Catholic News issue 18, 2017 by CatholicNews

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

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MESSAGE FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION SUNDAY – SEPT 9 AND 10, 2017

Pray for Catholic education in Singapore

VOL 67

NO. 18

INSIDE HOME

Fatima image coming to Singapore Statue is one of six blessed by pope

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ

n Page 7

This year we celebrate the 165th anniversary of Catholic education in Singapore. It began with the arrival of 6 FSC (La Salle) Brothers and 4 Infant Jesus Sisters in 1852. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Council of Catholic Schools’ Principals (CCSP) was formed recently in February 2017. Since then, the principals have been very active in their desire to raise the standard of Catholic education in Catholic schools. But this cannot be the work of principals alone, and less still the sponsoring authorities, namely, the archbishop and the various Religious congregations in charge of schools. We need the support of every Catholic – parents, alumni students, teachers and students. We must once again recover the Catholic identity of our Catholic schools. But this requires your support, and especially your prayers. To enhance the thrust of Catholic education in our schools, we are celebrating the first Catholic Education Sunday in the Archdiocese in Singapore. I have composed two prayers for this occasion, one for the teachers and an “evergreen” prayer for all to pray every day for our Catholic schools. More than 50,000 cards will be distributed to all parishioners and schools so that we can pray with and for each other. We would like you to encourage others to pray this prayer as well. The most effective way to lead young people to the Lord is through a personal encounter with Him, which happens in prayer and through the power of prayer. Indeed, in the Gospel, Jesus would not undertake any ministry without first being in communion with His Father in prayer. We need to pray for wisdom for our Catholic educators in making wise decisions in forming our students in the Spirit of Christ, which entails a holistic formation that is spiritual, academic and in human qualities as well as in communitarian involvement.

Evangelising using social media

Let us be united in this effort to strengthen the Catholic ethos in our Catholic schools.

Archdiocese holds special workshop n Page 16

WORLD

N Korea’s missile threats Guam Catholics pray for peace n Page 17

Church leaders condemn Spain attacks ‘People are deeply shocked and saddened’ n Page 18

POPE FRANCIS

Pope on ‘perfect’ Catholics who despise others Stresses that Church is made up of sinners n Page 21

OUR JUBILARIANS

Most Rev William Goh Archbishop of Singapore

Honouring priests and Religious celebrating jubilees this year

Page 6: Message from Council of Catholic Schools’ Principals

n Pages 10-12

Devotedly yours,

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Age not an obstacle for newly ordained Jesuit priest Fr Jerome Leon shares his faith journey with Jared Ng He was 40 when he joined the Jesuit novitiate in 2007. However Fr Jerome Leon did not let the age gap between himself and fellow novices deter him in his journey to the priesthood. “At that time, the [age] gap between some of the other novices and myself was about 15 years,” recalled Fr Jerome, who considered himself an introvert. As a result, he found it difficult “to share and relate.” However over time, through “ample support and encouragement” from his fellow novices as well as formators during sharings and sessions, he was able to open up and “adjust better to community living.” He was ordained at the Church of St Ignatius on Aug 19. Archbishop William Goh, in his address during the ordination Mass, encouraged Fr Jerome to “depend on the Lord”

in his priestly ministries. Archbishop Goh said Fr Jerome may sometimes feel inadequate in his service to the Church. However, “in your imperfections and inadequacy, this is where people will see the glory of God. No one is perfect. If we were, there would be no need for God,” said Archbishop Goh. Fr Jerome, now 50, worked in the engineering industry prior to joining the Jesuits. Coming from a family of converts, Fr Jerome shared that his sister, Eunice, became a Catholic when she was a teenager. “She would bring me along to some of her activities in church like the SSVP” [Society of St Vincent de Paul]. It was there that he saw priests and Religious serving the poor and needy. “That shaped the image of Church for me when I was young,” he added. Fr Jerome was baptised

in 2004 after attending the RCIA. It was during the RCIA that he felt God prompting him to take up a Religious vocation. Two days before his baptism, Fr Jerome shared that he and some Elect visited a few parishes on Maundy Thursday. “Our first stop was St Ignatius Church,” he recalled. He came across a Jesuit vocation poster which had the words: “Sinners, yet Called”. “I was deeply touched my those words and I soon developed this urge to contact them” [the Jesuits]. After much thought, Fr Jerome said he picked up the courage to contact Fr Philip Heng, then Jesuit novice master. As part of his discernment, Fr Jerome said he was encouraged to get involved in Church communities. He served at the Singapore Leprosy Relief Association (SILRA)

Fr Jerome Leon speaking after his ordination at the Church of St Ignatius on Aug 19. Photo: VITA Images

with Jesuit novices and also got in- living and working with migrants volved in the SSVP at the Church from a landscaping company. of the Risen Christ, his parish. He served at each posting for “My experience at the leprosy about six weeks. association helped me deepen my Fr Jerome recalled how living relationship with God and while with the migrants was an “eyeserving the residents, it was clear opening and humbling experience.” to me then that service to God and “They shared with me dreams His people was my calling.” of returning to their own country He shared that his family had one day to buy a plot of land to concerns about him joining the farm and live,” he recalled. Jesuits. After complet“They asked ing his novitiate, My experience me if I was sure Fr Jerome went about the decito a university in at the leprosy sion and had many Manila to comassociation helped plete his Philosoconcerns. However these concerns phy studies from me deepen my were out of love 2009-2011. relationship with and I knew they He returned to supported me in Singapore to comGod and while my choice,” said his regency serving the residents, plete Fr Jerome. from 2011-2013 Upon enterit was clear to me after which he left ing the novitiate, Boston, Masthen that service to for Fr Jerome said he sachusetts, USA, faced “uncertain- God and His people to finish his Theties” as to whether ology studies. was my calling. he had made the Fr Jerome – Fr Jerome Leon said he “relied on right decision. Among these the Lord through were the change from working in prayer” whenever he felt alone or a secular environment to studying lost. and attending classes in a reliThe community he lived with gious environment. was also very supportive and they He said “prayer and communi- had pizza meals every Friday ty support from my fellow novic- evening as a form of bonding and es and novice master” helped him fellowship. to settle down in the novitiate. His advice to those thinking of “They were patient and always joining the priesthood, “Go see a very encouraging,” he said. spiritual director for support and As part of his novitiate for- guidance, and don’t let fear get in mation, Fr Jerome was posted to the way.” n serve at St Joseph’s Home, to Jurong Bird Park as a cleaner, and to jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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A LIFELINE FOR TROUBLED TRANSNATIONAL FAMILIES The Catholic Church’s outreach to migrants living and working in Singapore through its organisation, ACMI, might be familiar with many Catholics. But writer Schutz Lee learns that there is in fact a lesser known and equally dire need that ACMI addresses amongst migrants – troubled families. President Donald Trump’s executive order on the immigration ban in January and Brexit in June last year are real-life examples of how divisive the issue of immigrants and foreigners have become in many societies. Stories of foreigners affected by the immigration ban in the US or by deportation from the UK post-Brexit highlight how vulnerable people can be when they are labelled a foreigner, an alien, a refugee or a migrant. In Singapore, one organisation has been working tirelessly over the years to be the compassionate friend to all non-Singaporeans. The Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People (ACMI) was commissioned as a Diocesan Migrant Ministry (DMM) in June 1998 by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore. ACMI’s aim is to respond to the pastoral needs of all migrants and itinerants in Singapore regardless of race, language or religion. ACMI provides social/ legal assistance, counselling and befriending services to all migrant workers, foreign construction workers, foreign domestic workers, foreign spouses and their families, foreign students and transients. Its mission work is informed and inspired by Catholic Social Teaching. Esther Chia, Executive Director of ACMI said, “We are called to this work in ACMI because we view it as bringing Christ to every segment of society, wherever the foreigners are, regardless of their race, religion,

or social standing. We are at the forefront of evangelisation, we hope they will discover Jesus through our witness. At the same time, by serving, we encounter Jesus in those in need, who feel vulnerable, who are facing deportation.” For over 18 years, ACMI has helped over 4,768 migrants with their challenges and issues, supplied more than 163,978 meals/ration packs for foreign workers and trained over 7,781 foreign domestic workers, and in 2016 alone, helped 62 foreign spouses in learning.

son’s girlfriend lived in the same rental flat as Serena, her teenage daughter and her young son. She and her children occupy the bedroom and the other three, the living room. In this rental flat, from his vantage point next to the main door, the husband terrorised Serena and her children, often locking them inside or outside the house depending on his mood. Once, he confiscated Serena’s son’s passport in an attempt to prevent him from leaving Singapore to visit Serena’s family.

we hope they will discover jesus through our witness. at the same time, by serving, we encounter jesus in those in need, who feel vulnerable, who are facing deportation. While its work with foreign workers is quite well documented, less well known is ACMI’s handling of cases involving the challenges faced by foreign spouses in the aftermath of a marital breakdown. One such case that dated back to 2013 took three years to come to a reasonable conclusion. During this period, ACMI case worker Elizabeth Tan tirelessly journeyed with a mother and her children, taking their calls at all hours of the day, guiding or encouraging them, and directing them to other channels of help. In 2013, Serena (not her real name) turned to ACMI when she was seeking to divorce from her Singaporean husband. Her husband was previously married and his grown-up son and the

On a daily basis, Serena’s husband, his adult son and his son’s girlfriend would watch TV through the night in the living room at high volumes, preventing Serena’s children from doing their homework or sleeping in peace. One of the ﬁrst things Elizabeth pointed out to Serena was that she would lose her long term social visit pass in the event of divorce and will not be allowed to stay in Singapore. This meant a separation from her daughter and son, who are both Singaporeans. “Divorce was counterproductive in Serena’s case, since her children were still young and not yet able to sponsor her stay in Singapore,” said Elizabeth. She advised Serena to wait

a few more years until her daughter reached the age of 21. Serena agreed to wait. In the meantime, Elizabeth helped Serena to arrange for anger management counselling for her husband at a Family Service Centre nearby. Elizabeth was also always a phone call away when Serena or her children needed a listening ear. Today, Serena and her children are resettled in their own rental ﬂat. Her daughter has started working and is the sponsor for Serena’s application to be a Singapore permanent residence. Said case worker Elizabeth, who had once been ACMI’s chairperson and executive director, “The cases that we handle have become more diverse and challenging, and are on the increase. We cannot shut our eyes to them. As long as there are families in crisis, ACMI is here to help them.” Esther added, “When we take on a case, we try to get to the root of the issue before we look for solutions. We listen, we ask and then we seek to ﬁnd the help and support they need, and journey with them each step of the way. We look at the pastoral care of the whole human person, ensuring that they are empowered to take back their dignity as a person, and transform themselves.” Those experienced in case work and counselling, or are bilingual in English and any ASEAN language and available as casual translators, are welcome to volunteer as Befrienders by writing to: general@acmi.org.sg.

Our archdiocese envisions a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church. As the fundraising arm of the Archdiocese of Singapore, the Catholic Foundation has launched the Giving in Faith & Thankfulness (GIFT) campaign to urge every Catholic to participate in making the vision of the archdiocese a reality.

GE PLEDW NO

Participants attend a baking course run by ACMI, one of many skills courses provided. Photo: ACMI.

a series contributed by

A client family speaking with case workers and a translator from ACMI during a consultation at Agape Village in Toa Payoh. Photo: ACMI.

ACMI’s volunteers handing out food at a domitory for foreign workers. Photo: ACMI.

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Archbishop William Goh joined the Marist Brothers in the cake cutting ceremony during the Aug 19 celebration. Also in the photo are Fr John Sim (third from left), Fr Henry Siew (fourth from left) and Fr Paul Tong (fifth from left).

Marist Brothers celebrate three milestone occasions By Jared Ng “Br Joseph Dufresse Chang shows us the way we can live our own vocations with fidelity and perseverance,” said Archbishop William Goh. He was speaking during a Mass marking a triple celebration of the Marist Brothers: Br Joseph’s 70th anniversary as a Religious, the 200th anniversary of the congregation and the blessing of the Marist Brothers’ newly renovated Catholic Kindergarten. About 300 people attended the event on Aug 19. Among them

were school staff of the kindergarten and Maris Stella High School, parents, alumni and students. Archbishop Goh commended Br Joseph on his years of service in Catholic education and to his Religious community. Archbishop Goh also remind-

ed participants that in order for their vocation to be one of love and service, they must first have “a God experience.” He said that this applied to all vocations and not just the Religious life – “marriages, parenthood and even at work,” he said.

The celebration commemorated Br Joseph Dufresse Chang’s 70th anniversary as a Religious, the 200th anniversary of the congregation and the blessing of the newly renovated Catholic Kindergarten.

He thanked the Marist Brothers for their contribution to the Catholic ethos of Maris Stella High School and noted that one important value students must have is respect for the elderly. “Our Catholic schools need to set a good example of treating the elderly with care, love, respect and dignity,” he said. Religious and priests too, he said, needed to be cared for and loved after retirement. The celebration also saw Br Joseph renewing his Religious vows. In his speech, Br Joseph thanked everyone for their well wishes and prayers and gave a summary of the ministries he has been involved in during his 70 years of service. Archbishop Goh and concelebrants Fr Henry Siew and Fr John

Sim then each blessed one level of the three-storey building. After Mass, the Marist Brothers joined Archbishop Goh in cutting two cakes; one for Br Joseph’s milestone jubilee and the other for the 200th anniversary of their congregation. Br Robert Teoh, provincial of the Marist Brothers in the East Asia province, thanked all those who supported the Brothers as well as the Marist schools. He assured participants that the Marist Brothers would continue to strive for a better education for young people. To end off the celebration, participants sang the Marist hymn to Mary. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Fr Joseph Dufresse Chang, who celebrated his 70th jubilee, renewing his Religious vows.

