Catholic News issue 23, 2017

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2017

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Prayers of unity, repentance at Reformation commemoration Catholics and Lutherans mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with a joint service

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INSIDE HOME

New Novena Church blessed ‘A new building with a bigger vision’ n Page 4

By Christopher Khoo Lutherans and Catholics in Singapore commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with a joint service at Jurong Christian Church on Oct 30.

The service, in English and Mandarin, was also attended by clergy and members of other Christian Churches.

Lutheran pastors and Catholic priests led the crowd in a time of prayer and reflection on the commonalities in both traditions and in prayers of repentance for the painful divisions that have existed between the two Churches for centuries.

On Oct 31, 1517, Augustinian monk Martin Luther posted his “95 Theses” on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, challenging certain practices in the Catholic Church then. This date is usually marked as the beginning of the Reformation which divided Christianity.

In their prayers, the Lutheran pastors noted that “Catholics and Lutherans have so much of the faith in common. We give thanks that we have a common baptism, we confess the same Creeds, and that we have journeyed together towards the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification and beyond.”

The joint declaration was signed by the Catholic and Lutheran Churches in 1999. The declaration said the two Churches’ consensus on basic truths means that the doctrine of justification – how people are made just in the eyes of God and saved by Jesus Christ – is not a Church-dividing issue for Catholics and Lutherans even though differences between them remain in language, theo-

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Visiting S’pore’s largest Buddhist monastery Catholics learn more about the religion n Page 9

Lutheran Bishop Terry Kee and Archbishop William Goh plant a tree together in a sign of unity.

Photo: VITA Images

logical elaboration and emphasis surrounding those basic truths.

The Lutheran pastors also reflected that “our baptism calls us to a life of repentance. It is appropriate that we repent of the wrongs we have done to each other, the wrongs we share in our common history.”

They prayed that “as communities and as individuals, we repent of the ways we have despised one another, failed to listen to each other, and for the words we have used that hurt each other.”

In his homily, Lutheran Bishop Terry Kee observed that Catholics and Lutherans have over the past 500 years focused on their differences rather than their commonalities.

“We forget that we all believe in the triune God,” he said. “With this service we are not saying that we are in full agreement with each n Continued on Page 12

Getting to know Church’s social mission Teens visit Agape Village n Page 11

WORLD

VaticanLutheran dialogue Looking closely at Church, Eucharist, ministry n Page 15

POPE FRANCIS

Kids ask pope tough questions Via video chat n Page 16

Archbishop Goh and Bishop Kee blessing the crowd at Jurong Christian Church.

Pope on why he gives interviews Best way to respond to ‘people’s real concerns’ n Page 18

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St Ignatius parishioners pray for Rohingya refugees

By Catherine Chia Parishioners of the Church of St Ignatius were called to unite in prayer for the Rohingya refugees during the month of October.

Beginning on Oct 7, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) put up a Prayer Awareness Display over three weekends for parishioners to reflect on the plight of the refugees in Myanmar.

The foyer in front of the main church played host to pictures and contemplations on the refugee crisis, their living conditions, and the struggles they are facing.

According to estimates by JRS Asia Pacific and the International Organisation for Migration, 582,000 refugees have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in the past two months, posing a massive humanitarian crisis.

“It’s heartbreaking what people are going through out there – even getting clean water is a big challenge,” shared parishioner Li Liya, 40, after viewing the display with her daughter.

Accompanying the display was a prayer wall where hundreds of parishioners scribbled their prayers for the refugees on colourful Post-its, or stopped by to read the prayers others had written and stuck on the wall.

Many children took the opportunity to doodle their own little contributions to the prayer effort.

The church also held a prayer service on Oct 17, dedicated to the Rohingya and other refugees from

Children writing their prayers for the refugees. Photo: MARGARET CHOOI

Myanmar, which was attended by about 70 people.

The service started with the Divine Mercy chaplet followed by guided reflections led by the Divine Mercy Prayer Group and JRS. This was followed by intercessory prayers during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The prayer service ended with a benediction by Jesuit Fr Matthew Tan, who invited participants to open their hearts, like Jesus did, to the refugees in this time when the need for Christian hospitality is so much greater.

“Who knows – we could be welcoming angels like Abraham

It’s heartbreaking what people ‘are going through out there –

’

even getting clean water is a big challenge.

Ms Li Liya on the plight of the Rohingya refugees

and Sarah,” said Fr Matthew on how Catholics should respond to the issue of refugees and migrants among us.

JRS Asia Pacific Advocacy Officer Elphie Galland requested the following prayer intentions from Catholics in Singapore: n For the end of indiscriminate violence. n For every human being to be treated with respect and dignity. n For neighbouring countries to show solidarity with the most vulnerable. n For people of influence to persuade governments to find a comprehensive political solution to the issue of statelessness that is affecting the Rohingya people. n For reconciliation and justice among all groups in Myanmar. n For the Rohingya to have hope. n

Parishioners viewing the Prayer Awareness Display on the plight of the Rohingya refugees. Photo: HANNAH NG

Prayer service dedicated to the Rohingya and other refugees from Myanmar. Photo: JEREMY LIM

BUILDING THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW 3

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

celebrating life with generosity

Givers is a series that features how Catholics, in ways big or small, help to build up the Church. ln this first issue, writer John Tan learns why an 80-year-old desired to celebrate his birthday by welcoming generosity toward the Church.

When James Tan Swan Jeng decided to celebrate his 80th birthday by throwing a party for his family and friends, he made it clear that he did not want them to bring him any gifts. Instead, he told his guests that he would appreciate donations to the Catholic Foundation.

With permission from Msgr Philip Heng (Vicar General, Finance and Administration), James included an appeal letter from the Foundation with invitation cards to the birthday party.

“Well, I am a Catholic myself, and I see that the archdiocese needs a lot of money, over $200 million over the next seven years. Our archbishop will surely have a hard time. If we can contribute, even just a little, we should.”

On 10 August 2017, over 300 friends and family members came. Even amongst those who were not able to attend, many still donated generously.

James was pleasantly surprised that this simple gesture managed to raise $43,000 for the Church.

Looking back at the 80 years of his life, it is clear to see that James’ belief and support of the Church stems from a gratitude he holds for how God has blessed him.

blessings in life

During his childhood, James came close to death twice. Even though he was not a Catholic then, in hindsight he believes that it was only by the grace of God that he had survived.

His first experience occurred during World War ll, when Singapore came under attack. James would typically hide under his bed during the air raids. But on one particular occasion, he followed everybody else to the bomb shelters. “This time, our house took a direct hit and the bomb would have killed my entire family had we chosen to remain in the house,” he said.

His second near-death encounter involved a severe Malaria infection when James travelled to Riau lslands, Indonesia, in 1943.

He recounted, “There were no medical facilities around.

Most patients would have succumbed to the disease, but miraculously, I recovered. I believe the good Lord let me live.”

After the war, James took his “O” Level Examination, and believes it was the grace of God that allowed him to do well. This paved the way for him to land a job at a firm where he stayed for over 40

80-year-old James in a candid moment at his birthday party, where he insisted guests do not bring gifts but instead donate to the Catholic Foundation. Photo: James and Catherine

over $200 million over the next seven years. our archbishop will surely have a hard time. if we can contribute, even just a little, we should. years – his entire working life.

It was through this firm that he was also blessed with the opportunity to travel to London to be trained as a Chartered Accountant. There, he met his wife, Catherine, through whom he discovered the Catholic faith.

“He attended catechesis at St James Church and got baptised there. He was very sweet, he said he would become a Catholic so that we could go to Church together and raise the children as Catholics,” Catherine recalled.

being grateful

James and Catherine at St James Church, London, on their wedding day, in 1964.

Photo: James and Catherine

Lovingly holding hands, James and Catherine greet guests at his 80th birthday party.

Photo: James and Catherine

James is now a member of the Parish Finance Council at the Church of St Bernadette.

However, he still feels that he has not done enough.

Sharing similar sentiments, Catherine said, “l think most important of all is that we

need to thank God for all our blessings. I only pray for good health, and thank God for it, so that we can look after our family, and of course to continue doing what we can for the Church.”

For James and Catherine, who have gone through 53 years of life together, gratitude is the key to being able to live a fulfilled life. They hope that young Catholics today may be able to appreciate God’s blessings and find such joy. “l think it is really difficult for young Catholics today.

Life is so stressful and busy, like a pressure cooker. It is so easy to be distracted from the things that really matter in life. I pray that despite this, young people everywhere may still be able to recognise how God blesses them, and to always have gratitude in their hearts,” said James.

CHANGING THE MINDSET OF GIVING The vision of the archdiocese to be a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church depends on the active involvement of every Catholic in Singapore. Thus, the Catholic Foundation warmly welcomes Catholics who feel called to help in raising funds for the mission of the Church, either through volunteering, or starting a creative fundraising initiative. A concert, fun fair, art competition, dinner, or even a birthday party, can be turned into something to garner support for God’s Church. Contact the Catholic Foundation at cf@catholic. org.sg or 6338-0348 for more information.

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Archbishop Willam Goh delivering the homily on Oct 25.

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The archbishop deposits a relic of St Alphonsus Liguori beneath the altar. Photos: MICHAEL LIEW

A new building with a bigger vision ... ... says Archbishop Goh at the blessing of the new Novena Church

By Christopher Khoo

Redemptorist priests sing as dancers move to the music during the pre-Mass programme.

Great things happen only because people dare to dream dreams. If there are no dreamers, there will be no progress in life. That is why great people have great dreams.

Archbishop William Goh made this point during the Mass and blessing of the newly overhauled Novena Church on Oct 25.

“The Redemptorists, they too have this great dream, to make this shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour to be a place where everyone can take refuge, consolation, to come to know the mercy and the love of the Lord,” he said to a packed church.

“And that is the reason why today when we celebrate and dedicate this church to our Lord

in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, we want to live this dream,” Archbishop Goh said in his homily.

“All of us have returned to Novena Church once again, in a new place, a new building, with a bigger vision. Not just for the church, [but also] for society, for humanity,” he said. “And truly we want to give praise and thanks to God.” The Mass saw the archbishop and priests blessing the new building with holy water.

Another highlight of the celebration was the depositing of a relic of St Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists, beneath the altar. The relic was formerly from the old church.

Archbishop Goh also blessed the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

A special programme was held before the Mass during which people viewed video clips of the work of the Redemptorist community and the overhaul of the church.

Rosary prayers were held in Mandarin, Tamil, Teochew, Tagalog and English. There was also praise and worship, which saw priests and laypeople singing, accompanied by dancers. n christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

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Creating modern-day parables A social media workshop sent out a call to create new, modern-day parables which people can relate to and discover a correlation with their Catholic faith.

