Catholic News issue 3, 2017

Sunday february 5, 2017

SINGAPORE $0.70 cents / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

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PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Vol 67

No. 03

Inside PARISH FEATURE A look at the Church of the Holy Trinity n Page 14

WORLD

Trump’s presidential inauguration Church leaders urge consideration for marginalised n Page 19

POPE FRANCIS Members of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church hold placards displaying 12 sins that have caused Christian division on Jan 20.

Sins causing Christian division highlighted at unity services

By Jared Ng Discrimination, intolerance and pride. These were some of the sins causing Christian division which were visually highlighted during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Jan 18-25.

Other sins were lack of love, hate and contempt, false accusation, persecution, broken communion, religious wars, division, abuse of power and isolation.

At the Mar Thoma Syrian Church on Jan 20, placards were used to display each sin.

At the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Jan 18, these sins were displayed on white boxes and lined up to form a wall.

“Christian unity is a gift of the Holy Spirit,” said Msgr Philip Heng in his homily on Jan 18.

“Our task as Christians is to accept

this gift and make it visible to all,” he said, during the first of three services organised by the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED).

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity had the theme Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us. Msgr Heng encouraged participants to “respect one another, pray and work together for the service of the poor and needy.

This way, our faith can be a sign of hope and truth to the world.”

During a segment encouraging reconciliation between Christians, the sins displayed on white boxes were laid in the form of a cross.

The act symbolised lifting up the various sins to God and asking Him for help to heal Christian division. n Continued on Page 15

Coming up: bishops’ meeting on youth Young people urged to submit their views n Page 21

FOCUS

Prayer and good health How faith and wellness go together n Page 23

BACK PAGE

Care for couples Pope on need for Church to accompany couples n Page 28

Participants of the Jan 18 service at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd pass on the flame of a lighted candle to symbolise Christ, the light of the world.

Christian unity is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Our task as ‘ Christians is to accept this gift and make it visible to all. ’

– Msgr Philip Heng

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Cathedral releases programme for Dedication Mass, days of celebration The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, being the “Mother Church” of the archdiocese, will celebrate her dedication on Tues, Feb 14, at 7 pm.

This celebration is more than consecrating the building of a cathedral. It is a historic event for our archdiocese as we are celebrating the 120th anniversary of the cathedral’s consecration on Feb 14, 1897. This celebration is an archdiocesan celebration; a celebration of all Catholics in our archdiocese because we all belong to our “Mother Church”.

The cathedral is the Mother Church because she gave “birth” to all the other 31 Catholic churches in the archdiocese. As everyone in the archdiocese is rightly called to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event, all evening Masses on the day of the dedication have been cancelled so that more can join.

This celebration and joy will span an additional 12 days to provide ample opportunity for Catholics from all over the archdiocese to be part of this event.

Dedication rites The dedication of a church, more so a cathedral of an archdiocese, is a very solemn celebration. The rite begins with the entrance into the church followed by the sprinkling of the church and the people (who are the spiritual temples), then the walls of the church, and finally, the altar.

After the Liturgy of the Word, the Litany of the Saints is sung followed by the depositing of the relics of a martyr (St Laurent Imbert) and St Francis Xavier. This ritual denotes the fact that the sacrifice of the members has its source in the sacrifice of the head, and that the sacrifice of the Mass is always enjoined to the communion of saints followed by the Rites of Anointing.

By virtue of the anointing with chrism, the altar becomes a symbol of Christ “The Anointed One”. Incensation, covering and lighting of the altar are symbols of the prayer of the Church and her mission to be light to the nations.

When the altar has been prepared, the bishop celebrates the first Eucharist upon the newly dedicated altar, which is the principal and integral part of the rite of the dedication of a church. This is so because the altar is the symbol of Christ, the “keystone” of the Church built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20)

12 days of celebration Biblically, these 12 days of celebration symbolise the fullness and completeness of the celebration; the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 apostles. These celebrations will begin with each of the five district parishes hosting their “district Masses” at 7.30 pm each night,

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd will hold its Dedication Mass on Feb 14 at 7 pm. There will also be an additional 12 days of celebration at the cathedral to allow Catholics from all over the archdiocese to be part of this joyous occasion.

The cathedral is the Mother Church because she gave “birth” to all the other Catholic churches in the archdiocese.

Everyone in the archdiocese is called to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Archbishop Goh will preside over the Dedication Mass and other activities during the days of celebration.

through a celebration of a distinct theme of the Good Shepherd.

Before the final blessing at these Masses, cathedral rector Msgr Philip Heng will welcome and present the cathedral’s pastoral vision and mission, and encourage everyone in the archdiocese to unite and build the archdiocese into a “vibrant” Church envisioned

by Archbishop William Goh. n Wed, Feb 15: The first of the “district parishes Mass” is hosted by the City District. The Good Shepherd theme taken up is Hospitality. The Good Shepherd invites us personally into a relationship with Him, that we too become more like Him. Hospitality is a doorway for us to help others hear that they are each called by name and be welcomed into the sheepfold. n Thurs, Feb 16: The Serangoon District celebrates Mass with the theme of Mercy. Through baptism, Jesus (the Gate), we are offered the gift of protection and pasture by the Good Shepherd. We likewise share God’s

compassionate love with others. n Fri, Feb 17: The North District celebrates Mass with the theme of Generosity. This theme emphasises the Father’s desire and will (John 3:16) to embrace and restore His creation to fullness. The Good Shepherd will lead all to green pastures; follow Him; listen with a big heart. n Sat, Feb 18: Young people take centrestage. The archdiocese’s Office for Young People (OYP) will gather at the cathedral from 7.30 pm until midnight for praise and worship, adoration and confession, and prayer ministry. The theme is Welcome to the Father’s House. Archbishop Goh, who holds a special place in his heart for the young, will address them at 9.30 pm. Please bring your friends along n Sun, Feb 19: A day of celebration when our Mother Church reminds and renews us to live the Gospel of Christ’s preferential love for the poor and needy.

To witness to this social mission commitment of our archdiocese, the 5.30 pm Mass presided by Archbishop Goh will focus on Mercy and Compassion.

This Mass and the exhibition that follows will see the participation of archdiocesan social mission organisations represented by Caritas and its affiliates. At 12.30

pm, the cathedral’s Social Mission Ministry will distribute the weekly lunch packs to the poor and needy. n Mon, Feb 20: The East District celebrates Mass with the theme of Compassion. All people desire and feel deeply to be known and valued. Inspired by the Good Shepherd, we are called to value each person, not so much by their achievements and usefulness, but by seeking to know them personally and intimately. n Tues, Feb 21: The West District celebrates Mass with the theme of Witness and Service.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd “sends” us forth to the other sheep that “do not belong to His fold”. He commissions us to continue in His mission of building communities that are modelled after His heart that longs to save all people. n Wed, Feb 22: Msgr Heng will give a talk and lead a reflection on Spirituality from 7.30 pm to 9 pm. He will focus on surrendering our lives to the Good Shepherd so that we will be strengthened in our resolve to grow in His love regardless of the challenges we face, in the daily living of our faith. He will also introduce some basic “insights” on how to live a more discerning life. n Thurs, Feb 23: The “Catholics Come Home” Mass at 7.30 pm will be a call for all Catholics

who have been “away” from the Church to “come home”. This Mass is coordinated by the Cathedral Working Adults Committee and presided by Archbishop Goh. All Catholics are encouraged to bring a friend to this Mass, especially someone who has stopped coming to church. The theme for the Mass will be Comfort and Assurance. Following the Mass, from 9 pm to 10 pm, there will be briefing for small groups on Eucharistic Adoration and a tour and reflection on the Cathedral Landscape Gardens. n Fri, Feb 24: There will be a Mass at 7.30 pm presided by Msgr Francis Lau to celebrate God’s gift of the family, the Cradle of Faith and Love. This is in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family (ACF) and other organisations associated with the family, and has the theme of Communion and Fulfilment. The Good Shepherd leads us to pasture where we find life and are able to be life-giving. Starting from the person, marriages, the domestic church and Christian communities, we offer pasture to others.

During the whole celebration, all are invited to the cathedral’s Fr J M Beurel Centre (at the annex) where there will be a gallery of art pieces on display, including the talents of 12-year-old Ashley Tan, and others. All proceeds go to the archdiocesan GIFT campaign fund. Please do bring your families to this celebration. n Sat, Feb 25: Archbishop Goh will hold a Special Mass for Aged & Sick from 11 am-12.30 pm, with the anointing of the elderly and sick. This will be organised by the cathedral’s Pastoral Care Ministry and other archdiocesan organisations and homes who serve these people in need.

The theme of the day is Come all ye who are Weary, with the Good Shepherd theme of Peace and Consolation. The Good Shepherd “embraces and consoles” us in our needs, and we are also called to embrace the mystery of the crosses of our lives, and through them grow in holiness, as willed by God our Father. n Sunday, Feb 26: Archbishop Goh will preside over the Dedication Closing Mass at 5.30 pm, followed by a candlelight procession of the Blessed Sacrament. This special Mass is to bring together the 12 days of celebration and to reaffirm and cherish our history, renew our commitment to build a vibrant Church in our archdiocese, and walk into the future in the new light of Christ, our Good Shepherd. n Submitted by the cathedral of the good shepherd

No parking at the cathedral on Feb 14 (Dedication Mass) and Feb 26 (Closing Mass). On all other days, parking will depend on availability only. For more information, visit www.cathedral.catholic.sg

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Members of legal profession find ‘Red Mass’ a boost to faith The Catholic Lawyers Guild (CLG) marked 15 years of service to the Church in Singapore with its annual “Red Mass” at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul on Jan 11.

In his homily, Msgr Philip Heng reminded the 150 members of the legal profession present that although they were intrinsically all good people graced with the gift of faith, they must always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their respective vocations.

Faith demands mission and witness, he said, and the challenge for the CLG beyond its 15th anniversary is to conform its members and those it serves more and more into the image and likeness of Christ.

The highlight of the Mass was Msgr Heng’s invitation to partici-

pants to come forward and pray the Prayer to St Thomas More, patron saint of the legal profession. He then laid hands on them and invoked the Holy Spirit to fill them all with His sanctifying gifts and blessings.

During the offertory, together with the gifts of bread and wine, a lawyer’s court robe and scales of justice were also brought to the altar.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, who brought the gift of bread to the altar, said he found the Mass uplifting and encouraging. He thought it was wonderful to see so many members of the legal profession there seeking God’s blessing for their work in the administration of justice.

Solicitor-General Kwek Mean Luck, who brought the gift of

CORRECTION: In the story on Page 2 under the headline, Strengthening Religious Unity, (CN Jan 22), the caption for the second photo referred to Mr Pua Luck Kheng as a Taoist. The Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue has clarified that he is a Buddhist.

Msgr Philip Heng invoking the Holy Spirit’s blessing upon the legal fraternity during the Red Mass on Jan 11.

wine, said the Red Mass reminded him that in the midst of all the busyness of life, especially professional life, one’s faith in God is at the centre of it all.

“The Red Mass was a very good opportunity for Catholic lawyers from all levels to meet and get to know one another,” commented Mr Leon Vincent Chan, 24, a law student at the National University of Singapore.

It is “incredibly inspirational for us students, because it gives us role models, not only of the profession, but of the faith, to look up to”, he added.

CLG president, Senior Counsel Jimmy Yim, announced at the dinner reception after Mass that CLG handled 140 cases in 2016

through its pro bono legal clinics held twice a week.

However, the number is expected to grow exponentially in the future, and he appealed for more lawyers to step forward “as an outward expression of faith” to provide legal help for the needy

The Red Mass ‘is incredibly inspirational for us students, because it gives us role models, not only of the profession, but of the faith, to look up to’.

– Law student Leon Vincent Chan

and marginalised, particularly in the prison service and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People (ACMI) The “Red Mass” is celebrated specially for those involved in the administration of the law or who intend to do so. The first recorded “Red Mass” was celebrated in 1245 in Paris. In England, the tradition began about 1310 when the entire Bench and Bar attended the Red Mass at the beginning of each legal year. The Mass was celebrated in honour of the Holy Spirit, for which red vestments were worn.

For more information on the Catholic Lawyers Guild, call 6801-7494 or email admin@ clgsingapore.com. n

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BUILDING THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW 5

6 O Level feature

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Student recovers from brain haemorrhage to ace exams

By Jared Ng Choo Yi Yang had his sights on doing a diploma in animation in poly. However, his dream hit a snag when he suffered a brain haemorrhage in June last year.

The former Hai Sing Catholic School student told CatholicNews he was busy preparing for his Olevels when it occurred. He had taken MC for the day as he felt unwell. “It started with a really painful headache. After that everything was a blur,” recalled Yi Yang. “I remember seeing my parents and telling them I loved them.”

