DECEMBER 22, 2002, vol 52, no 26

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The Official Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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Fortnightly:SUNDAYS, DEC. 22 - DEC. 29, 2002 SING APO RE S $1.00 / W EST MALAYSIA RM2.40 Vol. 52 No. 26

FOCUS Christmas New Year

A very Holy Christmas Greetings from His Grace the Most Reverend Micholas Chia, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore

IN S ID E

Regional NEWS

__ page 6 3 8 5 y e a rs of S e r v ic e -------- page 7

Faith in Life ------- page 8

t the brith of Christ the Angels sang:”Peace on earth to men of good will” Christ came to earth in order to bring peace.

He came to dispel the darkness of sin and evil.

Twenty centuries after the coming of Christ we still find so much sin and evil reigning in the world today - wars, violence, tragedies like September 11th, the Bali Bombing, crimes, injustices, etc..

What has happened to the peace that was promised at the first Christ­ mas? Has Christ’s coming and His message of salvation been in vain? Is His Incarnation and are His teachings lacking in efficacity?

An atheist covered with dirt and dressed in rags confronted a priest with the above problem and concluded that what was taught about Christ was a joke!

The priest turned to him and said that there was so much water available but there were still so many people covered with dirt!

Water can cleanse away dirt but for it to be effective, one must make use of it! So too, For Christ’s coming and His message to be effective, we must believe in Him and translate His teachings into concrete actions.

Christmas is a time for us to thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of His only Begotten Son. It’s a time for us to thank Christ for coming among us to save us. It’s a time for us to deepen our understanding of this wonderous event.

FORMATION Bible

Vatican II __ page 9

Christmas is the celebration of God's love: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son” It is the celebration of Christ’s love for us, taking flesh and becoming one like us and giving His life for us.

There is no celebration of Christmas without love - loving God and loving our fellowmen. And when we truly love by being faithful to God and by reaching out to our fellowmen in love and concern especially the less fortu­ nate, then the promise of peace at the first Christmas will reign in ourselves, our families , our society and the world at large.

May the celebration of Christmas stir up in our hearts and the hearts of all men sentiments of true love during this sacred season and throughout the New Year.

May the Lord be with you to protect you May He be within you to renew you May He go before you to guide you Stand behind you to strengthen you And be over you to bless you.

A Joyous Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you.

May the peace and joy of Christmas be with you and your loved ones. + Nicholas Chia

Archbishop of Singapore

A New Year of Peace AUDIENCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC UNION OF THE PRESS

The Catholic Journalist We may ask: what does it mean to be a professional journalist who is Catholic?

Children’s Corner ___ page 10 The Family ____page 14

FATHER MIKE

speaks A u ld

On 6 December, the Holy Father received in Audience, the participants of the meeting of the International Catholic Union of the Press. In his address, the Holy Father outlined in synthesis, what should be the characteristics of the Catholic journalist.

Dear Friends in Christ, I am pleased to have this opportunity to meet the Members of the International Catholic Union of the Press as you celebrate your Organiza­ tion’s seventy-fifth anniversary. My warm greetings and prayerful best wishes go to all of you on this happy occasion, and I thank Archbishop John Foley, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, for the kind words addressed to me on your behalf.

From the Union’s beginnings until the present, much growth and development has taken place. This can be seen, not least, in the fact that your first World Congress in 1930 brought together 230 Catholic journalists from 33 different countries, while your most recent one, which took place last year, saw 1080 Catholic journalists gathered from 106 countries

throughout the world. This increase in numbers has certainly been accompanied by an ever keener awareness of the importance of your Catholic identity in the sphere of journalism, especially in the context of our rapidly chang­ ing world.

At this point the holy Father posed a rhetorical question: "We may ask: what does it mean to be a professional journalist who is Catholic? He himself gave the answer: (see box)

Dear friends, these are some of the things that must mark your professional lives as Catholic journalists. And this is the spirit that the International Catholic Union of the Press must always strive to embody in its member­ ship and activities. With heartfelt congratula­ tions on the completion of seventy-five years of distinguished service to these ideals, I pray that your Organization will continue to be a source of fellowship and support for Catholics working in the world of journalism. May it help you to strengthen your commitment to Christ in and through your profession. With affection in the Lord, I cordially impart to you and your families my Apostolic Blessing.

1 It means being a person of integrity, an individual whose personal and professional life reflects the teachings of Jesus and the Gospel.

2 It means striving for the highest ideals of professional excellence, being a man or woman of prayer who seeks always to give the best that they have to offer.

3 It means having the courage to seek and report the truth, even when the truth is inconvenient or is not considered “politically correct”.

4 It means being sensitive to the moral, religious and spiritual aspects of human life, aspects which are often misunderstood or deliberately ignored.

5 It means reporting not only the misdeeds and tragedies that take place, but also the positive and uplifting actions performed on behalf of those in need: the poor, the sick, the handicapped, the weak, those who are otherwise forgotten by society.

6 It means offering examples of hope and heroism to a world that is in desperate need of both.

Lang S yn e

___ page 15

T h e R o s a r y C a le n d a r 2 0 0 3

Archdiocese of S ingapore hom e page, Veritas: h ttp ://w w w .c ath o lic.o rg .sg .

w ith th is is s u e o f t h e C a t h o lic N e w s Internet ed itio n of The C atholic News: h ttp ://w w w .c ath o lic.o rg .sg /C N .

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2 - T H E C A T H O L I C NEW S B e in fo rm ed a s C ath o lics o f th e C h u rc h ’s stan d . .

V A T IC A N

Pope meets S'pore President

The Catholic University Participants of the International Conference "Globalization and Higher Catholic Education: hopes and challenges” organized by the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education in conjunction with International Federation of Catholic Universities (FIUC) met the Holy Father at an audience on 5 December 2002. In his plurilingual address, the Pope empahsized the importance of the Catholic univeristy and the role that it must play in society.

While we in Singapore do not have a Catholic University, those who teach and research in our local universities as well as those who acquire higher learning in them would do well to note the points made by the Holy Father. As Catholics we have to see our role and mission in every aspect of our lives and very much so in the area of higer education.

Starting in Italian, the Pope greeted the participants who included Cardinals from the Congregation For Catholic Education and Rectors and Professors from Catholic Universities around the world and recalled with emotion the time when he, too, was part of the "University Commu­ nity" while he was a professor at the University in Poland.

Switching to Spanish, he pointed out that the "university institution" was born in the bosom of the Church in the great cities of Europe Paris, Bologna, Salamanca, Padua, Oxford (yes, in England, by the Dominicans, who still have their House of Studies there - Ed.), Coimbra, Rome, Krakov and Prague - emphasizing the role and concern of the Church in teaching and research. This concern of the Church does not only focus on Theology and Philosophy but on all other areas of study and research that promote the good of persons and humanity. The Holy Father empahsized the need for great prudence and serious and rigorous research not only on the part of those in the scientific commu­ nity, but also those who have to take decisions especially in the political and legal fields. He particularly mentioned those questions which directly affect the dignity of the Human Person and Fundamental Rights especially in the field of bioethics, such as human embryo and stem cell research, which, he said, had become subjects of disturbing experi­ ments and manipulations that were not always justified, neither morally or scientifically.

Addressing the gathering in English, the Pope said:" Globalization is most often the result of economic factors, which today more than ever shape political, legal and bioethical decisions, frequently to the detriment of human and social concerns. The university world should strive to analyze the factors underlying these decisions and should in turn contribute to making them truly moral acts, acts worthy of the human person. This means strongly emphasizing the centrality of the inalienable dignity of the human person in scientific research and in social policies. Through their activities, the professors and students of your institutions are called to bear clear witness to their faith before the scientific community, showing their commitment to the truth and their

. . . on c u rren t in tern ation al issues.

The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, released the following statement:

Vatican Press Reports

■ ■ ■ ■

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On Thursday 12 December 2002, the Holy Father received in audience, His Excellency Mr. Sellapan Ramanathan Nathan, President of Singapore.

After the audience, the Head of State met with His Excellency Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, Secretary for State Relations. The meeting presented the opportunity for a fruitful exchange of views on the happy state of relations between the State and the Church and on the initiatives of cooperation in the area of culture. The necessity for intense inter-religious dialogue which can contribute to peace and stability in the region and in the world was also emphasized.

respect for the human person. For Christians, research must in effect be undertaken in the light of faith rooted in prayer, in listening to the word of God, in Tradition and in the teaching of the Magisterium.

The role of universities is to train men and women in the different disciplines, taking care to show the profound structural connection between faith and reason, "the two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth” (Fides et Ratio, 1). It should not be forgotten that a true education ought to present a complete and tran­ scendent vision of the human person and educate people's con­ sciences. I am aware of your efforts, in teaching the secular disciplines, to transmit to your students a Christian humanism and to present to them in their university curriculum the basic elements of philosophy, bioethics and theology; this will confirm their faith and inform their consciences (cf. From the heart of the Church. 15).

Continiung in French, the Holy Father said that the Catholic Univer­ sity ought to exercise its mission with care and maintain its Christian identity, taking part in the life of the local church. While it retains its scientific autonomy, it has the duty to live the teaching of the Magisterium in the various areas of research. As an academic commu­ nity it must safeguard human dignity and cultural heritage through teaching and research: at the same time, as a Catholic institution it has the duty to manifest its catholic identity in fidelity to the directions given by the Church and maintain a Christian presence in the academic world in the face of the the great problems that challenge society and culture.

With obvious reference to recent episodes in some Catholic Univer­ sities, the Holy Father stressed that it is the duty of every professor and researcher as well as the whole university community and the institution itself, to live up to the obligations of service to the Gospel, the Church and to mankind. University authorities have the duty, he said, to maintain vigilance in respect of teaching and research in their establish­ ments. Universities which do not respect the laws of the Church and the teaching of the Magisterium, particularly in the field of bioethics can have no claim to the character of a "Catholic University"." I invite, therefore", said the Pope, "each person and each University to reflect on the way each lives in fidelity to the characteristic principles of catholic identity and to take such decisions that suggest themselves."

The Holy Father concluded with expressions of confidence and encouragement. Catholic universities are precious for the Church because they fulfil a mission of service in the understanding of faith and the development of knowledge, they are bridges between the various disciplines and they are called to be centres of dialogue so that cultural formation and research can redound to the service of the Common Good and Man, who cannot be considered simply an object of investi­ gation and research.

Confiding them to thte intercession of the Virgin Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas and all the Doctors of the Church he accorded to them and to all members of their institutions his Apostolic Blessing.

Boston's Cardinal Law resigns On 13 December 2002, the following was released by the Vatican Press Office:

Declaration of His Eminence Cardinal Bernard Francis Law: I am profoundly grateful to the Holy Father for having accepted my resignation as Archbishop of Boston.

It is my fervent prayer that this action may help the Archdiocese of Boston to experience the healing, reconciliation and unity which are so desperately needed.

To all those who have suf­ fered from my shortcomings and mistakes I both apologize and from them beg forgiveness.

To the bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laity, with whom I have been privileged to work in our efforts to fulfill the Church’s mission, I express my deep gratitude. My gratitude extends as well to so many others with whom I have been associ­ ated in serving the common good; these include those from the ecumenical, Jewish, and wider interreligious communities as well as public officials and others in the civil society.

The particular circumstances of this time suggest a quiet departure. Please keep me in your prayers.

Bernard Cardinal Law [Original text: English] Pope John Paul II has appointed as administrator of the Archdiocese of Boston, H.E. Msgr. Richard G. Lennon, who was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, on 14 Sept 2001.

Editor - Vatican Reports

Peace M essage

E x p e rie n c e d F u ll-T im e S ta ff W id e V a rie ty o f Q u a lity P a c k in g M a te r ia ls S p e c ia lis e d M o v e s fo r S a fe s a n d P ia n o s W a s te /O ld F u r n itu r e D is p o s a l H a s s le -fre e L o c a l & In te r n a tio n a lM o v e s T e l: (6 5 )6 4 7 5 2 2 5 6 T W

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Rev. Fr. Claude Barreteau, MEP Rev. Fr. Felix Brygier, MEP Rev. Fr. Balthazar Chang, CICM Rev. Fr. Francois Dufay, MEP Rev. Fr. Edmund Dunne, CSsR Rev. Fr. James Wallace, CSsR Rev. Bro. Casimir, CSsR Rev. Fr. Gerard Keane, SJ Rev. Fr. Alfred Chan Rev. Fr. Frank Depoorter,

The Holy Father's Message for the 36th World Day of Peace, 1 January 2003 will be presented at a Press Conference at 11.30 am. Tues. 17 December 2002.

