AUGUST 09, 2015, Vol 65, No 16

SUNDAY AUGUST 9, 2015

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ARCHBISHOP’S NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE

Proud to be Catholic, proud to be S’porean My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Last month, we gathered as one Church to celebrate 50 years of the Catholic Church’s contribution to nation-building. It was an event like no other. There was little evidence of the traditional pomp and pageantry that one would normally associate with the Catholic Church; something which is often the cause of our pride.

Still, everyone came away deeply inspired, enthralled and enthused, but above all, we left with such a swelling in the hearts it lodged a lump in the throat.

Arising from this event, I hear Catholics across Singapore unashamedly proclaiming, “I am so proud to be Catholic!” and every day, more and more are adding to this voice. What brought about this sea change?

What is the basis for this pride?

Many have shared that they were moved to the core by the video exposition of the pure zeal, passion and dedication of our Church forefathers in the spread of the gospel. These were ordinary men and women with a mission. They lived and breathed that mission, risking life and limb to bring the light of Christ to the ends of the earth.

They worked for and among the poorest of the poor; those living on the fringes of society, those shunned and denied a life of dignity in our land.

They owed us nothing, yet they left home and family, abandoning all to live and to become one of us. Through their living and their dying, they sowed the seeds of faith so that we in turn can be a part of this great faith community; one that lives in love and

in hope. Surely, having such heroes and heroines in our spiritual parentage is a source of pride for us.

More than that, we have reason to be proud that we belong to a community that exists to spread the gospel life of love and care for others; a love rooted in none other than the love of God the Father, encountered through the Son and renewed in the Spirit. That we are able to identify with that passion, because it has been made real to us, is the cause of our new-found pride.

We take pride too that as a faith community, we have contributed signi¿cantly to maNing Singapore what it is today.

Through education, healthcare and social services, we have improved

May God ‘continue to keep us ever in His sight, and bless our Church and our land for generations to come.

’

Archbishop Goh ... photo taken during the Joy SG50 celebration.

the lives of millions down the years, and imbued society with values that set others before self.

These are eternal and universal values, rooted in the gospel; values such as justice, equality, honesty, integrity, compassion, forgiveness and the dignity of every human life.

Only such values will ensure the survival of a people. Indeed, the growth of Singapore is so intrinsically interwoven with the mission of the Church so that any Catholic who claims that he or she is proud to be Catholic must also be equally proud to be Singaporean!

No one can claim to be a good Christian if he or she is not at the same time a good citizen. Although as Catholics, our kingdom

is not here on earth, yet, we have a duty to be a good citizen on earth if we are to be admitted as citizens of heaven. What, then, must we do to Neep that Àame burning in our hearts and in our lives, in our community and in our land, not just for the next 50 years, but the next 1,000 years and more?

Today, if any of us is living a life untouched and unmoved by the faith we profess, it is because we lack the conviction of a mission in life. In this world of individualism, everything is about me, not others.

In this world of relativism, there are no values that can be called eternal or be held by all. In this world of materialism, life is reduced to sensual and material enjoyment.

We have become a people who have gotten used to being served, and expect to be served, whether at work, at home, in school, at church or in community. We live our lives unconnected with the poverty of the world around us, unconcerned for the needs of our neighbours.

We have grown accustomed to a life of privilege, and have come to see our privileges as our right.

Our young cannot identify with the struggles of our forefathers. For them, yesterday is history. Tomorrow is another generation’s problem. It is a “me, here and now” generation. Yet, what maNes us truly human and truly a developed nation is when we become a people of compassion, united in love, have a deep respect for humanity; and the ability to sacri¿ce for others, Continued on Page 3

VOL 65

NO. 16

INSIDE HOME SJI masterplan unveiled Redevelopment includes 4 new buildings Page 3

ASIA South China Sea dispute Philippine bishops issue special prayer Page 7

Myanmar’s social, economic woes Cardinal slams politicians for not solving problems Page 8

WORLD Chicago archdiocese to go ‘green’ Buildings to be energy ef¿cient Page 12

FEATURES Pope’s overseas trips What they reveal of him Page 16

When your kids don’t share your values What do you do?

Page 19

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Two brothers, who were ordained together, share their faith journeys with Lorna O’Hara

No such thing as a ‘late vocation’ His parents and grandmother ily ¿nancially. By then his father had taught him how to pray in had already retired.

Teochew from a young age, and “I could not abandon my famhis “house had more holy pic- ily,” said Fr Matthew, the eldest of tures than what you would see four siblings, all boys. in a church”, recalled new Jesuit He worked at a local polypriest, Fr Matthew Tan. technic for 10 years to support his He also used to watch his family. During that time, his spirgrandmother pray the rosary for itual life suffered. half an hour while walking to Fr Matthew said he felt “lonechurch, said Fr Matthew, 56. ly” when he attended Mass and He, together with his youngest felt that the Church seemed to brother, Gregory, were ordained at giving greater attention to married the Church of St Ignatius on July couples than single people.

26. (See also story below) To ¿ll the void, he immersed Fr Matthew studied in Catho- himself in work. “I stopped going lic schools – St Gato church and was briel’s Primary and getting used to the Everything Secondary schools secular lifestyle,” he is in and Catholic Junior said.

College – and was “I left the church God’s time. also involved in the but God did not – Fr Matthew Tan Catholic Charismatic leave me.” group while in the Meanwhile, he National University of Singapore felt a strong sense of “restlessness”.

(NUS).

“I felt that God was calling me After completing his uni- to something deeper,” he shared. versity studies, he attended an He eventually returned to archdiocesan vocation camp. “I church. However, coming back heard stories of how ful¿lling “was not easy at all, especially and meaningful the lives of the when I had been away for so priests and Religious were,” he many years”. recalled.

In 2002, Fr Matthew happened After the camp, he told his to see a Jesuit Discernment Weekmother, a housewife, of his in- end advertisement in Catholictention of joining the Gabrielite News.

Brothers. But she was not in faThe word “discernment” made vour of it. an impact on him, he recalled.

Later, after working as a relief Taking a leap of faith, he called teacher at St Patrick’s School, he Msgr Philip Heng, Fr Heng at that told his mother that he wanted to time. be a La Salle Brother but she said Fr Heng allayed Matthew’s that he needed to support his fam- concerns about his age – he was in

‘

’

New Jesuit priests: Fr Gregory Tan (left) and his brother, Fr Matthew Tan, smile at the crowd at their ordination Mass on July 26. Photo: DOMINIC WONG

his early 40s then – and told him that there was a Jesuit novice who was older than him.

Matthew then joined the Jesuits. Part of his training involved being posted to Kluang, in Johor, and Cambodia.

From his experience overseas, he learnt to trust in God and “let go of those I love for God”, he said.

Looking back, he said he believes that there is no such thing as a “late vocation”.

“Everything is in God’s

time,” he said.

His advice to those thinking of taking up a priestly or Religious vocation: “Get away from the noise, for only in silence can God’s voice be heard in the depth of your heart.”

Living and working with migrants “Behind all the wealth you see in Singapore, there’s the other side of the story, the other side of heaven.”

So said Fr Gregory Tan, 43, on what he learnt and experienced during his Jesuit training.

“I worked as a garbage truck collector for six weeks,” he said.

“I lived and worked with the migrant workers – the faceless people. It was very humbling.”

Handling large green bins was not the only thing Fr Gregory did.

He also worked as a landscaper as part of his training.

“I lost a lot of weight,” he said, breaking into a smile. He also cleaned and fed male patients at St Joseph’s Home.

Commenting on these experiences, Fr Gregory said, “Initially it was tough but I saw that behind all the wealth you see in Singapore, there’s the other side of the story, the other side of heaven.”

When asked if he was inÀuenced by his eldest brother Matthew’s decision to join the Jesuits, Fr Gregory replied, “Not really”.

He said that his strong Catholic upbringing helped him with his decision.

Fr Gregory studied in St Gabriel’s Primary and Secondary schools and was part of the youth group at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

‘

, ZDQWHG WR ¿QG meaning in life so I took up social work,

’

– Fr Gregory Tan

His brother Matthew also used to take him to Charismatic meetings “which did shape my spirituality”, he said.

Upon entering university, Fr Gregory joined the Charismatic group at NUS. He thought of joining the Franciscans after national service but decided to “work and experience life ¿rst”.

He worked for four years in the civil service. During that time, he took half a year off to do a Masters in Sociology.

He then spent a year-and-ahalf in social service. “I wanted to ¿nd meaning in life so I took up social work,” he said.

He added that he believes all his work experience has helped him “understand the ups and downs of others in society”.

In the later part of his working life, Fr Gregory attended a ¿ve-week church retreat where he recalled a Franciscan friar asking him to ask himself, “What’s the bigger picture in life?”

A few weeks later, he hap-

pened to meet Jesuit Fr Colin Tan, who invited him to attend a discernment camp organised by the Jesuits.

He eventually attended the camp with a few friends and it rekindled his longing to become a priest.

“It can be a little daunting as once you become a priest, you’re expected to know everything,” said Fr Gregory, who regards himself as “a relatively private person”.

For those contemplating joining the priesthood, he has this bit of advice: “Take your time to discern.” lorna.ohara@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

The light of faith is still very much alive! to God for the gift of our forefathers, both spiritual and familial, for the future generations, put- who laid down their lives so that ting God and nation above self. we can reap the fruits of unity, deBut, looking at the enthusiasm mocracy, justice and equality for of our youth at the SG50 Mass, all peoples, regardless of race, lanI am convinced that the light of guage or religion, and enjoy the faith that was brought to Singa- peace, happiness and prosperity pore by the early missionaries is that we have in Singapore today. still very much alive, albeit hidMay God continue to keep us den in the recesses of our hearts. ever in His sight, and bless our If all it took was a video to Church and our land for generabring to the fore the sense of com- tions to come, and may we conmunity and pride in being part tinue to steadfastly work togethof a living tradier with those tion that has for in authority to As we celebrate 2,000 years lived build a society and died for love, our 50th year that is rooted in what more if each values that are of nationhood, and every memendearing so that let us give thanks ber of our Cathoall generations to lic community come can echo to God for the gift steps out to openthe proclamaof our forefathers, ly manifest that tion we make topride in the way day: “Proud to be both spiritual we live and move Catholic. Proud to and familial. and touch the be Singaporean”! world we live in!

Let us get down to involving Happy National Day! Majulah ourselves in the lives of those Singapura! around us, especially those in need. Let us speak up for right Devotedly in Christ, living. Let us help to conscientise society to the pitfalls of excessive living. Let us continue in the tradition of our forefathers to live visionary and mission-led The Most Rev William Goh lives by making the Good News Archbishop of Singapore of Christ, God’s love and mercy incarnated in us so that those To read Archbishop Goh’s written who live after us will have a to- homily for the Joy SG50 Mass, go morrow that is better than today. to http://www.catholic.org.sg/votiveAs we celebrate our 50th year homilies/sharing-the-joy-of-the-naof nationhood, let us give thanks tion-by-being-the-light-of-the-world/ From Page 1

Artist’s impression of the SJI campus when the redevelopment is completed. The $40-million project includes four new buildings, adding 14,000 sT m of Àoor space.

Masterplan of redeveloped SJI campus unveiled President Tony Tan unveiled the masterplan, or 3-D model, of the redeveloped St Joseph’s Institution campus on Malcolm Road, and of¿ciated at its ground-breaking ceremony on July 20.

Dr Tan, a former student, also launched a new SJI book titled Lasallian Path¿nders: Of Ordinary Men and Less Ordinary Leadership.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, a former SJI student too, was also present at the ceremony held at the Malcolm Road campus.

The 163-year-old school moved out of its Malcolm Road premises in December 2013, and is currently at a Bishan holding site. The school is expected to move back by mid-2017.