His mother, Mrs Choo Huay Lang, shared that the haemorrhage was caused by arteriovenous malformation (AVM) – a congenital condition that indicates that the arteries and veins in the brain are not properly formed, which can lead to clots and burst vessels.

“He [Yi Yang] complained of headaches in the past but none was as bad as that day,” said Mrs Choo, 53. He was admitted to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and later the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) where he underwent brain surgery.

When his form teachers, Mr Mukmien Bin Mohammad Kassim and Ms Ho Hui Ying, heard what had happened, they informed Yi Yang’s classmates of what had happened. “You could sense the

sadness in class when they came to school the next day,” said Mr Mukmien, who added that his class was “close-knit and jovial”.

In all, Yi Yang missed about five weeks of school to recover from surgery.

To show their support, Hai Sing Catholic School arranged a bus for Yi Yang’s classmates to visit him in KKH. There, they presented him with encouraging messages and prayed for him. “Seeing them all around me, smiling and cheering me up gave me the boost I needed,” shared Yi Yang. He returned to school in August.

According to Mrs Choo, former Hai Sing Catholic School principal Judina Cheong played a significant role in assisting Yi Yang academically after his operation. “She advised us on the different options that Yi Yang could take and assured us of the school’s support in helping him reach his goal,” said Mrs Choo.

One step the school made was to move Yi Yang’s class from the fourth storey to the first as he tired easily from climbing the stairs.

On his part, Yi Yang made the

Former Hai Sing Catholic School student Choo Yi Yang, who had a brain haemorrhage while preparing for the Olevels, seen here with his form teachers Mr Mukmien Bin Mohammad Kassim and Ms Ho Hui Ying.

decision to drop Biology as he felt he needed time to focus on other subjects.

Ms Ho, who taught Yi Yang Additional Mathematics, recalled his determination. “There were days when you could see he was really tired but he never took a day of MC. He was really determined to make up for lost time,” she said.

The incident made Yi Yang all the more determined to pick up from where he left off after the surgery. He attended an interview with Nanyang Polytechnic after his surgery under the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) and was told he would secure himself a spot in their animation diploma course if he had an aggregate of 26 points or less.

There were days when you could see he was ‘really tired but he never took a day of MC.’

– Ms Ho Hui Ying, one of Yi Yang’s form teachers

Yi Yang (carrying balloon) with his classmates when they paid him a visit at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital during his recovery from brain surgery.

“I was initially worried if I could actually do it. I felt weak and had missed so many weeks of school,” Yi Yang said.

So he was “ecstatic” when he found out he scored A1s for English, Humanities, Combined Sciences and Pure Geography; A2 for Additional Mathematics; and a B3 for Elementary Mathematics.

His advice to those who may be going through a similar situation: “Listen to your body and know your limits. Yet at the same time, don’t be afraid to reach for your goals. Most importantly, amid the busyness of life, do your best to enjoy the simple things.” n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Overcoming his physical limitations to score well Born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Jordan Ashley Augustin, 18, experiences progressive degeneration of his muscles.

Day to day tasks such as going to the toilet, writing and even raising his hand to ask questions prove a challenge for him. The progressive weakening of his physical well-being made attending long lessons difficult.

In spite of these challenges, the former St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) student, who uses a wheelchair, persevered and scored 14 points for the O-level examinations.

Jordan, whose father is Joe Augustin, a professional emcee, presentation coach and podcaster, was unable to use the regular desks in class and had to have a custom-made one.

Before SJI underwent renovation at its Malcolm Road campus, he could not join his class in the hall, nor go up to the science labs on the upper floors as there were

no lifts in the old buildings then.

In the holding school in Bishan, he was exempted from doing science practicals.

Jordan also had trouble with Chinese due to the rigour of memorising and writing Chinese characters.

All these complications took a toll on Jordan’s grades. He was also getting slower in his work because writing and sitting up for long hours were tiring for him. Physically, he relied on his classmates to help him in taking the lift, buying food, and the unpacking and packing of his bag everyday in school.

In Sec 3, Jordan’s grades slipped and although he had the opportunity to be promoted to Sec 4, he decided to repeat the year upon the advice of his parents.

“We were afraid his foundation wouldn’t be strong enough if he went up to Sec 4,” Mrs Adele Augustin, Jordan’s mother, told CatholicNews.

Jordan Ashley Augustin, who scored 14 points for his O-level exams, seen with here his parents Joe Augustin, a professional emcee, his mother, Adele, and sister Lauren.

She added that Jordan was initially disappointed as he would no longer be in the same class as his

classmates but “in the end, he was okay with it.”

Jordan attended all the extra

classes provided by his teachers, as well as night study sessions organised by the school.

He also began using the computer for long essays and was given extra time during the exams so that he could take short breaks during papers.

His family credits Jordan’s teachers, Mr Andrew Martin and Mr Karl Lee, for “pushing and motivating” Jordan.

Mr Andrew was Jordan’s math teacher and Mr Lee taught him Chinese.

On his part, Jordan persevered and never let his disability get in the way. He hopes to pursue the information security and forensics course in Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

His advice to students with special needs: “Don’t be shy to get all the support you need. Whether it be from your parents, friends or teachers, they’re all there to help you. Don’t give up too easily!” n Submitted by SJI

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‘She’s my eyes, I’m her ears’

Former CHIJ classmates with disabilities share how their friendship helped them for O levels If I couldn’t see ‘ the words very well,

By Jared Ng One is visually impaired while the other suffers from hearing loss.

However, through each other’s support and encouragement, Leah Tee and Laura Lee scored six and five distinctions respectively for their O-level examinations.

Having been classmates since Primary 1, the former CHIJ Secondary students have always had each other’s back in school.

“We spend a lot of time studying together,” said Laura, who was born with moderate hearing loss in both ears.

Leah concurred, “We’re pretty close. She’s my eyes, and I’m her ears.”

Leah, who is colour-blind, has cone dystrophy – a term used to describe a group of rare eye disorders that affect the retina. It can cause a variety of symptoms including decreased visual clarity, a reduced ability to see colours and an increased sensitivity to light.

She told CatholicNews that she sometimes found it difficult to make out the words on the whiteboard despite sitting in front of her class. And because of her colour blindness, she had trouble doing Chemistry practical tests which often requires students to distinguish chemical solutions based on colour.

“If I couldn’t see the words very well, Laura would help by lending me her notes or telling me what they were,” shared Leah.

For Laura, “Sometimes I would miss out on certain words if the teacher was speaking really fast, so Leah would repeat them for me.”

They both shared that their fellow classmates and teachers would assist them with their work if they had any difficulty.

Their form teachers, Mrs Wendy Lee and Mr Tristan Fernandez, commended the two students for their “determination and maturity.”

“Although they had challenges, they took the onus upon themselves to study hard and at the same time, look out for one another,” said Mrs Lee. Mr Fernandez called their special friendship an “instinctive connection”.

The girls “were always participative and their synergy was really inspiring.” he said.

The two girls’ friendship went beyond their school life.

Both Catholics, they shared how their faith grew through journeying with one another.

During the final few days before the O-level results were released, the two girls went for confession and attended weekday Masses for three days straight.

“We both felt super worried about our results. Going to church in a way helped calm our nerves,”

Laura would help by lending me her notes or telling me what they were.’

– Leah Tee, who is visually impaired

Sometimes I would ‘miss out on certain words if the teacher was speaking really fast, so Leah would repeat them for me.’

– Laura Lee, who has hearing loss

Leah Tee (left), who is visually impaired, and Laura Lee, who has hearing loss, have been classmates since Primary 1.

said Leah, who is part of the choir ministry in the Church of the Risen Christ and also in school.

Laura, a parishioner at the Church of the Holy Spirit, recalled an occasion when she received spiritual encouragement from Leah.

“I had trouble sleeping a few days before the results came out. I remember talking to Leah and she reminded me about my faith and to trust in God’s plan,” said Laura.

She also credited the school for “organising retreats and Masses which helped to expand my faith”.

Their advice to others going through a similar situation: “It’s important to surround yourself with a healthy, supportive

network of friends and know that you’re not alone,” said Laura.

Leah said, “It really is down to effort and how hard you want to work for your goals.”

Without consulting one another, the two girls applied for St Joseph’s Institution as their top choice and are “hopeful” they can be schoolmates again.

Now during their free time, they watch movies and share meals together in one another’s home.

“Leah would always introduce new movies for us to watch!”

Laura said with a laugh. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Marymount Convent returns to former site, holds Mass, blessing ceremony

Marymount Convent School students singing during the Mass, held in their school hall.

Archbishop William Goh blessing the grounds of Marymount Convent School on Jan 13.

By Jared Ng Staff and students of Marymount Convent School had every reason to celebrate as the new school year began.

After two years of upgrading works, during which the school functioned at a holding site in Toa Payoh, they returned to spanking new facilities at the school’s former site on Marymount Road.

And on Jan 13, Archbishop William Goh and five priests celebrated a special Mass to mark the opening of the school year and conducted a blessing ceremony for the school.

“Be grateful for what you have received from your teachers,” he told the primary school girls during his homily. “What your teach-

ers have given you, you must return to others with service, love and charity,” he said.

To the school staff gathered for the Mass, Archbishop Goh told them that “an integral part of school life is the work of education and formation”. However, “educators must also be mentors to the young children – to lead with love and care so that they too may do the same in the future.”

The celebration, which was also attended by students’ parents, saw the unveiling of a new school plaque and a thank-you

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speech by principal Allison Lim. Archbishop Goh and the priests present then proceeded to bless the various parts of the school.

Mrs Lim told CatholicNews she was grateful to those who had supported Marymount Convent School.

“We are filled with gratitude for the support received from parents, the Good Shepherd Sisters, alumni members and all others involved.

Today is truly a blessing from God.” The school’s new and upgraded facilities include an indoor sports hall, a gym and three additional blocks housing special rooms such

What your teachers have given you, you must return to others with service, love and charity.

’

– Archbishop William Goh to the students

The upgraded school, located along Marymount Road.

as a dance studio and band room.

Marymount Convent School was officially opened in 1958 by the Good Shepherd Sisters.

The Religious congregation was founded by St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in France.

The school was one of the congregation’s first projects in Singapore after its nuns came here in 1940. Today, it is a place of ed-

ucation for about 1,200 students.

The school is organising a homecoming dinner on July 31 for past and present students in conjunction with its 60th anniversary.

For more information, contact the school at 6256-6701. For alumnae, email seewah@gmail.com or mhale7655@yahoo.com. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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CTIS, seminary start new academic year The Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) and St Francis Xavier Major Seminary celebrated their 2017 Inauguration Mass on Jan 12. The annual mass marks the beginning of the academic year for the two entities.

In his homily, CTIS rector Fr James Yeo stressed the necessity for all the baptised to engage the world with a rational faith. He said that dialogue is an indispensable skill for modern Christian disciples in a religiously plural society, and this would not be possible without good intellectual formation.

The Mass, held at the Catholic Centre on Waterloo St, also saw the CTIS and seminary lecturers present pledging their adherence to teaching the faith responsibly as guided by the Church magisterium.

About 130 members of the Catholic academic community attended the Mass, comprising students, seminarians, Religious, lecturers, board members and staff of CTIS and the seminary. n

Lecturers from the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore and St Francis Xavier Major Seminary pledge their adherence to teaching the faith responsibly during a Mass on Jan 12.

Archbishop: in social work, understand those you serve

Fr Jose Pedro Libano and members of the Catholic Business Network celebrate a thanksgiving Mass on Jan 14.

Working in the marketplace is a ‘call to sainthood’ The New Year started off on a prayerful note for members and friends of the Catholic Business Network (CBN) as the organisation celebrated its very first thanksgiving Mass on Jan 14.

About 120 people gathered at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd’s Heritage Centre for the Mass celebrated by Opus Dei priest, Fr Jose Pedro Libano.

“We are called to work in the marketplace and this is our call to sainthood,” Fr Libano told the crowd.

“Today most people are looking for affirmation from outside, e.g. people posting on Facebook and waiting for friends to click ‘like’. Jesus wants us to seek Him first, then family and then friends,” said the priest, a former civil engineer from Portugal.

Ms Roslind Lazar, a working mother who attended the event with her three children, concurred with Fr Libano. “As Fr Libano said in his homily, don’t look for how many ‘likes’ on Facebook. Rather give to God everything; only His ‘like’ matters,” she said during the buffet dinner which followed.

According to CBN, 2017 promises to be a busy year for the organisation as it prepares to organise various initiatives.

These include a Lenten retreat in March, small group formation across business districts, the continuation of its My Journey series in which leading professionals and business leaders share about living their faith in the workplace, and the bi-annual Christ@Work conference in November featuring renowned speakers and thought leaders. n

It is essential for those involved in social work to be involved actively with their beneficiaries, to truly understand their struggles and limitations, said Archbishop William Goh. “When we begin to listen to their woes, we begin to understand … When you understand people, you never judge,” he said.

