AUGUST 12, 2012, Vol 62, No 16

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY AUGUST 12, 2012

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INSIDE

ARCHBISHOP’S NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE

‘Freely you have received, freely give’ Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Years ago, our forefathers pulled together and worked hard to build this country. As our nation celebrates its 47th birthday, it is an RSSRUWXQH WLPH WR UHÀHFW KRZ IDU we have come together as a nation. We have certainly enjoyed many good years of economic boom and low unemployment. Today we live in a modern citystate, a vibrant City in a Garden where we enjoy the fruits of our labour! However, there are poor and needy who fall below the radar. While Government schemes and assistance programmes help, there are those who fall through the social safety nets. The poor and needy may not be very visible in our society but they do exist. These individuals and their families depend heavily on donations. Last year was a record year for charitable giving in Singapore. Tax-deductible donations to local charities hit $896 million, the highest in the 10 years that records have been kept, according to the annual report of the Commissioner of Charities. Donations to charity and economic growth usually go hand in hand, but the record amount of donations that rolled in last year – when economic growth slowed down – refutes this trend. With the rising costs of living, this is comforting news indeed! It speaks well of Singaporeans – that we have a generous spirit and empathy for the less fortunate and vulnerable, for as

VOL 62

HOME The Kings and I Young people stage dramas on Old Testament leaders Page 2

Breaking fast with Muslims Members of different faiths join Muslims for Ifta Page 4

ASIA Aung San Suu Kyi meets with Christians Yangon archbishop hosts dialogue session Page 9

HK Church rejects civics course Education bureau’s course allegedly praises one-party rule

Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). It is such a spirit that will hold us together as one people. Not just as citizens of Singapore but part of a larger compassionate and loving community. As Catholics, the onus is on us to strive daily to be Christ-like,

abiding in His love, opening our KHDUWV WR WKH QHHG\ DQG UHÀHFWLQJ the Christian virtues of humility, gentleness, charity and love for one another. For by “not neglecting to show hospitality to strangers some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1) Together we can achieve much – so let the light of Christ

shine forth such that we can work hand-in-hand in peace and harmony towards building a more compassionate, generous and gracious society. May we continue to uphold our moral values and may our respective faith communities alZD\V VWULYH WR UHDI¿UP WKH SULQcipal tenets of the Singapore Pledge by promoting religious harmony, justice and peace in our multi-racial and multi-religious nation. I wish all Singaporeans a Happy and Blessed National Day. Yours in Christ,

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WORLD Being Catholic and having a questioning mind Is this possible, asks an American nun Page 16

FEATURE Vatican strives to improve its PR Realises need to face media squarely Page 19

2 HOME ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Aug 09 10.00am Church of St Anne: Mass – Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacon Samuel Lim $XJ DP &KXUFK RI 6W 6WHSKHQ 0DVV ¹ &RQ¿UPDWLRQ $XJ DP $VVXPSWLRQ 3DWKZD\ 6FKRRO 2I¿FLDO 2SHQLQJ Ceremony 6.30pm Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace: Mass – Feast of the Assumption $XJ DP &KXUFK RI 6W %HUQDGHWWH 0DVV ¹ &RQ¿UPDWLRQ 6.00pm Church of the Risen Christ: Mass – Catholic Nurses’ Guild

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Young people bring biblical kings to life A young actor (in green) portrays King Jeroboam during the Kings and I event organised by the Youth of Saint Anthony.

By Andrew Chng Over three Fridays, people who entered the Church of St Anthony auditorium for a special youth-organised programme experienced the glow of greenish lights on “mossy� cave walls covered with “vines�. Candles enhanced the ambience as the audience watched two 20-minute drama performances on July 6, 13 and 20 while enjoying a four-course dinner. That was the setting of the Kings and I programme organised by the Youth of Saint Anthony (YSA). The different performances over the three evenings portrayed kings from the Old Testament, from well-known ones like David and Saul, to lesser known ones such as Hezekiah, and a Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. Each performance presented a different moral lesson for the audience. For example, the Children’s Liturgy Ministry’s portrayal of King Solomon highlighted his gift of wisdom and how he ultimately fell prey to promiscuity and idolatry. The 30 to 40 guests who attended on different nights – rang-

Over three evenings, young people from the Church of St Anthony portrayed kings such as David, Saul, Hezekiah and Nebuchadnezzar. ing from the parents of the actors to members of the various ministries and other parishioners – were given UHĂ€HFWLRQ VKHHWV DQG HQFRXUDJHG WR share their thoughts with one another after each performance. For example, after the play on King Solomon, guests were enFRXUDJHG WR UHĂ€HFW RQ ZKDW WKH\ would ask for if God granted them what they desired. Mervyn and his wife, Janice, a catechumen from the RCIA, said WKH SOD\ SURPSWHG WKHP WR UHĂ€HFW deeper on its message. “What we’ll do is to go back and read more about the kings in the Bible,â€? shared one of them. “I understand that we should believe more in God and less in our pride,â€? shared another

guest, Mr Marchiano Walean. The Kings and I programme was held in conjunction with the parish’s Bible Sunday month. The programme aimed to “bring about a greater awareness of the Kings in the Old Testament and at the same time showcase the capabilities of the youthâ€?, said Ms Carlyn Tan, WKH KRVW IRU WKH ÂżUVW HYHQLQJ This is the fourth year that the parish has organised the programme. According to the organisers, different teams from the youth PLQLVWULHV DQG &RQÂżUPDWLRQ FDWechism classes produced the plays after doing research on the king they wanted to portray. The teens wrote the scripts and directed the show all on their own. Costumes for the kings were also specially designed with difIHUHQW FRORXUV GHSLFWLQJ VSHFLÂżF character traits. The young people said they found working together on the productions an invaluable experience. Markus Chin, 13, said he learnt a lot about the value of team ZRUN +H PLJKW ÂżQG LW GLIÂżFXOW WR achieve something on his own, but with a group of friends, it is possible, he said. „

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Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

S’porean ordained in San Francisco By Darren Boon The Church is more than simply a place to pray. It is “also a way immigrants remember homeâ€?, ZKHUH WKH\ ÂżQG VSDFH WR UHPHPEHU WKHLU RZQ FXOWXUHV DQG WUDGLWLRQV VDLG D 6LQJDSRUHDQ ZKR ZDV RUGDLQHG D SULHVW LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV )U )HOL[ /LP ZDV RUGDLQHG DW WKH &DWKHGUDO RI 6W 0DU\ RI WKH $VVXPSWLRQ LQ 6DQ )UDQFLVFR &DOLIRUQLD RQ 0D\ 7KH ROG ER\ RI 6W -RVHSKÂśV ,QVWLWXWLRQ ZKR ZRUNHG ZLWK LPPLJUDQWV LQ 3KLODGHOSKLD DV D OD\SHUVRQ VDLG KLV RZQ LPPLJUDQW H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH 86 LV XVHIXO LQ KHOSLQJ KLP XQGHUVWDQG WKHLU SOLJKW Âł)HHOLQJ GLVSODFHG LV EDVLFDOO\ invisible, perhaps even to the per-

son who is experiencing it,â€? he WROG &DWKROLF1HZV LQ DQ HPDLO +RZHYHU SULHVWV FDQ ÂłGUDZ WKLV UHDOLW\ LQWR WKH RSHQ DQG PDNH it visibleâ€?. 3ULHVWV FDQ ÂłVHHN WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH KLGGHQ ZRXQGV RI VXFK people through active questionLQJ XVLQJ D NLQG RI LPDJLQDWLYH empathetic inquiry through which people give voice to the changes WKH\ KDYH WR IDFH´ KH VDLG Fr Lim is currently serving DV D SDURFKLDO YLFDU DW 6W &HFLOLD &KXUFK LQ 6DQ )UDQFLVFR ,W LV D large parish serving over 2,000 IDPLOLHV )U /LP VDLG DQG KH LV ÂłVWLOO JHWWLQJ DFFOLPDWHG WR SDULVK OLIH´ 7KH IRUPHU 1DWLRQDO -XQLRU &ROOHJH VWXGHQW JUDGXDWHG ZLWK WZR EDFKHORU GHJUHHV IURP WKH

Fr Felix Lim, a former SJI student, seen here with family members after his ordination at the Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption.

8QLYHUVLW\ RI 3HQQV\OYDQLD DQG D PDVWHUÂśV IURP WKH :KDUWRQ 6FKRRO RI %XVLQHVV +H ZRUNHG LQ WKH ÂżQDQFH LQGXVWU\ IRU HLJKW \HDUV DQG KDG EHHQ OLYLQJ LQ WKH 6DQ )UDQFLVFR

Priests can ‘seek to understand the hidden wounds of people through active questioning’. – Fr Felix Lim

%D\ DUHD ZKHQ KH FRQWDFWHG WKH VHPLQDU\ WKHUH WR GLVFHUQ D SRVVLEOH SULHVWO\ YRFDWLRQ IRU KLPVHOI )U /LP VDLG KLV SDUHQWV DQG KLV LQYROYHPHQW LQ WKH /HJLRQ RI 0DU\ GXULQJ KLV VFKRRO GD\V ZHUH LPSRUWDQW IDFWRUV IRU KLP GHFLGLQJ to become a priest. Likening the priestly vocation WR PDUULDJH D ÂłJLIW RI JUDFH´ E\ *RG KH VDLG KH LV JUDWHIXO WKDW KLV SDUHQWV KDG VKRZQ KLP D ÂłZRQGHUIXO H[DPSOH RI VDFULÂżFLDO ORYH´ There were pain, illnesses, PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJV KXUW DQJHU FRQĂ€LFW DV ZHOO DV WKH HYHU\GD\ VWUXJJOHV RI UDLVLQJ D IDPLO\

WKURXJK GLIÂżFXOW WLPHV KH QRWHG %XW KLV SDUHQWVÂś IDLWK LQ *RG KHOSHG WKHP VWD\ FRPPLWWHG DV KXVEDQG DQG ZLIH 7KH /HJLRQ RI 0DU\ KDG DOVR OHG KLP WR D ÂłGHHSHU GHVLUH WR VHUYH *RG WRWDOO\ WKURXJK WKH SULHVWKRRG´ )U /LP VKDUHG ,W LV D ÂłWUHPHQGRXV SULYLOHJH WR EH FDOOHG WR WKH SULHVWKRRG´ KH VDLG DGGLQJ WKDW WKH ÂłPDQ\ KRO\ DQG JHQHURXV SULHVWV DQG 5HOLJLRXV´ WKDW KH NQRZV LQ WKH 6DQ )UDQFLVFR DUHD KDYH EHHQ JRRG UROH PRGHOV IRU KLP „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Members of various faiths break fast with Muslim friends Members of different faith communities eat from a plate of dates during the event organised by the Muslim Kidney Action Association.

Martin See shares what it was like taking part in an Iftar (breaking of fast) session attended by people from different religions

‘

It is great to see leaders of various faiths breaking fast together and taking part in each other’s ceremonies, a Buddhist monk told me during a recent event organised by the Muslim Kidney Action Association (MKAC). I certainly shared the sentiments expressed by Venerable K Gunaratana from the Mahakaruna Buddhist Society. Thanks to an invitation from MKAC president Ameerali Abdeali, I was able to experience, in a small way, what Muslims experience when they fast during Ramadan, and how they break fast. I was one of about 30 people from various faiths – including Canossian nuns, Christian pastors, Taoist priests, Buddhist monks, and Baha’i, Jain and Hindu leaders – who attended the Iftar (breaking of fast) session held at the MKAC premises in Telok Kurau on Aug 20. MKAC has been organising this interfaith event for several years. To understand better how Muslims fast, I decided to fast that day as well. I got up at 4 am, ate, and then went without food till 7.18 pm that evening when all of us broke fast. It wasn’t easy. At about 4 pm, I started feeling very hungry and weak at work. However, when I reached the Telok Kurau venue, I forgot all about my hunger as I saw people from various religious groups chatting away happily like old friends. We then sat on the carpeted Ă€RRU DQG UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV RI WKH various faiths took turns to share. The religions that practised fasting drew parallels between their faith and what Muslims practise during Ramadan. “The call to fasting is about UHĂ€HFWLQJ RQ RXU OLYHV WR XQGHU-

stand what is important, and connecting with God,â€? shared Infant Jesus Sr Maria Lau, president of the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore. “Our faith also has fasting‌ where we give up what we are most attracted to,â€? said Mr Girish Kothanri from the Jain faith. “When I think of fasting I think of Gandhi who fasted for peace to unite India,â€? shared Mr Shriniwas Rai, a Hindu. The breaking of fast started with prayers at sunset. Trays of dates were distributed and eaten as part of the Muslim fast-breaking tradition. Participants then ate from a buffet of non-vegetarian and vegetarian halal food, placed outside the venue. )RU PH , IHOW UHOLHYHG WKDW , Âżnally had some food in my belly after more than 14 hours.

