SEPTEMBER 01, 2002, vol 52, no 18 by CatholicNews

M .I.T.A . (P) No. 032/01 /200 2 PPS 201/4/2 003

H a t h n l i n N ew s

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 - September 8, 2002

SINGAPORE 500 /W EST MALAYSIA RM1.20

4 All the commandments are summed up in one: You must love your neighbour as yourself. }

Vol. 52 No. 18

R o m . 1 3 :9

COMMENTARY

The face of tragedy To all intents and purposes the world achieved an unprecedented standard of conduct both in individual countries and in international relations with the creation and acceptance of the United Nations Charter with its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As UN records note: "O n e o f the g re a t a c h ie v e m e n ts o f the U nited N atio n s is th e creation o f a c o m p re h e n siv e body o f h um an rights legislation. It is the United N atio n s w hich, for the first tim e in history, h as cre a te d a u niversal cod e of hum an rights, o n e to w hich all nations can subscribe and to which all p eo ple can aspire." A nd ind eed all m e m b e r nations of the world h av e signed this C h arter. Its forerun n er, th e C o v e n a n t o f the L e a g u e of N atio n s w a s written a t th e end of the First W o rld W a r, but w a s silent on the issue o f h um an rights. N ot long a fte r th e s a v a g e ry o f the S e c o n d W o rld W a r, the U n iversal D eclaratio n o f H u m an Riqhts w a s ad o p ted on 10 D e c e m b e r 1948. M o re than h alf a century has passed since then , but reports in all a re a s o f the U nited N atio n s w ork, w hile noting con siderab le tan g ib le a c h ie v e m e n ts , also d ep lore foot-dragg ing on the part of various parties co n c e rn ed and often a lack o f political will to u n d ertak e w h a t is n e c e s s a ry to a c h ie v e e v e n b etter results. D e s p ite the very strong la n g u a g e used in resp ect o f "fu nd am ental hum an rights" in the U nited N atio n s C h a rte r w hich h as b ee n a g re e d to and signed by the nations o f the w orld h um an tra g e d ie s abound in m a n y a re a s aro un d the w orld. O n e s ta te m e n t of the U N says:

"Millions of children die every year from malnutrition and disease or become victims of slavery, torture and sexual exploitation. The United Nations

The UN Charter refers repeatedly to: “fundamental human rights”, "dignity and worth ofthe human person”, "equal rights”, "justice”, “social progress”, and “fundamental freedoms”

Children’s Fund (UNICEFV the UN’s lead advocate for children, has described the world’s children as the “forgotten quarter of the Earth’s people.” It is the United Nations that, in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, has provided a standard, a benchmark against which the behaviour of nations can be tenaciously and perpetually measured and improved." Another has this to say: "M o re than 500 million persons — 10 per cent of the world’s population, an estim a te d 8 0 per cent of them living in th e d eveloping world — suffer from some type of

A c lo s e -u p o f th e U N C h a rte r w ith the E g yptian d ele g a tio n in bac k g ro u n d a t th e signing c e re m o n y . (UN Photo)

physical, mental or sensory impairment. T h e International Y e a r o f D isabled Person s (1 9 8 1 ) s a w adoption o f a W orld P ro g ra m m e of Action C o ncern ing D isabled P erso n s, the prim ary s ta te m e n t o f principles for d isabled p ersons and led to the U N D e c a d e o f D isabled Person s (1 9 8 3 -1 9 9 2 ). T w o m onitoring e x e rc is e s in 1 9 8 7 and in 1 9 9 2 , a c k n o w le d g e d that des p ite m a n y efforts, d isabled persons

A r c h d io c e s e o f S in g a p o r e h o m e p a g e , V e r it a s : h t t p : //w w w .c a t h o lic .o r g .s g .

continued to be den ied equal opportunities and in m an y societies re m a in e d isolated. T h e United Nations, calling for global “eq u a lizatio n of opportunity” for p ersons with disabilities, p rom pted cities and tow ns throughout the world to provide such seem ing ly sim ple, basic, and obvious services as a c c es s ram ps and sid e w a lk indentations for the c o n v e n ie n c e o f the disabled p eople. In 1 9 9 4 , the G e n e ra l A ss e m b ly end orsed a long-term strateg y to furth er the im p lem en tation o f the W orld P ro g ra m m e . T h a t strateg y set as its ultim ate goal “a society for all”, enco m p assin g hum an diversity and the d e v e lo p m e n t of the hum an potential in e a c h person. O n ly in Ju n e this ye a r, 6 y e a rs a fte r the previous W o rld Food S u m m it in 1 9 6 6 , the W o rld Food S u m m it again d ep lored the lack o f progress in achieving the goal w hich w a s to h alf the w orld's hungry. It w a s said th a t "800

million p eo p le w orldw id e, a m o n g them 3 0 0 million children suffer the g naw ing pangs o f h un ger and d is e a s e s and disabilities cau s e d by m alnutrition and th a t as m an y as 2 5 ,0 0 0 p eo p le die each d a y as a result." A s for conflict in the w orld, w e n eed s ay nothing - the m ed ia a re full of reports, p erhap s, so m uch, that our a w a re n e s s h as b ee n num bed! W h a t is o u r reaction to all this as Catholics? H a v e w e re a c h ed the point of being c on cern ed only with our ow n little w orld, and p erh ap s still w orse, o u r own personal w orld, letting everything els e fall into oblivion? D o w e fe e l anything a t all? W e n ee d to, if w e a re going to do anything a t all! O u r H oly F a th e r attributes the lack of practical concern to an a b s e n c e o f a "culture o f solidarity" as he calls it and "international resolutions sha p e d be a pragm atism devoid of ethical and m oral foundations." T h e re has to be, he says, " a relationship b etw e e n the right of be fre e d from poverty and the duty o f the w h o le h um an fam ily to provide practical help to th e n eedy.

“T h e G o ld e n R u le ” a m o saic by A m erican artist N o rm an R o ckw ell, d epicts p eo p le o f d ifferent nationalities, w ith the w ords “Do

unto others as you w ould have them do unto yo u ’ inscribed on it. A gift from the U S to the U N it is installed on the 3rd floor a t U N H e a d q u a rte rs , ( u n Photo>

In t e r n e t e d it io n o f T h e C a t h o lic N e w s : h t t p : //w w w .c a t h o lic .o r g .s g /C N .

SEPTEM B ER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

VATICAN In Summary

Impassioned plea

P o p e John Paul II m a d e his 9 8 th m issionary jo u rn e y recen tly - to his h o m elan d , P oland. H e is the first n on -Italian P o p e a fte r a period o f s o m e 400 y e ars, and has a lw a ys b ee n jubilantly received in his country and tre a te d not only as P o p e a n d fello w citizen but also a h ero w ho suffered during the w a r. It w a s not his first visit to his n ative P o land , but he w a s th e re to d e d ic a te a n ew C h urch , the S h rin e o f D ivine M erc y , w hich m ust certainly b e o n e o f his favourite titles for C hrist, as, particularly in re c e n t y e a rs during his p rayers, hom ilies and s p e e c h e s , he u ses this title to a d d re s s G od. O n S u n d a y a t th e A n g e lu s a fte r th e d ed ic a tio n c e re m o n y he said: "When I visited this sanctuary in 1979 I asked yo u to p ra y for

T h e H o ly F a th e r in his usual N o o n d a y A d d re s s on S u n d a y fo cu sed on th e situation in th e H o ly L an d . 1. During this tim e o f s u m m e r re la x a tio n , w h e n m a n y a re e njo ying a d e s e rv e d rest, I c a n n o t stop thinking w ith g re a t c o n cern a b o u t th e H o ly L an d . T h e re , u n fo rtu n ately, th e a lm o s t d aily e p is o d e s of re p re h e n s ib le v io le n c e d o not c e a s e , takin g th e lives o f so m a n y o f o u r b ro th ers a n d sisters, victim s o f a d e a d ly u n en d in g spiral o f re ta lia tio n . W h e n will it b e u n d ersto o d th a t th e c o e x is te n c e o f th e Israeli a n d P a le s tin ia n p e o p le s c a n n o t b e bro ug ht a b o u t bv a rm s ? F o r it is n e ith e r atta c k s , n or w a lls th a t s e p a ra te , nor e v e n retaliatio n th a t will e v e r le a d to a ju s t solution o f th e continuing conflict. T h e P o p e suffers w ith all th o s e w h o w e e p b e c a u s e o f b e re a v e m e n t and d estru ctio n; a b o v e all h e is c lo s e to th e n u m ero u s inn ocen t victim s w h o p a y th e price o f this v io le n ce . H e w is h e s to re p e a t to e v e ry o n e , re g a rd le s s o f th e e th n ic g ro u p to w hich th e y b elo ng , th a t th e re is no justification fo r th o s e w h o kill d e fe n c e le s s civilians ind iscrim inately. 2 . F ro m 1 9 6 7 till to d a y, u n s p e a k a b le suffering s h a v e follow ed o n e upon a n o th e r in a frig htening m an n er: th e suffering o f the P a le s tin ia n s , d riven o ut o f th e ir land a n d fo rce d , in re c e n t tim es, into a s ta te o f p e rm a n e n t s ie g e , b ec o m in g a s it w e re th e o b je c t o f a c ollective p u n ish m en t; th e suffering o f th e Israeli p o p u la tio n , w h o live in the d aily terro r o f b ein g ta rg e ts o f a n o n y m o u s a s s aila n ts . T o this w e m u st a d d th e violation o f a fu n d a m e n ta l right, th a t o f fre e d o m o f w orship . In effe c t, b e c a u s e o f a strict cu rfe w , b e lie v e rs no lo n g e r h a v e a c c e s s to th eir p la c e s o f w o rsh ip on th e d a y o f w e e k ly p rayer. 3 . F a c e d w ith this h u m a n ita ria n tra g e d y , w hich d o e s not s e e m to s h o w a n y signs o f h o p e, no o n e can re m a in in d iffe re n t. T h a t is w hy, o n c e a g a in , I appeal to the Israeli and Palestinian political leadership to s e t o ut a n e w on th e path o f s in c e re n e g o tia tio n . I ask the international community to w o rk w ith g re a te r re s o lve in b ein g p re s e n t in th e a re a , o fferin g its m e d ia tio n in o rd e r to c re a te th e con dition s for a fruitful d ia lo g u e th a t will s p e e d th e p ro cess to w a rd s p e a c e . I call on Christians of every part of the world to join in m y fe rv e n t a n d trusting p ra y e r. Mary, Queen of Peace, grant that the cries of those who

suffer and die in the Holy Land will finally be heard.

The 98th Papal Mission

Vatican Press Report

WORLD SUMMIT for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (Johnannesburg, South Africa, 26 Aug - 4 Sept 2002) The Holy See is taking part in the World Summit for Sustainable Development which is currently taking place under the auspices of the United Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 Aug to 4 Sept. H e a d o f th e 6 -m e m b e r D e le g a tio n is H is Exc. M s g r R e n a to R a ffa e le M artin o , V a tic a n 's P e rm a n e n t O b s e rv e r to th e U n ited N a tio n s in N e w Y o rk. ( It will b e re m e m b e re d th a t A rch b ish o p M artin o w a s V a tic a n 's first A m b a s s a d o r to S in g a p o re ). M o re than 100 H e a d s o f S ta te and g o v e rn m e n ts a re takin g p art a s a re th o u s a n d s o f d e le g a te s . E v e n ju st b e fo re it started , m isgivings w e re b eing voiced a b o u t w h e th e r it will re a lly b en e fit the u n d e r-d e v e lo p e d and e m e rg in g e c o n o m ie s.

me as long as I live and a fter m y death. Today I thank yo u and all the pilgrim s o f Kalwaria for these prayers and the spiritual strength I continually receive. I continue to ask: do not cease praying - I repeat once m ore - as long as I live and a fte r m y death. I too, as always, return y o u r kindness b y recom m ending a ll o f you to the M erciful C hrist and his Mother." N o t long a g o he also d ec la re d the S e c o n d S u n d a y o f E a s te r, the S u n d a y o f D ivine M ercy. It is a devotion w hich o riginated in P oland, in K rako w , throu gh th e efforts of S a in t S is te r F au s tin a . During this visit, he also p resided a t th e B eatificatio n o f th re e n e w "beati". W h ile it w a s not th e P o p e 's first visit to his n ativ e country, it w a s g e n e ra lly b e lie v e d th a t it w ou ld b e his last visit. His p eo p le s e e m e d to h a v e s e n s e d it as w ell - m o re than 2 m illion p eo p le c a m e to his M a s s . It w a s quite obviou s th a t th e H oly F ath er's visit w a s v e ry nostalgic. H e only s ta y e d in K rako w , w hich w a s his own A rc h d io c e s e b efo re he w a s e le c te d P o p e H e visited th e Pontifical T h e o lo g ic a l A c a d e m y o f K rak o w , w hich he e s ta b lish e d a n d in w hich h e ta u g h t a s P ro fe s s o r o f T h e o lo g y . H e then visited an d p rayed at th e g ra v e s o f his b elo v e d parents. B e fo re le a vin g P o lan d h e flew in a h elic o p te r o v e r th e tow n w h e re he w a s born and w h e re he g re w up a s a b oy and then w e n t on to fly o v e r th e m o u n tain s w h e re h e often skied a s a young m an a nd a s a priest a n d bishop. H is final w o rd s o f fa re w e ll at th e airp ort b e fo re le a vin g , s a y it all. "I

cherish in m y heart every goo d thing that has happened and in which I have taken p a rt during these days o f m y pilgrim age. G rateful for everything, and with the entire ecclesial com m unity in Poland, I repeat before the m erciful Jesus: “Jesus, in yo u I trust!” M ay these heartfelt words bring com fort to future generations in the new millennium. M ay G od who is rich in m ercy bless you! W hat can I say in the end? I am sorry to le a ve ." E ditor

A memorial of repose in the heart of the city... An appropriate place to remember, recollect and pray S M

They served us!

Features at a glance • Basement-level privacy • Over 2,500 niches in 8 zones • Niches for 2 and 4 urns • Well provided centralised candle, offering and prayer area • Special Memorial Masses offered on All Souls’ Day and other occasions within the Church calendar • Peaceful, elegant and aesthetic design and structure • Natural ventilation and lighting • Temporary niches provided at a nominal fee for enquries you can call our hotline

(65) 6837 3823

Church of Sts Peter & Paul 221* Queen Street Singapore 188551 Tel: (65) 6337 2585 Fax: (65) 6334 5414 Emait: stspeternpaul@pacific.net.sg

Temporary Niches are available NOW!

In ou r love, le t us pray fo r th e m in th e ir tw ilig h t y ea rs and in th e ir a fflic tio n s . T h e P o p e leavin g Poland

Manila Mission The anticipated journey of the Pope to Manila in January 2003 for the World Family Congress has yet to be confirmed by Vatican Officials. T h e le a st th a t can b e said is th a t the H o ly F a th e r h as not said "No" to it. H o w e v e r, a visit to C ro a tia a p p e a rs to b e set for 2 0 0 3 in spring.

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. Frank Depoorter, CICM Fr. Simon Yim, Fr. James Yeo

SEPTEM B ER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

LOCAL

Ensure that you get your copy!

May they finally rest in peace! The remains of thousands of loved ones have been and are in the process of being exhumed from their resting places in Biddadari Cemetery to make way for development in land scarce Singapore. A m on g them w e re 3 9 priests. T h e A rch d io cesan authorities h av e m a d e a rra n g e m e n ts for s o m e re m a in s o f e a c h o n e of th e m to be p laced in a com m o n urn w hich will be installed in a special niche with a glass w ind ow , u n d er the statue of St. Josep h just inside the right en tra n c e a t the front o f the C a th e d ra l o f the G ood S h e p h e rd . P la q u e s will b e a r the n am e s o f those w h o s e rem ain s a re there. T h e rest of the rem ain s will be interred at the C o lu m b ariu m in the C hurch o f St. M ich ael. A m on g the rem ain s of the 3 9 priests, tho se of o n e o f th em , R e v Fr. Ernie Joseph M arie tte , w ho died a t the a g e of 6 4 in 1 9 2 8 , 7 4 y e a rs ago , w e re found to be not com pletely corrupt. S o m e rum ours in circulation had it that the body w a s incorrupt, but this is not a c c u rate . S o m e skin and tissues w e re still visible, though th e body w a s

actu ally su b m e rg e d in w ater. Incidentally, th e c a s e reported in local n e w s p a p e rs w a s not the only body to b e found incorrupt. W e w e re told by s o m e o n e from the c o m p a n y w hich h as b ee n entrusted with the re -in te rm e n t o f the 3 9 priests' re m a in s th a t several bodies th a t w e re e x h u m e d w e re found not to be totally corrupt, ind eed o n e w a s said to resem b le the body o f s o m e o n e w ho had just passed a w a y although buried d e c a d e s ago. It a p p e a rs also that th e s e c a s es s e e m to be in certain locations. An incorrupt body is not n ecessarily a sign of sanctity. In the first p lace, to be even considered a s such, all scientific reaso ns w hich could explain the p he n o m e n o n n ee d to be totally discounted, scientifically. Even then , an incorrupt body would only be con sidered an a d d e d confirm ation and w ould not be considered a criterion for beatification or cano nization .

Catholic News Subscription Form (please print clearly)

PERSONAL Subscription:

S ta r tin g d a te :

N a m e : (D r. / M r. / M rs. / M s.) A ddress:

C o n tact (T e l.)

e-m ail:

GIFT subscription FOR:

S ta r tin g d a te :

May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in the Peace of Christ! E d ito r

Walking for Peace

N a m e : (D r. / M r. / M rs. / M s .)

SINGAPORE (U C A N ) — A s p ecial long w a lk throu gh th e s tre e ts o f S in g a p o re h as h elp e d s o m e 3 0 0 you ths to fo s ter inter-relig iou s h arm o ny. B a h a i, C a th o lic , H indu and M uslim youths m a rc h e d throu gh th e d ow n to w n O rc h a rd R o a d a re a on July 2 8 a n d h an d e d o ut c a rd s to p a s s e rs -b y w ith s lo g a n s such a s “S e e k w h a t u n ites ,” “D ia lo g u e with e v e ry o n e ,” “F o rg iv e a n d fo rg e t” and “Live for fra te rn ity .” T h e w a lk , o rg a n iz e d by vario us F ra n c is c a n o rd ers an d th e F o c o la re M o v e m e n t in S in g a p o re , e n d e d a t G o o d S h e p h e rd C a th e d ra l w h e re the youth w e re g re e te d by A rch b ish o p N ic h o la s C h ia of S in g a p o re and o th e r religious le a d e rs . T h e p articip ants then unfurled a 3 0 m e te r long w h ite cloth s ta m p e d w ith colourful h an dp rin ts to s y m b o lize th e ir c o m m itm e n t to p e a c e . T h e y also c on du cted a p ra y e r s e rv ic e in w hich th e y p led ged th e m s e lv e s to p e a c e . A t th e c a th e d ra l p ra y e r se rv ic e , V ic to r T a n , 2 4 , fro m th e B ra h m a K u m a ris spiritual m o v e m e n t, quo ted fro m th e m o v e m e n t’s s a c re d text, M uri. “T h e y h a v e said G od is love, and so n ow let you r life b e a life o f spiritual lo v e ,” he re a d . M a rik a p ra y e d th a t G o d “pro vid e p e a c e to all a n d g iv e us g u id a n c e not to be m isled by p eo p le w h o a re m isg uid ed. W e h o p e fo r p e a c e , as Islam m e a n s ‘p e a c e .’” A B u dd hist gro up o f 13 c h a n te d scriptural

v e rs e s a fte r w hich a re p re s e n ta tiv e p ra y e d th a t “the w orld b e a p la c e o f p e a c e fo r all living th in g s .” A C h ristian re p re s e n ta tiv e p rayed th a t G od “help us find th e in n e r p e a c e to carry out th e w o rk th a t you w a n t.” A rch b ish o p C h ia said in his k e y n o te s p e e c h he w a s proud o f th e youth fo r th eir c o m m itm e n t. “N o m a tte r w h a t religion w e belong to, w e c a n n o t but be p ro m o ters o f life, o f p e a c e .” A sserting th a t “w e a re all p eo p le o f th e s a m e C re a to r, b elo ng ing to o n e h um an fa m ily ,” he e x h o rte d th e youth to te a c h o th ers th e ir religious v a lu e s . S o m e 1 0 0 C a th o lic you ths w ho took part p re p a re d th e m s e lv e s for th e e v e n t a d a y e a rlie r w ith a re tre a t a n d an o ve rn ig h t vigil. A la rg e n u m b e r c a m e fro m th e K o re a n C a th o lic c o m m u n ity and F o c o la re youth. F ra n c is c a n F ria r J o h n -P a u l T a n , th e m ain o rg a n ize r, said th e w a lk follow ed up an inter religious g ath erin g held e a rly this y e a r. T h e e a rlie r e v e n t w a s held in re s p o n s e to P o p e John P au l M’s call fo r p e a c e follow ing th e S e p t. 11 a tta c k s in the U n ited S ta te s . A t a p ress c o n fe re n c e July 19, F a th e r T a n said, “In s o m e w a y s , terrorists h a v e h ijacked religion for th e ir ow n a g e n d a . If w e can m a k e young p eo ple re a liz e th a t religion is a unifying fo rce , w e can help m a k e this w orld a b e tte r p la c e to live in .”

