AUGUST 26, 2012, Vol 62, No 17

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY AUGUST 26, 2012

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VOL 62

NO. 17

INSIDE HOME ‘Let’s continue to work together’ CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY – Pope Benedict XVI has asked Catholics around the world to pray and offer material assistance and China and to people affected by an earthquake in northwestern Iran. caused death and injury and left thousands of people homeless, the pope said on Aug 12 after reciting the Angelus in the courtyard of Gandolfo. “I ask you to join me in prayer for all the people so harshly tried

May these brothers and sisters of ours not lack our solidarity and support,� the pope said. Flooding caused by days of torrential rains forced more than a quarter million people from their homes in parts of Manila and pine capital. News reports on Aug 13 said more than 90 people had expected. In China, Typhoon Haikui ! " part of the country. Tens of thou placed. In Iran, two strong earth# $ $ % &&' at least 300 people dead and 2,000 injured. The quakes destroyed en CHARIS, the Singapore arch seas humanitarian aid, and other Church groups are responding to CHARIS, in a statement, said it is in touch with Caritas Philippines for regular updates on the situation, and will be donating one million pesos (S$29,600) to

Archbishop sends Hari Raya greetings to Muslims „ Page 4

Catholic lawyers and divorce cases Should they handle these? „ Page 7

ASIA Philippine Reproductive Health Bill Bishops slam decision to end debate „ Page 9

Serving catechists in Brunei

CNS photos

Caritas Philippines for the purchase and distribution of crucial essentials. These include drinking water, food, cooking utensils, medicine, hygiene and thermal kits, and CHARIS is also looking into obtaining shelter kits comprising sleeping mats, blankets and mosquito nets for shipment to the Philippines. In addition, CHARIS is conducting an appeal for donations to its Humanitarian Aid Fund for ' the Iranian earthquake and other natural disasters. It is also organising a special Mass with the Filipino communi +

day, Aug 26 at 11 am. „ „

victims in Philippines

conducts workshop „ Page 10

! " !

TO DONATE : Those wishing to donate to CHARIS’ Humanitarian Aid Fund may write a crossed cheque payable to “Humanitarian Aid Fund�. Please indicate on the back of the cheque the donor’s name, address, contact number and any

FEATURE Christian moments in the Olympics Athletes bring their faith into global arena „ Page 15

donation is intended. All cheques are to be mailed to: CHARIS, 55 Waterloo Street #09-03A, Singapore 187954. For further information, contact Albert Lim (6338-0182) or info@charis-singapore.org

Rovers’ Mars landing Why the Church is not afraid of science „ Page 18

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Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Paralympian talks about faith Win or lose, God is looking out for me, says Gemma Rose Foo, who is taking part in the Paralympic Games By Martin See O K ` ' Z

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HOME 3

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews Photo: BENJAMIN LAI

‘None of my

family members or friends would have ever thought that priesthood was a possibility in my life – not even me!’

– Fr Samuel Lim, # $ % & ' ( ) *

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Vocation completely unexpected for new priest By Martin See When he came to Singapore to work in 2000, his faith was – in his own words – “almost dead�. Fr Samuel Lim, who was ordained on Aug 9, said he was then “going to Mass out of obligation and saying my prayers out of habit�. However, things changed. One day, while attending Mass at the Church of St Francis Xavier, he bumped into some young people who invited him to help “Reluctantly I joined them,

and it was during that period that I encountered God personally and my relationship with Jesus deepened,� recalled the 34-year-old from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. As he became more involved in the parish, Fr Lim said he sensed God’s invitation to give the seminary a try. }+ outcome, I decided to take the leap of faith and ‌ entered St Francis Xavier Major Seminary in 2004,� said the priest, now a Singapore permanent resident. Fr Lim was ordained at St

Anne’s Church and is expected to continue serving in the Church of St Bernadette where he spent the past half year as a deacon. Fr Lim, who is the youngest in his family, said “none of my family members or any of my friends would have ever thought that priesthood was a possibility in my life – not even me! This may be due to the fact that I was playful and never serious in my faith�. In fact, when he left his hometown for his tertiary education in his late teens, “my way of life was often contrary to the Chris-

| ƒ family and friends] about my consideration to enter the seminary, they ... wondered if it was one of my rash and immature decisions�. \ well wishes of people after his ordination, “I still feel very undeserving to be called to serve God as a priest�, he said. “Given my background, this is unimaginable. I feel very humbled, blessed and privileged.� He said he hopes to help more people “fall in love with Christ�. “Among the many lessons I

learnt was the non-negotiable importance of spiritual life; and that relationships – both with God and fellow men – make a huge difference in the quality of our lives,� he said. “At the moment, I’ll continue to focus on the parishioners and ministries in the Church of St Bernadette,� he said, adding that he works with the altar servers, young people, lectors, choirs and the children’s adoration and catechetical ministries. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Priest reaches out to the deaf and hearing Hearing and deaf Catholics who attended workshops conducted by a deaf-blind priest said they Ms Judy Ong, 48, who is deaf, said she was able to understand the sessions conducted by Redemptorist priest, Fr Cyril Axel ' Ms Angie Woo, 64, a hearing participant, said the workshop hearing participants as well, as it helped people to deal with the cri London-based Fr Axelrod conducted faith-based workshops for members of the Catholic deaf community and their interpreters at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre and Church of St Mary of % ! &{€Q& The 70-year-old priest was

Deaf-blind priest Fr Cyril Axelrod giving a workshop at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre.

also in Singapore to meet up with friends from the Singapore Catholic Deaf Community (SCDC) Q< The workshops saw lively discussions between Fr Cyril and participants, some of whom were

The hearing people present standing the sessions as there were € Fr Cyril celebrated a Mass on July 22, which saw members from the Johor Bahru Catholic deaf

During his stay here, the priest also visited Archbishop Nicholas Chia and SCDC spir ` z ^ Fr Cyril was born deaf in 1942 % % UJ' he developed Usher syndrome, which gradually caused him to lose

Z deaf groups around the world SCDC can be contacted at scdeafc@yahoo.com.sg „

Members of various faiths joining Muslims for fast-breaking.

Dear Muslim Friends, On behalf of the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Singapore, I would like to wish you and all Muslims a very

Z K % May you have reaped great spiritual rewards from the sea K Muslims and Christians share a common humanity, and a tradition of prayer and fasting O Lent is similarly a time of Catholics so we can appreciate the faith and discipline that is required of Muslims during K It is wonderful that we live in a country where many Cath-

olics will have been invited to break fast with their Muslim neighbours, friends and colleagues and to celebrate Hari K % May our respective faith communities continue to work together in the humble and generous spirit of charity and compassion for the less fortunate in Singapore, so that the message of faith, hope and love from God may continue to yield I wish Muslims renewed spiritual energy, peace and

Z K % ˆ

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

„ Page 13: Vatican’s message to Muslims

Sunday August 26, 2012 CatholicNews

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Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

‘Following’ St Francis in Malacca Participants of the Where Does Your Compass Needle Point To? retreat pose in front of the statue of St Francis Xavier on St Paul’s Hill.

