MARCH 25, 2012, Vol 62, No 06

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

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US churches hit as twisters wreak havoc

VOL 62

NO. 6

INSIDE HOME Flight of An Angel Movie director talks about „ Page 6

HENRYVILLE, INDIANA, USA – As

one of the few buildings in town to come through intense storms nearly intact, St Francis Xavier Church in Indiana has become a natural staging area for relief efforts, community organising and prayer. Four days after a devastating tornado hit, volunteers and professionals used St Xavier, the nearby Henryville Community Church and a community centre as bases for people trying to put their lives back together. The town of about 1,600 was one of several in the region to be severely damaged by storms that created dozens of tornadoes across 11 states on March 2 and 3. At least 39 people were killed. Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio. Substantial damage dotted those states as well as Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Mississippi, Virginia and South Carolina. Ms Tracy Guernsey, the staff

! "

#$ ! complex, was among about 40 people still in the building when the tornado hit. She told Catholic News Service in a phone interview that if classes had not been dismissed early in the face of the advancing storm, the death toll in Henryville would have been dramatic. She said she and about 15 oth % the school ripped off. Also reeling were parishioners of St Luke Catholic Church in Salyersville, Kentucky. There, parishioner Helen Pennington was working in the church basement as the twister approached. Two carfuls of people passing through the area asked to seek shelter and joined her in safety while the structure $ %

& Six buildings – the church, the

HOME Living simply Photo exhibition portrays life in monasteries „ Page 7

ASIA Sainthood for slain Pakistani minister? Calls grow for his canonisation „ Page 9

WORLD Christians in Syria A man helps to clear debris from the ruins of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ridgway, Illinois. The church was destroyed by the recent wave of tornadoes in the US. CNS photo

Fears of persecution increase „ Page 10

rectory, an outreach ministry, a storage building, grotto and picnic shelter – previously stood on the parish grounds. After the storm, only the

its adjoining wall were left standing. of St Luke in Salyersville and St Martha Church in Prestonsburg, reminded his parishioners as they gathered for Mass on the weekend that the church is a com-

munity of people, not a building. " '!

(

homes until a new church is built. Catholics from neighbouring parishes also tried to salvage what they could. At Sunday Mass at St Francis Xavier on March 4, Fr Steven Schaftlein, said the church was “spared to be a symbol of hope�. News video of the Mass showed the back pews of the

Parishioners of St Luke Church in Kentucky will meet for Mass in one another’s homes until a new church is built, says their parish priest.

! ! & # next day, the entire building was & ) Lexington, Kentucky, Prince of Peace Church lost the roofs of both the rectory and the church building, Just a few days earlier, another wave of tornadoes left 13 people dead in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. Relief efforts included a special collection taken up in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis during weekend Masses and coordination of emergency assistance ! # St Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities agencies. „ CNS

WORLD Committing to Christian unity Pope, Anglican leader hold prayer service „ Page 11

YOUTH Teenagers share what Lent means to them „ Page 15

2 HOME

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Supportive environment made all the difference Several Catholic Junior College students had A Level results that were outstanding in various ways, reports Don Gurugay

Mass, counselling helped them improve grades Two Catholic Junior College students had much to rejoice when they received their GCE A Level results on March 2. Joshua Low, formerly from the Normal stream, found it hard lege life. Thaddeus Soh admitted he hardly paid attention in class and did badly for his mid-term exams. Nevertheless, with help and support from the school, both scored 4 As. Low had studied in St Stephen’s and St Patrick’s schools before entering CJC. Coming from the Normal stream, he found it tough initially to cope with his A Level studies and even admitted that he was “disengaged in academics�. However, attending Mass in school (held three times a week) gave him the solace and strength to work harder, he shared. His

teachers were also very encouraging, he said, and attributed his score of four As and one B to their help. The arts student did some relief teaching at St Patrick’s School after his A Levels. Thaddeus Soh came from a neighbourhood secondary School and, with 13 points for his O Lev # 7! 8! lege admission. :; < # attention in class, was away from books, got into trouble and did badly in mid-terms,� he said. “Then my principal, Mrs Christine Kong, counselled

< hard and stayed away from trouble.� The science student also attributed his four As and one B to a combination of time management, self-discipline, group study, and help from teachers. „

Thaddeus Soh (left) and Joshua Low overcame various hurdles to score four As each.

Top-scoring students highlight school’s communal spirit Three students who scored six As credit the school’s “family� environment for their grades. Top science student Timothy Oen said the school’s community spirit, teachers’ dedication and support from classmates motivated him to do his best. Oen, who had a merit in H3 level Economics, was also a recipient of the Archbishop’s Scholarship (see other story). Oen, who studied in the for-

Archbishop’s Scholarship recipients

( = < ! > < !tion, said he liked the tranquillity of the school chapel and enjoyed

% & He also found a retreat for second-year Catholic students partic! # & :? % ! < # & < ! @ ence,� he said. ? !

<$ ? had a merit in H3 level literature, Timothy Oen

Ivan Teo

said he liked the school’s atmos & :<

! & There is a sense of calm and serenity, tension seems to be missing and <

!

D & Science student Erica de Souza attributed her success to her teachers. :< ! ers here,� she shared. “People are more supportive, there is a family feel, and it feels less stressful.�

Erica de Souza

H1 and H2 subjects are equivalent respectively to AO- and ALevel subjects used prior to 2006. H3 subjects provide students with a variety of learning opportunities, including advanced content and research. „

Five out of seven students who were recipients of the Archbishop’s Scholarship attained four distinctions or more. Since 2010, CJC has awarded the scholarship which recognises students’ academic and sporting abilities, and is valued at $1,500 per annum. Apart from Oen, the others who scored four or more distinctions were Stuart Andrew Peter, Luke Ho Zhi Qiang, Bernadette Marie Low and Marie Therese Siew Hui Li. “We thank God for His blessings,� said principal Christine Kong. “The 2010 cohort of students at CJC have produced another year of good and improved results in the 2011 GCE A Level Examination. The positive outcomes from the hard work and determination of the teachers and students only foster greater resolve in the CJC community to continue this upward trend.� „

HOME 3

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Migrants’ body hails new policy on maids’ day off

CHARIS holds disaster relief training session

By Martin See The archdiocesan commission for migrants says it is pleased with the Manpower Ministry’s announcement that foreign domestic workers (FDWs) be given a weekly day off starting next year. According to the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People =; (<> $ for the rights for these workers when it developed a workshop, Building Harmonious Relationship between ) # { U__|& In a statement, ACMI said it hopes “that our local parishes welcome their fellow Catholics on their precious day off and provide them with the pastoral care that they need�. ACMI says there are currently ! U_} ___ { to Manpower Ministry statistics, ~_ ___ _ ___ Filipinas who are predominantly Catholic. ACMI adds that “this is the best time to seriously consider the Pope’s recent Message for the World Day of Migrants and € !

U_|U Â ! faced with the challenge of help

‚ and Christian communities are to accompany them with prayer, solidarity and Christian charity’�. Archbishop Nicholas Chia, in U_|| ( { Day of Migrants, had noted that there are people who believe “domestic helpers should work seven days a week, sometimes even U`ƒ} #

Participants learning how to set up mobile toilets. A baking class for foreign domestic workers run by ACMI. File photo

We sincerely hope ‘our local parishes welcome their fellow Catholics on their day off.

’

– Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

no time for themselves each dayâ€?. “If you enjoy having a day off during the week, would it not follow that your domestic helper would also enjoy and appreciate  !@! #„ D & Catholic employers that CN contacted said they welcome the new policy. “[Maids] have to have their time away from the home, so once a week is not too much to ask,â€? said Mr Michael Hong. “It’s a fair policy that everyone needs a break. My only concern is

that my maid should not be alone without the company of friends on her day off,� said Ms Sharon Tan. Ms Agatha Koh, on the other hand, said, “I think it’s a bit drastic from one to four off days [a month]. My only reservation is that now they might abuse their # thing meaningful to do.� Some maids contacted shared their thoughts. “I like this new rule of the day off, as I had requested it from my employer before,� said Ms Kin from Myanmar. “Sometimes I get a day off but I don’t know what to do. So it doesn’t really matter to me�, said Ms Jacqueline Quilates, from the Philippines. Filipina Emily Carganillo, on the other hand, said, “I’ve already been given a weekly day off for six months already.� „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

The archdiocese’s umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid, CHARIS, held a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training session recently. The 15 participants who attended included volunteers from CHAR< ; UY Nurses Guild and Project Kyrie, a group that assists the less privileged in Singapore and overseas. The training, which took place on Feb 18, was held at ST Logistics’ Army Logistics Base along Old Chua Chu Kang Road. ST Logistics is an independent contractor that stocks and ships relief supplies for CHARIS (Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore). These are

# 7!

tration systems, blankets, human sanitation equipment and tents. During the full-day session, participants were given a comprehensive tour of the storage

facilities and explanations on the supplies that CHARIS stockpiles. They were also given training on what to expect on the ground. Col (Retd) Chan Jwee Kah, who headed a UN-directed mission in Aceh, Indonesia, in the $ U__` !nami, shared his experiences. He stressed the importance of being sensitive to cultural differences, working in a team, and conducting a thorough needs assessment before embarking on any relief mission. “It was an eye-opener,� said one nurse participant, Ms Susan Loh. “Getting involved in the hands-on sessions was really useful.� CHARIS will be organising two more training sessions this year in July and October. Details will be made available in due course. For more information on CHARIS, call 6338 0182 or email info@charissingapore.org „