Address:

Subscription Rates: for 12 months, inclusive of postage S in g a p o re S $ 2 7 ; M ala y s ia -B ru n e i ( b y a ir )

S$35;

A sia S $ 6 3 ; A u s t-N Z -J a p a n S $ 7 2 ; E u ro p e -U S A

S$87

(s u r fa c e m a il) F la t rate o f S $ 4 0 for all countries

Mode of payment: Cash, Bank Draft or Cheque in favour of: The Catholic News No 2 Highland Road #01-03, Singapore 549102.

Enquiries: 6858-3055 - Richard

(fr-

F A IT H P I L G R I M A G E S

E U R O P E P IL G R IM A G E S 13 days Best of M exico Holy Pilgrim age-Holiday D e p a r t u r e : 2 5 S e p t - 0 7 O c t w ith S p ir it u a l D ir e c t o r 14 days Fatim a/Spain/Lourdes Pilgrimage D e p a r t u r e : 0 4 o c t - 1 7 O c t w ith S p ir it u a l D ir e c t o r

REGIONAL - Replacement statues

15 days Fabulous Eastern Europe D e p a rtu re : 16 O c t - 3 0

INDIA, Ranchi, ( U C A N ) — Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs were among some 50,000 people in eastern India attending a ceremony to install two Catholic statues, replacements for those that had been smashed by suspected Hindu fanatics. A rch b ish o p T e le s p h o re P. T o p p o of R an ch i c o m m e n d e d local p e o p le for th e ir inter-relig iou s a m ity w h e n he b lessed a n d installed th e n ew s ta tu e s o f th e B lessed M o th e r a n d th e S a c re d H e a rt o f J e s u s on A u g . 11 in S a m lo n g parish church. P a rish io n e rs found th e s ta tu e s s m a s h e d Jun e 3 0 m orning a n d b la m e d Hindu e x tre m is ts fo r trying to incite C h ris tia n -H in d u riots. “C h ris tia n s h av e no p ro b lem s m ain tain ing

p e a c e . T h e y kno w how to le a v e things to G o d . T h e G od w e k no w is a G o d o f p e a c e and m ercy. W e w a n t to follow th e tea c h in g s a n d e x a m p le o f Jesus, th e prince o f p e a c e ,” A rch b ish o p T o p p o said. T h e parish h as s o m e 8 ,0 0 0 C a th o lic s , m o st o f w h o m a re trib als. P arish le a d e rs s a y police a re investigatin g th e c a s e. F a th e r A n an d B e n g ra , S a m lo n g parish priest, said th a t th e p articip atio n “of so m a n y p eo p le of o th e r faith s is an e x h ila ra tin g e x p e rie n c e for u s.” T h e parish w a n te d to m a k e th e installation a “lowk e y a ffa ir,” he said, “but th e n ew s tra v e lle d and p eo p le c a m e in g re a t n u m b e rs . It s ho w s p eo p le h ere do not w a n t to think along c o m m u n a l lin e s .”

12 days Fatim a/Rom e/Lanciano Pilgrim age D e p a r t u r e : 2 5 O c t - 0 5 N o v w ith S p ir it u a l D ir e c t o r

12 days Paris/Paray le M onial/Lourdes/Fatim a Pilgrimage D e p a r t u r e : 1 8 N o v - 2 9 N o v w ith S p ir it u a l D ir e c t o r

13 days Feast of Our Lady of Guadaloupe, Mexico D e p a rtu re : 0 4 D e c - 1 6

i n

t e

r i o

D e c w ith S p ir it u a l D ir e c t o r

O T H E R P IL G R IM A G E S 10-day Medjugorje Retreat

D e p a rtu re : 0 5 D e c

15-day Trail of St Paul in Turkey

iZ E E

14 D e c

D e p a rtu re : 0 5 O c t

"'r o m e ^lo u r d e s Y

O c t w ith S p ir it u a l D ir e c t o r

L ° U % tM A

\ f ’

6 Days S$1488

r s

Specialistin all kinds of furniture and interior decoration. W e supply m ade-to-order kitchen cabinets, bedroom sets, office furniture, etc. Business Hours : 9 am to 8 pm on normal working days, 11 am to 3pm on Sundays and Public Holidays Address: Bk 41, Holland Drive, # 01-25 S'pore 270041

Other Non-Pilgrimage services available :

^Air-tickets, Holiday tours, Rail passes, Worldwide hotel bookings, ____________and Star Gruise Online Bookings /A lw a y s tra v e l in F aith , F o r F aith , w ith F a ith T ours /

___________ - The Pilgrims Choice-

W O R K M A N SH IP : 12 months w arranty for every jo b taken

FAITH TOURS & TRAVEL PTE LTD

G overnm ent and statutory board loans acceptable.

5 0 E ast C o ast R d, R o x y S q u are C o m p lex , # 0 2 -0 1 , S in g ap o re 4 2 8 7 6 9

Call 6779-5034/6779-6035 Fax: 6778-6539 H D B Licence N O : H B -0 2 -0 4 5 9 Z (RADAC)

T e l : (0 2 ) 6 3 4 8 -2 7 2 2 F a x : (0 2 ) 6 3 4 8 -2 7 2 4 E m a i l : f a i t h t o u r s @ f a i t h t o u r s . c o m __________________

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

REGIONAL Virtual third parents

Call to serve the Poor

MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur (U C A N ) — Magimai Pragasam, vice president of SIGNIS Asia, the Asian segment of The World Catholic Association for Communication (SIGNIS), said constant exposure to movies and TV could account largely for the erosion of values among youth.

BANGLADESH, Dhaka ( U C A N ) — Some Catholic youths say they came to appeciate their duty to serve the poor after attending a vocation camp run by a youth missionary group.

S p e a k in g a t a s e m in a r on T a m il m o vies held July 2 3 in K u ala L um pu r, P ra g a s a m e x p la in e d : “C in e m a and T V h a v e b e c o m e ‘third p a re n ts ’ for child ren , and their e x p o s u re to th e s e m e d ia is g re a te r than th e ir e x p o s u re to th e ir first (b io lo g ic a l) p are n ts an d sec o n d p arents (te a c h e rs ).” “In th e past, p are n ts d iscu ssed m o v ie -w a tch in g , such as w hich m o vie to w a tc h , w hich th e a tre to go to, w h e th e r to w a tc h w ith o r w ith ou t th e children. H o w e v e r, w ith the a d v e n t o f s a te llite T V , m o re m o v ie s can b e v ie w e d m ore easily", he said. P ra g a s a m n oted th a t cultural v a lu e s u sed to be tra n s m itte d to the y o u n g e r g en e ra tio n throu gh p are n ts a n d g ra n d p a re n ts . N o w a d a y s , good a n d b ad v a lu e s a re p icked up fro m m o vie acto rs a n d a c tre s s e s .. H e stre s s ed th a t m o vie m a k e rs h a v e a duty to o ffe r w h o le s o m e m o v ie s to the public. “T h e ir responsibility d o e s not end w h e n th e film is c o m p le te d b e c a u s e the m o vie m o v e s into th e public d o m a in ,” said P ra g a s a m , w ho h as m a d e m o re than 4 0 film s fo r television on a v a rie ty o f social issues. Pointing o ut th e n e e d for discipline in v ie w in g film s a n d televisio n , he e n c o u ra g e d p e o p le to w a tc h m ovies a n d television p ro g ram s w ith a critical m ind, like th a t o f a re v ie w e r, so th a t th e y will b e c o m e p art of an “a c tiv e ” ra th e r than a “p as s iv e a u d ie n c e .” P ra g a s a m d re w attentio n to th e a b s e n c e o f an a u th en tic re lation ship b e tw e e n th e m a s s m e d ia and c o n su m ers. T V a d v e rtis e m e n ts a re p ro du ced in a w a y th a t d o e s not e n c o u ra g e children to think logically since “u n rela te d im a g e s a re sho w n in d is c o n n e cte d s e q u e n c e s .” S IG N IS is a m e rg e r o f th e In te rn a tio n a l C ath o lic O rg a n iz a tio n fo r C in e m a and A u d io vis u a ls (O C IC , French a c ro n y m ) a n d U n d a (Latin fo r “w a v e ”), the In tern atio n al C a th o lic A sso ciatio n fo r R a d io a n d T ele v is io n . T h e n ew o rg an iza tio n w a s la u n c h e d last N o v e m b e r in R o m e .

Peace concert

World Congress of Mongolists MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar (U C A N ) — Early Catholic missioners’ study of Mongolian languages and cultures in Mongolia drew the interest of secular and Church scholars at an international symposium on Mongolian studies in Ulaanbaatar. M o re than 2 5 0 scho lars from ab o u t 3 0 cou ntries join ed th e 8th In tern atio n al C o n g re s s o f M on go lists a t the N a tio n al U n iversity o f M o n g o lia . A ccordin g to o rg a n ize rs , the A u g . 5 -1 1 e v e n t in the M o n g o lian capital w a s th e m ost c o m p re h e n s iv e sym p osiu m on M o n g o lia n stu d ies e v e r held. D iscussion s ran g ed from M o n g o lia n culture and lite ra tu re to n o m ad is m , g eo po litics a n d e c o n o m ic d e v e lo p m e n t in M on go lia. M o n g o lian P re s id e n t N a tsa g iin B a g a b a n d i said in an a d d re s s to th e sym p osiu m “T h e re is no dou bt th a t the c o n g re s s will con tribute not only to the study o f M ongol history, custom s a n d civilization, but to the re s p e ct fo r the id eo lo g ies of e v e ry country an d civ iliza tio n .” Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry m issio ners lived and

w ork e d in In n e r M o n g o lia , north ern C h in a , fro m 1 9 0 5 until the la te 1 9 4 0 s , w h e n political c h a n g e s a n d social turm oil e v e n tu a lly d ro ve th e m out o f C h in a , he said. F a th e r M o s a e rt a rrived in s o u th w e s t M o n g o lia in 1 9 0 5 an d s p e n t 19 y e a rs th e re com piling folk poetry, son gs and p ro verbs. His d iction ary is re g a rd e d as th e m ost d eta ile d collection o f w o rd s in O rd o s, a local d ialect. In 1 9 2 2 , th e V a tic a n a s k e d th e Im m a c u la te H e a rt of M a ry con g re g a tio n to send m issio ners to U rg a , now U la a n b a a ta r, but th e y w e re blocked fro m going by a revolt th a t led to O u te r M o n g o lia ’s in d e p e n d e n c e from C h in a . A ccordin g to B ro th e r T s h im a n g a , s e v e ra l M o n g o lian scho lars h e m e t a t the c o n g re s s w e re fa m ilia r w ith the w orks o f F a th e r M o s a e rt and o th e r B elgian scho lars but w e re surprised to learn th e y w e re C a th o lic m issioners. A sk e d to c o m m e n t on h o w C h ristian ity is v ie w e d in M o n g o lia , he told U C A N e w s , “O n the w h o le , I fee l th a t M o n g o lia n s h a v e s o m e fe a r o f C h ristian ity. T h e y do not kno w w hich gro up is good and w hich is n o t.”

Religious and new media

B y V in c e n t D 'S ilv a

MALAYSIA, Johor Bahru - Some 8,000 people from Malaysia and Singapore are expected to attend the World Peace Concert (WPC) at the Indoor Stadium in Johor Bahru on October 12. Admission to the 10,000-capacity stadium is free. O rg a n iz e d by th e C a m p u s M inistry o f t h e D io c e s e of M e la k a -J o h o r, th e c o n c e rt a im s to p ro m o te w orld p e a c e in th e a fte rm a th o f th e S e p te m b e r 11, a n d to s p re a d the m e s s a g e - A ll liv e in p e a c e w ith p e a c e in a ll h e a r ts throu gh th e p erfo rm ing arts. R e v Fr. Jojo Fun g, S .J ., C h airp e rs o n o f th e W o rld P e a c e C o n c e rt o rg an ising c o m m itte e , noted th a t the o b je c tiv e o f th e c o n c e rt w a s to p ro vid e an opp ortu nity for p e o p le o f va rio u s religions to c o m e to g e th e r to re fle c t and p ray fo r w orld p e a c e - c o m p le m e n te d by re a d in g s from th e B uddhist, H indu, Sikh an d C h ristian traditions. It d re w its inspiration fro m a m e s s a g e by P o p e John P au l II “N o P e a c e W ith o u t J u s tic e , N o J u s tic e W ith o u t F o r g iv e n e s s .

“T h e c a m p m a d e m e think o f m y duty to m y poor b ro thers in m y co u n try,” Liton D a s , o n e o f th e 5 0 c a m p p articip ants, told U C A N e w s . T h e M iss io n a ry A ssociatio n o f M a ry Im m a c u la te o rg a n ize d th e July 2 6 c a m p a t the O b la te J u n io ra te in D h a k a . T h e ass o c ia tio n , fo u n d ed last y e a r by fo rm e r O b la te s e m in a ria n s and o th e r youths, n ow has s o m e 3 0 m e m b e rs . D a s , a m a th e m a tic s s tu d en t o f D h a k a C o lle g e , said th e c a m p m a d e him re a lize th a t no o n e in th e w orld w ould b e d ep riv e d m ate ria lly o r spiritually if all p eo p le s h a re w h a t th e y h av e w ith oth ers. T h e p re s e n t w orld o rd e r is the o pp o s ite , he re m a rk e d , b e c a u s e w e a lth is c o n c e n tra te d in th e h an d s o f a few .

P o lash Jos e p h G o m e s , p re s id e n t o f th e youth asso c ia tio n , told the C a th o lic you ths th e ir lay status allow s th e m to s e rv e o th e rs in w a y s th a t priests o r nuns cannot. Noting th a t th e S e c o n d V a tic a n C o un cil g a v e laity a responsibility to s e rv e o th ers, h e said th a t “w e can con tribute to the C h urch and help th e u nd erp riv ile g e d im p ro ve th e ir living s ta n d a rd s .” S is te r J e n n ife r M a ry C la rk e told th e youth th e idea that the poo r s u ffer b e c a u s e o f th e ir sins is incorrect. R a th e r, it is th e resu lt o f the se lfis h n e s s o f o th e rs a n d th e ir lack of a w a re n e s s of th e ir ow n dignity. S is te r C la rk e , w h o w orks a t th e U nited N a tio n s C h ild re n ’s Fund (U N IC E F ) in B a n g la d e s h , urged p articip ants to “c o m e dow n to the le v e l” o f th e poo r and m a rg in a lize d if “w e really w ish to do good fo r th e m .” S e v e ra l O b la te priests a ls o discu ssed th e ir activities in B a n g la d e s h , the c h arism o f th e ir c o n g re g a tio n a n d th e life o f its fo u n d e r S a in t E u g e n e D e M a z e n o d .

”

T h e J esu it p riest said: “W P C 2 0 0 2 is a continuing effort to p ro m o te p e a c e in w hich p eo p le o f d iffe re n t world religions a n d cultures will c o m e to g e th e r to m a k e a co n c e rte d stand fo r w orld p ea c e ", and will be a pow erful living tes tim o n y th a t w orld p e a c e is p ossible b e c a u s e it b eg in s w ith e x p e rie n c in g p e a c e a m o n g s t o u rse lv e s a s w e w o rk to g e th e r to m a k e this e v e n t a reality.

For more details on World Peace Concert 2002, visit: http:///www.wpc.2002.cjb.net or contact wpc 200 2 @lycos.com. For enquiries call 07-5217286/5217221, Fax: 07-5217379 or Rev. Jojo Fung, S.J. (012 710-3285).

New churches CHINA, Wanzhou (U C A N ) — T w o n e w c h u rc h e s h av e b e e n o p e n e d in s o u th w e s te rn C h in a to re p la c e o ld e r o n e s th a t will b e s u b m e rg e d in th e T h re e G o rg e s d a m project. T h e original c h u rc h e s in W u s h a n cou nty a n d F e n g jie city a re a m o n g six c h u rch es in th e d io c e s e to b e s u b m e rg e d u n d e r th e T h re e G o rg e s d a m project. T h e d ed icatio n M a s s e s fo r th e C h urch o f St. J u d e in F e n g jie city and the C h u rc h o f S t. John B osco in W u s h a n , both in W a n z h o u (fo rm e rly W a n x ia n ) d io c e s e , w e re c e le b ra te d A u g. 6 and 8 resp ectively. B ishop Jos e p h X u Z h ix u a n o f W a n z h o u c e le b ra te d both M a s s e s , w ith priests from W a n z h o u , o th e r d io c e s es in m a in la n d C h in a and H o ng Kong c o n c e leb ra tin g .

THAILAND, Chachoengsao, ( U C A N ) — Use the Internet to evangelize and incorporate media education in formation programs, Thai Church media people urged women Religious recently. C h a in a ro n g M o n th ie n v ic h ie n c h a i told 5 7 le a d e rs of w o m e n ’s c o n g re g a tio n s th a t a re c e n t su rv e y o f T h a i R elig io u s s ho w ed th a t m o re than h a lf th e 5 0 0 re s p o n d e n ts felt u nc o m fo rta b le ab o u t using th e Intern et. “W e can a p p ro a c h the n ew ‘la n d s c a p e ’ w e a re a d d re s s in g h ere in tw o w a y s — e ith e r w ith re s is tan c e or w ith d ia lo g u e ,” said the lay con sultor to th e Pontifical C o un cil fo r S o c ia l C o m m u n ica tio n s and fo rm e r W o rld P re s id e n t o f U n d a , th e In te rn a tio n a l C a th o lic A ssociatio n for radio a n d television .

“T h e possibilities fo r th e m ission o f the C h urch a re im m e n s e . S o too a re the pastoral p ro b le m s ,” ad d e d C h a in a ro n g , w h o is also v ic e c h a n c ello r of St. Joh n's U n iversity in B ang kok. H e s u g g e s te d th a t th e nuns u se “A e ta tis N o v a e ,” the V a tic a n ’s 1 9 9 2 pastoral instruction on social c om m u n ic a tio n s, a lon g w ith this y e a r’s “T h e C h u rch and In te rn e t” a s tools to help th e m re fle c t on th e use o f the n ew m e d ia . H e also s u g g e s te d th a t m e d ia ed u c a tio n be m a d e part o f religious form atio n as w ell a s school curriculum s b e c a u s e children “do not k no w how to c h o o s e ” w h a t to v ie w . “If th e y knew , th e y w ould not b e lie v e ” everything th e y w a tc h so ea s ily , he said.