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Thousands throng cathedral, Sts Peter and Paul at Night Festival Thousands flocked to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and the Church of Sts Peter and Paul on Aug 18 and 19 during the Singapore Night Festival celebration. At the cathedral, people of different ages, religions and races lit candles for peace. There were also hourly tours for visitors conducted by volunteers from the cathedral’s heritage ministry. Rector Msgr Philip Heng and Msgr Francis Lau launched the celebrations by lighting the first candle on each day. Visitors then proceeded to light their own candles and place them on the ground to form the words “Peace & Harmony.” They also filled the many banners with numerous wishes for peace and harmony. “We all long for peace in the world. We see that inter-religious harmony and cultural inclusiveness are crucial. In today’s climate of violence, we cannot presume that peace and harmony will always prevail,” Msgr Heng said. He felt that the festival at the cathedral could serve as a platform to promote peace and harmony because of how needed it is in the world today. The first weekend of the festival attracted more than 9,000

visitors to the cathedral. Over at Sts Peter and Paul Church, there were guided tours around the exterior of the church for the estimated 6,000 visitors. These tours featured explanations of the facade, statues, Calvary scene and the grotto of the church. They were managed by the organisers, together with about 150 volunteers from the parish and some students from the Singapore Management University. The church also put together a mini-exhibition, showcasing sacred vessels, vestments and some historical artefacts, which allowed viewers to have an appreciation of sacred art. An introductory video of the parish and videos produced by the archdiocese’s Communications Office which explained the architectural theology of the church were also shown at the mini-exhibition. The main church building was the centre of attraction. Signages containing commentaries on the symbolisms of the various architectural elements were placed to help visitors understand the meaning behind them. Many visitors were particu-

The first weekend of the Singapore Night Festival saw more than 9,000 people visiting the cathedral and about 6,000 visiting Sts Peter and Paul Church.

Singapore Night Festival participants place candles to form the words ‘Peace & Harmony’ at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Photo: VITA Images

A tour led by cathedral volunteer Jevon Liew.

Visitors looking at various architectural elements in the Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

larly intrigued by the high altar, which was installed during the church’s recent restoration project. At the end of each night, visi-

tors were also presented with an opportunity to participate in Compline prayers, led by parish priest Fr Edward Lim and the St Peter and Paul choir.

The Night Festival activities were scheduled to continue on Aug 25 and 26 for the cathedral and on Aug 26 for Sts Peter and Paul Church. n

An evening of Taize songs

Br Ghislain from the Taize community in France speaking to participants during the event at Agape Village.

Br Ghislain from the Taize community in France led an evening of Taize songs at Agape Village. Organised by Caritas Singapore, the Taize session was an evening of meditative prayer, singing and silence for more than 350 people. It was held on Aug 11 and had the theme, Together, Opening Paths of Hope. Participants were invited to reflect on the Transfiguration, drawing moments in their lives where the hope and the glory of God shone through. Earlier that day, he led a short retreat with Caritas Singapore and its member organisations at Agape Village.

Br Ghislain shared that because of the many obstacles in life, people sometimes feel completely powerless and lose joy in what they do. “My wish is to refresh the joy ... How day after day, we can nourish the profound goodness of the human heart, and the profound goodness of the human soul,” he said. Br Ghislain likened the mission of Agape Village to Taize – that while all the activities are different, there is unity at Agape Village. He also touched on the similarity with his Taize community where the Brothers come from many different countries, yet live together.

Br Ghislain shared four proposals for the Caritas Sungapore team to work on that would lead to opening paths of hope. They were: standing firm in hope, simplifying our lives in order to share, coming together to allow the dynamism of the Gospel to be revealed, and allowing friendship to grow for peace. From these proposals, the Caritas Singapore team formed intercessory prayers that were used during the Taize session that evening. Br Ghislain was in Southeast Asia for the last few months for the Asian Youth Day and other events. He was passing through Singapore before heading back to France. n

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Passing on the light Message from Council Of Catholic Schools’ Principals for Catholic Education Sunday n 45,624

students in Catholic schools, regardless of race, language or religion

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Catholic preschools and kindergartens

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Catholic primary schools

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Catholic secondary schools

n 4 Catholic

full schools

n 1 Catholic

junior college

n 1 Catholic

school for special

education In Singapore, Catholic schools have come a long way. Catholic education in Singapore started 165 years ago, when St John’s School (now known as St Joseph’s Institution) was started to provide a Christian education to young boys. The school opened her doors in 1852 in a small chapel along Bras Basah Road and welcomed her first batch of 75 students,

with the boys coming from different ethnic groups and religions. The story of SJI is typical of all the Catholic schools in Singapore. Starting from small schools, they have all grown in size and stature. Today, our schools are well-regarded educational institutes. We live out our Catholic ethos, always focusing on the individual child while also developing all our students to be the unique individuals that God has created them to be, so that they will in turn use their gifts for the service of humanity. To coordinate and support Catholic schools in Singapore, the Archdiocesan Commission

for Catholic Schools (ACCS) was established. The ACCS works closely with the schools to provide a range of programmes, events and resources to support Catholic educators and guide schools’ effort in promoting the Catholic ethos. The archdiocese has designated Sept 10, 2017, as Catholic Education Sunday. For the first time ever, we will be celebrating Catholic education as a community. This serves as an opportunity to affirm the importance of the partnership between school-church-home to deliver a unique Catholic education where Christ is the centre of all we do.

Over the weekend of Sept 9 and 10, a special prayer of blessing will be said for all Catholic educators and there will be a screening of a short video montage on the impact of a Catholic education. Prayer cards will also be given to all parishioners and the call is for all who care for and who have benefited from a Catholic education to step forward to rally 165 others to pray for our schools. Students from our Catholic schools will also be working in partnership with more than 12 designated parishes to help serve as lectors, wardens or to sing alongside with the choir at one of the Masses. A mini exhibition booth on Catholic education in Singapore will also be set up to engage parishioners before and after this Mass. The precious heritage and the experience gained over the past 165 years reveals the continued importance of raising our children in the Catholic faith.

Under the continued guidance of the different Religious orders, our Catholic schools maintain the Catholic ethos in many different ways. These range from daily prayers, Masses, religious education to spiritual retreats. However, the most important element is the way the teachers and students interact, where the Gospel is brought to life. As we experience the declining numbers of Religious in our schools, there is a need for the laypeople to step up and take on the task of continuing to build on the legacy of our Catholic schools. Catholic Education Sunday presents the perfect opportunity for all Catholics to come together to pray for our Religious and educators serving in our Catholic schools, that they will continue to pass on the light to our next generation. n

The archdiocese has designated Sept 10, 2017, as Catholic Education Sunday. For the first time ever, we will be celebrating Catholic education as a community.

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Fatima pilgrim image coming to Singapore in September The Archdiocese of Singapore will host a pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima from Sept 10-18. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal, Pope Francis blessed six statues of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Jan 11, conferring upon them the title of “International Centennial Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima” (“the Pilgrim Image”). Thereafter, each of the pilgrim images were dispatched to different continents in the world, bearing the message of prayer and penance for the salvation of souls and peace in the world. The programme for the visits of the pilgrim image to various venues in Singapore is being coordinated by the Catholic Spirituality Centre, the Legion of Mary and the Our Lady of Fatima Centennial Celebration Organising Committee from St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street. The first visit of the pilgrim image will be to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Sept 10, where recitation of the rosary, Mass, a talk and the imposition of the brown scapular will take place. On Sept 11, the image will be received at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd at 4.15 pm, kicking off a two-day all night vigil which commences with a Mass, followed by hourly reflections on the themes of prayer, penance,

are looking ‘Weforward to

this centennial celebration, and praying that this event will bring a greater renewal of our archdiocese on ‘prayer, penance, mercy and peace.

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– Msgr Philip Heng, rector of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Pope Francis touches a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in 2015 in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. A Marian statue, blessed by the pope on Jan 11, will be in Singapore from Sept 10-18. CNS file photo

mercy and peace by rector Msgr Philip Heng. The themes chosen were integral in the revelations at Fatima.

The two-day vigil will culminate in a Mass at St Joseph’s Institution School Field at Malcolm Road, on Sept 13 at 7.30 pm.

Archbishop William Goh will be the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration, which will be followed by a candlelight procession. Bus tickets to the venue have been on sale at the cathedral since the weekend of Aug 19 and 20. The last day of bus ticket sales will be on Sept 1. Msgr Heng said, “We are looking forward to this centennial celebration, and praying that this event will bring a greater renewal of our archdiocese on ‘prayer, penance, mercy and peace.’” Aside from the cathedral, the pilgrim image will be visiting a few other parishes such as the Churches of St Mary of the

Holy Innocents’ school holds carnival as part of anniversary celebration By Isaac Ong Holy Innocents’ High School held a carnival on Aug 5 as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations. Some highlights of the event were carnival rides as well as a dunking machine. Students particularly enjoyed dunking their teachers and raised money to nominate their favourite teachers for the game. Food and drink stalls were manned by Sec 2 students and their form teachers. Groups such as the Lion Befrienders – a voluntary welfare organisation which cares for the elderly – were invited to join in the school festivities. Many students volunteered to be chaperones and look after

the elderly who turned up. Many family members of students and school staff were also present for the carnival. On May 20, the school held an outdoor concert at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park as part of its 125th anniversary celebration. On Dec 28, the school will hold its annual Feast of the Holy Innocents Mass for students and staff. A special gallery, the 125 Heritage Gallery, will be opened as part of the school’s effort to preserve its history and to foster a strong sense of identity among staff, students and alumni. A reunion dinner will end off the day that will also see the launch of a commemorative magazine in which 125 people related to the school will be featured. n

A Holy Innocents’ High School student gets ready to be dunked at the carnival on Aug 5. Photo: ISAAC ONG

Angels and Our Lady Queen of Peace. There will also be a Marian consecration at the Catholic Spirituality Centre on Sept 15. It will be a culmination of the centre’s “33 Days to Morning Glory” weekly reflections in preparation for the consecration organised for the visit of the pilgrim image. The consecration will be followed by a day of recollection retreat on Sept 16 and a day of prayer on Sept 17, comprising prayers, recollection, talks and personal devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. The Church of Sts Peter and Paul will host the final programme of the pilgrim image’s tour in Singapore with a Mass on Sept 18 for the Mandarin-speaking community. Interspersed with these events which are open to all devotees, will be private events at various Catholic schools, nursing homes and hospices to cater to those unable to attend the main events. The pilgrim image is making its way through the Asian continent. It had travelled to places like Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea. The visit of the pilgrim image to Singapore is one of the highlights of the centennial celebrations of the apparition of our Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima. The celebrations had commenced with a Mass and candlelight procession held at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street on May 13. The centennial celebrations will close with a Mass and candlelight procession to be held at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Oct 13 at 7.30 pm. For more information, visit http://olfcc2017.wixsite.com/olfcc. n

Sunday September 3, 2017  CatholicNews

proclamation on the family is good news indeed. The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church. The desire to marry and form a family remains vibrant, especially among young people, and this is an inspiration to the Church. As a response to that desire, “the Christian proclamation on the family is good news indeed”.

Love is more than a feeling

John and Jane (not their real names) share their story of forgiveness and healing in their marriage through the Retrouvaille Weekend, and rediscovering God in their lives. When John and Jane were dating, every moment with each other was sweet and romantic. In the first year, they met up every single day, no matter how busy they were. At that time, there were no mobile phones so when they had something to say to each other, they would write letters to each other or pen what they want to say in a diary that they shared. They believed they have found their soul mate in each other, and married in 1997. After marriage, life started to get routine. The daily drudgery of work, chores and parenting slowly weighed on them. Being physically together sometimes caused more friction. Minor differences in their habits, expectations and needs started to irk each other. They began to spend less and less time doing things together, and lived individual lifestyles as if they were still single. Eventually, the daily grind and the lack of satisfaction at home led John to seek comfort and excitement elsewhere. When Jane found out about his extramarital affairs, their relationship blew up right in their faces. Things got so tumultuous that they were on the brink of divorce. Jane felt so heartbroken that the intensity of pain could not be measured. It was like stabbing a knife into her heart. How could the man who had professed and promised to love and honour her, cause her so much pain? Her dreams and hopes were shattered, and her sense of selfworth fell drastically. In the daytime, she tried to live her life as normally as she could, but the nights were unbearable. Thoughts of suicide even crossed her mind. John, on the other hand, felt immense guilt and shame for betraying Jane, and causing the marriage to break down. The feelings of guilt, regret and shame were so overwhelming that he attempted suicide. It was the darkest time of his life, and he was physically and emotionally drained.

‘Forgiving your spouse doesn’t mean you forget what your spouse did. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the scars or the memory of what happened. Forgiveness just means you’ve made a decision not to hold it against them.’ © Isaac Kubvoruno. In the book “Together 4 Ever.” All Rights Reserved.