4 HOME

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Kids from Bukit Timah church to stage Passion musical By Darren Boon Children from St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) are staging a musical on Christ’s passion over the Palm Sunday weekend. The performance, which aims to raise money for the church building fund, will feature scenes from Christ’s passion as well as the Stations of the Cross. The music will comprise familiar Lenten hymns as well as songs from Christian music songwriters Danielle € ? ˆ { & The event will be held at the parish’s community hall on March 31 at 7.30pm and April 1 at 2.30pm. The average age of the participants is 11 years. They are from the catechism classes and the children’s choir which sings at every third Saturday of the month during sunset Mass. The initiative for the musical began with the leaders of the children’s choir. Subsequently, the choir roped in the catechists and the children from the catechism class for the project, said Mr {

!sical. Apart from performing, the children of the parish have also been helping with prop-making. Several adults have

Children from St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) making props for their upcoming musical on the sufferings of Christ.

also helped make the costumes. { # 8 $ musical is to raise money for the church

building fund, it is hoped that through the musical, the parish community “will ... better understand, experience, and appreciate the suffering and love of our ' D ( {

& Church renovations were completed last December. Brian Julian Colond, 11, who is playing the part of Jesus, said he is happy to be chosen for the role and is “honoured to show how Jesus suffered for us�. He is working hard on his acting with the support of his parents, and hopes to put on a good performance. He told CatholicNews that he has learnt a lot from taking part in this musical, especially of how Jesus “suffered for us�, and how important it is to be His “faithful servant�. Another participant, Miriam Saguda, 12, told CatholicNews that she is happy to “contribute to the church in some way other than giving money�. Tickets are at $30, $50 and $50. To purchase tickets, email sjc_ musical_4ushedied@hotmail.com with your contact information. You 0891. „

Lenten boost for Mandarin speakers By Darren Boon Mandarin-speaking Catholics say an annual Lenten programme for them have helped them prepare spiritually for Easter. The programme, organised by the Commission for Apostolate of Mandarin-speaking in Singapore (CAMS), begins with the Stations of the Cross followed by a Mass. < $ {

# $

! Lent and draws a crowd of about 300-400 people. The programme has been running for more than 25 years, according to CAMS. This year’s Lenten programme is held at Church of the Risen Christ from Feb 29 to March 28. Madam Ho, from Church of St Mary of Angels said the programme inspires participants to @

% $ ! Lent, and reminds them of what “our faith is all about�. Another participant, Madam Teresa Neo, said the programme is a reminder that “Christ is our $ ! D

$ Catholics. Madam Tan, from the Church of the Risen # priest during the homily useful for her spiritual growth. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

HOME 5

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Catholic Welfare Centre to undergo renovation

Catholic Welfare Centre at 55 Waterloo Street will undergo renovation. Refurbishment works to the nine-storey building, located next to Church of Sts Peter and Paul, are expected to begin in mid-April and last a year. Existing tenants such as Caritas Singapore, Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore (CHARIS), Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), CANA – The Catholic Centre, and the Apostolic Nunciature will temporarily relocate to other premises during the renovation. Archbishop Nicholas Chia has accepted an offer by the Singapore Land Authority to extend the building lease by 30 years to 2042. Its 99-year lease was about to end. The building’s infrastructure such as mechanical and electrical installations, and plumbing, sani # # be upgraded to meet new building regulations and practices. The new building will have barrierfree access and meet security and environmental requirements, said the Archdiocesan Land and Properties Singapore (ALPS), which is managing the renovation on behalf of Archbishop Chia. He had established ALPS in Dec 2009 to monitor the inventory and properties belonging to the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore and deal with any other matters relating to land and property. The ALPS council comprises volunteers across various professions. According to ALPS, the tenancy mix will change after the renovation to allow the building “to be a town hub of Catholic charities and the Catholic community�. Caritas Singapore, CHARIS and CWS will expand their space and have improved facilities. Caritas Singapore will provide services to other Catholic charities and community organisations ; $

while CHARIS will have a Humanitarian Resource Centre. CWS will set up a Social Service Hub to reach out to the poor and needy, said ALPS in a statement to CatholicNews. The Singapore Pastoral Institute (SPI) will also move into the renovated building and will manage a # ! % & Church groups will be able to use the meeting rooms and facilities available on the second and % & ;Š; these facilities. The Apostolic Nunciature will % &

ises in St Joseph’s Church, Victoria St. She said that CANA will still be available for use by the community. Meanwhile, CANA sees excitement, new challenges and new opportunities ahead. Its “volunteers are all geared up to transform whatever space we are given to a place of welcome and Christian hospitality�, Ms Lim said.

building will invite more people, particularly the younger working/ student set, to forge connections with SPI as well as our neighbouring diocesan organisations like CANA and Caritas�. Although SPI will relocate, Mr Goh said he does not rule out the possibility of continuing to offer popular courses at the CAEC.

CANA will move to St Joseph’s Church on May 1.

Meanwhile, the Apostolic Nunciature is expected to move to the Doulous Building, 113 Tank Road, on April 1.

Mr James Chew, CWS execu $ :; # ! !

to our temporary premises. However, we have been preparing them for our move since last month.� CWS will move to St Theresa’s Home at 49 Upper Thomson Road on April 9.

Renovations to the Catholic Welfare Centre are expected to last a year.

Clarity S’pore moves to Yishun Clarity Singapore, a Catholic charity which caters to mental health needs moved its service centre from Blessed Sacrament Church to Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Yishun on March 1. Its executive director Grace Ang told CatholicNews that the move is to get a headstart in meeting the mental health needs of the community in the northern area of Singapore in line

with the organisation’s plans. Clarity will continue to offer counselling sessions and public education services. The organi : the church here is most ideal�, Ms Ang added. However, this move is temporary. The organisation will move to a HDB void deck in Yishun in six to eight months’ time, she said. „

The Waterloo Hostel, a commercial hostel that occupies three % !

! no longer operate at the renovated premises. To add vibrancy to the building, the archdiocese is also calling for tenders to operate a Catholic ‹ƒ ! ! % (see box on right).

started its search for alternative premises last September. While Ms Lau acknowledged that the move might pose some inconvenience, Caritas Singapore will continue to run its services from their new premises which is already operational.

Temporary premises

Caritas Singapore and CHARIS moved to 1557 Keppel Road, #02-18/19 Cantonment Central on March 5.

Caritas Singapore’s executive director Bernadette Lau told CatholicNews that her organisation

Ms Janet Lim, CANA’s secretary, said her centre is in the process of working out what can and cannot be done at its temporary prem-

Meanwhile, the organisation looks forward to returning to the building which will house its headquarters and CWS Hub on @ % : # designed to better serve our clients�, Mr Chew said. Mr Arthur Goh, SPI director, said: “We are grateful to have been allocated space in this new facility, and foresee that relocating to Waterloo Street will make our courses and library more accessible.� SPI is currently located at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (CAEC) on Highland Road. Mr Goh said he hopes the “design and location of the new

All mailing addresses will not change and all mails should still Waterloo Street address. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Tender for cafÊ/ restaurant operation Those interested in responding to the tender invitation are requested to collect the Call For Proposal For The Operation Of A CafÊ/Restaurant document. Please contact Mr Elijah Tan of the Archdiocesan Land & Properties Singapore (ALPS) at elijah@alps-sg.org or call 6337-3711. Deadline for submission of proposals: 12 noon, June 22, 2012. „

6 HOME

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

When a man sprouts wings Director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr, whose Christian-themed movie Flight of an Angel

A late friend had recounted to Filipino writer-director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr his experience of carrying a frail beggar to a charitable home. There, nuns cared for the poor and dying. This incident became the basis (! an Angel (Paglipad ng Anghel) which he wrote and directed. :< ! goodness. Just what does it mean to be good?� the Catholic director Š lines of the March 2-31 Southeast Asian Film Festival. “I think I’m more interested in a cinematic experience in which viewers will connect with a good ness ‘cool’.� Flight of an Angel is one of several Christian-themed movies screened at the festival, held at the Singapore Art Museum. The others are Trespassers, Fable of the Fish and Baby Factory (see story below), says Philip Cheah, one of the curators and organisers of the event. Del Mundo Jr pointed out that # ing with the theme of good versus evil, he wanted to “explore the idea of the good within the character and the dilemma that the character experiences from a ‘what if’ situation�. In the movie, Gabby, an ordinary salaried worker, develops a pair of wings after bringing an elderly beggar to a hospice run by nuns. His attempts at removing his wings prove futile, and word later gets around that his wings have healing properties. Although Gabby does good deeds, he does not

I wanted to do a ‘ Just what does it mean to be good?