7KLV ZDV P\ ÂżUVW WLPH DW VXFK DQ LQWHUIDLWK HYHQW DQG , FHUWDLQO\ IRXQG WKH LQIRUPDO DQG ZDUP JDWKHULQJ YHU\ PHDQLQJIXO As people chatted at their tables, I got to know two people sitting across me – a Taoist woman and a Muslim man. They asked me about my work in the CatholicNews, and how I found working in a Church setting after having been in the commercial sector. 7KLV ZDV P\ ÂżUVW WLPH DW VXFK an interfaith event and I certainly found the informal and warm gathering – in which people share common ground and connect with each other – very meaningful. Those who spoke earlier were not preachy in their sharings but were candid and even cracked jokes. I felt they had a genuine desire to show how their own faiths had similarities with others, in a spirit of universal respect. As Master Tan Zhi Xia, a Taoist priestess shared with me, “I ÂżQG WKLV RFFDVLRQ KDV HPEUDFHG all our similarities as well as our diversities. We need this community bonding.â€? „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday August 12, 2012 CatholicNews

Musician wants people to ‘connect’ with God By Martin See An upcoming music concert at the Church of St Mary of the Angels will feature original compositions as well as much-loved gospel and pop songs. Local musician Terence Castillo, a parishioner of the Church of Divine Mercy, said he decided to hold the Aug 20 concert to “bring music to people to make them feel good and connect ... with God”. Castillo, the main singer at the event, will be backed up by a fourpiece band; The Seraphim Choir, a local church choir; and Jurane Solano, a 22-year-old female parishioner of St Mary’s. The concert is titled GIG, short for “God is Good”, and also a play on the word “gig”, which means a musical event. When asked about the songs he was going to perform, Castillo said he would rather not give these away before the concert as he wanted to surprise people with a mix of uplifting secular and Christian songs. “This concert is not a praise and worship session, rather it is an evening to experience God and friendships through music,” he said. “Through this concert I hope to spread the Good News through music for everyone, not just Catholics.” Castillo said he hopes to have

It was a ‘ gradual move for me – from secular music to pop and gospel music.

’

– Terence Castillo

a series of concerts in churches after this one. “Through such concerts I hope to create an awareness of a music ministry where singers and musicians can be professionally sustained,” he said. Castillo, a father of three, started his music career in 1987 as a lead vocalist with bands at night spots. He stopped singing in 1992 and worked as an events producer after a neck injury. He took up his music career in 2004, after being talent-spotted by a music agency, and sang in hotels. He also performed in two concerts at The Esplanade in 2009 and 2010. “It was a gradual move for me – from secular music to pop and gospel music,” he shared. “I used to sing the hymn How Great Thou Art at the hotels where I worked and often got requests from guests to perform that song.” Adrian Wong, 23, choir master of The Seraphim Choir, told CatholicNews that he’s “passionate about music and this drive to lead the choir is not from me but through God’s grace”. Solano, who will be performing three songs, said: “The whole concert’s spiritual. Music’s the best and probably the only way I can really connect with Him.” The concert will be held at St Clare Hall, Church of St Mary of the Angels, on Aug 20 at 7pm. Tickets: $38 each, free seating. To buy tickets, call 6338 2854 or email gig@love-ent.com martin.see@catholic.org.sg

Fr Augustine Joseph speaking to participants of the Archdiocesan Commission for Tamil-speaking Apostolate’s pastoral assembly.

Tamil ministry’s 3-year plan A recent pastoral assembly for Tamil-speaking Catholics was an enriching experience, say participants. “I have learnt and understood many things [such as] the role of the laity, the hierarchical structure of the Church and my contribution to the Church as a layperson,” said Ms Maria Selvam, a migrant worker from Tamil Nadu, India. She added that the assembly strengthened her spiritually and “I was given a chance to express my views and give opinions for the growth of the Church”.

Ms Selvam was one of 120 people, including 25 migrant workers, who attended the Archdiocesan Commission for Tamilspeaking Apostolate’s pastoral assembly on July 15. The event, held at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, saw participants discussing the Vatican II document, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, and the role of the laity. A three-year timeline was also drawn up for the group to grow spiritually, build up their community and engage in social mission.

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Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

‘Packed’ Masses impress priest Recently-arrived Fr Davaine is all praise for Catholics’ church involvement and Singapore’s greenery By Darren Boon As a missionary priest, particularly that of the Paris Foreign 0LVVLRQV 6RFLHW\ 0(3 WKH ÂżUVW thing one has to do is “learnâ€?, “seeâ€? and “listenâ€? to understand a country’s culture, says Fr Donatien Davaine. The 40-year-old French priest, who arrived in Singapore in early July, is currently assistant priest at the Church of the Holy Family. He says he is now learning more about the parish services, attending parish group meetings, and meeting parishioners. Fr Davaine said he was surSULVHG WR ÂżQG RXW WKDW WKHUH DUH ÂżYH ZHHNHQG 0DVVHV DW WKH SDULVK DQG WKDW WKH\ DUH ÂłTXLWH SDFNHG´ ZKLFK LV YHU\ GLIIHUHQW EDFN LQ France. Fr Davaine, who came from the Diocese of Troyes in Northern France, said he is impressed at the desire of the faithful here to be spiritually nourished and the importance they place on the Eucharist. He is also impressed to see many, especially the young, actively involved in parish activities.

Fr Davaine says he believes he would be able to adapt to the tropical climate soon. However, preparing homilies in English is still a bit of a challenge.

At the same time, he praised Singapore for being a “green land�, a “beautiful city� with smiling people. Prior to his arrival, Fr Davaine spent eight months studying English in London. He had also been on short mission trips to Madagascar and Tibet, and spent a year

LQ 6HRXO ZRUNLQJ LQ D FHQWUH IRU young people with family problems. Fr Davaine told CatholicNews his priestly vocation was inspired by two “beautiful� people – a great uncle and a priest chaplain of the scouting group he was involved in

during his teenage years. He entered a Benedictine monastery in 2000 after attending a retreat and experiencing a “great peaceâ€? within himself. However, when he was studying in Paris and before he proIHVVHG KLV ÂżQDO YRZV DV D PRQN he met some MEP seminarians. It was then that he started considering becoming an MEP priest. After discussions with the Benedictine abbot, he was given time to reconsider his vocation. He spent some time living

with the MEP priests in Seoul, an experience which helped him discover more about priestly misVLRQDU\ ZRUN He told CatholicNews that his earlier reservations about being a missionary priest disappeared, DQG KH QRZ ORRNV IRUZDUG WR H[periencing “new cultures, new languagesâ€?. He entered the seminary in 2008 and was ordained in June 2011. Fr Davaine says he believes he would be able to adapt to Singapore’s tropical climate within a few months. However, he still H[SHULHQFHV GLIÂżFXOW\ SUHSDULQJ homilies in English. Nonetheless, he says he ORRNV IRUZDUG WR VHUYLQJ SHRple here and acting as a bridge between his home country and Singapore. It is important for a Christian to be willing to serve not only in his country, but elsewhere as well, he says. The missionary is a gift to the Church because he reminds WKH IDLWKIXO RI WKHLU OLQNV ZLWK other churches, Fr Davaine added. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday August 12, 2012 CatholicNews

Food, faith DQG ÀQGLQJ PHDQLQJ LQ OLIH

Participants sharing their thoughts during the Food and Faith programme organised by the Verbum Dei Missionaries.

Catholic and non-Catholic young adults grappled with the deeper issues of life over a meal recently Is there more to life? Twenty-six young adults, comprising Catholics and nonCatholics, were asked this question as they gathered for a “Food and Faith” programme organised by the Verbum Dei Missionaries. The July 29 event, which saw participants discussing faith issues over sandwiches and other savoury food, was held at the community’s house at Taman Mas Merah, on the West Coast. Explaining the decision to hold the event, Verbum Dei superior Sr Maria Jose M Egido said she observed that many Singaporeans love to talk about the food they have enjoyed with their family and friends. For this reason, she was convinced that Singaporean Catholics

have “great potential to share also their faith with even greater gusto”. “The idea for ‘Food and Faith’ came about because we wanted to create an opportunity for Catholics to actively go and invite their non-Catholic friends to explore about life and the Catholic faith,” she said. “We named this event ‘Food and Faith’ because it comprises sharing our faith in the context of a meal.” The afternoon began with a UHÀHFWLYH PRPHQW GXULQJ ZKLFK participants were each given a piece of clay and were asked to mould it into a symbol to represent their lives. A portion of a documentary, entitled The Human Experience, was later shown.

“Life is worth living because it just is,” Ms Adeline Tan, a Verbum Dei Lay Disciple, shared with participants after the screening. Although people may lose

Ms Adeline Tan shared her faith journey.

hope and direction in life, it is not in the nature of life to be despairing, said Ms Tan, 34. Rather the nature of life is to be hopeful, she said. Ms Tan, who was baptised when she was 20, spoke about her journey in the Catholic faith. She attributed the many “unexpected coincidences” in her life as opportunities where God showed her His love and led her to discover the answers to the “what” and “why” of her life. She also shared that the greatest joy in life comes from loving others. She urged the participants to “be open” in their search for meaning in life. “For when we are open and genuine, we will not be disappointed” she said.

An array of assorted sandwiches and other savoury food was then served to participants as facilitators led various groups in VKDULQJ WKHLU WKRXJKWV DQG UHÀHFtions. Mr Kelvin Chia, 28, who is not a Catholic, said he attended the gathering to learn more about the faith. “I guess this will be the start of a journey for me,” he said. Ms Emily Ng, 26, who is also not a Catholic, agreed, saying she was “happy” to be in an environment where she can “express my own views”. The next Food and Faith programme is on Sept 30. Topic: Who am I? For more information, call 6274-0251 or email verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.sg

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Sunday August 12, 2012 CatholicNews

Mental-health FKDULW\ ÀQGV home in Yishun tal health/wellness programmes together with other community Clarity Singapore is expected to health services providers and soopen its permanent service centre cial agencies. on Yishun Ring Road at the end The organisation expects to be of October or in early November. part of the Community IntervenThe Catholic charity, which tion Team (COMIT) that provides caters to mental-health needs, will counselling therapy for dementia move from its temporary premises patients and caregivers as part of at the Church of Our Lady Star of 6LQJDSRUH¶V ¿UVW PHQWDO KHDOWK the Sea to the 217-sq-m facility network, called Temasek Caressituated about 1 km from Khoo iCommunity@North. Teck Puat Hospital. Aside from trainThe new premises, ing volunteers, Clarto be located in the void ity is also aiming to deck of Block 854, is a give training in men10-minute walk from tal health to social and Khatib MRT station. religious organisaThe move is in line tions when needed. with the organisation’s Ms Ang said that aims to provide mental with its new premises, health care services to Clarity hopes to serve residents in the northern at least 200 people region of Singapore, Ms Grace Ang, execu- and train 10 new volaccording to Clarity. tive director of Clar- unteers a year. Clarity The new centre ity Singapore. is also looking to hire will have three councounsellors, psycholselling rooms and a meeting/ ogists, a programme coordinator training room. There will also be and a head of programmes. a hall for talks and workshops on The centre will be opened from psycho-education, mental well- Mondays to Fridays from 9amness, and for relaxation exercises 6pm. It will also open on certain and social activities. evenings and Saturday mornings According to executive di- if the need arises, Ms Ang added. rector Grace Ang, Clarity will Clarity Singapore’s website is increase its counselling and psy- at www.clarity-singapore.org chotherapy services, start support groups, and run new men- darren.boon@catholic.org.sg By Darren Boon

Drama on St Therese seen by 100,000 people around the world, says Pascal. CANA The Catholic Centre is According to Ms Janet Lim staging a dramatic monologue on from CANA, the centre is holdthe life of St Therese of Lisieux. ing the performances to mark the The one-and-a-half hour per- Church’s Year of Faith which beformance is scheduled to be held gins on Oct 11. at the Church of Divine Mercy, At the same time, CANA also Church of the Holy Spirit and wants to honour St Therese, who Church of Our Lady of Perpetual is the patron saint of missions. Succour in September. The performance Aw a r d - w i n n i n g will open with a few actress Eva Hernansongs sung by Pascal, dez plays St Therese and end with a couple in the monologue, of songs from three Story of a Soul – St poems that St Therese Therese of Lisieux, wrote. written and directed Story of a Soul – St by Michel Pascal. Therese of Lisieux will Both actress and Actress Eva Hernan- be held at Church of director are from Paris. dez (above) plays the Divine Mercy on Sept The performance famous Carmelite nun. 7 at 8 pm, Church of is based on St Therthe Holy Spirit on Sept ese’s writings, which recount her 8 at 2 pm and 8pm, and Church life from her childhood days to her of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour life in the Carmelite monastery. on Sept 9 at 8 pm. According to Pascal, the play Tickets at $20 each can be portrays the saint’s life of simplici- purchased from CANA The Cathoty and openness, and aims to touch lic Centre at St Joseph’s Church, audiences, inviting them to discov- Victoria Street. For enquiries, call er inner peace in a restless world. 6336-4815/6336-4467 (from 11 The performance was origi- am-5 pm) or email cana@catholnally written in French and later iccentre.com.sg translated to English. It has been performed about 500 times and martin.see@catholic.org.sg By Martin See

ASIA 9

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Bhopal holds ‘Special Olympics’ in protest BHOPAL, INDIA – NGOs cam-

paigning for the victims of the Bhopal gas disaster held a “Special Olympicsâ€? on July 26. The participants were protesting against Dow Chemical, a sponsor of the Olympic Games in London, which took over from a company deemed responsible for the 1984 tragedy. The Special Olympics participants – all victims – competed in softball, crab-walking and wheelchair races close to the now abandoned Union Carbide plant that caused 20,000 deaths after a methyl-isocyanate leak. “I could have been among those competing in the Olympic Games but due to the gas tragedy I am here,â€? said participant Sitesh Lakhara, a 12-year-old boy who was born handicapped as a result of the disaster. He uses a wheelchair and has GLIÂżFXOW\ VSHDNLQJ Lakhara’s mother, who still suffers from memory loss and asthma due to pollution in the air and water, said it was important to come to the event to lodge their protest against Dow Chemical. The US-based company is due to sponsor the Olympics for a dec-

ade, a deal which campaigner Ms Rachna Dhingra said was unacceptable in light of what happened in Bhopal. “We will keep demanding termination [of the sponsorship deal] even after the games are over,� she said.

reaching violence-stricken areas of Assam state after a visit by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr Singh’s visit to the northeast Indian state included the announcement of US$54 million (S$67 million) for relief and rehabilitation in the area affected by ethnic violence that left 60 dead and 400,000 people homeless in mid-July, according to the Asian Church news agency UCA News. Catholic relief organisations were among the agencies seeking to send aid to the region for more than a week in the wake of the bloody clashes between Muslim migrants from West Bengal and Bangladesh and ethnic Bodo people. Violence erupted on July 20 after four Bodo youths were killed by Muslims. The murders followed the killing of two Muslim youths earlier in July. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, in a July 26 statement, said it was “deeply pained� by the “mindless violence and humanitarian crisis� that engulfed several districts in the northeastern Indian state. The displaced people have settled in 235 relief camps after a cycle of violence saw homes torched in three autonomous districts overseen by Bodo people.