Archbishop Goh made these comments during Caritas Singapore’s annual Mass held on Jan 14 at Agape Village. The Mass was held in thanksgiving for the blessings that Caritas received in 2016 in its social mission work.

Speaking to 186 people from various fields of social work, Archbishop Goh urged them to look to the example of Jesus as a model of inclusiveness in their social ministry. “Jesus was sitting among the tax collectors. Why? Because, He went there to give hope,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to those involved in social mission work for their commitment and service. “Thank you for bringing hope to humanity, giving life to others and to give them encouragement, because this is what our ministry is all about,” he said in his homily.

“So as you serve, call others to join you. That is what we are called to do,” he told the crowd, which included volunteers, representatives of Caritas’ member or-

Archbishop William Goh celebrating Caritas Singapore’s annual Mass at Agape Village.

ganisations and members of other social services.

During the Mass, Caritas chairman Janet Ang shared some of the organisation’s activities and achievements in the past year.

She noted that Caritas was among the first recipients of the inaugural Charity Transparency Awards in 2016.

Caritas Share-A-Pot programme was also conceived last year in collaboration with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, as part of a

community-based outreach programme to provide good nutrition to vulnerable elders.

Ms Ang also welcomed Mount Alvernia Hospital to the Caritas Singapore family, after the hospital joined Caritas as its 25th member organisation last year. The Mount Alvernia outreach medical and dental clinic was recently set up on the second level of Agape Village in Toa Payoh to serve low-income families. n

‘As you serve,

call others to join you.’

– Archbishop Goh

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Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Parish’s programme aims at deepening spirituality Jared Ng looks at this and other features of the Church of the Holy Trinity in this ongoing parish series Stained glass panels that detail Bible stories, a vibrant kindergarten and a programme centred on reigniting the faith in parishioners.

These are some of the interesting features of the Church of the Holy Trinity, located in Tampines.

Parish Renewal Experience The parish has conducted the Parish Renewal Experience many times. More commonly known as the PRE, it aims at giving participants the opportunity to reflect upon their faith and to discover areas in which one can grow.

“It is about the sharing of one’s spiritual life. The people come to be evangelised so that they may do the same to others,” said parish priest Fr Edward Lim, 63.

According to him, the PRE is held over four days (usually from a Thursday to Sunday) and consists of talks, Bible studies and reflection, praise and worship, and fellowship.

It is usually held twice a year and will end with a social outing involving all participants and organisers.

The PRE also provides an opportunity for all church ministries to work together in areas such as logistics, food and assisting with the execution of the programme.

The last PRE was held in November 2016. “Usually about 50 to 60 people attend,” said Fr Edward.

He added, “Most of the participants end up joining the various parish ministries such as the choir or lectors.”

Stained glass panels The stained glass panels found in the main church depict 14 different Bible stories – seven from the Old Testament and seven from the new.

These include depictions of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, the Annunciation, the Birth of Christ

The 14 stained glass panels depicting various Bible stories can be found in the main church.

I hope the parish ‘ will continue to look into the deepening of the spiritual life and mission of its people.

’

– Fr Edward Lim, who will be posted to the Church of the Risen Christ in April.

Parish demographics

The Parish Renewal Experience aims to allow participants reflect upon their faith and areas in which they can grow.

and Jesus’ first miracle performed at the wedding in Cana.

According to the parish’s 25th anniversary magazine, the panels were imported from an Italian firm and designed by Alessandro Grassi.

Holy Trinity kindergarten On weekdays, children can be seen running around and playing on the church premises.

The Church of the Holy Trin-

ity Kindergarten has about 250 kids, comprising different races and religions, under its care.

One thing that is encouraged in the kindergarten is “teaching religion. Knowing the faith and learning to pray,” said Fr Edward.

Since mid-2015, K2 children have visited Apex Harmony Lodge (AHL) – a purpose-built home for persons with dementia – to spend time with the residents as part of their curriculum.

Fr Edward Lim served in the parish from 1990-1997 and returned in 2009.

The kids engage the residents through various activities such as arts and craft sessions, Lego games and singing.

According to principal Shirley Tan, the aim this year is to integrate some lesson plans with the home.

“We share our objectives with them [AHL] and they do the same.

Through this, our lessons become more value-added and the children can bring to the residents what they learnt in class,” said Ms Tan.

The parish serves about 9,000 people. Of that number, about 40 percent are foreigners, said Fr Edward.

On April 23, Fr Edward will be posted to the Church of the Risen Christ where he will be parish priest.

Fr Frederick Quek, currently serving in the Church of St Anthony, will take over at the Church of Holy Trinity.

“I hope the parish will continue to look into the deepening of the spiritual life and mission of its people,” Fr Edward said.

For more information on the parish, visit http://www.holytrinity.org.sg/ n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

History of the church

The Church of the Holy Trinity, located in Tampines, was officially blessed and opened on Oct 28, 1990.

The building of the church was spearheaded by Fr Paul Tay. According to the parish’s 25th anniversary magazine, before any construction took place, Fr Paul and his team visited Catholics around the neighbourhood to form the community for the new church.

The Church of the Holy Trinity was officially blessed and opened on Oct 28, 1990,

by Archbishop Gregory Yong.

It became the 30th Catholic Church in Singapore.

Only two other churches are newer than this church – the Church of Divine Mercy and

the upcoming Church of the Transfiguration.

The inside of the church had unique designs such as: n A water fountain that lined the middle aisle of the main church, from the back to the sanctuary. n A sanctuary surrounded by lush greenery and stuffed animals. n The background of the altar had a rock formation depicting the Garden of Eden.

These unique features were removed during subsequent renovations and replaced by a more modern design.

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Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

‘Recognise Christ in each other’ n From Page 1

To close off the service, lighted candles symbolising Christ were passed on to each participant until everyone had a lighted candle.

During the second service held at the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Rev Malcolm Tan from the Covenant Community Methodist Church delivered the homily.

“All of us are connected to God, we are His branches,” he said.

He suggested three steps that could help promote Christian unity: “Recognise Christ in each other in spite of our differences, recognise Christ in each other’s churches and recognise Christ in each other’s calling.”

He added, “Remember that we are all ... connected to God.” Participants from both events shared their thoughts with CatholicNews.

“I thought the sins depicted really told a true story about the relationship between the various Christian [Churches] today,” said Ms Sarah Matthews, from Toa Payoh Methodist Church.

“Coming to terms with these sins that divide us Christians is a good first step. Hopefully our leaders can build on this to further strengthen Christian unity,” she said.

Mr Rajesh Kholsha, from St

Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, said he hoped to “see more people attending these services as they serve as a testimony of our one true faith.”

Mr Vincent Boon from the Church of the Holy Spirit, who attended the service with his wife Michelle Boon, said: “An important part about forging unity is di-

An important part ‘ about forging unity is

Religious representatives pose for a photo after the Jan 18 service. From left: Rev Malcolm Tan, Sr Elizabeth Lim, Rev Gabriel Liew, Rev Martin Yee, Major Ruth Pascoe, Msgr Philip Heng, Fr Jude David, Rev Joshua Loo, Rev Ling Kin Yew, Fr John Joseph Fenelon and Rev Chan Mei Ming.

dialogue. The service provided me an opportunity to speak to Christians from other communities and share about our faiths.

’

– Mr Vincent Boon, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit

alogue. The service provided me an opportunity to speak to Christians from other communities and share about our faiths.”

The third service was scheduled to take place on Jan 25 at Covenant Community Methodist Church after CatholicNews went into print. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Participating ministers giving the final blessing at the Mar Thoma Syrian Church. From left: Fr Abey Mathew Chacko, Rev Jason Phua, Sr Veronica de Roza, Rev Daniel Teo, Sr Elizabeth Lim, Rev John G. Mathews, Rev Malcolm Tan, Major Ruth Pascoe, Sr Marianna D’Costa, Fr Sanu Mathew, Fr John Joseph Fenelon.

Obituary

Canossian Sr Catherine called to the Lord Canossian Sr Catherine Lim was called back to the Lord at the age of 94 on Jan 9, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Sr Catherine was born in Singapore on Oct 5, 1922, to devout Catholic parents: Peter Lim Ah Pin and Florence Teo. She was baptised on Oct 8, 1922 at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul and studied in CHIJ Victoria Street (the present CHIJMES).

On June 11, 1942, four months after the fall of Singapore, Sr Catherine entered the Canossian Convent as a postulant and took her first vows on June 7, 1945, two months before the Japanese surrender.

Sr Catherine was in the teaching profession from 1945 to 1968, having taught in Canossa Convent Primary School in Aljunied Rd, St Anthony’s Convent in Middle Rd as well as in the Convent School in Kluang and the Sacred Heart Convent in Malacca.

After having witnessed a tragic incident, which affected her health badly, she stopped teaching and

Sr Catherine Lim passed away on Jan 9 at the age of 94.

was assigned to different tasks in the convent. In 1990, she was transferred to St Magdalene’s Community in Jalan Merbok, Singapore, where she remained till her death.

One of Sr Catherine’s hobbies was knitting. After her retirement from teaching, she spent her free time reading and knitting about 250 beautiful woollen cardigans for her fellow Sisters. It was done with so much love and many Sisters still treasure this precious gift from her.

Sr Catherine had always been very prayerful. She knew the litany of Our Lady by heart and would lead the community in this prayer with a loud and clear voice. Even in her old age, Sr Catherine would often pray aloud this intercessory prayer: “Lord, grant peace in the world, in our hearts and in our homes.”

In order to make sure Sr Catherine had some exercise, she was accompanied to New Horizon Day Care Centre three times a week. She became quite popular there and did her bit to encourage other residents.

She was made their Bingo captain, calling out the numbers loudly in English, Malay, Teochew and Hokkien, so that others could participate.

Sr Catherine visited this centre until December 2016 when she had a fall and needed to be hospitalised.

She passed away peacefully at 1.55 am on Jan 9 in the presence of the Sisters at St Joseph’s Home. n Submitted by the Canossian Sisters

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Archbishop William Goh poses with newly commissioned principals (from left): Ms Phyllis Chua, Mrs Fiona Tan, Mr Daniel Ang, Mrs Allison Lim, Ms Cecilia Lim, Mrs Juliana Conceicao, Ms Christina Teo, Mrs Trace Teo, Mrs Jennifer Teo, Ms Christina Michael and Mrs Judina Cheong. Also in the photo (from left) are Fr Edward Seah, Deacon Clement Chen, Msgr Philip Heng and Fr Adrian Danker.

11 principals commissioned for Catholic schools in the new year

By Errol Chang SINGAPORE – Educators should

attend to the holistic development of their students and their moral development. Such students will be motivated not only to do well but also to serve others, said Archbishop William Goh at the Principals’ Commissioning Mass on Jan 21.

Speaking to educators from Catholic schools, Archbishop Goh also advised them to undergo continual formation, just like how the apostles and disciples were formed by Jesus before they built the early Church.

Eleven principals, who are taking up new roles in Catholic schools this year ranging from kindergarten to junior college level, were commissioned during the Mass. They are: n Ms Christina Michael, Canossian School n Mrs Jennifer Teo, Marymount Kindergarten n Mrs Trace Teo, Good Shepherd Kindergarten n Mrs Juliana Conceicao, Magdalene’s Kindergarten n Mrs Allison Lim, Marymount Convent School n Mrs Judina Cheong, CHIJ (Katong) Primary School

CHANCERY NOTICE 23 January 2017

Banns of Ordination The following candidate Deacon Jerome Leon, SJ from the Malaysia-Singapore Region of the Society of Jesus, will be called to the Order of the Presbyterate on 19 August 2017 at Church of St Ignatius by His Grace, Archbishop William Goh DD.

CHN/BNN/2017/001

The publication of these banns fulfil the canonical requirement, can. 1051 2°. Catholics are obliged to reveal any impediments or circumstances that would prevent any of the candidates from receiving Sacred Orders and should contact Archbishop William Goh DD with such information as soon as possible.

Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM, JCL, Chancellor Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #07-01 Catholic Centre, 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

n Ms Cecilia Lim, St Anthony’s Primary School n Ms Christina Teo, CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity n Mrs Fiona Tan, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School n Mr Daniel Ang, Hai Sing Catholic School

Archbishop Goh advised educators to undergo continual formation, just as how the apostles and disciples were formed by Jesus.

n Ms Phyllis Chua, Catholic Junior College One part of the commissioning ceremony saw principals and vice-principals present receiving a specially crafted candle to remind them that they are the light of Christ in their schools.

Many of the newly commissioned principals said they felt humbled, blessed and honoured to serve in their new schools.

“Just as Jesus is the Good Shepherd, I hope to be a good shepherd to my pupils and colleagues,” said Ms Cecilia Lim, principal of St Anthony’s Primary School.

