NOVEMBER 15, 2015, Vol 65, No 23

Page 1

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2015

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

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Church has to proclaim mercy, not condemnation Pope sums up synod’s challenging moments as it grappled with family issues VATICAN CITY ± 7KH ¿UVW WDVN

of the Catholic Church “is not to hand down condemnations or anathemas, but to proclaim the mercy of God”, Pope Francis told members of the Synod of Bishops on the family. $W WKH HQG RI WKH V\QRG¶V ¿QDO working session on Oct 24, Pope Francis was honest about the differences of opinion present among synod participants and about the tone of their discussions, sometimes exceeding the bounds of charity. But he framed all those differences as a learning opportunity. “In the course of this synod, the different opinions that were expressed freely – and, unfortunately, sometimes with methods that were not completely charitable – certainly led to a rich and lively dialogue,” he said. The synod, he said, was a time of trying “to broaden horizons... so as to defend and spread the freedom of the children of God [and] to transmit the beauty of Christian newness, which sometimes is covered by the rust of a language that is archaic or simply incomprehensible”. “For the Church,” he said, “concluding the synod means to go back to really ‘walking together’ to bring to every part of the

world – every diocese, every community and every situation – the light of the Gospel, the embrace of the Church and the support of the mercy of God.” The synod sessions, the pope said, were designed to have people speak openly about the needs of families and to face them “without fear and without hiding our heads in the sand”. The gathering, he said, was a time “to witness to all that the Gospel remains for the Church the living source of eternal newness against those who want to ‘indoctrinate’ it into dead stones to hurl at each other”. :LWKRXW PHQWLRQLQJ VSHFL¿F differences, such as deeply varied cultural approaches to homosexuality, Pope Francis said synod members learned that “what seems normal for a bishop on one continent can seem strange – almost a scandal –

to a bishop from another”. 7KH V\QRG WULHG WR ¿QG EHWWHU ways to convince the world of the importance of the family based on the lifelong marriage of one man and one woman, he said, knowing that it should not be afraid to shake “anaesthetised consciences or to dirty its hands animatedly and frankly discussing the family”. “The experience of the synod,” the pope said, “has made us understand better that the true defenders of doctrine are not those

who defend its letter, but its spirit; not ideas, but people; not formulas, but the free gift of God’s love and forgiveness. This is in no way to detract from the importance of formulas, laws and divine commandments, but rather to exalt the greatness of the true God, who does not treat us according to our merits or even according to our works, but solely according to the boundless generosity of his mercy.” Continued on Page 15

VOL 65

NO. 23

INSIDE HOME Archdiocese’s Deepavali message: Let’s protect the environment Page 4

St Joseph’s parishioners honoured Two receive papal awards Page 7

ASIA Br McNally’s mural restored Last Supper artwork rededicated in Ipoh church Page 8

Pope Francis waves as he leaves the ¿QDO VHVVLRQ RI WKH 6\QRG RI Bishops on the IDPLO\ DW WKH Vatican. CNS photo

Vatican-China dialogue Has a breakthrough been achieved? Page 9

SYNOD ON THE FAMILY ‘Accompanying’ families in their situations

The true defenders of ‘doctrine are not those who

Pages 14-15

defend its letter, but its spirit; not ideas, but people; not formulas, but the free gift of God’s love and forgiveness.

’

– Pope Francis

FOCUS Yearning to share your faith? New Evangelisation RI¿FH FDQ KHOS Page 17

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Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

OYP holds its ÀUVW SRO\WHFKQLF UHWUHDW IRU VWXGHQWV ZRUN KDQG LQ KDQG LQ VDQFWLI\LQJ &DWKROLFV DQG DOVR LQ HYDQJHOLVLQJ 7KH 2I¿FH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH WR WKHLU SHHUV 3DUWLFLSDQWV KDG WLPH WR UH 2<3 KHOG LWV ¿UVW 3RO\WHFKQLF /HDGHUV )RUPDWLRQ :HHNHQG DW ÀHFW RQ KRZ WKH\ FRXOG EH PRUH /RURQJ /RZ .RRQ IURP 2FW FRPPLWWHG WR D IDLWKIXO UHVSRQVH WR *RG WKURXJK WKHLU DFWLRQV DQG 7KH UHWUHDW WKHPHG 7KH :RP ZRUGV ³7KH UHWUHDW HQDEOHG PH WR DQ DW WKH :HOO ZDV DWWHQGHG E\ VWXGHQWV IURP DOO ¿YH SRO\ GHHSHQ P\ UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK *RG WHFKQLFV LQ 6LQJDSRUH DQG DLPHG +H VDLG WR PH µ0\ JUDFH LV VXI¿ WR HPSRZHU WKHP WR EH D GLVFL FLHQW IRU \RX IRU P\ SRZHU LV PDGH SOH RI &KULVW LQ WKHLU UHVSHFWLYH SHUIHFW LQ ZHDNQHVV ¶ 7KHUHIRUH , ZLOO ERDVW DOO WKH PRUH JODGO\ DERXW SRO\WHFKQLFV 6WXGHQWV ZHUH UHPLQGHG RQ WKH P\ ZHDNQHVVHV VR WKDW &KULVW¶V SRZHU PD\ UHVW ¿UVW GD\ WKDW -HVXV RQ PH ´ VKDUHG FRPHV SHUVRQ Students were 9HURQLFD /RZ DOO\ WR PHHW WKHP IURP 5HSXEOLF DW WKHLU OHYHO OLNH reminded that 3RO\WHFKQLF KRZ +H PHW WKH Jesus comes -RVKXD /RZH 6DPDULWDQ ZRPDQ LQ -RKQ +H RI personally to meet IURP 7HPDVHN R O \ W H F K Q L F IHUV WKHP +LV them at their level, 3VKDUHG WKDW WKHUH JRRGQHVV DQG OLIH ZDV ³UHYHODWLRQ JLYLQJ ZDWHU WR like how He met DQG FRQ¿UPDWLRQ QRXULVK DQG JLYH the Samaritan RI P\ LQVHFXUL WKHP MR\ LQ WKHLU woman in John 4. WLHV DQG QHJDWLYH OLYHV LPDJHV RI *RG 7KH VHFRQG ZKLFK DUH VORZO\ GD\ IRFXVHG RQ *RG WKH )DWKHU DQG VWXGHQWV ZHUH EHLQJ KHDOHG DQG PDGH QHZ PDGH DZDUH RI WKH QHJDWLYH SHU +DYLQJ WUXWKV EHLQJ UHYHDOHG WR FHSWLRQV RI *RG ZKLFK PLJKW KLQ PH ZLOO KHOS PH LQ P\ ZDON ZLWK GHU WKHP IURP ORYLQJ +LP IXOO\ *RG DQG NQRZLQJ WKHVH DOORZ PH DQG FRPPLWWLQJ WKHLU OLYHV WR +LP WR EHWWHU VXUUHQGHU WKHP ´ )U %ULDQ '¶6RX]D FKDSODLQ 2Q WKH ¿QDO GD\ RI WKH UHWUHDW WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI D OLIHVW\OH RI RI 2<3 DQG LWV SRO\WHFKQLF GHVN GLVFLSOHVKLS DQG EHLQJ LQ D FRP VDLG ³7KH UHWUHDW ZDV PHDQLQJ PXQLW\ ZHUH KLJKOLJKWHG 7KHVH IXO WR WKH SRO\ VWXGHQWV EHFDXVH OHVVRQV ZHUH IXUWKHU YDOLGDWHG E\ LW LV D JRRG UHPLQGHU LQ WKH PLGVW WHVWLPRQLHV ZKLFK ZLWQHVVHG WR RI WKHLU EXV\ VFKHGXOHV WKDW *RG KRZ FRPPXQLW\ DQG GLVFLSOHVKLS ORYHV WKHP ´ By Nicholas Goh