’

– Filipino director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr (above) In the movie, Gabby, the protagonist, develops a pair of wings after bringing an old beggar to a hospice run by nuns.

want to be recognised for them, said the 64-year-old director. “I’m thinking of a reluctant angel in Gabby’s character. He says he wants to remain human without wings. I guess he doesn’t know what it means to be human – that every person is meant to $ $

& )$

!ally, to be human is to be divine,� he mused. The director said that in making this movie, he was reminded of how “man was made in the image of God�. Furthermore, faith requires one to believe that there is the “divine� in the person, he added. Although there are many stressed that it goes beyond the

idea of what it means to be Catholic. The movie is also not a commentary on Philippine society. Through fantasy, he was trying to explore the question of what goodness is all about, he said. His previous works, such as screenplays, however, contained social commentaries, while his documentaries focused on issues such as corruption, poverty and working overseas. Del Mundo Jr had taught screenwriting De La Salle University in Manila. He had previously

! $eral documentaries that included Maid in Singapore, on domestic helpers. He is professor emeritus and university fellow at De La Salle University. „

God’s gift, forgiveness and the pro-life debate The 2012 Southeast Asian Film Festival is showcasing four Christian-themed movies. They are Fable of the Fish (screened on March 2), Flight of an Angel (screened on March 4), Trespassers (screened on March 11), and Baby Factory (to be screened on March 25). ? $ ond year. In Fable of the Fish, a mother $ $ that it is God’s gift. Trespassers dwells on the theme of forgiveness and refers to the line in The Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us�. Baby Factory focuses on the pro-life debate – on mothers deciding whether to keep their babies, says Philip Cheah, one of the curators and organisers of the event. Cheah, a Catholic, had seen $ $

Philip Cheah, an organiser of the Southeast Asian Film Festival

Manila in 2010. He described the : written with strong performances and unique directing styles�. As these are independent !

have a commercial release. Film festivals thus provide an alternative platform for audiences to & :? $ # ! unmoved. They will leave you with % D & Cheah was a founding member of the Singapore International Film Festival. He is co-editor of BigO, an independent magazine on rockmusic and was part of the team for

# 7! # “

$ ; & He is also vice-president of the

Š for the Promotion of Asian Cin =Š)?ˆ; > & Baby Factory, a movie in Tagalog with English subtitles, is scheduled for screening at the Singapore Art Museum on March 25 at 4.30pm. It is rated NC-16. Tickets can be purchased from SISTIC outlets. „

MOVIE REVIEW

What does one do with one’s gifts? By Darren Boon While Flight of an Angel does not aim at being preachy about values, it is about as “Catholic� as a movie can get. Set in the Philippines, Catholic images and icons are present throughout the entire & The movie tells the story of Gabby, an ordinary salaried worker, who one day in an act of kindness sends an old, sickly beggar to a hospice run by nuns. What happens next is that Gabby starts to develop wings. His attempts at removing them prove futile and his efforts at concealing them go awry. "

%

! tryside to live with his relatives. However, word gets around that his wings have healing properties after a sickly cousin becomes well, and $ % for help. " ! from his situation and when # %

# % & The movie raises interesting questions about what one does with one’s God-given gifts and abilities, even if these become a burden.

Gabby represents one response. He does good deeds but does not crave recognition. In fact, he rejects his gift in favour of being an ordinary person. I feel the movie makes $ %

we run from or hide our Godgiven gifts and talents that can be used to serve the community, Church and the wider society. How many times do we feel burdened by what God is asking of us that we choose to retreat from doing greater things? The movie is also a reminder to Catholics, especially during this Lenten season, that though human, we can strive towards achieving our potential as children of God and followers of Christ. Overall, Flight of an Angel is a feel-good movie with its

& )$

the villains in the movie are not completely evil people, but those with weaknesses such as greed and ambition, that most can identify with. More importantly, the movie is all about exploring what one does with one’s God $

$ % tion from the viewer. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

ASIA 7

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Exhibition focuses on monastic simplicity Martin See speaks to Djoni Sutanto, who is re-staging a photo exhibition of his experience of monastic life A vast crimson sky arches over a Trappist monastery in Flores, Indonesia. A carved wooden stool, with rays of sunlight pouring down on it, stands in a quiet corner of a room. These are two powerful images of Christian monasticism that viewers to a photo exhibition will get to see from March 27-April 4. The event, to be held at CANA, the Catholic Centre, will showcase 24 photo artworks of Indonesian Djoni Sutanto, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit. Sutanto, who is in his late 30s, says he hopes to introduce Christian monasticism to the Catholic community in Singapore through his exhibition titled Come Away, Search Within, Rest... The photography enthusiast had held the same exhibition in February, and CANA is restaging it due to popular demand. “I visited this exhibition and was overwhelmed by the exhibits which exuded such depth, peace and transcendence,� said one visitor, Ms E. Chuoong. “It was God’s way of drawing me closer to Him. It has shown me that solitude does not equate to loneliness.� “The exhibition gave me a

% &&& < me of a silent retreat I had experienced,� said another visitor, Ms Nikki Dy-Liacco from the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Sutanto, who started working in Singapore in 2007, said that despite a successful career and promising future, he nevertheless felt a sense of disenchantment with life here. He thus decided to embark on a journey of contemplation and prayer. He also remembered feeling forlorn and restless after his father died the previous year. All these led to a four-year spiritual journey during which he stayed at Trappist and Benedictine monasteries in Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and Australia. “It has not been an easy journey, but I did have a lot of fun!� recalled the Singaporean PR who is self-employed. Sutanto said he would email the monasteries’ guest masters requesting residency, and often enjoyed favourable responses. The conditions were that he had to observe silence, participate in their Liturgy of the Hours, and share in the chores. He fondly recalls the hospitality and warmth of the monks. “They are just ordinary human beings like us,� he said. Sutanto, who grew up in Malang, East Java, said the monastic life attracted him even

Life in the ‘ monastery is simple with minimum distractions. This helped me to listen to the subtle voice of the Spirit.

’

– Djoni Sutanto

Djoni Sutanto, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit, stayed at monasteries in Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and Australia over several years.

Left and above: The simple rhythms and settings of monastery life.

when he was a teenager. He became Catholic at the age of 14 – the only member of his family to do so – and attributes it to his Catholic primary and sec-

ondary school education. He recalled joining the Legion of Mary then and visiting the Carmelite monastery. “This trans $ @

life of solitude, prayer, silence, yet full of genuine joy ... made a strong impact on me,� he said. He later worked in Japan from 1995, and in 2002, spent half a year in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. There he

discovered the writings of Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, which rekindled his teenage passion for monasticism. Sutanto said that although he took photos of his monastic stays during his four-year spiritual journey, he never had the intention of staging an exhibition. “I thought that I could give a talk or seminar but then I was struck by the question of ‘how would I describe solitude in words?’ It was then that I realised that photos probably would do a much better job!� He continued, “Through my journey, I realised that this world believes in a call to material achievements. But life in the monastery is repetitive and simple with minimum distractions. This routine gradually freed me from the domination of my false ego and helped me to listen to the subtle voice of the Spirit.� The free exhibition will be held from March 27-April 4 at CANA, 55 Waterloo St, 2F, Singapore 187954. Opening hours: 11am9pm daily, closed on April 1. Sutanto will also hold dialogues with visitors at 7.30pm daily and at 3 pm on March 31. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

8 ASIA

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

HK Christians call for electoral change HONG KONG – Religious leaders have called for changes in the election process of the special administrative region’s chief ex ! $

scandals surrounding two of the leading candidates. The inherent problem “of the ‘small-circle election’ makes us angry and disappointed,� leaders from various Protestant denominations, theological seminaries and Christian organisations said in a recent statement. The statement has been signed by more than 800 people. This year’s election, to be held on March 25, is largely a contest between candidates Henry Tang Ying-yen and Leung Chun-ying. Mr Tang, a wealthy businessman turned civil servant who many believe is Beijing’s preferred candidate, has been dogged by questions about his credibility over the building of an illegal luxury basement in his wife’s home #& Mr Leung, a surveyor and former Executive Council convener, leads in public opinion polls despite allegations by local media of business irregularities and being a Communist Party member, both of which he has denied. Rev Lo Lung-kwong, director

Illicit bishop to ordain ethnic priests DALI, CHINA – An upcoming

Mr Henry Tang, leading candidate

of the Divinity School at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the electorate deserves more from the political process. “We want to raise our fellow citizens’ awareness that the distorted electoral system will only % and social divisions.� Hong Kong’s chief executive is elected by a 1,200-member Election Commission, which critics say favours candidates with close ties to Beijing and denies the public an adequate say in choosing their leaders. „

priestly ordination ceremony in China’s Dali diocese has sparked controversy after it was announced that an illicitly ordained bishop is to preside over it. Dali diocese, in Yunnan prov # ordinations since the Church hierarchy was established in China in 1946. Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming, the only governmentapproved bishop in the province and president of the governmentsanctioned bishops’ conference, is ( U~ nations, though he was ordained without papal mandate. A Church observer who asked not to be named said Bishop Ma risks a sacrilegious act if he participates. “It would make the new priests irregular according to Canon Law,� the observer said. “Bishop Ma is also prohibited from doing this according to Canon 1331, as he is still illegitimate. There is no need for him to violate Church law in order to be loyal # $

&D He added, “I would advise him

Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kun !"#%& '(

to follow the example of the other illicit Chinese bishops by sending the deacons to another Vaticanapproved bishop for the rite.� However, a source in Dali said the Church could only address the matter according to its situation. “This is not simply a religious matter but touches on the govern-

ment’s law and regulations,� the source said, adding that Church ! bishop from another province to perform the rite when there is already one in the province. The three deacons set for ordination are Tibetan-ethnic Liu Zhibin, Miao-ethnic Li Jiaoquan and Jingpo-ethnic Pai Zaonan. :? # priests from our diocese, so many faithful wish to attend the ceremony,� the source said. Dali diocese currently has three priests and three nuns serving 80,000 laypeople, mostly from seven tribal groups who live in remote mountainous areas. Differences in culture and language as well as poor transportation infrastructure make it hard for pastoral and evangelistion. “A priest travels nearly 60,000 km a year to visit the faithful,� the source said. Three other deacons from Yunnan will also be ordained priests during the March 26 ceremony. They are: Cao Taishan and Wang Jifeng of Kunming diocese, and Huang Xiaojin of Zhaotong apostolic prefecture. „

