DECEMBER 30, 2012, Vol 62, No 26

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VOL 62

NO. 26

Mary, Joseph and the Child Jesus are depicted in a Nativity scene painted by Benedictine nuns in Madrid, Spain. CNS/Art Resource/Album)

SUNDAY DECEMBER 30, 2012

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Archbishop’s Christmas message “And the Word became Flesh and made His dwelling among us� (John 1:1-18) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Mary and the Christ Child are depicted in a contemporary icon. CNS photo

The proclamation of Christmas is a light that shines for all people. “Emmanuel�, God-withus, comes to dwell in our midst bringing with Him the universal message of love, hope and peace. As we eagerly await the coming of our Saviour, we share with Mary her joyful anticipation of the Child Jesus. This great and fascinating mystery of God’s incarnation is what we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus, “The-Word-Made-Flesh�, desires to be close to us. Amidst the glow of Christmas, we are reminded of how God so humbled Himself to take the form of a child to live with us.

May the presence of Christ in us enable us to reach out to the poor, aged, sick, the lonely and migrants. This revelation of God’s great love for us is a light of truth revealed only to those with open hearts and who receive it in trust. In this Year of Faith, let our gaze be constantly on Him who promises salvation and let our goal be “our personal encounter with the Lord�, as exhorted by Pope Benedict XVI in the opening of the Year of Faith. During this spirit of Christmas, I pray for a deeper contemplation of God’s great love for us

and may the doors of our hearts be always open to His peace and joy. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, together let us journey through this great mystery of love. May the light of Christ shine forth anew in our lives and may the birth of the Saviour strengthen our faith through a deeper communion with Him and one another. May the presence of Christ in us enable us to make efforts to reach out to the poor, aged, sick, the lonely and migrants, extending His love and mercy to them. A blessed Christmas to one ! " Year. Yours-in-Christ,

# $ !

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Dec 24 Midnight Cathedral of the Good Shepherd: Mass –Christmas Vigil Mass Dec 25 10.00am Cathedral of the Good Shepherd: Mass Dec 26 8.00pm Church of St Stephen: Mass – Feastday Dec 30 11.15am Church of the Holy Family: Mass – Feastday Dec 31 10.45pm Cathedral of the Good Shepherd: First Mass of the Year 2013 Jan 03 7.00pm Cathedral of the Good Shepherd: Red Mass – Catholic Lawyers’ Guild

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Families head to the Philippines for Advent mission work “Mission trips can be so fun and enriching!� said Sophia Goh, 12, from the Church of the Holy Cross, “I didn’t expect it to be so awesome. The kids I met brought smiles to my face every waking hour. I realised that we are truly blessed in Singapore.� Goh was among the 42 participants, consisting of 17 adults, 23 children and two Verbum Dei Missionaries, who attended & ' ( ' ) from Dec 5-9. The trip was organised by the Verbum Dei Missionaries to reach out to the needy people of Tagaytay City, Philippines. “We have always organised mission trips for young working * $ " & ' mission trip organised for families " + & / ' old,� commented Sr Sandra Seow, one of the organisers of the trip. She added that the aim was to inculcate a sense of empathy in both adults and children, and work together as a family to reach out to the less fortunate during Advent. The Singaporean participants, upon arriving at the Verbum Dei Retreat Centre at Tagaytay, were ; " ' $' ( mothers and young people from the nearby slum areas with traditional dances such as the karakol and tinikling. After morning prayers each day, the group would set off for various activities like harvesting tapioca and coffee beans in a farm, cooking spaghetti and feeding children from a slum area, and praying the rosary in the houses of the nearby neighbours. One striking experience for

Participants giving spaghetti to the children from the slum area.

The participants experience the hard work of harvesting tapioca.

the participants was when they visited a very poor area where houses were made of discarded cardboards, plastic and wooden < * " = ing. There, the group gave packets of fruit juices and biscuits to the children and invited them to the Christmas party on Dec 8. Raphael Michael, 11, from the Church of Blessed Sacrament, said, “Living in Singapore where we have almost everything we can ask for often leads us to take things for granted. Seeing people, especially children, who live in

slums without proper living condition and food was heart-wrenching and I couldn’t imagine being in their shoes. The thing that impressed me the most was the joy I saw in each one of them despite the little they had.�

Ms Melody Wong, 38, from the Church of the Holy Spirit, shared that although the people suffered from poverty, “they still have the simple trust in God�. She added, “We received so much more from the people we met

The aim of the mission trip was to inculcate a sense of empathy in both adults and children, in order to reach out to the less fortunate during this season of Advent. – Verbum Dei Missionary Sr Sandra Seow

– their generosity, openness, smiles – compared to what we had given.� During the Christmas party, the participants played games and entertained the children and mothers with a fashion show, a Christmas skit, singing songs and even did the “Singapore Workout� with them. Gifts for the children as well as food hampers for the mothers were distributed. > ? * & * + Church of St Ignatius, said, “I have learnt that Christmas is about Jesus’ birth and I have to treasure what I have.� „

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Thai mission trip helps young people appreciate life By Gloria Koh A group of young people from Singapore went to Pattaya, Thailand, where they interacted with orphaned children, practised English with disabled students and took blind children to the beach. Redemptorist Fr Simon Pereira led the group of 60 young people on a Redemptorist Overseas Mission Exposure (R.O.M.E.) trip from Dec 1-9. The primary aim of the mission was to expose the group to the culture and lifestyle of the underprivileged in Pattaya and to spread God’s love to them. R.O.M.E trips started a couple of years ago. Seeing how it $ ' ; the past, Fr Simon and his team invited young people from Maris Stella High School, CHIJ Katong Convent Secondary, Church of Divine Mercy and Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on the mission trip. The youngest member was an 11-year-old girl while most of the young people were between the ages of 14 and 19. The mission team visited several projects by the Father Ray Foundation, which were the Children’s Village, the Children’s Home, the School for the Blind, the School for the Disabled and the School for the Deaf. The Children’s Village takes

in children who have been abandoned, abused and orphaned up to the age of nine. The Children’s Home takes in slightly older children and organises life-skills classes for them, apart from the classes they attend in schools. At the Children’s Village and the Children’s Home, the team shared that though language was a barrier, many found that it made them more creative in the way they communicated with the Thais which went beyond words. Euan, 15, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour said: “At the Children’s Village we got to play with the little children and see what kind of life they lived. “At the Children’s Home we got to play sports with the older children. Although they did not have families, they seemed much more peaceful and happy then we are,� he added. The next few days saw the

The mission team from Singapore brings blind youths on a beach outing in Pattaya.

team visiting the School for the Disabled, School for the Deaf and School for the Blind. At the School for the Disabled, the R.O.M.E. members practised conversational English with the disabled students from the Conversational English classes. “I thought the students in the School of the Disabled were very good in their English and very determined, perhaps more determined than us.� said Soong Hung

Ning, 13, from Maris Stella High School. “I’ve learnt that although they are disadvantaged, their thirst for knowledge and success is much stronger than ours,� Soong added. At the School for the Deaf, the R.O.M.E. members befriended the deaf children and learnt sign language. The deaf children made it easy and fun for the team to pick it up. On Dec 7, the team brought

I’ve learnt that ‘although they are disadvantaged, their thirst for knowledge and success is much stronger than ours.

’

– Soong Hung Ning, 13, Maris Stella High School

A sign language class at the School for the Deaf.

blind young people to the beach for an outing. This outing saw the Singaporean team placing the safety of the young Thais above theirs and seeing to the needs of their blind friends at the beach. They played in the water which brought smiles and cheer to the Thais. The last place that the Singapore group visited was the Pattaya Orphanage. Here, the team interacted with the orphaned infants and toddlers. “Though time spent with them was short, I felt a strong bond between us. Now I understand how my parents must have felt as they took care of me for the past 17 years,� said Aloysius Tan from the Church of Divine Mercy. On the last day, the mission team met a Thai lady named Nui. She was born without limbs but she had fought hard to live a normal life. Her story touched many of the R.O.M.E. members and made them realise that if God could take care of the least of their brothers and sisters, He could do the same for them. „

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Telling the Nativity story at St Ignatius Church By Martin See Visitors to the Church of St Ignatius these days would be greeted by an intricately crafted Nativity scene measuring 6.7 m by 4 m. The display, in front of the main church, is largely the work of parishioner Bernard Yeo, a businessman. U + ; rines of the Holy Family and the three kings, which were provided by the church, Mr Yeo handcrafted the inn that was too full to take in Mary and Joseph, a market building, a side house, a well, furniture, + = "ing through a miniature village. He used materials such as wood, ice-cream sticks and Styrofoam for his replicas. Other items such as miniature fruits and vegetables, and gunny sacks of grain, were bought during his travels overseas. Mr Yeo has created Nativity scenes for the church in the past few years, but this has been his largest project so far, one that parish priest Fr Philip Heng asked him to undertake. “I got this idea ... from my travels to Europe, especially Rome when I saw that the Nativity scene displayed there had a village and told the story of Jesus’

birth in a more picturesque and interesting manner,� said Fr Heng. To make the objects, Mr Yeo used a bedroom in his house as a studio. “It was the Holy Spirit that kept me going,� said Mr Yeo, who presented the Nativity scene to the church as a gift. “My wife was amazed that on some nights I would stay up as late as four in the morning to do the work!� Mr Yeo said he researched the ' + + and vegetables people ate then as well as their household items. “It was truly a labour of love and it was made with the intention that

