Catholic News issue 21, 2016

SUNDAY OCTOBER 16, 2016

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

MCI (P) 013/08/2016

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Showing love to migrants in special celebration

VOL 66

NO. 21

INSIDE HOME

Witnessing to ecumenism Christians gather for healing service n Page 2

Canonisation of La Salle Brother Local community to celebrate n Page 5

Our Parishes Archbishop William Goh urged those with domestic helpers to be more compassionate to their employees.

By Jared Ng Thankful and appreciated. This was how Ms Nguyen from the Vietnamese community felt after attending the Migrant Sunday celebration held on Sept 25.

“The locals here and even the other communities are very warm and supportive. It makes me feel at home and I hope we can meet more often,” she said.

Mr Zhang, a Chinese national, said he was “surprised and happy to see so many people turn up” for the event. Noting that it was his first time being part of such a celebration, Mr Zhang said he hopes there will be more of such events to bring together the different migrant communities.

The celebration, held at the Church of St Mary of the Angels, was organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) and aimed to honour migrants.

The communities represented

A look at Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Members of the Tamil-speaking community were among the various migrant communities present at the celebration on Sept 25.

during the annual celebration included the Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Malayalam, Sri Lankan, Japanese, Tamil and Vietnamese communities.

Archbishop William Goh told the 1,500 people gathered for Mass that “there is a need to address the indifference and insensitivity we [locals] have to migrants.”

Referring to the Gospel parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Archbishop Goh said, “Like the rich man, we often neglect those at our doorstep.”

He urged those with domestic helpers to be more compassionate to their employees. “Don’t treat them like robots. Every human needs love and respect,” he said.

To all migrants living in Singapore, Archbishop Goh encouraged them to “respect the local culture and to look for ways to further integrate themselves into the Church.”

After Mass, those gathered were invited for lunch sponsored by the parish and special prayer

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Technology: help or hindrance?

Young people share views n Page 10

ASIA

Asian Youth Day 2017 Indonesian diocese prepares for event Filipinas from the ACMI Song and Dance Group performing a cultural dance.

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cards for migrants were also handed out.

Mr Mark Goh, ACMI chairman, in his speech said more could be done to support the migrant workforce. “Corporate professionals can dedicate a portion of their time as trainers in skills development programmes ... this will allow for more programmes offering vo-

cational, educational and pastoral courses for domestic helpers, foreign spouses and dormitory residents.”

The various migrant communities later took turns performing cultural song and dance items. n

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jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

n Page 23

n More photos on Page 2

Talking to kids about sex Programme equips parents for this

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Methodist Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup and Archbishop William Goh praying over a participant at the Ecumenical Charismatic Healing Service.

Christians from different traditions sing a worship song at the ecumenical service held on Sept 26.

Christians become witnesses of one faith at unity service ‘

By Jared Ng Christians from different traditions praised God at the top of their voices through worship songs at an ecumenical service.

At various times during the service, they placed their hand over the person seated beside them in an affirmation of the one Christian faith.

About 1,400 Christians thronged the auditorium of St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sept 26, for the Ecumenical Charismatic Healing Service. An event which sought to bring together Christians from different Churches.

It was organised by the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (SACCRE), Ad Hoc Protestant Team and Alpha Singapore.

The evening began with praise and worship by a team of worship leaders from various churches.

Then as one congregation, all sang the Lord’s prayer and also recited the Nicene Creed.

Looking around at everyone in arms praising the Lord during worship really created a sense of togetherness.

’

– Mr Damien Lee, a Methodist

Participants taking part in the Dialogue of Two Crosses, a sign of Christian unity.

Anglican Bishop Low Jee King then read a scripture passage before Lutheran Bishop Terry Kee gave his homily.

“With God behind us, we can do great things,” said Bishop Kee. “We are ordinary men but our God is not an ordinary God.” He also encouraged partici-

pants to be open to God’s love for them during the healing service which was conducted after his homily.

Those who wished to be prayed over were invited to step forward and be ministered to by a team comprising representatives from various churches.

Methodist Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup and Archbishop William Goh formed one of the numerous prayer teams.

Closing the service, Bishop Terry gave his blessings to the congregation.

In addition to enjoying fellowship after the service, participants were invited to team up with people from different Christian traditions to take part in the Dialogue of Two Crosses.

The “dialogue” is a prayer by two parties focusing on Christian unity.

“That was probably my fa-

vourite part of the evening,” said Mr Damien Lee, 38, a Methodist.

He added that “looking around at everyone in arms praising the Lord during worship [earlier] really created a sense of togetherness.”

Ms Kimberly Yong, 29, an Anglican from St Paul’s Church, said she hoped “there would be more personal testimonies in the future.

“I feel such sharings would help bring across the ecumenical spirit in a more tangible way.”

Mr Isaac Seow, a Catholic from the Church of St Ignatius, said that it was his first time visiting St Andrew’s Cathedral and that it now holds “special memories of God’s love for everyone.”

The Sept 26 service was the fourth to be held annually. Previous services have taken place at the Church of St Mary of the Angels and Aldersgate Methodist Church. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Migrant communities perform cultural dances n From Page 1

From left: Some of the symbolic gifts presented by the migrant communities for the Mass included jasmine flowers and rice; members of the Sri Lanka and Vietnamese communities performing dances.

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

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Holy Spirit lectors visit synagogue

By Ellen Tan Lectors and their family members from the Church of the Holy Spirit visited the Maghain Aboth Synagogue to learn more about the Jewish faith.

The visit on Sept 18, organised by the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD), also sought to give the 25 participants a better appreciation of interreligious dialogue.

Rabbi Mordechai Abergel, spiritual leader of the Jewish community in Singapore, told participants how much he appreciates the religious harmony in Singapore, having lived here for the last 22 years with his wife and family.

He briefly explained to participants about Singapore’s earliest Jewish settlers, giving special mention to the late David Marshall, whose ancestors were Baghdadi Jewish. He was born in Singapore and served as its first Chief Minister from 1955 to 1956.

Rabbi Abergel went on to share about how the synagogue is central to the Jewish culture and way of life. Not only does it serve as a religious house for daily

Rabbi Mordechai Abergel said a Jew begins the day remembering God from his waking moment with a prayer of thanksgiving.

In the middle of the prayer hall of the Maghain Aboth Synagogue is the bimah, which is a podium or platform where the rabbi or reader leads the congregational prayers.

Rabbi Mordechai Abergel speaking to participants of the Sept 18 synagogue visit.

prayer services, weekly Sabbath services and religious festivals, it is also an important community and social space for the Jewish community.

The synagogue was constructed in 1878 and has since undergone many extensive renovations.

Upon entering the sanctuary, there is a raised pulpit in the centre from where the rabbi leads the congregational prayers.

The focus inside the syna-

gogue is the ark, an ornamented receptacle where the Torah (handwritten scrolls that consist of the first five books of Moses) is kept.

The ark is covered with a curtain embroidered with Hebrew verses and designs. On the top of the alcove, the Hebrew words remind believers that they are entering into the presence of God. Rabbi Abergel said a Jew begins the day remembering God

22 September 2016

APPOINTMENTS 1. Fr Bartholomew Jia Shao Ping CDD has taken up residence at the religious house of the Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord (CDD) as the new novice director. Apart from internal ministry to his religious community, he is also available to serve the Chinese Migrant Community and other ministries on request.

2. Fr Joseph Zhang Wei CDD will complete his pastoral obligation in Singapore and return to China in November 2016 to begin his sabbatical leave.

3. Fr Michael Sitaram has been appointed as Parish Priest to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes for a term of six [6] years with effect from 15 September 2016.

As of 15 September 2016, Fr Sitaram is the Parish Priest of both the Church of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) and the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL). He will step down as SVDP’s Parish Priest after Easter 2017.

In the meantime, Fr Sitaram will continue to be stationed at SVDP and will oversee OLOL from there.

Matters regarding these two parishes should be referred to Fr Sitaram or his respective parish teams.

4. Fr Antony Maria Joseph has been appointed as Assistant Priest to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes for a term of three [3] years with effect from 15 September 2016.

5. Fr Antony Maria Joseph has been appointed as Spiritual Director of the Archdiocesan Commission for Tamil Speaking (ACTS) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 15 September 2016.

6. Fr Charlie Oasan CICM has been appointed as Spiritual Director of the Filipino Catholic Community for a term of two [2] years with effect from 15 September 2016.

7. Fr Christopher Soh SJ has been reappointed to the Board of Caritas Singapore Community Council for a term of two [2] years with effect from 22 September 2016.

8. Fr Leslie Raj SJ has been appointed Parish Priest to the Church of St Ignatius for a term of six [6] years with effect from 1 October 2016.

from his waking moment with a prayer of thanksgiving. There are also many prayers which accompany every Jew throughout the day.

Rabbi Abergel said that the Sabbath is a time of rest from the other six days of the week, and is set aside for prayers, family and God. Participants shared their thoughts after the visit.

Pamela and Nick Chua said

CHANCERY NOTICE

they found the experience extremely enriching and they learned a lot about interreligious dialogue.

Catherine and Vincent Siew said that they found the practice of keeping the Sabbath free from worldly distractions, like mobile phones and social media, a lesson that they took home with them.

Ms Doreen Wan shared that she found it a good reminder to live each day in prayerful communion with God. She said she now feels challenged to make Sunday truly the day of the Lord.

ACCIRD last conducted a visit to the synagogue for 54 participants on Dec 20 last year.

For those interested in similar interreligious visits, contact Gerald at gerald@accird.org.sg n

CHN/CN/2016/020-021

9. The following priests have been appointed as Parish Priests for a term of six [6] years with effect from 23 April 2017: a. Fr Andrew Wong to Church of St Anthony. b. Fr Christopher Lee to Church of St Joseph (Bukit Timah). c. Fr Edward Lim to Church of the Risen Christ. d. Fr Eugene Chong to Church of St Vincent De Paul. e. Fr Frederick Quek to Church of the Holy Trinity. f. Fr Henry Siew to Church of the Holy Cross. g. Fr John Sim to Church of Christ the King. h. Fr Kamelus Kamus to Church of St Bernadette.

1. Fr Kenson Koh to Church of Nativity of the BVM. J. Fr Peter Koh to Church of St Francis of Assisi. k. Fr Richards Ambrose to Church of the Holy Spirit.

1. Fr Terence Pereira to Church of St Michael.

of its role and functions in the Archdiocese of Singapore. It can be accessed at: http://www.catholic.sg/mandatefunctions/

10. The following priests have been appointed as Assistant Priests for a term of three [3] years with effect from 23 April 2017: a. Fr Albert Ng to Church of St Anne. b. Fr Augustine Joseph to Church of the Transfiguration. c. Fr Cary Chan to Church of the Transfiguration. d. Fr Edmund Chong to Church of the Holy Trinity. e. Fr Ignatius Yeo to Church of the Risen Christ. f. Fr John Joseph Fenelon to Church of St Vincent De Paul. g. Fr John Lau to Church of St Anthony. h. Fr John van Dich MEP to Church of St Michael.

1. Fr Kulanthaisamy Stephen to Church of the Sacred Heart.

J. Fr Peter Tan to Church of the Holy Trinity. k. Fr Peter Zhang CDD to Church of St Joseph (Bukit Timah).

1. Fr Robertus Sarwiseso CICM to Church of the Holy Cross.

PARISH BOUNDARY MAP@ www.catholic.sg Streetdirectory.com has graciously developed for the Singapore Archdiocese website a way to easily determine parish boundaries. To see which parish one’s home or hospital comes under, (a) type in a postcode, (b) type in an address or (c) hover over any part of the map and the Parish Name appears at the top right comer of the page. The map can be accessed at: http://www.catholic.sg/visit-mass/map-of-churches/

OTHER MATTERS Archdiocesan Communications Office An update of the office’s Mandate and Functions has been posted on the Archdiocesan website for a better understanding

Reception of Holy Communion The Senate of Priests has reiterated the right of the laity for the options available on the reception of Holy Communion. This is put forward in a paper issued by the senate and is available on the Archdiocesan website. It can be accessed at: http://www.catholic.sg/clarification-reminderreception-holy-communion/ Private Association Pieta – a faith support group for bereaved parents has been given approval “ad experimentum” for two [2] years as a private association. Pieta is a peer ministry where bereaved parents find mutual support as they become companions on a journey of hope and faith. This new association will be overseen by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family (ACF).

