the consciousness and awareness of this special identity which would give expression to and determine

their special ministry as priests. The Annual retreat consisted of input from the Retreat Master in a number of Conferences, daily Concelebration, the praying of the Breviary ( the offical liturgical prayer of priests), Holy Hours and other spiritual exercises interspersed with periods of silence for prayer and reflection. The priests returned to their pastoral responsibilities after lunch on Friday, spiritually charged, reinvigourated and strengthened in brotherhood with their fellow priests.

Youth Chaplaincy Recently, three Seminary classmates, newly ordained Fr. Brian D’ Souza, Fr. Luke Fong and Fr. Frederick Quek, were appointed youth chaplains for the Serangoon district, which comprises four parishes. They created youth programmes, one of which aims to make catechism more youth-children-friendly. The newly ordained teaches catechism to 13-14 year olds and works with other teachers in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to make the lessons more alive. Fr Brian, who began working

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with young people as a teenager in charge of younger altar servers, said the youth also need a change of mindset. “They need to be challenged to change the mentality that after Confirmation, they do not need to come to church.” Two things are needed to get the youth involved in the life of the church. According to Fr Brian D'Souza, a youth minister must be able to challenge young people’s mindset and keep up with their energy level. “In all areas of his ministry, a priest will find that there are people who are looking for God, but a higher energy level is needed to keep the children and the youth reflective and it is not easy,” said Fr Brian, 33, who was ordained to the priesthood on July 7. Age is not a big factor as long as one can “challenge their energy level and spend time to build a rapport with them", he added. Youths need to be challenged to stay in the Church. One way to draw the youth back, is to make the church a place where they can

experience fellowship, discover God through prayer and be involved in mission, he said. Youth involvement is relatively new in his parish so he and parish priest, Fr James Yeo, are trying to get more young people involved in the church’s life. “We do not get many young people coming forward after their confirm ation is over. Hopefully, after this confirmation class, we can establish more youth groups.” He estimates that one-sixth of the parish population of 5,000 are children and youths up to their late 20s. IHM’s three youth groups have some 40 members.Its youth apostolates are Praise and Worship group, Legion of Mary and Altar Servers. He noted that he is popular among the youth in the parish because he is “easy-going and able to adapt. I allow the youth to reach their potential and challenge them to go further.” For him, the reward for working with the youth is to be seen as “a friend, not someone they fear.”

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AUG U ST 4 - A ugust 11, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

REGIONAL -

Communion CHINA, Hong Kong (UCAN) — Young Chinese clergy who studied in South Korea say they learned valuable lessons that can be applied in China to revitalize Catholic communities. N ew ly ordained F ath er Li Dong, w ho recen tly e a rn e d a m a s te r’s d e g r e e in s p ir itu a lity fro m a se m in ary in S e o u l, told U C A N e w s July 16 that he w a s m ost impressed by “c o m m u n io n ” in the K o rean Church. “T h e e x p e r ie n c e in K o re a allow ed m e to s e e how the outside C hurch is d ifferent from that in C hina," h e said. “I hop e I can contribute in m aking the C h urch in C h in a u n ited ,” he ad d ed . S p o n s o re d by the C h urch in South K o rea, F a th e r Li w a s sent to study th e o lo g y in So uth K o re a

Seoul. ( U C A N ) — M aria n is t B rother John Kim J a e bok, director of C h a m in a d e C entre, re c a lle d h o w his c o n g re g a tio n m oved to respond to n eed y people. “W e e x a m in e d our role in the local com m unity, w h e re th e re a re m any old p e o p le a n d c h ild re n fro m broken fam ilies. W e then decided to respond to the p ro b le m ,” he said. On Jan. 1, 2001, th e C h a m in a d e R e tre a t House c h a n g e d its n a m e to C h a m in a d e

to g e th e r w ith th re e o th e r s e m in a r ia n s in 1999 a fte r g ra d u a tin g fro m th e N a tio n a l S e m in a ry in Beijing. T h e y w e re the first batch to go to So uth K o re a . M o s t C h in e s e priests, nuns a n d sem in aria n s a re se n t to th e U nited S ta te s and E u ro p e for fu rth er studies. Bishop S ilv e s te r Li Jiantang of T aiy u a n , said that th e re had b een a long history o f a m ic a b le relations b etw e e n the C atho lic C hurch in C h in a and K o rea since Catholicism spread to K o re a from C h in a m ore than 2 0 0 y e a rs ago. Not only is K o re a helping the C hurch in C h ina by training priests, a n u m b e r of K o rean priests and C atho lics a re w orking in social services in C h in a with g o v e rn m e n t approval.

C e n te r and started providing fre e lunches for the elderly and other w e lfa re services around Incheon, 4 0 kilom eters w e s t o f S e o u l. It also s ta rte d a d a y -c a re c e n te r th a t c u rre n tly looks a fte r 2 3 n e e d y children. T h e g o v e rn m e n t’s w elfare facilities a re insufficient, especially for .the poor elderly and children in the a re a , said B rother Kim . T h e M aria n is t b rother ex p re ss e d hope that the c e n te r would be a b le to respond to local w o rk e rs ’ n eed s for fam ily counseling services.

Measures for visually impaired INDIA, Panjai. (UCAN) — A Catholic priest is heading a syllabus revision panel for Goa, which plans to become India’s first “blindfriendly” state in five years. F a th e r Paul A lvares, w ho w a s app oin ted by the G o a B oard of S e c o n d a ry and H ig h e r S e c o n d a ry E ducation, says a special syllabus is n e e d e d to help visually im paired p eo p le d ea l w ith school subjects. T h e C apu chin priest, tre a s u re r of the G o a unit o f the N atio n al A ssociation for the Blind, told U C A N ew s th a t g e o g ra p h y and g e o m e try a re e x a m p le s of particularly p ro blem atic subjects. P e o p le w ith s e v ere v is u a l im p a irm e n t, h e n o te d , c a n n o t identify or d ra w m ap s o r g eo m etric figures during exam ination s. T h e edu catio n board should let th e v is u a lly im p a ir e d g iv e d e s c rip tiv e a n s w e rs in s te a d of requiring th e m to d raw , F a th e r A lv a re s s ug gested. “T h e b lin d f e e l n e g le c te d becau se the m inim um re-quirem ent for a g o v e rn m e n t job is a certificate from the e du catio n b o a rd ,” said th e h e a d m a s te r o f St. A n th o n y ’s High School in M o n te d e G uirim , n e a r G o a ’s capital P an aji. A lth o u g h v is u a lly im p a ire d s tu d en ts can follow th e standard s y lla b u s a n d a t t e n d r e g u la r sch o o ls , th e ir te a c h e rs a re illequ ipp ed in d ealin g w ith th e m d ue to the “in a d e q u a c ie s o f special a p p a ra tu s ,” the priest ad d ed . H e is involved in a m o ve to d ou ble the 3 0 -m in u te additional tim e the board now gives to the visually im paired in exam s. “Abroad it is 1 0 0 p erc e n t of th e norm al sched uled tim e ,” he said in a m idJuly interview .

Simple Catechism

Reaching out KOREA,

from UCAN reports -

T h e c o m m itte e h a s re c o m m e n d e d th a t v is u a lly im p a ire d stu d en ts n e e d only exp lain an e x p e rim e n t, not perform it. M e a n w h ile , th e G oa g o v e rn m e n t h as laun ched a fivey e a r plan to identify c a ta ra ct c a ses in g o vern m en t-ru n prim ary health centers, hospitals and clinics as part o f its plan to m a k e the state blind-friendly by 2 0 0 7 . It also plans to clear the backlog o f c a ta ra ct o peration s and provide child ren w ith re g u la r d o s e s o f vitam in A through intensive cam p s a n d s c h o o ls , as w e ll as g ive vitam ins to p regn ant w om en. A rvin d S a le lk a r, d ire c to r o f G o a 's D e p a rtm e n t of Health, points out, though, that the state cann ot e ra d ic a te blindness as it cann ot cure trau m atic or congenital visual im p airm en t. H e also n otes that identifying blindness is difficult for “a t least th re e m onths a fte r birth.” R o z e n d o M e n d o n s a , lo c a l p resident of the association for the blind, said it aim s to m a k e every blind child s e lf-re lia n t th ro u g h education, training and com m unityb ased rehabilitation. T h e association has identified s o m e 2 ,0 0 0 v is u a lly d is a b le d p e o p le a m o n g th e s ta te ’s 1 .3 million population, M en d o n sa said. H e a d d e d th a t the association has d ec id e d to set up an institute w ith g o v e rn m e n t s u p p o r t. S c h e d u led for com pletion in two y e a rs , the com plex on an 8 ,0 0 0 s q u a re -m e te r plot will h a v e a. training c e n te r and an e y e clinic with an e y e donation center. It w ould be equ ipp ed with a b o a rd in g f a c ility , p la y g ro u n d , cultural activities and bus service to n ea rb y a re a s , M e n d o n s a said.

LAOS, Savannakhet

— F a th e r P h im m a s e n g , p rie s t in s o u th c e n tra l L a o s s a y s h e h a s to sim plify c a te c h is m lesso n s so th a t t h e m o s tly i l li t e r a t e f a r m e r c a te c h u m e n s th e re w ill u n d e r s ta n d b a s ic C h u rc h tea c h in g s . H e an d his c a te c h is ts u se the “old and s im p le ” te a c h in g s o f the p as t th a t d iscu ss first the artic le of faith in G o d , cre a tio n , J e s u s and salvation . T h e y a ls o te a c h a b o u t the o b s e rv a n c e of th e Ten C o m m an d m e n ts and o th e r Church law s, including sanctifying g ra c e an d th e S a c ra m e n ts .

Living the Bible MALAYSIA, Taiping (U C A N ) — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei has proclaimed the second Sunday in July each year as Bible Sunday. A lm o s t e v e ry s e a t in St. Louis C h u r c h , T a ip in g in P e n a n g D io c e s e , w a s filled fo r the Bible S u n d a y c e leb ra tio n . T h e p ro g ra m inclu ded B ib ler e la t e d a c t iv i t i e s , in c lu d in g c a te c h is m fo r child ren , a Bible c o m p e titio n fo r th e 8 2 B a s ic E c c le s ial C o m m u n itie s (B E C s ) in th e parish, and a s p ecial M a s s for th e e n th ro n e m e n t o f the Bible. A “Bible a n d I” s e m in a r w a s also con du cted . D u rin g h is h o m ily , F a t h e r Louis, the P a rish P riest, stressed the im p ortan ce o f m aking the Bible th e c e n te r o f e v e ry C h ris tia n fam ily. C a p u c h in B ro th e r T e n g then explained the five steps o f reading and reflecting on the Bible that in c lu d e r e a d in g , lis t e n in g , m e d ita tin g , p raying and p ractice. H e said th e last step is the m o st im p ortan t w ithout w hich the fo u r p re c e d in g step s a re u seless. “W ith o u t living th e Bible, the Bible is u s e le s s ” .

Host desecration IN D O N E S IA , Maumere — S o m e 1 ,0 0 0 p e o p le d e m o n s tra te d in fro nt o f a p o lic e station in F lo re s is la n d , e a s te rn In d o n e s ia , d e m a n d in g th a t p o lice h an d o v e r a m a n a c c u s e d o f d e s e c ra tin g a c o n s e c ra te d host. T h e a d v is o r o f P r e s id e n t M e g a w a ti S o e k a rn o p u tri an d fo rm e r cab in e t m inister called on the p eo p le to return h om e and avoid a n y provocation. R e v e re n d S. A. Uly Lom y from a P r o te s ta n t d e n o m in a tio n in M a u m e re called on the p eo p le in the district to m aintain harm onious interfaith relations. F lores and the sm all islands around h av e a population o f abo ut 1 .7 million, m ost o f w h o m are C atholics. Until the latest incident, C a th o lics w e re known to h av e good relations with p eo ple from o ther religions, but c a s es o f “d e s e c ra tion” o f the c on secrated host h av e occurred in all four districts of the island. T his incident is the third such e v e n t this ye a r.

Increase in child labour PAKISTAN, Faisalabad - C a rita s P a k is ta n s a y s it will strive to e d u c a t e p e o p le to fig h t th e in c re a s e in child la b o r in th e country. In c r e a s in g c h ild la b o r th re a te n s th e future of children in P a k is ta n , s a y C a rita s P a k is ta n officials a s re s e a rc h by vario us o r g a n iz a tio n s show s th e increasing n u m b e r of children w ho w o r k in s t e a d o f g e t t in g a n e d u c a tio n . T h e C a th o lic C h u rch , he said, h a s r e s p o n d e d p o s itiv e ly to c o u n te r th e p ro b le m throu gh ou t th e country. C a rita s , the social arm o f the C h u rch , is invo lved in a d d re s s in g this issue throu gh its netw orks, h e a d d e d . A ccordin g to a s u rv e y by the F e d e ra l Institution o f S tatistics, th e re a re m o re than 8 m illion child w o rk e rs in v a rio u s secto rs o f the country, an in c re a s e o f 5 million since 1 9 9 6 . S a rd a r n oted th a t e c o n o m ic

p ro b le m s a re “a m a jo r c a u s e ” th a t b rin g s a b o u t th e c h ild la b o r phenom enon. H u m a n D e v e lo p m e n t C e n tre , a C h u r c h -b a s e d d e v e lo p m e n t o rg a n iz a tio n , n o te d h o w b oys re c e iv e p re fe re n c e in ed u c a tio n o v e r girls. T h is is o n e o f th e m ain re a s o n s fo r th e in c r e a s in g p re s e n c e o f girl child labo rers. The U n ite d N a t io n s C o n v e n tio n on th e R ights o f the C h ild , to w h ic h P a k is ta n is a s ig n a t o r y , a im s to e n h a n c e c h ild re n ’s living con dition s and grow th o pp ortu nities. T h e In t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o u r O rg a n iz a tio n rep orts th a t millions o f children a g e d 1 0 -1 4 aro u n d the w orld a re forced to w ork. T h e U n ited N a tio n s C h ild re n ’s Fund (U N IC E F ) c laim s s o m e 10 million o f th e s e child la b o re rs a re in P a k is ta n , m a n y o f th e m in the c a rp e t m a k in g industry, a figure h ig h e r th a n re c o rd e d in lo c a l g o v e rn m e n t statistics.

"Tough Love" and soup UZBEKISTAN, T a s h k e n t — In Tashkent, people are now coming to recognize the women in white saris with blue trim for their good work. T h e e ig h t s is t e r s o f th e M is s io n a rie s o f C h a rity (M C ), f o u n d e d b y th e la te M o t h e r T e re s a , a re b ec o m in g w e ll-k n o w n a n d called on by p e o p le o f vario us n a tio n a litie s a n d fa ith s in th e capital o f U z b e k is ta n , a M u s lim m ajority country. In less than 10 y e a rs since t h e ir a r r iv a l, th e n u n s h a v e re a c h e d out to e v e ry s e c to r o f the p o o r a n d s ic k , o ffe rin g fo o d , m ed icine and w h a t they call “tough lo v e .” “T h e m ission w a s e s ta b lish e d in 1 9 9 3 follow ing an invitation from th e B ishop o f K a ra g a n d a in K a z a k h s ta n ,” said S is te r M a rie J o h n , re g io n a l s u p e rio r o f the M is s io n a rie s o f C h arity in C e n tral A s i a , c o v e r in g K a z a k h s ta n , P a k is ta n , T a jik is ta n and U zb e k is ta n . T h e s is te r s w h o w o r k in T a s h k e n t c o m e fro m In d ia , C ro a tia , S lo v e n ia an d P o la n d , and a re learn in g to s p e a k U z b e k . T h e nuns s e e k to s e rv e “the p o o re s t o f th e p o o r” a n d com fort

the sick, and try to e a s e th e life of the p e o p le a b a n d o n e d by society. T h e y run a “sou p k itc h e n ” and o ffe r m e a ls to s tre e t children and youth. The c h ild r e n have no p e rm a n e n t s h e lte r o r s ou rce of food. During th e w in te r the n um ber in c re a s e s as th e e x tre m e cold m a k e s it hard to s c ro u n g e for sc ra p s a t m a rk e ts o r in th e city’s g a rb a g e d um ps. O n S u n d a y s , C a th o lic s o f S a c re d H e a rt P a rish a rra n g e a s p e c ia l collection for th e sisters to b uy a n d p re p a re m e a ls fo r the b e g g a rs , but if a person a rrives d ru n k he o r s h e is not g iven lunch. T h e sisters call this “tou gh lo v e .” T h e s is t e r s ru n a s m a ll d is p e n s a ry in th e city c e m e te ry , s in c e m a n y h o m e le s s p e o p le s le e p th e re . T h e y o ffe r m e d ic in e and ta k e p eo p le to hospital, paying for th e ir tre a tm e n t an d surgery. They a ls o w o rk w ith a b a n d o n e d e ld e r ly p e o p le . In 2 0 0 1 , th e sisters te n d e d to 7 0 fa m ilie s and 6 0 eld e rly, lo n e ly and disabled p eo ple on a re g u la r basis, a n d o ffered o n e -o ff help to 6 2 4 p eo p le . T h e y a ls o h elp e d 1 ,2 0 0 h o m e le s s p e o p le a n d paid fo r 4 4 0 h ospital patients.