The Oct 14 workshop was the second such workshop organised

by Volunteers in the Archdiocese (VITA) Social Media and ArchComms (the archdiocesan Communications Office).

The first workshop was held on Aug 19.

During the recent workshop, Fr Terence Kesavan, one of two keynote speakers, shared how elements in daily life – movies, tennis balls and even coke cans – when seen from a different perspective, can be used to explain and deepen the faith.

The event, held at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd’s annex building, also saw participants gathered in groups to drum up ideas on how to create modernday parables of their own.

Mr Linus Koh, creative director of ArchProductions, showed the impact of storytelling through videos in this digital age. He offered practical tips and demon-

strated the technical know-how of conducting an interview.

Mr Aloysius Tan from the Church of Divine Mercy shared, “Videos capture feelings and emotions of people, and it helps me relate to my faith much better.”

Referring to everyday items like coffee and smart phones and using them as analogies, Ms Jane Tan of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Apostolate of Mandarin Speaking (ACAMS), shared that she “learnt to think out-of-the-box, to share how faith is related to my life.”

Mr Keith Neubronner, from Kingsmead Centre, said “the skills shared are very useful, especially for non-media professionals or individuals without such prior training. And of course, the spiritual grounding before the sharing of skills helps us to recognise the approach we should take when engaging with the faithful online and on social media as a whole.”

If you are part of a communications team in any parish or Catholic organisation and are interested to attend future work-

Fr Terence Kesavan sharing with participants how to view elements in their daily lives from a different perspective.

shops, email your name, designation and organisation to social@ catholicvita.sg n Contributed by the Archbishop’s Communications Office

Kids take part in Bible trivia

By Wilma Marie A Bible trivia and book display was organised by the Association of Pauline Cooperators (APC) at the Church of St Francis of Assisi feast day celebration on Oct 1.

The APC is a lay arm group of the Daughters of St Paul who were founded by Blessed James Alberione to realise his vision of a new evangelisation using the modern tools of social communication.

The Oct 1 book display had an array of spiritual books for children, teenagers and parents to browse and purchase while the Bible trivia invited children to take part in a quiz which had prizes such as chocolates.

Questions for the trivia included “Who baptised Jesus?” and “How many sacraments are there?”

In order to reach out to more children, APC members moved around the fun fair grounds and conducted the quiz.

There were many willing chil-

OBITUARY: Fr Jean Marie Bosc, MEP, of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, passed away in France on Oct 2. He was 89.

He served as professor, then rector, of College General, Penang, from 19561970.

We will keep him in our prayers. Submitted by FR MICHAEL ARRO, MEP

Children taking part in the Bible trivia at the Church of St Francis of Assisi.

dren who took part in the quiz and although some were a little afraid of not being able to get the right answer, a little coaxing from their parents persuaded them to participate.

It was apparently a fruitful way to get children, and even parents, to be excited about the Word of God.

The Bible trivia and book display are a couple of ways that the APC live the Pauline mission of evangelising through media. The group has also conducted media literacy courses and is a co-organiser of the biennial CANA Film Festival. n

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Understanding ‘death’ in various faith traditions Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim and Taoist representatives speak on the topic

Speakers (from left): Mr Anand Chandrasekar, Venerable You Guang, Master Chung Kwang Tong, Ustaz Zulhilmi Mohamed and Jesuit Msgr Philip Heng.

The release from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth is How do some of the major re- possible by following the pracligions view death? This was tices of the Noble Eight Fold what an interfaith sharing session Path that Buddhism teaches, he shared. aimed to find out.

Master Chung Kwang Tong, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim and Taoist representa- a 34th-generation Taoist priest tives gathered at the Cathedral of of the lineage of the Quan Zhen the Good Shepherd on Oct 24 to Longmen (Dragon Gate) Tradishare their religion’s understand- tion, said that Taoists believe ing of “death” with participants of there is a formless “soul” that merges with the physical body at various faiths.

The session, organised by the birth, and which generates energy Archdiocesan Catholic Council in the body.

Taoists believe that it is peofor Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD), was the third in a series of ple’s responsibility to care for sessions on life’s milestones. The their bodies, and that suicide is previous two focused on birth and regarded as a sin.

Ustaz Zulhilmi marriage.

Mohamed, mosque Mr Anand ChanThe session manager of Andrasekar, who conducts Hinduism was the third Nahdhah Mosque in Bishan, shared classes, shared that in a series that Islam views in his religion, liberon life’s death not as the teration from samsara, mination of life but the cycle of death milestones. rather the continuaand rebirth, is conThe previous tion of life in anothsidered the ultimate er form and place. goal of earthly existtwo focused Death is regarded ence. This is known on birth and as the beginning as moksha, mahasaof eternal life, he madhi or Nirvana in marriage. said.

Hinduism.

God will resurHe shared that Hindus believe in karma, the rect and judge everyone, granting law of cause and effect by which each person reward or punishment each individual creates his own according to his or her deeds, he destiny by his thoughts, words added.

Jesuit Msgr Philip Heng, recand deeds. Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving tor of the Cathedral of the Good through many births until all Shepherd and Singapore archkarmas have been resolved and diocese’s Vicar General for Interreligious Relations, shared moksha is attained.

Venerable You Guang, presi- that the essence of the Christian dent/abbot of the Samantabhadra faith is about eternal life with Vihara Buddhist monastery, said God. He said that all who live a that in Buddhism, life and death are seen as a whole, where death good life, not just Christians, can is the beginning of another chap- gain eternal life.

The session also saw speakers ter of life.

After death, humans are re- answering participants’ questions born into one of six states and 31 and taking part in a panel discusplanes of existence, and the qual- sion. n ity of their new life is influenced christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg by past actions.

By Christopher Khoo

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Connecting with Marriage Encounter teams in other countries S’porean couple Daniel and Shelley Ee, who are among the Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s global leaders, share their experiences giving presentations in Mexico and Europe As Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s global leaders, Fr Nathaniel Gomez and ourselves, Daniel and Shelley Ee, initiate formation and leadership development for our movement. Catholic Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) is currently present in 94 countries worldwide.

In our role, besides chairing the world council meetings (attended by the six continent teams) annually, we also visit countries to participate and present at meetings and events at continent and country level.

We were encouraged to see the European Council developing a plan to grow the movement, reaching out to more couples and priests to build solid relationships. migrant couples attending the Weekends and serving in the community.

Mexico From Sept 30-Oct 1, we were invited to give two leadership formations to WWME teams including those from Mexico and Latin America at the annual National Reunion of Mexico.

Each formation was different. One focused on developing certain skill sets of leaders while the other was on building flourishing communities – harnessing the strengths, creativity and passion of their communities.

We encouraged the leaders to continue to contribute actively to the Church – in parishes, dioceses and national family life organisations.

In total there were 28 married couples and 26 priests present at the meeting held in Mexico City.

Some of the feedback that we received from participants was that our formations and conversations gave them renewed hope; others were excited about building a strong future; they also asked for a video message for their respective communities

European Council

Daniel and Shelley Ee (front row in white tops), together with Fr Nathaniel Gomez (in white beside them), singing at the end of a Mass during the 45th anniversary celebration of WWME England and Wales.

in the different regions and we were very happy to record that for them. They also interviewed us for their local newsletter.

WWME Mexico is focusing their efforts on these areas: n the spiritual growth of couples by conducting post weekend formation programmes and the Retorno Weekend; n helping priests to experience the weekend and providing retreats for them particularly in the area of family life; n taking the ME Weekend to the “peripheries”, both geographical and social. They plan to conduct non-residential weekends which would cost

significantly less for the participants.

England and Wales We were also invited to be present at the 45th anniversary of WWME England and Wales held in London from Oct 6-8.

We gave an address to more than 200 people (married couples and priests) who had gathered for the convention.

There were also testimonies by various couples interspersed with reflection questions.

An interesting presentation was by three migrant couples who had settled in England over

the years; the impact of the ME Weekend on them and how it has helped them to be in community.

We sensed a strong desire to enrol younger couples and priests into the movement. This is very much in line with one of our key messages to all the countries that we have visited – the importance of renewal of the community and especially of leaders.

Congregations in England and Wales have been enriched with multi-cultural and multiracial migrant groups in recent years and it was reflected by the presence of intermarriage and

The European Council of WWME was also held in London from Oct 5-8.

The European team and 13 leadership teams including those from Austria, Croatia, France and Germany flew in for the meeting.

We presented a leadership formation to these leaders on building flourishing communities.

We were encouraged to see the European Council developing a plan to grow the movement, reaching out to more couples and priests to build solid relationships in a “liquid” world that is characterised by connections rather than relationships, short-termism, immediacy, relativism and selfcentredness.

Called “Lighthouse 2033”, the plan aims to energise WWME across Europe towards the year 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ.

The WWME Singapore website is http://wwmesg.org/= n

Daniel and Shelley with Mexico’s national leaders and their priest. The sign on the left says ‘Marriages and priests changing the world’ while the other says ‘Happily married 40 Years’.

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Catholics learn about Buddhism at monastery

By Jared Ng Eye-opening, humbling and informative. This was how participants described their visit to the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on Oct 28.

Twelve participants visited the monastery, also the largest Buddhist temple in Singapore, located at Bright Hill Rd. It was organised by the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD) and aimed to help Catholics better appreciate interreligious dialogue as well as promote mutual respect and friendship with people of other faiths.

“It was eye-oepning for me to know that Buddhism has some similarities with the Catholic faith, such as their five contemplations before meals which is like our grace before meals,” said Ms Joycelyn Chue from the Church of Divine Mercy.

Another participant said the influence of culture in Buddhism also shares similarities with Catholicism.

“The way Buddha is portrayed in different countries reminds me of how Mother Mary is also portrayed in different parts of the world,” he said, adding that “the visit was an enjoyable and informative experience.”

Venerable Chuanqing and

Venerable Changqing, both assistant professors at the Buddhist College of Singapore, spoke on various topics including the history of Buddhism and the different traditions of Buddhism such as Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana.

According to the monks, most Buddhists belong to the Mahayana tradition in Singapore.

Venerable Chuanqing explained that all Buddhists strive to reach the state of Nirvana, which is the ultimate salvation and extinguishing of all desires.

The monks also highlighted the significance of the “Triple Gem” in Buddhism which refer to the founder, Buddha; the Dharma which is the teachings expounded

by Buddha; and the Sangha, which refers to the community of monks and nuns who practise the Dharma.

During the question-andanswer segment, one participant asked why Buddhists chant.

The monks said that chanting is not necessarily a prayer but more of a way to prepare the mind for meditation.