An Amazing Race and the creation of tunes to well-known prayers were some activities young adults took part in during a recent retreat Thirty young adults “walked� in the footsteps of St Francis Xavier during a pilgrimage-cum-retreat in Malacca organised by the Verbum Dei Missionaries. The Aug 4-5 retreat saw participants taking part in a “Malacca Amazing Race�, composing tunes to well-known prayers, and spiritually journeying with the famous Jesuit missionary to the countries he had travelled to. Explaining the purpose of the retreat, titled Where Does Your Compass Needle Point To?, Verbum Dei Missionary Sr Sandra Seow said many young people chase after money, success and power, and forget to live life to the fullest. This journey to Malacca “was for each participant to discover that they, like St Francis Xavier, have a greater purpose, a greater love�, she said. The saint worked in Malacca for some time. After his death in 1552, his body was moved from China, his last destination, and temporarily buried at St Paul’s Church at the top of St Paul’s Hill in Malacca before O ' | One highlight of the retreat for the 21-39 year-old participants was the “Malacca Amazing Race� in which they were given clues leading them to four places. There participants had to perform certain activities connected to the theme of life and love. For example, at the A Famosa fort, they had to creatively stack up their personal belongings – such as umbrellas, water bottles, shoes – to build a structure. The activity was to help par to surrender things that seem important to them so as to build a meaningful life. Participants later gathered at St Paul’s Hill where they had to compose new tunes, or take tunes from nursery rhymes, rap and

pop songs, and apply these to any well-known prayer. Participants were told that St Francis used to create catchy tunes to teach children prayers. By following his example, participants were encouraged to teach others how to pray too. On the second day, each participant was invited to “set sail� ` ` ' | ' Malaysia, Japan and China, the countries he visited. O O herd Seminary Centre, the retreat venue, participants paused at various stations representing these countries. At each station, they

Participants using personal items to form structures during the Malacca Amazing Race.

 they had to continue sharing their faith with their family and friends. Participants said they learnt much from the retreat. The Amazing Race “not only allowed us to ... follow the footsteps of St Francis Xavier, but also promoted teamwork, cohesion and spiritual application to everyday lifeâ€?, said Mr Peter Solomon, 25, from the Church of St Michael. “This trip helped me realised what was most important in life. Je [ and make life more meaningful,â€? shared Ms Joanne Koh, 26, from the Church of the Holy Cross. „

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Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Catholic lawyers and divorce cases A recent talk sought to answer the question of whether they should take up such cases By Martin See Several Catholic lawyers recently attended a talk on canon law, divorces and whether Catholic lawyers should take up such cases. The event, organised by the Catholic Lawyers Guild, was titled Catholic Lawyers and Divorces, and held on Aug 4 at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mr Andrew Kong, who has studied canon law, gave a 30-minute talk introducing the moral aspects of accepting civil divorce cases. Fr Adrian Yeo, a canon lawyer who is on the archdiocesan marriage tribunal, then spoke on divorce and marriage annulments. At the heart of the talk was the question: Can a Catholic lawyer handle divorce cases? Fr Yeo said that it is acceptable to do so. “The

role of the lawyer is to protect the rights of your client and if you are protecting your clients’ rights you should take up the case,� he said. However, he stressed that Catholic lawyers should not “formally cooperate� but rather “materially cooperate� with the divorce process. This means that Catholic lawyers should not work towards the breakup of the marriage, but merely do the legal work after the couple has already decided to go ahead with the divorce. “Lawyers handle divorces so as to ensure that the rights of the client are not trampled upon, like inheritance, the welfare of the children and the protection of self,� he added. Fr Yeo said that for an annulment or dissolution of marriage to take place, the parties involved must first go through

Church is against divorce because “Christ’s love for His Church is unconditional and He sacri Z Z

' the love of a husband and wife should mirror Christ’s love for the Church�. Mr Kong, in his talk, also explained that divorce is not an “intrinsically evil act�, that is to say that it is not evil in itself unlike acts of abortion, contraception, torture, rape or adultery. Fr Yeo explained that an annulment of marriage is given

Fr Adrian Yeo, a speaker at the talk.

a civil divorce from the civil courts. Nonetheless, he added that the

Fr Staes receives Belgian award Belgian Scheut Missions priest, Fr Paul Staes, was conferred a Knight in the Order of Leopold, the oldest and highest of Belgian honorary orders of knighthood, on Aug 6. He received the award from the Belgian ambassador. “This high distinction is given to you in recognition of your dedicated work as missionary and on the occasion of the celebration of your Golden Jubilee as a priest,� said ambassador Roland Van Remoortele during the ceremony. Fr Staes marked his priestly anniversary last year. The award, created in 1832, is one of three Belgian national orders. It is given to distinguished personalities who have had a long and meritorious career. Archbishop Nicholas Chia was among the 50 or so guests who attended the ceremony at the Belgian ambassador’s residence. “I am honoured and at the same time humbled by this distinction, and especially happy that it is given in recognition of what is dearest in my life: my missionary and priestly vocation,� said Fr Staes. „

Fr Paul Staes looking at his citation. He received his award from the Belgian ambassador (right).

when, after a careful study by the Church, a marriage is deemed to be not “valid� due to circumstances before and during the marriage. Fr Yeo also highlighted the grounds for annulments and the conditions for a valid marriage in his talk. “To consent to marriage, both parties need to have full knowledge of each other and have full will to exercise their choice,� he said. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

S’pore Catholics

Cantonese retreat focuses on ‘vine and branches’

Ms Ligna Ku (far left) from Singapore’s acts29 mission group, seen here with members of acts29 in the Philippines, on their way to

! -

Members of Catholic missionary groups in Singapore have been tims in the Philippines. Ms Sherlyn Kong from acts29, together with a few other volunteers, and Ms Audrey Leong from ACTS (A Call to Share) were in Manila to help provide much needed food rations and other material aid to affected communities. = ganisations of CHARIS. Ms Leong brought with her &Q< CHARIS. Half were distributed to 1,200 displaced people under the care of the FMA (Don Bosco) nuns in Santa Mesa, while the other half was given to the ICPE (Institute for World Evangelisation) community in Montalban. Another Singaporean, Ms Esther Fong, who has been stationed in the Philippines for several years, brought the desper communities in Kasiglahan and Rizal where over 300 families did not have drinking water. Meanwhile, Ms Khong headed to Payatas in Quezon City, a community which acts29 has been helping for the last seven years. Together with local acts29 members, food rations were distributed to more than 800 victims

in Rodriguez Rizal. Ms Khong also food, drinking water, medicine and kitchen utensils, as well as school kits so children can return to school. “It is important for students to resume school as it works to $ '~ she said. “This is crucial because youngsters are the ones most af ~ According to Mr Frederick Foo, CHARIS’ operations direc > } D a precursor of more natural calamities to come ... We must reach out to our sisters and brothers in the re ~ Meanwhile, the Church in the Philippines has swung into action. The National Secretariat of Social Action, Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has released 850,000 pesos (S$25,220) for affected dioceses, reported CBCP News, the bishops’ conference’s news website. Many churches in Metro Manila have also been converted into evacuation centres, reported ucanews.com. Caritas Manila has also distributed thousands of hygiene kits with toothbrushes, soap and other necessities, as well as bags of food to displaced communities. „

Participants hold up a string on which hang cards which had the fruits of the Spirit written on them.

By Patrick C K Ng Life is like the Olympics. God wants His people “to run fast and jump far by going through the ~ Fr Stephen Yim said this to some 250 people attending a National Day Cantonese Retreat held at the Catholic Spirituality Centre. “We can get a ‘gold medal’ O ~ trials well, he said. Fr Yim also added that just like the interconnected rings of the Olympic Games, people can touch the hearts of others through faith sharing. Fr Yim and Redemptorist Fr Philip Lai gave talks during the retreat organised by the Sts Peter and Paul Church Cantonese group. The group, which used to be called the Sacred Heart Basic Christian Community (SHBCC), started the annual National Day

Rosary session during the retreat.

Cantonese retreat in 2002. The recent retreat, which had the theme “I am the vine, you are

›! &_>_œ~' participants praying the rosary, engaging in praise and worship, and playing games. In one session, participants help up a string on which cards, with the fruits of the Spirit written on them, were hung. The string represented Jesus, the true vine, and the cards the branches. The activity was to remind participants that they need the Holy In his talk, Fr Lai said people can bear good fruit not through their own strength but by remaining in God and trusting in Him. Ms Joan Chen, a Chinese national from Guangzhou province who was baptised last year, gave a faith testimony.

obtaining a work visa after graduating from her studies here. She returned to Guangzhou but felt miserable. However, after pray ' proved. Ms Chen said she was very happy and grateful that she is now able to work in Singapore and give glory to God. The SHBCC started in 1994 as an informal cell group by Hong Kong immigrants. There are now six Cantonese-speaking cell groups throughout Singapore under the Sts Peter and Paul Church Cantonese group. The 100 or so regular members are between 12 and 70 years old. More than 60 percent are from Hong Kong. For more information on the Cantonese-speaking Catholic community, call Patrick Ng (93262677, patckng@yahoo.com.sg) or Alfred Cheung (9389-2946) „

ASIA 9

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

# $ $

President Tony Tan unveiling the ceremonial plaque. Beside him (from left) are school management committee chairman Gabriel Teo, principal Wee Tat Chuen (in dark shirt), and Gabrielite Brothers Dominic Yeo Koh and Emmanuel.