CNS photo

By Thomas Toe

‘The most

YANGON – In the latest sign of

Bhopal memorial in honour of the victims of the gas tragedy.

The International Olympic Committee has defended its sponsorship deal with Dow Chemical, saying that the company played no role in the Bhopal gas tragedy. „ UCANEWS.COM

Aid reaches Assam after Indian prime minister visits GUWAHATI, INDIA – Relief began

Suu Kyi discusses role of young Christians in Myanmar

As the aid workers reached the worst affected areas, they were greeted by scenes of devasWDWLRQ ZLWK ULFH SDGG\ ÂżHOGV VWLOO burning 10 days after the violence erupted. “Nothing is untouched by ÂżUH ´ VDLG 6U -DFRED ZKR PLQisters in the area. “We have

Mr Jahar, a 105-year-old villager affected by ethnic riots, is carried by his son to a relief camp near Bijni in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on July 26. CNS photo

to attend to so many people and I am looking out for more volunteers.�Authorities have entrusted the Missionaries of Charity with delivering aid together with Augustinian nuns. 2I¿FLDOV IURP %RQJDLJDRQ GLocese, which includes the burnedout region, have arranged for doctors and nurses to treat the injured. „ CNS

the changes sweeping through Myanmar, 450 Christians held a conference with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on July 20 to discuss the role of young Catholics and Protestants in the new nation. Such an event would have been unthinkable even a year ago in the predominantly Buddhist country, given the previous restrictions on the Nobel Laureate and religious minorities. But following the opening of the new parliament in March last year and a subsequent series of reforms, young Christians in Myanmar should take a “greater roleâ€? in the development of the country, said Ms Suu Kyi. “The most important question is: What do we want our country to be?â€? she asked those gathered at the home of Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon. There had been few opportunities for young Myanmar people in the past, said Archbishop Bo, meaning many had suffered from unemployment. This had led a large number of the brightest young people to leave the country in search of work, he added. He urged Myanmar’s young Christians “to start running with FRQÂżGHQFH DQG WDNH SDUW LQ EXLOGing the nation, whether in education, health or social developmentâ€?. Whether or not young Christians participate in these types of

Ms Aung San Suu Kyi speaking at the opening session of the Oslo Forum in Norway on June 18. She spoke to 450 Christians gathered at the home of Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon on July 20.

activities will largely depend on KRZ FRQÂżGHQW WKH\ IHHO LQ GRLQJ so, given the previous half a century of restrictions. Ms Shaung Shaung, a young Baptist woman attending the conference, said Christians were starting to see tangible signs of greater religious freedom in Myanmar. “We need to show our ability in the right way and not bury it in a hidden place,â€? she told ucanews. com. “We should work together to get involved in the right areas for

important question is: What do we want our country to be?’

the development of our country, regardless of what religion we belong to.� In its annual assessment of religious freedom in Myanmar, conducted last September, the US State Department had noted “there was no change in the government’s limited degree of respect for religious freedom. “Religious activities and organisations were subject to restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly.� „ UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Region’s bishops briefed on Year of Faith Malaysian Vatican representative suggests initiatives for dioceses to explore during the special year By Vincent D’Silva JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – The

Vatican representative in Malaysia has encouraged the region’s bishops to use the media to evangelise during the Year of Faith. Msgr Marek Zalewski suggested to the bishops of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei that they can use “television and radio WUDQVPLVVLRQV ÂżOP DQG SXEOLFDtionsâ€? to highlight “the faith, its principles and contentâ€?. The Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuala Lumpur was speaking at a meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, held from July 23-27 in Majodi Centre, Plentong, Johor Bahru. Msgr Zalewski also urged the bishops to look at the “quality of catechesisâ€?, saying that efforts in this area will involve examining “local catechisms and various catechetical supplements in use in the particular Churchesâ€? to ensure “their complete conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Churchâ€?. At the level of dioceses, the Year of Faith is expected to provide an occasion for “renewed creative dialogue between faith and reasonâ€? among both the academic and artistic communities,

said Msgr Zalewski. In the local parishes, it is hoped that there will be a focus on the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, since in it the “faith of the Church is proclaimed, celebrated and strengthenedâ€?. Msgr Zalewski also urged the bishops to send information about the initiatives they have undertaken for the Year of Faith to a special website which has been developed for the facilitation and exchange of initiatives carried out in the Churches in mission territories. This website is a place where RQH FDQ ÂżQG DQG VKDUH XVHIXO LQformation related to the Year of Faith, he said. The Year of Faith, announced by Pope Benedict XVI, will last

Archbishops and bishops of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei pose for a photo with Msgr Marek Zalewski (back row, third from left) during their recent meeting. Photos: FRANCIS GOPAL

from Oct 11 this year to Nov 24 next year. The special year is a “response to the general crisis of faith in the world todayâ€? said Msgr Zalewski. He noted that there will be “various ecumenical initiativesâ€? aimed at forging unity among all Christians during the Year of Faith. During the meeting, the bishops discussed issues such as miJUDQWV KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNLQJ LQWHU-

faith dialogue, vocations, social communications, sexual abuse of minors, and justice and peace. The bishops also met with the Conference of Religious Major Superiors of Malaysia-SingaporeBrunei (CRMS), who were having their meeting from July 23-25. Speaking on the sidelines, outgoing CRMS president, Gabrielite Br Dominic Yeo Koh, said the group is “looking at the relations� between the bishops and the Reli-

gious “in the dioceses and countries�. “We want to see how we can make consecrated life better known and maybe also to celebrate the consecrated life in a different way from what we have been doing the past number of years,� he said. He said the CRMS wants to involve the parishes and hopes to explore this matter with the bishops. „

The Year of Faith is ‘in response to the general crisis of faith in the world today’. – Msgr Marek Zalewski, Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuala Lumpur

The Conference of Religious Major Superiors of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei seen here with Msgr Zalewski.

Priest who could speak 8 languages called to the Lord By Vincent D’Silva KLUANG, MALAYSIA – Fr Phillip Kolan-

Fr Phillip Kolandaisamy was known to be a talented priest.

daisamy, a Malaysian priest who could speak eight languages, passed away on July 29 at the Miriam Home for the Aged in Kluang, Johor. He was 74. Bishop Paul Tan of Melaka-Johor diocese, main celebrant at the July 31 funeral Mass, said, “Let us thank God for Fr Kolandaisamy and be reminded by him that we too must dedicate ourselves totally to Christ our Lord by loving and serving people as Christ did�. Concelebrating the Mass, held at the Church of St. Louis in Kluang, were Archbishop Murphy Pakiam and Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur, Bishop-elect Sebastian Francis of Penang, and

some 40 priests from Singapore and Malaysia. Archbishop Nicholas Chia of Singapore, who was at the wake a day earlier, noted that the late clergyman was greatly devoted to God and His people. “We were together in the minor seminary in Singapore for three years, six years in the major seminary in Penang, and then three years in Rome where we studied for our degree in Moral Theology at the Gregorian University,� Archbishop Chia said. Fr Kolandaisamy was born in 1937 in Kluang, and ordained at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Singapore in 1964. A linguist, he could speak French, German, Italian, Latin, Malay, Tamil, Malayalam and English. He taught English and Music in the Minor Seminary in Singapore and later served in Malacca and Johor Bahru.

In 1969 he left for Rome to pursue a degree in Moral Theology and a Diploma in Canon Law which he completed in 1972. He returned to Melaka-Johor diocese where he was made the vicar for Indian Catholics. He was Diocesan Consultor from 1976-1970 and later secretary to Bishop James Chan from 1981-1983. Fr Kolandaisamy later served in various parishes. Prior to his death he was chaplain to the Miriam Home for the Aged, Kluang while serving as parish priest of St Peter’s Church in Mersing. Among other posts he held were spiritual director of the Johor Bahru Curia of Legion of Mary, Diocesan Representative to the Malaysian Catholic Education Council and Diocesan Director of the Charismatic Renewal. „

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Sunday August 12, 2012 CatholicNews

HK Church rejects proposed civics course for its schools HONG KONG – Hong Kong diocese has decided not to launch a new controversial civics course, proposed by the Hong Kong Education Bureau, when the academic year begins in September. The Catholic Church is not against courses on nationalism, while civics is already included in Catholic schools’ religious and moral classes, Mr Francis Chan Nai-kwok from the Catholic EdXFDWLRQ 2I¿FH WROG UHSRUWHUV RQ July 18. The Hong Kong Education Bureau has proposed introducing the new Moral and National Education course in primary schools this September and in secondary schools by September next year. The subject is supposed to be compulsory three years later. It is to replace the existing Moral and Civic Education module. However, the proposed course’s teaching handbook, published by the pro-Beijing National Education Services Centre, has sparked controversy for allegedly praising one-party rule in China. A course outline also indicated that students would be required to study the calligraphy of late Chairman Mao Zedong in an attempt to learn “the perseverance and hardworking spirit of Chairman Mao”. Mr Chan had told reporters that Catholic schools require all students to develop “a passion for Hong Kong, a heart for China and a vision for the world”.

The Catholic Church in Hong Kong is the third schoolsponsoring body in the territory to suspend the launching of the new course, after the Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The three bodies manage about 30 percent of the schools in the territory. Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim said on July 18 that the new subject aims to encourage students to think independently.

Education burean’s course handbook allegedly praises one-party rule in China. He admitted the text of the teaching handbook was “biased” but said one should not see the handbook as representative of the whole course. When the new course was announced last year, retired Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong criticised it saying, “Love of our country is not identical to love of the party.” He also warned against bringing up the next generation with the wrong kind of nationalism. UCANEWS.COM

12 ASIA

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Seven Chinese priests forced from parishes following illicit ordination HARBIN, CHINA – Chinese govern-

PHQW RI¿FLDOV KDYH IRUFHG VHYHQ SULHVWV LQ +HLORQJMLDQJ SURYLQFH ZKR UHVLVWHG WKH LOOLFLW HSLVFRSDO RUGLQDWLRQ RI )U -RVHSK <XH )XVKHQJ RI +DUELQ WR OHDYH WKHLU SDULVKHV ORFDO &DWKROLF &KXUFK VRXUFHV VDLG 7KH DFWLRQ ZDV WDNHQ WKH VRXUFHV VDLG WR IRUFH WKH SULHVWV WR ³UHSHQW IRU WKHLU ZURQJGRLQJ´ UHSRUWHG WKH $VLDQ &KXUFK QHZV DJHQF\ 8&$ 1HZV 7KH SULHVWV DUH HLWKHU VWD\LQJ ZLWK SDULVKLRQHUV KDYH UHWXUQHG WR WKHLU KRPHWRZQV RU KDYH ÀHG WR RWKHU SURYLQFHV DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH VRXUFHV 3ULRU WR WKH -XO\ RUGLQDWLRQ UHOLJLRXV RI¿FLDOV ZLWKLQ WKH &KLQHVH JRYHUQPHQW ZDUQHG WKDW GLVREHGLHQW SULHVWV ZRXOG IDFH GLUH FRQVHTXHQFHV ,Q UHFHQW ZHHNV WKH\ RUGHUHG SULHVWV ZLWK ³GLVVDWLVIDFWRU\ SHUIRUPDQFHV´ WR WDNH WKUHH PRQWKV RI OHDYH IRU VHOI H[DPLQDWLRQ VRXUFHV VDLG The seven priests were either DEVHQW IURP WKH RUGLQDWLRQ RU RSHQO\ H[SUHVVHG WKHLU RSSRVLWLRQ WR )U <XH ZKR GLG QRW UHFHLYH D SDSDO PDQGDWH DQG LV VHHQ DV EHLQJ WRR FORVH WR WKH JRYHUQPHQW 7KH 9DWLFDQ GHFODUHG WKDW )U <XH LQFXUUHG DXWRPDWLF H[FRPPXQLFDWLRQ IRU SDUWLFLSDWLQJ LQ WKH LOOLFLW FHUHPRQ\ 'HVSLWH WKH DFWLRQ KH FRQWLQXHV WR FHOHEUDWH 0DVV LQ ELVKRS¶V JDUE 6LQFH WKH RUGLQDWLRQ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH VRXUFHV VRPH SULHVWV DUH DYRLGLQJ FRQFHOHEUDWLQJ 0DVV ZLWK )U <XH ZKLOH WKH QXPEHU RI 0DVVJRHUV DW WKH 6DFUHG +HDUW RI -HVXV &KXUFK LQ +DUELQ ± WKH VR FDOOHG FD-