Jane turned to the only thing she knew that could give her comfort – the rosary. Though she was not a Catholic then, meditating on the rosary was the only way to give her some peace during the times of trouble. Every single day was a challenge but she did not give up praying to God, attending masses and saying the rosary. She reflected on the past and how she could have done better as a wife and partner. She finally realised that there was simply no purpose in finger pointing and self-pitying. John was also not a Catholic. However, he sought atonement and found peace in the Church. He was determined to turn over a new leaf and save their marriage. But with all the existing hurt and issues between them, they did not know how to go about healing their marital relationship. It was a steep uphill struggle and they felt lost and hopeless.

By God’s grace, they found out about the Retrouvaille programme. It was the turning point in their broken relationship. At the Weekend, they discovered the importance of forgiveness and trust in their relationship, and healing. They learnt to make decisions to love, to communicate at a deeper level, and to solve problems as a couple. Slowly, they rebuilt their lives and marriage. The journey was difficult in the beginning, and the progress was agonizingly slow – three steps forward and then two steps backward. There were times when they felt like it was easier to just give up. However, with God’s mercy and guidance, they found the strength to plough on. The momentum picked up, and the going became easier and easier. Through their eventual conversion to Catholicism and their transformation after the

Retrouvaille programme, they have come to realise that love is not a feeling but a verb. John said, “This means that we have to take action to work on our marriage, instead of just reacting to the romantic feeling that diminishes in times of conflict. This is a daily decision to love, honour and forgive each other, making our marriage a priority.” Jane added, “God is now part of our marriage. He is our constant source of strength in times of conflicts. We pray daily as a family and as a couple. We seek His help in prayer and invite Him to be a part of our healing process. Love is work but we discovered that the reward is worth the effort.” They admitted that they are still working at it. They encourage couples in hurting marriages not to give up too easily God’s gift of their spouses whom they held dearly at the start of their

marriages, but to work together to build their relationship. “We learnt that growth in the marriage relationship cannot come from one person doing all the pushing for growth. It takes two. As both of us take an active interest and share the responsibility, our marriage is now a source of love and joy for us and our family,” said Jane. Retrouvaille Weekend is a live-in programme that runs from Friday night to Sunday evening by a presenting team comprising three married couples and a priest. The next Retrouvaille Weekend is on from 29 Sep to 1 Oct, at Marriage Encounter House (201B Punggol 17th Avenue, Singapore 829651). For registration or more information about the programme, please visit helpourmarriage.sg or call 6522 8750.

Sunday September 3, 2017  CatholicNews

Amoris Laetitia

Corrinne’s Journal Photo by CTS Books

There are those personal crises that affect the lives of couples, often involving finances, problems in the workplace, emotional, social and spiritual difficulties. Unexpected situations present themselves, disrupting family life and requiring a process of forgiveness and reconciliation...“The arduous art of reconciliation, which requires the support of grace, needs the generous cooperation of relatives and friends, and sometimes even outside help and professional assistance” (Relatio Finalis 2015, 81).” - Amoris Laetitia, 236 An excerpt from Amoris laetitia (Latin: The Joy of Love) a postsynodal apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis released in April 2016.

New distance learning course focused on marriage and the family comes to Singapore M A R Y VA L E I N S T I T U T E I N T E R N AT I O N A L C AT H O L I C C O L L E G E

St John Paul II said that we We are created for love and “are created for love and communion (St John Paul II) communion”. But as the institution of marriage and the foundations of the family a catechesis come under increasing on marriage threat, it is of paramount and family importance for Catholics to know and understand the To love forever is the challenge of Christian spouses. The Lord gives you this love - a love teaching of the Catholic made even greater when the family grows with children. Church on these matters. (Pope Francis) A Catechesis on Marriage and Family is a new course A six-month distance learning course that looks at God’s beautiful with two specialist modules on marriage and the family. plan of love that is lived in For further information: a special way through the email mfcadmin@maryvale.ac.uk • tel +44 (0)121 360 8118 • visit www.maryvale.ac.uk vocation to marriage and family study day for the introduction life, and will bring together the of each module. Each module reality of who we are, and the involves 10 weeks of self-study richness of our life’s experience, and a further two weeks for a in light of the Catholic faith. It written assignment to cement is in this light of Faith that we the learnings and allow personal can really know who we are, the reflection. The course will meaning of our lives and the truth commence on 4 November this about God’s plan for marriage and year with the first study day. family life. This six-month distance learning course conducted by To find out more, call Bernard and Maryvale Institute comprises two Ying Thio at 9787 9705, or sign modules and two study days; one up at maryvale.ac.uk. Registered Charity No. 1068634

Catholic singer-songwriter Corrinne May shares her thoughts on various family moments and matters being a daughter, sister, wife and mother in Singapore and Los Angeles in this monthly column.

That we may be one In John 18:21, Jesus prays that we may “all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me”. The Lord yearns for our unity, for the Body of Christ to be one. God’s love is unitive. Satan, on the other hand, seeks to divide us; to divide us from God’s saving love, to divide us from each other and to divide our sense of self. We see the results of Satan’s divisive work in the increasingly common fragmentation of marriages and families, in the contraceptive mentality leading to the objectification of persons, in the confusion surrounding gender and sexual orientation, even in the isolation of individuals through the distractions of technology. Sr. Lucia, the oldest of the three shepherd children who saw the Virgin Mary at Fatima, warned that the final battle between God and Satan would be waged against Marriage and the Family. By attacking the foundation stones of our society, the evil one wreaks havoc. Thank God that the battle has already been won by our Lord Jesus. But while we await Parousia, we are still in the throes of this battle. I see the scars of broken marriages and broken families all around me. One of my closest childhood friends has harboured deep anger towards her absent father ever since her parents’ divorce when she was a teen. I see her passing on her pain to her son through the shreds of her own tattered marriage. Two of my aunts have been through divorce and three of my cousins

Catholic Family Events in September - October 2017 September 26

have had their marriages wrecked by divorce. I feel not just for the spouses, but for the children of each broken marriage. There are no victors when Satan divides what God has joined together. Marriage requires a lot of love. Not the type that is sung about in fluffy love songs on the radio, but the type of love that requires one to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of one’s beloved. The type of love that the Lord has for us; we are called to live that love within our marriages. Our spouse is often the one that challenges us the most and provides us the training ground in which to practise that self-sacrificial love. Perhaps that’s why God chose them to be in our lives. But we are not meant to take this marital journey by ourselves. I believe that having a community of supportive, loving friends and fellow families is essential to helping a marriage grow strong. One of the wonderful ways that Kavin and I have grown our marriage is through our participation in Marriage Encounter. We had a great ME weekend experience, but that was not the best part of it. I believe that the best part was finding a community of married couples that have become our friends. Through our monthly ‘love circle’ meetings with our fellow ME attendees, we

have grown together with the other couples in discovering more about ourselves and our spouses and realising that our challenges are shared with other married couples. There is much joy in knowing that we do not take this journey of the sacrament of matrimony by ourselves, but that the journey is also being taken on by so many other couples facing the same types of challenges. For the God who lets the wheat and weeds grow together tells us “my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. (2 Cor 12:9) I believe that prayer is the other important aspect of helping marriages to grow stronger. The Sacrament of Matrimony is a covenant that the spouses have with God. Hence, God has to be at the centre of the marriage. Prayer is a tangible way that we can invite God to be at the centre of our marriage. By taking the time to pray as a family, to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist as a family and to pray our family rosary together, our hearts are attuned to God’s will for us as a family. We strengthen the bonds between ourselves and God so that we can be one with Him who yearns to be one with us.

For a list of family events in the Archdiocese visit

catholicfamily.org.sg/events

October 29

Pieta Monthly Support Session for Bereaved Parents

CHOICE Weekend

Understanding Same-Sex Attraction

Marriage Encounter Weekend

Marriage Retorno

29 September - 1 October

26 September (Tuesday), 7:30 - 9pm

(Friday - Sunday), 7pm - 6:30pm CHOICE Retreat House, 47 Jurong West Street 42, Singapore 649368

30 September 2017 (Saturday),10am - 4pm Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (CAEC) 2 Highland Road, Singapore 549102

6 - 8 October (Friday - Sunday), 8pm - 6pm Marriage Encounter House, 201B Punggol 17th Avenue, Singapore 829651

13 - 15 October (Friday - Sunday), 8pm - 5pm (Depart on Friday 4:00 pm) Miriam Convent, Jalan Batu Pahat, 86000 Kluang, Johor

Agape Village, 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319264 We meet as a group of bereaved parents to find mutual support through prayer, scripture and sharing of experiences. No need to register, just walk in. pieta.singapore@gmail.com facebook.com/PietaSingapore

CHOICE is for single young adults aged between 18 – 40 years old (Catholics and Non-Catholics) seeking for some time to re-examine the values, lifestyle and relationships in their own lives.

registration@choice.org.sg Hillary (9790 0537) Carrie (9671 6695) Francesca (9710 9680)

This short symposium targeted at parents, catechists and educators will bring a greater awareness and clearer understanding of Same-Sex Attraction (SSA), so that more positive relationships can be built. See what research currently tells us about SSA, and hear from professionals who have experience working in this area. catholicfamily.org.sg/ssas

Discover the weekend that has been transforming marriages all over the world for more than 40 years. For couples married two years and above. Programme starts Friday (8pm) and ends Sunday (6pm). wwmesg.org/me-weekend-selector

For every married couple who wishes to deepen a sense of communion with one another and with the Lord through scriptural prayer and desires to make couple prayer their way of life. catholicfamily.org.sg/marriageretorno/ to download the registration form Stanley (9819 1883) Esme (9011 2795) Steven & Susie (9655 3708)

This section is produced by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family and is published on the last issue of each month. For more information on Catholic family life matters, visit catholicfamily.org.sg.

Honouring ou

10 JUBILARIANS

Sunday September 3, 2017  CatholicNews

We congratulate priests and Religious

PLATINUM JUBILEE – 70 YEARS

DIAMOND JUBILEE – 60 YEARS

Daughter of St Paul Sr Lorenzina Nota

FMDM Sr Marie Louise Cordeiro

Sr Lorenzina Nota was born in Italy on Nov 29, 1923. She joined the Daughters of St Paul on March 19, 1944, and made her ﬁrst profession on March 19, 1947. She has served in a number of countries including Italy, the US, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore At age 70, she was assigned to Singapore to serve as the ﬁrst superior here. She has been in Singapore since. During her jubilee celebration earlier this year, Sr Lorenzina said, “I would like to thank God for the gift of my life, my family and my vocation to be a member of the Daughters of St Paul. I would also like to thank God for the courage to leave everything behind and say, ‘Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.’ “Many days, months, years have passed. I have been in many different places, to carry out the

mission of the congregation. I have encountered countless people. With my life and with my words, I was able to talk to them about God. “It has not always been easy. I also encountered difﬁculties... What remains in me today is only joy and the marvellous fact that God has done great things in me.” 

Marist Br Joseph Chang “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5) Br Joseph Chang was born on Nov 21, 1927, in Beijing. He entered the Marist Brothers’ Juniorate in 1940 and the novitiate in 1947. He took his temporary profession in 1948 and his perpetual profession in 1953. Br Joseph has a diploma in effective English and Personal Efﬁcieny as well as a Bachelor of Arts in biology. He also has certiﬁcates in Musicology from the University of Hong Kong and in the Malay language from the Ministry of Education in Singapore. From 1952-1960, Br Joseph served as a teacher in Catholic High

School in Singapore. From 19601975, he was the school’s principal. He was later posted to Kowloon, Hong Kong, to be the director of St Francis Xavier College until 1984. From 19841988, he was a teacher in the college before being posted to the Marist Brothers’ Mother House in Rome to be an archivist until 1993. He also spent a year as a Radio Vaticano translator in the Vatican. Fr Joseph retired in 1994 and currently resides at the Catholic Kindergarten at 15 Flower Road. Archbishop William Goh celebrated Fr Joseph’s platinum jubilee at a special Mass on Aug 19 at the kindergarten. 

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

Sharing my 60 years of Religious life brings many happy memories of joy and adventure. When I was young I was ready for anything the Lord willed for me. I joined the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood on March 25, 1955, and after two months I was sent to England for my Religious formation. After my ﬁrst profession on Sept 17, 1957, I did my general nursing training in Ireland. I returned to Singapore as a trained nurse only for a year. Our superior general was starting a foundation in Bendigo, Melbourne, Australia, and I was missioned there. We were a small community of Sisters caring for the sick in a house adjacent to the convent. It was a big house donated to us and converted into a nursing home facility. I made my ﬁnal profession in 1962. Our dream for a hospital be-

came a reality when our new Mount Alvernia Hospital was blessed and opened in 1972. Besides nursing, I did a two-year catering course which enabled me to manage the catering department in the hospital. I felt very privileged to be part of the early days of Mount Alvernia Hospital, Bendigo, and I love the beautiful country and the people.

