JUNE 26, 2016, Vol 66, No 13

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 2016

MCI (P) 009/08/2015

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Church leaders condemn Orlando massacre, offer support Pope, bishops offer prayers in wake of tragedy at gay nightclub in Florida ORLANDO,

FLORIDA,

USA

NO. 13

INSIDE HOME Charities Week 2016 collection See how much we raised Page 2

–

Catholic Church leaders together with Pope Francis have expressed shock at the shooting massacre at a gay nightclub in Florida, and offered their prayers and solidarity with the victims.

In Orlando, priests, deacons and counsellors from the Diocese of Orlando and Catholic Charities of Central Florida were serving at an aid centre established by city RI¿FLDOV Throughout June 12, the day the shooting occurred, Church personnel were helping victims and families “on the front lines of this tragedy”, Orlando Bishop John G. Noonan said in a statement.

“They are offering God’s love and mercy to those who are facing unimaginable sorrow. They will remain vigilant and responsive to the needs of our hurting brothers and sisters.”

The bishop also asked all parishes in the nine-county diocese in central Florida to include prayer intentions during Sunday Masses.

“We pray for the people of the city of Orlando that God’s mercy and love will be upon us as we seek healing and consolation,” he said.

Bishop Noonan said he planned to lead an evening prayer vigil for the community – called a Vigil to Dry Tears – at St. James Cathedral in Orlando on June 13.

Police said a lone gunman LGHQWL¿HG DV \HDU ROG 2PDU 0LU 6HGGLTXH 0DWHHQ RSHQHG ¿UH inside the Pulse club in Orlando in the early morning hours. News reports said that Mateen, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, died in a gun battle with SWAT team members.

Forty-nine people died in the tragedy.

Archbishop Blase J. Cupich of Chicago said in his condolence message, “Our prayers and hearts are

VOL 66

ASIA Controversy over new Philippine president Priest warns against coup attempts Page 8

WORLD Pope meets Reformed Churches’ leaders Positive note for ecumenical dialogue Page 9

People hold hands in a circle during a June 12 vigil in a park in Orlando, Florida, following a mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in that city earlier that morning. CNS photo

with the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, their families and our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.”

In a letter to the Chicago archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach, Archbishop Cupich said: “For you here today and throughout the whole lesbian and gay community, who are particularly touched by the heinous crimes committed in Orlando, motivated by hate, driven perhaps by mental instability and certainly empowered by a culture of violence, know this: The Archdiocese of Chicago stands with you. I stand with you.”

Another Florida Church leader, Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St Petersburg, addressed the gun rights issue: “Our founding parents had no knowledge of assault ULÀHV ZKLFK DUH LQWHQGHG WR EH weapons of mass destruction. ... It is long past time to ban the sale of assault weapons. ... If one is truly pro-life, then embrace this issue also and work for the elimination of sales to those who would turn them on innocents.”

Bishop Lynch also said that “sadly, it is religion, including our own, which targets, most verbally,

prayers and hearts are with the victims ‘ofOur the mass shooting in Orlando, their families and our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.’

– Archbishop Blase J Cupich of Chicago

and also often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people”.

Pope Francis also offered prayers for the families of the victims. A Vatican statement said “the terrible massacre ... has caused in Pope Francis, and in all of us, the deepest feelings of horror and condemnation, of pain and turmoil”.

“Pope Francis joins the families of the victims and all of the injured in prayer and in compassion,” said the statement released on June 12.

“Sharing in their indescribable suffering, he entrusts them to the Lord VR WKH\ PD\ ¿QG FRPIRUW Courage International, a USbased Catholic organisation that provides support for people who experience same-sex attraction, Continued on Page 10

‘Spread love online, not hate’ Bishop’s plea to communicators Page 11

OUR PARISHES A look at the Church of St Stephen Pages 15, 17

JUBILARIANS Honouring priests, Religious marking special anniversaries Pages 16, 17

2 HOME

Sunday June 26, 2016 CatholicNews

Charities Week collection matches last year’s amount Charities Week 2016 closed on May 6 with a total collection of more than $5.8 million, matching 2015’s collection (see chart).

Despite an increasingly challenging economic outlook and numerous fundraising events, Catholics, their families and friends have banded together, to generously support this annual campaign, said Caritas Singapore.

Charities Week is the annual archdiocesan fundraising campaign organised during Lent every year by Caritas Singapore, the social and community arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore.

Caritas leads and coordinates 24 Catholic charities, and serves more than 50,000 people, regardless of race, religion or nationality.

“We are elated by the show of support,” said Mr Tan Cheng Han, Caritas Singapore’s fundraising chairman. “Thank you

very much to all donors. We expected that it would be difficult to match the 2015 collection, much less look forward to any growth. With God’s grace, we did well. I am very happy with the amount raised.”

funds collected ‘The will enable us to continue to live out the social mission of the Church, serving all in need.

’

– Caritas executive director Bernadette Lau

Caritas executive director Bernadette Lau said: “The funds collected will enable us to continue to live out the social mission of the Church, serving all in need.”

Donations collected during the Charities Week campaign will be used to fund the operations of

Caritas Singapore, Agape Village, member organisations, programmes and services.

Most recently, these include support for adults with intellectual and development disabilities by Mamre Oaks, art therapy to help with the mental and emotional well-being of individuals by Clarity Singapore, and other community programmes such as computer literacy for seniors.

More are in the pipeline.

In all, an estimated total amount of $8.5 million is required for 2016, said Caritas Singapore.

The remaining amount will be raised through other initiatives including the Caritas Singapore Charity Golf Tournament 2016 to be held on Aug 24 and the Down Memory Lane 6 Charity Dinner to be held on Oct 1.

More information is available at caritas-singapore.org or call 6338-3448.

Source: CARITAS SINGAPORE

HOME 3

Sunday June 26, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Fellow Sisters join Italian Canossian Sr Vittorina Lamperti at her birthday celebration on May 27. Photo: ARCHDIOCESE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

A young Sr Vittorina seen here with boys at the boarding house in Canossa Convent.

Canossian nun marks 100th birthday It was a joyous occasion on May 27 as Canossian Sr Vittorina Lamperti celebrated her 100th birthday at St Joseph’s Home.

Forty-four Canossian nuns from Singapore and Malaysia, three priests, residents and staff of the home, volunteers and friends attended the event.

Among them were seven of the Italian nun’s “boys� whom she loved and cared for when they

were little orphans, after the Second World War. They were housed and boarded at Canossa Convent way back in 1948, and have since grown up to be husbands and fathers.

For the celebration, a special birthday cake was made for Sr Vittorina, who has been suffering from bronchitis for the past two months.

During the Mass to mark the occasion, Franciscan Friar Julian

Mariaratnam described Sr Vittorina as a deeply spiritual person with a great longing to be united with God. Sr Vittorina was born in Parabiago, Italy, in 1916, the youngest of eight children.

At the age of eighteen, she joined the convent at Vimercate, Italy. After six months in the novitiate, she was sent to Welwyn Garden City in England to teach kindergarten children. She made

KHU ¿UVW SURIHVVLRQ WKHUH LQ She also studied at a school called Mater Dei for her teacher’s training. She had a very hard life in England as the Religious community there was very poor.

At this time too, war broke out. After the war ended, she was sent to Singapore. From then on, she worked both in Kluang and Singapore.

She taught in Canossa Convent

Primary School and was in charge of the boys at the home there. After about a year away in Italy, because of her sister’s illness, she returned and taught in the parish kindergarten at the Church of St Francis of Assisi.

The pupils she taught and boarders she took care of still remember her fondly, and some continue to visit her. „ Contributed by SR MARIE DE ROZA, FDCC. Additional information: http://www.canossians-sg.org/

4 HOME

Sunday June 26, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Jesus Youth recognised as global Church organisation VATICAN CITY – The Jesus Youth

movement, which is present in Singapore, has received a decree of recognition as an international association of the faithful.

Jesus Youth is a Catholic lay movement that began in Kerala, India, in the early 1980s and has now spread to 35 countries around the world.

The new status, conferred by Bishop Josef Clemens, Secretary RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU WKH Laity on May 20, gives the organi-

VDWLRQ WKH RIÂżFLDO VWDWXV RI D JOREal Church organisation, allowing it to continue to function with autonomy as a lay movement.

The same decree gave approval to its statutes.

-HVXV <RXWK LV WKH ÂżUVW PRYHment in the history of the Catholic Church in India and the second in $VLD WR UHFHLYH VXFK D SRQWLÂżFDO approval.

Couples for Christ, which is based in the Philippines, is the other lay movement. The Vatican ap-

proved it as a private international association of lay faithful in 2000.

This year, Jesus Youth Singapore is celebrating 15 years of active ministry. With humble beginnings through young Indians who came to study or work in Singapore, the movement has today taken up a wider presence in the local Church with around 300 members from different walks of life.

According to the Singapore organisers, Jesus Youth members seek to grow as faithful disciples of Christ, through the six pillars of the movement â&#x20AC;&#x201C; daily prayer, word of God, sacraments, fellowship, service and evangelisation. Â&#x201E;

CHANCERY NOTICE

13 June 2016

CHN/CN/2016/009

To All Parishes, Organizations in Archdiocese of Singapore Please be advised that one Stephanie Kathleen Culhane was mentioned in a Memorandum dated 3 June 2009 from the Diocese of San Bernardino that she uses the name Sister Stephen Culhane and had been soliciting donations and loans for her â&#x20AC;&#x153;missionâ&#x20AC;? in the region. Some of the loans had been for tens of thousands of dollars.

Ms. Culhane had told people that she is a Franciscan sister and regularly dresses like a member of the Franciscan Order.

The Memorandum also stated that at that time, the Diocese of San Bernardino had no evidence that she was a member of any order of women religious that was recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. &KDQFHU\ KDG HPDLOHG WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &KDQFHOORU 'LRFHVH RI 6DQ Bernardino and had received a reply that to-date, there have not been any changes to the status of Stephanie Kathleen Culhane.

Recently, Sr Stephen Culhane contacted the Archdiocese of Singapore identifying herself as a Franciscan missionary and foundress of The Fellowship of the Burning Bush. She was requesting to bring the group to Singapore as part of their international pilgrimage with an all-night vigil at one of our parishes and with mass.

Owing to the currently status of Ms. Culhane and The Fellowship of the Burning Bush, the Archdiocese is not able to accede to her request for the use of a church nor to support her fundraising efforts.

Please contact Chancery should the group or Sr Stephen Culhane approach any of the parishes or organizations with any requests.

Thank you once again for your cooperation and vigilance for the welfare of our people.

Please disseminate this information as you deem necessary.

Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM, JCL, Chancellor A Lenten spiritual event organised

by Jesus Youth Singapore, which saw participants walking barefoot.

Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #07-01 Catholic Centre, 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

HOME 5

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Prayers help paralympian through horse riding accident Gemma Foo ruptured her spleen while training. She tells Jared Ng how her faith helped her during that time.

By Jared Ng â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take away this feeling of lousiness,â&#x20AC;? Gemma Foo prayed to God as she lay in hospital with a ruptured spleen.

The para-equestrian, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit, fell off her horse during a training session in Cologne, Germany, on Easter Sunday.

Her horse, Cassis, was startled by a loud noise and ran, causing the 20-year-old to fall off.

