FEBRUARY 26, 2012, Vol 62, No 04

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2012

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‘We must not remain silent before evil’ Pope stresses ‘fraternal correction’ in Lenten message VATICAN CITY – In his Lenten message, Pope

Benedict XVI called on the faithful to be concerned for one another and “not to remain isolated and indifferentâ€? to the fate of others. 0DWHULDOLVP DQG D VHQVH RI VHOI VXIÂżFLHQF\ are obstacles to a Christian life of charity , the pope said. ,QVWHDG RI ORRNLQJ ÂżUVW WR *RG DQG WKHQ WR WKH well-being of others, people often have an attitude of “indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for ‘privacy’â€?. +H VDLG WKDW *RGÂśV FRPPDQGPHQW WR ORYH “demands that we acknowledge our responsibility towards those who, like ourselves, are FUHDWXUHV DQG FKLOGUHQ RI *RG´ The annual Lenten message was presented during a Vatican news conference on Feb 7 by &DUGLQDO 5REHUW 6DUDK SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO &RU 8QXP WKH RIÂżFH ZKLFK KDQGOHV WKH pope’s charitable giving, along with Msgr Segundo Tejado Munoz, the council’s undersecretary. The theme of the 2012 Lenten message – “Let us be concerned for each other , to stir a response in love and good worksâ€? – was taken from St Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews. The pope outlined his message with three points taken from the letter: “concern for others, reciprocity and personal holinessâ€?. Concern for others, the pope said, means wanting what is good physically , morally and spiritually for one’ s neighbour. But he noted that contemporary culture “seems to have lost the sense of good and evilâ€?. Âł7KHUH LV D UHDO QHHG WR UHDIÂżUP WKDW JRRG does exist and will prevail,â€? the pope said, deÂżQLQJ JRRG DV ÂłZKDWHYHU JLYHV SURWHFWV DQG promotes life, brotherhood and communionâ€?. The pope warned against what he called “spiritual anaesthesiaâ€?, which numbs people to the suffering of others. Only a “humbleness of heart and the personal experience of suf fering can awaken within us a sense of compassion and empathyâ€?, he said. The suffering of others is not only physical or material, he said, but it is also spiritual, and he encouraged Christians to remember their “spiritual responsibilityâ€? towards their neighbour . He called for a renewal of a forgotten aspect of the Christian life – “fraternal correctionâ€?. Fraternal correction, he said, is a kind of

VOL 62

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INSIDE HOME Handbook for lectors St Mary’s comes up with guidelines for ministry „ Page 4

HOME Volunteering fulltime in Cambodia A Catholic shares her experience „ Page 5

ASIA Several China priests released Two ‘underground’ clergymen still detained „ Page 9 Lent begins on Feb 22 this year, with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. CNS photo

Christian charity that speaks out against people indulging in sin. “We must not remain silent before evil,� he said. Often, “out of human regard or purely personal convenience�, Christians fail to warn others against ways of thinking and behaving that are contrary to the truth. The reluctance to confront others in the name of truth, he said, stems from a world view dominated by individualism, which “accepts any moral choice in the name of personal freedom�, which then makes people blind to physical suffering and the spiritual and moral demands of life.

Often, ‘out of human regard or purely personal convenience,’ Christians fail to warn others against ways of thinking and behaving that are contrary to the truth, the pope said.

+RZHYHU *RG ZDQWV &KULVWLDQV WR KHOS DQG encourage each other to strive for the truth, for good and holy lives, he said. Fraternal correction must never be motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination, but instead be both loving and admonishing, as *RG LV ZLWK +LV FKLOGUHQ KH DGGHG “Both our sins and our acts of love have a social dimension,â€? which is why the Church asks forgiveness for the sins of its members and at the same time rejoices in examples of virtue and charity in the Church, he said. The pope said time is precious and people must not become lukewarm about performing JRRG ZRUNV DQG XVLQJ WKHLU *RG JLYHQ VSLULWXDO DQG PDWHULDO ULFKHV IRU WKH EHQHÂżW RI RWKHUV In a world “which demands of Christians D UHQHZHG ZLWQHVV RI ORYH DQG ÂżGHOLW\ WR WKH Lord, may all of us feel the ur gent need to anticipate one another in charity, service and good worksâ€?. „ CNS

ASIA Clergy sex abuse Church leaders speak up „ Pages 10 & 13

WORLD US contraceptive mandate Bishops unhappy over Obama’s compromise „ Page 12

The full text of the pope’s message is at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html

WORLD World Youth Day winning logo unveiled

Page 2: Archbishop Chia’s Lenten pastoral message

„ Page 13

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Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop’s Lenten Pastoral Message Simon and the other ¿VKHUPHQ were unable to catch DQ\ ¿VK but when Simon placed his trust in Jesus, everything changed. CNS photo

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In embarking on our Lenten jour ney this year, let us recall the story of Simon and the Fishermen from the Gospel of St Luke. Jesus had been preaching to a large crowd near a lake and saw WZR ÂżVKLQJ ERDWV -HVXV ERDUGHG Simon Peter’s boat and asked him to push the boat out a bit into the water so that He could distance himself from the pressing crowds. :KHQ -HVXV ÂżQLVKHG VSHDNLQJ He asked Simon to take his boat out into deeper water and lower his nets. Simon replied, “Master , we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command, I will lower the netsâ€? (Luke 5:5). The result was a catch so big WKDW WKH ÂżVKLQJ QHWV EHJDQ WR WHDU To be truly open to the power of Christ in your life is to acknowledge your failures and admit your own inability to save yourself. SiPRQ DQG WKH RWKHU ÂżVKHUPHQ ZHUH XQDEOH WR FDWFK DQ\ ÂżVK RQ WKHLU own, despite long and hard efforts, but when Simon placed his trust in Jesus, everything changed for him. Temptations exist all around XV :KHQ \RX ÂżQG \RXUVHOI WHPSWed, admit to your powerlessness, and tell Jesus how hard you have been working to overcome a par ticular sin without any success. Approach Christ as if you are a beggar; ask for His help, and wait

to see what happens. Develop a more personal relationship with God by reading stories about Jesus in the Bible or by meditating on the mysteries of Jesus’life through the prayer of the rosary . This will help you to make God the centre RI \RXU OLIH Âą WR ÂłSXW *RG ÂżUVW´ St Paul instructs us to pray always. Even though you may have only a certain amount of time to spend in formal prayer , any moment of the day can be an oppor tunity for a dialogue with God. Ask God how to respond in certain situations throughout the day or why He is sending a par ticular person to you. Invite God into every moment of your life. Ask for His Help, His Grace, His Love and His Mercy in all things. Then trust in Him – have Faith. This October 1 1th will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (“Vatican IIâ€?). In honour of this historic occasion, Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will kick off the “Year of Faithâ€?, which will run from October 2012 to October 2013. As we enter this period of /HQW OHW XV UHĂ€HFW RQ KRZ ZH PD\ deepen our faith in God so that we may have a truly life-changing Lenten experience this year. Lent is a time of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. We fast to RYHUFRPH VHOÂżVKQHVV %\ PDNLQJ

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Feb 19 11.00am Church of St Bernadette: Mass – Feastday Feb 20 11.30am St Francis Xavier Major Seminary: Mass – Inauguration )HE DP <RXWK 0LQLVWU\ 2I¿FH 0DVV ¹ &RPPLVVLRQLQJ Feb 25 2.00pm Blessed Sacrament Church: Mass – Rite of Election Feb 26 2.00pm Church of the Holy Spirit : Mass – Rite of Election

our plates poor, we are better able to look away from ourselves and recognise God in the face of others. We give alms to help us move away from the love of money and the temptation of greed. Through almsgiving, we share what we have with others, putting God above material goods. Through prayer, we learn to listen more attentively to God, who speaks to our hearts each day. When we pray, we make time for God and nourish the faith that was initiated in our Baptism. This Lent, let us look a bit more closely at the sincerity of RXU UHVROXWLRQV DQG VDFULÂżFHV LQ order to determine how we can make our practices even more meaningful – to lead to more per manent changes in our lives. What one resolution or sacriÂżFH ZLOO \RX PDNH WKLV /HQW WKDW will help you “walk through the door of faithâ€? and see what God has in store for your life? My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that you will take advantage RI WKLV /HQWHQ VHDVRQ WR UHĂ€HFW RQ your lives, repent of your sins, receive God’s mercy and respond to this gift by being merciful to others. Be open when you stand before God – empty, humble and repentant. Be determined to better your life. Although you might not always understand why things happen to you, you must trust that God has a plan for your life. God is waiting for you to walk through the “door of faithâ€?, as did Simon DQG WKH ÂżVKHUPHQ DQG UHFHLYH DOO His graces. „ Yours devotedly in Christ,

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

Sunday February 26, 2012 CatholicNews

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Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

St Mary’s comes up with lectors’ handbook... The Church of St Mary of the Angels has released a handbook for its lectors. The Lectors’ Ministry Handbook, released in January , covers topics such as an overview of the ministry, how lectors should prepare themselves to proclaim the Word, correct pronunciation and proper attire. According to members of the ministry, the handbook came about as a result of weekly preparatory sessions for lectors which began in January 2011. Friar Derrick Yap, spiritual director to the group, started the sessions to help lectors prepare spiritually ahead of the weekend Masses, and to help them with the more technical aspects of the ministry. At each 90-minute session, KHOG RQ 0RQGD\V OHFWRUV ¿UVW ORRN

The Lectors’ Ministry Handbook covers topics such as correct pronunciation and how lectors should prepare themselves.

at the readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass, led by a facilitator . They then share their thoughts and experiences as the words and phrases in the text touch them. Each lector then practises proclaiming in front of the group, sometimes using the church microphone, and supervised by a trainer.

Technical aspects such as body language, pace, voice projection, eye contact, enunciation are then openly discussed, allowing the lectors to learn from one another. According to organisers, some felt uncomfortable about this initially but gradually it became clear to all that they could learn from each other. As the sessions continued,

some lectors felt it would be useful to have a written account on what was being done in the ministry for future members as well as for those new to the work. The idea of a handbook began to materialise and received the support of Fr Derrick and parish priest, Fr John-PaulTan. “The handbook manifests our sincere commitment to effectively proclaim the Word, inspire and touch the hearts of the listening congregation,� said one lector, Ms Tess Gerinea. The lectors’ preparation has also garnered positive feedback, according to comments from parishioners. BY ANNE T P LEE Parishes who wish to enquire about the handbook may email Friar Derrick Yap at johnderrick@stmary.sg or James at smotalectors@yahoo.com.sg

Priests’ appointments

Msgr Francis Lau

Fr Stephen Yim

... and releases iPhone app for parish By Darren Boon

The Church of St Mary of the Angels app. Inset: Mr Johan Kool

It was a bulletin advertisement at the Church of St Mary of the Angels, calling for app developers, that caught Mr Johan Kool’s eye. Âł, ÂżJXUHG , FRXOG RIIHU ÂŤ P\ services and expertise in this,â€? said Mr Kool, who runs a company that develops apps for the iPhone and iPad. “I love writing codes for the iPhone.â€? The result – an iPhone app which provides parish news and information on faith formation, Neighbourhood Christian Communities (NCCs) and youth ministry, among other things. The “Church of St Mary of the Angelsâ€? app, which can now be downloaded free on iT unes, also

provides daily readings and reÀHFWLRQV DQG DOORZV IRU WKH WZHHWing and emailing of news items. An operating system iOS5.0 is needed to run the app. The app is meant to integrate with the parish’ s website, Mr Kool told CatholicNews. But the FKDOOHQJH ³ZDV ¿QGLQJ VRPHRQH who could help us develop the interface between the server and WKH DSS :H KDG D KDUG WLPH ¿QGing anyone who was familiar with that. Basically we ended up having to learn it ourselves.� He said the app project was a team effort with him contributing as developer. The project started about a year ago. Meanwhile the team is also looking at the possibility of add-

ing more features, and possibly making the app look a bit more attractive as it “looks a bit gray and dull� at the moment, said Mr Kool. An iPhone app was a “logical choice� as the parish is reviewing how it reaches out to parishioners, parish priest Friar John Paul Tan told CatholicNews. On a personal level, he said he believes strongly in “making information available and as accessible as possible�. He hopes that the app would be “helpful and useful for people who want individualised news and information� such as parents who want updates of timings of catechism classes. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Fr Adrian Yeo