Mr Bernard Yeo (left) handcrafted items in the Nativity scene for the church, such as the inn (above), which had no room for Mary and Joseph.

it had to last for years to come, so although some items may be small they had to be lasting,� he added. Fr Heng said he hopes the display would help those who view it “celebrate the coming of Christ into our hearts and homes� and reach out to the marginalised. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

Wanted: players for youth orchestra * = and charity�. In order “to have a positive The Church of the Risen Christ is working towards setting up a experience� at rehearsals, players youth orchestra to provide young “will have to forgo play time and inpeople with another avenue of stead practise their music�, he said. The music played by the orserving the Church. The initiative came about when chestra is also expected to help Dr Aloysius Leong, who attends the young people become more familchurch, approached parish priest Fr iar with Church liturgy. The orchestra will play at John Sim about performing orchesChristmas, Easter and tral music in the church Corpus Christi as well to raise funds for canas perform one charity cer-stricken children. concert a year. Dr Leong is head The orchestra is of string music at the taking in young people Australian Internaaged 12-18 from all tional School. churches in Singapore. Fr Sim then sugPlayers should have gested setting up an orchestra ministry for young Catholics. ABRSM (Associated “By setting up a Board of the Royal youth orchestra, we Dr Aloysius Leong Schools of Music) or can create a more vibrant community for young peo- equivalent. Orchestra members ple . . . to be engaged in meaningful also need to have their own inapostolate ministry with the Risen struments. Young children who have no Christ Church,� said Fr Sim. The upcoming orchestra hopes musical background can particito take in 46 string players, 10 pate in a training orchestra after woodwind players, 11 brass play- the formation of the main orchesers and up to six percussion play- tra is complete. For more information, contact ers, starting with the formation of Dr Aloysius Leong (dr.al.leong@ the strings section. Dr Leong, who will direct the gmail.com or SMS 8300 2548). „ orchestra once it is set up, said that “music is one of the best tools martin.see@catholic.org.sg By Martin See

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A poet shares her spiritual odyssey Dr Anne Lee’s latest collections of poems and personal sharings give the reader an insight into her remarkable journey of faith By Christopher Khoo Reading Singaporean poet Anne Lee Tzu Pheng’s latest works is akin to witnessing an artist’s spiritual journey as she shares her = + * various other matters. “Of late, I’m very much conscious of ‌ the working of the Spirit through words,â€? the parishioner of the Church of St Mary of the Angels said during the launch of her three latest books at the church’s St Clare Hall. “I do see words as angels, messengers of God ‌ When you put them in a group, like a poem, all kinds of things can happen, things beyond your control.â€? Dr Lee, 66, a candidate in the Secular Franciscan Order, launched Short Circuits, Catching Connections and Sing a Song of Mankind on Dec 8. Short Circuits, a collection of essays, is clearly the most autobiographical of the three. In it, she shares her at times intense spiritual experiences and musings on her Catholic faith, as well as the connection between spirituality and literature, mainly poetry. In one essay, the former associate professor of English Literature at the National University of Singapore, who converted to Catholicism in 1989, shares that her faith journey began even before she was baptised. Listening to a reading of a poem by the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins at the age of 23, “a curious receptivity had been preparing me for some sort of revelation about my lifeâ€?.

Then in 1987, she experienced ; ; " “saw� the “suffering Christ� in the face of a university student. This happened even before she was baptised. From 2008-2010, she underwent what spiritual writers would describe as the “dark night of the soul�. God seemed “silent� then and “prayer seemed useless�, she recalls. However, “the light began to penetrate bit by bit� when she began to write creatively again and rejoined the parish’s lectors’ ministry. U = ; pilgrimages to places associated with St Francis of Assisi in Italy, Dr Lee also makes a spiritual connection with poetry-writing: “Poetry, as I have come to see in my own practice, is a way to tap into the very life of this Mystery we call God, through His own holy gift of words. God spoke Creation into being.� Catching Connections, a collection of poems with a few short stories at the end, continues her = + * ; ; $ject matter from poetry, nation and religion to love and cyberspace. ) # < = her love for wordplay: we are all crooks caught in the hand of the Chief Shepherd he uses us as hooks to bring the strays back Poems such as Little Flowers From The Rieti Valley see the poet = ; + + ( during a pilgrimage to Italy:

I do see words as ‘angels, messengers of God ‌ When you put them in a group, like a poem, all kinds of things can happen, things beyond your control.

’

– Dr Anne Lee Tzu Pheng

Dr Anne Lee poses with her recently launched books: Short Circuits, Catching Connections and Sing a Song of Mankind (Landmark Books).

Francis, little brother, your heart was larger than this open country ... Brother Wind, you carry Brother Crow on your back that he may feel his Creator’s sustaining breath ...

This collection also contains several short stories – what Dr Lee ^ ; " = & _ " $ ters’ painful spiritual experiences. Thanks Be to God, for example, tells how the protagonist sees

something in a sacristy he would have preferred not to see, and which haunts him for the rest of his life. In Close to the Saints, a woman remembers how a religious-fanatic teacher tried to perform an exorcism on her. The last book, Sing a Song of Mankind, contains satirical treatment of traditional English nursery rhymes, providing commentary on social issues from the 1960s to present day, such as space exploration, the Vietnam War, racism and drug-taking. Dr Lee is also the author of the following collections of poetry: Prospect Of A Drowning (1980), Against The Next Wave (1988), The Brink Of An Amen (1991) and Lambada By Galilee & Other Surprises (1997). Short Circuits ($18), Catching Connections ($13) and Sing a Song of Mankind ($18) are available at MPH, Kinokuniya, Books Actually and Select Books. „ christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

‘Discovering God’s hand in everything in life’ Excerpts of an email interview with Dr Lee:

Q: Short Circuits appears to be the most autobiographical of your three latest books.

A:

It was a form of self-interrogation – about my faith, and my writing, and how the two are completely connected in my & ; U " ' ; + " U $ lieved about myself, what I was living, was authentic. From a more personal perspective, too, there have been ideas which I have not found any Catholics around me to discuss with in any real sense. Many I work with are very good Catholics but inarticulate and/or uncurious about such things. + = volved trying to get things clear for myself. I found that as the writing proceeded,

the sense of randomness diminished; it was overtaken by a growing conviction about the richness of God’s dealings with us, not only in terms of variety but of connectedness of everything in us and outside us. So when I invite readers to go on these “short circuits�, it is really to get them to see a little of the divinity in the minutiae of life that our faith could help us see. For me discovering God’s hand in everything in our lives is nothing short of a miraculous eye-opening. If all this makes my Catholic reader see his faith as potentially opening up the world to him, thus showing him/her how much more interesting/enriching life could be, I would see that as a bonus.

Q: How do you hope these sharings will impact the non-Christian reader?

A: Perhaps such a reader will come to insights about our faith, and also realise that the Christian’s world is as large as anybody’s and not limited to pious talk and “churchy� subjects. Q: How do you hope Catching Connections will impact the reader, considering its wide range of subject matter. A: I do not write to create an impact except that which any communication to another human being creates. But I can say that I hope this latest clutch of poems opens up the reader’s sense of the “world� of poetry; that just about anything under the sun may be the subject for poetry. Q:

The short stories towards the end deal with painful spiritual experiences. What is your aim in writing these stories?

A: ( ; + ' " * ' thought, really, is to see if I could write a story! Perhaps I drew upon my own practice, which I have been aware of for some time now, a kind of interior running conversation with God. I imagine that if someone, a Catholic like me, were in some pain or facing some trouble, she/he might have a certain running conversation with God in which Catholic phrases and prayers are a natural part of their speech. I have also come to realise that most people are broken people in one sense or another; healing and serenity if arrived at, & ' + + ' and often in the later years, if at all. = * < "* ; + \ I choose subjects who are troubled and suffering. „

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The Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ led by Sir Peter Low performing its Away in a Manger concert on Dec 16.

Sharing festive cheer with global carols By Martin See Diplomats from 28 countries, along with Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan, placed decorations on a Christmas tree during a concert at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd recently. They then sang Let there be Peace on Earth together with the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ. The special guests were among 800 people who attended the Dec 16 choral concert titled Away in a Manger. ) + + " concert featured Christmas music from well known composers such as Handel, Palestrina, Poulenc and Rutter. The traditional carol, Silent Night, was also sung in German. In between the songs were Scripture readings and short prayers. The second part of the concert featured a lively medley of carols from countries including Nigeria, India, Korea, Vietnam, Brazil and Venezuela, sung in the native languages. It was accompanied by dance movements.

Also present at the concert were Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Archbishop Nicholas Chia and Anglican Bishop Rennis Ponniah, who was installed bishop of the Anglican Church in Singapore in October. The Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ is led by Sir Peter Low who founded it in 1970. The choir has performed internationally, including for Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II.

