NOVEMBER 10, 2002, vol 52, no 23

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The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

Fortnightly: SUNDAYS, NOV. 10 - Nov. 17, 2002 SINGAPORE 50C / WEST MALAYSIA RM1.20 Vol. 52 No. 23

FOCUS A p p re c ia tin g th e R o s a ry

IN S ID E

Appreciating

the Rosary -

page 7

Faith in Life ______ p a g e 8

F O R M A T IO N

The 57th Session of the United Nations General Assemby currently sitting is, among other things, discussing in its Second and Third Committees, the Eradication of Poverty in the world. This is in the context of the implementation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006) and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Many conventions at World Summit level have been held periodically during the course of this year on various aspects and issues connected with sustainable development for under-developed and developing countries, but it would appear from the reports before the General Assembly, that spectacular results are far from being in sight. It had been stated in the Millenium Development Goals that the objective was to halve the level o f extreme poverty in the world by the end of 2015.

The report of the UN Secretary General, states that progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been uneven, and that if it continues at the current rate, many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are unlikely to halve extreme poverty by 2015. In order to achieve that goal, the average per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of developing countries would need to increase by 3.6 per cent annually, an unattainable rate for many regions.

Culture of Solidarity

mi C h ild r e n ’s C om er _____p a g e 10

The Holy See (Vatican), through its Permanent Representative to the UN, H. E. Archbishop Renato Martino intervened in the discussions of both the Second and the Third Committee. He reminded members, in the words of the Holy Father, "that terrorist attacks and the many preoccupying situations of injustice throughout the world, remind us that the Millennium just begun presents great challenges. It calls for a resolute and uncompromising commitment on the part of individuals, peoples and nations to defend the inalienable rights and dignity of every member of the human family. At the same time, it demands the building of a global culture of solidarity which will find expression not simply in terms of more effective economic or political organization but more importantly in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation in the service of the common good."

He pointed out that the principles that would help UNESCO’s cross-cutting issues of "poverty eradication, especially extreme poverty and the development of education, must be based upon the recognition of the human dignity, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for cultural differences and uniqueness. That foundational understanding, he emphasized, would then lead to the human solidarity that promotes social cohesion and deeper appreciation of the "the common heritage of humanity".

He repeated the advice of Pope John Paul II, "Only God’s love, capable of making the men and women of every race and culture into brothers and sisters, can make painful divisions, ideological contrasts, economic disparities and the violent abuses that still oppress mankind, disappear."

AGED

Global solidarity the foundation of development This echoes the statement made by the Holy See during the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development: "The fact that the earth and all its resources are part of the "common heritage of all humanity" creates the understanding which fosters interdependence, stresses responsibility and underlines the importance of the principle of global solidarity. This reality becomes the foundation of sustainable development by directing the moral imperatives of justice, international cooperation, peace, security, and the desire to enhance the spiritual and material well-being of present and future generations."

These are not just good ideas or best wishes for the future. Nor can they be seen as only the responsibility of one group, organization or agency. Nor can the discussion centre around only protecting culture from those principles of development that may impact upon it. Instead the discussion must focus on finding the means to allow culture to complement development as development must complement culture.

Poverty - a violation of Human Rights At the Third Committee meeting H.E. Archbishop Renato Martino said that poverty was a paralyzing form of human rights violation. Too many people continued to live without life's basic needs and too many lived without hope.

He voiced disagreement with a statement in a report presented to the assembly which cited population growth among social obstacles to poverty eradication. Archbishop Martino said that not only was that untrue, but it was also harmful to those struggling to overcome poverty.

The elimination of poverty required more than the simple changing of numbers. It required, rather, great effort and political will. It was hoped that the current dialogue would continue and that words would be put into action towards meeting the Millennium Goals and freeing people from poverty.

REFUGEES

_____ p a g e 15 Vatican / UN reports - Editor

D is t in c t io n b e tw e e n “P r ie s t h o o d s ” .p a g e 16

Y e a r o f th e

R o s a ry

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2002 OCTOBER 2003 I n t e r n e t e d it io n o f T h e C a t h o l i c N e w s : h t t p : / / w w w . c a t h o l i c . o r g . s g / C N .

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"Cor Unum" President visits Uganda

o f C h r is t

"Cor Unum” President, Msgr Paul Josef Cordes will be visiting Uganda to draw attention within and outside the Church to the plight of Uganda under the scourge of AIDS. In February 2001, Cor Unum allocated a donation from the Holy Father of Euros 500,000 to some projects of the local Church and the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Theresa of Calcutta. ("Cor Unum" is a Vatican financial aid

At his usual address at noon on Sunday. 27 October, from the window of his study at the Vatican ApostolicPalace, overlooking the Square of St. Peter, Pope John Paul II, spoke of the Year of the Rosary which he had recently declared.

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters We are approaching the end of the month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary. As you know, the coming months until the end of October 2003, make up a special "Year of the Rosary”. Through this means I wish to place the 25th year of my Pontificate under the sign of the Rosary.

The most important motive for re-proposing the practice of the Rosary is the fact that it constitutes a valid means to foster among the faithful the need to contemplate the face of Christ to which we have invited everyone at the beginning of the Grand Jubilee of 2000.

The supreme model of Christian contemplation is the Virgin Mary. From the conception to the Resurrection and Ascension into heaven of Jesus, the Mother kept the gaze of her immaculate heart fixed on her divine Son, a stupendous gaze, a penetrating gaze, a sorrowful gaze, a radiant gaze. It is this Marian gaze, full of faith and love, which every single Christian and ecclesial community makes their own when reciting the Rosary.

To reinforce the Christological dimension of the Rosary, we have enlarged the traditional three cycles of mysteries, the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the Glorious, with a new cycle: the mysteries of light, which refer to the public life of Christ.

As with every authentic prayer, the Rosary does not detract from reality but helps in living the reality interiorily united with Christ in bearing witness to the love of God. Our Apsotolic Letter therefore, exhorts the faithful to rediscover the beauty of the recitation of the Rosary in the family. "The Family that prays together, stays to­ gether."

The Rosary is, moreover, a prayer, which by its very nature is oriented to peace. In this Year of the Rosary, the faithful are called to hold their gaze, fixed on Christ, the Prince of Peace, because in the hearts and between peoples there remain thoughts and gestures of justice and peace.

We invoke, today in particular, the intercession of the Madonna, so much loved by the Russian people, in these days of such great suffer­ ing. [ The Holy Father was speaking as the recent tragic drama o f Moscow unfolded ] Meanwhile we pray for the victims of the recent tragedy and we beseech the Holy Virign that such acts will never again occur.

O Mary, who put into our hands the Holy Rosary, teach us to recite it and become, in your school, authentic contemplatives and witnesses of Christ.

organization set up to provide immediate response to emergency relief situations.)

Vatican Press Reports

Children are at the centre of this visit. In Unganda 50% of all children have lost at least 1 of their parents to AIDS. The vast majority of these children risk finishing on the streets and being involved in petty crime.

The priorities of the financial initiatives of "Cor Unum" are: -

New Vatican Website

_ -

Tuesday 29 October 2002, saw the presentation of the new website of the Vatican Apostolic Library, the fruit of a collaboration of the Holy See and Hewlett-Packard.

At the launch were: His Eminence Card. Jorge Marfa Mejfa, Librarian of the Holy

Roman Church H.E. Msgr. Claudio Maria Celli,

Secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See; Rev. Raffaele Farina, Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library Engineer Nicola Aliperti,

Administrative Delegate of Hewlett-Packard Italiana; Dr. Ambrogio Piazzoni, Vice Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library.

Incidentally, on 1 November, a redesigned Website of the Vatican was also launched.

E u r o p e a n C o n v e n t io n

Perspective of Eternity

P r e s id e n t m e e t s P o p e

At his usual address on Sunday 3 November, our Holy Father addessed the world:

On October 31, Mr Valery Discard d'Estaing, President of the European Convention met with the Holy Father and later, with Vatican Secretary of state, Card. Angelo Sodano, together with the Vatican Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Msgr. JeanLouis Tauran. The meeting was an occasion for an exchange of views on Europe. They also discussed the future European Constitution and the interests of believers in European countries where, by and large they are the majority, in respect of their specific contribution to life in Europe.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters, yesterday, we celebrated the annual liturgical Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed. In the Church throughout the world there arose a chorus of invocation the God of life and peace that he might gather into his Reign of infinite light all the souls, especially those who are abandonned and in need of his divine mercy.

The Christian prayer for the dead which characterizes the month of November can only be seen in the light of the Resurrection of Christ.

The world today needs, more than ever, to rediscover the meaning of life and death in the perspective of eternal life. Without this perspective, modern culture, born of the exaltation of man and his dignity will be transformed, paradoxically, into a culture of death, when deprived of the perspective of God, because it will become a prisoner of the world.

In this Year of the Rosary, let us meditate in the school of the Virgin, and learn to contemplate with her the mystery of Christ, dead and risen, the hope of eternal life for every man.

. . o n c u rr e n t in te rn a tio n a l is s u e s .

V A T IC A N

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give families to the orphans provide education through setting up schools provide health education to prevent AIDS provide professional formation for youth who are released from juvenile prison to establish a house for children with terminal AIDS to be run by the Missionaries of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

The work has been enlarged and can now assist more than 1,000 babies. The programme of "Cor Unum" will be inserted into the whole fight against AIDS at the national level within the param­ eters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Authority.

Catholic organizations are at present engaged on this front: Uganda has become a "country-laboratory in the fight against AIDS and it is one of the few countries that had registered a drop from 9.51% to 8.30%. These results are by no means a target, but a beginning of a renewed interest and a growing effort.

Msgr. Cordes will also visit Kampala where there is a centre for professional formation of youth who have been released from juvenile prison, a home for 60 babies with terminal AIDS run by the Missionaries of Mother Theresa and also an orphanage "Nsambya Babies Home” and a professional school for orphans caused by AIDS.

Joint Committee Formed Following the rejection of the original Norms and Policies dealing with allegations of Sexual abuse of Minors by priests and the Charter for the Protection of Young People, submitted by the Conference of Bishops of the United States, the Vatican had proposed a Joint Committee of Officials of the Vatican and representatives of the US Bishops' Conference for the Revision of the Norms and Policies and the Charter.

The names of the members of the joint Committee were recently announced.

Members representing the Congregations of the Holy See

His Eminence Card. Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy; H.E. Msgr. Julian Herranz, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts; H.E. Msgr. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith H.E. Msgr. Francesco Monterisi, Secretary for the Congregation for the Bishops Members representing the Conference of US Catholic Bishops:

His Eminence Card. Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago; H.E. Msgr. William Joseph Levada, Archbishop of San Francisco; H.E. Msgr. Thomas George Doran, Bishop of Rockford; H.E. Msgr. William Edward Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport.

M h i mm mm mm mm mmt mm mm mm mm ^ F o r in fo rm a tio n , p le a s e p o s t to:

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‘Roadshow’ creates awareness for need of Diocesan Priestly Vocations -

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Starting Date: DR. / MR. / MRS. / MS. ADDRESS:

S ta y in to u c h w ith th e C h u r c h in S in g a p o re a n d th e w o r ld

by Seminarian Brother Valerian Cheong T h e la s t w e e k e n d o f O c to b e r 2 0 0 2 s a w th e C h u rc h o f th e Im m a c u la te H e a rt o f M a ry (IH M ) a t H ig h la n d R o a d b e in g ‘in v a d e d ’ b y a b a n d o f y o u n g p rie s ts a n d s e m in a ria n s fo r w h a t is to b e th e b e g in n in g o f a s e rie s o f q u a rte r ly ‘r o a d s h o w s ’ fo r e v e r y d is tric t in

Augustine said that the “most crucial part is the spiritual and human aspects of formation and that the intellectual growth is only one other aspect.”

A member of the audience asked if priests got the chance to visit their families and friends. Fr Luke Fong replied that diocesan priests do take a day off per week and for him, he got even closer to his family once he got ordained.

A catechist from Our Lady Star of the Sea, Christine Fabiana Joseph, commented “the video was enlightening as it showed why men want to become priests and why it’s so fulfilling.” The forum also gave her a better understanding of parents’ view of their sons becoming priests. She added, “the roadshow helps us think deeply of our vocation in life.”

Marcus Neubrounner and Joshua Nevis, both junior catechists from Our Lady Star of the Sea, felt that the roadshow was an enriching experience. “It was insightful, especially the vocation stories of the priests,” Nevis continued.

Gerard Chua, a parishioner of IHM, mentioned that the “roadshow was informative as it helps one to understand more about the call to the priesthood.” Adding to this, Colin Kang, a catechist from the parish saw the necessity of the roadshow as it “created an awareness of what the diocesan priest is like.” The photograph exhibition was “good because the pictures depicted seminary life, especially the ‘humanness’ of seminarians in their time for prayers, meals, lectures, games, manual work and recreation time.”

