JUNE 30, 2013, Vol 63, No 13

Page 1

www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY JUNE 30, 2013

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20

MCI (P) 138/06/2013

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

on wealth, faith, politics Engages in Q and A session with students

VOL 63

NO. 13

INSIDE HOME Faith and the outdoors Young people get spiritual boost at popular spots „ Pages 2 & 5

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis ditched a 1,250-

word prepared speech to students saying it would be “a tad boring� to read out loud and opted instead to just quickly highlight the major points and spend the rest of the time answering their questions. “Would you like that?� he asked as some 9,000 students, alumni and teachers from Jesuit-run schools and associations in Italy and Albania yelled “yes!�. Then over 30 minutes, Pope Francis answered 10 questions, including how to deal with doubt, how to live with hope in a troubled world and whether Christians should be politically active. The special event in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall on June 7 was an occasion for young people, parents and educators to highlight the Jesuit pope in the Church’s history. One girl asked him why he chose not to live in the apostolic palace. “It’s not just a question of wealth,� he responded, adding that the now uninhabited papal apartment “is not that luxurious, don’t worry�. His decision to live in a simple Vatican-run residence wasn’t motivated by trying to live up to some kind of “personal virtue�, but rather “it’s for psychiatric reasons�, he said teasingly. Living alone or in an isolated setting “would not do me any good� and he said he’s the kind of person who prefers living in the thick of things, “among the people�. But he added that he tries to live as simply as possible, “to not have many things and to become a bit poorer� like Christ. He observed that “in a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone, it’s incomprehensible how there can be so many hungry children, so many children without an education, so many poor�. Extreme poverty “is a scandal� and “a cry� for help, he said. That is why “each one of us must think how we can become a little bit poorer� and more like Christ. One teenage boy told the pope he was trying hard to believe in God and be faithful, but that he often struggles with doubt. “What can you say to help me and others like me?� he asked.

Bringing up quintuplets Family shares joys and challenges „ Page 7

ASIA M’sian Church welcomes 1st nuncio Archbishop Marino presents his credentials „ Page 11

WORLD Students from Jesuit schools surround Pope Francis as he meets with them and answers their questions on various issues. CNS photo

Pope Francis said the journey of life “is an art� that isn’t easy because it requires juggling the need to move forward with the importance Don’t be afraid of failure,� he insisted. The problem with the journey of life and faith isn’t falling; it’s not getting back up. “Get right back up, immediately and keep going,� he said. Don’t embark on this journey alone either, he said, because that would be “awful and boring�. Go as a “community with friends and people who care about you very much because that will help us get to our destination�, he said.

Politics is one of the ‘ highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good.’

– Pope Francis

Allow Holy Spirit to transform Church

One little girl wanted to make sure the pope had friends growing up in Argentina and wanted to know if now as pope, whether he was still friends with them. Laughing, the pope said he’s only been pontiff for two and a half months, but as she rightly imagined, all his friends were now far away, “14 hours by plane� to be exact. However, so far, three friends have come to visit him and he stays in touch with the others who all write to him. “I love them very much,� he said, “You can’t live without friends, this is important.� Another little girl asked, “Eh, Francis, did you want to become pope?� He laughed and said a person who wants to become pope doesn’t have his own best interest at heart. “God doesn’t give him His blessings. No, I didn’t want to become pope,� he said. A young woman asked how it was possible to stay hopeful in a country plagued by so many crises.

Conversion can’t happen if this is not done, says theologian

„ Continued on Page 15

„ Page 16

„ Page 13

POPE FRANCIS Church must make people feel ‘loved’ Christians must work harder in this area: pope „ Page 15

OPINION Restoring our old churches A reader offers some advice

2 HOME

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Young adults take to the outdoors to By Darren Boon Twenty-two young adults spent a Saturday afternoon outdoors

" #$ % & ' ' % ( % % & ' ' % % & ' ) ( * + / & ' 6 8 < =>@K$ 8)

Q %

R % < & ' ( ( ( % #$ % @ % U " %

% % % % % % X %

% % @ % % % Z U [

Young adults take part in the Verbum Dei activity at Labrador Park on June 15 which had the theme I Call You Friends.

" % Q ) \ / 8 <

8 < % ) ' Z =]

% ^ & ' 6 % ) X „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

‘

Many people are carrying heavy burdens of expectations, worries about the future, stress.... and so it is like a call from Jesus to leave the burdens aside and travel light though this journey of life.

’

– Verbum Dei Sr Sandra Seow

Looking for permanent home X #_ ( & ' ) ( ) ) `

#zz] ( % ^

{K $>> {_ ]>> % 8 < 8Z Z % %

< ( ` & ' ) (

Z \ {K $ @ 8 < 6 | %

| % } % % Z U " " R ~ " % ( = € ( U ~ ^ } ( 6 ( #$ U + X ‚=>#ƒ„ Q & ' ) ( ` ( … ( ( ( % % To purchase tickets for the dinner or for information about Verbum Dei, call 6274 0251 or email verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.sg „

HOME 3

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Educational stint in Brisbane Principals of Catholic preschools attend immersion programme By Stefania Hartley Principals of Catholic preschool/ childcare centres who attended a training stint in Brisbane, Australia, said they came away enriched by the experience. Mrs Agnes Lee, principal of Holy Family Kindergarten, said she was impressed by the independence of the children of Brisbane archdiocese, some as young % % prepare a table for prayer. The religious education programme she experienced there was simple but age-appropriate for the students and it worked well, she noted. For example, the children were able to bring to school an object connected with their baptism day and talk about it in small groups. The children also spoke politely and softly, following the example of their teachers, said Mrs Lee. She was one of eight Catholic preschool/childcare centre principals who attended an immersion programme in Catholic preschools in Brisbane archdiocese from June 3-7. A staff member of the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) was also part of the group.

X X ( % the core curriculum of Catholic early childhood education in a % % the six learning areas in a more integrated manner. These areas are: language and literacy, numeracy, % Q In this approach, teachers are facilitators of learning and children are recognised as constructors of knowledge who learn through inquiry, purposeful play and quality interactions with adults and classmates. Religious education would also be integrated into this holistic approach to learning. According to ACCS, Catholic preschools and childcare centres % riculum with respect to new guidelines set up by the Early Childhood ' X ‚` 'X„ % proaches towards early childhood care and education in Singapore. This year’s attachment programme was part of a collaboration between the Brisbane Catho ` }

Members of the Singapore group, including principals of Catholic preschools and an ACCS staff member, pose for a photo with Brisbane Catholic educators.

\ ` ( ACCS, which is now in its second year. % er strategy to share best practices in the areas of religious edu-

cation and core curriculum. Ms Mable Lim, principal of St Joseph’s Church Childcare Cen Q was two-way. The principals also kept a

daily journal on their experience. ^ 8 been opened� to more ways of using resources, deployment of teachers and staff, and better parent participation. „

4 HOME

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Blessed Sacrament turns 50

Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia was among the special guests at the parish’s gala dinner on June 1.

Blessed Sacrament Church celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of an app for both iOS and Android platforms, a special Corpus Christi Mass and gala dinner. The free app allows the user to keep updated on the parish’s upcoming events, listen to homilies, and make prayer requests among other things. The highlight of the golden jubilee celebrations was a Corpus Christi Mass celebrated by Arch-

bishop William Goh on June 2. * % since taking over as head of the archdiocese. During the Mass, Archbishop Goh praised the parish for being one of the most vibrant in Singapore and exhorted those present to “choose Jesus or nothing at all�. Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia was among the special guests who attended the gala dinner celebration the previous

evening, held at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore. Other activities leading up to the Corpus Christi Mass included a series of talks by US-based Fr Pat Crowley, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary; a cultural night; movie screening and adoration session. Blessed Sacrament Church started as a result of a request by the late Archbishop Michael Olcomendy.

Free app launched by the parish.

Two priests from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Dutch Province) were sent to Singapore in 1958 to prepare, build and serve a future parish in Queenstown. In October 1963, Damien Hall was completed and used for worship. In 1964, the priests’ house was completed and in 1965 the % „

HOME 5

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

St Anthony’s youth go on island-wide adventure

Left: One activity at East Coast saw participants ‘preaching’ Below: Participants a broken bottle in remembrance of a miracle by St

Fun race helps them learn about the saint By Darren Boon Young people from the Church of St Anthony learnt about the life and miracles performed by their parish’s patron saint through a fun race across Singapore. % @ #K@ => started their race at their parish on #= ( \ ` " ’( ( U } U

the Church of St Mary of the An They returned to their parish #K ` ( X "

clue for the next station. / Q ` ticipants had to blow up balloons and 8 < % 8 < " % 8 < U 8 < teach them about the miracle of St X 8 % erally following in the footsteps of ( X < X % youth mentor for the parish. “We hope to help them remem 6 % “ % < % 6

#K was organised by two of the parish’s youth ministries – Unicus Vocant and Squires at the Banquet. The participants also shared % learnt during the race. A paraliturgy was also held to help them re Q % they do can emulate St Anthony in using their talents for the Church. Both participants and organisers told CatholicNews they now

( Anthony’s life after the race. • )

% 6 % %

[ to pray to St Anthony for his in % * reminded him that they could always turn to the saint for help. U ( X thony’s strong faith and prayerful life has inspired her to deepen her own prayer life. Z " % % more about St Anthony than she did before. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

6 HOME

Sunday June 30, 2013 CatholicNews

Support group for foreign spouses formed 17 women sign up for group launched by ACMI By Don Gurugay

ACMI staff and foreign spouses of Singaporean men pose for a photo after a ceremony marking the women’s graduation from a language course.

ACMI, the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, has formed a support group for foreign spouses of Singaporean men. The Foreign Spouse Support Group (FSSG) was launched on June 15 at a ceremony marking the graduation of these spouses who took English and Mandarin class organised by ACMI. All 17 women have signed up for the group. “The support group was formed out of the need to empower these spouses to form their own communities so that they can support each other and learn how to integrate into Singapore society,” said ACMI executive director Jeremy Khoo. According to him, ACMI is “one of the more pro-active organisations to respond to the needs of the foreign spouses”. “We currently get referrals from embassies, NGOs, hospitals and family service centres for assistance,” he said. ACMI has been running English and Mandarin classes for foreign spouses since September 2008, assisted by local volunteers and a Vietnamese volunteer. Commented Ms Theresa Lim from Vietnam, a graduate from the latest batch who has been in Singapore for the past two years: “The teachers here are good ... I like the class and I made some friends here also.” Her husband, Mr Jude Chan, from the parish of Christ the

King, said, “What ACMI is doing really helps foreign spouses as the fees are lower than the other institutions. The support group is a good idea because the bonding sessions can help people like my wife make new friends.” Ms Sunisa Samakkee from Thailand said, “I improved my English a lot. The teacher was friendly and experienced. The environment for learning was very quiet”. ACMI’s language classes are held once a week over 12 weeks.

support group ‘The is a good idea because the bonding sessions can help people like my wife make new friends.