Meanwhile, a giant parol, a starlike decoration common in the Philippines during the Christmas season, has been set up outside the cathedral by the Filipino community. The parol is a symbol of hope and joy for Filipinos during the Advent and Christmas seasons. The giant lantern at the cathedral measures 4.6 by 3.7 m and is lighted in the evenings.„ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

A huge parol, a star-like decoration, set up by the Filipino community outside the cathedral.

Theologian discusses popes’ thinking By Martin See Well-known theologian Prof Tracey Rowland delivered a talk on the thinking of Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI on Dec 16. The event was organised by the Apostolate for Catholic Truth and held in a cafĂŠ in South Bridge Road. “Western civilisation is currently at the crossroads between ‘the civilisation of love’ and the ‘culture of death’â€?, said Prof Rowland, quoting Blessed John Paul II. The culture of death is not

only about abortion but a culture where grace, sacraments and mystery have no place, said the dean of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, Australia. Human life and relationships are also seen as accidents of biology and history, she added. Prof Rowland, who is author of two books on the theology of Pope Benedict, also noted that the pope has emphasised the theological virtues of faith, hope, love, beauty and liturgical reform. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

Prof Tracey Rowland

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December youth camps held for Mandarin-speaking young people By Darren Boon Several Mandarin-speaking young people participated in youth camps earlier this month. Eighty young people from Singapore and Malacca aged 12 to 21 attended the Camp held by Commission for Apostolate of Mandarin Speaking in Singapore (CAMS) at Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Nativity from Dec 13 to 16. Forty-four local young people joined their 36 Malaysian counterparts to foster relationships, interaction and mutual learning between the two groups while deepening their own relationship with God. Touching on one of the camp’s themes on putting one’s heart into action, Fr Peter Zhang spoke about the significance of the Advent season, its themes of hope, peace, joy and love, and how young people can actively participate during the season. He also showed a clip

of a modern-day Good Samaritan to link it to the camp’s theme. Fr Joseph Zhang Liyong spoke on the other theme of awakening and belief, and cited examples such as Abraham, Mother Teresa of Kolkata and St John Vianney on how one can respond to God’s call and live out the faith. Apart from spiritual talks and activities such as the washing of feet to promote the spirit of service, and Eucharistic adoration, the participants took part in games based on popular television programmes such as a round-the-island Amazing Race and Korea’s Running Man. Agnes Ng, 17, from Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea told CatholicNews, “What I have learnt from the youth camp is that spiritual life can be very active at a young age. All you need is an open heart and constant guidance from the mature ones.�

Campers seen here at St Anne’s Church, having completed their mission during their ‘Amazing Race’ event.

Ng also said that although the Malaysian youths were initially shy, they became more outspoken and enthusiastic about the camp after the ice was broken. Meanwhile 20 teenagers be-

tween 13 and 18 years of age from the Legion of Mary participated in a camp from Dec 14 to 18 at Maris Stella High School. With the theme of Homecoming, the camp hoped to deepen

I have learnt from the youth camp ‘What is that spiritual life can be very active at a young age. All you need is an open heart and constant guidance.

’

– Agnes Ng, a youth camp participant

the members spiritually while having fun. Activities included talks on forgiveness and reconciliation, the values of family, love, peace and '* ; " = * rosary prayers and games. ) " held on the second last day of the camp. Vincent Auyong, 14, from Church of St Michael said he enjoyed the games, and through the | = * more about “love and respect�. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Catholic nun, Anglican collaborate on book Quiet Journeys explores what it means to embark on a spiritual journey through By Darren Boon It was with the thought of encouraging people to embark on a retreat, to cultivate a habit of stillness and meditation that prompted Good Shepherd Sr Elizabeth Lim and a lay Anglican, Melanie Lee, to collaborate on a book. Quiet Journeys: Finding Stillness in Chaos, explores what it means to embark on a quiet spiritual journey through solitude,

= U " + ' Dec 16 at the Good Shepherd Oasis, a retreat centre on the grounds of the Good Shepherd Convent on Marymount Road. Speaking to CatholicNews before the book launch, Ms Lee, a freelance writer who had attended retreats at the centre, said she wanted to write about it after learning it would have to make way for development. The book was later revised to include Sr Elizabeth’s experiences in spiritual accompaniment to attract a wider readership. ) " the end of 2011, and work on the book started early this year, taking six months to complete. Ms Lee said that working with Sr Elizabeth, who established the retreat centre in 1998, was a pleasant experience as the latter had a wealth of experience and information. Ms Lee would meet the nun fortnightly and interview her at length, after which the former would then return home to put it into writing.

She would show the drafts to Sr Elizabeth who would give further inputs and suggestions. “The book is very much told from her [Sr Elizabeth’s] view,� Ms Lee said. Both Ms Lee and Sr Elizabeth said that Quiet Journeys is not meant to be a “self-help book� and caution readers against expecting instant results after reading it. Rather, Quiet Journeys is an invitation for readers to explore the idea of deepening their relationship with God through solitude or a guided retreat, they say.

Entering into solitude on what one can do for others, as it draws from one’s inner goodness, says Sr Elizabeth Lim. According to Sr Elizabeth, people have the misconception that being still and quiet is “futile�. The world, including Singapore, stresses the importance of activity, she notes. Many people just go about their daily activities and never learn to stop, she laments. However, entering into solitude " = " can do for others, as it draws from one’s inner goodness, she says. Quiet Journeys is divided into

Good Shepherd Sr Elizabeth Lim (left) and Ms Melanie Lee pose with their book.

three parts: solitude, meditation = ) * " ++ from loneliness. The second introduces meditation as a discipline to achieve solitary moments, and includes several meditation methods. The last part takes a look at re= ; ; &

on oneself. The book also includes testimonies from those who have attended retreats at Oasis. “Hopefully those who never hear me will read [the book] and it will strike a chord in the hearts,� said Sr Elizabeth. She hopes readers would come to realise that there is a “whole lot of beautiful things in them� yet to

be developed, and the book would inspire them to go on this search. Ms Lee said she does not know how the book would impact readers “but I just hope whoever reads it would feel stirrings within their heart, and be encouraged in knowing God wants to help them�. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

BOOK REVIEW

An impressive spiritual guide book By Isabel Chua This is a little gem of a book. Its 61 pages condense spiritual advice from a seasoned spiritual director, a masterly summary of the case for solitude in our busy lives, and a succinct summary of three established methods of meditation and contemplation in the Christian tradition. Written by Good Shepherd Sr Elizabeth Lim with freelance writer and regular retreatant Melanie Lee, it works at one level as a commemorative book on the Oasis centre, a serene retreat house at Marymount, nestled on a hillock overlooking MacRitchie Reservoir.

Here, thousands have come in search of the quiet voice of God within them, including co-writer Lee, whose clear, elegant prose adds grace to the narrative, accentuated by the simple beauty of photographs of the rooms and grounds at the retreat centre. Quiet Journeys belongs to the category of books on solitude and spirituality written by spiritual directors and practitioners of the contemplative life, offering practical advice and guidance for those who want to embark on this journey. It is to the writers’ credit that the book holds its own even in the crowded market of spiritual guide

books, offering a very good introduction to the value of solitude in the Christian journey. It makes a compelling case for the place of solitude, medi = life. Most valuable of all is the section on different methods of meditation, which give readers a clear, easy-to-follow summary of how to begin the spiritual practices. But as Sr Elizabeth makes '* = tion at home is no substitute for taking time out for retreats with God, where time is allocated for daily conversations with a trained spiritual director.

Such a director provides an added layer of check so that one = ; ~ own distorted versions of truth. The value of this book is twofold: to present a readable introduction to solitude and silence as a spiritual discipline; and to tell readers in Singapore and the region of the resources available to guide them in this journey at the Oasis. „ Quiet Journeys: Finding stillness in chaos (Armour Publishing) is available at Katong Catholic Book Centre (6345-1413) and CatholicNews Book and Media (6858-3066). Price: $14 excluding GST.

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Christmas cheer for Indonesian kids, families By Edwin Yeow This Christmas season, the Epiphany Mission group from the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, together with parishioners from other churches went on mission trips to Indonesia’s Riau Islands to spread Christmas cheer. On Dec 9, the mission group and members of other parishes spent time with students of the St Ignatius Loyola School, located on Rempang island southeast of Batam. The 25-member group organised a Christmas celebration for the students including a lunch spread, a concert and the presentation of prizes and gifts. The 160 Indonesian students " ; & / ' Parents of students were also in&  ; priest, the nuns and the school staff. The Epiphany group has been conducting English language lessons for students of the school and another Indonesian school at Tanjong Pinang once a fortnight from March to October for the past few years. Mr Tommy Ng, his wife and two teenage children, made 20 chocolate cakes in Singapore and brought the cakes to share with the students there. He also brought along two bags of soft toys and other items for the students. The youngest in the group was Astrina who completed her PSLE

this year. She went to Rempang + & ' ; & Other members in the group were mostly teachers who went there regularly to teach English to the students. During the concert, the Indonesian students sang Christmas songs in English and Bahasa Indonesia. Each class put on a performance for the audience and & ' angklung. ‚ " & * students were excited and hap ' $ " Christmas lunch was prepared for ? * „ " ; & students who had produced the best Christmas drawings. On Dec 15, another group of parishioners from the Epiphany Mission group and some parishioners from the Church of the Na & ' + † ; ' " ‡ ; & food items to about 100 poor fam-

Mr Tommy Ng hands out chocolate cake to young Indonesians on Rempang island.