Another question posed was how many monks live in the monastery.

“About 100,” replied Venerable Changqing.

The second part of the visit

Participants viewing a statue of Buddha at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on Oct 28.

One of the highlights of the tour was viewing the largest Buddha statue in South East Asia.

saw Buddhist volunteers bringing participants around the temple for a tour.

Participants visited a museum containing the relics of Venerable Seck Hong Choon, who was conferred the title of “Supreme Chinese Monk” by the King of Thailand in 1987.

They also visited some of the prayer halls within the monastery

Parish establishes Filipino community Oct 15 marked the establishment of the first Filipino community at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace.

About 400 Filipinos from the parish and members of other Filipino communities came to support the budding community at its first Tagalog Mass celebrated

by Scheut Missions Fr Charlie Oasan.

In his homily, Fr Charlie expressed his conviction that those who moved to Singapore to work were not just called to earn money and leave the country without making an impact on the lives of those around them. They were called to also serve God in His mission.

He encouraged them to participate fully in the life of the local community.

In true Filipino spirit, members of the various Filipino communities in the East District volunteered as choir members, wardens, communion ministers, cooks and food servers. They were also assisted

Filipinos from the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace and members of other Filipino communities at the Tagalog Mass on Oct 15.

by Singaporeans from the parish.

The Filipino community, called Sparkle (Singapore Pinoys Advocating a sense of Renewal, Kindness and Love through Evangelisation), aims to give Filipinos a sense of belonging and integration into the parish community.

The idea to start a Filipino community was raised by the par-

ish council in response to Archbishop William Goh’s observation that a third of Catholics in Singapore are not local and that there is a need to find ways to attract and integrate them into local parishes.

The next Tagalog Mass at the parish is scheduled for Nov 19 at 3 pm, with the rosary in Tagalog at 2.30 pm. n

Participants touring a museum located within the monastery.

including one which houses the largest Buddha statue in South East Asia with a height of 13.8 m.

The ACCIRD Facebook

page is https://www.facebook. com/ACCIRD/?ref=br_rs n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Seeing the beauty and love of God in those with special needs

Deaf participants taking part in the Mass for People with Special Needs on Oct 29. Photo: VITA Images

“People with special needs invite on our capacity to love, and how us to love and give of ourselves; compassionate we are.” they purify us in our love,” said He noted that while many peoArchbishop William Goh during ple measure success in terms of a Mass for people with special career, material things and wealth; needs. if one has no heart, one will be The Mass, held at the Cathe- miserable, he said. dral of the Good Shepherd on Oct There were 95 persons with spe29, was organised by the Office cial needs at the event, including 30 for Catechesis (OFC) for the fifth from the Singapore Catholic Deaf time.

Community.

The aim of the Mass was to Interpreters for the deaf and enable those with hard of hearing special needs, eswere also present. pecially children There were Persons with and teens, to parthree altar servers special needs ticipate fully in the with special needs ‘draw out Eucharistic celwho were guided ebration that they by their fellow from us the learn about in catservers throughout capacity to love the Mass. echesis.

Persons with A number of unconditionally,’ special needs “draw parishes volunsaid Archbishop teered for the Mass out from us the capacity to love unincluding the St William Goh. conditionally and Theresa’s choir to love them simply from St Anne’s for who they are. In their inno- Church, the communion ministers cence, weakness and vulnerabil- from the Church of The Transity, we see the beauty and love of figuration and the cathedral’s warGod in them,” said Archbishop dens.

Goh. Other volunteers from differHe stressed that in the pre- ent parishes also helped with the sent time, a civil and progressive registration and distribution of country is measured not by what gifts. it achieves, but by its compassion To find out more about special for the underprivileged. needs catechesis, email enquiry@ “How happy we are”, Arch- catechesis.org.sg or visit www. bishop Goh said, “is dependent catechesis.org.sg. n

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What happens after confirmation?

Agape Village experience introduces confirmands to Catholic social teachings

By Jeanette Tan Some Saturday mornings at Agape Village are a hive of activity and noise.

Buses pull into the Agape Village compound where a line of eager facilitators welcome up to 75 secondary catechism teenagers as they pour out.

They’re initially awkward and shy, because they come from different parishes, but they all have a common objective: receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

This is where Agape Village comes in – a Caritas Singapore initiative, it is home to 14 of Caritas Singapore’s member organisations.

The Agape Experience is a slightly-more-than-half-day affair, which introduces confirmands to the concept of social mission, its spirituality, and also the Catholic welfare organisations that serve and partner with Singapore’s poor and disadvantaged.

Led by Franciscan Friar JohnPaul Tan, a board member of Caritas Singapore, the team of trained volunteers gives teens an immersive encounter with Catholic social teachings like the dignity of the human person, the call to preserve and protect the environment, as well as the dignity of work.

The Agape Experience programme started in February 2016 and is offered to all parishes.

This year, 21 parishes have sent confirmands for the programme.

According to Caritas, the aim of Agape Experience is to reach out to youth through Catholic social teachings so they may be inspired to live it out in their lives and give back to society.

The day starts with prayer, praise and worship, and games.

The teens are placed with participants from other parishes in groups to help them warm up to one another.

There are role-play scenarios performed by the teens themselves, who take on various char-

The Agape Experience introduces confirmands to the Catholic welfare organisations that serve and partner with Singapore’s poor and disadvantaged.

Confirmands participate in a skit about the dignity of work.

acters they might know or meet in daily life such as a sick grandparent, a domestic worker, or a strict parent. These scenarios invite both the actors and their friends, the audience, to dialogue, which leads to greater understanding, appreciation and empathy.

After lunch, the teens venture around Agape Village to learn

more about the various Catholic social teachings in practice.

Volunteers explain the work and mission of some of Caritas’ member organisations such as Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations (ABLE), Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Family Life Society and Boys’ Town.

Confirmands work on a team-building challenge as part of the Agape Experience programme.

This also introduces the teens’ to various facilities available for anyone whom they might know to be in need and who could possibly benefit from them.

The day concludes with a reflection that invites the teens to discern their personal social mission from God, and to inspire them to live it out in their lives.

Teens who attended one of the programme sessions shared their experience.

Genevieve Fong, 16, from the Church of Christ the King, said that she learned “that the youth play a very big part in the future of the Church, because we are the new generation. If we don’t do anything, who will?”

She added, “It touches me that there are more people in society than I thought who are willing to help the many people in this world who are in need ...

ABLE’s mission, in particular, touched me the most because it rehabilitates the physically challenged and helps them realise they are no different from anyone else.”

Raphael Pek, 15, from the Church of St Michael, said, “Today’s session was eye-opening for me – it reminded me that there are others who are less privileged than me, and that it is possible to help them through volunteering and praying for them.”

He said that he intends to volunteer with SSVP after confirmation.

Samantha Easaiya, 14, from the Church of St Francis of Assisi, said, “The fact that everything in the Christian faith is interconnected and dependent on one another is really a big discovery for me.

“Just like in aquaponics, where fish, plants and microorganisms feed off one another to sustain one another, the Church consists of its community, beliefs, and all the principles it upholds ...

I do hope that I can be more active in helping young people like me in the faith.” n

12 HOME

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Lutherans, Catholics commit to growing in communion n From Page 1

other in everything, but we do recognise that there is more that unites us than that which divides us.”

Archbishop William Goh, in his homily, said that Catholics and Lutherans can learn from Luther’s experience of being justified by the mercy and grace of God. “Firstly, we need to once again establish the primacy of grace above all things. Today, there is an emphasis on efforts, on achieving things on your own,” said Archbishop Goh. “Primacy of grace means we are unworthy… we will never be good enough for God,” he said.

However, God “has shown us His unconditional love and mercy”.

Archbishop Goh noted that Luther recognised his own helplessness and clung on to God. However, in today’s secular world, “people are saying they don’t need God”. ”This is our challenge: How do we proclaim Christ as the saviour to a world that does not need a saviour?” he asked. The proclamation of the Good News requires Christians to be able to show and lead people to the fullness of life, he said.

Both bishops then led the crowd in making five commitments in growing in commun-

Part of the crowd comprising Catholics, Lutherans and Christians from other Churches.

A choir sings during the service.

ion, lighting a candle after reciting each commitment. These are: n Catholics and Lutherans should always begin from the perspective of unity and not from the point of view of division in order to strengthen what is held in common even though the differences are more easily seen and experienced. n Lutherans and Catholics

must let themselves continuously be transformed by the encounter with the other and by the mutual witness of faith. n Catholics and Lutherans should again commit themselves to seek visible unity, to elaborate together what this means in concrete steps, and to strive repeatedly towards this goal. n Lutherans and Catholics should jointly rediscover

I think it’s a positive step.

‘I personally have the desire to see the full unity of not just Lutherans and Catholics but all Christians.

’

– Carmelite Fr Ferdinand Purnomo

the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ for our time. n Catholics and Lutherans should witness together to the mercy of God in proclamation and service to the world.

Frs John-Paul Tan and Kenson Koh led the intercessory prayers, asking God to “heal painful memories, transform all complacency, indifference and ignorance [and] pour out a spirit of reconciliation.”

The service also saw both bishops blessing the crowd and planting a tree together in a sign of unity.

Lutherans and Catholics said they found the service inspiring.

Ms Rosalind Phua from Queenstown Lutheran Church

said she was happy with the emphasis on the commonalities in both Churches. She added that she has Catholic friends, and sometimes difficult situations arise over the differences between Lutherans and Catholics.

Carmelite Fr Ferdinand Purnomo said he felt the emphasis on repentance and explicit commitment to visible unity was important.

“I think it’s a positive step,” he said, adding that “I personally have the desire to see the full unity of not just Lutherans and Catholics but all Christians.” n christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg n See related story on Page 15

Architectural award for Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

By Jared Ng The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd received the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Architectural Heritage Award for restoration on Oct 31.

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development, was the guest-ofhonour at the event held at the cathedral’s annex building.

He presented Archbishop William Goh with the award that recognises projects which demonstrate exemplary restoration of gazetted heritage buildings.

In his speech, Mr Lee lauded the cathedral community and the project team for enhancing “the heritage value through the creation of a heritage gallery, onsite storyboards, publications and a docent programme”.

He said that the restoration of the 170-year-old cathedral was able to capture “the stories of the building’s past beautifully.”

The URA citation for the award states that “many of the cathedral’s

original architectural elements have been successfully reinstated and given a new lease of life.

“Among them are the chequerboard light and dark colour floor tiles, the multi-coloured stained glass, the unusual green glass louvered windows and the distinctive reverberant pipe organ.”

