JULY 10, 2016, Vol 66, No 14

Page 1

SUNDAY JULY 10, 2016

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

MCI (P) 009/08/2015

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

VOL 66

NO. 14

INSIDE HOME Bible course boosts faith Catholics, non-Catholics ÀRFN WR SDULVK SURJUDPPH ³$ GLVFRYHU\ OLNH WKLV PDNHV XV IHHO FRQQHFWHG WR WKH SDVW ,W DOVR LQVSLUHV XV WR KDQJ RQ WR WKH IDLWK DQG SUHVHUYH WKH KLVWRU\ RI WKH &KXUFK ´ VDLG 9LFDU *HQHUDO 0VJU 3KLOLS +HQJ UHFWRU RI WKH &DWKHGUDO RI WKH *RRG 6KHSKHUG +H ZDV UHIHUULQJ WR WKH GLVFRYHU\ RI D \HDU ROG WLPH FDSVXOH IRXQG XQGHU RQH RI WKH FDWKHGUDO¶V FROXPQV HDUOLHU WKLV \HDU GXULQJ WKH RQJRLQJ UHVWRUDWLRQ SURMHFW 7KH WK DQG WK FHQWXU\ DUWHIDFWV LQ WKH WLPH FDSVXOH LQFOXGH %ULWLVK )UHQFK DQG 6SDQLVK FRLQV D FRS\ RI 7KH 6LQJDSRUH )UHH 3UHVV WKH 6WUDLWV 0HVVHQJHU WKH %HQJDO &DWKROLF +HUDOG DQG WKH 0DGUDV &DWKROLF ([SRVLWRU 2I VLJQL¿FDQFH LV WKH LQFOXVLRQ RI WKH VHUYLFH ERRNOHW XVHG GXULQJ WKH OD\LQJ RI WKH FRUQHUVWRQH RQ -XQH 7KH WLPH FDSVXOH ZDV SODFHG EHQHDWK WKLV FRUQHUVWRQH RQ WKLV GDWH DQG GLVFRYHUHG RQO\ RQ -DQ WKLV \HDU 7KH SHGLPHQW IDFLQJ 9LFWRULD 6W KDG FROODSVHG RQ 6HSW ODVW \HDU DQG WKH FDWKHGUDO¶V KHULWDJH FRQVXOWDQW ZDV DVNHG WR FKRRVH RQH RI WKH FROXPQV WKDW KHOG WKH SHGLPHQW WR EH UHXVHG IRU WKH QHZO\ SODQQHG ODQGVFDSH 7KH WLPH FDSVXOH ZDV IRXQG XQGHU WKH ODVW FROXPQ QHDUHVW WR %UDV %DVDK 5RDG ZKHUH WKH ¿UVW FRUQHUVWRQH RI WKH EXLOGLQJ ZDV ODLG ,Q WRWDO FRLQV DQG ¿YH SXEOLFDWLRQV ZHUH IRXQG ³7KLV LV YHU\ H[FLWLQJ EHFDXVH LW FDSWXUHV WKH KLVWRU\ RI WKH &KXUFK LQ 6LQJDSRUH LQ D YHU\ FRQFUHWH ZD\ :H KDYH DUWHIDFWV WR VKRZ KDUG IDFWV DERXW WKH &KXUFK¶V KLVWRU\ ´ 0VJU +HQJ WROG &DWKROLF1HZV 0U -HYRQ /LHZ D YROXQWHHU DW WKH &DWKHGUDO IRU DERXW \HDUV VDLG KH YLHZHG WKH GLVFRYHU\ ³DV D ZD\ WR FRQQHFW EDFN WR RXU SDVW

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Growing a community of love $UFKGLRFHVH LVVXHV PHVVDJH IRU +DUL 5D\D $LGLO¿WUL „ Page 7

Preparing for World Youth Day 3LOJULPV OHDUQ DERXW ,JQDWLDQ VSLULWXDOLW\ „ Page 8

The soul of a migrant %DQJODGHVKL ZRUNHU VKDUHV KLV SRHWU\ „ Page 9 The artefacts found were 18th and 19th-century coins, newspapers and a service booklet that was used during the laying of the cathedral cornerstone on June 18, 1843.

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ASIA Vigilante killings in Philippines %LVKRSV DSSHDO IRU LW WR VWRS „ Page 10

COMMENTARY On gender theory :ULWHU FRPPHQWV RQ WKLV YLHZ RI WKH KXPDQ SHUVRQ „ Page 17

BIBLE SUNDAY MESSAGE Msgr Philip Heng pointing at the cathedral column where a new time capsule will be placed. The previous time capsule and cornerstone were discovered beneath this spot.

Links between Old, New Testaments „ Pages 18-19

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Church sets up communications volunteers team Ahead of World Communications Sunday 2016, the Archdiocese &RPPXQLFDWLRQV 2IÂżFH $UFKComms) sent out a call to rally members of the faithful to come forward to use their gifts and talents for the good of the Church and the New Evangelisation. On June 8, ArchComms called for the inaugural meeting of VITA 9ROXQWHHUV ,Q 7KH $UFKGLRFHVH gathering professionals and volunteers coming mainly from the media and communications industry. The inaugural meeting was well-attended with 70 VITA members who signed up to be a part of the New Evangelisation by communicating the Good News through the use of digital and traditional platforms. In his presentation, Mr Andre Ahchak, ArchComms director, shared with the voluteers: “The Catholic Church has a problem. Making Jesus a visible sign in the ZRUOG WRGD\ LV GLIÂżFXOW :H KDYH WR make faith as real as possible, living the Gospel as witnesses. We have to be proud of who we are, as Catholics, and to stand up for Jesus.â€?

Archbishop William Goh encouraged the VITA members. “The Church is young!â€? he said. “All of you who are present are young. We need the laity to collaborate with us. Today we are here to see how we can collaborate, help each other, empower each other. If we work together, the Church will be a very powerful instrument in communicating the Good News to all.â€? Mr Adrian Ong, commenting on the event, said, “Two things mentioned by Archbishop William Goh at the VITA meeting VWUXFN DQG PDGH PH UHĂ€HFW GHHSO\ on my role as a Catholic. Firstly, that we as Catholics cannot just be disciples only but we must become missionary disciples. Secondly, we do not just serve the Church but all of humanity.â€? Another VITA member, Ms Lynette Lim, added, “Archbishop’s sharing was inspiring. He aptly set the scene for the challenges ahead for the Church.â€? The current VITA teams include VITA Images, VITA Media Rela-

Archbishop Goh speaks at the inaugural meeting of VITA (Volunteers In The Archdiocese). Logo below.

What is VITA?

tions, VITA Scribes, VITA Studios, VITA Social Media, VITA Web App, VITA Tech and VITA Intel. Volunteer opportunities can be found at catholic.sg/the-vitagroups/. The next VITA introduction meeting is on July 13. Sign up at vita.catholic.sg „

As an acronym, VITA means Volunteers In The Archdiocese. The Latin word “vita� means “life�. VITA members are called to be vibrant and life-giving in their work for the service of the Church and all mankind. Vision: One Church Fully Alive! Mission statement: Unconditional Christ-like service to the Church in her mission of evangelisation through all forms of communication. General objectives: To assist the archdiocese

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and the archbishop to realise the pastoral plan by helping ArchComms in media and communication. To be a catalyst of communion among Catholic organisations and parishes in Singapore. To create opportunities for VITA members to live out their Christian discipleship through service in the archdiocese and their parishes. To form collaborative VITA communities which are drawn together by their talents, gifts and love for the Church. „

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Sunday July 10, 2016 CatholicNews

Artefacts to be placed in cathedral’s heritage gallery From Page 1

Among those present were MEP Fr Jean-Marie Beurel and John Connolly, a merchant who RIIHUHG JUHDW ¿QDQFLDO VXSSRUW WR the building of the church. As to why newspapers and coins were chosen to be in the time capsule, Mr Liew said, “It’s quite traditional in the laying of a

cornerstone to put in newspapers and coins that are in circulation during the day. In a way it dates the event.” He added, “What is interesting is that there are so many types of coins, not only East India Company coins but also trade tokens used by local merchants bearing inscriptions in Jawi. There was also a Vietnamese coin. It shows

the international outlook that our forefathers had.” Currently, the cornerstone embedded in the bottom of the old column sits at the now vacated St Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Punggol. Msgr Heng said he hopes to have the stone removed from the column and placed in the new heritage gallery of the cathedral when

the restoration is complete, together with the time capsule items. The proposed date for the dedication of the cathedral is Feb 14 next year. Also in the works is the laying of a commemoration stone. Msgr Heng shared that he intends to put current newspapers, coins, Singapore dollar notes and perhaps “some of the old coins discovered

in the original time capsule” into a brick-sized metal box which will be encased into the new column where the old one stood. “In future years to come, maybe 200 years down the road, hopefully the discovery will be treasured by a new generation,” he said. jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

CHANCERY NOTICE

22 June 2016 13 June 2016

CHN/CN/2016/010

APPOINTMENTS 1. Fr Terence Kesavan has been appointed as Assistant Director WR WKH $UFKGLRFHVDQ 2I¿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

Bible course helps people go deeper in faith

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

A special book for Bible Sunday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³0DQ\ &DWKROLFV DUH DWWHQGLQJ %LEOH FODVVHV LQ RUGHU WR EHFRPH IDPLOLDU ZLWK 6FULSWXUH ´ VDLG 6U 6DQGUD GLUHFWRU RI WKH ELEOLFDO DSRVWRODWH ³7KLV LV JRRG DQG VKRXOG EH HQFRXUDJHG +RZHYHU LQWHOOHFWXDO NQRZOHGJH RI 6FULSWXUH LV QRW HQRXJK 7KH :RUG RI *RG LV DOLYH 7KH :RUG RI *RG LV D 3HUVRQ LV -HVXV +H VSHDNV +H WUDQVIRUPV XV +H KDV WKH SRZHU WR LJQLWH WKH ¿UH RI ORYH LQ RXU KHDUWV LI RQO\ ZH RSHQ RXUVHOYHV PRUH WR +LV :RUG ´ 7KH ERRN FRQVLVWV RI WZR VHFWLRQV 7KH ¿UVW VHFWLRQ FRQWDLQV DUWLFOHV ZULWWHQ E\ 6U 6DQGUD ZKR LV DOVR DXWKRU RI 3UD\HU IRU /LYLQJ 7KH :RUG RI *RG IRU 'DLO\ 3UD\HU <HDU $ % DQG & 7KH DUWLFOHV LQ -HVXV WKH /LYLQJ :RUG 6SHDNV H[SORUH WRSLFV VXFK DV -HVXV DV WKH :RUG RI *RG WKH QHHG WR OLVWHQ WR WKH :RUG RI *RG WKH PHWKRG RI OLVWHQLQJ WR +LV :RUG WKH VWUXJJOHV IDFHG LQ SUD\HU

Graduates of The Bible Timeline programme, conducted by the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, in prayer. The course, which the parish started seven years ago, has attracted both Catholics and non-Catholics from across Singapore.

By Grace Foo

Jesus, the Living Word, Speaks, is to help Catholics encounter Jesus through the Scriptures.

