AUGUST 14, 2011, vol 61, no 16

Page 1

www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 2011

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20

MICA (P) 020 / 01 / 2011

PPS 201/04/2012 (022727)

VOL 61

NO. 16

INSIDE

‘MY DREAM FOR SINGAPORE’ Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On the occasion of National Day, I will share with you my dream for the future of Singapore. Over the last 46 years of independence, I have watched Singapore transform itself into an economic powerhouse and one of the most desirable Asian cities in which to live. Singapore enjoys one of the highest GDP rates per capita of any city in the world and one of the lowest rates of unemployment, even WKURXJKRXW WKH JOREDO ÂżQDQFLDO FULVLV While Singapore as a whole is witnessing unprecedented economic growth and opportunity, there are still many issues that need to be considered. Since the last General Election, Members of Parliament have taken steps to connect at the “grassrootsâ€? level with their constituencies, addressing important issues such as the cost of housing. I applaud all efforts to ensure that Singaporeans’ voices are heard and important issues addressed. As Catholics, we have an obligation to raise our voices on behalf of those who cannot, taking action to correct injustices in our society and promote Christian values through our own actions. In thinking about the Singapore we want for our future, we ourselves must take action in working towards a society where the dignity of the human person is respected and prioritised. We must share the good fortune that has been created in our nation, ensuring that those around us who are poor, elderly or marginalised in some way are cared for and that programmes are in place to help those who cannot help themselves due to mental or physical illness. As Jesus said, â€œâ€Śwhatever you did for one of the least of mine, you did for meâ€? (Matthew 25: 40). Statistics show that the marriage rate in Singapore is falling while the divorce rate is rising. As Catholics, we must also preserve and promote the family. We must take steps to ensure that children

about the Singapore ‘In thinking we want for our future, we ourselves must take action in working towards a society where the dignity of the human person is respected and prioritised.

’

are raised in a kind and caring environment and given an understanding of the importance that a strong relationship with God plays in their lives. ,Q WKLV ZD\ WKH\ ZLOO KDYH WKH FRQ¿GHQFH to forge solid and loving relationships with others in the context of Christ’s love for manNLQG ZKLFK LV D WUXH DQG XQVHO¿VK ORYH

To develop such a love, my dear brothers and sisters, it is imperative that you place kindness, consideration, and charity at the forefront of every action in your lives, keeping in mind that one good act leads to another. As the Bible tells us, “love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous‌it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered‌ it bears all things, believes in all things, hopes all things, endures all thingsâ€? (1 Corinthians 13:4). We are each a part of a bigger community, and our actions affect others. As Catholics, it is through the practice of our faith that we grow more compassionate and loving and more open to receiving God’s message to us. Through our faith, we sustain one another and grow closer to understanding the plan God has in store for us. Years ago, the Singapore Kindness Movement was formed to help Singapore become a “gracious society by the 21st centuryâ€?, operating on the principle that being more gracious to others, strangers as well as friends and family, will allow everyone to enjoy a better quality of life in Singapore. This initiative shows the common values that we as Catholics share with the whole of Singapore society. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this National Day, may we always remember that we have the power within us to contribute to the creation of a nation that prioritises kindness, compassion for the less fortunate, loving families and equality for all. This is my dream for Singapore. To achieve this dream, let us be living witnesses to our Catholic faith and let us pray that our leaders may be enabled by God’s powerful protection to lead our country with honesty and integrity, seeking righteousness and mercy for all. „ Yours in Christ,

HOME WYD participants commissioned Special video also launched „ Page 2

HOME Free daily meals for the poor Church, charity organisation in joint project „ Page 4

ASIA 7 permanent deacons ordained M’sian diocese’s largest number to date „ Page 7

ASIA KL archbishop on M’sia-Vatican ties Hopes for more Muslim-Christian dialogue as a result „ Pages 8-9

LETTERS Boosting Neighbourhood Christian Communities A reader shares his ideas „ Page 18

FEATURE ‘I’m rich, but I’m not happy’ Why greed ultimately fails to satisfy

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

„ Page 20

2 HOME

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

WYD participants ‘empowered’ World Youth Day pilgrims look forward to sharing faith with others after Commissioning Mass

Left: Some 200 young people attended the special Mass at the cathedral on July 22. Above: Various WYD groups offered gifts for blessing during the Mass. Archbishop Nicholas Chia blessed these items (seen on table) which would be given to other pilgrims in Spain.

By Benedict Tang <RXQJ &DWKROLFV DWWHQGLQJ WKH :RUOG <RXWK 'D\ :<' LQ 0DGULG VD\ WKH\ QRZ IHHO HYHQ PRUH LQVSLUHG WR VKDUH WKHLU IDLWK DIWHU DWWHQGLQJ D VSHFLDO &RPPLVVLRQLQJ 0DVV KHOG DW WKH FDWKHGUDO ³:LWK WKH EOHVVLQJ IURP WKH DUFKELVKRS LW IHHOV OLNH ZH KDYH WUXO\ EHHQ FRPPLVVLRQHG WR JR IRUWK WR VKDUH RXU XQLTXH 6LQJDSRUHDQ &KULVWLDQ OLJKW WR WKH ZRUOG ´ VDLG 0V )HOLFLD 5HEHFFD :HH ³,W ZDV DZHVRPH WR FRPH WRJHWKHU DV D JURXS RI \RXQJ &DWKROLF 6LQJDSRUHDQV WR SUD\ DV ZH SUHSDUH IRU RXU MRXUQH\ WR 0DGULG ´ VKH VDLG RQ WKH VLGHOLQHV RI WKH -XO\ 0DVV ³7KH H[SHFWDWLRQ WKDW ,¶YH VHW

IRU P\VHOI « LV WR VWHS RXW RI P\ FRPIRUW ]RQH DQG VKDUH -HVXV ZLWK WKH SHRSOH WKDW ,¶P JRQQD PHHW ´ VDLG DQRWKHU :<' SLOJULP 0LVV Vanessa Samantha, 24, from the &KXUFK RI &KULVW WKH .LQJ 6KH VDLG WKDW DIWHU EHLQJ FRPPLVVLRQHG VKH QRZ IHHOV VKH KDV WKH ³SRZHU´ WR UHDFK RXW WR \RXWKV DW :<' 0V :HH DQG 0LVV 6DPDQWKD ZHUH DPRQJ VRPH SHRSOH ZKR DWWHQGHG WKH :<' &RPPLVVLRQLQJ 0DVV DKHDG RI WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO \RXWK FHOHEUDWLRQ WR EH FHOHEUDWHG IURP $XJ 'XULQJ WKH 0DVV $UFKELVKRS 1LFKRODV &KLD XUJHG SDUWLFLSDQWV WR ³PDNH &KULVW SUHVHQW WR HDFK RWKHU DQG UHFRJQLVH &KULVW LQ \RXU EURWKHUV DQG VLVWHUV´

+H HQFRXUDJHG WKHP WR KDYH D ³GHHS GHYRWLRQ WR SUD\HU´ DV ³RQO\ WKURXJK SUD\HU FDQ \RX FRPH LQWR XQLRQ ZLWK *RG´ 7KH DUFKELVKRS DOVR EOHVVHG JLIWV WKDW YDULRXV :<' JURXSV ZRXOG EH JLYLQJ WR RWKHU SLOJULPV LQ 6SDLQ $ VSHFLDO :<' YLGHR SURGXFHG E\ ORFDO &KXUFK EDVHG WKHDWUH JURXS :DON RQ :DWHU :2: 3URGXFWLRQV ZDV DOVR VFUHHQHG ,W IHDWXUHG DQ RULJLQDO VRQJ :H $UH 2QH ,Q <RX YLGHR FOLSV RI ORFDO

‘

It feels like we have truly been commissioned to go forth to share our unique Singaporean Christian light to the world.

’

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY $XJ DP &KXUFK RI 6W %HUQDGHWWH 0DVV ± &RQ¿UPDWLRQ $XJ SP &-& 0DVV ± 178 &6$ WK $QQLYHUVDU\ $XJ DP &KXUFK RI 6W 0DU\ RI WKH $QJHOV 0DVV ± 1&& )DPLO\ 'D\ $XJ SP &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 4XHHQ RI 3HDFH 0DVV ± )HDVWGD\ $XJ SP &KXUFK RI 6W 6WHSKHQ 0DVV ± WK $QQLYHUVDU\ RI &DQRVVD &RQYHQW DQG &DQRVVDYLOOH &KLOGUHQ¶V +RPH

&KXUFK \RXWK JURXSV LQWHUYLHZV ZLWK \RXQJ &DWKROLFV DQG D VSHFLDO EOHVVLQJ IURP $UFKELVKRS &KLD )RU 0U -RDFKLP /LX IURP WKH &KXUFK RI 6W )UDQFLV RI $VVLVL KLV ³H[SHFWDWLRQV RI JRLQJ WR :<' LV WR H[SHULHQFH WKH RQH ELJ FRPPXQLW\ RI \RXQJ SHRSOH FRPLQJ WRJHWKHU WR FHOHEUDWH RQH *RG DQG WR UHQHZ P\ RZQ SHUVRQDO UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG´ 0V 5HJLQD 2QJ IURP /LYLQJ 6WRQHV &DPSXV 2XWUHDFK VDLG VKH H[SHFWV ³DGYHQWXUH IXQ DERYH DOO

– Ms Felicia Rebecca Wee

D SLOJULPDJH H[SHULHQFH ZKHUH &KULVW FRPHV DOLYH LQ RXU KHDUWV DQG OLYHV´ 5HSUHVHQWHG DW WKH 0DVV ZHUH JURXSV IURP YDULRXV SDULVKHV WKH &DWKROLF $UFKGLRFHVDQ <RXWK &HQWUH 1HR &DWHFKXPHQDO :D\ and Jesus Youth, among others. &RQFHOHEUDWLQJ WKH 0DVV ZHUH $UFKGLRFHVDQ <RXWK &KDSDLQ )U %ULDQ '¶6RX]D )U 7LPRWK\ <HR IURP 1HR &DWHFKXPHQDO :D\ )U -RH /RSH] IURP 2SXV 'HL DQG )U James Tan from the Church of St ,JQDWLXV $ VKRUW ¿OP RQ WKH :<' SLOJULPDJH LV H[SHFWHG WR EH VFUHHQHG DW WKH :DON RQ :DWHU $UWV )HVWLYDO WR EH KHOG IURP 6HSW „ The WOW video screened during the commissioning Mass can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZUmaM3kCIYk

Cycling 180 km for good cause $ VSHFLDO FKDULW\ F\FOLQJ HYHQW UDLVHG PRUH WKDQ IRU %R\V¶ 7RZQ¶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

Some 60 bikers raised funds for Boys’ Town and Assumption Pathway School on July 17.

VWXGHQW F\FOLVW VDLG KH IRXQG WKH DFWLYLW\ WLULQJ EXW HQMR\DEOH DV KH ZDV DEOH WR F\FOH ZLWK KLV IULHQGV $OWKRXJK 5LGH IRU +RSH ZDV IRU %R\V¶ 7RZQ DQG $VVXPSWLRQ 3DWKZD\ 6FKRRO VWDII DQG VWX-

GHQWV IURP $VVXPSWLRQ (QJOLVK 6FKRRO DOVR KHOSHG WR UDLVH IXQGV IRU WKLV HYHQW $OO WKUHH LQVWLWXWLRQV ZHUH VWDUWHG E\ WKH *DEULHOLWH %URWKHUV „

HOME 3

Sunday August 14, 2011 CatholicNews

A time of sharing at Sikh centre By Djoni Sutanto A recent visit to a Sikh centre proved to be an enlightening experience for some 40 Catholics. “I now understand why there DUH VXI¿[HV WR 6LNK QDPHV >VXFK DV@ 6LQJK >ZKLFK PHDQV OLRQ@ DQG .DXU >ZKLFK PHDQV SULQFHVV@ DQG have a clearer understanding of the tenets of Sikhism,” said Ms Jeannette Tan from the Church of St Mary of the Angels. “I felt the atmosphere of holiness when entering the sanctuary,” commented Ms Clara Nai, a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The visitors were treated to a vegetarian meal during their visit to the Gurdwara Silat Road Sikh Centre on July 20 evening. This “Sharing with Others” experience, held at the centre’s main hall or langgar, is one of the Sikh virtues. The visitors, who all wore head coverings during the visit, then listened to an introductory talk on Sikhism. “Sat Sri Akaal”, which means

Catholics, wearing head covering, and Sikhs mingle at the Gurdwara Silat Road Sikh Centre on July 20.

“God is Eternal”, was the greeting they heard at the start of the talk. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 near Lahore, in Pakistan. Sikhs believe in One Supreme God and the religion emphasises service to humanity, and tolerance and brotherly love towards all. 7KH ¿UVW JURXS RI 6LNKV DUrived in Singapore in 1850, and today the population in Singapore is about 15,000.

After a question-and-answer session, the visitors were shown the sanctuary or gurdwara and kept silence as the congregation chanted verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book. The visit was the latest in a series of visits to places of worship organised by the Archdiocesan Council for Inter-Religious and Ecumenical Dialogue (IRED). The programme aims to help Catholics appreciate other faith communities better.

4 HOME

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Humanitarian forum and fair coming up CHARIS, the archdiocesan organisation for overseas humanitarian work, will hold its inaugural forum and fair on Sept 10. The Humanitarian Forum and Fair will be held at Catholic Junior College, and aims to generate awareness of the humanitarian work that the Church is undertaking in the region. The forum, to be held in the afternoon, will feature a dozen local and international speakers who have been at the helm of humanitarian work. Mr Michel Roy, newly elected secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis and a 30-year veteran in WKH ÂżHOG ZLOO GHOLYHU WKH NH\QRWH address, One Human Family, Zero Poverty. Renowned moral theologian Fr David Garcia will give a theoORJLFDO UHĂ€HFWLRQ RQ WKH ÂłZK\V´ of human suffering and overseas humanitarian work. A panel comprising representatives of organisations serving in Asia will look at how the Church is responding to humanitarian needs in the continent. Catholic Relief Services USA, Caritas Australia, Caritas Sri Lanka, Canossian Daughters of Charity and Jesuit Refugee Services are among the organisations represented. The fair, to be held in the evening, will feature more than 25 booths showcasing the work RI YDULRXV &KXUFK DIÂżOLDWHV RI CHARIS, as well as organisations

outside the Church that are collaborating with CHARIS on overseas humanitarian work. CHARIS, which stands for the Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore, is not quite new. Although it came into being less than a year ago, it actually takes over from the former Archdiocesan Crisis Coordination Team (ACCT). CHARIS expands on the ACCT’s role of disaster response to coordinating all forms of overseas humanitarian aid for the archdiocese. Since its formation, CHARIS has been responding to numerous natural catastrophes and humanitarian situations. These include WKH ÀRRGV LQ 3DNLVWDQ 6UL /DQND and Australia; typhoons and cyclones in Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Thailand; and earthquakes in Indonesia, China, New Zealand, Myanmar and Japan. The support provided includes grant aid, supplies and volunteers for mission trips. CHARIS says it hopes the forum and fair will show Catholics in Singapore the many ways they can contribute to the Church’s social mission. „ The Humanitarian Forum & Fair 2011 will be held from 3-9.30 pm. Tickets are at $25 with discounts for early birds and certain groups. For details and registration, get the brochure and form from your parish or visit http:// www.charis-singapore.org/hff/

CWS, Sacred Heart Church join hands to feed poor

$ EHQHÂżFLDU\ of the food programme, run by Catholic Welfare Services and Church of the Sacred Heart, holding his lunch which he received from the volunteers.