Visiting priests In light of Archdiocesan policy and regulatory requirements, the Senate has reiterated that all visiting priests ministering in Singapore have to sign an official form from the Chancery undertaking not to source for funds for personal projects or otherwise. The faithful are asked to check with Chancery should they be approached for any funds by any visiting clergy, religious or lay persons.

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

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Sunday October 16, 2016  CatholicNews

La Salle Brothers to celebrate canonisaion

Br Solomon was a martyr of the French Revolution.

The De La Salle Brothers in Singapore will hold a Mass of Thanksgiving and Remembrance to honour of one of their Brothers, Blessed Solomon Leclercq, who will be canonised a saint on Oct 16.

The Mass will be celebrated on Nov 5 at 5 pm in the Chapel of St Patrick’s School, 490 East Coast Road.

All members of the greater Lasallian community are invited, including alumni, students and staff of the eight Lasallian schools, HopeHouse and LASALLE College of the Arts, as well as friends and associates of the Brothers.

Deceased members of the past year from among the Lasallian family will also be remembered at the Mass.

Br Solomon was a martyr of the French Revolution (17891799), among the many bishops, priests, Religious and Catholic faithful who died for the faith during this turbulent period.

“The canonisation of Br Solomon is a blessing not only for the Brothers, but for the entire Lasallian family as well,” said Br Kelvin Tan, the local coordinator for the De La Salle Brothers in Singapore.

“While not all of us are faced with the prospect of dying for the faith, we are all called to bear witness to it, and Br Solomon serves as a model of great trust in God, of love for the Church, and fidelity to promises made, in his case, through his vows as a Religious Brother.”

Br Solomon was the religious name of Nicolas Leclercq, who was born in 1745 in Boulogne, France. He took this name when

Blessed Solomon Leclercq will be canonised a saint on Oct 16. he entered the novitiate at the age of 21. He served as a teacher, director of novices, bursar, and eventually as secretary to the Superior General.

In 1790, with the French Revolution underway, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy gave the state complete control over the Church in France. The government began selling Church property and requiring all clergy and Religious to make an oath to the

government in order for their institutions to maintain their legal, operating status.

Like many priests and Religious at the time, most of the Brothers refused to take the oath.

On Aug 15, 1792, as the fury of the revolution raged in Paris, the Brothers’ house that Br Solomon was living in was invaded by a mob and he was led away to a Carmelite monastery that had been converted into a prison.

Two weeks later, on Sept 2, a mob stormed the monastery and killed him and about 150 other priests and Religious. Pope Pius XI beatified Br Solomon in 1926 as well as 188 other Catholic martyrs.

The miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Br Solomon is the inexplicable cure in 2007 of a Venezuelan girl who was bitten by a venomous snake.

Br Solomon will be the 14th member of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (the official name of the De La Salle Brothers) to be canonised, the first being the founder of the Brothers, St John Baptist de La Salle, who died in 1719, was canonised in 1900, and proclaimed the Patron Saint of Teachers in 1950. 

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Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Poly students learn about leadership at OYP’s 2nd poly camp

By Natasha Chandra Poly students who attended last year’s first Polytechnic Leaders Formation Weekend returned to help out in this year’s retreat.

“The call to serve is something that I always answer with delight and it was exactly my sentiment when I was called to serve in this retreat,” said Dylan Falsado, 19, from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, who served in the worship team and as a facilitator.

Kristel William, 19, a current leader of Republic Polytechnic’s campus community, said her faith has grown since she attended last year’s retreat. “After a year, I returned to serve with a stronger faith and trust in God’s love.”

Some of the roles of the returning poly leaders included planning games, being part of the worship team and also leading the Divine Office prayers.

The retreat this year was held for 27 students from the various polytechnics. It was organised by The Office for Young People (OYP) from Sept 2325 and had the theme Be Not Afraid.

Participants were made up of current and potential leaders of each poly campus community.

While last year’s retreat focused on the building of these communities, the aim this year was to gather students open to leadership for the next academic year and prepare them for this through an encounter with the Lord.

It also focused on each individual’s interior journey with Jesus as their foundation as student leaders.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation was available for participants

Leaders of various polytechnics getting to know one another during the retreat held from Sept 23-25.

and prayer teams from various OYP communities were on hand to support them in their journey towards Christ. Participants also prayed in front of the Blessed Sac-

The retreat this year focused on each individual’s interior journey with Jesus as their foundation as student leaders. rament, and had daily praise and worship sessions, and Divine Office prayers.

The retreat also provided a platform for participants to forge new friendships despite coming

from different polys. There were times dedicated for fellowship when participants played games and ate together.

Besides daily personal reflections, the poly students also had small group sharings to support one another.

On her thoughts about the retreat, Clare Ho, 17, from Singapore Polytechnic said, “The retreat has healed me of my past wounds which I wasn’t able to let go of.” She said she hopes that her joy would be “infectious enough” to touch others in her campus.

If you are a poly student and wish to be connected to the Catholic community of your campus, contact OYP at info.oyp@catholic.org.sg or visit www.oyp.org.sg or OYP’s Facebook page. n

Participants performing an action song. The retreat this year was the second of its kind organised by the Office for Young People.

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Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Above: K2 student Emily reaching out to an Apex Harmony Lodge resident at a recent celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day. Right: Student Braedon connecting with a person with dementia during a visit to Apex Harmony Lodge.

Kindergarten kids reach out to people with dementia Children from a church-run kinA unique feature of the project dergarten and residents of a is that the children themselves get purpose-built home for persons a say on how they would like to with dementia joined hands to interact with the residents. In this celebrate World Alzheimer’s Day way the teaching and learning recently. pedagogy is developed from the Thirty-eight residents of Apex children’s own experiences, acHarmony Lodge (AHL) and 70 cording to Ms Tan. children from the Church of the Furthermore, by getting the Holy Trinity Kindergarten, for the children to spend quality time first time, put on percussion and with the residents over a period of dance performances for the resi- five weeks, the moral values that dents’ families, the children’s par- they pick up after each session ents and the community on Sept 23. gets reinforced each week.

The multi-generational event “I learned to be responsible, had the theme, Share our love, kind, nice and confident,” sixMake Connections. It was held year-old Matthew wrote in his in the church hall reflections on his and was the cul- For more than a year, experience with mination of a prothe residents. children from the ject that the kinJeanette, six, Church of the Holy dergarten started wrote: “I took in mid-2015. As Trinity Kindergarten care of Aunty part of their curJenny. She likes have visited Apex riculum, the K2 to walk around Harmony Lodge and and dance cha children have interacted with the been visiting AHL cha.” in Pasir Ris once The kinderresidents through a week, with each garten initiative session lasting an games, song, and arts has also been and crafts sessions. hour, over a pewell-received by riod of five weeks parents who said per class. they observed positive behaviourThe children are paired up al changes in their children after with residents and are encouraged they started volunteering at AHL. to interact with them through “The five weeks of going there planned activities such as games, has subconsciously instilled a lot and cooking, singing, and arts and of compassion and patience in crafts sessions. our boys,” said Ms Imala Ailani, “God is love, and it is this love who has two children in K2. “We that we want our children to expe- already see the difference in how rience,” said kindergarten princi- they speak to their grandparents.” pal Shirley Tan. Another parent, Ms Serina “We want to nurture children Teo, commented: “By doing this to … transform themselves and consistently over a period of few society,” she told CatholicNews. weeks, it allows the children to

develop an emotional attachment to the aunties and uncles. I feel that this works better in terms of inculcating moral values in the children as opposed to a one-off visit to a nursing home.” n

8 OUR PARISHES

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Bonding parishioners through

Jared Ng looks at how the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea conducts thes Catering to the demands of a large parish can be challenging.

However, the various coordinators and leaders of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea (OLSS) have embraced these challenges to create a vibrant and active church.

Under the guidance of parish priest Fr Gregoire van Giang, 64, various ministries and activities have been set up for parishioners to connect more closely with God. Some include a weekly Bible study session for all parishioners and a monthly rosary devotion conducted in six languages and one dialect.

The church is also set to undergo renovations next year to increase its capacity as more parishioners are expected in the near future.

Once Canberra Station under the Thompson Line is completed in 2019, the church expects an influx of new parishioners.

Renovation works are expected to be completed in 2018.

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o S T o a Elderly living in the nearby estates gather every Tuesday to take part in social activities and exercises.

Rosary Neighbourhood Christian Communities (NCCs) from the church pray the rosary at the homes of parishioners throughout the year. According to parish pastoral coordinator Paulus Hu, 47, each zone has at least one day of rosary prayers while others may have it for a whole week.

A Marian statue is also brought from house to house for the prayers.

On the 13th of every month, a rosary procession and a special Mass are organised for all parishioners. The rosary is recited in English, Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Tamil, Malayalam and Teochew.

The initiative started during the tenure of Fr John Joseph Fenelon, former parish priest. About 200 people usually attend the event which starts at 8pm.

If the 13th of a particular month falls on a weekend, the procession is held after the 5pm Mass.

It is held on the 13th to commemorate the dates when Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three children.

The Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, located in Yishun, was designed to look like an ark.

but also foster community among them”.

Elders ministry Every Tuesday morning, elderly people living in the surrounding estates come to take part in activities that aim at keeping them healthy.

About 40 elderly, most aged 70 and above, participate in activities

“They have nothing to do at home so they stay and chat with their friends. They are welcome to stay as long as they like,” he said.

He plans to have the sessions on Friday in the near future too.

Youth community According to Mr Bosco Lai, 33, youth coordinator of OLSS, the

Bible study

Fr Gregoire van Giang has been serving in the parish for about a year.

Mr Paulus Hu helps to oversee various projects of the church in his role as parish pastoral coordinator.

A Bible study session was started on Aug 3 by Fr Gregoire, who has been in OLSS for about a year.

The sessions are open to all parishioners and held every Wednesday at 8pm.

About 150 participants attend the study group which Fr Gregoire says “aim to deepen the Bible knowledge of our parishioners

such as physical exercises, board games and mahjong.

During some sessions, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital staff come to teach them about healthy eating.

According to Fr Gregoire, some of the elderly stay in the church until evening Mass as they enjoy spending time with their peers.

youths in the parish are involved in a number of ministries.

These include the parish’s own youth community, Hospitality Ministers, a choir ministry that sings for the 10.15am Mass, Lectors Ministry, the Legion of Mary group and the catechetical programme.

The parish youth community

has about 25 youths and they meet has about 10 members. They meet on Wednesdays evenings and Sat- on Fridays. urday mornings.

Apart from its weekly sessions, On Wednesdays, this group at- the group also supports and serves tends Fr Gregoire’s Bible study the parish in various activities. session when they finish with their Some of its members have served own gathering. in confirmation camps as facilitaThey have quarterly youth tors and intercessors while others Masses and also help organ- assisted in events conducted by ise the Stations of the catechetical and the Cross during RCIA ministries.

Lent.

On the 13th of Celebrating the Feast day parish feast day on every month, Sept 25, the youths The parish celebrata rosary helped out in the pared its feast day on ish walk event by 25 this year. procession and Sept selling shirts which During the special went to the church Archa special Mass occasion, renovation fund. bishop William Goh is organised Other events injoined parishioners clude a Youth Talent for a rosary procesfor all Night attended by sion organised by 60 teens. The event parishioners. the church. showcased song, On Sept 24, a dance and magic parish feast day walk performances by members of the was organised to further build youth community. communion among parishioners.

