MARCH 9, 2014, Vol 64, No 052014 cn5

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SUNDAY MARCH 9, 2014

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20

MCI (P) 081/08/2013

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Pope’s Lenten message: 6DFULĂ€FH WR UHDS *RG¡V ORYH

NO. 5

INSIDE HOME

Montfort Care launched Initiative aims to serve community needs

VATICAN CITY – Courageously

follow Jesus in seeking out the poor and sinners, and in making GLIÂżFXOW VDFULÂżFHV LQ RUGHU WR KHOS and heal others, Pope Francis said. Christians are called to confront the material, spiritual and moral destitution of “our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleYLDWH LW´ WKH SRSH VDLG LQ KLV ÂżUVW message for Lent, which begins March 5 for Latin-rite Catholics. Saving the world will not come about “with the right kind of human resourcesâ€? and token alms, but only “through the poverty of Christâ€?, who emptied Himself of the worldly and made the world rich with God’s love and mercy, he said. Released by the Vatican on Feb 4, the text of the pope’s message focused on the theme of Christ’s poverty, with the title: “He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich,â€? which is from a verse from St Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Pope Francis said he chose the passage to explore what St Paul’s references to poverty and charity mean for Christians today. There are many forms of poverty, he said, like the material desWLWXWLRQ WKDW GLVÂżJXUHV WKH IDFH RI humanity and the moral destitution of being a slave to vice and sin. But “there is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christâ€?, he said. People experiencing the spiritual destitution of believing they don’t need God and can make it on their own “are headed for a fallâ€?, the pope wrote. “God alone can truly save and free us.â€? “The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual destitution,â€? he said, and the greatest treasure of all is ÂłERXQGOHVV FRQÂżGHQFH LQ *RG´ DQG the desire to always do His will. All Christians are called “to pro-

VOL 64

„ Page 3

Couples reignite romance Parish holds special Valentine’s Day dinner „ Page 4

ASIA

In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan US, Australian Church bodies offer aid „ Page 9

3RSH )UDQFLV OHDGV D PHHWLQJ ZLWK WKH SRRU LQ $VVLVL ,WDO\ RQ 2FW +LV ÂżUVW /HQWHQ PHVVDJH IRFXVHV RQ SHUVRQDO VDFULÂżFHV DQG WKH SRRU

claim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that He freely loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and eternal life�. Spreading the joy of the Gos-

confronting the abuses, discrimination and violations against human dignity, which often cause the material poverty suffered by those who lack the basic rights to food, water, work, development and “equal access to education

While Lent is a time for ‘self-denial’, GRQÂśW IRUJHW WKDW UHDO VDFULÂżFH DQG SRYHUW\ KDYH D ÂľGLPHQVLRQ RI SHQDQFHÂś DQG SDLQ – 3RSH )UDQFLV ZURWH LQ KLV ÂżUVW /HQWHQ PHVVDJH pel, consoling broken hearts and offering real hope means “following and imitating Jesus, who sought out the poor and sinnersâ€?, and by opening up “new paths of evangelisation and human promotionâ€? with courage, he said. Imitating Christ also includes

and healthcareâ€?, he said. While Lent is a time for “selfdenialâ€?, don’t forget that real sacULÂżFH DQG SRYHUW\ KDYH D ÂłGLPHQsion of penanceâ€? and pain, he said. “I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt,â€? he said. “God did not let our salva-

tion drop down from heaven, like someone who gives alms from their abundance out of a sense of altruism and piety,� the pope said. God operates according to “the logic of love, the logic of incarnation and the cross� – to be with those who need Him most, “to take upon Himself the burden of our sins� and to comfort, save and free people from their misery. “What gives true freedom, true salvation and true happiness is the compassion, tenderness and solidarity of His love, Christ’s poverty, which enriches us,� he said. „ CNS The text of the pope’s message in English is online at http://www.vatican.va/ holy_father/francesco/messages/lent/ documents/papa-francesco_20131226_ messaggio-quaresima2014_en.html

„ Page 2: Archbishop Goh’s /HQWHQ PHVVDJH

WORLD

Balancing justice and mercy Need for better engagement with divorcees: cardinals „ Page 11

FAITH ALIVE!

Season of Lent A time for personal renewal „ Page 18

2 ARCHBISHOP’S LENTEN MESSAGE

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Lent is once again upon us. We have made this journey many times. For some, it is embarked on with a certain degree of dread, because it is viewed as a time of deprivation and penance, especially when it comes hot on the heels of the recent festivities. Yet, the Church invites us to welcome Lent as a season of opportunity for “metanoia�, which is the Greek meaning for “a change of mind and heart�. This involves altering our mind-set towards a whole new way of thinking and acting. Historically, Lent developed in the fourth century, incorporating the traditional paschal fast and preparation for Baptism. Hence during Lent, we are reminded again of our need for ongoing conversion and the renewal of our baptismal call as Christians, so that we can identify ourselves as sons and daughters of God. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy teaches, “By baptism all are plunged into the Paschal Mystery of Christ: they die with Him, are buried with Him and rise with Him; they receive the spirit of adoption as children ‘in which we cry: Abba Father’ and thus become true adorers whom the Father seeks.� The Paschal Mystery is central to Christian Spirituality and

Liturgy. By immersing ourselves into the death and resurrection of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centred relationship with the “worldâ€? that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbour (Pope Benedict XVI). We can turn away from our sins only if we turn to God. Our internal renewal requires us to grasp the mystery of the Father’s immense love for us – that He desires nothing more than to be one with us, even at the cost of sacriÂżFLQJ +LV RQO\ EHJRWWHQ 6RQ IRU our salvation. This desire of God to be close to us is expressed in His IncarQDWLRQ DW &KULVWPDV DQG ÂżQGV LWV SHUIHFW IXOÂżOPHQW LQ WKH 3DVFKDO Mystery. St John tells us, “The :RUG EHFDPH Ă€HVK DQG OLYHG among usâ€? (Jn 1:14). St Paul captured this in the Kenosis, “Though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a crossâ€? (Phil 2:68). In Christ, God revealed himself as Love. It is love in its most

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

REV FATHER FRANK DEPOORTER, CICM (1948- 2004) Came to Singapore in 1991, served in the parishes of Holy Cross and St Michael, and Rector of Scheut Missions District House. Deeply loved and respected by all who have come to know him. Ashes kept at Church of St Michael’s Columbarium.

Memorial Remembrance before Mass on 15th March 2014. Church of the Holy Cross 5.00pm Church of St Michael 5.30pm. All are welcome.

SCHEUT MISSIONS – CICM

extreme form. God has shown His solidarity with humanity through the Incarnation of Christ, through the birth of Jesus. Through this solidarity, we are also reminded that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Hence, our love for God cannot be separated from love of neighbour (Mk 12:29). Lent therefore teaches us how to live the love and compassion of Christ. In His ministry on Earth, Jesus did nothing more than to manifest the love of God by reaching out to those in need – the crowds who were lost without a shepherd, the sick, the lepers, the adulteress etc. Love and mercy FXOPLQDWHG ¿QDOO\ RQ WKH FURVV with Jesus forgiving His enemies and giving up His life. We, by our baptismal calling as Christians are, by extension, His hands and feet in this world. It is through extending compassion to others that our humanity grows into fullness. It is time therefore, that the Church must once again be seen as a Church of mercy and compassion, truly the sacrament of God’s mercy and compassion in Christ. To help us grow into the likeness of Christ, the Church institutes the traditional practices of fasting, alms-giving and prayer. These are not mere external observances but signal our commitment to conversion in entering the Paschal Mystery of Christ – to share in His passion and death, by dying WR RXU VHO¿VKQHVV DQG VLQ VR DV WR share in His resurrection. By experiencing deprivation in fasting, we learn to overcome RXU HJR DQG VHO¿VKQHVV WR EH LQ solidarity with others who are suffering. Far from being depressing, fasting opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing the love of God to become also the love of neighbour. The idolatry of goods manifested by greed and possession undermines the primacy of God in our lives. Hence, the practice of almsgiving reminds us of God’s providence, which is to be shared with others. Making time for God in prayer, especially by contemplating and internalising His Word, allows God to speak to our hearts, direct our actions and thus nourishes the faith initiated on the day of our Baptism. I pray therefore that this Lenten season will lead us to a true conversion of heart and mind. May the love and tenderness of &KULVW ¿OO XV ZLWK FRPSDVVLRQ DQG love, so that we may be a visible sign of His love and mercy in this world that so desperately needs the touch of God. This Lent, I ask you therefore to let yourself be moved by the sufferings of others, the poor, outcast, marginalised and those os-

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Let us not be afraid but take up our cross and follow in the way of Christ. tracised by society. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all (1 Th 3:12). Finally, to enter the Paschal Mystery means that there can be no light without darkness, no resurrection without the cross. He ZDV FUXFLÂżHG WKURXJK ZHDNQHVV but still He lives now through the power of God. So then, we are weak, as He was, but we shall live with Him, through the power of God (2 Cor 13:4). Let us not be afraid but take up our cross and follow in the way

of Christ who poured out His life for us all. Let us carry our burdens and crosses with each other, together in solidarity, knowing that the joy of the Resurrection awaits us. I wish you all a holy Lenten season and the joy of Easter to come! „ Yours in Christ,

Archbishop William Goh

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Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Network of community care initiatives launched Montfort Care aims to serve the evolving needs of the local community By Clara Lai $UFKELVKRS :LOOLDP *RK RI¿FLDOly blessed and launched Montfort Care, a network of initiatives and programmes aimed at improving the lives of individuals, families and the community. The ceremony was held at the @27 Family Service Centre (FSC) in Telok Blangah on Feb 15. Montfort Care’s origins can EH WUDFHG WR LWV ¿UVW LQLWLDWLYH WKH Marine Parade Family Service Centre (MPFSC), which started as a community project by the Gabrielite Brothers and Catholic Welfare Services in 2000. 7KH &DULWDV DI¿OLDWHœV SUHVHQFH in the community grew, which led to the introduction of other programmes for young children and senior citizens such as GoodLife!, Young-at-Heart! (YAH!), Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre

and @27 FSC (see story below). Montfort Care was then introduced in October 2013 to oversee these community services. Archbishop Goh, in his address, referred to the network’s decision to name their new initiative Montfort Care, which it said was inspired by St Louis Marie de Montfort’s life of helping the needy. Speaking to the crowd of about 120 people, which included Montfort Care staff, volunteers, priests, Religious and Caritas afÂżOLDWHV $UFKELVKRS *RK VKDUHG D quote from the saint. “Those whom the world rejects, must move you the most,â€? he said. The archbishop encouraged his audience to “move through the love of Christâ€? and bring hope to those who need it. He also stressed that these services need “more publicityâ€?. Montfort Care chairman Paul

Archbishop William Goh saying a blessing during the launch of Montfort Care on Feb 15, as representatives from the network’s various centres look on.

Beh, in his welcome speech, noted how the network has grown from “eight staff in 2000 to 70 staff now�, and that they “handle an average of 700 cases per month� in both family service centres. He also spoke about the introduction of Big Love in mid-2013, adding that it has “handled about 100 cases�, which is a lot considering that it has only been in existence for half a year.

INITIATIVES UNDER MONTFORT CARE Marine Parade Family Service Centre Address: 53 Marine Terrace, #01-227, Singapore 440053. Tel: 6445-0100. Email: contact@mpfsc.org.sg. Website: www.mpfsc.org.sg

@27 Family Service Centre Address: 27 Telok Blangah Way #01-1018, Singapore 090027. Tel: 6270-8327. Email: contact@27fsc.org.sg. Website: www.27fsc.org.sg Outreach: The family service centres (FSCs) aim to serve individuals, families and communities in need. They provide information and referrals to appropriate services, casework management and counselling, and outreach programmes such as to the elderly at @27 FSC.

Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre Address: 27 Telok Blangah Way, #01-1018, Singapore 090027. Tel: 6270-8327. Email: contact@ biglove.org.sg. Website: www. biglove.org.sg Outreach: To children and families with known child protection concerns. The centre provides comprehensive casework management, and programmes such as home-based parenting and family bonding events.

GoodLife! Address: 15 Marine Terrace, #0118, Singapore 440015. Tel: 64450570. Email: contact@goodlife. org.sg. Website: www.goodlife. org.sg Outreach: GoodLife! is a wellness centre that provides a wide range of integrated programmes to promote and enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of seniors.

YAH! Address: 1 Jurong West Central 2, #06-01, Jurong Point Shopping Centre, Singapore 648886. Tel: 6445-0300. Email: contact@yah. org.sg. Website: www.yah.org.sg Outreach: Empowering seniors

by encouraging personal growth, enhancing their relationships with families and friends, and strengthening their sense of connectedness to the community. „

During the event, Archbishop Goh also blessed the staff of Big Love as well as plaques to be placed in the various Montfort Care centres. A skit portraying a family with an abusive father and how a social worker helped to mediate in the crisis was staged to illustrate the work that Big Love does.

Montfort Care volunteers VWDJHG D ÀDVK PRE ZKLOH FKLOGUHQ of staff from Big Love performed a dance. Gabrielite Br Dominic YeoKoh welcomed the guests and led the opening prayer during the event. „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday March 9, 2014 CatholicNews

Parish organises Valentine’s Day dinner for couples By Darren Boon Most people would go to fancy restaurants for Valentine’s Day, but for 34 couples, they spent the special evening having dinner at a non-restaurant: Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The Feb 14 event, Dinner for Two, was organised by the parish’s Family Life Ministry. It allowed for “a cosy evening where couples, married or dating, could spend time enjoying dinner” and share intimately on questions handed to participants, the organiser told CatholicNews. $V HDFK RI WKH FDWHUHG ¿YH courses was served by the parish youth, including children of some of the participants, the couples received some questions such as ZKDW WKH\ WKRXJKW DERXW WKH ¿UVW time they met and what they enjoy most with one another. “We hope that such conversation starters will bring back positive, heart-warming memories for the couples, whether it was memories during courtship or during their married years as well as what they hope for the future,” the organiser said. Participants said that the event was well planned and was useful

in allowing them to share their thoughts and feelings with one another. Mrs Rosie Wah, who attended the dinner with her husband Ronald, said the event was well-planned. She described the ambience as “nice”, the venue as “well-decorated” and the questions for the couples to share as “very good”.

Mr Joseph Teo, who attended the dinner with his wife Agnes, said he found the dinner meaningful as it was different and not ‘commercialised’. Mr Joseph Teo who attended with his wife Agnes described the evening as “wonderful” and praised the organisers and those who helped out in the dinner for their dedication. He found the dinner mean-

Couples enjoy a dance during the dinner held at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

ingful as it was different and not “commercialised”. The dinner provided an opportunity for the couples to share, Mrs Wah said. She added, “We were happy to be able to share… brought back fond memories.”

