DECEMBER 08, 2002, vol 52, no 25 by CatholicNews

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T h e O ffic ia l N e w s p a p e r of th e R o m an C a th o lic A rc h d io c e s e of S in g a p o re Fortnightly: SUNDAYS, DEC. 8 - DEC. 15, 2002

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The RELIGIOUS and SCHOOL MISSION Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education At a Press Conference on 19 November the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education presented a new Document on "Consecrated Persons and their Mission in Schools".

SERVICES page 7

F a ith

........ page 8 FORMATION Bible

Vol. 52 No. 25

Prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal Zenon Grochlewski said that the object of the document was to help the Religious to reflect on their educative presence in schools and to offer guidelines to serve and motivate them in their educative mission in today's context. The Church, he pointed out, had a tradition of being involved in education with the likes of Saints John Bosco, John Calasanzio, John Baptist de la Salle, Domenica Mazzarello and Lucia Filippini, to name just a few. The Cardinal-Prefect focussed on the context of the document which is "the SCHOOL" and its demands. Touching briefly on the implications of the school in terms of its extensive reach in the 3rd millennium, he cited the staggering figures that this specialized area of mission involves. The conviction of the importance of education in the last ten years of the 2nd millennium has

grown and in numerous world Conferences the role of education in the future of humanity, the cause of peace, sustainable development and the dignity of the human person, has been emphasized repeatedly. The essential pillars of education in the 21st century have been outlined by Jacques Delors in his report to UNESCO in 1996: they are "To learn to know, to learn to do, to learn to live together and to learn to be. [ “Apprendre a connaftre"-, “Apprendre a f a i r e “Apprendre a vivre ensemble” e “Apprendre a etre”. ]

With his reference to available statistics, the Cardinal-Prefect underscored the vastness of this aspect of the Church's field of mission, and the indispensible presence of consecrated Religious in the context of the school of today. He concluded his intervention with an appeal to the Religious to retain the importance of their educative mission, despite the difficulties of education in today's world, the drop in religious vocations and the temptation to abandon the service of education.

STARK FIGURES UNESCO 2000 statistics 1 billion children of school age 58 million teaching / non-teaching staff 135 million children (6-11 yrs ) not in school 280 million youth without / scarcely any education 800 million adults, youth and children completely uneducated, the majority in developing countries, increasing the "North/South" divide. Office International de I'Enseianement Catholique (OIEC), 1994 Statistics 250,000 Catholic schools 42 million students

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Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

4 - THE CATHOLIC NEWS The

CatholicNews

V IE W P O IN T

E D IT O R

Dr. (Rev.) Robert R Balhetchet

Taking Stock

M ANAGER

R ev. Fr. J o h n so n F e rn a n d e z STA FF C O R R E SPO N D E N T

M s. M el D ia m se -L e e

2 Highland Road #01-03 Singapore 549102 Tel: 6-858-3055 Fax: 6-858-2055 Email: cathnews@catholic.org.sg

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THE PEWS Responses are from the Editor.

It appears providentially coincidental that while The Singapore Parliament debates the re-vamp of our Education System, the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education is in the process of issuing documents on Catholic Education, which should prompt a re-assessment of Catholic education in the Third Millennium. Education is by no means new in the context of the Church's Mission. From very early times, the Church has been the pioneer of "scholastic" education in its modern form, ranging from the simple church schools to the oldest of Catholic Universities. from The importance of basic education in the "school" as T he E ditor we would refer to it commonly Dr (Rev) Robert P. Balhetchet today, prompted the Vatican to restructure its Congregation for Seminaries and Universities by the Apostolic Constitution: "Government of the Universal Church” which took effect from 1 March 1968. The name of the Congregation was changed to the "Congregation for Catholic Education" adding a third office called the "Schools Office" to develop further the fundamental principles of education, especially in schools. Since then, a number of official documents have been issued with the authority of the Holy Father, the titles of which clearly indicate the concerns of the Church in respect of Catholic Schools; In 1977 the Congregation for Catholic Education issued the basic document "The Catholic School'. This was followed in 1982 by the document: "Lay Catholics

Appreciation

(teachers) in schools: witness to faith", "Educational Guidance in Human Love" in 1983, "The Catholic School

I have just returned from the UK. This is a long overdue e-mail of gratitude. I'd like to thank you for the great scope of focus in the Catholic News, ranging from Vatican views on international affairs, to spirituality and theology. The latter articles help me journey deeper in my faith and provide spiritual food for thought to enter the Mystery of Christ. The former keep me focused on what I discern as my vocation. I am greatly interested in international law and believe deeply in natural law and justice. I hope to pursue this avenue in bringing some relief, albeit small, to the oppressed and dispossessed of this world. Thank you very, very much to you and your team. God bless. Kindest regards, H.L.T

on the Threshold o f the Third Millennium"

Thank you for expressing your appreciation. It certainly helps to motivate. Your hopes to bring some relief, albeit small, to the oppressed and dispossessd of this world is particularly laudible. Vatican II described the role of the laity as being especially and uniquely in the areas where they are, and where they have expertise. If all Catholics and especially Catholic professionals could think along those lines and, above all, act along those lines, Christ would certainly be more effectively incarnated in society. We wish you all success in your endeavours and through them, we know that you will be working for the wider establishment of God's Kingdom in the world.

in 1997, and

just this month, "Consecrated Persons and their Mission

in the School" followed a few days later by yet another document "Globalization and Catholic Higher Education: hopes and challenges".

These are very important documents in relation to the Catholic School, yet one wonders how known they are, not to mention how much they have been studied and discussed. The first of the documents released this month highlights the place and the importance of the Catholic School in the mission of the Church and how important the presence of consecrated religious is to the Catholic School, to the point that the Secretary of the Congregation declared that the decline in the numbers of Religious teachers in Catholic schools around the world "radically changes the make-up of a Catholic school, rendering far more difficult, the preservation of the Catholic identity."

The situation in our own country, in this regard, is certainly the case, and one wonders what direction the Catholic School will take in the course of the years to come. It is very clear too, from all the documents of the Congregation for Catholic Education, that THE characteristic of the Catholic school is not simply an educational institution where the Catholic faith (or Catechism) is taught. Which is why, "Catechism Classes" in Parishes can not be said to be the solution for the situation that obtains in our schools. If the "Catholic School" is the extension of the family as the cradle of "faith" - if it is the backbone of formation in faith of the Church of the future, we need all to be very concerned indeed about where our "Catholic Schools" are at, and where they are headed.

O n P o v e r ty On my return to Singapore after a visit to the USA , The new Los Angeles Cathedral I read CN which gave focus to poverty (and wealth). It seems to me that poverty is not an issue with a simple solution. I can only make some observations The 3,000-seat without being able to do anything. main church, Singapore is considered a wealthy country. 11 chapels, Apparently when Pang Eng Fong met the Pope as bell tower, Singapore’s representative to the Vatican, the Pope conference centre and public plaza, had commented that Singapore is a rich country. cost The letter in CN, on car parking in Church, reflects US$195 million. the wealth of Singapore Catholics. Several years ago, when a Parish experienced parking problems, I suggested to an assistant Parish Priest that a solution Indeed, when one is not exactly "poor", poverty would be to pray that God would make the parishioners is usually not on the "main agenda" of one's poor so that they cannot afford to own cars ! considerations. And when a "country" is rich, While in Los Angeles I saw the grand new that certainly does not mean that there are no Catholic Cathedral (the old Cathedral is considered poor people in it - which is really ironical! unsafe after an earthquake). As one of the largest As for "being able to do something" - that Catholic cities, Los Angeles needs a decent can always be achieved! One doesn't need to Cathedral. Roughly, half the population is Spanish speaking, and taking into account Catholics from other be rich or powerful to help someone in need. If each person who is better off were to help one ethnic groups, it can be said that the majority of the person who is "in need", there shouldn't be too people of Los Angeles are Catholic. However there many poor people around. And, by the way, are critics who say that the money spent on the new one doesn't need to wait till everybody else building could have been spent on helping the poor. begins to help another, before we start to do so Near El Paso in Texas, I could look into Mexico. - otherwise a start would never be made. In Texas many people speak only Spanish and no If one really wants to do something, it's English. These people had come from Mexico to seek surprising how little it takes to ease the struggle a better life in the USA. Mexico, is the second largest of another who is having a problem trying to Catholic country in the world. But it cannot provide its keep the family and children going! citizens with a better life. And as for opulent places of worship, one This reminded me that nearer home, the Philippines cannot help but wonder about the validity of the is the only Catholic country in Asia. So many of its argument that "nothing is too good for God's women citizens have to go out to seek work. house’ - and what about "God's poor"? By the Perhaps in the past, Catholics in the world way, did Jesus have a house in Israel? probably did not consider poverty an important issue. The "Church" has always been concerned I do not think many past issues of CN had a front about the poor - whether all of us are, is page comment on poverty. A.Y.J.C. another matter!

P r a is e a n d W o r s h ip I was very impressed by the Shine Jesus Shine Rally. One thought came to my mind: “Why can't we have Praise and Worship more frequently on a parish level? And have it as a service by itself on Sundays.” I think we are living in a rather stressful society, and praise and worship form of devotion helps us to unwind and get emotional about the Lord who loves us very much. The Protestant churches are doing very well in this area.I think we have a lot to learn from them. Furthermore, it is easier to evangelise in such setting and definitely more ecumenical. PT No reason why you can't. It's up to parishes themselves! Sundays, though, are a different matter. Most other Christian denominations do NOT have the Eucharist, which, for the Catholic Church is THE focal point of the Day of the Lord. Rallies like Shine Jesus Shine, combine the Rally with the Eucharist, but those are necessarily only special occasions.

T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S - 5

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

LO C A L

S C H O O L S

C le a n a n d h e a lt h y h o m e in E u n o s / K e m b a n g a n .