AUGUST 4 - August 11, 2002

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Press coverage of the marginalized HONG KONG (U C A N ) — Human rights and Catholic groups have urged journalists in Hong Kong to offer more sensitive and fair coverage of marginalized people, and avoid stereotyping and sensationalism. H ong Kong d io c e s e ’s Justice a n d P e a c e C o m m is s io n , a n d A m n e s ty International H ong Kong conducted a four-m onth study from D e c e m b e r 2 001 am o ng new s reporters, editors, producers and directors of electron ic and print m ed ia regarding their view s. T h e re s e a rc h a im ed to study the attitude o f journalists tow ard the d isab led , fre e d o m o f s peech, h o m o s e x u a lity , ra c e , g e n d e r , poverty, police using e x c es s iv e f o r c e , n e w im m ig r a n t s fro m m ainland C h in a and sex w orkers. A t th e sem in ar, it w a s reported th a t 5 0 0 q uestio nn aires had b een distributed to 13 d ailies and five e le c tro n ic m e d ia c o m p a n ie s in H ong K ong. O f th e 5 0 0 , n early 2 9 0 s urvey resp on den ts indicated that

public interest, an d a re full of “c o a rs e labeling ” to d ra w m ore attention. Journalists fa c e pressures from t h e ir b o s s e s w h o a r e m o re concerned about m arket share than hum an rights. T h e y h av e to strike a b ala n c e b etw e e n the m a rk e t and sensitivity to h um an rights to avoid losing th eir jobs. T h e re s e a rc h re c o m m e n d e d th a t m ed ia p eo ple should avoid r e v e a lin g a v ic t im ’s id e n tity , including n am e and social status, unless it is really n ecessary. It also urged that h um an rights education be included in journalism and m a s s com m unication studies, a s w ell as in g en e ra l education c o u r s e s . C o n s u m e r s s h o u ld d em a n d responsible reporting from the new s m ed ia. C o n s u m e rs h ave th e m ost influence o ver the m ass m ed ia. E d ucating the public to support and e n co u rag e responsible m e d ia re p o r tin g is th e m o s t effective m e a n s to im prove the situation.

journalists with training in hum an rights a re inclined to be m ore alert to rights issues. M a n y re s p o n d e n ts re g a rd e d the m ed ia a s a w atch do g of the g o vern m en t, but said that their supervisors s e e m e d to s e e them o n ly a s a m e a n s to p ro v id e inform ation and e ntertainm ent. In s e p a ra te interview s o f 17 journalists, m ost s a w a w a re n e s s of h um an rights as essen tial for jo u r n a lis t s and c la im e d to u n d e rs ta n d th e s ig n ific a n c e o f fre e d o m o f s p e e c h , political rights a n d th e jo u r n a lis t s ’ c o d e o f ethics. H o w ev e r, they adm itted that training in h um an rights sensitivity w a s “insufficient,” and ad d e d that non e o f th e m ed ia com p a n ie s they w o rk e d fo r h ad p ro v id e d a n y related training. M o s t o f t h e r e s p o n d e n ts a g re e d th a t n ew s reports in Hong Kong a re m ostly “s ensatio n al and m a rk e t-o rie n ta te d ,” w h ile n e w s on m inorities do not d ra w m uch

Call:

6284-3064 Melvyn

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S u k h b a a ta ry n Batbold, dep uty m inister o f foreign affairs, said, “T h e r e h a s b e e n v e r y g o o d c o o p e r a t io n b e tw e e n our g o v e r n m e n t a n d th e C a th o lic C hurch, espe c ia lly in the fields of e du catio n, training, develo ping the rural a re a s , and social w o rk .” “W e a p p re c ia te and will n ever forget the support the C atholic C h u rch has g iv e n to th e g o v e rn m e n t to o v e rc o m e the last th re e years' w in te r disasters and the help C atho lics h av e g iven to the poor fa m ilie s ,” he said. The g o v e rn m e n t o ff ic ia l expressed happiness o ver the 1 0th a n n iv e rs a ry o f diplom atic relations b e t w e e n th e H o ly S e e a n d M o n go lia last April as w ell a s the e s ta b lis h m e n t o f U la a n b a a t a r apostolic prefecture in July. C a rd in a l. C r e s c e n z io S e p e , prefect o f th e C o n g re g atio n for the E va n g e liza tio n o f P e o p le s , hosted the e v e n t July 8. T h e V a tic a n c a rd in a l, w h o visited M on go lia for the occasion, p r e s e n t e d th e p a p a l d e c r e e creating the n ew prefecture and

m aking Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry M o n sig no r W e n c e s la o P ad illa its first prefect apostolic. In his s p e e c h , C a rd in a l S e p e t h a n k e d th e g o v e r n m e n t o f M o n go lia for th eir “w a rm w e lc o m e to o u r m issionaries, w hich has g reatly facilitated o u r w o rk .” H e also thanked the foreign com m unity a n d re p re s e n ta tiv e s o f v a rio u s C h urch es and religions in M ongolia for their support and friendship. “T h e Holy F a th e r ex p re ss e d his a ffe c tio n a n d g ra titu d e by upg radin g this m ission into a n apostolic p refecture. H e w ished th a t he h im self could h av e traveled this fa r and be h ere for th e s e fe w d ays. H e w a s not too h ap py to let m e c o m e w ithout him ,” the cardinal added. C h ulu un B atjargal, M o n g o lia ’s first a m b a s s a d o r to the Holy S e e , said Holy S e e -M o n g o lia ties started s o m e 7 0 0 y e a rs a g o with the visits o f F ria r G iovan ni di P lan o Carpini, a p a p a l e n v o y w h o a r r iv e d M on go lia in 1 2 4 6 , and M arc o Polo, an Italian tra v e le r w ho also c a m e th e re in the s a m e century. During centuries since, th e re has been c o n s id e r a b le c o rre s p o n d e n ce b e tw e e n popes and rulers o f M on go lia, he said, adding th a t P rofessors Bira and T s e re n s o d n o m , M o n g o lia n scholars, w e re sent to R o m e in

J e n n if W o r ld w id e

2001 to study letters. A fter the 7 0 years of com m unist rule g a v e w a y to d em o c ra cy in M a y 1 9 9 1 , M o n go lia returned to the religious to le ra n c e th a t w as practiced 7 0 0 y e a rs ago, w hen s h a m a n is m e n jo y e d o ff ic ia l recognition and all o th er religions enjo yed fre e d o m and w e re even e x e m p te d from paying taxes. A b b o t D a m b a ja v , h e a d o f D as h o y lin B u dd hist M o n a s te ry , w ho w a s p resent a t the function, said, “C atho lics a re very active and th e y a re doing good w ork here. W e fee l very close with them and w e h av e joint activities.” Ueli M inder, an official o f the M a h a y a n a Buddhist C e n te r, said, “W e w e re in v ite d by th e g o v e rn m e n t to help fill the spiritual g ap a fter th e sudden c h a n g e from co m m u n ism to d e m o c ra c y ,” he said. “N o w w e w ork to g e th e r with (Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry ) S ister N e llie Z a r r a g a to h e lp th e d is a b le d .” C a r d in a l S e p e a ls o m e t M o n g o lia n P re s id e n t N a ts a g iin B a g a b a n d i a n d d e s c rib e d th e m eeting as “fruitful.” “W e ta lk e d a b o u t p o s s ib le c o o p e ra tio n in th e soc ia l and cultural a re a s to help the p eo ple of M on go lia,” the V atican official said. H e a d d e d , “I ex p re ss e d our thanks for fre e d o m in M o n g o lia .”

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AUG U ST 4 - August 11, 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

CHILDREN’S CORNER

T his q uiz is o pen to children w ho a re preparing to rec e iv e

Answers for Contest No, 5 (1st. Comm.) BAPTISM

Holy Communion and are attending classes

at their Parishes. It has to be th e children's own effort and p arents a re as k ed to u se this as an opportunity to tea c h the children th e v a lu e o f honesty.

Across

first three correct entries to reach the Editor, AFTER midnight Wednesday/ Thursday 7/8 August 2002, by e -m a il to steeple(a)sinanet.com,sa. The first three correct entries will be based on the date and time as recorded in the "Inbox". The Editor's decision is final. P rize s will be a w a rd e d to the

Closing Date: midnight. Fri/Sat 9/10 August 2002. All that is n e e d e d to send the a nsw ers, is to use the n um bers of the clues as indicated and a n s w e r for e a c h clue.

sta te the

OIL . I w a s b a p tiz e d , th e priest poured WATER on m e. 6. Living as a child o f G od m e a n s th a t I m u st follow his TEACHING. 10. I w a s a ls o g iven a WHITE g arm e n t. 1.

H e a ls o o m a d e S ig n s o f th e C ro ss on m e with

W hen

Down I a m a child o f G o d , I m ust LIVE a s a child o f G od .

S in c e

full name, address, and the First Communion Class you a re attend ing at you r Parish.

H e a ls o said: I BAPTIZE you, in th e n a m e o f th e F a th e r a n d o f the So n a n d o f the H o ly Spirit.

D o not fo rg et to provide y o u r O W N contact, o th erw ise it will not be possible to advise you, if you h ave

B aptism m a k e s m e a

w on.

I w a s given a lighted

W h e n I w a s b ap tize d , m y p are n ts c h o se

If I w a s still a b ab y w h e n I w a s b a p tiz e d , m y p are n ts m a d e a

Y o u m ust give y o u r

All entries will be ack n o w le d g e d .

W in n e rs , the

first three correct entries, (according to th e "Inbox”) will be an n o u n c e d in the following issue

o f the C ath o lic N e w s , and will be inform ed o f how th e y can collect their prizes.

profession o f

CHILD of G o d . CANDLE . GOD p are n ts for m e.

FAITH for m e.

t Contest No. 6 (1st Comm.) 2

W H A T W E B E L IE V E

Aaron Werner Rozario,

Sharmaine Cheng Jing Yi

Miss Carrie-Anne Ng Tian Ting

O L P S church (S u n d a y 8 .3 0 a .m ., Pr. 3 ) O u r L ad y o f P e rp e tu a l S u c c o u r

CLUES

The WINNERS ARE .....

Pri 2 H o m e b as e d class, C h rist the King

Across 4.

W e b e lie v e in t h r e e ___________ .

Consolation Prizes

T h e third P erson is called th e H o l y _________ .

W h a t w e b e lie v e a s C atho lics, is fou nd in a p ra y e r ca lled th e “I _________ ”.

11. T h e secon d person is called t h e _________ .

Maria Grazia Lee Shu En P r 2 C h arity - Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry

Marian Ng Si Lin

h o m e -b a s e d - C h rist the King Desiree Low Y i Hui P 2 A - R isen C hrist

Francesca Kok Si Hui

Emily Koh Jia Ling,

Kevin Sim Wei Jie

12. T h e first person is called t h e _______ ___.

S a t. 2p m R m . A - R isen C hrist

Down 1.

T h is p ra y e r is also called the C re e d ”.

Created by CNews with EclipseCrossword.

d ied o n _________ Friday.

J e s u s s u ffered u n d er Pontius

J esu s w a s crucified, died an d w a s ______ .

W H A T W E B E L IE V E

W e c e le b ra te th a t h e a s c e n d e d into h ea v e n o n _____________ T h u rs d a y .

10. W e c eleb rate that Jesus rose again on

Joseph Gwee Ming-Wei Pri 3 Holy F am ily

a donor who wishes to remain annonymous.

P ri.2 - St. M ich a e l

W e re m e m b e r th a t Jes u s w a s crucified and

Prize s for C o n te st N o. 6 (1s t C o m m .l

a re very kindly sponsored by:

3 p m S a tu rd a y - H oly Spirit,

is a n o th e r n a m e for th e S on.

Jonathan Chua Wei Jin P 3 L uke - St. A n n e

Celestine Grace Cai Pri 2 - H o ly Spirit

W e ll, w ell, w e had a total o f tw elv e entries and A L L w e re correct. A ccording to the "inbox" tim e, the first 3 g et th e m ain prizes, but all the o th e r correct o n e s also g et a little consolation prize e a c h .

Sunday.

Congratulations to ALL of you. We will let you know by e-mail about the collection of your prizes, soon. God love you all!

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

NOTES: Crossword No. 5 was about the Sacrament of Baptism.

"Things" in Baptism

Born Catholics? M a n y p eo ple, w ho w e re b ap t iz e d as b a b ie s , c a ll th e m s e lv e s "born C a th o lic s " . T h a t is not correct, b ec a u se w e a re not born as C atho lics ju s t b e c a u s e o u r fa th e r and m o th er w e re Catholics. W e had to be b ap tized , probably ab o u t a m onth or so a fte r our birth. S o m e p eo p le m a y h ave b een b ap tize d v e ry soon a fter being born. T h a t h ap p e n s if the b a b y ’s life is in d a n g e r w h e n born. T h e n the baby m ight h a v e b e e n g iven an "em ergency" baptism . T h e c o rre c t term for tho se of us w h o w e re b ap tized a s b a b ie s is "cradle

Catholics". T h is m e a n s that w e w e re still bab ies in crad les w h e n w e w e re bap tized .

W e a re born with "original sin" - a sinful n ature w hich is “h ealed" by Jesus in Baptism . T h e pouring of WATER m e a n s that w e a re "w ashed" clean of this original sin. Unfortunately, w e do com m it sins again and w e n eed the S a c ra m e n t o f Reconciliation (C on fession ).

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T h e WHITE GARMENT o r B aptism al R o b e signifies purity, being cle an s e d of o ur sins, and w h e n F a th e r gives this to us he tells us to re c e iv e this w hite g a rm e n t as a sign of purity. H e asks us to k e e p it unstained.

OIL is used to "an o in t" you. T h e priest m a k e s the sign of th e C ross with oil b lessed by the A rchbishop on H oly T h u rs d a y . It is a sign o f strength which you re ceive from Jesus. T h e CANDLE which is given to us as a sign o f faith, and w h e n F a th e r gives that to us he tells us to k e e p the the light o f faith burning brightly. It is like a mini E a s te r C a n d le . In fact it is lighted from it. .

"God" parents a re to help you to live as children o f G od. O n e is n ec essary, a G o d fa th e r if you a re a boy o r a G o d m o th e r if you a re a girl. Yo u can h a v e both, too! T h e y m ust be C atholics, o f course!

Baptism is the v e ry first s a c ra m e n t th a t w e all rec e iv e , sim ply b e c a u s e it m a k e s us C hristians, children of G od and follow ers o f Christ. A good n u m b e r o f us, p erhap s, m ost o f us, w e re b ap tized as babies. T h a t w ould be the c a s e if o u r p arents a re C atholics, or at least o ne of th e m is, T h e n , soon a fte r w e w e re born w e w ould h ave b een brought to church to be b ap tized . W h ile B aptism is th e v e ry first S a c ra m e n t w e receive, tho se o f us w ho a re " c ra d le C a th o lic s " w ould n e v e r h ave know n w h a t w a s hap pen ing w h e n w e w e re b ap tized . T h a t's w hy the C rossw ord, I hope, m a d e you find out w h a t h ap p e n s at a B aptism c erem o n y, a t least, if you h av e not s een o n e yet. Actually, it's a beautiful c e re m o n y, and if you h av e the ch an ce, m a y b e you .could a sk D a d d y and M u m m y to ta k e you to your parish church to s e e one. T h e c e re m o n y starts with F a th e r asking w h a t is the n a m e your p arents h ave cho sen and w h a t they w a n t for you. T h e n F a th e r says s o m e p rayers and anoints the b ab y with oil. T h e n th e re a re m ore p rayers with tho se w ho a re p resent at the c e re m o n y. T h e s e a re follow ed by a Profession o f Faith. B aptism m a k e s us children o f G od and follow ers of Jesus, so w e m ust know w h a t is required of us. O f course, if w e w e re still b ab ies, it w ould h a v e b een D a d d y and M u m m y w ho w ould a n s w e r for us. If s o m e o n e is b ap tized as a gro w n -up , then he o r she w ould h ave to a n s w e r the questions. T h e n th e re is the actu al baptism . T his can be d o n e by pouring water on the fo re h e a d o f the baby, or putting the b ab y into the w a te r O f course, w e m a k e sure not to drown th e poor baby! T h a t would be terrible! (This sort o f Baptism is called baptism by "immersion"). If the church has a B aptism pool, then g ro w n -up s and young children can go into this pool for B aptism by im m ersion. W h ic h e v e r w a y is u sed, th e w ords a re alw ays the s a m e . F a th e r s a y s :” ....... (y o u r n a m e ), I b a p tiz e y o u in th e n a m e o f th e F a th e r, a n d o f th e S o n , a n d o f th e H o ly S p ir it."