Her one fear as she lay in great pain in the hospital in Cologne, was that she would not be able to compete in the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in September. This was a concern that she brought to God in prayer, she told CatholicNews in Singapore after her operation in Germany. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a small chapel in the hospital where patients could go and pray,â&#x20AC;? she recalled, adding that she visited the chapel a few times during her 10-day stay in the hospital.

Nevertheless, â&#x20AC;&#x153;faith is an important part of my life and I trust God and His plan. He wants me to continue horse riding,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Gemma shared that she has had â&#x20AC;&#x153;worse falls before but this one left me with a sharp pain near the bottom of my ribsâ&#x20AC;?.

Her mother, Mrs Jacqueline Foo, decided to admit her to hospital after seeing that a bulge had developed near her left abdomen.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The doctor came to me and said that her spleen had ruptured,â&#x20AC;? recalled Mrs Foo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was so shocked. He said if we had arrived about an hour later it probably would have been too late.â&#x20AC;?

Gemma was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a condition that impairs muscle movements and makes processing inIRUPDWLRQ GLIÂżFXOW DW WLPHV She took up horse rising as a form of physiotherapy to help her with balance and coordination.

is an important â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Faith part of my life and I trust God and His plan.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Para-equestrian Gemma Foo

Now, although she still feels pain in the abdomen area after the accident, she says she is determined to return to Germany to start training again. Âł:H SODQ WR Ă&#x20AC;\ EDFN LQ -XO\ VR I can get re-accustomed to Cassis,â&#x20AC;? she said.

As part of her recovery, Gemma does daily body twists and stretches to keep her body â&#x20AC;&#x153;supple and mobileâ&#x20AC;?. She also visits her physiotherapist at least once a week.

The former CHIJ St Theresa Convent student is currently doing her diploma in mass com-

Gemma Foo, one of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s para-equestrians, has been on the road to recovery after a fall from her horse in March. She hopes to compete in the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in September.

munications at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) and shared that she hopes to be a novel writer or sports journalist for

horseback riding in the future.

Gemma took part in the 2012 London Paralympic Games. In an interview with CatholicNews then, she shared that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything

[God] does is not without reason; even the fact that He made me this way.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Learning about unity and Laudato Siâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Focolare event More than 100 people of different nationalities gathered for a threeday experience on the meaning of unity and how to start building it.

The event was the annual Mariapolis (City of Mary) organised by the Singapore community of the international Focolare Movement. The event is held all over the world during the summer months for people who want to know more about Focolareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirituality of unity.

At the local event in Johor, participants listened to talks and personal experiences about how to bring about unity. The theme of unity has been written about extensively by Focolareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, Chiara Lubich, and more recently the current president of the movement, Ms Maria Voce.

She had said that unity is a gift from God. Nevertheless, by having true empathy for others, each person can bring about unity

Left: Mariapolis participants share experiences of building unity in the family, workplace and parish.

Above: Family games with an environment theme.

among people, whether at home, work, school and play.

During the event, Mr Patrick Nugent, a lay consecrated Focolare member, presented some of Ms Voceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writing.

In keeping with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mari-

apolis also featured sessions on mercy as well as Laudato Siâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; encyclical on the environment.

Mr Lawrence Chong, a parishioner of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gave a presentation on

mercy, stressing that mercy is integral to the relationship between God and man.

Mr Steven Tan, who also attends Mass at Nativity Church, presented a session on Laudato Siâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, highlighting the relationship between God, man and earth.

Among the mainly Singaporean and Malaysian participants this year were Stefano and Elisabeth Cho, a Korean couple in their 50s who recently moved to Singapore.

Mrs Cho said the Mariapolis had a family atmosphere and allowed her to get to know people personally.

Newly-baptised Frances Liu, 26, from the Church of St Vincent de Paul, who attended the MariDSROLV IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH VDLG WKH gathering was different from others she has attended. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to say very much; the message is brought out through actions,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The Focolare Movement, or Work of Mary as it is known ofÂżFLDOO\ LQ WKH &KXUFK LV D OD\ movement founded in 1943 by Ms Chiara Lubich, an Italian woman.

Today, the movement has spread worldwide.

For more information about the Focolare, visit www.focolare.org Â&#x201E;

6 HOME

Sunday June 26, 2016 CatholicNews

OYP events reach out to university students, freshmen

By Dominic Nalpon 7KH 2I¿FH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH (OYP) organised two events for freshmen and current students.

Kickstart 2016, held from June 1011, aimed to help university freshmen prepare for life in university.

The School of Christian leadership (SOCL) camp, held from May 27 to June 4, saw its largest turnout of university students learning about Christian leadership (see story below).

Both events were held at the 2I¿FH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH DW Lorong Low Koon.

In its third annual gathering for incoming freshmen, Kickstart 2016 saw 51 of them from seven universities and 21 parishes connecting with the various university campus communities and gaining insights on what to expect in university They and about 40 current university students were also introduced to each other through games and fellowship.

During the event, Singapore Management University (SMU) alumnus Nicholas Goh, 26, shared his experience of how being plugged into the life of the Church helped him in his univer-

sity life and how being a member of Fides, a Catholic community in SMU, helped him to live a more integrated life.

OYP youth chaplain Fr Jude David told freshmen that “the Church, [their] mother, is walking with [them] on this journey”

more prepared “Iforfeelschool now as seniors shared with us tips on how to ‘survive’ the rigorous curriculum and knowing that I have this group of friends I can trust and depend on throughout my studies.

”

– Mr Daniel Lim, 21

of university life that can be challenging at times.

New to the programme this year was an overnight recollection, which more than half of the attendees opted to participate in.

It provided an opportunity for the freshmen to hear more from current university students about their experiences and to have a

University freshmen had the opportunity to gain insights into university life during Kickstart 2016.

deeper encounter with the Lord.

Mr Jeffery Espehana, a National University of Singapore (NUS) Catholic Students’ Society member, shared some of his experience on their vocation as a student at this point of time, while Ms Joanna Oey, an SMU Fides member, shared how even choosing whom to study with and which friends to spend time with had an impact on her morale, grades and life as a whole.

Kickstart 2016 ended with a time of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament as participants were encouraged to “chill out with

Jesus” and to start making this a habit in their lives.

After the event, some shared their thoughts.

Natasha Lowe, 19, who will be starting university at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), said: “I was really worried about starting university because I barely knew anyone who would be going to NTU, and all these new things that I had to do seemed so overwhelming. But going for Kickstart and getting to know the seniors already in NTU and other people that would be enrolling

with me was really comforting because it assured me that I would DOZD\V ¿QG VDIHW\ LQ *RG DQG LQ the Catholic community there.”

Mr Daniel Lim, 21, said that “it was great to get to know friends that share the same faith even before school started. I feel more prepared for school now as seniors shared with us tips on how to ‘survive’ the rigorous curriculum and knowing that I have this group of friends I can trust and depend on throughout my studies.

I can’t wait to embark on this journey with them!”

Learning about purity and being a Christian leader

By Jude Dominic One of the new topics that the School of Christian Leadership (SOCL) camp dealt with was personal purity.

Participants at the camp, held from May 27 to June 4, learnt about the dignity that God has assigned to men and women, the consequent respect and responsibility that each gender has towards each other, expressed through modesty and establishing healthy boundaries in relationships.

The event was organised for Catholic students from local universities to learn more about Christian leadership.

Seventy-one university students attended the camp which is the largest turnout since SOCL started in 2014.

Participants were also introduced to Christian leadership and mission during the camp. Mr Lance Ng talked about personal spirituality and spiritual leadership. He spoke about the various leadership styles and highlighted the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness in being an authentic Christian leader.

Some of these students will be

Participants of the School of Christian Leadership camp during a worship session.

going on to become leaders in their university community, while others attended to learn more about Christian leadership as they continue to discern how God is calling them to serve in their respective communities, according to OYP. To enable participants to share their experiences freely, they were placed in same-gender cell groups.

Participants said they found the event inspiring.

“I have been changed by the

love of God time and time again. To have the opportunity to do it with my fellow leaders bonds us in a commitment to the spirit of God that we can bring back to our communities,” shared Ms Joanna Francois.

Mr Gabriel Chek said that he was “reminded of how a Christian leader differs from a secular leader, which requires a complete living as a Christian burning with desire to serve and build God’s kingdom.”

For more information on oyp, visit www.oyp.org.sg

ASIA 7

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Year of Mercy inspires Indian bishop to donate kidney

Filipino Catholics urged to fast during Ramadan

KOCHI, INDIA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Catholic bishop in

through Fr Davis Chiramel, who Year of Mercy has inspired a bish- heads the Kidney Federation of op in India to donate one of his India that campaigns for organ kidneys to a seriously ill 31-year- donations and works as a link beold Hindu man. tween donors and recipients.

Auxiliary Bishop Jacob MuFr Chiramel attracted media ricken of Pala underwent surgery attention seven years ago when to have his kidney removed at he donated one of his kidneys to Lakeshore Hospital in the southern an ill Hindu person in his parish.

Indian state of Kerala on June 1.

The priest later began a campaign The kidney was to encourage kidney transplanted to Mr donations.

If we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t E. Sooraj, a married The bishop said man, who was diagFr Chiramelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action wipe out the nosed with serious and his sharing about tears of others, the experience at a renal problems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He could not afretreat touched his how can ford his treatment as heart.

God wipe out he was the lone bread â&#x20AC;&#x153;I also decided winner for his famthat I should donate our tears? ily,â&#x20AC;? said 53-year-old one of my kidneys â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Auxiliary Bishop Bishop Muricken. to a poor man four Jacob Muricken of Pala The bishop said years ago. Now [in the popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worldthis special year] wide message for Catholics to Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had the opportunity to do just show acts of mercy prompted his that,â&#x20AC;? said Bishop Muricken. decision.

Fr Chiramel said as far he is â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the Year of Mercy, DZDUH WKLV LV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH D ELVKwhich asks us to show compassion op has donated one of his kidneys. to our fellow human beings. If we â&#x20AC;&#x153;His decision will certainly canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wipe out the tears of others, motivate many others to become how can God wipe out our tears?â&#x20AC;? organ donors,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Chiramel.

Bishop Muricken explained.

Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Year of Mercy The bishop said he came to is being observed from December know of Mr Soorajâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation 2015 to November 2016. Â&#x201E;

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

the southern Philippine region of Mindanao has urged Catholics to observe the Muslim holy month of Ramadan by fasting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As one of our grounds of unity, we ask Christians and nonMuslims to observe solidarity fasting,â&#x20AC;? said retired Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We should promote this kind of activity as our way of dialogue with other religions,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that fasting is common to all religions.

In the late 1970s, Archbishop Capalla initiated a programme called Duyog Ramadan (One with Ramadan) that encouraged nonMuslims in Mindanao to fast during the observance of the Muslim holy month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was organised during the KHLJKW RI WKH DUPHG FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW WR show that Christians and Muslims want peace in the region,â&#x20AC;? recalled the prelate.

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and religious devotion. Ramadan this year began on June 6. Muslims during this month will fast, abstaining from food and water

Muslim women in a mosque in the Philippines. CNS photo

should promote â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thisWekind of activity as our way of dialogue with other religions.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Retired Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao

from sunrise to sundown every day.

Some Catholics and Protestants in some provinces of Mindanao continue the Duyog Ramadan tradition by fasting.

