APRIL, 07, 2013, Vol 63, No 07

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY APRIL 7, 2013

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

ARCHBISHOP CHIA’S EASTER MESSAGE

The Easter message of rebirth, renewal and hope

Christ Risen from the Tomb, a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Bergognone. CNS photo

The Resurrection is the centre of our faith. As St Paul says: “If Christ has not risen, our faith is a delusion, is empty!� Christ redeemed us by His death and resurrection. We believe in Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised up Through Christ’s death and resurrection, our sins are taken away and the new divine life has been given to us! My brothers and sisters, our problems and those of the world around us will not magically disappear on Easter morning. However as Easter represents rebirth, renewal and hope, we are better positioned to do the work that is necessary to set ourselves on the right path. Easter invites us to open our hearts to the Risen Christ and make serious efforts to share the Good News with our brothers and sisters. To live the Easter message, let us be inspired and learn from the example of our new Pope Francis. The obedient “yes� of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio to the Lord as he is called to the immensely challenging world-changing and life-altering role as new Supreme Pontiff and Holy Father is by itself a “dying to oneself� that deeply blesses and inspires each one of us to live a life of detachment and commit ourselves to the service of the Lord and the people. peared to the people, he was dressed in a simple white cassock, " # $ with the cardinals in a bus. When he was in his country he lived in a simple apartment, travelled by bus and even cooked for himself! He is truly an example of simplicity, humility and obedience to the Lord. We must be people of authentic holiness and devotion, centring our lives on Christ – deepening our prayer and sacramental life and understanding of our faith; contributing our share to urgent issues such as immigration, healthcare, poverty, hunger, global warming,

Easter invites us to open our hearts to the Risen Christ and make serious efforts to share the good News and war, to name just a few. We must also be conversant with modern technology, comfortable with social media, maintain and defend the traditional teachings and disciplines of the Church, explaining them to an increasingly secular and sceptical culture. We must also be sincerely committed to ecumenism and interfaith dialogue; building strong bridges of fraternity and understanding

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY ( )* ** )' + + ( / % & $ " 0 '1 ) '' + 2 # ( " ( / 2 # ( " & $ " 0 '3 )' + " 4 " ( / 1 5 $ " 0 6 7

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with other world religions, especially Judaism and Islam. Let us open our hearts to the grace that Jesus has won for us on % & $ " # ''' years ago. May the splendour of His Resurrection scatter the shadows in our lives and enable us to walk in radiant hope towards our eternal home. And through us, may the light of Christ shine on those we reach out to. Christ is risen! So too we will rise. Alleluia! A Blessed Easter to one and all! „ Yours devotedly in Christ

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

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New pope has to be ‘tireless pilgrim’ ... says Archbishop Chia at Mass to mark Pope Francis’ installation

Archbishop Nicholas Chia, apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh and 50 priests concelebrated the March 23 Mass.

By Martin See Pope Francis is “truly an example of simplicity, humility and obedience to the Lord�, said Archbishop Nicholas Chia at a thanksgiving Mass for the new pope’s installation. The new Church leader will “have to be a tireless pilgrim, spending lots of time and energy travelling to the ends of the earth in service of the new evangelisation, re-proposing the faith of the Church to friends and foes alike�, said Archbishop Chia during the March 23 Mass at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Pope Francis would need to “listen to liberal voices clamouring for radical change, as well as conservative voices condemning all the changes that have taken place in the last 50 years�, said Archbishop Chia. Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh, together with about 50 priests also concelebrated the Mass in a cathedral that included laypeople, nuns, seminarians, representatives of various religions, and ambassadors and high court judges. Archbishop Chia, in his hom " $ @ will have lots of problems to solve. They include the “worldwide [clergy] sex abuse crisis; the declining sacramental practice of Catholics in the Western world; the challenges to traditional moral values especially in human life and traditional marriage; the violent attacks on Christianity in some parts of the world, and the subtle yet real challenge of religious liberty in others�. Archbishop Girelli addressed

the crowd towards the end of the Mass, and noted that the pope chose the name of Francis, after St Francis of Assisi, because of the pontiff’s love for the poor. Archbishop Girelli said there are still poor people in Singapore $ D $

The Church is ‘ called to care for those who suffer because of poverty, and strive to make society more humane and more just.’

– Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli

that “the Church is called to care for those who suffer because of poverty, and strive to make society more humane and more just�. Several people CatholicNews spoke to after the Mass shared their thoughts about the new pope. Q0 @ $ U

the whole Church, we are happy " & $ the cardinals to select this pope especially when it was unexpect $ K $ @ 4 + 9 “This is a sign that the Lord is with us in these times of

$ $ " Church.� Commenting on the pope’s choice of name, Franciscan friar-in-formation David Au said, “I think the pope has a special message to share with the world through his life example of humility and simplicity.� Several laypeople say they have high hopes in the new pontiff. Q 6 U $ U person and I think he’ll lead the Church to a renewal of faith and spirituality,� said Ms Christina Ong. Ms Pauline Teo shared, “Based on what I’ve read, I think the pope is going to lead the Church into a new evangelisation by his humble and people-centric personality.� „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

A section of the crowd at the cathedral.

Pope Francis would need to ‘listen to liberal voices clamouring for radical change, as well as conservative voices condemning all the changes that have taken place in the last 50 years’ – Archbishop Nicholas Chia

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10,000 CHIJ girls walk to mark Water Day By Martin See About 10,000 present and former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) students took part in a walk from CHIJMES to Marina Barrage to mark World Water Day on March 16. The Walk for Water was also to conclude the IJ congregation’s 350th anniversary celebrations. Students from all 11 CHIJ schools gathered at CHIJMES and moved off in batches of 500 starting at 7.30am. Also present were teachers, principals and the IJ board of management. “We pray for a deepened awareness of our responsibility for this earth of ours, that it may be a place that offers solace and sustenance to all‌ especially the gift of water, so essential to human life and dignity,â€? prayed Sr Deirdre O’Loan, supervisor of the IJ board of management, before the walk began. During the walk, which lasted between 30 and 45 minutes, the $ U # $ D $

the schools and classes they were from and cheered each other on. When they reached Marina Barrage, 1,200 of them, together with students of other schools and Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) corporate partners, gathered to form a giant human water droplet of 3,000 people. Guest-of-honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also joined in the activity, held on the roof top of Marina Barrage. In his address, he stressed the importance of conserving water and using it responsibly. During the celebration, Ms Vivienne Lim, chairperson of the

IJ board of management, spoke on the IJ spirit of contributing to society. A video, featuring CHIJ’s 350th anniversary celebrations, held from 2012-2013, was also screened. Students interviewed said the walk helped them appreciate the value of water. “Participating in World Water Day helps generate awareness by showing the importance of water and how precious it is, especially in Singapore and some parts of the world where water is limited,� said Primary Six

On a trip to ‘ Vietnam, I found it

drinking water,

CHIJ students gathered at CHIJMES (above) and walked to Marina Barrage (below).

’

– Ooi Sze Shen, CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh).

pupil, Cheryl Vanessa Devan, from CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace. “We have mission trips in my school and the trips teach us to put the less fortunate before ourselves,� said Ooi Sze Shen, a Secondary Four student at CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh). “On a trip to Vietnam, I found

U $ $ $ }ing water, so World Water Day encourages us to appreciate how precious water is.� Mrs Tan-Lim Kim Gek, principal of CHIJ Our Lady Queen

of Peace and a member of the organising committee, said they wanted the students to “commit to water conservation� and celebrate the 350th anniversary

at the same time. “We decided to work with PUB for this event to make a difference in protecting our environment,� she said. World Water Day was also

celebrated in other parts of Singapore on March 16. The theme for the celebrations this year is Every Drop Counts. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Caring for the caregivers By Darren Boon 0 + $ # D

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providing care ‘While to people with muscular dystrophy, it is important we do not neglect the care and support needed for their caregivers. A member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore (in wheelchair), gives visitors a tour of the respite centre during its soft launch on March 15.

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Humanitarian forum and fair coming up in June Members of the Battambang-Arrupe Tahen dance troupe, many of whom are landmine victims, giving a performance. This Cambodian troupe will stage a concert at CHARIS’ Humanitarian Forum & Fair.

Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Singapore (CHARIS) will hold its second Humanitarian Forum & Fair at the Singapore Polytechnic on June 22. The event, themed Faith in Action, will highlight humanitarian aid and relief issues. Catholic ministries and organisations involved in humanitarian aid will also speak about their work. The Humanitarian Forum Â’ 4 '*) 44 '*) launched in September 2011, highlights the efforts of those who bring humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters in the region. It is also an opportunity for volunteers to support these ongoing missions. Highlights of HFF 2013 include a keynote speech by Mr Alistair Dutton, humanitarian director of Caritas Internationalis; a

D 6" + $ Rodriguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa and Caritas Internationalis president; and a plenary session in which a panel of Catholic leaders who help the poor and those displaced by disasters share their experiences of mission work.

HFF 2013’s programme will also include group discussions on a range of related topics including regional opportunities in mission work and strategy. A special element in this year’s event is a multimedia concert, Dancing Rice, a collaborative effort of landmine victims from Battambang-Arrupe Tahen, Cambodia, and young Singaporeans who were behind the church musical, 13:34, staged during the Year for Priests in 2010. To raise awareness of HFF 2013, organisers have begun holding road shows at various parish 9 U $ Holy Spirit, St Mary of the Angels and Our Lady Queen of Peace parishes on March 16 and 17. A Facebook page (https:// www.facebook.com/HFF2013. Singapore) has also been set up. For more information and ticketing details for HFF 2013 and the multimedia concert, visit www.charis-singapore.org or email info@charis-singapore.org. The concert will be held on June 21 as well as June 22. „

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Academic highlights Church’s new demographic reality By Darren Boon Pope Francis’ comments that the Church has to serve the poor and weak is consistent with the “demographic reality� facing the Church today, says an academic. Dr Julius Bautista, at a talk organised by the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), told his audience that the majority Catholic population in the world has shifted from the developed West to the poorer, less developed Global South between 1900 and 2010. Most of the world’s Catholics now live in Latin America, Africa $ 0 $ $ 6"

and economic development, he told the 40-strong crowd comprising lay Catholics, Religious, IRO members and his students. “This shift in terms of where Catholicism is located has a very important impact on how the faith is thought about, how the faith is practised, how the faith is interpreted,� he said in his March 20 talk, titled The Roman Catholic Church in Southeast Asia: Challenges, Past and Present. However, most of the cardinals who voted in the recent conclave were from Europe, observed the senior lecturer from the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore “The demographic reality of Catholicism doesn’t quite match the institutional hierarchy of Catholicism as far as the cardinal