“The feedback we got from our Starting off from the church, youth was that music was a popu- parishioners made the journey lar outlet and attraction for them so together to the Sembawang Hot we decided to organise this event,” Spring at Gambas Avenue. said Mr Lai. Shirt sales from the walk There is also a young adults went to the church renovation community, Grace Abounds, which fund.

Parishioners praying at a rosary procession held on the 13th of every month.

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OUR PARISHES 9

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

h rosary devotions, Bible study

hese and other activities in this ongoing parish series

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Parish figures Fr Gregoire estimates about 6,000 parishioners attend Mass every weekend.

Filipinos make up about 25 percent. The Tagalog Mass is held on the first Saturday of month at 6.30pm.

The Tamil Mass is celebrated on the second Sunday and third Saturday of the month at 6.30pm.

The Malayalam Mass takes place on the third Sunday of the month at a similar time.

There were about 110 confirmands this year while the average number of infant baptisms a year is 60.

Unlike other parishes, the RCIA process in OLSS does not have a fixed time frame.

The journeys of catechumens and candidates are focused more on their discernment journey, Fr Gregoire said.

The input and advice of Fr Stanislaus Pang, the spiritual director of the RCIA programme, also plays a part in deciding when catechumens are ready for baptism.

Architechure The church building was designed to look like an ark. The bow (front part of a ship) can be seen when entering the church and it has two circular windows flanking the name of the parish.

For more information about the church, visit http://www.olss.sg/ n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Members of the youth community performing a song item during a Youth Talent Night held this year.

HISTORY OF OLSS According to the parish’s 50th anniversary commemorative magazine, in 1950, Fr Albert Fortier, who was serving at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, was posted to look after the growing Catholic community in Sembawang.

He was tasked with building a new church. Archbishop Michael Olcomendy provided $5,000 to help launch the project but more funds were needed.

Following an appeal by Fr Fortier to the British authorities, a land site at the Sembawang and Canberra Road junction was offered on a 21year leasehold. The land was part of the then naval base area.

Fr Fortier proceeded to start a major fund raising effort with parishioners and well wishers contributing close to $12,000 towards the building fund.

Other organisations such as the Catholic Nurses Guild of Malaya also had a big part to play in helping to raise funds.

The new Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea was officially dedicated on Dec 13, 1953.

As the neighbourhood in the area continued to grow, more land was needed for the expanding housing estates. The parish received a notice saying the church would have to relocate.

After an intensive search, the present site at Yishun St 22 was purchased.

On Jan 6, 1990, Archbishop Gregory Yong gave a special blessing to start construction.

The new church building was blessed and declared open

by Archbishop Yong on May 30, 1992. n

Parishioners taking part in a parish feast day walk on Sept 24.

10 HOME

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Technology: A help or hindrance?

Young people came together to share their views

Participants discussing whether technology is a help or hindrance to relationships. It was organised by Caritas Singapore Young Adults.

Does technology help to build bet- the nature of interaction largely ter relationships between people? depended on the persons involved.

How can the pervasive use of dig- Said Ms Celeste Wee, a civil servital technology help people reach ant, “Social interaction in the digital out and help others in need? These space is not devoid of emotion; you were some questions that a group do get emotional cues from reading of 16 young adults discussed on a Whatsapp message, and often, Sept 26 at Agape Village. if it is someone close, you can alThe session was part of a series most hear the person speaking the titled Creed on the Street (COTS), words. It is people themselves who organised by Caritas Singapore build barriers, not technology.”

Young Adults.

Another pertinent issue was COTS is an ongoing series how the pervasive use of digital of discussions, open to all young technology and growing dependadults, on a variety of issues that ence on it might impact those who concern them such as poverty in have limited access to it.

Singapore, the mission of the famMs Jessica Huang, a social ily and environmental degradation. worker, related the example of a It was started as a platform to family in a difficult financial situbring together and inspire young ation who might not be able to adults to continuously and active- afford an Internet connection or ly search together for the light of wifi at home, They would thus God’s wisdom and be unable to actruth in the myriad cess messaging A few participants of issues facing applications like voiced their society today.

WhatsApp, inadconcerns that the The discusvertently excludsion on Sept 26 ing them from pervasive use of began with Mr social circles. social media for Alan Lim, an The discusIT professional, sion led the communication giving a brief inyoung adults to could become a troduction to the a greater awaretopic and posing barrier to emotional ness of the daily some questions. struggles of the connection in He shared some poor, and to conexamples of the sider the deeprelationships pervasiveness of er question of digital technology today and its whether access to a computer and impact on people at the individual, the Internet should be considered interpersonal and societal levels. a “primary need” of a person livSome examples raised were the ing in Singapore today. use of the Internet for information The evening concluded with sharing, and the effect of social Mr Tan sharing excerpts on how media on social interaction, as well the Church views social media as the implications of lack of ac- networks, its calls for universal cess to information on the Internet. access to the means of social comParticipants then entered a munication and what it considers time of open discussion, facili- to be the individual’s responsibiltated by Mr Keenan Tan, a student ity for appropriate use of digital development officer. media.

A few participants voiced their The guiding principle offered concerns that the pervasive use of was that of responsibility: responsocial media for communication sibility to God, responsibility to could become a barrier to emotion- include and enrich one’s neighbour al connection in relationships, and through social media and responsiconstant bombardment of infor- bility to one’s self to enter into aumation on tragic situations locally thentic relationships with others, and globally could potentially with the help of digital media. desensitise one to these situations.

For more information on Other participants felt that so- COTS, visit www.caritas-singacial media was neutral in itself and pore.org/about-us/young-adults/ n

HOME 11

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Pets receive special blessing at Franciscans’ annual event

By Jared Ng “I wanted to have my dog blessed today because to me it symbolises God laying His hand on him,” said Ms Janet See, 38.

Malcolm, her nine-year-old Airedale Terrier, was one of a wide variety of pets brought by their owners to the Franciscan-run Church of St Mary of the Angels for a special blessing.

Ms See, who has attended the yearly event twice before, shared with CatholicNews that Malcolm recently suffered a seizure during one of their routine walks and felt that “this could be the last time he comes here”.

Airedale Terriers usually have a 12-year life span.

Not one to be disheartened, Ms See gave a smile and reached down to give her canine companion a pat on the head.

Cats, birds, turtles, hamsters, rabbits and even a goldfish were among the pets seen at the

church carpark during the Oct 2 event.

About 250 pet owners participated in the event, which was part of celebrations leading to the Oct 4 feast day of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the ecology.

“We’ve had this [animal blessing] going on for about the past 10 years,” parish priest, Friar Clifford Augustine, told CatholicNews.

He, along with a few other Franciscan friars, were on hand to bless the animals with holy water.

Besides the blessing, various charity organisations, including those for pet adoption and animal welfare and healthcare, set up stalls at the venue.

These organisations included Bunny Wonderland, Chained Dog Awareness and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES). n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

A woman bringing her pet for the special animal blessing on Oct 2 at the Church of St Mary of the Angels.

Cats, birds, turtles, hamsters, rabbits and even a goldfish were among the pets seen at the church carpark.

12 HOME

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Jesus Youth marks canonical recognition, 15 years in S’pore Archbishop William Goh blowing out the candles on the anniversary cake marking 15 years of the Jesus Youth movement in Singapore.

The Jesus Youth movement organised an event, JY15@SG, to celebrate the canonical recognition of their organisation and 15 years of the movement’s presence in Singapore.

The celebration on Oct 2 was held at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre.

The decree of recognition was conferred by Bishop Josef Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, at the Vatican on May 20.

It gives the organisation the official status of a global Church organisation, allowing it to continue to function with autonomy as a lay movement. The same decree gave approval to its statutes.

Archbishop William Goh celebrated the recent thanksgiving Mass together with concelebrants Fr Tom Curran and Fr Antony Maria Joseph.

Archbishop Goh received a copy of the Jesus Youth statutes and also cut the anniversary

cake marking the celebration.

Fr Frederick Quek, spiritual director of Jesus Youth, addressed the 280-menber strong audience and shared his joy at their commitment to the movement.

SACCRE chairman Gerard Francisco and SACCRE members also joined in the celebration.

The event included a musical fiesta, choreography, skits and a praying over session.

Archbishop Goh also released the JY15@SG special edition newsletter “SHINEOUT”. The newsletter tells the story of how the Jesus Youth movement grew and spread in Singapore over the last 15 years.

It started as a Catholic lay movement that began in Kerala, India, in the early 1980s and has since spread to many countries around the world.

Members seek to grow as faithful disciples of Christ, through the six pillars of the movement – daily prayer, word of God, sacraments, fellowship, service and evangelisation. n

A skit during the celebration about how all Jesus Youth members are missionaries and are called to share the joy of God.

ASIA 13

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Preparing for Asian Youth Day SEMARANG, INDONESIA – Semarang archdiocese in Central Java, which will host the seventh Asian Youth Day (AYD), has held a concert to raise funds ahead of next year’s event in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta.

The concert was one of several events being organised to raise money for the weeklong gathering to be held from July 30 to Aug. 6, 2017. Organisers hope to raise about US$1.5 million (S$2 million).

Around 2,000 Catholics attended the Joyful Concert for AYD held at a hotel conference centre on Sept 20. Christian singers, choirs and comedians were among the performers.

The Indonesian version of the Asia Youth Day theme song, The Joy of Living The Gospel, was also performed for the first time.

Joyful Asian Youth! Living The Gospel in Multicultural Asia is the theme for next year’s event.

Also at the concert were the bishops’ Commission for Youth

Indonesia’s Semarang archdiocese held a concert recently to raise funds for the Asian Youth Day to be held in Yogyakarta next year.

Young women wait for Pope Francis to arrive to celebrate Mass in Haemi, South Korea, during the last Asian Youth Day in 2014. At least 2,500 Catholic youths from 29 Asian countries are expected to take part in the 2017 Asian Youth Day. CNS file photo

chairman, Bishop Pius Riana Prapdi of Ketapang, and archdiocesan administrator Fr Fransiskus Xaverius Sukendar Wignyosumarta.

Church warns of trafficking in Indonesian province

A Japanese woman being screened for radiation exposure in the wake of damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in 2011.

Activists from Japan and Korea held a pilgrimage recently to raise concerns over nuclear power plants. CNS file photo

LABUAN BAJO – Ruteng diocese

Catholic activists walk for nuclear-free future SEOUL – Catholic activists from

Japan and South Korea conducted a pilgrimage recently during which they visited South Korean nuclear power plants to raise awareness about their threat to people and the environment.

A total of 60 anti-nuclear pilgrims, including 14 from Japan, walked to the sites of several South Korean nuclear power plants from Sept 20-23.

They began their pilgrimage in Busan, the location of Korea’s oldest nuclear reactor, and walked to Samcheok, where other reactors are currently being built.

During their journey they met with local residents and other activists concerned about the safety of the power plants in the country recently hit by powerful earthquakes.

Two earthquakes – of magnitude 5.1 and 5.8 — struck the country’s southeast on Sept 12 and resulted in government officials temporarily suspending the operations of four nuclear reactors at a power plant, reported Reuters news agency.

On the last day of the pilgrimage, the activists held an open discussion session at the Catholic Centre in Myeongdong, Seoul. Jesuit Fr

In a speech, Fr Wignyosumarta thanked the Indonesian Church for supporting Asian Youth Day. “Young people bring us joy

for the present and the future,” he said.

Bishop Prapdi suggested the Yogyakarta gathering should be seen as a call for all youths to find the meaning of living in Jesus Christ.

“AYD is a way to personally encounter Jesus Christ. Everyone should feel the joy brought by God,” he said.

Fr Heribertus Budi Purwantoro, who heads the Yogyakarta organising team, said at least 2,500 Catholic youths from 29 Asian countries are expected to take part.