! " By Don Gurugay SINGAPORE – President Tony

% Pathway School (APS) on Aug 15. He was given a tour of the school and attended a reception at the school’s training restaurant. The guests for the event included Archbishop Nicholas Chia and Gabrielite Br Dominic Yeo Koh, Provincial Superior of the St Gabriel’s Foundation. The opening ceremony, themed Joy – A Journey Together, saw students, parents and staff showcasing the various aspects of

their collaboration in a concert. In his speech, principal Wee Tat Chuen, said, “What started as a small step enables the school to connect lives and help these stu ble pathways in school to achieve their personal success.� The school, which started in 2009, caters to students unable to make it through the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). However, its origins go back to 1938, when two Gabrielite Brothers started what was known as the St Joseph’s Trade School. „

MANILA – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a strongly worded statement on March 13 denouncing the Philippine Congress’ decision to end debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. “Developed countries with dwindling population are beginning to realise the folly of population control, and some, like Singapore, regret having adopted it,� said current CBCP president, Archbishop Jose S Palma of Cebu, in the statement. Congress voted to end debate on the bill on Aug 6. The bill, if passed would allow for universal access to contraceptives, birth control and intrauterine devices (IUD), reported Zenit news agency. The bill would also provide for “sexual education� for

Health care services that provide reproductive health, along with health care administrators

if they refuse to provide services such as tubal ligation and vasectomies. Employers could face the same penalties if they refuse to provide free services to their employees. Archbishop Palma of Cebu denounced Congress’ move, saying “people were caught off-guard by the suddenness of the execu-

Philippine nuns rally against the Reproductive Health Bill in Manila. The Philippine Congress voted to stop debate on the bill on Aug 6. CNS photo

tion, especially those who oppose the bill on faith or principle�. He said he was disappointed at the apparent display of “naked power� as well as lamenting “the unilateral disregard of prior goals�. He also denounced President Benigno Aquino III’s support of the bill, going so far as to say that the situation was “reminiscent� of events leading to “impeachment proceedings�.

“The Catholic Church and those who are similarly minded ask for nothing more than fairness,� said Archbishop Palma. “After all, we have as much right to expose the dangers and ills of the Bill as those who promote it.� Archbishop Palma said the bill’s anti-life features “go against our Constitution, our treasured traditions and the basic teachings of the Catholic Church as enunciated years ago by Pope Paul VI and Blessed John Paul II�. „ ZENIT

LAHORE, PAKISTAN – The Rama-

SHANGHAI, CHINA – At least two

priests have criticised comments from China’s Foreign Ministry that dismissed a US government report criticising the state of religious freedom in the communist country. The US State Department on ! Y< “of particular concernâ€?, including China, in its 2011 International Religious Freedom Report. It said there was a marked deterioration during 2011 in the Chinese government’s respect for and protection of religious freedom. In response, the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei as saying on Aug 2, “The Chinese #  China’s religious situation.â€? The Asian Church news agency UCA News reported that Mr Hong ž  ' respect facts and view China’s policy on religion and religious freedom  The spokesman also called on the US to stop using religious issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs and not to act in ways that damage bilateral relations, mutual trust and cooperation.

One Shanghai priest said, “I would not have offered an opinion in the past. But after the recent incident in my diocese, I think what other people have said is not without reason.â€? He criticised restrictions im ministry of Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai, who stated during his July 7 episcopal ordination that he would give up his role in the government-approved Catholic Patriotic Association. “Are the Chinese people really #  Â&#x; \  from our inner hearts or from Â&#x;~ $ Another priest, Fr John Baptist, said, “The CPA’s function has gone far beyond its claim as a bridge between the Church and the government,â€? he said. “In fact, it became a tool to control the Church without revealing that the ruling authority is the real executioner.â€? Religious practice in China exists within a sphere limited by the government, which “allows you to believe in an ‘alien Catholicism’ that does not comply with orthodox Catholic faithâ€?, Fr Baptist said. „ CNS

dan custom of breaking the daylong fast with a communal meal has led to new friendships springing up between Muslims and Christians in Pakistan. A group called Interfaith Youth In Action organised one such evening meal, commonly known as Iftar, in Loyola Hall, a Catholic venue in Lahore. The Aug 11 event was one of many organised nationwide by Church groups to mark the month of Ramadan. At Loyola Hall, half of the 30

guests were Muslims. As a nearby mosque sounded the signal for the end of the fasting day, the Muslims raised their hands in prayer while the Catholics made the sign of the cross. }| | prayed at a Church place, but I did not feel any difference as God can be remembered anywhere. I felt His presence here,� said Muslim educator Asma Hussain. “Religious intolerance has resulted in things like Hindu migration from Pakistan and anti-Christian vio-

dalit NEW DELHI – Christian and Mus-

lim groups marched to Parliament House in New Delhi recently to demand social equality for people of minority religions from low caste origins. Around 3,000 people, including bishops, priests and nuns from across the country gathered in the

 Â€$

The march was to press for a #  cational institutions to be reserved for dalit Christians and Muslims. “We cannot wait any longer. Â

also mobilising political parties to support our demands,â€? said Fr \  ' bishops’ commission for former low caste people. The Indian constitution al  # for dalit, members of castes once considered “untouchableâ€?, to help them socially and economically. However, Christians and Muslims are excluded. A 2007 government commission had said that this practice violated the constitution. „ UCANEWS. COM

lence. Our survival lies in sharing.� Jesuit Fr Imran Ghouri said “Fellowship around a table is very important ... Hospitality gives us a chance to understand each other on a human level, irrespective of religious or political ~ On the same evening, Christian Welfare Organisation observed the Ramadan spirit by $ Muslim women. „ UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Serving Brunei’s catechists

KUALA BELAIT, BRUNEI – Catho-

@ ' I $ ) ' (

lics in Brunei who attended a conference conducted by Singapore

[ say they found it inspiring. “I found the sessions simple yet profound,� said Fr Robert Leong, parish priest of Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. “I could feel the Spirit of the Lord moving in powerful ways in the hearts and minds of all the participants.� Married couple Hermi and Josieline Galvez said they left the conference convinced that “catechesis is really a proposal of love that starts from your own heart, your own conversion and begins in the family before it spreads to the parish community and elsewhere�.

[ Singapore was invited by Fr Paul Shie, catechetical and youth director of the Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei, to conduct the 4th Brunei Vicariate Catechetical Conference 2012. Catechetical director Fr Erbin Fernandez, assisted by Ms Jane Lau, coordinator of Parish Catechesis, and administrative ' the conference titled Feed My Sheep. About 120 participants comprising catechists, parents, RCIA coordinators and sponsors, as well as youth and young adult from the vicariate’s three parishes took part in the Aug 4-6 conference. There was a large concentration of Filipino migrants among the catechists, making up about 40 percent of participants. The rest were the local Chinese and three lay catechists from the Iban and Kadazan ethnic groups. According to the Catechetical [ ' ` ence to help parents and catechists respond to the pope’s call for a new evangelisation in the coming Year of Faith, which would be launched in October. During the conference, each session began with a prayer experience or a para-liturgical presentation. This was followed by a lecture by Fr Erbin to help " ence from a catechetical point of view. ` z

the transmission of faith, covering topics such as sacred time, sacred space, planning a session and the spirituality of the catechist. Participants also learnt how to conduct sessions using paraliturgies and presentations using liturgical and scriptural signs and symbols. On the last day, participants took part in a meditative exercise, called the Labyrinth, and also re  ney. Many participants said they felt inspired and challenged by the conference to develop their own spirituality further and strengthen their catechetical communities by forming adult cell groups.