Dr Julius Bautista: Pope Francis showed concern for the Global South.

electors are concerned,� said the Filipino academic who is Catholic. The pope’s comments about the importance of serving the poor and the weak is thus consistent with the Church’s “demographic reality� and shows priority for the Global South, he said. Dr Bautista, an anthropologist and cultural historian, also touched on the complexities involving the Church working within a governing system. He highlighted a recent incident in the Philippines in which churches hung posters of senator hopefuls in the upcoming elections and endorsed those opposing the Reproductive Health Bill. He said such an act would be “unimaginable� in Singapore. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Tamil Catholics pray and enact Stations of the Cross Some 300 Tamil Catholics braved hot weather and a heavy downpour to pray in front of the outdoor Stations of the Cross at St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) on March 17. The Twelfth Station, which highlights Jesus’ death on the cross, was acted out by Tamil migrants from various parishes who performed in costumes and with props. Their performance apparently moved the crowd. Fr Jacob Yagappa, assistant priest of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, told the crowd that praying the Way of + D + olics’ faith, and that it is not just to commemorate Christ’s passion. The Archdiocesan Commission for Tamil-speaking Apostolate (ACTS) has been organising the outdoor Stations of the Cross at St Joseph Church

Tamil migrants act out the Twelfth Station, Jesus dying on the cross, at St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah).

during the Lenten season for the Tamil community. The Tamil Migrants Committee of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes started it as

a parish event in 1994. However, as the crowd grew over the years, ACTS took over the event in 2008, holding it an archdiocesan level. „

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

NFP community honours Dr Evelyn Billings

Catholics walk barefoot across S’pore to pray during Lent

Memorial Mass at Maris Stella Convent Chapel (above) for Dr Billings (right) who died on Feb 16.

The Natural Family Planning (NFP) community celebrated a memorial Mass for Dr Evelyn Billings at the Maris Stella Convent Chapel on March 9. Fr David Garcia celebrated the Mass, which saw about 35 people attending. Dr Evelyn passed away on Feb 16 at the age of 95. She and her husband, Dr John Billings, founded the method of natural fertility regulation, which bears their name. For half a century, the

couple travelled the world teaching and promoting their NFP method supported by the Catholic Church. Dr John died in 2007. Mrs Sybil Anthony, one of the longest-serving NFP instructors in Singapore, met Dr Evelyn during a conference in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003. She said she found Dr Evelyn a witty, warm and caring person. For more information about Natural Family Planning Singapore, visit http://naturalfamilyplanning.sg „ Participants of the Crucis Singapura prayer walk walked as far as 21 km, praying the Stations of the Cross and the rosary. Some got drenched by rain at the later stages of their walk.

By Darren Boon More than 100 Catholics walked through the streets of Singapore barefoot praying the Stations of the Cross, the rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet and other prayers. The March 23 “Crucis Singapura� prayer walk was the third such event held in the last three years by Jesus Youth. The participants, aged 18-40, some with kids in tow, prayed for Singapore, the archdiocese and their own spiritual needs. They began their walk from 13 different starting points, such as Joo Koon, Boon Lay, Pasir Ris and Newton MRT Stations, and

ended their journey at Novena Church. Some started their walk as early as 7 am. Participants had to cover considerable distances. The walk from Joo Koon to Novena was 21.8 km, while the journey from Pasir Ris MRT to Novena was about 16.4 km. The latter took participants

It is nothing ‘ compared to what

’

Jesus went through.

– Ms Fionne Grace Lai, who walked 11.5 kilometres from Bedok to Novena Church

through the Tampines, Bedok Reservoir, Kaki Bukit, Balestier and Moulmein areas. Ms Fionne Grace Lai, who walked 11.5 kilometres from Bedok to Novena, said the weather that day was extremely hot. Despite feeling her feet burning, Ms Lai said, “It is nothing compared to what Jesus went through.� She said she sees the walk as $ $ pain and discomfort she felt for her prayer intentions. Ms Sanit Sabu who walked from Joo Koon to Novena with nine others in small groups said she thought the walk would be “simple�. The initial stage wasn’t $ $ 6 later started to feel tired and thirsty and felt her legs “burning�. However, the group kept their spirits up through prayer, and made a quick stop at a church along the way for prayer and adoration. Jesus was with them during the whole time, said Ms Sabu. If He hadn’t, they would not have been able to complete their journey. It was all due to “God’s grace and blessing�, she said. Some groups also got drenched during the last stages of their walk as some rain fell later in the day. Jesus Youth which originated in Kerala, India, “is an international Catholic youth movement with a charismatic spirituality� according to the group’s Singapore website (http://singapore.jesusyouth.org/). The movement comprises networks of “small�, “vibrant groups of young people�. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Korean bishop climbs pylon to talk to strikers Students pray in St Bridget College in Batangas, Philippines on March 12. Sixteen-year-old student Kristel Tejada committed suicide recently after her school allegedly barred her for failing to pay her tuition fees.

Philippines student suicide prompts Caritas fund MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Caritas,

of a power transmission tower near the Ssangyong motor plant in Pyeongtaek. UCANEWS.COM photo SEOUL, KOREA – Bishop Matthi-

as Ri Iong-hoon on March 25 vis $ U $ U } U # been staging a sit-in for more than 100 days on top of a power transmission tower near the Ssangyong motor plant in Pyeongtaek. The bishop, who is president of the Korean Bishops’ Committee for Justice and Peace, urged the motor company and the local government to work urgently with the workers to resolve their long-running dispute. The workers are demanding the reinstatement of all employees who U $ ''™ Three workers initially climbed up the steel tower, which transmits 150,000 volts of electricity, but one came down on March 15 due to ill health.

“Their situation is not good.� said the bishop. “I mostly worry about their health as they have been up there for more than three months. If the dialogue starts, the two workers promised to come down. The Church will help as far as possible.� Bishop Ri, whose Suwon diocese includes the plant, added: “The workers, their family members and co-workers altogether are in despair. So far, 24 are dead after the Ssangyong labour conD

$ $ 6 deaths. Society should interfere to solve the situation.� 5 6"

$ the company shed 2,645 jobs in ''™ U 11 $ " U } occupation of the plant that ended

Indian bishops upset about Easter Sunday tax deadline NEW DELHI, INDIA – The federal

government recently directed in  $ open over both days of the Easter weekend, as March 31 is the dead Â

" 6 $ $ closing date may cause a penalty. Archbishop Albert D’Souza, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said the bishops expect the government to “do whatever possible to avoid hurting the religious sentiments of the community in India�. He described Easter as “the most important and the central feast of the Christian religion� and

added that the income tax depart " # Q

to declare a working day on Easter, but the Christian community in ˜ $

request the government to defer $ " K Federal governments in the past have rescheduled government examinations that fell on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. “We hope that the same propriety will be shown in this case also,� Archbishop D’Souza said. Talking to ucanews.com, deputy secretary general Fr Joseph Chinnayan said, “We should wait for the government’s response and not rush to a conclusion.� „ UCANEWS.COM

in a police raid. The suicides of at least 23 workers or family members since then have caused an outcry in South Korea. “I really appreciate Bishop Ri visiting us,� said Mr Kim Jeongwoo, president of the Ssangyong trade union. “He seemed very unhappy with the scene.� “I hope no more deaths will occur. If there is one more, all of us will despair,� he added. „ UCANEWS.COM

the Catholic Church’s social action arm, is to set up a fund for underprivileged students. Fr Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, made the announcement during the funeral Mass for Kristel Tejada, a 16-year-old student who committed suicide recently after her school allegedly barred her for failing to pay her tuition fees. The Caritas Emergency Educational Fund, in memory of Tejada, will have an initial funding of 500,000 pesos (S$15,200), Fr Pascual said. Tejada’s death sparked outrage from various groups and prompted the University of the Philippines, the country’s premier school, to lift its policy against late payments. University president Alfredo ˆ # U $ ‰ $ students will not be denied educa $

offered his “deepest condolences� to Tejada’s family.

“Let us now look forward and turn our grief into a stronger resolve to address the concerns brought out by this tragedy,� he said. “The past few days have not been easy for us,� he said. “The news of Kristel’s untimely demise has divided us and this has saddened us more.� Representative Edgardo Angara, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said he will push for reforms in the education sector to 6 $ # $ $ “What happened to Kristel Tejada should not happen. I am going to make sure that it won’t any more,� Mr Angara said. Tejada died on March 15 and was laid to rest in Manila the next day. While the remains of people who commit suicide are not traditionally interred in Catholic cemeteries, Fr Pascual said the Church allowed it in Tejada’s case out of “compassion�. „ UCANEWS.COM

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

China’s illicit ordinations on same day as pope’s inauguration KUNMING, CHINA – Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming, who is not recognised by the Holy See, ordained two priests in Yunnan province on March 19, raising new questions about the troubled relationship between the China Church and the Vatican. A priest of Kunming who concelebrated the Mass told ucanews.com they had planned the ordination for the solemnity of St Joseph – inadvertently coinciding with Pope Francis’ installation – several months ago. “It was impossible to change the date because many relatives and friends have expected and prepared for this joyful occasion,� the priest said. “I hope the outside world would not misunderstand. We ordain priests simply for the need of the local Church.� During the ordination Mass, Bishop Ma led the congregation to pray for God’s blessing for the new pope so he could lead the Church to achieve unity and to D However, Bishop Ma’s illegitimate status created confusion among some Church observers. One such observer, who requested anonymity, said it was “strange� that the Beijing government would send a goodwill message to the new pope while allowing Bishop Ma to proceed “at this important moment�. The observer called the ordinations “a sacrilegious act which splits up the Church�. Some faithful see Bishop Ma’s act as confrontational.

Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming, China. UCANEWS.COM photo

‘Is Bishop Ma signalling to the new pope that he and the Church would hold fast to China’s independent Church principle?’ – A Chinese Catholic

“Is Ma signalling to the new pope that he and the China Church would hold fast to the independent Church principle?� one of them said, wondering if the Holy See would excommuni-

cate Bishop Ma, as he has repeatedly violated Church law. The ordinations, of Yi-ethnic Fr Paul Yue Bangshuang from Dali diocese and Jingpo-ethnic Fr Joseph Bu Shuncai from Zhaotong apostolic prefecture, took place at a small church in Ruili city, on the border with Myanmar. The new priests graduated from seminaries in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces, respectively, and were ordained deacons by Bishop Ma last December. Three thousand Catholics witnessed the ordination of the second ethnic Jingpo priest in China. Six priests and some lay people from Myanmar, all ethnic Jingpo, crossed the border to join the ceremony. This is the third time Bishop Ma has ordained priests – two in April 2008 and six in March 2012 – since 2006, when he was ordained as a bishop without papal mandate. At the time, Rome published a strong statement against China’s practice of self-ordination but did not declare any canonical sanctions against Bishop Ma. In 2010, Bishop Ma was elected president of the Bishops’ Conference of the Church in China and vice chair of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Neither organisation is recognised by the Vatican. In March, Bishop Ma was renominated as a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultation Conference, the Chinese government’s top advisory body. „ UCANEWS.COM

Philippines Supreme Court suspends contraception law MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Su-

preme Court on March 19 suspended implementation of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill in a surprise move that coincided with the installation of Pope Francis in Rome. Voting 10-5, the court issued a 120-day temporary restraining order against the implementation of the law enacted by President Benigno Aquino in December after almost 14 years of debate in Congress. The justices said they will # U $ against the implementation of the law on June 18. The Department of Health had announced that the law was to take effect on March 31, Easter Sunday, after Health Secretary Enrique Ona signed implementation rules and regulations on March 15. Health Secretary Ona said the law “will empower women, through informed choice and voluntarism� but Catholic leaders have criticised the law for going against Church teachings banning

# The Supreme Court’s decision was condemned by supporters of the law. “We are angered by the court decision,� said Mr Rom Dongeto, executive director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development. “The court has no reason to stop the law’s implementation even if the justices do have to study the petitions opposing the law,� he told ucanews.com. “It has been discussed in Congress for 14 years and all issues have been thoroughly studied,� Mr Dongeto said.

A mother with her newborn waits for a check-up at Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, Philippines. Legislation that would ! " " " a family planning method was suspended on March 19. CNS photo

Other pro-law advocates staged a protest by lighting candles outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday. “It makes me wonder if [the court decision] is because the Catholic Church sent holy enforcers to lean on the justices,� said pro-RH advocate and author Yvette Tan. Ms Tan said the court’s decision “means more unplanned pregnancies, more women’s deaths and more chances of people sinking into poverty�. The bishops’ conference’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life welcomed the court’s move. The decision has given those opposed to the law, including bishops, “some respite�, said commission head Fr Melvin Castro. „ UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 11

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop of Canterbury quotes pope at enthronement

Anglican 4 " Justin 7 8 # + after his enthronement ceremony at 8 # Cathedral on March 21.

MANCHESTER,

ENGLAND

–

Drawing on the words of Pope Francis and his call for people to be protectors of each other, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby urged people of faith to build up the community of God on earth. Archbishop Welby, 57, was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury and became the spiritual leader of about 77 million Anglicans around the world in ceremonies at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England on March 21. The archbishop, a former oil executive, recalled the words of Pope Francis during the pontiff’s inaugural Mass on March 19, when he urged people to care for one another in order to build a peaceful world. It is only under “the authority of God ... that we may become the fully human community of which we all dream,� Archbishop Welby said during his homily. The comments were among several references to the increasingly secular nature of British society.

Archbishop Welby received congratulatory messages from Pope Francis, dated March 18, and Pope Benedict XVI, dated Feb 4, more than three weeks before Pope Benedict resigned from the papacy. In his message, Pope Francis assured Archbishop Welby of his prayers “as you take up your new responsibilities�. “I ask you to pray for me as I respond to the new call that the Lord has addressed to me,� the pope said, adding, “I look forward to meeting you in the near future and to continuing the warm frater-

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nal relations that our predecessors enjoyed.� In a longer message, Pope Benedict reminded Archbishop Welby U } Q a time when the Christian faith is being called into question in many parts of the Western world by those who claim that religion is a private matter, with no contribution to offer to public debate�. “Ministers of the Gospel today have to respond to a widespread deafness to the music of faith and a general weariness that shuns the demands of discipleship,� Pope Benedict wrote. Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, $ ˆ +

ˆ + œ " represented the Vatican at the enthronement. Senior Catholic leaders at the ceremony included Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor, retired archbishop of Westminster. „ CNS

Syrian Christians turn to churches, not refugee camps for help ISTANBUL, TURKEY – Churches

and monasteries in Turkey are struggling to shelter a rising number of Syrian Christian refugees who are reluctant to seek help at government-run relief camps because of reported Muslim extremism, said a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) staff. Mr Sleiman Saikali, pro œ& 6 ops’ relief and development agency, told Catholic News Service that he met Christian refugees living in and around the southeastern Turkish cities of Mardin and Midyat; some lived in churches and two ancient monasteries. “All of these are about 200 people. Other Christians are coming day after day,� said Mr Saikali, who was in the region with a CRS delegation at the end of February looking at ways to help Syrian refugees on both sides of the border. The Christians are among the tens of thousands of Syrians refugees, most of whom are Muslim, D 9 } " &" where pro-government forces are $ $ D

U 6 U œ $ 7 tions estimates has killed 70,000 people in two years. Turkey has provided aid and shelter to more than 150,000 refugees in border camps. More than

70,000 others are living outside the camps with little government

$ œ7 Mr Saikali said Syrian Christians told him they were afraid go to the relief camps “because [of] who is going to the camps: Muslims, but not the Muslims who were living with Christians [in Syria]. They are from [Muslim] fundamentalist groups.� 0 œ7

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$ " ( lim refugees also refused to go to the camps, but for other reasons. ˜

 plained, some of the refugees are seen as being aligned with the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and were threatened by camp residents. „ CNS

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12 WORLD

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

US Catholics see moral complications in drone usage WASHINGTON DC, USA – Amid continued debate over the use of drone strikes, Catholic thinkers warned that the US drone programme – particularly when used in civilian areas – raises a host of complex moral considerations. “It would be very easy to come to reasoning that the Church would be absolutely opposed to the use of drones – foreign or domestic – in civilian areas,� said Mr Joshua Mercer, political director of civic action group Catholic Vote. The use of drones has been controversial in recent months, particularly with regard to their use in civilian areas, risking high levels of civilian casualties. Drones are distantly controlled unmanned aircrafts that are used by the military for observation of prospective targets and for missile attacks on suspects of terrorism. The US drone programme was started by the Bush administration and expanded by the Obama administration. Prof Robert George of Princeton University has spoken several times on the topic. In June 2012, Prof George critiqued the Obama administration’s expansion of the use of drones in civilian areas. He said that while the “use of drones is not, in my opinion, inherently immoral in otherwise 6 " K the “risk of death and other grave harms to non-combatants� complicates the situation. “Having a valid military target

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cation for the use of weapons such as predator drones,� the Catholic scholar continued. “Sometimes considerations of justice to noncombatants forbid their use, even if that means that grave risks must be endured by our own forces in the prosecution of a war.� “The wholesale and indiscriminate use of drones cannot be jus $ $ $ 6

$ K he added. “This is something that Catholic intellectuals across the spectrum ought, it seems to me,

to agree about. If we don’t speak, who will?� Prof George revisited the topic in February this year, following the release of a Department of Justice paper laying out a legal argument in favour of using drones. He criticised both political parties for foreign policy moves that exchanged civilian deaths for terrorist targets. “Catholics and others who believe that not all is fair in love and war [or at least not in war] should have been speaking out against Obama’s overuse of drones long ago,� he said. Mr Mercer, who noted that Catholic Vote has criticised the use of drone strikes in a civilian context since the Bush administration, added to Prof George’s critique. He clari $ U " operated aircraft in combat situa

" the use of drones in “non-combat situations� raises serious questions. „ CNA/EWTN NEWS

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

13

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Cardinal Bergoglio electe

! " # $ $ % &' VATICAN CITY – Never give in to

the devil’s pessimism, discouragement and bitterness, Pope Francis said: Christians need to share the Gospel message with joy and courage because it will truly answer people’s deepest needs. Young people also need the wisdom and knowledge of older peo U } Q U that gets better with age�, he told the College of Cardinals on March 15. His remarks came during a meeting in the Clementine Hall in

Pope Francis leaves the Sistine Chapel after being elected pope and shortly ! " " * > ? " at the Vatican on March 13. CNS photos

the apostolic palace with all the cardinals who were present in Rome, including the non-elector cardinals who were over the age of 80 and did not vote in the conclave. Wearing a simple white papal cassock without the red mozzetta, the pope looked relaxed and comfortable during the meeting, diverging often from his prepared text and speaking heart-to-heart in off-thecuff comments. “Dear brothers, perhaps half of us are in our old age,� he said with a smile.

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But the 76-year-old pope said he likes to think of old age as a sign of wisdom. “Like the elderly Simeon and elderly Anna in the temple,� he said, they had the knowledge and wisdom from life’s journey to recognise Jesus. In his 13-minute talk, Pope Francis thanked everyone in the college and the Vatican for their support and help during the period of election for a new pope. He thanked the faithful who turned out in St Peter’s Square the

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The inaugural Mass and homily 200,000 people attended the inaugural papal Mass at St Peter’s Square VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis for-

mally began his ministry as bishop of Rome and as pope by pledging to protect the Catholic Church, the dignity of each person and the beauty of creation, just like St Joseph protected Mary and Jesus. “To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love is to open up a horizon of hope,� he told between 150,000 and 200,000 people gathered under sunny skies in St Peter’s Square and the nearby streets. With representatives of other Christian Churches and communities, delegations from 132 countries, Jewish and Muslim leaders as well as Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains present, Pope Francis preached the Gospel, but insisted the values it espouses are essentially human, “involving everyone�. While the rites and rituals of the inauguration of his ministry as pope took place immediately before the Mass, the liturgy itself was a celebration of the feast of St Joseph, patron of the universal Church and “also the name day of my venerable predecessor�, Pope Benedict XVI,

the former Joseph Ratzinger. The retired pope was not present at the liturgy, but the crowds applauded enthusiastically when Pope Francis said, “We are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude.� The new pope stood at a lectern to read his homily, sticking to the text he had prepared in advance. At times his voice was extremely soft and other times it was quite loud; he punctuated with clenched } 6 required to be tender and compassionate to others. “In the Gospels,� he said, “St Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see great tenderness, which is not the virtue of the weak, but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love.� “We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness,� Pope Francis said. The new pope said exercising the role of protector as St Joseph did means doing so “discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing

$ $ " # U $ $ $ $K The Gospels present St Joseph as a husband to Mary, “at her side in good times and bad�, and as a father who watched over Jesus, worried about Him and taught Him a trade, the pope said. St Joseph responded to his called to be a protector “by being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply his own�, the pope said. Fidelity to God’s word and God’s plan for individuals and for all of creation makes the difference, he said, calling on everyone to be sensitive and loving toward those in their care, especially toward children, the aged, the poor and the sick. “In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it,� he said. “Be protectors of God’s gifts.� When people fail to respect creation, when they ignore “God’s plan inscribed in nature�, or when they treat each other with disrespect, he said, “the way is opened to destruction, and hearts are hardened�. “Tragically, in every period of

history there are ‘Herods’ who plot death, wreak havoc and mar the countenance of men and women,� he said. Pope Francis asked the government leaders present and all those U 6 " $ economics, politics and social life $ U $ $ death threaten human dignity, human life and the environment. He met with the heads of the government delegations after the Mass. Caring for others, he said in his homily, must begin with watching over one’s own heart, mind and actions, resisting “hatred, envy and pride� and emotions that can tear others down. Pope Francis told the people he realised his new ministry included “a certain power�, but it is the same power Jesus conferred on St Peter, which was the “power of service� seen in Jesus’ charge to St Peter: “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep�. “Let us never forget that authentic power is service and that the pope, too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the cross,� he said. „ CNS

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night of his election on March 13, saying the image of so many people gathered in prayer and joy was “still ingrained in my mind�. He also thanked his “venerated predecessor�, retired Pope Benedict XVI, for having “enriched and reinvigorated the Church with his magisterium, goodness, guidance, faith, humility and gentleness, which remain as a spiritual heritage for everyone�. He said Pope Benedict has “lit a D $ U

U continue to burn because it will be

fed by his prayers, which will still support the Church in her spiritual and missionary journeyâ€?. Pope Francis said that, with his U Q # Â&#x; pel with renewed love, helping the Church become ever more in Christ and with Christâ€?. ˜  Â? Faith, established by Pope Benedict, “we will strive to faithfully respond to the continuing mission: Bring Jesus Christ to humanity and lead people to an encounter with Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the lifeâ€?, he said. Pope Francis recalled his predecessor’s message that it is Christ through His spirit, not individuals, leading the Church through history. “We never give in to pessimism, that bitterness that the devil offers us every day,â€? knowing the Holy Spirit’s life-giving and unifying force is at work, he told the cardinals. Never give in to discouragement either, he said, because “we # " " Spirit gives the Church, with its powerful breeze, the courage to per # $ $ U $ of evangelisation, to bring the Gospel to the far ends of the earthâ€?. “The Christian truth is attractive

and persuasive because it responds to humanity’s deepest needs,� he said, adding that the Gospel is as valid and applicable to the world today as it was thousands of years ago. In his opening remarks, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, speaking on behalf of the whole college, thanked the pope for “having accepted, with a great and generous heart, the Lord’s invitation� to lead the universal Church. The papacy is “a demanding job�, Cardinal Sodano said, but the pope will have the help of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis told the cardinals he hoped they’d return home enriched by their experience in Rome – an event that was “so charged with faith and ecclesial communion�. The conclave and the days of preparation before it provided a unique experience that was marked by “great cordiality�, he said. “This is good because we are brothers,� he said, who are part of a community and a friendship “that is good for everyone�. The cardinals’ sense of openness and mutual friendship helped the Holy Spirit do its part during the conclave, he said. „ CNS

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Congratulatory letters from Singapore’s leaders President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote congratulatory letters to Pope Francis 14 March 2013 His Holiness Pope Francis The Holy See Your Holiness,

On behalf of the people of Singapore, I would like to extend to you my warmest congratulations on your election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church plays a leading role in championing the values of peace, tolerance and compassion in the world. As a multireligious and multi-racial country, Singapore places great importance on religious harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst our people. The Catholic community in Singapore has played a key role in strengthening inter-faith dialogue and promoting tolerance and re14 March 2013 His Holiness Pope Francis The Holy See Your Holiness,

On behalf of the Government and people of Singapore, I offer my warmest congratulations on your election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Relations between Singapore and the Holy See are warm and growing. The appointment of an Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore " U milestone in our bilateral relations, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2011. We have worked well together to advance equity and development, and promote peace and

ligious harmony over the years. It has also made important contributions to Singapore through the provision of education to our people and delivery of social services to the poor and needy of all faiths and ethnic groups. The Singapore Government will work closely with the newly ordained Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh, whose ordination I had the privilege to attend, to continue the good work of the Catholic Church in Singapore. ˜ $ � ness will build on the legacy of your predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to be a beacon of leadership and faith to Catholics in Singapore and all over the world. ˆ

Â? the assurances of my highest consideration. TONY TAN KENG YAM

religious harmony. The Catholic Church and community in Singapore have fostered strong links with other religious groups, promoted interfaith dialogue and strengthened religious harmony. It has also long served the less privileged in our society, particularly through education. I look forward to working

" U � 0 ostolic Nuncio in Singapore Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, and our newly appointed Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh to strengthen ˜ U � ness all the best in your new role. ˆ

Â? the assurances of my highest consideration. LEE HSIEN LOONG

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Mass in prison on Holy Thursday VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

has decided to celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper in a Rome juvenile detention facility and wash the feet of some of the young detainees. It marks a change in venue of the previously scheduled March 28 Holy Week event from St Peter’s Basilica to Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors. While the practice of his predecessors has included washing the feet of priests or lay people, the ceremony was normally held in either

St Peter’s Basilica or the Basilica of St John Lateran. The Vatican said that, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis used to celebrate the Mass of the € $‚ & / U

D call to imitate Christ by serving one another – in prisons, hospitals or shelters for the poor and marginalised. “With the celebration at Casal del Marmo, Pope Francis will continue that practice, which must be carried out in a context characterised by simplicity,� the Vatican said in a March 21 statement. „ CNS

Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Grace Fu represented Singapore at the papal inauguration Mass on March 19. Ms Fu had a brief audience with Pope Francis following the Mass. She congratulated him on his election, and re ! * + ! " 8 " 8 # " " # * / )

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

In the pope’s home country CNS photos

Newly elected Pope Francis holds a mate, the traditional Argentine herbal tea, given to him as a present from Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner at the Vatican on March 18.

People celebrate the election of the new pope at Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 13.

A crowd gathers outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as they watch the pope’s inaugural Mass. People hold Argentine % images of Pope Francis as they watch the televised broadcast of the inaugural Mass on a giant screen outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires.

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Pope engages with Orthodox representatives CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Pastors and theo-

logians involved in ecumenical dialogue emphasise the importance of “table time� – sharing meals – along with serious theological discussions, shared prayer and joint action. Pope Francis spoke about his ecumenical vision on March 20 and prayed with delegates from Orthodox and other Christian communities at his inaugural Mass on March 19. He’s also had breakfast, lunch and dinner with the Orthodox representatives who came to Rome for his inauguration. Pope Francis was still living at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guest house where the Orthodox delegates also were staying. They all ate together and greeted each other in the common dining room. Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires and South America was one of the delegates who shared meals and prayers with the new pope. In fact, he’s been doing that since then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio attended his enthronement

in Buenos Aires in 2001. Metropolitan Tarasios, who was part of the ecumenical patriarchate’s delegation to Pope Francis’ inauguration, said it is not a matter of either theological dialogue or practical cooperation: Christian unity requires both. “The theological dialogue by itself cannot bring about Christian unity,� he said. It brings the Churches closer, helps them understand each other more profoundly, and provides a serious tool for understanding where the churches agree and where they differ. But efforts also are required to bring Christians together in common prayer and joint action. In Pope Francis’ remarks to the ecumenical delegates, he focused on the common task of preaching the Gospel, defending human dignity and defending creation. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, in his remarks to the gathering, focused on the importance of continuing the formal theological dialogue so that “our Christian witness would be credible in the eyes

The theological dialogue by itself cannot ‘bring about Christian unity, but efforts also are required to bring Christians together in common prayer and joint action.

’

– Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires and South America

Pope Francis greets religious leaders during a meeting at the Vatican on March 20. The pope met with the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Jain delegations that had come to the Vatican for his inauguration.

of those near and far�. 4 # " international Catholic-Orthodox dialogue has been focusing on one of thorniest topics dividing the two communities: the primacy of the pope and the way his ministry has been exercised since the Great Schism of 1054. 9 } the role of the bishop of Rome in the U " the foundation for a joint statement on the place and role of the pope in a reunited Christianity. „ CNS

Pope Francis’ meeting with Pope Emeritus

‘High hopes’ for Philippines, pontiff tells Cardinal Tagle MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle told journalists that when he went before newly elected Pope Francis to pledge obedience, the pope told him he had “high hopes� for the Philippines. At a news conference at Manila’s international airport on March 21, the cardinal said the pope also asked Filipinos “to deepen our faith, through our devotion to Our Lady and mission to the poor. Now, those three are already a whole programme, as it were, for the whole Church in the Philippines�. Cardinal Tagle was one of the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel for the election of Pope Francis on March 13. He expressed gratitude for the “gift of a new pope� and for having had the opportunity to be in solidarity with him, in communion and prayer, regarding his mission. “What he’s saying is go back to the roots,� said Cardinal Tagle. “Go back to Jesus Christ.� The cardinal said he agreed with Pope Francis’ assessment that the Church is in danger of be-

Pope Francis embraces Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy on March 23. CNS photo CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY –

Philippine Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila (left) walks with Philippines’ apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, after his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on March 21. CNS photo

coming a “mere non-governmental organisation�. “It has always been a danger in the history of the Church, where – with good intention – you

see the plight of people and you want to serve,� Cardinal Tagle said. “But the motivation of the Church for being of service is really the faith�. „ CNS

Pope Francis met his predecessor on March 23 in a historic encounter at Castel Gandolfo, Italy. During the three-hour meeting the pair prayed together in the chapel of the papal summer residence, ate lunch together and spoke privately for about 45 minutes. Pope Francis presented the Pope Emeritus an icon of Our Lady of Humility during the visit. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi narrated the meeting on Vatican Radio. He said: “The helicopter landed in Castel Gandolfo heliport, at about 12.15pm and the car with the retired pope approached the helicopter landing site.� “The Holy Father alighted: he was accompanied by the Substitute [Secretary of State] Msgr Becciu, by Msgr Sapienza and Msgr Alfred Xuereb. As the Pope alighted, the Pope Emeritus ap-

proached him and there was a moving embrace between the two. “They went up to the apartments and immediately went to the chapel for a moment of prayer. “In the chapel, the Pope Emeritus offered the place of honour to Pope Francis, but he said: ‘We are brothers’, and wanted them to kneel together in the same place. “After a short moment of prayer, they then went to the private library where, at about 12.30, the private meeting began. This is the library where the pope normally receives important guests in Castel Gandolfo. “Let us remember that this is 6 ˆ Francis had many times already addressed his thoughts to the Pope % $ ance on the central Loggia, and then two personal calls: the night of his election and St Joseph’s Day,� said Fr Lombardi. „ CNS

18 OPINION

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

An eloquent silence that echoes in Asia CNS photo

By Fr Bill Grimm By what he has done and what he has failed to do in the few days since his election, Pope Francis has given Catholics reason to hope or regret that much of what they have gotten used to or endured for the past 35 years or so is going to change. On March 16, Francis gave an address to representatives of the communications media who had reported the resignation of Benedict XVI and the conclave. The pope expressed gratitude for their hard work and the effort they put into conveying the full # " ported. He also explained the reason behind his choice of Francis as his papal name. It was a friendly, even humorous, address that showed that the pope understands the role of media. “Be assured that the Church, for her part, highly esteems your important work. At your disposal you have the means to hear and to give voice to people’s expectations and demands, and to provide for an analysis and interpretation of current events. “Your work calls for careful preparation, sensitivity and experience, like so many other professions, but it also demands a particular concern for what is true, good and beautiful.� U # thing the pope said and did was at the end of the address, when he said to the assembled journalists, “I cordially impart to all of you my blessing. Thank you.� Then, while the journalists waited with pens and recording devices at the ready, he said and did nothing! After a pause, he said, “I told you I was cordially imparting my blessing. Since many of you are not members of the Catholic Church, and others are not believers, I cordially give this blessing silently, to each of you, respecting the conscience of each, but in the knowledge that each of you is a child of God. May God bless you!�

The pope’s silent blessing of journalists 7

Asian way of being Church – respectful encounter in dialogue with others. Pope Francis arrives at an audience for journalists on March 16.