By Darren Boon Catholic Welfare Services (CWS) and the Church of the Sacred Heart have partnered to provide free daily meals to the poor. The parish had already been providing free meals to the poor every Sunday since 2007. Since May this year, CWS joined this LQLWLDWLYH NQRZQ DV ³'RXORV´

7KH *UHHN ZRUG PHDQV ÂłVODYH´ RU one who gives himself to another in the service of Christ. The partnership enables the food programme to be provided on a daily basis from 11 am to noon, except on Sundays when it is offered from 10.30 am to noon. About 130 to 150 trays of food are served from Mondays to Saturdays and 230 to 250 trays on Sundays. Each meal includes rice, meat and vegetables. Drinks such as coffee are also provided. The parish has also started to give bread to those who come as early as 9 am to wait for their meal. Recipients, who come from all over the island, say they are grateful for the initiative as it provides WKHP VRPH ÂżQDQFLDO UHOLHI Âł>7KH FKXUFK@ KDV JRQH D ORQJ way to help. I won’t forget what the FKXUFK LV GRLQJ ´ VDLG 0U &KXD D recipient who lives in Yishun. The unemployed 62-year-old said he is happy that the church is looking after the poor. Âł7KH IRRG KHUH LV WKH EHVW ´ said Mr Chua, who comes daily for the free meal. Retiree Madam Loh echoed Mr Chua’s views. The 65-year-old, who depends on pocket money from her children, said the Church-run proJUDPPH KHOSV KHU ÂżQDQFLDOO\ DQG DGGHG WKDW WKH ÂłFKXUFK KDV EHHQ JRRG´ WR SHRSOH OLNH KHU

However, another recipient, Mr Lim, 42, who is unemployed, said that while the meals may ofIHU WHPSRUDU\ ÂżQDQFLDO UHOLHI WKH church may not be able to help poor people all their lives. Speaking to CatholicNews, CWS executive director James Chew said his organisation sees WKH SURJUDPPH DV D ÂłJRRG ZD\ WR UHDFK RXW WR WKH SRRU´ The parish and CWS decided to pool their resources so that more poor people can have at least one decent meal a day. CWS is funding half of the costs for a year. It is also hoped that the programme could later offer two meals a day. Mr Chew said that to ensure that the Doulos initiative is not abused, recipients are screened beforehand. %HQHÂżFLDULHV LQFOXGH WKH HOderly, the homeless, and those in their 40s and 50s who are suffering from medical conditions and are unemployed. CWS also stations a social worker once a week at the parish to help those who need further assistance. Senior social worker Karl Koh said that this include counselling, needs assessment and case management, job search and placement, and helping homeless peoSOH ÂżQG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

The church ‘has gone a long way to help. I won’t forget what the church is doing.’ Âą 0U &KXD D EHQHÂżFLDU\ OLYLQJ LQ <LVKXQ

ADVERTISEMENT CORRECTION: In the advertisement, Holy Octave and Consecration to the Father of all Mankind, which appeared in the July 31 issue of the CatholicNews, the date for the Feast Day Mass and Consecration should be Sunday 7 August, 2011.

HOME 5

Sunday August 14, 2011 CatholicNews

Secular Franciscans welcome new members

It was the Franciscans’ joy and simplicity which inspired four women to become Secular Franciscans. Madam Cecilia Michael and her sister Monica, Mrs Janette Tan and Ms Joanna Chew were welcomed into the fraternity after making their profession on July 16 at Church of St Mary of the Angels. The Secular Franciscans comprise laypeople and clergy who not take the vows of the Religious. Lay members also do not take the vow of celibacy and can be married or single. Secular Franciscans are called to live the Gospel faithfully in the secular world. They follow the example of St Francis of Assisi and are involved in apostolates such as caring for creation, peacebuilding and service to the poor. Madam Cecilia Michael said the Franciscans’ love for the Eucharist and St Francis’ desire to imitate Christ, such as caring for a leper, inspired her to be part of the community. Her late elder brother’s devotion to God was also an inspiration to her, said Madam Michael, 56. Another newly professed Secular Franciscan, Mrs Janette Tan, said that her initial encounter with humble and joyful Franciscans as well as some Secular Franciscans led her to join the fraternity. The journey to being a Secular Franciscan starts from being an observer to becoming an inquirer and candidate, and can take between one and a half to two years. The inquiry period is about six months after which one is admitted into the fraternity and becomes a candidate for a year or more. Both Madam Michael and Mrs Tan told CatholicNews their lives have changed since becoming part of the community. Madam Michael said her spiritual life has improved and prayer now comes more naturally to her.

By Darren Boon The Serra Club of Singapore will organise a retreat for seminarians, aspirants and single Catholic men aged 18-35 interested in discerning their vocation to the diocesan priesthood. The retreat, titled Save a Thousand Souls, will be held from Sept 30 to Oct 2 at St Francis Xavier Major Seminary, and is organised as part RI WKH FOXE¶V ¿IWK DQQLYHUVDU\ celebrations. Fr Brett Brannen, a well known vocation director in the US, will conduct the retreat along with Fr Alex Chua, vocation director for the Singapore archdiocese. According to the Serra Club, Fr Brannen has published several booklets on the

From left: Ms Joanna Chew, Ms Monica Michael, Mrs Janette Tan and Madam Cecilia Michael made their profession as Secular Franciscans on July 16.

By Darren Boon

Serra Club to hold vocation retreat for men

She is now more able to recognise Christ in others, and family relationships have also strengthened. 0UV 7DQ VDLG VKH ¿QGV MR\ LQ community life, and is now more able to be patient towards and supportive of others. The Secular Franciscans live out the Franciscan ideals of humility, simplicity and poverty. These qualities attracted some to join the Secular Franciscans when they got in contact with other Franciscans, Religious or laypeople. Some also were led to join after reading books or watching movies on the founder. Secular Franciscans meet up regularly to pray and engage in works of mercy such as visiting

Secular Franciscans comprise laypeople and clergy who do not take Religious vows. Lay members can be married or single. the elderly and people in welfare homes. They may also support the Franciscan friars and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sisters in their activities. On their own, some are involved in inter-religious dialogue, or in their own parish ministries. Some also use public transport, recycle clothing and buy from thrift shops in living out the Franciscan values. The headquarters of the Secular Franciscan Order is in Rome with 450,000 members worldwide. There are about 40 Secular Franciscans in Singapore divided into four fraternities. Those wishing to know more about the Secular Franciscans may contact 9756 0239 or 9760 7551, or email sforegional@gmail.com. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

priesthood and released an audio series on how to discern a diocesan vocation. A copy of his book, To Save a Thousand Souls (A Guide to Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Vocation), will be given to all retreatants. The American priest will also conduct vocation missions to a few Catholic boys’ schools, an area which he has experience in, according to the Serra Club. The Serra Club of Singapore was inaugurated by Archbishop Nicholas Chia in 2006 to promote vocations to the diocesan priesthood. It is based in the Church of the Holy Cross. To attend the retreat, register at http://www.serrasingapore.org by Sept 1. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

6 HOME

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Musicians learn about Mass changes Session on appropriate musical styles held for choir representatives By Tiffany Ng and Dennis Leong More than 200 church choir representatives gathered at the Church of St Teresa’s auditorium for an introductory session on the new translation of the Roman Missal. The event, organised by the Liturgical Music Committee /0& RQ -XO\ ZDV WKH ÂżUVW RI several to help orientate the musicians, and in effect all Catholics, to the changes in the Mass, which would take place by Advent. LMC spiritual director, Fr J J Fenelon, led the session with a brief historical background of the Mass, what it means and the role of liturgical music in it. He then highlighted the various problems in the way liturgical music is sung and played in Singapore churches today. One example was the “experimentationâ€? of musical styles during Mass – the inappropriate use of “embellishmentsâ€? and choice of hymns, he pointed out. Fr Fenelon also highlighted an often neglected issue – the “death and resurrection of Jesus being made real for us at every Massâ€?. The music sung must thus “bring us back to the solemnity of the occasionâ€?, he said. In this respect, he supports the use of the traditional pipe organ and other similar instruments as accompaniment, as mentioned in

Some 200 choir members from various parishes attended an introductory session at the Church of St Teresa.

the 1967 Church document, Musicam Sacram. Citing the document, also known as Instruction On Music In The Liturgy, Fr Fenelon explained VSHFLÂżF SRLQWV WR KHOS WKH SDUWLFLpants better understand the roles of the priest, choir and congregation and how each plays its part in contributing to the Mass in song. Another resource cited was the 1963 Church document, Sac-

rosanctum Concilium, or the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which provides more generic information about the different elements of the Mass. The use of song or recitation during various parts of the Mass was also raised. There are segments during the celebration which are considered sequences in themselves and should not be made disjointed by alternating between song

Fr J J Fenelon explained the roles of the priest, choir and congregation and how each plays its part in contributing to the Mass in song.

LMC’s chant expert, Mr Francis Nyan, said he believes the new translation “brings a new expression of the Latin traditional ... done to enrich our worshipâ€?. Many choristers found the session informative. “They have presented a very meaningful and spiritual interpretation of the Catholic Mass and how music is a key component ... I learnt how the tone of the music VKRXOG ÂżW WKDW SDUWLFXODU SDUW RI the Mass,â€? said Mr Leonard Mah, a youth coordinator at the Church of Christ the King. Mr Anthony Lie from the Church of St Francis of Assisi, said the session was “very informativeâ€? and realised “that we have been practising the wrong thingsâ€?. Fr Fenelon said he recognises that “adjustment will take timeâ€? and thus a single chant version of the new translation will be implemented for one year to create familiarity in all churches. A greater variety of musical interpretations will be available in due course. The LMC also warned that the new translation is not to be projected in any way as licences have not been acquired for screening. What parish priests have done is purchase booklets containing the necessary adjustments for their parishes. From now till Advent, only these booklets may be used. „

and recitation, Fr Fenelon said. One example is the Communion Rite where to date most priests recite, “Let us pray with FRQÂżGHQFH WR WKH )DWKHU ´ DQG “deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our days...â€?, whereas the congregation sings the Lord’s Prayer. 7KLV UHVXOWV LQ WKH ³ÀRZ´ RI the prayer being disrupted by the alternating modes of expression. A more appropriate approach here would be to either completely recite, or sing and chant. With the new Mass translation, the main musical style – at least for the Order of the Mass – will be chant.

„ Page 19: US musicians learn music for new missal

DR TAN AT ST MARY’S: The Church of St Mary of the Angels received a surprise guest at its July 31 Food & Funfair when Dr Tony Tan paid a visit. Dr Tan, who took the initiative to visit, stopped by several stalls and spoke with parishioners. He was accompanied by parish priest Fr John-Paul Tan. The Food & Funfair marked the end of a weeklong celebration of the feast of St Mary of the

Angels. The celebration included, IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH D WDON E\ 3RRU Clare nuns from Bethlehem Monastery in Australia on July 26. Dr Tan has had a long association with the parish of St Mary of the Angels. His mother was a parishioner in the 1990s and was cared for by the friars in the last years of her life. He has also graced a number of fundraising events in the rebuilding of the church. „

Calling ex-staff, residents of Canossaville Children’s Home The Canossaville Children’s Home, which will mark its 70th anniversary on Aug 20, is calling former residents and ex-staff who passed through its doors to attend a special celebration that day. This will include a Mass, to be held at the Church of St Stephen, and activities such as a concert and video presentation to be held at the home, located at 1 Sallim Road. The home, founded by Canossian Sisters in 1941, now caters to girls aged between six and 12 years who come from family situations which may put them at risk. The home started with 20 orphans, and a community of four Sisters, a novice, four postulants. The Sisters and orphans were later evacuated to Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, during the war years. When the war ended in 1945, the Sisters were looking after more than 150 orphans. The Sisters’ service started off with daily sustenance and education. This was widened to include assistance for the deaf, the blind and the handicapped. In 1979, the orphanage

Canossian Sr Elvira Forbice serving residents of Canossaville Children’s Home during its early days. The home marks its 70th anniversary on Aug 20.

changed its name to Canossaville Children’s Home. As the need arose, the Sisters introduced further programmes. These included The Vocational Training Centre, Before and After School Care, HELP for single parents, Single Parent Encounter, the Rainbow for All Children Programme and many others.

The Canossian Sisters provide spiritual support, working alongside many other people in caring for the children and preparing them for the opportunities and challenges of life. „ Residents and ex-staff of the home are invited to the Aug 20 celebration. Please call 67485777 or email info@cch.org.sg.

PRIEST TRANSFER: Fr Cary Chan, from the Church of the Holy Cross, will be transferred to the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea on Oct 1. „

ASIA 7

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

7 permanent deacons ordained By Vincent D’Silva JOHOR BAHRU – Seven men

were ordained permanent deacons for the Melaka-Johor diRFHVH RQ $XJ WKH ÂżUVW WLPH that such a large number has been ordained in the diocese at the same time. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and concelebrated by Bishop Paul Tan, Msgr Sebastian Francis, Fr Anthony Ng, Fr John Baptist Yoew and 35 priests from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur archdioceses and Penang diocese. Melaka-Johor permanent deacons Dr Sherman Kuek and Adrian Ng were also present at the ceremony. The newly ordained permanent deacons were Anthony Chua, Arama Dass, Joseph Gratian, Leslie Petrus, Martin /RXLV 2IÂżF -RVHSK DQG 6WHven Wong.