Faith over Poverty CHINA, Wanzhou, ( U C A N ) — For many poor Catholics in the mountainous Yangtze Gorge area of southwestern China, the relocation of churches by a major dam project is forcing them to travel long distances, often on foot, to attend Mass. S o m e rural C ath o lic s s p e n t an en tire night trekking d ow n th e m o u n ta in s ju s t to a tte n d the o pen in g o ft h e C h urch o f St. Ju d e in F en g jie city. T h e y b urnt s tra w to light th e ir w a y as th e y could not afford c a n d le s or flashlights. T h e y arrived a t d aw n and a tte n d e d th e (n o o n ) M a s s on e m p ty sto m ach s. D is ta n c e a n d p overty c on spire to tes t p e o p le ’s faith. Bai Q ia n ro n g , w h o lives in a n e w p art of F en g jie , arrived a fe w d ays e a rly to help c le an th e church for th e c e re m o n y. T h o u g h h e r h o u se is ju s t 2 0 k ilo m e te rs a w a y , sh e said s h e d ec id e d to stay in th e church until th e o penin g c e re m o n y to avoid spen din g 10 yu a n ( U S $ 1 . 2 ) fo r the round trip bus fare . Like o th e rs w h o h elp e d , sh e s p e n t the night in the church a n d had m e a ls th e re . By noon, w h e n th e M a s s w a s ab o u t to begin, p eo p le w e re still arriving o n e by o n e looking tired, s o m e w e a rin g s traw s a n d a ls, th e ir fe e t c o v e red in dust. F o r v illag e r W e n g Huiying, w h o lives 3 0 kilo m etres a w a y , th e jo u rn e y included w alkin g a n d a 2 0 -y u a n fe rry ride — a lto g e th e r m o re than a d ay. T h re e a m o n g h e r fam ily of five c a m e to o ffe r th e ir serv ic e s . “M y h u s b a n d an d e ld e s t d a u g h te r w a n te d very

m uch to c o m e too, but th e y had to re m a in in the v illag e to m a k e a living,” sh e said. “P e o p le in o u r villag e c a n n o t survive ju s t by farm in g. W e ra is e pigs a n d m a k e bricks to in c re a s e o u r in c o m e ,” sh e e x p la in e d . T h e ir a v e ra g e e a rn in g s a re 3 0 0 yu a n a y e a r. W e n g ’s uncle M in D e c h e n g , w h o lives in th e s a m e v illag e, c a m e a w e e k e a rlie r to help. “I d o n ’t h a v e m uch e d u c a tio n . I h av e only fa ith ,” h e said. F a th e r M a tth e w R a n Q ilian g, v ic a r g e n e ra l o f W a n z h o u d io c e s e , said, “It is n e c e s s a ry fo r c h u rc h e s h ere to h av e facilities fo r C a th o lic s w ho n e e d to e a t a n d to stay o vernig ht, since th o s e w h o c o m e fro m rural a re a s h av e no m o n e y to p a y for food and lodging e ls e w h e re . F o r a m a jo r fe a s t, as m a n y as 7 0 0 C ath o lics m a y e n d up sle ep in g in th e church and d o z e n s e v e n stay o ve rn ig h t ju s t for S u n d a y M as s . T h o s e w h o s ta y o ve rn ig h t s le e p in th e p e w s ,” M e a n w h ile , C ath o lics in W a n z h o u city s a y th e y c ann ot w a it to use th e g ro un d floo r o f th e n ew u nfinished c a th e d ra l a s a m a k e s h ift M a s s c e n te r since the original c a th e d ra l, know n as Z h e n y u a n T a n g , w a s torn dow n in April. C o nstruction m a te ria ls and dust now fill th e church c om plex. A w o m a n fa rm e r s a id , “W e fa rm e rs can b are ly e a rn w h a t w e n ee d . T h e young a n d strong h a v e all left to w ork in c itie s .” C o m in g on this “p ilg rim a g e ,” sh e a d d e d , cost 4 5 yu a n ju s t for tran sp o rtatio n .

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

REGIONAL

VEHICLES WANTED

“Who do you say I am?”

Hospital chaplaincy PHILIPPINES, Davao City - (U C A N ) — An 8 2 -y e a r-o ld A m erican M aryknoll M issioner, F a th e r W a lte r M ax c y , calls hospital ch ap lain cy “th e finest expressio n of the p riesth oo d.” H e w a s m o ved a t seeing p eo ple cop e with crises and w a tc h their loved o n e s die b e c a u s e of poverty. H e ex p la in e d , “H e re w e fee l the reality of the p re s e n c e of G od b e c a u s e p eo p le in crisis go b ack to

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

6284-3064 Melvyn

B y S a n d ra S e o w

the roots o f th eir e x is te n c e .” N u rse supervisor N a n ild a A lc e b a r s ays she is im p ressed a t how F a th e r M a x c y effortlessly clim bs th re e flights of stairs to m inister to patients, visitors and co-w orkers at the D a v a o M ed ical C e n te r, 9 6 0 kilom eters so u th e a s t o f M an ila. T h e priest has b ee n chap lain since the C h a p e l of the Divine H e a le r w a s installed in D a v a o C ity ’s 7 5 0 -b e d m ed ical center, the larg est hospital in southern Philippines, volunteering to s e rv e as chap lain w h e n no o n e w ould attend to sick calls and o th e r spiritual n ee d s o f the patients. In 1 9 9 6 , hospital adm inistrators built a chap el w h e n they s a w that m an y patients, their relatives and hospital staff “w a n te d a quiet place to pray for th eir loved o n e s ,” hospital chief, D o cto r C u n a n a n said. S o on , doctors b eg a n visiting the chap el regularly b efore w ork. E v e n w o rkers from a n earb y w a te r utilities firm , a bank, and o th er private a n d g o v e rn m e n t offices started com ing to the chap el for M ass. A fte r a M a s s on A u g. 8, F a th e r M a x c y turned o ve r the hospital c hap lain cy he b eg a n to the O rd e r o f St. C am illus. C am illian F a th e r M arc e lo P a m in tu a n said, “W e c a n ’t re p la ce F a th e r M a x c y ,” but said his te a m w ould continue F a th e r M a x c y ’s pastoral program s.

Wider Ecumenism HONG KONG (UCAN) — Key speakers at a Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) symposium proposed widening the ecumenical movement beyond Christians and called for greater involvement of youth and women. T h e “International S ym po sium on N e w E c u m e n is m ” A u g. 6 -8 m arked the 4 5 th a n n iv e rs a ry o f the C C A , a Hong K o n g -b a s ed fellow ship of 1 1 5 C h u rch e s and C hurch councils in A sia. T h e C atho lic C h urch is not a m em ber. T h e H ong Kong sym p osiu m w a s aim e d at “resh apin g the entire ec u m e n ic a l m o v e m e n t with n ew p erspectives, n ew directions, n ew com m itm en ts, and n ew e n th u s ia s m ” in the w a k e of the m any c halle n g e s in th e A sian region. H a rv e y C o x, a p rofessor at H a rv a rd Divinity School in the United S ta te s , said th a t w hile the original p urpose of the e c um enical m o v e m e n t w a s “to e n a b le the w h o le C hurch to bring the w h o le G osp el to the w h o le w o rld ,” the u nderstanding h as w id e n e d . G iven the increasing a w a re n e s s of religious plurality, C o x said, th e re is a n ee d for C h ristians iri the W e s t to h e a r th e “w isdo m and counsel of o ur brothers and sisters in A s ia .” Involving young lay p eo p le in th e ecu m e n ic a l m o v e m e n t w a s also a concern to s o m e of the 6 0 sym posium participants. C o ad ju to r Bishop Joseph Z e n Z e-k iu n o f H ong Kong and M an ila based M aryknoll S ister V irgin ia F ab e lla w e re am o n g the Catholics w h o attend the sym posium . T h e F ed e ra tio n o f A sian B ishops’ C o n fe re n c e s w a s invited to send re p re s e n ta tiv e s but could not do so, according to a C h urch source. T h e C atho lic org an izatio n has co o p e ra te d with the C C A on various e c u m e n ic a l initiatives. T h e C hristian C o n fe re n c e o f A sia b eg a n in 1 9 5 7 a s the E ast

This was the theme of the Singapore- Malacca Encounter 2002 held on August 9-11, organized by the Verbum Dei Missionaries (Singapore) and the Young Adults (YA) group of Malacca. T h e aim w a s to e n c o u ra g e the participants to d isco ver the fa c e of G od through a personal relationship with Jesus. A b o u t 5 4 young adults ag e d 1 8 - 3 5 from S in gap ore, In d on esia, Philippines and M a la y s ia e m b a rk e d on a w e e k e n d jo u rn e y of discovering w ho Jesus is, through talks given by the V e rb u m D ei, with tim e for personal reflection on various p as s a g e s of the Bible. Activities also included group sharing, g a m e s and songs. T h e participants w e re urged to be a w a re th a t Jesus is the only sou rce o f life and love as H e is th e g iver of light and show s the w a y to live life to the fullest. T h e y w e re also e n c o u ra g e d to m a k e Jes u s their personal friend, allow ing His voice to be lou der than the voices o f society, o f others and of self. H o w ev e r, th e y w e re called not just to enjo y a personal friendship with Jesus but also to be conscious th a t H e is p resent in others. Besides p a s s a g e s from the bible, the participants w e re e n c o u ra g e d to reflect on q uestions like ,”ln w h a t am I investing m y life?”, “H o w can I follow the w a y o f J esu s in my daily life?” an d “W h a t a re the m e a n s I can use in o rd er to follow H im ? ” O n A ug. 10, Fr. Phillip K o lan d a is a m y and Fr. F rancis Ng, o f th e C h urch o f St. F rancis X a v ie r, c e leb ra te d the S a c ra m e n t o f Reconciliation and Holy M a s s for the participants.

JE N N IF E R W EE

jw e e @ c y b e r w a y .c o m .s g

p;97095056 k,<98158955 B uy/S ell or Rent Welcome Residential ! H D B / p j E Commercial J • Fast S ervice • 1 0 0 % R eliable • 15 years track record

Ik li." b

B U IL D IN G A N D T R A D IN G P T E L T D W e specialis^Jn • All kinds o f w a terproofin g/ roofing • Re-painting (interior/exterior) • Renovation w o rk • Upgrading w o rk

Call: John Stephen Lim

9637-1544 firs ttre e p ro p e rtie s

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

E N G L IS H P e s t M a s te r s P te L td

for YOUR

PEST PROBLEMS P re p a ra tio n fo r

CALL: 6454 0439 32, Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 #03-03 Sing Industrial Complex Singapore 569510 Te l: 6 4 5 4 0 4 3 9 Fax: 6 4 5 4 4 7 8 4 Email: pestm ast@ pacific.net.sg

• Singapore Governm ent Schools (Maths, Science & Mandarin Optional) Singapore Cambridge ‘O ’ Level Exams • Singapore Polytechnic/University or overseas studies (TOEFL, IELTS) Secretarial, Computing and Busi ness Studies - Cambridge, UK Exams

SSTCEDUCATIONCENTRE

_________

Registered with the M inistry of Education since 1978

9 P e n a n g R o a d , # 0 9 -0 3 P a rk Mall (o pp osite D h o b y G h a u t M R T ) Tel: 6 2 3 5 - 5 6 8 5 Fax: 6 7 3 4 - 5 1 3 0

Email: s s tc l978@ sstc.com .sg Website: www.sstc.com .sg

Top Achievers ERA HDBR e saleN et

Selling, Buying or C a ree r in Real Estate

ALW AYS THERE FOR YO U

IcA

For faster and better results, please call IV Y LAU M M 9 0 0 1 -1 7 4 3 A N TO N A ZA R ETH 9 8 5 3 - 0 6 9 8 C e rtifie d P ro fe s s io n a l in s a le s (^ ) (M IS ) C E A C e r t.-in -C E H A

A sia Christian C o n fe re n c e .

Proclaiming the Greatness of the Lord MALAYSIA, Penang - A g re a t n um ber of the "silver" g en e ra tio n w ould know M sgr. Aloysius, a very kindjy, jovial priest w ho s erved a t O u r L ad y of Lou rd es parish, in S in g a p o re , (1 9 4 7 -1 9 5 5 ) b efo re b eco m in g V ic a r G e n e ra l of the D io c e s e of P e n a n g . H e w a s called to the Lord on F eb . 16 1 9 9 4 , at the a g e o f 91.

A book ab o u t his life and tim es h as been published and is a v a ila b le from C atho lic Inform ation S e rivc e - P e n a n g , P astoral C e n tre - K u ala Lum pur and M ajo di C e n tre Bookshop - Joh or Bahru.

J e n n if W o r l d w id e M o v e r s

“ ...W h e r e it g i v e s l i g h t e v e r y o n e in t h e h o u s e .”

Catholic News readers can enjoy free eye-exam and 15% discount on spectacles and contact lenses by producing this advertisement. ALEX CHENG OSKA LAU R e g iste re d O p to m e tris t P .D . O P T (H .K .) M B A (U .K .) L ic e n se d c o n ta c t len s p ra c titio n e r M e m b e r H K S P O M e m b e r o f A ss o c ia tio n o f O p to m e tris ts (U .K .) A .B .D .O . (U .K .)

T H E O P T O M E T R IC P R A C T IC E E STD 1961

1 S ophia R oad #07-23 Peace C entre S ingapore 228149. Tel: (65)6333-4638 Fax: (65)6333-4639. E -M ail: jennif@ sta rh u b .co m .sg

THE OLDEST INTERNATIONAL MOVING COMPANY IN SINGAPORE Year 2002 is our 41st year of quality service in the moving industry.

TEL: 6536-3263 Raffles Place MRT Station #B l-06, Singapore 048618 Fax:6536-4828

Seizing the Downturn Don't just sit around waiting for a job. Don't just be content with your present qualifications either. UPGRADE for better times and enjoy

W e set th e p a c e fo r b e tte r serv ice - D o m e stic an d In te rn a tio n a l T h o u sa n d s o f c u sto m e rs c a n n o t b e w ro n g fo r th e last 4 0 y ears. F o r q u a lity an d p ro m p t serv ice J e n n if is sec o n d to n o n e.

for a Course in Business Administration.

S lO R T H A M E R I C A N A S S O C IA T E O F F I C E

D ro p by fo r a discussion w ith

V a n c o u v e r , B .C . T e l: 6 0 4 - 4 6 9 - 1 9 3 4 F a x : 6 0 4 - 4 6 9 - 2 4 6 3

MATTHEW 5:15

In th e p a s t, w e w e re g iv e n fu ll p ro f e s s io n a l tra in in g . N o w w e p e rs e v e re to g iv e th e b e s t se rv ic e .

E - m a i l: j e n n i f m o v e r s @ a o l . c o m

O p e r a tio n a l N e t w o r k in c o n j u n c t io n w it h O X F O R D V A N L IN E S 357A Sembawang Rd, Goodlink Park, Singapore 758376. Tel: 65 -6266-5900 Fax: 65-6266-0567 Email: oxfordvl@pacific.net.sg

Substantial Subsidies - no strings attached!

DBA (Dip. Bus. Ad.)

SSTCEDUCATIONCENTREfor a full time or part-time course 9 P e n a n g R o a d , # 0 9 -0 3 P a rk M a ll (o pp osite D h o b y G h a u t M R T ) P h o n e for a p p o in tm en t T e l: 6 2 3 5 - 5 6 8 5 F a x : 6 7 3 4 - 5 1 3 0

Email: s s tc l9 7 8 @ sstc.com .sg W ebsite: www.sstc.com .sg R egistered with the MOE since 1978

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

CHILDREN’S CORNER T h is q uiz is open to children w h o a re preparing to re c e iv e

Holy Communion and are attending classes

Answers for Contest No. 7 (1st. Comm.) WHAT WE BELIEVE 2

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

first three correct entries to reach the Editor, AFTER midnight Wednesday/ Thursday 4/5 September 2002, by e-m ail to steeplel3)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. Closing Date: midnight. Fri/Sat 6/7 September 2002. P rize s will b a a w a r d e d to the

Across 1.

W e b elie v e , too, in th e co m m u n io n o f

W e a ls o b e lie v e in th e

SAINTS .

CHURCH. FORGIVEN.

W e a ls o b e lie v e th a t o u r sins can b e

A p a rt from th e F a th e r a n d th e S o n , w e also b e lie v e in th e

THIRD

person in G od . All th a t is n e e d e d to send the an s w e rs , is to u se the num bers o f the clues as indicated and a n s w e r for e a c h clue.

state the

Down SPIRIT.

T h is person is also ca lled th e H oly

T h e C h urch is a ls o

D o not forget to provide yo u r O W N contact, o th erw ise it will not be possible to ad v is e you, if you h ave w on . All entries will be ac k n o w le d g e d .

W in n e rs , the first three correct entries, (according to the "Inbox") will be a n n o u n c e d in the follow ing issue o f the C ath o lic N e w s , and will b e inform ed o f how they can collect th e ir prizes.

JUDGEMENT. LIFE e v e rla s tin g . T h e m ain things th a t w e b e lie v e a re all in th e CREED. A fte r w e d ie , w e b e lie v e th a t o u r BODY too, will rise ag ain . T h is C h urch is HOLY.

Y o u m ust give yo u r

full name, address, and the Communion Class you a re attend ing a t yo u r Parish.

5. 8. 10.

Contest No. 8 (1st Comm.)

A fte r w e finish o u r life on e a rth th e re will b e the final F in ally, w e b e lie v e th a t th e re is

The WINNERS ARE

CREATION

1 2 3

CLUES

Francesca Kok Si Hui - R isen C hrist Peter Mah - R isen C h rist Sharmaine Cheng Jing Yi - P e rp e tu a l S u c c o u r

Consolation Prizes

Across

4 3.

In the Bible story w e a re told

O n th e first d a y he c r e a t e d ___

h e c re a te d th e m oon, also on the

O n th e first d a y h e a ls o c re a te d _

H e a ls o c re a te d the s e a on th e _

10.

O n th e fifth d a y he c re a te d t h e __

12.

O n th e third d a y he c r e a t e d _____

th a t G od c re a te d the w orld in

d ays. _ day. d ay.

Jos e p h G w e e M in g -W e i H oly Fam ily

COLLECTION of Prizes W e try to inform e a c h o f you individually by e -m a il a fte r publication o f your n a m e s in this p ag e, but som e tim e s w e m ight miss out b e c a u s e a n u m b e r o f you e ith e r don't h ave yo u r ow n e-m ail a dd ress but u se yo u r D ad d y 's or M um m y's, w hich is fine. But e v e n then, the e -m a il a d d re s s e s don't a lw a ys h av e a p ro p er n am e , a n d w e end up not being a b le to find your m ail to reply to b e c a u s e our m ail box is ra th e r flooded with m ail. So in c a s e you don't h e a r from us, but s e e y o u r n a m e s a m o n g th e w inn ers, ju s t contact C atho lic N e w s

G o d the F a th e r is called the

O ffice,

H e c re a te d th e birds on the

2 Highland Rd. #01-03, S'pore 549102 (next to Im maculate Heart) TEL: 6-858-3055, FAX NO. 6-858-2055 e-mail: cathnews@catholic.org.sg.

d a y too. O n th e secon d d a y h e c r e a t e d _________ .

P rize s for C o n te st N o .8 (1st C o m m .’)

C R E A T IO N

H e a ls o c r e a t e d __________ on the third day.

11.

O n th e fourth d a y he c re a te d t h e ___________

a re very kindly spo nso red by:

CATHOLIC.

Monday to Friday: 9.00am-6.00pm ( lunchtime 12.00-2.00pm ) and ask for A unty Cecilia.

a donor who wishes to remain annonymous.

