Catholic News issue 19, 2016

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

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VOL 66

NO. 19

INSIDE

A tapestry of St Teresa of Kolkata is seen on the facade of St Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis celebrated her canonisation Mass on Sept 4.

ASIA

Korean reunification ministries Steps taken to aid reconciliation n Page 8

CNS photos

WORLD

Be fair to ex-prisoners Says English cardinal n Page 10

Vatican's sex education guidelines

St Teresa will always be ‘Mother’ Teresa: pope VATICAN CITY – With a large

tapestry bearing the portrait of the woman known as the “Saint of the Gutters” suspended above him, Pope Francis proclaimed the sainthood of Mother Teresa of Kolkata, hailing her courage and love for the poor.

“Her sanctity is so close to us, so tender and fruitful, that spontaneously we will continue to call her ‘Mother Teresa,’” Pope Francis said to applause at the canonisation Mass on Sept 4.

“Mother Teresa, in all aspects of her life, was a generous dispenser of divine mercy, making herself available for everyone through her welcome and defence of human life, those unborn and those abandoned and discarded,” the pope said in his homily during the Mass in St Peter’s Square.

An estimated 120,000 people packed the square, many holding umbrellas or waving fans to keep cool under the sweltering heat.

Upon hearing Pope Francis “declare and define Blessed Teresa of Kolkata to be a saint”, the crowds broke out in cheers and thunderous applause.

The moment was especially sweet for more than 300 Albanians who live in Switzerland but came to Rome for the canonisation. “We are very proud,” said Ms Violet Barisha, a member of the Albanian Catholic Mission in St Gallen.

Daughter of Divine Charity Sr Valdete, a Kosovar and one of the Albanian group’s chaplains, said, “We are so happy and honoured. n Continued on Page 14

To help people discover ‘beauty of mutual self-giving’ n Page 11

POPE FRANCIS

Care for creation as work of mercy Pope makes proposal n Page 13

FEATURE

Becoming good fathers Helping men understand parenting responsibilities n Page 18

FOCUS Pope Francis gives a thumbs up after the canonisation Mass.

‘Mother Teresa, in all aspects of her life, was a generous dispenser of divine mercy.’

– Pope Francis at Mother Teresa’s canonisation Mass

Pope Benedict shares why he resigned Also talks about his good relationship with Pope Francis n Page 19

2 HOME

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

A Missionaries of Charity Sister feeding a resident in the Gift of Love Home in Boon Lay.

Serving the poor with simple acts of great love

A look at the Missionaries of Charity’s work in S’pore

By Jared Ng The Missionaries of Charity (MC) are “happy and humbled” by the recent canonisation of Mother Teresa, said Sr Mary Carmel, the local superior.

“We want to imitate her example [of service to the poor] and have been challenged to do it with greater fidelity,” she said in an interview with CatholicNews.

She said the Sisters imitate their foundress by serving “the poorest of the poor” and in doing so, hope to “bring across God’s great mercy”.

Sr Carmel noted that Mother Teresa experienced a “feeling of unworthiness and loneliness during her ministry”.

“Mother once said: ‘God uses nothingness for His greatness,’” she said.

Sr Carmel shared with CatholicNews what a typical day is like in the Missionaries of Charities’

Sr Mary Carmel, Local Superior of the Missionaries of Charity.

Gift of Love Home in Boon Lay. A normal day for the Sisters starts at 4.40 am. They begin with an hour of community prayer before heading off to morning Mass at the Church of St Francis of Assisi.

Some of their prayers include the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration and the Divine Mercy devotion.

After Mass, the Sisters prepare breakfast for the 32 residents living in the home. Meals for the Sisters are prepared separately by another MC Sister.

Some of the Sisters then visit the homes of families who request for prayers or those who need a listening ear. Sr Carmel shared that the families include nonChristians.

The Sisters also handwash the clothes of the residents and their fellow congregation members. In Singapore and most countries, the MC Sisters manually wash the clothes of those under their care.

After meals, the Sisters clean up and prepare any medication required for some of the residents.

Extending a helping hand to the Sisters are volunteers who visit the home to care for the residents in various ways.

Some help to cook the food and clean the premises, while others give haircuts to the residents.

According to Sr Carmel, about 130 volunteers visit the home every week. They are made up of a wide variety of nationalities including Koreans, Germans, Japanese, Indians and Singaporeans.

Once a month, the Sisters also provide basic provisions to needy families registered with the home.

They include Muslims, Hindus and Christians.

In the afternoon, the Sisters take a half hour rest before starting community prayer and spending time with the residents.

After residents have had their dinner in the evening and their

A Sister preparing medicine for residents.

The chapel of the Missionaries of Charity. A blood relic of Mother Teresa is kept here.

Mother Teresa blessing a Missionaries of Charity Brother when she visited the former Gift of Love Home in Punggol.

needs are taken care of, the Sisters end the day with prayer and recreation time among themselves.

“We sometimes mend clothes but usually we just talk and relax,” said Sr Carmel.

The Sisters go to bed at about 9.30 pm.

The Gift of Love Home also houses a blood relic of Mother Teresa in its chapel.

There are currently eight MC Sisters in Singapore of whom three are Singaporeans – Srs Carmel, Luke and Karol. There are nine other Singaporean Sisters who are serving overseas, such as in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

A Mass in honour of Mother Teresa’s canonisation was scheduled on Sept 10 at the Church of St Francis of Assisi. jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Gift of Love Home Mother Teresa first visited Singapore in 1976.

The Missionaries of Charity later set up their home, called the Madonna Home, at Irving Road in Paya Lebar.

In 1987, Mother Teresa revisited Singapore. She met with President Wee Kim Wee, gave a talk to priests, and spoke to 20,000 people at a youth rally at Toa Payoh Stadium.

That year also saw the opening of the Gift of Love Home in Punggol for the destitute and elderly.

In December 1998, the home moved to Marymount Centre. In 2012, it moved to its current location in Boon Lay. n

HOME 3

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Educators receive faith formation Thought-provoking and rejuve- of thanks to God for being able nating. to serve Him. In this way, the This was how educators from educators expressed their comCatholic schools, who attended mitment to their vocation in a recent faith formation pro- teaching. gramme conducted by the BrisDuring the group discusbane Catholic Education Office sions, participants shared and (BCE), described their experi- learnt from one another’s expeence. riences.

Forty-five supervisors, prinMany felt that Catholic school cipals, vice-principals and Reli- leaders needed such a faith formagious Education tion programme.

(RE) coordinators “I’m thankful As school of primary and secfor this formation,” ondary Catholic Jesuit Fr Adrileaders we need said schools attended an Danker, princito be formed, the programme pal of St Joseph’s held at Catholic again and again, Institution. “As Junior College. school leaders we to grow, This was the need to be formed, first time that senso that we in turn again and again, to ior education ofgrow, so that we in ficers from (BCE), can grow our staff turn can grow our working in partnerstaff and students.” and students. ship with the ArchThe faith for– Fr Adrian Danker, diocesan Commismation programme SJI principal sion for Catholic came at the end of Schools (ACCS), a five-day attachconducted such a programme ment programme for 10 Brisbane here.

Catholic teachers, which saw Participants came together them observing the academic and on Aug 26-27 to engage in scrip- religion lessons in six Catholic tural study, rituals, prayer, group schools here – preschools, primadiscussions and personal reflec- ry and secondary. tion.

The visitors also participated One highlight of the pro- in sharing sessions with the Singramme was the washing of each gapore teachers, principals and other’s hands as an expression vice-principals. n

Participants engaging in a creative session during the faith formation programme conducted by the Brisbane Catholic Education Office.

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A ritual of washing each other’s hands.

Brisbane educators at the St Francis of Assisi Kindergarten.

4 HOME

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

CHANCERY NOTICE

26 August 2016

CHN/CN/2016/018

Reverend Father Vincent Chee will be retired from active service from the Church of the Sacred Heart. His last day of work will be next Wednesday, 31 August 2016.

He is available for services such as Masses and confessions if required or when requested.

We thank Fr Vincent for his many years of service to the Archdiocese.

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

CORRECTION: In the feature, A Look At St Anne’s Church in Sengkang (CN, Sept 4), the caption for the third photo on Page 22 should read: The front porch of St Anne’s Church decorated with lights during Christmas 2013.

Some ethical concerns over Zika infections

Some people have suggested resorting to abortion and contraception in response to the Zika outbreak. Fr David Garcia looks at the issues.

Women in the early stages of pregnancy, infected with the Zika virus, seem to have an higher number of microencephalic births. I will not concern myself with the facts of the disease but only with the ethical problems that it has stirred, for some have suggested that abortion and contraception should be measures that help to curb the incidence of microencephalic infants, apparently caused by this virus.

For them, it makes sense to use contraceptive measures to avoid a risky pregnancy or even to eliminate the child in the womb to “spare him or her” or perhaps his parents from a life of “suffering”.

This approach is based on two beliefs. The first is that the end justifies the means. This means that one can do something not ideal in itself, such as abortion or contraception, and would be justified by the good end he is aiming to, namely, avoiding an unwanted pregnancy or an unwanted child.

But if the end justifies the means, then there are no non-negotiable moral principles, for all principles will admit exceptions depending on the good result we want to attain thus resulting in moral relativism: there is nothing right or wrong in itself, it all depends on the circumstances.

The second belief is that the life of a microencephalic person is not really worth living or at least too burdensome for parents to bear.

Both beliefs are not only incompatible with Christian faith but also poisonous for any society. Interestingly, both beliefs are interconnected for both ignore a most important principle of our civilisation: all persons are equal in dignity.

If we truly believe that all persons are equal in dignity, then we must defend the life of all human beings and consider everyone worthy of respect regardless of their circumstances.

If some may be killed, because their lives are too handicapped, too young (as in embryos), too old, or incapable of exercising capacities we deem worthy of human life, then we are in fact saying that not all are equal, since some would have claimed for themselves the right to terminate the life of others.

The only way to protect the principle of human equality is precisely by holding to non-negotiable moral principles that allow

If we truly believe that all persons are equal in dignity, then we must defend the life of all human beings and consider everyone worthy of respect regardless of their circumstances. no exceptions. Thus, the moral principle that admonishes not to commit murder is one of those non-negotiable moral principles.

This protects everyone because if there were exceptions to murder, and some people could intentionally kill others, the principle of equal dignity would fail to be applied. The idea that the end justifies the means precisely negates the fact that there could be some non-negotiable moral principles, and thus, becomes not only the root of relativism but also a threat to civilisation itself.

In short, if we believe, with the

Church, that all humans are persons and equal in dignity, we must hold that no end, no matter how good, will justify wrong means and that all human life, no matter how limited, is worth living.

Fidelity to moral principles is crucial because it protects humans from fellow humans. For those who hold those principles, they will do well to avoid contracting the Zika virus, but will not seek to negotiate with non-negotiable moral principles. n Fr Garcia is the spiritual director of the Catholic Medical Guild.

Seminar on medical, ethical aspects With the present uncertainties surrounding the Zika virus infection in Singapore the Catholic Medical Guild of Singapore will hold a seminar to discuss and clarify the medical and ethical aspects related to it. “Heart Issues, Hard De-

cisions: Ethical dilemmas in Zika Virus Infection” will be held at St Peter’s Auditorium, Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Road, on Sept 17 from 2 pm-4 pm.

To register, visit www.cmg. org.sg n

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

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6 MOTHER TERESA’S CANONISATION

Missionaries of Charity nuns in Kolkata, India, watch Mother Teresa’s canonisation broadcast live from Rome on Sept 4.

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

A man holds a poster of St Teresa outside the Missionaries of Charity building in Kolkata as she was canonised at the Vatican. CNS photos

Joy, testimonies in Kolkata as Mother Teresa declared saint KOLKATA, IndIA – At the Shishu

Bhavan home, children, the destitute, Missionaries of Charity nuns and novices sat silently, glued to the TV screen for the live telecast of the Vatican canonisation ceremony of Mother Teresa.

While many prayed at the new saint’s tomb, the nuns and the children of Shishu Bhavan (Children’s Home), preferred to stay indoors and celebrate the historic moment all by themselves, as Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa to be St Teresa.

“It is a day of feast for us.

Brothers and Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity [MOC] are watching this in all the establishments of the MOC, but many of the Sisters are visiting the head-

quarters for the special thanksgiving Mass after the ceremony in the evening,” said Missionaries of Charity Sr Benoy, who had come from the home in suburban Dum Dum to help the Sisters with the large number of visitors.