In his homily, Bishop Tan told the candidates that “as a minister of the altar they will proclaim the Gospel, prepare WKH VDFULÂżFH DQG JLYH WKH Lord’s body and blood to the FRPPXQLW\ RI EHOLHYHUV´ He said it will also be their duty to bring God’s Word to others, to preside over public prayer, to baptise, to assist at marriages, to give viaticum to the dying, and to lead the rites of burial. All the new permanent deacons are married. All have VHFXODU MREV H[FHSW IRU RQH who is retired, and will conWLQXH WR ZRUN DW WKHLU MREV DIter their ordination. Deacon Martin Louis, 49, a banker, said his wife and FKLOGUHQ KDYH MRXUQH\HG ZLWK him and understand his task being a permanent deacon. They continue to be his strongest support, he added. „

1HZ SHUPDQHQW GHDFRQV IRU 0HODND -RKRU GLRFHVH SRVH IRU D SKRWR ZLWK %LVKRS 3DXO 7DQ )URP OHIW 'HDFRQV /HVOLH 3HWUXV $QWKRQ\ &KXD -RVHSK *UDWLDQ DQG $UDPD 'DVV %LVKRS 3DXO 7DQ 'HDFRQV 0DUWLQ /RXLV 2IÂżF -RVHSK DQG 6WHYHQ :RQJ

Region’s Religious, bishops to tackle KXPDQ WUDIÀFNLQJ Vietnamese girls WUDI¿FNHG to &DPERGLD as sex ZRUNHUV &16 ¿OH SKRWR

By Vincent D’Silva PLENTONG, JOHOR – Human WUDIÂżFNLQJ ZDV WKH PDLQ IRFXV RI the annual meeting of the ConferHQFH RI 5HOLJLRXV 0DMRU 6XSHULRUV &506 KHOG DW 0DMRGL &HQWUH Johor. The conference represents all the Religious congregations in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Guest speaker Theresa Symons, executive director of the Good Shepherd Services in Malaysia, gave a presentation on this ÂłPRGHUQ GD\ VODYHU\´ GXULQJ WKH July 4-6 meeting. She told the conference that often the web of deception spans many countries and involves many parties along the way. “The chain starts with the recruiting agents who would promise a poor family that they have a MRE IRU WKHLU GDXJKWHU LQ DQRWKHU receiving rich country [such as] 0DOD\VLD 6LQJDSRUH RU %UXQHL ´ In one case, Ms Symons noted that the victim left the family and went to the airport where she was

instructed to go to a particular immigration lane where the colludLQJ RI¿FLDO ZDV RQ GXW\ Ms Symons further said the victim was admitted into the receiving FRXQWU\ ZLWK QR RI¿FLDO GRFXPHQWDtion. She then became trapped with QR UHFRXUVH WR MXVWLFH DQG ULJKWV 6KH was sold to other agents to be exploited as a sex worker with no pay. Ms Symons noted that there is an extensive and pervasive network of agents who use all sorts of strategies to recruit unwary victims into prostitution and other vices. During the talk, one participant also remarked that she was quite ignorant of the problem. 'XULQJ D MRLQW PHHWLQJ EHWZHHQ the CRMS and the bishops’ conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, both conferences agreed to give top priority in addressing KXPDQ WUDI¿FNLQJ DV SDUW RI WKH social mission of the Church. Jesuit Fr Colin Tan, a member of the CRMS, said there are plans to SULQW HGXFDWLRQDO OHDÀHWV ZKLFK ZLOO be distributed to all the churches in the region in the coming months. „

China Catholics give train-crash aid WENZHOU, CHINA – Catholics in Wenzhou as well as the ChurchUXQ -LQGH &KDULWLHV DUH MRLQLQJ forces to provide counselling and aid to survivors and family members of victims in China’s worst train disaster since 2008. On July 23, a bullet train slammed into another express that had lost power after a lightning strike. The impact of the crash sent four carriages over the edge of a viaduct, crashing to the ground below, and derailed two others. The accident, on the outskirt RI :HQ]KRX FLW\ LQ =KHMLDQJ SURYince, has so far killed at least 40 SHRSOH DQG LQMXUHG PDQ\ RWKHUV

Fr Ma Xianshi of Wenzhou said that a nun and several laypeople had gone to Wenzhou No. 3 and No. 8 hospitals on July 24 to console victims and to pray for them. They also made a preliminary assessment of the situation to see how the Church can help, he said. On July 25, Sr Li Haiyin of Jinde Charities in Hebei province ÀHZ WR :HQ]KRX ZLWK WZR RWKHU nuns to offer professional counselling. The nuns have had experience in counselling victims of the earthquakes in Sichuan in 2008 and in Qinghai province in 2010. Fr Ma has also appealed to lo-

cal Catholics to donate blood. ,Q WKH VDPH GLRFHVH &RDGMXWRU Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin, who manages the underground Catholic community, expressed his “proIRXQG VDGQHVV´ DW WKH DFFLGHQW He said he instructed all parishes to pray for the victims and the dead during Sunday Masses and called on Catholics to volunteer to help victims overcome their trauma. In 2008, an express train bound for the eastern city of Qingdao IURP %HLMLQJ GHUDLOHG DQG FROOLGHG with another train killing 72 peoSOH DQG LQMXULQJ PRUH WKDQ „ UCANEWS.COM

Trial outcome ‘will encourage militants’ JAKARTA – Church and rights

groups have condemned an Indonesian court’s decision to hand Muslim extremists light sentences for a vicious mob attack in which three Islamic sect members died. Three Ahmadiyah followers were beaten and stoned to death DQG DW OHDVW ÂżYH RWKHUV LQMXUHG RQ Feb 6, when over 1,000 people attacked about 20 worshippers at a house in Umbulan village in Pandeglang district, Banten province. The Ahmadiyah, unlike orthodox Muslims, do not believe Mohammad was the last prophet and are looked upon as heretics. At the end of their trial at the Serang District Court on July 28, 12 defendants found guilty of KDYLQJ SOD\HG PDMRU UROHV LQ WKH attacks were handed sentences of MXVW VHYHUDO PRQWKV “The light sentences not only threaten minority groups but also

the very principles enshrined in the constitution that the vast maMRULW\ RI ,QGRQHVLDQV KROG GHDU ´ said Fr Antonius Benny Susetyo, the executive secretary of the bishops’ Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs. 7KHVH ÂłXQIDLU VHQWHQFHV´ ZHUH given to those committing violence. “The crimes happened beFDXVH ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW RIÂżFHUV were afraid of a mob. The result is that extremism has been encourDJHG ´ KH VDLG Hendardi, executive director of the Institute for Democracy and Peace (Setara), said authorities did not take the severity of the crime seriously. “The light sentences demonstrate how important this crime was regarded, from beginning to HQG ´ KH VDLG LQ D VWDWHPHQW LVVXHG yesterday.

By handing down these sentences, the court failed to do LWV MRE WR SURWHFW WKH SHRSOH KH said. “In a clear case of religiousbased violence, the courts in InGRQHVLD IDLOHG WR PHWH MXVWLFH ´ KH asserted. „ UCANEWS.COM

8 ASIA

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

‘Much to be done after Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur speaks about the Malaysian prime By Gerard O’Connell :KHQ GLG \RX ÂżUVW JHW WR NQRZ that Malaysia would establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See? They have been working at this for many years now. The apostolic delegate had discussed it over many years. This is the fruit of many, many efforts coming together. But the decision to establish relations came rapidly in the end. I knew just a few days before coming here. I was pleasantly surprised. Who invited you to come to the audience with the pope as part of the Malaysian delegation? The request came from the government; a minister personally contacted me and then sent the invitation in writing. But since Vatican protocol does not usually allow for a bishop to come with the state delegation to meet the pope, I said, “Not!â€? I think they then contacted the Vatican, and I was given notice that the Holy Father said my name could be included in the delegation. So it was the request of the Holy Father and I respect that. What happened at the audience? Did you go in with the delegation at the end of the private audience between the pope and prime minister? Right. I went in with the other members of the delegation; they all had great respect for the Holy Father. What was the prime minister’s reaction afterwards, and what was your own feeling? He was happy. The atmosphere was very cordial indeed. All the PLQLVWHUV DQG RIÂżFLDOV ZKR DFFRPpanied him were very impressed. I too was really very happy for this meeting, and for the establishment of diplomatic relations. The prime minister is known internationally as a voice of moderation and harmony; he initiated a global movement of the moderates and spoke of this at the United Nations, at Oxford, and at ASEAN. By coming to the Vatican, this voice of moderation encountered the Holy Father, who is the voice of peace, justice and fundamental rights, as well as being the voice of reason in matters of faith. By meeting the pope who stands for moral values, Prime Minister Najib has made a thrust for the future, for the family, for democracy and for the rights of

By meeting the ‘pope who stands for moral values, Prime Minister Najib has made a thrust for the future, for the family, for democracy and for the rights of every individual to be respected.

’

– Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur

every individual to be respected. He signalled the direction in which he wishes to lead our country. I pray that this encounter will bear fruit and will echo strongly in our own country and in the other countries we are linked to, our special friends, as well as in countries that are experiencing the radicalism of whatever religion and feel the need for moderation. +LWKHUWR LW KDV EHHQ GLI¿FXOW WR KDYH DQ RI¿FLDO GLDORJXH EHWZHHQ Muslims and Christians, or indeed between Muslims and the other religions in Malaysia. Will such dialogue happen now? I don’t think it will be easy to get that going, but I hope it can take place. It is part of the request that the Catholic Church has made to the government. In the past, the inter-religious council [of all the other religions in the country except Islam] has tried to get this dia-

Pope Benedict XVI greets Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak during a meeting at the pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on July 18. Archbishop Pakiam was part of Mr Najib’s interreligious delegation. CNS photo

logue, but some Muslim groups do not agree to it. Now, I hope this can take place because there is a real need for such a dialogue and for greater understanding. Asia is the birthplace of the world’s great religions, and for Malaysia to be truly Asia there is a need for dialogue between the leaders of all these religions, to promote harmony and peace. The Prime Minister repeated this in his “1 Malaysiaâ€? concept, but it requires time He has put it into practice by having people from these great religions accompany him to his meeting with the pope. The delegation included a Catholic minister; a Buddhist minister, a Catholic bishop, the president of the Fatwa Council and the Minster for Islamic Affairs, and other ministers or RIÂżFLDOV ZKR DUH 0XVOLP The prime minister has given WKLV VLJQLÂżFDQW OHDGHUVKLS LQ ,VODP by meeting the pope, establishing diplomatic relations, and by having this interreligious delegation accompany him on this visit. Did you have a chance to talk to the prime minister or to the Islamic leaders during the visit? Not much. But I arranged visits for WKHP WR WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU Interreligious Dialogue and PISAI

¹ WKH 3RQWL¿FDO ,QVWLWXWH IRU $UDELF and Islamic Studies, as well as the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The Minister for National Unity, Dr Koh Tsu Koon, was able to YLVLW WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU ,Qterreligious Dialogue and speak ZLWK DQ RI¿FLDO WKHUH )U 0DUNXV Solo, and he was very enthusiastic about it afterwards. He also spoke with the rector of the PISAI, Fr Miguel à ngel Ayuso Guixot, for two hours, and was very keen to know about the institute’s work. He expressed the wish that the rector could come to Malaysia, and when he learned that he had in fact had already planned to come to preach a retreat, he said he wished to meet him during that visit. This was also very positive. What are the other concrete results of this visit? I think this whole visit has shown good will. It has a symbolic value. It shows where the prime minister wants to move the radical or fundamentalist groups within Islam who would pressure for a very narrow Islam. It enables them to see where his leadership wants to move, the direction he wants to go in. Now, much depends on how far other groups are willing to move in that same direction. It

will take time of course. This whole visit also has a value for our country on the international level. By establishing diplomatic ties with the Vatican, it shows we are a moderate Islamic country, not a Taliban country. It shows the political leadership of this country wants to go in the direction of moderation. We hope that the different groups in the country will collaborate and work for this vision too. When you return to Kuala Lumpur will you try to open a dialogue with Muslims at an ofÂżFLDO OHYHO" We try of course to have friendly relations with these people; in fact that was the main request in asking for the Inter-Faith Council [in Malaysia]. It was not just something for the Catholic Church alone; it was a request for all the other religions and communities too. The request is for more than tolerance, it is for respect for other religions and races, and for acceptance so as to have harmony and build the “1 Malaysiaâ€? that the prime minister has spoken about. Of course he has a big struggle to make within his own big group to get all the different ... people to accept his progressive attempt to achieve this.

ASIA 9

Sunday August 14, 2011 CatholicNews

papal visit’ minister’s visit to the Vatican in this interview So you really believe Najib is committed to changing the dynamic and introducing more harmonious relations between the different religions and ethnics groups in the country? I take him at his word. I know what he has said. Surely it is not easy as a prime minister who is beholden to his own electoral constituency and groups within his own party, and all that he has to listen to, and the tensions. He has to lead and direct them. So much depends on the elecWRUDWH DQG WKRVH ZKR DUH LQÀXHQWLDO within society, such as the NGOS and so on. They have to keep raising their voices for democracy. So a lot has to be built up from the grassroots. We in the Churches have our own part to play. The Catholic community is made up of many different ethnic groups, including those of Chinese origin, the Tamils, the natives originating from East Malaysia, and so on. We have to work to build one community of God’s people, and we have to accommodate people of different origins, with a mixture of languages, and we have to do this especially in our worship. It requires a struggle for tolerance and mutual acceptance, and that effort has been going on in the Catholic community for many years now, and it is bearing fruit. But it is a long process and we have to keep working at it and in this way we too contribute to the “1 Malaysia”. Do you see the visit and the diplomatic links as an important step in the process of creating a more harmonious and integrated society in Malaysia. No other Malaysian leader has moved in this direction. Yes, this surely is an important step. There have been attempts in the past by other governments, though perhaps not formulated in these same terms. Moreover, the problem has been that the governments have been formed of very racially based parties, which gave concessions here and there but the predominant groups can override the others. Over these years, some efforts have been made to have integrated, non-racial parties, but that didn’t work. The alliances began to take religious overtones. The NGOs and so on make requests, but this sometimes upsets the fundamentalists who speak about the supremacy of race and the supremacy of religion. That’s upsetting. So you consider the visit as a real attempt to break away from, or

overcome the present situation? Yes, I think so, and even though this is more on the international scene, it is nevertheless symbolic and indicative of where we need to go. Much has to be worked in the political conscience of every citizen, to be upright, to abide by civil rights and so on. It needs to be worked out progressively, and this is a long, necessary journey. The Church is committed to playing its part by promoting moral and human values and contributing to help eliminate such things as corruption in society. Corruption is a disease that has crept into nearly every country, including our own, and we have to work to overcome it for the good of the whole of society, but this cannot happen in a day or two. We have WR DI¿UP DQG SURPRWH PRUDO YDOXHV That’s why one of the requests that the Church made of the government is that it can be very much in the forefront of the educational system. We had very good missionary schools. The prime minister himself is from the mission school. We need to regain that special Catholic ethos in education, that’s why one of our big requests is to regain the ability or licence to have a Teachers’ Training College, so that we can form teachers very much in this value system, and thus make a contribution to our nation’s schools and the whole of society. You have not had this possibility for decades, right?

tion in the country. Is that your understanding? Yes, I would think so. He had been in a Catholic school, St John’s Institution, the De La Salle School in Kuala Lumpur from Standard 1 in the elementary school to Form 3 in lower secondary school [roughly from seven-15 years of age]. It was a Catholic school, where there were crosses in every classroom, and there were prayers, Mass, and other services, but the students were free to attend, there was absolutely no compulsion here. It was not a residential school, but he met the Brothers every day, and he knew them personally. He takes pride in coming back to his alma mater. When he came to the tea party that I hosted last Christmas, he told me that he has “happy memories” of this school. Would you say that his visit here and the establishment of diplomatic relations is considered also a very happy moment for the Church in Malaysia? Yes, but it is not as if from now on everything is already what we want changed. There are many things that we have to work hard for with the state institutions, respecting the constitution, and speaking up. But it will encourage people to know that a majority-Muslim state has established diplomatic ties with the Holy See.

We had that some 20 or 30 years ago, when Religious Brothers and Sisters were running the mission schools. But when the vocations to the Religious life decreased, they thought they would form lay Catholic teachers, and others too, for this same college system, but it was stopped. So now we have made this request again, that we be given the opportunity to have the Teachers’ Training College. We await the government’s response. The government gives grants to mission schools, both Catholic and Protestant; albeit it’s not the same as what the other government schools get, but allocations have been given in recent times. We believe it is very important that we can train the teachers, who can transmit moral values as well as academic excellence in the schools.

Yes, it is a majority Muslim state EXW ZLWK D YHU\ VLJQL¿FDQW > SHUcent] non-Muslim minority that includes many Christians [around 10 percent]. Religion is becoming fundamentalist in many countries. Openness is what we have to cultivate more ardently. The Churches are trying to do this, and the Catholic Church in particular is seeking to promote this unity amid diversity in its own worship with different ethnic groups – Chinese, Tamil, English and Malay, and different languages and so forth. We have been working at it for some years now.