& 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, otherwise vour entry will NOT BE COUNTED. TIP: Children, you must always read instructions carefully! You must also do this in examinations and tests. Pupils sometimes don't do well because they don't read the questions and instructions carefully. Don’t just grab the question paper and start writing your answers. DO READ everything carefully, first! The same goes for instructions that Daddy and Mummy give you! Make sure you listen carefully, and ask, if you are not sure what they are telling you.

The "I believe" or "Apostles' Creed" I believe in G o d , the Father Alm ighty,

The Creator (Maker) o f all the

c re a to r o f h e a v e n and earth.

world as we know it.

I believe in J esu s Christ, his only Son, o u r Lord.

The Saviour. Jesus came on

H e w a s con ceived Annunciation by the p o w e r o f the H oly Spirit and born o f the Virgin M ary. Christmas H e suffered u n d er Pontius Pilate, H oly Week. w a s crucified, died and w a s buried. Good Friday H e d e s c e n d e d to the d ead . O n the third d a y he rose ag ain . Resurrection. Easter H e a s c e n d e d into h e a v e n , Ascension a n d is s e a te d a t the right hand o f the Father. H e will c o m e again to ju d g e the living and the d ead .

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the the the the and

holy catholic C hurch, com m u nio n o f saints, forgiveness o f sins, resurrection o f the body the life everlastin g.

earth and lived as a man like us so that he could offer him self to God in sacrifice on the Cross to save us from our sins. B y rising from the dead he showed his p o w e r as God, which is why he could conquer death and prom ise us a place in heaven.

The Giver of Life. The Holy Pentecost

Spirit gives us new life in Baptism and strengthens us with his gifts in Confirmation. He gives us back this new life through Confession and he will give us a share in God's life with all the saints in heaven

This tim e th e re w e re 7 entries but 3 had mistakes. A ccording to the "inbox" tim e, the first 3 g et the m ain prizes, but all the o th e r correct o n e s also g et a little consolation p rize e a c h . T h o s e w ho had m istakes, don't be d isco uraged. Just try again!

Congratulations to ALL of you, even for trying!

NOTES: Crossword No. 6 AND 7 were both about the "I believe". W e said in the last issue that w e m a y think the "I believe" is a prayer, b e c a u s e w e learn t it along with o th e r p rayers like the "O ur Father", the "Hail M ary" and the "Glory be". It is N O T a p ra y e r but a s ta te m e n t or, to use the pro per w ord, a "profession" o f our faith. In o th e r w ords, w h e n w e recite th e "I believe" w e a re saying w h a t the m ain "things" w e b elieve a re.

Sorry for a little distraction, but before I forget, that last littlg prayer I mentioned above, the "Glory be", is not the "Glory bea d " (even though it is a "bead" on the Rosary!) A nd while we are talking o f words, that Church to which some o f you belong is N O T St. Francis Saviour", but St. Francis XAVIER" - Jesus is our Saviour, not St. Francis! - No, I'm not joking. I have heard this and seen these written also! N o w to g e t b ack to w h e re w e w e re . S o it is a v e ry im portant thing, this "I believe" o r "Creed". T h a t's w hy w e recite it e v e ry S u n d a y during the M as s . T h a t's w h y all of us n ee d to look a t it carefully and think abo ut it, b e c a u s e it is m e a n t to be w h a t w e R E A L L Y b elieve. Y o u will find the "Apostles' C re e d " printed just on the left side o ft h e p ag e so th a t you can look a t it and u nd erstan d m ore ab o u t it. Y o u notice th a t th e re a re three parts, all th ree beginning w ith the w ords "I believe". T h e re is o n e part for e a c h person in the H oly Trinity. W e b elieve in ONE God in w h o m th e re a re THREE Persons, G od the Father , G od the Son (Je s u s C h rist) and G od the Holy Spirit. Each part says briefly w h a t e a c h person d o e s for us. G od the F a th e r m a k e s o r c re a te s everything, so w e can call him "the Creator". Jesus s a v es us fro m sin (= the Saviour) a n d the Holy Spirit gives us a s h a re in the life of G od. W e can call him the "Sanctifier” (to "sanctify ' m e a n s "to m ake holy") or the "Giver of Life." T h e "Communion o f Saints" d oesn't re fe r to H oly C o m m un ion a t M ass. "COMM-UNION" sim ply m e a n s "very close union o r togeth ern ess". T h e saints in h ea v e n w e re faithful during th eir lives, so now they s h a re in G od 's life. W e too, if w e a re faithful, will be with th e m and s h a re in the life o f G od. S o you s e e , the 7 believe"

covers all the important things we need to believe in and the big Feasts when we celebrate this belief.

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

PICTURE PAGE

Pope with a Heart

Prayin g a t the g ra v e o f his fa th e r and m other. T h e Holy F a th e r re m a in e d in the Po pem ob il and p rayed from th e open w indow .

POPE EMBRACES ITALIAN BOY DURING GENERAL AUDIENCE P o p e John P au l II e m b ra c e s 1-y e a r-o ld G io v a n n i Costi o f Italy during th e p o n tiffs w e e k ly g e n e ra l a u d ie n c e , A u g u s t 2 1 , a t his s u m m e r re s id en c e in C a s te l G a n d o lfo ,

POPE PRAYS AT KALWARIA SANCTUARY P o p e John P au l II p rays in th e K a lw a ria Z e b rz y d o w s k a s a n c tu a ry a s he c e le b ra te s M a s s A u g . 19. T h e 8 2 -y e a r-o ld pop e re c a lle d th a t a s a b oy he u sed to c o m e to th e s a n c tu a ry w ith his fa th e r. (CNS photo from Reuters)

Italy. A fte r s e e in g th e young G io v a n n i sitting ato p his fa th e râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sho uld ers the pop e a s k e d his a id e s to bring the b oy up from th e cro w d. (CNS photo from Reuters)

POPE MEETS WITH POLISH PRESIDENT KWASNIEWSKI P o p e John P au l II g es tu re s to Polish P re s id e n t A le k s a n d e r K w a s n ie w s k i during a private m e e tin g in K rak o w A u g. 17. During his fo u r-d a y visit to his h o m ela n d , th e p o p e c h a lle n g e d P o le s to hold fa s t to G o s p e l v a lu e s th a t a re a t risk o f slipping a w a y in th e ir n e w society. (CNS photo from Reuters)

The five new friars and four novices o f the D iscalced Carm elites who m ade their profession before Carmelite Provincial John Chua on the solem nity o f O ur Lady o f M ount C arm el on Ju ly 6.

A special long walk, through the streets of Singapore has helped some 300 youths to foster inter-religious harmony at Holland Road on July 28.

u i^ The youth at the beginning of the w alk for peace.

POPE KISSES GOLDEN RELIQUARY IN KRAKOW P o p e John P au l II kisses a g olden re liq u a ry o f St. S ta n is la u s during a p rivate visit to W a w e l C a th e d ra l in K rako w , P o la n d , A u g. 18. T h e p o p e c e le b ra te d his first M a s s a t th e c a th e d ra l 5 6 y e a rs a g o . (CNS photo from Reuters)

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

mm 22 Ordinary WM

______________________________T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S

FAITH IN LIFE

23 Ordinary — September 8

September 1 FOLLOWING CHRIST Texts: 1 Rd: Je r 20:7-9 2 Rd: Rom 12:1-2

Resp: Ps 62 Gospel: M t 16:21-27

The previous Sundays were about recognizing and acknowledging Christ as our personal Saviour. These are essential preconditions for the following of Christ which this Sunday’s Readings focus on. First Reading: J e re m ia h says: The Word o f the Lord has m eant for me - insult, derision all day long. J e re m ia h the p ro p h et e x p e rie n c e d w h a t it w a s like to be called by G o d . H o w ev e r, b eing called m e a n t suffering as w ell. T h e e x p e rie n c e o f J e re m ia h w a s not his alon e. Practically all th e p rophets w h o w e re called by G od to s p e a k on his b e h a lf to th e P e o p le o f Israel, e x p e rie n c e d h ardships o f o n e kind or an o th e r. Incidentally, it w a s also Jesus' ow n e x p e rie n c e as w ell as th a t o f the Apostles.

‘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. Sunday Cycle: 1 A Weekday Cycle: 2

1 Rd: Ezek 33:7-9 2 Rd: Rom 13:8-10

Resp: Ps 94 Gospel: M t 18:15-20

Love was the whole reason for God's Plan o f Salvation. Jesus, the Incarnate Son o f God, was the very embodiment o f that love. He gave his life for humanity out o f love and our following o f Jesus must logically be characterized by love. St. Paul in the Second Reading makes this very clear. First Reading: T h e tex t w arn s us th a t w e a re responsible for the salvation o f others. S alvatio n is not to b e con sidered som eth ing that w e d es ire a n d strive fo r sim ply for our own sa k es . W e n ee d a s e n s e o f m ission. W e n ee d to be a w a re o f th e w itn ess th a t w e a re su p po sed to b e giving to o thers

Second Reading: It is consoling to h e a r St. Paul saying: "All the commandments ... are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbour as yourself". Love is the basis o f all o th e r c o m m a n d m e n ts . ; “Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour, that is why it is the answ er to every one o f the com m andm ents”. T h e s ta te m e n t of S t. Paul is but a n o th e r w a y of

his re a d e rs not to be influenced by world". W e n ee d to be different faith. W e n ee d to d isco ver G od 's w ith it.

saying w h a t C hrist had a lre a d y told us: fu n d a m en tal c o m m a n d m e n t.

th a t love is T H E

self- renunciation and willingness to suffer.

Jesus made it clear to his disciples th a t h e w a s destined to ... suffer grievously... to be p u t to death and to be raised up on the third da y” (Gospel) T h e disciples would witness his Passion and D e a th . T h e

Texts:

hearts, but listen to the voice o f God."

Gospel: J esu s m a k e s it v e ry c le a r w h a t follow ing him entails. "If anyone wants to be a follower o f mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me". T h e re is no am biguity. T h e req u ire m e n ts a re c le a r -

THE DEBT OF MUTUAL LOVE

Responsorial: W e h av e b ee n called to salvation. W e n ee d to be a w a re o f o u r dignity. W e a re th e n ew P e o p le o f G o d , but that entails a co m p lete c h a n g e in o u r lives. L et us "harden not our

Responsorial: T h e P s a lm e x p re s s e s attraction to G od p recisely b e c a u s e h e is G o d , b e c a u s e "his love is better than life itself, b e c a u s e he "has been my help" and his "right hand holds me fast." Second Reading: St. P au l w a rn s th e v a lu e s a n d "behaviour o f the b e c a u s e o f our transform ation by will for us and live in a c c o rd a n c e

—

path of suffering in following Christ is not exactly new.

Application in life

W A L ic i t i e u A S C h ilb R e n O FU G hT/ FORTtTSFRV/lT O FTnG L IG hT IS ID

ooobness

Recognizing Christ and acknowledging him to be our personal Saviour are but stages that must precede the following of Christ. This must be the ultimate step. It is in this that the invitation on the part of Christ and response on our part consists.

A n b ju s n c e A n b T R J J lt l

Gospel: T h e cho ice o f this p a s s a g e is clearly the link b etw e e n this s e g m e n t a n d the First Reading. T h e n ee d to b e conscious o f our responsibility to others, is e m p h a s iz e d by J esu s him self. H e him self as s u m ed the responsibility for o u r salvation! W e n ee d to inc re as e an a w a re n e s s o f this responsibility o f ours. O u r discipleship ten d s to b e fa r too inw ard looking, a s though all that m atters is the w e ’’save o u r ow n souls."

Application in life Along the y e a rs w e h ave b e e n frequently reminded of being faithful to C h rist’s teach in g , his commandments and exhortations. A d d e d to th ese, a re num erou s rules and regulations of the C hurch that w e h ave to o b s e rv e . O n e can be forgiven for thinking that it is very difficult, if not im possible, to be a faithful disciple of Jesus.

What does self-renunciation imply? It m e a n s giving up one’s own will and submitting to the will of God. St. P au l s p e a k s of discovering the will o f God and know ing w hat is good, w hat it is that G od wants, w hat is the perfect thing to do". It e n ta ils a c h a n g e o f life .”... let your behaviour change “ St. P au l says, “ m o d elled by y o u r new mind". (Second Reading).

O n e can e asily g e t th e im pression that being a disciple o f C hrist e ntails observing num erou s c o m m a n d m e n ts and prescriptions. IT w ould s e e m th a t the w h o le of th e N e w T e s ta m e n t is sim ply filed with tea c h in g s and exho rtatio ns. O n e can alm o st be forgiven for thinking that being a faithful disciples w ould b e next to im possible.

Can we really claim to be following Christ? H a v e w e fulfilled the conditions th a t J e s u s lays d ow n for us to d ay? H a v e w e renounced our own wills? H a v e w e learnt to seek God’s will and follow it? A

Jesu s him self had said that the greatest commandment w a s to love G od, and the second w as: “Love yo u r neighbour as yo u rs e lf. H e ad d ed : On these two comm andments hang the whole law and

little reflection on o u r p erson al p ra y e rs w ould ind icate w h e th e r w e a re s e e kin g o u r ow n will o r the will of G od in o u r lives. W e w ould p ro bably find th a t all too often w e a re askin g G od to g ra n t us O U R will, O U R d e s ire s , O U R n e e d s - v e ry m uch in c o n trast to th e w ords o f th e O u r F a th e r w hich w e recite so often - "...Your w ill be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." If w e h a v e n ’t, w e h a v e y e t to fulfil the conditions fo r d iscipleship.

T h e reason for e v e ry rule is th e com m o n good or the good of other individuals. It is in this context o f love that Jes u s s p e a k s of fraternal correction in the Gospel tod ay. C orrection has to be m a d e

A s discip les of C h rist w e c a n n o t e x p e c t to be d ifferent. W E too, will h a v e to s u ffer an d d ie to o u rse lv e s if w e w a n t to be Christ's faithful d iscip les. But it m ight not only b e a q uestio n o f dying to o u rse lv e s . W e can w ell e x p e c t a little o f w h a t J e re m ia h w e n t through! W E can, h o w e v e r, look forw ard to a rew ard th a t is pro m ised by Christ. W E can e x p e c t to s h a re in th e glory o f C hrist provided w e a re faithful to him , as he h im s e lf p ro m ises in the G o s p e l today: "T h e S o n o f M a n will re w a rd e a c h o n e accordin g to his b eh avio u r." Are we ready to renounce ourselves and take up

our crosses and follow Jesus in his suffering?

Feasts of the Week: Tues 3

S t G re g o ry th e G re a t, P o p e , D octor

the prophets also.

out o f love and concern for e a c h and for the b en efit o f all. It should be quite obvious to us th a t the basis of all C h rist’s teach ing m ust be: “Love o f God and love o f one another”. W e need

to go back to the basics of Christ’s teaching and begin to implement them in our lives. Otherwise we run the risk of missing the essentials and the whole point of Christ’s teaching.

d iK is t b e & jn e o h m e rx t. - to ru s Oi e ve n

Why not celebrate Y O U R Feastday with Mass!

W e e m p h a s iz e m a n y things in th e living out of our C hristian faith, but in the process, w e m ust avoid overlooking w h a t is really fu n d a m en tal in Christ's teach ing - w h a t is essen tial in his d em a n d n am e ly love o f G od and of e a c h other. T his, a fte r all, is w h at Jesus h im self highlighted a s the GREATEST commandment in a n s w e r to a q u e ry o nce, by s o m e P h a ris e e s and S a d u c e e s , But not only did he indicate th e G R E A T E S T co m m a n d m e n t, he add ed that the second w a s like unto it: L ove your n eig hb ou r as yourself. O n o u r part, keepin g the W o rd o f G od will be a sign and c on crete p roof o f o u r love for him, and will gain for us G od 's love and his p re s e n c e am o ng us.

Feasts of the Week:

Fri 13

S t John C hrysostom , Bishop, D o cto r

Sat 14

Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Feast, (Gloria)

S E P T E M B E R 1 - S e p te m b e r 8, 2 0 0 2

THE CATH O LIC NEWS

I Vatican II teaches m FORMATION

The Living Word by Rev. Ambrose Vaz, SSL

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

Professor of Sacred Scripture St Francis Xavier's Major Seminary

The "tragedy" of Vatican II T h irty-eig h t y e a rs h av e passed since th e conclusion of the S e c o n d V a tic an council. It w a s a land m ark e v e n t for the C h urch in m odern tim es, convoked by P o p e John X X III to allow the w ind s o f c h a n g e to blow through the C hurch so that it could respond b etter to th e changing conditions o f the world in the context o f h e r u niversal mission. O n e w o n d ers, though, how m a n y in the church tod ay h ave really d ig ested the tea c h in g s o f th a t g re a t Council. T h e Council had hoped to bring c h a n g e to the C hurch through a b etter u nderstanding and app reciatio n o f w h a t the church is, of w h a t h e r mission is to the m odern world and to respond m o re effectively. C h a n g e s th e re h av e b ee n - cosm etic c h a n g e s , th a t is! A sk w h a t V a tic a n II did for the C hurch! T h e a n s w e r from the "silver" g en e ra tio n will m ost probably be th a t the M a s s is now said in English and th e priest d o e s not turn his b ac k to the peo p le an y m ore. S o m e n ew jarg on h as c o m e into use! T h e priests don't say "M y d e a r brethren" but instead s ay "M y d e a r P e o p le of God!" A lot o f o th e r ja rg o n is b an died around as w ell, n e v e r mind if not too m an y really know w h a t is m ean t, including those w ho b an d y it aro un d. N o w , lay p eo p le give com m union and w e re ceive it on the hand and standing up. L ay p eo p le also do o th e r things that priests used to do. A nd w e don't h av e to gen uflect w h e n w e e n te r the church - w e can ju s t bow (or even ju s t w a lk in a n d sit dow n!). A s fo r the black-haired (or is it the co lo u red -h aired ) g en e ra tio n - you'd be lucky if they didn't say: W h a t V a tic an II? O th e rw is e th e y m a y just say: Dono! A nd th e y can't be blam ed b e c a u s e th e y didn't know w h a t it w a s like b efo re the cosm eticians got to work!

THE BIBLE : THE OLD TESTAMENT

BIBLICAL PRIMEVAL HISTORY Individuality and Unity : primeval stories o f all cultures not intended to be historical reports, but rather to present the fundamental realities concerning the

The Holy Bible

The

a re

w orld and h um an ity w hich p re c e d e the ethnic, national, political, a n d social differentiations

under which people living in historical

time find themselves. 2

H e n c e , prim eval history (w hich h as to do with a p eo p le ) is

fu n d a m en tally

separate from the history o f G o d ’s d ea lin g s with the

o n e p eo ple, Israel (cf. the call of A b ra h a m — G e n 12, and the call of M oses -

Ex 3).

3 The unity of primeval history does not consist of a cohesive pattern of development! T h a t w hich

s e e m s to b e

narrated

in s e q u e n c e

is only the

d e v e lo p m e n t o f tho se fu n d a m en tal realities and should not be understood chronologically.