A parishioner from Christ the King Church, Firmin Lee, 17, was keen to find out more about life in the seminary and was pleased to have attended the forum. He was “eager to try it out,” and will be attending one of the two vocation camps that will be held at the end of the year at the Major Seminary.

In his concluding address, Fr J J Fenelon, associate priest from Holy Trinity, reminded parents that the “seeds of vocation have to be planted in family life.” It is not so much as asking their sons to be priests, but more so, “to be a God-centred family" whereby young people today will carry with them through adult life this “love relationship with God that has been inculcated in them from young.” He re-iterated that it is this “deep love for God that warrants us to make a change in our life, rather than ‘giving up’ a career for the priesthood.” “The call,” he said, “is a vocation for each one of you.”

The theme of the roadshow, “One life to live.

One life to give.”, was not for seminarians and priests to perform, sing and dance! But instead, it was for them to show and explain what the diocesan priesthood is about. The weekend saw priests sharing their vocation stories, presenting the seminarians to the congregation, a video presentation, a photograph-exhibition, and most of all, by an open forum given by a ‘young’ priest, parents of a priest, and a seminarian.

During the forum, a wide spectrum of questions ranging from “What do we parents do if our sons wanted to be a priest?” to “Has anyone left priestly training halfway?” to “Will we be able to see our parents regularly should we become priests?” were fielded to the panel.

To the question of whether he was apprehensive when he heard that his son wanted to be a priest, Mr Francis Fong, father of Fr Luke Fong, associate priest at St Anne’s in Sengkang said, “Don’t worry that you have to give up your son, because he will be just as filial after his ordination.” His wife, Mrs Millicent Fong, said that she “gave full consent and wished him well.” Like Mrs Jenny Yeo, mother of Frs Adrian Yeo and Ignatius Yeo, associate priests at the Church of the Risen Christ and the Church of the Holy Cross respectively, Mrs Fong added that “since the day our son entered the seminary, I have been praying every day for him.”

Br Augustine Arin Sugit, who is from the Apostolic Prefecture of Brunei and a 2nd year philosophy seminarian, was asked how he felt life in the seminary was for him. “Seminary is a joy, yet a challenge,” and shared that for him, it took about three months to get adjusted to the new and strange environment. “The fun part”, he added, is “living in a community, and helping one another,” but the greater challenge is the continual “process of discerning our own vocation and asking whether this is really what we want to do in life."

Br Stanislaus Pang, a final year seminarian was posed the question as to “what will happen if a seminarian is poor in his studies?” His reply was that as far as he knew, “I have not heard of any seminarian having to leave a seminary on the account that he is poor in his studies alone.” Besides the intellectual aspect, there is also the human, spiritual and pastoral formation of the seminarian.” To this, Br

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In

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errorism, it appears, has come to dominate world news. Hardly a day passes without articles on some aspect of terrorism in the press, whether local or world.

Unfortunately, the coverage doesn't slacken, since new episodes, continue to occur seemingly on a regular basis. Hopefully, we are all not going to get so used to the idea, that we will be accepting such taragic occurences as part and parcel of life today, to the point where we just wonder: "Where next?"

One outcome of all this is "heightened security". If intelligence and security agencies around the world were getting bored with inactivity, they certainly have their hands /n n n full now. Whilst, in the past, certain "sensitive" areas had T h e E d ito r high levels of security, it would iinwnmirrTiiMWMMMiiiiiMiiifiiii seem that now, whole cities D r (R e v ) R o b e rt P. B a lh e tc h e t and countries have become security zones. Yet with all the heightened security, episodes of terrorist activity con­ tinue to occur.

Attempts have been made to understand the "ration­ ale" of the terrorism of today in the hope that such an understanding might eventually produce an "antidote".

The immediate "antidote" would obviously have a "mili­ tary" flavour to match that of the brand of terrorism.

The brand of the current terrorism, has, however revealed another flavour in terms of religion. This has resulted in a rush for what is thought to be the obvious antidote - inter-religious dialogue.

We need to ponder, however, whether there is really a "religion” as such, per se (in itself), which is seeking to terrorize the world and pave the way, so we are being led to believe, to become some sort of new political entity, with, perhaps, super-power adventurism!

Perhaps we are being naive, but we venture to

T

U to p ia ?

suggest that this is not so. It may appear so, but we opine that this is merely an opportunistic guise. To pursue a particular "agenda", whatever that is, and to influence the mases and gain popular support, one needs strong motivation, a rallying point, so to speak. In propagandist terminology, one needs to "create an enemy", then, the powerful fundamental instincts of self-preservation and self-defense will provide all the motivation that is needed for individuals and the masses to rally to a cause.

When one considers the present scenario one cannot help noticing, if one doesn't allow oneself to be side­ tracked by the religious veneer, that there is a "common enemy" and that that common enemy is not "other religions" but a general situation of being "down-trodden" in one form or another in terms of fundamental human rights. That these situations can be identified with other cultures and/or religions makes the identification of the "enemy" even more convenient and convincing.

Our Holy Father has repeatedly called for a sense of global human solidarity, but his calls seem to fall on deaf political ears. It suffices to follow the interventions of the Holy See's Representatives at the various assemblies and Conventions of the United Nations to realize this.

Until all nations acknowlege and accept that the world and all its resources is the common heritage of all humanity and that the wonderful UN Charter of Funda­ mental Human Rights is not just an historical document to be relegated to the archives, we can expect to continue to be held hostage to extremists of one hue or another, feeding on the frustrated aspirations of masses of human­ ity.

But as the Vatican Representative pointed out recently at a UN General Assembly: Pledges are easy to make.

What is difficult, what takes time and energy and political will, is the carrying out of those pledges; of changing words into acitons.

T H E PE W S ■■nan

P a r k in g

W o e s

Most churches have some kind of parking woes every weekend when worshippers come in droves. But thankfully, we have parishioners who volunteer their time and effort to be traffic wardens so that everyone can have smoother traffic into and out of the church compound. It is therefore quite shocking to hear and see parishioners who drive to church who not only disregard the directions given by the wardens but also verbally abuse them.

May I suggest that those who think they are still calling the shots like they do during the week cast aside their pride and selfishness and learn to humbly take advice from other people who are around to help the church. If they refuse to listen, then please park their cars in the parking lots around the housing estates. If they continue to disregard the wardens’ advice, then perhaps they deserve to be “blacklisted" and the priviledge to park in the church compound taken away from them.

Or perhaps, they can take the role of the wardens for a month and learn a thing or two about respect and patience.

The parish priests can only cajole and encourage the parishioners but ultimately, it is up to the latter who drive to ask themselves whether this is just another ordinary meeting they are going for. Surely it is one where it does not matter how much money you have made during the week, whether you drive or not or whether you have a bigger car than your neighbour, or whether you are clothed in the latest fashion. The disposition of the heart is all that matters.

HSL Yes, indeed, it would seem that this problem is rather widespread. It shouldn't be so - that's for sure! This is ju st one application o f "faith in life". While we call ourselves Christians and followers o f Christ, it would seem from indications such as these, that one can wonder whether we take our faith to be just a set o f practices that we observe in terms o f worship, or whether we see our faith as something that has to pervade our entire lives.

Surely we can't be completely perfect in living out our faith in each and every aspect o f daily living, but we all certainly need to make serious attempts to do so, particularly in areas which are not really all that difficult to infuse with the spirit o f love and consideration for our neighbour. The saying that if we can't be faithful in little things, how can we be faithful in big things would appear to apply.

Faith am id T erro rism PAKISTAN, Karachi, (UCAN) — Religion teachers in Karachi archdiocese have been advised to communicate the Good News to Pakistani children whose faith has been shaken by terrorist attacks on Christians.

Emmanuel Neno, director of the Catechetical Centre in Karachi, recently reminded religion teacher trainees, “Your task nowadays should be seen as sharing faith” so as to “help students experience God in daily life.”

There is an urgency to spread the Good News to counter growing fears of terrorist attacks on Christians that have “shaken the faith of our children,” Neno explained. “Give them the courage to face these realities and help them understand what the difficulties ahead mean.” The teachers, he added, must “find strength and courage for the task through a firm trust in God’s help.”

At the training session on Oct. 26, he told the 31 trainees they face a greater challenge today than ever before. The trainees are teachers in 15 archdiocesan primary schools that use Urdu as the medium of instruction.

Neno also reminded them that “though Christ’s message is unchanging for all time, it must be given new expression that speaks to today’s problems.” He praised their efforts to do so and acknowledged that religious education is a little-appreciated and difficult task.

The past year has seen repeated attacks on Christians. Two gunmen entered the Karachi office of Idara-e-Amn-o-lnsaf (committee for justice and peace) on Sept. 25 and shot dead six Catholics and one Protestant staff of the Christian NGO. In August, militants fired on a Christian school, killing five employees and a bystander. Less than a week later, grenades hurled at a Christian hospital chapel killed four

nurses and injured dozens of people.

Militants in March also attacked a church in Islamabad’s diplomatic quarter and killed five people. In October 2001, militants killed 15 worshippers at a Protestant service in a Catholic church in Bahawalpur, central Pakistan.

During the training, Shumaila Bashir, archdiocesan coordinator for religious education in Urdu schools, encouraged the teachers to continue developing a willingness to serve by witnessing and sharing Christ’s teaching to foster the students’ spiritual growth.

Shazia Sharif, program coordinator at the catechetical center, introduced a seven-step method of Bible sharing that includes reading and prayer. She also urged the teachers to study the Bible in the light of Church teaching because their work is essential to helping students understand prayer as a personal communication with God and a unified expression of the Church. She also told the teachers to encourage their students to attend Mass regularly.

Neno told UCA News many Christian children do not attend Church-run schools and have no opportunity to study their religion. Like their Muslim neighbors, though, they greatly respect the word of God. They read the Bible reverently but at times endow it with almost magical properties, using Biblical texts in amulets and spells. Many young Catholics, he said, also share the distaste of Muslims for statues and holy pictures, which are forbidden in Islam.

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, is on the country’s southeastern coast. Christians, representing less than 2 percent of all people in Pakistan, live scattered among Muslims, who make up more than 95 percent of the people.

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by Desmond and Janice Chiang Two groups from the New Evangelization Team (ACMA) undertook a mission exposure at Tanjong Balai, Karimun Islands, Indonesia in September and October.

Fr. Marcel Gabriel, the local priest, was at the door of his small parish church to welcome them.

He gave them a brief overview about the church community and his work not only in Tg. Balai but also on some neighbouring islands. There are approximately 20,000 Catholics in the Karimun islands.

The first exposure was some miles outside of Tg. Balai. Travelling on a really old fashioned bus, the 45-minute journey brought them to a convent run by some local Sisters. The group was warmly welcomed by three Sisters and a parishioner, Madam Ai Chin.

After a brief introduction they proceeded to the 3-storey school located next to the convent to meet the teachers and students. The teachers and students were very welcoming. In one of the classes, the students performed two songs of welcome. In turn, the Singaporeans sang two songs to thank them for their hospitality.

They next visited the newly-built but bare dormitory. One of the sisters enlightened them on the community they are serving. They said that some of the villagers are so poor that the convent has to subsidize the education of their children.

The dormitory, which is currently devoid of tables, chairs, beds and wardrobes, was built to accommodate students who live far away.

The evening’s programme comprised house

visits to the Teochew-speaking Chinese community. This had been prearranged by some parishioners.

The Singaporeans were grouped according to their ability to speak Bahasa Indonesia or Teochew/ Mandarin. The NETters ministered to many, praying for them, sharing their faith experience, discovering their needs, all the time being encouraged by how the Lord continued to sustain the faith of the Tg. Balaians.

Mass on the Sunday was very animated. The Indonesian Catholics sang with all their hearts and a deep reverance prevailed. When Mass ended, the visitors sang a song in English, Bahasa and Mandarin to thank the parishioners for welcoming them to their community.

Subsequently, Fr. Marcel met up with the group again for a brief while before rushing off to another island to celebrate Mass. He again mentioned how short-handed he is, being the only priest serving Tg. Balai and the neighbouring islands. He also said that he might need assistance to help his Chinese community grow in their faith and faith knowledge.

For those on this Mission Exposure, it was edifying to experience Church in a setting completely different from what they are experiencing in Singapore. They appreciated how blessed they are with all the available resources and are discerning how they may open themselves to how the Lord may be calling them to serve further.

Challenge to Nurses INDIA, Bangalore, (UCAN) — Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for the Health Pastoral Care, has asked Catholic nurses worldwide to make their profession more humane by challenging a trend that increas­ ingly commercializes medical care.