) ; & ' the island. Ten students from Boys’ Town, led by a social worker and

discipline master came along, too. One set of food items comprised a sack of rice, a large packet of noodles, two bottles of sauce

A man receives his sack of rice from a Singaporean visitor on Karimum island (left) while a housewife thanks another Singaporean visitor for donating food items.

and two packets of cooking oil. Students from Boys’ Town also helped to distribute food items to the other poor families and did chores for them. Many parishioners from Church of the Immaculate Heart + ' " ‡ was one of them. She said that distributing food items to the families was a good and meaning+ ˆ $ ; & ; & ; tions of others. Mr Anthony Yeo, another * ; ling was a nice experience for ) + & " delighted with the carolling, and + ; & The Singapore group attended Mass at the St Joseph Church, and a donation of $1,000 was made on behalf of the group to the priest. „

ASIA 13

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

SHANGHAI, CHINA – A Vatican

+ ' & + $ ~ $' ; & $ ~ + * ' ; ^ < ' Š & _ U † / * # $ & > ) ( * ' + ; ; + ‹& ; + Œ * & ; ' $ † ; $ ~ + ^ & " & $ * & < _ ) $ ~ + * " ; $' † * & " & < ; # ˆ ' ) | ~ * # ; # " ; ' " * $ ~ + $ & + ‘ ? ’ ;* & + Œ # * / $ ~ + & < ~ & ^ Š _ $ + + ) ' ; ^ " _*

Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin announced he was quitting the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association during his episcopal ordination.

# ‘ ' “* † & $ $ $ ' | * ' ; " & + ' * $ ^ _ ” ; ' ; $ $ ) * " & $' † * $ ~ + + $ ' & ; ; $ " ; $ + ' ; ;

+ $ ; + & ;

* " ^) ' ; " $ ' ; ; " Š ˆ ' $ * ; & $' *_ ^" + $ ; ' _* ) ' < ; & ; " & ; ; + * U * # $ & > ^ " ' ' + & + '_ + " & " † ^ & $

$' $ ~ + + $' _* ^) $ & + $ <

+ ' ; ’ + ( *_ # ; * $ ; ' ; ^ _* " > " & * $ " $ " ' •* „ CNS

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, said the government-sanctioned Chinese bishops’ conference has no power to revoke Shanghai Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma’s appointment.

14 ASIA

Church calendar goes electronic SHIJIAZHUANG, CHINA – What is

$ & $ $ & $ $ '* ; ; " ; + U U ; – ; " ~  — $ ' ˜* $ & ' < ' ' & + '~ & ) ^Œ + ™$ š_ $ & " $ + ( Œ * Š $ ) ;

" ' " ~ ; $ + ; U Š " ' * Š „ ; $ ( Œ & $ + + $ < ; & ; ^ ;; $ ' * ; ' ; *_ ‘ – * " ( Œ ~ & ( Œ & & " " * + $ The calendar can be accessed at http://www.xinde.org/index.php ?m=content&c=index&a=lists& catid=70 and http://www.xinde. org/wnl „ CNS

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

against reproductive law MANILA – Œ ' " + ” & > & + " > /“ ; ; " ; " + /œ* ; ‘ # * ' ; + ~ + + Œ * + Œ ; #| ; ; "* $ " $' "' " ^) ”> $ ; ; + + '* $ ' + ; *_ ; # > ˆ ' & $ ' + & ^ '* ˆ ˆ ++ _ U Œ * & " ' & $ * $ ' $' ; & ) > & ; $ + $ + & * ; ; & + '

The Philippine Reproductive Health bill ‘is against the goodness of family, the stability of marriage’. # $ % & general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

Mothers with their newborns wait for checkups at a hospital in Manila. Both houses of the Philippine congress have passed the Reproductive Health bill. CNS photo

; + " ; ; ' * + $ + ' & $' ; & ‚ $ ; Œ * $ ; & -

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& " < /• ' ' ; ; & ; ; ' + & ;  &

+

) ; $ * & + ' + + „ CNS

Thousands attend funeral of nurse hoaxed in UK

Priest sacked over COCHIN, INDIA – )

~ + ‡ ' + '

* " $ ; + + < ; ; ( # * < + * /“ " & ; ~ & * Œ ) + U U ! & $ * ' $ ( ‘ ‡ + & ; ; ' + • ' ; U > * ž #* ˆ + ; ˆ ; ;

) # " ; ' " & * ; ( ‡ * + < ' U " ˆ ^U ~ + + *_ ( # ‡ > ) & ' ” < ; + < $ + < ; " < ‡ „ CNS

! " CNS photo MANGALORE, INDIA – ) ; & * Š ; * U * + + + " < + + + ; + ˆ + # ) + + ‘ < /“  ? ' + > > $ * $ „ * " ; * & ‹ ; & $ '  / * '

+ ? ~ ‚ U Š $ + + " * ^‚ ~ $

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IN THE WAKE OF TYPHOON BOPHA: Young victims of the typhoon which lashed the Philippines pray inside a makeshift shelter on Dec 11 after their house in the coastal town of Cateel was destroyed. Church agencies are rushing to meet the needs of typhoon victims. CNS photo

MANILA – #+ ( $ ˆ ; ' Œ | " < < œ $' ˆ ‘ | „* ˆ * + Œ + ~ " ++ ˆ + ˆ + ˆ ; $ & ;; " | + ; ' * ' ; Œ | ~ " " | „ + ;; Œ | $ ; * & ; $ + > + ˆ +

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' * ' ;* ^) ~ " ; + ; ; ; �Œ ~ + * + $ ˆ ; _ ) " ' ^ & + Œ | & ; " | $ ; ' & " ; " + * Œ | ; " ' < $ + _ „ CNS

WORLD 15

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Church offers aid, solidarity after US shooting tragedy Pope Benedict XVI conveys ‘heartfelt grief’ to victims and families NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT, USA – Pope Benedict XVI has sent a

message of condolence and soli ' + ; Sandy Hook Elementary School in the US, even as Church personnel rush to provide assistance to victims’ families. In a message uploaded on the Diocese of Bridgeport home page, the Vatican secretary of state conveyed the pope’s “heartfelt grief and the assurance of this closeness in prayer to the victims and their families, and to all affected by the shocking event�. “In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, he asks God, our Father, to console all those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love,� said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. On Dec 14, Adam Lanza, 20, went on a shooting rampage at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, leaving 20 children and six adults dead. Police said he later killed himself. In a statement released late that evening, New York Cardinal Timothy M Dolan, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the shooting “wrenches the hearts of all people� and the “tragedy of innocent people dying through violence shatters the peace of all�. “At this time, we pledge especially our prayerful support to

aftermath of this senseless tragedy, ‘In the [the pope] asks God ... to console all those who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence,

’

– Papal message conveyed by Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

A boy is comforted outside Sandy Hook Elementary School after a gunman ' % *+ / " CNS photo

the Diocese of Bridgeport and the community of Newtown as they cope with this almost unbearable sorrow,� he said. “We pray that the peace that passes understanding be with them as they deal with the injuries they have sustained and with the deaths of their beautiful children.� Mr Brian Wallace, diocesan director of communications, told Catholic News Service that Msgr Robert Weiss, parish priest of St Rose of Lima Church there, was

at the school almost immediately after the tragedy occurred. When the enormity of the incident began to unfold, he said, all the priests in the area began reach-

ing out “at the most intimate and painful level� to meet with families. “They’re on the ground and in the hospital,� he added. He said counsellors from Catholic Charities, a network of US Church social service organisation, some of whom provided assistance after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in nearby New York, are helping with trauma counselling in the community. The St Rose of Lima Church’s Nativity play was cancelled that night, and a special evening Mass held. The church remained open all night for prayer. News media reported that = < + the parish’s four Sunday Masses, seeking solace in the aftermath of the violence. „ CNS

16 WORLD

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Christmas trees ‘remind believers of Christ’s light’ VATICAN CITY – The light of

Christ has not dimmed over the past 2,000 years, but Christians today have an obligation to resist attempts to extinguish it, knowing that whenever societies have tried to pretend God did not exist, tragedy followed, Pope Benedict XVI said. He made his remarks on Dec 14 during a morning audience with civic leaders and pilgrims from the town of Pescopennataro and the province of Isneria, which • & + Peter’s Square. At the audience earlier, Pope Benedict said the gift of the tree was a sign of the faith and religiosity of the southern Italian communities that also donated smaller trees for the Apostolic Palace. Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah as “a great light for the people who walked in darkness�, the pope said. “God became human and lived among us to scatter the darkness of error and sin, bringing humanity His divine light.� “This great light – of which the Christmas tree is a sign and a reminder – not only hasn’t