Why the "tragedy"? A n u m b e r o f factors could h av e contributed to this "neglect" of the C ouncil's teach ing s, but w e w ish h ere, to d ra w attention to o ne factor, w hich, w e feel, h as unwittingly b ee n ra th e r insidious, m o re so b e c a u s e it a p p e a rs to h a v e g o n e unnoticed a n d continues not to b e a d d re s s e d , though it can very easily be "righted", g iven its v e ry "m aterial" nature. W e refer, quite sim ply to th e "order" of the documents. In th e previous issue's s e g m e n t o f this colum n w e s u g g ested a logical arra n g m e n t o f the 16 d o c u m e n ts of V a tic a n II within the fu n d a m e n ta l fra m e w o rk o f the C O R E d o c u m e n t o f the C ouncil w hich w a s th e D o g m atic Constituion on the C h urch - (L u m e n G e n tiu m ). W e also d re w attention to the fa c t th a t th e D o cu m e n ts w e re published in the o rd er th a t th e y rec e iv e d th e app ro val o f the C ouncil in its various sessio ns (a p p r o v a l s e q u e n c e ) a nd not in logical s e q u e n c e . It w ould ta k e too long to go into details o f the w orking a rra n g e m e n ts . Su ffice it to s a y that w h e n th e m ain fra m e w o rk of th e Consitution o f th e C h urch w a s being e la b o ra te d , various o th e r g roups e la b o ra ted parts within the m ain fra m e w o rk o f the C h urch D o cu m e n t th a t n e e d e d e labo ration . W h e n re a d y , they w e re p resented to the g en e ra l a s s e m b ly and received app ro val, a n d w e re re le a s e d for publication. O f course, with th e w h o le C ath o lic w orld w aiting anxiously for w h a t the C ouncil had d ecid ed on, w h a t w ith m o n etary con sideration s th a t a re linked with publication, the so o n e r o ne could publish, the better. T h is resulted, first of all w ith shoddy translations (certain ly a s fa r as English w a s co n c e rn ed ) and of course, w ithout th e logical s e q u e n c e the docum ents w e re sup po sed to h av e had. T h e Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (S a c r o s a n c tu m C o n c iliu m ) hit th e "m arket", as the first d o c u m e n t to be c o m p leted and a p p ro v e d . T his b e c a m e the real "culprit". It w asn 't m e a n t to b e a practical e x e rc is e in c h a n g e , but a d ee p e n in g o f th e und erstan din g of w h a t the liturgy is supposed to be as an expressio n o f b elie f and w orship. H o w ev e r, since it had practical implications it s e e m e d to be s e ize d upon as an o ccasion fo r im m e d ia te "innovation". W e re m e m b e r h ow excited e v e ry o n e w a s ab o u t saying the M a s s in English, aba n d o n n in g th e "antics" o f a lta r boys during the ce leb ra ta io n o f M a s s and effectively reducing th e m to "flowerpots", setting up tem p o ra ry altars to fa c e the congregation , throw ing out th e G re g a o ria n C h a n t books from the choir loft, m oving ta b e rn a c le s and the like. T h e result w a s th a t nobody paid too m uch attention even to the doctrinal teach ing in th e Constituion on the Liturgy, let a lo n e th e o th e r d ocum ents th a t w e re being app ro ved and re le a s e d . It didn't help to h av e o th e r practical "Instructions" on th e liturgy belching forth from the C o n g reg atio n for Divine W o rsh ip . T h e past can't be u ndone, but w h a t w e cann ot a c c e p t is th a t publications still maintain this approval sequence instead of the logical s e q u e n c e which contributes to a better und erstan din g o f the d o c u m e n ts in th eir pro per fram ew o rk.

Characteristic: A prom inent ch aracteristic o f m a n y prim eval stories is that they p resent such (fu n d a m e n ta l) realities in a c o m p le m en tary m an n er, i.e.,

something positive and something negative simultaneously. A ccording to this m odel, biblical prim eval history is d om in ated

by th e contrast b etw e e n creation and destruction of th e created world by the Flood ... and then restoration [re-creatio n] (cf. the c o v e n an t with N o ah - G e n 9 ) a n d again destruction (cf. the to w e r o f B abel - G e n 11 ). W e s e e a sim ilar pattern of contrast and tension b etw e e n creation a n d destruction in th e M es o p o tam ia n A tr a h a s is epic and G ilg a m e s h epic.

V_ Graphics: © The Order o f St. Benedict. Texts: The Living Word: © Am bose Vaz. 2002. Vatican II teaches: © Robert P Balhetchet 2002.

The structure of biblical primeval history:

The

Documents of Vatican I I

T h e P rie s tly w ritin g s and the accou nt of th e Y a h w is t - tw o o f the fou r m ajo r w ritten sou rces (or traditions) o f the P e n ta te u c h consist o f tw o co m p o n en ts : a ) stories and b ) g en e a lo g ie s .

a) Stories o f creation as w ell a s of guilt an d p un ish m en t, thus expressin g the co m p le m en tary c h a ra c te r of prim eval history. T h e story o f th e Flood tells not only o f th e destruction o f hum anity, but also o f the saving of N oah!

b) Genealogies a re related to prim eval history in tw o w a y s : 1) T h e y show the

continuing effect of the blessing, i.e., fertility,

w hich the C re a to r has g ranted to h um an persons (cf. G e n 1 :28; 5 :1 -3 ); 2 ) H u m anity pro ceed s in th e chain o f g en e ra tio n s : the Y a h w is t used the g en e a lo g ie s to p re s e n t the

progress of human culture

(cf. G e n 4 :1 ,1 7 -2 6 ; 5:2 9 ; 1 0 :8 -1 2 ). H o w ev e r, progress not only e a s e s and im proves h um an life, it also in c re as e s its d an g e rs : the w orking o f iron (cf. G e n 4 :2 2 2 4 ); the processing o f w in e (cf. G e n 5:29; 9 :2 0 -2 7 ), and the building o f cities (cf. G e n 1 1 :1 -9 ). T h u s, th e g e n e a lo g ie s a re also c h a ra cte rize d by the ambivalence of the entire prim itive history.

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

■ 1

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

REGIONAL —

Feeding the hungry

Church in China

Deepening faith

SOUTH KOREA, Seoul (UCAN) — Religious leaders in South Korea have urged the government to give surplus rice to hunger-stricken North Koreans on humanitarian grounds.

CHINA, HongKong (UCAN) — A China observer and historian says there is only one Roman Catholic Church in China, though it is wounded and divided.

VIETNAM , Ho Chi Minh City (UCAN) — Two dioceses in southern Vietnam have conducted intensive theology courses for Religious to strengthen their faith and commitment in serving the Church.

S e v e n le a d e rs rep resenting Buddhism , C atholicism , C o nfucianism , Protestan tism and th re e o th e r religions issued a join t a p p e a l A u g. 7 during a p ress con fere n c e in S eo ul. T h e ir joint a p p e a l w a s m a d e a fte r th e presidential C o m m issio n on A g riculture d ecid ed in late July to use part o f the g o v e rn m e n t-h e ld “rice m o u ntain ” as anim al fee d . T h e So uth K o rean g o v e rn m e n t had plan ned to send the North 3 0 0 ,0 0 0 tons o f rice on credit, but rising ten sion s in th e K o re a n P e n insu la, c a u s e d by a naval clash in late J u n e th a t resulted in th e loss o f lives, halted th e program . W h ile N orth K o rea suffers from fa m in e and survives larg ely on international food aid, the S o uth a p p a re n tly h as too m uch rice. T h e rice surplus h as continued to sw ell since 1 9 9 6 . T h e M inistry o f Agriculture, w ell a w a re rice sto rag e is costly, says th e stock could inc re as e to 1 .9 million tons by h arvest s e a so n this O c to b e r if no action is taken . A rch bish op N icho las C h eo n g Jin-suk of S e o u l has a s k ed C atho lics to ta k e th e lead in helping North K o re a n s , w h o s e lives a re th re a te n e d by th e food sho rtage. “Food aid to N orth K o re a n s should continue until th eir food situation im p ro v e s,” A rchbishop C h eo n g said in his m e s s a g e for A ug. 15, th e F e a s t o f the A ssum ption. H e also e x p re ss e d hop e that the North K orean g o v e rn m e n t w ould u n d ertak e structural reform s to o ve rc o m e its eco n o m ic crisis.

J e a n -P a u l W ie s t, re s e a rc h asso c ia te o f th e C e n tre for the S tu dy o f Religion and C h in e s e S o c ie ty a t the C h in e s e University o f H ong Kong, p re s e n te d his p ap er,

“Understanding the Roman Catholic Church in the People's Republic o f C hina,” during a s e m in a r Ju n e 2 0 a t the French C e n tre for R e s e a rc h on C o n te m p o rary C h in a in H ong Kong. In his p ap er, W ie s t d iscusses the situation o f the m ainland C hurch, including the status of bishops. H e a rg u e s th a t a co m p lete n orm alization of diplom atic relations b e tw e e n C h in a and the V a tic a n can n o t h ap pen u nless reconciliation first occurs within th e C atho lic C hurch in C h ina. F rench -b orn W ie s t has b ee n a senio r re s e a rc h e r at the M aryknoll C e n tre for M ission R e s e a rc h in the U nited S ta te s for 2 0 y e a rs . H e has field e x p e rie n c e in E u ro pe a nd A sia and is on the adviso ry board o f several m issio n-related history res e a rc h projects. H e has written exte n s iv e ly on C atho lic m issions in C h in a , espe c ia lly during the 19th and 2 0 th centuries, and is currently a visiting scho lar a t th e C e n tre o f A sian S tu dies o f the University o f H ong Kong.

Repressive campaign INDIA, new Delhi.(UCAN) — A Church official in India has joined journalists in expressing concern over what they call the government’s “repressive campaign” against the media.

Plight of children AFGANISTAN (UN R eport ) - Following his recent mission to Afghanistan, Olara Otunnu, the SecretaryGeneral’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, called for major investments in the children and youth of that country, particularly in the areas of education, nutrition and basic medical care. H e said th a t having s e e n first-hand the high price th a t A fg h a n is tan 's children and youth had paid during tw o d e c a d e s o f w a r, he w a s highly e n c o u ra g e d during his w e e k -lo n g trip with th e ir high level o f resilience and with th eir universal thirst for learning and k no w ledg e. D uring th o s e y e a rs o f conflict, o n e out o f th ree children had lost o n e o r both p arents, he noted. S o m e 2 0 p er cent o f th e m had died b efore th eir first birthday; 5 0 p er cent had suffered from chronic m alnutrition; and children m a d e up a b o u t h alf o f the cou ntry’s 2 0 0 ,0 0 0 lan d m in e victim s. In light o f that, M r. O tunnu urgently a p p e a le d to the international com m unity and th e G o v e rn m e n t o f A fgh anistan to m a k e m a jo r investm ents in children and youth a priority a t both th e national and international levels. Investing in children an d youth w a s o n e o f th e best w a y s to turn a n ew p a g e in A fg h an istan , to e n s u re a prom ising future for the country and to p revent young p eo p le from b eco m in g v u ln e ra b le to radical indoctrination and m anipulation for conflict. H e said th a t in addition to e du catio n, nutrition and health, it w a s also v e ry im portant to p ay special attention to o rp h an s, street children, lan d m in e victim s and d isp laced children and fam ilies. H e had discussed th e n ee d fo r a focal point to bring p ro m inen ce to the concerns o f children, for which h e had proposed a n ational com m ission for children. A n o th e r proposal w a s to establish th e post of Child Protection A d vis e r — w hich w a s now an estab lish ed p ractice in U nited N atio n s m issions — in the United N atio n s A s s is ta n ce M ission in A fgh anistan (U N A M A ). H e noted th a t the children and youth o f A fgh anistan w e re longing to p articip ate m o re actively in rebuilding p e a c e and healing th eir country. In o rd er to highlight the ch ild ren ’s a g e n d a within the country a s w ell as internationally, a national c on ference for th e children o f A fgh anistan w a s being p lan ned , in collaboration w ith th e G o v e rn m en t, U nited N atio n s a g e n c ie s and local a s w ell a s international non g o v e rn m e n ta l o rg an izatio ns.situ atio n in A fgh anistan , particularly w ith regard to children and young people. H is a p p e a l to the international d o n o r com m unity w a s th a t b eyond the provision o f im m e d ia te relief, it w a s critical th a t donors stay th e cou rse and invest in children and young people.

H u n d re d s o f m en and w o m e n R eligio us atte n d e d the m onthlong cou rses in N h a T ra n g d io c e s e and H o Chi M inh City arc h d io c es e . T h e c o u rses a re part o f a fives u m m e r pro gram e a c h d io c e s e offers. S o m e Religious said th a t th e cou rse has d e e p e n e d th e ir faith and h elp ed th e m in th eir m inistry. It also m a d e th e m “m o re confident w h e n tea c h in g catech ism to lay p eo ple, w h o s e und erstan din g o f faith is constantly g ro w in g.” O th e rs felt th a t the cou rse had help ed th e m b e c o m e m o re effective in h er m inistry as w ell as to “understand e a c h o th e r b etter, thus creating friendships and clo s e n es s a m o n g th e co n g re g a tio n s .” F ello w sh ip forged in such a setting lays th e ground for inter-con gregation al collaboration in pastoral m inistry in th e future. T h e program a im s to e qu ip Religious, re g ard less of a g e and ed u catio n al backg ro un d, with kn o w led g e of theo lo gy, th e B ible, C hurch history a n d catech etics. T h e first s u m m e r theological program w a s launched in 1 9 9 0 with th e blessing o f late A rch bish op Paul N g u y e n V a n Binh o f H o Chi M inh C ity and the app ro val of th e H o Chi M inh City civil authorities.

Exposure programme TOKYO (U C A N ) — An exposure program run by a priest has helped some Japanese youth overcome prejudice and deepen their awareness of realities in neighbouring countries. J a p a n h as a significant im pact on m a n y countries in A s ia in term s o f its o v e rs e a s corporations, official d e v e lo p m e n t aid o r e v e n pollution, but J a p a n e s e youth a re hardly a w a re of that, says French F a th e r O livier C h e g a ra y , w ho has w orked in J a p a n for 3 3 y e ars. “S o I said let’s go and see," th e Parish Foreign M issions priest recalled saying w h e n he began o rg an izing tours for J a p a n e s e students to A sian countries in the 19 8 0s . T h e e x p o s u re tours continue than ks to the collaboration of local C atho lic C h u rch e s in A sia, he ad d ed . In th e last tw o d e c a d e s , F a th e r C h e g a ra y has brought s o m e 6 0 0 students to C a m b o d ia , C h in a , India, th e Philippines, T h a ila n d , V ie tn a m and o th e r A sian countries through his program . During the tw o -w e e k tour, participants usually can visit slum s and sm all villages, a n d e x c h a n g e id e a s with peo p le they m eet. “It’s not ju s t going th e re and getting b a c k ,” th e priest said. M a n y J a p a n e s e youth, he noted, h ave som e prejudice tow ard o th e r A sian countries. “B ut o n c e they g et in (a country), th e y fee l a kinship w ith p eo p le they m e e t. T h e students learn to s e e th eir ow n country from a n o th e r point o f v ie w .” M ost im portantly, he said, th e y c o m e to know how p eo p le in o th e r countries p erc e iv e J a p a n . B efore the trip, the priest usually invites a reso urce s p e a k e r to provide the stu d en ts with background on the cultural, econ om ic, political and social situation of the country they will visit. T o build friendship am o n g participants, th e y a re a s k ed to s h a re w h a t th e y h av e in m ind, including th e ir m otives.

F a th e r H e n ry D ’S o u z a , s e c re tary o f the Indian bish op s’ Social C o m m u n ica tio n s C o m m issio n, s ays the g o v e rn m e n t is getting increasin gly frustrated b e c a u s e it is difficult to “com p le te ly b lank o ut” th e m ed ia th e s e days. Police a rre s te d th re e jou rn alists recen tly for a lle g e d ly violating th e law . M e a n w h ile th e g o v e rn m e n t in G ujarat, a w e s te rn Indian state, b an n e d a television netw ork in M arc h from b ro adcasting. T h e netw ork had earlie r show n fo o ta g e o f sectarian vio le n ce th a t th e g o v e rn m e n t c laim ed to h ave controlled. F a th e r D ’S o u z a said th a t the g o v e rn m e n t’s “credibility is a t s ta k e a fte r a string o f corruption s c a n d a ls ,” and c on siders the arre s ts part o f “a c o v e r-u p .” S in c e July, th e m ed ia ex p o s ed corruption in the fed e ra l g o vern m en t. A t a m eeting A u g. 10 in N e w D elhi, journalists called th e g o v e rn m e n t’s efforts to curb th eir in d e p e n d e n ce an “affront to d e m o c ra c y .” T h e s p e a k e rs e x p re ss e d concern o v e r the fed e ra l coalition g o v e rn m e n t’s “grow ing intoler ance" to criticism . T h e y said journalists a re c om pelled to ad o p t a “p u t-u p -o r-sh u t-u p ” attitude. T h e g o v e rn m e n t is h e a d e d by the pro-H indu B h aratiya J a n a ta P arty (B J P , Indian p e o p le ’s party). T h e a rrested journalists include A n iru dh ha B ahai, w ho h e a d e d a probe te a m from T e h e lk a .c o m , an Intern et portal th a t ex p o s ed corruption in d e fe n s e d eals last y e a r. T h e disclosure led to the resignation o f F ed e ra l D e fe n s e M in ister G e o rg e F ern a n d e s . T h e portal also c aug ht on hidden c a m e ra B JP p residen t B ang aru L axm an accep tin g a “b ribe” from its reporter, w ho had posed a s an arm s d ea le r. T e h e lk a .c o m editor T aru n T e jp a l has dism issed alle g a tio n s o f professional m isconduct by his reporters a s “a p ro p a g a n d a c a m p a ig n ” and “ploy to derail our investigatio ns.” A lo k M e h ta , g en e ra l s e c re tary o f the Editors Guild, told the A u g. 10 m eeting th a t th e re c e n t d ev e lo p m en ts s e rv e as “a w a rn in g ” to all m ed ia groups to avoid o ffending the g overn m en t. V ir S an g h vi o f “T h e H industan T im e s ” urged m ed ia h ou ses not to re a c t politically w h e n the “en tire p rofes sion is u n d er attack." S id darth V a rd a ra ja n o f “T h e T im e s o f In d ia ” daily said nothing could be e x p e c ted from a g o v e rn m e n t th a t w a s “blatantly involved in the sectarian c a rn a g e in G u ja ra t.” B JP , w hich also rules G u ja ra t, fac e d m ed ia criticism for its handling o f the M arch through M a y vio le n ce that claim ed the lives o f m o re than 1 ,0 0 0 p eo ple, m ostly M uslim s. B h ara t B h ush an of “T h e T e le g ra p h ” d aily told U C A N e w s A u g . 14 th a t journalists a t th e g rass roots h ave b e c o m e “e a s y prey to political p ressure and m a n ip u la tion s,” and called for m e d ia v igilance aga in s t them . B h a s k a r R a o , chairperson of th e C e n te r for M ed ia S tu dies, said th e g o v e rn m e n t s e e m s to forget th a t India is a d em o c ra tic country w h o s e constitution upholds fre e d o m of s p e e c h as a fu n d a m e n ta l right.

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

EDITORIAL S i

CATHOLIC NEWS

More than em pathy

E D IT O R Dr (R ev) Robert P. Balhetchet M ANAGER R ev Fr Johnson Fern and ez STAFF C O R R ES P O N D EN TS R ev Fr Richards Am brose Mel D iam se-Lee 2 H IG H L A N D R D # 0 1 -0 3 , S IN G A P O R E 5 4 9 1 0 2 TEL: 6 -8 5 8 -3 0 5 5 , F A X N O . 6 -8 5 8 -2 0 5 5 e-m ail: cathnews@catholic.org.sg.

To send letters, articles and for editorial enquiries e-mail:

steeple(d)sinanet.com.sa

From th e P ew s :

Having to peruse the news of the world every day, as we must, can be rather depressing, to say the least. One seems to keep reading about natural disasters, manmade disasters, wars, terrorism, unrest, epidemics, hunger, poverty and malnutrition, gruesome crimes, and exploitation of every hue that would make Sodom and Gomorrah seem mild by comparison. And all this, in a world that claims to be highly civilized and to have attained the acme of technology. It occurs to ask what is our role as Christians in a world such as ours. We are told that we have a mission to fulfil. Our Holy Father has recently highlighted that role as being the "Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World." At least, that's the BY DR (REV) challenge he issued to the youth of the ROBERT P. world. Hopefully, those of us who have BALHETCHET passed that stage do not think that it applies not to us. That challenge was issued by Christ himself and it was addressed to all his followers.

e-mail:

steeple(S)sinanet. com, sa please include full nam e, address, contact num ber/ e-m ail address.