Students from four schools –

St Patrick’s School, Montfort Secondary School, CHIJ Secondary and CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent – helped in providing altar servers, ushers and choir for the Mass.

The Principals’ Commissioning Mass was organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) and its Council of Catholic Schools’ Principals. They work with Catholic schools in Singapore to strengthen the Catholic ethos in their communities.

A major upcoming event organised by ACCS is the Catholic Education Conference 2017 in March. For more information, visit http://accs.sg/cec2017/ n

Christian leaders to share resources BHOPAL, INDIA – Catholic and

Protestant leaders from India and abroad have resolved to share resources and cooperate in evangelisation work in a bid to foster ecumenism and counter anti-Christian harassment in the country.

Some 3,600 leaders from India and another 260 from abroad gathered from Jan 12-15 in Damoh, a town in the central India Madhya Pradesh state, ahead of the Christian Unity Week that starts on Jan 18.

The annual gathering, 19th in a series, was jointly organised by a collection of groups called the International Conference on Missions and Global Gathering. It assumes significance in the background of increasing anti-Christian incidents in the country from Hindu nationalist groups.

Over the last several years

Christian leaders across India have reported their churches being attacked, pastors beaten up and Christian villages threatened with social boycott to force them to abandon their faith.

A divided Christian Church in India cannot stand, said Fr Anand Muttungal from Bhopal archdiocese. “We cannot withstand the organised attacks from those opposed to the Church and therefore, unity among denominations is a must,” said the Catholic priest.

Mr Ajai Lall, president of the India Christian Mission, and chief

A divided Christian Church in India cannot stand, said a priest from Bhopal archdiocese

organiser of the programme said delegates have agreed to “share our resources and talents” and “it will not only multiply but also fetch greater good to suffering humanity” and to create a just society free from exploitation.

Church leaders speaking in a special session agreed to forge greater unity among Churches in Asia by bridging their differences and facing challenges together, he said.

Anti-Christian incidents have increased ever since the pro-Hindu nationalist party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in New Delhi two years ago.

India has some 27 million Christians and 17 million of them are Catholics. Most of the other 10 million are Protestant Christians. n UCANEWS.COM

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Photos: FRANCIS GOPAL

Participants at the bishops’ conference meeting. Seated from left: Sr Margarete Sta Maria (executive secretary), Archbishop John Ha (Kuching), Bishop Sebastian Francis (Penang), Archbishop Joseph Marino (Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia), Bishop Cornelius Sim (Brunei), Archbishop John Wong (Kota Kinabalu) and Archbishop William Goh (Singapore).

Standing from left: Msgr Mario Codamo (Second Counsellor, Apostolic Nunciature), Bishop Joseph Hii (Sibu), Bishop Richard Ng (Miri), Bishop Bernard Paul (Melaka-Johor), Auxiliary Bishop Simon Poh (Kuching), Bishop Cornelius Piong (Keningau) and Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom (Sandakan). Not in photo: Archbishop Julian Leow (Kuala Lumpur).

Dialogue highlighted at regional bishops’ meeting

By Vincent D’Silva JOHOR BAHRU – To dialogue means to believe that the “other” has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective.

Archbishop Joseph Marino, Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, made this comment at a recent meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The key elements for creating a culture of “encounter”, such as in interreligious dialogue, is to seek out the “other” and to enter into dialogue, he told 11 bishops from the region gathered for their plenary session at Majodi Centre in Plentong, Johor.

Through dialogue, a spirit of fraternity is developed which helps to promote moral values, justice, freedom and peace, he told participants of the bishops’ conference’s 99th plenary session held from Jan 9-13.

Archbishop Marino, who is also the Apostolic Delegate to Brunei, noted that the theme of “encounter” has been a part of Pope Francis’ vision. In many cases, he told the bishops, society is

Meeting of Conference of Religious Major Superiors.

waiting for them as spiritual leaders to open the doors of encounter, mercy and reconciliation.

The meeting also saw the bishops discussing organisational, spiritual and social issues affecting the Church in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The regional bishops’ conference holds its plenary assembly twice a year to discuss various aspects of Church life in the region, and to help the Church be more effective in service its members and society.

The bishops also had a joint meeting with the Conference of Religious Major Superiors (CRMS) of Malaysia-SingaporeBrunei who held their annual

meeting at the same venue from Jan 10-12.

The Religious major superiors also met with Archbishop Marino who shared that during his audience with Pope Francis last September, the Holy Father emphasised the need for ministers in the Church to be accessible and close to their people.

According to Archbishop Marino, it is important to make every effort to “reintegrate” into the Church those who have drifted away or who have left it.

During the CRMS meeting, members discussed various issues affecting the conference and how CRMS could play a greater role in the region. n

Fatima statue sparks interest among China Catholics HONG KONG – A statue of Our

Lady of Fatima blessed by Pope Francis started its Asian pilgrimage with Hong Kong as its first stop to celebrate the centennial of the Marian apparition in Portugal.

Pope Francis blessed six Centennial Pilgrim Statues of Our

Lady of Fatima at the Vatican on Jan 11 before sending them on tour in six continents. Hong Kong is the first place in the world where a statue has landed.

The Jan 13-28 visit of the statue to Hong Kong has drawn wide attention from Catholics on mainland China. Some even prepared

to make a pilgrimage to Portugal as the statue is unlikely to visit mainland China.

“We underground Catholics have nothing to protect us but the Blessed Mother. Thus, she is very dear to us,” said Fr Joseph, an underground priest in northeastern China. n UCANEWS.COM

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Philippine Church leaders open to dialogue with Duterte Manila – Catholic Church leaders

in the Philippines have welcomed a government offer of dialogue despite President Rodrigo Duterte condemning bishops and priests for criticising his war on drugs.

Fr Jerome Secillano of the public affairs office of the bishops’ conference said it would be “prudent” for both sides “to really sit together and take a collective action.”

On Jan 20, Mr Ernesto Abella, the president’s spokesman, called on Church leaders to “go beyond the criticisms.”

“Let’s try to reach out to one another and have a real dialogue and real conversation. Let’s try to go beyond this,” said Mr Abella.

Fr Secillano said it was “a good thing the government has taken that initiative” although he said he “cannot predict the response of the Church hierarchy.”

“It has to be collegial, hence a decision of not one but majority of the bishops,” said the priest.

Mr Duterte challenged Church leaders recently to stop criticising

his campaign against narcotics and instead take on the problem.

Several Church leaders have issued statements condemning the death of some 6,700 people as a result of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“I really can’t understand the Church,” said Mr Duterte. He said Church leaders know the seriousness of the drug problem in the country but are not doing anything.

He said that instead of criticising the anti-drugs war, the bishops should address issues within the Church institution, like sex abuse and corruption.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said the Church is always open to dialogue, but it will not stop from preaching the Gospel and the Church’s “pro-life” stand.

He said a dialogue is “always the better solution to anything” but he added that the Church will not be silent on the killings and the revival of the death penalty advocated by Mr Duterte. n UCANEWS.COM A Philippine police officer moves between houses in Manila during an operation against illegal drugs. Church leaders have criticised President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. CNS photo

New Year celebration for people living with HIV Ho Chi Minh City – Hundreds of people living with HIV enjoyed friendship and gifts at a new year fair held by Ho Chi Minh City archdiocese.

Some 500 people living with HIV and their children attended a special fair for Tet, the Vietnamese new year, in the compound of Dong Tien Church on Jan 21.

Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc of Ho Chi Minh City also visited and gave his best wishes to attendees.

Many received tokens to play traditional games and receive food and gifts at the fair that was staffed by volunteers including scouts, seminarians, nuns and priests.

“I now have food for Tet,” said Hoa, who did not want to give his last name. He received rice, instant noodles, cake, soap, milk, sugar and clothes.

“These things are more than what I expected. I am pleased because I have no money to buy them,” said Hoa, who earns 50,000 dong (S$3) a day carrying goods at a bus station. He also sleeps there.

Hoa said that if it wasn’t for the fair, he and his friends would have

nothing to celebrate during this Tet festival, held from Jan 28-Feb 1.

Fr Paul Nguyen Nhu Hieu, an organiser, said that the fair helped to bring mercy, sympathy and materials to marginalised people living with HIV. Attendees received gifts costing 600,000 dong and a further 50,000 dong, paid for by benefactors interested in the event, said Fr Hieu.

The city is home to 24,000 people living with HIV. About 30 percent have no personal papers so they cannot get medical care from organisations and public hospitals.

Most face discrimination, poverty and do manual jobs like selling lottery tickets, polishing shoes, and guarding shops, Fr Hieu added.

Prime Minster Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered cities and provinces throughout the country not to set off fireworks at new year parties and instead to save money and give food to poor people.

So far, 15 provinces offered 17,000 ton of rice to the poor to help them celebrate the festival. n UCANEWS.COM

Ethnic Kachin refugees inside a shared kitchen at a camp in Myitkyina, Myanmar.

Four Kachin bishops met with Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss prospects of peace for the country.

CNS photo

Bishops meet Suu Kyi, urge peace in Myanmar Mandalay, Myanmar – Myan-

mar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has met four Kachin bishops to discuss prospects for peace in the country’s north where there has been fighting between the military and ethnic armed groups.

Bishops Philip Lasap Za Hawng of Lashio, Francis Daw Tang of Myitkyina, Raymond Sumlut Gam of Banmaw and retired Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay attended a meeting at Ms Suu Kyi’s residence in Naypyidaw on Jan 15.

For an hour the bishops discussed with her the situation in Kachin and northern Shan states where ethnic groups have been fighting Myanmar’s military.

Since August, the military has conducted an offensive in Kachin State using airstrikes and heavy artillery, resulting in thousands fleeing their homes near Laiza, the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army.

Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam of Bamaw diocese in Kachin State said the bishops told Ms Suu Kyi how the continued fighting was further destabilising efforts to

Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. CNS file photo

bring peace to the country.

“We stressed how the fighting leads to more displaced people, insecurity and difficulty dispensing humanitarian assistance, so we appealed to Suu Kyi to help reduce sporadic fighting in ethnic areas,” Bishop Gam told ucanews.com.

Bishop Philip Lasap Za Hawng of Lashio, northern Shan State, said that he was concerned for the safety of civilians as shells have landed near camps for internally displaced people.

The bishops said they told Ms Suu Kyi that the Catholic Church supported her 21st Century Panglong peace conference and that all people of Myanmar, including the Kachins, long for a durable peace.

The peace process is a priority for the Nobel Peace Prize winner who initiated the conference held in August to begin a process aimed at ending decades of internal conflict.

“Suu Kyi also appealed to us to tell the people to have patience with the transition to democracy and to have trust and confidence in the groups pursuing peace,” said Bishop Gam. Retired Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay said both sides – the military and ethnic armed groups – need to sit at the negotiation table and solve the problem instead of clinging to their own demands.

Sporadic fighting has occurred in Kachin State between the military and the Kachin Independence Army since 2011, displacing about 100,000 people.

Most of the state’s 1.7 million people are Christians and 116,000 are Catholics. n UCANEWS.COM

Catholics try to save river in India Bhopal, India – Catholics have joined Hindus in India’s Madhya Pradesh state to try and save a river from pollution.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal joined the Narmada Seva Yatra (protect Narmada march) along with the state’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as it passed through Hoshangabad district on Jan 16.

The march is scheduled to end on May 11 after covering the 1,077-km of the river that passes through the state. The 1,312-km Narmada river flows west running through two other states before connecting with the Arabian Sea. A group of more than 100 peo-

ple including Hindu ascetics, activists and political leaders plan to walk the entire duration.

Archbishop Cornelio said it was essential to clean the river or “the entire state will face a severe water crisis. It is the collective responsibility of everyone to ensure that the river is protected,” he told ucanews.com.

The prelate addressed thousands of people, mostly Hindus, gathered to witness the march. “The Catholic Church has always believed in protecting the environment,” he said.

A few priests, nuns and children from Christian schools accompanied the archbishop and pledged the Christian community’s support.

“We all marched to the bank of

the river supporting the move to keep the river clean. When people vow to protect the river and environment things will change,” said Fr Preetham Rayan Mendonca.

Over the years, the main water source has become polluted and the water is increasingly becoming harmful for consumption, said Mahesh Prasad, a Hindu, who is active in the campaign to clean the river.

“The factories dump effluence into the river, the villages drain out sewerage into it, pilgrims dump waste and leftover worship material. Even the ashes of burnt bodies and animal carcasses are thrown into it making it highly contaminated,” he said. n UCANEWS.COM

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Church leaders urge Trump to heed plight of migrants, marginalised WASHINGTON – Political and re-

ligious leaders offered words of congratulations and caution as President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated on Jan 20.

Pope Francis sent best wishes and prayers to Mr Trump shortly after he took the oath of office.

“I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office,” the pope’s message said.