’

– Mr Jude Chan, whose wife is from Vietnam

At the end of the course, trainees ance. The next course is planned for September this year. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are 58,600 foreign spouses who are permanent residents and an additional 11,700 on long-term visit passes in Singapore. ACMI says it hopes more Catholics would volunteer their time to help these spouses. For more information on ACMI, visit http://www.acmi.sg/

HOME 7

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Bringing up quintuplets CatholicNews catches up with the Chin family whose teenage quintuplets ents instilled the habit of attending Mass as a family. Although she did not fully appreciate this practice initially, it gradually made sense over the years, she said. The girls in the family are also involved in their parish’s baking ministry, called Five Loaves.

By Darren Boon } [ nitely challenging, but Humphrey and Dorothy Chin say they are thankful to God for His blessings on their large family. Their children – Adriel, Alicia, Annabelle, Amanda, and Andre – who are now 16 years old,

( mation on May 18 at the Church of St Mary of the Angels, their parish. CatholicNews featured them when they were baptised in 1997 and also after they received their First Holy Communion in 2006. Today, proud daddy Humphrey marvels at how the fam these years with their large household, which also includes Dorothy’s mother, Madam Theresa Chan, and a domestic helper. “I would say it is God’s providence,� he said. “Just can’t imagine...16 good years,� he beamed. In an interview with CatholicNews published in January 2007, the couple spoke about the strong support they received from their extended family network. Both grandmothers helped out when the children were babies and this allowed the couple to catch up on sleep. The couple also divided up their responsibilities with help from domestic helpers. They prepared a timetable to ensure that everyone knew exactly what needed to be done and when. The family tried their best to stretch their income by using hand-me-down books and clothing from cousins, and buying catechism books from the parish thrift shop. Today, the couple say they are well. Humphrey, a civil servant, and Dorothy, who works in the

Team work

! " # $ $ $ $ % & '( % $ ) & $

I would say it is ‘God’s providence. Just can’t imagine... 16 good years.

’

– Mr Humphrey Chin

expenses such as having home cooked meals almost daily and avoiding food wastage. The family is even able to take short vacations together. “I don’t want to go to the extreme end of being frugal,� said Humphrey, although he admitted that “there will be trials and challenges. Cannot hide that.� He added that he will provide for his children’s education locally until they reach tertiary level.

Family faith Their Catholic faith is an indispensable part of their lives, family members told CatholicNews. X made, Dorothy says she believes

The quintuplets and Mrs Chin pose for a photo with Archbishop Emeritus

in the “God of all possibilities�. “Just have to believe there’s always a solution to everything,� she said. Humphrey also insists that the

QUINTUPLETS SHARE THEIR DREAMS Annabelle hopes to work with children when she grows up – as a primary school teacher. Amanda, thinks she could also become a teacher as she feels she is a patient person. Andre, on the other hand, feels he would like to play basketball professionally, but would also settle for being a policeman. Adriel says he is interested in aviation. He would like to do an aviation-related course in a polytechnic and perhaps join a Alicia says she enjoys TV series Criminal Minds and

Crime Scene Investigation and is interested in forensic science. However, she is also interested in being a chef. Being part of a big family has its advantages, the quintuplets shared. With four other lively siblings, one does not feel lonely, says Andre. Alicia says she cannot imagine growing up without any of her other siblings as they “hang out together and grew up in each other’s company�. She added that they complement each other with their different characters.

Alicia is said to have leadership qualities while Andre is “generous�. Amanda is quiet and diligent while Adriel is a “nice person to talk to� who offers good advice. Annabelle is also described as diligent and thoughtful. According to Alicia, she and her siblings enjoy a mental connection with one another – sometimes one sibling knows that the other is thinking. The teenagers say that even when they are grown up, they still hope to meet frequently and even go on trips together. „

whole family attend Mass together on weekends and days of obligation. This is “non-negotiable�, he stressed, and is part of the couple’s efforts to provide for their kids spiritually. When Adriel and Andre, who are altar servers, were asked to serve at the 7.30 am Sunday Mandarin Mass for a year, the family woke up early to attend that Mass together even though they do not fully understand the Mandarin readings. To get around this problem, they would read the passages in ` The couple also ensure that their children do not miss catechism classes unless they are ill, and shared that they do their best to instil the values of love, respect, graciousness and gratitude. Daughter Annabelle shared that the Catholic faith has kept her and siblings “grounded�, while Alicia said she is grateful her par-

The couple said they do their best to “work as a team� in parenting their kids – for example, not shouting at one another in front of the children if the two of them have disagreements. In such instances, the couple would work out their differences privately and do their best to set a good example in front of the children, said Dorothy. The quintuplets are now old enough to read body language, she explained, and also mature enough to be reasoned with. Sometimes they would give her advice, she added. The couple also do not take sides when the kids argue among themselves. “[We] don’t get involved. They will talk about it. They will get back together,� Dorothy said. The couple say relatives such as aunts and cousins are also very much involved in the lives of the quintuplets and are constantly in contact with them. In addition, the family is also close to Sr Christine, an elderly Canossian nun, whom Dorothy describes as the family’s “spiritual compass�.

Growing together Some of the most memorable moments in their family life have been taking overseas trips together and seeing their children grow and able to play and compete in sports, said the couple. However, the happiest moment for them was still when the children were born – which was nothing short of a “miracle�, they shared. As far as their children’s future is concerned, Humphrey said he hopes they continue to live their faith “regardless of where they are� and make it a point to share meals together. “My hope for them is that they would be happy, positive,� said Dorothy. She added that she wants her children to know that there is always a solution to problems and always to have hope. The couple also has advice for parents and parents-to-be, saying that children should be seen as “God’s blessings�. The Bible says that whoever welcomes children, welcomes God, they noted. „

8 ASIA

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Regional communications body grapples with new media Delegates from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei brainstorm use of social media for outreach By Darren Boon SINGAPORE – When churches

set up Facebook accounts to engage members, they could perhaps also include human interest posts featuring people who work behind the scenes in the parish such as the gardener, a social media editor told Church communicators. These could provide a balance to the usual parish posts such as events announcements, the saint of the day or podcast of the priest’s homily, said Mr Ernest Luis, Social Media Editor of The Straits Times Online. Mr Luis, a Catholic, was speaking to 12 people from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, who attended the June 17-21 Regional Commission for Social Communications meeting. The annual event was held in Marriage Encounter House in Punggol. Participants, who brainstormed the use of social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube and Wordpress to reach out to Catholics, included Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei who heads the commission. Mr Luis noted that there had been negative reports of the Church in the media in the weeks leading to Pope Francis’ election. This was a challenge for the pope. But through his “body language, his genuineness, honesty� and the way a Catholic news agency visually captured his “body language, how he hugs people and talks – that is your in < ) “I feel that the Holy Spirit tackled social media by just presenting him in that light...via

Mr Eugene Leow, Online Editor for The Straits Times, speaking to the group on June 18.

The exchange of ‘ ideas on new media and its impact on and implications for the Church is an eye-opener.

’

– Ms Stella Chin, editor of Today’s Catholic, a publication of Kuching archdiocese

social media, he just completely transformed the way everyone saw either him or even the Catholic Church,� he said.

Media veteran P N Balji

Mr Ernest Luis, Social Media Editor of the Straits Times Online

Mr Luis added that how one presents oneself on different platforms is important. Furthermore, % -

ing and editing video clips for uploading onto YouTube, is time consuming, he said. His colleague, Mr Eugene

Leow, Online Editor for The Straits Times, spoke about the digital future of news content. He said that accessing news through mobile devices would be the way forward. He suggested that Church news websites could offer more interactive media content and have their news articles packaged differently from their print versions. Both Mr Leow and Mr Luis also stressed the importance of knowing who the target audiences for Church online sites are, and to cater to their likes and tastes. Other speakers included media veteran P N Balji who has worked with several newspapers in Singapore. He spoke on how newspapers can operate within the new media environment. Mr Reuben Conceicao, cofounder of a digital think tank dedicated to revolutionising the digital content creation, spoke on Sharing the Good Word in the Social Landscape and how to use social media platforms in this regard. Sr Wendy Ooi, from the Daughters of St Paul, also shared about her experience with the use of new media. Bishop Sim told CatholicNews the talks have been useful in learning how to approach the new media “which in a sense is displacing� traditional forms of media. Ms Stella Chin, editor of Today’s Catholic, a publication of Kuching archdiocese said, “The exchange of ideas on new media and its impact on and implications for the Church is an eyeopener.� „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

ASIA 9

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

! " # Archbishop vows to "

$ MANDALAY, MYANMAR – Church leaders in Myanmar have urged the government to protect, pro rights of all, especially for “minority communities�, in a rare public statement following antiMuslim violence in Meikhtila and Lashio. They also called on the government to deal with religious hardliners stoking the violence. “We aim to have peaceful coexistence among all religions in Myanmar but due to extremists in two communities, this kind of violence has occurred. So we call for peace and justice among all religious people and an end to hatred and killing,� Bishop John Hsane Hgyi, told ucanews.com. “I urge the government and relevant authorities to take effective action against those who stirred the violence,� the president of the Myanmar Catholic bishops’ conference added. In an earlier statement released on June 7, the bishops condemned the violence committed by “fundamentalists who indulged in mutual killing� in Arakan, Meikhtila,

I urge the ‘ government and relevant authorities to take effective action against those who stirred the violence.

