APRIL 17, 2016, Vol 66, No 08

SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2016

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

MCI (P) 009/08/2015

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

VOL 66

NO. 08

INSIDE HOME Building bridges between religions Archbishop speaks to Methodists on interfaith relations „ Page 5

ASIA Thousands baptised in China This despite tense political climate „ Page 9

Bomb attack in Pakistan Pope Francis greets the crowd during his Easter message and ‘urbi et orbi’ (to the city and the world) blessing delivered from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 27. CNS photo

A cowardly and senseless crime: pope

Reconcile with God, resurrect hope in others, pope urges at Easter

„ Page 10

VATICAN CITY – Easter is a feast of hope, a cel-

ebration of God’s mercy and a call to pray for and assist all who suffer, Pope Francis said before giving his solemn blessing “urbi et orbi� (to the city and the world).

The risen Jesus “makes us sharers of His immortal life and enables us to see with His eyes of love and compassion those who hunger and thirst, strangers and prisoners, the marginalised and the outcast, the victims of oppression and violence,� the pope said on March 27 after celebrating Easter morning Mass.

Easter in Rome dawned bright and sunny; in St Peter’s Square, the steps leading up to the basilica were turned into an abundant garden ZLWK WKRXVDQGV RI WXOLSV GDIIRGLOV DQG ÀRZHUing bushes.

On Easter morning, the pope does not give a homily. Instead, with hands clasped in prayer and head bowed, he led the tens of thousands RI SHRSOH LQ WKH VTXDUH LQ VLOHQW UHĂ€HFWLRQ After Mass, before giving his solemn blessing, Pope Francis said Easter should give people the courage to “blaze trails of reconciliation

with God and with all our brothers and sisters.�

Speaking about Christ’s power over death and sin, the pope prayed that the Lord would touch places in the globe scarred by war, terrorism, poverty and environmental destruction. “The risen Christ points out paths of hope to beloved Syria, a country torn by a lengthy conĂ€LFW ZLWK LWV VDG ZDNH RI GHVWUXFWLRQ GHDWK FRQtempt for humanitarian law and the breakdown of civil concord,â€? the pope said. “To the power of the risen Lord we entrust the talks now in course.â€?

He prayed that the power of the resurrection would “overcome hardened hearts and promote a fruitful encounter of peoples and cultures,� particularly in Iraq,

The pope prayed that the Lord would touch places in the globe scarred by war, terrorism, poverty and environmental destruction.

Yemen, Libya and the Holy Land. “May the Lord of life also accompany efIRUWV WR DWWDLQ D GHÂżQLWLYH VROXWLRQ WR WKH ZDU in Ukraine, inspiring and sustaining initiatives of humanitarian aid, including the liberation of those who are detained,â€? he prayed.

On Easter and throughout the Holy Week liturgies that preceded it, Pope Francis showed special concern for the fate of refugees and PLJUDQWV ÀHHLQJ YLROHQFH DQG SRYHUW\ DQG IRU Christians facing persecution in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

Two days later, celebrating the resurrection, Pope Francis said the Easter message “invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees – includLQJ PDQ\ FKLOGUHQ Âą Ă€HHLQJ IURP ZDU KXQJHU poverty and social injustice.â€?

Celebrating the Easter vigil on March 26, Pope Francis said Easter is a celebration of hope, one that must begin within the hearts of each Christian. „ Continued on Page 16

POPE FRANCIS Special Year of Mercy initiatives Set up hospitals, schools, homes, says pope „ Page 14

REFLECTION The heart of the Christian faith Fr Laurence Freeman’s (DVWHU UHÀHFWLRQ „ Page 31

VOCATION SUPPLEMENT A priest, Religious Sister and La Salle Brother talk about their vocations „ Pages 21-30

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Sunday April 17, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop Goh celebrates the Chrism Mass with priests of the archdiocese on Maundy Thursday morning. Photos: VITA IMAGES

Priests are human beings, not ‘mini-gods’ Archbishop talks about the impact of unfair criticism and lack of appreciation in the lives of priests

By Christopher Khoo During the annual Chrism Mass, Archbishop William Goh highlighted why priests sometimes lose their passion for their ministry, and what they can do to address this. “When we were newly ordained,� said Archbishop Goh, “we were full of joy and excitement.�

However, over time this joy can slowly fade, “and that is very sad�, he told priests of the archdiocese, Religious and laypeople gathered at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria St, on Maundy Thursday morning.

7KH ÂżUVW UHDVRQ ZK\ SULHVWV ORVH their “passion and enthusiasmâ€? is because “we take our vocation for grantedâ€?, he said in his homily. “What is considered a privilege over time becomes a dutyâ€? and “routine sets inâ€?, he told the crowd, which spilled out of the church and into the car park.

Secondly, it is due to the “demands of the ministry�. “People have great expectations of priests,� said Archbishop Goh, adding that people do complain when these expectations are not met. “And so priests are wounded in ministry, priests are disillusioned.

When we are unappreciated, when we are wrongly criticised, when

ZH DUH QRW DIÂżUPHG HVSHFLDOO\ IRU WKH VDFULÂżFHV \RX KDYH PDGH DIter some time, you lose your passion,â€? said Archbishop Goh. Priests are “human beingsâ€?, he stressed at one point in his homily. “Do not forget. We are not minigods.â€?

Archbishop stirring the chrism.

In order to rekindle their passion for their ministry, priests ÂłQHHG WR JR EDFN WR >WKHLU@ ÂżUVW callingâ€?, he said. “Let us remember that day when we responded to the Lord.â€?

He urged priests to recall why WKH\ EHFDPH SULHVWV LQ WKH ÂżUVW place – “because we fell in love with Jesusâ€?.

The second reason is that “we fell in love with His missionâ€?. “We want to reach out to the poor ‌ to be able to serve people, to bring them good news,â€? said Archbishop Goh. In his closing remarks at the end of the Mass, the archbishop noted that priests are “not perfectâ€? but “they are people with a good KHDUWÂŤ DQG WKH\ VDFULÂżFH D ORW´ He urged the congregation to “forgive us for all the wrong things we have done, for all our failures, our shortcomingsâ€? and to “pray for usâ€?.

The annual Chrism Mass, usually held on Maundy Thursday ZRUOGZLGH VLJQL¿HV WKH XQLW\ RI the priests with their bishop and is an expression of the fullness of the bishop’s priesthood.

The local celebration saw the clergy renewing their priestly vows.

Archbishop Goh also blessed the oil of the sick and the oil of the catechumens, as well as consecrated the chrism which will be XVHG IRU EDSWLVP FRQ¿UPDWLRQ and Holy Orders. „ christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

HOME 3

ARCHBISHOP’S CELEBRATION OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER Archbishop Goh visited four parishes over Holy Week and Easter.

Here’s a look in photos.

Archbishop Goh washes the feet of Church of the Holy Cross parishioners, including women, on Maundy Thursday. Photo: VITA IMAGES

The archbishop prostrates himself during the Good Friday service at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Photo: VITA IMAGES The lighting of the Paschal Candle during the Easter Vigil at St Joseph’s Church (Victoria St). Photo: VITA IMAGES

Archbishop Goh, together with priests, enter the Church of the Risen Christ to celebrate Easter Sunday Mass. Photo: CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST MEDIA TEAM

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Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

Couple mentoring for stronger marriages

By Pearlyn Neo and Jeremy Chan In the last quarter of this year, the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family (ACF) will launch the Couple Mentor Journey (CMJ) in which couples who have been PDUULHG IRU DW OHDVW ¿YH \HDUV DUH paired with young couples to support them with the former’s own experiences.

This will take place after the engaged couples’ initial formation in Engaged Encounter or Marriage Preparation Course.

“CMJ is meant to augment these two programmes and not replace them,” explained Ms Caroline Theseira, the co-project coordinator.

“Young couples see a need for such a model because of the gap between marriage preparation and the next appropriate course, Marriage Encounter, meant for couples who are married after about two years.”

According to ACF, there are two dimensions to the programme. The accompaniment part focuses on the journey together, and provides the support when

various issues arise. The second dimension seeks to form couples using short video lessons on the sacramentality of marriage, integrated with contemporary relationship psychology.

The entire process will be driven by SmartLoving Engaged, a home-based marriage formation programme that originated from

Australia. The Catholic doctrines on marriage, including the sacramentality of sexual intercourse and the Theology of the Body will be taught.

The programme comprises practical, psychology-based advice, designed to help young couples understand one another and learn how to better communicate.

From July this year, couples going for the Catholic Engaged

Encounter weekend and the MarULDJH 3UHSDUDWLRQ &RXUVH ZLOO ¿UVW hear about the CMJ programme.

According to ACF, couples ZKR DUH PDUULHG IRU DW OHDVW ¿YH years and believe in the sacramental bond of marriage, qualify to be couple mentors.

At the World Forum on Marriage organised by Marriage Encounter held in Singapore in January, participants expressed that couple mentoring would go a long way to help young couples pick up and adopt marriage and family values.

ACF had also been planning to introduce such a programme later this year.

“ACF envisions a Church where experienced couples share the joys and struggles of the married life with the recently engaged and newlyweds, inspiring them with their life experience and the Gospel while accompanying them in friendship,” said Dr John Hui, chairman of ACF. For more information, contact Archdiocesan Commission for the Family 2 Highland Road #02-04, S549102. Tel: 6280-3057, email cmj@acf.org.sg

HOME 5

Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

Archbishop Goh speaks to Methodists on interfaith relations

By Jared Ng How do we reach out to those who rely not on God, but on science and reason to make choices in their lives.

This was one question posed to Archbishop William Goh during the question-and-answer segment of the Trinity Annual Conference held at Barker Road Methodist Centre on March 31.

Archbishop Goh was invited by the Methodist community to speak on the topic Inter-Faith Relationship: Peace Making And Bridge Building.

“Normally for people with no religion, I will push them to ask ultimate questions: ‘What is the purpose of life? Why are we here?

What happens after death?’” replied Archbishop Goh. “Reason can tell you the ‘what’ and the ‘how’. Only faith can tell you the ‘why’.”

“Reason can tell you how the earth came into being and how a person is born, but reason alone cannot tell you why it happens.

Only faith can give you the meaning and purpose,” said Archbishop Goh. Another question was how would a Christian who is not strong in his faith avoid causing misconceptions when having a dialogue with a non-Christian?

To which Archbishop Goh replied: “People who are weak in their faith should avoid dialogue with people from other faiths. They should instead speak with their actions and serve with a sincere love.

“Through your actions the non-Christians would want to know why you are always happy

Engage in a ‘prudent way.

See where we can walk together and empower one another.

’

– Archbishop William Goh on dialogue with non-Christians

Archbishop William Goh speaking to members of the Methodist community at Barker Road Methodist Centre.

serving others and then you will tell them it’s because of Jesus.”

During his speech to members of the Methodist community, Archbishop Goh offered four principles that would help Christians engage people of other faiths.

“They are brotherhood, commonality, distinctiveness and dialogue,” he said.

On brotherhood, Archbishop Goh noted that “everyone is a child of God.” “Although we come from different religions, we all want the same thing, which is love and peace,” he said.

The second principle, com-

monality, means to focus on the things Christians and people of other faiths have in common, said Archbishop Goh. “There should be mutual respect among everyone so as to ¿QG FRPPRQDOLW\ DPRQJ DOO UHligions. Therefore engage in a prudent way. See where we can walk together and empower one another,” he said.

On distinctiveness, Archbishop Goh said that “every religion has a history. That history leads to each religion being distinct.”

“There must always be respect for the traditions, history and experiences of other faiths because who

we are today is dependent exactly on those experiences,” he said.

Lastly, Archbishop Goh said that dialogue is the only way to bring about a better understanding of faiths.

“There are different levels of dialogue beginning with the dialogue of prayer, the dialogue of love and charity, dialogue of action and lastly, the dialogue of doctrine.

“These levels of dialogue are

dependent on the comfort levels of the people,” he said.

Speaking to CatholicNews after the event, members of the Methodist community shared their thoughts.

Rev Gabriel Liew from the Kampong Kapor Methodist Church said he felt inspired listening to Archbishop Goh’s talk.

“The different levels of dialogue which he mentioned provides so many ways to reach out to non-Christians and the non-religious. By offering friendship, by sharing our experiences, by listening and by caring,” he said.

Mr Raymond Chow, 52, from the Covenant Community Methodist Church, said that the talk “has opened my mind to the other religions and looking at them from a new perspective”. jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

Members of Christian communities gather for ecumenical Easter lunch

By Gerald Kong The Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED) held its third Easter lunch for pastors and pastoral staff of various Christian churches and communities on March 31 at Crossings Café at Waterloo Street.

The informal gathering was to allow members of ACCED and some Catholics who have assisted in past events as well as members of different Christian traditions to foster closer ties of friendship.

Msgr Philip Heng, VicarGeneral of Ecumenical Relations, welcomed all present and expressed his joy at having the informal lunch as the building block of ecumenism is at the level of personal relationships.

When we can relate to each other at the level of friendship, the process is smoother, he said.

Three invited leaders shared what Christian unity meant to them personally. Rev Malcolm Tan, pastor-in-charge at the Cov-

enant Community Methodist Church quoted the saying often attributed to St Augustine: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things, charity.”

He made the point that what unites Christians are the essentials of the faith in the Risen Lord.

Rev Chan Mei Ming, a member of Leng Kwang Baptist Church shared that unity must be at the level of truth. She shared her experience of ecumenism at the practical level in the collaboration and help received from Catholic communities such the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sisters and the Church of St Ignatius.

Rev Nick Singh from the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer shared his conversion experience from Sikhism and how it was in various churches that he experienced God. The witness and encouragement of various Christian friends led him eventually to become a Lutheran pastor. He reiterated that all Christians witness to the Risen Lord and it is this that unites them.

Fr Michael Arro shared about

Msgr Philip Heng (far left) speaking to members of the various Christian churches and communities.

the history of ecumenism in Singapore. He spoke about how ecumenical dialogue began here after the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council decree on ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, in 1964.

It was enthusiastically re-

ceived by the various Christian Churches. Two large rallies were organised, one of which was at the former National Theatre. There was a good turnout of around 3,000 people.

Forty pastors met regularly at least once a month to share and

Rev Malcolm Tan, pastor-in-charge at the Covenant Community Methodist Church, Rev Chan Mei Ming, a member of Leng Kwang Baptist Church, and Rev Nick Singh from the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer shared what Christian unity meant to them during the lunch.

discuss topics such as abortion.

Charismatic prayers were also held and attended by two bishops, the late Archbishop Gregory Yong being one of them.

Over the years however, the ecumenical movement slowed down as the pastors got older and were subsequently transferred out. There are now attempts at reviving this movement.

Fr Arro reiterated that ecumenism should not remain at the level of pastors but must reach the grassroots. He urged everyone present to encourage the spirit of ecumenism in their respective congregations.

HOME 7

Sunday April 17, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Striving for unity among family organisations The Archdiocesan Commission for the Family (ACF) invited its Family Partners (FPs) to a networking lunch event on March 19.

The event, held at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (CAEC), was attended by 56 representatives of ACF’s Family Partners and board members.

The event was part of ACF’s efforts in responding to a pastoral letter issued at the beginning of the year by Archbishop William Goh. In it, he highlighted that the Church is called to be a sacrament of love and unity in the world: “Indeed, the goal of evangelisation is communion,� Archbishop Goh said. “If our mission is to bring all into communion with each other in love and unity through our fellowship with the Holy Trinity, then we must seek every means to preserve, protect and foster communion in our workplace, Church ministries, organisations, parishes and archdiocesan bodies.�

During the March 19 event, there were opportunities for the leaders of the various FPs to fellowship and network.

ACF, the umbrella organisation for all archdiocesan family ministries, also got them to identify common issues and seek out opportunities for synergy in order to unite their efforts and maximise outreach to families as a cohesive unit.

ACF’S FAMILY PARTNERS The 12 Family Partners are: „ CHOICE „ Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) „ Marriage Preparation Course (MPC) „ Marriage Encounter (ME) „ Marriage Retorno (MR) „ Couple Empowerment Pro-

In his keynote speech, Msgr Ambrose Vaz, spiritual director of ACF, delivered a talk titled Communion in Mission.

Stressing the word “communion�, Msgr Vaz invited participants to ponder on what was common among them; namely, their focus on the family, their common mission of building, empowering and restoring families.

Upcoming events ACF says that following the networking session on March 19 will be the much bigger-scale ACF Family Partners’ Empowerment event where a few hundred members of Family Partner ministries are expected to come together to SUD\ UHÀHFW DQG EH HPSRZHUHG in their mission for the family. It will be led by Fr Terence Pereira at the Catholic Spirituality Centre on April 19.

