SEPTEMBER 15, 2002, vol 52, no 19 by CatholicNews

SUNDAY, SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

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My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways not your ways it is the Lord who speaks.

Vol. 52 No. 19

y — Isaiah 55:8

th e b e ll to lls

September 11 2001 will certainly remain in the memory of those who were directly touched by the event but also by every one in the world, who were all so shocked by the event.

A detail o f a bronze sculpture depicts the hand o f Father M ychal Judge on his New York Fire D epart m ent chaplain’s hat. Father Judge died while m inis tering a t the scene o f the W orld Trade C enter

For the 1st Anniversary Commemoration of the tragic event, a large bell tolled for nearly eight hours, every ten seconds, for each of the 2,819 victims. T h e site o f th e tra g e d y will rem ain a grim re m in d e r o f the e v e n t. T h e re w e re m any h ero e s w h o will also b e re m e m b e re d - all th e rescu e w o rkers a n d th e Franciscan N e w Y o rk Fire C h ap la in , Fr. M ych al Ju d g e, O F M , w h o g a v e his life for his friends.

(CNS photo b y Chris Sheridan)

Strange, though, how selective can be our shock and rememberance! D avid Schlatter, OFM, the Franciscan B rother in charge o fth e b ell project. Franciscan Father C hristopher Keenan took the place o f F ather M ychal Judge as a chaplain fo r the N ew York Fire Department. It was Father Judge who helped inspire a young Keenan to the priesthood and eventually chaplaincy.

the size o f the bell

(CN S photo courtesy Franciscan Comm unications)

.. w ill it e v e r t o ll f o r th e s e ? ... Millions of children die every year from m alnutrition a n d d is e a s e or b e c o m e victim s o f slavery, T h e U nited N a tio n s C h ild re n ’s Fun d (U N IC E F ), has d es c rib e d the world’s children as the “forgotten quarter of the Earth’s people.” to rtu re and s e x u a l explo itation .

... O n ly in Ju n e this y e a r, the W o rld Food S u m m it a g a in d ep lo re d th e lack o f p ro gress in achieving th e goal w hich w a s to h alf t he w orld's hungry. It w a s said th a t "800 million people worldwide, among them 300 million children s u ffer th e g n a w in g p an gs o f h u n g e r and d is e a s e s a n d disabilities c a u s e d by m alnutrition a n d th a t as many as 25.000 people die each day as a result."

H ijacked United A irlines Flight 175 flies tow ard the W orld Trade C enter twin towers before slam m ing into the south tow er as the north one burns.

... A n e s tim a te d 110 million la n d m in e s a re strew n a c ro s s our p la n e t in more than 70 countries. O n e h un dred million of th e s e la n d m in e s a re sm all a n ti-p e rs o n n e l m in es th a t c a n n o t distinguish b e tw e e n th e c o m b a t boots o f a so ld ier and th e footfall o f an in n o c e n t child. Landmines kill and wound over

20.000 people each year. ... Thousands die each year, victim s o f a rm e d conflict, terro rism a n d v io le n c e of s o m e form or a n o th e r, in va rio u s parts o f th e w orld, m ostly in the d ev e lo p in g w orld. ... M o re than 500 million persons — 10 per cent of the world’s o f th e m living in th e d ev e lo p in g w orld — suffer from some type

population, an e s tim a te d 8 0 p er cent of physical, mental or sensory

impairment.

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 ita s : h t t p : //w w w .c a t h o lic .o r g .s g .

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 .

Importance of Liturgy O n th e o cc a s io n o f th e N a tio n a l Liturgical W e e k o f Italy held in A ssissi fro m 2 6 -3 0 A u g u s t, H is E m in e n c e C a rd . A n g e lo S o d a n o , V a tic a n S e c re ta ry o f S ta te c o n v e y e d a m e s s a g e fro m P o p e Joh n P a u l to th e P re s id e n t o f th e C o n fe re n c e , B isho p L u c a B randolini. T h e H oly F a th e r e m p h a s iz e d th e im p o rtan c e o f th e Liturgy in the life of th e C h u rch a s its s ou rce and su m m it as ta u g h t by th e S e c o n d V a tic a n C ouncil. T h e th e m e o f th e C o n fe re n c e w a s "T h e C o m m u n ica tio n of the G o s p e l in an e v e r-c h a n in g W orld" an d fo c u ss e d on th e Liturgy a s the E p ip h a n y o r m an ifestio n o f th e M y s te ry o f Christ, p ro claim in g to the w orld th e G o s p e l m e s s a g e o f s alvation . T h e H o ly F a th e r urg ed th e C o n fe re n c e to c on tin ue a lon g th e line th a t he had e m p h a s iz e d in his A p ostolic L etter "T h e B egin nin g o f the N e w M illenium ": "In th e tw en tie th century, e s p e c ia lly since th e C o un cil, th e re h as b e e n a g re a t d e v e lo p m e n t in th e w a y th e C h ristian c o m m u n ity c e le b ra te s th e S a c ra m e n ts , e s p e c ia lly th e E u charist. It is n e c e s s a ry to c on tin ue in this d irectio n, an d to stress p articu larly the S unday Eucharist and S unday itself e x p e rie n c e d a s a s p ecial d a y o f faith , th e d a y o f th e R isen Lord a n d o f th e gift o f th e Spirit, th e tru e w e e k ly E aster." H e urg ed th e c o n fe re n c e to o v e rc o m e th e o b s tac le s o f fra g m e n ta tio n , passivity a n d ind iffern ce an d to find w a y s to m a k e the E u c h a rist e v e r m o re a liv e a n d p articip ato ry. "I th e re fo re w ish to insist th a t sharing in the Eucharist should really b e the heart o f S unday for e v e ry b ap tize d p erson . It is a fu n d a m e n ta l duty, to be fulfilled not ju s t in o rd e r to o b s e rv e a p re c e p t but a s som e th in g felt a s e s s en tia l to a truly info rm ed and co n sisten t C h ristian life." W h a t is called fo r is a return to th e roots of faith an d th e m ission o f th e C h u rc h , in o rd e r to a c h ie v e , throu gh th e liturgy, th e fo rce o f a spiritual re n e w a l in o rd e r th a t th e P e o p le o f G o d m a y e x p e rie n c e a living a n d life-giving e n c o u n te r w ith C hrist.

On Prayer For his usual meditation with the crowd that gathers every Sunday for the recitation of the "Angelus", the Holy Father took up the words of Jesus from the Gospel reading about prayer: 7 tell you solemnly once again, if two o f you on earth agree to ask anything a t all, it will be granted to you by m y Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them." (Matt. 18:19) T h e s e w o rd s, th e H o ly F a th e r said, h ea rd in faith , o p e n o u r h ea rts to faith . G o d is a m erciful F a th e r w h o listen s to th e p ra y e rs o f his a d o p te d sons. W h e n th e faithful pray, th e y knock on th e d o o r o f the h e a rt o f G o d , w hich is w h y nothing is im p ossib le. W e s p e a k o f th e "art o f p rayer" b e c a u s e e v e ry C h ristian c o m m u n ity m u st b e an a u th e n tic school o f prayer. U n fo rtu n a te ly w e often h e a r o f tra g e d ie s a n d d ra m a tic e v e n ts w hich c re a te suffering a n d a n g u is h . M o d e rn m an a p p e a rs to b e so s ure o f h im s e lf a n d s e c u re , y e t in crucial m o m e n ts , h e is m a d e sharply a w a re o f his h elp le ss n e s s: h e e x p e rie n c e s his h o p e le s s n e s s and inability to re s p o n d , a n d c o n s e q u e n tly lives in u n c e rta in ty a n d fea r. It is in p ra y e r m a d e in faith , th a t lies th e s e c re t of b ein g a b le to c o p e not ju s t in tim e s o f d ire n e e d , but trials a n d p ro b le m s both p ers o n a l an d social w hich w e ail e x p e rie n c e d a y a fte r d ay . H e w h o p rays will n e v e r b e d is c o u ra g e d e v e n in th e fa c e o f the m o st serio us difficulties, b e c a u s e h e will fe e l G o d by his side a n d will e x p e rie n c e a re fu g e , s e re n ity a n d p e a c e w ithin th e e m b ra c e o f his p a te rn a l a rm s . H e w h o g o e s w ith tru st to G o d will o p e n up w ith g re a te r g e n e ro s ity to his n eig h b o u r a n d will b e a b le to fulfil history a ccordin g to th e d ivin e plan.

In Summary

Acceptance of WSSD Plan of Action S O U T H A F R IC A , J o h a n n e s b u rg . - A t th e con clusion o f th e W o rld S u m m it fo r S u s ta in a b le D e v e lo p m e n t, th e V a tic a n 's H e a d o f D e le g a tio n , A rch b is h o p R e n a to M a rtin o , P e rm a n e n t R e p re s e n ta tiv e to th e U n ite d N a tio n s in N e w Y o rk , notified th e A s s e m b ly o f th e V a tic a n 's a c c e p ta n c e o f th e S u m m it's P la n o f A ction w ith th e follow ing d ec la ra tio n :

V a tic a n

P re s s

R e p o r ts

W O R L D S U M M IT fo r S U S T A IN A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T (J o h n a n n e s b u rg , S o u th A fric a , 2 6 Aug - 4 S ep t 2 0 0 2 ) T h e H o ly S e e to o k p art in th e re c e n tly co n clu d ed W o rld S u m m it fo r S u s ta in a b le D e v e lo p m e n t u n d e r th e a u s p ic e s o f t h e U n ite d N a tio n s, in J o h a n n e s b u rg , S o u th A fric a fro m 2 6 A u g to 4 S e p t. H e a d o f th e 6 -m e m b e r D e le g a tio n w a s 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 be 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 1 0 0 H e a d s o f S ta te and g o v e rn m e n ts took part as did th o u s a n d s o f d e le g a te s . E v e n ju s t b e fo re it started , m isgivings w e re b ein g voiced ab o u t w h e th e r it w ould really 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 .

See page 7 for Vatican Intervention

That Manila Mission The hoped for Papal visit to Manila for the World Conference on the Family seems to be out of the question, at least for now. It has been in the balance for so long that interest is now flagging.

T h e H o ly S e e , in con form ity w ith its n a tu re a n d its p articu lar m issio n, is p le a s e d to join th e c o n s e n s u s o f th e P la n o f A ction o f the W o rld S u m m it on S u s ta in a b le D e v e lo p m e n t a n d e x p re s s e s its th a n k s to th e p e o p le a n d G o v e rn m e n t o f th e R e p u b lic o f S o u th A frica a n d e v e ry o n e involved w ith th e w o rk th a t h as b ro ug ht us to this closing s essio n o f th e S u m m it. T h e H o ly S e e re a ffirm s its position th a t a n y d iscu ssio n on d e v e lo p m e n t m u s t c e n tre on h u m a n d ig nity a n d in this, re n e w s its c o m m itm e n t to th e R io P rin cip les, th e first o f w h ich s ta te s th a t â&#x20AC;&#x153;H u m a n b ein g s a re a t th e c e n tre o f c o n c e rn s fo r s u s ta in a b le d e v e lo p m e n t. T h e y a re e n title d to a h e a lth y a n d p ro du ctive life in h a rm o n y w ith n ature". T h e H o ly S e e only reg rets th a t this first Princip le did not find its w a y into th e c h a p e a u o f e a c h an d e v e ry sectio n o f th e d o c u m e n t, h elping to rem in d a n d g u id e th e p u rp o se o f o u r w o rk h e re a n d in e v e ry re a lm o f s u s ta in a b le d e v e lo p m e n t. M y d e le g a tio n is p le a s e d to inform th a t in join ing in this c o n s e n s u s a d o p tio n , it d o e s so w ith o u t re s e rva tio n . A t th e s a m e tim e , th e H o ly S e e re a ffirm s all o f th e re s e rva tio n s that it h a s p reviou sly e x p re s s e d a t th e con clusion o f th e va rio u s U n ited N a tio n s C o n fe re n c e s a n d S u m m its , a s w e ll a s the S p e c ia l S e s s io n s o f th e G e n e ra l A s s e m b ly for th e re v ie w o f th o s e m ee tin g s . T h e H o ly S e e a s k s th a t this s ta te m e n t be inclu ded in th e rep ort o f th e W o rld S u m m it o n S u s ta in a b le D e v e lo p m e n t. T h a n k you , M r. P re s id e n t.

They served us! In our love, let us pray for them in their twilight years and in their afflictions. I 1

j | j

Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev. Rev.

Fr. ' Fr. 1 Fr. ! Fr. Francois Dufay, MEP Fr. Fr. . Bro. SJ Fr. Fr. , Fr. Fr.

Rev. Fr. Simon Yim - called to the Eternal High Priest, 6 Sept. 2002

( see page 12 )

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A Time of Grace b y S e m in a r ia n B ro .

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Recently, seminarians Valerian Cheong, Damian De Wind and Kenny Tan, all of whom are in the third year of theological studies, made a 30-day Ignatian retreat that was for all of them a time of grace and encounter with Jesus. T h e ir re tre a t w a s d irected by F r Ik e r V illa n u e v a S .J . a t th e S e v e n F o u n ta in s C a th o lic R e tre a t C e n tre in C h ia n g m a i, T h a ila n d . From 2 5 J u n e to 2 6 July, he led th e th re e s e m in a ria n s through the S p iritual E x e rcis e s o f S t Ignatius. T h e Spiritual E x e rcis e s w e re th e fruit o f St Ign atiu s p ra y e r a n d d is c e rn m e n t in th e tim e b efo re he fo u n d e d th e S o c ie ty of J e s u s . T h e re tre a ta n t is led to m e d ita te on his sinfuln ess, his cho ice to follow J e s u s , th e passion an d d e a th o f J e s u s and his resu rrection . Co nfro nting th e reality o f o n e ’s sinfuln ess is painful. B ut it is th e only w a y to a c c e p t th e g raciou s

gift o f J esu s and to d e c id e to follow him . V a le ria n a d m itte d , “T h e re w e re m o m e n ts o f doubt, d ark n e s s an d u ncertainty, but th e s e w e re o v e rc o m e through d aily spiritual interview s w ith Fr. Ik e r a n d intense p ra y e r.” K e n n y said he “b e c a m e m indful o f G o d ’s p re s e n c e c o n c re te ly e v e n in m o m e n ts o f w re tc h e d n e s s ” and “could not h elp but rejo ice in the L ord.” By a c k n o w le d g in g th a t o n e is c re a te d by G od, o n e b e c o m e s open to th e o ve rw h e lm in g m ystery of th e loving G o d . D a m ia n found th a t “as th e d ays u nfold ed , I g re w so m uch in the a w a re n e s s o f the m a g n ific e n c e a n d m y stery o f G o d ’s love for m e .” Like Jesus, D a m ia n , K e n n y and V a le ria n returned from th eir e n c o u n te r in th e w ild e rn e s s s tre n g th e n e d by th e S pirit a n d re n e w e d in z e a l for th e s e rv ic e o f th e K ingdom of G o d . W e p ray that G od will sustain th e m in th e reso lution s th e y form ed during th e ir re tre a t and e n a b le th e m to p e rs e v e re in his service.