Earlier, outside the gates of Shishu Bhavan, the poor, the sick and the old had gathered as they do each Sunday, hoping for a meal. Like any other Sunday, the nuns and cooks filled their plates.

“This has been our home.

What would you call someone who provides you food, medicine and shelter?” asked a woman who identified herself only as Amina, who regularly visits for food and medicine. After the meal, she and her mother waited to watch the

Ms Monica Besra of West Bengal in a 2003 photo. Her cure was Mother Teresa’s first miracle recognised by the Vatican.

ceremony. She sang hymns and prayed silently near the saint’s statue.

In the narrow lane leading to call of the Saint of Kolkata,” she the headquarters of the Mission- said of her vocation. aries of Charity, hundreds of peo“If not a saint, then why would ple had gathered together not just the world follow her footsteps 19 to witness the live ceremony for years after her death? Her life, the “saint of Kolkata” but also to through her humanitarian work invoke her in their prayers. and her healing touch, is the eveSpecial arrangements outside ryday miracle that keeps us gohad been made for live viewing, ing,” said Sr Adelica, who came and devotees gathered with their from Bangladesh for the ceremolittle memories of the “blessed” ny and will spend a month workone. Some were carrying pic- ing in India. tures, some flowers and some Before leaving for the Vatiphotographs declaring their love can, West Bengal Chief Minister and devotion. Hymns were sung Mamata Banerjee, who was part by the visitors and the nuns, but of the 40-member official delegaalso commoners who gathered tion from the state, said: “Mother outside. Souvenir was the mother shops had come up of humanity. Her and people went Mother Teresa love for the ailing, around buying little needy, entire was and will be the artefacts attributed humanity was unto Mother Teresa. the icon of love, bounded. Bengal Mr Mohamis more proud as compassion mad Ahsan, 62, Mother lived and and service to had come to visit worked here and the nuns and pray us with humanity for all showered at the tomb. He had her abundant love days to come. carried his photoand care. graphs with Mother “Bless us, – Ms Diana Silvester Teresa that he took Mother, so that we in 1994. can continue to “My association with her is serve the people,” she prayed. more than two decades old. These Nearly 400 km away from pictures are my prized posses- Kolkata, in Nakor village, Ms sions. My life is much peaceful Monica Besra, whose healing now, and I owe it to the Saint of from a tumour was Mother TeKolkata,” he said. resa’s first miracle recognised by Ms Diana Silvester, a tel- the Vatican, sat and prayed at the evision producer from the Indian nearby cathedral. state of Kerala, came carrying a “I miss not being at Vatican. poster of Mother Teresa.

But I was there for the beatifica“I came to witness a historic tion ceremony,” she told Catholic moment,” she said. “Mother News Service by telephone. “For Teresa was and will be the me she was a saint always, and I icon of love, compassion and ser- invoked her always in my prayers. vice to humanity for all days to Today the world recognises her come.” and prays to her.

Sr Babita, 20, from the Indian “I was dying,” she said. state of Orissa, chose to sit with “Mother had a healing touch and other Missionaries of Charity pos- she healed me. That is enough tulants at the convent to watch the for us. We are much better and a ceremony. “For us it was the sheer happy family now.” n CNS

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Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Myanmar cardinal assures Church’s support for building peace

Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, said the Church will support all efforts to build peace in the conflict-torn country of Myanmar. CNS photo naYPYiTaW, mYanmar – Myan-

and prosperous nation,” said Carmar’s cardinal assured a historic dinal Bo. gathering of government, military In nearly seven decades of and ethnic leaders of the Church’s fighting, thousands of people have support for building lasting peace died in Myanmar; about a quarter in the conflict-torn Southeast of a million have been displaced Asian country. in the past five years.

“We need to move away from Myanmar leader Aung San the past, working towards a peace Suu Kyi’s National League for with justice,” Cardinal Charles Bo Democracy party headed the conof Yangon, Myanmar, said in his ference of more than 1,500 parspeech at the Union Peace Con- ticipants, including UN Secretaryference held in the capital, Nay- General Ban Ki-moon. At least 20 pyitaw, from Aug 31-Sept 4. “For main ethnic minorities fighting for too long we have lived in mutual independence were invited, but hatred. Now is the three of those groups time to assert our were later disinvited oneness.” for continued fightWe need Cardinal Bo ing. to move away called Myanmar, Today there are formerly Burma, more than 100 ethnic from the past, “a religious nation” minorities vying for working that “never had faith autonomy in Myanin atheism.” He ap- towards a peace mar, and they have pealed to the public’s widely blamed the with justice. willingness to listen military for atroci– Cardinal Charles Bo to its faith leaders in ties. But internaspeaking at the Union the overwhelmingly tional agencies have Peace conference Buddhist country. said both sides are He also reminded to blame for continthem of Christianued tensions, which ity’s enduring presence in the hos- include fighting over resources, pitals and schools, in a nation that such as jade and logging, and conin 2015 celebrated 500 years of trol of illicit trades, such as illegal Catholicism. drugs and human trafficking.

“In some of the remotest vilSeveral reports on the conlages it is the religious leaders ference have noted the absence who animate the people. In the of any representation from the camps of the [internally displaced Rohingya minority. International people], religious people accom- human rights monitors say the pany the suffering people,” he Muslim ethnic group has been said. “So our presence is help- persecuted by Myanmar’s Raful in carrying the messages of khine Buddhists, with many renthis conference to all the people, dered stateless. especially those affected by conThe groups attending the conflict.” ference are expected to reconvene The Catholic Church assures every six months to note progress all “that it will collaborate with all on efforts towards forging peace. for making this nation a peaceful n CNS

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Prayers for Filipino drug war victims manila – Prayers were offered for the souls of those who have died in the Philippines’ all-out war against narcotics as the predominantly Catholic country observed on Sept 1 the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The growing death toll in the government’s anti-narcotics war has caused “social alarm that further worsens the culture of impunity in our land,” read a joint statement of faith-based and civil society groups.

“Pain and terror reign over families of those killed,” said the Stop the Killings Network, a newly formed group of Church people and social activists.

Pope Francis declared Sept 1 a Day of Prayer for Catholics to “reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation.” “[It is] an opportunity to strengthen the common commitment to safeguard life,” said Pope

Francis in an address at the Vatican on Aug 28.

On the eve of the Vaticandeclared Day of Prayer, a #Lightforlife campaign was launched in Manila with simultaneous candlelighting events.

While stressing that it supports the campaign against illegal drugs, the Stop the Killings Network said it stands “firm in upholding due process and dignity of life.”

In Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, north of Manila, Archbishop Socrates Villegas urged Catholics to pray for the victims of the government’s anti-narcotics war.

Archbishop Villegas, who is also president of the bishops’ conference, declared a Day of Prayer for Life on Sept 14. He urged Catholics “to share our common grief at the deaths that we have been seeing.”

He also asked parishes to put

up “Thou Shall Not Kill” posters in communities to remind people of their “Christian duty” to observe the Fifth Commandment.

“As we stand up for the dignity of every human person and the sacredness of every human life, let us ask the Lord to win this battle for us,” said Archbishop Villegas.

The Philippine National Police has already recorded 1,900 deaths associated with the antidrug campaign since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power on June 30.

Human Rights Watch described the rising number of casualties in the government’s war on drugs as a “human rights calamity.”

“This is nothing less than absolute human rights disaster,” said Mr Phelim Kine, deputy director for Asia of the New York-based organisation. n UCANEWS.COM n See related story on Page 13

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Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Korean parishes set up reconciliation committees SEOUL – Despite increasing tensions between North and South Korea, the Catholic Church is busy establishing parish-level committees to help arouse interest in national reconciliation and reunification.

On Aug 17, Dowon Church in Daegu archdiocese established its own committee for its reunification ministry.

“We encounter many North Korean refugees around us,” said Fr Pius Yi Ki-soo, president of the Daegu Archdiocese’s Committee for National Reconciliation. “I hope the [Dowon Church] parish will become the centre of support and care for them.”

At its last plenary meeting in March, the Korean Bishops’ Conference had recommended that every parish set up such a group.

Uijeongbu and Chunchon diocese, which are near the border with North Korea, are working on establishing their pastoral committees on reunification.

Chunchon diocese will set up its own unification programme in 2017.

The work for reunification is fastest in Incheon diocese. Last July, their Committee for National Reconciliation held a meeting with 29 parish-level committees that had already been established.

For Uijeongbu diocese, Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon asked his parishioners to set up their own groups and helped issue committee guidelines.

“The starting point for the

A North Korean soldier keeps watch south in the demilitarised zone separating North and South Korea. Catholic parishes in the South are setting up committees to aid in reconciliation. CNS file photo

unification ministry should be the parishes,” commented Mr James Byeon Jin-heung, researcher at Uijeongbu Institute for Peace in Northeast Asia.

“The parish-level committees will arouse people’s interest in national reconciliation and become the base for peace education and support for [the people in] North Korea,” he added.

Seoul archdiocese has long stressed the Church’s role in rec-

onciliation and the reunification of the Korean peninsula. It established the Korea Reconciliation Committee in 1995 to foster an atmosphere of forgiveness and reconciliation, and to help in the formation of peace workers.

North and South Korea have been divided since Korea’s liberation from the Japanese at the end of World War II. The Korean War (1950-53) made them bitter enemies. n UCANEWS.COM

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Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Indian state Odisha Catholics observe first ever martyrs’ day BhuBANeswAr, INdIA – Eight years after Hindu hardliners killed more than a hundred Christians in Odisha (formerly Orissa), dioceses in this east Indian state held their first ever martyrs’ day to commemorate those who died for their faith.

About 600 family members of those killed joined seven bishops and hundreds of nuns and priests for a Mass in Kandhamal, the centre of the outbreak on Aug 30.

Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, who started the commemoration, did not want to make it a massive programme but wanted it to be taken up slowly by the parishes of all the six dioceses in the state and later across the nation, said Fr Santosh Digal, spokesperson for the Odisha Catholic Bishops’ Council (OCBC).

The OCBC earlier this year resolved to hold the memorial programme for all the 101 Christians killed – not just Catholics – every year on Aug 30.

Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur said, “The Kandhamal martyrs are our history.”

“We have to keep this experience alive. Our stories are not stories of suffering and sacrifice but of courage and conviction.”

The tribal dominated Kandhamal area, where Spanish Vincentian missioners began evangelising about 90 years ago, saw a rise in hardline Hindu activities as the number of Christians began to grow over the last five decades.

Trouble started back in 1970

Catholic refugee women praying inside a refugee tent in Odisha in 2009 after they were displaced

by Hindu hardliners.

A first ever martyrs’ day was held to commemorate the deaths of more than a hundred Christians in Odisha at the hands of these extremists.

Philippine parishes told to prepare for disasters MANILA – Catholic parishes in the Philippines are being urged to develop disaster preparedness skills and risk-reduction plans in the face of calamities that hit the country every year.

An average of 20 tropical cyclones hit the Philippines in a typical year leaving behind a trail of destruction and many deaths.

“We have already started working with some dioceses to create contingency plans,” said Fr Edwin Gariguez of Caritas, the Church’s social action arm.

The Philippine-Misereor Partnerships Inc. (PMPI) noted that Catholic parishes have become homes to people seeking refuge from disasters.

PMPI is a social development network of people’s organisations, faith-based groups, and Misereor, the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany.

“It is part of our function not only to give shelter but to educate, advocate, and assist people towards unity in preparedness,” said Ms Yolanda Esguerra, PMPI national coordinator.

Fr Gariguez said the best calamity first-responders are the parishes but they need support in terms of training and skills development.

The priest said that even be-

fore super typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013, the Church has been organising its social action offices to be community-based, prepared and incorporate risk-reduction management units.

Fr Gariguez said the Church saw the need to expand the programme after the super typhoon left at least 7,500 people dead.

“We expanded our programme to reach more dioceses and equip them with basic knowledge and to widen our objective to create more emergency response teams nationwide,” he said.

In Leyte province, Caritas built an evacuation centre and a distribution depot for relief goods in preparation for typhoons that will hit the eastern part of the country.

In September, the social action arm of the bishops’ conference will launch a “coordinated communication database” that will equip churches with information vital for relief operations.

Ms Esguerra said the success of battling disaster and mitigating its effects lies on the capabilities of every community.

“We may have the structure when it comes to emergency response, but our effectiveness rests on the people,” she said. n UCANEWS.COM

CNS file photo

when Hindu leader, Laxmanananda Saraswati began speaking openly against Christians and missionary activities. On Aug 23, 2008, gunmen shot and killed Saraswati and four others in his home in Kandhamal. Maoists claimed responsibility for the murder but hardline Hindus blamed Christians and began attacking them.