Another participant, Mrs Zita Koh, who attended with her husband Michael, told CatholicNews that she found the sharing and dialogue useful as sometimes they could get too busy which hinders them from sharing

about themselves. The dinner provided a “good setting”, she said. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

See also story on Page 24

CHARIS provides funds for Haiyan victims Through its Humanitarian Aid Fund, CHARIS has received and committed more than $1 million in grant aid to eight Catholic organisations for reconstruction work in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. The largest amount of $400,000 (including an earlier grant of $200,000) went to Caritas Philippines to build 230 new houses in Kalibo, Aklan Province. Fr Edwin Gariguez, Secretary General of Caritas Philippines said, “The scale of the disaster is enormous. The construction costs of these transitional houses we plan to build will be more than two million US dollars alone. We are grateful for the substantial sums coming from the Singapore Catholic community. “CHARIS and Caritas Philippines have collaborated in past transitional housing projects for Typhoon Pablo in Mindanao, Phil-

ippines where you sent money and volunteers for the house builds. We hope to continue this.” CHARIS is also providing funding of $112,200 to the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul in Cebu and in Samar for a housing programme for 50 families in Barangay La Paz, Bogi City and in Barangay Cambayan in Basey City. Another half million dollars ZLOO JR WR ¿YH ORFDO &+$5,6 DI¿OLDWHV ZKR DUH ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WKHLU various Philippines counterparts to provide help for typhoon victims: Jesuit Mission Singapore (JMS) is working to provide basic shelters for 100 families on Bantayan Island, as well as community facilities. Couples for Christ is building 80 transitional houses in East Samar and North Cebu, and 30 permanent houses in Leyte. ICPE Mission Singapore is

Church of Divine Mercy’s Filipino community held a bazaar to raise funds after Typhoon Haiyan. CHARIS has received more than $1 million to grant aid to eight Catholic organisations who are carrying out reconstruction work in the aftermath of the typhoon.

working on a housing programme for 100 families in Bohol. A Call To Share (ACTS) is providing housing for 500 families, as well as the purchase of 20 ¿VKLQJ ERDWV DQG D ¿VK SDFNLQJ facility in Samar. DFWV ZLOO SURYLGH ¿VKLQJ ERDWV WR UHYLYH WKH ¿VKLQJ community in eastern Samar. Ms Audrey Leong, ACTS’ coordinator for Philippines said,

³7KH ¿VK SDFNLQJ IDFLOLW\ WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKH ¿VKLQJ ERDWV ZLOO KHOS WR UHYLYH WKH ¿VKLQJ LQGXVWU\ ZKLFK almost collapsed in the aftermath of the disaster.” Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in November 2013, affecting over 10 million people in the Visayas region. Over 6,000 people have died, 27,000 injured, and 1,700 remained listed as missing. Solidarity Masses were held

by a few parishes, while various other groups had fundraisers. CHARIS, the umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid, had also started its annual fundraiser for the Humanitarian Aid Fund a few weeks before the disaster. For more information on the response to the disaster, visit the CHARIS website at www.charissingapore.org.

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Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Bridging work and family life in Christ

Participants at the creativity workshop by theatre practitioner and mime artist Krysztof Najdowski (back row, fourth from left), held at the Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre on Feb 23.

Young people learn to evangelise through mime and drama By Rachael Nonis How can one share Jesus with RWKHUV" 2QH FUHDWLYH PHWKRG LV through mime and drama! This was what a group of mostly young people learnt when they gathered at the Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre on Feb 23. The participants, aged 17 to ODWH V DWWHQGHG D FUHDWLYLW\ workshop led by theatre practitioner and mime artist Krysztof Najdowski. The founder of Summer School of Theatrical Arts in Poland in 1998, Najdowski has had his theatrical performances and programmes presented in 25 countries in Europe, US and Asia. +H ZDV DOVR LQYLWHG WR 6LQgapore to train participants for a recent School of Witness pro-

JUDPPH RUJDQLVHG E\ WKH 2IÂżFH for Young People. The School of Witness is a six-week formation programme which is currently ongoing, that helps participants to deepen their

Participants learnt how to use gestures and facial expressions to convey Gospel messages. relationship with God and disFRYHU WKHLU FDOO IRU HYDQJHOLVDtion. During the Feb 23 workshop, Najdowski educated participants RQ WKH SRZHU RI QRQ YHUEDO PHDQV

RI FRPPXQLFDWLRQ YLVXDOV SURSV DQG VWRU\WHOOLQJ IRU HYDQJHOLVDtion. 7KURXJK GUDPD DFWLYLWLHV DQG practical exercises, participants learnt how to use gestures, body postures, facial expressions and H\H FRQWDFW WR FRQYH\ *RVSHO messages. They also learnt the art of storytelling. Ms Chrestella Setiyadi, 25, from the Church of St Vincent de Paul shared that the workshop KHOSHG KHU PRYH RXW RI KHU FRPIRUW ]RQH Âł,ÂśYH DOVR OHDUQW QHZ ZD\V WR HYDQJHOLVH ZLWK FUHDWLYLW\ DQG ERG\ PRYHPHQW ´ VKH VDLG Ms Margaret Nonis, 49, said WKH ZRUNVKRS ZDV D JRRG UHYLsion of what she had learnt in her drama instructor training years ago. “Krysztof has reminded me to H[SDQG RQ FUHDWLYLW\ ´ VKH VDLG „

Fr Peter Zhang speaks to 70 working Catholics at a talk to bridge work and family lives through Christ, held at the Church of the Holy Cross on Feb 22.

By Jarod Chiew Fr Peter Zhang told 70 working Catholics to balance work and family life through the Catholic faith. The talk was held at the Church of the Holy Cross on Feb ,W ZDV SDUW RI D VHULHV RI ÂżYH talks called Bridging Your Life with Christ, and this third instalment was focused on work and family. )U =KDQJ VFUHHQHG D PRYLH Âł/RYH LV D &KRLFH´ EDVHG RQ WKH life of a contemporary lay-saint, 6W *LDQQD %HUHOOD 0ROOD WR GULYH home the importance of the faith element in daily work and family life, and of striking a balance between the two. ,Q RUGHU WR ÂżQG WKDW EDODQFH Fr Zhang suggested to look at one’s family and household responsibilities and organise one’s work in order to better shoulder one’s responsibilities, in addition to one’s contribution to the community and the Church. A conscious effort has to be made but the best way to do so is to exercise prudence and to pray conVWDQWO\ HYHU\ GD\ KH VDLG Fr Zhang summarised his talk by saying that the Catholic social

teaching reminds Catholics that LQ RUGHU WR OLYH D EDODQFHG ZRUN family life, they need to:

‡ H[DPLQH ZKHWKHU WKH DFWLYLWLHV they take part in are meaningful

‡ KDYH DGHTXDWH UHVW WR HQVXUH good health and well-being

‡ set aside some recreation time as well as

‡

WDNH WLPH WR GHYHORS DQG PDLQtain relationships with God, with oneself, within the family and with community and society.

In his parting words, Fr Zhang VWUHVVHG WKDW DERYH DOO WKHVH WKHUH PXVW EH ORYH LQ RUGHU WR ÂżQG WKDW balance in one’s life. One of the participants, Ms Stephanie Tay, 31, shared that Fr =KDQJÂśV VHVVLRQ ZDV ÂłYHU\ PHDQLQJIXO´ 6W *LDQQDÂśV VWRU\ ZDV a classic example to emulate in the pursuit of a balanced life, she said, and the key take-home point IRU KHU ZDV WKDW XOWLPDWHO\ HYHU\WKLQJ LV EDVHG RQ ORYH The next Bridging Your Life with Christ talk will be held on May 10, and Fr Eugene Vaz will focus on the topic of work and marriage. „

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Sunday March 9, 2014 CatholicNews

Archbishop’s pastoral letter on Church’s position on sexuality My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Some of you may have heard or read about the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Sexuality posted on the Health Promotion Board (HPB) website. I want to assure you that our non-public engagement of the opposing groups on this issue is by QR PHDQV HYLGHQFH RI RXU ÀLJKW from our Christian calling to speak the truth and to defend the cause of the family and, hence, of society and the future of humanity. My Consultors and I have chosen to take the path of constructive dialogue with the authorities, VR DV QRW WR LQÀDPH WKH VLWXDWLRQ further and risk polarising society. As in all politically and socially sensitive issues, we believe that the best way forward is for all to calmly and purposefully engage in constructive dialogue in a spirit of patient understanding, mutual respect and compassion, always working towards the promotion

We believe that the best way forward is for all to calmly and purposefully engage in constructive dialogue in a spirit of patient understanding, mutual respect and compassion. of justice and dignity of the individual and for the greater good of society. Accordingly, we have shared the Church’s concerns with the authorities and they have assured us that the government has not changed its position on the family (comprising heterosexual couples with children) as the indispensable, basic building block of society. As Church, we will continue to engage and work with the relevant authorities to ensure that the marriage institution and family values are upheld so that our

It is in this spirit of compassion that I am exploring the setting up of support groups to assist those struggling with same-sex attraction and their loved ones who KDYH GLI¿FXOW\ DFFHSWLQJ WKHP

children can be formed in an environment that is holistic, nurturing, caring and loving. We also need to ensure that society does not become too individualistic in pursuing their needs at the expense of the greater good of society. Because the future of Singapore society and humanity at large passes by way of the family, every Catholic should endeavour to save and foster the values and requirements of the family. This call is urgent and important because if the family is destroyed, then our society would become fragmented.

That said, I am also aware that some of our faithful are confused and are struggling to come to terms with their own sexuality, or that of their loved ones. I wish to take this opportunity to assure you that the Church feels with you and views every individual as unique and precious in the eyes of God, regardless of his/her sexual inclination or state of life. However, the Church’s position on the matter of LGBT relationships has always been consistent; that sexual activity outside of a heterosexual relationship is not

in accordance with the laws of creation because such acts are not open to new life. It is in this spirit of compassion that I am exploring the setting up of support groups to assist those who are struggling with same-sex attraction and their ORYHG RQHV ZKR KDYH GLI¿FXOW\ accepting them. Finally, I urge you, my dear faithful, to continue to pray with me for all those who are confused, fearful and struggling with their sexuality, that the Lord will guide, protect and strengthen them, especially in their most vulnerable moments and bring them healing and peace of mind. May the Lord, who created all things and proclaimed that “it is good”, renew the face of the earth.

Archbishop William Goh

See commentary on Page 7

Update on Archbishop Chia Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia’s medical condition remains critical but stable, the $UFKELVKRS¶V 2I¿FH DQQRXQFHG on Feb 24. In an update on his condition, the office said: “The good news is that the bleeding in his head has stopped. However, due to the extent of injury caused by the fall, there is a large blood clot which

the doctors are working to clear. “Given his present condition and the fear of infection, no visitors will be allowed for the time being.” Archbishop Chia is now in a private ward. “We request that you continue to pray for His Grace’s speedy recovery,” the ArchELVKRS¶V 2I¿FH VDLG

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Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

On the debate about homosexuality Fr David Garcia, a moral theologian, comments on the issue.

T

HE Church is mother and teacher. As a mother she continues to nourish God’s children, form them and help them to grow into the Body of Christ. As a teacher, she proclaims the teachings that our Lord entrusted to her. For this, the Church cannot remain silent when she perceives confusion or anxiety among her children, especially when some of her teachings risk being misunderstood or dangerously neglected. And at the same time, the Church cannot afford to rush into rash and unfair judgement of the signs of the times. She needs to explore all possible ways to understand and clarify before she speaks up. In recent times, the issue of homosexual tendencies and its many implications has become a hotly debated matter. The teachings of the Church in this regard have been precisely stated and constantly upheld. A clear distinction must be made between homosexual acts, people who experience same-sex attraction, the condition of homosexuality itself and the so-called “Gay Movement� or “LBGT agenda�. Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and in no way can they be approved (CDF 1975, Persona Human X, and CCC 2357). On the other hand, the homosexual person should be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity and “every sign of unjust discrimination in their regards should be avoided� (CCC 2358).

The homosexual condition But what about the condition of homosexuality itself? And even more pressing, how is the Church to minister to the homosexual person in a way that fully promotes her maternal care without FRPSURPLVLQJ WKH ÂżGHOLW\ WR KHU teachings? There is a tendency to believe that by normalising the homosexual orientation and equating it with the heterosexual orientation, their unjust discrimination will, in that way, cease. In unison with this avenue, some sectors of health care and psychological disciplines in re-

cent years have made explicit decisions to dissociate the term “disorder� from the homosexual condition; some even taking offence when the homosexual condition is referred to as a disorder. In contrast, the Church considers that the homosexual inclination itself is “objectively disordered� (CCC 2358).

WLRQ LW LV GLI¿FXOW WR VHH ZKDW LV wrong when two persons of the same sex sincerely express their mutual affection through sexual acts. But saying that homosexual acts are disordered throws no suspicion on the sincerity of the person’s affections and emotions. However, these acts between persons of the same sex will

Can we be oblivious to the fact that perhaps IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ KLVWRU\ homosexual persons are claiming the right to be among us without shame? ,V WKHLU FODLP IRU SURXG QRUPDOLW\ D GHHSHU FDOO IRU DFFHSWDQFH LQ HTXDOLW\" How are we to understand this apparent contradiction? First of all, the Church respects the autonomy and competence of human sciences which must found their conclusions on objective DQG YHULÂżDEOH GDWD WRWDOO\ IUHH from the distortion and pressure of cultural views, political agendas and any kind of lobbies and social activisms. The role of the Church is not WR HOXFLGDWH WKH VFLHQWLÂżF IDFWV about the world or even human psychology, but to enlighten her Ă€RFN DQG DOO SHUVRQV RI JRRG ZLOO through sound moral guidance. And it is in this context that the word “disorderâ€? has often been used. It is a technical term that has a longstanding tradition in the Church, who believes that some moral principles may be discovered by the use of natural reason which helps persons to detect what are the objective goods to be pursued. In order to reach these objective goods, human reason, when it is correct or right, orders an objective and realistic course of action that the person must obey in conscience. Going against this rule or “order of right reasonâ€? would be, in this sense, morally wrong or disordered.

Understanding the sexual act If the sexual act is understood simply as an expression of affec-

clearly fail to communicate and achieve the complimentary and procreative meanings that authentic marital acts intrinsically have and that natural reason is able to discover. In this sense, we say that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered; in other words, that these acts in themselves cannot be directed or “orderedâ€? to the objective goals that every marital and sexual relationship should have. It is obvious then that if the homosexual orientation is a more or less strong inclination to commit homosexual acts, it would be unrealistic and naĂŻve to consider it a “neutralâ€? inclination. This is ZK\ WKH &KXUFK FODULÂżHG WKDW WKH inclination itself is an objective disorder (CCC 2358).