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Those who conducted the session also said they learnt much. “We are one Body, wherever we are and whatever challenges we may be facing,� said Ms Jane Lau. “Spending these few days with my brothers and sisters in Brunei has given me an even greater conviction that God’s love knows no bounds.� Fr Erbin said he was “very clergy and lay people alike who have pulled together in the midst of numerous pastoral challenges�. “We hope to continue working with the Church in Brunei in the years to come,� he said. There are about 18,000 Catholics in Brunei out of a population of about 400,000. „

WORLD 11

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Papal aide says he saw Major events ‘corruption in the Church’ for upcoming

Year of Faith

VATICAN CITY – Vatican magis-

trates have formally indicted Pope Benedict XVI’s personal assistant, Paolo Gabriele, on charges of aggravated theft and have indicted a computer technician from the Vatican Secretariat of State on minor charges of aiding Gabriele after he stole Vatican correspondence. The publication on Aug 13 of the decision of Vatican investigating judge Piero Bonnet included second suspect, Claudio Sciarpelleti, the Secretariat of State employee. Vatican police found an envelope from Gabriele in Sciarpelleti’s desk and arrested him, according to the documents explaining Bonnet’s judgment. While the computer expert gave “contrasting versions of the facts� to investigators, in the end it was determined that there was enough evidence to bring him to trial on a charge of aiding and abetting Gabriele after the fact. The Vatican magistrates did not set a date for the trial or trials, but Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said it would not be set before Sept 20 because the Vatican court is in recess from Aug 14-Sept 20. Fr Lombardi said the charge against Sciarpelleti carries a “very light� sentence, which is unlikely to include any jail time. Pope Benedict could have in-

The pope’s arrested personal assistant Paolo Gabriele (seated in front), was quoted as saying that ‘a shock, even in the media, could be healthy in putting the Church back on the right track’.

tervened at any time to stop the investigation and legal process and he still has the option of clearing the two laymen without a trial. Gabriele, who will turn 46 on Aug 19, faces a sentence of one to six years in prison. Judge Bonnet’s report quoted Gabriele as telling Vatican investigators he acted after seeing “evil and corruption everywhere in the Church� and he was sure Pope Benedict was not fully informed about what was going on. “I was certain that a shock, even in the media, could be healthy in putting the Church back on the right track,� Gabriele

was quoted as saying. “In a cer | ~ Holy Spirit, he added. Fr Lombardi in an Aug 14 statement, emphasised that while the indictment was passed in connection to the publication of the

' going investigation. “The charge list does not entertain the notion that there might

" of events and relationships – a possibility that the judges and a select committee of cardinals were called to investigate appropriately,� he said. „ CNS, ZENIT

Special prayer Priests assigned to aid for France Vatican Museums visitors French bishops have PARIS –

VATICAN CITY – The Catholic

Church teaches that beauty can be a path to God, and to make that path easier for people, the Vatican Museums have assigned two priests to guide the searching. Or just to talk. “Art and faith: A priest for you�, says the sign on the table where a priest from Togo and another from Nigeria took up their posts on Aug 1. Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca, general secretary of the Vatican ' News Service, “Especially as the Year of Faith is about to begin, it seemed opportune to take this pastoral initiative.� With thousands of visitors passing through the museums daily, “we decided a discreet presence should be offered for those who feel a need to talk or seek advice. Who knows, it could even lead to a confession,� he said. One priest-guide is a Sacred Heart missionary while the other is an Orionine Father. Both are studying at pontifical universities in Rome and they

Detail of a painting of Adam and Eve at the Vatican Museums.

both speak Italian, English and French. Msgr Paolo Nicolini, managing director of the Vatican Museums, said the Vatican is calling the assignment an experiment. “We need to be able to understand and eventually make adjustments or – as we hope – increase it,� he said in an email. “We won’t keep a list of those who turn to the priests – but we need to know if we are meeting a real need and if we are doing it well,� he said. „ CNS

composed a special “prayer for the nation� as the new government started work on laws legalising gay marriage and permitting same-sex couples to adopt. The government is also examining the possibility of legalising some form of assisted suicide. Msgr Bernard Podvin, spokesman of the bishops’ conference, said the prayer asks for spiritual guidance at a time when serious decisions must be made. It begins by asking God to guide politicians in adopting policies to help the poor and to inspire Catholics to be more generous with their solidarity. Then it prays that political leaders would listen to their consciences and not special interest groups; that spouses be faithful to each other; and that children not be treated as commodities to be desired, but would enjoy the love of “a father and a mother�. The French bishops’ prayer reminds Catholics of the social and political implications of Christian values, but it seeks to do so in a way that avoids the polemical tones of “Catholic fundamentalists�, said Msgr Podvin. „ CNS

VATICAN CITY – Vatican Radio has published some of the main events scheduled for the Year of Faith, which Pope Benedict XVI has called for. The special year will last from Oct 11, 2012 to Nov 24, 2013. It begins with a Mass presided over by the pope in St Peter’s Square and concelebrated by bishops and theologians who, like the pope himself, served as members or experts at the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council. Many of the Pope’s traditional appointments, such as the Jan 25 celebration marking the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Feb 2 prayer with Religious, are incorporated into the Year of Faith. Other events have been added such as the Oct 6 “Courtyard of the Gentilesâ€? meeting in the Umbrian town of Assisi, which is presented as a prologue to the special year. The event is a dialogue between believers and non-believers on the theme of faith. The Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme of New Evangelisation will also stretch across the opening of the Year of Faith, as the synod runs Oct 7-28. % of the Year of Faith, a cultural event takes place on Oct 12 at the Church of the GesĂš, focused on the medieval poet Dante and faith. Other events include: Oct 21: Canonisation of six martyrs Oct 26-30: World Congress for Catholic teachers Nov 15-17: International conference for health care workers on the theme, The Hospital, a Place of Evangelisation: a Human and Spiritual Mission. Dec 1: The pope will cel ¢ % ' seminaries and ecclesial colleges. Dec 20-May 1: Exhibition of the Year of Faith at Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome.

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Dec 28-Jan 2: The TaizÊ community in collaboration with the Vicariate of Rome will promote a European youth meeting January through November: Inauguration of a major exhibition at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls dedicated to the Basilica itself and Vatican II. Feb 25-26: International congress dedicated to Sts Cyril and Methodius in Rome April 4-6: Conference for Catholic associations dedicated to education Also in April: Day of Seminaries and a day of study dedicated to Vatican II documents April 28: Pope will con young people In May: Pope will make a pilgrimage to the St Peter’s tomb June 2, feast of Corpus Christi: Pope will lead adoration of the Eucharist and is asking every cathedral and parish to have an hour of silent contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament at exactly the same hour. June 16: Pope will preside over a celebration of the Church’s witness to the dignity and value of every human life June 22: Concert in St Peter’s Square for the Year of Faith July 7: Pope will meet with seminarians and novices on their pilgrimage July 23-28: World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro Sept 18-19: Workshop organised by the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Pon ž " value of the Catholic Church’s Catechism in the teaching of theology Sept 29: Day for Catechists Oct 13: Pope will celebrate a Marian Day together with Marian associations Nov 24: Year of Faith concludes.

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12 WORLD

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Bishop highlights gun control issue after Sikh killings

People expressing their feelings during a candlelight vigil in Cathedral Square in downtown Milwaukee after a man shot and killed worshippers at a Sikh temple on Aug 5. CNS photos.

Members of the Sikh community attend a candlelight vigil in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on Aug 7.

MILWAUKEE, USA – The killing

den of Baltimore, chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, was among religious leaders who expressed support and condolences for Wisconsin’s Sikh community. “We Catholics mourn with our Sikh brothers and sisters,� he said in an Aug 6 statement. “The US bishops stand with the Sikh community and reject all violence, particularly intolerance,� the bishop continued. “We are especially saddened that this horrendous act was carried out in a house of worship against people joined together

of six Sikhs at their temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek has brought an outpouring of spiritual support from Catholic leaders and a call to examine gun control legislation in the US.