The Hindus targeted Christian homes and raped several women

including a Catholic nun. They also hacked men to death, burned down homes, churches and orphanages in the first such organised violence against Christians in recent Indian history.

According to testimonies by family members and pastors, several Christians could have escaped death if they had abandoned their faith and chanted prayers hailing Hindu gods, but they refused. n UCANEWS.COM

Churches on alert after Philippine blast MANILA – Several Catholic church-

es in the Philippines have tightened security after a deadly bomb blast killed 14 people and injured 70 others in Davao City on Sept 2.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga in the northern Philippines said he has beefed up security measures and reminded all personnel to be “extra mindful for their safety and security of one another.”

Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao in the national capital said he has urged parishes to intensify security checks.

“Many of our parishioners are aware of what is happening,” said Bishop Ongtioco.

The country’s Catholic bishops have already made statements urging people to pray “for courage and change of heart.”

“Prayers and decisive action are needed instead of allowing fear and panic to have the upper hand,” said Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa.

On Sept 5, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila recited a prayer over Church-run Radio Ver-

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila prayed to God to embrace the wounded after the bomb blast on Sept 2. CNS photo

itas to ask God to “embrace those who are longing and wounded.”

Church leaders in the southern region of Mindanao said the bomb attack has not deterred people from attending Masses.

Authorities in Davao have offered a two-million-peso (S$58,000) reward for information leading to the arrest of those behind the bomb explosion.

“We want [the bombers] alive because we want all the necessary information we can get,” said Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Sept 3, the mayor led a memorial service for victims of the explosion. “ “We will not be terrorised by this heinous crime and I call on all [people of Davao] to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident,” Mayor Duterte said.

The faith-based group Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc., meanwhile, called on the government “not to be swayed by dilatory tactics of self-interest groups, terrorists and those who refuse to pursue the road of peace.”

“This incident has no other ulterior motive but to sow terror in peace-loving innocent Christian settlers, Moro, and tribal people in Mindanao,” said Mr Emmanuel Roldan, executive director of the Legal Resource Center for Women and Children. n UCANEWS.COM

Typhoon Haiyan made shambles of many homes in the Philippines. Caritas, the Church’s social action arm, has begun working with some dioceses to create contingency plans to prepare for future natural disasters. CNS photo

Bishop backs military push against Abu Sayyaf MANILA – A Catholic bishop in

the southern Philippines is backing a military campaign against Abu Sayyaf militants, who claim to have links with the Islamic State group.

“The Abu Sayyaf is a terrorist group and it is not for dialogue,” said Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela, in Basilan province. His remarks were reported by ucanews.com.

The bishop said that it is time that the terror group is “dismantled and apprehended.”

Bishop Jumoad made the statement following the Aug 24 beheading of a teenage boy in the town of Indanan. Abu Sayyaf beheaded the kidnap victim after his family failed to pay a 1 million peso (S$29,000) ransom. The ter-

rorist group continues to hold at least 20 hostages, including nine Indonesian sailors, in Sulu province, ucanews.com reported.

In response, President Rodrigo Duterte, who has vowed to crush Abu Sayyaf during his term, ordered the deployment of more troops in the group’s stronghold.

The Philippine military estimates Abu Sayyaf has about 300 to 400 men, mostly in Basilan and Sulu provinces in Mindanao.

“My heart bleeds upon learning of the beheading of the 18-year-old boy. The government must stop ... this group,” Bishop Jumoad said, adding he hopes President Duterte will be successful in stopping Abu Sayyaf. n UCANEWS.COM

10 WORLD

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

US bishops urge Catholics to join in praying for care of creation WASHINGTON – US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) leaders called on Catholics to join people around the world in praying for the care of God’s creation on Sept 1, a day specially designated by Pope Francis and Orthodox leaders for prayer and action for the Earth.

Prayer can unite people in understanding the importance of what the pope has called “integral ecology,” which calls for having right relationships with God, other human beings and Earth, said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.

In a statement released on Sept 1 to mark the day, the bishops said that prayer helps build a foundational relationship with God. “It [prayer] also reminds us that amidst the great challenges of global climate change, pollution in our local communities and the deepening ecological crises all around us, we can relate to a creator who is greater than any challenge and for whom ‘all things are possible,’” they said.

They explained that the pope’s 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on

Care for Our Common Home,” calls humans to be better stewards of the Earth.

The bishops extended the invitation to people of all religions, particularly “our Jewish and Muslim friends,” who, like Catholics, “see Abraham as our ‘Father in faith.’”

The prelates also suggested steps to turn “prayer into witness.” Again citing the pope’s encyclical, the bishops point to the

When we care for ‘the environment, we are caring for ourselves and each other.

’

– Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky

practical steps anyone can take, such as recycling, turning off unnecessary lights and using public transportation.

“We can begin, in these ordinary settings, to care in deeper ways for the good things God has given us,” the bishops wrote. “This attitude of stewardship, forged in daily life, will, in turn, allow us to participate in the greater national and international efforts to care for the Earth and for future generations.”

In a separate message, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, USCCB president, asked people to pray for the life-sustaining resources God has provided humanity and “for the strength to sustain individual, community, national and global efforts to care for our common home.”

He said Pope Francis invited people to “a serious examination of conscience” in order to “confess our sins against the creator, against creation and against our brothers and sisters.”

“When we care for the environment, we are caring for ourselves and each other,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “Pope Francis speaks of an ‘integral ecology’ because no divide exists between serving as good stewards of the Earth and serving our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.”

He also suggested that practices of good stewardship can be found in daily routines of recycling, adjusting thermostats, consuming only what is necessary and using reusable containers. “These small seeds can grow into broader, stronger, sustainable public policy,” the USCCB president said. n CNS n See related story on Page 13

Give ex-convicts fair job chances CNS file photo

MANCHESTER,

ENGlANd

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Criminals should not have to declare if they have spent time in prison when they first apply for a job, said an English cardinal.

Questions about serious convictions should be dropped from early check-box phases of any job application, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster told a Sept 6 conference for prison chaplains.

He said a “ban on the box” would give ex-prisoners a chance to explain their behaviour at a later stage of the job-selection process.

This would be fairer to them and might also increase their chances of obtaining employment needed to help them to avoid relapsing into crime, he argued.

“We know that for people leaving prison, one of the most important aspects of rebuilding their life is finding stable employment,” Cardinal Nichols told the meeting at St Mary’s University in London.

“But for at least two years after their release they must disclose their sentence on initial application forms for employment,” he said. “Every day people are instantly written off just because they have ticked that box.”

He said he knew of one man who, during his time in jail for a se-

For people leaving prison, one of the most important aspects of rebuilding their life is finding stable employment.

’

– Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England

rious crime, worked so hard that he achieved a post-graduate degree.

“Upon release he was determined to use his skills for the benefit of others,” Cardinal Nichols said in his speech. “Yet three years on and despite many applications, he has not had even a single interview. He has not even been able to tell his story.”

The cardinal added: “It is hard to envisage the crushing disappointment of someone who has worked hard to move away from crime and learn new skills, only to be rejected for job after job and never even given the opportunity to explain how he or she has changed since being convicted years before. That is not just devastating for the individual – it deprives employers of potentially

excellent and able workers and denies society working taxpayers.”

Cardinal Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said he accepted that convictions had to be disclosed at some point, but said it was wrong for ex-offenders to be “simply written off without a hearing for actions in the past which may no longer have a bearing on their future.”

He said that, in the next year, the Catholic Church in England and Wales would explore ways to “ban the box in our own employment practices, while taking all the necessary steps to ensure that safeguarding is never compromised.”

“I personally appeal to all employers to take this step and give people a fair opportunity that will benefit our society,” he said. n CNS

A boy from New York’s Harlem community planting chrysanthemums to mark the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation last year. US bishops suggested recycling and turning off unnecessary lights as steps towards conserving the environment. CNS photo

Bishops against part-human, part-animal embryo research WASHINGTON – The US Confer-

ence of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) objected to a National Institutes of Health proposal to authorise federally funded research on part-human, part-animal embryos in comments submitted to the agency on Sept 2.

The bishops made ethical and legal arguments in opposing the plan, saying that such research result in “beings who do not fully belong to either the human race or the host animal species.”

Current National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines for human stem cell research specifically prohibit introducing human pluripotent cells – those capable of giving rise to several different cell types – into non-human primate blastocysts, which are cells at an early stage of development. NIH has proposed funding scientists researching such embryos, known as chimeras.

The bishops’ statement said that while the plan calls for review of some research proposals by a NIH steering committee, “the bottom line is that the federal government will begin expending taxpayer dollars on the creation and manipulation of

new beings whose very existence blurs the line between humanity and animals such as mice and rats.”

On the moral and ethical side of the issue, the statement said the bishops are concerned about the destruction of human embryos that serve as a source of “raw material” for research. They said the NIH proposal for producing human/ animal hybrids raises “new and troubling questions of its own.”

Acknowledging that the respectful use of animals in research can benefit humanity, the bishops stressed, however, that the unique dignity of the human person puts limits to what can morally be done in the field.

“Herein lies the key moral problem involved in this proposal, beyond the already grave problem of exploiting human embryos as cell factories for research. For if one cannot tell to what extent, if any, the resulting organism may have human status or characteristics, it will be impossible to determine what one’s moral obligations may be regarding that organism,” the bishops said. n CNS

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Vatican issues guidelines for sex education ROME – The Vatican has launched

its own sex education website with materials for students and educators. The project seeks to avoid approaches that teach either too much about human sexuality to impressionable youth, or too little.

The Pontifical Council for the Family launched the website, titled “The Meeting Point: Project for Affective and Sexual Formation”, during the recent World Youth Day in Poland.

“Cultural, legislative and educational projects directly or indirectly challenge the Christian vision of the body, of the difference and the complementarity between man and woman, the exercise of sexuality, marriage and the family,” Italian Archbishop Vicenzo Paglia wrote in the website’s introduction.

“Adolescents and young people are exposed to a variety of information concerning affectivity in general and the exercise of sexuality in particular,” said the archbishop, who heads the council.

“In many cases, these same young people have no criteria for discerning the truth of good human sexuality from the emotivism introduced in many of today’s channels of information and formation.”

According to the website, the Vatican’s sex education initiative aims to offer “an educational path in love that helps young people discover the beauty of mutual selfgiving and the pursuit of happiness through the gift of body and spirit”.

The materials, divided into six units, are available for free, including texts for high-school students and teachers, activity books, and movie recommendations.

The materials are meant as a “complement or aid to the task of parents”. The website notes that it

Screengrab from the Vatican’s sex education website, launched during the recent World Youth Day.

is “in the family where our most significant personal and affective relationships are developed, which are called to transmit the basic meanings of sexuality”.

According to the website, the materials provided aim to produce “a positive and prudent sexual education” taking into consideration the progress of psychology, pedagogy and teaching.

Sexual education must keep in mind the different stages “in the

The Vatican’s initiative aims to offer ‘an educational path in love that helps young people discover the beauty of mutual self-giving’.

construction of one’s personality in relation to the configuration of his/ her ‘sexual identity’ or mature acknowledgement of his/her own sexuality, with moments that are differentiated according to the sexes”.

The materials quote Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, amply, but St John Paul II’s theology of the body and Pope Benedict XVI’s denunciations of relativism are also cited.

Among the Church documents the material draws from are several of St John Paul II’s, including Familiaris Consortio, which like Amoris Laetitia, was written as the conclusion of a synod of bishops on the family. n CNS The Meeting Point: Project for Affective and Sexual Formation can be accessed at http://www.educazioneaffettiva.org/?lang=en

WORLD 11

12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Ecumenical activities mark pope’s upcoming schedule Other events in Jubilee Year

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis’

upcoming calendar is filled with ecumenical appointments auguring well for Christian unity.

He will open his season of ecumenical engagements on Sept 20 when he joins Christian leaders and representatives of other religions in Assisi, Italy, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of St John Paul II’s interfaith peace gathering.

Ten days later, Pope Francis flies to Georgia, a predominantly Orthodox nation. In October, he will meet and pray with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and, at the end of the month, he will fly to Sweden to take part in ecumenical events launching commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation (see other story).

The message the pope’s calendar conveys is that “no matter what the new and old differences are, we are still bound together by a common baptism and so many elements of common faith and the common obligation to share the Gospel”, said Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The pope’s visit to Assisi is scheduled to last just eight hours.

But standing alongside Archbishop Welby and Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople – as well as Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh leaders – will be an affirmation of a shared belief that true faith always seeks peace.

