MAY 29, 2016, Vol 66, No 11

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SUNDAY MAY 29, 2016

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Vatican to study if women can be deacons, says pope Pope Francis speaks with heads of women’s Religious orders

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INSIDE HOME Catholic Youth Day Invitation to overnight faith event Page 3

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis told

the heads of women’s Religious orders from around the world that he would set up a commission to study the New Testament deaconesses and he also insisted more can and should be done to involve lay and consecrated women in Church decision-making at every level. Asked if he would establish “an RI¿FLDO FRPPLVVLRQ WR VWXG\ WKH question” of whether women could be deacons, he responded: “I accept. It would be useful for the Church to clarify this question. I agree.” The pope spent more than an hour on May 12 responding to questions posed by members of the International Union of Superiors General, who were holding their assembly in Rome. “I like hearing your questions because they make me think,” the pope told close to 900 superiors general, representing almost 500,000 nuns around the world. Asked about deaconesses in the New Testament and the possibility of the modern Church admitting women to the permanent diaconate, Pope Francis said his understanding was that the women described as deaconesses in the Bible were not ordained like permanent deacons are. Mainly, he said, it appeared that they assisted with the baptism by immersion of other women and with the anointing of women. However, he said, “I will ask the [Congregation for the] Doctrine of the Faith to tell me if there are studies on this.” Pope Francis also promised to have the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments send the International Union of Superiors General a full explanation of why women cannot give a homily at Mass. While women can preach at a Liturgy of the Word when there is not a celebration of

VOL 66

Vesak Day message Buddhists, Christians urged to deepen ties Page 6

ASIA Do not ‘play God’ Bishops tell Philippine president-elect Page 8

Indian nuns pledge their organs Pope Francis greets a nun during an audience with the heads of women’s Religious orders. ‘I like hearing your questions because they make me think,’ he said. CNS photo

the Eucharist, he said, at Mass the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are parts of a whole and only one who is ordained can preside and preach. Pope Francis was also asked DERXW WKH ODFN RI LQÀXHQFH ZRPHQ Religious are given in Church decision-making processes. He said the obligation to listen to women in the parish, diocese and at the Vatican “is not a matter of feminism, but of right”. All the baptised – women and

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men, lay or consecrated – have been given gifts by the Holy Spirit for the good of the entire Church, he insisted. The entire Church suffers when some voices are excluded from the conversation, he said. One of the nuns told him, “Our desire is that the Church talk with us – like is happening now – and not about us,” The pope replied, “To talk about someone when they are absent is not evangelical.” He added, “I never imagined there was such

I accept. It would be useful for the Church to clarify this question.

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– Pope Francis on establishing a commission to study whether women can be deacons

a disconnect, truly. Thank you for telling me so courageously and for doing so with that smile.” He also expressed concern about the number of consecrated women working as housekeepers for priests. Their work is that of “a servant, not of service”, he said, and that “undervalues their dignity”. The nuns applauded when the pope suggested that such priests pay local women in need of a job and let the Sisters teach, care for the poor, and heal the sick. “And when your superiors are asked [to assign a Sister] for something that is more servanthood than service, be courageous and say ‘no,’” he said. CNS See story on Page 11

Contribution for Year of Mercy Page 10

POPE FRANCIS Allow public expressions of faith Pope says in latest interview Page 14

OUR PARISHES A look at St Francis of Assisi parish Page 17

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Sunday May 29, 2016 CatholicNews

The crowd at the Pentecost Rally at Holy Innocents’ High School.

The Filipino El Shaddai group performing a song-and-dance item.

Unity amidst diversity at Pentecost Rally Families, teenagers, different nationalities make rally a memorable experience By Christopher Khoo Awesome, and a great experience of unity. This was what many felt about the full-day Pentecost Rally held at Holy Innocents’ High School on May 15. “People here are united, with the same objective of responding to God’s call,” said Mr Chen Fabang, 45, a Chinese national. ,W ZDV KLV ¿UVW WLPH DWWHQGLQJ such a rally and found it “awesome”, he told CatholicNews after the event. Ms Michelle Voo, 52, from the Church of St Vincent de Paul felt that the rally “united ... people of different ages, different races, different cultures”, just as the Holy 6SLULW GLG DW WKH ¿UVW 3HQWHFRVW The rally saw the KKIHS Indonesian Charismatic community and the El Shaddai group leading praise-and-worship in English, Bahasa Indonesia and Tagalog. They also got the 1,000-strong crowd on its feet and dancing to lively, inspirational songs. Redemptorist Fr Simon Pereira, in his talk, Go With Power, said that the Church experienced SRZHU GXULQJ WKH ¿UVW 3HQWHFRVW and people spoke in different tongues. Commenting on the participation of local and foreign Catholics at the rally, he said, “Thank God for all the different nationalities as WKH\ FRQWULEXWH WR WKH ÀRXULVKLQJ red dot … They add to the vibrancy of the Church in Singapore!” Fr Simon stressed the power of the Eucharist and the rosary in his talk and invited families to come forward for a time of healing. Many in the crowd were moved to tears as family mem-

Families asking forgiveness of one another.

bers asked forgiveness from one another for having offended each other in various ways. Fr Simon also invited teenagers to come up and asked them to pray for healing in their lives. A time of ministry followed as prayer teams prayed over individuals for spiritual empowerment. Many rested in the Spirit. In his homily during Mass, Archbishop William Goh stressed that all Christians “have the mission to spread the good news to all of creation. This is not an option, it’s an obligation.” He noted that he had written a letter to Catholics for Pentecost stressing the importance of stand-

Teenagers praying for healing for themselves as Fr Simon Pereira looks on.

ing up for their faith and claiming their spiritual identity. He emphasised the need for ongoing formation for Catholics as well as a stronger sense of community, and noted that only eight to 10 percent of Catholics are active in the churches. “If we are not growing in the faith, it is because we do not live the life of the Spirit,” he said. The rally also saw Fr Thomas Curran, spiritual director of SACCRE (Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal), give a history of the development of the Charismatic renewal. SACCRE chairman Gerard Francisco explained the role of

Thank God for all the different nationalities as ‘WKH\ FRQWULEXWH WR WKH ÀRXULVKLQJ UHG GRW « 7KH\ DGG WR WKH YLEUDQF\ RI WKH &KXUFK LQ 6LQJDSRUH ’

– Fr Simon Pereira

SACCRE, the organiser of the yearly Pentecost rallies. He said that SACCRE is a service body which provides training in various ministries for prayer groups, such as in healing, leadership and outreach. Young participants CatholicNews spoke to said they were moved by their experience of the rally. “I felt a lot of peace,” said 18-year-old Clarissa Sim. “I really felt God’s presence today.” Som, member of Faith Sycas, a youth Charismatic group at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, said she found it “very touching” to see strangers praying for one another. Jonathan Tham, also from Faith Sycas, said he felt that God “touched me with His immense love today”. christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Archbishop Goh: need for ongoing formation for Catholics.

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Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Catholic Youth Day to celebrate life of faith in Singapore 7KH 2IÂżFH IRU <RXQJ 3HR- young people planning Catholic SOH 2<3 ZLOO KRVW D &DWKROLF Youth Day, Ms Juliana Aloysius, Youth Day on its premises at head of the organising team, said, 2 Lorong Low Koon from July “The young people are them2-3. selves vital to our mission of raisIt will be an overnight celebra- ing up a generation of young peotion open to all young people in ple for Christ. As they participate Singapore. in making Catholic Youth Day The event aims to celebrate happen ... and serve in various the Christian life of faith in Sin- capacities, we hope they get even gapore and to signal what it more excited about their faith and means to be part of the one, holy, be convicted that they can and do Catholic, and apostolic Church, make a difference in their generaVDLG 2<3 tion.â€? The event will Said Fr Jude: begin with Mass, “Our prayer is that celebrated by RXU HIIRUWV DW 2<3 Our prayer is Archbishop Wilmay contribute to that our efforts liam Goh at 5 pm. the renewal of the During the Mass, Church. Our hope at OYP may there will be a speis that we and our contribute to cial blessing and young people cocommissioning of labouring with us the renewal of the Singapore conin this event be the Church. tingent of pilgrims living expressions – Fr Jude David, headed for World of what it means to chaplain of OYP <RXWK 'D\ LQ 3Rbe Church and to land in July. (see be in communion box below) in mission.â€? Following the Mass, are sesCatholic Youth Day is free sions such as praise and wor- and open to all those aged 16ship, testimonies from some of 35. However, tickets can be purthe young people and a talk by chased at $10 for a T-shirt, a )U -XGH 'DYLG FKDSODLQ RI 2<3 meal and a drink. Tickets can be An overnight vigil will then be obtained through OYP and selectheld. ed parishes. Throughout the night, the SacAs there will be no ticketing UDPHQW RI 5HFRQFLOLDWLRQ DQG (X- on the day itself, please contact charistic adoration will be avail- OYP at info.oyp@catholic.org. DEOH 3UD\HU WHDPV ZLOO DOVR SUD\ sg or 6285-2571 if you wish to with the young people. purchase tickets. More informaThe vigil will conclude at 7am tion can be found at oyp.org. the next day. sg and the OYP Facebook page. Noting the importance of „

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Singapore contingents heading to WYD Apart from the 170 pilgrims travelling with OYP to WYD, the other contingents include: „ 10 pilgrims from the Church of Christ the King

„ 64 pilgrims from the Church

of St Ignatius „ 30 pilgrims from the Church

of St Mary of the Angels „ 14 pilgrims from Jesus Youth „ 35 pilgrims from Opus Dei

Pilgrims taking part in praise and worship during the May 7 special preparation for World Youth Day.

