MAY 20, 2012, Vol 62, No 10

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY MAY 20, 2012

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VOL 62

NO. 10

INSIDE HOME ‘Listen to your inmost desire’ Newly ordained Jesuit advises those discerning their vocations „ Page 2

HOME Gregorian chants at Esplanade

VATICAN CITY – Amid the del-

uge of information and non-stop chatter in today’s media, the safe havens of silence, Pope Benedict XVI said. Far from being the enemy of calm and quiet, social media and the Internet can lead people to virtual sanctuaries that offer silent and true meaning in life, he said. “Attention should be paid to the various types of websites, applications and social networks which can help people today to

thentic questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God,� he said in his message for the 2012 celebration of World Communications Day. Even brief posts and viral tweets can carry potent messages when people use those tools – not for spamming or for scanning the latest gossip – but for sharing a real part of themselves, he said. “In concise phrases, often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated, as long as those taking part in the conversation do not neglect to cultivate their own inner lives,� he said. The theme of this year’s World Communications Day – marked in most dioceses on May 20 this year – is Silence and Word: Path of Evangelisation. In his message, the pope acknowledged that “silence is often overlooked�, but is especially important today. Silence, words, images and sounds need “a kind of eco-sys-

Choir performs for 500-strong crowd „ Page 4

HOME Sharing about motherhood Mums attend special retreat „ Page 7

ASIA ‘Rising population aids economy’ Bishops hail secretary’s statement

Attention should be paid to the websites, ‘ applications and social networks which can authentic questioning.

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– Pope Benedict XVI in his World Communications Day message symbiotic balance “if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be achieved�. Moments of quiet and calm allow people to sift through, process and evaluate the information they’re bombarded with,

secondary, discover connections and “share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge�, the pope said.

He underlined the importance of digital media – a theme he has championed in his three previous Communications Day messages. Search engines and social networks aid people in their innate thirst for answers and the truth, he said. Because many people launch queries online about the deepest meanings of life, it is important who ask these questions and open up the possibility of a profound

dialogue, by means of words and interchange, but also through the

He said that language fails to encompass and truly communicate God’s grandeur. The extent of his love, power and mercy sink in with silent contemplation, and from that awe-inspiring awareness springs forth “the urgent sense of mission, the compelling obligation� to share Christ and His word with others, he said. „ CNS The pope’s message is available at http://www.vatican.va/holy_ father/benedict_xvi/messages/ communications/documents/hf_ ben-xvi_mes_20120124_46thworld-communications-day_ en.html „ Special features on pages 20-21

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WORLD UK Sikh leader receives papal knighthood Honoured for work in interfaith relations „ Page 16

FEATURE ‘Liturgical texts must be translated literally’ debate over issues „ Page 19

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‘Listen to your inmost desire’ ... newly ordained Jesuit advises those discerning their call to the religious life By Martin See

Indonesian-born Fr Agustinus Tanudjaja was ordained on April 28.

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If you experience ‘ the fruits of the Spirit when you consider a religious vocation, then you are in the right direction.

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– Jesuit Fr Agustinus Tanudjaja

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Jesuit seminarians from Kenya, Timor Leste and Singapore at the Jesuits’ open house.

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Participants at the Diocesan Vocation Discernment Retreat pose for a photo with (front row, from left) archdiocesan vocation director Fr Alex Chua, St Francis Xavier Major Seminary rector Fr William Goh and Fr Damian de Wind.

Vocation retreat helps men hear ‘gentle voice of God’ By Br Justin Yip

Young people serving during the Holy Hour prior to the World Day of Prayer for Vocations Mass on April 29.

Proclaim love of God ‘to younger generation’ By Martin See %

but it is a very rewarding vocation, said Archbishop Nicholas Chia. “I have been a priest for over LR

and crosses are not lacking, there is a great joy in sharing the Word of God,� said the archbishop during a Mass to mark the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 29. The theme of the Mass, held at St Anne’s Church, was Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God. “The love of God is everlasting; it needs to be proclaimed ever anew, especially to younger generations,� Archbishop Chia said during the celebration. He told the young people present that if God called them to be 8 yourselves to the Lord and gifts will be given to you in abundance�. “Pray fervently to know God’s will,� he urged. “Doing what the world wants, trying to achieve money, fame and worldly pleasures will not bring you lasting happiness. But doing God’s will O Archbishop Chia also asked parents to cultivate God-centred families so that their children will be open to God’s call, and urged

everyone to pray for vocations. “Promote vocations through fervent prayers, participate in the Eucharistic adoration for vocations. Join the Parish Vocation Teams, the Serra Club. Reach out to the young and encourage them to participate in vocation camps to discern their vocation,â€? he said. Just before the Mass, the St Anne’s Youth Council (SAYC) helped to organise a Holy Hour of prayer, hymns and scriptural About 300 people, including young people and seminarians, attended the Holy Hour. Most participants also stayed back for the Mass. SAYC chairperson Jessica Chew told CatholicNews, “This > event with the youths in the hope that we can create an awareness and appreciation for vocations, especially among teens.â€? Polytechnic student Lester Wong shared that he has considered becoming a priest. “There’s a voice inside me that is calling me to Holy Orders,â€? he told CatholicNews. “However, I will need time to think it through and discern if this calling ‌ is truly meant for me. I hope to attend a vocation retreat when I’m ready.â€? „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

The recent Diocesan Vocation Discernment Retreat has aided participants in their spiritual journey. The annual retreat, held from May 4-6 at the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary, “has helped me to be a better listener to God and guide me along my journey towards a better Christian life�, said Mr Alexandre Yeoh from the Church of the Risen Christ. % ("4 4 4 time participant at the retreat. 7 4 6 Tey, 26, from the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, said the retreat was an enriching experience “for all men looking to live their life in a Christ-centred and remarkable way.� Mr Yeoh and Mr Tey were two ( 4 the retreat, out of a total of 56 participants. The retreat aims to help young men discern their vocation in life and discover more about the diocesan priesthood. The theme for this year’s retreat was iMeno. Meno is a Greek word meaning “to abide or dwell; to endure forever; or to remain united with someone in heart, mind and will�. This was inspired by the verse found in the Gospel reading of the same weekend: “Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit� (John 15:5). In line with the theme, Deacon Samuel Lim and Fr Michael Arro gave input sessions on how to abide in the Lord through a relationship with Him and through prayer. Catechetical director Fr Erbin

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Fernandez and seminary rector Fr William Goh shared personal celibacy and ministry. Archdiocesan vocation director Fr Alex Chua, and seminary lecturer Fr Ignatius Huan gave practical advice on discernment. At the end of the retreat, Fr Chua commented that he was “very encouraged� by the willingness of these young men “to hear the gentle voice of God�. Participants were also supported by prayers from the Serra Club, which promotes priestly vocations, and the Divine Mercy Group from

the Church of the Holy Cross, who fasted and prayed for participants throughout the retreat. Many participants said they were touched by such dedication, and added that they would encourage their friends to attend the retreat next year. !!" ! # $ % & " # '() „ * + 3 5 7 8 9 3

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Gregorian chants at Esplanade By Darren Boon A choir specialising in Gregorian chant performed at the Esplanade Concert Hall on April 29. The half-hour-long concert was part of the Esplanade’s A Tapestry of Sacred Music programme held from April 27-29. The Schola Cantorum Sancti 3 8 members – Mr Francis Nyan, Mr John Goh, Mr Leonard Cheah, Mr Gregory Tan and Mr Norman Lee – performed music from the traditional Catholic Mass. The pieces included the Kyrie, Gloria, Paschal Alleluia, Sanctus, the Lord’s Prayer and Agnus Dei. % 8 O Esplanade to be part of the programme. The choir wanted “to share the gift of Gregorian chant with those 8 opportunity to hear it�, said Mr Nyan. He added that the performance aimed “to showcase how the many genres of chant used in the liturgy, from the simplest to ; 8

purpose – to amplify the liturgical texts, especially those drawn from Scripture�. More than 500 people attended the concert. One of them, a Catholic who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim, said she found the music sol 8

The concert aimed to showcase ‘the many genres of chant used in the liturgy, from the simplest to the most complex’. – Mr Francis Nyan

put her in a prayerful mood. Some choir members from the Church of St Michael, who attended the concert described the music as “interesting�, “grand�, “sacred� and “different� from the usual music one hears during Masses in Singapore. Ms Janice Chua, a choir mis-

tress with the parish, said Gregorian chant could be introduced during Mass if the congregation is able to follow the music. The Schola Cantorum Sancti Gregorii Magni was formed in 2005 “to assist the Liturgical Music Committee of the archdiocese in carrying out the mandate of the Second Vatican Council to promote Gregorian chant�, said Mr Nyan. The choir is dedicated to the main repertory of the Mass – the entrance, offertory and communion antiphons and the psalm and alleluia chants, Mr Nyan said. He explained that these parts are almost entirely drawn directly from the Bible and comprise

; 8 8 > The group meets once a week for two hours of rehearsal. “We dedicate much effort to this repertory because each of us has come to understand and appreciate its unique spiritual and 8 @ The choir is contactable at schola.cantorum@yahoo.com.sg. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Members of Schola Cantorum Sancti Gregorii Magni choir at the April 29 concert. From left: Mr Norman Lee, Mr John Goh, Mr Francis Nyan, Mr Gregory Tan and Mr Leonard Cheah.

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Couples recommit to one another More than 100 couples renew vows at Marriage Encounter celebration By Martin See More than 750 people – married couples, children and other relatives – turned up at the Marriage Encounter anniversary Mass this year, an increase of more than 200 over last year. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Singapore’s 33rd anniversary Mass, held at the Church of the Divine Mercy on May 1, also saw a record-breaking 103 couples honoured for their milestone wedding anniversaries.

were presented to couples celeO Œ# anniversaries this year, in multi 8 who have been married for longer. The men were given corsages O [ ers. Archbishop Nicholas Chia also gave a congratulatory message to the crowd in the form of an audio recording. Fr Paul Goh, one of the priests at the event, told the people, “Those of you who have attended an ME [Marriage Encounter] weekend ? O tal relationship. So, go forth and be prophets and get more couples to attend our ME weekends.�

Michael and Margaret Loh (above) have been married for 57 years. Couples marking their milestone wedding anniversaries this year renew their commitment to each other during the Marriage Encounter anniversary Mass.

The Mass which followed was celebrated by Fr Goh, Fr John Nguyen van Dich, Fr Louis Loiseau, Fr Bruno Saint Girons and parish priest Fr Johnson Fernandez. The theme of the Mass was Go, be Prophets to the Nations. “We are all called to be prophets, even kids,� said Fr Fernandez in his homily, adding that this is

accomplished by living lives according to the Gospel. During the Mass, the couples celebrating their milestone anniversaries renewed their marriage vows. They held hands, gazed into one another’s eyes and kissed. Some couples shared with CatholicNews how they keep their marriage strong and happy.