The pope did not speak a Trinitarian formula in Latin nor did he make the Sign of the Cross. He simply prayed in a silence that all could share, praying that God’s children present there might share God’s blessing. That moment of silence is es

" 0 U Catholics live among a multiplicity of religions and irreligion. Of

" D ences the way Christians in Asia live our faith has always been the reality of the Church in the world. However, until now the Catholic Church has often appeared, and more often than not, been Eurocentric, praying and acting without much reference to the reality of the world with its many religions and a growing lack of religion of any sort. The pope has, by just a few $ $ vision of the Church that animated Vatican II: the People of God on pilgrimage through this world to proclaim God’s blessing upon “the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are

" U " D

$K The Asian way of being Church – respectful encounter in dialogue with others, asking God to bless them, but not imposing symbols, words or ideas, “respecting the conscience of each� – has been endorsed and demonstrated at the highest level of service in the Church. Asia’s Catholics now have a great role to play for the Church. The pope’s blessing highlights the fact that the situation in which we live and serve is, in fact, the situation in which the entire Church lives and serves. Our experience of evangelisation in dialogue must now become the way of the whole Church, making it more and more catholic, universal. Through example as well as by explicit teaching, the Catholics of Asia can repay those who evangelised us by now showing the rest of the Church how to be faithful to Christ in humility, minority, dialogue and love. „ UCANEWS.COM Maryknoll Fr Bill Grimm is the publisher of the Asian Church news agency ucanews.com and is based in Tokyo.

10 tips for mature living IN HIS autobiography, the late Australian novelist and playwright Morris West suggests that at a certain age our lives simplify and we need have only three phrases left in our spiritual vocabulary: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! He is right, if we understand fully what is implied in living out gratitude. Gratitude is the ultimate virtue, undergirding everything else, even love. It is synony U Â&#x; $ " $ "

$ " $ U But what brings us there? What makes for a deeper human maturity? I would like to suggest 10 major demands that reside inside both human and Christian maturity: 1. Be willing to carry more and more of life’s complexities with empathy: Few things in life, including our own hearts and motives, are black or white, either-or, simply good or simply bad. Maturity invites us to see, understand, and accept this complexity with empathy so that, like Jesus, we cry tears of understanding over our own troubled cities and our own complex hearts. 2. Transform jealousy, anger, bitterness and hatred rather than give them back in kind: Any pain or tension that we do not transform we will re-transmit. In the face of jealousy, anger, bitterness and hatred U 6 } U $ $  $ us and giving back just the pure water, rather than being like electrical

$ " " D U 3. Let suffering soften rather than harden our souls: Suffering $ $ 6 U U $ – with forgiveness or bitterness – will determine the level of our maturity and the colour of our person. This is perhaps our ultimate moral test: Will my humiliations soften or harden my soul? 4. Forgive: In the end there is only one condition for entering heaven (and living inside human community), namely, forgiveness. Perhaps the greatest struggle we have in the second half of our lives is to forgive: forgive those who have hurt us, forgive ourselves for our own shortcomings, and forgive God for seemingly hanging us out unfairly to dry in this world. The greatest moral imperative of all is not to die with a bitter, unforgiving heart. 5. Live in gratitude: To be a saint is to be fuelled by gratitude, nothing more and nothing less. Let no one deceive you with the notion that a passion for truth, for Church, or even for God can trump or bracket the non-negotiable imperative to be gracious always. Holiness is gratitude. ÂŁ $ $ U $ # $ " the wrong reasons. 6. Bless more and curse less: U U $ selves by what we are for rather than by what we are against and especially when, like Jesus, we are looking out at others and seeing them as blessed (“Blessed are you!â€?) rather than as cursed (“Who do you think " ÂĄK 9

"

$ " 7. Live in an ever-greater transparency and honesty: We are as sick as our sickest secret, but we are also as healthy as we are honest. We need, as Protestant reformer Martin Luther once put it, “to sin bravely and honestlyâ€?. Maturity does not mean that we are perfect or faultless, but that we are honest. 8. Pray both affectively and liturgically: The fuel we need to resource ourselves for gratitude and forgiveness does not lie in the strength of our own will power but in grace and community. We access that through prayer. We are mature to the degree that we open our own helplessness and invite in God’s strength and to the degree that we pray with others that the whole world will do the same thing. 9. Become ever-wider in your embrace: We grow in maturity to $ U $ " " 6 ¤ way that is ever more ecumenical, interfaith, post-ideological, and nondiscriminatory. We are mature only when we are compassionate as God is compassionate, namely, when our sun too shines on those we like and those we do not. There comes a time when it is time to turn in our cherished moral placards for a basin and a towel. 10. Stand where you stand and let God protect you: In the end, we are all vulnerable, contingent, and helpless both to protect our loved ones and ourselves. We cannot guarantee life, safety, salvation or forgiveness for ourselves or for those we love. Maturity depends upon accepting this with trust rather than anxiety. We can only do our best, whatever our place in life, wherever we stand, whatever our limits, whatever our shortcomings, and trust that this is enough, that if we die at our post, honest, doing our duty, God will do the rest. God is a prodigiously loving, fully understanding, completely empathic parent. We are mature and free of false anxiety to the degree that we grasp that and trust that truth. „

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Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Election of 1st Jesuit pope sends message of renewal A pope from a Religious order that has experienced tension with the Vatican could set off process of positive change, says Francis X Rocca VATICAN CITY – The Church has turned to Religious orders for popes at various times over the centuries, often when in need of a reformer, and such may have been the cardinals’ thinking when they elected Pope Francis. U $‚ @ pope, and the cardinal electors knew the Jesuits are historically " $ U generation in the 16th century not only carried the faith to nonChristian lands but also marched in the front ranks of the Catholic Reformation facing the challenge of Protestantism in Europe. That heritage may have been a factor in the choice of Pope Francis at a moment when the Church has placed a priority on the new evangelisation – the effort to revive the faith in increasingly secular societies. 2

conclave meetings, the cardinals extensively discussed the corruption and mismanagement sensationally documented in the 2012 QŒ € } K $ respondence within the Holy See. The new pope’s history of #  $ 6" modest apartment and practice of riding city buses – not to mention his decision to take the name of St Francis of Assisi, a great reformer known as the “poor little one� – must have seemed especially appealing in that context. Yet many of the cardinals who elected the new pope are also known to believe that one aspect of the Church urgently in need in reform is none other than Religious life. The last half-century has wit-

Throughout history, the Church’s hierarchical and charismatic sides – represented by the bishops and the Religious orders – have existed in tension with each other. At times that tension has been debilitating, at other times explosively creative.

> X " " * 4 ? > [ " " \/ ' + + ! " # " / CNS photo

nessed a steep decline in vocations, along with well-publicised disputes over doctrine and discipline between members of Religious orders and their bishops, including the Bishop of Rome, the pope. As the largest of the orders, with more than 17,000 members, the Jesuits exhibit these tensions in an especially prominent way. & @ " $ of the Vatican at the highest levels; Pope Benedict XVI appointed one member, Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, secretary of the Congrega-

tion for the Doctrine of the Faith. But in 2008, Pope Benedict found it necessary to ask the or$ Q $ to Catholic doctrine, in particular on those neuralgic points which today are strongly attacked by secular culture� including “the relationship between Christ and religions, some aspects of the theology of liberation�, divorce and homosexuality. There is no doubt where Pope Francis stands on those points. If any cardinals had qualms about

the future pope’s membership in an order often accused of tolerating dissent, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s well-known $ " + U $ have dispelled them. But is it possible that the controversies associated with the Jesuits and other Religious orders actually played a positive role in his election? A frequently heard comment during the run-up to the conclave U 6 ‰ $ reform the Vatican would be an

Italian, since he would know the local culture best. Evidently the

$ $ $ $ argument strong enough to determine their choice. Yet they may have used a similar logic with regard to a different agenda. Throughout the history of the Church, its hierarchical and charismatic sides – traditionally represented by the bishops and the Religious orders – have existed in tension with each other. At times that tension has been debilitating, at other times explosively creative. In choosing a Jesuit and longtime bishop to serve as the Church’s head on earth, the cardinals may have set in motion a process of renewal that will be felt far beyond the Vatican’s walls. „ CNS The writer heads Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau.

