APRIL 03, 2016, Vol 66, No 07

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

MCI (P) 009/08/2015

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

VOL 66

NO. 07

Detail of Renaissance master Pintoricchio’s fresco of ‘The Resurrection’ in the Vatican. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2016

2 ARCHBISHOP’S EASTER MESSAGE

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, ,W LV GLIÂżFXOW WR EH D &KULVWLDQ LQ WKH ZRUOG WRGD\ :H DUH OLYLQJ in a time where there is a sense RI KRSHOHVVQHVV LQ D ZRUOG WKDW VHHPV VR GLYLGHG ZKHUH SHRSOH DUH ODFNLQJ PHDQLQJ SXUSRVH DQG GLUHFWLRQ LQ OLIH

Sunday April 3, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Many no longer know what they are living for and why they are living at all. We no longer believe in life after death, or the next world. We view the world with much scepticism and cynicism.

We have given up on the institutions of marriage, family, the government and even religious institutions themselves!

Such is the state of disillusionment and confusion brought about by relativism and materialism. In a world that has increasingly banished God, the balm for pain and suffering in this life is substituted by momentary relief in material comforts and distractions from endless fads and pursuits. Life for many is simply about reaping and enjoying, without much thought of the after-life.

So, LV WKHUH KRSH IRU WKH IXWXUH RI KXPDQLW\" What is the basis for believing that there is a future for humanity? )RU WKRVH RI XV ZKR KDYH HQFRXQWHUHG WKH 5LVHQ /RUG (DVWHU LV WKH EDVLV RI RXU KRSH More than just giving hope to the hopeless in this life, the resurrection of RXU /RUG JLYHV XV WKH FRQÂżGHQFH that death is not the last word, but eternal life.

In the resurrection, death is overcome by death! Christ’s victory over sin and death reveals to us that sin can be overcome by love. This conviction should ÂżOO XV ZLWK MR\ As St Paul says, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?â€? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:55-57) Indeed, Christian hope is inH[WULFDEO\ OLQNHG WR WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ Faith in the Risen Lord DFFRXQWV IRU RXU FRQÂżGHQFH WKDW everything as promised by God ZRXOG EH IXOÂżOOHG ZKHQ WKHUH ZLOO be peace, love, harmony, freedom – and death and suffering will be no more. But Easter is not simply a proclamation that there is life after death. Rather, it means that life has begun here and now, whenever Christians live the resurrected life in Christ. +HQFH ZH FHOHEUDWH (DVWHU DV DQ $OOHOXLD SHRSOH /HW XV VKRZ RXUVHOYHV WR EH SHRSOH RI MR\ VLPSO\ EHFDXVH ZH DUH SHRSOH RI KRSH If people have no joy, it is because they are pessimistic about the present and the future.

If people give up struggling for

the good of others and in building the kingdom of God’s love, it is because they have given up hope for a better future and tomorrow.

But with Christ’s resurrection, the future is certain and has been anticipated in the resurrection of Christ. A Christian never gives up RQ VLQQHUV RU LQ DQ\ GLI¿FXOW VLWXation, challenge or trial because he or she knows that Christ, who has overcome all things including death, can do the same for us as well. $V DQ (DVWHU SHRSOH LW LV QRW HQRXJK WR SURFODLP WR WKH ZRUOG WKDW &KULVW LV ULVHQ ,W LV PRUH LPSRUWDQW WR OLYH WKH UHVXUUHFWHG OLIH This means allowing the power of the Risen Lord to live in and through us.

Living the resurrected life is to live the spirit of Christ by imitating Him in life and in death.

Whenever we work for justice, love and promote communion among peoples, we also help others to open themselves to the power of the Risen Lord in them. :H QHHG KRZHYHU WR ÂżUVW H[perience the presence of the Risen Christ ourselves, through the celebration of the Word of God, the sacraments, the liturgy and especially in the Eucharist where Christ is present, par excellence.

Without this love for the Lord in the Eucharist, we will lack the power of the Risen Lord to love and see others in Christ. )LQDOO\ DV GLVFLSOHV RI WKH 5LVHQ /RUG OHW XV DOVR EH WKDW OLJKW RI &KULVW for those in GDUNQHVV Following the call of Pope Francis, let us bring the joy of the gospel to the world by reÀHFWLQJ WKH 5LVHQ /RUG LQ XV E\ OLYLQJ MR\IXO OLYHV ¿OOHG ZLWK ORYH and compassion, with an attitude that is positive and forward-looking.

Therefore, my dear brothers DQG VLVWHUV VWDQG ÂżUP /HW QRWKing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be a resurrected people and testify to others that Christ is indeed risen in us! I wish you and your loved ones a blessed and holy Easter.

Whenever we work for justice, love and promote communion among peoples, we also help others to open themselves to the power of the Risen Lord in them.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Most Reverend William Goh Archbishop of Singapore

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Sunday April 3, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Left: The congregation attending Saturday evening Palm Sunday Mass in the newly restored Church of Sts Peter and Paul. Right: Restored lanced-shaped stained glass window.

Sts Peter & Paul opens for Palm Sunday The Saturday evening Palm Sunday Mass was special for parishioners of the Church of Sts Peter and Paul. It was the first time they were attending Mass in their newly restored church building after one and a half years worshipping under a tent.

Parish priest Fr John Chua, together with concelebrants Frs Edward Lim and Fr Joseph Koh, expressed their gratitude to God

at the start of the March 19 Mass for the successful completion of the church restoration.

Speaking to the 500-strong crowd which included RCIA Elect and their godparents and sponsors, the priests thanked the SHRSOH IRU UHQGHULQJ KHOS ÂżQDQcial support and prayers for the project.

Parishioner Sunny Wee, 67, commented, “It is timely that the church opens its door again

for Holy Week. The beautiful stained glass makes a difference to worshipping in this church.

‘

The church is even more beautiful after its restoration, especially the stained glass windows behind the high altar and the ceiling lamps.

’

– Ms Sheryl Low

The church has been wonderfully restored.�

Ms Sheryl Low, 26, who was to be baptised at the Easter Vigil, shared that “the church is even more beautiful after its restoration, especially the stained glass windows behind the high altar and the ceiling lamps�.

Fr John told CatholicNews that with restorations such as WKH ÂżQHO\ FDUYHG PDUEOH KLJK altar in place, he hoped visitors

will be able to appreciate the richness of Church liturgy and tradition.

Other furnishings such as the centre altar, communion rails and confessionals will be installed at a later date in time for WKH FKXUFKÂśV RIÂżFLDO RSHQLQJ RQ June 29, the feast of Sts Peter and Paul.

For more information on the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, visit www.sppchurch.org.sg „

Walking barefoot to experience Jesus’ Passion

Participants of Crucis Singapura made a bare-foot pilgrimage across Singapore on March 19 as part of a Lenten spiritual activity.

Neither blistering heat, aching limbs nor a downpour dampened the fervour of some 150 pilgrims who took part in a barefoot Lenten walk across the island on March 19.

The event, called Crucis Singapura, was organised by the Jesus Youth movement. This was the sixth year in a row that the group has held the spiritual activity to help participants experience a little of Christ’s suffering on His journey to Calvary.

Participants, including families with children, started out from nine different locations, with the earliest group starting at 7 am from Joo Koon. They walked in pairs and converged upon the Church

of the Holy Spirit at about 3 pm.

Along the way, they prayed the Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the rosary and interceded for various intentions.

As 2016 was the Year of Mercy, participants also took the opportunity during their pilgrimage to walk through the Holy Doors of the churches that have them.

By 3 pm, almost everyone had reached the Church of the Holy Spirit, weary in body, but indomitable in spirit. After a meal of porridge, it was time for praise and worship, followed by a short prayer and blessing by Fr Frederick Quek, spiritual director of Jesus Youth.

Sharing her experience of WKH ZDON ÂżUVW WLPH SDUWLFLSDQW Tricia de Payva, said, “With my 16-month old baby in the carrier, I walked from the Church of Divine Mercy. Though it was painful stepping on stones and twigs, I persevered on for the sake of Jesus’ suffering, and found the going much easier during the moments that I was lost in contemplating the Lord’s Passion.â€?

Ms Anisia Wu shared, ³7KRXJK LW ZDV ¿QH LQ WKH PRUQing, by mid-day, the blazing heat was burning my feet. But when I lifted up the pain for certain intentions, the pain became manageable and I sensed God’s presence throughout the walk.� „

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Sunday April 3, 2016 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

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Amazing to think â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; that everyone around me was a brother or sister in Christ, soon to set out on a journey together.

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Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

How meditation can help people through lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stages Spiritual maturing and growth requires an ongoing transcendence of the ego. Meditation helps to achieve that so one can experience oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true self in God through Jesus.

This was one important message that Benedictine monk Fr Laurence Freeman shared with more than 700 people who attended a meditation retreat on March 12 and 13.

The Singapore chapter of The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) organised the retreat, held in Catholic Junior College.

Fr Freeman, WCCM director, last led a meditation retreat in Singapore in November 2014 themed The Eight Big Problems of Life.

For the March 12-13 retreat, titled Milestones: Stages of Life in the Light of Meditation, the Benedictine monk began with an introduction to the meditation process. Meditation, he said, is a way of prayer in which the mind and the heart become one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through silence, stillness and simplicity, we let go of words, thoughts and images and enter into the silence of God.â&#x20AC;?

Over the two-day retreat, he spoke about how meditation can accompany people through the stages of life. He saw the milestones of childhood, adult-

We learn to believe in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the resurrection when in this life we have experienced the dying to our ego and rising to our true self in Christ.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fr Laurence Freeman The crowd at the Milestones meditation retreat, held at Catholic Junior College from March 12-13.

hood, old age and death as also stages of faith development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus teaches us that in order to follow Him as His disciples, we have to leave our self behind.

Unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So, our spiritual

maturing and growth requires an ongoing transcendence of our ego and the experience of our true self in God through Jesus,â&#x20AC;? Fr Laurence said.

He said that in moving from childhood to adulthood, people lose their original innocence as their ego develops. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We actually move into a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;childishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stage where we are dominated by our ego, controlled by our desires and fantasies of happiness, and unable to accept disappointment or suffering.â&#x20AC;?