The condition is not a sin But let us say it again, psychological conditions that are not freely chosen cannot possibly be

morally wrong or disordered. The Church has never said that homosexuality is a sin. The Church is very clear about this: “the homosexual condition is not itself a sinâ€? (CDF 1986, #3). But the Church is more than an indifferent teacher proposing a factual doctrine. She has the heart of a mother and as such she cannot fail to hear the cry of persons who have been often judged, discriminated and rejected with no fault of their own because of their sexual orientation. Can we be oblivious to the IDFW WKDW SHUKDSV IRU WKH ÂżUVW time in history, homosexual persons are claiming the right to be among us without shame? Is their claim for proud normality a deeper call for acceptance in equality? The good news about the moral order is that it brings true equality into society. Objective moral principles are equal to all and bind all equally. From the richest and the powerful to the last of the least, we are all in the same boat of the pursuit of virtue, meaning DQG XOWLPDWH IXOÂżOPHQW LQ RXU lives. Heterosexuals and homosexuals are all called to live lives of chastity and to purify their sexual desires in a way that puts them at the service of meaningful relationships in an intelligent and realistic way.

Our true identity But the Church refuses to make of our sexual preferences an identity marker. We are much more than our sexual preferences. The Church knows what gives us our true identity: the gratuitous, undeserved and unconditional love of God. :H DUH ÂżUVW DQG IRUHPRVW God’s beloved children and “nothing can separate us from

The Church refuses to make of RXU VH[XDO SUHIHUHQFHV DQ LGHQWLW\ PDUNHU We are much more than our sexual preferences. The Church knows what gives us RXU WUXH LGHQWLW\ WKH JUDWXLWRXV XQGHVHUYHG and unconditional love of God.

this loveâ€? (Cf Rm 8:38-39). We are not only equal before the moral law, we are all equal in dignity for the mere fact of being created by God and redeemed in His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Regarding the ministry to the homosexual person, we must emphasise that homosexual persons are not, by the fact that they are homosexuals, necessarily more sinful persons than anyone else. These are also the grounds for truthful respect, equality and solidarity. This solidarity in the struggle for freedom from sin to live a life of integrity with the help of divine grace and under the guidance of objective moral principles make us all equal too. $UH QRW WKHVH WUXH DQG ÂżUP grounds for true equality? Here is the question from this new sign of the times that homosexual persons are sending. If our societies guarantee equal dignity and acceptance for all, regardless of their age, mental capacity, economic condition, religion or sexual orientation, would some people feel that they have to claim normality to receive equal treatment? Where we welcome the most vulnerable human beings there is no need for false claims of normality to receive equality in dignity. If our societies treat differently the human embryo, the comatose patient, the poor and the vulnerable, it is no wonder that equal dignity and respect appears as something that we must earn and not as something we are all gifted with. Perhaps, the world is today barking up the wrong tree and what we all really need is a social and spiritual conversion where everyone can be reassured that KH VKH ZLOO ÂżQG D GLJQLÂżHG SODFH among us. “Gird your loins with truthâ€? (Ep 6:14). These words in the letter to the Ephesians are today as timely as ever. “Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shellâ€? (Caritas in Veritate, 3). But without love, our truth is no more than raw information that fails to infuse our lives and our societies with the true life that will never end. „ Fr Garcia is a Dominican priest.

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Sunday March 9, 2014 CatholicNews

Philippine bishops call for condom ad ban The head of the Philippine bishops’ Commission on Family and Life has called on the media to stop airing condom ads on TV because it may “lead to greater promiscuity” among youths. “These ads are corrupting the minds and hearts of our young people,” Fr Melvin Castro said in a radio interview on Feb 12, noting that the ads are being shown during “prime time” when children are watching television. The priest said the advertisements are aired despite a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court on the

‘

These ads are corrupting the minds and hearts of our young people.

’

– Fr Melvin Castro, head of Philippine bishops’ Commission on Family and Life

implementation of the country’s reproductive health law, which Church leaders oppose EHFDXVH LW DOORZV DUWL¿FLDO FRQtraception.

The Philippines Supreme Court is expected to announce a decision on the law in March. The law, if implemented, will mandate the state to subsidise birth control for the poor. “The mere fact that they are able to advertise things like that only goes to show that there’s no need for a law really to push their interests,” Fr Castro said. A survey conducted by the Vatican recently showed that most Catholics follow Church doctrines except on contraception. Some 78 percent of the respondents expressed support for the use of contraceptives, survey results showed. Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa said some FiliSLQRV DUH KDYLQJ D GLI¿FXOW WLPH following Church doctrine on contraception. “Just like the rest of the world ... several Filipinos know and believe in God’s laws but they have a hard time following them,” the prelate said. Archbishop Arguelles also said the reported rise in premarital sex among Filipino youths is not a reason to justify the use of contraceptives. “It is more reason to reinforce Christian values and form youths accordingly,” he said. UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 9

Sunday March 9, 2014 CatholicNews

$ SULHVW VWDQGV LQ WKH SDUWLDOO\ GHVWUR\HG &DWKHGUDO RI WKH 7UDQV¿JXUDWLRQ RI 2XU /RUG LQ 3DOR 3KLOLSSLQHV DQG FHOHEUDWHV 0DVV ULJKW RQ 1RY 7KH FDWKHGUDO LV RQH RI PDQ\ &DWKROLF FKXUFKHV GHVWUR\HG LQ 7\SKRRQ +DL\DQ EXW 3KLOLSSLQH SULHVWV KDYH EHHQ WROG LQ )HEUXDU\ WKDW UHOLHI VHUYLFHV ZLOO SULRULWLVH EDVLF QHHGV OLNH IRRG VKHOWHU DQG ZDWHU RYHU &KXUFK UHFRQVWUXFWLRQ CNS photos

US, Australian Church bodies offer aid to Haiyan victims PALO, PHILIPPINES – 6LQFH 1R-

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Relief agencies’ priority is to provide food, shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene, said USCCB president Archbishop Joseph E Kurtz. ZRXOG ZRUN ZLWK WKH 3KLOLSSLQH Church on reconstruction, but he VDLG DQ\ VXSSRUW ZRXOG KDYH WR EH FRRUGLQDWHG WKURXJK WKH 3KLOLSSLQH ELVKRSV¶ FRQIHUHQFH +H H[SODLQHG WKDW UHOLHI DJHQ-

Seoul cardinal talks about mission in Asia ROME – The Korean Church

“sent about 1,000 missionaries to Asia and the world. That is a sigQL¿FDQW QXPEHU IRU XV EHFDXVH LW VKRZV WKDW ZH FDQ ¿QDOO\ UHSD\ DOO WKH ORYH ZH KDYH UHFHLYHG IURP IRUHLJQ 5HOLJLRXV WKURXJKRXW RXU KLVWRU\ ´ VDLG 0VJU $QGUHZ <HRP 6RR MXQJ $UFKELVKRS RI 6HRXO ZKR UHFHLYHG KLV ELUHWWD IURP 3RSH )UDQFLV RQ )HE The new cardinal met with a JURXS RI .RUHDQ MRXUQDOLVWV DW WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &ROOHJH LQ 5RPH 6SHDNLQJ WR $VLD1HZV KH VDLG ³7KH PLVVLRQDU\ FKDOOHQJHV IRU WKH &KXUFK LQ .RUHD DUH VR PDQ\ %XW , ZDQW WR HPSKDVLVH WKDW ORYH LV WKH NH\ HOHPHQW ,I \RX ORYH WKH ODQG ZKHUH \RX ZRUN HVSHFLDOO\ LI \RX ORYH WKH *RVSHO \RX ZLOO DFKLHYH JRRG UHVXOWV IRU \RXUVHOI DQG WKRVH FORVH WR \RX ,W VKRXOG EH FOHDU WKDW WKH PLVVLRQDU\ FDQQRW DQG PXVW QRW WKLQN DERXW GRPLQDWLQJ +H PXVW LQVWHDG RIIHU WKH IUXLWV RI WKH *RV-

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The missionary ‘challenges for the Church in Korea are so many. But I want to emphasise that love is the key element.

’

– Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop of Seoul

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Adelaide, Australia, chairman RI &DULWDV $XVWUDOLD¶V QDWLRQDO council, echoed his American colOHDJXHV H[SODLQLQJ WKDW KLV DJHQF\ SULRULWLVHV HPHUJHQF\ QHHGV ³:H¶UH YHU\ FOHDU DERXW WKH UHVSRQVH WKDW &DULWDV $XVWUDOLD FDQ PDNH LQ WKH VLWXDWLRQ ´ KH VDLG ³&DULWDV GRHV QRW SURYLGH IXQGV IRU FKXUFK >UHEXLOGLQJ@ SXUSRVHV 2XU MRE LV WR SURYLGH UHOLHI UHDOO\ IRU WKH RQHV ZKR H[SHULHQFHG WKH WHUULEOH IXU\ RI WKH W\SKRRQ +RZHYHU ZH¶UH YHU\ VHQVLWLYH WR WKH IDFW WKDW \RX KDYH RWKHU QHHGV ´ 7KH DUFKELVKRS VXJJHVWHG WKDW WKH SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ELVKRSV¶ FRQIHUHQFH ZRUN ZLWK WKH $XVWUDOLDQ ELVKRSV¶ FRQIHUHQFH WR VHFXUH UHFRQVWUXFWLRQ IXQGV ³, DVVXUH \RX ZH ZRXOG EH YHU\ KDSS\ WR GR ZKDW ZH FDQ ´ he said. CNS

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Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Belgium passes law to allow euthanasia for young children BRUSSELS – Belgian legislators voted to make their country the ZRUOGÂśV ÂżUVW WR DOORZ HXWKDQDVLD IRU young children, despite vigorous opSRVLWLRQ IURP WKH &DWKROLF &KXUFK and all main religious groups. Âł:H DUH VDGGHQHG DQG IHDUIXO IRU WKH IXWXUH DIWHU WKLV YRWH WR H[tend euthanasia to children withRXW DQ\ DJH OLPLW ´ VDLG WKH &DWKROLF ELVKRSVÂś FRQIHUHQFH “We totally uphold the rights RI WKH FKLOG RI ZKLFK ORYH DQG UHspect are the most important. But WKH ULJKW RI WKH FKLOG WR GHPDQG LWV RZQ GHDWK LV D VWHS WRR IDU ,W WUDQVJUHVVHV WKH SURKLELWLRQ RI NLOOLQJ ZKLFK LV WKH IRXQGDWLRQ RI our human society,â€? the bishops said in a statement on Feb 13. The same day, Belgium’s lower KRXVH RI 3DUOLDPHQW SDVVHG WKH OHJislation, which permits the doctorDVVLVWHG NLOOLQJ RI WHUPLQDOO\ LOO FKLOGUHQ IDFLQJ ÂłXQEHDUDEOH SK\VLFDO VXIIHULQJ´ 7KH OHJLVODWLRQ SDVVHG the Senate late last year and must QRZ JR WR WKH NLQJ IRU DSSURYDO 7KH ELVKRSV VDLG WKH\ KDG IUHTXHQWO\ ÂłH[SUHVVHG IHDUV´ DERXW the proposed law, which had been unanimously deplored “with a VLQJOH YRLFH´ E\ KHDGV RI DOO IDLWKV in November. They added that they shared WKH YLHZV RI DOO WKRVH RSSRVHG WR WKH ODZ ÂłDV D IXQFWLRQ RI WKHLU H[-

Protesters in Brussels hold banners on Feb 11 against legislation authorising euthanasia for children. Belgian legislators voted on Feb 13 to make their country the world’s ¿UVW WR DOORZ euthanasia for small children, despite vigorous opposition from the Catholic Church and all main religious groups. CNS photo

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Representatives voted 86-44 ZLWK DEVWHQWLRQV IRU WKH ODZ which requires children to be ÂłFRQVFLRXV RI WKHLU GHFLVLRQ´ DIWHU “repeated requests to dieâ€?, and to KDYH DSSURYDO IURP WKHLU SDUHQWV and medical team. However, Belgium’s Le Soir daily said the debate, which was PDUNHG E\ D SUR OLIH YLJLO RXWVLGH WKH %UXVVHOV 3DUOLDPHQW KDG EHHQ heated, adding that a public gallery spectator had shouted “Murderers!â€? as the result was announced.

7KH &KXUFKÂśV &DWKREHO QHZV DJHQF\ VDLG VHYHUDO PHPEHUV RI 3DUOLDPHQW KDG KLJKOLJKWHG FRQWUDdictions in the bill’s wording, including its provision that children as young as three could be allowed WR GLH ÂłLI FDSDEOH RI GLVFHUQPHQW´ whereas a 17-year-old could be reIXVHG LI SV\FKLDWULVWV GLVDJUHHG The agency added that Health 0LQLVWHU /DXUHWWH 2QFNHOLQFN[ D FKDPSLRQ RI WKH ODZ KDG ÂłVKRFNHG FROOHDJXHV´ E\ IDLOLQJ to attend the debate.

We fear this new law ‘opens the door wide to the further extension of euthanasia to handicapped persons, people with dementia, the mentally ill and those merely tired of life.

’

– Belgium’s Catholic bishops’ conference in a statement on Feb 13

“This merely underlines the HPSWLQHVV RI %HOJLXPÂśV OHJLVODtive process – why bother listenLQJ WR WKH PLQLVWHUÂśV RSLQLRQ LI QR H[SHUW KDV EHHQ FRQVXOWHG DQG all amendments have been swept DVLGH"´ WKH &DWKROLF DJHQF\ FRPmented on Feb 13. “Neither the truth nor the common good have been in evidence in this debate. Does this VLJQDO WKDW %HOJLDQ VRFLHW\ LWVHOI LV ÂľLQFDSDEOH RI GLVFHUQPHQWÂś"´ &DWKROLFV QRPLQDOO\ PDNH XS WKUHH TXDUWHUV RI %HOJLXPÂśV SRSXODWLRQ RI PLOOLRQ DOWKRXJK RQO\ RQH LQ DWWHQGV &KXUFK „ CNS

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Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Bishops’ meeting on family will seek to ‘balance’ justice, mercy

Many divorced and civilly remarried Catholics see not having the Eucharist available to them as ‘a kind of punishment, as a sign of not being accepted in the Church’, said Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR VATICAN CITY – Balancing the

need to uphold Christ’s teaching about the permanence of marriage and the call for the Church to show God’s mercy for those ZKRVH PDUULDJHV KDYH IDLOHG ZLOO be a major theme of discussion by the world’s bishops. 7KH &KXUFK QHHGV WR ÂżQG ZD\V WR OHW DOO RI LWV PHPEHUV ÂżQG D home in the Church without compromising its teachings, said Cardinals Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England, and Wilfrid F Napier of Durban, South Africa. Both men attended meetings in 5RPH DKHDG RI 2FWREHUÂśV H[WUDRUdinary synod on the family and a ZRUOG 6\QRG RI %LVKRSV RQ the same theme. 6RPH FDUGLQDOV IURP around the world gathered with Pope Francis from Feb 20-21 to WDON DERXW WKH IDPLO\ DQG FDUGLQDO members of the Synod of Bishops continued those discussions from )HE “At this stage, what the cardinals were really interested in was, how do we balance the justice of God with His mercy?â€? Cardinal 1DSLHU WROG &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH “The justice of God means

\RX PXVW NHHS +LV ODZ EXW ZKHQ \RXÂśYH EURNHQ WKDW ODZ KRZ GRHV His mercy come into play? That, I WKLQN LV WKH GLOHPPD WKDW ZH DUH KDYLQJ WR KDQGOH DQG ZH KDYH WR NHHS WKDW EHIRUH XV OHDGLQJ XS WR the synod, at the synod and beyond the synod,â€? he told CNS. The same day, Cardinal Nichols told journalists that when it comes to family life and marriage, many people “feel failure, feel WKHPVHOYHV WR KDYH IDLOHG DQG WKH\ KDYH D GHVLUH WR VWDUW DJDLQ´ 0DQ\ GLYRUFHG DQG FLYLOO\ UHPDUULHG &DWKROLFV VHH QRW KDYLQJ WKH (XFKDULVW DYDLODEOH WR WKHP DV ÂłD NLQG RI SXQLVKPHQW DV D sign of not being accepted in the Churchâ€?, Cardinal Nichols said. So there is a need to explore more deeply “what part does the Eucharist play?â€? and not to forget that ÂłWKHVH DUH SHRSOH ZH DUH WDONLQJ aboutâ€? who are experiencing “real KXUW LQ WKHLU OLYHV´ “There must be ways in which SHRSOH FDQ OLYH D YHU\ IUXLWIXO OLIH in the Church,â€? Cardinal Nichols VDLG HYHQ WKRXJK WKH\ PD\ QRW KDYH DFFHVV WR WKH (XFKDULVW It also calls for “much more SRVLWLYH ZD\V ZH HQJDJH ZLWK

Cardinals call for more positive ways to engage with people whose marriages have broken down.