As of Feb 1, Msgr Francis Lau has assumed all pastoral duties relating to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. The cathedral restoration will continue to be overseen by Fr Adrian Anthony, who will take on this project fulltime while continuing to reside at the cathedral. Fr Stephen Yim will assist Fr Michael Arro at the Church of St Teresa, while Fr Adrian Yeo will be parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as of March 5. „

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Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

9ROXQWHHULQJ IXOOWLPH LQ &DPERGLD Since 2011, Zenn Tan has been working in a Church-run centre for the disabled in Battambang %\ 'DUUHQ %RRQ It was seeing how some Cambodian children had to work and the poor living conditions in provinces that made Miss Zenn Tan decide to do fulltime mission work in the country. Since 2011, Miss Tan has been a volunteer in Battambang, Cambodia, and is currently working and living in the Church-run Arrupe Welcome Centre for the Disabled. The centre, which comes under Battambang apostolic prefecture, provides vocational training for people with disabilities, and is also a base for the Church’ s outreach and rehabilitation projects for such people. Although her original intention was to volunteer for a year , the 34-year-old single woman is now considering extending until next year. “I believe I am fortunate I have the opportunity to do what many of my friends ‌ wanted to but are somehow unable to do,â€? she shared, adding that her work helps the Cambodians “feel loved and cherished and that they are not aloneâ€?. Miss Tan, a former parishioner of Church of Divine Mercy , had previously participated in mission trips to Cambodia or ganised by ACTS (A Call to Share). With her background in Fine Arts, she helped out with painting murals and building grottoes. She later got to know the Salesian Sisters in Cambodia who introduced her to the Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, Msgr Enrique Figaredo. When she offered to work as a volunteer , he imme-

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diately accepted her request, Miss Tan said. 2QH RI KHU ÂżUVW WDVNV ZDV WR refurbish the souvenir ships in the Church-run Arupe and Tahen centres, the latter located 10 km from Battambang city. Her arts background came in useful as she painted the murals in both centres. She also assisted in “tidyingâ€? the shops’ inventories, and helped with the sale and mar-

cember trip by coordinating and facilitating medical teamwork in the villages. She also assists the prefecture in applications for Ă€RRG UHOLHI SURMHFWV While she faced initial challenges such as the language bar rier and cultural dif ferences, she said Cambodians have been “kind, helpful, patient and understandingâ€? towards her. She is currently learning the Khmer language and hopes to be able to communicate better with the locals. However, that is not her biggest challenge right now . “I need WR ZRUN RQ P\ RZQ ÂżQDQFLDO needs in order to sustain my mission work in Cambodia,â€? she said. She added: “I think it is more GLIÂżFXOW IRU P\ LPPHGLDWH IDPLO\

keting of products such as handicrafts made by the Cambodians. 6KH KDG HYHQ ÀRZQ &DPERdians to Singapore with the sponsorship of friends and family to sell their products at the Church RI 2XU /DG\ 4XHHQ RI 3HDFH DQG Church of St Ignatius. Miss Tan also teaches English in Cambodia and receives English-speaking guests. She assisted in ACTS’ last De-

‘I believe I am fortunate I have the

opportunity to do what many of my friends wanted to but are somehow unable to do.’

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than it is for me when I chose to leave everything in Singapore. My family, however, respected my decision and has been supportive of my work in Battambang.� Miss Tan also shared a little about the Church in Cambodia, a predominantly-Buddhist country. In Battambang, Masses are conducted in Khmer . There may be translations in other European languages such as English or French when there are foreign visitors attending Mass. One priority of the Church here is to impart “good values through social works and development activities with non-Christians�, she said. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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At 4 pm, on Saturday, Feb 11, 50 married couples and their children took part in a “Freeze Flash Mobâ€? event organised by Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Singapore. Proudly declaring the number of years they have been happily PDUULHG WKH FRXSOHV IUR]H IRU ÂżYH minutes in a pose portraying their love for each other outside Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. The event, or ganised for the second year running, was to celebrate World Marriage Day, which falls on Feb 12. Many curious passersby stopped to stare and take photos, wondering what was happening. This was quickly explained by

friendly volunteers carrying signs stating, “Please do not be alarmed. Just happily married couples having fun!â€? The event saw Mr Willie Song, 65, going down on one knee WR SUHVHQW Ă€RZHUV WR /LVD KLV ZLIH of 40 years. Posing with the sign, “Happily married 52 yearsâ€? were another couple, Willie and Teresa Koh. They said the event was fun and made them feel young. “More importantly, as a group, we are an encouragement to people around us that happy marriages and families are possible in this day and age,â€? one them shared. Melvyn and Daphne Tang, married for eight months and the

youngest participating couple, said they thought it was a novel way to celebrate their marriage. According to or ganisers, the event aimed not only to celebrate marriage in Singapore in a unique way but also to send a message that happy marriages are possible. “We were very encouraged by the turnout and support of all couples and their children this year ,� said Mr Adrian Tee, an organiser. “We hope to organise an even larger Freeze Flash Mob next year, perhaps involving as many WWME in other countries as well!� For more information on WWME, visit www.MEsingapore. org or call Vincent and Julyn at 9670 5390. „

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Sunday February 26, 2012 CatholicNews

Two ordinations to the diaconate )HE RUGLQDWLRQV PDUN D ÀUVW IRU WKH DUFKGLRFHVH VLQFH By Darren Boon

aging and supportive community for young people are all impor tant, he notes. However, the person himself must have an “intimate personal relationship with Jesus”, with the attraction coming from within as a result of a personal encounter with Christ and His Church, Deacon Lim says.

Seminarian Samuel Lim was or dained a deacon at Church of St Bernadette on Feb 11, marking the ¿UVW VXFK RUGLQDWLRQ WRZDUGV WKH GLocesan priesthood here since 2005. The last such ordinations were of then-seminarians Valerian Cheong, Damian De Wind, Christopher Lee and Anthony Kenny Tan. Also ordained a deacon that afternoon was China-born Joseph Zhang from the Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord (CDD). Archbishop Nicholas Chia presided over the celebration. Deacon Lim is currently assisting at Church of St Bernadette while Deacon Zhang is attached to Church of the Holy Trinity. No date and venue have been set for their priestly ordinations yet.

Deacon Joseph Zhang: Representing the Church in front of people

Deacon Samuel Lim: A priest laughs and cries with his people

Posing for a photo after the diaconate ordinations: (from left) Fr Philip Tan (Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord Malaysian Provincial), Deacon Joseph Zhang, Archbishop Nicholas Chia, Deacon Samuel Lim and Fr William Goh, rector of St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. Photo by BENJAMIN LAI

A Sabah native who later became a Singapore Permanent Resident, Deacon Lim, 34, had been active in the Church of St Francis Xavier before entering the seminary in 2004. “A diocesan priest laughs and cries with his people and of fers his life for them, especially in the context of the parish community,” he says. For Deacon Lim, the charism of the diocesan priesthood can be summarised in the words of

St Paul: “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15). %HLQJ WKH ¿UVW WR EH RUGDLQHG a deacon for the archdiocese in seven years, he says he feels “like an infant in a community of adults … anxious about the expectations that may come”. Nevertheless, he says he is grateful for the support of priests. Of his recent ordination, he says he feels “privileged and

humbled to be called by Jesus ... to be ordained as a minister in our Holy Mother Church”. Deacon Lim who is attached to Church of St Bernadette says his “immediately priority is the pastoral needs of the parish” while representing the City District in the Diocesan Vocation Committee. He also looks forward to working in “the ministry of the Word”. “It’s such an honour and privilege to be able to break and share the Word of God,” he says, adding

that “the challenge is to be able to discern what the Spirit is saying to the people”. “And another huge challenge LV GH¿QLWHO\ WR SUDFWLVH WKH PHVsage I preach.” On attracting more young men to the diocesan priesthood, he feels that a multi-pronged approach is needed. Good and inspiring priests who are role models, parents who nurture their children in a healthy and holy environment, an encour-

‘An honour to be able to break and share the Word of God.’

Hope ‘to preach homilies that will touch the hearts of people’.

– Deacon Samuel Lim

– Deacon Joseph Zhang

It was his involvement in ministries such as the altar servers and lectors in his early years along with interaction with priests that attracted Hebei-born Deacon Joseph Zhang to the priesthood. “I got to know more about the life and works of the priest. I desired to do what the priests do, especially celebrating Mass, visiting the sick and bringing Holy Communion and comfort to them,” he told CatholicNews. Deacon Zhang, 30, joined the Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord (CDD) in Malaysia as an aspirant after graduating from college. He became acquainted with this congregation through his uncle, who is a CDD priest. After spending one year in Malaysia, Zhang arrived in Singapore for his priestly formation studies at the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. Prior to the diaconate ordination, he felt nervous “mainly because of the responsibilities and work that I’m going to undertake as a deacon”. Now, he feels he has become “someone called to teach, to represent the Church in front of the people”. He adds that he is grateful to God and those who have helped him on his journey thus far. He is now “looking forward to know more about the life of WKH SDULVK DQG WKH ÀRFN´ KH LV going to serve, while at the same time learning more about priestly duties such as the anointing of the sick and marriage preparation for couples. He also hopes to build up his skills “to preach homilies that will be able to touch the hearts of the people” and to “grow in relating” with them, he says. Deacon Zhang will be serving his diaconate at Church of the Holy Trinity and will be more involved with the Mandarin-speaking ministries of the parish. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Columbaria reply deadline extended Notice to users of parish columbaria: As it is believed that some parishioners may not have received the Standard Letter which should have been sent out by ALL the Catholic Parish Columbaria, for the convenience of parishioners, CatholicNews has reproduced a copy of the said letter below. Also, for the convenience of parishioners, the Archbishop has agreed to extend the deadline for returning the Reply Form to 31 March 2012. The new Terms and Conditions Governing the Use of All Parish Columbaria in the Archdiocese of Singapore are available at http://www .catholic. org.sg/columbaria_terms.pdf or you may obtain a copy of the same from any parish that has a columbarium. Copies of the Reply Form will be available from all Cath-

olic churches from 19 February 2012. If for any reasons you wish to terminate your use of the Columbarium, you should indicate this in the Reply Form and return the same to your Columbarium by 31 March 2012, failing which you shall be deemed to have agreed to the new Terms and Conditions and the contents of the Standard Letter. If you have any queries, please call your Columbarium or the following Hotline, tel: 66562428 Mondays to Fridays: 9am to 1pm except public holidays. The Hotline will run until 23 March 2012. The Archdiocese would like to thank all parish priests, administrators and you, the parishioners, for your kind under standing and assistance in this regard.

From : Catholic Parish Columbarium To : Users of Catholic Parish Columbaria 1. Thank you for having entered into an agreement to inter the remains of your loved ones at our Columbarium. We are glad to be able to provide this service and will continue to do so, to the best of our abilities. 2. As all the land on which the Catholic Parish Columbaria are located actually belong to The Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore (“TRCAS”), TRCAS has recently conducted a review of the rules governing the use of all the Catholic Parish Columbaria to determine how it can best serve the Catholic community in Singapore in respect of this need. 3. Following this review a number of concerns were raised, the more pressing ones being: (a) the increased demand for Niches to be used by Catholics versus the scarcity of land in Singapore; (b) the fact that most of the Columbaria are on freehold land, while some are on land with a shorter term lease; (c) the need to have a consistent policy in respect of the contracts applicable to the various Columbaria in dif ferent Churches; and (d) the eventual need and ability to upgrade, renovate, refurbish or even rebuild Columbaria that have become old. 4. To ensure best practices and consistencies amongst all the Catholic Parish Columbaria in Singapore, after consultation with the Senate of Priests and each of the Churches having a Columbarium, TRCAS has decided to adopt a set of Terms and Conditions Governing the Use of Columbarium, which Terms and Conditions will be applicable to all Catholic

Archbishop Nicholas Chia has extended the deadline for returning the reply form on columbaria use to March 31.