Polytechnic students having a discussion in their small group during an input session. Photo: AARON LEONG

A thanksgiving Mass was held for junior college and international baccalaureate students to pray for their upcoming exams.

A polytechnic student having personal prayer time. Photo: AARON LEONG

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OYP will hold its next Nox Gaudii session on Nov 20. For more information about OYP, visit www. oyp.org.sg

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Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Catholics, Protestants come together for healing service By Jared Ng Protestants and Catholics rested in the Spirit as prayer teams from various Churches prayed over them at the Church of St Mary of the Angels. The prayer session, which lasted more than an hour, was a KLJKOLJKW RI WKH (FXPHQLFDO &KDUismatic Healing Service held on Oct 30. The event, which had the theme, Be Reconciled, was one of several efforts by both Catholics and Protestants to promote Christian unity. About 1,600 Christians from various Churches participated in it. Methodist Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup and Archbishop William Goh, both of whom spoke at the service, formed one of the 40 prayer teams. The evening started with worship leaders inviting participants to pray for their fellow Christians sitting next to them. In his homily, Bishop Wee spoke about the healing that God RIIHUV WR DOO &KULVWLDQV ³7KH ¿UVW cure is that we are forgiven of our sins, in Jesus Christ...We are saved from the presence of sin in our lives,� he said. Referring to Isaiah 53:3-4, he said that Christians can receive physical and emotional healing as well. The homily was followed by sharings from representatives of Servants of the Lord, an ecumenical Charismatic community founded in Singapore in 1986. Mr Lim Tau Kok, a Methodist, shared about the history and work

Archbishop William Goh and Methodist Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup wait for people to come to them for prayers during the Ecumenical Charismatic Healing Service.

of his community, while Mr Andrew Lee, a Catholic, spoke about how the community touched his life and strengthened his faith. %HIRUH JLYLQJ WKH ÂżQDO EOHVVing for the event, Archbishop Goh stressed “the need to strengthen Christian unity because all of us, we are brothers and sisters in Christâ€?. “If Christian unity were to really be a force in this world, to really be witnesses, then unity must be a sign,â€? he said. “Divided amongst ourselves, we cannot be witnesses, we will be counter-witnesses,â€? Archbishop Goh added. Participants later chatted with

It’s really quite ‘ beautiful that people can put their differences aside and focus on Jesus and His love.

’

– Mr Benjamin Chia, a participant

one another over light refreshments. When asked about their thoughts on the service, several participants told CatholicNews they found the event useful in promoting Christian unity.

Participants praying together at the ecumenical event held at the Church of St Mary of the Angels.

“It’s really quite beautiful that people can put their differences aside and focus on Jesus and His love,� said Mr Benjamin Chia, 29, from the Church of the Holy Cross. “It was good to see different forms of worship,� commented Ms Claire Ho, 28, a Presbyterian. “It’s also very heartwarming to know we all worship the same God.� On the other hand, Ms Michelle Loo, 30, a Charismatic Christian, said she felt there were still lingering “tensions� among Christians. “There are still reser-

vations from what I observed today,â€? she said, “but I can feel the genuine intention to live as a community and that the effort is there to promote unity.â€? Other participants suggested more activities to forge closer ties among Christians. These included having talks by Catholic or Protestant representatives over dinner, or organising movie screenings. The Oct 30 service was the third to be held annually, and has seen a steady rise in attendance VLQFH LW ZDV ÂżUVW RUJDQLVHG „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Mass for kids with special needs and their parents By Jared Ng Parents with special needs kids can empathise with the challenges such families face, and the children themselves “love to get together all the timeâ€?, said Mr Michael Jalleh. Mr Jalleh, whose 14-year-old daughter, Claire, is intellectually disabled, was among the 200 parents and children with special needs who attended the Purple Parade Mass at Agape Village in Toa Payoh. The Nov 1 event, organised by WKH 2IÂżFH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ 21( VRXJKW WR KRQRXU those with special needs. “Moreâ€? people from the larger Catholic community should have been at the Mass “to get to know more about special needs children and adults too, because I think many of them don’t get to attend regular Massâ€?, said Mr Jalleh. Some of the disabilities that the children who attended the Mass had included cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Dis-

A person with special needs receives Communion during the Purple Parade Mass.

order and physical handicaps. A few of them wandered around while waiting for Mass to begin while others sat quietly with their parents or guardians. One of the altar boys serving at the Mass was intellectually disabled. )U (GZDUG 6HDK FHOHEUDWHG WKH All Saints’ Day Mass. In his homily, he noted that

Mr and Mrs Lawrence Ng seen here with their son, Sebastian.

people live among “saints� in their daily lives. “They are the ones who may be unknown to many people, but whose lives have touched ours, and we want to thank God for them,� he said. After Mass, participants enjoyed refreshments and fellowship with one another. Mr Lawrence Ng, whose son,

