APRIL 21, 2013, Vol 63, No 08

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WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS MESSAGE

Young people urged to desire ‘lofty objectives’ VATICAN CITY – God’s love is unconditional yet demanding, asking all to choose how they will live their gift of life, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said in a message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The message was released before he resigned as pope. “The love of God sometimes follows paths one could never have imagined, but it always reaches those who are willing to be found,� the pope emeritus said in his message for the special day, which falls on April 21 this year. The theme for the 2013 World Day of Prayer for Vocations is Vocations as a Sign of Hope founded in Faith. Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life “are born out of the experience of a personal encounter with Christ, out of

Pope Benedict said. He noted that deep, constant prayer brings spiritual growth and the renewed certainty that God sustains His people by creating vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life “so that they can be signs of hope for the world�. “Indeed, priests and Religious are called to give themselves unconditionally to the People of God, in a service of love for the Gospel and the Church,� he said. He added that whenever a disciple of Jesus accepts the divine call to the priestly ministry or to the consecrated life, “we witness one of the most mature fruits of the Christian community�. Pope Benedict called on priests “to accompany young people as ‘companions on the journey’�, to recognise Christ and to tell them “with Gospel courage, how beautiful it is to serve God, the Christian community and one’s brothers and sisters�. The pope emeritus also called on young eral� pursuits. He urged them to cultivate

VOL 63

NO. 8

INSIDE HOME Archbishop Chia celebrates 75th birthday Talks about his devotion to Mary „ Page 4

ASIA Filipino archbishop to highlight matter to Rome „ Page 8

Threats from North Korea It’s about foreign aid, national pride, says Church leader „ Page 9

WORLD Margaret Thatcher’s death Pope, bishops offer condolences Priests lie prostrate during their ordination ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica. The World Day of Prayer for Vocations falls on April 21 this year.

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– Vatican’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations message

a real desire “for what is truly worthy�, and for “lofty objectives, radical choices [and] service to others in imitation of Jesus�. “Dear young people, do not be afraid to follow Him and to walk the demanding and

courageous paths of charity and generous commitment!� said Pope Benedict. “In that way you will be happy to serve, you will be witnesses of a joy that the world „

The full text of the Vatican’s message and other vocation stories can be found on Pages 15 to 26

„ Page 10

POPE FRANCIS Calls for justice, mercy in Easter message Prays for the two Koreas „ Pages 12-13

LETTER Columbarium visitors and church car parks A warden shares his experiences „ Page 14

2 HOME

Sunday April 21, 2013 CatholicNews

Parish reaches out to migrants in special project

A parishioner of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea makes a donation to the L.O.V.E. project.

By Darren Boon Migrant workers living in a dormitory a few kilometres away from the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea received food and toiletries recently, thanks to a parish Lenten project. About 100 parishioners handed plastic box containers containing these items to some 650 migrant workers living in the Kienta Dormitory at Yishun Avenue 6 on April 6. The workers were given vouchers to exchange for the packages as well as for snacks and drinks. During the event, the workers also enjoyed themselves as they sang and danced. Mr Bian Nian Xi, a migrant worker from China, told CatholicNews that he was “extremely

grateful” for the gifts, saying they would be useful to him. The parish’s Neighbourhood Christian Communities (NCCs) partnered the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) for this project, called L.O.V.E (Lenten Outreach Visible Evangelisation). It was to “recognise in small ways [migrants’] contribution” to Singapore, said Mr Michael Lewis, a project coordinator. The 650 plastic containers contained basic food items such as rice, oil, Milo, tea, sugar, salt, sardines and biscuits together with toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, detergent, towels, an international calling

ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA’S DIARY Apr 14 11.00am Church of St Bernadette: Mass – Feastday Apr 15 6.00pm Church of St Ignatius: Mass – South-East-Asia Major Superiors’ Congress Apr 19 6.30pm NUS: CSS – Graduation & Examination Mass Apr 20 2.00pm Church of St Vincent De Paul: Mass – Friends-In-Need (National Council of the Society of St Vincent De Paul)

Parishioners distributing drinks to migrant workers at their dormitory premises in Yishun.

card and a printed thank-you note written and signed by parish priest Fr John Joseph Fenelon. More than 200 parishioners gathered to pack the gifts on April 4. During Lent, parishioners were encouraged to donate basic food items and toiletries stipulated by the project committee or provide a cash donation for the purchase of the items. Paper “leaves” were given to parishioners upon the receipt of donations. These “leaves”, which have the names of the donor families written on them, were then hung on the branches of a special tree “as a symbolic gesture of our growing in love and spirit through generosity and kindness”, Mr Lewis said. The tree is on display at the church’s entrance until Pentecost. The organisers hope the project would help children learn “about

Food items stored in the church before distribution.

being kind and charitable to the less fortunate” and the parish community to share in “almsgiving and charitable actions”, Mr Lewis said. He said the organisers were “very touched by the generosity and enthusiasm” of the parishioners.

Parishioner Monica Yeo, who donated some money, said, “Everyone who is able to extend a helping hand and has the means should help the less privileged in Singapore, regardless of whether the people who need help are local or not.” Thirteen-year-old Alwin Moo, who helped in the packing of the gifts, said he wanted to “give to the community”. The experience helps to “build a sense of community where everyone comes together to help out”, he added. Eight-year-old Anselm Nair, who, together with some of the other parishioners, was taken a brief tour of the dormitory, said he learnt how the migrant workers lived. In a statement to CatholicNews, ACMI executive director Jeremy Khoo said his organisation “is very pleased to collaborate” with the parish and hopes that “more parishes adopt their Christ-like example of hospitality to the million over migrants working and living in Singapore”. Additional reporting and photos: MARTIN SEE

darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Page 6: Our Lady Star of the Sea’s ‘ongoing’ RCIA programme

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Blessing of the oils Offering of Masses an easy task with parish’s NETS machine

Photo: AUDI THOMAS TAN

Our Lady of Lourdes Church’s new touch-screen machine allows parishioners to offer Masses easily and a cashless way to give stipends.

By Don Guguray $ + + % / 7 at a time convenient to her and The church, located at Ophir Road, now has an electronic touch-screen terminal which allows parishioners to select the in 7 7 tributions through NETS. ; launched on Easter Sunday. “This is a good idea,� Ms Joseph told CatholicNews. “Not only is it convenient, it is also environment " < make multiple bookings and you don’t need multiple envelopes.� = nal, located outside the parish 7 Said parish priest Fr Augustine / > ? = @

Archbishop Nicholas Chia celebrating the Chrism Mass.

= we do away with the old system rishioners can use NETS.� some people were unsure whether the payment was received as they

= ; nal also prints out a receipt so there

Not only is it ‘ convenient, it is also environment-friendly. All you need to do is press a couple of buttons.

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– Parishioner Shirley Joseph

; mooted by parish administrator Adolph John. parish administrator in 2011, ' 7 intentions� system which was

' Q; sultant and tried to brainstorm The consultant’s company ing and troubleshooting to improve the system�, said Mr John. “Finally, we came up with a system where people can use the system and pay with NETS,� he said, adding that the system also ' Mr John said the parish is happy to share this idea with other parishes. Meanwhile, air-conditioning was installed in the church in mid 7 Fr Joseph said the move had to be approved by the Preservation 7 Z is a gazetted national monument. ; # $ + Lourdes (http://www.lourdes.sg/) $ ^ _``` Q q Tamil and English speaking members among its 2,500 parishioners. Masses in English, Tamil and Sinhalese are held on weekends. „

Archbishop Nicholas Chia presided over the Chrism Mass on Maundy Thursday. The annual Chrism Mass, usually held on Maundy Thursday the priests with their bishop and the bishop’s priesthood. This year, the local celebration was held at St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah). During the Mass on March 28,

" # $ % '* $ # * # $ Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh, apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and priests working in the archdiocese concelebrated the Mass. The celebration also saw the clergy renewing their priestly vows. „

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

‘Mary’s role in my life’ Archbishop Chia shares the importance he places on Mary at Mass to mark his 75th birthday By Martin See Mother Mary has played “a great role in my life�, said Archbishop Chia at a special Mass to mark his 75th birthday on April 8. “I have a great reverence and devotion to Mary as she is a great example for us and she is a source of inspiration and guidance for me all these years,� he said. During the Mass, which marked the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Archbishop Chia shared with bishops, priests, Religious, seminarians and laypeople how he has “a great reverence and devotion to Mary� and how “she is a source of inspiration and guidance for me all these years�. The Mass, held at the Church of the Holy Family, was concelebrated by Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh, Archbishop Murphy Pakiam and Archbishop Emeritus Anthony Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur, Bishop Emeritus Antony Selvanayagam of Penang, Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei and about 30 priests.

Archbishop Chia delivering his homily at the Church of the Holy Family. Photo: KEVIN HO

All smiles as Archbishop Chia celebrates his birthday at Roland Restaurant in Marine Parade. Behind him are veteran DJ Brian Richmond (left) and singer Robert Fernando who entertained the crowd.

Archbishop Chia said he chose the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary for his episcopal ordination date years ago because of Mary’s importance to him. “Mary is a model of prayer and she was at prayer when Angel Gabriel appeared to her�, he said. “Prayer is not just recit-

ing words and phrases but also listening, which was what Mary did when she listened to Angel Gabriel.� Archbishop Chia asked the crowd, “Are you really doing God’s will in your daily lives or are you doing what you want?�

He urged them to follow the example of Mary when she submitted herself to God’s will to give birth to Jesus. Close to 1,000 people attended Archbishop Chia’s birthday dinner held that evening at Roland Restaurant in Marine Parade.

Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh, in his tribute to Archbishop Chia, noted how he has touched the lives of many people. He has certainly “made an indelible imprint on my life�, said Archbishop Goh, adding that although Archbishop Chia “has left behind big shoes for ' mould and shape me into those shoes�. Archbishop Goh recalled how Archbishop Chia, who was former parish priest of the Church of the Holy Cross, supported him when he was a young priest there, when he was working in the seminary and in his work with the Catholic Spirituality Centre. He also noted how parishioners at Holy Cross church used to call him affectionately “Papa Chia�. “Archbishop Chia is a sincere man, a man with a good heart which seeks to follow his conscience in what he does,� he said. „ Additional reporting: CHRISTOPHER KHOO martin.see@catholic.org.sg

Sunday April 21, 2013 CatholicNews

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

‘Ongoing’ RCIA allows inquirers to join any time Our Lady Star of the Sea’s programme allows inquirers to learn about the faith at their own pace By Darren Boon To enable those interested in Catholicism to join the RCIA programme at any time of the year and to better form them in the faith, one parish introduced its “ongoing� RCIA journey in 2011. Walk-ins are welcomed at any time and are directed to the inquirers’ group. According to Fr John Joseph Fenelon, parish priest of Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, inquirers face many struggles and commitments in their lives. The @ ^#Q" allows inquirers “to journey at their own pace� instead of making them move from one stage of the process to another when they are not quite ready. “Moreover, without a closing date, no inquirer is turned away as the inquirers’ sessions are conducted weekly from January to December,� he added. ~ ~ -

der current RCIA practices, the inquirers’ period is normally three to four months after which the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is celebrated. The rite is celebrated for “those who are ready� as well as those who are “not ready as there was nowhere else to place the latter�, he said. He noted that there was the problem of what to do with those who are not ready “other than to ask them to come back for the ^#Q" Under the parish’s new system, those interested in the faith need not wait several months for ^#Q" 7 Clement Leong, a parish RCIA core team member. However, this also means “there is no foreseeable date on which an inquirer will be initiated as it depends on the development of his relationship with God�. Two classes are being run concurrently on Tuesday nights – one for inquirers and one for catechumens. A third separate tract for the Elect is conducted during Lent. The inquirer sessions focus on how to witness for God through topics such as wealth and responsibility. After an inquirer indicates his or her acceptance of Christ as saviour, and following the discernment of RCIA team members and the spiritual director, the inquirer is invited to participate in the celebration of the Rite of Acceptance. He or she then moves on to the catechumenate phase.

An RCIA class for inquirers. Walk-ins are welcomed at any time.

Here, the catechesis is based on the Sunday Mass readings. For the Baptism of the Lord, the RCIA session would be about the Sacrament of Baptism. This allows the catechumens to “appreciate the readings at a deeper level�, said Mr Leong. Sponsors also invite the catechumens to join Neighbourhood Christian Communities’ (NCCs) activities to get to know the wider Catholic community better. The core team has “estab-

lished clear criteria� for inquirers and catechumens to move on to prayer life, a sense of community and social justice, and acceptance of the Church’s teachings, said Mr Leong. The core team, together with Fr Fenelon, sponsors, catechists and those who help with the RCIA, meet once a month to pray and discern the readiness of each inquirer and catechumen, said Mr Leong. Fr Fenelon would also in-

No inquirer is turned away as ‘ the inquirers’ sessions are conducted weekly from January to December.’

– Fr John Joseph Fenelon, parish priest of Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

terview them to determine their “readiness�. The parish currently has about 15 inquirers and 16 catechumens. Mr John Low, a catechumen, said that the parish’s RCIA system has helped him gain a better understanding of the Catholic faith. Ms Grace Liew, who joined the inquiry journey in December, said she does not feel pressured, thanks to the pace of the pro %

the sharings relevant and easy to understand. Mr Malvin Poh, another RCIA core team member, said though the process might be “tiring� for ing as those baptised are more committed and better formed in the faith. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

IRO launches CD to mark 64th anniversary

Performers from various faiths sing a song called Building Bridges at the celebration held at Catholic Junior College.

By Martin See Singapore’s Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) celebrated its 64th anniversary with the launch of a CD of sacred music, and performances of sacred music from 10 religions. The event took place at Catholic Junior College Performing Arts Centre on April 7. IRO president, Infant Jesus Sr Maria Lau, in her address to the participants from various re-

ligions, noted that the IRO has “conducted prayers and medita % pore especially in times of tragedy where IRO stands as a symbol of unity and solidarity with those who are suffering or in pain�. The various religious groups put on performances which included dance items, chants, singing and instrumental music. Participants at the event came from the Buddhist, Christian, Zo-

roastrian, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i, Jain, Taoist and Jewish faiths. A Catholic combined choir performed two songs. The CD of sacred music was launched by guest-of-honour Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. Limited copies of the CD are available. For more information, email irosingapore@gmail.com. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop to highlight

MANILA – The head of the Phil-

ippines’ bishops’ conference said Malaysia and the Sulu Sultanate to the attention of the Vatican. Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu made these remarks on April 1 after meeting with the socalled Sulu sultan, Jamalul Kiram III, on the same day. “I believe there are agencies in Rome that can be of service in this regard,� Archbishop Palma said after the meeting. Nearly 5,000 Filipinos have % erupted between the followers of the sultan and Malaysia’s armed forces, according to a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Archbishop Palma said the situation in Sabah is about the “search for peace and harmony�. “There is a Christian and Muslim way of searching for peace, especially in the situation of Sabah,� he said after the 30-minute

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I believe there are agencies in Rome that can be of service in this regard.

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– Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, Philippines

talk with Kiram. The meeting was arranged by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and the Gausbaug Coalition for Peace and Humanitarian Resolution of Sabah. Archbishop Palma left that night for a meeting on the International Eucharistic Congress at the Vatican. Princess Jacel Kiram, the sultan’s daughter, expressed thanks to Archbishop Palma, saying the meeting shows “Muslim-Christian solidarity in the Philippines�. “The sultanate wants peace. What it really wants to do is sit

down and talk,� she said. “For both Malaysia and the Philippines, if they really want this issue to be resolved, they should prove it [through dialogue].� About 200 of Kiram’s followers, headed by so-called Sulu Crown Prince Agbimuddin Kiram, went to Sabah on Feb 12 in a bid to “reclaim� their homeland, which led to a standoff with Malaysian security forces. Malaysian authorities later responded by conducting a series of attacks, resulting in the death of at least 60 people. The origin of the claim dates back to the end of the 19th century during British colonial rule of Malaya and is complicated – in theory – by Kiram’s assertion that he is the rightful ruler of all of Sabah, one of the states of Malaysia. Sabah is home to thousands of Filipino Muslims who have left areas plagued by decades of insurgency wars in adjacent Mindanao. „ UCANEWS.COM

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Bishop: North Korea’s Myanmar Church and state appeal for peace after clashes threats might aim MANDALAY, MYANMAR – Yangon Archbishop Charles Bo called on the government on March 25 to make use of religious leaders to central Myanmar. “To foster unity and peaceful living, no constitution, no military will solve it, and no law except the law of love,� he said in a statement. The Catholic leader said everyone is an equal citizen of Myanmar regardless of race or religion. He expressed concern about victims of religious violence that broke out recently in Meikhtilam and last year in Rakhine state. “It is very urgent and important that all religious leaders come together, with respect, listen to each other and look for a common word and common action,� Archbishop Bo said. People were killed and thousands of them, mostly Muslims, were made homeless in Meikhtila after attacks began there on March „† ; pute between a Muslim shopkeep-

Yangon Archbishop Charles Bo

er and a Buddhist customer. Local eyewitnesses estimated that the death toll could be higher cording to the UN, 120,000 people were displaced from Meikhtila. Sectarian violence spread in central Myanmar after mobs destroyed several more mosques and dozens of houses. This is the time for religious

leaders to step forward, the archbishop said. “Whether Buddhism or Islam or Christianity, all teach love and compassion,� he said. The Church in Myanmar has rarely spoken out about political developments or ethnic strife. The government has pledged on state television to make the utmost efforts to halt violence and the incitement of racial and religious unrest. It urged the people to avoid religious extremes and violence which could jeopardise the country’s reforms and development. Displaced people will be resettled as soon as calm is restored, it said. According to news reports, the riots swept south to Bago Region, erupting along a highway just north of Yangon. By March 29, at least 15 towns and villages in central Myanmar had suffered antiMuslims riots. In Yangon, some Muslims prepared for violence by Buddhists by shutting shuttering shops and leaving to stay with relatives elsewhere. „ UCANEWWS.COM

Indian priest bludgeoned to death KOCHI, INDIA – Police in Bangalore have launched a murder inquiry after the rector of a major seminary in the city was found bludgeoned to death in the earlymorning on April 1. Fr K J Thomas, 62, was found by another priest lying in a pool of blood in a corridor near his room at St Peter’s Seminary at about 4 am, police say. " charge of the investigation, Fr Thomas was killed not long after midnight. He was last seen by

Fr Patrick Xavier, who found the body, as he was going to his room. Preliminary investigations suggest that Fr Thomas was attacked after answering a knock on his door. Bloodstains found in the corridor suggest the priest had tried to escape or the body had been dragged to where it was found by the coffee room, the policeman said. He also said boot marks made from the dead priest’s blood suggest there was more than one assailant. “He sustained two or three inju-

Second Pakistani Christian colony attacked LAHORE, PAKISTAN – Tensions remained high in a Christian community in Francisabad on April 4 after a Muslim mob attacked shops, houses and vehicles the day before. About 20 shops were damaged, and three Christian youths were injured when police used batons to disperse the crowds. The attack followed a dispute earlier on April 3 when an imam accused several Christian youths of showing disrespect for Islam by playing music outside a mosque, according to Mr Saqib Khadim of The Social Transformation Association for Native Community’s Education, a local NGO. “We gathered weapons out of fear of an attack. It was a restless night,� Mr Khadim said. “While the priests and community elders armed youth remained stationed at churches and crossroads.� Police in at least eight vehicles were still guarding the community to prevent a repeat of violence.