WKHGUDO ± KDV GURSSHG VLJQL¿FDQWO\ 7KH JRYHUQPHQW LV UHTXLULQJ WKH SULHVWV WR VXEPLW D OHWWHU RI UHSHQWDQFH WR )U <XH DQG FRQFHOHEUDWH 0DVV ZLWK KLP ZLWKLQ WKUHH PRQWKV RU IDFH H[SXOVLRQ IURP WKH &KXUFK LQ +DUELQ WKH VRXUFHV VDLG 2QH RI WKH SULHVWV DOUHDG\ KDV FRQFHOHEUDWHG 0DVV ZLWK )U <XH DW WKH -XO\ FRQVHFUDWLRQ RI D QHZ FKXUFK LQ %HL¶DQ LQ +HLORQJMLDQJ SURYLQFH 0HDQZKLOH %LVKRS -RVHSK :HL -LQJ\L RI 4LTLKDU LQ QRUWKHDVWHUQ &KLQD ZKR LV QRW UHFRJQLVHG E\ WKH JRYHUQPHQW VDLG KH

The priests are either staying with parishioners, have returned to their hometowns or have ÀHG WR RWKHU SURYLQFHV H[SHFWV SROLWLFDO SUHVVXUH RQ WKH XQUHJLVWHUHG &DWKROLF FRPPXQLW\ LQ +HLORQJMLDQJ WR LQFUHDVH ³,Q SDVW GHFDGHV WKH XQUHJLVWHUHG FRPPXQLW\ LQ +HEHL SURYLQFH KDV EHHQ D PDMRU WDUJHW RI VXSSUHVVLRQ $IWHU %LVKRS 3DXO 0HQJ 4LQJOX RI +RKKRW ZDV RUGDLQHG LQ WKH XQUHJLVWHUHG FRPPXQLW\ LQ ,QQHU 0RQJROLD VXIIHUHG D VWURQJ EORZ ODVW \HDU :H FDQ DQWLFLSDWH +HLORQJMLDQJ ZRXOG EH WKH QH[W DIWHU )U <XH¶V RUGLQDWLRQ ´ KH WROG 8&$ 1HZV „ UCANEWS.COM

„ See comentary on Page 18

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Harbin City. Since the illicit episcopal ordination of Fr Joseph Yue Fusheng, Massgoers at the church had dropped VLJQL¿FDQWO\ UCANEWS.COM photo

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Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Church in England reaches out to Olympic athletes Masses, Eucharistic adoration and an Olympic Cross are just some examples MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – If the prospect of Olympic gold can spur a competitor “through years DQG \HDUV RI VDFULÂżFH DQG HIIRUW´ so much more can the constant prompting of God’s love “spur us on in our Christian journeyâ€?. Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster said this during a July 28 thanksgiving Mass for the Olympic Games now being held in London. He told the 900 Massgoers at Westminster Cathedral, some wearing national costumes, that the human body is beautiful in the eyes of God and always should be used to honour God. Âł:H ZLOO VHH PDQ\ ÂżQH VSRUWV [where] men and women use their bodies, their minds and their spirits in the quest for glory,â€? Archbishop Nichols said. “But the message of the Gospel goes deeper. It reminds us, vividly, that our bodies are for the glory of God,â€? he said. “This does not detract from that physical achievement of sport, with its beauty, symmetry, KDUQHVVLQJ RI VSHHG ÂżQHVVH DQG power,â€? he said. “Rather it enhances those achievements and gives them their deepest purpose – that of giving glory to their Maker.â€? The archbishop gave a blessing for the athletes competing in the games and asked God to keep them safe from injury and harm. In the plaza outside the catheGUDO D VFXOSWXUH RI WKH ÂżYH 2O\Ppic rings stood beneath a banner that read: Westminster Cathedral welcomes the sporting world. An Olympic torch used to FDUU\ WKH 2O\PSLF Ă€DPH DURXQG %ULWDLQ DQG ÂżQDOO\ WR WKH 2O\Ppic Stadium, was brought into the cathedral for the Mass. Six prelates, including Archbishop Roberto Gonzales Nieves of San Juan, Puerto Rico, celebrated the Mass. They were joined by eight priests, including Franciscan Fr John Pierce, chaplain to the US Olympic track and ÂżHOG WHDP DQG 3ROLVK ,WDOLDQ

Ms Natasha Hart, director of the Newham All-Stars Sports Academy and Olympic torch bearer, walking in a procession out of Westminster Cathedral after the July 28 thanksgiving Mass. &16 SKRWRV

¾:H ZLOO VHH PDQ\ ¿QH VSRUWV >ZKHUH@ PHQ DQG ZRPHQ XVH WKHLU ERGLHV LQ WKH TXHVW IRU JORU\ %XW WKH *RVSHO UHPLQGV XV WKDW RXU ERGLHV DUH IRU WKH JORU\ RI *RG œ – Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster

German and Austrian team chaplains. Mr James Parker, the Catholic Church’s executive coordinator for the 2012 Olympics, said the Mass was meant to help the faithful “make sense of the deeper sigQLÂżFDQFH RI WKH JDPHV´ For 17 days, “the Olympic Games brings the world together as oneâ€?, he said in a July 29 email to Catholic News Service. “Yet for us as Catholics, we have the profound privilege of experiencing this global unity at each and every celebration of the Mass.â€? The Catholic Church in Eng-

land is also organising round-theclock perpetual Eucharistic adoration and created an “Olympic Crossâ€? to reach out to athletes and games attendees. Âł:HÂśUH Ă€\LQJ WKH Ă€DJ IRU Christ if you like,â€? said Franciscan Fr Francis Conway of St Francis of Assisi Friary in Stratford, the Catholic Church closest to the Olympic village in London’s East End. “We will have Eucharistic adoration from 9 am to 6 pm, when another East End parish will take over from 6 pm till late, and then a third parish will continue through

A Brazilian fan is seen wearing a hat with a statue of Christ before the men’s soccer game between Brazil and Egypt on July 26.

the night until we take over again at 9 am,� he explained. Fr Conway said the parish has drafted in extra priests from Portugal, France, Colombia and elsewhere to cope with the expected pastoral demand from both Olympic participants and tourists. Over the next two weeks, the parish will hold a series of events, including prayer evenings and healing services. Catholics in England have also created an Olympic Cross. “We wanted to create a keepsake that symbolises everything the games truly represent, some-

thing we could then pass on to future Olympic host nations,� explained Mr Parker. The cross will stand at the Joshua Camp, an international Catholic Olympic gathering to be held in East London from Aug 1-13, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales reported. The camp is to provide hospitality, organise service projects and create a Catholic presence to foster spiritual growth and evangelisation. „ CNS, CNA/EWTN „ Page 28: Priest is Olympic chaplain

Road-widening project in Kathmandu affects nuns’ convent KATHMANDU – A Missionaries of Charity convent in the Nepalese capital had to be partially demolished under a road-widening project that has turned several businesses and homes into little more than piles of rubble. Bulldozers smashed the exterior walls, gate and sections of the convent on July 21 under the terms of the project, which nearly doubles the width of a road in front of the building from 24 feet (7.3 m) to 44 feet, reported

Asian Church news agency UCA News. The Sisters are responsible for paying for the demolition of part of a three-storey building used by the them. The levelled section included a chapel and a play room for the 30 or so orphaned and sick children who live at the nuns’ compound. “We were only given two days notice and then we quickly moved things from the rooms near the road as we did not know

what to expect,� said Sr Brigid Ann, local superior of the community. The Sisters have lived in the convent for almost three decades, she added. Plans to widen the road have left dozens of street vendors out of business. Those affected say the government has offered little ¿QDQFLDO FRPSHQVDWLRQ Where the demolition work has damaged walls, pipes and other infrastructure,

property owners complain that they have had to foot the bill. The convent must pay for a new wall and gate from its own funds, Sr Brigid Ann said. Bishop Anthony Sharma, who heads the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, said Church RI¿FHV HOVHZKHUH LQ .DWKPDQGX DOVR KDYH EHHQ DIIHFWHG E\ WKH SURMHFW &KXUFK RI¿cials had to build a new front gate several feet into church property. „ CNS

14 WORLD

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Govt pressure on religious groups growing in US, says archbishop NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA – Gov-

ernment pressure on religious entities “goes well beyond� the current federal contraceptive mandate and has become “a pattern in recent years�, said Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J Chaput. “It involves interfering with the conscience rights of medical providers, private employers and individual citizens,� he said in a July 27 keynote address at the Napa Institute Conference, a meeting of US Catholic leaders. “It includes attacks on the policies, hiring practices and tax statuses of religious charities, hospitals and other ministries. “These attacks are real. They’re happening now. And they’ll get worse as America’s religious character weakens,� the archbishop said in a speech titled Building a Culture of Religious Freedom. “Contempt for religious faith has been growing in America’s leadership classes for many decades,� he added. Americans have always been “a religious people�, with millions of them taking their faith seriously, he continued, but while “religious practice remains high�, America “is steadily growing more secular.� “Mainline Churches are losing ground. Many of our young people spurn Christianity. Many of our young adults lack any coherent

Mr Bob Dornan, a former Republican congressman from California, speaks in front of the US Supreme Court during the “Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally� in Washington on June 8. CNS photo

moral formation,� he said, and respect for the role of religion in the public square has clearly eroded. +H VDLG &DWKROLFV KDYH WR ¿JKW for what they believe about abor-

‘Contempt for religious faith has been growing in America’s leadership classes for many decades.’ – Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J Chaput

tion, sexuality, marriage and the family, and religious liberty. “If we want a culture of religious freedom, we need to begin it here, today, now,â€? he said. “We live it by giving ourselves wholeheartedly to God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ – by loving God ZLWK SDVVLRQ DQG MR\ FRQÂżGHQFH and courage; and by holding nothing back. God will take care of the rest.â€? +H DGGHG Âł7KH ÂżUPHU RXU faith, the deeper our love, the purer our zeal for God’s will – then the stronger the house of freedom will be that rises in our own lives, and in the life of our nation.â€? „ CNS

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Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Syrian opposition groups meet in Rome, DSSHDO IRU FHDVHĂ€UH ROME – Representatives of a dozen Syrian opposition groups FDOOHG IRU D FHDVHÂżUH LQ WKHLU homeland and the beginning of an internationally mediated dialogue to bring democracy to the country. Meeting in Rome on July 25 WKH JURXSV VDLG WKH\ DUH ³¿UPly opposed to any discrimination based on religious confession or ethnicityâ€?. The 14 men and three women involved in Syria’s pro-democracy movements met under the auspices of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Rome-based Catholic lay group that promotes dialogue and charity. “While violence is prevailing and on a rampage in our country,â€? the political opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad felt “it was important to sit together and think about a political solutionâ€?, said Mr Faiez Sara, a writer and member of the Democratic Forum, who had been imprisoned for his political activities in Syria. He said it was time to stop “the killings perpetrated by the regime or committed by the victims of the regime who have taken up weaponsâ€?. The opposition leaders signed their “Rome Appealâ€?, calling for a negotiated end to Assad’s rule and the beginning of a transition to “a Syria that is democratic, civil and safe for all, without fear and without oppressionâ€?. Also on July 26, the Catholic

A young Syrian UHEHO ÀDVKHV D victory sign on the outskirts of Aleppo province on July 30. After reciting the July 29 Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI told the crowd that he hoped that suffering Syrians would be guaranteed all necessary humanitarian assistance. CNS photo

bishops of Syria held an abbreviated summer meeting in Aleppo, which KDG EHHQ WKH VFHQH RI ÂżHUFH ÂżJKWLQJ “In Aleppo, the situation is very tense, but right now there are not problems for the Christians. There are fears that the situation could worsen and that the militants could penetrate the Christian quarters, but that has not happened,â€? Melkite Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo told Fides, the Vatican’s missionary news agency. He said the bishops decided to invite representatives of all the Christian communities in the country to gather on July 28. On July 30 the archbishop told Fides news agency, “We are all very worried about what is happening. We ask everyone to pray for a solu-

tion based on dialogue. The various Christian communities of Aleppo – Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant – have decided to join forces to meet the needs of the refugees and DOO WKRVH ZKR DUH LQ GLIÂżFXOW\ ´ Pope Benedict XVI said on July 29, “I continue to follow with apprehension the tragic and increasing episodes of violence in Syria with their sad sequence of deaths and injuries, including among civilians, and a huge number of people internally displaced or seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.â€? After reciting the Angelus with visitors at Castel Gandolfo, the pope told the crowd that he hoped that suffering Syrians would be guaranteed the necessary humanitarian assistance. „ CNS