Sebastian, 25, is intellectually disabled, told CatholicNews that the event was “an opportunity to meet with other parents and children with similar situations to share about the challenges we face�. He added that future events should include “social activities, not just spiritual. Sometimes indoors and sometimes outdoors to

encourage more involvement.� 2YHU WKH \HDU 21( KDV RUganised various events for people with special needs. In March, it organised a fourweek course to help catechists work better work with young people with special needs. ,Q $SULO 21( KHOG D ZRUNVKRS with SPARK (Society for the Promotion of ADHD Research and .QRZOHGJH ZKHUH SDUWLFLSDQWV learnt how a person with ADHD $WWHQWLRQ 'H¿FLW +\SHUDFWLYLW\ 'LVRUGHU SHUFHLYHV WKH ZRUOG DQG KRZ WKH\ FRXOG ¿W LQWR VRFLHW\ Another workshop in July, titled Spirituality of the Special Needs Community, helped participants learn the personal and spiritual needs of people with special needs. For more information on ONE’s special needs programme, call 6858 3011 or email admin@ one.org.sg. „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Dear Hindu Friends, It is with great joy that I greet you on this wonderful celebration of Deepavali – the victory of Light over Darkness. May your celebration be ¿OOHG ZLWK WKH OLJKW RI ORYH and harmony as you gather among family and friends to renew, rekindle and strengthen bonds that are so much at risk in this age of individualism. Indeed, we are greatly in need of the Divine Light today. The world is under threat by the dark forces of greed and consumerism, as can be seen in the wanton exploitation of Mother Earth IRU SUR¿W JODULQJO\ UREELQJ created life of home, health and vitality. We in Singapore are all too familiar with this, having KDG ¿UVWKDQG H[SHULHQFH RI the cruel effects of corporate greed when our blue skies and clean air were invaded and replaced with choking haze. And such disregard for ecology and the environment is happening all over the world!

It is with this environmental and human ecological crisis in mind that Pope Francis promulgated his encyclical, Laudato Si, on the environment earlier this year. In it, he emphasises the need for us to cherish the gift of creation by exercising responsible stewardship and cultivating “ecological virtues� which will ensure the sustainable use of the earth’s resources. Regardless of our religious belief, we share a com-

mon call to protect the earth, which is the source of all life. In fact, your faith tradition places emphasis on the “oneness� in nature, humanity and the divine. Likewise, our Christian faith also teaches that creation is God’s gift to mankind, and as stewards, it behooves us to nurture and protect it and all living things in it. The exercise of care for the environment, however, involves more than just the planting of trees, recycling

used products, reducing the use of air-conditioning and carbon emissions from our vehicles etc. It encompasses the responsibility of preserving harmony; with creation and with peoples, and this means

“protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternityâ€? (Laudato Si, 201). Love of God, humankind and nature are all inextricably connected. Let us join hands in striving to promote greater awareness of the need to respect, preserve and protect our environment, and the poor and needy amongst us. Let us teach and instil in our young, the ecological values that are so necessary for peace and harmony to Ă€RXULVK LQ RXU IDPLOLHV DQG in our world. For it is only when we are united in vision and mission that we can triumph over the darkness of evil in this world. On this joyous occasion, I would like to sincerely wish all our Hindu friends and their families, Happy Deepavali. Saal Mubarak!

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Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

SJI International aids Filipino community living in dumpsite The Jan 7, 1939, front page of the Malaya Catholic Leader.

Seeking early editions of CatholicNews

Children posing for a photo at the Tondo dumpsite. Photo: SJI INTERNATIONAL

St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) International sent a team of nine students and four teachers on a trip to Manila to work with the Philippines Community Fund (PCF) as part of the school’s Service Learning initiatives. The trip, which took place from Oct 18-23, helped the team to learn about a community that lives in very GLI¿FXOW FRQGLWLRQV EXW QHYHUWKHOHVV works hard and leads fruitful lives. The Tondo community lives, works and plays on the Tondo dumpsite, which is the main refuse dump for Manila. Families there rely on collecting plastic for recycling companies, but many also run businesses within the community such as mamak shops that sell commodities to the other families. Despite their situation, a sense of community is evident. During the visit, the SJI International team worked at the Philippines Community Fund

School, helping out with a variety of tasks such as giving out 300 pairs of wellington boots, which were donated by SJI International Elementary school parents, to primary school children. The boots would provide more protection for the children’s feet

Two Filipino kids wearing wellington boots which were donated by SJI International Elementary school parents. Photo: SJI INTERNATIONAL

ties such as bedsheets, towels and toiletries. A gift exchange of postcards took place between the SJI International and Filipino students as part of a joint school exercise. The aim of the exchange was to improve the literacy of the Filipino

There was trash everywhere; ‘ the ground was littered with sweet wrappers, plastic bags, mud. Lots of mud. ’

– Natalie Wong, 15, a student from the SJI team that went on a service trip to Manila

GXULQJ WLPHV RI ÀRRG WKXV KHOSing to reduce the number of injuries and infections. A market day was also organised for children to choose items from the 350kg worth of goods that the SJI International team brought to Manila. They comprised basic necessi-

students through the reading and writing of postcards. The Singapore team also assisted in sorting ring pulls from cans, discarding any that were damaged or dirty. The ring pulls could then be used in making a variety of products that are a valuable source of income. Natalie Wong, 15, described her

experience at the dumpsite: “There was trash everywhere; the ground was littered with sweet wrappers, plastic bags, mud. Lots of mud. There were dogs and cats everywhere. There were kids everywhere. “Despite our different settings, kids here and kids back in Singapore are not so different, maybe a little less phone-addicted actually. Some are loud, others are quiet and they have their own dreams of the future.â€? The trip to Manila was part of a project that began in 2014. Over the past 18 months, SJI International students have been collecting ring pulls which were then shipped to the Philippines Commuinty Fund School where they are used to make a wide range of products for sale. 7KH SURÂżWV IURP WKH VDOHV DUH invested back into the Tondo community to fund education, housing and sanitation. „

The CatholicNews is looking for the early editions of its publications in the Malaya Catholic Leader (MCL), and the Malayan Catholic News dating from 1935 to 1938, 1941 and 1951. The Malaya Catholic Leader (MCL) was originally published by the priests of the Missions Entrangères de Paris (MEP) from 1935-1941. The original issues, which were archived and compiled, are presently not in the custody of CatholicNews. To aid the ongoing efforts to digitise and preserve the history of the CatholicNews in Singapore, please contact Medona Walter at 6858-3055, or email medona@ catholic.org.sg should you have information on these early volumes or are willing to contribute old copies from 1935-1951. „

The Jan 6, 1952, front page of the Malayan Catholic News.