The climate of his visit to Georgia may not be quite as warm as Pope Francis is used to. Although Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II invited the pope to visit the country and will meet with him the first day, the pope and patriarch are not scheduled to attend each other’s liturgies, which has become a common practice when the pope visits a predominantly Orthodox country.

Pope John Paul II at the historic interfaith peace meeting in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. Pope Francis will join Christian leaders and leaders of other faiths on Sept 20 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of this event. CNS file photo

Archbishop Welby’s visit to the Vatican in October is expected to be warmer, and will include prayer with Pope Francis and the signing of a joint declaration.

The Anglican archbishop’s visit to Rome marks the 50th anniversary of formal Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue, the 50th anniversary of the Anglican Centre in Rome and a major meeting of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission.

The expected joint declaration is likely to focus on the same idea of finding ways to give a common Christian witness while working and praying for full unity.

The pope’s ecumenical activities will culminate in Lund, Sweden, on Oct 31 when he participates in a Catholic-Lutheran commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation.

According to the Lutheran

The message the pope’s activities conveys is that ‘no matter what the new and old differences are, we are still bound together by a common baptism ... and the common obligation to share the Gospel’.

– Bishop Brian Farrell, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

World Federation, co-host of the event, the gathering “will highlight the solid ecumenical developments between Catholics and Lutherans and the joint gifts received through dialogue”.

In 2013, the Vatican and the federation issued a document on the anniversary commemorations, insisting that “no one who is theologically responsible can celebrate the division of Christians from one another”.

Instead, the document, From Conflict to Communion, urges Catholics and Lutherans to recognise that Martin Luther wanted to reform the Church, not splinter it. After 500 years, it said, Christians may find it easier to see and experience their differences, but the world is in need of a united Christian witness and the season for that is now. n CNS

VATICAN CITY – The last three months of the Year of Mercy include jubilee celebrations for the imprisoned and for homeless people.

Releasing a schedule of liturgical celebrations over which Pope Francis will preside, the Vatican included Holy Year Masses for prisoners on Nov 6 and for the homeless on Nov 13.

The schedule, released on Sept 6, also mentions his planned trips to Georgia and Azerbaijan from Sept 30-Oct 2, and to Sweden from Oct 31-Nov 1 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

The pope will also preside over Mass with canonisations in St Peter’s Square on Oct 16. The pope will declare six men and one woman saints, including the Argentine “gaucho” or “cowboy” priest, Blessed Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero.

He was famed in Argentina for riding throughout the countryside of his parish on the back of a mule to bring his people the sacraments.

Another person to be canonised is Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio, a 14-year-old Mexican boy martyred for refusing to renounce his faith during the Cristero War of the 1920s.

Also on the calendar: n Sept 25: Jubilee Mass in St Peter’s Square for catechists. n Oct 8: Jubilee Prayer Vigil in St Peter’s Square with delegations from Marian shrines around the world. n Oct 9: Jubilee Mass in St Peter’s Square in honour of Mary. n Nov 4: Memorial Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for bishops and cardinals who have died in the past year. n Nov 20: Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for the closing of the Year of Mercy. n CNS

Cardinal sees reason to hope for improved Vatican-China ties VATICAN CITY – Prayer and “healthy real-

ism” are needed to ensure progress in Vatican-Chinese relations and, particularly, in promoting a situation in which all Chinese Catholics can feel both fully Catholic and fully Chinese, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The cardinal, who serves as Vatican secretary of state and Pope Francis’ top aide, said there are “many hopes and expectations for new developments and a new stage” in relations between the Vatican and China.

Cardinal Parolin gave a seminar on Aug 27 in Pordenone, Italy, on Cardinal Celso Costantini’s efforts in the early 1900s to consolidate diplomatic ties between the Vatican and China. The efforts achieved real progress because they relied on “knowledge, respect, encounter and dialogue between

worlds that, at least in appearance, were far from each other”, Cardinal Parolin said.

Current Vatican efforts to normalise relations with the country’s communist government are motivated by a desire to help not only the nation’s Catholics, but also “the entire country, which boasts one of the planet’s greatest civilians”, the secretary of state said.

Pope Francis, like St John Paul II and retired Pope Benedict XVI, is pursuing improved relations with China while fully recognising and paying tribute to “the sufferings, misunderstandings [and] frequently silent martyrdom that the Catholic community in China carries on its back”, Cardinal Parolin said.

The pope, he said, also knows how deeply Chinese Catholics “yearn for full

communion with the successor of Peter”, a relationship that is difficult because the communist government objects to what it sees as Vatican “interference” in the affairs of the Catholic community in the country.

Despite their struggles, Cardinal Parolin said, Catholics in China are making great strides in “witnessing to the love of God and love for their neighbours, especially the weakest and neediest”.

While differences persist among Chinese Catholics about how much cooperation with the government is acceptable, the cardinal said the pope hopes the Year of Mercy would be a time of “mutual forgiveness, reconciliation between brothers and sisters experiencing division and efforts to grow in understanding, collaboration and love”. n CNS

A Chinese Catholic kisses a crucifix during a pilgrimage in Baoji, China. The Vatican secretary of state says the pope is pursuing improved relations with China. CNS file photo

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Pope proposes care for creation as new work of mercy VATICAN CITY – Calling for concrete actions that benefit human life and the environment, Pope Francis proposed adding the care and protection of creation to the traditional list of corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

As a spiritual work of mercy, the pope said, care for creation requires “a grateful contemplation of God’s world,” while as a corporal work, it calls for “simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness.”

The pope reflected on the need for an integral ecology in Christian life in his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sept 1.

The message, titled Show Mercy to our Common Home, reflects on the day of prayer as an occasion for Christians to “reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation” and to thank God “for the wonderful handiwork which He has entrusted to our care.”

Presenting the pope’s message at a news conference on Sept 1, Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said the day of prayer follows the example of the Orthodox Church, which initiated the prayer day in 1989.

Pope Francis’ message, the cardinal told journalists, calls on Christians to be “honest with ourselves” and acknowledge that “when we hurt the Earth, we also hurt the poor” and thus commit “a sin against creation, against the poor and against those who have not yet been born.”

“This means that we must

examine our consciences and repent. I realise that this is not the way we traditionally think about sin. These are sins, Pope Francis says, that we have not hitherto acknowledged and confessed,” Cardinal Turkson said.

In his message, the pope said concern for the planet’s future unites religious leaders and organisations and draws attention to “the moral and spiritual crisis” that is at the heart of environmental problems.

“Christians or not, as people of faith and goodwill, we should be united in showing mercy to

When we ‘ mistreat nature, we also mistreat human beings.

’

– Pope Francis

the Earth as our common home and cherishing the world in which we live as a place for sharing and communion,” the pope said.

Pollution and global warming, due partly to human activity, he said, has turned the beauty of God’s creation into a “polluted wasteland” that impacts the world’s poor, who have suffered the brunt of “irresponsible and selfish behaviour.”

“As an integral ecology emphasises, human beings are deeply connected with all of creation.

When we mistreat nature, we also mistreat human beings,” the pope said.

The first step on the path of conversion is to reflect on the

A boy collects discarded items on Jawahar Lal Nehru Lake in Bhopal, India. Pope Francis urged Christians to be ‘united in showing mercy to the Earth as our common home.’ CNS photo

harm done to creation by lifestyles inspired by “a distorted culture of prosperity,” which brings about a “disordered desire to consume more than what is really necessary,” he said.

Ecological conversion, the pope said, requires a serious examination of conscience, recognising one’s sins “against the Creator, against creation and against our brothers and sisters,” and sincere repentance.

“We must not think that these efforts are too small to improve our world. They call for a goodness which, albeit unseen, inevitably tends to spread and encourage a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle,” he wrote.

A change of course also requires governments to take steps to protect the environment. While praising the adoption of the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals, Pope Francis called on world leaders to honour their commitments in halting the rise of global temperatures and on citizens to hold them accountable and “advocate for even more ambitious goals.”

Pope Francis said that adding care for creation to the corporal

New office established to assist vulnerable VATICAN CITY – To promote Cath-

olic social teaching and ensure appropriate assistance to vulnerable people – especially victims of war, refugees and the sick – Pope Francis has established a new office combing the responsibilities of four pontifical councils.

In an apostolic letter given motu proprio (on his own initiative) and published by the Vatican on Aug 31, the pope said the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will merge the pontifical councils for Justice and Peace, Cor Unum, Migrants and Travelers, and Health Care Ministry.

The pope named Cardinal Peter Turkson, current president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, to serve as prefect of

the new office, which will begin functioning on Jan 1 next year.

In his letter signed on Aug 17, the pope said, “This dicastery will be competent particularly in issues regarding migrants, those in need, the sick, the excluded and marginalised, the imprisoned and the unemployed, as well as victims of armed conflict, natural disasters, and all forms of slavery and torture.”

While Cardinal Turkson will lead the new office, a section dedicated to refugees and migrants will be led ad tempus (for the time being) directly by the pope, who will “exercise it in the manner he deems appropriate,” the statutes state.

The new dicastery’s responsibilities include gathering news and information regarding areas of jus-

tice and peace and the protection of human rights, the Vatican said.

The new office will work to “deepen the social doctrine of the Church and ensure that it is widely known and put into practice and that social, economic and political relationships will be increasingly permeated by the spirit of the Gospel,” the press statement said.

The Dicastery for Promoting Integrating Human Development will have separate commissions for charity, ecology and health workers and will maintain a “close relationship” with the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis approved the statutes ad experimentum (on a trial basis) for an unspecified period of time. n CNS

and spiritual works of mercy acknowledges human life and everything that surrounds it as “an object of mercy.”

During the evening service on Sept 1 in St Peter’s Basilica, the pope prayed to God, “Pour out your spirit of wisdom upon us so that we would safeguard the gifts of your providence for the good of each person and every generation.”

“Look benevolently upon the poor of the earth and grant that

none of them would be lacking their daily bread,” he prayed.

“Defeat the selfishness that hardens our hearts and makes our gaze shortsighted before the needs of our brothers and sisters.”

The petitions chanted during the service included a prayer that God would “educate our eyes to recognise in creation the traces of His presence” and convert people “to a just and fair use of the goods of the earth.” n CNS

Traditional works of mercy The corporal works of mercy are: n To feed the hungry; n To give drink to the thirsty; n To clothe the naked; n To shelter the homeless; n To visit the sick; n To ransom the captive; n To bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy are: n To instruct the ignorant; n To counsel the doubtful; n To admonish sinners; n To bear wrongs patiently; n To forgive offences willingly; n To comfort the afflicted; n To pray for the living and the dead.

14 MOTHER TERESA’S CANONISATION

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

a Missionaries of charity nun carries the reliquary containing a few drops of Mother teresa’s blood. CNS photo

St Teresa reliquary reflects her life VATICAN CITY – At every can-

onisation ceremony, people connected to the new saint carry to the altar a relic – often a bone shard from the new saint’s body. The relic presented at the Mass for St Teresa of Kolkata was a few drops of her blood.

A relic is like a keepsake, a tangible reminder that the new saint was human yet heroically lived a life of holiness.

The relic is kept in a reliquary, which often is an ornate work of art in gold or silver.

But Missionaries of Charity Fr Brian Kolodiejchuk said the reliquary chosen for Mother Teresa’s relic is simpler, reflecting her life and values.

The front of the large cross is made of wood taken from places associated with Mother Teresa’s works of mercy: The first home for the dying she established in Kolkata, a home for those with Hansen’s disease or leprosy, an immigrants’ boat, a Gypsy shack. But there also is wood from the kneeler of a confessional because

Mother Teresa believed the sacrament was the greatest expression of God’s mercy, said Fr Kolodiejchuk, the official promoter of Mother Teresa’s sainthood cause.

In the centre of the cross, Mother Teresa’s blood is sealed in a glass orb in the shape of a water drop as a symbol of her vow to quench the thirst of those literally without water and those dying in the aridness of being unloved, said a statement released by Fr Kolodiejchuk.

The glass orb is supported by a roughly sculpted, wrinkled hand, “which carries this drop full of love to respond to the cry” of Jesus on the cross – “I thirst” – a cry echoed by millions of people around the world, the statement said.

The water drop is surrounded by two sweeping bands of blue and white, recalling the sari Mother Teresa adopted as a habit. The bands form a heart on which the words, “I thirst,” are reproduced in her handwriting. n CNS

devotees bring up relics during the canonisation Mass of St teresa of Kolkata in St peter’s Square. CNS photos

Mercy – the ‘salt’ and ‘light’ of St Teresa’s work n From page 1

We are a small people, but have had so many martyrs.”