A successful and lasting marriage is about cherishing and being understanding to each other, say Michael and Margaret Loh, who have been married for 57 years. “We keep the romance alive till this day by saying ‘I love you’ to each other every now and again,� said Mr Loh. John and Jenny Lai who have

been married for 25 years, shared that marriage is about “give and take� and compromise. “We air our differences openly rather than bottling it up inside,� shared Mr Lai. Patrick and Linda Nai who have been married for 20 years said that love is a decision which involves

humour helps to diffuse tension. “Not harbouring grudges makes a happy marriage,� said Mr Nai. “Complementing each other and discussing issues without holding back is the secret to good communication.� „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday May 20, 2012 CatholicNews

Faith and evangelisation These were the focus of the Ablaze retreat conducted by SACCRE recently People are thirsty for the Word of God, and thus the need for more apostles and disciples to proclaim the Good News. Gabrielite Br Emmanuel Gaudette shared this message with some 50 people from various parishes who attended the Ablaze Weekend Retreat at the Church of St Stephen. The call to evangelise is “more important now than it was 2,000 years ago,” he told the crowd at the April 27-29 retreat organised by the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (SACCRE). “What have you done to ‘teach all nations?’” he asked, adding that Singapore and the whole world need to hear God’s Word. “Know the Word, cherish it and speak it in any circumstances,” he stressed. Br Emmanuel was one of several speakers at the retreat who dealt with topics such as faith, intercessory prayer, repentance and evangelisation. According to SACCRE, the programme was for those who wish to serve as well as those already in Church ministries. “People are very familiar with LISS [the Life in the Spirit Seminar] which aims to offer the experience of Jesus that would impact change in a person’s life,” retreat coordinator Gerard Francisco told CatholicNews. The Ablaze retreat was to “take the person to the next level … to recognise that as disciples we need to make more disciples to build His kingdom”, he said.

‘Know the Word, Participants praying at the Ablaze Weekend Retreat at the Church of St Stephen.

Mr Philip Kok, who heads the Light of the Lord Covenant Community, told participants that “faith is never meant to be a onetime experience”. “The same faith that saved us is the same faith that carries us from day to day,” he said. Furthermore, “living by faith means moving against the prevailing tide of public opinion” and to “dare to dream beyond your means”. “Faith acts even in the face of doubt and opposition,” he said. Carmelite Fr Thomas Curran said it was important to focus on Scripture for faith development in Charismatic groups. He urged leaders to discern “what

the Holy Spirit is saying to the group”. Canossian Sr Christine Santhou stressed the importance of being able to forgive oneself for one’s wrongs. “John’s Gospel says that ‘God is love.’ … There is only one nature to God – love,” she said. “Each one of us is God’s beloved … created in God’s own image and likeness.” Thus, “knowing I am loved, I have the strength and courage to change”, she added. SACCRE chairperson, Mrs Jessica Francisco, wife of Mr Francisco, spoke on the power of intercession. “All of us are intercessors in our daily lives,” she said. Inter-

cherish it and speak it in any circumstances.

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‘Living by faith means moving against the prevailing tide of public opinion.

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– Gabrielite Br Emmanuel Gaudette

– Mr Philip Kok

cessory prayer is necessary because of developments such as over-secularisation. “People’s faith in God and in the power of prayer have diminished,” she added. Participants were then divided into small practice groups in which they prayed for various situations and upcoming events in the local Church. Participants CatholicNews spoke to said they found the retreat a refreshing and energising experience. “I was anointed with the Holy Spirit!” said Ms Margaret Manickam, 53, from the

Church of St Francis Xavier. She said the retreat helped her realise the need to love those around her “with the love of the Lord”, and added that she was happy to be able to offer intercessory prayers for her family and friends. Mr Alphonsus Wee, 49, from the Church of St Stephen, said he was inspired by the talk on intercessory prayer and the need to pray for Church leaders. He said he will now pray for more people to join the Charismatic group that his parish hopes to set up soon.

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Motherhood: a blessing and vocation Special retreat highights what motherhood is all about About 70 women came together Being a mother is a special O 8 $ * Y 4 % O ; O 3 6 O O •

[ % * – 8 was speaking at the 9th Catholic > O 6 * / $ % 8 9 ) & * % 6 ) $ “Mothers must always re-

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Participants at the Catholic mother’s retreat organised by Joyful Parenting.

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The Joyful Parenting programme aims to help parents 4 4O O 8 4? „ CONTRIBUTED BY JOYFUL PARENTING

To get updates on Joyful Parenting activities and programmes, email susie@familylife.sg (subject line: Sign up for Joyful Parenting Events).

PRIEST APPOINTMENTS: Fr Joseph Zhang from the Church of the Holy Cross Church is on compassionate leave. Fr Peter Zhang has been assigned to replace him with effect from May 4. Fr Michael Benchamin, from the Church of St Stephen, has left for India. He is replaced by Fr Dominic Savio. „

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School chaplaincy team training Religious and laypeople attended a programme to strengthen schools’ Catholic ethos By Don Gurugay More than 50 people recently attended a programme on School Chaplaincy Teams conducted by an Australian Catholic school consultant. Dr Michael Downey, who is also an author, retreat facilitator and teacher, gave the training sessions and also spoke to clergy, teachers, vice principals and principals. “The school chaplaincy team role compliments the roles of teacher and pastor,â€? Dr Downey told CatholicNews. “School chaplains are called to be a presence in our schools, taking time to stop, be still amongst the constant busyness ‌ so that we come to know that God is with us.â€? Dr Downey gave the sessions from April 26-May 4. The Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) had proposed the concept of

School Chaplaincy Teams (SCTs) in 2009. This was in response to schools’ requests for greater archdiocesan support in strengthening the institutions’ Catholic ethos. SCTs are a team of people with a wide range of gifts, according to ACCS. A typical SCT could consist of laypersons, Religious and a priest. They do not replace a school counsellor but play an essential role in spiritual accompaniment of students and staff, and in supporting the religious life of the school. According to ACCS, priests have always been very generous with their time but often they are unable to do more than celebrate Masses and hear confessions. The SCTs would minister to a school community in the areas of accompaniment, liturgy, pastoral care and religious education, says ACCS executive director Wendy Louis. “An SCT member, in addition

shirt), who conducted the sessions.

to being available as a listening ear, could help out in preparing school Masses and paraliturgies according to the liturgical calendar, and support religious education teachers, providing for a deeper and broader Catholic presence.�, she said.

Training for SCTs began in 2010. Participants of the recent training programme said they found it useful. Ms Angeline Xavier said she found the sessions enriching, containing deep insights. She added

The school chaplaincy team role ‘ compliments the roles of teacher and pastor.

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– Dr Michael Downey

that she plans to gradually introduce the SCT concept to her school. An SCT member and counsellor at CHIJ Katong Convent, Ms Debra Scully, said she was “heartened� that Dr Downey “took the time to give us support from the Scriptures�. Canossian Sr Dorothy Lim said she was glad “that so many others were there together, desiring to be trained as a team and committed to the necessity of building a Catholic ethos and culture�. „

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Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHURCH IN PHILIPPINES

Church hails view that rising population aids economy MANILA – The Catholic bishops of the Philippines have welcomed a O > secretary, who said the nation’s rising population is a boon to the economy. According to UCANews, an

_ > Conference of the Philippines praised the observation by Mr Cesar Purisima, on May 2, saying 4 O > “It’s nothing short of a mira4 cle,� Fr Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the bishops’ Commis4 sion on Family and Life, said on May 3. The Church, engaged in a 4 O 8 4 ductive health bill pending legis4 lature was buoyed by news reports quoting Mr Purisima as saying that the booming population will be the future driver of economic growth. % O ? 4 Filipinos would make up the ma4 jority of the Philippine economy by 2015, said Mr Purisima.

Filipinos rally against a proposed national reproductive health bill on !""# $ % $ & secretary that the rising population is the future driver of economic growth.

Individual bishops welcomed the government’s statement as well. “It’s very good that [the gov4 ernment] sees it that way,� said _ 3 _ 4 tanes. However, he added, the gov4 ernment has been “very inconsist4

ent� because it also advocates a 4 4 O for the passage of birth control measures in national legislation. The country’s population stood at 92.3 million in 2010, ac4 cording to data from the Nation4 $ ]

? Philippines the world’s 12th

4 While population growth has slowed since the 1960s, the coun4 try’s population still grew by 1.9 percent in 2010, according to Philippine census data. The bishops have been op4 posed to various provisions of the reproductive health bill, which ——R _ Aquino, who has said he opposes abortion, has made the reproduc4 tive health bill a priority of his administration despite opposition 4 some religious groups, including the Catholic Church. The bill provides for universal access to methods and informa4 tion on birth control and maternal care, among other measures. While the bill has been praised for its maternal and child health provisions, those opposed to the legislation say it opens the door to the practice of population control and introduces government and 8 4 8 contraceptive practices. „ CNS

Gathering of youth to appreciate history ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Young

Catholics from across the country met in Iloilo City, located about 625km from Manila, to discuss ways of preserving the nation’s reli4 gious heritage and pilgrimage sites. The recent gathering was called Angat Kabataan 2012, and was attended by 39 representa4 tives of dioceses that host cultural and heritage sites. “It was a way for young people to appreciate the history of the Phil4 ippine Catholic Church,� said Au4 gustinian priest Fr Harold Rentoria. The participants had visited pilgrimage sites in Metro Manila before proceeding to Iloilo, where they shared their experiences. Workshops were later con4 ducted to train them on cultural preservation and art appreciation. Architect Miko Manalo, who sits on the culture and arts com4 mission, said the gathering was also aimed at helping the young4 er generation to understand that while the country comprises more than 7,000 islands, “its people share a common culture.� “Young people sharing their experiences in the Church make them united,� said Mr Manalo. „ UCANEWS.COM

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Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHURCH IN CHINA

‘Illicit ordinations cause serious scandal’ ... says the Vatican Commission for the Catholic Church in China after its recent meeting VATICAN CITY – Lay Catholics in

China have been scandalised by priests who are ordained bishops without papal approval and by the participation of Vatican-recognised bishops in those ordinations, said the Vatican Commission for the Catholic Church in China. The very identity of the Catho ' by the faith handed down from the apostles through bishops in communion with the pope – “has O O O who have been ordained bishops without papal recognition, said the statement, released on April 26 after a three-day meeting at the Vatican. The commission was created in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI and comprises cardinals of the Roman Curia, Chinese bishops and heads of Religious orders. It meets yearly. In its recent statement, the commission said that in administering the sacraments and exer U 8 bishops who are not recognised by the pope “usurp a power which the Church has not conferred on Bishops approved by the Vatican and recognised by the Chinese government were ordained on April 19 and April 25, but the commission said illegitimately ordained bishops also participated in the ceremonies, “aggravat disturbing the faithful laity and priests who attended.