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Sunday November 15, 2015 CatholicNews

30 October 2015

CHANCERY NOTICE

APPOINTMENTS 1. Mr SSA Suresh has been elected as Chairman of the Archdiocesan Commission for Tamil Speaking for a term of two [2] years with effect from 27 September 2015. 2. The appointment of Fr Thomas Sukotriraharjo SS.CC as parish priest of Blessed Sacrament Church which was to take effect from 22 November 2015 was brought forward to 18 October 2015 with the Rite of Installation at the said parish. 3. The following as members of the Parish Council of St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) have been reappointed to undertake feasibility study on the redevelopment of the Annex Buildings and complex at the Church for a term of one year from 1 October 2015 – 30 October 2016: a. Dr James Boss b. Mr Michael Khoo 4. Deacon Clement Chen has been appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees for Caritas for a term of two [2] years with effect from 15 October 2015. 5. Fr Alex Chua has been appointed as the Rector of St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) for term of six [6] years with effect from the ¿UVW 6XQGD\ RI /HQW February 2016).

6. Fr Ignatius Yeo has been appointed as Assistant Priest at WKH &KXUFK RI 7UDQV¿JXUDtion for a term of three [3] years with effect from the ¿UVW 6XQGD\ RI /HQW (14 February 2016) and taking up residence at St Anne’s Church pending the completion of the new Church. 7. Fr Valerian Cheong has been appointed the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Singapore for a term of two [2] years with effect from 14 February 2016. 8. Fr Alex Chua has been appointed the Assistant Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Singapore for a term of two [2] years with effect from 14 February 2016. 9. The following have been appointed to the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning of Resources for a term of two years: D &DUROLQH /HH ZLWK HIIHFW from 23 February 2015 b. Richard Tan with effect from 28 April 2015 F /LP &KHRN 3HQJ ZLWK HIfect from 6 July 2015

CHN/CN/2015/015

d. Willie Cheng with effect from 14 September 2015 10. The following have stepped down from the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning of Resources: D 0DJGDOHQH /HH ZLWK HIfect from 28 April 2015 b. Tony Choy with effect from 6 July 2015 OTHER MATTERS Private Associations of the Faithful

Through the issuing of a decree, the following groups have been given recognition as “Private Association” in accordance with can 299: 1. St Pio Devotion Singapore 0DPUH 2DNV /WG Constitutions of the Singapore Malayalee Catholic Community (SMCC)

The Constitutions of the Singapore Malayalee Catholic Community (SMCC) has been approved and promulgated by Archbishop William Goh DD on 27 August 2015. These are provided for the pastoral care of Malayalee Catholics in Singapore belonging to the Syro Malabar Rite

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

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Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

6W -RVHSK¡V &KXUFK SDULVKLRQHUV UHFHLYH SDSDO KRQRXUV Photo: DOMINIC WONG

Mr Augustine Pereira, 85, (in wheelchair) and Prof James Newton Boss, 67, received the Benemerenti medal from apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli (centre). Also present at the event were St Joseph’s Church parish priest Fr Ignatius Yeo and Fr Brian Wysocki, a Marist priest from New Zealand.

Two pioneer parishioners of St -RVHSKÂśV &KXUFK 9LFWRULD 6WUHHW have been awarded the papal Benemerenti medal for their devoted service to the parish community. Mr Augustine Pereira, 85, and 3URI -DPHV 1HZWRQ %RVV were presented with the award by apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli at a Mass on Oct 31. The papal honour was institutHG E\ 3RSH *UHJRU\ ;9, LQ and is conferred on those who have exhibited long and exceptional service to the Church. The word benemerenti translates to “a well deserving personâ€?. Mr Pereira joined the par-

ish’s children’s choir at the age of seven and continued on to the adult choir. He was also an altar server, especially during the painIXO -DSDQHVH 2FFXSDWLRQ ZKHQ KH assisted in many funerals. He was also a long-standing 9LQFHQWLDQ DQG VHUYHG DV D ZDUGHQ and informal “car-park attendantâ€? from the 1950s, until ill health in 2003 prevented him from doing so. Prof Boss is a distinguished PHPEHU RI 6W -RVHSKÂśV &KXUFK the Portuguese community and the educational fraternity. He contributed to local Church history when he wrote The Portuguese Mission in Singapore

6W -RVHSKœV &KXUFK He also secured the grant from the Preservations of Monument Board which enabled the stained glass windows of the church to be restored to their former glory. ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR EHLQJ FKDLUPDQ of the Parish Pastoral Council and a long-standing member of other organisations, Prof Boss has also assisted the church in innumerable negotiations in securing its Catholic heritage status. He was conferred knighthood E\ 5RPH LQ ¹ 7KH 6RYHUHLJQ Military Hospitaller Order of St -RKQ RI -HUXVDOHP RI 5KRGHV DQG of Malta. „

5Hà HFWLQJ RQ OLIH DIWHU How do people past their 50s see their personal and societal role? This was a question explored by 11 participants at a workshopcum-day of recollection on Oct 24. Titled God’s Gift of Years, the ¿UVW ZRUNVKRS RI LWV NLQG DW WKH -HVuit-run Kingsmead Centre saw participants spending quiet time to discover their unique gifts and wisdom. They also engaged in journaling to recall their own life stories. Facilitators Diana Tan and Diana Koh reminded participants that as they age, they should pay attention to how they treat their bodies, and that they should eat healthily and maintain a regular exercise regime. Mentally, the willingness to learn new things and engage with people and the community would keep them in good mental health, they shared. Spiritually, one also needs to reconnect with God and be grateful for all His gifts, they added. The workshop drew attention to the fact that people in their advanced years need care, and are de-

Participants spending quiet prayer time at Kingsmead Centre during the God’s Gift of Years workshop.

pendent on others to care for them. +RZ WKHQ GR WKH\ ÂżQG ZD\V WR maintain and enhance mutual carLQJ IROORZLQJ -HVXVÂśV H[DPSOHV" Said facilitator Diana Tan, “As we move into old age, we stop our busyness to listen to the inner, the interior landscape of our being, our soul. We encounter our innate inner wisdom and connect once again with the God of wisdom who lives inside us. God-with-us.â€?