So if one can learn to meditate early in life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; although those fantasies, consumerist tendencies and self-preoccupations may still form â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these will not have such a strong grip over oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consciousness, he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we meditate, we let go of our self-preoccupations by shifting our attention away from our thoughts and desires and giving our attention to the presence of Christ dwelling within us. The prayer of faith and trust in the

practice of meditation restores us to our original innocence and child-likeness,â&#x20AC;? he said. ,Q WKH ÂżQDO PLOHVWRQH RI OLIH which is death, Fr Laurence proposed that faith in the resurrection is what gives ultimate meaning to our life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Death for the Christian is not the end. Death can be a transformation of our being into eternal life. We learn to believe in the resurrection when in this life we have experienced the dying to our ego and rising to our true self in Christ,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Fr Freeman cited his teacher, the late Benedictine monk Fr John Main, as saying that meditation LV OLNH RQHÂśV ÂżUVW GHDWK WKH GHDWK of the ego, and prepares one for physical death by a radical letting go of the ego. Seen in this light, one can then understand the words of St Paul, who asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;O death, where is thy sting?â&#x20AC;?

Newcomer to meditation Michael Tan said he felt heartened to begin practising meditation after the retreat experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I came to the retreat because I wanted to learn something new, and I found the talks very invigorating,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Mr Wang Kok Wing, who has been practising meditation for the past 16 years, said he felt encouraged as this retreat not only revealed new insights but also rekindled old ones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These insights help me to appreciate my relationship with God even more and goad me on to deepen this relationship,â&#x20AC;? he shared.

The WCCM community here in Singapore has over 30 weekly meditation groups gathered in parishes, Catholic institutions, and hospitals. For more information, visit http://wccmsingapore. org/ Â&#x201E;

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Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Former cathedral rector underwent much â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;personal sufferingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: archbishop The late Fr Robert P. Balhetchet lived the life of a priest to the fullest, but also suffered a lot as he felt misunderstood, unappreciated and unfairly treated, said Archbishop William Goh. Fr Balhetchet was a â&#x20AC;&#x153;very bright, very intelligent manâ&#x20AC;?, an eloquent preacher and teacher who spoke the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s English, said Archbishop Goh at the March 19 funeral Mass for the former rector of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

The late priest taught in the seminary and many other places, Archbishop Goh noted.

Fr Balhetchet died on March 15 (see obituary below) from pneumonia.

Speaking to the congregation gathered at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Archbishop Goh said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you ask Fr Balhetchet what is the secret of being happy as a priest, he would tell you this: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Give your life in service to your brothers and sisters.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And that was what he did.â&#x20AC;?

However, the late priest, who was editor of CatholicNews from 2002-2003, â&#x20AC;&#x153;did not have an easy priestly lifeâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He went through a lot of personal suffering because he felt misunderstood, unappreciated, unfairly treated,â&#x20AC;? said Archbishop Goh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was part of the suffer-

ings that he had to bear,â&#x20AC;? said the archbishop, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that is not to say that Fr Balhetchet was exonerated for his own imperfections ... The point remains that he had to carry that pain, of resolving that inner struggle within himself as a priest, and it was not easy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through the sufferings that Fr Balhetchet went through, he ZDV SXULÂżHG ´ VDLG $UFKELVKRS Goh, who shared that he had journeyed with the late priest for the past three years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been a great privilege for me because this man who was going through much pain in his life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; physically in health and emotionally â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this man remained faithful to God, obedient to authority.â&#x20AC;?

Archbishop Goh said that in the last year of his life, Fr Balhetchet â&#x20AC;&#x153;had let go of many things and he was such a cheerful personâ&#x20AC;?.

In his last days, he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;always humorousâ&#x20AC;? and could still joke even when experiencing SK\VLFDO GLIÂżFXOW\ $UFKELVKRS

Archbishop William Goh sprinkling holy water on the casket bearing the late Fr Robert P. Balhetchet during the funeral Mass on March 19. VITA PHOTO

Goh recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the kind of a man that Fr Balhetchet wasâ&#x20AC;?.

The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia, Archbishops Emeritus Soter Fernandez and Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur, and more than 30 priests.

Fr Balhetchet was later cremated at Mandai Crematorium.

If you ask Fr Balhetchet what is the secret of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;being happy as a priest, he would tell you this: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Give your life in service to your brothers and sisters.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And that was what he did.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Archbishop William Goh

Fr Balhetchet: Life and times Fr Robert P. Balhetchet, a diocesan priest in Singapore passed away on March 15 morning. He was 76.

Fr Balhetchet was born on Aug 19, 1939, as the second of two boys. His family attended the Church of the Holy Family in Katong and were familiar with the parish priest, Fr Rene Ashness. It was to Fr Ashness that the young Robert Balhetchet said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to be like you.â&#x20AC;?

After completing his O Levels in St Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Institution, he expressed the same desire again to Fr Ashness who then brought him to speak with the Superior of the Minor Seminary in Punggol.

Fr Balhetchet enrolled in the Minor Seminary in 1954 and was ordained on Jan 26, 1964.

After his ordination, Fr Balhetchet was appointed Assistant Rector of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Shortly after, he was sent to Rome to study Vatican II documents on ecclesiology

The late Fr Balhetchet in 2015.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what it meant to be Church. He was awarded his doctorate at the age of 37 and sent to teach at his alma mater, College General, Penang.

At age 39, Fr Balhetchet was appointed by the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Education and Deputy Prime Minister, to be in charge of preparing the curricu-

lum and teaching materials for a revised national moral education programme.

In 1980, still working on the programme, Being and Becoming, Fr Balhetchet returned to Singapore and served as the Rector of the Cathedral. He was also a member of the planning committee behind the building of the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Singapore and chaplain of the Carmelite Convent.

When Pope John Paul II visited Singapore in 1986 at the invitation of then President Mr Wee Kim Wee, Fr Balhetchet was the overall coordinator of the Papal Visit Committee.

Fr Balhetchet celebrated his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee in 2014 at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. His wake was held at the same parish.

We invite you to pray for him in your Masses and prayers. Â&#x201E; Contributed by CHANCERY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE

Sharing with CatholicNews her memories of Fr Balhetchet, Ms Irene Goh, a cathedral staff member who had worked with Fr Balhetchet from 1979-2001, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my teacher. He taught me a lot.â&#x20AC;?

Ms Goh, who wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a Catholic when she started working at the cathedral, remembered asking Fr Balhetchet how does one love Jesus. You â&#x20AC;&#x153;love Jesus through your neighbour,â&#x20AC;? she recalled him telling her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always be kind to people,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Ms Goh recalled that when beggars came to the Cathedral hoping for financial help, Fr Balhetchet told her that God had â&#x20AC;&#x153;sentâ&#x20AC;? them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;knowing that we

will giveâ&#x20AC;? them help.

Mr Alex Louis, 62, a weekend cathedral Mass coordinator, who had started out as a warden, recalled his close friendship with the late rector with much fondness.

Fr Balhetchet was a person of great intellect and had a great â&#x20AC;&#x153;ability to communicateâ&#x20AC;?, he said, adding that the intellectual discussions they had were â&#x20AC;&#x153;phenomenalâ&#x20AC;?.

Mr Louis, a lawyer by profession, shared that Fr Balhetchet was also talented in cooking, baking and carpentry. He had even painted the outside of the cathedral using a cherry picker. Â&#x201E;

8 HOME

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Youths SHINE at poly camp Photos: SARAH TEO and ALOYSIUS CHEW

Praise and worship session at the Combined Polytechnic Catholic Camp.

By Sarah Rachel Teo Seventy-eight young people from various parishes came together IRU WKH ¿UVW &RPELQHG 3RO\WHFKQLF &DWKROLF &DPS RUJDQLVHG E\ WKH 2I¿FH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH 2<3

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Participants presenting a skit.

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7HUHVD &KXD ZKR ZLOO EH HQWHULQJ 6LQJDSRUH 3RO\WHFKQLF LQ $SULO 7KH VWURQJ VHUYLFH WHDP for the camp came from the variRXV SRO\WHFKQLF WKH FRPPXQLWLHV XQGHU 2<3 DQG \RXQJ SHRSOH ZKR KDYH EHHQ WKURXJK 2<3¶V SURJUDPPHV )U %ULDQ '¶6RX]D IURP 2<3 LV WKH QHZ FKDSODLQ IRU WKH SRO\WHFKQLFV 0V :\QHH 7D\ ZKR LV KHOSing Fr Brian to reaching out to WKH SRO\WHFKQLFV VDLG WKDW 2<3 LV ZRUNLQJ ³WR EXLOG FRPPXQLRQ

DPRQJ &DWKROLF VWXGHQWV LQ WKHLU RZQ FDPSXV DV ZHOO DV DFURVV WKH ¿YH SRO\WHFKQLFV´ If you are a poly freshman or student and wish to be connected to Catholics on campus, write to info.oyp@catholic.org.sg or visit the OYP website (http://oyp.org. sg/) or Facebook page.

The next combined polytechnic event will be the commissioning of the new student leaders of the polytechnic Catholic communities on April 27. Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/polymass2016 if you wish to attend. Â&#x201E;

OBITUARY

Sr Jean Marie Andrews called to the Lord 6U -HDQ 0DULH $QGUHZV )0'0 of the Franciscan Missionaries of WKH 'LYLQH 0RWKHUKRRG LQ 6LQJDSRUH SDVVHG DZD\ RQ 0DUFK 6KH ZDV 6U -HDQ 0DULH ZDV ERUQ LQ 3HQDQJ 0DOD\VLD RQ 2FW DV WKH HOGHU RI WZLQ JLUOV LQ D IDPLO\ RI VHYHQ FKLOGUHQ 7KH \RXQJ -HDQ 0DULH ZDV DQ H[FHOOHQW VSRUWVZRPDQ ZKR ZDV D VSULQWHU ZLWK WKH 3HQDQJ $WKOHWLF $VVRFLDWLRQ DQG SOD\HG IRU WKH VWDWH¶V KRFNH\ WHDP $W VKH ¿UVW IHOW *RG¶V FDOO WR 5HOLJLRXV OLIH ZKHQ VKH MRNHG

Sr Jean Marie Andrews (1930-2016).