Pilgrims continue spiritual preparations ahead of WYD By Martin Chee Young pilgrims from all over Singapore came together at the 2IÂżFH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH IRU D time of spiritual preparation for World Youth Day (WYD) on May 7. The event was the second such session organised for WKRVH WUDYHOOLQJ WR 3RODQG IRU WYD. Archbishop William Goh will be one of the pilgrims. During the May 7 event, sharings were conducted within groups which would be journeying together at WYD. RepUHVHQWDWLYHV RI WKH 3ROLVK (Pbassy and Consulate also came

WR VKDUH DERXW 3RODQG DQG LWV culture. 3DUWLFLSDQWV OHDUQW DERXW WKH &DWKROLF KLVWRU\ RI 3RODQG its saints and the impact of the Divine Mercy devotion, which VSUHDG DOO RYHU 3RODQG DQG EHcame a source of strength and inspiration for many people. This was followed by a time of adoration where pilgrims prayed the Divine Mercy chapOHW DQG DOVR UHĂ€HFWHG RQ WKH KLVWRU\ RI 3RODQG After the event, pilgrims shared how they were looking forward to attending WYD. Darren Chew from the Church of St Bernadette said: Âł7KLV LV P\ ÂżUVW :RUOG <RXWK

Day. Honestly, I am feeling nervous and uncertain about what may happen throughout the trip as we’re travelling miles away from home, but knowing that this pilgrimage would deepen my faith journey and being with my fellow pilgrims around WKH ZRUOG ÂżOOV PH ZLWK PXFK hope and gives me great pride to be a Catholic.â€? Jane Quek from the Church of the Holy Family said “the SLOJULPDJH ZLOO EH D ÂżUVW RQ many levels: First World Youth 'D\ H[SHULHQFH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ 3RODQG DQG D ÂżUVW SLOJULPDJH WULS ZLWK 2<3 OHG E\ $UFKELVKRS William Goh. That makes the trip beyond special!â€? „

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Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Upcoming Social Mission Conference to focus on mercy Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila will be the keynote speaker at the Social Mission Conference to be held on Aug 13. Cardinal Tagle, president of Caritas Internationalis, will speak on the Church’s teachings on mercy and help participants better understand how to reach out to those in need, says Caritas Singapore, which organises the conference every two years. The upcoming event, which will have the theme, “Witness to Mercy. Bearer of Compassion�, will be held at the Catholic Junior College Performing Arts Centre. According to Caritas Singapore, the conferences, which started in 2008, aim to help participants better understand the Church’s teachings on social mission and inspire them to put their faith in action by journeying with the poor and vulnerable in society. Other speakers at the upcoming conference include NTUC assistant secretary-general Zainal Bin Sapari; Assoc Prof Teo You Yenn, Division of Sociology, Nanyang Technological University; Mr Jonathan Chang, director of Lien Centre for Social Innovation, Singapore Management University; and Dr Christopher Cheok, board

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila is keynote speaker.

member of Clarity Singapore and vice chairman, Medical Board Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. They will share with participants the needs and challenges faced by the poor and vulnerable in Singapore during the morning segment. In the afternoon, participants can choose to attend any of six groups, or breakout tracks, discussing the topics of care-givers, single-parent families, the elderly, the physically disabled, low-wage workers and people with mental health issues. Caritas Singapore is also IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH ODXQFKLQJ D VHries of 22 exposure programmes

A participant speaking at the Social Mission Conference in 2014. The next conference will be in August and will have the theme, ‘Witness to Mercy. Bearer of Compassion’.

in a runup to the conference. These include a meeting with patients at Assisi Hospice, and workshops on child abuse and AIDS. In addition to the conference, Cardinal Tagle will also meet up

with young adults, between the ages of 18 to 35, for the Young Adults Mission of Mercy Event to be held the next day, Aug 14. 'XULQJ WKLV KDOI GD\ RI UHĂ€HFtion and discernment event, he will help participants probe more

deeply into God’s mercy in their lives and be more responsive to those in need in society. For more information on the conference, including costs, and to register, visit www.caritas-singapore.org „

Infant Jesus nun honoured for healthcare service Infant Jesus Sr Christiane Chua was awarded the Healthcare Humanity Award (HHA) in recognition of her life-long service and dedication to patient care. She was among 101 healthcare workers who were honoured on May 6 at the Ci Yuan Community Club.

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Sr Christiane, a clinical pastoral care counsellor at Mount Alvernia Hospital, was selected for the award by The Courage Fund. The fund was set up in 2003 in the wake of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak to aid victims and healthcare workers.

CHANCERY NOTICE CHN/BNN/2016/004

BANNS OF ORDINATION The following candidate Rev. Deacon Robin Lomangkok CSsR from the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), will be called to the Order of the Presbyterate on 1 August 2016 at Stella Maris Parish, Kota Kinabalu Sabah by His Grace Archbishop John Wong. The following candidate Rev. Deacon Francis Vijayan CSsR from the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists ), will be called to the Order of the Presbyterate on 8 September 2016 at Church of St Teresa by His Grace, Archbishop William Goh DD. 7KH SXEOLFDWLRQ RI WKHVH EDQQV IXO¿O WKH FDQRQLFDO UHTXLUHPHQW FDQ 1051 2°. Catholics are obliged to reveal any impediments or circumstances that would prevent any of the candidates from receiving Sacred Orders and should contact Archbishop John Wong or Archbishop William Goh DD with such information as soon as possible.

Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM, JCL, Chancellor Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #07-01 Catholic Centre, 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

“Clinical pastoral care is compassionate healthcare. It is about giving your full attention to another person, listening to them to have good communication and rapport,â€? shared Sr Christiane. “We work as a team with doctors and nurses to treat each patient as a person, not an illness.â€? According to the hospital, clinical pastoral care involves supporting patients by journeying with them, providing a listening ear and even praying with them. 6U &KULVWLDQH ÂżUVW ZRUNHG LQ the orphanage in the Infant Jesus Convent at Victoria Street looking after abandoned babies and nursing them back to health. From 1961, she started to look after the elderly Sisters in the inÂżUPDU\ LQ WKH FRQYHQW In 1989, together with Sr Bernadette Mary Yeo Geok Tho, she helped to pioneer the clinical pastoral care service at Mount Alvernia Hospital and in Singapore. Sr Christiane has since then provided compassionate healthcare to patients at the hospital. Sr Bernadette, a Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood nun, received the Healthcare Humanity Awards Honourable Mention Medallion last year for her contributions to the healthcare industry. „

Sr Christiane Chua poses for a photo with Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, after receiving the Healthcare Humanity Award on May 6.

Sunday May 29, 2016 CatholicNews

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Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Dear Buddhist Friends, I greet you warmly in your celebration of VeVDN 'D\ DV \RX FRPPHPRUDWH WKUHH VLJQLÂżFDQW events in the life of Gautama Buddha, namely, KLV ELUWK HQOLJKWHQPHQW DQG ÂżQDO QLUYDQD 0D\ you and your families be blessed with deep SHDFH MR\ DQG ORYH Buddhists are well known for their cultivation of wholesome values such as loving-kindness and compassion through meditation and HQOLJKWHQPHQW ,QGHHG WKH ZRUOG ZRXOG EH D much nicer place to live in if all peoples inculcate such time-honoured values which proPRWH SHDFH DQG KDUPRQLRXV OLYLQJ This emphasis on prayer, mercy and compassion in Buddhism is very much in line with RXU &KULVWLDQ )DLWK &KULVW +LPVHOI VSRNH H[tensively on the theme of mercy, compassion DQG IRUJLYHQHVV Continuing with this emphasis of the gospel, 3RSH )UDQFLV KDV GHFODUHG WKLV \HDU WR EH DQ H[WUDRUGLQDU\ -XELOHH <HDU RI 0HUF\ %\ VR GRLQJ he invites the whole Catholic Church and, indeed, WKH ZKROH ZRUOG WR H[HUFLVH PHUF\ DQG FRPSDVVLRQ ZLWK UHVSHFW WR RXU IHOORZPHQ DQG FUHDWLRQ Through prayer and meditation, Christians FRPH WR H[SHULHQFH WKH ORYLQJ NLQGQHVV DQG FRPSDVVLRQ RI *RG )ROORZLQJ WKLV HQFRXQWHU ZLWK *RG DQG HQOLJKWHQHG E\ +LV ORYH DQG PHUF\ &KULVWLDQV H[WHQG WKLV FRPSDVVLRQ WR DOO SHRSOHV UHJDUGOHVV RI UDFH ODQJXDJH RU UHOLJLRQ Pope Francis believes that such a renewal in the world is all the more needed in these troubled

May this year see a further deepening of ties between our Buddhist and Christian leaders and among our communities. May we continue to collaborate and encourage each other in promoting justice, mercy and peace among our peoples and believers of our faiths.

WLPHV 0RUH WKDQ HYHU EHIRUH WKH ZRUOG LV ZLWnessing the destruction of humanity and the rape RI 0RWKHU (DUWK E\ DWURFLRXV DFWV RI GLVUHVSHFW DQG YLROHQFH UHVXOWLQJ IURP JUHHG VHOÂżVKQHVV KDWUHG DQG DQJHU OXVW IRU SRZHU DQG FRQWURO It behooves us, Buddhists and Christians, to unite even more wholeheartedly in prayer and works of mercy to spread the virtues of loving-kindness, forgiveness and compassion to counter the advancing forces of evil in this ZRUOG 6XFK HIIRUWV ZLOO VXUHO\ FRQWULEXWH WRwards safeguarding the peace and harmony enMR\HG E\ DOO ZKR OLYH LQ 6LQJDSRUH 0D\ WKLV \HDU VHH D IXUWKHU GHHSHQLQJ RI ties between our Buddhist and Christian leadHUV DQG DPRQJ RXU FRPPXQLWLHV 0D\ ZH FRQ-

tinue to collaborate and encourage each other in promoting justice, mercy and peace among RXU SHRSOHV DQG EHOLHYHUV RI RXU IDLWKV On behalf of the Catholic community in 6LQJDSRUH , ZLVK \RX D PHPRUDEOH DQG VSLULWXDOO\ UHMXYHQDWLQJ 9HVDN 'D\ „

Most Rev. William Goh, D.D., STL Archbishop of Singapore

Msgr. Philip Heng, S.J. Vicar General (Interreligious Relations)

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Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

-HUHPLDK /LDXZ EHLQJ KHOSHG DURXQG LQ KLV ZKHHOFKDLU GXULQJ KLV ¿UVW 0DVV DV DQ DOWDU VHUYHU

-HUHPLDK VHHQ KHUH ZLWK KLV IDPLO\ &ORFNZLVH IURP OHIW EURWKHU 1DWKDQLHO IDWKHU 7LPRWK\ VLVWHU -R\ DQG PRWKHU 0LFKHOH

Spinal condition no barrier to altar service -HUHPLDK /LDXZ ZKR VXIIHUV IURP VSLQD ELÀGD VHUYHG DW KLV ÀUVW 0DVV UHFHQWO\ By Jared Ng Jeremiah Liauw, who suffers from a spinal condition, served KLV ¿UVW 0DVV LQ D ZKHHOFKDLU DW WKH &KXUFK RI 'LYLQH 0HUF\ RQ 0D\ ³-HUU\´ DV KH LV RIWHQ FDOOHG VXIIHUV IURP VSLQD EL¿GD D FRQGLWLRQ WKDW DIIHFWV WKH VSLQH 7KH backbone that protects the spinal cord does not form and close as LW VKRXOG 7KLV RIWHQ UHVXOWV LQ damage to the spinal cord and QHUYHV 'XULQJ WKH 6DWXUGD\ HYHQLQJ 0DVV WKH \HDU ROG IURP 6W Joseph’s Institution Junior was KHOSHG DURXQG WKH DOWDU E\ D IHOORZ DOWDU VHUYHU $ UDPS EXLOW E\ D SDULVKLRQHU IRU -HUU\ ZDV DOVR XVHG IRU KLP WR KDYH EHWWHU DFFHVV WR WKH DOWDU During the celebration, Jeremiah brought water to Fr Valerian Cheong for him to wash his hands

IRU WKH SUHSDUDWLRQ RI WKH JLIWV $IWHU WKH 0DVV SDULVKLRQHUV FRXOG EH VHHQ FRPLQJ XS WR -HUU\ to congratulate him on serving his ¿UVW 0DVV ³, IHOW UHDOO\ H[FLWHG DQG QHUYRXV DW WKH VDPH WLPH ´ -HUU\ WROG &DWKROLF1HZV DIWHU WKH 0DVV ³, KDYH DOZD\V ZDQWHG WR EH DQ DOWDU VHUYHU VLQFH WKH GD\ , VDZ WKHP >DOWDU VHUYHUV@ DW WKH DOWDU ´ ,W ZDV HDUOLHU WKLV \HDU WKDW -HUU\ ZDV DSSURDFKHG E\ )U -RKQson Fernandez, parish priest of the &KXUFK RI 'LYLQH 0HUF\ -HUU\ said that: “he came up to me after 0DVV DQG DVNHG LI , ZDQWHG WR EH D VHUYHU ´ ³, KDG DVNHG PXPP\ EHIRUH whether she had seen someone like me be a server or priest before DQG VKH WROG PH WR SUD\ DERXW LW Before Fr Johnson left, he told me WR SUD\ DERXW LW WRR ´ VDLG -HUU\ Fr Johnson shared that he had QRWLFHG -HUU\ SD\LQJ VSHFLDO DWWHQ-

always wanted to ‘beI have an altar server since the day I saw them [altar servers] at the altar.