The theme: "Peace on Earth: a permanent commitment."

The presentation will be made by the newly-appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Archbishop Renato Martino, until recently, Vatican's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

Joining him will be His Exc. Msgr. Giampaolo Crepaldi, Secretary of the Council and Msgr. Frank J Dewane, Under­ secretary of the Council. As the document is under embargo until after our CN printing date, we are unable to release its contents in this issue.

T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S - 3

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

LO C A L

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Parish ‘open house’

C a th o lic s , M e th o d is ts b r e a k f a s t w ith M u s lim s

SINGAPORE (UCAN) — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Singapore hosted a government-initiated dialogue group as part of activities marking the 450th death anniversary of the Jesuit saint after whom the parish was named.

Parishioners welcomed 150 Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Protestants and Taoists from the local Inter-Racial Confidence Circle (IRCC) Nov. 24, ahead of the Dec. 3 Feast of Saint Francis Xavier, patron saint of missions.

They took their guests on a tour of their church and its modern facilities, and presented a briefing on parish activities. A tea reception that followed provided the guests, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lim Hwee Hua, a chance to socialize with the parishioners. Father John Sim, the pastor, noted in a brief speech on what Catholics believe that the event had been organized in line with IRRC objectives.

Earlier in the year, the Singapore government announced formation of a confidence circle for all residents of every constituency, to foster friendship and trust among the various racial and religious communities.

Beatrice Leong, parish representative to the local IRCC, explained that her parish organized many events in its monthlong celebration of the 450th anniversary of Saint Francis Xavier's death on Dec. 3, 1552.

“We felt that in the spirit of our patron saint, we had to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those who do not know who we are and what we believe,”Leong told fellow IRCC members. She further explained that “a patron saint in the Catholic tradition is a spiritual guardian and a role model, chosen for a particular gift,”and Saint Francis Xavier’s gift was his energy and enthusiasm in bringing the faith to Asia.

Lim also said that in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and subsequent terror­ ist-related arrests in Singapore, Singaporeans must move toward a deeper understanding of one anoth­ er’s beliefs.

Race issues in pluralistic Singapore, she as­ serted, seem easier to address than religious differences, which tend to be sidestepped. Noting that strong interreligious ties need more than superficial understanding of religions, Lim concluded that it is now time to look more closely at the differ­ ences.

P. Kalimuthu, a Hindu leader who heads the Darman Sri Muneeswaran Temple, expressed happiness at having been invited and said he “learnt many new things.”Bryan Lincoln, a Catholic who is chairman of the IRCC, commended the effort made in organizing the event.

Leong told UCA News she felt that the visit “achieved a great deal, as the IRCC members had shown great enthusiasm and appreciation for the event.”

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Some 30 Catholics and Methodists fasted and visited the Ba'alwi Mosque at Lewis Road to break fast with Muslims on Nov 26.

The group, made up of Canossian Sisters, two Methodist bishops and their wives and several Catholic laity were given a tour of the mosque by Imam Habib Hassan Al-Attas and shown religious items used by Muslims in Singapore and other parts of the world.

According to Imam Habib one is not allowed to make mistakes when reciting the Koran. When a worshipper reads the Koran aloud, an Imam who knows each word in the sacred text by heart must be nearby to correct a mistake as soon as it occurs.

Before the meal, National University of Singa­ pore sociology professor and mosque volunteer, Dr Syed Farid Alatas, spoke about what fasting does to believers.

Fasting involves both the physical and spiritual, he said. At one level, it involves abstinence from food and drink. At another level, fasting involves abstinence from evil thoughts.

Muslims are supposed to abstain from evil or bad thoughts all the time. “But on Ramadan we have a heightened awareness for this kind of abstinence.”

He added that when believers deprive themselves of food, they experience what suffering is all about.

But fasting is not to be exaggerated, which is why Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan in order to enjoy and appreciate the bounty that Allah has provided, he noted.

While meals were served for worshippers on one side of the mosque, the visitors were led to an airconditioned room where traditional Chinese, Arabic and Malay food was spread buffet-style. The variety of food is to signify that believers do not forsake their traditions when they embrace Islam, the visitors were told.

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4 - THE CATHOLIC NEWS The

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THE PEWS

It seems customary, as a year comes to an end, to take a look at the past and to attempt gazing into the "crystal ball". The former, we shall do, but as for the latter, since it is quite an exercise in futility, we shall leave that to the One who is in control.

Almost unbelievably, for us, a whole year has passed since we assumed editorship of the Catholic News.

This is the last issue of the year! It has been a challenging task, and we have to admit, that we have thoroughly enjoyed it, though we hope that you, the readers, have enjoyed it as much and have found it edu­ cational and formative.

T he E ditor We regret, however, that we cannot always be as up-toDr (Rev) Robert P. Balhetchet date with news as we would like to be, since the paper is published fortnightly, and logistics require that it goes to print almost a week before it is dated. There are other constraints too - lack of space being one and "non-information" from the sources of "happenings" being another. A third factor is late information which would make the paper look like a history periodical rather than a newspaper! This is no exaggeration - we have received, for publication, socalled "news" which is often a month and even two months old, and given the printing deadlines and fort­ nightly publication dates, this can make reporting as much as three months old!

Be all this as it may, we pledge to continue to do our very best to provide you, the readers, with wholesome news, as up to date as we can have it, and as formative as possible. The six guidelines for Catholic journalists given by our Holy Father in his recent address to the International Catholic Union of the Press, which we have reported on the front page of this issue, must

certainly apply even more to the Catholic Press and those who work for it.

Turning to the events of history in the outgoing year, what stands out must certainly be what can be termed the "Aftermath o f Sept. 11". Ongoing events have con­ tributed to "terrorism" taking centre-stage and the development of an almost "siege-like mentality".

However, all is not negative. If nothing else, the events have brought into focus the need for "dialogue".

As we view it, however, this has become almost a "distraction". The dialogue has come to be focused on "religion", because of the coloration of religion in terror­ ism. Race and consequently, country and region, have also entered into the picture, again because of the "over- and under- tones" in terrorism. The practical answer of the world in general seems to consist in a "Band-Aid" approach - heightened security and pre­ emptive strikes - as if these can solve the problem.

By contrast, Our Holy Father and his accredited representatives in all UN and related agencies have consistently highlighted the underlying "divides" in hu­ manity and the blatant disregard for the human person and his fundamental Human Rights that need to be addressed if the lasting peace, announced at the first Christmas, is to become a reality in the world that Christ came to redeem. Our Holy Father, through his repre­ sentatives, has constantly appealed to the nations ofthe world for serious efforts to be made to bridge those "divides". Conviction about the underlying "divides", however, does not seem to have taken hold.

As for what 2003 will hold for us and for all humanity, the well-known hymn says it best: "Leave it in the hands o fth e Lord." On behalf of the staff of the Catholic News, we wish all our readers a very Holy Christmas and a New Year filled with Blessings of the Incarnate Lord.

Responses are from the Editor.

Poverty

Ora et Labora - "Pray and Work" - SJI I read with interest the CN’s focus on the religious and school mission, and share your concern on the future of Catholic schools in Singapore. An important issue at stake is the continued relevance of Catholic schools in Singa­ pore. I examine this issue here by offering a personal reflection on the value of a Catholic education in Singa­ pore.

In the recent presentation ofthe document ‘‘Conse­ crated Persons and their Mission in Schools”, it is stated that “Catholic schools, through the educational project based on the person of Jesus Christ and on the values of the Gospel, want to contribute to refocusing on the human person as the centre of the educational experience”. What does this mean for Catholic schools in Singapore?

Catholic schools in Singapore are situated within an education system which has been changing dynamically to help our young survive in a knowledge-based economy brought about by globalisation. The pragmatic ideals of our education system may be legitimate. However, Catholic schools are further challenged (even more so now) to go beyond such material pragmatism and help students envision their world with faith, compassion and hope, through the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, more than just helping a person acquire new aptitudes for work, Catholic schools embody an important mission in shaping his/her attitudes to live, and not merely survive, meaning­ fully with others.

Nurturing Gospel attitudes of love, faith and hope in our young goes beyond the teaching of Catechism. The recent editorial on school mission states that “THE characteristic of the Catholic school is not simply an educational institution where the Catholic faith (or Cat­ echism) is taught”. Indeed, more than knowing one’s Catechism, an important issue here is how the Catholic faith comes to be experienced by students through educators - religious and laity alike - in Catholic schools.

How, then, can Catholic schools help foster in students positive memories of the Catholic faith? The one thing that I remember from my days at St. Joseph’s Institution would MMHHMWOTM

be the importance of prayer in all things that the school did.

There were teachers who prayed for and with their stu­ dents. In fact, the school's motto is Ora et Labora, which means ‘Pray and Work’, and its significance for me has recently been deepened by a Carmelite father, who shared that work is the fruit of prayer. The larger point of all this is that if the Catholic school mission is founded on the person of Jesus Christ, our one Teacher and Master, then it is integral for Catholic educators - religious and laity - to persevere in seeking God’s inspiration in prayer. Thus, Lord Jesus, our Teacher, renew our attitude towards education with Your vision. Grant us the courage, strength and patience to bring Your Presence to all whom we teach.

Amen.

AP

Thank you for your comments. Yes, fellow Old Josephian, I too remember the days both in St Anthony's and at SJI, where I did my schooling, and also at CHIJ Victoria Street where I studied Geography for "A" level" with a Sister as the teacher, not only the short prayer and/ or invocation led by the teacher, which began and concluded each class. I remember, too, the Brothers and the Sisters who taught me in those schools and their presence as they floated about in their white robes! It made a subtle but definite impression! Indeed, it was in Std.8 (Sec 3) at SJI, from reading a book in the School Library, that I first heard the call to the priesthood, and decided to answer it, after talking with a Brother and a Catholic teacher.

As you rightly point out, secular education has its legitimate goals, and thankfully, our Singapore system does permit the broader goals of Catholic education to be achieved through "Independent Schools" as some of ours have become - money doesn't seem to be the issue for them! And it is still possible to achieve the charisms of the founders of Religious Teaching Congregations with their preferential option for the poor, as an accompanying news item in the last issue of CNews demonstrates!

As mentioned by you, the church is always concerned about the poor. The church has been very active in social and humanitarian aid which is something I am very proud of. Mother Theresa’s work is praised by nearly all religions.

However, I think we should not overlook the fact that the root causes of poverty can also be traced to the lifestyle and the attitude of the people. We should rather give them the tools to fish rather than the fish. I think the poorest people are those who do not know Christ. All social work should be towards sharing the gospel and not just ‘ witness to love’. Witnessing to Christ’s love is not some­ thing unique to Christianity. Buddhist, Hindus or Muslims can be loving people too.

One ofthe root causes of poverty is the unequal distribution of goods. And an important point is the lifestyle ofthe rich. For example, the high consumption of meat products is considered a poor use of energy, poor econom­ ics and poor sense. If we as Christians ( who are consid­ ered the majority in the world’s rich) adopt a more simple lifestyle and a more vegetarian diet, it will help to reduce the destruction of the earth and the poor. Yet, the Church is silent on this matter. It is very good to feel that we are giving something to charity but yet our day to day lifestyle is towards environmental and our health destruction.

We heard a lot about stem cell and abortion issues.

One of the key reason why we are having a hard time arguing about stem cell is that we were not taught (enough) to respect creation and not just human life. If a person respects the environment, how much more will he respect human life from conception.

Yet, I have never heard a single priest mention enough or anything about the impact of our lifestyle on our environ­ ment, our physical and spirtual health and more impor­ tantly, the poor.

SL Rely will be given in the next issue.

T H E C A T H O L I C NEW S - 5

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

TRADITIONAL MASSAGE

LOCAL

Refugee C ause for Christmas

By Aileen Chew

Supporting a refugee cause is the focus of this year’s Christmas preparations for parishioners of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea (OLSS) in Yishun.

When the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Singapore approached the parish to collaborate on a Christmas project for refugees, parish priest Fr Peter Koh responded with a resounding “yes”. Fr Peter felt that for his parishioners to experience the true meaning of Christmas, they needed to celebrate this season reaching out to the poor. He said: “Christmas is not a time to be shut away within our small community, but to remember and reach out to those truly in need." And this is not the first time the parish is adopting a refugee cause. Two years ago, OLSS had also raised funds in aid of East Timorese refugees.