The series of events for Family Partners will culminate in the

gramme (CEP) „ Couples For Christ (CFC) „ Natural Family Planning

(NFP) „ Family Life Society (FLS) „ Christian Family and Social

Movement (CFSM) „ Beginning Experience (BE) „ Retrouvaille

WKLUG DQG ÂżQDO RQH HQWLWOHG /RYH Matters.

Jointly organised by ACF, Marriage Encounter (ME) and other Family Partners, the event will see married couples celebrating their milestone wedding anniversaries (and priests celebrating their milestone priestly anniversaries) come together to thank God for their vocations in a thanksgiving Mass.

It will take place on May 21 at Blessed Sacrament Church.

7KRVH ZKR ZDQW WR ÂżQG RXW PRUH RU VLJQ XS IRU WKH HYHQW FDQ log on to the ACF website at www.

FDWKROLFIDPLO\ VJ „

8 FOCUS

Sunday April 17, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Strategic planning of resources for archdiocese A look at the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning of Resources team’s work in realising the local Church’s pastoral vision Many Catholics would have heard of Archbishop William Goh’s archdiocesan pastoral vision and mission of “Building an Evangelical and Missionary Church� during his episcopal ordination.

According to Msgr Philip Heng, Vicar General of Administration and Finance, there was no lack of enthusiasm from priests, Religious, Catholic organisations, lay leaders, volunteers and the like, who wanted to be part of this “history making� time of the archdiocese.

However, after six months or so after the launch, reality set in.

Msgr Heng told CatholicNews he encountered the constant challenge of the archdiocese not havLQJ VXIÂżFLHQW UHVRXUFHV Âą IXQGV land, buildings and personnel Âą WR UHDOLVH WKH DUFKELVKRSÂśV vision.

Clearly, a strategy was needed for the use and increase of Church resources for the short, middle and long terms. The archbishop’s 10-year pastoral plan (of which three years have gone by) must be supported and strengthened by coordinated strategic analyses, inclusive consultations and comprehensive plans, said Msgr Heng.

However, to put this in place was a complex and daunting task, needing time and the right people in the right positions.

With the approval of the archbishop, around November 2013, Msgr Heng began the process of collating information on the land and buildings of the archdiocese.

He, together with ALPS (Archdiocesan Land & Properties Singapore), came up with an overview of the land and buildings owned by the archdiocese.

The archbishop was then able to concretise his archdiocesan pastoral vision and mission through putting in place and prioritising the use of the archdiocese’s limited resources.

One of the biggest and ongoing challenges the archdiocese faces is the lack of funds, said Msgr Heng. At present, parishes contribute 15 percent of their Sunday collections to the archdiocese, and retain the rest for their own use.

Under the provisions of canon law, any further money from the parishes going to the archdiocese is at the option of the individual parish priest acting in consultation with the parish pastoral and ÂżQDQFH FRXQFLOV The 15 percent contribution E\ SDULVKHV KDV EHHQ LQVXIÂżFLHQW

Archbishop Goh is seen here with members of the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning of Resources team including Msgr Philip Heng, Vicar General of Administration and Finance (on archbishop’s right); Mr Lim Boon Heng (chairman, on archbishop’s left) and Mr Peter Seah (vice-chairman, beside Mr Lim). Photo: VITA PHOTO

to support the many archdiocesan organisations resulting in limited budgets for them, and operatLQJ GHÂżFLWV DW WKH DUFKGLRFHVH level.

,Q GHĂ&#x20AC;FLW Archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund This being the reality, the operating and capital expenditure of the archdiocese is funded by the Archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund. The source of this fund comes solely from the 31 parishesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contribution of 15 percent of their weekend â&#x20AC;&#x153;offertoryâ&#x20AC;? collections. The amount received is grossly insufÂżFLHQW The budgets of key archdiocesan organisations such as OfÂżFH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ 21( 2IÂżFH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH 2<3 DQG &DWKROLF 7KHRlogical Institute of Singapore (CTIS) exceed the Archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund.

7KHUH ZDV D GHÂżFLW RI PLOOLRQ LQ DQG WKLV GHÂżFLW FDQ only increase further; it is close WR PLOOLRQ IRU DV WKH pastoral programmes in the archdiocese expand and the capital expenditure increases. $URXQG $SULO 0VJU Heng presented to the presbyterium an overview of the situation regarding the archdioceseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s land and properties, as well as the archdiocesan pastoral plans.

Later, presentations were made to the Religious, different archdiocesan organisations and lay leaders of the archdiocese. These were initial efforts to engage the whole archdiocese on the archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pastoral plans.

ASPRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose It was clear that there was a need to set up an archdiocesan â&#x20AC;&#x153;think tankâ&#x20AC;? team to organise and drive this archdiocesan â&#x20AC;&#x153;strategyâ&#x20AC;?.

This led to the formation of the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning of Resources (ASPR) team.

ASPR members works closely as a team, which is coordinated by Msgr Heng and operates closely with the AFC (Archdiocesan Finance Commission), ALPS, parishes and the like.

ASPRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main purpose is to support, provide and build the needed resources and structures

ASPRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main purpose is to support, provide and build the needed resources and structures. to realise the pastoral vision and mission of the archdiocese strategically. In other words, the ASPR team has to work closely with AFC, ALPS, Catholic Foundation, and the Chancery (for human resource matters).

For the past year, ASPR came up with an Archdiocesan Financial Framework that is robust and professional, said Msgr Heng.

This structure does not replace, but builds upon the existing AFC.

Challenges and consolations The experience of initiating and developing ASPR to serve the

archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pastoral vision has EHHQ ÂżOOHG ZLWK PDQ\ FKDOOHQJHV DQG FRQVRODWLRQV 7KH ÂżUVW DQG foremost challenge requires a shift of paradigm in the understanding of what it means to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;Churchâ&#x20AC;?, said Msgr Heng.

Catholics need to change their mentality of Church being â&#x20AC;&#x153;me and my parishâ&#x20AC;? to the broader â&#x20AC;&#x153;one archdiocesan Churchâ&#x20AC;?, he said, adding that ASPR is aware that this would take time, â&#x20AC;&#x153;perhaps yearsâ&#x20AC;?.

Unless, this â&#x20AC;&#x153;conversionâ&#x20AC;? is pervasive, Catholics will not be inclined to participate fully in ASPRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s archdiocesan projects.

Moreover, donations would also be slow and small, and complaints of â&#x20AC;&#x153;donor fatigueâ&#x20AC;? would continue, said Msgr Heng.

However, the recent fundraising dinner for Church of the 7UDQVÂżJXUDWLRQ ZDV WUXO\ XSOLIWing as Catholics from all over the DUFKGLRFHVH ODERXUHG VHOĂ&#x20AC;HVVO\ for this archdiocesan project.

This too was evident in the recent cathedral gala fundraising dinner, said Msgr Heng.

The big challenge for ASPR is how to appeal for short-term funds when the â&#x20AC;&#x153;biggerâ&#x20AC;? archdiocesan needs and plans are merely conceptual, he added.

The archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pastoral vision and mission must be translated LQWR FRQFUHWH ÂżJXUHV DQG UHDOLVWLF RSWLRQV +RZHYHU WKH ÂżJures and information that ASPR, AFC and ALPS need are sometimes beyond the archdioceseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s control.

According to Msgr Heng, among other factors, they have to seek approval from govern-

ment authorities such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore Land Authority (SLA), National Heritage Board and Preservation of Sites and Monuments.

Furthermore, the archbishop does not make decisions unilaterally and there are ongoing consultations with the archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Consultors and Senate of Priests (who only meet monthly) beIRUH DQ\ ÂżUP GHFLVLRQV FDQ EH made.

Survey ASPR recently launched the archdiocesan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Update and Surveyâ&#x20AC;? at the beginning of Lent to have a better sense of how the Catholics in the archdiocese are distributed over the 31 parishes, and also to gather basic data of parishioners for parish priestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pastoral outreach.

Simultaneous to this quantitative survey project is the qualitative ethnographic survey to get a better grasp of â&#x20AC;&#x153;what it is to be a Catholicâ&#x20AC;? in the archdiocese today.

According to Msgr Heng, all this information would be helpful pastorally not only to parishes, but also for the different archdiocesan pastoral programmes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Archbishop William Goh and different intercessory groups continue to storm heaven for Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessings and graces to fulÂżO *RGÂśV ZLOO IRU RXU DUFKGLRFHVH to become an evangelising and mission-oriented Church,â&#x20AC;? said Msgr Heng. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us all continue to grow in our greater sense of our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;one archdiocese!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

ASIA 9

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Easter in China: Baptisms, lunch for the poor

Choosing a candidate?

Heed Ten Commandments, says Philippine prelate

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A woman being baptised during an Easter Vigil in 2013 in a church in Shenyang, China. This year saw thousands of baptisms in China, with 400 people baptised in Beijing alone. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

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Easter celebration seeks to bond Church with Papuan culture JAYAPURA,

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Indonesian Catholics aim to preserve local river SEMARANG,

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In an attempt to repopulate a Central Java river, some 1,000 Indonesian Catholics took part in an effort to plant 500,000 IHUWLOLVHG ¿VK HJJV The Church Cares for 5LYHU SURJUDPPH ZDV MRLQWO\ FRQGXFWHG E\ VHYHQ SDULVKHV LQ 6HPDUDQJ WR KHOS SUHVHUYH WKH NP ORQJ %DQMLU .DQDO %DUDW ULYHU VDLG 0U 1DWDOLV 8WRPR HYHQW RUJDQLVHU ³7KH SURJUDPPH LV D movement of repentance IRU HFRORJLFDO VLQV ´ KH WROG XFDQHZV FRP RI WKH $SULO HYHQW ZKLFK ZDV KHOG RQ 'L YLQH 0HUF\ 6XQGD\ ³VR DV WR remind all of us that our life LV VXSSRUWHG E\ WKH ZRPE RI 0RWKHU (DUWK ´ 0U 8WRPR VDLG WKDW WKH SURJUDPPH ZDV DLPHG DW VSXU ULQJ DQ LQWHUHVW LQ HQYLURQPHQW IRU DOO ORFDO UHVLGHQWV QRW MXVW &DWKROLFV

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10 ASIA

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews CNS photos

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Pope, religious leaders condemn Easter bombing in Pakistan VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francis appealed to the government of Pakistan to take steps to ensure the safety of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christians and other minorities the day after a terrorist bombing killed more than 70 people and injured more than 300 who were spending Easter afternoon in a public park.

After reciting the Regina Coeli prayer with pilgrims gathered in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square on March 28, the pope condemned the Lahore attack as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;cowardly and senseless crime.â&#x20AC;? Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the Taliban, said it carried out the attack and VSHFLÂżFDOO\ WDUJHWHG &KULVWLDQV celebrating Easter.

Pope Francis appealed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;the civil authorities and all community leaders in that nation to do everything possible to ensure the security and serenity of the population, particularly the most vulnerable religious minorities.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore, Pakistan, said he was grief stricken while visiting hospitalised child victims of the attack.

6SHDNLQJ ZLWK WKH SRQWLÂżFDO foundation Aid to the Church in Need on March 29, the archbishop said that seeing severely injured children, some as young as four, ZDV ÂłWUXO\ GLIÂżFXOW ´ â&#x20AC;&#x153;I visited every bedside and every victim, of whatever faith. ,W ZDV WUXO\ GLIÂżFXOW EHFDXVH , saw so many children, only four RU ÂżYH >\HDUV ROG@ ERWK &KULVtians and Muslims, who had been wounded or killed by this terrible attack,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Shaw said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To my own faithful, I said that they must not give up hope because, even though we were going through a period of grave difÂżFXOWLHV ZH KDYH WR OHDUQ WR ULVH up again, just as Christ was able to raise Himself again, despite carrying the cross,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Religious leaders across Asia have also condemned the massacre in Pakistan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The attack is an outcome of a barbaric and insane interpretation of religion by a group of misguided people who exploit religion for vested interests,â&#x20AC;? Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, chairman of the Bangladeshi bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Justice and Peace Commission, told Asian Church news portal ucanews. com.

Archbishop Victor Thakur of Raipur, India, said such terrorist acts were a serious human rights violation irrespective of the country of origin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, some

have to learn â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;toWerise up again,

just as Christ was able to raise Himself again, despite carrying the cross.

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are hellbent on killing people in the name of religion,â&#x20AC;? he said.

In Christian-majority Philippines, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila in a radio interview warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the spread of evil continuesâ&#x20AC;? and appealed to Christians â&#x20AC;&#x153;not to lose hopeâ&#x20AC;? while at the same time calling for â&#x20AC;&#x153;deeper faithâ&#x20AC;? in combating terrorism.

In Indonesia, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous Muslim country, Mr Helmy Faishal Zaini, secretarygeneral of Nahdlatul Ulama, told ucanews.com: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatever their intentions, violence is never to be MXVWLÂżHG $V 0XVOLPV ZH GDUH WR say that whoever uses violence to preach, is against the very nature of Islam. Islam denounces violence.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

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WORLD 11

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

US nuns use app to connect with young adults MARRIOTSVILLE, MARYLAND, USA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A new smartphone app is

helping one Religious community reach out to young adults who are seeking ways to connect their faith with world events.

Developed by the Sisters of Bon Secours USA, the app is designed to help individuals on a â&#x20AC;&#x153;spiritual questâ&#x20AC;? to explore â&#x20AC;&#x153;what God is calling them to beâ&#x20AC;?, said Sr Patricia Dowling, vocation director for the Religious order.

The app, titled Imagine a Sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life, can serve as a reminder to users of the presence of God in their lives, she said.

To communicate with young DGXOWV RQH KDV WR ³¿QG WKH ZD\V´ that they use, Sr Patricia told Catholic News Service.

The app includes links to blog posts from members of the order, VSLULWXDO UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQV YLUWXDO UHtreats and prayer that anyone can use, but that especially speak to young adults, she explained.

The new app also can be considered a tool to encourage young adults to consider a Religious vocation, Sr Patricia added.

One link connects users to professional videos that offer a sense of what life in a Religious community and ministry are like.

The app is available for iPhones and Android phones.

Bishop believes Salesian priest kidnapped in Yemen is still alive VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The

The Imagine a Sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life app is available for iPhones and Android phones.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe that we need to ÂżQG ZD\V WR FRPPXQLFDWH ZLWK individuals and to not just raise awareness that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a need for men and women Religious in the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Certainly in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world ZHÂśYH JRW WR ÂżQG GLIIHUHQW ZD\V of communicating and reaching out to different people,â&#x20AC;? she said. Â&#x201E; CNS

bishop who leads the apostolic vicariate that includes Yemen said he has â&#x20AC;&#x153;strong indicationsâ&#x20AC;? that Salesian Fr Tom Uzhunnalil â&#x20AC;&#x153;is still alive in the hands of his kidnappersâ&#x20AC;?.

Bishop Paul Hinder, head of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, told Catholic News Service (CNS) on March 28, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I KDYH QR FRQÂżUPDWLRQ WKDW DQ\thing happened on Good Fridayâ&#x20AC;? and added that the rumours appear to be untrue.

Fr Uzhunnalil, an Indian, was kidnapped on March 4 from the home for the aged and disabled run by the Missionaries of Charity in Aden, Yemen. Four Missionaries of Charity and 12 others were murdered in the attack.

6SHDNLQJ IURP KLV RIÂżFH LQ Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Bishop Hinder said it appeared that in late March a rumour began in India that militants connected to the so-called Islamic State group planned to crucify Father Uzhunnalil on Good Friday.

The rumour spread around the world through social media.

Leaders of the Salesian order in

Bishop Hinder and Indian Salesians as saying there was no evidence the priest was killed; Cardinal Schonborn had spoken to Church leaders in the region and believed â&#x20AC;&#x153;there is still hopeâ&#x20AC;?.

Bishop Hinder told CNS, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody knows exactly what is happening.â&#x20AC;? However, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I KDYH VXIÂżFLHQW UHDVRQ WR GRXEW´ the reports of Fr Uzhunnalilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death.

The bishop refused to comment further, saying the situation is â&#x20AC;&#x153;too delicateâ&#x20AC;?. Â&#x201E; CNS

Fr Uzhunnalil was kidnapped on March 4. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

India said on March 21 that there was no evidence to support the reports and asked people to refrain from â&#x20AC;&#x153;spreading false rumoursâ&#x20AC;?.