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HOME 9

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Special Stations of the Cross throw light on married life Close to 60 couples came together to pray a special Stations of the Cross designed for couples to reĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ WKH /RUGÂśV 3DVVLRQ DQG how it related to their marriages.

Marriage Encounter (ME) GHVLJQHG WKH VSHFLDO /HQWHQ SURgramme, which was held at the outdoor Stations of the Cross at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on March 11.

According to the organisers, /HQW LV D VHDVRQ RI UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ UH evaluation, repentance and reconciliation. Very often the people we hurt most are the ones closest to us. Harsh words and actions or indifference can hurt spousal relationships.

This realisation gave rise to this unique Stations of the Cross, initiated by ME three years ago, for married couples to experience GHHSO\ WKH VLJQLÂżFDQFH RI WKH /RUGÂśV 3DVVLRQ RQ WKHLU UHODWLRQship.

During the March 11 programme, groups of about eight

couples walked along the cobbled paths linking the various Stations.

Some questions they had to UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ ZHUH Âł:KDW LV VRPHthing we have suffered together?

How have we come closer to JeVXV WKURXJK VXIIHULQJ"´ DQG Âł+RZ can we as a couple imitate Christ in helping others?â&#x20AC;?

One of the participating couples was Asha and Ambrose Corray, who have been married for 20 years. Mr Corray shared that as they paused at each station and UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWHG RQ WKH MRXUQH\ RI &KULVW ÂłRXU RZQ LVVXHV DQG FRQFHUQV LQ our sacramental marriage paled in comparisonâ&#x20AC;?.

He added that they were rePLQGHG RI -HVXVÂś ÂłXQVHOÂżVK MRXUneyâ&#x20AC;? for everyone and that they IHOW ÂłD UHQHZHG YLJRXU WR VKDSH our lives for and with the love of Godâ&#x20AC;?.

Another couple was Steven DQG /LOO\ <HR 0UV <HR VKDUHG that this unique Stations of the &URVV ÂłSURYLGHG D QXPEHU RI

Participants taking part in a special Stations of the Cross specially designed for married couples on March 11.

WLPHO\ UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLYH JHPV IRU PDLQtaining strong couple relationVKLS ,Q RQH RI WKH UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQV it was stated that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the greatest responsibility we have to our spouse is to help them get to KHDYHQÂś :RZ ZKDW D SULYLOHJH ´ 7KLV \HDUÂśV SURJUDPPH VDZ ME collaborating with Engaged Encounter (EE) and Marriage 3UHSDUDWLRQ &RXUVH 03& LQ DQ effort to reach out to more couples. Â&#x201E;

10 HOME

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Appreciation for popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work at Mass marking his 3rd anniversary Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam highlights popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;common touchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pope Francis has invited governments to have a moratorium on executions during the Year of Mercy, and it would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;commendableâ&#x20AC;? for countries to join him in this desire.

Apostolic nuncio to Singapore, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, made this point during his speech at a March 13 Mass to celebrate the third anniversary of Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; election to the papacy.

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam was the guest of honour at the Mass, which was celebrated by the nuncio, Archbishop William Goh and several priests at St Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, Victoria St. In his speech at the end of Mass, Archbishop Girelli told the crowd that on Feb 21, Pope Francis appealed to world leaders to reach an international consensus on the abolition of the death penalty.

He had cited the Fifth Commandment, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You shall not killâ&#x20AC;?, saying that it applied not only to the innocent but also to the guilty.

Indeed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;even a criminal has the inviolable right to life, a gift of Godâ&#x20AC;?, Archbishop Girelli quoted the pope. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The pope further invited governments to make a courageous

and exemplary gesture by seeking a moratorium on executions in this Holy Year of Mercy,â&#x20AC;? the nuncio told the crowd, which included ambassadors and Religious. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be a very commendable sign of solidarity with the international community if all the countries which have capital punishment in their legislation were to join Pope Francis in his intentions for the celebration of this Jubilee Year of Mercy,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The nuncio also noted that Singapore has put in â&#x20AC;&#x153;hard earned effortsâ&#x20AC;? towards interreligious dialogue and friendship and â&#x20AC;&#x153;conWLQXHV WR HQMR\ WKH EHQHÂżWV´ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pope Francis likewise believes in building bridges rather than setting up walls of suspicion, hostility and prejudices,â&#x20AC;? said Archbishop Girelli. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope that more countries will foster dialogue among different cultures and religions.â&#x20AC;?

On the occasion of the popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election anniversary, â&#x20AC;&#x153;let us persist in promoting peace, mutual respect, fraternity where the relationship between Singapore and the Holy See may be

Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and Archbishop William Goh pray during the March 13 Mass to celebrate the third anniversary of Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; election to the papacy.

strengthenedâ&#x20AC;?, said the nuncio.

Responding to the nuncioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remarks, Mr Shanmugam said the death penalty is â&#x20AC;&#x153;one of those issues that we grapple with in Singapore. None of us, not in government, not any of you, take any kind of comfort in having this penalty or having it imposed.â&#x20AC;?

In his role as a minister, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to look at it, what is in the interest of the community, and all I can say is I hope you will pray for me to come to the right decisionâ&#x20AC;?, he said to applause.

In his speech, Mr Shanmugam shared his admiration for the pope and his appreciation of the work the

VITA PHOTO

his leadership, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Through Pope Francis has shown how we can make the world less cold and more just.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam

Catholic Church does in Singapore.

Pope Francis has shown a strong commitment to mercy, kindness and humility, said Mr Shanmugam. He gave as examples, the pope choosing to live in modest quarters instead of the papal palace, his washing of prison inmatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feet and the kissing RI D PDQ ZLWK QHXURÂżEURPDWRVLV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through his leadership, Pope Francis has shown how we can make the world less cold and more just,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Shanmugam.

He also noted how the pope has been a strong proponent of interfaith dialogue, citing a video released by the Vatican in January featuring the pope and leaders of several major world religions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will do well to heed Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; call to build bridges and break down walls,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Shanmugam.

He also highlighted the remarkable way in which Pope Francis has steered the Catholic Church, â&#x20AC;&#x153;inspiring increased respectâ&#x20AC;? for it and interest in the Catholic faith.

The pope has done this through his â&#x20AC;&#x153;common touchâ&#x20AC;?, undertakLQJ ÂłGLIÂżFXOW VWUXFWXUDO UHIRUPV of the Churchâ&#x20AC;?, not shying away from â&#x20AC;&#x153;expressing his views on the GLIÂżFXOW VRFLDO LVVXHV RI WKH GD\ WHPSHULQJ ÂżUP GRFWULQDO VWDQFHV with compassion and empathyâ&#x20AC;? and embracing modern technology and social media. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I consider it one of my true blessings in my life, to have met him last year, when I visited the Vatican,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Shanmugam.

On the Catholic community in Singapore, he said it â&#x20AC;&#x153;has always PDGH VLJQLÂżFDQW HIIRUWV LQ SURPRWing social and charitable causesâ&#x20AC;? through its schools, charities and interfaith efforts. He noted that Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president and prime minister both came from Catholic schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life has to have a meaning beyond the material,â&#x20AC;? he stressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That meaning can be found in working for noble causes, promoting the welfare of others.â&#x20AC;?

He thanked Catholics â&#x20AC;&#x153;in Singapore and the world overâ&#x20AC;? for â&#x20AC;&#x153;enriching countless livesâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;helping to make the world a better placeâ&#x20AC;?.

In his homily during the Mass, Archbishop Goh said that what Pope Francis desires is that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;joy of the Gospel be proclaimed to all of humanityâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Modern man is on the brink of despair and hopelessness. We can see this all around us,â&#x20AC;? said Archbishop Goh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, many people are giving up hope on the institution of marriage, on the institution of the family. Many have given up hope on religion, including the Church.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To show that this world still has hope, what must the Church do? he asked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To proclaim the God of love.â&#x20AC;?

What society needs today is a society that is gracious, compassionate and forgiving, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we Christians cannot build this kind of society, it means to say we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the essence of the Gospel which is that of mercy and love.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

ASIA 11

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Buddhist, Catholic clergy discuss ecology and faith PATNA, INDIA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An interreligious workshop in the eastern Indian state of Bihar focused on ways religions can work together to create a healthy and peaceful planet.

The Jesuit Conference of $VLD 3DFLÂżF 5HJLRQ RUJDQLVHG WKH three-day workshop on BuddhistChristian dialogue, which concluded on March 7 in Bodh Gaya, the town linked with Buddhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enlightenment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gone are the days of individual salvation. One can no longer today attain salvation without the community and the entire creation, that is why we need to mend our ways and heal the wounded planet,â&#x20AC;? Jesuit Fr Jose Kalapura said at the workshop.

Quoting Pope Francis, the Indian Church scholar contended that those who have destroyed the common home must rebuild it.

The workshop focused on ecology and religion.

Jesuits from Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan and more than 100 Buddhist monks and nuns from the monasteries in Bodh Gaya took part in the event.

Buddhist monk Kabir Saxena

%XGGKLVW PRQNV SUD\ LQ 0XPEDL ,QGLD LQ WKLV ÂżOH SKRWR 3ULHVWV DQG %XGGKLVW PRQNV VKDUHG YLHZV RQ UHOLJLRQ DQG QDWXUH UHFHQWO\ &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

argued that â&#x20AC;&#x153;we have still not discovered nature and creationâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have become self-forgetIXO LPLWDWLYH DQG DUWLÂżFLDO 7KH call is to become original and thus restore true creation,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Jesuit Fr Cyril Veliyath, coordinator of the Dialogue ComPLVVLRQ RI $VLD 3DFLÂżF -HVXLW Conference, said that the Catholic Church teaches that every religion

includes elements of truth and â&#x20AC;&#x153;that is why we should reach out to other religions and dialogue so that humanity improvesâ&#x20AC;?.