SHRSOH ZKRVH PDUULDJHV KDYH EURNHQ GRZQ´ DQG WR OHW WKHP NQRZ that there could be solutions that apply to them if there are quesWLRQV DERXW WKH YDOLGLW\ RI WKHLU ÂżUVW PDUULDJH KH VDLG Cardinal Napier said the &KXUFK ZLOO EH ORRNLQJ PRUH FORVHly at whether the way it prepares couples for marriage is adequate. There are couples whose marULDJH VHHPV OLNH ÂłD VDFUDPHQWDO PDUULDJH EXW ZKHQ \RX ORRN PRUH FORVHO\ GR WKH\ KDYH WKH ULJKW GLVSRVLWLRQ GR WKH\ KDYH WKH ULJKW XQGHUVWDQGLQJ HYHQ WR DFWXDOO\ FRQWUDFW WKDW NLQG RI D PDUULDJH WKDWÂśV SHUPDQHQW H[FOXVLYH DQG for life?â€? „ CNS

Cardinal stresses need to recognise people’s lived realities VATICAN CITY – The responses

to a Vatican questionnaire about &DWKROLFVÂś IDPLO\ OLIH UHĂ€HFW D great amount of suffering around the world, said the general secretary of an upcoming bishops’ meeting in Rome. As of Feb 19, about 80 percent of the world’s bishops’ conferences and 60 percent of the Vatican congregations and councils had turned in formal responses to a questionnaire distributed by the ELVKRSVÂś V\QRG RIÂżFH LQ 2FWREHU Then Cardinal-designate Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the synod, told the Vatican newspaper Feb 21 that the responses show “much suffering, especially by those who feel excluded or abandoned by the Church because WKH\ ÂżQG WKHPVHOYHV LQ D VWDWH RI life that does not correspond to the Church’s doctrine and disciplineâ€?. 7KH YROXPH RI UHVSRQVHV which also include about 700 submissions from Catholic groups and LQGLYLGXDOV GHPRQVWUDWHV JUHDW LQterest in the world’s bishops’ plans to discuss the family when they PHHW DW WKH 9DWLFDQ IURP 2FW said the general secretary. By urging bishops around the world to conduct the broadest conVXOWDWLRQ SRVVLEOH JLYHQ WKH EULHI amount of time allotted, synod RIÂżFLDOV ÂłVSDUNHG D VSRQWDQHRXV

reaction that may seem surprising, but is actually proof of how necesVDU\ LW LV WR JR RXW RI RXU RIÂżFHV´ WR ZKHUH SHRSOH UHDOO\ OLYH KH VDLG The results compiled by the bishops’ conferences, he said, show “the urgency of recognising WKH OLYHG UHDOLW\ RI WKH SHRSOH DQG of beginning a pastoral dialogue ZLWK WKRVH ZKR KDYH GLVWDQFHG WKHPVHOYHV IURP WKH &KXUFK IRU YDULRXV UHDVRQV´

The response to a Church questionnaire shows need for dialogue ‘with those who have distanced themselves from the Church’. Simply by distributing the TXHVWLRQQDLUH VR ZLGHO\ DQG LQYLWLQJ HYHU\RQH WR UHVSRQG KH VDLG “a process has been opened for reVWRULQJ WKH WUXVW PDQ\ KDYH ORVW´ Pope Francis, he said, “shows, day after day, a new human and Christian approach that stimulates people and prepares them to listen and to accept what is good for WKHP HYHQ LI WKHUH LV VXIIHULQJ´ „ CNS

12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

In unusual video, pontiff speaks of longing for Christian unity VATICAN CITY – In an unusual

video message, recorded on an iPhone by a Pentecostal pastor 3RSH )UDQFLV NQHZ LQ $UJHQWLQD the pope says all Christians share blame for their divisions, speaks of his “longingâ€? for their unity and insists that God will bring the miracle of Christian unity to completion. Âł3UD\ WR WKH /RUG WKDW +H ZLOO unite us all,â€? the pope tells a group of Pentecostals meeting in the 8QLWHG 6WDWHV Âł/HWÂśV PRYH IRUward, we are brothers; let us give each other that spiritual embrace DQG DOORZ WKH /RUG WR FRPSOHWH the work He has begun. Because this is a miracle; the miracle of unity has begun.â€? In the video, posted on YouTube and never released by the Vatican, the pope quotes a character from a novel by Italian SRHW DQG QRYHOLVW $OHVVDQGUR Manzoni; the character says, “‘I KDYH QHYHU IRXQG WKDW WKH /RUG began a miracle without finishing it well.’ He will finish well this miracle of unity,â€? the pope added. The Vatican did not release any details when it announced on Jan 14 that Pope Francis had met

Pope Francis speaks in a video recorded on an iPhone on Jan 14, saying that all Christians share blame for their divisions and that God will bring the miracle of Christian unity to completion. CNS photo

ZLWK Âł$QWKRQ\ 3DOPHU ELVKRS and international ecumenical ofÂżFHU IRU WKH &RPPXQLRQ RI (YDQgelical Episcopal Churchesâ€?. Pope Francis in the video said he is full of longing because Christians are still separated, “separated because of sin, our sinsâ€?. “Who is at fault?â€? he asked. Âł$OO RI XV DUH ZH DUH DOO VLQners. There is only one who is

MXVW DQG WKDW LV WKH /RUG ´ Pope Francis said he longs for the day when “this separation would end and there would be communionâ€?. Âł/HWÂśV DOORZ RXU ORQJLQJ WR LQFUHDVH VR WKDW LW SURSHOV XV WR ÂżQG each other, embrace each other and to praise Jesus Christ as the RQO\ /RUG RI KLVWRU\ ´ WKH SRSH said. „ CNS

Pope establishes panel including OD\SHRSOH WR RYHUVHH 9DWLFDQ ÀQDQFHV VATICAN CITY – ,Q D PRYH UHÀHFW-

ing both his drive to reform the Vatican bureaucracy and his oftstated desire to include laypeople in the leadership of the Church, Pope Francis established a new panel, to include almost as many lay members as clerics, to oversee WKH ¿QDQFHV RI WKH +RO\ 6HH DQG Vatican City State. $QRWKHU QHZ RI¿FH WR EH headed by Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, will implement the panel’s policies. The Vatican announced the

changes in a statement on Feb 24, explaining they would “enable more formal involvement of senior and experienced experts in ÂżQDQFLDO DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ SODQQLQJ and reporting, and will ensure better use of resourcesâ€?, particularly for “our works with the poor and marginalisedâ€?. The Council for the Economy will include “eight cardinals and ELVKRSV WR UHĂ€HFW WKH XQLYHUVDOity of the Churchâ€? and “seven lay experts of different nationalities ZLWK VWURQJ SURIHVVLRQDO ÂżQDQ-

cial experienceâ€?, the Vatican said. They will “meet on a regular basis and to consider policies and practices and to prepare and analyse reports on the economic-administrative activities of the Holy Seeâ€?. The lay members of the new council will exercise an unprecedented level of responsibility for non-clerics in the Vatican, where WKH KLJKHVW RIÂżFHV KDYH DOZD\V been reserved for cardinals and bishops. The Vatican did not release any names of council members. „ CNS

‘Profess the faith with good works’ CITY – Understanding God’s commandments and Church doctrine is useless if those truths aren’t put into practice, Pope Francis said. Âł$ IDLWK ZLWKRXW EHDULQJ IUXLW in life, a faith that doesn’t bear fruit in works is not faith,â€? the pope said in a Mass homily, focusLQJ RQ WKH GD\ÂśV ÂżUVW UHDGLQJ IURP the Book of James (2:14-24). Professing the faith without giving a witness makes the Gospel “words and nothing more than wordsâ€?, he said Feb 21 during his early morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he lives.

VATICAN

“We, too, make this mistake many times,â€? he said. “It’s often the case when a person thinks, ‘But I have lots of faith. I believe everything.’â€? However, look at how that person lives life. It may be “a lukewarm, weak lifeâ€? where “faith is like a theoryâ€? and not lived out in practice, the pope said. “You may know all the commandments, all the prophesies, all the truths of the faith, but if this isn’t put into practice, is not translated into works, it serves nothLQJ ´ $V WKH $SRVWOH -DPHV QRWHG even demons know the Creed, but

that doesn’t mean they have faith, the pope said. Christians can also see the faith “as a system of ideas�, but such people are “the anti-Christ, ideologues of the faith�, the pope said. “Having faith isn’t having knowledge,� the pope said. Instead, it is “receiving God’s message� as brought by Christ. There can be people who know very little about doctrine, “but have lots of faith� because rather than embracing “abstract truths�, they embrace the living Christ, the pope said. „ CNS

Pontiff: Take care of elders, all life has value VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis said the worst thing about growing old is not becoming weaker RU LQÂżUP EXW WKH ÂłDEDQGRQPHQW the exclusion, the deprivation of loveâ€? in today’s “throwaway cultureâ€?. The pope’s remarks came in a written message sent to bioethicists, scientists, healthcare professionals, Religious, theologians and other experts attending WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO $FDGHP\ IRU /LIHÂśV )HE ZRUNVKRS RQ Âł$JLQJ and Disabilityâ€?. “We have created a ‘throwaway’ cultureâ€? that is no longer about exploitation or oppression, but about treating people as “the outcasts, the ‘leftovers’â€?, he wrote, citing his apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudiumâ€? (“The Joy of the Gospelâ€?).

The elderly are particularly affected by this trend of exclusion, especially if they are ill, disabled or vulnerable in other ways, he wrote. People forget that human relationships “are always relationships of reciprocal dependence� in which the degree of dependence changes over the course of a person’s life, especially at its early and later stages and during periods of illness or suffering. “The loss of health and having a disability are never a good reason for exclusion or, worse, eliminating a person,� he wrote in the message. Though older people may seem to “take without anything to give�, he wrote, their experience “warns us not to foolishly repeat our past mistakes�. „ CNS

Go for confession, do not wait one more day: pope VATICAN CITY – If you haven’t been to confession recently, don’t wait, Pope Francis told people at his weekly general audience. “If a lot of time has passed, don’t lose even one more day. Go,â€? the pope said on Feb 19, promising that “the priest will be good. Jesus will be there and He’s even nicer than the priest.â€? “Be courageous. Go to confession,â€? the pope told an estimated 20,000 people at his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square. Pope Francis said he wanted to follow up on his previous audience talks about EDSWLVP &RPPXQLRQ DQG FRQÂżUmation. Those sacraments give new life, he said, but sin eats away at that new life and can destroy it, which is why Jesus gave His disciples the power to forgive sins in the name of God and the Christian community. “Sometimes when you’re in line for confession, you feel all sorts of things, especially shame,

A priest hears confession from a young woman during World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro on July 24. Pope Francis in his audience on Feb 19 urged everyone to have courage and go for confession. CNS photo

but when your confession is over, you’ll leave free, great, beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy – this is what’s beautiful about confession,� he said. „ CNS

Pope asks families to pray for October synod VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

asked families to pray for the success of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the “pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelisation�, which will take place at the Vatican in October. In a letter to the world’s families, released by the Vatican on Feb 25, the pope wrote that the synod would be dedicated to the “challenges of marriage, of family life, of the education of children; and the role of the family in the life of the Church�. Pope Francis has said the

synod will take up the subject of Church teaching and practice on marriage, including the eligibility of divorced and civilly married Catholics to receive Communion ¹ DQ LVVXH KH KDV VDLG H[HPSOL¿HV a general need for mercy in the Church today. In his letter, the pope noted the October gathering would be followed by an ordinary Synod of Bishops on the same subject next year, and by the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015. Pope Francis is expected to travel to Philadelphia for the latter event. „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

A man who was injured during clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police receives medical treatment inside an Orthodox cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine, on Feb 19. Ukraine’s political crisis escalated sharply, with more than two dozen people killed and scores injured in YLROHQW RIWHQ ¿HU\ battles between demonstrators and police in Kiev. CNS photo

Pope, Ukrainian Church leaders call for end to violence VATICAN CITY – After a night of violent confrontations between protesters and police, Pope Francis and Ukrainian Church leaders called on Feb 19 for an end to all violence and a serious commitment to dialogue in Ukraine. “With a troubled heart I am following what is happening in Kiev,â€? Pope Francis said at the end of his weekly general audience. “I assure the Ukrainian people of my closeness and I pray for the victims of the violence, for their families and for the injured,â€? he said. “I call on all sides to stop every violent action and seek agreement and peace,â€? he added. In Kiev, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, stressed “that those holding power bear full responsibility for what is happening in our countryâ€?. “In the name of God, we condemn violence, ruthlessness and the ignoring of human rights and the will of the nation,â€? he said on Feb 19 as the United Nations demanded an urgent resumption of government-opposition talks. “I state with great sorrow that calls by the Churches to stop the shedding of blood and seek a peaceful settlement of this conĂ€LFW KDYH QRW EHHQ KHDUG ´ WKH archbishop said, adding that he had asked Catholics to fast and pray for peace and asked Catholic churches to ring their bells in re-

jection of “fratricidal evil�. Some churches near the protests were being used as makeshift hospitals. A Feb 19 report in National Review Online said Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Borys Gudziak read Archbishop Shevchuk’s statement in Kiev’s Independence Square, then went to visit the ophthalmology unit of a nearby hospital to give the sacrament of the sick to injured protesters. Meanwhile, a bishop from

by the Churches ‘Calls to stop the shedding of blood and seek a peaceful settlement RI WKLV FRQĂ€LFW have not been heard.