“A nurse is the immediate realization of the humanization of medicine,” the Archbishop said, as he opened a recent convention of world Catholic nurses in southern India. "Nurses are heralds of “resurrection” with a mission “to radiate the mercy of God to the sick and suffering.”

About 850 delegates from 38 nations took part in the 17th World Congress of the International Committee of the Catholic Nurses and Medical Social Assistance, Oct. 17-22 in Bangalore.

Archbishop Lozano Barragan delivered a message from Pope John Paul II that urges nurses to address the ethical dimension of health care in the modern world by being better equipped professionally and spiritually. Female nurses, the message says, have a “special vocation that attests to the privileged role women have always played in situations of suffering, illness, marginalization and old age.”

The archbishop, in his own paper presented later that day, called attention to depersonalization in commercially run hospitals. Sometimes, he said, “the sick person is only a bed number, and his or her illness is a ‘case’ which could become ‘inter­ esting’ or ‘worthy of study.’” In such situations, the nurse-patient bond “tends to become an experi­ mental, subject-object relationship,” he said.

Archbishop Lozano Barragan, who has headed

member of

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the Pontifical Council since 1997, emphasized the need for Catholic nurses to be trained in “ethics, bioethics and the deep Christian meaning of the answers to great essential questions” dealing with pain, illness and death. He also called on Catholic nursing schools to assume the “responsibility of training nurses with humanizing tendencies and attitudes.”

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MYANMAR, Yangon (UCAN) - The importance of modern communi­ cation media was highlighted during a training course for rectors and seminarians in Myanmar.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar and the rector of St. Joseph's National Catholic Major Seminary organized the threeday orientation course in communications, which was held at the seminary in late September. The national seminary, established in Yangon in 1958, currently has 82 major seminarians.

Separate sessions were provided for the major seminarians and for rectors of other seminaries, who had come for the program from all over the country.

Augustine Loorthusamy, vice president of SIGNIS, World Catholic Association for Communication, was the main facilitator. On his past visits, he also helped train Myanmar's diocesan communication directors. This time, he emphasized the importance and value of communication for evangelization. The Church must use all forms of technology and equipment effectively. This means it must stay current with trends to meet the challenges of the time, he said.

Children's Prayers PHILIPPINES, Makati City (UCAN) - Philippine youngsters who recently had a chance to "meet" Jesus asked him to make the Church help their families stay together, and to have their parents spend more time with them.

During role-playing sessions held at congresses for children on Oct. 2, the Feast of the Guardian Angels, the youngsters specifically asked for a steady family income, adequate food, better education, health care and time to play.

The gatherings, convened under the theme "Let the Children Come to Me," were held simultaneously in Manila's seven Church districts.

They were among several activities organized throughout Children's Week Sept. 29-Oct 5.

Children's Week was the fourth of five major programs designed to prepare for the Fourth World Meeting of Families next January in Manila. The special week focused on the role and vocation of children in the family.

At the southern district congress held at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City, a 15-year-old street child spoke of how his father left his mother for another woman. During a group session, the boy asked Jesus to make the Church hold seminars for parents so that they would not break up.

Others spoke about missing parents who work abroad, some of whom do not frequently communicate with their children. A boy from a public school in the district said he hopes his father, who does live at home, would stop spanking him for "being naughty and stubborn."

Children attending the congresses also viewed "They Are Children Only Once,” a documentary film in Filipino. It features three children aged 10, 14 and 15 who had to stop going to school so as to work in sugarcane plantations in the central Philippines.

The three, typical of thousands of child workers on sugar plantations in the country, earn as little as 15 pesos (US$0.30) a day. They labor in cane fields to help pay family debts to landlords. The National Federation of Sugar Workers says that most child workers on plantations are malnourished.

All the congresses ended with the children writing "laws" based on their wishes. They presented them as a declaration to the priest or bishop who presided at an afternoon Mass that brought each congress to a close.

Monsignor Manuel Gabriel, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Pasig, told the children he would give their "laws" to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines so that the Church leaders can act on them. He encouraged the children to be "guides" to others and "gifts to one another."

Children are among thousands expected to assemble Jan. 22-26 in Manila forthe Fourth World Meeting of Families. That event will include a "Sons and Daughters Congress" Jan. 22-24 for delegates 6-18 years old.

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MYANMAR , Yangon (UCAN) — A weeklong stay in a small town has increased the motivation of Myanmar seminarians to improve the catechesis and education of villagers.

Fifteen seminarians of St. Joseph’s National Catholic Major Seminary stayed Oct. 6-12 with families in Twantay, some 27 kilometers southwest of Yangon.

Father Henry Mahn Eiklein, the seminary spiritual director, told UCA News that the homestay exposure introduces the future priests to the customs and way of life of ordinary people. Such knowledge will be useful in their future ministries, the priest explained, so the trips are arranged annually for seminarians as a time to “relax and observe.”

After minor orders are conferred each year, first year theology seminarians go from St. Joseph’s to various dioceses and parishes. They visit Catholics, meet with young people for prayer, song sessions and catechism lessons.

The latest group to go to Twantay met with the youth and village elders before being divided into pairs to stay in different villages. Most people in Twantay are poor farmers, says Father Augustine Than Aung, the parish priest, and the town has some 1,000 Catholic families.

Seminarians who later spoke with UCA News say the trip boosted their motivation to minister to the catechetical needs of rural Catholics and to improve education for all the villagers.

Though the Catholics are poor, they are “strong in faith,” said Paul Sei Aung of Lashio diocese, some 700 kilometers northeast of Yangon. “When I become a priest, I’ll try my best to give education to the young.”

Paul Tun Tun Hlaing of Myitkyina, about 960 kilometers north of Yangon, said he learned how much catechists are “badly needed.” The immersion program, he said, also helped him understand how important it is to work “for the welfare of all” people of Myanmar, “not just for Catholics.”

Ignatio Khun Thit from Loikaw, agreed. The villagers “lead a hard life,” he said, and the catechists in Catholic communities must assist them in both spiritual and temporal matters.

Several villagerssaid they appreciated having the seminarians stay in their homes. However, Daw Julie from Yaygyawlay village wondered, “Why were only 15 brothers sent to our parish this year? Last year, we got 25, about two for each village, and the children were very happy.”

There are about 200 seminarians in Myanmar. The 15 sent to Twantay are among 82 seminarians now involved in a four-year theology course at the major seminary in Yangon.

Another 80 seminarians are in a three-year philosophy course at St. Joseph’s Catholic Major Seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin. About 30 more are taking part in a one-year spiritual formation course in Taunggyi.

Home Visitation INDONESIA, Manado, (UCAN) - Catholics in a parish of eastern Indonesia say that the home visiting recently started by their pastor is reinvigorating their sense of Church and pastoral care, and their parish priest agrees.

"For the first time in my life, a priest has visited our home without any invitation," says Bert Tuegeh, a 62-year-old parishioner of John the Baptist Church in Laikit, North Sulawesi province.

"I feel I am resurrected when the parish priest visits our home," he told UCA News. Such visits strengthen his Catholic faith, he explained, in his predominantly Protestant province.

Father Yustinus Talangi began home visits as a pastoral program for October. After three years as a parish priest, he came to realize that "I am a priest, not a manager or director of a company."

Home visiting provides an opportunity for "direct and personal interaction with family members," he explained. "It is very strengthening for me as well as for my parishioners," he added, because it helps him to appreciate the social and economic problems of rural Catholics, and their sense of Church.

He also gets a chance to discuss matters that relate more directly to the Church, he said. For example, "Some have impediments in their marriage, some rarely go to church, others never go to Confession. Others feel awkward being visited by a priest at home."

James, a parishoner, admitted that he and his Protestant wife were never married in either Church to which they belong. "We were confused. I didn't know if I should give up my religion and become Protestant or my wife should follow me and become Catholic. Praise the Lord, my wife decided to become a Catholic."

Now his two children are preparing to receive the sacraments.

One will be baptized and the other will be confirmed, while Ratulangi himself and his wife plan to marry in the Church.

Onesimus Rarun, parish council chairman, told UCA News that priests who used to work in the parish visited some families, but not all. "The present pastor plans to visit all Catholic families. I am delighted he is spending his time meeting faithful of the parish in this month of the rosary."

The Church needs to prioritize ministry to families, helping them meet challenges and discover their role as a “domestic Church,” according to pastoral workers who took part in a regional meeting on family, organized by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).

Some 60 bishops, priests, nuns and lay couples from six East Asian nations and territories met in Taipei Oct. 20-24 to discuss today’s pastoral challenges in ministering to Christian families.

The East Asian Meeting on Family was held in preparation for the Fourth World Meeting of Families, to convene next January in Manila, as well as for the eighth FABC plenary assembly, to be held in 2004 with a focus on the family.

Family Support Ha Noi (UCAN) — Catholic bishops in Vietnam have issued a pastoral letter on family ministry that calls for a Church response to that problems that families in their country face.

The pastoral on

VIETNEAM,

“Sanctification of the Family’ recommends establishing an office of marriage and the family in each diocese, as well as the compilation of catechetical materials that are targeted at young couples and families.

The letter, dated Oct. 11 and issued at the end of the annual meeting of the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference Oct. 7-12 in Ha Noi, also encourages parents to raise their children in a conducive and supportive environment.

Centenary Celebrations UZBEKISTAN, Tashkent

(UCAN) — Catholics in Uzbekistan have celebrated 100 years of the “revival” of the Church in Central Asia at its base here in Tashkent.

Church leaders from the Central Asian nations and Europe, and an Indian priest representing the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) attended the celebratory events held Oct. 19-20 in the Uzbekistan capital.

“We are celebrating the revival of the Catholic Church in Uzbekistan and the whole Central Asian region,” declared Franciscan Father Krzysztof Kukulka, superior of the “sui juris” (self-governing) mission of Uzbekistan, at a conference Oct. 19 at the still unfinished Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

The events, which also included a Mass and concert, commemorated the arrival of Father Justin Bonaventure Pranaitis in Tashkent 100 years ago.

T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 7

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APPRECIATING the ROSARY A fte r the " G lo ry b e ..

T H E “G L O R Y BE ...”

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After listening to the word and focusing on the mystery, it is natural for the mind to be lifted up towards the 1 ' Father. In each of his mysteries, Jesus always leads us to the Father, for as he rests in the Father’s bosom (cf. Jn , 1:18) he is continually turned towards I f im . He wants us to share in his intimacy with the Father, so that we can say with him: “Abba, Father* (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6). By virtue of his V relationship to the Father he makes us brothers and sisters of himself and of one another, communicating to us the - Spirit which is both his and the Father’s. Acting as a kind of foundation “j^br the Christological and Marian meditation which unfolds in the repetition Of the Hail Mary, the Our Father makes meditati i upon the mystery, even when a ried out ii solitude, an ecclesial <

Trinitarian doxology is the goal of all Christian contemplation. For Christ is the way that leads us to the Father in the Spirit If we travel this way to the end, we repeatedly encounter the mystery of the three divine Persons, to whom all praise, worship and thanksgiving are due. It is ■; important that the Gloria, the high-point o f contemplation, be given due ; prominence in the Rosary. In public recitation it could be sung, as a way of giving proper emphasis to the essentially Trinitarian structure of all .

M w W M B K 1 'T l f <' ( y jyU O U To the extent that meditation on the mystery is attentive and pro­ found, and to the extent that it is enlivened - from one Hail Mary to another - by love for Christ and for Mary, the glorification of the Trinity at the end of each decade, far from being a perfunctory conclusion, takes qn its proper contemplative tone, raising the mind as it were to the heights of heaven and enabling us in some way to relive the experience _ n f Tflbor a foretaste of the contemDlation yet to come: “It is good for us

“imitate what they contain and obtain what

. It is important that the Gloria, the high-point o f contemplation, be given due prominence in the Rosary. In public recitation it could be sung, as a way of giving proper emphasis to the essentially Trinitarian structure

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This is the most substantial element ' -’ ; in the Rosary and also the one which makes it a Marian prayer par excellence! Yet when the Hail Mary is erly understood, we come to see clearly properly that its Marian character is not opposed its lly emphasizes Christological character, but that it actually and increases it. The first part of the Hail Mary, drawn from the words spoken to Mary by, the Angel Gabriel and by Saint Elizabeth, is a contemplation in adoration of the mystery accomplished in the Virgin of Nazareth. These words express, so to speak, the wonder of heaven and earth; they could be said to give us a glimpse of God’s own wonderment as he contemplates his “masterpiece" - thelncarnation of the Son in the womb of the Virgin Mary. If we recall how, in the Book of Genesis, God “saw all that he had made" ( Gen 1:31), we can find here an echo of that “pathos with which God, at the dawn of creation, looked upon the work of his hands".The repetition of the Hail Mary in the Rosary gives us a share in God’s own wonder and pleasure:

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they promise s ' SU i(Vv _ I / £__I 1M i _____ 21 ---------------Such a final prayer could take on a legitimate variety variety of of forms, forms, as as indeed indeed itit already already does, does. in In this way the Rosary can be better adapted to different spiritual traditions and different j ^ hristian communities.