Mother Teresa was born in 1910 to an ethnic Albanian family in Skopje, in what is now part of Macedonia. She went to India in 1929 as a Sister of Loreto and became an Indian citizen in 1947.

She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950.

Mother Teresa, Sr Valdete said, is a shining example of how “Albanian women are strong and our people are hardworking”.

In his homily, Pope Francis said God’s will is explained in the words of the prophets: “I want mercy, not sacrifice.”

“God is pleased by every act of mercy because in the brother or sister that we assist, we recognise the face of God which no one can see,” he said. “Each time we bend down to the needs of our brothers and sisters, we give Jesus something to eat and drink; we clothe, we help and we visit the Son of God.”

pope Francis uses incense as he celebrates the canonisation Mass.

Like Mother Teresa, he said, who no longer had tears to shed Christians are called not simply to for their poverty and suffering.” perform acts of charity but to live For all Christians, especially charity as a vocation and “to grow volunteers engaged in works of each day in love”. mercy, the life of the saintly nun “Wherever someone is reach- remains an example and witness ing out, asking for a helping hand to God’s closeness to the poorest in order to get up, this is where of the poor, he said. our presence – and “Today, I pass the presence of on this emblemthe Church which atic figure of holiMay this sustains and offers ness!” Pope Frantireless worker hope – must be,” cis said. “May this of mercy help us the pope said. tireless worker Mother Teresa, of mercy help us to increasingly he said, lived out to increasingly understand that this vocation to understand that charity through our only criterion our only criterion her commitment for action is grafor action is to defending the tuitous love, free unborn and bowfrom every ideolgratuitous love. ing down “before ogy and all obli– pope Francis gations, offered those who were spent, left to die freely to everyone on the side of the road”. without distinction of language, She also “made her voice culture, race or religion.” heard before the powers of this About 20 nations sent offiworld so that they might recognise cial delegations to the Vatican for their guilt for the crime of poverty the canonisation. Queen Sofia of they created”, Pope Francis said. Spain led a delegation. The presi“For Mother Teresa, mercy was dent and prime minister of Albathe ‘salt’ which gave flavour to nia attended, as did the presidents her work, it was the ‘light’ which of Macedonia and Kosovo and the shone in the darkness of the many foreign minister of India. n CNS

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MOTHER TERESA’S CANONISATION 15

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

St Teresa’s defence of unborn Thanksgiving Mass honours saint’s love for the unwanted VATICAN CITY – Love for those so-

ciety considers “useless” or even a bother led St Teresa of Kolkata to a courageous defence of the unborn, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Like prophets and saints before her, Mother Teresa would not “kneel down before anyone but the Almighty” and would not bow before “the fashions or idols of the moment,” said Cardinal Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

On the 19th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death, Sept 5 – her feast day – the cardinal presided over a Mass in St Peter’s Square to give thanks for the canonisation of the founder of the Missionaries of Charity.

With hundreds of Missionaries of Charity gathered on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica and several thousand pilgrims in the square, Cardinal Parolin held Mother Teresa up as “a gleaming mirror of God’s love and a marvellous example of service to one’s neighbour.”

Her example, the cardinal said, is a call to all Christians “to convert from being lukewarm and mediocre to allow ourselves to be set alight by the fire of Christ’s love.”

While Mother Teresa became famous for her care of the poorest of the materially poor, he said she knew the worst form of poverty was to be unloved and unwanted.

“That led her to identify as ‘the poorest of the poor’ children who were not yet born and whose existence was threatened,” Cardinal Parolin said. “An unborn baby has nothing of its own; its every hope and need is in the hands of another.”

The unborn, he said, “ask to be welcomed and protected so they can become what they already are: one of us.”

Like every human being, the cardinal said, the unborn have one basic mission in life: “to love and be loved, as Mother Teresa liked to say.”

“The heroic exercise of char-

CNS photos

ity and the clear proclamation of truth” were found in Mother Teresa, he said.

At the end of the Mass, Missionaries of Charity Fr Brian Kolodiejchuk thanked Pope Francis for canonising Mother Teresa. The priest served as postulator or chief promoter of her sainthood cause.

“We really cannot thank God enough for all he has done for us through St Teresa,” he told those in the square. “Following her

Missionaries of Charity nuns attend a Mass of thanksgiving for the canonisation of St Teresa of Kolkata in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sept 5. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Her example is a call to all Christians ‘to convert from being lukewarm and mediocre to allow ourselves to be set alight by the fire of Christ’s love’.

– Cardinal Pietro Parolin

example of faith and love, may we even more generously and faithfully love God with all our hearts and see and love God in our neighbours, especially the most unloved, unwanted and uncared for of our brothers and sisters.”

Recognising all those involved in making the celebration of her sainthood a joyful and prayerful experience, he also said, “We thank the poorest of the poor in whom Jesus is loved and served.” n CNS

PIZZA FOR POOR: Pope Francis greets pizza makers from Naples during a pizza lunch for the poor after the canonisation of St Teresa of Kolkata at the Vatican on Sept 4. Three thousand pizzas were served

by Missionaries of Charity nuns and Brothers to about 1,500 poor people who attended the canonisation Mass from shelters, dormitories and soup kitchens the order runs throughout Italy.

16 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Faith leads to greater truth, pope tells scientists firm is part of God’s plan.

VATICAN CITY – Because scienHowever, “we know that the tists can never be neutral in their research, they must not be tempt- scientist, in his or her research, is ed to suppress the truth and ig- never neutral, inasmuch as each nore the divine, Pope Francis told one has his or her own history, way of being and of thinking. healthcare professionals.

“Every scientist requires, in a “Openness to God’s grace, which comes through faith, does sense, a purification; through this not weaken human reason, but rath- process, the toxins which poison er leads it towards knowledge of a the mind’s pursuit of truth and truth which is wider and of greater certainty are removed” in order benefit to humanity,” he said on to gain a greater understanding of Aug 31 in an address to experts tak- reality, the pope said.

By being involved in healing part in a world congress on caring physical illness, diovascular research.

Every scientist healthcare profesMore than 32,000 sionals have the professionals, includrequires, opportunity to see ing cardiologists, from in a sense, “there are laws en120 countries attended graved within huthe weeklong gathera purification. man nature that no ing in Rome. Organised by the European Society of Car- one can tamper with, but rather diology, the annual congress seeks must be ‘discovered, respected to exchange the latest and best prac- and cooperated with’ so that life may correspond ever more to the tices in research and patient care.

Church teachings have always designs of the creator”.

The pope told his audience supported and underlined the importance of scientific research for that he appreciated their work, human health and life, the pope adding that “I, too, have been in said. “The Church understands the hands of some of you”.

At the end of his speech, the that efforts directed to the authentic good of the person are actions pope was presented with a stethoalways inspired by God,” he said, scope and a cross made from laminated marble and caring for the weak and inheart shapes. n CNS

‘

’

Pope Francis receives a stethoscope during the World Congress of the European Society of Cardiology. CNS photo

Pope asks Jesuits to teach discernment to diocesan priests ROME – Too many seminaries teach students a rigid list of rules that make it difficult or impossible for them as priests to respond to the real-life situations of those who seeking guidance from them, Pope Francis said.

“Some priestly formation programmes run the risk of educating in the light of overly clear and distinct ideas, and therefore to act within limits and criteria that are rigidly defined a priori, and that set aside concrete situations,” the pope said during a meeting with 28 Polish Jesuits in Krakow during World Youth Day. The Vatican did not publish details of the pope’s July 30 meeting with the Jesuits, but – with Pope Francis’ explicit approval – a transcript of his remarks to the group was published in late August by Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit journal reviewed at the Vatican prior to publication.

According to the transcript, the pope asked the Jesuits to begin an outreach to diocesan seminaries and diocesan priests, sharing with them the prayerful and careful art of discernment as taught by St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.

“The Church today needs to grow in the ability of spiritual discernment,” the pope told the Polish Jesuits.

In his spiritual exercises, St Ignatius provided steps for helping people to recognise, or discern, where God is working in their lives and what draws them closer to God or pushes them further from God. For St Ignatius, knowing what is moral and immoral is essential, but knowing what is going on in people’s lives helps identify practical ways forward.

Seminarians at prayer. Pope Francis asked Polish Jesuits to share with diocesan seminaries and diocesan priests the art of discernment taught by St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. CNS photo

Without “the wisdom of discernment”, the pope said in Krakow, “the seminarians, when they become priests, find themselves in difficulty in accompanying the

In life not all is black on ‘white or white on black.

The shades of grey prevail in life.

We must teach them to discern in this grey area.

’

– Pope Francis to Polish Jesuit clergy during World Youth Day

life of so many young people and adults”.

“And many people leave the confessional disappointed. Not because the priest is bad, but be-

cause the priest doesn’t have the ability to discern situations, to accompany them in authentic discernment,” the pope said. “They don’t have the needed formation.”

While some laypeople also are called to provide spiritual direction, priests are more often “entrusted with the confidences of the conscience of the faithful”, so seminarians and priests particularly need to learn discernment.

“I repeat, you must teach this above all to priests, helping them in the light of the exercises in the dynamic of pastoral discernment, which respects the law but knows how to go beyond,” the pope said.

“We need to truly understand this: in life not all is black on white or white on black,” he said.

“The shades of grey prevail in life.

We must teach them to discern in this grey area.” n CNS

POPE FRANCIS 17

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Pope, bishop lead prayers for Italy quake victims VATICAN CITY – After a strong

earthquake struck central Italy and with the early news reporting many deaths and serious damage, Pope Francis turned his weekly general audience on Aug 24 into a prayer service.

While the pope and some 11,000 pilgrims and tourists recited the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary in St Peter’s Square, six Vatican firefighters were on their way to the town of Amatrice, about 136 km east of Rome, to help search for victims under the rubble. The pope sent six Vatican police officers to join them the next day.

The US Geological Survey said the 6.2 magnitude quake had an epicentre close to Norcia, the birthplace of St Benedict and home to a monastery of Benedictine monks.

Smaller temblors – at least two of which registered more than 5.0 magnitude – continued even 24 hours after the main quake. Hundreds were reported dead.

When Pope Francis arrived in St Peter’s Square for his general audience just six hours after the main quake, he set aside his prepared audience talk and instead spoke of his “heartfelt sorrow and my closeness” to everyone in the earthquake zone, especially those who lost loved ones and “those who are still shaken by fear and terror.”

“Having heard the mayor of Amatrice say, ‘The town no longer exists,’ and knowing that there are children among the dead, I am deep-

A man walks amid rubble following the earthquake in Amatrice, Italy.

A mother embraces her son in Amatrice, Italy, following an earthquake on Aug 24. CNS photos

ly saddened,” Pope Francis said.

Bishop Domenico Pompili of Rieti, the diocese that includes Amatrice, said he received a phone call from Pope Francis on the morning of the earthquake.

The quake and first big aftershock were felt in Rome and woke the pope up, he said.

Caritas Italy and its diocesan affiliates mobilised immediately with volunteers rushing to the impacted towns, helping with the search and rescue operation, providing food and blankets and helping to staff the tent cities erected by the Italian government outside the damaged towns. The

‘‘Having heard the mayor of Amatrice say,

‘The town no longer exists,’ and knowing that there are children among the dead, I am deeply saddened.”

– Pope Francis

Italian bishops’ conference immediately pledged 1 million euros (S$1.5 million) for relief efforts and asked all parishes to take up a special collection at Masses on Sept 18 to aid the victims.

Government officials said an estimated 14,000 people were left homeless by the quake.

At the Benedictine monastery in Norcia, the 15 monks and five guests were already awake when the first quake hit, Benedictine Fr Benedict Nivakoff told Catholic News Service.

Within a half hour of the first quake, Fr Nivakoff said, the square outside the monastery was

filled with people “because it is the safest place in town.”

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked US Catholics also to pray the rosary for the victims in Italy, as well as for the victims of other natural disasters, including those suffering because of the flooding in Louisiana.

“Knowing all too well the personal toll of natural disasters in our own country, let us join with the Holy Father in prayer for everyone suffering from Louisiana to central Italy,” the archbishop said in a statement on Aug 24. n CNS

Pontiff meets with Facebook founder VATICAN CITY – Continuing his

dialogue with leaders in the world of social media and technology, Pope Francis met with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Mr Zuckerberg and his wife, Ms Priscilla Chan, met the pope on Aug 29 in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the pope lives.

“It is an honour to be with you today,” Mr Zuckerberg told the pope, adding that he hoped to help spread the pope’s “message of mercy and tenderness.”