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– Jeremiah Liauw

tion to the things happening at the altar and he felt prompted to speak WR -HUU\ DIWHU 0DVV 0UV 0LFKHOH /LDXZ -HUU\¶V mother, said that Fr Johnson later requested from the church that a UDPS EH EXLOW DW WKH DOWDU IRU -HUU\

³+H >)U -RKQVRQ@ DQG )U 7HUence [Kesavan] have been so supportive of us throughout this MRXUQH\ DQG ZH FDQ¶W WKDQN WKHP HQRXJK ´ VKH VDLG $ ZHHN EHIRUH KLV ¿UVW 0DVV -HUU\ DWWHQGHG WKH FRPPLVVLRQLQJ 0DVV IRU DOWDU VHUYHUV WRJHWKer with his elder brother, NathanLHO 1DWKDQLHO SUHYLRXVO\ DQ DOWDU server at the Church of Christ the King, was also commissioned that GD\ ³,¶P JODG WKDW KH LV DQ DOWDU server, we’re now closer as brothHUV ´ VDLG 1DWKDQLHO ZKR DOVR

VHUYHG 0DVV ZLWK -HUU\ RQ 0D\ 7KH WZR EURWKHUV PD\ QRW DOZD\V VHUYH 0DVV WRJHWKHU GXH WR WKHLU GLIIHUHQW VFKHGXOHV -HUU\ VDLG WKDW KH LV ³ORRNLQJ WR VHUYH PRUH 0DVVHV´ DQG WKDQNV *RG ³IRU WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR VHUYH DQG JORULI\ +LP´ +LV DGYLFH WR WKRVH PD\ ZDQW to be of service to the Church but VXIIHU IURP SK\VLFDO FRQGLWLRQV ³'RQ¶W JLYH XS RQ \RXU GUHDP 0\ GUHDP ZDV WR EHFRPH DQ DOWDU VHUYHU ´ „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Philippine bishops tell Duterte not to play God – Several Philippine Catholic Church leaders have criticised the plan of presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte to revive the death penalty once he assumes RIÂżFH RQ -XQH Âł2QO\ *RG KDV SRZHU RYHU OLIH *RG JLYHV OLIH DQG *RG WDNHV OLIH No one should play God,â€? said Bishop Ruperto Santos of BalDQJD The prelate, who heads the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said life is sacred and should be “promoted, respectHG DQG SURWHFWHG ´ ,Q KLV ÂżUVW SUHVV FRQIHUHQFH since election day on May 15, Mr Duterte said he will ask Congress to pass a law that will restore the GHDWK SHQDOW\ IRU FHUWDLQ FULPHV “What I would do is to urge Congress to restore the death penDOW\ E\ KDQJLQJ ´ VDLG 0U 'XWHUWH He said death by hanging will instil fear among criminals and is ÂłYLUWXDOO\ SDLQOHVV´ The former mayor of Davao, who has been dubbed “The Punisherâ€? for his tough stance on crime, said criminals involved in illegal drugs, gun-for-hire syndicates, and those who commit “heinous crimesâ€? will have to face the GHDWK VHQWHQFH The Catholic Church has been

MANILA

Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte said that he plans to restore the death penalty once he assumes RIÂżFH RQ -XQH CNS photos

A supporter of Mr Duterte, wearing a T-shirt with a play on his name, attends a Mass of thanksgiving in Manila.

DJDLQVW UHYLYLQJ FDSLWDO SXQLVKPHQW Bishop Santos said instead of reviving the death penalty, Mr Duterte should instead initiate prison reforms and review the country’s MXVWLFH V\VWHP Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa said he will volunteer

himself to be executed in place of WKRVH WKH JRYHUQPHQW ZLOO KDQJ “Didn’t Christ do that?â€? Archbishop Arguelles asked, adding that if the new administration revives capital punishment “Catholic Philippines will be merciless in WKH <HDU RI 0HUF\ ´

Instead of reviving the death penalty, Mr Duterte should instead initiate prison reforms and review the country’s justice system, said Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga.

‘Dark prospects’ Meanwhile, a Filipino priest has warned of “dark prospects� for the Philippines following the election of Mr Duterte as the country’s QH[W SUHVLGHQW “He may have the political will, but he lacks the vision, compassion, integrity and emotional intelligence necessary to effect genuine change,� Redemptorist Fr $PDGR 3LFDUGDO VDLG The priest recently revealed that a death squad operating in the

southern city of Davao, where Mr Duterte has been mayor for the past two decades, was responsible for the deaths of some 1,424 peoSOH EHWZHHQ DQG “It is doubtful if he can effectively and single-handedly eliminate criminality and corruption,â€? said Fr Picardal, who heads the Philippine bishops’ Commission IRU %DVLF (FFOHVLDO &RPPXQLWLHV “He himself has been accused of being a criminal and as corrupt as other politicians with the extrajudicial killings and allegations of KLGGHQ ZHDOWK ´ VDLG WKH SULHVW He said the new president is expected to do what he has been GRLQJ LQ 'DYDR Âł7KLV PHDQV organising and multiplying the GHDWK VTXDGV ´ KH VDLG “There will be a rising number of extrajudicial killings,â€? said Fr 3LFDUGDO Mr Duterte himself said there would be no need to build new prisRQV ZKHQ KH EHFRPHV SUHVLGHQW “Build more funeral parlours,â€? he WROG WKH PHGLD GXULQJ KLV FDPSDLJQ The priest also warned against Mr Duterte’s reported plan to enter into an alliance with commuQLVW UHEHOV “A revolutionary coalition government with the communists will provoke a counter-revolution,â€? VDLG )U 3LFDUGDO „ UCANEWS.COM

Sunday May 29, 2016 CatholicNews

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10 ASIA

Indian nuns agree to donate their organs More than 3,000 organs transNEW DELHI – Sixty Indian nuns from the Congregation of the plants occur in the country annualMother of Carmel have pledged ly while more than 1 million peoto donate their organs, saying it ple nationwide are in need of an was their contribution for the Year organ transplant. About 90 percent of the people on waiting lists in of Mercy. The nuns of Dehradun prov- India die without getting an organ. Fr Mathew Abraham, director ince in northern India’s Uttarakhand state pledged to donate of the Catholic Health Associatheir organs to state sports and tion of India, said the demand for organ transplant forest minister is greater than the Dinesh Aggarwal About 90 supply for several on May 11. percent of reasons. “We have People still do been helping peothe people on not know the imple through our waiting lists portance of organ social services donation and how when we are alive in India die it can help them and now after without getting and others, he death our organs said. will be helpful to an organ. “Other facthose in need,” tors include igSr Jaya Peter told norance among the people about ucanews.com. She said 110 Carmel sisters in how the organ donation is carried Kerala made the same pledge last out. Religion too sometimes can have a negative impact on this as month. Lamenting that not many peo- there are some beliefs of life after ple are aware about organ dona- death,” he said. Fr Abraham said association tion in the country, the nun said that it was imperative to educate partners are spreading awareness across India to encourage people people about its importance. In India, people are hesitant to donate their organs. He said that a massive camto donate their organs despite the fact that the country has been fac- paign needs to be launched at the ing an acute shortage of donor or- national level to sensitise people to the issue. UCANEWS.COM gans.

Sunday May 29, 2016 CatholicNews

Some Chinese priests who met pope reluctant to talk HONG KONG – Some of the parish

priests from China who met with Pope Francis in Rome on April 27 were reluctant to reveal too much of the trip once they returned home, fearing repercussions from the government. China has been tightening its controls on religion, leaving some priests uneasy about describing their experience. “It is inconvenient for me to talk, given the situation in China,” one priest, who asked not to be named, told ucanews.com. Twenty-three parish priests, mostly from northern China, attended a two-week programme on Catholic social teaching and catechism at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. They also went on a pilgrimage to Germany and Rome. The European tour lasted from April 8-30 and was organised by the Ferdinand Verbiest Foundation. On April 27, the priests greeted and took photos with Pope Francis after the general

audience in St Peter’s Square. “I could not help my tears,” said a priest, known as Fr Paul, about meeting the pope. Fr Paul described the pope as WKH ³SHUVRQL¿FDWLRQ RI ORYH ´ “I completely melted in this love … so touched and excited that I could not think of any other thing

China has been tightening its controls on religion, leaving some priests uneasy about describing their experience. at that brief encounter,” he said. Another participant, known as Fr Joseph, described Pope Francis as “kind and loving” and that the pope “always smiled during the audience.” He said he and the priests spoke to the pope in Spanish to invite him to visit China.

The pope answered, “Yes, yes, I would like to come.” Fr Wei Wei from northwestern Ningxia region said meetLQJ WKH SRSH ZDV ³VLJQL¿FDQW and unforgettable.” He was the only priest who used his full name in a report on the diocesan website. “I gained a lot from the study programme, which makes me understand better the Church’s social doctrine,” he said. )U -RVHSK VDLG KLV ¿UVW WULS WR Europe helped broaden his horizons in understanding a different culture. While many Chinese Catholics shared in the joy of the news that their priests had met Pope Francis, others expressed doubts that the meeting would have much impact. Speaking on social media, some asked why these priests could go abroad easily while other priests were jailed, referring to the ¿YH XQGHUJURXQG SULHVWV GHWDLQHG in Hebei province in April. UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 11

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Filipinos cautiously welcome possibility of women deacons

World leaders urged to act to counter terrorist ‘narratives, ideologies’ CNS photo

Women carry candles at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines, in January. Filipino Church leaders say more study is needed on women deacons. MANILA – Filipino Church lead-

ers cautiously welcomed the announcement by Pope Francis to study the possibility of allowing women to serve as deacons in the Catholic Church. “I personally welcome the news,� said Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, a member of the Commission on Vocations of the Philippine bishops’ conference. Bishop Alminaza said Pope Francis’ action “shows his openness and sincerity in dialoguing and his genuine interest to discover and put to good use the feminine genius.� “We genuinely seek meaningful, creative, and faithful collaboration and participation of women in our ecclesial community,� said the prelate. Pope Francis on May 12 accepted a proposal made by superiors of women’s orders to set up a group to study the role of New Testament deaconesses and the possibility of women serving as deacons. Bishop Alminaza said the gesture of the pope “reveals his honest search for better integration of women in the life of the Church.�

“The call and challenge for a Church of inclusion should not remain empty words,� said the Filipino bishop. Other Philippine Church leaders welcomed the news with more caution. “Let us wait for the study to be done,� said Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila. Fr Edwin Gariguez of the so-

Jesus would not ‘ mind having women deacons if there’s an actual pastoral need.