’

– Ukrainian Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk

Ukraine’s smaller Latin-rite Catholic Church accused the government of President Viktor Yanukovych of “doing nothing to calm people’s grievancesâ€?, and also called on Catholics to “pray for WKH IDOOHQ DQG WKRVH VWLOO ÂżJKWLQJ´ Âł7KHVH SHRSOH DUH ÂżJKWLQJ QRW just for themselves, but for all of us, even those who are beating them – for the future of their children, that they may live in a different state,â€? Auxiliary Bishop

Stanislav Szyrokoradiuk of Kiev told Ukraine’s Catholic Credo magazine on Feb 19. “They are beating them for this, which is why we should pray for them and hope God grants us comfort. We know good will always triumph,� he said. Prolonged violence erupted on Feb 18 when members of the Ukrainian Parliament blocked opposition attempts to scale back Mr Yanukovych’s powers, and police resumed attempts to clear a protest camp from central Kiev’s Maidan, or Independence Square. Last November, protesters occupied the square after Mr Yanukovych’s withdrawal from a landmark deal with the European Union. In a Feb 19 statement of support, Lithuania’s Catholic bishops recalled their country’s break from the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and said that it “helps us to understand even better those dramatic hours, lived out by the people of Ukraine�. “We appeal to all the faithful of Lithuania, asking them to unite with the Ukrainian Christians and pray for peace and reconciliation in Ukraine, and to remember the dead and the suffering during the Mass. Let the Christian solidarity and prayer ease the pain and lead toward the peace,� the bishops said. „ CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

From Feb 20 to 22, the cardinals met to discuss the synod on the family, and Pope Francis also c

Pope Francis, with retired Pope Benedict present, creates new cardinals VATICAN CITY – On a feast day

commemorating the authority Jesus gave to St Peter and His successors – the popes – Pope Francis created 19 new cardinals in the presence of retired Pope Benedict XVI. To the great surprise of most people present, the retired pope entered St Peter’s Basilica about 15 minutes before the new cardinals and Pope Francis. Wearing a long white coat and using a cane, he took a seat in the front row. Pope Benedict’s presence at the consistory on Feb 22 marked the ÂżUVW WLPH KH KDG MRLQHG 3RSH )UDQcis for a public prayer service in the basilica. Cardinal Theodore E McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, said all the already existing cardinals went over to greet Pope Benedict. “The ushers kept saying, ‘Please, your eminences, take your seats, the Holy Father is coming,’ and we thought, ‘But, but...’.â€? Before beginning the service, Pope Francis walked over to Pope Benedict, who removed his zucchetto to greet Pope Francis. The scene was repeated at the end of the consistory. The new cardinals publicly recited the Creed and swore obedience to the pope and his successors before receiving from Pope Francis a red hat, a ring and the assignment of a “titular Churchâ€? in Rome, becoming part of the clergy of the pope’s diocese. After they received their red hats, each of the new cardinals walked over to Pope Benedict and greeted him. Only 18 of the archbishops Pope Francis had chosen to be DPRQJ WKH ÂżUVW FDUGLQDOV FUHDWHG GXULQJ KLV SRQWLÂżFDWH ZHUH SUHVHQW The oldest of the new cardinals – and now the oldest cardinal in the world – Cardinal Loris Capovilla, 98, was not present at the ceremony. In his homily Pope Francis fo-

Pope Francis told the new cardinals that ‘the Church needs us also to be peacemakers, building peace by our actions, hopes and prayers’.

‡

Cardinals-designate watch as Pope Francis venerates St Peter’s tomb in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Feb 22 as he arrives to lead a consistory at which he created 19 new cardinals. Retired Pope Benedict XVI attended the cerHPRQ\ PDNLQJ KLV ¿UVW DSSHDUDQFH ZLWK 3RSH )UDQFLV DW D SXEOLF OLWXUJ\ CNS photo

cused on their being called to follow Christ more closely, to build up the unity of the Church and to proclaim the Gospel more courageously. 7KH %LEOH KH VDLG LV ÂżOOHG ZLWK stories of Jesus walking with His disciples and teaching them as they travelled. “This is important,â€? the pope said. “Jesus did not come to teach a philosophy, an ideology, but rather D ÂľZD\Âś D MRXUQH\ WR EH XQGHUWDNHQ with Him, and we learn the way as we go, by walking.â€? Pope Francis also spoke about the very human, worldly temptation RI ÂłULYDOU\ MHDORXV\ >DQG@ IDFWLRQV´ WKH ÂżUVW GLVFLSOHV IDFHG The reading is a warning to the cardinals and to all Christians to put aside concerns of power and

favouritism and “to become ever more of one heart and soul� gathered around the Lord, he said. Pope Francis told the new cardinals, who come from 15 different countries – including very poor nations like Haiti and Ivory Coast – that the Church “needs you, your cooperation and, even more, your communion, communion with me and among yourselves�. “The Church needs your courage,� he said, “to proclaim the Gospel at all times� and “to bear witness to the truth�. The pope also told the cardinals that the Church needs their “compassion, especially at this time of pain and suffering for so many countries throughout the world�, and for so many Christians who

face discrimination and persecution. “We must struggle against all discrimination,� he said. “The Church needs us also to be peacemakers, building peace by our actions, hopes and prayers,� he said. The consistory brought to 218 the total number of cardinals in the world; 122 cardinals are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a conclave. The 18 cardinals who received their red hats from the pope were Cardinals: Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, Italian, 59. Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Italian, 73. Gerhard Muller, prefect of the

‡ ‡ ‡

‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡ ‡

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, German, 66. Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Italian, 72. Vincent Nichols, archbishop of Westminster, England, 68. Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano of Managua, Nicaragua, 64. Gerald Lacroix of Quebec, 56. -HDQ 3LHUUH .XWZD RI $ELGMDQ Ivory Coast, 68. Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 63. Gualtiero Bassetti of PerguiaCitta della Pieve, Italy, 71. Mario Poli of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 66. $QGUHZ <HRP 6RR MXQJ RI Seoul, South Korea, 70. Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Santiago, Chile, 72. Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 69. Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, Philippines, 74. Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, Haiti, 55. Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, retired archbishop of Pamplona, Spain, 84. Kelvin Felix, retired archbishop of Castries, St Lucia, Antilles, 81. „ CNS

Pontiff tells cardinals they are servants, not courtiers VATICAN CITY – Celebrating Mass

with the newest members of the College of the Cardinals one day after their elevation, Pope Francis urged them to regard their new role not as one of worldly honour but of humble service and sacriÂżFH “A cardinal enters the Church of Rome, not a royal court,â€? the pope said in his homily on Feb 23, during morning Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. “May all of us avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and preferences.â€? “May our language be that of the Gospel: ‘yes when we mean yes; no when we mean no’,â€? he said. “May our attitudes be those

of the beatitudes and our way be that of holiness.� Pope Francis celebrated the Mass with 18 of the 19 men he had raised to the rank of cardinal the previous day in the same basilica. Cardinal Loris Capovilla, who at age 98 is now the oldest member of the college, was absent on both occasions for reasons of health. The 18 new cardinals, clad in the green vestments of the liturgical season of ordinary time, sat in a near semicircle around the main altar. More than a hundred of their fellow cardinals, also serving as concelebrants, sat in rows at the front of the congregation. Retired Pope Benedict, whose appearance at the previous day’s consistory had surprised practi-

&DUGLQDO 2UODQGR 4XHYHGR RI &RWDbato, Philippines. CNS photo

&DUGLQDO <HRP 6RR MXQJ RI 6HRXO 6RXWK .RUHD CNS photo

cally all the participants, did not return to the basilica for the Mass. Pope Francis’ call for humility echoed a letter he had sent the

new cardinals shortly after the announcement of their elevation in January, telling them that a red hat “does not signify a promotion,

an honour or a decoration; it is simply a form of service that requires expanding your vision and enlarging your heart�, and that they should celebrate their new distinction only in an “evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty�. In his homily, the pope said that “Jesus did not come to teach us good manners, how to behave well at the table. To do that, He would not have had to come down from heaven and die on the cross. Christ came to save us, to show us the way, the only way out of the quicksand of sin, and this is mercy.� “To be saint is not a luxury,� he said. “It is necessary for the salvation of the world.� „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

o created 19 new cardinals. We bring you the highlights of the three-day consistory.

Cardinals outline broad approaches to family ministry at meeting VATICAN CITY – As some 150 cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis to talk about the family, their two days of discussion focused particularly on three points: the Christian vision of people and family life; essential pastoral programmes to support families; and ministry to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. Although the discussions during the Feb 20-21 meeting were closed to the press, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, gave reporters an overview of the discussions. Retired German Cardinal Walter Kasper gave a two-hour opening presentation, laying out the biblical and theological basis of Church teaching on marriage. He also emphasised the challenge of ÂżQGLQJ ZD\V WR DOZD\V IXOÂżO WZR basic obligations: remaining faithful to Jesus’ words about the indissolubility of marriage and embodying the mercy God always shows to those who have sinned or fallen short. The cardinals held two morning and two afternoon sessions. In the ÂżUVW WKUHH VHVVLRQV )U /RPEDUGL said, 43 cardinals spoke; many othHUV KDG VLJQHG XS WR VSHDN WKH ÂżQDO afternoon or had decided to make their contributions in writing. Fr Lombardi said many of the cardinals spoke broadly about Christian anthropology – the biblically based vision of people – and the challenge of living that out in the “context of a secularised society that promotes visions of the human person, the family and sexuality that are very differentâ€?.

“The climate wasn’t one of complaining, but of realism,â€? the spokesman said. The second focus, he said, was on the kinds of pastoral programmes offered to families and the forms of support available to them in parishes and dioceses. Several cardinals insisted on the importance of mandatory marriage preparation programmes. A third group of talks, Fr Lombardi said, focused on divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. Several cardinals spoke about the Church’s process for granting annulments and possible ideas for improving the process or simplifying it. Other cardinals, he said, spoke about the desire of some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to be able to receive Communion even though they have not received an annulment. “The discussion was very interesting, very broad, very serene,â€? he said. “No decisions were made,â€? but there was “a clear commitPHQW WR ÂżQGLQJ WKH EHVW ZD\ WR NHHS WRJHWKHU ÂżGHOLW\ WR &KULVWÂśV words and mercy in the life of the Churchâ€?. Fr Lombardi said the atmosphere in the synod hall, where the pope and cardinals were meeting, wasn’t one of “tension or anxiety in talking about these themes, but very much a climate of discernment, wisdom and of seeking to-

Pope Francis leads the opening prayer during a meeting of cardinals in the synod hall at the Vatican on Feb 20. The pope asked the world’s cardinals and those about to be made cardinals to meet at the Vatican from Feb 20-21 to discuss the Church’s pastoral approach to the family. CNS Photo

gether the best path for the Church to take�. The cardinals were not expected to make any decisions or vote on proposals during their meeting, he said. Rather, they were holding a discussion in preparation for October’s extraordinary synod on the family and a 2015 world Synod of Bishops on the same theme. „ CNS

The cardinals highlighted the importance of marriage preparation programmes and also focused on divorced Catholics.

16 OPINION

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

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LETTER

Truth cannot contradict truth In responding to my article, Did Humans Evolve From Monkeys? (CN, Feb 9), Mr Gerard Goh and Ms Estella Young (CN, Feb 23) ZHUH NHHQ WR DI¿UP WKDW ³UHOLJLRQ does not clash with science� or WKDW ³IDLWK DQG UHDVRQ FDQ JR KDQG in hand�. I readily agree with this position. I agree that academic disciplines of natural science, philosophy and theology can attain common conclusions when they all strive to seek truth. $V 3RSH /HR ;,,, VD\V ³WUXWK cannot contradict truth� (encyclical Providentissimus Deus). My initial article is certainly not to wage a battle between religion and science, but to refute the layPDQœV H[SUHVVLRQ WKDW ³KXPDQ EHings evolved from monkeys�. In fact all of us agree that whether we agree with the theory of evolution or not, the theory itself does not answer the ultimate query about the origin of existence, the great philosophical question: where does everything come IURP" $QG VSHFL¿FDOO\ KRZ GRHV man come about? I believe we agree this is of utmost importance. Pope John Paul II in his AdGUHVV WR WKH 3RQWL¿FDO $FDGHP\ RI Sciences (Oct 22, 1996) applauded the work of the researchers and UHPDUNHG WKDW ³QHZ NQRZOHGJH has led to the recognition of more than one hypothesis in the theory of evolution�. (One translation RI WKH SRSHœV WH[W SXW LW DV ³QHZ knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis�). +H DOVR FDXWLRQHG WKDW ³D WKHory’s validity depends on whether RU QRW LW FDQ EH YHUL¿HG LW LV FRQVWDQWO\ WHVWHG DJDLQVW WKH IDFWV wherever it can no longer explain the latter, it shows its limitations and unsuitability. It must then be rethought.� My view is that if scientists and researchers are able to provide evidence to argue for cer-

tain expressions of evolution, we could accept them as reliable theories and not just hypotheses. So let them research and argue, show their evidence and present their papers, and let the thinkers reason out if they can accept or must reject them. Some scientists have placed monkeys, chimpanzees and humans in the same category, calling them all primates, claiming that they share a common ancestor. I rationally reject such claim of common categorisation. No matter how similar humans and monkeys seen to be biologically or physiologically, they are two distinct categories of beings. Man as man is both body and soul. We cannot talk about man without referring to his soul. And his spir-