DQG WKH FDOO WR SURFODLP +LV :RUG The second section contains SHUVRQDO WHVWLPRQLHV RI SHRSOH ZKR SUD\ ZLWK WKH :RUG 7KHLU VKDULQJ VSHDNV RI WKHLU SHUVRQDO IDLWK MRXUQH\ RI SUD\LQJ DQG HQFRXQWHULQJ -HVXV LQ WKHLU OLYHV 6DLG 6U 6DQGUD ³, KRSH WKLV ERRN ZLOO OHDG &DWKROLFV QRW MXVW WR NQRZ DERXW WKH %LEOH EXW WR OLVWHQ DQG HQFRXQWHU -HVXV WKH /LYLQJ :RUG SHUVRQDOO\ LQ WKHLU RZQ OLYHV ´ Jesus, the Living Word, Speaks will be available in parishes over the July 9 and 10 weekend. You FDQ ¿QG LW RQOLQH DW KWWSV ELEOLFDODSRVWRODWH ZRUGSUHVV FRP DIter the Bible Sunday weekend. „ „ Bible Sunday Message is on Pages 18-19

$ IHZ SHRSOH WRRN XS WKH FKDOOHQJH WR UXQ D VSHFLDO %LEOH SURJUDPPH DW WKH &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 4XHHQ RI 3HDFH VHYHQ \HDUV DJR 6LQFH WKHQ FORVH WR SHRSOH LQFOXGLQJ SHRSOH IURP RWKHU SDULVKHV DQG QRQ &DWKROLFV KDYH DWWHQGHG it. 0DQ\ VDLG WKH SURJUDPPH FDOOHG 7KH %LEOH 7LPHOLQH %7/ boosted their faith. ³, VKDUH %LEOH UHDGLQJV ZLWK P\ FKLOGUHQ ZLWK PRUH GHSWK QRZ VR LW LV UHDOO\ HQULFKLQJ DQG VR PXFK EHWWHU IRU XV DV D IDPLO\ ´ VDLG 0V 1RHOLQH :RQJ D PRWKHU RI IRXU )RU 0V 5RVDOLQG 7HR JRLQJ WR 6XQGD\ 0DVV QRZ WDNHV RQ D GHHSHU VLJQLILFDQFH IRU KHU ³EHFDXVH , ILQDOO\ XQGHUVWDQG WKH :RUG RI *RG PXFK EHWWHU´ ³7KLV GHHSHU XQGHUVWDQGLQJ KDV DOORZHG PH WR HQMR\ WKH KRPLO\ XQOLNH SUHYLRXVO\ ZKHQ LW GHSHQGHG RQ ZKR ZDV JLYLQJ WKH KRPLO\ ´ VKH said. 7KH SURJUDPPH LV FRQGXFWHG RYHU ZHHNV DQG IRFXVHV RQ ERRNV IURP WKH 2OG DQG 1HZ 7HVWDPHQWV %DVHG RQ D ZHHNO\ OHVVRQ SODQ VPDOO JURXSV RI DERXW JDWKHU ZLWK IDFLOLWDWRUV WR UHYLHZ WKH ERRNV FRYHUHG 7KH SURJUDPPH HQGV ZLWK D PLQXWH '9' FRPPHQWDU\ 7KH FRXUVH IROORZV WKH &DWHFKLVP RI WKH &DWKROLF &KXUFK

I share Bible ‘ readings with my children with more depth now, so it is really enriching and so much better IRU XV DV D IDPLO\

’

Participants in a Bible Class.

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– Ms Noeline Wong, a mother of four, on The Bible Timeline programme

ERRNV RI WKH %LEOH DQG VHH WKH XQGHUO\LQJ VDOYDWLRQ VWRU\ WKUHDG WKURXJKRXW ,W KHOSV XV WR PDNH FRQQHFWLRQV RI WKH VWRULHV ZLWK RXU GDLO\ OLYHV VR WKDW WKH %LEOH KDV EHFRPH PRUH DFFHVVLEOH XQGHUVWDQGDEOH DQG UHOHYDQW WR &DWKROLFV ´ 7KH QH[W UXQ RI WKH %7/ SURJUDPPH LQ WKH SDULVK ZLOO WDNH SODFH QH[W -DQXDU\ Registration will start in November. Check the parish’s bulOHWLQV IRU DQQRXQFHPHQWV )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW 7KH %LEOH 7LPHOLQH YLVLW KWWS ELEOHVWXG\IRUFDWKROLFV FRP DERXW „

CORRECTION: In the CatholicNews’ June 26 issue, the wrong advertisement for the Retrouvaille weekends, giving last year’s dates, was published. The correct dates should be June 24-26 and Sept 30-Oct 2 this year. We apologise for the error.

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

CHARIS volunteers and Sri Lankans working together to dry washed gravel (left) and build houses. Photos: BRYAN CHEN

S’pore team helps build homes, provide clean water in Sri Lanka By Sally Low Ten volunteers from CHARIS recently embarked on a journey to teach and build bio-sand waWHU ¿OWUDWLRQ V\VWHPV DQG DVVLVW in house building efforts in Sri Lanka. During the June 12-18 trip, they also spent time forging friendships with the locals, many ZKRP KDG UHFHLYHG ¿QDQFLDO DVsistance from CHARIS (Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore) to improve their lives. CHARIS has been working with the Diocesan Centre for Social, Economic and Development Education in the Diocese of Galle, Sri Lanka (SED Galle), led by Fr Michael Rajendram.

Fr Michael and his team were hoping that the project in Deniyaya and Hambantota districts, about three hours’ drive from Galle, would improve the communities’ access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities In the district of Hambantota, the volunteers helped teach two YLOODJHV WR EXLOG ELR VDQG ¿OWUDtion tanks, in the hope that they could replicate this system in other villages. The volunteers worked alongside the women, both young and old, in the washing of the gravel and sand. While the process of washing the sand can be tedious, it forms an essential part to the system as the maWHULDOV IRUP D QDWXUDO ¿OWHU LQ

which water is made potable. The community also learnt from the volunteers how to asVHPEOH DQG ÂżW WRJHWKHU WKH ELR sand tank using PVC pipes and a large tank. The next worksite was in the hilly region of Deniyaya. There, the team helped to build

The volunteers helped teach two villages to build bio-sand ÂżOWUDWLRQ WDQNV hoping they could replicate this system in other villages.

houses and tried their hands at laying bricks for the walls. Every now and then, the team was treated to tea and food, mostly contributed by the locals, who gave much from the little they had. The Singapore participants told CatholicNews they found the trip rewarding in many ways. “This trip to Sri Lanka allowed me to witness the universal language of love,� said Mr Gabriel Chek, 23, a student at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. He added that it helped him appreciate the blessings which he takes for granted in Singapore, such as clean water and shelter. Team leader, Ms Sivamalar

Kulasegaram, a teacher in her 40s, shared that she was impressed with the gotong royong (mutual aid) spirit among the villagers and the staff of SED Galle, working together to improve the lives of the community. She said she was especially touched by the way Fr Michael dealt with the villagers in a gentle and loving manner. According to CHARIS, the team’s greatest takeaway from this trip was witnessing the camaraderie of the local community with their common goal of wanting to improve their lives and their environment. For more information on CHARIS or to participate in its mission trips, visit www.charissingapore.org

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Sunday July 10, 2016 CatholicNews

Studying Catholic schools in Brisbane Some S’pore Catholic educators went on a study trip to see how Catholic schools infuse spirituality into their institutions By Merilyn Dasson

A discussion between Singaporean team members and staff of St Benedict’s Centacare Kindergarten in Brisbane.

Some Catholic educators were in Brisbane recently to study how the Catholic school system there delivers Catholic education within the context of its relationship with Church leadership, parishes and other Church organisations. During the June 5-10 trip, the 11 Catholic educators, together with a staff member from the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS), visited preschools, primary schools and secondary colleges. These ranged from parish-run schools to those run by Religious orders. The principals and senior staff shared with the visitors their school programme, Catholic ethos and vision for religious education as set out by Brisbane archdiocese. The Singapore participants, most of whom came from preschools, primary and secondary schools, said they witnessed inspir-

example, lit candles were laid along the school grounds to mourn a teacher who had just passed away. Other aspects of the Catholic schools there, which participants observed, were a supportive and open culture that embraced the developmental needs of every student, from the gifted to those with special needs. There is also a strong avenue for parental involvement and commitment through the Parents & Friends Association where parents can work in partnership with their children’s schools. Participants also took part in a half-day programme at the Brisbane Catholic Education headquarters at Dutton Park. This session was conducted by various specialists and teams, each focusing on areas such as numeracy, literacy, religious education and pedagogy, Catholic perspectives in the curriculum, and gifted and talented education. The Singapore participants said

The assistant principal at St Finbarr’s Primary school plays the guitar while a student leads prayer.

ing practices that created an atmosphere of reverence. For example, in one parish-based primary school, a GDLO\ ¿YH PLQXWH VFKRRO ZLGH VLlence was carried out during which sacred music was played to give the children and staff time for perVRQDO UHÀHFWLRQ The Catholic spirituality that permeates the schools also appeared to inspire students’ participation in outreach programs. For example, Marist College in Ashgrove has a programme called MATES, which stands for “Marists are taking everybody seriously”. In this programme, students commit to projects such as interacting with people with disabilities and hosting homeless people to a barbecue. The Singapore visitors also noted how school principals there make staff welfare a priority and create a culture of care. In St Eugene’s School in Burpengary, for

they learnt much from their visit. “I am very impressed by the quality of the holistic Catholic education provided by each of the Catholic schools,” said Mrs Catherine Seah, principal of CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel. “I believe that indeed character education should be valued beyond grades alone. We have much to learn from the schools we visited, that every child could be groomed to be gracious and loving”. Reports from the participants will be collated and recommendations made to help the Singapore Church and ACCS deliver highquality Catholic education in the Catholic schools here. Since 2011, the Brisbane &DWKROLF (GXFDWLRQ RI¿FH %&( has engaged with Catholic schools from Singapore in a range of professional learning opportunities. The ACCS website is at http:// accs.sg/

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Sunday July 10, 2016 CatholicNews

Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,

With great affection and solidarity in our desire for peace, I wish you God’s continued blessings as you conclude the month of Ramadan, a special time of spiritual renewal. May His bounteous favour be upon you, your families and all Muslim communities as you emerge reinvigorated in your faith through your month-long practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These spiritual exercises, besides helping us to deepen our relationship with God and neighbour, are certainly critical in helping us to be more sensitive and compassionate towards those who are in need. Indeed, the love of God and of neighbour and towards oneself is intrinsically linked. “‘…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31f; cf Dt 6:5, Lev 19:18) They are like a tripod in which love is founded and

to swim against the tide. These are virtues which we can certainly emulate from our Muslim brothers and sisters, especially in your exemplary care and concern for one another in your community. You have extended your love and compassion beyond your members to the wider community.

As leaders of our faiths, let us work towards enlarging this community of love, creating waves of mercy and compassion across our Singapore society and beyond our shores, so that the world can be a better place to live in, not just for ourselves, but for our children, and our children’s children. I am very grateful for the fraternal love and friendship between Muslims and Catholics. I pray that our friendship and mutual respect for each other will grow and deepen over the years so that together, the love and mercy of God could be encountered through our common love for God and our neighbours. On behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, I sincerely extend my very warm and sincere wish that you may all have a most joyous and enriching celebration of holy Hari 5D\D $LGLO¿WUL

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

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

I am very grateful for the fraternal love and friendship between Muslims and Catholics. I pray that our friendship and mutual respect for each other will grow and deepen over the years.

strengthened. Faith without good works is dead. Indeed St John reminds us, “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”(1 Jn 3:17f) Pope Francis declared this year, 2016, as the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. Catholics in particular are called to exercise greater responsibility

towards those in need through charitable works and compassion for the weak and forgiveness of our enemies and those who have hurt us. In an address to the young people at the start of the year, the Pope urged them to be more merciful. This is a love which makes courageous and generous choices and decisions daily, even through little things. He reminded them to remain steadfast in the faith and have the courage

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Learning about Ignatian spirituality to prepare for WYD By Joan Toh

Two World Youth Day participants tidy up a grave at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. Fifty-eight of them attended a retreat from June 24-25 as part of their spiritual formation for the international celebration in July.

Fifty-eight people attended a 24hour retreat as part of their spiritual formation for World Youth Day (WYD) in Poland in July. They were introduced to the Magis – Latin for “moreâ€? or “betterâ€? programme – which they would be participating in Poland EHIRUH WKH RIÂżFLDO VWDUW RI :<' The June 24-25 retreat, organised by the MAGiS WYD 2016 Organising Committee from the Church of St Ignatius, incorporated elements of Ignatian spirituality. These included morning prayer, “experimentâ€? activity, the “examenâ€? and the Magis circle, a VKDULQJ JURXS IRU SHRSOH WR UHĂ€HFW on their day and learn to appreciate and value its richness.

to clean the graves. “I found the experience peaceful in the quiet and serene environment, and was pleasantly surprised that people were friendly and open when approached,â€? said Mr Matthew Lim, 25. The Loving in the Heartlands “experimentâ€? led pilgrims to oneURRP Ă€DWV DW 5HGKLOO ZKHUH WKH\ spent time with residents. They also worked with the Society of St Vincent de Paul from the Church of St Ignatius to distribute food to them. Mr Leon Vincent Chan, 23, shared that “there were moments after hearing their stories and learning about their situation, where even though I very much wanted to help, I had to learn to accept that helplessness.â€? Other “experimentsâ€? include

:<' SDUWLFLSDQWV DW WKH *UHHQ &RUULGRU OHIW DQG YLVLWLQJ D RQH URRP ÀDW at Redhill.