" police said about 500 Muslims were involved in the attack. About 200 families live in Francisabad, one of the largest Christian settlements in Gujranwala district. In March, a mob rampaged through Joseph Colony in neighbouring Lahore, following allegations that a Christian had insulted Prophet Mohammad. Two churches and 178 houses were torched in the incident. “The Christian community has not yet come out of the trauma caused by the Joseph Colony attack in Lahore and now this latest attack in Gujranwala shows the reality of how easily they can be attacked,� said Mr Samson Salamat, director of the Centre for Human Rights Education in a statement. “The situation is very alarming in terms of the safety and security of the religious minorities. We demand that the Punjab government seriously concentrate to stop these atrocities.� „ UCANEWS.COM

ries to the head. He bled to death.� Despite the priest’s room being ransacked, the investigator ruled out robbery saying nothing valuable was missing. The priest had taught at the seminary in Bangalore for the past three decades according to Church sources. Thousands of faithful attended his funeral on April 5. The ceremony took place in the church of St Joseph in Ettumanoor, his native village in Kerala state. „ UCANEWS.COM, ASIANEWS

HK Catholics, public back dockers’ strike HONG KONG – Two Hong Kong

diocesan commissions on April 5 called for Catholic support for dockworkers who have been on strike since March 28. Hundreds of stevedores have remained outside the terminal even in pouring rain to demand a pay rise, which would be only their second in 10 years. In the diocesan weekly, the Justice and Peace and the Labour Affairs commissions gave their support to the workers, citing concern over conditions, including 12-hour days and low wages. The workers are reportedly demanding a 20 percent pay raise, making up for cuts over the past few years. So far, more than HK$2 million (S$320,000) has been donated by a public sympathetic to the dockworkers, who say current salaries are effectively lower than in 1997. „ UCANEWS.COM

to increase aid, preserve pride

US soldiers arrive for training near the demilitarised zone separating North Korea from South Korea in Paju, north of Seoul on April 8. CNS photo MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea said North Korea’s recent threats of aggression may be an attempt to shore up foreign aid while preserving pride. “It is our presumption that they sistance from abroad without conceding their pride or self-esteem,â€? Bishop Peter Kang U-Il of Cheju, South Korea, said in an April 9 email to Catholic News Service. He said Korean Catholic bishops “feel very sorryâ€? that tension provoked by North Korean threats are making “the whole world very uncomfortable and anxiousâ€?. Though South Koreans “appear to be calm and tranquilâ€?, they may feel uneasy about the present escalating atmosphere between the two Koreas, Bishop Kang said. South Koreans might have been very used to the threats, but “one could not deny the possibility of unexpected military clashâ€?. The bishop personally appealed to people of Korea to pray for peace in the peninsula. He offered a prayer he composed ap ' whose actions are causing hunger and suffering, and drawing people to violence and death. Under supreme leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea announced it launched a rocket in December and conducted its third underground nuclear test in February. In March, the UN Security Council condemned the nuclear test and imposed tougher sanctions on  Â‚ restrictions, cargo inspections and a ban on exports. North Korea announced on March 30 that Mr Kim had declared a “do-or-dieâ€? battle against invasion after a US stealth bombers drill. In an April 9 television announcement, government advised foreign institutions and enterprises, including tourists, to take measures to prepare for evacuation and their safety in case of war.

Bishop Kang said North Korea might be threatening war because it cannot revitalise its economy and rise up from its “destitute situation� without foreign investments, but needs to maintain its “selfrespect or self-reverence�, which the bishop traces to the ideology declared by Mr Kim’s dynasty. The ideology and philosophy of superiority of Korean history and culture advocated by the North Korean ruler and his predecessors have prevailed through the 60 years following the Korean War, he said. However, this philosophy of isolation and autonomous economy has only “completely demolished their economy�, leaving the North to suffer the fate as other socialist countries whose economies collapsed, Bishop Kang said. “I think we need much patience in dealing with the people of [North Korea] who have been isolated for [a] long time from the modern world,� he added. He also called for “much compassion� while the North showed “very one-sided obstinacy� in foreign relations. “They have never experienced modern democratic order in their near history,� the bishop explained. He said he sees “the violent way of presenting their requests to the world� as evidence of the North’s desperate situation that they could not survive. „ CNS

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Bishops, pope offer prayers on Thatcher’s death LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – The

Pope Benedict XVI greeting former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during his weekly audience in 2009 in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Catholic bishops of England and Wales offered prayers for the soul of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister who died at age 87 following a stroke. Baroness Thatcher, who led Britain from 1979 to 1990, died “peacefully� the morning of April 8, according to her family. Soon after news of her death was made public, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, issued a short statement. “It was with sadness that we heard the news of the death of Baroness Thatcher, who served this country for many years both as a member of parliament and as prime minster,� he said. “We pray for the repose of her soul and for the intentions of her family and all those who now mourn for her.� Later that day, the Vatican released a telegram that Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s secretary of state, sent on behalf of Pope Francis. The telegram said the pope “was saddened to learn of the death� of Thatcher and recalled “with appreciation the Christian values which underpinned her commitment to public service and the promotion of freedom among the family of nations�. It said Pope Francis entrusted her soul to God’s mercy and assured her family and the British people of his prayers. Baroness Thatcher, the daughter of a Methodist greengrocer,

Z minister when her centre-right Conservative Party swept to power at the end of a decade troubled by economic misery and public strikes. On May 4, 1979, the day of her election, she read out the prayer of % ~ " dress to the nation. Lord Alton of Liverpool, a Catholic member of Parliament, recalled in an April 8 statement how he had once arranged a meeting between the prime minister and Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. Lord Alton said Mother Teresa

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0 told him later that she had challenged the prime minister about the number of people living on the streets and the number of abortions in the United Kingdom. “In response, Margaret Thatcher gave her a short speech on Britain’s welfare provisions and social security,� he said. “Mother Teresa simply responded by asking ‘But do you have love?’� Baroness Thatcher will not have a state funeral, in accordance with her own wishes, but she will be buried with full military honours after a ceremony in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on April 17. „ CNS

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Mideast Church leaders call for peace in Syria in Easter messages BEIRUT – In Easter messages, Catholic patriarchs in the Middle East highlighted the need for an end to the war in Syria, now entering its third year. Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Rai, appealed to the disputants in Syria, “who are so intent in demolishing the homes of peaceful citizens, [the country’s] institutions and history, and the killing of dozens of innocent people a day ... to put away their arms and refuse the money given to them from the outside world�. He urged Syrians “to draw closer to God and to sit at the negotiation table with courage�. The cardinal also called on countries that border Syria to coordinate the reception of and aid for refugees and warned Lebanon not to be used as a passage for weapons. Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said on March 14 that the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon had reached one million, equal to a quarter of the country’s population, and that Lebanon lacked the “physical, human or geographical capabilities to provide the appropriate assistance�. Syriac Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan of Antioch, who was born in Hassake, Syria, condemned violence in the region and the use of arms “under the pretext of spreading democracy and the reforming of ideas�. “Our hearts and thoughts are on Syria� which is “dominated by destruction and fragmentation�, he said. He urged all parties in dialogue, understanding and reconciliation, instead of violence and extremism. Melkite Patriarch Gregoire III

A boy rides his bicycle past damaged buildings in Deir al-Zor, Syria. CNS photo

Laham of Damascus reiterated his appeal to the world “to work to stop the outpouring of Syrian blood�. “There has been enough suffering,� he said. “There have been enough tragedies, pain, violence, ' mentalism and business at the expense of human life, dignity, daily bread and security. “Therefore, the world needs evangelisation, the Gospel of the Resurrection and life,� he added.

There have been ‘enough tragedies, pain, violence, terrorism.’

– Melkite Patriarch Gregoire III Laham of Damascus

Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako, who was enthroned on March 6 in Iraq, said that, during the Easter season, “Jesus wants us to get out of ourselves, of our ambitions and our fears to enter into our hearts sincerely in order to establish the kingdom of God in us and among us.� In Jerusalem, heads of Christian Churches in the Holy Land invited people to make a pilgrimage to their region and urged world leaders to strive for justice. “In particular, pray with us for the situation in Syria, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Israel, in Egypt, in Iraq, and wherever there is political unrest. Pray for all victims of violence and oppression, for prisoners, for those who live with the lack of security, and those who are displaced and refugees, especially here in our land,� the Christian leaders said. „ CNS

12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Pope calls for justice, m e CNS photos

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POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

m ercy in Easter message ‘Be shepherds living with the smell of sheep,’ pope tells priests VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

called on the world’s priests to bring the healing power of God’s grace to everyone in need, to stay close to the marginalised and to be “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep�. Those priests “who do not go out of themselves� by being mediators between God and men can “gradually become intermediaries, managers�, he said on March 28 during the Chrism Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. When a priest “doesn’t put his own skin and own heart on the line, he never hears a warm, heartfelt word of thanks� from those he has helped, the pope said in his homily. “This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatis sense collectors of antiquities or novelties – instead of being shepherds living with ‘the smell of the sheep’�, he said. “This is what I am asking you,� he said with emphasis, looking up from his prepared text, “be shepherds with the smell of sheep�, so that people can sense the priest is not

The pope kisses the foot of a prison inmate during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors on March 28.

for minors, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young people of different nationalities and faiths, including at least two Muslims and two women, who are housed at the juvenile detention facility.

The ceremony of washing another’s feet “is important�, the pope said, because it shows that “the person who is most high among us must be at the service of the others�. „ CNS

ove makes them witnesses of Christ Francis resumed a series of catechetical talks on the creed begun by Pope Benedict XVI in January. Commenting on the words, “rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures�, the pope noted that the New Testament gives women a “primary, fundamental role� as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. He cited the passage in Mark Chapter 16 in which angel who tells them that Jesus is alive. “Here we can see an argument in favour of the historical truth of the resurrection,� Pope Francis said. “If it had been an invention, in the context of that time it would not have been linked to the testimony of women�, since the Jewish law of period did not consider women or

children as “reliable, credible witnesses�. “This tells us that God does not choose according to human ; witnesses of the birth of Jesus are the shepherds, simple and humble the resurrection are women.� Jesus’ male apostles and disci risen Christ�, the pope said. “Peter runs to the tomb, but stops before the empty tomb. Thomas has to touch the wounds of the body of Jesus with his own hands.� By contrast, the “women are driven by love and they know to accept this proclamation [of the resurrection] with faith�, the pope said. “They believe and immediately transmit it; they do not keep it for themselves.� „ CNS

Pope Francis breathes over chrism oil, a gesture symbolising the infusion of the Holy Spirit, during the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.

just concerned with his own congre He said a good priest anoints his people “with the oil of gladness�,

by preaching the Gospel “with unction,� that is with the soothing, comforting words of God. If people leave Mass “looking as if they have heard good news�, then the priest has clearly done his job well, the pope said. “When we have this relationship with God and with His people, and His grace passes through us, then we are priests, mediators between God and men,� he said. The pope urged priests to not grow weary of people’s requests and needs no matter how “inconvenient ... purely material or downright banal�, such appeals may seem. Priests need to look deeper at what’s driving the encounter: the person’s underlying hope and desire for divine comfort, for being “anointed with fragrant oil, since they know we have it�. “We need to ‘go out,’ then, in order to experience our own anointing, its power and its re > › ' @ where there is suffering, bloodshed, blindness that longs for sight, and prisoners in thrall to many evil masters�, the pope said. „ CNS

Meekness sows harmony, gossip sows division VATICAN CITY – Christians need to recover the value of meekness, particularly when they are tempted to speak ill of one another or gossip about each other, Pope Francis said on April 9 during his early morning Mass. Complaining behind each other’s backs is a temptation that comes “from the Evil One who does not want the Spirit to dwell among us and give peace, meekness to the Christian community�, the pope said. Joining Pope Francis for the Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthae were staff members of the Vatican health service and from the general services department of ‡ # State. The pope’s brief homily fo the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the members of the earliest Christian community as being “of one heart and mind�. Catholics today must strive to model their relationships on those of the earliest Christians, who truly lived the experience of having received a new life through baptism, Pope Francis said. The new life offered through the grace of baptism is something that

Pope Francis prays in front of the tomb of the late Blessed John Paul II in St Peter’s Basilica on April 2, the eighth anniversary of his death.