Ms Macrina Morados, dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies at the University of the Philippines, said Ramadan for Muslims is a WLPH IRU SXULÂżFDWLRQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a deep contemplation of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with God, a greater act of charity and generosity, and an intense study of the scared scripture,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Ms Morados said the monthlong observance is â&#x20AC;&#x153;a time of celebration and joy.â&#x20AC;? She welcomed the call of various Church and religious groups to hold â&#x20AC;&#x153;solidarity fastsâ&#x20AC;? during the holy month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fasting is not exclusive to Muslims. The act of fasting is even older than any existing religion,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Its principle is to develop self-restraint and to do greater good to others,â&#x20AC;? Ms Morados added.

In Mindanao, the Philippine military announced the temporary suspension of offensive operations against suspected Islamist rebel groups. Âł7KH FHDVHÂżUH ZDV WR UHVSHFW their rights to fast peacefully in their respective homes,â&#x20AC;? said Colonel Roseller Murillo, commander of the Philippine Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 103rd Infantry Brigade. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS. COM

8 ASIA

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Bishops urge Filipinos to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;encounterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gay people as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;brothers and sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Philippine presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte speaking at a news conference.

CNS photo

Priest warns against anti-Duterte coup attempts MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Filipino priest has warned the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church leaders against being used by people who might want to overthrow the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In carrying out her prophetic vocation, the Church should avoid working with any elements in society that seek to oust the next administration through extra-legal or undemocratic means,â&#x20AC;? Redemptorist Fr Amado Picardal said on June 7.

The priest, a vocal critic of Mr Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alleged human rights abuses, said Church leaders must be wary of efforts to oust the incoming chief executive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Church should not support and should reject coup attempts by the military or armed power grab by any group, whether from the right or left,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Picardal, executive secretary of the Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities of the Philippine Catholic bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference.

The priest has never minced words in attacking Mr Duterte, the mayor of Davao City for over two

decades, over his alleged involvement in the summary executions of suspected criminals.

Fr Picardal said he is worried that the incoming president will stay true to his word and try to stamp out crime by organising death squads.

The priest said a coup dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;etat was among the â&#x20AC;&#x153;worst case scenariosâ&#x20AC;? facing Mr Duterte if he carries out what he vowed to do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many things can happen. I hope this will not happen,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Picardal, adding that the Church â&#x20AC;&#x153;should be vigilant against any effort to impose anti-democratic and autocratic forms of governanceâ&#x20AC;?.

Despite Mr Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s verbal attacks against the Church, Fr Picardal said Church leaders would continue to engage with the incoming administration in â&#x20AC;&#x153;vigilant collaborationâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This requires exercising [the Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s] role as a conscience of society, supporting what is right and good and exposing and denouncing what is wrong and evil,â&#x20AC;? he said. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Philippine Catholic bishops have called for vigilance against bullying, ostracism and harassment of gay people in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, in the United States.

The bishops, in a statement, described the mass shooting as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;hate crimeâ&#x20AC;? that was perpetrated against persons for their sexual orientation.

The Church leaders said the Philippines must seriously address discrimination because many Filipinos are still forced to the peripheries of society because certain norms forbid association with people of different sexual orientations.

At least 49 people were killed and some 50 others injured in a shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must continue the dialogue and the conversation with [the gay community] over the things about which we disagree,â&#x20AC;? read the prelatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; statement signed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, president of the bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This dialogue must always be an encounter of brothers and sisters, an encounter of friends in the Lord,â&#x20AC;? the bishops added.

People gather at a June 14 candlelight vigil in Manila, Philippines, in memory of the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. CNS photo

They said the Orlando mass shooting â&#x20AC;&#x153;challenges us to ask ourselves how we can all, not Americans alone, become a better people after having recovered from our griefâ&#x20AC;?.

In his statement, Archbishop Villegas said it is regrettable that the tragedy occurred in the midst of the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jubilee Year of Mercy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This grim event merely underscores how right Pope Francis was in convoking this year as a year of mercy,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The heartlessness with which so many were cut down in their

youth or in the prime of life only makes clear how much the world needs mercy,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Villegas added.

The Filipino bishops expressed their condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can and should never reconcile ourselves with violence in society â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether this be the violence of lawless elements, the violence of the selfrighteous, the violence of vigilante groups, or the violence of government,â&#x20AC;? the bishops said. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

New ministry to help domestic migrant workers in Bangladesh DHAKA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Catholic Church in Bangladesh plans to start a new ministry to assist Christian domestic migrant workers and save them from abuse and exploitation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Migrant Christians often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get proper sacramental, pastoral or social services because they are busy supporting their families and lose touch with the Church,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Theophil Nokrek, secretary of the Bangladesh Catholic bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Justice and Peace Commission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most domestic migrant workers come from rural areas, are poorly educated and unaware about the challenges of city life, which makes them vulnerable to various kinds of abuse and exploitation,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Mr Nokrek was speaking on the sidelines of a seminar for domestic migrant workers at the Holy Spirit National Major Seminary in Dhaka on June 10.

The Justice and Peace Commission together with Caritas Bangladesh organised the seminar, which drew about 200 participants, mostly from the tribal Garo community.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

Most domestic migrant workers come from rural areas, are poorly educated and unaware about the challenges of city life.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mr Theophil Nokrek, secretary of the Bangladesh Catholic bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Justice and Peace Commission

Mr Nokrek said the seminar is part of a series of programmes designed to help an estimated 60,000 migrant Christians living and working in Dhaka and nearby areas.

The Bangladesh Catholic bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference is currently discussing the feasibility of opening a new ministry for migrants in Dhaka, which has the largest concentration of domestic migrant workers, he said.

Currently, the bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference runs a migrants desk

and offers assistance to vulnerable workers with support from Caritas, according to Mr Ranjon Francis Rozario, Caritas Dhakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regional director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Such migrants face violence especially against women and children, lack of health services, high rate of family breakdowns, scarcity of accommodation and legal support,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are ready to help migrant workers to set up and run social DQG ÂżQDQFLDO RUJDQLVDWLRQV ´ Ms Shila Chiran, 32, a Garo tribal Catholic and beauty parlour worker said Church organizations need to do more to assist migrant workers like her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;About 15 years ago I came WR 'KDND IRU D MRE DQG LQ WKH ÂżUVW two years I have faced abuse and discrimination at my workplace and residence but there was no one to turn to,â&#x20AC;? she told ucanews. com. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are still many who need support as they are exploited and abused. The Church can help them,â&#x20AC;? she said. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 9

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Positive note struck in popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with Reformed Churches VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Christianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faith must be visible in the way that person lives, treats those around him or her and interacts with the environment, Pope Francis told visitors from the World Communion of Reformed Churches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Faith cannot be shared if it is practised apart from life, in unreal isolation and in self-referential communities resistant to change,â&#x20AC;? the pope said on June 10 during a meeting with the leadership team of the communion, an umbrella organisation for Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed, United, Uniting and Waldensian churches around the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our faith in Jesus impels us to live charity through concrete gestures capable of affecting our way of life, our relationships and the world around us,â&#x20AC;? Pope Francis said.

Rev Jerry Pillay, president of the communion and a minister of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in South Africa, told reporters the organisation is promoting activities around the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;called to communion, committed to justice.â&#x20AC;?

With Pope Francis, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we are in a new placeâ&#x20AC;? in the ecumenical dialogue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are

sensing a great, great opportunity and invitation to dialogue,â&#x20AC;? both on theological issues, but also in how Christians can work together to be witnesses of Christ and Christian values in the world.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches have a combined total of about 80 million faithful.

They adopted the 1999 Catholic/XWKHUDQ VWDWHPHQW RQ MXVWLÂżFD-

are sensing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We a great, great opportunity and invitation to dialogue.

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rev Jerry Pillay, president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches

tion, which recognised that â&#x20AC;&#x153;by grace alone, in faith in Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted

by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the basis of an agreement RQ WKH GRFWULQH RI MXVWLÂżFDWLRQ ´ Pope Francis said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;there are many areas in which Reformed

Catholics in Vietnam march to raise ecological awareness VINH, VIETNAM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Catholics turned out in force in a central Vietnamese province on June 5 for a march to raise public awareness about the need to protect nature and to mark World Environment Day. More than 1,000 Catholics from Phu Yen parish in Quynh Luu district of Nghe An province took part in the march.

After Sunday Mass, Catholics marched in two lines, singing K\PQV ZDYLQJ Ă&#x20AC;DJV DQG KROGLQJ banners with the words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Environmental protection is a mandate of conscienceâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Destroying the environment, polluting the air, water and land by toxic chemicals is committing crimes.â&#x20AC;? Many other such banners were hung along the roadside.

Young people wore T-shirt ZLWK SLFWXUHV RI ÂżVK VNHOHWRQV UHIHUULQJ WR UHFHQW ÂżVK GHDWKV caused by a major environmental disaster in four central provinces.

Farms in the Vung An Economic Zone in Ha Tinh province, started to VHH ÂżVK G\LQJ RQ $SULO ZKLOH GHDG ÂżVK EHJDQ ZDVKLQJ DVKRUH DORQJ 200 km of the coastal provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue on April 10.

Many blame the phenomenon on Formosa, a steel plant from Taiwan.

During the June 5 march, par-

Rev Chris Ferguson, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, presents artwork to Pope Francis on June 10.

The pope met with a delegation from the organisation at the Vatican.

WLFLSDQWV VWRSSHG DW D ORFDO ÂżVKLQJ YLOODJH DQG SUD\HG IRU ÂżVKLQJ FRPmunities to soon return to normalcy.

Fr Anthony Dang Huu Nam, parish priest, said the demonstration aimed to show solidarity with WKH DIIHFWHG ÂżVKLQJ FRPPXQLties and as a response to Bishop

A farmer works near a cement factory just outside Hanoi. A recent march aimed to focus attention on environmental protection.

Paul Nguyen Thai Hopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call for Catholics to make environmental protection a priority and to push IRU WKH ULJKWV RI ÂżVKHUIRON Bishop Hop also appealed to Catholics to donate 100 kg of rice to each family affected by the marine disaster. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

CNS photo

and Catholics can work together in bearing witness to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s merciful love, which is the true remedy for the confusion and indifference that seem to surround us.â&#x20AC;?

Modern spiritual deserts seem

to be growing, the pope told the group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Especially in places where people live as if God did not exist, our Christian communities are meant to be sources of living water quenching thirst with hope, a

presence capable of inspiring encounter, solidarity and love.â&#x20AC;?

The answer, Pope Francis said, is for Christians to work together, promoting â&#x20AC;&#x153;a shared mission of evangelization and service.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

Islamic groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condemnation of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;honour killingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hailed ISLAMABAD â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Catholic priest

has welcomed the move by Islamic groups in Pakistan to issue an edict denouncing so called â&#x20AC;&#x153;honour killingsâ&#x20AC;? as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;un-Islamic actâ&#x20AC;? and an â&#x20AC;&#x153;unpardonable sin.â&#x20AC;?

Fr Abid Habib of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Association of Major Religious Superiors, said the Sunni Ittehad Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edict is a positive measure but it is overdue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a good initiative and I hope more people will listen to them,â&#x20AC;? Fr Habib told ucanews.com. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is about time; they must stop killing their children, only to repent later. Honour killings are becoming a weekly phenomenon in our country and the whole world is condemning it,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Honour killing, also known as karo kari, is the murder of a family member for bringing shame to the family due to the perpetratorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; belief that the victim has brought dishonour upon the family for reasons such as refusing to enter an arranged marriage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the appeal of Chairman of Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Hamid Raza, 40 muftis [Islamic scholars] have issued a unanimous edict, declaring the murder of women in the name of honour as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;un-Islamicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; act and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;unpardonable sinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? said the edict released on June 11 by the council, which is an alliance of moderate Sunni groups.