In this content, it is indeed interesting to note that Prime Minister Najib is a product of the Catholic schools, as he told the pope, and he is the one who has pushed to meet the pope and establish diplomatic links and wants modera-

It will take time. It will require effort. That is why I see this visit and the establishment of diplomatic relations as a signal from the leadership, but a lot of work has to be done by all groups, from the base upwards. VATICAN INSIDER

The history of Malaysia up to now has shown that the Malay community has dominated the political life of the country. Are \RX QRZ FRQ¿GHQW WKH VLWXDWLRQ can change?

Convert boom a mixed blessing in Vietnam BUON MA THUOT CITY, VIETNAM –

The Vietnam Church is struggling to provide pastoral care for more than 4,000 people in Ban Me Thuot diocese in the Central Highlands amid a sharp increase in the Catholic population and government restrictions. The situation has become quite acute, says Fr Anthony Nguyen Phi Hung, pastor of Quang Da parish. “More than 1,000 people including ethnic villagers have been baptised over the past three years,” said the priest who now has to provide pastoral care in 12 villages in Krong No district of Dak Nong province. The sharp increase forced the local Church to build a small church building and four chapels to meet parishioners’ needs. However, local authorities denied approval for three of the chapels.

Local Catholics gather at people’s homes to pray on Sundays or have to ask for government permission before Fr Hung can celebrate liturgical services for them. “We are deeply concerned for local Catholics who have no proper place of worship. We have plots of land but are not allowed to build chapels,” said Fr Hung, who also heads the diocese’s committee for youth. He said he has to drive 30-50 km on narrow, mountain roads to visit parishioners, conduct pastoral activities and provide material support for those who need it. He said local Catholics work for the common good, adding that they hope government authorities will understand this and respect their right to worship freely. UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Sick Vietnamese priest sent back to prison for anti-govt propaganda &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

BANGKOK – An ailing priest who

is one of Vietnam’s most wellknown democracy activists has been returned to prison, more than a year after he was sent home to seek treatment for a brain tumour, news agencies have reported. Fr Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, 64, was escorted by police on July 25 from his home at a church in central Hue city to Ba Sao prison outside the northern capital of +DQRL VDLG D SULVRQ RIÂżFLDO ZKR asked for anonymity, citing policy. The priest’s eight-year prison sentence for subversion had been suspended in March 2010 to allow him to seek treatment for his illness. 7KH RIÂżFLDO VDLG WKDW WKH priest, who uses crutches to help him walk, was in “normal health conditionâ€? after making the 480km from Hue to the prison. “His health is better than the time when he was released, but for a man who had suffered strokes, it’s hard to recover fully,â€? WKH RIÂżFLDO UHSRUWHGO\ VDLG The government has accused Fr Ly of distributing anti-government writings. In a statement on July 27, the US State Department expressed “concernâ€? about Fr Ly’s return to prison. No one should be imprisoned

Fr Ly was released from prison in March 2010 to seek treatment for a brain tumour and three strokes he suffered during his three years in prison. Fr Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly

for exercising the right to free speech, a department spokeswoman said. 7KH SULVRQ RI¿FLDO WROG WKH $VVRciated Press that the priest’s one-year medical parole expired on March 15 DQG WKDW KH GH¿HG D FRXUW RUGHU WR UHWXUQ KLP WR MDLO 7KH RI¿FLDO VDLG authorities forcefully removed the priest from his residence within the compound where Hue Archbishop Etienne Nguyen Nhu The resides. Fr Ly was released from prison in March 2010 to seek treatment for a brain tumour and three strokes he suffered during his three years in prison. He has been in and out of prison and house arrest for years, most recently for helping found a group called Bloc 8406, which promotes multiparty democracy. A longtime supporter of religious freedom and human rights, Fr Ly was sentenced to eight years LQ SULVRQ DQG ¿YH \HDUV RI KRXVH

arrest in March 2007 for alleged anti-government activities. He has denied the charges. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom condemned the Vietnamese government’s action. “Fr Ly should be immediately and unconditionally released,� said Mr Leonard Leo, commission chairman. “Less than one week after the United States helped to mediate Vietnam’s dispute with China over the South China Sea, Vietnam ignores our government’s consistently stated concerns about the treatment of Fr Ly, a frail Catholic priest who has peacefully advocated for the fundamental right to freedom of religion, by seizing him without any warning.� Human rights organisations worldwide also called for Fr Ly’s immediate release, citing health concerns and violations of basic human rights. „ CNS

Nepal youths not attending WYD KATHMANDU – Nepal will not VHQG DQ RIÂżFLDO GHOHJDWLRQ WR World Youth Day (WYD), Church leaders said recently. According to Bishop Anthony Sharma, “our youths are simply not ready to attend WYD this timeâ€?. Nepal’s national youth chaplain, Fr Robin Rai said the fact that a Nepal youth participant “ran awayâ€? just after reaching Germany in 2005 for that year’s WYD was never a reason why Nepal failed to send a team in 2008 or this year. “Our talented youth should ÂżUVW JHW WR NQRZ HDFK RWKHU DW RXU own national level and bloom at local Church levels. We are concentrating on their spiritual formation at the national level,â€? said Fr Rai, who is also parish priest of Kathmandu’s Assumption Church. “We are not strong enough ÂżQDQFLDOO\ DQG KDYH WR ÂżUVW IRUP our own base here. There will be enough chances for participation in WYD and other meetings after

we slowly build up through the Asian level,â€? he said. “Before going to international events, we are focusing on spirituDOLW\ DQG PRUH XQLÂżFDWLRQ DPRQJ our youth.â€? A group of Nepalese is, however, preparing to attend WYD. A lay Catholic, who did not wish to be named, said, “Fifteen people from the Neo-Catechumenate group are going to Spain from Nepal.â€? According to a priest, this group would not be representing the Nepal church at WYD. „ UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 11

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

‘hasIf thetheVatican sincerity to improve relations, it should revoke the excommunications and return to the right track of dialogue in a practical manner.

’

– A spokesperson for China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs quoted in state-run media Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin (holding crosier on right) poses with other clergymen after being ordained Bishop of Leshan, China, on June 29. CNS photo/ courtesy Diocese of Leshan, UCAN

China criticises Vatican for excommunications BEIJING – The Chinese govern-

ment has criticised the Vatican for excommunicating two bishops who were ordained without papal mandate. The state-run Xinhua News Agency published a statement on July 25 by the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) saying that the Vatican’s action was “extremely unreasonable and rudeâ€?, reported the Asian Church news agency UCA News. “If the Vatican has the sincerity to improve relations, it should revoke the excommunications and return to the right track of dialogue in a practical manner,â€? the Chinese news agency quoted a SARA spokesman as saying. The Vatican said Fr Joseph Huang Bingzhang and Fr Paul Lei Shiyin were automatically excommunicated when they were ordained bishops on July 14 and June 29, respectively. The Vatican also said it deplored the way the Catholic Church was being treated by ChiQHVH RIÂżFLDOV LQ FDUU\LQJ RXW WKH ordinations. The Vatican has expressed deepening concern over such ordinations and emphasised that

willing participants in such ceremonies face severe penalties under Church law, including automatic excommunication for the ordained bishop as well as the consecrating bishops. The government spokesman said the Vatican’s action has seriously hurt the Church in China and saddened the clergy and faithful. The two priests are devout and capable candidates for ordination and are supported by their fellow priests and the faithful, the spokesman added. Citing similar Vatican action LQ WKH V ZKHQ WKH ÂżUVW WZR “self-elected and self-ordainedâ€? bishops were created without papal approval, the spokesperson stressed that “history has proved that China Church would not be held up by the Vatican’s threatâ€?. The clergy and faithful will ÂłZDON LQ D ÂżUPHU DWWLWXGH WKH path of the ‘independent, autonomous and self-governing’ Church principle and ‘self-election and self-ordination’ of bishopsâ€?, the spokesman said. “We will also continue to give them support and encouragement.â€? „ CNS

12 WORLD

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Indian groups oppose vasectomy plans KOZHIKODE, INDIA – 3UR OLIH FDPSDLJQHUV LQ WKH ,QGLDQ VWDWH RI .HUDOD KDYH FRQGHPQHG IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW DWWHPSWV WR SURPRWH PDOH VWHULOLVDWLRQ ³:KHWKHU LW¶V PDOH RU IHPDOH VWHULOLVDWLRQ WKH &KXUFK FDQ¶W DFFHSW LW ´ VDLG )U $EUDKDP 3XOLQFKXYDWWLO GLUHFWRU RI 7KDPDUDVVHU\ GLRFHVH¶V 0DULDQ 3UROLIH 2UJDQL]DWLRQ RQ $XJ :KLOH WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW LV DLPLQJ WR UHGXFH WKH QDWLRQDO WRWDO IHUWLOLW\ UDWH ZKLFK VWDQGV DW >ELUWKV SHU ZRPDQ@ LQ .HUDOD LW LV ORRNLQJ WR UHGXFH LWV UDWH RI ± ,QGLD¶V ORZHVW ± HYHQ IXUWKHU 7RWDO IHUWLOLW\ UDWH LV WKH DYHUDJH QXPEHU RI FKLOGUHQ H[SHFWHG WR EH ERUQ WR D ZRPDQ GXULQJ KHU OLIHWLPH ,W LQGLFDWHV WKH SRWHQWLDO IRU SRSXODWLRQ FKDQJH LQ VSHFL¿F DUHDV ,QGLD¶V FXUUHQW SRSXODWLRQ VWDQGV DW ELOOLRQ 8QGHU WKH QDWLRQDO UXUDO KHDOWK PLVVLRQ WKH JRYHUQPHQW LQWHQGV WR VHW D WDUJHW RI ¿YH PDOH VWHULOLVDWLRQV HDFK

GD\ LQ GLVWULFW KRVSLWDOV DQG WZR IRU VPDOOHU KRVSLWDOV ³,W LV YLROHQFH DJDLQVW OLIH DQG ZH ZLOO SURWHVW DJDLQVW WKH PRYH ´ VDLG 0U $EUDKDP 3XWKHQNDODP GLUHFWRU RI .583$ 3UR OLIHUV D SUR OLIH PRYHPHQW EDVHG LQ &KDQJDQDFKHUU\ $ JRYHUQPHQW GRFWRU DQG D SURPLQHQW SUR OLIH DFWLYLVW LQ .HUDOD ZKR GLG QRW ZDQW WR EH QDPHG VDLG UHVHDUFK KDV VKRZQ WKDW PDOH VWHULOLVDWLRQ OLNH IHPDOH VWHULOLVDWLRQ FDQ KDYH VHULRXV FRQVHTXHQFHV )RU H[DPSOH D YDVHFWRP\ UDLVHV WKH FKDQFH RI SURVWDWH FDQFHU DFFRUGLQJ WR VWXGLHV FRQGXFWHG LQ :HVWHUQ FRXQWULHV KH VDLG +H VDLG WKH &KXUFK VKRXOG PDNH SHRSOH DZDUH RI WKLV )U 3XOLQFKXYDWWLO VDLG WKH &KXUFK SODQV WR GR MXVW WKDW DQG LQWHQGV WR KROG D SURWHVW UDOO\ $FFRUGLQJ WR PHGLD UHSRUWV DOPRVW SHUFHQW RI VWHULOLVDWLRQ SURFHGXUHV LQ .HUDOD DUH FRQGXFWHG RQ ZRPHQ „ UCANEWS.COM

Church slams move to expel homeless people SEOUL – &KXUFK ZRUNHUV LQ 6HRXO KDYH FRQGHPQHG SODQV E\ UDLO DXWKRULWLHV WR NLFN RXW RQWR WKH VWUHHWV DURXQG KRPHOHVV SHRSOH VWD\LQJ LQ D UDLOZD\ VWDWLRQ 7KH .RUHD 5DLOURDG &RUSRUDWLRQ .RUDLO DQQRXQFHG LQ -XO\ LW ZRXOG UHPRYH WKH KRPHOHVV SHRSOH IURP 6HRXO 6WDWLRQ LQ $XJXVW ³,W LV LQKXPDQ IRU .RUDLO WR H[SHO WKHVH SHRSOH ZLWKRXW DQ\ SODQ WR KHOS WKHP ´ VDLG )U (OLDV /LP <RQJ KZDQ GLUHFWRU RI 6HRXO DUFKGLRFHVH¶V &DWKROLF 8UEDQ 3RRU 3DVWRUDO &RPPLWWHH ³:H ZLOO WU\ DQG KHOS WKHP WRJHWKHU ZLWK RWKHU FLYLF RUJDQLVDWLRQV ´ KH DGGHG 0DQ\ GHVWLQHG WR EH UHPRYHG IURP WKH VWDWLRQ DUH YLFWLPV RI WKH $VLDQ ¿QDQFLDO FULVLV ³.RUHDQ VRFLHW\ KDV D UHVSRQVLELOLW\ WR KHOS WKHP ´ VDLG 0U

6DPXHO .DQJ 6HRQJ MRRQ DQ DFWLYLVW RI WKH DUFKGLRFHVH¶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„ UCANEWS.COM

Mongolia’s Catholic clinic reopens SEOUL – 7KH RQO\ &DWKROLF FOLQLF

LQ 0RQJROLD ZDV UHRSHQHG UHFHQWO\ E\ %LVKRS :HQFHVODR 3DGLOOD RI 8ODDQ %DDWDU 6W 0DU\¶V &OLQLF ZKLFK LV LQ WKH FRPSRXQG RI WKH 6WV 3HWHU DQG 3DXO &DWKHGUDO LQ WKH 0RQJROLDQ FDSLWDO KDG EHHQ FORVHG VLQFH $SULO IRU WKH EXLOGLQJ RI D QHZ H[WHQVLRQ 7KH ZRUN ZHQW DKHDG ZLWK WKH KHOS RI WKH &DWKROLF 0HGLFDO &HQWUH &0& D 6RXWK .RUHDQ PHGLFDO JURXS $OVR SUHVHQW DW WKH RSHQLQJ FHUHPRQ\ RQ -XO\ ZHUH )U

5HPLJLR /HH 'RQJ LN SUHVLGHQW RI WKH &DWKROLF 0HGLFDO &HQWHU ZKR ÀHZ LQ HVSHFLDOO\ DQG )U 6WHSKDQXV .LP 6HRQJ K\HRQ SDULVK SULHVW RI +DQ XXO &KXUFK ,Q D VSHHFK )U /HH VDLG WKH ELJJHU FOLQLF ZKLFK KDV PRUH PHGLFDO IDFLOLWLHV DQG VWDII ZLOO EHWWHU VHUYH HYHQ PRUH SDWLHQWV 7KH FOLQLF ZDV ¿UVW HVWDEOLVKHG E\ )U 0LFKDHO .LP -RRQJ KR IURP 6HRXO DUFKGLRFHVH LQ ZKHQ WKH .RUHDQ GRFWRU SULHVW EHJDQ RIIHULQJ PHGLFDO VHUYLFHV WR SRRU SHRSOH LQ 8ODDQ %DDWDU „ UCANEWS.COM

US diocese joins lawsuit over foster care issue SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, USA –