He also presented Pope Francis with a model replica of Aquila, a solar-powered aircraft that will beam Internet connectivity to areas with limited or no connection.

Mr Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, said the pope and Mr Zuckerberg spoke about “how communications technology can be used to alleviate poverty, encourage a culture of encounter and help deliver a message of hope, especially to the most disadvantaged people.”

Pope Francis presented Mr Zuckerberg and his wife with a copy of The Name of God is Mercy,

The pope and Mr Zuckerberg spoke about ‘how communications technology can be used to encourage a culture of encounter and help deliver a message of hope.’

– Mr Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman

Pope Francis greeting Mr Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, during a private audience at the Vatican. They spoke about ‘how communications technology can be used to alleviate poverty.’

a book-length interview he did with Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli.

In the book, he told them, “are my thoughts on tenderness and mercy.”

In a message posted on his personal Facebook page, Mr Zuckerberg expressed his admiration for the pope and “how he’s found new ways to communicate with people

of every faith around the world.”

“It was a meeting we’ll never forget. You can feel his warmth and kindness, and how deeply he cares about helping people,” Mr Zuckerberg wrote.

Throughout his papacy, the pope has highlighted the importance of social networks as a

means to “facilitate relationships” while warning of their ability to “lead to further polarisation and division” if used incorrectly.

“The digital world is a public square, a meeting place where we can either encourage or demean one another, engage in a meaningful discussion or unfair attacks,” the pope wrote on Jan 24 in his message marking the 50th World Communications Day. Earlier this year, the pope met with several notable tech-giants in the world of mobile communi-

cations, including Google’s Eric Schmidt and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

He also met with Mr Kevin Systrom, CEO and co-founder of Instagram, two weeks before the Vatican launched the pope’s Instagram account, Franciscus. Upon its launch, the account broke a new record for gaining over 1 million followers in 12 hours.

Pope Francis’ Twitter account, @Pontifex, has also left its mark in the social media landscape with over 30 million followers. n CNS

18 OPINION

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

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Helping men take on their parenting role Project Joseph, a Franciscan ministry in the US, helps fathers understand their family responsibilities HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA, USA –

When Franciscan Br Jay Rivera first started volunteering at crisis pregnancy centres in Miami, USA, he noticed mothers inside taking classes and consulting staff while dads typically sat outside on the curb or in their cars.

In many cases, an unborn child’s life was hanging in the balance.

Br Rivera figured that those fathers would have an important role in what happened in the child’s future, if the child was given a chance to be born at all.

Seven years later, after searching nationwide for good fathering curricula to emulate, his Project Joseph stands out as an extraordinary crisis pregnancy service for South Florida fathers who make their way to one of several Catholic pro-life centres.

“I had one mother ask me what the fathering classes were about and I said that we help good men become good dads. We train men to plan for their future and to relate with their children,” recalled Br Rivera. “She said, ‘Yeah, my child’s father needs that.’ “then one day she pulled up and dropped him off like a mum dropping off a child at school,” he chuckled.

Br Rivera was formerly married. After the death of his wife, he became a single father of two children. When his youngest finished high school, he decided to join a Franciscan community.

Later, in Miami, after teaching autistic children for a time, he founded a community of men dedicated to pro-life work called the Franciscans of Life. established in 2009, the group is a brotherhood of laymen consecrated to living the Gospel in the manner of St Francis of Assisi. the community now numbers eight, including Brothers living in a community and “extern” brothers who may be husbands, fathers or single men. the Brothers serve and pro-

mr theron brown, a father and client of project Joseph, talks with volunteer roldan pierre louis (left) and programme director, Franciscan br Jay rivera. CNS photo

vide formation for Project Joseph, a joint venture with the Archdiocese of Miami’s Respect Life Ministry. Project Joseph offers weekly classes and male mentoring along with access to a supply store of baby and children’s items that can be purchased with “daddy dollars” earned by attending classes.

Some of the men who attend

When dads first come for the sessions, they are frightened, angry, or confused.

But often, after meetings with mentors, they are ready to assume parental responsibilities. are young teens, while others are as old as the mid-50s who admit they lack a full sense of parental responsibility.

Breaking the ice with reluctant or soon-to-be fathers is not easy, nor can topics related to abortion be broached in a blunt manner, said Br Rivera, who directs the programme. “the whole issue of birth is an issue of justice, and I tell peo-

ple that every human being has a right to be born, and to have his or her needs provided for them. If the parents can’t provide, then we help,” he said.

When dads first come, they are frightened, angry, or confused.

But often, after 18 weeks of meeting with mentors and other men, they are ready to assume parental responsibility, Br Rivera said.

“You get these dads with all these mixed emotions, none of them very positive, and you see them evolve and become adult men, and start saying things like, ‘I want to do this for my child,’ or ‘I want to do that for my child,’” he said.

Mr Roldan Pierre Louis was already a father when he found his way to Project Joseph. First as a client and now a volunteer, he wants more dads to take advantage of the programme so they can help their child’s mother share parenting responsibilities.

“In society now, you don’t see enough fathers trying to be fathers,” he said. “they leave all the weight on women. But we as guys have to set the example.” n CNS Project Joseph’s website is at www. respectlifemiami.org/project-joseph. html

Picturing a ‘happy death’ In the Roman Catholic culture within which I grew up, we were taught to pray for a happy death. For many Catholics at the time, this was a standard petition within their daily prayer: “I pray for a happy death.”

But how can one die happy? Isn’t the death-process itself excruciating? What about the pain involved in dying, in letting go of this life, in saying our last goodbyes? Can one die happy?

But the vision here, of course, was religious. A happy death meant that one died in good moral and religious circumstances. that meant that you didn’t die in some morally-compromised situation, you didn’t die alienated from your church, you didn’t die bitter or angry at your family, and, not least, you didn’t die from suicide, drug or alcohol overdose, or engaged in some criminal activity. the catechetical picture of a happy death most often was an anecdotal story of some person who grows up in a good Christian family, is an honest, faith-filled, chaste, church-going person, but for a period of time drifts from God, from church-going, and from observance of the commandments so that, at a point, he no longer thinks much about God, no longer goes to church, and no longer takes Christian morality seriously. But, shortly before his death, some chance circumstance becomes for him a moment of grace, and he repents of his laxity, his immorality, and his negligence of Church practice, returns to church, makes a sincere confession, goes to communion, and, shortly after, is struck down by a heart attack or an accident. But grace has done its work: After years of moral and religious drifting, he has returned to the fold and dies a happy death.

Indeed we all know stories that fit that description; but, sadly, we also all know stories where this is not the case, where the opposite happens, where good people die in very unfortunate, sad, and tragic situations. We have all lost loved ones to suicide, alcoholism, and other ways of dying that are far from ideal. We also all know of people who have died in morally-compromised situations or who died in bitterness, not able to let their hearts soften in forgiveness. Did they die unhappy deaths?

Admittedly they died in an unfortunate way, but a happy or unhappy death is not judged by whether death catches us on an up-bounce or a down-bounce. For every person that fits the picture of a happy death, as described above, where death catches us on an up-bounce, there are others whose lives were marked by honesty, goodness, and love, but who then had the misfortune of being struck down in moment of anger, in a moment of weakness, in a moment of depression, or who ended up dying from an addiction or suicide. Death caught them on a downbounce. Did they die an unhappy death? Who is to judge?

What is a happy death? I like Sr Ruth Burrows’ description: Sr Burrows, a Carmelite nun, shares the story of a fellow-nun with whom she once lived. this Sister, Sr Burrows tells us, was a good-hearted, but weak, woman. She had entered a contemplative convent to pray, but she could never quite muster the discipline for the task. And so she lived for years in that state: good-hearted, but mediocre. Later in life, she was diagnosed with a terminal disease which frightened her enough so that she began to make new efforts at becoming what she was supposed to be her whole life, a woman of prayer. But a half century of bad habits are not so easily changed. Despite new resolutions, the woman never succeeded in turning her life around. She died in her weakness. But, Sr Burrows asserts, she died a happy death. She died the death of a weak person, asking God to forgive her for a lifetime of weakness. to die a happy death is to die in honesty, irrespective of whether the particular circumstances of our death look good religiously or not.

Dying in right circumstances is, of course, a wonderful consolation to our families and loved ones, just as dying in sad circumstances can be heartbreaking for them. But dying in circumstances which don’t look good, humanly or religiously, doesn’t necessarily equate with an unhappy death. We die a happy death when we die in honesty, irrespective of circumstance or weakness.

And this truth offers another challenge: the circumstances of someone’s death, when those circumstances are sad or tragic, should not become a prism through which we then see that person’s whole life. What this means is that if someone dies in a morally-compromised situation, in a moment or season of weakness, away from his or her church, in bitterness, by suicide, or by an addiction, the goodness of that life and heart should not be judged by the circumstances that death. Death caught that person on a down-bounce, which can make for a more guarded obituary, but not for a true judgment as to the goodness of his or her heart. n

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Pope Benedict says it was his ‘duty’ to resign from papacy He shares his reasons and his relationship with Pope Francis in an interview

R

ETIRED Pope Benedict clesiae monastery in Vatican City.

XVI said in an interview For 19 years, different contemplathat he felt a “duty” to tive orders took turns living in the resign from the papacy monastery with a mission focused because of his declining health on praying for the pope and the and the rigorous demands of pa- Church. pal travel.

Pope Benedict said that upon While his heart was set on learning that the Visitandine nuns completing the Year of Faith would be leaving the residence, he (2012-2013), the retired pope told realised “almost naturally that this Italian journalist Elio Guerriero would be the place where I could that after his visit to Mexico and retire in order to continue in my Cuba in March 2012, he felt he own way the service of prayer of was “incapable of fulfilling” the which John Paul II had intended demands of another international for this house”. trip, especially with World Youth Among the visitors the retired Day 2013 scheduled for Brazil. pope receives is Pope Francis, “With the programme set out who “never fails to visit me before

by John Paul II for these [World embarking on a long trip”, he said.

Youth] days, the physical presence Asked about his personal reof the pope was inlationship with his dispensable,” he successor, Pope It was during told Guerriero in Benedict said they his visit to Mexico shared a “wonderan interview, which and Cuba in is included in the fully paternal-frajournalist’s upternal relationship” 2012 that he coming biography and he has been proof Pope Benedict. ‘experienced very foundly touched by “This, too, was strongly the limits’ his “extraordinarily a circumstance human availability”. of his ‘physical which made my “I often receive resignation a duty,” small gifts, personendurance’. the pope said. ally written letters” An excerpt of Guerriero’s book, from Pope Francis, he said. “The “Servant of God and Humanity: human kindness with which he The Biography of Benedict XVI,” treats me is a particular grace of was published on Aug 24 in the this last phase of my life for which Italian newspaper, La Repubblica.

I can only be grateful. What he says Pope Benedict said that al- about being open towards other though he was moved by the “pro- men and women is not just words. found faith” of the people of Mexi- He puts it into practice with me.” co and Cuba, it was during his visit Pope Francis, who wrote the to the two countries in 2012 that book’s preface, expressed his admihe “experienced very strongly the ration for the retired pope and said limits of my physical endurance”. his spiritual bond with his predecesAmong the problems with sor “remains particularly profound”. committing to the gruelling sched“In all my meetings with him, ule of an international trip was the I have been able to experience not change in time zones. Upon con- only reverence and obedience, but sulting with his doctor, he said, it also friendly spiritual closeness, became clear “that I would never the joy of praying together, sincere be able to take part in the World brotherhood, understanding and Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro”. friendship, and also his availabili“From that day, I had to decide ty for advice,” Pope Francis wrote. in a relatively short time the date The Church’s mission of proof my retirement,” he said. claiming the merciful love of God The retired pontiff spends his for the world, he added, has and days in prayer and contemplation continues to be exemplified in the while residing at the Mater Ec- life of Pope Benedict. n CNS

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Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Moses went up the mountain to talk to God. He was gone a long time, which worried the Israelites.

They went to see Moses’ brother, Aaron, who was in charge of the Israelites’ camp while Moses was away.

“Come,” they said to Aaron, “make us a god who will go before us; as for that man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.”

Aaron told the people to give him their gold earrings. He put the gold into the fire and used the hot metal to make a statue of a calf. The people began worshipping the calf as their new god.

God saw all that was happening at the Israelites’ camp at the base of the mountain. He told Moses about the golden calf.

“Go down at once to your peo-

ple, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved,” He said to Moses.

God was angry and decided to destroy the Israelites and make a new nation from Moses.