’

– Bishop Pedro Arigo of Palawan

cial action secretariat of the Philippine bishops’ conference refused to comment, saying that they have instruction from the bishops not to talk to the media about issues that are “doctrinal in nature.â€? Ms Maria Soccoro Villafania, one of the lay “auditorsâ€? during the Vatican Synod on the Family last year, said there is a need to seriously study the issue. Âł)LUVW , QHHG WR ÂżQG RXW ZKDW

deacons are already empowered to do. Second, I need to know ZKDW TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV DUH QHHGHG IRU women to become deacons,â€? Ms Villafania said. Bishop Pedro Arigo of Palawan urged the faithful to wait for the result of the study that will be done by theologians. “I think Jesus would not mind having women deacons if there’s an actual pastoral need,â€? said the prelate. Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose in Nueva Ecija province, head of the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, said the commission should study the “acceptabilityâ€? of women deacons. Bishop Alminaza said there is really a need for more “in-depth studyâ€? of the issue. He said Pope Francis only wanted to clarify “what were deaconesses.â€? “Were they ordained or not? What was the role of deaconesses in those times?â€? said Bishop Alminaza. “We should not jump ahead of the study,â€? he added. „ UCANEWS.COM

Electricity could stem violence: Nigerian bishop WASHINGTON – Something developed countries take for granted – electricity – could go a long way to stemming violence often attributed to religion, said a Nigerian bishop. The lack of electricity means that people cannot do ordinary work without a generator, and generators are expensive, said Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah

of Sokoto, in the country’s northwest. Only major cities, such as state capitals, have reliable electricity, the bishop told Catholic News Service during a recent visit to Washington. The problem is intertwined with pervasive corruption, he said. “If the lights would come on

... the small people would get busy,â€? said Bishop Kukah. “Too many young Nigeriansâ€? have too much time on their hands and spend time thinking about doing bad things, he added. Often violence in Nigeria is DWWULEXWHG WR UHOLJLRXV FRQĂ€LFWV he said, but “more often it is just a battle for survival and a battle over resources.â€? „ CNS

UNITED NATIONS – Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the UN, called for world leaders to take action with regard to “countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorismâ€? during the Security Council’s open debate on May 11. The archbishop said in his statement that the debate is important because “it calls us to strike terrorism at its very roots and where it must primarily be fought: namely, in the hearts and minds of men and women, in particular of those who are most at risk of radicalisation and recruitment by terrorist groups.â€? He emphasised that the narratives and ideologies of terrorist groups, in addition to religion, are used to justify their acts of violence, and countering them is a responsibility of all religious leaders. “Religious leaders and people of faith must be at the forefront in delegitimising the manipulation of faith and distortion of sacred WH[WV DV D MXVWLÂżFDWLRQ IRU YLRlence,â€? the UN nuncio said. “Anyone who considers himself or herself a believer while planning and carrying out actions against fundamental rights and dignity of every man and woman must be condemned.â€? ,Q WKH ÂżJKW DJDLQVW WHUURULVP Archbishop Auza said that all religions must come together to confront terrorist groups in their “misuse of religion ... religious bigotry, stereotyping and disrespect for what people hold sacred.â€? To counteract the narratives and ideologies of terrorism, religious leaders must be educated in both the “history and the meaning of the sacred textsâ€? to be able to identify the false narratives of extremists, said the archbishop.

Many terrorist groups are targeting young people, who often come from poor immigrant families and are excluded from their communities. To address this, Archbishop Auza called governments to “engage with civil society to address the problems of communities,� to “achieve integration of those communities.� Finally, the archbishop highlighted terrorist groups’ use of

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Vatican nuncio to the UN, has called for all religions to stand together to confront terrorist groups in their ‘misuse of religion’. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

cyber recruitment. He mentioned that their “access to cyberspace must be deniedâ€? to cut off their reach to “the hearts and minds of millions of people.â€? “The Holy See is convinced,â€? Archbishop Auza concluded, “that if we are to win the hearts of our children and young people and prevent their joining terrorists groups, we must build inclusive societies and prevent illicit DUPV WUDIÂżFNLQJ EXLOG EULGJHV rather than walls, and engage in dialogue rather than in mutual isolation.â€? „ CNS

Priest in Vietnam brutally beaten VIETNAM – A Catholic priest in

northern Vietnam who has spoken out against mining and land grabbing was brutally beaten by masked assailants on May 7. Fr Joseph Nguyen Van The from Bac Ninh diocese was attacked by four men, who beat him with iron rods, Fr Nguyen Van Hoi, diocesan spokesman, said in a statement. Fr Hoi said the priest was attacked at dusk while he was on the way to minister to villagers in Son Duong town in Tuyen Quang province. Fr The celebrates three Masses each weekend at mission stations that serve local ethnic Catholics. Fr Hoi said Fr The was badly injured and transported to

Hung Vuong general hospital in Phu Tho province for treatment. Church sources said the attackers intentionally put iron spikes on the road to stop Father The’s vehicle. They left the iron URG XVHG LQ WKH EHDWLQJ DIWHU ÀHHing the scene. Sources said Fr The is known in the region as an advocate for the poor and farmers’ rights. He successfully led local villagers in preventing illegal sand minLQJ DQG DVVLVWHG IDUPHUV LQ ¿JKWing local authorities who tried to grab their land. The farmers later offered their land to the Church. Sources said the attack was related to Father The’s work on human rights. „ UCANEWS.COM

12 WORLD

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Pope offers prayers for those affected by &DQDGD ZLOGÀUHV EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Pope

Francis has added his name to the list of people offering prayers for Canadians affected by the PDVVLYH ZLOGÂżUHV WKDW KDYH OHG to the evacuation of Fort McMurray. In a May 6 letter to Bishop Paul Terrio of St Paul, the pope said he “was saddened to learn of the destruction and distress FDXVHG E\ WKH H[WHQVLYH ÂżUHV around Fort McMurray.â€? The pope said he was praying “for all the displaced, especially the children, who have lost their homes and livelihoodsâ€? and asked God to bless civil authorities and those coordinating the evacuation and providing shelter for the nearly 90,000 people left homeless. He also asked for strength and perseverance for those who are battling the ÂżUH The pope’s message came via Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, through Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, the apostolic nuncio to Canada. The Church across Alberta

has offered assistance to the evacuees from Fort McMurray, Anzac, Gregoire Lakes Estate and the Fort McMurray First NaWLRQ $OEHUWD RIÂżFLDOV VDLG ÂżUH conditions remain extreme in the province due to low humidity, high temperatures and wind, and that residents of Fort McMurray should not expect to return home “for an extended period of time.â€? In a letter to parishioners in the Edmonton archdiocese, Archbishop Richard Smith said Catholics are “shocked and saddened by the sudden destruction caused E\ WKH ZLOGÂżUH´ DQG DVNHG &DWKRlics for prayers. Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, a former bishop of both St Paul and Edmonton, asked people in Canada’s largest Catholic archdiocese to contribute to a fund for relief for the victims RI WKH ÂżUH 7KH DUFKGLRFHVH VDLG it would funnel the donations it receives through the Red Cross. Earlier, Bishop Terrio issued a statement giving thanks that there had been no loss of life as a UHVXOW RI WKH ZLOGÂżUH In his May 4 statement, the bishop said that with the community still in shock from the dam-

)ODPHV IURP D ZLOGÂżUH ULVH LQ DQ LQGXVWULDO DUHD RI )RUW 0F0XUUD\ $OEHUWD CNS photos

age in Fort McMurray, “Let us give thanks to our Lord and God that, with some 60,000-70,000 people evacuated from the community in a matter of hours, there has been no loss of life.â€? Âł7KLV ÂżUH GLVDVWHU LV D KDUG blow at a time when Fort McMurray is already struggling under an adverse economic situation,â€? wrote Bishop Terrio. He noted the economic slowdown with the worldwide drop in oil prices that has severely affected the local economy in the heart of Canada’s oil country. “But with our faith, our hope and our love for each other, we shall, as a young local evacuee said on Facebook last night, build a ‘better Fort McMurray,’â€? he said. „ CNS

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WORLD 13

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Catholics and Buddhists can join hands to save environment Vatican issues message for Vesak Day VATICAN CITY – Knowing that the deterioration of the environment is due to humanity’s greed and VHOÂżVKQHVV %XGGKLVWV DQG &KULVtians must work together to promote lifestyle changes that respect nature, said Cardinal Jean-Louis 7DXUDQ SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżcal Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The teachings of Buddhism and Christianity, he said, show “a shared understanding that at the centre of the eco-crisis is, in fact, an ego-crisis, expressed by human greed, anxiety, arrogance and ignoranceâ€?, the cardinal said in a message marking Vesak Day. (DFK \HDU WKH SRQWLÂżFDO council sends greetings to Buddhists around the world for the

feast which commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. Vesak Day falls on May 21 this year in Singapore. Recalling Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home�, Cardinal Tauran said the current ecological crisis is a call for a “profound interior conversion� that adds to the urgency of interreligious cooperation. Because “the crisis of climate change is contributed to by human activity, we, Christians and Buddhists, must work together to confront it with an ecological spirituality�, he wrote. Additionally, Cardinal Tauran said followers of all religions must “transcend their bounda-

Britain’s U-turn on resettling child refugees welcomed MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Car-

dinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster has welcomed a U-turn by the British government over the resettlement of child refugees. He said he was “very happyâ€? with a May 4 announcement by Prime Minister David Cameron that the UK will accept an unspecLÂżHG QXPEHU RI XQDFFRPSDQLHG children who arrived in the European Union from Syria. Under pressure from Parliament, Mr Cameron said the UK would not only take in 3,000 children from refugee camps in the Middle East, but that children registered in Greece, Italy or France before March 20 (the date when an EU deal with Turkey to return migrants took effect) would also be eligible for resettlement in Britain. The government will not take in migrant children who arrive after that date because it does not ZDQW WR HQFRXUDJH KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNing, said Mr Cameron. In a May 4 statement, Cardinal Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, expressed satisfaction that the government had struck the right balance. “I am very happy that the government is extending an offer of sanctuary to a greater number of FKLOGUHQ Ă€HHLQJ FRQĂ€LFW ZKLOH continuing to combat the evils of KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNLQJ ´ KH VDLG “The UK’s response to the ref-