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This call was made by Very Rev Fr Anthony Ho, Rector of St Francis Xavier Major Seminary, to representatives from the 5 west district parishes of the Blessed Sacrament, St Francis of Assisi, Holy Cross, St Ignatius and St Mary of the Angels, on Sunday 25th August 2002. T h e 1 6 0 p eo p le g a th e re d w e re re m in d e d th a t as m e m b e rs o f G o d ’s fam ily, th e y h ad th e duty and responsibility to pray fo r voc a tio n s to the p riesth oo d. In his o p en in g a d d re s s , F r H o noted th a t th e y w e re th e re to “p ray fo r voc a tio n s and to e n c o u ra g e th o s e w ho h a v e h eard G o d ’s c a ll.” H e said th a t a s lay p eo p le , w e “should h elp th e young d iscern a n d e m b a rk on this jo u rn e y o f faith a n d in doing so, you a re helping to build G o d ’s K in g d o m .” F r H o also a c k n o w le d g e d and e x p re s s e d g ra titu d e th a t all th e p aris h e s p re s e n t h av e a lre a d y s e t up a P arish V o c a tio n P rom otion s T e a m , w hich o rg a n ize s holy hours, p ra y e r m e e tin g s and para litu rg ies in th e re s p e ctiv e p arishes. T h is is to c re a te the a w a re n e s s th a t w e h av e to con stan tly p ray fo r o u r y ou ng p eo p le a n d help th e m to h e a r th e v o ic e o f G od an d e m b ra c e th e ir vocation in life. T h e afte rn o o n e v e n t w a s th e first o f a s e rie s of visits to th e M a jo r S e m in a ry o rg a n ize d by the D io ce s a n V o c a tio n T e a m w hich is h e a d e d by F r Ho to g e th e r w ith M s g r E u g e n e V a z , Frs W illia m G oh , H e n ry S ie w , Erbin F e rn a n d e z , T e re n c e P e re ira , J J F e n e lo n , R ic h a rd s A m b ro s e a n d A le x C h u a and tw o final y e a r s e m in a ria n s , B ros A lo ysiu s O ng and S ta n is la u s P a n g . P a rt o f th e a fte rn o o n ’s p ro g ra m m e w a s a sharing by a final y e a r s e m in a ria n , Bro S ta n is la u s P a n g w h o s h a re d th a t th e s e m in a ry co m m u n ity has h elp e d him to learn , g ro w and d e v e lo p a re a s in his

life w hich he felt req uired fu rth er d e v e lo p m e n t. This, to him , w a s his “g re a te s t d is c o v ery ” a p a rt from the fact th a t he h as learn t to d e e p e n his love for the C h u rch , w hich G od h as e s ta b lish e d on earth . “T h e m o st visible sign a n y o u ts id e r s e e s ab o u t th e S e m in a ry is stu d ies, but this is ju s t the tip of the ic e b e rg ,” s h a re d Bro P an g . “S e m in a ry life e n c o m p a s s e s e v e n m o re - p ra y e r life, liturgy, pastoral a s s ig n m e n ts and re c re a tio n .” D uring th e q u e s tio n -a n s w e r s e g m e n t, D avid G a n , from th e C h u rch of th e H oly C ross, w a n te d s o m e b asic inform ation ab o u t th e c ou rses and m in im u m q ualificatio n to be a s e m in a ria n . B esid es the m in im u m “A ” levels, R e v Fr H e n ry S ie w , D e a n o f S tu d ies, inform ed tho se p re s e n t th a t form atio n in the s e m in a ry is also g e a re d to w a rd s full integratio n of th e s e m in aria n , “w e w ou ld like s e m in a ria n s to m a tu re in all a re a s o f spiritual, in tellectu al, h um an and p astoral a s p e c ts .” A q uestio n w a s posed w h e th e r an y p sychological a s s e s s m e n t w a s d o n e prior to entry into the s e m in a ry o r w h a t a re th e step s ta k e n to s e e th e suitability o f a potential c a n d id a te . F r H o m e n tio n e d th a t prior to joining, a c a n d id a te w ould h a v e to jo u rn e y w ith a n y o f th e S e m in a ry F ath ers fo r a y e a r b efo re b eing sent for an 8 -d a y silent re tre a t. During th e c ou rse o f his form atio n , he w ould also h av e to sit for a p sychological sc re e n in g test. B e s id e s , the s e m in aria n w ould also m e e t w ith his S p iritual D ire c to r on a m onthly basis to g a u g e and m onitor his grow th. T h e afte rn o o n s essio n con clud ed w ith a p aralitu rg y w ith the exposition and blessing o f the B lessed S a c ra m e n t, a c c o m p a n ie d by scripture re a d in g s a n d T a iz e ch a n ts . T h is w a s follow ed by a w a lk through the s e m in ary c om po un d an d view in g th e public a n d resid en tial a re a s o f the s e m in ary .

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SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

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

i 1

FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY

The Family Life Society is a non-profit organisation registered under the Societies : Act of Singapore in 1985. It was established | ! under the auspices of the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore to make the family apostolate j 1 a priority of the local Church. We aim to promote a deeper understanding and respect for marriage, family and human life and to make our I services available to all.

PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES

M inister O f State Visits Fam ily Life Family Life Society (FLS) had the privilege of a first-ever visit by a Minister of State to its premises at Highland Road on August 19.

Family and M arital Therapy (Counselling Services) 6 4 8 8 0 2 7 8

!) A confidential service managed and provided j j by experienced family and marital therapists j j for those with marital, psychological and social problems. • j

The visit was to find out more about FLS, especially its Counselling and Pregnancy Crisis Services and to explore opportunities for cooperation to promote strong and stable families in Singapore.

Celebration o f Life 6 4 8 8 0287

: A Pro-life programme on human sexuality :i | education for chastity and the promotion of | the sanctity of life message. Pregnancy Crisis Service 6 3 3 9 9 7 7 0 / 6 4 8 8 0281

A hotline service for teenagers facing unwanted pregnancies. Youth Life-Line 6 2 5 2 6 3 0 0

i A youth crisis hot line offering help for youth | in distress.

Mr Chan Soo Sen, Minister of State (Prime Minister’s Office & Community .Development and Sports), was accompanied by senior officials from the Policy Planning Unit and Family Education Department in MCDS.

Mr Chan Soo Sen (right) with Dr John Lim and James Wong from Family Life Society.

A possible area of cooperation is to address the number of abortions in Singapore, which was in excess of 13,000 last year. With declining population growth rates and the fact that Singaporean couples are adopting babies from overseas, it was discussed if more babies'can be saved and be put up for adoption.

The Minister and MCDS officials at a meeting with FLS.

Another opportunity to explore is that of FLS providing public education programs concerning sexuality education, counselling and parenting issues to the community.

Joyful Parenting 6 4 8 8 0 2 8 6

A hotline service to support breastfeeding | ' mothers and help parents cope with family j life. Catholic Legal Aid 6 4 8 8 0 2 7 8

Provides legal advice on family-related , I matters to members of the general public.

AFFILIATE ORGANISATIONS M arriage Encounter 6281 64 68

A weekend stay-in programme for married | I couples to look more deeply into their I relationship with each other and with God. Engaged Encounter 67 82 39 12

I A marriage preparation stay-in weekend I programme for engaged couples. Choice 9 3 0 7 7 7 5 2 / 9671 07 67 j A weekend stay-in programme for singles

I between 18 and 32, with the aim of helping | | one know oneself and in relationships with >family, friends and the larger community. M arriage Preparation Course 6 2 8 8 3 4 2 7 /6 2 4 1 7 6 1 4 | A six-weekend programme for engaged

1 couples preparing for marriage.

Suicide Intervention P a rt III MANAGEMENT OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR IN TEENS This four part series explores the various types of suicide attempters, the forewarnings of suicide and how to help those at risk. The writer, Brother Collin Wee, is the Principal Therapist at the Family Life Society. In the previous article, it was outlined that the telltale signs of impending suicide attempts include verbal statements, reckless behaviour, depression and behavioural clues (such as writing farewell letters). However, the best way of establishing suicide risk is by direct questioning. There are fears that direct questions may trigger a suicide attempt. This is not true. Suicidal individuals often do not express their suicidal ideas because of shame or fear of condemnation. So, discussing suicidal thoughts openly and without judgement v will alleviate an attempter’s misery, —* loneliness, hopelessness and depression.

When dealing with someone who is at risk, interventionists should: • Be specific and emphatic when discussing the value of life. Do not condemn the person. • Establish the risk and reasons for attempting suicide and investigate if there has been previous suicidal behaviour. • Communicate that there are always solutions for problems and that you or someone else will help to solve the problems. • Suggest seeking professional help if required. The Samaritans of Singapore have a boat model (see diagram) that illustrates five key tasks to ■reduce immediate risk of suicide: 1.

Retrouvaille 6 3 4 6 1927 (Hotline)/ 6 4 4 5 1375

For troubled marriages (including separated or divorced couples) who want their marriage j to work.

Encourage the person to talk about his feelings and what is happening to him. Ask open questions to explore and understand his or her feelings.

S A M A R IT A N S O F S IN G A P O R E M O D E L

For example: “How are you feeling about the things that have happened to you?”

Couples For Christ 6 3 8 6 38 36 * A family life renewal programme for singles )

| and married couples to look more deeply | into their relationship with each other and j with God.

For example: “Are you thinking about suicide?”

1 Based on the knowledge of the fertility I periods during a woman's menstrual cycle, | | it is the only morally acceptable form of | family planning allowed by the Church as it | I is in accordance with the moral natural law.

Enquire Plans

Check if he has made plans for suicide. Ask about the reasons for arid against suicide at this point in time. For example: “Have you thought about how you would do it?”

Assess Urgency

Evaluate the level of suicide risk by looking out for symptoms and indicators of stress. 5.

Take Action

Low or Moderate Risk ► Reduce the risk by offering support, by suggesting ways to resolve problems, alleviate stress or cope better. High Risk ► Develop a specific action plan for a person’s safety. This may include a contract or agreement from the person at risk not to harm himself or herself. After the suicide crisis has diminished, it is important to follow up on the suicidal individual. This is because a new suicide crisis may occur if things do not work out for the better. The presence of an important person in the adolescent’s life is also important. As long as there is an emotionally significant person to whom he or she can relate to, this will decrease the likelihood of further suicide attempts. (To be continued. Next: Assessing Suicide Risk)

D IS T R E S S

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Identify Risk

Find out If the person is really thinking about suicide. Empathise and acknowledge feelings expressed openly and those hinted at.

N atural Family Planning 6281 0 5 02 I em ail: nfpspore@catholic.org

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The Value o f A Man

Suggestions on bringing out the best in him.

F a m ily L ife S o c ie ty

• How to Understand a Woman - Why women think so differently from men.

2 H ig h la n d R o a d

• Is there a Second Chance in Marriage? - Facts to help us understand the Sacrament of Marriage.

Tel: 6 4 8 8 0 2 7 8

« N ot Married...To Embrace a Call - Reflections on a single person's experience.

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEW S

REGIONAL

JENNIFER WEE T “

Come visit us at

97095056/98158955/91050312

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

Protecting housemaids INDONESIA , Manado, ( U C A N ) — An NGO that promotes workers’ rights in eastern Indonesia has urged a local government to draft regulations to protect housemaids, a plea supported by many. “M a n y h o u se m a id s a re rep orted ly e x p e rie n c in g unjust tre a tm e n t as th e re a re no reg ulation s to protect th e m ,” said P ie te rs S a w o m b a d ile of th e S u a ra N u ra n i (in n e r v o ic e ) o rg an iza tio n . H e and o th e r board m e m b e rs m e t in la te July w ith the M a n a d o city g o v e rn m e n t and council in N orth S u la w e s i. "It is v e ry ironic th a t w e s ho w o u r g re a t con cern for illegal w o rk e rs in M a la y s ia w h ije w o rk e rs in o u r ow n h o m es a re not p ro perly tak e n c a re o f,” S a w o m b a d ile told th e local p ress and radio. M a n y h o u se m a id s a re te e n a g e rs w ho oug ht to g o to school. S o m e e x p e rie n c e se x u a l h a ra s s m e n t o r violen t and unjust tre a tm e n t by e m p lo y e rs . T h e y h av e no c o u ra g e to fight for th e ir rig hts.” S a w o m b a d ile e s tim a te s th e re a re s o m e 3 ,0 0 0 In d o n e s ian h o u se m a id s in th e provincial city. In his vie w , M a n a d o M a y o r W e m p ie F re d e ric k and th e city council re s p o n d e d positively to th e proposal th a t reg ulation s con cern ing h o u se m a id s be drafted and im p le m e n te d . S a w o m b a d ile said the g o v e rn m e n t and council a c k n o w le d g e d the situation o f h o u se m a id s n ee d s serio us attentio n and p ro m ised to discuss it a t a council m e e tin g n ext y e a r. M e a n tim e , s u rveys and stu d ies will be u n d ertak e n . In M a n a d o , as e ls e w h e re in th e country, a h o u se m a id is g e n e ra lly e m p lo y e d w ith ou t a w ritten con tract stating w orking hours, s a larie s a n d a llo w a n c e s . A ltho ug h s e x u a l a b u s e a n d tortu re can be d e a lt with u n d er existing crim inal law s, legal action c a n n o t be ta k e n for insufficient pay an d long w orking hours. S u a ra N u ra n i su g g ests th a t th e g o v e rn m e n t introd uce reg u latio n s to plug this loo ph ole. R e v e re n d V ic k y Kansil, a P ro te s ta n t p astor a n d council m e m b e r, a g re e s w ith the su g g estio n , d escrib ing it as con structive, h u m an e thinking. “I sup po rt th e id e a of havin g re g u la tio n s for h o u s e m a id s .” H o w e v e r, he o b s e rv e d th a t w h ile s o m e e m p lo y e rs m istreat th eir w o rk e rs , m a n y o th ers tre a t th e m w ell.

Bible Museum INDIA, Bellary , ( U C A N ) — A Bible museum in southern India has drawn more than 1 million people since it opened,two years ago, and its officials say most visitors are not Christians. Bishop Jos e p h D ’S ilv a of B ellary, w h o initiated th e project, s ays that th e m u s e u m inside St. M a ry 's S h rin e in K a rn a ta k a s ta te ’s B ellary Fort h as d ra w n m o re p eo p le than e x p e c te d . H e e x p la in e d th a t th e C h urch h as not “sufficien tly” u sed a rt and o th e r m e d ia fo rm s to e v a n g e liz e , but “w h e re v e r it w a s d o n e, th e re h av e b e e n a m a z in g re s u lts .” F a th e r A n th o n y R a j, parish priest o f St. M ary 's , s ays he ex p e c ts s o m e 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 visitors on S e p t. 8, n orm ally c e le b ra te d a s th e Birth of th e Virgin M ary . T h a t d a y m ark s th e sec o n d a n n iv e rs a ry o f both the shrine and th e m u s e u m . N in ety p erc e n t o f the m o re than 1 million visitors to th e shrine a re not C h ris tia n s but p eo p le o f o th e r faiths. O n m ost w e e k e n d s , ab o u t 5 ,0 0 0 p eo p le visit th e m u s e u m , which fills 3 7 0 s q u a re m e te rs in th e s h rin e ’s b a s e m e n t. It h o u se s colorful d io ra m a s d epicting 3 4 Biblical e v e n ts , fro m th e G a rd e n of E d e n to P e n te c o st. “W e h av e s e t up th e m u s e u m w ith the b est o f artistic and s p ecial e ffe c ts to m a k e B ible sto ries a p p e a lin g ,” F a th e r R aj said. Abdul R e h m a n , a M uslim b u s in e s s m a n , s ays M uslim s visit the m u s e u m b e c a u s e m a n y exhibits d epicting e v e n ts fro m th e Old T e s ta m e n t a re also found in th e Q u r’an. S a m a n a , a M uslim w h o reg ularly visits th e shrine, s ays the m u s e u m h elps h e r u n d ers ta n d m o re ab o u t Isa N a b i (P ro p h e t J e s u s ) a n d his “g re a t te a c h in g s .”