In administering sacraments, bishops not recognised by the pope ‘usurp a power which the Church has not conferred on them’. – Vatican Commission for the Catholic Church in China.

Four of six priests ordained illicitly in Dali on March 26 pose for a photo. A Vatican commission has denounced such ordinations. UCANEWS.COM photo

Even worse, however, was that last year, some Vatican-approved bishops participated in the ordination of bishops who were not approved or recognised by the pope, the commission said. At the time, the Vatican said that if the bishops were forced by the communist government to participate, they would not face canonical penalties and it asked the bishops to get in touch with the Vatican. “Many of these bishops have have requested pardon; the Holy Father has benevolently forgiven % bishops who have not explained

themselves were urged to do so. The commission, which was focusing on the education of lay Catholics in China and the celebration of the upcoming Year of Faith, said “evangelisation cannot O 8 O

tial elements of the Catholic faith “Obedience to Christ and to the successor of Peter is the presupposition of every true renewal and this applies to every category within the people of God. Lay people themselves are sensitive to the

The commission also said the true identity of the Catholic

Church cannot shine in China as long as the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China – both government-controlled bodies – continue “to place themselves above the bishops and to guide the life of the

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to strengthen laypeople’s knowledge of their faith, the commission recommended greater use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It also encouraged them to bring their faith to bear on every aspect of their lives, particularly in their families, at work and by “loving their country as honest citizens

Catholics live their faith “by loving life and respecting it from

Despite a serious lack of material resources, the Catholic Church in China welcomes a large number of adults into the Church each year, the commission said. In fact, U O began meeting at the Vatican, the Study Centre of Faith in He Bei, China, published a report saying more than 22,100 Chinese were received into the Church at Easter. The Vatican commission encouraged Chinese Catholic dioceses to develop a thorough catechumen programme to prepare candidates for baptism and asked them to adopt the formal Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The commission also discussed the declining number of vocations to the priesthood and Religious life in the country and asked Chinese Catholics to begin praying for vocations. „ CNS

Chinese Church leaders hail commission’s focus on lay formation MACAU, CHINA – A Church ob-

server and members of the clergy say the latest statement from the Vatican’s Commission for the Catholic Church in China was encouraging but there are practical problems that need to be solved. According to Sr Beatrice Leung Kit-fun, a Macau-based political professor, the Vatican has taken the correct approach in consolidating the China Church by focusing on laity formation. “While relations with the Chinese government are tense, the Vatican would be wise settling internal problems within the Church

L The commission discussed since it was established in 2007. “Many laypeople now demand

UCANEWS.COM photo

more formation. This is a sign of healthy development and maturity Given their easy access to the mainland, Catholics from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau can play a greater role in training their fellow Chinese, the Precious Blood nun suggested. Unlike communiques in the past, this year’s does not refer to the Chinese government. Sr Leung agreed it is “not a good time _ U midst of a leadership transition scheduled for this autumn. Fr Peter, a priest from central China who declined to reveal his full name, said he thought the

[ 8 U tion, but also on evangelisation,

Sr Beatrice Leung Kit-fun.

the role of bishops and priestly vocations. However, the young priest said he was not optimistic about the future of the China Church. “We

8 O he said, referring to what he said was the low number of baptisms over Easter across China. A survey conducted by the Study Centre of Faith in Hebei 8 (( #L O – a drop in the ocean compared to the country’s population of 1.3 billion, the priest said. “The Church has invested much in hardware, but how much 8 ™ he asked. The communique has given concrete guidelines on laity formation, “but a key problem is how to put this into practice in Parishioners help in evangelistic work mostly on a voluntary basis, he noted, and heavy family pressures restrict their ability to

do this. The Church should thus resort to full-time paid catechists, he suggested. A bishop, who requested anonymity, said the communique has given “earnest expectation and nese Catholics. They are hoping they will grow in charity, be nourished in the faith, enhance their sense of belonging and spirituality, and live out a “loving life by loving the family and loving our

“It is a reminder to us not only to uphold principles but also to pay attention to the spirit and essence of evangelisation, ensuring the China Church can bear witness for Jesus Christ in commun 8 said. „

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Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Left: Conference participants pose for a photo with Bishop Paul Tan (front, third from right), president of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants.

Region’s migrant ministries share ideas, strategies Malaysia, S’pore, Brunei representatives meet in Sibu By Jeremy Khoo Twenty-two representatives from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei involved in migrant ministries met in Sarawak recently to discuss issues relating to migrants. The 4th annual Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (EMI) conference was held on April 2526 in Sibu. The participants came from Brunei apostolic vicariate; Singapore archdiocese; Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu archdioceses; and Keningau, MelakaJohor, Penang, Sandakan and Sibu dioceses. During the conference, participants learnt about the varied challenges migrants face in different countries. East Malaysia, for example, receives thousands of migrants from neighbouring Indonesia and the Philippines, who cross the border illegally in search of work.

The Church in Sarawak runs a kindergarten for migrant children as they are not eligible to join mainstream schools. In Peninsular Malaysia, there are more than 140,000 Myanmar refugees who are stranded because the government has not signed the UN Refugee Convention. Kuala Lumpur archdiocese runs a daily feeding programme to help feed migrants, participants were told. In Brunei, migrants make up 70 percent of the entire workforce, yet there are very few legal resources available to them. They are also not allowed to congregate, participants learnt. The Church here, however, provides a safe venue for migrants to meet with one another. Representatives from Singapore told the gathering that there are about 10,000 foreign wives in Singapore who have very few rights if they have not acquired permanent residency or Singapore citizenship. The Singapore archdiocese provides pro bono legal

Below: Welcome from Indonesian migrant community.

services to them and all deserving migrants, participants learnt. During the meeting, EMI, which comes under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, said it plans to continue conscientising clergy and laity through formation programmes in the coming year. The organisation also plans to encourage local parishes to start their own migrant ministries. EMI will also plan meetings to formulate a statement on human

? year, as well as a meeting to discuss the repercussion of migration on families in November. Participants said they have learnt much from the recent conference. It “has shown some degree of maturity as we reinforce our commitment to reach out to migrants and share our activities and ide-

as�, said Mr Dominic Lim from Kota Kinabalu archdiocese. “It has also allowed more cross border collaborations,� he added. “For example, we have been getting assistance from the Singapore archdiocese to help locate a young Sabah boy who has gone missing there.� Cenacle Sr Susay Valdez from Singapore echoed his views, saying

she looks forward to greater “collaboration with the other diocesan migrant ministries and the setting up of more parish migrant ministries in Singapore� as more foreign domestic workers get days off. The recent conference also included a visit to Indonesian migrant worker community living in the middle of a sprawling palm oil plantation near Sibu. „

12 ASIA

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Students learn about Jesus’ Real Presence, vocations crisis Photo: FRANCIS GOPAL

Children from six Johor parishes gathered at Majodi Centre on April 28.

By Vincent D’Silva PLENTONG, JOHOR – Some 1,000

school children from six parishes in South Johor learnt about Eucharistic adoration and the urgent need for more religious vocations. The young Catholics, aged seven to 17, came in busloads to Majodi Centre in Plentong on April 28 for a time of adoration, prayers and Mass. Fr Lionel Thomas led the afternoon’s programme, which had the theme, This Is My Body. Parents and catechists also accompanied the children. The young participants appeared initially puzzled about

However, many appeared to have understood after Fr Thomas’ explanation about what Eucharistic adoration was all about. Children “need to know and believe that Jesus is truly, really present, body, blood, soul and divinity in the humble host,� he said, adding that this will help them have greater reverence for the Mass. He urged the participants to pray for greater reverence for the

Eucharist and for more priestly and Religious vocations. One hour of adoration then followed. The children also prayed a decade of the rosary, after which a statue of Mary was crowned. A hush fell over the crowd when a monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament was carried around the hall after benediction. A Mass then followed during which Fr Thomas spoke on the shortage of priestly and Religious vocations in the diocese. While he stressed the need for creating awareness in parishes, he also pointed out parents’ obligation in fostering vocations. Participants said they were

Children ‘need to know that Jesus is truly present in the humble host’. – Fr Lionel Thomas

moved by what they experienced. “As it was explained to us, I could feel our total nothingness in front of Almighty God and our total dependence on Him,� said Tessa Tan, 15. Bishop Paul Tan said he was happy that so many children came. “I’m delighted that the priests here are fully in support of promoting vocations and also supporting the children to know more about the centre of our faith which is the Eucharist, and with it the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,� he said. The World Day of Prayer for Vocations was celebrated around the world the next day. The children came from Christ the King Church, Scudai Catholic Centre, Immaculate Conception Church, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Church of St Joseph and Church of St Theresa. „

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Laws and policies should not worsen economic inequality: pope

Dato’ Ho May Young, the new non-resident ambassador from Malaysia to the Vatican, presents her credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on May 4. She was one

&% ambassadors to the Vatican the pope spoke to recently. VATICAN CITY – Laws and gov-

ernment policies should not make economic inequality worse; rather they should help people live more decent lives, Pope Benedict XVI told diplomats. “The quality of human relationships and the sharing of resources are the foundation of society, allowing everyone to have a role and to live in dignity in accordance with their aspirations,� he said. The pope spoke on May 4 to

8 O › can, who were presenting their credentials. The new ambassadors from Ireland, Ethiopia, Armenia, Malaysia and Fiji will not be residing in Rome. In a speech to the group, the

overseeing the Church in southern Arabia predicted Catholic life will remain safe in most Gulf states despite threatened new restrictions in Kuwait. Bishop Paul Hinder, who heads the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, said that although the Church lacks resources, its most important priority is to “keep what it has.� “Things are far from ideal in some countries, but we can live and avoid major problems if we don’t put at risk the relatively good understandings we enjoy,� Bishop Hinder said. The apostolic vicariate was established by the Vatican in 2011. The Swiss-born Capuchin Franciscan prelate spoke after legislators in Kuwait acted to curb Christian religious rights by voting to make blasphemy against Prophet Mohammad a capital offence.

WASHINGTON – The Obama ad-

ministration has issued guidelines for how federally funded faith-based programmes should be administered, ranging from explanations of what is considered “explicitly religious� activity to how organisations can preserve their religious identities while using federal funds to provide services. Among the guidelines are that faith organisations are not required 8 ; other religious material from rooms where federally funded services are provided; and that any client who receives services should, on request, be referred to a non-faith-based organisation if one is available.