’

– Bishop John Hsane Hgyi, president of the Myanmar Catholic bishops’ conference

Lashio and other areas. “We plead to all that the hard earned space for democracy and reform needs to be guarded from all fundamentalist forces that threaten to tear apart the fabric of this nation,� said the statement, which was signed by Bishop Hsane Hgyi. Sectarian violence against Muslims has spread across many central areas of the predominantly Bud in Arakan State last year. Violence in March resulted in the death of at least 44 people, prompting Myan-

mar’s president Thein Sein to vow to prevent further incidents. In Lashio, Shan state, on May =z % jured and many Muslim-owned buildings, including a mosque and school were burned down by Buddhist mobs. More than 1,000 people were displaced. “Religious diversity is the strength of this nation. Attempts to dilute this fundamental right must be resisted by all,� the Catholic bishops’ statement asserted. „ UCANEWS.COM

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith gives an interview during the radio station’s inaugural broadcast. UCANEWS.COM photo

COLOMBO – The Archdiocese of

Colombo has launched the coun 6 * station in the capital, aimed at providing a platform for young people and for those who are unable to attend church regularly. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, president of the bishops’ conference, presided over the June 6 launch ceremony at the National Catholic Social Communication Centre in the capital. The web radio station, which broadcasts three hours of Churchcentred content seven days a week, will feature mostly Sinhalese-language programming. Fr Benedict Joseph, national director of the Catholic Social Com-

munication Centre, said the web radio station afforded the Church a new opportunity to reach the country’s minority Catholic community. Most Sri Lankans are Buddhist. “The Internet encourages new forms of journalism such as blogs, Twitter, Youtube and Facebook, which are interactive and immediate,� he said. “It’s a new broadcasting opportunity to be able to share the Gospel, Catholic values and address pressing social issues. Social media has touched the life of the people today and it allows new forms of audience participation,� he said. “Our goal is to improve believers’ lives by deepening faith.� While programming will

largely focus on general issues regarding the Church, the station also aims to address broader social issues. “I hope the radio station will help encourage people to build up a just society and that it will enhance the lives of people,� said Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith at the launch ceremony. Mr Hudson Samarasinghe, chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, lauded the new station as an important contribution to the communications sector in the country. Mr Marcus Fernando, a Catholic journalist, said he hoped the new station would help set an example for professional and impartial reporting. „ UCANEWS.COM

MANILA – The Philippines’ most senior Catholic bishop has vowed to block any attempt to pass new laws on divorce and same-sex marriage in the country. Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, president of the Philippines bishops’ conference, said current bills on divorce and same-sex marriage could well go the way of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill which languished in parliament for 14 years before its passage in December. “While after many years the RH bill was passed, I don’t believe that the other bills would come easy,� he said on June 5. The Philippines “is not that excited� to follow other nations where gay marriage and divorce are legal, he added. The archbishop was speaking after Representative Luzviminda Ilagan, from the Gabriela women’s party, said she intended to

@ thored when Congress reconvenes next month. A number of countries including France have recently passed new laws on gay marriage or have discussed proposed legislation which would allow it. Aside from Vatican City, the

Philippines remains the only country in the world that does not legally permit divorce although Muslims are permitted to dissolve their marriages. Although the Filipino parliament eventually passed the RH Bill, which allows the state to distribute condoms and offer sex education for free in this majority the law has still not been enacted. In March, the Supreme Court issued a temporary suspension of the law after accepting petitions from Catholic and pro-life groups who argued that it is unconstitutional. Archbishop Palma claimed that the Church is gaining ground in its measures which “attack the sanctity of life, marriage and family� even though lawmakers have said that they are ready to tackle divorce after the RH Bill was passed. The archbishop said he was / will strengthen their support of family and life, especially with activities counting down to the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021. “I believe that these [activities] will help in bringing the change we need,� he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Choice Asia looks to future Members brainstorm new directions for their movement BANDUNG, INDONESIA – Can we forgive those who sometimes love us poorly – the people closest to us, like our brother, teacher, father, mother? How does one live the truth that in this world love and woundedness are never separated. One can, when one keeps re 6 | / ther’s love. This was the message given to 200 Choice volunteers across Asia who gathered in Bandung, Indonesia, for the 14th Choice Asia Conference (CAC). The conference, held every three years, is to boost fellowship, exchange and renewal among Choice communities. The recent June 5-8 meeting, % / Love Again, was organised by a Singapore Choice team. The focus is on “falling in love again with God, with Choice, with those whom we reach out to, and with those who want to reach us�, said Ms / ( pore team. Bishop Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono of Surabaya, who celebrated the opening Mass, noted that a challenge for today’s Church ministries, whether for youth, young adults or families, is the attraction of the new evangelical churches. He asked all Choice communities to continue spreading their message to other parts of their countries, beyond the urban centres and into the provinces. Some countries are apparently already doing this. Indonesian Choice members

Some of the 200 Choice conference participants in Bandung, Indonesia.

reported that the programme is present in 10 cities or districts. However, as Indonesia is so large, there is still a lot more ground to cover. Pekanbaru in Riau for example, is one area where Choice can reach out to in the future, it was noted. Sri Lanka will also start holding Choice weekends. Choice Singapore has been assisting Sri Lanka to get the weekends started for their youth. % ( planned for August.

Is Choice still relevant in Asian cities? The answer was yes, but it was noted that in urban centres such as Kaohsiung, Penang, Hong Kong and Singapore, busyness was a common trait. During the conference, the organisers asked participants to

share if the movement was still relevant to their cities. The answer was yes, but it was noted that in urban centres such as in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Penang, Malaysia; Hong Kong and Singapore, busyness was a common trait. Ministries, especially those involving young adults, had to keep pace with changing needs, participants observed. Breakout sessions were also held for Choice volunteers from various countries to share their experiences.

/ Q ( resentatives presented their new way of facilitating group sharings on the topic, What’s Sex All About, while their Indonesian counterparts shared how they nurtured small Christian communities among those who recently attended a Choice weekend. Malaysian representatives shared how they liaised with Choice participants’ parish priests to help them follow up on participants and involve them in the parish’s young adult activities. During the conference, partic % lives and ministries through enrichment sessions such as MAD (Make A Difference), which include group dynamics, paraliturgies and storytelling. / conference was an inspiring experience. “I can’t wait for the next conference in Hong Kong in 2016,� said Ms Judy Lan of from Taipei. Choice is now present in about 40 cities in Asia. Many Asian dioceses, from Surabaya to Seoul have been organising Choice weekends for at least 20 years. The programme focuses on helping 18-40-year-olds make on their relationships with the It is run by a team comprising a priest, Religious, lay couples and singles. For more information about Choice weekends in Singapore, visit www.choice.org.sg „

ASIA 11

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Malaysian Catholics welcome 1st nuncio Archbishop Marino presents credentials to bishops’ conference president and Malaysian king KUALA

LUMPUR – Catholics packed St John’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur on June 8 to wit % X € ) X Joseph Salvador Marino. The Vatican representative ) % X ~ the Catholic Bishops’ Conference ) @( @} ™ X ) " š ™ ) ) • % #> other priests. ' X ) | % X € X ' to Brunei – presented his creden X ~ 8~ to Malaysia and history also has % ~ ( 6 6 < X ~ ~ community in Malaysia is happy and proud that diplomatic rela % ~ (

) 8X % work that you do in the countries of Malaysia and Brunei and our % % % % ~ / < * X ) rino said his appointment to Malay 8 [ < " / % election as pope in March, “has cap % < ~ X € ) 8 " / the Church in Malaysia to the love ~ / < ` ) =] X op Marino presented his creden ) + @" X X ~ ) 6 … ( * € š * ) ~ (

) % * % + ! / ( 3 4 ) ! 6 % / 4) 6 *(

Be assured of the ‘commitment of the Apostolic Nunciature ... to bring the paternal heart of Pope Francis to the Church here.

’

– Archbishop Marino

result of a mutual decision to es “Consequently, the ceremony which is carried out today has a

% < X ) % X  (X X € }

~ "  € } ~ ` * / ( ) #]z % ~ ( „ HERALD

12 WORLD

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Root out xenophobia, aid % VATICAN CITY – Catholic laity

have an obligation to root out traces of xenophobia in their hearts and recognise refugees as their brothers and sisters – children of God whose dignity must be protected, said a new Vatican document. Welcoming Christ in Refugees and Forcibly Displaced Persons, a document of pastoral guidelines for providing material and spiritual assistance to people forced to leave their homes was published on June 6 by the " ) " Council Cor Unum, which promotes and coordinates Catholic charitable activity. Since the mid-1980s, the document said, the debate surrounding refugees and other asylum seekers has become “a forum for political and administrative election purposes, which fed hostile and aggressive attitudes among the electorate�. In effect, countries are focused more on deterring newcomers from reaching their shores than they are on offering protection and a welcome to suf

that threatened their lives and dignity, Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the council for migrants and travellers, told reporters. From a Catholic point of view, he said at a Vatican news conference, “every policy, initiative or intervention in this area must be inspired by the principle of the centrality and dignity of the human person�. Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of Cor Unum, said being Christian means trying to meet both the material and spiritual needs of refugees and displaced people, who “ask us for a com restores their dignity as persons made in the image and likeness of God�. “Along with bread, they need love that nourishes their spiritual dimension,� Cardinal Sarah said, and that love is precisely what gives witness to “the love with which Christ loves us and saves us�. The new document from the two councils was designed to update their 1992 document, Refugees, A Challenge to Solidarity. „ CNS

TOULOUSE, FRANCE – Flash

Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on June 18. Authorities evacuated about 200 people, most of them from campgrounds near the shrine, after water levels rose quickly following heavy rain and unseasonal snowfall in the area a day earlier. The Lourdes grotto, where Mary is reported to have appeared to St Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, was under as much as 1.5 m of water, Mr Mathias Terrier, who is in charge of communications at the shrine, told AFP. ~ greater threat to the shrine than those of last October that caused damage amounting to more than US$1 million (S$1.3 million).

cate that the Catholic population in South Korea has increased over the past year. Last month, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea released a publication entitled Statistics of the Catholic Church in Korea 2012. The report, prepared by the Catholic Pastoral Institute of Korea, states that at the end of 2012, there were 5,361,369 Catholics in the country, an increase of 1.6 percent – or 84,959 individuals – over the last year.

OKLAHOMA CITY, USA – As com-

munities across central Oklahoma in the US continued to recover from the “powerful and deadly tornadoes� of May 19 and 20, they have experienced an “overwhelming� outpouring of “prayer, love and support from across our great state and from around the nation�, said Oklahoma City’s archbishop. “It is bringing comfort to those who have lost loved ones, suffered injuries and whose homes, businesses and properties have been damaged or destroyed,� Archbishop Paul S Coakley said. He made the comments in his column, Put Out Into the Deep, in the online issue of the Sooner Catholic, the archdiocesan newspaper. On May 31, the western suburbs of Oklahoma City were hit by a tornado. Nineteen people were killed in the storm and the % included three storm chasers who were doing tornado research. Eleven days earlier the suburb of Moore also bore the brunt of an EF5 tornado. It hit mid-afternoon killing 24 people. More than 200 others were injured in that storm. Among efforts to help storm victims, the Catholic community established a disaster response centre at All Saints Catholic School in Norman. By June 3, several recovery centres were opened

Volunteers remove debris from a hilltop in a neighbourhood heavily damaged by the May 20 tornado in Oklahoma, USA. CNS photo

by state and federal agencies, including the Federal Management Agency. In addition many of the nation’s major insurance carriers had established an “insurance village� at a Baptist church to expedite people’s claims. In his column, Archbishop Coakley said response efforts were 8 ing needs and circumstances�. But in the days since the worst tornadoes, “emergency responders, relief workers, counsellors, chaplains, friends, neighbours and strangers� have come together “to bring comfort and sustain hope where hope has been shaken�,

Archbishop Coakley said.� The Catholic community “stands shoulder to shoulder with religious, government and volunteer organisations and agencies� to assist in the recovery, he continued. He noted that each has had a “different role in the response�. 8( ers. Others offer assistance with cleanup and with immediate needs such as temporary shelter, meals and clothing. Some help facilitate spiritual, physical and emotional healing. Still others focus on longterm needs in accessing community resources,� he added. „ CNS

Catholics, Orthodox join hands ' $ # Flooding of the Lourdes shrine last October.