British Christians oppose same-sex marriage MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

– In spite of widespread opposition from the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant denominations, the general public and his own party, British Prime Minister David Cameron promised to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Mr Cameron’s declaration came on July 24 during a meeting with gay, lesbian and transsexual communities at his Downing Street residence in London. He said he wanted to introduce legislation before the next general election, which must be called by 2015. The prime minister also implied that he would attempt to force the churches to accept the legislation, saying they should not be “locking out people who are gayâ€?. Religious leaders have opposed any recognition of samesex marriage and are expected to mount a massive effort to block any legislative effort to change WKH GHÂżQLWLRQ RI PDUULDJH In June, the Catholic bishops’ of England and Wales said a gay

British Prime Minister David Cameron promised to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales on July 24.

marriage law would leave the Church permanently vulnerable to legal action. In a July 26 press statement, the bishops’ conference reiterated its position. “The bishops’ position has been made clear in their formal response to the govern-

ment consultation,â€? the statement said. “They remain opposed to DQ\ DWWHPSW WR UHGHÂżQH WKH LQVWLWXtion of marriage in this country.â€? Mr Cameron said, “Of course this is very, very complicated and GLIÂżFXOW LVVXH IRU DOO WKH GLIIHUHQW Churches, but I passionately believe that all institutions need to wake up to the case for equality, and the Church shouldn’t be locking out people who are gay, or are bisexual or are transgender from being full members of that Church because many people with deeply held Christian views are also gay.â€? His remarks came just hours before the Scottish Parliament announced on July 25 that next year LW ZLOO LQWURGXFH D ODZ WR UHGHÂżQH PDUULDJH ZLWK WKH ÂżUVW JD\ PDUriages expected to be held in 2015. Speaking to STV News in Scotland, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the newly named leader of the Glasgow Archdiocese, said he believed that gay marriage would lead to criminalisation of the expression of orthodox Christian beliefs about marriage and sexuality.„ CNS

Former US secretary for clergy sentenced to prison PHILADELPHIA, USA – Common

Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina closed the latest chapter in the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Philadelphia by sentencing Msgr William Lynn to three to six years in state prison. During the sentencing hearing on July 24, after more than two hours of arguments and letters presented from victims and Msgr Lynn’s defence, Judge Sarmina handed down a sentence just shy of the maximum seven years. The former secretary for clergy, who recommended priest assignments to the archbishop of Philadelphia and investigated claims of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, was found guilty of one felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child on June 22. +H EHFDPH WKH ¿UVW RI¿FLDO RI the US Catholic Church to be convicted of a felony not for abusing a child, or even witnessing it, but for his responsibilities in managing priests, some of whom abused children. District Attorney Seth Williams

Msgr William Lynn, 61, former secretary of the clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has been sentenced for failing to protect children from clergy sex abuse. CNS photo

said the fact that Msgr Lynn, 61, was convicted not for abuse made this “a very different case�, one that is “unprecedented in American jurisprudence. We held responsible a man who did not abuse children himself, but who did not do enough to protect children.� „ CNS

Papal butler’s lawyers say he acted out of love for Church, pope VATICAN CITY – Everything Mr

Paolo Gabriele did, he did for love of the Church and the pope, said the lawyers for the personal assistant to Pope Benedict XVI accused of leaking private documents. However, Mr Carlo Fusco and Ms Cristiana Arru, the defence lawyers, said whether or not anything Mr Gabriele did was a crime will be up to Vatican magistrates or a Vatican court to determine. The lawyers spoke to reporters on July 21 after Mr Gabriele was allowed to leave a Vatican cell and return to his Vatican apartment to be with his wife and three children. He had been in custody for 60 days. Vatican magistrates said they KDG ÂżQLVKHG WKHLU LQWHUURJDWLRQ of the 46-year-old papal valet and were putting him under house arrest. The magistrates are still drafting their formal decision on whether or not they believe they have enough evidence to put Mr Gabriele on trial for his alleged part in the “VatiLeaksâ€? scandal. Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said he ex-

pected the decision to be published at the end of July or beginning of August. The report also will be given to the pope, Fr Lombardi said. Pope Benedict already has received the ÂżQDO FRQFOXVLRQV RI D VHSDUDWH LQvestigation by a commission of three retired cardinals, appointed to investigate a series of leaks of Vatican documents. The pope, after reading the reports, could decide “how to go forwardâ€?, either allowing the process to continue or forgiving the man who had worked in the papal apartment since 2006, the spokesman said. Mr Fusco said Mr Gabriele cooperated with Vatican investigators “very broadlyâ€? throughout the investigation. “One thing Paolo repeated to us and to the judge was that he always was and still is motivated by a desire to do something that would be an act of helping, an act of love for the pope.â€? “There was no network, no conspiracy inside or outside the Vatican related to Paoloâ€? and his actions, Mr Fusco said. „ CNS

MARIAN IMAGE ON TREE? A scar on a tree (left) on a street in West New York, New Jersey, in the US, has been drawing the crowds. Some claim it looks like Our Lady of Guadalupe. However, Mr Jim Goodness, a spokesman for Newark archdiocese, says it is “a natural occurrenceâ€?. “We are just hoping that when people speak to the priests that they can get guidance ... in terms of looking for this as an opportunity for ÂżQGLQJ D GHHSHU PHDQLQJ RI IDLWK ´ he said. Crowds began to form at the site from July 14, and the tree has been dubbed the “Virgin Mary treeâ€?. „ CNS

16 WORLD

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Being Catholic and having a questioning mind Is this possible, asks a US nun in a radio interview WASHINGTON – &RQÀLFW EHWZHHQ

WKH /HDGHUVKLS &RQIHUHQFH RI :RPHQ 5HOLJLRXV /&:5 LQ WKH 86 DQG WKH 9DWLFDQ &RQJUHJDWLRQ IRU WKH 'RFWULQH RI WKH )DLWK ERLOV GRZQ WR ZKHWKHU RQH FDQ ³EH D &DWKROLF DQG KDYH D TXHVWLRQLQJ PLQG´ WKH FRQIHUHQFH¶V SUHVLGHQW VDLG LQ D UDGLR LQWHUYLHZ )UDQFLVFDQ 6U 3DW )DUUHOO DOVR WROG 1DWLRQDO 3XEOLF 5DGLR¶V )UHVK $LU SURJUDPPH KRVW 7HUU\ *URVV LQ WKH -XO\ LQWHUYLHZ WKDW VKH ZRXOG OLNH WR VHH GLVFXVVLRQ DERXW ZKHWKHU ³IUHHGRP RI FRQVFLHQFH LQ WKH &KXUFK >LV@ JHQXLQHO\ KRQRXUHG´ ³2QH RI RXU GHHSHVW KRSHV LV WKDW LQ WKH ZD\ ZH PDQDJH WKH EDODQFLQJ EHDP RI WKLV SRVLWLRQ ZH¶UH LQ LI ZH FDQ PDNH DQ\ KHDGZD\ LQ KHOSLQJ WR FUHDWH D VDIH DQG UHVSHFWIXO HQYLURQPHQW ZKHUH &KXUFK OHDGHUV WRJHWKHU ZLWK UDQN DQG ¿OH &DWKROLFV FDQ UDLVH TXHVWLRQV RSHQO\ DQG VHDUFK IRU WUXWK IUHHO\ ZLWK YHU\ FRPSOH[ DQG VZLIWO\ FKDQJLQJ LVVXHV WKDW ZH IDFH LQ RXU GD\ ´ VKH VDLG ³7KDW ZRXOG EH RXU KRSH ´ VKH DGGHG ³%XW WKH FOLPDWH LV QRW WKHUH ´ 6U )DUUHOO ZDV GLVFXVVLQJ WKH 9DWLFDQ RUGHUHG GRFWULQDO DVVHVVPHQW RI /&:5 ZKLFK KDV DERXW OHDGHUV RI 86 ZRPHQ¶V 5HOLJLRXV FRPPXQLWLHV DV PHPEHUV DQG UHSUHVHQWV DERXW SHUFHQW RI WKH FRXQWU\¶V ZRPHQ 5HOLJLRXV 7KH DVVHVVPHQW VDLG UHIRUP ZDV QHHGHG WR HQVXUH /&:5¶V ¿GHOLW\ WR &DWKROLF WHDFKLQJ LQ DUHDV WKDW LQFOXGH DERUWLRQ HXWKDQDVLD ZRPHQ¶V RUGLQDWLRQ DQG KRPRVH[XDOLW\

‘The teaching and interpretation

of the faith can’t remain static and really needs to be reformulated, rethought in light of the world we live in.

’

– Franciscan Sr Pat Farrell, head of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the US

$UFKELVKRS - 3HWHU 6DUWDLQ RI 6HDWWOH ZDV QDPHG LQ $SULO WR SURYLGH ³UHYLHZ JXLGDQFH DQG DSSURYDO ZKHUH QHFHVVDU\ RI WKH ZRUN´ RI WKH RUJDQLVDWLRQ ZLWK WKH DVVLVWDQFH RI %LVKRS /HRQDUG 3 %ODLU RI 7ROHGR 2KLR DQG %LVKRS 7KRPDV - 3DSURFNL RI 6SULQJ¿HOG ,OOLQRLV ,Q WKH )UHVK $LU LQWHUYLHZ 6U )DUUHOO VDLG /&:5 ZDV LQ WKH ³SURFHVV RI JDWKHULQJ WKH SHUVSHFWLYH RI DOO RXU PHPEHUV´ LQ DQWLFLSDWLRQ RI LWV $XJ QDWLRQDO DVVHPEO\

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WORLD 17

Sunday August 12, 2012 CatholicNews

Ms Denise Paba, who lost her six-year-old niece when a gunman shot at moviegoers in a US cinema, is comforted by a woman during a memorial service for victims. CNS photo

Church leaders struggle to make sense of shootings AURORA, COLORADO, USA –

The “senseless and evil act of violence” at a US cinema has left many wondering how and why such a tragedy could have happened, said a bishop. “Questions arise when the everyday securities and certainties of life ... that we can safely go to work each day, or to school, or to the movies, are shaken,” Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D Conley said at a July 22 evening prayer service. “It’s natural for us to wonder why does this kind of suffering happen and what does it really mean?” he said to the thousands gathered at the Aurora Municipal Center. The bishop said the community will never be the same after a gunman killed 12 people and wounded 58 at a midnight showing of the Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, on July 20. Bishop Conley urged all to mourn “for those who have perished”, “grieve with their loved ones” and “acknowledge the real evil which has wounded our community”. He also reminded them that God is “the great comforter” and is “truly present to us”. “We do not grieve like those who have no hope. ... We grieve with the knowledge that neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God,” Bishop Conley said. “When we do return to our

lives, let us see in this tragedy a UHPLQGHU WKDW RXU OLYHV DUH ÀHHWing and they are precious in God’s sight.” The accused shooter, 24-yearold James Holmes, was in court on July 23 for an advisement hearing. A judge ordered he be held without bond at the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Pope Benedict XVI used the occasion of his weekly Angelus address at on July 22 to express

‘Questions arise

when the everyday securities and certainties of life are shaken.