More helpful to say that ‘humans are totally different from monkeys’. itual dimension is expressed in his use of reason and will, and other cultural manifestations. My philosophical and theological position is that in His image and likeness, God created man, both body and soul, physical and spiritual, in unity. Physical similarities, even in terms of proximities of DNA sequences, do not identify monkeys with humans, even if we are just talking about their ancestors. In the address by Pope John Paul II mentioned above, he stated WKDW ³¾PDQ LV WKH RQO\ FUHDWXUH RQ earth that God has wanted for its own sake’...With his intellect and his will, he is capable of forming a relationship of communion, solidarity and self-giving with his peers‌man’s likeness to God resides especially in his specula-

tive intellect, for his relationship with the object of his knowledge resembles God’s relationship with what he has created (Summa Theologica I-II:3:5, ad 1). But even more, man is called to enter into a relationship of knowledge and love with God himself, a relationship which will ÂżQG LWV FRPSOHWH IXOÂżOPHQW EHyond time, in eternity. The thrust of my article is to distinguish the four categories of beings (things) – namely mineral beings (such as stone, water, iron etc), vegetative beings (all kinds of greens), animal beings (all kinds of insects, birds, animals) and human beings. :LWKLQ WKH ÂżUVW WKUHH FDWHJRries, there are huge varieties and multitude of things. And the fourth category – man, is uniquely itself. Philosophically, these four categories of beings are distinct and different, one from another. And that KXPDQ EHLQJV FDQQRW EH ÂłHYROYHG´ from any of the animal beings, insects, birds and animals such cats, dogs, horses, lions or monkeys. Men today may be evolved IURP ÂłSULPLWLYH PHQ´ ZKR KDG limited cultural expressions, yet they were the human kind. Present human races, Africans, Chinese, Indians, and Europeans etc. could probably have had a common ancestor(s), but that ancestor could not be a non-human which did not have the integration of body and soul. Human persons DUH QRW DQLPDOV QRW PRQNH\V ZH are uniquely our own category. In laymen language, when we are to make some simple propositions if we accept certain expressions of evolution, I believe it is still more helpful to our knowledge, morals and faith to say that ÂłKXPDQV DUH WRWDOO\ GLIIHUHQW IURP PRQNH\V´ WKDQ WR VD\ ÂłKXPDQV evolved from monkeysâ€?. „ Fr Henry Siew Singapore 534795

Our struggle for empathy and generativity IN OUR normal, daily lives we are invariably so selfSUHRFFXSLHG WKDW ZH ¿QG LW GLI¿FXOW WR EH DEOH WR DFFRUG others the same reality and value we give to ourselves. ,Q EULHI LWœV GLI¿FXOW IRU XV WR OLYH LQ WUXH HPSDWK\ because we are forever consumed with our own heartaches and headaches. From two famous intellectuals, one speaking philosophically and the other psychologically, we get that same insight. French philosopher and writer RenÊ Descartes, as we know, famously suggests that all true thinking must begin with our own reality: I think, therefore I am. His logic works this way: What’s the only thing you can know that’s real, beyond all doubt? His answer: Your own mind. You know that your own mind is real because you are inside of it. You are real, you can be sure that, but you might be imagining or dreaming everything else. Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, centuries later, coming from another angle, reaches basically the same conclusion. For Freud, we are forever so excessively self-preoccupied that we are unable to see other peoples’ lives as being just as real as ours. If that’s true, and certainly there’s truth there, then it’s not surprising that real empathy and genuine generativity are a struggle for us since both are predicated precisely on being able to accord to other peoples’ heartaches and headaches the same reality and importance that we give to our own. But it’s hard to do this: It’s hard to give to others without some level of self-interest being involved. It’s hard to have wholly pure motives in serving others. It’s hard to know other people’s heartaches in the same way as we know our own. It’s hard to be purely altruistic. And...especially it’s hard to overcome this! Why? Don’t sympathy and empathy come naturally to us? Sympathy and empathy do come naturally to us, but, like everything else, they come mixed with a lot of other things. What things? First, sympathy and empathy come mixed with our more-primal instincts for survival. We aren’t born generous and empathic, we’re born needy, hungry, and instinctually driven for survival. As newborns, we are so consumed with our own survival that we have to grow into an awareness of the reality of others. Nature brings us into this world this way in order to ensure that we do what it takes to survive and this greatly mitigates our empathy. Moreover, beyond how nature has built us, our early experiences soon do further damage to our empathic capacities. Simply put, none of us gets loved purely and wholly and, long before we reach our adulthood, all of us have lost our wholeness. As adults, we are, all of us, to some degree, wounded, fearful, and given over to habits of self-preservation which weaken our empathy. It works this way: We come into this world with great adaptability. As babies, every instinct inside us works towards life and because of this, unconsciously, we do whatever it takes to stay alive and we adapt to whatever (food, shelter, clothing, language, environment) we need to adapt to in order to stay alive. The adaptations we make as young children help ensure our survival but then leave us wounded in ways that PDNH JHQXLQH HPSDWK\ GLI¿FXOW ODWHU LQ OLIH What can we do about all of this? There aren’t any easy answers, psychologically or spiritually, and to suggest that there are isn’t helpful. We are dealing with deeply engrained instincts that don’t sway just because they are intellectually understood and with wounds that need to be healed through the heart. At the end of the day, what would cure us and open our hearts to empathy and real generativity is the experience of genuine, non-exploitive love. But we can’t make others love us in this way and we struggle mightily to feel God’s love for us when others don’t love us this in way. Moreover we are caught-up in vicious circle: the very wounds that need to be healed through love are the very things that are making it dif¿FXOW IRU RWKHUV WR ORYH XV /RYH LV WKH DQVZHU ,W ZRXOG PDNH XV ZKROH but we cannot will this love upon ourselves. So what can we do? First, we can admit the problem, admit our lack of wholeness, admit our wounds, admit our excessive self-preoccupation, and admit our lack of empathy. That’s a start. Second, we can humbly seek help from others, from family, friends, recovery groups, therapists. An honest, request for help, usually brings some help. Coupled with this, we can expose ourselves more regularly to the poor (of every kind) and their needs and this will help baptise us into empathy and generativity. Few things have the power to draw us out beyond our own wounds and help us to be self-forgetful as standing before the needy. Finally, we need to seek God’s help by throwing ourselves, in prayer, upon God’s wholeness, asking God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, namely, see others as being as real as we are. „

FOCUS 17

Sunday March 9, 2014 CatholicNews

OBITUARY

Faith Tours founder sparked my interest in pilgrimages Fr Edmund Chong pays tribute to the late Thomas Lui When I count my blessings, I count it twice because of you! [Source: Unknown]

CITY DISTRICT St Joseph’s Church (Victoria St)

Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

1.15 pm , 6.30 pm & 7.45 pm

6.15am, 6.15pm & 8.00pm

Church of Sts Peter & Paul

Church of St Francis Xavier

7.20 am, 5.30 pm, 7.30pm (M*) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

12.30 pm, 6.30 pm, 8.00 pm (Tamil) Church of the Sacred Heart

7.00am & 5.30pm Church of St Teresa

12.30 pm, 8.00 pm Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church)

6.30 am, 12.15 pm, 7.00 pm Church of St Bernadette

6.30 am, 7.00 pm Church of St Michael

6.30 am, 8.00 pm

EAST DISTRICT Church of the Holy Family

6.15 am, 7.30 pm Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace

6:30 am, 7.00 pm Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

6.30am, 6.00pm & 8.00pm Church of St Stephen

6.30 am, 8.00 pm Church of the Holy Trinity

6.30 am, 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm Church of Divine Mercy

6.30 am, 1.00 pm, 6.15 pm & 8.00 pm

NORTH DISTRICT St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah)

6.30 am, 8.00 pm Church of St Anthony

6.30 am, 8.00 pm Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

6.45 am, 12.15 pm, 8.00 pm Church of the Holy Spirit

6.30 am, 6.00 pm & 8.00 pm Church of the Risen Christ

6.30 am, 6.00 pm & 8.00 pm Church of Christ the King

6.30 am, 1.00 pm, 6.15 pm & 8.00 pm

SERANGOON DISTRICT Church of the Nativity of the BVM

6.30 am, 6.30 pm, 8.00 pm

6.30 am, 8.00 pm St Anne’s Church

6.30 am, 6.15 pm, 8.00 pm Church of St Vincent De Paul

7.00 am, 6.00 pm, 8.00 pm

WEST DISTRICT Church of St Ignatius

7.00 am, 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm Blessed Sacrament Church

7.00 am; 8.30 am, 6.00 pm; 8.00 pm Church of St Mary of the Angels

6.55 am, 1.15 pm, 6.30 pm, 8.15 pm Church of St Francis of Assisi

6.30 am, 7.00 pm (M*); 8.15 pm Church of the Holy Cross

615 am, 6.00 pm & 7.30 pm, 7.30 pm (M* @ St Michael Room)

CATHOLIC PRAYER SOCIETY SUNTEC: Suntec Hall Meeting Room 606 12.15 pm and 1.15 pm ORCHARD: Grand Hyatt Hotel please check hotel board for venue 12.40 pm and 1.20 pm RAFFLES PLACE: The 3rd Space, China Square Central Basement 1, 18 Cross Street 11.15 am, 12.15 pm and 1.15 pm SHENTON WAY: Singapore Conference Hall, 2nd Level 12.20 pm and 1.20 pm JURONG EAST: For venue please contact: 81012765/ 98316307 / 93769897 12.15 pm OUTRAM: SGH Medical Alumni Association Level 1 12.15 pm SCIENCE PARK (AYER RAJAH): Science Hub, 87 Science Park Drive 12.30 pm Notes: M* Mandarin All times correct as of press time. Please check with parishes for updates.

I count my God-given blessings when my “love affairs” with pilgrimages were introduced early into my life. It was Faith Tours’ pilgrimages that caught my interest most during my priestly infancy. I must register my thanks to Thomas Lui, the late founder of Faith Tours, who ignited both my curiosity and interest so that these bear fruit in my priestly life and ministry. Thomas was called home to the Lord on Feb 1. Through him who had formed Faith Tours Agency upon the inspiration God had given him, I cannot let this episode come to pass without giving credit where it is due. Thanks to him, I am better off as I’ve become the recipient of heavenly good through pilgrimages. In the words of St John the Baptist, “A man can lay claim only to what is given him from Heaven” (John 3:27), so it was with Thomas who was instrumental in promoting Christian pilgrimages in the early 1980s. My interest in going on and leading group pilgrimages is the result of a deeper appreciation of the Christian faith and history. All of these I discover as I make inroads into the richness of our Catholic traditions and heritage in the lands chosen and blessed by God for a richer encounter with Jesus, Mary and the saints. Often people ask the question,

Mr Thomas Lui passed away on Feb 1.

“Why – God is everywhere – must we go to Lourdes, Jerusalem or Rome to do the obvious?” Perhaps, the best answer I can think of is what our Lord has said, “Come and see” (John 1:39) in reference to the call of faith and the obedience of faithfulness. I realise and learn that God has a design for everything. He has every right to pick on certain places for His hidden purpose. Just as we are called to con-

In building up a pilgrimage agency, people like me and many others have been duly enriched.

version at the appropriate time, or to the appreciation of our faith at the opportune moment, could not God do the same with designated shrines or places of deep encountering that eventually would be marked off as holy sanctuaries of SUD\HU DQG GHHS UHÀHFWLRQ" We will never fathom the great mystery of God’s doing. Our friend, Thomas Lui, was in a somewhat mysterious situation. He, who was instrumental in bringing pilgrimages into our lives, was himself, a player to the end. He, who introduced the blessings of pilgrimages was himself blessed. When doing his last pilgrimage, he was suddenly called home to the Lord. I have both learned and gained so much from all my pilgrimages. If it was not because of Thomas’ earnest promoting of pilgrimages, I would be the lesser in the making. Hence, I must place on record my heart-felt appreciation to the late founder of Faith Tours. In following the call of mission in building up a pilgrimage agency, people like me and many others still counting have been duly enriched and blessed by God abundantly. Rest in peace my good friend! I pen down this inspiration... On Earth, we are pilgrims. Destined for the higher: Awaken, enlighten; Onwards we go on the Pulse of Heavenly Favours.

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Lent: Preparing for the Lord By Daniel S Mulhall

D

etox diets and drinks are all the rage. Each time you turn on the TV or look on the InWHUQHW \RX ZLOO ¿QG VRPHRQH SURmoting some combination of food and beverage that when consumed RYHU D SHULRG RI D IHZ GD\V LV VDLG to cleanse the body of toxins and other harmful substances. $OWKRXJK WKHUH LV QR VFLHQWL¿F SURRI WKDW WKHVH GHWR[ GLHWV DUH RI value, they are being offered as a YHULWDEOH IRXQWDLQ RI \RXWK KDSSLness and well-being. Whether detox diets or drinks work, humans have long known the value of setting aside time to FKDQJH RQHœV FRQVXPSWLRQ KDELWV including food and beverages, but other things as well. This includes IDVWLQJ DQG SUD\LQJ WR SURPRWH SK\VLFDO VSLULWXDO HPRWLRQDO PRUDO DQG SV\FKRORJLFDO ZHOO EHLQJ For Christians, Lent marks WKDW VSHFLDO WLPH 7KH VHDVRQ RI /HQW ¹ DQ RI¿FLDO season of the Church’s liturgical calendar – is celebrated by most Christians throughout the world. Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (which this year falls on March 5) until the beginning of the Easter triduum (the three days, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). For RoPDQ &DWKROLFV /HQW RI¿FLDOO\ HQGV at sundown on Holy Thursday with WKH 0DVV RI WKH /RUGœV 6XSSHU The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, a number of great sigQL¿FDQFH LQ WKH %LEOH )RU H[DPSOH *RG PDGH LW UDLQ IRU GD\V during the days of Noah, Moses stayed 40 days on Mt Sinai after receiving the Ten Commandments

DQG IROORZLQJ +LV EDSWLVP -HVXV VSHQW GD\V LQ WKH GHVHUW JUDSSOLQJ ZLWK WKH GHYLO %\ VLPSO\ PHQWLRQLQJ GD\V WKH %LEOH LQGLFDWHV WKDW VRPHWKLQJ VSHFLDO LV WDNLQJ SODFH WKDW WLPH DV ZH H[SHULHQFH LW E\ WKH PRYHPHQW of the sun and stars or the ticking of a clock (“chromosâ€?) has been UHSODFHG E\ *RGÂśV WLPH ÂłNDLURV´ :KDW WDNHV SODFH GXULQJ WKH GD\V RI /HQW KDSSHQV LQ D WLPH VHW DVLGH IRU XV WR H[SHULHQFH *RG LQ XQLTXH DQG VSHFLDO ZD\V While Lent is a season unto itself, it exists because of Easter. (YHU\WKLQJ WKDW WDNHV SODFH GXULQJ RXU /HQWHQ MRXUQH\ SUHSDUHV XV WR PRUH IXOO\ SDUWLFLSDWH LQ -HVXVÂś SDVVLRQ GHDWK DQG UHVXUUHFWLRQ -XVW DV -HVXV EHIRUH +H EHJDQ +LV SXEOLF PLQLVWU\ ZHQW LQWR WKH GHVHUW IRU GD\V ÂłWR EH WHPSWHG by the devilâ€? – as Matthew, Mark DQG /XNH H[SUHVV LW Âą VR WRR PXVW Christians confront our demons DQG FRPH WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH WHPStations that affect our lives. :KLOH /HQW LV D SHULRG RI SHQance, of cleansing, of reordering our OLYHV LW LV QRW D SHULRG RI SXQLVKPHQW PRUWLÂżFDWLRQ RU DEXVH 5DWKer, it is a time for taking control of RXU OLYHV JHWWLQJ RXU DSSHWLWHV XQGHU control, of hearing the good news of -HVXV DQG EHLQJ FKDQJHG E\ LW From the earliest days of Christianity, Lent has been unGHUVWRRG DV D WLPH RI SUHSDUDWLRQ for Easter. St Irenaeus (of the second century) mentions the Lenten IDVW DV D KRXU SUDFWLFH KDQGHG GRZQ IURP WKH DSRVWOHV )RU D WLPH /HQWHQ SUDFWLFHV became very austere. Christians were required to abstain from eatLQJ PHDW RU DQ\ SURGXFW WKDW FDPH

Students in Manila with the cross marked on their foreheads. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, which lasts for 40 days until the beginning of the Easter triduum. &16 ÂżOH photo

from animals during the Lenten VHDVRQ DQG WR SUDFWLFH D VWULQJHQW IDVW IURP PRVW RI OLIHœV SOHDVXUHV 7KH SUDFWLFH RI 0DUGL *UDV RU fat Tuesday, and Carnival develRSHG DV D UHVXOW RI WKHVH DXVWHUH SUDFWLFHV SHRSOH DWH DOO RI WKH IDW in their homes and had festive celebrations before Lent began because they knew that they would have little to eat or celebrate during Lent. Today, the requirements for fastLQJ DQG DEVWLQHQFH DUH OHVV VHYHUH – On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday Catholics 18 and older are asked to fast – limit

themselves to one full meal a day. – On Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday those 14 and older are to abstain from eating meat. Pregnant and nursing mothers DQG WKRVH ZKR DUH LOO DUH H[HPSW from these requirements. The fasting requirement is removed for WKRVH DQG ROGHU 7KH SUDFWLFH RI JLYLQJ XS VRPHWKLQJ IRU /HQW LV VWLOO D YDOXHG SUDFWLFH EXW QRW UHTXLUHG The Second Vatican Council UHYLWDOLVHG WKH EDSWLVPDO FDWHFKXmenate. The catechumenate is WKH SURFHVV XVHG E\ WKH &KXUFK WR

Lent is a time for taking control of our lives, getting our appetites under control, of hearing the good news of Jesus and being changed by it.