7KH 'LRFHVH RI %HOOHYLOOH¶V &DWKROLF &KDULWLHV DJHQF\ KDV MRLQHG WKUHH RWKHU ,OOLQRLV &DWKROLF &KDULWLHV DJHQFLHV LQ D ODZVXLW DJDLQVW WKH $PHULFDQ VWDWH 7KH FKDULWLHV DUH VHHNLQJ WR FRQWLQXH RSHUDWLQJ WKHLU IRVWHU FDUH DQG DGRSWLRQ SURJUDPPHV VLQFH WKH SDVVDJH RI D ODZ OHJDOLVLQJ FLYLO XQLRQV IRU VDPH VH[ FRXSOHV 7KH ODZ VWLSXODWHV VDPH VH[ FRXSOHV KDYH WKH VDPH ULJKWV DQG EHQH¿WV DV PDUULHG FRXSOHV LQ WKH VWDWH LQFOXGLQJ WKH ULJKW WR DGRSW DQG SURYLGH IRVWHU FDUH 2I¿FLDOV ZLWK WKH %HOOHYLOOH GLRFHVDQ DJHQF\ FDOOHG &DWKROLF 6RFLDO 6HUYLFHV RI 6RXWKHUQ ,OOLQRLV WRRN OHJDO VWHSV RQ -XO\ LQ 6SULQJ¿HOG WKH VWDWH FDSLWDO WR MRLQ WKH VXLW ¿OHG E\ WKH &DWKROLF &KDULWLHV DJHQFLHV RI WKH 6SULQJ¿HOG 3HRULD DQG -ROLHW GLRFHVHV 7KH VXLW VHHNV WR VWRS HIIRUWV E\ WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH ,OOLQRLV $WWRUQH\ *HQHUDO DQG WKH ,OOLQRLV 'HSDUWPHQW RI &KLOGUHQ DQG )DPLO\ 6HUYLFHV WR SUHYHQW &DWKROLF DJHQFLHV IURP FRQWLQXHG SDUWLFLSDWLRQ LQ VWDWH IRVWHU FDUH DQG DGRSWLRQ SURJUDPV (DUOLHU LQ -XO\ VWDWH RI¿FLDOV DQQRXQFHG SODQV WR HQG FRQWUDFWV ZLWK

Catholic charities want to continue their foster care and adoption programmes since the passage of a law legalising same-sex civil unions. WKH FKXUFK DJHQFLHV VLQFH WKH\ ZLOO QRW SODFH IRVWHU FKLOGUHQ RU DGRSWHG FKLOGUHQ ZLWK VDPH VH[ FRXSOHV 6DQJDPRQ &RXQW\ &LUFXLW -XGJH -RKQ 6FKPLGW LVVXHG D SUHOLPLQDU\ LQMXQFWLRQ RQ -XO\ SUHYHQWLQJ WKH VWDWH IURP HQGLQJ FRQWUDFWV ZLWK &DWKROLF &KDULWLHV DJHQFLHV SHQGLQJ WKH RXWFRPH RI WKH VXLW 7KH QH[W KHDULQJ LQ WKH FDVH LV VHW IRU $XJ 7KH MXGJH DOVR UXOHG RQ -XO\ WKDW WKH VWDWH¶V 'HSDUWPHQW RI &KLOGUHQ DQG )DPLO\ 6HUYLFHV PXVW DOORZ &DWKROLF &KDULWLHV DJHQFLHV WR RSHUDWH DV WKH\ KDG EHIRUH WKH ¿VFDO \HDU FRQWUDFW H[SLUHG RQ -XQH PHDQLQJ WKH DJHQFLHV

FRXOG UHFHLYH QHZ UHIHUUDOV DQG FRQWLQXH IRVWHU DSSOLFDWLRQV 7KH 7KRPDV 0RUH 6RFLHW\ D &KLFDJR EDVHG SXEOLF LQWHUHVW ODZ ¿UP UHSUHVHQWLQJ WKH &DWKROLF DJHQFLHV DQQRXQFHG RQ -XO\ WKDW WKH DJHQFLHV SODQQHG WR ¿OH DQRWKHU FRPSODLQW DJDLQVW WKH VWDWH IRU YLRODWLQJ WKHLU ULJKW WR GXH SURFHVV RI ODZ E\ WHUPLQDWLQJ WKHLU ULJKWV WR FRQWUDFW ZLWK WKH VWDWH ZLWKRXW DQ\ VXEVWDQWLYH EDVLV ,W DOVR VDLG WKH DJHQFLHV ZHUH VXLQJ WKH VWDWH IRU QRW FRPSO\LQJ ZLWK WKH H[HPSWLRQ IRU UHOLJLRXV SUDFWLFH LQFOXGHG LQ WKH 5HOLJLRXV )UHHGRP 3URWHFWLRQ DQG &LYLO 8QLRQ $FW ZKLFK WRRN HIIHFW RQ -XO\ 7KH ODZ ¿UP VDLG WKH DJHQFLHV ZDQW WKH FRXUW WR GHFODUH WKH\ KDYH EHHQ DQG FRQWLQXH WR EH LQ FRPSOLDQFH ZLWK ,OOLQRLV ODZ LQ WKHLU IRVWHU FDUH DQG DGRSWLRQ SUDFWLFHV 7KH\ DUH DOVR VHHNLQJ D SHUPDQHQW LQMXQFWLRQ DJDLQVW DQ\ IXUWKHU DFWLRQ E\ ,OOLQRLV JRYHUQPHQW RI¿FLDOV 7KH &DWKROLF DJHQFLHV RQO\ SODFH FKLOGUHQ ZLWK PDUULHG KHWHURVH[XDO FRXSOHV RU VLQJOH SHRSOH ZKR DUH QRW FRKDELWLQJ 6WDWH RI¿FLDOV KDYH VDLG WKH ODZ ZRXOG QRW DOORZ WKH DJHQFLHV WR UHIHU VDPH VH[ FRXSOHV WR RWKHU DJHQFLHV DV WKH\ KDYH GRQH IRU GHFDGHV „ CNS

9LHWQDP RIÀFLDOV ZDLYH UXOHV VR villagers can get to Mass by tractor BUON MA THUOT, VIETNAM –

*RYHUQPHQW RI¿FLDOV LQ 'DN /DN SURYLQFH D UXUDO SDUW RI FHQWUDO 9LHWQDP KDYH ZDLYHG WKHLU QRUPDO WUDI¿F UXOHV VR WKDW &DWKROLFV FDQ JHW WR 6XQGD\ 0DVV E\ WUDFWRU ³:H¶UH KDSS\ WKH\¶YH DOORZHG XV WR GR WKLV IRU WKH YLOODJHUV DV PDQ\ RI WKHP DUH HOGHUO\ SHRSOH ZRPHQ DQG FKLOGUHQ ´ VDLG 0U 3HWHU ,QXN RQH RI WKH WUDFWRU RZQHUV ZKR SURYLGH WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ IRU 0DVVJRHUV ³:H XVH WUDFWRUV DOWRJHWKHU SXOOLQJ KDQGPDGH ZDJRQV WR WUDQVSRUW SHRSOH WR 7KXDQ 3KXF FKXUFK ZKLFK LV NP IURP WKHLU YLOODJH ´ KH VDLG ³2Q ZHHNGD\V ZH ZRXOG EH ¿QHG LI ZH ZHUH FDXJKW DV IDUP YHKLFOHV DUH EDQQHG IURP UXQQLQJ RQ QDWLRQDO URDGV ´ KH DGGHG ³:H XVHG WR EH ¿QHG WR GRQJ WR SHU WUDFWRU DQG ZH KDG WR SD\ WKRVH ¿QHV PDQ\ WLPHV D \HDU ´ 7KH WUDQVSRUW SROLFH UHOD[HG WKH UXOHV DIWHU ORFDO &DWKROLFV PRVW RI WKHP IURP WKH $QDN (GH HWKQLF JURXS LQ WKH .URQJ %XN GLVWULFW RI 'DN /DN VXEPLWWHG D SHWLWLRQ WR WKH GLVWULFW DXWKRULW\ 7KH SHWLWLRQ DVNHG IRU WKH YLOODJHUV¶ UHOLJLRXV IUHHGRP WR EH UH-

Vietnamese villagers on a wagon, preparing to be transported to Mass.

VSHFWHG E\ DOORZLQJ WKHP WR WUDYHO WR FKXUFK E\ WUDFWRU EHFDXVH WKHUH LV QR FKDSHO LQ WKH YLOODJH 3UHYLRXVO\ SHRSOH KDG WR ZDON WR WKH FKXUFK DQG RIWHQ DUULYHG ZKHQ 0DVV ZDV QHDUO\ RYHU 2IWHQ WKH\ PLVVHG 0DVV DOWRJHWKHU :LWK WKH SURYLVR WKDW WKH ZDLYHU ZRXOG DSSO\ RQO\ RQ 6XQGD\V ORFDO RI¿FLDOV DJUHHG WR WKH UHTXHVW 7KH WUDFWRUV UHWXUQ WR WKHLU XVXDO WDVNV RI SORXJKLQJ DQG FDUU\LQJ IHUWLOLVHU DQG FURSV GXULQJ WKH UHVW RI WKH ZHHN :LWK WKH V\VWHP XS DQG UXQQLQJ

WKDQNV WR D FRQWULEXWLRQ WR FRYHU IXHO FRVWV IURP ORFDO 'RPLQLFDQ 6LVWHUV WUDFWRU XVDJH IRU WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ LV EHFRPLQJ PRUH ZLGHVSUHDG ³3HRSOH IURP RWKHU YLOODJHV DUH DOVR XVLQJ WUDFWRUV WR WDNH SHRSOH WR FKXUFK ´ VDLG 0U -RVHSK 0D 3X DQRWKHU GULYHU )U )UDQFLV ;DYLHU 7UDQ +RQJ /LQK KHDG RI 7KXDQ +LHX SDULVK ZHOFRPHG WKH LQQRYDWLRQ VD\LQJ LW KHOSV KLP DQG RQH RWKHU SULHVW WR RIIHU SDVWRUDO FDUH WR DERXW &DWKROLFV LQ WKH DUHD „ CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

The pope’s WYD: Space set aside for silence, solemnity VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict

XVI has put his own stamp on the Church’s celebration of World Youth Day (WYD), and it’s especially clear in the gathering’s moPHQWV RI SUD\HU In Cologne, Germany, six \HDUV DJR ¹ KLV ¿UVW :<' DV pope – he surprised the youths at the Saturday night vigil by urging WKHP WR TXLHWHQ GRZQ The Cologne event was where he started a major new WYD tradition: Instead of ending the vigil ZLWK D ERLVWHURXV PXVLFDO ¿QDOH he ended it with Eucharistic adoration – with tens of thousands of young people kneeling silently in D ¿HOG 7KH VFHQH ZDV UHSHDWHG LQ $XVWUDOLD LQ During WYD 2011, scheduled for Aug 16-21 in Madrid, Eucharistic adoration again will cap the SRSHœV SDUWLFLSDWLRQ DW WKH YLJLO Adoration and prayer also will continue throughout the night on the edges of the military airport where many of the young people DUH H[SHFWHG WR FDPS RYHUQLJKW In fact, organisers are planning to have 17 tents set up as chapels IRU DOO QLJKW DGRUDWLRQ The visual focal point when the pope leads the adoration and Benediction will be a monstrance set into a towering 16th-century gothic

Papal foundation plans greater access to AIDS treatment VATICAN CITY – A papal foundation dedicated to AIDS patients may expand its services to include a global programme of distributing anti-AIDS drugs, a Vatican of¿FLDO VDLG The initiative would respond to the shortage of antiretroviral and other drugs in poorer countries, where the vast majority of AIDS patients receive inadequate treatment, Msgr Jean-Marie MupendaZDWX VHFUHWDU\ RI WKH 3RQWL¿FDO Council for Health Care Ministry, said in an interview on July 21 ZLWK WKH 9DWLFDQ QHZVSDSHU Msgr Mupendawatu is a delegate to the Good Samaritan Foundation, established by Blessed John Paul II in 2004 to provide economic support to the sick who are most in need, particularly WKRVH VXIIHULQJ IURP $,'6 Msgr Mupendawatu said the foundation planned to strengthen its activity, especially in Africa, by increasing its promotion of donations of pharmaceutical and medical material, and by working more closely with local Catholic leaders to place the church in the

An AIDS patient at a Church-run hospice in South Africa.

forefront of the care for AIDS paWLHQWV To favour these efforts, he said, the foundation may open ofÂżFHV RQ HYHU\ FRQWLQHQW ZKLFK would function in coordination ZLWK WKH FHQWUDO RIÂżFH LQ 5RPH “The foundation is also studying the possibility of creating its own ‘pharmaceutical centre’ which would allow the collec-

tion and distribution of medicines LQ SRRU FRXQWULHV ´ KH VDLG 7KH centre would work in cooperation ZLWK RWKHU &KXUFK DJHQFLHV Msgr Mupendawatu said that while more than 25 percent of the global health care to AIDS patients is provided by Catholic institutions, the Church needs to do even more in the face of the epidemic, which infects about 7,000 DGGLWLRQDO SHRSOH HDFK GD\ One of the Church’s priorities is to help make “universal and free access to treatmentâ€? a reality for all those infected with AIDS, KH VDLG 7RGD\ RQO\ DERXW SHUcent of people with AIDS patients UHFHLYH DGHTXDWH FDUH KH VDLG Msgr Mupendawatu said the Church’s insistence that education in responsible sexuality be part of any anti-AIDS strategy has found DSSUHFLDWLRQ LQ VFLHQWLÂżF FLUFOHV The Church’s position is that effective prevention of AIDS must include the abandonment of highrisk behaviour and the adoption of a “balanced sexualityâ€? based on premarital chastity and marital ÂżGHOLW\ KH VDLG „ CNS

&16 ÂżOH SKRWR

Pope Benedict XVI carries the Eucharist during the World Youth Day vigil in Germany, in 2005.

structure of silver and gold usually KRXVHG LQ WKH 7ROHGR FDWKHGUDO “The point is to highlight that the central person of World Youth Day is Jesus Christ, and the pope is coming to proclaim him,â€? said Fr Javier Cremades, Madrid coorGLQDWRU RI WKH OLWXUJLHV However, not all of Fr CrePDGHVÂś SODQV HPSKDVLVH WKH IRUPDO “We’ll wake the young people with mariachi musicâ€? the morning of Aug 21, hours before the pope DUULYHV WR FHOHEUDWH WKH ÂżQDO 0DVV at the Cuatro Vientos military airSRUW KH VDLG

“Young people will come to World Youth Day to celebrate ZLWK WKH +RO\ )DWKHU ´ KH VDLG “If they did not want to attend a liturgy in the pope’s style, they ZRXOGQÂśW EH FRPLQJ ´ Pope Benedict has insisted that real, even prolonged moments of silence be added to every OLWXUJ\ KH FHOHEUDWHV Visiting Sulmona, Italy, in 2010, he said, “We live today in a society in which every space, eveU\ PRPHQW PXVW EH ¾¿OOHGÂś ZLWK initiatives, activities and soundâ€?, so that there is no time for listenLQJ DQG GLDORJXH “Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be afraid of silence outside and inside ourselves, if we want to hear not only the voice of God but also of those who are close to us, WKH YRLFHV RI RWKHUV ´ KH VDLG Mr Yago de la Cierva, executive director of World Youth Day Madrid, said that while organisers, priests and even the pope cannot control what the Holy Spirit does in the lives of the young pilgrims, they must be serious about preparing an atmosphere where the 6SLULWÂśV DFWLRQ FDQ EH UHFRJQLVHG “One important thing is to take great care with the liturgy, so the young will say, ‘Wow, the Mass is EHDXWLIXO ϫ KH VDLG „ CNS