Rumours that the murder was carried out began to circulate after Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna mentioned Fr Uzhunnalil in his homily at the Easter Vigil on March 26. The next day, the Vienna archdiocesan website posted a piece quoting

12 WORLD

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Pope meets head of traditionalist society VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; As discussions

Philippine and US military personnel prepare to load relief goods on a SODQH DW 9LOODPRU $LU %DVH LQ 0DQLOD LQ WKLV ÂżOH SKRWR 1HZ 86 EDVHV ZLOO EH EXLOW DW ÂżYH 3KLOLSSLQH PLOLWDU\ IDFLOLWLHV CNS photo

Some Philippine bishops concerned about military agreement with US MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Several Catholic bishops have expressed opposition to the planned building of US miliWDU\ IDFLOLWLHV LQ ÂżYH 3KLOLSSLQH provinces in the coming months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;US military bases in the country will create more problems than solutions,â&#x20AC;? said Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose in Nueva Ecija province.

Bishop Mallari said the agreement carries â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfair provisionsâ&#x20AC;? that allow the US increased military presence in the country through the rotation of troops and military assets for so-called humanitarian and naval security operations.

In the central Philippines, Bishop Pedro Arigo of Palawan warned that the installation of a US military facility in the province might aggravate tension between Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime forces DQG )LOLSLQR ÂżVKHUPHQ XFDQHZV com reported. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Because] our own govern-

ment is incapable of providing a strong military support ... many Palawan residents will take [the arrival of the Americans] as necessary evil,â&#x20AC;? said Bishop Arigo.

The Philippines and the US KDYH LGHQWLÂżHG ÂżYH 3KLOLSSLQH military facilities where the Americans can also build their bases.

Bishop Mallari said the Church â&#x20AC;&#x153;fears an increase in human rights violationsâ&#x20AC;? with the entry of American soldiers.

In 2014, an American serviceman was accused of killing a transgender woman who was on shore leave in Subic Bay, a former American naval base.

Bishop Arigo said the Church ÂłVKRXOG ÂżQG D ZD\ WR KHOS SUHYHQW ... the imminent increase of rape incidents and prostitution.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aside from human rights violations, military bases will generate drug problems, increase in HIV and AIDS cases, and prostitution,â&#x20AC;? he said. Â&#x201E; CNS

FRQWLQXH EHWZHHQ 9DWLFDQ RIÂżcials and leaders of the traditionalist Society of St Pius X (SSPX), Pope Francis met with Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the society, at the Vatican.

7KH 9DWLFDQ SUHVV RIÂżFH FRQÂżUPHG RQ $SULO WKDW WKH PHHWing took place but provided no details. On its website, the SSPX said the meeting took place on the evening of April 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pope Francis had wanted a private and informal meeting, without the formality of an ofÂżFLDO DXGLHQFH ´ WKH 663; QRWH said.

The meeting â&#x20AC;&#x153;lasted 40 minutes and took place under a cordial atmosphere. After the meeting, it was decided that the current exchanges would continue. The canonical status of the society was not directly addressed, Pope Francis and Bishop Fellay having determined that these exchanges ought to continue without haste.â&#x20AC;?

Last September, Pope Francis had expressed his hopes that â&#x20AC;&#x153;in

Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior of the Society of St Pius X, pictured in +H FRQÂżUPHG WKDW WDONV ZHUH RQJRLQJ ZLWK 9DWLFDQ RIÂżFLDOV LQ UHFRYHULQJ IXOO FRPPXQLRQ ZLWK WKH Catholic Church. CNS photo

the near future solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors of the fraternity.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the meantime,â&#x20AC;? the pope wrote in his letter, â&#x20AC;&#x153;motivated by the need to respond to the good of these faithful, through my own

disposition, I establish that those who, during the Holy Year of Mercy, approach these priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins.â&#x20AC;?

Although the society is no longer considered to be in schism and the excommunication of its bishops was lifted in 2009, questions remained over whether the sacraments they celebrate are valid and licit.

The bishops were excommunicated in 1988 when they were ordained without papal permission. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the society and the bishop who ordained them, also was excommunicated; he died in 1991.

In an early March interview posted on the societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, %LVKRS )HOOD\ FRQÂżUPHG WKH WDONV were ongoing and â&#x20AC;&#x153;are making headway. There is no hurry, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for sure. Are we really moving forward? I think so. I think so, but it is certainly slow going.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

Archives on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dirty Warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to be opened VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; At the request of Pope Francis, material in the Vatican Secret Archives relating to Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dirty Warâ&#x20AC;? is expected to be opened in the coming months, said Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman.

He told journalists on March 23 that the cataloguing of materials related to Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dictatorship continues to move forward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The work goes on regularly and is expected to be completed

over the next few months,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that the timing and conditions under which the material may be studied will be agreed upon with the Argentine bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference.

The Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement comes several days after the US government also announced it would move to declassify military and intelligence records from that tumultuous time in Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

Both announcements came in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the 1976 coup that brought the dictatorship of Jorge Rafael Videla to power.

At the conclusion of his weekly general audience on March 23, the pope greeted several relatives of people who disappeared during the Argentine dictatorship.

According to the Buenos Aires Herald, Ms Marie-Noelle Tisseau, whose sister Marie-Anne disap-

peared in 1976, was among the group who greeted the pope.

The pope also shook hands with Mr Victor Carvajal, brother of Alberto Carvajal who was abducted by an Argentine death squad in 1977.

In an interview with Radio America in 2015, Msgr Guillermo Karcher, an Argentine priest and close aide to Pope Francis, said the archives would shed a light on the forced disappearances of people opposed to the dictatorship in power from 1976 to 1983.

Estimates of the number of people killed or forcibly disappeared during those years range from about 13,000 to more than 30,000.

Msgr Karcher said Pope Francis wanted â&#x20AC;&#x153;something to be doneâ&#x20AC;? and that declassifying the Vatican archives would â&#x20AC;&#x153;shed light on many situations that have been left without explanation.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS CNS photo

WOMEN ARE MORE RELIGIOUS: $ QHZ 3HZ 5HVHDUFK &HQWHU VWXG\ ÂżQGV WKDW ZRPHQ HVSHFLDOO\ DPRQJ &KULVWLDQV DURXQG WKH ZRUOG JHQHUDOO\ DUH PRUH GHYRXW WKDQ PHQ ZKHQ VWDQGDUG PHDVXUHV RI UHOLJLRXV commitment are considered. The centre is a non-partisan American think tank based in Washington. It provides LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ VRFLDO LVVXHV SXEOLF RSLQLRQ DQG GHPRJUDSKLF WUHQGV VKDSLQJ WKH 86 DQG WKH ZRUOG

Books are pictured in a cabinet in the Vatican Secret Archives. Material relating to Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dirty Warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is expected to be opened in the coming months.

WORLD 13

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

US youths take faith to streets to share Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy with community JAMAICA NEW YORK, USA â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

With joyous song, dance and prayer, nearly 500 members of the Jornada movement came together as one on March 26 to share the mercy of God during their annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caminataâ&#x20AC;?, or walk.

The young people spent hours walking, praying the rosary and bearing witness to their faith in the streets of the New York borough of Queens.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slogan was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us fall into the hand of God, for His mercy is great.â&#x20AC;?

The young people exuded the theme of mercy and love as Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts as they walked for about 8 km while visiting churches in the area on the morning of Holy Saturday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caminata is our way of showing people that Catholicism is alive in the youth of today,â&#x20AC;? said Efrain Torres, a delegate of mission and a member of the movementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What better way to evangelise than young people praising God.â&#x20AC;?

Based in the Brooklyn Diocese, the Movimiento de Jornadas de Vida Cristiana (Journeys of Christian-Life Movement) is a spiritual movement for Hispanic youth founded around 50 years ago through the inspiration

of Vincentian priests from Spain and now under the care of the diocesan bishop of Brooklyn.

The mission of the Jornada movement is for youth to deepen their faith through a personal encounter with Christ and to evangelise other youth. The New York chapter is modelled after adult Cursillo retreats. The traditional Holy Saturday Caminata began more than 25 years ago when leaders of the movement saw the need to evangelise in the wider community.

Ms Melanie Feliciano, the movementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vice president, reFDOOHG KHU DZH DW KHU ÂżUVW &DPLnata when she was 13. She was impressed at how hundreds of Jornadistas came together in an DFW RI IDLWK DQG VDFULÂżFH RQ +RO\ Saturday to bring the message of Christ to the streets.

Before they started the Caminata at Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica, Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio enFRXUDJHG WKH \RXWK WR UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy in their pilgrimage to one of the dioceseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doors of mercy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so designated for the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jubilee Year of Mercy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at the Shrine Church of St Gerard Majella in Hollis, one of the stops on the Caminataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s route.

Jornadistas from parishes in

Hundreds of members of the Jornada Movement in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, march through the streets on March 26. The young people spent hours walking, praying and bearing witness to their faith. CNS photo

six different zones of the Diocese of Brooklyn and the borough of Manhattan journeyed the streets

The young people exuded the theme of mercy and love as Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts as they walked for 8 km while visiting churches in the area on Holy Saturday morning.

Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youths look for alternative to drinking DUBLIN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Young people in Ireland are increasingly looking for an alternative to the drinking scene, with up to 8,000 teenagers signing up to the Pioneer Association last year.

The temperance group, known formally as The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, said school visits by their representatives are increasingly paying off, with more and more students pledging to abstain from alcohol until they turn 18 and to keep away from illicit drugs for life.

Mr Raymond Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, project coordinator, said the growing appeal among young people reĂ&#x20AC;HFWV LQFUHDVHG DZDUHQHVV DERXW the dangers of excessive drinking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We live in an age where people are a lot more conscious of their health, and that message certainly seems to be getting through to young people and has helped lead to a growth in short-term pledges,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, alcoholrelated issues seem to be in the

news every day, so people are much more aware of the problems it creates.â&#x20AC;?

More than 130,000 people have signed up to the Pioneers, who stress their message is â&#x20AC;&#x153;not

People are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; a lot more conscious of their health, and that message certainly seems to be getting through to young people.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mr Raymond Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, project coordinator of the Pioneer Association

anti-alcohol, rather anti the abuse of alcohol and excessive consumption.â&#x20AC;?

The Pioneer Association was founded in 1898 by Jesuit Fr James Cullen, and its pin soon became a ubiquitous symbol of

teetotalism, set against an alcoholfuelled culture. $FFRUGLQJ WR UHFHQW ÂżJXUHV the average Irish adult drinks 11.9 litres â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more than 12 quarts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of pure alcohol a year. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the equivalent of 44 bottles of vodka, 470 pints of beer, or 124 bottles of wine in the space of just 12 months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Certainly, if people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink, or drink in moderation, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one less area to worry about in life and leads to more peace and harmony in the home,â&#x20AC;? Mr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of peer pressure among young people to drink, particularly when they go to college, where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ingrained in their social life,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when I give talks, I also tell people that they are much more likely to have a successful relationship or marriage if they seek a life away from alcohol,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statistics show that up to 50 percent of marriages break up due to alcohol abuse.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

of Jamaica carrying banners reĂ&#x20AC;HFWLQJ WKLV \HDUÂśV VORJDQ Children and adults, including members of the Cursillo movement joined the walk, including Msgr Perfecto Vazquez, who will celebrate his 60th anniversary as a priest this year.

Ms Tatiana Elzate, a new Jornadista and parishioner from Blessed Sacrament in Cypress Hills, was excited to participate LQ KHU ÂżUVW &DPLQDWD 7KDW DIWHUnoon, she said that the long walk was worth being tired because it

KHOSHG KHU UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ WKH P\VWHU\ of the resurrection.

Mr Alexandro Morales, of Holy Spirit Church in Borough Park, said that every year the Caminata wakes up his spirit in time to live the joy of Easter.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caminata had impact because there were more people on the streets, leaders said. Members of the movement SDVVHG DURXQG Ă&#x20AC;LHUV DQG UHPLQGed people that God loves them. Â&#x201E; CNS

Pope considering First Nations invitation to visit Canada OTTAWA, ONTARIO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The apos-

tolic nuncio to Canada said Pope Francis is considering an invitation for a visit, during which many Canadians hope he would apologise for the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in running Indian residential schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The pope has received this invitation, this request, from the First Nations,â&#x20AC;? said Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, the nuncio. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is considering it.â&#x20AC;?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada â&#x20AC;&#x201C; set up to discover what happened in the government-funded, Church-run residential schools, issued 94 calls to action last year. One was for the pope to apologise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on Canadian soil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in Indian residential schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We heard many survivors say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My church has not apologised to me,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Ms Marie Wilson, a commission member, said at an Ottawa news conference on March 30.

Asked if an apology from Pope Francis would be enough, she responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m certain it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be enough. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all just movement forward.â&#x20AC;?

Ms Wilson acknowledged that

many bishops and Catholic organisations have apologised over the years, but many of the 7,000 ZLWQHVVHV ZKR WHVWLÂżHG EHIRUH WKH Truth and Reconciliation wanted â&#x20AC;&#x153;a corporate response.â&#x20AC;?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established under the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

The schools were established and paid for by the Canadian government in the late 1800s, but were administered by Church organisations of several religions, including the Catholic Church, which ran about 60 percent of them.

The truth commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mandate included creating a public record of the tragedy of Indian residential schools and examining the ongoing fallout of a 130-year policy that separated 150,000 native children from their families.

By witnessing the stories of many of the 80,000 survivors and documenting the cultural and societal devastation to families torn apart, the commission said it hoped to cultivate reconciliation between aboriginal people and the rest of Canada. Â&#x201E; CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews CNS photos

An image of the Divine Mercy is seen as Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the feast of Divine Mercy in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square.

Pope Francis leads a prayer service on the eve of the feast of Divine Mercy.

Pope asks for new institutions of mercy, charity VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francis

asked Catholic dioceses around the world to set up a permanent memorial of the Year of Mercy by establishing a hospital, home for the aged or school in an underserved area.

Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday with an evening prayer vigil on April 2 and a morning Mass on April 3, the pope said the idea came to him during a meeting with a charitable organisation and he decided to mention it at the vigil with participants of the European gathering of the World Apostolic Congress of Mercy and

followers of the Divine Mercy devotion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a reminder, a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;monumentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s say, to this Year of Mercy, how beautiful it would be if in every diocese there were a structural work of mercy: a hospital, a home for the aged or abandoned children, a school where there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one, a home for recovering drug addicts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so many things could be done,â&#x20AC;? the pope said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s think about it and speak with the bishops,â&#x20AC;? the pope told thousands of people gathered in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet of St Faustina

Kowalska, and also to remember St John Paul II, who promoted the devotion and died on April 2, 2005.

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy should drive people to love others, â&#x20AC;&#x153;recognising the face of Jesus Christ above all in those who are most distant, weak, alone, confused and marginalised,â&#x20AC;? he said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It pains the heartâ&#x20AC;? when people talk about refugees and say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw them out,â&#x20AC;? or speak about the poor and say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let them sleep on the street,â&#x20AC;? the pope said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is this of Jesus?â&#x20AC;?

Reciting the Regina Coeli prayer at the end of Mass the next day, Pope Francis said the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration

How beautiful it would be if in every diocese â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; there were a structural work of mercy: a hospital, a home for the aged or abandoned children. â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francis

was â&#x20AC;&#x153;like the heart of the Year of Mercy,â&#x20AC;? and he announced that Catholic parishes throughout Europe would be asked to take up a special collection on April 24 as a sign of closeness and solidarity with people suffering because of the war in Eastern Ukraine.

The war has caused thousands of deaths and forced more than 1 PLOOLRQ SHRSOH WR Ă&#x20AC;HH WKHLU KRPHV he said. Pope Francis prayed that the collection â&#x20AC;&#x153;could help, without further delay, promote peace and respect for the law in that harshly tried land.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

Pope to release document on family on April 8 VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has

set April 8 for the release of Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), 3RSH )UDQFLV¶ UHÀHFWLRQ RQ WKH family and family life.

The document, subtitled On Love in the Family, will be released at a Vatican news conference with Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna and Giuseppina and Francesco Miano, a married couple who participated in both the 2014 and 2015 synods of bishops on the family.

Amoris Laetitia is what is known as a “postsynodal apostolic exhortation,” a document addressed to the whole Church reÀHFWLQJ RQ WKHPHV RI &KXUFK OLIH and faith that were discussed at the Synod of Bishops on the family last year.

According to a variety of reports, the document will be long – perhaps as many as 200 pages.

6SHDNLQJ WR UHSRUWHUV À\LQJ with him from Mexico to Rome in late February, Pope Francis said the document “will summarise all that the synod said,” including about broken families, the importance of serious marriage preparation

Bishops and cardinals attending a session of the Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican last year. CNS photo

programmes, raising and educating children, and “integrating” divorced and civilly remarried Catholics into active parish life even if they cannot receive Communion.

“The key word that the synod used – and I will refer back to it – is to ‘integrate’ wounded families, families with remarried spouses, and all this, into the life of the Church,” the pope said on the plane on Feb 17.