ASIA 9

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

One year after, prayer brings Japan together

Priests call for slain minister’s sainthood "&

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10 ASIA

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Kuwait’s bishop criticises law that restricts churches OXFORD, ENGLAND – Bishop

Camillo Ballin, who administers the Church in Kuwait criticised legislation that would restrict Christian places of worship in the ! #& “There’ll be problems if the government adopts this proposal; it’s out of step with the traditions of Kuwait, which seeks to be an open, tolerant country welcoming other religions besides Islam,� < & Such proposals come “from ideologies which want to divide the world between Muslims and non-Muslims�, he told Catholic Š $ ( |U& In February, the newly formed ; = ! > ! legislation to remove Christian churches from Kuwait and impose < & ˆ # would not remove the churches but prohibit further construction of Christian churches and non-Muslim places of worship in the coun-

#& < ! < ! ! :

! #D& ; la’s claims that there were more churches in Kuwait than needed by its Christian minority were untrue and took account only of the small number of Christians who —! & " church needs at least 30,000 square metres of additional space to ac & “When religious life is assured, social life is also easier – so why can’t our foreign members have a place for worship?â€? the & The Catholic Church claims ¥š_ ___ # @ bers in Kuwait, making up six per

! & Several other Christian groups, Kuwait’s Council for Islamic-Christian Relations and the Kuwait Human Rights Society also criticised the proposal by the <

# & „ CNS

Christians in Syria fear persecution, JERUSALEM – Christians in Syria live in fear of a repeat of persecution like what was seen in Iraq, ˆ ( ˆ

& “The same pattern like in Iraq is re-emerging, as Islamic militants are now kidnapping and killing Christians in Syria,� said Mr Issam Bishara, vice president of ˆ ( ' # & “Christians are concerned about the repercussions of the

$

& They fear that the experiences of Iraq and Lebanon – which took place against the backdrop of a civil war – could play out again in & ? ! # &D “We lost Christians in Iraq; if we lose Chirstians in Syria, what will happen to the Middle East?� ( € ! ˆ cal Mission’s regional director for < 7& : leaving the region, and we have to ! & ?

! & #

! ! " CNS photo

# ( ) & In addition, he said, Christian If they start emigrating from Syr- residents of the Homs neighbouria, it is the beginning of the end of hood of Hamidiya have been # &D stopped from leaving the city by On March 7, Mr Bahou said $

& " - they were forced into the mosque, tics, but an estimated 200 Chris- where they have been used as hutians were among man shields by rebel the recent wave forces as protection of Syrian refugees We lost Christians against attack by

& $

& in Iraq; if we lose He said many of Mr Bahou said those same refu- Christians in Syria, Syria has an estimatgees earlier had

|&š % < 7 # & what will happen to tians, and many of “They are refuthem are concerned the Middle East? gees from one about what their – Mr Ra’ed Bahou, situation will be ! # & like in a future Syria It is everywhere

should the current now, not just in Jorfor Jordan and Iraq ; & ; ' ?! #& & ; This population they were in Egypt, movement is also creating a chang- the minority Christian community ( ) D ( ! & in Syria is regarded as allied with In an email interview, Mr the ruling secular regime which, alBishara said more than 200 Chris- though it is a dictatorship, ensured tians have been killed in the vio-

& lent confrontations between gov- retribution from anti-government ernment soldiers and rebels in the and extremist Islamic forces, Mr # # " & ! & „ CNS

‘

’

WORLD 11

Sunday March 25 2012 „ CatholicNews

Catholics and Anglicans need to commit to unity, pope says

VATICAN CITY – The number of

ROME – Remembering the com-

mon roots of the Christianity they share, Roman Catholics and Anglicans should renew their commitments to praying and working for Christian unity, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope and Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, held an evening prayer service on March 10 at Rome’s Church of St Gregory on the Caelian Hill. This was the church from which Pope Gregory the Great sent St Augustine of Canterbury and his fellow monks to evangelise England in 597. “We hope that the sign of our presence here together in front of the holy altar, where Gregory himself celebrated the eucharistic # reminder of our fraternal encounter, but also as a stimulus for all the faithful – both Catholic and Anglican – encouraging them ... to renew their commitment to pray constantly and to work for unity,� Pope Benedict said during the evening prayer service. Camaldoli monks and nuns were joined by cardinals, Anglican and Catholic faithful and representatives of other Christian communities in Rome for the prayer service. Archbishop Williams told Vatican Radio that he and the pope spoke about the situation of Christians in the Middle East “and about our shared sense of deep anxiety and frustration and uncertainty about what the future holds there�. He said they also spoke about Pope Benedict’s invitation to Archbishop Williams to address October’s world Synod of Bish-

Vatican says number of Catholics, priests, bishops increased worldwide

Pope Benedict XVI and Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams arrive for vespers in Rome. CNS photo

ops on the new evangelisation. Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism, he said, both are committed to “a vision of the restoration of full sacramental communion, of a eucharistic life that is fully visible, and thus a witness that is fully credible, so that a confused and tormented world may enter into the welcome and transforming light of Christ�. But Catholic-Anglican unity

Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism, both are committed to ‘a vision of the restoration of full sacramental communion...’ – Anglican Archbishop Williams

is imperfect, at least in part because Catholics and Anglicans have an “unstable and incomplete� recognition of one another as the body of Christ, Archbishop Williams said. “Without such ultimate recognition we are not yet fully free to share the transforming power of the Gospel within the Christian community� and in the world. He told Vatican Radio that Anglicans and Roman Catholics : @ D ! of authority and Church structure “that we can forget the gift of baptism and the gift of one another in baptism�, which are the true basis of unity. “One of the hardest, yet most important, lessons the different Christian communities today have to learn is that they cannot live without each other and that no single one of them in isolation possesses the entirety of the Gospel,� he said. „ CNS

Catholics in the world and the number of deacons, priests and bishops all increased in 2010, while the number of women in Religious orders continued to decline, according to Vatican statistics. At the end of 2010, the worldwide Catholic population reached 1.196 billion, an increase of 15 million or 1.3 percent over 2009, slightly outpacing the global population growth rate, which was estimated at 1.1 percent, said a statement published March 10 by ¢ & Catholics as a percentage of the global population “remained stable at around 17.5 percentâ€?, it said. The statement reported a handful of the statistics contained U_|U ;

! ˆ yearbook containing information ! $ # ¢ as every diocese and religious order in the world. The percentage of Catholics declined slightly in South America from 28.54 percent to 28.34 percent of the regional population, and dropped considerably in Europe from 24.05 percent to 23.83 percent. The percentage of Catholics increased in 2010 by just under half a percentage point in Southeast Asia and Africa. The Vatican said the number of bishops in the world increased from 5,065 to 5,104; the number of priests went from 410,593 to 412,236, increasing everywhere except Europe. The number of permanent deacons reported – 39,564 – was an increase of more than 1,400

over the previous year. About 97.5 percent of the world’s permanent deacons live in the Americas or in Europe. The number of men joining a Religious order showed “a setback�, the Vatican said, with an increase of only 436 male religious worldwide in 2010. The number of women in Religious orders fell by more than 7,000 in 2010, despite showing a 2 percent increase in both Asia and Africa. At the end of the year, Catholic women’s orders had 721,935 members.

the end of 2010, ‘Atthe worldwide Catholic population reached 1.196 billion, an increase of 15 million or 1.3 percent.

’

$ % &

The number of seminarians around the world showed continued growth, from 117,978 at the end of 2009 to 118,990 at the end of 2010. < $ # ¢ can said, the number of seminarians rose more than 14 percent in Africa, 13 percent in Asia and 12.3 percent in Oceania. Numbers decreased in other regions of the world, particularly Europe, which saw a 10.4 percent drop in the number of seminarians between 2005 and 2010. „ CNS

12 WORLD

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Turkey consults Christians on new constitution ROME – A Catholic archbishop welcomed a Turkish government decision to consult Christian leaders on a new constitution. “We’re glad this hearing is taking place, since it points in the right direction toward respecting and acknowledging the rights of minorities,� Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini of Izmir, president of the Turkish bishops’ conference, told the Italian bishops’ news agency, SIR. In mid-February, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Turkey’s top Orthodox leader, made liamentary commission preparing the constitutional reforms. The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s spokesman, Orthodox Father Dositheos Anagnostopoulos, said that in his testimony, Patriarch Bartholomew had drawn attention

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartho ' * ' + religious leader to be consulted.

to “sufferings and hardships� by small religious groups and called

for minority citizens to be allowed ! ! & Patriarch Bartholomew was the (! ! to be consulted on the constitutional reforms, which were backed in a September 2010 referendum. Leaders of Turkey’s Syriac, Armenian and Jewish minorities, which # # government, are also expected to testify before the commission. The country’s 32,000-member Catholic Church, which co-hosted a visit by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, is not recognised as a religious minority. Archbishop Franceschini told SIR that he was disappointed a Catholic representative had not also been called to testify, but he had counted on the Istanbul-based patriarch to highlight “expectations of religious minorities�. „ CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Archdiocese of Omaha opens canonisation process for Boys Town founder OMAHA – Fr Edward Flanagan

who started Boys Town in 1917

! $ !bled boys who needed a home in Omaha, USA, might someday be named a saint. Now, Boys Town helps more than 1.6 million people each year through its main campus of group homes, churches, a grade school bank, as well as a national research hospital in Omaha, a na