Fr Noel Sheth, a prominent Jesuit scholar on religions, stressed the need â&#x20AC;&#x153;to go beyond oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own religion and learn to treat all with respect, which is the only way to reach our destinationâ&#x20AC;?. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

Nuns, Muslim women join to promote peace in Indonesia JAKARTA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hundreds of Catholic and Muslim women in Ungaran, Indonesia, have committed themselves to work together to promote peace.

The group formed the Sisterhood of Interfaith Women following their March 9 meetings held at Christ the King Church and Jamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Istiqomah Mosque, which sits adjacent to the church. About 400 women, including about 130 nuns, participated in the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We, women from different religious backgrounds, realise that a true sisterhood is the desire of each person. Thus, we commit to move and to continue moving so as to become promoters of peace according to our own faiths, religions and beliefs,â&#x20AC;? they said in a statement.

The meeting was facilitated by the Semarang archdioceseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commission for ecumenical and interreligious affairs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As faithful from different religious background, we commit to keep learning, understanding and materialising our own religious teachings as well as we can and to live in harmony within our families and communities as well as society and nation,â&#x20AC;? they said.

Divine Providence Sr Yulia Marselina Silalahi, who coordinated the meeting, said Catholic nuns and Muslim women are natural allies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are actually the same. We both wear veils; we both have the desire of building a true sisterhood. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we hold such a dialogue. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no way that we can respect our differences if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sit together in dialogue,â&#x20AC;? she told Asian Church news portal ucanews.com.

She noted that their Central Java region has a reputation for tolerance. Still the group hopes they can serve as a model of tolerance and acceptance for local residents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preserving tolerance isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy though. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why this meeting is important,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Ms Misbahatul Hidayati from the Institute for Development, Democracy and Media, noted that many Muslims viewed Catholic nuns â&#x20AC;&#x153;as a group of exclusive womenâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was no forum or situation which could unite us,â&#x20AC;? she told ucanews.com. She suggested that the next meeting should include women from other religious backgrounds. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

12 WORLD

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Time for marriage preparation to address porn addiction: speaker nography include a plethora of false messages that pollute the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perpist and family therapist Peter spective of the opposite sex, accordKleponis believes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for ing to Mr Kleponis, who noted the church-based marriage prepara- absurdity of some couples thinking tion programmes to address por- that viewing pornography could nography addiction and to urge help spice up their romantic life. assistance for addicted individuals â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is not about healthy relabefore proceeding with marriage. tionships; the damage is an involveâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Given the severe harm caused ment in a fantasy world that underby pornography in marriage, pre- mines your ability to communicate marriage programmes have to ad- and relate to women in a healthy dress this issue,â&#x20AC;? said manner, it interferes Mr Kleponis during a with the development recent talk in Miami of a healthy personalarchdiocese in the US. ity because it fosters He spoke to Catholics VHOÂżVKQHVV DQG LW gathered at St Gregoharms your ability to ry the Great Church in understand and want Fort Lauderdale. to make a loving comTypically, young mitment in marriage,â&#x20AC;? couples in marriage he said. preparation proStudies show that grammes will hear )DPLO\ WKHUDSLVW 3HWHU young adults who are about the dangers of .OHSRQLV &16 SKRWR regular consumers of drug and alcohol adpornography donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dictions in marriages, but little want to get married, and it fosters about pornography. the â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;hook upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; culture in which â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to talk about this in porn consumers use other people marriage prep programmes be- for your sexual pleasure,â&#x20AC;? he said. cause a lot of guys are going into He added that the effect of marriage addicted to this stuff,â&#x20AC;? pornography on women is equally he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a man is unwilling to damaging and hurtful to a womDGGUHVV DQG UHVROYH WKLV FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self-image. He noted alarma woman should really reconsider ing statistics showing that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marrying him. young adult women increasingly â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a woman admit to being regular consumers marrying an active alcoholic or of pornographic imagery, whereas drug active, why would we want older women have favoured using her marrying an active sex ad- online tools and social media for dict?â&#x20AC;? he asked. anonymous, often dangerous relaThe messages embedded in por- tionships. Â&#x201E; CNS FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, USA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Licensed clinical thera-

Calls for canonisation of young Pakistani martyr LAHORE, PAKISTAN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A young man killed while preventing a suicide bomber from entering a crowded church should be considered for canonisation, according to Catholics marking the anniversary of a deadly terrorist attack carried out in Lahore, Pakistan, on March 15 last year.

Volunteer security guard Akash Bashir, 20, stopped the suicide bomber from entering St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church and tackled him while being aware that the terrorist wore a bomb vest.

The attacker â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from a Taliban splinter group â&#x20AC;&#x201C; detonated the bomb, killing himself and Bashir outside the church.

Fr Francis Gulzar, the parish

SULHVW VDLG WKH ÂżUVW DQQLYHUVDU\ RI the terrorist attack on two churches in the Youhanabad area of Lahore marks the beginning of a movement to seek sainthood for Bashir. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Akash is our hero; his bravery saved more than 2,000 people inside the church,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Gulzar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has inspired local Christian youth and now many are joining the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Bashir was one of at least 15 people who died in the attacks and more than 70 were wounded. The other site simultaneously attacked was a nearby Protestant church. Currently 42 Christians remain in jail over the lynching of two Muslims who were suspected of being involved in the attacks. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

Vatican to undertake ecological initiatives during Easter season VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; During Holy Week and in the Easter season, the Vatican will take part in several initiatives highlighting the importance of ecology and the care for creation.

The Governorate of Vatican City State announced on March WKDW WKH WKRXVDQGV RI Ă&#x20AC;Rral arrangements for the Easter morning Mass and the popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solemn blessing â&#x20AC;&#x153;urbi et orbiâ&#x20AC;? (to the city and to the world), will be repurposed after the celebrations.

7KRXVDQGV RI EXVKHV Ă&#x20AC;RZHULQJ WUHHV WXOLSV DQG RWKHU Ă&#x20AC;RZering bulbs, which are a gift of growers in the Netherlands, will be replanted in the Vatican gardens. The plants also will be distributed to various ponWLÂżFDO FROOHJHV DQG LQVWLWXWLRQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;so that they may bloom in the coming yearsâ&#x20AC;?, the governorate said.

Mr Charles van der Voot, who has designed the Vatican Easter Ă&#x20AC;RUDO DUUDQJHPHQWV IRU WKH SDVW \HDUV ZLOO DUUDQJH WKH Ă&#x20AC;RZHUV IRU the last time in 2016, the Vatican said. He will be succeeded by anRWKHU 'XWFK Ă&#x20AC;RULVW 0U 3DXO 'HFNers, who has assisted Mr van der Voot.

Heeding the popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call to care for the environment, the governorate also announced the inauguration of an â&#x20AC;&#x153;ecological islandâ&#x20AC;?, a recycling centre for the

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separate disposal of waste and compost.

The cupola of St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica and Berniniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famed colonnade were also scheduled to go dark on March 19 for one hour in an effort to promote climate change awareness.

The Vatican announced it

will join countries around the world in turning off non-essential lights for Earth Hour 2016, an event promoted by the World Wildlife Fund International. The initiative, according to the fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, is meant as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a symbol of their commitment to the planetâ&#x20AC;?. Â&#x201E; CNS

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WORLD 13

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Challenging questions can be sign of faith, preacher tells Curia VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; At the end of a Lenten retreat focused on questions in the Gospels, Servite Fr Ermes Ronchi told Pope Francis and senior members of the Roman Curia that it is tempting to bristle when the faithful ask challenging questions, but he is certain it is a sign of how seriously they take the faith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives me hope to see how, among the people of God, questions continue to grow and no one is content with the same old answers,â&#x20AC;?

Fr Ronchi said on March 11 in his last talk before the pope and Curia members returned to the Vatican. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When everyone silently accepted the word of a priest, was it a time of greater faith?â&#x20AC;? he asked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the opposite is true and even if this means more work for us, it LV DOVR DQ ÂľDOOHOXLD Âś D ¾¿QDOO\Âś ´ Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s question, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How can this be?â&#x20AC;?, in response to the Annunciation was Fr Ronchiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foFXV IRU WKH ÂżQDO PHGLWDWLRQ DW WKH March 6-11 retreat held in Ariccia, southeast of Rome. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being perplexed, asking questions is a way of standing before the Lord with all of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human dignity,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Ronchi. Like Mary, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I accept the mystery, but at the same time I use my intelligence.â&#x20AC;?

me hope â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;toItseegives how, among the people of God, questions continue to grow and no one is content with the same old answers.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Servite Fr Ermes Ronchi to the pope and the Roman Curia

Italian theologian Fr Ermes Ronchi leading a March 6-11 Lenten retreat for Pope Francis and members of the Roman Curia. CNS photo

â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one ever said that a rocksolid faith is better than a faith interwoven with questions,â&#x20AC;? Fr Ronchi said; questioners know and show that they need God and need dialogue with him. ,Q D UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ RQ 0DUFK )U Ronchi looked at the risen Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; words to Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Woman, why are you weeping?â&#x20AC;? Âł7KH ÂżUVW ZRUGV RI WKH 5LVHQ

One in the garden on Easter,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;have an extraordinary tenderness: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tell me about your tears; they are more important to me than anything.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? The preacher said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s archive, his memory,â&#x20AC;? is not full of lists of peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sins, but of their tears and suffering.

Stopping, listening and touching those in pain was Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; response to tears and must be the response of his followers, Fr Ronchi said. But,

unfortunately, â&#x20AC;&#x153;centuries of moralism have turned the works of mercy into reluctant obligations, as if they were the price of salvationâ&#x20AC;?.

His talk about tears followed an evening meditation on March 9 on Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; question to the woman caught in adultery. After Jesus told the crowd that whoever was without sin VKRXOG FDVW WKH ÂżUVW VWRQH WKH FURZG left and Jesus asked the woman, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Has no one condemned you?â&#x20AC;?

Fr Ronchi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who love to accuse, who get drunk off the defects of others, think they are safeguarding the truth by stoning those who err. But it is how wars are startedâ&#x20AC;? between countries or within communities, including Churches.

In the Gospel story, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the judgment against the woman caught in adultery boomerangs against the hypocrisy of the MXGJHV 1R RQH FDQ WKURZ WKH ÂżUVW stone because they would be hurling it at themselves.â&#x20AC;?