However, he said, “being integrated into the Church does not mean ‘taking Communion.’ I know

remarried Catholics who go to church once or twice a year” and say, “’I want to receive Communion,’ as if Communion were a prize.”

“It is a matter of integration ... the doors are all open. But one cannot just say: From now on ‘they can take Communion.’ This would also wound the spouses, the couple, because it won’t help them on the path to integration,” the pope said. Receiving Communion eventually could be possible, he indicated, but integration is “a journey, it is a path.” CNS

Holy Father condemns ‘cruel abominations’ of Belgium attacks VATICAN CITY – Assuring his group claimed responsibility prayers for the victims and for the attacks. families of the terrorist attack Belgium’s Catholic bishin Brussels, Pope Francis conops said they shared “the demned the “cruel abominaanguish of thousands of pastions” and prayed for the consengers and their families, version of those who adhere to aviation professionals and violent fundamentalism. aid teams called to the breach “To all, I ask that you peronce more.” severe in prayer and in asking The bishops said airport the Lord in this Holy Week chaplains were “at the daily to comfort the hearts of the service of all,” and would “ofDIÀLFWHG DQG WR FRQYHUW WKH fer the necessary spiritual serhearts of those people taken vice,” adding that it counted in by cruel fundamentalism,” on the whole country to “live the pope said at the end of his A woman consoles her children at a street through these days with great weekly general audience in St memorial on March 23 following bomb at- civic responsibility.”

Peter’s Square on March 23.

Brussels Auxiliary Bishtacks in Brussels. CNS photo Saying he followed the op Jean Kockerols told the tragic news of the bombings Church’s Cathobel news agenwith a “sorrowful heart,” the pope a “Hail Mary” for those affected cy he was shocked by the savagery expressed his closeness to “the by the terrorism, followed by a of the “completely absurd attacks.” dear people of Belgium, to all the moment of silence for “the dead, “It’s a great mystery that this families of the victims and to all the wounded, the families and for has all happened on the threshold all the Belgian people.” the wounded.” of Holy Week, the most sacred Three nearly simultaneous at- time for Christians, when we are “I renew an appeal to all people of good will to unite in the unani- tacks – two at the Brussels airport about to mark Good Friday and mous condemnation of these cruel and one on the Brussels area of Easter. In the face of such madness, abominations that have caused only Maalbeek, near where much of we should adopt the courageous the European Union is based – left attitude of Mary, who remained death, terror and horror,” he said.

After his appeal, the pope led about 32 dead and more than 200 at the foot of the cross in silence,” the people in the square in praying people injured. The Islamic State Bishop Kockerols said. CNS

16 POPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOLY WEEK

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

During Holy Week, Pope Francis washed the

Pope to refugees: Despite differences, all people are Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children ROME â&#x20AC;&#x201C; In a moving gesture of brotherhood and peace, Pope Francis washed the feet of several refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts.

Gestures, like Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, â&#x20AC;&#x153;speak louder than words,â&#x20AC;? he said during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supper on March 24.

Coming together, he added, is another gesture meant to show a desire to live in peace as brothers and sisters despite peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different cultural and religious backgrounds.

Hundreds of refugees were outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the pope as he made his way into the courtyard of the Centre for Asylum Seekers at Castelnuovo di Porto, north of Rome.

Prior to his arrival, the pope sent some Easter presents for the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests: 200 chocolate Easter eggs, a wooden chess board, and several autographed soccer balls and baseballs.

After getting out of a blue fourdoor vehicle, the pope was greeted

by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the main organiser of the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Year of Mercy initiatives, as well as the directors of the refugee centre.

He was also introduced to three residents who would serve as his interpreters: Ibrahim from Afghanistan, Boro from Mali and Segen from Eritrea. One of the refugees handed the pope a marker, which the pontiff used WR VLJQ D EDQQHU GHSLFWLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;DJV RI 26 nations, representing the countries of origin of the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests.

In his brief, off-the-cuff homily, the pope said there were two distinct gestures in the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gospel: Jesus serving and washing the feet of His disciples and Judas receiving money by Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; enemies to betray Him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today as well, there are two gestures. All of us here, [coming] together â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, Copts, Evangelicals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but [being] brothers, sons of the same God who want to live in peace,â&#x20AC;? he said.

However, recalling the re-

Pope Francis touches a baby as he washes the foot of a refugee during Holy Thursday Mass of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supper at the Centre for Asylum Seekers in Castelnuovo di Porto, north of Rome on March 24. The pope washed and kissed the feet of refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts. CNS photo

cent terrorist attack in Brussels, the pope said there was a second gesture made by those who want war. Like Judas, he said, behind those who committed the atWDFNV WKHUH DUH ÂłDUPV WUDIÂżFNHUV

who want blood, not peace.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this moment, when I do Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; same gesture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to wash the feet of you 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of us are making this gesture of brotherhood. And all of us can say: We are diverse, we are

We are diverse, we are different, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; we have different religions and cultures, but we are brothers and we want to live in peace.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francis

different, we have different religions and cultures, but we are brothers and we want to live in peace,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Acknowledging the suffering endured by the refugees, Pope Francis asked them to pray in â&#x20AC;&#x153;their own religious languageâ&#x20AC;? so that there may â&#x20AC;&#x153;always be brotherhood and goodness.â&#x20AC;?

After his homily, the pope removed his vestments and put on a large white garment tied over his alb. He knelt before each of the 12

people, washed each personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot slowly and dried it.

The refugees barely contained their emotions, tears streaming down their faces as the pope bent low and kissed their feet. A young mother wiped her tears as the pope gazed at her and reached out to touch her baby.

The evening Mass was the second of two Holy Thursday liturgies IRU 3RSH )UDQFLV WKH ÂżUVW ZDV D morning chrism Mass in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica. Â&#x201E; CNS

Pontiff baptises 12 people at vigil Â&#x201E; From Page 1

Pope Francis baptises one of 12 new members of the Church during the Easter Vigil in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica on March 26. CNS PHOTO

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christ wants to come and take us by the hand to bring us out of our anguish,â&#x20AC;? he said in his homily. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This LV WKH ÂżUVW VWRQH WR EH PRYHG DVLGH this night: the lack of hope which imprisons us within ourselves. May the Lord free us from this trap, from being Christians without hope, who live as if the Lord were not risen, as if our problems were the centre of our lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lord is alive and wants to be sought among the living,â&#x20AC;? Pope Francis said.

During the Easter vigil, Pope Francis baptised eight women and

four men, including Mr Yong-joon Lee, the South Korean ambassador to Italy, who took the baptismal name, Stephen. The ambassadorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, taking the name Stella, was also baptised. The other catechumens came from Italy, Albania, Cameroon, India and China. ,Q KLV KRPLO\ UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLQJ RQ WKH Easter account from the Gospel of St Luke, the pope noted how the disciples doubted the testimony of the women returning from the empty tomb.

3HWHU KH VDLG ZDV WKH ÂżUVW RI the men to rise and run to the tomb, choosing not to â&#x20AC;&#x153;succumb to the som-

bre atmosphere of those days, nor was he overwhelmed by his doubts.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This marked the beginning of Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resurrection, the resurrection of his heart. Without giving in to sadness or darkness, he made room for hope; he allowed the light of God to enter into his heart, without smothering it,â&#x20AC;? the pope said.

Like Peter and the women, he added, Christians cannot discover life by being â&#x20AC;&#x153;bereft of hopeâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;imprisoned within ourselvesâ&#x20AC;? but, instead, must allow Christ to bring life and break open their tombs, sealed by â&#x20AC;&#x153;the stones of our rancour and the boulders of our past.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

POPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOLY WEEK 17

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

e feet of refugees and prayed at Colosseum

Amid security concerns, pope leads Good Friday liturgy VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Entering in silence DQG O\LQJ SURVWUDWH RQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU LQ front of the main altar of St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica, Pope Francis commemorated Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; death on the cross.

7KRXVDQGV RI SHRSOH MRLQHG WKH pope as he presided over the Liturgy of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Passion on March 25.

The solemn liturgy proceeded with the notable presence of secuULW\ SHUVRQQHO DQG ,WDOLDQ SROLFH LQ and around the basilica amid concerns following the recent terrorist attack in Brussels.

Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, denied a UHSRUW E\ ,WDOLDQ MRXUQDOLVW /XLJL %LVLJQDQL ZKR VDLG WKDW IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH VLQFH WKH SDSDF\ RI 3LXV ,; ,WDOLDQ VSHFLDO IRUFHV ZHUH LQ 9DWLcan City State protecting the pope.

Fr Lombardi said that while there is â&#x20AC;&#x153;a daily fruitful cooperation between the Vatican GendarPHULH DQG WKH ,WDOLDQ SROLFH RUJDQLsations,â&#x20AC;? Bisignaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report â&#x20AC;&#x153;has no foundation.â&#x20AC;?

The pope began the Good Friday service processing down the central nave of the basilica and, in a sign of adoration and penance, lay face down in front of the altar.

As is customary, the homily was delivered by the preacher of the papal household, Capuchin Fr Raniero Cantalamessa. ,Q KLV KRPLO\ )U &DQWDODPHVVD said the Jubilee Year offers Christians an opportunity to see the true merciful face of God, who is often perceived as â&#x20AC;&#x153;one who intervenes with divine punishment to

re-establish the order disrupted by evil.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Year of Mercy is a golden opportunity to restore the true image of the biblical God who not only has mercy, but is mercy,â&#x20AC;? he said.

However, he explained, Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MXVWLFH LV DOVR RIWHQ PLVLQWHUSUHWHG and, although there will come a time when each person faces his or her due, St Paul speaks of another event â&#x20AC;&#x153;occurring nowâ&#x20AC;? that was revealed to humanity through Christ. â&#x20AC;&#x153;God shows His righteousness DQG MXVWLFH E\ KDYLQJ PHUF\ 7KLV is the great revelation,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, to say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the righteousness of God has been manifestedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is like saying that Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goodness, His love, His mercy, has EHHQ UHYHDOHG *RGÂśV MXVWLFH QRW only does not contradict His mercy, but consists precisely in mercy,â&#x20AC;? he said. Referring to the terrorist attack in Brussels, Fr Cantalamessa said such hate and brutality help to understand Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words on the cross: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter how far the hate of human beings can go, the love of God always has been, and will be, JUHDWHU ´ KH VDLG Âł,Q WKHVH FXUUHQW circumstances, Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhortation is addressed to us: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Leading the faithful in prayer, Fr Cantalamessa prayed that God â&#x20AC;&#x153;remove any desire for vengeance from the hearts of individuals, families and nations and make us fall in

3RSH )UDQFLV UHYHUHQFHV D FUXFLÂż[ GXULQJ WKH *RRG )ULGD\ VHUYLFH LQ 6W 3HWHUÂśV %DVLOLFD DW WKH 9DWLFDQ RQ 0DUFK Later that day, he presided at the Way of the Cross at Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ancient Colosseum. CNS photos

No matter how far the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hate of human beings can go, the love of God always has been, and will be, greater.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Capuchin Fr Raniero Cantalamessa in his Good Friday homily

love with mercy.â&#x20AC;?

Later that day at Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Colosseum, after presiding over the Stations of the Cross, the pope offered a long meditation on how Christ continues to be scorned, tortured DQG FUXFLÂżHG LQ VXIIHULQJ SHRSOH around the world. Âł2 &URVV RI &KULVW ´ KH VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;today too we see you raised up in our sisters and brothers killed, burned alive, throats slit and decapitated by barbarous

People gather outside the ancient Colosseum for the Way of the Cross.

blades amid cowardly silence.â&#x20AC;? Âł2 &URVV RI &KULVW WRGD\ WRR we see you in the faces of children, of women and people, worn out

DQG IHDUIXO ZKR Ă&#x20AC;HH IURP ZDU DQG YLROHQFH DQG ZKR RIWHQ RQO\ ÂżQG death and many Pilates who wash their hands,â&#x20AC;? he said. Â&#x201E; CNS

Special advice to priests during Chrism Mass

Pope Francis breathes over chrism oil, a gesture symbolising the infusion of the Holy Spirit, during the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica on March 24. CNS photo

VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Priests must identify with people who are excluded and not be blinded by complex theology, an excessively â&#x20AC;&#x153;bubblyâ&#x20AC;? and watered-down spirituality, and worldliness that is more and more accessible in the digital age, Pope Francis said.

Priests can also be oppressed by the allure of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;thousand commercial advertisementsâ&#x20AC;? that impede them from going forward â&#x20AC;&#x153;along paths that lead us to love of our brothers and sisters, to the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ă&#x20AC;RFN WR WKH VKHHS ZKR ZDLW IRU WKH voice of their shepherds,â&#x20AC;? he said on March 24 during the Chrism Mass in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica.

However, Jesus comes to redeem and transform them from be-

ing poor and blind, he said.

Pope Francis presided over the ÂżUVW RI WZR +RO\ 7KXUVGD\ OLWXUgies, in which he blessed the oils that will be used in the Sacraments RI %DSWLVP &RQÂżUPDWLRQ 2UGLQDtion and the Anointing of the Sick.

Commemorating Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; institution of the priesthood, Pope Francis led thousands of priests, bishops and cardinals surrounding the basilicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main altar in renewing their SULHVWO\ YRZV 7KH SRSH UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWHG on the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gospel reading from St Luke, in which Jesus proclaims WKH IXOÂżOPHQW RI ,VDLDKÂśV SURSKHF\ of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anointed one, who brings glad tidings to the lowly, healing to the brokenhearted and liberty to those held captive, releas-

ing the imprisoned and comforting those who mourn.

Pope Francis also called on priests to follow the example of the fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;ever-increasing mercy,â&#x20AC;? outlining two areas where God shows an â&#x20AC;&#x153;excess in mercy.â&#x20AC;?

Recalling Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parable, the SRSH VDLG WKH ÂżUVW DUHD LV WKH MR\ful encounter between the merciful father and the prodigal son, an encounter that serves as a reminder to â&#x20AC;&#x153;not be fearful of exaggerating our gratitudeâ&#x20AC;? to God. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mercy restores everything; it restores dignity to each person.

This is why effusive gratitude is the proper response: We have to go to the party, to put on our best clothes, to cast off the rancour of the elder

EURWKHU WR UHMRLFH DQG JLYH WKDQNV ´ he said.

The second area God exceeds in mercy, he continued, is in His forgiveness, which enables Christians to â&#x20AC;&#x153;move directly from the most shameful disgrace to the highest dignity.â&#x20AC;?

As ministers of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overabundant mercy, Pope Francis reminded the priests, bishops and cardinals present that growing in this humbling dignity can help them understand their true calling. Âł,W LV SHRSOH ZKR DUH SRRU KXQgry, prisoners of war, without a IXWXUH FDVW WR RQH VLGH DQG UHMHFWed, that the Lord transforms into a priestly people,â&#x20AC;? the pope said. Â&#x201E; CNS

18 FAITH JOURNEYS

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

My journey to the RCIA a New Catholics who joined the Church at the recent

Finding God in a visit to St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica ,W ZDV GXULQJ D WRXU LQ ,WDO\ RQ WKHLU KRQH\PRRQ LQ ZKHQ 0U &KRR 3RK &KRRQ DQG KLV ZLIH %LELDQQD ÂżUVW H[SHULHQFHG WKH ÂłFDOPQHVV DQG peaceâ&#x20AC;? of the Catholic Church.

One of the stops during the tour brought them to St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica in the Vatican. Âł:H ZHUH WROG LW ZRXOG EH FURZGHG LQVLGH EXW LW ZDVQÂśW WKDW EDG :H IHOW UHDOO\ SHDFHIXO ZKHQ ZH ZDONHG LQ ´ VDLG 0U &KRR ZKR XVHV D ZKHHOFKDLU He sustained spinal injuries GXULQJ 1DWLRQDO 6HUYLFH ZKLFK SDUDO\VHG KLP IURP WKH ZDLVW GRZQ 7KH FRXSOH VDLG WKDW D IHZ years later, they had another â&#x20AC;&#x153;callingâ&#x20AC;?.

2Q RQH RFFDVLRQ ZKHQ Mr &KRR Âą ZKR UHSUHVHQWHG 6LQJDSRUH in basketball at the ASEAN Para *DPHV LQ 'HFHPEHU Âą ZDV KDYLQJ his sports training near Novena, his ZLIH GHFLGHG WR DWWHQG D VHUYLFH DW Novena Church. Âł, VDZ WKH 1RYHQD &KXUFK DQG it reminded me of our trip to St Pe-

terâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica. So I decided to attend RQH RI WKHLU VHUYLFHV ZKLOH ZDLWLQJ for him [Mr Choo],â&#x20AC;? she said.