The guidelines also spell out, for instance, that Alcoholics Anonymous programmes are considered “explicitly religious�. And, while employees of most federally funded programmes must remain neutral when it comes to religion, participants are free to express their faith, including by prayer. Among possible exceptions to that policy are programmes that fund some work of prison chaplains, it said. The document also says the religious character of an organisation may neither favour nor count against applicants for funding. „ CNS

‘Church shouldn’t accept those who deny Vatican II’ ROME – The Second Vatican

pope said today’s modern means of communication make it very quick and easy to know what is happening around world – both good and bad. Being much more aware of people’s material and spiritual suffering should lead to a new call to action “to respond, with justice and solidarity, to anything that threatens humanity, society and the environment,� he said. 7 ? cities have exacerbated both old and new forms of poverty, and the global economic crisis has caused an increasing number of families rity, he said. When poverty and extreme wealth exist side-by-side in society,

it gives rise to a sense of injustice, which can spark rebellion, he said. “It is, therefore, appropriate that nations ensure that social laws do not worsen inequalities,� but help people to live decently, he said. True human development respects human dignity and lets people take control of their lives, he said. Initiatives using micro-credit or “equitable partnerships,� for example, “show that it is possible to harmonise economic goals with social needs, democratic governance and respect for nature.� Pope Benedict said the problem of spiritual poverty also must be addressed. He called on nations to guarantee religious liberty and safeguard their cultural and religious heritage. „ CNS

Church in Gulf states ‘safe’ despite threats in Kuwait OXFORD, ENGLAND – The bishop

US government on faith-based services

Bishop Hinder told Catholic News Service on April 26 that religious rights long had been ambiguous in Kuwait, which was liberated from Iraqi occupation by the United States and its allies in the 1991 Gulf War. However, he added, the position of Christians was unlikely to “change essentially� in neighbouring United Arab Emirates and Oman despite disruptions in Church life in Yemen because of recent political turmoil. “We’re in touch with government advisers, so there’s no communication problem,� the 70-year-old bishop said. Kuwait’s 50-member National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impose the death penalty for blasphemy in an April 12 legal [ approval by the ruling emir, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. If enforced, the amendment will bring Kuwait, whose 350,000

mostly expatriate Christians make up six percent of the population, into line with Pakistan and neighbouring Saudi Arabia. The amendment was condemned by human rights groups, including Amnesty International, which said it was concerned about a rise in criminal prosecutions for blasphemy, especially against users of social media. The organisation said the crackdown could have serious consequences for followers of non-Muslim faiths. The move appears to be the latest to strengthen Islam in the oil-rich Kuwait since Islamist groupings gained a majority in February parliamentary elections. In March, the newly formed al-Adala (Justice) Bloc tabled legislation to limit Christian churches and non-Muslim places of worship in Kuwait and proposed constitutional amendments to impose Islamic law, or Shariah. „ CNS

Council’s teaching, particularly on Judaism and other religions, is rooted in traditional Christian theology and the bible. Therefore, the Catholic Church should not offer concessions to those who do not accept its teaching, said an Israeli-born Franciscan who serves as a judge on a top Vatican court. Msgr David Jaeger, a judge at K K rying a tendency, “here and there in Catholicism, to look leniently upon stray groups that are marginal but well-publicised who denounce the doctrine of the council, including the declaration Nostra Aetate� on the relationship of the Church to non-Christian religions.

Msgr Jaeger, who grew up in a Jewish family, spoke about Nostra Aetate during a conference on the Second Vatican Council at Rome’s Opus Dei-run Holy Cross University on May 3-4. “While often presented as if it were absolutely new,� he said, the teaching of Nostra Aetate “perfectly corresponds to the most ancient intuitions of Christian can be, and in particular cases, are elements of truth and holiness� in other religions, he said. In addition, the document emphasized that Judaism has a special status, which “already was extensively explained by St Paul, particularly in the Epistle to the Romans.� „ CNS

Vatican strengthens oversight of Caritas Internationalis VATICAN CITY – A Vatican decree established new statutes and norms for Caritas Internationalis, 8 ›

the Secretariat of State, greater authority over the work of the Vatican-based umbrella group of Catholic aid agencies. The decree strengthens the ›

play in working with the charity confederation, including naming and approving new board members and approving its texts, contracts with foreign governments It also creates a special “support commission� of legal, tech-

nical and organisational experts named by the pope to help the organisation follow the new norms as well as canon law and the laws of Vatican City State concerning the procurement and distribution of aid, and employment of workers. At least three members of Caritas’ executive board will be papal appointees. The general decree – signed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, and approved by Pope Benedict XVI – was published by the Vatican on May 2 and went into effect the same day. „ CNS

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Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Reform of women Religious group Vatican decision to review work of US nuns’ association sparks controversy VATICAN CITY – Recent Vatican

investigations of Religious women have created opportunities for dialogue with their bishops, two US bishops said after discussing ›

Archbishop Michael J Sheehan of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Bishop Gerald F Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, told Catholic News Service on May 2 that they had discussed the Vatican’s recent order to reform the Leadership Conference of Women Religious œ/ YK�

Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of 7 / Archbishop Sheehan said that during the meeting, attended by bishops from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Wyoming, ? 8 4 ly visits to the Vatican, “the point that was made was that although some people were unhappy with the decision to make corrections� in the LCWR, it would be “an opportunity for dialogue� between K O Citing “serious doctrinal problems� revealed in an assessment originally ordered in April 2008, the Vatican announced on April 18 a major reform of the LCWR, a group which includes about 1,500 leaders of US women’s communities, representing about 80 percent of the country’s 57,000 Religious

Members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) march through Woldenberg Riverside Park in New Orleans for a prayer service in 2009. The Vatican recently ordered reform of the LCWR.

The Vatican appointed Archbishop J Peter Sartain of Seattle to provide “review, guidance and approval, where necessary, of the work� of the LCWR and to ensure

and meetings to Catholic teaching in areas including abortion, euthanasia, women’s ordination and ; Among the areas of concern were some of the most controversial issues of medical and sexual 7

Issues of crucial importance such as the Church’s ‘view of family life and human sexuality are not part of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious’ agenda in a way that promotes Church teaching.

’

– The Vatican’s Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith

“While there has been a great deal of work on the part of LCWR promoting issues of social justice in harmony with the Church’s

social doctrine, it is silent on the right to life from conception to natural death, a question that is part of the lively public debate about abortion and euthanasia in the United States,� the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of * “Further, issues of crucial im-

portance in the life of the Church and society, such as the Church’s biblical view of family life and human sexuality, are not part of the LCWR agenda in a way that The Vatican also found that “public statements by the LCWR that disagree with or challenge positions taken by the bishops, who are the Church’s authentic teachers of faith and morals, are not

O According to the Vatican, such deviations from Catholic teaching have provoked a crisis “characterised by a diminution of the fundamental Christological centre and The presidency of the LCWR later issued a statement saying it was “stunned by the conclusions of the doctrinal assessment of LCWR by the Congregation for – * _ the leadership of LCWR has the custom of meeting annually with the staff of CDF in Rome and because the conference follows canonically approved statutes, we ? O The LCWR later revised its initial statement, adding that “we were taken by surprise by the 8 Religious women in the United States also are awaiting the results of an apostolic visitation of their communities; the congregation for Religious ordered the visitation in 2008, particularly in light of the steep decline in the number of Religious women in the coun % 8 > was submitted in December but O O „ CNS

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British parishes work to involve Catholics in Olympics MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – A “family triathlon� was a novel idea. As far as Mr Colm Hickey was aware, it hadn’t been tried before. It would involve teams of three people from the same family, each of whom would compete in one of the three categories of the event – either cycling, running or swimming – against other families. Mr Hickey is the London 2012 Olympics Catholic “gold champion� of Our Lady and St Joseph Parish in London. The family triathlon is expected to proceed in London on May 13 with the blessing of the British Triathlon Federation. A week later, there will be a huge soccer tournament, also organised by Mr Hickey and, closer to the July 27-Aug 12 Olympics. These are just some of the events that Mr Hickey, 55, a teacher, has been promoting through his parish since he was recruited as a gold champion in September. The parish-based gold champions represent just one of many initiatives of More Than Gold, an umbrella group of 16 Christian denominations set up with the aim of helping the Churches engage more closely with the Olympics. The idea of a gold champion in every Catholic parish was to try to interest the entire Catholic community in the games. “The whole concept,� explained Mr Hickey in an early May telephone interview with Catholic News Service, “is just trying to get people in any way to be inspired by sport.� “I haven’t banged the religious drum too much, but I am saying in

Olympic rings, mounted on a barge on the River Thames, are seen in front of the Tower of London. CNS photo

the literature I am putting out that this is part of the Church’s contribution, this is what we are doing ... so that people can feel a greater sense of community to our area,� he added. The Catholic Church would help build cohesive communities and strong parishes if it used sport in a creative way, he said. Although the activities of the gold champions may tempt Catholics to take part in sport, other initiatives are being planned during the games to help visitors take their mind off sport and focus on religion instead. Key among these will be the Joshua Camp, which will be set up in St Bonaventure’s Catholic School, just a 20-minute walk from the Olympic Village in East London. About 400 Catholics from at least 13 countries will be based at the camp.

7 1 for three days of training before they break up into small teams for eight days to evangelise and to offer service and hospitality to visitors. “There will be a sort of festival Ms Alice Hall, camp coordinator and a member of the Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism. “But we want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and to teach them how to share their faith with other people,� she told CNS. Throughout the duration of the games, residents of the Joshua Camp will also be participating in round-the-clock adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying for a “peaceful and safe� Olympics. At least one English bishop will celebrate Mass at the camp, and the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal will also be on hand to encourage and minister to residents. „ CNS

Pope wants US Catholics to lead Church’s revival, nuncio says COLUMBUS, OHIO, USA – Pope

Benedict XVI wants the Catholic Church in the US to be in the forefront of reviving Catholicism worldwide, the apostolic nuncio to the United States said in Columbus. “The Church in the United States should lead the entire Church in the world� in a revitalisation effort, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano said. “This is a great task, but you have the determination and the grace to do it. This I know is the vision of the Holy Father regarding the Church in the United States.� The archbishop was speaking to an audience of seminarians and O

lege Josephinum at its annual rec-

tor’s dinner on April 23. He called on the American Church to go beyond its mission of evangelising to the United States and “to be missionaries not only to the Third World, but especially to the countries of Europe. “Christianity [in Europe] in some way has lost its strength and needs an example,� he said, noting “very positive signs of growth� in vocations to the priesthood and the Religious life in the United States. Archbishop Vigano said he especially wanted to direct his message to young people, particularly those studying for the priesthood at the Josephinum. The institution has experienced substantial growth in recent years and currently has an enroll-

ment of more than 180 men, its highest in 25 years. They represent 29 dioceses from all over the United States, including six that sent seminar time this year, and their ethnic and cultural backgrounds echo the diversity of the American Church as a whole. The nuncio, who serves as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States and is based in Washington, also serves as chancellor of the Josephinum. “I’ve been taken by surprise since I arrived here ... because everywhere that I’ve been, everything has been much beyond all of the imaginations and the expectations I had,� he said. „ CNS

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Sikh leader receives papal award A historic moment when a papal honour was bestowed on a Sikh spiritual leader By Peter Jennings BIRMINGHAM, UK – History was

made in the Catholic Church in the UK when Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr William Ozanne were made ^

] of Pope St Gregory the Great on April 22. The ceremony took place during a special Mass and Investiture at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham. Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham invested the internationally known and respected spiritual leader and chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, based in the Handsworth area of Birmingham, with one of the highest papal awards.