Parish Columbaria and be valid and take effect from 1 March 2012, including Niches which were signed up before 1 March 2012. 5. We would however emphasize that as you had applied for a Niche before 1 March 2012, save for what is stated in paragraphs 7 and 8 below (please see also clauses 28, 29 and 30 of the Terms and Conditions) the duration for which you are entitled to make use of our Columbarium, as provided in your original contract, remains the same. 6. A copy of the Terms and Conditions can be found at http://www .catholic.org.sg/columbaria_terms.pdf or can be obtained from any parish that has a Columbarium. 7. Please note that under the Terms and Conditions, the Church shall be entitled to terminate the use of the Columbarium if: (a) the lease of the land upon which the Columbarium is built has expired and the Church is unable to renew the lease; or (b) the land upon which the Columbarium is located is compulsorily acquired by the Government or is af fected by any redevelopment. We hope you will understand that the above are beyond the control of the Church. 8. TRCAS has also decided that from 1 March 2012, the Church shall have the ability to review its use of the land (for example, to renovate, or to rebuild the Columbarium to cater to additional demand). If the Church chooses to exercise this option, for Niches that have been used for less than 50 years, the Urn, which is presently housed in the Columbarium shall upon completion of the renovation or rebuilding of the new Columbarium be interred in the new Columbarium at no additional cost to you, or if you wish and

have informed the Church, we would be happy to return the Urn back to you. For Niches that have already been used for more than 50 years, a written request to have the Urn interred in the new Columbarium must be received by the Church, failing which the remains of the deceased VKDOO WKHQ EH LQWHUUHG LQ D GLJQL¿HG DQG respectable common place. 9. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions which will take ef fect on 1 March 2012 or for any other reasons, you now no longer wish to make use of our Columbarium, please contact your respective Columbarium and inform them in writing of your decision by 31 March 2012, failing which, it shall be presumed that you are agreeable to this letter and you accept all the Terms and Conditions. 10. Should you decide to terminate the use of the Columbarium, even though the Church has no obligation and is not required to refund to you any donaWLRQ ZKLFK \RX KDG PDGH ZKHQ \RX ¿UVW signed up for the Niche, purely as a matter of good-will, the Church shall pay to you the following amounts: (a) if the Niche has not been utilised, the Church will refund to you 90% of the donation which you had made for the booking of the Niche, subject to a maximum of $5,000; (b) if the Niche has been used for less than 10 years (ie the remains were interred on or after 1 January 2002), the Church will refund to you an amount equal to 75% of the donation which you had made for the use of the Columbarium, subject to a maximum of $4,000; (c) if the Niche has been used for more than 10 and less than 20 years (ie the remains were interred before 1 January 2002 and on or after 1 January 1992), the Church will refund to you 50% of the donation you had made for the use of the

Columbarium, subject to a maximum of $2,000; (d) if the Niche has been used for more than 20 years (ie the remains were interred before 1 January 1992), the Church will refund to you 25% of the donation you had made for the use of the Columbarium, subject to a maximum of $1,000. The Church will also pay for the removal of the Urn from the Niche. 11. TRCAS had decided that the goodwill payment mentioned in paragraph 10 above will be the same and applicable to all Catholic parishes. We are grateful for your kind understanding in this regard. 12. We would also like to take this opportunity to update our records. As such, please complete the Reply Form and return the same to us as soon as possible. 13. We would strongly encourage you to continue using our Columbarium, and understand that the changes which TR&$6 KDYH GHFLGHG XSRQ DUH IRU WKH EHQH¿W of the Catholic Community at lar ge and for practical purposes taking into account what may happen in the future, which may be beyond the control of the Church. 14. Should you wish to continue making use of our Columbarium which we hope you will, we would be grateful if you could please sign on the Reply Form and return the same to your Columbarium by 31 March 2012. 15. Copies of the Reply Form will be available in all Catholic Churches from 19 February 2012. 16. If you have any queries concerning the above please call your Columbarium or the following Hotline: Tel: 66562428 Mondays to Fridays : 9am to 1pm except public holidays The Hotline will run until 23 March 2012. Yours faithfully

8 HOME

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

More than 1,000 SJI alumni to mark school’s anniversary

Canossians celebrate jubilees, elect new provincial

A dinner will be held on May 12 for old boys of SJI on the school premises.

By Darren Boon More than 1,000 old boys of St Joseph’s Institution are expected to attend a dinner celebrating their alma mater’s 160th anniversary on May 12. The celebration, to be held on WKH VFKRRO ÂżHOG ZRXOG KDYH tables – one table for each cohort. 7KH RUJDQLVHUV VD\ WKH\ ZDQW WKH event to be “inclusiveâ€? and to “accommodate as lar ge a turnout as possibleâ€?. So far, 120 tables have been reserved for the event to be held at the Malcolm Road school. The organisers added that having the dinner on the school JURXQGV ZRXOG UHNLQGOH IRQG PHPories among alumni of their student life and help those from the former Bras Basah Road campus get acTXDLQWHG ZLWK WKH FXUUHQW FDPSXV The eight-course Chinese dinner ZLOO IHDWXUH OLYH HQWHUWDLQPHQW E\

ROG ER\V ZKR DUH QRZ LQ VKRZEL] Souvenirs and merchandise UHODWLQJ WR WKH VFKRRO ZLOO DOVR JR RQ VDOH WKDW HYHQLQJ ZLWK SURFHHGV JRLQJ WRZDUGV D 7HDFKHUVœ :HOIDUH Fund. This fund aims to defray PHGLFDO FRVWV DQG SURYLGH ¿QDQFLDO VXSSRUW IRU UHWLUHG WHDFKHUV DQG ZLOO also be used to sponsor the future development of present teachers. Several activities have been organised in the runup to the dinner, such at the eight Homecoming seULHV RI GLQQHUV ZLWK DOXPQL a concert at Botanic Gardens last September, and the launch of the SJI Old Boys Association FaceERRN SDJH WR KHOS H[ -RVHSKLDQV FRQQHFW ZLWK RQH DQRWKHU Registration for the dinner ends on March 31. To register, email ask160Celebrate@sji.edu. sg or visit http://www.sji.edu.sg/ subpage.php?id=336 „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Above: Canossian jubilarians celebrating with Archbishop Nicholas Chia. The nuns are (from left): Sr Marie De Roza, Sr Lily Tan, Sr Enrica Perego, Sr Janet Wang, Sr Bridget Foo and Sr Winnie Tan. Right: New Provincial Leader Sr Theresa Seow.

By Darren Boon Six Canossian nuns celebrated WKHLU MXELOHHV ZLWK D 0DVV RQ -DQ 29 at Church of St Stephen. ArchELVKRS 1LFKRODV &KLD ZDV WKH main celebrant. The nuns are Sr Enrica Perego ZKR FHOHEUDWHG KHU GLDPRQG MXELOHH DQG 6UV 0DULH 'H 5R]D /LO\ Tan, Janet Wang, Bridget Foo and :LQQLH 7DQ ZKR FHOHEUDWHG WKHLU golden jubilees.

Ash Wednesday Mass schedule February 22, 2012 CITY DISTRICT

SERANGOON DISTRICT

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Church of the Nativity of the BVM

7.00am 1.15pm and 6.30pm

6.30am, 6.30pm and 8.00pm (Tue, Feb 21: 8.00pm, Mandarin Mass of Ash Wednesday liturgy.)

St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street)

6.30pm and 7.45pm

Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Church of Sts Peter & Paul

7.20am, 6.15pm (*M) and 8.00pm

6.15am, 6.15pm and 8.00pm.

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

12.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.00pm (*T) Church of the Sacred Heart

7.00am and 5.30pm

Church of St Teresa 12.30pm and 7.00pm Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church)

6.30am, 12.15pm and 7.00pm Church of St Bernadette

6.30am and 7.00pm

Church of St Michael

6.30am and 8.00pm

EAST DISTRICT Church of the Holy Family

6.15am and 7.30pm

Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace

Church of St Francis Xavier

Church of St Stephen 6.30am and 8.00pm

St Anne’s Church

Church of the Holy Trinity

6.30am, 6.15pm and 8.00pm

Church of the Divine Mercy

7.00am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm

6.30am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm 6.30am, 1.00pm, 7.00pm and 8.30pm

NORTH DISTRICT St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah)

6.30am, 6.30pm and 8.00pm Church of St Anthony

6.30am and 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

6.45am, 6.30pm and 8.00pm Church of the Holy Spirit

6.30am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm

6.30am, 6.30pm and 8.15pm (*M)

Church of the Risen Christ

Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

Church of Christ the King

6.30am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm

6.30am, 6.30pm and 8.00pm

6.30am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm 6.30am, 1.00pm, 6.15pm and 8.00pm

Church of St Vincent De Paul

WEST DISTRICT Church of St Ignatius

7.00am, 6.00pm and 7.30pm Blessed Sacrament Church

7.00am, 8.30am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm Church of St Mary of the Angels

6.55am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm and 8.15pm Church of St Francis of Assisi

6.30am, 7.00pm (*M) and 8.30pm Church of the Holy Cross

6.30am, 6.00pm and 7.30pm Note: *M: Mandarin, * T: Tamil,

Sr Enrica, from Italy , has served as in Singapore for 48 years. Sr Bridget is serving in $XVWUDOLD ZKLOH 6U :LQQLH D 0Dlaysian, is serving in Malaysia. Sr Marie has just returned IURP PLVVLRQ LQ $XVWUDOLD DQG ZLOO VHUYH LQ 6LQJDSRUH DORQJ ZLWK 6UV /LO\ DQG -DQHW 0HDQZKLOH WKH &DQRVVLDQV KDYH HOHFWHG D QHZ SURYLQFLDO 7KH QHZ DSSRLQWPHQWV ZKLFK WRRN HIIHFW RQ )HE VDZ 6U 7KHUHVD 6HRZ LQVWDOOHG DV 3URYLQFLDO /HDGHU 6U

Geraldine Tan as Vicar Provincial DQG 6U 'RURWK\ /LP DV &RXQFLOORU Former provincial Sr Marilyn /LP ZLOO QRZ RYHUVHH UHWUHDW GLUHFtion, formation and vocation animation. “I strongly believe that the Holy Spirit is still calling young men and ZRPHQ WR VHUYH +LP LQ 5HOLJLRXV life. They need to be accompanied in the discernment process and it ZLOO EH P\ MR\ DQG SULYLOHJH WR EH MRXUQH\LQJ ZLWK WKHP ´ VKH VDLG „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

St Anthony’s stops implementing dress code The Church of St Anthony has stopped implementing its dress code guidelines. 7KH IROORZLQJ DQQRXQFHPHQW ZDV PDGH GXULQJ 0DVVHV at the parish during the Feb 1 1 ZHHNHQG ³+HUH DW 6W $QWKRQ\œV ZH KDYH KDG D ZRQGHUIXO QXUWXULQJ and respectful atmosphere of SUD\HU DQG ZRUVKLS DW RXU (Xcharistic celebrations. We pray

WKLV ZLOO FRQWLQXH ³)RU QRZ ZH ZLOO FHDVH DFtively implementing our dress FRGH JXLGHOLQHV DV ZH ZDLW IRU further advisement from the Archbishop. ³:H WKDQN *RG IRU RXU FRPmunity here at St Anthony’s and SUD\ IRU *RG WR GUDZ XV FORVHU to Him and as a community, and WR FRQWLQXH VKRZHULQJ XV ZLWK His grace and blessings.� „

ASIA 9

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

)RXU RI VL[ GHWDLQHG &KLQHVH SULHVWV UHOHDVHG HOHHOT, CHINA – Four of six ³XQGHUJURXQG´ SULHVWV IURP 6XL\XDQ GLRFHVH LQ WKH ,QQHU 0RQJROLD $XWRQRPRXV 5HJLRQ KDYH EHHQ UHOHDVHG DIWHU KDYLQJ EHHQ GHWDLQHG UHFHQWO\ 7KH ZKHUHDERXWV RI )UV %DQ =KDQ[LRQJ DQG 0D 0XPLQ DUH VWLOO XQNQRZQ EXW )UV &KX -LDQOL 'LQJ =KDQPLQ :DQJ +X DQG =KDR 5XQ[L WKH ODVW EHLQJ WKH QHZ SDULVK SULHVW RI (UHQKRW ZHUH IUHHG 3UHYLRXV UHSRUWV KDG VDLG ¿YH SULHVWV ZHUH GHWDLQHG )U *DR -LDQJSLQJ WKH GLRFHVDQ DGPLQLVWUDWRU ZKR KHDGV WKH ³XQGHUJURXQG´ &KXUFK FRPPXQLW\ LQ WKH DUHD ZDV ODWHU FRQ¿UPHG DV QRW EHLQJ DPRQJ WKH GHWDLQHHV &KXUFK VRXUFHV VD\ WKH\ EHOLHYH WKH GHWHQWLRQV ZHUH UHODWHG WR D GLVSXWH RYHU WKH WUDQVIHU RI SULHVWV LQ (UHQKRW D FLW\ QHDU WKH ERUGHU ZLWK 0RQJROLD )U :DQJ =KLKXD DQ (UHQKRW SULHVW KDG UHMHFWHG D UHFHQW RUGHU E\ )U *DR WR WUDQVIHU WR DQRWKHU SDULVK DQG RQ -DQ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH VRXUFHV WROG KLV SDULVKLRQHUV KH ZDV EUHDNLQJ IURP WKH ³XQGHUJURXQG´ FRPPXQLW\ +H WROG WKHP WKDW %LVKRS 3DXO 0HQJ 4LQJOX RI +RKKRW IURP WKH JRYHUQPHQW DSSURYHG &KXUFK FRPPXQLW\ KDG DVVLJQHG KLP WR EH WKH SDULVK SULHVW RI (UHQKRW