It is to be hoped, then, that appropriate formulas will be widely circulated, after due pastoral discernment and possibly after experimental use in centres and shrines ^ a particularly devoted to the Rosary, ain rt jjubilant w w i i a m amazement we __ so that the People of God acknowledge the greatest miracle 'a B tt may benefit from an abundance of history: Mary's prophecy here findss of authentic spiritual riches its fulfilment: “Henceforthall "Henceforthall generations and find nourishment its \*/ill call r o ll m a h la c e o r t ” I(Lk l k 1:48).

1 TThe hp n f in tr e o will me blessed" centre off for their personal gravity in the Hail Mary, the hinge as it were contemplation which joins its two parts, is the name of Jesus.

• Sometimes, in hurried recitation, this centre of gravity can be overlooked, and with it the connection to the jb mystery of Christ being contemplated. Yet it is precisely ^ ■m em the emphasis given to the name of Jesus and to his mystery that is the sign of a meaningful and fruitful recitation of the Rosary. Pope Paul VI drew attention, in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus, to the custom in certain regions of highlighting the name of Christ by the addition of a clause referring to the mystery being contemplated. This is a praiseworthy custom, especially during public recitation. It gives forceful expression to our faith in Christ, directed to the different moments of the Redeemer’s life. It is at once a profession of | faith and an aid in concentrating our meditation, since it ! facilitates the process of assimilation to the mystery of Christ ( . . . • ill 1 ' ____i . ! i < ____ I « J i . M t tts -k inherent in the repetition of the Hail Mary. When we repeat the A -name of Jesus - the only name given to us by which we mayC ■________ x ______i O i ______x : ____ / . X . 1 . <4.HO\ n ln ^ n hope for salvation (cf. AActs 4:12) - Iinn close association with M tlie name of his Blessed Mother, almost as if it were done a {J her suggestion, we set out on a path of assimilation m eant*' to help us enter more deeply into the life of Christ. V | From Mary’s uniquely privileged relationship with S Christ, which makes her the Mother of God, Wm Vl heotokos, derives the forcefulness of the appeal we make to her in the second S t half of the prayer, as we entrust to : her maternal intercession our *f. lives and the hour of our death.

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At present, in different parts of the Church, there are many ways to introduce the Rosary.

In some places, it is customary to begin with the opening words of Psalm 70: “O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me”, as if to nourish in those who are praying a humble awareness of their own insufficiency.

In other places, the Rosary begins with the recita­ tion of the Creed, as if to make the profession of faith the basis of the contemplative journey about to be undertaken. .\ P . ^ * x* IfffM iffm These and similar customs, to the extent that they prepare the mind for contemplation, are all equally

'All the texts on this page are experpts of our - Holy Father's Letter on the Rosary on the occasion of his declaration of the Ye'ar of the

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In current practice, the Trinitarian doxology is followed by a brief concluding prayer which varies according to local custom. Without -in any way diminishing the value of such invocation, it is worthwhile to note that the contemplation of the mysteries could better express their full spiritual fruitfulness if an effort were made to conclude each mystery with a prayer for the fruits specific to that particular mystery. In this way the Rosary would better express its connection with the Christian iife.

One fine liturgical prayer suggests as much, inviting us to pray that, by meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, we may come to

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The Rosary is then eroded with a prayer for the intentions of the Pope, as if to expand the vision of the Mysteries of Light, praying to embrace all the needs of the Church.

It is precisely in order to encourage this ecclesial dimension of the Rosary that the Church has seen fit to grant indulgences to those who recite it with the required dispositions.

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If prayed in this way, the Rosary truly becomes a spiritual itinerary in which Mary acts as Mother, Teacher and Guide, sustaining the faithful by her powerful intercession. Is it any wonder, then, that the soul feels the need, after saying this prayer and experiencing so profoundly the motherhood of Mary, to burst forth in praise of the Blessed Virgin, either ip that splendid prayer the Salve Regina or in the Litany o f Loreto?

This is the crowning moment of an inner journey which has brought the faithful into living contact with the mystery of Christ and his Blessed Mother. < » i

F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . N O V . 1 0 a n d S u n . N o v . 1 7 , 2 0 0 2

8 - T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S

FA IT H

IN

LIFE

Staying Awake 10 November TEXTS FIRST READING Wisdom 6:12-16 RESPONSORIAL Ps. 62 SECOND READING 1 Thess. 4:13-18 GOSPEL Matt. 25:1-13

FEASTS OF THE WEEK M o n 11

St. Martin of Tours, Bishop

Tue12 St Josaphat, Bishop, martyr Wed 13 Ordinary

Thu 14 Ordinary

Fri 15 St Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor

Sat 16 St Margaret of Scotland St, Gertrude the Great, virgin

Application in Life

32 O R D IN A R Y

First Reading: The whole o f Christian life is a pilgrimage on earth towards a heavenly Kingdom.

What is important is our Response to God. "Wisdom" would obviously characterize the way in which we plot our course and respond to God. Obviously the reading is speaking of Divine Wisdom or should we say God, personified as Wisdom.

Responsorial Psalm: The Psalm expresses a yearning for God and the heavenly kingdom. St augustine said that his soul was thirsting and would not rest until it found its rest in God. that should be our sentiment as well.

Second Reading: St. Paul assures us in the Second Reading that we shall rise again just as Jesus rose from death to life. Our hope in the resurrection - our resurrection in Christ is very fundamental to Christian living. If there is no resurrection then our whole effort at fidelity to Christ would be meaningless.

Acclamation: This is an echo of the advice in the Gospel to "stay awake" and "Stand Ready” Gospel: The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids stresses the need for vigilance and preparedness. Foresight is the key element here. The five who were foolish did not have any foresight to provide themselves with extra oil "just in case”!

The five wise ones, however, did. Only those who are ready, will go in with the bridegroom to the wedding hall - a reference to our entry into heaven with Christ.

This however, can only happen to us if we live in fidelity to Jesus’ teaching - if we keep ourselves in a state of constant readiness to meet Christ. “Stay awake", the Gospel says, “because you do not know either the day or the hour. ’. The reference in the context is to the arrival of the bridegroom, which in turn is a reference to the end of our lives.

Thinking and talking about death is avoided by many people. It is not a question of being morbid, but it is a question of being absolutely realistic. There is no question at all about death and the sooner we accept this the better it will be, since our eternal future is going to depend on how we live this life.

This will be the recurring theme till the end of the year.

November is actually the last month of the Church's liturgical year, which ends with the Feast of Christ the King at

the end of November. The Sunday after that will see us beginning a new Church Year with a change in the set of readings both for the Sundays as well as the weekdays.

During this last month of November which has the last few Sundays in Ordinary time, the church reminds us of the "after­ life". Those reminders began with the celebration of All Saints on November 1, and the Commemoration of All Souls on November 2. These two feasts give us stark reminders of two things: "death" and the "after-life".

We should hardly require a reminder of "death", but then, there are times when we talk, behave and live as though we have forgotten that there is such a thing. We need to remember that death is CERTAIN for every one of us, but, and that's the "problem" - there is a tremendous UNCERTAINTY as to the circumstances of our death, - when, where and how.

The "after-life" has always held some kind of fascination for people.

Some of that fascination is not at all "healthy", while on the other hand the after-life is a very important element in our faith. Jesus has promised us eternal life, a share in his own divine life, provided we are faithful to him during our lives on earth. Obviously, then, this "after-life" is and should be extremely important to us. Our belief in the "after-life" is what makes sense of Christianity. We are constantly being exhorted to live according to the teaching of Christ, we are urged to do good and avoid evil, we are told that we must be prepared to sacrifice everything in order to be disciples of Christ. All this, however, would make no sense at all, if the time we spend on earth simply comes to an end when we die, and there is absolutely nothing after that.

Part of the reason why there are people who don't believe that there is an "after-life" is because it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to really have clear notions about it. Of course some might rather not believe that there is such a thing as the "after-life", because then it would give them a license to do whatever they liked in this life, since nothing exists after death.

As Catholics and Christians, we, however, do believe in the promises of Christ, and while it still remains true for us, too, that it is not really possible to know, let alone understand what the after-life is like, it is nevertheless good to rid ourselves of false notions about it - not that we can get very far by doing that either.

GRAPHICS: COPYRIGHT - THE ORDER OF ST BENEDICT

TEXTS: COPYRIGHT-DR. (REV) ROBERT P. BALHETCHET

Divine Audit 17 November 2002 TEXTS FIRST READING Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31 RESPONSORIAL Ps 127 SECOND READING 1 Thess. 5:1-6 GOSPEL Matt. 23: 14-30

FEASTS OF THE WEEK Mon 18 Dedication of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul (Vatican)

Tue 19 Ordinary

Wed 20 Ordinary

Thu 21 Presentation o f the Blessed Virgin

Fri 22 St. Cecilia, virgin, martyr

Sat 23 St. Clement I, Pope, martyr

St. Columban, abbot

Liturgical Colour: Green Symbolizes “HOPE* - hope in eternal life founded on Christ's promise.

The focus is on our Response to God revealing himself through Salvation History.

Sunday Cycle 1-A Weekday Cycle: 2

Application in life

3 3 O R D IN A R Y First Reading: The general line of thought that runs through the readings today is that of "readiness" - a carry forward of the theme last Sunday. This reading uses an analogy of a "perfect" wife in the family, who does her duty in providing for everything.

Responsorial: The psalm again uses the analogy of the good wife, and advocates "fear of the Lord” to keep us on the right path.

Second Reading. This is yet another reminder to us to be prepared and stand ready. The "Day" that St. Paul refers to is the "day of Reckoning" - the day when we shall be called upon to give an account of ourselves. We are warned too that it might well come when we least expect it, like ”a thief in the night”.

We are reminded by St. Paul to “stay wide awake and sober."

Gospel: The Parable o f the Talents illustrates that we shall have to render an account of what we have done with our lives and with our gifts and talents. Our lives are given to us on lease,

as it were. When the lease runs out at the time of death we shall be called to account for what we have done with our lives.

In the parable, only those servants who had made good use of what had been entrusted to them were rewarded. The one who returned what he had received was cast out. It is to be noted that he DID NOT lose what he had been entrusted with. He just did nothing about it and returned the same amount he had received.

Our gifts and talents have been given to us by God to be utilized for his glory and the good of others. It is not a matter

Last week, we touched on the topic of the ‘Last Things’ namely, death, judgement hell and heaven. We pointed out that we experience a real difficulty in thinking about these things from the point of view of 'time'. We think in terms of a succession of moments, but when one speaks of eternity this defies our concept of time. However, the difficulty does not end with "time" versus "eternity".

W e have a problem too with "place" and "space". Again, in our experience we can only conceive of a "place" in terms of "space".

This causes another difficulty when we think of heaven, hell, and purgatory. Are they "places” which souls "go to"? On the one hand, it

has been pointed out that “souls” would not need “space’ and therefore, heaven, hell and purgatory need not be “places”. On the other hand, there are some “bodies” who have “gone to heaven”. These would presumably need space since they occupy "volume". These are identified as Elijah the Prophet, Jesus and Mary his mother. But others are then quick to point out that resurrected bodies are “glorified’ bodies which do not have the same properties as human bodies as we know them. They do not need space, as is evident when Jesus, after his resurrection., passed though the closed doors of the room where the Apostles were hiding from the Jews after his crucifixion, and appeared to them.

All this sounds very interesting, but it doesn't lead us anywhere.

We are just as confused as before and just as ignorant. The conclusion we have to come to is that we just cannot have any knowledge of heaven, hell or purgatory. There is such a thing as retribution - reward for the good and punishment for the wicked and unrepentant. The Scriptures are pretty clear about this, but whether there are “places” for this, as we know a “place’ to be, is entirely beyond our comprehension.

Have we really been making full and good use of all these gifts and talents? Or have we perhaps been utilizing them, but

The important thing is that Christ has promised us a share in the divine life of God if we follow his teaching in our lives on earth and remain faithful to him. He has spoken too of a resurrection from the dead, of a life beyond that which we know here on earth.