Following the Aug 5 tragedy, the entire community should examine “the violence that is woven into our culture, entertainment and society�, Retired Auxiliary Bishop Richard J Sklba of Milwaukee told Catholic Herald. The publication serves the Catholic community in southeastern Wisconsin. “And look again at this gun control issue. It is not the solution to every issue, but it is a piece of the solution. And just as worship sites [are posting signs] all over are saying, ‘Guns are not allowed here’, there’s more at stake societally than putting the statement on the door, than just protecting ourselves,� he said. “It’s a witness to the larger community that there’s something wrong with all the gun-toting that

people are espousing and attempting to protect,� said the bishop who has been active in interreligious and ecumenical affairs both locally and internationally. According to police, 40-yearold Wade Michael Page entered the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin during a religious service and shot into the gathering using an automatic weapon. Page has been linked to white supremacist groups, and news reports said he was involved in an underground music espousing white supremacy. Auxiliary Bishop Denis J Mad-

‘The gun control issue is not the solution to every issue, but it is a piece of the solution.’

– Retired Auxiliary Bishop Richard J Sklba of Milwaukee

as a family to worship God.� Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E Listecki told Catholic Herald he had just returned from a parish where he celebrated Mass, led a Eucharistic procession and had a picnic dinner with parishioners as part of annual feast day celebration when he heard the news. “I was totally taken aback. I was totally shocked that anyone would come in and do such an act of violence, but also to do it within the context of church, temple, synagogue, mosque. “Here are people coming together to worship God, and what happens? They’re confronted by evil,� he said. “We pray for God’s consoling and healing to be there for the Sikh community,� the archbishop said. „ CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Indonesian Muslims wait to break their fast in a mosque in Jakarta.

Young Muslims, Christians urged to be ‘heralds of justice’ VATICAN CITY – Yearning and

working for freedom and peace, young Christians and Muslims must be patient and persistent, recognising that violence or other apparent “short cutsâ€? that harm others will never lead to justice and lasting peace, said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. “In the tormented world of ours, educating the young for peace becomes increasingly urgent,â€? said the cardinal, president | religious Dialogue. The Vatican on Aug 3 released the cardinal’s annual greeting to Muslims for Eid al-Fitr, or Hari Raya Puasa, the feast marking the end of the monthlong Ramadan fast. The feast begins on or around Aug 19 this year. As the Arab Spring movement, supported by young Muslims and Christians, continues across North Africa and parts of the Middle East, Cardinal Tauran focused his message on the theme, Educating Young Christians and Muslims for Justice and Peace. Parents, teachers and religious leaders have a share in the } $~ helping young people to discover and develop the talents God has given them, to learn and to build  ' peace and the fact that all people are created by God, he said. “For believers, genuine justice, lived in friendship with God, deep-

ens all other relationships: with oneself, with others and with the whole of creation,� Cardinal Tauran said. A believer’s vision of peace also has a religious foundation because it is seen as a gift of God, but one which human beings must pursue without ceasing through the promotion of justice and charity, he said. Cardinal Tauran encouraged young Muslims and Christians “to cultivate truth and freedom,

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* " + – Vatican’s message to Muslims for the end of Ramadan

in order to be genuine heralds of justice and peace and builders of a culture which respects the dignity and the rights of every citizen�. He urged them to be patient and persistent, “never resorting to doubtful compromises, deceptive short cuts or to means which show little respect for the human person�. „ CNS #

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14 LETTERS / OPINION

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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LETTERS

US Religious body has long history of dissent The article in the last issue of CatholicNews on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious ›^ Kœ ž ›= ing Catholic and Having a Ques D œ tion that the LCWR have a long

Catholic teaching, which continues to the present day. The LCWR are in fact currently undergoing a doctrinal assessment by the Holy See for their " Faithful Catholics should be aware that the private views of LCWR Sisters quoted in the above-mentioned article are not line with the Catholic Church and should not be treated as valid Catholic opinion. While the Catholic Church is known for its consistency in its teaching on any subject – from the divinity of Jesus Christ to the ' " to abortion – the LCWR Sisters on the other hand have frequently preached distorted versions of these doctrines. ` " ' `

Sr Pat Farrell openly questioned the Church’s universal teaching on the dignity of all human life. openly questioned the Church’s universal teaching on the dignity of all human life, which thus forbids abortion, asking whether the Church’s “policyâ€? is more “profoetusâ€? or “pro-living personâ€?. This is clearly ignorant of the Church’s long-standing principle of defending all human life equally, born or unborn, with special regard for those more vulnerable and defenceless, such as life in the womb. Another LCWR member, Sr Margaret Farley, wrote a book entitled Just Love in 2006 in which she opined that “masturbation‌ usually does not raise any moral questions at allâ€? and } € "

activities can be justified�. A simple look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church would tell any Catholic that masturbation € " activities are “gravely disordered� › QY_Q' QY;Jœ Farley’s book has since been condemned by the Holy See. Hence it is clear that the LCWR cannot be taken seriously as promoters of Catholic truth and teaching. As Catholics, we should joyfully submit to the Church’s teachings, which are always guided by the Holy Spirit, rather than rely on our own human thinking and private judgements. Jesus Christ taught us that “the disciple is not superior to teacher, nor slave to master. It is enough for disciple to grow to be $

~ ›D &<>QU€Q_œ Since the Church is the living teacher of truth, let us be faithful to what God has revealed through the Church and discover true freedom and peace. Cecilia Chong Singapore 570317

Being Catholic and questioning CatholicNews’ recent article on the US Leadership Conference of Women Religious or LCWR (CN, % &Qœ ing for many reasons, not least its title, Being Catholic and Having a Questioning Mind. The LCWR have long espoused doctrines contrary to Catholic teaching and insisted that the Church must change. But despite the rapid changes in secular › œ ' Church has remained clear and consistent on issues like abortion, " Pope Benedict XVI and Blessed John Paul II have done much to reiterate Catholic teaching on these issues. For only the Church has the God-given authority to determine matters of faith and morals. And it is only by submitting to this magisterium do we understand how di-

vine revelation works in perfect harmony with natural law and reason; there is never any contradiction. Can one be truly Catholic and have a questioning mind? To be Catholic is to accept all the Church teaches to be true, but it does not mean we blindly submit to authority. = ! || in Fides et Ratio that “faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth�. So reason is ‚ ' it is essential. But reason must always be oriented to the truth. The measure of how well we have used our reason is whether it has helped us better understand Catholic teaching. The aim of theology, as the eminent Cardinal Avery Dulles put it, is to “show why the Church is teaching what she is�,

to understand the truths God has revealed and help us live them out better – not to change them. ^ " ^ K positions. Sr Pat Farrell says “the teaching and interpretation of the faith can’t remain static and really needs to be reformulated, rethought in light of the world we live in and new questions, new realities as they arise�. Archbishop Gerhard Muller, Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, replies that “because faith and reason belong together, it is obviously not incompatible to be Catholic and to have a questioning mind – but we cannot have negotiations about revealed truth�. The LCWR considers Catholic doctrines mere man-made „ Continued on page 15

