FEBRUARY 23, 2014, Vol 64, No 04

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2014

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20

MCI (P) 081/08/2013

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Don’t skip Mass on 6XQGD\ SRSH H[KRUWV Pope Francis speaks on sacraments of Christian initiation in series of talks

VOL 64

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INSIDE HOME Helping Typhoon Haiyan victims acts29 brings water ¿OWHUV WR *XLDQ „ Page 6

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Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he leads his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Feb 5. CNS photo

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‘Every authentic journey of faith, communion and witness springs from this sacrament of love.’ – Pope Francis at his general audience

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124 Korean martyrs to EH EHDWLÀHG 3RSH )UDQFLV DSSURYHV GHFUHH „ Page 11

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Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Marking 160 years of IJ education By Clara Lai

Sec 4 students of CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) dance to a song after a Mass held to mark the school’s 160th anniversary on Jan 30.

For 160 years, God had protected the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) educational institution and many people have EHQHÂżWWHG IURP WKH ZRUN RI WKH founder. Archbishop William Goh made this comment during a 0DVV WR PDUN \HDUV RI ,- (Infant Jesus) education held at CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) on -DQ 7KH 0DVV ZDV DOVR WR FHOHEUDWH &KLQHVH 1HZ <HDU The archbishop told the FURZG KH LV ÂłJUDWHIXO WR DOO WKH ,- 6LVWHUV IRU DOO WKH ZRUN WKH\ have been doingâ€?, and that he ÂłFDQQRW LPDJLQH KRZ PDQ\ ,- girlsâ€? have benefitted from such an education over the past 160 years. He also reminded the students of their school motto – Simple in 9LUWXH 6WHDGIDVW LQ 'XW\ Âą ZKLFK FDOOV WKHP WR KDYH ÂłIDLWK LQ *RG´ DQG WR EH ÂłUHVSRQVLEOH LQ ZKDWever you doâ€?. About 800 people comprising IJ nuns, former and current teachers, parents, alumni and students attended the event. In a procession at the start of the Mass, items such as a candle, \HDUERRN UHSRUW ERRN D &&$ WURSK\ DQG RUDQJHV ZHUH SODFHG in front of the altar. School chaplain Fr Michael Sitaram and parish priest of the Church of the Risen Christ Fr John Sim concelebrated the Mass ZLWK $UFKELVKRS *RK During the celebration, participants prayed for IJ Sisters ZKR KDYH GHGLFDWHG WKHLU OLYHV to education; for parents and WHDFKHUV WR KDYH UHQHZHG FRPmitment in their vocations; for DOXPQDH ZKR KDYH MXVW JUDGXDWHG WR KDYH ZLVGRP LQ FKDUWing out their lives; and for all IJ girls past, present and future, to retain the IJ spirit of love and compassion. Principal Karen Tay also expressed her appreciation to the IJ Sisters, and former and current

teachers for their years of dedicaWLRQ WR Âł,- HGXFDWLRQ´ After the Mass, a group of Sec 4 students performed a dance to the song, Caritas, Share the Love. Present and past students VKDUHG ZLWK &DWKROLF1HZV WKHLU thoughts on the occasion. 6HF VWXGHQW $LVKZDU\D 0RKDQ VDLG VKH IHOW ÂłSURXG´ WR EH LQ WKLV VFKRRO ÂłEHFDXVH LW KDV VXFK D rich historyâ€?. $PHOLD /HN IURP WKH FODVV RI 2009, said her primary and secRQGDU\ &+,- HGXFDWLRQ DOORZHG KHU WR ÂłH[SHULHQFH *RG LQ P\ VFKRRO OLIH´ DQG ÂłIRUJH IULHQGships that last a lifetimeâ€?.

Archbishop Goh sprinkles holy water on students.

7KHUHVH 3HUHLUD ZKR JUDGXated last year, said she felt the ³0DVV ZDV YHU\ LQVSLUDWLRQDO DQG GH¿QLWHO\ EURXJKW EDFN PHPRries of the school�. Blessed Nicolas BarrÊ founded the Infant Jesus Sisters Religious community in France in the 17th century to provide education to underprivileged girls. In 1854, Mother St Mathilde Raclot arrived in Singapore and VHW XS WKH ¿UVW &+,- FRQYHQW LQ 9LFWRULD 6WUHHW ZKLFK KDV VLQFH moved to its present location in Lorong 1 Toa Payoh. „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

Sunday February 23, 2014 CatholicNews

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Sunday February 23, 2014 CatholicNews

Archbishop, well wishers share festive joy at open house

A steady stream of Catholics poured into the Archbishop’s House on Feb 1 to greet Archbishop Goh.

By Clara Lai Some 400 people, including Koreans and Filipinos, offered oranges and hong bao to Archbishop William Goh during the Chinese New Year open house at his residence on Feb 1. The Archbishop’s House on Victoria St was a hive of activity as people streamed in from 8.30 am to noon and from 3 to 6 pm. Archbishop Goh was all smiles as he greeted visitors, who

included Church groups such as the Legion of Mary and the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Refreshments were also placed on the dining table for people to sit and talk to each other. Church of the Holy Trinity parishioner Celine Tan, 49, commented that she felt “very blessed to have a wonderful archbishop who is very charismatic, dynamic and a down-to-earth and people person”. She added that the Archbishop’s House was “done up very nicely”

and the “garden is beautiful”. Mr Emmanuel Baguino, 45, from the Church of St Mary of WKH $QJHOV VDLG LW ZDV KLV ³¿UVW time visiting the archbishop” and enjoyed the “welcoming” atmosphere. Mr Solvere Lim, 50, told CatholicNews that the open house also allowed strangers to get to know one another. “It’s like an informal communion,” he said. clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Celebrating consecrated life By Sr Wendy Ooi, FSP More than 200 Religious and lay consecrated people gathered at the Church of St Mary of the Angels to mark the annual World Day of Consecrated Life. Amidst an atmosphere of cordiality and fraternal warmth, they gathered in the St Clare parish hall on Feb 2 afternoon for a talk titled Reclaiming Religious Life as a Gift to the Church. Cenacle Sr Linda Lizada and Jesuit Fr Colin Tan presented the talk, which quoted Canon Law, Church documents and Pope Francis’ address to the International Union of Superiors General last November. The crowd then discussed WKHLU WKRXJKWV DQG UHÀHFWLRQV RQ the various points raised. Later, the consecrated men and women, in their varied Religious habits, representing the diversity and richness of their charisms, joined in the entrance procession before the 7.15pm Sunday Mass. Each carried a candle, symbolising the light of Christ, which they were invited to bring to the world.

Archbishop William Goh celebrated the Mass and in his homily urged all present to be the “light of Christâ€? by living a life of holiness and to be “evangelically mindedâ€?. He also expressed his gratitude to all the consecrated men and women whose role is to witness to the holiness of the Church. In his closing remarks, he stressed the importance of prayer in the life of Christians. During the Mass, Franciscan Fr Clifford Augustine was installed by Archbishop Goh as the new parish priest of St Mary of the Angels. To conclude the day’s celebration, the consecrated men and women, together with some diocesan priests, attended a dinner hosted by Archbishop Goh. The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Consecrated Life on Feb 2 each year. This day of prayer coincides with the feast of the Presentation RI WKH /RUG DQG ZDV ÂżUVW LQVWLWXWHG in 1997 by Pope John Paul II in recognition of the importance of the consecrated life in the Church. Pope Francis has dedicated 2015 as the Year for Consecrated Life. „

Archbishop Goh expressed gratitude to all the consecrated men and women whose role is to witness to the holiness of the Church.

Religious men and women attending the Mass to mark the World Day of Consecrated Life at the Church of St Mary of the Angels. Photo: BENEDICT LAU

CHANCERY NOTICE APPOINTMENTS 1. Msgr Philip Heng SJ has been appointed to the board of CHARIS for a term of two years with effect from 10th February 2014. 2. Fr Eugene Chong has been appointed to the board of CHARIS for a term of two years with effect from 21st November 2013. 3. Fr Romeo Yu Chang, CICM, has been reappointed for a WHUP RI ÂżYH \HDUV DV WKH &Rordinator in the Region of East Asia for the Maritime $SRVWRODWH E\ WKH 3RQWLÂżcal Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. 4. Fr Samuel Lim has been appointed as a member to the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue for a term of two (2) years with effect from 10th February 2014.

in Church related organizations and who need to be appraised of and for the observance of this policy. With effect from 13th February 2014, the address of the Apostolic Nunciature will be at: 55 Waterloo Street #09-01/02 Singapore 187954 With immediate effect the following telephone numbers are effective for Archbishop’s House in relation to the respecWLYH RI¿FHV Telephone

$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ 2IÂżFH 6895 1555 &RPPXQLFDWLRQV 2IÂżFH 6895 1565 )LQDQFH 2IÂżFH Fax

$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ 2IÂżFH 6895 1551

February 11, 2014

&RPPXQLFDWLRQV 2IÂżFH 6895 1561 )LQDQFH 2IÂżFH To contact the Administration 2IÂżFH YLD HPDLO SOHDVH XVH DUFKRIÂżFH#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ There are no changes to all other existing email addresses. Beginning 1st April 2014, all cases of granting of marriage dispensation and permission are to be sent to the Chancery for processing. As per current practice, the Prenuptial Inquiry Forms are to be completed and submitted with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Accompanying documents with the Prenuptial Inquiry would be baptismal certificates. Applications for these dispensations and permissions should be submitted at least six (6) months prior to the wedding.

OTHER MATTERS A Media Communications Policy was promulgated on 2nd February 2014 by the Archbishop to guide all church organisations in their use of the Mass Media. A copy of this policy can be obtained from the Chancery for anyone who is engaged

Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM, JCL, Chancellor, Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #07-01 Catholic Centre, 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday February 23, 2014 CatholicNews

Evaluating the needs of Haiyan survivors in mission trip

Ms Sherlyn Khong and Mr Sylvester Singh with some of the schoolchildren from Guiuan, the Philippines.

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MISSION team from acts29 went to Guiuan, Philippines from Jan 25 to 30 to assess the needs of the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan and to see what recovery efforts were already in place for them. Comprising Ms Sherlyn

Khong, Mr Moses Ku and Mr Sylvester Singh, the team took a three-hour ride through the devastated areas after arriving in Tacloban to reach the town centre of Guiuan. Some teachers in the schools they visited shared that in their students’ homes, the parents can

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boil water for the children. But in the school, the children have to make do with the water from the well, which has become more polluted since Haiyan. The team had brought water ¿OWHUV WKDW FDQ SXPS ERWWOHV RI ¿OWHUHG ZDWHU HDFK 7KH\ WKHQ demonstrated the use of the water ¿OWHUV WR WKH WHDFKHUV DQG YLOODJH chiefs. In the early hours of Nov 8, Typhoon Haiyan struck Guiuan, one

RI WKH ¿UVW DUHDV WR EH KLW DQG OHDYing the town of 47,000 in ruins. The worst-affected area of Guiuan is the southern part where all of its 17 schools are severely damaged with most classrooms ÀDWWHQHG WR WKH JURXQG Few buildings remain standing in Guiuan and many evacuees continue to live in tent cities and bunk houses. There is also very little sign of recovery effort or reconstruction

The well water became more polluted after Haiyan, so the acts29 team brought ZDWHU ¿OWHUV ZKHQ WKH\ YLVLWHG *XLXDQ

and there has been no information on the relocation of schools or rebuilding of permanent school structures. The government has appealed to the people of Guiuan to show resilience and rebuild their lives DQG PDQ\ DUH ¿QGLQJ ZD\V WR UHturn to normalcy. acts29 is a Church group that conducts mission trips and relief efforts. Currently, acts29 continues to evaluate the needs in Guian, and a larger-scale mission to provide relief and medical aid in the more remote areas of Guiuan is also being planned. For more information on acts29, visit www.acts29mission.com.