The Gospel story does not minimise the womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sin, he said, but illustrates Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focus on helping her turn her life around; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go, and from now on do not sin any more,â&#x20AC;? Jesus tells her. Â&#x201E; CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

3RSH UHĂ HFWV RQ UHIXJHHV¡ SOLJKW in Palm Sunday celebration VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Just as the

FURZGV DQG JRYHUQPHQW RIÂżFLDOV tried to dodge responsibility for -HVXVÂś IDWH DIWHU +H ZDV DUUHVWHG so today too many individuals and countries want someone else to FDUH IRU UHIXJHHV Ă&#x20AC;HHLQJ YLROHQFH and migrants seeking a better life, Pope Francis said.

Preaching about the story of -HVXVÂś SDVVLRQ DQG GHDWK RQ 3DOP Sunday, March 20, the pope said that in addition to betrayal and injustice, Jesus experienced indifference as the crowds who had hailed His entry into Jerusalem, Herod, Pilate and even his own disciples washed their hands of him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This makes me think of so many people, so many emarginated, so many migrants and refugees for whom many do not want to assume responsibility for their fate,â&#x20AC;? the pope said in his homily.

Greece and other European countries have been overwhelmed by refugees, particularly from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. An agreement between Turkey and the European Union went into effect on Palm Sunday to prevent refugees from attempting dangerous sea crossings from Turkey and to stem the continXLQJ Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI UHIXJHHV LQWR (XURSH Under the agreement, most refugees arriving in Greece will be returned to Turkey. For each refugee returned, one who has not left Turkey would be resettled in

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the European Union.

Carrying a woven palm branch, known as a SDOPXUHOOR Pope Francis led the Palm Sunday Mass with more than 60,000 people gathered on a warm spring PRUQLQJ LQ 6W 3HWHUÂśV 6TXDUH In his homily the pope said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;by waving our olive and

palm branches we have expressed our praise and our joy, our desire to receive Jesus who comes to usâ&#x20AC;?.

The commemoration is not just about a historical event, the pope said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just as He entered Jerusalem, so He desires to enter our cities and our lives. As He did in the Gospel, riding on a donkey, so

Pope may visit Armenia in June

Church must encourage couples who remain faithful, says pontiff

VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Vati-

VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; While the Catholic

Church tries to help people whose marriages have failed remain or return to an active Catholic life, it also must express its admiration for people who remain faithful to their marriage vows despite great GLIÂżFXOW\ 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG Âł:LWQHVVHV WR PDULWDO ÂżGHOity must be encouraged and held up as examples to imitate,â&#x20AC;? Pope Francis said on March 12 in a meeting with participants in a course sponsored by the Roman Rota, a Vatican court that deals mainly with marriage cases.

The course focused on documents issued by Pope Francis in September to simplify procedures for determining whether or not a marriage was valid, doing away with the automatic appeal of tribunal decisions, establishing a shortened process when the nullity is clear and ordering a reduction in the cost to couples. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For many people, who have lived through an unhappy marULDJH H[SHULHQFH WKH YHULÂżFDWLRQ of whether or not it was valid represents an important possibility, and these people must be helped to follow this path as e

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asily as possible,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Church is mother and wants to show everyone the face of God, who is faithful to His love, merciful and always able to give strength and hope,â&#x20AC;? the pope said.

Repeating what he has said about what will be in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis told the group that what the Church is most interested in for the divorced and civilly remarried is that they participate in the life of a parish community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But while we take care of the wounds of those who request a YHULÂżFDWLRQ RI WKH WUXWK DERXW WKHLU failed marriage,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we look

too He comes to us in humility.â&#x20AC;?

On the cross, at the height of His humiliation, Jesus reveals *RGÂśV LGHQWLW\ DV WKH *RG RI PHUF\ Pope Francis said, adding that the FURVV LV *RGÂśV FDWKHGUD the place from which He teaches people all they need to know about Him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He forgives those who are

crucifying him, He opens the gates of paradise to the repentant thief and he touches the heart of the centurion,â&#x20AC;? the pope said.

-HVXVÂś OLIH DQG GHDWK KH DGGHG was a story of how, out of love, He â&#x20AC;&#x153;emptied and humbledâ&#x20AC;? Himself to save humanity.

In Holy Week, the pope said, WKH ÂżUVW VLJQ RI -HVXVÂś HQGOHVV ORYH is the scene of Him washing the GLVFLSOHVÂś IHHW ÂłDV RQO\ VHUYDQWV would have doneâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He shows us by example that we need to allow his love to reach us, a love which bends down to us,â&#x20AC;? Pope Francis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hanging from the wood of the cross,â&#x20AC;? the pope said, Jesus faced His last temptation, which was to come down from the cross, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to conquer evil by might and to show the face of a powerful and invincible God.â&#x20AC;? Instead, Jesus â&#x20AC;&#x153;takes upon Himself all our pain that He may redeem it, bringing light to darkness, life to death, love to hatred,â&#x20AC;? the pope said. Â&#x201E; CNS

with admiration to those who, HYHQ LQ GLIÂżFXOW VLWXDWLRQV UHPDLQ faithful to the sacramental bond.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many women and men,â&#x20AC;? the pope said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;endure heavy, huge things so that they do not destroy their family, being faithful in KHDOWK DQG LQ VLFNQHVV LQ GLIÂżFXOties and when life is tranquil. That LV ÂżGHOLW\ DQG WKH\ DUH JRRG ´ Thanking those who work in WKH &KXUFKÂśV PDUULDJH WULEXQDOV 3RSH )UDQFLV DVNHG WKHP WR IXOÂżO their responsibilities â&#x20AC;&#x153;not as a profession or, worse, a power, but as a service to souls, especially those most injuredâ&#x20AC;?. Â&#x201E; CNS

can is studying the possibility of Pope Francis visiting Armenia in late June, the Vatican spokesman said.

Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, conÂżUPLQJ 3RSH )UDQFLVÂś GHsire to make the trip, denied that it already was set for June 22-26 as a news website reported. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is true that a trip to Armenia in late June is being studied,â&#x20AC;? he said on March 18, but the papal trip planners had not yet visited the country and neither the dates nor WKH SURJUDPPH KDYH EHHQ ÂżQDOLVHG The vast majority of the residents of Armenia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; about 92 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

2I WKH FRXQWU\ÂśV PLOOLRQ LQhabitants, the Vatican says about 280,000 are Catholic, belonging either to the Latin-rite or to the Armenian Catholic Church, an Eastern Church in full communion with Rome.

In April 2015, Pope Francis proclaimed a 10th-century Armenian monk, St Gregory of Narek, a doctor of the Church. The proclamation took place during a liturgy the pope concelebrated with lead-

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ers of the Armenian Catholic patriarchate, which is based in Lebanon.

Early in the fourth century, $UPHQLD EHFDPH WKH ÂżUVW QDWLRQ WR DGRSW &KULVWLDQLW\ DV LWV RIÂżFLDO state religion.

The visit to Armenia would come just four months after the Vatican and Turkey resolved diplomatic WHQVLRQV WKDW IROORZHG 3RSH )UDQFLVÂś April 2015 use of the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;genocideâ&#x20AC;? in reference to the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians during their forced evacuation by Ottoman Turks from 1915-1918.

Turkey rejects accusations of genocide and disputes the number of Armenians who died. Â&#x201E; CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Pope approves new Ã&#x20AC;QDQFLDO UHJXODWLRQV IRU VDLQWKRRG FDXVHV

$ SRVWHU RI %OHVVHG 7HUHVD RI .RONDWD KDQJV DERYH 0LVVLRQDULHV RI &KDULW\ QXQV LQ .RONDWD ,QGLD LQ WKLV ¿OH photo. Blessed Teresa is to be canonised on Sept 4. CNS photo

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VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; In an effort to HQVXUH JUHDWHU ¿QDQFLDO WUDQVSDUHQF\ DQG DFFRXQWDELOLW\ 3RSH )UDQFLV DSSURYHG QHZ UHJXODWLRQV JRYHUQLQJ WKH ¿QDQFLDO FRQWULEXWLRQV JLYHQ IRU VDLQWKRRG FDXVHV WKH 9DWLFDQ DQQRXQFHG 7KH QHZ ³QRUPV RQ WKH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ RI JRRGV RI WKH FDXVHV RI EHDWL¿FDWLRQ DQG FDQRQLVDWLRQ´ VWDWH WKDW EHFDXVH RI WKH FRPSOH[LW\ RI WKH VDLQWKRRG SURFHVV WKH FDXVHV LQFXU VXEVWDQWLDO FRVWV LQFOXGLQJ IRU GLRFHVDQ OHYHO LQYHVWLJDWLRQV ZRUN FDUULHG RXW E\ WKH 9DWLFDQ &RQJUHJDWLRQ IRU 6DLQWV¶ &DXVHV DQG WKH EHDWL¿FDWLRQ RU FDQRQLVDWLRQ FHUHPRQLHV WKHPVHOYHV 7KH QRUPV DSSURYHG E\ 3RSH )UDQFLV RQ 0DUFK ZHUH UHOHDVHG VHYHUDO PRQWKV DIWHU OHDNHG GRFXPHQWV DOOHJHGO\ ZULWWHQ E\ D FRPPLVVLRQ VWXG\LQJ WKH ¿QDQFLDO DFWLYLW\ RI 9DWLFDQ RI¿FHV FRQFOXGHG WKHUH ZDV ³LQVXI¿FLHQW RYHUVLJKW RI WKH FDVK Ã&#x20AC;RZ IRU FDQRQLVDWLRQV´ 7KH QHZ UHJXODWLRQV GHWDLO SURFHGXUHV IRU KDQGOLQJ FRQWULEXWLRQV UHFHLYHG DQG VSHFL¿HV ZKLFK DXWKRULWLHV DUH FKDUJHG ZLWK RYHUVHHLQJ WKH Ã&#x20AC;RZ RI PRQH\ IRU D VDLQWKRRG FDXVH :KLOH WKH SRVWXODWRU RU SURPRWHU RI D VDLQWKRRG FDXVH FDQ FRQWLQXH WR DGPLQLVWHU WKH IXQGV IRU HDFK FDXVH WKH ELVKRS RI WKH GLRFHVH RU WKH VXSHULRU JHQHUDO RI WKH 5HOLJLRXV RUGHU WKDW LQLWLDWHV WKH FDXVH RU DQRWKHU &KXUFK DXWKRULW\ PXVW UHYLHZ ¿QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV DQG DSSURYH WKH EXGJHWV IRU HDFK FDXVH 6W -RKQ 3DXO ,, LQ FDOOHG IRU D JHQHUDO RYHUVLJKW RI WKH IXQGV

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16 OPINION

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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:K\ GLG *RG œKDUGHQ¡ 3KDUDRK¡V KHDUW" Q: I would like to pose the follow-

ing question in the Questions on the Faith section of CatholicNews.

