FEBRUARY 07 2016, Vol 66, No 03

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2016

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

MCI (P) 009/08/2015

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Relating to religious believers and non-believers Archbishop gives Church’s views in interfaith symposium

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INSIDE HOME Montfort schools mark centennial year Series of events lined up

By Christopher Khoo How does the Catholic Church relate to people from other religions and to people with no religion? This and other questions were tackled by Archbishop William Goh during a Jan 20 symposium on how religions can contribute to social harmony and coexistence. The head of the Singapore Catholic Church was among several religious representatives and academics who spoke at the event titled Common Space: Can Religion Contribute to It?, organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. In his keynote lecture, Archbishop Goh explained that the two documents guiding Catholics in relating to non-Christians and those without religion were Nostra Aetate, the 1965 declaration on the Church’s relations to nonChristian religions, and the 1998 encyclical, Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason). “The fundamental guideline given in Nostra Aetate is simply this,” he told the 500-strong crowd. “Whatever is holy and true, whatever is good and true in [other] religions, the Church does not reject. Not only does the Church not reject, the Church wants to promote and foster what is good and true in these religions,” he said during his talk titled Nostra Aetate as a Religious Resource for Common Space. Archbishop Goh said the document lists four guiding principles for engaging with non-Christians. 7KH ¿UVW LV WKDW KXPDQLW\ LV “one community”. “Everyone is a child of God regardless of who they are,” said Archbishop Goh. “Because we have the same origin, we have the same destiny… We all have the

VOL 66

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Juggling family duties, studies Taiwanese CHIJ student shares how she coped with O-levels Page 4

Challenges to marriage Speakers, participants discuss issues Page 6

POPE FRANCIS For the hurts that &KULVWLDQV LQÁLFWHG on one another . . . Pope asks for pardon Page 13 Archbishop William Goh speaking at the symposium titled Common Space: Can Religion Contribute to It?

same blood, we all have the same aspirations.” It also means that the Church “does not tolerate discrimination of any sort – race, colour, religion” and exhorts its members to collaborate with members of other faiths for peace and harmony, he said. The second principle is the need to stress what is common

among religions, said Archbishop Goh. “What unites us … is much more than what divides us.” “Every religion attempts to explain the meaning of life, the purpose of life: What is happiness, why is there suffering, where do I come from, what will happen after death, what is life all about?” he said.

is holy and true, whatever is good ‘Whatever and true in [other] religions, the Church does not reject. Not only does the Church not reject, the Church wants to promote and foster what is good and true in these religions,

’

- Archbishop William Goh

“Therefore all of us have the same aspirations for authenticity, for meaning, for purpose.” Nostra Aetate stresses that the Church must therefore have “high regard for the practices of other religions”, said Archbishop Goh, adding that the Church is happy when another religion is doing good work. The third principle is the issue of “distinctiveness”. “Every religion must be taken on its own terms,” said Archbishop Goh. “No religion can be compared with another.” He added, “We don’t try to disprove another person’s belief. Continued on Page 9

FOCUS They claim to have had divine revelations &KDQFHU\ RI¿FH issues warning Page 17

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Montfort schools kick off centennial year

/HIW $UFKELVKRS :LOOLDP *RK VSHDNLQJ GXULQJ KLV KRPLO\ +H LQYLWHG WKRVH JDWKHUHG WR UHÀHFW RQ WKH KLVWRU\ RI the Montfort schools to charter the future. Above: The Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel and some of the school alumni at the Mass on Jan 16.

By Jared Ng ³7RGD\ ZH DUH UHDOO\ SURXG KRQRXUHG DQG JUDWHIXO WKDW RYHU WKLV \HDUV WKH 0RQWIRUW VFKRRO KDV SURGXFHG PDQ\ OHDGHUV ERWK IRU WKH &KXUFK DQG IRU VRFLHW\ ´ VDLG $UFKELVKS :LOOLDP *RK +H ZDV VSHDNLQJ GXULQJ KLV KRPLO\ DW WKH 0RQWIRUW &HQWHQQLDO 0DVV KHOG DW WKH &KXUFK RI WKH 1DWLYLW\ RI WKH %OHVVHG 9LUJLQ 0DU\ RQ -DQ $ERXW SHRSOH DWWHQGHG WKH 0DVV $PRQJ WKHP ZHUH )RUPHU &DELQHW 0LQLVWHU /LP %RRQ +HQJ FXUUHQW 0RQWIRUW VFKRRO VWXGHQWV DQG DOXPQL SULHVWV ZKR ZHUH DOVR IRUPHU VWXGHQWV WKH %URWKHUV RI 6W *DEULHO DQG %LVKRS 6HEDVWLDQ )UDQFLV RI 3HQDQJ 7KH WKHPH IRU WKH FHQWHQQLDO FHOHEUDWLRQ ZDV &HOHEUDWLQJ WKH

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What we are today is the result of many people, ‘hundreds of them... whether teachers, Brothers or fellow students. They have moulded us in some way. ’

– Archbishop William Goh

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DGMRXUQHG QH[W GRRU IRU OXQFK DW WKH &+,- 2XU /DG\ RI WKH 1DWLYLW\ VFKRRO FDQWHHQ ,Q KLV DGGUHVV EHIRUH OXQFK 0U /LP %RRQ +HQJ JDYH D VXPPDU\ RQ WKH XSFRPLQJ HYHQWV RI WKH 0RQIRUW FHQWHQQLDO \HDU 7KH HYHQWV LQFOXGH D )RXQGHU¶V 'D\ FHOHEUDWLRQ DQG D 0RQIRUW &KDOOHQJH ZKLFK ZLOO LQYROYH DOO VHYHQ *DEULHOLWH VFKRROV LQ 6LQJDSRUH To commemorate the historic milestone of the Monfort schools, a series of events have been planned: 1. Fund-raising Dinner (April 9) 2. Founder’s Day Celebration Cum Homecoming Carnival (April 23) 3. Montfort Challenge: A Community Service initiative (June 30 – July 1) 4. Montfort Alumni Golf Tournament (August) 5. Gala Dinner Cum Launch of Coffee-table Book (Nov 19) „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

MILESTONES OF THE MONFORT SCHOOLS „ In 1916, Fr H Duvelle VWDUWHG WKH ¿UVW FODVV RI SXSLOV LQ 8SSHU 6HUDQJRRQ 5RDG 7KH VFKRRO ZDV ¿UVW QDPHG +RO\ ,QQRFHQWV¶ (QJOLVK 6FKRRO „ 7RZDUGV WKH HQG RI LW ZDV UHQDPHG 0RQWIRUW 6FKRRO LQ KRQRXU RI 6W /RXLV 0DULH *ULJQLRQ GH 0RQWIRUW IRXQGHU RI WKH %URWKHUV RI 6W *DEULHO „ ,Q 0RQWIRUW 6FKRRO SURYLGHG SUH 8 $UWV DQG 6FLHQFH FRXUVHV WR ERWK ER\V IURP 0RQWIRUW 6FKRRO DQG 6W *DEULHO¶V 6FKRRO DV ZHOO DV JLUOV HVSHFLDOO\ IURP +DL 6LQJ *LUOV¶ 6FKRRO DQG 6W -RVHSK¶V &RQYHQW „ ,Q 0RQWIRUW 6FKRRO ZKLFK KDG EHHQ IXQFWLRQLQJ DV D IXOO VFKRRO EHJDQ UXQQLQJ VHSDUDWHO\ DV 0RQWIRUW -XQLRU

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Former Nativity church servers reunite on 50th anniversary Former altar servers of the St Stephen’s Altar Boys’ Society (SSABS) reunited at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Dec 26 to celebrate the organisation’s 50th anniversary. The celebration saw present servers as young as seven years old joining former servers as old as 81 years in thanksgiving. About 130 former and current altar servers were at the celebration. In his homily at the thanksgiving Mass, parish priest Fr Henry Siew urged the servers to emulate their patron saint, St Stephen, because “he was a person who imitated Christ Himself.” Two former altar servers who are now priests, Fr Augustine Tay and Fr Joachim Kang, also celebrated the Mass. Today, the society boasts impressive alumni that features dozens of priests, including Archbishop William Goh. Although he was unable to attend, his congratulatory letter

to the society was read out. In his letter, Archbishop Goh recounted being the chief trainer when he was an altar server. “We would go for bicycle outings and would ride to Punggol and even to the city in the wee hours of the night!” Many of the traditions that Archbishop Goh mentioned in his letter are still being practised – such as the servers’ test that new members must go through before given the privilege to serve at the Altar. The SSABS also has a strong tradition of discipline in attendance, service and conduct. Several former servers who journeyed with Archbishop Goh also shared their experiences during their time in the society from its humble beginnings. They shared another old tradition of having annual society outings to places like Tanah Merah Beach and Changi Beach. The SSABS spearheaded the Archbishop’s Cup, an an-

nual football tournament for altar servers in Singapore, which is still being played today. Mr Emmanuel Loo, 23, a former server added that the society also shares a long-standing relationship with the members’ parents. “The support from parents throughout the 50 years has buoyed the society and is what makes the members happy, loved, accepted and appreciated. This is important as it carries the traditions and makes the members remain longer in the society and attracts others to join,” he said. The society currently has a strength of 67 members.

Above: Mr Roche Lim Bak Chay, 81, bringing up the offertory to Fr Alphonsus Dominic. He was the oldest former server present at the celebration on Dec 26. Below: Fr Noel Chin posing with Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary altar servers in 1968.

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Juggling family duties and studies Former CHIJ student from Taiwan shares how she coped with O-levels By Jared Ng Moving from a foreign country that speaks a different language can be a daunting challenge. This is what former CHIJ Secondary student Tseng Yun Ching had to deal with when she moved from Taiwan to Singapore in 2013. On top of that, Tseng had the added responsibilty of looking after her two younger brothers, now 10 and 14-years-old, while her parents were overseas for work. Despite all these challenges, she had an aggregate score of 8 points for her O-level examinations, including a B3 for English. Her other results were A1s for Elementary and Additional Mathematics, and Chinese which she took during Secondary 3; A2s for Higher Chinese, Pure Chemistry and Physics; and a B3 for Humanities. Although she learned English in Taiwan, Tseng said that VKH IRXQG LW GLIÂżFXOW WR DGMXVW WR a school environment where most students speak English instead of Mandarin. She shared that she “stuttered ZKHQ , ÂżUVW VSRNH (QJOLVK KHUH´ and “sometimes I can’t really un-

Former CHIJ Secondary student Tseng Yun Ching, who moved from Taiwan in 2013, with her English teacher Ms Magdelen Low. She scored a B3 in English for her O-levels.

derstand what the teacher is sayLQJ GXULQJ FODVV ´ On how she overcame these challenges, Tseng credits her classmates for always taking time to “talk to me and make me PRUH Ă€XHQW WKH\ ZRXOG DOVR OHQG me their notes and explain to me WKLQJV , GRQÂśW XQGHUVWDQG ´

Tseng’s classmates also introduced her to Vocabulary Builder, an online app that provides proQXQFLDWLRQV IRU ZRUGV GH¿QLWLRQV and examples of sentences for every word. Her English teacher, Ms

Magdelen Low, would also advise her on how she could improve on her essays. At home, Tseng said that being the oldest, she was often required to look after her younger brothers when her parents were away.

Tseng’s classmates introduced her to Vocabulary Builder, an online app that provides SURQXQFLDWLRQV IRU ZRUGV GH¿QLWLRQV and examples of sentences for every word.

“Whenever my parents are away, my youngest brother would sometimes cry at night so I need to try and comfort him. And honestly, I’m not very good at being FRPIRUWLQJ ´ VDLG 7VHQJ Ă€DVKLQJ a grin. However, Tseng shared that her brothers would avoid troubling her while she was studying at home, knowing that it was her O-level year. Besides taking time to study and look after her siblings, Tseng, who represented her school in squash in Sec 2 and 3, was also involved in a 9DOXHV LQ $FWLRQ SURMHFW The initiative, organised by her school, would see a group of students visit a home for the elderly two to three times a year. $V SURMHFW OHDGHU 7VHQJ ZDV tasked with coming up with a programme for the elderly as well as managing a budget for the visit. When asked about her plans after O-levels, Tseng shared that she applied to Anderson Junior &ROOHJH DV KHU ÂżUVW FKRLFH EHFDXVH it was the nearest to her home. As to what advice she would offer to other foreign students going through similar situations. “It will be a very new environment to most of the international students EXW \RX MXVW KDYH WR UHDOO\ ZRUN hard, and start from the basics, XQWLO \RX UHDFK \RXU JRDO ´ VDLG Tseng. „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

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%\ 'DYLG 2QJ A fundraising gala dinner for the building fund of the Church of the 7UDQVÂżJXUDWLRQ &277 ZDV KHOG at the Fairmont Ballroom on Jan 17. About 1,700 Catholics came WRJHWKHU WR VKRZ WKHLU VXSSRUW by raising $827,180. The amount ZDV UDLVHG WKURXJK WDEOH VDOHV IRU the dinner and an auction. $PRQJ WKRVH ZKR DWWHQGHG ZHUH JXHVW RI KRQRXU 'HSX ty Prime Minister Teo Chee +HDQ $UFKELVKRS :LOOLDP

*RK DQG 0VJU 3KLOLS +HQJ ,Q KLV VSHHFK $UFKELVKRS *RK HPSKDVLVHG WKH VKDUHG UHVSRQVL bility of building God’s Church. He noted that although churches LQ 6LQJDSRUH DUH ZHOO DWWHQGHG the costs of land rental and con struction are high. $UFKELVKRS *RK ZHQW RQ WR HQFRXUDJH DOO &DWKROLFV WR VXSSRUW WKH &KXUFK RI WKH 7UDQV¿JXUDWLRQ in their fundraising efforts. To date, $10 million of the $60 mil lion needed have been raised. 2WKHU KLJKOLJKWV RI WKH HYHQLQJ included a silent and reverse auc

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HYHQWV , ORRNHG IRUZDUG WR GXULQJ the school holidays.â€? Âł0\ H[FLWHPHQW VWHPPHG IURP VHHLQJ WKH XSJUDGHG VFKRRO EXLOGLQJ IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH DQG LQ DQWLFLSDWLRQ WKDW ZH ZRXOG EH making history as the cohort of JUDGXDWLQJ VWXGHQWV LQ WKLV QHZ FDPSXV ´ DGGHG &KHZ 0U 5HQH /RK <HDU +HDG RI $VVXPSWLRQ (QJOLVK 6FKRRO VDLG WKDW ÂłWKLV PDUNV DQ HUD RI QHZ EH ginnings for the school.â€? Âł,W LV GHÂżQLWHO\ D PHPRUD ble occasion for all students and staff.â€? „

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Be instruments of God’s love, couples told at World Forum on Marriage By Tee Hun Ching Around the world, the traditional notion of marriage is under siege. Against this bleak backdrop, Catholic couples are being called to live out their sacramental vows and serve as a beacon of hope. “One reality today is that marriage is not so hot an item in the minds of many people,” Msgr Ambrose Vaz, vicar general, said in his keynote address at the World Forum on Marriage 2016. The inaugural event took place on Jan 16 at Catholic Junior College. Drawing on key points raised at the Synod on the Family held last October in Rome, he outlined various threats to the sanctity of marriage. These include the declining role of religion in society, growing pressure to recognise samesex marriages and “exaggerated individualism”, where people now focus on the “I” and “me” instead of the “we” and “us”. But Msgr Vaz had a clear message for his 210-strong audience: “You are very important people. Don’t believe the world when it says marriage is no longer something relevant, no longer something we should be aiming for, let’s just do what we like.” The mission of the family is to

Don’t believe the ‘world when it says marriage is no longer something relevant, no longer something we should be aiming for.