-R e s o u rc eC e n tre sfo rP o o r INDIA, Kolkata, (UCAN) — A missionary nun in India who has received an international award for “Catholic stewardship” says all Christian schools should be resource centers to serve the poor. The International Catholic Stewardship Council awarded Kolkata-based Loreto Sister Mooney Cyril for her outstanding service and innovative education programs for poor children. The Irish-born nun, who has lived in India since 1956, is convener ofthe West Bengal State Resource Group for Education of the Deprived Urban Children. She is also principal of Loreto Day School in Sealdah, Kolkata, the West Bengal capital. Sister Cyril, 66, is the first person in Asia to receive the International Catholic Stewardship Award. Christian schools “should be seen as a resource center for the kingdom of God. It is an ideal opportunity to use our resources for the poorest of the poor,”she said, in describing her vision of education. The award was announced at the end of the Annual Stewardship Conference held Oct. 27-30 in Toronto, Canada. The Catholic Stewardship Council was started in 1962 in the United States to promote holistic Christian stewardship. Sister Cyril’s internationally recognized “Rainbow Kids” project educates slum children. The project and her Day School won the 1994 Noma Prize from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for excellence in spreading literacy. All the students in her school, aged 10 and above, are taught to be teachers for some 250 “Rainbow Kids”from the city streets, she said. “We call them rainbows because they come and go as they please. You never know when to expect a rainbow, but it gives great joy when it appears,” Sister Cyril explained. Her project, unlike many others for street children, is not run after school hours. Each regular school student gives up some class time to teach the street children, and this is “the heart of this entire concept,”she said. Sister Cyril has successfully brought rich and poor children together in her school. “Education makes no sense just being confined to the (upper) classes. It has to be also taken to the masses — to those who sit outside the school with scanty clothes, drooping eyes and hungry stomachs,”she said. In her school, 721 students are unable to pay fees due to poverty, but this is offset by the other 676 students who do pay. Sister Cyril believes in creating an environment where “the poorest child, by her very presence in the school, challenges the value judgments based on money or power.” Education of a child is the education of the “future society, because it provides an instrument of human change, change of heart,” she said. The nun also travels across the globe to make known her model of “a school within a school.” A student of the school says that the street girls “are like our sisters, only they are poorer. They are not different from any one of us, all created by God and placed in different situations.” The state government’s District Primary Education Program and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) jointly run a school for poor urban children under the leadership of Sister Cyril.

C h r is t in t h e M a r k e tp la c e

Q u a lity g u id a n c e fo r s tu d e n ts .

C a ll W e n W e n

9 3 4 1 -8 6 9 0

By Sr Mary Grace Lee, fsp

Divine Providence has given the DAUGHTERS OF ST PAUL an opportunity to be present in the mega mall "JURONG POINT" where thousands of people throng this huge shopping complex looking for all kinds of things. Here they are likely to find that Someone who can make a great difference to their lives. Jesus Christ is waiting for them in the form of books, cassettes, electronic media such as VCD, DVD and other audiovisuals which convey His message to them. In His time on earth Jesus went about searching for people in the most crowded places. Today these crowded places are the markets and shopping malls. Hence it is vital to be present in such places to meet the people whom Jesus wishes to encounter. Courtesy of Mr Edwin Lee, a Methodist, owner of Jurong Point, the Sisters have a tiny kiosk

offering the kind of books, audiovisuals, electronic media and even religious items which can uplift, inspire, satisfy and fulfil the human heart’s yearning for something beautiful, something noble, something meaningful and something lasting. Together with the Sisters are some Pauline Cooperators, lay people who desire to share in the mission and spirituality of the Pauline Family. This is one more outlet for them to fulfil their evangelizing mission. The first day that the Sisters opened their kiosk, Wed Nov 20, a man immediately took the Bible in his hands and looked at it intently. He was unable to buy it but said he would return some other time. The next lady, a Christian, also went straight to the Bibles and she chose the Good News Bible. A Malaysian lady spoke about her search for the right religion. She had been brought up in a convent school so she thought of going back to the faith she knew in her childhood. She asked to join a RCIA class. She took the book 50 QUESTIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM. A Hindu girl told of her mother’s illness and her desire to pray for her. She was consoled to find the prayer book called 40 Personal Prayers because there were also prayers for the sick and for the care-givers. In the course of the days that followed, many Catholics also came to the kiosk, happily surprised to find a Catholic outlet where they could meet their devotional needs, find inspirational literature, good music and films for their faith nourishment. The father of Mr Edwin Lee visited the kiosk while doing his rounds of the mall, and he was very pleased to see the Sisters there. He understood that this was a ministry and he urged his managers to help the sisters with whatever could lead to a more effective ministry for the people in the mall. Although the hours at the mall are long and tedious, the Sisters feel that it is worth the sacrifice because Jesus is there waiting for people who need Him and the mission of the Sisters enables them to reach the Lord. The little kiosk is a reference point for those who wish to come to know God and for those who need a human contact for whatever troubles their hearts and lives. Come to think of it, it is an awesome thing to be a representative of Jesus, on call all the time!

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R E G IO N A L P ic k in g u p S t e a m MONGOLIA, Ulaanbaatar (UCAN) — Some 3,000 people in a village outside Ulaanbaatar can now get a bath, as well as their daily bread, thanks to a community group organized by a nun. The two-storey, red brick building the self-help community recently opened in Shuwuu, some 40 kilometers west of the Mongolian capital, houses a public bath, bakery, community room and chapel. Sister Marife Sebial, who has been working to build a self-reliant community based on Christian values in the village since 1998, said that two-thirds of the villagers have “never had the chance to take a hot bath.” About 200 of the 300 families in the village live either in “ger” (felt tents) or wooden cabins without running water. Sister Sebial, began her work in Shuwuu by offering weekly English classes to staff and students of the school there. Eventually, the people began meeting at the school to discuss community issues. They sought ways to improve their life, such as by learning skills they could use to earn additional money. Currently, some 60 villagers meet regularly. None of the villagers are Catholic, though some attend Mass during Easter. “When the community started to discuss what needs we had, the lack of a bathhouse was quite obvious,” Sister Sebial said. Villagers pay a small fee to use the bath, which is operated by the community members. It occupies two-thirds of the ground floor of the 90-squaremeter rectangular building. The community bakery, formerly housed in a ger, takes up the rest of the ground floor. Close to a thousand kilograms of flour are used each month to produce bread, cakes and rolls that are sold in nearby shops. The bakery only manages to break even, but in doing so it provides income for its female staff, bread for the village and classes in baking. A multipurpose room, office and chapel are located on the second story of the building, which was blessed by Monsignor Wenceslao Padilla, apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar. Sister Sebial said her congregation and Misereor, the German Catholic bishops’ agency for development aid, funded the low-cost construction project for the building. The site will be used for English language and sewing classes, youth and children’s club activities, community meetings and other functions. There are also plans for a community hall with a computer room and study room next year. At the blessing ceremony, the village head called the community project “a real contribution to the village where most people are unemployed and very poor. This work really serves the people.” The local government also expressed its appreciation by offering the community a piece of land for farming some two kilometers away. Sister Sebial said, “I told them that we should not take more than what we are able to manage, so we accepted 10 hectares.” The community has also started an experimental husbandry scheme. Through it, families get livestock and fodder. At the end of a year, a family is to return the same number of sheep, goats and cows it received and pay the cost of the fodder. This keeps the scheme running on its own. Families often are unable to buy fodder during the freezing Mongolian winters, so the animals suffer and usually get eaten.

S tr e s s a n d P e a c e M a k in g THAILAND, Bangkok (UCAN) — Pressure on students, peacemaking and human rights are key areas of concern for leaders of the International Young Christians Students (IYCS) movement in Asia who are preparing for a regional assembly. Ten student leaders representing the East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia zones of the Catholic movement’s Asian region gathered in Bangkok Nov. 810 to prepare for the 9th IYCS Asian Session and Council, to be held May 23-June 3, 2003, in Nonthaburi, Thailand, The theme will be: “With Heart and Faith, We Call upon All Students to Build a Culture of Peace and Love.” It will guide the movement in Asia from 2003 to 2006. More than 70 youth from 14 countries are expected to attend the event. Participants at the preparatory meeting agreed that stress is taking a heavy toll on students as schools become more commercialized and competitive. Communal tension, conflicts and terrorism are also major stress-producing factors, they said, leading to the need to emphasize human rights and peace. Concerns carried over from previous years included the need to address the negative impact of consumerism, globalization and modernization on students. This year, however, attention was focused on how information technology affects students’ faith and family life, and how poverty due to unequal distribution of wealth limits educational opportunities. Another topic given consideration was environmental pollution. Manoj Mathew and Rungtip Imrungruang of the Manila-based IYCS Asian team moderated the Nov. 8-10 meeting with assistance from Father Chalerm Kitmongkol, a YCS chaplain and executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand. YCS leaders from Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Sri Lanka attended.

R is k s to

b e ta k e n

INDIA, Panaji (UCAN) — Risks, changes in seminary formation and lay involvement are needed to invigorate evangelization efforts, a Vatican official told Indian bishops at a mission animation program. “No pains should be spared to pursue mission among priests, and risks must be taken to promote evangelization,”Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith said at a Nov. 18-22 program organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies of India. The Vatican-based archbishop, President of the international Pontifical Mission Societies and adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, stressed that bishops have the duty to unveil the essence of evangelization to the faithful. The Church would cease to exist if it failed to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. All structures and finances of the diocese should be subservient to mission, Archbishop Ranjith said. He asked the Church leaders to heighten missionary awareness among all Christians while fostering missionary cooperation among local Churches. He also emphasized the need to make changes in academic formation in seminaries and to open the role of evangelization to laity. He asked the Church workers not be discouraged if they do not achieve quick results, reminding them that it is Jesus who evangelizes and they are mere instruments. “Realize that we are mere sowers of the ERA S e llin g , B u y in g o r C a r e e r in R e a l E s ta te REAL ESTATE seed,” he said. Archbishop Ranjith said he would like to ^ A LW A YS TH E R E see mission-oriented formation of children, ResaleNet FO R YO U youth and families as well as diocesan mission initiatives. Ic A F o r f a s t e r a n d b e t t e r re s u lts , p le a s e c a ll Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, Apostolic Nuncio to India, wrote in a message to the IVY LAU M M 9001-1743 participants that two-thirds of the world’s people “do not know Jesus and the growth of ANTO NAZARETH 9853-0698 the young Churches in Africa and Asia is Certified Professional in sales ‘- ^ ( M I S ) CEA Cert.-in-CEH A slow.” Describing Asia as “least evangelized,” he said “the faithful in the Church should K E N N E T H G O M E S a n z if ( s n r assoc) therefore take active part in proclaiming the Good News.” H P : 9671-4101 Appropriate priestly formation is essential, Top Rookie & Top 10 Salesperson for September. 2002 he said, for “if seminaries do not supply men who are dedicated to the proclamation of Top 3 Rookie & Top Team Salesperson for October 2002 Christ, then everything is useless.” A Call The Professional.........for all your Property needs. seminary ought to be a “powerhouse of missionary commitment” but some seminaries Trustworthy & Dependable I will serve you with all my Heart “do not even teach mission theology.” & Soul, market your property with diligence & hardwork. Bishops have to be more than administrators,they must move with people, J u s t S o ld b y m e la s t m o n th , 5 R m H o u g a n g A v e 8 know their problem s and get to know their B lk 6 5 5 $ 3 3 6 K & H illc r e s t R d I n t e r T e r r a c e a t $ 1 .2 5 M illio n . aspirations.