Why did God harden the following characters in the Bible which contradicted His gift of free will? Â&#x201E; God hardened Pharaohâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart which resulted in many dying from devastating plagues (Exodus 9:12). Â&#x201E; God hardened the hearts of Gentile kings so that they would not sign peace treaties with Israel which resulted in the total extermination of their peoples (Joshua 11:20). Â&#x201E; St John mentioned that the reason why many Jews did not believe in Jesus was because God hardened their hearts (John 12:37-40).

Artwork depiciting the plague RI Ă&#x20AC;LHV DIĂ&#x20AC;LFWLQJ Pharaoh and his court.

David Woon Singapore 542323

A: When one approaches Scripture

with an intent to learn and understand, it is always useful and perhaps even pertinent to know the difference and/or connection between doing hermeneutics and exegesis.

Generally speaking, hermeneutics deals with the philosophy and science of interpretation of the biblical text and would cover things like the role that divine illumination or insight plays in the interpretation of the text, and in this case, what was actually being communicated to us.

Exegesis draws the meaning out of the text, and covers things like grammar, terminology, and even literary criticism.

Hermeneutics, if you will, is WKH ÂżHOG RI KRZ ZH LQWHUSUHW WKH Bible, and exegesis is the actual interpretation of the text by drawing out meaning from the text.

Having established this difference, it will help to understand then that what I am offering you is more of a hermeneutical rather than exegetical explanation to address your question, though most of the time, it will be unjust to simply do one without any overlapping of the other.

While it is true that one of the greatest gifts that God has bestowed on us is our free will, it is this very same gift that sees us struggle whenever we encounter parts of sacred scripture, which seem to suggest that an action of a human person has

been imposed from God himself.

It can appear that God is pushing himself on people and being unjust. This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bode well for our belief in a just and loving God. If we take Ex. 9:12 out of context, it will indeed seem to imply that God did unilaterally make Pharaoh obstinate resulting in the plagues that ensued (pure exegesis could result in this). If we turn back a few pages of the same book, we will notice, however, that in quite a few other places before this event, it was Pharaoh

Our free will is something that God will never compromise even in the carrying out of His sovereign will. himself that was obstinate (Ex. 7:13; 22; 8:15; 28 and 9:7).

By the time we reach 9:12, we will realise that God didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to do much hardening to an already self-hardened and calloused heart.

What I am alluding to is this â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our free will is something that God will never compromise even in the carrying out of His sovereign will.

A terrible outcome that results from a stubbornness and an unyielding wilfulness on our part always begins on our part, and like a stone rolling down a steep slope, becomes more

and more unyielding and hardened until it comes to a total rejection of God and His saving love for us.

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s justice then, is displayed when he responds to the wickedness of His people by strengthening their resolve against him. In Pharaohâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case, it is an act of judgment in response to a decision he had already made.

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s divine mercy still holds true in that He allows a hardened heart to return to Him but even this is never imposed unilaterally.

Our reading of sacred scripture of these instances has one aim and purpose, and that is to remind us that as followers of Christ, that our hearts need to be constantly readied to be moulded and softened to yield to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will, to be mindful of which areas we may be obstinate, and to be ready to cooperate with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sovereign will. Â&#x201E; Fr Luke Fong

'R \RX KDYH D EXUQLQJ TXHVWLRQ RQ WKH IDLWK" Questions on the Faith is a new column for you to have your questions answered by authorities on various topics. Just email your question to cnedit@catholic.org.sg, and include your full name, address and contact number. All decisions on submissions rest with those answering the questions. Published submissions will be edited.

The cries RI Ă&#x20AC;QLWXGH WHAT most moves your heart? I was asked this question recently at a workshop. We were asked to respond to this question: When do you most naturally feel compassion in your heart? For me, the answer came easily. I am most moved when I see helplessness, when I see someone or something helpless to tend to its own needs and to protect its own dignity. It might be a baby, hungry and crying, too little to feed itself and to safeguard its own dignity. It might be a woman in a hospital, sick, in pain, dying, helpless to get better, also unable to attend to her own dignity. It might be an XQHPSOR\HG PDQ GRZQ RQ KLV OXFN XQDEOH WR ÂżQG ZRUN WKH RGG PDQ out when everyone else seems to be doing great. It might be a little girl on the playground, helpless as she is teased and bullied, suffering indignity. Or it might just be a baby kitten, hungry, helpless, pleading with its eyes, unable to speak or attend to its own need. Helplessness tugs at the heart. I am always touched in the softest place inside me by KHOSOHVVQHVV E\ WKH SOHDGLQJ RI ÂżQLWXGH , VXVSHFW ZH DOO DUH Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in good company. This is what moved Mary, Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mother, at the wedding feast of Cana to go over to Jesus and say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have no wine!â&#x20AC;? Her request here has different layers of meaning. At one level, it is a very particular request at a particular occasion in history; she is trying to save her hosts at a wedding from embarrassment, from suffering an indignity. No doubt the shortage of wine was due to some poverty on their part, either a shortage of money or a shortage of good planning, but, either way, they stood to be embarrassed before their guests. But, as with most things in the Gospels, this incident has a deeper meaning. Mary isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just speaking for a particular host on a particular occasion. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also speaking universally, as the mother of humanity, Eve, voicing for all of us what writer and theologian, John 6KHD VR DSWO\ FDOOV ÂłWKH FULHV RI ÂżQLWXGH´ :KDW LV ÂżQLWXGH" 7KH ÂżQLWH DV ZH FDQ VHH IURP WKH ZRUG LWVHOI FRQWUDVWV LWVHOI WR WKH LQÂżQLWH WR ZKDW LV QRW OLPLWHG WR *RG *RG DORQH LV QRW ÂżQLWH *RG DORQH LV VHOI VXIÂżFLHQW *RG DORQH LV QHYHU helpless, and God, alone, never needs help from anyone else. Only God is never subject to sickness, hunger, tiredness, irritation, fatigue, bodily and mental diminishment, and death. God, alone, never has to suffer the indignity of need, of getting caught short, of inadequate self-expression, of not measuring up, of being embarrassed, of being bullied, of being unable to help Himself, and of having to beg silently with His eyes for someone to come and help.

(YHU\WKLQJ HOVH LV ÂżQLWH 7KXV DV KXPDQV ZH DUH VXEMHFW WR KHOSlessness, illness, lameness, blindness, hunger, tiredness, irritation, diminishment, and death. Moreover, within all these, we are also subject to indignity. So many of our words and actions are, in the end, cries of ÂżQLWXGH FULHV IRU DVVLVWDQFH WKH FULHV RI D EDE\ IRU IRRG IRU ZDUPWK for protection, and for a safeguard from indignity. Although we are LQÂżQLWHO\ PRUH VRSKLVWLFDWHG LQ RXU KXPDQLW\ ZH DUH DOO VWLOO DW RQH level, the baby kitten, pleading with our eyes for someone to feed us, DQG DOO WKH DVVHUWLRQV RI VHOI VXIÂżFLHQF\ RI WKH ULFK WKH VWURQJ WKH healthy, the arrogant, and of those who seemingly need no help are in the end nothing other than attempts to keep helplessness at bay.

1R PDWWHU KRZ VWURQJ DQG VHOI VXIÂżFLHQW ZH PLJKW EHOLHYH RXUVHOYHV WR EH ÂżQLWXGH DQG PRUWDOLW\ DGPLW RI QR H[HPSWLRQV 7LUHGQHVV LOOQHVV GLPLQLVKPHQW GHDWK DQG SDLQIXO KXQJHUV ZLOO HYHQWXDOO\ ÂżQG XV all. Our wine too will eventually run out. Hopefully someone like the Mother of Jesus will speak for us: They have no wine!

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the lesson in this? A number of things: )LUVW UHFRJQLVLQJ RXU ÂżQLWXGH FDQ OHDG WR D KHDOWKLHU VHOI XQGHUVWDQGLQJ .QRZLQJ DQG DFFHSWLQJ RXU ÂżQLWXGH FDQ KHOS TXHOO D ORW of frustration, restlessness, and false guilt in our lives. I once had a spiritual director, an elderly nun, who challenged me to live by this axiom: Fear not, you are inadequate. We need to forgive ourselves for RXU RZQ OLPLWV IRU WKH IDFW WKDW ZH DUH KXPDQ ÂżQLWH DQG DUH XQDEOH to provide ourselves and those around us all that we need. But inadequacy is a forgivable condition, not a moral fault.

Beyond forgiving ourselves for our helplessness, recognising and DFFHSWLQJ RXU ÂżQLWXGH VKRXOG FKDOOHQJH XV WRR WR KHDU PRUH FOHDUO\ WKH FULHV RI ÂżQLWXGH DURXQG XV $QG VR ZKHWKHU LWÂśV WKH FU\ RI D EDE\ the humiliation in the eyes of someone looking for work, the ravaged eyes of the terminally ill patient, or simply the pleading eyes of a young kitten, we need, like Mary, to take up their cause and ensure that someone spares them from indignity by changing their water into wine, by calling out: They have no wine! Â&#x201E;

FOCUS 17

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

â&#x20AC;&#x153;D

EAR Pope Francis, why do you need that tall hat?â&#x20AC;?

I had to laugh out loud as I read my daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s question to our beloved pontiff. Little did I know then, that less than a year ODWHU ZH ZRXOG ÂżQG RXUVHOYHV face to face with Pope Francis himself, sans his tall hat, at the Vatican, on the feast of the Chair of St Peter (Feb 22).