“We have taken preventative measures to evacuate everyone. At the moment, we are most concerned with trying to rehouse people and once that is done we will look at any damage caused. People are the priority at the moment,� he added. „ CNS

Growth in S Korean Catholics SEOUL – Recent statistics indi-

US tornado victims ( $ "

This accounts for just over 10 percent of the total population. According to the report, these numbers have “slightly and consistently increased at a yearly average of 2-3 percent during the past 11 years�. Just over half of South Korea’s Catholics live in the metropolitan areas of Seoul, Suwon, Incheon and Uijeongbu. The number of parishes in 2012 was 1,664, an increase of 17 from the previous year, while the number of mission stations is now 796. „ CNA/EWTN NEWS

WASHINGTON, USA – Roman

Catholics and Greek Orthodox in the United States have collaborated on a new website to instruct web users, primarily parents, on how young people can navigate the online world, taking advantage of its promise while steering away from its pitfalls. The site, www.faithandsafety. org, was activated in the middle of June, which is Internet Safety Month. The site’s subtitle is Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith. ` loaded with news about sites that teens use, eyebrow-raising details 6 Q online pornography, suggestions on how to use technology safely at home, and tips on negotiating the mobile-app scene. The site was two years in the making. Its genesis was during a brainstorming session as part of a summit meeting of the Religious Alliance Against Pornography attended by Catholic and Greek Orthodox leaders.

Screen grab from the site, www.faithandsafety.org.

“We were challenged to come up with actionable items as a result of the summit,� said Mr Theo € er for the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States. “One of the items I came up with was that we were going to come up with an initiative that would give the voice of faith in regard to online and technological safety.�

“It’s primary audience is intended to be parents and others who are concerned about children’s digital safety,� said Ms Helen Osman, secretary of communications for the US bishops. Mr Nicolakis said he would be happy if other denominations wanted to join with the two Churches to build up the website. „ CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Give Holy Spirit more ‘breathing room’, theologian urges Church MIAMI, USA – Although the Sec-

ond Vatican Council called on the Catholic Church to mirror the life of the Trinity, the Church is still far from being converted to that vision, a leading Australian theologian said on June 8. “The major issue is that the Holy Spirit is given very little institutional breathing room,� Fr Ormond Rush said in a plenary address to the annual convention of the Catholic Theological Society of America in Miami. Fr Rush said the 1983 Code of Canon Law does not mention the Holy Spirit and provides no structures for discerning the Spirit, a process that was critical in New Testament times. “Ecclesial conversion cannot take place if the very divine agent of conversion is not given opportunities to convert the Church,� said Fr Rush, an associate professor of theology at St Paul’s Theological College at Australian Catholic University in Banyo. He is the author of Still Interpreting Vatican II. The topic of his address was Ecclesial Conversion after Vatican II: Renewing “the Face of the < 8 U / U < The council, he said, sought to change the face that the Church presents to the world. “Vatican II wants to stop the scowl and give a smile; and even shed a tear.� The Church is called to “mir U whom she proclaims,� said Fr Rush, a priest of the Diocese of Townsville, Australia. Yet one

“fundamental concern� in implementing the agenda of Vatican II, he said, is “that the face of the Church is not always resplendent with the light of Christ�. Sinfulness in the Church is a barrier to reform, and it includes clergy sexual abuse of children, “ecclesial corruption and inner power struggles�, and what Pope Francis has called careerism, he said. It also includes “sins of patriarchy, clericalism, sexism, racism... social exclusion and oppression�, he said. That sinfulness is not just a

conversion ‘Ecclesial cannot take place if the very divine agent of conversion is not given opportunities to convert the Church.

’

– Fr Ormond Rush

matter of the sins of individuals, he said. Instead, he explained, its sins can become embedded in the Church’s institutional culture and structures. Another barrier to change, he said, is the failure to take account of the council’s “new perspective % U % < Over the four years that Vatican II met, the council fathers came U present as well as in the past, he added. “As the Holy Spirit leads the

Church in history through conver U challenging the Church to discern % U in Christ through the Spirit – by scrutinising the signs of the times U < Fr Rush cited the late Cardinal Avery Dulles’ view that Vatican II represented “creative transformation�. The Church, Dulles said, can innovate in ways “that do not simply grow out of its own previous tradition�. New questions arise that the Church has never previously faced or even envisaged “because it was inconceivable to have even thought of them due to the worldviews of the time�, Fr Rush said. “Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church must re U % < While there has been a great emphasis on the Church as a hierarchical communion, he said, the council also spoke of two other types of communion. One was “the communion of local Churches ‘in which and out of which’ the one Church of Christ exists,� he said. The other is “the communion of the faithful throughout the world-Church, all the individual baptised believers�. Those three types of communion need to be balanced, he said. Doing so would lead to “a culture of dialogue� in which the integrity of local Churches and their lived faith is respected, and there would also be respect for the Holy Spirit speaking through the sense of the faithful, he added. „ CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

for Pope, Anglican head Structures collaboration and to work towards unity collegiality need Both leaders concur on several major issues CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, pledged to support each other with their prayers and to continue the search for full unity between their communities. Meeting at the Vatican on June 14, both remarked on the fact that Pope Francis’ inaugural Mass was celebrated on March 19 and Archbishop Welby’s installation was March 21. “Since we began our respective ministries within days of each other, I think we will always have a particular reason to support one another in prayer,� Pope Francis said. Archbishop Welby told him, “I pray that the nearness of our two inaugurations may serve the reconciliation of the world and the Church.� In their speeches, the two Christians leaders did not ignore the issues that have stalled hopes for unity in recent years. “The history of relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church is long and complex and not without pain,� Pope Francis told Archbishop Z ~ % 8 of friendship have enabled us to remain on course even when dif logical dialogue�. In recent years, the Catholic-Anglican dialogue – like the Anglican Communion itself – has had to deal with differences over the ordination of women as priests and bishops, with the blessing of homosexual unions in some Anglican communities and with questions regarding the ordination of openly gay bishops.

strengthening: pope VATICAN CITY – A meeting with

Pope Francis poses with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, England, and his wife, Caroline, during a private audience at the Vatican.

The history of ‘ relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church is long and complex and not without pain.

’

– Pope Francis to Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby

In response to requests from Anglicans who wanted to join the Catholic Church but also wanted to preserve their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 established Anglican ordinariates, jurisdictions similar to dioceses. Pope Francis said the joint witness of Christian values is especially important today “in a world that seems at times to call

into question some of the foundations of society, such as respect for the sacredness of human life or the importance of the institution of the family built on marriage, a value that you yourself have had occasion to recall recently�, the pope told the archbishop. Pope Francis also had words of appreciation for Archbishop Welby’s critical comments about a British parliamentary bill to legalise gay marriage. Speaking to reporters later, Archbishop Welby said, “We’re absolutely one on the issue, and equally at one in our condemnation of homophobic behaviour and our sense that the essential dignity of the human being is where you start. “The moment you start treating people as a category rather than as human beings with this essential dignity, you begin to lose the plot.� „ CNS

" / tion on the last Synod of Bishops strengthening the gathering of bishops and the way they assist the pope. Meeting on June 13 with members of the ordinary council of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis said there needs to be 8 the mother Church, with all its nuances, including that of synodality�. Pope Francis said each of the eight cardinals he named in April to advise him on the reform of the Roman Curia mentioned the need 8 between synodality and the bishop of Rome�. The work of the world Synod of Bishops, which has gathered bishops at the Vatican every three or four years to discuss a theme and make recommendations to the pope, “has to take a new path that expresses its uniqueness when united with the Petrine ministry�, he said. “This is a big challenge.� Australian Cardinal George Pell of Sydney spoke about the possibility of expanding the role of the synod council to be a more regular advisory body for the pope, one that would meet with the pope for several hours two or three times a year to discuss a spe Cardinal Pell and two other council members – Cardinals Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India, and Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasha, Congo – also are part of the eight-member group Pope Francis named in April to advise him about reforming the Roman Curia. The pope told the synod council that the advisory group would be expanded by one “because our Eastern brothers were a bit angry that they weren’t represented. So,

one’s missing, but he still hasn’t been chosen�. In the text prepared for the June 13 meeting – a text the pope said would be handed to the council members – Pope Francis had described the synods as “one of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council� and a structure “at the service of the mission and communion of the Church, as an expression of collegiality�. Collegiality refers to the shared responsibility and authority that the College of Bishops, headed by the pope, has for the ernance of the Church. “Open to the grace of the Holy Spirit, the soul of the Church, we trust that the Synod

The Synod of Bishops will undergo developments to further promote collaboration among the bishops, and between them and the bishop of Rome. of Bishops will undergo further developments to further promote dialogue and collaboration among the bishops and between the bishops and the bishop of Rome,� he wrote. Council members were invited to tell the pope their initial ideas for the next world Synod of Bishops. Their suggestions included: the meaning of the Church, the Church’s encounter with the world, collegiality and synodality, ecology, the family, interfaith dialogue and formation of the laity. The pope also said that in October, he and his cardinal-advisers would discuss who they would entrust with “a study on pastoral work with families�. „ CNS

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis told

members of the ordinary council of the Synod of Bishops that he was preparing to publish an encyclical on faith written “with four hands� – his own and those of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis told council members he had received their suggested draft for a post-synodal apostolic exhortation on the new evangelisation, the theme of the Synod of Bishops in October 2012. “But there’s a problem. The encyclical has to come out and it’s an encyclical written with four

hands, so to speak, because Pope Benedict began writing it and he gave it to me,� the pope said. “It’s a strong document. I will say in it that I received it and most of the work was done by him and I completed it.� The pope said, it wouldn’t be right that the Year of Faith end in November without “a beautiful document to help us. So, I thought of this: Write an exhortation on evangelisation in general and, within it, refer to the synod. That way we could take everything from the synod, but put it in a wider framework�. „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Church must make people feel ‘welcomed, loved, forgiven’, says pope VATICAN CITY – Christians have