Co-facilitator Diana Koh also shared how she navigated her post50 years and how she is still learning to be still and allow God to envelop her with His unconditional love. Participants said they learn much from the workshop. “The workshop answered some of my inner questions and stressed the need and importance of self-care,� wrote one participant in her comments. „

8 ASIA

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

%U 0F1DOO\¡V PXUDO RI /DVW 6XSSHU UHVWRUHG IPOH, MALAYSIA – For decades, pa-

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Above: Br John Joseph McNally’s restored mosaic mural of The Last Supper. Right: The late Br Joseph McNally.

the mosaic pieces had fallen off DQG WKDW FUDFNV KDG DSSHDUHG Commander Ian Anderson, 51 5WG GLUHFWRU RI ,SRK :RUOG 6GQ %KG ZDV FRQVXOWHG DQG KH advised on the need for an expert WR UHVWRUH WKH PXUDO 2Q 0DUFK GXULQJ WKH WHQXUH RI )U ) $QWKRQ\ FRPPX-

nication was established with Ms Koh Bee Liang of ARTGLASS, 6LQJDSRUH The design company, whichhad also restored the stained glass ZLQGRZV RI 6W -RVHSKÂśV &KXUFK 9LFWRULD 6WUHHW UHVWRUHG WKH PXral this year to its former glory for free as a token of appreciation

IRU WKH ZRUNV RI %U 0F1DOO\ 7KH /DVW 6XSSHU PRVDLF PXral was rededicated by parish priest, Fr Robert Daniel Francis and assistant parish priest, Fr 6LPRQ $QDQG 0DUWKDPXWKX RI 2XU /DG\ RI /RXUGHV &KXUFK LQ ,SRK RQ 2FW „ HERITAGE GALLERY, CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES, IPOH

0RUH DLG QHHGHG IRU 3KLOLSSLQH SULHVWV UXQ IRU SXEOLF RIÀFH least three RI XVLQJ WKH SXOSLW IRU KLV SROLWLFDO In Catarman diocese in the 3KLOLSSLQH W\SKRRQ YLFWLPV Catholic priests willAt defy a warn- DPELWLRQ D FKDUJH WKH SULHVW GHQLHV central Philippines, Fr Walter PHILIPPINES –

A school in Manila being used as a temporary shelter for victims of Typhoon Koppu that swept across northern Philippines. CNS photo PHILIPPINES – 3KLOLSSLQH &KXUFK

leaders have appealed for extra IXQGV WR KHOS YLFWLPV RI 7\SKRRQ .RSSX ZKLFK NLOOHG DW OHDVW SHRSOH DQG DIIHFWHG VRPH PLOlion people in the northern part of WKH FRXQWU\ UHFHQWO\ In the Archdiocese of Manila, &DUGLQDO /XLV $QWRQLR 7DJOH LVVXHG D FLUFXODU UHTXHVWLQJ DOO SDUishes, shrines and chapels to take XS D VHFRQG FROOHFWLRQ IRU GLVDVWHU YLFWLPV RQ 2FW 0DVVHV Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic bishRSVÂś FRQIHUHQFH VDLG IRXU &DULWDV ,QWHUQDWLRQDOLV PHPEHU FRXQWULHV KDYH DOUHDG\ SOHGJHG VXSSRUW IRU WKH RQJRLQJ UHOLHI RSHUDWLRQV )U (GZLQ *DULJXH] H[HFXWLYH VHFUHWDU\ RI WKH ELVKRSVÂś VRFLDO DFtion secretariat, said Caritas Germany, Caritas Spain, Catholic Relief Services in the United States, and Cordaid of the Netherlands KDYH DOVR SOHGJHG WKHLU VXSSRUW Âł7KHVH DPRXQWV ZRXOG VXUHO\

go a long way in helping those in need of immediate assistance,� VDLG )U *DULJXH] DGGLQJ WKDW KH expects more pledges from other &DULWDV PHPEHU FRXQWULHV DV WKH UHOLHI RSHUDWLRQV FRQWLQXH )U *DULJXH] VDLG &DULWDV 3KLOLSSLQHV QHHGV DERXW 86 6 WR SURYLGH UHOLHI WR 25,000 people in 15 provinces afIHFWHG E\ WKH VWRUP 7KH JRYHUQPHQWœV 1DWLRQDO 'LVDVWHU 5LVN 5HGXFWLRQ &RXQcil estimated the cost of damage WR DJULFXOWXUH DQG LQIUDVWUXFWXUH EURXJKW E\ WKH W\SKRRQ DW DERXW 86 PLOOLRQ 7KH DPRXQW LV H[SHFWHG WR LQFUHDVH DV DXWKRULWLHV FRQWLQXH WR DVVHVV WKH GDPDJH The agency estimated that the typhoon impacted almost 270,000 IDPLOLHV RU DERXW PLOOLRQ SHRple, in several northern Philippine UHJLRQV $V RI 2FW PRUH WKDQ 110,000 people, were still staying LQ HPHUJHQF\ HYDFXDWLRQ FHQWUHV „ UCANEWS.COM

ing from Filipino bishops for PHPEHUV RI WKH FOHUJ\ QRW WR UXQ IRU SXEOLF RIÂżFH LQ QDWLRQDO HOHFWLRQV QH[W \HDU All face being defrocked if WKH\ VWDQG LQ WKH HOHFWLRQV EXW they say they can better serve the SHRSOH E\ EHFRPLQJ SROLWLFLDQV )U -HHPDU /XFHUR 9HUD &UX] vicar general of Iligan Diocese, is seeking to become vice mayor of WKH FLW\ LQ QRUWKHUQ 0LQGDQDR “I will be leaving my role as a priest, temporarily, in response to *RGÂśV FDOOLQJ WR KHOS WKH FRQVWLWXents of Iligan City,â€? the priest said RQ 2FW +H VDLG WKHUH LV D QHHG WR WUDQVform the city after the arrest of the FLW\ÂśV PD\RU ZKR LV IDFLQJ FKDUJes of conspiring in the attempted PXUGHU RI D FRQJUHVVPDQ )U &UX] KDV FRPH XQGHU ÂżUH IURP FULWLFV ZKR DFFXVH WKH SULHVW

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There is a clear rule ‘that they (priests) are not to enter politics because the Church is non-partisan in its mission.

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– Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao

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6UL /DQND¡V Ă€UVW FDUGLQDO RQ URDG WR VDLQWKRRG SRI LANKA – Catholics in Sri Lanka believe they now have evidence of miracles to proceed with WKH EHDWLÂżFDWLRQ RI WKH FRXQWU\ÂśV ÂżUVW FDUGLQDO “We have got evidence of the miracles and once the medical reports have proved that there is a miracle then we will proceed,â€? said Mr Thaya Nissanka, member RI WKH FRPPLWWHH IRU WKH EHDWLÂżFDtion of Servant of God Thomas %HQMDPLQ &RRUD\ “The committee already has several proved cases,â€? he said on 2FW Ms Namalee Anthony, 54,

from Ragama, said Cardinal CoRUD\œV LQWHUFHVVLRQ KHOSHG FXUH KHU GDXJKWHU RI EUHDVW FDQFHU ³'RFWRUV LGHQWL¿HG EUHDVW OXPSV LQ P\ \HDU ROG GDXJKWHU and everyday I prayed to Cardinal &RRUD\ WR FXUH KHU GLVHDVH DQG ¿QDOO\ WKHUH ZDV D PLUDFOH LQ P\ GDXJKWHUœV OLIH ´ VKH VDLG ³:KHQ ZH ZHQW IRU FKHFNXSV GRFWRUV FRXOGQœW ¿QG WKH OXPSV it was really a miracle from my VDLQW ´ VKH VDLG Servant of God Thomas Benjamin Cooray, who in 1965 was PDGH WKH FRXQWU\œV ¿UVW FDUGLQDO served the Colombo archdiocese