’

– Msgr Ambrose Vaz speaking to participants at the World Forum on Marriage 2016

A panel discussion at the World Forum on Marriage.

be signs and instruments of God’s love and grace, he stressed. “Remember, you make a difference... We are proclaiming, through our marriages and our families, the unity and love, the joy and mercy of God.” The forum on marriage was WKH ¿UVW HYHU E\ WKH :RUOGZLGH Marriage Encounter (WWME). It was held in conjunction

with the Worldwide Marriage Encounter World Council Meeting, which Singapore last hosted in 1990. This time, the WWME World Council Leaders meeting was hosted by ME Singapore from Jan 14-20. Daniel and Shelley Ee from Singapore, together with Fr Nathaniel Gomez from the Philippines are the Interna-

tional Ecclesial team leaders. This year’s meeting drew 21 delegates from six continents, who lead the worldwide movement to foster strong marriages through retreats, workshops and other activities. Same-sex marriage was a hot topic at the Jan 16 forum, with seven participants submitting questions related to it during a

More help for newlyweds Young couples will soon get help to weather storms in the crucial early years of their marriage. The Archdiocesan Commission for the Family (ACF) will launch an initiative in June that pairs engaged and newly wed couples with mentor couples.

This was announced at the recent World Forum on Marriage, where several participants pointed out the gap between the Marriage Preparation Course, which targets couples planning to get married, and Marriage Encounter,

which usually draws couples who have clocked at least a few years of marriage. Details of the programme are still being worked out. More details will be released in due course after meetings with parish priests.

question-and-answer session. The insights gleaned from the forum have inspired Mr Eric Loh, 38, to serve in the ME community. “One of the speakers said we are the eyes, hands and body of Christ. We are doing His work. The thought of being able to help one married couple at a time, one parish, one nation and then the whole world motivates me,” said the sales representative. For senior IT consultant Joy Abaja, 39, the call to be a living example of God’s love struck a chord with her. The mother of four said: “Our most helpful takeaway is that long-lasting marriages start within the family. By showing our kids how we respect and treat each other, they would want to do the same in their own relationships.”

Upcoming meditation retreat Benedictine Fr Laurence Freeman will lead a weekend meditation retreat for the Singapore chapter of The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM). The retreat will be held at Catholic Junior College on March 12 and 13 from 9am-5pm daily. The retreat is open to all. The theme for the retreat is Milestones, Stages of Life in the Light of Meditation. Mr Peter Ng Kok Song, president of WCCM Singapore, explained that the theme Milestones refers to the stages of life from childhood to adolescence, adulthood, old age and eventually death. “Meditation, as a form of prayer, helps us to experience these stages of life as also stages of maturing in Christian faith,’’

Benedictine Fr Laurence Freeman will be in Singapore in March and April to lead various workshops and retreats.

Mr Ng said. “We come from God and the goal of our life is union with God.”

Fr Laurence last led a meditation retreat in Singapore in December 2014 themed The Eight Big Problems of Life which attracted over 500 participants. While in Singapore in March and April, Fr Laurence will also be teaching a course on Meditation and Leadership for MBA students at Singapore Management University. He will also conduct a workshop at Nanyang Business School. Fr Laurence will also be sharing his experience with healthcare practitioners in a public lecture on Contemplative Healthcare hosted by Sengkang Health. Registration for the Milestones retreat is now open. For more information and to sign up, visit www.gevme.com/milestones. Registration ends on Feb 28.

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Mandarin conference on the Face of Mercy

Fr Peter Zhang speaking to participants during the academic conference on Jan 17.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR AT CTIS: Rectors and lecturers of the

Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) and St Francis Xavier Major Seminary solemnly pledged their Faculty Profession of

Faith before Archbishop William Goh on Jan 15. They recited the Nicene Creed and publicly declared to embrace and strongly uphold every doctrine asserted and declared by the Church on faith and morals. „

An academic conference on the papal document, Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy), the RI¿FLDO SURFODPDWLRQ RI WKH ([traordinary Jubilee of Mercy issued by Pope Francis, was held in Mandarin on Jan 17. It was organised by The Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS). The conference, held at the institute, was attended by about 90 faculty members, graduates, students and guests. It focused on WRSLFV UHODWLQJ WR WKH ([WUDRUGLnary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. Speakers at the conference were Frs Valerian Cheong, Peter Zhang and Kenson Koh. Mr 6DPXHO 1J &(2 RI 0RQWIRUW Care, was also a speaker. (DFK VSHDNHU H[SORUHG WKH theme of mercy from various perspectives. During his session, Fr Valerian, who had his sharing translated into Mandarin simultaneously, cited several scripture passages WR H[SODLQ WKH ELEOLFDO XQGHUstanding of mercy. )RU H[DPSOH LQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDment, Psalm 101 attributes mercy and justice to the Lord, and Psalm 145 says that His compassion is available to all who call on His name. Fr Peter Zhang, interpreting 0LVHULFRUGLDH 9XOWXV H[SODLQHG that Jesus Christ is the visible face of the Father’s mercy, to reveal the divine love of the Holy Trinity.

He also touched on other key topics such as the relationship between mercy and weakness, the dynamism between mercy and justice, mercy and confession, and mercy and indulgence. Drawing on the Church’s teachings on mission and the new evangelisation, Fr Kenson offered insights and suggestions on how Catholics can put all that they have learnt about God’s love and mercy into practice. For inVWDQFH KDYLQJ SHUVRQDOO\ H[SHULenced the tender mercy and forgiveness of the Lord, Catholics ought to share His mercy with others through words and deeds. Mr Ng spoke on behalf of Caritas Singapore, an umbrella body of 24 Catholic charities and social service groups. During the Jubilee Year, he mentioned that Caritas and its DIÂżOLDWHV ZLOO MRXUQH\ WRZDUGV D GHHSHU H[SHULHQFH RI *RGÂśV mercy, responding to the call of Jesus to “be merciful just as your Father is mercifulâ€?. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session. 0V :HQG\ 2HL D &7,6 0DQdarin Diploma student, found the conference “enrichingâ€? and “soul-searchingâ€?. “[They] challenged me to step out of my comIRUW ]RQH DQG H[SDQG P\ ERXQGDULHV ´ 0V 2HL VKDUHG WKDW ZKLOH LW may sound challenging, she has been inspired to “show and share [God’s] mercy till it hurts.â€? „

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Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Religious leaders pray for Christians to be witnesses of unity

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A mother and her daughter taking part in a symbolic gesture of commitment to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ to the world as one Christian community.

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3DUWLFLSDWLQJ PLQLVWHUV VD\LQJ D SUD\HU EHIRUH WKH ¿UVW VHUYLFH DW 7RD 3D\oh Methodist Church on Jan 18.

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Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

The seminary begins a new chapter By Br Clarence Yue

Archbishop William Goh and Fr Edward Seah pose with the three new principals. From left: Mrs Woo Soo Min, principal of Maris Stella High School; Ms Imelda Anthony, principal of Magdalene’s Kindergarten; and Fr (Dr) Adrian Danker, SJ, principal of St Joseph’s Institution.

Three new principals commissioned By Anthony Yoong “How can we be instruments of mercy according to the vocation we are in?� asked Archbishop William Goh, in his homily during the Principals’ Commissioning Mass on Jan 23. More than 100 educators, principals, students, relatives and friends of the new principals attended the Mass, which was held in Montfort Secondary School. The three new principals are: Fr (Dr) Adrian Danker, SJ, St Joseph’s Institution (SJI); Mrs Woo Soo Min, Maris Stella High School; and Ms Imelda Anthony, Magdalene’s Kindergarten. In line with the message of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Archbishop Goh beckoned Catholic educators not to forget the needs

of students who are spiritually and emotionally poor. “It is easy to love intelligent students who listen when you are teaching, and who are obedient,â€? KH VDLG Âł%XW GLIÂżFXOW VWXGHQWV DUH the ones who take up a lot of our time and energy.â€? He also noted how teachers require formation, and attributed the task to principals. “Many teachers are equally wounded, equally hurt,â€? he said, reminding the principals to be aware of the well-being of teachers and to empower them. At the end of the homily, the three new principals received a blessing from Archbishop Goh. Fr Danker said that he is humbled and heartened with his appointment to head SJI. The 50-year-old SJI alumnus also hopes that the various Catho-

lic schools in Singapore can work together as one, building on the richness of their different charisms. Mrs Woo Soo Min, 46, said she was excited to serve as the principal of Maris Stella High School. Previously the principal of Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School, Mrs Woo plans to focus on continuing the holistic education provided by the school to nurture aspiring learners grounded in faith, character and values. Ms Imelda Anthony, 33, said she felt blessed to be a part of the Canossian family in leading Magdalene’s Kindergarten. “We’re trying to reach out to the churches and spread what we are doing at the kindergarten, and how good it is for the little ones to learn values and character-building at an early age,� she shared. „

lants now attend classes alongside laypeople. The St Francis Xavier Major The anticipated move to the Seminary has moved to its tempo- seminary’s eventual home, within rary premises at the Church of St the premises of St Joseph Church Teresa, 510 Kampung Bahru. (Bukit Timah), is expected to take 7KH RI¿FLDO PRYH ZDV PDGH place in two to three years’ time. on Nov 30, 2015. The annual thanksgiving Mass It was decided after care- was celebrated at the Punggol ful considerations on the part of premises for the last time on Nov Archbishop William Goh and his PDUNLQJ D VLJQL¿FDQW PLOHteam of advisors. stone in the history The future formaof the seminary. tion of the seminarThe seminarLDQV DQG PRUH HI¿ians said that they cient utilisation of were sad to leave Church resources their Punggol for the archdiocese premises, more so were some of the for those who have The St Francis Xavier Major considerations. called it home for The seminary Seminary in Punggol. The sem- the last six to seven \HDU IRU RI¿- inary has relocated temporarily years. For Msgr cially began on Jan to the Church of St Teresa. Ambrose Vaz, rec15. This year also saw three new tor of St Francis Xavier Major additions to the seminary commu- Seminary, it has been his home for nity. Bringing the total number to about 20 years. 11 seminarians. While there was uncertainty Classes are now held in the day about the venture into unchartered at the classrooms of the Church of territory, the seminarians also St Teresa and in the premises of shared that they are excited to be the Catholic Theological Insti- part of a new chapter and phase in tute of Singapore (CTIS) at night. the history of the seminary. „ Seminarians, novices and postuBr Clarence is a seminarian.

Archbishop William Goh with the seminary community. Seated from left: Br Gabriel Wong, Msgr Ambrose Vaz, Archbishop William Goh, Frs Valerian Cheong and John Bosco. Standing from left: Seminarians Shaun Lim, Simon Ho, Vincent Thomas, Nicholas Lye, Andrew Lin, Brennan Tay, Andre Tan, Justin Yip, Dexter Chua and Clarence Yue.