The highlight of the retreat was the “experimentâ€? activity in which participants chose from six ways of practising spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Some of these were feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, FRPIRUWLQJ WKH DIĂ€LFWHG DQG SUD\ing for the living and the dead. In one of these activities, called Turning Strangers into Friends, participants paired up and went to Ghim Moh Market where they struck up conversations with strangers. “This was really a step out of my comfort zone,â€? shared Ms Monica Zhang, 29. “The experience was not as bad as I imagined and it felt nice to spend some time talking with strangers, getting to know them and the lives they lead.â€? Another “experimentâ€?, Caring in the Cemetery, brought pilgrims to Lim Chu Kang cemetery, where they took time to pray and helped

feeding and chatting with residents of the Gift of Love home in Boon Lay, run by the Missionaries of Charity, and a walking pilgrimDJH WR 0DF5LWFKLH 5HVHUYRLU DQG the Green Corridor. The retreatants also rehearsed for the Festival of Nations segment in WYD in which each country is invited to create an artistic presentation of one aspect of its culture while expressing how God has blessed their country. This group of pilgrims will also perform a mime to Song for Singapore, written by singer-songwriter Corrinne May, as it touches on family, community and people’s hopes and dreams for the nation. The MAGiS-WYD 2016 Singapore contingent comprising 64 pilgrims will be travelling to Poland on July 14. WYD this year will be held from July 25-31. „

felt nice to spend some time talking with strangers, ‘Itgetting to know them and the lives they lead.’

– Ms Monica Zhang on her experience of striking up conversations with strangers as part of the retreat programme

HOME 9

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

The soul of a migrant Bangladeshi worker Mohd Mukul Hossine shares his poetry at Cana By Luenne Choa Migrant worker Mohd Mukul Hossine, who writes poetry as a means of dealing with the challenges he faces in Singapore, shared his literary gift and experiences at Cana the Catholic Centre recently. Mr Mukul, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker, has been featured in the local press. He LV WKH ¿UVW IRUHLJQ ZRUNHU WR KDYH a poetry collection brought out by local publisher Ethos Books, according to media reports. During the June 24 session, part of Cana’s Talk of the Town series, the 60-strong crowd waited to break the Ramadan fast with him. Mr Mukul expressed gratitude to God for his gift of poetry and also for being able to share it with others. He read four poems in Bengali – Loneliness, I Stand at the Red Light, Eid Abroad and Me Migrant – while Singapore poet Anne Lee read them in English. Many in the audience were FOHDUO\ PRYHG E\ WKH KDXQWLQJ melodic recitation of the poems in Bengali, which were resonant with his loneliness and his missing of his home and family, especially his mother.

Many in the audience were clearly moved by the haunting melodic recitation of the poems in Bengali, which were resonant with his loneliness and his missing of his home and family,

Mr Mohd Mukul Hossine reading his poems at Cana the Catholic Centre while Singapore poet Anne Lee read them in English. Mr Timothy Wong (extreme left) facilitated the session.

When he read the poem Eid Abroad, recalling the Hari Raya $LGLO¿WUL FHOHEUDWLRQV DW KRPH ZLWK KLV IDPLO\ KLV YRLFH EURNH and many in the room were seen reaching for their tissues. One fellow Bengali-speaker in the audience, Mr Alan D’nacio,

noted that the poems, which were transcreated into English, captured the essence, meaning, and emotion RI WKH RULJLQDO %HQJDOL YHUVLRQV Mr Mukul also shared, with good-humoured candour and a ready smile, some of his unpleasant experiences as a labourer and

how many like him miss their families acutely. On the whole, KRZHYHU KH IHOW KH KDG EHHQ WUHDWed well and many Singaporeans had been kind to him. He also shared that many of his fellow migrants indulged in RWKHU GLYHUVLRQV GXULQJ WKHLU OHL-

sure to forget their troubles, but he chose to turn to poetry instead. Cenacle Sr Mel Benedictos, who works with the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI), commented to CatholicNews that WKLV ZDV D KHDOWK\ SRVLWLYH RXWOHW for him to cope with stress. Echoing this was Ms Margaret Leong, who said that Mr Mukul had D SRVLWLYH RXWORRN Dr Anne Lee, a Singapore Cultural Medallion winner, said 0U 0XNXO KDG D JHQXLQH FUHDWLYH gift. His need to write took priorLW\ RYHU DQG ZDV IHOW WR EH D ZD\ to address, other pressing needs, she said. „

10 ASIA

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Vatican keeping tabs on bishop who recanted decision to abandon patriotic association VATICAN CITY – The Vatican said

it has had no direct contact with Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai, who apparently wrote a blog post in June that gave many people the impression he had recanted an earlier decision to abandon the Chinese government’s Catholic Patriotic Association. At his episcopal ordination in 2012 – an assignment that came unusually with the approval of both then-Pope Benedict XVI and the Chinese government – Bishop Ma said he would no longer hold any position in the Catholic Patriotic Association so that he could focus on pastoral work and evangelisation. He was immediately placed under house arrest at Sheshan Seminary and the government rescinded his appointment. Paying homage to the late Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian of Shanghai in a blog attributed to Bishop Ma on June 12, he said cooperation with the patriotic association was one of the reasons

CNS photo

A 2012 photo of Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin. The Vatican said it has had no direct contact with the bishop, whose statement in a blog in June appeared to indicate that he had recanted an earlier decision to abandon the Chinese government’s Catholic Patriotic Association.

why Bishop Jin was so successful in his ministry. Bishop Ma – if he wrote the blog – said it may have been unwise to renounce all ties with the government-run association. The

GHFLVLRQ WKH EORJ VDLG ZDV LQĂ€Xenced by “outside pressureâ€? and the bishop has been struggling in conscience ever since. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired bishop of Hong Kong, in a blog post on June 22, reportedly called on the Vatican to “clarify and give guidanceâ€? in the wake of the news about Bishop Ma. With Catholics confused about cooperating with the government’s control of the Church, “not saying anything is irresponsible,â€? the cardinal said, according to the Hong Kong Free Press. In response to questions, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi said on June 23 that all the information the Vatican has was obtained from Bishop Ma’s blog and press reports. “No direct information is currently available,â€? he said. “The personal and ecclesial life of Msgr Ma Daqin, like that of all Chinese Catholics, is followed with particular care and concern by the Holy Father, who remembers them daily in prayer,â€? Fr Lombardi said. „ CNS

Philippine bishops appeal for vigilantism to stop MANILA – Philippine Catholic bishops have issued an appeal to the country’s law enforcers to stop vigilante killings following reports that suspected criminals have been executed in recent weeks. “We are disturbed by an increasing number of reports that suspected drug-peddlers, pushers and others ‌ have been shot, supposedly because they resist arrest,â€? read the bishops’ statement released on June 20. Since the election of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte on May 9, some 42 suspected drug dealers have been gunned down by police, supposedly for resisting arrest.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila called on Filipinos to shun ‘a culture of death’.

During the election campaign, Mr Duterte promised a bloodbath in the war on drugs

and criminality if he is elected president. While commending the “newfound earnestnessâ€? of authorities in enforcing the law, the bishops said they are disturbed that vigilantism seems to be on the rise. In his oratio imperata or mandatory prayer for incoming govHUQPHQW RIÂżFLDOV UHOHDVHG RYHU WKH weekend, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila called on Filipinos to value human life and shun a “culture of death.â€? The prayer was scheduled to be recited during Masses from June 21 to 29 or for nine consecutive days before the country’s newly elected leaders assume their posts on June 30. „ UCANEWS.COM

Seoul Catholic parish baptises 60 North Korean refugees SEOUL – Sixty North Korean refugees of various ages were baptised Catholics at a church in Seoul on June 18. “Everyone here has wounds and pain. You came a long way and now you are newly born in God who cares and loves you endlessly,� said Fr Raymond Lee Jong-nam of Banpo 4-dong Catholic Church during the baptism. In the months leading up to the baptism, Fr Lee taught the

refugees how to understand faith and about how to best maintain a spiritual life. One of those who were baptised said it was not easy for him to escape North Korea nearly two years ago. “We are here for only one thing, love. I thank Fr Lee for showing us deep love ... and I will live this new life to the full in this church,� he said. Fr Lee has long worked with

North Korean refugees, assisting them in settling into their new life in the South. He believes that many of the newly baptised Catholics will one day go on to evangelise in North Korea. Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soojong of Seoul sent a message and rosaries to those who were baptised. “I can only give them all the love I can give like a father and wish them happy lives,� he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 11

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

$JHQFLHV DVVLVW ,UDTLV à HHLQJ ÀJKWLQJ LONDON – Catholic Relief Services

(CRS) and other international aid DJHQFLHV DUH ZRUNLQJ ZLWK ORFDO Christian and Muslim charities to KHOS DERXW SHRSOH Ă€HHLQJ )DOOXMDK ,UDT DV FRQĂ€LFW GHHSHQV between Islamic State militants and ,UDTL IRUFHV VHHNLQJ WR UHJDLQ WKH EHOHDJXHUHG WRZQ LQ $QEDU SURYLQFH “They have escaped active ÂżJKWLQJ DQG DW OHDVW DUH LQ VRPH safety now,â€? Mr Hani El-Mahdi, Iraq country director of Catholic Relief Services, told Catholic News 6HUYLFH &16 IURP ,UDT Âł7KH\ are awaiting permission to enter Baghdad, but in the meanwhile the majority are sheltering in decrepit WHQWV ZLWK IHZ ODWULQHV DYDLODEOH ´ “These people desperately QHHG IRRG DQG ZDWHU ´ 0V 1LNNL Gamer, a CRS communications RIÂżFHU VDLG Âł7KHUH LV OLWWOH LQIUDstructure in place to address the QHHGV RI VR PDQ\ SHRSOH DW RQFH ´ 0V *DPHU VDLG &56 ZDV ZRUNing with Caritas Iraq to provide “food, emergency living supplies DQG K\JLHQH LWHPV OLNH VRDS ´ Mr El-Mahdi told CNS that an urgent priority is to get more water, portable latrine and other wash facilities in place to meet growing needs of the displaced as numbers LQFUHDVH +H VDLG WKDW DQ LQLWLDO 1,000 families have been helped as part of an immediate response unGHUWDNHQ LQ FRQMXQFWLRQ ZLWK ,VODPLF FKDULWLHV RSHUDWLQJ LQ WKH DUHD Mr Karl Schembri of the Norwegian Refugee Council, another

LAUDATO SI’ WEBSITE LAUNCHED: 0DUNLQJ WKH ÂżUVW DQQLYHUVDU\ RI 3RSH )UDQFLVÂś HQF\FOLFDO RQ WKH HQYLURQPHQW WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH DQG 3HDFH ODXQFKHG D QHZ ZHEVLWH GHGLFDWHG WR WKH GRFXPHQW DQG HIIRUWV DURXQG WKH ZRUOG WR SXW LWV WHDFKLQJ LQWR SUDFWLFH 7KH VLWH Âą ZZZ ODXGDWRVL YD DERYH Âą ÂłZLWQHVVHV QRW RQO\ WR WKH LPSDFW RI WKH HQF\FOLFDO EXW DOVR WKH FUHDWLYLW\ DQG JHQHURVLW\ RI WKH SHRSOH RI *RG HYHU\ZKHUH LQ WKH ZRUOG ´ VDLG &DUGLQDO 3HWHU 7XUNVRQ FRXQFLO SUHVLGHQW 7KH FRXQFLO FHOHEUDWHG WKH ÂżUVW DQQLYHUVDU\ RI WKH GRFXPHQW /DXGDWR 6LÂś RQ -XQH „ CNS

organisation aiding the displaced, said, “Conditions inside displacePHQW FDPSV NHHS GHWHULRUDWLQJ KXQGUHGV UHPDLQ ZLWKRXW DQ\ form of shelter or protection from the elements in the scorching KHDW ´ 7HPSHUDWXUHV LQ WKH )DOOXjah area range from 32 to 40 deJUHHV &HOVLXV LQ -XQH “Pregnant women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities are collapsing of exhaustion with scant medical services and aid available in the FDPSV ´ KH DGGHG „ CNS

They have escaped ‘ DFWLYH ÂżJKWLQJ DQG DW OHDVW DUH LQ VRPH VDIHW\ QRZ ’ Âą 0U +DQL (O 0DKGL ,UDT FRXQWU\ GLUHFWRU RI &DWKROLF 5HOLHI 6HUYLFHV