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THAILAND, Bangkok (UCAN) — Bishop Louis Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, head of Pakse vicariate in southern Laos, with just one priest to help him, definitely wishes for more priests. The apostolic vicar, who was ordained a bishop over a year ago, also wishes for strong lay leaders and improved Church-govemment relations. The ethnic Khamu bishop was in Bangkok for the Nov. 11-18 meeting of the Bishops’ Conference of Laos and Cambodia. Pakse has more than 12,000 Catholics scattered in 60 villages, with most of them living in Champasak and Saravan provinces. The vicariate also serves Xeguang and Attapu provinces. The four provinces have some 910,000 people. “We have one priest and one bishop taking care of the 60 villages,” Bishop Ling said. “The urgent need of the vicariate is to have more priests to minister to these Catholics, some of whom see a priest only once a year.” Pastoral work from his base in Pakse, a town by the Mekong River some 465 kilometres southeast of Vientiane, occupies most of his time each day. The bishop takes personal responsibility for six villages, visiting each in turn over a six-week period, while Father Antoine Biengta Vonghachak takes care of about 30 villages. They rely on some 20 nuns and 120 catechists to conduct religious services and teach catechism in villages they are unable to visit. They try, though, to visit all of the villages during feasts such as Christmas and Easter. However, there is no mistaking the optimism in his voice when he talks about new clergy. His vicariate has eight seminarians, one of whom has completed theology studies. Bishop Ling is also hopeful about having a Church full of strong lay leaders who will help build a participatory Church, setting up Basic Christian Commu nities and reaching out to people who are not Catholics. But his optimism dips when he speaks of ground realities. His wishes seem impractical, he observed, when the Church lacks adequate resources and the task of maintaining normal pastoral duties is overwhelming. As for building a participatory Church, he said, “How could I have lay leaders when I don’t even have a lay leadership program?” He reasons that to have a pro gram for laity, there must be lay experts to run the program. But in reality, he said, “We have neither the experts nor the trainees.” Meanwhile, there is little the Church can do to foster better relations with the government but hope. “I wish government authorities would eliminate their mistrust of the Church so we could work together to build unity and harmony,” Bishop Ling said. Laos has four apostolic vicariates — ThakhekSavannakhet in central Laos, Vientiane and Luang Prabang in the north, and Pakse in the south.

B e n e fits o f M e d ia

C e n tre

PAKISTA, Lahore (UCAN) — The Pakistan Catholic bishops’ national audiovisual center has worked effectively for social harmony and professionalism during its 25 years, say Church and secular media people. “We have always worked together with Muslims to produce music and to promote social harmony,”Arch bishop Lawrence John Saldanha of Lahore said during a Nov. 21 anniversary event for WAVE (Workshop Audio Visual Education) Studio. The chairman of the bishop's social communication commission also noted the high degree of professionalism the studio maintains. “Communication succeeds when it is professional. You can’t do it with amateurs,” he added. Archbishop Saldanha outfitted WAVE with digital equipment as its former manager and executive secretary of the communications commission before his episcopal ordination. It is located in Rabita Manzil, the commission's national office in Lahore, 270 kilometers southeast of Islamabad. State-run Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan, and many film producers use the studio to make quality recordings. Muneeza Hashmi, general manager of Pakistan Television in Lahore, attended the anniversary celebration at St. Anthony’s College in the city. She commended the studio for its professionalism, organization and teamwork. “It is communication that brings people together, that brings races together, that brings religions together, that removes hatred and promotes love,”she said.

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S - 7

R e c o n c ilia tio n S e r v ic e s

Sun Tues Wed Thurs Friday

Dec 15 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

Our Lady of Lourdes St Bernadette St Teresa Ss Peter & Paul St Michael

The days and times for Reconciliation Services for the Feast of Christmas are provided by the various parishes for this issue of the Catholic News which went to print on Monday 2 December. Please check with the parishes nearer the dates, to confirm.

7.45 am 8 pm 8 pm 8 pm 8 pm

NORTH DISTRICT Tues Wed Thurs Fri

Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

Star of the Sea Christ The King Risen Christ Holy Spirit

10 am 10.30 am 10.30 am 10.30 am

8jam 7 pm 7 pm

8.30 pm 8.30 pm 8 pm

WEST DISTRICT Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri

Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

St Mary of The Angels St Ignatius Blessed Sacrament St Francis of Assisi Holy Cross

■V

VI/?!

8 pm 8 pm 8 pm 8j?m 8 pm

EAST DISTRICT Mon Tues Wed Thurs Friday

Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

0 L Perpetual Succour Queen of Peace Holy Family Holy Trinity St Stephen

10.30am 10.30am 10.30am

........... 8 pm 8 pm 8 pm 8 pm 8 pm

SERANGOON DISTRICT Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri

Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 20

St Anne St Vincent De Paul St Francis Xavier Nativity Immaculate Heart

/ /

I 7.30j?m 7.30 pm 7.30 pm 7.30 pm 7.30 pm

R E G IO N A L B is h o p

B e lo

Bishop Basilio do Nascimento who is the Apostolic Administrator of Baucau, East Timor, now also Apostolic Adminstrator of Dili

SSTC Education Centre Celebrating 25 years of Excellence in Education

E X E C U T I V E 2 5 %Off S E C R E T A R Y |ly

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry

£ § University o f Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate

r e s ig n s

EAST TIMOR, Dili (UCAN) — The resignation of Salesian Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo as apostolic administrator of Dili has surprised many people in East Timor. Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation on Nov. 26 and ap pointed Bishop Basilio do Nascimento, apostolic administrator of Baucau, to also serve as apostolic administrator of Dili. The two dioceses cover the whole country. “Timor Kmanek” Radio station, run by Dili diocese, began broad casting news of the bishop’s resignation at 2 pm on Nov. 26. It repeated the same broadcast every 30 minutes until Nov. 27 morning. A woman who heard the news on the radio made the sign of cross and cried as she listened. She said she was worried and asked not to be named, saying that the situation in East Timor is unstable with a lot of problems and that they still needed a person like Bishop Belo for a quite long time. The recently named Nobel Laureate, in his resignation letter written in Portuguese, said his request to resign was due to poor health. “I am suffering from both physical and mental fatigue that will require a long period of recuperation,” Bishop Belo wrote. At a Mass on the waterfront grounds of his residence last Sunday, he told worshippers that the long years of conflict had left himwith high blood pressure and vulnerable to a stroke. The pope accepted Bishop Belo’s resignation according to section 2 of Canon 401 that says a diocesan bishop who, because of illness, has become unable to fulfil his duty, is earnestly requested to offer his resignation from office. Reporters had asked the bishop about rumours of his resignation when he arrived home from Europe last week. But he told the press in Dili’s Komoro airport, “It is not true. I was in Europe for medical checkup, not to talk about it with the Vatican.” Ordained a bishop in 1983, Bishop Belo became a symbol of resistance to Indonesian rule over East Timor due to his defence of human rights. Indonesia sent troops into East Timor in 1975, after the Portuguese colonial govern ment withdrew, and “integrated”the territory as a province the following year. It rescinded the integration following an independence referendum in 1999, and East Timor officially became an independent country this past May after two years under a transitional UN authority.

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Bishop Belo - Nobel Laureate

US, Washington (CNS) — Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of East Timor can be a more effective advocate for the East Timorese in retirement, said his biographer. Arnold Kohen, the bishop’s biographer and a consultant for the U.S. bishops’ Office of International Justice and Peace, said the bishop is being treated for high blood pressure and dizzy spells. “He’s not dropping out of things concerning East Timor. It just means he’ll be doing things in a different way,” Kohen told Catholic News Service.

“Indeed, one could make the argument that he could be more effective putting forth his stature as a Nobel Laureate on behalf of East Timor, which he has never had the chance to do because of all his day-to-day responsibilities of running a diocese,” he said.

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Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

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

F A IT H P r e p a r in g

th e

L IF E

W a y 2 ADVENT

08 D ecem ber 2 0 0 2

TEXTS

A p p l i c a t i o n in L i f e

The whole season of Advent is the special period set aside by the Church to prepare ourselves for the coming Feast of Christmas. But the liturgy today focuses very specifically on that preparation.

FIRST READING Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11 RESPONSORIAL Ps. 84

First Reading: This beautiful and powerful passage is a real "classic" that foretells the coming of the Messiah - certainly a spiritual Messiah and by no means a temporal one who would vanquish the enemies of Israel.

SECOND READING 2 Peter 3:8-14 GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8

"Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord... .. the glory ofthe Lord shall be revealed... Here is the Lord coming in power.. ... a shepherd feeding his flock gathering lambs in his arms."

FEASTS OF THE WEEK Mon 9 Immaculate Conception Tue 10 Advent week 2 Wed 11 Advent week 2 St Damasus i, P ope Thu 12 Advent week 2 St Jane Frances de Chantal, religiou s Fri 13 St Lucy, Virgin, Martyr Sat 14 St John of the Cross, p riest, D o cto r

The Advent Wreath Blessing Father, we praise you for sending your Son to save us from our sins and to be light in our darkness. Bless + us as we gather in his name and bless + this wreath as a sign of his light among us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Responsorial: Equally beautiful is Ps.. 48. .. His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our land .. Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Second Reading: The exhortation from St. Peter is a logical consequence of our faith in the redemptive plan: ”... you should be living holy and saintly lives ... while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace." Alleluia: The verse echoes the refrain from Isaiah. “Prepare a way for the Lord .. all mankind shall see his salvation."

This is precisely as the text says a quotation from Isaiah which we had in the First Reading. It is applied to John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, the Precursor of Jesus as he is called, who came precisely to prepare the people of Israel to welcome their long-awaited Messiah: "A voice cries in the Gospel:

wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord.."