She eventually got her husband WR DWWHQG WKH 1RYHQD VHUYLFHV ZLWK KHU DQG IURP WKHUH ÂłZH ZHUH ORRNLQJ WR GHHSHQ RXU NQRZOHGJH RI WKH Church.â&#x20AC;?

An ex-colleague of Mrs Choo had told her about the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace and the couple began attending Mass at the parish. +RZHYHU GXULQJ 0DVVHV ³ZH had trouble understanding the PHDQLQJ RI VRPH SDUWV DV ZH GLG QRW NQRZ PXFK ´ VDLG 0U &KRR They found out about the RCIA programme from parish volunteers but realised that the course had already begun.

Mrs Choo later remembered the church she attended kindergarten in, the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

7KH\ HQTXLUHG DERXW WKH 5&,$ SURJUDPPH WKHUH WKH IROORZLQJ ZHHN DQG WKH RUJDQLVHUV ÂłMXVW WROG XV WR KHDG VWUDLJKW IRU WKH ÂżUVW

just told us â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;toThey write our name and head straight IRU WKH ÂżUVW VHVVLRQ which was starting.

We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looked back.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mr Choo on their ÂżUVW 5&,$ VHVVLRQ

Mr Choo Poh Choon, who uses a wheelchair, with his wife, Bibianna.

VHVVLRQ ZKLFK ZDV VWDUWLQJ :H havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looked back,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Choo. Âł7KHUH ZHUH WLPHV ZH ZRXOG

not be able to make it for RCIA VHVVLRQV EXW RXU VSRQVRUV ZHUH DOZD\V DURXQG WR UHPLQG XV RI ZKDW ZH PLVVHG DQG H[SODLQ FRQFHSWV ZH

GLGQœW TXLWH XQGHUVWDQG ´ VDLG 0U Choo.

The couple also credited the RCIA community for being â&#x20AC;&#x153;supSRUWLYH DQG ZDUP´ WKURXJKRXW WKHLU journey.

Looking back, Mr Choo realLVHG WKDW Âł*RG ZDV DOZD\V WKHUH IRU XV IURP WKH ÂżUVW WLPH DW 6W 3HWHUÂśV %DVLOLFD XS XQWLO QRZ +H KDV DOZD\V EHHQ WKHUH ´ Mr Choo said they â&#x20AC;&#x153;hope to possibly be sponsors in the near fuWXUH´ EXW QRW ÂłXQWLO ZH GHHSHQ RXU NQRZOHGJH RI WKH IDLWK VR ZH FDQ help others.â&#x20AC;?

0U &KRR DOVR VDLG KH ZRXOG OLNH WR ÂłKHOS IDPLOLHV ZKR KDYH VSHFLDO needs children. Perhaps I can share my story to inspire them.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

Prayer for healing led her to God

Ms Jilly Chen (far left), with her friend, Ashley.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;He was calling me to Himâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ms Jilly Chen, 31, had left her banking job WR MRLQ KHU ÂżDQFH ÂłLQ KLV YHQWXUH WKLQNLQJ KH ZRXOG ORYH PH PRUH LI , ZHUH RI D JUHDW KHOS in his businessâ&#x20AC;?.

Unfortunately, things didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go as planned DQG VKH ZDV OHIW MREOHVV DQG FUXVKHG ZKHQ they separated after eight years in 2014. +RZHYHU GXULQJ KHU WLPH ZRUNLQJ LQ KHU H[ ÂżDQFHÂśV EXVLQHVV YHQWXUH VKH PHW $VKOH\ D FROOHDJXH ZKR RIWHQ YROXQWHHUHG KHU WLPH DW the Catholic Spirituality Centre (CSC).

6KH RQFH DVNHG $VKOH\ ZK\ VKH MRLQHG WKH EXVLQHVV YHQWXUH ÂłDQG VKH VLPSO\ VDLG Âľ, ZDV on a mission to save you!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I laughed it off, not XQGHUVWDQGLQJ ZKDW VKH PHDQW ´ VDLG 0V &KHQ ZKR QRZ ZRUNV DV D VDOHV PDQDJHU 6KH EHJDQ DWWHQGLQJ ZRUVKLS VHVVLRQV DW &6& ZLWK $VKOH\ DQG LW ZDV ÂłDIWHU D FRXSOH RI VHVVLRQV WKDW , IHOW WKDW +H ZDV FDOOLQJ PH to Him.â&#x20AC;?

0V &KHQ ZDV DOVR LQYLWHG E\ $VKOH\ WR attend Mass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remembered Ashley once told me that WKHUH ZDV D &DWKROLF FKXUFK LQ 3DVLU 5LV called the Church of Divine Mercy.â&#x20AC;?

Ms Chen said she â&#x20AC;&#x153;felt a great sense of SHDFH ZKHQ , VWHSSHG LQWR WKH FKXUFK ´ That same evening at the end of Mass, ÂłWKH SURPRWLRQDO SRZHUSRLQW IRU 5&,$ ZDV Ă&#x20AC;DVKHG RQ WKH VFUHHQ , NQHZ +H ZDV FDOOLQJ me,â&#x20AC;? she shared.

Looking back over her RCIA jourQH\ 0V &KHQ VKDUHG WKDW VKH FDQ QRZ â&#x20AC;&#x153;better understand the Catholic faith and WKH PHDQLQJ EHKLQG LWV SUDFWLFHV DV ZHOO as the importance of having a communityâ&#x20AC;?.

She added that she hopes to be able to serve in the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liturgy at the parish or become an RCIA sponsor after her baptism. Â&#x201E;

Born into â&#x20AC;&#x153;a fairly staunch Buddhist familyâ&#x20AC;?, Ms Jeslyn Nganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the Catholic IDLWK ÂżUVW VWDUWHG ZKHQ KHU HOGHU VLVWHUV FRQverted to Christianity.

In 2014, she came GRZQ ZLWK D ÂłYLUDO LQIHFtion, high fever and gastritisâ&#x20AC;? that lasted for about a month and a half.

Her mother instructed her sisters to â&#x20AC;&#x153;pray for me WR JHW ZHOO DV GRFWRUV ZHUH unable to helpâ&#x20AC;?.

2Q RQH QLJKW VKH ÂłZDV in so much pain and feelLQJ VR XQZHOO´ WKDW VKH GHcided to â&#x20AC;&#x153;pray to our Lord and asked for the removal of all pain and suffering.â&#x20AC;?

7KDW ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH Ms Ngan, 37, had ever prayed.

Less than 20 minutes ODWHU Âł, ZDV QR ORQJHU in pain; I sat up in bed IXOO\ DOHUW DQG ZHOO ´ VKH shared. That experience made her curious about NQRZLQJ PRUH DERXW *RG Through the Internet, Ms Jeslyn Ngan Ms Ngan came across the &KXUFK RI 'LYLQH 0HUF\ ZHEVLWH DQG IRXQG out about the RCIA programme. $OWKRXJK VKH ZDV LQLWLDOO\ EURXJKW WR D Protestant church by her sisters, she said she â&#x20AC;&#x153;felt more comfortable in a Catholic churchâ&#x20AC;?.

During her journey in the RCIA, Ms Ngan faced certain challenges. Âł, KDG D KXJH ÂżJKW ZLWK D EHVW IULHQG DQG ZDV WHUULEO\ KXUW , ZLWKGUHZ IURP FKXUFK activities and I stopped SUD\LQJ IRU DZKLOH , ZDV feeling all alone, lost and very heartbroken. I had no friends I could talk to and I started to have negative thoughts of myself,â&#x20AC;? shared Ms Ngan. ,W ZDV GXULQJ WKLV /HQW WKDW VKH IHOW *RG SXOOLQJ her back to Him. Âł, SUD\HG IRU *RG WR restore my faith and to give me the courage and strength WR Âż[ WKH VLWXDWLRQ , ZDV LQ ´ Similar to Jesus being tempted in the desert, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I UHDOLVHG , WRR ZDV EHLQJ tempted and challenged,â&#x20AC;? she said. Âł+RZHYHU , DP H[WUHPHO\ JUDWHIXO IRU *RGÂśV PHUF\ WR PH DQG KRZ +H DQVZHUHG P\ SUD\HUV LQ +LV RZQ ZD\ DQG WLPH ´ The RCIA programme has helped â&#x20AC;&#x153;to mould me into someone more peaceful as I pray the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prayer every morning.â&#x20AC;?

6KH DGGHG WKDW VKH LV ÂłQRZ OHVV TXLFN WR judge and more accepting of differencesâ&#x20AC;? in others. Â&#x201E;

FAITH JOURNEYS 19

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

and the Catholic Church Easter vigil share their faith journeys with Jared Ng

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The obstacles that we face in life are gifts from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 0V .DQJ +XL -XDQ VXIIHUV IURP a congenital heart condition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a structural defect in her arteries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to go through surgery MXVW IRXU KRXUV DIWHU EHLQJ ERUQ DQG P\ SDUHQWV ZHUH WROG WKH RGGV RI VXUYLYDO ZHUH UHDOO\ ORZ ´ UHFDOOHG WKH \HDU ROG ZKR UHFHQWO\ JUDGXDWHG IURP 1DQ\DQJ 3RO\WHFKQLF ZLWK D 'LSORPD LQ (OHFWULFDO (QJLQHHULQJ Against all odds, Ms Kang PDQDJHG WR SXOO WKURXJK +RZHYHU her condition results in her feeling ZHDN DQG WLUHG RIWHQ Âł, FDQÂśW GR VWUHQXRXV DFWLYLWLHV DQG , FDQÂśW WDNH SDUW LQ SK\VLFDO HGXFDWLRQ >3(@ RU 1DWLRQDO 3K\VLFDO )LWQHVV $ZDUG >1$3)$@ ´ VDLG Ms Kang.

6KH LV FXUUHQWO\ WDNLQJ WUDGLWLRQDO &KLQHVH PHGLFLQH EXW DFFHSWV WKDW VKH ZLOO KDYH WR OLYH ZLWK her condition.

(DUO\ ODVW \HDU VKH PHQWLRQHG WR RQH RI KHU IULHQGV WKDW VKH ZDQWed to visit a Catholic church for personal reasons.

7KDW IULHQG KDSSHQHG WR EH DWtending the Church of St Mary of the Angels and invited her to visit his parish. Âł,W ZDV D ZHHNGD\ ZKHQ ,

ZHQW WR WKH FKXUFK VR LW ZDVQœW YHU\ FURZGHG EXW , VRPHKRZ EXPSHG LQWR )U &OLIIRUG ´ VDLG Kang.

Fr Clifford Augustine is the parish priest. ³:H GLGQœW UHDOO\ WDON IRU ORQJ EXW KH LQWURGXFHG PH WR WKH &DWKolic faith. That day I found out DERXW WKH 5&,$ DV ZHOO WKURXJK SRVWHUV LQ WKH FKXUFK ´ VKH UHcalled.

6KH HQUROOHG LPPHGLDWHO\ +HU MRXUQH\ WKURXJK WKH 5&,$ SURJUDPPH KDG LWV VKDUH RI FKDOOHQJHV EXW WKH FRPPXQLW\ KHOSHG her.

6KH VDLG VKH RIWHQ KDG GLI¿FXOW\ DWWHQGLQJ ³VRPH RI WKH VHVVLRQV DW P\ JURXS OHDGHUœV KRXVH DV WKH\ ZRXOG HQG DW DERXW SP´ ³, XVXDOO\ KDYH WR EH LQ EHG E\ SP EHFDXVH RI P\ FRQGLWLRQ ,QLWLDOO\ , WULHG WR NHHS XS EXW LW EHFDPH WRR GLI¿FXOW IRU PH DV WKHUH ZDV VWLOO WKH KRXU ORQJ MRXUQH\ KRPH DIWHU HDFK VHVVLRQ ´ VKH said. +HU JURXS OHDGHU GHFLGHG WR conduct separate sessions for KHU /RRNLQJ EDFN VKH VD\V LW LV VRPHWKLQJ VKH LV UHDOO\ ³JUDWHIXO´ for.

The trials of this life â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;will ultimately lead to joy if we patiently trust in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Âą 0V .DQJ -XL -XDQ

'HVSLWH EHLQJ ERUQ ZLWK D OLIH WKUHDWHQLQJ KHDUW FRQGLWLRQ 0V .DQJ +XL -XDQ RYHUFDPH WKH RGGV DQG IRXQG *RG ZLWK WKH KHOS RI KHU 5&,$ FRPPXQLW\

Another challenge occured durLQJ WKH 5LWH RI (OHFWLRQ KHOG LQ )HEUXDU\ Âł, ZDVQÂśW IHHOLQJ YHU\ ZHOO

A conversion journey of the heart and faith ³%HIRUH NQRZLQJ DERXW Mother Mary, I used to WKLQN :K\ FDQœW ZH MXVW JR VWUDLJKW WR *RG"´ VDLG 0V /LP :HH\LQ ³%XW WKURXJK WKH 5&,$ , OHDUQW ZK\ &DWKROLFV ZRXOG UHO\ RQ 0DU\ and pray to her for interFHVVLRQ 3UD\LQJ WKH +DLO 0DU\ IRU PH SHUVRQDOO\ DOVR EULQJV PH JUHDW FRPIRUW QRZ ´ VKH VKDUHG The 37-year-old used to attend services at a loFDO PHJDFKXUFK EHIRUH 0V /LP :HH\LQ discovering the Catholic &KXUFK DQG LWV 5&,$ SURJUDPPH ³, ZDV TXLWH DFWLYH LQ WKH \RXWK FHOO JURXS´ DW WKH PHJDFKXUFK VKH VKDUHG ³, ZRXOG KHOS SODQ SURJUDPPHV DQG VRFLDO DFWLYLWLHV IRU P\ PLQLVWU\ ´ 6KH VKDUHG WKDW WKH FKXUFK ODWHU PRYHG LQWR D QHZ GLUHFWLRQ ZKLFK PDGH KHU IHHO XQFRPIRUWDEOH She decided to leave it and changed her priorities in life. ³, VWDUWHG SXWWLQJ P\ FDUHHU DV P\ LGRO DQG WKDW ZDV WKH RQO\ WKLQJ RI LPSRUWDQFH WR PH ´ VKDUHG 0V /LP ZKR FXUUHQWO\ ZRUNV LQ SURSHUW\ GHYHORSPHQW +RZHYHU VKH NQHZ ³GHHS LQVLGH KHU´

WKDW RQH GD\ VKH ÂłZRXOG ZDQW WR JR EDFN WR *RG´ +HU IULHQG 9HUD ZKRP VKH KDV NHSW LQ FRQWDFW ZLWK VLQFH WKHLU VHFRQGDU\ VFKRRO GD\V EURXJKW KHU WR the Church of St Mary of the Angels. Âł,W ZDV YHU\ VWLOO DQG TXLHW 7KH DWPRVSKHUH PDGH PH YHU\ FDOP ´ VKH UHFDOOHG RI KHU ÂżUVW YLVLW Although she had resHUYDWLRQV DERXW MRLQLQJ WKH 5&,$ SURJUDPPH Âł9HUD ZRXOG DOZD\V HQFRXUDJH PH VD\LQJ Âľ-XVW JLYH LW D WU\ LI WKLV LVQÂśW ZKDW \RX ZDQW \RX FDQ VSHQG PRUH WLPH UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLQJ ϫ 0V /LP VDLG KHU 5&,$ H[SHULHQFH PDGH KHU UHDOLVH WKDW ZHUH ÂłPDQ\ GLIIHUHQFHV LQ EHOLHI´ EHWZHHQ WKH PHJDFKXUFK VKH DWWHQGHG and the Catholic Church. Âł0\ MRXUQH\ ZLWK WKH 5&,$ KDV DOVR KHOSHG PH WR EH FRQVFLRXV RI P\ Ă&#x20AC;DZV DQG VKRZHG PH WKDW *RG ZRUNV LQ GLIIHUHQW ZD\V WR UHDFK RXW WR PH ´ VKH VDLG 0V /LP ZKR KDV DOVR EHHQ DWWHQGLQJ %LEOH VHVVLRQV LQ WKH SDULVK VDLG VKH LQWHQGV WR gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic IDLWK EHIRUH GHFLGLQJ RQ WKH QH[W VWHS LQ KHU spiritual journey. Â&#x201E;

DQG VR , ZHQW WR UHVW IRU D ZKLOH :KHQ , FDPH EDFN WR MRLQ P\ 5&,$ FRPPXQLW\ WKH\ DOO NQHZ

DERXW LW DQG UHDOO\ VKRZHG WKHLU FDUH DQG FRQFHUQ ´ VKH VKDUHG Ms Kang said that her RCIA journey has helped her to surrender her condition to God. Âł7KH REVWDFOHV WKDW ZH IDFH LQ OLIH DUH JLIWV IURP *RG DQG , EHOLHYH LWÂśV WKURXJK WKHVH WULDOV WKDW ZH ZLOO EH PRXOGHG LQWR D EHWWHU LQGLYLGXDO 7KH WULDOV RI WKLV OLIH ZLOO XOWLPDWHO\ OHDG WR MR\ LI ZH SDWLHQWO\ WUXVW LQ *RGÂśV SODQ DQG GLVFRYHU KRZ ZH XVH DGYHUVLW\ WR JURZ VWURQJHU ´ VKH said. $V WR KRZ VKH LQWHQGV WR OLYH RXW KHU &DWKROLF IDLWK DIWHU EDSWLVP .DQJ VDLG VKH ZLOO ÂłFRQWLQXH WR GR *RGÂśV ZLOO DQG GLVFRYHU +LV SODQ IRU PH E\ UHDGLQJ WKH %LEOH ´ Â&#x201E;

Balancing school and church ³$W WLPHV LW GRHV IHHO OLNH ,œP OLYLQJ WZR lives, one at school ... and the other at the &KXUFK RI 6W 0DU\ RI WKH $QJHOV ´ VKDUHG 0U -XVWLQ +R +H LV FXUUHQWO\ D IRXUWK \HDU ODZ VWXGHQW in the National University of Singapore.