The Order of St Gregory is normally bestowed on Catholics but in rare cases it is also conferred on non-Catholics in recognition of meritorious service to the Catholic Church and the exceptional example they have set in their communities and country. More than 120 Sikhs from Birmingham, London, Leeds, and ^ ya and India were present in St Chad’s Cathedral for the groundbreaking event in interfaith relations involving the Catholic Church and Sikhism. Mr Bill Ozanne, who has worked in the area of interreligious dialogue locally, nationally and internationally for many years as a member of the Catholic

papal award ‘The represents the Holy Father’s recognition of Bhai Sahib Bhai’s deeply held desire for fruitful and lasting relations between Sikhs and Catholics. Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia (left) and Mr William Ozanne were both made Knights of St Gregory. Photo from author’s website: peterjennings.co.uk

Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales’ Committee for Other Faiths, has recently been appointed by Archbishop Longley as chairman of the Archdiocese of Birmingham Commission for Interreligious Dialogue. Archbishop Longley invested each of the knights-elect in the name of the Holy Father with the ^ cal Order of St Gregory the Great.

’

– Archbishop Bernard Longley

The archbishop also presented Bhai Sahib-ji with the sword of

] $ 3 the Great. In his homily Archbishop Longley said: “I believe that it is has been bestowed in this way on a spiritual leader from within the Sikh community. “It represents the Holy Father’s recognition of Bhai Sahib Bhai’s deeply held desire for fruitful and lasting relations between Sikhs and Catholics

and opportunities to witness together. “We recall Bhai Sahib Bhai’s presence in Assisi for the international meetings of faith leaders at the invitation of Blessed Pope John Paul II and of Pope Benedict,� said the archbishop, who noted that the Sikh also attended the funeral of Blessed John Paul II in April 2005. The archbishop said it was 8 _ $ O Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia and Mr Bill Ozanne weree receiving papal knighthoods from the pope on the same occasion and in the same ceremony. “Over a friendship of many years they have discovered not only within each other, but also within the faith traditions that they represent, an openness to dialogue and a desire to deepen understanding and cooperation for the common good.� „ Peter Jennings is a well known Catholic journalist, writer, broadcaster and PR consultant. He is currently press secretary to Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham and the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

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Catholic communicators ‘must obey Church teaching’ ROME – Church communicators

have an important and serious duty to obey Church teaching and defend the Church’s mission of saving souls and safeguarding truth, said the head of the Vatican’s highest court. Caution as well as control over content and where it’s distributed O of communications “has great potential for good,� it “also can be turned to the harm of the faithful,� said US Cardinal Raymond L Burke, prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature. Communicators should be guided and directed by priests to make sure their content is free from doctrinal and theological

Church communicators, in fact, are taking part in the

therefore, “it is key that they, like priests, ground themselves in an ever greater obedience to the truth of Christ� found in the Church’s

Canon 823 states pastors have the right and duty “to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through writings or the use of instruments of social communication.� Therefore, priests and bishops “should be close to those employing the instruments of social communication for the sake of evangelisation,� not only encouraging them in their task, but “guiding

VX3

V " Z Z " "

V – Cardinal Raymond L Burke (left)

error, and Catholics should avoid outlets that openly attack Christian morality, he added. The cardinal was one of dozens of speakers at a biennial seminar ? of media and communications for dioceses, religious institutions and other Church organisations. $ O K > cal University of the Holy Cross, the April 16-18 seminar focused on ways the Church could better portray the essence and vitality of the Christian faith. Cardinal Burke, who is a canon lawyer, focused his talk on April 18 on the importance of canon law in protecting the integrity of the Church’s mission and its members.

and directing them, lest some form of communication actually lead the faithful into confusion and error regarding the truth,� the cardinal said. According to Canon 831, Catholics should not be writing for newspapers, magazines or periodicals that openly attack Catholicism or good morals “except for a just and reasonable cause,� he said. That same norm should be extended to include radio, television and digital forums or sites that regularly contain content that is offensive to the faith or morality, ? ting instruments for the church’s essential and fundamental work of communication.� „ CNS

18 FEATURES

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

To live in the light

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

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SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: subscriptions@catholic.org.sg ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: advertisements@catholic.org.sg

STAFF CORRESPONDENTS: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg Martin See: martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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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

Evangelicals encroach into Latin America The region is seeing a growing popularity of megachurches VX3

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – The World

Church of the Power of God opened an L-shaped, one-storey, corrugated metal megachurch on the outskirts of Sao Paulo on New Year’s Day, expecting around 100,000 people to attend. Few were prepared for the more than two million people who actually showed up. “Nobody expected that,� said Rev Luiz Medeiros, a senior pastor at the neo-Pentecostal church. “It shows how attracted people are to joining the church.� What makes the church’s popularity remarkable is that it has swelled to such numbers 14 years after its establishment, and it did so in the world’s mostCatholic country, Brazil, which the Vatican says has 163 million Catholics. The growth of the evangelical movement in Latin America has come as the number of Catholics has fallen. While about 432 million people – 74 percent of Latin Americans – identify themselves as Catholic, countries that have long been Catholic Church strongholds are seeing numbers decline. The growth of the evangelical movement has caused consternation within CELAM, the Latin American bishops’ council. A 2006 publication looking at the issue called the “new religious movements ... one of the problems of greatest concern to those engaged in the process of evangelisation in the Catholic Church.� In the capital of predominantly Catholic Dominican Republic, Mr Jose Marti attends a raucous service twice a week in a small church that sits atop a grocery store parking garage off a busy highway. “I was raised Catholic and some of my family are still Catholic,� said Mr Marti, 38. “I just don’t feel like the Catholic Church has kept up with the times. It is not exciting, like here.�

Men listen to an evangelical preacher at a migrants’ shelter in Mexico.

For Mr Marti, the difference is simple: “I come here and I enjoy it,� he said. “I feel like I have my own relationship with Jesus.� His sentiment touches a central theme in explaining the evangelical growth. In the past decade, the Catholic Church lost six million followers in Brazil. Brazil is an example of the changes in the religious makeup of Latin America and of how the Catholic Church is adapting. rived in the country in the early 1900s, but the movement surged in the 1970s. It was helped by an urbanisation that sent poor Brazilians into cities to look for better jobs. They settled in the outskirts

‘I just don’t feel

like the Catholic Church has kept with the times.

’

– Mr Jose Marti, an evangelical Christian and former Catholic

of large cities, where Pentecostal and neo-Pentecostal churches had taken hold. Today, roughly 40 million Brazilians identify themselves as evangelicals, according to the Servindo aos Pastores e Lideres, an evangelical group linked to One Challenge International, a missionary organisation. However, Catholics will open their own megachurch big enough for 100,000 people in Sao Paulo. The Mother of God Sanctuary will be a venue for a Fr Marcelo Rossi, who sings, dances, appears 8

ums with his Masses. Proceeds from his best-selling books are paying for most of the church’s construction. The Catholic Church has focused on Latin America’s youth and on creating dialogue between Catholics and evangelical movements, said Fr Jose Gregorio Melo Sanchez, director of CELAM’s Department of Ecclesial Communion and Dialogue. “It’s important to remember that the Church isn’t a reactionary Church,� Fr Melo said. “The approach in this case is to focus on pastoral lines and on interreligious dialogue.� „ CNS

SEVERAL years ago, I was approached by a man who asked me to be his spiritual director. He was in his mid-40s and almost everything about him radiated a certain health. As we sat down to talk, I mentioned that he seemed to be in a very good space. He smiled and replied that, yes, this was so, but it hadn’t always been so. His happiness had its own history ... and its own pre-history. Here’s how he told his story: “I haven’t always been in a good space in my life; in fact, it’s been a long struggle to get where I am today. For more than 20 years, from the time I left high school until three years ago, I struggled with two addictions: alcohol and sex. “I had them enough under control that I could essentially hide them from my family, my friends, and my colleagues. As well I never acted out in very dangerous ways. I was addicted, but still had good control in my life. The problem was that I was living a double life – showing one life to my family and friends and living another life secretly (alcohol, pornography, and pick-up bars) on the side. “I never once missed a day of work and was always able to func 8 O O ; ' O 8 protecting my privacy, resentment towards anything or anybody who stood between me and my addictions, and daily anxiety, scheming about where I would go at night. “I functioned decently within my work and my relationships, but my mind, heart, and real attention were focused on something else, my addictions, my next hit. “I’m not sure what the exact trigger was since there were a number of things that hit me at a point (my father’s death, a couple of near escapes in terms of being discovered, some real shame, some graced moments of clarity when I sensed both my hypocrisy and the dead-end road I was on), but three years ago I went on a retreat to a monastery and had the courage to have a long talk with the abbot. “He suggested that I go into two recovery programmes, one to deal with alcohol and the other to deal with sex. I took his advice and all I can say is that it has completely turned my life around. I’ve been ‘sober’ now for three years and the best way that I can describe it is that now ‘I see colour again’. “Nothing feels as great as honesty! I have never been this happy! I’m now living in the light!� We’re called to live in the light, but we tend to have an overly romantic idea of what that should mean. We tend to think that to live in the light means that there should be a kind of special sunshine inside of us, a divine glow in our conscience, a sunny joy inside us that makes us constantly want to praise God, an ambience of sacredness surrounding our attitude. But that’s unreal. What does it mean to live in the light? To live in the light means to live in honesty, pure and simple, to be transparent, to not have part of us hidden as a dark secret. All conversion and recovery programmes worthy of the name are based on bringing us to this type of honesty. We move towards spiritual O ? O into the light. Sobriety is more about living in honesty and transparency than it is about living without a certain chemical, gambling or sexual habit. It’s the hiding of something, the lying, the dishonesty, the deception, the resentment we harbour towards those who stand between us and our addiction that does the real damage to us and to those we love. Spiritual health lies in honesty and transparency and so we live in the light when we are willing to lay every part of our lives open to examination by those who need to trust us: ž To live in the light is to be able always to tell our loved ones where we are and what we are doing. ž To live in the light is not have to worry if someone traces what websites we have visited. To ž live in the light is to not be anxious if someone in the family

? ž To live in the light is to be able to let those we live with listen to what’s inside our cellphones, see what’s inside our emails and know who’s on our speed-dial. To ž live in the light is to have a confessor and to be able to tell that person what we struggle with, without having to hide anything. ž To live in the light is to live in such a way that, for those who know us, our lives are an open book. „