We await the coming of Jesus at Christmas. He has of course already come among us - he IS among us, but he comes to us continually in new ways, provided we are receptive to him. Each year we go through the same liturgical seasons and celebrate the same great feasts of Christmas and Easter. There is the danger that we regard all this as some sort of "play-acting" much like the "Passion Play" during Holy Week and the "Nativity Pageant" at Christmas time. A danger, that is, if we just stop at the celebrations and festivities at "those" times of the year when streets are lighted and storeshelves are loaded with "goodies" that come out only at those special times of the year. Even the Midnight Mass can become just one of those special things once a year - as some say: "I just must go to midnight Mass... other wise I don't feel like Christmas."

We need to remember that the mysteries that we celebrate in our liturgy are divine realities that are "out of time" in God, but with a continuing reality in our time, in the world. We celebrate Christmas once a year, but it is the mystery of the love of God for man - the continuing reality of the Incarnation which we celebrate - not just an annual celebration. But is is not just a cause for celebration. THE most important thing is that it must become a reality in our persons and our lives, and indeed, in our world. God became Incarnate in Jesus, not only to save "souls" but to save the world, to save the whole of creation, which must be brought to reconciliation with Him. That is why the liturgy today speaks of "preparing a way for the Lord". There are two aspects to that preparation: - a sort of "negative" element, in the Opening Prayer: "Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory." - then a positive approach in the exhortation of St. Peter (Second Reading): "... you should be living holy and saintly lives... while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace."

- Book of Blessings Canadian Bishops' Conference GRAPHICS: COPYRIGHT - THE ORDER OF ST BENEDICT

W itn e s s in g

fo r th e

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

L ig h t

3 ADVENT

15 Decem ber 2 0 0 2

A p p l i c a t i o n in L if e

TEXTS The whole of the Advent Season is a time of prepartion for the coming celebration of that great mystery of the Incarnation - the mystery of the Love of God - God loved the world so much that he sent his only begotten Son. But there are a couple of new dimensions: joy and mission.

FIRST READING Isaiah 61:1-2; 10-11 RESPONSORIAL Luke 1:46-50. 53-54 SECOND READING 1 Thess. 5:16-24

Isaiah gives us an insight into these two elements. We celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus - we cel ebrate the love of God, but we have a mission: The spirit of First Reading:

GOSPEL John 1:6-8. 19-28

S y m b o l iz e s ‘penitence’. C h a n g e in t h e s e n s e o f ta k in g n e w d ir e c tio n s in t h e f o o t s t e p s o f C h ris t. V io le t is u s e d d u rin g t h e p r e p a r a to r y s e a s o n s o f L e n t (fo r E a s t e r ) a n d A d v e n t (fo r C h r is tm a s ) .

Sunday Cycle 2-B Weekday Cycle: 1

Second Reading: Again the "joy” element, this time from the pen of St Paul: "Be happy at all times., arid for all things give thanks to God."

We cannot, however, give witness by our lives if our own lives have not been transformed. Christ's Incarnation is not a "one-off1event, something that took place in history two millennia ago. It is an "out-of time" reality in God. It is necessarily perceived by us as an historical event, but we must constantly remind ourselves that it is a continuing process that must take place first in our own lives. Jesus has to be incarnated in us so that we can begin to say with St. Paul: "To me, to

"I exult for joy in the Lord ...m y soul rejoices in God."

Usually a Psalm, but this Sunday, it is that beautiful Hymn of Mary, the Magnificat: My soul rejoices in God my Saviour. What a joy must have filled Mary at the Annunciation to know that she had been chosen as THE instrument of God’s mission to reconcile the world to himself.

Alleluia Verse: The refrain of mission consciousness: The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to '"bring the Good News to the poor.. " to those impoverished by the

Liturgical Colour Violet

lack of response to the Good news of the Incarnation.

speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him." (Gospel)

Responsorial:

inspiration from.

p riest, D o cto r)

We have to be conscious of continuing the mission of John the Baptist, who was "... a man .. sent by God. He came as a witness, .. to The joy of Christmas, which we look forward to with great expectancy, must be shared with all. It is the glad tidings of God's love for us, manifest in the sending of His Son Jesus into the world that have to be shared. This is why we must prepare ourselves to receive Christ fullv into our own hearts. Only then will we be in a position to fulfil our function as witnesses to God's love for man. How far have we progressed in our preparation for Christ this Advent season? How well have we been giving witness to God's love?

the Lord has been given to me .. he has sent me to bring good news to the poor ..to bind up hearts..to proclaim liberty., and freedom ..." This is where the well-known hymn takes its

FEASTS OF THE WEEK Mon 16 Advent week 3 Tue 17 Mass of Dec 17 Wed 18 Mass of Dec18 Thu 19 Mass of Dec 19 Fri 20 Mass of Dec 20 Sat 21 Mass of Dec 21 {Saint Peter Canistus,

We have to make ours the words of the Alleluia verse: The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to "bring the Good News to the poor. ”

Gospel: The passage comes just after The Prologue or beginning of St John's Gospel - that grandiose piece that describes in poetic terms the mystery of God's iove for man the Incarnation. St John sets the stage for mission in the role of John the Baptist who came as "a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him.”

live is Christ. .. I live now, not I, but Christ lives in me."

We have all to bear in mind that Christmas is essentially God's gift of LOVE to us. His Son Jesus, has become Man for no other reason but love, to invite Man to respond in love to God, so that he might share in God's own divine life. The witness we give to God's love for Man can not be anything other than the love that we have for others - a love that has to be "real and active". Christmas is a very special time for love, a time for giving, as even the commercial world exploits. This cannot happen unless we prepare ourselves spiritually. Let us not think just in material terms and draw up a Christmas "gift-list". It's a spiritual gift-list that we have to draw up. What will I give to my family, to my spouse, to my children, to my neighbours, to my colleagues at work, to my friends and acquaintances, to the people in the places I frequent, to the poor, to the man-in-the -street?

T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S - 9

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

F O R M A T IO N TEACHES

T H E B O O K O F G E N E S IS

% Chapter 1, verse 1 to Chapter 2, verse 4. (Continuation)

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PQ PQ

TH E O LD TESTAM EN T BIBLICAL PRIMEVAL HISTORY In our last segment Gen 1-11 recounts events that ranged from creation to around 1850 BC. ¥ This is not a detailed history. ¥ The inspired author does not pretend to give an account of the history of mankind. ■ > ¥ His primary objective was more theological than historical.

Gen 1:1 -2:4 (contd.) Points to note : *The first day’ [Gen 1:3-5] :

God does not destroy darkness, but relegates it to the time of night, where it too becomes part of the “good* world! However, darkness is not described ■in the same terms as light; we sense a certain ‘prejudice’ ... only light can signify salvation. Day begins with light. Note:Jewish feastsbegin inthe evening : “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. ” [Gen 1:5] “The second day’ [Gen 1:6-8]:

The physical nature of heaven isdescribed as a solid body; yet, the physical nature is not ‘P’s main concern. Rather, it is the message conveyed about the separation between “above" and ‘below’ - the fundamental vertical structure. When he calls this solid body "heaven", he makes it clear that heaven is part of creation; it is no longer exclusively divine, a dwelling place of the gods. ‘The third day" [Gen 1:9-13]:

The world is created as ordered space! The acts on the second and third days ensure this. The horizontal plane joins the vertical, making possible^the distinction between “here”and “there.” S ...

*•*#*?

By Rev. Ambrose Vaz, SSL

Professor Of Sacred Scripture St Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary > ' ”V % ** ' . •»

-•

After the acts on the first three days have laid the foundation, those on the next three days [Gdn 1:11*27] create livingbeings : the world is created for lifel

The coming of life takes place in three stages : vegetation [vv.11-13], fish and birds [vv.20-22], animals [vv.24-25], before climaxing inthe creation of human beings. The message we get is that the present world is a single whole in the hands of its Creator; human beings belong tothe totalityof living beings, a creature among creatures. ‘The fourth day’ [Gen 1:14-1$]: * It corresponds to the first day : the two great lights are to serve for the reckoning of time - “to separate the day from the night; ...fo r signs and for seasons and for days and years" [v. 14] « In stating that “God made the two great lights” [v. 16], no mention is made of the names “Sun”and“Moon.” In the*Ancient Near East, they were

commonly knownnames of pagin gods of supreme importance! ‘P’ is concerned the people will yield tothe temptation toworship these heavenly bodies; thus, a) he separates the creation of ’.Light" [Gen 1:3-5] from the creation of the two of them, showing that God alone (and not the sun or moon) is to be thanked for the gift of light; b) he calls them “lamps’ and pictures them as servants of mankind, as calendars and clocks to measure time, rather than as gods ruling over mankind! Furthermore, he consciously places the creation of the heavenly bodies - “the two great lights and the stars”- between that of plants [vv. 11-13] and animals [w.24-25], to showthat theyfunction' within the created order. They are subject tothe limitations of createdness! /.... fo be continued)

TEXTS:Copyright-Rev.AmbroseVazandDr.(Rev.)RobertPBalhetchet

Chapter 1 - The Mystery of the Church

TEACHES

Images of the Church

The Documents of Vatican II Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

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"Lumen Gentium" - Light of the Nations Link w ith w h a t h as b e e n c o v e re d :

We are still just in Chapter 1 (about half way through) of the Vatican II document on the Church. It is a Chapter which deals with the "invisible element" of the reality of the Church, and which is of the utmost importance. We cannot see the Church merely as a visible society or entity, something like a global enter prise, some sort of vast conglomorate. It is first of all, and above all, a SPIR ITUAL reality, and unless we fully real ize this, we will be unable to go beyond the visible which would result in a warped vision.

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

The rest of Chapter 1, from Article 5 through to Article 8 (the end of the Chapter) deals with various "images" of the Church, all of which help to understand better the nature of the Church. Before taking a look at these articles, however, we are going to look at two "images" which are not mentioned specifically, as such, in those articles but which are nevertheless fundamental in a proper understanding of the Church and are crucial to an appreciation of the images. Mention of these "images" is so brief that they are often overlooked or not seen as "images". This can be explained by the fact that they are not really "images" but realities - "descriptives". These are found in the actual Title of Chapter 1 and the introduction to the document (Article 1). Vatican II describes the Church as “Mystery” in the title of Chapter 1. It will not be until art. 5 that the term will be used in passing again and in art. 8 where its full impact can be appreciated. Vatican II associates the Church with the "mystery" - the plan of God's salvation which was unknown to Man until it was revealed by his Incarnate Son Jesus, who is himself, in his very person, the revelation of this plan. We will deal more with the implications of the Church being the "Mystery", later. Vatican II further describes the Church as a Sacrament. This reference is again, just in passing - assuming that it is well understood and realized. "Since the Church, in Christ, is in the nature of a sacrament..."