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Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop Goh’s pastoral message to all who serve in Catholic organisations, including parishes, schools and movements. My dearest fellow workers in the one vineyard of the Lord, THANK you for sharing in our mission to proclaim the Good News to all creation, within and without the Church. As you are all aware, the battle cry of the Universal Church is the urgency of the work of the New Evangelisation which enWDLOV LQ WKH ÂżUVW SODFH D SHUVRQDO conversion of every Catholic, from the Pope to the bishops, priests, Religious and laity. The primary conversion is a renewal of our personal relationship with the Lord, encountering Him in a real and personal way so that we can effectively and convincingly proclaim the joy of the gospel to all those who do not yet know Him. As Pope Francis wrote, “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. “No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since ‘no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord’. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realise that He is already there, waiting for us with open arms.â€? (EV 3) Our task, as Pope John Paul II in Novo Millennio Ineunte wrote, LV ÂłWR UHĂ€HFW WKH OLJKW RI &KULVW LQ every historical period, to make His face shine also before the generations of the new millennium. Our witness, however, would be hopelessly inadequate LI ZH RXUVHOYHV KDG QRW ÂżUVW FRQtemplated His face.â€? (NMI 16)

Furthermore, we face the new challenges of our time not by inventing a new programme. “The programme already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever.� (NMI 29) Consequently, he urges us to form Christian communities of prayer. “Our Christian communities must become genuine ‘schools’ of prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listen-

going study of the Bible, while encouraging its prayerful individual and communal reading.� (EG 175) Drawing inspiration from the exhortations of Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium (EG) and his predecessors, therefore, I want to encourage all Archdiocesan organisations and entities to pray everyday at office, if possible, the morning, midday and evening prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours. There should also be a prayerful sharing of the scriptures to-

stitute weekly or monthly Holy Hour. I believe that if pastoral workers pray together, the Lord will empower us, bless us and our loved ones and, most of all, unite us in fraternal love in our common mission. In this way, we also cultivate the spirituality of communLRQ DQG PDNH RXU RI¿FHV WUXO\ a school of communion where we learn to live and work with each other, encouraging and af¿UPLQJ HDFK RWKHU IRUJLYLQJ and accepting each other’s frailties and, most of all, recognising each other’s talents as some-

If we, pastoral workers, are not evangelised ourselves on a daily basis we will have no zeal to evangelise others.

ing and ardent devotion, until the heart truly ‘falls in love’. “Intense prayer, yes, but it does not distract us from our commitment to history: by opening our heart to the love of God it also opens it to the love of our brothers and sisters, and makes us capable of shaping history according to God’s plan.� (NMI 33) Pope Francis also exhorts us saying, “Evangelisation demands familiarity with God’s word, which calls for dioceses, parishes and Catholic associations to provide for a serious, on-

gether at least once a week. :H PXVW UHDOO\ EH WKH ¿UVW recipients of the Good News among ourselves who work in the Lord’s vineyard, so that it becomes a lived event that we communicate to others in our various apostolates. On my part, I have gathered my staff in the Archbishop’s of¿FH WR SUD\ WRJHWKHU DW OHDVW RQFH a day, if not three times a day, depending on their availability. Whenever possible, I also celebrate the Eucharist with them. In due course, I intend also to in-

thing which we all can rejoice because, together, we build the kingdom of God. Finally, if it is not too much, I urge all employers of Catholic organisations to encourage their &DWKROLF ZRUNHUV WR WDNH D ÂżYH day paid leave to do an annual spiritual retreat and, if necessary, for the organisation to subsidise the retreat if done locally. I reiterate once again that if we, pastoral workers, are not evangelised ourselves on a daily basis we will have no zeal to evangelise others. Consequently, “A tomb psychology thus develops and

slowly transforms Christians into mummies in a museum. Disillusioned with reality, with the Church and with themselves, they experience a constant temptation to cling to a faint melancholy, lacking in hope, which seizes the heart like ‘the most precious of the devil’s potions’. “Called to radiate light and communicate life, in the end they are caught up in things that generate only darkness and inner weariness, and slowly consume all zeal for the apostolate. For all this, I repeat: Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the joy of evangelization!â€? (EG 83) Courage! My fellow coworkers, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us gather to pray regularly in our places of work, feeling the Lord closely by our side inspiring, consoling, and encouraging us to set out into the deep! Without prayer, our work will become sterile and mundane, lacking vitality and joy. With prayer, our work becomes D YRFDWLRQ RXU RIÂżFHV D SODFH of joy, of fraternal love, a place where we proclaim the joy of the gospel to each other and to the world. May the Blessed Virgin, Star of the New Evangelisation, help us to bear radiant witness to communion, service, ardent and generous faith, justice and love of the poor, so that the joy of the Gospel may reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of our world. Amen! Yours in the Joy of the Gospel

Archbishop William Goh 7 February, 2014

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Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Women learn about experiencing God’s joy in their lives By Clara Lai

Members of the group, Catholic Singles, visiting an elderly woman in Clementi.

Single Catholics bring festive joy to elderly By Darren Boon Twenty-two Catholics visited elderly people living in one-room ÀDWV LQ &OHPHQWL RQ )HE The group, Catholic Singles, organised the Chinese New Year YLVLW 7KH YROXQWHHUV KDYH SDUWLFLpated in similar visits since 2012, VXFK DV GXULQJ WKH /HQWHQ VHDVRQ Volunteers purchased grocery items such as canned food and

ZHUH DGYLVHG QRW WR EX\ VXJDU\ LWHPV 3DUWLFLSDQWV ZHUH WKHQ EURNHQ into small groups and visited variRXV ÀDWV WR GLVWULEXWH EDJV RI JURFHULHV Another visit is planned for WKH /HQWHQ VHDVRQ RQ 0DUFK For more information, email CatholicSingle@gmail.com. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

3DUWLFLSDQWV ZKR DWWHQGHG D WDON specially catering to women said they said they found it inspiring DQG PRWLYDWLQJ A 64-year-old woman from Christ the King parish told CatholicNews she would “stop JUXPEOLQJ DW P\ KXVEDQG DQG P\ daughterâ€? and learn “to forgive DQG IRUJHW´ 6KH VDLG VKH UHFRJQLVHG WKHUH DUH ÂłD ORW RI SUREOHPV LQ PH , QHHG WR FKDQJH ´ Ms Janice Chew, 40, who DOVR DWWHQGHG WKH WDON %HFRPLQJ Women of Joy, at the Catholic &HQWUH RQ )HE VDLG VKH IHHOV VKH FDQ QRZ ÂłEHWWHU PDQDJH´ WKH ÂłKXUWV DQG SDLQV LQ OLIH´ These two women were among DERXW ZRPHQ UDQJLQJ LQ DJH from early 20s to late 60s, who DWWHQGHG WKH WDON E\ 0V 0DULD 9DGLD 7KH HYHQW ZDV RUJDQLVHG E\ WKH ,&3( 0LVVLRQÂśV :RPDQ WR :RPDQ PLQLVWU\ LQ 6LQJDSRUH 7KH ,QVWLWXWH IRU :RUOG (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ Âą ,&3( 0LVVLRQ LV DQ international Catholic mission of Christians committed to world HYDQJHOLVDWLRQ 0V 9DGLD ZKR OLYHV LQ )ORUida, USA, told her audience that ZKHQ SHRSOH DVN KHU ZK\ VKH LV VR MR\IXO VKH ZRXOG UHSO\ Âł, KDYH WKH MR\ IURP WKH /RUG , DP D GDXJKWHU RI WKH PRVW +LJK *RG ´ 6KH VKDUHG WKDW VKH XVHG WR EH a “dead Catholicâ€? who received WKH VDFUDPHQWV +RZHYHU &KULVW ÂłZDV QRW SDUW RI P\ OLIH´ 6XEVHTXHQWO\ KHU OLIH ZDV D PDWHULDOLVWLF RQH EXW VKH IRXQG LW ÂłHPSW\´ 7KDW ZDV XQWLO VRPHone invited her to a Charismatic SUD\HU PHHWLQJ 7KHUH VKH VDZ that people had “such joy on their

Ms Maria Vadia speaking to women at the Catholic Centre on Feb 8.

facesâ€?, and she found herself sayLQJ WKDW VKH ZDQWHG WKDW 0V 9DGLD ZKR ZDV ERUQ LQ &XED WKHQ ZHQW RQ WR VHUYH DV DQ DGYLVRU\ ERDUG PHPEHU RI 0DJQLÂżFDW ,QWHUQDWLRQDO D PLQLVWU\ WR &DWKROLF ZRPHQ 6KH DOVR founded the Jesus is Lord MagQLÂżFDW FKDSWHU LQ 0LDPL She now travels around the ZRUOG VSHDNLQJ WR DQG SUD\LQJ ZLWK DXGLHQFHV LQ FRQIHUHQFHV 'XULQJ KHU WDON 0V 9DGLD DOVR shared testimonies from women RQ KRZ WKH +RO\ 6SLULW ZRUNHG LQ their lives and helped them overFRPH GLIÂżFXOWLHV She told the audience to ÂłFKDQJH WKH ZD\ \RXÂśUH SUD\LQJ 6WRS EHJJLQJ VWDUW DVNLQJ DQG VWDUW WKDQNLQJ WKH /RUG ´ VKH VDLG Towards the end of her hourORQJ WDON 0V 9DGLD DOVR LQYLWHG SHRSOH ZKR ZRXOG OLNH WR ÂłZHOcome the Holy Spiritâ€? to come IRUZDUG WR EH SUD\HG RYHU Ms Julia Tay, 23, and Ms Marilyn Tan, 22, from the Church of 6W )UDQFLV ;DYLHU ZHUH DPRQJ WKH

\RXQJHU SDUWLFLSDQWV DW WKH WDON Ms Tay said that it was a “very good reminder of how God can PDNH DOO WKLQJV SRVVLEOH IRU XV WKURXJK SUD\HU DQG WKDQNVJLYLQJ´ DQG IRXQG LW ÂłHPSRZHULQJ´ 0V 7DQ VDLG VKH IRXQG WKH WDON JHDUHG IRU ZRPHQ KHOSIXO Âł:RPan to woman, you understand what the other person is feeling,â€? VKH VDLG 7KH ,&3( 0LVVLRQÂśV :RPDQ to Woman Ministry in SingaSRUH VWDUWHG LQ $FFRUGLQJ WR PLQLVWU\ PHPEHU -DFNLH 3DX WKH JURXSÂśV DFWLYLWLHV DUH ÂłDOO IRFXVHG RQ KHOSLQJ ZRPHQ UHĂ€HFW on themselves and their lives to UHDOLVH WUXWKV DERXW WKHPVHOYHV´ The ministry currently has DERXW PHPEHUV DQG PHHWV DW D PHPEHUÂśV KRPH RQ )ULGD\ QLJKWV For more information, contact Ms Amilia Chai (9829-1382) or email icpew2w@gmail.com. „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg „ See also stories on Pages 10 and 13

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Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

6¡SRUHDQ Ă€OP MXURU KDLOV ,QGLDQ PRYLH IRU LWV YDOXHV :LQLIUHG /RK ZDV SDUW RI DQ LQWHU IDLWK Ă€OP MXU\ DW WKH 'KDND Ă€OP IHVWLYDO

Fellow jury member Dr Sahraa Karimi from Afghanistan (left) with Ms Winifred Loh.

For the 13th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) that took place from Jan 10 to 18, a Singaporean, Ms Winifred Loh, was invited by Australian Fr Peter Malone of SIGNIS to participate as an interfaith film jury member for the spirituality section. SIGNIS, also known as the World Catholic Association for Communication, aims to engage with media professionals and support Catholic communicators to help transform cultures in the light of the Gospel by promoting human dignity, justice and reconciliation. Since 1947, it began particiSDWLQJ LQ ¿OP IHVWLYDOV E\ RUJDQising SIGNIS (all Catholic), ecumenical (Catholic and Protestant) and interfaith juries. Today, a SIGNIS representaWLYH LV IRXQG DW PRUH WKDQ ¿OP festivals, including Cannes and Berlin. The DIFF is organised once every two years, and this year’s theme is Better Film, Better Audience, Better Society. The inWHUIDLWK ¿OP MXU\ FRPSULVHG WZR Muslims, one Hindu, one Catholic, and one freethinker. Jury chairman Samir Nasr, a VHDVRQHG ¿OP MXURU DQG SURGXFHU and director from Egypt/Canada, facilitated a robust discussion of WKH ¿OPV WKDW WKH MXU\ ZDWFKHG over four days. 7KH ¿OPV UDQJHG IURP minutes to 147 minutes, among them a mix of documentaries and IHDWXUH ¿OPV IURP 7XUNH\ 1HSDO Australia, Indonesia, Italy, Taiwan, India, Iran, UK, USA, Switzerland, Serbia, Sweden, Israel and Kazakhstan.