According to SJI, with the introduction of the Integrated Programme (IP) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in 2013, there has been a need to refurbish existing facilities which are now more than 25 years old.

The $40-million redevelopment project includes four new buildings, adding 14,000 sq m of Àoor space.

One of the new blocks will have a 600-seat lecture theatre and meeting rooms, while two blocks with 32 classrooms will be built above existing buildings.

Within the IBDP blocks, there will be more spaces to facilitate collaboration and informal interactions for learning among IB students.

The new sports hall will include basketball, tennis and badminton courts. The Indoor Sports Hall will serve both the secondary school and junior college sections in terms of physical education and sports, as well as allow for the assembly of students from both sections.

The existing ¿eld will be redesigned to comprise a half-size hockey ¿eld, a full-size football-

An SJI student presenting President Tony Tan with the newly launched book, Lasallian Path¿nders: Of Ordinary Men and Less Ordinary Leadership.

cum-rugby ¿eld and a 100-m running track.

Existing spaces will be renovated to include additional music and arts rooms for IP and IBDP students. An existing building will be renovated to create additional science laboratories.

Lasallian Path¿nders: Of Ordinary Men and Less Ordinary Leadership, which Dr Tan launched, is a collection of seven leadership lectures from the 2nd Fullerton–

SJI Leadership Lectures Series.

The speeches contain personal anecdotes from the speakers, mostly SJI alumni, on their leadership experiences.

The book is available at the SJI Shop at the Bishan campus and at major bookstores at $32 (excluding GST). For enquiries, write to contact@sji.edu.sg. The electronic version of the book is available for sale YLD KWWS ZZZ ZRUOGVFLHQWL¿F FRP worldscibooks/10.1142/9225

Masses for Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-SingaporeBrunei has decided that the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is to be celebrated at Saturday Sunset Masses on Aug

15 and all Masses on Sunday, Aug 16, and not the liturgy of the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

The liturgy on Saturday morning will be that of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time.

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

CHANCERY NOTICE

27 July 2015

CHN/CN/2015/008

APPOINTMENTS 1. Fr Christopher Soh SJ has been appointed Parish Priest to the Church of St Ignatius, for a term of six [6] years with effect from 1 October 2015 upon presentation by the Major Superior of the Society of Jesus (SJ) in accordance with can. 523 & 682 §1.

2. Fr Thomas Sukotriraharjo SS.CC has been appointed Parish Priest to Blessed Sacrament Church for a term of six [6] years with effect from 22 November 2015 upon presentation by the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC) in accordance with can. 523 & 682 §1.

3. Fr Anthony Hutjes SS.CC having completed his term as Parish Priest of Blessed Sacrament Church has been appointed as Assistant Priest of the same parish for a term of three [3] years with effect from 22 November 2015 upon presentation by the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC) in accordance with can. 682 §1.

4. Sr M. Carmel MC has been appointed the new superior for the Missionaries of Charity (MC) community in Singapore.

5. Fr Joachim Chang has been appointed Parish Priest to the Church of the Trans¿guration for a term of six [6] years with effect from 6 August 2015.

POSTERS OF SG50 CELEBRATION:

The organisers of the Joy SG50 Thanksgiving event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on July 4 have produced a montage of images commemorating the event. These full-colour A2 size posters are available for those who wish to obtain a copy for

keepsakes – with the compliments of the organisers.

You can get it in two ways: collect it from CANA, level 2, Catholic Centre, at 55 Waterloo Street, during of¿ce hours (while stocks last); or download it from sg50.catholic.sg

ORDINATIONS The following priests were ordained to the Order of Presbyterate

by Archbishop William Goh DD on 26 July 2015 at the Church of St Ignatius at 5pm: 1. Fr Matthew Tan SJ 2. Fr Gregory Tan SJ OTHER MATTERS

Vatican Secretary of State to celebrate Mass Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, will visit Singapore later this month and will celebrate the Sunday 10 am Mass at St Joseph Church (Victoria St) on Aug 16. All are welcome.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15 August 2015

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei has determined that this Solemnity is to be celebrated on Saturday Sunset Mass (15 August 2015) and all Masses on Sunday (16 August 2015) following the liturgy of the Solemnity and not the liturgy of the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time. The liturgy on Saturday morning will be that of the 19th week in Ordinary Time.

Church of Trans¿guration

A decree was issued for the establishment of the parish of the Church of Trans¿guration, 51 Punggol Central, Singapore 828725. The parish territory is bound to the south by the Tampines Expressway, to the north by the outer shoreline of Serangoon Island, to the east to the shoreline of Ponggol Serangoon Reservoir and to the west to the shoreline of Sengkang Riverside. The decree takes effect on 6 August 2015 on the patronal Feast of the Trans¿guration of the Lord.

This parish is clustered within the East District parishes.

Association of Catholic Musicians, Composers and Artistes for Sacred Music

Archbishop William Goh DD has given permission for the formation of an Association of Catholic Musicians, Composers and Artistes for Sacred Music. Fr Francis Leong MM has been tasked with the setup and development of this association. Those interested may contact him at GUÀHRQJ #JPDLO FRP Closing of Year of Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelization

The closing Mass for the Year of Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelization will be held at the Church of Our Lady 4ueen of Peace on 7 October 2015 at 7.30pm.

Holy Year of Mercy

The Mass to launch the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as called for by Pope Francis in his Bull of Indiction Misericordiae Vultus of 11 April 2015 will be held at the Church of Divine Mercy on 8 December 2015 at 7.30pm.

Chrism Mass 2016

The Chrism Mass for 2016 which falls on 24 March 2016 will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street at 10.30am.

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

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Day of recollection specially for Filipinos Seventy-¿ve women attended a day of recollection specially organised for Filipinos by the Jesuit-run Kingsmead Centre.

Filipino Jesuit Fr Lester Maramara, who led the time of prayer and reÀection on July 26, pointed out to participants that Pope Francis often refers to “God’s mercy”.

However, “this is not something new” to Filipinos, he said.

“We Filipinos, in fact, ¿nd ourselves blurting out common expressions, ‘May awa ang Diyos!’, or ‘Hinaut, maluoy ang Ginoo!’

(Have mercy, Lord!)”

Fr Lester told participants they are still constantly reminded, challenged and invited to recognise and embrace the mercy and love of God today.

A real experience of God’s mercy and love always moves people to love and to forgive their brothers and sisters, he said.

There is just no other way for God’s love and mercy to grow, for the kingdom of God to make itself manifest in the world, he added.

Participants said they found the day of recollection refreshing.

One of them, Julie, said she had wanted to experience something different on her off day. She said she felt very touched, comforted and strengthened by the spiritual input and prayers.

Another participant, Lorena, said the day of recollection “increases my faith and helps me to be a better Catholic”.

Lorena, who has worked in

Jesuit Fr Lester Maramara speaking at the day of recollection for Filipinos on July 26.

God’s mercy “is not something new” to Filipinos, who often exclaim, “May awa ang Diyos!” or “Hinaut, maluoy ang Ginoo!”

(Have mercy, Lord!), said Jesuit Fr Maramara.

Singapore for ¿ve years and who is a member of the Legion of Mary, had brought along a good friend, a non-Catholic Christian, to the event.

According to organisers, the day of recollection was the first of its kind organised by Kingsmead Centre for Filipinos, and was in response to Pope Francis’ encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), in which he urged Catholics to meet the needs of the community.

Fr Lester was also scheduled to lead a stay-in retreat for Filipinos at the Kingsmead Centre from July 31-Aug 2.

It is hoped that the recollection and the retreat help “participants re-experience and re-kindle the ¿re of God’s mercy and love in their hearts so that they in turn may kindle God’s presence in the hearts of their sisters and brothers in their own … families, communities and places of work in Singapore,” said Fr Lester.

Religious in formation urged to be role models

By Sr Doreen Soh, FdCC Be role models so that others may glorify God. This was one message emphasised at a day of recollection for Religious aspirants and those in their initial levels of Religious formation.

Redemptorist Fr George Puthenpura challenged the 18 young men and 14 young women Religious pose for a photo at their day of recollection.

gathered at St Patrick’s School on July 17 to be joyful people who are called to love.

Conversion has to happen among them ¿rst so that they can live authentic lives, he said in his talk titled Formation for Mission in a Post Modern World.

He urged them to be role models so that others may glorify God and said it is important to journey

with others through interpersonal interaction and help them know God who is Emmanuel.

Fr George highlighted Elijah, the Good Samaritan and the Samaritan Woman as examples of good witnessing for the postmodern world.

Participants later broke into ¿ve groups to discuss their vision of life and mission in the future.

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

1st batch of graduates from Mandarin Theology course It was a joyful ceremony for 35 people who were the ¿rst to graduate with a Certi¿cate in Theology in Mandarin from the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS).

In the presence of family, friends and more than a hundred guests, they received their certi¿cates from Archbishop William Goh at the Catholic Centre on July 28.

Speaking in Mandarin to the group, Archbishop Goh noted that since Singapore is a multiracial country, with multiple cultures, religions and immigrant groups, Catholics as messengers of the Gospel must strive hard to meet the needs of the public.

If the people one wants to serve speaks Mandarin, than one has to equip oneself to speak in Mandarin, he said.

CTIS rector Fr James Yeo gave several reasons for studying at CTIS, which include learning to be able to evangelise more con¿dently and to better serve the Church with humility and commitment.

Graduating student Justin Lim commented, “For the Chinese community, this type of course is

Parishioners of the Church of St Anthony bond with parish priest, Fr Terence Pereira (in black), during their Street Challenge event.

Archbishop William Goh poses for a photo with CTIS rector Fr James Yeo (on archbishop’s right) and vice-rector Fr Peter Zhang (on archbishop’s left), CTIS staff, and graduates of the Certi¿cate in Theology (Mandarin) course.

long overdue. In Hong Kong, such courses have long existed and the people there are more knowledgeable, spiritually advanced and more con¿dent in evangelising. So having this course here is very timely.”

The 35 graduates had completed units such as Introduction to Christian Philosophy, Overview

of Catholic Theology, Introduction to the Old Testament, Fundamental Moral Theology, Overview to Liturgy, and Academic Writing.

Currently, a second batch of students is taking the Certi¿cate in Theology (Mandarin) at CTIS. They will complete their course in December.

Students who have graduated with the Certi¿cate in Theology have the option to take up the Diploma in Theology course offered in Semester 1 next year, starting in January.

The next intake for the Certi¿cate in Theology (Mandarin) course will be for Semester

1 in January 2017.

CTIS was established in 2013 to cater to the spiritual needs of the lay faithful by providing systematic faith formation, and to assist them in playing an active role in the New Evangelisation.

For more information on CTIS, visit http://www.ctis.sg

Parishioners bond over fun, games It was a day of fun, excitement and teamwork as close to 200 parishioners of the Church of St Anthony gathered for the parish’s annual Street Challenge on July 17.

Cheers rang through the air as the teams, comprising a total of 80 players aged 13-50, competed in soccer, basketball and captain’s ball.

Held on the hard courts just down the road from the church in Woodlands, the event was not only focused on the competition.

Parishioners who were not playing were encouraged to cheer on the different teams, and food and drinks were available for purchase, giving the event a carnival feel.

When the ¿rst Street Challenge was held in 2011, it was an event for the youth only.

However, seeing the support from the adults, the event was later opened up to the rest of the parish.

Now, there are teams of players signing up to play as ministries, friends, and even as a family.

The bene¿ts of bonding as a parish are clear.

As Gwendolyn Lai, 14, put it, “[I learnt] how communication is important. Without communication, it is hard to understand each other and what we plan to do.”

The event has even garnered support from non-Catholic residents in the neighbouring blocks, some of whom have been coming down to participate in the fun over the past couple of years.

“I saw smiles..., laughter and enjoyment during the sports,” said Paulo Brian Galiluyo, 20, one of the organisers of the event. “To bring joy is to bring Christ to others.”