For 18 years, war had raged between the Sinhalese-dominated government and the independence-seeking Tamil Tigers or ITTE, resulting in 65,000 dead, 720,000 internally displaced and 330,000 as refugees in India and Europe. JRS South Asia helps these refugees by giving their children free tuition, young women and widows livelihood skill training in weaving and sewing and free legal aid. It also runs orphanages and helps to resettle returning refugees by giving them shelter as their homes had been destroyed by the civil war.

Ever since the parish started the Christmas project on 7 Dec, the children, youths and the RCIA group have rallied round to sell Christmas cards, cookies and rosaries to raise funds.

Children are also encouraged to write letters to the Sri Lankan refugee children and contribute their pocket money for the refugees. A Christmas pledge tree will also be erected for parishioners to pledge their donations, and a second collection will be made for the refugees.

A photo exhibition highlighting the plight of the Sri Lankan refugees and internally displaced attracted more than 200 parishioners during one weekend, including a seven-year old Christine who donated all her coins to “help the poor”. To create greater awareness of the refugees' plight, the parish also distributed reflection booklets among neighbourhood groups.

More than just raising funds for the refugees, the parish even sent two parishioners to visit five refugee camps and a relocation centre in North­ ern and Eastern Sri Lanka, together with a team from JRS Singapore. This was to get in touch with the reality of the situation of the refugees, and to bring this experience back to parishioners at home.

For more information on JRS Singapore, call 64636022 or email: jrs@jesrefsg.org

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On Mission Sunday, 20lhOctober,2002, Mary of the Passion was beatified. On the 6thJanuary, 1877, Pope Pius IX authorised her to found an Institute specially dedicated to Universal Mission— the Institute of the Missionaries of Mary.

Led by the Spirit, Mary of the Passion got to know more about the Franciscan Way through her acquaintance with Fr. Bernardino de Portuguaro, then, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor.

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

REGIONAL

R a d io

in s p ir e s m illio n s

INDIA, Patna (UCAN) — Sudhir Mishra, a Hindu in a remote Indian village, says he is still alive thanks to a Catholic radio station in the Philippines.

The 27-year-old father of three in Bihar state’s Barwa village admits he was planning to kill himself, unable to bear taunts from family members about his lack of work, until a chance listening to the station changed his life.

That happened this past January. What caught his ear was a Hindi broadcast of the parable of the Prodigal Son from St. Luke’s Gospel. Mishra later wrote about his change of heart to the radio station, run by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and based just outside Manila.

According to Jesuit Father Arun Ignatius Abraham, associate coordinator of the Hindi service of Radio Veritas, letters like Mishra’s show that thousands of people in northern India find new meaning in life through the service.

Radio Veritas gets an average of 6,000 letters a year from Hindi listeners, says Father Abraham, director of a regional communications center in the Bihar capital of Patna, 1,015 kilometers east of New Delhi. He told UCA News that the letters show “our reach is massive in view of the low literacy rate among our targeted audience,”and estimates that the Hindi service reaches millions of people in northern India.

Archbishop Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi hails the station as “the missionary in the Hindi heartland,” doing what Church people cannot do on the ground because of their meager numbers. The archbishop says the many millions it reaches in the region are tribal and dalit (former untouchables) people.

Among local fans of the station is 54-year-old Tirtharaj Kushwaha of Rampurwa village, 300 kilometers north of Patna. The Hindu villager told UCA News in November he has been “virtually addicted”to the daily 7 p.m. Satya Swar (voice of truth) Hindi broadcast for three years. He stum­ bled on it, he said, while trying to tune into news from the British Broadcasting Corporation.

“Of course, there are other radio stations to give news of politics and other mundane things, but Satya Swar tells

you about the very fundamentals of life,” Kushwaha explained. He also said he finds nothing sectarian in the program, despite its roots in Christian teachings and the Bible. The Catholic radio has “in no way”affected his Hindu faith, he asserted, but only made him more con­ cerned for the good of his villagers.

Such sentiments from listeners have prompted Divine Word Father Carlos Lariosa, general manager of Radio Veritas, to call the radio’s Hindi program the “voice of the Catholic Church”in northern India. The Philippines-based priest spoke with UCA News in October while in Patna to address the bishops of the Hindi-speaking region.

Father Deepak Sulaya, a confrere who coordinates the Hindi program, notes that Hindi is the world’s third-largest spoken language, after Chinese and English. The 30minute Satya Swar morning and evening broadcasts, he told UCA News, present Kingdom values “within local cultural and social ambience.”

The programs deal with “a wide spectrum of issues that manifest Kingdom values”and give insights into cultural, social and family values, he said. They include segments on “Teachings of Christ”and “Lives of Saints."

According to Father Abraham, 97 percent of its listeners are people of other religions, mostly Hindus.

They are aged 15-40 and engaged in various occupa­ tions, including farming and teaching.

The Jesuit said most letters come from clubs started by listeners. In some cases, a whole village forms a club and the educated among them do the writing. The letters attest that the programs helped change their lifestyle and values, inspiring them to follow Christ in serving others, he added.

When Mishra wrote in June, he said he was earning money by teaching village children. “Above all, I have become a man of dignity in my village,” added the bach­ elor’s degree holder. He said he wonders what would have happened if he had not heard the story of Udau Putra (prodigal son).

“Indeed, the program has given me punarjanama (rebirth),” he said.

^ ,™

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INDONESIA, Manado, (UCAN) — An Indonesian bishop has encouraged the thousands of students and teachers in Catholic junior high schools of his diocese to be models of cultural and religious harmony.

Sacred Heart Bishop Josephus Suwatan of Manado told the annual assembly for the junior high schools, “Most of you are not Catholics, but you have shown a spirit of togetherness. This spirit must be preserved and devel­ oped.”

Manado diocese serves North Sulawesi province, where 75 percent of the people are Protestants, and the predominantly Muslim provinces of Gorontalo and Central Sulawesi. The latter includes the strife-torn Poso area, where Christian-Muslim clashes that began in December 1998 and ended only this year left more than 2,000 people dead and displaced thousands, mostly Christians.

The Nov. 23 event focused on the theme “Promoting the togetherness of Catholic schools.”

Father Fred Tawaluyan, chairman of the diocesan Commission for Education, told UCA News that between 30 and 40 percent of the 7,000 students in the diocese’s 41 Catholic junior high schools are Catholics. More than half the students are Protestants, while the rest are Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus.

Father Tawaluyan said such assemblies have been held for the past 10 years to promote solidarity among the students. This year’s gathering for Catholic senior high schools in the diocese was held in October.

The program for the younger secondary students, organized by Stella Maris Junior High School, opened with prayers from the different religions and featured sports, math and English competitions, and cultural performances.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sister Immaculata Mandagi, headmistress of Stella Maris, told UCA News that more than 60 percent of her school’s 800 students are Protes­ tants, and 50 are children of Protestant pastors. Most of the rest, she said, are Catholics, and a small number are Buddhist and Muslim students.

S o lid a r ity

M o r a l fo r c e fo r c o u n try CHINA, Macau (UCAN) — Scholars from Mainland China at a recent international symposium in Macau have credited Christianity as a force that helps build civic morality in modem China.

Professor You Xilin from the School of Christian Culture at Shanxi Normal University in northern China told participants at the Nov. 28-29 meeting that Christianity supports modernization while fighting its aberrations.

You said many people in China were seeking just such a combination by the end of the 20th century amid a decline in morality that was partly due to modernization, trade liberalization and other reforms.

As in the past when people turned to Christianity in the face of social turmoil, You explained, intellectuals and others have been using Christian teachings to promote moral values. He observed that this has boosted the relatively rapid spread of Christianity in the mainland ever since China began opening to the outside world more than 20 years ago.

The Macau Ricci Institute and the Lisbon-based Instituto do Oriente jointly organized the symposium to mark the 450th death anniversary of Saint Francis Xavier.

The symposium theme was “Religion and Culture: Past Approaches, Present Globalization, Future Challenges."

The event drew participants from Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States, and ended with a two-day tour of Shangchuan Island, southern China. Francis Xavier, a pioneering Jesuit missioner in Asia who was later declared patron saint of missions, died on that island on Dec. 3, 1552.

Professor Wang Xiaochao, lecturer at Tsinghua University is Beijing, observed at the symposium that moral decay provides a good opportunity for Christians to take part in the country’s “moral construction.”

Wang recommended that Christian communities not only promote high morality among their own members, but also enhance the morality of others in society. He said

religion influences secular society mainly from its moral standpoint, which he called the foundation of religion.

Professor Kung Lap-yan of the Theology Division of the Chinese University of Hong Kong similarly pointed out that religion and morality are almost synonymous in Chinese tradition, so morality could be a meeting ground for Church and State. However, he warned that the Church runs the risk of becoming alienated from the people if is too “political.”Such alienation, he noted, is evident in the emergence of “new religions.”

“Developing too close a relationship with the political authority,”Kung asserted, “will damage the Church’s credibility in the eyes of the public.”

Abuse is possible, he also cautioned, in the policy of mutual accommodation pursued by the Communist Party of China. In that arrangement, the government recog­ nizes religions’ positive role and religions acknowledge they should operate according to “religious policy on socialism in the Chinese way.”

The guidelines used to regulate religious activities, he further explained, may be used to control religious communities, and even eradicate religions that the government dislikes.

In China, Kung commented, “theological construc­ tion,”sometimes called theological reconstruction, sounds more like an ideology than a matter of contextualization.

The mainland Protestant Church promotes the movement as a way to develop a theological approach appropriate for modern China. The Hong Kong scholar said that the revival of Christianity in China since the 1980s results from spirituality, not theological construction.

Other scholars attending the symposium noted that Buddhism and Islam had to adapt to culture and changing realities in China for survival. Participants also discussed the history of mission in China and elsewhere in Asia, and the historical meeting of Western and Asian cultures.

D a y

NEPAL, Kathmandu (UCAN) — Members of the Young Christian Students (YCS) in Nepal organized social works for its Solidarity Day and to commemorate the birth anniversary of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, who inspired the movement.

Nepal’s two YCS cells held the commemoration honoring Cardinal Cardign, who was born on Nov. 13, 1882, on two weekends in November. It featured prayer services, and visits to an AIDS/HIV rehabilitation center and a hospital.

On Nov. 24, the 22-member YCS group at St. Mary’s School in Kathmandu, a Catholic school for girls, visited Karuna Bhawan, a center for people who suffer from AIDS or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that leads to it.

The girls walked 40 minutes from their school to the center, run by Sisters of Adoration of the Blessed Sacra­ ment. There, they chatted with and entertained the resi­ dents and shared food with them.

The day before, they reflected, prayed, went to confes­ sion and attended Mass at the school, where they stayed together overnight. One of them, Antara Singh, told UCA News, “I learned to work in a team.”

The YCS cell based at Assumption Church, Kathmandu’s parish, began its commemoration the week before. On Nov. 16, its 25 members, aged 13-17, were especially involved in the main weekly Mass at the parish, held on Saturdays in Nepal. They did the readings, offered and venerated the gifts, shared prayers, and renewed their pledge to be “doers”of the word of God. The next day, they visited the government hospital in Patan, where they rolled bandages, organized cabinets and files, and cleaned some rooms. The hospital authori­ ties were impressed with their work and invited them back.

When the students later shared their impressions, they agreed that their first visit to an institution outside the Christian community helped expand their concept of Christian service to all, especially those in need.

“I liked the experience and I’m ready to go there again,” Kusang Lama told UCA News. All the other students were just as enthusiastic, she added, and “even two who were not definite about coming came most willingly.”

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

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

RELIGIOUS 3 8 5

y e a r s

o f s e r v ic e

to

t h e

Remembering a Dear One

L o r d

By Mel Diamse-Lee

Some 300 relatives, friends and benefactors joined the Canossians at St Joseph’s Home on Dec 7 for the diamond and silver jubilee anniversaries of seven Sisters.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia, who celebrated the Mass at the packed chapel of the home, noted that the celebration was a “sign of encouragement for others”and urged the congregation to pray for more vocations.

The seven Sisters together marked 385 years of service in the Lord’s vineyard, noted the archbishop during his homily, adding that the Religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience have continued to be a sign of hope in the midst of a materialistic world.

Six of the Sisters celebrated their 60th year as Reli­ gious and one, Sr Rita Jaswant, currently a missionary in Tanzania, celebrated her 25th anniversary.

The diamond jubilarians were Sr Bruna Bossi, Sr Frances Lan, Sr Elizabeth Law, Sr Theresa Tan, Sr Christina Beatrice Norris, Sr Maria Redaelli.