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Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Pope: Liturgical texts must be translated literally

Ascension Sunset Masses on May 16 Ascension Day Masses on May 17

Church of Christ the King

May 16: 8.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 1.00pm, 6.15pm & 8.00pm

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

May 17: 7.00am, 1.15pm & 6.30pm Church of the Nativity of the BVM

WASHINGTON – Pope Benedict XVI told the German bishops that, as pope, he has celebrated Mass in different languages and mon ground� in the various translations. “The underlying common text often remains visible only from afar,� he told the bishops, who were preparing to send their revised Mass translation to the printers. In a letter dated April 14 and posted on the German bishops’ website on April 24, Pope Benedict said that, over the years, it has become “increasingly clear� to him that not translating liturgi ;

ties. The pope’s letter was aimed

the phrase “pro multis� in the Eucharistic prayer where Jesus told the disciples to take the chalice of His blood, which was poured out “pro multis�. The phrase used to be translated in English, German, Italian and other languages as “for all� but in 2006 the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments sent bishops around the world a note saying Pope Benedict had ordered Catholics to use the more literal translation, “for many�. While the bishops of Germany adopted “for many�, other German-speaking bishops’ conferences continued to debate whether to translate the phrase literally faith that Jesus died to redeem all. The pope’s letter did not name the other bishops’ conferences although both Austria and Switzerland use German liturgical translations. In his letter to the German

St Joseph’s Church

May 16: 6.30pm May 17: 6.30pm & 7.45pm

May 16: 6.30pm, 8.00pm (Mandarin) May 17: 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8.00pm

Church of Sts Peter & Paul

Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

May 16: 5.30pm, 7.30pm (Chinese) May 17: 7.20am, 6.00pm

May 16: 8.00pm (no 6.15pm Mass) May 17: 6.15am, 6.15pm & 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

Church of St Francis Xavier

May 16: 6.30pm May 17: 6.30pm, 12.30pm & 8.00pm (Tamil)

May 16: 7.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8.00pm St Anne’s Church

Church of the Sacred Heart

May 16: 5.30pm May 17: 7.00am & 5.30pm

May 16: 8.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 6.15pm & 8.00pm Church of St Vincent De Paul

Church of St Teresa

The new English translation of the Roman Missal. CNS photo

The phrase ‘for many’ in the Eucharistic prayer was chosen rather than ‘for all’ as it matches the most common translation of Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, said the pope. bishops, the pope said “for many� is the correct translation from Hebrew and Latin, and using the equivalent in every language would ensure the unity of Catholics around the world in celebrating the core moment of Catholic prayer. When the Latin texts of the Mass were being translated into the different languages beginning in the 1960s, he said, most translations used “all�. Because translators were eager to formulate the Latin texts into comprehensible versions of the different languages, they also slipped in some interpretation rather than simple translations, the pope wrote. With the text in question, he

POPE BENEDICT XVI kisses a child as he leaves his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on May 2. CNS photo

said, translators had wanted to clarify that Jesus did not die only for a special group, but for all people. The pope said he knew how the change could affect the Catholic faithful: “They will ask: ‘Did Christ not die for all of us? Has the Church changed its teaching?... Is this a reactionary attempt to destroy the [Second Vatican] council’s heritage?’� The change “demands a profound catechesis for the Catholics to make them understand�, he said. The phrase “for many� was chosen primarily because it matches the most common translation of the Gospel words of Jesus at the Last Supper, he said. “Veneration for the word of Jesus is the reason for this formulation.� While Jesus came to save all humanity – past, present and future – the community gathered for Mass is only “many�, he said. “The many bear responsibility for all,� he wrote. In a statement on the German bishops’ website, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg, president of the German bishops’ conference, said the pope’s letter 8

O an end to the discussion� while also serving as an encouragement to move forward in getting the new missal into parishes and educating Catholics about the changes it will contain. „ CNS

May 16: 7.00pm May 17: 12.30pm & 7.00pm

May 16: 8.00pm (no 6.00pm Mass) May 17: 7.00am, 6.00pm & 8.00pm

Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church)

Church of St Ignatius

May 16: 7.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 12.15pm & 7.00pm

May 16: 6.00pm May 17: 7.00am, 6.00pm & 7.30pm

Church of St Bernadette

Blessed Sacrament Church

May 16: 6.00pm May 17: 6.30am & 7.00pm

May 16: 7.30pm May 17: 7.00am and 8.30am, 6.00pm & 7.30pm

Church of St Michael

May 16: 8.00pm May 17: 6.30am & 8.00pm

Church of St Mary of the Angels

Church of the Holy Family

Church of St Francis of Assisi

May 16: 7.30pm May 17: 6.15am, 1.00pm & 7.30pm

May 16: 7.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 7.00pm (Mandarin) & 8.15pm

May 16: 6.30pm, 8.15pm May 17: 6.55am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm & 8.15pm

Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace

May 16: 6.30pm May 17: 6.30am,6.30pm & 8.15pm (Mandarin)

Church of the Holy Cross

May 16: 7.30pm May 17: 6.30am, 6.00pm & 7.30pm

Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

May 16: 6.15pm May 17: 6.30am, 12.30pm, 6.00pm & 8.00pm

Suntec City:

May 17: 12.15pm &1.15pm Suntec Tower 4, The Rock (Level 3 above Carrefour Supermart)

Church of St Stephen

May 16: 8pm May 17: 6.30am & 8.00pm

* +

May 16: 8.00pm (no 6.00pm Mass) May 17: 6.30am, 6.00pm & 8.00pm

May 17: 11.30am, 12.15pm & 1.15pm China Square Central, The Acts Lifestyle (B1-05, Christian Bookstore & Cafe),

Church of the Divine Mercy

Orchard:

May 16: 7.30pm May 17: 6.30am, 1.00pm & 7.30pm

May 17: 12.40pm & 1.20pm Grand Hyatt Hotel, 10 Scotts Road (Refer to event board for room venue)

Church of the Holy Trinity

Shenton: St Joseph Church

May 16: 8.00pm May 17: 6.30am & 8.00pm

May 17: 12.30pm & 1.15pm Singapore Conference Hall (Shenton Way, opp DBS Bldg 1, Sectional Practice Room, Level 2)

Church of St Anthony

May 16: 8.00pm May 17: 6.30am & 8.00pm Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

Jurong East:

May 17: 12.15pm Int’l Biz Park, German Center (5th Floor, Munich Room)

May 17: 6.45am, 6.30pm & 8.00pm Outram: Church of the Holy Spirit

May 16: 8.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 6.00pm & 8.00pm Church of the Risen Christ

May 16: 7.00pm May 17: 6.30am, 12.45pm, 6.00pm & 8.00pm

May 17: 12.15pm General Hospital, Medical Alumni Bldg, 2 College Rd (Outram Road junction with AYE Entrance Slip Road)

20 WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

I

F NOT actually ruling our lives and the universe, technology has become ubiquitous. If people aren’t texting in meetings, or even in church, they’re sitting at the dinner table in homes or restaurants with their phones in their laps, staying connected to someone through SMSes. In fact, some people prefer texting to talking so they are not so much interrupted as redi O O ; a reply. Whether it’s texting, “Facebooking� or tweeting, people use their technology for good or ill, based on their ethical frame of reference. If we consider the need for texting or actually calling people, the technology can potentially save lives. For instance, schools can send a text or voice blast to all of their students if something happens on campus that everyone needs to know immediately. Instant communications can save lives, and technology can alert people to potential dangers. However, though we live in an age that touts all of the technological advances that have been made, we also live at a time

when moral and ethical behaviour in cyberspace need to be addressed. We have children texting at the dinner table, employees texting during business meetings, some texting during the Mass and, heaven forbid, a few texting while driving (which has caused numerous accidents). It has fallen to the schools to go beyond “netiquette� to teach students about cyber rules, and they are trying. Classes are being taught on cyber bullying – what to do to be safe on the Internet and what not to put on a Facebook page. Sometimes adults forget that they are parents. They are not their children’s friends. But some of them don’t realise this. If they didn’t have cellphones growing up, they’re giving them to their children. If they didn’t have all the other technological gimmicks, they want to make sure their children don’t miss out. Here’s something to think about: If you spend time with your children, laughing, talking and even praying, they are not missing out on anything. In fact, they’re way ahead of the kids who have all the gadgets and none of the real face time with

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

We have children texting at the dinner table, employees texting during business meetings, some texting during Mass and, heaven forbid, a few texting while driving.

their parents or other adults who love them, can talk with them and hug them right now.

We are our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers no matter what their age.

The sobering truth about some By Erick Rommel HOW many friends do you have? How you answer that question has a lot to do with your age and where you spend your time on the Internet. Until recently, most people their hands. With the rise of FaceO ? 8 “friend� has changed.

It’s no longer someone you depend on who can also depend on you. Instead, it’s a list of people you often know only casually, even if you rarely see them face to face. The shift in the meaning of the word “friend� is one of the most dangerous things that has happened to society over the past few years. By usurping the meaning of “friend�, people in real need are being put at risk, because when they need friends, they’re learning often too late that the word no longer means what it once did. Simone Back, for example, had 1,082 “friends� on Facebook. One Christmas Day, she posted a note on her wall: “Took all my pills be dead soon so bye bye every one.� If someone I knew said something like that, I’d call her, call her neighbours and call the police to make sure she was all right. But from the looks of things, I’m probably a better friend than many of those 1,000+ people, because here’s what they did. Some mocked her. Eight minutes after that post, one of her

The shift in the meaning of the word ‘friend’ is one of the most dangerous things that has happened to society over the past few years. “friends� commented, “She ODs [overdoses] all the time and she lies.� One minute later, another person commented, “I hope that she is lying about this or you’re going to feel guilty tomorrow.� Two hours later, a response & $ it all the time, takes all her pills. She’s not a kid anymore.� It doesn’t appear that anyone did anything until the next day when $ with a text message that said, “Get help.� By that point, it was too late.

Soon after, a post appeared on Simone’s Facebook page: “My daughter Simone passed away today so please leave her alone now.� How does this happen? How does someone type something like that and no one does anything? Maybe one of the people who commented knows the answer. Before learning about Simone’s tragic fate, that person wrote: “What’s wrong with you people?? Is the gossip really more important than her?� You can call someone a friend all you want, but actions speak

We need to stay engaged with our youngsters at every turn they make so that they don’t become a casualty of this cyber age. With good advice and nurturing, they can lead their peers and the next generation into a responsible and responsive technology age where all people are respected and ethical behaviour is the rule, and where all of our gizmos and technological toys are used to help and not to hurt others. „ CNS

‘friends’ louder than words. And in this case, the response to that second question concerning gossip is probably “yes�. What is worse, we don’t know what Simone did after posting on Facebook. Maybe she sat at her computer waiting for someone to tell her to get help. Maybe she wanted to read that people really did care. Maybe she saw some of the awful things people started saying before she died. I wonder if the person who that he or she had a chance to save Simone’s life. Look at your “friends� list. Think about each name. Are you invested enough in their lives to give support in a time of need? If not, maybe you should let them go. If Simone Back had done that, her “friends� list would have been smaller, but its quality would have been much greater. And she would still be alive. „ CNS

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY 21

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

MUSIC has been always been used as a medium to express oneself. And there are songs by pop singers and bands which, although not explicitly Christian, nevertheless do deal with Christian themes such as the search for love and hope, and the belief that one is not alone in the struggles of daily life. The following are some songs that have touched me, and I hope they will inspire you too.