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%ORZ ZKLVWOH RQ WUDIĂ€FNLQJ DW 2O\PSLFV 5HOLJLRXV VD\ OLJLRXV DJDLQVW KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNLQJ Brothers and Sisters in Brazil are The campaign was being launched urging everyone attending the for the Summer Olympics in Rio Olympic Games to report instances GH -DQHLUR IURP $XJ 7KH ULVN RI H[SORLWDWLRQ DJDLQVW of exploitation of vulnerable people ZRUNHUV ZRPHQ DQG FKLOGUHQ LQDQG WR WXUQ LQ VXVSHFWHG WUDIÂżFNHUV creases in the run-up to and Their campaign, Play during major events, for Life, invites tourists, which can be used to deresidents and visitors ceive people “with false ÂłWR WDNH D VWDQG QRW promises of more jobs to submit passively to and a better life,â€? said the arrogance of those a Talitha Kum press rewho want to manipuOHDVH RQ -XQH late and use everything, “The city of Rio even sports and life, /RJR IRU WKH 3OD\ IRU for power, pleasure /LIH FDPSDLJQ CNS photo de Janeiro is one of the main Brazilian citand greed,â€? according ies that attracts tourists who are WR D JOREDO QHWZRUN RI 5HOLJLRXV Talitha Kum, an international interested in buying sex, even with QHWZRUN RI FRQVHFUDWHG PHQ DQG FKLOGUHQ DQG DGROHVFHQWV ´ LW VDLG With on-the-street initiatives, ZRPHQ ZRUNLQJ DJDLQVW WUDIÂżFNLQJ in persons, sponsored a news con- OHDĂ€HWLQJ DQG PHHWLQJV RSHQ WR WKH IHUHQFH DW 9DWLFDQ 5DGLR RQ -XQH public, campaigners hope to raise The group unveiled a new cam- awareness that “sexual exploitapaign organised by Um Grito pela tion is not tourism, but a serious 9LGD WKH %UD]LOLDQ QHWZRUN RI 5H- YLRODWLRQ RI KXPDQ ULJKWV´ „ CNS

VATICAN CITY – Religious priests,

12 WORLD

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Church leaders voice concerns over Brexit, EU values

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OXFORD, ENGLAND – European Stanislaw Gadecki of Poznan told Catholic leaders expressed con- the country’s Catholic informacern that the decision by United tion agency, KAI, that while the Kingdom voters to leave the Eu- conference respects the voters’ ropean Union threatened unity decision, “we can’t forget unity across the continent, but they also is better than division, and that cautioned the EU bloc to rethink European solidarity is an achieveits values and priorities. ment of many generationsâ€?. In London, Cardinal Vincent Cautioning that the EU’s Nichols of Westminster, presi- “methods of functioningâ€? includdent of the Bishops’ Conference ed “many worrying featuresâ€?, the of England and Wales, said, “Our archbishop said he remained hopeprayer is that all will work in this ful “the union of European natask with respect and civility, de- tions, built on Christâ€? would still spite deep differences of opinion.â€? prevail in a “civilisation of loveâ€?. In a statement the morning af'XULQJ KLV Ă€LJKW EDFN WR 5RPH ter the vote, he said, “We pray that from Armenia on June 26, Pope in this process, the most vulner- Francis said that “Brexitâ€? shows able will be supjust how much ported and prowork remains to Our prayer is that be done by the tected, especially those who are easy all will work in this EU in promoting targets for unscrucontinental unity task with respect pulous employees while respecting and human traf- and civility, despite the differences of ÂżFNHUV :H SUD\ member countries. deep differences that our nations In Germany, will build on our Archbishop Steof opinion. ÂżQHVW WUDGLWLRQV RI fan Hesse of Âą &DUGLQDO 9LQFHQW 1LFKROV generosity, of welHamburg, told RI :HVWPLQVWHU (QJODQG come for the stranKNA Catholic ger and shelter for news agency the the needy. vote was a “step backwards for a Anglican Archbishops Justin united Europeâ€?. Welby of Canterbury and John SenFrance’s Catholic La Croix tamu of York said in a joint state- daily said the vote would oblige ment that citizens must “re-imagine Europeans “to revise their clichboth what it means to be the United esâ€? and force EU leaders to conKingdom in an interdependent tain the possible “contagionâ€? of world and what values and virtues parallel referendum demands in should shape and guide our relation- other member-states. ships with othersâ€?. Meanwhile, the BrusselsThey called for society to re- based Commission of the Bishmain “hospitable and compassion- ops’ Conferences of the European ate, builders of bridges and not Community displayed a “Prayer barriersâ€? while expressing concern for Europeâ€? on its website, invokthat some immigrants and resi- ing God’s help “in committing dents of non-British ethnicity “will ourselves to a Europe of the Spirfeel a deep sense of insecurityâ€?. it, founded not just on economic The president of the Polish treaties but also on values which bishops’ conference, Archbishop are human and eternalâ€?. „ CNS

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POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Help laypeople to help the Church and the world: pope VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church needs laypeople who look to the future, take risks and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, Pope Francis said. While laypeople must be “well-formed, animated by a straightforward and clear faithâ€? and have lives truly touched by Christ’s merciful love, they also need to be able to go out and play a major role in the life and mission of the Church, he said. The pope met on June 17 with members, consultors and employees and their family members of WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU WKH /Dity, which was holding its plenary assembly. /D\ LQYROYHPHQW ZDV LQ QR way meant to be a “proxyâ€? of the hierarchy, he said, but to participate in the saving mission of the Church as baptised members. People enter into the Church and its mission through the “doorâ€? of baptism, he said, not through priestly or episcopal ordination. “You come in through baptism and we have all come in through the same door,â€? he added. Through baptism, every Christian becomes “a missionary disciSOH RI WKH /RUG VDOW RI WKH HDUWK light of the world, leaven that transforms reality from withinâ€?. 7KDQNLQJ WKH SRQWLÂżFDO FRXQcil for all that it accomplished over the decades, Pope Francis said it was time to look to the future with hope and “to plan a renewed presence at the service of the laityâ€?, which is always “in fermentâ€? and marked by new problems. The council for the laity will

alty is an unacceptable practice that sows vengeance and does not bring justice to crime victims, Pope Francis said. No matter how serious the crime, to kill a convicted person is “an offence to the inviolability of life and to the dignity of the human person� as well as a contradiction of God’s plan and “His merciful justice�, the pope said on June 21 in a video message to participants at the 6th World Congress Against the Death Penalty. “It does not render justice to victims, but instead fosters vengeance. The commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’ has absolute value and applies both to the innocent and to the guilty,� the pope said in his message to the meeting in Oslo, Norway. The June 21-23 conference, sponsored by the French association, Together Against the Death Penalty, promotes the universal

ROME – Because most people today Vatican spokesman, said transcripts do not understand that sacramental of the pope’s off-the-cuff remarks marriage really is a bond that binds always are reviewed for precision them to each other for life, many and clarity prior to publication. marriages today can be considered “When dealing with particularly invalid, Pope Francis said. important topics, the revised text Raising a point he has made always is given to the pope himbefore, Pope Francis said that the self. That happened in this case, validity of a marriage implies that therefore the published text was a couple understands that sacra- approved expressly by the pope.â€? mental marriage is a bond that truPope Francis told participants ly binds them to another for their that when he was Archbishop of entire lives. Buenos Aires, Argen“We are living in tina, he banned “shot7KH FULVLV RI a culture of the provigun weddingsâ€? from PDUULDJH LV sional,â€? he told particCatholic parishes beipants in the Diocese EHFDXVH SHRSOH cause the strong soof Rome’s annual pressure to marry GR QRW NQRZ ZKDW cial pastoral conference placed on a couple exWKH VDFUDPHQW LV pecting a baby could on June 16. The idea of com- WKH EHDXW\ RI WKH mean they were not mitments being fully free to pledge VDFUDPHQW temporary “occurs themselves to each everywhere, even in other for life through priestly and Religious life. The pro- the sacrament. visional. And for this reason a large It was important, he said, that majority of sacramental marriages the couples were not abandoned, are null. They say ‘yes, for my but were assisted by the Church. whole life,’ but they do not know Many of them, he said, “after what they are saying because they two or three years would marry. have a different culture,â€? he said. I would watch them enter the 7KH 9DWLFDQ SUHVV RIÂżFH SXE- church – dad, mum and the child lishing a transcript the next day, holding their hands. They knew adjusted the pope’s words to read, well what they were doing.â€? “A part of our sacramental mar“The crisis of marriage is beriages are null because they [the cause people do not know what spouses] say, ‘Yes, for my whole the sacrament is, the beauty of life,’ but they do not know what the sacrament; they do not know they are saying because they have that it is indissoluble, that it is for a different culture.â€? one’s entire life,â€? he said. “It’s dif-HVXLW )U )HGHULFR /RPEDUGL ÂżFXOW ´ „ CNS

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A father helps his daughter light a candle in a church. Laypeople need to be able to play a major role in the mission of the Church, Pope Francis told PHPEHUV RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU WKH /DLW\ &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

be merged with two other dicasterLHV Âą FUHDWLQJ D QHZ 9DWLFDQ RIÂżFH for laity, family and life – which will begin functioning on Sept 1. Many laypeople, the pope said, would generously and gladly dedicate their effort, talents and time to serving the Gospel “if they were included, valued and accompanied with affection and dedicationâ€? by

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Death penalty ‘fosters vengeance’ VATICAN CITY – The death pen-

Too many couples don’t realise marriage is for life, pope warns

abolition of the death penalty. Growing opposition to the death penalty as a legitimate means of social defence is “one sign of hopeâ€?, the pope said The Year of Mercy, he added, also can serve as an occasion globally to promote “more evolved forms of respect for the life and dignity of each personâ€?. “It must not be forgotten that the inviolable and God-given right to life also belongs to the criminal,â€? he said. The pope called on conference participants to also work towards improving prison conditions “so that they fully respect the human dignity of those incarceratedâ€? and promote the rehabilitation of convicts. Âł7KHUH LV QR ÂżWWLQJ SXQLVKPHQW without hope!â€? he said. “Punishment for its own sake, without room for hope, is a form of torture, not of punishment.â€? „ CNS

priests and Church institutions. After underlining the importance of well-formed laypeople, the pope spoke off-the-cuff, saying, “We need laypeople who take risks, who get their hands dirty, who are not afraid of making mistakes, who go forward. We need laypeople with a vision of the future, not closed up in the trivial things in life.� Young people need lay adults, especially the elderly, who can offer them their experience, wisdom and dreams, he said. The young “need the dreams of the elderly�, who – instead of being disposed of – should be “pushed� and encouraged to revitalise their dreams and “give us the power of new apostolic points of view�, he said. „ CNS

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14 POPE IN ARMENIA

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Pope urges Christian unity,

Holy Father calls for ‘joint action’ between Chri YEREVAN, ARMENIA – A solid, thodox cathedral at Etchmiadzin sorrow-tested Christian faith gives DQG DGGUHVVLQJ JRYHUQPHQW RIÂżbelievers the strength to overcome cials later at the presidential palace, HYHQ WKH PRVW KRUULÂżF DGYHUVLW\ did not focus on the tragedy, but on forgive one’s enemies and live in the faith of the country’s three milpeace, Pope Francis said. lion people, the need for reconciliaArriving in Armenia for his vis- tion and peace in the region and the it from June 24-26, Pope Francis role of Christians in showing the went straight to the twin concerns world that faith is a power for the of his three-day visit: Promoting good of humanity. Christian unity and honouring the “This sign of love eloquently determined survival of Armenian bespeaks, better than any words Christianity decan do, the meanspite a historic ing of friendship This sign of massacre and decand fraternal charades of Soviet ity,â€? the pope said. love eloquently domination. In a world The high pro“marked by divibespeaks, ÂżOH RI WKH SRSHÂśV sions and conbetter than any ecumenical conĂ€LFWV DV ZHOO DV cern and the imby grave forms of words can do, portance of faith in material and spirthe meaning Armenian culture itual poverty,â€? he were highlighted said, people expect of friendship by making the Christians to proand fraternal WULSÂśV ÂżUVW RIÂżFLDO vide a witness and appointment a visit example of mutual charity. to the cathedral of esteem and close – Pope Francis the Armenian Apcollaboration. ostolic Church at All examples Etchmiadzin. of brotherly love and cooperation, )RU WKH ÂżUVW WZR HYHQWV RQ despite real differences existing the papal itinerary, the English among Christians, the pope said, translations of the speeches of the “radiate light in a dark night and a pope’s hosts – the Armenian Or- summons to experience even our thodox patriarch and the country’s differences in an attitude of charity president Serzh Sargsyan – repeat- and mutual understanding.â€? edly used the word “genocideâ€? to Catholicos Karekin II, patridescribe the deaths of 1.5 million arch of the Armenian Apostolic Armenians at the hands of the Ot- Church, echoed the pope’s emphatoman Turks between 1915 and sis on the importance of Christian 1918. cooperation “for keeping and cherPope Francis, visiting the Or- ishing Christian ethical values in