Sr Bruna Bossi, 84, made her first profession in Vimercate, Italy. She came to Singapore in 1946 where she took the O’ levels after studying English. Afterwards, Sr Bruna taught Art and Drama at St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School.

In the 60s, she was sent on mission for 32 years in the Philippines, where she was involved in teaching and in the construction of a retreat house and several chapels. She returned to Singapore in June this year but suffered a stroke. She now resides at St Joseph’s Home where she is writing her fourth book.

Sr Frances Lan was born in Singapore in January 1918 and educated at the former St. Anthony’s Convent in Middle Road. She made her first profession in1942 and later taught at the Canossa Convent Primary School at Sallim Road.

Now 84 and residing at St Joseph’s Convent, she spends much of her time talking and befriending the sick and elderly at the nearby home for the elderly.

Sr Elizabeth Law was bom in Sibu, Sarawak in June 1919 and arrived in Singapore in 1940 to further her nursing training. She was inspired to join the Canossian Sisters and made her first profession in 1947. After her retirement as a teacher, she taught adult religious educa­ tion and was in various ministries at the Church of St

Stephen’s in Sallim Road.

Sr Theresa Tan was born in May 1919 and made her first profession as a Canossian in 1942. A member of St Joseph’s Community, she spends her time talking, praying with and consoling the sick and elderly at St Joseph’s Home. “I used to be the convent Sister cook at the Canossa Convent and St Anthony’s Canossian Convent in Middle Road,” she remembered. She also used to sew habits for her community.

“I thank God that I’ve reached 60 years (as a Sister) and that I can still walk with a walking frame,”she said.

Sr Christina Beatrice Norris was born 82 years ago.

She came from a family of four Canossian Sisters and a priest. She taught at Canossa Convent Primary School for seven years, at two Canossian schools in Malacca for 10 years, and at a parish school in Australia for 31 years.

Sr Christina regularly meets up with catechists, parishion­ ers and friends who want advice or a word of encourage­ ment.

Sr Maria Redaelli, 79, was born in Milan, Italy in 1923. She made her first profession in 1945 and was later missioned to China, Malaysia and Singapore. She taught young children in the kindergarten and was a church and school catechist until she fell very ill at the end of last year.

When she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, she accepted it courageously. After her radiography treat­ ment in February this year, she needed nursing care and was transferred to St Joseph’s Home where she contin­ ues to be a serene, quiet and prayerful presence.

Sr Rita Jaswant, 50, a product of Canossa Convent Primary School, joined the Canossian Sisters in 1974 and made her first profession in 1977.She was involved in many pastoral activities in St Joseph’s Home, in the parishes of St. Stephen’s and St. Mary.of the Angels, in the Canossian Vocational Sewing Centre and Canossaville Children’s Home at Sallim Road.

In 1995, Sr Rita left for Tanzania as a missionary and is now attached to the Canossian Retreat Centre in Arusha, providing material and spiritual nourishment to the many retreatants and being a good and supportive friend to many in Africa.

Poor Clare

CICM Jubilarians Scheut Missions Father Angel Luciano, a Filipino, was born in 1946 and was ordained priest on Dec 7, 1972. He celebrates 30 years in the priesthood.

Fr Angel was a member of the team that started the CICM mission in Zambia, Africa in 1975. Called back to the Philippines in 1982, he served in the training of young confreres and, later, as Provincial Superior of the Philip­ pine Province.

He joined the CICM community in Singapore at Easter 1999. He is mainly involved in the pastoral care of migrants and itinerant workers.

Scheut Missions Father Frank Depoorter, a Belgian, celebrates his 25th year in the priesthood this year.

Fr Frank was born in 1948 and was ordained to the priesthood on Nov 26, 1977. He was in the missions in Congo before coming to Singapore in 1991. He has served in the parishes ofthe Holy Cross and St Michael and was actively involved in inter-religious dialogue and other areas of mission.

Fr Frank is now rector of the CICM headquarters in Pandan Valley. He has been the Religious Superior of the CICM community in Singapore since 1998.

Roswell Daily Record (USA)

Poor Clare Sister Maria Emmanuela of the Holy Family made her perpetual vows on Nov 21 at the Poor Clare Monastery in Roswell, New Mexico, in the United States.

The former Clementina Tie was born the youngest of four children. The product of Infant Jesus schools until her secondary school years, she took up nursing here and occupational therapy in Perth, Australia.

She felt a desire to leave everything for God so that on returning to Singapore she started to search more seriously for what her vocation might be, visiting several religious communities here and looking for additional information on the Internet.

It was on the Net that she came across the Poor Clare website. Moved by what she read, she wrote to the Mother Superior in the United States. Sr Emmanuela entered the monastery on Feb 22, 1977 and made her first profession in 1999 The Mass of her final profes­ sion was officiated by Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, New Mexico, (pictured below)

By her Sisters in Fatima

On the 8th of August, just before one o'clock in the afternoon our dear Sister M. Teresa died peacefully here in our Monastery. In her final weeks Sister Teresa, a widow, enjoyed the consoling presence and assistance of her daughter Sr. Teresia, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus. And just three weeks before, her son Patrick and his wife Phyllis had travelled all the way from their native Singapore to visit with Sister.

This last earthly reunion was truly a gift of grace for all her family.

It was in 1973 that Sr. Teresa, under the guidance of the holy and eminent Fr. Teixeira, made her radical decision to follow the call to the Rosary cloister in a land nearly 20,000 miles from her home. The change of climate and culture was not always easy. But Sister's family, ever so faithful, visited as often as possible.

Her life in the cloister was marked by dedication to the Holy Mass, the Divine Office and the Perpetual Rosary. It was inspiring to see her determination to continue to be present in choir as long as possible for Holy Mass even when her poor health made this an heroic effort. This was witness to her deep faith in the Eucharist. Sister's sense of humour was always a source of joy for our Community. She possessed that gift of refreshing forthrightness so often found in those who have lived a long and serene life. In the last two days she suffered intervals of intense pain. The Sisters who accom­ panied her tried to encourage her by their prayer and presence. In response she repeated: “Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.” In fact, these were the last words Sister spoke in this life.

As Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary we thank God and Our Lady for the life of our dear Sister M. Teresa. She knew the importance, the value, the gentle power of consistent prayer. In a conversation not long before she died she remarked: “So many in the world are chasing after rainbows. What we need is more prayer!”

We ask our Friends of Fatima to remember her precious soul in prayer and at the same time we trust that she will fulfill her promise to help us also on our journey home to Heaven.

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in 'Rome on 'W o r t l M is s io n dunbay, 2 0 O ct. 2 0 0 2

E u lU im e

Come, c e le b ra te W i t h us

P tfft-tin w .

th e c o m m e m o ra tio n o f t h is e ^ e n t a t:

9 Penang Road #09-03 Park Mall (Dhoby Ghaut MRT)

Tel: 62355685 Website: www.sstc.com.sg

[Poor Clares are a cloistered order of Sisters, much like the Carmelite Sisters we know here in Singapore]

'The Q oob S h e p h e rb C a th e b ra i. S in g a p o re , S u n b a y 5 J a n u a r y . 2 0 0 3 a t 1 0 .0 0 am.

Fortnightly; Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, , 2002

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

FAITH IN LIFE

The Mystery revealed 4

S U N D A Y 2 2 D e c e m b e r2 0 0 2

TEXTS FIRST READING 2 Sam 7:1-5. 8-11. 16 RESPONSORIAL Ps. 88 SECOND READING Rom. 16:25-27 GOSPEL Luke 1:26-38

CELEBRATIONS OF THE WEEK

Mon 23: text of 23 December Tue 24: text of 24 December

Application in Life ADVENT

The texts summarize the revelation of the mystery of Salvation. In the First Reading, the House of David is established from which Christ would come in his human nature.

This revelation is welcomed in the Responsoriat. I will sing forever of your love, O Lord. “ Second Reading. The revelation of this mystery of salvation, must, however, be proclaimed ;"... the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience o f faith."

Then comes the great moment of acceptance and submission of Mary to the plan of God, already in the Acclamation and elaborated in the Gospel. I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.'

Will Christmas be just an emotional feeling or will it be a genuine, deep sense of peace and joy bom of the realization that Christ is really with us, in us and among us, incarnated in each of us so that we live, now not us but Christ lives in us. It depends totally on us. Christ was incarnated in history, but whether he is incarnated in actuality in our personal lives is something we have to bring about.

The disposition to preparing ourselves to receive Christ is personified in Mary: 7 am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me." Christ before his Passion and death prayed to his Father"... not my will but thine be done." The whole process of incarnation and redemption hinged on doing the will of God. The glorification of Jesus resulted from his being obedient, even unto death, on the Cross. We must follow in his footsteps . The Opening Prayer: "..as you revealed to us by an angel the coming of your Son as man (Incarnation), so lead us through his suffering and death (Redemption) to the glory of his resurrection." (Glorification).

A Son is G iven to Us C H R IS T M A S 2 0 0 2

W ednesday 25 D ecem ber

T E X T S (m id -nig ht)

Application in Life

IN C A R N A T IO N O F O U R L O R D

The First Reading: contains a passage of Isaiah the prophet that refers to the Incarnation: "For there is a child bom for us, a son given to us.." The beautiful Psalm 95 in the Responsorial becomes a hymn of joy because of the birth of the Saviour. "Sing to the Lord bless his name."

In the Second Reading, St. Paul summarizes the whole plan of salvation: "God's grace has been revealed .. it has made salvation

FIRST READING Isaiah 9:2-7 RESPONSORIAL Ps 95 SECOND READING Titus 2:11-14 GOSPEL

possible ...he sacrificed himself for us ..we must live good and religious lives here is this present world .. we are waiting in hope ... for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Christ Jesus."

The Acclamation anticipates the Christmas message of the Gospel: I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today, in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:1-14

Thu 26 St. Stephen, the first Martyr Fri 27 Saint John, Apostle, Evangelist Sat 28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Christmas is undoubtedly the feast which is celebrated with the greatest manifestation of festivity. This is not surprising when one considers the full significance of Christmas. It signifies God's tremendous love for man, "When the kindness and love of God for mankind were revealed ... it was for no reason except his own compassion."

God is with us. (Emmanuel). The full realization of this fact probably escapes us. The Almighty God has come among us as one of us - a man like us in all things but sin. We probably envy the shepherds on that First Christmas night because they came face to face with the God made man. But we are equally face to face with him now. In fact, we are even more priveleged. We receive the same God made man in Holy Communion.

Unfortunately, we fail to fully recognize his presence in our midst. As John says, "He was in the world ... and the world did not know him".

Hopefully, it is not the other possibility that John mentions: "He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him". (Day Mass)

Christ has come to us, Have we really opened ourselves to him?

GRAPHICS: COPYRIGHT - THE ORDER OF ST BENEDICT

Application in Life

Holy Fam ilies T H E H O L Y F A M IL Y

S U N D A Y 29 D ecem ber 2002

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

The liturgy today proposes a model for the formation of The relationship among members that is proposed, is ba sed on d ivin e p e rspe ctives. It is G od w h o has "holy families".

"The Lord honours the father in his children, and upholds the rights o f a mother over her sons". The a ttitu d e s o f childre n to w a rd s th e ir pa ren ts have an impact on our relationship with God. "Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins .. . he who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord. My son, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life." e sta b lish e d th e rig h ts o f th e fa m ily:

The texts of the Liturgy read like a F am ily H a ndbook.

Opening Prayer. ..help us to live as the holy family...

First Reading. Duties to parents This is based on divine perspectives: the Lord honours the father in his children and upholds he rights of a mother over her sons. The part that is read for the Mass is shortened. It would be well for all of us to read the passage in Ecclesiasticus in full.

Responsorial. THE guideline for the family must certainly be way of the Lord and walking in his ways.

Second Reading St Paul gives us some very practical guidelines for family relationship. If only they could be followed diligently in all families. "Let the messge o f Christ in all its fulness find a home with

TEXTS FIRST READING Eccf. 3:2-6; 12-14 RESPONSORIAL Ps: 127 SECOND READING Col. 3:12-21 GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40 FEASTS OF THE WEEK

Mon 30: 6th day: Christmas octave Tue 31: 7th day: Christmas octave St Silvester I, Pope

you."

Gospel,

(for Year B): is the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the only brief insight into the early life of Jesus with his family in Nazareth.