Sustainable fishing BANGLADESH, Dhaka ( U C A N ) Bangladesh is a patchwork of rivers, streams and ponds, offering the promise of fish in abundance. But on the ground the scramble for fish by exporters and poor fisherfolk is depleting the nation's “silver' wealth. C aritas B angladesh, the social w elfa re and hum an develo pm en t arm o f the country's Catholic bishops, is working with the grassroots com m unity to tackle this problem. C a ritas is also w orking with the g o v e rn m e n t to boost but not overfish the catch, a w a re that good m a n a g e m e n t is vital to im proving fish stocks. T h e prim e m inister said 6 -8 p ercent of expo rt incom e com es from th e s e “silver cro ps,” with the fish ery secto r m aking up 6 p ercent of the cou ntry’s gross dom estic product. According to the W o rld B ank, fish also provide ab o u t 80 p ercent o f anim al protein in a B ang ladesh i diet. M arcel D ’C o sta, fisheries p rogram coordinator, said C aritas w orks with the fishing com m unity through m utual understanding. “T h e fisherfolk h ave s o m e basic k no w ledg e abo ut fish cultivation that w e do not h a v e ,” he said. But M o h a m m a d A lam gir, a n o th e r C a ritas program re p resen tative, pointed out that industrial fish farm ing practices som e tim e s n ee d to be taught b e c a u s e fisherfolk “do not re a liz e ” they h av e to supply food for the fish. Abdul M a n n a n Bhuiyan, m inister o f the Local G o v e rn m en t, R ural D e v e lo p m e n t a nd C o o p e ra tiv e s , called on p eo ple to stop indiscrim inate fishing in open w ater. It is “very unfortu nate” for the nation, Bhuiyan said, to h ave to im port fish w h e n it has ab u n d an t w a te r reso urces and the “scope to im prove its fishery secto r.”

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

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S t A n n e’s statue: firm fa c ia l features, authoritative yet gentle a n d pretty with a m otherly posture. O nly the highest ; standard o f workm anship '■expected o f our professional sculptors can capture these trueto-life characteristics. Look at the coiffure, the ears and eyes that look alive. Look at the lips that, sm ile dem urely while guiding M ary by holding the scroll. ■ ’J r 'v I See how our sculptors portray jjf M ary in deep thought while she studies G o d ’s words.

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BOYS’ TOWN is a non-profit, C atholic, in stitu tio n co m p risin g three com ponents. The B oarding H o m e, A ssu m p tio n V ocational Institute and A ssum ption E nglish 'S c h o o l. T h e B o a rd in g H o m e provides residential care for boys, ag ed b e tw e e n 11-18. T h e tw o s c h o o ls r e s p e c ti v e ly o f f e r vocational training and secondary e d u c a tio n fo r n e ig h b o u r h o o d children and boarders. T ogether w e a re d e d ic a te d to p r o v id e c o u n se llin g , sh elter, e d u c a tio n and practical living skills to youth.

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Interested applicants, please w rite /fax / em ail your full resum e including expected salary by Septem ber 30, 2002

Assistant Director, Boys’ Town 622 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore 678117 Fax: 6762-7846, email: ang@ boystown.org.sg O nly shortlisted candidates w ill be notified. Phone enquiries w ill not he entertained

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1 ■§

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CORNER T his q uiz is o pen to children w h o a re preparing to rec e iv e

Answers for Contest No. 8 CREATION

Holy Communion and are attending classes

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

Across

first three correct entries to reach the Editor, AFTER midnight Wednesday/ Thursday 18/19 September 2002, by e -m a il to steeple<3).sinanet.com,so. 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 20/21 September 2002. P rizes will be a w a rd e d to the

All th a t is n ee d e d to send the an s w e rs , is to u se the num bers of the clues as indicated and

state the

a n s w e r for e a c h clue. Y o u m ust give your W in n e rs , the

(1st. C om m .)

full name, address, and the Communion Class you a re attending at you r Parish.

In th e B ible story w e a re told

SIX d ays. DAY . 6. he c re a te d th e m oon, also on th e FOURTH d ay. 8. O n the first d a y he a ls o c re a te d NIGHT. 9. H e also c re a te d th e s e a on the SECOND day. 10. O n th e fifth d a y he c re a te d the FISHES. 12. O n the third d a y h e c re a te d PLANTS. th a t G od c re a te d the w orld in

O n th e first d a y he c re a te d

first three correct entries, (according to the "Inbox") will be a nn ou nced in the following issue

of the C atho lic N e w s , and will b e inform ed o f how they can collect th eir prizes.

Contest No. 9 (1st Comm.)

C R E A T IO N 2 Across 4.

O n e d a y t h e __________ c a m e along and said th a t th e y w o u ld n â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t die if th e y a te th e fruit th a t G od told th e m not to ea t.

6. 7.

In five d ay s G od c re a te d all sorts of things. O n th e sixth d a y he c r e a t e d ______ .

K hoo C h o k S ia n g , L eo n a rd - H o ly C ro s s

G od

12.

T h e bible story s ays th a t w h a t he c re a te d on the

14.

_______ on the s e v en th day.

T h e p la c e w h e re G o d m a d e all th e s e things w a s c alled the G a rd e n of

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.

T h e re w a s o ne

T his tim e th e re w e re 7 entries and all correct A ccording to the "inbox" tim e, the first 3 g et the m ain prizes, and the o thers g et a little consolation p rize each.

Congratulations to ALL of you, even for trying!

Down

Children. PLEASE take note:

Sharmaine Cheng Jing Yi - O L P S Alexis Arthur Tan Yan Xiong - H o ly F am ily Alanna Jean Pereira - H oly F am ily

P e te r M a h C ihui - R isen Christ J o n a th a n C h u a W e i Jin - S t A n n e Josep h G w e e M in g -W e i - H o ly F am ily

sixth d a y w a s c re a te d in th e im a g e o f _______ Created by CNews with EclipseCrossword.

2 3

4 5 6

10.

G od th e F a th e r is called th e

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

Consolation Prizes

T h e G a rd e n h ad all kinds o f _______ trees. G o d , he d ro ve them B e c a u s e th e y did not _ out o f the G a rd e n .

CREATOR. FIFTH d a y too. 5. O n the secon d d a y he c re a te d LAND. 7. H e also c re a te d TREES on th e third day. 11. O n the fourth d a y h e c re a te d th e SUN. 1.

The WINNERS ARE .....

T h e eatin g o f th e fruit w hich G od fo rb a d e is know n as th e f ir s t_____ .

Down

_ w h o s e fruit G od told the

COLLECTION of Prizes

p eo p le th e y m ust not ea t. T h e fruit th e y w e re not a llo w e d to e a t w a s on a tre e in t h e _________ of th e g ard e n . 3.

T h e ea tin g of the forbid den fruit is also called __________ sin.

T h e s e tre e s w e re to be t h e ______ for th e p eo p le G od c re a te d .

Did th e y e a t th e fruit?

11.

H o w m a n y p eo p le did G od c re a te ? _______ .

13.

If th e y a te this fruit th e y w o u ld _____ .

W e try to inform each of you individually by e-m ail a fte r publication of yo u r n a m e s in this p ag e, but s o m e tim e s w e m ight miss out b e c a u s e a n u m b e r of you e ith e r don't h ave your own e -m a il a dd ress but u se you r D a d d y 's or M um m y's, w hich is fine. But even then , the e -m a il a d d re s s e s don't a lw a ys h a v e a pro per n am e , and w e e n d up not being a b le to find you r 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. S o in c a s e you don't h e a r from us, but s ee your n a m e s am o ng the w inn ers, just contact C atho lic N e w s O ffice,

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The Story of Creation - Part 1 NOTES: Crossword No. 8 was about the Story of Creation. Introduction: In the beginning God created everything. Day 1 T h e re w a s ju s t d arkness. G od c reated light w hich he called "day" and s e p a rate d it from th e d ark which he called "night" Day 2 T h e n G od c reated a kind of roof which he called "heaven" and then m a d e dry land a p p e a r in the w a te rs and he called the .dry land "earth" and th e w a te rs he called "sea". Day 3 T h e n G od m a d e "plants" and "fruit trees" gro w on the land. ( W h e n I w a s a ch ild , I a lw a y s w o n d e r e d w h e th e r th e r e w e r e d u ria n s a n d r a m b u ta n s - I s till d o n 't k n o w !)

Day 4 N o w G od set to w o rk w ith the lights. H e hung little o nes in the sky - th e s e w e re the "stars". T h e n he put in 2 big o nes, o ne b ig g er than the other. T h e b igger o n e w a s the "sun" for d ay tim e , and the s m aller o ne, the "moon" for night-tim e. Day 5 G od looked aro un d and felt th a t the w h o le p lace w a s pretty e m p ty so he d ecid ed to put living c re a tu re s all o ver the place so th a t th e y could m o ve around and m a k e the w h o le world look very lively. . H e cre a te d "birds" to fly around in the sky a b o v e the earth , then he put "fish" and all sorts o f "sea creatures" in the w a te rs o f the sea, and then he m a d e all the "animals" you s e e in the zoo, the little fellas, like the squirrels, as well as th e hugh o nes, like the eleph ants. H e didn't forget the tiny o nes, too, the insects, like the ants, and the spiders, and the m osquitoes too, though w e don't like them ! C a n you im ag ine w h a t it all looked like? It m ust h ave b ee n really w onderful. In fact, the Bible s ays that G od thought so too! It says th a t G od s a w th a t it w a s good, all v e ry good! It still is w onderful, e x c e p t that p eo p le h av e not looked a fte r the world v e ry well!

W a s it very dificult? I a m w on dering w h e th e r that w a s w hy th e re w e re only seven entries. It really should not h av e b ee n difficult b e c a u s e it w a s only ab o u t d etails o f the story of C rea tio n w hich is the very first story in the Bible. Could it be that not all of you h ave the Bible in y o u r hom e? If you don't h a v e o ne, m a y b e you could a sk D a d d y and M u m m y to try and g et o ne. I know they can cost quite a lot, but you don't n ee d to g e t a very e x p e n siv e o ne. T h e re a re c h e a p e r o n e s and also very e x p e n siv e ones, but a c h e a p e r o n e will do just as w ell, a fte r all, it is not im portant th a t it has a le a th e r c over and gold e d g e s . W h a t's inside the book is m uch m o re im portant. A g ain , m a y b e a c o m p le te Bible m ight be too difficult for yo u r age. P e rh a p s, you should a sk D a d d y and M u m m y to look out for a C hildren's Bible - a sim ple o n e th a t you can read and u nd erstan d. O f cou rse it will not be co m p lete but it will h av e s o m e of the m ain stories so th a t you can learn som eth ing from this w onderful book and w h a t it is trying to tea c h us. A n yw a y , first, just

a few things about the Bible that you should know.

1 W e call th e Bible, "God's Word". It is N O T that G od w ro te the Bible, but he put thoughts into the m inds of p eo p le and guided them in writing the book. T h e p ro per w ord - a big o ne, though, for this is "inspire" G od "inspired" p eo p le to w rite th e Book. 2 W e s p e a k of the Bible as a "Book". In fact, th e re a re m an y books in the Bible, a total o f 7 3 o f them in all. D on't im ag ine th a t th e s e books a re like "books" as w e know th em . T h e y a re not big books, o th erw ise the Bible w ould be a little library! T h e y a re quite sm all, som e e v e n just a fe w pages! 3 T h e w h o le B ible is divided into 2 parts, w hich a re called the Old Testament (b efo re Jesus), w hich has 4 6 books and the New Testament (a fte r Jes u s ), w hich h as 2 7 books.

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

WORLD SUMMIT — At Johanesgurg, South Africa

V a t ic a n

I n t e r v e n t io n

Tr.:

The Holy See participated in the recently concluded World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johan nesburg, South Africa from 26 August - 4 September, with a 6-member delegation headed by its Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, His Exc. Archbishop Renato Martino. His speech to the whole assembly serves as a good summary of how the Church views the global issues which affect the whole of humanity and what it urges for a comprehensive solution to the problems that challenge us in the new Millenium.

The Situation of the World today The Face o f Tragedy

The lack o f Response

Today, absolute poverty continues to plague too many of the world’s people. Too many do not have access to basic social services, namely: clean water, safe sanitation, health care, education, shelter or security. Too many people are unemployed or underemployed. Too many children, especially girls, lack educational opportunities. Too many adults, especially women, lack literacy skills and the chance for economic advancement and social integration. Too many people suffer from the devastation of sickness and disease, particularly the effects of HIV/AIDS and malaria, which continue to have such a devastating impact, especially in Africa and the Caribbean. Too many have little hope for a brighter future.

The seams of human society are today tom by the lack of response to basic human needs of millions of our brothers and sisters. No portion or member of the human family should be reduced to live in sub-human social, economic, environmental, cultural or political conditions. Extreme poverty is perhaps the most pervasive and paralyzing violation of human rights in our world. The poor must be heard on issues and be at the center of local, national and international programs for sustainable development. Persons living in poverty must be considered as participating subjects. Individuals and peoples cannot become tools but must be the protagonists of their future, able to be the “agents of their own development” and, “in their specific economic and political circumstances, to exercise the creativity which is characteristic of the human person and on which the wealth of nations too is dependent”. Any initiative contributing to the development and ennoblement of people needs to address both the human being's spiritual and material existence.

Raising the flags o f the United Nations and South Africa

Essential Considerations Priorities in Sustainable Develoment

Ethical and Moral Issues

Centrality o f the Human Person

Juridical, economic and technical measures are not sufficient to solve the problems that hamper sustainable development. Many of these problems are issues of an ethical and moral nature, which call for a profound change in modern civilization’s typical patterns of consumption and production, particularly in the industrialized countries. At stake, then, is not only a ‘p hysical’ ecology, but also a ‘human ecology', which rests primarily on ensuring and safeguarding moral conditions in the actions of the human being in the human environment”. What is needed is “education in ecological responsibility. A true education in responsibility entails a genuine conversion in way of thought and behaviour”, promoting a true culture of life, which should be the basis for the new culture of sustainable development.

States come to this World Summit with particular interests, needs, resources, rights and responsibilities. The unifying element in this organic blending of legitimate diversities is, and must be, the human person, as stated in the first Principle of the Rio Declaration: “Human beings are at the centre o f concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature".

The promotion of human dignity is linked to the right to development and to the right to a healthy environment, since these rights highlight the dynamics of the relationship between the individual and society; this stimulates the responsibility of the individual towards self, towards others, towards creation, and ultimately towards God. In this regard, the Holy See continues to affirm its serious concern for the three interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development - the economic, the social and the environmental - and their contribution to true integral human development and the promotion of the well-being of all people. Development is first and foremost a question of people. As noted by Secretary General Kofi Annan, “The United Nations must place people at the centre of everything it does, enabling them to meet their needs and realize their full potential”. N eed for Human Solidarity.