A fte r that, F a th e r anoints the b ab y and gives a "white garment" to the p arents and th e b ab y is d ressed in it.. T h e n he gives them a "lighted candle". T h e c e re m o n y en d s with a final blessing.

COMMUNIQUE from transm itted our YOUTH b y A d m in A n g

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Y e s . T h e re a re tim es w h e n w e n eed to be quiet to listen to the w ords that G od w a n ts to s p e a k to us. S o m e m en tio ned ab o u t giving th e m s e lv e s and th eir exp e rie n c e s. We a tte n d e d th e o p e n in g c e re m o n y of the W Y D in O tta w a in the evening. H en ry C a p p e llo , the president o f Y A I w e lc o m ed all participants a nd introduced the th e m e o f o u r 3 d ay -re tre a t in O tta w a , “Receive the

P ow er to be M y W itness’ .

Singapore delegation departs The youth representatives from Singapore to the World Youth Day celebrations gathered at 2.00am on Tuesday 16 July at Changi International Airport's Terminal 1. They were checking in for their flight which will take them eventu ally to Toronto in Canada, for the 17th World Youth Day Celebra tion. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II will also be journeying there to be with the youth from July 23rd to 29th. A few family members were also at hand despite the "unearthly hour". Sharon de Rosa, one of the leaders said that she was going with an open mind and an open heart, and expected to return with many rich experiences and much to talk about . Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain, Rev Fr. Michael Sitaram who is leading the delegation, appeared completely at ease and unruffled,

with his youth leaders taking charge of all the logistics of getting the group together and through the very tight security for the check in procedure. Asked for his thougths at this point of departure, Fr. Mike, as he is affectionately called, said: "For us this is a journey with the Pope who started it all in 1984. it is a journey in faith - an opportunity for us to show the world that we are united as Christians. We pray for unity, because only God can unite us in and through prayer. Only then can there be a better world for all of us." This is Fr. Mike's third World Youth Day celebration with our Holy Father, having been at Paris and the last one at Rome for the Youth Millennium. For the youth of the region there is a Catholic Youth Council under the wing of the Federation

Fr Sitaram (centre) leads in prayer and gives his blessing before departure

of Asian Bishops' Conference, but nothing official involving the youth of the world on a level like the United Nations, Fr Mike said.. The numbers in the delegation were rather few because parents were hesitant in the aftermath of 911. The group is stopping over in Ottawa for a few days of spiritual retreat in preparation for the To ronto gathering. The pre-registration numbers amounted to 200,000, though origi nal estimates had hopes of 750,000. However, it is said that there is usually a much greater number than the pre-registration figures. Just before going through to the departure area, Fr. Mike gath ered his little flock for a brief prayer session and blessing, and then they were off to board their 4.00 am flight to Canada. We hope to hear from them when they reach Toronto.

Arrival at Toronto

On his arrival at Toronto's "Lester B Pearson" International Airport Pope John Paul II was met by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and officials of State and Church. In resp o n se to the P rim e M inister's w ords o f w e lc o m e the H oly F a th e r said, alternating b e tw e e n F ren ch a n d English: D e a r P rim e M in is te r C h re tie n , D e a r C a n a d ia n Friends, I a m d e e p ly grateful for your w ords o f w e lc o m e , M r. P rim e M in ister, and fee l g reatly hon ou red by the p re s e n c e h ere of the P re m ie r o f O n tario , the M a y o r o f th e g re a t city o f T oron to , a n d o th e r distin g u is h e d r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s of g o v e rn m e n t and civil society. T o all, I e x p re s s from m y h eart, a w a rm "T h a n k you": th a n k you for

responding favourably to the idea of holding the World Youth Day in Canada and th a n k you for all that h as b ee n d o n e for it to b e c o m e a reality. D e a r P e o p le o f C a n a d a , I h av e vivid m em o rie s of m y first apostolic visit in 1 9 8 4 , and of m y brief visit in 1 9 8 7 to the indigenous

p eo p les in th e land of D e n e n d e h . T his tim e I m ust be con ten t to stay only in T oron to . F rom h ere I g re e t all C anad ians. Yo u a re in m y thank ful p rayers to G od, w h o h as so a b u n d a n tly b lessed your v a s t and beautiful country. Y o u n g p eo p le from all parts of the w orld a re g ath ering fo r the W o rld Yo uth D ay. W ith th eir gifts of intelligence and h ea rt they rep resent the future of the world. But they also b e a r the m arks o f a h um an ity th a t too often d o e s not know p e a c e , o r justice. T o o m an y lives begin and end w ithout joy, w ithout h op e. T h a t is o n e of the principal re a s o n s for the W o rld Y o u th D ay. Y o u n g p eo p le a re com ing to g e th e r to com m it th e m s e lv e s , in the strength o f th eir faith in Jesus Christ, to the g re a t c a u s e o f p e a c e a n d h um an soli darity. T h a n k you, Toronto; than k you, C a n a d a , for w elcom in g them with o pen arm s! In the French version of you r national a n th em , “O C a n a d a ”, you sing: “S in c e you r a rm s know how to carry the sw ord, th e y know how to carry the Cross . .” C a n a d ia n s a re heirs to an extraordinarily rich humanism, th an ks to th e blending o f m a n y different cultural elem ents. But the core o f yo u r h eritag e is the spiritual and tra n s c e n d e n t vision o f life b as e d on Christian re v e la tion w hich g a v e vital im p etu s to y our d ev e lo p m en t as a free, d e m o c r a t ic and c a r in g s o c ie t y , re c o g n ize d throughout th e world

a s a cham pio n of h um an rights and h u m an dignity. In a w orld of g re a t social and ethical strains, and confusion about the v e ry p urpo se o f life, C a n a d i ans h ave an incom parable treasure to contribute - on condition that th e y p re s e rv e w h a t is d e e p , and good and valid in th eir own herit a g e . I pray th a t the W o rld Youth D a y will o ffer all C a n a d ia n s an opportunity to re m e m b e r the v a l u es th a t a re e ssen tial to good living and to h um an hap pin ess. M r . P r im e M in is t e r , d e a r Friends: m ay the motto of the W orld Y o u th D a y ec h o throughout the land, rem inding all C h ristians to be “salt o f th e e a rth and light o f the world". G od bless you all. G od bless C a n a d a .

T h is w a s follow ed by short testim o nies by youth. T h e artists a ls o s h a r e d th e ir te s tim o n ie s through m usic and songs and all this w a s follow ed by h alf an hour o f P ra ise and W orship. T h e highlight of the e v e n t w a s to s e e o u r b e lo v e d S p iritu a l Director, F r M ike S ita ra m , being invited with the o thers on to the s ta g e to p r a y o v e r a ll th e participants for this 3 d ays retreat. Lights w e re out a t 1 1pm and w e started sleeping. G oo d night!

U n id e n tifie d y o u th b u rs ts in to te a r s o n m e e tin g th e P o p e

On fire for youth T h e H oly F ath er's e n th u siasm and love for th e youth o f the w orld is reflected in his ow n e n tu siasm ab o u t the celeb ration in T o ro n to .lt is not surprising th a t th e youth th e m s e lv e s catch his e nth usiasm . O n S u n d a y 21 July he c h o se to s p e a k ab o u t this e v e n t a t his usual S u n d a y B lessing to th e W o rld from his s u m m e r re s id en c e a t C a s te l G and olfo. S p e a kin g in Italian the P o p e said: M y D e a re s t B rothers and Sisters. T h e m e m o ry o f the g re a t Jub illee o f Y o u th w hich took p lace h ere in R o m e in A ugust 2 0 0 0 , is still vivid. In tho se unfor g e tta b le d ay s , C h ristin a youths h av e ignited a fire o f hop e for us a ll. They have m ade an a p p p o in tm e n t in th e com ing d ays to be a t T oron to w h e re th e 17th W orld Youth D a y will be celebrated, to continue this com m o n pilgim age o f b ro th e rh o o d th ro u g h o u t th e P lan et. T h e tra g ic e v e n ts o f last S e p te m b e r 11th h a v e c a s t a d ark s h a d o w o v e r th e w o rld . But Jes u s e x h o rte d his disciples not to fe a r and s ays to th e m : "You a re the sa le o f the earth ... Y o u a re the light o f th e world". C h ris tia n y o u th s , w h o w ill

g a th e r in T oron to a re re a d y to respond to Christ: B ehold us! H e re w e are! At yo u r w ords, w ithout fea r, w e will c a s t th e net o f the G osp el." G o d willing, d a y a fte r tom or row , (July 2 3 ), I will le a v e to m e e t th e s e boys and girls w ho a re co m ing from e v e ry c o rner o f th e world to T oron to , in C a n a d a : I g o to pray with th em , to c e leb ra te to g e th e r with th e m this enriching e x p e ri e n c e o f faith. I turn a special tho ug ht to the m a n y o f their a g e w h o a re u n ab le to b e p resent in p erson, but w ho will be follow ing the e v e n t through the com m unication m edia. W e shall all be united in prayer, calling on th e o n e Spirit w h o m a k e o f us Christians o n e B ody in Christ. T oronto, the m etropolis w hich is so cosm op olitan, is i re a d y to b e c o m e for o n e w e e k th e world captial o f Y o uth , th e future a n d the h op e o f th e C h ru ch and all h u m a n ity. M ea n w h ile , I g re e t and thankall tho se w h o a re w orking to w e lc o m e th e s e young pilgrim s w h o will be arriving with n u m ero u s Bishops, priests a n d religious w ho a re a c c om pan ying th em . T h a n k you very m uch!

AUGUST 4 - August 11, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

FAITH IN LIFE

_________ 18 Ordinary August 4 BREAD FROM HEAVEN The Texts:

1 Rd: 2 Rd:

Is. 5 5 : 1 - 3 R o m 8: 3 5 .3 7 -3 9

Resp: P s 1 4 4 Gospel: M t 1 4 :1 3 -2 1

F irst R eading: T h is p a s s a g e fro m Is a iah has a d ual re fe re n c e to_both m a te ria l a n d spiritual foo d, c lo sely a lte rn a tin g . W e a re e x h o rte d to s e e k food th a t will satisfy -

spiritual food.

‘L is te n , to m e , a n d y o u w ill h a v e g o o d

th in g s to e a t a n d ric h fo o d to e n jo y . P a y a tte n tio n , c o m e to m e , lis te n a n d y o u r s o u l w ill live".

"ORDINARY TIME" Liturgical Colour: GREEN - Symbolizes "HOPE" in the Christian context hope in eternal life, founded on Christ's promise. The focus is on our Response to God revealing himself through Salvation History. * * * * * * *

R esponsorial: a llu d e s to G o d giving food “in d u e t im e ”. " T h e e y e s o f a ll

c r e a t u r e s lo o k to y o u a n d y o u g iv e th e m th e ir fo o d in d u e tim e . Y o u o p e n w id e y o u r h a n d , g r a n t th e d e s ir e s o f a ll w h o liv e ."

/ v / tf/ w V ' i / r M v A v

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19 Ordinary August 11 THE VOICE OF PEACE The Texts:

1 Rd: 1 K g 1 9 :9 . 1 1 -1 3 2 Rd: R o m 9 : 1 - 5

Resp: P s 8 4 Gospel: M t 1 4 :2 2 - 3 3

F irst R eading: B eautifu l im a g e ry m a k in g a fe e b le a tte m p t to "describe G od". W h a t is to b e noted is th a t G od w a s not in the pow erful m an ifestations o f n atu re ... th e m ighty w ind s ... the e a rth q u a k e ... th e fire ..., but in “the g e n tle b re e z e ." P e rh a p s w e a re not looking in th e right d irectio n, and h e n c e c a n n o t find G od! Responsorial: T h e re a re th e consoling w o rd s o f trust a n d co n fid e n c e in G o d e x p re s s e d in th e P salm : "I w ill h e a r w h a t th e L o r d G o d h a s to s a y , a v o ic e th a t s p e a k s o f p e a c e . H is h e lp is n e a r fo r th o s e w h o f e a r h im a n d h is g lo r y w ill d w e ll in o u r la n d . "

2 n d R eading: W e h av e h ere th a t m a g n ific e n t p a s s a g e in w hich S t Paul

2 n d Reading: A p p a re n tly e v e n S t P au l w a s not e x e m p t by ang uish and

e x p re s s e s th e p la c e of s u p re m a c y th a t he a ttrib u res to G o d a n d w hich w e h a v e all to strive to put into practice: " N o th in g c a n c o m e b e tw e n u s a n d th e L o v e o f C h r i s t . ... N o t h in g ... c a n e v e r c o m e b e t w e e n u s a n d t h e lo v e o f G o d m a d e v is ib le in C h r is t J e s u s o u r L o r d ."

anxiety: M y s o r r o w is s o g r e a t, m y m e n t a l a n g u is h s o e n d le s s ." I

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Gospel: T h e p a s s a g e n a rra te s the w ell know n “F e e d in g o f th e F iv e T h o u s a n d " w \th material food. T h e m ira c le in th e G o s p e l w a s o cc a s io n e d by th e cro w ds w h o h ad g a th e re d , to h e a r J e s u s ' te a c h in g a n d to h av e th e ir sick h e a le d . A g ain th e re is this a d m ix tu re o f satisfying both spirtiual a n d m a te ria l n ee d s .

Gospel: T his is the incident w h e n Jesus c alm ed the storm on th e lake w h ic h h ad g o t th e A p o s tle s so a n x io u s a n d w o rrie d , an d in d e e d u n d ers ta n d a b ly so. It m u st h av e b e e n a particularly turbulent storm , b e c a u s e the A p ostles w e re m ainly fish erm en and th e y w ould be used to rough w e a th e r. In spite o f all his a s s u ran c e s , the A p ostles still had doubts ab o u t th e identity o f Jesus. All turns o ut w ell in th e end , h ow ever, w h e n th e y m a k e th eir act o f faith. T h e y b ow ed dow n b efo re him and said: "Truly you are the Son o f G od."

Application in life

T h is spiritual significance of food a n d th e parallel b e tw e e n physical and spiritual life is obvious. M a te ria l food is n e c e s s a ry to sustain physical life, spiritual food is n e c e s s a ry to sustain spiritual life. What is this spiritual

In the turm oil o f life all o f us h av e e x p e rie n c e d m o m en ts o f anguish and anxiety, difficult situations to w hich a solution s e e m s virtually im possible, e v e n S t Paul, it w ould s e e m w a s not e x e m p t from these.

food? T h e trouble with us is th a t w e fail to re c o g n ize this G od o f p e a c e and faithfulness, this G od w h o will c o m e to o u r aid. But ag ain , o u r failure is nothing new . Even in th e incident o fth e G o s p e l, w e find that the A postles th e m s e lv e s failed to re c o g n ize th eir M a s te r with w h o m th e y w e re so fam iliar, and w h o m they follow ed as disciples. T h e y even thought he w a s a g h o s t., and th e y w e re terrified e ven a fte r he identified him self: "C o u rage, it is I! D o not be afraid." T h e re w a s still d o u b t, "Lord, IF it is you ... "Im agin e th a t - th e re w a s Jesus identifying him self very clearly, and yet P e te r had the a ud a c ity to say:" IF it IS you..." N ot only did he doubt - good old P e te r still w a n te d yet a n o th e r sign - let m e c o m e to you w alking on the w a te r also. T a lk o f testing G od!

T h e re fe re n c e to spiritual food is linked to the Word of God w hich n ou rishes the soul in th e s e n s e o f giving life. It is linked also w ith “going to God or Jesus" w hich is in e ffe c t, responding to his Word, being in union with him. In th e c o n tex t o f the N e w T e s ta m e n t, th e re is an e v e n m ore specific re fe re n c e - a reference to the Eucharist. A s C h ristian s w e h av e th e Word of God w hich w e read in th e scriptures an d w hich is p re a c h e d to us. W e h a v e th e Eucharist w hich w e p a rta k e of

so often, and have been partakinging of for years. Are we deriving any benefit fro m th e s e con tacts with G o d ? H o w h av e w e b e e n resp on din g to the person of Jesus? In th e F irst R eading to d a y G o d s a y s to us: P ay attention, com e to me, listen a n d y o u r soul w ill live. F o rce o f habit can dull the s e n s e s a n d the a w a re n e s s o f w h a t h as b e c o m e a habit. H o w e v e r, alth ou gh eating is very much a habit and a necessity, we still don't let that become a meaningless activity. W e s e e m to know h ow to b en e fit from it and e n jo y it. W e certainly n ee d to m a k e o u r spiritual food ben eficial to us and "enjoy" it!