B le ssin g s from God NEW YEAR 2003

W e d n e s d a y 01 J a n u a r y

F org ive n e ss should be motivated by the fact that God has forgiven us: "The Lord has forgiven you, now you must do the same." Indeed the w h o le fa m ily re la tio n sh ip is seen as a re sp o n se to G od: "May the

peace o f Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts o f one body." We could well reflect on

the relationships in our own families - how far do they mirror the instructions of today's texts? A lot of modern-day ills in society are being "blamed" on families - this, at least, recognizes the critical im p o rta n ce o f th e fa m ily in th e fo rm a tio n o f th e young. It is therefore alarm in g to note th e e v e r in cre a sin g d isin te g ra tio n o f fa m ilie s!

Application in Life

M ARY, M O THER O F GOD

TEXTS FIRST READING Num. 27 RESPONSORIAL Ps:6& SECOND READING G0l. 4:4-7 GOSPEL Luka 2:16-21

Liturgical Colour: White/Gold White or Gold is used for most of the big Feasts and Solemnities and Saints who are not Martyrs for whom Red is used to signify the blood they shed for the Faith. Red is also used for the Apostles.

Sunday Cyde 2*8 £syct&'- 1

This is a beautiful blessing taken from the Book of Numbers, which is given by God to Moses to bless his people.

Responsorial. Ps 66 gives us again another "formula" of blessing.

Second Reading. The brief passage of St Paul in his Letter to the Galatians has reference to the Divine Motherhood of Mary in keeping with today's feast. It also refers to our sonship in reference to God. Acclamation: The quote is a reference to the Incarnation in terms of Jesus being in his person the revelation of God. At his Baptism in the Jordan, the "voice”added: "Listen to Him." which has to be our continual response to the person of Jesus.

Gospel. There are not many references to Mary in the Gospels, but this is one of them. "Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart." That is precisely what we need to do - contem­ plate the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation which we celebrated a week ago, and the implications it must have on our lives.

First Reading.

New Year's day is the beginning of a new year that is unfolding. A time of mixed feelings no doubt. For all of us there is always a certain anxiety about the year that is ahead of us.

The Liturgy of today, however, has no trace of uncertainty or hesitation. It strikes a very positive and hopeful note. The very First Reading greeted us with the words: "May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you". The Responsorial Psalm said: "Let nations be glad and exult ...let the people praise you." And in the Gospel we have the shepherds praising and glorifying God. And why all this? The answer is to be found in the Second Reading: God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts ... "You are not a slave any more; and if God has made you Son, then he has made you heir."

This is reason enough to rejoice and be glad, and to face the future with certainty and hope. Jesus lives with us. It is simply another year in God's plan of redemption. Another year to enjoy God's love and provi­ dence. Of course, the difficulties we shall have to face in this life are real. But we must face them with optimism, with hope, with trust in God's love and providence.

T H E C A TH O L IC NEWS - 9

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

FORMATION TEACHES

* .

The StSry

W h -l

PQ PQ

TESTAM ENT

Gen 1-11 recounts events that ranged from creation to around 1850 BC.

The first event, the creation of the terrestrial animals (vv. 24-25) is distinguished from that of the fish and birds (w. 20-23). The blessing of the terrestrial animals is not specifically mentioned, but as Gen 8:17 makes clear, it also applies to them : "Bring out with

In our last segment:

ff jf If if

4b# CREATION : Ch. 1, v. 1 t o Ch. 2^v. 4 (Continuation)

* “The sixthday" {Gen 1:24-3ljJTwo events parallel to the two events of the third dav:

¥ Not a detailed history. ¥ Not a history of mankind. ¥ Primary objective - theological

The Story of CREATlbN

o f

The fifth day" [Gen 1:20-23} - Parallel to the second dav: the sea and the sky - created on the second day r are to bring forth creatures.

In v.22, with the creation of animals, blessing isjoined to creating. The creation of the animals includes fertility, the original meaning of the blessing. This verse anticipates the creation of man in v.28. The formula, “Be fruitful and multiply..." is not so much a command as that it confers the ability to reproduce through generations. The blessing links the primal events (Gen 1:28; 8:17; 9:1-2) with the patriarchal history (Gen 28:3; 35:11; 47:27; 48:4) and with the history of the nation (Ex 1:7)

TH E O LD

BIBLICAL PRIMEVAL HISTORY

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

, - • '

‘The first day’ [Gen 1:3-5] “The second day" [Gen 1:6-8] T h e third day" [Gen 1:9-13] ‘The fourth day" [Gen 1:14-19]

you every living thing that is with you of all flesh birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth - so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth."

The second event, the creation of the human being, is climactic by its placement and by the large number of verses assigned to it. ‘P’s solemn interpolation sets the last act of creation apart from what has gone before. It begins with a decision by God - Note: The plural “let us..." is a grammatical form characteristic of decisions - an echo of the language of the divine assembly; in ancient Near Eastern literature, the gods decided the fate of humankind. The Bible accepts the picture of the assembly, but God alone makes the decision! (Cf. Gen 11:3,7; Deut.. 32:8-9; 1Kgs. '22:1922; Is 6; 40:1-11; Job 1-2).

Two aspects of this act are special:

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‘

#

’k _ God intends to create human beings “in our image, according to our likeness..." What does this mean?. ( ... a question repeatedly asked!) It does not mean a particular human quality; it is not an isolated assertion

about human beings, but rather concerns the purpose of their creation. The creator wants to create a being analogous to himself, to whom he can speak, who will listen and speak to him. This remains true despite all human differences; every person is created in the , image of God. 2 ) its special directive: .

Humanity is given,a special task. By virtue of being created, it bears a responsibility : human dignity and responsibility are inseparable! Humanity exercises sovereignty over the rest of creation. The verb used * here means “subjugate”and is used particularly pf the rule of kings (cf. 1Kgs 4:24; Ps. 110:2). In the ancient Near East, the king was often called the image of the deity and was vested with God’s authority; royal language is here used for the human.

According to the ancient view, however, there is no suggestion of exploitation. On the contrary, the king is personally responsible for the well -being and pros­ perity of his subjects. This is what is meant by humane ty’s rule over the rest of creation (in contrast to the Mesopotamian creation stories, where humans were ordinarily portrayed as slaves, created “to bear the

1) its special relationship to G od:

By Rev. Anrtbrose Vaz, SSL

Professor Of Sacred Scripture St Francis Xavier's Major Seminary

yoke of the gods, ” i.e., to serve the gods through the cult). This is exemplified by humanity’s rule over the animals, (cf. Ps 8:6 J; humanity can remain fnost fully human ttirough “ruling"animal^Las we see in pas­ sages describing the shepherd. (Cf. Ps 23; Jn. 10)

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

TEACHES

Chapter 1 - The Mystery of the Church Art 5 - Images - Kingdom

T h e D o c u m e n ts z

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o f V a tic a n I I Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

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"Lum en G e ntiu m " - L ig h t o f the N ations Lin k w ith w h a t h as b e e n covered: W e h a v e s e e n in o u r la s t s e g ­ m e n t t h a t th e D o c u m e n t o n th e C h u r c h p r a c tic a lly a s s u m e s a s w e ll k n o w n a n d a c c e p te d t h a t th e C h u r c h is th e F u n d a m e n ta l S a c r a ­ m e n t a n d S ig n o f s a lv a tio n - th e v is ib ility , a s it w e re , o f C h ris t, th e P rim o rd ia l S a c r a m e n t ( v is ib le a n d e ffe c tiv e ) o f o u r R e d e m p tio n a n d s a lv a tio n .

£ B y D r. ( R e v ) R o b e r t P B a lh e tc h e t, P h .D . ( T h e o l.)

We mentioned and cannot emphasize enough the importance of this fundamental view of the Church. To have a proper appreciation of what the Church is and stands for, we need to see it as the effective instrument of salvation instituted by Christ himself. It is this spiritual "dimension" which is absolutely critical if we want to view the Church correctly. It is critical too, if we are going to have a correct approach to the individual sacraments as individual aspects of the one Primordial Sacrament who is Christ.lt is also critical to how we view "the Vatican", the Pope, and the whole hierarchy, how we view the "Magistrium" (= the teaching authority) of the Church.

Unfortunately (in a sense), the Church is so visible with all its organization and structures, not to mention the "human"people in it, that it is so easy to be totally forgetful of the fact that the Church is the divinely instituted, visible extension of Christ himself.

In a sense, it should have been much easier for the people of Christ's time when he walked the earth, to view him as THE visible Sacrament of Salvation in his very Person, because he was certainly the perfect embodiment of salvific grace the Incarnate God. Be that as it may, we now have to rely on our faith. Mind you, if we need some consolation, even Jesus, in his time, had occasion to chide his own Apostles for their lack of faith.

The article 5 which we are touching on gives us an "image" of the Church which is a "logical" extension of the notion of Christ, the Primordial Sacrament.

The document says: "The mystery of the Holy Church is manifest in its foundation. For the Lord Jesus inaugurated the Church by preaching the Good News, that is, the coming of the Kingdom of God, promised over the centuries, in the Scriptures: "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand." (Mk. 1:15; Matt. 4:17) This Kingdom shines forth to men in the word, the works and the presence of Christ."

The "external visible elements" are: • the "words" (= the preaching of Jesus who announces the Kingdom),

• the "works" (= the "miracles" which confirm what he says - the words) But, the council adds: "Principally, the Kingdom is revealed in • the "person" of Christ himself, the Son of God, and the Son of Man, who came "to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The Council concludes the article with stating the connection between this Primordial Sacra­ ment which is Christ with the Church he estab­ lished.

"From this source the Church, equipped with the gifts of its Founder and faithfully observing His precepts of charity, humility and selfsacrifice, receives the mission to proclaim and to spread among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God and to be, on earth, the seed and beginning of that kingdom. While it slowly grows, the Church strains toward the completed Kingdom and, with all its strength, hopes and desires to be united in glory with its King."

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, , 2002

1 0 - T H E C A T H O L I C N EW S

CHILDREN’S CORNER O l s t s lw lQ lR lP l

C O N T E S T

H O L Y N IG H T

Children, you must follow these RULES

A C R O S S

3. Joseph knew that he was not the_____.

This contest for children preparing to receive Holy Communion 5. In the dream an angel told him not to worry, because God and attending classes at their Parishes. had chosen Mary to be the____ of his Son, Jesus.

It has to be the children's own effort and parents are asked to use 8. That night, Mary gave birth to_____ . this opportunity to teach the children the value of honesty.

9. At that time, everyone had to register themselves at the town they came from and since Joseph came from Prizes will be awarded to the first three correct entries to reach Bethlehem, he had to go there with Mary to register. the Editor, AFTER midnight Wed/Thur 8/9 January 2003, by e-mail 11.Meanwhile some______were watching to steeple(3>sinonet. com.sa. The first three correct entries will be based on the date and time as recorded in the "Inbox". The their flocks at night.

Editor's decision is final.

13._____ and Mary had promised to get married.

14.Before this could take place,____ was expecting Closing Date: midnight. Fri/Sat 10/11 January 2003. a baby.

To send the answers, just use the numbers of the clues and give 1. Mary and Joseph wrapped him in swaddling clothes the answer for each clue. and laid him in a _____ .

You must give your full name, address, and the Communion Class 2. Angels sang: Glory to God on high.____ to all you are attending at your Parish. good men.

Winners, for the first three correct entries, (according to the 4. When they reached the town, they could not find a "Inbox") and the Consolation prizes will be announced in the place to stay so they had to go and rest in the following issue of the Catholic News. _____ for animals.

6. One night he had a ___ the message of the angel and 7. Joseph CreatedbyCatholicNews withEclipseCrossword married Mary. ©2000-2002byGreenEclipseSoftware 10.But he was embarrassed because people TH E W I N N E R S started to_____.

Here are the answersfor 11.Suddenly there was a bright light and an angel appeared and told them that a Saviour had been CROSSWORD IC O lN lT lE IS lT 1 Alexander Tan Yong Meng born in Bethlehem.

- Holy Family 12.The shepherds then went to the town and____ No 1 5 -JOSEPH Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus.

2 Jonathan Chua Wei Jin f Jacob was the GRANDSON of Abraham.

- St Anne Jacob had a total of TWELVE sons.

One of these was JOSEPH. 3 Vivienne Chang f - St Francis Xaviour He was his father’s FAVOURITE. S p e c i a l t y f a r y o u This made the others JEALOUS. One day they decided to KILL him.

Consolation Prizes Hello Girls and Boys, However, one of the older brothers persuaded them not to, but to just throw him into a dry WELL. 4 Alexis Arthur Tan Yan Xiong By the time you get to read this it will be less than a week to Christmas.

8. Then some merchants from Egypt came by and - Holy Family the brothers SOLD Joseph to them.

It's "funny" isn't it, how Christmas time has that special feel about it!