Christians must work on developing; even though it “principally depends on the Spirit�, he said, it also takes effort on the part of each individual to cooperate with that grace. Meekness, he said, has “many “When one prefers gossiping, gossiping about another, it’s like clobbering another. This is normal, it happens to everyone, including me – it is a temptation of the Evil One�. Meanwhile, complaining frequently and stewing over disappointments can easily become an obsession that blocks one’s view / @ situations, Pope Francis said at

morning Mass on April 3. The pope preached about the Gospel story from St Luke about the two disappointed disciples on the road to Emmaus after the death of Jesus. “They were afraid. All of the disciples were afraid,� he said. As they walked toward Emmaus and discussed everything that had happened, they were sad and complaining. But the Gospel story shows how very patient Jesus is with the

then explaining things step by step, until they see Him, the pope said. „ CNS

14 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ 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 Facebook: www.facebook.com/catholicnews MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: johnson.fernandez@catholic.org.sg

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

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

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

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

LETTER

! ! " " We have celebrated Holy Week. All those involved in Church ministries did their part, and I am sure the wardens throughout Singapore churches had their share of car park problems. The church that I am serving as a warden has a columbarium and many times during festive occasions, like Holy Week, we get many people from other churches who just want to visit the niches. They usually say things like: $ “Why not enough car park � ? � ? @ � “Why do you do not allocate � ? Q ' � I need to visit my loved ones’ niches.� “I come from so far away, so Q ' � “I don’t know your church is so crowded�, etc .... Some even say they are attending the church service but

I hope those visiting niches are aware of churches’ festive times. actually they only visit the nich " selves unable to drive out, they ask the wardens to call for the moving of cars, and blame the wardens. Wardens are instructed not to allow any announcements to be made during the service. I experienced how one visitor even wanted to go to the altar to announce for cars to be moved. Another said they had a sick person with them, but which turned out to be false. I hope those visiting niches are aware of churches’ festive

times, especially during Holy Week, and also the churches’ other celebrations such as their feast days. Avoid visiting two hours before services start. And should the area be already cordoned off, do not remove the barriers when no one is watching. Chances are that you will drive off without putting the barriers back. I am sure wardens of other churches with columbaria also experience the same headaches. I have read in news from the USA and heard also on national radio that the most common place where strangers quarrel is in the car park. And I have heard of many quarrels in church car parks. Recently, a younger man even wanted to beat me up. I have served in the wardens ministry since 1968. John Wee Singapore 090111

VATICAN CITY – The papal coat

of arms has undergone a few adjustments to more clearly reflect the symbolism of Mary and St Joseph. The five-pointed star has been replaced with an eight-pointed star, and the spikenard flower, which represents St Joseph, looks more like a flower rather than a bunch of grapes, as it did in its original form. Italian Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, an expert on heraldry, says changing the star was “better� because the five-point-

ed star often carries with it “military significance� while the eight-pointed star “has always symbolised Mary� in Catholic Church tradition. On the blue shield is the symbol of the Society of Jesus. The papal motto is the Latin phrase “miserando atque eligendo�, which means “having mercy, he called him�. The phrase refers to a line in a homily by St. Bede: “Because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him.� „ CNS

FROM the Bible to casinos, seven is often considered to be a magical, perfect and lucky number. Jesus told us to forgive those who hurt us 70 times seven times. # Š ' of the seven days of creation, Scripture speaks of seven archangels, and the Book of Revelation speaks of the Seven Seals of Revelation. The Bible is saturated with the number seven. It would take several pages just to list the references. What is true for the Christian Bible is paralleled elsewhere: There are seven lucky gods of good fortune in Japanese mythology, and the Buddhists believe that Buddha walked seven steps at his birth. In Judaism, there are seven days of mourning, the weekly Torah is divided into seven special sections, there are seven blessings recited at a Jewish wedding, the Jewish bride and groom are feted for seven days, and there are Š Q Q heaven and seven doors to hell. And then there are these facts connected to the number seven: There are seven continents in the world, seven colours to the rainbow, seven days in a week, seven basic musical notes, seven stars in the Big Dipper, and seven celestial bodies visible to the naked eye. Seven is the calling code for telephones in Russia. In North America, major-leagues base ' ' a seven-game series, and seven is the jersey number chosen by many elite athletes, including Mickey Mantle, a renowned American baseball player. Casinos too like the number seven. Lining up a row of sevens is the route to many a jackpot. Jesus, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, nature, the measurement of our weeks, Russian telephone codes, major league sports, Mickey Mantle and casinos – now that’s an audience! It’s no accident that there are lots of lists of sevens. For example, we have all kinds of theological and Church lists of seven: # ' % Š % > ? dom, Understanding, Council, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. Of Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth (Acedia), Š Š + * % # ‡ tues: Humility, Kindness, Patience, Diligence, Charity, Temperance and Chastity. It also speaks of the Seven Last Words of Jesus: “Father, for ' * ; Q * ~ Q * ? ; * 7 Š Š ' � * Q * Q 7 Š ' % % % > ‹ principle, wealth without work, commerce without morality, pleasure without conscience, education without character, science without hu ; ^ # added Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: The life and dignity * * * *

' ' * * Š @ creation. ^ # % % > Eucharist, reconciliation, healing of the sick, holy orders and matrimony. Seven Corporal Works of Mercy: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead. And Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy: Instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish sinners, bear wrongs the living and the dead. Moreover, Roman Catholics venerate the Seven % 7 > ; % “ loss of the child Jesus in the temple, meeting Jesus on the way of Calvary, Jesus dying on the cross, receiving the body of Jesus in her arms, placing the body of Jesus into the tomb. And of course, not least, we have the famous Seven Wonders of the World, though now there are arguments as to what precisely constitutes that list: Some argue for the original list, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, others propose the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, some speak of the Seven Wonders of the Contemporary World, and still ture and they list instead the Seven Natural Wonders of this World. % @ � ? % ? ? � Recently this story appeared on the Internet: A teacher asked her students to name the Seven Wonders of the World. A number of students, with the help no doubt of electronic gadgets, quickly produced the various lists. One young girl, however, without any electronic research, produced her own list. The Seven Wonders of the World she submitted are: seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, touching, breathing and loving. That list, I believe, trumps all other lists and includes all the sacraments. „

VOCATIONS 15

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

MESSAGE FOR THE 50TH WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

A sign of hope in faith Dear Brothers and Sisters, On the occasion of the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, to be held on April 21 2013, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, I want > ‡ tions as a sign of hope founded in faithâ€?, which happily occurs during the Year of ~ ' ‰† sary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. While the Council was in session, the Servant of God, Paul VI, instituted this day of worldwide prayer to God the Father, ' ' # ” 7 ž>–`• ; ‹ > because they depend on it for the religious future of Christian society, but also because indicator of the vitality of faith and love of # ? vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are to be found, that is where people are Š ”‹ ‡Q ^ 7 __ " _žÂ&#x; • During the intervening decades, the # the world have gathered each year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, united in prayer, ' Š tion of all, the urgent need to respond to the

Q priesthood and the consecrated life ever and pastoral action of the faithful. The foundation of Hope ' $ � + ' history of the people of Israel, recounted $ ; ' “ Š @ ‹ > " % ‹ › @ ›; @ ”^  >_`• $ history, then, is God’s faithfulness to the

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Q + ' ”_†>„–• ”_†>„„• % ~ + % ‹ # to be always ready to give an account of the — — ” –>_‰• q ”% % „• ˆ Z % is God’s faithfulness, to which we adhere Â? Q ÂĄ ~ % ” ^ ‰>‰• " / # dividual wants to do with his or her life, and what he or she is prepared to offer in order ; Š -

> ? ' Š ”_ /  >_Â&#x;• ; love, which penetrates well below the sur * @ * ' us trust in ourselves, in history and in other Q ' Q > ? would your life be without this love? God ' Q ^ + ÂĄ ”"

< ‹ ˆ % 7 =7 _ž / „†__• / / ' in our activities, with all our desires and our Q ' * ples that is the Church, and still today calls ; ; / „ Continued on page 16

16 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

A sign of hope in faith „ From Page 15

to say, “Come, follow me� (Mk 10:21). Accepting His invitation means no longer choosing our own path. Following Him means immersing our own will in the will of Jesus, truly giving Him priority, giving Him pride of place in every area of our lives: in the family, at work, in our personal interests, in ourselves. It means handing over our very lives to Him, living in profound intimacy with Him, entering through Him into communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit, and consequently with our brothers and sisters. This communion of life with Jesus is the privileged “setting� in which we can experience hope and in which life will be full and free. Personal encounter with Jesus Vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life are born out of the experience of a personal encounter #

dialogue with Him, so as to enter into His will. It is necessary, therefore, to grow in the experience of faith, understood as a profound relationship with Jesus, as inner attentiveness to His voice which is heard deep within us. This process, which enables us to respond positively to God’s call, is possible in Christian communities where the faith is lived intensely, where generous witness is given of adherence to the Gospel, where there is a strong sense

of mission which leads people to make the total gift of self for the Kingdom of God, nourished by recourse to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and by a fervent life of prayer. This latter “must on the one hand be something very personal, an encounter between my intimate self and God, the living God. On the other hand it must be constantly guided and enlightened by the great prayers of the Church and of the saints, by liturgical prayer, in which the Lord teaches us again and again how to pray properly�. (Spe Salvi, 34). Deep and constant prayer brings about growth in the faith of the Christian community, in the unceasingly renewed certainty that God never abandons His people and that He sustains them by raising up particular vocations – to the priesthood and the consecrated life – so that they can be signs of hope for the world. Indeed, priests and Religious are called to give themselves unconditionally to the People of God, in a service of love for the Gospel and the Church, serving that

openness to the divine. By means of the witness of their faith and apostolic zeal, therefore, they can transmit, especially to the younger generations, a strong desire to respond generously and promptly to Christ who calls them to follow Him more closely. Whenever a disciple of Jesus accepts the divine call to dedicate himself to the priestly ministry or to the consecrated life, we witness one of the most mature fruits of the Christian community, which helps us to look with particular trust and

hope to the future of the Church and to her commitment to evangelisation. This constantly requires new workers to preach the Gospel, to celebrate the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So let there be committed priests, who know how to accompany young people as “companions on the journey�, helping them, on life’s of Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6), telling them, with Gospel courage, how beautiful it is to serve God, the Christian community, one’s brothers and sisters. Let there be priests who manifest the fruitfulness of an enthusiastic commitment, which gives a sense of completeness to their lives, because it is founded on faith ” _ /  >_ž• Equally, I hope that young people, cial and ephemeral options, will be able to cultivate a desire for what is truly worthy, for lofty objectives, radical choices, service to others in imitation of Jesus. Dear young people, do not be afraid to follow Him and to walk the demanding and courageous paths of charity and generous commitment! In that way you will be happy to serve, you will be witnesses of a joy that the world cannot give, you will love, you will learn to “give an account of the hope that is within you� (1 Pt 3:15)! „ Published on Oct 6, 2012