’

– Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D Conley

his sadness over the shootings in Aurora, saying he was “deeply shocked by the senseless violence”. “I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children,” he said to pilgrims gathered at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo near Rome. In the hours after the tragedy Denver Archbishop Samuel J Aquila and Bishop Conley offered

prayers and support for the victims, survivors and the community. “For those who were killed, our hope is the tender mercy of our God,” the bishops said in a joint statement. “For those who were wounded – physically, emotionally and spiritually – our hope is in their recovery and renewal. To them we offer our prayers, our ears to listen, and our hearts to love.” The bishops also prayed “for the perpetrator of this terrible crime and ... his conversion”. “Only Jesus Christ can overcome the darkness of such evil,” they said. Regina Caeli Counseling Services of Catholic Charities in Denver archdiocese has planned to offer counselling to those who need it. CNS

18 OPINION

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: MRKQVRQ IHUQDQGH]#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ

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

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: FKULVWRSKHU NKRR#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ

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

STAFF CORRESPONDENTS: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg Martin See: martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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

EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

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

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

COMMENTARY

New low in Sino-Vatican ties CNS photo

By Francis Wong 7KH DFWLRQV RI WZR QHZ ELVKRSV ¹ RQH LOOLFLWO\ RUGDLQHG WKH RWKHU ¿HUFHO\ OR\DO WR WKH 3RSH ¹ KDYH deepened the freeze in relations between China and the Vatican. 7KH +RO\ 6HHœV UHVSRQVH VXJJHVWV a fresh determination to stand up IRU &KLQHVH &DWKROLFVœ UHOLJLRXV freedom. It could have been a cause for celebration for the Vatican and WKH &KLQHVH VWDWH 7KH RUGLQDWLRQ RI 7KDGGHXV 0D 'DTLQ DV DQ DX[LOLDU\ ELVKRS LQ 6KDQJKDL ZDV approved by both Rome and the %HLMLQJ JRYHUQPHQW FRQWUROOHG Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA), and it might reasonably KDYH EHHQ DVVXPHG WKDW 0D ZRXOG EH D XQLI\LQJ ¿JXUH But at his ordination on July 7, %LVKRS 0D GUDPDWLFDOO\ GHFODUHG that he was resigning from the CPA. 7KH UHDFWLRQ RI WKH &KLQHVH *RYHUQPHQW ZDV VZLIW 0D ZDV WDNHQ DZD\ E\ ³XQLGHQWL¿HG´ SHUsons and was said to be staying at D VHPLQDU\ ³IRU D UHWUHDW´ At around the same time, the Vatican issued a communiquÊ declaring illicit the episocopal ordination of a CPA cleric. Fr Joseph Yue Fusheng became Bishop of Harbin in northeast China on July 6 despite repeated requests by the 9DWLFDQ WR KLP ³QRW WR DFFHSW HSLVcopal ordination without the ponWL¿FDO PDQGDWH´ 7KH DFWV RI WKHVH WZR ELVKRSV ¹ RQH REHGLHQW WR WKH &3$ WKH RWKHU GHWHUPLQHG WR GHI\ LW ¹ KDYH EURXJKW 6LQR 9DWLFDQ UHODWLRQV WR a new low. %LVKRS 0D ZDV FRPPLWWLQJ DQ offence against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by leaving the state-controlled CPA, even though $UWLFOH RI WKH DVVRFLDWLRQœV FRQstitution states that membership is on a voluntary basis. But he was being faithful to 3RSH %HQHGLFW ;9,œV DGYLFH LQ his 2007 pastoral letter to Chi-

Bishop Thaddeus Ma declared he was resigning from the Catholic Patriotic Association and was taken DZD\ E\ XQLGHQWLÂżHG SHUVRQV

&KLQD PXVW IXO¿O its moral duty and allow Catholics to enjoy what are their constitutional rights. nese Catholics that CPA memberVKLS ZDV ³LQFRPSDWLEOH´ ZLWK WKH Catholic faith. %HLMLQJœV DWWLWXGH LV DERXW UHtaining its absolute hold on power. 6PDOO UHOLJLRXV ERGLHV LQFOXGLQJ Protestant house churches without a clear structure or international leadership, are treated with less suspicion than the Catholic Church. 7KH 9DWLFDQ DV D VRYHUHLJQ FLW\ state, is often viewed as a political entity. Its diplomatic relationship ZLWK 7DLZDQ KDV EHHQ DQ H[FXVH IRU %HLMLQJ WR FROG VKRXOGHU WKH Church, especially now that China has become an economic giant. %HLMLQJ LV DOVR VHQVLWLYH WR the role played by the Church in WKH FROODSVH RI WKH IRUPHU 6RYLHW

8QLRQ DQG WKH (DVWHUQ %ORF LQ WKH ODWH V LW NQRZV WKH &DWKROLF Church can be a dangerous opponent. In recent years, within the Church, there have been two approaches to relations with China. One, led for many years by CarGLQDO ,YDQ 'LDV ZKHQ KH ZDV SUHfect of the Congregation for the (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ RI 3HRSOHV FRXQselled a softly, softly approach. Other prelates, led by Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, have argued that the Vatican should be uncompromising. With the retirement of Cardinal 'LDV ODVW \HDU $UFKELVKRS QRZ Cardinal) Fernando Filoni was named prefect of the Congregation IRU WKH (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ RI 3HRSOHV +H KHDGHG D 9DWLFDQ ÂłVWXG\ PLVVLRQ´ LQ +RQJ .RQJ IURP 2001 and has close contacts with Catholic communities in China. His appointment, together with the naming of Hong Kong %LVKRS -RKQ 7RQJ +RQ DV D FDUdinal, suggests a renewed urgency E\ WKH 9DWLFDQ WR ZRUN RQ EHKDOI RI &KLQDÂśV &DWKROLFV 7RQJÂśV UHFHQW DSSRLQWPHQW DV D president-delegate of the October 6\QRG RQ WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ and as a member of the Council of &DUGLQDOV IRU WKH 6WXG\ RI 2UJDQLVDWLRQDO DQG (FRQRPLF 3UREOHPV RI WKH +RO\ 6HH DUH PDUNV RI WKH HVteem in which he is held by Rome. In fact, Hong Kong has a long history of acting as a bridge between the China Church and the universal Church. It has been the only Catholic community under Chinese rule able to openly criticise human-rights violations. With its growing role on the international stage, it is clear that &KLQD PXVW IXOÂżO LWV PRUDO GXW\ DQG DOORZ &DWKROLFV WR HQMR\ ZKDW are their constitutional rights. „ This is a condensed version of the origiQDO FRPPHQWDU\ ZKLFK ÂżUVW DSSHDUHG LQ The Tablet, a British Catholic journal.

A lesson in contingency IF ONLY! How often we feel those bitter words of regret: If only! If only I had noticed earlier! If only I had been more attentive! If only I could see that person again, HYHQ IRU ¿YH PLQXWHV ,I RQO\ , KDGQœW EHHQ WKHUH MXVW WKHQ ,I RQO\ WKH VWRUP KDGQœW KDSSHQHG MXVW DV , ZDV RQ WKH KLJKZD\ ,I RQO\ , KDGQœW KDG WKDW H[WUD GULQN If only I had left the party 10 minutes earlier! If only! We all live with certain regrets and the bitter NQRZOHGJH WKDW LI RQO\ ZH KDG EHHQ PRUH DWWHQWLYH RU SDWLHQW RU FRXUDgeous or loving at a given moment, our lives would now be very difIHUHQW ,I RQO\ ZH FRXOG KDYH FHUWDLQ PRPHQWV RI RXU OLYHV EDFN WR GR over differently. , KDG VXFK RQH VXFK PRPHQW UHFHQWO\ ,W ZDVQœW RQH WKDW LQ WKH JUDQG scheme of things was very huge, but it did in its own small way contain all the dynamics of the bitter regret that we feel when we say: If only! What happened? I had my briefcase (containing passport, Greencard, laptop, two years of personal diaries and planned agendas, and numerous other personal papers and photos) stolen from me as I was EX\LQJ D VXEZD\ WLFNHW LQ WKH /RQGRQ 8QGHUJURXQG ,œP DQ H[SHULHQFHG WUDYHOOHU DQG WHQG WR EH SDUDQRLG LQ WHUPV RI NHHSLQJ YLJLODQFH RQ P\ OXJJDJH EXW DV DQ\RQH ZKR KDV HYHU ORVW D SXUVH RU D EULHIFDVH RU LQ¿QLWHO\ PRUH WUDJLF D FKLOG LQ D SXEOLF SODFH NQRZV LW RQO\ WDNHV D IHZ VHFRQGV RI LQDWWHQWLRQ IRU GLVDVWHU WR VWULNH ,Q P\ FDVH LW KDSSHQHG WKLV ZD\ , KDG MXVW JRW RII D WUDLQ DIWHU VSHDNLQJ DW D FRQIHUHQFH DQG VKHSKHUGLQJ WKUHH SLHFHV RI OXJJDJH PDGH P\ ZD\ GRZQ DQ HVFDODWRU WR WKH 8QGHUJURXQG , ZDV WU\LQJ WR SXUFKDVH D WLFNHW IRU WKH VXEZD\ DQG WKH VHOI VHUYLFH PDFKLQH ZDV QRW being particularly cooperative and that little distraction, for a period of SHUKDSV RQH PLQXWH ZDV DOO LW WRRN , EULHÀ\ IRUJRW DERXW P\ OXJJDJH :KHQ , ORRNHG GRZQ WR SLFN LW XS P\ EULHIFDVH ZDV JRQH ,W WRRN an instant to realise what had happened and as I ran to get a security JXDUG P\ KHDUW VDQN LQ WKH VLFN UHFRJQLWLRQ WKDW LW ZDV WRR ODWH , ZRXOG never see the contents of that briefcase again. As I sat with the police, PDNLQJ D UHSRUW RI WKH LQFLGHQW , NHSW LQYROXQWDULO\ UHSHDWLQJ WR P\VHOI ,I RQO\ ,I RQO\ , KDGQœW ORVW P\ FRQFHQWUDWLRQ ,I RQO\ , KDG NHSW my passport and Green-card on my person! If only I could rewind the last 10 minutes of my life! If only! :HœYH DOO EHHQ WKHUH LQ ZD\V ELJ DQG VPDOO :KDWœV WKH OHVVRQ" :KDW PLJKW , ¹ RU DQ\RQH HOVH ¹ OHDUQ IURP PRPHQWV OLNH WKHVH" )LUVW RI DOO ZH QHHG WR OHDUQ WR NHHS WKLQJV LQ SHUVSHFWLYH 6RPHtimes a moment of carelessness has huge, irrevocable consequences, as in the loss of a child or a serious accident that causes a death; but for me it meant only the loss of some personal effects, some money, and the loss of the better part of two days (spent in embassies recouping my passport and Green-card). It was an irritating inconvenience which, in the grand scheme of things, is in essence, a mosquito bite. When I come to die, I doubt this LQFLGHQW ZLOO EH UHPHPEHUHG %XW WKDW LVQœW HDV\ WR VHH DW WKH WLPH ,Q WKH PRPHQW LWœV HDV\ WR ORVH SHUVSHFWLYH 6HFRQG LQFLGHQWV OLNH WKLV DUH PHDQW WR WHDFK SDWLHQFH +DVWH PDNHV ZDVWH ,W DOVR PDNHV IRU PRPHQWDU\ FDUHOHVVQHVV DQG DFFLGHQWV 7KLV KDSSHQHG WR PH EHFDXVH , ZDV LQ D KXUU\ , KDG ZDQWHG WR EX\ P\ WLFNHW at the customer-counter, but there was a queue and, although I had no pressing agenda, I was too impatient to wait in the line-up. , ZDV WU\LQJ WR VDYH ¿YH PLQXWHV DQG WKDW LPSDWLHQFH HQGHG XS costing me, among other things, the better part of two days of lining XS DW HPEDVVLHV DQG LPPLJUDWLRQ RI¿FHV +RSHIXOO\ WKH OHVVRQ ZLOO EH learned. )LQDOO\ LQFLGHQWV OLNH WKLV DUH PHDQW WR WHDFK XV WR UHFRJQLVH DQG IRUJLYH FRQWLQJHQF\ 3KLORVRSKLFDOO\ FRQWLQJHQF\ PHDQV WKDW XQOLNH *RG ZKR LV VHOI VXI¿FLHQW DQG SHUIHFW ZH OLYH ZLWK OLPLW DQG LPSHUfection. For us, every one of us, there will be moments of inattention, FDUHOHVVQHVV DFFLGHQWV VWXSLG LPSDWLHQFH DQG PRUDO ODSVHV 7KH *HUman philosopher, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, famously stated that we GRQœW OLYH LQ WKH EHVW RI DOO SRVVLEOH XQLYHUVHV 7KXV WKHUH ZLOO DOZD\V EH ORVW SXUVHV VWROHQ EULHIFDVHV EURNHQ heirlooms, and, much worse, tragic accidents that result in lost children DQG ORVW OLYHV 6RPHWLPHV WRR WKHUH ZLOO EH PRPHQWV RI PRUDO FDUHOHVVQHVV WKDW ZH ZLOO DOVR ELWWHUO\ UHJUHW :H DUHQœW *RG :HœUH FRQWLQJHQW 6R WKH QH[W WLPH VRPHRQH DFFLGHQWO\ GURSV DQG EUHDNV \RXU SULFHOHVV YDVH GRQœW UHVSRQG ZLWK WKDW FKDVWLVLQJ IURZQ WKDW VD\V +RZ FDQ \RX EH VR FOXPV\ :KDW DQ DZIXO WKLQJ \RXœYH GRQH ,QVWHDG PDNH ROG /HLEQL] SURXG JLYH RII D NQRZLQJ VPLOH WKDW VD\V 1RZ WKHUHœV contingency for you! „

FEATURE 19

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Taking steps to improve Church’s public relations The Vatican is taking seriously the need to face the media clearly and directly on various issues