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Monsoon delays quake relief work KATHMANDU, NEPAL – Despite

mobilising ¿nancial support and procuring relief material to reach out to remote areas hit by April’s earthquake, Catholic charities, like others, are facing problems caused by monsoon rains.

“Our plan was to complete the ¿rst phase of relief work by the end of June. Now it has been extended to August’s end,” Fr Pius Perumana, Caritas Nepal director, told Catholic News Service (CNS).

“Roads to several remote areas have been damaged or washed out in the rain,” said the priest, who is coordinating the Catholic relief work supported by Caritas agencies worldwide.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked Nepal on April 25 claimed more than 8,800 lives. It destroyed more than 600,000 houses and damaged an additional 300,000.

“Fear of landslides is also hampering the movement of relief supplies,” said Fr Perumana.

He said distribution schedules have to be changed often due to rain and road conditions in the target areas.

Four bus passengers, including the driver, died and eight others were injured on July 9 when a large boulder crushed a moving bus on the Pasang Lhamu Highway. Three days later, huge rocks from landslides could be seen

to several ‘Roads remote areas have been damaged or washed out in the rain.

’

– Fr Pius Perumana, Caritas Nepal director

A Missionaries of Charity nun helps distribute relief items to earthquake victims in the mountains overlooking Kathmandu Valley in May. Relief work is now much harder because of the rains. CNS photo

blocking roads in several places outside Kathmandu.

“Travelling here in monsoon season is not easy,” said US-born Jesuit Fr Cap Miller, who is based in Nepal.

Some relief workers now travel

by bicycle up mountain paths rendered impassable by torrential rains while villagers carry tin sheets on their heads along mountain slopes to set up temporary shelters.

Ms Nana Anto-Awuakye of the British Catholic agency CA-

Philippine bishops issue prayer for South China Sea MANILA – The Philippines’ Catholic bishops on July 13 issued an oratio imperata or obligatory prayer as tension in the disputed South China Sea continues to heat up.

“If the dispute escalates and it becomes a problem of peace, how can the Church not be involved? Peace is the mission of the Church,” said Archbishop Socrates Villegas of LingayenDagupan, president of the country’s bishops’ conference.

The prayer will be recited in all dioceses so that “the tension may ease, and justice, and equality, and prosperity and brotherhood may be served”, he said.

The bishops issued the prayer at the end of their annual meeting in Manila on Monday.

The Philippines has brought its case against China over disputed territories in the South China Sea to the UN Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, The Netherlands.

China, however, has consistently rejected the Philippines’ invitation for arbitration and instead called for bilateral negotiations over the disputed territories.

“We don’t have the means to

Archbishop Villegas: The prayer is for justice to be served and to ease tensions.

negotiate with super powers,” Archbishop Villegas told reporters in Manila.

“We cannot represent the Phil-

ippines in the international court, but we can certainly represent the Philippines before God and ask God, who is the source of peace, to take care of the Philippines,” he said.

Copies of the prayer have been distributed to all the bishops to read in dioceses and parishes across the country.

The prayer calls on God “to look kindly” on the Philippines.

“We pray to you for peace over that part of our islands and waters.

We pray that questions over it may be resolved through justice and respect for people’s rights. We pray that no harm will be done to our marine creatures and habitat,” the prayer says.

It also prays for Philippine leaders “that they resolve this crisis with courage and in the spirit of dialogue”. UCANEWS.COM

FOD had ¿nished a visit to a remote mountain village where more than 3,000 people died in the earthquake. On the way back, there was a heavy downpour. The pathway was washed out and the Caritas staff members accompa-

nying her had to toil nearly an hour to repair the road so they could drive down.

Ms Caroline Brennan, senior communications of¿cer for the humanitarian response department of the US bishops’ Catholic Relief Service (CRS), told CNS that to get supplies to remote areas, CRS is using helicopters provided by the World Food Programme.

However, “because of weight restrictions on the helicopters, transportation of these critical supplies requires multiple trips per day. These trips are entirely dependent on good weather”.

Experienced CRS and Caritas staff members from India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Bangladesh – countries regularly affected by natural disasters – have been coordinating the relief work alongside Nepali teams, Ms Brennan said. CNS

8 ASIA

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Pakistan court to hear appeal of Christian woman accused of blasphemy ROME – The judges of Pakistan’s

Supreme Court have suspended the death sentence of a Pakistani Christian woman accused of blasphemy.

According to Fides News Agency, a Church agency, the judges in Lahore declared the appeal ¿led by Ms Asia Bibi’s lawyer “admissible” on July 22.

Mr Joseph Nadeem, director of the Renaissance Education Foundation, who is assisting in her defence, said that the hearing “took place in a calm atmosphere and that there were no...Muslim extremists present in court”.

“Today is an important step forward. We are very satis¿ed.

Now it is the time to pray and ask the Lord to melt the hearts of those involved in this case, including the judges, and pray that justice is done and Asia is released.

“We pray that Asia is strength-

Ms Asia Bibi was accused of insulting Islam in 2009. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

ened by the grace of the Holy Spirit. And we pray for her release,” he said.

Accusations of blasphemy were raised against Ms Bibi in

2009 following an argument with several neighbours, who said that she insulted them, their religion and the prophet Mohammad.

A few days later, complaints were made to a cleric about these alleged derogatory comments, resulting in a mob coming to her house and beating her and members of her family.

Ms Bibi was rescued by the police but, under apparent pressure from the crowd, they charged her under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code, the country’s notorious anti-blasphemy law.

In 2010, she was sentenced to death and in 2014, the Lahore High Court upheld her conviction.

Many in the international community have called for her release, given that the country’s blasphemy laws have been used in the past to falsely accuse and persecute Christians. ZENIT

Myanmar cardinal rebukes politicians for not solving nation’s problems MANDALAY, MYANMAR – Car-

dinal Charles Bo of Yangon has criticised Myanmar’s political leaders for not doing enough to solve endemic social and economic problems wracking the country.

In a message released on July 20 to mark the Church’s commemoration of Parents’ Day on July 26, he urged the leaders to be good “parents” and turn the nation into a true family.

“Great expectations were laid on our president and also on the leader of the opposition, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. They were to be our parents. But after four years, Myanmar is still to be a family,” he said.

“For 50 years in the dark days, we had no family. When democracy came, we hoped it would bring about a ‘family spirit’ for all,” Cardinal Bo added.

Myanmar was ruled for more than ¿ve decades by a military regime, but since 2011, a quasicivilian government has initiated political and economic reforms.

Despite this, the outspoken Catholic leader says little has been achieved to alleviate poverty.

We were made poor, kept poor and the burden of poverty is breaking our family to pieces, he said.

“The inte-

grity of the family is being eroded by the country’s poverty. Family spirit is weak,” the 67-year old cardinal said in his message.

Families are being broken by a lack of education and the drug menace, especially in border villages where hundreds of youths have lost their lives, he said.

Unfortunately, Myanmar’s rulers have not lived up to people’s expectations as the country’s “parents”. They have become the “protectors of crony capitalism”, he said.

“Now the world is asking a question: Are our rulers rulers for all or for a few only,” Cardinal Bo said.

He also accused the political leaders of failing to control hate speech by fringe groups looking to sow religious and ethnic discord.

Our brothers and sisters from all religions and races are affected by this hatred, he said.

Myanmar has seen bouts of religious and ethnic violence in Rakhine state that has spread to other parts of country through growing prejudice and hatred since the country opened up to the outside world in 2011.

Let the “parents” of this nation make this nation a nation of freedom a great country and family, said Cardinal Bo. UCANEWS.COM

world is asking ‘aThe question: Are our rulers rulers for all or for a few only?

’

– Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon

&16 ¿OH SKRWR

ASIA 9

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Nepal’s constitution should be ‘secular’ KATHMANDU, NEPAL – As Nepal

works to promulgate a new constitution, the Catholic Church has urged that the document should be “secular” amid calls by Hindu nationalists that it should establish a “Hindu nation”.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal sent a memorandum on July 12 to the major parties in the country’s ruling coalition urging that the word “secular” be inserted in the constitution’s preamble to ensure full religious freedom.

It also demanded that Christianity be recognised as a religion.

“Christianity is not recognised as a religion here [in Nepal] unlike Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam,” Fr Silas Bogati, vicar general, told Catholic News Service. “Hence, churches cannot be registered as a legal body, and we cannot buy property. We are severely handicapped by this,” he said.

Though the draft constitution has an article on freedom of religion, Fr Bogati said that “reiterating the secular character in the constitution is crucial to upholding complete religious freedom”.

Catholics number about 10,000 in the country of 30 million. The memorandum comes as Nepalese leaders work to ¿nalise and circulate the delayed constitution. The government has said it wants the new constitution adopted in early August.

Government of¿cials and the 601 members of the Second Constituent Assembly have fanned out across Nepal with 200,000 copies of the draft constitution seeking reactions and recommendations.

Meanwhile, Protestant and evangelical groups have organised advocacy meetings designed to ensure that the new constitution guarantees religious freedom.

Nepal’s centuries-old Hindu

monarchy was ended by a people’s uprising led by Maoists in 2006. Since then, Nepal has been writing a new constitution. The First Constituent Assembly dissolved in 2012 after failing to ¿nalise a new constitution.

Fr Bogati said the government had signed an agreement with the ecumenical Christian Federation, to which the Catholic Church belongs, to recognise the fundamental rights of Christians.

“One major demand has been for allotment of land for cemeter-

Reiterating the ‘secular character in the constitution is crucial to upholding complete religious freedom.

’

– Fr Silas Bogati, vicar general

ies,” he said. Because of the strong cultural prejudice against burial in the former Hindu kingdom, there have been instances of Christian bodies – buried in private lands – being dug up and thrown out by local residents.

Fr Ignatius Rai, vicar of Assumption Church in Lalitpur, the largest Catholic church in Nepal, told CNS the parish has been forced to erect dozens of cubicles within its compound to keep urns of the dead after cremation. “Our options are limited,” he said. CNS

Christian leaders attend an ecumenical conference in Kathmandu on July 6 to discuss religious freedom principles they hope to establish in Nepal’s new constitution. CNS photo

10 WORLD

Sunday August 9, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Vatican welcomes Iran’s nuclear deal CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican spokesman

has welcomed Iran’s historic nuclear deal and expressed hopes that more future breakthroughs be on the horizon on other issues.

Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi said that “the agreement on the Iranian nuclear program is viewed in a positive light by the Holy Seeâ€?. “It constitutes an important outcome of the negotiations carried out so far, although continued efforts and commitment on the part of all involved will be necessary in order for it to bear fruit,â€? he said in a written statement in response to reporters’ questions on July 14. “It is hoped that those fruits will not be limited to the Âżeld of nuclear programme, but may indeed extend further,â€? he said, without specifying what other areas of progress the Vatican hoped to see.

Hours after the deal was announced, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace also welcomed the agreement in a letter to members of the US Congress.

World leaders take part in a press conference ON July 14 after reaching a nuclear deal with Iran.

Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, encouraged the lawmakers to “support these efforts to build bridges that foster peace and greater understanding� and said it signalled progress in global nuclear weapons non-proliferation.

“We hope that the full implementation of the agreement will gradually foster an environment in which all parties build mutual conÂżdence and trust so that progress will be made toward greater stability and dialogue in the region,â€? the letter said.

“In that spirit, our committee will continue to urge Congress to endorse the result of these intense negotiations because the alternative leads toward armed conĂ€ict, an outcome of profound concern to the Church.â€?

Under the new deal, decades-long sanctions by the US, European Union and the UN eventually would be lifted in exchange for an agreement by Iran to restrict its nuclear programme to peaceful purposes.

The negotiations involved Iran and what is often referred to as the “P5 1,â€? or the Âżve permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – plus Germany.