BENEDICTUS XVI, POPE EMERITUS

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

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18 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Canossian nuns in palliative care By Martin See It is a work of love, patience and understanding, say three Canossian nuns involved in palliative care at St Joseph’s Home on Jurong Road. “Palliative care is quality and holistic care for those with advanced and progressive diseases,� says Sr Geraldine Tan. It is “to provide comfort and help to patients to stay pain-free and symptom-free so that they may experience spiritual, psychological, social and physical respite�. This help is also extended to the families of those who are dying “before and after the passing of their loved ones�, said the nun who is administrator of the home. She was recently featured in a

+ ~ " work and contributions in palliative care. Sr Geraldine told CatholicNews that on average, patients stay at the home for about two to three months before they pass on. " _ = to the nursing home which has _†† “Those in the nursing home stay for rehabilitation after hospitalisation or for the long term,� she said “Most of those in the nursing home have no families and come from very low income groups.� Sr Geraldine shared that her calling to join the Canossian congregation stems from her conviction that “we are a group of Sisters who are passionate for God and all His people. We have a giving heart and go the extra mile to serve�. One of the Sisters who was in the pioneer batch that started % / @ _ž˜` % 7 ; ‰ ago when I said ‘yes’ to my calling as a nun, it was a heartfelt and serious commitment for me to

carry out my duties for the love of Christ and humanityâ€?. The nun, who provides pastoral care to patients, said she sees to the spiritual needs of the sick. " # Masses are held there twice a week to enable Catholic patients to draw strength from God in their last days. Sr Mary shared that when she was a novice, she went to Hong ‚ _ž‰ž=_žÂ&#x;„ as the congregation did not have a novitiate house in Singapore then. “My novice mistress noticed that I had a special inclination to care for the sick and asked if I wanted to pursue nursing, and I said I would like to. Therefore _žÂ&#x;–=_žÂ&#x;‰ Q % " drew Hospital in England for my nursing training and I became a state registered nurse.â€? % 7 the sick. She added that a simple gesture like a pat on the shoulder is enough to comfort patients. “When they are dying, I sit and pray with them regardless of their religion,â€? she said. “I would hold the person’s hand and give them assurance that he or she is not alone. That touch and a short prayer help them make that transition to death and not be frightened. Even non-Catholics would like a simple prayer to God for a peaceful passing.â€? " % % 7 Roza, shared with CatholicNews her calling and battle with cancer. % ‰_ # -

Sr Mary Tan tending to a patient at St Joseph’s Home.

Serving at St Joseph’s Home: (from left) Sr Marie de Roza counsels nurses, Sr Mary Tan provides pastoral care for patients, and Sr Geraldine Tan, administrator of the home.

_˜ Her background was in primary school teaching. She taught % " @ # years and later at Canossa Convent for another six years. " % ' I wanted to do mission work,� she % " for studies and later taught cat _„ ˆ and four years in Brisbane from _ž`„=_ž`‰ Her calling to be a nun came when she was a primary and later a secondary pupil at St " @ # She recalled being fascinated and in awe of the Canossian nuns who were running the school. “I wanted to be like them and form a close bond with

God and I was invited to join the _Â&#x; one of the Italian nuns,â€? she recalled. “My hope was to be a teacher and a nun too, so being a Canossian at that time suited my gifts from God.â€? Sr Marie’s role at the home is to counsel the nurses and to look after their well-being. “Most of the nurses are from Myanmar and some from India. They feel homesick and can get lonely. The work they do is also very challenging so I offer them counsel,â€? she said. % 7 _žž† ˆ % hard to accept as she had been healthy all her life. “When I got sick I realised that God was my teacher and I had to learn to stay strong spiritually to get well,â€? she said. Q „††‰ relapse of the cancer after it was in _‰ ˆ „††ž Sr Marie says she is now well after rigorous treatment and is thankful for her “new lease of lifeâ€?. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

When a family member requires palliative care Those with family members who require palliative care must be understanding, patient and caring towards their loved ones, advises Sr Geraldine. Care-givers must know that those who are sick have it “thrust upon them without sition to be in�. “The patients are also learning how to accept their illnesses,� she added. She said that in the case of chronic illnesses, patients initially receive support. However, over time, the support diminishes as caregivers and others take it as a norm for the patient to be ' " patient begins to lose that care and support. Sr Geraldine encourages care-givers to “not lose hope and continue giving their care and support� because the patients need that hope to live their last days. „

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

VOCATIONS 21

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Pray always By Fr Ronald Rolheiser, OMI

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22 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Holiness is saying ‘yes’ to God By Fr John Catoir There are countless ways of living in holiness. Holiness is God living in you and your response to that divine presence. The degree to which we are able to turn our lives over to God will differ from person to person. Some are better at it than others. Pure prayer is one way of giving yourself to God as best you can. An outstanding example of holiness is found in the life of St Therese, the Little Flower of Lisieux. On her deathbed, she said that everything she ever did was to make God happy. In other words, she tried to do what pleased the Lord and one way to do this was to focus on the positive. Pope Benedict XVI praised this approach to holiness. He wrote, “The saint is the person who is so fascinated by the beauty of God and by His perfect truth as to be progressively transformed by it. Because of this beauty and truth, he is ready to renounce everything�. Holiness is a gift, but it is also a striving to give yourself to God

in such a way that His good pleasure and happiness becomes your joy and good. When Jesus said He came so “that your joy might be full�, He was telling us that it ' our joy in Him. Many Catholics emphasise the idea of not offending God to avoid the pains of hell, which, of course, is a good thing. However, it falls short of the higher good, namely that of striving to please God and to make Him happy. When you emphasise the idea of pleasing God, then all the sac ' to improve your relationship with God. You will no longer be afraid of Him, and your sense of union

Holiness is not something that comes from doing what is good. We do what is good because we are holy.

with God will be more intimate. Think about it: Your union with God depends more on God’s love for you than on your love for God. You are powerless to make yourself more holy. The only thing you can give God that is truly yours to give is your trust. We all depend on the grace of God to carry out our noble desires Q  `>_† cret of true dependence: “Do not be saddened this day, for rejoic-

ing in the Lord is your strength.� Holiness is not something that comes from doing what is good. We do what is good because we are holy. Holiness is not something that comes from giving a lifetime of service to others; we give a lifetime of service because we are holy. The great foundation of the spiritual life is to give yourself to God. Giving is in the will, not in the feelings. The will has only one function, to say yes or no. „ CNS

VOCATIONS 23

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

# $ By Fr William J Byron When the Year of Faith opened last October, Pope Benedict XVI invited the whole Church into “a rediscovery of the faith�. He later decided to vacate the chair of Peter and now pursues his discovery. The prayers of the entire Catholic world are with him on that journey. His prayers are undoubtedly with the rest of us as we follow the faith and move into our own unknown future. Fr Adolfo Nicolas, the superior general of the Jesuits, has, in response to Pope Benedict’s invitation to a Year of Faith, asked Jesuits worldwide this question: “What lights, shadows, challenges and opportunities do we see in our environment with regard to faith?� And he followed that question with another: “What operative role does faith actually play in my life: for example, in my work, in Q in the way I use time, resources, energy?� And he then extended that question by asking: “What do I experience as challenges or ob-

I think of religious faith as the act, the attitude, the mindset by which we entrust ourselves to God. In my view, faith and trust are twins. stacles to faith, and what sustains and deepens my faith?� Those questions are worthy of consideration by all Catholics and I’d like to provide some impetus I think of religious faith as the act, the attitude, the mindset by which we entrust ourselves to God. In my view, faith and trust are twins. There is content to faith, of course. We make statements about who God is and what God has done in creation and throughout human history. But propositional faith and attitudinal faith are different realities. There is no truth at all to that childhood chant, “seeing is believing; seeing is believing�.

You do not believe what you see, you know it. You have sensible experience of it and you just know. What you do not or cannot see, you can still believe (and thus know) on evidence given to you by another – a trustworthy other. In this case, you do not see, but you surely know. For me, faith is indeed the act by which I entrust myself to God. I don’t have “faith in the future�, for example; my faith is in God. One of the challenges to my faith is not classic atheism but what Jesuit Fr John Courtney 7 as “atheism by distraction�. Given the achievements of science, technology and engineering that meet my needs for water, food, health care and national security, I am distracted away from a sense of my dependence on God. Hence, I become an atheist by distraction. For me, the remedy for this is an abiding sense of gratitude. Building a spirituality based on gratitude is one way, by God’s grace, of deepening my faith. Jesuit Fr William J. Byron is university professor of business and society at St Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, USA.