Back to Singapore in 1982, I staffed Villa Francis Home for the Aged for three years. Then I was sent to Mount Alvernia Hospital Singapore where I helped the dietician start the halal kitchen for Muslim meals. I was also a member of the Catholic Nurses Guild for more than 30 years. Seasons come and go, and I am now retired. I have more time for prayer and reading, taking care of our convent chapel and the rosary apostolate especially for Mount Alvernia Hospital night staff on Wednesday evenings. I still enjoy using my culinary skills to cook a simple meal occasionally for the Sisters or baking scones and making pancakes for tea. I celebrate my jubilee with thanksgiving and with our Blessed Lady I can say, “My soul gloriﬁes the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” 

FMM Sr Agatha Ferng Sr Agatha Ferng Meow Fong, 85, joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) congregation in September 1957, four years after the province was established in Singapore. She remembers affectionately her peer group of Srs Jane Koh, Assunta Therese and Theresa Tan [Sr Eileen of the Cross]. Sr Agatha attended a convent school to learn English in order to get a job. A French priest put her in touch with the then new congregation, the FMMs in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, who could speak Chinese. She was met at the railway station in Kuala Lumpur by Mother Chrysanthe. Sr Agatha stayed on without returning home, which prompted her father to visit. He was satisfied to know she was happy living with the Sisters. Sr Agatha is a woman of many “firsts”. She was in the first group of novices who moved from Petaling Jaya to help prepare the novitiate building in Singapore. She was also among the first to help prepare the foundation of the FMM mission in Kota Bharu in 1962, in an almost Muslim environment, a

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mission closest to her heart. It was here that she made her ﬁnal profession. For years, she would travel around the FMM communities to serve with great patience.

Sr Agatha also holds a certiﬁcate in accouting. She now faithfully serves at the door and the phone. Keeping close to God is most important, letting Him lead her “home”. 

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ur Jubilarians

JUBILARIANS 11

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

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GOLDEN JUBILEE – 50 YEARS

FMM Sr Bernadette Yap Wearing shoes that fit – that was how Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Bernadette Yap described her first contact with the Sisters. What drew her were their daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the kindness and simplicity of the Sisters, and their attractive Religious dress. Sr Bernadette was baptised in 1961, and joined the FMM Sisters six years later. Before that, she did clerical work in an advertising department run by her uncle. She studied commerce at Hai Sing Dewasa Institute. Her most memorable apostolates at this time were visiting the poor in Bukit Ho Swee, caring for the needs of poor girls there, and teaching Sunday school at the Church of St Bernadette to nonCatholic students.

She was also involved with the Young Christian Workers and Young Christian Students. As an FMM Sister, she visited the sick while continuing to teach catechism. Now aged 76, she cannot thank God enough for these 50 years of her journey with Him and for His blessings, especially during her stay in Toa Payoh among the elderly with whom she experienced mutual help. She was happy when “God gave me back my life” after serious illness, to continue to do what the Lord wants of her. Her desire to reach her golden jubilee has been granted! She has no regrets in having responded to her calling. The Eucharist sustains and strengthens her in her apostolates. n

FMM Sr Teresa Lee “No strangers in my life.” This sums up the ethos of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) Sr Teresa Lee. Everywhere she goes, she feels at home with people. It jives with her love for unity in the FMM congregation, where Sisters of different countries, races and nationalities live together – diverse yet one. Sr Teresa joined the FMM on March 14, 1967. She was inspired by the missionary zeal of Srs Leonora Pau and Malia Kiang at the mobile clinic at Mandai, to do good for others. She was also attracted to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament through her elder sister, Sr Maria Lee. Aged 74, Sr Teresa still lives her life joyfully in acceptance of the ministries she is sent to do. In charge of the Aetelier, where church vestments are designed and sewn, her apostolate extends from ecumenical links with priests, pastors, bishops, and those who come to order vestments, to giving a listening ear and heart to

the broken-hearted who come unexpectedly. Her most significant mission was among the aborigines in the bush at Mount Isa, Australia. She loved her ministry of providing for their basic human needs. Sometimes, she experienced “angels on my road” – persons who protected her during unexpected dangers. What is important for her now, as she celebrates 50 years of giving to the Church, is enjoying God’s faithfulness and love with good health as long as He provides. n

FMDM Sr Anne Goh It is hard to believe that it has been 50 years since I made my first commitment in August 1967, at our Motherhouse at Ladywell Convent, Surrey England. I took my perpetual profession in August 1972 whilst I was still training to be a registered nurse and midwife in England. After successfully completing my professional training in 1975, I was posted back to Singapore in 1976. I worked as a staff nurse in the various wards at Mount Alvernia Hospital. I held the post of deputy matron from 1982-1984 when I was appointed director of nursing. By the end of 1990, after six years of heavy responsibilities, I decided to take a break and went off to Sydney to have some personal time. The six months spiritual renewal programme was just what I needed during that time.

It was there that I felt strongly the call to serve in one of our missions in Africa. After some time of conversation and discernment with my superior, I was given the green light to serve in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, from 1991-1996.

After five years there, I returned to Singapore to work as an administrator of Villa Francis Home for the Aged in Mandai from 1996-2000. After four years, I was recalled back to Mount Alvernia Convent to take on the role of local leader for the community. I was also mission awareness coordinator in the hospital. After completing two terms as local leader, I was given a year’s sabbatical leave. In 2008, I was back in our motherhouse in England helping to staff the retreat centre. Currently, I am at St Francis Covent as the local leader from November 2015, and in June 2016, I was appointed FMDM coordinator for Singapore. Reflecting on my journey through the years, I am most grateful for all the graces God has given to me. n

FMDM Sr Catherine Tay Franciscan Missionary of the Divine Motherhood Sr Catherine Tay is known for her exemplary and professional conduct, often coping efficiently while under work pressure. Sr Catherine started as a teacher in the early 1960s at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in Singapore. She was transferred to Guildford in the UK where from 19681974, she served at the Franciscan Mount Alvernia Hospital. She returned to Singapore in the 1970s to try her hand at administration at Mt Alvernia hospital. Sr Catherine went to Mount Alvernia Hospital in Bendigo, Australia, to continue administrative work, then on to Fatimah hospital in Malaysia. She returned to Singapore to serve at Mount Alvernia Hospital again for the rest of the 1980s. Her administrative skills then took her back to the UK where she worked in a hospital in London. Then began a very fruitful period in Australia for the next 20 or so years. This ministry started at Mount Alvernia Franciscan Hospital at Bendigo where she was assistant CEO/manager of rehabilitation services.

In the late 1990s and the turn of the century, Sr Catherine experienced a change working in the tourist industry by setting up systems at Fraynework multimedia. From 2003-2012, she was a

pastoral care practitioner at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Melbourne. During this time, Sr Catherine also spent 10 years as chaplain at Victoria University directly involved in a multi-faith mission. A key focus of her ministry at this time involved setting up the University of Melbourne’s multi-faith centre of St Alban’s Reflection Centre with a Buddhist monk. Prior to coming to Mandurah, Western Australia, recently, Sr Catherine was a clinical pastoral carer at Agape Village in Singapore, working with the poor and marginalised. Apart from being a dedicated servant of her Franciscan Order, Sr Catherine finds time to pursue some personal interests for relaxation that include gardening, art and music, and travelling. n

n More jubilarian stories on page 12

12 JUBILARIANS

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

SILVER JUBILEE – 25 YEARS

Honouring our Jubilarians Fr Paul Yeo

Carmelite Fr Joseph Koh I was born in Singapore in 1955 and was baptised at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1974, I served the army and joined the Legion of Mary. The Spiritual Director for the Legion of Mary then was Fr Francis Lau who was also the rector of the minor seminary. He urged the Legionaries to attend daily Mass and pray for vocations. I decided to join the Carmelite Secular Order and attended daily Mass recalling what Fr Francis Lau said. One day, I had this sudden urge to reflect on the following question: “You have been praying for vocations, what about yourself?” Almost immediately, excuses flooded my mind, rationalising that as the eldest son and since my dad had passed on (just before I finished my NS), I had to take care of my family. Also, I had a girlfriend. A Carmelite friar suggested that I join the congregation but I told him that I had responsibilities to my family and that marriage was a consideration. He encouraged me to consider further and invited me to the Philippines to experience the community life. I discovered that I liked the spirituality of the Carmelites and their way of life.

My mother, however, objected to me joining the Religious life as my sister was suffering from lupus (a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue) and that it would be a heavy burden for my brother to be the sole breadwinner for the family. I decided to shelve the idea of priesthood. However, the words of Jesus lingered in my mind: “You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last.” (John15:16) After further discernment, I eventually joined the Carmelite order in Taiwan on June 24, 1983. On Aug 5, 1992, I was ordained at Nativity Church. I chose two mottos for my spiritual journey and its guiding principles: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.”(Rom 8:26); the other motto from St John of the Cross: “In the evening of life, you shall be judged by love.” To young people who are still wondering about their vocations, do not be afraid to give yourself a chance. I would say: be brave and follow Christ. Respond to God’s calling by consecrating your life to Him, and fulfil what He has requested us to do – love one another. n

My priestly life has been filled primarily with God’s benevolence without which it is impossible to exercise the priestly ministry with pastoral charity. The divine design in the priestly life is built-in to include the joys of receiving wisdom from God. The personal reception of this great joy of knowing God is close at hand and to infuse His wisdom has brought the greatest fulfilment in my priestly life. With this reflection, I continue to look forward to receiving more in order to give more. God’s benevolence first, then congregational benevolence can follow suit. I can give only because I have first received from God. In the receiving of God’s benevolence and discharging the priestly duties with pastoral charity, the priest acts as a go-between.

But moved to experience more than a go-between, God has invited me to be immersed in a journey of adventure. The definition of adventure in the context of the priestly life is an exciting and unusual stirring experience of bold undertakings. The last 25 years (I look forward to more!) has been an adventuresome journey.

Fr Cary Chan “To live is to change; to be perfect is to have changed often.” – Blessed John Henry Newman. The twenty-five years of ministry in the priesthood has been a series of change and growth in my life. For me, the life of a priest means a life of change: ordination, parish assignments, further studies, lecturing in the seminary, new parishes or ministries and eventually, retirement. Some changes we seek, and others we seek to accept as part of our vocation and promise of obedience. Yet even when we welcome our transitions, change

can be physically, psychologically and spiritually challenging. We like to be in control and feel secure. Change reminds me that I am vulnerable. My expectations and my reality may sometimes clash. As I am newly assigned to the Church of the Transfiguration, it will bring along a different experience, with new friends and new ways of doing things that I may have to embrace and navigate. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you ... plans for your welfare and not woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call on me, I will listen to you”. (Jer 29:11-12) n

The range of ministries include encountering the youth right up to the elderly and lecturing at the seminary. I like to adopt this outlook of a servanthood for the Lord that only functions as its best when it is connected to His designs. Fruits coming from any of my priestly labours are attributed to God’s hands pointing me in the right direction. With the communion of saints and receiving their kind assistance, I know that I need the constant and regular tuning and retuning which inclines to God Himself and His plans which will always require a vigilance in reflection, discernment, meditation and contemplation. The spiritual profits to my entire personhood with its priestly character imbued with the priestly anointing will always be a grateful reminder to me that in God, His benevolence is eternal. n

Sunday September 3, 2017  CatholicNews

GET CONNECTED: 2 LORONG LOW KOON, SINGAPORE 536449 T 6285 2571 | 6286 0341 W www.oyp.org.sg For enquiries, please email: info.oyp@catholic.org.sg

by Isabelle Tan From e 29 of July to e 6 of August 2017, a total of 15 Singaporean you delegates embarked on a pilgrimage to Indonesia for e 7 Asian You Day (AYD). They were accompanied by OYP Chaplains Fr. Jude David and Fr. Brian D’Souza. The delegates were i ersed in a 10 day program which explored e eme of being “Joyful Asian You : Living e Gospel in Mul cultural Asia”. Prior to depa ure, preparatory sessions were held, giving e delegates a solid founda on for reflec on during e pilgrimage. The program consisted of a rich cultural exchange which comprised Days in e Diocese (DID), in e Diocese of Malang, followed by e AYD main event in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. During e 4 day DID experience, e Singapore con n

breeze were all created by Him. I experienced God personally rough a different culture.” Indeed, e rich culture of Indonesia allowed many of e delegates to personally see e Lord in various ways, especially rough e varied tradi onal performances at were presented each day. Andrew Kiflie, 27, a you c rdinator from e Church of St. An ony pointed out, “Through e cultural performances, I was greatly impressed by God’s crea on. There are many parallels between e personali es of ese individuals and eir cultural performances. It highlighted how ey truly embraced eir God-given iden ty.” During e pilgrimage, e delegates were challenged to ac vely seek e Lord out and learned to recognize His hand working rough e many events at ey

of Jesus Christ and live out e mission of e Church. During e closing ceremony, e Singapore con ngent performed a dance to “The Joy of e Lord” by Rend Collec ve. Though many of em were not accustomed to dancing as a form of praise, ey rallied toge er and offered up eir dance for e glory of God. Giving his homily to an overwhelming congrega on of over 20,000 people during e closing mass held at e Yogyaka a Airforce Base, His Grace, Archbishop of Jaka a Igna us Suharyo preached about e impo ance of allowing our differences to teach us. He said, “Differences cannot separate us, our differences show e richness of humanity instead. It proves e power of fai , hope and love which unites us all.” It