“Yogyakarta was chosen because it’s a multicultural town.

It’s popularly known as ‘the city of culture’, where religions and ethnicities unite,” he said.

“It’s hoped more Catholics will take part in the preparations,” he added, saying that a running event, called Joyful Run, involving around 15,000 youths will be held on Oct 30 in Semarang.

The Youth Desk of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ Office of Laity and Family stages AYD in cooperation with the youth commissions of the respective national bishops’ conferences.

AYD is held every three years.

The last Asian Youth Day with the theme, Asian Youth! Wake Up!, was held in South Korea in 2014. n UCANEWS.COM

Mitsunobu Ichiro, president of the Jesuit Social Apostolate of the Japan Province, said he was shocked that the nuclear power plants were operating near to so many people.

He said the Churches in Japan and Korea “must cooperate” to build a better world as they share “the same problems”.

Jesuit Fr Cho Hyun-chul, president of the Jesuit Social Apostolate of the Korea Province, stressed the spirituality of the anti-nuclear energy movement. “To change policies, we need to change our lifestyles, beginning with our own spirit,” he said.

The Jesuit Social Apostolate of the Korea Province organised the pilgrimage which was sponsored by the Korean Bishops’ Committee for Ecology and Environment.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan and the Jesuit Social Apostolate of the Japan Province also partnered on the project.

The two Jesuit provinces have organised such pilgrimages since 2012, but this was the first held in Korea.

South Korea has 25 nuclear power plants that supply one-third of the country’s electricity. n UCANEWS.COM

has warned young students on the Catholic-majority Flores island against the dangers posed by human traffickers who are increasingly targeting teenagers in Indonesia.

The warning came in the form of a gathering at the Stella Maris Vocational High School in Labuan Bajo on Sept 29 and is part of an ongoing campaign by the diocese’s Commission on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation to raise awareness among young people about the problem in East Nusa Tenggara province.

“Traffickers are targeting many children of school-going age, with false promises such as high salaries, so we are trying to make students aware of this,” commission chairman Fr Marthen Jenarut told ucanews.com.

He encouraged students to resist any temptation and report any approaches by brokers to the authorities.

Fr Jenarut said one of the main aims of the traffickers is to lure young girls into prostitution.

“We are very concerned about this,” he said. “The Catholic Church, as said by Pope Francis, sees this as a humanitarian crisis.”

The Church fears East Nusa Tenggara is a prime recruiting ground for traffickers.

The province is largely a Christian area with 54 percent Catholic and where about 20 percent of the 4.9 million population live below the poverty line.

‘

Traffickers are targeting many children of school-going age, with false promises such as high salaries.

’

– Fr Marthen Jenarut

In August, East Nusa Tenggara police uncovered seven human trafficking syndicates responsible for illegally recruiting 1,667 female migrant workers in the province and sending them to Medan, in North Sumatra, and Malaysia.

Fr Kornelis Hardin, the headmaster at Stella Maris School, told ucanews.com that

tackling human trafficking is the responsibility of society as a whole.

He expressed hope that the students will pass on the warnings to their family and spread awareness of the issue further.

The key was not to be lured by false promises, he said.

“People have to be critical and should not be quickly carried away by offers that are misleading,” said Fr Hardin.

Having learned of the dangers it’s a wonder why people fall victim to traffickers, Karolus Agung, one of the students, at the gathering said. “Awareness campaigns like this need to be carried out continually in villages and schools,” he said. n UCANEWS. COM

14 BUILDING THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

BUILDING THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW 15

16 ASIA

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Cardinal urges HK people to continue fighting for justice HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun used an outdoor Mass commemorating the second anniversary of the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement to urge people to continue to press for social justice in a city increasingly under the heavy hand of Beijing.

A participant in the weeks of sometime violent street protests in 2014, Cardinal Zen’s message was that the people of Hong Kong should not lose hope in their fight for democracy.

“We can see that many people campaigned for seats in the [Legislative Council] elections and voted. It shows that the movement has had an effect,” said Cardinal Zen, 83, referring to six young candidates advocating for independence or self-determination who were recently elected as lawmakers.

“Do not be disappointed. Let us insist on using methods that are peaceful, non-radical, non-violent and full of charity to fight for social justice,” he said.

He urged Catholics during the Mass not to forget that the Umbrella Movement’s goal was to

Cardinal Joseph Zen speaking at a prodemocracy rally in Hong Kong in 2014. During a recent Mass, he said that the prodemocracy movement has had an effect on local politics.

CNS file photo

fight for a better social system that cares for human rights.

The Mass, attended by some 100 people, was held on the street in the Admiralty region of Hong Kong island near government house on Sept 28. It was organised by the Yellow Umbrella Christian Base Community and Hong Kong Diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission.

Ahead of the Mass, Cardinal Zen joined about 1,000 people – many holding yellow umbrellas – who gathered to commemorate the Umbrella Movement’s second anniversary outside the Hong Kong government headquarters.

In 2014, Hong Kong protesters used umbrellas to protect themselves from tear gas canisters fired by police, causing the world’s media to dub them the “Umbrella Movement”.

The term is now used interchangeably with Occupy Central, a civil disobedience protest for democracy and universal suffrage as the mainland ruling Communist Party continues to tighten its grip on the famously freewheeling city. At the peak of the protest more than 150,000 people took to the streets. n UCANEWS.COM

A Missionaries of Charity nun walks past a mural of St Teresa of Kolkata in India. Church leaders in India and Bangladesh are looking forward to the pope’s likely visit to their countries next year. CNS photo

Elation over papal trip to India, Bangladesh NEW DELHI – Catholics in Bang-

ladesh and India are overjoyed at media announcements that Pope Francis might visit the two neighbouring South Asian nations where Christians are a small minority.

The news “obviously is a great joy for us”, said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. “It will be a visit we have been expecting for long.”

The visit will give “new vigour” to the Church and “will help our work”, he said, adding that Pope Francis’ visit as “the head of the Catholic family and his international stature and acceptance as a leader stressing mercy and compassion” will surely help Christians.

Pope Francis told reporters on board a flight from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Rome on Oct 2 that he is “almost sure” that he would go to India and Bangladesh in 2017.

Bishop Mascarenhas said that the Indian bishops’ conference president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis had invited the pope in March. But as head of Vatican City, Pope Francis needs an invita-

tion from the government to visit India. The pope would not have announced “a quasi-sure” visit next year unless he was invited by the local governments, the bishop said.

Christians are a minority of some 27 million in India’s 1.2 billion people, about 80 percent of whom are Hindus. The majority of Christians in India are Catholics.

The visit would ‘boost morale and give new energy to the tiny Church in Bangladesh,

’

– Bishop Sebastian Tudu of Dinajpur

Sources in the Indian government told ucanews.com that India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had a one-on-one meeting with Pope Francis when she led an official delegation to the Vatican for the canonisation of Mother Teresa.

The minister had then officially extended the Indian government’s

invitation to the pope in person.

“It’s matter of great joy and excitement for us to have the pope among us,” said Bishop Sebastian Tudu of Dinajpur, head of Bangladesh’s Catholic bishops’ Commission for Evangelisation and Promotion of Pontifical Mission Societies.

“The visit would boost morale and give new energy to the tiny Church in Bangladesh,” he told ucanews.com.

Archbishop George Kocherry, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, told ucanews.com in an email: “Both, bishops of Bangladesh and the government of Bangladesh have invited him for a visit and so there is a possibility of a visit. I am still waiting for the official confirmation from the [Vatican] Secretariat of State.”

Christians in Bangladesh are a miniscule minority making up less than half a percent of more than 160 million people in the Muslim-majority country. There are estimated 600,000 Christians in the country including some 350,000 Catholics scattered in eight dioceses. n UCANEWS.COM

Archbishop on ‘erosion’ of Filipino values MANILA – The head of the Catho-

lic bishops’ conference has expressed sadness over what he described as the slow erosion of Filipino values amid the government’s war against narcotics.

Archbishop Socrate Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said he is ashamed of the things he hears from the country’s leaders when he watches the news.

“Cherished Filipino values are slowly eroding to be replaced by an open licence for cuss words, orchestrated lies and vulgarity

Archbishop Villegas urged Filipinos to pray the rosary every day, go to confession at least once a month, and attend daily Mass. never heard before,” he lamented.

Archbishop Villegas urged Filipinos to pray the rosary every day, go to confession at least once a month, and attend daily Mass

“for the healing of all Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad”.

The country needs healing “from anger and indifference, healing from cynicism and apathy, healing from blindness and passivity, healing from unconcern and listlessness”, he said.

“In my great shame at where our nation is going, in my confusion, in my doubts, in my grief, in my worry, in my fears, what can I do to change the downward course of my beloved Philippines?” the archbishop added. n UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 17

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Vatican worried over N Korea’s nuclear tests VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and the Vatican are concerned about continuing tensions on the Korean peninsula “on account of the nuclear tests carried out by North Korea”, said the Vatican.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke issued a statement on Sept 27 affirming the Vatican’s position as explained to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by a top Vatican diplomat.

Addressing the agency’s general conference in Vienna the same day, Msgr Antoine Camilleri, Vatican undersecretary for relations with states, said, “We observe with great concern the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, the formal name for North Korea.

“The Holy See supports the constant efforts of the international community to restart the negotiations on denuclearisation

and to allow the IAEA to take up again its important role of verification in that country,” Msgr Camilleri said, according to an Italian translation of his speech printed in the Vatican newspaper.

“The peace and stability of the region” and the integrity of the international nuclear nonproliferation protocols are at stake, the monsignor said.

In early September, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test, the most powerful so far, and hinted at a sixth possible test.

The Associated Press reported that South Korea’s Defence Ministry said on Sept 12 that South Korean and US intelligence authorities believe North Korea has the ability to detonate another atomic device any time at a tunnel in its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where the five previous atomic explosions took place. n CNS

High-level meeting discusses role of women in Church did not provide specifics about the Congregation for the Doctrine content of the talks. It said, for exof the Faith spent three days in ample, that Dr Barbara Hallenslelate September listening to wom- ben, a theologian teaching in Switen theologians, canon lawyers, zerland, looked at the “feminine Scripture scholars and specialists vocation” starting from the idea of in other academic fields talk about the priesthood of all the baptised roles women have played in the and in the sacrament of marriage.

Catholic Church and roles they Margaret Harper McCarthy, could play in the future. a professor at The Catholic UniAfter the Sept 26-28 sympo- versity of America in Washington, sium was over, the congregation gave the formal response. issued a brief statement outlinFrench biblicist Anne-Marie ing the topics discussed and list- Pelletier and Mary Healy, a proing the women who made formal fessor of Scripture at Sacred Heart presentations. The congregation Seminary in Detroit, USA, spoke said the papers will be published about the important contributions at a later date. of women scholars Cardinal Gerto biblical studies, The Vatican’s hard Muller, prethe statement said. fect of the doctriOther topics indoctrinal nal congregation, cluded the role of congregation opened the meetwomen in the eduing, which involved listened to women cation of priests; about 50 people, women as spiritual theologians, mostly women, directors and retreat and officials and directors; canon canon lawyers, consultants to the law provisions reScripture scholars garding women’s congregation, the and specialists statement said. roles in Church deThe theme of cision-making bodon the topic. “the role of women ies; and “sexual difin the Church” was ference”, a theme explored first by looking at “the treated by Spanish anthropologist definition of the feminine voca- Blanca Castilla Cortazar and Austion in Catholic tradition”, and tralian theologian Tracey Rowland, proceeded to a discussion about dean of the John Paul II Institute for concrete roles women have played Marriage and Family in Melbourne. and can play within the church.