Principle o f Global Solidarity

The earth and all its resources are part of the “common heritage o f all humanity". This understanding fosters interdependence, stresses responsibility and underlines the importance of the principle of global solidarity. This reality becomes the foundation of sustainable development by directing the moral imperatives of justice, international cooperation, peace, security, and the desire to enhance the spiritual and material well-being of present and future generations. In response to selfishness and indifference, either as pertains to natural resources or in the abandonment of those with less power, money or influence, SOLIDARITY is a firm and persevering determination to achieve the common good and in doing so to be attentive to others. It is a demanding ideal, one which Pope John Paul II has highlighted by his call for a “GLOBALIZATION O F SOLIDARITY".

“The great moral challenge facing nations and the international community is to combine development with SOLIDARITY.- a genuine sharing of benefits - in order to overcome both dehumanizing underdevelopment and the ‘over-development’ which considers people as mere economic units in a consumer system". (Pope John Paul II, The Church in A sia)

Since no one can be extraneous or indifferent to the lot of another member of the human family8 in the context of SOLIDARITY, priority must be given not only to the full development of all peoples but especially to the conditions of persons living in poverty. Moreover, poverty today cannot be defined simply in economic terms but more precisely as a person’s inability to realize his/her God-given potential.

Addressing the Situation Renewal o f Spirit

In 1995, Pope John Paul II spoke of a renewal of spirit within the UN system: “The United Nations Organization needs to rise more and more above the cold status of an administrative institution and to become a moral centre where all the nations of the world feel at home and develop a shared awareness of being, as it were, a ‘family of nations’. The idea of ‘family’ immediately evokes something more than simple functional relations or a mere convergence of interests. The family is by nature a community based on mutual trust, mutual support and sincere respect. In an authentic family the strong do not dominate; instead,

the weaker members, because of their very weakness, are all the more welcomed and served’ .13 In our interdependent and globalizing world, it is this spirit of “family" which must be fostered if real progress towards the goals and ideas of sustainable development are to be realized. Only when there is an understanding of mutual need and mutual achievement can humankind move towards the realization of a better life for all of the world’s people, all members of the “family of nations". By combining the ideas of need and achievement with the ideas of trust, support and respect, the process of sustainable development will not only move forward but will be strengthened in its efforts toward the eradication of poverty, protection of the environment,

Water - Water plays a vital role, not only as pertains to health but also as an indispensable productive element. Rural Development - Rural areas account for more than half of the world’s population and the poor living in these areas often lack access to basic social services. The rise of modern urbanization sometimes has been the cause for the rural population to be forgotten. Good Governance - In a national context, governance can be said to be good when the potential of the human being is channeled towards creative participation in government and in society. - In an international context, good governance requires that all states, including the poorest and the smallest, have access to the decision-making bodies which determine policy and promote international cooperation. E ditor from Vatican and UN reports

The Gift o f S elf

The Holy See calls for a “Gift o f S e lf, since the human being cannot fully find himself or herself except in self-giving. In response to selfishness and indifference, the “Gift o f S e lf ultimately ensures the well-being of others and of future generations and thus contributes to sustainable development. This concept is the basis of other types of voluntary associations and partnerships that the WSSD wishes to foster and promote. The “Gift o f S e ir is the noblest use of human freedom and the basis for action toward integral human development.

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

24 Ordinary

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

FAITH IN LIFE

25 Ordinary September 22

September 15 MUTUAL FORGIVENESS Texts:

1 Rd:

S ir 27:30 - 28:9

2 Rd: Rom 14:7-9

R esp: Ps 103 G osp el: M t 18:21-35

T h e lesso n in th e S c rip tu re s to d a y is a fo llo w -u p o f la s t S u n d a y 's te a c h in g - a n atu ral c o n s e q u e n c e o f th a t fu n d a m e n ta l c o m m a n d m e n t o f love. T h e lesson is m u tual fo rg iv e n e s s . It is this w h ic h m a k e s loving o th e rs a s C h ris t h a s loved us, v e ry difficult in d e e d .

First Reading: T h e m e s s a g e is v e ry c le a r- resentm ent and anger are foul things. H e who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance o fth e L o rd ... If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord? W h e n w e o u rs e lv e s a re so m uch

‘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

in n e e d o f G o d 's m e rc y and fo rg iv e n e s s , o n e w ould im a g in e th a t w e w ou ld h a v e to b e v e ry forgiving o f o u r fello w m en if w e e x p e c t to enjo y G o d 's forg iv e n e s s .

Responsorial: T h e P s a lm sings of th e loving fo rg iv e n e s s o f G o d , slow to an ger and rich in mercy. He forgives a ll o u r g u ilt a n d ... crowns us with love and com passion. He does not treat us according to our sins.

That is how m y heavenly father will deal with you unless you each forgive yo u r brother from yo u r heart. W e actu ally say this in that very

R esp: Ps 145:2-3,8-9,17 G osp el: M t 20:1-16

G o d is lo v e itself, a n d th e re a re m a n y a s p e c ts to this love. T h e liturgy o f to d a y points to a s p e c ia l "angle" - th e m y s te rio u s w a y s a n d w o rk ings o f G o d - "m ysterious" if w e fo rg e t th a t h e is L O V E IT S E L F !

First Reading: T h e s ayin g fro m Is a iah is to b e noted: "M y tho ug hts a re not y o u r tho ug hts, m y w a y s a re a b o v e y o u r w a y s ." T h is s u m s up v e ry succinctly, th e w o rkin g s o f G o d . G o d d o e s a c t in s tra n g e w a y s , at le a s t fro m o u r point o f vie w , in guiding o u r lives. S itu a tio n s w hich did not s e e m to look too bright, in fact, tu rn e d out to b e fo r o u r ow n good. O r, th e re w e re tim e s w h e n w e p ra y e d for w h a t w e tho ug ht w a s b est fo r us but o u r p ra y e rs s e e m e d to h a v e g o n e "u n a n s w ere d ." O n ly m uch later, did w e re a liz e th a t G o d h ad e v e n b e tte r things in sto re for us.

Second Reading: T h e d ile m m a o f P au l - is life on e a rth b e tte r o r is union w ith him in d e a th e v e n b etter. H e a c c ep ts w h a te v e r G o d 's plan is fo r him . A b a n d o n m e n t to G o d 's will a n d letting him do w ith us w h a t h e know s b est, is th e solution. T h a t is th e cho ice w hich m a k e s "saints".

Gospel: W e h a v e a v e ry c le a r lesso n in fo rg iv e n e s s in th e p a ra b le of th e w ic k ed s e rv a n t. O n e o f the m o st difficult thin gs to do is to forgive. It is c e rta in ly m uch m o re difficult than to s ay "Sorry!". P e te r a sks J e s u s h ow m a n y tim e s he o u g h t to forg iv e s o m e o n e w h o w ro n g e d him . W h e n J e s u s tells P e te r th a t h e h as to fo rg ive not ju s t s e v en tim e s but seventy-seven times, he m e a n s s im p ly th a t o n e h a s a lw a y s to forgive.

In the Gospel p ara b le Jesus tells us th e s a m e thing:

1 Rd: Is 55:6-9 2 R d: Phil 1:20-24

w e thin k he d o e s n 't h e a r o u r calls o r h as e v e n a b a n d o n e d us. W e ju st fo rg e t th a t H is w a y s a re not n e c e s s a rily o u r w a y s! H e is a lw a y s m o tiva te d by love in his d e a lin g s w ith us.

Second Reading: T h e p a s s a g e is v e ry short but th e m e s s a g e is v e ry clear: we belong to the Lord, an d o u r life should h av e an in flu en ce on o th ers. E a s ie r said than d o n e , as w e all know . O u r lives certainly h a v e an in flu e n c e on o th e rs - fo r good o r bad! T h e point is th a t w e n e e d to m a k e sure th a t th e in flu e n c e is good

A re w e living up to the lesson w e learn in the texts o f today's M as s ? A re w e a s forgiving as w e oug ht to b e? In a n s w e r to the qu e ry o f St. P e te r in the Gospel today, C hrist told him that he had to forgive his b ro th er "not seven times but seventy-seven times ..... ” This is not to b e tak e n literally, but in the la n g u a g e of the tim e, the expressio n sim ply a m o u n ted to "always".

Texts:

Responsorial: The Lord is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts. H o w tru e, y e t w e s e e m to fo rg e t this, or, w o rs e still,

T h e u nsaid conclusion is o bviou s - so should w e fo rg ive others!

Application in life

UNFATHOMABLE WAYS

Gospel: T h e G o s p e l p a ra b le illustrates th e s tra n g e n e s s o f G o d 's w a y s. W E w ould c o n s id e r this to b e q u ite unfair, a n d y e t th e e x p la n atio n o f th e la n d o w n e r is quite in c o n te s ta b le. " I choose to pay the last-comer a s much as I pay you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?"

-ott|Tve -iortnye

US OUR TRESPASSES ^

3S E

- f - A

W H O TRESPASS

A G A IN S T U S

Application in life W e a re often e n v io u s o f o th e rs w h o m G o d s e e m s to favo u r. H a v e w e e v e r p au s e d to think th a t G od is the Lord o f cre a tio n . H e h as e v e ry right to be g e n e ro u s to w h o m s o e v e r he p le a s e s . H e has e v e ry right to do w h a te v e r he w a n ts . W h o a re w e to q uestio n G o d ? W e certainly c a n 't a c c u s e G od o f b eing "unfair"! W e n ee d faith to a b a n d o n o u rs e lv e s fully to th e loving p ro vid e n c e o f G o d . In th e first p la c e a re w e so s ure th a t w e a re less fav o u re d ? D o w e re a lly know w h a t g o e s on in th e lives o f o th e r p eo ple? W e really c a n 't m a k e such co m p ariso n s.

com m o n p ra y e r that all o f us say so very often, the O u r Father: T h e w a y s o f G o d a re u n fa th o m a b le . It is a q uestio n o f a c cep tin g w h a te v e r c o m e s from G od 's h an d , on th e streng th of his w isd o m and faith fu lness. It is a q uestio n o f trust. W e n ee d to learn a n d cultivate this a s p e c t o f faith , for, a s Is a iah says: His thoughts are not our

Forgive us ou r sins as we forgive those who sin against us. H o w m a n y o f us stop to think w h a t w e a re saying to G od ? W e a re practically asking him to forgive us in th e s a m e m a n n e r that w e forgive others. If w e don't forgive others, w e a re then telling G od not to forgive us either. Frightening thought! Hopefully, he's not going to ta k e us too seriously!

thoughts, his ways are not our ways. T h e p a ra b le o f tod ay's Gospel s e e m s a little s tra n g e a t first read in g . In d e e d it ten d s to c on jure up visions o f injustice on th e part of the la n d o w n e r in re s p e c t o f t h e w o rk e rs he hired. V a rio u s w o rkers w e re hired at vario us tim e s o f th e d ay, but w h e n it w a s tim e fo r th e m to be paid, all re c e iv e d the s a m e w a g e s .

F o rgiveness of o thers d o e s not com e easily. P erhap s, it is b e c a u s e w e think w e h a v e not o ffend ed o thers th a t seriously, or, at least, w e did not intend to offend th em . W h y can't w e give others the s a m e b en efit of the doubt?

W e ten d to reg ard G o d 's d ea lin g s w ith m en in th e s a m e w a y that w e reg ard the la n d o w n e r's . W e w a n t G od to tre a t us d ifferently from th o s e w h o m w e ju d g e not to h av e b e e n so faithful and g e n e ro u s in th e ir re s p o n s e a s o u rse lv e s . W h a t b usiness h a v e w e , a n y w a y , to ju d g e others! W e e x p e c t g re a t fav o u rs from G o d , a n d it a lm o s t pains us to s e e o th ers being as fa v o u re d , if not m o re fav o u re d by G o d . W e m ust re m e m b e r th a t divin e ju s tic e is not h u m an ju s tic e - in th e first p la c e w e m u s t re m e m b e r th a t G o d d o e s not o w e us a n y th in g . H e is c e rta in ly N O T "unfair"!

C h rist provides us with a m otivation fo r forgiveness. All o f us, at o n e tim e or an o th e r, h ave don e w rong to s o m e o n e els e and so a re in n ee d of forgiveness. Just from s h e e r h um an con siderations w e ought th e re fo re to forgive o thers since w e too w ould like to be forgiven by o thers for the w rong w e do to th em , let alon e be forgiven by G od for our o ffences to w ard s him.

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

F e a s ts o f th e W e e k : M on 16 S ts. C o rn eliu s , Pope, an d C y p ria n , Bishop, M artyrs T u e 17 S t. R o b e rt B e lla rm in e , (C ardinal) Bishop, D octor W e d 18 T h u 19 St. J a n u a riu s, Bishop, M artyr Fri 2 0 Sts. A n d re w Kim , priest, an d P au l C h o n g & C o m p a n io n s S a t 21 S t. M a tth e w , Apostle, Evangelist, Feast - Gloria

Why not celebrate YO UR Feastday with Mass!

M on 2 3 T ue 24 W ed 25 T h u 2 6 S ts. C o s m a s a n d D a m ia n , M artyrs Fri 2 7 St. V in c e n t d e P au l, priest S a t 2 8 St. W e n c e s la u s , M artyr Sis. L a u re n c e R u iz & C o m p , M artyrs

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002 THE CATHO LIC NEWS

■ Vatican II teaches i

The Living Word

FORMATION

by Rev. Ambrose Vaz, SSL

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

Professor of Sacred Scripture St Francis Xavier's Major Seminary

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church "L u m e n G e n t i u m ” - L i g h t o f t h e N a t i o n s

THE BIBLE : THE OLD TESTAMENT Introduction

BIBLICAL PRIMEVAL HISTORY

In fac t th e re is no sort of introduction as such, th a t o n e m ight ex p e c t to find. This is norm al practice in C hurch docum ents. H o w ev e r, w h a t o n e norm ally e xpects in an Introduction is a lw ays found in the first article of d o cu m en ts, w hich should th e re fo re not be ju s t passed over, b e c a u s e o n e runs the risk o f failing to p erc e iv e the overall p urpose and p erspective of the entire docum ent.

article 1 is "... she (the Church through the Council) intends to declare the nature and universal mission o f the Church as clearly as possible to the faithful and to the whole Church."

T h e k ey part o f

The Holy Bible

H e re w e a lre a d y h av e , v e ry clearly stated, the p urpose of the C onstitution of the C hurch - n am e ly to expound 1) "W h a t the C h urch is" (=nature) and 2 ) "W hat the C hurch is for." ( =mission).

The Question of Sources strong arguments to suggest that we begin the study of the Bible with the Exodus rather than with Primeval History.

T h e re a re

A fte r all, the E xo du s is th e point a t w hich Israel b eg a n to b e a p eo p le , the point a t w hich th e ir history b eg ins. In p articu lar, G o d 's d ea lin g s w ith th e P a tria rch s b e c a m e intelligible only b e c a u s e of

the writing of Genesis was possible only because of the experience of the Exodus. w h a t h a p p e n e d to Israel in the E x o d u s and la te r. C le a rly ,

It is im portant to note this, b e c a u s e in the very first o f th e s e colum ns on V a tic an II, w e said th a t although th e re is no D o g m a o r A rticle o f Faith d efined in V a tic a n II, it w ould be

very rash to reject its teachings.