The difficulty in answering the challenge appears to be the enormity and extent of the sphere of operation, so to speak. We are in the world and we are sent to the world. It is precisely when we look at the world of today that we can easily be tempted to throw up our arms in despair. How can we possibly make an impact? Whole governments, coalitions of governments, world bodies with vast resources can't seem to make the slightest dent in what appears to be an overwhelmingly impossi ble situation. Who are we, then to think that we can make

a difference? Jesus "could be forgiven" for thinking along those lines in his day. W ho was he! A carpenter's son with a scraggy bunch, mainly of fishermen. Sure, he could do a number of wonderful things - crowd-pullers, one might say! But, then again, he got on the wrong side of the powerful, and paid for it with his life. He finished his mission in disgrace, crucified between a couple of common criminals. His followers didn't fare any better. They started off with a pretty poor showing - locked in an upper room for fear of what the mobs would do to them. They ended up very much the same way as their hero. For all that, what He came to accomplish has come a long way - just 2 millennia! Yet, we seem to share the despondency of that scraggy bunch - in the beginning that is - because they galvanized into action after a certain event which we too are supposed to have experienced - only we don't seem to have undergone the same transformation. If we are looking for an answer to the problem, we don't need to look far. Our Holy Father recently empha sized it when he dubbed the youth: "People of the Beatitudes". That's what all of us need to become, too. We need, not only to know them, but we need to live them. WE need to be poor, meek, and pure of heart. We need to seek justice, console the afflicted and build peace. We need to be salt and light!

FROM THE PEWS Faith in Life

Being Salt and Light

Perpetual adoration ( This is in reference to a report published in Catholic News earlier in the year - Ed. )

I wish to point out that the Adoration Chapel at the SFX Retreat Centre is NOT the first Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Fr Alfred Chan started the 1st Perpetual Adoration Chapel at the Holy Family Church on the 6th June 1986 (Feast of the Sacred Heart) until it was discontinued when Fr Chan left the parish. We had a roster done for "adorers" and whenever there was a vacant slot, Fr Chan himself would be there. We all benefited spiritually from this perpetual adoration. Thank you, Fr Chan. N.G. First o f all, sorry to the sender, for this oversight in publishing your letter. It was "lost" in a sea o f mail. Thanks for setting the record straight. It certainly shows the need for proper central records. The lack o f such is what ultimately results in the distortion o f history!

M y h e a rt g lo w ed w h e n I read y o u r rep ort in C N A u g. 4 -1 1 ab o u t P o p e John P au l II send ing p erson al m e s s a g e s to th e P re s id e n t o f F ra n c e , th e Q u e e n o f E n g lan d an d th e P re s id e n t o f Irelan d as he flew through th e ir a irs p a c e on his w a y to th e 17 W o rld Y o u th D a y in T o ro n to last m onth. Y o u r rep ort said it is c u s to m a ry for th e H o ly F a th e r to do that. W e ll, it is an e x e m p la ry custom . It signifies his love and re s p e c t for o th ers, his hum ility and a sym bol of p e a c e in a w orld p la g u e d by w a rs , h atred , distrust and pride. I hop e o th e r w orld le a d e rs in w h o s e h an ds lies th e a tta in m e n t o f p e a c e w ould e m u la te him . T ru ly, H is H o lin e s s p ractises w h a t he p re a c h e s ab o u t p e a c e and all the C h rist-like v a lu e s . H e is th e e m b o d im e n t of th e th e m e o f the W o rld Y o u th D a y w hich he h ad cho sen h im s e lf fro m M t. 5 :1 3 -1 4 : “Y o u a re th e salt o f th e e a rth and th e light o f the w o rld .” His w e lc o m e a d d re s s in T o ro n to w a s an inspiration to all. A p a s s a g e th a t struck m e p articu larly w a s th e o n e on how to a c h ie v e h ap p in e s s on e a rth b e c a u s e it is re le v a n t in the c o n tex t o f to d a y s tro ub led and con fused w orld. T h e P o p e said: “P e o p le a re m a d e for h ap p in e s s. Rightly, th e n , you thirst for h ap p in e s s. C h rist h as the a n s w e r to this d es ire o f yours. But H e a s k s th a t you tru st H im . T ru e jo y is a victory, som e th in g w hich c a n n o t be o b ta in e d w ith ou t a long and difficult struggle. C h rist holds th e s e c re t o f this vic to ry .”

A.O.

On a lighter vein

M.C.

First, I w ould like to th a n k you for the C ath o lic N e w s w hich I find very interesting. It is v e ry inform ative and edu catio nal. I particularly like to read letters from th e pew s. I h a v e b ee n a sub scrib er o f the C atho lic N e w s for m o re than ten y e a rs and I e njo yed read ing it im m ensely. H o w ab o u t add ing s om e jo k e s and q uo tation s in the C atho lic N ew s? I th a n k you o n c e again for all th a t you h av e d o n e to im prove the C ath o lic N ew s. G od bless!

T h a n k you for publishing the Faith In Life p a g e in th e C ath o lic N e w s . I find it v e ry enlig htenin g and useful to m e . I h o p e o th ers w h o re a d it s h a re th e s a m e opinion w ith m e . It g iv e s m e a b etter u n d ers ta n d in g to the re a d in g s by you highlighting the p h ras e s th a t G od is trying to tell in th e text. T h o s e highlighted p h ras e s sink into m y m ind and se t m e thinking d e e p e r and re fle c t m y s e lf in m y faith. R e a d in g fu rth e r dow n to the A pplication in Life w ith relation to th e re a d in g s m a k e th e W o rd s e v e n m o re m e a n in g fu l to m e . It brings m e to re fle c t and re a lis e w h a t I a m a n d how to m a k e m y s e lf a b e tte r fo llo w e r o f J esu s C h rist, m y Lord. I w a n t to s a y a “Big T h a n k Y o u ” for th e w o rk and effort you put in. I look forw ard to re a d this p a g e in th e future issues o f the C a th o lic N e w s .

Bob.

Thank you, too, for writing in. We note what you mention and will make an attem pt to collect som e "churchy" (make sure you get the word right and pronounce it clearly!) jokes, and pithy quotes. If you have some at hand why not send them to us to get us going. If you can handle the computer, the e-m ail address is: steeple@singnet.com.sg

Yes, indeed, our H oly Father is quite rem arkable in m ore ways than one. We are not able to publish the texts o f all his speeches, but what particularly comes through his less "formal" addresses - like those he gives to the pilgrim s who come to the general audiences o r a t the regular "Angelus" a t m idday every Sunday - is that he is very "human" and caring, and manages to circum vent the formality that cannot be avoided due to his position. He shows particular sensitivity and interest in everyone and everything, which m ust send his aides scampering around to provide him with details o f groups who visit him, because, after giving a general address to everyone, he then addresses particular groups in a very personal way, touching on specifics o f their visit, and speak ing to them in their native languages. His recent visit to Toronto and m ore recently, his last visit to his native land, reported in this issue, were particularly moving and demonstrates very clearly that he is definitely a man with a "heart". This E ditor was privileged to witness this, first hand, being by his side throughout his b rie f visit to Singapore. His keen sensitivity and im promptu reactions to people sim ply am azed us!

Thank you very m uch for the appreciation. It's nice to know that it touches someone.

in .*

See P IC T U R E P A G E Pg 7

SEPTEM B ER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION G o o d C a th o lic H o m e a n d Q u a lity s tu d e n t g u id a n c e in H o u g a n g fo r fo re ig n stu d e n t. P rim a ry a n d S e c o n d a ry le v el.

.... because you are special

... w e d d in g essentials... CUSTOM DESIGNED

C all D ave C han

... the way you like it...

9 6 7 5 -1 2 0 8

. Invitation C a rd s . RSVP . T h an k you C ards . . M ass / Service booklets . R ing Pillows . . U nity C andles . G uest Rook / Scroll . . Favours . W ine Labels . . Stage B ackdrop / B anner . Signage .

CARS WANTED

Call Anne / Josephine

G u a r a n t e e b est offe r for you r c a r. Im m e d ia te cash . P a y m e n t a n d transfer all m odels.

T e l: (65) 6476 5945 M obile: (65) 9271 7855 E m a il: enquiries@ siiniple-creations.com 1 15A C om m onw ealth Drive #03-15 Singapore 149596

L IV E /R E T IR E IN

AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND

6552-5550 Mr Koh H/P: 9456-7818 24 HRS

d id :

VEHICLES WANTED

Private & Commercial. Part & Non-Parf. Immediate confirmation and cash payment. Please call Henry

t \

/ S

Special PR schemes for skilled persons, investors and entrepreneurs

F o r full d etails, p le a s e con tact

T E H Y IP W O N G & T A N

9674-1842/9218-3289

T e l: (6 5 ) 6 4 3 8 6 9 0 9 (Singapore) Em ail: c h ris te h @ ty w tla w .c o m

C &HPROPERTIES PTE LTD

LISTED HOUSING AGENCY

J P

•

HDBR e saleN et

IcA

(e n jo y t h e b e n if its o f R e s a le N et a n d e a rly a p p o in tm e n t)

Thinking of selling, buying or renting your house? Having problems looking for the right agent whom you can trust? L o o k n o f u r t h e r . F o r h o n e st, r e lia b le a n d tr u s tw o r th y se rv ic e s.

Call Jeffrey Goh now @9-451

a5 0 8 5

E -m a il: jr j.e a stv a le @ p a c ific .n e t.s g

# C & H REALTY PTE LTD for HDB I Private Sales & Rentals P lease call:

THE CATHO LIC NEW S Mg—

JEFFREY PINTO

hp: 96 3 0 -5 2 4 5 pg : 9207-960 6 For m o re p ro p e rty inform ation lo g o n to http: //w w w .Jp in 2 .co m E -M a il: ju tre @ p o .p a c ific .n e t.s g

j— • IO \

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER Pray with us and for us for more shepherds as we come together to offer Holy Mass and our families

Sunday 8th September 2002 Church of the Risen Christ Time: 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm

1. Preparation for Mass w ith 4 decades of the Rosary 2. Holy Mass w ith Fr Adrian Yeo 3. Consecration of Families to Our Lady 4. One decade of the Rosary in Thanksgiving 5. "Praise Her w ith a Flower" - a spiritual bouquet fo r vocations We invite each person to bring a flower to present to Our Mother. Organised by the M agnificat Marian Centre in conjunction with the Vocation Team from the Church o f the Risen Christ

REGIONAL

Legacy of radio stations PHILIPPINES, Baguio City, (UCAN) — Church and media persons in the Philippines mourned the recent death of a Belgian missioner widely regarded as a “driving force" behind Church radio stations in Asia. Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry F a th e r H u go D e lb a e re died A u g. 14 d u e to kidney failure com plicated by d ia b e te s . H e w a s 6 8 . T h e “strict perfectionist” w orked through s uccesses, revam ps and w o rk e rs ’ strikes a t the R ad io V e rita s A sia radio station w h e re he w a s technical consultant until his d eath. Honorio Llavo re, technical director o f the F e d e ra tio n o f A sian Bishops C o n fe re n c e s ’ (F A B C ) sh o rt-w av e station, called the priest the “driving force" in the station's transm itter project in P alau ig , 2 5 0 kilom eters northw est of M an ila. T h e station currently bro ad casts to 12 territories in 2 2 la n g u a g e s. T h e project also provides a d irect satellite link to V a tic an R adio, allow ing the re -broad casting o f M an d arin la n g u a g e program s to A sia. A t tim es, the late priest w a s m isunderstood b e c a u s e he w a s “strict” and “d ea d serio us” ab o u t th e quality of his w ork, L lavore ex p la in e d . “O n c e F a th e r H u go set h im self to a task, he m a d e sure it w ould last,” recalling how the priest w orked “very h ard ” even w hile on daily dialysis. In the hom ily during, the fun eral M as s , Im m a c u la te H e a rt Provincial F a th e r R o m e o N im e z said his late con frere “w a lk ed through a d ark v alley o f suffering during th e last y e a rs o f his life.” C h ap e ls , a school and a 10-ro o m m ed ical clinic a re am o ng his le g a c ie s in the rem ote northern Philippine tow ns o f the C ordillera m ountain ra n g e , w h e re he s pen t the first 10 y e a rs o f his m issionary life. ^ O n c e a fte r a typically rough trek, F a th e r D e lb a e re found only a sm all group o f p eo p le w aiting for him in a cha p e l. His b elie f that radio could s p a re him such tedious and tim e-co n su m in g trips just to m inister to a fe w p eo p le inspired his co m m itm e n t to the m ed ium . In th e 1 9 6 0s , F a th e r D e lb a e re s erved as vice presiden t o f o peration s and later consultant a t the M ou ntain Province B roadcasting C orporation. H e recruited and trained personnel, raised fun ds in E u ro p e and im proved facilities th a t e x p a n d e d the Im m a c u la te H e a rt con gregation -run station ’s reach b eyond B aguio City. In 1 9 7 3 , the A postolic N u ncio to the Philippines a sked F a th e r D e lb a e re to tak e c h a rg e o f rehabilitating R ad io V e rita s transm itters, then in B u lacan , sou th e a s t o f P alau ig . T w o y e a rs later, o v e rs e a s b ro ad casts re s u m e d . In 1 9 8 6 , h o w ever, g o v e rn m e n t soldiers destro yed the e q u ip m e n t as C ard inal J a im e Sin o f M an ila w e n t on air, urging p eo p le to pray in the streets during the overth ro w o f fo rm e r p resident F erdin and M arcos. W ith help from his con gregation , F a th e r D e lb a e re a cqu ired a 3 5 0 -h e c ta re parcel of land in P a la u ig w h e re th e current radio transm itter site stands. G e rm a n , A m erican and A ustralian C h u rch e s d o n ated m o n ey to build th e 2 5 0 -k ilo w a tt transm itters. G u n te r S ie b e rtz, directo r of the G e rm a n funding org an izatio n B E G E C A , praised F a th e r D e lb a e re ’s gift for fund raising and for helping b en efacto rs a p p re c ia te “the im portant mission o f R adio V e rita s .” F a th e r D e lb a e re w e lc o m ed friends to his w ork p lace in P alauig “with tre m e n d o u s hospitality” and nurtured “friends and supporters"’ o f R ad io V e rita s , recalled D ivine W o rd F a th e r F ra n z J o s e f Eilers. In a m e s s a g e o f con do lence, Sri L an kan A rch bish op O sw ald G om is o f C o lom bo , fo rm e r c hairm an of th e F A B C O ffice of Social C o m m un ication s, d escrib ed F a th e r D e lb a e re as a “tireless w o rk e r w ho s pared no pains to s e e th a t R ad io V e rita s re a c h e s out to the m axim um possible targ et a re a s in A s ia .”

Jail experience INDIA, Ambikapur (UCAN) — The first Indian nun jailed for violating a state law on conversion says she sees God’s hand in her weeklong incarceration, which drew media attention and strengthened her sense of mission. O n July 18, the A m b ik a p u r district court convicted Ursuline S ister Bridhi E kka, 5 6 , for not reporting the 1 9 8 8 conversion of 9 4 tribals as required by law . ' S h e w a s previously charged along w ith B elgian Jesuit F a th e r Louis B erg e, w ho died in 2001 a t th e a g e of 93. S is te r E kka w a s initially d en ied bail but h e r law yers m a n a g e d to obtain it from a high court. S h e s pen t s even d ays in a 1 4 -s q u a re -m e te r cell with 15 o th e r w o m e n inm ates. T h e e x p e rie n c e , sh e says, has help ed h e r und erstan d the plight o f th e s e w o m e n . A s k e d w h a t h e r future plans w e re , S ister E k k a said, "I w a s so sorry to listen to the in m a te s ’ stories. T h o ug h all tho se stories m a y not b e tru e, I felt th a t som e of th e w o m e n a re really innocent. M ost o f m y ro o m m a te s w e re convicted for m urder. H o w can n ew ly m arried young girls m u rd e r th eir husban ds? It is a pity to s e e little children growing up in the jail along w ith their convicted m others. O n e night, I d re a m t ab o u t a larg e fertile land w h e re I w a s being a sked to go for w ork. I w a n t to ta k e up the c a s e s of those unjustly jailed . W h e n I left th e jail, the w o m e n w ept, touching m y feet. “P le a s e pray for us that w e too m a y be re le a s e d ,” they re q u e s te d . I too w ept. I am re le a s e d , but th e y a re in jail. I m ust do som ething for them .

Carmelite expansion Subm itted by the Carmelite Friars T H E D iscalced C a rm e lite s o f S in g a p o re - T aiw a n , w ho relo cated th eir form ation h ouse to the island state s e veral y e a rs a g o from T a iw a n , h ave stead ily grow n in num ber. W h a t started o ff with fou r p rofessed fath ers h as since increased with m ore C a rm e lite priests and e le ve n friars u n d er form ation. A fte r 18 m onths o f postulancy and novitiate, four C a rm e lite novices recen tly m a d e th eir profession a t the C a rm e lite Priory in Punggol. A m o n g the fou r new ly p ro fessed, tw o a re M a la y s ia n s - Bros. S im on W a n g P a n g Leng and John H eng Y e o u L ean . T o g e th e r w ith T hai n ationals - Bros. Josep h S o m krit and S e b a stia n C h a ro e n - the M ala y s ia n novices m a d e their profession b efo re C a rm e lite Provincial John C h u a , N o vice M a s te r T h o m a s C u rran and th e com m unity o f D iscalced Friars during the S o lem n ity o f O u r L ad y o f M ou nt C a rm e l on July 16. A fte r asking fo r G o d ’s M ercy, th e poverty o f th e O rd e r, the com pan ion ship of th e brothers, and for th e g ra c e o f serving H im m o re p erfectly in this o rder, th e y m a d e th eir vow s o f chastity, poverty

a n d o b e d ie n c e according to the rule and constitution o f the order. Follow ing th eir vow s, th e friars will continue w ith th eir philosophy and theo lo gy studies b efore th eir priestly ordination. A d a y b efo re the vow s, five o thers had th e ir clothing c e re m o n y, w h e re they received th e ir habits and w e re initiated into R eligio us life a fte r a six- m onth period of postulancy. O n e of th em , Bro. G re g o ry Hon o f K u ala Lum pur, said he too k tim e off from w ork to d ecid e w h a t he w a n te d to do with his life, b efo re deciding to e n te r the R eligious life. “T h e re a re c h a lle n g e s in com m u nity life but th e y a re enriching o n e s w hich h a v e m a d e m e d isco ver an intim acy with p rayer life,” h e ad d ed . W h ile th e C a rm e lite nuns h a v e long b een know n in S in g a p o re , the C a rm e lite Friars a re a re c e n t addition to the grow ing Religious com m unity. S in c e th eir relocation h ere , the friars h av e tra in e d postulants a n d novices from S in g a p o re , M a la y s ia , T a iw a n , T h a ila n d and H ong Kong at th e ir n ew form ation h ou se and o p e ra te th e city parish o f Sts. P e te r a n d Paul.