$ and locations around the country. The process toward canonisation began on Feb 27 with Archbishop George J. Lucas – surrounded by more than 200 people “

% � placing a notice on the doors of St Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. The notice, which is a centuries-old church tradition, alerts the public to the opening of Fr Flanagan’s sainthood cause. It $ thoughts with a tribunal that is be $ life and works. If there is a declaration of the $ ! ! $ :$

D& ? cation, after which he is called : D& ? & ; $ ! $

alleged miracles is presented to Church authorities. In general, two miracles need to be accepted # ! $ ! through the intercession of the $ & If Fr Flanagan is canonised, he ! a saint whose ministry was based in the Archdiocese of Omaha. The process could take years Â? $

said Mr Omar Gutierrez, director

Father Edward Flanagan, The Founder of Boys Town CNS photo

I could not be more ‘ convinced that it needed a man called by God, ) youth at risk to the Boys * )

’

– Br Emmanual, former director of Boys’ Town, Singapore

˜ ( sions and Justice and the tribunal notary. But Mr Gutierrez and others $ $ ! # $ ! $ $ # 7! # ! # ? $ # records on the late priest’s life. :{ ! $ joyed by Archbishop Lucas’ acceptance of our petition to exam

$ ! #

D ( $

{ !

|Y _ Boys Town High School graduate. @ ! $ # ?

@ $ ! $ ! & :? ! $ $

sociated with Fr Flanagan, we ! $ ry day in his work to heal children # D & Br Emmanuel, former director # ? :< ! $ it needed a man called by God,

to combat his way to the courts,

$ # # ! found, and bring them to the Boys’ ? ! $ oasis of peace for these young people needing a second chance. :< $

# ? < $

spired myself from the example and life of Fr Flanagan and I can only conclude that indeed he ! $ $ ! ! # $ of God, who saw Christ in each $ #

$

&D ( <

' @ ! $ rector of Boys’ Town, Singapore, : # ? takes our inspiration from Fr Fla &&& & < $ that there is no such thing as ‘bad # Â? # Â

$ ment’, ‘bad training’ and ‘bad ex &D :{ # !

tial programme for these youths, we also run a street outreach programme (in collaboration with { $ > reach out to the youths at risk on

&D „

14 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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

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

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: & ¤ & &

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: subscriptions@catholic.org.sg ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: $

¤ & &

STAFF CORRESPONDENTS: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg Martin See: martin.see@catholic.org.sg

WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

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

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

LETTERS

Church not abolishing anyone’s ‘right’ I’m writing in response to Ms

" = (! ˆ $  " $ Š ( ||>& With respect to the recent US $ ( " ! : ! $ $ ALL women regardless of how the Church judges her decisions�. In an article published in last {

! )$ ˆ united with Catholics in condemn-

ing the mandate as contrary to the $ # ! ( " $ & ÂĽ $ $

$

# ÂĽ ed States. Health insurance plans are selected by employers when offered at all, and not all plans are ac # $ & The problem with healthcare in America is far, far more com $ $ #

! @ !

! $ #& Finally, with regard to Ms Harto $ Church and state, please recognise that the US Conference of Catholic # #

: D but merely asserting that the Church ! practice she has consistently, pub # $ #

& Denise Nahigian Singapore 238255

Fine line between Church and state – but it exists I refer to the letter by Ms Car

" = (! ˆ $  " $ Š ( ||>& Contrary to what was presented in that letter and in many media, the issue is NOT so much about women’s health as it is about freedom of religion and one’s inalienable right to witness to one’s $ according to one’s conscience. <

# Protestants and people of other faiths strenuously opposing this " "! $ ="" > & ? :

D # cial burden to the insurers, is just an accounting game. Ultimately the cost will still be included in the premiums calculated and paid for by Catholic institutions. What about organisations associated with the Church who self insure? Under the bill, they will $ $ $ sterilisation and medications

! ! #

escalate year after year. { ! :

D

„ ? $ # $ # : $ D

( " !

$ and abortion causing drugs are

# $ ¼ ! many channels including the more than 820 federally funded Planned Parenthood centres located in all š_ $ ! $ es as well as abortions. And they charge close to nothing because # ! # $ ! !

$ a billion dollars annually. According to the Centres for ˆ $

= > ! š_ $

¼ the name of women’s health since |Y}¥

ÂĽ ! ! legalised abortion in their judge

€ $ { & Since when has fertility be

$ to be protected from? According to Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, if the bill is $

tutions associated with the Catholic Church and closely tied to her mission of spreading the Gospel,

$ $ ! down. The Catholic Church and its associated institutions are the $ -

! $ $

ÂĽ & < they are forced to shut down, what would happen to the millions of

institutions care for? {

@ „ ? lic Church being forced to marry @! ! 7! „ $ $ #

forced to closed down as they re ! $ ! @ ! @ & Or maybe a bill that requires !

$ # law? Or maybe the Church being forced to ordain female priests in the name of gender equality? ÂŁ

arates Church and state, but a line there is and it must not be crossed. During this Lent, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen our brothers and sisters in the ÂĽ $ # ! @

persecution for her witnessing to ! # ! Christ. Edmund Augustine Loh Singapore 821105

Consecration and freedom WE CAN lose our freedom for different reasons and, sometimes, for the best of reasons. Imagine this scenario: You are on your way to a restaurant to meet a friend for dinner, a perfectly legitimate agenda, but en route you witness a car accident. Some of the people in the accident are seriously hurt # ! $

& At that moment your own agenda, dinner with a

! & ÂŁ ! $ # !

# ! stance and need, conscripted to remain there and help. You phone for an ambulance, you call for the police, and you wait with the injured until $ & During that whole time, your freedom is suspended. You are still #

! & ÂŁ ! ! $ 8!

$

# !

! # ! ! part of your humanity by doing that. !

$

# # ! @

& ? # $ # ! # ! 8! ! # a bishop’s blessing sets apart a building to be a church. The building ! !

! & ! ! ! away our freedom. In the ordinary mindset, consecration is a word that connotes things to do with Church and religion. We understand certain things as con

!

# $ ‚ @ › ! = ! > = ! > = > ! = > =$

! >& There is some merit in that, but the danger is that we tend to see consecration as a cultic and metaphysical separation rather than as a setting $ & # !

# ! ! #‚ 8! !

# ! # $ #& < # ! $ ! # !

! you are more special or holier than anyone else That was the case with Moses. When God calls him to go to Phar <

( 8 › :{ # # „ " & < œ { # „D ; ™ 8 › : ! # ! $

! œD < & ™ ( # # ! he has seen the people’s suffering. For that reason, he is the consecrated

#& !

$ consecrated him. ˜! $ # ! & ? ) ™

Ek Kaleo. Ek is a preposition meaning : ! D‚ Kaleo $ : D& ? ! : ! D& ; : ! D !

! be if we weren’t conscripted by our baptism and by the innate demands of consequent discipleship. ! ! & ? # ! ! ! # $

! < # (

! ! # #

#

friend sets aside our dinner plans for that night. ? )

@ @ # !

$ & " @

$ ! $ ! ! # !

$ ! : @

# impossible� for Him to marry. <

@ # !

$ ! ! $ " $ ! !

#

$ "

#

# $

!

!

& ' ( " # $ & " not marry because He judged it holier to be celibate or because He need ! ! # " #& "

$ ! the needs of this world simply suspended ordinary life. He was celibate not by emotional preference or by spiritual superiority, but by moral conscription. ? # : D ! & { $ # $ notations of purity and cult. That’s unfortunate because both what’s best ! ! # ! $ # ! & ?

! ! # ! suspend our radical freedom, to set aside our own agendas, in order to $ & ; ( $

! ! ! 7! › :{ # „D „

YOUTH 15

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

More brotherly patience

Cutting down on computer games of others makes me feel good (although I’m really itching to play games). ˜ < 7! amusing that some of the public get shocked by the sight of so many people having a cross mark on their foreheads. Rather, I feel that it is a sign of repentance to God and a lead-up to Lent.

Lent is a time when we are reminded of Christ’s death on the cross for us, and when we go about relinquishing some of our luxuries. I play computer games a lot less often, and spend more time reading the news, magazines, and being with friends. I also pray the rosary more often and am more proactive with house work, trying to make that a habit. Doing activities that add more value to my life and to the lives

Bryce Chee, 19, Church of the Holy Spirit

Doing more voluntary work ? % ! lives. During this period, prayer and fasting help us better prepare for a more worthy reception of the graces from our Jesus. Lent is also a time of testing. Jesus was out in the wildness for 40 days praying to His Father, preparing for what was to come. That was also when Satan came with many temptations. From this, we can see that Jesus was determined to strengthen His duty to save us.