The Place of Genesis

This p art o f Article 1 spells out very clearly th a t the C ouncil is the n atu re and m ission o f the C hurch. It is not just touching on th e s e aspects o f the C hurch, "in passing" as it w e re , but is d ealin g with th e m v e ry specifically, and ind eed the article g o e s on to e m p h a s iz e th a t this "duty" of the C hurch to propound its n atu re and mission "acquires even greater urgency today, so

H o w e v e r, this d o e s not p reju d ice the rightful place of Genesis at the beginning of salvation history. G o d ’s re d e m p tiv e plan w a s

declaring very solemnly and specifically

re v e a le d g ra d u a lly, through a s e ries o f insights into the m e a n in g o f his acts in h um an history; only g ra d u a lly could (an d d id ) the vario us p ie c e s fit into p la c e . O n c e th e picture b eg a n to e m e rg e , it w a s c le a r th a t G od had b e e n a t w o rk in th e d ay s o f A b ra h a m ,

that while men are being brought closer by social, technical and cultural bonds (globalization!), they m ay also achieve full unity in Christ".

Is a ac , a n d Jacob , through re v e la tio n , c o v e n an t, a n d prom ise. G o d 's d ea lin g s w ith the P a tria rch s had the n atu re o f a preparatio n for the E x o d u s and d e s e rv e to ra n k a s th e first c h a p te r of re d e m p tiv e history. A s soon as w e begin to in v e s tig a te P rim e v a l History, w e a re confronted w ith this q uestio n o f sou rces. T h e inspired w riters w ho told o f Is ra e l's m o n arc h y could (a t le a st o c c a s io n a lly ) consult the

Ch.1 -The Mystery of the Church

royal arc h ive s , c o n tem p o ra ry w ritten d o c u m e n ts , a n d e v e n living w itn e s s es . T h o s e w h o told of the E x o d u s could d ra w on the cultic recitals o f th e savin g d e e d s o f th e Lord. T h o s e w h o told o f the

The title of Chapter 1.

P a tria rch s could d ra w on tribal a n d clan history. B ut how do w e e xp lain the acco u n ts of th e g e n e ra tio n s b efo re A b ra h a m ? ... or

W e now n ee d to call attention to the Title of C h a p te r 1. W h y w e didn't do this in the first p lace is b e c a u s e w e n e e d e d to look at th a t key part of Article 1, w hich states the intention of the C h urch , through the C ouncil, to propound the n ature of the C h urch as clearly as possible. In the light o f this s ta te m e n t,, the Title o f C h a p te r 1 could s e e m to be rather strang e - if th e Church is a "Mystery" how can w e possibly und erstan d its n ature and purpose, let alon e, "clearly"?

w h a t if w e go all th e w a y b ack to creatio n ? C e rta in ly , th e q uestio n of s o u rces b e c o m e s m o re a cu te.

Graphics: © The Order o f St.Benedict. Texts: The Living Word: © Ambose Vaz. 2002.

The Role of Science

Vatican II teaches: © Robert P Balhetchet 2002.

In norm al la n g u a g e use, ‘‘mystery’’ ten d s to s u g g e s t som eth ing th a t sim ply c a n n o t be u nd ersto od or c o m p re h e n d e d . In d e e d , som e th in g th a t e v e n s u rp a s s e s our und erstan din g! T h e term is u sed in the N e w T e s ta m e n t by St. Paul a n d refers to G o d ’s plan o f salvation for m an kind , initially hidden and u n kno w n, but now revealed in the person of Jes u s and c o n tin u ing to b e re v e a le d by the C h urch in a n d through h erself. It is in this s e n s e th a t th e C o un cil u ses th e term to d es c rib e th e n atu re o f th e C h urch . In d e e d , e v e n in m o d ern la n g u a g e u s a g e , this sort of m e a n in g is not e x c lu d e d . It is in this s e n s e th a t w e talk o f the "mystery" of th e u n iverse. T h e re a re m a n y things th a t w e re hid den and u n kno w n, but s o m e o f th e s e a re n ow unfolding w ith th e a d v a n c e s o f s cien ce.

G e n e ra lly , th e answers that satisfied earlier generations will not do for us today. W h e n it w a s tho u g h t th a t th e tim e o f th e h um an ra c e on e a rth h ad b e e n only a fe w th o u san d y e a rs , it w a s

The

Documents of Vatican I I

p ossible to b elie v e th a t th e story of E d e n had b ee n p assed on fro m g en e ra tio n to g en e ra tio n ; ab o u t 2 5 g e n e ra tio n s from A d am to M o s e s w a s all th a t w a s req uired. T h e sug gestion th a t th e sto ries o f G e n e s is 1 - 1 1

the teachings they contain)

(as distinct from

re p re s e n t a d irect revelatio n to the

biblical a u th o r of w h a t h a p p e n e d “in th e b eg in n in g ” m u st also be ruled out, for w e w ould e x p e c t an a c c o u n t th a t c a m e d irectly from G od to be fre e from fac tu a l error.

To give one example:

G e n e s is 4 p re s e n ts the secon d g e n e ra tio n

o f m en (Cain and A bel) as fo o d -p ro d u c e rs (farm er and shepherd, P e rh a p s , w e can g ra s p a bit m o re if w e s a y th a t the C h urch is th e m a n ife s ta tio n , or re v e la tio n , or unfolding o f the m ystery th e "hidden plan " of G o d for m a n ’s salvation w hich is now being m a d e know n to m an kind . M an w a s c re a te d inn ocen t by G o d , but s inn ed. T his is w h a t w e re fe r to a s original sin. A s a result, m an kind w a s not in a position to enjo y e te rn a l life in G o d . H o w e v e r, G od p ro m ised a s a v io u r w h o w ould re d e e m the world and reconcile man with God. T h is is w h a t is re fe rre d to as G o d 's “plan o f sa lva tio n ”. H o w G o d w ould do this, w a s , a t first “hidden" - it w a s a “m y s te ry ”. It did not, h o w e v e r, re m a in h idden. Jesus, in his very

person, in his words and in his works, would be the revelation of the Mystery.

respectively), w hile a n th ro p o lo g y finds th a t m en p as s e d from the fo o d -g a th e rin g to the fo o d-prod ucin g s ta g e only "fairly recently"

To look to science for scientific truth is not to set it above the Bible but to give it a role in interpretation.

- pro bably no m o re than 1 0 ,0 0 0 y e a rs a g o .

If tradition a n d rev e la tio n a re ruled o ut as th e s ou rce o f the

we must suppose that the authors made use of stories, current in their culture - stories which they selected and adapted for what they wanted to teach about the early history of man. p re s e n ta tio n o f G e n e s is 1 -1 1 ,

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

REGIONAL Church expanding MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar (UCAN) — The Catholic Church in Mongolia has opened a second parish in the capital to boost its pastoral ministry and service to the poor, including non-Catholics. M o n s ig n o r W e n c e s la o P a d illa , apo sto lic p re fe c t of U la a n b a a ta r, b le s s e d th e n e w C h urch o f M a ry on A u g . 15, F e a s t o f the A ssum ption . B e s id e s serving C a th o lic s , th e parish will also run a sou p kitchen a n d o ffe r o th e r s e rv ic e s to the poo r and h o m e le s s a n d in v illag e s a n d tow n s on th e outskirts. T h e V e rb is t S tre e t C h ild ren C a re C e n tre a n d the M iss io n a rie s o f C h a rity nuns c urren tly o p e ra te th e only tw o C h u rch -ru n sou p kitchens in th e cou ntry — o n e in U la a n b a a ta r, th e o th e r in Y a a rm a g . T h e n e w church will e n a b le c a te c h is m c la ss e s to start in S e p te m b e r in S h u w u u . A ltho ug h no M on g o lian C a th o lic s live th e re , an Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry nun runs English a n d skills training p ro g ram s for the u n e m p lo y e d . T h e nun, S is te r M a rife S e b ia l, a n d s e v era l local p eo p le , no lon ger h av e to travel 2 5 kilo m etres from S h u w u u to th e capital to a tte n d S u n d a y M as s . A n o th e r parish is b eing c on structed n ext to th e Don B osco Sch oo l in A m g a la n district, e a s te rn U la a n b a a ta r. S c h e d u le d for com pletion n ext y e a r, th e n ew facility will include a d a y -c a re c e n te r fo r th e m e n ta lly d is a b led , a library, p h a rm a c y a n d church o ffices, all h oused in a fourw ing building w ith a church a t th e c en ter. A n o th e r parish in S o n g in o H a irh a n district in th e far w e s t end o f th e city is still in the planning s ta g e . M o n s ig n o r P a d illa said he h as a lw a y s d re a m e d of having c h u rc h e s s e rv e th e capital and surro un din g a re a s . H is d re a m is n ow com ing tru e since the c h u rc h e s will c o v e r an a re a con tain ing a third o f th e c o u n try ’s 2 .5 m illion p eo p le . U la a n b a a ta r is located in a v a lle y a lon g th e T uu l R iver, w ith sub urbs stretching to th e e a s t and w e s t. O n its outskirts a re “g e r” (felt te n t) s e ttle m e n ts . F a th e r S te fa n K im , a K o re a n “F id ei D o n u m ” m issio ner and parish p riest o f th e n e w church, th a n ke d K o re a n c a rp e n te r Jo h an for th e w o o d w o rk a n d p ew s, a s w ell as M o n g o lia n C a th o lic artist E n khtuvsh in for the S ta tio n s of th e C ro s s a n d th e s ta tu e of th e M a d o n n a and C hild in the e n tra n c e hall. T h e stations, c a rv e d in w ood a n d p ainted in brilliant colours, d ep ic t M o n g o lia n s in tradition al attire. F a th e r Kim also th a n k e d the children from Y a a rm a g v illa g e a n d th e s ta ff o f D on B osco Sch oo l in A m g a la n for helping to build th e church. T h e children, he said, p rayed th e ro sary d aily a n d h elp ed ca rry bricks. H e a ls o e x p re s s e d g ra titu d e to So uth K o re a n s w ho h elp e d w ith p ra y e r a n d fin a n c e s , a n d to th e K o re a n C a th o lic c o m m u n ity in U la a n b a a ta r. T h e n e w parish will h a v e M a s s e s in K o re a n e v e ry S a tu rd a y fo r s o m e 30 K o re a n s doing b u sin ess in th e capital.

Evangelization in Asia THAILAND, Pattaya, (UCAN) — Asian bishops met in Thailand to discuss the practical implementation of the Pope's Apostolic Exhortation “C h u r c h in A s ia " . S o m e 6 0 bishops, lay d e le g a te s , priests and R eligio us c a m e to th e re s o rt tow n o f P a tta y a , n e a r B an g ko k, to a tte n d a sym p osiu m on “Evangelization in the Light o f the Church in Asia", from S e p t. 3 to 8. A rch b ish o p T e le s p h o re T o p p o o f R a n c h i, India, c h a irm a n o f th e O ffice of E v a n g e liza tio n o f th e F ed e ra tio n o f A s ia n B is h o p s ’ C o n fe re n c e s O ffic e o f E d ucation (F A B C -O E ), w hich o rg a n ize d th e m e e tin g , told p articip ants th a t th e sym p osiu m a im e d to m a k e the exho rtatio n re le v a n t “lest it rem ain ju s t a d o c u m e n t.” A rch b ish o p A d ria n o B ern ard ini, A p ostolic N u ncio to T h a ila n d , rem in d ed th e g ath erin g th a t “th e faithful n e e d a m e s s a g e th a t is p re s e n te d to th e m in a sim p le and c o n c re te fo rm .” T h e inau gu ral a d d re s s w a s d eliv e re d by A rch bish op M alc o m R anjith, ad ju n c t S e c re ta ry o f the C o n g re g atio n for th e E v a n g e liza tio n o f P e o p le s , a t th e V a tic a n . H e e m p h a s iz e d the n ee d for a practical action plan for e v a n g e liza tio n . “E v a n g e liza tio n is not a m e re option for the C h urch but its d u ty ,” h e said. Priority h as to be g iven to stren g th en in g th e faith and m issio nary form atio n of C ath o lics in A s ia . M o re than d ia lo g u e , social serv ic e o r an A sian w a y o f theo lo gizin g, w h a t is a b s o lu te ly im p ortan t for the C h urch in A s ia is “tra n s p a re n c y o f life in b eing faithful to o n e ’s call to

In praise of Catholic Education THAILAND, Bangkok. (UCAN) — Thailand’s leaders are products of “high quality” education they received in Catholic schools, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared at a Catholic education fair that attracted tens of thousands.

Forum for Harmony INDIA, New Delhi. UCAN — S o m e 2 5 le a d e rs o f eigh t

Working for Unity SOUTH KOREA, Seoul (UCAN) — North and South Korean religious leaders who met in Seoul have agreed to pave the way for national reconciliation. A b o u t 5 0 0 civic a n d religious re p re s e n ta tiv e s from the tw o K o re a s jointly c e le b ra te d L ib eration D a y A u g. 15, the d a y K o re a n s w e re fre e d fro m J a p a n e s e colonial rule 57 y e a rs ago . A total of 1 1 7 North K o re a n s including C h ristian and B u dd hist re p re s e n ta tiv e s visited S e o u l A u g . 1 4 -1 6 for the first such g ath erin g in th e So uth K o re a n capital. L ast y e a r, So uth K o re a d e le g a te s visited P y o n g y a n g . T h e religious le a d e rs m e t a t th e S h e ra to n W a lk e r Hill H o tel in S e o u l th e m orning o f A u g . 16 a n d discu ssed w a y s to im p ro ve religious c o o p e ra tio n an d e x c h a n g e s b e tw e e n th e N orth a n d S outh. S a m u e l C h a n g J a e -o n , p re s id e n t o f th e (N o rth ) K o re a n A ssociatio n of R o m a n C atho lics, stre s s ed during th e m e e tin g th e n ee d for religious le a d e rs o f th e tw o K o re a s to ta k e th e le a d in th e m o v e m e n t fo r reu nificatio n. “All North K o re a n C a th o lic s h a v e p rayed fo r n ation al unity d e v o u tly ,” he said. A b o u t 2 0 S o u th K o rean C a th o lic re p re s e n ta tiv e s , including B ishop P au l C h oi D e o g -k i o f S u w o n , Bishop B o n ifa ce C h oi K i-san o f Inchon and A u xiliary B ishop A n d re w Y e o m S o o -ju n g of S e o u l, a tte n d e d th e m eeting . A lso p re s e n t w e re d e le g a te s re p re s e n tin g P ro te s ta n ts , B uddhists, C o n fu c ia n is ts and th e ind igen ou s C h on do i religion. F a th e r John Kim J on g-su, s e c re ta ry g e n e ra l of the C a th o lic B is h o p s ’ C o n fe re n c e o f K o re a , said th a t civilian and religious e x c h a n g e s by the tw o K o re a s h a v e only b e e n ‘b ab y step s'. "It’s n e c e s s a ry to con tin ue fo r the e x c h a n g e s to b e a r fru it,” said th e priest, w h o led the S o u th K o re a n d ele g a tio n to P y o n g y a n g last ye a r.