The edict said that legitimising the killing of women in the name of honour is an act of ignorance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Burning women alive for love marriage is contrary to Islamic teachings,â&#x20AC;? it said, adding that Islam permits an adult woman to marry according to her own free will. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The killing of 1,000 women in Pakistan in one year [2015] is a very alarming and painful issue,

and therefore, the government, religious groups, political parties and media should take collective efforts to end this mindless practice,â&#x20AC;? stated the edict.

It condemned several recent honour killings, including that of Zeenat Bibi, a 17-year-old girl who ZDV VHW RQ ÂżUH DOOHJHGO\ E\ KHU mother on June 8 for marrying without family consent. Â&#x201E; UCANEWS.COM

10 WORLD

Sunday June 26, 2016 CatholicNews

6ZLVV &KXUFK RIÀFLDOV VODP YRWH RQ JHQHWLF WHVWLQJ RI HPEU\RV OXFORD,

People gather in San Francisco to mourn and honour the victims of the mass shooting. CNS photo

‘Respect intrinsic dignity of people’ From Page 1

condemned “the atrocious violence” at the gay nightclub, adding that “in the face of such outrageous violence and loss of life, human words and explanations fall short”.

“So people of faith look to the everlasting mercy and compassion of almighty God, who ‘is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit,’” the group said, quoting Psalm 34.

The Courage statement also reminded people of what the Vatican

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said 30 years ago about violence towards gay people: “It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.” CNS

ENGLAND

–

CNS photo

Swiss

&DWKROLF &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV KDYH criticised an approval to modify the country’s in vitro fertilisation law that would permit genetic testing of embryos, allowing imperfect ones to be discarded.

The president of the Swiss bishops’ conference called the voters’ decision on June 5 “a step backwards”.

“It jeopardises the full protection of human life,” Bishop Charles Morerod of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg said in a statement.

“It is important for us to reassure handicapped people that we believe in their full dignity and rejoice that their lives are accompanied by help from many others. Recognising the full dignity of all human beings, above all the most vulnerable, is essential for a just society,” he said.

The measure will allow embryos to be stored and screened for genetic defects before implantation. It was approved by 62.4

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percent of voters. Switzerland has about 44 percent of its 7.1 million citizens identifying as Catholic.

Most European countries already permit pre-implantation genetic testing in some form.

Bishop Morerod said medical research should be “creative and LQQRYDWLYH´ LQ ¿QGLQJ ZD\V ³WR DFcept every life and cure diseases”.

However, he added that the newly legalised practice would eliminate life “instead of dealing with people”, in apparent violation of Switzerland’s 1999 federal constitution, which states in its preamble that “the strength of a people is measured by the wellbeing of its weakest members”.

Experts said genetic testing would help eliminate chromosomal

abnormalities such as Down syndrome, and involve the storing of 12 embryos for each treatment cycle.

9RWHUV GH¿HG ZDUQLQJV E\ WKH bishops’ conference in April that the measure raised “serious ethical problems” by arbitrarily increasing the number of “stored embryos”, as well as by selecting “who deserves to live” and stigmatising those already living with disabilities.

In another vote, the Catholic Church’s Justice and Peace Commission welcomed the approval RI D PRGL¿FDWLRQ LQ 6ZLW]HUODQG¶V asylum law that will allow quicker processing of applications and free legal advice and representation for asylum seekers. The measure was approved by twothirds of voters. CNS

WORLD 11

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

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The chairman of the US bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Committee on Communications said that communication platforms should be used to make Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love more concrete instead of endorsing cyberbullying.

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One of the most destructive activities in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; &KXUFK WRGD\ LV WKH LQWHUQHFLQH ¿JKWLQJ DPRQJ SHRSOH DQG JURXSV ZKR FODLP WR EH &DWKROLF â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Burlington, Vermont

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12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Euthanasia is VHOĂ&#x20AC;VKQHVV QRW compassion: pope

Good priests donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;comfort zonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

pity, it means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;suffering with,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? ceptance of euthanasia does not the pope said. When physicians indicate increased compassion, share in the suffering of their paEXW KLJKOLJKWV WKH ULVH RI D VHOÂżVK tients, he added, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sacred value â&#x20AC;&#x153;throwaway cultureâ&#x20AC;? that casts of the life of the patient does not aside the sick, the dying and those disappear or become obscuredâ&#x20AC;?.

Pope Francis reminded the who do not satisfy the perceived requirements of a healthy life, medical professionals of the biblical tradition of health care, citing Pope Francis said.

In a culture that is increasingly the example of the good Samaritan â&#x20AC;&#x153;technological and individualisticâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;who does not pass by the injured some tend to â&#x20AC;&#x153;hide behind alleged person at the roadside, but rather, compassion to justify killing a pa- moved by compassion, cures and attends to himâ&#x20AC;?. tientâ&#x20AC;?, the pope told â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Christian health professionals 7UXH medical tradition has from Spain and Latin compassion does always been inspired America on June 9. â&#x20AC;&#x153;True compassion not marginalise, by the parable of the Good Samaritan,â&#x20AC;? does not marginalise, KXPLOLDWH RU the pope said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It humiliate or exclude, is about identifymuch less celebrate H[FOXGH ing with the love of a patient passing PXFK OHVV the son of God, who away,â&#x20AC;? the pope said. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;went about doing â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know well that celebrate a and healing all would mean the tripatient passing good who were oppressed XPSK RI VHOÂżVKQHVV by the devil, for God away, of that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;throwaway was with Him.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that rejects However, he said, care for the and despises people who do not meet certain standards of health, sick requires patience, and doctors must not give in to â&#x20AC;&#x153;the functionalist beauty or usefulness.â&#x20AC;?

Thanking doctors who care temptationâ&#x20AC;? of applying quick solufor â&#x20AC;&#x153;those who suffer in body and tions that are motivated by â&#x20AC;&#x153;false spiritâ&#x20AC;?, Pope Francis insisted phy- FRPSDVVLRQ´ RU FRVW HIÂżFLHQF\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;The dignity of human life is siciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; identity as doctors does not depend solely on their knowl- at stake; the dignity of the mediedge or competence, but mainly cal vocation is at stake,â&#x20AC;? the pope on their compassion and mercy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing must prevent you from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;putting more heart into your towards the sick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Compassion does not mean hands.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

Shepherd, good priests do not privatise their time and demand to be left alone, but rather are always willing to risk everything in search of the lost sheep, Pope Francis said at a Mass of the Jubilee for Priests and Seminarians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He stands apart from no one, but is always ready to dirty his hands. A good shepherd doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what gloves are,â&#x20AC;? the pope said on June 3.

The jubilee Mass was part of the Year of Mercy.

Celebrating the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with thousands of priests in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square, the pope said the feast serves as a call to contemplate two hearts: â&#x20AC;&#x153;the heart of the Good Shepherd and our own heart as priestsâ&#x20AC;?.

Departing several times from his prepared homily, the pope gave them advice: seek and include those who are far away and live joyfully.

He also lamented those in the priestly ministry who set aside private time and space or demand to be left alone rather than give their lives in the service of others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Woe to the shepherds who privatise their ministry,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A shepherd after the heart of God does not protect his own comfort zone; he is not worried about protecting his good name; he will be

VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Growing ac-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Like the Good

Pope Francis greets priests after celebrating a Mass for the Jubilee of Priests in St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square. CNS photo

A good priest â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;is always ready to EULQJ >SHRSOH@ EDFN DQG WR UHVROYH GLIÂżFXOWLHV +H LV D PDQ ZKR NQRZV KRZ WR LQFOXGH Âś â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francis

slandered like Jesus. But rather, without fearing criticism, he is disposed to take risks in seeking to imitate his Lord. Blessed are you when they insult you, when they persecute you,â&#x20AC;? he said.

A good shepherd excludes QRQH RI KLV Ă&#x20AC;RFN DQG GRHV ÂłQRW await greetings and complimentsâ&#x20AC;?

EXW LV WKH ÂżUVW RQH ZKR UHDFKHV

out to others, listening patiently to their problems and accompanying them with compassion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He does not scold those who wander off or lose their way, but is always ready to bring them back DQG WR UHVROYH GLIÂżFXOWLHV DQG disagreements. He is a man who knows how to include,â&#x20AC;? the pope said. Â&#x201E; CNS

St Mary Magdaleneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memorial is now feast day VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope Francis has raised the July 22 memorial of St Mary Magdalene to a feast on the Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liturgical calendar, UHFRJQLVLQJ KHU UROH DV WKH ÂżUVW WR witness Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resurrection and as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;true and authentic evangeliserâ&#x20AC;?, the Vatican announced.

A decree formalising the decision was published by the Congregation for Divine Worship on June 10 along with an article exSODLQLQJ LWV VLJQLÂżFDQFH Both the decree and the article were titled Apostolorum Apostola (Apostle of the Apostles).

In the article for the Vatican newspaper, Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the congregation, wrote that in celebrating â&#x20AC;&#x153;an evangelist who proclaims the central joyous message of Easterâ&#x20AC;?, St Mary Magdaleneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feast day is D FDOO IRU DOO &KULVWLDQV WR ÂłUHĂ&#x20AC;HFW more deeply on the dignity of women, the new evangelisation and the greatness of the mystery of divine mercyâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pope Francis has taken this decision precisely in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy to highlight the relevance of this woman who showed great love for Christ and was much loved by Christ,â&#x20AC;?

Archbishop Roche wrote.

Fresco of St Mary Magdalene meeting the risen Christ.

While most liturgical celebrations of individual saints during the year are known formally as PHPRULDOV WKRVH FODVVLÂżHG DV feasts are reserved for important events in Christian history and for VDLQWV RI SDUWLFXODU VLJQLÂżFDQFH such as the Twelve Apostles.

Archbishop Roche explained that in giving St Mary Magdalene WKH KRQRXU RI EHLQJ WKH ÂżUVW SHUVRQ WR VHH WKH HPSW\ WRPE DQG WKH ÂżUVW to listen to the truth of the resurrection, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jesus has a special consideration and mercy for this woman, who manifests her love for Him, looking for Him in the garden with anguish and suffering.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday June 26, 2016 CatholicNews

Pope sends observers to important Orthodox Church meeting VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will send high-level observers to the pan-Orthodox council meeting in Crete as a sign of respect, support and encouragement of the Orthodox Church.

The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church was scheduled to open on June 19, which is Pentecost on the Julian calendar, and run through June 26.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople invited Pope Francis to send observers to the meeting on the Greek island of Crete, and the pope chose Cardinal Kurt Koch and Bishop Brian Farrell, respectively the president and secretary of the 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU 3URPRWLQJ Christian Unity.

Sending the Vatican’s top HFXPHQLFDO RI¿FHUV GHPRQVWUDWHV that “it is the Holy Father’s judgment that this is supremely important for the Orthodox, for our relationship with the Orthodox Church and, beyond that, it’s supremely important for the Christian witness in a world that is ever more confused about the role of religion”, Bishop Farrell told Catholic News Service on June 8.

Council members – 24 bishops from each of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches – are scheduled to approve six documents, including statements on: the mission of the Orthodox Church in the contemporary world; the pastoral care of Orthodox living outside their Church’s traditional

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Pope Francis and Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens meeting refugees on the island of Lesbos, Greece, in April. The pope is sending high-level observers to the pan-Orthodox council meeting in Crete. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

homeland; how the autonomy of new Orthodox Churches is determined; rules regarding marriage; the importance of fasting; and relations with other Christians.