SUHSDUH DGXOWV WR HQWHU WKH &KXUFK WKURXJK WKH VDFUDPHQWV RI EDSWLVP FRQ¿UPDWLRQ DQG (XFKDULVW UHceived usually at the Easter Vigil. We are called to listen intently WR WKH *RVSHO UHDGLQJV HDFK 6XQGD\ DQG SRQGHU ZLWK WKRVH VHHNLQJ EDSWLVP ZKDW LW PHDQV WR KDYH been blind but now see because of -HVXV KRZ -HVXV RIIHUV XV OLYLQJ ZDWHU WKDW IXO¿OOV DOO RI RXU WKLUVW and what it means to be born to a new life in Christ. This is now the heart of our Lenten journey. May Lent be a sacred time for \RX D SHULRG RI FOHDQVLQJ DQG RI FRQIURQWLQJ SHUVRQDO GHPRQV of renewal and recommitment to IDLWK LQ &KULVW -HVXV „ CNS Mulhall is a catechist and writer in Laurel, Maryland.

Gaining spiritual strength for the rest of the year CNS photo

XS D ZHOOVSULQJ RI VWUHQJWK DQG UHVLVWDQFH WR SDLQ DQG IDWLJXH 7KH\ SUHSDUH IRU WKH SHULOV DKHDG E\ LQFUHDVLQJ WKHLU FDSDFLW\ IRU DFKLHYHPHQW DQG WROHUDQFH RI SUHVVXUH Like athletic training, we emSOR\ D GLHW RI 6FULSWXUH ZH H[HUFLVH LQ WKH IRUP RI SUD\HU DQG ZH EXLOG XS UHVHUYHV GXULQJ /HQW WKDW ZLOO come in handy when we face our

By Louise McNulty AS a child I thought I deserved to celebrate on Easter if I’d managed to go 40 days without eating chocolate, biting my nails or humming in church. My grandmother, however, threw a monkey wrench into such thinking when she said, “You can’t judge your success in Lent by how you feel on Easter Monday.â€? Lent is a way for us to imitate &KULVW E\ GRLQJ SHQDQFH IRU GD\V – a kind of “thank youâ€? for coming to earth to suffer and die for our sins. Lent isn’t a time for “achievLQJ´ DQ\WKLQJ ,W LV D WLPH RI SUHSaration. ,Q /XNH ZHÂśUH WROG WKDW ÂłLQ WKRVH GD\V +H GHSDUWHG WR WKH PRXQWDLQ WR SUD\ DQG +H VSHQW WKH QLJKW LQ SUD\HU WR *RG´ &KULVW GLGQÂśW VSHQG GD\V LQ WKH ZLOGHUQHVV WR SURYH +H FRXOG UHVLVW WHPSWDWLRQ +H GLG LW WR SUHSDUH for the days ahead when He’d be mocked, scorned, beaten, crowned with thorns and mercilessly cruciÂżHG +H GLG LW WR VWUHQJWKHQ +LPVHOI

It’s important to maintain this spiritual strength gained during Lent. 5XQQHUV LQ WKH $OO 6DLQWV UDFH DSSURDFK WKH ¿QLVK OLQH DW 6W 3HWHUœV 6TXDUH on Nov 1. Lent is like a maintenance programme of Scripture, good deeds DQG IDVWLQJ DQG UHTXLUHV WROHUDQFH DQG VWUHQJWK VLPLODU WR DWKOHWLF WUDLQLQJ

and show us how to resist the devil. In a sense, we’re like athletes of a different kind during Lent. $WKOHWHV GRQœW MXVW JR RXW DQG SOD\ D JDPH RU FRPSHWH LQ D PDUDWKRQ ZLWKRXW ¿UVW JRLQJ WKURXJK ULJRURXV

WUDLQLQJ (YHQ 7LPRWK\ VD\V WKDW 6FULSWXUH LV ³XVHIXO IRU WHDFKing, for refutation, for correction and for training in righteousness�. Athletes watch their diet, exerFLVH DSSURSULDWH PXVFOHV DQG EXLOG

toughest battles throughout the year. Remember that once it’s over, Lent doesn’t come around again IRU PRUH WKDQ GD\V 6R LWœV LPSRUWDQW WR PDLQWDLQ WKLV VSLUitual strength gained during Lent. A marathon runner trains for a race for months. Win or lose, when it’s over he might modify KLV JUXHOOLQJ UHJLPHQ %XW KH

doesn’t want to lose the stamina and muscle tone that took so much HIIRUW WR EXLOG XS +HœOO FRQWLQXH as should we, a moderate workRXW D PDLQWHQDQFH SURJUDPPH ,Q our case it should include a mainWHQDQFH SURJUDPPH RI 6FULSWXUH good deeds and fasting. 7UDLQLQJ GXULQJ /HQW ZLOO SURvide us with a touching stone to go WR IRU VSLULWXDO VWUHQJWK 3HUKDSV modifying instead of abandoning /HQWHQ EHKDYLRXUV ZLOO PHULW VSLUitual gold medals. Everyone has seen smokers ZKR JDYH XS WKHLU KDELW IRU /HQW but made it the start of quitting for life. Daily Lenten Massgoers sometimes add a weekday Mass WR WKHLU URXWLQH 3HRSOH ZKR VKHG D IHZ SRXQGV EHFDXVH RI D /HQWHQ diet often continue to eat healthier. 3HUKDSV H[WHQGLQJ /HQWHQ EHhaviours is the key to retaining the PRUDO VWDPLQD EXLOW XS LQ WKH VHDVRQ DQG NHHSLQJ WKH MR\ RI (DVWHU alive all year long. „ CNS McNulty is a freelance writer who lives in Akron, Ohio.

FEATURE 19

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Producer Mark Burnett (left) with his actors on the set of the movie Son of God. CNS photo

Son of God movie is ‘a love story’, say husband-wife producers WASHINGTON – The upcoming

movie “Son of Godâ€? should be seen as “a love storyâ€?, according to two of its executive producers, the husband-and-wife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. “This really is a love story – the greatest love story ever told,â€? Downey said. The couple brought the 10hour miniseries “The Bibleâ€? to television last year, garnering sizable ratings on the History cable channel. Among those 10 hours was the story of Jesus. But Burnett and Downey decided even before the miniseries was televised that they would make a separate movie focusing on Jesus. “When we were in Morocco ÂżOPLQJ ´ 'RZQH\ VDLG Âł, VDLG WR Mark, ‘We should have been makLQJ D ÂżOP KHUH ϫ 'RZQH\ DOVR plays Mary, mother of the adult Jesus. Burnett concurred, but noted, Âł,W ZDVQÂśW VKRW DQ\ GLIIHUHQWO\´ for multiplexes than The Bible had been for TV. “We use different camera angles. We shoot so PXFK ÂżOP RI HYHU\ VFHQH LWÂśV HDV\ to make alternate choices.â€? “Son of Godâ€? premiered in US FLQHPDV RQ )HE ,W WHOOV WKH VWRry of Jesus through the eyes of an elderly St John – the only apostle ZKR GLG QRW PHHW D PDUW\UÂśV IDWH Âą on the isle of Patmos. 7KH ÂżOP SRUWUD\V WKH VDPH kind of brutality seen in The Passion of the Christ a decade ago, DOWKRXJK LWÂśV FRQFHDOHG RU VXJgested, as it had been in the miniseries. Downey did not dwell on the violent aspect of the movie, but LQ FRPSDULQJ WKH WZR ÂżOPV QRWHG 0HO *LEVRQÂśV ÂżOP SUHVXSSRVHV the viewer knows the story of Jesus, as it begins with Holy Thursday. Son of God, though, begins ZLWK -HVXVÂś ELUWK DQG WKURXJK WKH signs and wonders He performs LQ WKH ÂżUVW KRXU RI WKH PRYLH VKH said, “you get a chance to fall in love with Him all over againâ€?.

During a Feb 4 interview with Catholic News Service while Downey and Burnett were in Washington to promote the movie, Downey said the endorsement of religious leaders is a big help. Two Catholic prelates have endorsed “Son of God�: Cardinal Donald W Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Jose H Gomez of Los Angeles. “Cardinal Wuerl has been so much of a help to us,� she added.

Diogo Morgado plays the role of Jesus. CNS photo

2QH RI 'RZQH\ÂśV IDYRULWH PRments in the movie is not from the dramatic side of the movie, but VRPHWKLQJ WKDW ZDVQÂśW HYHQ LQ WKH VFULSW ,Q D VFHQH SUHVDJLQJ -HVXVÂś IHHGLQJ RI WKH ÂżYH WKRXVDQG -HVXV and the Apostles are in a boat near the coastline. Children running along the shore wave to Jesus, and Jesus (Diogo Morgado) waves back and smiles. Âł7KDW ZDVQÂśW -HVXV ZDYLQJ ´ Downey said. “That was Diogo waving.â€? “We got so much feedback [after the miniseries] from people saying they like what Diogo Morgado brought to the role.â€? Morgado, who is from PortuJDO KDV VWDUUHG LQ ÂżOPV SURGXFHG in Brazil and Spain. He has leadLQJ UROHV LQ WZR LQGHSHQGHQW ÂżOPV which will be released in the US soon. „ CNS

20

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

AFTER God had created the heavens and the earth, the light and the darkQHVV WKH ELUGV DQG WKH ÂżVK +H FUHDWHG D PDQ 7KHQ +H SODQWHG D JDUGHQ LQ the East, and called it Eden, which would be the home for the man. There were many trees in the garden, but in the centre were the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God said to the man, “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the JDUGHQ H[FHSW WKH WUHH RI NQRZOHGJH of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die.â€? As the Lord considered the man, +H VDLG Âł,W LV QRW JRRG IRU WKH PDQ WR EH DORQH , ZLOO PDNH D KHOSHU VXLWHG to him.â€? The Lord brought wild animals and birds to the man, and the man

gave them names, but none of these FUHDWXUHV ZHUH WKH KHOSHUV WKH /RUG wanted for the man. +H SXW WKH PDQ LQWR D YHU\ GHHS VOHHS WRRN RXW RQH RI KLV ULEV DQG healed the wound. Then, from the rib of the man, the Lord created a womDQ DQG SUHVHQWHG KHU WR WKH PDQ 7KH man said, “This one, at last, is bone of P\ ERQHV DQG Ă€HVK RI P\ Ă€HVK 7KLV one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man this one has been taken.â€? Also in the garden was another creature, one that was lying and dishonest: the snake. The snake said to the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?â€? The woman answered, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Oengus

found them and was angry when they WROG +LP WKH\ KDG HDWHQ WKH IUXLW RI the tree. „ Read more about it: Genesis 2 & 3

Q&A 1. What tree did God say the man and woman could not eat from? 2. What did the snake say to the woman?

Wordsearch:

„ HEAVEN 2HQJXV G ZDV NQRZQ E\ VHYHUDO WHUPV PRVW RI „ GARDEN ZKLFK DUH XQIDPLOLDU WR XV WRGD\ +H ZDV FDOOHG D ÂłFXOGHH´ RU Âł*RGÂśV YDVVDO VHUYDQW ´ D &HOWLF WHUP XVHG WR GHVFULEH „ SNAKE VRPHRQH OLYLQJ D SHQLWHQWLDO OLIH +H HQWHUHG WKH PRQDVWLF OLIH ZKHQ KH ZDV D \RXQJ ER\ DQG RYHU WLPH KH HDUQHG D UHSXWDWLRQ IRU EHLQJ D YHU\ KRO\ DQG HGXFDWHG PDQ +H VSHQW PXFK RI KLV GD\ SUD\LQJ DQG reciting religious texts. %HFDXVH KLV GHYRWLRQ ZDV EHJLQQLQJ WR DWWUDFW PRUH attention to himself than he wanted, Oengus later entered another monastery, without revealing his true identity and DVNHG IRU D SRVLWLRQ DV D VHUYDQW ZKLFK KH ZDV JUDQWHG :H honour him on March 11. „

touch it, or else you will die.’� The snake said, “God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes ZLOO EH RSHQHG DQG \RX ZLOO EH OLNH gods, who know good and evil.� The woman saw that the tree was beautiful, so she ate the fruit and then she gave some of it to the man. When the man and the woman heard the Lord walking in the garGHQ WKH\ KLG IURP +LP %XW WKH /RUG

„ WOMAN „ CREATED „ FRUIT

PUZZLE: „ HELPER „ WOUND „ FLESH

1. God created the world in seven days. (1) 2. God told Noah to build a large temple. (6) $EUDPÂśV ÂżUVW VRQ ZDV QDPHG Isaac. (16) 4. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. (19) 5. Isaac was the father of twin sons. (25) 6. Joseph sold one of his brothers into slavery. (37)

Bible Accent:

7. Pharaoh gave Joseph a powerful position in Egypt. (41)

Answers to Puzzle: 1. T, 2. F, 3. F, 4. T, 5. T, 6. F, 7. T

The name Eden has its origin in two words, the +HEUHZ ZRUG IRU OX[XU\ DQG SOHDVXUH DQG DOVR WKH 6XPHULDQ ZRUG IRU SODLQ RU VWHSSH ZKLFK DUH JHRJUDSKLFDO IHDWXUHV 7KH %RRN RI *HQHVLV VD\V WKDW IRXU ULYHUV IORZ LQWR WKLV JDUGHQ WR ZDWHU LW DQG NHHS LW IHUWLOH 7KH %RRN RI (]HNLHO &KDSWHU VSHDNV RI WKLV VDPH SODFH FDOOLQJ LW ÂłWKH JDUGHQ RI *RG´ %LEOLFDO VFKRODUV GLVDJUHH RQ WKH H[DFW ORFDWLRQ of the garden, and some say that it would have inFOXGHG ODQG WKDW LV QRZ SDUW RI ,UDQ DQG WKDW WZR RI WKH ULYHUV PHQWLRQHG LQ WKH %LEOH DUH WRGD\ÂśV (XSKUDtes and Tigris rivers, just as they were called in Old 7HVWDPHQW WLPHV 7KH SURSKHW -RHO DOVR PHQWLRQV WKH JDUGHQ RI (GHQ LQ RQH RI KLV SURSKHFLHV „

Based on the Book of Genesis, mark whether the following statements are true or false. Chapter numbers have been provided as hints.