Chinese Catholics praying in a church in Suiyuan diocese, where six priests were arrested. UCANEWS.COM photo

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DQG JLYH LPPHGLDWH DVVLVWDQFH ³*XLKXOQJDQ LV WKH RQO\ SODFH DFFHVVLEOH IURP 6DQ &DUORV 7KH UHFWRU\ RI WKH SDULVK SULHVW WKHUH ZDV FRPSOHWHO\ GDPDJHG DQG WKH FKXUFK LV SDUWLDOO\ GDPDJHG ´ KH VDLG DGGLQJ WKHUH ZHUH DURXQG HYDFXHHV LQ WKH FKXUFK JURXQGV DV RI )HE 3KLOLSSLQH 3UHVLGHQW %HQLJQR $TXLQR VSHQW PRVW RI KLV QG ELUWKGD\ RQ )HE LQVSHFWLQJ DUHDV EDGO\ GDPDJHG E\ WKH TXDNH WDONLQJ ZLWK WKH UHVLGHQWV DQG DGGUHVVLQJ WKH FRQFHUQV RI ORFDO RI¿FLDOV DW D PHHWLQJ LQ 'XPDJXHWH &LW\ „ CNS

Church supports end to red-light districts SURABAYA, INDONESIA – An ,QGRQHVLDQ &KXUFK RI¿FLDO KDV ZHOFRPHG D SOHGJH E\ (DVW -DYD¶V GHSXW\ JRYHUQRU WR FORVH GRZQ DOO UHG OLJKW GLVWULFWV LQ WKH SURYLQFH VD\LQJ LW ZRXOG EH DQ LPSRUWDQW VWHS LQ UHVSHFWLQJ KXPDQ GLJQLW\ ³3URVWLWXWLRQ LV QRW RQO\ DERXW PRUDOLW\ EXW DOVR DERXW VRFLDO HFRQRPLF DQG KXPDQ GLJQLW\ ´ VDLG )U $QWRQLXV /XOXN :LG\DZDQ KHDG RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ IRU /DLW\ LQ 6XUDED\D GLRFHVH ³,QGHHG WKLV SUDFWLFH PXVW EH VWRSSHG VLQFH LW LQVXOWV KXPDQLW\ DQG FDXVHV PRGHUQ VODYHU\ DQG H[SORLWDWLRQ ´ KH VDLG RQ )HE $FFRUGLQJ WR UHSRUWV 'HS-

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WKH ¿UVW SODFH ³7KH XUJHQF\ LV WKDW WKH\ FDQ UHJDLQ WKHLU GLJQLW\ DQG OLYH D EHWWHU OLIH DPRQJ WKHLU IDPLOLHV DQG ZLWKLQ VRFLHW\ ´ KH VDLG +H FDOOHG RQ DOO SDULVKHV DQG &DWKROLF RUJDQLVDWLRQV WR ZRUN WRJHWKHU LQ UHDFKLQJ RXW WR VH[ ZRUNHUV ³$Q DZDUHQHVV SURJUDPPH DERXW WKH QREOHQHVV RI KXPDQ GLJQLW\ JHQGHU DQG WKH &KXUFK¶V VRFLDO WHDFKLQJV ZLOO KHOS &DWKROLFV EHFRPH PRUH VHQVLWLYH WR WKHLU VLWXDWLRQ $OVR DQ HFRQRPLF GHYHORSPHQW SURJUDPPH WKURXJK D FUHGLW XQLRQ KDV EHHQ SURYHQ WR KHOS >VH[ ZRUNHUV@ ´ KH DGGHG „ UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Catholics want tougher stance against alcohol abuse BANGALORE, INDIA – Catholic

prohibitionists in India’ s Kerala state want greater measures to ÂżJKW DOFKROLVP LQ WKH QDWLRQÂśV largest Christian enclave. “Alcoholism is a serious problem in Kerala, and we have to take tough measures to counter it,â€? Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril, chairman of the Temperance Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, told Catholic News Service on Feb 1. He was speaking on the sidelines of the general assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in Bangalore. More than 100 Temperance Commission delegates from 30 dioceses met in Kerala on Jan 29 and drafted a policy that says anyone who consumes alcohol moder ately should be kept away from the church at all levels – from teaching catechism to parish committees and any other nominated or elected post. Delegates also want church RIÂżFLDOV WR UHIXVH GRQDWLRQV IURP Christians in the state’ s thriving

alcohol business. The draft policy was to be presented to the bishops’ assembly for consideration. Alcoholism is seen as the root of increasing suicides, divorces and road accidents in Kerala, where more than 6 million Christians account for 19 percent of the population. Liquor trade is the highest revenue contributor in Kerala, which also has the highest rate of alcohol consumption in India. The state’s road accident rate is more than twice the national average. This had earlier prompted the Kerala Church to declare that drunken driving is a sin and it should be confessed. “When our own people are very into drinking, we have a duty to draw them away [from liquor] with whatever measure that is possible,� said Bishop Thekethecheril. He said the Temperance Commission is asking for revision of catechism texts to include chapters on the evil of alcoholism. „ CNS

Pakistani priest urges &KULVWLDQV WR Ă€JKW SRUQ LAHORE, PAKISTAN – A priest has urged Christian leaders to educate young people on the dangers of pornography addiction during a recent ecumenical seminar in Lahore. “Christian leaders are suspicious of the Internet and are afraid to discuss pornography with youths,â€? said Capuchin Fr Mor ris Jalal executive director of Pakistan’s only Catholic television service. He was speaking at seminar GLVFXVVLQJ WKH LQĂ€XHQFH PRGHUQ media has on young people, or ganised by the Theological Institute for the Laity and the Presbyterian Church. Many speakers at the seminar agreed there is a high degree of “media illiteracyâ€? among Chris-

tian leaders and that they should be less wary of modern communication in order to or ganise programmes to help youths overcome porn addiction. For the past two years Pakistan has topped the rankings when it comes to searching the term “sexâ€? and other sexually explicit terminology, according to Google statistics. Fr Jalal also said many young people admitted looking at porn in a survey he carried out in his own Kot Lakhpat parish recently. Âł$ERXW ÂżIW\ SHUFHQW XVH WKH Internet daily for more than an hour. I asked some of them if they watched porn movies on the internet and they confessed to having watched them a few times,â€? he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

Nepal interfaith gathering calls for peace in the country KATHMANDU – Religious leaders

marked World Interfaith Harmony Week in Nepal on Feb 6 with a gathering that called for greater efforts to forge a lasting peace and for the country to abide by secular principles. “We pray that all can learn to give and receive for giveness after all the violence we have been through,â€? said Jesuit Fr Bill Robins at the start of the gathering at the national academy hall in Kathmandu. The gathering was jointly or ganised by Religions for Peace and the United Peace Federation to mark the special UN week. Around 300 people attended the event, believed to have been RUJDQLVHG IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ 1H-

pal, during which a message from the president of the UN General Assembly, Mr Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser was read out. “We have become a secular country and our behaviour should UHĂ€HFW WKLV VR WKDW ZH SURPRWH unity among various religions and GR QRW FDXVH FRQĂ€LFW ´ VDLG FKLHI guest Kulchandra Gautam, a for mer deputy UN secretary general. He noted that “some of our political leaders are still claiming that they will bring change in Nepal through the power of gunsâ€?. “Religious leaders have to play a pro-active role to bring about peace as politicians cannot bring it about themselves,â€? he added. „ UCANEWS.COM

Shame ‘keeps abuse victims silent’, says Philippine archbishop VATICAN CITY – Asia’s culture of

collective “shameâ€? has led victims of sexual abuse there to remain silent, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle said on Feb 9. The archbishop was addressing the Towards Healing and Renewal gathering – a Vaticansponsored conference at the Gregorian University in Rome on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. “For Asian cultures, a person’s shame tarnishes one’s family, clan and community. Silence could be a way of preserving what is left of one’s honour,â€? he told over 100 bishops and 30 heads of religious orders from around the world. But, he added, “It could also be a sign of trauma.â€? He said there have been a few FDVHV ÂżOHG DJDLQVW FOHULFV LQ $VLD But the tendency to think sexual abuse scandals was only a problem in Western cultures “changed when similar cases surfaced in Asiaâ€?. “To pretend no problem exists does not help,â€? he added. There is now a “pressing need to formulate national pastoral guidelines for handling such casesâ€?, the prelate said. Last November, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in-

‘For Asian

cultures, a person’s shame tarnishes one’s family, clan and community.’

– Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle

vited bishops to take “drastic and immediate measures� to contain the problem before it explodes. Msgr Charles Scicluna, the Vatican prosecutor who deals with sexual abuses cases for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the Church must break with its “deadly culture of silence�. “Our people need to know the law is being applied,� he said. Archbishop Tagle singled out four cultural “risk factors�, drawn from his experience in the Philippines which may also exist in other Asian countries: a widespread habit of physical contact; an excessive

respect for people in authority; a large family network and a culture that tends to consider clergy “more than ordinary humans�. “Filipino culture is a touching culture. We touch children a lot. But they cannot clearly distinguish an affectionate touch from a malicious one. They are vulnerable to manipulation through touch.� He also cautioned against regarding the cler gy as more than ordinary. This clouds the cler gy’s sense of humanity , he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

„ Page 13: ‘Bishops should be more accountable’

South Korean Church eyes evangelisation in North CNS photo

SEOUL – The evangelisation of

North Korean refugees could be a stepping stone to spreading the Good News in the communist state LQ WKH HYHQW UHXQLÂżFDWLRQ WDNHV place, a symposium was told. At present, evangelisation in the North is impossible, but the Church is hoping that will change in the not too distant future, participants at the Church-run symposium in Seoul were told on Feb 1. To this end participants were encouraged to conduct mission work among North Korean refugees in South Korea. The Church can have “indirect interactionâ€? with North Korea and prepare for future work in the North through the refugees, said Fr Norbert Cha Dong-yeob, director of the Future Pastoral Institute, which organised the event. Sr Stella Lim Sun-yun, director of the Centre for North Korean Refugees in Incheon diocese, suggested introducing refugees to the Church through a catechism or Bible study programme. Mr James Nam Dong-jin, vicepresident of Incheon diocese’ s Korea Reconciliation Committee,

North Korean residents react to news of Kim Jong Il’s death last December. Presently, there are no priests or Religious living in the communist state.

says his committee has already introduced several evangelisation projects for North Korean refugees. He said that he and 15 parishioners have formed a group with several refugees and or ganise monthly prayer meetings and other activities. Mr Nam also told the symposium that once a year , they invite

around 100 refugees to a homestay programme. According to him, three North Korean refugees in Incheon diocese have already under gone formation. North Korea, with a Catholic church in Pyongyang, says it has some 3,000 Catholics but no residing priest or nuns. „ UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 11

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Pope urges Syria to heed legitimate demands VATICAN CITY – As a sectarian

FRQĂ€LFW LQ 6\ULD LQWHQVLÂżHG 3RSH Benedict XVI called on all Syr ians to begin a process of dialogue and reminded the government of LWV GXW\ WR UHFRJQLVH LWV FLWL]HQVÂś legitimate demands. Meanwhile in Beirut, the patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church warned against toppling 6\ULDQ 3UHVLGHQW %DVKDU DO $VVDG calling for dialogue to solve the crisis in the country. “Our fear since the beginning of the bloody crisis in Syria was that the refusal of any sort of dialogue between the regime and the opposition will surely create a VWDWH RI FKDRV WKDW ZLOO GHÂżQLWHO\ OHDG WR D FLYLO ZDU ´ 6\ULDF 3DWULarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan told Catholic News Service. “The world must sustain all efforts for a dialogue to solve problems and uphold the democracy in a realistic and gradual way. Forcing the departure of the Syrian president will be a step for a civil war based on confessionalism,â€? the patriarch said. ,Q 6W 3HWHUÂśV 6TXDUH DW WKH 9DWican Feb 12, the pope expressed his concern for “the dramatic and increasing episodes of violence in Syriaâ€?. At the end of his Angelus prayer, he said he was praying for everyone who has been killed, inMXUHG DQG DIIHFWHG E\ WKH FRQĂ€LFW “I renew an ur gent appeal to put an end to the violence and bloodshed,â€? he said. “I invite eve-

6\ULDQ VHFXULW\ inspect the site of an explosion LQ 6\ULDÂśV northern FLW\ RI Aleppo RQ )HE 10, in this KDQGRXW photograph UHOHDVHG E\ 6\ULDÂśV national news DJHQF\ 6$1$

U\RQH HVSHFLDOO\ 6\ULDœV SROLWLFDO authorities, to favour the path of dialogue, reconciliation and a commitment to peace,� he said. ³,WœV XUJHQW WR UHVSRQG WR WKH legitimate aspirations of the various sectors of the nation, as well as to the wishes of the international community, which are concerned about the common good of the whole country and the region.� A nationwide uprising against 3UHVLGHQW $VVDGœV JRYHUQPHQW EHgan last March, but Syrian security forces stepped up ef forts to defeat the opposition movement, especially in Homs, a centre of resistance.