Signs and Sacraments are not new, certainly not to the Bible. A sign is a material thing which reminds us of something else and even something spiritual. All our sacraments are defined precisely as outward (visible) signs of inner (spiritual) grace. For example, in Baptism, the pouring of water and the words that are pronounced are the outward sign (of washing), while the inner grace of Baptism

is the grace of being made a child of God, being cleansed “washed”of original sin and being given a new life of grace. A sacrament is more than just a sign. It is an effective sign that actually brings about whatever it signifies. In the example of Baptism, the pouring of water and the words of Baptism actually bring about this cleansing from sin and make the person a child of God. We have seen that Christ operates the plan of salvation through being "God-made-Man". He is, in his very person, the revelation of the plan which he also reveals by his teaching and his miracles. While on earth he founded the Church with his apostles and disciples to continue his work of revealing to all mankind, this loving plan of God’s salvation. After his death on the Cross, through which he reconciled us to God, Christ rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. The Council can therefore truly affirm that Christ is the primordial ( the first, in order) sign and sacrament of salvation, which actually brought about our reconciliation and made us children of God. Christ is the visible sign (the human historical person who lived in Israel) of inner grace (the grace of redemption, the grace of reconciliation). The Church which he founded, in which dwells the Trinity of God, (the Trinitarian Dimensions) to continue his work, is therefore also a sign and sacrament (effective) of Christ and of salvation. It is extremely important for us to understand and appreciate this notion of the Church if we are to view it and relate to it, in its proper nature as the visible extension of Christ's person. Unless we see it in this way, the Church will simply be some sort of corporation or club to which we belong and not the visible and effective unfolding of God's salvific plan for us - actually bringing about our salvation.

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

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

C H IL D R E N ’S C O R N E R Ul

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A CRO S S Across 3. However, one of the older brothers persuaded them not to, but to just throw him into a dry___ . 4. One of these was 5. He was his father’s 8. He was sold for__ pieces of silver. 9. Jacob was the _of Abraham. 11. One day they decided to him. 13. This made the others

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The merchants took himto Egypt and sold Joseph as a ____ . 2. However, Joseph became the favourite ofthe king who made him his_______. 5. A great famine was coming, but with God’s guid ance, Joseph stored up a lot of___ in Egypt, so that the people would not starve. 6. Joseph’s brothers (the ones who had sold him) also came to____ . 7. After testing them, Joseph forgave them and they brought theirfather,____ , and they lived inEgypt with Joseph. 8. Jacob had a total of______sons. 10. Then some merchants from Egypt came by and the brothers___ Joseph to them. 12. When the famine came, a lot of people came to Egypt to__ food.

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This contest for children preparing to receive Holy Communion and 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 11/12 December 2002, by e-mail to steeple(3>sinanet.com.sg. 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: midnight. Fri/Sat 13/14 December 2002. To send the answers, just use the numbers of the clues and give the answer for each clue. You must give your full name, address, and the Communion Class you are attending at your Parish. Winners, for the first three correct entries, (according to the "Inbox") and the Consolation prizes will be announced in the following issue of the Catholic News.

H e re a re th e a n s w e rs fo r

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CONTEST

N o .1 4A b ra h a m

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1 One of the very great Bible people after

bear Girts and Boys May the peace of Jesus be With you all. By now, you must be enjoying your Well-deserVed Vacation. Hat/e you ever thought what Jesus Was doing at your age) j/es, he Was a baby (ike you Were - that's how We see him in the crib at Christmas. He Was also at one time, your age, no matter what your age is, if you are reading this. He must haVe played around With the children of his neighbourhood, too. Ever Wondered whether he Was “naughty", tike you sometimes are ? I think so! In fact, at one time he "disappeared" Without telling his Mummy and baddy, and they got Very, Very Worried. They found him after a couple of days - can you imagine how Worried his Mummy and baddy must haVe been! No, he Wasn't up to mischief, but Was “doing His heavenly Father's Work - discussing With the teachers in the Temple!" True, but I haVe always thought he should have told his Mummy and baddy and not get them so Worried. Maybe he Wanted to teach other children MOT to run off somewhere Without telling their Mummies and baddies. The Gospel story says, that after that he Went back home With his parents, Mary and Joseph and Was "obedient to them." That's something you can learn, especially during the holidays. Be obedient to baddy and Mummy and don't just run off somewhere Without telling them. God loVe you all and your families.

Children, you must follow these RULES

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the Flood was a man called ABRAHAM. His wife was called SARAH. They had no CHILDREN. He would be the father of a great NATION. After a long time, when they were old, the husband and wife finally got a SON. They called their child ISAAC. One day, God decided to test the FAITH of Abraham. God asked Abraham to SACRIFICE his son. Abraham was very sad, but he always trusted and OBEYED God. 10 He took his son to the place where God had told him and was about to sacrifice him when God STOPPED him. 11 God then told himthat he would find a RAM in the bushes and he should sacrifice it instead. 12 God then repeated his promise to Abraham because he passed the test of OBEDIENCE. 13 Abraham is a great EXAMPLE of faith.

TH E W IN N E R S 1 Shaun Soh - Risen Christ 2 Sharmaine Cheng Jing Yi -OLPS

3 Elizabeth Yeung Kar Wing - St. Theresa Consolation Prizes 4 Joseph Gwee Ming-Wei -Holy Family 5 Clara Wang Shi Hui - Risen Christ t < Congratulations to ALL of you for your efforts!

CO LLECTIO N O F PRIZES

Fr. Bob

Please contact Catholic News Office, 2 Highland Rd. #01-03, S 549102

The Story of Noah’s Ark 1 Everything God created was GOOD in the beginning 2 Things went wrong when Adam and Eve SINNED against God. 3 They sinned by DISOBEYING God. 4 Then Cain KILLED his brother Abel. 5 Things became so bad that God decided to destroy everything with a FLOOD. 6 There was one man who was good. He was called NOAH. 7 God wanted to SAVE this man and his family. 8 God told the good man to build a big BOAT. 9 The thing which Noah was told to build is also called an ARK

10 God also told Noah to take with him a PAIR of every living creature so that they also could be saved. 11 When all was ready, God sent a great RAIN which went on for months. 12 As a result, the waters rose and caused a huge flood which covered the whole EARTH. 13 Of course, all the living creatures, man and animal were DROWNED. 14 All the living creatures except Noah and his FAMILY, and a pair of every living creature. 15 They were SAVED because they were in Noah’s Ark.

(next to Immaculate Heart Church) TEL: 6-858-3055, FAX: 6-858-2055 e-mail: cathnewstidcatholic.ora.sa. Monday to Friday: 9.00am-6.00pm ( except lunch: 12.00-2.00pm ) and ask for Auntv Veronica

Lessons from the Story of Abraham Abraham is a very famous and very important man in the Bible. He is certainly very important in the Old Testament but also in the New Testament. By the way, I hope you remember what the Old and New Testaments are! If not, let me help you to recall. The Bible is divided into two big parts, the Old Testa ment and the New Testament. The Old is a large number of books starting with the story of Creation and about the People of Israel. The New Testament starts with the story of the birth of Jesus, and goes on to his life and teaching. There are also other books written by his Apostles. So, as we were saying, Abraham is a VIP in the Old Testament because he is considered to be the "father"

of the People of Israel. In other words, from him and his wife Sarah, eventually came this great people of Israel. Our story is about how God wanted to make him the father of a great people, but before doing so, he wanted to test him, to see how good he was, and so we learnt from the story how God asked him to sacrifice his only Son. Imagine! God promised that from him would come a great nation. But Abraham and his wife Sarah were growing older and older and they had no children. At last, to their great joy, they got a son, Isaac. Then, along comes God, and tells Abraham to sacrifice this only son. Abraham, though very sad and puzzled, follows God's instructions, but then, at the last minute, God

stops him - he passed the test! What we can learn from Abraham is his great faith in God. He believes in the promise God made to him, and though he doesn’t understand the reason for God's instructions he obeys. His faith is actually believing in God and trusting him. Actually even you, children, know this! When Daddy and Mummy tell you to do something and you don’t really understand why, you still do it - I hope because you believe in your Daddy and Mummy and you trust them. They know better, and they want what is best for you. This is how we must behave with God. We must believe in him, trust him, because he knows and wants what is best for us, and obey Him.

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

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THAILAND, Bangkok (UCAN) — Archbishop Lawrence Khai Saen-Phon-On of TharaeNongsaeng has urged Christians and all people of goodwill to be sensitive this Christmas season to the plight of children whose parents have died of AIDS, and offer this as “a gift to the infant Jesus." Thai children whose parents have died of AIDSrelated illnesses should not be viewed with prejudice or suspicion, Archbishop Lawrence Khai said in a message for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. The chairperson of the Catholic Commission for Pastoral Health Care says society still views these children with mistrust, fearing that AIDS could be easily transmitted through them. Such a view is a fallacy and only instills a feeling of inferiority in these children, Archbishop Khai said in the pastoral message sent out to all parishes in the largely Buddhist country ahead of the AIDS day. He noted that the people Christ met and helped the most were “the sick, lepers, widows and orphans, those rejected by society as sinners.” He expressed concern over the large number of children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, saying this represents a major problem for the country. The Thai government’s Health Department estimates that in 2001 there were 289,000 such children under the age of 15, the archbishop wrote, adding that the figure is among the highest in Asia. He said the stigma attached to these children leaves them with a bleak future and many have also developed AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes it.

Usanee Nanasilp, secretary of the health commission, said the Catholic bishops of Thailand have decided that money collected in churches on Dec. 1, a Sunday this year, will be given to the commission to aid these children. A number of them live in the various Catholic centres serving people with HIV/AIDS patients in Thailand, she told UCA News Nov. 26. The commission provides food and anti-viral medication for these people, enabling them to live longer, she added. According to a Thai media report at the end of October, some 1.3 million people in the country, about 2 percent of the population, are infected with HIV. Among them, it said, some 70,000 are experiencing AIDS symptoms. Jintana Thepsuannoi, an AIDS worker with the bishops’ Catholic Commission for Migration, told UCA News Nov. 27 that many of those involved in HIV/AIDS work believe the number of cases to be higher. The migration commission ministers to Thai workers who return from abroad as well as Thais who migrate to Bangkok and other parts of the country to work. Jintana said most HIV/AIDS figures reflect only the number of people registered with health officials. She pointed out that many sufferers are too embarrassed to see doctors or visit AIDS centres. Her office receives 30 to 40 calls a month from people with HIV/AIDS requesting information about the condition, she said, adding that many centres outside Bangkok have more AIDS patients than they can serve and seek the commission’s help.