After three hours of deliberation, the jury decided that the Special Mention award should go to Between Two Worlds from Sweden. With an optimistic attiWXGH WRZDUGV OLIH WKH ¿OP KDV DQ impressive depiction of an occidental man creating a heartwarming atmosphere with his close friendship with all members of society. The Best Feature Film went to India’s Adomya (And Life *RHV 2Q 7KH ¿OP WRXFKHG WKH hearts of the audience by portraying how a traditional family

Adomya touched the hearts of the audience by portraying how a traditional family and a society react to HIV. and a society react to the topic of HIV. It debates issues surrounding the disease, but above all, UHÀHFWV WKH WULXPSK RI WKH KXPDQ spirit. According to Ms Loh, Adomya was also her personal favourite because it reinforces Catholic social teachings such as: The dignity of the human person. When Juri discovers that she contracted HIV from her husband, she is devastated – at his impending death and her pregnancy. Despite her fears,

A screenshot from Adomya, the movie that won Best Feature Film. It was also Ms Loh’s personal favourite as it portrayed values supported by the Church.

she chooses not to abort her child. In return, she was kicked out by her husband’s family, only to be rejected by her brother’s wife DQG FRQ¿QHG WR OLYH LQ D URDGVLGH hut. Her child later turns out not to have been infected by HIV. The principle of association (we need to come together). Despite the shame of having a daughter/sister who is a single mother, Juri’s mother and brother stand by her through her delivery and raising of her daughter. However the villagers’ shunning of her and her daughter is so strong that Juri decides to move to the city. The dignity of work. Juri ¿QGV D MRE LQ DQ RI¿FH DQG EHgins to do well. To supplement her meagre income, she works as a part-time seamstress. The principle of participation. With what she earns, she is able to send her daughter to school. Because of the stigma associated with HIV, she only reveals her fears and struggles to her daughter when Juri can no longer protect her from the truth. The daughter’s realisation of the VDFUL¿FHV KHU PRWKHU KDG PDGH becomes a turning point in her young life – she begins to excel in her studies and decides to become a doctor. The principle of solidarity. With the new HIV medicines, Juri’s health begins to improve. With the support of an NGO, she takes the bold step of coming out to the public so that others can learn more about the disease, and how to live a normal life. „

$Q LQWHUYLHZ ZLWK $QWKRQ\ &KHQ By Winifred Loh ,OR ,OR LV WKH ¿UVW 6LQJDSRUHDQ ¿OP WKDW ZRQ WKH &DQQHV )LOP Festival’s Camera d’Or in May 2013. 7KH ¿OP ZDV DOVR DZDUGHG DQ Ecumenical Prize at the Jameson CineFest Miskolc (Hungary) in September 2013. An ecumenical jury includes members who are Catholics and Protestants. The following is an excerpt of an interview with Chen:

Q. As the director and scriptwriter, what were the human values WKDW \RX DQG WKH ÂżOP VWRRG IRU"

A. I feel that as a human being, we always try to be the best of ourselves, but we will never be the best, as we are imperfect. Our ÀDZV JHW LQ WKH ZD\ >OLNH@ JUHHG IROO\ >DQG@ OXVW 6R P\ FKDUDFWHUV are always trying to make the best of themselves, but are held EDFN E\ WKHLU KXPDQ ÀDZV

Q. What were the religious and spiritual elements that have surprised you from audience feedEDFN"

A. I think some people tend to UHDG WRR PXFK LQWR D VSHFLÂżF OLQH , KDG LQ WKH ÂżOP ZKHQ WKH QHLJKbour’s maid tells Teresa, “There is no room for God here.â€? I did not mean for it to be religious, EXW DV D ÂżJXUH RI VSHHFK When the fraud motivational speaker pitched the idea of “hope is within yourselfâ€?, my

Chen: We are all connected by a single humanity.

sense is it resonated with a lot of people even though it was presented by a fraudster.

Q. What does receiving such an DZDUG PHDQ WR \RX"

A. I see it less as an award that celebrates spirituality, but rather an award that celebrates humanity. What is special travelling so PXFK ZLWK WKLV ¿OP LV WKDW RQH realises that as much as people are from different countries and cultures, we are very much connected by a single humanity... It heartens me always that a small 6LQJDSRUH ¿OP FRXOG VWULNH VXFK a universal chord with audiences in the furthest of places. „ Loh is a parishioner of St Joseph’s Church (Bukit Timah). She was previously a jury member in the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 2011 and the Fajir International Film Festival in Iran in 2012.

10 HOME

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Young people learn about the power of praise By Clara Lai Give praise and be thankful to *RG HYHQ LQ GLI¿FXOW FLUFXPVWDQFHV 7KLV ZDV WKH PDLQ SRLQW 0V 0DULD 9DGLD VWUHVVHG WR \RXQJ SHRSOH GXULQJ KHU WDON DW WKH (YHQLQJ RI :RUVKLS HYHQW RQ )HE ³/HW SUDLVH EH DOZD\V FRPLQJ RXW RI \RXU PRXWK ´ VKH WROG WKH VWURQJ FURZG JDWKHUHG DW WKH &DWKROLF $UFKGLRFHVDQ <RXWK &HQWUH RQ /RURQJ /RZ .RRQ ³7KH +RO\ 6SLULW LV ZLWK XV ZKHQ ZH JLYH SUDLVH ´ 7KH DXGLHQFH DW WKH HYHQW RUJDQLVHG E\ WKH DUFKGLRFHVDQ 2I¿FH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH 2<3 FRPSULVHG PRVWO\ \RXQJ DGXOWV LQFOXGLQJ SDUWLFLSDQWV RI WKH RQJRLQJ 6FKRRO RI :LWQHVV 6R: SURJUDPPH 6R: LV D VL[ ZHHN IRUPDWLRQ SURJUDPPH WKDW KHOSV SDUWLFLSDQWV to deepen their relationship with *RG DQG GLVFRYHU WKHLU FDOO IRU HYDQJHOLVDWLRQ 2WKHU SDUWLFLSDQWV DW WKH )HE HYHQW LQFOXGHG DGXOWV SULHVWV DQG 5HOLJLRXV 0V 9DGLD ZKR ZDV ERUQ LQ &XED DQG QRZ OLYHV LQ )ORULGD

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Young people participate in praise and worship at the Evening of Worship on Feb 10.

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‘7KH +RO\ 6SLULW LV ZLWK XV ZKHQ ZH JLYH SUDLVH ’

– Ms Maria Vadia speaking at the Evening of Worship

-R\ WKH SURJUDPPH LV VODWHG WR WDNH SODFH DW &$<& RQ WKH WKLUG )ULGD\ RI HYHU\ PRQWK H[FHSW $XJXVW DQG 'HFHPEHU IURP SP )U -XGH DOVR PHQWLRQHG WKDW WKH QH[W PDMRU HYHQW ZRXOG EH 7HVWLI\ WR /RYH DQ DQQXDO \RXWK UDOO\ WKDW LV SUHVHQWHG PDLQO\ E\ 6R: SDUWLFLSDQWV 7KLV \HDU LW ZLOO EH KHOG DW WKH &DWKROLF -XQLRU &ROOHJH 3HUIRUPLQJ $UWV &HQWUH RQ 0DUFK SP 7LFNHWV DUH DYDLODEOH DW HDFK For more information on the 2I¿FH RI <RXQJ 3HRSOH DQG LWV SURJUDPPHV FDOO RU YLVLW ZZZ FD\FRQOLQH RUJ „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

ASIA 11

Sunday February 23, 2014 CatholicNews

Pope urges Sri Lankans WR UHFRQFLOH ZHOFRPHV invitation to visit VATICAN CITY – :KHQ FLYLO VWULIH FRQÀLFW DQG EORRGVKHG KDYH SLWWHG SHRSOH RI GLIIHUHQW HWKQLF JURXSV DJDLQVW RQH DQRWKHU UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ LV SDUWLFXODUO\ GLI¿FXOW EXW LW¶V VWLOO WKH RQO\ ZD\ WR HQVXUH D EHWWHU IXWXUH IRU DOO 3RSH )UDQFLV WROG D ODUJH JURXS RI 6UL /DQNDQ SLOJULPV ³,W LV QRW HDV\ , NQRZ WR KHDO WKH ZRXQGV DQG FRRSHUDWH ZLWK \HVWHUGD\¶V HQHP\ WR EXLOG WRPRUURZ WRJHWKHU EXW LW LV WKH RQO\ SDWK WKDW JLYHV KRSH IRU WKH IXWXUH ´ WKH SRSH VDLG RQ )HE GXULQJ D PHHWLQJ ZLWK DQ HVWLPDWHG 6UL /DQNDQ SLOJULPV )URP WR 6UL /DQND ZDV LQYROYHG LQ D EORRG\ LQWHUQDO FRQÀLFW 5HEHOV IURP WKH /LEHUDWLRQ 7LJHUV RI 7DPLO (ODP FDUULHG RXW D YLROHQW FDPSDLJQ VHHNLQJ DXWRQRP\ IRU WKH 7DPLO PDMRULW\ LQ DUHDV QRUWK DQG HDVW RI 6UL /DQND 6LQKDOHVH PDNH XS WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH FRXQWU\¶V PLOOLRQ LQKDELWDQWV 3RSH )UDQFLV MRLQHG WKH SLOJULPV LQ 6W 3HWHU¶V %DVLOLFD DIWHU &DUGLQDO $OEHUW 0DOFROP 5DQMLWK RI &RORPER FHOHEUDWHG 0DVV 7KH FDUGLQDO LQYLWHG 3RSH )UDQFLV WR YLVLW 6UL /DQND WR ZKLFK WKH SRSH UHVSRQGHG ³, ZHOFRPH WKLV LQYLWDWLRQ DQG EHOLHYH WKH /RUG ZLOO JLYH PH WKH JUDFH WR GR VR ´ &DUGLQDO 5DQMLWK KDG WROG WKH SRSH WKDW WKH PRUH IRUWXQDWH DPRQJ WKH SLOJULPV ZRUN DV KRXVHNHHSHUV FDUHJLYHUV RU IDFWRU\ ZRUNHUV LQ ,WDO\ 7KH RWKHUV

Pope Francis greets Sri Lankan dancers after a Mass for an estimated 12,000 Sri Lankan pilgrims in St Peter’s Basilica on Feb 8. He also urged them to reconcile with people of different ethnic groups following WKH FRXQWU\¶V LQWHUQDO FRQÀLFW IURP 1983 to 2009. CNS photo

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Java Church leads aid HIIRUWV IRU ÁRRG YLFWLPV JAVA, INDONESIA – In order to help people affected by recent VHYHUH ÀRRGV WKH 'LRFHVH RI 3XUZRNHUWR KDV RSHQHG D FULVLV FHQWUH VHQGLQJ GR]HQV RI YROXQWHHUV HYHry day to the affected areas. 3HRSOH RQ WKH QRUWKHUQ FRDVWOLQH RI -DYD EHWWHU NQRZQ DV 3DQWXUD PRVWO\ QRQ &KULVWLDQ HWKQLF &KLQHVH VDLG WKDW WKH\ DSSUHFLDWH &DWKROLF LQYROYHPHQW WDNLQJ SDUW LQ D 0DVV RUJDQLVHG WR FHOHEUDWH WKH /XQDU 1HZ <HDU 7KH ORFDO SDULVK SULHVW )U 0DUGL 8VPDQWR WROG $VLD1HZV WKDW WKH FHQWUH ³ZDV VHW XS WR PHHW WKH EDVLF QHHGV RI WKH ORFDO SHRSOH 5DLQ KDV ÀRRGHG WKRXVDQGV RI KRPHV DQG PDQ\ SHRSOH KDYH ÀHG WKH DIIHFWHG DUHDV 2XU QRQ SURIHVVLRQDO YROXQWHHUV DUH DOO SDULVKLRQHUV PRVWO\ HWKQLF &KLQHVH :H EULQJ IRRG EODQNHWV DQG GULQNLQJ ZDWHU ´ $W WKH SULHVW¶V LQYLWDWLRQ SDULVKLRQHUV KDYH EHHQ LQ FRQWDFW ZLWK &DWKROLFV IURP RWKHU DUHDV ³7KH UHVSRQVH KDV EHHQ PRYLQJ :H VHQW PHVVDJHV WR SDULVKHV LQ 3HNDORQJDQ 3XUZRNHUWR 7HJDO DQG 6HPD-

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12 WORLD

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Indian cardinal rejects ‘criminalisation’ of homosexual acts BANGALORE, INDIA – The head of

the Catholic Church in India has reiterated its opposition to “criminalisationâ€? of homosexual behaviour. “It is for the government and the legislature to sort out the situation now,â€? Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai said after the Supreme Court declined to review its December ruling on an antisodomy law. The December ruling served to reinstate Section 377 of India’s penal code, a law that outlawed homosexual acts, making it a felRQ\ VXEMHFW WR ÂżQHV DQG VHQWHQFHV of up to 10 years to life in prison. Asked about the gay groups and human rights activists criticising the court’s decision and even targeting the Church, Cardinal Gracias told Catholic News Service that while the Church was opposed to “criminalising homosexuality, we are not supporting gay marriagesâ€?. “The Catholic Church does not want homosexuals to be treat-

ed as criminals,� he said. “People with different sexual orientations also need pastoral care.� “The Church stand is, ‘Who am I to judge them?’ as the Holy Father has said,� Cardinal Gracias added, referring to Pope Francis’ July 28 remarks about homosexuality. “I have told our priests to be sensitive when dealing with this subject,� said Cardinal Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and one of eight members of the Council of Cardinals appointed by Pope Francis to work on reform in the Roman Curia and advise him on Church governance. M P Raju, a Catholic who is a senior lawyer with the Supreme Court, told CNS the court’s stance effectively has “thrown the ball back to the government�. “The government has to amend the archaic legislation. But the question is whether it will do it with the elections approaching.� „ CNS

Nuns release Lenten CD – Twenty-two nuns beat Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album on Billboard magazine’s classical traditional chart last year, The Wall Street Journal reported. Now, they’re at it again with a new album that might top the charts. On Feb 11, the award-winning Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles in Missouri released their third album, Lent at Ephesus. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is March 5. Mother Cecilia, the order’s prioress, said popular demand prompted the recording of Lent at Ephesus. The nuns also have “long desired� to make

WASHINGTON

a Lent recording, she said. “The hymns and chants during this holy season are some of the most beautiful and expressive of the whole year,� Mother Cecilia said in an email to Catholic News Service. The album features 23 tracks, including three original pieces. Among the songs are God of Mercy and Compassion, O Sacred Head Surrounded, Mother of Sorrows and Ave Regina Caelorum. Lent at Ephesus is available on iTunes, along with a digital booklet including original artwork and lyrics in English. Songs in Latin are translated in English. „ CNS