discip lesh ip. J e s u s w a n te d his discip les to b e "the light of the w o rld .” T h e C h urch m u st “do e veryth in g p ossible to u rge all C h ristian s on to the path o f h oliness. A sia b e lie v e s not so m uch in d octrine as in lived e x p e rie n c e ." B ishops m ust also ta k e th e lead in reach in g out to p eo p le o f o th e r religions an d e xercising pastoral charity to w a rd s th em . No tin g th a t A sian s e m in a rie s ten d to prioritize a c a d e m ic study o v e r faith w itn ess, he ca lled fo r a "scrutiny o f th e a p p ro a c h to m issiological fo rm a tio n ” and the d e v e lo p m e n t of a p p ro p ria te p ro gram s to form a strong m issio nary c o n s c io u sn e s s w ithin the C h urch , particularly in e c c le s ia s tic a l m o v e m e n ts , fa m ilie s and children. ” It is not w e w h o h av e to s o m e h o w c o n v e rt A sia to Je s u s . It is really th e Lord w h o to u c h e s th e d e e p e s t re c e s s o f the h u m an h e a rt and le a d s o th ers to H im . H e also e x p re s s e d con cern a b o u t s e c u la riza tio n , the social p h e n o m e n o n th a t ten d s to ido lize a s o -c a lled laicism th a t p la c e s itself in o pp ositio n ” to the spiritual a s p e c ts of life." O n the A sian w a y o f th e o lo g izin g , he a d v o c a te d the use of la n g u a g e d iffe re n t fro m th a t o f W e s te rn theo lo gy. "W e m ust use p e rs o n a liz e d e x p e rie n c e - the m a tte r of the h e a rt,” he said Follow ing A rch b ish o p R a n jith ’s inau gu ral a d d re s s , a n u m b e r o f bishops, during an o p e n forum , e x p re s s e d th eir vie w s w hich ra n g e d in e m p h a s is b e tw e e n "proclam ation", "w itness" and a ctu al "conversion".

religions h a v e s e t up a forum in N e w D elhi to p ro m o te tru st a n d collab oration a m o n g th e m s e lv e s . B a h a i, B uddhist, C h ristian , H indu, Jain , Je w ish , M uslim and Sikh le a d e rs m e t A u g. 17 a t the h e a d q u a rte rs o f the C a th o lic B is h o p s ’ C o n fe re n c e of Ind ia to form the In ter religious C ouncil of R eligio us L ea d e rs . A rch b ish o p V in c e n t M a ria C o n c e s s a o o f D elhi o p e n e d the m e e tin g by calling for an e n d to th e explo itation of religion for political and c o m m e rc ia l gains. T h o u g h religions aim to “estab lish the reign o f G od on e a rth ,” the C a th o lic p re la te said, “m a n y u n fo rtu n ate things a re n ow h ap p e n in g in o u r cou ntry in the n a m e o f relig io n .” H e called on all religious le a d e rs to w o rk to g e th e r to re m o v e m is u n d e rs tan d in g s am o n g religious p ractitioners a n d to uphold spiritual v a lu e s . S h a n k a ra c h a ry a M a d a v a n a n d a S a ra s w a ti, a Hindu le a d e r w h o a tte n d e d the m e e tin g , said th a t th e n ew council w a s “sign ificant b e c a u s e religious le a d e rs can g re a tly in flu en ce p e o p le .” V e n e ra b le L a m a D o bu m T ulku, a B u dd hist le a d e r, called th e initiative “noble and w o n d e rfu l” b e c a u s e it p ro m o tes p e a c e a n d h arm o n y in so ciety. “W e m ust m a k e sure the id e a filters d ow n to th e g rassro o ts le v e l.” F a th e r G e o rg e K o o v a c k al, fo u n d e r a n d p re s id e n t of the M e s s e n g e rs o f P e a c e and H a rm o n y , said th a t the council will a d m it only h e a d s o f religions a s m e m b e rs , w ho will c o m e to g e th e r as o n e c o m m u n ity and d ec id e w h a t th e y h a v e to do to p ro m o te p e a c e a n d co m m u n al h arm o n y in society. T h e religious le a d e rs a p p o in te d a s e v e n -m e m b e r p re p a ra to ry c o m m itte e to co n d u ct a s u rv e y am o n g vario us inter-relig iou s groups and as s o c ia tio n s in th e D elhi region, a n d to d raft th e council's structure a n d aim s. T h e council will m e e t reg ularly a n d u n d e rta k e activities such as e x c h a n g in g goodw ill m e s s a g e s on fes tiv e occasion s, he said. It will also issue join t s ta te m e n ts during e m e rg e n c ie s and n ation al c a lam itie s , a n d respond to issues affectin g religion and religious v a lu e s in society through th e m ed ia.

“C a th o lic schools not only e x c el a c a d e m ic a lly but also g ive im p o rtan c e to a holistic e d u c a tio n ,” th e T h a i p re m ie r said in his inau gu ral a d d re s s a t th e C a th o lic Ed ucation Fair, held A u g. 2 8 -3 0 at A ssum ption U n ive rs ity ’s c a m p u s in B a n g n a , a suburb o f B ang kok. Noting th a t he had his prim ary and s e c o n d a ry e d u c a tio n a t M on tfort S ch oo l in C h ia n g m a i, th e P rim e M in is te r said th a t th e e m p h a s is on discipline a n d critical thinking th a t th e schools provided pro ved v e ry useful later in life, w h ile th e religious d im en sio n o f C a th o lic schools h elp e d the s tu d en ts to live an eth ical life. D e p u ty P rim e M in is te r Po ng po l A d ire k s arn , a n o th e r s p e a k e r a t th e fair, said he s p e n t his e n tire school life at St. G a b rie l Sch oo l in B ang kok. T h e fa ir w a s held to m a rk th e 3 3 6 th a n n iv e rs a ry of C a th o lic edu c a tio n in T h a ila n d and th e 50th a n n iv e rs a ry of th e In te rn a tio n a l O ffic e o f C a th o lic E d ucation ( O IE C -th e F ren ch a c ro n y m ), a B e lg iu m -b a s e d N G O th a t re p re s e n ts C a th o lic edu c a tio n w o rld w id e a n d is re c o g n ize d by the H o ly S e e . T h e T h a i B is h o p s ’ C a th o lic E d ucation C ouncil, th e e v e n t o rg a n ize r, is an O IE C m e m b e r. T h e fa ir a im e d to re v ie w th e history and s e rv ic e of C a th o lic e d u c a tio n a l institutions aro u n d th e country, and a llo w e d scho ols to c o m e to g e th e r and s h a re th e ir e x p e rie n c e o f n e w ed u c a tio n tech n o lo g y. It w a s also m o u nted to e x p re s s a p p re c ia tio n to th e King o f T h a ila n d fo r allow ing C a th o lic e d u c a tio n to flourish in th e country. E d ucation M in is te r S u vit Khunkitti a ls o a fo rm e r stu d en t in a C a th o lic school, highlighted th e im p ortan t role C a th o lic schools h a v e p layed in ed u c a tin g T h a i you ths fo r m o re than 3 0 0 y e a rs . C a rd in a l M ic h a e l M ich ai K itbunchu o f B a n g k o k said at th e o pen in g M a s s th a t T h a i C a th o lic s should not fo rg e t the m issio naries, e s p e c ia lly the P a ris Foreig n M issions S o c ie ty (M E P ) priests, w h o p io n e e re d C a th o lic ed u catio n . C a th o lic e d u c a tio n in T h a ila n d , then called S ia m , b eg a n in 1 6 6 5 w h e n King N a ra i g ra n te d M E P m issio n aries land to build a c o lle g e in th e a n c ie n t capital o f A y u tth a y a , 6 0 kilo m etres north o f B ang kok. T h e T h a i C h u rch now s e rv e s m o re than 4 0 0 ,0 0 0 stu d en ts in 341 C a th o lic e d u c a tio n a l institutions, including tw o c o lle g es and tw o u n iversities w h ile m a n y d io c e s an schools and schools pro vid e n on -form al e d u c a tio n to u n d erp riv ile g e d children, including hill-tribe children in the north, children living in slum a re a s an d o rp hans. T h e ed u c a tio n fa ir a ttrac te d a lm o s t 5 0 ,0 0 0 p eo p le e a c h d ay. It w a s th e la rg e st e v e r held by the C ath o lic Ed ucation Council of T h a ila n d . M o re than 1 0 0 booths dis p la ye d innovation s a n d n ew e d u c a tio n tec h n o lo g y from schools all o v e r th e country. It also fe a tu re d e du catio n w o rksh o p s, c om petitio ns, con certs, sports con tests and cultural p e rfo rm a n c e s by stu d en ts.

THE CATHOLIC NEW S ■ THE I

EDITORIAL :

CATHOLIC NEWS

Solidarity

E D IT O R Dr (R ev ) Robert P. Balhetchet MANAGER Rev Fr Johnson Fern and ez S TAFF 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 TE L: 6 -8 5 8 -3 0 5 5 , F A X N O . 6 -8 5 8 -2 0 5 5 e-mail: cathnews@catholic.org.sg.

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SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

There was a time, in the not too distant past, when the word "solidarity" was linked with the political events that were taking place in Poland. It was the name of the Workers' Movement that was becoming a very powerful agent for change in the country and whose chief eventually became the President of Poland. One cannot resist thinking that our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II was influenced by it as those events were taking place right there in his homeland before his election to the Papacy. It was precisely the solidarity of "SOLIDARITY" that effected change. He now uses the term very often in his speeches to refer to what is needed on a global level to effect the change needed to benefit the whole of BY DR (REV) humanity. ROBERT P.

BALHETCHET

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In particular, he decries the lack of what he calls a "Culture o f Solidarity" at the level of nations, which is at the root of the unequal distribution of wealth, the exploitation of people and resources, the lack of food in so many countries, the widespread poverty and disease, the new divides of development, the lack of education, the lack of sustain able development - the list goes on.... World Summit after World Summit can be held, but deep and far reaching change seems to elude those who need it most, because as the Pope repeatedly states, there is a lack of political resolve that comes from a lack of a "culture of solidarity" among nations. Those that can make the difference appear to seek

their own interests and fail to realize that humanity is a whole, and not just a conglomeration o f individual na tions, jostling to keep ahead of each other. No, we are not in a position to influence World Summits - though we should not so easily succumb to acquiescence. There are many "little summits" that we are all a part of and where we can make some difference, if we put our minds to it, and if we as individuals begin to cultivate that "culture of solidarity" with others who suffer and are in need of one type or another, the difference will be made. It is certainly a matter of "many drops make an ocean"! Christianity is supposed to be a "culture of solidarity". The teaching of Christ was very much a teaching of "solidarity". He taught us to love all mankind - he set the example by dying for all humanity - he gave us a mission to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News. All the missionaries down through the ages had a very deep sense of the "culture of solidarity" - otherwise they wouldn't have left their comfortable homelands to go across to some distant land to try to make a difference to some small group of people with whom they had nothing in common but "humanity". It is heartening to see today, even groups of lay persons, not necessarily Christians, also "sacrificing" their time and resources to try to make a difference to some groups of people in other countries. The "culture of solidarity" is not extinct. Would that it could flourish even more, especially at World Summits!

FROM THE PEWS My w ays not your w ays Life is full of hardsh ips and p ro blem s. A s C atho lics, w e p ray to G o d to re s o lve o u r difficulties, a n d a s k O u r L a d y and all th e a n g e ls and saints to in te rc e d e on o u r b eh alf. S o m e tim e s , w e g et w h a t w e a s k for, s o m e tim e s w e do not, no m a tte r how often and how ferv e n tly w e pray. S o w e a re d is h e a rte n e d and m oan: “W h a t’s the u s e ? ’’ But w e a re told to h a v e faith in the Lord a lw a y s and to k e e p on p raying. H e h e a rs and a n s w e rs o u r p rayers, if not n ow then later, in H is ow n tim e . H e know s b est w h a t is good for us. W e h av e to be p atient. T h e o th e r d ay , a friend in C a n a d a e m a ile d m e a sim ple fo rm u la for this v e ry topic w hich he had got from s o m e w h e re . I w a n t to s h a re it w ith re a d e rs o f T h e C a th o lic N e w s in th e hop e o f raising the spirits of th o s e w h o fe e l like giving up. T h e fo rm u la is P .U .S .H . It m e a n s P ra y Until S o m e th in g H a p p e n s , A. O.

Indeed, as Isaiah rem inds us in the First Reading o f the 25th O rdinary Sunday, we m ight not get what we ask for, because: "My thoughts are not yo u r thoughts, m y ways not your ways - it is the Lord who speaks." It's always best to pray as Jesus did: "not m y will but thine be done!" Then one never gets disappointed, because the prayer will always be answered!

Latest release from auth o r o f 11 books

PARDON ME, ARE YOU THE BOSS? (By Dr. H enry R. M e y er)

For new and incom plete bosses. A vailable at bookstores and also from Distributor: FA TH IM A NEWS ENTERPRISE #14-04, Asia Insurance Bldg. S’p ore Tel: 6 2 2 0 -0 5 3 2 / 6 2 2 3 -0 9 6 4 Fax: 6 2 2 6 -0 1 2 3 k E-mail: fneariff@ mbox2.sinsnet.com .sg

Service Schedule I w ould a p p re c ia te if could publish an u p d ated list of N o v e n a , S u n s e t, S u n d a y and W e e k d a y M a s s e s o f all the cath olic c h u rch es in S in g a p o re on the C a th o lic N ew s. A fte r th e m a jo r resh uffle o f th e parish priests, a n u m b e r of c h u rc h e s h a v e c h a n g e d the m a s s s c h e d u le s for S u n s e t and S u n d a y serv ic e s . It is very disap po inting w h e n w e go to a church for S u n s e t o r S u n d a y s e rv ic e only to find th a t the tim e o f M a s s h as b e e n c h a n g e d . T o a void b eing late for th e s e rvice or calling th e priests fo r tim e o f the m a s s e s (often n obody picks up th e p h o n e ), I h um bly re q u e s t th a t an u p d ate d m a s s s e rvices be publish as it w ould ben eficial not only to m e but a ls o to m a n y of o u r fello w sisters and brothers w h o like visit th e ir fo rm e r parish o r priests. I b e lie v e th a t m a n y catholics w ould tre a s u re the publication of an u p d ated m a s s s e rvices as it proivides useful re fe re n c e for atten d in g m a s s s e rv ic e s in o th e r c hu rch es. T h a n k you. A . L.

Certainly a reasonable request, and we can try to do this. However, the new Directory is in preparation and all that information and m ore should soon be available in a form that will be easier to retain. The various districts would also be preparing their own "Directory cards" when everything has been stabilized in all the par ishes, otherwise the purpose would be defeated.

That lighter vein I re a d in to d a y ’s “C ath o lic N e w s ” th a t to start th e ball rolling, you n ee d s o m e jo k e s for publication and o ffe r b elo w o n e w hich I re c e iv e d from a friend lately. H o p e you find it “c h u rc h y ”. G od bless.

M.T. T h e n ew p as to r w a s visiting th e h o m es o f his p arishio ners. A t o n e h o u se, it s e e m e d obvious th a t s o m e o n e w a s a t h o m e, but no a n s w e r c a m e to his re p e a te d knocks and calls a t th e door. H e took o ut a card , w ro te “R evelation 3:20" on the b ac k a n d stuck it in the door. W h e n th e offering w a s p ro ce s s e d th e follow ing S u n d a y , he found th a t his card had b e e n returned . A d d e d to it w a s this cryptic m e s s a g e , “G enesis 3:1 0.” R e a c h in g for his B ible to c h e c k o ut the citation, he bro ke out in g a le s o f laug hter.