Saying that the human family faces “grave humanitarian crises” that demand “far-sighted and united political responses”, the pope said he would pray that Trump’s decisions “will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nation’s commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide”.

The pope also said he hoped that America’s “stature” continued to be measured by “above all its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door”.

The message concluded with the pope saying he would ask God to grant the new president, his family and all Americans “peace, concord and every material and spiritual prosperity”.

In the US, more than 860 religious, civil rights and ethnic and immigrant rights groups urged Mr Trump to protect 740,000 people who qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

In a Jan 18 letter to the new president, national, state and local organisations said that DACA had become one of the country’s

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave as they walk with their son, Barron, during the Jan 20 inaugural parade in Washington. CNS photo

“most successful immigration policy initiatives ... fostering economic growth and strengthening national security”.

The letter asked Mr Trump to continue DACA despite his promises to immediately end former President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration.

Mr Obama introduced DACA in 2012 as an initiative to provide work permits and relief from deportation to young and adults and children who arrived in the US before their 16th birthday. Applicants must undergo background checks, pay a fee and meet certain educational requirements to qualify.

The heads of organisations

Under your leadership, ‘may America’s stature continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need.

’

– Pope Francis’ message to Mr Trump

representing women Religious and superiors of male Religious congregations offered urged Mr

Trump to join them in promoting the common good.

Sr Mary Pellegrino, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and Atonement Father Brian F. Terry, president

of the Conference of Major Superiors or Men, expressed concern about the divisions in society. They said these “continue to threaten the well-being and freedom of all Americans and those who have fled in fear to our shores and borders”.

“We believe we need a president who transcends party politics and personal agendas in order to heal deep divisions that threaten the stability of our nation. We strongly believe that we all need to be dedicated to respectful and dignified civil discourse with those whose positions different from our own,” they wrote.

Prior to the inauguration, other faith leaders joined an ecumenical People’s Prayer Service at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington. Participants prayed for justice for marginalised communities throughout the country.

The Washington-based organisation, In Defense of Christians, congratulated Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on their inauguration and urged the new administration to make the plight of Christians in the Middle East a policy priority.

Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, on Twitter, thanked God for the freedom Americans enjoy because of the sacrifices of previous generations. He also offered a prayer for Mr Trump and for the country to “recommit to care for the needy”.

Two days before the inauguration, the Ignatian Solidarity Network invited Jesuit parishes, schools and universities to pray for those who fear Mr Trump’s proposals to deport immigrants. n CNS

‘We must wait and see,’ pope says of Trump VATICAN CITY – As President Donald Trump was being sworn in, Pope Francis told an interviewer it would be “reckless” to pass judgment on the new president before he had a chance to do anything.

“We must wait and see,” the pope told two reporters from the Spanish newspaper El Pais during a 75-minute interview on Jan 19.

The interview was published late on Jan 20.

Asked if he wasn’t worried at least about some of the things Mr Trump said before his election, the pope responded, “I’m waiting.

God waited so long for me, with all my sins.”

“Being afraid or rejoicing beforehand because of something that might happen is, in my view, quite reckless,” the pope said. “We will see. We will see what he does and then we will judge – always on the concrete. Christianity either is concrete or it is not Christianity.”

‘

We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement, and, most important, we will be protected

by God.

’

– Mr Trump in his inaugural address

New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan delivers the invocation before Mr Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the US’ 45th president. CNS photo

El Pais asked another question about Mr Trump and populists in the US and Europe who, the interviewer said, “capitalise on fear in the face of an uncertain future in order to form a message full of xenophobia and hatred towards the foreigner”.

“Crises provoke fear, alarm,”

the pope said. “In my opinion, the most obvious example of European populism is Germany in 1933.

After [Paul von] Hindenburg [Germany’s second president], after the crisis of 1930, Germany is broken, it needs to get up, to find its identity, a leader, someone capable of

restoring its character, and there is a young man named Adolf Hitler who says: ‘I can, I can.’”

“Hitler didn’t steal the power, his people voted for him, and then he destroyed his people,” Pope Francis said. In times of crisis, he said, large segments of the population think, “Let’s look for a saviour who gives us back our identity and let’s defend ourselves with walls, barbed-wire, whatever, from other peoples who

may rob us of our identity. And that is a very serious thing.”

Obviously, Pope Francis said, nations have a right and duty to control their borders, especially under the threat of terrorism, but “no country has the right to deprive its citizens of the possibility of talking with their neighbours”.

In his inaugural address, Mr Trump told the nation that it need not fear in the days ahead. “We are protected and we will always be protected,” said Mr Trump, a Presbyterian. “We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement.

And most importantly, we will be protected by God.” At the Capitol, New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan read a passage from the Book of Wisdom as part of the inauguration ceremonies. He was among a number of religious leaders who participated in the event. n CNS

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Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope: Christian living Catholics, Lutherans must requires battle with devil continue ‘communion of harmony’ VATICAN CITY – Moving closer to Christ means facing daily struggles against temptation and battling against evil, Pope Francis said.

When Jesus approaches the people who have come to hear Him and be healed, “the unclean spirits try to stop Him, they wage war”, which is why those who seek to follow the Lord will face obstacles, too, the pope said on Jan 19 during his early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence.

Looking at the day’s Gospel reading from Mark (3:7-12), the pope said it is “curious” how the passage ends with the unclean spirits shouting at Jesus, “You are the son of God,” after describing the enthusiasm and large number of people who came to see, hear and be healed by Jesus.

People who say they never experience temptation, he said, are “not Christian”,

When God draws people towards Jesus, there is someone else – the devil – who pulls them the other way “and he wages a war within you,” the pope said.

“This is why Paul talks about Christian life as a battle, a daily battle.”

Jesus came to win this battle, “to destroy Satan, to destroy His influence on our hearts”, the pope said.

People must choose: Do they want a comfortable, easy and quiet life, the pope asked, or will they let their heart “feel the battle” and help Jesus be victorious?

“Let us think about how our heart is. Do I feel this battle in my heart” and the desire to serve, pray, praise the Father and do what is good, the pope said, or is there “something that stops me” and distracts with temptations of comfort or entertainment? n CNS

VATICAN CITY – Although great

strides have been made through 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, Catholics and Lutherans must continue to work towards becoming a full and visible sign of unity for the world, Pope Francis said.

A continued “communion of harmony” will allow Catholics and Lutherans to “find further convergence on points of doctrine and the moral teaching of the Church”, the pope told members of a pilgrimage from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland on Jan 19.

“I pray to the Lord that He may bestow His blessing on the Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue Commission in Finland, which is working diligently towards a common sacramental understanding of the Church, the Eucharist and ecclesial ministry,” he said.

The pope met the Finnish delegation during the annual Week of

Pope Francis and Rev Martin Junge, from the Lutheran World Federation, attend an ecumenical event in Sweden last year. The pope recently told members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland that helping those suffering persecution can further unite Christians. CNS file photo

Prayer for Christian Unity, held from Jan 18-25 yearly. The theme chosen for the 2017 observance is “Reconciliation: The love of Christ compels us.”

The week of prayer, Pope Francis said, urges Catholics and Lutherans to reconcile and “draw closer to one another anew through conversion”.

“True ecumenism is based on a shared conversion to Jesus Christ as our Lord and redeemer.

If we draw close to Him, we draw close also to one another,” the pope said.

Recalling his visit to Sweden last October to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s efforts to reform the Church, the pope said Luther’s in-

tention “was to renew the Church, not divide her” and that the joint commemoration “was important on both the human and theological-spiritual levels”.

“The gathering there gave us the courage and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ to look ahead to the ecumenical journey that we are called to walk together,” he said.

Helping those who suffer persecution and violence, he added, can further unite Christians “on the journey towards full communion”.

In doing so, the pope said, Catholics and Lutherans can put their witness of faith into practice “through concrete acts of service, fraternity and sharing”. n CNS

Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

pope francis 21

‘Make your voice heard!’ ... pope tells young people ahead of a bishops’ meeting on youth VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis asked young people to tell him, their bishops and priests about their hopes and struggles, and even their criticisms.

In preparation for a meeting of bishops on youth, the pope wrote a letter to young people, saying the Church wants “to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith, even your doubts and your criticism”.

“Make your voice heard,” the pope told young people. “Let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls.”

The pope’s letter was released on Jan 13 along with the preparatory document for the meeting, called the Synod of Bishops. The document includes a series of questions to be answered by national conferences of bishops and other Church bodies. The responses, along with input from young people themselves, will form the basis of the synod’s working document.

Pope Francis chose “Young people, faith and vocational discernment” as the theme for the bishop’s meeting, which will be held in October 2018.

Young people will have an opportunity to contribute to the working document by submitting reflections “on their expectations and their lives” through a website (www.sinodogiovani.va) that will be launched on March 1, said Bishop Fabio Fabene, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops.

In his letter, Pope Francis referred to God’s call to Abraham.

The Old Testament patriarch, he said, “received a compelling invi-

Pope Francis walks with young people during World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, in July last year. A special bishops’ meeting on youth will be held in October 2018. CNS photo

tation, a challenge, to leave everything and go to a new land. What is this ‘new land’ for us today, if not a more just and friendly society which you, young people, deeply desire and wish to build to the very ends of the earth?”

“A better world can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity,” Pope Francis wrote.

“Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who proposes bold choices; do not delay when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master.”

The synod’s preparatory docu-

ment offered three chapters for reflection by bishops and youths, which it defines as people roughly between the ages of 16 and 29.

The chapters are titled “Young People in Today’s World”, “Faith,

better world can ‘beAbuilt ... as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity.

’

– Pope Francis in a letter to young people

Discernment, Vocation” and “Pastoral Activity”.

Through the synod, the document said, “the Church has decided to examine herself on how she can lead young people to recognise and accept the call to the fullness of life and love, and to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce the Good News today”.

The Church, it said, needs to evaluate its pastoral approach to young people living in a rapidly changing world where globalisa-

tion, technological dominance, as well as economic and social hardships pose significant challenges to discovering their vocational path.

“From the vantage point of faith, the situation is seen as a sign of our times, requiring greater listening, respect and dialogue,” the document said.

A special focus of the synod, it said, will be “on vocational discernment, that is, the process by which a person makes fundamental choices, in dialogue with the Lord and listening to the voice of the Spirit, starting with the choice of one’s state in life.”

Specifically for Christians, it said, the question is: “How does a person live the good news of the Gospel and respond to the call which the Lord addresses to all those He encounters, whether through marriage, the ordained ministry or the consecrated life?”

Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, told journalists on Jan 13 that the presence of young men and women at the synod will help bishops understand how best to accompany youths who are searching for their vocation and path in life. n CNS The pope’s letter to young people is at http://press.vatican.va/ content/salastampa/en/bollettino/ pubblico/2017/01/13/170113b. html. The synod preparatory document is at http://press.vatican.va/ content/salastampa/en/bollettino/ pubblico/2017/01/13/170113a. html

22 opinion

Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

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letter to the editor

About the song, The 12 Days of Christmas I write regarding the Christmas reflection booklet, The Joyous Community, published in December 2016 by the Office for the New Evangelisation (ONE). It is praiseworthy that ONE is producing reflections for every liturgical season; I am sure they are a valuable resource to many in the archdiocese. However, this edition contains a glaring error which I am frankly astonished made it to print.

The recommended Christmas activity for families utilises the secular Christmas song Twelve Days of Christmas, along with a popular interpretation of the lyrics as being “secret code for persecuted Catholics to learn their faith”.

There are several issues with this interpretation, chiefly: 1. There is no historical evidence to support such an interpretation of the song – in fact, the theory of the “secret code” emerged only in the late 20th century, again without any substantial historical records to back it up; 2. The theory claims that Catholics were secretly passing on their faith via the song, but whatever is allegedly symbolised in the song (Jesus, the Old and New Testaments, gifts of the Holy Spirit, Ten Commandments etc) is common to Catholics and Protestants alike, and

Orthodoxy, sin and heresy

The Christmas reflection booklet published by the Office for the New Evangelisation.

certainly not the things that would have gotten Catholics arrested; 3. The original version of the song is French, and France at the time was a Catholic country – there would have been no reason for the French to disguise catechesis in song lyrics.

These objections are detailed online in several places, including: https://historymyths.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/myth102-twelve-days-of-christmassong-has-a-secret-meaning/ http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp https://www.truthorfiction.

CNS photo

com/twelvedaysofchristmas/ There are other issues as well, such as the illogic of a song meant to instruct the faithful that is only sung for 12 days of the year, but perhaps the main problem with the theory is that it is just the right mix of romance and waffle that appeals to people who do not really know any better (and are unlikely to find out).

As mentioned earlier there are many people relying on these resources who, in trust, will not think to question what is in them, and ONE has a profound responsibility to these people. For such a thing to make its way into a Christmas reflection booklet and be published by an archdiocesan office that exists ostensibly for evangelisation purposes is remarkably appalling.