The citation also states: “With its grounds open to visitors from all faiths, this exemplary project has brought back the glow to the ‘Mother Church’ and firmly anchored its presence in the heart of our city.”

Msgr Philip Heng, cathedral rector, expressed his “joy and gratefulness” for the award. He told Catholic News that the cathedral would continue to serve the spiritual needs of the community as well as “be a pillar of faith and unity for all people”.

The Warehouse Hotel, located at Havelock Road, was the other recipient of the Architectural Heritage Award while the Red House at East Coast Road received a Special Mention. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee presents Archbishop William Goh with the Architectural Heritage Award for the restoration of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

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14 ASIA

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Caritas Bangladesh aids Rohingya refugees

Displaced villagers take shelter at a temporary evacuation centre in Marawi City, Philippines.

Catholic and Protestant church groups have pulled together their resources to help rebuild the war-torn city.

CNS photo

Filipino Catholics, Protestants unite to rebuild Marawi MARAWI, PHILIPPINES – Catholic and Protestant church groups in the Philippines are combining programmes and resources to help rebuild the war-torn city of Marawi.

An alliance of at least 23 church groups is planning to “centralise” humanitarian work and “build a central platform to fully maximize resources.”

Mr Jing Rey Henderson, coordinator of Caritas Philippines, said the “main mission” of the alliance is to “propel significant efforts in realising peace and development.”

He said “centralisation” and use of a common platform for humanitarian aid would avoid overlapping of responses.

The church groups agreed to review “best practices” in human-

itarian response and review the weaknesses that emerged during missions made in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Fr Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, said the “fundamental objective” is to help war-torn communities in Mindanao.

“Resources are finite, we must have a systematic way of using them,” said the priest.

Catholic and Protestant church groups have already extended more than half a million US dollars worth of combined direct response that has reached at least 10,000 families in Marawi.

The joint humanitarian effort has mobilised over 30,000 local churches, national organisations, and international affiliates.

“We are happy to see an alliance among the three Christian councils in the Philippines and other faith-based groups,” said Ms Darlene Marquez Caramanzana of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

Since the conflict in Marawi erupted on May 23, various church groups have delivered emergency relief packs, psychosocial support, and conducted capacity-building activities to an estimated 400,000 affected individuals.

On Oct 23, the Philippine military announced the end of combat operations in Marawi following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that the city has been liberated from Islamic State-inspired terrorist gunmen. n

DHAKA – Caritas Bangladesh has provided food and other relief supplies to about 70,000 Muslim Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh from the ongoing military crackdown in Myanmar.

Caritas is a welfare arm of the Catholic Church and its assistance is being funded by USbased Catholic Relief Services.

Items such as lentils and soybean oil, as well as cooking and eating utensils, have been given to some 10,000 Rohingya families.

They are residing in makeshift camps in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh, according to Mr James Gomes of Caritas.

Various government and nongovernment organisations such as Caritas, as well as United Nations agencies, are assisting.

The Bangladesh government has so far given permission to Caritas to conduct an initial twomonth stage of relief operations.

In the second stage, Caritas plans to work with government officials to provide shelters as well as medical and educational facilities.

Farmer Sharif Mian, 54, head of an eight-member family now living in a Cox’s Bazar camp, is grateful for the support.

While others have given food, Caritas had also provided badly needed items needed for cooking, such as pots, Mr Sharif said.

Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi, president of Caritas Bangladesh, said the Myanmar military and government must be held accountable for grave human rights violations.

“Bangladesh has done a good job by accepting Rohingya, but cannot keep them for good,” he said.

“Myanmar must take them back and grant them citizenship and provide them with basic services and security.” n UCANEWS.COM

UCANEWS.COM

Rohingya refugees make their way to a relief centre in Teknaf, Bangladesh, on Oct 3. Caritas Bangladesh has been aiding refugees who have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar. CNS photo

Philippines bishops’ radio licence not renewed MANILA – The Philippine House of Representatives has not renewed the licence of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to operate dozens of radio stations across the country.

The bishops lodged an application to renew the licence in January, because their previous one was due to expire on Aug 7, reported Asian Church news portal ucanews.com.

The application, which sought the extension of the licence, or franchise, for another 25 years, remains stuck at the committee level of the Lower House of Congress.

Philippine law requires radio and television networks to have a franchise, which is granted through legislation by Congress, to be able to operate, reported ucanews.com.

The franchise granted to the bishops’ conference was last renewed in 1992.

At least 54 radio stations under the country’s Catholic Media Network would be affected by the failure of the renewal of the franchise

this year. Despite the non-renewal of its franchise, several Catholic radio stations continue to operate.

The network’s stations reach 11 regions and 35 provinces of the country. It is the largest broadcaster in the Philippines in terms of the total number of stations and transmitting power per station.

Fr Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the public affairs committee of the bishops’ conference, said he is not discounting politics as the reason for the failure of the franchise renewal, especially because Catholic Church leaders have been vocal in criticising President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It’s sad that politics could get in the way of our democratic processes,” said the priest.

Fr Secillano, however, said the real losers were the people who relied on the service.

“It’s the voice of the people and our search for truth that’s being undermined by Congress,” he said. n CNS

WORLD 15

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

US cardinal slams ‘horrendous attack’ in New York

Pope Francis and Bishop Munib Younan, former president of the Lutheran World Federation, attend an ecumenical event in Malmo, Sweden, on Oct 31 last year.

The CatholicLutheran dialogue is seeking a substantial consensus to overcome remaining differences.

‘

CNS file photo

Catholic-Lutheran dialogue moves ahead VATICAN CITY – The official

Catholic-Lutheran dialogue will begin a deeper exploration of common beliefs and differences on “Church, Eucharist and ministry,” the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation announced.

When Pope Francis joined Bishop Munib A. Younan, then the president of the Lutheran World Federation, for a prayer service in Sweden in 2016, the two noted the pain many of their fellow Catholics and Lutherans – especially Catholics and Lutherans married to each other – experience when they cannot share the Eucharist at each other’s services.

“We acknowledge our joint pastoral responsibility to respond to the spiritual thirst and hunger of our people to be one in Christ,” the two leaders said in 2016. “We long for this wound in the Body of Christ to be healed. This is the goal of our ecumenical endeavours, which we wish to advance,

also by renewing our commitment to theological dialogue.”

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation announced on Oct 31 that the next task of their formal dialogue commission would be “to discern in a prayerful manner our understanding on Church, Eucharist and ministry, seeking a substantial consensus so as to overcome remaining differences between us.”

The announcement was part of a statement marking the end of a yearlong joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

After 500 years of division and even violent opposition, Catholics and Lutherans and many other Christian communities commemorated the Reformation together, acknowledging their past sins and pledging to work for full unity, said the statement published on Reformation Day, which recalls

the day in 1517 that Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation by publicly posting his “95 Theses.”

Over the past year, the statement said, “We begged forgiveness for our failures and for the ways in which Christians have wounded the body of the Lord and offended each other during the five hundred years since the beginning of the Reformation until today.”

But, “for the first time Lutherans and Catholics have seen the Reformation from an ecumenical perspective,” it said. “This has allowed new insight into the events of the 16th century, which led to our separation.”

The mistakes of the past cannot be changed, the statement said, but “its influence upon us today can be transformed to become a stimulus for growing communion, and a sign of hope for the world to overcome division and fragmentation.” n CNS

Bishop: US sanctions will hurt Myanmar MYANMAR – Church leaders and

political commentators in Myanmar fear fresh sanctions against the country over the Rohingya refugee crisis could drive it back into the arms of China.

They would also prove a stumbling block to leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s reform agenda and harm millions of impoverished people in the country after decades of military rule.

After not making any moves for more than a month over the humanitarian crisis, which has seen 600,000 Rohingya flee to neighbouring Bangladesh due to a two-month military crackdown, the United States says it is now mulling sanctions.

“We express our gravest concern with recent events in Rakhine

WASHINGTON – The “horrendous he slammed into a school bus. act” by a driver in a pickup truck He exited the truck, believed who mowed down pedestrians to be a vehicle he rented in New and bicyclists in New York late in Jersey, and was holding what the afternoon on Oct 31 “weighs looked like weapons. Before he on all of our hearts,” said the could be apprehended, he was shot president of the US Conference of by police. He was taken into cusCatholic Bishops. tody and admitted to a “This afternoon we Our hope hospital for treatment heard of what appears of his wounds, which is in the to be a deliberate attack were not believed to be on innocent people in name of the life threatening.

New York City,” Cardi“To the family and Lord and nal Daniel N. DiNardo friends of those who of Galveston-Houston will always have died, please know said in a statement. you are not alone, remain firm. that News reports about and that the prayers of – Cardinal Daniel the bishops and of all the attack, which left at N. DiNardo of the Church are with least eight people dead and 11 others injured, Galveston-Houston you and your loved “are too preliminary ones,” Cardinal Dito understand fully what has hap- Nardo said. pened,” the cardinal said, “but it “To you and to everyone, I grieves me deeply that we must would like to say that the forces of again respond to such acts of terror.” darkness always try to wipe away News reports said police our hope,” he said, “but our hope identified the suspect as 29-year- is in the name of the Lord and old Sayfullo Saipov, who is from will always remain firm. Let us Uzbekistan and has been in the remember the words of the Lord United States on a visa since to prophet Joshua: Be strong and 2010. He allegedly drove 20 steadfast! Do not fear nor be disblocks along a busy bike path near mayed, for the Lord, your God, is the World Trade Center before with you wherever you go.” n CNS

State and the violent, traumatic abuses Rohingya and other communities have endured,” the US State Department said in a statement.

Bishop Alexander Pyone Cho of Pyay, whose diocese covers Rakhine State, said Myanmar needed international aid for nation building and sanctions were not the best solution.

“The US and international community should take another approach by collaborating with the Suu Kyi-led government instead of applying pressure and imposing new sanctions as the country is a transitioning democracy,” Bishop Pyone Cho told ucanews.com.

The bishop added that as Myanmar’s leader, Ms Suu Kyi had been pushing hard for develop-

ment and the international community should help her implement her vision.

Fr Mariano Soe Naing, director of social communications at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM), said sanctions in the “new era” may prove counter-productive.

“New sanctions will be a stumbling block to Ms Suu Kyi’s reform agenda, especially economic growth and tackling poverty, so it is not a better option for Myanmar’s transition to democracy,” he said.

The US government last imposed sanctions on Myanmar in 1997 while the military junta was in power, but these were lifted in October 2016 by former president Barack Obama. n UCANEWS.COM

’

Filipino bishops welcome Duterte’s peace overture MANILA – At least three Filipino

Catholic bishops welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent statement in which he said he is ready to develop a “good rapport” with the country’s Church leaders.