Song: Swim Band: Jack’s Mannequin 9 cuses on the courage to face one’s fears and life’s tribulations. Andrew McMahon, lead singer of Jack’s Mannequin, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2005. In the song, Swim, he sings about living each day to the fullest and praying for strength to carry on. I swim for brighter days, despite the absence of sun, choking on salt water, I’m not giving in. These words inspire me to trust in myself and God to face challenges together. Yeah you gotta swim, don’t let " 9 { I promise you it’s not as far as you think. % giving up on life, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am also inspired by McMahon’s example of beating leukaemia and starting the Dear Jack Foundation to fund cancer research. Song: Broken Band: Lifehouse We all have lost our loved ones to sickness, accident and old age. The pain can sometimes be immense. The song, Broken, by Lifehouse, helps me to accept that I need God’s help in times like these and prayers are important in

For example, the chorus goes: In the pain, there is healing, in | 3 | holding on. I am able to relate to this song as I have lost loved ones, and the song has made me realise how we should treasure those who are still alive and spend more time with them. Song: I’m Not Who I Was Band: Brandon Heath The song appears to be about the singer’s relationship with God and how the artiste has learnt to accept the ups and downs of life.

The song, Swim, by Jack’s Mannequin (above) is about having courage to face one’s fears.

The themes in the song are forgiveness, love and self-discovery seen in lyrics such as: I found my way around to forgiving you and | {

{ give it out. Maybe that’s what love is all about. The song has inspired me in praying for guidance for anything I do in life, and in making decisions. It has also inspired me to trust more in Jesus and to have faith in Him, that He will help me through the ups and downs of life and help me become a better person.

Song: Every Breath Band: Boyce Avenue This song reminds me of God’s unconditional love, that he will always be there for us even when we stray from him. Cause when I needed a place to hang my heart, you were there to wear it from the start, and with every breath of me, you’ll be the only light I see. 9 inspiring as life’s journey can be

Jason Wade, lead singer of Lifehouse. The band’s song, Broken, contains a message of hope and resilience.

The song reminds me of God’s love and forgiveness, that He offers us His shoulder on which to rest our tired bodies and gives us the grace to continue in life.

Song: Forever My Father Band: Go Radio This is Go Radio’s Jason Lancaster’s heartfelt tribute to his father when he passed away. In the song, he sings about wishing to relive the moments that he shared with his father. To me, the song has a deeper meaning about trying so hard to accomplish something in life to make your parents proud of you. But in reality, there is also the question of whether you will meet their expectations. For someone to lift me up when I’m down and I’m forgotten, you’ll forever be my father. These words have helped me to understand my parents better and also that Jesus will be there to pick me up when I fall. „

22

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

were with him had to lead him by his hand until they reached Damascus. In Damascus, the Lord had spoSaul had been granted permission by the high priest to arrest any man or ken to a man named Ananias, and woman in Damascus who was Chris- / 7 $ tian. Before he reached Damascus, a and to lay his hands on Saul and $ pray so that Saul’s sight would be so bright he fell down on the ground. 7 7 Then a voice said to him, “Saul, because he knew how Saul perseSaul, why are you persecuting me?� cuted the Christians, but the Lord Saul asked the voice, “Who are said that Saul had a special ministry you, sir?� Ananias found Saul and said “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the to him, “Saul, my brother, the Lord city and you will be told what you has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, must do.� The men who travelled with Saul that you may regain your sight and were frightened and confused. They O ) $ 7 could hear the voice, but they did not soon as Ananias spoke, Saul could see anyone who was speaking. When see again. Saul immediately began to Saul stood up, he discovered he was completely blind, and the men who preach about the Son of God in the By Joe Sarnicola

) Q 8 because they knew he was speaking the same words as the people he had been persecuting. But Saul only became bolder in his preaching. When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. Barnabas, one of the Christians, assured them Saul’s faith was genuine. After that, Saul was welcomed by the Christians and he preached free-

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

ly in and around Jerusalem. When the Christians learned ) $ preached were plotting to kill him, they helped him escape through Caesarea and on to Tarsus. „ Read more about it: Acts 9

Q&A 1. Why was Saul (later called Paul) going to Damascus? 2. What did Ananias do for Saul?

PUZZLE:

St Michael Garicoits

Unscramble the following books of the New Testament. But be careful. Each puzzle has one letter that does not belong to the word.

Michael Garicoits (1797-1863) was born into a poor O ? O ) lowed visiting priests to minister secretly in their home during the dangers of the French Revolution. When he was still very young, Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy. Even then, he knew he wanted to live the life of a Religious. With the help of a priest who knew his parents, he was allowed to attend religious school. ) O ? ) O R(! ) went on to become a respected teacher and the founder of the Society of Priests of the Sacred ) _ Y L „

Example: keliu = Luke, no “i.� 1. ihwmttae = –––––––––– 2. stack = –––––––––– 3. noitalevery = ––––––––––

Bible Accent:

= –––––––––– 5. onemars = –––––––––– 6. webosher = –––––––––– 7. smadje = –––––––––– 8. gohjn = ––––––––––

KIDS’ CLUB: Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: Who is your favorite early Christian, and why?

Answers: 1. i, Matthew 2. k, Acts 3. y, Revelation 4. s, Peter 5. e, Romans 6. o, Hebrews 7. d, James 8. g, John

The life of Paul and his writings are very important parts of the New Testament. God changed him from being a man who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and a persecutor of the Christians into a bold missionary who preached the Gospel wherever he went. ) them understand the Scriptures and to tell them how to live as good Christians. Paul experienced many hardships in his travels, and he was frequently thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. We can learn more about his life in the Acts of the Apostles, and we can still read some of the letters he wrote that have been collected into the Bible, such as Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. „

4. preest

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday May 20, 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 Fridays April 27 to August 24 PREPARING FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH 12.40-1.10pm: Msgr Eugene Vaz will deliver

8 ? * based on Pope Benedict XVl’s document, The Door of Faith. Talks followed by Mass. By Catholic Prayer Society At Singapore Conference Hall (7 Shenton Way Level 2). E: cps.contactus@gmail.com Friday May 11 to Sunday May 13 LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR 7.30-9.30pm (Fri), 7-9pm (Sat), 9am-6pm œ$ �& K 8 ; 3 > love through the power of the Holy Spirit. At Church of Holy Trinity. Register T: 9692 0186 (Jeremy); E: jlck_07@yahoo.co.uk Saturdays May 12 to May 19 BEING & BECOMING THROUGH ART JOURNALING 2-5pm: Learn about art-journaling, using the language of design to help you focus, ; & $160. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com May 12 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill St). E: bennycah@gmail.com; T: 9837 7256 (Benny).

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Thursdays from May 10 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL 8pm: At Church of St Vincent de Paul (301 Yio Chu Kang Rd). T: 6482 0959. Enquiries on RCIA in Mandarin welcome. Saturdays from May 12 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 4-6pm: For 15-21 years old. At Church of St Ignatius (120 King’s Rd). T: 9762 6330 (Evelyn); 9362 0912 (Pascalene); E: rciy.ignatius@gmail.com; W: stignatiusrciy.blogspot.com Tuesdays from May 22 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY 7.45pm: At Church of the Holy Trinity (20 Tampines St 11). T: 8444 5505 (Gregory) E: rciaht@gmail.com Fridays from May 25 RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE At Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace (4 Sandy Lane). T: 9030 9527 (Martin) E: rcia.qop@gmail.com Sundays from May 27 RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR (MANDARIN) 9-10.30am: At Church of the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (31 Siglap Hill). T: 9625 3897 (Molly), 9687 6021 (Zheng Ying); E: clairemollyong@gmail.com Tuesdays from May 29 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 8-10pm: At Church of St Ignatius Hall œ (# ^ > K � %& "L"" #"(Œ ; # (Angela) E: church@stignatius.org.sg Thursdays from May 31 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 8-10pm: At Church of the Holy Spirit (248 Upper Thomson Rd). T: 9010 2829, E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com.sg Tuesdays from June 12 RCIA@CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL 7.30pm: At Church of Sts Peter and Paul (225A Queen St). T: 9753 6863 (Joanna); E: sng.joanna@gmail.com. Registration 8 O

Fridays from June 15 RCIA@CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL (MANDARIN) 7.30pm: At Church of Sts Peter and Paul (225A Queen St). T: 9177 5689 (Corina); Registration forms available from parish

May 13 A DAY WITH MARY OUR MOTHER 10am-4pm: One-day retreat by Sr Christine Santhou, fdcc. Cost: $30. By LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At 100 Jalan Merbok. T: 6466 2178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg May 13 FLORES DE MAYO MASS 10am-12pm: A Filipino festival in honour of Mary with rosary and Mass. At Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Mondays May 14 to July 23 ALPHA PARENTING COURSE 12.30-1.30pm: A series of DVD talks by Alpha International on parenting children up to the age of 10. By Catholic Prayer Society At 206/208B Telok Ayer St. Register E: alphacac@catholic.org

Thursdays May 24 and May 31 SPIRITUAL GROWTH SEMINAR SERIES: PRAYER IN THE CARMELITE TRADITION 7.15-9.15pm: Conducted by Fr John Chua, OCD, and based on the book Upon This Mountain – Prayer in the Carmelite Tradition by Sr Mary McCormack, OCD. All welcome. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul (Chapel Level 3 Parish Building 225A Queen St) May 25 CANDLELIGHT ROSARY WALK FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-10pm: Rosary walk in honour of Mary followed by adoration and benediction. All welcome. By Generation CHRIST! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius (Garden of Light behind Kingsmead Hall). E gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com

May 16 TALK ON WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) BY LIEN AID 7-9.30pm: Talk on water, sanitation and hygiene for rural communities in Cambodia. At Church of Sts Peter & Paul, ÂŚ Y Âœ parish building). Register T:63380182 (Albert) E: info@charis-singapore.org

May 25 CHILDREN’S EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.45-9pm: Parents and all who are keen to pray with our children, come and spend the hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. At Church of the Holy Spirit. Contact: Sr Angeline Lim, FMDM. M: 93625408 E:childreneucharisticadora@gmail.com

May 20 CATHOLIC SINGLES’ MASS AND LUNCH 10am: Meet for Mass at church canteen followed by lunch at Marina Square. A chance to have fellowship with other Catholic singles. By Catholic Singles Singapore. At St Joseph’s Church (Victoria St). E: CatholicSingle@gmail. com; FB: http://www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesSingapore

Saturday May 26 – Sunday May 27 MINDFUL LIVING WITH JESUS SILENT RETREAT 2pm (Sat)-2pm (Sun): Sessions include Lectio Divina, Christian meditation, mindful walking. Cost: $60 (non-aircon), $70 (air-con). At Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre (100 Jln Merbok). T: 9012 4778 (Sr Margaret); E: srgohmargaret@yahoo.com.sg

May 20 ST JOSEPH TAMIL PRAYER GROUP’S 33RD ANNIVERSARY 6.30pm: Rosary and prayers in Tamil to honour St Joseph followed by Mass. All welcome. At Blessed Sacrament Church

27 May 2012 PENTECOST RALLY – A NEW SPRINGTIME 2pm: Praise & worship, talk by Fr William Goh, prayers for a new Pentecost, followed by Eucharistic

celebration by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. At Church of Christ the King. All welcome.