# < ! do. They include going to the chapel for 10 minutes every day, going for Friday morning Mass in school, and not eating chocolate and ice cream. I feel these practices make me think about others who suffer more than me, so I also % & John Marie Tan, 15, Church of the Holy Spirit

Giving up sugared drinks

During Lent, I will refrain from eating meat on Friday and will pray twice daily. In addition, I try to do more voluntary work such as helping out with charity organisations and donation drives. I hope to be able to strengthen my faith in God and understand more about His mysteries as I undertake these practices. Bernard Lee, 19, Church of the Sacred Heart

A time of recollection Lent is a time of recollection for me; a time to take a step back and ™ # & < time of waiting for the promise of resurrection: of Easter! Hailing Jesus physically with palms and words is easy. However being prepared internally with the appropriate disposition, worthy of God’s reception, is what we all strive for. I believe that fasting and absti-

I think that prayer and fasting really help to make us think about all our past wrongdoings and change. From my experience, I am quite impatient with my younger & < satisfy their needs, often shouting at them or starting an argument. For this Lent, I am trying to be patient with them and my friends around me. I have also made a short list of

nence are a higher form of prayer (as opposed to verbal prayer). They take effort on our part and one feels a small degree of accomplishment. In depriving oneself of one’s earthly wants (and sometimes needs), one can further one’s communion with Christ. Joseph Faustine Victor Tan, 19, Church of St Ignatius (De Vita Christi Youth Choir)

Before we actually see Jesus’ suffering on the cross, we too ourselves must experience a time of suffering to understand what God has given to us. Usually, what I would give up for Lent is something that is not really good for me but which I like a lot, for example sugared drinks. Normally, I would take one bottle a day or maybe two to three cans a day. I would now take plain water. I also plan to quarrel less with

family members and spend less time on Twitter. These practices do help. In previous years, I used to go out with my friends a lot. But during Lent, I realised that I had been spending less time with my family. I am now able to balance time with family and friends a lot better. Benedict Nicholas Chan, 18, Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Abstaining from meat Lent is an important period of time to me. It is the time when I pray for penance and repent for all my sins and misdeeds through prayer and fasting. During Lent, I will refrain from meat on Fridays and also attend

weekday evening Masses. These practices help me to keep calm and seek penance during this period. Benjamin Lee, 19, Church of the Sacred Heart

More family time '

8 !

# # ! ! # # % & " $ it is not simply about praying but also facing our true selves and repenting of our sins. Through the small positive actions that we do every day, we are journeying together with Jesus. To me, I start from the small things everyday to make it through the 40 days. During this time, my family and I make it a point to have more quality family time, like eating a meal together and being more forgiving when we make mistakes. I try to make positive choices such as being more patient and understanding towards people and not getting worked up when things do not go according to my own preference. Also during this Lent, I plan to do more good, and being more

kind and compassionate to the people around me. I will also make it a point to read the Bible more often and re% & When I face temptations, I know that I am being guided by the Holy Spirit who will help me ! ! 8 !

#& Darren Chan, 19, Church of the Holy Spirit

LONDON OLYMPICS: Visitors to the games, which start in July, can check out these religious sites in London.

16 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Trusting God during tough times IN A Gospel reading at Mass this Lent, Jesus says of His ! @ :< troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’� ˆ

΢< % ed on this passage in a homily

# & " :; a human being, even Jesus feels impelled to ask that He be spared the terror of the passion. We too can pray in this way. We too can grumble before the Lord.� The pope noted that Je !

# : # Your name.� The pope said of this peti › :<

™ #

His lordship, His will, is always more important and more true than my thought and my will. :;

point in our prayer and in our life: Learning this right order of reality, accepting it intimately; trusting in God and believing that He is doing what is right; that His will is truth and love; that my life becomes good if I learn to adhere to this right order. :? ! rection of Jesus are for us the guarantee that we can truly trust God. It is in this way that His kingdom is realised.� „ CNS

For Christians, be life-giving By David Gibson SOME say that at heart, Christianity is counter-intuitive. Its message contrasts strikingly with the patterns usually proposed to us for living successfully and harvesting life’s riches. After all, Christianity counts losses as gains, insists that selflessness paves the way to selfdiscovery and locates the seeds of new life in death. Christianity also ranks love far $

#

fostering our surrounding world’s ! & ; @ # #

for its capacity to open channels $ % & < $ literally can be life-giving. Thankfully, while this message ! # ! intuitive, it applies directly to the lives we lead. Most of us must at !

@

› „ forgiving someone and in the process surrendering feelings of hurt. „ ˜ made for their future that, time showed, was wrongly conceived. „ ceived notions of others that blocked understanding between them. „ ÂŁ # taking steps to recover from addictions and give up negative habits for their own sake and for their families. There is a sort of dying in ! & This is the mystery John’s Gospel has in mind when Jesus says: :ÂĽ to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruitâ€? (12:24). In his 2006 encyclical God Is Love, Pope Benedict XVI talked about the fruitful grain of wheat

6 ; " ' ' His side, as described in John’s Gospel. "&

& ) / ) < ) sowed into the ground and about a related statement in the Gospel of '! # : $ seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it� (17:33). ! # :" path, which leads through the cross to the resurrection: the path of the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies and in this way bears much fruit,� Pope Benedict

@

# =Š & ~>& He added that while Jesus is talking in these passages about Himself, He also is talking about His followers. : " $ !

" also portrays in these words the essence of love and indeed of human life itself,� the pope said. <

@ cal, counter-intuitive life pattern was set for Christians. According ! " $ & Naturally, it can be tough to

welcome the opportunities that ! # ! ! !

! %

& # may involve responding positively to unwelcome developments – crosses we did not choose, challenges we barely understand. Moreover, in employing the : D

mean an action that requires a generous commitment of their time and energy. < % ! fering, the bishops of New Zealand pointed to the relationship $ & ? noted how Blessed Mother Teresa — : $ which in order to be authentic has to be generous and giving�. ? # 7! # › :? ! love causes pain. Jesus, in order to give us the proof of His love, died on the cross. A mother, in order to give birth to her baby, has to suffer. If you really love one another, you will not be able to avoid mak &D „ CNS

FEATURE 17

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Simplicity and Lent By Anne Lim Embracing simplicity can be seen as a response to Lent, the appointed time for conversion and repentance. It is also a positive move towards a more sustainable way of living for our planet in crisis. Conversion means to seek God above all things, according to St Benedict. This involves a “turning away from� certain habits of our life “in order to return wholeheartedly to Him who is the only reason for our lives�, writes Benedictine monk, Br Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette, in The Gift of Simplicity. Authentic simplicity, he adds,

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™ pel values�. It is this simplicity of the heart which makes for “the best preparation for undertaking the work of repentance�.

es to work part-time or give up work so she has more time for her children. A parishioner’s family walks or takes public transport to church and reduces their carbon footprint. They get more exercise and have zero parking woes. When we choose simplicity, we walk more lightly on our Earth, at the same time remembering our deep-rooted connectedness with Creation’s great gifts of earth, water, air. This natural simplicity is one that comes from “a deep reverence for the community of life on Earth and accepts that the non-human realms of plants and animals have their dignity and rights� (Andrews and Urbanska) as much as humans do. As Br Victor-Antoine reveals, repentance is “an invitation to true inner freedom�.

Simplicity of the heart makes for ‘the best preparation for undertaking the work of repentance’. – Br Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette in his book, The Gift of Simplicity

Although it comes from the word “simple�, simplicity is a complex concept. So one can be forgiven for asking the question again: What is simplicity? ; ! the book, Less is More, by Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska. The core meaning of simplicity, say the authors, is that it is “a voluntary limitation of our outer wealth so that we can have greater inner wealth�. So, if you are one of those who believe that being rich will make you happy, research has shown that this is simply not true! Christians know this too, and yet, the lure of outer wealth continues to be a great source of temptation. When we make the choice to live simply by reducing our spending, we set off a chain of actions that actually translate to: less is more. For example, a mother choos-

What has repentance to do with simplicity? It is simplicity that “impregnates in us a clear, single-minded sense of purpose� and this is what forms the basis “upon which to embark on the path to conversion or true repentance�, says the Benedictine monk. “Repentance stirs in us the awareness that we must work at changing ourselves daily, and that this effort must include every aspect of our lives.� Now, let us with renewed vigour, take the path of transformation for, whether we like it or not, we are all in this together. Embrace simplicity. „ The writer is a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a special interest in Creation Spirituality.

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Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. ... Whoever serves Although the Passover feast was a ! < Jewish tradition, some Greek travel- there also will my servant be. The Faers had come to worship during the ther will honour whoever serves me.â€? Jesus became more serious and celebration as well. They also had a 7! # ! :< ! & ÂŁ be granted. They found Philip, who ! < #„  $ was one of the apostles chosen by ! „ ! ! Jesus, and they said to him, “Sir, we < ! &D Then Jesus declared, “Father, would like to see Jesus.â€? Philip went and found Andrew, # ÂŁ ! &D ?