The Singaporean delegates pictured with youth from the Diocese of Malang

-gent toge er wi con ngents from Vietnam, Mongolia, Atambua and Kupang were sent to various parishes in e Diocese of Malang.The various con ngents received an extremely warm welcome from eir respec ve host families. This segment of e program t k em out of eir comfo zones as e delegates spent e en re dura on of is segment living wi eir host families. During is me, ey experienced diverse living condi ons and learned to cope wi e language barrier as most host families spoke only Bahasa Indonesia. It was rough e grace of God at every Singaporean delegate had an enriching, eye-opening and memorable experience of being i ersed in e expressive and rich culture of e Indonesian Ca olic families. Language-barriers and cultural differences alike, were superseded by e desire to share eir respec ve fai stories and to give Christ to one ano er. David Tan, 24, a Singaporean delegate recalled, “On hindsight, it was while exchanging stories wi my host family at I realised all of is was created by God. The g d friends, e scenic views and e cold

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were exposed to. Yet, all it t k was a simple shift in perspec ve to recognise at every single experience was a gift from God, and at He could be found in e smallest of ings as well. Upon arrival in Yogyaka a for e main event, a huge congrega on of over 2000 Ca olic you from various Asian countries served as a living testament of shared fai . It truly embodied 1 Corin ians 12:12-13, “For just as e body is one and has many members, and all e members of e body, ough many, are one body, so it is wi Christ. For by one Spirit we were all bap sed into one body …” The program in Yogyaka a included an exhibi on at involved all pa icipa ng countries’ response to Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si: On Care For Our Co on Home. Our local con ngent touched on consumerism and environmental degrada on and our response to e mission of protec ng God’s crea on. The workshops, exhibi ons and cultural exposure, inspired our delegates to reflect on eir fai experiences and how ey could con nue to share e Gospel

above: Singapore contingent dancing to the song “The Joy of the Lord” by Rend Collective below: Closing mass at the Yogyakarta Airforce Base

was a beau ful reminder for all ga ered. Lastly, Pope Francis’ message to e delegates of is AYD was shared. He urged e you to be courageous, and to “turn to Mary as a model of what it means to be a missionary”, urging e you to speak to her as ey would to a mo er, trus ng wholehea edly in her loving intercession. Asian You Day 2017 may be over, but e friendships forged and fai encounters at were had, will stay wi e delegates for life. Each of e delegates have been impacted by encountering Christ rough e different people ey met during is pilgrimage. We pray at ey will con nue to be filled wi e joy of e Gospel! The next Asian You Day will be held in India in 2020.

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Sunday September 3, 2017  CatholicNews

Participants at workshop learn to evangelise using social media By Amelia Desmond SINGAPORE – More than 100

Participants of the archdiocese’s inaugural social media workshop in a group discussion.

people attended the archdiocese’s inaugural social media workshop titled Blastoff! Organised byVolunteers in the Archdiocese (VITA) Social Media and supported by ArchComms (the archdiocesan Communications Ofﬁce), the aim of the workshop was to equip all participants with baseline knowledge and application of effective communication on social media platforms. The Aug 19 workshop, held at the cathedral’s annexe building, was open to Catholic organisations and all parishes. Mr Nicholas Lim, one of the presenters, shared how a few parishes lost administrative control of their Facebook pages and also how to mitigate such risks. Mr Ignatius Ong and Mr Nicholas Tan, parishioners of the Church of the Holy Family, explained how they increased engagement and reach on their parish Facebook page. During the question-andanswer segment, many questions were raised. Topics brought up included fake news, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and copyright laws. Archbishop William Goh, in his address, reiterated the archdiocese’s vision to build a vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church. He encouraged all present to use social media to reach out to the world. “All of us must work together and support each other, because there is only one Church, one Gospel,” he said. He also launched his personal

Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/Archbishop.William/) which features stories, personal messages, Scripture reﬂections and videos. Ms Julianne Lim, a parishioner from the Church of St Michael said, “Seeing all of us as one Church, one community is very edifying. I know of some ministry members who feel isolated, so this workshop is a great initiative to bring us together.”

Archbishop William Goh ofﬁcially launched his Facebook page during the workshop.

Mr Rex Fernando remarked, “The session touched beautifully on Facebook audience engagement and it was the best part of the workshop. If workshops as such can be made mandatory for parishes and Catholic organisations, I think we will be better equipped.” Organisations and parishes seeking to set up a communications team can contact ArchComms at archcomms@catholic.org.sg For more news and updates, check out Catholic Life Singapore at https://www.facebook.com/ catholiclife.sg/ 

Apply Christian values, servicemen told JAKARTA – The Archbishop of Jakarta has encouraged Catholics serving in the military and police to apply Christian values in their careers to help overcome the negative image these institutions have in Indonesian society. “We need to develop our faith and responsibility in nation building,” Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, who is also bishop of the Military Ordinariate, said in his homily at a recent Mass to mark Indonesian Independence Day, at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral Church in Jakarta. About 600 Catholic military and police personnel attended the Mass. “As Catholics we should act out the values of our faith and contribute to this country,” the prelate said. A survey conducted this April

and May by Polling Centre, a local pollster, in cooperation with Indonesia Corruption Watch, revealed that Indonesian police were considered the most corrupt institution in Indonesia. Lieutenant Colonel Gaudenesia Diana also admitted the reputation of the military was being scarred by individuals involved in crime. “If we do our duty based on faith and don’t commit violations, people will not see us negatively,” she said. “Despite being a minority, we must be 100 percent Catholic and 100 percent Indonesian,” she said. She called on the Catholic Church to offer more spiritual service to the military “to help develop the faith of Catholic military and police ofﬁcials.”  UCANEWS.COM

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Catholics on Guam pray for peace amid North Korea’s threats

Catholics on the island of Guam pray during Mass at Santa Barbara Church on Aug 13. CNS photo HAGATNA, GUAM – The Catholic Church on Guam is urging its members and all people on the island to be prayerful and stay centred in Christ amid threats of missile attacks by North Korea. Coadjutor Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes of Agana asked all priests to promote prayers of peace at all Masses on Aug 13 as tensions continued, following threats by North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un to attack this American territory in the Marianas Islands. “In your Masses this Sunday, especially in the prayer of the faithful, please offer prayers for peace between our nations, just resolution of differences, and prudence in both speech and action,” Archbishop Byrnes said in a message to all priests of the Archdiocese of Agana on Aug 11. “Please also offer prayers for the men and women of our military, especially those whom we host on Guam, that they might find grace for diligence and courage as they execute their respective duties,” he said. Guam has long had a high strategic military importance to the United States because of its location in the Marianas Islands and has been home to several US military bases for many decades. B-52 bombers were regularly deployed from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s. Residents of this predominantly Catholic island community first woke up to the alarming news of North Korea threats to Guam on Aug 9. The archdiocese issued a

message to all Catholics and the community in general that same day urging everyone to “stay grounded in the peace of Christ”. “Look to God during these difficult times when world peace is threatened and pray always,” the archdiocese said. That message by Fr Jeff San Nicolas, the coadjutor archbishop’s delegate general, cited the Gospel of John: “Peace I leave

A woman in a hotel in Tamuning, Guam, reads the local newspaper carrying news about the North Korean threat. CNS photo

with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” The archdiocese also echoed the message of Guam Governor Eddie Calvo asking everyone to remain calm and trust that the security of the island is in good hands with local and national defence forces in place to address such threats. The archdiocese also encour-

aged people to join an Aug 13 rosary rally and pray for peace during a celebration of the 100th year anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima in the capital of Hagatna. n CNS

Cardinal urges dialogue as teen dies in drug war better, we need not only statistics MANILA – Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila has stepped into a but also human stories. Families national political storm, spawned with members who have been deby the killing of a student in one stroyed by illegal drugs must tell of the bloodiest weeks of Presi- their stories. Families with memdent Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, bers who have been killed in the with an offer to broker a national drug war, especially the innocent ones, must be allowed to tell their dialogue. Cardinal Tagle and other sen- stories. Drug addicts who have reior clergy appealed for an end covered must tell their stories of to the killings as legislators an- hope. Let their stories be told, let nounced a probe into the death of their human faces be revealed,” 17-year-old Kian de los Santos, a said Cardinal Tagle. “Let us invite families, nastudent of a Catholic school and son of an overseas worker, in Ma- tional government agencies, local government units, nila’s Caloocan City. Police claimed de Witnesses said people’s organisations, faith-based los Santos was armed police nabbed schools, communities, the medand killed in a shootout. Kian de los ical profession, the Witnesses, however, Santos as he police and military, resaid police nabbed him on Aug 16 as he was was closing a covering addicts ... to closing a small famsmall family come together, listen to each other and chart a ily store, dragged him through alleys and store, dragged common path,” he said. him through The cardinal’s oftold him to run before fer followed Bishop shooting him. alleys and Pablo Virgilio David of “We knock on the told him to Caloocan’s announceconsciences of those run before ment of new mission who kill even the helpless, especially those shooting him. stations in urban poor communities reeling who cover their faces … to stop wasting human lives,” from police operations. Bishop David said his diocese, Cardinal Tagle said in a letter read in all Masses in his archdiocese on which serves northern suburban cities with the most number of drug Aug 20. He warned that a year into Mr war fatalities, would work with ReDuterte’s rule, which activists es- ligious congregations to rent homes timate has resulted in more than and staff them with counsellors and 12,000 deaths, people were being first responders. He also sought reduced to statistics. Some 40 of lawyer and para-legal volunteers to help survivors and families the dead were minors. “To understand the situation of the dead. n UCANEWS.COM

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Pope, Church leaders urge prayers after attacks in Spain SPAIN – Pope Francis and Spanish Church leaders urged prayers and unity after two terrorist attacks left at least 19 people dead. The Islamic State group claimed credit for the Aug 17 attacks which saw cars driving into pedestrians in Barcelona and Cambrils. Thirteen were killed in Barcelona; one pedestrian and five suspects were killed in Cambrils. “People are deeply shocked and saddened by this totally random event,” said Msgr Josep Ramon Perez, dean of Barcelona’s Catholic cathedral. “While many are naturally asking what’s happening to the world to make such things possible, many also recognise that the most important response is to pray for peace.” Thousands attended a midday vigil on Aug 18 in Barcelona’s Plaza de Catalunya, attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and government and political party leaders from across the country. Spanish police asked mourners not to bring bags or backpacks to the vigil. Parallel commemorations were held in Madrid and

BARCELONA,

People observe a minute of silence in Cambrils, Spain, on Aug 18 following the twin terror attacks the previous day. Barcelona’s cathedral and neighbouring churches were closed as part of a security lockdown on Aug 17. CNS photo

other cities, as well as at the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels. Barcelona Cardinal Juan Jose Omella interrupted his retreat on Aug 17 to return to his city and be close to his people. The Archdiocese of Barcelona released photographs of him visiting victims of the attack at the hospital.

In a message to Cardinal Omella, Pope Francis denounced the “cruel terrorist attack” in

People are deeply ‘ shocked and saddened by this totally random event.’ – Msgr Josep Ramon Perez, dean of Barcelona’s Catholic cathedral

Barcelona and said such “blind violence”, which sows death and pain, is “a great offence to the Creator”. The papal message, sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, included prayers for the eternal repose of the dead, and for their families. Pope Francis, the message

said, also prayed that God “would help us continue working with determination for peace and harmony in the world”. In an interview on Aug 18, Msgr Perez said Barcelona’s cathedral and neighbouring churches had been closed after the attack as part of a security lockdown, forcing visitors and pilgrims to remain inside until late evening. “The terrorists who carried out this action have nothing to do with ordinary people here,” Msgr Perez said, noting that “local Muslims are just as shocked and horrified as everyone else”. Candles, flowers and messages of solidarity were placed in memory of victims at various city locations. Meanwhile, the Tarraconense bishops’ conference, grouping Catholic bishops from Spain’s Catalonia region, said members were “completely dismayed” by the “barbarity of the attack and the contempt it implies for human life and its dignity”, adding that Barcelona and its inhabitants had always been “committed to the cause of peace and justice”. n CNS

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People sit by a memorial of flowers in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. A car attack on Aug 12 occurred as counterprotesters demonstrated at a rally of white nationalists. CNS photo

Americans urged to confront ‘sin of racism’ WASHINGTON – US bishops and Church organisations were quick to condemn the racism and hatred displayed in Charlottesville, Virginia. Heather D. Heyer, 32, was killed on Aug 12 when a car ploughed into a counterprotest of a white supremacist rally. Two Virginia State Police troopers also died when a helicopter they were in crashed while trying to help with the violent events on the ground. Nineteen others were injured in the clash. “The angry and violent mob which gathered in Virginia ... by word and deed contradicted our national creed and code of civil conduct,” said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, adding that neo-Nazism, racism and threats against all people of colour and efforts to “banish immigrants” from this country “dishonour the basic convictions” of the country’s political and constitutional traditions. “They must be opposed in word and deed,” he said. In Arizona, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson said: “Like Charlottesville, we are a community that will not tolerate racism, bigotry, fascism and white supremacy. These stand in contradiction to the values we hold as a nation and as a people of faith. “We must strive even harder to break down these barriers [these groups] seek to erect and increase our efforts to educate all, especially young people, to put aside prejudice and hatred and work to build unity among us,” he added. The Franciscan Action Net-

work called on all Americans, “especially ourselves and those who have benefited from white privilege,” to look within themselves “and confront America’s original sin – the sin of racism.” “White Americans must no longer stand silent as we continue to benefit from the attitudes and structures that put us ahead of African-Americans and other minority groups,” the organisation said in an Aug 14 statement.