Community Services. At Block 261B Sengkang East Way #01-400. Register W: http://www.morningstar.org.sg/events_ upcoming.html

Tuesdays May 29 to August 7 LANDINGS 8-10pm: For “returning� Catholics and those who wish to renew and share their ; 7 _ $ Church (1 Commonwealth Drive). T: 9750 3998 (Steven), 9668 2391 (Lilian); E: landings@bsc.org.sg May 30 – 31 TALKS ON EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (EFT) 7-9.30pm, May 30: Understanding and releasing anger and depression through EFT. 7-9.30pm, May 31: Opening to forgiveness and love through the energy of EFT by Fr Michael McGuire. At Canossa Convent Primary School (1 Sallim Rd). Register T: 64662178 (Brenda) E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg W: www.lifespringscanossian.com June 2 I AM SPECIAL I AM ME 9.30am-5.30pm (children); 1.30-5.30pm (parents): Help children understand themselves better. By Morning Star

June 8-10 THE BREAD OF LIFE: A DIRECTED RETREAT June 8, 7pm – June 10, 5pm: 2-day residential silent retreat on the

) Christian commitment. By CISC spiritual directors. Cost: $110 (non-aircon), $160 (aircon). At Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling (8 Victoria Park Rd) Register T: 6467 6072 E: cisc2664@ gmail.com July 14 THE GIFT OF PEACE – SHARING CHRISTIAN MEDITATION WITH CHILDREN 8.30am-5.30pm: Led by Fr Laurence Freeman, OSB, director of The World Community for Christian Meditation. For teachers, catechists and parents. Cost: $30. By WCCM Singapore. At St Joseph’s Institution (International). Register by May 23 T: 9759 0925 (Anita); E: Audrey_leehw@hotmail.com; W: http://www.wccmsingapore.org

Crossword Puzzle 1058 1

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ACROSS 1 _____ Youth Day 6 First man 10 “Yeah, right!� 14 Shed _____ 15 Biblical epic starring Burton and Mature (with “The�) 16 Wife of a rajah 17 Head pest 18 Flirtatious girl 19 Actor, Nicholas _____ 20 Stayed with 22 “And who is my ____?� (Lk 10:29) 24 Prepare for publication 26 Colour TV pioneer 27 Pen 28 Scholar’s world 32 Latin for “to pray� 34 Catholic TV sitcom actor, Newhart 35 Negative cash 37 Holy Book 41 Cyberzine 43 Relinquish 45 Sound of a cat 46 Not a winner 48 Kind of tot? 50 Decease 51 Mon. in which All Saints’ Day is celebrated 53 Unmusical 55 Aves.

L( % found here 44 Male voice L+ / ; 49 Free from

52 The Blessed _____ Mary ÂŒL @ 55 Rascal 56 Number of Persons in God 57 Attack 59 Contract 62 Bank transaction 63 Monster loch 65 Converse 66 River in Africa 67 Gaelic 70 Nephew of Abraham

58 Liquid used in some sacraments 60 Musical composition for one 61 Jesus said of them, “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these� (Mk 10:14) 64 Free from danger 68 Pertaining to Mars 69 Scottish Celt 71 Son of Jacob +( ; 73 “This ____ sudden!� 74 Sea mammals 75 Hammerhead 76 Home in a tree 77 First name in cosmetics

10 11 12 13 21 23 25

DOWN 1 â€œâ€Ś____ through the valley of the shadow of deathâ€? (Ps 23:4) 2 Native American 3 Sign on again 4 Endured 5 Feared greatly 6 “He has shown might with his _____‌â€? Âœ

Â? 7 Murder 8 Son of Ner 9 Our Lady of Guadalupe is patroness of this country

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1057

28 29 30 31 33 36 38 39 40

Diocese opening Swedish imports Bar Intensely ardent Measured Clothes Dalai Lama’s homeland Fourth person Catholic singer Perry _____ French protest cry Target Goal Along with Timothy, he was a disciple of Paul Medieval English monk Grandmother of Timothy Female sheep

B E A M

E L B A

I D E A

N E A P

S W I S S

I R O N Y

A D S A S T I T T P E C O M A N S S T T I T F I L I C E C K T A I T N E

V E N I C E J U D O

O P E N S W I D E N

S A T R A K

I C E O D E N C E A A S I S M A L T I L L I L T S E S P S H A F A C C A R E C R A M I E S I S S

C O N S T A N T I N E

H O U S E

E N T E R

M A S T S

G E E K

L A C E

Y S E R

E E R E N T O S C A B T E L E

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

IN MEMORIAM

26 NEWS

Nuns who experienced John Paul II miracle bring message of hope who experienced the miracle that led to Blessed 6 99> O

brought a message of hope and victory to the Catholics of Worcester in the US. Sr Marie Simon-Pierre Normand, healed of Parkinson’s disease in 2005, and Sr Marie Thomas Fabre, then her superior and now mother general of the Little Sisters of Catholic Maternity in France, were visiting the United States The Sisters, who speak only in French, gave talks at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, St Paul Cathedral in Worcester, St Joseph Elementary School in Webster and St Stephen Elementary School in Worcester. “I found it interesting

When Pope Benedict XVI opened the way, on May 13, 2005, for his pre > O

the superior general asked the congregation to seek his intercession, so their sick sister could continue her nursing work. “On June 1st, I had reached the end,� Sr SimonPierre said. “The pain was unbearable, and the tremors were growing much worse.� On June 2, she told Sr Thomas she needed to be replaced in the maternity ward and that she accepted eventual wheelchair con Sr Simon-Pierre said she could no longer write, and Sr Thomas, without re ? write John Paul II’s name. That night, Sr SimonPierre said, she felt com-

Sr Marie Simon-Pierre

Blessed Pope John Paul II

to be in the same room with someone who has experienced a miraculous cure, and the one who lived through it with her,� said Ms Pauline Ludwig after the Sisters spoke at the health care conference. Ms Ludwig is a pastoral associate at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster and a nurse in Catholic Charities’ home care programme. Sr Simon-Pierre was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in June 2001, when she was 40. It was hard for her to watch Pope John Paul on television, because his Parkinson’s revealed her future. After the pope’s death on April 2, 2005, Sr Simon-Pierre’s symptoms worsened.

pelled to write, and wrote legibly. The next morning she was not stiff. She went to the chapel to thank God. She told Sr Thomas that afternoon that she was healed through Pope John Paul II’s intercession and showed her her handwriting. “It was really hers, but I had not seen it in years,� Sr Thomas said. After the neurologist ? more signs of Parkinson’s on June 7, the congregation began a novena of thanksgiving to Pope John Paul II. A letter was sent to the postulator for his cause and the investigation began. On Jan 14, 2011, Pope Benedict recognised her healing as a miracle. „ CNS

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA – Nuns

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Dear St Jude, thank you for answering our prayers with an amazing sense of humour, a flair for the dramatic, and touches of the miraculous Thank you St Jude for prayers answered. From your ever loving daughter Diana

O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present

urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you St Jude for specific favour granted. (85 times)

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

28 WORLD

Sunday May 20, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Wikipedia in Vatican meeting Wikipedia head talks about ‘pro-life’, ‘pro-choice’ and how the Church can engage with young people VATICAN CITY – The co-founder of

Wikipedia told a Vatican audience that his online encyclopaedia could contribute to peace by promoting “a more thoughtful world,� even referred to those who oppose and support legalised abortion. Mr Jimmy Wales, who cofounded Wikipedia in 2001, was invited to address the annual as O

7 of Social Sciences. The meeting at the Vatican 7 (+4 Blessed John XXIII’s 1963 encyclical Pacem in Terris and continuing challenges to promoting peace and justice in the world. In an interview after his speech, Mr Wales also spoke about Wikipedia’s arbitration process to determine the correct Wikipedia use of the terms “pro-choice,� “pro-life,� “abortion rights� and “anti-abortion� to describe individuals and movements. Wikipedia, which allows almost all entries to be initiated, updated and edited by almost anyone, had received complaints about an inconsistent use of the terms. This led some people to feel that it was unfair to use the negative “anti-abortion� to describe

V V

9

– Mr Jimmy Wale, co-founder of Wikipedia

Wikipedia webpage seen on laptop computer. VX3

the pro-life position while almost always using the positive “prochoice� label to describe those who support legal abortion. The online site conducted a “community consultation� of us O (! 7 23, asking users to discuss the terms, their implications and list in order of preference the terms they thought were most appropriate. In general, Mr Wales said,

Wikipedia recognises that certain words or terms “are heavily load “a single, simple, neutral term.� One of the Wikipedia principles is that “you can refer to people as they refer to themselves,� Mr Wales said. “Certainly the most common terms in the US in this discourse are pro-life and pro-choice, but both sides have complaints� about the

accuracy of the other’s description. In his presentation to the Pon

7 $ $ ences, Mr Wales explained how Wikipedia pursues its goal of promoting “a world in which every single person on the planet has free access to the sum of all human knowledge.� Mr Wales said he believes the online encyclopaedia “has a

making because it encourages participation, has a broad reach, makes information accessible and

is available in about 280 languages. Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa told the meeting that while people today are better educated and have greater access to information than in the past, they are becoming less human because education is focused so heavily on hard science, that it leaves aside questions about the meaning of human life and destiny. Mr Wales said the Catholic Church must use the Internet and social media to engage in discussions with young people and it must do a better job of allowing them the space to comment and discuss. Church sites, though, need to 8 ticipants who can exercise “social control� on those who misbehave. “If you invite 20 people over to your house for a party and somebody starts making obnoxious and racist and sexist comments, you may ask them to leave, but at the very least, you don’t invite them back,� he said. 7 8 O do the same with unruly guests. “The same spirit you would have at a church supper, you ought to have online,� Mr Wales said. „ CNS

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