KIDS’ CLUB: Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: What can we learn from the disobedience of Adam and Eve?

Answer to Wordsearch

By Joe Sarnicola

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday March 9, 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 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 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

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. ONGOING RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA At 10 Yishun St 22. E: rcia.olss@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

MARCH 7 TO MAY 2 BIBLE OVER COFFEE WITH FR EMMANUEL DP (YHU\ ÂżUVW DQG WKLUG )ULGD\ of the month with Fr Emmanuel who uses French art to explain the bible. At Church of Christ the King (RCIA room). T: 9832 1538 (Lene); E: ctkbat@hotmail.com

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

FRIDAY MARCH 7 TO SUNDAY MARCH 9 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND 6pm (Fri)-6pm (Sun): A live-in marriage enrichment programme for happily married couples. A once in a lifetime experience. By Worldwide Marriage Encounter. At 201-B Punggol 17th Avenue. Register T: 9670 5390 (Vincent/Julyn); E: register@marriage-encounter-sg.org

SATURDAY MARCH 15 TO SUNDAY MARCH 16 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY CRASH COURSE 9am-5pm (both days): Learn about Pope John Paul II’s revolutionary Theology of the Body. It concerns the Gospel, the bible, the whole mission of Christ. Cost: $17 (workbook). By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At International Plaza, 10 Anson Road, 29-03A. T: 9649 3893 (Andrew); E: andrewkong@me.com

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 LQÀXHQFH 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 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. 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 MONDAYS MARCH 10 TO APRIL 14 LENTEN REFLECTION DP SP /HQWHQ UHÀHFWLRQ EDVHG RQ WKH DUFKGLRFHVHœV /HQWHQ UHÀHFWLRQ ERRNOHW By Catholic Prayer Society. At 206/208A Telok Ayer St. T: 9821 6187 (Elizabeth); E:alphacac@catholic.org.sg FRIDAY MARCH 14 TO SUNDAY MARCH 16 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND 6pm (Fri)-5pm (Sun): Run by people who have shared a similar experience, we want to help you work through your grief and put the past behind you, to be healed, to ¿QG QHZ KRSH LQ OLIH DQG WR EH IUHH DJDLQ to love yourself, God and other people. Register T: 9661 8089 (Joseph), 9828 5162 (Jean); E: josephchew@ippfa.com

MARCH 16 IHM LENTEN BLOODMOBILE 10.30am-3.30pm: Bring passport or IC. Donors between 16 to 60 years old and weigh at least 45kg. At IHM Church Hall (24 Highland Rd). MARCH 16 LENTEN PRAYER IN TAMIL AND ENGLISH 1-6pm: Retreat and intercessory prayer followed by Mass at 7pm. At Blessed Sacrament Church Damien Centre St James Room. T: 6474 5249 MARCH 19 SERRA BI-MONTHLY HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS 7.30-8.30pm: All are welcome to pray for more priestly vocations and for priests. By Serra Club of Singapore. At Church of St Bernadette adoration room. Register E: info@serrasingapore.org MARCH 19 CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY 7pm: Dinner cum talk on Carmelite Spirituality by Fr Edward Lim, OCD. Cost: $25 (per talk inclusive of dinner). By CANA. At Crossings CafÊ (55 Waterloo St). Register T: 6338 4080; E: canatheplacetobe2013@gmail.com MARCH 19 HEALING MASS 8pm: Celebrant: Fr Tom Curran, OCD. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul (Level 3 chapel). Register E: cutesheep@gmail.com 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 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register T: 6757 7990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org 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 oneself. Cost: $45. By His Vineyard. At Blessed Sacrament Church. T: 9730 7795 (Damien), 9430 2377 (Mary); E: hisvineyard@gmail.com MARCH 22 IGNATIAN PRAYER DAY 10am-4pm: Explore what Ignatian prayer feels like. 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

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 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register T: 6757 7990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org 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) 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 29 CATHOLIC SINGLES LENTEN ELDERLY VISITATION DP SP $ YLVLWDWLRQ WR EHQH¿W VLQJOH elderly folks, who are living in 1 room +'% ÀDWV DW &OHPHQWL DQG %XNLW %DWRN Each person would buy non sugary food (any quantity he/she decides) to be distributed to the old folks. By CatholicSingles Singapore. Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com; FB: https://www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesSingapore MARCH 29 CBN LENTEN RETREAT DP SP $ GD\ ¿OOHG ZLWK HQJDJLQJ WDONV UHÀHFWLYH SUDLVH DQG ZRUVKLS DQG small group sharing concluding with Mass. Facilitated by Sr Sandra Seow. Cost: $25 (non-members). By Catholic Business Network. At FMM Retreat House (49D Holland Rd). Register T:9228 4463; E:raymond@cbn.sg MARCH 30 TRAVELLING LIGHT SERIES – WHAT IS YOUR DESTINATION? 2-5pm: For young adults 20 to 40 years old IRU D UHÀHFWLRQ DW .DOODQJ 3DUN &RQQHFWRU Meet at Kallang MRT Cost: $10. By Verbum Dei Missionaries. Register T: 6274 0251; E: verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.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 WEDNESDAYS APRIL 9 TO MAY 28 GALATIANS: A DVD BASED PROGRAMME BY JEFF CAVINS 9.30-11.30am: Learn in this study how to live one’s faith by working in love. Cost: $28. At Church of the Holy Spirit. Register: 8228 8220 (Clare); Email: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com FRIDAY APRIL 11 TO SUNDAY APRIL 13 PRAYER EXPERIENCE RETREAT 8.30am (Fri)-7pm (Sun): The programme is designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and to deepen their prayer experience. It is especially recommended for CER retreatants, following their conversion experience. The PER incorporates praise and worship, prayers, talks, testimonies, healing and counselling. Facilitated by Fr Andrew Wong and Fr Jacob Ong. Register from March 29. T: 6288 7901/6858 2716 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 VXI¿FLHQW registrants. By Natural Family Planning. At Church of the Holy Cross. Register E: bern.and.matt@gmail.com

THURSDAY APRIL 24 TO SUNDAY APRIL 27 A PILGRIMAGE TO BROKEN PLACES 7pm (Thu)-5pm (Sun): The retreat is for WKRVH ZKR ZLVK WR VHHN DQG ÂżQG *RG LQ various broken places of their spiritual life. The experience includes inputs, personal prayer, and opportunities for group sharing and individual spiritual direction. Retreat Master : Fr Christopher Soh. Cost: $270 (non-aircon), $330 (aircon). By CISC. At Kingsmead Centre (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by April 14. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com; W: www.catholic.org.sg/cisc

MAY 24 FINDING GOD IN YOUR WRITING 9.30am-5pm: A full-day writing workshop designed to help you write your sacred story. Through writing exercises and other activities you will explore and express your inmost thoughts and feelings and gain a deeper understanding of self and your relationship with others and with God. No prior writing experience is required. Facilitated by: Roselie Chia (trained writing group leader). Cost: $100 (with lunch and refreshments). By CISC. At Kingsmead Centre (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by May 14. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail. com; W: www.catholic.org.sg/cisc

FRIDAY MAY 2 TO SUNDAY MAY 4 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND 6pm (Fri)-6pm (Sun): A live-in marriage enrichment programme for happily married couples. A once in a lifetime experience. By Worldwide Marriage Encounter. At 201-B Punggol 17th Avenue. Register T: 9670 5390 (Vincent/Julyn); E: register@marriage-encounter-sg.org

FRIDAY MAY 30 TO SUNDAY JUNE 1 DISCOVERING AND LIVING THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE 7pm (Fri)-5pm (Sun): Each of us has a special way of giving and receiving love and life that is unique and unrepeatable DV RXU ¿QJHUSULQW 2QFH ZH NQRZ RXU unique purpose in life, we can choose what’s congruent with it and drop what isn’t. We become fully alive, have energy to overcome obstacles, resolve midlife crises and burnout, and can dream new dreams. Retreat director: Fr Matthew Linn, SJ. Cost: $280 (non-aircon), $330 (aircon). By CISC. At Kingsmead Centre (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by May 20. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com; W: www.catholic.org.sg/cisc

MAY 10 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

Crossword Puzzle 1105 1

2

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4

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6

7

8

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16

17

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19

20

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28

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ACROSS 1 Grandmother of Timothy 5 Ark passenger 9 Jericho heroine 14 Playing an extra SHULRG EULHĂ€\ 15 Hawaiian dance 16 Lyric poem 17 Hawaiian goose 18 Nobel Institute city 19 John, Paul and John Paul 20 Cosmos 22 Take as an affront 23 Holy Name ____ 24 Housing for a patriarch 25 Before, to Byron 26 Plantations 30 Soissons salt 33 ____ of Prague 36 “For our ____, he ZDV FUXFLÂżHG´ 37 Reuben or Gad, for example 39 Decay 40 Actress Winona 41 Biblical dry measure 42 Rachel’s maid (Gen 29:29) 44 Father of Jehoshaphat 45 Cure-all 47 Club stint

49 Equipment 50 ____ Judgment 54 Patron saint of Scandinavia :DWHU SXULÂżHU 58 Paul’s companion during his missionary travels Âł'LHV BBBB´ 60 Ruin 61 Accustom 62 Omission and commission 63 ____-Tass 64 Armed strongholds 65 Some CEOs 66 Girl DOWN 1 Second pope 2 Terse bridge bid 3 Grecian architectural style 4 Musical Wonder 5 Cut down 6 Impudent girl 7 Femme’s pronoun 8 Chairman with a Âł/LWWOH 5HG %RRN´ 9 Turn away from sin 10 Denial of faith 11 One of the three theological virtues 12 Capital of Yemen

13 Of the highest quality 21 Creepy 22 “Eternal _____ JUDQW XQWR WKHP´ 24 A no-coveting commandment 27 “Look how perfectly I SHUIRUPHG ´ 28 Supplements 29 Vaccines 30 Cease 31 Catholic columnist Bombeck 32 Mortgage 34 Brother 35 On-line co. 38 Boastful person 40 Nose (comb.)

42 “My punishment is too great to BBBB ´ *HQ

43 Eternal 46 Stops 48 Small burrowing rodent 50 The Archdiocese of Accra is here 51 Lasso 52 Father-in-law of Caiaphas (Jn 18:13) 53 Ogles ³:KDWHYHU ´ 55 El ____ 56 Insult 57 Creche 59 Catholic ending

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1104 D I E S

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

24 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday March 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

After ‘I do’, comes ‘may I, thank you, sorry’ Pope Francis addresses 30,000 engaged couples at the Vatican on Valentine’s Day VATICAN CITY – Greeting thou-

sands of engaged couples on the feast of St Valentine, Pope Francis told them not to be afraid of building a permanent and loving relationship in a culture where everyWKLQJ LV GLVSRVDEOH DQG Ă€HHWLQJ “The perfect family doesn’t exist, nor is there a perfect husband or a perfect wife, and let’s not talk about the perfect motherin-law!â€? he said to laughter and DSSODXVH Âł,WÂśV MXVW XV VLQQHUV ´ KH VDLG But “if we learn to say we’re sorry and ask [for] forgiveness, the marULDJH ZLOO ODVW´ After a week of heavy rains, bright sunshine warmed St Peter’s Square and the 30,000 people who gathered for an audience on Feb 14 dedicated to couples completing their marriage preparation courses and planning to be marULHG LQ WKH &KXUFK WKLV \HDU The initiative, The Joy of ‘Yes’ Forever, was organised by the 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU WKH )DPLO\ Engaged couples attending the audience received a small white pillow with Pope Francis’ signature and his papal crest; the

cushion has two satin ribbons for securing wedding rings during the PDUULDJH FHUHPRQ\ “Living together is an art, a patient, beautiful and amazing journeyâ€? that “doesn’t end when you’ve won over each others’ KHDUWV´ 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG 5DWKHU “that’s exactly when it beginsâ€?! A healthy family life, he said, absolutely requires frequent use

&RXSOHV ZLOO ÂżJKW EXW ÂľQHYHU QHYHU QHYHU HQG WKH GD\ ZLWKRXW PDNLQJ SHDFHÂś WKH SRSH VDLG of three phrases: “May I? Thank \RX DQG ,ÂśP VRUU\ ´ Love isn’t tough or aggressive, he said, it’s courteous and kind, and in a world that is “often violent and aggressive, we need PXFK PRUH FRXUWHV\´ Obviously, couples will make PLVWDNHV DQG ÂżJKW EXW ÂłQHYHU never, never end the day without PDNLQJ SHDFH´ WKH SRSH VDLG

An eloquent speech isn’t necessary, he said, but things must be set right because if they aren’t, the bad feelings inside will become “cold and hard and it will be more GLIÂżFXOW WR PDNH SHDFH´ DV WLPH JRHV RQ The relationship needs to be taken care of every day, “entrusting yourselves to the Lord Jesus in a life that becomes a daily spiritual journey, made step by step, tiny stepsâ€? toward greater maturity and spiritual growth, the pope DGGHG Like His miracle of multiplying the loaves, Jesus will do the same “also for youâ€?, he said, “multiplying your love and giving it to you good and fresh every GD\´ The pope also urged couples to keep their wedding ceremonies low-key, focusing more on Christ than on the dress, decorations and SKRWRJUDSKHUV A Christian marriage is a celebration, but it must highlight “what’s really importantâ€?, and “the true reason for your joy: the blessing of your love by the /RUG´ KH VDLG „ CNS

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

A couple at Pope Francis’ Valentine Day audience on Feb 14.

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