14 WORLD

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Australian Church bodies apologise for forced adoptions SYDNEY – Three Catholic entities

in Australia apologised “with a deep sense of regret and heartfelt sorrow� over forced adoption practices involving thousands of single mothers that occurred in past decades. The practices involved separating unmarried mothers from their newborn babies immediately after birth and handing them to adoption agencies. The apology came jointly from Catholic Health Australia, the largest non-government provider of health, community and elder care services in Australia, the Sisters of Mercy and the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle north of Sydney. Despite the apology, Archbishop Barry Hickey of Perth said he has “little evidence� of forced adoptions in decades past. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on July 25 that he had spoken with the Sisters of Mercy, who “said that it wasn’t their policy to do that, but you can’t control everybody, I suppose�. The practice of forced adoption was reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in a story on its website after an investigation into claims of abuse and trauma in Newcastle. The story said it was believed that at least 150,000 Australian women had their babies taken against their will by some churches and adoption agencies. Bishop Hickey issued a follow-up statement on July 26 on the Perth archdiocesan website. “While it is true that I had little evidence of forced consents to adoption, I realise that many of the young women at the time were not clear that their consent was required,�

It is believed that at least 150,000 Australian women had their babies taken against their will by some churches and adoption agencies in past decades, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

,Q VRPH FDVHV WKH DGRSWLRQ SUDFWLFHV ‘RI WR \HDUV DJR KDG GHYDVWDWLQJ

DQG RQJRLQJ LPSDFWV RQ PRWKHUV IDWKHUV FKLOGUHQ DQG IDPLOLHV

’

Âą 0U 0DUWLQ /DYHUW\ FKLHI H[HFXWLYH RIÂżFHU &DWKROLF +HDOWK $XVWUDOLD

the statement said. “Many were confused, feeling powerless during their pregnancy for fear that their baby would be taken from them. “Consent obviously became submerged under the weight of other issues being discussed. With the involvement of their parents, priests in some cases, and the Sisters, I can well understand that they felt that others around them were making the decisions,â€? it continued. The archbishop also offered an apology to the women for the “pain and anguishâ€? they endured. Mr Martin Laverty, chief exHFXWLYH RIÂżFHU RI &DWKROLF +HDOWK

Australia, addressed hospital adoption practices in a letter to the Australian Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs which is investigating past adoption policies and practices. He wrote that “in some cases, the adoption practices of 30 to 60 years ago had devastating and ongoing impacts on mothers, fathers, children and families�. He told the committee in June that Catholic Health Australia learned of the concerns of several women who were forced to give up their children in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Mr Laverty said a small number of Catholic hospitals and homes for women were involved in the practice. “For this pain that arises from the practices of the past, we are genuinely sorry,� he said. „ CNS

WORLD 15

Sunday August 14, 2011 CatholicNews

Young Americans carrying a replica of the World Youth Day cross earlier this year. The Vatican’s UN nuncio said member states’ youth policies must respect the role of parents regarding their children’s wellbeing and education, including in the area of sexuality. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

Respect parents’ nurturing role, nuncio tells UN UNITED NATIONS – The world’s

young people deserve to live their lives free of violence and in stable family settings, the Vatican’s UN nuncio said on the last day of a worldwide meeting on youths. “Each and every child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,” Archbishop Francis Chullikatt said on July 28 at the conclusion of the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on youths. A main part of the meeting was a series of round tables from July 25-26, followed by a couple of days of debate. The archbishop said a safe, loving and peaceful environment for children will promote responsible citizenship, an essential characteristic for the common good of humanity. Highlighting the role of the family as the fundamental unit of society, Archbishop Chullikatt urged world leaders to support the concept of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. “The family ... must be guaranteed protection by society and the state,” he said. Archbishop Chullikatt also called upon delegates to develop programmes for young people that take into account the special role parents have in the development of children. Parents he said, cannot withdraw from their essential role to help children become “virtuous citizens and leaders”. And states, the prelate added, “are called, in conformity with international instruments, to respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents in this regard”. “Youth policies, programmes, action plans and commitments approved by member states must respect fully the role of parents regarding their children’s wellbeing and their education,” he said,

“including in the area of human sexuality and so-called ‘sexual and reproductive health’, [which] should not include abortion”. Cautioning that relativism is becoming more widely embraced, the nuncio suggested that not having absolute points of reference upon which to build society will lead to “instability, confusion and blind conformity to the fads of the moment”. “Young people are entitled to receive from previous generations sol&16 ¿OH SKRWR

Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the Vatican’s permanent observer at the United Nations.

id points of reference to help them make choices on which to build their lives,” he said. He pointed to the upcoming World Youth Day festivities in Madrid as an event where young people can foster the importance of the spiritual dimension in their lives. Archbishop Chullikatt encouraged the delegates to uphold the principle that young people should be brought up in the spirit of peace, justice, freedom, mutual respect and understanding as enshrined in the UN’s Declaration on the Promotion of Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding Between Peoples, adopted in 1965. CNS, ZENIT

16 WORLD

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Pope, bishop slam Norway attacks

3HRSOH SODFH ÀRZHUV QHDU 1RUZD\œV 8WR\D ,VODQG ZKHUH DW OHDVW SHRSOH GLHG DIWHU D JXQPDQ VKRW DW WKHP RQ -XO\ CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – All people in Norway are in shock over the senseless killings that shook the country and are united in mourning for the victims, Bishop Bernt Eidsvig of Oslo has told Vatican Radio. “It has affected every one of us,â€? he said on July 25. “Despite political differences or other differences, this is a tragedy. We do not know anything like it in our history, that 100 people are killed in cold blood. So it is creating unity, and in spite of the grief, also strength.â€? Bishop Eidsvig said in the interview that people were shocked the prime suspect was Norwegian. “Of course in all countries, there are disturbed and misled persons. I am quite sure he is one of them. He must be mentally disturbed. I GRQÂśW WKLQN LGHRORJ\ LV VXIÂżFLHQW to explain this,â€? he said. The bishop said he expected a traditionally lax approach to security around government buildings would be quickly reversed, saying authorities had already been planning to block off the street where the suspect allegedly parked a car with a bomb inside. “In Oslo, you’ve practically been able to drive your car to the SULPH PLQLVWHUÂśV RIÂżFH RU WR WKH king’s palace if you pretended to have business there. But I think all this will come to an end fairly soon,â€? he said. “I think we are waking up to reality.â€? In the wake of the two terror attacks in Norway that left 76 people dead, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to hatred and ideologies that promote evil. “We are all deeply saddened by the serious terrorist acts,â€? the pope said after praying the Angelus with pilgrims at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on July 24. The pope launched an appeal “to abandon once and for all the path of violence and avoid principles of evilâ€?. As a further expression of his condolences and prayers for those affected by the attacks, the pope

sent a message to Norway’s King Harald V. Written on behalf of the pope by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, the pope said he was praying for all those affected by “the acts of senseless violence perpetrated in Oslo and Utoyaâ€?. The pope asked that the country “be spiritually united in a determined resolve to reject the ZD\V RI KDWUHG DQG FRQĂ€LFW DQG WR work together fearlessly in shaping a future of mutual respect, solidarity and freedom for coming generationsâ€?. Explosives ripped through Norwegian government headquarters in Oslo on July 22, leaving seven people dead and dozens injured.

We do not know ‘anything like it in our history. ’

Âą %LVKRS %HUQW (LGVYLJ RI 2VOR

Shortly after the bombing, witnesses said a man dressed as D SROLFH RI¿FHU VKRW DW SHRSOH DWtending a summer youth camp run by the country’s governing Labour Party on the island of Utoya. Police said at least 68 people died at the camp, but authorities were searching the island and the waters just offshore for several missing people. At least 96 other people were injured in the twin attacks. The suspect, 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik, has admitted to carrying out the killings. The suspect is believed to have links to far-right groups and to have produced materials espousing anti-Muslim and anti-immigration views, and a desire to bring about a revolution against the government in Norway. „ CNS

WORLD 17

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Youths want more than what pop culture offers: ex-model NEW YORK – Young people have

been “beaten downâ€? by a message from media and pop culture that anything goes in their personal and public life, but what they really want is to “make a difference in the worldâ€?, a former fashion model told a New York audience. “Contrary to popular belief ... all youth want a challenge, they seek purpose and meaning in life; not an easy way to success or opting out of personal and public responsibility,â€? said Ms Leah Darrow. “They desire to make a difference, to put their mark on this great world.â€? Ms Darrow made the remarks on July 25 at the Church of the Holy Family during an event sponsored by the Holy See’s permanent observer mission to the United Nations. It was timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on youths held from July 25-26. Ms Darrow said after she appeared on a popular TV show, America’s Next Top Model, she made fashion modelling her career. But she ended up creating an image of herself “that lacked authenticity and inner freedomâ€?. “It was clear that I was being employed for my body parts rather than my person,â€? said Ms Darrow, who is now on the staff of Catholic Answers, one of the largest lay-run apostolates of Catholic apologetics and evangelisation in the US. “I wanted to become one of the models on the billboards in Time Square – this had been reiterated to me by the culture that LW ZRXOG EULQJ IXOÂżOPHQW SXUSRVH and happiness,â€? she added. But when her picture was

ÂżQDOO\ ÂłKRLVWHG XS RQ WKDW ELOOboard,â€? she realised “the deepest desires of my heart – to be known, WR EH ORYHG DQG WR IXOÂżO P\ SXUpose in life – were not metâ€?. Her family and community have helped her make better decisions, she said, and now she is fulÂżOOLQJ KHU ÂłJUHDWHU SXUSRVH LQ OLIH – to love my neighbour and help humanity in not fallingâ€?. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

A model on the catwalk. A Catholic ex-model recently shared how the image she created as a model ‘lacked authenticity and inner freedom’.

“Young people desire to be seen as good, as persons with dignity and worthy of our love and support. ... I pray that we, the adults, rise to the challenge of loving them and offering resources and ambassadors who uphold their inherent dignity so that they may live in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity.� „ „ Page 20: A challenge to teens

18 LETTER/OPINION

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

A cancer diagnosis

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: johnson.fernandez@catholic.org.sg

IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: memoriam@catholic.org.sg

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: subscriptions@catholic.org.sg

STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: advertisements@catholic.org.sg WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

EDITORIAL MATTERS: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all articles and letters. Published submissions will be edited.

DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: design@catholic.org.sg Elaine Ong: elaine.ong@catholic.org.sg

Some ideas to boost NCCs We read in CN, July 31, that parishioners of one of the churches held a retreat at Majodi Retreat Centre (Blessed Sacrament Parishioners Learn About NCC Mission). The retreatants learned about growing in discipleship as well as outreach and fellowship. This is a good start but all of our NCCs (Neighbourhood Christian Communities) need to be overhauled for better effectiveness for all residents. Some NCCs can become dormant or inactive gradually. There could be several reasons. The zone leaders and their assistants tend to remain too long in their posts. They get little or no fresh ideas to steer their NCC, to “cast their nets into the deepâ€?. This means they would then need to probe and discuss other difÂżFXOWLHV WKDW IDPLOLHV IDFH 7KHVH problems could be discussed collectively, suitable solutions looked into and families directed to the relevant departments for advice. For NCCs to discuss only the rosary recitation schedule, canteen duties or food and funfair events are not enough. Neighbours from non-Christian groups could be invited to widen the contacts. At the NCC meetings, the spiritual director or his delegateshould be present to give them some moral support. Talks on relevant topics on NCC management

CN, July 31

and Bible sharings could be done to build up people’s spiritual life and discipleship. Videos could be screened in void decks with permission grantHG E\ +'% =RQH $UHD 2I¿FH Families could make a small contribution to meet incidental costs for the hire of chairs and refreshments every month. Zone leaders and their assistants should stay in their leadership roles for two years or so to make way for new trained leaders. The senior leaders could act as advisers to help the new leaders. The tenure of leaders could be rotated, as with other church ministries.

Leaders from different zones, eg North/South could form a Central NCC Committee to plan all activities for the two zones. Others could be included in the Central Committee to plan food and funfairs or concerts. Feedback could be sent to the Central Committee for improvements. These activities could be planned half yearly on rotation. Hopefully this reorganisation of NCCs could help them achieve their aims in the near future. Families would then come to realise the role of NCCs. „ Herbert De Silva Singapore 760652

WHEN I began writing this column, I shared that occasionally I would do a column that was more exclusively about my personal life. I have tried to limit myself in that and, in the 28 years I have been writing this column, have probably done less than 10 pieces whose main focus was my own life. When I have done so, it was almost always to share with readers a major transition in my life. This column is one of those personal pieces. My personal life is again undergoing a major transition, though this one does not concern a move to a new job or to a new city. It has to do with my health: In early May I went for a routine colonoscopy and the doctor discovered a cancerous tumour in my colon. The good news was that it was discovered relatively early, before there were symptoms. They scheduled me for surgery in early June and removed the affected area, along with a series of lymph nodes. The operation, while pretty invasive, went well, but some of the lymph nodes had already been affected, meaning that the cancer was not necessarily fully contained in the tumour. I have recovered very well from the surgery, though this took some weeks. An oncologist advised me that prudence dictates that there be a follow-up treatment to the surgery, namely, six months of chemotherapy. He also assured me that the long-term prognosis is good, but that, as with all cancer, nothing is really sure until it’s sure. A cure is most likely, but not assured. I start the chemotherapy treatments in early August and will be facing a certain desert-experience for the next six months. This is not a plea for sympathy. I share this with you because one shares this with one’s family and you are my family of readers. I will appreciate your prayers, even as I trust you not to deluge me with emails, cards, and letters. What we give to each other inside the mystical body of faith, family, and friendship, need not be announced to be effective. Where am I with all of this? Initially, especially before the surgery and subsequent scans revealed more precisely the limit of the cancer, there was understandably a good amount of fear and paranoia. One’s thoughts and fears aren’t easy to control when one’s next visit to the doctor might mean a death sentence. Eventually though, and not just because the longterm prognosis now DSSHDUV TXLWH SRVLWLYH , KDYH EHJXQ WR ÂżQG D GHHS SHDFH ZLWKLQ DOO RI this. I trust in God and know that I am in safe hands, irrespective of whatever happens. I also trust the medical professionals with whom I have been dealLQJ 7KH\ KDYH EHHQ PDUYHOORXVO\ FRPSHWHQW DQG LQÂżQLWHO\ JHQWOH :KDW a grace for us all, the skill of doctors! But that peace of soul is also predicated on a number of realisations that were only abstract theories for me before this illness. Some things DUH LQÂżQLWHO\ PRUH UHDO WR PH QRZ , QRZ NQRZ H[LVWHQWLDOO\ WKDW OLIH LV fragile, that health is precious, and that it’s to be appreciated rather than taken for granted. I know too existentially that we cannot safeguard our own lives, no PDWWHU KRZ FDUHIXOO\ ZH WU\ )DLWK DQG KRSH DUH Ă€RRGLQJ LQWR P\ OLIH DV never before. So too is love. Family and friends are mostly taken for granted when we are young and strong and under the illusion that death is not really a reality for us. We realise how deep a grace family and friendship are only when we are fully attuned to our own vulnerability; mostly, too, it is only then that we actually allow others to love us. And there are other deep lessons in this for me: I have been driving my engines hard for a long time, dodging bullets as I overwork and am over-extended. So many times in the past years, in a trance of overwork, I promised God that I would slow my life down, just as soon as this SDUWLFXODU WDVN ZDV ÂżQLVKHG Indeed, often, explicitly in prayer, I asked God to let me do this slowdown will fully, and not have some health breakdown force it on me. Like the young Augustine, I was praying: “Slow me down, but not yet!â€? 0\ FDQFHU GLDJQRVLV LV ÂżQDOO\ GRLQJ IRU PH ZKDW , FRXOGQÂśW GR IRU myself. My prayer now is: Let me receive this gracefully, and as a grace! One last lesson: Should I land on my feet, healthy and my old self again after the chemotherapy, I hope to have the strength to not return to my old life, grateful to have dodged a bullet and ready for business as usual. Instead, like the one leper who returned to give thanks to Jesus rather than going back to normal living, I am praying that the grace of this visitation will be the alchemy I have long needed to make me turn instead habitually in gratitude towards Jesus and towards the present moment. „