Cardinal Nichols: glad that UK government is offering sanctuary to FKLOGUHQ ÀHHLQJ FRQÀLFW &16 ¿OH SKRWR

ugee crisis is improving the lives of thousands,� he added. “I encourage the Catholic community to keep on playing its part through working with local authorities, being generous with time and resources, and extending the hand of welcome to refugees arriving here.� Days earlier, Cardinal Nichols had used a homily at an annual diocesan Mass for migrants to tell Catholics that they should protest against immigration policies that could put the lives of children at risk. “While it is right to keep silent when children are asleep, it is never right to stay silent when they are perishing at sea or at risk in hostile camps,� Cardinal Nichols said at the May 2 Mass. „ CNS

$ %XGGKLVW QRYLFH PRQN ZDONV RQ SDUFKHG ODQG LQ /DPSDQJ 7KDLODQG 7KH 9DWLFDQ PHVVDJH QRWHV WKDW KXPDQ DFWLYLW\ KDV FRQWULEXWHG WR FOLPDWH FKDQJH &16 SKRWR

ries� and collaborate in building an ecologically responsible society. Catholics and Buddhists, in particular, can promote the planet’s health and sustainability through joint initiatives and educational programmes

aimed at raising ecological awareness, Cardinal Tauran said. “Dear Buddhist friends, may we cooperate together in liberating humanity from the suffering brought about by climate change and contribute to the

care of our common home,� he wrote. 7KH IXOO 9DWLFDQ PHVVDJH LV DW KWWS ZZZ YDWLFDQ YD URPDQBFXULD SRQWLILFDOBFRXQFLOV LQWHUHOJ G R F X P H Q W V UF B S F B L Q W H UH O J B GRFB BYHVDNK B HQ KWPO „

Vatican helps create jobs for refugees VATICAN CITY – The Vatican is funding a job-creation programme for Iraqi refugees in Jordan, a country that is hosting close to 1.5 million refugees, but is struggling to provide work for them. With US$150,000 (S$205,000) donated to the Vatican by visitors to its pavilion at the World’s Fair in Milan in 2015, the Vatican says it will provide the funding that Caritas Jordan needs to launch the project. Fifteen Iraqi refugees will have full-time work cultivating, producing and selling vegetables and oil, said a May 10 commu-

QLTXH IURP WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO &RU 8QXP WKH 9DWLFDQ RI¿FH which promotes and distributes Catholic charity. The jobs will allow them to provide for their families and become self-supporting, WKH RI¿FH VDLG Another 200 Iraqi refugees will receive training in carpentry, agriculture and the food industry, Cor Unum said, and 500 more will get seasonal employment. Jordan is hosting about 130,000 Iraqi refugees, Cor Unum VDLG 0DQ\ ÀHG WKHLU KRPHV LQ Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion of their country and the cap-

ture of Saddam Hussein. Jordan is also hosting more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees, making it even PRUH GLI¿FXOW IRU UHIXJHHV WR ¿QG work. Many often accept jobs without contracts, said Mr Wael Suleiman, director of Caritas Jordan. The project, which will be based at Caritas’ Our Lady of Peace Centre in Amman, was to be inaugurated on May 12. After the initial funding by the Vatican, it is hoped the products created would generate enough income for both workers’ salaries and future projects. „ CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Pope talks about religious freedom, ISIS, immigration in new interview CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Governments

work best when they are secular but they must give ample space for people to express their religious beliefs, including by respecting the right of conscientious objection, Pope Francis told the French Catholic newspaper La Croix. While legislatures must “discuss, argue, explain [and] reasonâ€? about legal solutions to complex issues, including euthanasia and same-sex marriage, “once a law has been adopted, the state must also respect consciencesâ€?, the pope said in the interview published on May 16. “The right to conscientious objection must be recognised within each legal structure because it is a human right – including for a government RIÂż FLDO ZKR LV D KXPDQ SHUVRQ ´ National governments, he said, “must be secular. Confessional states end badly.â€?

Everyone must ‘have the freedom to externalise his or her own faith. If a Muslim woman wishes to wear a veil, she must be able to do so. Similarly, if a Catholic wishes to wear a cross.

’

– Pope Francis

Religious freedom But a truly secular democracy fully respects the religious freedom of its citizens, including their right to publicly express their faith, the pope said. “Everyone must have the freedom to externalise his or her own faith. If a Muslim woman wishes to wear a veil, she must be able to do so. Similarly, if a Catholic wishes to wear a cross. People must be free to profess their faith at the heart of their own culture not merely at its margins.â€? Pope Francis said he thinks that in some ways, France has exaggerated its secular character, particularly by “considering religions as sub-cultures rather than as fullyĂ€ HGJHG FXOWXUHV LQ WKHLU RZQ ULJKW´ Respect for religious belief in Europe must extend to Islam, as

well, he said. “In this sense, when I hear talk of the Christian roots of Europe, I sometimes dread the tone, which can seem triumphalist or even vengeful. It then takes on colonialist overtones. John Paul II, however, spoke about it in a tranquil manner. “Yes, Europe has Christian roots and it is Christianity’s responsibility to water those roots. But this must be done in a spirit of service as in the washing of the feet,� he said.

Immigration Interviewed by La Croix’s director and by its Vatican correspondent, Pope Francis agreed that nations have a right and obligation to control their borders and regu-

late immigration. But, he said, when immigrants are accepted, “the worst form of welcome is to ‘ghettoize’ them. On the contrary, it’s necessary to integrate them.� Those held responsible for the Brussels terrorist bombings in March, he said, “were Belgians, children of migrants, but they grew up in a ghetto�, while London has sworn in a new mayor, Mr Sadiq Khan, who is the son of Pakistani Muslims. “This illustrates the need for Europe to rediscover its capacity to integrate,� the pope said.

ISIS Asked about a perceived fear of Muslims in Europe, Pope Francis responded, “I don’t think that

there is a fear of Islam as such but of ISIS and its war of conquest, which is partly drawn from Islam. It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam. However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends His disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.�

Traditionalist group Asked about the Vatican’s ongoing discussions with the traditionalist Society of St Pius X and his meeting on April 1 with Bishop Bernard Fellay, the society’s superior general, the pope said, “They say they are Catholic. They love the Church.� “Bishop Fellay is a man with

whom one can dialogue,� Pope Francis said. “That is not the case for other elements who are a little strange, such as Bishop [Richard] Williamson or others who have been radicalised. Leaving this aside, I believe, as I said in Argentina, that they are Catholics on the way to full communion.� “Good dialogue and good work are taking place� to bring the society and its members back to a fully normal position within the Church, the pope said. Establishing a “personal prelature�, a sort of non-territorial diocese, for them “would be a possible solution but beforehand it will be necessary to establish a fundamental agreement with them. The Second Vatican Council has its value. We will advance slowly and patiently.� Members of the society have objected to some of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council and to mainstream interpretations of it, especially the council documents on religious liberty, ecumenism, liturgy and relations with other religions.

Meetings on family Pope Francis also told La Croix that WKH SURFHVV RI VWXG\ UHĂ€ HFWLRQ DQG discussion surrounding the 2014 and 2015 meetings of the Synod of Bishops on the family had an impact on Church leaders. “I think that we all came out of the various processes different from the way that we entered. Including me.â€? In the postsynodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, the pope said, “I sought to respect the synod to the maximum. You won’t Âż QG FDQRQLFDO SUHVFULSWLRQV WKHUH about what one may or may not do.â€? „ CNS

A woman could be Vatican’s ‘prime minister’, says cardinal CNS photo

ROME – The Vatican secretary of state,

who holds the position traditionally considered as the Vatican’s “prime ministerâ€?, said that in his view there is no reason why a woman couldn’t have his job one day. “A woman could become secretary of state, in the sense that the role of the secretary of state is evidently not bound to the sacraments or the priesthood,â€? Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in a brief session with reporters on May 3. “In any case, I repeat, let’s look at the path that has been travelled, and the Lord will tell us how far we can go,â€? he said. He was speaking during the launch of a new Vatican magazine dedicated to women, titled Women-Church-World. 7KH 9DWLFDQ RIÂż FH RI VHFUHWDU\ RI VWDWH dates to the early 16th century, when popes needed someone to handle communications with the Vatican’s diplomatic missions. Over the years it grew to become the Vatican’s most important administrative position, responsible not only for foreign

policy but also a wide swathe of internal Church governance. By the 19th century, it was commonly felt that the Vatican had adopted a president/prime minister model, with the pope as the head of state and the secretary of state as the head of government. Some people may dispute Cardinal Parolin’s assertion that a woman could hold his position, since traditionally a the secretary of state exercises authority in the name of the pope, and some believe to do so one has to be ordained. Cardinal Parolin’s comment, however, appears consistent with Pope Francis’ statHG GHVLUH LQ WR Âż QG D JUHDWHU UROH IRU women including participation in “important decisionsâ€? and “in those places where the authority of the Church is exercisedâ€?. Speaking about the new Vatican magazine on women, Cardinal Parolin said, “If we do not listen attentively to the voice of women in the great decisive moments in the life of the Church, we would loseâ€? the crucial contribution

The cover of a new Vatican magazine called Women-Church-World launched recently.

of the feminine genius in the Church. The magazine, Women-Church-World, which began as a monthly insert in the

Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, will now feature two new sections: one “focusing on art with women’s sensitivity and power of expressionâ€? and the other on the Bible, according to the paper’s website. The changes come “in response to PDQ\ ZRPHQÂśV QHHG WR VKDUH UHĂ€ HFW DQG make their voices heardâ€?, the newspaper said. Cardinal Parolin said the new magazine serves not only to make the presence of women in the Church known, but to “pave the way to a new and positive habitâ€? of listening to women. The front cover of the magazine’s May issue features an icon of the Visitation. 0V /XFHWWD 6FDUDIÂż D WKH PDJD]LQHÂśV coordinator, said the Visitation “is the icon of our project: women who bring to light, to the knowledge of the world, what other women have to say or have said and written in the past; what they do or have doneâ€?. „ CNS, reprinted with permission from CRUX: COVERING ALL THINGS CATHOLIC (www.cruxnow.com)

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday May 29, 2016 CatholicNews

‘It is in our DNA’ to be God’s children ... says Pope Francis at Pentecost Mass VATICAN CITY – The gift of the

Holy Spirit gives Christians the grace they need to conduct themselves as children of God and brothers and sisters to each other, Pope Francis said on Pentecost. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christians are freed from “the condition of being orphans into which we had fallen” because of sin, the pope said on May 15 during Pentecost Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. “We were made to be God’s children,” he said. “It is in our DNA.” Looking around, the pope said, one can see signs of how many people really do feel like orphans: feeling alone and sad even when surrounded by people; trying to free oneself from God; “spiritual illiteracy,” which makes people incapable of praying; and LQ WKH GLI¿FXOW\ SHRSOH KDYH LQ seeing others as brothers and sisters, children of the same God. “Strengthening our relationship of belonging to the Lord Jesus, the Spirit enables us to enter into a new experience of fraternity,” Pope Francis said. “By means of our universal brother – Jesus – we can relate to one another in

&16 ¿OH SKRWR

Christian is ‘notBeing principally about

belonging to a certain culture or adhering to a certain doctrine, but rather binding your life, in every aspect, to ... Jesus.