NATIONAL DAY

T his fe a r o f ours and this lack o f a w a re n e s s o f the p re s e n c e of G od, of course, stem s from o u r lack o f faith and trust and c on fid ence in the p re s e n c e o f G od in o u r midst. J e s u s ’ w ords to Peter: "M an o f little faith!", a re eq u ally ap p licab le to e a c h o f us - w e a re ind eed also m en o f little faith. W e n ee d to re n e w our faith and c on fid ence in the real p re s e n c e of G od am o n g us and not allow o urselves to be o v e rw h e lm e d by th e vicissitudes o f this life.

ASSUMPTION of our LADY

- Friday 09 August

- Thurs. 15 August

D ay of Obligation.

THE CHRISTIAN AND NATION BUILDING

MARY, OUR MODEL

We have much to thank God fo r as w e c e le b ra te o u r N a tio n al D a y . Y e a r s o f p e a c e a n d stability, e c o n o m ic grow th a n d d e v e lo p m e n t is to be c o n s id e red quite a luxury th e s e d ay s . A n d it is not o nly w e citize n s th a t h a v e to be than kfu l, e v e n th o s e w h o a re not nation als, w h ile contributing m uch to o u r suc c e s s , e n jo y a t th e s a m e tim e th e fruits o f p e a c e and p ro gress in S in g a p o re . O u r w orld has re a c h e d a point w h e re th e situation in no o n e cou ntry re m a in s an isolated e v e n t in th e history o f th a t country w ith ou t global rep ercu ssio n s. N a tio n a l D a y is also an o ccasion fo r us to consider our role as Christians in o u r re s p e c tiv e nations. T h e C h ristian is, by d efinition, a citizen of two kingdoms, th e h e a v e n ly a n d e te rn a l K in gd om of G o d and th e e a rth ly ‘’K in g d o m ” o f h is country. T h e ‘R e n d e r to C a e s a r th e th in g s th a t a r e C a e s a r ’s a n d to G o d th e th in g s th a t a r e G o d ’s” com ing from Christ, is significant. B ut o n e can w ell a s k if the Christian has anything

special to offer besides fulfilling the common duties of all citizens. If th e Christian’s faith must permeate every aspect of this life, th e n , his life in society m u st be im b ued w ith his faith . H e h as to bring a spiritual dimension to his daily activities. T h e laity h a v e th e sp ecific duty o f im buing life in s o ciety w ith th e v a lu e s o ft h e G o s p e l. It is there, where the layman lives and works, that he must proclaim the Good News of salvation. It m e a n s th a t the Christian must find ways and means of being a living witness to Christ. If this could b e re a lize d by C h ris tia n s th e Kingdom of God would become a powerful reality and the Christian would be fulfilling his dual role to both G o d an d country. F e a s ts o f th e W e e k :

Tues 06 Wed 07 Thurs 08 Sat 09

Tranfigu ration o f O u r Lord, feast -Gloria

St Sixtus, Pope, martyr; St Cajetan, St Dominic, priest St Lawrence, deacon, m artyr

priest

In G o d 's plan for us to be raised to divine sonship by adoption, M a ry w a s cho sen from all eternity to be the M o th e r of his divine So n's hum an natu re. A s the plan w ould be o p p osed by S a ta n , it w a s to b e e x p e c ted th a t Christ's m o th e r w ould also b e involved. T h u s w e a lre a d y h ave in the B ook o f G e n e s is , the re fe re n c e to the " e n m ity b e tw e e n th e w o m a n a n d S a t a n . ".

T h e A ssum ption a t N o tre -D a m e du S a c re -C o e u r in Q u e b e c

(CNS photo from Crosiers)

Why not celebrate Y O U R Feastday with Mass!

S t Paul re fers in th e Second Reading to th e life b eyond the g rave w hich C h rist h as w on for us all. Christ's ow n resurrection is the p led ge an d p roof o f o u r own resurrection. T h e assum ption o f M a ry into h eaven is an e v e n furth er p roof o f o u r resurrection. T h e p ro ph ecy uttered by o u r L ad y in the Gospel is not to be con sidered a b oast. S h e w h o had b e e n cho sen by G od to b e the m o th e r of his In carn ate S o n , s a w in herself nothing but a m aid servant, com pletely and entirely unw orthy o f the dignity con ferred on her. A t th e A n nu nciatio n, s h e had replied to the m e s s a g e of the angel: " B e it d o n e u n to m e a c c o r d in g to y o u r w o rd . " T his is total selfa b n e g a tio n , as Jesus said: 'If a n y m a n w a n ts to b e m y d is c ip le , le t h im d e n y h im s e lf, p ic k u p h is c ro s s a n d fo llo w m e . "

J esu s is a lw a y s o u r m o d el, but M a ry rem ains, as it w e re , a m ore im itable m odel, a s she is h um an like o urselves (unlike Jes u s w ho is both G od an d M a n ). If w e hop e to s h a re in the resurrection and glorification o f C hrist, joining M a ry in h e r assum ption into h ea v e n , w e h ave to im itate h e r se lf-a b n e g a tio n and s u rre n d e r to th e will o f G od.

F e a s ts o f th e W e e k :

Tues 19 Wed 14

St PontianPope. martyr, Hippolytus, priest, m artyr St Maximillian Kolbe, priest, m artyr

Thur 15

A S S U M P T IO N o f O u r L a d y (D ay o f Obligation)

Fri 16

Stephen of Hungary

Vatican II teaches

AUG U ST 4 - August 11, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

The Living Word

FORMATION

by Rev. Ambrose Vaz, SSL

by Dr (Rev) Robert P Balhetchet, Ph.D. (Theol.)

P r o f e s s o r o f S a c r e d S c r ip tu r e S t F r a n c is X a v ie r 's M a jo r S e m in a r y

What is Vatican II? It is an Ecumenical Council. This is a g en e ra l m eeting o f all the B ishops of th e C atho lic C hurch called by the P o p e, to discuss a nd d ecid e on m atters of g re a t im p ortan ce e ith e r o f d octrine (teachin g and b elief) o r o f disci pline and order, or a m ixture of b o th , c o n c e rn in g th e w h o le C hurch. 2 0 o th e r ecu m e n ic a l cou n cils p receded V a tic an II and the last o f tho se w a s Vatican I, held from 1869 to 1870. It w a s u n d er P o p e John 2 3 that the

THE BIBLE : THE OLD TESTAMENT

C atho lic C hurch (fo r V a tic a n II th e r e w e r e a p p r o x im a te ly 2 , 2 0 0 o f th e m ) w ho g a th e r to g e th e r

menical council carries very great “w eight" in terms of its conclusions and teachings, and it would be extremely rash, to say the least, for anyone to contradict or reject an Ecumeni cal Council’s teachings. In som e

first Session of Vatican II was celebrated on 11 October 1962. N in e s u b s e q u e n t sessio ns w e re c e leb ra te d u n d er P o p e Paul V I, the last being on 8 December 1965. T h u s, 3 7 y e a rs h av e passed since the conclusion of V a tic a n II!

How important is an Ecumeni cal Council? S in c e it is a m eeting o f all the Bishops o f the

C ouncils, certain m atters and tea c h in g s w e re d ec la re d “D o g m a s ”. T h e s e a re in fa llib le tea c h in g s o f the P o p e which h av e to be a c c ep ted in faith by all m e m b e rs o f the C hurch. R e jection or den ial o f such d o g m a s w ould be considered “h e re s y ”.

Old T e s ta m e n t is a library o f 45 books - or46, if the

The

u nd er the leadership o f the P o pe to study and d elib e ra te various q uestions and issues, an ecu

L am e n ta tio n s o f J e re m ia h a re placed as a s e p a ra te book. T h e order in w hich they a re found in the B ible is not govern ed by the d ate o f their com position, nor e v e n by the d ate of th e subject m a tter they contain, o r c a te g o r y

but by their literary genre

( = a p a r tic u la r ty p e

w ith s p e c ific c h a r a c te ris tic s ).

S in ce the thirteenth century, C atho lics h a v e divided the Old T e s ta m e n t into

The Holy Bible

historical, wisdom, and prophetical books. Although

such a division provides a fairly good indication o f the g en e ra l c h a ra c te r o f the different books, yet, in certain ca s es , it m a y be quite m isleading, and should, the re fo re ,

not be con sidered in abso lute

term s. The

different categories (literary genres) and the books they include

a re as follows:

1. Historical :

The

L aw (T h e

P e n t a te u c h

: G e n e s is ,

Exodus,

L e v itic u s , N u m b e rs , D e u te ro n o m y )', Joshua; Judges; Ruth; 1 & 2

W h ile no “dogm a" was de clared in Vatican II, its teachings,

S am u el; 1& 2 Kings; 1& 2 Chronicles; Ezra; N e h e m ia h ; Tobit; Judith; Esther; 1& 2 M a c c a b e e s .

h o w e v e r rem ain very im portant, and , as m en tio ned earlier, it w ould be v e ry rash to reject any o f them .

T h e historical books tell a continuous story. T h e y begin with the creation o f m an in th e first c h a p te r of th e Book of G e n e s is and the call o f A b ra h a m in G e n e s is 12. T h e y go on to tell the story o f Israel, the birth o f the nation (in th e P e n ta te u c h ), its va rie d fortu nes during nearly s even centuries in the prom ised land (in th e b o o k s o f J o s h u a , J u d g e s , S a m u e l, K in g s , a n d C h ro n ic le s ), and its rebirth u n d er the

THE DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II

leadersh ip o f E zra and N e h e m ia h .

Types of Documents ( in descending o rd e r o f w eightage)

D o g m . C o nst. = D o g m atic C o nstitu tio n (re la te s to b elie f) P a s t. C o n s t. = P a s to ra l C o nstitu tio n (re la te s to p ra c tic e ) C o nst. = C onstitution D e e r. = D e c re e D e c l. = D e c la ra tio n

Wisdom (and Poetical) : Job; P salm s; P roverbs; E cclesiastes

(Q o h e le th )\ Song o f Songs; W isdo m ; Ecclesiasticus (S ir a c h ).

Wisdom literature flourished throughout the anc ie n t E ast, including E g ypt and M es o p o tam ia . It w e n t beyond national bou nd aries and w a s not prim arily religious in c h aracter. It w a s m o re c on cern ed with

DOCUMENTS of VATICAN II : T h e Council produced a total of 16 d o cum ents w hich a re usually published in o rd er a c c o rd ing to the d ate s th e y w e re p ro m u lg ated , starting with the Constitution on the Liturgy. T h e rest follow according to tim e fra m e but do not re p re s e n t a n y logical s e q u e n c e . T his results in the im pression th a t the C ouncil d e a lt h a p h a za rd ly with a w h o le lot of topics - w hich w a s n 't the case! A g re a t d eal of tim e w a s s p e n t in elabo rating th e overall s c h e m e. W h e n vario us C o m m issio n s had th eir drafts re a d y they w e re subm itted to th e w h o le a s s em b ly for app ro val. Individual drafts w ould con s e q u e n tly re c e iv e a pp ro val on various d ates and w ould then g e t p ro m u lg ated . W e p ropose a logical s e q u e n c e w ith the Dogmatic Constitu tion on the Church as the central theme of the Council. T h e o th e r 15 d o c u m e n ts a re then a rra n g e d as th e y relate to various Chapters o f th e d o c u m e n t on the C hurch and , as it w e re , d ea l in dep th w ith th e con ten t of specific C h ap ters .

hum an solutions. It tre a te d the m ean ing of life, not philosophically -

concern for the p ast and future fortu nes of th eir nation; th e y w e re a b s o rb e d , rather, in the individual and his destiny, vie w ed in the light o f their religion. T h e w isdo m o f the E a s t could be called a kind of hum anism ; the w isdom o f Israel, a religious h um anism . T h e religious a s p e c t o f w isdo m w a s slow to d evelo p. O n ly in the period a fte r the B abylo nian Exile do w e read that G od a lo n e is w ise, w ith a w isdo m beyond hum an com prehen sio n (cf. J o b 2 8 ).

3. Prophetical: Isaiah; Jerem iah (plus Lam entations); Baruch; Ezekiel; D aniel;

The

Chapter 2 - People of God

D e e r. E C U M E N IS M

Joel;

A m os;

O b a d ia h ;

Jonah;

M icah;

N ah u m ;

prophet dec la re d the m ind of G od and c om m u nicated th e will

of G od to tho se he w a s sent to. A s an instrum ent o f G o d , his

D o g m . C o n s t . D I V I N E R E V E L A T IO N

C O M M U N IC A T IO N

H o sea;

H abakku k; Z ep h a n ia h ; H agg ai; Z ec h a ria h ; M alach i. The

D e e r . C A T H O L IC E A S T E R N C H U R C H E S

this

those o f neighbouring races. T h e s a g e s o f Israel sho w ed hardly any

Chapter 1 - Mystery

D e e r. M IS S IO N A R Y A C T IV IT Y

and

explains w h y the earlie s t w isdo m w orks o f Israel closely resem b led

Dogmatic Constitution: the CHURCH

P a s t . C o n s t . C H U R C H IN T H E M O D E R N

but by a p p e a l to e x p e rie n c e . It taught

of obtaining h ap pin ess and success. T h e Israelites w e re acq u a in te d with this w isdom

Graphics: Copyright.. The Order o f St.Benedict

D e e r . S O C IA L

as in the G re e k w a y -

p eo ple how to conform to the o rd er o f the u niverse, as the m e a n s

W ORLD

Documents of Vatican II

m essage

could

exceed

the

limits of its historical context. As

s p o kesp erso n o f G o d , the prophet w a s s ig n ific a n t, not so m uch for the future fulfillm ent of predictions

he m a d e , but ra th e r for the

content and u rgency of his m e s s a g e for his tim e.

D e c l. R E L I G I O U S L I B E R T Y

Faith formation is a v e ry im portant e le m e n t in grow ing in our relationship with G o d . F o r m ost o f us th e process o f systematic

D e c l. N O N - C H R I S T I A N S

D e e r . B IS H O P S

form ation m ight w ell h a v e stopped w ith C a tec h is m C la s s for First C o m m un ion and C o nfirm atio n. T h e celeb ration of the w e e k ly Sunday liturgy should b e contributing to a d e e p e n in g of that p rocess o v e r the y e ars. O f course, o ur relationship with the Lord m ust e ssen tially b e a lived faith experience. N e v e rth e le s s , a systematic deepening of knowledge of our faith

D e e r . P R I E S T L Y T R A IN IN G

belief is also an important factor in the whole process.

Chapter- 4 Laity D e e r. L A Y A P O S T O L A T E D e c l. C H R I S T I A N E D U C A T I O N

Chapter 3 - Hierarchy

D eer.

C o u rse s , sem in ars, books can and do play their part as well, but w hile not e v e ry b o d y can avail th e m s e lv e s of th e s e m e a n s for various reaso ns, w e a re hoping th a t a fe w colum ns in our fornightly w ould be a b le to fill a niche in this process.

M IN IS T R Y & L IF E O F P R IE S T S

Chapter 5 - Holiness C o n s t. S A C R E D L IT U R G Y

Chapter 6 - Religious

Both colum nists w ould w e lc o m e questio ns for g re a te r clarifica tion, on the points put forth, o r to ask for specific points to be tre a te d . T h e s e can be transm itted through the s a m e chan nel as for ” fro m th e P E W S " : steeple(S>sinanet.com .sg

D e e r. R E L IG IO U S

Chapter 7 - Pilgrim Church Chapter 8 - Mary

Tragedies of broken families

The nursery of priestly vocation Fr Brian Joachim D’Souza, 33, was ordained to the priesthood on July 7.His ordination at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea was witnessed by his seven siblings, 3 boys and 4 girls, and 87-year-old grandmother. “Ours is a family that fights, loves and cries together,” he told the congregation. T o C N , he said: “M y parents gave m e the basic foundation of p ra y e r a n d faith form ation. W e prayed the R osary e very day. M y D a d w a s v e ry invo lved in the charism atic group so he would let us listen to praise and worship songs. “B o th ta u g h t m e d iffe r e n t virtues. M y m om tau g ht m e prayer, sim plicity and helping the poor. M y dad w a s an e x a m p le in his quiet w a y s .” F r Brian w a s 15 w hen his fath er died of hepatitis in 1 9 8 4 and his e ld e s t b rother and his w ife helped his m o th e r raise the fam ily. “A s w e g re w up, m y m om m ain tain ed th e daily recitation of th e R o sa ry as a fam ily. In a w a y m y fam ily p layed a role in fostering m y v o c a tio n ,” he ad d ed . T h e s eed o f his vocation w a s planted at a g e nine, w hen he joined th e a lta r servers at th e parish of the R isen C hrist. From his tee n s to mid 20 s , he looked a fte r yo u n g e r alta r boys. W h ile d o in g h is N a t io n a l S erv ic e (N S ), he tau g ht catechism . H e e n te re d the s e m in ary a fter N S . “I did think ab o u t m arriag e, lo o k in g a t m y p a re n ts a s an e x a m p le and w h a t b ea u ty it has. I also con sidered the priestly life. I did not know m uch ab o u t it, but w a s willing to give it a try. “T h e re w a s no m ajo r incident th a t prom pted m e to e n te r the

Top:

A rc h b is h o p N ic h o la s C h ia with

n e w ly -o rd a in e d F r B rian J o a c h im D ’S o u z a a n d his fam ily.