,QWHQVH DUWLOOHU\ DQG URFNHW ÂżUH by government forces on Feb 1 1 on residential areas in Homs left at least 200 people dead, opposition activists said. Bomb blasts in Aleppo on Feb 10 left at least 28 people dead and 200 others wounded. 3DWULDUFK <RXQDQ QRWLQJ WKDW Syria is among the most secularised countries in the Middle East, warned that a sectarian war here would be far worse than a political one. “Remember Iraq,â€? he said, “where Christians were abused, killed in their churches and houses and forced to exile.â€? As a re-

With Mass, prayers, Nigerians bury victims of Christmas bombing MADALLA, NIGERIA – 2IÂżFLDOV of the Archdiocese of Abuja celebrated Mass for 18 victims of the Christmas bombings at St Theresa Catholic Church, then buried them within the church grounds. Abuja Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan told about 2,000 people gathered at the church on Feb 1 that “those who killed others, either in the name of their faith or ideology, are murderersâ€?. He called on Christians in Nigeria, St Theresa parishioners and those who lost loved ones in the bomb blasts to for give those who ordered the killings and not to consider revenge. The Islamist group Boko Har am took responsibility for a series of Christmas attacks, in which more than 40 people were killed. Families, sympathisers, mourners and relatives of the deceased shed tears during the Mass ZKHQ WKH\ VDZ WKH YLFWLPVÂś FRIÂżQV inside the church. “Beyond forgiveness, let us pray for the conversion of those

Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu of Minna, Nigeria, walks near the FRIÂżQV RI VRPH WKH YLFWLPV RI WKH &KULVWPDV ERPELQJV DW 6W 7KHUHVD &DWKROLF &KXUFK LQ 0DGDOOD CNS photo

who have allowed themselves to be used by the devil to perpetrate such a diabolic act, targeting and killing innocent men, women and children,� Archbishop Onaiyekan said. He asked for constant prayers for those in char ge of security in Nigeria, that they “will have

the wisdom to know how best to tackle the problem on our hands and the courage to do what needs to be done�. 1LJHULDœV ELVKRSV KDYH GHscribed the Christmas bombings as the equivalent of a declaration of war against the nation. „ CNS

sult, “they have been reduced to less than one-third of their previous numbers�. The patriarch said that, so far , he has not heard of any direct tar geting against churches in Syria, but he pointed to “the innocent victims – civilians as well as some clergy – [that] have fallen since the beginning of armed opposition�. “We also hear of a massive exodus from villages and neighbourhoods, due to threats coming from the so-called revolutionary committees in the name of God,� he said. „ CNS

Anglican women priests’ ordinations exceeds men’s ROME – More women were ordained priests in the Church of England in 2010 compared to men, the Vatican Insider website reported. It quoted the British newspaper The Telegraph as VD\LQJ WKDW ÂłRIÂżFLDO ÂżJXUHV show that 290 women were ordained in 2010, the most UHFHQW \HDU IRU ZKLFK ÂżJXUHV are availableâ€?. “By contrast, just 273 men entered the priesthood.â€? This is apparently the ÂżUVW WLPH ZRPHQ SULHVWVÂś ordinations have exceeded those for men since the Church of England voted to allow women priests in 1992. „ VATICAN INSIDER

12 WORLD

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Strong bond with God &RQWUDFHSWLYH PDQGDWH GHĂ€QHV 5HOLJLRXV OLIH FRPSURPLVH IDOOV VKRUW VD\V 3RSH %HQHGLFW

86 &KXUFK OHDGHU

VATICAN CITY – Strengthening

one’s relationship with God must be the highest priority and most GHÂżQLQJ TXDOLW\ RI 5HOLJLRXV OLIH Pope Benedict XVI said. Celebrating vespers with PHPEHUV RI 5HOLJLRXV RUGHUV RQ )HE WKH IHDVW RI WKH 3UHVHQWDWLRQ RI WKH /RUG DQG WKH :RUOG 'D\ IRU &RQVHFUDWHG /LIH WKH SRSH VDLG WKH VSHFLDO GD\ ZDV D ZD\ RI bringing greater attention to the ZLWQHVV RI IDLWK RI 5HOLJLRXV PHQ and women worldwide. In his homily during the evenLQJ VHUYLFH LQ 6W 3HWHUÂśV %DVLOLFD Pope Benedict said the day was DOVR DQ LPSRUWDQW RFFDVLRQ IRU 5Hligious to “renew your intentions DQG UHNLQGOH WKH IHHOLQJV WKDW LQVSLUH WKH JLYLQJ RI \RXUVHOYHV WR Godâ€?. 7KH HYDQJHOLFDO FRXQVHOV RI SRYHUW\ FKDVWLW\ DQG REHGLHQFH KH VDLG ÂłVWUHQJWKHQ IDLWK KRSH and charityâ€? and bring people closer to God. Âł7KLV SURIRXQG FRQQHFWLRQ WR WKH /RUG ZKLFK PXVW EH WKH RYHU

Mr Barack Obama making a statement on Feb 10 about the federal mandate on contraceptive coverage. Beside him is Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

The World Day for Consecrated Life helps Religious r enew their commitment to God, says the pope.

ULGLQJ DQG GHÂżQLQJ HOHPHQW RI \RXU H[LVWHQFH ZLOO UHQHZ \RXU bond to him and will have a posiWLYH LQĂ€XHQFH RQ \RXU SDUWLFXODU SUHVHQFH DQG IRUP RI DSRVWRODWH ´ he said. 3RSH %HQHGLFW WROG 5HOLJLRXV that they will be “credible witQHVVHV IRU WKH &KXUFK DQG WKH world todayâ€? through their char LVPV WKHLU IDLWKIXOQHVV WR &KXUFK WHDFKLQJ DQG ZLWQHVV WR WKH IDLWK +H VDLG KH KRSHG WKH <HDU RI Faith that starts in October would EH D IUXLWIXO WLPH IRU LQQHU UHQHZDO ZKLFK LV DOZD\V QHHGHG DQG IRU JURZLQJ FORVHU WR *RG 7KH &RQJUHJDWLRQ IRU ,QVWLWXWHV RI &RQVHFUDWHG /LIH DQG 6RFLHWLHV RI $SRVWROLF /LIH KH VDLG ZLOO KHOS SURPRWH DQG PDNH VXJJHVWLRQV IRU WKH VSHFLDO \HDU “so that all consecrated men and ZRPHQ ZLOO SXUVXH ZLWK HQWKXVLDVP QHZ HYDQJHOLVDWLRQ´ „ CNS

CNS PHOTO

ROME – President Barack Obama’s

revision to a controversial contraceptive mandate has done nothing to change bishops’ opposition to what they regard as an unconstituWLRQDO LQIULQJHPHQW RQ UHOLJLRXV OLEHUW\ VD\V D WRS 86 &KXUFK OHDGHU Âł:KDW >2EDPD@ RIIHUHG was next to nothing. There’s no FKDQJH IRU LQVWDQFH LQ WKHVH WHUribly restrictive mandates and WKLV JURVVO\ UHVWULFWLYH GHÂżQLWLRQ RI ZKDW FRQVWLWXWHV D UHOLJLRXV HQWLW\ ´ VDLG &DUGLQDO GHVLJQDWH 7LPRWK\ 0 'RODQ RI 1HZ <RUN SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 86 &RQIHUHQFH RI Catholic Bishops on Feb 13. “The principle wasn’t touched at all.â€? In a move that appeared unlikeO\ WR HQG FRQWURYHUV\ RYHU D IHGeral mandate that all health insur ance plans include contraception DQG VWHULOLVDWLRQ IUHH RI FKDUJH 0U Obama on Feb 10 outlined a plan that would allow religious emSOR\HUV QRW WR RIIHU VXFK VHUYLFHV to their employees but would compel insurance companies to do so. Âł1R ZRPDQÂśV KHDOWK VKRXOG GHSHQG RQ ZKR VKH LV ZKR VKH ZRUNV IRU RU KRZ PXFK PRQH\ VKH PDNHV ´ 0U 2EDPD VDLG +H

VDLG WKH QHZ SROLF\ UHPDLQV IDLWKIXO WR WKH ÂłFRUH SULQFLSOH´ RI IUHH SUHYHQWLYH FDUH EXW DOVR KRQRXUV WKH SULQFLSOH RI UHOLJLRXV IUHHGRP ZKLFK ÂłDV D &KULVWLDQ , FKHULVK´ &DUGLQDO GHVLJQDWH 'RODQ VDLG WKH UHYLVLRQ RI WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI Health and Human Services’ conWUDFHSWLYH PDQGDWH ZRXOG VKLIW WKH FRVWV RI FRQWUDFHSWLYHV IURP

What [Obama] ‘offered was next to nothing. There’s no change.

’

– Cardinal-designate Timothy M Dolan, head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops

WKH SROLF\KROGHUV WR WKH LQVXUHUV WKXV IDLOLQJ WR HQVXUH WKDW &DWKROLF individuals and institutions would QRW KDYH WR SD\ IRU VHUYLFHV WKDW they consider immoral. )RU RQH WKLQJ WKH FDUGLQDO GHVLJQDWH VDLG PDQ\ GLRFHVHV DQG &DWKROLF LQVWLWXWLRQV DUH VHOI LQVXULQJ 0RUHRYHU &DWKROLFV with policies in the compliant

insurance companies would be subsidising others’ contraception coverage. He also objected that individual Catholic employers would not enjoy exemption under Mr Obama’s proposal. Âł0\ EURWKHU LQ ODZ ZKRÂśV D FRPPLWWHG &DWKROLF UXQV D EXWFKer shop. Is he going to have to pay IRU VHUYLFHV WKDW KH DV D FRQYLQFHG Catholic considers to be morally objectionable?â€? he asked. The cardinal-designate said the ELVKRSV DUH ÂłYHU\ YHU\ HQWKXVLDVWLF´ DERXW WKH 5HVSHFW IRU 5LJKWV RI &RQVFLHQFH $FW LQWURGXFHG E\ &RQJUHVVPDQ -HII )RUWHQEHUU\ 7KH cardinal said the legislation would produce an “ironclad law simply saying that no administrative deFUHHV RI WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW FDQ HYHU YLRODWH WKH FRQVFLHQFH RI a religious believer individually or religious institutionsâ€?. %LVKRS :LOOLDP ( /RUL FKDLUPDQ RI WKH 86 ELVKRSVÂś $G +RF &RPPLWWHH IRU 5HOLJLRXV /LEHUW\ WROG &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH Âł2XU UHOLJLRXV IUHHGRP LV WRR SUHFLRXV to be protected only be regulations. It needs legislative protecWLRQ 0RUH OHJLVODWRUV , WKLQN DUH looking at it.â€? &DUGLQDO GHVLJQDWH 'RODQ VDLG VRPH ÂłYHU\ SURPLQHQW DWWRUQH\V´ VRPH RI WKHP QRQ &DWKROLF DQG HYHQ QRQ UHOLJLRXV KDYH YROXQteered to represent the bishops. $ 86 DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ RIÂżFLDO WROG &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH LQ DQ HPDLO RQ )HE WKDW WKH :KLWH +RXVH SODQV WR FRQYHQH D VHULHV RI PHHWLQJV ÂłZLWK IDLWK EDVHG RUJDQLVDWLRQV LQVXUHUV DQG RWKHU LQWHUHVWed parties to develop policies that respect religious liberty and ensure access to preventive services IRU ZRPHQ HQUROOHG LQ VHOI LQVXUHG group health plans sponsored by religious organisationsâ€?. „ CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday February 26, 2012 CatholicNews