’

– Pope Francis

A scene from Pentecost is depicted in a stained-glass window. Pope Francis reminded Christians that love is demonstrated by actions, not words.

a new way; no longer as orphans, but rather as children of the same good and merciful Father. And this changes everything!” Reciting the Regina Coeli prayer afterward with visitors in

St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis focused on how the grace of the Holy Spirit helps Christians concretely live out their love for God and for others. “Love for a person, including for the Lord, is demonstrated not with words, but with actions,” he said. When Jesus tells His disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” He is telling them that their entire lives VKRXOG UHÀHFW WKDW ORYH “Being Christian is not principally about belonging to a certain culture or adhering to a certain doctrine, but rather binding your life, in every aspect, to the person of Jesus and, through Him, to the Father,” Pope Francis said. CNS

Piety, pity stressed at Year of Mercy event CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – True piety and

evangelical pity are found together in those who are moved by the pain of others, take action to help them and, therefore, share God’s mercy, Pope Francis said. “We are called to cultivate attitudes of pity in the face of many situations in life, shaking off the indifference that prevents us from recognising the needs of our brothers and sisters and liberating ourselves from slavery to material well-being,” the pope said on May 14 at a jubilee general audience. During the Year of Mercy, the pope is holding special general audiences one Saturday each month and using the occasion to speak about the importance of experiencing God’s mercy and sharing it with others. “For Jesus,” he said, “experiencing pity means sharing the sadness of those one encounters, but at the same time, working to transform sadness into joy.” The pope also noted: “How many times do we see people so attached to cats and dogs and yet

Pope Francis embraces a girl during a May 13 visit to the “Chicco” Community in Ciampino, Rome. The community serves people with disabilities.

they leave their neighbour without the help they need.” Also during the jubilee year, as an example of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the pope is making a private visit each month to people with special needs. He has visited a home for the elderly, a community for recovering addicts and a refugee camp in Greece. He went to a L’Arche Commu-

nity in Ciampino, near Rome, on May 13 and spent the afternoon with 18 people who have developmental disabilities and the volunteers who have built a home with them. He brought pastries, peaches and cherries with him and took part in the community’s afternoon snack break before praying with the community in the small chapel. CNS

16 OPINION

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

There is always more to give %\ (IÂżH &DOGDUROD In the great movie, Schindler’s List, there’s a scene near the end that speaks poignantly to the heart of anyone who wants to do good in the world. 7KH ÂżOP WHOOV WKH VWRU\ RI Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who, at the beginning of World War II, moves to Poland to make his fortune in the wartime industrial boom. He even becomes a member of the Nazi party, not for ideological reasons, but to grease the wheels for his business. He’s allotted Jewish workers, basically slave labour on their way to death in the camps, which enables him to make even greater SURÂżWV %XW LQ RQH RI KLVWRU\ÂśV great conversion stories, Schindler begins to see the humanity of his Jewish labour force, and, at risk to his own life, begins to use his business to harbour them. He essentially commits his ODUJH IRUWXQH WR EULELQJ RIÂżFLDOV and buying his employees’ lives DV KH VHFUHWO\ GHÂżHV WKH 1D]LV 7R be on Schindler’s employment list is to escape extermination. “The list,â€? said one of the workers, “is life.â€? At the movie’s end, we see Schindler as the Allied forces close in, escaping his factory as his workers are liberated. He ÂżQJHUV D GLDPRQG ULQJ DQG FULHV bitter tears. With that ring, he laments, he could have saved another life or two. )HZ RI XV ZLOO ÂżQG RXUVHOYHV in the moral predicament that Schindler faced. He literally knew that he could buy the lives of his Jewish workers. In our troubled world, the suffering refugee or the homeless man doesn’t come with a precise price tag. And yet, each of us questions whether we do enough. Many charities will tell you

The Ten Commandments of Mercy AMONG the Ten Commandments, one begins with the word “remember�: Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. It reminds us to recall something we already know. There are commandments of mercy written into our very DNA. We already know them, but we need to remember them more explicitly. What are they? The Ten Commandments of Mercy:

‡ Remember that mercy lies deepest in God’s heart. Few things so much approximate the essence of God as does mercy. Mercy is God’s essence. Scripture uses words such as loving-kindness DQG FRPSDVVLRQ WR WU\ WR GH¿QH ZKDW FRQVWLWXWHV *RGœV PHUF\ EXW WKH central biblical concept, captured in the Hebrew concept of hesed, connotes a relationship that loves, embraces, and forgives even when, and especially when, we cannot measure up or deserve what’s given to us. ‡ Remember that mercy is the essence of all true religion.

Inside religion and spirituality, within all faiths, three things try to lay claim to what’s central: proper religious practice, outreach to the poor, and compassion. Ultimately they are not in opposition, but complementary pieces of one religious whole. But for religious practice and outreach to the poor to be an extension of God’s love and not of human ego, they need to be predicated upon compassion, mercy. Deepest inside of every religion is the invitation: Be compassionate, merciful, as God is compassionate.

‡ Remember that we all stand forever in need of mercy.

There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who converts than over ninety-nine righteous persons. Does God love sinners more than the righteous? There are no righteous persons. It’s rather that we feel God’s love more when we admit that we’re sinners. None of us ever measures up. But, as St Paul so consolingly teaches, the whole point is that we don’t have WR PHDVXUH XS 7KDWœV ZKDW PHUF\ PHDQV ,WœV XQGHVHUYHG E\ GH¿QLWLRQ

‡ Remember that, having received mercy, we must show mercy to

others. We only receive and appropriate God’s mercy and the mercy of others when ZH H[WHQG WKDW VDPH PHUF\ WR RWKHUV 0HUF\ KDV WR ÀRZ WKURXJK XV ,I ZH don’t extend it to others we become self-indulgent and too harsh on others.

‡ Remember that only the practice of mercy sets us free.

Receiving and giving mercy is the only thing that frees us from our congenital propensity to self-seek, self-justify, and judge others. Nothing frees us more from the tyranny of ego than does the practice of mercy.

‡ 5HPHPEHU WKDW PHUF\ LV QRW RSSRVHG WR MXVWLFH EXW LV LWV IXOÂżOPHQW Mercy, as Walter Kasper, a German Roman Catholic cardinal and theologian, so aptly puts it, is not “a kind of fabric softener that undermines the dogmas and commandments and abrogates the central and fundamental meaning of truth.â€? That’s the accusation the Pharisees made against Jesus. Mercy is where justice is meant to terminate. Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson in the movie, Schindler’s List, ÂżQJHUV KLV GLDPRQG ULQJ DQG ZHHSV ZRQGHULQJ LI KH FRXOG KDYH VDYHG PRUH Jews during the Holocaust with the sale of the ring.

Christian stewardship calls us to recognise that everything we have is a gift from God, and we yearn to return this generosity. just how your donation will benH¿W RWKHUV 6R PDQ\ GROODUV IHHGV a family for a day, or pays a foreign student’s school tuition for a month. So much money can buy so many life-saving immunisations. As we write our cheque, how many of us feel a certain pang? Should I, could I, do more? We have so much, by the world’s standards. How much should we give? Christian stewardship calls us to recognise that everything we have is a gift from God, and we yearn to return this generosity. Stewardship is also about much beyond money. Like Schindler, ZH PXVW ¿QG RXUVHOYHV H[SHULHQFing a change of heart. Ultimately,

stewardship is about conversion to a new way of life. When people asked a deacon friend of mine questions about how much they should give, he would always reply with a simple but very challenging answer: Give more. Two things are important for Catholic stewardship: First, our giving of time and talent should be planned and budgeted, and should come off the top, not from what’s leftover at the end of the month or year. Second, our giving VKRXOG EH VDFUL¿FLDO ¹ IURP RXU essence, not just from our surplus. We may think we’re on a WLJKW EXGJHW ¹ ZKR GRHVQœW" %XW if I look closely at my spending or evaluate my use of time, I see many places I could trim fat to give more. If you’ve never seen Schindler’s List, the movie still resonates more than 20 years after its release, as does the 1982 book by Thomas Keneally on which the movie is based. Both make us wonder, what would I have done? And more important, can I do more? „ CNS

‡ Remember that only the practice of mercy will make God’s king-

dom come. Jesus promised us that some day the meek will inherit the earth, the poor will eat plentiful, rich food, and all tears will be wiped away. That can only happen when mercy replaces self-interest.

‡ Remember that mercy needs too to be practiced collectively.

It is not enough for us to be merciful in our own lives. Mercy is marJLQDOLVHG LQ D VRFLHW\ WKDW GRHVQÂśW VXIÂżFLHQWO\ DWWHQG WR WKRVH ZKR DUH weak or needy, just as it is marginalised in a Church that is judgmental. We must create a society that is merciful and a Church that is merciful. Mercy, alone, enables the survival of the weakest.

‡ Remember that mercy calls us to do works – both spiritual and

physical. Our Christian faith challenges us to perform mercy in a double way, corporeally and spiritually. The classic corporal works of mercy are: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. The classic spiritual works RI PHUF\ DUH LQVWUXFW WKH LJQRUDQW FRXQVHO WKH GRXEWIXO FRPIRUW WKH DIĂ€LFWed, admonish the sinner, forgive offences, bear wrongs patiently, and pray for the living and the dead. God has given us different gifts and all of us are better at some of these than at others, but mercy is manifest in all of them.

‡ Remember that our lives are a dialogue between God’s mercy and

our weaknesses. The only thing at which we are adequate is being inadequate. We are forever falling short at something, no matter the strength of our sincerity, good intention, and willpower. Only mercy, receiving it and giving it, can lead us out of the choppy waters of our own anxieties, worry, and joylessness. Only in knowing mercy do we know gratitude. This year, 2016, Pope Francis has asked us all to live a year of mercy, to contemplate the mystery of mercy “as a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace.� Mercy, he believes, is the secret to putting a credible face to God, to putting a credible face to our churches, and to walking with steadiness inside our own lives. „

OUR PARISHES 17

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Parish serves large migrant communities, houses Indian saint relic -DUHG 1J ORRNV DW WKH XQLTXH FKDUDFWHULVWLFV RI WKH &KXUFK RI 6W )UDQFLV RI $VVLVL LQ WKH ÀUVW RI D VHULHV RQ ORFDO SDULVKHV

The relic of St Alphonsa – a piece of her clothing – is housed in the parish.

The present site of the Church of St Francis of Assisi, located in Boon Lay, was acquired in 1975.