Among all the Churches and Christian communities the Catholic Church has formal relations with, the Orthodox are unique.

The Catholic Church recognises the Orthodox as a “sister Church”, which has maintained apostolic succession of its bishops, a valid priesthood and sacraments. However, different Orthodox Churches and, especially different sectors within

those Churches, do not always recognise the Catholic Church as a “sister Church” with valid sacraments; the draft Orthodox document on relations with other Christian Churches does not directly address the issue, but insists ecumenical dialogue is “imperative”.

“In the Catholic view,” Bishop Farrell said, “Orthodoxy is the Eastern part of the Church and, as Pope John Paul often repeated, we long for the day that the Church can breathe with both lungs” – East and West. The council could be “a big step in the right direction”, he said. CNS

Advisory board to help pope decide on bishops’ removal over abuse handling VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

will set up a panel of legal experts to help him decide whether to remove a Religious superior RU ELVKRS IURP RI¿FH IRU IDLOLQJ to protect minors and vulnerable adults from sex abuse.

9DWLFDQ RI¿FHV ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR investigate claims of negligence on the part of bishops or Religious superiors under their jurisdiction. %XW WKH SRSH ± ZKR PDNHV WKH ¿QDO decision about a bishop’s removal IURP RI¿FH ± ZLOO QRZ EH DVVLVWHG by a papally appointed “college of jurists”, according to procedures that take effect on Sept 5.

In an apostolic letter given motu proprio (on his own initiative), dated June 4, the pope reaf¿UPHG WKDW ELVKRSV RI D GLRFHVH RU eparchy and those responsible for other kinds of particular Churches can be “legitimately removed” for negligence.

In order for it to be grounds for removal, such negligence – either through omission or commission – will have had to cause “serious harm to others”, including individuals or a community, the letter said, and “the harm can be physical, moral, spiritual” or to property.

7KH OHWWHU FODUL¿HG WKDW LW QRUmally takes a “very serious” lack of due diligence for a bishop to be removed, however, when it comes to a failing to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, a “serious” lack of due diligence

³LV VXI¿FLHQW´ JURXQGV IRU UHmoval.

While all members of the Church have a duty to safeguard and protect children and others from abuse, bishops of dioceses and eparchies, apostolic administrators and vicars, and those who lead a territorial prelature or abbacy must be especially diligent “in protecting the weakest of those entrusted to them”, the pope’s letter said.

It said the heads of Religious orders also come under the same standards of due diligence. CNS

14 OPINION

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Ordinary goodness and our spiritual journey

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 Richards Ambrose: ra@catholic.org.sg

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3OHDVH LQFOXGH \RXU IXOO QDPH DGGUHVV DQG SKRQH QR IRU DOO DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: design@catholic.org.sg OHWWHUV WR WKH HGLWRU $OO GHFLVLRQV RQ VXEPLVVLRQV UHVW ZLWK Elaine Ong: elaine.ong@catholic.org.sg WKH &DWKROLF1HZV 3XEOLVKHG VXEPLVVLRQV ZLOO EH HGLWHG The views or positions presented in articles in CatholicNews do not necessarily represent the views of the Church.

Advertisements that appear in CatholicNews are not necessarily endorsed by the Church.

COMMENTARY

Putting down the phone and opening the door to civility CNS photo

By Fr John Catoir 0RELOH SKRQH REVHVVLRQ KDV EHcome a serious epidemic and one that threatens our spiritual wellbeing.

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She was shocked and immeGLDWHO\ UHDFWHG ³3XW GRZQ WKRVH phones right now, this is supposed WR EH D SDUW\ +DYH VRPH IXQ ´ /DWHU DIWHU KHU GDXJKWHU¶V LQLWLDO embarrassment, they all became normally boisterous and had a happy time.

7KHQ WKHUH¶V WKH UHFHQW SUDFWLFH VRPH RI XV KDYH ZLWQHVVHG RI ]RQLQJ RXW GXULQJ IDPLO\ PHDOV Focusing on the mobile phone inVWHDG RI RQ SHRSOH LQ WKH URRP LV discourteous and unacceptable.

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But there are also other reasons WR SXW WKH SKRQH GRZQ 2QH RI WKH PRUH VHULRXV UHSHUFXVVLRQV RI PRbile phone obsession involves automobile accidents. Some throw FDXWLRQ RXW ZKHQ GULYLQJ DQG WH[ting while on the road.

7H[WLQJ ZKLOH GULYLQJ LV WDNing a needless risk, and we are not just risking our lives when we do LW EXW DOVR WKH OLIH RI RWKHUV %XW there are things we can do to stop this. To start, parents who have allowed their children to have mo-

A family eating dinner together at home. Families should set aside their mobile phones during dinner and instead share about their day and feelings.

bile phones need to assert their DW WKH VFUHHQ DVN D IHZ TXHVWLRQV authority. without looking up. Eventually 7KH UHVW RI XV KDYH WR SD\ DW- WKH\ VD\ D IHZ ZRUGV EXW EHIRUH tention to our own behaviour. you know it, the visit is over. :H GRQ¶W ZDQW WR EHFRPH OLNH , ZRQGHU KRZ ZH¶YH JRWWHQ WR WKH W\SH RI SHRWKLV SRLQW" :H DUH ple we sometimes There should be a diminishing our encounter at the sensitivity to the GRFWRU¶V RI¿FH ± rule in every home: IHHOLQJV RI RWKIRFXVHG PRUH RQ no mobile phones HUV :H PD\ QRW record keeping be able to conthan on the pa- for one hour during trol the behaviour tient.

RI RWKHUV LQ WKH the family meal. ,¶YH KDG WKH world but we can H[SHULHQFH VHYHUDO WLPHV RI KDY- EHJLQ WR FKDQJH WKH EHKDYLRXU RI LQJ D PHGLFDO SURIHVVLRQDO RSHQ WKRVH DW KRPH $QG ZH FDQ DOVR XS D ODSWRS RU FOLFN D IHZ WLPHV RQ H[DPLQH RXU SDVW DFWLRQV LQ WKLV a computer mouse, type in some matter and then begin to change statistics, and while still looking ourselves. Â&#x201E; CNS

THE spirituality writer, Tom Stella, tells a story about three monks at prayer in their monastery chapHO 7KH ¿UVW PRQN LPDJLQHV KLPVHOI EHLQJ FDUULHG XS to heaven by the angels. The second monk imagines KLPVHOI DOUHDG\ LQ KHDYHQ FKDQWLQJ *RG¶V SUDLVHV with the angels and saints. The third monk cannot IRFXV RQ DQ\ KRO\ WKRXJKWV EXW FDQ RQO\ WKLQN DERXW WKH JUHDW KDPEXUJHU KH KDG HDWHQ MXVW EHIRUH FRPLQJ WR FKDSHO 7KDW QLJKW ZKHQ WKH GHYLO ZDV ¿OLQJ KLV UHSRUW IRU WKH GD\ KH ZURWH ³7RGD\ , WULHG WR WHPSW WKUHH PRQNV EXW , RQO\ VXFFHHGHG ZLWK WZR RI WKHP ´ 7KHUH¶V PRUH GHSWK WR WKLV VWRU\ WKDW LQLWLDOO\ PHHWV WKH H\H , ZLVK WKDW \HDUV DJR , KDG JUDVSHG KRZ ERWK DQJHOV DQG JUHDW KDPEXUJHUV SOD\ D UROH LQ RXU VSLULWXDO MRXUQH\ <RX VHH IRU WRR PDQ\ \HDUV , LGHQWL¿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

ZHUH QHYHU XQGHUVWRRG DV VSLULWXDO DV UHOLJLRXV ,Q P\ PLQG WKHUH was a pretty sharp distinction between heaven and earth, the holy and WKH SURIDQH WKH GLYLQH DQG WKH KXPDQ EHWZHHQ WKH VSLULWXDO DQG WKH HDUWKO\ 7KLV ZDV HVSHFLDOO\ WUXH IRU WKH PRUH HDUWK\ DVSHFWV RI OLIH QDPHO\ IRRG GULQN VH[ DQG ERGLO\ SOHDVXUHV RI DQ\ NLQG $W EHVW WKHVH ZHUH GLVWUDFWLRQV IURP WKH VSLULWXDO DW ZRUVW WKH\ ZHUH QHJDtive temptations tripping me up, obstacles to spirituality. %XW E\ VWXPEOLQJ RIWHQ HQRXJK ZH HYHQWXDOO\ OHDUQ , WULHG WR OLYH OLNH WKH ¿UVW WZR PRQNV ZLWK P\ PLQG RQ VSLULWXDO WKLQJV EXW WKH WKLUG PRQN NHSW WULSSLQJ PH XS LURQLFDOO\ QRW OHDVW ZKHQ , ZDV LQ FKXUFK RU DW SUD\HU :KLOH LQ FKXUFK RU DW SUD\HU DQG WU\LQJ WR IRUFH P\ PLQG DQG KHDUW RQWR WKH WKLQJV RI WKH VSLULW , ZRXOG IRUHYHU ¿QG P\VHOI DVVDLOHG E\ WKLQJV WKDW VXSSRVHGO\ KDG QR SODFH LQ FKXUFK PHPRULHV DQG DQWLFLSDWLRQV RI JDWKHULQJV ZLWK IULHQGV DQ[LHWLHV DERXW UHODWLRQVKLSV DQ[LHWLHV DERXW XQ¿QLVKHG WDVNV WKRXJKWV DERXW P\ IDYRXULWH VSRUWV WHDPV WKRXJKWV RI ZRQGHUIXO PHDOV ZLWK SDVWD DQG ZLQH RI JULOOHG VWHDNV DQG EDFRQ EXUJHUV DQG PRVW SDJDQ RI DOO VH[XDO IDQWDVLHV WKDW VHHPHG WKH YHU\ DQWLWKHVLV RI DOO WKDW¶V VSLUitual. ,W WRRN VRPH \HDUV DQG EHWWHU VSLULWXDO JXLGDQFH WR OHDUQ WKDW D PDQ\ RI WKHVH WHQVLRQV ZHUH SUHGLFDWHG RQ D SRRU DQG IDXOW\ XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI &KULVWLDQ VSLULWXDOLW\ DQG RI WKH UHDO G\QDPLFV RI SUD\HU 7KH ¿UVW IDXOW\ XQGHUVWDQGLQJ KDG WR GR ZLWK PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJ *RG¶V LQWHQW DQG GHVLJQ LQ FUHDWLQJ XV *RG GLG QRW GHVLJQ RXU QDture in one way, that is, to be sensual and to be so rooted deeply in WKH WKLQJV RI WKLV HDUWK DQG WKHQ GHPDQG WKDW ZH OLYH DV LI ZH ZHUH QRW FRUSRUHDO DQG DV LI WKH JRRG WKLQJV RI WKLV HDUWK ZHUH RQO\ VKDP DQG REVWDFOHV WR VDOYDWLRQ DV RSSRVHG WR EHLQJ DQ LQWHJUDO SDUW RI VDOYDWLRQ 0RUHRYHU WKH LQFDUQDWLRQ WKH P\VWHU\ RI *RG EHFRPLQJ FRUSRUHDO VHQVXDO WDNLQJ RQ KXPDQ Ã&#x20AC;HVK WHDFKHV XQHTXLYRFDOO\ WKDW ZH ¿QG VDOYDWLRQ QRW E\ HVFDSLQJ WKH ERG\ DQG WKH WKLQJV RI WKLV HDUWK EXW E\ HQWHULQJ WKHP PRUH GHHSO\ DQG FRUUHFWO\ -HVXV DI¿UPHG WKH UHVXUUHFWLRQ RI WKH ERGLO\ QRW WKH Ã&#x20AC;LJKW RI WKH VRXO 7KH VHFRQG PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJ KDG WR GR ZLWK WKH G\QDPLFV RI SUD\HU ,QLWLDOO\ LQ LWV HDUO\ VWDJHV SUD\HU LV DERXW IRFXV DQG FRQFHQWUDWLRQ RQ WKH VDFUHG RQ FRQYHUVDWLRQV ZLWK *RG RQ WU\LQJ WR OHDYH DVLGH IRU D WLPH WKH WKLQJV RI WKLV ZRUOG WR HQWHU LQWR WKH UHDOP RI WKH VDFUHG %XW WKDW¶V WKH HDUO\ VWDJH RI SUD\HU (YHQWXDOO\ DV SUD\HU GHHSHQV DQG PDWXUHV LQ WKH ZRUGV RI -RKQ RI WKH &URVV WKH LPSRUWDQW WKLQJV EHJLQ WR KDSSHQ XQGHU WKH VXUIDFH DQG VLWWLQJ LQ FKDSHO ZLWK *RG LV QRW XQOLNH VLWWLQJ GRZQ ZLWK VRPHRQH \RX VLW GRZQ ZLWK UHJXODUO\ ,I \RX YLVLW VRPHRQH RQ D GDLO\ EDVLV \RX ZRQ¶W HDFK GD\ have deep, intense conversations; mostly you will talk about everyGD\ WKLQJV IDPLO\ FRQFHUQV WKH ZHDWKHU VSRUWV SROLWLFV WKH ODWHVW 79 SURJUDPPHV IRRG DQG VR RQ ± DQG \RX¶OO ¿QG \RXUVHOI ORRNLQJ DW \RXU ZDWFK RFFDVLRQDOO\ ,W¶V WKH VDPH ZLWK RXU UHODWLRQVKLS WR *RG ,I \RX SUD\ UHJXODUO\ GDLO\ \RX GRQ¶W KDYH WR DJRQLVH DERXW FRQFHQWUDWLQJ DQG NHHSLQJ WKH FRQYHUVDWLRQ IRFXVHG RQ GHHS VSLULWXDO WKLQJV <RX RQO\ KDYH WR EH WKHUH DW HDVH ZLWK D IULHQG 7KH GHHS WKLQJV DUH KDSSHQLQJ XQGHU WKH VXUIDFH Â&#x201E;