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

REGIONAL Called to the Lord B y Vincent D ’Silva

MALAYSIA, Johor Bahru - Fr. Felix Saint-Martin, whom many, especially in Peninsular Malaysia will remember, passed away in his native France on August 10, this year. Bom in Britanny in 1921 he joined the Major Seminary in 1939 was ordained priest for the Paris Foreign Missions Society in 1946. His first posting w a s to C a n to n , C h in a , w h e re it took him a y e a r to m a s te r C a n to n e s e before serving in a rural parish in 1 9 4 8 . In 1 9 5 1 , during the tim e w h e n C ath o lic m issionaries had to le a v e C h ina, F r S a in t-M artin c a m e to S in g a p o re w h e re he s erved in the C hurch of the S a c red H e a rt for a y e a r b efore being posted to Kulai, Johor. At 'I this tim e, P e n in s u la r M a la y s ia I ) V ■ and S in g a p o re w e re o n e | \ || D io cese. -> # “ X a W h e n the territories w e re * divided and 3 d io c e s es w e re ” -*”■ * estab lish ed in P e n in s u la r M a la y s ia , F r S a in t-M artin re m a in e d in the D io ce s e of Joh ore, w h e re he s erved in postings to Joh or Bahru, S e g a m a t and M e la k a till he returned h om e to F ra n c e in 'A u g u s t 1 9 9 3 in retirem ent. O n A u gu st 8 he suffered a s e v e re fall and passed a w a y 2 d ays later. F a th e r S a in t-M artin will be re m e m b e re d by all his fo rm e r p arishoners as a m an o f g re a t m issionary ze a l, love and sacrifice. M a y he enjo y his rew ard from the Etern al High Priest and b e re m e m b e re d in o u r p rayers.

CATHOLIC CALENDAR - 2003 The No. 1 B est Seller!!! The im portant even ts o f Christ’s life are p resen ted ivith the best p a ssages o f thefo u r gospels and illustrated with m a g n ificen t colou r pictures. Four-coloured quality printing with Singapore Public H olidays/H oly Days, etc. Wall, table a n d m ini-pocket sizes. A m ust-have f o r all Catholics! Lim ited Stock. Special D iscount granted to Churches & re-sellers F a x to : M M C r e a t io n V is it o u r W e b - s it e : w w w .m m creation.com .sg B lk 3 0 1 3 # 0 3 - 2 1 0 6 , B e d o k N o r th A v e 4 B e d o k In d u s tr ia l P a r k E , S in g a p o r e 4 8 9 9 7 7 T e l: ( 6 5 ) 6 2 4 5 - 1 0 7 1 F ax : (6 5 ) 6 2 4 1 -4 0 7 6 E - m a il: m m c r e a t io n @ p a c if ic .n e t .s g

W e a re a large N O N -P R O F IT corporation looking for an e x p e rie n c e d and qualified a c c o u n ta n t for th e position of:

A C C O U N T IN G & FIN A N C E M ANAGER Duties & Responsiblities: M a n a g e , control, and safe g u a rd the a s s e ts o ft h e corporation. M on ito r an d control the accou nts o f th e various subsidaries •

a nd associates. P rep aratio n of m onthly reports to the F in a n c e C o m m itte e.

• •

P re p a ratio n of p eriodjc S tatutory Reports. P rovid e g en e ra l a s s is ta n c e and advise to sub sidiaries and

•

a s s o c ia te s as required. R e c o m m e n d im p ro v e m e n ts a n d c h a n g e s on A ccou nting , F in a n c e , and investm ent m atters to the F in a n c e C o m m itte e.

Qualifications & Experience: •

R e c o g n ize d accounting qualification in S in g a p o re .

•

C o m p u te r literate and in particular fam iliarity with E X C E L .

•

G oo d o rg an isatio nal skills.

•

Im p e c ca b le record of honesty.

Retired and semi-retired professionals in good health are welcome to apply. Qualified candidates are invited to write and submit their resumes to: “Post of A & F Manager” c/o The Managing Director 12 Tuas Crescent Singapore 638706

SEPTEM B ER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

COMING UP CALLING ALL CANOSSIAN EX-PUPILS The Canossian Alum ni in S ingapore will celebrate their 25th A nniversary w ith the AGM cum High Tea on Sept 7, 2 - 5 pm at G oodw ood Park (Tudor Room ). Ex-pupil from any o f the C anossian Schools, and wish to join them at the High Tea to celebrate the occasion, please call Jessie (6449-0616/ Fax: 6449-0162) o r e-m ail: sacss@ m oe.edu.sg You can ge t more inform ation about the Canossian Ex-pupils from w w w .C anossianalum ni.com

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

CO FFEE AND DO N U TS FO R THE CATHOLIC EXPAT C O M M UN ITY Date: Sun, Sept 8, 9-10.15 am. Mass: 8 am or 10.45 am. Venue: Church of St Ignatius, 8 V ictoria Park Rd. Join us fo r breakfast, see old friends and meet newcom ers. Enquiries: Colette Abissi 6462-2047 or Lynn McGee 6737-8354.

Christian Family and Social Movement, Francis T amel Mane 9586-9938,6792-6701

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

Family Life Society 6488-0278 website: w w w .fam ilylife.org.sg

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

Morning Star Family Care Centre, 6285-1377 Fax: 6285-2715

Central Commodity Services (R e ) Ltd, 6337-4238 Fax: 6339-2583

M EMORIAL MASS Venue: Church o f the Holy Cross, 450 C lem enti A ve 1 Date: W ed S ept 11, 7.30 pm. Celebrant: Fr Leslie Raj, S.J. O rganized by Church o f St. Ignatius parish com m unity.

Galilee Centre, 6454-0528 Fax: 6454-3167

HOLY FAMILY PERANAKAN GROUP Fund-raising dinner, skit and ronggeng organised by Kum pulan Peranakan G reja Holy Fam ily on Nov 3, 2002 at Jade Room Restaurant, Hotel Royal. Ticket contribution: S$35 each. Enquiry: W innie S eet 6222-9929.

canossa@pacific. net. sg

FAMILY NITE MOONCAKE CELEBRATION PARTY Date: Sat., Sept 14, 6 pm -10 pm. Place and Organiser: M orning Star Fam ily Care Centre, 4 Lor Low Koon. For registration: V eronica 6285-1377. FINDING A JOB YOU LOVE A sem inar & w orkshop for young adults by the Harvesters. S ept 28, 2-6pm, St M atthew's Rm, C AEC building. Enquiry: A nn (6481-5912) or register online at w w w .harvesterscom m unity.org C O N FE R E NC E FOR PARENTS “W hy My Child D on’t W ant to S tudy?” Presentation and panel discussion by educationalists and psychologists. Date: Sat, O ct 12, 2.30-5.30 pm. Venue: The G rassroots’ Club, 190 Ang Mo Kio A ve.8 Fee: $20. Organiser: Morning Star Fam ily Care Centre. Registration: V eronica (6285-1377).

C H IL D R E N

Clementi Children's Centre, Ms Maria Swee 6777-3893 ijhcc@singnet.com.sg Canossaville Children's Home, S r Rose Low/M s Anne Siew 6748-5777 Marian Centre (before and after school care), 6250-0877 Marymount Boarding, 6354-2245/ 6253-6816 Fax: 6353-4809 Nazareth Special Learning Centre, Sr A nne M ay 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 R owland Yeo, OFM

ccs55@singnet.com.sg Hai Sing Pao, Ms Catherine Chia 6337-2465 carlo@cams.org.sg Website: http://www.cams.org.sg Katong Catholic Book Centre Pte Ltd, 6345-1413 Fax: 6440-0272

katongcatholic@padfic. net.sg Apostolate of the Media, 68 92-1639 Fax: 6562-5857 Catholic News Book & Media, 6858-3066 Fax: 6858-2055 M IG R A N T C O M M U N IT Y Filipino Catholic Community of Singapore, Nelly Faminialagao 9831 -8044/689 3-76 09 Francophone Catholic Community of Singapore (French-speaking Catholics), Sabine et Jean-Baptiste Juery 68870564 jbsabine@singnet.com.sg

rowlandyeo@hotmail. com

German-speaking Catholics, 6468-1534 Fax: 6468-2402^

Canossian School For The HearingImpaired, 6749-8971 Fax: 6749-8976

Hong Kong Catholics, 6737-9285 Fax: 6737-8502

Ang Mo Kio Home, Sr Jo Tham 6459-4801

Indonesian-speaking Catholics, Josephine Handojo 6235-2820

K IN D E R G A R T E N Catholic Kindergarten, Ms Edna Ng Poh Tiang 6283-3821 Fax: 6284-7783

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

cathkg@singnet.com.sg

Korean Catholics, Esther You 6242-5607

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

Commission for Migrants & Itinerant People 6280-5424 migrants@singnet.com.sg

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

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

EVANGELIZATION RALLY 2002 Theme: The Joy o f Living. Date: Nov 30, 7.15 pm -10.00 pm. Venue: The Rock A uditorium . For C atholics and non-Catholics. O rganised by Com m ission fo r A postolate o f M andarin-speaking. Enquiries: Joseph Ho (6282-8428).

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

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

Morning Star, a Catholic family care centre providing programmes and services to support and strengthen families, is looking for candidates to fill the following positions:

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

PROGRAMME EXECUTIVE Diploma/Degree preferably in Social W ork or Psychology Good communication and organisational skills Able to work independently

STUDENTS CARE TEACHER I SUPERVISOR

cankdg@singnet. com. sg Maris Stella, Sr M arjorie Alm odiel, 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 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 Harvesters Ann 6481-5912 or email: info@ harvesterscom m unity.org W ebsite: w w w .harvesterscom m unity.org Hosanna! Music Ministry www.hmmonline.org http ://www.hmmonline.orgTammy 9747-8570.

• M inim um GCE '0 ' Level • Bilingual in English and Chinese • Experience preferred

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

Interested candidates are invited to send resume to Morning Star Family Care Centre No 4 Lorong Low Koon, Singapore 536450.

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

irvingteo@catholic. org

Infant Jesus Retreat and Youth Centre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461/92947521 Fax: 7699369 srtlee@yahoo.com

C o m e v is it u s a t Wellsprings Catholic Books 201 G oldhill C entre, T hom son R oad, S ingapore 307637. Tel: 6252-3390 em ail: w ellsp@ singnet.com .sg w eb: w w w .w ellsprings.com .sg

B ooks, CDs, C an d les, In c e n s e , S ta tu e s ...

Poverello Teen Centre, Sr Maria Sylvia Ng, FMM 6544-2603 jub2000@singnet.com.sg Praise@Work Juliana 9799-9184 or email

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

S P IR IT U A L IT Y Cenacle, 6565-2895 Fax: 6565-3875

cenacle@mbox4.singnet.com.sg Centre For Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling, Br Gerard Choo, SJ 6467-6072 Franciscan Retreat Centre, 6567-9771 Fax: 6567-9786 FM M House of Prayer and Formation, Sr Mary C hua 6474-2526 Infant Jesus Retreat and Youth Centre, Sr Gerard Lee 6760-2461 Fax: 6769-9369 Life Direction Team , S rT h ere saK oh, FMM 6474-2422 Fax: 64 72-5895 Sr Florence W ong, FMDM 6 7 53-9 602 /926 4-6 733 LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre, S r Lily Tan 6466-2178 Fax: 6466-1307 tifspmg@singnet.com.sg St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary (SFX Retreat Centre), 6288-7901 Fax: 6858-2716 sfxrc@singnet.com.sg W ebsite: http//www. catholic.org.sg/SFX The Sojourners’ Companions, 9268-6723

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 (9 0 2 9 -0 1 1 8 ) email ypmsingapore@yahoo.com.

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

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

Apostleship ofthe Sea (Catholic Seam en’s Mission), Fr Rom eo Yu Chang, CICM 6271-8464/9783-5191 F a x:6271-1175

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

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

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

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

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

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

IN MEMORIAM

Trinity Casket Pte Ltd Your Right Choice.... For:

In loving memory of Our caring mother/father O ur loving grandmother/grandfather and great grandmother/grandfather

"I am the resurrection and the life He who believes in me shall never die." For all those who have no one to pray for them —we pray to the Lord.

• C om plete & dignified funeral arrangements by professional and caring staff.

T w elfth A n n iv ersa ry

T h irty -E ig h th A n n iv ersa ry

M RS BETTY K LY N E (Betty C hor Siong Tee)

M R G EO R G E A LFRED K LYNE

• Catholic male & fem ale specialist embalmers. Note: Female embalmer will attend to all female deceased.

• Affordable

air-con dition ed

m em orial

chapels

w ith m icrophone, electronic organ & appropriate furnishing & lighting.

JO H N BA PTIST L E E K E O K SE N G Departed: Sept 7,1988

• All other funeral-related services including import & repatriation of hum an remains. • N o overtim e charges. • Special discount for Catholics. • Catholic guidance counsellor

SISTER THERESA M OW E-AROOZOO, O.P. (nee D ’Silva)

M s O livia Stravens Pg: 9 5 2 4 -9 9 4 0

O pen 24 Hours Blk 38, #01 -527/531, Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575712 Tel:

6451-4496

CASKETFAIRPRICE Tel: 6 4 5 5 - 9 9 0 9 Complete one-stop funeral arrangements Affordable air-con funeral parlours with facilities All funeral-related services including columbarium works, exhumation, international repatriation of human remains etc Quality service affirmed by families which we had the honour to serve

We jo y fu lly celebrate the return hom e to our L ord o f o ur m other, g randm other and sister, S ister T heresa M ow e-A roozoo, O.P. on T hursday, 8 A ugust 2002 in F atim a, P ortugal - the feast day o f St. D om inic. She w as 86. Tw ice w idow ed, she bro u g h t up single handedly h er three children and then follow ed the exam ple o f her daughter w ho had jo in ed the Sisters o f the H oly Infant Jesus, by jo in in g the D om inican O rder o f the Sisters o f the P erpetual R osary at M onastery Pius X II in F atim a to dedicate the n ex t 28 years to living the M essage o f O ur L ady o f Fatim a. H er funeral and H oly M ass w as held on S in g ap o re’s N ational Day, 9 A ugust, in Fatim a. She w as alw ays proud to be a Singaporean. In her m em ory we w ould appreciate all stipends and donations to be sent to: The D om inican Sisters o f the P erpetual Rosary, M onastery P ius X II, R u a do R osario 1, 2495 F atim a, PO R T U G A L

No overtime charges, no hidden cost Check out our prices at our website www. casketf ai rp rice.com Member of the Association of Funeral Directors (Singapore)

B L

VISA

B lk 3 7 S in M in g D riv e # 0 1 -5 6 9 /5 7 1 S in g a p o re 575711 Website www.casketfairprice.com

THANKSGIVING G rateful thanks to the m ost Sacred Heart o f Jesus, M other M ary and St Jude for prayers answered. Please continue to help us always. Susan and Fam ily G rateful thanks to M other M ary, Jesus and St Jude for your healing and prayers answered. Please continue to keep my family in good health. Eileen

In loving com m em oration of

M emorial m ass at Church o f Our Lady o f Lourdes, O phir Rd, S ’pore daily from Sept 12 till Sept 14 at 6 pm.

V.M .J. RAJU W ho attained fullness with our Lord on Septem ber 12, 1996 (Age 84)

Blessed are they who are in eternal rest with the Lord; their good deeds following with them. Rev 14:13

HAVE MARIA"

C atho lic F uneral S ervice

S IN G A P O R E CASKET

Tel: 6293-4388

24 Hours

Dedicated Funeral Directors since 1920 • Complete services for Christians and non-Christians.

For A Complete Funeral Package Service

Memory of you, dear, still casts a gentle glow It braces our days and lights our paths wherever we may go. Y our loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Risen Christ, 91 Toa Payoh Central on Thursday, Sept 12, 2002 at 6 pm.

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

Eighth Anniversary In loving m em ory of

Just a thought of sw eet rem em brance, Just a memory sad and true, Just the love and sweet devotion, O f one who thinks o f you. Alw ays rem em bered and cherished by mom, brother & loved ones Twenty-third A nniversary In loving m em ory of

ANTHONY KANG TECK HONG Departed: Sept 11, 1999 W e c an n o t fo rg et y o u O u r lo v ed o ne so dear; Y o u r m em o ry still lin g ers Y e a r a fter year. F ro m y o u r lo v in g w ife, daughters, so n s-in -law an d g ran d ch ild ren . M ass a t 10 am on S u n d ay S ep t 8 at C h u rc h o f S t T eresa, K am p o n g B ah ru R o ad . Ninth A nniversary In loving m em ory o f

Kitty, Kishore, Belen and grand-children seek your presence and prayers.

7 ------------------------ I j B

In your moments o f need

Fourteenth Anniversary In loving m em ory of

Departed: Sept 13,1990 Departed:Sept 24,1964

SH A R O N W O N G M EI LING Bom: Sept 25, 1974 Departed: Sept 12,1988

Mowes: Patrick & Rosalind, Sister Teresia, U S (Audrey), Michael & Gina, Vivien Nathan, Nicholas & Caroline, Marcus, M axine^ D’Silvas : Sonny & Doris, Danny & Theresa *

Transparent & reasonable pricing with genuine discounts

Jesus I T rust In You Rest in peace, dear loving father, Fourteen long years have passed away; Y ou’re gone, but are still living In the hearts o f those who stay. Alw ays remembered by wife, children and loved ones.

JU D IT H de SO U ZA Departed: Sept 8,1994 U pright and just in all her ways, Loyal and true through all her days, Silently suffered, patiently bore, God took her home to suffer no more. Dearly m issed by husband Derrick; w ife T eresita, grandchildren Andrew, Joseph, M aria, Ian, David, Elliot, Sean and Nicole.

JO H N M ARY VICTO R IA Departed: Sept 5,1979 Take her in Thy arms, dear Lord, And ever let her be A m essenger o f love Between our hearts and Thee. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.

A ll HEN R Y CHOW AH CHONG Departed: Sept 5,1993 Eternal rest grant unto him , O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him. M ay he rest in peace. Amen. A lw ays rem em bered by his fam ily and loved ones.

■ Professional E m b a lm ers & M a k e -u p Artist

ASIA CASKET

■ A ffo rd a b le A irco n Parlours Subject to availability

Tel:6455-5288,6456-5288,9691-3229 u

• Q u a lity Casket, local & im p o rte d , USA Casket ■ W e s te rn Suits, Shrouds, Florist, P h o to E n la rg e m e n ts

• Air-con. parlours, open 24 hours. • Qualified professional embalmers.

■ T e n ta g e , A irc o n Buses

• Imported US and quality finished caskets.

■ In te rn a tio n a l R e p a tria tio n (Im p o rt a n d Export)

Eighth Anniversary In loving m em ory of

G ER M A IN E QUEK nee Lee M eow Hiang Departed: Sept 5, 1994 G od know s how m uch we miss her, N ever shall her memory fade; O ur loving thoughts ever wander. T o the spot where she is laid. Loved by A ndrew, Jane, Karen and all w ho knew her. E ighth Anniversary In loving m em ory of

* Professional services for Christians * Qualified professional embalmers * Quality local and imported caskets * Special package and discount price for Catholics Professional handling of repatriations and import Sin M in g D rive, # 0 1 -5 2 3 S in g a p o re 5 7 5712 (C O M P L E T E FU N E R A L S E R V IC E S )_________

• Photo enlargement. • Florist service.

» H e a rs e d e c o ra te d w ith seven Portraits o f M aria

• Funeral supplies all under one roof.

» Pall-Bearers a n d 1 0 % d is c o u n t fo r C atholics.

• Professional handling of repatriations and import cases.

■MB OPEN: 24 HOURS ■ ■

• Columbarium & Tombstone services.

A ll Church Members Are Entitled To Discount ‘ Cater within your means* 131 Lavender Street, Singapore 338737. Internationally linked worldwide with established Funeral Directors

Blk 8 8 # 0 1 - 2 7 2 0 , G eylan g B ahru, S in g ap o re 3 3 9 6 9 6 . Tel: 6 2 9 3 - 6 8 3 5

Fax: 6 2 9 9 - 6 3 5 4

For funeral package, call Steven Joshua Moses * ^ 0 3 0 - 4 6 1 7 / 91 0 8 -0 8 7 7 / 9 8 1 6 -0 3 1 A CATHOLIC FUNERAL SERVICE AND RITES

CASKET COMPANY EMBALMING & FUNERAL SERVICES PTE LTD 24-H O U R S COM PLETE SERVICES

• Christian and non-Christian funerals - local / export. • Qualified Embalmers. • Columbarium work, exhumation, photo enlargement etc. • Air-con, non air-con Palours, tentage etc. • Good Discount on Casket price!!