The call for these questions to Pope Francis was made by Ms Julie Phua, a catechetical coordinator at our parish, the Church of St Ignatius, during a retreat for children who were preparing for their sacraments in 2015.

As my daughter, Faith Ng, aged eight then, was not part of that retreat, she wrote her question at home when I asked her if she had any questions for the pope. Besides her burning question about his choice of headgear, she also asked him why some saints had â&#x20AC;&#x153;the woundsâ&#x20AC;?, and drew St Francis of Assisi bearing the marks of the stigmata.

All the childrensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; letters were submitted and we gave no further thought to it. Months went by. Out of the blue, I heard from Julie that Faithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter had been shortlisted for a book titled Dear Pope Francis.

It came as a wonderful surprise!

We also learnt that the question submitted by Maximus, aged 10 in 2015, from the Church of the Risen Christ, had also been selected.

He had asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like WR ÂżQG RXW Âą ZK\ GLG *RG FUHDWH us even though he knew that we would sin against him?â&#x20AC;?

7KHQ RXU FXS RYHUĂ&#x20AC;RZHG LQ December when we were told that there might be an opportunity for Faith to meet the pope in Rome.

We just could not believe our ears. Loyola Press (the book publisher) asked us if we would be able to go to Rome at short notice. , UHSOLHG LQ WKH DIÂżUPDWLYH 2I course! It did not matter that Faith would be missing many days of school. This was an opportunity of a lifetime!

It took about a month for WKLQJV WR EH ÂżUPHG XS , RQO\ DOlowed myself to really believe it was happening when we received RXU LWLQHUDU\ DQG Ă&#x20AC;LJKW GHWDLOV :H were asked not to speak about this special trip until after it happened.

But that was a tall order!

We had to inform Faithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school (CHIJ Kellock). The news also spread among our tightly knit parish community. All were so excited for Faith and myself, and many prayers were offered for our safe journey. $QG VR RQ )HE ZH Ă&#x20AC;HZ WR

Pope Francis blesses Singapore parishioner Faith Ng during the private audience he had with 14 children around the world at the Vatican on Feb 22.

Above: Faithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s questions as they appear in the Dear Pope Francis book. Right: the popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s written reply.

Rome, eagerly anticipating the private audience with Pope Francis on Feb 22.

On the afternoon that we were scheduled to meet him, we walked through the awe-inspiring columns of St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square towards

the Paul VI Audience Hall. Passing through the empty hall, we headed up the stage and were ushered into a room where we waited for Pope Francis to arrive.

The children were seated on WKH FDUSHWHG Ă&#x20AC;RRU LQ IURQW RI D

At the audience, Faith asked Pope Francis. œ:KR LV \RXU IDYRXULWH VDLQW"¡ He hesitated for a while, and then replied, œ, KDYH YDULRXV KRO\ IULHQGV¡ 7KHQ ZHQW RQ WR QDPH 6W 7KHUHVH RI WKH &KLOG -HVXV St Ignatius of Loyola, and St Francis of Assisi as the three he keeps close to his heart.

huge chair. The half hour wait felt very long. Faith was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a bit nervous but happyâ&#x20AC;?. The 14 children, DJHG EHWZHHQ ÂżYH DQG ZDLWHG patiently, speaking quietly to each other, turning their heads towards the entrance in eager anticipation every now and again. :KHQ 3RSH )UDQFLV ÂżQDOO\ walked into the room, there was an audible buzz of excitement. As I was standing right next to the door, I had a close up view as he stepped into the room, smiling, and taking in everyone in his sight. Then he walked a few steps towards the children and halted. He spread his arms out and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buenas tardesâ&#x20AC;? (â&#x20AC;&#x153;good afternoonâ&#x20AC;? in Spanish). The children immediately got

up and ran towards him and they enjoyed a massive group hug.

It was then that the emotions got the better of me and I cried tears of joy. Seeing our beloved pope and all these children from around the world in such a loving, joyful embrace was just too much to bear! It was hard to tell who was happier, the children, the pope, or the adults who had the privilege to witness such pure love.

Later, Faith would tell me that she felt very happy in that group hug, and that Pope Francis felt like â&#x20AC;&#x153;a pillowâ&#x20AC;?!

One by one, the children presented their gifts to him. Faith made a card for him by pressing some ferns and leaves from Singapore, because â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singapore is clean and greenâ&#x20AC;?. She also gave him a gift from the children of the Eucharistic Adoration at our church, and delivered a letter from her friend, Olivia.

The pope then blessed her and presented her with the Dear Pope Francis book, and a Jesus The Teacher doll.

At the audience, she also asked Pope Francis another question. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who is your favourite saint?â&#x20AC;? He hesitated for a while, and then replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have various holy friendsâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? Then went on to name St Therese of the Child Jesus, St Ignatius of Loyola, and St Francis of Assisi as the three he keeps close to his heart.

I was amazed that one hour passed so quickly. The pope answered all the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s questions with such wisdom, sincerity and depth. Very candidly, he expressed his pain whenever he sees children who suffer. He said he could not understand it. Then he whipped out from his pocket a small edition of The Via Crucis, saying that praying the Way of the Cross is what gives light when confronted with such a deep sorrow.

I was very moved when he told one child, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never be afraid if something bad happens to you, or if you commit a sin, because the love of Jesus is greater than all this.â&#x20AC;?

We could not contain our joy after the meeting, and gave thanks for such a blessing. We will never forget this for as long as we live.

I never hesitate to share what the pope said to us with anyone who asks, and pray for him daily, knowing that he has such a heavy responsibility as representative of Christ here on earth. *RG EOHVV 3RSH )UDQFLV DQG thank you Loyola Press for the unforgettable trip!

Dear Pope Francis is available from loyolapress.com and amazon.com Â&#x201E;

18 EASTER FEATURE

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Let Jesus call your name I

%\ (IÂżH &DOGDUROD

Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A resurrection scene weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve visited over and over, and yet it still grips us and sometimes brings us to tears.

The story of the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Christ in the garden on Easter morning, as recorded in the Gospel of John, is evocative and powerful. Why is it so personally compelling?

Simple and terse words capture our attention: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tombâ&#x20AC;? (Jn 20:1).

In Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gospel, Joseph of Arimathaea had already seen to the ritual anointing of Jesus according to Jewish burial custom.

Mary came alone to the burial site that morning simply to be present, to bear witness as she had borne ZLWQHVV DW WKH &UXFLÂż[LRQ She was a long way from home. The village of Magdala was near Tiberias on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. According to scripture, Mary, along with several women of means, followed the disciples and Jesus, and helped provide for them as they travelled from village to village.

Mary was perhaps unfamiliar with the big city of Jerusalem.

What was it like to be a woman walking alone in the darkness of an urban morning, from wherever

We know that He desires to call us by name and that in personal encounter we will recognise Him.

Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov.

she had spent a gloomy, empty Saturday and a sleepless night, to visit the tomb of her friend?

To reach the burial site, she needed to go outside the city walls and pass by Golgotha, the scene of -HVXVÂś EUXWDO H[HFXWLRQ :DV VKH afraid? What sadness and weariness accompanied her on that journey, and what shock wracked her

body when she saw that the stone had been moved from the tomb?

Mary immediately raced to ÂżQG 3HWHU $QG DIWHU KH DQG DQRWKHU disciple inspected the linen cloths left behind in the tomb, they went back home, but Mary remained.

This is where the scene becomes most powerful and most personal to those of us who have

read the passage so many times in our lives. St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, urged his followers to pray with their imaginations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way of becoming intimate with the words of scripture.

So, we come with Mary into the garden. Most of us donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what the climate or the topography of that Jerusalem garden would

The beauty of Easter transformation

By Fr John Crossin, OSFS

A

T THE Easter Vigil Mass, ZH H[SHULHQFH OLJKW VKLQing in the darkness as we hold our candles. The paschal candle symbolises the beautiful OLJKW RI WKH ULVHQ &KULVW Ă&#x20AC;RZLQJ out to energise the whole universe. Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy travels as far as the telescope can see.

The graceful energy of the spirit of the risen Christ transforms the universe and can transform us. ,Q FRQWUDVW WR WKH FRPSOH[LW\ RI WKH 3DVVLRQ DFFRXQWV ZLWK WKHLU LQWULJXH Ă&#x20AC;DZHG FKDUDFWHUV SORWWLQJ DQG YLROHQFH ZH FDQ QRZ H[SHULence the beauty, the simplicity and the joy that the risen Jesus brings.

We may begin by feeling like the discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus. With our eyes clouded by emotions, preoccupations and distractions, we may not recognise Jesus immediately.

But His interpretation of scrip-

ture causes our hearts to burn within us. We can recognise Him, a little late to be sure, in the breaking of the bread.

We may rush back to our Jerusalems to share the light of Christ with others. We may give witness to His presence in word and sacrament. Now we can see other disciples, friends and colleagues more distinctly in His new light.

Jesus brings light into our darkness. He helps us to see clearly. We learn from Him that the scripture with its truth and its beauty can always be perceived more deeply if seen in the light of IDLWK 7KH JUDFH RI -HVXV H[SDQGV our universe of knowledge and relationship.

In the light of Christ, we can comprehend more profoundly the

have been like on that Easter morning. However, we can use our imDJLQDWLRQ DQG ZH FDQ UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ WKH spring mornings of our own lives.

The dew can be moist and cold on our feet, the brilliant, rising sun just beginning to cast shadows on the trees and the rocky tombs.

As we let ourselves be present there, weeping with Mary in the confusion of the moment, imagining that another desecration has befallen Jesus even after death, we can almost taste her salty, ORQHO\ WHDUV PL[HG ZLWK RXU RZQ Then there is a man there, perhaps a gardener. Maybe he knows where they have taken the body.

Why doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t she â&#x20AC;&#x201C; why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we â&#x20AC;&#x201C; immediately recognise him? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mary.â&#x20AC;? When Jesus speaks KHU QDPH VKH H[FODLPV Âł5DEbouni!â&#x20AC;? Master.