Moses begged God to spare the Israelites.

“Why, O Lord, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand?” Moses asked. “Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’”

So God changed His mind and decided not to destroy the people.

When Moses came down the

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Michael of Chernigov St Michael was the duke of Chernigov, Russia. Pagan barbarians invaded the country during the 13th century. St Michael at first ran away, then he returned to save his people from the violence.

He went to the enemy’s camp, and the leader made many promises to St Michael if only he would deny his faith. He refused, so the invaders tortured and beheaded him. A noble who was with him, St Theodore, suffered the same fate. We remember both men on Sept 21.

mountain, he was carrying two stone tablets upon which God had written his laws for the people to follow.

When Moses saw the people laughing, dancing and worshipping the golden calf, he was so angry that he threw the tablets on the ground, breaking them.

He then destroyed the calf in the fire.

On the next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a grave sin. Now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I may be able

to make atonement for your sin.”

The next day, Moses returned to God and asked Him to forgive the people. n Read more about it: Exodus 32

Q&A 1. Who was left in charge when Moses was gone?

2. What did Aaron make for the people?

Wordsearch: n MIND n STATUE n STONE n METAL n GOLD n SWORE n TABLETS n LAND n FIRE

n STARS n POWER n ANGRY

ESSAY Describe a time you did something you knew that you shouldn’t and what you did to make things right.

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: 1. F; 2. F; 3. T; 4. T; 5. F

PUZZLE: Using hints from Exodus 32, put a “T” next to the statements that are true and an “F” next to those that are false.

1. Moses presented the people with the tablets God had written upon. (Verse 19) 2. Aaron warned the people not to worship a false god. ______

______

(Verses 4-5) ______

3. God wanted to destroy the Israelites for sinning. (Verse 10) 4. Joshua thought he heard a battle in the Israelite camp.

______

5. Moses refused to ask God to forgive the people. (Verses 30-32)

______

(Verse 17) Answer to Wordsearch

In the Bible, we read about how God’s people sometimes strayed away from following Him. For example, on the way to the Promised Land, the Israelites sinned against God with their complaining and once even began worshipping a false god.

Great kings who found favour with God sometimes strayed. King David, for example, killed a man so he could marry the man’s wife. King Solomon married many pagan women who got him to worship false gods.

In Luke 15, Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son, who wanted his father’s inheritance so he could leave home. The son spent all of his money foolishly. He was embarrassed to go home to his father, but he did because he was hungry and homeless. To the son’s surprise, his father greeted him with love and forgiveness and wanted him to be part of the family again.

Also in Luke 15, Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep.

He said a shepherd would leave his 99 sheep to go find the one sheep that had strayed from the flock. Likewise, Jesus said, there would be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repented and returned to God than over 99 righteous people who were already following God. Even though people may stray away from God, He always loves them and wants them to repent and return to following Him. n

WHAT’S ON

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

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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.

AUg 13 TO dEC 10 COMMON SENSE PArENTINg The workshop gives parents and caregivers a set of skills to manage the behaviour of children and teens without affecting their self-esteem. Dates: Sept 17, 24; Oct 1, 8,15, 22; Nov 5,12,19 26; Dec 3,10. Every Saturday from 9am-1pm.

Organised by: Morning Star (Seng Kang Centre) 261B Seng Kang East Way, #01-400 S542261. Fees: $64.20/ pax $85.60/couple. W: http://www. morningstar.org.sg/events_CSP.html AUg 14 TO OCT 2 COUPLE EMPOWErMENT PrOgrAMME (CEP) CEP is a programme for married couples who wish to discover more about building strong marriages and raise emotionally well-balanced children. The programme is faithful to Catholic teachings and incorporates well-studied life skills.

For more information: T: 91059921 (Victor); 98579075 (Andrea); E: goto_cep@hotmail.com SEPT 3 TO OCT 1 INNEr PEACE ANd dIVINE LOVE Opening day: Sept 3 (9.30am-1pm), closing day: Oct 1(9.30am-1pm). A spiritual exercise retreat made in daily life over four weeks. The retreat consists of first step exercises for beginners, new visions for searchers and solid food for those desiring more in their interior life.

Cost: $130. By Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: http://tinyurl.com/kingsmeadregistration; T: 64676072 SEPT 7 TO SEPT 28 PrAyINg WITH MErCy IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Every Wednesday from 9.30am-11.30am.

Venue: Church of Holy Spirit at the attic (level 4). Presented by Sr Sandra Seow.

This Bible programme aims to cultivate the love of praying with the Scriptures and apply mercy to one own’s life situation. For more information: E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com SEPT 8 TO SEPT 29 CATECHIST ELECTIVE COUrSE LITUrgICAL PrINCIPLES Every Thursday from 7:30pm-10pm.

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

JUNE 5, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 MANdArIN rCIA @ CHUrCH OF OUr LAdy OF PErPETUAL SUCCOUr Every Sunday from 9am-10:30am.

For enquiries: T: 97564783 (Theresa); T: 96612262 (Darryl); T: 97761181 (Peter) JUNE 7, 2016 TO MAy 30, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF ST FrANCIS XAVIEr Sessions will be conducted every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm. Registration forms are available at the parish office. For more details, E: rcia@sfxchurch.sg.

JUNE 14, 2016 TO MAy 9, 2017 rCIA @ HOLy TrINITy Who is Jesus? Want to know more? Time: 7.45pm to 9.45pm. Please register with the parish office of Holy Trinity. E: rciaht@ gmail.com; T: 97378194 (Emily Tan).

JUNE 16, 2016 TO JUNE 17, 2017 NEW rCIA JOUrNEy @ CHUrCH OF THE HOLy SPIrIT Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm.

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

JUNE 18, 2016 TO JUNE 3, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF dIVINE MErCy Every Saturday from 3pm-5pm.

Register: visit the parish office; T: 65833378; E: rcia@divinemercy.sg

Venue: CAEC 2 Highland Road, S549102. Contribution waived for 2016.

You are encouraged to register as early as possible. For more information: T: 68583011 (Sylvia Stewart) W: www.catechesis.org.sg SEPT 9 TO dEC 9 Fr EUgENE VAz: THE gOSPEL OF LUKE A total of 12 sessions on Fridays.

Time: 8pm-9:45pm.

Venue: Church of the Holy Family.

Register: E: hfcbat@yahoo.com SEPT 12 THANKSgIVINg MASS Venue: Church of the Risen Christ.

Calling all retired and serving Home Team Officers to give thanks to the Lord and to meet up with old friends. The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Eugene Lee. Organised by the Retired Home Team Officers Catholic Ministry. For more information: T: 96888579 (Lionel DeSouza); 98271419 (Jerry Rodrigues) SEPT 15 TO JAN 18, 2017 PrAyEr EXPErIENCE rETrEAT 19 A four day/three night stay-in programme, designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and deepen their prayer experience. Cost: $160.

Registration forms are available at http://www.csctr.net or at the Catholic Spirituality Centre admin office.

SEPT 16 TO dEC 2 ALPHA@CHUrCH OF ST BErNAdETTE Every Friday from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

The Alpha programme comprises of a series of video talks covering topics on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

All are welcome. FOC. Venue: Church of St Bernadette, 12 Zion Rd, S247731.

For more information: T: 97987788 (Richard); 83225356 (Andy); E: andy_lee_4health@yahoo.com SEPT 26 THE ECUMENICAL CHArISMATIC HEALINg SErVICE All are invited to join in this healing service with Archbishop William Goh, Bishop Terry Kee (Lutheran), Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup (Methodist) and Bishop Low Jee King (Anglican).

Time: 7.30pm-10.30pm.

Venue: St Andrew’s Cathedral (New Sanctuary). For enquiries, E: saccre.resource.centre@gmail. com. Organised by SACCRE, Ad Hoc Protestant Team and Alpha Singapore SEPT 30 BASKETS OF LOVE THANKSgIVINg FUNdrAISINg dINNEr Magdalene’s Kindergarten is organising a fundraising dinner on Sept 30 at 7pm in support of needy children.

The dinner is priced at $200 per person.

Those interested in attending the dinner located at ART (Assumption Restaurant of Training), please contact Sr Margaret Goh, 90124778.

JUNE 30, 2016 TO APrIL 15, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF THE NATIVITy OF THE BLESSEd VIrgIN MAry Every Thursday from 7.30pm-10pm.

Every Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm.

E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg; T: 62800980 JULy 5, 2016 TO JUNE 4, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF STS PETEr ANd PAUL Every Tuesday from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Sessions will be held in the chapel.

Registration forms are available at the parish office. T: 96857290 (Jonathan); E: 2kumleong@gmail.com JULy 8, 2016 TO MAy 17, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF CHrIST THE KINg Every Friday from 8pm-10pm.

Venue: Church of Christ The King, 2227 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, RCIA room 105.

Register: T: 98217795 (Devin); E: query.rcia@gmail.com JULy 18, 2016 TO MAy 15, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF THE SACrEd HEArT Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Address: 111 Tank Rd, S238069.

E: rcia@churchofthesacredheart.sg; W: http://www.churchofthesacredheart.sg/; T: 67379285 JULy 26, 2016 TO APrIL 16, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF ST IgNATIUS Every Tuesday evening 8pm-10pm at St Ignatius hall. Registration forms are available at: http://www.stignatius.org.sg/ Ministries/Faith-Formation/RCIA- Ministry/ For registration enquiries; T: 64660625 (Parish office); 96286472 (Sandra)

SEPT 30 TO OCT 2 SEPT CHOICE WEEKENd Sep 20 6pm- Oct 2 6pm. Come away for a Choice Weekend – it is by the choices we make that define what life is all about.

For more information: T: 97900537 (Hillary); 97109680 (Francesca); E: registration@choice.org.sg; W: www.choice.org.sg/registration.htm

NEWS 21

Celebrating Mother Teresa’s canonisation CNS photos

OCT 2 TO OCT 8 WEEK OF gUIdEd PrAyEr Venue: Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Sojourners’ Companions invite you to learn how to pray with Scripture and develop a closer relationship with the Lord. Oct 2: 2pm5pm: Taster; Oct 3-7: Daily 30mins at home and 30mins with personal prayer guide at convenient time between 9am–10pm; Oct 8: 2–5pm: Closure. Fee: $30. To register: W: www.sojourners.sg/; wogp@sojourners. sg/; visit the foyer of Nativity Church after Mass on weekend of Sept 24 and 25.

OCT 5 TO NOV 2 MEETINg JESUS IN THE gOSPEL OF JOHN Every Wed from 9.30am-11.30am.

Following Christ takes more than simply believing in Him or doing what He asks of us. This DVD-based programme is a guide to a personal encounter with Christ. Cost: $28. Registration on day of first session.

Venue: Church of Holy Spirit at The Attic (4th floor). E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com

IN BHOPAL, INDIA: Priests pay tribute to Mother Teresa on Sept 4, the day she was canonised at the Vatican.

OCT 7 TO OCT 9 THE SPIrITUALITy OF WOrK: LABOUr, TOIL ANd/Or PASSION? Friday, 8pm to Sunday, 1 pm. “Love your work and you will not work a single day in your life.” This weekend of prayer invites you to reflect on work from seeing how God works and labours in all creation, and how we are invited to participate in God’s passion for giving life in this manner. Venue: Choice Retreat House. Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. T: 65652895; 97223148.

E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com.

OCT 8 ANd OCT 15 CEC - HISTOry OF THE CATHOLIC CHUrCH IN SINgAPOrE (Saturdays) Timr: 9:30am-12:30pm.

Venue: CAEC 2 Highland Road, S549102. Speaker: Fr Rene Nicolas.

To register: use the following URL https://cms.catechesis.org.sg/civ icrm/ event/info?reset=1&id=58 before Oct 3.

Contact: Office For Catechesis (Sylvia Stewart) at 68583011.

W: www.catechesis.org.sg

IN KOLKATA, INDIA: A woman prays at the Missionaries of Charity’s motherhouse during Mother Teresa’s canonisation Mass.

OCT 8 TO OCT 9 A rELIgIOUS-CHArISM rETrEAT Oct 8 (10am) to Oct 9 (3pm).

Have you wondered about the many Religious orders for women in Singapore?

Come, listen and explore as we hear from each of their call and response to God’s love. Cost: $90 (non-aircon), $110 (aircon). Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/kingsmeadregi stration; T: 64676072 OCT 23 TO OCT 29 WEEK OF gUIdEd PrAyEr Venue: Church of St Teresa. The Sojourners’ Companions invite you to learn how to pray with Scripture and develop a closer relationship with the Lord. Oct 23: 2- 5pm: Taster. Oct 24-28: Daily 30mins at home and 30mins with personal prayer guide at convenient time between 9am–10pm; Oct 29: 2–5pm: Closure. Fee: $30. To register: W: www. sojourners.sg/; wogp@sojourners.sg/; visit the foyer of St Teresa’s church after Mass on weekend of Oct 15 and 16.