5 Joseph Gwee Ming-Wei 9. He was sold for TWENTY pieces of silver.

Perhaps it's all the lights and decorations we see all over the place, -Holy Family 10. The merchants took him to Egypt and sold perhaps it's the presents you are hoping to receive. Perhaps, and this Joseph as a SLAVE. SHOULD BETHE REASON, it's because we are celebrating the birth of 2 entries had mistakes 11. However, Joseph became the favourite of the - Don't give up! that little baby in the crib - JESUS! That certainly was the cause of the king who made him his GOVERNOR. You tried, and that's what matters. joy that Joseph and Mother Mary were feeling, and the joy, too, that the All of us make mistakes sometimes.

12. A great famine was coming, but with God’s shepherds felt on finding everything just as the Angel had told them!

The important thing is to keep trying! guidance, Joseph stored up a lot of FOOD in Egypt, so that the people would not starve.

My dear children, have you ever thought of giving some of the joy you 13. When the famine came, a lot of people came to Congratulations experience at Christmas to someone else? Another little boy or girl like Egypt to BUY food. to ALL of you yourself - who isn't so happy as you are - perhaps, because he or she is 14. Joseph’s brothers (the ones who had sold him) for your efforts! sick in hospital, or because he or she is handicapped, or he or she is too also came to EGYPT. poor to celebrate and receive presents - or perhaps because they do not 15. After testing them, Joseph forgave them and they know about that little Baby! Have you ever thought of giving one of your brought their father, JACOB, and they lived in Egypt best Christmas presents which you like very much, to someone else with Joseph. „ CO LLECTIO N O F PRIZES B tic a y s c ? K S S S E W who hasn't any? Believe me you will be even happier when you see the Please contact Catholic News Office, -prxt- E sS jfiE joy on the face of that other little girl or boy! Try it - but please talk to 2 Highland Rd. #01-03, S 549102 m a K e tz Mummy and Daddy first, before you do anything like that! o f v s a ll (next to Immaculate Heart Church) -u s /x g im TEL: 6-858-3055, FAX: 6-858-2055 May the Peace and Joy of the newborn Jesus be with you and may he e-mail: cathnews(S>catholic.org.sa.

C2*ttiC? Monday to Friday: 9.00am-6.00pm shower you and all your family with his love and blessings. And a in th c > ( except lunch: 12.00-2.00pm ) Blessed New Year too, because my next letter will be in 2003! s ta ll and ask for Auntv Veronica

God love you and your family.

Fr. Bob

>m es - t o t lic j sm n lL i .

X t f ja n K r r jy Q o o

L e s s o n s fro m th e S to r y o f J o s e p h The story of Joseph is quite a long one in the Bible, but we have shortened it for you. By the way, children, don't get mixed up! This is not the Joseph in the Christmas Cribs that you have in your Churches these days. The Joseph in the crib is the husband of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. The Joseph we met in the last Crossword Puzzle is the son of Jacob who was the grandson of Abraham.

From the story of Joseph we see something very sad and not at all good. Joseph had a whole lot of brothers, but their father Jacob favoured him a lot and this made his brothers very jealous.

Their jealousy was so great that they couldn't even think straight. They decided to kill Joseph. Although in the end, they didn't, they ended up selling Joseph as a

slave, which was a terrible thing to do!

Certainly, the lesson we must learn from this story is how bad jealousy is, and what it can do at its worst.

Actually we start feeling jealous even when we are very young. If we think our parents seem to like one of our brothers or sisters more than us, then we begin to feel "jealous" of them. "Why should he or she get such and such, while I don't have the same. Why is Daddy and Mummy always scolding or blaming me, but they don't blame my brother or sister? I always seem to get into trouble with Daddy or Mummy! Then we become jealous of our friends in school, because we think the teacher has favourites or else we are jealous because our friends have better things than we. The trouble with

jealousy is that it makes us L

we can't even think straight. We fail to see why Mummy and Daddy treat another child differently or why teacher seems to treat some of our friends differently. Whatever it is, we must believe that Mummies and Daddies love all their children. Even in the story of Joseph, we see how the father was concerned about the other brothers and how they were getting on, which was why he sent Joseph out to look for them. And as for being jealous of others because they have better things than ourselves, have we ever thought about those who don't have such good things as we have, or worse still, have nothing at all?

T H E C A T H O L I C NEW S - 11

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

LOCAL

II

Blind look to future V IE T N A M , Ban M e Thuot (UCAN) — Students with visual or hearing impairments look forward to their future with hope, a value that they acquire along with vocational skills at a school run by nuns in Vietnam ’s central highlands, founded in 1997 and run by St. Paul de Chartres nuns.

Cao Quang Bau, a 19-year-old blind student, says that he hopes to become “an excellent organ­ ist.” Bau, who is not a Catholic, said he is being taught how to play the organ by one of the nuns at the school. He added that after enrolling in the school last year, he can now read and write in Braille.

Jean Bosco Le Hoang Gia Hung, another blind student, is focusing more on herbal medicine, which he believes “may be my source of livelihood in the future.”The 26-year-old is also studying academic subjects and catechism.

Training for self-reliance is important for Sister Anna Nguyen Thi Nhat, the school's principal. She told UCA News, “Our greatest concern is to give them a vocational education so that they can support themselves later.”

According to Sister Nhat, all of the school’s 120 students have impaired sight or hearing.

The nun said students are grouped into 11 classes at nursery, primary and secondary levels.

The school also has vocational training in sewing, knitting, embroidery, mushroom-growing and acupressure.

The 50-year-old Religious, who was trained in education for disabled children in France, recalled that the school’s first class had one nun teacher, three children, three stools, two blackboards and

three pieces of chalk. Since then, 15 students have completed secondary studies.

During vacations, the school organizes trips to Da Lat, Nha Trang, Da Nang or Hue, Vietnam’s ancient capital. The children also go to churches where they can interact with other children.

Vu Duy Luan, head of the parents’ association of the school, says Vi Nhan Specialized School is the hope of poor families with disabled children.

According to Luan, a judge, there was no other school for the disabled in Dac Lac province before the school opened, and most families could not afford to send their children to other provinces.

The provincial government, Luan said, opened a free school for the disabled this year, but it cannot meet students’ needs. Though he is not a Catholic, Luan added that he is at ease that his child “studies at a Catholic school."

Sister Nhat said that benefactors have to cover most school expenses. She pointed out that only 30 percent of parents can afford to pay the tuition fee of 200,000 dong (US$13) a month.

One parent, Pham Huu Vinh, told UCA News that he pays only 100,000 dong a month for his child’s accommodation, food and studies. “That sum is not enough, but the school still accepts my child,”said Vinh. The child, now 15, did not go to any school until the nuns opened Vi Nhan.

The school currently has 30 teachers, including 20 volunteers. Eight of the teachers were trained in France or at local colleges, while the others have taken courses in education for disabled children, computer science, foreign languages and health care.

Advent Wreaths IN D O N E S IA , Manado, (UCAN) — Enter a Christian home on Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island before Christmas, and if you see an Advent wreath, the fam ily is almost surely Catholic.

While Protestants decorate their homes with Christmas trees and colorful lights, many Catholics of Manado diocese prefer to have an Advent wreath in their home, as well as a decorative wreath hanging on their front door.

Hendrik Mantiri, a Protestant leader, said that on the east-central island also known as Celebes, “the Advent wreath is a real sign distin­ guishing Catholics from Protestants.”

The distinction is one of recent years, though, according to Sacred Heart Father John Lengkong. He told UCA News that before Bishop Josephus Suwatan of Manado began promoting the wreaths as a home Advent tradition 15 years ago, they could be found only in churches.

Now, he said, the garlands of green leaves with violet ribbons and candles are “living homilies” for Catholic families as they prepare for Christmas.This

year Bishop Suwatan, also a member of the Sacred Heart congregation, again called on Catholics to use Advent wreaths.

They can help Catholics “remember that they are in the four weeks of Advent waiting for the coming of t the Lord,”he wrote in a pastoral letter read in all 44 Manado parishes on Nov. 24, the Sunday before the first Sunday of Advent.

“Through this intimidating law, the state is now all set to sponsor majority religion,”said Archbishop Arul Das James of Madras Mylapore, president of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council.

The controversial legislation that lawmakers passed Oct. 30, amid protests, sets maximum penalties of four years in prison and a fine of 100,000 rupees (US$2,080) for converting a dalit (former untouchable), tribal, woman or child through force or allurement.

The law also requires priests to inform district officials about each convert to whom they give religious initiation. Failure to comply with this is punishable by one year in prison.

Archbishop James has been leading a campaign against it along with Muslim and Hindu dalit leaders ever since the move for the law started in October.

A 16-member delegation met the governor Nov. 11

1

Johanes Wilar, a parishioner from Saint Anthony Church in Tara-Tara, 27 kilometers south of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, told UCA News Dec. 2 that the tradition “is meaningful for Catholics.”A wreath hanging on the front door not only identifies Catholics but signifies their solemn preparation for the coming of the Lord, he said. A woman from another parish affirmed that keeping an Advent wreath in her home “strengthens” her faith.

requesting him not to sign the bill.

Several rallies and delegations asked the state government to withdraw the bill as “force”and “allurement”could be misinterpreted to harass people.

Hyder Ali, president of the Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (progressive front), lamented that “the will of the majority is vetoed in a state known for its religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, just because the ruling party has a brute majority in the legislature.”

State Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalitha report­ edly reiterated her assurance that the law is aimed only at those converting people by force or allurement and there is “no question of taking action” in the case of people voluntarily changing religion.

Christian and Muslim leaders, however, counter that the law is unnecessary if the state respects religious freedom as well as Christianity and Islam, which they say teach that forced conversion is not only a crime but a sin.

The governor signed the law a day after the Federation of Christian Political Parties met him to request that he not give his assent.

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In explaining the meaning of the wreath, the bishop said, “The green color symbolizes hope, violet stands for repentance and each of the four candles lit w eek by w eek symbolizes Christ, the Light w e are waiting for."

Anti-conversion Law IN D IA , Chennai (UCAN) — T h e governor of Tamil Nadu state in India has signed into law a bill banning conversion through “force” or “allurem ent,” despite protests from Christians, Muslims and lowcaste Hindus.

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CITY DISTRICT CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Dec 24: 11.15 pm vigil and carols followed by M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am, 10 am & 6 pm.

CHURCH OF SS PETER & PAUL Dec 24:11 pmcarols, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 10 am (Bi-lingual).

ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH Dec 24: 11.15 pm Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am.

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Dec 24: M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am (T), 10 am.

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Dec 24: 10 pm (M), M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am, 11 am.

CHURCH OF ST BERNADETTE Dec 24: 10 pm, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am (M), 10.30 am.

CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL Dec 24: 7.30 pm pageant, 8.00 pm, 10.30 Christmas musical, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am (M), 9.30 am.

CHURCH OF ST TERESA Dec 24: 11.00 pm pageant & carols, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8.30 am, 10 am.

NOVENA CHURCH Dec 24: 10.25 pm Praise and worship, 11.30 pm Vigil Mass.

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NORTH DISTRICT_________ CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH Dec 24: 9 pm (M), M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am, 9.30 am, 11 am.

CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY Dec 24: 7.45 pm (Chinese Mass), 9.30 pm, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am, 11 am, 6 pm.

CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA Dec 24: 7.15 pmcarols, 8 pmMass, 9.40 pm carols, 10 pm Mass, 11.40 pm carols, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am (M), 10.15 am, 11.45 am.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Dec 24: 6 pm Children’s Mass, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am, 10 am, No evening Mass.

CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Dec24:8.15 pmcarols, 9 pmMass, 11.15 pm Cantata, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 7 am, 8.15 am (M), 9.30 am, 11 am, 6 pm.

CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Dec 24: 6 pm family (Children’s Mass and pageant), 9 pm Mass, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 7 am, 8.15 am (M), 9.45 am, 11.30 am, 6 pm.

WEST DISTRICT CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Dec 24: 9 pm (M), 11.30 pm carols, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am, 10.30 am, No evening Mass.

CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS Dec 24: 6.30 pm, 8.30 pm carols, 9 pm Mass, 11.30 pm carols, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 7 am (M), 8.15 am, 9.30 am, 11 am, 12.30 pm.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS Dec 24: 8.30 pm, 11.30 pm Mass.

Dec 25: 7.15 am (M), 8.45 am, 10.30 am.