The doctrinal congregation All of the main papers were statement said that in addition to presented by women, several of the formal presentations, particiwhom are or have been members pants “listened to interesting and of the Vatican-related Internation- moving testimonies” of the expeal Theological Commission or the riences of women in the Church, International Biblical Commis- in theology, working in the Rosion. Others serve as consultants man Curia or for bishops’ conferto Vatican offices or professors at ences, in interreligious dialogue Catholic universities. and ecumenism, and in the field of The doctrinal congregation Catholic charity. n CNS VATICAN CITY – Leaders of the

South Korean activists protesting in Seoul over North Korea’s fifth nuclear test. The Vatican has released a statement on the situation. CNS photo

Canadian bishops warned of ‘slippery slope’ of euthanasia CORNWALL, ONTARIO, CANADA – A Dutch cardinal has warned

Canadian bishops about the “slippery slope” of euthanasia, which has been legal in the Netherlands since 2002.

At first, only those at end of life with unbearable physical illness had access to euthanasia at their request, said Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht. Then people with mental illness had access.

Then people with dementia who had made an advanced request could be euthanised; then people who had not made requests were euthanised.

The Dutch also have allowed euthanasia of children, though most of the time handicapped children are killed in utero through abortion, he said.

“When you leave the door ajar, it will always open more,” he told members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Sept 26, the first day of their five-day meeting.

Canada recently legalised euthanasia.

In the Netherlands, the debate over euthanasia and assisted suicide began 50 years ago, Cardinal Eijk said. People argued that physicians needed a new set of ethics because medical advances gave doctors too much power to force treatments on people to prolong life at any cost.

The ethics of refusing medical treatment that resulted in a patient’s natural death became conflated with a physician killing a patient in order to remove his suffering.

Cardinal Willem Eijk of Utrecht, the Netherlands.

“No new ethics [are] needed,” Cardinal Eijk said, noting that euthanasia and assisted suicide are both intrinsically wrong, and they are not the same as the removal of medical treatment in most cases.

In an interview with Canadian Catholic News, Cardinal Eijk said Canada’s circumstances are different because euthanasia and assisted suicide have happened so quickly and it is “hard to put on the brakes”.

He said the Canadian bishops must continue to make moral arguments against euthanasia in the public square and continue advocating for palliative care.

Palliative care in the Netherlands was only considered in the late 1990s, he said, but the politician who introduced it said palliative care should include requests for euthanasia. n CNS

At first, only those at end of life with unbearable physical illness had access to euthanasia at their request in the Netherlands, said Cardinal Eijk.

Then those with mental illness had access.

Then people with dementia who made an advanced request could be euthanised; then those who had not made requests were euthanised.

18 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Pope Francis walks in the earthquake-ravaged town of Amatrice, Italy, on Oct 4. The town was devastated by an Aug 24 earthquake that claimed the lives of nearly 300. cns photos

The Holy Father visits a patient at St Raphael Borbona Assisted Living Facility in Rieti, Italy.

Pope visits quake-hit Italian towns VATICAN CITY – Amid the devastation wrought by an earthquake in central Italy, Pope Francis quietly prayed and offered words of consolation to survivors and those assisting in relief efforts.

Later, when crowds pressed around him, the pope used a megaphone to tell the people of Amatrice that he had wanted to visit sooner, but felt showing up immediately after the Aug 24 quake would have complicated relief efforts and “would have been more of a hindrance than a help.”

“From the first moment, I felt that I needed to come to you! Simply to express my closeness to you, nothing more. And I pray; I pray for you!” the pope said on Oct 4.

The epicentre of the earthquake was close to Norcia, the birthplace of St Benedict, and had a magnitude of 6.2, according to the US Geological Survey.

Amatrice was the hardest-hit town, accounting for 234 of the estimated 290 deaths, according to the Italian Civil Protection office.

During his flight to Rome

from Azerbaijan on Oct 2, the pope told journalists that while he was unsure when he would visit the towns devastated by the earthquake, he wanted to do it alone.

Two days later, the pope, accompanied by Bishop Domenico Pompili of Rieti, visited the newly built Capranica Elementary School in Amatrice and greeted the students individually before making his way to the “red zone,” an area completely destroyed by the earthquake and cordoned off due to safety concerns.

Looking over the rubble where the town centre once stood, the pope prayed in silence for the victims of the quake.

Pope Francis also visited the St Raphael Borbona Assisted Living Facility in Rieti, where he greeted each of the home’s 60 elderly patients and ate lunch with them. Many of the residents were displaced from Amatrice when their homes were destroyed.

Before departing Amatrice for the neighbouring towns of Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto, the pope told the crowd gathered

‘

I wanted to be close to you right now and say to you that you are in my heart and I know, I know your suffering and your anguish.

’

– Pope Francis

Pope Francis talks with firefighters as he visits the earthquake-ravaged town of Amatrice, Italy.

around him that he had two simple gifts for them.

“Closeness and prayer: this is my offer to you,” he said. “May the Lord bless you all and Our Lady protect you in this moment of sadness, pain and trial.”

After giving them his blessing,

Pope Francis led the people in praying a Hail Mary for those who died.

“Always look ahead,” he told the survivors. “Have courage and help each other. One walks better together, alone we go nowhere.

Go forward!”

Fr Savino d’Amelio, pastor of St Augustine Parish in Amatrice, told Vatican Radio that the pope’s visit was “very beautiful and very meaningful.”

“It was an unexpected gesture, sudden, a bit like the earthquake that came when no one was expecting it,” he said.

Pope Francis continued visiting towns in the afternoon, briefly

visiting firefighters in Cittareale before arriving in Accumoli. After greeting the town’s mayor and survivors, the pope spent several minutes in silent prayer in front of the Church of St Francis, which was destroyed by the earthquake.

He then travelled to the nearby towns of Pescara del Tronto and Arquata del Tronto, where he was greeted by more than 100 people and visited a makeshift school among the tents for the displaced.

Echoing his words in Amatrice, the pope encouraged the people to not lose hope and joined them in prayer for their loved ones who died in the quake.

“I wanted to be close to you right now and say to you that you are in my heart and I know, I know your suffering and your anguish. I also know about your deceased loved ones and I am with you,” he said.

Pope Francis ended the day with a visit to the town of San Pellegrino di Norcia, where he prayed in front of the town’s badly damaged church and greeted the townspeople before returning to Rome. n cns

Pope pleads on behalf of people trapped in Aleppo bombing VATICAN CITY – As a brief cease-

fire agreement failed and Syrian government forces returned to bombing Aleppo and fighting rebels in the city streets, Pope Francis made a forceful appeal for assistance for the thousands of innocent civilians trapped in the besieged city.

“I appeal to the consciences of those responsible for the bombardments,” Pope Francis said at the end of his weekly general audience Sept 28. “They will have to account to God!”

Dozens of civilians were reportedly killed by the bombardments in late September and the UN World Food Programme said it was “extremely concerned about the more than 250,000 people trapped in eastern Aleppo city who are cut off from food, water, medicine and other essential supplies.”

Pope Francis told people gathered for his general audience that his thoughts and prayers were going “to the beloved and martyred Syria. I continue to receive

dramatic news about the fate of Aleppo’s population.”

Expressing his “profound pain and deep concern for what is happening in this already martyred city,” the pope told people that it is a place where death strikes “children, the elderly, the sick, young people, old people, everyone.”

“I renew my appeal that everyone make a commitment with all their strength to the protection of civilians as a mandatory and urgent obligation,” the pope said. n cns

cns photo

Children play in water from a burst pipe after an air strike in Aleppo, Syria, on Sept 30. Pope Francis appealed for assistance for civilians trapped in the city.

POPE FRANCIS 19

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Get as close to the truth as possible, pope tells journalists Pope Francis greets a journalist on his flight from Rome to Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sept 30.

In a recent meeting with Italian journalists, he told them that ‘life is not all black and white’ and journalists need to be able to distinguish the grey areas. CNS photo VATICAN CITY – Journalists must

not foment fear when covering issues or events such as forced migration due to war or famine, Pope Francis said.

While criticism and exposing wrongdoing is “legitimate and, I would add, necessary”, reporters must never let their words become “a weapon of destruction” against people or nations, he told representatives of Italy’s national association of journalists. About 400 people attended the audience in the Apostolic Palace on Sept 22.

Despite the major shifts in how news is produced and distributed, journalists who follow professional standards “remain the mainstay, a fundamental element for the vitality of a free and pluralist society”, the pope said.

Journalists have a great responsibility in writing what is in some ways “the first draft of history” in deciding what news goes out, he said, and, “this is very important” in spreading an interpretation of events to people.

Being honest, respectful and professional is especially crucial for journalists because “their voice

can reach everyone, and this is a very powerful weapon”, he said.

If a person is unjustly slandered, “he can be destroyed forever”, the pope said. Criticism is certainly legitimate and needed, for example when “denouncing wrongdoing, but this must always be done respecting others, their life and loved ones”.

All journalists must be hon-

Journalists have a great responsibility in writing what is in some ways ‘the first draft of history’, said Pope Francis. est with themselves and others, he said, even though with today’s 24/7 news cycle “it is not always easy to get to the truth or at least come close to it”.

“Life is not all black and white,” he said, and journalists need to be able to distinguish and discuss the grey areas.

“Political debates and even many conflicts are rarely the result of distinctly clear dynamics that

tell unequivocally who is wrong and who is right,” Pope Francis said. “Discussion and sometimes disputes stem, deep down, precisely from that difficulty in synthesising different positions.”

That is why journalism must seek the difficult and necessary task of getting as close to the truth as possible and to never say or write anything one knows in good conscience is not true, he said.

Professionalism in journalism requires not succumbing to special interests, be they political or economic, the pope noted. Truth and fostering a healthy democracy entail not just addressing the legitimate concerns of one segment of society, but having the well-being of the whole polity at heart.

Instead of fanning the flames of division, he said, journalists should foster a culture of encounter and hope, reminding people “that there is no conflict that cannot be resolved by men and women of goodwill”.

The pope said he hoped journalism would be a tool that builds, a player in contributing to the common good and a facilitator in the process of reconciliation. n CNS

20 POPE ABROAD

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Pope’s visit highlights ecum

Pontiff meets Orthodox patriach, chief imam during h TBILISI, GeorGIa – Paying honour to the steadfast faith of Orthodox Christians in Georgia, Pope Francis nevertheless urged them to draw closer to other Christians and work together to share the Gospel.

Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II, who recently has been cautious in his relations with leaders of other Churches, greeted Pope Francis when he arrived at the Tbilisi airport on Sept 30, welcomed him to the patriarchal palace that evening and hosted him again on Oct 1 at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.

Walking into a meeting hall at the patriarchate on Sept 30, Pope Francis helped the 83-year-old Patriarch Ilia, who moves with great difficulty because of Parkinson’s disease.

More than 80 percent of Georgians are Orthodox; Catholics from the Latin, Armenian and Chaldean Churches form about two percent of the population.

In the 1980s, the Georgian Orthodox Church was deeply involved in the process of seeking Christian unity, but its participation has waned in recent years in conjunction with a stronger assertion of Georgian identity, including its language and Orthodox faith.

Patriarch Ilia told Pope Francis on Sept 30 that while globalisation is not “a negative phenomenon per se, it contains a lot of dangers and threats,” including the possibility of creating what he described as a “homogenous mess” that erases specific cultural and moral values.

While the world has experienced progress in many ways, he said, “humanity has taken steps backward in spirituality, in belief in God.”

This is truly a ‘historic visit.

May God bless our two Churches.

’

– Georgian Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II

Nevertheless, the patriarch spoke warmly of Catholic-Orthodox dialogue and practical cooperation and he welcomed the pope, saying, “This is truly a historic visit.

May God bless our two Churches.”

Pope Francis began his speech by making a personal, improvised comment: “I am profoundly moved by hearing the ‘Ave Maria’ composed by Your Holiness. Only a heart profoundly devoted to the

Mother of God could compose something so beautiful.”