$ his brother, who was also an apostle. $

:< $ Andrew went with Philip directly to it and will glorify it again.� The crowd heard this, but they Jesus, who as usual was surrounded by many people who had come to did not agree on what had actually happened. Some said, “An angel hear Him teach. Jesus told His two apostles, “The has spoken to Him,� but others dishour has come for the Son of Man missed it as thunder. Jesus addressed the crowd. “This & ;

< # you, unless a grain of wheat falls to voice did not come for my sake but the ground and dies, it remains just for yours. Now is the time of judgBy Joe Sarnicola

b) serve Communion

3) Cantor

c) homily

4) Usher

d) New Testament readings

5) Altar server

e) collect offerings

6) Priest

f) assist the priest

Three leaf Clover

The Trinity is the most important belief that Christians hold. The story of St Patrick says that he used the three leaf clover to explain the Trinity to the people of < & ; $ three distinct leaves but is only one piece of clover so also God has three distinct persons while remaining one God. Jesus reveals to us that He is in the Father, and we are in Him, and He is in us We believe in Jesus and because He shared His life and love (John 14:20.) This is the with us, we are called to do the same. The season of Lent good news that we are called is a special time to share. Have you received a Charities to believe and to announce {

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„ € to the world. „ ! ; & " › :< Bible Trivia: urge you to support Charities Week U_|U&D <

™ What is the name of the us with so many gifts. Let us give book that contains the some of what we have to the poor. Take that envelope, place your money in it and drop it in the box when you go for Mass next week. Jesus said that when you give, you must not let your left hand know what your right hand is giving. „

Share

Answer for Bible Trivia: The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

2) Lector

€ $ # ( & < # churches, a lay minister will read from the Old Testament and the New Testament, and a priest or deacon will read the Gospel. The priests often base their homilies on one of the readings. Religious education classes are designed to help us understand Church history, teachings and doctrines, all of which are rooted in the Scriptures. There are many books available that help us to study ! nacs, and, of course, our religious education textbooks. ( # ! ! # ! that provide background information about the different ! raphies of some of the writers. ? ! can understand how God wants us to live. „

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PUZZLE:

Q&A

2. d

ˆ & " father was a deacon. When he was about sixteen, he was captured and carried off as a slave < & ˆ shepherd, remaining a captive for six years. He writes that his faith grew in captivity, and that he prayed daily. After six years he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and returned home to his family. ; # ˆ $ & " › :< man coming, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of & < › :? ¢ < D& ; < <

< $ of those very people and they cried out with one voice: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.� ˆ

< taught and baptised thousands who did not know Jesus. Pat # `Y¥& " < & His feast day is celebrated on March 17. „

Read more about it: John 12

Answer for Puzzle:

St Patrick

that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.� „

1. b

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

ment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And

< ! < will draw everyone to myself.� The people wanted to know what Jesus was talking about. “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. Then how can you say that the Son of Man must be ! „ { ( „D Jesus answered, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

19

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20 WHAT’S ON

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

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

7! › { # human suffering? Are natural disasters a chastisement by God? What does it truly mean to help the needy? Why go overseas to do humanitarian work? By CHARIS. At CANA (55 Waterloo St Level 2) on March 23; Church of the Holy Spirit Room 03-02 (248 Upp Thomson Rd) on Apr 18. Register T: 6338 0182 (Albert); E: info@charis-singapore.org

Tuesdays until April 3 STATIONS OF THE CROSS@ SUNTEC THE ROCK After 12.15pm Mass and before 1.15pm Mass. At Suntec City The Rock Auditorium (Level 3). By Catholic Prayer Society.

March 23 TALK ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK 8-9.30pm: Third part in a series of Lenten talks. Fr Gerardus Suyono, SSCC, whose ministry revolves around the sick and the elderly of the parish, will explain the ! 7! !

as share his own pastoral anecdotes. At Blessed Sacrament Church (Damien Hall)

March 20 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS (JESUITS) 7.30pm: Theme: Mandarin Jesuits in China. By CANA The Catholic Centre. At 55 Waterloo St (Level 2). Register T: 6336 4815, 6336 4467; E: cana@catholiccentre.com.sg Friday March 23 to Sunday March 25 BUILDING YOUTH COMMUNITY WORKSHOP 7pm (Fri) – 1pm (Sun): A stay-in workshop touching on the six pillars of what a youth community should experience and build upon. A time to experience prayer and testimonies, and learn about being life-giving and accountable to one other. ™ !

$

! attend together. By Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre and Church of St Francis Xavier Youth Community. At Church of St Francis Xavier (63A Chartwell Dr). Register E: sharon@cayconline.org; W: http://www.cayconline.org Wednesdays March 21 and April 18 THE WHYS OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN WORK 7-9pm: Fr David Garcia, OP, will explore the theological and spiritual aspects of

March 24 WALKING THE WAY OF THE CROSS: A LABYRINTH EXPERIENCE 2-5pm: Journey with Christ on the Way of the Cross through prayer, meditation and contemplation. Facilitated by Roselie Chia and Diana Tan (trained labyrinth facilitators). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Cost: $30. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com Sunday March 25 to Saturday March 30 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER@ CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Sojourners’ Companions, in collaboration with Wellsprings Books, is offering a Week of Guided Prayer. Participants will be taught Ignatian contemplation and Lectio Divina. More details on website. Cost: $30 = 7! #

8 !

Companions). E: sojourners@catholic.org. sg; W: www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners March 30 TALK ON THE SACRAMENTS IN MANDARIN 8-9.30pm: Mr Longinus Dismas Chew, chaplain of Assumption English School,

Lenten Reconciliation Services CITY

Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

Wed March 28: 7.30pm

Thu March 22: 8.00pm Church of the Risen Christ

Thu March 29: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Mon March 26: 8.00pm Church of St Anthony

Fri March 30: 7.30pm

Tue March 27: 8.00pm Church of Sts Peter & Paul

Thu March 29: 8.00pm Sat March 31: 1.00pm Mandarin

EAST

SERANGOON Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mon March 26: 8.00pm Church of St Francis Xavier

Church of the Holy Family

Thu March 27: 8.00pm

Fri March 23: 10.30am & 8.00pm Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Wed March 28: 8.00pm

Tue March 27: 10.30am & 8.00pm St Anne’s Church Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace

Thu March 29: 8.00pm

Wed March 28: 8.00pm

Church of St Vincent De Paul

Mon April 2: 8.00pm

Church of the Holy Trinity

Thu March 29: 10.30am & 8.00pm

WEST

Church of St Stephen

Fri March 30: 8.00pm

Church of St Ignatius

Mon March 26: 8.00pm

Church of the Divine Mercy

Mon April 2: 8.00pm

NORTH

Church of the Holy Cross

Tue March 27: 8.00pm Blessed Sacrament Church

Wed March 28: 8.00pm

Church of the Holy Spirit

Fri March 23: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Church of St Mary of the Angels

Thu March 29: 8.00pm

Church of Christ the King

Mon March 26: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Friday March 30 to Sunday April 1 POLYTECHNIC RETREAT 2012 7pm (Fri)-4pm (Sun): Combined polytechnic camp. Join and make new friends before the new academic year starts. Join the Catholic youth group in your polytechnic and make your student years memorable. At Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre. Register T: 8126 6205 (Patricia), 9825 1064 (Francis); E: polycatholics@gmail.com, W: http://polycatholics.wordpress.com

April 5 CHRISM MASS AT NATIVITY CHURCH 10.30am: Churchgoers are advised to park their cars at the neighbouring HDB carparks or at the Catholic Spirituality Centre just across the road. At Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

March 30 CHILDREN’S EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.45-9pm: Lent is an opportune time to pray as a family, and what better way than praying together before the Blessed Sacrament? For children, parents, catechists. At Church of the Holy Spirit. T: 9362 5408; E: childreneucharisticadora@gmail.com; W: http://www.adorejesus.com March 30 STATIONS OF THE CROSS REFLECTIONS FOR YOUNG ADULTS |_ › ; $

% the Stations of the Cross followed by Eucharistic adoration and benediction in preparation for Holy Week. All welcome. At Church of St Ignatius Kingsmead Hall St Francis Xavier Chapel. March 31 INTRO TO PALLIATIVE CARE SUPPORT 2.30-4.30pm: At Church of St Teresa (Parish House Level 4). T: 8113 1729 (Anne); E: xhali935@yahoo.com Sunday April 1 to April 8 HOLY WEEK MALAYALAM SCHEDULE Apr 1 (4pm): Palm Sunday Mass at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Celebrant: Fr Michael. Apr 5 (8pm) Holy Thursday Mass at Church of St Francis of Assisi. Celebrant: Fr Kurian. Apr 6 (10.30am) Good Friday

Tue March 27: 8.00pm.