New pontiff shows he dares to do things differently By Francis X Rocca VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis had been

pope for less than six days when he was formally installed on March 19, but he had already made a distinctive and overwhelmingly favourable impression on the world. That is an especially remarkable accomplishment given that until his election, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been practically unknown to the public outside his native Argentina. His abrupt change in style from the # # U " charmed the press and the public. But among the hierarchy, off-the-record sentiments seem to be more mixed: admiration at the ease with which Pope Francis has assumed his new role alongside doubts that he can or should keep up such an unconventional approach for long. The new pope made an immediate im-

pact with his extraordinary gestures of humility: bowing and asking the crowd’s blessing on election night, paying his own hotel bill and eschewing papal regalia such as red shoes and a gold pectoral cross; and with his displays of spontaneity, such as straying from prepared texts and stopping to greet the crowd on a Rome street. Especially within the Vatican, there are surely many who inwardly regret the clear signs that informality will be the rule in this 0 $ $ tions are among the few worldly rewards legitimately available to those in the hierarchy. More importantly, anyone who under $ Italian, and thus in Vatican, culture understands that Pope Francis’ changes indicate a threat to something more vital than vanity. Of the widely acknowledged priorities among the cardinal electors in the run-up

Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, pictured walking through a subway # # 4 8~* /

to the conclave that chose Pope Francis, none was more prominent than the need to reform the Roman Curia, the Church’s

central administration. Sensational leaks to the press in 2012 documented corruption and mismanagement inside the Vatican, and in a speech during the cardinals’ pre-conclave meetings, then-Cardinal Bergoglio himself is reported to have denounced the practice of ecclesiastical “careerism�. Pope Francis’ shows of humility and accessibility plainly underscore his avowed desire that the Church be close to the poorest and least powerful, a message he reinforced explicitly in the homily at his installation Mass. To a more restricted and disproportionately powerful group of spectators, the new pope’s departures from Vatican protocol also send another, no less revolutionary message: that he knows what he thinks is right and will not hesitate to defy precedent or the instructions of others to act accordingly. „ CNS

20 EASTER BAPTISMS

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

S’poreans, foreigners 16 people entering the Catholic Church at Easter Mum embraces faith after accompanying daughter to RCIA Ms Christine Lim knew her mother, Madam Georgina Khaw, had always been interested in Christianity. Thus when Ms Lim, who was an airline cabin crew member then, signed up for the RCIA at Church of Divine Mercy, she asked her mum to attend the sessions also and take notes if Ms Lim was working. That was her way of getting Madam Khaw to church, Ms Lim said. Madam Khaw shared she had a negative experience in a Catholic church previously and never wanted to step foot in a Catholic church again. However, she was touched by the hospitality and warmth during a session at an RCIA coordinator’s home. “That was the turning point when I decided to sit through the RCIA,� Madam Khaw said. “Eventually I learnt to forgive and forget.� Madam Khaw, who comes from a Buddhist background, shared that since the age of nine, she had prayed to God in a corner of her room without really

‘I’ve waited

for 49 years to get baptised. I’ve never been so happy before.’ – Madam Georgina Khaw

Madam Georgina Khaw (left) and Ms Christine Lim.

knowing who God is, and without attending church. She also recalled praying desperately to God when she was involved in a serious accident, asking for more time to spend with her estranged daughter. That wish was apparently ful $ Madam Khaw says she is happy to be baptised.

“I’ve waited for this for as long as 49 years to get this baptism so it is very important for me ... I’ve never been so happy before,� she shared. Ms Lim told CatholicNews she has become a calmer and more peaceful person since embracing the faith. “I’ve become much happier,� she shared. “I’ve experienced

‘God has not forgotten about me’ A Catholic friend introduced Ms Jasline Chua to the Catholic Church more than 10 years. She attended weekly Masses and even the RCIA. However as she lived in the west and the parish was in the east, she eventually dropped out of RCIA although she attended Mass occasionally and prayed whenever she encountered problems. She was attending a Christmas midnight Mass in 2011 alone when she felt a strong calling to return more fully to church. “He [God] hasn’t forgotten about me,� she shared. Since then, she has tried to attend Mass weekly and gave herself six months to decide whether or not to join the RCIA. She eventually did. However, her job as a cabin crew staff meant she had to miss some sessions. Other people also commented that her irregular hours would be an obstacle to her attending class. “I felt a bit demoralised,� Ms Chua said. However, one RCIA facilitator kept her updated through emails

Ms Jasline Chua

Somebody hasn’t ‘forgotten about me so I came back; gave it another shot.

’

– Ms Jasline Chua on her RCIA journey

and messages, and provided her with RCIA and supplementary notes.

He gave her copies of CatholicNews and one priest gave her private lessons. With all the help, Ms Chua said she was able to continue with her RCIA journey. “Somebody hasn’t forgotten about me so I came back; gave it another shot,� she said. Since embracing the faith, her outlook on life has changed, said Ms Chua, adding that she is now more able to handle stressful situations. For example when facing a challenging situation at work, she would take a deep breath, utter a short prayer under her breath and the situation would improve, she shared. Ms Chua, who is taking on the baptismal name of Teresa, after Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, said she feels inspired by the late nun. Ms Chua, who does volunteer work, said she hopes to be able to contribute to the needy just as Blessed Teresa did. She also hopes to be a lector and to join the St Vincent de Paul society. „

eventful things this year, but I think because of the faith and connection, whenever bad things happen, I don’t feel as pained and sad as before. I can move on,� she said. Ms Lim said she felt her conversion to Catholicism was a “calling�. She had discussed religion with friends of different faiths

and also attended other Christian churches. A good friend then brought her to the Church of Divine ( " 0 $ $ know it was a Catholic church and when she found out, she had doubts as she had misconceptions about the Catholic Church. However, she prayed and decided to give the RCIA a try. She recalled there were times when, after returning from work on a Sunday morning, she had to attend RCIA sessions in the afternoon. “Somehow I felt energetic ... When you have a willing heart, He will give you the strength and energy. That’s how amazing our Father is,� Ms Lim beamed. She said her faith has grown since attending RCIA. She would pray to God for help whenever she needed guidance and God would lead her to an answer, she said, adding that this has happened many times. The more one talks to God, the more one receives His guidance and the more one’s faith grows, Ms Lim said. „

Getting to know God again While Ms Wong Shu Yun had been a Protestant Christian for more than 10 years, she was “largely Christian by name�. “I judged based on a self-righteous worldview, did ministry in order to please, and evangelised because it only seemed like the right thing to do,� she shared. “It was all law and no love, all fear and no freedom. And worst, all work and no play.� It was when she encountered some failed relationships that she 6 D $ " God stripped her of her wrong sense of religiosity and removed her “security blankets�, she said. She then decided to join the RCIA to get to know God all over again. “It was a humbling experience going back to God 101, but also very liberating,� she shared. One big challenge for her, she admits, is “to love wholeheartedly�. Ms Wong said that she is open to the possibilities and surprises that God would bring into her life as she lives her Christian faith. “I’m certainly not going back to the judgmental, trying-to-beperfect person, and trying to be

Ms Wong Shu Yun

right all the time,� she said. While Ms Wong says she is “excited� to be part of the Catholic community, she says she is also trying to “reconcile� the differences between the Protestant and Catholic Churches. The Catholic Church is beautiful with her saints, she said, adding that she is inspired by the notion of “ grace reaching out to the human heart�. „

EASTER BAPTISMS 21

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

share faith journeysii tell Darren Boon about their struggles and hopes ‘Miracles’ led to his conversion His experience of several “miracles� and his own grappling with a serious illness led Mr Ian Tan to become a Catholic. His father-in-law, a devoted Catholic, had suffered from stage-four cancer but did not undergo chemotherapy. Through prayer and the receiving of Holy Communion, he lived on for 18 months, three months longer than predicted by doctors. A woman who had prayed for his father-in-law had her own cancer cured. “That gave me the conviction and I believed,� said Mr Tan. 6 Catholic when he was diagnosed with a serious illness in January last year. “The thought of leaving this world and not being able to be with my family gave me the desire to become Catholic, to be with them for the rest of my life and the life after,� he said. He surrendered himself to God, he told CatholicNews. Yet during the RCIA process, he suffered from depression, and doubted and questioned God. His wife, Jacinta, noted that he lost several people close to him during that time. It was a struggle between trying to come close to God and getting angry with Him, said Mrs Tan who is Catholic. However, the couple said they received a lot of support, guidance and prayer from church friends, especial-

Mr Ian Tan with his wife, Jacinta, and children Mia and Noah

ly Mr Tan’s sponsor and godfather. Mr Tan says his baptism is a wish come true for his late father-in-law. It was after his death that they found out about a letter he had written to the Carmelite nuns about 10 years ago, asking for prayers for Mr Tan’s conversion. “It is a testimonial of his faith in our good Lord,� Mr Tan said. He added that he has since changed from being a career-minded person to one realising that family, love, support and religion are important in life. Mrs Tan said her life has

changed as well. “As a cradle Catholic, I was quite complacent.� Now, it is her husband “who would initiate prayers�, she said. Mr Tan says he now he guides his two children in their prayers and helps them to give thanks to God. He says they ask many questions about Jesus that sometimes he does not have the answers to. Meanwhile, he will “let the Holy Spirit guide� him in contributing to the Church. The most important thing is to be a good child of God, he said. „

Bonding with friends and family For 22-year-old Joshua Tan, becoming a Catholic has allowed him to share a special bond with friends and family members. He had attended a Catholic primary school and some of his good friends are Catholics. His mother and sister are Catholic as well as his mother’s family, including his late maternal grandmother who had looked after him in his younger days. While he had attended church previously, he stopped due to a lack of interest and belief, he shared. However things changed when he experienced the support of oth $ / passing on of his grandmother, and studies and relationship problems. His mother and friends urged him to rely on God for strength, and to read the Bible, he recalled. However, they did not pressure him to become a Catholic. Mr Tan later decided to join the RCIY at the Church of the Holy Spirit. He said he enjoyed the journey as the participants and sponsors were around his age. He found it

Caring for the suffering

Ms Jagadha

Ms Leelavathi

Witnessing the suffering of elderly people they were caring for inspired Indian domestic workers Ms Jagadha and Ms Leelavathi to learn about Christ. In the course of their work in Singapore, they had cared for their employer’s ailing parent. Ms Leelavathi said that after seeing the sufferings of her employer’s father, and having experienced suffering herself, she “wanted to accept this faith, the way of Christ as the way for me�. She had heard the Gospels and wanted to know more. Thus, she embraced Catholicism, she said. Ms Leelavathi said her mother passed away when she was an infant. Her father later remarried and her step-mother “gave her and her [Ms Leelavathi’s] older sister many problems�. She is unable to express this suffering adequately, she told CatholicNews. However she is grateful that God has given her good employers who helped her to understand the bible. She said she would continue

to come to church, be disciplined in her worship and always give thanks to God. She added that she is grateful to be able to attend a Tamil RCIA class 6 Ms Jagadha shared that she has faith in God and believes Jesus is the true God. “In my life, some miracles took place and I believe that God made these happen, and the God that I’m seeking is Jesus,� she said. “I have seen the goodness and greatness of God through Christ and I want to try to follow His way.� Ms Jagadha had cared for her employer’s mother, a devout Catholic, who has since passed away. There were times when Ms Jagadha was at a loss as to how to look after the sick lady, she shared. She said God gave her the wisdom to do so and believes God used her to look after her employer’s mother. Ms Jagadha also said that God $ wishes. „

First love is Jesus

Mr Joshua Tan

easy to communicate with them while having fun at the same time. Nevertheless, there was always the temptation to skip the classes, he recalled, but everyone overcame this by praying together and encouraging one another. He said the initial part of the

" U $ $ to juggle some personal commitments with the classes. Mr Tan says he is now less hottempered, and has become more caring and understanding. He also hopes to spread joy to those around him. „

Although Ms Vasantha Gorihdasamy was born into a non-Christian family, she has been interested in Christianity since young. However, she respected her father’s wishes and did not convert. Ms Gorihdasamy, a Singaporean said she wanted to be a Catholic about three years ago. “I found that " # @ ÂĽ live a holy life,â€? she said. She added that she feels close to Mother Mary and although she does not have a family of her own, she feels that God has given her a family of brothers and sisters within the Church. She said that as a single person, she draws inspiration and support from the example of Church leaders who are celibate, and from knowing that the Church is supportive of singlehood.