ÂżUVW DV FRDGMXWRU ELVKRS LQ EHIRUH KHDGLQJ LW DV WKH ÂżUVW ORFDO ERUQ WZR \HDUV ODWHU +H UHWLUHG LQ 1976 and died 12 years later at age In 2010, he was declared “servDQW RI *RG ´ WKH SUHOXGH WR WKH IRUmal process by which a candidate can be declared “venerable,â€? then ÂłEOHVVHG´ DQG ÂżQDOO\ D VDLQW For a sainthood candidate to EH EHDWLÂżHG D YHULÂżHG PLUDFOH PXVW EH DWWULEXWHG WR WKH VDLQW FDQGLGDWHÂśV LQWHUFHVVLRQ $ VHFRQG miracle is necessary for canonisaWLRQ RU WKH GHFODUDWLRQ RI D VDLQW „ UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 9

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Vatican-China meeting sends positive signals Fr Jeroom Heyndrickx analyses a recent meeting between the two sides A Vatican delegation of six people arrived in China on Oct 11 with plans to negotiate with the Chinese government. This much we know. What remains to be seen is whether these discussions will produce a long-awaited agreement on key issues that have strained relations between the Vatican and China. So far, the signs are tentative but positive. For two years, China had refrained from appointing or consecrating any new illicit bishops. Bishop Martin Wu Qinjing of Zhouzhi, in Shaanxi province, appointed by the pope and consecrated without the approval of China, had been punished by the governPHQW DQG NHSW LQ FRQ¿QHPHQW IRU several years. Suddenly in July, the government allowed Bishop Wu WR RI¿FLDOO\ WDNH XS KLV GXWLHV DV bishop of Zhouzhi. This was followed by yet another surprising piece of good news: Father Joseph Zhang Yinlin was appointed and consecrated bishop in Anyang Diocese, in Henan province, in agreement with both the Holy See and Beijing. From then on, observers understood that a positive evolution was taking place in the Beijing-Vatican dialogue. Soon afterward, the news spread that a delegation from the Vatican would go to Beijing in September or October for negotiations with the government. It was commonly assumed that the Vatican would not go to Beijing without realistic hope of achieving progress. In the corridors, the rumour spread that both sides had agreed to leave aside – for the time being – negotiations on the more thorny

questions: the liberation from prison of Bishop James Su Zhimin of Baoding; or clarifying the situation of excommunicated bishops; or normalising the situation of the bishop of Shanghai, Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin, who has been under de facto house arrest since 2012. Both parties did not seem ready to reach an agreement on these isVXHV 7KH\ ZLVKHG WR ORRN ¿UVW IRU D consensus on the issue of episcopal appointments. This is the most urgent pastoral issue for the Church, since dozens of dioceses in China have no bishop. This causes problems inside the dioceses as well as for civil authorities. On Oct 11, a delegation of six members of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State and of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples arrived in Beijing for negotiations with the government. Nothing was published on the content of these negotiations, but on Oct 14, the delegation went to visit Bishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing. That visit in itself was a positive signal, meaning that the negotiations went well. This became even more clear the following day when the delegation went to visit the National Seminary, where they were welcomed by (illicit) Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin, president of the Chinese bishops’ conference, which itself is not recognised by the Vatican. Both visits were not openly announced but they happened publicly. Priests and others who witnessed the visits considered them to be hopeful signals that more good news is coming. They rea-

Men praying during Mass at a Catholic church in Xiliulin, China. Signs emerging from the dialogue between VatiFDQ RIÂżFLDOV DQG &KLQD DUH SURPLVLQJ &16 ÂżOH SKRWRV

The visit of a Vatican delegation to the National Seminary in Beijing and illicit Bishop Ma Yinglin, are clear signals that some progress has been made.

Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai, has been under house arrest in China since 2012. Negotiations over his release have yet to be discussed.

soned that Chinese civil authorities would never allow these visits to be made if the negotiations had not been constructive. 6LPLODUO\ DQ RIÂżFLDO 9DWLFDQ delegation would never even agree to visit the National Seminary, which is directed by the Patriotic Association, and to even meet with an illicit bishop, if they had no plan in mind for a positive solution to the situation of the illicit bishops who host them. Even as the delegation left, no

RI¿FLDO FRPPXQLFDWLRQ ZDV SXElished about the results of the negotiations. It would be wrong to conclude that an agreement was reached on the appointment of bishops. But visits to Bishop Li and, even more so, the visit to the National Seminary and Bishop Ma Yinglin, are clear signals that some progress has been made. If, in the coming months, more candidates are elected, appointed and consecrated bishops in various dioceses – in agreement with both Beijing and the Holy See – WKHQ WKLV ZRXOG FRQ¿UP WKHUH LV DQ agreement. But the Vatican delegation’s visit leads to even further speculation. Bishops’ conferences play an important role in the process of the appointment and consecration of bishops throughout the Catholic Church. Could it be that the Vatican delegation’s encounter with Bishop Ma Yinglin means a normalisation of the bishop’s situation is also forthcoming? Would this also mean that an

agreement is being discussed about the division of dioceses in China? Many years ago, the Chinese government introduced new divisions and new borders to several dioceses in China. The Vatican has never recognised these new divisions. An agreement on the appointment of bishops also would imply that the role of the bishops’ conference is FODUL¿HG DQG WKDW WKH GLYLVLRQ RI GLoceses is accepted by both partners in the agreement. I believe that Beijing and the Holy See have reached an agreement on the appointment of bishops – or that such an accord is nearLQJ LWV ¿QDO VWDJH (YHQWV GXULQJ WKH FRPLQJ PRQWKV ZLOO FRQ¿UP whether this hope is well-founded. „ UCANEWS.COM Missionhurst Father Jeroom Heyndrickx is the founder of the Taiwan Pastoral Institute and founding director of the Ferdinand Verbiest Foundation at Leuven Catholic University in Belgium. This commentary is slightly condensed from the original.