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Pope prays for Armenian genocide victims YEREVAN, ARMENIA – In silence

and in prayer while a mournful hymn was sung, Pope Francis formally paid tribute to the estimated 1.5 million Armenians killed by Ottoman Turks from 1915-18. Visiting the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, a monument to the martyrs, Pope Francis wrote in the guestbook, “May God preserve the memory of the Armenian people. Memories should not be watered down or forgotten; memory is a source of peace and of the future.� The words were in addition to those the pope had planned to write on June 25, praying that humanity would never again know the large-scale massacre of a people and that by remembering such tragedies of the past, people would learn to vanquish evil with good. Accompanied by the Armenian Orthodox patriarch, Catholicos Karekin II, and by bishops and clergy

from both the Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches, Pope Francis blessed a wreath of yellow DQG ZKLWH Ă€RZHUV SODFHG EHIRUH WKH towering stone shards that protect WKH HWHUQDO Ă€DPH DW 7VLWVHUQDNDEerd. He and the catholicos deVFHQGHG D IHZ VWHSV WR WKH Ă€DPHÂśV basin and laid roses at its edge before praying several minutes in silence. There were no speeches at the memorial, only scripture readings, prayers and hymns, including one that described the dead as “images of the Lamb of Godâ€? led to the slaughter “without opening their mouths to deny the Lord or the homeland.â€? A long, basalt memorial wall outside is engraved with the names of the cities of the victims. The opposite side of the wall is decorated with plagues honouring those who denounced the massacre and came to the rescue of the victims. „ CNS

Pope Francis and Catholicos Karekin II, patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, pour water on a tree in a model of Noah’s Ark during an ecumenical meeting in Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia, on June 25. The pope highlighted Christian unity as one of the objectives in his Armenia visit. CNS photo

the world [and] for strengthening love� which is the only path to true security and prosperity. He told the pope, “after the destruction caused by the Armenian

Genocide and the godless years of the Soviet era, our Church is living a new spiritual awakening.� Nearly 90 percent of Armenia’s population belongs to the Arme-

nian Apostolic Church; Catholics, mostly belonging to the Easternrite Armenian Catholic Church, make up almost 10 percent of the population. „ CNS

End persecution of religious minorities ARMENIA – Pope Francis and Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II urged common action on behalf of persecuted Christians, welcome for refugees and defence of the family. The pope and the Oriental Orthodox patriarch signed their joint declaration at the end of Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia on June 26. While their joint declaration mentioned the progress made in the RIÂżFLDO &DWKROLF 2ULHQWDO 2UWKRGR[ theological dialogue and their hopes for its continuation, the heart of the text focused on common Christian action to relieve suffering. “We are witnessing an immense tragedy unfolding before our eyes,â€? the two leaders said. “Countless innocent peopleâ€? are “being killed, displaced or forced into a painful and uncertain exile by continuing conĂ€LFWV RQ HWKQLF HFRQRPLF SROLWLFDO and religious grounds in the Middle East and other parts of the world.â€? “Religious and ethnic minorities have become the target of persecution and cruel treatment to the point that suffering for one’s religious belief has become a daily reality,â€? they said. The Christians being martyred for their faith belong to different Churches and their suffering “is an ‘ecumenism of blood,’ which

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p transcends the historical divisions between Christians.� The two leaders prayed that the terrorists waging war on Christians and other minorities would convert, and they also prayed that “those who are in a position to stop the violence� would hasten to do so. “We implore the leaders of nations to listen to the plea of millions of human beings who long for peace and justice in the world, who demand respect for their God-given rights,

who have urgent need of bread, not guns,â€? the declaration said. While focused on the headlinegrabbing war in Syria, the two leaders did not ignore the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave in Azerbaijan where the majority of people are ethnic Armenians and had voted for independence. The joint declaration urged “a peaceful resolutionâ€? of the FRQĂ€LFW „ CNS

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POPE IN ARMENIA 15

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

y, honours genocide victims

hristians during his June 24-26 visit to Armenia

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‘We believe and experience that the Church is one’ GYUMRI, ARMENIA – Celebrating the only public Mass scheduled for his three-day visit to predominantly Orthodox Armenia on June 25, Pope Francis told thousands of people in Gyumri’s Vartanants Square that memory, faith and merciful love must be the foundations of their lives. The joy that comes from encountering Christ, he said, “renews our life, makes us free and open to surprises, ready and available for the Lord and for others.� The exercise of charity renews and rejuvenates the Church, he said. “Concrete love is the Christian’s calling card; any other way of presenting ourselves could be misleading and even unhelpful,� he said, because Christians are called to be known by their love.

Pope Francis urged the Armenian people to continue on the path of dialogue and respect, especially among members of the Armenian Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches. Catholicos Karekin II was present for the pope’s celebration of Mass, a gesture the pope reciprocated the next day in Yerevan. He attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the patriarch at Etchmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In his homily, Catholicos Karekin told his faithful and his guests, “During these days together with our spiritual brother, Pope Francis, with joint visits and prayers we UHFRQÂżUPHG WKDW WKH +RO\ &KXUFK of Christ is one in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ in the world, in taking care of creation, standing

All Christians share the mission of ‘the strengthening of solidarity among nations and peoples’. – Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II People attend Pope Francis’ celebration of Mass in Vartanants Square in Gyumri, Armenia, on June 25. CNS photo

against common problems, and in the vital mission of the salvation of man.� All Christians, he said, share the mission of “the strengthening of solidarity among nations and peoples [and the] reinforcing of brotherhood and collaboration.�

The catholicos warned of modern attacks on the faith, including D VHOÂżVK ODFN RI FRQFHUQ IRU ÂłWKRVH who long for daily bread and are in pain and suffering,â€? as well as other “economic, political, social, environmentalâ€? problems. Invited to address the gathering,

Pope Francis said, “We have met, we have embraced as brothers, we have prayed together and shared the gifts, hopes and concerns of the Church of Christ.� “We believe and experience that the Church is one,� the pope said. „ CNS

Pope: Christians should apologise to gays, exploited women ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ARMENIA – Catholics and

other Christians not only must apologise to the gay community, they must ask forgiveness of God for ways they have discriminated against homosexual persons or fostered hostility towards them, Pope Francis said. “I think the Church not only must say it is sorry to the gay person it has offended, but also to the poor, to exploited women� and anyone whom the Church did not defend when it could, he told reporters on June 26. Spending close to an hour answering questions from reporters travelling with him, Pope Francis was asked to comment on remarks reportedly made a few days previously by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of the German bishops’ conference, that the Catholic Church must apologise to gay people for contributing to their marginalisation. At the mention of the massacre in early June at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Pope Francis closed his eyes as if in pain and shook his head in dismay. “The Church must say it is sorry for not having behaved as it should many times, many times – when I say the ‘Church,’ I mean we Christians because the Church is holy; we are the sinners,� the pope said. “We Christians must say we are sorry.�

A gay person, “who has good will and is seeking God, who are we to judge him?� said Pope Francis, echoing what he had said in the past. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear, he said. “They must not be discriminated against. They must be respected, pastorally accompanied.� The pope said people have a right to complain about certain gay-pride demonstrations that purposefully offend the faith or sensitivities of others, but that is not what Cardinal Marx was talking about, he said. Pope Francis said when he was growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, part of a “closed Catholic culture,� good Catholics would not even enter the house of a person who was divorced. “We Christians have much to apologise for and not just in this area,� he said, referring again to its treatment of homosexual persons. “Ask forgiveness and not just say we’re sorry. Forgive us, Lord.�

Women deacons Pope Francis also was asked about

JRHV ZHOO EH\RQG DQ\ RIÂżFHV WKH\ hold. “Women think differently than we men do,â€? he said, “and we cannot make good, sound decisions without listening to the women.â€? 'XULQJ WKH LQĂ€LJKW QHZV FRQference, Pope Francis also said: He believes “the intentions of Martin Lutherâ€? were not wrong in wanting to reform the Church, but “maybe some of his methods were not right.â€? The Church in the 1500s, he said, “was not exactly a model to imitate.â€? Retired Pope Benedict XVI is a “wise man,â€? a valued adviser and a person dedicated to praying for the entire Church, but he can no longer be considered to be exercising papal ministry. “There is only one pope.â€? The Great and Holy Council of the world’s Orthodox Churches, which took place from June ZDV DQ LPSRUWDQW ÂżUVW VWHS in Orthodoxy speaking with one voice, even though four of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches did not attend the meeting in Crete. When he travels to Azerbaijan in September, he will tell the nation’s leaders and people that the Armenian leaders and people want peace. The two countries have been in a situation of tension since 1988 over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan. „ CNS

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A man cries as he kneels on June 21 at a makeshift memorial for his brother and other victims of the shootings in Orlando, Florida. Pope Francis has called on Christians to apologise to the gay community for discrimination and fostering hostility towards them. CNS photo

his agreeing to a request by the women’s International Union of Superiors General to set up a commission to study the historic role of female deacons with a view toward considering the possibility of instituting such a ministry today. Both Sr Carmen Sammut, president of the Sisters’ group, and Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect

The Church must say it is sorry for not ‘having behaved as it should many times.’

– Pope Francis

of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, have sent him lists of names of people to serve on the commission, the pope said. But he has not yet chosen the members. As he did at the meeting with the superiors, Pope Francis told the reporters that his understanding was that women deacons in the early Church assisted bishops with the baptism and anointing of women, but did not have a role like Catholic deacons do today. Pope Francis insisted the role of women in the Catholic Church

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16 OPINION

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

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VATICAN’S MESSAGE FOR HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

Christians, Muslims called to imitate God’s mercy &16 ¿OH SKRWR

VATICAN CITY – God asks Chris-

tians and Muslims to be forgiving, merciful and compassionate towards others, especially those in need, said a high-ranking cardinal. “We are saddened to see so PDQ\ YLFWLPV RI FRQĂ€LFWV DQG YLolenceâ€?, in particular the elderly, children and women, as well as people who suffer from human WUDIÂżFNLQJ SRYHUW\ LOOQHVV QDWXral disasters and unemployment, VDLG &DUGLQDO -HDQ /RXLV 7DXUDQ SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO Council for Interreligious Dialogue. “We cannot close our eyes to these realities, or turn away from these sufferingsâ€?, making it vital that “all work together in assisting those in needâ€?, he said in his annual message to Muslims for AiGLOÂżWUL WKH IHDVW PDUNLQJ WKH HQG of the monthlong Ramadan fast. It

Muslims breaking their fast during Ramadan in Damascus, Syria.

is celebrated on July 6 in Singapore this year. The message was titled, Âł&KULVWLDQV DQG 0XVOLPV %HQHÂżciaries and Instruments of Divine

Mercy,� and it focused on the common belief in a merciful God. “We, Christians and Muslims, are called to do our best to imitate God,� the message said. God, who is merciful, “asks us to be merciful and compassionate towards others, especially those who are in any kind of need. So, too, he calls us to be forgiving of one another.� The cardinal said it was “a source of great hope when we experience or hear of Muslims and Christians joining hands to help the needy�. Not only are people heeding God’s command, he said, they are showing God’s mercy and “thus offering a more credible witness, individually and communally, to our beliefs�. May God “help us to walk always along the path of goodness and compassion,� he said. „ CNS