Ultimate answer to violence LAST year, a French movie was released entitled Of Gods and Men that was described by the New York Times as “perhaps the best movie on Christian commitment ever made�. Based on a true story it tells how, in 1996, an Islamic terrorist group kidnapped a small community of Trappist monks from their remote monastery in Northern Algeria, held them and eventually killed them. But the movie is about something deeper than these bare facts. It focuses on how each of the monks, ordinary men with no ambitions for martyrdom, had to accept possible martyrdom. Each had his own struggle, and for several of them it was a mammoth one. " ^ $ € in on the face of each monk. Each face manifests both joy and agony in that man’s unconscious realisation that he is soon to die and yet how, because of what he has already worked through and accepted within his soul, that death will be a triumph. At one point in the story, just as it was becoming clear to the monks that the political and military violence surrounding them would at some point invade their monastic enclosure, the movie presents us with a very poignant scene. Military helicopters hover over their little village and their monastery, with their propellers sounding ominously like war drums. As this war-beat drowns out most every sound, the monks respond by going to their chapel, putting on their monastic robes, linking arms and chanting gentle songs of trust and praise to God, and we are left staring at the contrast: gentle songs of trust in the face of hovering military hardware. Which of these is more powerful? That scene is paralleled in the Gospels when they describe the birth ! > % ' the Roman Empire, is looking for an answer from above. And what is God’s response: A helpless baby asleep in the straw. How will this baby ultimately triumph? How do gentleness and meekness inherit the earth? This may strain the logic somewhat, but Jesus hints at an answer to that question in His response to His disciples when they ask why they do not have the power to cast out certain demons, when Jesus can cast them out. Jesus’ answer is metaphorical but deep. He replies, in essence, that “demons� are cast out not through a superior cultic power, but through a superior moral power, namely, by the power that is created inside some ' ' ' ' ' the face of all temptation, including violence. Nurturing these things inside oneself connects a person to the ultimate source of all Being, the Ultimate Power, and the power that Jesus called His Father. And this power, and this power alone, ultimately stands; everything else, including the most sophisticated military hardware eventually gives way to age, rust, obsolescence and death. The helicopters that hovered above those chanting monks now lie in junkyards, the monks’ chant goes on. That isn’t easy to accept. The perennial temptation is to try to defeat violence with a morally superior violence, the kind we see at the end of a cathartic movie where the hero outguns the bad guys by displaying more ' '

The demon is then cast out by a superior violence. But that is not the way of Jesus or of the Gospels; nor was it the way of those martyred Trappist monks in Algeria. | ' attempt to marshal a superior violence. No. Like those martyred monks, we are meant to link arms and sing songs of love and trust. Or, to vary the image, like the three young men in the Book of Daniel, we are meant ' $ hotter than usual. To accept this response to violence does not, in se, rule out the pos  Â€  "' "' at the same place within our lives, within our faith, and within our trust O [ ‰ % ' [ O D '

$ had to make his own agonising decision opposite to meeting violence. So too for each of us. This is not a criterion for all moral decisions about self-defence and war (though, irrespective of circumstance, we should ever live with the " œ ' invitation to begin more to cultivate within ourselves the kind of “prayer and fasting� that casts out all demons, including violence. The invitation is to begin to nurture within a deep private integrity, ' ' ' ' in the face of all temptation, including violence. „

FEATURES 15

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

London 2012: Olympic legacies and great aspirations

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16 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Living lavishly, living simply The idea that one needs to be rich or spend a lot of money to be happy is a lie, says Daniel S Mulhall WATCHING commercials can be disheartening. Every person, it seems, is carrying a number – the amount of money or products, we are told, needed to live happily. What makes the commercials so disheartening is that many people can’t imagine ever having the money suggested in these advertisements to live “the good life�. The idea that one needs to be rich or spend a lot of money to be happy is a lie. The opposite may be true. If you spend money you don’t have paying for “the good life�, the debt accrued will not make you happy. American couple Jim and Susan Vogt of Covington, Kentucky, are among the few who have found happiness by choosing to live a simpler lifestyle that centres on family activities and engagement in their community. Jim is the director of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, which promotes education and action for social justice. Susan speaks and writes on marriage and family topics. They have been living simply for the last 45 years. They became aware during college just how privileged their lives were, especially when compared to those who had much less. They recognised then that money offered a sense of security and allowed them to make purchases without concern for budget. But money and things didn’t make them happier than others. They decided then not to let money determine how they lived. That’s hard to do and hard to teach to those who think life is like the one featured in commercials. Susan noted they had mentors who helped them get through the children arrived. “They cautioned against living the simple lifestyle too rigidly, especially when children were involved lest they rebel,� Susan said.

People are under great peer pressure to buy the most recent products, the latest tablet or mobile phone, but it doesn’t seem to make them happier or popular. down the children’s request for name-brand clothes, the couple decided not to accede to it, and their children now thank them for the valuable life lesson, she said. | to take in a consumer-focused society. People are under a great deal of peer pressure to buy the most recent products, the latest tablet or mobile phone, but it doesn’t seem to make them happier or popular. People’s sense of self, their selfesteem, can be temporarily heavily '

% pop up along with boredom and the desire to acquire a newer version. That’s not so for Susan, who says her family never lacked fun or interesting things to do that didn’t require spending lots of money. The family biked, hiked, camped and volunteered regularly at a soup kitchen. Susan said belonging to a faith community where other adults shared their values helped them stay committed to this lifestyle. Now empty nesters, Susan and Jim continue to live modestly. They recently made the commitment to live for a month on US$4.50 (S$5.60) a day for food, the average amount of money given to people who receive government food assistance. To read about her experience, visit www.SusanVogt.net.blog Simple living isn’t about self ' some of that may be required. Instead, it requires making a conscious choice about how to live, without being swayed by false images about how we should live. What’s important is attitude: enjoy what you have with the ones you hold dear, and take each day as it comes. „ CNS

FAITH ALIVE! 17

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

When chasing happiness becomes isolating By Dan Luby BEDROCK to Christian faith is the conviction that to be human is to be built for happiness. St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas agree that a desire for happiness is hard-wired into human character. But contemporary psychological researchers like Dr June Gruber at Yale University are getting a lot of attention lately with claims that happiness has a “dark side�. Dr Gruber and her colleagues note that the search for happiness as an end in itself is almost always self-defeating. They speak of it in terms of elevated expectations that cannot always be met, and which could lead to more acute disappointment, even more intense pursuit of happiness, loftier expectations, sharper sense of loss etc. Researchers also note that a focus on happiness, understood as positive feelings of contentment and satisfaction, can lead to social isolation. Preoccupation with our needs and happiness crowds out concern for the needs and happiness of others. The prescription for an overzealous pursuit of happiness, as these studies see it, is moderation. Scaling back expectations, monitoring our own happiness less intently, giving up a little self-satisfaction for the satisfaction of friends and family are some of the ways that people can avoid the pitfalls of pursuing “too much happiness�. Underneath this commonsense approach, Christian discipleship offers a deeper vision that sheds light on our contemporary understanding of happiness. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes clear that the happiness to which we are called by God does not match customary expectations of happiness. The happiness – also called “beatitude� or “blessedness� – that Jesus offers is more than mere comfort, abundance of pleasure or positive feelings. The vision He offers is a paradoxical one, identi ' the bestowal of mercy and the yearning for justice, with meekness and peace and purity of heart.

It is a happiness rooted, not in passing circumstances and sensations, but in communion with Jesus and His Father and Their Spirit. It is a happiness that consists of living according to the purpose for which we were made. The Gospel Jesus proclaims is summed up in His image of the “kingdom of God�. It is a reality in which God’s will – God’s deepest desires and fondest hopes for E Our purpose is to embrace ever more passionately God’s vision for the world, and to participate in Jesus’ mission to bring about the kingdom.

Depiction of Jesus giving His Sermon on the Mount. The vision of happiness He offers is a paradoxical one.