[ So that you too can enjoy this, m ay I add: Luke 10:37b - E ditor] Thank you indeed for this one - I, too, had a good laugh! Perhaps the m any new pastors in Singapore and the old ones as well might want to follow suit, and print R evelatio n 3 :2 0 on their calling cards! Thanks very much indeed also for a whole lot o f other "churchy" pieces you attached. I have some misgivings, though. What is the position in respect o f "copyright" for jo ke s? There are lots o f these in circulation, in private, but it's another m atter if they are pub lished. Perhaps a reader who knows about these things might be able to advise. I wouldn't want to be sued for violation o f som e one's copyright. This is why we have resisted publishing these, because, while there are m any in circulation, it's next to impossible to know from whom they originate and whether they are published and copyrighted.

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SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

LOCAL

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29

"Renewal cf Family life" Retreat S K K l'S ”” Topics * * * *

A d iv in e F am ily C o n v e rs io n o f fa m ily to Jesus Life o f th e fa m ily in Jesus F am ily fille d a n d le d b y th e H oly Spirit

Thurs. Sept 26, 9 a m to Sun. Sept 29 4 pm R e g is tra tio n Fee: S$40

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

Called to the High Priest

Mr. Celestine Anthony, beloved father of Rev. Fr. Adrian Anthony, parish priest of the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, passed away recently.

Sat. S ept 28, 7 p m to 10 pm H ealing Mass Free a d m is s io n

PROFILE OF TEAM MEMBERS: Fr Augustine V alloo ran is th e D ire c to r o f th e English S e ctio n o f D ivine R etreat C e n tre . He •is also a professor in th e St Jo se p h 's S em inary. G len .L a’Rive w a s a R ock M u sicia n . He w a s c o n v e rte d to th e LOrd fo r th e last 6 years. He le a d s Praise a n d W orship a t D ivine R e tre a t C e n tre to g e th e r w ith his w ife Teresa. THURSDAY OCTOBER 10 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 13 ■

“Sin <&Repentance” Retreat byFrVincent Lee Time: 8.30 a m to 6.00 p m d a ily

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T h e \ ^ o rd o f G o d o p e n e d m y h eart to th e g o o d n e s s o f G o d .. . F r J o se p h T a i, M a c a u I fe lt as i f G o d w as ta lk in g to m e d ir e c tly th r o u g h th e p r e a c h in g o f th e W 'b rd . I w as a b le to l o o k b a c k at m y pa st a n d fe lt s o r r y f o r m y sins. I h a v e d e c id e d to lo v e G o d seriou sly th r o u g h m y priestly m in is tr y a n d to live f o r H im ... F r A n t h o n y S a m y , T a m iln a d u , In d ia

FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 20

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Intercessory Team

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D e fin it e ly a m u st i f y o u w a n t to im p r o v e y o u r c o m m u n ic a t io n w it h th e L o r d , m a in ta in y o u r p ra y er life a n d lea rn t o in te r c e d e ... V. C h u a It has ta u g h t m e to p r a y m o r e fe r v e n tly a n d w ill d e fin it e ly im p r o v e m y p ra y er life . V e r y e n r ic h in g retreat... R . C h e w

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Receiving his reward

Rev Fr. Simon Yim was called by the Lord to his reward, at the age of 81, on 6 September, 2002 The Funeral Mass was held at 9.30 am on Tuesday 10 September, at the Church of St. Stephen where Fr. Yim had served for a time, in the presence of a large number of his brother priests. Fr. Yim was born on 10 June. 1921, and was ordained priest in December 1949. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee 3 years ago. Know n to all the local senio r clergy both in M a la y s ia and S in g a pore as o u r "Latin Professor" in the then M in o r S e m in a ry in Punggol, S in g ap o re, w h e re w e s pen t th e first 3 y e a rs o f our training, he e n d e a re d h im self to all o f us as a v e ry kind and patient priest with a g re a t s e n s e o f hum our. W e can't re m e m b e r Fr. Y im e v e r losing his cool and getting angry. A p art from Latin, h e also tau g ht us "Liturgical singing" w hich in those d ays w a s G re g o ria n C h a n t - in Latin, o f course! A s for the liturgy, he w a s a lw a ys rem inding us not to "drag" out the c e le b ra tions. "W hen you light a m atch," he would say, "you don't m o ve it slow ly along th e sulphur strip on the side o f the box. It will n ever burst into flam es! Y o u strike it with a short, strong, quick stroke then , it bursts into flam e s . If you w a n t to ignite the ferv o u r o f your congregation , you h av e to do likewise!" W e o ffer our very sin c e re c on do lences to the m e m b e rs of his fam ily on their loss. M a y he enjo y the glory o f th e Etern al High Priest in w h o s e priesthood he shared.

In Mary’s honour Photo by Anthony Chan

T h e fun eral M a s s w a s held in the C hurch o f St. V in c e n t de Paul at 1 2 .3 0 p m on F riday 6 S e p te m b e r and w a s c eleb rated by His G ra c e , the Archbishop E m eritus o f S in g a p o re , the M ost R e v e re n d Dr. G re g o ry Yong. A lso p resent w a s His G ra c e , the M ost R e v e re n d N icho las C h ia, A rchbishop o f S in gap ore, to g e th e r with s o m e 4 0 priests. M r. A n thony w a s a w a rd e n a t the C h urch o f O u r L ad y of L ourdes in S in g ap o re, and also a F o u n d e r M e m b e r o f the C atho lic Y o un g M en's Association (C Y M A ). L ater, in 1 9 5 2 , he s erved on the Building C o m m itte e o f the first C hurch of the Im m a c u la te H e a rt of M a ry in H ighland R o ad , a nd a fte r its com pletion, he served a s a C hurch W a rd e n . It w a s th e re th a t he c a m e to know th e then Fr. G reg o ry Y o ng (no w A rchbishop E m eritus), w ho w a s serving as A ssistant to R ev. Fr. M o s e s Koh. T h e young Adrian ( Fr. A n th o n y) w a s a lre a d y in the service of the A ltar as an A ltar Boy. W ith the com pletion and dedication of the C hurch of the Im m a c u la te H e a rt of M ary, M r. C e le s tin e A nthony's invo lvem ent with C hurch building did not end. H e later served on the Building C o m m itte e o f the fo rm e r C h urch o f O u r L ad y S^ar o f the S e a , and la te r on w as a dviso r to the Building C o m m itte e of the C hurch of St. V in c e n t d e Paul. F o r his dedication and service to th e C h urch he w a s a w a rd e d the "B en e M erenti" m ed al by the H oly F ath er. W e o ffer our d e e p e s t s y m p ath ies to R ev. Fr. Adrian A n th on y anti all m e m b e rs o f the fam ily on their b e re a v e m e n t.

We p r o v id e th e f o llo w in g m a te r ia ls a n d se r v ic e s a t re a so n a b le p r ic e s : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

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For enquiries and free-quotation without obligation, please call or visit us at: Block 41, Holland Drive #01-25, Singapore 270041 Tel: 6779-5034/6779-6035 Fax: 6778-6539 Business Hours: 9 am to 8 pm on norm al working days. 11 am to 3 pm on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Workmanship: 12 months warranty for every job taken. HDB Licence No: HB-02-0459Z (RADAC) Renovation and Decoration Advisory Centre

Autonomous status B y P e te r O o i

CHIJ Katong Convent was recently accorded the autonomous status, making it the third of 11 IJ schools to go autonomous after CHIJ Toa Payoh and CHIJ St Nicholas Girls'.

Novena procession Sept 1, 2002 A 2 -h o u r celeb ration "Call to holiness with M ary", w hich included M ass, a procession and recitation o f the R o sary as well as the consecration o f fam ilies to M ary, w a s held at the R e dem ptorist N o v e n a C hurch on S e p te m b e r 1. T h e m ain celeb ran t, A rch bish op of S in g a p o re , the M o s t R e v e re n d Nicholas C h ia told the h ug e c o n g re gation th a t "M a ry ’s holiness lies in h er d e e p faith in G od m an ifested in the A n nu nciatio n. If w e a re to follow in the foo tsteps o f M ary, w e m ust w a lk with h er in c o m p le te faith and trust in G o d .” H e urged the con gregation to be firm b elievers. “All o f us m ust not b e nom inal C atho lics but true C atholics, really strong in the faith. W e s e e the love th a t M a ry has. S h e has b ee n given to us as our M o th e r and she lives up to h e r m atern al c a re and protection for us. W e m ust jo u rn e y w ith her and im itate h er faith and h er love. And in h er c o m p a n y w e will b e a b le to e n c o u n te r and e x p e rie n c e Jesus p erson ally,” he said. T h e highlight o f the procession w a s the crow ning of O u r L a d y ’s picture by Archbishop C h ia.

In line with its vision to be a caring school th a t excels, its success in its bid to go au to n o m o u s w a s attributed to th e te a c h e rs ' clear und erstan din g o f the students' n ee d s and the extra hours d evo ted to coaching th e m in their lessons. K atong C o n ven t's principal, M rs Lysia K e e said : "O ur tea c h e rs a re very close to the students. T h e y know e x actly w h a t the students a re like, particularly their em o tio nal n ee d s and their learning n eed s. O n c e w e h av e th a t rapport with o u r students, w e can w ork v e ry w ell together." An au to n o m o u s school, it is given additional funding by the m inistry to d ev e lo p a w id e r and b etter ra n g e o f p ro gram m es.

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

elfare S er vic es S in g a p o r e 55 W a te rlo o Street, #03-00, S ingapo re 187954

IN MEMORIAM

C a t h o l ic W

V//////////A. DONATION DRAW 2002 RESULTS W////////Z, I st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10™

P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e P riz e

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$ 3 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 5 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 3 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 : 3818 -$ 3 0 0

(A ll tickets e n d in g w ith th e s a m e last 4 d ig its as th e 1st prize)

2 n d C o n s o l a t i o n P r iz e s

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(A ll tickets e n d in g w ith th e s a m e last 4 d ig its as th e 2n d prize)

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ALL WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY POST T h e s e r e s u lts w e r e a ls o p u b lis h e d in T h e S tr a its T im e s a n d L ia n h e Z a o b a o o n 2 6 .8 .0 2 , T h e C a th o lic N e w s a n d H a i S in g P a o . A ll p riz e s m u s t b e c la im e d b y O c to b e r 2 6 , 2 0 0 2 .

THANKSGIVING

Fifth A nniversary In loving m em ory of

Holy Spirit; you who m ake me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the w rong that is done to me and w ho are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that OW KIM T E E I never w ant to be Departed: Sept 16,1997 separated from you no Alw ays rem em bered m atter how great the by loved ones. material desires may be. I w ant to be with you First A nniversary and my loved ones in In Loving M emory of your perpetual glory. Amen. Thank you St Jude for answ ering my prayers. Janies Once again, grateful thanks to St Jude for prayers answered. Please continue to intercede and guide me in any difficulties I may face. Grateful thanks also to O ur Lord, M other Mary, LILY TERESA TAN St Anne, St Anthony, Departed: Aug 25,2001 St Joseph and The Holy Spirit. Eunice In our hearts your m em ory lingers. Most sincere thanks to Sweetly tender, the M ost Sacred Heart fond and true, of Jesus, Immaculate There is not a day Heart o f Mary and St dear m other. Jude Thaddeus for That we do not urgent petitions think of you. answered. M ay the A lw ays rem em bered Sacred Heart of Jesus, with love by Holy Mary and St Jude your children, Thaddeus be praised, grand children and honoured and invoked great grand children. always.

COMPUTER CLASSES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

There w ill be Veneration 1*

of St Faustina’s Relic after Mass

S FPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

British IT Specialist, Brian Guyll and his wife have set up a

Computer Training Centre at Siglap South C.C. at 6 Palm Rd, off Upper East Coast Road. * FUN W ITH C O M PU T E R S FO R

Eleventh Anniversary In loving memory of

T enth Anniversary In sweet memory of

ING RID KARIA M ARIE LU SCHW ITZ Departed: Sep 28, 1992 I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, even if,he dies, shall live; and whoever lives and believes in me, shall never die. (John 11:25-26) Dearly rem em bered by m other and all loved ones. In loving memory of

The years may wipe out m any things. But this th e y ’ll wipe out never, The m em ory o f those happy days W hich we had spent together. D eeply m issed by wife, sons, daughter and daughter-in-law .

Date Time Celebrant Venue

B u se s: T IB S 8 5 1 ,8 5 3 ,8 5 4 , 85 5 , 171 (to B u s In te rch a n g e ), 8 0 0 & 8 04 (F ee d e r S ervice)

Departed: Sept 2 5 ,1 9 8 8 M em o rie s lin g e r fo u rtee n years still. R e m in isc e n ce tre a su red , fo rg o tte n not C o m e this day th o u g h g rie v e w e shall; P ray to G o d , d o k e ep h e r w ell. “ T h e L o rd bless y ou and k e ep you; T h e L o rd m ak e H is face to shine upon you, and be g ra c io u s to you. T h e L o rd lift up H is co u n te n an c e upon you, and g iv e y ou p e a c e .” (N u m b e rs 6 :2 4 -2 6 ) S a d ly m isse d and fo n d ly re m e m b e re d alw ay s b y y o u r b elo v e d husband, lo v in g c h ild re n , g ran d ch ild ren , g re a t g ra n d c h ild re n an d lo v e d ones. M ass w ill be c eleb rate d at C hurch o f St Ig n a tiu s, S in g ap o re on W ed n esd ay S e p t 25, 2002 at 6 pm . In loving memory o f

Fourth A nniversary In loving memory of

Seven years have already passed since you left us to be with our Lord. D uring these years, we missed you so m uch but we know that you are safe with our Heavenly Father.

FR ED SC U LLY Departed: Sept 27,1981 Beloved brother o f EDNA.

PA TR IC K CHONG TAT CHEONG Departed: Sep 3, 1998 D ear God, Shine your perpetual light upon him. And grant him eternal peace. Alw ays fondly rem em bered by loved ones.

Fifteenth Anniversary In everloving m em ory of

Y ou will alw ays be rem em bered by your wife, daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren.

In loving memory of T h irty -first A n n iv ersa ry

Second Anniversary In loving m em ory of

T h irteen th A n n iv ersa ry

3 TO 15 Y E A R O L D S * FU N D A M E N T A L S O F E -C O M M U N IC A T IO N S FOR SE N IO R C IT IZ E N S / A D U LT S * FU N D A M E N T A L S O F W O R D / E X C E L /E M A IL S FOR M AIDS

* PL U S LOTS M O R E IN T E R ESTIN G

Sunday Sept 29, 2002 3.00pm (Recitation of Mercy Chaplet followed by Mass) Rev Fr Peter Koh Our Lady Star of the Sea Church 10 Yishun St 22, Singapore 768579

LENA LEE BENG KHIM (M RS W EE TH IA M CHOO)

PA TR IC K BONG KHOY SIP Departed:Sep 23, 1995

* C O M PU T E R ISE D B O O K K E E PIN G

mm , '

In ev erlo v in g m em o ry o f

RAY M O N D C H R ISTO PH E R DA N KER Departed:Sep 24, 1991

In loving m em ory of

JESPIN E JOOSA Departed: Sep 12,1993 H er smiling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall; She had a kind word for each And died beloved by all. Som e day we hope to meet her, Som e day, we know not when, T o clasp her hand in the better land. N ever to part again. Dearly m issed and fondly rem em bered by beloved family and loved ones.