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BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Dec 24: 8.30 pm pageant, 9 pm Mass, 11.30 pm pageant, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am (M), 10.30 am, 5.30 pm.

CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Dec 24: 6 pm. Catholic Junior College Hall: 11 pm vigil, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am, 9.20 am, 10.45 am, 12.10 pm, 6 pm.

EAST DISTRICT CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN Dec 24: M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 10 am.

CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE Dec 24: 9 pm pageant (M), 9.45 pm Mass (M), 11.15 pm pageant, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am (M), 10.30 am, 6 pm.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY Dec 24: 9 pm, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9.15 am, 11.15 am, 6 pm (M).

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Dec 24: 9 pm, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 7.30 am (M), 8.45 am, 10.15 am, 12 noon, 6 pm.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY Dec 24: 6 pm, 9 pm, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8 am (M), 9.30 am, 11 am, 12.30 pm, No evening Mass.

SERANGOON DISTRICT ST ANNE’S CHURCH Dec 24: 8 pm Family Mass, 11.15 pm Cantata, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am, 10.30 am.

CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BVM Dec 24: Nativity Church Centre: 7.30 pm (M), Church: 8 pm, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 7.30 am, 9 am, 10.30 am.

CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Dec 24: 9.30 pm, M'nite Mass.

Dec 25: 9 am, 11 am, 6 pm.

CATHOLIC LAWYERS GUILD RED MASS For the dedication of the New Legal Year to the Lord will becelebrated by Arch bishop Nicholas Chia and Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, on Jan 4 at 8.30am. All in the legal profession, including students, their families and well-wishers are invited.

Enquiries: Petula Wong at petula@hoh.com.sg or Cosmas Gomez at cosmas@hoh.com.sg or tel: 6334 3833.

CATHOLIC MORALITY & BIOETHICS A series of 12 talks organized by the QOP Pastoral Formation Committee.

Speakers: Drs John Lee, John Lim, John Hui Ian Snodgrass, Gabriel Oon and Frs James Yeo and Colin Tan, S.J. Every Thursday Night from Jan 9. Venue: Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, 4 Sandy Lane. Contribution: $15 to cover course materials. Open to all! Application forms available at the QOP Secretariat or call Maggie-Chan (6543-0870/9682-8559).

SHARING THE GIFT OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION For newcomers who want to learn and regular meditators who want to deepen their understanding of the way of prayer.

Dates: Jan 3, 10, 17, Feb 7, 14, Time: 8-9.15 pm. Venue: Church of the Immaculate heart of Mary. Registration $10 by Dec 24. Post cheque with details of name, address, e-mail address and tel no to Rebecca Lim 44 Marine Crescent #17-10, S440044. Organised by The Christian Meditation Community of Singapore. Inquiries: Daulet 6737-6279 daulet@pacific.net.sg, Rebecca 6445-8062 rebeccalim@pacific.net.sg

IN M E M O R Y THANKSGIVING Once again, thank you holy apostle St Jude for prayers answ ered. Also grateful thanks Infant Jesus of Prague, O ur Lady of Perpetual Help, Sts A nne, A nthony, G erard, Joseph and all the Holy Angels and Saints for their favours, protection, and help rendered to m e and my family in tim es o f need.

Please continue to protect and guide us alw ays. SC Special thanks and gratitude to O ur Father, Sacred Heart o f Jesus, M other M ary, O ur Lady o f Perpetual Succour, Sts Jude, A nne, A nthony, Gerard, Rita, Dymphna and all the Holy Angels and Saints in heaven for the countless intercessions, miracles and prayers answ ered during m ost difficult and troubled times.

Sincerely appreciate all blessings, guidance, protection on m e and my loved ones. Please continue to bless us and intercede for us. SC

Note: All Masses in English unless indicated.

(M) Mandarin, (T) Tamil.

TERESA LEE SE N G N EO Departed:Dec 3 1 , 1994 Peacefully sleeping, resting at last, T he w orld’s weary troubles and trials are past.

In silence she suffered, in p ' ^ -ce she bore, Till God called her hom e to suffer no more.

Rem *nbered by husband, Soo Long, children and grand­ children.

T w e n ty -F o u rth A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory of

OBITUARY

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH Dec 24: 8.30 pm carols, 9 pm Mass, 11.30 carols, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 8.30 am, 10.45 am Children’s Mass.

CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER Dec 24: 9 pm, M’nite Mass.

Dec 25: 7 am, 9 am, 10.30 am, 6 pm.

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

JO A C H IM TA N P O H SO O N Departed:Dec 7 , 2 0 0 2 L e aving behind: Sons a n d d a u g h te rs, d a u g h te rs-in law a n d sons-in-law , g ra n d c h ild re n , g re a tg ra n d c h ild re n , relatives a n d all loved ones.

V IC T O R DAV ID Departed:Dec 2 7 , 1978 M y heart is sore As time goes by I miss you more.

Y our loving smile, your gentle face, N o one can fill your vacant place.

Always remembered by wife: Ivy Children: C atherine, G abriel, Hillary D aughter-in-law: A licia, Shelley Anne De R ozario, Grandson: M ichael and grand-daughter: A drianna.

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

Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

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M ONA DE CA STRO Departed: Dec 8, 19 9 8 Holy God Holy m ighty one Holy im m ortal one Have m ercy on us and on the w hole world Alw ays rem em bered by loved ones.

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CLARACHER ANDREW JOHNTEO POHSIOK TEO SIAKKEE Departed: Dec 21. 84 Departed: Jan 10, 93 Departed: Jan26, 91 Fondly remembered by your loved ones.

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FR A N C IS N E E L A N K A V IL Bom: Dec 1932 Departed:Dec 3 0 ,1 9 9 9 “W e have loved them dearly during life, let us not abandon them until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house o f the L ord.”

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AGNES LER H U IK IA N G Departed:Dec 2 9 ,2 0 0 0 G rant her, dearest Jesus, heavenly rest.

D early m issed by loved ones.

M ass at Church o f St Francis X avier on Dec 2 9 at 1 0 .4 5 am.

TH O M A S V IN C E N T G O M E Z Departed: Jan 1 ,1 9 9 9 M ay he rest in peace.

Sadly m issed by your loving nephew s and nieces.

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JO S E PH DORAI Departed: Dec 2 3 ,1 9 9 6 Six years have passed And in our hearts he is still fondly remembered, Sw eet m em ories cling to his name; Those w ho loved him in life sincerely, Still love him in death ju st the same.

A lw ays rem em bered by wife, children, grand­ children and loved ones

O ne thing I ask o f the Lord; This I seek: T o dwell in the L ord’s house All the days o f my life.

T o gaze on the Lord’s beauty, to visit his temple.

(Psalm 2 7 :4 ) From your loving w ife, children, grand­ children and loved

Fifth Anniversary In lovingmemory of

A .S. D A V ID D eparted:Dec 2 4 ,1 9 8 9 M DM M ANGALAM MARY Departed:Dec 3 1 ,1 9 8 6 You are gone, dear mother, G one beyond the w orld o f tears, But the m em ory o f you will ever linger Through the passing years.

Lovingly remembered by sons and daughters and all loved ones.

W e cannot forget you O ur loved one so dear; Your m em ory grows Sw eeter year after year.

Alw ays rem em bered by sons, daughters and loved ones.

N in th A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory o f a father and a husband

F o u rte e n th A n n iv e rsary In loving m em ory o f

JO SEPH G O M EZ Departed:Jan 3, 1994

L O U IS ER YONG K HENG Departed: Dec 2 5 ,1 9 8 8 G od took him home, it was His will But in our hearts, we love him still; His memory is as dear today A s in the hour he passed away W e often sit and think o f him W hen w e are all alone; For memory is the only friend That g rie f can call its own.

From your loving w ife, children, in-laws and grand-children.

Please turn to page 12 for more "In Memoriam” announcements and classified advertisements.

MR GORDON STEVEN Departed: Dec 30, 1997 God took himhome, it was His will, But in our hearts we love himstill, His memory is asdear today As in the hour hepassedaway.

We often sit and think of him When we are all alone, For memory is the only friend That grief cancall its own.

Dearly missedby wife, daughters, mother, siblings and all loved ones.

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

D ear one w ho left us in such sorrow But w hose presence taught us much strength to go on He lives and always will.

Y our loved ones.

F R A N C IS TA N W E E SO O N Departed:Dec 2 9 ,1 9 9 0 You are gone, dear father, G one beyond the w orld o f tears, But the m em ory o f you will ever linger Through the passing years.

A lw ays in our hearts and in o u r minds.

BEATRICE KEE CHENG SEE Bom: October 20, 1945 Departed: January 2, 2001 God gave usa mother more worthy of heaven than of earth!.

Her sacrifices, sufferings andhumility were with lovetoGodfor others.

Her childlike confidence inGod and her faithfulnesstoour Holy Mother all her life istruly agreat inspirationtous.

‘I amnot dying, I amentering into life.’

Thank you, St Therese of thechildJesus for answeringall her prayers.

Forever cherishedandrememberedby husband, Alan, children, Pamelaand Andy, son-in-law, Adin, grandson, Gabriel andall loved ones.

Amasswill becelebratedat Churchof ChristtheKingChapel onJan2, at 6.15pm.

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JOSEPH EE HONG KIAT Gone home to to the Lord On 26 December 2001

And we have not forgotten you For a part of you is always in us.

Not a day has gone by When we would not smile and remember Your quizzical smile, your quirks and quips.

A person with so much passion for our Blessed Mother, Madonna And yet enjoys Madonna, The singer just as much.

Full of love, joy and fun, you were, Your patience for us, a Noble Prize.

We miss you awfully You know we do.

And you will always be with us Until we meet again. “ I a m th e r e s u r r e c t io n a n d th e lif e ,

Fondly remembered by Mary (Mummy), Angela and Benjamin, Philip and Mary, Linda and Surya, Christina, Mathew, Vanessa, Bryan, Adrian, Gerald, Ashley and relatives.

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Fortn igh tly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, , 2002

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

F A M IL Y

A Family Feast - Sunday 29 December

Appeal for

B. van Renesse

Father's Day, Mother's Day, Children's Day, Youth Day have all practically entered the calendars of many nations if not all. Family Day, however, tends to refer to a day set aside for the family to be together, rather than a celebration of the family as such. We in the Church have a Feast of the Holy Family, but here in Singapore, what immediately comes to mind is the Patronal Feast of one of our Par­ ishes.

In the current climate one begins to wonder what will become of the "family", when one hears of co-habitation, "single families" (a strange term), just "couples’ (by deliberate choice), and now, "same sex marriages" (an even stranger concept) that are sanctioned by law, in some countries, with the same rights as "heterosexual mar­

riages" (who would ever have thought that "marriage" would need to be qualified by the adjective 'heterosexual'

!). Add to the list, the ever-increasing divorce rate.

Might we suggest that a Family Day like Mother's Day and Father's Day be established on the Feast of the Holy Family - no, not to bring the family out for a meal together and commercialize it, but to bring into focus the sanctity of this divinely established institution. However, while we are not in a position to really establish such a celebration, there is no reason why individual families themselves can not make a start of it.

The following excerpt from the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution - The Church in the Modem World, could set the tone.

T h e s a n c tity o f m a r r ia g e a n d th e fa m ily

By divine will

Consecrated to love

The intimate partnership of married life and love has been established by the Creator and qualified by His laws, and is rooted in the jugal covenant of irrevocable personal consent. Hence by that human act whereby spouses mutually bestow and accept each other a relationship arises which by divine will and in the eyes of society too is a lasting one. For the good of the spouses and their off-spring, as well as of society, the existence of the sacred bond no longer depends on human decisions alone. For, God Himself is the author of matrimony, endowed as it is with various benefits and purposes.

Authentic married love is caught up into divine love and is governed and enriched by Christ’s redeeming power and the saving activity of the Church, so that this love may lead the spouses to God with powerful effect and may aid and strengthen them in sublime office of being a father or a mother. For this reason Christian spouses have a special sacrament by which they are fortified and receive a kind of consecration in the duties and dignity of their state. By virtue of this sacrament, as spouses fulfil their conjugal and family obligation, they are penetrated with the spirit of Christ, which suffuses their whole lives with faith, hope and charity. Thus they increasingly advance the perfection of their own personalities, as well as their mutual sanctification, and hence contribute jointly to the glory of God.

"no longer two but one"

All of these have a very decisive bear­ ing on the continuation of the human race, on the personal development and eternal destiny of the individual members of a family, and on the dig­ nity, stability, peace and prosperity of the family itself and of human society as a whole. By their very nature, the institution of matrimony itself and con­ jugal love are ordained for the procreation and education of children, and find in them their ultimate crown.