“far to go� if they seek to be known primarily for their love of God and neighbour, Pope Francis said. % Church as the “People of God� is love, he said, which means “recognising God as the only Lord of life and, at the same time, welcoming others as true brothers and sisters, overcoming divisions, rivalries, misunderstandings and < Speaking to more than 50,000 people gathered for his June 12 general audience in St Peter’s Square, the pope lamented that brotherly love does not reign in the world, and often not even in Catholic communities, neighbourhoods, workplaces or even their homes “because of jealousy and envy�. “We must ask the Lord to help us understand His law of love,� he said. “How good, how beautiful it would be if we loved one another as real brothers and sisters.� “Let’s try something today,� Pope Francis said: “We all have those we like and those we don’t like so much. Perhaps many of us are angry with someone. Let’s say to the Lord, ‘I am angry with this person and that one. I pray for him and for her.’� “Let’s pray for those with whom we are angry. It’s a good step forward in this law of love,� he said. “Let’s do it. Let’s do it today.� The pope said that when the Second Vatican Council de 8 " of God�, it recognised that the Church belongs to God and the Christian community was formed by Him. “It means that God does not belong to any one people,� the pope said, and His invitation is addressed “to all, without distinction, because God’s mercy wants the salvation of all people�. “Jesus didn’t tell the apostles or us to form an exclusive group, a group of the elite� but said to

I want to say to those who feel far ‘ from God and from the Church, to those who are afraid or indifferent, to those who think they cannot change: The Lord calls you, too, to be part of His people and He does so with great respect and love.’

– Pope Francis, giving two thumbs up after a general audience

go out to the whole world making disciples of all peoples. “I want to say to those who feel far from God and from the Church, to those who are afraid or indifferent, to those who think they cannot change: The Lord calls you, too, to be part of His people and He does so with great respect and love,� the pope said. “He invites you to be part of this people, the people of God.� Pope Francis told his audience that it is the obligation of every Christian to be a sign of hope and love and to share with others the joy of being forgiven and saved by God. “It’s enough to open a newspaper to know that evil exists, that

the devil acts,� he said. “But I want to say loudly that God is stronger.� “Do you believe this? That God is stronger?� the pope asked the crowd. “Then let us say it together, ‘God is stronger’,� he said, as many joined him in repeating the phrase. The world needs the Gospel and the witness of Christian love, he said. And it’s up to Catholics to make sure that the Church is a place “where each person feels welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the Gospel�. For that to happen, he said, “the Church must have its doors open, so that anyone can come in, and so that we go out and proclaim the Gospel�. „ CNS

‘Don’t play role of Pontius Pilate’ „ From Page 1

The pope said crises are good when they force people to address their root cause – the complete disregard for the human person. “Today people don’t count, money counts,� he said. However, God gave the world and its resources to men and women, “not to money�. Christians have the duty to defend the human person, he

said. “We have to free ourselves from these economic and social structures that enslave us,� he added. A Spanish and religion teacher asked the pope what kind of role, if any, Catholics should play in politics. The pope said Catholics have “an obligation to get involved in politics�. “We can’t play the role of Pontius Pilate and wash our hands of it,� he said. “Politics is

one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good.� He said those who complain that politics is “too dirty� should ask themselves why. Perhaps it’s “because Christians haven’t gotten involved with an evangelical spirit�. It’s easy to blame others, he said, but people need to ask themselves: “Me? What am I doing� about it? „ CNS

16 OPINION

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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

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

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

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

STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

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

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

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

LETTER

About restoring our old churches Three old Catholic churches have been named in the media as being slated for restoration. They are the Good Shepherd Cathedral, St Joseph’s Church (Portuguese Mission) and recently Sts Peter and Paul. This is really good news for our Catholic community and generally resonates well in Singapore’s landscape. Old buildings are part of cultural heritage, rich in architectural content and, with the passing of time and history, will eventually have their respective appointments with restoration. Churches, like other old buildings, are no exception. In my trips to Rome years ago, I’ve had the privilege of seeing for myself the restoration work carried out at old cathedrals as well as the Sistine Chapel. Scores of sculptors, armed with hammers and chisels, spent laborious hours each day working on old structures on domes, pillars and masonry. Work on the Sistine Chapel was entirely different. The teams there were involved in restoring the paintings by Michelangelo – priceless treasures. These restorers were truly a rare breed in terms of skill and talent. Each stroke was executed with bull’s eye accuracy. Those paintings never fail to leave the chapel’s visitors gasping in awe! Collectively, these sculptors and artists are the impresarios of heritage restoration. Their skills, like ancient architects and masons, are truly gifts from the Divine. Restoration in our churches here need not be as sophisticated as described. To ensure a job well done, certain prerequisites are vital. To name a few: knowledge of raw materials and labour costs, supervision, an eagle eye on cost and expenditure, sense of history, good colour scheme, energy savings acumen, and keeping in mind the environment at all times. Avoid becoming victims of con and deceit by contractors

whose only motive is making money and more money. Do not forget that greed knows no limits. Keep in mind the following red alerts: Preserve all old church pews. Many of these come with carvings at both ends and have been around for hundreds of years. Have them revarnished. Modern pews today, like other current wooden products, are of inferior quality and do not last very long. Preserve all other wooden structures. Confessional cubicles, doors, windows, wooden panels and staircases are some examples. Do not tear down old pillars.

precious to be discarded. Provide for elderly parishioners including those on wheelchairs. Ramps and maybe even lifts may be necessary. Include wheelchair-friendly toilets as well. The kindness shown by the various building committees will be felt by all. Let me now share what has happened to a one-time masterpiece that is now no more. I am referring to St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah). Rebuilt in the 1960s with a 2,000 capacity, it was widely touted as the largest church in Malaysia and Singapore. It is now over 150 years old. Designed with high vaulted ceil-

The cathedral is one of several churches slated for renovation.

Keep them. They are supreme structures and are indispensable icons in ancient architecture. They also complement the spiral staircase/s from which the priest delivers his sermon. = ! 3 > Most of these are mosaic or old ceramics with varying designs that carry memories of history and are no longer made the way they used to be. An acid wash or chemical cleaning will do. Railings. If there are existing railings separating the congregation from the altar, please do not remove them. The wooden panel on top of these railings is too

ings and port holes on all sides of the building, this enabled fresh air from all sides to pass through at all times, even when the church was locked. Pews were of top quality as wood was in abundance then. The % terrazzo tiles which cannot be found today. However, the church has undergone a massive renovation recently. All the pews and terrazzo tiles have been discarded. On top of these, aircon is now available. This is not a compliment. Thaddeus Loo Singapore 680134

Connecting haste and morality HASTE is our enemy. It puts us under stress, raises our blood pressure, makes us impatient, renders us more vulnerable to accidents and, most seriously of all, blinds us to the needs of others. Haste is normally not a virtue, irrespective of the goodness of the thing towards which we are hurrying. In 1970, Princeton University in the USA did some research with seminary students to determine whether being committed to helping others in fact made a real difference in a practical situation. They set up this sce Â&#x; % % terview was ending, ask that seminarian to immediately walk over to a designated classroom across the campus to give a talk. But they always put a tight timeline between when the interview ended and when the seminarian was supposed to appear in the classroom, forcing the seminarian to hurry. On the way to the talk, each seminarian encountered an actor playing a distressed person (akin to the Good Samaritan scene in the gospels). The test was to see whether or not the seminarian would stop and help. What was the result? One would guess that, being seminarians committed to service, these individuals might be more likely to stop than most other people. But that wasn’t the case. Being seminarians seemed to have no effect on their behaviour in this situation. Only one thing did: They were prone to stop and help, or to not stop and help, mostly on the basis of whether they were in a hurry or not. If they were pressured for time, they didn’t stop; if they were not pressured for time, they were more likely to stop. From this experiment its authors drew several conclusions: First, that morality becomes a luxury as the speed of our daily lives increases; and, second, that because of time pressures we tend not to see a given situation as a moral one. In essence, the more in a hurry we are, the less likely we are to stop and help someone else in need. Haste and hurry, perhaps more than anything else, prevent us from being good Samaritans. We know this from our own experience. Our struggle to give proper time to family, prayer and helping others has mainly to do with time. We’re invariably too busy, too pressured, too hurried, too-driven, to stop and help. A writer that I know confesses that when she comes to die, what she will regret most about her life is not the times she broke a commandment, but the many times she stepped over her own children on her way to her den to write. Along similar lines, we tend to blame secular ideology for so much of the breakdown of the family in our society today when, in fact, perhaps the biggest strain of all on the family is the pressure that comes from the workplace that has us under constant pressure, forever in a hurry, and daily stepping over our children because of the pressures of work. I know this all too well, of course, from my own experience. I am forever pressured, forever in a hurry, forever over-extended, and forever stepping over all kinds of things that call for my attention on my way to work. As a priest, I can rationalise this by pointing to the importance of the ministry. Ministry is meant to conscript us beyond our own agenda, but deeper down, I know that much of this is a rationalisation. Sometimes, too, I rationalise my busyness and hurry by taking consolation in the fact that I came to be this way legitimately. It’s in my genes. Both my father and my mother exhibited a similar struggle. They were wonderful, moral, and loving parents, but they were often over-extended. Responding to too many demands is a mixed virtue. It’s no accident that virtually all of the classical spiritual writers, % % " % gers of overwork. Indeed, the dangers of haste and hurry are already % % U make sure to keep proper Sabbath. When we are in a hurry we see little beyond our own agenda. The positive side to haste and hurry is that they are, perhaps, the opposite of acedia. The driven person who is always in a hurry at least isn’t constantly struggling to get through the morning to the lunch hour. He or she always has a purpose. As well, haste and hurry can

% for what he does, even as he is stepping over his own children to get to his workplace. * % Â&#x; * % * have to admit that pressure and hurry prevent me much of the time from being a Good Samaritan. Haste makes waste, so goes the saying. It also makes for a spiritual and a human blindness that can severely limit our compassion. „

FOCUS 17

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Pope gives ‘new traction’ to Church teachings: theologians MIAMI, USA – The new papacy of Francis has thus far been inspiring, challenging and accessible and is giving “new traction� to Catholic social teachings, according to a cross section of distinguished scholars on hand for a convention of theologians. Members and guest presenters of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) met from June 6-9 in Miami for their 68th annual convention, where they explored the conference theme of “conversion�. Several members of the organisation and presenters gave their personal opinions about the early papacy of Jorge Mario Bergoglio and his impact on the Church just abroad for the 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil. The idea of a Latin American % papacy by saying essentially, “I am a bishop, you are a people and we are on a journey together,� set a welcoming and necessary tone given all the challenges facing the Church�, said Prof Peter Casarella. The professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University in Chicago is also director of its Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology. “It is now becoming clearer that Pope Frances was educated by many sources [in South America] who introduced him to a ‘theology of the people’, which he already articulated before becoming pope and which he seems to be articulating now as a bridge between the preferential option for the poor and popular religion, Marian devotions, the faith of the people,� Prof Casarella said.