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CHINA, Hong Kong (UCAN) — Social, educational, medical and Church workers raised concern over the plight and welfare of children affected by AIDS in China and Hong Kong ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. Hong Kong diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission and five other concerned groups held a seminar Nov. 24 titled “Face AIDS, Give Children a Chance"to highlight the plight of children with AIDS or orphaned by it in China. “AIDS disaster has broken out in Henan,”central China, a staff member of the Chi Heng Foundation told participants based on first-hand observation. Most AIDS cases involved peasants who sold their blood regularly for up to 50 yuan (US$6) during 1994 and 1995. Many were infected due to the unsanitary methods used in drawing blood, he said. 40-60 percent of the adults in six seriously affected villages had AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes it, while the figure in other villages was 20-30 percent. One village of 2,000 people had 11 funerals, 10 of them for villagers who died of AIDS-related illnesses. When blood selling was prevalent a few years ago, it was common for a husband and wife to both sell their blood. As a result, many children have now seen both of their parents with AIDS or witnessed their death. If these children do not have grandparents to take care of them, the older ones may have to take care of the younger. He recalled an orphan telling him, “when I grow up, I will kill the ‘xue tou' (blood heads, meaning operators of the blood trade) because they killed my parents.” Orphans like this who grow up in anger, without care and education, can be a time bomb in society, he said, adding that the next goal of the Chi Heng Foundation is to help AIDS orphans to complete junior high school education. The foundation currently provides a maximum of 200 yuan to families affected by AIDS as emergency relief. He quoted a mainland newspaper as saying in April that there were about 850,000 people in the country with HIV/AIDS. A June 2002 report by the United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in China gave an estimate of 800,000-1.5 million for this figure as of 2001.

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However, a health official in Henan said there were 1 million people with HIV/AIDS in the province alone. In the county where the official worked, some 15,000-20,000 people were already HIV-infected or had developed AIDS more than six years ago as a result of blood sale. Now, he said, 53 counties in Henan and eight nearby provinces have a similar problem. Doctor Homer Tso, chairman of the Hong Kong government’s Advisory Council on AIDS, said a government official of Guangdong province, southern China, told him that 1 percent of the province's 70 million people had HIV/AIDS, mainly through sharing infected needles. A recently published UN report estimates 42 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS in 2002. Dr. Chow Chun-bong, a paediatrician and chairperson of the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights, said at the seminar that most of these people are adults. They will eventually leave behind 22 million orphans, he added. He warned that though 70 percent of the cases are in Africa, the transmission rate there is now half what it is in East and Southeast Asia, where the number of cases could overtake the number in Africa within 10 years. The doctor also warned that the situation in Hong Kong could get out of control if proper precautions are not taken, even though the infection rate is relatively low 20 years after the first case was diagnosed. Wong Shing-wing, director of the Youth Studies Net of the City University of Hong Kong, said women often contract HIV/AIDS without knowing it, especially in patriarchal societies. He recommended that they be taught to protect themselves and express their concern to their sex partners. What most concerns people with HIV/AIDS is not their physical condition but social rejection. Ching Chui-wan, director of Teen AIDS, an NGO that promotes AIDS awareness among teenagers, called on those present to show concern for people with HIV/AIDS and their families, including through prayer. The diocesan Justice and Peace Commission mounted displays on the plight of orphans of AIDS victims in China and Southeast Asia at various sites in Hong Kong during September and October.

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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING TO ST JUDE Lord Jesus C hrist, we thank you for all the graces and favours which you have given us through the prayers o f your A postle, Jude Thaddeus. G reat A postle, St Jude, we thank you for your intercession in response to our prayers. W e will alw ays be grateful to you. Continue to intercede for our needs and in our difficulties. Be with us particularly in the hour o f death we may face that decisive m om ent with courage and serenity. Am en. Gratefully from C han Fam ily for favours received.

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M ass will be celebrated at Church of St Teresa, Kampong Bahru on Tues. Dec 17 2 0 0 2 , at 6pm . Thirteenth Anniversary In loving m em ory of

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PresentedbytheCatholicYouthFellowship fromChurchofRisenChrist, inaidofThe MissionaryCommunityofSt. Paul the ApostleandMary, MotheroftheChurch Date: Dec 14Venue: SergangoonJunior College, 1033UpperSerangoonRd.Time: 9am(players toreport), 10am(games commences) Entrance: S$2 (excluding players), FreeGoodiebags(limitedstock), lunchprovidedplusattractiveprizestobe won! NETBALL (girlsonly) - Under 16/ OpenS$6/ S$8ea. 7players, 2aside SOCCER (guys only) - Under16/ O pen S$6/ S$8ea. 4players, 1aside Toregistercontact: Davina(9768-9356), Jonathan(9655-8112). DINNER & DANCE - SHANGHAI NITE

Swing into a dazzling nite of music, fun &games! Enjoy good buffet spread & dance yournite awaywithsurprise door gifts and lucky draw.Organised by: Catholic Singles Encounter. For unattachedsingles age25-45yrs. Date: Sat. Feb8atMHotel. Enquiries: Caroline (9841-7592), Debbie(6475-4394), Henry (9411-5541) or Paul (9450-5617) CONSECRATION TO GOD THE FATHER - THE FATHER OF ALL MANKIND

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The Blessings ofthe FamilyLike the ones fromNazareth. 8 pm Church of St Anthony, 25 Woodlands Ave 1 Contact Francis Cepe (9451-7012) DEC 16: C hurch of Our Lady Star of the Sea, 10 Yishun St 22 Contact Ben Benoza (6852-0374/9108-4497) DEC 17: C hurch of St Francis of Assisi 200 Boon Lay Ave Contact: Alda Victoriano (9435-0473) DEC 18: C hurch of Christ the King, 221 Ang Mo KioAve 8 Contact Allan Sato (6363-0665/9654-8467/9237-2369) DEC 19: C hurch of the Holy Family, 6 Chapel Rd Contact Marycil Ebrada (6342-0458 /9122-5501) / Ike Abrera (9871-6715) DEC 20: Novena C hurch, 300 Thomson Rd Contact Joey Peciller (9755-0419) DEC 21: C hurch of St Teresa 2 Bukit Purmei Rd Contact Fr Romeo Yu Chang, CICM(62718-464/9783-5191) DEC 22: C hurch of St Michael, 17 St Michael Rd Contact FrAngel Luciano, CICM(6393-0592) DEC 23: C hurchofOurLadyofPerpetual Succour, 31 Siglap Hill Contact Marlene Yana (6887-3186/9781-7930) DEC 24: Cathedral of the G ood Shepherd Queen St Contact Jenny Arancon (6734-5007)

IM M A C LET (A N D R A D E) V A R ELLA Date of Birth:Dec 8 ,1 9 2 0 Departed: Jun 2 4 ,2 0 0 1 In our hearts your m em ory lingers, Sweetly tender, fond and true, There is not a day, dear mother, That we do not think o f you. D early loved and m issed by sons Francis, Joseph, Law rence, Philip and all loved ones. Fourth Anniversary In everloving m em ory of

A N TH O N Y TAY KIA HONG Departed: Dec 9 ,1 9 9 8 His smiling way and pleasant face Are a pleasure to recall; He had a kind word for each And died beloved by all. Som e day w e hope to meet him , Som e day, we know not when, To clasp his hand in the better land, N ever to part again. Dearly loved and m issed by M agdalene, C elena and M ichael and grandson Ian. First Anniversary In loving m em ory of

PATRICK R. A LBUQUERQUE Departed: 5 Dec, 2 0 01 “Bless the Lord, m y soul A n d bless G od’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul W ho leads m e into life” You w ere so loving and thoughtful as you prepare to return to our heavenly home. W e know you are safely home W e love you and miss you dearly. Wife: Jennifer Daughters: M yrtle and Patricia Grandson: A loysius and all loved ones.

M ADAM M A RIA SIOW (M RS SIM ON CHOO N G ) Departed: Dec 1 6 ,1 9 8 9 Rest in peace D earest M ummy, W e often think of bygone days W hen w e were together The family chain is broken B ut m em ories live forever. D early rem em bered by children, grand-children and all loved ones. T w enty-first Anniversary In loving memory of

M ARIA TH ERESA JOHN Mdm Kwok Yew Hoe Bom: Sept 28, 1922 Departed: Dec 12,1 981 Dearest Ma, You are still so much alive in our hearts Lovingly rem em bered by your children K erw in, Nancy, Ranny, M orris, M ary, in-law s and grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street on Thursday Dec 12, 2 0 0 2 at 5 .4 5 pm. In memory of

SU SA IN A TH AN JOSEPH Departed: Dec 1 4 ,1 9 9 3 Rest in peace, dear loving father, nine long years have passed away; Y ou’re gone, but are still living In the hearts o f those who stay. M ass will be held at the Church o f the R isen Christ on Dec 14 at 6 pm. M ay his soul rest in peace. From B eloved wife Clara, children, sons-in-law , daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

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

F o r tn ig h tly : S u n . D E C . 8 a n d S u n . D e c 1 5 , 2 0 0 2

”l am the resurrection and the life He who believes in me shall never die.” Eighteenth Anniversary In loving memory o f

For all those who have no one to pray for them - we pray to the Lord.

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Tw enty-Second A nniversary In loving m em ory of

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TH O M A S JOSEPH Departed:Dec 2 2 ,1 9 8 4 W e cannot forget you O ur loved one so dear; Y our m em ory grows Sw eeter year after year. A lw ays rem em bered by w ife, daughters, son, sons-in-law and grand-daughters. Fourth A nniversary In loving m em ory o f

JOSH GERALD LOPEZ Departed: Dec 19, 1998 God gave us the strength to bear it, And courage to fight the blow, What it has meant to lose you, God alone will ever know. Always remembered by: Parents : Basil &Josephine Sisters : Dinah &Dilys Brothers-in-law : Jestin and Jana Nieces : Valerie &Audrey Nephews : Edwin &Michael. Tenth Anniversary In loving memory o f

JOSEPH SAG A Y A M THOM AS Departed: Dec 1 2 ,2 0 0 1 M issed is the touch o f your friendly hand. G one is your kindness beyond recall; G one to a world w here peace and love Are given and gained by all. A lw ays rem em bered by m other, brother, sisters, brothers-in-law and nieces.

furnishing & lighting. R ITA GLOW C H W E E DING Departed: Dec 7 ,1 9 9 5 G od know s how m uch we miss her. N ever shall her m em ory fade; O ur loving thoughts ever w ander. T o the spot where she is laid. A lw ays rem em bered by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.