OUR PARISHES 15

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Parish caters to the elderly and less privileged Jared Ng looks at the various initiatives of the Church of St Stephen in this ongoing parish series

A health screening was conducted on June 4 in the Church of St Stephen by nurses from Mount Alvernia hospital.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The health screenings allow people to receive free medical advice which I think is something they really appreciate,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Gerard, 64, who has been parish priest for more than a year.

The screenings are for parishioners as well as people living in the area.

The latest health screening was on June 4, conducted by nurses from the hospital.

Services provided included blood pressure and blood cholesterol measurements.

The church, located in MacPherson, was blessed and dedicated in 2007 by Archbishop Nicholas Chia.

Initially starting out as a modest wooden church, the Church of St Stephen now caters to about 1,500 parishioners. Most are elderly people living in the mature estates in the MacPherson area.

Some of the special characteristics of the church are its hosting of a free tuition service, its senior group ministry and its Block Rosary Group.

MacPherson Free Tuition Project The church hosts a free tuition service for less privileged children living in the vicinity on Saturdays from 10 am to 11.30 am.

The programme started in 2011 after a group of non-Catholic secondary and tertiary students approached the church for help in hosting this programme.

Nowadays, young parishioners join the older polytechnic and university students in tutoring primary and secondary school pupils.

About 30 children and 10 tutors are currently involved in the programme. The tutors use old textbooks and assessment books donated by friends and classmates.

The tutors also organise social outings for their students. Last year, they brought the children to Sentosa. Visits to the Science Centre and Snow City are planned for this year.

Although not all the tutors and children are Catholic, the church supports the programme and welcomes children of all backgrounds to attend.

Senior group ministry The parish has a senior group ministry of about 15 members who gather once a month for Bible sharing, fellowship and moral support. Their ages range from 60 to 80.

The group celebrates membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birthdays and also organises outings and pilgrimages, such as to the Santa Cruz church in Malacca and St Judeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church in Rawang, Malaysia.

Block Rosary Group On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Block Rosary Group visits the home of a parishioner who has invited the group to his or her home to pray the rosary and have fellowship.

A small statue of Our Lady of Fatima is placed in the home for a week. Through its ministry, the group hopes to promote daily family prayers.

St Anthony devotion The devotion to St Anthony in WKH SDULVK ZDV ÂżUVW VWDUWHG E\ former parish priest Fr John Khoo.

Having previously organised

&RQĂ&#x20AC;UPDWLRQ EDSWLVPV

Parish priest Fr Gerard Weerakoon is hoping to start a food ministry in the near future.

the devotion at the Church of St Anthony, Fr John decided to start one in the Church of St Stephen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we were fundraising to build the Church of St Anthony at Woodlands, I started the St Anthony devotion and my prayers were answered. So when I was tasked with the renovation of Church of St Stephen, I decided to do the same and bring the devotion over,â&#x20AC;? Fr John told CatholicNews.

The devotion at the parish is held every Tuesday evening.

About 80 people attend it.

Health screening

Polytechnic and university students, together with a few youths of the parish, come to the church once a week to tutor less privileged children.

The parish conducts occasional health screenings on its premises with help from Mount Alvernia Hospital staff.

Eight catechumens were baptised at Easter this year and eight teens will receive the Sacrament of &RQÂżUPDWLRQ ODWHU WKLV \HDU VD\V Fr Gerard.

Due to the small number, the teens will join the cohort from the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace IRU WKHLU FRQÂżUPDWLRQ VHUYLFH

Funeral services The church provides two rooms for funeral wakes. As there is a large number of elderly living around the area, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the demand for the use of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;prayer roomsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; can be quite highâ&#x20AC;?, said Fr Gerard.

Parish outreach 2015 The church held a celebration last year called Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Get to Know Our Neighbour, organised by the parishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society of St Vincent de Paul in collaboration with various parish ministries. Â&#x201E; Continued on Page 17

16 JUBILARIANS

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Honouring our Ju

We congratulate priests and Religious celebrating

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DIAMOND JUBILEE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 60 YEARS

FMM Sr Margaret Hiang %RUQ LQ &KLQD LQ 6U 0DUJDret Hiang left for Macau in 1950 to continue her high school educaWLRQ $IWHU JUDGXDWLQJ IURP KLJK school, she entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary novitiate in 0DFDX LQ She arrived in Singapore in 6KH LV RQH RI WKH IRXQGUHVVHV RI +DL 6LQJ *LUOV¶ 6FKRRO ZKLFK EHJDQ LQ +RXJDQJ LQ She taught Mathematics and Music and served in the school unWLO DV D IXOO WLPH WHDFKHU She was also actively involved LQ WKH <RXQJ &KULVWLDQ 6WXGHQWV¶

Redemptorist Fr Paul Pang

0RYHPHQW LQ +DL 6LQJ *LUOV¶ 6FKRRO XQWLO LW PRYHG WR 3DVLU 5LV LQ $V IRU KHU ZRUN LQ WKH &KXUFK Sr Margaret was involved in animating church choirs for the ManGDULQ VSHDNLQJ IURP WKH V WR V From 1975-2000, she served as WKH SULQFLSDO RI &DWKROLF .LQGHUJDUWHQ DW )ORZHU 5RDG UXQ E\ WKH 0DULVW %URWKHUV In 2000, Sr Margaret moved to 0DULV 6WHOOD &RQYHQW DW +ROODQG 5RDG She also helps her congregation PDNH &KXUFK YHVWPHQWV DW WKH $WHOLHU WKH ZRUNURRP RI WKH )00 Â&#x201E;

FMM Sr Sabine Fernandez 6U 6DELQH )HUQDQGH] HQWHUHG WKH )00 QRYLWLDWH LQ 0LWWDJRQJ $XVWUDOLD LQ ,Q VKH PDGH KHU ¿QDO YRZV LQ 6LQJDSRUH She was sent to Maris Stella &ROOHJH LQ 0DGUDV ,QGLD WR DXGLW D FRXUVH RQ VRFLDO ZRUN 6KH had short mission exposures LQ 6UL /DQND ,QGRQHVLD DQG 9LHWQDP ,Q VKH LQLWLDWHG WKH %XNLW +R 6ZHH &RPPXQLW\ 2UJDQLVDWLRQ 3URMHFW LQ FROODERUDWLRQ ZLWK WKH $QJOLFDQ SDVWRUV 6KH ZDV VXEVHTXHQWO\ LQYROYHG LQ VRFLDO ZRUN DW %XNLW +R 6ZHH XQWLO ZKLOH DOVR

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7KDW VDPH \HDU LQ 6U )HUQDQGH] ZDV VHQW WR )UDQFH She was involved in mission animation with a team in the region of Brittany, France representing $VLD 6KH ODWHU VHUYHG DW %RUGHDX[ and in the Lourdes region until

In 1992, she returned to SingaSRUH 6KH ZDV DSSRLQWHG KLVWRULDQ for the FMM province of Malaysia/ 6LQJDSRUH LQ 6KH UHFHQWO\ FRPSOHWHG D ERRN called History of the FMM in SinJDSRUH ± 0DOD\VLD 6KH FRQWLQXHV WR EH DFWLYH LQ the parish of Blessed Sacrament &KXUFK Â&#x201E;

$IWHU KLV RUGLQDWLRQ RQ $XJ DW 1RYHQD &KXUFK 5HGHPSWRULVW )U 3DXO 3DQJ EHFDPH WKH ¿UVW ORFDO 5HGHPSWRULVW During his teenage years, he VWXGLHG DW 6W -RVHSK¶V ,QVWLWXWLRQ which was then located at Bras BaVDK 5RDG 7KHUH KH ZDV LQVSLUHG E\ WKH SUHDFKLQJ RI WKH 5HGHPSWRULVWV LQ WKH VFKRRO PLVVLRQV )U 3DXO ZHQW RQ WR WDNH LQVWUXFWLRQV DQG ZDV EDSWLVHG E\ 5HGHPSWRULVW )U 7RP &UHHGH He was initially introduced to WKH -HVXLWV E\ KLV IDWKHU¶V JRG IDWKHU EXW ZDV OHG LQVWHDG WR WKH 5HGHPSWRULVWV )U 3DXO ZKR WXUQV LQ $XJXVW HQWHUHG 6W &OHPHQW¶V &ROOHJH LQ *DORQJ $XVWUDOLD LQ WR study at the Redemptorist juveQDWH +H WRRN KLV ¿UVW SURIHVVLRQ LQ DQG ¿QDO SURIHVVLRQ LQ

,Q KH ZDV VHQW WR 6W /RXLV 86$ ZKHUH KH GLG D FRXUVH DW WKH ,QVWLWXWH RI 5HOLJLRXV )RUPDWLRQ 7KLV ZDV WR SUHSDUH KLP IRU the role of novice master which he held for 10 years at the RedemptorLVWV KRXVH ORFDWHG ZLWKLQ 1RYHQD &KXUFK +H WKHQ WRRN RQ WKH 5&,$ SURgramme at the parish for the next \HDUV 7RGD\ KLV VHUYLFH WR WKH &DWKR-

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Q H OLF &KXUFK LQFOXGHV VSHQGLQJ WLPH visiting prison inmates and celHEUDWLQJ 0DVV IRU WKHP 7KH 5RPDQ &DWKROLF 3ULVRQ 0LQLVWU\ ZRUNV ZLWK SULVRQV WR allow inmates to worship at Mass, receive the sacraments, counselling DQG SDUWLFLSDWH LQ 5&,$ DQG $OSKD FRXUVHV Fr Paul was previously the prinFLSDO FKDSODLQ RI WKH PLQLVWU\ %HOLHYLQJ WKDW WKH EHVW LV \HW WR come of his service, Fr Paul holds RQ ¿UPO\ DQG IDLWKIXOO\ WR WKH ZRUGV of St Paul: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor human heart conceived â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what God has prepared IRU WKRVH ZKR ORYH +LP ´ &RU 2:9) Â&#x201E;

Not all who are celebrating their jubilees are highlighted here as some have declined to be featured. Compiled by Jared Ng.