“Faced with a world thirsting for mercy, unity and peace,” Pope Francis told the patriarch and members of the Georgian Synod of Bishops that God asks Catholics and Orthodox to “renew our commitment to the bonds which exist between us, of which our kiss of peace and our fraternal embrace are already an eloquent sign.”

While the Georgian patriarchate traces its origins to the preaching of the apostle Andrew, the Church of Rome – the papacy – was founded by the apostle Peter. The two apostles were brothers, Pope Francis noted, and the Churches they founded “are given the grace to renew today, in the name of Christ and to His glory, the beauty of apostolic fraternity.”

“Dear brother,” the pope told the patriarch, “let us allow the Lord Jesus to look upon us anew, let us once again experience the attraction of His call to leave everything that prevents us from proclaiming together His presence.”

“The Lord has given this love to us, so that we can love each other as He has loved us,” Pope Francis said. n CNS

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t fl Pope Francis and Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia arrive for a meeting at the patriarchal palace in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sept 30. The two leaders spoke warmly of Catholic-Orthodox dialogue and welcomed practical cooperation. CNS photo

A ‘global war’ against marriage Chaldean Catholics, pope pray for peace

TBILISI, GeorGIa – Pope Francis said a global war against marriage is underway and Catholics must respond by helping couples stay strong and by providing pastoral care to those experiencing difficulty.

“Today there is a global war to destroy marriage,” the pope said on Oct 1 during a meeting in Tbilisi with priests, Religious, seminarians and laypeople active in parish life.

“Today you do not destroy with weapons, you destroy with ideas,” the pope said. “It is ideological colonisation that destroys.”

A woman named Irina, who with her husband, Zurab, minister to other families and teach natural family planning, had told Pope Francis that Georgian families are experiencing new challenges brought by “globalisation, which does not take into account local values, new views on sexuality like gender theory and the marginalisation of the Christian vision of life.”

Gender theory usually refers to the idea that what constitute male and female characteristics are largely social and cultural constructs rather than being determined by biology.

Responding to Irina, Pope Francis said, “You mentioned a great enemy of marriage: gender theory,” but he did not elaborate.

Instead, he insisted Catholic clergy and faithful must do every-

Pope Francis arriving for a meeting with priests, men and women Religious, seminarians and pastoral workers at the Church of the Assumption in Tbilisi, Georgia on Oct 1. CNS photo

thing possible to assist couples experiencing difficulty. “Welcome, accompany, discern, integrate,” he said.

A seminarian identified only by his first name, Kote, asked Pope Francis how Georgian Catholics can promote better relations with the Orthodox.

“Let’s leave it to the theologians to study the things that are abstract,” the pope said. The question everyone else should be asking is: “What must I do with a friend who is Orthodox?”

The answer is fairly simple, he said. “Be open, be a friend.”

“Friendship. Walk together, pray for each other, and do works of charity together when you can,” he said. “This is ecumenism.”

From the meeting at the Church of the Assumption near the centre of town, Pope Francis went to Temka, a much poorer neighbourhood on the outskirts of Tbilisi.

He visited a clinic and rehabilitation centre run by the Order of St Camillus.

Pope Francis told those facing physical challenges, “God never turns away; He is always close to you, ready to listen, to give you His strength in times of difficulty. n CNS

TBILISI, GeorGIa – At a brief prayer service with Chaldean Catholics in Georgia, Pope Francis pleaded with God to grant peace to persecuted Christians and the victims of war, especially in Syria and Iraq.

With 300 people squeezed into the small Chaldean Church of St Simon the Tanner on Sept 30, Pope Francis joined representatives of the Chaldean community who have lived in Georgia for generations, but also most of the Chaldean Church’s bishops, who came from Iraq, Syria and throughout the Middle East to pray with the pope.

Chaldean bishops and donors from the United States also were present; they provided much of the money to build the Church of St Simon, which was consecrated in 2009.

Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad led the formal prayers, which were chanted in Aramaic.

Pope Francis did not preach at the service, but recited a prayer composed for the occasion, asking the crucified Jesus to free humanity from “every division and evil” and to bring about His “kingdom of justice, joy and peace.”

“Save the victims of injustice and maltreatment from their suffering,” he prayed.

Pope Francis prayed that Jesus would transform the suffering of

P g A

Pope Francis releases a dove after a meeting with Chaldean Catholics at the Church of St Simon the Tanner in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sept 30. CNS photo

“the many innocent victims: the children, the elderly and the persecuted Christians” and heal the wounds of “abused persons, deprived of freedom and dignity.”

Asking God to help people everywhere learn “the way of reconciliation, dialogue and forgiveness,” he offered special prayers for “exiles, refugees, and those who have lost the joy of living.”

“Let the peoples so wearied by bombing experience the joy of your Resurrection,” he prayed. “Raise up Iraq and Syria from devastation.”

At the end of the service, Pope Francis went outside and released a dove. n CNS

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POPE ABROAD 21

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

menism, inter-faith harmony

g his trip to Georgia, Azerbaijan from Sept 30 to Oct 2 Tolerance is good for society, pope says at mosque BAKU, AzerBAijAn – As the spir-

itual leader of a tiny religious minority in Azerbaijan, Pope Francis told the leaders of the country’s other religious communities that they share a responsibility to help people grow in faith, but also in tolerance for the faith of others.

“The blood of far too many people cries out to God from the earth, our common home,” the pope said on Oct 2 during a meeting with religious leaders hosted

by Sheik Allahshukur Pashazade, the region’s chief imam, in Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Mosque.

At a time when the world seems to be dwelling in a “night of conflict,” Pope Francis expressed his

your incisive speeches against xenophobia.”

In addition to leaders of the country’s majority Shiite Muslim community, representatives of the Jewish community, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Lutheran Church attended the gathering.

In the country of more than 9.4 million people, there are only about 570 Catholics, and most of them are foreigners. Still, the pope said, the Catholic Church has found a place in the nation, which proves that “it is not opposition, but cooperation that helps to build better and more peaceful societies.”

In every religion, he said, there are people who oppose tolerance

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Pope encourages Catholics BAKU,

AzerBAijAn

–

‘

Catholics cannot “econoStay united always, mise” when it comes to living humbly in spending time in prayer with God and in service to charity and joy. other people, Pope Francis – Pope Francis told members of Azerbaijan’s tiny Catholic community.

“Courage,” the pope told Arriving in the predomithem in Italian. “Go ahead,” nantly Shiite Muslim nation he said in English. on Oct 2 after two days in Reading his homily in neighbouring Georgia, the Italian, Pope Francis told pope went directly from the the parishioners that, like airport to Azerbaijan’s only the threads of a traditional Catholic Church, the parish Azeri rug, their beauty of the Immaculate Concepand usefulness as a Cathotion, in Baku. lic community come only Officials said about 300 from being woven together. people – more than half the “Stay united always, living number of Catholics in the humbly in charity and joy,” entire country – attended he said. the Mass. Reflecting the Preaching on the Sunbackgrounds of members day Mass readings, the pope of the congregation, the prayers and readings at the Pope Francis visits a monument to those who died for told them that while faith is Mass were in Azeri, Eng- independence in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Oct 2. Earlier a gift from God, it is somelish and Russian. The re- that day, he urged Azerbaijan’s Catholic community thing they must feed and nurture. sponsorial psalm, a chant in to be courageous in living their faith. CNS photo Faith “is no magic powAzeri, was accompanied by the lilting tune of a tutek, a type of visited by the Holy Spirit – Mary er which comes from heaven,” he flute. and the disciples – was even small- said, and “it is not a special force for solving life’s problems.”

In improvised remarks at the er.

Christians are called to serve end of Mass, Pope Francis said The Holy Spirit gave the discisome people might think he was ples the courage to live and share others not as the price of purchas“wasting” his time travelling so far their faith with others, the pope ing some kind of reward from God, to visit such a small community, said, and he visited Baku to en- he said, but as an essential part of but the first Christian community courage the Catholic community. imitating Christ. n CNS

’

Gay, transgender people need care ABOArD THe PAPAL FLiGHT FrOM AzerBAijAn – Catholics

Pope Francis exchanges greetings with Sheik Allahshukur Pashazade, the region’s chief imam, during a meeting at the Heydar Aliyev mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Oct 2. CNS photo

prayer that religions would prepare the way for “a dawn of peace, seeds of rebirth amid the devastation of death, echoes of dialogue resounding unceasingly, paths to encounter and reconciliation reaching even those places where official mediation efforts seem not to have borne fruit.”

The imam told the pope that as “head of Vatican state and of the world’s Catholics, your activity is of great interest to us.” He praised the pope’s defence of immigrants and particularly “your protest of connecting the name of Islam to terrorism, while harshly condemning the real causes of terrorism and

towards and any sign of collaboration with people of other faiths.

“The fraternity and sharing that we seek to increase will not be appreciated by those who want to highlight divisions, reignite tensions and profit from opposition and differences,” Pope Francis said.

But “fraternity and sharing are invoked and longed for by those who desire the common good, and are above all pleasing to God, the compassionate and all merciful, who wishes His sons and daughters in the one human family to be ever more united among themselves and always in dialogue with one another.” n CNS

Pope Francis expressed his prayer that religions would prepare the way for ‘a dawn of peace’.

who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said.

Flying back to Rome on Oct 2 after a visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, the pope was asked, given his criticism on Oct 1 of gender theory and of what he describes as “ideological colonisation,” how he would provide pastoral care to a person who felt his or her sexuality did not correspond to his or her biology.

Pope Francis began responding to the reporter’s question by saying that as a priest, a bishop and even as pope he has “accompanied people with homosexual tendencies and even homosexual activity. I accompanied them; I helped them draw closer to the Lord, although some couldn’t. But I never abandoned them.”

Pope Francis said what he was condemning was “indoctrination of gender theory,” teaching small children that no matter their biological

sex, they can choose their gender.

The pope told the story of a Spanish husband and wife whom he invited to the Vatican. The husband was born a girl, but always felt like a boy. When she was in her 20s, she told her mother she wanted a sex change operation, but the mother

Welcome the person, study the situation, accompany the person and integrate him or her into the life of the community.

‘This is what Jesus would do today,’ said Pope Francis. begged her not to do it as long as she was alive. When her mother died, she had the surgery, the pope said.

A Spanish bishop, “a good bishop,” spent a lot of time “to accompany this man,” who later married, the pope said. They asked to come to the Vatican “and I received them and they were very happy.”

In the town where the man lived, he said, a new priest, “when he would see him would shout at him from the sidewalk, ‘You will go to hell!’ But when he’d meet his old priest, he would say to him, ‘How long has it been since you’ve confessed? Come on, confess so you can take Communion.’”

“Do you understand?” the pope asked the journalists. “Life is life and you must take things as they come. Sin is sin. And tendencies or hormonal imbalances” create problems “and you cannot say, ‘it’s all the same, let’s throw a party.’ No.” Welcome the person, study the situation, accompany the person and integrate him or her into the life of the community, the pope said. “This is what Jesus would do today.”

“Please,” the pope told reporters, “Don’t say, ‘The pope will bless transgender people,’ OK?” “I want to be clear. It is a moral problem. It is a problem. A human problem,” the pope said. “And it must be resolved the best one can – always with the mercy of God, with the truth” and “always with an open heart.” n CNS

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22 OPINION

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

Perspectives on assisted suicide by david gibson Perspective matters.

If I encounter a big problem or challenge, my perspective on the underlying issue at hand plays a key role in whatever action I decide to take.

Sometimes I am reasonably confident that my perspective on the issue is fine. Other times I worry that my angle of vision is too limited or overlooks some essential concern.

Think of a photographer attempting to capture the image of a stunningly beautiful fall flower.

Chances are good that the camera will click first from one angle, then from another.

A flower can be viewed from many angles. Does its beauty show best from one particular angle? Maybe, but maybe not.

Similarly, sometimes a conviction that shapes the way people live can be understood first from one perspective, then from another. Often, enough of these perspectives complement each other.