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Seventh A nniversary In loving m em ory o f

GERALD W ILFRID PEREIRA Returned to the Lord on Dec 12, 1 9 8 4 M emory o f you, dear, still casts a gentle glow It braces our days and lights our paths w herever we may go. Dearly missed and always loved by family and loved ones.

AUSTIN LAZAROO Departed: Dec 1 2 ,1 9 8 0 Rest in peace, dear loving father. Twenty two long years have passed away; Y ou’re gone, but are still living In the hearts o f those w ho stay. Loving w ife, children, and loved ones.

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D OLO R ES A M BROSE Departed: Dec 1 0 ,1 9 9 8 M em ories o f you, dear M um, still cast a gentle and beautiful glow that braces our days and lights o ur paths w herever w e may go. D eeply m issed and fondly rem em bered by loved ones. In loving m em ory o f

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Departed: Dec 2 8 , 1975Departed: Dec 4 ,1 9 9 4 PIER RE ROCH Departed: Dec 1 3 ,1 9 9 2 He had a smile, a pleasant way, A helping hand to all he knew , He was kind, generous and true, On earth he nobly did his best; G rant him , Jesus, heavenly rest. Fondly rem em bered by wife, children, grand children and loved ones.

G EO R G E FR E D E RIC K de SOUZA Departed: Dec 1 9 ,1 9 9 5 I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in m e, even if he dies,shall live, and w hoever lives and believes in me, shall never die. (John 1 1 :2 5 -2 6 ) A lw ays rem em bered by loved ones.

God tookthemhome, it was His will But in our hearts, we love themstill; Their memory is as dear today As in the hour they passed away We often sit andthinkof them When we are all alone; For memory is the only friend That grief can call its own. Lovingly remembered by sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Inloving memory of

M ass will be celebrated at 6 .1 5 pm on M onday Dec 16, 2 0 0 2 at the C hurch o f the Im m aculate Heart o f M ary. Eighth A nniversary In loving m em ory o f

The depths of sorrowwe cannot tell, Of the loss of one we loved so well, And while they sleep apeaceful sleep, Their memories we shall always keep. Dearly missed and fondly remembered by your children andloved ones. Mass will be celebrated at O.L.P.S. on Tuesday, December 10 at 6 pm. ALLAREWELCOME.

2Timothy 4:7

AG N ES Y EE AH C HEE l:Dec 1 1 ,2 0 0 0 In our home she is fondly rem em bered. Sweet memories cling to her name; Those who loved her in life sincerely. Still love her in death ju st the same. A lw ays rem em bered by children, grand children and great grand-children.

VICTORIA NAZARETH Departed: Nov 22, 2002 The depths of sorrowwe cannot tell. Of the loss of one we loved so well, And while she sleeps apeaceful sleep. Her memory we shall always keep. Dearly missed andfondly remembered by husband, children, in-laws and grandchildren. Thirtiethday mass will be celebrated at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, 50 Ophir Rd, Singapore on Saturday, Dec 21, 2002 at 6.00 pm. Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

AND R EW AUG U STIN E CHEONG LIM KHUN Departed:Dec 1 8 ,1 9 9 5 For showing us the Light & imparting “M y Peace, 1 give to you” 7 years ago you went hom e to the Lord, W e always rem em ber your Love, Smile, Care and Concern. Wife: Annie Sons: Paul. David, Patrick and Francis. D aughters-in-Law . Grand and Great G rand Children.

JOHN CRUZ CORERA

M L

|4 M

Website w w w . c a s k e t f a i r p r i c e . c o m

A G E : 85 Called home to be with the Lord on 7 December 2 0 0 0 in Bangalore, India.

Sadly missed by all loved ones. Wife: Cecilia Corera Son: Daughter-in-law: MarkXavier Sekhar Corera Angeline Chong Shwu Ling Granddaughters: Grandson: Basil Vinodh Yuheng Corera Valerie Vimale YuyanCorera Rachael KumarYuxinCorera Brothers, Sisters, Nephews and Nieces, relatives andfriends.

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“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28) “In my Father’shouse are many mansions.” (John 14:2) Dear heavenly Father, grant eternal rest to your servant who has come to thee not in fear and trembling but in simple faith and love. Deeply missed and fondly remembered by loved ones.

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JO SEPH A L O Y SIU S CHAN Departed: Dec 1 6 ,1 9 9 4

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In loving m em ory o f

Y our sm iling face all day w e see, Y our picture in our room lovingly W ith prayers and thoughts for you always For the life you now lead w ith heavenly grace. D eeply missed by children, grand-children and all loved ones.

AGNES GOM EZ

“I have done my best in the race, I have run the distance and I have kept the faith.”

Second Anniversary In loving memory o f

R EV FR AN TO NIO J W DE SA , SFX Departed: Dec 6 ,2 0 0 0 I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in m e, even if he dies, shall live, and w hoever lives and believes in me, shall never die. (John 1 1 : 2 5 - 2 6 )

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

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

Bulletin of the Family Life Society, Archdiocese of Singapore

Special Mass In Honour of

O u r

L a d y

o f

G u a d a lu p e Protectress of the Unborn Organised by The Natural Family Planning (NFP) Service organised a seminar for those in the medical profession on Saturday, November 23. Titled “Natural Family Planning for the Medical Profession - W hat You Should Know As A Practising Catholic” , the 4-hour seminar was attended by doctors, nurses and NFP volunteers. The NFP service believes it is important that those in the medical profession understand Natural Family Planning as they are the first point of contact for many couples who want to know more about the method. “We want to make the medical profession think about NFP and put it on their priority list for family planning, so that they can be comfortable when people broach the subject,” said Dr Douglas Ong, an obstetrician and gynaecology specialist and member of NFP. “Natural Family Planning is not taught in medical schools. Medical schools equate Natural Family Planning to the Rhythm Method which they downgrade because they do not consider it ‘safe',” he said. However, NFP, also known as the Billings Ovulation Method which NFP groups advocate, is safe and effective. The method involves observing and charting a w om an's menstrual cycle to determine the fertility periods of her cycle. Also at the seminar was Father Anthony Hutjes of Blessed Sacrament Church who spoke on the theological basis and teachings of the Catholic Church with regards to NFP. The medical aspects of NFP - encompassing

H o lid a y

G a m p

C lo s e r T o

B r in g s

topics such as breastfeeding, perimenopause and chart interpretation were covered by Dr Ian Snodgrass, president of the Natural Family Planning and Dr. Ong. Celia Ng, secretary of NFP also gave a presentation on the work of NFP in Singapore. Sharing from the perspective as counsellors with the NFP were Pollen and Genevieve Soh who have been teaching NFP for more than 12 years. As users of the Billings Method for more than 17 years, the couple said the method is a marriage builder. “The benefits of using Billings as the natural method cannot be measured as it promotes the development of greater communication and co operation between couples - virtues which are essential to the stability of marriage itself,” they said. “Thus, happiness and fulfilment will be evident in their lives together.” Sharing their own experience, the couple also advised other couples not to start a family too late for reasons of declining fertility. They added that getting pregnant becomes more difficult after many years of marriage. “Because life is from God and that we are mere cooperators in the act of creation, we must understand that to use NFP for the sole purpose of avoiding pregnancy is not morally right. That it goes against the whole natural order of creation in its purpose of perpetuating life” they said. “So be open to life as it is from G od.” For more information about Natural Family Planning, please call 6357 7400.

K id s

G o d

In an effort to work more closely with parishes, Couples for Christ collaborated with various church groups from the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Church to organise a cam p for kids on November 23. The cam p at IHM attended by 56 primary school children was a 2-day affair of fun and games as Kids had a ball and learnt more well as prayer. about God at the camp which was “The aim of the camp jointly organised by CFC and various was to teach kids to know church groups from IHM. and communicate with God,” said Kevin Foi, of CFC who helped organised the camp. The CFC also held a “Senior Kid’s Camp” for upper primary children on November 29 and 30 at CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity.

Couples For Christ is a worldwide ministry affiliated with Family Life Society, with members in nearly 100 countries. Its mission is to build strong Christian marriages and families. Apart from serving the needs of married couples (CFC), there's also a kids ministry (KFC), a youth ministry (YFC), a singles ministry (SFC), a handmaids ministry (HOLD) and equivalent servants ministry (SOLD). The last two are supporting ministries for women and men respectively either unmarried or single parents through separation, divorce; or whose spouses are physically separated through employment circumstances or those whose spouses may not be attracted to join the community. For more information, please call 6386 3836.

Dr Ian Snodgrass with Father Anthony Hutjes g ave presentations on Natural Family Planning at the seminar.

‘P re g n a n c y C risis Service

The following is a list of centres where NFP is taught. Mondays Novena Church Nativity Centre Blessed Sacrament Church St Francis Xavier Church

- 7.30pm - 7,30pm - 7.00pm - 8.00pm

to 9.00pm to 9.00pm to 8.30pm to 9.00pm

(Available only on 1st, 3rd & 5th Mondays o f each month)

St Mary of the Angels

- 7.45pm to 9.00pm

Tuesdays Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Holy Family Church St Anthony’s Church

- 7.30pm to 9.00pm - 8.00pm to 9.30pm

Wednesdays Christ the King Church Holy Spirit Church Holy Trinity Church

- 7.30pm to 9.00pm - 7.30pm to 9.00pm - 8,00pm to 9.00pm

Thursdays Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

- 8.00pm to 9.00pm

- 7.30pm to 9.00pm

(By appointment only. Please call 63462381 to m ake appointment.)

Risen Christ Church St Bernadette's Church

-7.30 pm to 9.00pm - 7.30 pm to 9.00pm

(By appointment only. Please call 62258218 to make appointment.)