The 24-year-old WROG &DWKROLF1HZV WKDW LW ZDV GLIÂżFXOW WR VWULNH D EDODQFH EHWZHHQ school and church. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is indeed hard to UHFRQFLOH WKH WZR DQG DW WLPHV JRLQJ IRU 5&,$ VHVVLRQV LUNV PH EHFDXVH , KDYH D ZKROH WRQ RI ZRUN OHIW WR FRPSOHWH ´ KH VDLG Âł, WKLQN PRVW XQLYHUsity students can relate to WKH QHYHU HQGLQJ DPRXQW RI VFKRROZRUN 7KDW DORQJVLGH WKH DPRXQW RI DFWLYLWLHV WKDW ZH FKRRVH to participate in school OHDYHV XV ZLWK D YHU\ SDFNHG VFKHGXOH ´ $W WLPHV 0U +R ZRXOG 0U -XVWLQ +R ÂłVNLYH RQ SUD\HU DQG TXLHW WLPH´ EXW LW HYHQWXDOO\ GDZQHG XSRQ KLP WKDW KLV ÂłIDLWK ZDV PRUH LPSRUWDQW DQG HYHU\WKLQJ HOVH SDOHG LQ FRPSDULVRQ ´ 0U +R FUHGLWV KLV SDUHQWV ZKR ZHUH EDStised in 2014 at the Church of St Mary of the $QJHOV IRU VHWWLQJ ÂłD EULOOLDQW H[DPSOH RI OLYLQJ RXW D &KULVWLDQ OLIH DW KRPH HYHU\GD\´ +H VKDUHG WKDW KH ZDV SUHYLRXVO\ H[SRVHG WR 3URWHVWDQWLVP EXW GHFLGHG LQ XQL-

YHUVLW\ WKDW KH ZDQWHG WR NQRZ PRUH DERXW WKH &DWKROLF IDLWK Âł, VWDUWHG H[SORULQJ WKH &DWKROLF IDLWK VLQFH WKDW ZDV KRZ WKH 3URWHVWDQW &KXUFK VWDUWHG ,W ZDV VXUSULVLQJ WR PH KRZ OLWWOH , NQHZ DERXW &DWKROLFLVP DSDUW IURP WKH SUHYLRXV QRWLRQV , UHFHLYHG IURP 3URWHVWDQWV ´ 0U +R DOVR GLVFRYHUHG WKDW KH ÂłFRXOG UHlate to the doctrines and WKHRORJ\ LQ &DWKROLFLVP PXFK PRUH´ /DWHU ZKHQ XQGHUJRing RCIA, â&#x20AC;&#x153;priests such DV )U -XGH 'DYLG DQG )U -RKQ 3DXO 7DQ DOZD\V ZHQW RXW RI WKH ZD\´ WR KHOS KLP VDLG 0U +R Since joining the 5&,$ 0U +R VKDUHG WKDW KH KDV EHHQ DEOH WR OHW JR of his pride and learn â&#x20AC;&#x153;to GHSHQG OHVV RQ PH DQG PRUH RQ +LP´ Âł,ÂśYH FRPH WR NQRZ &KULVW PRUH DQG +H KDV PDGH PH D EHWWHU SHUVRQ $W WKLV SRLQW ,ÂśP MXVW ÂżOOHG ZLWK PRUH MR\ WKDQ ,ÂśYH NQRZQ DQG GHÂżQLWHO\ PRUH DW SHDFH ´ 2Q KRZ KH LQWHQGV WR OLYH RXW KLV &DWKROLF LGHQWLW\ DIWHU EDSWLVP 0U +R VDLG Âł, ZLOO GR P\ EHVW WR UHFRQFLOH ÂľERWK OLYHVÂś VXFK WKDW ,ÂśG EH OLYLQJ D &KULVW OLNH OLIH ´ 0U +R DGGHG WKDW KH KDV RQH \RXQJHU EURWKHU ZKR ZLOO EH DWWHQGLQJ 5&,$ ODWHU WKLV year. Â&#x201E;

20 OPINION

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055.

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About cremation Q

rites for the dead, or to even omit them entirely. : During Bible Study, we discussed what our resurAs for cremation, this was only permitted by rected bodies would look like and this led to the subject the Church in recent times. Especially in places like of Catholic burial. Some of us do not understand the land-scarce Singapore, this is a much more viable opCatholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stand that the cremated ashes of a tion. This in no way denies our belief in the resurrecCatholic can only be kept or deposited on holy ground tion of the body. But the need to have proper care of which today means in a church columbarium. It rules the remains of the dead remains. This, I believe, is the out sea burial or the quiet, respectful deposit of ashes in a crux of your question.

QDWXUDO VSRW WKDW KDV VSHFLDO VLJQLÂżFDQFH WR WKH GHFHDVHG OCF No. 417 reminds us that cremated remains If we are all Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creatures and the whole of creamust be placed in a worthy vessel, and must be intion belongs to God, then isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t every place Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place WHUUHG RU HQWRPEHG ,W VSHFLÂżFDOO\ VWDWHV WKDW LW LV QRW and therefore holy? If for some reason places are deemed permitted to scatter cremated remains over a favourto have been made unholy, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it just takes the powite place, nor is it permitted to keep the remains in er of our Christian prayers, delivered through a priest oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. So too, are the remains to be kept with performing traditional church rituals similar to those its integrity intact. This means that it is not permitted performed at columbariums, to restore the original state to divide or separate the cremated remains and inter of holiness and hence make the burial acceptable? them in more than one place.

Keeping ashes in a porcelain jar in a columbarium These are the teachings of the Church. But I think GRHV QRW IXOÂżO WKH ÂłDVKHV WR DVKHV´ LGHD +RZ ORQJ FDQ we will only be accepting of such a church keep on storing ones ashes? teachings when we understand that at Certainly not beyond the time when the the heart of this is both faith and love. money runs out, when all niches are full As disciples of Christ who value and no more income is forthcoming. prayer and who are also people who Ultimately, our ashes have to be reare always aware of our physicalturned to the elements, so why not now ity and sensate nature, it helps us when we are able to express our wishes make the very important connections and when our children can carry them when we have a physical location out? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a burden we would rather that helps us focus our minds and spare grandchildren and beyond. still our hearts. Coming to a church Just as it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter if we had one to pray helps this. Of course we do or seven husbands or wives in this life, in A church columbarium. Going believe that our God is omnipresent, our resurrected state itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not important to a physical place where loved but when we make that effort to come where our ashes are. Is that correct? ones are respectfully interred to church each Sunday, and when we Joan Kwok helps us to make that all imsee the similar efforts taken by our portant connection with them.

A: A question such as yours is a

relevant one as it affects every single human being, Christian or not, as we will all experience death. How our remains are handled, treated, stored and preserved has implications beyond our own death. The Church has always been clear on the dignity that every human person has, primarily based on the teaching that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, and this â&#x20AC;&#x153;likenessâ&#x20AC;? has to be respected from conception to natural death.

But what about after the point of death? Should dignity then be disregarded and the body of the deceased be treated with less dignity than when he or she was alive? Based on mere common sense and sensitivity alone, just as one does not toss the body of a dead relaWLYH LQWR VRPH ULYHU RU ODQGÂżOO QHLWKHU WKHQ VKRXOG ZH treat the burnt remains of our loved ones with disregard.

The Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich tradition regarding the way that the bodies of the dead are given respect is evident in the special liturgical rites that have accompanied the burial RI WKH GHDG &HQWUDO WR WKH ULWHV LV WKH SODFH DQG ÂżQDO deposition of the body, be it in a tomb or burial, and more recently, with the internment of their cremated remains. These places are signs of hope of the resurrection even as death â&#x20AC;&#x153;claims our mortal bodiesâ&#x20AC;? (Order of Christian Funerals, 1998 ed., No. 218, hereafter OCF).

As your question shows, there seems to be a tendency to detach the rite of committal surrounding the

brothers and sisters in the faith to do this with a shared sense of dedication, our faith is undeniably strengthened and it reignites our ardour. Our love for God and for our fellow man and woman becomes more apparent.

The same must apply to the way that we treat the remains of our deceased loved ones. Going to a physical place where they are respectfully interred helps us to make that all important connection with them. More than that, it also reminds us of our own mortality and our need to keep our faith alive. Merely knowing that grandpaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remains are scattered on some favourite park or hill doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t often aid this well.

The fact that there is income from the sale of columbarium space in churches should never be the reason that some have such facilities on their premises. Those churches that have such facilities are always DZDUH WKDW WKHUH ZLOO EH D QHHG WR ÂżQG QHZ DQG HTXDOO\ respectful ways to treat these remains if the rules governing the existence of such places change. Â&#x201E; Fr Luke Fong

Do you have a burning question on the faith?

Questions on the Faith is a new column for you to have your questions answered by authorities on various topics. Just email your question to cnedit@catholic.org.sg, and include your full name, address and contact number. All decisions on submissions rest with those answering the questions. Published submissions will be edited.

The triumph of goodness THE stone which rolled away from the tomb of Jesus continues to roll away from every sort of grave.

Goodness cannot be held, captured, or put to death.

It evades its pursuers, escapes capture, slips away, hides out, even leaves the churches sometimes, but forever rises, again and again, all over the world.

Such is the meaning of the resurrection.

Goodness cannot be captured or killed. We see this already in the earthly life of Jesus. There are a number of passages in the Gospels which give the LPSUHVVLRQ WKDW -HVXV ZDV VRPHKRZ KLJKO\ HOXVLYH DQG GLIÂżFXOW WR capture. It seems that until Jesus consents to His own capture, nobody can lay a hand on Him. We see this played out a number of times: Early on in His ministry, when His own townsfolk get upset with His message and lead Him to the brow of a hill to hurl Him to His death, we are told that â&#x20AC;&#x153;He slipped through the crowd and went away.â&#x20AC;?

Later when the authorities try to arrest Him we are told simply that â&#x20AC;&#x153;He slipped awayâ&#x20AC;?. And, in yet another incident when He is in the temple area and they try to arrest Him, the text simply says that He left the temple area and â&#x20AC;&#x153;no one laid a hand upon Him because His hour had not yet come.â&#x20AC;? Why the inability to take Him captive?

Was Jesus so physically adept and elusive that no one could imprison Him? These stories of His â&#x20AC;&#x153;slipping awayâ&#x20AC;? are highly symbolic. The lesson is not that Jesus was physically deft and elusive, but rather that the word of God, the grace of God, the goodness of God, and power of God can never be captured, held captive, or ultimately killed. They are adept. They can never be held captive, can never be killed, and even when seemingly they are killed, the stone that entombs them always eventually rolls back and releases them. Goodness continues to resurrect from every sort of grave.

And it is this, the constant resurrection of goodness, not that of viciousness and evil, which speaks the deepest truth about our world and our lives. The Jewish-Hungarian writer, Imre Kertesz, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2002, gives a poignant testimony of this. He had as a young boy been in a Nazi death camp, but what he remembered most afterwards from this experience was not the injustice, cruelty, and death that he saw there, but rather some acts of goodness, kindness, and altruism he witnessed amidst that evil. After the war, it left him wanting to read the lives of saints rather than biographies of war. The appearance of goodness fascinated him. To his mind, evil is explicable, but goodness? Who can explain it? What is its source? Why does it spring up over and over again all over the earth, and in every kind of situation?

It springs up everywhere because Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goodness and power lie at the source of all being and life. This is what is revealed in the resurrection of Jesus. What the resurrection reveals is that the ultimate source of all that is, of all being and life, is gracious, good, and loving. Moreover it also reveals that graciousness, goodness, and love DUH WKH XOWLPDWH SRZHU LQVLGH UHDOLW\ 7KH\ ZLOO KDYH WKH ÂżQDO ZRUG and they will never be captured, derailed, killed, or ultimately ignored. They will break through, ceaselessly, forever. In the end, too, as Imre Kertesz suggests, they are more fascinating than evil.

And so we are in safe hands. No matter how bad the news on a given day, no matter how threatened our lives are on a given day, no matter how intimidating the neighbourhood or global bully, not matter how unjust and cruel a situation, and no matter how omnipotent are anger and hatred, love and goodness will reappear and ultimately triumph.

Jesus taught that the source of all life and being is benign and loving. He promised too that our end will be benign and loving. In the resurrection of Jesus, God showed that He has the power to deliver on that promise. Goodness and love will triumph! The ending of our story, both that of our world and that of our individual lives, is already written â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it is a happy ending! We are already saved. Goodness is guaranteed. Kindness will meet us. We only need to live in the face of that wonderful truth.

They couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t arrest Jesus, until He Himself allowed it. They put his dead body in a tomb and sealed it with a stone, but the stone rolled away. His disciples abandoned Him in His trials, but they eventually returned more committed than ever. They persecuted and killed +LV ÂżUVW GLVFLSOHV EXW WKDW RQO\ VHUYHG WR VSUHDG +LV PHVVDJH 7KH churches have been unfaithful sometimes, but God just slipped away from those particular temple precincts. God has been declared dead countless time, but yet a billion people just celebrated Easter.

Goodness cannot be killed. Believe it! Â&#x201E;

VOCATIONS 21

Photo: JORGE ROYAN

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, April 17 Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is my great hope that, during the course of this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, all the baptised may experience the joy of belonging to the Church and rediscover that the Christian vocation, just like every particular vocation, is born from within the People of God, and is a gift of divine mercy. The Church is the house of mercy, and it is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;soilâ&#x20AC;? where vocations take root, mature and bear fruit.

For this reason, on the occasion of the 53rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, I LQYLWH DOO RI \RX WR UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW XSRQ WKH DSRVWROLF community, and to give thanks for the role of the community in each personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vocational journey.

In the Bull of Indiction for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I recalled the words of the venerable St Bede, describing the call of St Matthew: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Miserando atque eligendoâ&#x20AC;?

(Misericordiae Vultus, 8). The Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s merciful action forgives our sins and opens us to the new life which takes shape in the call to discipleship and mission. Each vocation in the Church has its origin in the compassionate gaze of Jesus. Conversion and vocation are two sides of the same coin, and continually remain interconnected throughout the whole of the missionary discipleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

Blessed Paul VI, in his exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, described various steps in the process of evangelisation. One of these steps is belonging to the Christian community (cf. no. 23), that community from ZKLFK ZH ÂżUVW UHFHLYHG WKH ZLWQHVV RI IDLWK and the clear proclamation of the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy. This incorporation into the Christian community brings with it all the richness of ecclesial life, particularly the sacraments.

Indeed, the Church is not only a place in which we believe, but it is also an object of our faith; it is for this reason that we profess in the Credo: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe in the Churchâ&#x20AC;?.

The call of God comes to us by means of a mediation which is communal. God calls us to become a part of the Church and, after we have reached a certain matuULW\ ZLWKLQ LW +H EHVWRZV RQ XV D VSHFLÂżF vocation. The vocational journey is undertaken together with the brothers and sisters whom the Lord has given to us: it is a con-vocation. The ecclesial dynamism of the call is an antidote to indifference and to individualism. It establishes the communion in which indifference is vanquished by love, because it demands that we go beyond ourselves and place our lives at the service of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan, embracing the historical circumstances of his holy people.