Dialogue requires humility and forgiveness: Archbishop „ From Page 1

Rather we accept, we try to see what is good in them and we appreciate.â€? The fourth principle is dialogue. The only way to overcome fear of others is through dialogue, said Archbishop Goh. “When there is fear there is no communication ‌ When there is fear, there is no trust. You cannot have a dialogue without trust.â€? Dialogue also needs to be done with humility, he said, adding that Nostra Aetate stresses the importance of religious groups forgetting past hurts in order to work for world peace and harmony. “To forget the past means to surpass the past,â€? said Archbishop Goh. “What we need to do is surpass the mistakes that others have made, to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes.â€? Dialogue therefore requires “forgivenessâ€?, he said. “It requires listening, it requires sincerity, trying to learn from each other.â€? However, there are different levels of

dialogue depending on the comfort levels of SDUWLFLSDQWV 7KH ÂżUVW LV WKDW RI GLDORJXH RI prayer, religious experience and contemplation. “That is the easiest,â€? said Archbishop Goh. The second is the “dialogue of lifeâ€?. “That means we care for each other, we love each other, we have makan together, we celebrate together,â€? he said. The third is the dialogue of action in which people of different religions work together to serve society, such as helping the poor. The last level is the “dialogue of truthâ€?. Âł7KDW LV WKH PRVW GLIÂżFXOW DUHD ÂŤDQG should be handled by theologiansâ€?, said Archbishop Goh. “The whole purpose of dialogue is friendship,â€? he said. “When there is friendship – suspicion, fear, all these things will be removed.â€? Archbishop Goh also spoke of how religious believers can relate to people with no religion. The only way is through reason, he said,

adding that this was why Pope John Paul II wrote the encyclical Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason). Faith and reason are two ways of “lookLQJ DQG ÂżQGLQJ WKH IXOOQHVV RI OLIH´ VDLG Archbishop Goh. “Faith is not against reason and reason is not against faith,â€? he said. “What is the ultimate goal of faith? Is it truth and love?â€? He stressed that faith helps SHRSOH WR ³¿QG WKH IXOOQHVV RI WUXWK DQG WKH fullness of loveâ€?. On the other hand, “reason also seeks for truthâ€?, he said. “Therefore, there are two ZD\V WR ÂżQG XOWLPDWH WUXWK XOWLPDWH ORYH Âą faith and reason, they go together‌ They are not contradictory.â€? He added that although faith transcends reason, faith is not against reason. “Reason can tell you the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ – how the world came about,â€? he said. “Can reason tell you the ‘why’? Why were you born? Why is there existence? Why is there this world? What is life? What is love?â€? Said Archbishop Goh, “Science cannot

tell you. There is still this divine mystery.� He concluded by emphasising that religious leaders have to be responsible in how they form their believers and how they deal with people of other faiths. “At the end of the day it is respect, tolerance, appreciation,� he said. “And this is the way we deal with the state as well,� he said, adding that the state must be impartial to all religions. He added that people should be thankful that the secular Singapore government sees the importance of religion. Religious believers are “partners of the government, of the state�, he said. “We are not against the state. Our task is to help the state to promote peace, harmony, prosperity for the country so that we can be one people and truly Singaporean.� Archbishop Goh’s written speech is at http://www.catholic.org.sg/messages/nostraaetate-religious-resource-common-space/ „ christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

10 ASIA

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

New bishop ordained for Melaka-Johor diocese By Vincent D’Silva JOHOR BAHRU – Msgr Bernard Paul, formerly a vicar-general of Penang diocese, was ordained a bishop for the Melaka-Johor diocese on Jan 12. Seventeen archbishops and bishops, 200 priests and Religious from the region and 4,000 laypeople attended the ceremony at Persada International Convention Centre in Johor Bahru. Bishop Paul, 62, takes over from Jesuit Bishop Paul Tan, who has headed the diocese since 2003. In his homily, Bishop Emeritus Tan advised the bishop-

elect: “As a father and a brother, love all those whom God places in your care. Love the priests and deacons who share with you the ministry of Christ. Love WKH SRRU DQG LQÂżUP VWUDQJHUV and the homeless. Encourage the faithful to work with you in your apostolic task; listen willingly to what they have to say.â€? Addressing the congregation at the end, apostolic nuncio to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Marino urged the new bishop to undertake the mandate of teaching, governing and sanctifying the people of the diocese. “You will have the sup-

port and closeness of all the people, the priests, Religious and laity of Melaka-Johor as you journey with them in encountering people where they live, in their cities and homes and in their workplaces,� he said. In his inaugural address, Bishop Bernard told the gathering said that he is bound to do what God wants him to do even if what is to be done may not be what he personally likes. He added that he would ensure continuity in the diocese. At the end of the ceremony, the new bishop walked among KLV ÀRFN DQG JDYH WKHP KLV blessings. „

Msgr Bernard Paul was episcopally ordained on Jan 12. He takes over from Bishop Paul Tan. Photo: FRANCIS GOPAL

Indonesian bishops denounce Indian Church prepares data for victims terrorist attack in Jakarta JAKARTA – Archbishop Igna-

tius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta, chairman of the Indonesian bishops’ conference, said the Church joined all religions in the country in denouncing the deadly terror attacks that hit Central Jakarta on Jan 14. “All religions surely disagree with the use of violence for any purposes,� Archbishop Suharyo told ucanews.com on Jan 15 in reference to the attack, which left eight people dead – four perpetrators and four civilians – and at least 20 injured. Archbishop Suharyo commended the government for its quick response to the attack but suggested that the government should now put more energy into creating a just and civilised society. The archbishop made his comments following a series of interfaith meetings and prayer services where thousands of Indonesians of all faiths gathered to show their opposition to the deadly attacks.

Bishop Yohanes Harun Yuwo- is a big challenge for our nation,â€? no of Tanjungkarang in Lampung he said. province joined more than 10,000 He hoped that the recent terror people who gathered at Central attacks “will be a reminder for us Jakarta’s Banteng Square for an so that we can stay alert against interfaith event on Jan 17. radical ideologies.â€? A smaller candle light vigil Mr Sylvester Matutina from was held a night earlier outside Red-White Solidarity, a pro-Indothe Sarinah department store nesian unity group, called on all where the attack occurred. ,QGRQHVLDQV WR ÂżJKW WHUURULVP Ms Maria Catarina Sumarsih, “Let’s show the world that a Catholic activist, we’re not terrorsaid she attended to ists,â€? he said. “PerAll religions show sympathy for petrators of the resurely disagree cent terror attacks the terrorists’ victims. were only a small with the use of “I’m here to number of criminals pray for all victims. violence for any who were brainI also pray that God washed. Let’s show purposes. may open the hearts the world that we of terrorists so that love peace,â€? he said. – Archbishop Ignatius they realise that the Mr Haris Azhar, Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo path they take is from the Jakartawrong,â€? she told ucanews.com. based Commission for the DisapMr Flabianus Kardilo peared and Victims of Violence, Jemagur, another Catholic at the highlighted the importance of becandlelight vigil, expressed con- ing vigilant. cern that the suspected terrorists “No one likes terror attacks. – who pledged allegiance to the No one likes insecurity. We must group that calls themselves the Is- stay alert but we shouldn’t be lamic State – were young. “This afraid,â€? he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

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of 2008 violence BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA – The

Church in India has begun assembling data for the canonisation process for Christians killed years ago during anti-Christian violence LQ HDVWHUQ ,QGLD &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV said. ³7KH RI¿FLDO SURFHVV KDV QRW yet started. But we are working on it and hope to start it in a few months,� said Fr Ajay Singh, secretary of the Odisha (formerly Orissa) state’s regional bishops’ Commission for Justice, Peace and Development. The efforts are aimed at the Vatican declaring as martyrs those killed when Hindu extremists attacked Christians in the tribaldominated Kandhamal district in Odisha state during 2008. The anti-Christian violence engulfed more than 600 villages and killed about 100 people, including disabled and elderly people, children and women. Some 350 churches and 6,500 houses were looted and burned down, making 56,000 people homeless. Several rapes were reported, including that of a Catholic nun. The anti-Christian rioting was sparked by the gunning down in Aug 23, 2008, of a Hindu spiritual leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, 85, and four of his associates. Hindu extremists blamed Christians for the murders even though Maoists at that time had claimed responsibility for the deaths. The killings unleashed a reign of terror the following day that lasted for four months. The state had also witnessed an earlier round of anti-Christian violence during Christmas 2007. Documentation of the victims

Christian refugees living in makeshift shelters after their houses were attacked. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

is “not an easy jobâ€? as most ofÂżFLDO GRFXPHQWV ZHUH GHVWUR\HG in the rioting, said Fr Santhosh Digal, spokesman for CuttackBhubaneswar archdiocese, which covers the area. “However, we are collecting evidence and data on the victimsâ€? to help start the canonisation process, he said. Archbishop John Barwa told ucanews.com that the process will start “within few monthsâ€? after consultation between India’s bishops, who are to meet in March for their biennial general conference. Fr Singh said although the process should start at the diocesan level, “we want this to become a national Christian affair that would KHOS SHRSOH UHDIÂżUP WKHLU IDLWK ´ “Many would not have been killed if they simple abandoned their faith and hailed Hindu gods. Although very poor and living in huts without basic amenities, they stood up for their faith, and dared to be butchered. These are remarkable witness stories, good enough to embolden Christians facing persecution anywhere in India,â€? Fr Singh said. „ UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 11

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Eucharistic congress in Cebu Justice, poverty highlighted in international event’s opening Mass CEBU, PHILIPPINES – The 51st International Eucharistic Congress kicked off with Pope Francis’ representative, Cardinal &KDUOHV %R RI <DQJRQ 0\DQPDU declaring war on poverty. “The Eucharist calls for ... a third world war against poverty,â€? VDLG &DUGLQDO %R ÂłD WKLUG ZRUOG war against the cruelty of dogs getting fed with sumptuous, organic food, while poor children scramble for scraps from the table.â€? Tens of thousands of people waited at least an hour under a punishing sun to attend the Jan RSHQLQJ 0DVV OHG E\ &DUGLQDO %R DW WKH 3OD]D ,QGHSHQGHQFLD LQ Cebu. The congress is scheduled to last till Jan 31. &DUGLQDO %R RSHQHG KLV KRPily with a plea for the crowd to “be patient with the heatâ€?. “Soon it will be all right,â€? he quipped, as the sun was about to set. With greetings in the Visaya dialect and the national language RI 7DJDORJ &DUGLQDO %R WROG WKH faithful that Pope Francis loved them “very much.â€? He called Filipinos the “beacon of Catholicismâ€? to the world, saying that having a Philippine presence in any country means there will be Catholicism. Close to 10 million Filipinos live and work outside the Philippines, with most practising their Catholic faith, often in countries that do not have majority Christian populations. &DUGLQDO %R VDLG WKH (XFKDULVW strips the faithful of their social

A priest listens to the confession of a pilgrim.

The Eucharist calls for a ‘war against poverty’, said Myanmar Cardinal Charles Bo. Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon (far left), Myanmar, concelebrates the opening Mass of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines. CNS photos

status, as people of all walks of life take Communion. “The Eucharist calls us to justice. No other religion elevates justice to this level. No other religion elevates the poor to this level,� he said. He called it the major challenge in a world that “kills children in the womb� and “spends more on arms than on food.� The cardinal emphasised that the mystery of the Eucharist is twofold: presence and mission. The Eucharist is the true presence

of Jesus, while it was the mission of the faithful to share that presence with others. “From Eucharistic celebration to Eucharistic commitment: mission,â€? he said. &DUGLQDO %R VDLG EHLQJ GHYRWed to Eucharistic adoration was good and so was being devoted to Santo Nino, the child Jesus, a strong devotion in Cebu. Once the sun had fully set and 0DVV HQGHG ÂżUHZRUNV H[SORGHG in one section of the sky above the SOD]D

After the Mass, Sacred Heart Sr Yasuko Taguchi of Sapporo, Japan, told Catholic News Service (CNS), “We are so, so, so overcome by this wonderful opening Mass.â€? She said she was struck by the cardinal’s homily, the music and “everything.â€? Diane Abigail Canate, 17, a college student from the neighbouring island province of Leyte, FDOOHG &DUGLQDO %RÂśV PHVVDJH ÂłLQspiringâ€?. “He said that Filipinos have really strong faith in God by

/DZ DJDLQVW SROLWLFDO G\QDVWLHV LQ 3KLOLSSLQHV KDLOHG MANILA – Church groups in the Philippines welcomed a new law WKDW EDQV IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH SROLWLcal dynasties in the country. 3UHVLGHQW %HQLJQR $TXLQR signed on Jan 19 a law that prohibits young people, who have relatives holding elective positions in government, from seeking a seat in the Sangguniang Kabataan or youth council. The youth council is a legislative body composed of elected young people who formulate pol-

icies and implement government programmes and projects for the youth. Most of those who are elected to the council, however, come from prominent political families and clans that have the capacity to mount a campaign during elections. “It’s the only law that nips political dynasties in the bud,� said Ms Henrietta de Villa, chairwoman of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, a

Church-backed election watchdog. She expressed hope that the law will be strictly implemented. “We will monitor its strict and undiluted implementation,� she said RQ -DQ The bishops’ Commission on Youth also welcomed the new law. “It was a good decision,� said Fr Conegundo Garganta, executive secretary of the commission. Authors of the new law have

expressed apprehension that the youth council would become a virtual playground for political dynasties. 0V .DND %DJ DR RQH RI WKH authors of the law, said it is “the ÂżUVW DQG RQO\ ODZ WKDW KDV DQ DQWL political dynasty provision.â€? “When it comes to preventing political dynasties from monopolising power and resources in our communities, the best place to begin is in the [youth council],â€? she said in a statement. „ UCANEWS.COM

&KULVWLDQ JURXS WR GHIHQG LWVHOI DJDLQVW H[WUHPLVWV COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES – A bishop in the southern Philippines says people in Mindanao – Muslim, Christian, and tribal people – have the right to defend themselves from extremists, but warned them against becoming “monsters� themselves. %LVKRS $QJHOLWR /DPSRQ RI -ROR LVVXHG the statement after a group of Christians announced they were arming themselves to defend their communities from attacks by groups that have pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS). “I think anybody, whether you are a Muslim, a Christian or a lumad [indigenous tribal person], has the right to defend himself as long

as he does not grow into a monster and become DQ RSSUHVVRU ´ %LVKRS /DPSRQ VDLG Some 300 armed Christians in central Mindanao calling themselves Red God’s SolGLHUV EXUQHG ZKDW DSSHDUHG WR EH DQ ,6 Ă€DJ while shouting, “Long live to Reds and the Philippines.â€? They said they were making a stand in reVSRQVH WR UHFHQW DWWDFNV E\ %DQJVDPRUR ,VODPLF Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces in December resulting in the death of 14 people, including nine Christians and the displacement of some 4,000 individuals. The rebel group declared allegiance to IS last year.