Publication of John Paul’s notebooks WARSAW, POLAND – The for-

mer personal secretary of Blessed Pope John Paul II has approved the publication of the late pontiff’s private notebooks, despite a request in his will that they should be burned. “I had no doubt these were such important items, testifying to the spirituality of a great pope, that it would be a crime to destroy them,� Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow told a Jan 22 news conference in Krakow to announce the release of the notebooks by the local Znak publishing house. The planned Feb 5 publication of the notebooks has been widely

criticised in Poland as an act of disloyalty toward the late pope In a statement, Znak said Cardinal Dziwisz had acted “out of respect for John Paul II� in not destroying the “two simple notebooks� covering the years 19622003, which contained the pope’s “most important personal questions�. It added that the book, I Am Very Much in God’s Hands, would reveal Blessed John Paul’s “care for his dearest friends and collaborators, and the Church entrusted to him�. The former pope is to be canonised on April 27 at the Vatican. „ CNS

Vatican responds to UN committee’s criticisms over handling of abuse VATICAN CITY – The Vatican said

it would continue to adhere to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and give an attentive response to the UN committee monitoring adherence to the treaty, despite what it views as unfair criticism and suggestions from the committee that would violate Church teaching. The Vatican will follow the procedures foreseen by the treaty “with openness to criticisms that DUH MXVWLÂżHG EXW LW ZLOO GR VR ZLWK courage and determination, without timidity,â€? said Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman. He issued a statement on Feb 7, two days after the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child insisted the Vatican was not doing enough to prevent clerical sexual abuse of children and even suggested that, for the good of children, the Catholic Church change its teaching on abortion, contraception and homosexuality. Committee members went “beyond their competence and interfered in the doctrinal and moral positions of the Catholic Churchâ€?, the spokesman said, adding that the committee’s suggestions reveal an “ideological vision of sexualityâ€?. “Certainly, while the Holy See was the object of an initiative and media attention that, in our view, was unjustly pernicious, it must be recognised that the committee itself has attracted serious and well-founded criticismsâ€? for its Feb 5 report, Fr

Lombardi said. Many Catholic commentators encouraged the Vatican to withdraw its adherence to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 1990, the Vatican became one RI WKH ¿UVW FRXQWULHV WR UDWLI\ WKH children’s rights treaty because of the Church’s historic commitment to the good of children, Fr Lombardi &16 ¿OH SKRWR

Fr Lombardi: The UN committee went beyond its competence.

said. Not recognising all the Church has done for centuries through its schools, hospitals and charitable agencies is to ignore reality, he said. While the Vatican “will conWLQXH LWV FRPPLWPHQW´ WR IXOÂżOOing the requirements of the treaty, he said, it cannot pretend that the committee’s observations did not

present “serious limitsâ€?. The committee “did not adequately take into account the responses – both written and oral – given by representatives of the Holy Seeâ€? before and during a Jan 16 hearing in Geneva, he said. The recommendations, he said, demonstrated a lack of understanding about how the Holy See is different from other states that signed the convention. The Vatican, Fr Lombardi said, has repeatedly explained in detail to the committee and other UN agencies that it has direct legal jurisdiction over those who live and work in Vatican City State. While it has canonical and spiritual jurisdiction over Catholics around the world, priests and bishops are subject to the laws of their own nations. “Is this impossible to understand or do they not want to understand it,â€? he asked. “In both cases, one has a right to be surprised.â€? He said the tone of the criticism DQG WKH PHQWLRQ RI VSHFLÂżF FDVHV seems to indicate the committee “gave much greater attention to well-known organisationsâ€? representing victims than to the testimony of Vatican representatives. “These organisations typically do not want to recognise how much the Holy See and the Church have done in recent years to recognise errors, renew norms and develop measures for formation and prevention,â€? he said. „ CNS

Strong support for Church teaching in Asia, Africa: poll MEXICO CITY – A poll by Span-

ish-language broadcaster Univision shows Catholics in Asia and Africa, where the Church is growing fastest, expressing strong support for Church teachings. 7KH SROO RI VHOI LGHQWL¿HG Catholics in a total of 12 countries showed high approval of Pope Francis, but split on subjects such as abortion, priests being able to marry and same-sex marriage. The split underscores what is perhaps one of Pope Francis’ most pressing challenges. He must attend to fast-growing congregaWLRQV LQ OHVV DIÀXHQW DUHDV VXFK DV Africa, while renewing the enthusiasm of Catholics in Europe and the Americas, where the faithful are increasingly leading lifestyles contrary to Church teachings. The survey, conducted by Bendixen & Amandi International, gauged the opinions of Catholics in the US, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Philippines, Uganda and Congo on various issues.

Survey also shows split in opinions on certain subjects. Sixty-nine percent said they attend Mass frequently. About 30 percent said they attended Mass LQIUHTXHQWO\ GHÂżQHG IRU WKH VWXG\ as those who attend service only a few times a year, and those who never attend services. Analysts spotted some trends. Uganda and Congo showed 98 percent opposition to same-sex marriages, while the Philippines was 84 percent against. The three countries also were the only ones with majorities saying abortion “should not be allowed at allâ€?. One-third of all respondents agreed that abortion “should not be allowed at allâ€?; 57 percent said it “should be allowed in some casesâ€?. Mexico and Colombia tended to trend more conservative than Brazil and Argentina. Rural

respondents in Mexico and Argentina were more likely to support Church teachings than others surveyed, the authors said. 2WKHU ¿QGLQJV LQFOXGHG Majorities in Europe, Latin America and the US disagreed with divorce rules denying Communion to those who remarry outside the Church. The two African nations were 75 percent in agreement. Seventy percent in Africa and 76 percent in the Philippines opposed priests marrying; 70 percent in Europe expressed the opposite opinion. US Catholics were 61 percent in favour of priests marrying; Latin American countries were split on the issue. Majorities in France, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Argentina supported the ordination of women as priests. Some 59 percent of US Catholics also approved. Only respondents in Uganda and Congo showed less than twothirds support for contraceptive use. „ CNS

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POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Make more room for women without affecting families, says pontiff VATICAN CITY – Women should

play a greater role in society and WKH &KXUFK ZLWKRXW VDFULÂżFLQJ their essential attention and contribution to their families, Pope Francis said. Women’s distinctive skill sets and sensibilities make them invaluable not only for building “peace and harmonyâ€? in families, but for all of humanity, too, he said. The pope made his remarks during an audience at the Vatican on Jan 25 with women taking part in a national congress hosted by the Italian Women’s Centre (Centro Italiano Femminile), a Catholic women’s association promoting greater democracy, solidarity, human rights and human dignity. In his speech, Pope Francis said, “I strongly wish that [opportunities and responsibilities] may open themselves up further to the presence and participation of women, both in the Church as well as in society and the professional sphere,â€? including a greater role in decision making, he said. However, the pope also said that he hoped such new opportunities and responsibility would not mean forgetting “the irreplaceable role of women in the familyâ€?. 7KH ³¿QHVVH SDUWLFXODU VHQsitivity and tendernessâ€? women possess “represent a genuine strength not only for the life of families, for creating an atmosphere of peace and harmonyâ€?, but for the whole of humanity, too, he said. “Without their approach, without these gifts of women, the hu-

Women from Los Angeles’ Catholic Chinese community celebrate Chinese New Year at the city’s Cathedral. The pope has said that women should have a greater role in society and the Church, but at the same time remain dedicated to their families. CNS photo

PDQ YRFDWLRQ FDQQRW EH IXOÂżOOHG ´ he said. But just as “a greater contribution of feminine geniusâ€? is important in the professional world and public sphere, the same gifts “remain essential for the family, which for us Christians is not simply the private realm, but is the domestic Church whose health and prosperity is a condition for the health and prosperity of the Church and society itselfâ€?, he said. The critical question for each woman, the pope said, is to discern the right balance of work, community and family. “How is it possible to expand an effective presence in so many

areas in the public sphere, in the world of work and in the places where the most important decisions are made and at the same time maintain a special presence in and preferred attention for the family?â€? he asked. A “diligent and persistentâ€? SUD\HU OLIH UHĂ€HFWLRQ RQ WKH ZRUG of God and taking part in the sacraments are key to that process of discernment, the pope said, so that women can always be responding in new ways to the Lord’s call. Women have an irreplaceable role within the family, he said, particularly in handing down to future generations “solid moral principlesâ€? and the Christian faith. „ CNS

Pope: Christians should pray, work together ROME – While Christian unity

will be a gift from God, it won’t drop miraculously from the sky but will be given to the followers of Christ step by step as they walk together and work together, Pope Francis said. “To journey together is already to be making unity,� the pope said on Jan 25 during an ecumenical prayer service at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, marking the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Orthodox, Anglican, Luther-

an, Methodist and other Christian representatives attended the event. The service began with Pope Francis, Orthodox Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy and Anglican Archbishop David Moxon, the archbishop of Canterbury’s representative in Rome, bowing in prayer before the tomb of St Paul on the feast of his conversion. “We have prayed at the tomb of Paul and said to one another, ‘Let’s pray that he will help us on this path, this path of unity and love,’� the pope said later in his homily.

“Unity will not come about as a miracle at the very end,� he said. “Rather unity comes about in journeying.� “If we do not walk together, if we do not pray for one another, if we do not collaborate in the many ways that we can in this world for the people of God,� the pope said, “then unity will not come about.� Dialogue and collaboration are essential, he said, but unity will not be the result of human effort, “but rather of the Holy Spirit, who sees our good will�. „ CNS

Retired Pope Benedict is not ‘isolated’ VATICAN CITY – In retirement, Pope Benedict XVI

follows a daily schedule similar to that of any retired bishop or Religious: He prays, reads, strolls, talks with people and offers them spiritual advice, the Vatican spokesman said. Although he “lives in a low-key way, without public attention, that does not mean he’s isolated or enclosed in a strict cloister�, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi told Vatican Radio. Marking the one-year anniversary of Pope Ben-

edict’s resignation on Feb 11, Fr Lombardi and Archbishop Georg Ganswein, the retired pope’s longtime personal secretary, spoke about the very normal daily life of a man who is in the unusual position of being a retired pope. Archbishop Ganswein, who continues as Pope Benedict’s personal secretary while also serving Pope Francis as prefect of the papal household, summarised the UHWLUHG SRSHœV GD\ DV ¿OOHG ³ZLWK SUD\HU PRVW RI DOO ZLWK study, with personal correspondence and visits�. „ CNS

Catholic identity must be clear, pope tells university VATICAN CITY – Catholic universities must give “uncompromisingâ€? and “unambiguousâ€? witness to Church teaching and defend themselves from all efforts to dilute their Catholic identity, Pope Francis said. Catholic universities, “by their very nature, are committed to demonstrating the harmony of faith and reason and the relevance of the Christian message for a full and authentically human lifeâ€?, he said in an audience with the University of Notre Dame’s board of WUXVWHHV DQG RWKHU RIÂżFLDOV The pope met with some 130 people representing the Indianabased Catholic university on Jan 30, who were in Rome for the inauguration of its new centre. Pope Francis praised the university, saying it “has made an outstanding contribution to the Church in your country through its commitment to the religious education of the young and to serious VFKRODUVKLS LQVSLUHG E\ FRQÂżGHQFH in the harmony of faith and reason in the pursuit of truth and virtueâ€?. He said the institution’s original vision “remains, in the changed circumstances of the 21st century, central to the university’s distinctive identity and its service to the Church and American societyâ€?. Catholic identity and missionary discipleship are critical, the pope said, and need to be evident

in the way Catholics live and in the workings of all Catholic institutions. Catholic universities play a special role in being missionaries of the Gospel because of their commitment to showing the compatibility of faith and reason, and showing how the Christian message offers people a fuller, more authentic human life, he said. “Essential in this regard is the uncompromising witness of Catholic universities to the Church’s

Catholic identity and missionary discipleship need to be evident in all Catholic institutions, the pope said. moral teaching, and the defence of her freedom, precisely in and through her institutions, to uphold that teaching as authoritatively proclaimed by the magisterium of her pastors,� he said. “It is my hope that the University of Notre Dame will continue to offer unambiguous testimony to this aspect of its foundational Catholic identity, especially in the face of efforts, from whatever quarter, to dilute that indispensable witness,� he said. „ CNS

Relic of John Paul II recovered VATICAN CITY – Soon after a relic buried on the grounds of a drug of Blessed John Paul II disap- treatment facility in the city of peared, Italian police recovered L’Aquila near Rome. the venerated piece of fabric “These three lads have the forstained with the late pope’s blood. giveness of Pope John Paul II and Auxiliary Bishop Giovanni our own,â€? Bishop D’Ercole told D’Ercole of L’Aquila said on Jan reporters. 31 that one of three The relic and the CNS photo men arrested for the cross were reported theft the previous day missing from the had led police to the Church of San Pietro relic, which they found della Ienca over the inside his garage. weekend of Jan 25-26. The bishop said Located 20 km north the postage-stampof L’Aquila, it is where sized piece of fabric Blessed John Paul of– cut from the clothten prayed and also ing Blessed John Paul went for vacations. was wearing when Blessed John Paul II. Polish Cardinal he was shot May 13, Stanislaw Dziwisz of 1981 – was almost intact, missing Krakow, who served as Blessed only a few gold threads. John Paul’s personal secretary The previous day, the thieves GXULQJ KLV SRQWLÂżFDWH JDYH WKH turned over an empty iron reli- relic to the chapel in recognition of quary, along with a stolen cross, the late pope’s many visits. „ CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Queen Elizabeth to visit the Holy Father at the Vatican MANCHESTER, ENGLAND –

The Queen of England will visit Pope Francis at the Vatican in April, Buckingham Palace announced. A Feb 4 statement said Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will meet the pope on April 3. The queen and prince will visit Rome at the invitation of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, the statement said. It said the royal couple would attend a private lunch hosted by the president at the presidential palace, then England’s Queen Elizabeth II would have an audience with the pope at the Vatican. In 2010, Queen Elizabeth The 87-year-old queen, who has reigned since 1952, also welcomed Pope Benedict ZDV WKH ¿UVW %ULWLVK VRYHUHLJQ XVI to Britain when he arrived to welcome a pope to Eng- in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the land when she greeted Blessed ¿UVW VWRS RI D WRXU WKDW FRQPope John Paul II in London in FOXGHG ZLWK WKH EHDWL¿FDWLRQ RI Blessed John Henry Newman. 1982.