FEATURE 19

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Musicians from US, Canada, Mexico learn music for new missal LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, USA –

More than 3,100 Catholic pastoral musicians from around the United States, Canada and Mexico gathered at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, USA, to prepare for the implementation of the new English translation of the Roman Missal. Parishes around the United States will begin using the new text – and some new music with it – for the celebration of Mass on 1RY WKH ÂżUVW 6XQGD\ LQ $Gvent. During the July 18-22 convention, attendees had the opportunity to listen to and purchase music for new Mass settings written for the new translation. “Whether we will sing new words to old tunes or new words to new tunes, the upcoming changes will affect all of us,â€? Dominican Fr Paul Colloton told the crowd during the opening of the National Pastoral Musicians Convention on July 18. Fr Colloton is the organisation’s director of continuing education. He acknowledged that the new missal translation will bring changes in the Mass but said it also offers Catholics an opportuQLW\ WR ÂżQG D ÂłGHHSHU UHODWLRQVKLS with Jesus Christâ€? so that “we can sing to the Lord with new wordsâ€?. Keynote speaker Msgr Ray East observed that some people came to the convention “with angerâ€? and some came “sadâ€?. A variety of emotions have animated responses to the new Roman Missal, said the monsignor, who is pastor of Teresa of Avila church in Washington. “All of us came here with questions, panicking about the advent of Advent,â€? he said, as the crowd murmured with comments. “But I hope that somebody came here to Louisville with an open mind ... with an open heart to listen, to learn, to study.â€? Pastoral musicians, who will ÂżQG WKHPVHOYHV WHDFKLQJ FRQJUHgations about the new text as they introduce new music, will play a key catechetical role in the changes, he noted. “We have a new role, and we

have to be converted in our hearts to expand this role,� he added. Ms Camilla Gehring, who travelled to the convention from her parish in Columbus, Indiana, said she and her fellow choir members at St Bartholomew Church hope the convention helps to prepare them for this new role. “The new liturgy is a big draw for a lot of people,� she said. The convention “gives us a chance to

Pastoral musicians will play a key catechetical role in the changes. – Msgr Ray East, keynote speaker at the National Pastoral Musicians Convention

be exposed to the new arrangements ahead of time.� Organisers said this year’s convention is largest in its history. That was in part because of the upcoming changes in the liturgy, said Ms Judy Bullock, director of WKH /RXLVYLOOH DUFKGLRFHVDQ 2I¿FH of Worship and the chair of the convention. „ CNS

Singers from parishes in the Archdiocese of Louisville, USA, perform on July 18 during the National Pastoral Musicians Convention in Louisville. CNS photo

20 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Acquiring more and more possessions do not always lead to IXOĂ€OPHQW VD\V )U +HUEHUW :HEHU

I

WAS invited to visit a couple whom I will call Terry and Nancy. As I drove up their driveway, I saw two boats on trailers, ready to be taken to water. Terry came out to tell me how happy he was with the larger boat, his newest acquisition, which he was going to christen the next day. Once inside the house, the couple gave me a tour. Terry showed me the living room and activities area. There was a custom-built entertainment centre that rivalled any I had seen. In another room he let me look at the latest in digital and wireless technologies. As Terry demonstrated all of these items, Nancy looked on, remaining somewhat quiet. When she excused herself to go to the kitchen, Terry turned to me and said, “But, Father, I’m not happy.â€? It was one of the saddest statements I have ever heard, especially poignant in that he had just shown me all his exciting possesVLRQV 7KH VDGQHVV ZDV PDJQLÂżHG when he added that his purchases were actually beyond his means. Perhaps when we hear the word “greedâ€?, we think of some tycoon who is gobbling up companies and closing down small neighbourhood shops. That may, in fact, be greed. But so is what

Terry was experiencing. 7KH YHU\ GHÂżQLWLRQ RI JUHHG LV that there is an unhealthy desire for more and more possessions. For Terry, the many things he was able to purchase – or at least make payments on – seemed so important to him at the time. Yet, in stating his unhappiness, he clearly was admitting their failure to satisfy his craving. If a person’s needs are spiritual or emotional, material possessions will not be able to satisfy them. Often the very item that seems so important for our happiness becomes one more empty promise. Ironically, I have found that people can be guilty of greed even when they possess little. One student in a secondary VFKRRO FRQÂżUPDWLRQ FODVV ZDV QRW the least apologetic when he chose a well-known Wall Street tycoon as his hero. When asked to explain why, he simply said, “Because he has whatever he wants.â€? This young student was from a hardworking family that always had the basics but not much more. Yet, his mind was focused on money that he thought would afford him happiness. Greed can exist in any society, but it seems often to reach epidemic proportions where there

If a person’s needs are spiritual or emotional, material possessions will not be able to satisfy them. Often the very item that seems so important for our happiness becomes one more empty promise. is rampant consumerism. ConseTXHQWO\ SHRSOH KDYH WR ÂżQG ZD\V to avoid temptations to greed. In many cities, weekend newspapers feature advertisements from almost every store, announcing discounts on clothing, computers, cameras, televisions, kitchen appliances and outdoor gear. Often the ads indicate that the sale will only last a day or two. Buyers must shop immediately! I recall one woman who said that she and her husband had a pact. Both felt they were vulnerable to the “buy it now before this

deal is gone� approach. So they helped each other put those advertisements in the recycle bin before they ever looked at them. Perhaps the best antidote to greed is an awareness of the true value of possessions and a thoughtful decision about how to make use of all items. In the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, published by the US bishops, greed is discussed with reference to stewardship of treasure. It notes that when people admit that all material items are gifts from God on loan for use

in building up God’s kingdom, they can then consciously choose how to use those possessions. Returning a percentage to God through charitable giving also helps people maintain a mentality of non-greed. In the same vein, generous giving and sharing of one’s possessions can ameliorate the powerful pull of greed. It takes practice, but it is possible to learn to give altruistically, thus helping to place the focus on other people rather than on things. Challenging greed requires work wherever the desire for something is beyond reason and where that desire takes control of one’s decision making. Gradually, serious Christians learn not to let possessions take charge of their lives. It is then that they discover the great paradox: It is in letting go of possessions, in not in having them, that real happiness can be found. „ CNS Fr Weber is the founding pastor of Blessed John XXIII Parish in Perrysburg, Ohio, USA.

$ FKDOOHQJH WR WHHQV ULVH DERYH SRS FXOWXUH¡V QHJDWLYH LQà XHQFH By Karen Osborne

What teens listen to matters. What they let into their minds will change how they see the world.

ADULTS may complain about artistes like Lady Gaga, whose catchy pop songs often disguise hurtful messages. But teens like pop music, and pop music likes teens. Artistes and record companies LQÀXHQFH WKH FORWKHV WHHQV DQG WKHLU IULHQGV wear, the tunes they put onto their iPod and even what they do on a Friday night. If parents of teens today are anything like my parents, they probably don’t want them to watch too much TV, spend too much time on their cellphones or hang out ZLWK GDQJHURXV SHRSOH EHFDXVH RI WKH LQÀXences their teens would be exposed to. Every teen knows, though, that by secRQGDU\ VFKRRO SDUHQWV DUHQœW WKH RQO\ LQÀXence affecting their lives. Their parents can no more stop teens from listening to Lady Gaga than they can dictate what their teens think.

But parents are right about one thing: What teens listen to does matter. Anything teens let into their brain is going to change how they see the world. It used to be that a person could just switch off his electronics and be in his own little world. But these days it’s harder WR ÂłGLVFRQQHFW´ IURP WKH PHVVDJHV Ă€\LQJ about from all sides. It’s tough to tell what’s right and what’s wrong, who’s making true art and who just wants people to buy stuff. So each individual has the power and the responsibility as well to decide how much what they watch and listen to every day – the sexually charged music videos, materialistic commercials and the peer pressure at VFKRRO Âą LQĂ€XHQFHV KLV RU KHU OLIH The drinking, partying and sex in most music today is not the fun, consequencefree playground that pop songs speak of. Teenagers’ choices in this arena have a very

real and very serious impact on their lives. I believe that one of the most important survival techniques for the modern world is as ancient as our Christian belief itself: St Paul’s old invocation to be in the world but not of it. Teens don’t have to be divorced and disconnected from all of the things that they like, such as catchy pop songs. But on the other hand, these songs don’t have to be teens’ reality either. Teens have the power to be responsible and make the right decisions about which path to choose. Teens can stand up for themselves and their future by refusing to participate in behaviour that is immoral, illegal and just plain bad for them. They can say no to risky sex, to binge drinking and drugs. 7HHQV FDQ FKRRVH WR ULVH DERYH WKH LQÀXence of peers, pop culture and everything else pressing in on them. „ CNS

FEATURE 21

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Alleviating plight of Sri Lankan refugees CITY DISTRICT

A family ÀHHLQJ IURP ¿JKWLQJ LQ WKH 7DPLO UHEHO FRQWUROOHG UHJLRQ RI Vanni, 6UL /DQND in 2008. 7KH -HVXLW 5HIXJHH 6HUYLFH LV DVVLVWLQJ WHQV RI WKRXVDQGV RI VXFK UHIXJHHV QRZ OLYLQJ LQ WKH ,QGLDQ VWDWH RI 7DPLO 1DGX

&DWKHGUDO RI WKH *RRG 6KHSKHUG

Aug 15: 7.00am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm 6W -RVHSKÂśV &KXUFK

Aug 15: 6.30pm, 7.45pm &KXUFK RI 6WV 3HWHU DQG 3DXO

Aug 15: 7.20am, 6.00pm (Mandarin), 8.00pm &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ RI /RXUGHV

Aug 15: 6.30pm (English & Tamil) &KXUFK RI WKH 6DFUHG +HDUW

Aug 15: 7.00am, 5.30pm &KXUFK RI 6W 7HUHVD

Aug 15: 6.30am, 7.00pm &KXUFK RI 6W $OSKRQVXV 1RYHQD &KXUFK

By Venessa Lee IMAGINE a household budget of less than $30 a month. For some of the 70,000 refugees in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, this has been a reality for years. The head of a refugee family in Tamil Nadu typically receives 400 Indian rupees ($10.80) a month from the authorities, said Fr Alexis Premkumar, former director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Tamil Nadu. Other adults and teens – that is, refugees above 12 years old – get 280 rupees a month, while children below 12 are allotted 180 rupees a month, he said. A refugee family of four, with young children, might receive around $28 per month. A child’s education could cost many times that, about 8,000 rupees per semester, noted the Jesuit priest, who is also known as Prem. Jesuit Refugee Service, an international organisation that includes JRS Singapore, serves about 500,000 of the world’s 43.7 million forcibly displaced people. This description that includes refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), who may be forced to move from one part of their country to another because of war or natural disasters. In Tamil Nadu, JRS helps refugees in the 114 refugee camps there, which house around 70,000 people, said Fr Prem, 45, who visited Singapore recently. These refugees are mostly ethQLF 7DPLOV ZKR ÀHG WKHLU KRPHV during the 25-year civil war in neighbouring Sri Lanka. The suffering of war victims war lingers on, years after the war ends. In the case of Sri Lanka, the government’s war against the rebel Tamil Tigers may have ended in May 2009, but many refugees – who often have ambiguous legal

‘

,Q VSLWH RI WKHLU ORQJ VWD\ LQ WKH FDPSV SHRSOH KDYH D ORW RI KRSH LQ OLIH

’

Âą )U $OH[LV 3UHPNXPDU

ÂżFLHQW´ VDLG )U 3UHP ZKR JDYH D talk about his work to members of JRS Singapore on July 2. “The camps are very very small in terms of the size of the houses, [which can be about] 10 feet by 10 feet (3.05 m). You can hear quarrels or music from next door, there’s no privacy,â€? said Fr Prem, adding that camp residents have to queue for water. Refugees’ movements are restricted and good jobs are scarce.

Aug 15: 6.45am, 6.30pm, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI WKH 5LVHQ &KULVW

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm, 12.45pm, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI &KULVW WKH .LQJ

Aug 15: 6.30am, 1.00pm, 6.15pm, 8.00pm SERANGOON DISTRICT &KXUFK RI WKH 1DWLYLW\ RI WKH %OHVVHG 9LUJLQ 0DU\

&KXUFK RI 6W 0LFKDHO

&KXUFK RI WKH ,PPDFXODWH +HDUW RI 0DU\

Aug 14: Assumption Sunset Mass 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 8.00pm “Government jobs are not available and private companies [sometimes] suspect the refugees are from the LTTEâ€?, short for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, as the rebels were formally called. Other companies may not be keen to hire refugees as they have to be back in camp by 6 pm, he said. The refugees tend to do menial jobs such as painting houses or serving as drivers. “They’re not allowed to go out of the state.â€? Those who previously trained in computer studies in college would be unable to work in Bangalore, India’s “Silicon Valleyâ€?, in neighbouring Karnataka state, said Fr Prem, who recently left his post in JRS Tamil Nadu after six years there. He was scheduled to take up his next position as project director in JRS Afghanistan at the end of July. “In spite of their long stay in the camps, in cramped housing, people have a lot of hope in life,â€? said Fr Prem. “They want their children to get educated. In the camps, there are more than 1,000 people doing tertiary level educaWLRQ 7KLV LV D KLJKHU ÂżJXUH WKDQ the local population.â€? JRS helps these refugees through advocacy, as well as providing emergency medical aid and education, including helping with scholarships. “We want them to be independent,â€? said Fr Prem, explaining how independence is encouraged by JRS paying part, and not all of the fees. Another crucial way is through accompaniment, said Fr Prem. This means “we participate in their joys, sorrows, celebrations, in marriage, death, baptism, festivals ‌ Their sufferings are eased. They feel more comfortable. In a way, they are consoledâ€?. „ For more information on refugees, visit www.jrssingapore.org

&KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 6WDU RI WKH 6HD

&KXUFK RI 6W %HUQDGHWWH

Aug 15: 6.30am, 7.00pm

status as stateless persons – have been in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu for more than 10 years. Fr Prem said “most of the refugees, around 50,000 people, came in 1990â€?, the year when renewed ÂżJKWLQJ HUXSWHG LQ ZKDW LV FDOOHG the second phase of the civil war. The 114 refugee camps are run by government and police personnel in Tamil Nadu. Refugees are provided with basics such as subsidies for rice, shelter and electricity. However, “it’s insuf-

Aug 15: 6.30am, 8.00pm

Aug 14: Assumption Sunset Mass 7.00pm (Mandarin) Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.30pm, 8.00pm

Aug 15: 6.30am, 12.15pm, 7.00pm

&16 ÂżOH SKRWR

&KXUFK RI 6W $QWKRQ\

EAST DISTRICT &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ )DPLO\

Aug 15: 6.15am, 1.00pm, 7.30pm

Aug 15: 6.15am, 6.15pm, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI 6W )UDQFLV ;DYLHU