“This is a kind of desperate attempt by Christians who are being attacked now,â€? said %LVKRS /DPSRQ LQ DQ LQWHUYLHZ RQ -DQ He said the decision of some Christian communities to take up arms is a sign of desperation and a way of calling on the government to address the growing threat of terrorism. “If the government troops were able to defend the civilians, then I think it would not come to this,â€? he said, referring to the armed group. Military spokeswoman Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay said the military has no information about Red God’s Soldiers. “We are still verifying its existence, but we do not tolerate the FDUU\LQJ RI ÂżUHDUPV ´ VKH VDLG „ UCANEWS.COM

what we witness today,â€? she told CNS. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma ZHOFRPHG &DUGLQDO %R DW WKH VWDUW of the Mass. He added, “Indeed it is perhaps symbolic that we open this 51st International Eucharistic Congress KHUH DW 3OD]D ,QGHSHQGHQFLD DV ZH proclaim true independence by acknowledging our total dependence on Christ, recognising that Christ FUXFLÂżHG DQG ULVHQ LV WUXO\ LQ XV our hope of glory.â€? „ CNS

Chinese priests WR EH ÂśFHUWLĂ€HG¡ HONG KONG – China’s State Ad-

ministration for Religious Affairs (SARA) plan to make ID papers compulsory for Catholic and Taoist priests this year, like what they GLG IRU FHUWLÂżHG %XGGKLVW PRQNV last year. 1HZV FRQFHUQLQJ WKH FHUWLÂżFDtion of “openâ€? Church or government-approved priests came from a Jan 14-15 national meeting of the government’s religious affairs directors from across China. While ID cards for clerics have been around for years, it wasn’t taken seriously either by the “openâ€? Church or authorities. Fr Joseph Li Rongping, director of Faith Press in Hebei, told ucanews.com that most priests in the “openâ€? Church do not have ID cards. “It is used only when one travels to another diocese to show the authorities when needed.â€? $ SULHVW ZKR LGHQWLÂżHG KLPVHOI as Fr John, said: “If the authorities are serious about certifying all the priests this time, it could result in forcing those priests who refuse to get an ID card to go underground.â€? Fr John said the push for ID cards has to do with the many “fake religious personnelâ€? masTXHUDGLQJ DV FOHULFV Âł%XW HYHQ those ID cards could be faked,â€? he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

12 WORLD

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

&DUGLQDO UHĂ HFWV RQ LQFLGHQW ZKHUH EDE\ ZDV OHIW DEDQGRQHG LQ PDQJHU WASHINGTON – A real-life baby left in a manger is proof enough for Cardinal Timothy M Dolan of New York that people still value the culture of life. And it wasn’t the Christ child. Instead, it was a newborn infant left by his mother in the crib of a manger scene at a parish in New York City last November. . Calling it “a sad but gripping taleâ€?, Cardinal Dolan said, “No one knew where the baby had come from, or who left him there ... until, a week later, the sobbing mother, a young Mexican woman, remaining anonymous, told her story to a journalist.â€? The cardinal was giving a homily at the Jan 21 opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life. The celebration was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Cardinal Dolan recounted the mother’s words, noting the irony that the woman had left her baby at Holy Child Jesus Church:

“I was so afraid, and, all alone in the house, suddenly went into labour. I must have been in excruciating pain for at least two hours. I started pushing because, each time I did, the pain would let up. I pushed for 15 minutes DQG ÂżQDOO\ WKH EDE\ D ER\ ÂżQDOO\ came out. Âł+H GLGQÂśW FU\ DW ÂżUVW VR , was afraid he was not all right. I

No one knew where ‘the baby had come from, or who left him there ... until, a week later.

’

didn’t know what to do, so I left the umbilical cord on. I wrapped him in a clean towel and started to look for some place safe and warm. “I’m very religious,� the woman had continued, “so right away I thought of my church, Holy Child Jesus [in Brooklyn

diocese]. I go there a lot, and the priests and people are so good. I just knew if I left him in God’s hands, my baby would be OK. So, I ran into my church and put him in the empty crib. Then he started crying. I just hoped he was warm enough. I hid in the back of church, knowing Father ZRXOG ÂżQG P\ EDE\ DQG WKH SHRple would care for him. They did.â€? “True story,â€? Cardinal Dolan said, “and I submit it to you, the jury, this evening, as Exhibit A in our case for promoting the culture of life.â€? He added that “it’s not farfetched to imagine another scenario ... that mother’s legitimate and understandable apprehension and isolationâ€? could have led her to abort the baby. “She could have been going to a parish which she found cold, unwelcoming and, impersonal, where she did not feel safe, and where she would not have been inclined to turn in her crisis,â€? Cardinal Dolan said. „ CNS

MOVIE REVIEW

Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo and Brian d’Arcy James in a scene from the movie, Spotlight. CNS photo

Movie portrays clergy sex abuse cover-up in Boston in in-depth investigations of local stories, to dig deeper. Led by even-keeled Walter The clergy abuse-themed drama, Spotlight, is a movie no Catholic “Robbyâ€? Robinson (Michael KeaZLOO ZDQW WR VHH :KHWKHU LWÂśV D ÂżOP ton), the Spotlight team – which many mature Catholics ought to also includes tightly wound Mike Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), insee is a different question entirely. This hard-hitting investigative trepid Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel Mcjournalism movie – which ines- Adams) and relentless research capably invites comparison with whiz Matt Carroll (Brian d’Arcy All the President’s Men (1976) James) – uncovers a widespread – recounts the real-life events that and sickening scandal involving led up to the public disclosure, in scores of clergymen and hundreds early 2002, of a shocking pattern of young victims. Director and co-writer Tom of priestly misconduct within the McCarthy maintains a taut rhythm Archdiocese of Boston in the US. In the process, the equally as he focuses primarily on the disturbing concealment of such dogged professionalism required to breach the walls wrongdoing on the part of high ranking This generally of secrecy surrounding a respected, and &KXUFK RIÂżFLDOV DOVR accurate therefore protected, was laid bare. institution. One of the chronicle And his script, movie’s themes is can provide penned with Josh the way in which Catholics with Singer, apportions Beantown’s inwardblame across a looking, small-town a valuable broad spectrum that mentality contributinsight into one includes the Globe ed to the long-standitself – John Slating cover-up. For the of the darkest tery plays veteran supposed good of chapters in editor Ben Bradlee the community, locals suppressed the Church history. Jr, whose semi-wilful blindness to the knowledge of what was happening, subconsciously SUREOHP W\SLÂżHV WKH DWWLWXGH GLVchoosing not to see what was tran- cussed earlier. Witnessing the further fraying of spiring just behind the scenes. So it’s appropriate that the the reporters’ already fragile ties to whitewash begins to peel away the Church adds to the overwhelmwith the arrival of a stranger, the ing sense of grief Catholic viewers newly imported editor of the Bos- will feel throughout Spotlight. Yet this generally accurate ton Globe, Marty Baron (Liev chronicle can provide Catholics Schreiber). Perplexed that his paper has with a valuable insight into one devoted so little attention to the of the darkest chapters in Church earliest cases in what would be- history. „ CNS come, over time, an avalanche of legal actions against clerics, Bar- Spotlight opened in local cinemas reon commissions the investigative cently. It is rated NC16: some mature unit, Spotlight, which specialises content. By John Mulderig

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Holy Father asks pardon for ways Christians have hurt one another bishop of Rome ‘As and pastor of the

ROME – After walking across the

WKUHVKROG RI WKH +RO\ 'RRU ZLWK DQ 2UWKRGR[ PHWURSROLWDQ DQG DQ Anglican archbishop, Pope Francis invoked God’s mercy upon GLYLGHG &KULVWLDQV DQG DSRORJLVHG IRU WLPHV WKDW &DWKROLFV KDYH KXUW members of other denominations. “As bishop of Rome and pasWRU RI WKH &DWKROLF &KXUFK , ZDQW to beg for mercy and forgiveness for un-Gospel-like behaviour RQ WKH SDUW RI &DWKROLFV DJDLQVW &KULVWLDQV RI RWKHU FKXUFKHV ´ the pope said Jan. 25 at a prayer service concluding the Week of 3UD\HU IRU &KULVWLDQ 8QLW\ “We ask most of all for forgiveness for the sin of our divisions, which are an open wound on the ERG\ RI &KULVW ´ 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG “At the same time, I ask all my &DWKROLF EURWKHUV DQG VLVWHUV WR forgive if, today or in the past, they ZHUH KXUW E\ RWKHU &KULVWLDQV ´ KH said. “We cannot erase what happened, but we do not want to allow the burden of past faults to continue to poison our relationships.â€? As is customary, Pope Francis led the service at Rome’s BasiliFD RI 6W 3DXO 2XWVLGH WKH :DOOV which tradition holds as the burial VLWH RI WKH DSRVWOH 2UWKRGR[ 0HWropolitan Gennadios, representing the ecumenical patriarch, and Anglican Archbishop David Moxon, representing the archbishop of &DQWHUEXU\ MRLQHG WKH SRSH LQ SUD\HU DW 6W 3DXOÂśV WRPE DW WKH EHginning of the service.

Catholic Church, I want to beg for mercy and forgiveness for un-Gospel-like behaviour on the part of Catholics against Christians of other churches... At the same time, I ask all my Catholic brothers and sisters to forgive if, today or in the past, they were hurt by other Christians.

’

– Pope Francis

3RSH )UDQFLV ZDONV ZLWK 2UWKRGR[ 0HWURSROLWDQ *HQQDGLRV RI ,WDO\ DQG $QJOLFDQ $UFKELVKRS 'DYLG 0R[RQ WKH DUFKELVKRS RI &DQWHUEXU\ÂśV UHSUHVHQWDWLYH WR WKH 9DWLFDQ DV WKH\ DUULYH IRU D SUD\HU VHUYLFH RQ -DQ CNS photo

The annual week of prayer ends on Jan 25, the feast of the &RQYHUVLRQ RI 6W 3DXO 3RSH )UDQcis told those gathered in the basilica that “the superabundance of God’s mercy� was the only basis for Paul’s conversion from being D SHUVHFXWRU RI &KULVWLDQV WR D

preacher of the Gospel. )RU WKH ZHHN RI SUD\HU WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU 3URPRWLQJ &KULVWLDQ 8QLW\ DQG WKH :RUOG &RXQFLO RI &KXUFKHV FKRVH WKH WKHPH &DOOHG WR 3URFODLP WKH Mighty Acts of the Lord, which is drawn from some translations

Don’t be afraid to show concern, pope tells global leaders VATICAN CITY – Don’t be afraid of acting fairly and compassionately towards the poor, Pope Francis said in a written message to global business leaders attending the World Economic Forum in 'DYRV 6ZLW]HUODQG And do not let the sweeping innovations in robotics, science and technology “lead to the destruction of the human person or to the transformation of our planet into an empty garden for the enjoyment of a chosen few,â€? he said. The pope’s message was read DW WKH PHHWLQJ RQ -DQ E\ &DUdinal Peter Turkson, president of WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH and Peace. The annual meeting, held from -DQ EURXJKW WRJHWKHU PRUH than 2,500 people representing business, government, academia, media and the arts to discuss current challenges such as global economics and security, climate change, gender parity and the socalled “fourth industrial revolution,â€? which refers to new technologies blending the physical,

Homeless people in New Delhi try to keep warm during a winter morning. Pope Francis told business leaders that they have a duty to help the SRRU OLYH D GLJQLÂżHG OLIH CNS photo

digital and biological worlds. In his written address, the pope said world leaders must “guide and governâ€? these new processes and “build inclusive societies based on respect for human dignity, tolerance, compassion and mercy.â€? Today, he wrote, fewer opporWXQLWLHV ÂłIRU XVHIXO DQG GLJQLÂżHG

employment, combined with a reduction in social security, are causing a disturbing rise in inequality and poverty in different countries.â€? +H XUJHG OHDGHUV Âł'R QRW IRUget the poor,â€? and told them they have a duty to help those who are OHVV IRUWXQDWH WR OLYH D GLJQLÂżHG OLIH and develop their full potential. “We must never allow the culture of prosperity to deaden us, to make us incapable of feeling compassionâ€? for those who are poor and suffering, and to believe problems are someone else’s responsibility, he said. 2QFH SHRSOH UHDOLVH WKDW ÂłRXU own actions are a cause of injustice and inequalityâ€? and that “we are compelled to heed their cry for help,â€? the pope said, then “we become more fully human, since responsibility for our brothers and sisters is an essential part of our common humanity.â€? “Do not be afraid to open your minds and hearts to the poor. In this way, you will give free rein to your economic and technical talents.â€? „ CNS

of the second chapter of the First Letter of Peter. “Beyond the differences that still separate us,â€? he told the ecumenical gathering, “we recognise with joy that at the origin of the &KULVWLDQ OLIH WKHUH LV DOZD\V D FDOO ZKRVH DXWKRU LV *RG +LPVHOI ´

7KH SDWK WR &KULVWLDQ XQLW\ he said, is not simply about drawing closer to one another, but has more to do with each person GUDZLQJ FORVHU WR &KULVW DQG ÂżQGing each other there. Âł:KHQ DOO &KULVWLDQV RI GLIIHUent churches listen to the word of God and try to put it into practice,â€? the pope said, “they truly take important steps toward unity.â€? “It is not only the call that unites us,â€? he said, “we are joined E\ WKH VDPH PLVVLRQ WR SURclaim to all the mighty acts of the Lord.â€?„ CNS

Pope to visit No saint Sweden to mark without a past Reformation VATICAN CITY – There is no saint without a past and no sinner withanniversary out a future, Pope Francis said in VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will YLVLW 6ZHGHQ LQ 2FWREHU WR SDUWLFLpate in an ecumenical service and the beginning of a year of activities to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Pope Francis “intends to participateâ€? in the joint ceremony to commemorate next year’s anniYHUVDU\ WKH 9DWLFDQ SUHVV RIÂżFH said in a written communique on Jan 25. Pope Francis will lead the ecumenical commemoration in Lund alongside Bishop Munib Younan, president of LWF, and the Rev Martin Junge, federation general secretary, said a joint press release E\ WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU 3URPRWLQJ &KULVWLDQ 8QLW\ DQG WKH LWF. “The event will include a common worship based on the UHFHQWO\ SXEOLVKHG &DWKROLF /XWKHUDQ Âľ&RPPRQ 3UD\HUÂś OLWXUJLFDO guide,â€? and will highlight ecumenLFDO GHYHORSPHQWV EHWZHHQ &DWKRlics and Lutherans over the past 50 years, the press release said. „ CNS

his morning Mass. In his homily during Mass on -DQ WKH SRSH UHĂ€HFWHG RQ WKH GD\ÂśV ÂżUVW UHDGLQJ 6P ZKLFK UHFRXQWV 6DPXHOÂśV DQRLQWing of David as king of Israel. In choosing David, the pope VDLG *RG FDOOV RQ 6DPXHO WR ORRN past appearances and look “into the heart.â€? God’s choice did not mean David was without sin. The pope said God did not make David a saint but rather he became a saint after living a long life, a life of both holiness and sin. “A saint and a sinner,â€? the pope said. “A man who managed to unite the kingdom; he was able to lead the people of Israel. But he IHOO LQWR WHPSWDWLRQ +H FRPPLWted sins, he was also a murderer. To cover up his lust, the sin of adultery, he commissioned a murder,â€? the pope said. While acknowledging that David was a sinner, the pope noted that he was also repentant. „ CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Foot-washing ritual open to women, Vatican says in new decree VATICAN CITY – Following a request by Pope Francis, the Vatican issued a decree specifying that the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual can include “all members of the people of God,� including women – a practice already observed by the pope and many priests around the world. In a letter dated December 2014 and addressed to Cardinal Robert Sarah, the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, the pope said the rubric of the Roman Missal, which mentions only men as participants in the foot-washing rite, should be changed so that priests can choose from all members of the Church. The pope said the change would help express the full meaning of Jesus’ gesture at the Last Supper, His “giving Himself ‘to the end’ for the salvation of the world� and His endless charity. However, the pope insisted those chosen be given “an adequate explanation of the meaning of the rite itself.� The pope’s letter and the congregation’s decree were released by the Vatican on Jan 21. The decree, issued by Cardinal Sarah and dated Jan 6, states that pastors can choose “a small group of the faithful to represent the variety and the unity of each part of the people of God. Such small groups can be made up of men and women, and it is appropriate that they

The pope said the change would help express the full meaning of Jesus’ gesture at the Last Supper, His ‘giving Himself ‘to the end’ for the salvation of the world’ and His endless charity.