When we seek happiness on our own, when we make our own satisfaction and comfort the end for which we hope, we may be reinventing ourselves in novel ways, but such reframing of reality will not bring us happiness. The good news is that the happiness Jesus promises is already ours. God already loves us. His kingdom of peace and mercy, of healing and reconciliation and joyous communion is not yet fully visible, but we can count on its ultimate completion and appearance. The good news is that we can rejoice now, even in the midst of sorrow and obscurity, because, as Jesus reassures us, “the kingdom of God is among you� (Luke 17:21). „ CNS

18 FEATURE

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Rovers’ Mars landing and Church’s view of science Vatican Observatory director gives his views VATICAN CITY – Jesuit Fr Jose Fu-

nes is pleased with the successful landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars, and he thinks “everybody should be happy with the success�. The Argentine Jesuit, director of the Vatican Observatory, said the rover’s mission is important: “to see if we can learn a bit more about Mars and the possibility of organic elements on the surface of Mars�, which would indicate that some living organism had lived or could live on the planet. The Curiosity landed on Mars on Aug 5 and is set to explore the planet for two years. Fr Funes told Vatican Radio on Aug 6 that he thinks the rover is perfectly named because curiosity is “a driving force to do science, to do research. Human beings basically are curious and we want to know how many things in the universe work: what is the logic, what are the laws in the universe�. In addition, he said, human beings want to know if life forms exist anywhere else besides Earth. So far, there is no evidence of a living organism elsewhere “but still the search for life is worthwhile. We can learn many things, even if we

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thing to fear from the possible discovery of life forms elsewhere, he replied, “Of course not. We are not afraid of science. “The reason why the Catholic Church has an observatory is because we are not afraid of the truth, whatever the truth might be,� he said. In a 2008 interview with L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, the priest spoke about the search for life on other planets and what it could mean from the point of view of Christian faith. Just as God created multiple forms of life on earth, he had said, there may be diverse forms throughout the universe. “This is not in contrast with the faith, because we cannot place limits on the creative freedom of God,� he said. Asked what the existence of alien life forms might imply for the Christian idea of redemption, he cited the Gospel parable of the shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for the one that was lost. “We who belong to the human race could really be that lost sheep, the sinners who need a pastor,� he said in the 2008 interview. “God became man in Jesus in order to save us. So if there are also other intelligent beings, it’s not a given that they need redemption. They might have remained in full friendship with their Creator,� he said. While Christ’s incarnation and # repeatable event, he said he was sure that, if needed, God’s mercy would be offered to aliens, as it was to humans. „ CNS

19

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

of them may have forsaken the God who had delivered them and were Joshua called a meeting of all of the serving false gods. “Now, there ' '  fore,� Joshua continued, “fear the of Israel. They came and stood to- Lord and serve him completely and gether before the Lord, and Joshua sincerely. Cast out the gods your anreminded them how God had bless- cestors served beyond the river and ed Abraham and his descendants in Egypt, and serve the Lord.� Joshua did not ask his people to and also the children of Jacob and Esau. He also reminded them how do any more than he would do himGod had delivered them out of the self. He had led them by obeying the Lord and by setting an example control of the Egyptians. Quoting the words the Lord had of trusting the Lord. “If it is disgiven to him, Joshua said, “I brought pleasing to you to serve the Lord,� you into the land of the Amorites he said, “choose today whom you who lived east of the Jordan. They will serve, the gods your ancestors fought against you, but I delivered served beyond the river or the gods them into your power. You took pos- of the Amorites in whose country session of their land, and I destroyed you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.� them at your approach.� The people answered Joshua. One of the most important messages God wanted Joshua to give to “Far be it from us to forsake the the people of Israel was that some Lord to serve other gods. For it was By Joe Sarnicola

the Lord, our God, who brought us and our ancestors up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. He performed those great signs before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.� Joshua made a covenant with the

Read more about it: Joshua 24

Q&A 1. Why did Joshua call the people together? 2. Who did the people say they would serve?

WORDSEARCH:

Bible Accent:

„ JOSHUA „ ELDERS „ LEADERS „ JUDGES „ OFFICERS „ ISRAEL „ JACOB „ ESAU

Can you name all of the books from both testaments that begin with the letter “J�? Joshua is one of them.

Answer to Wordsearch

she arranged for food for him. A man named John Roche found a boat to take him to safety. Margaret was captured, arrested and tortured for this. She and John were offered freedom from prison if they would denounce their Catholic faith. They refused. They were then tried, convicted and sentenced to death. We

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PUZZLE:

Answer to Puzzle: Old Testament: Joshua, Judges, Judith, Job, Jeremiah, Joel, Jonah

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS: St Margaret Ward

New Testament: John, James, Jude

After the Lord had delivered the people of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt, they wandered in " U< reached their destination, which is often called “the Promised Land�, a fertile land that would be theirs to farm and live, where they could raise their families. The Israelites did not just settle down and ‚ enemies and capture the city of Jericho. The exciting story of the battle of Jericho can be found in Joshua 6. This is a strong example of how obeying God can lead to victory over hardship, even though the people of Israel were not as numerous as their enemies. The account of the death of Joshua in Chapter 24 tells us he remembered as “a servant of the Lord�. If we obey God, He will consider us His faithful servants, too. „

Margaret Ward (d. 1588) was among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. The death of these Christians came after the English had defeated the attempted invasion of the Spanish Armada. Margaret was a friend of many of the English priests of the British Isles. She helped a priest named William Watson escape from prison, and

people and he set up a large stone in the sanctuary of the Lord. “This stone shall be our witness,� he said, “for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us.� „

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Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday August 26, 2012 „ CatholicNews

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

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Tuesdays RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA 7.45-9.45pm: At Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea (10 Yishun St 22). E: rcia.olss@gmail.com Wednesday Aug 22 to Friday Aug 24 MAKING DISCIPLES SPREADING LOVE – A RETREAT BY THOMAS SMITH 7.45-10pm (daily): Renowned US speaker evangelist and author Thomas Smith shares how to be better disciples of Christ and how to enable others to be disciples. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. Register E: aff@stmary.sg; W: http://www.stmary.sg/vatican2/pr2012 Wednesdays Aug 22 to Oct 24 CATHOLICISM: JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD AND DEEP INTO THE FAITH 8-10pm: Journey deep into the faith as you watch each episode on the Catholicism series by Fr Robert Barron. With silent adoration and small group discussions. At Church of St Ignatius. Register T: 9339 5145 (Tom), 9746 7549 (Terence); E: yam.stignatius@gmail.com Thursday Aug 23 to Saturday Aug 25 CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN – TRIDUUM 8pm (Aug 23-34), 6pm (Aug 25). Triduum in celebration of the Feast of the Queenship of Our Lady with Fr Ignatius Huan as preacher. Rosary begins 30 minutes before Mass. T: 9638 1479 (Francis); E: francis_ng52@hotmail.com Aug 23 iADORE 8.15-10pm: Eucharistic adoration. Confession available. At Church of the Holy Spirit Chapel. T: 6453 6349 ext 207 (Derek); E: youth@holyspirit.sg

Aug 23 HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS 8pm: At Church of the Holy Family Adoration Room. Friday Aug 24 to Sunday Aug 26 CHOICE WEEKEND Fri (6pm)-Sun (6pm): Take a break amidst your busyness. By Choice Singapore. At 47 Jurong West St 42. Register T: 9880 3093 (Dawn), 9046 2297 (Albert); E: registration@choice.org.sg Sundays Aug 26 to Sept 9 SE7EN – CHERISH Discover what it means to be cherished. With 2 Sunday sessions on Aug 26 and Sep 9 from 2-5pm at Church of St Francis Xavier and a stay-in-weekend retreat from Aug 31 8pm to Sep 2 2pm at ME House. For young adults 24-35 years old. Cost: $70. By Mustard Seed Community of Church of St Francis Xavier. Register T: 9236 3308 (Lionel), 9272 7884 (Martin); E: cherished@mustardseedcommunity.com; FB: www.facebook.com/2012seven Thursdays Aug 30 to Sept 27 PERSONAL COMPASS: THE ETHICS OF LOVE SEX AND MARRIAGE 7.30-9.45pm: This module addresses the gamut of controversial ethical issues related to love, sexuality, marriage and celibacy. Cost: $80. By SPI and Wonderfully Made!. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). Register T: 6858 7012 (Janice); E: janice@catholicspi.org Aug 31 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-9.30pm: Gather in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The evening begins with rosary, followed by scriptural ' At Church of St Ignatius St Francis Xavier Chapel Kingsmead Hall. E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com Aug 31 CHILDREN’S EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.45-9pm: Come and pray with our children and as a family. At Church of the Holy Spirit. T: 9362 5408; E: childreneucharisticadora@gmail.com; W: http://www.adorejesus.com Saturday Sept 1 to Sunday Sept 9 HEARTSPACE@ST MARY’S EXHIBITION Weekdays (6-10pm), Weekends (9am8pm): 30 budding artists will share their