Ms Vasantha Gorihdasamy

The priests appear peaceful and happy and are “good role models�, she told CatholicNews. Nuns such as Blessed Teresa of Kolkata also inspire her to serve God, she shared. „

22 EASTER BAPTISMS

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

More sharings... Soul-searching questions He needed to see for himself When Mr Dick Wong, 37, and his wife Madam Irene Cheng, 29, learnt she was pregnant in 2011, they found themselves asking soul-searching questions on the meaning of life, birth and whether there was a higher power in life. “There’s some force behind this that dictates everything. What is this force?� Mr Wong told CatholicNews in Mandarin. These questions led him to embark on a quest to discover the meaning of existence. After going through the RCIA, he understood more about God’s plan for his family, Mr Wong said. The couple’s child is now nine months old and Mr Wong expressed hope that the infant would also be baptised at Easter.

He said he wants his child to grow up in a loving family environment, regard Christ as a role model and learn to love others. As parents, they hope to follow Christ’s example, to constantly better themselves, and also be good role models for their child, he shared. Madam Cheng told CatholicNews she experienced the enthusiasm and generosity of the Catholic faithful in her RCIA journey. She said she felt that people who have faith tend to behave differently from those who do not. ˆ Â&#x; $ D 6 haviour, she said. “This is something good which I want to learn from,â€? she said. „

Fifty-seven-year-old Anthony Mok says he needs to see and witness something for himself in order to believe. And this is why he had never believed in God even though he accompanied his wife and child who are Catholics to church. He

even questioned the existence of Â&#x; $ $ " +˜0 Cantonese class. But slowly, Mr Mok said he could feel God’s love for him and he decided to embrace Catholicism. He told CatholicNews that he feels happy about his

$

$ $ U Mr Mok, who is from Hong Kong and who has been in Singapore for 20 years, said that he is very glad that to be able to attend RCIA in Cantonese as he does not understand Mandarin very well. „

Learning to be a ‘lamb’ “I was rebellious and would contradict and challenge others when people told me what to do,â€? Madam Julie Shen, 67, told CatholicNews. “After coming [to RCIA] for so many lessons, I think I’ve become a lamb. I’m tamed,â€? she added with a laugh. Although Madam Shen has relatives who are Catholics and Anglicans, she said she was never “interested in religionâ€? as she was too busy with her life to think about faith. However, when she retired, her Catholic son encouraged her to “do somethingâ€? and to attend catechism classes. He found out about the Cantonese RCIA which he felt would suit her needs. “After attending the classes, I found that my whole life‌my point of view has changed,â€? Madam Shen said.

Now with time on her hands, she reads the Bible and reflects on faith and God. She said she once thought the Bible was boring, but now she feels that reading it can change one’s character and life. She said she has become less temperamental and more patient and forgiving, although she feels she has much “to follow and learn� from the Bible. She added that she gets along better with her son as they now have more in common, such as religion. „

From left: Ms Julie Shen, Ms Nancy Man, Mr Anthony Mok, Mr Dick Wong and Madam Irene Cheng

She liked sitting in church alone Ms Nancy Man, 42, used to sit alone in Protestant churches to listen to what the pastors had to say. “I just wanted to go to church, sit down by myself without anyone bothering me. And even if I

To understand Christ, ‘ I needed to attend the RCIA in

’

order to become a true disciple.

– Mr Peter Bi

didn’t understand, I just listened.� That was when she was in the United States and it continued when she returned home to Hong Kong. She admitted that she did not communicate with others but felt a sense of peace whenever she attended church. Later, when she arrived in Singapore, she attended RCIA. She had discovered more about Catholicism, but felt it was not the right time to be baptised yet. Later, she attended the Cantonese RCIA at the Church of Sts

Peter and Paul after her friend signed her up for the course. “Actually I didn’t want to come because I was busy. But my friend had already registered me. So it wouldn’t be nice if I didn’t attend,� she said with a laugh. Right now, she feels she is ready to be part of the Catholic Church. “I don’t have a target or goal after baptism. I hope to deepen my faith, continue to attend Mass $ 6 D $ 6" good examples around me,� she said in Mandarin. „

Hopes for a Catholic family

A better understanding of faith

There is a possibility that his soon-to-be-born child will be baptised before him, Mr Francis Lin, 33, told CatholicNews. Mr Lin, who is from China, has been living in Singapore for the past 15 years. He is married to a Catholic at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His mother-in-law had encouraged him to embrace the faith. He had accompanied his wife and her family to Mass at the church and later attended the Mandarin RCIA. He joined the RCIA to gain more knowledge of the faith and, hopefully, to be inspired, he told CatholicNews. With a child on the way, he said he wants to build a harmo-

Mr Peter Bi, 49, was told by his mother that he was baptised as a child in China and given the name Peter. But the Cultural Revolution and the fact that the churches were closed or went “under $K $ $ him to attend Mass. Thus, the family only prayed at home. As such, he did not have a good understanding of the faith until he joined the Mandarin RCIA programme at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Mr Peter Bi Virgin Mary. “To understand Christ, I However, he added he needs needed to attend the RCIA in order to become a true disci- to understand Catholic teachings in order to believe. ple,� he said in Mandarin.

Mr Francis Lin

nious and loving Catholic family that would communicate well with one another and delight in each other’s company. „

Mr Bi, who married a Singaporean, has two children who are already baptised. He said that the religious pictures and statues at home “have an effect on him�. He also noticed that his wife was always in high spirits after she returned home from Mass. He shared that he had felt disheartened for some time after the passing of his mother as he felt that he had not taken adequate care of them. It was then he remembered his grandmother’s words to rely on God, and this led him to the RCIA, he said. „

FAITH ALIVE! 23

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

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Sharing in the life of the risen Christ By Marcellino D’Ambrosio MARY MAGDALENE did not + until He called her by name. The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognise Him ei # U } U # £ $ $ 6 9 U U $ U # $ 0 $ $ } $ $ # $ U 6" } eat.

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24

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

By Joe Sarnicola Cornelius, a centurion in Caesarea, believed in God. He prayed every day, and he gave money to the Jewish temples to support God’s work. One day an angel appeared to him. “Cornelius,� the angel called. + U $ 6" parition and was only able to say, “I am Cornelius.� “Do not be afraid. God has heard your prayers, and he has seen the generosity of your heart.� Relieved that he was not seeing a ghost, Cornelius asked, “What does the Lord want me to do?� “Order some of your servants to go to Joppa,� the angel said. “There, in the house of Simon the tanner, they U $ $ ˆ ˜ " # ˆ " will return with them.�

Immediately after the angel left, Cornelius called two servants and a soldier, and sent them to Joppa. They $ ˆ & tanner, just as the angel had told them. Q ˜ $ " ¤K ˆ ter asked. “Our master, Cornelius,â€? the soldier said, “saw a vision of an angel who said you would bring the Lord’s blessing to him.â€? Q˜ # $ # K ˆ replied. “Three times I saw foods that we Jews are forbidden to eat because they are unclean, and each time a voice told me to eat, saying that anything the Lord has cleansed is clean in his sight. I believe he was referring to Gentiles, with whom we Jews have avoided contact. I now know God loves us all equally. I will come with you.â€? ˆ # $ + ea, Cornelius, his family and many

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Joseph St Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus, and he was also a descendant of King David. He took care of his family after an angel told him that Mary, his wife-to-be, was going to have a son through a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Matthew describes St Joseph as “a righteous man�. After Jesus was born, St Joseph was again visited by an angel. This time the angel warned St Joseph that King Herod was jealous of the rumours that a new king of the Jews had been born and that Herod planned to kill all children under the age of two. St Joseph took Mary and Jesus into Egypt until the angel told him it was safe to return. No mention is made of St Joseph in the Bible after he brought his 12-year-old son Jesus to the temple. We honour St Joseph on March 19. „

friends were waiting to hear him. Q " ˆ K Cornelius said. “Thank you for inviting me here,â€? ˆ $ QÂ&#x; $ U anyone who obeys God, whether they are Jews or Gentiles, are acceptable to him. God sent his Son Jesus to earth, and he performed miracles and acts of goodness. We are witnesses of these %# U

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was sending His blessings on Gentiles as well as Jews. 9 ˆ $ Q˜ why these people cannot be baptised as we have been.� So Cornelius and his family and friends were baptised that same day. „ Read more about it: Acts 10

Q&A 1. How did Cornelius know where to

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Answers to Bible Trivia: Fisherman Answers to Puzzles 1. God, 2. Eleven, 3. Neither, 4. Tabitha, 5. Into, 6. Lydda, 7. Ethiopian.

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WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday April 7, 2013 „ 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/ RCIC A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. SUNDAYS APRIL 7 RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7.30-9.30pm: Begins with welcome night followed by sessions commencing on April 14. At Church of our Lady of Perpetual Succour (31 Siglap Hill). Register T: 9760 0038; E: jjwong5@ " § # FRIDAYS APRIL 26 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST TERESA 7.45-9pm: At Church of St Teresa 4th Level St Paul Room Parish House (510 Kampong Bahru Rd). Register T: 9769 1691, 6271 1184; E: stteresa@ § # SATURDAYS MAY 4 RCIY@CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 3.30-6.45pm: For those aged 15-21.