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

VOCATIONS 25

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Woman uses marathon to pursue vocation FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, USA – A California-native is running 42 km to support her vocation as a cloistered nun. But before Ms Jenn Garza can join the contemplative Norbertine Sisters, she must pay off nearly US$53,000 (S$66,000) in student loans. Although Ms Garza works two jobs, the 26-year-old said she “wouldn’t be able to pay off my student loans in any short amount of time�. However – with a background sonal trainer in New York City – Ms Garza said she realised through “a lot of prayer and discernment� that the best way to pay off her debt would be to ask supporters to sponsor her as she runs the southern California OC Marathon in May. Dubbing it the Litany Run, Ms Garza will commit to pray for each one of her supporters during the grueling 42 km race by listening to a voice recording of all the prayer intentions. Whether supporters can spon Ms Garza wants people to send her their prayer requests so she as to better prepare for life in the monastery. “I really feel the Lord calling me to complete this marathon through prayer,� she said. “As a nun, I’m going to be dedicating my life to the glory of God and the salvation of souls through prayer.� Raised Catholic, Ms Garza said that “like many people of our generation� she was “never ' idea of discernment� or the idea that a “Religious vocation might be something that I should even think about�. After high school, Ms Garza moved to New York City where she worked and studied and even spent time in London. “I planned on just living on the East Coast forever and being a world traveller and never com ' # plained. Although she was involved with her youth group and many parish activities as a teen, it was not until Ms Garza attended World Youth Day in 2011 with a young adult group that she was able to witness the “joy� and “hu-

manity� of priests and Religious. It was then that Ms Garza felt that she was being called to discern the Religious life. “I discovered that Religious Brothers and Sisters and priests are not people who are as removed from the laity, as I always had felt growing up,� Ms Garza said. While on the pilgrimage Ms Garza began to “have feelings that God might be calling me into discernment� even though days earlier she had mentioned to a friend that she would “never become a nun�, as a group of them walked by her. Ms Garza said she began to “have some small conversations� with priests and Religious in the group and even told a priest whom she went to for confession that she believed God was inviting her to discern the Religious life.

‘

I was kind of like a deer in the headlights realising that I was being hit with exactly what the Lord had been calling me to all along.

’

– Ms Jenn Garza

One evening during the trip, she and the group were unable to

took refuge under a tree. Despite a torrential downpour, Ms Garza was struck by how joyfully the nuns sang Night Prayers. “That was really the moment when I felt the Lord just telling me to take a look around and see all these beautiful Sisters and how joyful they were in their vocations,� she said. “I felt like that was the moment He was inviting me to truly begin seriously discerning Religious life.� When she arrived home in the United States, Ms Garza began researching and visiting various active communities. It was not until Ms Garza was invited to visit the website for the Norbertine Community of the Bethlehem Priory of St Joseph that she realised God was calling her into an even deeper life of

A woman running a marathon. Ms Jenn Garza intends to run a marathon to raise funds to pay off her student loans before pursuing her vocation to be a nun. CNS photo

prayer though the contemplative life in a cloistered monastery in her home diocese of Fresno, California. “I was kind of like a deer in the headlights realising that I was Lord had been calling me to all along,� she said. However, rather than being 7 Š za said she recognises the pros Soon after visiting, Ms Garza applied, was accepted and has been given an entrance date of the Feast of St Augustine, Aug 28, 2013. Founded in 1121 by St Norbert of Xanten, the order is one of However, the particular community that Ms Garza will enter was established in 1997 when the Norbertine Community of St Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, California, desired to have a group of nuns dedicated to praying for the order. Ms Garza said that the best practice for any young adult discerning a vocation, be it marriage, Religious life or the priesthood, is to make time with God a “priority�. “When we take the time to + plained, “He starts to speak to our hearts in ways that we’re not able to hear in the world.� „ CNA/EWTN NEWS

26 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

VOCATION DISCERNMENT BROTHERS OF ST GABRIEL Interested parties can contact the Vocation Director, Brothers of St Gabriel, St Gabriel’s Fraternity, Changi 14 Lor 105 Changi, Singapore 426509 Tel: 64978353. Email: bsgvocation@gmail.com CARMELITE FATHERS ORDER OF CARMELITES, DISCALCED Vocation Discernment Retreat. Date/Time: Wed, Aug 7, 4.30pm to Fri, Aug 9, 1pm. Venue: Carmelite Formation House, 203J Ponggol 17th Ave, Singapore 829729. Title: “It is your face, O Lord, that I seek� (Ps 27:8). Contact person: Fr Ferdinand Purnomo. Email: ocdfriarsvocations_sg@yahoo. com.sg CONGREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER (REDEMPTORISTS) The discernment programme is an on-going one. Priests make themselves available to every individual aspirant who is interested in the Redemptorists for some quality one-to-one time of sharing and discernment. They are invited to contact the priests to arrange for a stay-in experience. Address: 11 Nallur Rd, Singapore 456610 Email: secretariat@novenachurch. com, sppadre77@gmail.com (Fr Simon Pereira). Tel: 9476 2985, 6255 2133 DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL Discovering Your Life Purpose. We invite young ladies to join us for a movie discussion on Friday, Apr 26 at 7.15pm at Church of St Francis of Assisi. To register rmail: sjveritasfsp@gmail. com before Apr 20. Contact person: Sr Jocelyn Kwek DE LA SALLE BROTHERS Interested parties can contact Vocation Director: Br Arianwen Lopez, 19 Malcolm Park, Singapore 308300. Email: arweefsc@gmail.com Formation House: La Salle Novitiate, 4217 Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines. DIOCESAN VOCATION DISCERNMENT RECOLLECTION Theme: “Not Sure, Not Yet, Not Me� Date / Time: May 17 (7.30pm) to May 18 (1pm). Venue: St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. Eligibility: Single male Catholics aged 18-35 years old. Registration: seminariansonline@gmail.com

FRANCISCAN FRIARS OFM Regular discernment evenings themed “Chill out with Franciscan Friars�. It is held once every two months. The next one will be on Apr 21 at 6.30pm. Inviting interested men to come for an evening of prayer, chat, vocation talk and discussion on discernment followed by a simple meal and also to hang out with the friars. Location: St Anthony Friary, 5 Bukit Batok East Ave 2, Singapore 659918 (same compound as the Church of St Mary of the Angels). Contact person: Fr Joe Nathan, vocation director. Tel: 6896 1050. Email: joedanielcool@gmail.com, GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS COMMUNITIES Vocation Talk: In the Footsteps of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Date: Sun. Apr 28, 2013. Time: 2-5pm. Register by Apr 15 Day of Recollection: In the Footsteps of

Jesus the Good Shepherd. Date: Sat, May 18. Time: 10am to 4pm. Register by May 3, 2013 For both programmes:

Venue: Good Shepherd Restful Waters, 25 Nallur Road, Singapore 456650. Email: gssmmission@yahoo.com.sg. Contact person: Melina Ong Tel: 62422925 SOCIETY OF JESUS (JESUITS) Jesuit Vocation Seminar: “Becoming a Jesuit – A journey of the mind, heart and spirit�. Time / Date: 2-8pm, Sat, May 25. Venue: Loyola Jesuit Novitiate, Kingsmead Hall, 8 Victoria Park Road. Singapore 266492 (behind Church of St Ignatius). Contact person: Br Jerome Leon, Tel: 97119717, Email: mas-vocations@jesuits.net to register. Event includes Eucharist and dinner Jesuit Vocation Seminar: “Becoming a

Jesuit – A journey of the mind, heart and spirit�. Time / Date: 2-8pm (including Eucharist and dinner), Sat, Jun 29. Venue: Loyola Jesuit Novitiate, Kingsmead Hall, 8 Victoria Park Road. S(266492). Contact person: Br Jerome Leon Tel: 97119717 Email: mas-vocations@jesuits.net to register. Event includes attending ordination Mass of Deacon Adrian Danker and dinner

Prayer for Vocations to the Priestly and Religious Life Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, show forth, we beseech Thee, in Thy Church the Holy Spirit with

0 We thank Thee for the blessings bestowed upon the work of priests and Religious; and we pray that Thou wilt add to the number of those who now pray, labour,

= '

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Q ' 0 ! good Jesus, give us more priests and Religious after ' / 0

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

St Galdinus Galdinus (1100-1176) was born into an important Italian family, and he became both a chancellor and an archdeacon in Milan. In those positions he earned the respect of the people of the city and the other members of the clergy because of the way he served dur Q __Â&#x;‰ of cardinal, and one year later He was appointed archbishop after the death of Archbishop Hubert. As archbishop he reached out to help the poor who were in need, but he also tried to reestablish discipline among the clergy, who had become weak # Galdinus often preached against false doctrines and actually died while giving a particularly strong sermon on the topic. We honour him on April 18. „

given to those who obey Him.� This made the members of the Sanhedrin so angry they wanted to have the apostles sentenced to death, but Gamaliel, one of their own, told the Sanhedrin to be careful because the men were protected by God. „ Read more about it: Acts 5

Q&A 1. Who let the apostles out of jail? 2. Who did Peter say he would obey?

WORDSEARCH:

PUZZLE:

„ SIGNS

„ WONDERS

„ MIRACLES

„ HEALING

„ APOSTLES

„ JESUS

„ JAIL

„ ANGEL

„ COURT

„ PETER

Bible Accent: An apostle is a person who is sent out to deliver a message or follow the instructions of his or her leader. In the Bible, by Jesus to be His closest followers and later to minister to the world after Jesus had ascended into Heaven. The four Gospels tell us how the apostles were with Jesus throughout His ministry. These men were with Jesus when He performed miracles, when He preached, and when He dined with them for the last time before His death and resurrection. The Acts of the Apostles, a book of the Bible, tells early Christians. The conversion and missionary work of St Paul is an important part of this book, and some of the letters he wrote are included in the New Testament. „

Using the Acts of the Apostles as a guide, answer the questions using names from the following list. Chapter numbers have been provided as hints. Not all names in the list will be used. James, Peter, Ananias, Jesse, Saul, Stephen, Cornelius, Matthias, Judas 1. Who was chosen to replace Judas? (1) 2. Who spoke to the crowd after the Holy Spirit came down? (2) 3. Who tried to cheat the apostles with his donation? (5) martyr? (7) 5. Who was blinded before he became a Christian? (9) receive the Holy Spirit? (10) 7. Who asked the Jewish Christians to “stop troubling the gentiles�? (15)

KIDS’ CLUB: Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: Why is the work of the early Christians so important to us today?

3. Ananias, Cornelius,

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

to stop teaching in that name? Yet / teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.� Peter, who was one of the apostles there, said, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had Him killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him at His right hand as leader and saviour to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has

Answers to Puzzles 1. Matthias, 2. Peter, 4. Stephen, 5. Saul, 6. 7. James

Because of the signs, wonders and miracles of healing that were being performed by the apostles, many people came to believe in Jesus Christ, but the high priest and the Sadducees were jealous of the popularity of the apostles so they had them arrested and thrown in jail. While the men were in their jail cells, an angel of the Lord came to them during the night and unlocked the doors. As the angel freed the apostles, he said to them, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.� The apostles obeyed the Lord’s instructions and went to the temple early the next morning to teach about Jesus. Not knowing what had hap-

pened, the high priest called a meeting of the Sanhedrin, a court, and sent ; with a report for the high priest. “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.� While the high priests and the Sadducees were wondering what to do next, another man came with a new report. “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.� The priests sent and bring them to the court but without violence because they were afraid that would anger the people of Israel. When the apostles were in front of them, the high priest said, “We gave you strict orders, did we not,

Answers to Wordsearch:

By Joe Sarnicola

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Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

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WHAT’S ON 29

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ 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

ALPHA COURSE The Alpha course helps people have a basic understanding of the Christian faith. Course welcomes Christians and non-Christians.