9 ; < % % = 5 7>" CNS photo

dimmed with the passing of centuries and millennia, but continues to shine on us and enlighten each person who comes into this world, especially when we go through moments of uncertainty and dif '*_ „ CNS

Vatican creates Canadian deanery for former Anglicans HOUSTON, USA – Msgr Jeffrey N Steenson of the Catholic Church’s US ordinariate for former Anglicans has appointed the leader of a deanery that the Vatican recently established for former Anglicans in Canada. The priest, who heads the Houston-based Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter, and Cardinal Thomas C Collins of Toronto, who is the ecclesiastical delegate for the ordinariate in Canada, jointly announced on Dec 7 that the Vatican approved establishment of the new deanery. The Deanery of St John the Baptist will minister to groups of

In Holy Land, Christmas traditions include family, parades and Mass

Anglicans and Anglican clergy in Canada who come into full communion with the Catholic Church through the US ordinariate. Msgr Steenson appointed Fr Lee Kenyon of Calgary, Alberta, as dean. He is the administrator of ~ ; ; in Canada, St John the Evangelist in Calgary. “The territory of the ordinariate in North America is enormous, and it will be a great blessing to be able to delegate many of the duties for shepherding these groups to Fr Kenyon,� Msgr Steenson said in a statement. „ CNS

0 $

2 4 ' 4 5 78" CNS photo JERUSALEM – The simmering

smell of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in Catholic parishes across the West Bank and Israel heralds the start of the Christmas season in early December as families prepare burbara, the special wheat pudding eaten to mark the feast day of St Barbara, known as Eid El-Burbara in Arabic. According to local Christian tradition, St Barbara, who was beheaded by her pagan father because of her Christian faith, was held and tortured in a tower that stood in the nearby village of Aboud. At a special Mass on Dec 4 at St Joseph Parish in Jifna, West Bank, the parish hall was laden with the homemade puddings presented in festive plates and decorated with chocolate Santa Claus bars, coloured candies, sugared almonds sprinkled with cocoa. Families send bowls of the fragrant pudding studded with dried fruit and nuts to Muslim and Christian friends and neighbours. “Normally we begin our

Christmas celebrations after St Barbara,� said Fr Firas Aridah. Families begin decorating their homes and Christmas trees after the feast, he said. On Dec 15 parishioners begin a novena, marking the nine days before Christmas, in a community-wide celebration when the village Christmas tree is lit and all the parishioners light their home decorations. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts lead a festive procession around the village, and the three priests from the Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches come together to celebrate and greet one another at St Joseph Catholic Church. In Israel, too, many Catholic communities will have their own scout procession in the days leading up to Christmas. Some parades are replete with bagpipes, a tradition that extends to the days of British control. A newer tradition in Beth * ‚ <* singing Christmas carols in Man-

ger Square starting on Dec 16 as choirs sponsored by the municipality perform through Christmas Eve, said Ms Minerva Andonia, 35, of Bethlehem who is Catholic. Her husband is Greek Orthodox. As almost everywhere, giftgiving is an important part of the festivities, though without the shopping frenzy often associated with the Christmas season in other parts of the world. In Catholic communities in Israel, a family member traditionally dresses up as Santa Claus and hands out presents to the children on Christmas Eve. More recently, stores offer their own “special delivery service� with employees dressing up as Santa Claus to deliver gifts. While pilgrims congregate on Manger Square, most local Bethlehem Catholic families have their holiday meal at home. They attend an early Mass Christmas Eve at their local parish where there is a solemn procession with a statue of the infant Jesus. „ CNS

Pastoral plan to support gay students SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, USA –

The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana released a pastoral plan “grounded in the Catholic mission� of the university that will expand support and services for students “who identify� as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender and those “questioning� their own sexual orientation. The plan, released on Dec 5, is titled “Beloved Friends and Allies: A Pastoral Plan for the Support

and Holistic Development of GLBTQ and Heterosexual Students at the University of Notre Dame�. ( " ; & & "* Holy Cross Fr John I Jenkins, Notre Dame president, accepted the recommendations from the univer '~  + + #++ The plan calls for Notre Dame to establish a “new support and service student organisation for GLBTQ students and their allies�, as well as a new advisory commit-

tee and to create a full-time student development staff position focused on issues of concern to these students. “I appreciate the careful and thoughtful work of this review that considered both the needs of our students and the teachings of the Catholic Church,� Fr Jenkins said in a statement. The pastoral plan reiterates Catholic teaching on homosexuality. „ CNS

WORLD 17

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Pope launches Twitter account Pope Benedict XVI posts his 0 account @ Pontifex on Dec 12 in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict

XVI launched his very own Twitter account, sending a short inaugural message to his more than 1 million followers. “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart,� it said. His tweet – 139 characters – went viral as the number of followers of @Pontifex and its seven other extensions grew by more than 5,000 new people an hour, † + ) + thousands of followers retweeted the messages in the short minutes after they were posted. After the pope gave his catechesis and blessing to those gathered for the general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall, an announcement came over the speakers saying the pope was about to

< "  + " en desk in front of the pope, and ++ + Œ +

a small tablet computer on top. # $ * council president, then showed

the pope his @Pontifex accounts, which had amassed 1 million followers in the 10 days before the " ) + ' in navigating the site after pressing a screen button with a determined push, which the archbishop then remedied with a more practised tap. About 45 minutes later, after

Dear friends, I am ‘ pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.

’

– Pope Benedict’s %

%

the pope left the audience hall, the + " ›¢# + " $' † + ‚ the pope sees and approves each tweet, all tweets after his inaugural message are sent by Vatican staff. The pope personally answered three questions from three different continents that were culled

from tens of thousands of queries and comments tagged with the #askPontifex hashtag. ) | " ^> " can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?� The pope’s answer was posted two minutes later: “By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what He tells you in the Gospel and looking for Him in those in need.� About three hours later, the next pair was sent: “How can faith in Jesus be lived in a world without hope?� “We can be certain that a believer is never alone. God is the solid rock upon which we build our lives and His love is always faithful,� the pope said. The last pair of Q&A tweets was to be sent out later in the day. Msgr Paul Tighe, secretary of the social communications council, said though many were crude or hateful, “there were some wonderful, touching questions, very honest and very genuine�, he told ! " & / Some examples, he said, asked the pope “how to balance spiritual + $ ; $ '* " the time to pray�. „ CNS

18 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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

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

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

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

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

WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

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

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

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

LETTERS

! "# broken people I refer to Audrey Thng’s letter, How To Promote Reverence In Church (CN Dec 16, 2012). I agree wholeheartedly that the spirit of prayerfulness and reverence among many Catholic parishioners leaves much to be desired in our churches. As I was brought up in a Protestant family, I used to look upon the lackadaisical attitude of the Sunday Catholic churchgoers with some degree of disdain. However, during my recent conversion to Catholicism, one dawning fact that opened my eyes to our universal Church was that we are a Church made up of bro< = " Of course, some of us grapple with large skeletons in our closets ; ˆ '* * delity; some of us with secularism, envy, lust; and yet others suffer + = " + '* nonchalance and irreverence. To me, that is the beauty of our = & ' Christ died for our sins due to, and not in spite of, all our brokenness. For the “parents who let their

CN Dec 16

children snack as though they were in a cinema�, for the “people who text, check email�, for the joking and laughing teenagers, for all those with unspoken inner hatred and turmoils – there, but for the grace of God, go I. For although I may or may not suffer from the sin of irreverence or of treating the Church like a cinema or coffeeshop, many more are my sins in His eyes. Since my conversion, I try to concentrate and remain prayerful in spite of the many distractions and background noise surrounding

me. I also realise that oftentimes, it’s easy to shut out external noise. It’s the internal turmoil and distractions that are much more + Perhaps, for all who struggle with paying attention during Mass due to the market-like atmosphere, it’s a good reminder that Christ preached in market places, busy ports and town squares and rarely in the hallowed atmosphere of the Jewish temples. „ Justin Lim

Singapore 568217

About Halloween and Christmas I would like to state my displeasure with the article, Bishop: Halloween Is Not For Catholics (CN, Dec 2, 2012). The bishop mentions the secular celebration of Halloween which has no place for Catholics. But the very word Halloween is “eve of All Hallows�, which is the eve of All Saints Day, a day of obligation. When teaching my catechism students, I have always taught that although this has pagan roots, our Irish Catholics have used this as a time to prepare for the two feasts of All Saints and All Souls, and the importance of praying for our departed dear ones. The ghosts I tell them is our human way of explaining the dead – that we should not fear them but

rather pray for the souls of all those who have passed away – especially those whom they know. Viewing Halloween – with all its secularism – as not for Catholics, I feel, is the same way as how Christmas is looked at. Christmas trees are not mentioned in the Bible, yet some churches display them alongside the Nativity scene. In fact, Jesus wasn’t even born on Dec 25, it has its roots as a pagan celebration of the Sun God. But we know that the Church has taken on Dec 25 as liturgically Christmas – which is about God coming to earth as a baby to be a man, just like us. The Church sings We Three Kings when there is no mention in the Bible that there were three, and they weren’t even kings.