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consist of people young and old, healthy and sick, clerics, consecrated men and women and laity.� With the pope’s decree, he said, the pope wished “this dimension of the gesture of Christ’s love for all� be the focus rather than just a portrayal of the biblical

scene during the Last Supper. Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, explained the history of the foot-washing rite in an article published in the Vatican newspaper on Jan. 21.

He said the rite has endured YDULRXV FKDQJHV DQG PRGLÂżFDWLRQV throughout the Church’s history. For example, the “mandatumâ€? from 1600 said the custom was for bishops to wash, dry and kiss “the feet of ‘thirteen’ poor people after having dressed them, fed them and

given them a charitable donation.â€? Changes made by Pope Pius XII were reformed again in 1970, further simplifying the rite and omitting the requirement that the number participating be 12. The VLJQLÂżFDQFH RI WKH FXUUHQW PRGLÂżFDWLRQV WKH DUFKELVKRS DGGHG “does not now relate so much to the exterior imitation of what Jesus did, but rather the meaning of what He accomplished, which has a universal importance.â€? “The washing of feet is not obligatoryâ€? during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Archbishop Roche said. “It is for pastors to evaluate its desirability, according to the pastoral considerations and circumstances which exist, in such a way that it does not become something automatic or DUWLÂżFLDO GHSULYHG RI PHDQLQJ DQG reduced to a staged event.â€? „ CNS

Christian unity to be Pope to migrants: Do not be a witness to mercy robbed of hope, joy of living VATICAN CITY – Catholic, Orthodox The pope said that although diand Protestant Christians are called YLVLRQV DUH RIWHQ FDXVHG E\ VHOÂżVKto work together in order to be a vis- ness, the common baptism shared ible sign that God’s mercy excludes by Christians is an experience of no one, Pope Francis said during being “called from the merciless his general audience on Jan 20. and alienating darknessâ€? to an en7KH SRSH UHĂ€HFWHG counter with God who on the theme of the anis “full of mercy.â€? Christians nual Week of Prayer “To start once again for Christian Unity can announce from baptism means to which was taken from rediscover the source to all the WKH ÂżUVW OHWWHU RI 6W 3Hpower of the of mercy, the source of ter and was selected by hope for all, so that no Gospel by an ecumenical group one is excluded from committing from Latvia. The LuGod’s mercy,â€? he said. theran cathedral of The grace of God’s ourselves Riga, Latvia, he noted, mercy, he added, is to share the contains a 12th-centustronger than what dicorporal and vides Christians and ry baptismal font that serves as a sign of the spiritual works in the measure one recommon baptism that ceives that grace, one of mercy. unites Catholics, Protbecomes “capable of Âą 3RSH )UDQFLV estant and Orthodox preaching to all his merChristians. ciful deeds,â€? especially Âł6W 3HWHUÂśV ÂżUVW OHWWHU LV DG- through a witness of Christian unity. GUHVVHG WR WKH ÂżUVW JHQHUDWLRQ RI “We Christians can announce Christians to make them aware of to all the power of the Gospel by the gift received through baptism committing ourselves to share the and the requirements it entails,â€? corporal and spiritual works of the pope said. “We too, in this mercy,â€? he said. “This is a conweek of prayer, are invited to re- crete witness of unity among us discover this and do this together, Christians: Protestants, Orthodox going beyond our divisions.â€? and Catholics.â€? „ CNS

‘

’

ATICAN CITY – Welcoming thousands of migrants and refugees to the Vatican for their own Year of Mercy celebration, Pope Francis urged them to resist everything that would rob them of hope and joy. “Each of you is the bearer of a history, culture and precious values and, unfortunately, also often of experiences of poverty, oppression and fear,â€? the pope said on Jan 17. But gathering in St Peter’s Square for the Holy Year “is a sign of hope in God. Don’t allow yourselves to be robbed of hope and the joy of living, which spring from the experience of divine mercy, also thanks to the people who welcomed and helped you.â€? The pope prayed that passing through the Holy Door and attending a special jubilee Mass ÂłZLOO ÂżOO \RXU KHDUWV ZLWK SHDFH ´ According to the Italian news agency, ANSA, an estimated 7,000 migrants from 30 countries were present. The group passed through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, following a 9-foot (2.7m) tall, 3-foot wide wooden cross made out of the wreckage of boats carrying migrants from northern Africa to Lampedusa,

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Italy’s southernmost island. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO for Migrants and Travellers, who said in his homily that the cross was “an expressive symbolâ€? of the tragic circumstances facing migrants who risk their lives seeking a better future. The World Day of Migrants

DQG 5HIXJHHV KH VDLG ZDV ÂłD ÂżWting occasion to remember that the Church has always contemplated in migrants the image of Christ.â€? The presence of migrants is a visible sign of the universality of the Church and the integration of newcomers is not about “assimilationâ€? but an opportunity to recognise “the cultural patrimony of migrantsâ€?. „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

3RSH DIĂ€UPV MRLQW KHULWDJH RI &KULVWLDQV DQG -HZV

Don’t be taken in by terror, teens urged

ROME – The relationship between

VATICAN CITY – Don’t fall for

Christians and Jews is unique because of Christianity’s Jewish roots. “Therefore, Christians and Jews must see themselves as brothers and sisters united by the same God and by a rich, common spiritual heritage,â€? said Pope Francis. The pope made this statement during his visit to Rome’s main synagogue on Jan 17, the third pope to do so. Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2010 and St John Paul II in 1986. While the Catholic Church afÂżUPV WKDW VDOYDWLRQ FRPHV WKURXJK Jesus, it also recognises that God is faithful and has not revoked His covenant with the Jewish people, Pope Francis said. Interrupted repeatedly with applause, the pope said the Church “recognises the irrevocability of the Old Covenant and the constant and faithful love of God for Israelâ€?. The pope stood and applauded with the congregation when honour was paid to the handful of survivors of the Nazi Holocaust who were present for the event. “Their sufferings, anguish and tears must never be forgotten,â€? the pope said. “And the past must

Pope Francis and Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome, hold a codex containing Jewish biblical commentary. The 14thcentury codex was the pope’s gift to Rome’s Jewish community. CNS photo

be a lesson to us for the present and the future. The Shoah teaches us that maximum vigilance is always needed in order to intervene quickly in defence of human dignity and peace.� The pope, the chief rabbi of Rome, the president of the Rome Jewish community and the president of the Union of Italian Jewish

Communities spoke of the “new era� in Catholic-Jewish relations that began with the Second Vatican Council and its declaration, “Nostra Aetate�, on relations with non-Christian religions. However, continued violence in the Middle East and the spectre of terrorism also were on the hearts and minds of all the speakers.

Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni said that after decades in which Nazism, communism and other totalitarian ideologies led to much suffering, now “violence has come back and LW LV IHG DQG MXVWLÂżHG E\ IDQDWLF YLsions inspired by religion.â€? Dialogue and respect are the answer, he said, and the pope’s visit to the synagogue is a sign of that. „ CNS

3RQWLII PDNHV ÂśPHUF\ )ULGD\¡ YLVLW WR HOGHUO\ LQĂ€UP ROME – As part of his personal observance of

the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis made an unannounced, “privateâ€? visit to a retirement home and to a group home for people in a persistent vegetative state, the Vatican said. The visits to the 33 residents of the Bruno Buozzi Retirement Home and the six residents of Casa Iride on Jan 15 were announced with the hashtag #MercyFriday by the ponWLÂżFDO FRPPLVVLRQ RUJDQLVLQJ WKH <HDU RI Mercy. The Vatican previously announced that one Friday each month during the Holy Year, Pope Francis would personally and privately perform a work of mercy. The series, however,

began very publicly on Dec 18 when he visited and celebrated Mass at a shelter run by the Rome diocesan Caritas. For the January visit, journalists were not informed. Even the residents of the two facilities were not told in advance, said a statement LVVXHG E\ WKH 9DWLFDQ SUHVV RIÂżFH RQFH WKH pope had returned to the Vatican. Pope Francis was accompanied by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who is in charge of the jubilee organising committee. The archELVKRSÂśV RIÂżFH WZHHWHG VHYHUDO SKRWRV RI WKH pope’s visit. The Vatican described the atmosphere at the retirement home as one of “great surprise

and joy� as the pope greeted each resident and stopped to speak to them, one by one. Both the retirement home and the Casa Iride are located in one of the poorer neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Rome. The Vatican said Casa Iride is not a hospital or clinic, but is a family-style structure where residents can be cared for by their own family members with the support of the staff. In choosing the two homes, the Vatican statement said, “Pope Francis wanted to highlight – in opposition to the ‘throwaway culture’ – the great importance and preciousness of the elderly and grandparents as well as the value and dignity of life in every situation.� „ CNS

hate and fearmongering from others; make new friends instead and always help and show concern for others, Pope Francis told the world’s teens. “Be brave and go against the tide, be friends of Jesus, who is the prince of peace,� he said in a written message for the Jubilee of Mercy for Young People, scheduled to be celebrated in Rome and dioceses around the world from April 23-25. While three days in April have been set aside for those between 13 and 16 years of age, every day of the jubilee year marks “a chance for us to grow in holiness�, he wrote. Referring to young people who are suffering, the pope said, “I cannot forget those of you who are living in situations of war, extreme poverty, daily troubles and loneliness. Don’t ever lose hope! The Lord has a great dream which, with your help, he wants to come true.� Other young people around the world have not forgotten about those who are less fortunate and they “are working for peace and justice for everyone everywhere�, he said. “Don’t be taken in by the messages of hatred or terror all around us. Instead, make new friends. Give of your time and always show concern for those who ask your help,� he said. He urged them to grow closer to Jesus and draw nourishment from the sacraments. Becoming more merciful during the Year of Mercy means not only growing “in a love which is courageous, generous and real�, it is means greater spiritual growth, too. “You are preparing to be Christians capable of making courageous decisions in order to build daily, even through little things, a world of peace,� he said. „ CNS

16 OPINION

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Forever ahead of our souls

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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Don’t confuse marriage with other unions: pope VATICAN CITY – There can be no confusion between God’s plan for marriage as an indissoluble bond between one man and woman who are open to life, and other sorts of unions, said Pope Francis. “The Church, in fact, can demonstrate God’s unwavering merciful love toward families, especially those wounded by sin and life’s trials, and at the same time proclaim the essential truth of marriage according to God’s plan,â€? he said on Jan 22, in a meeting with members of the Roman Rota. The pope holds the annual meeting to inaugurate the Vatican court’s judicial year. Pope Francis said the court, which hears requests for marriage annulments, helps support families and the truth about the sacred bond of marriage. In evaluating and judging marriage cases and contributing to formation, the Roman Rota helps promote and proclaim the truth, he said. When the Church, through the court’s service, seeks to declare the truth about marriage LQ HDFK VSHFLÂżF FDVH LW DOZD\V bears in mind that those “who, through free choice or unfortunate circumstances in life, live in an objective state of error continue to be the object of the merciful love of Christ and therefore of the Church, tooâ€?. The two gatherings of the Synod of Bishops on the family were occasions of “in-depth, knowledgeable discernmentâ€? and they gave the Church a chance to tell “the world that there can be no confusion between the family desired by God and any other kind of unionâ€?, the pope said. “The family, based on indissoluble, unitive and procreative marriage, is part of God’s ‘dream’ and the Church’s for the salvation of humanity,â€? he said. The Church will always offer the truth about marriage, he said, “not as an ideal for the few, despite modern examples based on ZKDW LV Ă€HHWLQJ DQG WUDQVLWRU\ but as a reality that, with Christ’s

A pair of wedding rings symbolising the Sacrament of Marriage is depicted in a stained-glass window. CNS photo

grace, can be lived by all the baptised faithfulâ€?. That means there is great pastoral urgency for adequate marriage preparation, for example, he said, with a kind of marriage “catechumenateâ€? that was suggested during the synods on the family. A catechumenate would entail a longer process of formation before marriage, as well as during the years right after the wedding. While the family is considered to be a “domestic churchâ€?, he said, the Church is the family of God. Therefore, the Church PXVW EH ÂżOOHG ZLWK D ORYLQJ “family spiritâ€? where people are “no longer strangers and sojournersâ€? but members of God’s family, he said.