CITY

CNS photos

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY – Throughout his-

tory, the Vatican has dealt with so many accusations and scandals, one would expect the Holy See to have a well-oiled public relations machinery primed to deal with the constant media onslaught. Well, better late than never. ReFHQW FKDQJHV Âą VRPH RIÂżFLDO VRPH GRQH RQ WKH Ă€\ Âą GHPRQVWUDWH WKH Vatican is taking seriously the need to face the media clearly and directly both on offence and defence. 7KH ÂżUVW SLYRWDO LQGLFDWLRQ was the hiring of a seasoned lay American journalist at the Vatican Secretariat of State to help “manageâ€? the message. The Vatican created the new adviser position in June and handpicked St Louisborn Greg Burke, a member of Opus Dei and longtime Rome correspondent for Fox News. The idea was to get someone knowledgeable about the Church, yet culled from far enough outside the Vatican bubble to be able to see if any trouble was brewing. Mr Burke himself has told CNS that it is important to know how to work in “a sound-bite, headline cultureâ€?. Someone, in fact, who understood the media’s hunger for quick concise sound bites was Mr Joaquin Navarro-Valls, another Opus Dei member and longtime lay journalist who headed the VatLFDQ SUHVV RIÂżFH IRU \HDUV Some have said that the Vatican’s tailspin into the media maelstrom began not long after Mr Navarro’s retirement in July 2006 – just two months prior to the pope’s speech in Regensburg, Germany, in which he cited a controversial 14th-century Byzantine emperor. That speech sparked controversy. Mr Navarro was replaced by a much more understated and paternal ÂżJXUH Âą -HVXLW )U )HGHULFR /RPEDUdi, a northern Italian mathematician, who learned to compute the media equation as head of Vatican Radio and the Vatican television station. Measured and frank, Fr Lombardi always answers journalists’ questions patiently and in a timely way; he also monitors the deluge of what gets written about the pope and the Vatican. One of his tasks, in fact, is to decide when to call out absurd or untrue stories. He said his style is to hold back and not give added attention to something that doesn’t deserve it. Fr Lombardi said prudence is

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Aug 15: 7.00am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm St Joseph’s Church Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.30pm Aug 15: 6.30pm & 7.45pm

Church of the Risen Christ Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 12.45pm, 6.00pm, 8.00pm

Church of Sts Peter & Paul Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 5.30pm Aug 15: 7.20am, 5.30pm, 7.00pm (Mandarin)

Church of Christ the King Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 1.00pm, 6.15pm & 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.30pm 15Aug: 12.30pm & 6.30pm, 8.00pm (Tamil) Church of the Sacred Heart Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 5.30pm Aug 15: 7.00am, 5.30pm $ERYH 0U -RDTXLQ 1DYDUUR 9DOOV KHDGHG WKH 9DWLFDQ SUHVV RI¿FH IRU years. Some have said the Vatican’s problems with the media began not long DIWHU KLV UHWLUHPHQW LQ %HORZ -HVXLW )U )HGHULFR /RPEDUGL ZKR KHDGed Vatican Radio and the Vatican television station, replaced Mr Navarro.

Church of St Teresa Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am (at the Carmelite Monastery), 12.30pm, 7.00pm Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church) Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 12.15pm, 7.00pm Church of St Bernadette Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 7.00pm Church of St Michael Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 8.00pm

EAST Church of the Holy Family Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.30pm Aug 15: 6.15am, 1.00pm, 7.30pm

Mr Greg Burke is the new Vatican communications adviser.

key because making any kind of comment, including saying a story is false, often is taken as an “ofÂżFLDO´ SRVLWLRQ VWDWHPHQW IURP WKH Vatican and gives a baseless story even stronger legs to walk on, he told CNS. Fr Lombardi went on the offensive this year in an effort to preempt the preposterous. He organised a tour for journalists of the Vatican bank, which included

a Q&A session and two-hour long presentation by the bank’s director, as a way to bust its “secretiveâ€? image and help reporters get correct information. He also had a Vatican judge JLYH D PLQXWH EULHÂżQJ RQ WKH complex workings of the Vatican court system and explain what could or might happen to the papal butler accused of aggravated WKHIW RI FRQÂżGHQWLDO GRFXPHQWV Also on his own initiative, Fr Lombardi started holding almost GDLO\ EULHÂżQJV He said they were not part of a new communications strategy as much as a response to the nonsense and inaccuracies being written in the press in the wake of the “VatiLeaksâ€? scandal. At a time when the press is clamouring for the Vatican to be more transparent, Fr Lombardi said he agrees, but he added that truth, honesty and high standards also should apply to journalism. Writers need to strive to “understand things more and better, to have a critical eye toward inforPDWLRQ´ ZKLFK ZLOO EHQHÂżW WKHLU audiences as well, he said. „ CNS

Church of the Holy Spirit Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm & 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace Triduum in English call 6744 2879 Aug 14: 8.00pm Aug 15: 7.00pm, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.15pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 12.30pm, 6.00pm; 8.00pm Church of St Stephen Aug 14: (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 8.00pm Church of the Holy Trinity Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm, 8.00pm Church of the Divine Mercy Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.30pm Aug 15: 6.30pm, 1.00pm, 7.30pm

NORTH St Joseph Church Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8:00pm Aug 15: 6:30am, 8:00pm Church of St Anthony Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 8.00pm Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.30pm Aug 15: 6.45am, 6.30pm & 8.00pm

SERANGOON Church of the Nativity of the BVM Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.30pm, 8.00pm (Mandarin) Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.30pm, 8.00pm Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.15am, 6.15pm and 8.00pm Church of St Francis Xavier Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8.00pm St Anne’s Church Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.15pm and 8.00pm Church of St Vincent De Paul Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 8pm. Aug 15: 7.00am, 6.00pm and 8.00pm

WEST Church of St Ignatius Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.00pm Aug 15: Mass Times: 7.00am, 6.00pm and 7.30pm Blessed Sacrament Church Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.30pm Aug 15: 7.00am and 8.30am, 6.00pm and 7.30pm Church of St Mary of the Angels Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 6.30pm; 8.15pm Aug 15: 6.55am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm; 8.15pm Church of St Francis of Assisi Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.00pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 7.00pm (Mandarin), 8.15pm Church of the Holy Cross Aug 14 (Sunset Mass): 7.30pm Aug 15: 6.30am, 6.00pm, 7.30pm and 7.30pm (Mandarin) in St Michael’s Rm

CATHOLIC PRAYER SOCIETY Jurong East 12.15pm (9831-6307/9376-9897 please call for details) Grand Hyatt Hotel 12.40pm & 1.20pm (Tel: 9754-3672) SGH Campus Medical Alumni Auditorium 12.15pm (9823-3971) Acts Lifestyle, China Square 12.15pm and 1.15pm (9622-1775) Singapore Conference Hall 12.30pm and 1.15pm (9046-3061) Suntec City 12.15pm and 1.15pm (6408-7891, please call for details)

20 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Saying ‘I am sorry’ The apology is one of the most important but least understood foundations of human relationships By Mitch Finley IN A scene in The Fantasticks, reputedly “the world’s longest running musicalâ€?, a father tells his teenage daughter that she owes him an apology. Her voice dripping with impatience and sarcasm, she replies, “Sor-ree!â€? Clearly, this is not the apology the father wanted because it’s no apology at all; rather, her tone of voice makes it clear that she is insincere. Perhaps, by the end of the play, she has learned the lesson WKDW D VLQFHUH DSRORJ\ LV RQH ÂżQH way to heal a relationship and get it off to a new start. This is true in all kinds of human interactions, from a casual encounter between strangers to close friendships, and there is no way for a marriage to be healthy DQG IXOÂżOOLQJ ZLWKRXW FRXQWOHVV sincere apologies. A real apology, as Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas explain in the book, The Five Languages of Apology, has three parts: expressing regret, accepting responsibility and making restitution. Unless an apology includes all three of these actions, the other person is likely to be left feeling taken for granted, and no one likes that. When Charles accidentally stepped on his wife Gloria’s toes as they passed each other in the narrow hallway of their home, she said, “Ouch!â€? He immediately stopped and

expressed his regret for having stepped on her toes. To express genuine regret, say the authors, you need to understand that you acted inappropriately and in a way that was hurtful, whether it was meant to be or not. If you don’t see this, listen to the other person and ask quesWLRQV LQ RUGHU WR JDLQ FODUL¿FDWLRQ especially if it was your words that were hurtful rather than a physical accident such as step-

ping on someone’s toes. Admit to yourself that your relationship with the other person is more important than being right. It would not have been a good idea for Charles to have told Gloria, “You should have moved out of my way�, transferring all blame to her. Once you truly understand your own responsibility and can genuinely express regret, you are ready to offer an authentic apology. Accepting responsibility can

be tough. You need to accept the fact that you are responsible for your actions, not the person you hurt, not your parents for raising you wrong, not the fact that your boss reprimanded you at work today, not someone else’s irritating behaviour 10 minutes ago. A genuine apology requires you to be honest enough to accept that you are responsible for your behaviour, even when it’s an honest mistake.

Accepting an apology By Carole Norris Greene ONE of the most profound things that we can offer other human beings is forgiveness. For the one making the decision to forgive, an apology isn’t always necessary. It would be gratifying to receive an apology when due, but not having it isn’t an obstacle to another’s will to forgive. It is different, however, for the person who needs to apologise, to admit fault, but whose at-

tempt at reconciliation is rejected. What do people do when the forgiveness they need following some offence is not given? What people tend to do – as demonstrated by failed marriages and other broken relationships – is to eventually give up and move on to others who are more inclined to look beyond the fault to the capability to do better. So accepting or rejecting another’s apology is no small thing, for it can carry with it huge consequences for all involved. „ CNS

Once you accept responsibility, you are well on your way to offering a complete, sincere apology that will put your relationship with the other person back on solid ground. Making restitution is also part of a good apology that people often forget about. ,WœV ¿QH WR VD\ WKDW \RX DUH sorry. It is commendable to accept responsibility for being thoughtless or clumsy, or for letting your temper get the better of you. But in order for an apology to be all that it needs to be, you must do something to compensate for the hurt caused. This act of restitution may be possible immediately, or it may need to be delayed, but, either way, it needs to happen. Concerning Charles and Gloria, perhaps he gently led her to a comfortable chair where they could examine her foot. The gesture alone would be appreciated. A hurried apology also needs to be followed up with a phone call or perhaps an invitation to lunch or some other act of restitution. All will depend on the extent of the injury or offence. Next comes repentance (it is what the authors say is the convincing factor in an apology because it begins in the heart) and the request for forgiveness. Indeed, the apology is one of the most important but least understood foundations of human relationships. However, it is this that will help relationships thrive. „ CNS

FAITH ALIVE! 21

Sunday August 12, 2012 CatholicNews

A parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church in the US plants peppers in the parish-run community garden. The project is to help people care for their community and God’s creation. CNS PHOTO

Garden ministry serves poor, housebound CEDAR LAKE, INDIANA, USA –

An American parish has started a gardening ministry to bring Catholic social teachings to life in a practical way. Vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, carrots, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, radishes and assorted herbs are now being grown as organically as possible on the parish grounds. The idea is to donate the produce to soup kitchens and housebound parishioners. The project started when Ms Nan Onest, pastoral associate at the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Cedar Lake, Indiana, heard about a community garden project sponsored by a church in Chicago. She felt it was something her own parish community could fully embrace. With the blessings of parish priest, Franciscan Fr Ed Tlucek, a 90-sq-m plot of land on the parish grounds was originally designated for the project. That has increased, according to Ms Onest. At least 12 volunteers stepped forward to help in the initial stages and that number too continues to grow. “Everything is more nutritious fresh out of the garden,” noted Mr Tom Lautenschlager, one of the founding members of the group. He started many of the seedlings planted by the group from seed at home. Other parishioners were encouraged to pick up a packet of seeds from the back of church and do likewise. “Think about the yield you can get out of a packet of seeds,” Mr

Lautenschlager said. “This is a very inexpensive project with the potential for a high yield.” Come harvest time, the fruits of their labours are to be given to homebound parishioners and sold after weekend Masses to fund and expand the ministry. Ms Mercedes Austgen, Holy Name’s director of religious education, hopes the ministry will also provide a valuable lesson in faith and practicality for her students. “Jesus asked us to ‘feed the hungry’, but what does that really mean?” she asked. “Many of our children today don’t have a clue where food comes from, other than the grocery store ... I hope this ministry becomes a bridge for greater understanding and appreciation.” Perhaps, however, the most important mission of the group is the plan to donate much of the fresh produce to local pantries and soup kitchens that serve the needy in the area, building strong bonds and sense of solidarity in times of economic struggle. “When you actually go to a residence and see families trying to survive with no heat or electricity, you know there are a lot of people who need our help,” said Mr Lautenschlager. And the spiritual connection? “I think we will come to a better understanding that our relationship to creation is not one of dominion where we control, exploit and deplete the earth’s resources, but rather a focus on our responsibility to actively coax more life to come forth,” said Ms Onest. CNS

22

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

your covenant. They have destroyed your altars and murdered your prophets by the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life.â€? “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will pass by.â€? Elijah obeyed and left the cave. He heard a mighty wind, then he felt DQ HDUWKTXDNH WKHQ KH VDZ D ÂżUH EXW the Lord was not in any of those things. But then Elijah heard a very faint noise, and he was afraid. In

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

WORDSEARCH:

St Maximilian Kolbe

„ ELIJAH

Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) joined the order of the Franciscans when he was 13 and made his vows four years later. After completing his studies in his home country of Poland, he went to Rome, where he was ordained in 1918. He founded a ministry he called the Militia of Mary Immaculate, and his regular newsletter, called the Knight of the Immaculate, reached one million readers in many different countries. He was eventually able to gather more than 800 Religious who FUHDWHG WRZQV GHYRWHG WR 0DU\ 7KH ¿UVW VXFK WRZQ ZDV FUHated in Poland and was called the City of the Immaculate. After Germany attacked Poland during World War II, Maximilian was arrested twice and sent to a concentration camp. He gave his life by taking the place of a soldier who was about to be executed. We honour him on Aug. 14. „