Unveiled: World Youth Day 2013 logo

‘Bishops should be more accountable for abuse’ ROME – 7KH 9DWLFDQ¶V WRS VH[

RIO DE JANEIRO – 2I¿FLDOV RI

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JUHHQ \HOORZ DQG EOXH RI WKH KHDUW DUH WKH FRORXUV RI WKH %UD]LOLDQ ÀDJ 0U +XJXHQLQ VDLG KH JRW WKH LGHD DIWHU UHDGLQJ D SDVVDJH IURP WKH *RVSHO RI 6W 0DWWKHZ +H VDLG SDUWLFLSDWLRQ LQ WKH FRQWHVW ZDV DQ DFW RI IDLWK 7R FHOHEUDWH WKH RFFDVLRQ RQ )HE WKH &KULVW WKH 5HGHHPHU VWDWXH ZDV OLW LQ GLIIHUHQW FRORXUV UHSUHVHQWLQJ WKH FRXQWULHV WKDW ZLOO SDUWLFLSDWH LQ :RUOG <RXWK 'D\ 2UJDQLVHUV FRQ¿UPHG WKDW WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO FHOHEUDWLRQ ZLOO EH KHOG IURP -XO\ ZLWK 3RSH %HQHGLFW ;9, DQG \RXWKV IURP DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG /DVW \HDU¶V :RUOG <RXWK 'D\ LQ 0DGULG ZDV DWWHQGHG E\ PRUH WKDQ PLOOLRQ SHRSOH CNS

DEXVH LQYHVWLJDWRU FDOOHG IRU JUHDWHU DFFRXQWDELOLW\ XQGHU &KXUFK ODZ IRU ELVKRSV ZKR VKLHOG RU IDLO WR GLVFLSOLQH SDHGRSKLOH SULHVWV 0VJU &KDUOHV 6FLFOXQD SURPRWHU RI MXVWLFH IRU WKH &RQJUHJDWLRQ IRU WKH 'RFWULQH RI WKH )DLWK PDGH KLV UHPDUNV WR UHSRUWHUV LQ 5RPH RQ )HE DIWHU DGGUHVVLQJ DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO V\PSRVLXP RQ FOHULFDO VH[ DEXVH ³,W LV D FULPH LQ FDQRQ ODZ WR VKRZ PDOLFLRXV RU IUDXGXOHQW QHJOLJHQFH LQ WKH H[HUFLVH RI RQH¶V GXW\ ´ 0VJU 6FLFOXQD VDLG UHJDUGLQJ WKH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RI ELVKRSV WR SURWHFW FKLOGUHQ DQG SXQLVK DEXVHUV :LWK UHVSHFW WR ELVKRSV ZKR IDLO WR DSSO\ WKH &KXUFK¶V DQWL DEXVH QRUPV 0VJU 6FLFOXQD VDLG WKDW ³LW LV QRW DFFHSWDEOH WKDW ZKHQ WKHUH DUH VHW VWDQGDUGV SHRSOH GR QRW IROORZ WKH VHW VWDQGDUGV´ $FNQRZOHGJLQJ WKDW WKH VDQFWLRQV WKDW FDQRQ ODZ SURYLGHV IRU WKH SXQLVKPHQW RI FOHUJ\ DUH VRPHWLPHV QRW DSSOLHG WR ELVKRSV KH VDLG WKDW ³HFFOHVLDO DFFRXQWDELOLW\ KDV WR EH IXUWKHU GHYHORSHG´ ³:KDW ZH QHHG WR GR LV WR EH

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Ecclesial accountability has to be further developed, says Vatican of¿FLDO 0VJU &KDUOHV 6FLFOXQD

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14 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: johnson.fernandez@catholic.org.sg

IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: memoriam@catholic.org.sg

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: subscriptions@catholic.org.sg

STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: advertisements@catholic.org.sg WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all letters to the editor. Published submissions will be edited.

DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: design@catholic.org.sg Elaine Ong: elaine.ong@catholic.org.sg

COMMENTARY

How about a little silence ... By Joe Towalski 6,/(1&( DV DQ HVVHQWLDO SDUW RI FRPPXQLFDWLRQ VHHPV DW ÂżUVW WR be a contradiction. Silence may be golden, some would say, but it won’ t help you get your point across to others in a world dominated by a steady stream of voices and information Ă€RZLQJ QRQ VWRS IURP WHOHYLsions, radios, computer monitors and smartphones. But Pope Benedict XVI, in his ODWHVW PHVVDJH IRU :RUOG &RPPXnications Day, reminds us that silence plays a vital role in our communication with others: It forces us to listen more closely, evaluate ideas more thoroughly, and temper our responses. Who wouldn’t like to see more of that kind of communication taking place during presidential debates or television talk shows? Or during discussions on impor tant social policy issues facing our state and nation? Or, even in our workplaces and around our family dinner tables, where all of us have trouble at times not interrupting or raising our voices? If we are going to cultivate the value of silence in our lives, however, it will take more than just silencing our voices. We also have to silence our minds from time to time by unplugging from the 24-hour cycles of news, entertainment and social media so we have the “mental spaceâ€? to rejuvenate RXUVHOYHV DQG UHĂ€HFW PRUH GHHSO\ on our lives, our relationships and the world around us. Many of us try to do something extra for our spiritual lives during the season of Lent, which begins this year on Feb 22, Ash Wednesday. If you haven’t already committed to a Lenten programme – and even if you have – schedule some additional time right now during those 40 days for silence, prayerful PHGLWDWLRQ DQG UHĂ€HFWLRQ

Silence forces us to listen more closely, evaluate ideas more thoroughly, and temper our responses. „ &KHFN \RXU SDULVK EXOOHWLQ or diocesan newspaper calendar section for upcoming opportunities for silent retreats around the area. Or make a point to visit one RI WKH PDQ\ (XFKDULVWLF DGRUDWLRQ chapels for an hour or even a few minutes once per week. „ If you enjoy the outdoors, take advantage of area nature trails and state parks for some quiet time alone to pray and contemplate the beauty of God’s creation. „ Spend some time at home as a family with televisions, radios, phones and computers turned of f. These media – valuable as they are – can sometimes interfere with family communication. Shut them down, share a prayer and a meal together, and then play a board game or enjoy another family activity. Silence here is not the focus,

but it’s an opportunity worth seizing to nurture better communication in other ways among husbands and wives, parents and children. Pope Benedict wrote that “if God speaks to us in silence, we, in turn, discover in silence the possibility of speaking with God and about God�. Silencing our voices and our minds can help us deepen our relationship with God and broaden our awareness of His presence in our life. Silence coupled with attentive listening can also help us deepen our relationships with people we encounter every day of our lives in our families, workplaces and communities. „ The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis/CNS

Grace and ‘mosquito bites’ When grace enters, there is no choice – humans must dance. W H Auden wrote those words and, beautiful as they sound, I wish they were true. When grace enters a room we should begin to dance but, sadly, more often than not, we let some little thing, some minor mosquito bite, blind us to grace’s presence. I say this with sympathy , not cynicism. We all know how mosquitoes can ruin a picnic. Here’ s an example: You are celebrating your birthday in your back yard, having a picnic with family and friends. The weather is perfect, the sun is warm, the mood is mellow, and everything around and within you is an invitation to be joyful and grateful. This is “Sabbathâ€? in the biblical sense: You are celebrating life, your birthday. You are healthy, surrounded by family and friends who love you, enjoying leisure, time of f the wheel of work, all with good food and good drink. Grace has entered and everything is wonderful, except for one thing, mosquitoes. $V GXVN EHJLQV WR WDNH KROG WKH\ GLVFUHHWO\ EHJLQ WR LQÂżOWUDWH LQĂ€LFWLQJ D ELWH KHUH DQG D ELWH WKHUH XQWLO HYHQWXDOO\ PRVW HYHU\RQH loses his or her focus and is preoccupied with keeping exposed parts RI WKHLU Ă€HVK XQGHU YLJLODQFH (YHQWXDOO\ PRVW RI WKH JRRG FKHHU DQG the gratitude evaporate and irritation at the mosquitoes ef fectively ends any inclination to dance. The picnic is brought down by a series of little bites! We could all recount a hundred kinds of incidences of this sort. Given the complexity and contingency within our everyday lives, mosquitoes of some type are invariably present. There is some rain on every parade, some irritation in virtually every situation in life, and some element challenging pure grace within almost every moment of life. Life rarely comes to us pure, free from all shadow . That’s why former spiritualities said that we are “living in this valley of tearsâ€?. In RXU OLYHV ZH QHYHU H[SHULHQFH D PRPHQW RI FOHDU FXW SXUH MR\ (YHU\thing comes with a shadow, a mosquito at the picnic. And so it is not always easy to dance, even in the clear presence of grace. Mosquito bites can easily cause us to lose perspective, to lose the big picture, the one that would have us see and celebrate grace, even in the face of some minor irritation. A minor irritation can make us lose sight of a huge grace. Today there is a rich spiritual and psychological literature that challenges us to try to live more fully inside the present moment and not let our heartaches about the past or our anxieties about tomorrow cheat us out of the riches of today. %XW DV ZH DV NQRZ WKDW LV HDVLHU VDLG WKDQ GRQH (OHPHQWV IURP our past – half-remembered lullabies from childhood, an almost-for gotten face, a past love, a humiliation on the playground deep in our past, a misstep that still haunts us, and thousand other things from our past – impale themselves into our present. And the future, as well, colours our present as we anxiously worry about an impending decision, the meeting we must have tomorrow , what the doctor is going to tell us at our next visit, and how will meet our next mortgage bill. The present moment never comes to us pure. And yet the challenge remains, an important and healthy challenge: Don’t let the mosquito bites within life blind you to the lar ger presence of grace! One of my favourite spiritual writers, David Steindl-Rast, articulates this challenge very strongly, though he does it by emphasising the positive. Here’s an example from his writings: “Y ou think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day; it’s the one day that is given to you today. It’s given to you; it’s a gift. It’s the only gift that you have right now, and the only appropriate response is gratefulness. If you do nothing else but to cultivate that response to the great gift WKDW WKLV XQLTXH GD\ LV LI \RX OHDUQ WR UHVSRQG DV LI LW ZHUH WKH ÂżUVW day of your life and very last day , then you will have spent this day very well.â€? But that is a grace that does not come easily , it must be fervently prayed for. Mosquitoes will inevitably make their presence known at every picnic in our lives. That’s a given. The challenge is to not lose sight of the larger presence of grace because of minor irritations. And it helps to keep one’s sense of humour about this: I was trying to untie my shoe lace yesterday, a simple, rote act that I’ve performed blindly thousands of times. I tugged on a lace and, given how shoes are tied, it should be impossible for the laces not to open. But somehow a knot appeared instead! How can this happen?The answer lies in a simple, age-old, philosophical axiom: In the world of irritation there DUH QR LPSRVVLELOLWLHV QR OLPLWV RI ÂżQLWXGH RQO\ LQÂżQLWH SRWHQWLDOLWLHV Small wonder humans don’t always dance when grace enters. „

FEATURE 15

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Lent: Time for Catholics to come home

CNS

How some US dioceses are reaching out to non-practising Catholics during Lent

A banner outside Immaculate Conception Parish in Somerville, New Jersey, inviting nonpractising Catholics back to church.

‘POPEMAN’ IN ST PETER’S SQUARE: A child looks at a ‘popeman’ built by Catholic students after snowfall in St Peter ’s Square on Feb 11. This was the second snowfall in a week in a city where snow is rare.

CNS photo

WASHINGTON – Just as they have during the season of Advent in recent years, some US dioceses make concerted efforts at Lent to invite Catholics who have stopped going to church back into the fold. Some dioceses have reported success with the Catholics Come Home campaign (www .catholicscomehome.org), while others have set their focus on using the sacrament of reconciliation dur ing Lent to draw Catholics back who have drifted away from the practice of their faith. Catholics Come Home, an organisation based in the Atlanta suburbs, has been used in 33 dioceses with television commercials reaching an estimated 40 million viewers in regional Lenten and Christmas campaigns – and 250 million in national campaigns, said the or ganisation’s founder and president Tom Peterson. Not all dioceses have beforeand-after numbers, but “in those dioceses that have had historical census data and have been able to track since Catholics Come Home, Mass attendance has increased an average of 10 percent,� he said. Waging such a campaign, especially with TV ads, can seem costly, he admitted. “Bishops and dioceses don’t have extra money to do things like this, but when families and parishioners are asked if they have a relative, a friend, a neighbour or a co-worker away from the church, nearly 100 percent say yes,� he said. “And when they’re asked, ‘Would you like them to come home?’ tens of thousands of people say yes� by contributing to the cost of such a campaign.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs used Catholics Come Home for “two or three years� when the programme was still in its infancy, said Bishop Michael J Sheridan. “I, as any bishop, recognised the fact that there are many, many Catholics out there who for one reason or another have drifted away from the practice of their faith,� he told CNS. “Yes, we had success. We haven’t continued to track it year after year to see how many

The Catholics Come Home programme has been used in 33 dioceses with TV commercials reaching an estimated 40 million viewers. have stayed with the faith as a result of that. But when those ads ZHUH GRQH WKHUH ZHUH VLJQLÂżFDQW bumps in attendance at Mass and at the confessional,â€? he said. “It was as successful as anything I had ever seen. I’m glad to see it’s gone national,â€? Bishop Sheridan added. “Pastors tell me that they’re in the confessional for hours, more than their regularly scheduled time. People will come, and they’ll sit in there for two or three hours to hear confessions. “It’s clear that people want to get reconciled with God and the Church.