We are a community ‘that will not tolerate racism, bigotry, fascism and white supremacy. These stand in contradiction to the values we hold as a nation and as a people of faith.

’

– Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona

The Franciscan Action Network’s statement also asked for forgiveness from “our AfricanAmerican and Native [American] brothers and sisters” for all the injustices done to them in the nation’s history and also for times when the group itself has “fallen short” in standing up for justice for them. The National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus in an Aug 14 statement strongly condemned “the hateful and racist actions and rhetoric that has taken place in

our country ... We not only agree with those who have been saying that the positions proposed by the white nationalist groups are opposed to American values, we also say that they are opposed to Christian values.” The Archdiocese of St Louis in a statement said: “Our country has a detestable history with regard to the treatment of its citizens, including discrimination and hatred that undermine the God-given dignity of every human person. Unfortunately, some of our fellow citizens cling to these detestable ideas which continue with hate and ignorance. We must boldly march forward to a time when ‘love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss.’ (Psalm 85:11).” The General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters deplored “the acts of white supremacist terrorism in Charlottesville,” adding: “Hatred and bigotry are anathema to civil discourse, the rule of law and the ideals of our democracy. As women of faith, we add our voice to those calling for an end to racist violence in our country and pray that we awaken to the loving imperative of our being created equal in the image of God.” The Ignatian Solidarity Network, a national social justice education and advocacy organization, posted on its blog statements from the leaders of Jesuit-run colleges and universities and other institutions. “Our common humanity calls on each of us to speak out against racism, violence, prejudice and hatred,” said a post by Jesuit Fr Stephen V. Sundborg, president of Seattle University. n CNS

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Respect religious freedom, says Vatican’s Vietnam envoy CNS photo

QUANG TRI, VIETNAM – The Vati-

can envoy to Vietnam has called on the Southeast Asian nation’s communist government to respect religious freedom, during a large gathering of pilgrims at a Marian shrine on Aug 13. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the non-resident representative of the Vatican to Vietnam, presided at the opening Mass for the 31st anniversary of the Marian Congress, held at the national shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. In his homily, Archbishop Girelli spoke of the state of religious freedom in the country. “In some provinces, civil authorities are anxious and complain about the Catholics and their deeds,” said the archbishop. He was joined by Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh of Hue, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, 13 other bishops and some 200 priests. Archbishop Girelli advised the gathering on the wisdom of St Peter’s words: “We must obey God rather than men” and of Jesus’ “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” “I would like to tell the Vietnamese Caesars to give to God what is God’s,” he said.

Church official visits Russia, focuses on ecumenism, peace VATICAN CITY – Although he

A woman venerates a crucifix during a Good Friday service at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Vatican envoy to Vietnam, called for greater respect for religious freedom in the country.

Earlier this year, the Vietnamese bishops criticised the new Law on Belief and Religion, which will take effect on Jan 1. They said abstract phrases in the law “are easily abused to shift responsibility onto and condemn religious organisations when the government is dissatisfied.” Archbishop Girelli said it is the wish of many that religious freedom in Vietnam be properly respected. He said the local Catholic Church must be seen as something positive, rather than as something problematic for the country. The archbishop, who is based in Singapore, pays working visits

to dioceses in Vietnam, with each visit lasting only one month. All his activities must be approved by the government. An estimated 100,000 pilgrims attended the three-day congress to mark the feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven celebrated on Aug 15. The first such congress was organised at the Marian shrine in 1901. The Blessed Mother is believed to have appeared in La Vang in 1798. In 1961, the bishops of Vietnam declared the site as the national Marian Shrine. n CNS

the Holy Land and Venezuela. said planning a papal trip to RusCardinal Parolin said his sia was not on the agenda, the meetings with government ofVatican secretary of state said his ficials were designed to share visit to Moscow was designed to “Pope Francis’ interest in bilaterbuild on the meeting Pope Fran- al relations between the Holy See cis and Russian Orthodox Patri- and the Russian Federation as arch Kirill had in Cuba in 2016. well as his concerns in the sphere Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sec- of international affairs”. retary of state, was “The meeting ofvisiting Moscow fered an occasion to Cardinal Parolin discuss some confrom Aug 21-24 and was scheduled to said the meeting crete questions remeet with the pagarding the life of discussed triarch and Russian Catholic Church ‘some concrete the President Vladimir in the Russian Fedquestions Putin, as well as eration, including with leaders of Rusthe difficulties that regarding sia’s Catholic comremain in obtainthe life of the munity. ing work permits The list of top- Catholic Church for non-Russian reics for the meetligious personnel in the Russian ings ranged from and the restitution Federation’. ecumenical dialogue of some churches, and interreligious which are needed cooperation to current world af- for the pastoral care of Catholics fairs and climate change, he said in the country,” he said. in a series of interviews before Many Church buildings were leaving Rome. confiscated by the former Soviet After a long morning meet- government and never returned. ing on Aug 22, the cardinal and Regarding international afRussian Foreign Minister Ser- fairs, Cardinal Parolin said he gey Lavrov held a news con- and Mr Lavrov discussed several ference, telling reporters they ongoing conflicts, including the had discussed ongoing con- war in Eastern Ukraine and the flicts in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, war in Syria. n CNS

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Pope saddened by ‘perfect’ Catholics who despise others VATICAN CITY – God did not

choose perfect people to form His Church, but rather sinners who have experienced His love and forgiveness, Pope Francis said. The Gospel of Luke’s account of Jesus forgiving the sinful woman shows how His actions went against the general mentality of His time. “There were some scribes, those who believed they were perfect,” the pope said. “And I think about so many Catholics who think they are perfect and scorn others. This is sad.” Continuing his series of audience talks about Christian hope, the pope reflected on Jesus’ “scandalous gesture” of forgiving the sinful woman. The woman, he said, was one of many poor women who were visited secretly even by those who denounced them as sinful. Although Jesus’ love towards the sick and the marginalised “baffles His contemporaries”, it reveals God’s heart as the place where suffering men and women can find love, compassion and healing, Pope Francis said.

“How many people continue today in a wayward life because they find no one willing to look at them in a different way, with the eyes – or better yet – with the heart of God, meaning with hope,” he said. But “Jesus sees the possibility of a resurrection even in those who have made so many wrong choices”. Oftentimes, the pope continued, Christians become accustomed to having their sins forgiven and receiving God’s unconditional love while forgetting the heavy price Jesus paid by dying on the cross. By forgiving sinners, Jesus doesn’t seek to free them from a guilty conscience, but rather offers “people who have made mistakes the hope of a new life, a life marked by love”, the pope said. The Church is a people formed “of sinners who have experienced the mercy and forgiveness of God,” Pope Francis said. Christians are “all poor sinners” who need God’s mercy, “which strengthens us and gives us hope.” n CNS

‘Jesus sees the possibility of a resurrection even in those who have made so many wrong choices.’

– Pope Francis

CNS file photo

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COMMENTARY

What does it mean to evangelise? By Joel Davidson There is truth in the quote often ascribed to St Francis of Assisi: “Share the Gospel, and when necessary use words.” Most take that to mean we should serve the poor, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, love our neighbours and visit those in prison. These are the staples of true Christian charity. If we fail in this, then our faith is dead and fruitless. But there are times when we sense the urge to take the next step, to speak of Christ in a more direct way. Often this happens with someone we have come to know, and it may involve sitting face-to-face with a family member, an old friend or a colleague. These one-to-one encounters have no easy formulas. One person may pose a historical question about the source of the pope’s authority. Another may wonder about the role of Mary and the saints in a Catholic’s life. Still others may want to know how receiving the Church’s sacraments brings one closer to God. Often people raise objections with the Church’s moral teachings on marriage, sexuality and unborn life. In each of these cases, we must be prepared to provide an honest answer to what we have come to know and love as the truth. We may not have all the historical facts or theological answers. That’s fine. These moments are opportunities to look more deeply into what we believe and then come back with more to share. In many cases, though, people just want to know what difference being a Catholic has made in our lives. How does it draw us closer

There are times when we sense the urge to speak of Christ in a more direct way. In many cases, people just want to know what difference being a Catholic has made in our lives. to the life of Christ, how does it feed our soul, give us hope, inspire us to love, forgive and heal more fully. Sharing our testimony is really just speaking freely about our faith and how it infuses and colours the moments of our life. Whether we speak of our joys, challenges or sorrows, our faith should be the animating force behind all else. So what does that mean in a real conversation? It simply means that we do not overly censor our language or whitewash all mention of God from our interactions with those who may not believe as we do. No, we shouldn’t overly spiritualise our interactions. We are flesh and blood, but we are also on a spiritual journey. This is worth

mentioning, especially in polite conversation. The challenge of sharing our faith is not new. St Paul has this to say in his letter to the early Christians of Rome: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” he writes. “But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?” n CNS This commentary is condensed from the original version which appeared in Catholic Anchor, a monthly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska. The writer is editor of the newspaper and the archdiocesan news website.

Doing our utmost in dealing with our faith THE complexity of adulthood inevitably puts to death the naiveté of childhood. And this is true too of our faith. Not that faith is a naiveté. It isn’t. But our faith needs to be constantly reintegrated into our persons and matched up anew against our life’s experience; otherwise we will find it at odds with our life. But genuine faith can stand up to every kind of experience, no matter its complexity. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen and many people seemingly leave their faith behind, like belief in Santa and the Easter Bunny, as the complexity of their adult lives seemingly belies their childhood faith. With this in mind, I recommend a recent book, My Utmost, A Devotional Memoir, by Macy Halford. She is a young, 30-something, writer working out of both Paris and New York and this is an autobiographical account of her struggle as a conservative Evangelical Christian to retain her faith amidst the very liberal, sophisticated, highly secularised, and often agnostic circles within which she now lives and works. The book chronicles her struggles to maintain a strong childhood faith which was virtually embedded in her DNA, thanks to a very faith-filled mother and grandmother. Faith and Church were a staple and an anchor in her life as she was growing up. But her DNA also held something else, namely, the restlessness and creative tension of a writer, and that irrepressible energy naturally drove her beyond the safety and shelter of the Church circles of her youth, in her case, to literary circles in New York and Paris. She soon found out that living the faith while surrounded by a strong supportive faith group is one thing, trying to live it while breathing an air that is almost exclusively secular and agnostic is something else. The book chronicles that struggle and chronicles too how eventually she was able to integrate both the passion and the vision of her childhood faith into her new life. Among many good insights, she shares how each time she was tempted to cross the line and abandon her childhood faith as a naiveté, she realised that her fear of doing that was “not a fear of destroying God or a belief; [but] a fear of destroying self.” That insight testifies to the genuine character of her faith. God and faith don’t need us; it’s us that need them. The title of her book, My Utmost, is significant to her story. On her 13th birthday, her grandmother gave her a copy of a book which is well-known and much-used within Evangelical and Baptist circles, My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers. The book is a collection of spiritual aphorisms, thoughts for every day of the year, by this prominent missionary and mystic. Halford shares how, while young and still solidly anchored in the church and faith of her childhood, she did not read the book daily and Chamber’s spiritual counsels meant little to her. But her reading of this book eventually became a daily ritual in her life and its daily counsel began, more and more, to become a prism through which she was able to reintegrate her childhood faith with her adult experience. At one point in her life she gives herself over to a serious theological study of both the book and its author. Those parts of her memoir will intimidate some of her readers, but even without a clear theological grasp of how eventually she brings it all into harmony, the fruit of her struggle comes through clearly. This is a valuable memoir because today many people are undergoing this kind of struggle, that is, to have their childhood faith stand up to their present experience. Halford simply shows us how she did it and her struggle offers us a valuable paradigm to follow. A generation ago, German priest and theologian Karl Rahner, famously remarked that in the next generation we will either be mystics or unbelievers. Among other things, what Rahner meant was that, unlike previous generations where our communities (family, neighbourhood, and Church) very much helped carry the faith for us, in this next generation we will very much have to find our own, deeper, personal grounding for our faith. Macy Halford bears this out. Inside a generation within which many are unbelievers, her memoir lays out a path for a humble but effective mysticism. The late Irish writer, John Moriarty, in his memoirs, shares how as a young man he drifted from the faith of his youth, Roman Catholicism, seeing it as a naiveté that could not stand up to his adult experiences. He walked along in that way until one day, as he puts it, “I realised that Roman Catholicism, the faith of my childhood, was my mother tongue.” Macy Halford eventually re-grounded herself in her mother tongue, the faith of her youth, and it continues now to guide her through all the sophistications of adulthood. The chronicle of her search can help us all, irrespective of our particular religious affiliation. n