What all this will be like is quite useless to talk about, let alone argue and speculate. Life after death certainly won't be exactly like life on earth, but we will only have clear knowledge about all this when we ourselves pass on from this life to the next. Meanwhile, the only sensible

only for our own good instead of for the glory of God and the establishment of his kingdom on earth?

thing to do is to live as Christ teaches, to ensure that his promises will be fulfilled in our regard when the time comes.

of making bad use of our gifts and talents. The man in the parable did not misuse the money entrusted to him - he just didn’t make us of it at all. Have we been neglecting to use the gifts God has endowed us with? Each and every one of us has received special gifts. They are not the same for all, but we have our gifts all the same and they need to be utilized.

T H E C A T H O L IC N E W S - 9

F o r tn ig h t ly : S u n . N O V . 1 0 a n d S u n . N o v . 1 7 , 2 0 0 2

FO R M A TIO N TEACHES

THE BOOK OF GENESIS Chapter 1, Verse 1 to Chapter 2, verse 4

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BIBLICAL PRIMEVAL HISTORY Gen 1 - 1 1 recounts events that ranged from creation to around 1850 BC. They

are thus a reflection on thousands and thousands of years in the life of mankind.

It should be clear, however, that this is not a detailed history. While the inspired a u th o r used a n c ie n t so urces about ancient peoples-the best material he had on hand - fie d o e i not pretend to g iv^an account of the history of mantend: His

serious pastoral problems of the day. The people had been defeated at the hands of the Babylonians and were undergoing a crisis of faith in the power of God. Almost despairing of the future, they had lost their sense of dignity and felt very insignificant and worthless. Seeing the pagans prosper when they worshipped the sun, the moon, and the stars, the people were tempted to do the same; they nearly abandoned th e ir faith in th e Lord. T h u s, th e w riter emphasises the greatness of God (as creator of the sun, the moon, and the stars: cf. Gen 1:16) and the dignity of man (as made in God’s own image and likeness: cf. Gen 1:26)

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1 * The thrtist of the whole passage is towards the “rest’ of God • (cf. Gen 2:3). God is described as the wisest of craftsmen

primary objective was rrlore theological than historical. Thus, many historical

who works six days and then rests. (Note: th e jcompletion of work is “rest. ')T h is rest is for man as well, who both, shares in and preparesfor the endless rest of God, by his weekly observance of the Sabbath (cf. Heb 4:9-11 ). The seventh day rest of God has also a pastoral implication: it celebrated - Israel’s owtT'freedgm ft^m.slavery and indicajed their dignity through participation in the Lord's leisurte^cf. Deut d:12-15 f and also Ex 20:8-11 y . * « .

details, e .g .,"... from where did Cain get his wife?” - did not arouse the author’s concern ... nor ought they to concern us!

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Writing from the perspective of the Babylonian exile, the ‘P’ author answers many

This section is usually attributed to the Priestly (P) source. It was finally edited - as we have it now somewhere between 550 and 450 BC, but it is based on very ancient material. This final version benefits not only from faith in the Exodus and the Covenant, but also from the revelation received through the prophets (Isaiah and Ezekiel) and from the purification which Israel experienced while in exile in Babylon.

It was during the Babylonian exile that the people of Israel arrived at a clear and unswerving belief in monotheism: there is only one God! ... other ‘gods’ are nothing! It was then that Israel meditated on the joy and importance of the Law (the Torah). It was then that outward practices and especially the observance of the Sabbath began to be valued.

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The Role of the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity is described as •carrying out the will of the Father that will, being the salvation of 'mankind.

This carrying out of the Father's plan is emphasized by the Council

The Son accordingly came: - sent by the Father.

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God the Father, the First person in the Trinity, created the world with man in it, destined to share in God's own divine life. Man however, sinned but God did ‘ not abandon him but held out to him the hope of,salvation through Christ his Son. AH who would believe in Christ are called together in a holy Church.

The Council now goes on to expound the role of God the Son, Jesus Christ.

By Dr. (Rev) Robert P Balhetchet, Ph.D. (Theol.)

who chose us in Christ before the world began and • , predestined us to be his adopted son$ because he decided to restore sill things in Him. ft ^ ‘/ a

Christ, therefore, to fulfil the Father's will: inaugurated the kingdom of '.heaven on earth revealed his mystery to us and effected our redemption

by .his obedience.

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; The Church or the reign of Christ, already present in mystery, by the power of God. All men are called to union with Christ who is the light o f the world, ftorr\ whom we proceed * 1,> [i >* ' through whom we live) and to yvbom we Journey. *iv ji 'ti A ’S. ' i i \ t

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Christ in his person = the revelation of the “plan of salvation*.

The whole process of Christ revealing to us the Father’s will and plan of salvation for us is elaborated in Vatican Il's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. This is a very short document, but a very important one as it explains the nature and the sources of Revelation. Christianity claims to be a revealed religion and we should therefore know something about revelation.

The sources of revelation are the Sacred Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments (=the Bible) and Tradition, which is the constant teaching of the Church, preserved for us through the writings of the “Fathers of the Church” , the great Ecumenical Councils and the teachings of the Popes down through the centuries.

Vatican Il’s document on Revelation outlines for us the whole process of Revelation. Creation itself, in its wonders, already reveals God to us, as St. Paul in his letter to the Romans points out. The choice and calling of Israel as the Chosen People was a step further and, indeed, a figure of the Church to come. The prophets in the Old Testament were already getting quite specific in the process of revealing to us the plan of God’s Salvation, particularly the promise of a Saviour.

Finally, after God had spoken many times and in various ways, through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son, Jesus, whom he sent to live among men and to tell them about the inner life of God. Christ is the Son of God made Man. This we believe according to the Creed which we recite on Sundays as well as the “Apostles’ Creed” which we recite more often. W e celebrate this “becoming Man” at Christmas when we celebrate Christ's birth as Man. Christ is therefore both God and Man. Christ, as Man, is in the position to represent mankind to offer a sacrifice of reconciliation to God, his Father. Christ. As God, Christ is in the position to offer a PERFECT sacrifice to God, his Father.

It is not just in his dual nature of God made Man, that Jesus is the revelation of God’s infinite love for Man and his desire to give Man a share in his own divine life. (=the plan of salvation). He manifests the plan by his words and works. He does this through

his teaching which is confirmed by the miracles that he worked.

Fortn igh tly: Sun. NO V. 10 and Sun. Nov. 17, 2002

10 - T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S

CHILDREN’S CORNER LU

c RO S SWO R D C O N T No 13 - TH E FLOOD

s T Children, you must follow these RULES

A C R O S S

This contest is open to children who are preparing to receive Holy Communion and are attending classes at their Parishes.

It has to be the children's own effort and parents are asked to use this opportunity to teach the children the value of honesty.

Prizes will be awarded to the first three correct entries to reach the Editor, AFTER midnight Wed/Thur 13/14 November 2002, by e-mail to steep!e(d)sinanet.com.sa. The first three correct entries will be based on the date and time as recorded in the "Inbox". The Editor's decision is final.

Closing Date: midnioht. Fri/Sat 15/16 November 2002.

All that is needed to send the answers, is to use the numbers of the clues as indicated and state the answer for each clue.

You must give your full name, address, and the Communion Class you are attending at your Parish.

Winners, the first three correct entries, (according to the "Inbox") will be announced in the following issue of the Catholic News, and will be informed of how they can collect their prizes.

Then God made a to Noah.

4. Later, he sent the bird out again and it came back with an olive____ .

7. So Noah and his family and all the animals left the ark and______God for saving them.

10. Noah knewthat the waters of the flood had not yet dried up because he sent out a ____ and it came back.

11. It was fromthese families that there came another great man called __ .

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1. Noah’s family then went on to start new _ fill the earth again with people.

3. When Noah sent itout the thirdtime, it did not_ so Noah knew that the waters had dried up.

5. Noah and his family and two of each kind of animal were saved from the_____ by being in the Ark. 6. Then God gave them a sign inthe sky of this promise.

It was a _______.

8. He would never the whole earth again.

9. Then God told Noah that he could leave the ark together with all the

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3. God also told Noah to take with him a PAIR of every living creature so that they also could be saved.

The thing which Noah was told to build is also called an ARK. 8. They were SAVED because they were in Noah’s Ark. 10.There was one man who was good. He was called NOAH. 11.Things went wrong when Adam and Eve SINNED against God. 12.God told the good man to build a big BOAT. 14.Then Cain KILLED his brohter Abel.

15.

Everything God created was GOOD in the beginning

Dear Boys and Girls, By the time this gets to you, you will either be on holiday from school or will soon be. Do try to take a good break from your usual work, but that doesn't mean doing nothing and wasting your time.

For one thing, you will have more time to be at home, which does mean that you could try to be a little helpful around the home. You may be very young, but there are still things you can do to be helpful.

If nothing else, you could do your best not to be a nuisance and not to give more work to others by messing the whole house up.

Being on holiday does not mean that you just throw your books in a corner and play the whole day long. You could spend time doing some reading or even iooking through what you will be studying next year. Don't start doing all the exercises in your books, for next year, though. It's not a very good idea to spend all your time studying. Your mind and body need rest and relaxation, and you will be able to study better when school reopens. Always keep a balance, everything in moderation - that’s very important in life.

While you can give your studies a holiday, please don't give God a holiday! He doesn't need one! In fact, now that you have more free time, perhaps you could give Jesus a little more of your time. Our Holy Father, the Pope has just made this year, from October till October next year, the Year of the Rosary. Now that's a simple prayer that all of you surely know, and it would be a good to try and say the Rosary, if you are not already doing so.

2 Sharmaine Cheng Jing Yi -OLPS 3 Peter Mah - Risen Christ Consolation 4 Tan Yang Sheng Joseph - IHM There were 8 entries this time, but two had mistakes while two were disqualified for sending in the answers before time.

D 1 . Of course, all the living creatures, man and animal were DROWNED. O 2 . God wanted to SAVE this man and his family.

W 5 . As a result, the waters rose and caused N a huge flood which covered the

Congratulations to ALL of you for your efforts! v ^

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whole EARTH. 6. When all was ready, God sent a great RAIN which went on for months.

7. All the living creatures except Noah and his FAMILY, and a pair of every living creature.

9. They sinned by DISOBEYING God. 13 Things ecame so bad that God decided todestroyeverythingwith a FLOOD.

Enjoy your holidays and God love you all! - Fr. Bob

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TEL: 6-858-3055, FAX: 6-858-2055 e-mail: cathnewstS)catholic.ora.sa.

Monday to Friday: 9.00am-6.00pm ( except lunch: 12.00-2.00pm ) and ask for Auntv Cecilia.

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In the Bible Stories, we find that God seems to be like a human being like ourselves. We mustn't be sur­ prised at this, children, because we can't think of him in any other way but our human way. In fact, we refer to him also in a very human sort of way - we call him God, our Father. And so we see God getting angry with Adam and Eve for disobeying him, and with Cain for killing his brother Abel, and now, in the story of Noah's Ark, we see how God was so angry and fed up with the wickedness of the people that he decided to get rid of all of them, and he sent a great rain which flooded the whole earth and destroyed all the human beings and even the animals.

That's scary, isn't it? Yet we still say that God loves

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all of us, no matter what! Well, it's a bit like that also with us humans. Daddy and Mummy also get angry with you when you are naughty, and they can also be very angry if you are very, very naughty! But while our parents may be angry with us when we do wrong things, they still love us! They still take care of us, no matter what! In fact, they are more sad than angry.

Imagine, they do so much for you, and yet you can't listen to what they say and do what they want you to do.

And so it was with God. He was angry with the people, but he did not really destroy everything. Noah and his family were good people and God saved them by telling Noah to build a huge boat for his family and also pairs of animals, and other living things so that

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they could start a new world again.

We can understand this because that's how it is with our parents, too, isn't it? They get angry with us and punish us, but then they feel sorry for us and they start to pamper us again.

Only thing is, we must not take advantage of their kindness and love. All the same we must try our best to be good and to obey them. It's the same with God, our heavenly Father. Sure there are times when we are "naughty" and we commit sin and offend Him. But then we must know how to say sorry and try again to be good and obedient. God will always forgive us, just as our Daddy and Mummy will, if we are truly sorry.

That's important! We must be truly sorry and we must try our best to remain good.

T H E C A T H O L I C N E W S - 11

Fortn igh tly: Sun. NO V. 10 and Sun. Nov. 17, 2002

R E G IO N A L “Why Doesn't my Child Want to study?” Sem inar

by Kelvyanne Teoh At a seminar on October 12 at the Grassroot Club, parents and educators explored pertinent issues behind learning difficulties children face. Organised

by Morning Star Community Services, the seminar featured three guest speakers and a lively panel discussion chaired by experienced and well known educationalist, Mr. Eugene Wijeysingha.

The key issues concerning parents included: how the desired outcomes of the education system appeared not to correlate with the real experiences of students; that the measure of success was primarily academic performance versus, for example, excellence in interpersonal skills and the ability to think for oneself; how do I know the learning style of my child; and what can I do to help my child excel?