Left:

F r B rian

b le s s e s his m oth er, M a d a m R o s e m a ry J o a n (rig h t) a n d g ra n d m o th e r A g n e s .

sem in ary. It w a s a g radu al process that w a s fostered as a child w hen I w a s active in th e church. S o my groom ing process w a s basically in the a lta r s e rv e rs and te a c h in g c a te c h is m ,” he concluded.

Discerning vocation In fact, he said th a t if he w e re to ad v is e young p eo p le searchin g for their vocation, he would say: “H a v e a d e e p and con stan t p ra y e r life and belong to a com m unity, to groups in the church w h e re you can serve and share your struggles. If you h av e th e s e , you will be o p e n to G o d 's invitation to be labo urers for his h arv e st.” R e c a llin g h is s e m in a r y form ation, he said: “I w a s h ap py to h ave good classm ates. T h e y m a d e s e m in ary life m o re b e a ra b le and w e clicked as a class.I think it is v e ry im portant to give and receive

support from e a c h o th e r in the s e m in a ry .” H is 1 0 -y e a r long s e m in a ry f o r m a t io n in c lu d e d e x tr a p rep arato ry classes and a y e a r long re g e n c y , a tta c h m e n t to e x p e rie n c e parish life. “M y d e e p e s t e x p e rie n c e w a s the 3 0 -d a y re tre a t in C h ian g M ai, a fte r fou r y e a rs in the sem in ary. S p end ing m a n y hours in prayer, I w a s affirm ed that the priesthood w a s w h a t I w a n te d . “ H is a c tiv e in v o lv e m e n t in church w a s a preparation to his sem in ary and priestly life, he noted. But now , he said, “A s a priest m y role has chan ged from planning and execu tin g p ro g ram m e s down to their details to o verseeing people in c h arge of th e m .”

Experiencing parish life Fr B ria n ’s first e x p e rie n c e o f parish

Feast of St. Jude Thaddaeus

life w a s at the C hurch o f the Holy Cross w h e re he w a s assig n ed last ye a r. “Parish life for a priest is abo ut shep herdin g the p eo p le to allow th e m to be part o f the church by s p e n d in g tim e w ith th e m a n d directing them in spiritual and moral m a tters . M a n y p e o p le a re still searchin g for G od and w a n t to h a v e a d e e p e r e x p e rie n c e o f him and that is how I s e e m y role as a priest. “Peo ple are very supportive and open w h e n they g et a d v ic e from priests,” he a d d e d . “Y o u can s e e that th e y v a lu e p riests.”

Vision of the Church A s k e d of his vision o f the C hurch in S in g a p o re , he replied: “I would like the C hurch to go into Sm all C h ris tia n C o m m u n itie s ( S C C ) , m a k in g p e o p le re s p o n s ib le fo r b u ild in g and h e lp in g t h e ir co m m u n itie s g ro w . I will w o rk tow ard s th a t.” T o build S C C 's is to recognise lay e m p o w e rm e n t, he said, noting th a t in the old days, “the priests had to ta k e c h a rg e of everything but now as the population grows and priests a re fe w e r in n um ber, la y e m p o w e rm e n t is the w a y I w ould g o .” L ay e m p o w e rm e n t is w orking alon gsid e p eo ple, not e m p ow ering them and leaving th e m to do w h at th e y w a n t, he clarified. P e rh a p s, to highlight his view s on la ity e m p o w e rm e n t, he ackn o w le d g e d the w ork of the non teaching staff of the m ajor sem inary and parishioners from all o v e r the country w ho packed the church during his ordination. H e told them : “M a n y of you s h o w e d m e the h um an fa c e o f G o d . T h a n k you for the blessings you brought w hich I could not h ave o btain ed from the s e m in a ry .”

(P a tro n o f D if f ic u lt C a s e s ) St Ju d e C h urch , J a lan Lim K ak, 4 8 0 0 0 R a w a n g , S e la n g o r D arul Ehsan.

Tel: 03-6091-6907.

Fax: 03-6093-1466.

E m a il A d d re s s : c h u rc h _ o f_ s tJ u d e s @ h o tm a il.c o m H o m e P a g e : w w w .rc .n e t/M a la y s ia /s tju d e 2 u

Feast: 19th October to 28th October 2002 St. Ju d e, k n o w n as T h ad d aeu s, w as a b ro th e r o f St. Jam es th e L ess, an d a relativ e o f O ur S aviour. A n c ie n t w rite rs te ll us th at h e p re a c h e d th e G o sp el in Ju d ea, S am aria, Id u m aea, S yria, M eso p o tam ia, an d L ybia. A c c o rd in g to E u seb iu s, h e re tu rn e d to Jeru sa lem in the y e a r 62, and assisted at th e elec tio n o f h is b ro th er, St. S im eo n , as B ish o p o f Jeru salem . H e is an au th o r o f an epistle (letter) to th e C h u rch es o f th e E ast, p a rticu larly th e Je w ish co n v erts, d irec ted ag a in st th e h eresies o f the S im o n ian s, N ico la ite s, an d G n o stics. T h is A p o stle is said to h av e su ffered m a rty rd o m in A rm en ia, w h ich w as th e n su b ject to P ersia. T h e fin al co n v ersio n o f the A rm e n ia n n a tio n to C h ristian ity d id n o t take place until the th ird cen tu ry o f o u r era. Ju d e w as th e one w h o ask ed Jesu s at th e L ast S u p p e r w h y H e w o u ld n o t m a n ifest H im s e lf to th e w h o le w o rld a fter H is resu rrectio n . L ittle else is k n o w n o f h is life. L eg e n d claim s th at he v isited B eiru t an d E d essa; p o ssib ly m arty re d w ith St. S im o n in P ersia. Ju d e is in v o k ed in d ifficu lt situ atio n s b ecau se his N e w T e stam en t le tte r stresses th a t th e fa ith fu l sh o u ld p erse v e re in th e en v iro n m en t o f h arsh , d ifficu lt circu m stan ces, ju s t as th e ir fo refath ers h ad d o n e b efo re them . T h erefo re, he is th e patro n sain t o f d ifficu lt cases an d h is fe a st d ay is O cto b er 28. S ain t Jud e is n o t th e sam e p e rso n as Ju d as Iscario t w h o b e tray ed O u r L o rd an d d esp aire d b ecau se o f h is g re a t sin and lack o f tru st in G o d s m ercy. “ C h r is t c e n te r e d f a m ilie s m in is t e r in g th e C o m m u n io n o f C o m m u n itie s ”

FEA ST DAY PRO G RAM M E: Language Day Time Date 19th 20th 21th 22th 23th 24th 25th 26th 27th

Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct

28th Oct

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday W ednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Monday

6.30 pm 6.30 pm 7.30 pm 7.30 pm 7.30 pm 7.30 pm 7.30 pm 6.30 pm 7.00 am 9.00 am 11.30 am 6.30 pm 7.30 pm

Multilingual Multilingual Multilingual Multilingual Multilingual Multilingual Multilingual Multilingual Chinese M ultilingual English Multilingual Multilingual

Theme Anointed Families - to belong and to renew (with God) Anointed Families - to belong and to renew (with God) Reconciliation with God - within the family The Family: Journeying and Restoring in Christ Christ-centred families, model o f self giving Marriage as a Sacrament of Love Family as a sign of G od’s peace and unity Christ centered families ministering to the Comm union of communities

Thanksgiving Mass

Human Rights Education BANGLADESH,

M y m e n s in g h ,

(UCAN) — Bangladeshi youth who attended a seminar on human rights, justice and peace admitted that they were not aware of their rights. Rosaline Costa, coordinator of the Church-run rights advocacy group Hotline Bangladesh, told the youth that human rights principles do not allow discrimination on the basis of gender, social status or skin color, as everyone belongs to the one human family. Nasrul, one of the participants, said, “We had never heard that we all have equal rights and equal dignity." "This is the first time for us to hear about human rights, justice and peace,” said Romesh, a young tribal student. Am ena, a young w om an participant, stated, “Society does not consider us as human beings. But today we came to know that we have the . same rights and dignity as men and the rich." The Mymensingh center brings together young tribal and Bengali men and wom en — Hindus, Christians and Muslims — to live and work together under the supervision of the Taize brothers.

INDIA, Madurai, (UCAN) — A new sense of dignity is what a shelter run by a diocese in Tamil Nadu, southern India, hopes to instill in the abandoned women and neglected children who stay there. A lo n g th e w a y , S a ra n a la y a m (a b o d e o f h o p e ) in P a la y a m k o tta i d io c e s e h as h elp e d 5 9 4 p e o p le of v a rio u s a g e g ro u p s reu n ite with th e ir fa m ilie s s in c e it b e g a n in 1 9 9 3 , s a y s its d ire c to r F a th e r A. A n to n y C ru z . F o r m e r r e s i d e n t M a n ju la C h itra k a li left h e r v illa g e h o m e as a te e n a g e r b e c a u s e s h e w a s u n a b le to b e a r th e a b u s e fro m h er s te p m o th e r a n d sister. T h e c e n te r h elp e d h e r “find a n e w life ,” she said. C h itrak a li, n ow m a rrie d to a p h y s ic a lly d is a b le d la b o re r , c re d ite d th e C lu n y S is te rs , w ho run th e c e n te r’s w o m e n ’s sectio n, fo r h e r n e w fam ily life. S h e s a id s h e re a c h e d th e c e n te r from a brick kiln labor cam p, w h e re h e r c o -w o rk e rs fo rce d h e r into prostitution. T h e sisters “n ev e r a c c u s e d m e o v e r w h a t I h ad d o n e in th e p ast, but ins te a d c o u n s e le d m e on w h a t I sho uld do n ext to liv e w ith d ig n ity ," C h it r a k a li re c a lle d . S is te r A m a la J a s m in e a t the c e n te r said a n u m b e r o f girls “stray o ut to th e s tre e ts b e c a u s e o f p o v e rty , h a ra s s m e n t o r s e x u a l a b u s e in th e ir te e n s , a n d th e y fall e a s y prey to anti-so cial e le m e n ts .” T h e ce n te r stresses counseling so th a t th e girls w ou ld le a rn to fa c e re a lity a n d live w ith h um an dignity. T h e re is no d iscrim ination b a s e d on religion o r c a s te . C h ild re n u n d e r 14 a re given scho olin g w h ile o th e rs re c e iv e n o n -fo rm a l e d u c a tio n a n d jo b o r ie n t e d tra in in g . At th e a p p ro p ria te tim e , s te p s a re tak e n to re u n ite th e m w ith th e ir fam ilie s. “B ut this is not an o rp h a n a g e or a c h arity h o m e ,” F a th e r C ru z s tre s s e d . He d e s c r ib e d S a r a n a la y a m a s a “s a n c tu a ry w h e re w e w a n t to s h e lte r the a b a n d o n e d an d s h o w th e m th a t G o d loves th e m .” M o s t ru n a w a y kids fa c e the “harsh re a lities o f s tre e t life” as th e y fight h u n g e r an d h ara s sm e n t, T h e y g e n e ra lly w o rk in w a y s id e tea s h o p s o r a s h elp ers in m arkets. W h ile e m p lo y e rs e x p lo it th e m , “police a n d g oo ns h a ra s s th e m ,” h e said. D. M a ria p p a n , w h o w o rks a t th e c e n te r, said m ost o f th e s e c h ild r e n a r e “lo n e ly , s p e n d w h a te v e r th e y e a rn lavish ly a n d , a t tim e s , s ta r v e t o o .” S o c ia l w o rk e rs a n d p olice bring s tre e t children to th e c e n te r, h e a d d e d . P. B a la m u ru g a n , 14, said his p are n ts w e re s e p a ra te d . T h e fifth g ra d e r e x p la in e d th a t his m o th e r n e v e r c a re d fo r him a fte r she b e g a n living w ith a n o th e r m an . T h e b oy said h e left h o m e a s he “could not live w ith th e m .” L. A n b a ra s a n , n ow in sixth g ra d e , a n d K. M a ria p p a n , a first g ra d e r, said th e y a ls o c h o s e to live in th e s tre e ts d u e to th e ir p a re n ts ’ s e p a ra tio n . L ocal p e o p le , m ostly H indus such as A a v u d a ia P illa i, a p p re c ia te th e C a th o lic c e n te r’s w ork. “It e n c o m p a s s e s C h ristian c o m m itm e n t a n d c o n c e rn fo r f e llo w b e in g s , w o rth y of e m u la tio n ,” Pillai told U C A N e w s .

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

AUG UST 4 - A ugust 11, 2002

VIEWPOINT

I THE I

CATHOLIC NEWS

....... .............. ram

■ H K S M M l!

Dual Citizenship

EDITOR Dr (R ev) Robert P. Balhetchet

M ANAGER R ev Fr Johnson Fernandez

STAFF CO RRESPO NDENTS R ev Fr Richards Am brose Christopher Khoo Mel D iam se-Lee

2 HIGHLAND RD #01-03, SING APO RE 549102 TEL: 6-858-3055, FAX NO. 6-858-2055 e-mail: cathnews@catholic.org.sg.

T h e p h ra s e " d u a l c it iz e n s h ip " s o u n d s like " d iv id e d lo y a lt y "

d o c u m e n t o f th e C o u n c il,

o r e v e n w o rs e "n o lo y a lt y a t a ll" 1 . Y e t, th e S c rip tu re s tell

v e ry in tim a te ly w ith th e " C h u r c h in th e M o d e r n W o r ld " a n d

u s th a t C h ris tia n s

in d e e d , w h ic h fo rm s th e b a s is o f e v e ry th in g th a t it h a s to

a re c itiz e n s o f tw o k in g d o m s , w h ic h

im p lie s th a t w e a re all h a v in g " d u a l c it iz e n s h ip "!

T h e p rin c ip le w e re fe r to is e x p la in e d thus: "B y re a s o n

lo y a ltie s o r n o n e a t all, w e n e e d to a d d th a t th e S c rip tu re s

o f th e ir s p e c ia l v o c a tio n , it b e lo n g s to th e laity to s e e k th e

s p e a k o f th e h e a v e n ly K in g d o m

k in g d o m

(o f G o d ) a n d th e e a rth ly

steeple@ singnet.com.sg

address, contact num ber/ e-m ail address.

BY DR (REV) ROBERT P. BALHETCHET

W e lc o m in g m igrants is the duty of the local com m unity just as it is the duty of C hristian m igrants to be part o f the C hristian com m unity in their host country." S tressing the n ee d to help a c tu a lize the reality o f o n e hum an fam ily , h e c a lled on th e local C hurch to re s p e ct m ig ran ts’ rights and religious freedo m .

in th e o rd in a ry c irc u m

s ta n c e s o f s o c ia l a n d fa m ily life w h ic h , a s it w e re , c o n s titu te th e ir v e ry e x is te n c e . T h e r e , th e y a re c a lle d b y G o d , th a t, b ein g le d by th e

it m e a n s to h a v e this s o rt o f " d u a l c it iz e n

spirit to th e G o s p e l, th e y m a y c o n trib u te to th e s a n c tific a

s h ip " .

tion o f th e w o rld , a s fro m w ith in like le a v e n , b y fulfilling th e ir

T h e S e c o n d V a tic a n C o u n c il b ro u g h t into w ith its fa m o u s D o c u m e n t, T h e C o n s titu

o w n p a rtic u la r d u tie s .

T h u s ,-e s p e c ia lly b y th e w itn e s s o f

th e ir life, re s p le n d e n t in fa ith , h o p e a n d c h a rity , th e y m u s t m a n ife s t C h ris t to o th e rs .

It p e rta in s to th e m in a s p e c ia l

tion o n th e C h u rc h in th e M o d e rn W o rld . It is a la n d m a rk

w a y so to illu m in a te a n d o rd e r all te m p o ra l th in g s w ith

d o c u m e n t, w h ic h w a s p ro m u lg a te d a t th e la s t s e s s io n o f

w h ic h th e y a re so c lo s e ly a s s o c ia te d th a t th e s e m a y b e

th e C o u n c il in D e c e m b e r 1 9 6 5 a n d c o v e re d th e C h u rc h 's

e ffe c te d a n d g ro w a c c o rd in g to C h ris t a n d m a y b e to th e

re la tio n s h ip w ith th e s e c u la r w o rld , to u c h in g o n ju s t a b o u t

g lo ry o f th e C r e a to r a n d

e v e ry a s p e c t o f life in s o c ie ty . U n fo rtu n a te ly , it a lm o s t

n .3 1 )

C h ris tia n

R e d e e m e r" . ( L u m e n

G e n tiu m .