The pope reiterated Church teaching that the level of a person’s faith “is not an essential condition of matrimonial consent� and in fact, he said, it is not unusual for engaged couples to go into a marriage with a limited understanding of the fullness of God’s plan. “The lack of formation in the faith and even error concerning the unity, indissolubility and the sacramental dignity of marriage invalidate matrimonial consent only when they determine� or condition a person’s will, he said. Precisely for this reason, “errors which concern the sacramentality of marriage must be evaluated very carefully�, he said. „ CNS

The family, based on indissoluble, ‘unitive and procreative marriage, is part of God’s ‘dream’.’

– Pope Francis to the Roman Rota, the Vatican court

SOMETIMES nothing is as helpful as a good metaphor. In his book, The God Instinct, Tom Stella shares this story: A number of men who made their living as porters were hired one day to carry a huge load of supplies for a group on safari. Their loads were unusually heavy and the trek through the jungle was on a rough path. Several days into the journey they stopped, unshouldered their loads, and refused to go on. No pleas, bribes, or threats, worked in terms of persuading them to go on. Asked why they couldn’t continue, they answered: “We can’t go on; we have to wait for our souls to catch up with us.â€? That happens to us too in life, except mostly we never wait for our souls to catch up. We continue on without them, sometimes for years. What’s meant by this? Mostly it means that we struggle to be in the present moment, to be inside our own skins, to be aware of the richness of our own experience. Mostly our experiences aren’t very soulful because we aren’t very present to them. For example: For the past twenty years, I’ve kept a journal, a diary of sorts. My intent in keeping this journal is to record the deeper things that I’m aware throughout each day; but mostly what I end up actually writing down is a simple chronology of my day, a daybook, a bare, nofrills, recounting of what I did from hour to hour. My diaries don’t resemble Anne Frank’s diary, Dag Hammarskjold’s Markings, Etty Hillesum’s An Interrupted Life, or Henri Nouwen’s Genesee Diary. My journals resemble more what you might get from a schoolboy describing his day at school, a simple chronology of what happened. Yet when I go back and read an account of what I did each day, I’m always amazed at how rich and full life was on those days, except that I wasn’t much aware of it at the time. While actually living through those days, mostly I was struggling to get my work done, to stay healthy, to meet expectations, to carve out some moments of friendship and recreation amidst the pressures of the day, and to get to bed at a reasonable hour. There wasn’t a lot of soul there, just a lot of routine, work, and hurry. I suspect that this is not atypical. Most of us, I suspect, live most of our days not very aware of how rich our lives are, forever leaving our souls behind. For example: Many is the woman who gives 10 to 15 years of her life to bearing and raising children, with all that entails, tending constantly to someone else’s needs, getting up at night to nurse a child, spending 24 hours a day on constant alert, VDFULÂżFLQJ DOO OHLVXUH WLPH DQG SXWWLQJ D FDUHHU DQG SHUVRQDO FUHDWLYity on hold. And yet too often that same woman, later on, looks back on those years and wishes she could relive them – but, now, in a more soulful way, more deliberately aware of how wonderful and privileged it is to do precisely those things she did with so much tiredness. Years later, looking back, she sees how rich and precious her experience was and how, because of the burden and stress, how little her soul was present then to what she was actually undergoing. This can be multiplied with a thousand examples: We’ve all read accounts wherein someone shares what he or she would do differently if he or she had life to live over again. Mostly these stories rework the same motif: Given another chance, I would try to enjoy it more the next time, that is, I would try to keep my soul more-present and more-aware. For most of us, I fear, our souls will only catch up with us when, ÂżQDOO\ ZH DUH LQ D UHWLUHPHQW KRPH ZLWK GLPLQLVKHG KHDOWK HQHUJ\ DQG RSSRUWXQLW\ WR ZRUN ,W VHHPV ZH QHHG WR ÂżUVW ORVH VRPHWKLQJ before we fully appreciate it. We tend to take life, health, energy, and work for granted, until they are taken away from us. Only after the fact do we realise how rich our life has been and how little of those riches we drank in at the time. Our souls eventually do catch up with us, but it would be good if we didn’t wait until we were in the retirement home for this to happen. Like the porters who dropped their loads and stopped, we need regularly to stop and wait for our souls to catch up. Early on in his priesthood, when Pope Francis was in charge of school, he would at a certain point each day have the public address system cut in and interrupt the work that was going on in each classroom with this announcement: Be grateful. Set your horizon. Take stock of your day. We all need, regularly, to lay down our burdens for a minute so our souls can catch up with us. „

FOCUS 17

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Chancery warns against ‘Maria Divine Mercy’ and Fabienne Guerrero The two claim that they have received divine revelations

L

AST November, it was reported that a group of individuals was distributing unusual devotional objects within Singapore’s Catholic community. Later, a charismatic speaker gave talks about her reconversion to Catholicism. These episodes are related to a much larger phenomenon which Catholics are advised to be cautious about. A few Catholics had been distributing what appeared to be Marian medals and Benedictine FUXFLÂż[HV 7KH\ DUH DOVR WKRXJKW to have given out miniature “prayer cardsâ€? imprinted with a “Seal of the Living Godâ€? and a “Crusade Prayer 33â€?. An Internet search of this “Sealâ€? and “Prayerâ€? will instantly identify them as items associated with Maria Divine Mercy, as is the so-called “Marianâ€? “Medal of Salvationâ€? or Numisma Salutis. Who, or what, is Maria Divine Mercy? This is the name assumed by what is believed to be a self-proclaimed Irish seer called Mary Carberry. For several years, she publicly claimed to have received messages from Christ and the Virgin Mary. These included apocalyptic predictions about an ousting of Pope Benedict XVI, and words to the effect that Pope Francis was a false prophet who would usher in the antichrist. It was later reported that she had backdated these self-declared prophecies. Nonetheless, Carberry has a VLJQLÂżFDQW LQWHUQDWLRQDO IROORZing and published at least two books. Through these channels much confusion has been caused among Catholics. Carberry has done this behind the screen of anonymity, updating her unauthorised revelations through a website and Facebook page that she discontinued after her cover was apparently blown by an Irish newspaper in 2015. Claiming that Jesus wished that she stay anonymous to protect her family and avoid distraction from the messages, Carberry maintained her cult by hiding her true identity, deliberately evading Dublin’s archdiocesan authorities. Unsurprisingly her “ministryâ€? has been soundly rejected by them and other European, American and Australian dioceses where she has been known to have followers. Last year, Singapore’s own archdiocesan authorities noted that Carberry had a following here. This had probably started

regulations for foreign speakers WR ÂżUVW REWDLQ SHUPLVVLRQ WR FRQduct ministry here. It is now believed that these supporters were local followers of Maria Divine Mercy.

DORQJVLGH PRUH RUWKRGR[ HOHments. Catholic familiarity with the names “Mariaâ€? and “Divine Mercyâ€? would have made Carberry’s assumed name more “recognisableâ€?’. The name “Maria Divine Mercyâ€? suggests some link with Christ, His Mother or St Faustina Kowalska. The use of the Church’s traditional Latin language, as for the Numisma Salutis distributed by those believed to be Carberry’s followers, lent another touch of authenticity. To give her controversial messages the weight of authority, Guerrero on the other hand provided what were supposedly testimonials from Catholic priests outside of Singapore. Even if they were genuine endorsements, they may not have been provided for the type of messages which the speaker was proclaiming in Singapore. This is why Chancery regulations regarding foreigners doing ORFDO PLQLVWU\ DV ZHOO DV RIÂżFLDO Chancery notices against certain individuals, groups or activities H[LVW WKHVH SURWHFW ORFDO &DWKRlics from the confusion and theological, doctrinal, spiritual and moral harm that could be spread by unapproved activists. „

T MIGHT sometimes be hard for ordinary Catholics to distinguish genuine from false preachers, as they often present un-Catholic messages

This article was contributed by the Chancery, an arm of the ArchELVKRSÂśV RIÂżFHV Âą FROOHFWLYHO\ NQRZQ as the Curia, whose primary functions are to assist in archdiocesan administration and governance.

Devotional objects distributed by followers of ‘Maria Divine Mercy’ (front and back): A harmless-looking BenedicWLQH FUXFLÂż[ SUD\HU FDUG ZLWK Âľ6HDO RI WKH /LYLQJ *RGÂś DQG Âľ&UXVDGH 3UD\HU Âś DQG D Âľ0DULDQÂś 1XPLVPD 6DOXWLV RU Âľ0HGDO RI 6DOYDWLRQÂś Photos: CHANCERY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE

as a well-meaning if misguided effort to uphold “traditional� Catholicism. Soon after came Fabienne Guerrero to Singapore in midNovember. She gave lectures to private audiences and originally intended to speak at not-soprivate venues like Toa Payoh’s Church of the Risen Christ. Attendees at them reported KHDULQJ D WURXEOLQJ PL[ RI KHU story of reconversion to the Catholic faith after years of self-inflicted spiritual abuse, DQG KHU H[SOLFLWO\ PHQWLRQHG

“divine revelations� that she was a prophet. Guerrero presented herself as having been sent to warn people that they were destined for hell if they continued practices like having their mortal remains cremated, or that receiving communion by hand rather than on the tongue was liturgical abuse. Rather like Mary Carberry, Guerrero strenuously avoided Singapore’s Catholic authorities. She and the local Catholics who organised her talks repeatedly ignored archdiocesan Chancery

‘Maria Divine Mercy’ claimed to have received messages from Christ and Mary. Guerrera said she was sent to warn people they would go to hell if they continued certain practices.

I

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Clothing the naked: Share with someone who has none By Mike Nelson Before Jesus began teaching about mercy, and sharing with and caring for our neighbour, his cousin John the Baptist was making the same point to all who would listen. “Whoever has two tunics,â€? said John, “should share with the person who has noneâ€? (Lk 3:11). For me, that teaching brings to mind the old joke in TV comedy, in ZKLFK D IUD]]OHG ZRPDQ Ă€LQJV RSHQ her closet, surveys her wardrobe – an inventory equal to that of a fairsized department store – and wails, “I haven’t got a thing to wear!â€? I suspect that millions throughout the world who can’t afford closets, much less closets IXOO RI FORWKHV ZRXOGQÂśW ÂżQG WKDW joke quite so funny. Which brings us to “clothing the naked,â€? a corporal work of mercy, aimed at addressing a very basic need for all people. Several times a year, our family donates items to a local agency that serves low-income populations. Those items almost always include clothing, not high fashion, certainly, but good, wearable clothing to assist people who might otherwise have very little. Thanks to my wife, I have a nice wardrobe, and I always enjoy receiving new items of clothing for Christmas and birthday presents. And yet, I look at what I

If God so clothes the ‘JUDVV RI WKH ÂżHOG ZKLFK grows today and is thrown LQWR WKH RYHQ WRPRUURZ will He not much more provide for you?

’

– Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount

People look through donated clothing at a temporary tent camp for Ukrainian refugees in Aug 2014. Donate clothes and other items that aren’t used often to people who might have very little. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

already have and I think – barring VRPH VLJQL¿FDQW FKDQJH LQ ERG\ shape – I could probably make do with what I have for quite a few years. Just last year, in the midst of closet and garage cleaning, I came XSRQ WKH ¿UVW VZHDWHU P\ ZLIH gave me. I wore the heck out of for a good 15 years before the elbows began wearing thin. I kept it

for sentimental reasons, and I was thrilled to see it again. I washed and wore it, even with the thin elbows. It was still a good-looking sweater, the elbows notwithstanding. And partly because it was a happy but poignant reminder that we don’t necessarily need as much as we think we do. John the Baptist – no fashion plate he, judging by artists’ ren-

derings over the centuries – knew this quite clearly, as he told the tax collectors who sought baptism and guidance from him: “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed� (Lk 3:13). And in His Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 5-7), Jesus tells us something more about clothing in the eyes of God: “Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn

IURP WKH ZD\ WKH ZLOG Ă€RZHUV grow. They do not work or spin. But not even Solomon in all his splendour was clothed like one of them. “If God so clothes the grass of WKH ÂżHOG ZKLFK JURZV WRGD\ DQG is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will He not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?â€? In other words, says Jesus, quit worrying about what to wear, or what to eat, or what to drink. “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all,â€? He says. “But seek ÂżUVW WKH NLQJGRP >RI *RG@ DQG +LV righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.â€? For it is through seeking the kingdom that we understand how sharing those “thingsâ€? with those in need helps make that teaching a reality. „ CNS Nelson is former editor of The TidLQJV QHZVSDSHU RI WKH $UFKGLRFHVH RI /RV $QJHOHV

Finding Christ among the poor By Rhina Guidos In Washington, the city where I live, I noticed in my neighbourKRRG D PDQ ZKR LV GLI¿FXOW WR miss: Tall, with long, misshapen dreadlocks, he walks through the city in any type of weather without shoes or shirt. But that’s not what calls your attention the most. He’s nearly naked, wearing, in the rain or snow, or blaring sun, the most tattered pair of denim shorts, barely swinging on his hips with the help of a belt. The atmosphere changes when he walks by, as if no one knows what to say or do, and so the most comfortable thing to do is to keep walking. I’d seen him on Instagram posts with comments expressing sympathy and sorrow for the plight of the homeless and for those with mental illness. One day, feeling deeply ashamed to be one of those who walk by in silence, I promised myself I’d talk to him when I saw him next and do something. Months went by before I ran into him, but when I saw him I darted across the street and introduced myself. He introduced himself, too.