SATURDAYS APRIL 20 TO JULY 6 2.45-5.15pm: At Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Register T: 9790 3361 (Audrey), 9634 5448 (Martinus)

RCIA/RCIY/ RCIC

SUNDAYS APRIL 28 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER 10.30am-12pm: For those aged 15-21. At Church of Divine Mercy (63 Chartwell Drive) Register T: 9751 3448 (Mark); E: tctay60@gmail.com THURSDAYS MAY 2 RCIA@BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH 8pm: At Blessed Sacrament Church St James Room (1 Commonwealth Dr). Register T: 6474 0582 (Dominic); E: rcia@bsc.org.sg SATURDAYS MAY 4 RCIY@CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 3.30-6.45pm: For those aged 15-21. At Church of Christ the King Room 105 (At 2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8). Register T: 9667 9952 (Iris), 9362 8263 (Daryl); E: rciyctk@gmail.com

TUESDAYS JUNE 18 RCIA@CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL 7.30-9.30pm: With Info Night on June 18. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul (225A ¨ % • ^ ;> Â&#x;––˜ „‰`‰ ” • ž˜‰– Â&#x;`Â&#x;– (Joanna); E: sng.joanna@gmail.com

THURSDAYS MAY 30 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL 8pm: With Info Night on April 23. Enquiries welcome on RCIY and RCIA (Mandarin). At Church of St Vincent de Paul (At 301 Yio Chu Kang Rd). T: 6482 0959

WEDNESDAYS JUNE 19 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY 7.45-9.45pm: At Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hall A/B 3rd Floor of Parish Centre (24 Highland Rd). Register T: 9627 3835 (Nancy), 9616 2001 (Agnes); E: rcia@ihm.sg; W: http://ihm.sg/rcia

SATURDAYS MAY 4 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 4-6pm: For those aged 15-22. At Church of St Ignatius Attic (At 120 King’s Rd). Register T: 9762 6330 (Evelyn), 9362 0912 (Pascalene); E: rciy.ignatius@gmail.com

SUNDAYS JUNE 8 RCIC/RCIY@CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 9.45am (RCIC), 3pm (RCIY). At Church of the Holy Spirit (248 Upper Thomson Rd). RCIC for 7 to 12 years old. RCIY for 13 to 20 years old. T: 9740 3993 (Jamie – RCIC), 8499 9420 (Elizabeth – RCIY); E: jamie_ze_pig@hotmail.com (RCIC), lizjteh@gmail.com (RCIY)

WEDNESDAYS MAY 8 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 8pm: At Church of St Francis of Assisi Level 2 RCIA Room (At 200 Boon Lay Avenue). Register T: 6262 4193 (Joachim); E: joachimliu@sfa-parish.org.sg

TUESDAYS JUNE 11 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY 7.45pm: At Church of the Holy Trinity (20 Tampines St 11). Register T: 8444 5505 (Gregory); “> §

MONDAY APRIL 15, THURSDAY APRIL 18 TO SATURDAY APRIL 20 REDISCOVERING THE MASS IN THE 21ST CENTURY 7-10pm (April 15,18,19), 9am-12pm (April 20): An exclusive series on Liturgy & Music by Sr Dr Maria Cecilia Pia Manelli, FI. PhD from Italy.Cost: $20 (each talk), $50 (for the series). By Liturgical Commission of Singapore. Register E: lmcsingapore@gmail.com with name, parish and number of talks attending

SATURDAYS APRIL 20 AND APRIL 27 PARENTS AS LEARNING COACHES WORKSHOP 9am-1pm: A two-session workshop to help parents identify their child’s strengths, the different types of intelligences and learning styles to maximize learning. With experiential activities, small group discussion, demonstrations, case studies " 7 % Community Services (4 Lor Low Koon). Register T: 6285 1377; E: programs@morningstar.org.sg

Gatenby on how to intercede effectively according to the heart and will of God. Cost: $20. By SACCRE. At Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall. Register E: jttb_toh@yahoo.com.sg

APRIL 15 OPENING MASS FOR XV SEAMS CONGRESS 6-7pm: Join Religious from South East Asia in the opening Mass of the XV Southeast Asia Major Superiors congress. Main celebrant: Archbishop Nicholas Chia. Concelebrants: Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Bishop Paul Tan, SJ, and Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh. At Church of St Ignatius

APRIL 21 NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS 11am: Learn how to use the knowledge of one’s fertility to make decisions on whether to achieve or to space out pregnancy according to Church teachings, using the Billings Ovulation Method. At Church of the Holy Cross (Room 0303). Register E: bern.and.matt@gmail.com

A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors.

FRIDAYS APRIL 26 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST TERESA 7.45-9pm: At Church of St Teresa 4th Level St Paul Room Parish House (510 Kampong Bahru Rd). Register T: 9769 1691, 6271 1184; E: stteresa@ * SATURDAYS APRIL 27 RCIY@CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY 2.30-4pm: For those aged 13-22. At Church of St Francis Xavier (19 Pasir Ris St 72) Register T: 8133 3078 (Leonard); E:rciy@divinemercy.sg

WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 TO FRIDAY APRIL 19 TALKS ON VOCATIONS 745-10pm (daily): Topics are: Discerning your Vocation; When Torn between 2 lovers – Marriage vs Priesthood; Joys of Religious Vocation. All welcome. At Church of Our Lady Star of Sea (0216/20). Register E: wheatanddarnel@ gmail.com; FB: http://www.facebook.com/ events/325309970905288/?fref=ts APRIL 17 HOLY HOUR FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS 7.30-8.30pm: Serra Club of Singapore’s bi-monthly Holy Hour for vocation and for our priests. At Church of St Bernadette (Adoration Rm). E: clara@serrasingapore.org APRIL 19 SACCRE HEALING RALLY 7.30-10pm: Theme: Your faith has saved you. Preaching of God’s word and praying for healing by Robert Canton from the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal. At Church of the Risen Christ. Register T: 8322 1696, 91395518; E: gerard_jess@singnet.com.sg SATURDAYS APRIL 20 TO JULY 13 CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAMME 6.30-9.30pm: An initiation course leading to a Life in the Holy Spirit. Open to all singles, couples, and those with spouses away. By Couples for Christ/Singles for Christ. At Blessed Sacrament Church. T: 9829 1734 (Paolo), 8233 7919 (Ann), 8322 0837 (Hariete) APRIL 20 50TH DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS 3pm: Holy Hour followed by Mass at 5pm. At Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea. APRIL 20 CATHOLIC SINGLES DINNER AT HANS 5.30-9pm: For fellowship and dinner. Meet other Catholic singles from over Singapore. A good way for Catholic singles to feel at home within the Church. Pay what you order. At Hans CafÊ Pickering St Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail. com; FB: https://www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesSingapore

APRIL 21 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS IN TAMIL 6.30-9pm: St Joseph Tamil Prayer Group will celebrate its 7th Anniversary of Divine Mercy Prayers in Tamil with Mass at 7pm. All welcome. At Blessed Sacrament Church. MONDAYS APRIL 22 TO MAY 13 ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUP 7-8.30pm: For individuals who are struggling with issues of anxiety. The support group is designed to help persons share experiences, exchange information, develop appropriate coping skills and natural support systems. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register: 67577 990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org WEDNESDAYS APRIL 24 AND MAY 1 PILGRIMAGE IN MY BACKYARD 6.30pm (April 24), 10am (May 1): Take a walk through the Church of the Nativity of the BVM and see how the Catholic faith 160 years. Register T: 6336 4815/6336 4467; E: cana@catholiccentre.com.sg APRIL 24 MASS FOR VOCATIONS 8pm: Celebrated by Fr Michael Sitaram. Topic: Vocation a Divine Calling. All welcomed. At Church of the Holy Family Function Room Level 4. APRIL 26 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR CHILDREN 7.45-9pm: Inviting children, parents, catechists to spend time with Jesus before the Blessed Sacrament. At Church of the Holy Spirit (main church). T: 93625408 (Sr Angeline) E: childreneucharisticadora@gmail.com APRIL 26 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS `=ž –† > ? adoration and benediction. By Generation Christ! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius (St Francis Xavier Chapel Kingsmead Hall). E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com SATURDAY APRIL 27 AND SUNDAY APRIL 28 THE POWER OF INTERCESSION 7pm: Talks and workshops by Anne Marie

CLASSIFIED

FRIDAYS MAY 10 RCIY@ CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 8pm: For those aged 13-17. At Church of St Francis of Assisi Level 2 RCIA Room (At 200 Boon Lay Avenue). Register T: 6262 4193 (Joachim); E: joachimliu@sfa-parish.org.sg

SATURDAY APRIL 27 AND SUNDAY APRIL 28 SEMINAR ON CREDO (BAHASA INDONESIAN) 9.30am-7pm (Sat), 8.30am-2pm (Sun): Conducted by Fr Robby Wowor, OFM, in Bahasa Indonesia. By Indonesian Charismatic Catholic Group of Holy Spirit. At Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre. Register 8299 4171 (Vero), 9615 9551 (Vonny)

Please turn to pages 30 and 31 for more in memoriam and

Crossword Puzzle 1082 1

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APRIL 27 EARTH DAY CELEBRATION – DINNER WITH A DIFFERENCE 7pm: Join the Secular Franciscans for a celebration of Mother Earth and all that she yields to nourish and care for us. Cost: $20. At Church of the Holy Spirit. Register T: 9008 0544/9756 0239; E: earthdaylove@gmail.com

APRIL 30 MASS OF HOPE 7.30pm: The Mass of Hope hopes to offer an opportunity for families to

of miscarriages, stillbirths or even abortion. By Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Team. At Church of OLPS (31 Siglap Hill). Register E: massofhope@gmail.com; T: 9070 1190 (Alex/Jocelyn); \W: www.massofhope.org

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FRIDAYS JULY 5 RCIA@ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 8pm-10pm: At Church of Christ the King (2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8). Register at “> q §

38

APRIL 28 JOURNEY TO EMMAUS – FROM GRIEF TO HEALING 2-5pm: Sr Florence Wong, FMDM, of Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Team, Singapore, will conduct a session allowing a road to recovery for parents grieving over miscarriages and stillbirths. Maximum 15 couples. By Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Team. At Church of OLPS (31 Siglap Hill). Register E: massofhope@gmail.com; T: 9070 1190 (Alex/Jocelyn); \W: www.massofhope.org

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.