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.30pm, 8.00pm 6W $QQHÂśV &KXUFK

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.15pm, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI 6W 9LQFHQW GH 3DXO

Aug 15: 7.00am, 6.00pm, 8.00pm

&KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 4XHHQ RI 3HDFH

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.30pm (Bi-lingual)

&KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ RI 3HUSHWXDO 6XFFRXU

Aug 15: 6.30am, 12.30pm, 6.00pm, 8.00pm

&KXUFK RI 6W 6WHSKHQ

Aug 15: 6.30am, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 7ULQLW\

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm, 8.00pm &KXUFK RI 'LYLQH 0HUF\

Aug 15: 6.30am, 1.00pm, 7.30pm NORTH DISTRICT 6W -RVHSK &KXUFK

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.30pm, 8.00pm

WEST DISTRICT &KXUFK RI 6W ,JQDWLXV

Aug 15: 7.00am, 6.00pm, 7.30pm %OHVVHG 6DFUDPHQW &KXUFK

Aug 15: 7.00am, 8.30am, 6.00pm, 7.30pm

&KXUFK RI 6W 0DU\ RI WKH $QJHOV

Aug 15: 6.55am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm, 8.15pm

&KXUFK RI 6W )UDQFLV RI $VVLVL

Aug 15: 6.30am, 7.00pm (Mandarin), 8.30pm &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ &URVV

Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm, 7.30pm (E) and 7.30pm (Mandarin Mass in St. Michael’s Rm)

22

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

23

24

Sunday August 14, 2011 CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

By Joe Sarnicola After answering questions from the scribes and Pharisees about what they referred to as “the tradition of the elders”, Jesus left that area and traveled to the region of Tyre and Sidon. When she had heard that Jesus was near, a Canaanite woman who lived in the region found Him and called out to Him, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus made no reply to her request. The disciples who were with Jesus said to Him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” Jesus said to them, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman persisted with her pleas to Jesus. She called to Him a

second time, “Lord, help me.” This time Jesus answered her. “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” The woman did not stop asking Jesus for His help: “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus looked directly at the woman and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And when he had said that, the woman’s daughter was healed immediately. Jesus proceeded up to the Sea of Galilee where he found a place to sit on the top of a mountain. Many people followed Jesus, bringing with them the sick or deformed or handicapped in some way, seeking the healing power of Jesus. Jesus showed compassion for

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Porcarius

Porcarius (d. 732) was the abbot of a very famous French abbey on an island off the coast of Provence. By the time Porcarius was the religious leader, more than 500 monks, novices and familiars were living there. In a vision, Porcarius was warned that a horde of barbarians would soon attack the abbey by sea. The abbot immediately put the young novices and boys, who were being educated at the abbey, on a ship and had them delivered to a safe place. Those who remained on the island prepared for death or imprisonment. These pirates, most likely from Spain or North Africa, did attack the abbey and killed everyone except for four people, who were forced into slavery. We honour the bravery of Porcarius and the other martyrs on Aug 12.

WORDSEARCH z Questions z Tyre z Scribes z Pharisees z Jesus z Canaanite z Daughter z Woman z Persisted

those who came to Him, and He healed them. When the people saw so many miracles of healing, they SUDLVHG DQG JORUL¿HG *RG Jesus knew that the people were hungry. They had been near Jesus for three days, and they had eaten little, if any, food during that time. Jesus told His disciples to bring to him whatever food they had or FRXOG ¿QG “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” they asked.

The disciples told Jesus that they had seven loaves of bread and D IHZ ¿VK Jesus gave thanks to God for the food and shared it with the people. At the end there were seven baskets of food scraps left over. Read more about it: Matthew 15 Q&A 1. What did Jesus say about the woman’s faith? 2. What did Jesus do with the bread DQG ¿VK"

Bible Accent: The woman who came to Jesus in today’s story was from Canaan, which is where modern-day Israel and Lebanon are. The ancient inhabitants of Canaan were farmers, merchants and traders. There was a man named Canaan in the Old Testament. He was the son of Ham and the grandson of Noah. The people of Israel at the time considered the people of Canaan (the Canaanites) as immoral worshippers of idols and false gods. So for Jesus to help a Canaanite woman was similar to the parable that Jesus told of the good Samaritan. The Jews of that day hated the Samaritans, yet it was a Samaritan who stopped to help a traveler who was beaten by robbers and left halfGHDG 7ZR -HZV ZKR VDZ WKH ZRXQGHG WUDYHOHU ¿UVW SDVVHG KLP E\ Even though the Canaanite woman was not a Jew, she had faith, and Jesus recognised that and healed her daughter.

Kid’s Club: Share your thoughts with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: Why is faith so important to our lives as Christians?

PUZZLE Using the letters only as often as they appear, how many books RI WKH %LEOH FDQ \RX ¿QG LQ WKH phrase: “A reading from the Gospel of Matthew”?

z Dogs z Sea Answers to Wordsearch:

Answers to Puzzle: Matthew, Amos, Daniel.

z Galilee

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday August 14, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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

LIVE-IN DIRECTED RETREAT 8pm (Fri) – 6pm (Wed): 5-day live-in retreat for those wanting to discern God’s will for them through mental prayer using the Bible, examination of consciousness, and spiritual direction. By Fr Paul Goh, SJ, and CISC spiritual directors. Cost: $175 (non-aircon); $300 (aircon). At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 64676072; F: 64687584; E:cisc2664@gmail.com

RCIY/RCIA A journey in faith for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Fridays from September 2 MANDARIN RCIA@CHURCH OF STS PETER & PAUL 7.30-9.30pm: At 225A Queen St. T: 6337 2585

Fridays FISHERS OF MEN NOVENA MINISTRY 7-9.45pm: Divine Mercy devotion with petition and thanksgiving prayers followed by fellowship and biblical/ spiritual movies. At Novena Church (Peter Donders Room). T: 8365 6728; E: ndavidik@hotmail.com; : KWWS ÂżVKHUVRPHQ#GRQXPFULVWL FRP FB: Fishers of Men Novena

August 20 HOMECOMING FOR CANOSSAVILLE CHILDREN’S HOME RESIDENTS AND STAFF Canossaville Children’s Home at Sallim Rd is on the lookout for ex-residents and ex-staff who have passed through its doors from 1941 onwards. The home is celebrating its 70th anniversary on Aug 20 and would like to meet up with them on that day. T: 6748 5777 (Judy/Florence); E: info@cch.org.sg

Angels. T: 6567 3866 (ext 126); E: aff@ stmary.sg; W: http://www.stmary.sg/laity Fridays August 12 to September 30 ST PAUL’S 1ST & 2ND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 7.30-9.30pm: 8 sessions by Msgr Eugene Vaz. Cost: $20. At Church of Lady of Loudes. T: 9007 6022; E: pastoral_admin@lourdes.sg

August 9 THE LIFE WORKSHOP 10.30am-5.30pm: A day of discussion and prayer, organised by young people for young people to explore the philosophical, theological, medical and psychological aspects of abortion with experts, Fr David Garcia, OP, and Dr Peter Chew, senior consultant of obstetrics and gynaecology and founder of aLife. At FMM House of Prayer (49 Holland Rd). T: 9147 9388 (David); E: stgiannasoc@gmail.com; W: http://www.stgianna.sg

August 21 FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE BVM 7pm: Mass, candlelight procession with rosary and Benediction. In Tamil. All are welcome. By St Joseph Tamil Group. At Blessed Sacrament Church.

August 13 HEALING GRIEF AND LOSS – EMBRACING LIFE! 9am-5.30pm Sr Carmen Francis, FMDM (pastoral counsellor) will present the grieving process, share ideas on how to manage emotions and give support to those who are grieving. Cost: $10 (with tea). At Catholic At Solomon Hall, Caritas Singapore (55 Waterloo Street, Catholic Welfare Centre, #09-03). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org

Wednesdays August 10 to September 28 GOSPEL OF MARK 7.45-945pm: By Fr Ambrose Vaz. Cost: $30. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Room A2-01). T: 9833 4623; E: andrew_loo_ts@yahoo.com.sg

August 21 CATHOLIC NURSES’ DAY MASS 5.30pm: An annual event in August to celebrate Nurses’ Day. Catholic nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are all welcome. Archbishop Nicholas Chia and Fr Johnson Fernandez will celebrate the Mass. At Church of Divine Mercy (19 Pasir Ris St 72). T: 9236 1047 (Theresa), 9487 2244 (Susan), 9623 7246 (Patsy); E: theresa_cheong@easb.edu.sg

August 13 NTU CATHOLIC STUDENTS APOSTOLATE SILVER JUBILEE 5.30-9.30pm: Cordially inviting all CSA alumni back for Mass and dinner, a time to relive wonderful memories. At Catholic Junior College. T: 9173 4501 (Leonard), 9220 1806 (Alycia); E: sji@ntu.edu.sg

Thursdays August 11 to August 25 SPIRITUALITY OF THE LAITY 8-10pm: Too many things to do? Too little time? Join Fr David Garcia and Lydia Lim for 3 sessions on Spirituality of the Laity to explore how to better integrate faith, life and work. At Church of St Mary of the

Tuesdays August 23 to November 7 LANDINGS 8-10pm: A 10-week welcoming programme for “returning� Catholics as and those wishing to renew and share their faith experience. At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Drive). T:

August 19 to 24 SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: A

Crossword Puzzle 1038 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

24 26 33

38

27 35

34

29

30

31

55

56

41 44

45

49

48

58

13

37

40

51 57

28

43

47

12

25

36

39

42

11

22

21

23

32

10

52 60

59

46 50

53

54

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Fellow 5 St. ______’s Fire 9 Eyed 14 First-class 15 Cut of meat 16 Serious wrongdoing 17 Liver hors d’oeuvre 18 Otherwise 19 Strange and mysterious 20 Triumphs 22 Skirt folds 23 Snakes 24 Astir 26 “Vaya con _____� 28 Skin care items 32 TV frequency 35 Symbol of hope

37 38 40 41 42 43 46 47 49 51 53 57 60 62

A queen of Jordan Slav Rank Exodus insect Jai ______ ______ Creed Exclamation of surprise Pretentious nonsense Papal see Enjoyed Hindu Preserver _______ candle Cold weather coat Vestment worn under the alb 63 Undoing 64 ______ Spumanti

65 Tooth 6LWH RI ÂżUVW PLUDFOH 67 _______ presence in the Eucharist 68 Voting sites &HUWDLQ DIÂżUPDWLYH votes 70 Not bright DOWN 1 _______ magna (episcopal cape) 2 Accumulate 3 Put in a stake 4 Annoyed 5 Kyrie _______ 6 Recline in a relaxed manner

7 “Ite, _______ est.â€? 8 â€œâ€Ś ____, holy, catholic

and apostolic‌â€? 9 Spotted wildcat 10 Salutation 11 Former monetary unit of Italy 12 Send forth 13 Barely passing grades 21 Opera highlight 22 ________ box 25 St. Therese the Little ________ 27 Biblical occupation 29 O’Neill’s daughter +H VXUYLYHG WKH Ă€RRG 31 Span. lass 32 Mil. branch 33 The Inferno 34 Berlin Mrs. 36 Second of IHS 39 Pertaining to Scripture 43 Cook in the microwave (slang) 44 Certain prayer sets 45 Islamic chieftain 48 Sundry 50 Steep bank under a rampart 52 Version of the Bible 54 First of the twelve Minor Prophets 55 Pertaining to birth 56 Useful 57 Repair 58 Melville work 59 â€œâ€Śand there was no one to ________ the groundâ€? (Gn 2:5) 61 “I am the _________, you are the branches.â€? (Jn 15:5) 63 Color TV pioneer

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1037 A S S T

C L U E

T U G S

A L A P A

R O M A N

I C I N G

O M N I

R O A D

B A I L

I R A T E I N D E L I B L E

I N S O R N A M E E O L O R L I A B A S L A A M P I S C A E L S M

E D E N

T E S T S

D E B T S

N O A H

R U S E

A L E E

S S A W S A S D E E D D E L L I T N R G I P B I G E L I A V T E E S

I A G O

N I N O

S L I M

A F O O T

T E N O R

E R O D E

T I L T

E L L E

S A Y S

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

9750 3998 (Steven), 9668 2391 (Lilian); E: landings@bsc.org.sg August 27 CATHOLIC SINGLES JB DAY TRIP 9am-6pm: One-day JB shopping and food trip. For fellowship and friendship. Meeting point at Woodlands MRT McDonalds. E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com August 27 TEACHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION 3-6pm: Eucharistic celebration followed by reception. By Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools. At SJI International (490 Thomson Rd). T: 6858 7080; E: accs@catholic.org.sg August 27 EAST DISTRICT YOUTH RALLY: ROOTED IN CHRIST 6.30-10pm: Biennial East District Youth Day 2011. Theme: Rooted in Christ. Join the East District youth ministries in the celebration of Mass. Ages 15-35 welcome. Event is open to non-East District Catholics too. At Church of Divine Mercy (19 Pasir Ris St 72). E: contact@edyd.org; W: http://www.edyd.org/register.html September 2 to 8 DISCIPLESHIP AS EXPERIENCED IN LUKE’S GOSPEL Live-in retreat by Fr Anto Vattachuzy, CMI. At Good Shepherd Oasis (790 Thomson Rd). E: ldt@gsosingapore.org September 9 to 11 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE (BE) WEEKEND A weekend away for a lifetime of change for the widowed, divorced, separated. Work through the grief and put the past EHKLQG EH KHDOHG ¿QG QHZ KRSH LQ life, and be free to love oneself, God and others. At Lifesprings Spirituality Centre (100 Jalan Merbok). T: 9661 8089 (Joseph), 9828 5162 (Jean), 9647 9122 (Sue); E: Email:josephchew@ippfa.com September 10 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: All are welcome. At Armenian

Church of St Gregory (60 Hill Street). For information on Taize, visit http:// www.taize.fr/en_article9687.html. E: bennycah@gmail.com September 12 to 16 SYNOPTICS & JOHN’S GOSPELS IN SPIRITUAL COMPANIONSHIP 7-9.30pm: Discovering through the Gospels, how Jesus journeyed with others. By Fr Anto Vattachuzy, CMI. At Good Shepherd Oasis (790 Thomson Rd). E: ldt@gsosingapore.org September 16 to 18 CONTEMPLATION TO ATTAIN DIVINE LOVE: A DIRECTED RETREAT 8pm (Fri) – 6pm (Sun): Delve prayerfully into the great gifts you have received from God: creation, redemption, and personal gifts, and wonder at how God works in them. By CISC spiritual directors. Cost: $70 (non-aircon); $120 (aircon). At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 64676072; F: 64687584; E:cisc2664@gmail.com September 24 UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA 9am-12.30pm: Psychological trauma can affect a person for years. Following events such as violence, accidents and betrayals, the human mind reacts in a way to protect the person. Dr Christopher Cheok will discuss the nature of traumatic memories, post traumatic stress disorder and how to overcome them. Cost: $10. By Clarity Singapore. At National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, MPH 1 (6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-88 The Central). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org September 24 NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP 10am-4pm: By Sr Rosalia Yeo, FDCC. At Lifesprings Spirituality Centre (100 Jalan Merbok). T: 6466 2178; E: lifsprng@singnet.com.sg

28

ADVERTISEMENT

Sunday August 14, 2011 CatholicNews

PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.