A homeless man sits on a sidewalk in Philadelphia. Catholics are urged to confront the poor not hide from them. CNS photo

Not knowing what else to say, I asked if I could impose on him and buy him a pair of pants and shoes. He smiled at me and said, lucidly, to my surprise, “Well, you can, but I’ll probably give them away.� He explained to me that the way he dresses (or doesn’t dress) is part of a vow he made a long time ago, but people are drawn to him by his appearance and, quite often, they give him socks, shoes,

coats. He, in turn, gives his gifts away to clothe many of the homeless men and women in our city. God appears to us when we confront, not when we hide from, our duty to clothe our brothers and sisters, when the one who is comfortable is put in the uncomfortable position of asking: May I clothe you? „ CNS Guidos is an editor with Catholic News Service.

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Filipinos increasingly attending Sunday Mass in shopping malls Many say it’s convennent for those living a busy urban life MANILA – A growing number of

6XQGD\V WKDWÂśV ZK\ WKH &KXUFK Filipino Catholics are attending reaches out to the faithful by holdSunday Mass in shopping malls LQJ 0DVVHV LQ WKHVH SODFHV ´ KH instead of church. added. Âł:H ÂżQG LW FRQYHQLHQW ´ H[7KHUH DUH )LOLSLQRV KRZHYHU SODLQV 0U 0LJXHO (VSLQR D ZKR VDLG &DWKROLFV VKRXOG ÂłH[HUW \HDU ROG IDWKHU RI ÂżYH ZKR VD\V PRUH HIIRUW DQG WLPH´ WR DWWHQG KH EHOLHYHV WKDW ÂłZKHUHYHU WKHUH Mass in a church. are two or more people gathered in Âł:H FDQQRW JLYH RXU SHUWKH QDPH RI *RG +H ZRXOG OLVWHQ ´ cent attention to the celebration if (YHU\ 6XQGD\ 0U (VSLQR ZH DUH LQ D PDOO ´ VDLG 0V /LJD\D and his family wear their Sunday $OPDFLQ D \HDU ROG FDWHFKLVW FORWKHV DQG DSSO\ WKHLU ÂżQHVW SHU- who teaches religious subjects to fumes. children in a local school. The family goes to the mall The mall is “a place for comfour hours before the celebration PHUFH QRW IRU SUD\HU ´ VDLG 0V $ORI WKH +RO\ (XFKDULVW 0U (VSL- PDFLQ DGGLQJ WKDW SHRSOH DWWHQG QRÂśV ZLIH 6DUDK GRHV WKH ZHHN- 0DVVHV LQ PDOOV ÂłDV DQ H[FXVH QRW ly grocery shopping while the WR JR WR FKXUFK ´ GDXJKWHUV GR WKHLU ÂłJLUO WKLQJ´ DW “Going to Mass nowadays is the beauty salon. MXVW OLNH JRLQJ WR “We do ala party or a fashPRVW HYHU\WKLQJ The air-conditioning ion show where LQ WKH PDOO ´ KH you can wear system in the mall VDLG DGGLQJ WKDW \RX is better than in any ZKDWHYHU LW SURYLGHV ÂłTXDOZDQW ´ 0V $OPDLW\ IDPLO\ WLPH´ cin said. Catholic church especially beMany Filiaround Manila. FDXVH HYHU\ERG\ SLQRV KDYH EHPlus it is convenient come part of is either in the ofÂżFH RU LQ VFKRRO what has been to attend Mass during much of termed as the in the mall because growing mall WKH ZHHN At least 30 culture in the it’s easier to park. minutes before Philippines. – Ms Cora Timbolan, 0DVV 0U (VSLQR Mr Jorge on why she attends and family pro0RMDUUR D 6SDQSunday Mass in a mall ceed to the mall’s ish national who chapel. is doing his doc0V &RUD 7LPERODQ D \HDU WRUDO UHVHDUFK LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ROG JUDSKLF GHVLJQHU VD\V WKH DLU described malls in Manila as conditioning system in the mall is ÂłFDWKHGUDOV RI FRQVXPSWLRQ´ WKDW better than in any Catholic church ÂżOO WKH JDS LQ JRYHUQPHQW EDVLF DURXQG 0DQLOD 3OXV LW LV FRQYHQL- VHUYLFHV OLNH SHGHVWULDQ IULHQGO\ ent to attend Mass in the mall be- VWUHHWV RU SDUNLQJ IRU YHKLFOHV FDXVH LWÂśV HDVLHU WR SDUN KHU FDU “Mall shopping has became Âł, ZRUN IURP 0RQGD\ WR 6DW- D ZD\ IRU SHRSOH WR DIÂżUP WKHPXUGD\ DQG , KDYH RQO\ JRW 6XQGD\ VHOYHV H[SUHVV FHUWDLQ SUHIHUIRU P\VHOI P\ IULHQGV DQG *RG HQFHV DQG HQKDQFH VRPH GXELRXV , FDQQRW DIIRUG WR EH VWXFN LQ WUDI- YDOXHV OLNH WKH GLVSOD\ RI VRFLDO ÂżF ´ VKH VDLG VWDWXV ´ ZURWH 0U 0RMDUUR LQ DQ ,Q 2FWREHU ODVW \HDU :D]H D DUWLFOH SXEOLVKHG LQ *36 EDVHG QDYLJDWLRQ DSS QRWHG Cardinal Tagle says one of the WKDW RQ DQ XUEDQ OHYHO 0HWUR 0D- aims of celebrating Mass in malls QLOD KDV WKH ÂłZRUVW WUDIÂżF RQ (DUWK ´ is to teach the faithful how to balCardinal Luis Antonio Tagle ance life. RI 0DQLOD VD\V WKDW WKH FHO“It is a challenge for the ebration of the Eucharist outside Church to encourage and persuade FKXUFKHV KDV EHHQ DOORZHG HVSH- &DWKROLFV WR OLYH E\ D (XFKDULVWLF FLDOO\ LQ VFKRROV WR JLYH VWXGHQWV lifestyle and not by the material an opportunity to attend Mass. WKLQJV WKH\ VHH LQ PDOOV ´ “It is always a true celebraThe cardinal says the Church WLRQ HYHQ LQ D VLPSOH TXLHW FRU- LV DOORZLQJ PRUH YHQXHV WR RSHQ QHU ZKHUH SHRSOH FRQYHUJH ´ VDLG WKDW SURYLGH SHRSOH ZLWK TXLWH Cardinal Tagle. places to pray so they can com“We recognise that Filipinos municate with God in the midst of spend their time in malls during a noisy city. „ UCANEWS.COM

FEATURE 19

‘We recognise

that Filipinos spend their time in malls during Sundays, that’s why the Church reaches out to the faithful by holding Masses in these places.’

– Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila

20

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Vincent Pallotti Vincent Pallotti was born into a wealthy Italian family in 1795. He VWUXJJOHG LQ VFKRRO DW ÂżUVW EXW KH persisted and was ordained a priest when he was 23 years old. He continued his studies and received his doctoral degree in theology. He later left a teaching position at the University of Rome to become an active pastor. He became passionate about conversion and social justice, and the clergy and lay workers who worked with him eventually became organised into the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (the Pallottines). In a letter to a young professor, Vincent wrote, “Be holy in the world, in your social relationships, in your work, and your leisure.... Holiness is simply to do God’s will, always and everywhere.â€? Vincent established schools for several trades, including tailors, shoemakers and farmers. We honour Vincent on Jan 22. „

for the great things He would do. After Joseph and Mary had followed all of the laws that pertained to the dedication of their son, they were able to leave Bethlehem and return to their home in Nazareth in Galilee. Over the course of His youth, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover every year. Jesus grew strong and was

¿OOHG ZLWK ZLVGRP DQG *RG ORRNHG upon Him with favour. „ Read more about it: Luke 2

Q&A 1. Why did Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple? 2. Where did Joseph and Mary go when they left Bethlehem?

Wordsearch: „ STRONG „ ARMS „ WISDOM „ VISION „ HEARTS „ YOUTH

„ SON „ SWORD „ TEMPLE „ MASTER „ CHILD „ BABY

BIBLE TRIVIA: What is the biblical term for someone who is not a Jew?

Bible Accent:

Answer to Bible Trivia: gentile

We take our cars, buses and planes for granted, but in the time of the Bible, WUDYHOLQJ ZDV GLI¿FXOW The most common method of going from one place to another was walking. People would not carry more than they needed for the trip. For those who had them, donkeys could be used for riding or for helping to carry food and supplies. Eventually camels and horses were used as well. Kings and other members of royalty and some high-ranking soldiers rode in chariots or carriages pulled by horses. Some people were able to afford a litter, which was a seat covered by a curtain and supported by poles for carrying. Men or horses had to carry the litter. „

PUZZLE: Can you match these biblical children and young people with the events that happened to them? , ZDV WKH ¿UVW VRQ RI $GDP DQG (YH D 6DPVRQ 2. My brothers sold me into slavery. b. Samuel 3. I was a Jew raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. c. Cain 4. I became a very strong man. d. David 5. God called me while I was sleeping. e. Jesus 6. I defeated Goliath. f. Joseph 0\ ¿UVW FULE ZDV D PDQJHU J 0RVHV

Answer to Wordsearch

When their son was eight days old, Joseph and Mary gave Him the name Jesus. Before the baby had been born, an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and said: “You shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and of His kingdom there will be no end.� So they brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. Living in Jerusalem at the time was a man named Simeon. He was a holy man, faithful to God. Simeon had a vision that he would see the Messiah before he died. When he saw the baby Jesus in front of him with His parents, Simeon held Jesus in his arms and prayed over Him. “Now, Master,� he said, “you may let your servant go in peace according to your word, for my eyes

have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.� Joseph and Mary looked at each other in amazement. They did not expect to hear such wonderful things said about their son, even though they knew He was very special. Simeon gave Jesus back to His mother, and then he said to Mary, “Behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.� As if what already had happened did not astound Mary and Joseph, there was an old prophetess, Anna, who never left the temple, but spent every day fasting and praying. She, too, knew that a wonderful child was in the temple and praised God

Answer to puzzle: 1. c, 2. f, 3. g, 4. a, 5. b, 6. d, 7. e.

By Joe Sarnicola

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday February 7, 2016 CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS All 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/announcementadvertisement-request/. Once forms have been submitted, 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 NOV 14 “THE ROAD TO EMMAUS” BIBLE PROGRAMME A Bible programme for all. Designed to help us break the Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word, to help us apply its truths in our daily lives. A typical session includes praise and worship, small group sharings, a wrap-up lecture and fellowship. Time: 7.45pm-10pm. Every Monday except on public holidays. Venue: Church of St Ignatius, level 2 St Ignatius Hall. For more information, E: henrythwu@gmail.com or raymond.thng37@gmail.com

JAN 13 TO MAR 23 ST PETER – CORNERSTONE OF CATHOLICISM A DVD-based programme presented by Dr Tim Gray. The story of St Peter begins with an ordinary act of trust, which would change the entire course of his life. Every Wednesday from 9.30am11.30am (10 sessions). Venue: Church RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW DWWLF WK ÀRRU Cost: $45. Love offerings welcomed. Register; T: 82288220; E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com

JAN 20 TO DEC 28 ART THERAPY OPEN STUDIO @ AGAPE VILLAGE Every Wednesday throughout the year. Time: 9.30am-12pm. Feeling down, lost and confused? Let your creative energy guide you to tap into your wisdom and expand your insights to your life. Come join us and let the healing qualities of art awaken you. No art experience required – just an open heart and creative spirit. Organised by Clarity Singapore, 7A Lor 8 Toa Payoh, #02-08. Fee $10 per session. Pre registration required. Register; T: 68017467; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org

JAN 14 TO NOV 26 BRIDGING PROGRAMME A one-year catechetical programme for children aged 9 to 13 years who have missed, or not had formal catechesis, or who are seeking baptism. Sessions are conducted weekly at the Catholic Archdiocescan Education Centre (CAEC)at 2 Highland Road, and the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at 31 Siglap Hill. 0DQDJHG E\ WKH &DWHFKHWLFDO 2I¿FH Register; T: 68583011 (Emily); E: emily@one.org.sg

JAN 20 TO MAY 25 LECTURE SERIES ON THE BOOK OF JOB Lectures to be held from 8pm-10pm on Jan 20, 27; Feb 3, 24; Mar 30 and every Wednesday in April and May. Come and learn how the Book of Job can enrich your life with God, especially in times of trial and suffering. No previous Bible study experience required. Speaker: Prof Hannah Lim. Venue: Church of St Bernadette canteen. For enquiries and registration, E: StBernBAT@gmail.com

JAN 28 TO MAR 31 AT HOME RETREAT Every Thursday from Jan 28 to Mar 31 at Sts Peter and Paul Church. 7.30pm9.30pm. A 10-week programme based on the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola to know Jesus more intimately in the midst of life’s daily routine. Programme includes weekly meeting of faith sharing, daily prayer of scripture. Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. T: 65652895; E: cenaclesing@gmail.com; W: www.catholicsg.info/cenacle FEB 2 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE All are invited to a special Mass for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life and closing of the Year of Consecrated Life. Time: 6pm. Venue: Church of St Ignatius, 120 King’s Road. FEB 7 PERANAKAN MASS Time: 10.30pm. Venue: Church of the Holy Family. The Peranakan community of Holy Family Church invites all to attend the Peranakan Mass on the eve of Chinese New Year. The Mass will be celebrated in Baba Malay with Fr Eugene Lee CSsR as the main celebrant. All Babas & Nyonyas are invited to come in your baju lok chuan, batik shirts and sarong kebayas. FEB 12 - 14 LOVE AND CHRISTIAN SEXUALITY A retreat to help you understand different aspects of human sexuality from a developmental perspective, how sexuality helps us grow in selfintimacy, intimacy with God and all of creation. Highly recommended for young dating couples. Facilitator: Sr Linda Lizada. Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. Venue: Choice Retreat House. For enquiries, T: 65652895/9722-3148; E: cenaclesing@gmail.com

Walk for Life West Coast participants march in San Francisco behind a banner held by students from San Francisco area Catholic high schools and Thomas Aquinas College on Jan 23. CNS photos

Pro-life march in the US Pro-life supporters gathered to take part in the annual March for Life in the US beginning on Jan 22. Catholics were among those seeking a reform of the United States Supreme Court’s decision legalising abortion. This year marks the 43rd anniversary since the law was passed.