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COMMENTARY 23

Don’t wait for young adult group before getting involved in parish By Zac Davis

group, about being the youngest person by far, and therefore not Young adults are tough to min- having enough life experience ister to. We’re on the move, our to have anything meaningful to peers aren’t going to church with contribute. us, and we’re most likely to sneak And as I sat for the first meetout of the back of the church being, I realised those apprehenfore someone can hand us a par- sions that I had were accurate ish registration form. – but they weren’t at all limitaBut we desperately want com- tions. munity – and faith-based ones There are some things that especially. As we move into new you just can’t get at a Theology phases in life, we remember fond- on Tap event – a programme ly the bonds that were formed in of lectures that address current our high school youth groups topics in religion and theoland campus ministry service ogy – with other 20-somethings: trips. like being in the presence of One of the things that has sur- two couples, one married for 25 prised me most about starting a years and the other more than new podcast for young Catholics 50, while I began a new relais how many people write in to tionship; hearing about the faith say that just knowing there are of parents and single adults; and other young Catholics out there learning that friendship can be on the other end of just as much of a their headphones challenge later in is a consolation life but remains Young adult for them. fiercely as imporCatholics suffer Unfortunately, tant. so many of us sufYoung adult from lacking fer from this awful Catholics sufa community tendency to defer from lackmand something ing a community of other young like “heck yeah of other young I’m a pious Cathadults, but we adults, but we olic who wants fundamentally fundamentally more community” suffer from a lack and “no I won’t of a wider Cathosuffer from join any church lic community. A a lack of a groups.” parish can offer The preparathat – even withwider Catholic tory document for out the hip young community. the 2018 synod on adult group. youth instructs the If you’re nervA parish can Church to “give ous about going offer that – major importance to a meeting or a to young people’s programme alone even without involvement in – that’s OK. See the hip young the structures of if you can find participation in just one other peradult group. diocesan and parson your age who ish communities, would want to go starting with paswith you. They toral councils, inviting young could be a fellow parishioner people to make their creative or just someone whom you contribution and accepting their know. ideas, even when they appear Now, this isn’t exactly a challenging.” strategy for some of our peers I think the document has it who haven’t been active in right. The onus is on parishes to the church for a long time, or open up spaces for young adults ever. New modes of evangelito serve. But so many young sation remain to be developed adults hold back from engaging there. in parish life because we’re waitBut for those of us who have ing for the world’s most dynamic had recent experiences being young adult group to form before a part of a church community, we make any first moves towards whether that was your Cathocommitting to a parish or com- lic high school or your college munity. campus ministry centre, we can That’s what it was like for take a courageous first step into me. welcoming the community that a I was nervous when I filled parish can give us, imperfect as it out the information card for may be. n CNS ARISE, a new small-group, faith-sharing programme held Zac Davis is an assistant editor for once a week in the home of a digital strategy at America magazine, parishioner. I had apprehensions where he co-hosts “Jesuitical,” a about not knowing anyone in the podcast for young Catholics.

Young people talk during a conference in Rome in preparation for next year’s Synod of Bishops on young people. Joining parish communities can be one way for young adults to get involved with their church. CNS photo

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

Before Jesus began His public ministry, His cousin, John the Baptist, was living in the desert. John dressed in clothes made of camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey. He told the people to repent and be baptised in the Jordan River for the forgiveness of sins, and he also told them about the coming of the Messiah. John’s actions were prophesied in the Old Testament book of Isaiah: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.’” “One mightier than I is coming after me,” John told the many people who flocked to him for baptism. “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the

thongs of His sandals. I have baptised you with water; He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” John was not afraid to tell people that they were sinning and needed to repent. For example, John told King Herod that he was being sinful because his marriage to Herodias was considered unlawful. Herodias did not like being told that she and Herod were being sinful. She held a grudge against John and wanted him dead. Herod, on the other hand, was afraid of John because he was holy and righteousness. He decided to have John arrested and put in jail. While John was in jail, Herod threw a big party that was attended by many important people. During the party, Herodias’ daughter performed a dance for Herod and his guests. Herod liked the performance so much that he

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Teresa of Kolkata St Teresa of Kolkata – more commonly known as Mother Teresa – was born in 1910 in Macedonia. She joined the Loreto Sisters in Ireland when she was 18, and she was assigned to teach in a Catholic girls’ school in Kolkata, India. In 1946, she heard a call from Jesus, who told her to serve the poorest of the poor in Kolkata. In order to do this, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. Mother Teresa – who was known as the “saint of the gutters” – received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and the US Congressional Gold Medal in 1997, the same year she died. She was canonised by Pope Francis in 2016, and we remember her on Sept 5. n

promised to give the girl anything she wanted, even up to half of his kingdom. The girl went to her mother for advice on what to ask for. Herodias told her daughter to ask Herod for John’s execution. When the girl told Herod that she wanted John killed, the king did not want to do it. But he had made his promise in front of so many people that he felt forced to keep his word. Herod then sent an executioner

to the jail to kill John. When John’s followers heard what had happened, they came to get his body and laid it in a tomb. n Read more about it: Mark 6

Q&A 1. Where did John baptise people? 2. Who hated John and wanted him dead?

Wordsearch: n TEACH n RIGHT n PATH

n GUEST n ADVICE n KINGDOM n FOUND n LOCUST n BEHOLD n ISRAEL n COUSIN n PARTY

BIBLE TRIVIA: Who were John’s parents?

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: 1. F; 2. F; 3. T; 4. F; 5. T Answer to Bible Trivia: Zechariah and Elizabeth.

John’s baptism with water was very different from Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit. Some say John’s baptism was a version of the Jewish “mikvah,” which is a ritual bath meant to cleanse the spirit and to represent a new beginning. John wanted people to become clean so they could prepare for the Messiah’s coming. There are many places in the Bible that describe how people prepared for something important by cleaning themselves. For example, in the Book of Exodus, Aaron and his sons were washed with water before they were consecrated as priests, and they also washed their hands and feet before approaching the altar. In the Book of Numbers, the Levites were sprinkled with water to be cleansed before they could start serving God. In Ezekiel 36, God told the people of Israel that He would cleanse them of their impurities by sprinkling them with water so they could observe and keep His commandments. And in Revelation 22, those who wash their robes are said to have the right to the tree of life. n

PUZZLE: Using the hints provided, put a T next to the sentences about John the Baptist that are true and an F next to the ones that are false. 1. John couldn’t wait to baptise Jesus. (Matthew 3:14-15) 2. Only people from Jerusalem came to be baptised by John. (Mark 1:5) 3. John wore a leather belt around his waist. (Mark 1:6) 4. John called the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of cobras. (Matthew 3:7) 5. Jesus said no one was greater than John. (Matthew 11:11)

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http:// www.catholic.sg/events/announcementadvertisement-request/. Once forms have been submitted online, kindly send us details of your event for publication at www. catholicnews.sg/whatson/ at least one month ahead of the publication date. JULY 1, 2017 TO FEBRUARY 3, 2019 LIFE DIRECTION AND PRAYER SESSION FOR YOUNG LADIES Every first Saturday of the month. For women aged between 18 and 30. “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect (Romans 12:2). Organised by the Daughters of St Paul. For more information, T: 65608003; E: pauline.fsp@gmail.com. JULY 27 TO OCT 19 BIBLE STUDY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Delivered by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Time: 8pm-10pm. Organised by the Biblical Apostolate Team, Church of Christ The King. Venue: Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. To register: T: 98321538 (Lene); E:ctkbat@ hotmail.com; W:www.christtheking.com.sg. AUG 1 TO AUG 31 CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (CCD) REGISTRATION Catechism classes for international schools. Organised by CCD ministry of St Ignatius Church. CCD is a faith formation programme for children aged 6-13. Grade 1 through grade 7 classes are held weekly on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons from 4pm-5pm and the confirmation classes are held on Sundays from 3.30pm-5pm, starting in September through the end of

May 2018. Online registration opens on Aug 1. All students (new and returning) have to register at www.stignatius.org. sg. Registration deadline is Aug 31. After submitting the online registration form, please mail the required documents and fees to the church office. For the Sacraments of First Holy Communion (grade 2) and Confirmation (grade 8), a hard copy of the child’s baptismal certificate is required. For more information, E: ccdstignatius@gmail.com (Chantal Wong). AUG 7 TO OCT 23 GOSPEL OF MARK BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ Mondays (7.30pm-9pm). Venue: Church of Sts Peter & Paul, Parish Building, Level 3 Chapel. Come and join us on a 12-week study of the Gospel of Mark. Cost: Love offering. To register: E: sppbiblestudy@hotmail.com with your name and contact number. SEPT 2 HEALING MASS All are welcome and no registration is needed. Time: 2pm-4pm. You are invited to join us for praise and worship and Mass followed by prayers for healing. After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for healing. Celebrant: Fr Thomas Curran. Organised by SACCREPraise@Work. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul. For more information: E: praiseatworksg@yahoo.com; T: 97472467. SEPT 6 TO NOV 1 CLARITY’S WORKSHOP FOR YOUTHS WITH DEPRESSION – ARISE AND SHINE! Dates: Sept 6, 13, 20 and 27; Oct 4, 11, and 25; Nov 1 (8 sessions). Time: 3.30pm-5pm. Arise and Shine! is a group intervention workshop for young adults (between the ages of 18-30), who have just been diagnosed with their first depressive episode. In this workshop, participants will learn behavioural and cognitive strategies to manage depressive symptoms. To register: T: 67577990. SEPT 9 40TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Canossian alumni association 40th annual

general meeting with topics of interest presented by professionals from the alumni. Time: Talks at 1.45pm; tea at 3pm, meeting at 3.30pm. Topics to choose from: 1) Lasting Power of Attorney and Writing Your Will; 2) Love language of parents and kids. Venue: St Magdalene’s Room, L3, Canossa Convent Primary School, 1 Sallim Road. All Canossian ex-students are welcome. Love offerings welcomed. To register: W: www.canossianalumni.com. SEPT 9 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE Time: 8pm. Come and pray with fellow Christians and all who want to create greater trust and openness through meditative prayer. No registration needed. All are welcome. Organised by the S’pore Taize core group at the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, 60 Hill Street. For more information: E: bennycah@gmail.com; W: www.taize.fr/en. OCT 4 LITERARY IMAGINATION AND THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST IGNATIUS – PART 1 Part 1: Self-knowledge. Time: 7.30pm9.30pm. Follow the progression of the spiritual exercises through selected literary works to gain deeper self-knowledge. In this lecture, we will explore existential attitudes, self-awareness, sense of sin and forgiveness, and life choices. Facilitator: Fr Daniel Kister, SJ. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $50. To register: http://tinyurl.com/ DanKister; T: 64676072. OCT 5 LITERARY IMAGINATION AND THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST IGNATIUS – PART 2 Part 2: Knowledge of Christ. Time: 7.30pm9.30pm. Follow the progression of the spiritual exercises through selected literary works to gain deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ. Explore the incarnation, Jesus and His disciples, parables, death and resurrection. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $50. To register: http://tinyurl. com/DanKister; T: 64676072.

NEWS

Solar eclipse thrills, inspires wonder at God’s creation HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, USA – Science teacher Jane Irwin isn’t

often left without words, but the total solar eclipse left her in a quiet reflective mood. “Awesome. God’s amazing,” was the best the American educator could muster after the sun reappeared from behind the moon on Aug 21. “How can people deny the existence of God after seeing this? I’m not a terribly emotional person, but I got choked up seeing it,” she said. Ms Irwin was among about 50 people gathered at Sts Peter and Paul Parish in Hopkinsville, the town near the point of maximum eclipse in the US. She planned to have her students write about the eclipse when classes resumed on Aug 23. Her inspiration for the assignment was Jesuit Br Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, who spoke at the parish on Aug 20 during a pre-eclipse programme. Br Consolmagno shared that as a scientist and a person of faith, he is guided by inquisitiveness to explore the heavens and the desire to better understand how God put the universe together. “Being a scientist can be a way of worshipping God,” he said. He repeated a similar message to reporters during a news conference before his presentation. “We’re here not just to remind

Above: The solar eclipse as seen in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA. Below: Jesuit Br Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, speaks during a pre-eclipse programme. CNS photos

my fellow scientists who are used to me by now, but also to show religious people how important it is to be able to praise the Creator by

studying creation, studying it honestly, finding out how God really created this place. There’s never going to be a shortage of marvels for us to discover or surprises for us to experience,” he said. “We can come to know the Creator by seeing the things of his creation.” He said that by understanding the cycle of solar eclipses – occurring about every 18 months and 11 days – people can see the rhythms of the universe and the continuing nature of creation and have an experience “that fills the soul with joy”. n CNS

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. JUNE 15, 2017 TO MARCH 31, 2018 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BVM Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm. Every Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm. For more information, contact the parish office at 62800980; E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg JUNE 16, 2017 TO JUNE 1, 2018 CANTONESE RCIA @ CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL Every Friday from 7:45pm-9:30pm at parish second floor, room 8. For enquiries, T: 63372585 (Parish Office); T: 97120452. JUNE 18, 2017 TO JUNE 3, 2018 MANDARIN RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Every Sunday from 9am-10.30am. Organised by Church Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour, 31 Siglap Hill S456085. For more information: T: 94517396 (Magdalene); W: website@ www.olps.sg. JUNE 27/29, 2017 TO MARCH 31, 2018 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS Every Tuesday (Chinese) and every OCT 6 TO OCT 8 “WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE IS YOUR HEART ALSO” Oct 6 (7.30pm)-Oct 8 (5pm). In this retreat, consider your life and attitudes from the perspective of God, as well as recall Jesus’ life and attitudes. In exploring Jesus’ relationships with His disciples, renew your relationship with Him. Facilitator: Fr Daniel Kister, SJ. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $270 (non-AC), $330 (AC). To register: http://tinyurl.com/ DanKister; T: 64676072. OCT 7 AND OCT 14 “FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA” MUSICAL PRAYER Time: 8pm-10pm. Vox Cordis Chorus (VCC) from the Church of Our Lady of

Thursday (English) from 7.45pm-10pm. Venue: 450 Clementi Ave 1 S129955. For more information: T: 97577115 (Susan); E: holycrosschurch.rcia@gmail.com. JUNE 30, 2017 TO APRIL 1, 2018 RCIY @ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Time: 8pm-10pm.Youths aged 15-25 who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith are invited to come and join us on this journey of discovery. Venue: St John room, Church of the Risen Christ. To register: E: rciy@risenchrist.org.sg. JULY 4, 2017 TO MAY 20, 2018 RCIA @ CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL Every Tuesday at 7.30pm. Registration forms are available at the parish office or register your interest via http://sppchurch. org.sg/contact- us/ JULY 11, 2017 TO APRIL 1, 2018 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm. Sponsors and facilitators start on July 11. Inquirers start on Aug 1. Registration forms are available at: http://stignatius.org.sg/home/ ministries/faith-formation/rcia- ministry/. For more information, T: 64660625 (Angela); 96286472 (Sandra) Perpetual Succour will present a musical prayer entitled “Fiat Voluntas Tua” which means “Thy Will Be Done”. The event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Venue: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. For ticket sales and enquiries, T: 98108793 (Monika); 91475196 (Lestari); 96642727 (Joel). NOV 9 TO NOV 12 WATCHMEN RETREAT A four day/three night stay-in retreat open to Catholics above the age of 21. This retreat is about being on watch until the Lord returns and being alert to the dangers to your spiritual life. Held at Majodi Retreat Centre, Johor, Malaysia. Organised by the Office for the New Evangelisation. To register: E: enquiry@one.org.sg; W: www.one.org.sg.