The earth moves a little with that word, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mary.â&#x20AC;? We know then that Jesus wants to encounter us personally. We know that He desires to call us by name and that in personal encounter we will recognise Him. We realise that many times we have failed to recognise Him in ourselves and others.

In your imagination, let Jesus call your name in the garden and rejoice in His desire to know you better, to know you as His beloved disciple. Â&#x201E; CNS Caldarola is a freelance writer and columnist for Catholic News Service.

She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

People holding candles during an Easter Vigil Mass.

Only with the light of Christ can Catholics perceive scripture with its truth and beauty. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

beauty of the world. Silent contemplation of the physical world, a universe transformed by divine grace, can unlock its beauty.

The matter and energy of the physical world is embraced by the transforming loving energy of the resurrected Christ.

In the light, we can become more appreciative of human artists at their work. They may perceive

7KH JUDFH RI -HVXV H[SDQGV RXU XQLYHUVH RI NQRZOHGJH DQG UHODWLRQVKLS

people and things that we are incapable of grasping or imagining.

No wonder the Church community supports the work of artists.

Their hearts burn within as they hear Jesus speak, often indistinctly.

In Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light we can encourage all those whom God places in our path to contribute their gifts to the tapestry of the community. All have gifts to share.

What is that light within me that is to be shared for the good of others, for the good of the community? We search for the contribution we can make to the

beauty of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation.

Thus, we turn to prayer and to discernment. How is Christ speaking to me now? Is my heart burning with some inspiration of WKH +RO\ 6SLULW" ,V WKH H[DPSOH of others pointing out something beautiful I might do for God? We pray that we may once again recognise Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; call as we walk with Him. Â&#x201E; CNS Oblate Fr Crossin is executive director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the US &RQIHUHQFH RI &DWKROLF %LVKRSV

MOVIE REVIEW 19

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Adam Greaves-Neal is the young Jesus in the movie, The Young Messiah. CNS photo

Movie imagines Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; childhood The Young Messiah is faithful to the underlying message of scripture, says John Mulderig With the notable exception of the ¿QGLQJ RI -HVXV LQ WKH 7HPSOH WKH *RVSHO ZULWHUV DUH HQWLUHO\ VLOHQW DERXW KLV FKLOGKRRG $SDUW IURP WKLV VLQJOH LQFLGHQW RXU RQO\ LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW WKH \HDUV EHWZHHQ WKH +RO\ )DPLO\¶V UHWXUQ IURP H[LOH LQ (J\SW DQG WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI -HVXV¶ SXEOLF PLQLVWU\ FRQVLVWV RI 6W /XNH¶V JHQHUDO REVHUYDWLRQ WKDW GXULQJ WKLV WLPH ³-HVXV DGYDQFHG LQ ZLVGRP DQG DJH DQG IDYRXU EHIRUH *RG DQG PDQ ´ 1RQHWKHOHVV WKLV SHULRG FDQ SURYLGH D IHUWLOH ¿HOG IRU VSHFXODWLRQ LI KDQGOHG LQ D FDUHIXO ZD\ VXFK DV LQ WKH PRYLH 7KH <RXQJ 0HVVLDK 'LUHFWRU DQG FR ZULWHU &\UXV 1RZUDVWHK¶V VFUHHQ YHUVLRQ RI $QQH 5LFH¶V QRYHO &KULVW WKH /RUG 2XW RI (J\SW VHQVLWLYHO\ H[SORUHV WKH P\VWHU\ RI WKH ,QFDUQDWLRQ %\ UHPDLQLQJ IDLWKIXO WR WKH XQGHUO\LQJ PHVVDJH RI VFULSWXUH HYHQ DV LW WDFNOHV D WRSLF RQ ZKLFK WKH %LEOH LWVHOI LV VLOHQW 1RZUDVWHK¶V VFULSW ZULWWHQ LQ FROODERUDWLRQ ZLWK KLV ZLIH %HWV\ DYRLGV WKH PDQ\ WKHRORJLFDO SLWIDOOV WKDW VXUURXQG WKH XQLRQ RI &KULVW¶V GLYLQH DQG KXPDQ QDWXUHV 7KH UHVXOW LV DQ LQWULJXLQJ GHYRWLRQ IULHQGO\ SLHFH RI HQWHUWDLQPHQW VXLWDEOH IRU YLHZHUV RI PRVW DJHV )DPLOLHV ZLOO ZHOFRPH LW DV HVSHFLDOO\ DSSURSULDWH IDUH IRU WKH (DVWHU VHDVRQ $V WKH ¿OP EHJLQV D FRPELQDWLRQ RI ERWK RUGLQDU\ DQG VXSHUQDWXUDO FLUFXPVWDQFHV LQGLFDWH WR -RVHSK 9LQFHQW :DOVK

WKDW WKH WLPH KDV FRPH IRU KLV

IDPLO\ WR OHDYH WKHLU WHPSRUDU\ UHVLGHQFH LQ $OH[DQGULD ± WKH RQO\ KRPH VHYHQ \HDU ROG -HVXV $GDP *UHDYHV 1HDO KDV HYHU NQRZQ ± DQG UHWXUQ WR 1D]DUHWK 1RW IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH -RVHSK DQG 0DU\ 6DUD /D]]DUR DUH EHLQJ IRUFHG WR JUDSSOH ZLWK WKH FRQFUHWH LPSOLFDWLRQV RI WKHLU VRQ¶V XQLTXH LGHQWLW\ 7RJHWKHU ZLWK -HVXV¶ RWKHU

Joseph and Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dilemma in the movie is obvious: How can they properly guide a child who remains, in many ways, a mystery to them?

FORVH UHODWLYHV ± LQFOXGLQJ KLV XQFOH &OHRSDV &KULVWLDQ 0F.D\

DQG FRXVLQ -DPHV )LQQ 0F/HRG ,UHODQG ± -RVHSK DQG 0DU\ XQGHUVWDQG DW OHDVW SDUWLDOO\ WKDW WKH ODG LV WKH SURPLVHG 0HVVLDK WKH 6RQ RI *RG 7KH IDFW WKDW KH SRVVHVVHV PLUDFXORXV SRZHUV LV PRUHRYHU EHFRPLQJ DSSDUHQW HYHQ WR SHRSOH RXWVLGH WKH IDPLO\ FLUFOH

-RVHSK DQG 0DU\¶V GLOHPPD LV REYLRXV +RZ FDQ WKH\ SURSHUO\ JXLGH D FKLOG ZKR UHPDLQV LQ PDQ\ ZD\V D P\VWHU\ WR WKHP" $QG KRZ DUH WKH\ WR DQVZHU WKH PDQ\ TXHVWLRQV KH KLPVHOI NHHSV UDLVLQJ" $V -RVHSK SRLQWHGO\ DVNV ³+RZ GR ZH H[SODLQ *RG WR KLV RZQ 6RQ"´ ,Q WKH PLGVW RI WKHLU EDIÃ&#x20AC;HPHQW -RVHSK DQG 0DU\ DUH FRQIURQWHG ZLWK DQ HYHQ PRUH XUJHQW SULRULW\ NHHSLQJ -HVXV VDIH IURP WKH GDQJHUV WKDW VXUURXQG KLP 7KH QRWRULHW\ UHVXOWLQJ IURP WKH ER\¶V VXSHUKXPDQ DELOLWLHV KDV GUDZQ WKH DWWHQWLRQ RI FRUUXSW .LQJ +HURG -RQDWKDQ %DLOH\

ZKR GLVSDWFKHV D 5RPDQ FHQWXULRQ QDPHG 6HYHUXV 6HDQ %HDQ

WR WUDFN DQG NLOO KLP -HVXV LV DOVR EHLQJ GRJJHG E\ WKH ¿JXUH RI 6DWDQ 5RU\ .HHQDQ WKRXJK RQO\ KH FDQ VHQVH WKH HYLO DGYHUVDU\¶V SUHVHQFH 7KH <RXQJ 0HVVLDK FDQ EH HQGRUVHG IRU D ZLGH UDQJH RI DXGLHQFHV WKRXJK LW FRQWDLQV FRPEDW YLROHQFH ZLWK VOLJKW JRUH VFHQHV RI FUXFL¿[LRQ DQG DQ DWWHPSWHG UDSH VFHQH Â&#x201E; CNS The movie is expected to start screening in Singapore during Holy Week.

It is rated PG. Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.

20

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

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Q&A 1. What did Simon Peter see inside the tomb?

2. Who was the person Mary thought was the gardener?

Wordsearch: Â&#x201E; SPICES Â&#x201E; TOMB Â&#x201E; ANGELS Â&#x201E; WEPT Â&#x201E; JEWS

BIBLE TRIVIA:

Â&#x201E; BODY Â&#x201E; DEATH Â&#x201E; STONE Â&#x201E; BURY Â&#x201E; CLOTHS

What spices were placed on Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; body when he was buried?

(Hint: John 19:39)

Â&#x201E; LAID Â&#x201E; HEAD

PUZZLE: &DWKROLFV UHPHPEHU WKH HYHQWV RI -HVXV¶ FUXFL¿[LRQ GHDWK DQG EXULDO E\ praying the Stations of the Cross. Put the stations in the correct order theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re prayed. See www.usccb.org and search for the scriptural Stations of the Cross.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N.

1. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns

____________

2. Jesus dies on the cross

____________

3. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

____________

4. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin

____________

5. Jesus bears the cross

____________

6. Jesus is judged by Pilate

____________

7. Jesus is helped by Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross

____________

8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

____________

____________

-HVXV LV FUXFL¿HG 10. Jesus is denied by Peter

____________

11. Jesus promises his kingdom to the good thief

____________

12. Jesus speaks to his mother and the disciple

____________

-HVXV EHWUD\HG E\ -XGDV LV DUUHVWHG

____________

____________

14. Jesus is placed in the tomb

Answer to Wordsearch

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Read more about it: John 20

Answer to Bible Trivia: A mixture of myrrh and aloes.

St Isidore

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Answer to puzzle: A:6 B:13 C:1 F:5 G:8 H:9 K:11 L:12 M:2

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON 21

Sunday April 3, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

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Sunday April 3, 2016 CatholicNews

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