The visit to Rome will be WKH ¿UVW RYHUVHDV WULS IRU WKH royal couple for three years, a period in which Prince Philip, 92, has been troubled by ill health. The queen is the constitutional head of the British state and is also the supreme governor of the Church of England. The London-based Daily Mail newspaper, which broke the story ahead of the announcement by Buckingham Palace, speculated that the royal visit would strengthen ties between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. It also said Pope Francis would not receive the queen and the duke in the Vatican state apartments but in the three modestly furnished rooms that the pontiff occupies in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse. „ CNS

WYD message: blessed are those considered ‘losers’ VATICAN CITY – The “poor in

spiritâ€?, the pure and the merciful, whom Jesus described as “blessedâ€?, are the same people the world considers to be “losersâ€?, Pope Francis told Catholic young people. But Jesus offers His followers the true path to happiness, and faith in Him “will allow you to expose and reject the ‘low-cost’ offers and approaches all around youâ€?, the pope said in his message for World Youth Day 2014. The message, released on Feb 6 at the Vatican, focused on the beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.â€? Pope Francis has chosen the EHDWLWXGHV IURP WKH ÂżIWK FKDSWHU of the Gospel of St Matthew as the themes for World Youth Day 2014-2016. This year and next, World Youth Day will be celebrated on a local level – on Palm Sunday at the Vatican – and in 2016 it will be an international gathering in Krakow, Poland. The pope told young people that in April, he will canonise Blessed John Paul II, who began the international celebrations and will be “the great patron of the World Youth Daysâ€?. “To be blessed means to be happy,â€? the pope said. “In an age when we are constantly being enticed by vain and empty illusions of happiness, we risk settling for less and ‘thinking small’ when it comes to the meaning of life.â€? “Think big instead,â€? he told young people. “Open your hearts.â€? “Young people who choose

Mexican pilgrims walk along Copacabana beach for the opening Mass of the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.

Christ are strong: They are fed by His word and they do not need to ‘stuff themselves’â€? with money, SRVVHVVLRQV DQG Ă€HHWLQJ SOHDVXUH the pope said. “Have the courage to swim against the tide. Have the courage to be truly happy,â€? he said. Explaining how true happiness includes being “poor in spiritâ€?, the pope said he knew it seemed strange to link happiness and poverty. But, he said, in the Bible being poor isn’t just about having few material possessions. “It suggests lowliness, a sense of one’s limitations and existential poverty. The ‘anawim’ [God’s poor] trust in the Lord, and they know they can count on Him.â€? The pope said his namesake, St Francis of Assisi, “understood perfectly the secret of the beatitudeâ€? and demonstrated that by living “in imitation of Christ in His poverty and in love for the poorâ€?. To be poor in spirit, the pope told young people, they must learn to be free or detached from

material things, living simply, being concerned about the essentials, but “learning to do without all those unneeded extrasâ€?. Poverty in spirit also requires “a conversion in the way we see the poorâ€?, which means meeting them, listening to them, caring for them and offering them both material and spiritual assistance, he said. Living according to the beatitude also means recognising that the poor “have much to offer us and to teach usâ€?, particularly that “people’s value is not measured by their possessions or how much money they have in the bankâ€?. Looking to Mary, particularly LQ WKH 0DJQLÂżFDW WKH SRSH WROG young people, “the joy of the Gospel arises from a heart which, in its poverty, rejoices and marvels at the works of Godâ€?. „ CNS The text of Pope Francis’ message in English is available at http://www. vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/ messages/youth/documents/papafrancesco_20140121_messaggio-giovani_2014_en.html.

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

3RSH WR 1HRFDWHFKXPHQDO :D\ ZRUN IRU XQLW\ UHVSHFW ORFDO FXOWXUHV &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

VATICAN CITY – Thanking mem-

bers of the Neocatechumenal Way for their generous missionary efIRUWV 3RSH )UDQFLV DOVR HQFRXUaged them to build Church unity, learn about local cultures and respect any member’s decision to OHDYH WKH PRYHPHQW 3RSH )UDQFLV JUHHWHG WKH MR\ful audience and thanked the families and others for their genHURVLW\ Âł, WKDQN WKH /RUG IRU WKH MR\ of your faith and for the passion of your Christian witness,â€? he said during a special audience in the 9DWLFDQÂśV 3DXO 9, DXGLHQFH KDOO RQ )HE ZLWK WKRXVDQGV RI PHPEHUV of the parish-based faith formaWLRQ SURJUDPPH He then spelled out three “simple pieces of adviceâ€? for the movement as it continues to reach out to areas in need of the new HYDQJHOLVDWLRQ Âł7KH ÂżUVW LV WR KDYH WKH XWPRVW concern for building and preserving communionâ€? within the parishes and dioceses where they ZRUN KH VDLG /LNH DOO PRYHPHQWV DQG groups who contribute their own charism to the life of the Church, the Neocatechumenal Way needs WR ÂłZDON WRJHWKHU DV RQH Ă€RFN XQder the guidance of the pastors of WKH ORFDO FKXUFKHV´ “Communion is essential, and sometimes – it happens you know – it may be better to forego following in every detail that your itinerary demands in order to guarantee unity among the brothers and sisters that make up the one Church community of which you must alZD\V IHHO SDUW ´ KH VDLG 3RSH )UDQFLV DOVR WROG WKH PLVsionaries that they must remember that God, through the Holy Spirit, “always precedes usâ€? and preSDUHV SHRSOH WR UHFHLYH +LV ZRUG The missionary families must

Members of the US Neocatechumenal Way sing and play instruments in Newark, New Jersey. Pope Francis recently told members of the Neocatechumenal Way to preserve communion in the dioceses where they work.

Each person’s freedom ‘must not be forced’ and ‘must be respected’, Pope Francis told members of the Neocatechumenal Way. pay “special attention to the cultural contextâ€? of the places they DUH VHQW KH VDLG 7KLV HQWDLOV learning the local culture, recognising where the Gospel is needed and seeing where the Holy Spirit has already acted in the life and history of different peoples, he VDLG /DVWO\ KH DVNHG PHPEHUV of the Neocatechumenal Way to show love and care for each other, HVSHFLDOO\ ÂłWKH ZHDNHVW´ The movement’s itinerary of

faith “is a demanding path, along which a brother or sister may enFRXQWHU XQIRUHVHHQ GLIÂżFXOWLHV´ KH VDLG The pope said the community should exercise patience and merF\ LQ VXFK FDVHV (DFK LQGLYLGXal’s freedom “must not be forcedâ€?, and anybody’s decision to follow God’s call outside the way “must EH UHVSHFWHG´ 3RSH )UDQFLVÂś FDOO IRU FRPPXQLRQ UHĂ€HFWHG D VLPLODU FRQFHUQ RI KLV SUHGHFHVVRU 3RSH %HQHGLFW ;9, ZKR DOVR XUJHG PRYHment members to always make sure their important work was in “profound communion with the Apostolic See and the pastors of the local Church in which they’re LQVHUWHG´ Some bishops, particularly in -DSDQ KDYH H[SUHVVHG FRQFHUQV about the movement’s lack of respect for local cultures and for its potential for creating divisions in SDULVKHV „ CNS

0DNH VXUH \RXU FKLOGUHQ DUH FRQÀUPHG SRQWLII VATICAN CITY – Many Catholic

parents go to great lengths to ensure their children are baptised, and they must make similar efforts to see that their children are FRQÂżUPHG 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG :LWKRXW FRQÂżUPDWLRQ KH VDLG young people will remain “halfwayâ€? on the path of Christian matuULW\ DQG PHPEHUVKLS LQ WKH &KXUFK &RQÂżUPDWLRQ ÂłXQLWHV XV PRUH VROLGO\ WR &KULVW ,W FRPSOHWHV our bond with the Church,â€? 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG RQ -DQ DW KLV ZHHNO\ JHQHUDO DXGLHQFH The sacrament “gives us the special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith, to confess the name of Christ and to never be ashamed of His crossâ€?, WKH SRSH VDLG

&RQÂżUPDWLRQ VROLGLÂżHV DQG LQcreases the grace given at baptism, “which is why it’s important to make sure our children and young SHRSOH UHFHLYH WKLV 6DFUDPHQW :H all make sure that our children are baptised, which is good, but perhaps we’re not quite so diligent in PDNLQJ VXUH WKH\ DUH FRQÂżUPHG ´ Âł,I \RX KDYH D FKLOG RU \RXQJ person at home who hasn’t been FRQÂżUPHG DQG LV WKH ULJKW DJH WR receive the sacrament, do everything possible to make sure it hapSHQV ´ KH VDLG Especially for those who were baptised as infants, the pope said, FRQÂżUPDWLRQ LV D WLPH WR DIÂżUP one’s personal decision to follow Christ and to be a member of His &KXUFK „ CNS

16 OPINION

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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LETTER

Don’t reserve seats for latecomers l do not agree with Mr Harry Tong that we should reserve seats in church for latecomers, (Allocate Area For Latecomers To Avoid Distractions At Mass, CN, Feb 6). One, seats during Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation are at a premium. Reserving seats for latecomers means that much fewer seats for early arrivals. What do we do when these HDUO\ DUULYDOV ¿QG DOO WKH VHDWV RFcupied, except those reserved for latecomers? Make them stand at the back of the church? They will be furious when they cannot occupy those empty seats because these are reserved for latecomers. It is not fair to them. Two, we will be encouraging latecomers to be persistently late, thereby inculcating in them the

CN, Feb 9

wrong values about the Mass. This is against the grain of the whole intention, which is to make worshippers come to Mass on time. A better solution, short of shutting the door when Mass be-

gins, is to stop latecomers from hunting for seats, which cause distractions. Instead, we should make them stand at the back. Latecomers should not be given any privileges. The ideal situation, of course, is when Catholics realise that the Mass is the highest form of worship and that they should treat it seriously, not as an after-thought. Anthony Oei Singapore 575146