Christmas presents are not mentioned in the Bible but many Christians feel it is an obligation to exchange presents. Chinese New Year has also been adopted into the liturgical calendar of Singapore and parts of Asia – it is a time when we honour our elders, visit friends and family to spread good tidings of God’s peace and blessings, and even have a special Mass where we thank God for a good Lunar New Year ahead. So I think it is important for parents and catechists to impart our Catholic faith to our children during our festivals amid all the feasting and celebrations. Ellen Tan

Singapore 578840

A Christmas challenge THE Christmas story is surely one of the greatest stories ever told. It chronicles a birth from which the world records time as before or after. Moreover, " " ' = tic imagination for 2,000 years. This hasn’t always been for the good. Beyond spawning every kind of legend imaginable, the story of Christmas has, in the Christian imagination, too often taken on a centrality not accorded to it in the Gospels themselves. This is not surprising, given its richness. Inside its great narrative there are multiple mini-narratives, each of which comes laden with its own archetypal symbols. One of these mini-narratives, rich in archetypal imagery, is the story of King Herod and the wise men. We see this in the Gospel of Matthew when he tells us how various people reacted to the announcement of Jesus’ birth. Matthew sets up a powerful archetypal contrast, blessing and curse, between the reaction of the wise men, who bring their gifts and place them at the feet of the new king, and King Herod, who tries to kill Him. We are all familiar with this story since it has been much celebrated in song, icon, and legend. Jesus is born inside of a religious tradition, Judaism, and His birth is announced to that faith

' $ ; * '* $' ; * by supernatural revelation. But those outside of that faith tradition need another way to get to know of His birth, and so His birth is announced to them though nature, astrology, through the stars. The wise men see a special star appear in the sky and begin to follow it, not knowing exactly to where or to what it will lead. While following the star, they meet King Herod who, upon learning that a new king has supposedly been born, has his own evil > < " $ ; him back information so that he, too, can go and worship the newborn. We know the rest of story: ) " + " * " < ;* * ; Him, place their gifts at His feet. What happens to them afterwards? We have all kinds of apocryphal stories about their journey back home, but these, while interesting, are not helpful. We do not know what happened to them afterwards and that is exactly the point. Their slipping away into anonymity is a crucial part of their gift. The idea is that they now disappear because they can now disappear. They have placed their gifts at the feet of the young king and can now leave everything safely in His hands. His star has eclipsed ( + ; ; + + * ' " ' cede it to Him. Like old Simeon, they can happily exit the stage singing: Now, Lord, you can dismiss your servants! We can die! We’re in safe hands! And Herod, how much to the contrary! The news that a new king has been born threatens him at his core since he is himself a king. The glory and light that will now shine upon the new king will no longer shine on him. So what is his reaction? Far from laying his resources at the feet of the new king, he sets out to kill Him. More & * > * < babies in the entire area. An entire book on anthropology might be written about this last line. Fish are not the only species that eats its young! But the real point is the contrast between the wise men and Herod: The former see new life as promise and they bless it; the latter sees new life as threat and he curses it. This is a rich story with a powerful challenge: What is my own reaction to new life, especially to life that threatens me, that will take away some of my own popularity, sunshine, and adulation? Can I, like the wise men, lay my gifts at the feet of the young and move towards anonymity and eventual death, content that the world is in good hands, even though those hands are not my hands? Or, like Herod, will I feel that life as a threat and I try somehow to kill it, lest its star somehow diminish my own? To bless another person is to give away some of one’s own life so that the other might be more resourced for his or her journey, Good parents do that for their children. Good teachers do that for their students, good mentors do that for their protÊgÊs, good pastors do that for their parishioners, good politicians do that for their countries, and good elders do that for the young. They give away some of their own lives to resource the other. The wise men did that for Jesus. How do we react when a young star’s rising begins to eclipse our own light? „

FOCUS 19

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

$ & * ' $ ' ; $' $ ; ; " + + * * ' " " + Œ ++ $ $' & * ' # ”  ( Œ '  ++ ' + + > ' ( + ’ + ( * ++ ++ ; + + &

1. What does the Church teach about “indulgences�? The Catechism of the Catholic Church — ˜ + ' + + + (#U)> ^ U ; $ + – + " ; ' $ + ; & * " + + " ' ; $ ; + " * + * " ' ' + + + _ — /•“/˜ ) + ' + + U ; * & ; + ~ + + Œ + U ; * ˆ + + Œ * ^ ; _ " + U " +

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7. When can we gain the indulgence?

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful as he arrives to celebrate a Mass in St Peter’s Square on Oct 11. The Mass marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and also opened the Year of Faith. CNS photo

$ ) ' " $ ' + * $ " $ ; ' & ? * & —# ÂŁ ˜ $' * " $ + ; & ; + * ; + * ' & ^; _* ' " " " ^ _ ^ +'_ ; ; + "* $ ' ˆ + ; + > " & * + " * " ++ + ^ + + _ ; ' * * ' ; * + $ ; ' —” & / “ + / /˜ U ;* + ^ ; _ " & * ^ ; _ & ^ ; _ " – " ˆ & — '˜ $ ; | + > U " '* " ^ _ & * ; * + " < # * ^ _ " & + ÂŒ + ^ _ ^ ; _ & ; " – ) ^ ; _ + ~ " – " ' ^ _ ^ ; _ U ; + + + & * * & + ; $ * ; & ;* + + + * ' + ;\ " ' " " < " ^ ;_ ^ +' ;_ ^ _ U ^ ;_ ^ +' ;_ + ^

_ + ; ; ^ ; _ # " ^# U ; $ + – + " ; ' $ + ; & ¤_ — /•“/˜ 3. What is a “plenary indulgenceâ€? ^ÂŒ ' ; _ ^ _ ^ ; _ ^ ' _ ^ ' _ 4. How can these indulgences help the souls of our departed loved ones? U /•“¼ " ^ + + " $ ; are also members of the same com + * " ' " $ ; + * + ' $ _ > * " ; ; $ + + & " & " ' ‚ $' ' ++ ; ' " + & " & " ' 5. How can we gain the indulgences? # # ; + > '

' church + Œ — + ˜ Œ ' + + > ' ( 6. How can those homebound or sick gain these indulgences? ) + + * & $' ; -

# ) + + ' $ ; $' ;

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$ ' $ & + ; ; + + U ; " * $' & + " + $' * ++ & ' " * + " ; * < $ _ — + $' # Œ ' ; ; Œ ' U ; ; ’ + ( ˜ „

20 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

' " Daniel S Mulhall offers a few tips on how to recapture the true focus of the feast

E

†‹”’ ' | tions are asked: “Has Christmas become

ÂŚ_ “Have we lost the true

; + Œ_ While stores and other businesses have certainly become more aggressive in trying to get consumers to buy more, buy earlier and more often, the commercialisation of Christmas is not new. In some ways it is nearly as ancient as the Christmas celebration. Gift giving has always been ; + mas festivities based on the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the Christ child by the Magi in the Nativity narrative in the Gospel of Matthew. While we can suppose that most early gifts would have been handmade by the giver, surely some gifts were purchased. ” $ " Francis of Assisi began the wonderful tradition of setting up ! & ' / century with the baby Jesus in a stable with Mary and Joseph and angels and shepherds – the Christmas creche – he did so to try and bring people’s focus to ^ ; + _ and not the version of the feast then celebrated. The issue today, it seems, is not the over commercialisation of the feast but whether we have the will, the determination, to keep it a sacred occasion. The influence of the secular culture

CNS photo

is enormous, especially with the unceasing barrage of advertising targeted far too often at children. To persevere against this message, we must make a conscious decision to keep the Christmas message alive. Here are some things worth working on this season: love, patience, peace, time for family and friends, and a closer relationship with God and with the Church.

The issue today is not the over commercialisation of Christmas but whether we have the will to keep it a sacred occasion. It isn’t enough for us to want more love or patience or friends or faith in God. If something is important to us, we will put out whatever effort it takes to | $Š + If we want to recapture the true meaning of the Christmas season, then we have to be willing to do the work needed. There are a few simple ways to do that: „ Carefully read the Nativ-

$ ! " " % & By Rhina Guidos Giving presents isn’t necessarily bad, especially when it comes out of generosity and love. The Magi, after all, came bearing gifts for the Messiah. What rattles those who care for our souls is when we put worldly things at the centre of this special feast instead of focusing on the one who brought us to that feast. “Discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem, so as Š ' ; *_ pope said. I remember that as a child growing up in El Salvador, we never received presents during Christmas, only during Epiphany. Christmas was a feast focused on the midnight Mass, family and anticipating

the arrival of the baby Jesus. It was a pristine image I kept in my head for many years until I visited my native country around Christmas a few years back and ; ^ & _ on store shelves. The image became further eroded recently while reading a newspaper online. I saw that even in places of few resources, like El Salvador, they, too, held a “Black ( '_ ; & the country struggles to secure food, health care and education for the country’s poorest. It’s reason to worry, and I wonder, “How do we imitate the Lord’s humility and poverty, his benevolence and love for all hu '_ * ÂŒ ; ÂŚ_ „ CNS

ity stories as told in Matthew and Luke. Note that these are two different stories, not different parts of the same story. ” " family and friends and discuss what they mean. What messages were the evangelists trying to convey? Why are the stories so different? „ Focus on developing a ; ‹ Š ' ; what you have with others. Give because you want to give, and not because you are expected to give or because someone wants a gift. Give gifts that will make a difference in people’s lives. Let the act of giving change you. „ Develop a Christmas custom to share with your fam ' + ’ ; the Nativity story aloud before opening gifts, or make placing the Christ child in the manger a special occasion. Eight hundred years ago, St Francis tried to shape people’s vision of Christmas by bringing the Nativity story to life. Does the creche still have the power to change the way that people think and act, or has it become a mindless tradition that evokes only sentimental memories, much like the favourite ornament on the Christmas tree? What efforts are you willing to make to keep Christmas this year? „ CNS Mulhall is a catechist in Laurel, Maryland, USA.