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SILVER JUBILEE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25 YEARS

Infant Jesus Sr Julia Ong Lord I am not worthy of this vocation from thee - Return to give what you have received

- Even if it is just for the sake of one child

What is your desire for Catholic schools?

- That each child knows how much I love her

you

I am dyslexic and I have been failing Englishâ&#x20AC;¦ - Be like a pen in my hand and write Do you want me to let this work go?

- Be like a feather in the wind and allow the Holy Spirit to blow you wherever I will What is my purpose for this ministry now?

Such suffering and pain!

- I am sharing mine with The joy that whelms from your Body - That will last forever

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My perpetual vows were made in 1998, eight years after P\ ¿UVW YRZV $IWHU WDNLQJ P\ perpetual vows, I left for the Philippines for the Masters in Education to major in Religious FormaWLRQ 7KH DERYH VXPPDULVHV P\ life as an IJ Sister since the retreat D IHZ GD\V EHIRUH , UHWXUQHG WR 6LQJDSRUH LQ $V &KXUFK OHW XV UHMRLFH LQ

the excellence of our personal vocation from God and celHEUDWH WKH JLIW RI VXFK ORYH ´ Â&#x201E;

Fr Henry Siew Fr Henry Siew was ordained to WKH SULHVWKRRG DW WKH &KXUFK RI Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on $SULO +H ZDV SRVWHG WR WKH &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 7ULQLW\ ZKHUH KH VHUYHG as assistant parish priest until

From 1993 to 1996, he served as assistant parish priest at the &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 6WDU RI WKH 6HD He left for Rome to study Philosophy from 1996 to 1998 and went on to complete his Doctorate LQ 3KLORVRSK\ IURP WR In 2000, he returned to SingaSRUH WR EH D IRUPDWRU DQG OHFWXUHU at the St Francis Xavier Major 6HPLQDU\ Fr Henry served in the semiQDU\ XQWLO EHIRUH KH ZDV

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JUBILARIANS 17

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Jubilarians

ting their jubilees this year GOLDEN JUBILEE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 50 YEARS

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Fr Cyril John Lee Soon after completing his O-level examinations, Fr Cyril John Lee entered the minor seminary in1956.

He was ordained a priest on Jan 16, 1966, at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

Fr Cyrilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fr Leo Lee â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was also a priest and gave )U &\ULO D ÂżQDO QXGJH WRZDUGV KLV calling.

In 1970, Fr Cyril was sent to the East Asian Pastoral Institute in the Philippines to pursue a diploma in religious education.

Upon his return, he spent the next seven years directing the Catechetical Centre.

During his tenure here, he started the Catholic Audio Visual Centre which was also known as Sounds and Sight Committee.

In 1979, Fr Cyril was sent to London to pursue another diploma in Radio and Television Production at the Catholic Radio and TeleviVLRQ &HQWUH ZKLFK ZDV DIÂżOLDWHG WR the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

In the last 50 years, Fr Cyril has served as a priest in several parishes including the Churches of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Christ the King and presently at the Church of St Anthony.

Fr Cyril was associate editor of CatholicNews from 1989-1995. He was editor of the paper from 1996 to 2001.

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one who could speak Teochew to be parish priest.

He is currently serving at the parish.

On top of his parish commitments, Fr Henry is also in a few Catholic organisations.

He has been a priest presenter in the Marriage Encounter since 2000.

That same year, he was also appointed to be spiritual director for the Archdiocesan Commission for Apostolate of Mandarin-Speaking.

In 2005, Fr Henry joined the School Management Board of Catholic High School.

From 2005 to 2014, he was the Serangoon district representative to the Senate of Priests and was also elected as Senate Secretary during those years. Â&#x201E;

Â&#x201E; From Page 15

$ WRWDO RI EHQHÂżFLDULHV attended the event that aimed to reach out to the underprivileged in the area.

Apart from being served meals, participants also enjoyed games, a lucky draw and live performances by the parishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music ministry. They were also invited for a tour of the church.

Future plans â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have such a spacious pantry and dining room in our church,

so I hope to start a food ministry soon,â&#x20AC;? Fr Gerard told CatholicNews. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The various groups can also use the dining area for fellowship and the food ministry can serve by cooking!â&#x20AC;?

One thing which parishioners can expect soon is the completion of the Downtown Line MRT station beside the church. Mattar Station, to be completed sometime next year, is expected to make the church more accessible. jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

History of the church

Due to his health, Fr Cyril, who is 76 this year, considers himself â&#x20AC;&#x153;semi-retiredâ&#x20AC;?. He occasionally serves morning or evening Mass on weekdays at his parish.

When CatholicNews asked him what were some of his most memorable experiences, Fr Cyril recalled his time at the newspaper. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I liked writing the commentaries on current affairs of the Church.

It was also a way for me to spread the word of God,â&#x20AC;? said Fr Cyril. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was never really good at

speaking or talking so writing was my way of expressing how I felt.â&#x20AC;?

On the lessons he learnt as a priest, Fr Cyril said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do what I can to the best of my abilities. Ultimately this is all Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work and I never worry about what others think of it.â&#x20AC;?

His advice to those thinking of joining the priesthood: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be disappointments and frustrations in your journey, but if God is really calling you ... you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

FMM Sr Victorine Fernandez

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Plans for the church

In her 50 years as a Franciscan Missionary of Mary (FMM), Sr Victorine Fernandez has mainly been involved in â&#x20AC;&#x153;education in Singapore and Malaysia as a teacher, supervisor, counsellor, school chaplain and now, as province archivistâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been a wonderful, painful and challenging adventure of discovering the Master whose faithful and unconditional love has been my strength, hope and joy,â&#x20AC;? said Sr Victorine, adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe I have done anything others could not have done.â&#x20AC;?

She shared that Religious life KDV ÂłJLYHQ PH WLPH IRU GDLO\ UHĂ&#x20AC;HFWLRQ SUD\HU DQG SXULÂżFDWLRQ 0\ FMM commitment to daily Eucharist and adoration allows me to know a God whose love is present in every person, every situation, who gives me the freedom to make choices that fall or do not fall into His plans and, despite my mistakes,

writes straight with crooked lines,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This journey has been a gift and a miracle with the people God put into my life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; my family, my Sisters in community and faithful friends. I can only give thanks for each new day that continues my journey!â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

The establishment of the Church of St Stephen owes much to the hard work of Fr Stephen Lee. Then parish priest of the Church of St Teresa at Kampong Bahru, Fr Stephen heard about the plight of the Chinese who were suffering from poverty.

He decided to purchase a piece of land along Aljunied Road, and an orphanage, school and convent run by the Canossian Sisters were set up in August 1941.

The work at the convent was disrupted in December 1941 due to the Japanese invasion of Singapore but continued after their surrender in 1945.

Fr Lee passed away on Nov 29, 1956, and the parish was subsequently named in his honour.

As the size of the congregation grew during Sunday Mass celebrated in the convent chapel, the late Bishop Michael Olcomendy found another piece of land suitable for building a church and it was purchased after the Second World War. The church is known today as the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace.

During his attachment to this parish from 1958 to 1966, Fr Pierre Bouttaz, a Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP)

priest, started to visit the people living in MacPherson.

Upon his urging, plans were put into action to set up a parish that would serve the area.

The early church was a creaky wooden structure. Thanks to the work of another MEP priest, Fr Rene Challet, and Fr Joachim Teng, funds were raised for a proper church building.

Piling works for the new church building began on Aug 15, 1976, and were completed on April 22, 1978. Archbishop Gregory Yong blessed and opened the new church.

However there was only one meeting room and limited space available. Elderly parishioners IRXQG LW GLIÂżFXOW WR FOLPE XS WR WKH VHFRQG Ă&#x20AC;RRU ZKHUH WKH PDLQ church was located.

Fr John Khoo was tasked with the renovation of a new church building, which included lifts, a new belfry, priestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; residence and a new annexe building for administration.

The renovated church was blessed and dedicated on Oct 21, 2007, by Archbishop Nicholas Chia.

The feast day of the Church of St Stephen is Dec 26.

More information about the parish can be found at http:// www.ststephen.sg/ Â&#x201E;

The early wooden Church of St Stephen. It was blessed and opened by the late Archbishop Gregory Yong in 1978.

18

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

19

20

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

By Joe Sarnicola With the help of the Holy Spirit, the apostles and the other new Christians continued to preach to the Jews about God and Jesus.

Some people did not like the apostlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; preaching. One was the Roman Empireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruler of Judea, King Herod.

King Herod decided to have the apostle James seized and put to death.

When this pleased the Jews who did not believe in Jesus, he had Peter arrested. It was the feast of the UnleavHQHG %UHDG DQG .LQJ +HURG ÂżJXUHG KH would put Peter on trial after Passover.

While Peter was in jail, he was secured in chains and guarded by 16 soldiers.

The night before he was to go on trial, Peter was secured in double chains, with a soldier on each side of him as he slept. The doors of

the prison also were being guarded.

Suddenly, a great light shone in the cell as an angel of God appeared next to Peter. The angel nudged him awake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get up quickly,â&#x20AC;? the angel said as the chains fell from Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrists.

The angel told Peter to put on his belt, sandals and cloak. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Follow me,â&#x20AC;? the angel instructed.

Peter did what he was told, although he thought he was having a vision, and that what was happening wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t real.

Peter and the angel passed by several guards and came to the iron gate leading out into the city. The gate opened by itself. The angel and Peter made their way into an alley, then the angel disappeared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I know for certain that [the] Lord sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Thomas the Apostle St Thomas, one of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; original 12 apostles, is probably best remembered as â&#x20AC;&#x153;doubting Thomas.â&#x20AC;? He refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he could put his hands in the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wounds.

According to tradition, Thomas spread the Gospel to the Parthians, Medes and Persians, and eventually also made his way to India. There is still a large Christian community in India that calls itself â&#x20AC;&#x153;St Thomas Christians.â&#x20AC;?

Although we do not know his birth or death dates, we honour St Thomas on July 3. Â&#x201E;

expecting,â&#x20AC;? Peter said to himself.