Said Ms Cynthia Siah, a parent, “The seminar gave parents/teachers an entirely new mindset about how to love their own children/pupils.”

Dr Esther Tan, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education and Head of the Division of Psychological Studies, provided a broad overview of the educational system. She also spoke on Multiple Intelligences, the indicators of success in school and the desired outcomes of the educational system as seeking to develop the full spectrum of talents and abilities in every child. Dr Tan also discussed that a child’s success depends on: the child’s self-esteem and competence as a learner and how he/she manages stress; the school environment and teacher/peer support; and parental guidance and home support.

Mrs Bek Mee Hing, Educational Psychologist with the Student Care Service, provided information from the child’s perspective when she addressed parents’ frustrations at whether their child is lazy, unconcerned about studying, or really lacks the ability and knowledge to excel in academics. States Mrs Bek “Every child is motivated to learn and has his/her own inner resources for learning.” A well-received topic was the different learning styles of how children process and assimilate information.

Ms Koh Suan Chu, Head of Department of Pastoral Care and Career Guidance at Pioneer Junior College and former Guidance Specialist with the Psychological and Guidance Services Branch at the Ministry of Education, identified clearly with parents’ struggles and anxieties. The three-way approach parents can take involves: equipping a child with knowledge, skills and attitudes for his total well being and development; specific strategies to help the child; and collaborating with a child’s school to maximise his/her potential.

The seminar is one programme of the Firm Foundation for Families Series organised by Morning Star Community Services.

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An invitation to meet

Rev Leo Chamberlain OSB MA, Headmaster

C a t h o lic L a w y e r s G u ild

Ampleforth College

by Jimmy Yim, SC

At a time when religious differences are a cause for conflict in our world, man is sometimes torn between a rejection of religion in preference to a secular world or a rediscovery of the truths of one's religion.

On 21 September this year a group of lawyers led by Jimmy Yim, SC, Peter Cuthbert Low, a former President of the Law society and Michael Khoo, SC registered the Catholic Lawyers Guild under the Societies Act. CLG's objectives are primarily spiritual, seeking to help Catholic Lawyers in their profession through the practice of time honoured Catholic virtues. The Patron Saint for the CLG is St. Thomas Moore, lawyer, Chancellor and martyr immortalized also on the silver screen by the Hollywood movie " A man for all seasons".

The Spiritual Director of the CLG is Fr. John Paul Tan, a Franciscan canon lawyer and priest.

The CLG's inaugural Mass will be concelebrated by His Grace, the Archbishop, Nicholas Chia, Fr. Gino Hendriques, CSsR of Lumen 2000 and Fr. John Paul Tan at the Cathe­ dral of the Good Shepherd on Thursday, 5 December at 6.00 pm, followed by dinner at the Ballroom, Singapore Swimming Club at Tanjong Rhu, at 7.30pm The Red Mass for the dedication of the new Legal Year will also be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Saturday 4 January 2003, at 8.30am.

Legal professionals, law graduates and law students of the Catholic Faith and all well-wishers are invited to attend those celebrations. Please contact the following for details and dinner book­ ing.

Petula Wong l-Lin: Tel. 6837-9084 e-mail petulat3>hoh.com.sa Cosmas Gomez: Tel. 6837-9056 e-mail:cosmastS>hoh.com.sa

U K s leading ind ep en dent C atholic school M ixed at 6th form and ju n io r level Fr Chamberlain will be in Singapore from 26thto 28thNovember 2002 and would like to meet parents and children from Catholic and other Christian families interested in Ampleforth education.

The school offers 6th form places in preparation for British university entry and welcomes applications from suitable candi­ dates aged 8-18. Girl boarders are welcomed in the 6thform and the junior school.

Ampleforth College attracts students from all round the world to its beautiful and peaceful location in Yorkshire. The school is distinctive for • Unchanging commitment to full Christian education in faith and personal responsibility • Academic rigour: consistently good A level results, within a richly rounded education • Sporting, cultural and extra-curricular activities that are among the best in the country To make an appointment to meet Fr Leo Chamberlain, please call Dominic Davies at (65) 6538-8221

www.ampleforthcollege.york.sch.uk

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Peace Journalism INDONESIA, Yogyakarta, (UCAN) — Religious and civic leaders in Indonesia have affirmed that mass media should bring together religions and cultures whenever they are entangled in conflict.

During a seminar on “Globalization, Religions and Media in Islamic World: An Intercultural Dialogue,” Father Johanes Pujasumarta asserted that mass media can “create healthy public opinion and promote human dignity.”

Also addressing the Oct. 10 seminar in Yogyakarta was Jesuit Father Mario Antonius Birowo from the Jesuit-run Audio-Visual Studio Catechetical Center. His talk highlighted the importance of “peace journalism” in fostering interfaith harmony within Indonesia.

Yoachim Agus Tridiatno, an organizing committee member, said that the seminar aimed to show to Muslim countries that the German government has a different approach from that of the United States in resolving conflicts. Tridiatno said the “you are either with us or against us” rhetoric of U.S. President George W. Bush leaves no space for dialogue, and such a strong position compels people to go to war. Instead, the “German people and government emphasize a more cultural, dialogical and peaceful ap­ proach.”

The seminar was organized by the llmenau University of Technology in Germany, as well as

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Thomas Hanitzsch of llmenau University said “peace journalism” is a kind of news coverage that contributes to the promotion of peace. It refers, he said, “not only to the work of a journal­ ist, but also has something to do with the way a journalist acts and accepts his or her role in reporting a conflict.” Peace journalism is especially suitable for Asian cultures that promote a free and harmonious society.

Ivan A. Hadar, of the Educational Institute for Democracy, emphasized that journalists “must be able to shed light on how to prevent conflicts and human suffering.” Peace can be created if “report­ ers are sensitive enough and pay attention to the truth.”

Chairil Anwar, a Muslim lecturer at Gadjah Mada State University, underlined media’s role in fostering mutual understanding. “The cultural difference between Muslims and Christian West­ erners should encourage both parties to know one another through communication,” he said.

The seminar concluded that reporters working in Islamic and Western media could create peace by focusing their reporting on a kind of peace journalism that highlights the common ground of humanity.

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Nov 28 to Dec 1, 2002 Commemorating the 450th Anniversary of the Death of St Francis Xavier (1552 - 2002)

Theme: Into the 3rd Millennium with St Francis Xavier Programme:Thu 28 Nov St Francis Xavier, a Man of Ambition - on Fire with Love 6.00 pm Eucharist (English) 8.00 pm Eucharist (Mandarin) Fri 29 Nov St Francis Xavier, a Man of Freedom 6.00 pm Eucharist (English) 8.00 pm Eucharist (Tamil) Sat 30 Nov St Francis Xavier, a Man on a Mission 6.00 pm Eucharist (Tamil) St Paul’sHill 6.00 pm Eucharist (English) Sun 1 Dec St Francis Xavier, a Man of God - a Man of Dialogue 7.00 am Eucharist (Mandarin) 8.15 am Eucharist (Trilingual) St Paul’sHill 10.30am Eucharist (English) Tue 3 Dec 1.00 pm Eucharist (English) 7.30 pm Celebration Dinner Preachers : Rev Fr Paul Tan Chee Ing. SJ Rev Fr Antoni Ponnudurai, SJ Rev Fr Paul Goh, SJ There will be Veneration of the Relics of St Francis Xavier after the weekend Masses.

COMING UP AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE AND BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

by Cenacle Sister Judette Gallares, from Nov 22, Friday 7.45-9.45 pm to Nov 23, Saturday 9-12 noon. Venue: St Francis of Assisi Kindergarten, Jurong West St 42.

Registration (6565-2895).

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION SEMINAR Led by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB, a Spiritual Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation. Date: Nov 30, 3 pm-9.30 pm & Dec 1, 9.30 am-4.30 pm.

Venue: Trinity Theological College, 490 Upper Bt Timah Rd. Enquiries: Daulet (6737-6279) daulet@pacific.net.sg EVANGELIZATION RALLY 2002 Theme: The Joy of Living. Date: Nov 30, 7.15 pm-10 pm. Venue: The Rock Auditorium. Organised by Commission for Apostolate of Mandarin-speaking.

Enquiries: Joseph Ho (6282-8428).

DINNER & DANCE - SHANGHAI NITE Organised by: Catholic Singles Encounter.

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Enquiries: Paul Lee (9450-5617), Caroline (9841-7592) and Debbie (6475-4394)

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IN E ig h th A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of

E L IZ A B E T H LA M BERT Departed: Nov 2 0 ,1 9 9 4 Peacefully sleeping, resting at last D ear M am a we miss you so In silence you suffered, in patience you bore Till God called you hom e to suffer no m ore.

M ay you rest in peace.

Dearly loved and deeply m issed by all loved ones.

M E M O R IA M

T w e n ty -th ird A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of

C E C IL IA L IM G U E K H IA N G Departed: Nov 2 0 ,1 9 7 9 A lw ays rem em bered by loved ones at home.

Take her in Thine arms, dear Lord, And ever let her be A messenger of love Between our hearts and Thee.

Peaceful be your rest, dear mother, It is sweet to breathe your name; As in life we loved you dearly, So in death we do the same.

F ifte en th ^ 8 A n n iv e rsary ® In loving m em ory of C A T H E R IN E C E C IL IA B H E E M Departed: Nov 1 9 ,1 9 6 9

O U R BELOVED E V E R IN OUR HEARTS.

Today recalls sad m em ories o f a dear m oth er/g ran d m o th er, great grandm other gone to rest.

W e will always cherish the love and care you gave us.

Rem embered always by daughter Theresa, sons Tony and John, grandchildren and great-grandchi ldren.

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F o u rth A n n iversary

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Forever loved and remembered by parents: S. Leon D ’cruz & Mary D ’cruz children: Stephen & Grace brothers, sisters, in-laws, nephews and nieces.

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M ED O N A D ’CRUZ Departed: Nov 9, 1991

In loving m em ory of

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M A R C D IN E S H M A H E SA N Bom: Nov 2 7 , 1 9 8 0 Departed:Nov 19,1 987

Eleventh Anniversary In loving memory of our beloved

CALL: 6454 0439 32, Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 #03-03 Sing Industrial Complex Singapore 569510 Tel: 6454 0439 Fax: 6454 4784 Email: pestmast@pacific.net.sg

M R S V E R L IN D A A N G E L IC PA L E Y Departed: Nov 1 0 ,1 9 9 5

Departed: Nov 19, 1998 We miss you very much dear husband and father as we endure your departure.

As you continue to reside within our lives, we are heartened and consoled that you are in the loving care of our Father.

Always loved and cherished by your wife, children and grandchildren.

In our hearts your m em ory lingers, Sw eetly tender, fond and true, There is not a day, AN N L IM dear mother, BONG SO O Departed:Nov 12, 1998 That we do not think W e think o f you when o f you.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, Alw ays remembered a gentle wind blow s, and let perpetual light shine upon by your husband, W e think o f you when him, M ay he rest in peace, Amen. we see the little sparrows. daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren.

You are like an angel who guides and protects us, W e think o f you IN L O V IN G M E M O R Y OF that w ay, that you are OUR B E L O V E D PARENTS alw ays with us.

Until in heaven we Nineteenth Second m eet again som eday...

Anniversary Anniversary O ur thoughts remain with you every step o f the way.

Sadly m issed and forever cherished by daughter and grandson and all who knew her.

THANKSGIVING St Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend o f Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true church invokes you universally as the patron of things despaired of, pray for me who am so miserable; pray form e that finally I may receive the consolations and succour of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly for the well-being, health and happiness of all in my family and that I may bless God with the elect throughout eternity.

Grateful thanks to St Jude for answ ering our prayers. Serene & family Many thanks to Jesus, Mary and St Faustina for prayers answered. Please continue to bless and protect us. CN C h an

IR U T H A Y A M A R Y D A V IS Departed: Nov 10, 2000

M R M .A .

V IC T O R Departed: M ar 25,1983

The depths of sorrow we cannot tell, of the loss of ones we love so well As in life we loved you dearly so in death we do the same.

You are a precious gift to us, we praise and thank God. Dearly missed and fondly remembered by your children and loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday, Nov 10, at 10 am.

ALL ARE WELCOME. .

T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S - 13

Fortnightly: Sun. NOV. 10 and Sun. Nov. 17, 2002 "I a m t h e r e s u r r e c t io n a n d t h e life H e w h o b e l i e v e s in m e s h a ll n e v e r d ie .”