“It is now becoming

clearer that Pope Frances was educated by many sources [in South America] who introduced him to a ‘theology of the people.’�

– Prof Peter Casarella, DePaul University, Chicago

“This may have some repercussions in terms of where he is going to bring the Church in the future, certainly in terms of the visit to Rio de Janeiro and also for the global Church.� John E. Thiel, professor of re /  sity in Connecticut and CTSA’s president from 2011-12, noted that the Church is at an interesting moment in history given that Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI were arguably the most accomplished theologians in the papal tradition in recent centuries. “The previous pope was probably the greatest pope-theologian, but this pope is not a professional theologian. Very few bishops write theology – their efforts are

He is a simple, ‘ humble, humorous man who seems to have empathy.

’

– Tobias Winright, professor of theology at of St Louis University in the US

pastoral and they have a different kind of theological commitment that is practical,� Prof Thiel said. “We don’t know what the pope’s theology is and certain he doesn’t have a written, express theology that we can turn to and read,� he added. “So we have to see how he has acted, and he has chosen some interesting, symbolic gestures to begin his

papacy which I think are inspiring.� The pope’s choice of name and his attention to issues of poverty show “good pastoral directions that raise a certain kind of conscientiousness important for all of us Catholics�. Linda Hogan, a vice provost and professor of ecumenics at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, " / 6 his practices of poverty and mode of engagement exciting, along with the way he presents himself and his concerns for the Church. “It is both challenging and gentle, a tone really embodying a leadership that comes from witnessing and it is more about showing the way than talking about the way – that will have a resonance

with people around the world,� she said, adding that even the scandal-weary Irish public have warmed up to the new papacy. The previous two papacies, she added, already embedded a commitment to social justice, equality and fairness “but what this pope is doing is saying, ‘This is the way I have lived throughout my life and this is the way in which this papacy acts and speaks in the world.’� Tobias Winright, a professor of theology at of St Louis University in the US and editor of the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, points to an enthusiasm for the new pope visible worldwide, and also among his students who seem to respond to the pope’s daily gestures and his emphasis on economic justice, the environment, and critique of war. “He is a simple, humble, humorous man who seems to have empathy.� Ms Catherine Challier, a French scholar of Jewish philosophy and ethics, is hoping that Pope Francis will bring new interest and awareness of interfaith relations which she fears is losing momentum as the World War II generation passes. “In France, the reception is positive and Jews are quite happy [about Pope Francis], expecting the relationships between Christians and Jews will improve but the question is among young people in Europe,� she said. The CTSA is the principal association of Catholic theologians in North America and the largest professional society of theologians in the world. This year’s convention drew more than 400 participants. „ CNS

What the pope’s leaked comments say about Church By Francis X Rocca VATICAN CITY – A report that Pope Francis privately acknowledged the existence of a “gay lobby� inside the Vatican offers a sensational example of his unvarnished speaking style and a reminder of the challenge that style poses for the papacy in the age of digital communications and vanishing privacy. On the other hand, an acknowledgment that the Catholic Church’s central administration is troubled by factionalism and personal failings must be less than startling to anyone who has been following the news lately. But the context of the headline-grabbing comment is a series of remarks most illuminating for what they reveal: not about divisions within the church, but about Pope Francis’ vision of its harmony and unity. Pope Francis’ words to the leaders of the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Men and Women Religious, or

CLAR, as originally reported on a website in Chile, have not been denied by anyone who was there. A statement from CLAR – issued after the Chilean report – described the leaked account of the June 6 Vatican meeting as a “summary based on the memories of the participants� and a reliable record of the pope’s “general meaning� though not a verbatim transcript. Speaking to his fellow Latin American Religious, the pope touched on some major points of tension that have marked relations between religious orders and the hierarchy in recent decades. He did so in a manner aging and sober in its assessment of the Church’s problems. He urged the Religious to “put all your commitment into dialogue with the bishops� even though “there are some [bishops] who have another idea of communion� from that held by many Religious. The pope also counselled his visitors to

take a constructive attitude towards criticism and discipline from the Vatican. “Maybe you will get a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine [of the Faith] saying that you said this or that,� the pope reportedly said. “But don’t worry. Explain what you have to explain, but keep going.� Z

the hierarchy’s responsibility to correct it, his emphasis was on forgiveness. “You are going to make mistakes, you are going to put your foot in it. That happens!� he said. “I prefer a Church that makes mistakes because it is doing something to one that sickens because it stays shut in.� The pope also drew a link between the Church’s social and moral teaching by relating economic injustice and legalised sion between “social justice� and “pro-life� categories of Catholicism. “Abortion is bad, but that is clear,� he reportedly told the Religious. “But behind

the approval of this law, what interests are behind it ... .� In an apparent reference to international organisations and private foundations that promote population control in underdeveloped countries, he added, “they are at times the conditions placed by the great groups to support with money, you know that?� Pope Francis also stressed the connectedness between the hierarchy and laity. Recalling the 2007 conference of Latin American bishops in Aparecida, Brazil, which he described as a key step in a “continental mission�, he noted that the event “was not celebrated in a hotel, nor in a retreat house�. Inside the conference rooms beneath the sanctuary of Brazil’s greatest Marian shrine, the bishops could hear the singing of the faithful overhead as “background music�, the pope said. “This made it very special.� According to Pope Francis, contact with the faithful at Aparecida made a crucial difference in the prelates’ deliberations. „ CNS

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday June 30, 2013 CatholicNews

Meditation: a remedy for modern spiritual ailments Meditation is not about asking but about surrendering the self to God By Louise McNulty Almost every article or book about stress mentions the mind and body connection. Often couched in terms of an anecdote, it’s like the story of a man I wrote about a few years ago. He was in his 40s, had multiple chins, a plump body and suffered from asthma, low blood sugar and a poor self-image. Spurred by an upcoming class reunion and remembering his lean and more attractive high school self, he started a sensible low-fat diet, added walking, and eventually jogging, to his weekly routine, and turned his life around. He lost 40 kg and 10 pant sizes, shed his health problems and gained a new attitude. I learned about him in an article in a company newsletter. In the story, he declared that the change wasn’t just physical but also spiritual, one that made him feel like a new person. Secular publications largely concentrate on the body and mind aspect, while leaving out the spiritual side that can also go through a process of change and healing. Meditation is one of those forms of medicine that can bring about (by bringing us closer to God) a healing of the spirit, a spiritual “getting in shape” if you will. The American author, columnist and TV personality of the 1950s and 1960s Archbishop Fulton J Sheen said that “meditation is a more advanced spiritual act than ‘saying prayers’”. Meditation is not about asking for something but about surren-

Meditation ‘silences the ego with its clamorous demands in order that it may hear the wishes of the divine heart’. – American Archbishop Fulton J Sheen

Benedictine Fr Laurence Freeman (extreme left), director of the World Community of Christian Meditation, conducting a meditation session at Georgetown University in Washington.

dering the self to God. Meditation “silences the ego with its clamorous demands in order that it may hear the wishes of the divine heart. It uses our faculties, not to speculate on matters remote from God, but to stir up our will to conform more perfectly with his will,” Archbishop Sheen said. One reason why meditation is important, he said, is that unlike prayer, meditation stops being about the things of this world. It is

not about asking for favours from God but about listening to what God is trying to say. “In meditation, we do not think about the world or ourselves, but about God,” Archbishop Sheen said. He called it a potent “remedy against the externalisation of life”. Another Catholic authority on the subject is the Trappist monk Fr Thomas Merton, author of The Seven Storey Mountain, a classic that endures today. A posthumous collection of his

Crossword Puzzle 1087 17 Sorvino of “At First Sight” 18 Religion of the Muslims 19 Make 20 Make sour 22 Trinket 24 Empty ____ 25 Shape

ACROSS 1 “What God ____ joined together…” 5 My dog has ‘em 10 Father 14 French girlfriend 15 Inspire anew 16 Keep away from

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1086 O L A F

L A V A

I N A N

C O R G I

T R E A T

A B A S H

L A K E

A N N A

I T E R

V E S T A I M P E A C H E S

E O S M T R A S I T A E C C R E E L L S S S S I T E N B O E T N E

B O A Z

I V I E D

E A M O N

L E V I

C A R E

Y S E R

S D E E L T E D O O R M A M F I R N E E L E I N N C L I A G C E E R

I N R I

E V E R

T Y K E

M E A L S

O R B I T

N O S E S

C A N A

A P T S

L E S E

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

26 Parts of psyches 27 “…_____ be thy name” 31 Church runway 34 “Ave _____” 35 Roman crowd? 36 Adam was made from this 37 Saint item 38 Raison d’____ 39 Up to, informally 40 Loses colour 41 What Catholics receive on the 42 Sabbath 44 One of Roosevelt’s alphabet agencies 45 Altar balustrade 46 Go over again 50 Musical composition 53 Scholar’s world 55 “So be it!”