* " d u a l c it iz e n s h ip " fa r fro m

c a u s in g

d iv id e d

m e n ts o f th e C o u n c il, like th e th o s e on th e L itu rg y a n d th e

lo y a lty is th e b a s is o f a s y m b io tic re la tio n s h ip w h ic h m u s t

C h u rc h itself, w h ic h k e p t liturgists a n d e c c le s io lo g is ts v e ry

im p e l C h ris tia n s to in v o lv e th e m s e lv e s fully into th e life o f

b u s y a t th a t tim e . W e a re c e rta in ly n ot a b o u t to a tte m p t a s y n o p s is o f th e

s o c ie ty a n d g iv e o f th e ir b e s t so th a t all th in g s m a y b e

d o c u m e n t's te a c h in g a t this p oint. W e ju s t w a n t to bring

w e n e e d a lso to be g o o d citizens", but: "B ecause w e are C hristians, w e n e e d to be eve n b e tte r c itize n s!"

a v e ry fu n d a m e n ta l "prin ciple" o f a n o th e r

The image o f Christ A rchbishop H a m a o c o m m e n d e d the p eo p le w ho help m igrants in e m e rg e n c y situations, saying their w o r k c a n n o t b e a p p r e c ia t e d eno ug h. N o n e th e le s s, he said that th e s e p erso n s o r gro up s m ust reflect a fterw ard s on w h e th e r or not th e y acted in line with the p re s e n c e of Christ in e a c h n eed y m igrant. H e called on the com m ission volu nteers to ask th e m s e lv e s , “A m I serving C hrist through my love and action for the m igrant? A m I just a n o th e r N G O (m e m b e r)? W h a t d ifferentiates m e from th e m ? ” C hristian volunteers, he said, need to be w ell-in fo rm ed ab o u t their faith, “especially tho se w h o a re in touch with m an y p eo p le o f o ther religions.”

Needs o f migrants

Integration

T h e y live in th e

o n A u g u s t 9 , a n d it's g o o d to re fle c t o n w h a t

Responsibility o f the local church “M igran ts n eed special attention a n d should not be tre a te d as outsiders to the parish,” Archbishop H a m a o said. “T h e local C h urch is a lw ays r e s p o n s ib le fo r m ig ra n ts a n d refu g ees, espe c ia lly if th e re is no c hap lain o r m issionary caring for th em .

and

a n d b u s in e s s o f th e e a rth a n d It's ju s t th a t w e

The local church and migrants

A rchbishop H a m a o spo ke to re p re s e n ta tiv e s of th e Filipino, Indian, M y a n m a r and Sri L ankan c o m m u n itie s a t a m e e tin g o f S in g a p o re A rc h d io c e s e 's C o m mission for the P astoral C a re of M igran t and Itinerant P e o p le on July 8.

a ffa irs

b e " o f th e w o rld .

to th e fo re ,

S IN G A P O R E (U C A N ) — A r c h b is h o p S te p h e n F u m io H a m a o , P re s id e n t o f th e Pontifical C ouncil fo r th e Pastoral C a re o f M igran ts a n d Itin eran t P e o p le w a s in S in g a p o re recen tly on his w a y b ack to R o m e a fte r attend ing the fifth F aith E n co u n ters in Social A ction (F E IS A ). T h e F e d e ra tio n o f A sian Bishops’ C o n fe re n c e s O ffice for H u m an D e v e lo p m e n t o rg an ized th e J u ly 2 -7 e v e n t in S a b a h , e a s te rn M ala y s ia .

in te m p o ra l

w o rld , th a t is, th e y a re e n g a g e d in e a c h a n d e v e ry w o rk

s e e m s th a t it w a s o v e r s h a d o w e d b y th e first fe w d o c u please include full name,

e n g a g in g

k in g d o m (o f this w o rld ). W e a re n e c e s s a rily '7 n "th e w o rld ,

th e w o rld ,

e-mail:

w h ic h , in c id e n ta lly , G o d h im s e lf c re a te d , y e t w e s h o u ld n ot

v e ry s h a rp fo c u s th e ro le o f th e C h ris tia n in

From the Pews :

of G od

d ire c tin g th e m a c c o rd in g to G o d 's w ill.

a re g o in g to b e c e le b ra tin g o u r N a tio n a l D a y

steeple@singnet.com .sg

p ut forth .

B e fo re w e h a s te n to c o n c lu d e th a t w e h a v e d iv id e d

N o! W e 'r e n ot into s e m a n tic s a g a in ! To send letters, articles and for editorial enquiries e-mail:

" T h e C h u r c h " w h ic h c o n n e c ts

A t the m eeting , re p re s e n ta tiv e s from groups helping the various m igrant com m unities in S in gap ore talked ab o u t the n eed s o f those th e y serve. F ranciscan Friar P e te r M ichael, w h o has b ee n looking a fte r T a m il speaking Indian m igrants for m ore than a d e c a d e , said m ost o f the p e o p le h e m in is te r s to a r e u n ed u cated construction w orkers. D u e to th eir ignorance, he said, “they g e t c h e a te d easily by their recruitm en t a g e n c ie s .” T h e friar explained that the m igrant w o rk e rs ’ first-m onth s alary is forfeited to the recruitm ent agen cy. J e a n Hsi, a S in g a p o re an w ho helps the Sri L an k a n com m unity, noted that Sri L an k a n s h ave yet to h av e a parish “to belong to," w h e re

th e y can c e le b ra te M a s s in their la n g u a g e , like the Filipino and Indian com m unities. O th e r re p re s e n ta tiv e s noted th a t m an y dom estic h elpers do not rec e iv e their salary for as long as six m onths b e c a u s e it is tak e n by the recruitm en t a g e n c y a llegedly to pay the recruiter b ack h om e.

Commission's efforts B ridget L ew , chairperson o f the a r c h d i o c e s e ’s M ig r a n t C o m m ission, said th a t according to S in g a p o re ’s M inistry o f M a n p o w e r A g en c y Act, recruitm ent ag e n c ies can ta k e no m o re than 10 p ercent o f an e m p lo y e e ’s salary. But she said the a g e n c y has not b een a b le to pro secu te erring recruiters b ecau se m igrant w orkers a re unwilling to report them for fe a r o f reprisal. S h e a d d e d , h o w ever, th a t her c o m m is s io n h a s fo rm u la te d a m odel a g e n c y contract th a t it is prom oting a m o n g e m b a s s ie s in S in gap ore. A c c o rd in g to B rid g e t L e w , ille g a l m ig r a n ts a re o fte n “o v e r s ta y e rs ” w h o s e p as s p o rts w e re tak e n a w a y by their agen ts. If caug ht by the police, they are c a n e d , jailed and d ep orted — if th e y h a v e the m o n ey to pay for th eir p as s a g e hom e. S o m e a re a llo w e d to e a rn m o n ey to pay for their fare , w hile o thers a re not allow ed to work, s h e ad d ed . W h ile C h u rc h a g e n c ie s c a n a n d d o w o rk to im p r o v e th e lo t o f m i g ra n ts , it is c e rta in ly th e d u ty o f C a th o lic e m p lo y e r s to e n s u r e th a t th e y tr e a t th e ir e m p lo y e e s w e ll!

o rd e re d to th e C re a to r. It is not: "D espite b ein g C hristians,

“Cong Giao va Dan Toe” V IE T N A M , H o Chi M inh C ity (U C A N ) — F a th e r V in c e n t T ra n H o a described th e C atho lic w e e k ly

e x p e rie n c e s o f o th er p arishes and read ab o u t activities o f his friends and confreres.

“C o n g G ia o va D a n T oe" (Catholicism and nation), a lay-

D o Loc Hung, a layperson, said the p ap e r provides information a b o u t g o v e rn m e n t p o lic ie s on r e lig io n and th e la te s t d ev e lo p m en ts in the C h urch in V ie tn a m and in the world.

initiated C atholic new s p a p e r which r e c e n t ly m a rk e d its 2 7 th ann iversary, a s a forum for C hurch p eo ple, fro m bishops to laypeo ple, to voice th e ir opinion, to build up th e C h urch in V ie tn a m . A c c o rd in g to F a t h e r H o a , p astor o f H o an g M ai parish, the p ap e r provides priests with a better u nderstanding of social issues and pastoral e x p e rie n c e s from other places. It also helps laypeo ple learn a b o u t pastors' instructions a nd s hare concerns, he said. F a th e r Ig n a c e H o V a n X u a n , director o f the H o Chi M inh C ityb ased C atho lic C e n te r, noted that C h u rch -re la te d th e m e s such as care for retired priests and pastoral m inistry to m igrant laborers, has helped increase a w a re n e s s am ong clergy, laity and R eligious. F a th e r X u a n , w h o regularly w rite s fo r th e S u n d a y G o s p e l Interpretation colum n, explained that he contributes to the p ap e r to proclaim th e w ord o f G od and help laypeople live out Church teaching.

T h e n e w s p a p e r w a s firs t p ublished in Paris in 1 9 6 9 by V ie tn a m e s e C a t h o lic s who supported V ie tn a m ’s struggle for p e a c e and national ind epen den ce. N g u y e n T h a n h Long, deputy c h ie f e d ito r, s a id th a t d e s p ite opposition by s o m e C atholics, the p a p e r still a im s to contribute to “the integration o f the life o f the C ath o lic faith into realities and cultures o f V ie tn a m and A s ia .” B esid es a w e e k ly edition, the p a p e r has a m onthly edition that fe a tu re s m o re in - d e p t h c o m m e n ta rie s on socio-political and C h u rch -re la te d issues. S ta ff o f the p ap e r say it has a circulation o f 1 3 ,0 0 0 copies, an inc re as e from 5 ,0 0 0 in th e early ye ars. T h e y s e e this as a “u niqu e” ach ie v e m e n t since the V ie tn a m e s e g o v e rn m e n t d o e s not e n c o u ra g e d e v e lo p m e n t o f religious m edia.

H o w ev e r, a re a d e r noted that the p a p e r still lacks articles abo ut p eo p le w ho a re actively involved in to d a y ’s society. F a th e r Josep h P h a m Kim D iep o f a suburban parish said the paper p r o v id e s h im w ith inform ation ab o u t the C h urch and society. T h e R ede m p to ris t priest a d d e d th a t he has learn ed from th e p a s to r a l a n d m is s io n a r y

FROM TH E PEW S N othing this issue. W e a w a it c o m m e n ts on n ew s issues d e a lt with! M o re on W o rld Y o u th D ay.

AUG U ST 4 - A ugust 11, 2002

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REGIONAL B y Maureen O ’Hara-Lim T h e first thing I saw as I entered the refugee cam ps on the Thai/.B urm a border w as a checkpoint surrounded by sandbags. It looked ominous. O ur driver showed the soldier our cam p pass and w e w ere in. This process w as repeated every day of the four w eeks I spent in the cam ps in M arch, a trip sponsored by the Jesuit Refugee Service in Singapore. It w as certainly a most unusual teaching experience. O ur classroom had flimsy, often broken bam boo walls, a dirt floor and tree stumps for desks and chairs. T h e students had one pen and one notebook and I got used to having roosters, dogs or small babies as part of our class. I learned that most of the 135,000 refugees are from Karenni state in Burm a. T h e y fled to the cam ps to escap e the conflict with the Burm ese military, w ho refuse to recognise Karenni as an independent state a n d s e e th e m as s u b v e rs iv e s . K arennis a re chased from their hom es at gunpoint and villages burnt down so that no one can return. T h e military set landm ines along the border to deter Karennis trying to flee. Those unlucky enough to be forced into Burm ese relocation cam ps, live in atrocious conditions according to refugees w ho escaped. M any die o f malaria, dysentry or s ta rv a tio n , th e tittles o n e s a re especially vulnerable. T h e Thai border cam ps have provided sanctuary for 12 years. During m y short stay I heard terrible stories: the m an tied up by the Burm ese arm y and left in the forest, a fam ily w ho fled to the jungle w here the wife g ave birth. A son whose fath er’s business w as blown up; a 2 2 y e a r old w om an, the youngest of th irte e n c h ild re n a n d th e s o le survivor. T h e last she saw o f her brothers w as w hen they w ere taken

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INDONESIA, Denpasar (U C A N ) — T h e bishop of D e n p a s a r diocese on Bali island has urged Basic Ecclesial C o m m u n itie s ( B E C s ) th e re to protect youth from the negative im pact o f tourism. A s an in te rn a tio n a l to u ris t d e s t in a t io n , B a li has been “contam inated” by free sex and drug and alcohol abu se, says Bishop B e n y a m in Y o s e f B ria . Such n eg a tiv e im pact o f tourism has ero ded the m orals of local people including Christians. F ree sex and substance abuse le a d to a b o rtio n , v io le n c e and hom icide, he said, adding that the Church must act against this “culture o f d e a th .” According to Bishop Bria, the local Church m ust go beyond rehabilitation efforts and com bat the n eg a tiv e im pact of tourism that produces the victims. “W h a t w e should h ave done w as to e m p o w e r B E C s to counter the culture o f death with the culture o f love, togetherness, cooperation and mutual understanding, and not just do som ething curative such as opening rehabilitation centers for victim s,” he said. T h e T im orese prelate noted that he did not doubt the im portance of curative actions, but the w arm th of brotherhood and love am ong people in basic com m unities could prevent people from such n eg ative impact, he said. As a religious institution, the Church has the duty to strengthen the faith and morality of its faithful, an d throu gh this it is a b le to o vercom e social ills, he added. On M ay 20, d u rin g an ecum enical service, Bishop Bria urged close cooperation am ong Catholic and Protestant C hurches in fighting drug abuse. N ine out o f every 100 students adm itted they had taken drugs in a survey o f thousands o f students from 11 Indonesian cities. Y a y a s a n C inta A n ak B angsa, an anti-drugs foundation, conducted the survey from 2 0 0 0 to early 2 0 0 2 . Bali, with a cultural heritage of more than 20 ,00 0 temples, a pleasant climate, sandy beaches, picturesque rice terraces, active volcanoes and lush tropical forests, is a popular international tourist destination. D e n p a s a r diocese covers Bali, Lom bok and S u m b a w a islands.

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into forced labour by the Burm ese arm y. Young m en are used as ‘hum an m ules’. M any do not survive th e h a rd s h ip . T h e y d ie from exhaustion, malnutrition or murder. T h e Karennis w ant only one thing: to go hom e and live in p eace. Currently, they survive on donations of food and clothing from voluntary organizations. T h e y have been denied the status of “refugee” which m eans they cannot receive h elp fro m th e U n ited N a tio n s, U N IC E F or o th e r o ffic ia l hum anitarian agencies and must rely on the charity of voluntary help. T h e cold season is bitter and the refugees, living in the fragile bam boo houses, are alw ays in desperate need o f w arm clothing and blankets. A m azingly these feel they are the lucky ones: they have clean w ater, enough to e a t - although mainly rice and beans only. T hey have education for their children and most o f all they h ave safety from the B urm ese arm y intent on destroying them . But w hat they do not h ave is their hom e. T h e y are stateless and landless. Now that A u n g S a n S u u Kyi h as b e e n released there is new hope that d em ocracy m ay return to Burma. But no one believes this will happen overnight. And yet, out o f such suffering, there is the hand o f G od seen in the optimism and undying spirit of a people w ho have lost everything, everything that is, but hope. M any h ave no idea w hether their parents or siblings are alive or dead; others h ave not seen fam ily m em bers for years. Y e t they w ere alw ays ready to laugh, to joke. I w as m et with broad smiles every morning. I w as show ered with gifts w hen I left, m y h eart overflowing with this display of kindness by those w ho have so little and yet can still give. It was a privilege to know them and both h um bling a n d e n ric h in g to be rem inded every day of the strength of the hum an spirit, to s ee that even though the world has m ade them “the forgotten people”, they know that God will n ever forget them . And neither will I. For more information about how you can help, contact Jesuit Refugee Service w ebsite at