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

INM EM ORIAM

Second A nniversary In loving m em ory o f

Second Anniversary In loving m em ory of

F o r a ll t h o s e w h o h a v e n o o n e to p ra y f o r th e m — w e p r a y to th e L o rd .

First Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of

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K E N N E T H G EORGE B H EEM 23.4.32 -13.11.97 Memory of you, dear, still casts a gentle glow It braces our days and lights our paths wherever we may go.

Lovingly remembered by wife Praxedes, children, Vincent and Cassandra, Michael and grandchildren, Bradley, Gerard, Russell, Catherine, Melissa, Michelle, Matthew and loved ones.

Fourteenth A n n iversary In loving memory of

V.P. JO SE PH DAS Departed:Nov 1 1 ,2 0 0 0 B roken is the family circle, O ur dear one has passed aw ay, Passed from the earth and earthly darkness Into bright and perfect day B ut w e all m ust cease to languish O ver the grave o f him we love, Strive to be prepared to m eet him, In the better world above.

Requeim m ass on N ov 1 1 , 2 0 0 2 at C hurch o f the Holy Spirit at 6 .3 0 am.

M ARG AR ET Y O N G N Y U K LIAN Departed:Nov 1 9 ,2 0 0 0 D ear M um, Tw o years have passed and gone.

The m em ory and pain remains.

Like the saying goes You do not know a m other’s love Until you see the empty chair.

W e will alw ays miss you.

Y our children: R osa, John, A nna, Tony and fam ilies.

M em orial m ass will be held at St Peter’s Church (M alacca), Nov 1 6 ,2 0 0 2 (evening) at 6 pm m ass service.

ELSIE SEOW NONG KIAN Departed: Nov 1 2 ,2 0 0 1 Safe in the arms of Jesus and M ary.

Dearly m issed and fondly remembered by daughter, son-inlaw and grandchildren.

M ass w ill be celebrated on Tues Nov 1 2 ,2 0 0 2 at Church o f O ur Lady Queen o f Peace at 6 .3 0 pm.

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A M A N D A L E E H U IL I B om : O c t 1, 1 9 9 1 D eparted: N o v 1 9 , 1 9 9 3

“I will go to the altar of God, To God, my joy and my delight”.

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T H IR D A N N IV E R S A R Y In loving memory o f Our beloved Mother and Mam a

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N inth Anniversary In loving memory of

MRS STELLA FERNANDEZ Departed: Nov 20, 1988 Peaceful be your rest, dearest one, It is sweet to breathe your name, As in life we loved your dearly, So in death we do the same.

Deeply missed and always remembered by husband, children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and loved ones.

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

L IL Y A N N E T A N Departed: November 16, 1999

J O A C H IM M A R IE Departed: Nov 11, 1993 W e cannot forget you Our loved one so dear; Your memory grows Sweeter year after year.

Lovingly remembered by wife, children and grand-daughters Michelle, Rachel and Rebecca.

In loving memory of Father Son

JOSEPH NORMAN WEE LIAN GUAN Departed: Nov 17,1998 We often think of you When we are all alone For memory is the only friend That grief can call its own.

Dearly missed by wife, children, daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren and loved ones.

Masses at Church of St Francis Xavier on Nov 16 at 6 pm and Nov 17 at 10.45 am.

F if th A n n iv e rs a r y In lo v in g m e m o ry o f

A LBERT OEN ALEX OEN BOEN K W EE K IM HAW (Eleventh A nniversary)(Fourth A nniversary) Departed: Dec 6 , 1 9 9 0 Departed: Nov 10, 1997

We cannot forget you Our loved ones so dear; Your memory grows Sweeter year after year.

Always remembered by daughter / sister granddaughter / niece and all loved ones

A M O T H E R IS A B L E S S IN G Mothers are G od’s gift to mankind, Creating her at the beginning o f time; Granting us this privilege, To be guided by her hand; To be given intelligent and virtuous tutelage, And to turn to her whenever we need a friend; In times of unrest; she’s always there, Comforting us with her maternal care; She’s kind and loving, Always generously giving; W hen we are wayward or gone astray, W ith tender concern, to God she turns; On her knees, hands together in supplication to pray, j She is protective and warm, Even when things go wrong; Helping us to weather the storm, Keeping us afloat, helping us with quiet solace, She is truly God’ s sweet amazing grace; A mother is timeless, And oh, so very priceless; W e need to appreciate her more, Respect and honour her right to the core; Never stop loving her, For one day she may not be there; W e must not take G od’s precious gift (that’s a mother) for granted, For when it’s least expected; W e may find that she’s not there, for us to care!

H is sm ilin g w ay an d p le a sa n t face A re a p le a su re to recall B u t w e re m e m b e r the g ift y o u le ft b eh in d T h e g ift o f lo v e an d c o m p a ssio n Y o u h a d so m u ch o f F o r us to le a rn fro m an d p a ss on So th a t th e m o st b e au tifu l p art - L iv es on T h e w o rld c h an g es y e a r to y ear B u t n e v e r w ill the o n e w e love F ro m m e m o ry p a ss aw ay .

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C A S K E TC O M P A N Y E M B A L M IN G & F U N E R A LS E R V IC E SP T EL T D M A R Y CROSS Departed: November 6, 2001 Peaceful be your rest, dear mother, It is sweet to breathe your name; As in life we loved you dearly, So in death we do the same.

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Fortn igh tly: Sun. N O V. 10 and Sun. Nov. 17, 2002

1 4 - T H E C A T H O L I C NEW S

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Bulletin of the Family Life Society, Archdiocese of Singapore

Musicians Band to Produce Pro-Life CD

Last year...

T h e r e w e r e 1 3 ,1 4 0 a b o r tio n s .

For those who never had their chance at life ...

Listen to their Silent Cries.

A CD featuring “Silent Cries” by Flora Tan and “This Is The Day” by Al Dizon.

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So when she met writer and musician, Al Dizon, who mooted the idea of producing a pro-life CD to raise awareness as well as funds for charity, shejumped at the chance to write a song.

Composed by Martin Pereira and sung by Mel Ferdinands, the song voices the anxieties and thoughts of an unborn who faces the risk of being aborted.

“The idea came fromPsalm 139,”explained Flora. “We are wonderfully made and marvellously formed by God so who are we to end a lifejust like that?” (from left to right): Martin Pereira, Flora Tan and, Al R The CD’s other track, called “This IsThe Dizon lend their voices to raise awareness for the unborn..

Day”, written and sung by Al Dizon also celebrates the gift of life.

“We hope the CD will be played - especially If an unborn child could talk, “let me live!” for teenagers everywhere, so that people may would be his plea, believes Flora Tan. be aware that an unborn has a life,”said Martin That belief iswhat inspired the music Pereira. company director to pen the lyrics of her “And that every mother would give her baby song Silent Cries and produce a CD of the a chance to live,”added Flora. same title under her company, Shekinah.

Silent Cries is available at $10 from Family “Peopleare alwaystalkingabout abortion Life Society and Catholic bookshops. Proceeds fromthe woman's point of view or from will go to Pregnancy Crisis Service, a help and God's point of view,’’ she said. “But what about the unborn child? What is his point of counselling centre for expectant mothers who view? I’msure he would want a chance to are facing unplanned pregnancies. To order, please call Family Life Society at 6488 0277. live!”

“LIFE IS A GIFT. CHOOSE LIFE! This was the resounding theme at the recent Human Life International Congress on Love, Life and the Family organized by the Archdiocese of Hong Kong from 11 to 14 October, 2002.

The Congresswas sponsored by Human Life International (HLI), the world's largest pro-life and pro-family organization with 86 branches across 56 countries and five continents.

Founded in United States in 1981, HLI aims to promote the sanctity of life and the dignity of the family, while exposing modernday threats to life and family. It fulfils this mission through advocacy, education and service, and itspositionsarewhollyconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

However, its mission is ecumenical, inthat it works with people of all faiths to promote the culture of life and family.

The congress was attended by more than 200 participantsfromaround the world.

Speakers fromthe USA, Philippines, France, India, Australia and Hong Kong gave presentations on a range of marriage, family and pro-life topics, which included: • Counselling victims of child abuse and abortion survivors.

• The cost of extra-marital affairs on society and the family • Understanding dysfunction inthe family • LawVs Christian ethics on abortion and euthanasia • Testimony on a real abortion experience • Multimedia-assisted evangelization • Suicide: early detection and intervention skills • The practical teachings of Pope John

There were 41,775 births in Singapore.

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$10 per copy. Available at selected Catholic bookshoPs and Family Life Society.

Proceeds go to Pregnancy Crisis Service, a help hotline for expectant mothers facing unplanned pregnancies.

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To order, please call Family Life Society at 6488 0278.

Produced by Shekinah Music.

Silent Cries Words & Music: Flora Tan/ Martin Pereira

This Is The Day Words & Music: Al Dizon

I feel your pain, your agony and fear Harsh angry voices all around They talk about me They said, "Let’s abort this child."

For they do not know me They can't hear my cries

This is the day the Lord has made Let us be glad and rejoice Praise to the maker of heaven and earth Praise him with heart and with voice For on this day He gave us this child Bom of love and of life He gave this child for us to raise And keep the faith in His name

Chorus: Yes, I’m wonderfully made Marvellously formed Daily I grow and learn inside of you I want to live Give me a chance And only you can grant this wish to me 0 Mom, give me a chance A chance in your world Here in your womb; secure and snug Longings and dreams of life with you 1 thank you for your love.

Yes, you stood by me You said. 'He is my baby.

Please let him live."

(Chorus) (Thanks for the chance to live in your world.)

Refrain: Life’s so fragile, precious and sweet.

So precious... I want to live. I want to live!

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Chorus: This is the day the Lord has made Sing of his bounty and love Thank Him this day for His wonderful gift Given to us from above Given to us from above This is the day the Lord has made Cry out in praise of His name We have carried this life to this point in time We ‘II see it through all the way And this is the day the Lord has made For this child of love and of life Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone This little child will grow

U P C O M IN GA C T IV IT IE S NA TU RAL FAM ILY PL A N N IN G Natural Family Planning (NFP) is based on knowledge of the fertility periods during a women’s menstrual cycle.

Thursdays Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (Byappointment only. Pleasecall 63462381 tomakeappointment.)

Unlike contraceptives, NFP does not damage your fertility and allows you to easily identify the most likely days when women can become pregnant.

Risen Christ Church

The following is a list of centres where NFP is taught.

(For more information, call NFP at 6256 8123) Mondays Novena Church

- 7.30 pm to 9 pm

Nativity Centre

- 7.30pm to 9 pm

Blessed Sacrament Church

- 7 pm to 8.30 pm

■7.30 pm to 9 pm

St Bernadette's Church - 7.30 pm to 9 pm (Byappointment only. Pleasecall 62258218 tomakeappointment.)

St Mary of the Angels

- 7.45 pm to 9 pm

Fridays Holy Cross Church

- 7.30 pm to 9 pm

Our Lady Star of the Sea

- 8 pm to 9.30 pm

LEG A L A ID (From left) Dr Orestes Monzon, Michelle Soliano-Lew, Msgr Voltaire Ratio, Mrs Edna Monzon and Janies Wong

Paul II on developing a harmonious family • Meaning of death among health professionals and its implications to nursing and health care • A proper educational framework for pro-life workers Family Life Society Singapore was represented by its Executive Director, James Wong and Programme Executive, Michelle Soliano-Lew, whose trips were sponsored by HLI. “It was a great experienceintermsof learning and networking with my Asia-Pacific counterparts, and we brought back invaluable information and material fromthe presentations, workshops and discussions which we will be sharing with others who are interested,”said James. “Hopefully, we will be given the opportunity and privilege of bringing the Congress to Singapore next year for the benefit of all people in our Archdiocese.”

St Francis Xavier Church - 8 pm to 9 pm (Available onlyon 1st, 3rd &5th Mondays of each month)

Our lawyers will be available on Monday 11 November,

St Mary of the Angels

- 7.45 pm to 9 pm

counsel on family-related matters.

Tuesdays Immaculate Heart of Mary Church

- 8 pm to 9 pm

Holy-Family Church

- 7.30 pm to 9 pm

St Anthony's Church

- 8 pm to 9.30 pm

Wednesdays Christ the King Church

- 7.30 pm to 9 pm

Holy Spirit Church

- 7.30 pm to 9 pm

Holy Trinity Church

- 8 pm to 9 pm

C o n ta c t us o r v is it o u r w e b s ite Family Life Society Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Road, #LG-01 Singapore 549102 Tel: 6488 0278 www.familylife.org.sg

at Family Life Society from 7 pm to 9 pm to give free legal

C H O IC E The next Choice Weekend will be held on 29 November to 1 December. For further information, please contact Jennifer Lim at 9671 0767 or visit the website at www.choice.org.sg.