56 Jewish month of Passover 58 Give notice 59 Flightless bird 60 Serious wrongdoing 61 OT prophetic book 62 Miss Kett 63 Relaxes 64 Repudiate DOWN 1 Chief minister of the Persian king in the Book of Esther 2 Vestment worn under the alb 3 Wearies 4 Cordially 5 ____ Minor (Franciscan Order) 6 “…the ___ will < ) 20:16)

writings appeared in the book Contemplation in a World of Action. Although his subject was monastic renewal, Fr Merton pointed out that prayer, meditation and contemplation were once taken for granted as fundamentals of human life, but that in the modern world even believers consider them marginal to their lives. He said that ordinary laypeople often think of prayer as simply “saying words”, of meditation as a mysterious practice that they don’t understand, and of contemplation as something “suspicious”. He said however that the true reason for prayer (alone or communally) is a deepening personal realisation of God. “The whole purpose of meditation is to deepen the consciousness of this basic relationship of the creature to the Creator, and of the sinner to his Redeemer,” he wrote. The purpose of meditation most relevant in the modern world is discovering new facets of freedom and love and deepening awareness of life in Christ. And he added that without creating and 1

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 27 28 29 30

31 32

She, in Paris In the manner of Standing for Pretended Evil king of Israel Knitting stitch St. _____ de Beaupre Medieval English monk “It was ___ joke” Mary, Stella ____ Catholic actor of “The Wizard of Oz” fame “To Sir, ___…” Patrick’s place “What you sow does not come to life unless it _____.” (1 Cor 15:16) NT book that follows John Hip bones

33 “You are the _____ of the earth” (Mt 5:13) 34 Miraculous, for one 37 Cheerful brightness 38 Shunned 40 Campus org. 41 Did well 43 The Muse of astronomy 44 Wading birds 47 Astonish 48 Seductively beautiful woman 49 Kind of panky? 50 “For our _____, he was < 51 Skip 52 Politico Gingrich 53 Sale words 54 “It _____ upon a midnight clear…” 57 SS supplement

2

3

4

5

6

7

expanding this personal relationship, a person will have nothing to offer others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that meditation is above all “a quest” and it is not an easy endeavour to take on alone and without direction. That is why we can seek help in Scripture and other holy books, in spiritual leaders, and other ways. “There are as many and varied methods of meditation as there are spiritual masters,” the catechism says. “Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly.” Not doing so can lead them to 8

kinds of soil in the parable of the sower”. The parable tells about a sower who scattered seed on four kinds of soil. First, he threw seed on a path but it became bird food, the one on rocky ground sprouted but the soil wasn’t deep enough and it withered, the one that was strewn on thorns grew but the thorns choked the plant. Meditation then is like the fourth type of soil in which the seed took hold, put down roots, sprouted “and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold” (Mt 13:8). “To the extent that we are humble and faithful, we discover in meditation the movements that stir the heart, and we are able to discern them,” the catechism tells us. “It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light.” CNS McNulty is a freelance writer in Akron, Ohio, USA.

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

22

21

26

13

28

29

30

48

49

23

32

27 34

33

35

37

36

38

40

39 42

50

12

25

24

31

11

51

41

43

44

45

46 53

52 57

47

54

55

56

58

59

60

61

62

63

64 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

19

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

They were Moses and Elijah, and they spoke to Jesus about the things He was about to do in Jerusalem. When the two prophets were about to leave, Peter said, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.� As soon as Peter had said this, a thick cloud formed in the sky above them, and the men were in its dark shadow. They became very afraid.

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

WORDSEARCH:

St William of Vercelli

„ GOSPEL „ CROSS „ ELIJAH „ HEAL „ KINGDOM „ CHIEF „ CLOUD „ SCRIBES

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was referred to by several / ! below mentioned in Luke 1.

„ 1. Son of the Most High „ 6. Emmanuel „ 2. The Good Shepherd „ 7. The fruit of Mary’s womb „ 3. The Son of God „ 8. A prophet of the „ 4. A horn for our Most High salvation „ 9. The Baptiser „ 5. Prince of Peace

BIBLE TRIVIA: Luke wrote his Gospel for which man? (hint: Chapter 1)

Q&A 1. Who did Peter say Jesus was? 2. Who did the apostles see speaking with Jesus?

Begin at the arrow and take note of every other character. You will discover Jesus’ message of love for you.

Bible Accent: Luke is credited with writing the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles. Both books are % In his Gospel, Luke records many of the important events and miracles in the life of Jesus, while in Acts, Luke tells us about the work of the early Christians. Luke traveled with Paul on some of his missionary journeys, and in the Letter to the Colossians, Luke is called “the beloved physician.� When Paul felt his companions had deserted him, he wrote to Timothy and said to him, “Luke is the only one with me� (2 Tm 4: 11). Because of Luke’s faithfulness to Jesus and his commitment to his friends and fellow Christians, we have two very important books of the New Testament. „

Answer to Bible Trivia: Theophilus

PUZZLE:

Read more about it: Luke 9

Answer to Wordsearch

William of Vercelli (1085-1142) was put into the care of relatives after the death of his parents when he was still a young boy. He knew he wanted to pursue a Religious life, so he set out on a pilgrimage to Spain when he was 14, and he wanted the journey to test the limits of his body as well as his mind and spirit. Time led him to the mountains of Italy, where he lived as a hermit. While here, he performed his % % Although he still wanted to be a hermit, he attracted followers, so he started a religious community, one of several he founded during his life. King Roger II of Naples invited William to be one of his advisers. We honour William on June 25. „

A voice spoke from out of the cloud and said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.� And then Peter, James and John were alone again with Jesus. „

Answers to Puzzle: 1. Son of the Most High, 3. The Son of God, 4. A horn for our salvation, 7. The fruit of your [Mary’s] womb, 8. Prophet of the Most High

Jesus called the Twelve Apostles together and He gave them the authority to heal diseases and to cast out evil spirits. He also sent them out to preach about the Kingdom of God. He told them not to take any unnecessary provisions, and they obeyed Him. They went into villages and towns spreading the Gospel and healing people who were sick. When the Twelve Apostles were the only other people with Him while He was trying to pray in private, Jesus asked His friends a very important question. “Who do the crowds say that I am?� They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’� Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?� Peter replied, “The Messiah of God.�

As soon as Peter said this, Jesus instructed His apostles not to say that to anyone else. Then He gave the men a prophecy about Himself: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What % world yet lose or forfeit himself?� About a week after this, Jesus invited Peter, James and John to come up into the mountains with Him to pray. As Jesus was praying, His face changed and His clothes turned a dazzling white, and then two men appeared and began speaking with Him.

Answer to Love Wheel Go in peace, your sins are forgiven

By Joe Sarnicola

20

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www. catholic.sg/webevent_form.php LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR A transforming and empowering experience in the Holy Spirit. MONDAYS JULY 1 TO AUGUST 12 LISS@ CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL 7.30-10pm: At 301 Yio Chu Kang Rd. T: 9102 6636 (Catherine), 9735 2536 (Angela); E: svdp.charismatic@gmail.com MONDAYS JULY 1 TO AUGUST 26 LISS@CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER 7.45-10pm: At 63A Chartwell Drive. Register T: 94878087/81110023 (Francis/ Clare)’ E: fzchan21@yahoo.com.sg MONDAYS JULY1TO SEPTEMBER 2 LISS@CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST 7.30pm: At 91 Toa Payoh Central. T: 9795 6383 (Helena), 9005 4511 (Marie); E: helena_law@yahoo.com, m4trinity@gmail. com; Register W: www.risenchristcpg.org WEDNESDAY JUNE 26 TO SUNDAY JUNE 30 CHURCH OF OLPS FEAST DAY TRIDUM MASSES AND CELEBRATIONS (Wed-Fri) 7.15pm: Rosary followed by Mass at 8pm. Weekend Mass timings as usual with preaching by Fr Lionel Thomas. Feast Day Mass and procession at 6pm on June 30 celebrated by Archbishop William Goh. W: www.olps.sg JUNE 26 SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF ST JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA 7.30pm: Archbishop Emeritus Chia is the main celebrant. Confessions available from 6.15pm. At Church of the Holy Spirit (248 Upper Thomson Rd) JUNE 27 PILGRIMAGE IN MY BACKYARD AUKANG 10am: Meet at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Register T: 63364 815/6336 4467; E: cana@catholiccentre.com.sg JUNE 27 ART THERAPY OPEN STUDIO FOR ADULTS 3-5pm: A conducive and creative space for you to be in touch with your inner being and to express yourself through art. No prior art experience necessary. Conducted by art therapist Alvin George Khoo. Cost: $10. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register: 67577 990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JUNE 27 CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK SOCIAL NIGHT 6.30-9.30pm: An enjoyable night of networking with food and soft drinks provided. Limited to 50 seats only. Cost: $35 (members), $45 (non members).At Charlie’s Tapas Bar n Grill (32 Boat Quay). T: M: 9228 4463 (Raymond); E: raymond@cbn.sg THURSDAYS JUNE 27 TO AUGUST 1 CAFE MODULE: YEAR OF FAITH 8-9.30pm: Six engaging talks to help U X / show us how St Catherine of Siena lived her faith and in practical ways, empower us to evangelise. At Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea (10 Yishun St 22. Register SMS: 8467 6161, 8467 6363; E: acptcafe@gmail.com FRIDAY JUNE 28 TO SATURDAY JUNE 29 BIBLE MIRROR METHOD – GOSPEL SHARING WORKSHOP Fri (7.30pm)-Sat (3pm): A Gospel-sharing method that helps communities identify daily situations and problems that are

} ("* At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). Register: T: 6858 3011; E: admin@catholicspi.org JUNE 28 CHILDREN’S EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.45-9pm: Come and pray with our children as a family before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. All welcome. At Church of the Holy Spirit. T: 9023 7417 (Sandra); E: childreneucharisticadora@gmail.com JUNE 28 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS @z K> Â&#x; Z and Eucharistic adoration. By Generation

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

MONDAYS JULY 1 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS 7.45-9.45pm: At 450 Clementi Avenue 1. By Deacon Jovita Ho. Register E: grace. ÂĽ

MONDAYS JULY 1/TUESDAYS JULY 2 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST ALPHONSUS (NOVENA CHURCH) 7.30-9.45pm: At 300 Thomson Rd. Register T: 6255 2133; E: rcianovena@ gmail.com; or at church reception

FRIDAYS JULY 5 RCIA@ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 8-10pm: At 2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. Â&#x; _ƒ$z zz$ ‚ „ 9889 0027 (Joey); E: query.rcia@gmail.com (Lawrence)

~\*( ÂŁ ) X ( / ¤ Chapel, Kingsmead Hall, Church of St * `Â&#x;

ÂĽ

JULY 6 MONTFORT JUNIOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 8-10pm: Open house with school tour and activites such as Montfort classroom experience, arts performances, CCA display and in conversation with school * W: http://www.montfortjunior.moe.edu.sg