Bishop Teodoro Bacani, retired prelate of Novaliches in the northern part of the capital Manila, said the president’s pronouncement was a “good start.”

“I am happy, but he must listen to God’s word and respect every human life and treat all with dignity,” said the prelate.

Several Catholic bishops and priests have been vocal in their opposition to Mr Duterte’s “allout war” against illegal drugs.

According to government statistics, there have been close to 12,000 deaths since the president’s war against narcotics was launched last year. At least 3,000 were determined by authorities as “drug-related,” and which occurred during police anti-narcotics operations.

Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz said the desire of Mr Duterte to develop a good relationship with Church leaders would have a “good impact” on his image, especially among the international community.

“Our country cannot move forward and progress without a good relationship among our leaders,” said the archbishop.

Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sor-

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said he is ready to develop a ‘good rapport’ with the country’s Church leaders. CNS file photo

sogon welcomed the president’s peace overture, but added that a “good rapport” with the bishops does not mean that they will have to give up their role as “prophets.” “[The bishops] remind all people, including government officials, to respect the rights of God, of man and of nature,” said Bishop Bastes.

Mr Duterte had said he wanted to develop a “good rapport” with Church leaders “for as long as we listen to each other.”

“All is good when you listen to other people,” said the president during the wake of the late Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu on Oct 23. n UCANEWS.COM

16 POPE FRANCIS

Pope answers questions from children ROME – Pope Francis, in a video chat, spoke with children from Texas and Puerto Rico, where Hurricanes Harvey and Maria struck hardest.

The children were participating in a programme of the international network of “Scholas Occurrentes” on Oct 26.

“If God loves us all, why did he make hurricanes and heavy rains?” asked Pedro Garcia, a 9-year-old Mexican-American boy living in Houston who lost his home after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, USA. The pope said that there are questions even the most intelligent person can’t answer and that can only be answered with “solidarity, with a hug and to be close to those who suffer.”

Ariana, a 5-year-old girl, cast a serious look at the pope and said, “Hi, Pope Francis. When are you coming to Puerto Rico?”

The young girl cracked a little smile as Pope Francis laughed at the directness of her question. “I don’t know when I will go to Puerto Rico because it isn’t easy to prepare a trip and there are many things that need to be studied,” he answered. “But one day, I will go; I want to get to know [Puerto Rico] and I want to get to know you.”

Alejandro, 8, didn’t ask a question but pleaded with the pope, “in the name of all the children like me,” to “remember Puerto Rico because we are going through a very difficult situation.”

The pope thanked Alejandro and sent a greeting “to all the children of Puerto Rico” and encouraged them to “keep moving forward.” n CNS

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Witness of faith can unite Catholics, Methodists VATICAN CITY – Catholics and Methodists

can strengthen each other through a shared witness of faith, especially through acts of love towards the poor and the marginalised, Pope Francis said.

The mutual call to holiness shared by both communities “is necessarily a call to communion with others, too,” the pope said on Oct 19.

“When, as Catholics and Methodists, we join in assisting and comforting the weak and the marginalised – those who in the midst of our societies feel distant, foreign and alienated – we are responding to the Lord’s summons,” he said.

The pope met at the Vatican with members of the World Methodist Council who were in Rome to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Joint International Methodist-Catholic Dialogue Commission.

Welcoming the delegation members, the pope said that in the Bible, the 50th year is a significant moment for the people of Israel in which liberty is proclaimed throughout the land.

Citing the Second Vatican Council, the pope said that since then, both communities have striven to continue along the path of knowledge and mutual esteem through dialogue that is carried out “in a spirit of honesty and integrity” with “love for the truth, with charity and with humility.”

The pope also recalled the life and example of John Wesley, one of the founders

Pope Francis greets Mr Ivan Abrahams, general secretary of the World Methodist Council, during an audience at the Vatican on Oct 19. Members of the World Methodist Council were in Rome to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Joint International Methodist-Catholic Dialogue Commission. CNS photo

of Methodism, who dedicated his life to helping others “live a holy life.”

By recognising those who dedicate themselves to reading the Bible and to prayer, he said, Catholics “cannot fail to rejoice” when the work of the Holy Spirit is recognised “in other Christian confessions.”

“We have learned to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ,” Pope Francis said. “Now is the time to prepare ourselves, with humble hope and concrete efforts, for that full recognition that will come about, by God’s grace, when at last we will be able to join one another in the breaking of the bread.” n CNS

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

POPE FRANCIS 17

Pope says space station crew like a ‘tiny UN’ with peaceful diversity that it was being able to see every comes with floating aboard the day “God’s creation maybe a litInternational Space Station (ISS) tle bit from His perspective.” is NASA arranges for occasional Commander Bresnik, a Bapcalls with celebrities to keep the tist, said, “People cannot come astronauts’ spirits high during up here and see the indescribtheir months-long flights. able beauty of our earth and not Before his first space mis- be touched in their souls.” His sion began this year, Catholic fellow crewmembers were also astronaut Mark Vande Hei of Christians: two Russian OrthoFalls Church, Virginia, USA, dox and three Catholics. requested a call from Pope Fran“We see the peace and serencis, and on Oct 26 his wish came ity of our planet as it goes around true.

10 km a second, and there are The pope linked up live from no borders, there is no conflict, the Vatican with the six-man it’s just peaceful,” Commander crew as they orbited 400 km Bresnik said. above Earth.

When asked by the pope what During their 20-minute link- has surprised them most about up, Pope Francis asked five ques- living in the ISS, Mr Vande Hei tions about how their unique per- said it was how differently things spective from the frontier of the looked from such a unique peruniverse has changed or enriched spective. them and what lessons they could Italian astronaut Paolo Neshare with people spoli said he hoped back on Earth. that someday peoSaying society ple like the pope, The pope today is very in“not just engilinked up live dividualistic, but neers, physicists,” what is needed is from the Vatican but poets, theocollaboration, the philosowith the six-man logians, pope asked them phers and writers how the ISS is an “can come here to crew as they example of that which will orbited 400 km space, collaboration. certainly be [the above Earth.

Flight engineer case] in the future, Joseph Acaba of I would like for Inglewood, Calithem to be able to fornia, USA, said it is the diver- come here to explore what it sity of each individual that makes means to have a human being in the team stronger. space.”

“We need to embrace who It was the second time a pope we are as individuals and respect has called ISS crewmembers; those around us, and by working Pope Benedict XVI spoke with together we can do things much 12 astronauts in 2011, praising greater than we could do as indi- them for their courage and comviduals,” he told the pope. mitment and for their comments Pope Francis said they were on how science can contribute to like a tiny United Nations, in the pursuit of peace and the prowhich the whole was greater tection of a fragile planet.

Mr Nespoli was present on than the sum of its parts. Thanking them for their work, he said the ISS for both calls. Among they were “representatives of the the small number of personal whole human family” working possessions the devout Catholic on such an important project in is allowed onboard, he keeps a prayer card of St Padre Pio and space.

When the pope asked what an olive branch he received from brought them joy during their Pope Francis as a reminder of long mission, Commander Ran- the importance of taking care dolph Bresnik from Fort Knox, of earth “our common home.”

Kentucky, USA, told the pope n CNS

VATICAN CITY – One perk that

Pope Francis speaks from the Vatican to astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Oct 26. CNS photo

18 OPINION

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

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Pope on why he gives interviews VATICAN CITY – Replying to questions and giving interviews are a “pastoral risk” Pope Francis said he is prepared to take, because it is the best way to know and respond to people’s real concerns.

“I know this can make me vulnerable, but it is a risk I want to take,” the pope wrote in the introduction to a new book collecting transcripts of question-and-answer sessions he has held all over the world.

The collection in Italian, Adesso Fate le Vostre Domande (Now, Ask Your Questions), was edited by Jesuit Fr Antonio Spadaro and scheduled for release on Oct 19. The pope’s introduction was published on Oct 17 in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

“I want a Church that knows how to enter into people’s conversations, that knows how to dialogue,” Pope Francis wrote.

The model is the Gospel account of the risen Lord’s meeting with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

“The Lord ‘interviews’ the disciples who are walking discouraged,” he said. “For me, the interview is part of this conversation the Church is having with men and women today.”

The interviews and Q&A sessions “always have a pastoral value,” Pope Francis said, and are an important part of his ministry, just like inviting a small group of people to his early morning Mass each day.

The chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he lives, “is, let’s say, my parish. I need that communication with people.”

And, in interviews, the journal-

Pope Francis listens to a question from journalists aboard his flight from Cairo to Rome on April 29. He said that interviews are ‘part of this conversation the Church is having with men and women today.’ CNS photo

ists often ask the questions that are on the minds of the faithful, he said.

The most regular appointment he has for responding to questions is on the flights back to Rome from his foreign trips when he holds a news conference with the journalists who travel with him.

“There, too, on those trips, I like to look people in the eye and respond to their questions sincerely,” he wrote. “I know that I have to be prudent, and I hope I am. I always pray to the Holy Spirit be-

I want a Church that ‘ knows how to enter into people’s conversations, that knows how to dialogue.

’

– Pope Francis

fore I start listening to the questions and responding.”

His favourite interviews, he said, are with small, neighbourhood newspapers and magazines. “There I feel even more at ease,” the pope said. “In fact, in those cases I really am listening to the questions and concerns of common people. I try to respond spontaneously, in a conversation I hope is understandable, and not with rigid formulas.”

“For me,” he said, “interviews are a dialogue, not a lesson.”

Even when the questions are submitted in advance, the pope said he does not prepare his answers. Watching the person ask the question and responding directly is important.

“Yes, I am afraid of being misinterpreted,” he said. “But, I repeat, I want to run this pastoral risk.” n CNS

Invite the stranger into Church NOBEL-PRIZING winning author, Toni Morrison, assessing the times, asks this question: “Why should we want to know a stranger when it is easier to estrange another? Why should we want to close the distance when we can close the gate?” Except this isn’t a question, it’s a judgment.

It’s a negative judgment on both our society and our churches. Where are our hearts really at?

Are we trying more to close the distance between us and what’s foreign, or are we into closing gates to keep strangers estranged?

In fairness, it might be pointed out that this has always been a struggle. There hasn’t been a golden age within which people wholeheartedly welcomed the stranger. There have been golden individuals and even golden communities who were welcoming, but never society or Church as a whole.

Much as this issue is so front and centre in our politics today, as countries everywhere struggle with their immigration policies and with what to do with millions of refugees and migrants wanting to enter their country, I want to take Morrison’s challenge, to close the distance rather than close the gate, to our churches: Are we inviting in the stranger? Or, are we content to let the estranged remain outside?