The Magi present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus in this artwork.

SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT the expression of love toDepending on our backward others. ground and circumstances Meanwhile, families in life, the way we experilooking for resources to ence Christmas varies. use during Christmas can Some see it as the access a variety of activi + * * ; = with anticipation of which tions at the US Confergift, which toy is to be ence of Catholic Bishops’s found under the tree. website: www.usccb.org/ Others see Christmas prayer-and-worship/lituras the time to welcome gical-resources/christmas/ family members, perhaps The content also inthe only time they’ll get to ^ _ see loved ones during the for the three Sundays of year, or to help others maChristmas. terially or by immersing ( themselves in the lives of A special US-made badge celebrating Christmas. historical tidbits, such as the poor. the origin of the Nativity scene, But in the variation of these experiences, it is love that ÂŒ §Â†U / which some trace to St Francis of Assisi, who made the binds them. “Only those who Christmas message. However we choose to mark Christmas creche or manger for are open to love are enveloped ; + *_ the season, what’s important is ‹& + / „ CNS

FAITH ALIVE! 21

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Christmas joy wrapped in a blanket of Christmas deepened for her when she

A

S I think back on Christmases past, I remember bitter cold December 1974. I was eight months pregnant and holding. Like most moms, Christmas meant work: shopping, baking, cleaning, decorating. In addition, I was carrying around an extra 18 kg, mothering a toddler and nursing a bad back. I had done some early shopping, but all the other preparations lay before me like a steep mountain. Even after deciding to skip sending Christmas cards and homemade cookies, I was still overwhelmed and under prepared for Christmas. Although I fretted about the many preparations, I enjoyed the idea of being pregnant at Christmas time. I thought expecting a baby would help our family appreciate the gracious love of a God who was willing to enter the world as a helpless babe. If I could love this unseen child this much, how much more must God have loved us to send His own son to live with us? Surely a new baby at Christmas was a special gift from God, even if a major inconvenience.

I was moving slowly but surely through my to-do list just in case the baby came early. But on Dec 12, the slow crawl to Christmas came to a halt. The baby decided to come early and by Caesarean section. I was in the + & ' " ; cal complications and returned home on Christmas week with our new son, exhausted and bedridden. That was when Christmas changed forever. All the trappings + ; cant. Paper and matching bows, napkin rings with Santa faces, angel hair around the Nativity set – none of it mattered. What mattered to us was the miracle of a new life. ‚ " " for the future: Christmas joy wrapped in a tiny blanket. We rejoiced at baby Stephen’s presence as an experience of God in our midst. The scriptural promise of joy, hope and new life was ours. Every breath of our baby was testimony to God’s closeness to us. I never really understood the Incarnation until then. Our baby’s soft skin against mine was a reminder of how intimately God resides in and with us. As I nursed this little one,

Every breath of our baby was testimony to God’s closeness to us. I never really understood the Incarnation until then, says Mary Jo Pedersen. CNS photo

COPING WITH HOLIDAY STRESS By David Gibson At Christmas, renewing the riches of key life relationships is what matters. ACCORD, the Irish Catholic bishops’ marriage care service, had cautionary words in 2009 for spouses overwhelmed by holiday chaos. During stressful times, ACCORD warned, it sometimes is tempting “to take out your frustration verbally� on those “closest to you� like your spouse. That could mean taking things out on your greatest source of support.

Isaiah’s lovely psalm about God’s love was revealed in all its truth: “You shall nurse, carried in her arms, cradled upon her knees; As

For people hoping to reap the riches of rewarding relationships, it seems vital that the “rules� of good relationships remain in place, despite the confusions of Christmas. One rule is to be a good listener, actually hearing what others say. Another rule: Treat each other with respect. Christmas companionships could draw support from smiles, humour and kindness. Jesus drew upon such qualities in making himself truly and compassionately present to others. „ CNS

a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.� Christmas is part of the divine plan to convince us of the near-

ness of God and of His unconditional love for us. I knew that delivering Christmas gifts to poor families and singing carols was all about this extravagant love affair God had initiated, but experiencing that love in my body gave me a new appreciation for the way God entered our human family in Jesus. Like the holy Scriptures, + ' " God’s manifesting Himself in simple and often unnoticed ways. When we remember and name these sacred times and pass them on to others, we strengthen our faith and theirs in the gift of Jesus among us. „ CNS Pedersen is a veteran coordinator of marriage and family spirituality programmes, and lives in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

22 YEAR OF FAITH

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Vatican II addresses social issues in today’s world A look at the Vatican II document, Gaudium et Spes, in this Year of Faith By Bishop Richard E Pates “The joy and the hope, the grief and anguish of the men of our time, especially those of who are += ' " '* joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well.â€? Fifty years ago the Second Vatican Council opened Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope), “The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern Worldâ€?, with these powerful words. The constitution defended the responsibility of the Church to read “the signs of the timesâ€?, “to teach her social doctrineâ€?, and “to pass moral judgment even in matters relating to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires itâ€?. Not only are Church leaders required to make moral judgments on social issues, but all Christians are called to action. The Council reminded Catholics that they cannot pray one thing on Sunday and do another thing the rest of the week. “One of the gravest errors of our times is the dichotomy between the faith which many profess and the practice of their daily lives,â€? it noted. The Council Fathers called people to be faithful citizens of both the earthly city and the Kingdom of God. “Far from diminishing our concern to develop this earth, the expectancy of a new earth should spur us on‌.â€? The constitution had a profound effect on the entire Church. It led national bishops’ conferences to examine the “signs of the timesâ€? and “to pass moral judgmentâ€?. It led to lay involvement in a host of social causes from civil rights to poverty, from abortion to war and peace.

% country. CNS photo

The gap between rich and poor is one of the “signs of the times� $' ( ) ' pointed out a paradox of modern life, and said that “never has the human race enjoyed such an abundance of wealth, resources and economic power, and yet a huge proportion of the world’s citizens are still tormented by hunger and poverty, while countless numbers suffer from total illiteracy�. Although much progress had $ & * many of the world’s people remain in crushing poverty. To address inequality, the Council emphasised the participation of all in economic life. Economic development “must not be left to the judgment of a few individuals or groups possessing too much economic power, nor of the political community alone�, Gaudium et Spes said. It defended the rights of workers against “exploitation�, including their right to organise unions. Warfare stands as one more critical sign of the times. The destruction caused by modern

The document led to lay involvement in a host of social causes from civil rights to poverty, from abortion to war and peace.

weapons compelled the Council “to undertake a completely fresh reappraisal of war�. “Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, " | & condemnation,� the Fathers said. This led the Church to work for a world without nuclear weapons. There is a profound link between peace and justice. War robs the world of the resources to address poverty, and poverty and injustice increase violence. In the poignant words of the Council, “the arms race is an utterly treacherous trap for humanity, and one which injures the poor to an intolerable degree�. Gaudium et Spes spurred a dramatic commitment to justice and peace among Catholics, a moral imperative that continues today. „ USCCB Bishop Richard E Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairs the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday December 30, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

By Joe Sarnicola While Mary was engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel appeared to her. “Hail, favoured one!� he said. “The Lord is with you.� Mary was not sure whether the angel was bringing good news or bad. Sensing this, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.� Mary told the angel that she did not think this possible because she had not yet married Joseph. Gabriel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has

also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.� Then Mary, no longer afraid, said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.� When she had the opportunity, Mary went to the town of Judah to visit Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the child in her womb stirred, ‹ „ $ " " Holy Spirit. She said to Mary, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who be-

lieved that what was spoken to you $' ? " $ + _ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then she returned home. When Elizabeth’s son was born, neighbours and friends thought he would be named Zechariah, after his father, but Elizabeth said, “No. He will be called John.� Zechariah, who had been unable to speak for a time, agreed. He wrote on a tablet, “John is his name,� and when he had done so, his voice re-

turned and he immediately praised God. The people who saw and heard what had happened asked one another, “What, then, will this child be?� They knew the hand of the Lord was upon him. „ Read more about it: Luke 1

Q&A 1. What did the angel call Mary? 2. How did Elizabeth’s baby react to Mary’s voice?