Holiness, wholeness and depression EXTERNAL appearances can easily fool us, and often do. That’s true in every area of human life, and religion is no exception. Some years ago, I lived in a seminary for nearly two years with a young seminarian who, by all outward appearances, appeared to be the ideal candidate for priesthood and ministry. Intelligent, conscientious, prayerful, strongly committed to his studies, and with a deep concern for the poor, he seemed above the more mundane and secular concerns of his peers. He wasn’t interested in drinking beer, arguing football, gossiping, making small talk, or wasting time with the other seminarians. While these other things were going on, he was normally found in either the chapel, the library, or at this desk, busy about more serious things. Moreover, he was always courteous and polite to a fault, no harsh words, bitter slang, or salacious jokes issued from his mouth. He did all the right things. But none of us living with him confused him with a saint. He was a sincere young man but not a particularly happy one. Why not? Because, while externally he was doing everything right, what radiated from his person was not life but depression. His entry into a room had the effect of draining some energy from the room. He was doing everything right, but his energy wasn’t right. The other seminarians, for all their mundane interests, were perceptive and good-hearted enough to recognise that he needed help and would play the Good Samaritan, taking turns sitting beside him at table, hoping to cheer him up a little. The seminary rector too recognised a problem and sent him to a psychologist who told the young man that he was on the edges of a clinical depression and that he would be well-advised to leave the seminary, at least for a while. The young man did leave the seminary, eventually regained his health, and is today a man who brings a robust energy into a room. This is not an uncommon example. One of the struggles we perennially face with Religious discernment is that it’s easy to mistake depression for sanctity, sentimentality for piety, rigidity for orthodoxy, narrow sectarianism for loyalty, repressed sexuality for wholeness, and denial of one’s complexity for stability. Depression can look like sanctity because the person within its grip will appear to be free from the normal urges that come from our moreearthy passions. Sentimentality invariably gravitates towards piety and dresses itself as devotion. Rigidity invariably cloaks itself as an overzealous concern for truth and orthodoxy, just as narrow sectarianism forever presents itself as ÂżHUFH OR\DOW\ DQG UHSUHVVHG VH[XDOLW\ DQG GHQLDO RI RQHÂśV FRPSOH[LW\ especially one’s sexual complexity, take on the guise of wholeness and stability. Depression, sentimentality, fearfulness, rigidity, sectarianism, repression, and denial like to hide behind nobler things. I say this sympathetically. None of us are free from these struggles. But, with that being confessed, we shouldn’t be fooled by false sanctity. Depression, sentimentality, fearfulness, narrowness, rigidity, and repression drain the energy from a room. Real sanctity, piety, orthodoxy, loyalty, wholeness, and stability bring energy into a room and don’t make you swallow hard and feel JXLOW\ EHFDXVH \RXU RZQ EORRG LV ÂżOOHG ZLWK D PRUH UREXVW HQHUJ\ The presence of real sanctity sets you free and gives you permission to feel good about your humanity, no matter how red your blood. Real sanctity attracts and radiates life; it doesn’t unconsciously beg you to play the Good Samaritan to cheer it up. We see this, for example, in Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, or Mother Teresa. As we now know from her diaries, she spent the last sixty years of her life in a deep, painful dark night of the soul. During the last sixty years of her life she was struggling interiorly for consolation, yet eveU\WKLQJ DERXW KHU UDGLDWHG WKH RSSRVLWH 6KH ÂżOOHG D URRP ZLWK HQHUJ\ She lit up a room like a powerful light bulb. She wasn’t just doing all the right things; she was radiating a life-giving energy. And that is how, in the end, we need to discern genuine sanctity, genuine piety, genuine orthodoxy, genuine loyalty, and genuine wholeness from their false guises. Genuine sanctity brings energy into a room, depression drains it from a room; genuine piety, like a beautiful icon, attracts you, sentimentality makes you uncomfortable, wanting to shield your eyes; genuine orthodoxy makes you want to embrace the whole world, rigidity makes you fearful and petty; genuine loyalty has you standing up for your loved ones, narrow sectarianism makes you a bigot; genuine wholeness has already faced the dark chaos of your human and sexual complexity, repression and denial make you huddle in fear before those dark corners. There’s a double challenge in this: First, as this pertains to our own lives, we must be more honest and courageous in facing our own chaos and recognise our perpetual propensity to disguise our weaknesses as virtues. Second, we need, as the American poet William Stafford puts it, that when “following the wrong god home we may miss our starâ€?. „

OPINION 17

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

LETTERS

Looking at evolution in ‘proper light’ With reference to the article, Did Humans Evolve From Monkeys? (CN, Feb 9), I do agree with much of the fundamentals of the theology Fr Henry Siew put forth in his article. As a Catholic scientist, however, I simply cannot accept the science presented. There is a good reason for the Church’s caution in not jumping on the bandwagon regarding this matter. It was embarrassed in the 17th century by its mishandling of the theory put forth by the great scientist, Galileo Galilei, by placing him under house arrest and condemning his theory. The theory involves his observation, using techniques from astronomy, that the Earth revolves around the sun, not vice-versa. Incidentally, the Church’s objection to Galileo’s assertion was based on the same theological principle that was raised in the mentioned article on evolution: Man holds a special place in God’s eye. Not known to many people, even till this day, is the fact that the Church was right but for all the wrong reasons. Galileo’s theory is a theory that is complete only at certain levels. We didn’t know about the universe or the Big Bang theory, which tells us that, as in Genesis, virtually nothing existed in the EHJLQQLQJ DQG ZDV ÂżUVW FR SURpounded by the Belgian priest, Fr Georges Lemaitre. Most of all, they did not know then about an important theory now known as Quantum Mechanics. Unlike Galileo’s theory of planetary motions and the theory of evolution, quantum mechanics (QM) is a fundamental theory. Without QM, there would be no

planetary motions or evolution because QM is the way atomic and sub-atomic particles bind to each other to make things the way we see or touch. In other words, QM is one of the most basic tools that God used when He created the universe. Quantum physics tells us that everything we see and touch is at the sub-atomic level made up of ghostly “particles� that are both particles AND waves. Like life, the theory is very

Likewise, if we don’t look at evolution in a proper light, we will all be going now down the same path with the theory of evolution as the Church did in the 17th century with Galileo’s theory of planetary motion. This is, unfortunately, exactly the path that many of our fundamentalist brethren may be taking. Molecular biology tells us that not only did humans evolve from monkeys, our DNA shares 97 percent identity with our closest rela-

came from different primate ancestries, molecular biology also tells us that all humans came from just a single lineage that arose from Africa about just 100,000200,000 years ago. Molecular biology thereby UHDIÂżUPV PDQ\ RI WKH XQGHUO\LQJ themes found in Genesis especially with regard to the brotherhood of mankind. Fr Siew brought up an important point that the dignity of man has to be addressed. However, to say that we are primates that arose from the same ancestry as chimpanzees is not the sane thing as saying that we are the same as or identical to our non-human pri-

We must not underestimate the incredible reliability and accuracy of molecular biology. CN, Feb 9

strange but also very real. One corollary to the theory that can be found among its equations is that the universe has absolutely no meaning if there is no human with the higher consciousness to observe it!!! In other words, the Church teaching that man holds a special place in God’s eyes is fully DI¿UPHG E\ 40 )URP WKLV ZH should therefore now be able to see that the Church was right all along, but for all the wrong reasons.

tive, the chimpanzee. It has also been mathematically shown using the DNA sequences that chimpanzees share a common ancestor with humans. It is for this reason that the VFLHQWLÂżF FRPPXQLW\ FDWHJRULVHV humans as primates, just like the other monkeys. To put it quirkily, we are all monkeys!! Furthermore, we must not underestimate the incredible reliability and accuracy of molecular biology. For instance, despite all the speculations that humans

mate relatives. We are obviously far more superior in intelligence. The 3 percent differences in DNA may actually make a huge difference. Fr Siew is absolutely correct that the “dignity of manâ€? is of utmost importance. To examine this issue further, we must turn not to the theory of evolution but to its underlying theory, QM. We need to remember that QM is the basis that made evoOXWLRQ HYHQ SRVVLEOH LQ WKH ÂżUVW place. QM dictates the way that molecules have to behave at the atomic and sub-atomic levels. To

put it subtly, God used the laws of QM to design evolution when He ÂżUVW FUHDWHG WKH XQLYHUVH QM reminds us that if there is no being that has a higher level of consciousness i.e. higher intelligence, the universe is of little use and has absolutely no meaning!!! 7KLV DJDLQ UHDIÂżUPV WKH WKHRORJLcal principle that Fr Siew emphasised. The question is then: What is a good Catholic way to approach science as in the case of evoluWLRQ" 7KLV LV D YHU\ GLIÂżFXOW TXHVtion as we have seen in Fr Siew’s article. One popular way among many Christian theologians would be to read the Bible and then tell God that He should have created the universe in ways as biblically interpreted by them. The other way is to sit back, appreciate the beauty of God’s handiwork and then observe that there are subtle messages in His creations that are supporting what the Bible has been saying all along. The latter approach can be seen in many of the statements and writings of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Pope John Paul II declared that evolution to be true and “compatible with Christian Faithâ€? in 1996. Similarly, Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) had nothing but praise for the works of the Jesuit theologian and evolutionary biologist, Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who saw evolution as a beauty of God’s creation. I think the latter is a better approach. Gerard Goh Singapore 548957

Evolution not incompatible with Catholic faith Fr Henry Siew’s anti-evolution article (Did Humans Evolve From Monkeys?, CN, Feb 9) misrepresents both the theory of evolution and Church teaching on the subject. While Fr Siew is correct that no present-day species has evolved into another present-day species, this is not what evolution claims. Evolutionary biologists posit that man and monkey share a common ancestor. No one suggests we evolved from the monkeys we see at Bukit Timah Reserve. Geologists and biologists estimate that the Earth was formed some 4.5 billion years ago, and WKH ¿UVW VLQJOH FHOOHG RUJDQLVPV – from which all living things descend – emerged 3.8 billion years ago. Since the fossil record clearly shows the appearance and disappearance of distinct but related species over time, scientists deduced that one species had

evolved into a multitude of different ones. )U 6LHZ JLYHV QR VFLHQWLÂżF evidence to back his sweeping claims that “no matter what form [vegetable or animal life] appeared years ago, they are no different nowâ€? or that Man “had not and will never be evolved from any other species, plant or animal!â€? The Magisterium has not UXOHG GHÂżQLWLYHO\ IRU RU DJDLQVW evolution. But Church leaders have been increasingly open to the idea. Pope Pius XII wrote in his 1950 encyclical Humani Generis that the Church should be openminded to the study of evolution, i.e., “the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matterâ€?. Pope John Paul II told the 3RQWLÂżFDO $FDGHP\ RI 6FLHQFHV LQ WKDW ÂłQHZ ÂżQGLQJV OHDG XV toward the recognition of evolution as more than an hypothesis‌

The convergence in the results of independent studies [in different scholarly disciplines] constitutes LQ LWVHOI D VLJQL¿FDQW DUJXPHQW LQ favour of the theory.� Pope Benedict XVI embraced the theory of evolution. His book, In the Beginning‌: A Catho-

It is vital to distinguish between the theory of evolution, and the moral or ethical positions that some try to derive from it lic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall, found QR FRQĂ€LFW EHWZHHQ VFLHQFH DQG Scripture: evolution tells us how our bodies were created, while divine revelation explains the theological meaning of human

life and its ultimate purpose. He even held a meeting of scientists and theologians to explore the implications of evolution for Catholic thought, whose proceedings were published in Creation and Evolution: A Conference with Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo. The Magisterium, while silent on Man’s physical origins, asserts that “the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by Godâ€? (Humani Generis, 36). Man is made “in the image and likenessâ€? of God not by having hands or feet, but by having a rational soul with conscience and will. This soul is unique and infused by God. It never evolved from plant or animal souls. It is vital to distinguish between the theory of evolution, and the moral or ethical positions that some try to derive from it. 7KH &KXUFK ÂżQGV WKH WKHRU\ LWVHOI XQREMHFWLRQDEOH EXW ÂżUPO\

denounces claims that, for example, evolution “provesâ€? Man is no more special than any other EHDVW RU ÂłVXUYLYDO RI WKH ÂżWWHVW´ legitimises euthanasia. Evolution only tells us how we got here; it does not tell us how we should live. Estella Young Singapore 457266

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday March 9, 2014 CatholicNews

%UDYHU\ GRHV QRW QHHG WR WDNH SODFH RQO\ LQ EDWWOHÀHOGV LW LV DOVR DSSOLFDEOH LQ RXU GDLO\ OLYHV By Fr John Catoir

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e often think of courage as a battle¿HOG YLUWXH +RZHYHU DQRWKHU NLQG RI EUDYHU\ H[LVWV LQ PRUH IDPLOLDU FLUFXPVWDQFHV 'D\ DIWHU GD\ real courage often takes place at KRPH LQ WKH IRUP RI SDWLHQW HQGXUDQFH OR\DOW\ FRQVWDQF\ DQG WKH ZLOO WR IDFH D VFDU\ IXWXUH ZLWK JUDFH DQG GHWHUPLQDWLRQ These qualities are all signs of WKH NLQG RI FRXUDJH WKDW ZRPHQ SRVVHVV LQ DGPLUDEOH SURSRUWLRQV 2QH RI WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW TXDOLWLHV DQ\RQH FDQ PDVWHU LQ OLIH LV IRXQG LQ WKH DUW RI SXWWLQJ RQ WKH ZLOO WR EHDU GLVFRPIRUW 7KH JROGHQ UXOH UHTXLUHV LW ³'R XQWR RWKHUV DV \RX ZRXOG KDYH WKHP GR XQWR \RX ´ ,Q RUGHU WR EH FKDULWDEOH ZH QHHG WR EHFRPH OHVV SUHRFFXSLHG ZLWK RXU SHUVRQDO QHHGV 7KLV UHTXLUHV VDFUL¿FH 0RWKHUV DUH IDPRXV IRU WKHLU DELOLW\ WR SHUIRUP PDQ\ GLI¿FXOW DQG PRQRWRQRXV GXWLHV 7KH\ SUDFWLVH SULYDWLRQ 3ULYDWLRQ RFFXUV ZKHQ RQH JLYHV XS WKH FRPIRUW RI IHHOLQJ IUHH WR GR DV RQH SOHDVHV 2I FRXUVH PHQ SRVVHVV WKLV QREOH YLUWXH WRR EXW ZRPHQ H[FHO LQ LW HVSHFLDOO\ WKH PRWKHUV RI \RXQJ FKLOGUHQ 7KH\ SHUVHYHUH LQ GLI¿FXOW WLPHV VKRZLQJ XV RYHU DQG RYHU DJDLQ WKH QREOH YLUWXH RI ORYH LQ DFWLRQ $V WKH\ WU\ WR ORYH WKHLU FKLOGUHQ DQG KXVEDQGV ZLWKRXW FRXQWLQJ WKH FRVW WKH\ PDNH WKH QHFHVVDU\ VDFUL¿FHV WR NHHS WKH IDPLO\ DOLYH DQG ZHOO :H DUH LQ DGPLUDWLRQ RI WKHLU FRXUDJHRXV FRPPLWPHQW