Peter made his way to a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, where many people were gathered to pray for him. He knocked on the door, and when the maid recognised his voice, she ran to tell the others without letting him in.

His friends did not believe the maid, so when they answered the door, they were shocked to see him.

Peter told them all about how the angel helped him to escape the jail.

The next morning, there was a great commotion at the jail. King Herod ordered a search for Peter, and when the apostle could not be found, he had the jail guards tried and put to death. Â&#x201E; Read more about it: Acts 12

Q&A 1. Who had Peter arrested?

2. Who rescued Peter from jail?

Wordsearch: Â&#x201E; VOICE

Â&#x201E; REAL

Â&#x201E; JEWS

Â&#x201E; DEATH

Â&#x201E; WRISTS

Â&#x201E; TRIAL

Â&#x201E; HELP

Â&#x201E; VISION

Â&#x201E; ALLEY

Â&#x201E; MAID

Â&#x201E; ANGEL

Â&#x201E; JAIL

BIBLE TRIVIA: What vision did Peter have about the gentiles?

(Hint: Acts 11:1-18)

Bible Accent: Answer to puzzle: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel.â&#x20AC;?

Answer to Bible Trivia: That the Gospel should be brought to the gentiles.

PUZZLE: Unscramble the letters in the words below to reveal something Peter said in the story of his imprisonment in Acts 12:1-11. own i wonk orf tercnia ttha het dorl tnes shi legan â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

Answer to Wordsearch

Peter was not the only apostle to be put in jail.

Some of the apostles were even jailed multiple times.

For example, in Acts 4, Peter and John were taken into custody for teaching that Jesus was the Messiah. After being questioned, they were released and told not to talk about Jesus anymore.

In Acts 5, the apostles kept preaching about Jesus and were all seized and jailed. During the night, an angel of the Lord released them from jail and told them to continue their preaching, which they did.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were put in jail when they were preaching in Philippi. At midnight, there was a great earthquake, DQG WKH SULVRQ GRRUV Ă&#x20AC;HZ RSHQ DQG WKH FKDLQV RQ WKH SULVRQHUV were loosened. Even though they could escape, Paul and Silas stayed to evangelise the jail guard and his family, who were all baptised. In the morning, the authorities set the men free.

Paul was arrested many more times after this. One time, he was kept in jail for several years. As a matter of fact, the letters he wrote to encourage some of the new Christian communities were written while he was in jail.

These letters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are part of the New Testament. Â&#x201E;

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON 21

Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS

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

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

JUNE 8 TO JUNE 22 NEW CATECHIST ELECTIVE COURSE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LOWC WORKSHOP Every Wednesday. Time: 7:30pm-10pm.

Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Road, S549102.

Fees have been waived for 2016.

Speaker: Fr Ignatius Yeo. Organised E\ WKH 2IÂżFH IRU &DWHFKHVLV )RU PRUH information: T: 68583011 (Sylvia); E: sylvia@catechesis.org.sg; W: www.catechesis.org.sg JUNE 15 TO AUG 10 GALATIANS: SET FREE TO LIVE Every Wednesday from 7:30pm-9.30pm.

Venue: St James Room at Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Cost $32. A DVD presentation on St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter to the Galatians speaks directly to all Christians.

To register: T: 84988020 (Andrew); E: cyclops135an@gmail.com.

JUNE 21 TO JULY 5 WHAT EVERY CATHOLIC NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE BIBLE Organised by Bible apostolate team, evening session, of the Church of the Holy Spirit. A DVD presentation on the essential truths about the Bible and its relationship with the Catholic Church.

Also includes a presentation by Fr Paul Goh. Every Tuesday from 7.30pm-9.30 pm. At Church of the Holy Spirit, attic Level 4. Love offerings welcomed.

Register: T: 97848090 (Louisa).

JUNE 24 TO JUNE 26 JUNE CHOICE WEEKEND June 24 (7pm) to June 26 (6pm). Come away for a Choice Weekend â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the choices ZH PDNH GHÂżQH RXU OLIH 5HJLVWHU : www.choice.org.sg/registration.htm; T: Hillary 97900537 (Hilary); 97109680 (Francesa) E: registration@choice.org.sg JUNE 26 TO JUNE 29 DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH OF SAINTS PETER & PAUL-TRIDUUM MASS June 26: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rock of Faithâ&#x20AC;? 4.30pm Mass celebrated by Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM. June 27: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keys of Hopeâ&#x20AC;? 7pm Mass celebrated by Fr Edward Lim, OCD. June 28: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sword of Loveâ&#x20AC;? 7pm Mass celebrated by Msgr Philip Heng, SJ. June 29: 7pm dedication Mass celebrated

by Archbishop William Goh. All are welcome! Visit http://sppchurch.org.sg/ upcoming-events for more information.

JUNE 28 TO JULY 19 BCC LEVEL 1 - LITURGY: THE MASS Dates: June 28, July 5, 12 and 19.

Time: 7:30pm-10pm. Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Road, S549102. Fees have been waived for 2016. Speaker: Fr Erbin Fernandez, Catechetical Director. W: www.catechesis.org.sg; E: sylvia@catechesis; T: 68583011 JUNE 29 TO AUG 31 STUDY ON LETTERS OF ST PAUL TO TIMOTHY AND TITUS Every Wednesday from 9.30am-11.30am at the Church of Holy Spirit, attic (Level 4).

A presentation by Mike Arents.

Join us for a nine week study on the pastoral epistles of Timothy and Titus.

These epistles will give us great insights on how God wants us to build the Church.

Love offerings welcomed.

For more details: E: hsbibleapostolate@ gmail.com; T: 82288220 (Clare).

JUNE 29 TO SEPT 21 CLARITYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CAREGIVERS TO CAREGIVERS EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR MENTAL CONDITIONS 7KLV SURJUDPPH ZLOO EHQHÂżW \RX DV LW ZLOO increase your understanding of the various

types of mental illness and treatments.

Solve issues in better ways by learning effective problem-solving.

Every Wednesday for 12 sessions.

7pm-9.30 pm at Agape Village. FOC. Register: T: 6757 7990; T: 6801 7466.

JUNE 30 MASS WITH PRAYERS FOR HEALING Time: 7.40pm-9.30pm. All are invited. After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you. Please spread the word to your family and friends. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul. Celebrant: Fr Tom Curran.

Organised by SACCRE-Praise@Work.

For enquiries, E: marilyn8sep@yahoo.com JULY 1 TO NOVEMBER 1 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER Church of St Mary of the Angels: July 1016. Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Oct 2-8. Church of the St Mary of the Angels: Nov 13-19. Come for a life-changing experience in an easy, mini retreat amidst your daily routine.

For registration or queries: E: wogp@ sojourners.sg; W: www.sojourners.sg JULY 2 TO JULY 3 CATHOLIC YOUTH DAY For all young people up to 35 years old.

A celebration of faith and being part of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. Event begins at 4pm, with Mass at 5pm, celebrated by Archbishop William Goh. Includes evening programme and overnight vigil. Event is free. Tickets at $10 to redeem a T-shirt, meal and a drink.

'R SXUFKDVH LQ DGYDQFH 9HQXH 2IÂżFH for Young People, 2 Lorong Low Koon.

For more information: visit our Facebook page; E: sharon.oyp@catholic.org.sg JULY 8 TO AUG 12 CAFE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE GIFT Time: 8pm-9:30pm. Be empowered by the Holy Spirit through six informative video sessions by speakers including David Payne. Topics are: The Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love, The Joy of the Gospel, The Gift of the Spirit, Unwrapping Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gift, A Personal Pentecost, Living in the Spirit. Venue: Church of St Bernadette, Level 2, AVA room. Register: Send your your name, age and contact number to 96971900.

JULY 9 CLARITYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TALK ON â&#x20AC;&#x153;TAKE CONTROL AND SURVIVE ANXIETY!â&#x20AC;?

Find out the impact and the various avenues available to get help and learn the different types of anxiety disorders and treatments.

Time: 10am-noon. Fee: $10 per person.

At Agape Village level 1. 7A Lor 8 Toa Payoh S319264. Register: T: 68017467; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JULY 10 TO OCT 21 A DVD STUDY OF CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH - PILLAR 2 SACRAMENTS (12 WEEKS) Sunday July 10: 9.45am-10.45am at St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Room at CAEC. Tuesday July 12: 8pm-9.30pm / Friday July 15: 9.30am-11am at St Philip Room in IHM Parish Centre (Level 2). 24 Highland Rd S(549115). In the 2nd part of the 4-part pillar programme.

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

JUNE 5, 2015 TO JUNE 4, 2017 MANDARIN RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Every Sunday from 9am-10:30am. At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (Verbist Hall). For enquiries: T: 97564783 (Theresa); T: 96612262 (Darryl); T: 97761181 (Peter) JUNE 7, 2016 TO MAY 30, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER Sessions will be conducted every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm. Registration forms DUH DYDLODEOH DW WKH SDULVK RIÂżFH For more details, E: rcia@sfxchurch.sg.

JUNE 14, 2016 TO MAY 9, 2017 RCIA @ HOLY TRINITY Who is Jesus? Want to know more?

Time: 7.45pm to 9.45pm. Please register with WKH SDULVK RIÂżFH RI +RO\ 7ULQLW\ ( UFLDKW# gmail.com; T: 97378194 (Emily Tan).

JUNE 16, 2016 TO JUNE 17, 2017 NEW RCIA JOURNEY @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm.

Register; W: https://goo.gl/Mvm9EX; E: holyspiritrcia.coordinator@gmail.com.

JUNE 30, 2016 TO APRIL 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY

Dr Sean Innerst continues to open up the treasures of CCC. FOC. Organised by BAT@IHM. T: 97303358 (Christina) / 90999493 (Laura) E: BAT@ihm.sg JULY 11 TO OCT 31 MSGR AMBROSE VAZ: LETTER TO THE HEBREWS AND BOOK OF TOBIT Time: 8pm-10pm: Struggling in your faith, or feeling weary with the demands of Christian life or a growing indifference to your calling? Letter to the Hebrews invites us to persevere in our Christian faith and to restore our lost fervour.

Organised by the Chuch of the Holy Spirit Discover Ministry. Registration is required. Venue: #02-05, Church of the Holy Spirit, 248 Upper Thomson Road.

Register: T: 90102829 (Kim); E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Every Thursday from 7.30pm-10pm.

Every Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm.

E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg; T: 62800980 JULY 5, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL Every Tuesday from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Sessions will be held in the chapel. Registration forms DUH DYDLODEOH DW WKH SDULVK RIÂżFH 7 (Jonathan); E: 2kumleong@gmail.com JULY 8, 2016 TO MAY 17, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Every Friday from 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of Christ The King, 2227 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, RCIA room 105. Register: T: 98217795 (Devin); E: query.rcia@gmail.com JULY 18, 2016 TO MAY 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Address: 111 Tank Rd, S238069. E: rcia@churchofthesacredheart.sg; W: http://www.churchofthesacredheart.sg/; T: 67379285 JULY 26, 2016 TO APRIL 16, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Every Tuesday evening 8pm-10pm at St Ignatius hall. Registration forms are available at: http://www.stignatius.org.sg/ Ministries/Faith-Formation/RCIA- Ministry/ For registration enquiries; T: 64660625 3DULVK RIÂżFH 6DQGUD

IN MEMORIAM

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING 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 need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come

to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St

Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession.

Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers.

Please turn to page 22 and 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

24

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Sunday June 26, 2016 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

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