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THE CATH O LIC NEW S

REGIONAL Fledgeling Church grows MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar- (UCAN) — The fledgling Church in Mongolia, with some 100 members, drew the attention of the universal Church when it celebrated its 10th anniversary in early July. C a rd in a l C r e s c e n z io S e p e , prefect o f the C o ng reg ation for the E v a n g e liz a t io n of P e o p le s , p re s id e d a t o rd in a tio n s a t the celebration July 7. G re e tin g the con gregation in M on go lian , the C a rd in a l rem inded th e m th a t all m issioners in the country, and through th e m the universal C hurch, a re now learning this lan g u a g e . S o m e 4 0 0 C h urch personnel, p a c k e d th e m a in h a ll o f th e U la a n b a a ta r H otel for th e M as s and o th e r events. S e o u l- b a s e d A r c h b is h o p G io v a n n i B a t tis t a M o r a n d in i, a p o s to lic n u n c io to M o n g o lia , Bishop M ich a e l P ark Jeong-il of M a s a n , p resident o f the C atho lic B ishops’ C o n fe re n c e o f K orea, and B is h o p P ie tro F a rin a o f A life C a ia z z o , Italy, c o n celeb rated the M ass. A ls o c o n c e le b r a t in g w e r e M o n s ig n o r V a y a lu n k a l K u ria n M atth e w , s e c re tary of the nuncio, F a th e r Patrick M a s s c h ele in , the H o n g K o n g -b a s e d Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry provincial superior, S a le s ia n provincial F a th e r John N g uyen V a n T y, based in V ie tn a m , and all priests in M ongolia. T h e ordinations of Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry F a th e r F e lic ie n K a d ie b u e fro m C o n g o , c e n tra l Africa, and S alesian F ath er A n drew N g u y e n Trung Tin from V ie tn a m , and o f Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M ary D e a c o n G abriel T s h im a n g a from C o n g o reflected the m ultinational c h a r a c t e r o f th e s m a ll, lo c a l Church. B e fo re the ordinations, held d u rin g th e a n n iv e r s a r y M a s s , d an cing children lit 10 cand les s y m b o liz in g th e 1 0 y e a r s o f

C atho lic p re s e n c e in th e country. The th re e c a n d id a t e s th e n prostrated in front o f the altar. A s the congregation knelt dow n to sing the Litany o f the Saints, a local chu rch go er said h e felt he w a s in th e v e ry h e a rt o f th e universal C hurch. “Fo r us M o n go lian s and for e v e ry o n e w ho c o m e s to live in this country, the feelin g o f being ‘fa r a w a y ’ is v e r y s tr o n g . E v e n a ir p la n e s and m o d ern com m u nication like th e Intern et can n o t c h a n g e this fee lin g ,” said Enktuvshin, a M o n go lian Catholic. “But the C h urch really m a k e s a d iffe re n c e !’’ he said A s the M a s s e n d e d , C ard inal S e p e sho w ed to the congregation the papal d e c re e erecting the n ew Apostolic Prefecture of U la a n b a ata r in p lace o f the fo rm e r “sui iuris” (in d ep e n d e n t) m ission. The d ec re e a ls o m ade I m m a c u la t e H e a rt o f M a ry M o n sig no r W e n c e s la o P ad illa as th e p re fe c tu r e ’s firs t a p o s to lic prefect. Im m a c u la te H e a r t o f M a r y F ath er Je ro m e Heyndrickx, director of th e F e r d in a n d V e r b ie s t Fou nd ation in T a ip e i, recounted com ing to U la a n b a a ta r in 1991 to p re p a re for the M ission. “I stood in this hotel and had d in n e r in this v e ry room . It is w onderful to s e e w h at is happening h ere in this room to d a y ,” he said. Local C atholics, including teen s and sm all children, s ta g e d cultural p erfo rm an ces during the m e a l that follow ed. T h e w alls o f the hall, which d ep ic te d M o n g o lia n la n d s c a p e s w ith h e r d s o f s h e e p a n d a s h e p h e r d , re fle c te d th e d a y ’s th e m e , “I a m the good s h e p h e rd ,” a C atho lic noted. O n J u ly 7 , th e M o n g o lia n national television b ro ad c a st a 2 0 m inute program o f the activities of the local C atho lic C hurch.

COMING UP CHARISM ATIC PRAYER C O M M U N ITY “LIFE IN TH E SPIR IT SEM IN A R ” Dates: Every Monday night (8 sessions), Aug 5 to Sept 23, 7.45 pm. All are welcome Enquiries: Joseph Toh * 9068-1195, Damian Low 9303-5459, Charles Cher 9723-1885. INTERNATIONAL STU D E NTS OF SIN G A PO RE (ISS) MASS Calling all foreign students to join the ISS. There will be Mass followed by fellowship and dinner talk by Dr Edgar Tham of NTU to launch ISS. Venue: Church of St Bernadette’s hall on Sat, Aug 10 at 5 pm. •SALT & LIGHT' 12 weekly sessions for Catholics looking to refresh themselves in the faith; catechists just starting in the ministry; Catholics baptized recently and looking to deepen their f^ith and all interested in how the Catholic faith can be lived every day. Venue: Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace commencing Thursday, Aug 22, 7.45 pm - 10 pm and Church of Christ the King commencing Friday, Aug 23, 9.30 am - 11.30 am. Contribution: $10. Enquire Singapore Pastoral Institute Tel: 68583011 Fax: 68582011. Email: spi@catholic.org.sg. (Application forms available in the parish and at website www.veritas.org.sg)

M AY SHE R E S T IN P E A C E Tenth Anniversary

In loving memory of

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

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

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

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

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

China Catholic Communication (Zhonglian Centre), Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080/6286-1826 mail@zl.per.sg web: www.zl.per.sg

nc0071b@cyberway. com. sg Christian Family and Social Movement, Francis T amel Mane 9586-9938,6792-6701 Family Life Society 6488-0278 website: www.familylife.org.sg Morning Star Family Care Centre, 6285-1377 Fax: 6285-2715 C H IL D R E N Galilee Centre, 6454-0528 Fax: 6454-3167 Clementi Children's Centre, Ms Maria Swee 6777-3893 ijhcc@singnet.com.sg Canossaville Children's Home, Sr Rose Low/Ms Anne Siew 6748-5777

canossa@pacific.net.sg Marian Centre (before and after school care), 6250-0877 ___________ Marymount Boarding, 6354-2245/ 6253-6816 Fax: 6353-4809 Nazareth Special Learning Centre, Sr Anne May Chua, FMM 6276-3200 Good Shepherd Child Care Centre, Ms Helen Tan 6242-5695 Fax: 6448-3454 H A N D IC A P P E D Catholic Office for the Hearing Impaired, Friar Rowland Yeo, OFM

rowiandyeo@hotmait. com Canossian School For The HearingImpaired, 6749-8971 Fax: 67 49-8976 Ang Mo Kio Home, Sr Jo Tham 6459-4801 K IN D E R G A R T E N

D eparted: A u g 5, 1992

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

St Francis Xavier Play Centre, Mrs Emily Goh Tel: 6280-8929

cankdg@singnet. com. sg Maris Stella, Sr Marjorie Almodiel, FMM 6474-3590 Marymount Kindergarten, Petrina Siow 6251-5049 Fax: 6252-67904

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

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

Support for new priests MALAYSIA, Kota Kinnabalu (UCAN) — Bishop John Lee of Kota Kinabalu ordained two new priests for his diocese July 2 0 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, in Kota Kinnabalu, capital of Sabah, a state in East Malaysia. F a th e r F ed erick R aym o nd , one o f th e tw o p rie s ts o r d a in e d , a tte n d e d s e m in ary in R ed em p to ris M a te r S e m in a ry in T a k a m a ts u , Japan . T h e other n ew priest, F ath er John R a ju , a tte n d e d th e R e d e m p t o r is M a t e r D io c e s a n S e m in a ry in R o m e . B is h o p L e e a d v is e d 1 ,8 0 0 p eo p le attend ing the ordination to help the n ew priests. “D o not le a v e th e m th e re . Y o u should not just p ut a n d le a v e th e m th e re by th e m s e lv e s . F ollow and support th e m ,” h e said. “Y o u n g and n ew ly o rd ain ed priests need a com m unity of people to s u p p o r t t h e m , e s p e c ia lly s p iritu a lly , b e c a u s e to d a y th e se c u la rize d w orld attracts people in c lu d in g p rie s ts ,” s a id F a th e r M iqu el S u a re z F e rn a n d e z, rector of the Redem ptoris M a te r Diocesan S e m in a ry in T a k a m a ts u , J ap an w ho w a s in Kota K in ab alu, fo r th e ordinations . “T h e y need brothers and sisters

o f a com m u nity to pray with them , to listen to the w ord o f G od and to ce leb ra te the E u charist tog eth er. In this w a y , the young priests will h a v e th e n e c e s s a r y s p ir itu a l n ou rishm ent.” “A nd in th e c a s e o f d an ger, th e y n eed to be helped," he ad d ed . “T his is possible w h e n th e re is a com m unity that is really open to th em . T h e priests too w ould h ave to be open and willing to s p e a k of th eir p ro blem s fre e ly .” F a th e r F e rn a n d e z, w ho has been sem inary rector in T ak a m ats u since 1 9 9 0, called such com m unity support “the salvation o f the n ew p r i e s t s , ” w h o n e e d h e lp to o ve rc o m e the attraction of m o n ey and sexual tem ptatio n s. S p e a kin g a t th e close of the o rd in a tio n M a s s , F a th e r R a ju ackno w led ged the n eed for support a n d prayers, saying he k n e w the road a h e a d w a s not easy. F a th e r R ay m o n d said, “W e are young and new . W e n ee d all your support to re a lize o u r m inistry with th e help of G o d .” A m o n g the o v e rs e a s g uests w a s Bishop S atosh i F ukahori of T a k a m a ts u , w ho o rd ain ed F a th e r Raym ond as a deacon in T a k a m a ts u C a th e d ra l in 2 0 0 1 .

Special thanks to the Blessed St Jude for the intercessions and prayers answered. Please continue to intercede and help us always. Paul and fam ily

W e rejoice w ith our loved ones

Boys' Town Fraternity,

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

choice@cheerful. com

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

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

Francophone Catholic Community of Singapore (French-speaking Catholics), Sabine et Jean-Baptiste Juery 68870564 jbsabine@singnet.com.sg German-speaking Catholics, 6468-1534 Fax: 6468-2402 Hong Kong Catholics, 67 37-9285 Fax: 6737-8502 Indonesian-speaking Catholics, Josephine Handojo 6235-2820

Commission for Migrants & Itinerant People 6280-5424 migrants@singnet.com.sg Jesuit Refugee Service, jrs@jesrefsg.org Fr Colin Tan 6463-6022 cxtsj@singnet.com.sg China Catholic Communication, Patrick Lee Kim Hwee 9060-5080 mail@zt.per.sg S P IR IT U A L IT Y Cenacle, 65 65-2895 Fax: 6565-3875

cenacle@mbox4.singnet. com.sg Centre For Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling, Br Gerard Choo, SJ 6467-6072 Franciscan Retreat Centre, 6567-9771 Fax: 6567-9786 FMM House of Prayer and Formation, Sr Mary Chua 6474-2526 Infant Jesus Retreat and Youth Centre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461 Fax: 6769-9369 Life Direction Team , Sr Theresa Koh, FMM 6474-2422 Fax: 6472-5895 Sr Florence Wong, FMDM 6753-9602/ 9264-6733 LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre, Sr Lily Tan 6466-2178 Fax: 6466-1307 iifspmg@singnet.com.sg

sojoumers_companions@yahoo.com P R O F E S S IO N A L Catholic Nurses Guild of Singapore, Miss Janet Chan Poh Goon 6442-8546 Catholic Teachers' Movement, Mrs Gail Siow (R) 6454-4094 The Catholic Medical Guild of Singapore, Dr John Hui Keem Peng

johnhui@cyberway.com.sg S P E C IA L S E R V IC E S Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE), Peter Lau 6353-4976, 9745-8991 Good Shepherd Centre, 6755-6496 Fax: 6752-0670 R. C. Prison Ministry, Sr Gerard Fernandez, RGS 6250-9151 Fax: 6250-1804

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

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

Young Christian Students' Movement (Mandarin-speaking), Mr Stephen Chia 6286-4166 9502-4549 ___

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

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

portchap@singnet. com. sg W ebsite: www.steiiamaris.net

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

Bless them dear Lord, we pray. And ever let them be. A loving link between ourselves and thee.

M IG R A N T C O M M U N IT Y Filipino Catholic Community of Singapore, Nelly Faminialagao 9831-8044/6893-7609

The Sojourners’ Companions, 9268-6723

Praise@Work Juliana 9799-9184 or email

G O O D W IN S. C H AM PION 24.9.12-2.7.86

Catholic News Book & Media, 6858-3066 Fax: 6858-2055

Hosanna! Music Ministry www.hmmonline.org http://www.hmmonline.orgTammy 9747-8570.

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

CA LL IST U S R. PEREIRA 14.10.12-21.1.42

katongcathoiic@padfic.net.sg Apostolate of the Media, 6892-1639 Fax: 6562-5857

St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary (S FX Retreat Centre), 6288-7901 Fax: 6858-2716 sfxrc@singnet.com.sg W ebsite: http//www.catholic.org.sg/SFX

irvingteo@cathoiic.org

M ATILDA GOM EZ 5.3.1883-3.2.1971

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

Harvesters Ann 6481-5912 or email: info@harvesterscommunity.org Website: www.harvesterscommunity.org

Catholic Students' Society - University of Singapore, Mr Irving Teo 6296-0897

GE R A R D A C H A M PIO N 3 .1 0 .1 5 - 16.8.99

Hai Sing Pao, Ms Catherine Chia 63 37-2465 carto@cams.org.sg W ebsite: http://www.cams.org.sg

Korean Catholics, Esther You 6242-5607

D eeply m isse d by h u sb an d , ch ild ren , g ra n d c h ild re n and lo v ed ones.

M ost grateful thanks to the M ost Sacred H e a rt of Jesu s, Im m aculate Heart of M ary an d S t Ju d e Thaddeus for urgent p e titio n s a n sw e re d . M any thanks also for all past favours and petitions received.

ccs55@singnet.com.sg

cathkg@singnet. com. sg

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

THANKSGIVING

Central Commodity Services (R e ) Ltd, 63 37-4238 Fax: 6339-2583

Japanese Catholics, Kiyoko Jarnes 6552-4060 james@pacific.net.sg

T e n years h av e g o n e by Since the last tim e y ou said “ B y e ” T h e love and m e m o rie s y ou left b e hind A re fo rev e r p re se n t in o u r m ind. N e v e r w ill y o u r m e m o ry fad e W ith a sm ile y ou glad ly m ade. O u r loving th o u g h ts o f th o se h a ppy days W ill be w arm w ith in us like the s u n 's rays.

M ass w ill be c e leb rate d a t the C h u rch o f O u r L ady o f L o u rd es on M onday, A u g u st 5, 2002 at 6 pm .

The Catholic News, 6858-3055 Fax: 6858-2055 cathnews@veritas.org.sg

Catholic Kindergarten, Ms Edna Ng Poh Tiang 6283-3821 Fax: 6284-7783 Nativity Church Centre, 6285-6198, Fax: 6285-9556 nativity@pacific.net.sg

PHILOMENA DORAIRAJ

Carlo Catholic Society, 6337-7489 Fax: 6334-4370 carto@cams.org.sg W ebsite : http://www.cams.org.sg

S O C IA L S E R V IC E Catholic W elfare Services, Michael Chua 6337-6165 / 6337-7954 Fax: 6336-1513

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

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AUG U ST 4 -A U G U S T 11, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

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E L IZ A B E T H Y E O F R A N C IS C H IA CH W EE NEO T E C K YEW Departed:Aug 8, 1993 Departed:Oct 5, 1960

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C P T D A M IA N C H O O FO O K YOON Departed: Aug 10, 1989 O nly the memory o f bygone days And a sigh for a face unseen; A constant feeling that God alone Knows best what should have been. Always remembered by wife, children and the family.

A.P. JOHN Departed: Aug 16,1984 Mass w ill be offered in memory o f our beloved father A.P. John at St Joseph’s Church, V ictoria Street on Friday, A ugust 16, 2002 at 5.45 pm. L ove from your c h ild re n John n y , N ancy, R anny, M orris. M ary, in-law s and g ran d ch ild ren .

Third A nniversary In loving m em ory of

Sixteenth Anniversary

NOEL DAVID Departed: Aug 9,1989 O nly the memory of bygone days And a sigh for a face unseen; A constant feeling that G od alone Knows best what should have been. Always remembered by your loving wife, children, daughters-inlaw, sons-in-law and grandchildren. In loving memory of

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Departed: Aug 16, 1999 Dearest Daddy My heart is sore As time goes by I miss you more. Your loving smile, your gentle face, No one can fill your vacant place. Sadly missed and always remembered by loving wife, sons, sisters, brothers, in laws, relatives and friends. Mass will be celebrated at Church o f St Teresa, Kampong Bahru on Friday, August 16 at 6 pm.

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HENRY SIOW YEUN PO YIN THAM KIM TERESA Departed:Aug 15, 1985D eparted:A ug 26, 2000

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A SHLEY GERARD PALEY Departed: Aug 6, 1999 AG N E S KOH GEK CHENG Departed: Aug 9, 1999 M issed is the touch o f your friendly hand, G one is your kindness beyond recall; G one to a world where peace and love Are given and gained by all. Always remembered by husband, children, grandchildren and loved ones. Eighth Anniversary In loving m em ory o f

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LOUIS TAY BENG CHOO Bom: Dec 13, 1928 Departed: Aug 10,1986 Today and many-a time. W e rem m eber the happy tim e we shared together. These m em ories are especially dear today and forever. Always remembered by w ife Lucy, children V eronica, V incent and G regory and their families.