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FOREIGN COMMUNITIES 19

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Learning about the activities of the Spanish-speaking community in S’pore A look at a foreign language community in Singapore, the activities they have and how they interact with the local Church By Darren Boon

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HE roots of the Spanishspeaking Catholic community in Singapore go way back to December 1999 when a group of Mexican Catholics organised a Mass in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Opus Dei Fr Joe Lopez who arrived in Singapore the same year was invited to celebrate the Mass. Fr Lopez who now takes care of the community told CatholLF1HZV WKDW WKHUH DUH QR RIÂżcial statistics on the Spanishspeaking Catholics in Singapore. He estimates there are 80 to 90 Catholics who attend the monthly Spanish Mass. They come from countries including Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Paraguay, Uruguay and Ecuador. 7KHUH LV QR RIÂżFLDO UHJLVWUDtion with the community except only to receive news and activity updates within the community, Fr Lopez said. Faith life and Sacraments The Sunday Masses in Spanish DUH KHOG RQ WKH ÂżUVW 6XQGD\V RI the month and selected third Sundays of the month at the Maris Stella Chapel on Holland Road, Fr Lopez told CatholicNews. Some others would join the English Masses at the various parishes. Christmas is an important affair for the community as they gather for carolling, penitential service, the pre-Christmas Las Posadas celebration and the Christmas Mass. However, the community does not celebrate Easter with any special Mass and they are encouraged to join the Mass in the parishes. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is also celebrated. Weekly catechism classes are held for children in preparation for First Holy Communion and for teenagers to receive the SacUDPHQW RI &RQÂżUPDWLRQ Almost 100 children and teenagers attend the classes that start from as young as three years up to 14 years old. The books are in Spanish and are brought in from Spain or Mexico. Parent volunteers are the catechists. The families move from country to country, staying beWZHHQ WKUHH DQG ÂżYH \HDUV LQ Singapore, Fr Lopez told CatholicNews. Nonetheless, the parents still “want their children to pray to keep their [Catholic] roots‌ [and to have a] prayer life in Spanish. Mrs Laura Martinez Parra,

A group picture with the Spanish-speaking children who received their First Holy Communion at Church of St Bernadette.

a catechist and the coordinator for catechesis, concurs. The catechism classes in Spanish were started because of parents’ requests. A parent, Mrs Mila Navarro, told CatholicNews that because the children go to international schools, religion is given less prominence. Thus coming to church allows them to mix with children of the same faith and

Projects According to Fr Lopez, the community has a “great sensibility for the needy in other poor countries�. Some of the projects which were initiated by Fr Lopez include visiting orphanages in Vietnam. The community has been generous in their donations – in both cash and kind.

They see how ‘seriously the Catholics in Singapore take their IDLWK 7KH\ EHQHÂżW D lot when they go to Mass in the parishes.

’

– Opus Dei Fr Joe Lopez (right) on the Spanish-speaking community

have a sense of community. Meanwhile a group of teenagers around 17 to 19 years old from the community meets every Friday for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and then fellowship over meals. This helps them to pray together to become “friends in faith�, according to Mrs Cecilia Tagle, another catechist.

During the visits, there were 10 20-kg boxes of toys and clothes. Sometimes, the cargo would include books and a sweet treat for the orphans in the form of chocolates. Some adults and teenagers would also travel along and help out in the orphanage with the chores and then spend time interacting with the children. Apart from orphanages, an

outreach has also been organised to an old folks’ home in Indonesia. Of these projects, Fr Lopez said he noticed the change and joy in the teenagers when they participate in these outreach efforts. Interaction with local Church Meanwhile, Fr Lopez acknowledged there is a lack of interaction between the Spanish-speaking Catholics and local Catholics and that more could be done. Some of them are just transient so they do not know what is going on within the local Church. Some of them interact just amongst themselves, he said. Some have various degrees of SUR¿FLHQF\ LQ (QJOLVK WKHUHIRUH they are lost during the Mass and are unable to join in the hymns. In the Spanish Mass, they pray in their native language – they sing WKH VDPH VRQJV DQG WKH\ ¿QG WKDW more comfortable, Fr Lopez said. There are occasions when the Spanish-speaking community would incorporate their music during the Mass in other parishes. For example during Pentecost, some members of the Spanish community would sing

a particular Flamenco-style song during the Mass. Fr Lopez concedes that more could be done, for example, opening the Las Posadas celebration to the locals. Mrs Tagle suggested that the youth from the Spanish-speaking community could come together with the Singapore youth for a Mass. She also hopes for more formation or courses organised for the parents in catechesis, although the language barrier might be a problem. She had also previously taught a Spanish song to one of the church choirs of the Church of St Bernadette, and suggested having a combined Mass in English and Spanish with some songs being sung in Spanish. Fr Lopez said that the Singapore Church has had a good inĂ€XHQFH RQ WKH 6SDQLVK VSHDNLQJ Catholics. “They see how seriously the Catholics in Singapore take their faith.â€? He added that many of the Spanish-speaking in Singapore “are baptised but not practisingâ€? WKHLU IDLWK Âł7KH\ EHQHÂżW D ORW when they go to Mass in the parishes,â€? he said. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

,QWHUHVWHG WR ÂżQG RXW PRUH" To contact the Spanish-speaking Catholic community email capellan@catolicosingapore.org or visit the website http://www.catolicosingapore.org.

20

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS: Polycarp (69-155) was one of the early bishops of the Church called “Apostolic Fathersâ€? as they had been followers and students of the apostles of Jesus. Since Polycarp worked closely with St John, he was considered a very holy man by people of the Church communities. Polycarp was charged by St Ignatius of Antioch to care for the Church in Antioch. Polycarp also met with Pope Anicetus to discuss the different days on which Easter was celebrated by the Roman and Eastern Churches. They were not able to agree on a single date for both regions, and left the matter as it was. A strong persecution against the Church in the East resulted in the arrest and death of many Christians, and Polycarp ZDV DUUHVWHG ,QVWHDG RI WU\LQJ WR Ă€HH ZKHQ KH ZDV FDXJKW KH JDYH KLV OLIH IRU KLV IDLWK :H KRQRXU KLP RQ )HE „

incur sin because of that person. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.� The Lord also wanted the people of Israel to be fair in their business dealings with each other: “Do not act dishonestly in using measures of length or weight or capacity. You shall have a true scale and true weights. ... I, the Lord, am your God, who brought

you out of the land of Egypt. Be careful, then, to observe all my statutes and decrees. I am the Lord.� „ Read more about it: Leviticus 19

Q&A 1. What did the Lord tell the people about holiness? 2. What did the Lord say about neighbours?

Wordsearch: „ EGYPT „ HOLY „ LAWS „ LORD

„ „ „ „

LAND DECREES SABBATHS HARVEST

Leviticus is one of the ÂżYH ERRNV FDOOHG WKH Pentateuch. What are the other four?

Bible Accent:

Answers to Bible Trivia: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

7KH 3HQWDWHXFK LV WKH QDPH IRU WKH ÂżUVW ÂżYH books of the Old Testament. The word is based RQ WZR /DWLQ ZRUGV PHDQLQJ ³¿YH´ DQG ÂłVFUROOV´ These books tell the stories of the earliest of the ancestors of our faith, beginning with the creation through the faith of Moses, Noah, Abraham and many others. %XW WKH\ DOVR FRQWDLQ PDQ\ RI WKH ÂżUVW ODZV IRU WKH SHRple of Israel, as they were given by God to Moses. The most well-known of these are the Ten Commandments, but there are many others that deal with property ownership, legal matters, dietary restrictions on the use of certain animals for food and, of course, the rules regarding religious rites and festivals. Although Leviticus may not be the most exciting of these ÂżYH ERRNV LW FRQWDLQV PDQ\ LPSRUWDQW SDVVDJHV WKDW DFWHG DV a legal guide for the people and leaders of Israel to follow. „

BIBLE TRIVIA:

PUZZLE: +RZ PDQ\ 2OG 7HVWDPHQW ERRNV FDQ \RX VSHOO XVLQJ WKH OHWWHUV RI WKH SKUDVH ³6SHDN WR WKH ,VUDHOLWH FRPPXQLW\´" 2YHUDOO OHWWHUV PD\ EH used more than once, but for each answer, letters may only be used as many times as they appear in the phrase.

Answer to Wordsearch

THE Lord gave Moses many laws and other instructions for the people of Israel to live by. On one occasion God said to him, “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy. Each of you revere your mother and father, and keep my Sabbaths. I, the Lord, am your God.â€? Some of the instructions dealt ZLWK VDFULÂżFHV DQG RIIHULQJV Âł:KHQ \RX VDFULÂżFH \RXU FRPPXQLRQ VDFULÂżFH WR WKH /RUG \RX VKDOO VDFULÂżFH it so that it is acceptable on your behalf. It must be eaten on the day of \RXU VDFULÂżFH RU RQ WKH IROORZLQJ GD\ :KDWHYHU LV OHIW RYHU XQWLO WKH WKLUG GD\ VKDOO EH EXUQHG LQ ÂżUH ´ Other laws were about the gatherLQJ RI WKH FURSV DW KDUYHVW WLPH Âł:KHQ you reap the harvest of your land, you

shall not be so thorough that you reap WKH ÂżHOG WR LWV YHU\ HGJH QRU VKDOO you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Likewise, you shall not pick your vineyard bare, nor gather up the grapes that have fallen. These things you shall leave for the poor and the alien.â€? The Lord established some laws so that the people would treat each other with fairness and respect: “You shall not exploit your neighbour. ... You shall not withhold overnight the wages of your labourer. ... You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgment. Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty, but judge your neighbour justly.â€? One of the most important things the Lord wanted His people to do was to show love and compassion for each other: “You shall not hate any of your kindred in your heart. Reprove your neighbour openly so that you do not

Answers to Puzzle: Ruth, Samuel, Esther, Psalms, Sirach, Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah, Nahum, Malachi.

By Joe Sarnicola

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

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

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. WEDNESDAYS FEBRUARY 19 RCIA @ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 8-10pm: At 2221 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8. Register T: 6459 9958; E: query.rcia@gmail.com SUNDAYS MARCH 9 RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7.30-9.30pm: At 31 Siglap Hill. With welcome night on March 9. Register at Church Secretariat. T: 9760 0038 (Bob) WEDNESDAYS MARCH 19 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY 7.30-9.30pm: At 6 Chapel Road. From May, sessions will also be held on Sundays. T: 9666 6542; E: Rciaholyfam@gmail.com TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 18 TO APRIL 1 DISCOVER THE SACRAMENTS 8-10pm: Learn about the Sacraments from Fr Michael Arro. Understand, deepen, articulate, explain and defend the faith one professes. By Discover Ministry. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Upper Room Level 4). Register T: 9010 2829; E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com FEBRUARY 19 AND MARCH 19 TALK OF THE TOWN 7pm: Find out about Ignatian Spirituality and Carmelite Spirituality. With buffet dinner. Fr Mark Aloysius, SJ, will speak in February while Fr Edward Lim, OCD will speak in March. Cost: $25 (per talk inclusive of dinner). By CANA. At Crossings CafÊ (55 Waterloo St). Register T: 6338 4080; E: canatheplacetobe2013@gmail.com FEBRUARY 19 CBN MY JOURNEY SERIES 7-9pm: An evening of fellowship, networking and sharing. Joseph Santhosh, Managing Director of Camino Asia Pte Ltd will share about his personal and corporate life journey, his challenges and joys from both a business and a spiritual perspective. Cost: $10 (non members). By Catholic Business Network. At Catholic Centre St Flora Room Level 2 (55 Waterloo St). Register T: 9228 4463 (Raymond); E:admin@cbn.sg FEBRUARY 20 AND MARCH 20 RELAXATION EXERCISES IN ENGLISH 7.30-8.30pm: Learn therapeutic breathing and guided imagery exercises to help release tension, boost energy and mood. Cost: $2. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #013511, Yishun Ring Road. Register T: 6757 7990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org FEBRUARY 21 ALPHA PARENTING AND MARRIAGE COURSE INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR 8pm: At Church of St Ignatius Sacred Heart Hall. All are welcome. FEBRUARY 22 ANXIETY MANAGEMENT TALK 1-3pm: Understand the different types of anxiety disorders and learn various effective strategies to manage one’s anxiety. Cost: $20. By Clarity Singapore. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Main Auditorium, Tower B. Register T: 6757 7990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23 TO SATURDAY MARCH 1 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER Learn to pray with Scriptures using Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio Divina. There will be one-on-one meetings with a prayer guide during the week. With taster afternoon on Feb 23 from 2-5pm. At Church of the Holy Trinity. Contribution: $30. Register W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners; E: sojourners@catholic.org.sg FEBRUARY 27 AND MARCH 27 RELAXATION EXERCISES IN CHINESE 7.30-8.30pm: Learn therapeutic breathing and guided imagery exercises to help release tension, boost energy and mood. Cost: $2. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #013511, Yishun Ring Road. Register T: 6757 7990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org