Many are regular faithful Catholics. Others are returning to the practice of their faith after many years.â€? The Archdiocese of Boston worked with Catholics Come Home last year during Lent, said Mr Scot Landry, the archdiocese’s secretary for Catholic media. He said “somebody sent me a OLQN WR WKHLU ÂżUVW FRPPHUFLDO DQG I thought I was the best presentation of the Catholic faith I had seen in just two minutesâ€?. The markers for success are “a little bit higher hereâ€?, Mr Landry told CNS. “Some folks are disgusted by the Catholic Church here.â€? The archdiocese was the epicentre of the clergy sexual abuse scandal that broke 10 years ago. In addition, by the middle of the 2000s, the archdiocese had to close or consolidate dozens of parishes. “Many Catholics held their head low here for many years,â€? Landry said. Although the archdiocese didn’t track the ef fects statistically, it asked priests for the feedback they were getting from parishioners. “Those that were already coming to church felt that this campaign was a huge boost to their Catholic identity and their morale.â€? The archdiocese also is par ticipating in a campaign called The Light Is On for You, which encourages Catholics long absent from the church to go to confession during Lent. Bishop Sheridan in Colorado Springs offered an analysis of why such programmes are ef fective: “Especially before Easter and during Lent, people have a heightened sense of need for conversion.â€? „ CNS

16 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

The Lenten journey of conversion %\ (IÂżH &DOGDUROD

A

S LENT approaches, we’re once again reminded that we’re called to conversion. But what does it mean to be converted? I’ve written before about my mom’s journey to the Catholic Church. She was raised in a family that did not attend church. But as a teenager , she felt called to visit all of the churches in the town where she lived. At 16, Mom made her choice and joined the Catholic Church with her little brother. For some Catholics, that’ s what the word “conversion� used to denote. You joined the Church, case closed, problem solved. For my mother, no doubt, joining the Church wasn’t an end in itself but the place where conversion started. It was the home where she would struggle and journey with mystery until the end of her life. Although many people, including some of the great saints, have electric moments of conversion, the Catholic attitude is that conversion, in general, is an ongoing event. For most Christians, as we acknowledge our salvation in Christ, we recognise that each day calls us to another decision for Christ. When I visited the Vatican, I

climbed the stairs to the top of St Peter’s Basilica. It’s a lengthy hike, with the stairs winding and narrow, particularly as you near the top. But to emerge and view St Peter ’s Square and the city of Rome beyond makes it well worth the effort. That’s why great spiritual writers sometimes illustrate the faith journey as stair steps. It can occasionally tire us, this daily climb,

The period of Lent is a perfect opportunity for a short course in conversion. Lent provides the structure. I provide the commitment. but it’s the only way to get there. That’s conversion, joyful step by sometimes-weary step. But we trust the outcome is worth it. We trust that God makes all things new, including us, even though we arrive still not perfect. God provides the perfection. Of course, history is full of wondrous moments of conver sion. St Paul provides the classic

$ PRWKHU ORRNV RQ DV KHU VRQ UHFHLYHV DVKHV IURP D QXQ GXULQJ DQ $VK :HGQHVGD\ VHUYLFH LQ 0DQLOD CNS photo

example, being struck blind on the road to Damascus. Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero provides a beautiful moment of conversion within conversion. He already was a good and holy man when the death of a Jesuit friend opened his eyes to the political and economic plight of the poor in El Salvador.

Within his vocation, he changed yet again, a change that led to his murder while celebrating Mass. Sometimes, we all desire a road-to-Damascus experience, a moment of certainty . Sometimes we receive one. Nevertheless, we’re all invited to conversion, even though sometimes we lack ¿UH RU GLUHFWLRQ 6RPHWLPHV ZH are weary of the journey. That’s why I like Lent. I’m a person who appreciates structure. The 40-day time frame of Lent is a perfect opportunity for a short course in conversion.

Our Church abounds with resources for Lent: Parishes and Catholic websites provide guides, books, classes and special prayer opportunities. Take advantage. Make a plan. For 40 days, I can commit to a daily prayer time, listening in silence for the God who wants to change me. For 40 days, I can commit to one positive daily action for another in Christ’s name. For 40 days, I can observe my growth by journal ling. Lent provides the structure. I provide the commitment to conversion. „ CNS

6LJQLĂ€FDQFH RI Âś GD\V¡ %\ 'DYLG *LEVRQ The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that during Lent’ s 40 days, “the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desertâ€? (no. 540). How so? In God’s mysterious ways, it seems to me, biblical deserts can be places of trouble and temptation, but a journey towards new life nonetheless proceeds in them.

The account of Jesus’ 40 desert days reminded the early Christians of the Exodus and the 40 years their Israelite ancestors wandered in the desert, tempted at times to worship idols. In the end, though, God led the Israelites to the Promised Land and to new life. And Jesus’ public mission, marked at its start by desert encounters with Satan, proceeded towards the life-giving events of Easter. „

FAITH ALIVE! 17

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Praying the rosary, attending Mass and visiting the sick are some ways that people observe Lent. CNS photo

How some observe Lent By Louise McNulty

A

lthough they may commit to extra acts of self-denial or good works, many American Catholics say they GRQÂśW VHH /HQW DV D PRUH GLIÂżFXOW time to resist temptation than at any other time of the year. “During Lent, we are more conscious of our faith, being prayerful and avoiding what will take us away from God, but I don’t think temptation happens more often,â€? said Mr Jim Gor man, coordinator of religious education at St Michael’ s Parish in South Glens Falls, New York. He acknowledged, however , that good Lenten intentions do have a way, like New Year’s resolutions, of falling by the wayside. “Sometimes we just for get [our promises] but the important thing is not to beat ourselves up over it, but just to get back on track,â€? he said. The best way to do WKDW KH UHFRPPHQGHG LV ÂłWR ÂżQG a prayer practice that works for you and try to sustain itâ€?. For some, that could mean saying a rosary. For others, prayer, adoration or attending Mass could work. “God is always present in our lives [and ready to help us]. It’s just a matter of our paying attention,â€? Mr Gorman said. Ms Judith Hoyt, advocacy coordinator for Right to Life of Northeast Ohio, said that when temptation strikes, “I turn to Jesus and Mary and say the Our Father or Hail Mary. Or I say the prayer to St Michael ... And sometimes I just say, ‘No, I’m not going to do this.’â€? And if she falters in her resolutions? “I just get right back up and pray that I won’ t fall again,â€? she said.

0V +HOHQ /HZLV D UHWLUHG Ă€RUDO GHVLJQHU DQG RIÂżFH PDQDJHU from Stow, Ohio, said on the subject of temptation: “Once I set my mind to do something for God, it’s hard to get me off track.â€? For instance, she of fered to give up chocolate for life, and she did so “little by littleâ€? during Lent about 20 years ago. The way to accomplish a goal, she said, is “to keep God in the forefront of my mind and then do things for Himâ€?. During Lent, prayer helps especially, she said. “I try to say extra rosaries and go to confession once a month. That keeps you on the straight and narrow – thinking that when you go [to confession] you’ll have to admit to doing something wrong.â€? Ms Sally Scuderi, from St Michael’s in New York, is the par ish’s music minister. She said she doesn’t believe in giving up things during Lent but focuses on doing more positive deeds. “Whatever I choose to do, it’ s something outside my comfort zone,â€? she said. Last year, she offered forgiveness to those who had hurt her . She said she approached people “in person or writing to say I for gave them and asked if I had done something to trigger their action. Sometimes I didn’ t get an answerâ€?, she said. She says she’ s “not a hospital personâ€? and only visits friends when they’re in the hospital or goes there to distribute Communion. But one year, during Lent, she received leads from a local hospital chaplain and decided to visit the sick. „ McNulty is a freelance writer in Akron, Ohio, USA.

18

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

After all the feasting, let’s eat simply Fruit and vegetables grown by parishioners are displayed at a farmer’s market at a Catholic church in Tennessee, USA. CNS photo

By Anne Lim AFTER the feasting (from Christmas to Chinese New Year), we who have been so blessed must need now to give our bodies a rest! For the sake of our health, for the sake of our planet. Everyone in Singapore knows that it is a national pastime, this obsession with eating well. And how we never seem to tire of talking about food. Perhaps, it has something to do with the story of our desperate origins, when putting food on the table began as a matter of survival. Our grand- or great-grandparents’ generation took pride in being able to provide decent meals for their families from the sweat of their brow. To be able to “upgradeâ€? from a simple meal of unpolished rice and vegetables to that of white rice and lots of meat dishes was an achievement. That’s why it is extremely GLIÂżFXOW WR FRQYLQFH D 6LQJDSRUHDQ particularly of the older generation, that it is not good for our health, nor our planet, if we eat meat (be it red, white or any other colour) at every meal every single day of our lives. For research has shown that as adults we do not need so much protein unless we return to hunting for our meat as our ancestors did. Excess protein consumption has also been linked to cancer and many degenerative diseases. There is something so very human about wanting to savour the delights of eating. Yet we for get that food not only nourishes and gives us pleasure, it connects us with the Earth. We are fed by the produce of soil, water and air , all of which make up the larger environment, our greater community. Before the food that we choose to eat reaches our table, it would have gone through processes which involve planting, harvesting, rearing, packaging, storage, transportation, etc – all of which require

energy as well as waste disposal. Each of these steps has an impact on the environment. Today, in our industrialised societies, fresh fruit and vegetables and all kinds of produce are available all the time in supermarkets. As a result, we do not have a clear sense of the value of nature’s gifts to us. If we truly value the connection we have with Mother Earth through these gifts, we would accept without hesitation our responsibilities as caretakers of the Earth. We would pray very hard for the grace of gratitude each time we sit to eat. Once again, we are reminded of the need for personal transfor mation. Are we willing to make a conscious choice to make a change in some of our eating habits, and to give up some of the conveniences of life that we have become so attached to? How about reducing the need for plastic and polystyrene disposables and switching to the good old WLIÂżQ FDUULHU IRU WDNHDZD\V" +RZ about selling food in our church canteens that is less oily and salty, less processed, and which includes less meat but more vegetables? With Lent approaching to help us rein in that appetite for rich food, let us respond with a return to simplicity. The good news is that what is good for the planet is also good for our health. Can we “live simply so that others may simply liveâ€?? Each day is a new day. To live more lightly, let’s eat less meat, waste not, eat more fruit and vegetables, and avoid or eat less processed foods. Grace: “Bless our hearts to hear in the breaking of bread the song of the universe.â€? (Fr John Giuliani, The Benedictine Grange, West Redding, Connecticut, USA). „ The writer is a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a special interest in Creation Spirituality.