An example of this is found in St John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae). The encyclical forcefully affirms the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death and encourages a heightened commitment to supporting and caring for it.

In the context of abortion, assisted suicide, illnesses and other concerns, he examines this pertinent biblical commandment, “You shall not kill” (Ex 20:13). “In the first place that commandment prohibits murder,” but as will be “brought out in Israel’s later legislation, it also prohibits all personal injury inflicted on another,” the late pope explains.

From one perspective, he indicates, the commandment is “nega-

tive” – a commandment opposing something. From another perspective it is positive, implicitly demanding respect, love and care for life.

In this way St John Paul II fleshes out a customary perspective on the commandment.

Its “overall message, which the New Testament will bring to perfection, ... culminates in the positive commandment that obliges us to be responsible for our neighbour as for ourselves,” he states.

Thus, listening to God’s word in this case means learning “not only to obey the commandment” against killing human life, but to revere, love and foster life, and when someone’s life is “weak or threatened”, to offer “a service of love.”

Not very surprisingly, given these words of St John Paul II, discussions of assisted suicide in the Church today often view it both in light of the commandment against taking life and the

same commandment’s implicit call to give loving, continuing attention to suffering people.

“Calls for assistance in dying usually disappear when suffering people are well accompanied,” Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec commented in an open letter this year just before assisted suicide became legal for adults in Canada suffering the advanced stages of illnesses or disabilities believed to be incurable.

Speaking to such people, he said, “The life you have received, the breath that sustains you, the personality that characterises you are imprinted with beauty, nobility and greatness.”

He added that “what you have been, what you are today require, among other things, respect, accompaniment and appropriate care to help you grow to the very end.” n CNS Gibson served on Catholic News Service’s editorial staff for 37 years.

Holding the truth in empathy WHILE I was doing graduate studies in Belgium, I lived at the American College in Leuven. On staff there at the time, in the housekeeping and maintenance department, was a wonderfully colourful woman whose energy brought oxygen into a room but whose history of marriage somewhat paralleled that of the Samaritan woman in John’s Gospel. None of us knew for sure how often she’d been married and the man she was living with at the time was not her husband.

One day an archbishop was visiting the college and there was a formal reception line of which she was part. The archbishop would shake each person’s hand and engage him or her in a brief exchange. When he came to her, she gave him her name and told him what she did at the college. He shook her hand and, by way of greeting and conversation, asked her: “Are you married?”

She wasn’t quite prepared for that question. She stammered a bit and replied: “Yes, no, well, kind of.” Then, breaking into a grin, said: “Actually, your Grace, I’m living in sin!” To his credit, the archbishop grinned as well. He got what she was saying, not just her words, but too the nuance that her grin conveyed.

Living in sin. Acts that are inherently disordered. What’s Catholic moral theology trying to say with this kind of concept when so many people today, including many Roman Catholics, find such concepts unintelligible and offensive?

To the credit of classical Roman Catholic moral teaching, these concepts have an intelligibility and a palatability inside a certain moral framework within which their proper meaning and nuance is predicated on the overall system. In a simpler language, they make sense within that system. In today’s language, classical Roman Catholic moral theology might be compared to a highly specialised software; indeed one which was honed, nuanced, and upgraded through centuries so that, as a system, it has smooth internal coherence.

The problem, though, is that today so much of our culture and so many of our churches no longer use, nor understand how to use, that software. As a consequence, its formatting and language are misunderstood and can appear offensive. Not everyone, like the archbishop just described, has a sense of humour about this.

So what’s to be done? How do we move forward? Do we simply abandon a lot of classical moral teachings because so many people today are taking offence at its concepts and language? Admittedly it’s a huge problem, with a lot of sincere people weighing in very differently on the issue, as was seen at the recent Synod in Rome on Marriage and Family Life. How do we hold authentic Christian moral ground and, at the same time, properly account for the actual, existential reality of millions and millions of people, including many of our own families and children?

How do we name the moral reality of people who are living in situations that, while clearly life-giving, are not in line with Christian principles? How do we name the moral reality of so many of our own children and loved ones who are living with partners to whom they are not married, but are drawing life from that relationship? How do we name the moral situation of a gay couple whose relationship is clearly life-giving? And how do we name the moral situation of the Samaritan woman and the woman I mentioned earlier who, while irregular in terms of the Church’s teaching on marriage, bring life, joy, and oxygen into a room? Are they living in sin? Does their situation include some intrinsic evil?

We need a new software within moral theology to answer those questions, or at least to format them in a language that our culture understands and can be challenged by. And it won’t be a simple or easy task, as the tensions and polarisations within our churches and at our dinner tables highlight. The task is to hold our moral ground, challenge a culture which no longer understands or accepts our former way of understanding these things, and yet, at the same time, not bend the truth to the times, nor the Gospel to the world, even as we better name the moral situation within which so much of our world and so many of our loved ones find themselves.

The truth sets us free, but God often works through crooked lines.

I’m a student of classical moral theology and truly believe in its principles, even as I am daily humbled and challenged by the love, grace, faith, and wonderful oxygen I see flowing out of people whose situations are “irregular”. How can the good be bad? At this stage in time, along with many of the rest of you, I suspect, I am forced to stay with the ambiguity, to live the question.

We need a new software, a new way of morally formatting things, a new way of holding truth in empathy, a new way of holding the essential within the existential. n

FOCUS 23

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

Parents learn how to talk to their kids about sex

The ‘My Child is Made for More’ programme aims to equip parents in guiding their children on the issue How do parents share basic truths about sex and sexuality with their children? This was what a twoday programme conducted by the Family Life Society (FLS) sought to tackle.

The “My Child is Made for More” programme was held at Agape Village on Sept 17 and 24 and attended by parents and counsellors.

According to FLS, the overall objective was to equip parents with the knowledge, skills and attitude on how they can guide their children in forming a healthy attitude about sexuality.

“Children these days are bombarded with so much information that could influence their decision-making when it comes to sex,” said FLS executive director Paul Long. “This programme aims to increase the confidence of the parents that would make them a strong influence and source of substantive information about sex and sexuality to their children.”

The programme included sessions conducted by FLS presenters, small group discussions, hands-on activities and role play.

Ms Hershey Regaya, in her presentation titled My Body Is Me, stressed that whatever is done to the most intimate part of the body is also done to the most intimate part of the mind and vice versa. The lesson drawn here is that it is not true that one can do whatever one wants with one’s body so long as no one gets hurt.

Ms Sara Siow, in her presentation titled My Body Communicates, said that the sexual act is a language of a body which already has a fixed or predetermined meaning, which is to express the most intimate and total union of two persons.

She stressed that human beings are not free to change this fixed meaning – in contrast to current thinking which says that sex can be used to satisfy one’s lust, relieve stress, or for emotional security.

Another FLS presenter, Ms Alexandra Li, noted that persons

Family Life Society programme manager Hershey Regaya giving a presentation titled My Body Is Me on Sept 17.

this programme ‘To me, brings out the enduring truths about sex very succinctly and appropriately, and emphasises the need and responsibility for parents to educate their children well in this area.

’

– Vincent, a father of six.

Young people share their concerns and fears about talking to their parents about sex.

and personal relationships are unique, with dignity and worthy of respect. It follows then that the sexual aspect of the body is personal and intimate, and communicates a personal and intimate union always.

Parents can share this truth with their children to counter the modern-day belief that sex can be casual and transactional. The decision to treat sex as impersonal and as a means to an end is using and abusing the other person and

the language of intimacy, participants learned.

In his presentation titled My Decisions Make Me, Mr Christopher Murugasu discussed the following questions with parents: How free are we to make decisions? Does it mean that the more choices we have, the freer and therefore happier we are?

He shared a quote from St John Paul II: “True freedom is to be able to desire and to be able to choose the True and the Good.”

In the last session, Ms Regaya and six young people aged 13-26 gave presentations on parent-child communication.

The youths shared their concerns and fears about talking to their parents about sex. In role

plays, they together with facilitators demonstrated to parents how they can talk about sex with their children.

There was also a question-andanswer session where the youths, facilitators and parents engaged in a robust exchange.

Participants said they benefited much from the programme.

“I am more confident now in teaching my children about sexuality,” said Therese, a mother of two.

Vincent, a father of six, shared, “To me, this programme brings out the enduring truths about sex very succinctly and appropriately, and emphasises the need and responsibility for parents to educate their children well in this area.”

He added, “The honest sharing by the teens was the highlight of the workshop.”

The Family Life Society website is www.familylife.sg n

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Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

By Jennifer Ficcaglia A gentile man named Naaman was commander of the king of Aram’s army. He was very successful in his raids on Israel, which pleased the king very much.

Since the Israelites did not always follow God, sometimes God allowed their enemies to be victorious against them. That is why Naaman was so successful.

Even though Naaman was powerful and victorious, he had one problem: He was a leper.

During one of the raids on Israel, a little girl was captured and became a servant to Naaman’s wife. When the girl saw Naaman’s leprosy, she told her mistress about the prophet Elisha.

“If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria!” the little girl said to Naaman’s wife.

“He would cure him of his leprosy.”

Naaman desperately wanted to be cured. He told the king of Aram what the girl had said. So the king gave Naaman money, garments and a letter to present to the king of Israel.

“With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy,” the king wrote.

When the king of Israel read the letter Naaman handed him, he became very upset. He thought the king of Aram was trying to pick a fight with him.

When Elisha heard this, he told the king to send Naaman to him.

Naaman drove his horses and chariot to Elisha’s house.

Elisha did not come out to greet Naaman. Instead, he sent Naaman a message, instructing him to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed.

Naaman was furious. He had ex-

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Ignatius St Ignatius became the bishop of Antioch, Syria, in the year 69.

The Roman emperor sentenced him to death for refusing to deny his faith.

A group of soldiers escorted him to Rome. During the long journey, he wrote several letters to encourage the Christians living in the towns where they made stops.

When he arrived in Rome, he was sent to the Colosseum, where he was attacked and killed by two lions that were released into the amphitheatre with him. We honour him on Oct 17. n

pected Elisha to treat him like a very important person and perform a special healing ritual over him. He wasn’t going to do something as simple as bathing, he thought.

He left Elisha’s house in a huff.

But his servants reasoned with him and got him to do as Elisha had said.

Naaman plunged himself into the Jordan. After the seventh time, his leprosy was gone.

Naaman returned to Elisha a little

more humble than when he had left.

“Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel,” he said to Elisha.

From that day on, Naaman worshipped only God. n Read more about it: 2 Kings 5

Q&A 1. Who needed to be cured of leprosy?

2. What cure did Elisha prescribe?

Wordsearch: n LEPER

n HORSES

n WASH

n HOUSE

n ARMY

n PROPHET n CURE

n FIGHT

n TREAT

n GREET

n DROVE n WIFE

ESSAY: When have you resisted doing what you were told, and why?

How did you feel once you did what had been asked of you?

Bible Accent:

The guild prophets / Made poisoned stew edible Gehazi / Caused a person’s leprosy A prophet’s widow / Made a little oil fill many jars Answer to puzzle: The Shunammite woman / Raised a dead child

PUZZLE: Using the hints provided, draw a line between the miracle Elisha performed with God’s help and the person(s) who received the miracle.

The Shunammite woman

Made a little oil fill many jars

A prophet’s widow (2 Kings 4:1-7)

Made poisoned stew edible

Gehazi (2 Kings 5:25-27)

Raised a dead child

(2 Kings 4:32-37)

The guild prophets (2 Kings 4:38-41) Caused a person’s leprosy

Answer to Wordsearch

In the New Testament, there are stories that tell of gentile military officers having faith in God. For example, in Matthew 8, Jesus and the apostles travelled to Capernaum. A Roman centurion there had a servant who was dying. The centurion asked Jesus to heal the servant without coming to his house.

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed,” he said.