The US Congress and Iranian authorities would still need to review the agreement.

In January and in April, Pope Francis had expressed hopes that negotiations would end in an agreement. In his Easter message on April 5, he said he hoped preliminary talks then underway would “be a deÂżnitive step toward a more secure and fraternal worldâ€?. „ CNS

WORLD 11

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Prison escape shows complicity, corruption, say Mexican bishops MEXICO CITY – Bishops across Mexico expressed incredulity with the escape of the country’s most notorious inmate and said it showed the complicity of public of¿cials with drug cartels and the depth of corruption in the country.

Drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman slipped out of a maximum-security prison – for the second time in his criminal career – from the shower area of his cell through a tunnel to a rural settlement.

“Mexicans should make a monument to ‘El Chapo’ because, in a single stroke, he showed the size of our corruption,” Bishop Raul Vera Lopez of Saltillo told reporters.

“It’s hard to understand an escape by a person like him from an extremely high security centre if there isn’t complicity,” said Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega of Guadalajara.

Guzman is leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, which grew into the most powerful and quite possibly pro¿table criminal organisation as it moved drugs from the Andean countries of South America through Central America and Mexico to the US and other countries.

The cartel gained fame for its construction of tunnels to move drugs under the US-Mexico border.

Guzman was captured in Guatemala in 1993, but he was wheeled out of a Guadalajara-area prison in a laundry cart. Mexican of¿cials captured him in Mazatlan in February 2014 and locked him up in a high-security facility west of Mexico City, opting against extraditing him to the US. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto called the escape “outrageous”. After Guzman’s 2014 arrest, he said that another escape would be “unpardonable”.

“The country’s creditability was scarce, and with these events the creditability that we do enjoy is shaken, in spite of the publicity and all of the promises that are given,” said Bishop Jose Martinez =epeda of Irapuato. He was quoted in the newspaper Correo in his home state of Guanajuato.

“We have a crisis of creditability, justice, legality and a common effort,” he added. “Criticisms are going to rain down ... because [the president’s] publicity has been that, in the country, crime has calmed ... and [then] there’s an escape from a high-security prison.” CNS

The Mexican Attorney (centre) looks into the tunnel used by drug lord Joaquin µEl Chapo’ Guzman to escape. CNS photo

Mourners place Àags at a makeshift memorial in front of the Armed Forces Career Center in Tennessee, USA, after the July 16 deadly shootings.

CNS photo

Prayers for Tennessee victims CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, USA – An outpouring of sympathy

and prayer washed over Tennessee for the victims of the July 16 shootings that left four US Marines and the shooter dead.

Three others were injured, and one of them, a sailor, died on July 18.

Bishop Richard F Stika of Knoxville, whose diocese includes Chattanooga, encouraged all Catholics and people of faith to participate in a community prayer service at the Basilica of Sts Peter and Paul in Chattanooga held on the afternoon of the shootings.

The tragedy occurred at a military recruiting centre and a NavyMarine training centre a few kilometres away.

The four Marines were Gunnery Sgt Thomas J Sullivan, 40; Lance Cpl Skip Wells, 21; Staff Sgt David Wyatt, 35; and Sgt Carson Holmquist, 27.

One of three others who were wounded, US Navy Petty Of¿cer 2nd Class Randall Smith, 26, died

on July 18. The two surviving wounded are a Marine recruiter who was shot in the leg and a responding Chattanooga police of¿cer who was shot in the ankle.

Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixson, Tennessee, was identi¿ed by law enforcement authorities as the gunman.

Fr David Carter, pastor of the

The challenge for ‘ all of us is how do we respond to that evil?’

– Bishop Richard F Stika of Knoxville

basilica, led the prayer service for all the victims of the incident, including the shooter. Three days later Bishop Stika celebrated a Mass at the basilica for all who lost their lives.

The beautiful day of July 16 was “interrupted by evil”, he said in his July 19 homily. Referring to the Dec 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbour, the 9/11 terrorist at-

tacks, the mass shootings in Connecticut, Texas and Colorado, and violent conÀict in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, he noted that “there are so many beautiful days God has given to us – and yet they are interrupted by evil.”

“Evil was made manifest in an individual who interrupted the lives of a community, the lives of ¿ve people and their family, their loved ones” and their military family, he continued.

“The challenge for all of us is how do we respond to that evil?

We can’t control the actions of other people for the most part,” he continued.

“We can only control our response. ... [It] doesn’t mean we have to weave and dodge but maybe our response should be measured. ... We have no control over that young man who belonged to another faith but what he did, did not represent that faith.”

“Our response should be forgiveness,” as Jesus teaches, Bishop Stika said. CNS

12 WORLD

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Philippines urged to ensure justice for torture victims MANILA – Human rights groups

Philippines has already been workfrom six countries have called on ing on the issue. On June 22, Archthe Philippines “to ensure justice bishop Villegas issued a statement for torture victims”, a call that has urging priests, Religious and layalso been endorsed by the coun- people “to take it upon themselves try’s Catholic bishops. to extend every possible assistance “We are alarmed by informa- to the victims of torture”. tion... that torture is still rife in “We can stomp out this scourge the Philippines, and in particular, from our midst by vigilance and that it appears to be routine during discernment,” he said. “Let witinterrogations by police of¿cers,” nesses muster the Christian coursaid a joint statement released by age to speak prophetically against Amnesty International and Bar As- it – even testifying in court against sociations in Maits perpetrators.” nila on July 16.

He said that In the face of the In 2009, while the counthe Philippines try’s Catholic persistence of that adopted an Antibishops appreciculture of impunity ate the efforts of Torture Act but by which law Amnesty Interlaw enforcers to national and the keep the peace, enforcers take it lawyers’ groups they cannot tolupon themselves to erate the torture noted that not a single perpetratorture their victims, of suspects even tor has been conwhen motivated we must speak out. victed under the by ferreting out new law. the truth.

– Archbishop “Not one tor“When we act Socrates Villegas ture survivor in with resoluteness the Philippines has obtained jus- against the perpetrators of torture, tice,” said the groups’ statement it is and should be the incompasigned by Bar Associations of the rable dignity of the human person Philippines, Germany, Denmark, that should be our end, and the criBelgium, Norway, and France. terion of the rightness of our adArchbishop Socrates Villegas vocacy and endeavours,” he said. of Lingayen-Dagupan, president In a report released in Decemof the Philippine Catholic bish- ber 2014, Amnesty International ops’ conference, said: “In the face noted an increase “year on year” of the persistence of that culture of of reports of “torture and other impunity by which law enforcers cruel, inhuman and degrading take it upon themselves to torture treatment or punishment within their victims, we must speak out.” the police force” but without a The Catholic Church in the single conviction. UCANEWS.COM

US archdiocese to benchmark its buildings IRU HQHUJ\ HIÀFLHQF\ Archbishop Blase J Cupich of Chicago (far right) and Ms Gina McCarthy, administrator of the US. Environmental Protection Agency, look at a board displaying the solar panel activity at Old St Mary’s School in Chicago.

‘

’

CNS photo

CHICAGO, USA – A US archbish-

op has set a goal of benchmarking all 2,700 buildings in his archdiocese to ensure that they are as energy ef¿cient as possible.

Archbishop Blase J Cupich of Chicago announced this during a July 24 news conference at Old St Mary’s School, a Catholic institution.

The news conference was held after he toured the school with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Gina McCarthy.

“While it is a considerable undertaking, we have to set an example that it can be done and must be done if we are to ful¿l our sustainability goals,” Archbishop Cupich said of the benchmarking goal.

“Let’s be honest, this entire effort to protect the environment for future generations will involve some very dif¿cult choices in the future,” he said. “However, those choices will be less dif¿cult if we all do what we can now to protect our common home.”

It is an effort to answer Pope

Francis’ call in his encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home, the archbishop said.

Through benchmarking, churches, schools and other buildings will be evaluated for their water usage, energy ef¿ciency and greenhouse gas emissions.

We have to set an ‘ example that it can be done and must be done LI ZH DUH WR IXO¿O RXU sustainability goals.

’

– Archbishop Blase J Cupich of Chicago

Ms McCarthy applauded the archdiocese’s efforts, saying it is “answering the pope’s call”.

This February, she noted, the Chicago archdiocese partnered with the Energy Star programme as part of its “commitment to climate action”.

“And with this step they’ve

become the ¿rst US archdiocese to commit to benchmarking and tracking energy and water emission performance,” she said.

“We’re hoping they are setting the example for faith communities across the country to follow.”

Some buildings in the archdiocese are already eco-friendly. For example, St Joseph College Seminary, completed in 2012, holds a gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certi¿cation. It also has a green roof and high ef¿ciency lighting control and heating systems.

In addition, the ¿eld operations centre for Resurrection Cemetery has been heated with a solar system since 1978.

Archbishop Cupich praised his predecessor, the late Cardinal Francis E George, for beginning the work to make the archdiocese more energy ef¿cient. For the past three and a half years, the archdiocese’s facilities of¿ce has worked with parishes and schools to make them more energy ef¿cient with projects related to boilers and heating. CNS

Polish bishops slam IVF law WARSAW – Poland’s Catholic bishops condemned a law allowing state funding for in vitro fertilization, which was signed into law on July 22 by outgoing President Bronislaw Komorowski despite a seven-year Church campaign to block it.

“As with abortion, Catholics cannot use in vitro – among other reasons because the cost of the birth of a single human person is the destruction of other unborn children,” the bishops’ conference said.

“The moral responsibility for what has occurred lies with the

legislators who supported and approved this law, and with managers of health service institutions where this method is used,” the bishops said.

Their comments came after Mr Komorowski signed the Law on Treating Infertility in one of the last acts of his presidency following his defeat in May 24 elections. Voters selected Mr Andrzej Duda, a conservative Catholic, over Mr Komorowski as Poland’s next head of state.

In a July 22 statement, the bishops said they were “deeply

disappointed and pained” by the law, explaining that Catholic teaching rejected all techniques of arti¿cial insemination that “replaced the marital act”.

Archbishop Henryk Hoser of Warsaw-Praga, chairman of the Polish Church’s bioethics commission, deplored the signing of the “extremely liberal and permissive” law, calling it a “black day for Polish parliamentarism”.

He accused Mr Komorowski of ignoring the Church’s “biological, medical, legal, psychological and ethical arguments”. CNS

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

Pope’s popularity in US falls WASHINGTON – Is the honeymoon with Pope Francis over for Americans?

A new Gallup poll shows that the favourability rating for the pontiff among US respondents is now about 59 percent, down from 76 percent in early 2014 and close to the 58 percent rating Americans gave him when he was elected pope in March 2013.

Sixteen percent of respondents in a poll conducted from July 8-12 gave him an unfavourable rating, compared to 9 percent in 2014.

Twenty-¿ve percent now say they have no opinion or have never heard of him.

Among Catholic respondents overall, 71 percent said they have a positive view of the pope, down from 89 percent last year.

The percentage of Americans who identi¿ed themselves as conservative and gave him a favourable rating dropped 27 percent – 45 percent now, compared to 72 percent last year. The number of moderates and liberals rating him favourably declined 8 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Gallup attributed the decline among conservatives to their disagreement with the pope’s strong words in his environment encyclical that human activity is a major cause of climate change as well as

his focus on income inequality.

Bill Dinges, a professor of religion and culture at The Catholic University of America in Washington, told Catholic News Service: “We know by way of Gallup polls, and others, that the nation as a whole is becoming less religious, just as it’s becoming less Christian. I am not surprised that conservatives disagree, but that liberals do.”

The survey results were released on July 22.

Liberals say they are disappointed that the pope has not backed women’s ordination or married priests and has reiterated Church teaching on traditional marriage, as recently as his trip to the Philippines in January.