IN MACEDONIA: Tourists gather in front of a Mother Teresa monument in Skopje, Macedonia, her birthplace.

OCT 23 TO OCT 30 CHArIS MISSION: BIO-SANd WATEr FILTrATION SySTEM BUILdINg IN rOMBLON, PHILIPPINES Join us in building bio-sand water filtration systems with the local community in Romblon. Slots for nine participants only. Cost: $670 per pax.

Closing date to register: Sept 28.

Terms and conditions apply.

E: victoria@charis-singapore.org; T:63374119 NOV 18 TO NOV 22 gAzINg BACK ... IMAgININg FOrWArd Two nights: Nov 18 (7.30pm) to Nov 20 (5pm) or four nights: Nov 18 (7.30pm)Nov 22 (noon). A retreat to mark the end of the liturgical year with restfulness.

Cost: Two nights - $180 (non-aircon), $220 (aircon); Four nights - $360 (nonaircon), $440 (aircon).

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ kingsmeadregistration; T: 64676072

IN ROME: A woman holds a statue of Mother Teresa as Pope Francis celebrates her canonisation Mass.

is

IN MEMORIAM

22 NEWS

Pope: Christians can’t ignore suffering of needy VATICAN CITY – Turning your to the testimony of Missionarhead away from the suffering of ies of Charity Sr Mary Sally, the others is a grave sin, and simply sole member of Mother Teresa’s saying some prayers or going order who survived a brutal atto Mass does not make a good tack at a nursing home Yemen in Christian of someone who ig- March. nores those in need , Pope Francis Four Missionaries of Charity said. and 12 other people were killed by The plight of those who suffer uniformed gunmen, who entered in the world today is a modern- the home the Sisters operated for day Calvary that “spurs us on to the elderly and disabled in Aden. offer ever new signs of mercy,” With shortages of food, wathe pope said on ter and medicine Sept 3 at a special and the increasing audience for peoviolence going on The mercy of ple engaged in the around them in God is not some works of mercy, Yemen, Sr Mary beautiful idea as well as for pilSally said, “We grims in Rome for beg God to continbut rather a the canonisation ue using our nothconcrete action. of Blessed Teresa ingness to make of Kolkata. the Church present – Pope Francis “I will never in the world today tire of saying that through the misthe mercy of God is not some sion entrusted to us by our Mother beautiful idea but rather a concrete Teresa, even amid dangerous suraction,” Pope Francis said. “There roundings,” she said. is no mercy without concreteness.

In his talk, the pope reflected Mercy is not doing something on St Paul’s call to live with a good while passing by; it means love, which “bears all things, beinvolving yourself there where lieves all things, hopes all things, there is evil, where there is sick- endures all things.” ness, where there is hunger, where “The love of which the apostle there is human exploitation.” speaks is not something abstract The special audience began or vague,” the pope said. “Rather, with testimonies. The pope and it is a love that is seen, touched thousands of pilgrims listened and experienced first-hand.” n CNS

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Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

In ever loving memory of

In loving memory of our beloved parents Sixteenth/Twenty-third Anniversary

RICHARD GOMEZ Who was called to the Lord on Sep 20, 2011 You brought joy and laughter To all who knew you.

You gave hope to anyone in need.

You brightened our lives Even in the darkest times, And now in God’s heavenly light May you abide.

Remembered with love and deeply missed by all the family.

JOSEPH & COLLETTE NATHAN Departed: May 21, 2000 Sep 19, 1993

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.

Always remembered by your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all loved ones.

Crossword Puzzle 1167 1

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A D E P T

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L U R E

FREDDY FERNANDEZ Departed: Sep 23, 2009 In silence he suffered with patience he bore Till God took him home To be with him to suffer no more.

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Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

51

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Years gone by since you left us Memories are treasures That’s a memory fond and true A token of love and affection A heartache still for you And a longing to meet you in Heaven.

54

58

Dearly loved and missed by wife, children, grandson and all loved ones.

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 ___ to Emmaus 5 Tied 10 Catholic Surrealist painter 14 Commander of the army who was made king over Israel (1 Kings 16:16) 15 One of the wedding party 16 Father of Jesse 17 Lake or pond 18 At that place 19 Ponder 20 Self-esteem 21 Ark passenger 22 Dyes 23 Rouses 25 Saint for managers of the Hilton and the like 27 OT wisdom book 28 Outcast 30 Biblical measure from the elbow to the end of the middle finger 33 Page in account book 35 OT historical book 37 Riding the Indian 38 “___ in terris” 39 Swindle 40 Sack 41 Blood line 42 “___ in Deum Patrem omnipotentem…”

43 Jesus multiplied these 45 Day dedicated to Marian devotions (abbr.)

46 Mother-in-law of Ruth 47 ___ of Prague 50 Virile 52 ___ will 53 Expression of triumph 55 Samoan capital 56 Anorak 58 NT epistle 59 Grant temporary use of 60 Streamlined 61 Certain something 62 Energy units 63 Woman’s one-piece undergarment 64 Nav. officer DOWN 1 Priscilla and Aquila left here because the Jews were ordered out (Acts 18:2) 2 Alpha and ___ 3 Straight as an ___ 4 Decease 5 Reformation character 6 What Catholics receive on the first day of Lent 7 H.S. science course 8 Permanently, in poems 9 A parish position (abbr.)

10 Anno ___ 11 Affluence 12 For fear that 13 Time to beware 21 Parody 22 Poi source 24 Paul preached in ___ Minor

25 Cop ___ 26 Disfigure 29 Influential Catholic Hollywood costume designer 30 Hack 31 Amer. military branch 32 “In the ___…”

(Gen 1:1) 33 Tehran tongue 34 The feast of the Guardian Angels is the second of this month 36 Med. Plan 38 Composition in verse 39 Mlle. across the Pyrenees 41 Nautical call 42 Faith-sharing programme used in the UK, Australia, and South Africa

44 They come before the entrees 45 Like Pete 47 Annoyed 48 Book of the Bible 49 Commandment that directs us to keep holy the Lord’s Day 50 “…___ and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27) 51 Copier 52 Catholic actor Frawley’s famous TV role 54 Having wings 56 Winter clock setting in the Diocese of Reno 57 Ginger ___ 58 D.C. lobbying group

A L O N E

S I C K

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E V E R L A S T I N G

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

G E N O A

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35th Anniversary In loving memory of

PHILOMENA PNG SHARON WONG SEOK CHOO MEI LING Departed: Sep 14, 1981 Born: Sep 25, 1974 Departed: Sep 12, 1988 “I am the Resurrection and the Life.

The blessed memories Whoever believes we have of her we’ll always cherish, in me will never die.”

John 11:25 And count them tenderly each day Dearly loved and Lest for lack of love remembered we perish. by your loved ones.

Always remembered Seventh Anniversary and cherished by brother, sister-in-law In loving memory of and loved ones.

CLASSIFIED

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1166 B A N N S

Twenty-eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

O S E E

L A S T

F U S S

P A S S I O N I S T

C A S S

L U R E

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A D E P T

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

THANKSGIVING Thank you St Jude for your intercession! My promise to publicly thank you and make known your name and your very powerful novena.

Ever thankful Melissa Classified advertisement rates: Minimum S$40 for the first 25 words.

Additional words: $1.00 a word.

Please turn to page 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

JENNIFER BRANSON NEE HENDRIK Departed: Sep 17, 2009 Take her in your arms, dear Lord, And ever let her be A messenger of love Between our hearts and thee.

Deeply missed by loved ones.

IN MEMORIAM 23

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Nineteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

OW KIM TEE Departed: Sep 16, 1997 Always remembered by loved ones.

Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of

SHAWN RAJKUMAR Departed: Sep 25, 2004 Your loving memories will remain forever fresh.

Fondly remembered by our loving family, godchildren, relatives and friends.

Twenty-third Anniversary In loving memory of

JESPINE JOOSA Departed: Sep 12,1993

Twenty-second Anniversary In loving memory of

K. S. JOSEPH Departed: Sep 13, 1994 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.

Always remembered by children and loved ones.

In memoriam rates Minimum $80 for an insertion not exceeding an eightcentimetre column.

Additional space: $8 per one-centimetre column.

Please turn to page 22 for more in memoriam advertisements.

Her smiling way and pleasant face Are pleasures to recall; She had a kind word.

Loved by all.

Some day we hope to meet her, we know not when, To clasp her hand in the better land, Never to part again.

Cherished and fondly loved by family and loved ones.

Fourteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Lord, at your passion love did conquer fear, Now share that triumph with his soul so dear Banish his sorrow, let your light shine O grant him pardon, Jesus Saviour blest And give his spirit light and endless rest.

From your loving family and loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at St Anne’s Church DE COSTA BASIL on Sunday, Departed: Sep 30, 2002 Sep 25 at 11.00am.

Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

WILFRED CHEW KENG YONG Departed: Sep 18, 2004 The angels came to take you home And you left us all alone We know you keep watching us from above As we still pray for the one we love.

Deeply missed by your loving wife, children and grandchildren.

LEWIS MARCEL THEXEIRA Born: Nov 19, 1929 Departed: Sept 28, 2010 God gave us the strength to bear it And courage to fight the blow What it has meant to lose you God alone will ever know.

Rita Thexeira and loved ones.

24 WORLD

Sunday September 18, 2016 n CatholicNews

Evangelisation on wheels

oil city, Pennsylvania, usa – Don’t let the black leather biker

vests fool you. Robert Burneisen, Matt Goreczny and Chris Wolfgong wear theirs for inspiration, not intimidation.

Emblazoned on the back of their motorcycle jackets is the bright yellow emblem of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organisation dedicated to charity and evangelisation. The large cross stitched above the logo further cements the spirit of the riders.

“I feel that when I’m out there riding around with this jacket, this is who I am. I’m not a Hells Angel. We’re here to do good things, spread the word of Christ,” Wolfgong said.

The men are members of Knights of Columbus Council 385 in Oil City, and are the founding members of the Pennsylvania chapter of Knights on Bikes, an international organisation dedicated to improving the image of bikers and promoting safety and Christian values.

Established in the US in 2005, Knights on Bikes has chapters in 41 states. Besides the Diocese of Erie, only two other dioceses in Pennsylvania have an active Knights on Bikes group.

Members must be Knights of

Columbus who are willing to spread the Catholic faith under the motto: “In God we trust and ride.”

“In a way, we’re fishers of men,” said Goreczny, president of the Pennsylvania chapter. “It’s a visible sign.”

Some of the activities organised by the Knights on Bikes in the US include riding in parades,

We’re here to do ‘ good things, spread the word of Christ.’

– Chris Wolfgong, one of the founding members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of Knights on Bikes

visiting nursing homes, and raising money for the needy.

Wearing their faith so publicly isn’t anything new for Knights, who often don the colourful regalia of the organisation at special Masses. Knights on Bikes simply uses motorcycles as another means by which to evangelise.

Goreczny’s bright yellow Honda Magna was spotted earlier this year by a little boy travelling

in a car with his father. Goreczny was wearing his Knights on Bikes vest.

“The dad told me that his son said, ‘Look, there’s a biker guy!’”

Goreczny said. “The dad said, ‘Yeah, but he’s a good guy.’”

The Oil City-based group takes monthly rides together and is looking forward to visiting parishes in the Diocese of Erie.

Wolfgong, who serves as president of the Erie diocese chapter, hopes to organise service projects, while reinforcing the Knights’ dedication to charity, unity and fraternity.

“We’re trying to change the old, negative biker image to something a little more positive,” says Wolfgong, who at age 37 is among the youngest members of the Oil City Knights council.

A retired state police trooper, Burneisen, 53, is vice president of the Knights on Bikes’ Pennsylvania chapter and has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 15 years. The organisation, he said, carries moral weight.

“For me, it’s a lifestyle,” Burneisen said. “Even at work, you take on an ethical role in society.

Being a Knight helps you be a Catholic role model.” n CNS

Founding members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of Knights on Bikes: (from left) Matt Goreczny, Chris Wolfgong and Robert Burneisen. CNS photo

Published by the catholic news, 2 hiGhland Road #01-03, sinGaPoRe 549102. PRinted by tiMes PRinteRs PRivate liMited, 16 tuas avenue 5, sinGaPoRe 639340.