This “secret code” theory is not quaintly harmless, nor is it a means to “Catholicise” yet another maudlin Christmas ditty – it is precisely the kind of untruth that perpetuates itself via collective ignorance, and thereby undermines genuine attempts at catechesis.

Furthermore, for it to be purported as truth by Catholics, when any non-Catholic with sufficient cynicism and a working Internet connection can pull it apart, does not bode well for our evangelisation efforts.

I sincerely hope that the team at ONE will consider their output more carefully. Their responsibility to the faithful is staggering, but from this it is not clear if they are aware.

Marcia Vanderstraaten Singapore

FEARS OVER IMMIGRATION IN U.S.: A woman holds a pro-immigration sign in Washington prior to the start of US President Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the country’s 45th president on Jan 20. Certain sectors of society are worried about Mr Trump’s views on immigration.

ONE replies: We thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this matter. It is indeed a challenge, in the new evangelisation, as we attempt to meet people where they are at, in order to draw them to the sacred. This song was intended as a vehicle to remind us of the true gift of God our Father at Christmas, i.e. Jesus Christ. We appreciate the concerns you have raised. We are mindful of them and open to hear from those who are able and willing to share knowledge and resources for our common mission of evangelisation. n

Recently, while on the road giving a workshop, I took the opportunity to go the cathedral in that city for a Sunday Eucharist. I was taken aback by the homily. The priest used the Gospel text where Jesus says, I am the vine and you are the branches, to tell the congregation that what Jesus is teaching here is that the Roman Catholic Church constitutes what is referred to as the branches and the way we link to those branches is through the Mass and if we miss Mass on a Sunday we are committing a mortal sin and should we die in that state we will go to hell.

Then, aware that what he was saying would be unpopular, he protested that the truth is often unpopular, but that what he just said is orthodox Catholic teaching and that anyone denying this is in heresy.

It’s sad that this kind of thing is still being said in our churches.

Does the Catholic Church really teach that missing Mass is a mortal sin and that if you die in that state you will go to hell? No, that’s not Catholic orthodoxy, though popular preaching and catechesis often suppose that it is, even as neither accepts the full consequences.

Here’s an example: Some years ago, I presided at the funeral of a young man, in his twenties, who had been killed in a car accident. In the months before his death he had for all practical purposes ceased practising Catholicism: He had stopped going to church, was living with his girlfriend outside of marriage, and had not been sober when he died. However his family and the congregation who surrounded him at his burial knew him, and they knew that despite his ecclesial and moral carelessness he had a good heart, that he brought sunshine into a room and that was a generous young man.

At the reception after the funeral one of his aunts, who believed that missing Mass was a mortal sin that could condemn you to hell, approached me and said: “He had such a great heart and such a wonderful energy; if I were running the gates of heaven, I would let him in.” Her comment wonderfully betrayed something deeper inside of her, namely, her belief that a good heart will trump ecclesial rules in terms of who gets to go to heaven and the belief that God has wider criteria for judgment than those formulated in external Church rules.

She believed that it was a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday but, for all the right reasons, could not accept the full consequences of that, namely, that her nephew was going to hell. Deep down, she knew that God reads the heart, understands human carelessness, welcomes sinners into His bosom, and does not exclude goodness from heaven.

But that still leaves the question: Is it orthodox Roman Catholic teaching to say that it is a mortal sin to not go to church on a Sunday and that such an ecclesial lapse can send you to hell? No, to teach that categorically would itself be bordering on heresy.

Simply stated, Catholic moral theology has always taught that sin is a subjective thing that can never be read from the outside. We can never look at an action from the outside and say: “That’s a sin!”

We can look at an action from the outside and say: “That’s wrong!”

But that’s a different judgment. From the outside we can judge an action as objectively wrong, but we can never make the judgment that it’s a sin. Moreover this isn’t new, liberal teaching, it is already found in our traditional Catechisms. Nobody can look at the action of someone else and say: “That’s a sin!” To teach that we can make such a judgment goes against Catholic orthodoxy. We can, and must, affirm that certain things are wrong, objectively wrong, but sin is something else.

Probably the most quoted line from Pope Francis is his famous response to a moral question where he simply responded: “Who am I to judge?” He’s in good company. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “You judge by appearances; I judge no one.” That, of course, does not mean that there isn’t any judgment. There is, it’s real, and it can condemn someone to hell. But it works this way: God’s Love, Life, Truth, and Light come into the world and we judge ourselves apposite them. God condemns no one, but we can condemn ourselves. It is God’s Love, Life, Truth, and Light against which we weigh ourselves and these determine who goes where, already here on earth and in eternity.

In our catechesis and our popular preaching we must be more careful in our use of the term “mortal sin” and in our judgments as to who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, fully aware that there wasn’t any group that Jesus was harsher on than on those who were making those kinds of judgments. n

Focus 23

Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Prayer, faith and good health: They absolutely go together CNS photo

By Mike Nelson Can prayer, faith and belief in God make you healthy – physically, as well as spiritually and emotionally? Yes, according to dozens of studies over the past 20 years.

In fact, Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health reported in 2015 that an analysis of more than 1,500 reputable medical studies “indicates people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health,” according to Dr Harold G. Koenig, centre director and among the country’s leading authorities on faith and healing.

Moreover, “of 125 studies that looked at the link between health and regular worship, 85 showed regular churchgoers live longer,” Dr Koenig told Newsmax Health.

“Studies have shown prayer can prevent people from getting sick – and when they do get sick, prayer can help them get better faster.”

Separate studies conducted at Duke, Dartmouth and Yale Universities indicated that: n Hospitalised people who never attended church have an average stay of three times longer than people who attended regularly. n Heart patients were 14 times more likely to die following surgery if they did not participate in a religion. n Elderly people who never or rarely attended church had a stroke rate double that of people who attended regularly.

People who are ‘ more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health.

’

– Dr Harold G. Koenig, director of Duke University’s Centre for Spirituality, Theology and Health

People praying in church. Those who pray are shown to be more self-controlled, less aggressive and forgiving.

A WebMD article reported that research focusing on the power of prayer in healing has nearly doubled in the past 10 years. The article suggested that prayer, because of its repetitive nature in sounds and words, promotes “healing effects,” according to Dr Herbert Benson, director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine and professor at Harvard Medical School.

In March 2015, research published in the Journal of Reward Deficiency Syndrome found that

weekly attendance at a religious service, praying often and reading religious books all appear to prevent recovering substance abusers from relapsing and again using cocaine, heroin, marijuana or alcohol.

“The strongest association between remission and spirituality,” the study added, “involves attending religious services weekly,” due to its connection to social interaction and bonding.

Mr Clay Routledge, social psychologist and professor of psychology at North Dakota State

University, notes that numerous studies showing that prayer can improve an individual’s emotional and mental state, which can result in better physical health.

Those who pray, he said, are more self-controlled, less aggressive, more forgiving and more likely to offset “the negative health effects of stress,” including high blood pressure.

At the same time, Mr Routledge acknowledges that there can be risks to relying exclusively or primarily on prayer for good health:

n Religion can offer people a way to avoid their health issues, as expressed in phrases like, “It is in God’s hands.” In other words, Mr Routledge said, “they can pass the buck to God,” an approach that prevents maintaining and improving health. n Religion also can direct people away from conventional medical treatment. This is especially true, Mr Routledge said, of those with a fundamentalist view of religion, based on studies he conducted in which participants were asked if they supported the position to deny medicine and rely on faith alone when dealing with an illness.

“It is worth noting,” he added, “that people who are not fundamentalists, but are religious, are more likely to rely on conventional medicine, even if they also rely on prayer ... They use both, and using a combination of medicine and faith is not problematic for health as long as the religious component does not push one away from relying on conventional medicine.” n CNS

Moving past envy and jealousy in an online world

By Erick Rommel In the world of social media, it’s easy to feel our lives aren’t as full or complete as they should be. When we peek into the lives of others, we see apparently only the best those lives have to offer.

Often, we question why we don’t live up to that same standard.

Why can’t we be as successful, have as much fun, go to as many places or even just be as happy as those we see online? Why are we left feeling envious and jealous of lives we’re not leading?

It’s hard to believe, but that feeling is universal. All of us want a job with fewer frustrations or a report card with better grades or memories of more exciting vacations. We all want our family photos and selfies to reflect what we desire for ourselves.

Trying to reach that standard inevitably leads to feelings of envy and jealousy aimed at those who appear to have more success, no matter how incorrect that appearance may be.

It’s a standard set so high that there’s no choice but to feel like we fall short. How can we not feel inadequate?

Even though it was written millennia prior to the creation of the first social network, the Bible provides guidance for matters such as these. For example, one of its most famous verses, 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated.”

Very often, social media is

everything love is not. Our online lives are not patient and often not kind. They can create jealousy, and when we share our lives, it’s hard not to appear pompous or have our successes appear inflated.

Another pertinent verse is less known, but equally relevant, at least to me. That verse is Proverbs 14:30, “A tranquil mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones.”

If you have that jealous feeling, it’s a sign you need to do some reflection.

Do you see stories of travel and imagine visiting more places? Do you observe professional or educational success and question the futility you feel?

By asking these questions,

Why can’t we be as happy as those we see online?

It’s hard to believe, but that feeling is universal.

Viewing people’s apparently wonderfully happy posts in social media often leads to feelings of envy aimed at those who appear to have more success, no matter how incorrect that appearance may be.

you’re identifying what it is that you think you’re missing. That knowledge is necessary to complete an honest self-assessment.

Are these events missing from your life, or are they ideals no single person could possibly achieve?

If it’s the latter, it’s time to move on. Don’t let your dream accomplishments diminish the successes you actually achieve. If

it’s the former, let go of envy and jealousy, and focus on improvements you can make.

Most importantly, spend time looking at your own social media content the same way you look at everyone else’s. You may discover the most impressive life you see is your own. n CNS Erick Rommel works for a non-profit youth organisation in the US.

faith alive!

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Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Learning to accept help from others Why it’s necessary and why it’s difficult as we grow older

By Maria-Pia Negro Chin Last year, I saw a youth group doing an interesting exercise in trust. A few teenagers were using their jackets as blindfolds as their group partner guided their walk around the church’s garden back to their meeting room.

The idea was for some of the teenagers to learn to guide others, while the other party learned to trust and accept help from their peers. It ultimately showed how accepting God’s loving help, even when we can’t see the path we are supposed to follow, will lead us to where we are supposed to be.

This reminded me of what Helen Alvare, law professor at George Mason University in the US, said during her keynote speech at the September 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. She said that even when a “gospel of me” seems to be encouraged in today’s world, “the way of happiness, of freedom is the way of interdependent love”.

“We are made to open ourselves to God first and then to every single other neighbour, who like the injured traveller in the good Samaritan story, we happen to find across our particular path,” she said. “You really do find yourself when you lose yourself in the love of other people, beginning with family and moving out into the world.”

She also emphasised that human beings need to first be receivers of love to be givers of love.

This made me realise that we learn to support others because we have first received help.

Yet, as we grow older, accepting others’ help is scary because it requires showing our vulnerabilities to other people. Many of us have been raised to believe that we need to solve our own problems, otherwise we appear weak.

We are happy to help others but

have a hard time asking for or accepting help.

But this can prevent us from growing or, in some cases, from getting the help we truly need.

In a catechesis during the 2016 World Youth Day in Poland, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila talked about how in modern

As we grow older, accepting others’ help is scary because it requires showing our vulnerabilities.

Many of us have been raised to believe that we need to solve our own problems, otherwise we appear weak. culture, one’s self worth is measured by success and that it seems like “the greatest sin of our time is to say, ‘I have failed.’”

The Filipino cardinal told a crowd of 15,000 young pilgrims about the importance of opening ourselves to mercy, which means accepting when we need help.

He added that the rise of the modern “self-made” human being makes it harder for many people to open up themselves to others, including God. This is because of the idea that “if you allow others to help you, to guide you, you do not qualify as successful”, he said.

In trying to be self-reliant or self-made to an extreme, a person can confuse accepting others’ help with losing dignity. But, he continued, “that person will not allow anyone – even God – to touch his heart or her heart for it is an insult”.

The teenagers in the youth group I mentioned earlier received a valuable lesson about their spiritual journey through that exercise: their dependence on others and on God. By accepting help, we recognise that we cannot do it alone.

That we need God to guide us, to help us when we most need it.

We open ourselves to receiving mercy.

Divine help comes through human hands and hearts. Accepting others’ help is a way to gracefully accept God’s help and to let others become instruments of His mercy. n CNS

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Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Spotlight on Saints:

St Angela Merici

Angela Merici, born in either 1470 or 1474, suffered the deaths of both her parents, three elder brothers and a much-loved sister when she was young, so she and her surviving sister had to be raised by an uncle.