Directors: Philip Tan

mbie,

Charles Wan

mbie

Blk 37, Sin Ming Drive, #01-575 Singapore 575711 Tel: 6454-8167, 6456-7423 Fax: 6458-2151

M A G D ALEN E TA N LEE HOON Departed: Sept 11,1994 Dearest M um m y/ M ama, R est in the peace o f the Lord. Take com fort in the presence o f the Holy Spirit and we W ill rejoice when we see you again. W e love you and will always m iss you. Fondly rem em bered by all loved ones.

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

YOUNG CATHOLICS

Shine J e s u s Shine!... Do you want it to go on? SJS aims at reaching o u t to youth with th e main objective of evangelizing non-Christians and re-evangelizing Catholics.

DURING the recent meeting of district youth chaplains, religious working with youth and Archbishop Nicholas Chia, we were asked whether we wanted Shine Jesus Shine! (SJS) as an annual rally. M o s t o f th e fe e d b a c k fro m th e c h a p la in s w e re good a n d s o m e o f us felt th a t m a n y of o u r youths w a n t S J S to stay. S J S , I said, is ju s t a ‘s p a rk ’ fo r th e youth to e n c o u n te r C hrist. T h e y w ould go b ac k to th e ir p aris h e s to d iscu ss a n d s h a re e x p e rie n c e s w ith th e ir youth le a d e rs a n d priests. U n fo rtu n a te ly during th e past fe w y e a rs w h e n m ost o f the youth w e n t b ac k to th eir p arish es, th e re w a s h ardly a youth gro up o r p riest a v a ila b le to h elp th e m c o n tin ue th e ir jo u rn e y in faith. H o w e v e r, w ith the a p p o in tm e n t o f o u r n e w District Y o u th C h a p la in s , h op efu lly things w ou ld c h a n g e fo r the b etter. H o w did S h in e J e s u s S h in e c o m e a b o u t? S J S w a s not fo rm e d by c h a n c e. E v e ry o n e w a s called by lo v e ... T h e y c a m e b e c a u s e of p erson al re a s o n s . E a c h had e x p e rie n c e d th e g re a tn e s s of the Lord a n d th e y w a n te d to s h a re H is love w ith others. V e ry o fte n , w e a s k G od to m a k e us H is instru m en ts. In fac t by virtue o f o u r B a p tis m , w e h av e b e e n com m is s io n e d to “G o, m a k e d is c ip le s ...” (Matt. 28:18) It is e v id e n t th a t o u r s o ciety is

§r

T h e S h in e J esu s S h in e rally 2 001 a t th e S in g a p o re Ind oo r S ta d iu m . W itho ut fail th e S J S rallies o v e r the y e a rs h ave b ee n packed to c a p a c ity with youth and th e ir fam ilie s.

b ec o m in g increasin gly sop histicated e a c h d a y a n d life is b ec o m in g increasin gly d e m a n d in g too. In fact, w e ten d to put G od on h old. W e ten d to tell G od th a t w e h av e no tim e for Him o r to w a it until w e h av e e s ta b lish e d our c a re e rs . W e o nly turn to Him w h e n o u r lives a re struck w ith s o m e m a jo r d is a s ter. W e should a s k o u rselves: W h y h as G od b e c o m e m e re ly a “cru tch ” in our lives? - s o m e o n e w e run to w h e n things a re n ’t going th e w a y w e w a n t th e m to! S J S a im s a t re a c h in g out to youth b e tw e e n 14 to 3 5 y e a rs old w ith th e m ain o b je c tiv e o f e v a n g e lizin g n o n -C h ris tian s and re -e v a n g e lizin g C a th o lic s . T h e

is s

C E L E B R A T IO N S 2 0 Theme: & Gofc" bvj ¥ r

re c e n t S J S a ls o invited fam ilie s, not ju st th e youth, to c o m e along. T h e s e c o n d a ry o b je c tiv e o f S J S is to c re a te a co llab o rative opp ortu nity fo r a ctive youth gro up s a n d C h ristian individuals to s h a re w ith o th e rs the g o o d n es s o f o u r Lord. It all b eg a n in 1 9 9 4 w ith a youth rally held a t th e S in g a p o re C o n fe re n c e H all. T h e hall had only a sea tin g c a p a c ity of less than 5 0 0 . T h e o ve rw h e lm in g re s p o n s e to this e v e n t prom pted th e O rg a n izin g C o m m itte e to m o ve th e rally to a b ig g e r v e n u e a nd this n e e d s e e m e d to aris e e v e ry tw o y e a rs . In 1 9 9 6 , the S J S rally w a s m o ved to th e S in g a p o re L ab o u r F ou n d atio n A u ditorium in o rd e r to a c c o m m o d a te m o re youth. A ltho ug h th e re w a s a seating c a p a c ity o f a b o u t 1 ,0 0 0 it w a s insufficient - m o re than 3 0 0 d isa p p o in te d youth w e re left

o utsid e th e aud ito riu m . S u b s e q u e n tly , th e follow ing y e a r, th e o rg an izin g c o m m itte e d ec id e d to e x te n d the rally an e x tra d ay, re a c h in g out to 2 ,0 0 0 you ths o v e r th e tw o nights. S J S rally in 1 9 9 8 w a s held o v e r tw o d ay s a t K allang T h e a tre w ith a sea tin g c a p a c ity o f 1 ,7 0 0 . F o r th e first tim e , the o rg an izin g c o m m itte e did not h a v e to turn a w a y a n y o n e a n d it re a c h ed out to m o re th a n 3 ,0 0 0 youths. In 1 9 9 9 , th e S J S rally w a s ju s t as w ell a tte n d e d a t the K allang T h e a tre but, unlike the p reviou s y e a r, the e v e n t w a s held o v e r a d a y in tw o s essio ns. In 2 0 0 0 , th e S h in e Jes u s S h in e h ad a s its th e m e “S H IN E ” in conjunction w ith th e Jub ile e 2 0 0 0 c e leb ra tio n s a n d it w a s h eld a t th e S in g a p o re Ind oo r indoor stad ium . W e u sed the s a m e v e n u e in 2 0 0 1 a s w e

m o ved on fro m th e m illennium . W ith o u t fail th e S h in e Jes u s S h in e rallies o v e r the y e a rs h av e b e e n p ac k e d to c a p a c ity with youth and th e ir fam ilie s. T h e re a re h o w e v e r, s o m e w h o fe e l th a t th e S h in e Jes u s S h in e rallies should be d isco ntinu ed. But, as a lw a y s w e h av e c o m e to a point w h e n w e n eed to a s k you. W e fe e l th a t you, o ur y ou ng p eo p le , look forw ard to th e S h in e J e s u s S h in e rally e a c h y e a r to revitalise you. W e n e e d to h e a r d irect from you L e t’s h e a r it, a s th e sayin g g o e s ‘straigh t fro m th e h o rs e ’s m o u th ’. D o you w a n t the S h in e J e s u s S h in e rally to go on? Do g ive m e y o u r fe e d b a c k on this issue.

Fr Michael Sitaram is youth chaplain o f the Singapore Archdiocese. To contact him email: cathyctr@ pacific.net.sg.

0 2

Colin Tah

Walking for Peace

1 5 S e p (S u N d A y ) S t M id iA E l's F a m i I y C a r n i v a I - ( 9 a m - 2 p iw )

—

26 Sep (Thur) Mass at 8pm

Family & Healing St R aphael A V

27 Sep (Fri) Mass at 8pm

Family & the Good ^ News ■ St G abriel A 2 8 Sep (Sat) - No Sunset Mass. (Mass at 8pm)

Family and Mission - St M ichael ------ -

-—

-..- ... .............................................n

2 9 S e p : F e a s t D a y M a t * a t 9 :3 0 a m a t C h u rc h o f S t M ic h a e l

f o llo w e d b y lu n c h a t N e p tu n e H e t t a u v a n t

SINGAPORE (UCAN) — A special long walk through the streets of Singapore has helped some 300 youths to foster inter-religious harmony. B ahai, C atho lic, Hindu a n d M uslim youths m arc h e d through th e d ow nto w n O rc h a rd R o ad a re a on July 2 8 and h an d e d o ut c ard s to p as s e rs by w ith slogans such a s “S e e k w h a t unites," “D ia lo g u e w ith e v e ry o n e ,” “F orgive a n d fo rg e t” and “L ive fo r fraternity.” T h e w a lk , o rg a n ize d by vario us Franciscan o rd ers a n d th e F o c o la re M o v e m e n t in S in gap ore, e n d e d a t G oo d S h e p h e rd C a th e d ra l w h e re the youth w e re g re e te d by A rchbishop N icho las C h ia o f S in g a p o re and o th e r religious leaders. T h e participants then unfurled a 3 0 -m e te r-lo n g w h ite cloth sta m p e d w ith colourful handprints to s y m b o lize th eir co m m itm e n t to p e a c e . T h e y also con du cted a p ra y e r service in w hich th e y pled ged th e m s e lv e s to p e a c e . A t th e c ath ed ral p ra y e r service, V ic to r T a n , 2 4 , from th e B rah m a K u m aris spiritual m o vem en t, quo ted fro m th e m o v e m e n t’s sa c re d text, M uri. “T h e y h av e said G o d is love, a n d so n ow let yo u r life b e a life o f spiritual love," he read . M a rik a p rayed th a t G o d “provide p e a c e to all a n d g iv e us g u id a n c e not to be m isled by p eo p le w h o a re m isguided. W e h o p e for p e a c e , a s Islam m e a n s ‘p e a c e .’” A B uddhist gro up o f 13 ch an ted scriptural v e rs e s a fte r w hich a re p re s e n ta tiv e p rayed th a t

“th e w orld b e a p la c e o f p e a c e for all living thin gs.” A C hristian re p re s e n ta tiv e p rayed th a t G od “help us find th e inn er p e a c e to carry o ut th e w ork th a t you w a n t.” A rch bish op C h ia said in his k e y n o te s p e e c h he w a s proud o f th e youth for th e ir com m itm e n t. “N o m a tte r w h a t religion w e belong to, w e c a n n o t but b e pro m o ters o f life, o f p ea c e ." A sserting th a t “w e a re all p eo p le o f th e s a m e C rea to r, belonging to o n e h um an fam ily," h e e xho rted th e youth to tea c h o th ers th e ir religious v alu es. S o m e 1 0 0 C a th o lic you ths w h o too k p art p re p a re d th e m s e lv e s fo r th e e v e n t a d a y e a rlie r w ith a re tre a t a n d an o vernig ht vigil. A la rg e n u m b e r c a m e fro m th e K o re a n C ath o lic com m unity a n d F o c o la re youth. F ra n c is c a n F ria r J o h n -P a u l T a n , th e m ain o rg an ize r, said th e w a lk follow ed u p a n inter religious g ath ering held e a rly this y e a r. T h e e a rlie r e v e n t w a s held in re s p o n s e to P o p e John P au l ll's call for p e a c e follow ing th e S e p t. 11 a tta c k s in the U nited S ta te s . A t a p ress c o n fe re n c e July 1 9 , F a th e r T a n s aid, “In s o m e w a y s, terrorists h a v e hijacked religion for th eir ow n a g e n d a . If w e can m a k e y ou ng p e o p le re a liz e th a t religion is a unifying force, w e can h elp m a k e this w orld a b e tte r p lace to live in.”

SEPTEM BER 1 - Septem ber 8, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

WORLD Human Rights at risk

Islamic-Catholic Declaration PRESS RELEASE: ISLAMIC-CATHOLIC LIAISON COMMITTEE , 09.08.2002

NEW YORK, (UN News) Miloon Kothari, the Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur, briefing correspondents at UN Headquarters, strongly condemned Israel’s methodical destruction of homes and habitat as well as its systematic confiscation of land in the occupied Palestinian territories.

With the help of Almighty God and with the generous invitation from the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE), the Islamic Catholic Liaison Committee held its eighth meeting in Markfield-UK, 2 -3 Jumada I st 1423 equivalent to 12 -1 3 July 2002. T h e Islam ic d e le g a tio n w a s h e a d e d by H .E . Prof. K a m e l A L -S h a rif S e c re ta ry G e n e ra l o f th e In te rn a tio n a l Is la m ic C ouncil fo r D a ’w a h and R e lie f. C a iro - E gypt. H .E . C a rd in a l F ra n c is A rin ze , P re s id e n t o f th e Pontifical C ouncil, h e a d e d th e C a th o lic d e le g a tio n fo r Interreligiou s D ialo g u e, H oly S e e . T h e topics a d d re s s e d during the m e e tin g , w e re Religion a n d R acism an d T o w a rd s a C u ltu re o f D ia lo g u e . A fte r discussion of th e s e topics an d fu rth e r e x c h a n g e s on m a tters o f m u tual con cern the Committee

H e said the international com m u nity w a s “duty b o u nd ” to in terven e on b e h a lf of the P ale s tin ia n peo ple. R e c e n t studies d escrib ed w h a t a p p e a re d to be a s y stem atic consolidation o f Israeli occu pation o f P ale s tin ia n lands. In the p ast 10 y e a rs , Israeli authorities had d em o lish ed m o re than 2 ,2 0 0 resid en ces, displacing s o m e 1 3 ,0 0 0 P a le s tin ia n s w hile estab lish ing a t least 1 5 5 s e ttle m e n ts for m o re than 1 7 0 ,0 0 0 Israelis. M r. K othari said th a t w hile th e h om e dem olitions, h oarding o f natural res o u rc es and o th e r collective p unishm ents, w hich continued u n a b a te d in P alestin ian a re a s , should be con sidered w a r crim es, th e psychological e ffe c ts o f tho se actions w a rra n te d e q u a l co n d e m n a tio n . H o m e d em olitions w e re found to h a v e a consistently n eg a tiv e effect on m en tal h ealth. T h e re had b ee n increased d ia g n o s e s o f b e d w etting, d ep ressio n , u n d er-ea tin g a n d fe a r of leaving h om e throughout the occu pied P a le s tin ia n territories. A U nited N atio n s C h ild re n 's Fund ( U N IC E F ) study had show n th a t during M arc h and April o f this y e a r, 3 3 0 ,0 0 0 P alestin ian children h ad b ee n

agreed upon the following: I. W e affirm th a t o u r religions both te a c h th a t A lm ig hty G od has c re a te d all p eo p le e q u a l in dignity, a n d th e re fo re w e reject e v e ry form o f racism . 2 . W e c o n d e m n th e racist p ractices w h ich exist to d a y in m an y s o c ie ties an d w e a c c e p t o u r responsibility to e n d e a v o u r to elim in ate m isco n cep tio n s a n d p reju d ices w hich in turn g e n e ra te racial d iscrim ination. 3. W e call upon individuals, e d u c a tio n a l a n d social institutions, and th e m e d ia to join this effort a g a in s t racism . 4 . W e b e lie v e th a t a d h e re n c e to religious v a lu e s and en g ag in g in d ia lo g u e to a c h ie v e m u tual u n d ers ta n d in g a n d m utual re s p e ct a re c on du cive to a w orld o f ju s tic e a n d p e a c e . 5. W e c o m m it o u rse lv e s to c o n tin u e to p ro m o te a culture of d ia lo g u e a n d to w o rk to g e th e r in o rd e r to introduce this culture o f d ia lo g u e into o u r re s p e c tiv e c o m m u n itie s a n d m o re specifically in e d u c a tio n a l a n d cultural p ro g ram m e s .

Dr. Kamil al-Sharif

Cardinal Francis Arinze

H ead o f the Islam ic Delegation

H ead o f the Catholic Delegation

Prof. Dr. Hamid A. al-Rifaie

Mgr Michael L. Fitzgerald

P resident International Islam ic Forum for Dialogue

S e c re ta ry , P ontifical Council fo r Interreligious Dialogue

co n fin ed to th e ir h o m es , s o m e 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 had b e e n u n a b le to a c c e s s h ealth a n d social s e rv ic e s , and n e a rly 6 0 0 ,0 0 0 child ren h ad b ee n p re v e n te d fro m atte n d in g school. “I a m p articu larly c o n c e rn e d th a t no step s a re b ein g ta k e n by th e intern atio nal co m m u n ity to a d d re s s this situation w hich is serio u sly im p actin g th e fu tu re g e n e ra tio n s of P a le s tin ia n s ”, M r. K othari said. It w a s c le a r th a t the loss o f h o m es an d the im p a c t o n fa m ilie s — la c k o f s h e lte r a n d forced d is p la c e m e n t — h ad a s ign ificant e ffe c t on w o m e n . In fact, in m o st re fu g e e c a m p s , a p p ro x im a te ly h alf o f th e uproo ted p eo p le w e re w o m e n and girls. S trip p e d o f th e protection o f h o m e s a n d fam ily structure, th e y w e re p articu larly v u ln e ra b le . M r. K o th ari said such m a tters a p p e a re d to h av e “falle n o f f th e in te rn a tio n a l a g e n d a , both in g e n e ra l discu ssio ns a n d in th e c o n tex t of th e p e a c e p ro cess. H e strongly c o n d e m n e d a re c e n t Israeli S u p re m e C o u rt d ecision w hich p erm itte d the s e iz u re o r dem olition o f h o m e s an d property b elo ng ing to re la tiv e s o f s u s p e cte d p articip ants in su icid e b om bing s, s a y in g it cle arly c o n tra v e n e d the Fourth G e n e v a C o n v e n tio n a n d the In tern atio n al C o v e n a n t on E co n o m ic, S o c ia l an d C u ltu ral Rights. U n ited N a tio n s tre a ty m onitoring b o d ies had re p e a te d ly pointed o ut th e s c a le o f violation s, but th e re s e e m e d to be no a tte m p t in th e w id e r in tern atio n al co m m u n ity to hold Israel a c c o u n ta b le to a n y inte rn a tio n a lly a g re e d legal p recep ts.

Rememberance Ceremony NEW YORK, (UN News) On the morning of 11 September, the United Nations will host a solemn Ceremony of Remembrance to mark the first anniversary of the tragic events of 11 September 2001 in the United States. T h e c e re m o n y will be open to all m e m b e rs of d ele g a tio n s and United N atio n s staff.

T h e 4 5 -m in u te c e re m o n y will be held on the N orth L aw n . T h e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l, th e P re s id e n t o f th e G e n e ra l A s s e m b ly and a re p re s e n ta tiv e o f the U n ited S ta te s M ission will m a k e re m a rk s . A s e le c te d n u m b e r o f s ta ff m e m b e rs will be invited to s h a re a reflection, re m e m b ra n c e or prayer.

J O S E P H ’S

In s t i t u t i o n J U B IL E E S c h o l a r s h ip s A p p lic a t io n s

a r e

n o w

o p e n

We invite outstanding Primary 6 boys to apply V a lu e d

u p

S $ 5 ,0 0 0

p e r y e a r C lo s in g 2 3 r d

E n q u ir ie s

a n d

D a te :

D e c e m

A p p lic a t io n

b e r

2 0 0 2

F o r m

are available at SJI • Tel: 6250-0022

S t. Joseph's In s titu tio n (founded in 1 8 5 1 )

A School of the De La Salle Brothers 38 Malcolm Road, Singapore 308274 Fax: (65) 6253 3640 Website: http://wMiw.sji.nwe.edu.sg

P U B L IS H E D B Y A R C H B IS H O P N IC H O L A S C H IA , 2 H IG H L A N D R O A D # 0 1 -0 3 , S IN G A P O R E 5 4 9 1 0 2 .

P R IN T E D B Y K H L P R IN T IN G C O P T E L T D , 5 7 L O Y A N G D R IV E , S IN G A P O R E 5 0 8 9 6 8 .