The Church of St Francis of Assisi was established to meet the demands of an increasing Catholic population in the mid to late 1900s. Today, the church has JURZQ VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ LQ WHUPV RI LWV seating capacity, physical structure, number of parishioners and a strong faith culture. A large number of migrants, more than half of total parishioners, now call the parish “homeâ€?. The church also houses a relic RI ,QGLDÂśV ÂżUVW QDWLYH ZRPDQ VDLQW

Migrant communities The migrant communities present in the Church of St Francis of Assisi include the Tamil, Malayalee, Filipino, Chinese, Burmese and Vietnamese communities. According to parish priest Fr John Lau, they make up “more than half� of the estimated 4,500 parishioners that attend Mass every week. To cater to their large numbers, “we have special Masses that are celebrated on different weeks of the month,� said Fr Lau. More migrants have taken residence in the west of Singapore due to the growing number of houses being built here. About 400 people from the Tamil community attend Mass every week. Most are made up of blue-collar and migrant workers who live around the Jurong and Tuas area. From the Malayalee community, about 300 people attend Mass weekly. Most of the community members come from Kerela, India. The Archdiocesan Commission for Malayalam Apostolate, formed in 2014, also works with the community in the Church of

The migrant communities of the Church of St Francis of Assisi make up ‘more than half’ of the estimated 4,500 parishioners that attend Mass every week.

St Francis of Assisi to conduct Charismatic sessions or special Masses. There are currently two groups within the Filipino community – the Legion of Mary and San Lorenzo Rui Choir – operating in the parish. About 700 Filipinos attend Mass every week.

Soup kitchen Every Monday to Saturday, including public holidays, a team of volunteers from the parish gets together to distribute meals to the elderly and less privileged liv-

of rice, vegetables and meat. The meals are provided by Willing Hearts, a charity founded in 2003 by a group of parishioners from the Church of St Michael with the support of the Canossian Sisters. Although its founders are Catholic, it operates as a charLW\ XQDIÂżOLDWHG ZLWK DQ\ UHOLJLRXV group.

The youth scene

ing in the community around the church. $ERXW EHQHÂżFLDULHV JDWKHU every morning at the church to collect their meals which consist

Members of the Tamil community from the church atWHQG WKH 7DPLO 0DVV ,W LV KHOG HYHU\ ÂżUVW VHFRQG WKLUG DQG ÂżIWK 6XQGD\V RI WKH PRQWK

The youths of the parish, also known as the Catholic Youth community, use their musical talents to serve and evangelise.

The Filipino choir, San Lorenzo Rui Choir, singing during Mass.

Due to an increase in the Catholic population in Jurong, a third chapel was set up in 1969 at Gek Poh Road. It was named the St Francis of Assisi Chapel. The present site of the church was acquired in 1975 and completed the following year. In 2002, led by former parish priest Fr Nicholas Ho, reno-

They have two ministries – the Music Ministry and the Worship Band – that meet once a week to have fellowship and rehearse for upcoming events such as praise DQG ZRUVKLS VHVVLRQV DQG FRQ¿Umation Mass. The Catholic Youth community also has members from catechism classes and those not involved in the two music ministries. They meet every Friday for Bible sharings, praise and worship and fellowship. About 30 youths and young adults make up the community, with ages ranging from 13-25. Recently, they organised a Mother’s Day lunch and sang songs dedicated to the mothers present. The proceeds from the event went to the construction of a lift currently being built in the church. $FFRUGLQJ WR )U /DX FRQ¿Umation catechism class formation takes up to three years. About 40 WHHQV JHW FRQ¿UPHG HYHU\ \HDU

Relic of St Alphonsa

HISTORY OF THE PARISH The Church of St Francis of Assisi initially started out as a chapel built at Tuas Village in 1958. Fr Thomas di Pasquale was DSSRLQWHG DV WKH ÂżUVW SDULVK priest in 1960. Another chapel, the Taman Jurong Chapel, was set up in a rented shophouse at Hu Ching Road in 1967.

Parish priest Fr John Lau has been serving in the Church of St Francis of Assisi since 2002.

vations were done to expand the capacity of the church. The feast day of the Church of St Francis Assisi is Oct 4. According to Fr Lau, there is a 30-year lease remaining for the current site. More information about the parish can be found at https:// sfa-parish.org.sg/

Perhaps not known to many, the Church of St Francis of Assisi houses a relic – a piece of clothing worn by St Alphonsa. St Alphonsa was a Clarist nun who lived in the Franciscan Clarist convent in Bharananganam in Kerala, India. It was her extraordinary power of intercession before Jesus that made her dear to everyone. „ Continued on page 21

18

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

19

20

Before Jesus and the apostles travelled to Jericho, two of His friends, James and John, asked if one of them could sit at His right hand and the other at His left hand in the kingdom of God. When the other apostles heard this, they were very mad that James and John would ask for such special treatment. So Jesus decided to talk to His friends about what would make them the greatest among the apostles. Only those who are the servants of all would be the greatest, Jesus explained. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many,� He said. During the trip to Jericho, Jesus preached and served others. A large crowd gathered around Him wherever he went. Just as Jesus and His apostles

were getting ready to leave Jericho, there on the side of the road sat a man. His name was Bartimaeus. He was blind and was begging from the crowd of people who were following Jesus. Bartimaeus could hear the crowd’s excitement. As the people drew closer, he could hear them talk excitedly about Jesus. He knew the Lord must be nearby. “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me,� he cried out. Many people in the crowd yelled at him and told him to be quiet. But Bartimaeus did not listen. He kept crying out for Jesus to have pity on him. Jesus stopped. The crowd stopped with Him. “Call him,� Jesus told the people. The crowd approached Bartimaeus. “Take courage; get up, He is calling you,� they said. So Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak and stood up. Although he could

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Ithamar Although we don’t know very much about St Ithamar (d. 656), ZH GR NQRZ WKDW KH ZDV WKH ¿UVW (QJOLVKPDQ WR EH QDPHG D bishop of a diocese in Britain. It was the Archbishop of Canterbury, St Honorius, who named Ithamar as the Bishop of RochHVWHU (QJODQG LQ Ithamar was known as a very holy and intelligent man. He also was well-known for performing miracles, which is why there are several churches dedicated in his honour. We remember him on June 10. „

not see, he managed to make his way to Jesus and stood before the Lord. Jesus looked at Bartimaeus. “What do you want me to do for you?â€? Jesus asked. %DUWLPDHXV ZDV ÂżOOHG ZLWK IDLWK “Master,â€? he said to Jesus, “I want to see.â€? Jesus looked at him with love. “Go your way; your faith has saved you,â€? the Lord said. Immediately after Jesus spoke,

Bartimaeus received his sight. The man was overjoyed and followed Jesus as the Lord and His friends left Jericho. „ Read more about it: Mark 10

Q&A 1. What city did Jesus and the apostles visit? 2. What was the name of the blind man Jesus healed?

Wordsearch: „ ROAD

„ CROWD „ FAITH

„ BLIND

„ LEAVE

„ CLOSER „ HAND

„ SERVE

„ LARGE

„ PITY

„ TRIP

„ LIFE

BIBLE TRIVIA: What was Jesus’ ¿UVW PLUDFOH"

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: Moses/made water come out of a rock; Peter/cured a crippled beggar; Jesus/turned water into wine; Elijah/Because of his prayer, the widow’s son came back to life. Answer to Bible Trivia: Turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana.

In Mark 10, not long before Jesus healed the blind Bartimaeus, two of His apostles came up to Him. “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left,â€? said James and John, the sons of Zebedee. -HVXV KDG MXVW ÂżQLVKHG H[SODLQLQJ WR KLV IULHQGV WKDW +H was going to be arrested and condemned to death. He asked James and John if they could suffer the same fate. The two men said yes. “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptised, you will be baptised; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared,â€? Jesus told them. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the original apostles travelled many places to spread the word of God and Jesus. It was a dangerous time, because Christians were being persecuted. But this did not stop Jesus’ friends. According to the New Testament and early Christian history, 10 of the 11 original apostles who preached after Jesus’ death and resurrection met the same fate as the Lord. 0DQ\ RI WKHP ZHUH HYHQ SXW WR GHDWK E\ FUXFLÂż[LRQ -DPHV ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WR EH NLOOHG IRU KLV IDLWK +LV EURWKHU -RKQ LV VDLG to have escaped martyrdom and lived to be an old man. „

PUZZLE: Draw a line between the miracle and the person who performed it. Hints have been provided. Moses

Because of his prayer, the widow’s son came back to life (1 Kgs 17:17-22)

Peter

He turned water into wine (Jn 2:1-12)

Jesus

He made water come out of a rock (Nm 20:9-11)

Elijah

He cured a crippled beggar (Acts 3:1-7)

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday May 29, 2016 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http://www.catholic.org.sg/chancery/ 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. MAY 10 TO JUNE 30 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION For N1, N2, K1 and K2 classes. Character formation for children born between 2011-2014. Venue: Canossian Convent Kindergarten at 100 Jalan Merbok, S598454. For more information: T: ( FFNJ JHQHUDORI¿FH#JPDLO com; W: www.canossian.org.sg. MAY 28 TO MAY 29 CORPUS CHRISTI MASS AND VIGIL @ CSC Mass and healing service: May 28. Time: 5:30pm-9:30pm. Followed by 24-hour prayer vigil from 10pm to May 29, 10pm. Come and pray for Pope Francis, Archbishop William Goh, priests and Religious, vocations, families and critical issues facing the world. Venue: Catholic Spirituality Centre, 1261 Upper Serangoon Rd S(534796). T: 62887901; W: http://www.csctr.net JUNE 2 TO JUNE 5 PRAYER EXPERIENCE RETREAT @ CSC A stay-in retreat to help individuals build up their prayer life and deepen their prayer experience. The retreat aims to provide a God encounter in prayer and teach some methods of prayer. Venue: Catholic Spirituality Centre,

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. FEB 17, 2016 TO JAN 18, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of Christ the King 2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, RCIA Room 105. Register; T: 81884242 (Gwen Lim) E: query.rcia@gmail.com APRIL 3, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 RCIA @ OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Every Sunday at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Verbist hall (level 4). Time: 4pm-5.45pm. Registration forms are available at the secretariat or RCIA ministry. W: www.olps.sg; T: 96718216 (Christina) APRIL 6, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY Every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm-9.30pm. From June, every Sunday from 9am-10.30am. Venue: Church of the Holy Family. Register: E: rciaholyfam@ JPDLO FRP 7 SDULVK RIÂżFH T: 93414999 APRIL 29, 2016 TO APRIL 10, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST TERESA Every Friday evening from 7.45pm9.45pm at the auditorium, (level 3) of the parish house. Address: 510 Kampong Bahru Rd, S099446. Register: W: www.stteresa.org.sg/rcia/ T: 62711184; E: stteresa@singnet.com.sg MAY 5, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 RCIA @ BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Time:7.30pm to 9pm. Venue: St James Room (Level 3). Register; E: rcia@bsc.org.sg; T: 64740582 MAY 8, 2016 TO MAY 2017 RCIY @ ST FRANCIS XAVIER FOR BAPTISM IN 2017 Youths between the ages of 13 to 23 who have not received the Sacrament RI &RQÂżUPDWLRQ DUH LQYLWHG WR MRLQ XV Register: http://tinyurl.com/sfxrciy. Enquiries: Mark at tctay60@gmail.com or Angela at angela.soh137@gmail.com MAY 11, 2016 TO APRIL 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Every Wednesday from 7.30pm-9.45pm. Registration forms are available at the Church secretariat. Venue: 91 Toa Payoh Central, S310175. W: www.risenchrist.org.sg