The ¿rst Gallup poll on the pope’s favourability among Americans was conducted from April 11-14, 2013. Fifty-eighty g y percent of respondents said they ey had a favourable opinion of him him; m; 10 percent viewed him unfavourouur-ably; and 31 percent stated th that hatt they had either never heard of hi him im or had no opinion about him.

He earned much praise fr from rom m US media in his early dayss as as pope for his focus on helpingg the th he poor, interfaith relations and w what hhaat many thought would be a change angge

in doctrine on same-sex marriage and the ordination of women.

In 2013, Time magazine named him “Person of the Year” and praised his “progressiveness”.

In the next Gallup poll, conducted from Feb 6-9, 2014, the pope’s favourability shot up to 76 percent.

The most recent Gallup poll showed that the pope’s favourabil-

ity rating is higher than that for Pope Benedict XVI. According to Gallup, its last poll conducted about the German-born pope – in March 2010 – showed he had a 40 percent favourable rating.

He retired in 2013.

The last Gallup poll conducted

The Gallup poll attributes the decline to some points the pope made in his environment encyclical, and his not backing changes championed by liberals.

about St John Paul II showed he had a 78 percent favourability rate. Gallup also said St John Paul had an average favourability rating of 72 percent throughout his papacy, which lasted from 1978 to 2005.

However, Prof Dinges believes Pope Francis’ popularity among Americans could spike again once he makes his ¿rst visit to the US in September. CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday August 9, 2015 „ CatholicNews

:RUOG¡V PD\RUV GLVFXVV FOLPDWH FKDQJH SRYHUW\ DW 9DWLFDQ PHHWLQJ VATICAN CITY – After decades of world leaders trying to set global goals to address climate change and extreme poverty, city mayors gathered at the Vatican to pledge real action and to lead the ¿ght on their streets.

Pope Francis told the mayors, meeting from July 21-22, that they were important because they were at the “grassroots� and could make concrete changes and put pressure on leaders above them.

The pope spoke brieÀy offthe-cuff in Spanish on July 21 after more than 60 mayors attended a daylong workshop on modern slavery and climate change, sponsored by the ponti¿cal academies of sciences and social sciences in the Vatican’s synod hall.

The academies invited the leaders to share best practices, sign a declaration recognising that climate change and extreme poverty are inĂ€uenced by human activity, and pledge to pursue lowimpact development to make cities “socially inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainableâ€?.

The pope told his audience, “We really have to involve the United Nations in these things� and make sure it takes “a very strong position

Pope Francis signs a declaration on climate change and human trafÂżcking during a workshop attended by mayors from around the world on July 21. &16 SKRWR

on this issue, especially the trafÂżcking of human beings that is caused by this environmental situation and the exploitation of peopleâ€?. “I really do hope that a fun-

damental, basic agreement is reached� at the UN climate summit in Paris in December, he added.

A number of mayors said that their countries and cities are still

learning about the actual extent and seriousness of modern-day slavery and human trafÂżcking, and therefore found it helpful that the Vatican invited two former

victims to tell their stories.

Mayor Tony Chammany of Kochi, India, told Catholic News Service (CNS) that his region faces huge problems with forced organ donations.

Even though there are strict laws against such crimes, the problem “is corruption at the level of governance. We have laws, but who is going to enforce them?� he asked.

Another problem, he said, is that mitigating climate change and curbing poverty and exploitation cost money and demand investments, and today’s ¿nancial crisis is hindering greater efforts.

But it is really “a question of priorities,� he said. Governments must make the environment and social problems a top priority in public spending, he added.

Mayor Bill De Blasio of New York said making an impact will not be easy; Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on creation “holds individuals accountable for the fate of our planet, but it rightly asks the most of governments�.

People are being “pushed by the highest moral authority to take the next step, no matter how challenging it appears to be�, he said. „ CNS

3RSH XUJHV UHOHDVH RI NLGQDSSHG SULHVW VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has appealed for the release of Fr Paolo Dall’Oglio, a Jesuit priest kidnapped two years ago in Syria.

The Italian priest, who had worked in Syria for the past 30 years, was kidnapped in July 2013 by the so-called Islamic State. Fr Dall’Oglio engaged in ChristianMuslim dialogue, notably through the monastic community he founded north of Damascus and was vocal against government repression.

In his Angelus address on July 26, the pope remembered the second anniversary of the Jesuit priest’s abduction and called for his freedom.�I make a heartfelt and urgent appeal for the freedom

Jesuit Fr Paolo Dall’Oglio. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

of this esteemed religious man,� he said.

The pope also remembered Metropolitans Mar Gregorios Ibrahim of the Syriac Ortho-

dox Church and Paul Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, who were abducted in April 2013 near Aleppo, an area considered to be one of the most dangerous areas in Syria, during a humanitarian mission. “I can’t also forget the Orthodox bishops kidnapped in Syria and all the other people who, in the areas of conĂ€ict, have been seized,â€? he said. “I hope for a renewed commitment by the competent local and international authorities, so that these our brothers will soon be restored to freedom.â€?

Concluding his appeal, Pope Francis led the faithful in praying the Hail Mary for all those suffering in the current conÀict. „ ZENIT

DQG RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDOO\ RSHQV UHJLVWUDWLRQ IRU :RUOG <RXWK 'D\ VATICAN CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; During his July 26 Angelus address, Pope Francis also ofÂżcially launched registrations for the 31st World Youth Day (WYD) to be held in Krakow, Poland, next year.

Joined by a young man and a young woman, he was handed a tablet where he ofÂżcially opened online registration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There, I am registered!â&#x20AC;? he exclaimed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through this electronic device I have registered as a pilgrim to this day. Celebrated during the Year of Mercy, this day will be, in a certain sense, a jubi-

Banner on the WYD site

lee of the youth, called to reĂ&#x20AC;ect on the theme: Blessed on the merciful, for they will Âżnd mercy.â&#x20AC;?

The pope invited the youth of world to participate, either by go-

ing to Poland or in their own communities. Â&#x201E; ZENIT The WYD site is at /www.krakow2016. com/en/

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

POPE FRANCIS 15

Pope urges big change in mining industry to protect people illegality and corruption, pollution VATICAN CITY – The mining industry, especially in the world’s and violations of human rights bepoorest countries, must make a cause of activities tied to mining.”

When local people protest, he “radical change” to respect the rights of local communities and said, the response of the governprotect the environment, Pope ment often is to arrest them, rather than investigate their complaints.

Francis said.

The mining companies that The companies, the governments that are supposed to regu- “af¿rm they want dialogue with late them, investors and consum- the local communities” often are ers who use the myriad products not interested in making any conrelying on mined material “are cessions or changes in their opcalled to adopt behaviour inspired erational plans, he said; they just by the fact that we are all part of want approval for projects that will bring the local community one human family”.

The pope made these remarks “few long-term bene¿ts”.

Other representatives from in a lettter to participants of a July 17-19 meeting discussing the of- groups in India, Chile and Brazil ten highly negative impact of min- said mining companies – with the approval of loing operations on cal governments local communities.

Pope Francis – regularly invade The Ponti¿cal praised grassroots and denude the Council for Justice organisations traditional lands of and Peace held the indigenous peoples for ‘echoing the recent meeting at and poor farmers, the Vatican with cry’ of numerous expropriate water grassroots organicommunities used for irrigation zations working ‘because of the too and drinking and to oppose minleave polluted land ing operations in frequent negative and water behind. their countries. The effects of mining’.

Pope Francis, council had sponin his letter, praised sored a reÀection day in 2013 for two dozen mining the groups for “echoing the cry of company executives and was pre- numerous persons, families and paring another session with them communities that suffer directly or indirectly because of the too in September.

During a press conference on frequent negative effects of minJuly 17, council president Cardi- ing.”

The groups, he said, “cry for nal Peter Turkson said his of¿ce could not ignore what Pope Fran- land lost”, for the extraction of cis, in his encyclical on the envi- riches that bene¿t only the minronment, called “both the cry of ing companies, for harm to locals’ health and for working conditions the earth and the cry of the poor”.

Italian Comboni Father Dario that treat local employees little Bossi, a missionary in northern better than slaves.

Theirs, he said, “is a cry of Brazil and part of an ecumenical coalition representing the rights of sadness and impotence for the communities impacted by mining, pollution of water, air and soil” told reporters, “Communities in dif- and a plea to be consulted when ferent parts of the world face situa- making the terms for new mining tions of violence and intimidation, projects. CNS

An area deforested by illegal gold mining in the southern Amazon region of Madre de Dios, Peru. CNS photo

16 OPINION

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

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FEATURE

Understanding pope’s behaviour from his trips

Pope Francis greets a young girl during his visit to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on July 9.

CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – People make special preparations for welcoming a special guest, and watching what worked and did not work in Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay may help people preparing for Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in September.

Some of the plans, however, will require common-sense adjustments, especially because the US Secret Service is likely to frown on certain behaviour, like tossing things to the pope – a phenomenon that occurs much more often with Pope Francis than with any previous pope. At the Vatican, the items tend to be soccer jerseys and scarves; in Ecuador, it was Àower petals – lots of them.

Watching the pope in South America from July 5-12, it is clear: Pope Francis loves a crowd.

He walks into events with little expression on his face, then lights up when he starts greeting, blessing, kissing and hugging people.

Persons with disabilities, the sick and squirming babies come ¿rst.

A meeting with priests, religious and seminarians is a ¿xture on papal trips within Italy and abroad;

in Cuba and the United States, the meetings with take place during vespers services on Sept 20 in Havana and Sept 24 in New York.

He has said he needs a 40-minute rest after lunch and his of¿cial schedule always includes at least an hour of down time. However, like his “free” afternoons at the Vatican, the pope often ¿lls the breaks with private meetings with

Pope Francis loves a crowd. He lights up when he meets people, especially those with disabilities, the sick and babies. friends, acquaintances or Jesuits.

In fact, his trips abroad have always included private get-togethers with his Jesuit confreres.

In South America, Pope Francis speci¿cally asked that his meetings with the bishops be private, informal conversations, similar to the way he handles the regular ad limina or ¿ve-yearly visits

of bishops to the Vatican to report on the state of their dioceses.

Pope Francis’ speeches in general – whether to presidents, civic and business leaders, young people or even, for example, the prisoners in Bolivia – acknowledge what is going well and being done right, then seeks to build on that. It’s a combination of a pat on the back and a nudge forward.

Since the days of the globetrotting St John Paul II, the nunciature stakeout has been a staple of papal trips. In fact, anywhere a pope sleeps, people will gather, shouting and singing, in the hopes that the pope will make a special appearance.

St John Paul, retired Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have all obliged on occasion. Although in Quito, Ecuador, it seemed that Pope Francis was inspired at least partially by the complaints of neighbours about the noise.

The three nights Pope Francis stayed there, he came out to say good night. Increasingly his tone was that of a dad who had already told his children ¿ve times to go to bed. CNS

The value and power of ritual TODAY we no longer understand the value and power of ritual. This is more than an individual failing. It’s the cultural air we breathe. In the words of psychoanalyst Robert L Moore, we’ve gone “ritually tone-deaf”. The effects of this can be seen everywhere. Allow me two examples: First, we see this today in the failure by so many couples to grasp the need to formalise their relationship in a ceremony of marriage. They make a private commitment to live together but feel no need to formalise this before a civil authority or inside a church. Their belief is that their love and private commitment to each other is all that’s needed. What does a formal ceremony or a church blessing add to that commitment? The prevalent feeling is that a formal ceremony, even in a church, is nice as a celebration and as something to please others, but, beyond that, it adds little or nothing in terms of anything important. What does ritual contribute to actual life?