After having a vision about her sister, Angela resolved to live a holy life.

She lived a life of extreme devotion, wanting to own nothing and eating mostly bread, water and vegetables.

When Angela returned to her hometown after her uncle’s death, she could not believe how little the children there knew about Christianity. With the help of some friends, Angela set up a programme of religious instruction for the unmarried girls of the town. Her little school was successful, and she was invited to other cities to help start similar programmes.

Eventually, Angela trained a few young women to help her with her teaching duties. This developed into a group of dedicated, consecrated women known as the Ursulines, after St Ursula, who was venerated as having been a leader of women.

We honour Angela on Jan 27. n

like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them.”

Again there were angry mumblings among some of the people who may have been guilty of what Jesus was criticising. Others nodded in agreement, and some wondered what else Jesus might have to say.

Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], ... what you will

wear. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” n Read more about it: Matthew 5

Q&A 1. Who did Jesus say would see God? 2. What did Jesus say we should seek first?

Wordsearch: n HEAVEN n PRAY

n MEEK

n MERCY

n SPIRIT

n THIRST n HEART

n VOICE

n Jesus

n INHERIT n CROWD n HATE

BIBLE TRIVIA: Can you name the four Old Testament books that have the letter “z” in them?

Bible Accent:

Answer to Bible Trivia: Ezra, Ezekiel, Zephaniah, Zechariah.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus from the time angels visited Mary, Joseph and Zechariah to the visits by the shepherds and the Magi.

After that we learn very little about what Jesus did as a child and a young man other than Luke’s account of how Jesus spoke with great wisdom in the temple when He was 12.

Jesus’ ministry began after He was baptised. His first miracle was changing water into wine at a wedding He attended with His mother. Over the course of the next three years, He healed sick people, cast out evil spirits and preached to thousands of people about God’s love for them.

Now, more than 2,000 years later, we are still able to read about the things Jesus said and did. We should spend a few minutes every day praying and reading our Bibles because Jesus’ message of love is for us too. n

PUZZLE: Using eight names from the list below, make the last letter of one name the same as the first letter of the next name until you end with Amos (which is the eighth name). Example: Peter, Ruth, Hosea.

LIST: Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, Solomon, Nahum, Malachi, Micah, Haggai, Zechariah, Isaiah, Hosea, Proverbs, Amos, Daniel, Joel.

___________________________

___________________________

6.

5.

___________________________

___________________________

2.

1.

3.

___________________________

4.

___________________________

7.

___________________________

8.

___________________________

Answer to Wordsearch

A large crowd of people had been following Him, so Jesus went up on the side of the mountain in order to be seen by as many of them as possible.

His disciples were also with Him. In a plain but clear tone, Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.”

Jesus paused to look at the faces of the people. He knew they were trying to listen carefully, even if they did not understand what He was saying.

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” He continued, “for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”

Jesus was silent for a few moments. When He was ready to speak again He said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Then Jesus stood up and spoke with a louder voice to emphasise His next words. “Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.”

Whispers and discussions started to develop through the crowd as people asked each other what they thought Jesus meant, while others thought they understood and did not like what Jesus was saying.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. ... When you pray, do not be

Answer to puzzle: 1. Genesis 2. Solomon 3. Nahum 4.

Micah 5. Haggai 6. Isaiah 7. Hosea 8. Amos.

By Joe Sarnicola

26 What’s On EVENT SUBMISSIONS WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http://www.catholic.org.sg/chancery/ announcement-advertisement-request/.

Once forms have been submitted online, kindly send us details of your event for publication at www. catholicnews.sg/whatson/ at least one month ahead of the publication date.

Jan 18 to march 29 BIBLE STUDY ON ST PAUL’S LETTERS TO THE ROMANS WITH FR CORNELIUS CHING Every Wednesday from 9.30am-11.30am.

Join us for 10 sessions to study St Paul’s Letters to the Romans led by Fr Cornelius.

No pre-registration required. Registration on day of first session. Venue: Church of Holy Spirit in Room 03-11. Love offerings welcomed. For more information, E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com. feb 1 to may 10 Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew Conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Every Wednesday from 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of St Francis Xavier. No course fee. To register: E: maisielee21@gmail. com; E: ronlee@lucas.com.sg feb 2 World Day of Consecrated Life Celebrate the joy of consecrated life with the Religious and lay consecrated of our archdiocese with prayer and fellowship.

Time: 11am. Presided by Archbishop William Goh. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul. All are welcome! feb 2 to may 11 lectures by Msgr Ambrose vaz: The Gospel According To Matthew Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm at the Church of St Ignatius, level 2 St Ignatius Hall. No pre-registration required.

All are welcome. FOC. Come and enjoy the living word of God! For more information: E: henrythwu@gmail.com feb 4 Mass followed by Prayers for Healing Time: 2pm-4pm. All are invited to join us for praise and worship and Mass followed by prayers for healing. After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for healing. Please spread the word to your family and friends. Celebrant: Fr Tom Curran. Organised by SACCRE- Praise@ Work. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

For more information: E: praiseatworksg@ yahoo.com; T: 98170152 (Kristyn). feb 9 craft of catechesis workshop: Planning Parent Formation Sessions This event is preparation for your child’s First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion.

Time: 7.30pm-10pm. Venue: CAEC 2 Highland Rd S549102. Intake: capped at 45 registrants. Please register using the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/j8am58f.

For more information, contact Sylvia Stewart from the Office For Catechesis at 68583011. W: www.catechesis.org.sg Feb 9 to May 18 Introduction to Basic Counselling Every Thursday from 7.30pm-10pm.

A 14-week course providing an introduction to basic counselling skills and personal development. Learn about the counselling process and its benefits, as well as develop an awareness of mental wellbeing. Participants will also get to apply problem-solving strategies and techniques in a safe, supportive environment. Fee: $600.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/itcc14; T: 64676072 feb 10 to feb 12 Understanding Relationships Feb 10 (8pm) to Feb 12 (1pm). A retreat to help understand aspects of human sexuality from a developmental perspective, how sexuality helps us grow in selfintimacy, intimacy with others and God. Facilitated by Cenacle Sr Linda and team.

Venue: Choice House, 47 Jurong West, St 42. Contribution: $200. To register: T: 65652895; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@ gmail.com; W: www.cenaclemission.com feb 11 to feb 25 Basic Catechist Course Level 1 – Evangelisation & Mission

Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. april 23 to may 20, 2018 RCIA at church of our lady of perpetual succour (OLPS) Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Interested to inquire about the Catholic Faith? New RCIA Journey will begin with a welcome night on April 23 and thereafter every Sunday evening till May 20, 2018. Please register your name or names of those who are interested in our Catholic faith.

Registration forms are available at the OLPS secretariat or RCIA ministry @ www.olps.sg. For more information, T: 96718216 (Christina); T: 96355635 (Peter) Retreat and Workshop Feb 11: 9am- 9pm. Feb 12: 9:30am-5pm.

Feb 25: 9:30am-5pm. Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Rd, S549102. Please register using the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/hxtx5zz.

For more information, contact Sylvia Stewart from Office For Catechesis at 68583011. W: www.catechesis.org.sg feb 11 to feb 18 Basic Catechist Course 2 - Learning to Listen and Facilitate Feb 11: 9am-5pm. Feb 18: 12pm-5pm.

Venue: Church of St Francis Xavier, 63A Chartwell Dr, S558758. Contribution :$5 (Lunch will be only be catered for Feb 11). Please register using the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/jg77jsn. For more information, contact Sylvia Stewart from Office For Catechesis at 68583011.

W: www.catechesis.org.sg feb 13 to april 17 At Home Retreat Every Monday from 7.15pm-9.30pm.

Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

A 10-week programme based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, which enables one to know Jesus Christ more intimately in the midst of the daily routine of life. It includes a weekly meeting of faith sharing, daily prayer using Scripture, and spiritual direction. As the retreat period falls within the Lent season, the retreat theme of “Journeying from Ashes to Easter” would be a timely opportunity for us to deepen our Lenten pilgrimage.

Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. feb 16 Catholic Business Network presents My Journey Series Talk By Prof Leo Tan Time: 7pm-9pm: The Catholic Business Network invites you to join us for an evening of fellowship, networking and to listen to the sharing of Prof Leo Tan. He will share about his personal and corporate life journey, his challenges and joys from both a business and a spiritual perspective.

Venue: SJI@Malcolm Road Indoor Sports Hall. FOC. Love offerings welcomed.

Light dinner provided. To register: T: 92284463 (Raymond); E: admin@cbn.sg feb 16 to feb 19 Prayer Experience Retreat (PER) 21 This is a 4D/3N stay-in programme, designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and to deepen their prayer experience. It is especially recommended for Conversion Experience Retreat participants, following their conversion experience. Facilitated by Fr Erbin Fernandez, the PER incorporates praise and worship, prayers, talks, testimonies and healing. Cost: $160.

Registration opens on Jan 6.

Feb 18 to Feb 19 Marital First Responders Workshop Time: 9am-5pm. A two-day workshop facilitated by Fr (Dr) Charles Sim. It is meant for those constantly approached by close friends and relatives regarding their marital issues. With this training, these “marital first responders” can better provide frontline counselling help or a listening ear. Contribution: $250 (inclusive of lunch and tea). Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/mfr2017; T: 64676072 feb 21 to may 23 Discover Ministry and Msgr Ambrose Vaz present: The Gospel of Matthew Discover Ministry and Msgr Ambrose Vaz present the Gospel according to Matthew.

Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of the Holy Spirit, room #03-11. This Gospel is read at Sunday Mass during Ordinary Time for this liturgical year. Matthew shows us that Jesus is the perfect fulfilment of God’s promises made in the Old Testament as the messiah promised by the prophets. Come and discover the

joys of this Gospel. To register: E: kim_f_ ho@yahoo.com; T: 90102829

to feel frustrated and burnout. Come join us to find out what depression is about and share insights on the journey of providing care to your friends or loved ones who may need help. Venue: CANA The Catholic Centre level two. FOC. To register: E: registration@clarity-singapore

feb 22 to april 26 SYMBOLON PART TWO A DVD programme. Time: 7.30pm9.30pm. Dr Edward Sri and his team of experts from Augustine Institute turn our attention to how we encounter God in the sacraments and the moral life. Organised

by Bible Apostolate team. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Room # 03- 11) To register: T: 97848090 (Louisa). Love offerings welcomed. feb 24 to feb 26 Feb 2017 Choice Weekend Feb 24 (7pm) to Feb 26 (6pm). It takes that one weekend that will inspire you for the rest of your life. Come away for a Choice Weekend – the choices we make define our life. To register: W: http://choice.org. sg/? page_id=131; T: 97900537 (Hillary); T: 96716695 (Carrie); T: 97109680 (Francesa); E: registration@choice.org.sg Feb 24 or Feb 25 A DAY OF QUIET Time: 9am-5pm. We are opening our doors to individuals desiring some personal space and quiet in their lives.

For seasoned retreatants and beginner seekers who would like to experience a day in silent prayer and reflection.

Prayer and handicraft resources, labyrinth walk and spiritual direction will be available. Fee: $60 (including lunch, tea). Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http:// tinyurl.com/dayofquiet; T: 64676072 feb 24 to march 31 Walking in the Spirit Every Friday from 8pm-9.30pm at Church of St Bernadette, 12 Zion Rd. Inspiring video talks to help Catholics continue to discover the joys of their faith, to open their minds and hearts to the wonder of God, who is at all times guiding their lives. To register: T: 90070987; E: acptcafe@gmail.com with your name and age. Presented by the Archdiocesan CaFE Promotion Team. feb 25 Clarity’s Workshop on ‘A Guide to Understanding Depression’ Time: 10.30am-12.30pm. Individuals with depression often have difficulties seeking help for themselves and in most times, cause friends and family members

Feb 25 to feb 26 Praying Our Life’s Questions: Vocation Recollection Feb 25 (9am) to Feb 26 (1pm). This stayin retreat will help young women pray and discern some common questions such as “What will I do with my life? Does God has a plan for me? Is this all there is to life?” It offers retreatant a glimpse into one’s life option – Religious life in the Cenacle, by providing information and experiences about the Sisters. Open to single women, aged 21-35. To register: W: www.cenaclemission.com; T: 65652895 march 4 Clarity’s Public Talk on ‘Youth Depression & SelfHarm’ Time: 10am-noon. Learn more about youth depression and self-harm, recognise early warning signs and available therapeutic interventions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our keynote speaker Assoc Prof Ong Say How and our panel speakers.

Fee: $10 per person. Free for students who present their student card. Venue: Agape Village level one. To register: W: http://www.clarity-singapore.org/englishprogrammes.html; T: 68017467

and stony way of calvary? By Br Dominic Yeo-Koh and Br John Albert. Venue: Montfort Centre. To register: T: 67695711; E: enquries@montfortcentre.org March 18 Finding God in Writing Workshop Time: 10am-5pm. A full-day workshop designed to help you write your sacred story. Through writing exercises and other activities, explore and express your innermost thoughts and feelings.