WORDSEARCH:

PUZZLE: Fill in the blanks with the correct words or names from the list. Not every word will be used. census, star, Bethlehem, Elizabeth, angels, John the Baptist, manger, Mary, Nazareth

BIBLE TRIVIA:

1. The three Wise Men followed this by night _____ 2. They told shepherds about Jesus _____ 3. A crib for Jesus ____

What is the name of the important prayer honouring Mary that uses beads and

4. A counting of people ____ 5. Mother of Jesus_____ 6. Birthplace of Jesus ____ 7. Famous relative of Jesus _____

„ „ „ „

MARY ANGEL FAVOURED BEHOLD

„ „ „ „

ENGAGED GABRIEL AFRAID ELIZABETH

„ „ „ „

JOSEPH HAIL JESUS JUDAH

Kids colouring

Answers to Bible Trivia: The rosary. Answers to Crossword Puzzle

Answers to Puzzle: 1. star, 2. angels, 3. manger, 4. census, 5. Mary, 6. Bethlehem 7. John the Baptist.

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday December 30, 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 DEC 24 CHRISTMAS MASS IN EXTRAORDINARY FORM 11.30pm: Carolling followed by Mass. In Latin with sacred music. Missalettes with translation in the vernacular will be provided. At St Joseph’s Church (Victoria St). E: extraordinaryformsingapore@gmail.com DEC 25 CHANGE OF CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES (CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA) 8am (Mandarin), 9.30am, 11am, 5pm. DEC 27 CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 7-11pm: Celebrate Christmas with fellow Catholic business people and professionals. By Catholic Business Network. At Furama Waterfront. Register T: 9686 2107 (Terry); E: ed@cbn-singapore.com; W: http://cbn-singapore.com JAN 3 RED MASS 7-8pm: All in the legal community, including the judiciary, legal service

+ * "' * " * counsel, law students, their families and legal staff and well wishes are invited to the Red Mass that blesses and guides all Catholics in the legal community. At Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Celebrant: Archbishop Nicholas Chia. T: 6333 1003 (Julie).

one meeting with a prayer guide Mon-Fri. Cost: $30. By Sojourners’ Companions. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. Register W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners

in service to the mission of Jesus. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. At Church of St Teresa.T: 9362 5408; E: wrvocationteam@gmail.com

MONDAYS JAN 14 2013 THE ROAD TO EMMAUS 7.45-9.30pm: A Bible study programme designed to help us break the Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word. Typical session: commentary, small group sharing, wrapup lecture and fellowship. At Church of St Ignatius Annexe Hall Level 2. T: 9731 8432 (Raymond), 9001 9828 (Henry); E: road.to.emmaus.st.ignatius@gmail.com

FRIDAYS FEB 15 TO MARCH 22 YEAR OF FAITH 7.30-9.30pm: 6 sessions to help Catholics rediscover their faith and become Š ' " – By ACPT. At Church of St Bernadette AVA Room. Register by Feb 8. SMS: 8467 6161, 8467 6363; E: acptcafe@gmail.com

JAN 12 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill Street). E: bennycah@gmail.com; T: 98377256 (Benny Cahyadi)

WEDNESDAYS JAN 16 2003 TO JULY 17 2013 THE BIBLE TIMELINE 8-10pm: A 24-session DVD study programme. Cost: $48 (workbook). At Blessed Sacrament Church (Damien Centre St Andrew Room). Register SMS: 8158 2388; E: quest.bsc@gmail.com

THURSDAYS FEB 21 2013 TO MAY 9 2013 ALPHA COURSE 7.15-10pm: The Alpha course is to help people have a basic understanding of their Christian faith. All are welcome. At Church of Blessed Sacrament (Damien Hall). Register T: 9239 5562; E: bsc.alpha@gmail.com

WEDNESDAYS JAN 9 2013 TO 12 JUNE 2013 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8-10pm: DVD-based presentation by Jeff Cavins on the Acts of the Apostles, which provides a historic framework for understanding the rest of the New Testament. Cost: $40. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Room A2-01). Register 9479 3120 (Alex); E: alexander.klchia@gmail.com

THURSDAYS JAN 17 2013 TO MARCH 21 2013 THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO ROMANS 8-10pm: A series of 9 lectures by Fr Ambrose Vaz. At Church of St Ignatius Annexe Hall Level 2. Free. E: henrywu@lucas.com.sg

SUNDAY JAN 13 2013 TO SATURDAY JAN 19 2013 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER Pray with Scripture using Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio Divina. One-on-

FEB 1 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE 6-7pm: The Church is invited to remember with gratitude the women and men who have dedicated their lives

MONDAYS JAN 7 2013 TO MARCH 18 2013 ALPHA PARENTING TEENAGERS 12.30-1.30pm: Lunchtime talks. By Catholic Prayer Society. At 206/208 Telok Ayer St. Register T: 9761 2504; E: alphacac@catholic.org

FRIDAY MARCH 8 2013 TO SUNDAY MARCH 10 2013 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND Fri (6pm)-Sun (4pm) For those divorced, separated, or who have experienced the death of a spouse. Work through one’s grief and put one’s past behind, to be " + Register T: 9647 9122 (Sue), 9828 5162 (Jean), 9661 8089(Joseph); E: josephchew@ippfa.com

Crossword Puzzle 1074 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

14

15

16

17

18

19

23

25

24

34

31

32

50

51

43 46

45 57

48

49

55

54

56

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

57

30

40

42

53

13

37

39

44

12

27

36

35

41

52

26

29

38

11

22

28 33

10

21

20

IN MEMORIAM

FEB 24 2013 TO APR 7 2013 MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE For couples intending to get married. Â & $ Quarter 2 course from Apr 28 2013 to Jun 2 2013. T: 9839 9840 (Ron/Grace); E: mpcsingapore@gmail.com; Register in parishes or W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/mpc

58

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Thank you St Jude for + & ; ed (80 times). Holy Spirit; you who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for & ' ; once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. Amen. Please continue to watch over my wife and me. Most gratefully. Christopher

ACROSS 1 Recent pope, affectionately 5 Person in authority 9 Tree starter 14 Make 15 Writer Wiesel 16 Number of days Jonah spent in the belly of a large —‘ / /“˜ 17 Duration 18 Beer serving 19 Confronts 20 Held session 21 Cries of discovery 22 Friends 23 Selected by vote 25 Nazareth, to Jesus 28 Church seat 29 Bleak 33 The Evil One 36 Loom-made 37 Broadcast to the world 38 Goes to court 39 Howled 40 Salamander 41 As yet unscheduled, $ =' 42 â€œâ€Śa chosen race, a ___ priesthoodâ€? (1 Pet 2:9) 43 The house of a parson 44 The Council of Trent met in three 46 Nahum follower (abbr.) 47 Cod relative 48 Adjective for Esau

52 202, in ancient Rome 55 “We are many parts, we are all one _____‌â€? 56 Plague 57 Relaxes 59 ____ of milk and honey 60 Mtg. 61 Farewell, from Juan 62 The duck in “Peter and the Wolfâ€? 63 Next in line 64 Okays 65 Give notice 66 Medieval Spanish chest DOWN 1 Father of David 2 Adjective for the Bishop of Rome 3 Angry 4 There was no room here 5 Lot, to Abraham 6 Greek epic poem 7 Containers 8 Court unit 9 US Justice Dept. agency 10 Oratory 11 Killer whale 12 Go for a spin? 13 Promontory 21 “A dillar, a dollar, ___ o’clock scholarâ€? 24 IRS experts

45 Old Testament town that was home of the tribe of Ephraim 46 Some years of Jesus’ life 48 According to Proverbs, a gracious woman gets this (Prov 11:16) 49 The ____ Room, where the disciples experienced the Holy Spirit 50 Theme 51 Not needed 52 Stuff of creation 53 Set of principles 54 Hip bones 55 Small yeast cake 58 Evidence of a leak 59 Not high 60 Their logo is a torch within a heart

25 Wretched hut 26 Pundit’s page 27 “For us _____, and for our salvation‌â€? 29 DC Catholic university team 30 Not odd 31 Plants 32 Surfeit 33 They travel at speeds greater than the speed of sound (abbr.) 34 French department 35 Mr. Mack, and others 36 “Fortâ€? diocese in Indiana 39 _____ of Genesis 40 Collars 42 Narrow inlet 43 Catholic author ___ Higgins Clark

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1073 M I L A N

A B O D E

S I D E S

S S T S

A L I T

R A C Y

C A B S

A B O O

N O N O

S S E

E A S S T S I E A G R A H P B B A L U M U L O E K U A N A T

A L L O

R I E L

T A P E S E T P R L O Y U D K E E W A L A R O R E T M A S

H S T

W I D P O L O W E S A Y S B N I D U B U N B L S L A E L S I

A M O K

W A D E

A M O R

C H I C

Y O K E

O W E R

O L D E N

L E A S T

T A M E R

28

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Sunday December 30, 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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