We see this same view in many current attitudes towards churchgoing, prayer and the sacraments. What’s the value of participating in something when seemingly our hearts aren’t in it? What’s the value of going to church when we feel it’s meaningless? What’s the value of praying formally when, today, our hearts are far away from what our words are saying? Further still, what’s the value in going to church or in saying prayers at those times when we feel a certain positive repugnance to what we’re doing? Indeed these questions are often expressed as an accusation: People are just going through the motions of church and prayer, parroting words that aren’t really meaningful to them, going through an empty ritual! What’s the value in that?

The value is that the ritual itself can hold and sustain our hearts in something deeper than the emotions of the moment. Matthew Crawford, in his recent book, The World Beyond Your Head, suggests that ritual acts positively even when our feelings are negative.

His words: “Consider as an example someone who suffers not from some ragging emotion of lust, resentment, or jealousy… but rather sadness, discontent, boredom, or annoyance. A wife, let us say, feels this way about her husband. But she observes a certain ritual: she says “I love you” upon retiring at night. She says this not as a report about her feelings – it is not sincere – but neither it is a lie. What it is is a kind of prayer. She invokes something that she values – the marital bond – and in doing so turns away from her present discontent and toward this bond, however elusive it may be as an actual experience.

It has been said that ritual (as opposed to sincerity) has ‘subjunctive’ quality to it: one acts as if some state of affairs were true, or could be.

It relieves one of the burden of ‘authenticity’. The ritual of saying ‘I love you’ alters somewhat the marital scene; it may not express love so much as to invoke it, by incantation. One spouse invites the other to join with her in honouring the marriage, something one could honour.

It is an act of faith: in one another, but also in a third thing, which is the marriage itself.”

What Crawford highlights here is precisely, “a third thing”, that is, something beyond the emotions of a given moment and our faith in each other, namely, the institution of marriage itself as a ritual container, as a sacrament that can hold and sustain a relationship beyond the emotions and feelings of the moment. Marriage, as an institution, human and divine, is designed to sustain love inside of and beyond the emotional and affective Àuctuations that inevitably occur inside of every intimate relationship. Marriage allows two people to continue to love each other despite boredom, irritation, anger, bitterness, wounds, and, in some cases, even in¿delity. The ritual act of getting married places one inside that container.

German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, when preaching at marriage ceremonies, would frequently give this counsel to couples: Today you are much in love and you feel that love will sustain your marriage. It wouldn’t. But marriage can sustain your love.

Being ritually tone-deaf, we struggle to understand that. The same holds true for church-going, the sacraments and private prayer. It’s not a question of going through the motions on days when the feelings aren’t there. Rather it’s going through the ritual as an incantation, as an honouring of our relationship to God, and as an act of faith in prayer.

If we only said “I love you” when we actually felt that emotion and if we only prayed when we actually felt like it, we wouldn’t express love or pray very often. When we say “I love you” and when we do formal prayer at those times when our feelings seem to belie our words, we aren’t being hypocritical or simply going through the motions, we’re actually expressing some deeper truths.

FOCUS

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

&16 ¿OH SKRWR

People displaced by violence sit outside a church in Ankawa, Iraq. A typical day for many Iraqi Christians encamped at Ankawa, near Irbil, would involve a struggle against desperation, frustration, anxiety and boredom.

Frustrations build up among Christians in Iraqi refugee camp MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – When the Islamic State overran the Iraqi town of Qaraqosh last August, one of the priests there jumped into his car and joined the exodus of Christians on the road east in the hope of reaching the safety of Kurdish-controlled territory.

Little did Fr Bashar Kthea, a Syriac Catholic priest, know that for the next three months the car would be his home, the place where he would sleep, eat and keep his few possessions.

He now lives with fellow priests and is ministering to more than 1,700 predominantly Syriac Catholic families who occupy a part of the refugee camp at Ankawa, near the Kurdish capital of Irbil, which has become known as the “Youth Centre”.

The 39-year-old priest’s comments on the squalor and frustrations that Iraqi Christians continue to face after nearly a year in the camp was relayed to Catholic News Service through fellow refugee, Ms Sahar Mansour, a Chaldean Catholic from Mosul, in an email.

Refugees in the Youth Centre live in over-crowded single-room caravans, or trailers, usually averaging about eight occupants.

Very often, two smaller families share one trailer, where there is little privacy and little chance to speak freely among themselves.

Most occupants sleep on the Àoor because there are neither enough beds nor any space to put them.

When any of the adults want to change clothes, everyone else has to leave the trailer.

In situations for families with babies, crying causes nearly eve-

ryone to lose sleep unless a parent takes the child outside.

Family members spend most of the daytime and evenings in the caravans as employment opportunities are few. Those who have found work at times complain that the local Kurds who recruited them declined to pay them.

Instead, they remain almost totally dependent on overseas aid and upon the Church, though some are beginning to lay out stalls sell-

Fr Bashar Kthea serves displaced Christians in the Ankawa refugee camp. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

ing goods at prices lower than the local stores, an indication perhaps of a burgeoning black market.

Fr Kthea said the lack of work, particularly for the young, was creating “moral corruption, which was not known before”, Ms Mansour wrote.

In such conditions, Fr Kthea reported that previously strong marriages are increasingly under pressure with husbands and wives “losing patience” with each other, while neighbours begin to grum-

ble, gossip and give in to envy.

A sense of hopelessness has engulfed even the young, including university students who can no longer study, and engaged couples who hoped to marry but have effectively found themselves homeless.

“The majority of the young people are thinking to not stay in Irbil anymore and they do their best to Àee,” Ms Mansour wrote.

“They tell me things like there is no future here and they can see no future, [they say] that ‘we lost one year from our life and that life is important, valuable and it is worth living, but not to live it like this.’”

The caravans have no toilets or running water, meaning the displaced people must use common facilities for showering or use a lavatory. The arrangement often results in long lines of women dressed in pyjamas, with some unable to wait long enough to use a toilet, Ms Mansour reported.

Nor is there air conditioning in the caravans, leaving occupants to swelter in temperatures as high as 52 deg Celsius. They fan themselves with anything they can ¿nd – usually a kitchen tray or a wad of paper.

“When you talk to Fr Bashar, you notice that he is fatigued, exhausted ... but he works with total dedication,” Ms Mansour said.

“He always says that we are created in order to work, that we are soldiers of Christ, that we want to cultivate love and peace, that we want future generations to live better than we lived, and that we do not want to inherit the culture of violence.” CNS

17

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

When God is replaced by $$$

By Marcellino D’Ambrosio Does being spiritual and being devoted to God mean we have to Àee the material world, its wealth, pleasures and our possessions? It’s a question that comes up frequently as we read Church documents, listen to our spiritual leaders or even when we read the Bible. It may seem, to some, as if wealth is something to be avoided and the wealthy shunned.

In fact, the message about wealth in the Gospel, and in our lives as Christians, is complex and has little to do with the material.

It is, in fact, more about the spiritual.

Think back to Adam and Eve. They were given responsibility to care for the Garden of Eden even before sin entered into the story.

Work is holy and ought to be productive. And enjoying the fruits of our labour and sharing them with others are some of life’s greatest blessings.

Where we humans may run into trouble is in the way we view the material, especially wealth. It is all too easy for some to let money become a substitute for God. That’s what Jesus means when he says you can’t serve both God and mammon (Lk 16:13). Those who choose mammon for their master seek their identity and ultimate security in money.

We see this in those such as the rich man of Luke 12. His problem is not that he is excited about a bumper harvest, but that he succumbs to the illusion that

CN graphic: CHRISTOPHER WONG

this wealth means security.

What is your passion? Is the quest for the perfect mate? A particular job? Is it to win a coveted trophy? A degree? To Àourish in business? The desire for all these things can be good indeed.

The avid pursuit of each of these things can actually be a duty, depending on one’s state in life. It can bring bene¿ts for a person, or for a family, or for a community, depending on how they are put to use. Achievements can be great and can honour God. The question, however, is whether these pursuits and per-

It is all too easy for some to let money become a substitute for God. haps achievements become stepping stones or become impediments on our road to meet God, to carry out His will, to help others and therefore build His kingdom.

Some of those achievements can bring great things, but none

greater than what God offers. To all who will accept it, Jesus offers the pearl of great price (Mt 13:4546). What we don’t like about this is that it costs us everything to buy it. We have to surrender the title to all that we have and all that we are. God holds the title but still allows us to live in the house.

But for everyone, once in a while, there comes a moment of truth when we ¿nd out whether or not we have really, in fact, surrendered that title. Sometimes we don’t want to let go of what we have.

Avarice, the love of money, is

Is it a sin to be rich?

By Father John Catoir In our lives of faith, we hear the phrase found in Mark 10:25 over and over: “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” We also often hear popes, including Pope Benedict XVI and certainly Pope Francis, speak against and denounce the disparity between rich and poor in the world.

So, of course, in a country where wealth and material comfort are something to aspire to, we must ask whether it’s a sin to be rich, based on the various messages we hear in the Gospel and from our spiritual guides and leaders.

My answer is that, of course, it’s not a sin to be rich. What’s in question is how wealth is acquired, how we use it, what place it occupies in our lives. We need to ask several questions: Did we acquire it in a moral fashion? Do we use it for the bene¿t of the world?

Is it the centre of our lives?

It is quite possible for a family to have acquired great wealth in an honourable way. Some,

however, may have ascended the glorious escalator to prosperity by the sale of drugs, or by thievery, or by dishonest business practices.

That is wrong and sinful.

Perhaps the central question is not “Is being rich a sin?” but “How are you using your wealth?

Are you guarding it sel¿shly with no intention of ever sharing it with those less fortunate?”

That would be a sinful attitude.

The money itself is morally neutral. The acquisitive spirit of greed is, however, a sin. Being rich also is morally neutral. How you acquire wealth and how you use it is much more morally relevant.

A Christian is called to follow the example of Jesus Christ who was concerned about the poor, the outcast and the less

What’s in question is how wealth is acquired, how we use it, what place it occupies in our lives.

fortunate. We are called to imitate Christ in that sense.

That means every Christian should be concerned about the needs of others so as to be of help where it is prudently possible to make a difference.

It goes without saying that we should strive to give a reasonable portion of our earthly possessions to those in need.

However, balance is always necessary. We need to make a reasonable effort to be good. Take care of your family but prudently try to be charitable to others.

Sometimes emergencies come to us out of the blue: a person pleading for ¿nancial help. You may feel a strong desire to come to the rescue immediately, but be cautious.

We are called to sympathise, help and give, but being a fool for Christ doesn’t mean you have to be a fool.

Should you need a compass to make your way safely on the journey of life, try this formula as your guide: Charity in all things. CNS Fr Catoir is a columnist for Catholic News Service.

one of the seven deadly sins. This vice is not a matter of indulging too much in the “good things of life”. That’s gluttony, which is dangerous, but much less deadly.

Avarice is not about spending money; it is about possessing things, ¿nding one’s security and identity in things, clinging to things, hoarding things.

Take, for example, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. His wealth did not make him happy. It led him to misery (all sin ultimately leads to misery). Does not the Gospel mention that the rich young man went away sad?

When we read this story, we are inclined to smile smugly as Jesus condemns all those ¿lthy rich people who own companies that send us bills each month.

But when Jesus warns the rich, He’s not classifying people according to what they have, but how attached they are to what they have. There are many of modest means who will cling ¿ercely to what little they have.

What we read in the Gospel when it comes to wealth is not a condemnation of the rich or of the material. It is a challenge to all of us. It is not aimed at the rich.

Most of us are pretty decent and keep most of the commandments.

But rich or poor, we can’t forget to focus on our loving God with our whole heart, mind and soul. CNS D’Ambrosio writes from Texas. He is co-founder of Crossroads Productions, an apostolate of Catholic renewal and evangelisation.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Catholic social teaching, which Àows straight from the teaching of Jesus, addresses how we are to use money for our bene¿t and the bene¿t of others. From Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis’ teachings, Church leaders have offered valuable guidance on this topic.

Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo’s encyclical, said that on the question of riches “man ought not regard external goods as his own, but as common so that, in fact, a person should readily share them when he sees others in need.”

More recently, Pope Francis noted that the problem isn’t the having of money. The problem is when money “owns” us. In The Joy of the Gospel, he said there’s a problem when we place our desire for money and wealth over the welfare of others. He calls this a “new tyranny” that “tends to devour everything that stands in the way of increased pro¿ts.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting St John Chrysostom, in No. 2446, says that this unrelenting “desire for money” steals from the poor and deprives them of life unless we willingly share what we have. CNS

FEATURE 19

Sunday August 9, 2015 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

What if your kids donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share your values?

Young people attend a youth rally and Mass.

When young people grow older, will they still attend Mass when they no longer live with their parents, asks the writer of this article.

What do you do when your children decide that church is not a priority for them?

By Liz Quirin Are you saving money? Are you recycling? Why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you call your friends instead of texting them? My children have reached an age when I no longer ask those questions very often.

They are saving, and they recycle whenever they can. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m somehow amazed when they tell me about speaking up at work to right some wrong, either a personal one or a business one.

When they were growing up, we preached many virtues to them, invited them to practise the corporal works of mercy, to help those who couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help themselves. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tricky business, though.

For example, my daughter went on a Âżeld trip to New York with high school friends. When they passed a beggar, my daughter gave him some change. Her friend looked at the man and yelled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get a job,â&#x20AC;? and she gave him nothing.

What if the man just pretended to be needy, used the money for something he shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t or was already getting some kind of supplemental income? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not your worry, I told my daughter.

You gave him the money with good intentions for the right reasons, and, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not talking about more than a dollar.

The values we consciously,

and perhaps unconsciously, pass on to our children will unfold in later years, as I have discovered.

For the most part, I am happy with the lessons they internalised.

They care about the poor, they try to help people in need and they respect other people no matter their socioeconomic status.

They are passionate about many of the right things, but we have one issue that remains un-

:KLOH , FDQÂśW FKDQJH WKHLU EHKDYLRXUV , FDQ SUD\ IRU WKHP :KDW , PXVW DYRLG LV FXWWLQJ RII FRPPXQLFDWLRQ ZLWK WKHP EHFDXVH WKH\ GRQÂśW EHKDYH H[DFWO\ WKH ZD\ , ZDQW resolved: They are not regular churchgoers, and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to make any headway with that.

Both my children live in different parts of the US, and they do go to church with me when they are home. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talked to them, but, somehow, with all of the good things they do and the care they have for those in need, church didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it on the priority list.

I look around at the families at my parish and wonder if their

&16 ÂżOH SKRWR

children will go to church when they no longer live at home.

Sometimes I think my children are lazy; they just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to get up on Sunday morning to go to Mass. It could be that they organised their priorities incorrectly. They should have put Sunday Mass at the top of the list rather than leaving it off the list entirely.

While I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change their behaviours when they live so far away, I can pray for them, bring up topics that might give them a chance to think about commitments to Mass. What I must avoid is cutting off communication with them because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t behave exactly the way I want.

When I disagree with a choice my daughter makes, she tells me she understands what I say but that I no longer dictate what she does. She says it lovingly, but the message is clear: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do this because this is my life, not yoursâ&#x20AC;?, and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right.

Just like all parents, I love my children unconditionally. That doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean I approve of or like everything they do. I believe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear to them. Control was never a word I liked, so I try to stay away from the word and its deÂżnition.

As long as they know I love them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and they do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I will contin-

ue to ask my questions and nudge them to think about their relationship with God and their commitment to strengthening that commitment. It may, someday, lead them back to regular participation in a parish church, at Mass.

In the meantime, I will storm

heaven asking for a nudge from the Holy Spirit to enkindle in them a longing for the Eucharist, a most perfect answer to my prayer. Â&#x201E; CNS 4XLULQ LV HGLWRU RI 7KH 0HVVHQJHU QHZVSDSHU RI WKH 'LRFHVH RI %HOOHYLOOH ,OOLQRLV 86$

20

Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

St Aidan was born in Ireland. He became a monk and was very well-liked

by King Oswald. The king made him bishop of the island of Lindisfarne, where Aidan started a monastery.

Lindisfarne was located off the coast of Northumbria, near presentday Scotland. At the time, the people of Northumbria were pagans, and Aidan worked to convert them to Christianity.

St Aidan was also known for helping the poor, as well as children and slaves. He died in 651, and we honour him on Aug. 31.

Bible Accent: The Bible talks a lot about God’s faithfulness. This means that God will always keep the promises he makes.

For example, in Genesis, God promised Abraham that he would have a child in his old age and that his descendants would become a great nation. Sarah, Abraham’s wife who could not have children, gave birth to Isaac. God also made Abraham’s descendants into the 12 tribes of Israel.

Also in Genesis, God promised that he would save Noah and his family from dying in the Àood. So God told Noah how to build an ark and let him know when it was safe to leave it.

In Exodus, God said that he would help Moses lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they were not always faithful to God, but God was always faithful to them. In the Book of Joshua, the Israelites ¿nally entered the land God said he would give them.

Throughout the Old Testament, God promised that he would send a Messiah who would save us from sin and death. That promise was ful¿lled in the New Testament through the birth, life and death of God’s son, Jesus.

Read more about it: Luke 1

Q&A 1. Who were the two people Gabriel visited?

2. What are the names of the two babies who were to be born?

Wordsearch: HOUSE MOTHER ANGEL COUSIN PRIEST

KIDS’ CLUB:

BLESSED BABY

Essay: Why is it so important to believe in the promises that God makes to us?

VISION BORN THRONE WIFE MOTIONS

PUZZLE: The mysteries of the rosary focus on Jesus’ life, starting with the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. The rosary has four sets of mysteries – Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous – and each set contains ¿ve mysteries to reÀect upon. Below are the names of the sets and a list of some of the mysteries. In the blank, put the letter of the set in which the mystery belongs.

For hints, see “How to Pray the Rosary” on the U.S. bishops’ website: www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-anddevotions/rosaries/how-to-pray-the-rosary.cfm A. Joyful B. Sorrowful C. Glorious D. Luminous The Resurrection 1.

The Agony in the Garden 2.

The Institution of the Eucharist 3.

The Visitation 4.

The Ascension 5.

The Annunciation 6.

7.

The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan 8.

The Cruci¿xion and Death _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

Answer to Wordsearch

St Aidan

your womb. ... Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be ful¿lled.”

4. A; 8. B

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

In answer, Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Then Gabriel left.

Not long afterwards, Mary took a trip to visit her cousin. When Elizabeth heard Mary come into the house and say hello, her baby – who was John the Baptist – leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth, ¿lled with the Holy Spirit, cried, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of

3. D; 7. D;

God sent his angel, Gabriel, to make two very important announcements.

First, Gabriel visited the priest Zechariah. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, could not have children, and they both were getting older.

One day, Zechariah went into the temple’s sanctuary, where Gabriel appeared to him. The angel said that Elizabeth was going to have a baby, and the child would be ¿lled with the Holy Spirit and turn many Israelites back to God. Zechariah did not believe what he heard. For his disbelief, Gabriel told him he would not be able to speak until the baby was born. Zechariah left the sanctuary and all he could do was make hand motions. The people praying outside saw this and knew God had given him a vision. After a

time, Elizabeth became pregnant, just as the angel had said.

Gabriel’s second visit was to the Virgin Mary who lived in Nazareth.

She was betrothed to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Gabriel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and she would become the mother of God’s son, Jesus.

“He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end,” the angel told her.

Gabriel also told Mary something else: Her cousin, Elizabeth, who could not have children, was going to have a baby too.

“For nothing is impossible for God,” Gabriel said.

Answer to puzzle: 1. C; 2. B; 5. C; 6. A;

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday August 9, 2015 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.catholicnews.sg/whatson

WEDNESDAYS FROM JULY 29 TO SEPTEMBER 23 A BIBLICAL WALK WITH THE BLESSED MOTHER 8pm-10pm: A DVD-based programme presented by Edward Sri. This is a Catholic Bible study that will bring you on an extraordinary pilgrimage, revealing Mary’s unique role in God’s kingdom and our lives. Fee: $32 for study set. Organised

by Bible Apostolate from Church of the Holy Spirit. At Church of the Holy Spirit, 248 Upper Thomson Road #03-02.

Register T: 9479 3120 (Alexander); E: hsbibleapostolate.pm@gmail.com.

CATECHISM FOR THE ELDERLY Catechism classes for the elderly are held in English, Mandarin, Peranakan, Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese on Thursdays from 1-2.45pm at Church of the Holy Family and on Saturdays at St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street), parish hall from 9.30am11.30am. Register T: 9115 5673 (Andrew).

AUGUST 1 JOYFUL PARENTING PUBLIC FORUM 1-5.30pm: Our Joyful Parenting Public Forum will be held in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week 2015. Join our panel of doctors and family educators at this forum to better understand how you can nurture your child from birth and beyond.

Organised by Family Life Society. At KKH Auditorium Level 1, Women’s Tower. Register T: 6488 0278 (Doris); W: http://bitly.com/mom_n_breastfeeding.

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART COLUMBARIUM – UPDATING OF NICHE APPLICATION RECORDS The Church of the Sacred Heart is currently carrying out an exercise to update the records of all niche applications. If you have purchased a niche for yourself or for a loved one, we would be grateful if you could obtain a copy of the “Niche Update Form” at the bulletin stand or from our Parish Of¿ce.

Kindly return the form to the Parish Of¿ce before Aug 16. For queries, E: columbarium@sacredheartchurch.sg.

AUGUST 1 TO AUGUST 2 MERCY – CATHOLIC STUDENTS’ OVERSEAS COMMUNITY’S SUMMER EVENT Are you heading to the UK, US or any other country outside of Singapore to further your studies or going on exchange?

Or are you already an overseas student back home for the holidays? Come join us for this event! Organised by CSOC. At St Joseph’s Church, 143A Victoria Street.

Enquiries E: csocsingapore@gmail.com; W: https://csocsingapore.wordpress.com/.

REGISTRATION FOR CANOSSIAN CONVENT KINDERGARTEN – A SANCTUARY ON THE HILL TOP Registration for 2016 classes (N1 to K2) is open. For children born between 2010 and 2013. Come, explore and discover!

We will be running a comprehensive ¿ve-and-a-half hour programme with daily meditation and prayers led by the Canossian Sisters. Organised by Canossian Convent Kindergarten. At 100 Jalan Merbok, off Jalan Jurong Kecil. Enquiries T: 6469 2201; E: cckggeneralof¿ce@ gmail.com: W: www.canossian.org.sg.

AUGUST 4 TO NOVEMBER 3 (FOR 14 TUESDAYS) FOUR HISTORICAL BOOKS BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ Two sessions per day: 9.30am-11.30am or 7.45pm-9.45pm. Join us on 14 Tuesdays for a Bible course on the books of Judith, Ruth, Tobit and Jonah. Organised by: Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate. Fee (inclusive of materials and refreshments): $100. At CAEC 2 Highland Road. Register E: biblicalapostolate.wordpress.com.

Enquiries: T: 6280 0354 (of¿ce hours) / E: bibleapostolic@catholic.org.sg.

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH PIECES OF APRIL 9am-6pm: Pieces of April is a Canossian green initiative to save the earth and give new life to used items received to bene¿t the poor. Our thrift shop opens every ¿rst Sunday of the month. Do drop by to show your support! Organised by Canossian Sisters. At Canossa Convent, 1 Sallim Road, Gate 1. Enquiries Email: pcsofapril@gmail.com.