There is a challenging motif within Jesus’ parable of the over-generous vineyard owner which can easily be missed because of the overall lesson within the story. It concerns the question that the vineyard owner asks the last group of workers, those who will work for only one hour. Unlike the first group, he doesn’t ask them: “Do you want to work in my vineyard?” Rather he asks them: “Why aren’t you working?” Their answer: “Because no one has hired us!” Notice they don’t answer by saying that their non-employment is because they are lazy, incompetent, or disinterested. Neither does the vineyard owner’s question imply that. They aren’t working simply because no one has given them the invitation to work!

Sadly, I believe this is the case for so many people who are seemingly cold or indifferent to religion and our churches. Nobody has invited them in! And that was true too at the time of Jesus. Whole groups of people were seen as being indifferent and hostile to religion and were deemed simply as sinners. This included prostitutes, tax collectors, foreigners, and criminals. Jesus invited them in and many of them responded with a sincerity, contrition, and devotion that shamed those who considered themselves true believers. For the so-called sinners, all that stood between them and entry into the kingdom was a genuine invitation.

Why aren’t you practising a faith? No one has invited us!

Just in my own, admittedly limited, pastoral experience, I have seen a number of individuals who from childhood to early or late midlife were indifferent to, and even somewhat paranoid about, religion and Church. It was a world from which they had always felt excluded.

But, thanks to some gracious person or fortunate circumstance, at a moment, they felt invited in and they gave themselves over to their new religious family with a disarming warmth, fervour, and gratitude, often taking a fierce pride in their new identity. Witnessing this several times, I now understand why the prostitutes and tax collectors, more than the Church people at the time, believed in Jesus. He was the first religious person to truly invite them in.

Sadly, too, there’s a reverse side to this is where, all too often, in all religious sincerity, we not only don’t invite certain others in, we positively close the gates on them. We see that, for example, a number of times in the Gospels where those around Jesus block others from having access to Him, as is the case in that rather colourful story where some people are trying to bring a paralytic to Jesus but are blocked by the crowds surrounding Him and consequently have to make a hole in the roof in order to lower the paralytic into Jesus’ presence.

Too frequently, unknowingly, sincerely, but blindly, we are that crowd around Jesus, blocking access to Him by our presence. This is an occupational danger especially for all of us who are in ministry. We so easily, in all sincerity, in the name of Christ, in the name of orthodox theology, and in the name of sound pastoral practice set ourselves up as gatekeepers, as guardians of our churches, through whom others must pass in order to have access to God. We need to more clearly remember that Christ is the gatekeeper, and the only gatekeeper, and we need to refresh ourselves on what that means by looking at why Jesus chased the moneychangers out of the temple in John’s Gospel. They, the moneychangers, had set themselves up as a medium through which people have to pass in order to offer worship to God. Jesus would have none of it.

Our mission as disciples of Jesus is not to be gatekeepers. We need instead to work at closing the distance rather than closing the gate. n

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Spiritual devotions that can nourish, support our faith

By David Gibson An elderly man, out in the morning for his walk, silently recites the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” or, “have mercy on me, a sinner.”

At about the same time of day, a mother and her toddler are driving to their parish to participate in its biweekly mothers’ group.

Prayer, spiritual reflection and conversation about parenthood’s challenges and rewards lie at the heart of such groups’ activities.

Each of these people is involved uniquely in the devotional life, which today assumes countless forms among Catholics.

“There is no one Catholic spirituality or way of approaching God in ascetical practices, prayer forms or devotions,” US Cardinal Kevin Farrell once said.

During his walk, the elderly man may recite the Jesus Prayer 10 times. Thus, he asks Jesus to bestow mercy not just “on me,” but “on us,” as his thoughts turn to others whose needs equal and outweigh his own.

Like a mantra, this prayer focuses his attention, calling to mind the Lord’s faithful presence and companionship.

This extends his prayer into the surrounding world. He begins naming others who gladly might welcome Jesus’ companionship.

Or he shifts attention to a small group of fellow parishioners who that very day are devoting their prayers and supportive energies to the care of yet another parishioner whose health has veered startlingly off course.

In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis’ 2013 apostolic exhortation, he spoke of devotions that “are fleshy” and “have a face,” and that neither are “detached from responsibility for our brothers and sisters” nor “divorced from” a larger community.

The US Catholic bishops explained in a 2003 document that “popular devotional practices do

A young man prays during a novena. Other spiritual devotions such as lectio divina can also boost one’s faith. CNS photo

not replace the liturgical life of the Church; rather they extend it into daily life.” The bishops affirmed that “what is crucial is that popular devotions be in harmony with the liturgy, drawing inspiration from it and ultimately leading back to it.”

Scripture serves as a basic resource for many individual and communal devotions. A popular

What is crucial is ‘ that popular devotions be in harmony with the liturgy, drawing inspiration from it and ultimately leading back to it.

’

– US Catholic bishops

devotional practice today known as lectio divina (divine reading) approaches Scripture as God’s living word. The practice has truly ancient Christian roots.

Like many devotions, lectio divina can be practiced alone or with others. A married couple might pray and meditate together in this way, as might a prayer or retreat group.

Pope Benedict XVI outlined

the four simple steps of lectio divina in The Word of the Lord, his 2010 apostolic exhortation.

Lectio divina opens “with the reading (lectio)” of a biblical passage, he noted. One asks, “What does the biblical text say in itself?”

The second step is to meditate on the text and ask, “What does the biblical text say to us?” Pope Benedict explained that here each person “must let himself or herself be moved and challenged.”

Prayer is the third step, he continued. Its question is, “What do we say to the Lord in response to His word?” Or, what is our prayer now?

Contemplation is the fourth step. It aims “at creating within us a truly wise and discerning vision of reality as God sees it” and “forming within us ‘the mind of Christ.’”

Thus, a desire to view others and the world through God’s eyes is a goal of lectio divina.

This perhaps is the aim of most, perhaps all, devotions – like the Stations of the Cross, prayers to a particular saint whose example is energising and motivating, eucharistic adoration, novenas, the rosary and other Marian devotions. n CNS Gibson served on Catholic News Service’s editorial staff for 37 years.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Along with popular devotions and other forms of piety, sacramentals hold a special place in the Church’s liturgical life.

Sacramentals are not the seven sacraments, yet they are “intrinsically linked” to the sacraments, Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver, Canada once wrote.

“The Church creates sacramentals” for a distinct purpose: “to sanctify everyday life,” he said.

Blessings of persons, meals, objects and places are listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as examples of sacramentals (No. 1671).

“For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals sanctifies,” or makes holy, “almost every event” in the lives of the faithful, states the Second Vatican Council Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (No. 61).

A blessed medal or scapular does not become a cause of grace, Archbishop Miller explained. They are not charms, he said.

Rather, sacramentals prepare the faithful for the sanctifying grace conferred by the seven sacraments. Sacramentals are the “means by which we are to grow in faith, hope and love,” said the archbishop. n

FAITH ALIVE! 19

20

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Bible Accent: Weddings in Jesus’ time were quite different from modern-day weddings.

For example, families often arranged marriages for their children. Sometimes the bride and groom met each other for the first time when their families gathered to sign the marriage contract, or “ketubbah.” Once the contract was signed, the bride and groom were legally married, or “betrothed.”

As part of the contract, a price for the “dowry” was set. The dowry was money or property that the groom promised to pay the bride’s father before the couple could live together as husband and wife.

Sometimes it took the groom several years to pay the dowry and ready a home for the couple. During that time, the bride continued to live with her family.

Once the dowry was paid, a date was set for the groom to come to the bride’s house. On the agreedupon day, he and up to 10 of his friends arrived at the bride’s home, where the bride and up to 10 of her friends were waiting. Some ceremonies took place, and at nighttime, the bride, groom, and their friends and family processed to the home where the wedding feast would take place. This was either the groom’s house or the home of his parents.

All those in the procession were required to carry lit torches, either in the form of oil lamps or oil-soaked rags that were wrapped around sticks.

This signified that they were part of the procession and could be admitted to the wedding feast.

Anyone else was considered a party crasher.

The ensuing feast was not just a one-day celebration, but could last up to a week. n

BIBLE ESSAY: How are you preparing for the unknown day and hour of Jesus’ return?

buy more oil, the bridegroom came.

Those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.

When the foolish virgins returned with their oil, they tried to enter the wedding feast, but the door was locked.

“Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” they cried as they pounded on the door.

“Amen, I say to you, I do not know you,” the bridegroom said in reply.

Jesus looked at His friends with a serious expression.

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Columban

St Columban was born in Ireland around the year 540. He entered a monastery in Bangor and taught there for 30 years.

About the year 590, he and 12 others were sent to Gaul – modernday France – as missionaries. Columban set up three monasteries in Burgundy and was named abbot at Luxeuil.

He was expelled from Burgundy for preaching against immorality at court and clergy who were too lax. He then preached in Switzerland, and later decided to leave when it became dangerous.

Afterwards, he went to Italy and founded a monastery that became a great centre of learning.

We honour him on Nov 23. n

“Therefore,” he said, “stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” n Read more about it: Matthew 24-25

Q&A 1. What did the apostles want to know more about?

2. Why did asleep?

the

10

virgins

fall

Wordsearch: n CLERGY

n FEAST

n IRELAND

n WISE

n PARTY

n APOSTLE

n MESSIAH n GROOM n BRIDE

n LAMP

n PROPHET n FRANCE

PUZZLE: Below are the names and descriptions of some of Jesus’ parables. On the line next to each name, write the number of the correct description.

Hints have been provided. For more hints, ask an adult to help you research the answers online.

1. If you want forgiveness, you must forgive others.

2. Those who hear and understand the word will bear much fruit.

3. The kingdom starts out small but expands greatly.

4. The gift of salvation is offered to all, but not all will accept it.

5. There is much rejoicing over a repentant sinner. the sower (Matthew 13:18-23) the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14) the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Answer to Wordsearch

One day, the apostles asked Jesus about the signs of His return at the end of the age.

Jesus said there would be wars, famines and earthquakes, and those who believe in Him would be persecuted and killed. He warned of false prophets and false messiahs who would perform signs and wonders to try to deceive people.

All of these things would take place before His return, but Jesus said only God knows when that will be.

He pointed out that if the master of a house knew the day and time a thief was to break in, he would have stayed awake to prevent it.

“So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come,” Jesus said.

He told some parables to illustrate His point.

One was about 10 virgins who took

their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom before entering a wedding feast.

The bridegroom was long delayed, and the 10 virgins grew tired and fell asleep.

At midnight, they were startled awake.

“Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” someone cried out.