St Mary of the Angels

- 7.45 pm to 9.00pm

Fridays Holy Cross Church Our Lady Star of the Sea

- 7.30 pm to 9.00pm - 8.00pm to 9.30 pm

Program Coordinators to Intensify Collaboration and Promotion of Common Vision on Marriage, Family and Human Life At an inaugural meeting of coordinators and representatives from the 14 programs and services under Family Life Society (FLS) on November 9, all present expressed a desire to forge closer relationships and understanding with one another and to explore and pursue opportunities for more collaboration in the future. Encouraged by the excellent attendance and the positive synergy arising from the meeting, James Wong, Executive Director of FLS expressed optimism that such unity and dialogue would be fruitful for the family life movement in Singapore, especially in the face of present-day threats to undermine marriage, family and human life values taught by the Catholic Church. “Kicking off this Coordinator's Network is part and parcel of Family Life Society's role, and we will help as a coordinating and resource body to facilitate the pursuit of these objectives for and on behalf of coordinators,” he said. “We wish to encourage communication, cooperation and collaboration so that by working together, wherever and whenever possible, we can optimize our limited resources and be more effective in promoting our collective mission." There will not be a shortage of common areas for collaboration. For instance, FLS is planning a series of Parish Road Shows - visiting parishes to promote a greater awareness of the Society's various programs and services to parishioners around the island, and developing closer relationships with priests and parish family life groups. Family Life Society’s direct programs and services include: • Family and marital counseling for families by a team of professional, qualified and experienced counselors, for individuals and couples facing marriage difficulties, • Pregnancy Crisis Service, which counsels and guides mothers, usually unmarried, with unplanned pregnancies • Celebration of Life, which offers programs on human sexuality education based on the Church’s teachings • Catholic Legal Aid for those who need the counsel of experienced Catholic lawyers • Youth Life-line, a hotline for youth and young adults in distress, who need someone to talk with • Joyful Parenting, for parents who would like help on parenting issues and breastfeeding The eight affiliates provide a range of essential family programs, which include: • Marriage Encounter - a marriage enrichment weekend program • Marriage Preparation Course - a six-weekend program for couples preparing for marriage • Engaged Encounter - a weekend marriage preparation course • Choice - a weekend program for single adults on the importance of family relationships • Natural Family Planning - the best and most natural method of family planning, based on the fertility periods of a woman • Retrouvaille - for couples facing difficulties but who want their marriages to work • Hope - a peer support group for the divorced, widowed and separated

Date 12 December 2002 (Thursday) Time RECITATION OF ROSARY at 6pm and EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION at 6.30pm Special blessing for pregnant mothers and the ir spouses

ALL ARE WELCOME HAPPENINGS Engaged Encounter • The next Engaged Encounter Weekend for Catholic couples will be held on January 10 to 12. For information or registration, please call 67823912 or visit their website at www.catholic.org.sg/ceespore. Legal Aid • The next Legal Aid session will be on Monday, January 6. Our lawyers will be available at Family Life Society from 7 pm to 9 pm to give free legal counsel on familyrelated matters. Choice • The next Choice Weekend will be held on January 24 to 26. For more information, please contact Jennifer Lim at 9671 0767 or visit the website at www.choice.org.sg. Joyful Parenting • Joyful Parenting is looking for volunteers. The work of volunteers include visiting mothers at hospitals to teach them about breastfeeding and manning the help hotline. If you have three hours each week to spare and would like to help, please call 6488 0286.

Contact us or visit our website Family Life Society Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Road, #LG-01, Singapore 549102 Tel: 6488 0278 www.familylife.org.sg

Our Programs and Affiliates: Family and Marital Counselling; Pregnancy Crisis Sen/ice; 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.

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

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

The SHINE JESUS SHINE RALLY FATHER MIKE s p e a k s

r it e

Dear Youth,

By FATHER MICHAEL SITARAM

We’ve come to the final phase towards SJS 2001. Just another week to go before we all gather at the Indoor Stadium, raising our hands and voices, in praise of the Lord. Amen! In this final part of the journey towards SJS, we’d like to appeal to all of to put some serious thought into our Theme for this year, CHANGE! To think what it means to you in your life. Are you willing to take up the struggle to change the things in your life that appears to be narrowing your path towards salvation? So, come to the rally prepared. Come with an open mind. Come with a part of your life that you want to Change. Come with the faith of the Centurion that had the faith that all it took was for Jesus to say the word and his servant would be healed. (Matthew 8:5-10) That’s all that God asks of you.

Youth Chaplain of the Singapore Archdiocese. To contact him email: cathvctrtdpacific.net.sa.

The Date - 15th DECEMBER 2002 The Venue - SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM The Time - 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm

W hat w ill it ta k e fo r you to m a k e th a t Change? A broken relationsh ip ? A torn friendship? A loss of a limb? A loss o f career? A loss o f a loved one? A serious accid e n t? A serious illness?

What? Ask yourself! Will it be too late then? S p e n d t h a t q u ie t t im e w ith t h e L o r d . M a k e t h e e ffo r t. L e t G o d d o t h e r e s t. J u s t c o m e w ith t h e fa ith t h a t G o d w ill h e a l y o u a n d h o ld y o u r h a n d a s y o u m a k e th a t C H A N G E ! AMEN!

Sunday 15 Dec 2002,4 -10 pm Singapore Indoor Stadium

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 8 and Sun. Dec 15, 2002

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

VATICAN

Dearth of Religious in Catholic Schools At the Press Conference held by the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education on 19 November a new Document entitled "Consecrated Persons and their Mission in Schools’ was presented.

After the Prefect, Cardinal Zenon Grochlewski made his opening address on the importance of education in the mission of the Church, the Secretary of the Congregation, Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau commented on the actual situation of Religious in Catholic Schools. While exact statistics on the situation were not available, he said that it was possible to have a general view of the situation from some available figures, which indicate the insufficiency of presence of the Religious in Catholic Schools. Referring to available figures for the US, the Secretary drew attention to a dramatic fall, in the past 30 years from 51 % of all teaching staff being Religious to a low of 7.5%. This, he said, "radically changes the make-up of a Catholic school, rendering far more difficult, the preservation of the Catholic identity." He pointed out that while this represented the situation of one nation, it was probably the typical description of the situation in the greater part of socalled "western" countries and even of other countries. Citing examples of single countries in various sectors of the world he mentioned Spain (Europe) with 14%, Zimbabwe (Africa) with 7% and South Korea (Asia) with 11%. (Singapore close to 0%? ).

The Secretary of the Congregation pointed out that many diocesan Bishops, especially in Mission territories have repeatedly affirmed that easily 90% of those who eventually embrace the faith at some point in their lives, have had an initial contact with the faith through the Catholic schools which they attended. He then went on to devote a substantial part of his intervention to emphasizing the importance of education in the mission of the Church, citing the example of the many great Saints who precisely founded Religious Orders and Congregations for the very purpose of education through the setting up of schools and universities, like the Barnabites, Marists, the Brothers of the Christian Schools (St. John Baptist de la Salle), the Salesians (Don Bosco), Ursuline Sisters (Angela Merici), Notre Dame Sisters, the Dominicans and the Jesuits, to name but a few. Archbishop Pittau concluded with a quotation from our

Holy Father's Apostolic Exhortation "The Consecrated Life" (1996): on the need for a renewed commitment on the part of Religious, in the field of education. "With respectful sensitivity and missionary boldness, consecrated men and women should show that faith in Jesus Christ enlightens the whole enterprise of education, never disparaging human values but rather confirming and elevating them. Thus do consecrated persons become witnesses and instruments of the power of the Incarnation and the vitality of the Spirit. This task of theirs is one of the most significant manifestations of that motherhood which the Church, in the image of Mary, exercises on behalf of all her children. It is for this reason that the Synod emphatically urged consecrated persons to take up again, wherever possible, the mission of education in schools of every kind and level, and in Universities and Institutions of higher learning. Making my own the proposal of the Synod, I warmly invite members of Institutes devoted to education to be faithful to their founding charism and to their traditions, knowing that the preferential love for the poor finds a special application in the choice of means capable of freeing people from that grave form of poverty which is the lack of cultural and religious training. They should ensure the preservation of their unique Catholic identity in complete fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium... Moreover, depending on the circumstances, the members of these Institutes and Societies should readily become involved in the educational structures of the State. Members of Secular Institutes in particular, because of their specific calling, are called to this kind of cooperation." Concluding the presentation of the new document was the Very Reverend Mother Antonia Colombo, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix. Her presentation focused on the text of the document itself. The document is divided into two parts, the first deals with the profile of the Religious, as a consecrated person. The second part which is more elaborated, deals with the educative mission of consecrated persons. The new document, she said, "emphasizes that the mission of consecrated religious men and women in schools is an essential dimension of the missionary mandate of the Church. To preach the Gospel to every

United States

I £ CO

1970 1980 1990

K O 0. CO

51% 30% 15% 7.5% 14% 7% 11% Religious Teachers in Catholic Schools % of teaching staff creature, in obedience to the command of Jesus implies announcing the Good News to all persons and to the whole person, that is, to be concerned with every dimension of their lives and development. The educative obligation of consecrated persons in schools, Catholic or not, is a choice of life, the way to sanctity, a demand of justice and of solidarity towards the young, especially the poorest."

The document approaches the "preferential option for the poor" in a non-exclusive vision. Such a preferential option demands a different way of approaching the scholastic curriculum which may demand an extension to non-formal education. The document, however, recognizes that the option to cater particularly for the education for the poor would entail economic difficulties for non-state schools, but it points out that, in time, consecrated persons who belong to religious families dedicated to education, risk departing from the express choice of the charism of their founders. The new document ends with an appeal to consecrated persons to continue in their engagement in schools, knowing that the difficulties and challenges posed by the new millennium are in fact a renewed call to spend their lives in the education of the new generation in a culture of communion with all people and every person. Fidelity to Christ and the certainty of his presence must encourage the Religious to approach the challenges of education with renewed courage and faith, with a prophetic vision which awakens hope. - Editor from Vatican Reports

R e lig io u s A r t ic le s , C h in e s e & E n g lis h B o o k s , A u d io & V is u a l P r o d u c ts , V e s tm e n ts , P ic tu r e F ra m e s , C a n d le s , I n e e n e e ........

ivailable

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225-B Queen Street, Singapore 188552 • Tel: 6337 7489 / 6337 2465 • Fax: 6334 4370 Website: www.cams.org.sg • E-mail: Carlo@cams.org.sg PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY KHL PRINTING CO PTE LTD, 57 LOYANG DRIVE, SINGAPORE 508968.