The struggle to love our neighbour “THE most damaging idolatry is not the golden calf but enmity against the other.â€? The renowned anthropologist, Rene Girard, wrote that and its truth is not easily admitted. Most of us like to believe that we are mature and big-hearted and that we do love our neighbours and are free of enmity towards others. But is this so? In our more honest, more accurate perhaps, in our more humble moments, I think that all of us admit that we don’t really love others in the way that Jesus asked. We don’t turn the other cheek. We don’t really love our enemies. We don’t wish good to those who wish us harm. We don’t bless those who curse us. And we don’t genuinely forgive those who murder our loved ones. We are decent, good-hearted persons, but persons whose heaven is still too predicated on needing an emotional vindication in the face of anyone or anything that opposes us. We can be fair, we can be just, but we don’t yet love the way Jesus asked us to, that is, so that our love goes out to both those who love us and to those who hate us. We still struggle, mightily, mostly unsuccessfully, to wish our enemies well. But for most of us who like to believe ourselves mature, that battle remains hidden, mostly from ourselves. We tend to feel that we are loving and forgiving because, essentially, we are well-intentioned, sincere, and able to believe and say all the right things; but there’s another part of us that isn’t nearly so noble. The Irish Jesuit, Michael Paul Gallagher, (who died recently and will be dearly missed) puts this well when he writes (In Extra Time): “You probably don’t hate anyone, but you can be paralyzed by daily negatives. Mini-prejudices and knee-jerk judgements can produce a mood of undeclared war. $FURVV EDUEHG ZLUH IHQFHV LQYLVLEOH EXOOHWV Ă€\ ´ /RYLQJ WKH RWKHU as oneself, he submits, is for most of us an impossible uphill climb. So where does that leave us? Serving out a life-sentence of mediocrity and hypocrisy? Professing to loving our enemies but not doing it? How can we profess to be Christians when, if we are honest, we have admit that we are not measuring to the litmus test of Christian discipleship, namely, loving and forgiving our enemies? Perhaps we are not as bad as we think we are. If we are still struggling, we are still healthy. In making us, it seems, God factored in human complexity, human weakness, and how growing into deeper love is a life-long journey. What can look like hypocrisy from the outside can in fact be a pilgrimage, a Camino walk, when seen within a fuller light of patience and understanding. St Thomas Aquinas, in speaking about union and intimacy, makes this important distinction. He distinguishes between being in union with something or somebody in actuality and being in union with that someone or something through desire. This has many applications but, applied in this case, it means that sometimes the heart can only go somewhere through desire rather than in actuality. We can believe in the right things and want the right things and still not be able to bring our hearts onside. One example of this is what the old catechisms (in their unique wisdom) used to call “imperfect contritionâ€?, that is, the notion that if you have done something wrong that you know is wrong and that you know that you should feel sorry for, but you can’t in fact feel sorry for, then if you can wish that you could feel sorry, that’s contrition enough, not perfect, but enough. It’s the best you can do and it puts you at the right place at the level of desire, not a perfect place, but one better than its alternative. And that “imperfectâ€? place does more for us than simply providing the minimal standard of contrition needed for forgiveness. More importantly it accords rightful dignity to whom and to what we have hurt. 5HĂ€HFWLQJ RQ RXU LQDELOLW\ WR JHQXLQHO\ ORYH RXU QHLJKERXU American novelist Marilynne Robinson submits that, even in our failure to live up to what Jesus asks of us, if we are struggling honestly, there is some virtue. She argues this way: Freud said that we cannot love our neighbour as ourselves, and no doubt this is true. But since we accept the reality that lies behind the commandment, that our neighbour is as worthy of love as ourselves, then in our very attempt to act on Jesus’ demand we are acknowledging that our neighbour is worthy of love even if, at that this point in our lives, we are too weak to provide it. And that’s the crucial point: In continuing to struggle, despite our failures, to live up to Jesus’ great commandment of love we acknowledge the dignity inherent in our enemies, acknowledge that they are worthy of love, and acknowledge our own shortcoming. That’s “imperfectâ€? of course, but, I suspect, St Thomas Aquinas would say it’s a start! „

COMMENTARY 17

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Gender theory: a questionable view of the human person Nick Chui looks at gender theory and what Pope Francis says about it “It’s every man’s right to have babies if he wants them. Don’t you oppress me.â€? “I am not oppressing you Stan, you haven’t got a womb!â€? – From the movie Life of Brian “My boy, he loves all things elephant and wants to be one when he grows up. Who am I to crush his little dreams?â€? If you want to be an elephant, be an elephant‌because this is zootopia, anyone can be anything! – From the movie Zootopia In the 1979 movie Life of Brian, an argument ensues between four characters over whether their struggle against an oppressive government should include a “man’s rights to have babies if he wants themâ€?. The group’s leader is adamant that such an idea is abVXUG 7R D VXJJHVWLRQ WKDW ÂżJKWLQJ for such a right can be a symbol of struggle against oppression, he blithely dismissed it as “symbolic of a struggle against realityâ€?. In 2016, the body is no longer seen as “realityâ€?, the boundary for which our aspirations must reasonably respect. This fact seems to be borne out, in the hit Disney movie Zootopia, which featured an imaginary world where anthropomorphic animals live together in relative harmony. In one particular scene, Judy +RSSV WKH ÂżUVW IHPDOH UDEELW SROLFH RIÂżFHU HQFRXQWHUV )LQQLFN apparently a young fox who loves “all things elephant and wants to be one when he grows upâ€?. He GRQV DQ HOHSKDQW FRVWXPH PDNHV HOHSKDQW WRRWV ZLWK KLV ÂłWUXQN´ and wants to eat an elephant-size SRSVLFOH )DU IURP GLVFRXUDJing him, Judy Hopps sees this as something to be encouraged. The young fox has every right to be an elephant when he grows up. Anyone can be anything they so desire if they so put their heart to it. If we put these two movies side by side, we ultimately see two irreconcilable views of the human person. In Life of Brian, WKH ERG\ LV D UHDOLW\ WKDW ÂłVSHDNV´ It offers clues for correct behavLRXU )LJKWLQJ DJDLQVW RSSUHVVLRQ is a good thing but physical reality is not oppression. To achieve happiness, one should strive to harmonise one’s desires with the language of one’s body. Not so in the movie Zootopia. 7KH ERG\ GRHV QRW ÂłVSHDN´ ,W RIfers no clues for correct behaviour. )LJKWLQJ RSSUHVVLRQ PD\ VRPHWLPHV PHDQ ÂżJKWLQJ SK\VLFDO UHDOity, which, if it gets in the way of your will/desire, is oppressive. To achieve happiness, one should manipulate one’s body if necessary to PDNH LW FRQIRUP WR RQHÂśV GHVLUHV This shift in attitude towards the human person has been inspired by

A rookie bunny cop and a fugitive fox are seen in this in a scene from the animated movie Zootopia. According to the writer of this commentary, the movie ÂľRIIHUV QR FOXHV IRU FRUUHFW EHKDYLRXU )LJKWLQJ RSSUHVVLRQ PD\ VRPHWLPHV PHDQ ÂżJKWLQJ SK\VLFDO UHDOLW\ Âś CNS photo

ZKDW LV NQRZQ DV ÂłJHQGHU WKHRU\ ´ )RU JHQGHU WKHRULVWV VWDWHPHQWV OLNH Âł, DP D JLUO VR , PXVW DFW OLNH D girlâ€? and vice versa are inherently oppressive. Gender theorists insist that there is a distinction between: a) sex which is biological and dependent on the chromosomes and sexual genitalia, and b) gender ZKLFK LV LQĂ€XHQFHG E\ FXOWXUH DQG upbringing. Gender has nothing to do with sex and is what society imposes on people as “naturalâ€?.

An example 7R WDNH DQ H[DPSOH ZKHQ VRPHRQH FRQFOXGHV WKDW ÂłD JLUO PXVW DFW OLNH D JLUO E\ NQRZLQJ WKDW KHU SODFH LV in the homeâ€?, based on the biological fact that women give birth to children, that person is engaged in “gender stereotypingâ€?. There is nothing intrinsic about a woman’s biological sex which says that she must stay at home. Saying this often becomes an excuse to deprive women of an education and opportunities to advance in their professional lives. Women in this context ZRXOG EH DEOH WR ÂżQG WKHLU ÂłWUXH selfâ€? by being liberated from such oppressive gender stereotypes. 7DNLQJ WKLV IXUWKHU JHQGHU theorists argue that the true self can be discovered only in the will. 7R WDNH D FXUUHQW FRQWURYHUV\ LI D ELRORJLFDO PDOH LGHQWLÂżHV KLPVHOI as a “femaleâ€?, it would be oppressive to tell him that this cannot be his true self as it is against biology. In this case, liberation would mean him being able to use the bathroom of his choice. )RU &DWKROLFV DQG SHRSOH RI good will, the question has to be

DVNHG ,V VXFK D VKLIW D VLJQ RI progress or a dangerous step in the wrong direction? How can we even decide upon an answer? The method of philosopher Etienne Gilson might be helpful here. Gilson was a historian of philosophy who traces what he believes to be the claims of dubious philosophical positions to their logical conclusion. In that, he hoped to show that what seemed to be an initially helpful statement leads logically to absurdity. If we apply this to gender theory, we can see how it leads inevitably to incoherence. If the will is the only determinant of the true self, than one is logically forced to identify children not as “he� or “she� based on biology but to use the generic word “babyself� until they are old enough to choose their gender. To do otherwise is to impose an identity on the helpless other. )XUWKHU SUREOHPV DULVH ZKHQ

In his latest Apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis LGHQWLÂżHG among the myriad threats to family life, ‘the ideology of gender’.

a person who is a thorough-going practitioner of gender theory attempts to help their child decide their gender. Should children be exposed and made to dress in what has previously been recognised as “male� and “female� attire so that they can eventually decide for themselves? Does this not seem to be a form of child abuse, a recipe for causing confusion in children?

Alternative The alternative to gender theory, which locates the discovery of the true self through the dynamic interaction between body and mind, does not suffer from these logical absurdities. It is able to assert that social equality is better served by recognising that man and woman are different yet complementary and thus equal in dignity. It is able to recognise that there will be peoSOH ZKR ZRXOG KDYH GLIÂżFXOWLHV LQ

accepting their biological sex. Instead of suggesting the mutilation of the body through “gender reassignmentâ€? surgeries, it would strive to help them in the harmonisation of body and mind. In his latest Apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, (n.56) Pope )UDQFLV LGHQWLÂżHG DPRQJ WKH myriad threats to family life, “the ideology of genderâ€?. ,Q UHPDUNDEO\ VWURQJ ODQJXDJH WKH +RO\ )DWKHU LQVLVWV WKDW VXFK DQ LGHRORJ\ VHHNV WR ÂłVXQder what are inseparable aspects of realityâ€? and “falls into the sin RI WU\LQJ WR UHSODFH WKH &UHDWRU´ True liberation begins when we realise that we are not omnipoWHQW Âł&UHDWLRQ LV SULRU WR XV DQG must be received as a gift. At the same time, we are called to protect our humanity, and this means, LQ WKH ÂżUVW SODFH DFFHSWLQJ LW DQG respecting it as it was created.â€? The writer holds a Masters in Theological Studies from the John Paul II Institute of Marriage and Family and is vicepresident of the Catholic Theology Network. He will give a talk on this topic at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria St, Conference Room (inside canteen) on July 8 at 7.45 pm. „

18 BIBLE SUNDAY MESSAGE

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

By Fr Robert Daniel

t i i t 5 V t W

In the last 50 years, there has been a renewed interest in biblical studies both in the Catholic and the Protestant circles. More progressively the current direction of the Catholic Church seems to point towards her desire to have theological, spiritual and ecclesiastical roots planted deeply in the Word of God. The three-volume publication of the work of Pope Benedict XVI on Jesus of Nazareth in 2007 is WUXO\ D VLJQLÂżFDQW FRQWULEXWLRQ WR this renewed interest in the study of Scripture especially Biblical Christology. With the rise of this new enthusiasm among Christians, there arises also a need to have a balanced and a holistic reading and interpretation of Scripture.

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Two extreme approaches Dissociating the Old Testament from the New Among some Christians, there is a tendency to disassociate the Old Testament from the New Testament. Some even regard the Old Testament as inferior to the New. There are others who think like Marcion (second century) who considered Christianity as radically different from Judaism. Marcion believed that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. Early Church Fathers rejected Marcion’s view for it severed the continuity of the revelation of God which begins in the Old and apexes in the New Testament. This continuity is a fundamental link between the Old and the New Testaments. In fact, the New Testament authors themselves used the Old Testament extensively in their writings to demonstrate not only well-grounded theological UHÀHFWLRQV EXW DOVR WR VKRZ WKHLU UHÀHFWLRQV DQG SURSKHFLHV ZHUH LQdeed part of the ongoing revelation of God in biblical history which includes both the Old and the New Testaments. In order to demonstrate this essential method of theological reÀHFWLRQ XVLQJ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW as the foundation, modern biblical writers have shown that there are approximately more than 1,000 direct, indirect or partial Old Testament quotations found in New Testament writings. We notice that even Jesus himself used Old Testament quotations in his arguments and rhetoric with the Scribes and the Pharisees. For example, in a debate on divorce, Jesus referred to Gen 2:24 (cf. Matt 19:5); He also quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 when he was confronted with the devil in Matt 4:4 or Luke 4:4; He quoted Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:17-19 at the beginning of his mission.