The virgins’ lamps had remained lit as they slept and were almost out of oil.

Five of the virgins were wise and brought extra oil to refill their lamps.

But five of the virgins were foolish and did not bring extra oil. They begged the wise virgins to share their oil so they could greet the bridegroom with lit lamps.

“No, for there may not be enough for us and you,” the wise virgins said.

“Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.”

As the foolish virgins went to

Answer to puzzle: the sower (2); the mustard seed (3); the lost sheep (5); the unforgiving servant (1); the wedding feast (4)

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

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

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

SEPT 27, 2017 TO MAY 1, 2019 SHARE THE JOURNEY: A GLOBAL CAMPAIGN BY CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS Organised by Caritas Internationalis, the campaign aims to increase spaces and opportunities with Caritas organisations and parishes to enable local communities and migrants to have more positive encounters.

Do join in the campaign activities organised

by Caritas Singapore and CHARIS. Follow CaritasSingapore and CHARISSingapore on Facebook for more updates.

OCT 6 TO NOV 10 CATECHIST ELECTIVE COURSE – CHURCH HISTORY Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10. Time: 7:15pm-10pm. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul. This course offers catechists an overview of the history of the Catholic Church.We will study key historical event and figures and how they influenced the development of the Church’s awareness of the content of the heritage of faith entrusted to her. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ ybg2fc2l; W: www.catechesis.org.sg; E: formation@catechesis.org.sg; T: 69110400.

OCT 10 TO NOV 21 PERSONAL MORAL COMPASS – MODULE 6: SOCIAL JUSTICE Every Tuesday from 7.30pm-9.30pm at Agape Village (7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh S319264). Pre-registration is required.

Personal moral compass is a year-long course in moral theology consisting of six modules. In this series of modules, we gain a better understanding of our moral compass – the basis of how we come to make our decisions. For more information, E: formation@caritassingapore.org; T: 63383448.

OCT 25 TO DEC 6 BASIC CATECHIST COURSE LEVEL 1 – INTRODUCTION TO

CATECHETICAL PEDAGOGY AND CATECHETICAL METHODS Oct 25, Nov 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6. Time: 7:30pm-10pm. Venue: Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ​This course will introduce participants to the method of teaching as proposed by the Church. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ yc8y5jfj; W: www.catechesis.org.sg; E: formation@catechesis.org.sg; T: 69110400.

OCT 31 TO NOV 28 BASIC CATECHIST COURSE LEVEL 2 – LEARNING TO LISTEN AND FACILITATE Oct 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28. Time: 7:30pm10pm. Venue: 2 Highland Road S549102.

One of the fundamental tasks of catechesis is the initiation and education in community life. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ y9gjv7aj; W: www.catechesis.org.sg; E: formation@catechesis.org.sg; T: 69110400.

NOV 9 SPIRITUAL BEINGS, HUMAN EXPERIENCE Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. In the words of French philosopher and Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” In this talk, join us to have a look at the human aspects of our spiritual being. Facilitator: Sr Elizabeth Sim, FDCC. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $30. To register: W: http:// tinyurl.com/spiritbeings; T: 64676072.

NOV 9 TO NOV 12 WATCHMEN RETREAT A four day/three night stay-in retreat open to Catholics above the age of 21.

This retreat is about being on watch until the Lord returns and being alert to the dangers to your spiritual life. Held at Majodi Retreat Centre, Johor, Malaysia.

Organised by the Office for the New Evangelisation. To register: E: enquiry@ one.org.sg; W: www.one.org.sg.

NOV 10 PIETA’S FIRST MEMORIAL MASS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE DIED Time: 7pm. Organised by child bereavement group PIETA, this Mass brings together in prayer the parents and families who have suffered the death of a child (including unborn and adult children) no matter how recently or long ago. Venue: Good Shepherd Place Chapel, Toa Payoh Lorong 8. For more information, W:www.facebook.com/PietaSingapore/; E: pieta.singapore@gmail.com.

NOV 10 TO NOV 12 THE GOD OF MANY CHANCES:

A PRAYER WEEKEND This programme will invite participants to enter into a personal relationship with God who desires this relationship with us. It will include times for praying with suggested points, ways of remembering these moments and the means for habitually living in God’s presence.

Organised by the Cenacle Sisters. Venue: Montfort Centre, Upper Bukit Rd; To register: T: 65652895; 97223148; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com.

NOV 11 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE Time: 8pm. Come and pray with fellow Christians and all who want to create greater trust and openness through meditative prayer. No registration needed.

All are welcome. Organised by the S’pore Taize core group at the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, 60 Hill Street. For more information, E: bennycah@gmail.com; W: www.taize.fr/en.

NOV 14 CONNECTED COUPLES, STAY COMMITTED Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. This talk is for individuals and couples who would like to explore and discover how to maintain a close and loving relationship with loved ones amidst the distractions of daily life.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $30. To register: W: http:// tinyurl.com/connectedcouples; T: 64676072.

NOV 17 TO NOV 18 A DAY OF QUIET Time: 9am-4pm. We are opening our doors on these days to individuals who would like to have some personal space and quiet in their lives. For beginner or seasoned seekers who would like to experience a day in silent prayer and reflection. Prayer and handicraft resources, the labyrinth walk and spiritual direction will be available.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $60. To register: http://tinyurl.com/DOQ2017; T: 64676072.

NOV 18 VILLAGEFEST 2017 Villagefest: celebration of family. Time: 9.30am-4pm. Sessions promoting healthy family relations, spiritual inputs, prayers, and the consecration of families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Register as a family at this url: bit.ly/villagefest2017. Organised

by Office for the New Evangelisation and Archdiocesan Commission for the Family.

Venue: SJI Junior, 3 Essex Rd. For more information, T: 69110420; E: enquiry@ one.org.sg; W: www.one.org.sg.

Actor shares his faith journey CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA – Hear-

ing the faith journey of Hollywood actor and businessman Mark Wahlberg left an impression on the hearts of many young adults at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s first (re)Encounter event on Oct 20 at the UIC Pavilion.

“It’s powerful for a celebrity to feel that way about religion,” said Mr Omar Lopez, 21. “For me, when I think about a celebrity, I think cockiness, selfishness, but to hear an artist say that he takes time to just pray, that’s an incredible feeling.”

About 2,000 young adults attended (re)Encounter – an evening of music, speakers, faith sharing and Eucharistic adoration aimed at energising the faith of young adult Catholics.

The highlight was a questionand-answer session with Wahlberg, 46, and Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich.

Star of movies such as Transformers: Age of Extinction, Ted and Deepwater Horizon, Wahlberg takes his faith seriously, often attending daily Mass and making time for quiet prayer each morning. He emceed the Festival of Families with Pope Francis during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in 2015.

His faith wasn’t always im-

Actor Mark Wahlberg (left) and Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago discuss faith and the life of young adults on Oct 20. CNS photo

portant to him. Youngest in a family of nine children, Wahlberg dropped out of school at 13, and served prison time. At 16, he was charged with attempted murder but he pleaded guilty to assault.

Today, he said, he’s committed to being a good father and husband and giving his children the Catholic education he didn’t have.

“A lot of people go to God, especially when they get in trouble.

When I heard the jail doors close behind me, I started praying right away.”

It was then that he turned his life around.

“Still, every day it’s a process.

That’s why I start my day, every day, by getting on my hands and my knees and starting a time of prayer and reading, reading Scripture,” Wahlberg said.

Responding to a young adult’s question about making time for prayer and Mass in a busy life, the actor said it’s a “must.” He goes to bed early every night and wakes up before his family to pray in the chapel he built in his home. n CNS

NOV 18 MARYMOUNT CONVENT SCHOOL FAMILY CARNIVAL Venue: 20 Marymount Road S297754.

Time: 9am-3pm. For more information, T: 62566701.

NOV 18 CHRIST@WORK 2017 – WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE Organised by Catholic Business Network (CBN). Time: 8.30am-6.30pm.

How do you incorporate faith at work in the face of challenges? How do you manifest spiritual leadership at work?

If you have ever faced such questions, join us in sharing on faith and spirituality.

Cost: $60 per person. Venue: Performing Arts Centre, Catholic Junior College.

For more information, T: 92284463 (Raymond); E: admin@cbn.sg.

NOV 18 CLARITY’S MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH TALK Time: 10am-noon. Do you have feelings of depression and anxiety during or after having a baby? You may be suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), which is a combination of anxiety and depression during pregnancy and childbirth. Learn more at this talk about the common mood changes that may occur during pregnancy and postnatal period. Mother, expectant mothers, husbands, in-laws are encouraged to attend. To register: login to https://tinyurl. com/ybcc3u47. Cost: $20.

NOV 19 DAY OF CONVERSATION, REFLECTION AND SHARING ON HEROIC/ SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP IN PASTORAL MINISTRY Time: 10am-5pm. Learn how selfawareness, ingenuity, love, and heroism form a unique formula that has moulded Jesuit leaders for over 450 years, and continues to mould successful leaders today. Facilitator: Mr Chris Lowney.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $50. To register: http://tinyurl.com/ChrisL17; T: 64676072.

NOV 20 AN IGNATIAN INSPIRED WRITING AND CONVERSATION Time: 7pm-9pm. A conversation with Chris Lowney and his writings inspired

by Ignatian Spirituality. Titles include Heroic Leadership, Heroic Living, and Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads. Facilitator: Mr Chris Lowney.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $30. To register: http://tinyurl.com/ChrisL17; T: 64676072.

WHAT’S ON 21 NOV 26 TO DEC 2 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER (WOGP) AT ST IGNATIUS The Sojourners’ Companions invites you to a WOGP to learn how to pray with Scripture and develop a closer relationship with God. Nov 26: 2pm-5pm: Taster. Nov 27-Dec 1: Daily 30mins @ home + 30mins with personal prayer guide at a convenient time between 9am-10pm. Dec 2: 2–5pm: closure. Fee: $30. To register: W: www.sojourners.sg; wogp@sojourners.sg; parish office at the Church of St Ignatius; church foyer after Mass on Nov 11,12 and Nov 18,19.

DEC 3 SPES NOVUM: A NEW HOPE Time: 8pm-930pm. Come join us for a night of sacred music and traditional favourites. All proceeds benefit The Catholic Foundation. Venue: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, A Queen St, S188533. Tickets can be purchased at https://ticketbox.sg/spes- novum. For more information, T: 96428170 (Daphne) / 94514392 (Nicole); E: cornovum8@ gmail.com; Facebook: /cornovum8.