Thus a man and a woman, who by their compact of conjugal love “are no longer two, but one flesh” (Matt. 19:ff),

render mutual help and service to each other through an intimate union of their persons and of their actions.

Through this union they experience the meaning of their oneness and attain to it with growing perfection day by day. As a mutual gift of two per­ sons, this intimate union and the good of the children impose total fidelity on the spouses and argue for an un­ breakable oneness between them.

A sacrament o f love

Christ the Lord abundantly blessed this many-faceted love, welling up as it does from the fountain of divine love and structured as it is on the model of His union with His Church. For as God of old made Himself present to His people through a covenant of love and fidelity, so now the Savior of men and the Spouse of the Church comes into the lives of married Christians through the sacrament of matrimony. He abides with them thereafter so that just as He loved the Church and handed Himself over on her behalf, the spouses may love each other with perpetual fidelity through mutual self-bestowal.

School of holiness

As a result, with their parents leading the way by example and family prayer, children and indeed everyone gathered around the family hearth will find a readier path to human maturity, salvation and holiness. Graced with the dignity and office of fatherhood and motherhood, parents will energeti­ cally acquit themselves of a duty which devolves primarily on them, namely education and especially religious education.

As living members of the family, children contribute in their own way to making their parents holy. For they will respond to the kindness of their parents with sentiments of gratitude, with love and trust. They will stand by them as children should when hardships overtake their parents and old age brings its loneliness.

Widowhood, accepted bravely as a continuation of the marriage vocation, should be esteemed by all.

Families too will share their spiritual riches generously with other families. Thus the Christian family, which springs from marriage as a reflection of the loving covenant uniting Christ with the Church, and as a participation in that covenant, will manifest to all men Christ’s living presence in the world, and the genuine nature of the Church. This the family will do by the mutual love of the spouses, by their generous fruitful­ ness, their solidarity and faithfulness, and by the loving way in which all members of the family assist one another.

Vatican II - Past. Const. Gaudium et Spes The Church in the Modern World. -

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Looking for Family entertainment?

You might want to consider "DELIVER US" a ballet adaptation of "Prince of Egypt".

by Ballet Magnificat of Mississippi, USA. The First Movement is the Story of Moses, the Second Movement is the Life of Christ Good inspirational family entertainment is hard to come by these days, and families might like to consider this presentation coming up soon. It was brought to our attention because one of the dancers is a reader of the Catholic News. Inci­ dentally, we are told that there are 13 Singaporean dancers in the troupe.

Date/Time Evening performances: 23 to 26 January 2003 (Thursday to Sunday), 8pm Tickets: $21, $31, $41, $51

Matinees: 24 and 25 January 2003 (Friday and Saturday), 3pm Tickets: $21, $31. $41

Venue: University Cultural Centre Hall, NUS Duration of performance: approx. 2hrs 15mins

Available at www.sistic,gQm, hotline: 6348 5555, mobile ticketing: wap.sistic.com.sg SISTIC counters islandwide

Family Rosary CHNA. HonaKona (UCAN) — The bishop of Hong Kong has issued his first pastoral letter, asking Catholics to rediscover the Rosary for calming the soul and bringing peace in the world.

In it, he says that praying the rosary helps to calm the soul, which he notes is “especially important in Hong Kong as we are often rushed and busy.”

He echoed Pope John Paul M’s call to say the rosary for world peace as wars still rage and many people live under the threat of terrorism, situations that create countless innocent victims and escalate hatred.

“Only our Heavenly Mother can obtain from her Risen Son a real peace for mankind which is based on justice,” Bishop Zen wrote.

He cited the pope's call for family recitation of the rosarv in the recent apostolic letter introducing five “Myster­ ies of Light”to the traditional devotion. The bishop re­ minded Hong Kong Catholics that their diocesan synod that ended in December 2001 identified family as a top priority.

Pope John Paul declared October 2002 to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary in the apostolic letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae”(The Rosary of the Virgin Mary), released Oct. 16 on the 24th anniversary of his election to the papacy.

KOREA. Seoul (UCAN) — The bishops of South Korea are asking Catholics to strengthen their family and nation by praying the rosary as Pope John Paul II has asked them.

The Standing Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea on Nov. 21 agreed to ask Catholics to pray the rosary for reconciliation in the nation and sanctifi­ cation of the home. They asked Archbishop Andrew Choi Chang-mou of Kwangju, President of the Conference, to draft a letter bishops could use as a reference.

The letter Archbishop Choi wrote reads, “Following the Holy Father's emphasis on the rosary, I recommend all the faithful to pray the rosary, especially at home with all family members for this country and family."

Archbishop Choi identifies the breakdown of the family as a modern crisis. Against this, “the rosary is one of the best and most effective prayers to protect the home and keep it in peace,” his letter says.

He points out that saints and Catholics worldwide have long cherished the rosary, and encourages local Catholics to pray it and take the lead in peacemaking and reconcilia­ tion amid much violence and hatred in the world.

Editor's Comment Prayer as a Family is something to be encouraged. It almost sounds "old fashioned"! One wonders whether the emphasis on Liturgical Prayer and Prayer Groups of all sorts has resulted in a decrease in the practice of Family Prayer. The higher incidence of marriages of "mixed religion" and "disparity of cult" might also be a contributing factor.

Our Holy Father recalled that decades-old slogan "The family that prays together stays together", in his Apostolic Letter on "The Rosary of the Virgin Mary" when recom­ mending its use as a family prayer. He points out that its simplicity lends itself easily to the participation of the children in the family.

We might emphasize the Pope's advice that it is not necessary to recite all the mysteries and decades. It is not quantity but quality of recitation that counts. It is a question of being prayerful in the recitation of the Rosary with meditation and contemplation and not just a question of "getting through" decade after decade.

In this context, we would like to indicate that the Calender which is customarily associated with the last edition of Catholic News for the year - this current issue has been precisely conceived as a "Handbook" for the Rosary, and practically presents the whole text of Our Holy Father's letter on the Rosary. It has been arranged and edited for easy reference to the way the Holy Father recommends that the Rosary be prayed, as well as ordering his meditations for the various mysteries. Follow­ ing his recommendation for the use of "icons" we have been able to include these too for the 15 traditional myster­ ies as well as the Holy Father's suggestion of the "Myster­ ies of Light". Included also are the Intentions of the Pope, which he recommends to give the Ecclesial dimension to the prayer. More copies of the Rosary Calender 2003 can be purchased from Catholic books and Media Centre (Tel: 6858-3066) We have also recommended using the "electronic" Rosary at the website emmanuel2000.org. as it provides everything that the Holy Father recommends which will help greatly in family recitation, especially with young children, not to mention the "e-generation".

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, 2002

T H E C A T H O L I C NEW S - 15

YOUNG CATHOLICS FATHER MIKE

Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of Auld Lang Syne?

For Auld Lang Syne, my dear For Auld Lang Syne We’ll take a cup of kindness yet For Auld Lang Syne.

s p e a k s

By FATHER MICHAEL SITARAM

Robert Youth Chaplain of the Singapore Archdiocese.

To contact him email: cathvctr(5)oacific.net.sa.

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f o r ‘A u l d L a n g ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH CHAPLAINCY Archbishop Nicholas Chia Archdiocesan Youth Co-ordinator Rev Frederick Quek City District: Rev Albert Ng Rev Cary Chan North District: Rev Adrian Yeo & Rev Andrew Wong Serangoon District: Rev Brian D'Souza, Rev Frederick Quek Rev Luke Fong West District: Rev Colin Tan, Rev Ignatius Yeo, Rev John-Paul Tan

(1759-1796)

S y n e ’ .

We've come to that time of the year when everyone seems to get sentimental. It is the time of the year when we need to focus on the birth of Jesus. It’s time to put ill feelings aside and it’s time for ‘Auld Lang Syne’ I wish to walk down memory lane and reflect on the years during which I was given the opportunity to serve the Catholic youth of Singapore as their Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain. I feel that my pen cannot coin the many different kinds of emotions that I feel churning up inside of me but I know that I will miss the company of the many youth who have become good friends of mine as we worked together in the ministry for youth.

It all began in the year 1993 and although the path was not always a bed of roses, I thank God for the wonderful people he sent along the way to lighten my load and to journey with me in this wonderful ministry with the youth. It’s virtually impossible for me to list all the names but I am sure that you know who you are and to all of you, I am saying a big thank you!

I’ve always felt the zeal to help youth realize God’s plan for them through his Son who said “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). Yes it has always been a wonderful feeling when I witness youth growing in their relation­ ship with their heavenly Father. I will definitely miss all the good times of joking, laughter and fellowship with youth from different parishes. My hats off to youth who when things seemed bleak or the going was getting tough in school, home or in church contin­

ued to persevere to walk in Faith.

There have been times when in the midst of serving in the ministry, I may have stepped on some peoples’ toes and for all those who may have felt offended by anything that I may have said or done, I wish to extend my most sincere apologies.

The year 1996 was a milestone for me as I was given the opportunity to pen this column and use it to reach out the Catholic Youth in Singa­ pore. As all good things do, this too will come to an end as this is my last column in the Youth page. I must say that I have enjoyed the writing (hope that you enjoyed the reading). I thank Rev Johnson Fernandez and Dr (Rev) Robert Balhetchet for giving me this opportunity.

I also take this opportunity to thank the parish priests and the other priests of the various parishes for their support in encouraging their youth to participate in the various youth activities that were organized for them during the past nine years.

Well, it’s time to hand the reins over to others and move on. The Archdiocesan youth ministry will now be under the direction of our Arch­ bishop Nicholas Chia. The Archdiocesan Youth Co-ordinator for the Diocese is Rev Frederick Quek who will be assisted by the District Youth Chaplains. They will be responsible for the youth in the parishes of their respective districts. ( I have listed their names on this page.)

Before I bore you with my droning, I wish all those on the new panel of the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry my best wishes, Christmas greetings to all who read this article and my wishes for a closer relation­ ship with Jesus for all of you my dear youth. God loves you and so do I.

East District: Rev Alex Chua Rev Erbin Fernandez Vine & Branches: Bro Celestine Toh

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ISM T CHRISTMAS The Young Catholics would like to express our thanks to Fr Mike who has done so much for us in his tenure as Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain.

We will certainly miss him!

We wish him all the joy of Christmas and Peace in the New Year 2003.

May the Lord be with you, Fr Mike, to guide you in your new posting as Parish Priest at the Church of St Vincent de Paul.

W e, at Catholic News, would also like to thank you, Father, for your regular contribution to our Youth readership.

W e hope that even though your assignment has changed you will still help to keep this section alive!

IT HAPPEN £l\l THE HEA RT 5

Fortnightly: Sun. DEC. 22 and Sun. DEC 29, , 2002

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

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4 Mondays. Mar 17,24,31, Apr 7 9.30am-11.30am at SPI Contribution: $20/-

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MODULE 1: Introduction to Catechesis Jan 10,17,24, Feb 7,14,21 6 Fridays. 7.45pm-9.45pm at Holy Family Parish Contribution: $20/MODULE 2: The Creed with Sr. Genevieve Ng, MSS 4 Mondays. Mar 10.17,24,31 7,45pm-9,40pm at SPI Contribution: $30/-

L L i B asic and A dvan ced W orkshops fo r Facilitators o f Liturgy o f the W o rd fo r C hildren

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20 Tuesdays. Apr 8 to Sep 16 excluding Jun 3 to Jun 24 7.45pm-9.45pm at Blessed Sacrament Parish C D Contribution: $60 per course

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with Mgr, Eugene Vaz 20 Mondays. Apr 7 to Sep 15 excluding Jun 2 to Jun 23 7.45pm-9.45pm at SPI

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10 Thursdays. Jan 16 to Mar 20 9.30am-11,30am at SPI Contribution: $30 per course God Jou rn eying w ith Us T h rough the Bible" (Salvation History)

with Sr. Christine Santhou, FDCC 3 Fridays. Apr 25, May 2,9 9.30am-11.30am at Risen Christ Parish Q _ Contribution: $20/-

with Sr. Genevieve Ng, MSS Mar 8,15,22,29, Apr 5 (Basic) Jun 28, Jul 5,12,19,26 (Advanced) Saturdays. 3.00pm-6.00pm at SPI Contribution: $35 per workshop

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with the Cenacle Sisters 4 Fridays. Mar 21,28, Apr 4,11 9.30am-11.30am at Risen Christ Parish Contribution: $20/-

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