There are many more instances of Jesus’ use of Old Testament in his preaching. The expression “The scripture says‌â€? has been used 48 times in the Gospel in reference to the Old Testament in general. Such literary ingenuity and references to the Old Testament are expressions of historical and hermeneutic of continuity between the Old and the New Testaments. We cannot discount this continuity so easily! Literal and Allegorical Meanings Extremely, we too have Christians who give in to another position of assigning literal and allegorical meanings to the Old Testament texts. Such proponents simplistically interpret the entire Old Testament as a symbolic representation of that which is found in the New Testament. Such an exaggerated interpretation makes the Old Testament so absorbed in the New that its unique status is completely lost. However, the allegorical and literal interpretations are not to be completely compromised but to ascertain that they have their time and value in the overall world of the interpretations. Also to note that far-fetched allegorical and literal interpretations can cause both the NT and the OT writings to lose their value,

importance and historicity, which eventually can lead us to naive and VXSHUÂżFLDO VSLULWXDOLW\ :H RXJKW WR be cautious not to fall into any of these two extreme positions. What we truly need is a balanced understanding and interpretation of the Old and the New Testaments which can be achieved ÂżUVWO\ E\ DFNQRZOHGJLQJ WKH XQLW\ and the diversities found in the respective testaments. A coherent biblical theology as

to interpret the Old Testament as preparing the way for Christ. In this way, we consider that the Old Testament prepares the reader in understanding the New Testament through the value of the Old. In fact, the New Testament writers themselves have presented Jesus in all his words and deeds as WKH IXOÂżOPHQW RI WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW Namely, there are 16 instances of the Old Testament quotations in the Gospel of Matthew pointing at Jesus

The New Testament authors themselves used the Old Testament extensively in their writings to demonstrate not only well-grounded theological UHĂ€HFWLRQV EXW DOVR WR VKRZ WKHLU UHĂ€HFWLRQV and prophecies were indeed part of the ongoing UHYHODWLRQ RI *RG LQ ELEOLFDO KLVWRU\ ZKLFK LQFOXGHV ERWK WKH 2OG DQG WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQWV a discipline presupposes that the two testaments are one aspect of the unity and diversity, continuity and discontinuity within the canon of the scripture.

-HVXV LV WKH IXOĂ€OPHQW RI WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW :ULWLQJV One classical approach of explaining the relationship between the Old and the New Testaments is

DV WKH GLUHFW IXOÂżOPHQW RI WKH -HZLVK Scripture (eg 1:22-23; 2:5-6; 2:15; 2:17-18; 2:23; 3:3-4; 4:14-16; 8:17; 11:10; 12:17-21; 13:14-15; 13:35; 15:7-9; 21:4-5; 26:54-56; 27:9-10). There are also other numerous instances in the Gospels and other writings in the New Testament demRQVWUDWLQJ -HVXV DV WKH IXOÂżOPHQW of the Old Testament prophecies. These theological idea of ‘Promise-made’ (OT) and ‘Promise Ful-

ÂżOOHG’ (NT) are indeed crystal clear themes connecting both testaments. The New Testament writers were convinced and they believed that Jesus was the true and awaited Messiah. He was to come and fulÂżO DOO WKDW ZDV IRUHWROG LQ WKH 2OG Testament. St John highlights the purpose of his Gospel,“EXW WKHVH DUH ZULWWHQ WKDW \RX PD\ EHOLHYH WKDW -HVXV is the Christ, the Son of God, and WKDW EHOLHYLQJ \RX PD\ KDYH OLIH LQ his nameâ€? (John 20:31). It was this conviction of the identity of Jesus which was translated into writings by the New Testament writers.

Jesus Christ is the KHUPHQHXWLF NH\ WR WKH UHYHODWLRQ RI *RG In Salvation History, Jesus Christ is the crucial reference point. He is the pivotal point where every idea, image and theme converges as we have seen in the previous paragraph. Jesus is the hermeneutic key to the interpretation of the revelation of God that runs through the Old and the New Testaments. “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many DQG YDULRXV ZD\V E\ WKH SURSKHWV EXW LQ WKHVH ODVW GD\V KH KDV VSRNHQ WR XV E\ D 6RQ� (Heb. 1:1–2). Even Jesus himself understands his calling and mission in relation

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

to the Old Testament, namely dur- ry), Hilary of Poitiers (4th century), ing his ministry of teaching Jesus Augustine of Hippo (5th century) indicated that the Hebrew Scrip- too had demonstrated the similar tures pointed to himself. In John conviction and belief in their writ5:39, we read “<RX VHDUFK WKH ings. When reading their writings, VFULSWXUHV EHFDXVH \RX WKLQN WKDW LQ WKHP \RX KDYH HWHUQDO OLIH DQG LW LV we discern this conviction and belief that Christ is indeed the climax WKH\ WKDW WHVWLI\ RQ P\ EHKDOI.â€? In the story of Emmaus, Luke DQG GHÂżQLWLYH LQWHUSUHWLYH NH\ WR depicts how Jesus himself inter- the revelation of God. St Jerome, preted the scripture to the two be- fourth century bible scholar nailed wildered disciples who were on this utter conviction of the Early their way from Jerusalem to Em- Fathers in these words: “,JQRUDQFH maus, â€œâ€Ś EHJLQQLQJ ZLWK 0RVHV RI VFULSWXUH LV ,JQRUDQFH RI &KULVWâ€? DQG DOO WKH SURSKHWV +H LQWHUSUHW- (conf. St Jerome’s commentary on HG WR WKHP LQ DOO WKH VFULSWXUHV WKH Isaiah). There is no scripture without WKLQJV FRQFHUQLQJ KLPVHOIâ€? (24:27). Christ! Christ is the Later, when they centre of all that we were found in Je-HVXV LV WKH believe in. All that we rusalem he said to KHUPHQHXWLF believe gain its meanthem, “7KHVH DUH P\ NH\ WR WKH ings in and through ZRUGV WKDW , VSRNH WR LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ Christ Jesus. \RX ZKLOH , ZDV VWLOO Everything that ZLWK \RX WKDW HYHU\RI WKH we teach, all that we WKLQJ ZULWWHQ DERXW UHYHODWLRQ say about God and the PH LQ WKH /DZ RI RI *RG WKDW relationship between 0RVHV WKH SURSKHWV DQG WKH SVDOPV PXVW UXQV WKURXJK God and his people EH IXOÂżOOHG 7KHQ KH WKH 2OG DQG depend on our understanding of Jesus RSHQHG WKHLU PLQGV WR WKH 1HZ Christ. Therefore, eveXQGHUVWDQG WKH VFULS7HVWDPHQWV rything pertaining to WXUHV‌.â€? (Lk 24:44our faith depends on 45). When the time came for the our relationship with Christ. This is Christian tradition to be written as both the point of departure and the a Gospel, John tells us that the pur- point of arrival! pose of those writings was to point to Jesus as the Christ too, “%XW Acknowledgement WKHVH DUH ZULWWHQ VR WKDW \RX PD\ FRPH WR EHOLHYH WKDW -HVXV LV WKH 0HVVLDK WKH 6RQ RI *RG DQG WKDW 7KH 5HJLRQDO %LEOLFDO &RPPLVVLRQ WKURXJK EHOLHYLQJ \RX PD\ KDYH LV YHU\ JUDWHIXO WR )U 5REHUW 'DQLHO 66/ 3DULVK 3ULHVW RI 2XU /DG\ OLIH LQ KLV QDPHâ€? (20:31). Not only the New Testament RI /RXUGHV 3DULVK 6LOLELQ 3HUDN authors spoke of this with ardent IRU WKLV \HDUÂśV %LEOH 6XQGD\ 0HVconviction, the Early Fathers of VDJH )U 5REHUW KROGV D /LFHQWLDWH the Church especially Sts Irenaeus LQ 6DFUHG 6FULSWXUH IURP WKH 3RQ(2nd century), Origen (3rd centu- WLÂżFDO %LEOLFDO ,QVWLWXWH 5RPH „

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. How does reading the Old and the New Testaments as narratives of 3URPLVH )XOÂżOPHQW make us realise the effective saving plan of God whereby we ourselves are actively a part of it? 2. How does Christ, the centre of

all interpretations, challenge our radical Christian faith and its response to the world? 3. How do we study or interpret the Word of God? Do we interpret both the OT and the NT in reference to each other or do we interpret them in isolation?

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

After He chose His Twelve Apostles, Jesus gave His friends the power to cure illnesses and drive unclean spirits out of people. The Lord told His friends to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. When they came to a town, they were to ÂżQG D ZRUWK\ SHUVRQ WR VWD\ ZLWK $QG if a community did not want to listen to their preaching, they were to leave and not associate with unbelievers. Jesus warned His friends that He was sending them among wolves – people who might want to hurt or even kill them because they preached in His name. He told them not to worry, because God’s Spirit would help them when they faced trouble. “Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and

have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved,� Jesus said. Even though Jesus described some very scary things, He reminded His friends that God loves all of His creations, especially mankind. “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows,� Jesus said. The Lord explained that He did not come into the world to bring peace, but the sword. He said that people in the same family would get mad at each other and become enemies because some would believe in Him and others would not. “For I have come to set a man

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Christina the Astonishing St Christina the Astonishing was born in Belgium in 1150. When she was about 22, she suffered from a seizure and everyone thought she had died. Her body was placed in an open FRI¿Q GXULQJ KHU IXQHUDO 0DVV (YHryone was surprised and frightened when she suddenly woke up and her body soared to the roof of the church. 6KH VDLG VKH KDG EHHQ GHDG DQG ZDV ¿UVW LQ KHOO WKHQ LQ KHDYHQ For the rest of her life, Christina acted very oddly. She said she could not stand the smell of sinful people and would do anything to get away from them. She lived as a beggar, and her last years were spent in a convent. Although she frightened many people, there were some people, including other saints, who admired her faith. She died in 1224. We remember her on July 24. „

against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household,â€? he said. Jesus reminded the apostles that those who followed Him and loved Him more than anyone else would be rewarded. Âł:KRHYHU ÂżQGV KLV OLIH ZLOO ORVH it, and whoever loses his life for my VDNH ZLOO ÂżQG LW ´ KH VDLG Âł:KRHYHU

receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.� „ Read more about it: Matthew 10

Q&A 1. To whom did Jesus want the apostles to preach? 2. What did Jesus come into the world to do?

Wordsearch: „ SWORD „ HEAD „ COIN

„ SHEEP „ SCARY „ PEACE „ TOWN „ FRIENDS „ POWER

„ HAIRS „ DEATH „ LORD

Kids’ Club: Essay: Sometimes doing the right thing is not easy. Describe a time when you did the right thing even though it was hard.