26 IN MEMORIAM CLASSIFIED

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assisO Holy St Jude, apos- tance. Help me in my tle and martyr, great present urgent petiin virtue and rich in tion. In return, I prommiracles, near kins- ise to make your name man of Jesus Christ, known and cause faithful intercessor of you to be invoked. St all who invoke your Jude pray for me and special patronage in all who invoke your times of need. To you aid. Humbly in need TERRY THOMAS I have recourse from of your intercession. Departed: Sep 2, 2008 the depth of my heart Amen. Thank you for Blessed are the dead who from now on and humbly beg you, answering my prayers. die in the Lord. ‘Yes’, says the spirit, In memoriam rates “they will rest from Minimum $80 for an insertion their labours, for their deeds follow them.” not exceeding

THANKSGIVING

Rev 14:13

an eight-centimetre column. Additional space: $8 per one-centimetre column.

Fondly remembered and cherished by family and loved ones.

MARIA LOO CHOY LAN Departed: Aug 29, 2015 Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near. Dearly missed by loved ones.

Crossword Puzzle 1192 1

20 23

24 28

Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near. Deeply missed and remembered Twenty-fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

HENRY CHOW AH CHONG Departed: Sep 5, 1993 Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Always remembered by his family and loved ones.

42 45

46 51

DAVID ALSTON MARGARET BATES BATES Born: May 25, 1911 July 4, 1923. Departed: Oct 7, 1966 Sept 8, 2009.

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

CHUA YAM TECK ANDREW Departed: Sep 9, 2003 Come, you whom my Father has blessed, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. Fondly remembered by children Adrian, Valerie and grandchildren. Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

29th Anniversary In loving memory of

JOHN BAPTIST LEE KEOK SENG DOB: Jan 15, 1921 Departed: Sep 7, 1988 Jesus I Trust in You Your presence is ever near us Your love remains with us yet You were the kind father Your loved ones will never forget. Always remembered by wife, children and loved ones. Eleventh Anniversary In loving memory of

DASSON STEPHEN Departed: Sept 9, 2014 Three years have passed since that sad day, When angels gathered near your side, So very close to you, For they knew the pain and suffering, That you were going through. We held tightly to your hand, But your eyes were looking homeward, To that place beyond the sky, Where Jesus held His outstretched arms, It was time to say good-bye. So we gave to you life’s greatest gift; The gift of letting go.

by all loved ones.

In loving memory of

Eighth Anniversary

Fifty-first Anniversary

27 33

In loving memory of our beloved parents

FRANCIS LEE ENG KOK Departed: Sep 8, 2010 Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. From your loved ones.

As we loved you, so we miss you; In our memory you are near. Fondly remembered by loved ones, siblings and friends. Masses will be celebrated on: 9th,10th and 11th Sept at Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane 9th, 10th and 11th Sept at 6pm at Church of St Ignatius, Singapore

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

We miss you in so many ways We miss things you used to say And when old times we do recall It’s then we miss you most of all. Dearly missed by family and friends. Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Risen ROSALINE Christ on Aug 28, PFEIFFER 2017 at 12.15pm. Departed: Aug 28, 2015 Third Anniversary In loving memory of

Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

RATCHAGANATHAN S/O A SEBASTIN Departed: August 30, 2016

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Second son of Canaan (Gen 10:15) 5 Primp 10 “Eternal _____ grant unto them” 14 On sheltered side 15 Lofty nest 16 “…_____ this day be at my side…” 17 Shout 18 View 19 Heap 20 First woman 21 Pope during Attila’s time 22 Catholic Oscarwinning actress of “The Country Girl” fame 23 Official sitting 25 Scheme 27 A letter 28 The Bible 33 Halts 35 “…for eye, _______ for…” (Ex 21:24) 36 Not (prefix) 37 Mil. officer 38 It may be actual or sanctifying 39 Certain voice 40 Feller’s tool 41 Drench 42 Eyeglasses 43 Regions 45 Madre’s hermana 46 Unit of power

47 Joseph saw these in his first dream (Gen 37:7) 51 A scout for Moses 54 Where Anna taught 55 Uncle Tom’s Cabin girl 56 Like much lore 57 Simple seat 59 Grandson of Leah 60 Play part 61 It’s heavy, in Le Havre 62 Spawning area of salmon 63 “…the Lord is with _______.” 64 Plebeian 65 Lyric poems DOWN 1 Catholic actress and First Lady of the American Theatre 2 Ecole attendee 3 Castel Gandolfo has two of these 4 Norse goddess 5 90’s Toyota coupe 6 Build again 7 “…_______ saw Elba” 8 Aachen article 9 Born 10 Turn away from sin

11 “I fear no _______, for you are with me” (Ps 23:4) 12 Exchange for money 13 Deuce beater 21 Sins against the eighth Commandment 22 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 24 Birth month of Mary (abbr.) 25 In the majority of the extraordinary ones it is directed that the Litany of the Saints be chanted 26 Beer type 29 Seashore 30 Bread of the Passover 31 Drilling grp. 32 Grandson of Adam

33 Great quantity 34 Sitcom set in a garage 38 _______ alone 39 Samoan capital 41 Dull 42 Stalk 44 Apostle number 48 Catholic actor of “The Wizard of Oz” fame 49 Elude 50 Vegas Casino 51 _______ of many colours 52 Diocese or bishop starter 53 Overdue 54 Gram and meter starter 57 NASCAR sponsor 58 Bare peak 59 Grenada gold

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1191 N O R T H

A M O R E

M E T A L

I D E A

T E S T

C U S H

V A N S

E M I T

R I L E

E R E I L A I D H Y S S L E A M D I D E R

C H A I N S K I T E

E A R N S I N D E X

S C S H E R

S T A M A N O M A V G P L E I R O N D I O T O C K L E A T B S H E B G A M A A L P E L L A S E

M A N I A C

A L E C

A L M A

M O O R

L O D I I S D B L I A B S L S E

A B E L

D I M E

R E L I C

S L E P T

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

First Anniversary In loving memory of

ALBAN ALPHINE CHRISTIAN Departed: Sep 3, 2007 Rest in peace, dear loving father, Ten long years have passed away; You’re gone, but are still living In the hearts of those who stay. Dearly missed and always remembered by wife Dora, family and loved ones. First Anniversary In loving memory of

VIVIEN HO YEE MEE Departed: Sep 8, 2006 We remember and cherish the happy times together Remembering them today and forever. Always remembered by hubby and loved ones. Thirtieth Anniversary In loving memory of

ANNIE JULIET PINTO Departed: Sept 1, 2014 We miss you in so many ways We miss things you used to say And when old times we do recall It’s then we miss you most of all. Dearly missed and fondly remembered by beloved children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and nieces and nephews. Twenty-third Anniversary In loving memory of

MARY NG CHENG SEOK Called to Her Reward on Sept 4 2016 An Awesome Soul She lived life to the fullest with a megawatt smile. Wife, mother, motherin-law, grandma, sister, aunt and friend – she showered us with affection and unconditional love – she lives on in our hearts. Fondly remembered by her family, loved ones and friends.

ANN MARY MORALES Departed: Aug 30, 2008 In our home, you are fondly remembered. In our hearts, you will always live. In our prayers, you will always be. Mummy, we miss you in so many ways. Lovingly remembered and forever cherished by sons, daughters, grandchildren and loved ones.

Classified advertisement rates: Minimum S$40 for the first 25 words. Additional words: $1.00 a word.

Please turn to page 28 for more in memoriam advertisements.

MAGDALENE TAN LEE HOON Departed: Sep 11, 1994 Dearest Mummy/Mama, Rest in the peace of the Lord. Take comfort in the presence of the Holy Spirit and we will rejoice when we see you again. We love you and will always miss you. Fondly remembered by all loved ones.

Deeply missed by loved ones. Fourteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

ANNA YEO-KOH SYE HUAY Passed on Aug 29, 1987 Dearest Mum, You are always in our hearts and we remember all the sweet memories. Love, Joseph, Rose and Irene. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Risen Christ on Tuesday Aug 29 at 12.15pm.

Peacefully sleeping, resting at last, The world’s weary troubles and trials are past In silence he suffered, in patience he bore, Til God called him home to suffer no more.

LILY M V CHASECURRIER NEE CHEW 24.04.1929 03.09.2011 It was His will that she die His will that we should let her go And we must ever bow to it But oh dear God We miss her so. Lovingly remembered by your children, children-in-law, grandchildren, grandchildren-in-law & great-grandchildren.

JOSEPH LIM TECK KIM Born: Jun 23, 1926 Departed: Aug 29, 2003 Dearest Kong Kong, Yet another year has gone by, but there has not been a single moment where you have not been greatly missed. Fourteen years ago you physically left us, but you have constantly been in our thoughts and prayers, and will forever be in our hearts. Your presence, your laughter, your incessant support in whatever we choose to do, and your unconditional love are just a few things of many that are now absent in our lives. Looking forward to the day when we are all reunited again in heaven. Until then, may you rest in peace and keep a watchful eye over us from above. Dearly loved, deeply missed and forever cherished by your loving wife, children, grandchildren and loved ones.

IN MEMORIAM 27

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

In loving memory of Second Anniversary

Fifty-fourth Anniversary

ROSALINE MARIAPREGASAM APPADURAI BERNARD Departed: Sept 3, 2015 Nov 25, 1963.

Thank you for the years we shared Thank you for the way you cared We loved you then and we love you still Forget you, we never will. Deeply missed & fondly remembered by children & loved ones. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing that I shall want.” Psalm 23:1

First Anniversary In loving memory of

BIBIANA YEO MUI CHENG Departed: August 29, 2016 A year has passed and nothing can erase the pain of losing you. Dearly missed by your family and loved ones.

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

LEE GUAN LENG BERNARD Departed: Aug 30, 2014 Gone from our lives One so dear But in our hearts Forever near. Dearly missed and always remembered by wife, sons and daughter-in-law; daughter and son-inlaw; grandsons and grand-daughters.

Twenty-fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of our parents Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

JAMES A. BROWN Departed: Sep 9, 2008 Walled in our hearts There’s a garden Where memories bloom everyday, In the rainbow colours of happiness. Please Lord, forever let him stay. Deeply loved and missed by wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Twenty-fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

28th Anniversary

8th Anniversary

LAUZAR JESU ESTHER JANE MUTHIAPILLAY LAUZAR 1 Oct 1908 to 8 Sep 1989 8 July 1919 to 17 Sep 2009

MDM CECILIA CHONG AH CHEAK Departed: Aug 28, 1993 Peaceful be your rest, dear mother Twenty four long years have passed away. In our hearts your memory lingers Sweetly tender, fond and true. Always remembered by daughter Theresa and loved ones.

“The blessed memories we have Of you both we’ll always cherish, Never shall both your memories fade: Our loving thoughts will always wander, To the spot where both of you are laid.” Dearly missed and fondly remembered by family members and loved ones.

In loving memory of

PETER JEREMY HOGAN

GLORIA JEAN HOGAN NEE ARMSTRONG Departed: Nov 18, 1991 Aug 24, 2014

SHIRLEY GAN KIM NEO Departed: Sep 4, 2004 Sweet thoughts of you and fond memories fill our hearts again. With all our love Mum, we shall always remember you. Your children and grandchildren.

Please turn to page 27 for more classified and in memoriam advertisements.

We miss you in so many ways We miss things you used to say And when old times we do recall It’s then we miss you most of all. We remember and cherish the happy times together Remembering them today and forever. Dearly missed and remembered by loved ones.

JOHN VERGHESE Departed: Aug 30, 1992 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds. Always cherished by wife, children, godson, grand-daughters, son-in-laws, family and friends.

Sunday September 3, 2017 n CatholicNews

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