Jesus was amazed by the man’s faith.

“You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you,” Jesus told him.

In Acts 10, Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, prayed to God and gave alms to the Jewish poor. One day, he had a vision. An angel told him to find Peter, who was visiting Joppa.

Cornelius sent three friends to the house where Peter was staying. As they neared the house, the Holy Spirit told Peter to go with the men. It was unlawful for a Jew to associate with a gentile. But earlier that day, Peter also had a vision, in which he learned it was OK to bring God’s word to the gentiles.

When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he preached about God and Jesus to the many people Cornelius had invited.

As Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit came upon the gentiles.

Afterwards, they were baptised. n

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS

6-14, while their parents are studying or working late. We need volunteers willing to put in time, energy and skills towards supporting the children while they are in our centre in Bedok North Ave 4. For for information: T: 62851377 (Jaanani); E: CareNights@morningstar.org.sg

WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http:// www.catholic.org.sg/chancery/ announcement-advertisement-request/.

Once forms have been submitted online, kindly send us details of your event for publication at www. catholicnews.sg/whatson/ at least one month ahead of the publication date.

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

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

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

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

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

W: www.catechesis.org.sg

SEPT 15 TO NOV 20 CHUrCH OF THE TrANSFIgUrATION (COTT) HOME VISITS IN PUNggOL Every Monday, Thursday and Friday.

COTT’s Home Visit Ministry Team will be reaching out to Catholic homes in the Punggol HDB estate to engage with and register parishioners into the various Church ministries. House blessing and Anointing of the Sick will be carried out where appropriate. Living in a private property? Contact our pastoral coordinator, Raymond, at 63419718 to schedule a visit.

OCT 15 MASS FOLLOWEd By PrAyErS FOr HEALINg All are invited to join us for Mass followed by prayers for healing.

After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for healing.

Please spread the word to your family and friends. Time: 2.30pm-4.30pm.

Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

Celebrant: Fr Tom Curran. For enquiries, E: marilyn8sep@yahoo.com.

Organised by SACCRE- Praise@Work

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

OCT 18 TO dEC 6 BASIC CATECHESIS COUrSE L1 – INTrOdUCTION TO CATECHETICAL PEdAgOgy & CATECHETICAL METHOdS Every Tuesday on Oct 18, 25; Nov 8, 22, 29; Dec 6. Time: 7.30pm-10pm.

Registration: use the link to register before Oct 13: https://cms.catechesis.org. sg/civicrm/event/info?id=61&reset=1.

Venue: Church of St Vincent De Paul 301 Yio Chu Kang Road S805910.

Contribution: Waived for 2016.

E: enquiry@catechesis.org.sg; T:68583011; W: www.catechesis.org.sg

OCT 1 TO JUNE 1, 2017 VOLUNTEErS NEEdEd FOr NIgHT CArE OF dISAdVANTAgEd kIdS CareNights @ Morning Star is the first programme in Singapore that provides food and a structured programme at night for disadvantaged and at-risk children aged

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his gospel 20 Went around 22 uncouth 23 Title for Catholic actor Guinness 24 Band of color 25 Council of 325 AD 29 Send forth 30 Antelope 31 Second of a Latin trio 32 OT wisdom book

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Is not (slang) Ominous forecast Land measure Assess Hot casserole buffer Deadens Broad valley The Gospel is read from here 44 Aaron was anointed to be this (Ex 30:30)

OCT 22 CLArITy’S gUIdE TO UNdErSTANdINg ANXIETy WOrkSHOP Overwhelmed by anxiety?

Do you suffer from panic attacks?

Clarity is introducing a new workshop on a guide to understanding anxiety through a series of interactive activities. Seats are limited. FOC. Time: 2pm-4pm. Venue: Blk 854 Yishun Ring Road #01-3511 S(760854). To register: T: 67577990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org OCT 22 TO OCT 23 IgNATIAN SPIrITUAL EXErCISES FrOM THE STANdPOINT OF JAPAN Oct 22 (9am)-Oct 23 (5pm).

Led by Fr Toshihiro Yanagida. This retreat is oriented to the wholeness of body and mind, as the Japanese strive for. Includes prayer exercises of non-judgmental awareness so as to cultivate inner detachment more effectively. Fee: $260 (non- aircon), $300 (aircon). Organised

by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ kingsmeadcentre; T: 64676072 OCT 23, NOV 27 ANd dEC 18 CHUrCH OF THE TrANSFIgUrATION (COTT) MONTHLy MASS Time: noon. Venue: Holy Innocents’ High School at 1191 Upper Serangoon Road S534786. Due to exams, Mass will be held in the school chapel for October’s Mass. Masses in November and December will be in the school hall.

All Punggol parishioners and COTT supporters are welcome to come celebrate Mass as a community!

Come and join our ministries – choir, altar boys, Society of St Vincent De Paul.

Detailed information at www. transfiguration.sg

60 Shem’s eldest son 61 Surmise 62 Big rabbit features

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dOWN 1 “…do not let your left ___ know…”

(Mt 6:3) 2 Musical instrument 3 The ___ Sheep 4 Spool-like toy 5 Level of reverence reserved to God alone 6 Son of Jacob 7 Bound 8 Wedding vow 9 Patronage based on family 10 “Star Wars,” e.g.

11 Bell-shaped flower 12 Harass 13 Skin eruption 19 Presley co-star who became a nun 21 Applied 24 Stylish 25 ___ occasion of sin 26 Hip bones 27 Pious platitudes

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Feed the kitty Chew the scenery Slanted Major character of Acts Dudley DoRight’s org. “urbi et ___” Sleeveless garment Wonderful “___ Dimittis” Catholic novelist Koontz They may be black or white Foot-operated lever Cuban dance Just one of 26D Prayer spot?

Restrain “How hard can ___?”

Plant in the story of the fall The Archdiocese of Dubuque is here Biblical measure Promontory Former coin of France

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1168

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACrOSS 1 ____ Name Society 5 Language of the Church 10 Magi leader 14 Peek-____ 15 Comment to the audience 16 Island in the Caribbean 17 Prying 18 Person to whom Luke addressed

OCT 20 TO OCT 21 AgAPE MINd I & II Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Talks by Fr Toshihiro Yanagida aim at fostering our ability to love unconditionally, as Jesus taught. Includes prayer exercises of non-judgmental awareness designed to help us accept negative emotions and thoughts. Fee: $50 for one session, or $80 for two sessions. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: http://tinyurl.com/ kingsmeadcen tre; T: 64676072

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understanding The land of Israel Idleness Perform a sacrament Where the Vatican is Prohibiting perfume?

Prize won by Mother Teresa Female sheep

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

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 30 mins at home and 30 mins 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.

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 (non- aircon), $440 (aircon).

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

RCIA/RCIY

VIrgIN MAry Every Thursday from 7.30pm-10pm.

Every Sunday from 10.30am-12.30pm.

E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg; T: 62800980

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 30, 2016 TO APrIL 15, 2017 rCIA @ CHUrCH OF THE NATIVITy OF THE BLESSEd

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, 2221 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/RCIAMinistry/For registration enquiries; T: 64660625 (Parish office); 96286472 (Sandra)

26 IN MEMORIAM

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

In loving memory of

ANTHONY JOHN IRIS THERESA DANKER DANKER Departed: Oct 4, 2012 Departed: Oct 11, 1987

We speak your name with love and pride We smile with tears we cannot hide We thank you for the years we shared The love you gave, the way you cared Eternal rest grant unto you both and may perpetual light shine on you always.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Psalm 23

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

LILY ANg OEI CHENg Departed: Oct 24, 2009 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Dearly missed by loved ones.

In loving memory of

Rest in Peace beloved Mum and Dad.

ANTHONY WILLIAM VALBERg Departed: Oct 18, 2010 You led a life of quiet strength You gave all you could give And in our hearts, forever more We remember how you lived.

Dearly missed by wife Margie, children, and their families.

CINDY TOH TEY SIM Departed: Oct 16, 2014 Two years had passed since that sad day, The depths of sorrow we cannot tell, Of the loss of one, we love so well, And while she sleeps a peaceful sleep.

Her memory we shall always keep In our hearts your memory lingers, Sweetly tender, fond and true, There is not a day, dear mother, That we do not think of you.

Fondly remembered by Vincent Ong, Ong AG & Fabian, Susan and Simon, Samuel, Felicity & Gavyn And all loved ones.

In loving memory of

DOMINIC TEO THERESA HENg BOON MENg gUAN HIANg Departed Nov 26, 1995 Oct 21, 1987

Rest in peace.

Fondly remembered by children, children-in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and loved ones.

In loving memory of

ROSA CHIA KHIUM SIEW Departed: Oct 18, 2011

In our home she is fondly remembered, Sweet memories cling to her name; Those who loved her in life sincerely, Still love her in death just the same.

Fondly remembered

by Adrian & Helen, Victor, Valerie & Benjamin, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eighteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Mum and Dad CHRISTINE REDDY FRANCIS NEE RODRIgUES REDDY Departed: October 1, 2011 October 12, 2011

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

BEATRICE WANg nee TAN SIEW gUAT 27 Oct 1946 to 19 Oct 2006

WANg CHEE TINg 10 Oct 1931 to 15 Oct 2008

If we could have one wish today, It would not be for gold, but just to have you both back again.

Your love, your voice and your smile are forever imprinted in your minds.

Fondly remembered and cherished.

Bernie, Harold, Conrad, in-laws, nephews and nieces.

MARISUSEAMAL LUCAS Departed: Oct 21, 1998 We your children cannot forget you Your memory grows in our hearts Sweeter year after year We missed you.

Always loved by your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.

Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph Church on Oct 21 at 6.30pm.

Thirteenth Anniversary In cherished memory

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

BERTIE NELSON BEINS Departed: Oct 10, 2014 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds.

Greatly missed by dearest wife Girlie, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

–1 Corinthians 13:13

DAVID MAHESAN Departed:Oct 15, 2003 We think of you in silence No eyes can see us weep For still within our hearts Your memory we always keep.

Remembered and loved by family, wife Helen, Noel & Belinda & Marcelle.

Mass will be offered at Church of St Michael on Saturday Oct 15, 2016 at 5.30pm.

Please turn to page 27 for more In Memoriam advertisements.

IN MEMORIAM 27

Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

In loving memory of Twenty-seventh Anniversary

First Anniversary

Mrs ELAINE PAUL SHIRLEY ANN nee KLYNE PAUL COX Departed Oct 28, 1989 Sept 29, 2015

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

Always remembered by family and loved ones.

Thirteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

JOHN TAN NGEE TECK Departed: Oct 21, 2003 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.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by all loved ones.

In loving memory of

JOSEPH CECIL DE SOUZA Feb 3, 1988

HILDA GENEVIEVE SYLVAN JOSEPH DE SOUZA DE SOUZA Departed Oct 8, 1990 June 29, 2008

CAROLE DE SOUZA Sept 22, 2013

Safe in the arms of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Dearly missed by Terry, Christina and loved ones.

Love begins with remembering

BETTY ONG SIEW ENG

RICHARD WEE THIAM BEE Departed Nov 21, 1989 Oct 14, 2011

Your peaceful presence giving strength is everywhere That I may rise again on your wings of prayers.

You are ever in our thoughts each day with much love and gratitude...

God grant you the peace of eternal rest With Him Amen! Praise the Lord!

Your dearest children.

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

SEBASTIAN TAN Departed: Oct 16, 2011 Five years have gone by, but there has not been a single moment where you have not been greatly missed.

Five years ago you physically left us, but you have constantly been in our thoughts and prayers, and will forever be in our hearts.

Deeply missed and always remembered by family and loved ones.

In memoriam rates Minimum $80 for an insertion not exceeding an eight-centimetre column.

Additional space: $8 per one-centimetre column.

Please turn to page 26 for more in memoriam and classified advertisements.

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Sunday October 16, 2016 n CatholicNews

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