Bible Accent: Elijah was one of the most important early prophets of our religious heritage. There is no Old Testament book named after him, but his story is told in the book of 1 Kings. He was a man who obeyed God and he possessed great faith. In one instance, he had the courage to go before King Ahab, who had angered God, to tell him that there would be no rain and no morning dew until Elijah himself gave the word. During this time of drought, God made sure that Elijah had enough to eat and drink. Three years later, when the people were near starving due to no rain for the crops or to drink, Elijah obeyed God again and proved the falseness of the gods WKDW $KDE ZRUVKLSSHG *RG VHQW ¿UH IURP KHDYHQ WR EXUQ the altar Elijah had made, and later He sent the rain. „

that sound was the voice of the Lord, who ordered Elijah back to Israel. God said he would save 7,000 people who had not bowed down to Baal. „ Read more about it: 1 Kings 19

Q&A 1. Why did Elijah run away into the wilderness? 2. What happened when Elijah WULHG WR ÂżQG VKHOWHU LQ WKH FDYH"

„ MESSENGER „ BAAL „ JEZEBEL „ JUDAH „ ANGEL „ HEARTH „ JOURNEY „ COVENANT „ HOREB „ MOUNTAIN „ EARTHQUAKE

Kids Club: Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: If you had to tell the story of one of the Old Testament SURSKHWV ZKR ZRXOG \RX SLFN DQG ZK\"

PUZZLE: Rearrange the books of the following prophets in the order they appear in the Old Testament. Some books are missing from this list. Ezekiel Jonah Malachi Daniel Isaiah Zechariah Joel Jeremiah

Answer to Puzzle: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Jonah, Zechariah, Malachi

After Elijah had obeyed the Lord and ordered the destruction of the false prophets that had served the god Baal, he received a message from Jezebel, who promised to kill him because of what he had done. Elijah was afraid, even though God had been protecting him, and he escaped to Beer-sheba in Judah. He left his servant there and continued on alone into the wilderness. After travelling by himself for a day, Elijah sat down under a broom tree. He was so afraid and discouraged, he prayed for God to kill him. “Enough, Lord!� he said, “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.� Then the exhausted Elijah leaned back and fell asleep under the tree. He was awakened by the touch

of a messenger from God. “Get up and eat,â€? the angel said to him. Elijah saw that there was now a hearth cake and a jug of water in front of him. He ate the cake and drank some of the water, then he tried to go back to sleep. “Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you,â€? the anJHO VDLG DJDLQ 6R (OLMDK ÂżQLVKHG WKH food and water. He felt stronger after eating and was able to walk for 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. He found a cave there and went in to use it as a shelter. But inside the cave, Elijah was not alone. “Why are you here, Elijah?â€? asked the voice of the Lord. Elijah answered, “I have been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken

Answer to Wordsearch

By Joe Sarnicola

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday August 12, 2012 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www.catholic.sg/webevent_form.php Wednesdays August 1 to November 14 GOSPEL OF JOHN 9.30-11.30am: DVD-based programme. By Church of the Holy Spirit Bible Apostolate. At Church of the Holy Spirit Room A2-01. T: 8228 8220 (Clare), 9815 4098 (Genevieve); E: HSbiblespostolate@gmail.com Wednesdays August 1 to October 10 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 7.45-9.45pm: Learn about the history of the early Church and how we are also to witness for Christ. Presented by Fr Ambrose Vaz. Cost: $30. At Church of the Holy Spirit Attic. T: 9833 4623 (Andrew) E: andrew_loo_ts@yahoo.com.sg Thursdays August 2 to October 25 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8-10pm: Conducted by Fr Ambrose Vaz. By Church of Christ the King Bible Apostolate Team. At the church’s basement chapel. Register T: 9832 1538 (Lene); E: ctkbat@hotmail.com Tuesdays August 7 to August 14 WHAT IS CHURCH 12.50-1.15pm: Fr David Garcia, OP, on Being Church and Kingdom Builders. By Catholic Prayer Society. At Suntec City Rock Auditorium (3rd Floor above Carrefour) August 9 CANTONESE RETREAT 9am-6pm: Theme: I am the vine, you are the branches (Jn 15:5). With talks, testimonies, healing and Mass. Speakers Frs Stephen Yim and Philip Lai. Free. By Church of Sts Peter and Paul Cantonese Group. At Catholic Spirituality Centre (1261 Upp Serangoon Rd). Register 9326 2677 (Patrick); E: patckng@yahoo.com.sg Mondays August 13 to November 26 ALPHA IN SHENTON WAY 12.30-1.30pm: Bring a non-baptised friend to explore and experience the love of Jesus Christ. No course fee.

Lunch is provided. By Catholic Prayer Society. At 206/208B Telok Ayer St. Register T: 9761 2504 (Michael); E: alphacac@catholic.org Friday August 17 to Sunday August 19 ABLAZE WEEKEND RETREAT Aug 17 (7.30-9.30pm), Aug 18 (8.30am4.30pm), Aug 19 (2-5.30pm): The ZHHNHQG DLPV WR IDQ WKH ¿UH RI 3HQWHFRVW in individuals, ministries, communities and parishes – to be passionate for the Lord. With thanksgiving Mass on Aug 21 at 7.30pm. Cost: $10. By SACCRE. At Church of St Francis of Assisi (200 Boon Lay Ave). Register T: 9897 1854 (Joselle), 9755 0948 (John); E: mjoselle@yahoo. com, johnlaw@singnet.com.sg Saturday August 18 to Monday August 20 JESUIT VOCATION CAMP Fri (8.30pm)-Sun (5pm): For men 18-40 years old who are discerning a Religious vocation, especially with the Jesuits. Limited enrolment. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register T: 9711 9717; E: mas-vocations@jesuits.net; W: http://www.mas-jesuits.org August 19 CATHOLIC NURSES’ DAY MASS 6pm: Annual Mass and blessing of Catholic nurses and healthcare professionals by Archbishop Nicholas Chia followed by dinner at $10 per person. By Catholic Nurses Guild. At Church of the Risen Christ (91 Toa Payoh Central). Register T: 9236 1047 (Theresa), 9623 7246 (Patsy). Tuesday August 23 to Friday August 24 MAKING DISCIPLES SPREADING LOVE – A RETREAT BY THOMAS SMITH 7.45-10pm (daily): Renowned US speaker evangelist and author Thomas Smith shares how to be better disciples of Christ and how to enable others to be disciples. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. Register E: aff@stmary.sg; W: http://www.stmary.sg/vatican2/pr2012 August 23 iADORE 8.15-10pm: Eucharistic adoration. Confession available. At Church of the Holy Spirit Chapel. T: 6453 6349 ext 207 (Derek); E: youth@holyspirit.sg August 25 SEMINAR ON ONE CORINTHIANS 8.30am-4.30pm: US evangelist and author

Thomas Smith will explore the life of the early Church community in Corinth, who faced exactly what people face today: divisions, immorality, trials, diversity and politics. This one-day seminar is also a conclusion to the Making Disciples Spreading Love retreat. Cost: $25 (workbook and lunch). Register by Aug 12. E: aff@stmary.sg; W: http://www.stmary.sg/vatican2/pr2012

September 2 CATHOLIC SINGLES MASS AND POTLUCK 10am-2pm: Meet up for Mass at church canteen at 10am followed by potluck lunch. Bring food to share. By Catholic Singles. At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Register E: CatholicSingle@ gmail.com; FB: http://www.facebook. com/CatholicSinglesSingapore

Sundays August 26 to September 9 SE7EN – CHERISH Discover what it means to be cherished. With Sunday sessions on Aug 26 and Sept 2 from 2-5pm at Church of St Francis Xavier, and a stay-in-weekend retreat from Aug 31 8pm to Sept 2 2pm at ME House. For young adults 24-35 years old. Cost: $70. By Mustard Seed Community of Church of St Francis Xavier. Register T: 9236 3308 (Lionel), 9272 7884 (Martin); E: cherished@mustardseedcommunity.com; FB: www.facebook.com/2012seven

September 4, 7, 11 and 14 DEALING WITH MID-LIFE TRANSITIONS 7.30-9.30pm: 4 sessions with Sr Florence Wong, FMDM, to look at making mid-life transitions. By SPI. At Blessed Sacrament Church St James Room. Register T: 6858 3011; E: admin@catholicspi.org

Thursdays August 30 to September 27 PERSONAL COMPASS: THE ETHICS OF LOVE AND SEXUALITY 7.30-9.45pm: Understand the ethics of love and sexuality with Fr David Garcia, OP. By SPI and Wonderfully Made!. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). Register T: 6858 7012 (Janice); E: janice@catholicspi.org August 31 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-9.30pm: Gather in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The evening begins with rosary, followed by scriptural UHÀHFWLRQ DGRUDWLRQ DQG EHQHGLFWLRQ At Church of St Ignatius St Francis Xavier Chapel Kingsmead Hall. E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com Saturday September 1 to Sunday September 9 HEARTSPACE@ST MARY’S EXHIBITION Weekdays (6-10pm), Weekends (9am8pm): 30 budding artists will share their faith journeys of spiritual discovery through their paintings and artworks. Many of the artworks will be on sale with proceeds going to support the ministry and the church maintenance fund. At Church of St Mary of the Angels St Clare Hall (5 Bukit Batok East Ave 2); E: heartspace.stmary@gmail.com; W: http://www.stmary.sg

Friday September 7 to Sunday September 9 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND Fri (6pm)-Sun (4pm): A weekend to help grieving single-again persons – widowed, divorced or separated – to experience positive growth through God. Register T: 9661 8089 (Joseph), 9647 9122 (Sue); E: josephchew@ippfa.com September 15 WHY AREN’T YOU LISTENING TO ME? 9am-12pm: A seminar on effective communication. Cost: $30. By Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by Sept 5. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

Friday September 7 to Sunday September 9 TASTE AND SEE Fri (7pm)-Sun (5pm): An introduction to silent retreats in the Ignatian tradition and experiencing God through meditation on the Word of God. Cost: $110 (non-aircon), $160 (aircon). By Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Register by Aug 28. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

Friday September 28 to Sunday September 30 RETROUVAILLE Fri (7.30pm)-Sun (5.30pm): If you are serious about making your marriage work, this programme could be worthwhile for you. By Retrouvaille Singapore. At ME House (201B Punggol 17th Avenue). Register T: 6749 8861; W: http://helpourmarriage.sg

Crossword Puzzle 1064 1

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IN MEMORIAM

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CLASSIFIED

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THANKSGIVING St Jude patron of the desperate and Saint of the Impossible, I turn to you in trusting prayer. Centuries of Christians have found you to be a mighty helper in overcoming seemingly impossible barriers. I entrust to you my present need. Pray that I never lose heart when the way seems dark and dreary. I await your help and praise God for guiding me to seek your help in HVSHFLDOO\ GLIÂżFXOW situations. Amen. Thank You so much for answering my VSHFLÂżF IDYRXU , thank God for guiding me to seek your help. Usha Thank you God for answering my prayers and to Mother Mary and St Jude for your intercessions. It was better than I expected. J Lord thank you for the grace and favours which you have given me through the prayers of your Apostle, Jude Thaddeus. St Jude, I thank you for your intercession in response to my prayers. I will always be grateful to you and encourage devotion to you. Be with us always so we may face our problems with courage and serenity.

Dear St Jude, thank you for prayers answered with a ÀDLU RI WKH GUDPDWLF a sense of humour and a touch of the miraculous. Dearest St Jude, Thank you once again for your intercessions. My prayers have been answered. You are my patron Saint. I have been praying to you for help and you have always interceded for me. Thank you for all these years of prayers and intercessions. Please continue to guide me and be with me in all aspects of my life. Amen O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers.

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ACROSS 1 Parable of the Lost ___ 6 “___ in a manger‌â€? 10 Former United Nations chief Annan 14 Liturgical season designator 15 The Roman Pontiff 16 “Take ___ leave‌â€? 17 Soul 18 Space 19 Land of ___ and honey 20 Witty remark 21 Unit of linear measure 23 In some schools, they rule 24 Law of the Church 26 Son of Eve 28 “Ora ___ nobisâ€? 29 The “place of the skullâ€? 33 Road around an obstruction 36 Drinks (as a cat) 37 Fish lacking SHOYLF ÂżQV 38 Gallic agreements 39 “I am the way and the ___ and the life.â€? (Jn 14:6) 41 Spydom name 42 A Bobbsey twin 43 Marian color 44 Ark landing 46 Completeness

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Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1063

People in general Bothers ___ Creed Irish folk dances IRS experts ___ of many colours 27 James’s father (Mt 10:3) 29 Sticky 30 Rip 31 Daughter of Cronus 2Q ÂżUH 33 â€œâ€Ś___ of my ERQHV DQG Ă€HVK RI my ‌â€? (Gen 2:23) 34 Monetary unit of China 35 Liquid measure 40 Ancestress of Jesus

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