JUNE 29 ANNUAL ARCHBISHOP CUP 7.30am: Altar servers from various parishes would be competing in an annual 5 a-side soccer tournament. By Church of the Holy Spirit Altar Servers Ministry. At Tampines SAFRA (1/A Tampines Street 92). T: 9455 0412 (Anthony Lawrence); E: parish@holyspirit.sg JUNE 29 JOURNEY HOME TO ESSEX ROAD #=@= Â&#x; ( * ( ) 6 School Alumni Association cordially invite all old boys and retired teachers to the journey home to Essex Road. At 3 Essex Home. Register T: 9111 6606; E: oldboys.sjij.sms@gmail.com WEDNESDAYS JULY 3 TO SEPTEMBER 4 THE EARLY CHURCH 9.30-11.30am: A DVD-based programme by Steve Weidenkopf. The study looks at $>> | help participants grow closer to Christ through a deeper understanding of His Church. By Church of the Holy Spirit Bible Apostolate. At 248 Upper Thomson Rd. Register: Clare:8228 8220 (Clare), E: HSBibleapostolate@gmail.com WEDNESDAYS JULY 3 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 31 A QUICK JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE Wed (8-10pm), Thu/Sat (10am-12pm): Presented by Jeff Cavins, A Quick Journey Through the Bible is part of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible study system. This parish-based study provides an excellent introduction and overview of the Bible from a Catholic perspective. Cost: $10 (inclusive of student guide, bookmark and timeline chart). By Little Rock Bible Ministry of Church of Saint Mary of the Angels. E: michael_arteche@ yahoo.com; Register W: http://www. stmary-lrbm.org.sg/Register.aspx JULY 3 RELAXATION EXERCISE IN ENGLISH 10-11am: Therapeutic breathing and guided imagery exercises to release tension, boost energy and mood to help one stay calm and stable in midst of the stresses of life. Love offering. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register: 67577 990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JULY 3 SERRA BI-MONTHY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS 7.30-9pm: Pray for more priestly vocations and for our priests. By Serra Club Singapore. At Church of St Bernadette Adoration Room. Register E: clara@serrasingapore.org THURSDAYS JULY 4 TO NOVEMBER 21 GOD’S COVENANTAL LOVE FOR US THROUGH THE AGES 7.45-9.45pm: 18 sessions of looking at the } ("* X X` (2 Highland Rd). Register T: 6858 3011; E: admin@catholicspi.org FRIDAY JULY 5 TO SUNDAY JULY 7 FMDM DISCERNMENT VOCATION WEEKEND Fri (6.30pm)-Sun (4pm): Weekend for single women 19-38 years old. By FMDM Vocation Team. At St Francis Convent (810 Thomson Rd). E: angelin2010@ hotmail.co.uk, fmdmvocation4u@gmail. com (Sr Angelin) JULY 6 CATHOLIC SINGLES ELDERLY VISITATION 9.30am-2pm: CatholicSingles is organising % # ~'} at Clementi & Bukit Batok. Each person to buy non sugary food in any quantity he/ she decides which will be distributed to the elderly. Register E: CatholicSingle@ gmail.com; FB: CatholicSinglesSingapore

CORRECTION The ordination to the priesthood of Redemptorist Deacon Eugene Lee is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 6.30 pm at the Church of the Risen Christ and not as advertised in an earlier issue which stated July 16. The advertiser apologises sincerely for the mistake.

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

FRIDAY JULY 12 TO SUNDAY JULY 14 SACCRE ABLAZE WEEKEND Fri (7.30-9.30pm), Sat (1-9.30pm), ( ‚#@_ K> „Â&#x; Pentecost in your life. Programme includes talks on renewal, faith, intercessory,

@ Holy Spirit by Br Emmanuel, Fr James Yeo, Philip Kok, Anne Marie Gatenby, Gerard & Jessica Francisco, Sr Christine Santhou. Closing Mass celebrated by Fr Tom Curran. By SACCRE City district. Register T: 9459 9804 (Diane); E: saccre.ablaze2013@gmail.com JULY 13 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At The Armenian Church of St U * ‚_> ~ ( „ T: 9837 7256; E: bennycah@gmail.com JULY 16 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL Mass Timings: 6.30am, 4.30pm, 6,30pm (all in English), 2.30pm (Mandarin). At Carmelite Monastery (98 Bt Teresa Rd). JULY 17 RELAXATION EXERCISE IN CHINESE 10-11am: Therapeutic breathing and guided imagery exercises to release tension, boost energy and mood to help one stay calm and stable in midst of the stresses of life. Love offering. By Clarity Singapore. At Block 854 #01-3511, Yishun Ring Road. Register: 67577 990, 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JULY 20 PARADOX OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP 9am-5.30pm: A workshop for Church leaders, priests and Religious facilitated by Christina Kheng, a lay consultant for Church groups. Find out how to be effective in Christ’s mission interests. Cost: $100 (discount offered if register through parishes). } š *( X & " Rd. Register by July 6. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com JULY 27 CELEBRATING INNER FREEDOM 9am-4pm: Learn how to explore, % relationships in order to journey towards celebrating inner freedom. By LifeSprings Spirituality Centre. At 100 Jalan Merbok. Register T: 64662178 (Brenda); E.lifesprings@singnet.com.sg JULY 27 SJI-SJIOBA CHARITY MOVIE – THE WOLVERINE IN 3D = K> Â&#x; * ( * ( ' } / } ( * ( * ^ } X Â&#x; {$> ( \ 15 E: movie_reservation@sji.edu.sg; thereafter direct purchase from Cathay Q % THURSDAY AUGUST 8 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 11 OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY Fri (7pm)-Sun (5pm): A non-stay-in workshop with Fr Monty Williams, SJ. Our lives are a journey of becoming increasingly aware of how God is always present and what God and we commit to do to make this relationship more real. This involves discernment, putting the context of decision-making in terms of our relationship with God.By Kingsmead *( Â&#x; {ƒ>> ‚/ 20 paid-up registrants). At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Register T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Thank you St Jude for answering my prayers. Magdalene Thank you Lord for the answers to my prayers. Please accept my grateful thanks dearest Blessed Mother Mary, Padre Pio, St Jude, St Anne, St Therese and all other friends in Heaven for storming heaven for me. God is good and greatly to be ÂŁ Thank you, St Jude, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of urgent need. You are truly rich in miracles and have never failed to come to my assistance. Please continue to guide and intercede for us. Amen.

O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of * recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent * * your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers.

24 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday June 30, 2013 „ CatholicNews

‘A Christian who isn’t a revolutionary isn’t a Christian’ Love is the greatest force for transforming reality, says Pope Francis

From left: Pope Francis greets the crowd, kisses a baby and chats with handicapped people as he arrives to celebrate Mass in St Peter’s Square. CNS photos VATICAN CITY – Christians are

called to be revolutionaries, changing the world one heart at a time, Pope Francis said. “A Christian who is not a revolutionary today isn’t a Christian,� the pope said on June 17 during a conference that quickly turned into a rally for evangelisation and care of the poor. More than 10,000 people gathered at the Vatican – most in the audience hall, but also in the parking lot outside – to listen to the pope kick off the annual Rome diocesan convention, a three-day gathering of priests, Religious and laypeople to set pastoral priorities for the coming year. Speaking without a prepared text, Pope Francis repeatedly called upon Rome’s Catholics to take seriously their responsibility to bring God’s love and the promise of salvation to the poor, the sad and the suffering. The revolution started 2,000 years ago by Jesus, who accepted death in order to save humanity, is the longest lasting revolution in history and the one with the greatest impact on the world because it

‘In the Gospel there’s the beautiful passage about the shepherd who realises that one of his sheep is missing and he leaves the 99 to go out

But, brothers and sisters, We’re missing 99! We must go out and

focused not on territory or power, but on changing human hearts, the pope said. The grace of Christ, he said, gives people “a heart that loves, a heart that suffers, a heart that rejoices with others, a heart full of tenderness for those who bear the wounds of life and feel like they are on the periphery of society�. “Love is the greatest force for transforming reality because it % % -

people far from one another,� he said. Using phrases and metaphors that have become a staple of his homilies, he urged Catholics to leave the comfort of their parishes, go out to the streets and share the good news with others. “Each one of us can think of persons who live without hope and are immersed in a profound sadness that they try to escape by alcohol, drugs, gambling, the power of money, promiscuity,� he said. In the end, though, he said, they just sink deeper into the abyss. “We who have the joy of knowing that we are not orphans, that we have a Father�, cannot be indifferent to those yearning for love and for hope, he said. “With your witness, with your smile�, you need to let others know that the same Father loves them too. “In the Gospel there’s the beautiful passage about the shepherd who realises that one of his sheep is missing and he leaves zz < Pope Francis said. “But, broth-

A parish community that stays on the church grounds with active members talking only with active members ‘is a sterile ers and sisters, we have only one. We’re missing 99! We must go out < It is tempting to take the easy path, “staying home with that one little sheep, combing it, caressing it�, he said. However, the pope added, “the Lord wants us to be shepherds, not hairdressers to sheep�. A parish community that stays on the church grounds with active members talking only with active members “is a sterile community�, he said. Pope Francis said he knows and courage to go out and share the faith, but that is what every Christian is called to do.

And, he said, Christians should not be surprised when they get disappointed about the results of their efforts, but they must recognise that the devil is behind their discouragement. “Every day the devil sows in our hearts seeds of pessimism and bitterness.� To counteract the devil, the pope said, Christians must draw 8 tion, the desire to follow Jesus and from the sacraments, which are an encounter with Jesus�. Each Catholic has an obligation to witness to Gospel joy in their families, neighbourhoods, workplaces and schools, he said, but they must remember that the poor good news and concrete expressions of Christian love and charity. “At the Last Judgment, as we read in Matthew 25, we will be judged by this,� he said, referring to Jesus’ words: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.� „ CNS

Pope decries ‘real slavery’ of children forced to work VATICAN CITY – Many of the

hundreds of millions of child labourers around the world work under conditions of “real slavery�, Pope Francis said. Marking the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, the pope told people at his weekly general audience that he hoped the international com tive means to stop the exploitation of boys and girls in jobs that are often dangerous and in situations where they are sub-

jected to all kinds of abuse. “These people, instead of letting them play, make them slaves,� the pope said at the end of his weekly general audience. “This is a plague.� At an audience where, as usual, he kissed dozens of babies and young children, accepted draw through the sketchbook of one, the pope said, “All children have a right to play, study, pray and grow within their own families in an atmosphere of harmony, love

A Filipino boy carries a wooden timber destined for a mine tunnel.

and serenity. It is their right and our obligation.� For 2013, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which sponsors the World Day Against Child Labour, focused on the estimated 10.5 million children who do domestic work – cleaning, ironing, cooking, collecting water, looking after other children or caring for the elderly – in other people’s homes. “Vulnerable to physical, psychological and sexual violence

and abusive working conditions, they are often isolated from their families, hidden from the public eye and become highly dependent on their employers. Many might end up being commercially sexually exploited,� ILO said. Pope Francis said it is a “deplorable phenomenon that is constantly growing, especially in poor countries. Millions of children, mostly girls, are the victims of this hidden form of exploitation�. „ CNS

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

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.