TUESDAYS APRIL 2 TO APRIL 30 TALKS 8-10pm: Fr Paul Pang speaks on the following topics: Working and Growing through Dialogue, Talk on Prayer: Taught by the Spirit, Talk on Prayer: Led by the Spirit. At Church of the Holy Trinity (Chapel). E: augustineliong@rocketmail.com WEDNESDAYS APRIL 3 RELAXATION EXERCISE IN ENGLISH 10-11am: Therapeutic breathing and guided

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%# " * $ $ " of the month. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register: 67577 990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org THURSDAYS APRIL 4 TO MAY 2 FAITH AND HISTORY: SALVATION HISTORY OVERVIEW 8-10pm: Msgr Eugene Vaz will give an overview of Salvation History and how the faithful can live by faith and recognise the Lord Jesus’ presence in their lives and history. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (St Clare Hall). Register W: http://stmary.sg

At Church of Christ the King Room 105 (At 2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8). Register T: 9667 9952 (Iris), 9362 8263 (Daryl); E: rciyctk@gmail.com THURSDAYS MAY 10 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL 8pm: With Info Night on April 17. At Church of St Vincent de Paul (At 301 Yio Chu Kang Rd). T: 6482 0959 SUNDAYS JUNE 8 RCIC/RCIY@CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 9.45am (RCIC), 3pm (RCIY). At Church of the Holy Spirit (248 Upper Thomson Rd). RCIC for 7 to 12 years old. RCIY for 13 to 20 years old. T: 9740 3993 (Jamie – RCIC), 8499 9420 (Elizabeth – RCIY); E: jamie_ze_pig@hotmail.com (RCIC), lizjteh@gmail.com (RCIY) TUESDAYS JUNE 11 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY 7.45pm: At Church of the Holy Trinity (20 Tampines St 11). Register T: 8444 5505 (Gregory); %

„ WEDNESDAYS JUNE 19 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY 7.45-9.45pm: At Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hall A/B 3rd Floor of Parish Centre (24 Highland Rd). Register T: 9627 3835 (Nancy), 9616 2001 (Agnes); E: rcia@ihm.sg; W: http://ihm.sg/rcia

APRIL 6 CANOSSIANS CONNECT 6.30-10pm: Calling all former students of Canossa Convent Primary School and St Anthony’s Canossian Primary and Secondary Schools to join the members of the Canossian Alumni Association for a night of fun and re-connection. At Copthorne King’s Hotel. Register T: 86716433; E: info@canossianalumni.com APRIL 7 OLPS MASS AND POTLUCK BY CATHOLIC SINGLES 10am: Meet single Catholics from across parishes. Mass followed by potluck at OLPS. Please bring some food to share with others. Faith based activities after Mass. Meet at 10am at church canteen. Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com; FB: https://www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesSingapore

FRIDAY APRIL 5 TO SUNDAY APRIL 7 RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND Fri (8pm)-Sun (6pm): For those who would like to make their marriage work. By Retrouvaille Singapore. At 201-B Punggol 17th Ave. Register: T: 6749 8861 (Michael/ Lucy); E: retrouvaillesingapore@yahoo. com.sg; W: http://www.helpourmarriage.sg

TUESDAYS APRIL 9 TO APRIL 30 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 7.30-9.30pm: Rediscover the fundamental content of the Catholic faith. Insights into The Creed, The Sacraments of Faith, The Life of Faith, and The Prayer of the Believers through video presentation. All welcome. By F.R.E.E Ministry. At Church of the Risen Christ. E: free.risenchrist@gmail.com.

APRIL 6 AN AFTERNOON OF NOSTALGIA 3-6.30pm: Remembering former principal Dr Mary McCarthy. School tour, memorial Mass, presentation of school plans, sale of special and commemorative items, refreshments. By Marymount Convent School Alumnae. At Marymount Convent School (20 Marymount Rd). E: del_kang2001@yahoo.com

TUESDAYS APRIL 9 TO MAY 14 CAFE – BELIEVE 7.45-9.30pm: A 6 DVD-session + 4% D Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.At Blessed Sacrament Church Damien Hall. Register with details SMS: 9420 1842; E: cafe@bsc.org.sg; W: https://sites. google.com/site/bsccafemay2013;

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING My deepest and ever grateful thanks to Jesus, Mother Mary, St Jude, St Anthony, St Joseph and all saints for your intercessions to God on my behalf and granting me a sucessful job. Please continue to bless and help me attain a ful U

will recognise me " ‰ Love Alfonso O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kins-

man of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers.

Please turn to pages 26 and 27 for more in

IN MEMORIAM OBITUARY In loving memory of

ALPHA COURSE The Alpha course helps people have a basic understanding of the Christian faith. Course welcomes Christians and non-Christians. MONDAYS APRIL 1 TO JULY 8 12.30-1.30pm: Alpha in the workplace. At 206/208A Telok Ayer St. Register T: 9761 2504; E: alphacac@catholic.org SATURDAYS APRIL 20 TO JULY 6 2.45-5.15pm: At Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Register T: 9790 3361 (Audrey), 9634 5448 (Martinus) TUESDAYS CPS SUNTEC NEW LUNCHTIME MASS VENUE AT MILLENIA TOWER 12.15pm & 1.15pm: At Kids Performing (Millenia Tower 2nd Floor, opposite Parco). W: http://www.cps.org.sg FRIDAY APRIL 12 TO SUNDAY APRIL 14 SACCRE ABLAZE WEEKEND NORTH DISTRICT Fri (7.30pm)-Sun (6.30pm): Weekend $ ˆ individuals, ministries and parishes. Lively praise and worship, time of prayer, talks, testimonies, ministering and workshops centred in the areas of renewal, faith, intercession, repentance and evangelisation. By SACCRE North District. At Church of the Holy Spirit Level 4 Attic (248 Upp Thomson Rd). Register E: charleschuah@ gmail.com, johnlaw@singnet.com.sg APRIL 13 EASTER CHARITY CONCERT 3 *' Œ  + $ + U 6 narrating and singing the story of the Passion of the Christ, composed by Pepper Choplin. By KKIS Indonesia Catholic Community. At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (31 Siglap Hill) APRIL 17 HOLY HOUR FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS 7.30-8.30pm: Serra Club of Singapore’s bimonthly Holy Hour for vocations. Pray for more priestly vocations and for our priests. At Church of St Bernadette (Adoration Room). E: clara@serrasingapore.org

SATURDAY APRIL 20 AND SUNDAY APRIL 21 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY CRASH COURSE 9am-5pm: Based on Christopher West’s DVD series. For those who want to $ $  " $ " on a deeper level. Facilitated by Andrew Kong and team. By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At International Plaza, #29-03, 10 Anson Rd (beside Tanjong Pagar MRT). Register SMS: 9649 3893; E: andrew.kong@catholic.org.sg

MONDAYS APRIL 22 TO MAY 13 ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUP 7-8.30pm: For individuals who are U  " 9 support group is designed to help persons   develop appropriate coping skills and natural support systems. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register: 67577 990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org APRIL 26 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 3 ™ )' " D adoration and benediction. By Generation Christ! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius (St Francis Xavier Chapel Kingsmead Hall). E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com

APRIL 21 NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS 11am: Learn how to use the knowledge of one’s fertility to make decisions on whether to achieve or to space out pregnancy in accordance with Church teachings using Billings Ovulation Method. At Church of the Holy Cross (Room 0303). Register E: bern.and.matt@gmail.com

APRIL 27 TRANSITION AT MIDLIFE 9am-1pm: The talk will cover topics such as Problem to Promise: Negotiating the Passage into Midlife; The Invitations of Midlife Necessary Losses: Making space for the New Broken Dreams and Future Vision. Conducted by Sr Linda Lizada. Cost: $20. By Clarity Singapore. At National Volunteers & Philanthropy Centre (6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-88, The Central, NPH2 Level 3). Register T: 6757 7990/9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org

APRIL 21 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS IN TAMIL 6.30-9pm: St Joseph Tamil Prayer Group will celebrate its 7th Anniversary of Divine Mercy Prayers in Tamil with Mass at 7pm. All welcome. At Blessed Sacrament Church.

Crossword Puzzle 1081 1

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APRIL 20 MASS FOR THE POOR 2-4pm: Annual celebratory Mass for the poor, in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, founder of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. At Church of St Vincent de Paul.

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APRIL 20 SUBFERTILITY: ETHICAL OPTIONS FOR CATHOLIC COUPLES 2-4pm: Catholic couples are aware that the Church does not allow IVF. Forum will help couples understand this teaching $ Â # $

available. By Catholic Medical Guild and Natural Family Planning Service Singapore. At Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (St Paul’s Auditorium). E: subfertilityforum@gmail.com; Register W: http://subfertilityforum.caritashost.sg

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APRIL 19 SACCRE HEALING RALLY 7.30-10pm: Theme: Your faith has saved you. Preaching of God’s word and praying for healing by Robert Canton from the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal. At Church of the Risen Christ. Register T: 8322 1696, 91395518; E: gerard_jess@singnet.com.sg

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 The Spirit descended on Jesus as this (Mk 1:10) 5 Intimidated 10 Nephrite 14 Chopped 15 “Same hereâ€? 16 Teen and new follower *1 ˆ  U U 18 Wash lightly 19 Flowers 20 Captivated 22 Liturgical celebration 23 Small bouquets 26 There are four 30 “There is neither _____ nor Greekâ€? (Gal 3:28) 31 Alphabet string 34 Type of grace 35 â€œâ€Śborn of the Virgin Mary and became _____.â€? 36 Rave 37 Severe 38 _____ Christi 39 Serf 40 Rind 41 Catechism question: ____ did God make me? 42 Until now 43 Airport letters ˆ # 6  45 Tremble 46 Knockout punch 48 Brother of Rebekah 51 Sheriff

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$ 57 Mountain ridge 59 Writer Wiesel 60 Type of art 61 Raises to the third power 62 Mortgage 63 North Sea feeder 64 Tantalize 65 1949 Gatsby portrayer DOWN 1 Second word in the name of a French basilica @ 6 U $ # hundred yoke of these ) & magnitude 4 Yellow cheese coated with red U  5 First bishop of America 6 Willows 7 Some are magic 8 Printer’s measures 9 “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to ___� (Num 21:5) 10 An epistle 11 Element of Baptism, in Madrid 12 Members of a pol. party 13 Formerly, formerly 21 Indian, for one 22 Many are called,

but ___ are chosen 24 Mythical Greek warrior 25 Bk. of the Pentateuch 26 First Mass in Canada was celebrated on this peninsula 27 Eight singers 28 Horse 29 Knitting stitch 31 Caesar, for one 32 US government obligation 33 Speak 35 Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is celebrated on the 31st of this month 36 Spawning area of salmon

38 39 41 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 54 55 57 58

NT book Liturgy of the ___ ____ of the Cross The Little Flower Writer Fleming Glides on the ice Mother of Ishmael One-celled protozoa Our _____ of Sorrows Muslim titles of honour Predict The Inferno Inter _____ Told an untruth Grant temporary use of Tread the boards Regret

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1080 R A B B I

O I L E D

B R U T E

W I N E

O P A L

M O P E

W E A R

H A R E

E R N E

S S E

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L A I T Y H E R O D C D I

A N T T E N M A T S K C M I C O S T A N G S N O R O N W F I N H O N B A U D O U R E N T R T H

B E A N I E

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T R U E

T O M S

L A I N A D G O R A T H W A A B

L I F E

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Sunday April 7, 2013 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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