Fourteenth Anniversary

C O U R SE S FOR EV ER Y O N E !

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DOROTHY HENSON ALEXANDER NEE SANTA M ARIA HENSON Departed:Sept 28.1971 Departed:Jan 5, 1989

“Safe in the arms of Jesus” Deeply missed and always remembered by those who really love you.

R. PARAN.JOTY Departed:Sep 19, 1987 1 will bless the Lord at all tim es, his praise shall be on my lips continually; my soul glories in the Lord, let the hum ble hear and rejoice. (Psalm 34). M ass at C hurch of St T eresa’s on Saturday Sept 21, 2002 at 6.30 pm. A lw ays with us in our lives and prayers.

----------------- - G j R < 0

-r‘

THIRD ANNIVERSARY

In ever loving remembrance of

GRADUATED? IN BETWEEN JOBS?

28 September, Saturday 2 -6pm Venue St Matthew’s Room, #01-05 Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Road, Singapore 549102 Cost $20 (inclusive of tea and materials) Places are limited. To register and for more information, please call Ann a t 64815912 or log onto www.harvesterscommunity.org

Tw o years have passed after your sad departure But not a day has passed without rem em bering you. W e m iss you m uch m ore than w ords can express. Deeply rem em bered with silent tears by your loving family, loved ones and som eone very close. E ighth Anniversary In loving m em ory of

MOLLY GASPER (TANG SWEELIN)

present a seminar and workshop for young adults:

ingAJobYou Love”

OLIV E KOEK Departed:Sept 18, 2000

Called home to be with the Lord on Sept 22,1999 The love you gave us spoke beautifully of you... Peaceful be your rest, dear mother, It is sweet to breathe your name; As in life we loved you dearly, So in death we do the same. Dearly missed and always remembered by beloved husband, children, grandchildren and all loved ones RES

IN PEACE

3 $ lc :

K.S. JOSEPH

If r

.11

Departed: Sept 13,1994 His sm iling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall; He had a kind word for each And died beloved by all. Som e day we hope to m eet him, Som e day, we know not when, To clasp his hand in the better land, N ever to part again. Always remembered by loving wife, children and loved ones.

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

1 4

T r in ity C a s k e t R e L td Your Right Choice.... For:

IN MEMORIAM Ninth Anniversary In cherished memory of

Thirty-fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

• C om p lete & d ig n ifie d funeral arrangem ents by professional and caring staff.

"I am the resurrection and the life He w ho believes in me shall never die.” For all those who have no one to pray for them - w e pray to the Lord.

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

S ix th A n n iv e rsa r y In lovin g m em ory o f

• C atho lic m ale & fem ale specialist em balm ers. Note: Female embalmer will attend to all female deceased.

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IRENE LOW GECK M UI Departed: Sep 21, 1993 We cannot forget you Our loved one so dear; Your memory grows Sweeter year after year. ALways remembered by family and loved

SEBASTIAN OEN NAM SIONG Departed: Sept 14, 1967 God’s greatest gift “Remembrance”.

THERESA JANSEN Departed: Sept 19, 1996

WHEN A LOVED ONE’S GONE

Always remembered by children, grand-children, great-grand children and all loved ones.

PETER V INCENT D eparted: S ep t 20, 1996 H is life w as earnest, his actions k in d ,. A generous hand and an active m ind, W illing to p lease, loath to offend, A lovin g father and faithful friend.

Seventh Anniversary In everloving memory of our mother and grandmother

The night does not last forever It fades with the dawning of the mom The rose does not last forever It withers with the fading of the spring But your memory will linger forever In the hearts of all who love you Because love does last forever. Always remembered by Kathleen, Corinne, T ILLY WOODFORD Denis, Daryl, Iris, Erin, Departed:Sep 18,1995 Travis and Aidan.

D early m issed and loved by fam ily and friends. M a sses w ill b e ce le b r a te d on Friday, Septem ber 20, 2 0 0 2 at Church o f Christ The K ing 6.15 pm Saturday, Septem ber 2 1, 2 0 0 2 at N oven a Church

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Sunday, Septem ber 2 2, 2 0 0 2 at Church o f Christ The K ing

11.30 am

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Member of the Association of Funeral Directors (Singapore) m

Always cherished by loving husband Frankie, children, in-laws, grand-children, great-grandson and loved ones. Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 6.15 pm and St Theresa’s Church at 6 pm on Thursday September 19. 2002. First Anniversary In loving memory of

Sixteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

"AVE MARIA"

Quality service affirmed by families which we had the honour to serve

V IS A

Those we love can never be more than a thought apart. For as long as there is memory they'll live on in our hearts.

First Anniversary In everloving memory of

All funeral-related services including columbarium works, exhumation, international repatriation of human remains etc

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Those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on. And cherished memories never fade because a loved one’s gone...

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LEONARD ANDREW BEINS Bom: Nov 30, 1960 Departed: Sept 18, 2001 His weary hours and days of pain. His sleepless nights are past. His ever patient frame Has found sweet rest at last. We who love him know How much we lost one year ago. Sadly missed and always remembered by Linda & Tanya Beins. Masses will be celebrated at Church of the Holy Trinity every Sunday of September at 9.30 am and on 18 September 6 pm.

MDM MASCR1NHAS NEE PEREIRA MARGARET Departed:Sep 17, 2001 What is home without a mother? All things this world may send. But when we lost our darling mother. We lost our dearest friend. Fondly remembered by sons: Frankie, Ignasius, Christopher, daughters-in-law: Marites, Cassandra, grand-daughters: Athena Jansy. Elizabeth, Ann Margaret, Mass will be celebrated at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes on Saturday Sept 14 at 6 pm.

LOUISA DULCIE CONCEICAOPEREIRA Departed:Sep 15, 1986 Memory of you. dear, still casts a gentle glow It braces our days and lights our paths wherever we may go. Sadly missed and always remembered by children and grandchildren.

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

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S T E P H E N K H O N G J IN K IA T

Gone home to the Lord: Sept 15, 2000 He always wore a smile, His caring ways we came to trust; No words can ever describe The immense love he had for us. It has been two years now Since you returned to the Almighty; Yet your love for us we remember And in our hearts remains for eternity. Dearly remembered and missed by wife, Betty, children and grandchildren.

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

YOUNG CATHOLICS — ~m

W o r ld Y o u th - fro m

‘ T h e W Y D e x p e r ie n c e h a s le f t m e w it h a g re a te r sense o f h o p e a n d lo v e f o r t h e C h u rc h ... It w a s a n o p p o r tu n ity fo r us y o u th to

f e l lo w s h i p ,

t o b e a r te s tim o n y t o t h e f a i t h a n d a ls o t o r e a f f i r m o u r s e lv e s a n d e a ch o th e r o f o u r i m p o r t a n c e in t h e C h u rc h to d a y .’

Avril Elizabeth Chew, 23

- Avril Elizabeth Chew, 23

World Youth Day delegates from Singapore and the Philippines pose together with their respective flags. Photos by Clarence Hoe for the thunderstorm which woke us up in the early morning the next day. The papal Mass was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. Once the Holy Father got onstage, the winds began to blow...hard... which did clear the clouds to reveal a clear blue sky. There was a gentle breeze by the time the Gospel was read, and our beloved pope, with great humour in his eyes said at the start of his hom ily, “We finally got some sun!” The WYD experience has left me with a greater sense of hope and love for the Church and the world. It was an opportunity for us youth to fellowship, to bear testimony to the Catholic faith and also to reaffirm ourselves and each other of our im portance in the Church today. It was a journey of faith. We crossed many physical and cultural barriers to unite as a family in the name of Christ, to show that yes,

th e y o u th s ’ d ia r ie s

AFTER 10 days of learning and ex periencing the events of World Youth Day 2002 (WYD) in Toronto, Canada, we, delegates from Singa pore, naturally needed rest. We also needed time to reflect on the events that were so overwhelming and pro found, especially because Pope John Paul II chose to grace the youth gathering. Hence, the following testimonies come more than a month after WYD. The gathering may have finished and all the signs of our presence in To ronto may have been erased off the grounds of the city. But the memo ries will live, forever engraved in the consciousness of our youth del egates. Some the 20 delegates share their testimonies here:

“What I remember most are the spir itual events of the week. The Sta tions of the Cross was exceptionally beautiful, and with the re-enacted scenes and accompanying reflection messages, the message of Christ’s sacrifice hit home for me. Of course, part and parcel of the WYD experience is to see the pope. I remember frantically running after the popemobile to get a glimpse of the Holy Father at the papal welcom ing event. Being in the pope’s presence was an experience enough. Such a holy presence! Every time the Holy Father joined us at the celebrations, I never failed to notice the way his presece moved the young people. Some youth would be screaming, crying or chanting ”J-P II, we love you!” I my self would usually stand speechless, half laughing, half crying. The climax of the celebrations was the Vespers (evening prayer) with the Holy Father, the overnight vigil on Saturday and papal Mass on Sunday. All the participants gathered at Downsview Park - a former air strip - and camped out for the night. The weather was not kind to us. The blazing sun on Saturday after noon was unforgiving and we were using everything and anything, like ponchos or rubbish bags to shelter ourselves from the heat, which was just as well as we needed the shelters

D ay

we believe, and amidst the strife and materialism, we want to live for a better world.”

Ivan Teo, 24 “As I recall the days in Toronto, a sense of joy fills my heart, for in those few days, I saw the face of God so clearly in the faces of the people I saw and met. On arrival in Toronto, we headed to the parish of Ss Peter and Paul in Mississauga, Ontario, which was about an hour’s journey from Toronto. It was here that we met our host families: for Clement and me, they were Joe and Gae Agueci, an Ital ian couple who came to Canada when they were six and eight years old respectively. The Aguecis showed us the face of God in their generosity and in the simple things they did to show their love, care and concern, such as stay-

‘ I s a w th e fa c e o f G o d s o c le a r ly in t h e fa c e s o f th e p e o p le I saw and m e t.’ - Ivan Teo

At Downsview Park on July 27 and 28, the youth used black garbage bags to shield themselves from the searing heat.

ing up past their bedtime to talk to us about our day's experiences over a cup of tea and pastries. The fact that we were strangers made it even more incredible but our Catholic faith makes us one in Christ and it is in this oneness that made us strangers no more. We attended catecheses and one such session put a new pair of eyes on me. Bishop Joe, an Ameri can bishop, said that the best help you can give to someone in need is yourself. He related his own experi ence in his seminary days in Rome, when he was going through a bad time. He wrote his mentor to ask for

God happily. I encountered many surprises from the Almightly and met lots of young people from all over the world. I believe something great is go ing to happen in the near future be cause the Church can be real strong and powerful when we young peo ple come together in unity. We can influence the world.”

Amanda Quek, 23 “Two of the catecheses I attended during World Youth Day helped iden tify my direction in life, my mission. Bishop Tim othy catechised about being salt of the earth. To be salt of the earth, we have to under stand the uses of salt. It is used to preserve, to cleanse and purify the wounds in our lives and in the world. Salt is also used to add spice to life. He identified joy as the spice that life needs and the invaluable sign of Jesus’ presence. He broke down the word: J - Jesus first; O - Others sec ond; and Y- Yourself last. So now, in all that I do in order to have and to give joy, I look at Jesus first, then at others and finally at my self. I know I want to be salt of the earth and light of the world to those around me in the hope that they, too, will be salt of the earth and light of the world to those around them.”

Daphne Doreen Goh, 20s “At Ottawa, where we spent a few days before going to Toronto, there were a lot of events and programmes

but what I loved most were the praise advice ad instead of getting a writ and worship sessions and adoration ten reply, he received a visit from his of the Blessed Sacrament. mentor. I was sick for some time when I thought to myself, “Why would we were in Toronto. I experienced someone want to be there physically the loving care of our heavenly Fa when it is so much convenient to ther through my friends and my host send an email or give a call? Then I family. I believe that through this realised that it's because of love. sickness and other inconveniences God is love and he gave us himself that I experienced, God wanted me because he loves us, just as Bishop to experience his love. Joe’s mentor gave his presence and This World Youth Day pilgrimage time because of his love for him. I realised that for myself, I do nothad drawn me close to Jesus and strengthened my Catholic faith. Our love others enough to want to be there journey did not end at World Youth for them when the need arises. Now I Day. The Singapore delegates con seek for this love in God and pray that tinue to communicate with one an his love will be manifested in me. other through email. We are also Through this pilgrimage, I feel that God planning to gather at one of our is caling me to love as he loves.” friends’ house. After WYD, we are supposed to Pauline Fong, 20s be salt of the earth and light of the world in our local parish. As for me, I “This was my first experience attend will continue to serve as a lector. I ing World Youth Day. I joined be would also want to get involved with cause I wanted to take a break from the liturgical committee as I have a my work and maybe find out if there desire and passion for the liturgy.” was an area in which I would serve

SEPTEM BER 15 - Septem ber 22, 2002

THE CATHO LIC NEWS

LOCAL

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To respect that wish, his remains were brought back to Singapore by members of his family. A Memorial Mass was celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia, at the Church of the Holy Family on Saturday 7 September with the participation of a very large crowd.

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W o rk s h o p

By Michael Koh

Though an Irishman through and through, Bro. McNally was also very much a Singaporean, and had expressed a desire to be interred here.

This carved meerkat by Brother Joseph McNally is on display in a garden at the Embassy o f Singapore in Washington. It is made o f yew wood, more than 3,000 years old, that he found in a bog in Ireland

P a r e n tin g

Just two issues ago, No. 17 for August 18 and 25, in this same space, we carried a short piece on Brother Joseph McNally, FSC, (Brothers o f the Christian Schools, popularly known here in Singapore as the "De La Salle Brothers") featuring his art pieces in the Singapore Embassy in Washington. The photo, as well as these others were carried on the website of the Catholic News Service of the US. We were therefore quite shocked to leam that he passed away soon after, on August 29, in his native Ireland.

His work and achievements have already been recalled by the local press, but we wish to add that Bro McNally was a man who was always interested in the work of others and always had words of praise and encouragement for them.

Some of Bro. McNally's works on display in America (CNS photos by Martin Lueders)

The Common Sense Parenting Workshop conducted by Morning Star Family Care Centre in July and August saw parents acquiring parenting skills the practical way. This certified programme developed by Boystown, USA, has benefited thousands of parents. Before attending the workshop, scolding, shouting and at times, caning my child when he did something wrong was a common scene at home. He often argued with me and sometimes the phrases he used such as “you don’t love me” or “Daddy and Mummy, I hate you!” were very hurtful. I had learned from my parents that discipline meant scolding and caning but I realised that my child was getting more stubborn and more aggressive after all the scoldings and caning. I knew that this form of discipline was hurting my child but I just did not know how to deal with the situation. I did know that I needed to do something to change my child’s behaviour. Going through the workshop has helped me communicate with my child more effectively and this builds a stronger bond between us. I have learned to control my anger and my child is also able to control his. He now knows my expectations and I know his limitations. We are able to sit down and talk calmly when there is a problem. When my child is guided to understand how he has misbehaved, he accepts the consequences without arguing or objecting. In addition, while it is not usual for us Asians to praise someone for doing something well, be it at home or in the office, I realised that children like to be praised for their efforts in doing something well. The sacrifice of six Saturday afternoons to attend the workshop has been worthwhile for my family. The next Common Sense Parenting Workshop will begin November 9. For more information, contact Kelvyanne Teoh (62851377).

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