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 patraonage in times

FRIDAYS JUNE 28 RCIY@ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST 8pm: For those aged 15-25. At Church of the Risen Christ St Matthew Room (91 Toa Payoh Central). Register T: 9489 8086 (Jeremy); E: jeremyleehr@gmail.com

APRIL 27 TRANSITION AT MIDLIFE 9am-1pm: The talk will cover topics such as Problem to Promise: Negotiating the Passage into Midlife; The Invitations of Midlife Necessary Losses: Making space for the New Broken Dreams and Future Vision. Conducted by Sr Linda Lizada. Cost: $20. By Clarity Singapore. At National Volunteers & Philanthropy Centre (6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-88, The Central, NPH2 Level 3). Register T: 6757 7990/9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org

APRIL 28 TO JUNE 2 MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE For couples intending to get married. $ = = Quarter 3 course from July 21 to Aug 25. T: 9839 9840 (Ron/Grace); E: mpcsingapore@gmail.com; Register in parishes or W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/mpc

THANKSGIVING Deepest thank you to Lord Jesus, Mother Mary and special thanks to St Jude, for helping me to pay all my debts. Please continue to bless me and hear me. Aida

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Saint of desperate cases 5 Tempo 9 Place for sacred vessels 14 From scratch 15 Asian inland sea 16 Angers 17 Motion picture 18 Unattractive 19 Comment to the audience 20 Some ESPN highlights 21 Grad 22 Box 23 Hairdo 25 Type of trombone mute 28 “Last King of Scotlandâ€? subject 29 Sunday talks 33 Bowl, perhaps 36 Muscular type 37 Bathing suit top 38 A gift of the wise men 39 Alternative name for the Pentateuch 40 David or Solomon 41 United States farmer’s org. 42 Church dignitary 43 Public transports 44 Portrayed 46 “I believe in ____‌â€? 47 Going well 48 The Archdiocese of Rabat is here 52 St. Peter’s feast day is the 29th of

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24 Posterior 25 â€œâ€Śshe shall be called ___, because she was taken‌â€? (Gen 2:23) 26 Eastern governess „˜ ~ 29 King of Judea at the time of Christ’s birth 30 Wading bird 31 Sea eagle 32 Droops 33 Culture medium 34 Traveled 35 Style 36 Land of milk and _______ 39 Sailors 40 Accolade 42 Business bigwig (abbr.) 43 â€œâ€Śin the city of

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30 IN MEMORIAM Twenty-second Anniversary In loving memory of

KURIAN SEBASTIAN Departed: Apr 24, 1991

Thank you for the years we shared Thank you for the way you cared We loved you then and we love you still Forget you, we never will. Lovingly remembered by wife Ivy Sebastian nee Ivy Paglar, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Wednesday, April 24 at 6.15pm.

Thirteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

JOSEPH DORAI Departed: Apr 21, 2000 Not only today but everyday We can feel you in our lives. We know you’re watching and praying for each of us, We love you and will always miss you. Always cherished by your loving wife, children, son-in-laws and grandchildren. Twentieth Anniversary In loving memory of

Sunday April 21, 2013 CatholicNews

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of

XAVIER CHARLES Departed: Apr 18, 2000 YVONNE YEO We often think SIEW ENG of bygone days Departed: Apr 17, 2010 When we were together We speak your name The family chain With love and pride is broken We smile with tears But memories of you we cannot hide will always stay. We thank you for the Always remembered years we shared by loving wife, children The love you gave, and loved ones. the way you cared Mass will be Fondly remembered celebrated at Church and dearly missed of St Teresa on by your children, Thursday Apr 18, grandchildren 2013 at 6.00pm. and all loved ones. Tenth Anniversary Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of In loving memory of

AGNES ANNE CHRISTOPHER PEREIRA TAN SOO LONG Departed: Apr 28, 2005 Departed: Apr 17, 2003 I have lost my Lord, at your passion soul’s companion, love did conquer fear, A life linked Now share that triumph with my own; with his soul so dear And day by day Banish his sorrow, I miss her more, let your light shine As I walk O grant him pardon, through life alone. Jesus Saviour blest And give his spirit Always loved and light and endless rest. deeply missed by Tom, children Always in our hearts: and grandson. children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mass will be offered on Apr 17 at St Joseph’s First Anniversary Church, at 6.30pm. In loving memory of May she rest in peace.

Twenty-second Anniversary In loving memory of

ANTHONY RAJANDRAN Departed: Apr 26, 1991 Gone from our lives One so dear But in our hearts Forever near. Dearly missed by wife Nelly, daughter Caroline, son-in-law Robert, granddaughters Audrey & Amelia.

In loving memory of

Dear parents We’re assured of your love Even though we’re apart ‘Cause so much we’ve shared Is written in our hearts.

Twentieth Anniversary

Twenty third Anniversary

CECILIA CHEW CHENG NAI Departed: Apr 13, 2012

IRENE LOW GECK MUI Departed: Sep 21, 1993

JOSEPH LOW NAM HWA Departed: Dec 7, 1990

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls rest in peace. AMEN. WZXY Remembered by family and friends. WZXY

In loving memory of Twenty-Sixth Anniversary

V. PINNAVANAM ANTHONY GNANAPRAGASAM AMBLOR MARY Departed: Apr 26, 1994 May 18, 2011

In loving memory of First Anniversary

Fourth Anniversary

“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you I have called you by your name, you are mine.”

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

KOH GUAN YAM JENNY CHEOK Departed: Jun 19, 1987 Apr 18, 2009

Deeply missed and always remembered by family and all loved ones.

Fondly remembered by family and loved ones. Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

PETER SOH POH MIN Departed: Apr 14, 2009 Time may heal the broken heart Time may make the wound less sore But time can never stop the longing For the loved ones gone before. Dearly missed by wife, Helen and all loved ones. In ever loving memory of our dearest sister who touched our lives in a most special way

Eleventh Anniversary In loving memory of

X. FRANCIS FERNANDEZ Departed: Apr 17, 1993 God looked around His garden And found an empty place He then looked down upon this Earth And saw your tired face. He put his arms around you And lifted you to rest God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. Deeply missed and always remembered by wife Fernandez Mary Celine, children and loved ones.

OBITUARY THANKSGIVING MASS You are cordially invited to celebrate the life of

LEE RUI FENG, DOMINIQUE SARRON Departed: Apr 17, 2012 You left us so suddenly Without a word of goodbye The thought of you still make us cry We love you so much our precious love But someone loves you more up above You’re an angel now we believe God in His time will take away our grief. Dearly missed by parents, brother Daryl, grand-parents, aunties, uncles and cousins

NALPON PETER DAMIAN Called home to be with the Lord on May 3, 2002 Dad, Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts. Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on April 27, 2013 at 6.15pm. Deeply missed by wife, children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

ADOLF HERMAN DE SOUZA Departed: Apr 22, 2008 Our Lord Jesus knew what was best He took you home for eternal rest We wiped our tears and tried not to be sad And remember the precious times we had. Always remembered by family and all loved ones. Mass will be celebrated at 6.15pm on Monday April 22, 2013 in the Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary.

JOSEPHINE (LINDA) SILVA (Daughter of Joseph & Julianal Silva) Called home to the Lord on 20th April 2004

18th Anniversary In loving memory of

Take her in your arms, dear Lord and ever let her be, A messenger of love Between our hearts and thee. Mass will be offered at Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on Saturday April 20, 2013 at 6.30pm. Lovingly remembered and cherished by all. Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of

Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

ROBERT HERMAN TIRO Departed: April 23, 1995

LAWRENCE DA SILVA in a special thanksgiving Mass followed by a reception. Date: Friday, 19th April 2013 Time: 5.00 pm Venue: SJI International Chapel, 490 Thomson Road, S298191 Please contact janette.roberts@sji-international.com.sg for all enquiries. Please turn to pages 29 and 31 for more in memoriam advertisements.

ANNIE CHUA GEK CHOO

STEPHEN TAN SOO CHUAN Departed:

June 21, 1999

STELLA D’CRUZ (STALCY) Who returned to Our Lord on April 18, 2006 Gone from our lives but not from our hearts. Dearly missed and always remembered by family and loved ones.

April 15, 2012

Love still bridges the chasm of the worlds We live apart Memories still draw us together on the different iourneys we embark Forever and ever you will always Live in our hearts. Deeply missed and always remember by family and all loved ones.

Dearly remembered by beloved wife, daughter and family, relatives and friends.

MARGARET OH nee EE SIM NEO Departed: Apr 16, 2009 Church of Christ the King Niche No: 1047 “Guardian Angels”

Masses will be celebrated in his memory on Tuesday, April 23, 2013: 6.30am Church of the Holy Spirit 7.00am Church of St Ignatius 7.45am Mt Alvernia Hospital Chapel 1.15pm Cathedral of the Good Shepherd 5.30pm Church of Sacred Heart 6.00pm Church of St Teresa

The night does not last forever It fades with the dawning of the morn The rose does not last forever It withers with the fading of the spring But your memory will linger forever In the hearts of all who love you Because love does last forever. Always cherished by John, Faustina, Roger, Jacinta & Geraldine. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Christ the King on Apr 16, 2013 at 6.15pm.

Sunday April 21, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

LOW HOCK SOON ROBERT Departed: Apr 21, 2008 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds. Dearly missed by wife, children, grandchildren and loved ones. Anniversary In loving memory of

EDWARD FERNANDEZ Departed: Apr 1, 1972 Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near. Always loved and remembered by wife, Susy and children. Nineteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

MARY AUGUSTINE Departed: Apr 18, 1994 Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near. Fondly remembered by family and loved ones. Mass will be held at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea on Apr 18, 2013 at 6.45am. Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

FRANCES GALISTAN nee CARVALHO Departed: Apr 16, 2005 Even when we close our eyes There’s an image of your face And once again we come to realize You’re a loss we can’t replace. Fondly remembered by Selwyn, Jacky and family, Leslie and Iona and sister Doris.

In memoriam rates Minimum $65 for an insertion not exceeding an eightcentimetre column. Please turn to pages 29 and 30 for more in memoriam

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IN MEMORIAM 31

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Sunday April 21, 2013 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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