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

19

20

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

under the sky in which there is the breath of life; everything on earth The Lord looked down on His crea- shall perish.â€? But the Lord added that Noah, tion with sadness and regret. Wickedness had taken over the hearts and his family and two of every bird and animal would be saved by being on minds of many people, but Noah the ark. continued to be a righteous man. 7KH Ă€RRG FDPH DV *RG KDG VDLG God told him, “I see that the end of all mortals has come, for the earth is and Noah and his family were kept full of lawlessness because of them. safe inside the boat. The storm raged So I am going to destroy them with and the boat was tossed in the water, but God protected it. the earth.â€? :KHQ WKH UDLQ ÂżQDOO\ VWRSSHG The Lord gave Noah detailed instructions on how to build a lar ge and all of the water that had fallen receded, Noah opened the doors of boat, called an ark: what wood to the ark. Then he stepped out onto dry use for it, how big each of its interior rooms should be and how much land and all of the people and animals inside left the boat behind him. food to bring. God blessed Noah and his famAnd the Lord warned him about what was to happen: “I, on my part, ily. He said to Noah, “Be fertile and DP DERXW WR EULQJ WKH Ă€RRG ZDWHUV PXOWLSO\ DQG ÂżOO WKH HDUWK )HDU DQG on the earth, to destroy all creatures dread of you shall come upon all the By Joe Sarnicola

Tarasius (d. 806) served as the chief secretary to Emperor Constantine VI and was nominated to become the patriarch of Constantinople. He had access to all the comforts his position provided, yet he chose to live very simply. After a time when religious images were forbidden by the empress, Tarasius met with the members of an ecumenical council in Nicea in 787. The council decided religious images would be allowed if the images were not worshiped. Rather, they said, the people portrayed in the images could be honoured. Later in his life, Tarasius refused to consent to the divorce and remarriage of the emperor . The emperor tried many tricks to force Tarasius to change his mind, but he failed. The emperor eventually was replaced by Nicephorus, who allowed Tarasius to live in peace. :H KRQRXU 7DUDVLXV RQ )HE „

Read more about it: Genesis 6, 7, 8 & 9

Q&A 1. Why did God want to destroy the earth? 2. What was the sign of God’s covenant with Noah?

PUZZLE:

WORDSEARCH: „ CREATION

„ REGRET

„ HEARTS

„ NOAH

„ MORTALS

„ DESTROY

„ EARTH

„ BUILD

„ ARK

„ FLOOD

„ WATERS

„ ANIMALS

Bible Accent:

Answer to Bible Trivia: The Ten Commandments.

During the times of the Old Testament and New Testament there were wild animals and birds as well animals that had been domesticated for use in farming, transportation and food. The wild animals included bears, lions and wolves that could pose threats to sheep and cattle. Camels were used to carry heavy loads as well as riders. These animals could work with small portions of food and water for up to several days if those items were scarce. Most people used either donkeys or mules because not many people could af ford to buy and feed camels. Cattle served as a source of milk and meat as well as leather . Sheep and goats provided milk that could be consumed or made into cheese, and clothing was made from their hides. „

Unscramble each set of letters to form the names of two commonly known animals from Bible lands. 1. hwoorcse 2. pecaehmels 3. ddooknyeg ÀRZWDF 5. realbino 6. uletmago

Bible Trivia: Noah’s ark contained animals. What was inside the ark of the covenant? See Deuteronomy 10.

Answer to Wordsearch

St Tarasius

me and the earth. ... The waters will QHYHU DJDLQ EHFRPH D ÀRRG WR GHstroy every mortal being.� „

Answer for Puzzle: 1. horse, cow; 2. camel, sheep; 3. donkey, dog; 4. wolf, cat; 5. lion, bear; 6. mule, goat.

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all the creatures that move about on the ground and all WKH ÂżVKHV RI WKH VHD LQWR \RXU SRZHU they are delivered.â€? Then the Lord made a promise to Noah. “This is the sign of the covenant that I am making between me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday February 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www.catholic.sg/webevent_form.php

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Saturdays from March 17 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS 3.30-6.30pm: For youths aged 13-20 years. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. T: 9100 4382 (Andrew), E: andNdrew@hotmail.com Fridays from April 27 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST TERESA 7.45-9.15pm: At Church of St Teresa (St Paul Room Level 4 Parish House). T: 6271 1184, E: stteresa@singnet. com.sg Fridays CPS LUNCHTIME MASS@ SHENTON WAY 0DVVHV DW SP DQG SP H[FHSW second Friday of the month – talk by Fr Terence Pereira at 12.40pm followed by Mass at 1.20pm. For other Mass locations and times, visit W: http://www.cps.org.sg Tuesdays February 14 to April 4 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY 7-9pm: This eight-part, four-hour DVD series presented by Christopher West is designed to give you a solid understanding of God’s plan for humanity – a plan stamped right into our bodies. Cost: $17 (for workbook). At Blessed Sacrament Church. T: 9649 3893 (Andrew); E: phantom_artiste@gmail.com Tuesdays February 21 to March 20 WHAT WAS VATICAN II ALL ABOUT? 8-10pm: This year marks the 50th

anniversary since Vatican II started. Learn about Vatican II through the following talks: Vatican II – Introduction, Background, History; Vatican II & Me; Vatican II & My Work; Vatican II & My Parish; Vatican II & My Neighbour. Speaker: Arthur Goh. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (St Clare Hall). T: 6567 3866; E: aff@stmary.sg Friday February 24 to Sunday February 26 CHOICE WEEKEND 7.30pm (Fri) -6pm (Sun): The CHOICE Weekend programme gives single young adults an opportunity to look into the relationships that really matter to them. It also allows one to discover the conditions necessary for building successful relationships. At 47 Jurong West St 42. Cost: $70. T: 98803093 (Dawn), 90472297 (Albert); E: registration@ choice.org.sg; W: http://www.choice. org.sg February 24 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS SP 5RVDU\ VFULSWXUDO UHÀHFWLRQ Eucharistic adoration and benediction. All welcome. By Generation CHRIST! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius Kingsmead Hall (St Francis Xavier Chapel). E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com February 25 DEALING WITH CHANGE AND LOSS 2-5pm: Grief counsellor and art therapist Joyce Tan will lead this session of acknowledgement and healing through DUW PDNLQJ DQG FUHDWLYH H[SUHVVLRQ 7RJHWKHU ZLWK JXLGHG VHOI H[SORUDWLRQ learn ways to cope with changes and losses in life. Cost: $20 (with materials). By Clarity Singapore. At CWS Building Solomon Hall Level 9 (55 Waterloo St). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org; W: http://www.clarity-singapore.org February 25 CATHOLIC SINGLES DINNER@ HANS 5.30-8.30pm: Meet Catholics from across Singapore for fellowship and friendship. Faith-based interactive games available after dinner. At Hans CafÊ Pickering St.

Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com; FB: CatholicSinglesSingapore Monday February 27 to Wednesday February 29 FINDING A TRUE COURSE IN THE BEWILDERING WORLD 7pm (Mon)-5pm (Wed): Silent live-in UHWUHDW E\ 0DUJDUHW 6LOI ([SORUH VRPH ZD\V RI ¿QGLQJ VROLG JURXQG DPLGVW WLPHV of unprecedented change and uncertainty. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $270 (non-aircon), $320 (aircon). T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com February 27 RALLY – HOLY SPIRIT AFTER PENTECOST 7.30-10pm Programme includes praise and worship, a talk by Anne Marie Gatenby, Vice-Chairman of the Australian Charismatic National Service Committee, and prayer for healing. All welcome. At Church of the Risen Christ March 4 CONVERSION OF HEART: SUNDAY LENTEN RETREAT 9.30am-4pm: A day of prayer and recollection for those who want to deepen their relationship with God during Lent. Conducted by Fr Ponnudurai, SJ. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd 6W ,JQDWLXV +DOO $QQH[H &RVW T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com March 4 IHM LENTEN BLOODMOBILE OUTREACH 10.30am-3.30pm: Our blood is God’s gift of life. Give blood and save up to three lives. For those 16-60 years and above 45kg. Bring NRIC or passport. At Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Multi-purpose Hall (24 Highland Rd). Mondays March 5 to April 2 LENTEN REFLECTION SP /HQWHQ UHÀHFWLRQ XVLQJ the booklet provided by the church. By Catholic Prayer Society. At 206/208B Telok Ayer St. E: alphacac@catholic.org

Saturday March 10 to Sunday March 11 LANDSCAPE CROSSING RETREAT For cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, with Sunday Mass. At Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre (100 Jalan Merbok). T: 9012 4778 (Sr Margaret); E: srgohmargaret@yahoo. com.sg

March 18 LENTEN REFLECTION AND ADORATION IN TAMIL 2-6pm: With Mass at 7pm. At Blessed Sacrament Church (Damien Centre, St Peter’s Room, Level 3) All welcome.

March 11 CATHOLIC SINGLES MEET UP FOR MASS AND LUNCH 10am: A good chance for fellowship among Catholic singles. Starting with Sunday Mass at St Joseph Church Victoria St, followed by lunch at Marina Square. Meet at church canteen. Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com FB: CatholicSinglesSingapore

March 29 WALKING THE WAY OF THE CROSS: A LABYRINTH EXPERIENCE 9.30am-4pm: Journey with Christ on the Way of the Cross through prayer, meditation and contemplation. Facilitated by Roselie Chia and Diana Tan (trained labyrinth facilitators). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd (St Ignatius Hall $QQH[H &RVW 7 ( cisc2664@gmail.com

Thursday March 15 to Sunday March 18 PARISH RENEWAL EXPERIENCE 7.30-10pm (Thurs-Fri), 1.30-10pm (Sat-Sun): PRE is a weekend conversion H[SHULHQFH OLNH QR RWKHU ([SORUH ZKDW it means to be Catholic and how we see Jesus in our fellow Catholics. At Church of the Risen Christ. St Peter’s Auditorium Level 2). T: 9843 6494 (John Bosco); E: jbosco160860@yahoo.com; W: https://sites.google.com/site/precrc/

Saturday March 31 to Sunday April 8 HOLY WEEK RETREAT 7pm (Sat) –5pm (Sun): An 8-day residential silent retreat in the Ignatian WUDGLWLRQ IROORZLQJ WKH 6SLULWXDO ([HUFLVHV of St Ignatius. Conducted by CISC spiritual directors. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $440 (non-aircon), $640 (aircon). Register by Feb 29. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@ gmail.com

Crossword Puzzle 1052 1

2

3

4

5

6

14

7

17

23

10

18

24

25

21

13

33

34

35

57

58

59

22

27

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31

30 32

36

37

38

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41

47

12

19

26

40

11

16

20

46

OBITUARY

9

15

42

43

IN MEMORIAM

8

44

48

49

51

45 50

52

53

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55

56

60

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63

64

65 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Commandment place 6 Church seats 10 Injury 14 Nut of an oak 15 Burn soother 16 Malarial fever 17 Type of prayer 19 US space agency 20 Where the Vatican is 21 Be emphatic 6PDOO Ă€XWH 27 Catholic singer who starred in “White Christmasâ€? 28 Two-time loser to Ike 29 Split in the Church 31 Distributed cards 32 Pledge 33 Spanish hero 36 Tiered shelves 37 Destitute 39 Continental money 40 North American deer 41 Native Japanese 42 This “On the Waterfront “character is based on real-life priest, Fr. Corridan 43 ___ Uno 45 Disney’s Little Mermaid 46 Soaks up

49 Section in the Bible 51 The Mass is one 52 God, in ancient Rome +LJKO\ H[FLWHG 54 Gospel writer 60 Adriatic wind 61 Trigonometric function 62 “Lord, ___ us to prayâ€? (Lk 11:1) 63 “Let it standâ€? 64 Bound 65 Find the answer DOWN 1 Abbr. for two OT books *ODVV ÂżOOHU 3 This land is east of Eden (Gen 4:16) 4 Jackie’s “Oâ€? 5 At Mass, the entrance prayers or song 6 John was on this island 7 Writer Wiesel 8 Solicit 2OG DJH DIĂ€LFWLRQ 10 Horse-drawn vehicle 11 Once more 12 Charlotte’s dessert? 13 Full of substance 18 On-line co. 22 Snack 23 Title for Pio

24 Standard of perfection 25 Quick sharp sound 26 Horseshoe spike 27 African country 30 Sacre ___ 33 Administrative arm of the Catholic Church 34 Like some vbs. 35 Catholic creator of Sherlock Holmes 37 Most agile 38 Hydrocarbon VXIÂż[HV 39 Big rabbit features 41 Distinctive quality 42 Hunting dogs 43 Candy

44 Uncovered 46 Middle Easterners 47 Intolerant person 48 Grocery 50 Month of the Assumption (abbr.) 52 Northern European 55 Number of sacraments, in Roman numerals 56 There have been 13 popes with this name 3URYHUE VXIÂż[ 58 ___1, papal license plate 'HÂżQLWH DUWLFOH

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1051 A N N A S G R A B S I L O

B O O T H

B O O T Y

E N R O L L R E E A N D G E E S I C A R A T O R E V I N E A

A G E R N O C A Y D W H A E G L E I A T E

G R E E K T H I E F D H L

G I E A C E R I E Y L P A U T I C K H E M E I T E R Y C D R E C O N S A U T E N T R O E A N D

C A H I L L

B L A B

E L L E

R O F L

I N A N U S D I F E R N I C A E R

S E T H

H A Z Y

E N N U I

R E E L S

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

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