faith journeys of spiritual discovery through their paintings and artworks. Artworks will be on sale with proceeds going to support the ministry and the church maintenance fund. At Church of St Mary of the Angels St Clare Hall (5 Bukit Batok East Ave 2); E: heartspace.stmary@gmail.com; W: http://www.stmary.sg Sept 1 THE AMAZING RACE – FAMILY EDITION 3.30-9pm: A great bonding activity for the entire family. Have fun in discovering the adventures of the race and the roads of Upper Serangoon area! By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lor Low Koon.). Register T: 6315 8812 (Shuba); E: programs@morningstar.org.sg Sept 2 CATHOLIC SINGLES MASS AND POTLUCK 10am-2pm: Meet up for Mass at church canteen at 10am followed by potluck lunch. Bring food to share. By Catholic Singles. At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com FB: http://www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesSingapore Sept 4, 7, 11 and 14 DEALING WITH MID-LIFE TRANSITIONS 7.30-9.30pm: 4 sessions with Sr Florence Wong, FMDM to look at making mid-life transitions. By SPI. At Blessed Sacrament Church St James Room. Register T: 6858 3011; E: admin@catholicspi.org Friday Sept 7 to Sunday Sept 9 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND Fri (6pm)-Sun (4pm): A weekend to help grieving single-again persons – widowed, divorced or separated – to experience positive growth through God. Register T: 9661 8089 (Joseph), 9647 9122 (Sue); E: josephchew@ippfa.com Friday Sept 7 to Sunday Sept 9 TASTE AND SEE Fri (7pm)-Sun (5pm): An introduction to silent retreats in the Ignatian tradition and experiencing God through meditation on the Word of God. Cost: $110 (non-aircon), $160 (aircon). By Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Register by Aug 28. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com Sept 8 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At The Armenian Church of

St Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill St). T: 9837 7256 (Benny); E: bennycah@gmail.com

Mondays Sept 17 to Nov 25 LANDINGS 7.45-10pm: A process for lapsed Catholics to regain a personal conviction of their Catholic faith and to explore returning to the Church. By Landings. At Church of the Holy Spirit. Register T: 9688 0920 (Tony); E: returning@landings.org.sg

Sunday Sept 9 to Saturday Sept 15 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER With taster afternoon on Sep 9 at 2pm. Learn to pray with scriptures using Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio Divina. Cost: $30. By Sojourners Companions. At Church of Divine Mercy. Register W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners

Friday September 28 to Sunday September 30 RETROUVAILLE Fri (7.30pm)-Sun (5.30pm): If you are serious about making your marriage work, this programme could be worthwhile for you. By Retrouvaille Singapore. At ME House (201B Punggol 17th Avenue). Register T: 6749 8861; W: http://helpourmarriage.sg

Sept 9 IHM BLOODMOBILE SOCIAL OUTREACH 10.30am-3.30pm: Give blood and save up to 3 lives. For 16-60 years old and those above 45kg. Bring NRIC/passport. At Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall (24 Highland Rd)

October 4 to November 6 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP 7.30-9.30pm: Developed by Boystown USA, this 6 session workshop will equip parents with effective techniques to address and improve their child’s behaviour as well as building good parent-child relationships. Cost: $150 (per person), $240 (couple). By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lor Low Koon. Register T: 6315 8812 (Shuba); E: programs@morningstar.org.sg

Sept 9 MALAYALAM MASS 7pm: Celebrant: Fr Dominic Xavier. At Blessed Sacrament Church. Sept 15 WHY AREN’T YOU LISTENING TO ME? 9am-12pm: A seminar on effective communication. Cost: $30. By Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by Sept 5. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

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JEROME V. GOMEZ PETER PATRICK 19/07/19-20/08/06 ENOCH We miss you Departed: Aug 27, 2005 in so many ways We miss you We miss things in so many ways you used to say We miss things And when old times you used to say we do recall And when old times It’s then we miss you we do recall most of all. It’s then we miss you most of all. Your loving family. Fondly remembered by Twenty-second family and loved ones. Anniversary In loving memory of In loving memory of

ANN MARY MORALES MDM CECILIA Departed: Aug 30, 2008 CHONG AH CHEAK In our home, you are Departed: Aug 28, 1993 fondly remembered. Peaceful be your rest, In our hearts, dear mother you will always live. Nineteen long years In our prayers, have passed away. you will always be. In our hearts Mummy, we miss you your memory lingers in so many ways. Sweetly tender, Lovingly remembered fond and true. and forever cherished Always remembered by sons, daughters, by daughter Theresa grandchildren and loved ones. and loved ones.

CLASSIFIED Thanksgiving to St Jude Dear St Jude, thank you for the many petitions that you have answered for me. Please continue to bless my family and everybody who implore your help.

Thank you St Jude for answering all my prayers and granting me so many wonderful miracles throughout the years. Please continue to help me always. Sylvia Seah

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In memoriam rates Minimum $65 for an insertion not exceeding an eight-centimetre column. Additional space: $6.50 per one-centimetre column.

ANTHONY AMIRDANATHAN MOSES GOH Departed: Aug 19, 2004 KHENG JOO Departed: Aug 18, 1990 We think of you in silence God took you home, No eyes can see it was His will us weep But in our hearts But still within we love and miss you our aching hearts Your memory Your memory we keep. is still dear today As we often sit Dearly missed by and think of you. wife and loved ones. Always remembered May his soul by all loved ones. rest in peace.

ACROSS 1 Part of pharaoh’s dream 5 Tribe of Israel 10 Catholic actor and crooner, Crosby 14 Peek-_____ 15 Michelangelo’s statue in the Vatican 16 Writer Wiesel 17 Dweeb 18 Rawhides 19 Rose fruit 20 Tasmanian peak 21 Down 22 Brewery device 23 Reticular 26 “_____ instantâ€? 27 Jesuit university in New York 32 Blemish 35 Tunic-like vestment 36 US government agency 37 Easter requirement 38 These versions are sometimes more graphic 40 Mil. mail centers 41 King Kong studio 42 Jesus told Peter to cast this out 43 Liturgical year start 45 Christ 47 “_____ us this day our daily bread‌â€? 48 Noah took them into the ark

52 Patron saint of servants 55 Catholic author of The Liars Club 58 Noted murdered shepherd 59 Leave out 60 Wear away 62 Talk irrationally 63 Loch 64 Go into 65 Chilled 66 Among 67 Hammer heads 68 Is unwell

27 H5N1 28 Acquire 29 Faith _____ and charity 30 Gnostic being 31 In the greatest number 32 Architect’s abbreviation 33 One of the evangelists 34 Plains people 35 ___ of Contrition 39 OT historical book 40 First Catholic university to be built in the United States in about 40 years

44 506, to Cato 46 “______ at the right hand of the Father� 47 First place 49 Beaded counters 50 Horizontal 51 Snow conveyances 52 French novelist 53 Mosque bigwig 54 Polynesian carved image 55 Retain 56 “Judith� composer 57 Routine 61 Hosp. trauma centers

DOWN 1 _____ of the Mass 2 Corpulent 3 Most unfavorable 4 Group of laity established for a Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1064 religious purpose. S H E E P A W A Y K O F I 5 Computer P O P E I T O R C O L O R programme, for short A N I M A A R E A M I L K 6 Number of Y A R D J O C K S M O T sacraments, in P R E C E P T C A I N Mainz P R O G O L G O T H A 7 Paradise Lost? L A P S E E L B Y P A S S 8 Miss Kett T R U T H H A R I O U I S 9 Impetuous B L U E A R A R A T 10 “___ the handmaid N A N E E R E N T I R E T Y of the Lord‌â€? B U S H P U C K I S H 11 Hip bones B E G E T F A S T D W I 12 Little drinks B R A C O C E A N I T E R 13 Exploit 24 End of Time? K A L I W I D E R I A N T 25 Native Hawaiian E L S A I D E M Y O L K S w w w . w o rdgamesforcatholics.com priest

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Sunday August 26, 2012 CatholicNews

PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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