DEC 7 TO DEC 10 CATHOLIC YOUTH RALLY 2017 (For Mandarin-speaking youth) This event is organised by youth leaders from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur archdioceses, and Penang and Melaka-Johor dioceses. Venue: St Anne’s Church, Bukit Mertajam, and Penang. Calling youth who want to learn more about your faith, to build a deeper relationship with God and to form longlasting bonds with brothers and sisters from our neighbouring dioceses. T: 91136598; E: nicholas.cheang91@gmail.com.

DEC 14 CRAFT OF RELATIONSHIP: CONNECTING IN LOVE Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. In this talk, learn about the five love languages (Gary Chapman), the stages of love (Pat Love), and emotional connection/ disconnections (Sue Johnson). Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $30. To register: http://tinyurl.com/craftofre; T: 64676072.

DEC 15 TO DEC 17 LONGING – AN ADVENT RETREAT Dec 15 (7.30pm)-Dec 17 (5pm). A weekend silent retreat in preparation for Christmas led by Fr Gregory Tan and Keith Neubronner. Come away for a few days to reflect on the longing of the human heart for the presence of God, and God’s response in the person of Christ.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $260 (non-aircon), $300 (aircon). To register: http://tinyurl. com/laretreat17; T: 64676072.

22 IN MEMORIAM

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Seventeenth Anniversary In loving memory of

V. P. JOSEPH DAS Departed: Nov 11, 2000

There is a place in our hearts which is yours alone A place in our lives No one else can ever own We hold back tears when we speak your name But the ache in our hearts Remains the same.

Forever cherished by family and loved ones.

First Anniversary In loving memory of

MARY ONG LIAN NEO Departed: Nov 8, 2016 Fondly remembered by your children, grandsons and loved ones.

Twenty-fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

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

Additional space: $8 per one-centimetre column.

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

Additional words: $1.00 a word.

In loving memory of Father Son

Please turn to page 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

Crossword Puzzle 1197 1

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20 23 27 33

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In loving memory of

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“Daddy - God’s greatest gift to us”

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

48 White silk garment worn by the Pope 50 Wise man gift 53 Knot in wool 54 The flood is found here (abbr.)

57 A Rachael Ray favorite 58 Tempest 60 Commotion 61 Nautilus captain 62 Paroxysm 63 Singles 64 Applied 65 June birthstone 66 MSG site DOWN 1 There was none at the inn 2 Sashes 3 Young horses 4 Lock opener 5 Religion of Jesus 6 Pains 7 Flightless birds 8 Former measure of length 9 Holy _____ 10 Dominic who is patron saint of choirboys 11 Epic poetry 12 “…and there was no man to ___ the ground” (Gen 2:5) 13 Detest 21 Direction (abbr.)

22 John Paul II’s “Ecclesia in ____”

24 Birds 25 Cardinal Dulles 26 Calcium compound 27 Branches 29 Stage play 30 _____ of Ars, title by which the patron saint of priests is known 31 Commandment carrier, and others 32 Sloppy 34 Stage goal 35 Wander 36 Common person of ancient Rome 37 Like some bathrooms 39 Fish 42 Egyptian deity 43 Papal order

46 Elijah held his challenge here 47 “You _____ of vipers!” (Lk 3:7) 48 Rage 49 _____ in the Garden 50 List from which to choose 51 “Y” in YSL 52 Where the Vatican is 53 Half of a Pacific paradise’s name 55 Home of Adam and Eve 56 Prying 58 NASCAR sponsor 59 Start of many a title 60 Unit of weight

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1196 D A V E

U K A S E

T E N E T

J O N E T C H I O U S T H I S

E A S T

A C M E

Y E S

D E V I A I L H O S A N S W O T I N U T A C H K B E C E R

I C E D

W A U G H L A D

LUCY LEE ALOYSIUS TAN KHIM CHENG SOON KIM Departed Nov 2, 1962 July 27, 1992

Years roll by but the wonderful memories of both of you still live with us: your unconditional love, goodness, kindness and sacrifices given to us will always be appreciated and remembered.

From your children, Pauline (deceased), Gwen, Peng Tong, Thiam Tong (Stephen), Josephine, Robert (deceased), Nica, Celia and Dominic.

46

52

ACROSS 1 Jesus called Simon this 5 An epistle 10 Son of Adam 14 Musical instrument 15 Eleve’s place 16 Samoan capital 17 Greasy 18 Large marine mammal 19 Unit of potential difference 20 Winter hrs. in the Diocese of Cheyenne 21 “_____ Irae” 22 Road to the altar?

23 Vatican Guard 25 Too 28 Encouraging word 29 507, to Nero 30 Follower of spy or web 33 Like some vbs.

36 Before its time 38 Celestial body used in dating Easter 39 Friend of St. Francis of Assisi 40 Bothers 41 Expression of disrespect for God 43 Make the sign of the cross 44 Rev.’s alma mater 45 Brass wind instrument 46 Stimulus 47 Small child

Twenty-fifth Anniversary

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In loving memory of

Fifty-fifth Anniversary

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I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

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JOACHIM MARIE Departed: Nov 11, 1993 Time changes many things but not the memory this day brings Till now you are still in our minds and hearts.

Lovingly remembered by wife, children and granddaughters.

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

C A N A D A

O N O R

I N C R A I L F T E O M A P S T

A T N O

T E E N

N S O T O P N S K A T E

E R S T

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

ALBERT OEN ALEX OEN BOEN KWEE KIM HAW (Twenty-seventh (Twentieth Anniversary) Anniversary) Departed: Dec 6, 1990 Departed: Nov 10, 1997

In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds.

Always remembered by daughter / sister granddaughter / niece and all loved ones.

Twentieth Anniversary In loving memory of

CAROL CATHERINE PEREIRA On Her Fourth Anniversary Called Home to the Lord on November 17, 2013 Always in the hearts of Dennis, Denise, Carl, Nicole, Martha, Alexandra (Rafa), Gabriel, Martin, Jasmine, Bryan, Dalva, and all family and friends.

Think how she must be wishing That we could all know today How nothing but our sadness Can truly pass away And think of her as living In the hearts of those she touched For nothing loved is ever lost And she was loved so much

KENNETH GEORGE BHEEM 23.4.32 – 13.11.97 Memory of you, dear, still casts a gentle glow It braces our days and lights our paths wherever we may go.

Lovingly remembered by wife Praxedes, children, Vincent and Cassandra, Michael and grandchildren, Bradley, Gerard, Russell, Catherine, Melissa, Michelle, Matthew and loved ones.

Thirteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

CYRIL CHELLIAH 6 July 1930 to 13 Nov 2014 Together with his beloved Lovie “In life we loved you dearly; In death we do the same.

We loved you like there was no tomorrow, And one day there wasn’t.

The hardest part of losing you wasn’t having to say goodbye but learning to live without you.

We miss you as much today as the day you left us.

You were our world, Daddy.

In our hearts you live forever.”

Dearly missed by his children Rene & Denise, Michael & Lorna, Alison & Zachary, and Michelle; grandchildren, Emma, Lara, Claudia, Charlene, Cassandra and Benjamin; and loved ones.

ANTHONY ALOYSIUS Departed: Nov 5, 2004 Remembering you is easy We do it everyday The hardest part – we wake up missing you Knowing that it is another day without your presence; The feeling never goes away To hear your voice. To see your smile To sit with you and talk for awhile Would be our greatest wish today Today, tomorrow, our whole life through We shall always love and remember you.

Your family and loved ones.

Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

CLAUDIUS BERNARD FERNANDEZ Departed: Nov 12, 2007 Second Anniversary In loving memory of

REV. FR. MATTHIAS TUNG Departed: Nov 5, 2007 A simple and humble shepherd who guided his flock with love.

Time changes many things but not the memory this day brings.

Till now you are still in our minds and hearts.

Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, Nov 4, 2017 at 4.00pm.

Fourth Anniversary In ever loving memory of

Thank you for Fifth Anniversary Your heart of gold the years we shared In loving memory of stopped beating Thank you for Two smiling eyes the way you cared at rest We loved you then God broke our hearts And we love you still to prove Forget you, He only takes the best we never will.

The tears in our eyes will wipe away Eternal rest grant But the love unto him O Lord in our hearts And let perpetual Will forever stay. light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Always remembered by wife Jennifer, EDWARD PETER Dearly missed and children Claudine, Born: Jun 18, 1936 fondly remembered by Leon, Tricia Departed: Nov 12, 2012 loved ones and friends. and all loved ones.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE

ANNE CHUANG Departed: Nov 2, 2015 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.

Always remembered by loved ones.

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

JULIE SANTHOU CHRISTOPHER Departed: Nov 18, 2013 ONG (BABY) Departed: Nov 5, 2009 Dearest Julie.

Thank you for We miss you, the years we shared.

Precious moments Thank you for you spent with us the way you cared. will always remain We loved you then… in our heart. and we love you still.

Julie, pray for us, Forget you, intercede for us we never will.

Till we meet Until we meet again. in God’s Kingdom.

Lovingly your family Dearly loved and missed by all loved ones. and loved ones.

In loving memory of our parents Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of

Fifth Anniversary

Twenty-second Anniversary

In ever loving memory

PATRICK PHUA

ANNIE LIM GUEK KHIM Departed Nov 11, 2012 Dec 1, 1995

Always remembered by loved ones at home.

CAROLINE TAN KIA TECK Departed: Nov 7, 2005 Twelve years passed since God took you home.

Our memories of you continues to be treasured very dearly in our hearts and minds.

As we remember you, we cherish the many good times, we enjoyed as a family.

Your cheerful smile and your gentle voice brought comfort, peace, joy, happiness and laughter to all of us.

Even though we have been apart, we missed your presence dearly.

Our love for you continues on forever.

We thank God for providing us many treasured moments with you.

Fondly remembered by husband Francis Claudius, daughter Geraldine, family members, relatives and friends.

Please turn to page 22 for more in memoriam advertisements.

In loving memory of our parents Twenty-third Anniversary

Third Anniversary ANTHONY WONG ANNA HO

PING MOON CHUN HEE Born: Sep 20, 1912 Born: Feb 21, 1914 Called to eternal rest:

Nov 15, 1992 Oct 29, 2012

LILY ANGELINA WONG Born: Mar 25, 1951 July 2, 2010

Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

In meadows of green grass he lets me lie.

To the waters of repose he leads me; there he revives my soul.

MAGDALENE GOH JOHN BAPTIST @ PWAY CHENG LIM TECK LIANG Departed

May 6, 1994 Oct 31, 2014

We thank God for blessing us with wonderful parents!

We love you, mummy and pa, and cherish our happy times together!

May you rest in peace in God’s Heavenly Kingdom!

Dearly missed by all loved ones!

Psalm 23

IN MEMORIAM 23

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Sunday November 12, 2017 n CatholicNews

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