Wed March 21: 8.00pm

Church of St Michael

Service at Church of St Stephen (Sallim Rd). Apr 7 (8.30pm) Easter Vigil. At Church of St Francis of Assisi. Celebrant: Fr Kurian. Apr 8 (3.30pm) Easter Sunday Mass. At Church of St Stephen. Celebrants: Frs Kurian and Michael

St Joseph Church (BT)

Church of St Bernadette

Church of St Teresa

Assumption Pathway School, and Boys’ Town, will present an overview of the Sacraments in Mandarin. Mr Chew is also a Mandarin-speaking pastoral coordinator and youth pastoral coordinator. At Blessed Sacrament Church (Damien Hall)

Church of St Francis of Assisi

Fri March 30: 8.00pm

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Saturdays from March 17 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS 3.30-6.30pm: For youths aged 13-20 years. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. T: 9100 4382 (Andrew), E: andNdrew@hotmail.com Wednesdays from April 18 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS 7.30-9.30pm:At Church of St Francis of Assisi (200 Boon Lay Ave) T: 9765 1315 (Carol) E: rciasfa@gmail.com Thursdays from April 26 RCIA@BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH 7.30-9pm: At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Drive). T: 6474 0582, E: rcia@bsc.org.sg. Registration forms available at parish ! 7! # & Fridays from April 27 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST TERESA 7.45-9.15pm: At Church of St Teresa (St Paul Room Level 4 Parish House). T: 6271 1184, E: stteresa@singnet.com.sg Saturdays from May 12 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 4-6pm: At Church of St Ignatius (120 King’s Rd). E: rciy.ignatius@gmail.com Tuesdays from May 29 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 8-10pm: At Church of St Ignatius Hall (120 King’s Rd). T: 6466 0625 ext 10 (Angela) E: church@stignatius.org Thursdays from May 31 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 8-10pm: At Church of the Holy Spirit (248 Upper Thomson Rd). T: 9010 2829, E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com.sg

April 5 HOLY THURSDAY TAIZE 8.30-10pm: Children’s choir to sing TaizÊ hymns. Join us after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper for prayers in song, meditation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Dr). Thursday April 5 to Saturday April 8 HOLY WEEK ARTFULLY LIVED 8-9.30pm (Thu); 10am-4pm (Fri-Sun): A 4-day art retreat based on the events of Holy Week. Conducted by visiting friar, Fr John Quigley, OFM. No art skills necessary. Participants of all ages and backgrounds welcome. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (5 Bt Batok East Ave 2). Cost: $200 (inclusive of basic art materials & lunch). Š ! # & 7! payment to Church of St Mary of the Angels with participant’s name and contact $ 7! & € # ( | E: heartspace.stmary@gmail.com Tuesday April 10 to Thursday April 12 PAINTING MY WAY TO GOD 10am-1pm (morning workshop); 7.30-9.30pm (talk): Fr John Quigley OFM, will combine morning creative time with an evening talk on mysticism and art. Through art creation and shared % @ spiritual journeys in a creative manner. No art skills necessary. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (5 Bt Batok East Ave 2). Cost: $60 (inclusive of basic art materials) or $20 (per evening talk). Register by Mar 18 E: heartspace.stmary@gmail.com Wednesdays April 11 to May 9 BASIC CATECHIST COURSE LITURGY 1 9.30am-12.30pm: A 4-session course on the Liturgy and Liturgical Catechesis for catechists and faith formators. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 7019; E: sylvia@catholicspi.org. Fridays April 13 to April 27 INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL 8-10pm: 2012 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Find out what this much heard-about council was about. By SPI. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 3011; E: admin@catholicspi.org April 14 FAMILY KITE FLYING EVENT 1.30-3.30pm: This Easter, gain an insight into Familiaris Consortio and discover God’s plan for marriage and the family through a Kite-Flying family event.By Family Life Society. At Nativity Church. Cost: $30 (kite and refreshments for 3). ; $ #

7! & € $ # ; `& T: 6488 0278 (Veronica); E: veronica@ familylife.sg April 14 FINDING GOD IN YOUR WRITING 9.30am-5pm: Learn to write your sacred

story. Through writing exercises and other activities, explore and express your inmost thoughts and feelings, and gain a deeper understanding of self and your relationship with others and with God. No prior writing

@

7! & # € Chia (trained writing group leader). Cost: $80 (including lunch). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com April 15 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS IN TAMIL 6.30pm: St Joseph Tamil Prayer Group will celebrate its 6th anniversary of Divine Mercy Prayers in Tamil. With Mass at 7pm. All welcome. At Blessed Sacrament Church. Wednesdays April 18 to May 23 BOOK OF DANIEL 9.30am-11.30pm: By Church of the Holy Spirit Bible Apostolate. At Church of the Holy Spirit Room A2-01. Register T: 8228 8220 (Clare), 9815 4098 (Genevieve). E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com April 20 CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY FUNDRAISING GOLF EVENT 11.30am-9.30pm: The parish is hosting a golf charity to raise funds for its new church building. Guest of Honour: Dr Tan Cheng Bock. At Warren Golf & Country Club. T: 9748 8308 (Louise); E: register@ st-anthonygolfday.com Wednesday April 25 to Saturday April 28 PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL TALKS 7pm (daily): Talks by Fr Michele Vezzoli on Enneagram and Spiritual Growth, Transactional Analysis and Relationship with God, Stages of Spiritual Growth, Prayer in the Modern World. By LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At Canossa Convent Primary School (1 Sallim Rd). Register T: 6466 2178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg; W: http://www.lifespringscanossian.com April 27 CONTEMPORARY JESUIT HYMNS: THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF LITURGICAL MUSIC 7.30-9.30pm: Liturgical music is properly a theological enterprise, expressing in aesthetic form the faith of the contemporary Church. Explore salient theological aspects of Jesuit Liturgical Music in this talk. At CANA The Catholic Centre (55 Waterloo St Level 2). Register T: 6336 4815, 6336 4467; E: cana@catholiccentre.com.sg Monday April 30 to Thursday May 3 SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY TRAINING 9.30am-1pm: 3 day training course for new members of School Chaplaincy Teams by Dr Michael Downey. By ACCS. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 7085 (Louis). E: louis.oo@catholic.org.sg Wednesdays May 2 to May 16 FINDING GOD IN YOUR READING 8-9.30pm: Based on Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith and through Ignatian # $ % the environment and their relationships with the Divine. A teacher, a mother, and a medical doctor will share their personal % & ˆ & Kindly read the book beforehand. Facilitated by Fr Leslie Raj, SJ. Love offering. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

IN MEMORIAM 21

Sunday March 25, 2012 „ CatholicNews

WORLD

Light at end of life’s tunnel VATICAN CITY – When life feels like a dark and silent tunnel, faith gives a Christian light and music, Pope Benedict XVI said at the end of his weeklong Lenten retreat. Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa led the pope’s retreat from Feb 26 to March 3 in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. Cardinal Monsengwo offered the pope and top Vatican of

# on the theme ‘Christians’ Communion With God’. The pope said he was particularly struck by the cardinal’s story about a friend of his who was in a coma and “had the impression of

being in a dark tunnel, but at the end he saw a bit of light and heard beautiful music�. “This can be a parable of our lives,� the pope said. “Often we ! $ !

in the middle of the night, but through faith we see a light at the end and hear beautiful music, perceiving the beauty of God.� Cardinal Monsengwo based his meditations on the First Letter of St John. He told Vatican Radio the letter “gives great attention to communion in the Church, both the communion of the faithful with the apostles and of the faithful and the apostles with God�. „ CNS

Crossword Puzzle 1054 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

22

21

24

34

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36

45

39

53 62

32

33

57

58

59

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51 54

63

31

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50

61

30

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46

49

60

29

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13

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37

12

26

25 27

11

52 55

56 65

64

66

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68

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72

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74

75 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Chalice covering 5 Son of Sarah 10 One of two names in a Catholic book publishing company 14 Hip bones 15 Franciscan founder of California missions 16 Composer Stravinsky 17 Recedes 18 Speeder 19 Identical 20 Saint of Avila 22 Did a carpenter’s job 24 Longed for 26 Holy ___ 27 Topping in a tub 29 Jacob’s dream (Gen 28:12) 34 The Pharisee was surprised to notice that Jesus did not do this (Lk 11:38) 38 Othello’s betrayer 40 Embankment 41 Typee sequel 42 Pharaoh refused to give this (Ex 5:10) 44 Is unwell 45 Rite in the Catholic Church 47 Daughter of Cronus 48 Kitchenware 49 St. Katherine’s surname

51 53 55 60 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

Shot contents OT prophetic book Hauled A street in Damascus (Acts 9:11) Roman goddess of the dawn Like much lore He housed Paul and Silas in Thessalonica A place to worship from? Western pact Away Make a home Hook’s hand “Have ___ on us� Very, in Versailles

DOWN 1 One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit 2 Playwright Edward 3 Seventh sign of the zodiac 4 Intense light beam 5 Middle easterners 6 See 30D 7 Type of angel that Michael is 8 Extents 9 Elijah held his challenge here 10 Describes some men in the Bible 11 Culture medium 12 Priscilla and

Aquila left here because the Jews were ordered out (Acts 18:2) 13 ___ Scott decision 21 ___ jet 23 Agape ___ 25 “Where, O ___, is your sting?â€? (1 Cor 15:55) 28 Monsters 30 With 6D, a Holy Land site 31 507, to Nero ÂĄU ' 33 20th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 34 Jesus is the ___ of God 35 Cupid ÂĄ~ ÂĽ number

37 39 43 46 50 52 54 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 68

Hoodwink Paddled Written guarantee Pop classic Impasse Non-pro sports org. Silhouette “___ us peace� Errand runner Clear the board Indoor game ___ of Thunder (Mk 3:17) Streetcar Assess ___ vera Former Russian ruler Mythical sea monster

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1053 A M O S

L O S T

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A D O P E N P A C D E

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the whole world now and forever. Amen. Grateful thanks to our Lord Jesus for answering our prayers. Please continue to bless and guide our family with good health, success and safety. Thank you Mother Mary for your prayers and intercession. Continue to bless and intercede for our petitions to be answered. Thank you St Anthony for your prayers and guidance for my family. S.K.Lim Oh Holy St Jude Thaddeus Apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my urgent petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Thank

you St Jude for all your prayers answered. Continue to bless pray and intercede for me and my family always. S.K.Lim O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers. Thank you, Lord for being there in times of my needs and distress, through your Apostle, Saint Jude. Maajun Grateful thanks to Mother Mary, St Jude and Holy Spirit for prayers answered. Please continue to pray for us and hear our prayers. Margaret

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Sunday March 25, 2012 CatholicNews

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

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