AUGUST 6 TO AUGUST 8 QUENCH – YOUTH RETREAT 8pm (Thursday)-9pm (Saturday): Calling all youths! Join us for a 3D2N Youth Retreat. Organised by Jesus Youth (af¿liated to SACCRE). At Choice Retreat House, 47 Jurong West Street 42. Register W: singapore.jesusyouth.org. Enquiries T: 9006 1884 (Fionne) / 9688 0412 (Natalie).

JULY 15 TO AUGUST 26 BIBLE LECTURE SERIES – INTERPRETING AND UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE 8pm-10pm: Join us for a seven-week Bible lecture series held every Wednesday night.

The lectures will cover a broad range of topics essential for a proper understanding and interpretation of the Bible, including Biblical interpretation methods and the signi¿cance and importance of Jewish numerology in interpreting the Bible.

No previous Bible study experience necessary. Late registrations welcomed!

Venue: St Bernadette, 12 Zion Road, Canteen. Register and Enquiries T: 9877 1999; E: StBernBAT@gmail.com.

AUGUST 6 TO OCTOBER 15 DVD BIBLE STUDY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 8pm-10pm: Come and join us for 10 weeks of Bible study on the Book of 1 Corinthians.

See how our struggles today are very similar to the conÀicts of the early Christians. With increasing societal problems – division, marital breakdown, immorality, persecution

– the message of St Paul is urgent for our times. Organised by Biblical Apostolate Team of Church of Christ the King. At Church of Christ the King, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8. Register via SMS: 9832 1538 (Lene); E:ctkbat@hotmail.com.

AUGUST 14 TO AUGUST 16 A SPIRITUALITY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE – PART 2: LIFE AFTER THE MIDLIFE TRANSITION BY CENACLE SR LINDA LIZADA 8pm (Friday)-1pm (Sunday): This is a continuation of Part 1, and will primarily focus on living out the fruits of the midlife transition. Participants will bene¿t more from the weekend if they have participated in Part 1 or any other midlife programme. Fee: $250. Organised by Cenacle Sisters. At Montfort Centre, 622 Upper Bukit Timah Road.

AUGUST 14 YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT OF DISCUSSION – CREED ON THE STREET (COTS 4) 7.30pm-9.30pm: The purpose of the Creed On The Street (COTS) event is to invite young adults to join in a conversation with each other, to lend faith perspectives on social issues. Topic: Exploitation of the Earth – a Cause of Human Suffering. Organised by Caritas Singapore Young Adults Committee.

At CANA, 55 Waterloo Street, St Magdalene Room, Level 3. Register and Enquiries E: youngadults@caritas-singapore.org; W: www.caritas-singapore-org.

AUGUST 15 FINDING GOD IN MOVIES 2-5pm: Come and watch the movie, My Old Lady (Kelvin Kline with Maggie Smith). It includes a narrative of discovery, joy and sadness, love, life and brokenness. Engage in conversation afterwards. Water and light refreshments will be provided. Facilitators: Diana Koh and Diana Tan. Fee: $10. Organised by Kingsmead Centre. At Kingsmead Centre, at 8 Victoria Park Road. Register T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com.

AUGUST 15 RELIGIOUS TRAINING PROGRAMME (REAP) CONDUCTED BY BRISBANE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEAM 8.30am-2.30pm: There will be a training programme by Brisbane’s Religious education team for all Catholic educators and catechists. Fee (inclusive of resources, materials and meals): $45. Organised by Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools. At CJC’s Training and Development Centre, 129 Whitley Road. Register E: susie.lim@catholic.org.sg; W: www.accs.sg.

AUGUST 15 UNDERSTANDING GAMBLING ADDICTIONS 10am-noon: Gambling is as serious as, if not more than, any other forms of addiction.

Yet only 10 percent of problem gamblers seek professional help. When is gambling considered out of control? What are the ways to battle and quit this addiction? Come join us to ¿nd out more so you can help yourself or someone you care about. Refreshments

provided. Fee: $10. Concession for THRIVE partners only. At Multi-Purpose Hall 1, Agape Village, 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh.

Register: T: 6757 7990 / 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org.

Temple, 2001 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh.

Register (1) name (2) parish (3) hp number

by Aug 7 with Gerald: gerald@accird.org.

AUGUST 22 A JOURNEY IN DISCERNMENT OF LIFE 9am-5pm: Led by a team of FMM Sisters, we invite you to a day of input and recollection that takes us on A Journey in Discernment of Life, using the labyrinth meditation tool and others. Open to single women 18-40 years of age. Fee: $20.

Organised by Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. At FMM House of Prayer and Formation, 49 Holland Road. Register T: 8386 6476 (Sr Sylvia).

EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY FROM AUGUST 19 TO DECEMBER 16 TALK: QUANTUM PHYSICS, POLITICS AND THE BLESSED TRINITY 7.30pm-9.30pm: Is the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity unnecessary hair-splitting or does it shed light on, science, politics and what it means to be human? Join us as we explore these issues and more. This will be part 5 of a series of 8 presentations and discussions on J Ratzinger’s classic work, An Introduction to Christianity. Presenter: Derrick Chee. Free admission. Organised

by Catholic Theology Network. At CANA, 55 Waterloo Street, St Flora’s Room, 2nd Àoor. Register E: theology.sg@gmail.com.

AUGUST 23 ANNUAL MASS AND BLESSING OF CATHOLIC NURSES, HEALTHCARE GIVERS AND PROFESSIONALS 5.30pm: Join us for a Mass and blessing of Catholic nurses, healthcare givers and professionals. There will be a buffet dinner after Mass. Fee: $10. Organised

by Catholic Nurses Guild of Singapore.

At Church of Divine Mercy, 19 Pasir Ris Street 72. Register T: 9236 1047 (Theresa) / 9109 3391 (Doreen) / 8121 0988 (Yvonne) / 9785 4283 (Stephanie).

AUGUST 21 NOX GAUDII 7.45pm-11pm: Calling all young people!

Join us for Nox Gaudii. There will be praise and worship, preaching, Eucharistic adoration, Sacrament of Reconciliation and a time of fellowship. Organised by Of¿ce for Young People. At OYP, 2 Lorong Low Koon. Enquiries W: www.oyp.org.sg.

AUGUST 29 TO AUGUST 30 INKSPIREME! @ ST BERN’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY PAINTING EXHIBITION Aug 29: 5pm-8pm; Aug 30: 9am-2pm.

InkspireME!@St Bern’s, a Chinese painting class under the tutelage of Mr Yap Sin Guan, a local Chinese artist with over 30 years’ experience, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an exhibition cum silent auction of paintings to raise funds for the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. The exhibition will be held over two days in the Parish Hall at Church of St Bernadette, 12 Zion Road. Do come and share our 10th anniversary celebration with us. Enquiries: 8351 4520 (Winnie).

AUGUST 21 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8pm-9pm: Come join us in this ecumenical meditative prayer with the songs of Taize, every third Friday of the month. Organised

by Taize Group at Good Shepherd Place.

At Good Shepherd Place Chapel, 9 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. Enquiries E: a.quiet.time@ gmail.com. W: www.taize.fr/en.

AUGUST 22 INTRODUCTION TO AUTHENTIC CONVERSATIONS 9.30am-5pm: The dire lack of authentic conversation spaces have reduced many conversations to gossip and slander. How does one facilitate and nurture safe spaces for authentic conversation that is so critically needed in the Church and the world today?

Listen to your call through the needs of the many who thirst for real conversation.

Facilitators: Lance Ng and Celina Lin. Fee (inclusive of lunch): $50. Organised

by Kingsmead Centre. At Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Road. Register T: 6467 6072; Email: cisc2664@gmail.com.

AUGUST 29 COMMUNICATING WELL 9am-10pm: Join us for a 4-hour workshop based on non-violent communication facilitated by Sr Rosalia Yeo. Fee: $35.

Organised by Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality, 100 Jalan Merbok. T: 64662178 (Brenda); E: lifesprings@singnet. com.sg; W: lifespringscanossian.com.

SEPTEMBER 5 YOUNG ADULTS AWARENESS EVENT 2015 9am-5pm: This is an invitation to young adults to join this journey of awareness and reÀection on how they can live out their social mission in our society today. There will be talks, spiritual input, reÀections and sharings on what Caritas Singapore and the various charity organisations are doing to help those in need and how young adults can be a part of it. The theme for the event will be: The Island of Mercy in a Sea of Indifference. Organised by Caritas Singapore. At Agape Village, 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. Register and Enquiries W:www.caritas-singapore.org.

AUGUST 22 INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE LEARNING TRIPS 2015 – 3RD IN A SERIES 10.30am-1.30pm: Come join us on a visit to the Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple.

As preparation, all participants (inclusive of former participants) must attend a 2-hour formation and orientation session on either Aug 17, 18 or 20 at 7.45pm at the Church of St Ignatius. Alternative dates/ times can be worked out. A debrief right after the visit proper will be done to help process one’s experience. Lunch will be provided by the temple. Organised by ACCIRD. At Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman

Crossword Puzzle 1141 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 24

28

29

25

26

30

41

45 50

42

55

36 43

47 51

56

38

39

44 48

52 57

59

37

32 35

46

13

27

34

40

12

23

31

33

54

22

11

49 53

58 60

61

62

65

66

70

71

72

73

74

75

67

68

63

64

69

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Church sounder 5 Detection equipment 10 Former coin of Spain 14 Netman Nastase 15 Mountain ridge 16 Greek goddess of the rainbow 17 Mondavi’s valley 18 Ivana follower 19 Longish skirt 20 “_____ to God in the highest” 22 One of the seven 24 Tide 27 Suffocate 28 Medieval Christian soldier 32 Drunkard 33 Air (comb.)

34 Given a G, say 36 Ticks off 40 Launch grp.

42 Miraculous, for one 44 Smack 45 Stock up on 47 Jordan, for one

49 Af¿rmative vote 50 Religious instruction, formerly (abbr.)

52 Communicated 54 Shooting stars 58 Queen of Carthage 59 The sense of self 61 “The _____ near!”

65 Congeal 66 Flaw 69 Extinct Àightless bird 70 Part of a plot 71 Roo¿ng items 72 Above 73 Goliath lost his 74 Slink 75 Trim DOWN 1 Catholic actor and crooner, Crosby 2 Israel’s airline 3 Fat-reducing procedure, brieÀy 4 Discovers 5 Animal of sacri¿ce in the Old Testament

6 Altar in the sky 7 Pertaining to the skin (comb.)

8 Catholic ¿tness guru, Charles _____ 9 Equips again 10 “Nunc _____” 11 King David sent him into battle to be killed (2 Sam 11:14–15) 12 Crest 13 Willow 21 Advent through Ordinary Time 23 The Upper _____ 25 Rib-giver 26 Chief apostle 28 Catholic family conference 29 Printer’s purchase 30 _____ Minor 31 Changed the décor of 35 Solomon’s father 37 Papal _____ 38 Catholic actress Dunaway 39 Earned a citation?

41 What Jesus did on a

certain Thursday 43 Son of Leah 46 Native of Glasgow 48 Hardly genteel 51 Floats 53 City in the Archdiocese of Westminster and the Diocese of Brentwood 54 One of the prophets

55 Develop 56 Earth 57 Tide target 60 Christmas 62 It returned to Noah with an olive branch 63 Notion 64 Category 67 Meadow 68 Tongue-clucking sound

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1140 W A F E R

E L A T E

E V I C T

H O R A

I R O N

S N A G

N A S A

O W E D

B A N D

K O A R L T E T E R E A I N N E S O T C N E L I H A T O D Y R D S E E R

H E A R T T E A C H W E D

N O A P P S H A S A H I H E R O E S P A S P U R E N I N D C C E O E R

S H R O U D

H A I R L E S I S R K A E R D E N A S

E G A D

B E N E

A N T S

O I L Y

U S E R

S I T S

I R A T E

L E V E R

E D E M A

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

24

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Sunday August 9, 2015 CatholicNews

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