In life he loved The sim ple things And gave to those around An indelible memory O f life and joy to cherish in our hearts forever. R em em bered with love and deeply m issed by Sylvia and all loved ones. Seventh Anniversary In loving m em ory of

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CYRIL SA N D O SH A M Departed: Aug 1, 1996 FER N A N D EZ M ARY JO H N M A NU EL FERN A N D EZ D eparted:Jan 13, 1994 D eparted:A ug 9,1992

God took them home, it was his will, But in our hearts, we love them still, Their memories are as dear today As in the hour they passed away. We often sit and think of them The memories o f those happy days Always remembered by loving children, and all loved ones. Mass will be celebrated at Church o f Our Lady of Lourdes No 50, Ophir Road, Singapore on Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 6 pm.

L ove’s greatest gift rem em brance His sm iling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall; He had a kind word for each And died beloved by all. Som e day we hope to m eet him, Som e day, we know not when, T o clasp his hand in the better land. Never to part again. Sadly missed by his fam ily, m other, brothers and sisters.

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K. PITCHAI Departed: Aug 3, 1987 Rest in peace, dear loving husband and father, Fifteen years have passed. But you are still in the hearts o f your loved ones. Alw ays rem em bered by wife, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Mass will be held on Aug 3 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Johor Bahru at 6 pm. Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

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M ARY LAZARUS Departed: Aug 8, 1994 DAVID KAM CHIN SOO Departed: Aug 15, 1995

In our prayers she is fondly rem em bered, Sw eet m em ories cling to her name; Those who loved her in life sincerely, Still love her in death just the same. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen. D early m issed by children, grandchildren and loved ones.

The depths o f sorrow we cannot tell, O f the loss o f one we love so well, A nd while he sleeps a peaceful sleep, His m em ory w e shall alw ays keep. W e love you always. Y our loving wife, children, son-in-law, daughter-in-law , grand-daughters and grand-sons.

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JOHN POON KOK YAN Departed: July 29, 1996

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ANTH ONY BENJAM IN Departed: Aug 6, 1995 Only the m em ory’s left, O f the happiness we knew, But the love that kindled m em ory’s torch W ill feed my whole life through. Lovingly rem em bered by wife, and children.

ANDREW BENJAM IN Departed: Aug 17, 1993 N ine years have passed since you left us, But the m em ory of you lingers on. In our hearts you live forever. G rant him, Jesus, heavenly rest. Lovingly rem em bered by wife and family. M ass will be celebrated at Church o f St Vincent de Paul, Singapore on Thursday, Aug 17, 2002 at 7 am.

M O N IC A STEPH EN KOH KIM H UAH Y EO KAM KOK Left us for the heavenly Lord on A ugust 10 2000 1999

On this day in August a year apart You left us for your heavenly reward We miss you deep in our hearts United in heavenly joy you watch Your children here on earth Remembering you with so much love Your loving children and grandchildren.

The years may wipe out m any things. But this they’ll wipe out never, The m em ory o f those happy days W hich we had spent together. D early m issed and alw ays rem em bered by family m embers and loved ones.

Please turn to page 13 for more “In Memoriam” announcements and classified advertisements.

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

_______________________________________ AUG UST 4 - August 11, 2002

YOUNG CATHOLICS__________________

Willing to revive the A rchbishop’s C up? ALL W O R K and no play m akes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl. I do not know about the beginnings of the A rchbishop’s Cup. It w as probably the brainw ave of som e football en thusiasts but it seem s to have died down. T h e last tim e this p ap er covered the C up w as in 1995. S o m e say it is still on, norm ally during the June school holidays, but the past couple of years, nothing has been said about it. Is there anyone willing to bring back the Archbishop’s Cup? It would of course be open only to Catholics and w e could have different catego ries. W e could have a section for prim ary school students, another for secondary/junior college/poly te c h n ic s tu d en ts and an open section. Let’s give it som e serious thought while the fever of the last W orld C up is still running high. T he boys could h ave football and the girls (of course w e w on ’t leave you out) netball tournam ents. W h y am I so e a g e r about g et ting the youth involved in sports? T h e reasons are fairly obvious. Stu dents now adays are stressed out at school and at hom e with their stud ies, tuition, exam s and (sorry to say this) prodding by parents who, with all good intentions for their future, add to their children’s stress level. Taking part in sports as a form

Is there anyone willing to bring back the Archbishop’s Cup? Let’s give it some serious thought while the fever of the last World Cup is still high. The boys could have football and the girls netball tournaments. Under 14 participants to the Archbishop’s Cup held in June 1995. of relaxation will definitely help to low er the young p eo ple’s stress level and increase their physical health and stam ina as well as burn calories. Let’s rem em b er that a truly bal a n c e d C h ris tia n life s ty le a ls o includes recreation. W e need to take care o f our bodies too since our bodies are “the tem ple of the Holy Spirit”. Apart from physical well-being,

c n me photo

taking part in sports will allow the youth to interact with each other and grow to have a sense of b e lo n g in g in th e c o m m u n ity o f believers outside the boundaries of their own parish. It is just like when soccer players from different parts of the world com e together at one place for one purpose to get to know each other and appreciate each other’s differences and unique ness.

Sports can also help you to witness to your faith. T h e w ay you behave w hen others are watching is one w ay of showing your values. If you rem em ber, Brazilian goal keeper Marcos prayed a num ber of times during the matches. I rem em ber at least two particular occasions at the final match. It w as so clear. W hen the players from the two con testing team s w ere getting ready to play, I saw M arcos making the sign

From the Heart of the Holy Father T h e W e lc o m e o f th e H o ly F a th e r by th e youth g ath ere d for the 17th W o rld D a y o f Y o u th took p la c e a t Exhibition P la c e in T oron to . M sg r. Ja c q u es B erth elet, Bishop o f S t J e a n Longueil a n d P re isd e n t o f the C a n a d ia n Bishops' c o n feren ce, d elivered his w elcom in g s p e e c h . T his celeb ration focussed on th e "B eatitu des”. A fte r the p a s s a g e o f th e G o sp el w a s re a d , the H o ly F a th e r g a v e his initial a d d re s s to the youth g ath ere d in the hugh s q u a re for

Holy Father's Opening Address S p e a k in g in F re n c h , th e H o ly F a th e r said: D e a r Y o u n g P eo ple! th a t w e h a v e h eard again tonight: 1. W h a t w e h a v e ju s t h eard is A m eric a , o f E u ro p e, o f Africa, o f “B lessed a re th e y . . .” T h e key the M a g n a C a r ta o f Christianity: A sia, o f O c e a n ia . I h a v e h eard w ord in J e s u s ’ teach ing is a proc the B ea titu d e s . W e h av e seen once your festive voices, you r cries, you r lam ation o f joy: “B lessed a re th e y m o re , w ith th e e y e s o f o u r h eart, songs, and I h a v e felt the d e e p w h a t h a p p e n e d a t th a t tim e. A lo n g in g th a t b e a ts w ithin y o u r People are made for happi crowd o f p eo p le is g ath ered around hearts: you want to be happy! ness. Rightly, then , you thirst for Jes u s on th e m ountain: m en and D e a r young p eo p le , m a n y and h ap pin ess. Christ has the answer w o m e n , young p eo p le and elderly enticing a re th e voices th a t call out to this d es ire of yours. But h e asks folk, th e h ea lth y and th e infirm , to you fro m all sides: m a n y of you to trust him . True joy is a w h o h a v e c o m e fro m G a lile e , but th e s e voices s p e a k to you o f a joy victory, som ething w hich cann ot a ls o from J e ru s a le m , fro m J u d e a , th a t can b e had w ith m o n ey , with b e o b tain ed w ithout a long and from th e cities o f the D ecapo lis, success, with p ow er. M ostly they difficult struggle. C hrist holds the from T y re a n d Sidon. All o f th e m p ro p o se a joy that c o m e s with the s e c re t o f this victory. a nxio usly aw aitin g a w ord, a g e s superficial and fleeting p le a s u re o f Y o u kno w what came before. It ture th a t will g ive th e m com fort th e se n s e s . is told in th e B o ok o f G e n e s is : G od and hope. W e too a re g ath ere d h ere , this 2. D e a r friends, th e a g e d P o p e , c reated m an a n d w o m a n in a p a ra d ise, E d e n , b e c a u s e he w an ted eve n in g , to listen attentively to the full o f y e a rs but still young a t h eart, th e m to b e h ap py. U nfortunately, Lord. H e looks a t you w ith a ffe c a n s w e rs yo u r youthful d es ire for sin spoiled his initial plans. But tion: you c o m e from th e d ifferent h ap p in e s s w ith w ords th a t a re not G od did not resign h im self to this regions o f C a n a d a , o f th e U nited his o w n. T h e y a re w o rd s th a t rang d e fe a t. H e s e n t his So n into the S ta te s , o f C e n tr a l a n d S o u th o ut tw o thousand years ago. W ords

of the cross. T h e other time w as when he had a very close shave with a ball but, m anaged to hit it with his head. H e heaved a sigh of relief and m ade the sign of the cross. T h e Brazilian team itself gath ered in small groups after the g am e w as over and prayed. (I am sure that you, my d ea r youth, must have noticed this). This scene m ad e m e very proud o f them as they gave true credit by giving glory to God for their victory and I w as really touched. It m ade m e hope that our local youths would in tim e grow to be proud of their faith too! I know that at present m any are too shy to even m ake the sign of the cross in public. I seem to have gone off track h e re ... My apologies because I hap pen to be a crazy soccer fan like m any of you although I d on’t go to the extrem es of betting with money. It’s a g am e I used to have a craze for playing but now I satisfy myself watching others. So after reading all that I have said, have you m ade up your minds on working tow ards reviving the Archbishop’s Cup? For all you know w e might one day be able to form our own team in the Singapore L eag ue and h ave a team as strong as M an chester United!

Fr Michael Sitaram is youth chap lain o f the Singapore Archdiocese. To c o n ta c t him e m a il: cathyctr@pacific. net. sg.

- to the youth of the world

w orld in o rd e r to g ive b ack to us an e v e n m o re b e a u tifu l id e a o f h e a v e n . God became man — the F ath ers o f the C h urch tell us — so

that men and women could be come God. T his is th e decisive tu rn in g -p o in t, b ro u g h t a b o u t in h u m an history by the Incarnation.

N o w th a t w e a re a b o u t to w e l co m e his glorious C ross, the C ross th a t h as a c c o m p a n ie d young p eo ple on th e ro a d w a y s o f th e w orld, let this consoling an d d em and ing w ord ec h o in th e silence o f you r hearts: “B lessed a re th e y . . .” (H is o p e n in g w o rd s w e r e fo l

3. W h a t struggle a re w e talk lo w e d b y g r e e tin g s , s o n g s a n d ing abo ut? C hrist h im self g ives us te s tim o n ie s . T h e n th e C ro s s o f th e W o r ld D a y o f Y o u th w a s b r o u g h t in th e a n s w e r. “T h o ug h h e w a s in the p r o c e s s io n a n d in s ta lle d a t th e form o f G od," S a in t P au l h as w rit ten, he “did not count equ ality w ith s id e o f th e a lt a r - s e e p h o to .) G od som ething to b e g ra s p e d , but T h e H o ly F a t h e r a g a in a d e m p tie d him self, taking th e form of d r e s s e d th e y o u th s , th is tim e in a s e r v a n t . . . he hum bled h im self E n g lis h ). a n d b e c a m e o b e d ie n t unto d e a th ” 4. G a th e re d aro un d the Lord's ( P h il 2 :6 -8 ). It w a s a struggle unto d ea th . C h rist fou gh t this battle not C ross, w e look to him: J e s u s did for h im self but for us. From his not lim it h im s e lf to proclaiming the B eatitu d es, he lived them! Looking death, life has sprung forth. T h e a t his life a n e w , re -re a d in g the tom b a t C a lv a ry has b e c o m e the G o s p e l, w e m arvel: the p oo rest o f cradle of the new humanity on its th e poor, the m ost g en tle am o ng jo u rn e y to tru e hap pin ess. T h e “S e rm o n on th e M ount" the m e e k , the person with the p urest an d m o st m erciful h e a rt is marks out the map of this journey. T h e e ig h t B e a titu d e s a re th e road n o n e o th e r than Jesus. T h e B e a ti signs that show th e w a y . It is an tud es a re nothing m o re than the uphill path, but h e h as w a lk e d it description o f a fa c e , his face! A t the s a m e tim e, the B e a ti b efo re us. H e said o n e day: “H e w h o follow s m e will not w a lk in tu d e s describe what a Christian should be: th e y a re th e portrait of d ark n e s s ” (J n 8 :1 2 ). A n d a t a n o th er tim e h e add ed: “T h e s e things J e s u s ’ disciple, th e picture of those w h o h av e a c c ep ted the Kingdom I h a v e spo ken to you, th a t my joy o f G od an d w a n t th eir life to b e in may be in you, a n d th a t yo u r joy m a y b e full” (J n 15:11). tun e w ith the d e m a n d s o f the G o s It is by w alkin g w ith C h rist th a t pel. T o th e s e Jes u s sp e a k s , calling we can achieve joy, tru e joy! P re th e m “b le s s e d ”. cisely for this reaso n he again re p e a ts the p ro clam ation of jo y to continued ove rle a f on pg 16 you today: “B lessed a re th e y . . .”

AUG U ST 4 - August 11, 2002

THE CATHOLIC NEWS

W ORLD ... from the heart (continued from pg 15) T h e joy promised by the Beatitudes ,. is the very joy of Jesus himself: a joy sought and found in obedience to the Father and in the gift of self to

others. 5. Young people of C an ad a, of A m erica and o f every part o f the world! By looking at Jesus you will leam what it means to be poor in spirit, m e e k and merciful; w h a t it m eans to s eek justice, to be pure in * heart, to be peacem akers. W ith your g a z e set firmly on him, you will discover the path o f forgive ness and reconciliation in a world often laid w aste by violence and terror. Last y e a r w e saw with dra m atic clarity the tragic face o f hum an malice. W e saw w h at happens w hen hatred, sin and death take com m and. * But today Jesus’ voice resounds in the midst o f our gathering. His is a voice of life, of hope, of forgive ness; a voice of justice and of peace. Let us listen to this voice!

b ecau se he alone knows “w hat is in e ach person” (cf. Jn 2 :2 5 ). T o d ay he calls you to be the salt and light of the world, to choose goodness, to live in justice, to becom e instru m ents o f love and peace. His call has alw ays d em an d ed a choice betw een good and evil, betw een light and darkness, betw een life and death. H e m akes the sam e invita tion today to you w ho are gathered here on the shores of Lake Ontario.

7. What call will those on early morning watch choose to follow? T o believe in Jesus is to accept w hat he says, even w hen it runs contrary to w hat others a re saying. It m eans rejecting the lure o f sin, how ever attractive it m ay be, in order to set out on the difficult path of the G os pel virtues. Young people listening to m e, answ er the Lord with strong and generous hearts! H e is counting on you. N e v e r forget: Christ needs you

the Beatitudes. Blessed are you if, like Jesus,

your brothers and sisters! Trust Christ, b ecau se he trusts you.

Only Jesus is the true M aster, only Jesus speaks the unchanging m essage that responds to the d ee p est longings of the hum an heart,

Let the light o f your wisdom shine upon them , so that in word and d eed they m ay spread in the world the light and salt of the Gos

pel. M ak e their w hole life a bright reflection o f you, w ho are the true light that c a m e into this worid so that w ho ever believes in you will not die, but will h ave eternal life!

After the celebration the Holy F a th e r returned to S traw berrry Island, in Lake Simcoe 95 Km north o f Toronto to the Retreat House o f the Basilian Fathers, by helicopter, where he had been staying for the first few days o f his Canadian visit.

G e n e ra l v ie w o f the g ath ering in front o f th e a lta r in Toron to

Christ needs your youth and your g enerous enthusiasm to m ake his

proclamation of joy resound in the new millennium. Answer his call by placing your lives at his service in

you!

the Beatitudes!

to carry out his plan of salvation!

6. D e a r friends, the Church to day looks to you with confidence and expects you to be the people of

you are poor in spirit, good and merciful; if you really s eek w hat it just and right; if you are pure of heart, peacem akers, lovers o f the poor and their servants. Blessed are

“salt o f the earth and light o f the world". Continue to teach them the truth and beautyof the vision that you proclaim ed on the Mountain. M ak e them men and women of

8. Lord Jesus Christ, proclaim o nce m ore your Beatitudes in the p re s e n c e of th e s e young p eople,gathered in Toronto for the W orid Youth Day. Look upon them with love and listen to their young hearts, ready to

We were thrilled to be able to identify our Singapore flag among this multitude, near to the fir tree on the right in the photo - very timely for our National Day!

Ail photos of WYD are CNS photos

put their future on the line for you. Y o u h ave called them to be the

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