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: 1. F; 2. T; 3. F; 4. T Answer to Bible Trivia: Stone tablets

There are many places in the Bible that talk about division. Sometimes these splits are due to something good, but sometimes they are due to something bad. For example, in Genesis 1:4, when God created the earth, He created light and darkness and found them both to be good. He divided the two, calling the light day and the darkness night. In 1 Kings 11:9-13, King Solomon didn’t follow God’s laws, which the Lord found to be evil and bad. So God decided to punish Solomon by dividing his kingdom into two kingdoms, Judah and Israel. Solomon, the son of the great King David, would rule over only two of the 12 tribes, Judah and Benjamin. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explained that when the Son of Man comes to judge the nations, they will be divided into two groups, sheep and goats. The goats will be on his left and will suffer eternal punishment in hell, and the sheep will be on His right and will inherit the kingdom of heaven. „

PUZZLE: Put a “T� next to the statements that are true, and an “F� next to the ones that are false. Hints from Matthew 10 have been provided. ____ 1. Jesus told the apostles to be like wolves. (Verse 16) ____ 2. If people deny Jesus, he will deny those people in front of God. (Verses 32-33) ____ 3. Jesus said the apostles would be loved for preaching about him. (Verse 22) ____ 4. Jesus said there would be divisions between family members because of him. (Verses 34-36)

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http:// www.catholic.org.sg/chancery/ announcement-advertisement-request/. Once forms have been submitted online, kindly send us details of your event for publication at www. catholicnews.sg/whatson/ at least one month ahead of the publication date. 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 Paul’s Letter to the Galatians speaks directly to all Christians. Register: T: 84988020 (Andrew); E: cyclops135an@gmail.com. JUNE 28 TO JULY 19 BASIC CATECHIST COURSE 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 & 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 CLARITY’S CAREGIVERS TO CAREGIVERS EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR MENTAL CONDITIONS Being a caregiver for someone with mental illness is very challenging. If you are a caregiver, this programme ZLOO EHQH¿W \RX DV LW ZLOO LQFUHDVH \RXU 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-9.30pm at Agape Village. FOC. To Register: T: 6757 7990; T: 68017466. JULY 1 TO NOVEMBER 1 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER Church of St Mary of the Angels: July 10-16. 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: ( ZRJS#VRMRXUQHUV VJ : ZZZ VRMRXUQHUV VJ JULY 8 TO AUG 12 CAFE – 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 Father’s Love, The Joy of the Gospel, The Gift of the Spirit, Unwrapping God’s Gift, A Personal Pentecost, Living in the Spirit. Venue: Church of St Bernadette, Level 2, AVA room. Register: Send your name, age and contact number to 96971900. JULY 9 CANOSSIAN HERITAGE RACE FOR FUND Time: 8.30am-1pm. The Canossian Alumni Association invites ex-students DQG IDPLOLHV WR MRLQ WHDFKHUV 6LVWHUV DQG VFKRROPDWHV IRU D IXQ ¿OOHG HYHQW WR UDLVH funds for the Canossa Heritage Gallery. Race around the Civic district and challenge yourself to games and dares! Flag off at St Joseph’s Church (Victoria St) compound. Log in to donate or register: W: http://www.canossianalumni. com/en/event/detail/12838/canossianheritage-race-for-fund-2016

JULY 9 CLARITY’S TALK ON “TAKE CONTROL AND SURVIVE ANXIETY!â€? Find out the impact and the various avenues available to get help and learn the different types of anxiety disorders and treatments. Time: 10am-noon. Fee: $10 per person. At Agape Village level 1. 7A Lor 8 Toa Payoh S319264. Register: T: 68017467; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JULY 10 TO OCT 21 A DVD STUDY OF CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH - PILLAR 2 SACRAMENTS (12 WEEKS) Sunday July 10: 9.45am-10.45am at St John’s Room at CAEC. Tuesday July 12: 8pm-9.30pm / Friday July 15: 9.30am-11am at St Philip Room in IHM Parish Centre (Level 2). 24 Highland Rd S(549115). In the 2nd part of the 4-part pillar programme. Dr Sean Innerst continues to open up the treasures of CCC. FOC. Organised by BAT@IHM. T: 97303358 (Christina) / 90999493 (Laura) E: BAT@ihm.sg JULY 11 TO OCT 31 MSGR AMBROSE VAZ: LETTER TO THE HEBREWS AND BOOK OF TOBIT Time: 8pm-10pm: Are you struggling in your faith, or feeling weary with the demands of Christian life or a growing indifference to your calling? Letter to the Hebrews invites us to persevere in our Christian faith and to restore our lost fervour we once had. Organised by the Chuch of the Holy Spirit Discover Ministry. Registration is required. Venue: #02-05, Church of the Holy Spirit, 248 Upper Thomson Road. Register: T: 90102829 (Kim); E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com JULY 12 TO NOV 22 BIBLE STUDY: 1 AND 2 SAMUEL Conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Time: 8pm-10pm. Organised by Bible Apostolate Team of Church of St Francis Xavier. No course fees. Register: E: maisielee21@ gmail.com; E: ronlee@lucas.com.sg JULY 12 TO SEPT 6 INSIDE THE BIBLE Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Venue: Church of the Holy Spirit. A DVD presentation by Fr Kenneth on understanding WKH %LEOH EULHĂ€\ VXPPDULVLQJ DQG uncovering the theology behind each book from Genesis to Revelation. Organised by the Bible apostolate team, evening session. Register: T: 97848090 JULY 13 TO OCT 12 MSGR AMBROSE VAZ: THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Join us as we follow Jesus’s footsteps and ministry here on earth. Invite your friends, even if they are non-believers, or a fellow Catholic in need of faith renewal. Together, we can learn how to be authentic disciples. Wednesday, 8pm-10pm Church of St Bernadette, 12 Zion Road, Parish Hall. Register: E: BatSB@outlook.com JULY 16 FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Mass times: 6.30am, 2.30pm (Chinese), 4.30pm. 6.30pm. Venue: Carmelite Monastery, 98 Bukit Teresa Rd, S099750 JULY 24 CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION MONTHLY MASS Time: noon. Venue: Holy Innocents High School hall, 1191 Upper Serangoon Rd, S534786. Punggol parishioners and &KXUFK RI WKH 7UDQVÂżJXUDWLRQ VXSSRUWHUV are welcome to celebrate Mass with us and build our community together! For more LQIRUPDWLRQ : ZZZ WUDQVÂżJXUDWLRQ VJ JULY 27 TO JULY 29 THE HOLY ONES AND THAT TAINTED THING A triduum in preparation for the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola. July 27: Ignatius of Loyola and the Society of Jesus (Fr James Tan, SJ). July 28: James Alberione and the Daughters of St Paul (Sr Wendy Ooi, FSP) July 29: Therese Couderc and the Religious of the Cenacle (Sr Linda Lizada, 5& ,QSXW UHĂ€HFWLRQ VKDULQJ DQG SUD\HUV from 8pm-10pm at Church of St Ignatius. Confessions will be heard from 7:30pm. JULY 29 TO JULY 31 PRAYER EXPERIENCE RETREAT A stay-in retreat designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and to deepen their prayer experience. It is especially

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. APRIL 29, 2016 TO APRIL 10, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST TERESA Every Friday evening from 7.45pm9.45pm at the auditorium, (level 3) of the parish house. Address: 510 Kampong Bahru Rd, S099446. Register: W: www.stteresa.org.sg/rcia/ T: 62711184; E: stteresa@singnet.com.sg MAY 5, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 RCIA @ BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Time:7.30pm-9pm. Venue: St James Room (Level 3). Register; E: rcia@bsc.org.sg; T: 64740582 MAY 8, 2016 TO MAY 2017 RCIY @ ST FRANCIS XAVIER FOR BAPTISM IN 2017 Youths between the ages of 13 to 23 who have not received the Sacrament RI &RQÂżUPDWLRQ DUH LQYLWHG WR MRLQ XV Register: http://tinyurl.com/sfxrciy. Enquiries: Mark at tctay60@gmail.com or Angela at angela.soh137@gmail.com. MAY 11, 2016 TO APRIL 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Every Wednesday from 7.30pm-9.45pm. Registration forms are available at the Church secretariat. Venue: 91 Toa Payoh Central, S310175. W: www.risenchrist.org.sg MAY 11, 2016 TO MAY 30, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Every Wednesday from 7.45pm-9.45pm. Venue: Sts Peter & Paul room (Level 3, IHM Parish Centre, 24 Highland Road). Registration forms can be downloaded from our church website. Email to rcia@ihm.sg or drop it off at RXU SDULVK RIÂżFH XSRQ FRPSOHWLRQ For more information: 96273835 (Nancy); 96162001 (Agnes)

recommended for Conversion Experience Retreat participants, following their conversion experience. This retreat will be conducted by Fr Ignatius Yeo and will be held from July 29, 9am to July 31, 6pm. Registration opens on June 17. Registration forms are available at http://www.csctr.net AUG 1 TO SEPT 5 REGISTRATION FOR CONFRATERNITY OF THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE The CCD programme at the Church of St Ignatius offers faith formation for students attending international schools and who follow the September to May academic calendar. Classes (Grade 1 to 7) are offered on either Tuesdays or Thursdays from SP SP 7KH &RQÂżUPDWLRQ SURJUDPPH LV offered on Sundays from 3:30pm-5:20pm. Register: W: http://www.stignatius.org.sg/ Mini stries/Faith- Formation/CatecheticalMinistry/CCD/Registration AUG 4 TO NOV 10 MSGR AMBROSE VAZ LECTURES: HISTORICAL BOOKS-RUTH, JONAH, JUDITH, TOBIT Thursday evenings from 8pm-10pm. At Church of St Ignatius, level 1 St Ignatius Hall. No pre-registration required. All are ZHOFRPH &RPH DQG HQMR\ WKH OLYLQJ ZRUG of God! E: henrythwu@gmail.com

MAY 27, 2016 TO MAY 26, 2017 CANTONESE RCIA @ CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL Every Friday from 8pm-9:30pm. At Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Level 2 room 8. For enquiries: T: 63363606; T: 97120452 (Bosco) MAY 27, 2016 TO APRIL 15, 2017 RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE At Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, St Carlo room. Time: 7.45pm-10pm. &RQWDFW 7 SDULVK RIÂżFH E: martinds52@gmail.com 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 are DYDLODEOH DW WKH SDULVK RIÂżFH )RU PRUH details, E: rcia@sfxchurch.sg. JUNE 14, 2016 TO MAY 9, 2017 RCIA @ HOLY TRINITY Who is Jesus? Want to know more? Time: 7.45pm-9.45pm. Please register ZLWK WKH SDULVK RIÂżFH RI +RO\ 7ULQLW\ E: rciaht@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

AUG 13 TO DEC 10 COMMON SENSE PARENTING The workshop gives parents and caregivers a set of skills to manage children and teen behaviours without affecting their self-esteem. Dates: Aug 13, 20, 27; Sept 17, 24; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22; Nov 5, 12, 19, 26; Dec 3, 10. Every Saturday from 9am-1pm. Organised by: Morning Star (Seng Kang Centre) 261B Seng Kang East Way, #01-400 S(542261). Fees: $64.20/ pax $85.60/couple. W: http://www. morningstar.org.sg/e vents_CSP.html AUG 19 TO AUG 21 DIOCESAN VOCATION DISCERNMENT RETREAT How open are you to the Lord’s calling? Come spend a meaningful weekend at this retreat at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat House, 46 Kovan Road. Registration: E: seminariansonline@gmail.com; E: diocesanvocations@catholic.org.sg. Closing date for registration: Aug 12.

NATIVITY 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 1, 2016 TO APRIL 18, 2017 RCIY @ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Time: 8pm-10pm: Non-baptised youths DJHG WR FRPH DQG MRLQ XV 9HQXH Church of the Risen Christ, 91 Toa Payoh Central, S319193. Register: E: rciy@ risenchrist.org.sg; T: 98572241 (Sherwin). 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 are available at the SDULVK RIÂżFH 7 -RQDWKDQ 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/Ministr ies/Faith-Formation/RCIAMinistry/For registration enquiries; 7 3DULVK RIÂżFH 96286472 (Sandra)

AUG 20 TO AUG 21 PRAYING OUR LIFE’S QUESTIONS: A VOCATION RECOLLECTION Aug 20, 9am to Aug 21, 1pm. This retreat will help young women pray and discern some common questions: What will I do with my life? Is this all there is to life? Does God have a plan for me? It offers a glimpse into one life option - Religious life in the Cenacle. Open only to single women, 21-35 years old. Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. T: 65652895; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com AUG 26 TO AUG 28 A SPIRITUALITY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE This weekend retreat will deal with the experience of transition that moves us into a stage of personal growth and development. Participants will work with material on the crisis of limits, emphasising this life VWDJH DV DQ LQYLWDWLRQ WR VSLULWXDO MRXUQH\ Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. For more information: T: 65652895, 97223148; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com

AUG 4 TO OCT 6 10-WEEKS DVD BIBLE STUDY ON THE BOOK OF PSALMS A DVD study by Jeff Cavins. Time: 8pm10pm. At the heart of the Bible are the psalms - prayers and word from God that help us to pray, confess, lament or sing praise. We can pray with the psalms in all of life’s situations. Organised by the Biblical Apostolate Team Church of Christ The King at Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. Register: T: 98321538 (Lene) or E: ctkbat@hotmail.com AUG 9 DEACON CORNELIUS CHING SACERDOTAL ORDINATION Time: 10am. Venue: Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “God Loves a cheerful giver�. Come pray and celebrate with Deacon Cornelius! Information on ticket sales for sit-down lunch ($400 per table), please call parish secretariat at 62800980 or email rsvp@nativity.sg

Pope Benedict’s anniversary:

Pope Francis greets retired Pope Benedict XVI during a June 28 ceremony at the Vatican marking the 65th anniversary of the retired pope’s priestly ordination. CNS photo

24

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Sunday July 10, 2016 „ CatholicNews

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