FRIDAYS FEBRUARY 28 TO MAY 30 ALPHA COURSE 7.45-9.45pm: The Alpha Course provides an opportunity in a relaxed and informal environment to allow people to explore and talk about the Christian faith at their own pace, asking or discussing any questions they want. At Church of St Bernadette (12 Zion Rd). Register: 9798 7788 (Richard), 8322 5356 (Andy); E: andy_lee_4health@yahoo.com FEBRUARY 28 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-9.30pm: Gather in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The evening begins with rosary, followed by scriptural UHÀHFWLRQ DGRUDWLRQ DQG EHQHGLFWLRQ %\ Generation CHRIST! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius (St Francis Xavier Chapel – Kingsmead Centre). Register E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com MARCH 1 DEFINING MOMENTS 9am-1pm: This programme allows people to come to a better understanding of what truly matters to one to make informed choices towards getting the returns in life that one wants. Cost: $37.45. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lorong Low Koon. Register T: 6285 1377; E:programs@morningstar.org.sg

weigh at least 45kg. At IHM Church Hall (24 Highland Rd). MARCH 22 IGNATIAN PRAYER DAY 10am-4pm: Explore what Ignatian prayer feels like. It is a chance to meet Jesus in the Gospel but also in other people. Come and discover who you are and what you were made to be, and where you are in God’s world. Facilitated by Celina Lin. Cost: $30. By CISC. At Kingsmead Centre (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by March 12. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com THURSDAY MARCH 20 TO SUNDAY MARCH 23 WEEKEND RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS 7pm (Thu)-8pm (Sun): For young adults aged 21 to 39. The weekend retreat allows one to discover oneself and what Jesus has in store for one. Cost: $45. By His Vineyard. At Blessed Sacrament Church. T: 9730 7795 (Damien), 9430 2377 (Mary); E: hisvineyard@gmail.com FRIDAY MARCH 28 TO SUNDAY MARCH 30 RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND For those serious about making their marriage work, this programme could be worthwhile. Register W: http:// www.helpourmarriage.sg; T: 6749 8861 (Michael/Lucy)

THURSDAYS MARCH 6 TO APRIL 10 2014 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP 7-9pm (for Thu): For parents of children ages 5 and above. The programme gives parents and caregivers a set of skills to manage children’s and teens’ behaviours without affecting their self-esteem. Parents will learn and have the opportunity to practise a new a skill individually with a skilled and professional trainer. Cost $64.20 per person, $85.60 per couple. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lorong Low Koon. Register T: 6285 1377; E:programs@morningstar.org.sg

SATURDAYS MARCH 29 AND APRIL 5 PARENTS AS LEARNING COACHES 9am-1pm: This two-session workshop aims to help parents identify their child’s strengths, types of intelligences and learning styles to maximise learning. Parents will learn and acquire the necessary skills that provide a more indepth help in the growing their children’s love for learning. Cost: $42.80 per person, $64.20 per couple. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lorong Low Koon. Register T: 6285 1377; E:programs@morningstar.org.sg

MARCH 8 PARENTING SKILLS THAT WORK WITH TEENS 9am-1pm: Parents will further understand the teens of today, their lifestyles, their behaviour, values, the demands on them, WKH LQĂ€XHQFH RI PHGLD DQG WKH FKDOOHQJHV involved in parenting teens today. Cost: $37.45. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lorong Low Koon. Register T: 6285 1377; E:programs@ morningstar.org.sg

APRIL 5 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS: A LABYRINTH WALK 10am-1pm or 2-5pm: The labyrinth is a metaphor of one’s spiritual journey. This ZDONLQJ PHGLWDWLRQ ZLOO KHOS RQH WR UHÀHFW on one’s relationship with God and how one can follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Socks are recommended as the walk is on a canvas labyrinth. Facilitated by Roselie Chia and Diana Tan. Cost: $30. By CISC. Sacred Heart Hall Annexe, St Ignatius Church. Register by March 28. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

MARCH 8 HEARTBEATS FOR LIFE PRO-LIFE SEMINAR 9am-7pm: Topics covered include contraception, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality and others. Come discover the culture of life that every Catholic should know about. By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At St Anne’s Church (St Joachim Hall 4th Floor). Register W: http://prolife. caritashost.sg; Enquiries T: 9380 1581 (Andy); E: enquiries@prolife.caritashost.sg MARCH 8 MEDITATIVE PRAYER USING THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill Street). Register T: 9837 7256; E: bennycah@gmail.com MARCH 8 CATHOLIC SINGLES MASS AND DINNER 5pm: For Mass, dinner, fellowship and friendship. Meet at 5pm at church canteen for Mass followed by dinner. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul. Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com MARCH 9 REDUCING TOLL IN RELATIONSHIPS 9am-4pm: Explore one’s inner landscape – needs and behaviours, frustrations and XQKDSSLQHVV /HDUQ D WRRO IRU UHÀHFWLRQ discover connecting habits and language that build happy relationships and enhance personal effectiveness.Cost: $70. By LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At 100 Jalan Merbok. Register T: 6466 2178 (Brenda). E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg FRIDAY MARCH 14 TO SUNDAY MARCH 16 CHOICE WEEKEND 7pm (Fri)-5pm (Sun): For single young adults 18 to 35 years old. By Choice Singapore. At 47 Jurong West St 42. Register T: 9790 0537 (Hillary); E:registration@choice.org.sg MARCH 16 IHM LENTEN BLOODMOBILE 10.30am-3.30pm: Bring passport or IC. Donors between 16 to 60 years old and

APRIL 13 BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD 11am: The couple will learn how to use the knowledge of their fertility to make decisions whether to achieve or to space out pregnancy during their marital life, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Classes will RQO\ FRPPHQFH LI WKHUH DUH VXIÂżFLHQW registrants. By Natural Family Planning. At Church of the Holy Cross. Register E: bern.and.matt@gmail.com

Crossword Puzzle 1104 1

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MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

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IN MEMORIAM

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ACROSS 1 â€œâ€Śhe suffered, ___ and was buried.â€? 5 “___ Nosterâ€? 10 “On the third day he ___ againâ€? 14 Memo phrase 15 Make ___ in 16 Ancient Roman day 17 Greek goddess of strife 18 Discontinue 19 Justice, for one (abbr.) 20 Kierkegaard’s The ___ Unto Death 22 “Dying you destroyed our ___‌â€? 23 Intentionally kept concealed 26 Roman Catholic Native American leader 30 OT prophetic book 31 WWII president 34 Island that is part of the Archdiocese of Papeete 35 Biblical sea 36 Noxious weed 37 Exorbitant rate of interest 38 â€œâ€Ś___ thousand times‌â€? 39 Paroxysm 40 Lake or pond 41 Abbr. for two NT epistles 42 Essay 43 Hand-held FRPSXWHU EULHĂ€\

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44 Christmas month (abbr.) 45 White ant 46 Formulate again 48 Certain mount 51 Desire for food 56 Tigger’s pal 57 Query found in Matthew 59 NT epistle 60 Trac II successor 61 Founder of the American Sisters of Charity 62 “Kissing disease,â€? for short 63 Car maker 64 What Catholics UHFHLYH RQ WKH ÂżUVW day of Lent 65 Hydrocarbon VXIÂż[HV DOWN 1 “___ Iraeâ€? 2 It was written in three languages (abbr.) 3 He’s the Red 4 School spot 5 Surname of Pius XII 6 First word of a Latin hymn 7 Tantalize 8 Abstract being 9 AAA suggestion 10 On the pale horse, his name was Death (Rev 6:8) 11 Stadiums Fourteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

12 Birth month of Mary (abbr.) 13 OT book about a Jewish heroine 21 “The ___ Professor� 22 Heroic St Bernard animal 24 Ostrich-like bird 25 Start of the Christian era 26 Stub 27 Relaxed 28 Hindu deity 29 Make weary 31 Tehran tongue 32 Legal right 33 Witherspoon of “Legally Blonde� 35 First NT epistle 36 The others 38 Diocese on the French Riviera 39 Number of days

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Twenty second Anniversary In loving memory of

Remembering you is easy We do it every day Missing you is the hardest part As it never goes away To hear your voice To see your smile To sit with you and talk awhile Would be our greatest wish Today, tomorrow, our whole life through We shall always love and remember you. MAURICE JOSEPH Fondly remembered by CHELLIAH Departed: Feb 24, 1992 family and loved ones.

EDWARD TAN TECK YAM Departed: Mar 1, 2000 Fourteen years have passed. Our lives have been Fifteenth Anniversary blessed, thanks to your In loving memory of prayers from above. You may not be physically with us, but your spiritual presence is felt in our hearts. We will impart in your granddaughters, Gladys and Julia, the importance of God and prayer, just as you did to us. GREGORY CHEOK Eternal rest grant POH SEONG unto you, together with all our departed Departed: Feb 17, 1999 Gone from our lives family members. One so dear Till we meet again in But in our hearts the heavenly kingdom. Forever near. Dearly missed by Wife Cecilia Doreen, Avryl, Samuel and son Vincent. and all loved ones.

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Holy apostle St Jude, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. Come to my assistance, help me in my present urgent petition. I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Amen. Aida Please turn to pages 22 and 23 for more in PHPRULDP DQG FODVVLÂżHG advertisements.

24 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday February 23, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Letters to pope read ‘with the heart’ A team of four sorts out Pope Francis’ numerous letters. It is said all letters are read more with the pontiff’s ‘heart’ than his ‘mind’. Pope Francis receives a few thousand letters a week, which correspondence director Msgr Giuliano Gallorini told Vatican Radio on Jan 28 that he and his team “reads these letters more with the heart than with the mind; to share the sufferingâ€? of others. The letters, packages, drawings and objects sent from all over WKH ZRUOG DUH VRUWHG E\ WKH 2IÂżFH of Correspondence, which Msgr Gallorini directs. In their letters people ask for many things, the priest explained, like advice on managing a turning point in their lives or asking for wisdom. Some have even written the pope a poem, or sent gifts, such as a scarf. Most of the requests made are for “support and prayerâ€?, he stated, but many also regard “the moment ZH DUH OLYLQJ Âą GLIÂżFXOWLHV HVSHcially diseases...asking for prayers for children, also describing situations of economic hardshipâ€?. Msgr Gallorini observed that the people of today feel that Pope Francis is “nearâ€? to them in a special way, when they write to him. “They try to feel the closeness of the pope who captures their

suffering, their distress, who is close to them in prayer.â€? “Then, for what is possible, we help by directing requests to VSHFLÂżF RIÂżFHV ´ WKH SULHVW FRQtinued, adding that “for example the requests for economic help are forwarded to the diocesan Caritas VR WKDW WKH\ FDQ EH YHULÂżHG HLWKHU immediately or more operationalâ€?. Managing the high volume of letters is a small team of four, consisting of Msgr Gallorini, a Religious sister and two others, Vatican Radio reports, revealing that the ÂżUVW VWHS LQ WKH SURFHVV RI VRUWLQJ is to divide everything by language. The letters are then read by the 2IÂżFH RI &RUUHVSRQGHQFH GXH WR Pope Francis’ time constrictions, and they distinguish the simple letters of greeting from those who seek solace and spiritual support, or have an urgent need. “There are a little more delicate cases like cases of conscience,â€? Msgr Gallorini noted, and “in this case, a note is made and passed to the secretaries because the pope examines the content directlyâ€?. Âł+H GHÂżQLWHO\ UHDGV WKHP puts his initials and directs us on how we should respond.â€?

Pope Francis’ sister, Maria Elena Bergoglio (right), receives letters to her brother from children in Argentina in March last year. Pope Francis now receives a few thousand letters a week. A Vatican RIÂżFLDO KDV said that they are read ‘with the heart’. CNS photo

Although Pope Francis is unable to respond personally to all of the letters he receives, the priest assured that all who write to the pontiff do receive a response expressing gratitude in the pope’s name. Writing the response of the pope is a special task for those who do it, Msgr Gallorini observed, because it

requires a reply done with the speFLÂżF WRQH RI WKH SRSHÂśV RZQ VW\OH “He reads these letters more with the heart than with the mind,â€? the priest expressed, highlighting that their job then is “to share the sufferingâ€? of those who ZULWH ÂłDQG VHDUFK WR ÂżQG WKH ULJKW words to express how the pope re-

ally wants to express himselfâ€?. “Proximity, sharing...and truly in the style of sharing,â€? are the key themes when writing the responses, he said, adding that “moreover the pope has always said that the SULHVW VKRXOG OLYH DPRQJ WKH Ă€RFN the sheep. Hear and live the experience with them.â€? „ CNA

PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC NEWS, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMES PRINTERS PRIVATE LIMITED, 16 TUAS AVENUE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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