Students from the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Maryland, cheer while attending a pro-life youth rally in Washington on Jan 22.

FEB 17 TO MAY 4 BIBLE STUDY BOOK OF EXODUS Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of St Francis Xavier, SFX room, parish centre. 12 Wednesday sessions conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. No course fees. Register; E: maisielee21@gmail.com (Maisie Lim)/ ronlee@lucas.com.sg (Ron Lee) FEB 20 TO APRIL 9 “WHAT IS CHRISTIAN MISSION?” TALKS Join us on Feb 20 and 27; Mar 12 and April 2 and 9 to learn and share about the Trinitarian nature of mission – the thrust of the very heart of Christian life – and how we can do so in a dynamic way. All sessions held at the Catholic Centre. Time: 10am-12pm. Organised by Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore (CHARIS). For more information, T: 63374119 (Victoria); E: victoria@ charis-singapore.org FEB 23 TO MAY 17 SYMBOLON (DVD) AND LIVE PRESENTATIONS Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Dr Tan Sri and his team of experts from the Augustine Institute present the foundation and fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith using the Creed as a guide. There will also be presentations on related topics. Organised by the Bible Apostolate Team at Church of the Holy Spirit, attic (level 4). Cost: $30/Register; T: 97848090 (Louisa) MARCH 31 TO APRIL 3 PRAYER EXPERIENCE RETREAT @ CSC A four-day stay-in retreat designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and deepen their prayer experience. It is especially recommended for those who attended the Conversion Experience Retreat. Organised by the Catholic Spirituality Centre, 1261 Upper Serangoon Road, S534796. Registration opens on Feb 19, and closes on Mar 11. For enquiries, T: 62887901/ 68582716; W: http://www.csctr.net/

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. NOV 1 TO DEC 25 2016 CALLING YOUTHS TO JOIN OUR CATHOLIC FAMILY! The RCIY team is welcoming nonCatholics, aged between 14 and 24 years old, to join us on a journey to know about the Catholic faith from November 1. Venue: Church of Christ the King. Sessions will take place on Sundays at 3pm. Register; T: 96718555 (Randy), T: 81880239 (Bernadette) DEC 3 TO MAY 11 2017 RCIA NEW JOURNEY “COME AND SEE”. Every Thursday evening from 7.45pm-9.30pm at Church of St Michael, St Michael’s room (level two) Register; E: stmike@singnet.com.sg; T: 6291 DGPLQ RI¿FH $GGUHVV 6W Michael’s Road S(327976) FEB 17 TO JAN 18 2017 RCIA@CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of Christ the King 2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, RCIA Room 105. Register; E: query.rcia@gmail.com T: 81884242 (Gwen Lim) APRIL 3 TO 4 JUNE 2017 NEW RCIA JOURNEY A new RCIA journey will begin April this year and thereafter every Sunday at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Verbist hall (level 4). Time: 4pm-5.45pm. Please register your name or names of those who are interested in the Catholic faith. Registration forms are available at the Secretariat or RCIA ministry. W: www.olps.sg; T: 96718216 (Christina)

22

IN MEMORIAM

Sunday February 7, 2016 CatholicNews

.

Crossword Puzzle 1152 1

2

3

4

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Under reconstruction/restoration St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) 1.15pm, 6.30pm, 8pm Church of Sts Peter & Paul 7.20am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm (M*) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes 12.30pm, 6.30pm, 8pm (T*) Church of the Sacred Heart 7am, 12.00pm, 7pm Church of St Teresa 12.30pm, 8pm Church of St Alphonsus

(Novena Church)

Under reconstruction Church of St Bernadette 6.30am, 7pm Church of St Michael 6.30am, 6pm

EAST DISTRICT Church of the Holy Family 6.15am, 1pm, 7.30pm Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace 6.30am, 6.30pm Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 6.30am, 12.30pm, 6pm & 8pm Church of St Stephen 6.30am, 8pm Church of the Holy Trinity 6.30am, 6pm & 8pm Church of Divine Mercy 6.30am, 1pm, 6.30pm, 8pm

NORTH DISTRICT St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of St Anthony 6.30am, 8pm Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea 6.45am, 12.15pm, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of the Holy Spirit 6.30am, 6pm & 8pm Church of the Risen Christ 6.30am, 12.15pm, 6pm, 8pm Church of Christ the King 6.30am, 1pm, 6.15pm & 8pm

Church of St Francis Xavier 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8pm St Anne’s Church 6.30am, 6.15pm & 8pm Church of St Vincent De Paul 7am, 6pm & 8pm

WEST DISTRICT Church of St Ignatius 7am, 6pm & 8pm Blessed Sacrament Church 7am & 8.30am, 6pm & 8pm Church of St Mary of the Angels 6.55am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of St Francis of Assisi 6.30am, 7pm (M*), 8.15pm Church of the Holy Cross 6.15am, 6pm & 7.30pm, 7.30pm (Mandarin Mass is @ St Michael Hall level 1)

CATHOLIC PRAYER SOCIETY (CPS) CPS OUTRAM Time: 12.15pm Venue: Medical Alumni Association Building, Level 1. Contact: 98233971/ 98782833 CPS JURONG EAST Time: 12.15pm Venue: German Centre, 25 International Business Park, Stuggart Room Contact: 98893438/93769897 CPS SHENTON Time: 12.20pm and 1.20pm 9HQXH QG ÀRRU 6LQJDSRUH conference Hall Contact: 90906032 CPS ORCHARD Time: 12.40pm and 1.20pm Venue: Refer to signage on the wall at Hyatt. Contact: 97543672

SCIENCE PARK

SERANGOON DISTRICT

Time: 12.30pm Venue: “Oasis” – 87 Science Park Drive (Ayer Rajah), Singapore 118260

Church of the Nativity of the BVM 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 6.15am, 6.15pm, 8pm

Note: M*: Mandarin; T*: Tamil Please check with parishes for updates. For CPS updates, please refer to http://cps. org.sg

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CITY DISTRICT

5

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43 46

45 57

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Lies 5 Oil units (abbr.) 9 Tradition says the Apostle James preached here 14 On the double, initially 15 Restraint 16 Spring up 17 Refrain syllables 18 Margarine 19 Mottled 20 “_____ Kapital” 21 The New Jerusalem in Revelation was made of this 22 School James Bond was expelled from 23 Plato founded this 25 Collars 28 “Norma _____” 29 The words of an infant 33 _____ of Christ 36 Though Portuguese, Anthony is associated with this Italian city 37 “Inside Man” director Spike 38 Fish 39 Implied 40 Remain 41 Steal from 42 Visible exhalation 43 Persian kings 44 Astronaut 46 “_____ to you, scribes and Pharisees…” (Mt 23:13) 47 Spool

48 Molder 52 “Hot Diggity” Catholic singer 55 One of the prophets 56 An ancestor of Jesus, in Matthew 1 57 Humiliate 59 Scotch partner 60 Deride 61 Inept person 62 “Let it stand” 63 Purim month 64 Remains 65 The Pharisee was surprised to notice that Jesus did not do this (Lk 11:38) 66 “Let him _____ himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mt 16:24) DOWN 1 Papal vestment 2 Husband of Rebekah 3 Light wood 4 Place for sweating 5 Diocese in the Province of Perth 6 Fish part for Jonah 7 “You have _____ not to human beings, but to God.” (Acts 5:4) 8 _____ jet 9 Plant juice 10 Aaron was anointed to be this (Ex 30:30) 11 Is not (slang) 12 Ratio words 13 Night light

21 24 25 26 27 29

30 31 32 33 34 35 36

Equipment Dull Lowest point Adjoin Win _____ hair Doctor Mirabilis, Franciscan friar who was one of the earliest advocates for the VFLHQWL¿F PHWKRG The Archdiocese of Edmonton is in this province Sister of Rachel Papal symbol Old TV movie players “Breakfast Anytime” site Island in the Caribbean Adjective for the Bishop of Rome

39 Domesticated 40 Brother of Ham and Japheth 42 Avian migration form 43 Spirit 45 Catholic singer, Bing _____ 46 Advent foliage 48 Area and zip 49 The Church is the _____ of Christ 50 He tricked Jacob 51 Very hard mineral 52 Metered rides 53 End piece? 54 Mother 55 Spanish dance 58 Greek goddess of the dawn 59 Wind dir. 60 Brother of Asher

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1151 C C C I

Y O U N G

R U R A L

T A M E

E L A L

N I N O

H O L Y

O D I E

R I E L

U N I T E

S F A T E S A Z I S U B N S C A L L T H A I I N A T E N A U L Y S A G O N A L B V E E N E N V U S T Y L

S A N E

T U C S O U I N G D H E A A S E S I S N I P S Y T X S

F E V E R

I T E R

B A N G

S S T S

A B U A Y E S D A D E S H E R A P A R T

A P L E A

C O V E T

N O D E

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

24 WORLD

Sunday February 7, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Rev King recalled as a man of the beatitudes during annual liturgy PHOENIX, USA – Rev Martin Luther King Jr provides us with an example of living the beatitudes, said Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin D Holley, the guest homilist at the annual Martin Luther King Mass for the diocese of Phoenix on Jan 18 at St Mary’s Basilica. Phoenix Bishop Thomas J Olmsted celebrated the liturgy, which is organised by the dioFHVHÂśV 2IÂżFH RI %ODFN &DWKROLF Ministry to honour the legacy of the slain civil rights leader who OHG WKH ÂżJKW IRU HTXDO ULJKWV LQ the 1950s and 60s. A Baptist minister, Rev King relied on Christian principles to guide his nonviolent movement. Rev King followed the way of Jesus Christ, Bishop Holley said, ÂłWKURXJK WKH VDFULÂżFH RI KLV RZQ life, by preaching the truth and promoting the virtues of faith, hope and love, along with God’s mercy, justice and peace, through non-violent means to help obtain equal rights, and respect for the dignity of every human being from conception to natural death.â€? The Eight Beatitudes, found in the Gospel reading from Matthew, teach the faithful how to be followers of Christ, the bishop said. They are “stepping stonesâ€? on the way to the Kingdom of God, but we can’t live them without the grace of the Holy Spirit, he added. “Today, as we join our country in the national holiday, celebrating the birthday of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr, we are called to remember how he entered into his own passion and was challenged,â€? said Bishop

The Rev Martin Luther King Jr SLFWXUHG LQ DQ XQGDWHG ÂżOH SKRWR +H OHG WKH ÂżJKW IRU HTXDO ULJKWV IRU African-Americans in the 1950s and 60s. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

People join hands at an annual service marking the Rev Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday on Jan 18 in Chester, Pennsylvania. A Mass was held that same day in the diocese of Phoenix to honour the slain civil rights leader. CNS photo

Holley, who is one of the nation’s 10 black Catholic bishops. “We remember how he strove to the best of his human/spiritual ability to do God’s will and to live out the beatitudes.â€? The bishop pointed out that Rev King lived at a time when African-Americans in many parts of the US couldn’t vote, didn’t have access to quality education, couldn’t run for or hold public RIÂżFH FRXOGQÂśW VHUYH RQ MXULHV and couldn’t use the same public bathrooms and drinking fountains as whites. Bishop Holley then went

on to quote excerpts from Rev King’s sermons and writings. “’Now the judgment of God is upon us, and we must either learn to live together as broth-

:H UHPHPEHU KRZ KH ‘VWURYH WR WKH EHVW RI KLV KXPDQ VSLULWXDO DELOLW\ WR GR *RGÂśV ZLOO DQG WR OLYH RXW WKH EHDWLWXGHV

’

– Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin D Holley on Rev Martin Luther King Jr

ers (sisters) or we are all going to perish together as fools,’� said Bishop Holley quoting Rev King’s “A Christmas sermon on peace.� “’We are all one in Christ Jesus. And when we truly believe in the sacredness of human personality, we won’t exploit people, we won’t trample over people with the iron feet of oppression; we won’t kill anybody.’� Noting the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Bishop Holley said that Pope Francis also reminds us to live out the beatitudes and that

there is a close connection between poverty and evangelisation. “’No one can be excluded from the mercy of God; everyone knows the way to access it and the Church is the house that welcomes all and refuses no one,’â€? Bishop Holley said. Mr Kit Marshall, director of WKH 3KRHQL[ GLRFHVDQ 2IÂżFH RI Black Catholic Ministry, recalled being in the Army during the civil rights movement, and going to a restaurant with his buddies outside of Fort Benning, Georgia. The men in uniform were never waited on and soon learned why when the manager pointed at Marshall and said, “We can’t let him come in.â€? Though there’s still work to be done today, Mr Marshall said, the legacy of Rev King is that African-Americans like him were able to compete in corporate America and open discrimination like he faced has dwindled VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ „ CNS

Vatican to house homeless woman who gave birth outside of St Peter’s Square VATICAN CITY – A homeless woman was offered a place to stay at a Vatican women’s shelter after she gave birth to a baby girl near the colonnade surrounding St Peter’s Square, the Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the Romanian woman, who is one of many homeless in the city, gave birth to the baby in the early morning hours of Jan 20 in Piazza Pio XII, just outside of Bernini’s colonnade. Local police, who helped with the delivery, transported the mother and child to the nearby Santo Spirito Hospital. Fr Lombardi told journalists that Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, was noti-

ÂżHG RI WKH ELUWK DQG LPPHGLDWHO\ went to visit the woman at the hospital. The Vatican spokesman said Archbishop Krajewski offered the mother and child a place to stay at a Vatican-owned shelter for women, which the Missionaries of Charity run in Rome. Although the woman has used various relief services offered by the Vatican, Fr Lombardi said it was unknown if the woman accepted Archbishop Krajewski’s offer. When asked by journalists whether the offer of shelter came directly from Pope Francis, Fr Lombardi said: “Everything that is done for the homeless and all of Archbishop Krajewski’s activities are done in the pope’s name.â€? „ CNS

PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC NEWS, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMES PRINTERS PRIVATE LIMITED, 16 TUAS AVENUE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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