1261 Upper Serangoon Rd. For more information, T: 62887901; W: http://www.csctr.net

for Catechesis. For more information: T: 68583011 (Sylvia); E: sylvia@catechesis. org.sg; W: www.catechesis.org.sg

JUNE 4 (10AM) TO JUNE 5 (5PM) AUTHENTIC CONVERSATIONS 11: DISCERNING MOMENTS For those who have attended part one. This retreat will help participants uncover and experience discerning moments when conversing at the level of the interior self. Organised by Kingsmead Centre. Contribution: $180 (non-aircon); $220 (aircon) (includes stipend). T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

JUNE 10 (7.30PM) TO JUNE 12 (5PM) AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNDERLYING UNFOLDING PROCESS OF THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES This retreat is for trained spiritual directors and those who have done or are undergoing the spiritual exercises, and those familiar with the dynamics of the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. Organised by Kingsmead Centre. Contribution: $200 (non aircon); $250 (aircon), including stipend. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

JUNE 5 CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION MONTHLY MASS Time: 3pm. Venue: Holy Innocents’ High School hall at 1191 Upper Serangoon Road S534786. Open to all Punggol parishioners and supporters of COTT. Let us come together to build a spiritual Catholic community in Punggol. For more information: visit our Facebook page; T: 63419718; ( VHFUHWDU\#WUDQV¿JXUDWLRQ VJ JUNE 6 TO JUNE 12 LET US BE CHANNELS OF MERCY RETREAT 7KH &KXUFK RI WKH 7UDQV¿JXUDWLRQ LV organising a retreat to help Catholics revive their faith. Fr Augustine Vallooran and Fr Joseph Edattu, from the Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, are conducting this retreat. Please register early. Cost: $87. 7R UHJLVWHU : ZZZ WUDQV¿JXUDWLRQ VJ T: 6341-9718; E: Secretary@ WUDQV¿JXUDWLRQ VJ JUNE 8 TO JUNE 12 NEW CATECHIST ELECTIVE COURSE – LOWC WORKSHOP Every Wednesday. Time: 7:30pm-10pm. Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Road, S549102. Fees have been waived for 2016. Speaker: Fr ,JQDWLXV <HR 2UJDQLVHG E\ WKH 2I¿FH MAY 11, 2016 TO MAY 30, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Every Wednesday from 7.45pm-9.45pm. Venue: Sts Peter & Paul room (Level 3, IHM Parish Centre, 24 Highland Road). Registration forms can be downloaded from our church website. Email to rcia@ LKP VJ RU GURS LW RII DW RXU SDULVK RI¿FH upon completion. For more information: 96273835 (Nancy); 96162001 (Agnes) MAY 27, 2016 TO APRIL 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE $ QHZ MRXUQH\ EHJLQV RQ 0D\ DW WKH Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, St Carlo room. Time: 7.45pm-10pm. We invite those who wish to know about the Catholic faith to contact T: 67442879 SDULVK RI¿FH ( PDUWLQGV #JPDLO FRP JUNE 7, 2016 TO MAY 30, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER Inviting all 24 years & above who are interested to learn more about the Catholic faith & baptised adults who have yet to UHFHLYH WKH 6DFUDPHQW RI &RQ¿UPDWLRQ Sessions will be conducted every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm. Registration forms are DYDLODEOH DW WKH SDULVK RI¿FH )RU PRUH details, E: rcia@sfxchurch.sg JUNE 14, 2016 TO MAY 9, 2017 RCIA @ HOLY TRINITY Who is Jesus? Want to know more? Time: 7.45pm to 9.45pm. Please register ZLWK WKH SDULVK RI¿FH RI +RO\ 7ULQLW\ E: rciaht@gmail.com; T: 97378194 (Emily Tan).

JUNE 12 BLOODMOBILE @ CHURCH OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Celebrate God’s gift of life. Give blood and save up to three lives! Donors must be between 16 and 60 years old and weigh at least 45kg. First time donors are most welcome. Bring along your NRIC or passport. Venue: Church Hall, 24 Highland Rd. Time: 10.30am-3.30pm. For enquiries: T: 97519906. JUNE 12 TO JUNE 18 CHARIS MISSION TRIP: SRI LANKA Join us in building toilets and water ¿OWUDWLRQ V\VWHPV IRU YLOODJHUV LQ 6UL /DQND SHU SD[ LQFOXVLYH RI ÀLJKWV accommodation and food. Terms and conditions apply. Limited spaces on a ¿UVW FRPH ¿UVW VHUYHG EDVLV )RU PRUH information contact Victoria at 63374119; E: victoria@charis-singapore.org. JUNE 14 A TALK ON IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY AS A WAY OF LIVING FOR ALL In this evening talk, Fr Cecil Azzopardi, SJ, invites us to discover certain elements of Ignatian spirituality that are vital and essential for any person who would like to work towards fullness of life. Organised by Kingsmead Centre. Time: 8pm-10pm. Contribution: $30. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com JUNE 17 (7.30PM) TO JUNE 19 (5PM) WITH JESUS UNTO LIFE: A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR ALL This retreat will help participants through

input sessions, prayer and spiritual guidance. Contribution: $270 (non aircon); $330 (aircon), inclusive of stipend. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com JUNE 24 TO JUNE 26 JUNE CHOICE WEEKEND June 24 (7pm) to June 26 (6pm). Come away for a Choice Weekend – the choices ZH PDNH GHÂżQH RXU OLIH 5HJLVWHU W: www.choice.org.sg/registration.htm; T: Hillary 97900537 (Hilary); 97109680 (Francesa) E: registration@choice.org.sg JUNE 26 TO JUNE 29 DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH OF SAINTS PETER & PAUL-TRIDUUM MASS June 26: “Rock of Faithâ€? 4.30pm Mass celebrated by Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM. June 27: “Keys of Hopeâ€? 7pm Mass celebrated by Fr Edward Lim, OCD. June 28: “Sword of Loveâ€? 7pm Mass celebrated by Msgr Philip Heng, SJ. June 29: 7pm dedication Mass celebrated by Archbishop William Goh. All are welcome! Visit http://sppchurch.org.sg/upcomingevents for more information. JUNE 29 TO SEPT 21 CLARITY’S CAREGIVERS TO CAREGIVERS EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR MENTAL CONDITIONS Being a caregiver for someone with mental illness is very challenging. If you are a caregiver, this programme ZLOO EHQHÂżW \RX DV LW ZLOO LQFUHDVH \RXU understanding of the various types of mental illnesses and treatments. Solve issues in better ways by learning effective problem-solving. Every Wednesday for 12 sessions. 7pm-9.30 pm at Agape Village. FOC. To register: T: 6757 7990; T: 6801 7466. JULY 2 TO JULY 3 CATHOLIC YOUTH DAY Calling all Catholic young people of Singapore. Experience what it means to be part of one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. An evening of praise and worship, testimonies, creativity, SUD\HU PLQLVWU\ Ă€RZLQJ LQWR DQ RYHUQLJKW vigil with Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At OYP, 2 Lorong Low Koon. For more information: W: www.oyp.org.sg/

JULY 8 TO AUG 12 CAFE PRESENTS THE GIFT Be empowered by the Holy Spirit through six informative video sessions by speakers such as David Payne. The videos include: The Father’s Love, The Joy of the Gospel, A Personal Pentecost, Living in the Spirit, the Catechism and Pope Francis. Every Friday at 8pm. Venue: Church of St Bernadette, Level 2, AVA room. To register: Send your name, age and contact number to 96971900. JULY 9 CLARITY’S TALK ON “TAKE CONTROL AND SURVIVE ANXIETY!� Find out the impact and the various avenues available to get help, and learn the different types of anxiety disorders and treatments. Time: 10am-noon. Fee: $10 per person. At Agape Village level 1. 7A Lor 8 Toa Payoh S319264. Register: T: 68017467; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JULY 10 TO OCT 21 A DVD STUDY OF CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH - PILLAR 2 SACRAMENTS (12 WEEKS) Sunday July 10: 9.45am-10.45am at St John’s Room at CAEC. Tuesday July 12: 8pm-9.30pm / Friday July 15: 9.30am-11am at St Philip Room in IHM Parish Centre (Level 2). 24 Highland Rd S(549115). In the 2nd part of the 4-part pillar programme. Dr Sean Innerst continues to open up the treasures of CCC. FOC. Organised by BAT@IHM. T: 97303358 (Christina) / 90999493 (Laura) E: BAT@ihm.sg JULY 11 TO OCT 31 MSGR AMBROSE VAZ: LETTER TO THE HEBREWS AND BOOK OF TOBIT Time: 8pm-10pm: Are you struggling in your faith, or feeling weary with the demands of Christian life or a growing indifference to your calling? Letter to the Hebrews invites us to persevere in our Christian faith and to restore our lost fervour we once had. Organised by the Chuch of the Holy Spirit Discover Ministry. Registration is required. Venue: #02-05, Church of the Holy Spirit, 248 Upper Thomson Road. Register: T: 90102829 (Kim); E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com

Honouring St Alphonsa „ From page 17

She was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct 12, 2008 DQG EHFDPH ,QGLDÂśV ÂżUVW QDWLYH woman saint. “This exceptional woman, who today is offered to the peoSOH RI ,QGLD DV WKHLU ÂżUVW FDQRQLVHG saint, was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father,â€? Pope Benedict said during his homily on Oct 12. “She wrote, ‘I consider a day without suffering as a day lost,’â€? he added. St Alphonsa was born in Kudamaloor, near Kottayam, Kerala, on

Aug 19, 1910. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Muttathupadath. In 1927, her father gave her SHUPLVVLRQ WR MRLQ WKH &ODULVW FRQvent in Bharananganam. 6KH WRRN KHU ¿QDO YRZV RQ Aug 12, 1936. The Malayalee community at St Francis of Assisi parish decided to mark the saint’s feast day on Aug 9 instead of her actual feast day, July 28, to avoid clashing with St Anne’s feast day. A statue of St Alphonsa can be seen at the church. The statue was blessed in 2010 by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

JUNE 16, 2016 TO JUNE 17, 2017 NEW RCIA JOURNEY @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm. Register; W: https://goo.gl/Mvm9EX; E: holyspiritrcia.coordinator@gmail.com JUNE 30, 2016 TO APRIL 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Come and experience the amazing grace of God. All enquiries are welcomed. Every Thursday from 7.30pm-10pm. Every Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm. E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg; T: 62800980 JULY 29, 2016 TO APRIL 16, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Every Tuesday evening 8pm-10pm at St Ignatius hall. Sponsors & facilitators start on June 14, 2016. Please register before MRLQLQJ 5HJLVWUDWLRQ IRUPV DUH DYDLODEOH at: http://www.stignatius.org.sg/Ministr ies/Faith-Formation/RCIA- Ministry/ For registration enquiries; T: 64660625 3DULVK RIÂżFH 6DQGUD

A stained glass window depicting St Francis of Assisi can be seen inside the church.

The statue of St Alphonsa in the Church of St Francis of Assisi. It was blessed in 2010 by Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia.

24

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Sunday May 29, 2016 CatholicNews

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