No prior writing experience required.

Fee: $80 (includes lunch and refreshments).

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/writing2017; T: 64676072 March 19 Introduction to Authentic Conversations Time: 9.30am-5pm. The lack of authentic conversation spaces has reduced many conversations into gossip and slander.

How does one facilitate and nurture safe spaces for authentic conversation that is so critically needed today? Listen to your call through the needs of the many who thirst for real conversation.

Fee: $60. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/iac2017; T: 64676072

March 5 to April 9 The First Spiritual Exercises Retreat Time: 1.30pm-5pm. The retreat is made in daily life over four weeks. These exercises contain first-step exercises for beginners, new visions for searchers and solid food for those desiring more in their interior life. Fee: $170. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/1stexercises; T: 64676072

march 26 to may 17 Couple Empowerment Programme (CEP) 2017 CEP is a programme for married couples who wish to discover more about building strong marriages, and to raise emotionally well-balanced children. This programme is faithful to the Catholic Church teachings and incorporates well-studied life skills. Child-minders available.

Venue: Church of St Ignatius. To register: T: 91059921 (Victor); 98579075 (Andrea); E: goto_cep@hotmail.com; W: www.cep-sg.org or fb.com/sg.cep

march 17 to march 19 Montfortian Xperience 3 (MX3) - Friends Of the Cross Time: 7pm (Fri)-1pm (Sun). A weekend live-in retreat based on the spirituality of St Louis Marie de Montfort. A Friend of the Cross is one chosen by God, from among thousands. A Friend of the Cross is one who is holy and set apart from the things that are visible. Are you walking along the true way of life – the narrow

may 13 Our Lady of Fatima Centennial Celebrations Time: 6pm-9pm. Come join us for Mass and a candlelight procession for the centennial celebrations of Our Lady of Fatima at St Joseph’s Church, 143 Victoria Street. The celebrations commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal and to honour the Fatima message of penance and prayer.

Crossword Puzzle 1177 1

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DOWN 1 This caused Paul’s ship to wreck 2 _____ about 3 Silent 4 Put in order 5 Poorer 6 Offspring 7 Book of Samuel character 8 ____ of Contrition 9 Imperious 10 Stopping 11 “…_____ of my bones and flesh of my …” (Gen 2:23) 12 “I _____ no evil, for you are with me” (Ps 23:4) 13 “…my brother, co-worker, and comrade in ____.”

(Phil 2:25) 21 Move through the air 23 End of Time?

25 Operatic melodies 26 Homily source 27 Double curves 28 Studied (with “over”)

29 Utterly stupid person 30 Negates 31 Departs 32 Inexperienced person 33 Physician of ancient Rome 36 _____ Works of Mercy 37 Follow in time 39 Saves 40 Garland 42 Commandment number 43 One of two epistles (abbr.)

45 Rigid 46 “Though the just ___ seven times, they rise again” (Prov 24:16) 47 ___ to Damascus 48 Charity 49 Skein 50 Very small quantity 51 Latin 101 word 52 Father 55 Bathing suit top

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 “…she shall be called ____, because she was taken…” (Gen 2:23) 6 Father of wellknown twins 11 Coll. degree 14 Accustom 15 _____ Coeur 16 Poetic expression 17 _____ Dame 18 Collection of Hindu aphorisms

19 “Apocalypse Now” setting 20 Terrible 22 Willows 24 River Moses turned to blood 25 Not fer 26 A golf score 28 Capering 32 The Archdiocese of Niamey is found in this African country 33 “_____ My Way,” classic Catholic movie

34 Pair 35 Retired 36 Unit of weight in gemstones 37 Heap 38 Island (Fr.) 39 Capacities 40 Loses heat 41 Rotted 43 Prices paid 44 Jock’s network 45 Wrongful act 46 Spanish dictator 49 She wanted the

head of John the Baptist (Mt 14:8) 53 On-line co.

54 Municipal pope?

56 She renamed herself Mara 57 OT book 58 “Whoever corrects the arrogant ____ insults” (Prov 9:7) 59 Fragrant oil 60 Joseph Smith’s denom.

61 Quench 62 Contract

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1176 R E A L

I L S A

C H A D

R E N E

P L U M B

A E R I E

T E N E M A S U M P S E L O D E I M E S N N A N I L S P A I R U F R E N T A S T G E C E N C S T C

A L T A R C Y R U S O H O

B A L A M O I O N L M F L A C L I N O U N S R I C E D B S F L P O E E R I S L O S S A N T N K S

M A G I S T E R I U M

E N O C H

S T A R E

S I L O S

L U S T

O B O E

R E N D

R E S I A N S A C C T L E E S

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Seventeenth Anniversary In loving memory of

MDM LILY THERESA Departed: Feb 7, 2000 Softly within the shadows God gave a gentle call With farewells left unspoken Mum, you silently left us all Our hearts still ache with sadness and Silent tears still flow For what it means to love and miss you, Mum No one will ever know.

Deeply missed and always remembered by daughter Mary Joseph, son Steven Joseph and all loved ones.

Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

obituary

Thanksgiving O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has giv-

en such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession.

Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers.

MARY LIM SIEW ENG, mother of Keng Mei Departed: Feb 3, 2013 You are always in our thoughts.

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

Thirty-seventh Anniversary

Edward JACLYN Andrew De CHONG JUN ER Rozario Called home: Departed: Feb 8, 2008 Feb 8, 2009 Gone from our lives EDWIN D’CRUZ All who knew and One so dear Departed: Jan 31, 1980 loved you But in our hearts Eternal rest grant honour your memory, Forever near. unto him O Lord and keeping our faces Sadly missed let perpetual light to the sun. by all loved ones shine upon him.

The joy you were far May he rest in peace. outweighs the sorrow.

Thirteenth Amen.

We thank God for you, Anniversary Dearly missed by wife, In loving memory of a beautiful gift bar none. children, grandchildren, Deeply missed relatives and friends. by all loved ones.

Eleventh Anniversary Seventeenth In loving memory of Anniversary In loving memory of

CLASSIFIED

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of my beloved wife

SYLVIA PEREIRA NEE JANSEN Departed: Feb 1, 2006 You never said I’m leaving, You never said Goodbye, You were gone before we knew it.

And only God knows why...

I have lost my soul’s companion A life linked with my own, And day by day I miss you more As I walk through life alone.

Dearly missed by husband Allan, Roger, Ryan, Selina, Shania, Rhylan, Val, Amber, Adele and loved ones.

EDMOND BRANSON JR Born: Aug 20, 1967 Departed: Feb 4, 2004 No matter how life changes No matter what we do A special place within our hearts Is always kept for you.

Loved and missed by family, relatives and friends.

“In the Lord’s own house Shall I dwell forever and ever” Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Raymond Patrick Mariadass Departed Feb 5, 2007 Gone from our lives one so dear, but in our hearts forever near.

Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Holy Spirit on Sunday Feb 5 at 11.30am.

Deeply missed and fondly remembered by all loved ones.

JAMES A. SCHEERDER Departed: Feb 9, 2000 We often think of bygone days When we were together; The family chain is broken But memories live for ever.

Fondly remembered by wife Olive, children, grandchildren and friends.

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

CATHERINE NEO KHUAI YENG Departed: Feb 6, 2015 Rest: St Anne’s Church, L 2 In our hearts, you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile forever imprinted in our minds.

Deeply missed by your husband, children, son-in-law and grandchildren.

in memoriam 27

28 world

Sunday February 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Church must accompany couples before and after marriage: pope VATICAN CITY – To ensure en-

gaged couples are entering into a fully Catholic marriage and remain committed to their vows for life, they must be prepared properly beforehand and supported afterwards, Pope Francis said.

Addressing members of the Roman Rota, a tribunal handling mostly marriage cases, the pope said the Church cannot ignore that there is a “widespread mentality” that is convinced eternal truths do not exist and, therefore, that many young people approaching the Church for marriage do not understand what the sacrament is and that it is for life.

“Such a context, lacking religious values and faith, cannot help but condition matrimonial consent,” one of the essential conditions for a Catholic marriage to be valid, the pope told the Rota members on Jan 21.

The response of the Catholic Church, he said, must be to provide serious preparation for engaged couples and support that would help newlyweds mature in their vocation.

“The objective of this preparation consists in helping engaged couples to know and live the reality of the marriage they intend to celebrate so that they may do so not only validly and lawfully, but also fruitfully,” he said.

Citing Pope Benedict XVI’s last address to the Roman Rota – in which he highlighted the relation-

Great courage is ‘ needed to be married in the times in which we are living. Those who have the strength and the joy of fulfilling this important step must feel the love and concrete closeness of the Church near them.

’

– Pope Francis

Pope Francis greets newly married couples during his general audience in St Peter’s Square in this file photo. He said he “would like to reiterate the need of a ‘new catechumenate’ for marriage preparation”. CNS photo

ship between love and truth – the pope said some seeking marriage participate actively in the Church while others “are guided by a more generic religious sentiment”.

Educating young people so they rediscover marriage and family life according to God’s plan, he said, is a first “remedy” to situations where sufficient preparation is lacking.

“In this spirit, I would like to reiterate the need of a ‘new catechumenate’ for marriage preparation,” he said.

Pope Francis explained that, just like a catechumenate period in preparation for baptism as an adult, “marriage preparation can become an integral part of the whole sacramental procedure of marriage, as an antidote that im-

pedes the growth of null or inconsistent matrimonial celebrations”.

A second remedy, he continued, is the Church’s presence and formation after marriage to encourage newlyweds in their lives together.

The Christian community is “called to welcome, accompany and help young couples” and care for their spiritual life through the parish’s pastoral ministry, he said.

“Oftentimes, young couples are left to themselves, perhaps for the simple fact that they are seen less in the parish; this is especially true after the birth of children,” the pope said.

It is in those “first moments of family life,” he said, that the Church must be even closer to young couples so they “may strive for the beauty of the Christian family, despite the destructive traps of a culture dominated by the ephemeral and the provisional”.

“As I have said several times,” the pope said, “great courage is needed to be married in the times in which we are living. And those who have the strength and the joy of fulfilling this important step must feel the love and concrete closeness of the Church near them.” n CNS

Church officials visit war-torn Aleppo Pope confirms appointment of new Opus Dei head

VATICAN CITY – Conveying Pope

Francis’ closeness to the Syrian people, a Vatican delegation visited Aleppo following the end of the hostilities that left thousands dead and the city in ruins.

Msgr Giampietro Dal Toso, secretary-delegate of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, visited the city from Jan 18-23, accompanied by Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria, and Msgr Thomas Habib, an official at the nunciature.

The delegation met with “Christian communities and their pastors, who expressed gratitude to the pope for his constant concern for beloved Syria,” , the Vatican said in a statement on Jan 24.

They also visited several refugee camps and Catholic institutions assisting in relief efforts, including a humanitarian assistance centre run by Caritas Aleppo.

According to the Vatican, during a meeting with the Church’s charitable institutions, Msgr Dal Toso and the delegation emphasised the importance of providing relief assistance to the Syrian people.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has

Boys carry sandwiches on Jan 20 in Aleppo, Syria. A Vatican delegation visited refugee camps there and met with Christians and Muslims after the battle for the city ended. CNS photo

“With the support of the universal Church and thanks to the generous contribution of the international community, such help may be intensified in the future to meet the growing needs of the people,” the Vatican said.

Members of the delegation also took part in an ecumenical

prayer service that coincided with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as well as several meetings with Islamic representatives.

The “responsibilities of religions in educating for peace and reconciliation” was among the issues discussed during the meetings, the Vatican noted. n CNS

confirmed the election of Spanish Msgr Fernando Ocariz as the new prelate of Opus Dei. The 72-year-old monsignor, who had been auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei, was elected and confirmed by the pope on Jan 23, the first day of voting by Opus Dei’s electoral congress, a gathering of priests and laypeople.

Opus Dei is a personal prelature, which is in some ways like a diocese without geographic boundaries.

Msgr Ocariz succeeds Bishop Javier Echevarria, who died in December.

Born in Paris in 1944 to a family exiled during the Spanish civil war, Msgr Ocariz graduated from the University of Barcelona with a degree in physical sciences in 1966.

Prior to receiving his licentiate in theology from Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University in 1969, he lived in Rome in an Opus Dei house along with St Josemaria Escriva, the Opus Dei founder. He

Spanish Msgr Fernando Ocariz is the new prelate of Opus Dei. CNS photo

also received a doctorate in theology from the University of Navarra in 1971, the same year of his ordination.

Msgr Ocariz serves as a consultor to several Vatican offices, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Clergy and the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. n CNS

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