On this day dedicated to prayer for vocations, I urge all the faithful to assume their responsibility for the care and discernment of vocations. When the Apostles sought someone to take the place of Judas Iscariot, St Peter brought together one hundred and twenty of the brethren (cf. Acts 1:15); and in order to choose seven deacons, a group of disciples was gathered (cf. 6:2). St Paul JDYH 7LWXV VSHFLÂżF FULWHULD IRU WKH VHOHFWLRQ

On this day dedicated to prayer for vocations, I urge all the faithful to assume their responsibility for the care and discernment of vocations. of presbyters (cf. Titus 1:5-9). Still today, the Christian community is always present in the discernment of vocations, in their formation and in their perseverance (cf. Apost.

Ex. Evangelii Gaudium, 107).

Vocations are born within the Church.

From the moment a vocation begins to become evident, it is necessary to have an adequate â&#x20AC;&#x153;senseâ&#x20AC;? of the Church. No one is called exclusively for a particular region, or for a group or for an ecclesial movement, but rather for the Church and for the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A sure sign of the authenticity of a charism is its ecclesial character, its ability to be integrated harmoniously into the life of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holy and faithful people for the good of allâ&#x20AC;? (ibid., 130).

In responding to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call, young people see their own ecclesial horizon expand; they are able to consider various charisms and to undertake a more objective discernment. In this way, the community becomes the home and the family where vocations are born. Candidates gratefully contemplate this mediation of the community as an essential element for their future. They learn to know and to love their brothers and sisters who pursue paths different from their

own; and these bonds strengthen in everyone the communion which they share.

Vocations grow within the Church. In the course of formation, candidates for various vocations need to grow in their knowledge of the ecclesial community, overcoming the limited perspectives that we all have at the beginning. To that end, it is helpful to undertake some apostolic experience together with other members of the community, for example: in the company of a good catechist, to communicate the Christian message; together with a Religious community, to experience the evangelisation of the peripheries sharing in the life of the cloister, to discover the treasure of contemplation; in contact with missionaries, to know more closely the mission ad gentes; and in the company of diocesan priests, to deepen oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience of pastoral life in the parish and in the diocese.

For those who are already in formation, the ecclesial community always remains the fundamental formational environment, towards which one should feel a sense of gratitude.

Vocations are sustained by the Church.

$IWHU GHÂżQLWLYH FRPPLWPHQW RXU YRFDWLRQ-

al journey within the Church does not come to an end, but it continues in our willingness to serve, our perseverance and our ongoing formation. The one who has consecrated his life to the Lord is willing to serve the Church wherever it has need.

The mission of Paul and Barnabas is a good example of this readiness to serve the Church. Sent on mission by the Holy Spirit and by the community of Antioch (cf. Acts 13, 1-4), they returned to that same community and described what the Lord had worked through them (cf. 14: 27). Missionaries are accompanied and sustained by the Christian community, which always remains a vital point of reference, just as a visible homeland offers security to all who are on pilgrimage towards eternal life.

Among those involved in pastoral activity, priests are especially important. In their PLQLVWU\ WKH\ IXOÂżO WKH ZRUGV RI -HVXV ZKR said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am the gate of the sheepfold [â&#x20AC;Ś] I am the good shepherdâ&#x20AC;? (Jn 10: 7, 11). The pastoral care of vocations is a fundamental part of their ministry. Priests accompany those who are discerning a vocation, as well as those who have already dedicated their lives to the service of God and of the community.

All the faithful are called to appreciate the ecclesial dynamism of vocations, so that communities of faith can become, after the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, like a motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s womb which welcomes the gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1: 35-38). The PRWKHUKRRG RI WKH &KXUFK ÂżQGV H[SUHVVLRQ in constant prayer for vocations and in the work of educating and accompanying all those who perceive Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call. This motherhood is also expressed through a careful selection of candidates for the ordained ministry and for the consecrated life. Finally, the Church is the mother of vocations in her continual support of those who have dedicated their lives to the service of others.

We ask the Lord to grant to all those who are on a vocational journey a deep sense of belonging to the Church; and that the Holy Spirit may strengthen among Pastors, and all of the faithful, a deeper sense of communion, discernment and spiritual fatherhood and motherhood.

Father of mercy, who gave your Son for our salvation and who strengthens us always with the gifts of your Spirit, grant us Christian communities which are alive, fervent and joyous, which are fonts of fraternal life, and which nurture in the young the desire to consecrate themselves to you and to the work of evangelisation.

Sustain these communities in their commitment to offer appropriate vocational catechesis and ways of proceeding towards each oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s particular consecration. Grant the wisdom needed for vocational discernment, so that in all things the greatness of your merciful love may shine forth.

May Mary, Mother and guide of Jesus, intercede for each Christian community, so that, made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, it may be a source of true vocations for the service of the holy People of God.

22

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Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

VOCATIONS 23

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Prayer booklet a gift to Catholics for his 25 years as a priest

By Jared Ng Inspired by his 25 years of priestly service to the Church, Fr Henry Siew says he will be releasing a prayer booklet called Encountering the Lord in Daily Life.

The booklet contains three different prayers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Consciousness Examen, Lectio Divina and Imaginative Contemplation.

Consciousness Examen is becoming aware of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily activities. Lectio Divina and Imaginative Contemplation both involve the use of scripture for meditation.

The booklet, to be released in April, will be pocket-sized as Fr Henry wanted them to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;readily available and something that people can carry aroundâ&#x20AC;?.

It will be available in English and Mandarin to those attending the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which he is parish priest.

However, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the demand is

great, it will be made available to the diocese,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Henry, who took about two weeks to complete the booklet.

On why he decided to come up with it, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prayer is important when it comes to spiritual formation and vocation. And these three prayers I thought would be useful in acting as a guide to praying and building a relationship with Jesus.â&#x20AC;?

Fr Henry said that he had heard about these three prayers before entering the seminary but only began to actively pray them when he entered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is in part a reason for choosing these three prayers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they carry a special afÂżQLW\ ZLWK PH ´ Another reason was that they were â&#x20AC;&#x153;practicalâ&#x20AC;?.

Fr Henry Siew will be releasing a booklet called Encountering the Lord in Daily Life (below) to help people pray and build a relationship with Jesus.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some prayer booklets can be too formulated and long; I wanted something simple and direct,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Henry.

Looking back on his 25 years as a priest, Fr Henry said he has grown to appreciate the priesthood for allowing him to â&#x20AC;&#x153;realise that it is the noblest vocationâ&#x20AC;?.

The booklet contains three different prayers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Consciousness Examen, Lectio Divina and Imaginative Contemplation.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before entering the seminary, I considered being a teacher or doctor. But I realised I could teach and save souls as a priest!â&#x20AC;? he said with a laugh.

To those thinking of joining the priestly or Religious life, Fr Henry recommended that they reĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ WZR WKLQJV Âł)LUVWO\ \RXU own personal prayer life, and the other would be your involvement in the life of the Church, such as ministry work. What is God truly asking of you in your life?â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

24

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Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

VOCATIONS 25

Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

A daily reminder to love in Religious community

By Jared Ng “Religious life is a way of life, a life that is free and allows for growth and maturity. It is not easy, but it is worth it,” said Cenacle Sr Francisca Tan. This was her advice to those thinking of joining the Religious life. “People think joining a Religious means giving up so many things, but it is not. It is about embracing yourself and God’s call,” said the 63-year-old nun.

Sr Francisca said her own journey towards joining the Cenacle Sisters began in her early 30s DQG ZDV ¿OOHG ZLWK PDQ\ WZLVWV and turns.

In 1983, a team of Cenacle Sisters and Jesuit priests from the Philippines came to Singapore to conduct training programmes on spiritual formation and direction.

Sr Francisca was then a catechist at the Church of St Teresa and she recalled driving the Religious around Singapore. “I was bringing them around for sightseeing and shopping and it was then I began to become curious about their vocations,” she said.

‘

The community is a source of strength and struggle.

I am reminded daily to love, forgive and to develop a sense of companionship with my Sisters.

’

– Sr Francisca Tan, a Cenacle Sister for the past 29 years

The following year, she deFLGHG WR DWWHQG KHU ¿UVW WKUHH GD\ silent retreat in Singapore conducted by the Cenacle Sisters.

“I remember it was held at Jalan Merbok and there was a sense of ‘quieting’ being formed in me,” recalled Sr Francisca.

In 1985 and 1986, she made more silent retreats with the Cenacle Sisters and Jesuit priests when they came over from the Philippines.

Sr Francisca said she was ini-

tially unsure of what God “wanted from me”, but under the guidance of her spiritual director at a retreat, “I was told to just give it a try and not delay further. If it didn’t work I could always come back.”

The obvious choice in picking a Religious community was the Cenacle Sisters but the congregation was not represented in Singapore and the nearest community was in the Philippines.

In 1987, Sr Francisca left Sin-

gapore to join the Cenacle Sisters in the Philippines where she experienced a “new realisation of her faith”. In 1997, the congregation was established in Singapore and also the year Sr Francisca made KHU ¿QDO SURIHVVLRQ There were challenges she faced settling into Religious life.

“There were times I couldn’t get along with some of the Sisters.

There were disagreements and we would often have little squabbles,” she shared. “There was also a sense of loneliness but that loneliness allowed me to focus on God

whom I knew was there for me.”

She noted that “in a marriage, you pick your spouse but in a congregation, you don’t choose your Sisters”. She decided to view these situations as an “invitation to be open in loving.”

Now in her 29th year with the Cenacle Sisters, Sr Francisca said she still experiences challenges within her community but “it always serves as a constant awakening and deepening of my faith”.

“The community is a source of strength and struggle. I am reminded daily to love, forgive and to develop a sense of companionship with my Sisters,” she said.

The mission of the Religious of the Cenacle is to help people deepen their faith through retreats and spiritual direction. The Sisters are also involved in the biblical apostolate, psychospiritual formation, religious education and pastoral counselling.

There are currently two other local Sisters undergoing spiritual formation in Macau and the Philippines. jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

26 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

La Salle Brother reaches out to needy and homeless boys

By Jared Ng It was an unusual experience to say the least, visiting a boy at a dump site in Singapore.

“His father and mother had abandoned him and he found a place to temporarily sleep at the rubbish dump,” recalled La Salle Br Collin Wee, 58.

“We eventually got him to stay DW +RSH+RXVH ZKHUH KH ¿QLVKHG his N-levels and ITE education. He is now serving in the police force.”

That was a few years ago.

As a La Salle Religious, part of Br Collin’s work is ministering to delinquent youth. Most of his work is done in HopeHouse, a shelter for boys who are homeless, abandoned by their families or without a family. It is located on the grounds of St Patrick’s School on East Coast Road.

It is this desire to serve the less fortunate in Singapore that prompted Br Collin to join the La Salle Brothers. $IWHU ¿QLVKLQJ 1DWLRQDO 6HU-

vice in 1978, he joined the Ministry of Social Affairs, now known as the Ministry of Social and Family Development, as a volunteer proEDWLRQ RI¿FHU ZRUNLQJ ZLWK \RXWK Later in his career, Br Collin felt he “could do more in working with the youth as a full-time Brother.”

“I knew about the La Salle Brothers when I was studying in St Patrick’s school and St Stephen’s School. There was one Brother – Br William Muir – who used to talk to my friends and I about the poor living around our school. So we as students noticed his love for the needy and poor. That attracted me to the La Salle community.”

Joining the Religious had its challenges. Being the only son in his family, “my sisters helped me to look after my parents while I left for my formation”, he said. “It wasn’t easy for me or my sisters, but coming from a Catholic family, I believe it was their belief in the faith that allowed me to go.”

Br Collin had his formative

VOCATIONS 27

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m able to re-integrate my boys back into society or with their families, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reward in itself,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Br Collin Wee, seen here cutting the hair of a HopeHouse resident in this ÂżOH SKRWR

training in Penang from 19821984 before returning to SingaSRUH IRU KLV ÂżUVW SURIHVVLRQ LQ 6W Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School chapel. He took KLV ÂżQDO YRZV LQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no perfect Religious OLIH ZH KDYH WR PDNH LW KDSSHQ WKHUH DUH XSV DQG GRZQV LQ DQ\ OLIHVW\OH ´ KH VDLG Âł(YHQ LQ IDPLO\ OLIH WKHUH LV QR SHUIHFW PDUULDJH ´ He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are called to OLYH DV D FRPPXQLW\ DQG WR ORRN DW WKH SRVLWLYHV RI RXU YRFDWLRQ ´ 2QH VXFK ÂłSRVLWLYH´ LV ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WKH SRRU DQG QHHG\ Âł:KHQ ,ÂśP DEOH WR UH LQWHJUDWH P\ ER\V EDFN LQWR VRFLHW\ RU ZLWK WKHLU IDPLOLHV WKDWÂśV UHZDUG LQ LWVHOI ´ KH VDLG

+H VKDUHG KRZ KH HYHQ RYHUVDZ WKH PDUULDJH RI RQH RI WKH ER\V LQ +RSH+RXVH ³+H ZDV \HDUV ROG DQG KDG PHW VRPHRQH , ZHQW WR PHHW KLV JLUOIULHQG DQG LQWHUYLHZHG KHU OLNH D SDUHQW ZRXOG (YHQWXDOO\ WKH\ ZHUH ERWK UHDG\ IRU WKH FRPPLWPHQW DQG WKH\ JRW PDUULHG KHUH LQ +RSH+RXVH 2XU RWKHU ER\V VHUYHG WKHP DV ZDLWHUV GXULQJ WKH EXIIHW SDUW\ ´ VDLG %U &ROOLQ ZLWK D ODXJK To those thinking of taking up D 5HOLJLRXV YRFDWLRQ %U &ROOLQ JDYH WKLV DGYLFH ³6HDUFK FDUHIXOO\ GRQœW EH GUDZQ RU SXOOHG LQWR RQH SDUWLFXODU YRFDWLRQ IRU WKH ZURQJ UHDVRQV (VSHFLDOO\ QRZ

ZKHQ WKHUH LV D YRFDWLRQ FULVLV 5HOLJLRXV RUGHUV ZLOO EH WU\LQJ WR SXOO LQ WKHLU FDQGLGDWHV DQG WKH\ end up discouraging people from joining other congregations. That LV QRW WKH ULJKW ZD\ ´ He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You must come WR WHUPV ZLWK \RXUVHOI DQG JR through a serious discernment SURFHVV ´ DGGLQJ WKDW SHRSOH should not feel pressured to join a particular Religious congregation RU VXSHUÂżFLDOO\ DWWUDFWHG E\ WKHLU RXWZDUG OLIHVW\OH VXFK DV WKH NLQG RI KDELWV WKH\ ZHDU RU WKH ZD\ WKH\ DSSHDU LQ SXEOLF Â&#x201E; jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

28 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Priestly formation: From ordaining priests to making apostles CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priests and bishops must be good pastors and not just good scholars, said the secretary of seminaries at the Congregation for Clergy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The vocation is meant to be lived, not to be argued about, hypothesised over or talked about, because love is meant to be lived,â&#x20AC;? Mexican Archbishop Jorge Patron Wong told Catholic News Service. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Young priests all the way up to bishops, we need to experience Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call every day and answer it every day.â&#x20AC;?

The role of the Vatican secretary of seminaries is to help ensure those preparing for priesthood and those assisting them have that experience. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of an emphasis Pope Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis have had on not just educating priests, but forming apostles, the archbishop said.

Pope Benedict, in one of his ÂżQDO RIÂżFLDO DFWV DV SRSH WUDQVferred responsibility for seminary

VATICAN

education from the Congregation for Catholic Education to the Congregation for Clergy. It was not simply an administrative decision, Archbishop Patron said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a new perspective,â&#x20AC;? the archbishop said. The Congregation for Clergy now follows priests from their seminary days and can ensure a more holistic approach, â&#x20AC;&#x153;meaning that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about intellectual formation but also spiritual, human as well as pastoral formation.â&#x20AC;?

Archbishop Patron is not your typical prelate, or typical Mexican for that matter. Born in Yucatan, the archbishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maternal grandfather was one of thousands of Chinese immigrants who made their way to Mexico.

The easy connection he makes with seminarians and clergy from around the world is noticeable on his social media accounts. With more than 12,000 followers on Twitter, Archbishop Patron posts photos of

be sad preachers of the Gospel. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ThereIncanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t order to be happy, to be joyful, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to live oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vocation freely and not as something imposed.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mexican Archbishop Jorge Patron Wong

VOCATIONS 29

Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

Priests who are ‘missionaries of mercy’ hold bowls of ashes during the Ash Wednesday Mass celebrated at the Vatican on Feb 10. Mexican Archbishop Jorge Patron Wong said that priests need to be the same 24 hours a day and not just exercise their ministry in the church. CNS photo

events and his countless visits to seminaries and formation houses across the globe. A priest doesn’t just exercise his ministry in the church, the archbishop explained.