M A R R IA G E E N C O U N T E R The next Marriage Encounter Weekend 6 to 8 December.

For further information please call Jenny and Desmond at 6289 5349.

Our Programmes and Affiliates: Family and Marital Counselling; Pregnancy Crisis Service; Youth Life-Line; Joyful Parenting; Catholic Legal Aid; Celebration of Life; Marriage Encounter; Engaged Encounter; Couples for Christ; Marriage Preparation Course; Natural Family Planning; Hope, Retrouvaille and Choice.

T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S - 15

Fortnightly: Sun. N O V. 10 and Sun. Nov. 17, 2002

YOUNG CATHOLICS FATHER MIKE

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By FATHER MICHAEL SITARAM Youth Chaplain of the Singapore Archdiocese.

To contact him email: cathvctrl3)oacific.net.sa.

This u/ilt he a neat chapter in my fife u s

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It was just last month when the Archbishop called me up and informed me of my new posting as Parish Priest of St Vincent De Paul. As he spoke to me of the posting my thoughts went racing down memory lane of the time when I used to help Father Adrian Anthony. It was in 1995 and I had then just returned from my studies at Loyola University, Chicago and was residing at the then Catholic Youth centre at Ponggol (now Sengkang) until it was razed to the ground.

Helping Father Adrian Anthony with the celebration of Masses and other ad hoc matters helped me to get to know many of the parishioners of the Church of St Vincent De Paul. I felt then (and I still sincerely believe) that the parishioners are warm-hearted and friendly as I felt very much at home although I did not belong to the parish.. I remember how I used to rush down especially on weekdays for morning Mass and then rush off to the Youth centre.

The warmth, friendliness and respect that I experienced then make me look forward to belonging to this parish community.

The hospitality of the parishioners who were generous with their breakfast, lunch and dinner invitations is something unforgettable but, I must say that I am way past all that as I have begun to watch my diet very carefully. My priority is to be in the pink of health by leading a healthy lifestyle so that with good health I can continue to serve the Lord to the fullest.

I also remember that at the time when I was helping Father Adrian, the HDB flats were not there. This means that the parish must have grown with the new estate dwellers and there must be many new faces that I have never seen before. I also remember the vibrant Youth group that was in existence then and I hope that the enthusiasm and zest of the Youth is an ongoing thing in the Parish.

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The neighbourhood group meetings, RCIA sessions, the Masses and my talks on topics such as the Eucharist, Church, youth and families are still fresh in my mind.

Time has definitely passed since then and many of the children and youth would have grown beyond recognition - it is a good seven years and I am sure that I will be in for a number of surprises at seeing how time has passed when I meet those who were in their teens or even much younger during the time I was helping out in the parish. I do hope that whatever memories they may have of my presence will be good ones.

In the midst of all this excitement, I have not forgotten my good friend Father John Sim who offered me a roof over my head when I was told of that the Catholic Youth centre was to be demolished. I will always have grateful memories of his kindness, warmth and hospitality in my time of need. My heartfelt thanks too to my fellow priests Fathers William Lim and Louis Fossion of the Church of St Francis Xavier for their hospitality during my stay with them. I have not forgotten that it was Father William Lim who rushed me to the hospital in time when I was cringing in pain at the time of my heart attack on the 15th January 2002 - a day that can never be erased from my memory!

This will be a new chapter in my life as a priest and I hope that the parishioners of the Church of St Vincent de Paul and you my dear Youth who are reading this article will join me in my prayer for continued guidance from Christ the Good Shepherd so that I will be able to follow in his footsteps closely, as my Teacher, Master and Guide. With his help, I hope to give of my best to the parishioners of St Vincent De Paul so that together we will always be a vibrant Christ-centred community.

The SHINE JESU S SHINE RALLY The Shine Jesus Shine Rally (SJS) was started in 1994 under the guidance of our spiritual director, Father Michael Sitaram, with the primary objective of evangelizing to non-Christians and re-evangelizing to Christians. The rally targets young people ranging from the age of 18 to 35 years of age, and provides an opportunity for youth to meet in a healthy Christian atmosphere and share in the goodness of the Lord.

The first rally, which was held at the Singapore Conference Hall, had a seating capacity of less than 500 and the overwhelming response to this annual event has forced the organising committee to hold it at a bigger venue once every two years.

The SJS rally in 1998 was held over two days at Kallang Theatre, which had a 1700 seating capacity. For the first time, the organising committee did not have to turn anyone away due to insufficient seats, and reached out to more than 3,000 youths. In 1999, the SJS rally was once again held at the Kallang Theatre but, unlike the previous year, the event was held over a day in two sessions.

In the year 2000, in conjunction with the Jubilee Year celebrations, the rally was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and the bigger venue drew bigger numbers. Three Emmaus Evening sessions had been held to lead up to the Year 2000 SJS rally and formed the necessary groundwork that helped youth to develop an understanding of the strong and steadfast love of God the Father, which was the message of the Year 2000 rally.

Last Year, the rally was held in one of the convention halls in Suntec City and was also well attended. The 2001 rally, entitled ‘A-Live Odyssey', centred around the idea of life as a journey with Christ, a journey that is often fraught with difficulties and confusion, but one that we never walk alone. “It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives...Dear young people, in these noble undertakings you are not alone". These words, spoken by His

Holiness, Pope John Paul II, at Tor Vergata on World Youth Day in August 2000, echoed what this journey of life is about and assure youth of the constant presence of Christ and the support of the church community in their journey to become strong Christ-like pilgrims.

This year, the Shine Jesus Shine Rally will be held on December 15that the Singapore Indoor Stadium and the programme lined-up for the evening includes a celebration of Mass at 4pm, which will precede the rally. The committee hopes that youths and their families will attend the Mass together and celebrate the redemptive power of Christ before the rally begins at 7pm. Every year, the programme runs parallel with a theme.

The Year 2002 SJS rally promises to be both a reflective and rejuvenating evening for young people who endeavour to promote their own spiritual and social welfare.

THE THEME ‘Change9 , specially chosen with a view to encourage young people to search within themselves for the obstacles that prevent them from being Christ-like Christians, and which have instead turned them into slaves to society.

THE PROGRAMME aims to heip youth to make that first step towards recognizing the need for change in their lives, to make their lives more Christ-centred.

Fortnightly: Sun. NO V. 10 and Sun. Nov. 17, 2002

16 - T H E C A T H O L I C NEW S

V A T IC A N

The Distinction between *Priesthoods" In recent times, the Church has experienced problems of “priestly identity”, deriving sometimes from an unclear theological understanding of the two ways of participating in the priesthood of Christ, in some areas, these difficulties have progressed to the point of losing that profound ecclesiological balance which is proper to the perennial and authentic Magisterium.

In the priestly people, the Lord instituted a priestly ministry to which some are called so that they might serve the faithful in pastoral charity through sacred power. The common priesthood and the ministerial priesthood differ from each other not only in grade but also in essence.The difference between the two priesthoods is, therefore, not simply one of greater or lesser participation in the priest­ hood of Christ, but one of essentially different ways of participating in that priesthood.

Com m on priesthood

Ministerial priesthood

The baptismal or common priesthood of Christians, which is a genuine participation in the priesthood of Christ, is an essential property of the New People of God1141 «You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people...» (1Pet 2,9); [He] has made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Fathers (Aps 1,6); [Thou] hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God (Aps 5,10) ... they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him» (Aps 20,6). These passages recall Exodus and transfer what was said of the Old Israel to the New Israel: «You shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation* (Ex 19, 5-6). They also recall Deuteronomy: For you are a people holy to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth (Dt 7,6).

While the common priesthood is a consequence of the fact that the Christian people has been chosen

by God as bridge with mankind and involves every believer who has been inserted into this people.

The common priesthood of the faithful is based on baptismal character which is the spiritual seal of their having been claimed for Christ. It “enables and commits Christians to serve God by a vital participation in the sacred liturgy of the Church and to exercise their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy lives and practical charity”.

The ministerial priesthood is the fruit of being chosen, it is the fruit of a specific vocation: «[Jesus] called his disciples, and chose from them twelve» . By virtue of the ministerial priesthood, the faithful are made aware of their common priesthood and actualize it ; the priest constantly reminds them that they are the People of God and prepares them to «offer spiritual sacrifices® , through which Christ himself make of us and eternal offering to the Father. Without the presence of Christ, represented by the priest, who is the spiritual leader of the community, this would not fully be an ecclesial communion.

The ministerial priesthood is based on the sacramental character received in the Sacrament of Orders which configures the priest to Christ so as to enable him to act in the person of Christ, the Head, and to exercise the sacred power to offer Sacrifice and forgive sins. A new and specific mission is sacramentally conferred on those of the baptized who have received the grace of the ministerial priesthood: to embody Christ’s triple office - prophetic, cultic and regal - as Head and Shepherd of the Church in the midst of the people of God. In exercising their specific functions, they act in the person of Christ the Head, and consequently, in the same way, they act in the name of the Church.

The sacramental priesthood, therefore, is both ‘hierarchial’ and ‘ministerial’. It is a particular ‘ministry’, that is a ‘service’, to the community of the faithful. It does not, however, derive from that community nor from its ‘call’ or ‘delegation’.

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Extracts from the Instruction of the Congregation for the Clergy on Parish Priests as Pastors.

Editor

The ministry is a gift for the community which comes from Christ himself and from the fullness of his priesthood. Conscious of this reality, we understand how our priesthood is ‘hierarchial’, that is, how it is connected with the power to form and govern a priestly people (cf. ivi), and how, precisely because of this, it is also ‘ministerial’. We exercise an office through which Christ himself incessantly ‘serves’ the Father in the work of our salvation. Our entire priestly life is, and ought to be, deeply imbued by this service if we wish adequately to offer the Eucharistic Sacrifice ‘in persona Christ’’.

At the present time, however, circumstances are such that it is possible to overcome the danger of “clericalizing" the laity and of “secularizing"1the clergy.

The generous commitment of the laity in the areas of worship, transmission of the faith and pastoral collaboration, in the face of shortages of priests, has tempted some sacred ministers and laity to go beyond that which is permitted by the Church and by their own ontological sacramental capacities. This results in a theoretical and practical under estimation of the specific mission of the laity to sanctify the structures of society from within.

This same crisis of identity has also brought about the “secularization” of some sacred ministers by the obfuscation of their absolutely indispensable specific role in ecclesial communion.

In the Church, the priest, another Christ, is the minister of the essential salvific actions. Acting in the person of Christ, the Head, he is the fount of life and vitality in the Church and in his parish by virtue of his sacrificial power to confect the Body and Blood of the Redeemer, his authority to proclaim the Gospel, and his power to conquer the evil of sin through sacramental forgiveness. The priest himself is not the source of this spiritual life. Rather, it comes from Him who distributes it to all the people of God. The priest, anointed by the Holy Spirit, is the servant who enters the sacramental sanctuary: Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen, from whom salvation comes.

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CF RalphMartin

Patti Gallagher Mansfield Patti Gallagher M ansfield was a participant in the February 1967 "Duquesne Weekend" which marked the beginning o f the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. From the early days o f the Renewal she has served as a leader through teaching, w ritin g and pastoral ministry. She is a frequent speaker at charismatic rallies, conferences and retreats for la ity and priests worldwide. Author o f several books including “ As By A New Pentecost” , she and her husband are liaisons to the Bishop for the Charis­ matic Renewal in New Orleans, USA .

Dates : Saturday 23rd Nov 2002 (1.30pm-9pm) Sunday 24th Nov 2002 (9am - 6pm) Venue : St Joseph’s Institution Auditorium Contribution : $35 (including tea-breaks & meals) *Conference by registration only. Forms availlable from respective Charismatic Prayer Groups.

In Conjunction with the 25th Anniversary o f the Risen Christ Charismatic Prayer Group “ N ew h e a r t... N ew spirit ... N ew life’’ Dates : 18th ,19th Nov 2002 (rallies) 7.30pm 20th Nov 2002 (mass,rally)

Considered by many to be one o f the most effective evangelists, he is a prominent speaker at interna­ tional charismatic and evangelical rallies and conferences. He also evangelises through his radio and T V programmes throughout USA. Pope John Paul II once told him :'' You must continue the w ork you are doing''. He has worked closely w ith Cardinal Suenens to establish the International Charismatic O ffice in the 1970s. W ith a Masters degree in theology, he is also a visiting Professor o f Theology at the renowned Francis­ can University o f Steubenville.He is the author o f many books including “ The Catholic Church at the End o f An Age” .

Venue: Church of the Risen Christ * Programme Includes : Praise&Worship, Talks, Healing

7.30pm PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY KHL PRINTING CO PTE LTD, 57 LOYANG DRIVE, SINGAPORE 508968.