A priest is the same 24 hours a day, “when he rests, when he eats, when he sleeps, when he is walking on the street, when he’s on the bus, when he’s getting an ice cream or coffee; he is a presence of Christ and today’s world needs Christ’s presence.”

On a regular basis, Pope Francis talks about how seminarians and priests should live their vocations, about how often they should pray, where they should live and even about what kind of car they should drive – used, preferably.

“The pope is inviting me to

be a good priest, he’s inviting me to live an ordinary and concrete spirituality and theology. And he’s inviting me to be close to God and to the people,” the archbishop said. “He’s inviting me to be sincere and live the Gospel joyfully, and I can only live it joyfully if I live out my vocation faithfully.”

Soft-spoken and often smiling, Archbishop Patron takes to heart the pope’s call for priests who have “the smell of the sheep and the smile of a father.”

“There can’t be sad preachers of the Gospel. In order to be happy, to be joyful, it’s important to live one’s vocation freely and not as something imposed,” the archbishop said. CNS

30 VOCATIONS

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Most entering Religious life had ministry experience WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A study issued

on Feb 4 by the Washington-based Centre for Applied Research in the Apostolate found that â&#x20AC;&#x153;a great majorityâ&#x20AC;? of those entering Religious life had prior experience serving in at least one parish ministry.

The study said 84 percent had taken part in some form of ministry either as a volunteer or in a paid position.

The survey was sent to 411 men and women entering Religious institutes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a catch-all term encompassing Religious congregations and orders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with 278 responding, for a response rate of 68 percent.

Those entering Religious life were well educated, with 49 percent having an undergraduate degree and another 21 percent having a graduate degree.

While 64 percent said they had gotten to know a priest or a Religious Brother or Sister while growing up who was not a relative, and 55 percent said starting a discussion with their family about their vocation was easy for them.

The top attractions to Religious life, with at least half of those saying they â&#x20AC;&#x153;very muchâ&#x20AC;? were attracted to these aspects, were a desire for prayer and spiritual growth, a sense of call to Religious life, a desire to be of service, a desire to be part of a community, and a desire to be more committed to the Church.

The qualities that attracted them most to the Religious institute they entered were its spirituality, its mission, its community life, its prayer life, the example set by its members, the ministries RI WKH LQVWLWXWH LWV ÂżGHOLW\ WR WKH Church, and welcome and encouragement by members.

Factors they said were most helpful in arriving at a decision for choosing a particular congregation were contact with the vocation director, contact with institute members and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;come and seeâ&#x20AC;? type experience.

Still, life has its challenges, and Religious life is no exception. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asked what was the most challenging about the Religious life, the respondents most comPRQO\ UHSRUW WKDW WKH\ ÂżQG FRPmunity life the most challenging aspect of their Religious life experience. They have learned that living in community may involve loss of privacy, as well as struggles in living with the members who have different cultural backgrounds, points of views, ages, personalities and preferences,â&#x20AC;? the study said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Respondents also report the challenge of recognising and addressing limitations in themselves and others, while desiring to grow in Religious life. They regularly PHQWLRQHG WKHLU GLIÂżFXOW\ LQ RYHUcoming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;myself,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;temptations,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;weaknessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sins.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

REFLECTION 31

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

M

Y FAVOURITE reading in the Easter Season â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and perhaps of all time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is by an anonymous â&#x20AC;&#x153;ancient authorâ&#x20AC;? in the 2IÂżFH RI 5HDGLQJV IRU +RO\ 6DWXUGD\ ,W is the Risen Jesus speaking to us on this strange day of waiting between the Cross DQG WKH 5HVXUUHFWLRQ +H VD\V Âł, DP LQ \RX and you are in me and together we form one XQGLYLGHG SHUVRQ 1RWKLQJ FDQ VHSDUDWH XV ´ , ÂżQG WKLV VR PRYLQJ ,W WDNHV XV WR WKH heart of Christian faith, our deepest and unbreakable union with Jesus in love â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in WKH SRZHU RI WKH )DWKHU ZKR EURXJKW +LP EDFN IURP WKH GHDG VR WKDW +H FRXOG EUHDWKH WKH +RO\ 6SLULW LQWR WKH KXPDQ KHDUW ,W DOVR shows us that Christianity is a mystical religion and explains why all Christians need WR EH FRQWHPSODWLYHV It is always sad to meet fellow Christians whose faith stops at the levels of moUDOLW\ DQG GRJPD 7KHVH DUH LPSRUWDQW DVpects of Christian life but they are not the ZKROH SLFWXUH ,I ZH JHW VWXFN DW PRUDOLVP and dogmatic orthodoxy alone, our ChrisWLDQLW\ ZLOO VKULYHO ,I ZH GRQÂśW JHW RXW RI our head and into our heart â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the â&#x20AC;&#x153;inner roomâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we may even end up as fundamentalists rather than â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like Jesus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; universalLVWV 7KHQ ZH ZRXOG KDYH QRWKLQJ WR RIIHU a world hungering for depth and meaning and which we need to communicate with a FRQYLFWLRQ ERUQ RI H[SHULHQFH The contemplative Christian underVWDQGV WKDW ZKHQ -HVXV VD\V Âł1R RQH FRPHV WR WKH )DWKHU H[FHSW WKURXJK PH´ +H LV EHLQJ LQFOXVLYH (YHU\RQH FRPHV WR WKH )DWKHU WKURXJK +LP :KRP GRHV +H HYHU WXUQ away? To whom does Jesus ever not show WKH )DWKHUÂśV PHUF\" 'R ZH XQGHUVWDQG WKH story of the Prodigal Son or not? Are we the younger or older brother? Or has our heart been opened by the Easter proclamation?

This is why the Easter season goes on for so long â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to give us time to fully absorb WKH LPSRUW RI WKH PHVVDJH Âł+H LV ULVHQ ´ This changes how we see God and ourselves and â&#x20AC;&#x201C; little by little â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it can remove fear and

The Risen Christ is depicted in the painting, Resurrection, by 15th-century Italian master Andrea Mantegna. CNS photo

hatred from human society and break the F\FOH RI YLROHQFH ZKLFK LV RXU RULJLQDO VLQ But, you might say, this is too much for RUGLQDU\ SHRSOH WR WDNH LQ 7KDWÂśV ZKDW WKH skeptics who rejected the Easter proclamaWLRQ VDLG $QG LWÂśV ZKDW HYHQ WKH GLVFLSOHV RI -HVXV IHOW DW ÂżUVW But when they were touched by the undeniable experience of his presence their OLYHV ZHUH WXUQHG URXQG 7KH\ ZHUH ÂżOOHG ZLWK ERXQGOHVV KRSH QRW VFHSWLFLVP 7KH\ QR ORQJHU FULQJHG EHKLQG FORVHG GRRUV

7KH\ ZHUH ÂżOOHG ZLWK HQHUJ\ DQG FRXUDJH WR VKDUH WKH JRRG QHZV +RZ GR ZH WUXO\ RSHQ RXU KHDUWV WR WKLV truth and its power to change us, the Church and the world? The answer is the experiHQFH RI WKH SUD\HU RI WKH KHDUW 7KLV LV ZKDW contemplation means and why we all need to raise the level of contemplative prayer DQG DZDUHQHVV LQ WKH &KXUFK I have learned that this is possible and achievable from what I have seen happen LQ 6LQJDSRUH

The contemplative Christian understands that when Jesus says, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No one comes to the Father except through meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, He is being inclusive. Everyone comes to the Father through Him. Whom does He ever turn away?

To whom does Jesus ever not show the Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mercy?

6LQJDSRUH LV P\ KRPH LQ $VLD )RU years I have been coming here to teach PHGLWDWLRQ IURP RXU RZQ WUDGLWLRQ 1RZ nearly all parishes have a meditation JURXS 7KH 6LQJDSRUH &KULVWLDQ 0HGLWDtion Community makes a big impact on RXU JOREDO :RUOG &RPPXQLW\ IRU &KULVWLDQ 0HGLWDWLRQ The late Benedictine monk, Fr John Main, said that every time we meditate, we enter the paschal mystery â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the dying and ULVLQJ RI -HVXV (DVWHU UHPLQGV XV WKDW ZH DUH all contemplative (as well as active) ChrisWLDQV :H DUH DOO 0DU\ DV ZHOO DV 0DUWKD If we are only Martha â&#x20AC;&#x201C; stressed, nervous, distracted and self-centred â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how can we proclaim the Easter message adequately?

It may seem odd, but the loudest proclamation of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christ is Risenâ&#x20AC;? is propelled E\ VLOHQFH 6LOHQFH DXWKHQWLFDWHV 0HGLWDtion has become part of the life of prayer for so many Singaporeans because we all need some way, discipline or practice to fulÂżO WKLV SRWHQWLDO RI RXU IDLWK 0HGLWDWLRQ GRHVQÂśW UHSODFH RWKHU IRUPV of prayer but enriches them all at a deeper OHYHO , IHHO WKLV (DVWHU WKDW WKH WHDFKLQJ RI Christian Meditation is now entering anothHU SKDVH LQ 6LQJDSRUH 7KURXJK WKH PDQ\ weekly meditation groups, the retreats and other events held here, it can now touch the heart of the Church through its organisations, its Sunday liturgies and all its minLVWULHV &KULVWLDQ FRQWHPSODWLYHV GRQÂśW QHHG WR EH LQ D FORLVWHU :H DUH LQ WKH SHZV WKH meeting rooms and the places where we UHDFK RXW WR WKRVH LQ SDLQ DQG QHHG This is how we discover why we form â&#x20AC;&#x153;one undivided personâ&#x20AC;? with Jesus not only DW (DVWHU EXW HYHU\ GD\ 7KLV GLVFRYHU\ LV ZKDW PDNHV WKH &KXUFK UHDO ZLWK +LV QHZ OLIH Â&#x201E; Benedictine Fr Freeman is the director of The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM). He wrote this piece specially for CatholicNews.

32

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

One day, soon after Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; resurrection, seven of the apostles were at the Sea of Tiberias. One of them was Simon PeWHU ZKR GHFLGHG WR JR ÂżVKLQJ 7KH UHVW of his friends decided to go along.

They cast their net all night long EXW GLG QRW FDWFK DQ\ ÂżVK $V WKH VXQ began to rise, they decided to head toward shore. $V WKH\ JRW FORVH WR ODQG WKH\ noticed a man standing on the beach.

He was trying to get their attention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Children, have you caught anything to eat?â&#x20AC;? the man shouted over the sound of the waves.

When the apostles said no, the man told them where to cast their net. They listened, and they caught so PDQ\ ÂżVK WKDW WKH\ FRXOG QRW GUDJ WKH net onto the boat.

Suddenly, the apostle whom Je-

sus loved recognised the man. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the Lord,â&#x20AC;? he said.

When Simon Peter heard this, he jumped into the sea and swam to shore. The rest of the apostles came in on the boat.

-HVXV KDG VWDUWHG D ÂżUH DQG KDG FRRNHG VRPH ÂżVK RQ LW +H DOVR KDG VRPH EUHDG $V WKH DSRVWOHV GUHZ near, He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come, have breakfast.â&#x20AC;? None of the disciples dared to ask who He was, because they realised it was the Lord. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to His friends after His resurrection.

Jesus took the bread and gave it to them. Then He did the same thing with WKH ÂżVK $IWHU HYHU\RQH KDG ÂżQLVKHG eating, Jesus turned to Simon Peter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?â&#x20AC;? the Lord asked.

Simon Peter answered, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.â&#x20AC;?

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Bernadette

St Bernadette was born in Lourdes, France, in 1844.

When she was 14, she had 18 visions at the nearby River Gave. The lady she saw in her visions told her to have a chapel built there. She wanted people to be able to drink from and wash in the waWHU WKDW Ă&#x20AC;RZHG IURP D SODFH LQ WKH JURXQG where Bernadette had dug. In one of the visions, the lady said she was the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Immaculate Conception.â&#x20AC;?

Bernadette eventually joined the Sisters of Notre Dame at Nevers. She was plagued by bad health, and she died in 1879 DW DJH :H KRQRXU KHU RQ $SULO Â&#x201E;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Feed my lambs,â&#x20AC;? Jesus said.

Twice more Jesus asked whether Simon Peter loved Him, and each time the apostle said yes. In reply, Jesus told Simon Peter to tend His sheep, then to feed His sheep. Âł$PHQ DPHQ , VD\ WR \RX ZKHQ you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where

you do not want to go,â&#x20AC;? Jesus said.

He then said to Simon Peter: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Follow me.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; Read more about it: John 21

Q&A 1. Who was the man on shore calling to the apostles?

2. What did Jesus tell Simon Peter to do?

Wordsearch: Â&#x201E; FISH

Â&#x201E; BOAT

Â&#x201E; BEACH

Â&#x201E; LAMBS

Â&#x201E; LORD

Â&#x201E; SHORE

Â&#x201E; WAVES

Â&#x201E; NET

Â&#x201E; SEA

Â&#x201E; SUN

Â&#x201E; LAND

Â&#x201E; FRIENDS

KIDS CLUB: Essay: Jesus was sent by his Father to help the Israelites stop sinning against God. When have you seen someone doing something bad or wrong, and what did you do about it?

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: 1. James and John; 2. Judas Iscariot; 3. Thomas; 4. Matthew; 5. Peter

Simon Peter was a very important apostle. Based on some things Jesus said to him, and because of some of the responsibilities the Lord gave him, the Catholic &KXUFK VHHV 6LPRQ 3HWHU DV WKH ÂżUVW SRSH For example, in Matthew 16, Jesus asked his apostles who they thought he was. It was Simon Peter who answered, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.â&#x20AC;?

Jesus told Simon Peter that he was blessed, because no man could have given the correct answer on his own. That knowledge came to Simon Peter directly from God. Âł$QG VR , VD\ WR \RX \RX DUH 3HWHU DQG XSRQ WKLV URFN I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven,â&#x20AC;? Jesus told Simon Peter.

In John 21, it was Simon Peter whom the resurrected Jesus commanded to feed and tend his lambs and sheep.

Jesus was referring to the people of God, who would need an earthly shepherd to help them after Jesus returned to His Father in heaven. $OVR LQ -RKQ LW ZDV 6LPRQ 3HWHU WR ZKRP -HVXV gave this command: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Follow me.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

PUZZLE: Answer the following questions about Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apostles.

Hints have been provided.

1. Which apostles were called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the sons of Zebedeeâ&#x20AC;?? (Mark 10:35) 2. Which apostle betrayed Jesus? (Luke 22:1-6) 3. Which apostle doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead?

(John 20:24-25)

4. Which apostle had been a tax collector? (Matthew 10:1-4) 5. Which apostleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother-in-law was healed by Jesus?

(Matthew 8:14-15)

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON 33

Sunday April 17, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS

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All WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http://www.catholic.org.sg/chancery/ announcement-advertisement-request/.

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

APRIL 6 TO MAY 11 BOOK OF PROVERBS /HFWXUH VHULHV E\ 0U 3KLOLS .RN 7KH %RRN of Proverbs is sophisticated literature by talented writers, winning readers with its compelling portrait of wisdom and inviting them to see life afresh. Every Wednesday IURP DP DP 9HQXH &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW DWWLF WK Ă&#x20AC;RRU )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ ( KVELEOHDSRVWRODWH#JPDLO FRP & &ODUH

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JAN 14 TO NOV 26 BRIDGING PROGRAMME A one-year catechetical programme for children aged 9 to 13 years who have missed, or not had formal catechesis, or who are seeking baptism. Sessions are conducted weekly at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (CAEC) at 2 Highland Road, and the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at 31 Siglap Hill. Managed by the Catechetical 2IÂżFH 5HJLVWHU 7 (PLO\

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JAN 18 TO NOV 14 â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE ROAD TO EMMAUSâ&#x20AC;? BIBLE PROGRAMME A Bible programme for all. Designed to help break the Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liturgy of the Word, to help apply its truths in our daily lives.

A typical session includes praise and worship, group sharings, a wrap-up lecture DQG IHOORZVKLS 7LPH SP SP Every Monday except on public holidays.

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APRIL 23 CLARITYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION People with depression often describe feeling a sense of isolation and loneliness.

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MARCH 28 TO MAY 16 LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS (YHU\ 0RQGD\ DW SP DW WKH &KXUFK of the Risen Christ. Seminars include praise and worship, talks, sacraments, small group sharing and prayer ministry.

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APRIL 28 MASS WITH PRAYERS FOR HEALING Church of Sts Peter and Paul. All are LQYLWHG WR FRPH MRLQ XV LQ WKLV 0DVV WR SUD\ for healing. After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for healing.

Please spread the word to your family and friends. Registration is not necessary.

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Sunday April 17, 2016 CatholicNews

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