China bishops on ‘reconciliation mission’ Three bishops from the government-sanctioned bishops’ conference in China travelled to the US to “seek reconciliation with the universal Church,� religious observers say. The trip also coincided with visits to the US by Pope Francis (Sept 22-27) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Sept 22-28). Conference President Bishops Joseph Ma Yinglin and his two vice presidents, John Baptist Yang Xiaoting and Vincent Zhan Silu, were in the US for 10 days at the invitation of several universities and Church congregations. The Holy See does not recognise the bishops’ conference. Bishops Ma and Zhan are illicit prelates consecrated without papal mandate, while Yang was ordained a bishop

Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin, along with two other bishops, were in the US for 10 days to reconcile relations with the universal Church. UCANEWS photo

with both papal approval and government recognition in March 2011. They were there on “a holy pilgrimage to seek reconciliation with the universal Church,� said Mr John Worthley, former deputy chancellor of Seton Hall University in New Jersey and an expert on the Church in China. Mr Worthley said that a senior American prelate was given a Bible to give to Pope Francis, and that the three bishops had signed the cover with a message: “We love you, we pray for you, we wait for you in China.� During the visit, Bishop Ma gave a public lecture at Yale University’s Divinity School on Sept 17, where he spoke about the history of Christianity in China, according to Mr Tom Krattenmaker,

director of communications at the university. “We are fully aware that the Catholic Church in China is a complex and contested matter. Our hosting of a speaker such as Bishop Ma Yinglin does not represent an endorsement but, rather, our desire to give our students an opportunity to learn about the issues from a source who is directly involved in what all acknowledge to be a complex set of relationships,� Mr Krattenmaker said. “At each stop they have professed their love for the Holy Father, their solidarity with the universal Church, and their heartache over the obstacles to realising the prayer of Christ in Gethsemane ‘that they all be one’,� Mr Worthley said. „ UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday November 15, 2015 CatholicNews

Pope prays for quake, plane crash victims CNS photos

Rescue workers in Peshawar, Pakistan, carry a man who was injured during an earthquake centred in Afghanistan on Oct 26. Catholic Relief Services said it was reaching out to the affected areas to gauge the damage and plan a response.

Residents in Peshawar search for belongings in a house damaged by the earthquake.

PAKISTAN – Pope Francis offered his condolences in the wake of the earthquake in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Russian plane crash over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. In a telegram sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Oct 27 to Archbishop Ghaleb Bader, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan, the Holy Father expressed his sadness. “His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a result of the

nitude earthquake, with fatalities in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The disaster, which struck on Oct 26, has killed more than 300 people in both countries. Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi expressed his concern for the affected families and said that the Church’s social action arm would step in with support. “I have encouraged the Caritas WHDP WR SOD\ D VLJQL¿FDQW UROH LQ helping the victims,” he said. Two emergency teams from Caritas Pakistan have left to begin initial assessments in quake-hit

earthquake in the region. He expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this disaster, and he offers the assurance of his prayers for the dead, as well as for the injured and those still missing. “Upon all those who mourn the loss of loved ones and upon the civil authorities and emergency personnel involved in the relief efforts, Pope Francis invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength.” Church groups in Pakistan are preparing to offer aid to areas stricken by the massive 7.5-mag-

areas, including Peshawar and Islamabad. “We are reviewing what we can do to aid the affected with respect to resources and capacity,” said Mr Amjad Gulzar, Caritas Pakistan’s executive director. ³2XU ¿QGLQJV ZLOO KHOS LQ PDNLQJ the response. A base camp may be established in earthquake-affected areas to coordinate and update information on a daily basis.” The country’s worst-hit province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, saw 185 deaths, according to Paki-

stan’s National Disaster Management Authority. Meanwhile, in another telegram sent to President Vladimir Putin on Nov 1, the Holy Father assured the Russian people of his prayers and invoked upon the nation and all involved in recovery efforts, the strength and peace of God. Shortly after the Airbus A321, travelling from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg, took off in the Sinai Peninsula, it crashed and claimed the lives of all 224 people on board. UCANEWS.COM, ZENIT

WORLD 11

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Bishops from around the world sign climate change appeal VATICAN CITY – The heads of the

world’s bishops’ conferences have signed an appeal for government leaders to reach a “fair, legally binding and truly transformationDO FOLPDWH DJUHHPHQW´ ZKHQ WKH\ PHHW DW D VXPPLW LQ 3DULV Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, signed the appeal on Oct 26 at the beginning of a joint QHZV FRQIHUHQFH DW WKH 9DWLFDQ The appeal, Cardinal Gracias said, was a response to Pope Francis’ letter on the environment and an expression of “the anxiety of all the people, all the Churches all RYHU WKH ZRUOG´ UHJDUGLQJ KRZ “unless we are careful and pruGHQW ZH DUH KHDGLQJ IRU GLVDVWHU ´ The appeal is addressed to negotiators preparing for the UN Climate Change Conference in 3DULV IURP 1RY WR 'HF The bishops called for “courageous and imaginative political OHDGHUVKLS´ DQG IRU OHJDO IUDPHworks that “clearly establish boundaries and ensure the protecWLRQ RI WKH HFRV\VWHP ´ Colombian Cardinal Ruben Salazar Gomez of Bogota, president of the Latin American bishops’ council, spoke of the “sufIHULQJ´ $PD]RQ EDVLQ DQG WKH key role it plays in the survival of 6RXWK $PHULFD DQG WKH ZRUOG The Latin American bishops, he said, want an end to pollution,

to the destruction of the forests and the disappearance of biodiversity, but they also want justice for their people, the majority of ZKRP GR QRW EHQH¿W IURP WKH H[ploitation of resources taken from WKHLU FRXQWULHV Miami Archbishop Thomas G Wenski, chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, FRQ¿UPHG WKDW WKH 86 ELVKRSV

The bishops called for ‘courageous and imaginative political leadership’ and for legal frameworks that ‘clearly establish boundaries and ensure the protection of the ecosystem.’ DVNHG WKDW D VSHFLÂżF WHPSHUDWXUH WDUJHW QRW EH LQ WKH DSSHDO 2WKHUV DJUHHG KH VDLG “We’re pastors and we’re not VFLHQWLVWV ´ WKH DUFKELVKRS VDLG 7KH VSHFLÂżF WHPSHUDWXUH WDUJHW for reversing the impact of climate change is something for scientists to decide, but the need to act is a moral issue, and the bishops are FRPSHWHQW WR VSHDN WR WKDW KH VDLG

Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India, signs a document at an Oct 26 Vatican news conference in which leaders of the world’s regional bishops conferences appealed for action on climate change.

Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, Alberta, represented the Canadian bishops at WKH SUHVHQWDWLRQ +LV SURYLQFH $OEHUWD LV ÂłIRVVLO IXHO FHQWUDO ´ he said, yet people in Alberta, like in the rest of Canada, recognise that something must be GRQH “Nobody wants the future placed in jeopardy because of this, and everyone understands inWHUJHQHUDWLRQDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ ´ KH VDLG „ CNS

:HOFRPH WKH FRQWULEXWLRQ RI PLJUDQWV RIĂ€FLDO VD\V VATICAN CITY – The best way to integrate migrants into a new country is to ensure that they are involved in their host community’s social and civic life, a Vatican RIÂżFLDO VDLG Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican observer to UN agencies in Geneva, told members of the International Organisation for Migration that oftentimes, migrants are “relegated to conÂżQHG DUHDV´ SDUWLFXODUO\ LQ FRXQWULHV WKDW KDYH ÂłD VLJQLÂżFDQW JDS between the haves and haveQRWV ´ “This situations calls for a rethinking of the relationship between the city and migrants both in terms of urban space, as well

as of their interactions with other VRFLDO JURXSV ´ KH VDLG Âł7KHUHfore, it is necessary to design a new public space directed at increasing sustainable relationships between inhabitants in the urban VSDFHV ´ The archbishop spoke on Oct 27 at a two-day conference sponsored by the International Organisation for Migration on how migration and migrants are imSDFWLQJ FLWLHV DURXQG WKH ZRUOG Archbishop Tomasi said that with an appropriate welcome and assistance, migrants can be “entrepreneurs, new contributors to DQ HYHU HYROYLQJ VRFLDO VHWWLQJ ´ “Their involvement in the social and civil life of the urban

community facilitates their integration and allows them to give back to the host country what WKH\ KDYH UHFHLYHG ´ KH VDLG 7KH archbishop said integration and involvement also lead to “mutual WUXVW DQG FRQÂżGHQFH´ EHWZHHQ PLJUDQWV DQG WKHLU KRVW FLWLHV Welcoming migrants gives a deeper meaning to citizenship by emphasising everyone’s participation for the betterment of their society and community, Archbishop 7RPDVL VDLG “The contribution of each person becomes valuable in the construction of citizenship ‘from below’: the inherent dignity of each human being is given new UHOHYDQFH ´ KH VDLG „ CNS

12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews CNS photo

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Pope Francis walks through the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica to pray at the tombs of deceased popes on All Souls’ Day.

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POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

World looks to religious leaders to work for peace, pope says VATICAN CITY – The world expects all people of religious faith to work with everyone for a better future, Pope Francis told representatives of major religions. “We can walk together taking care of each other and of creaWLRQ´ LQ MRLQW SURMHFWV WKDW ÂżJKW poverty, war and corruption and help people live in dignity, he told them during a special general audience dedicated to interreligious dialogue. 7KH DXGLHQFH LQ 6W 3HWHUÂśV Square on Oct 28 marked the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the 6HFRQG 9DWLFDQ &RXQFLOÂśV GHFODration on relations with other religions. The audience also recalled WKH KLVWRULF ÂżUVW :RUOG 'D\ RI Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy, on Oct 27, 1986. Âł7KH Ă€DPH OLW LQ $VVLVL spread to the whole world and marks a permanent sign of peace,â€? Pope Francis said in his address. Large groups of people came from other Christian communities and from other world religions and many held aloft olive branches. Representatives of many religious traditions sat in a VIP section near the pope and prayed in silence with him at the end of the audience. In his written address, the pope said, “The world looks to us believers, it urges us to collaborate with each other and people of goodwill

7KH Ă€DPH OLW LQ $VVLVL ‘VSUHDG WR WKH ZKROH ZRUOG DQG PDUNV D SHUPDQHQW VLJQ RI SHDFH

’

– Pope Francis

who do not profess any religion, it asks from us effective responses to many issues: peace, hunger, poverty,â€? the environmental and economic crises, corruption, moral decay and violence. 5HOLJLRQV GRQÂśW KDYH D VSHFLDO “recipeâ€? to solve these problems, he said, “but we have a great resource – prayer. Prayer is our treasure.â€? He asked that prayer lead people to follow the will of God, who wants everyone to recognise each other as brothers and sisters and to

Women’s right to maternity leave must be protected, says pontiff VATICAN CITY – Businesses are

called to promote harmony between work and family for their employees, especially for women with children or who are starting families, Pope Francis said. The pope said that many times, women who announce their SUHJQDQF\ DUH ÂżUHG IURP WKHLU SRsitions, when instead they “must be protected and helped in this dual task: the right to work and the right to motherhood.â€? “The challenge is to protect their right to a job that is given full recognition while at the same time safeguarding their vocation to motherhood and their presence in the family,â€? the pope said on Oct 31 in an audience with the Christian Union of Italian Business Executives. Catholic men and women in the world of business are called to live faithfully “the demands of the Gospel and the social doctrine of the Church,â€? he said, and become “architects of development for the common good.â€? “The workplace and the execXWLYH RIÂżFHV FDQ EHFRPH SODFHV RI VDQFWLÂżFDWLRQ WKURXJK HYHU\RQHÂśV commitment to build fraternal relations among business owners, managers and employees, while encouraging shared responsibility

and collaboration in the common interest of all involved,â€? he said. Highlighting their call to be “missionaries of the social dimension of the Gospelâ€?, the pope told the business leaders that while it is important to be close to those VXIIHULQJ SRYHUW\ RU ÂżQDQFLDO GLIÂżFXOWLHV LW LV QRW HQRXJK WR VLPSO\ offer charity. “It is necessary to direct economic activity in the evangelical sense – that is at the service of the person and the common good,â€? the pope said. “In this perspective,â€? he said, “you are called to cooperate in order to foster an entrepreneurial spirit of subsidiarity, to deal with the ethical challenges of the market and, above all, the challenge of creating good employment opportunities.â€? The pope called on the unLRQ DOVR WR UHĂ€HFW RQ WKH FULVLV RI youth unemployment and to create new job opportunities because those who do not work “not only do not bring bread home but also lose their dignity.â€? In this regard, businesses, employers and those involved in the ZRUOG RI ÂżQDQFH KH VDLG PXVW ÂłQRW fail to act with competence, honesty and sense of responsibilityâ€? for the common good of society. „ CNS

Pope John Paul II with other religious representatives in an interreligious encounter in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. The GD\ PDUNHG WKH KLVWRULF ÂżUVW :RUOG 'D\ RI 3UD\HU IRU 3HDFH &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

form a “great human family in a harmony of diversity.� Unfortunately, much of the violence unfolding in the world have made people suspicious of religion, he said. However, “although no religion is immune from the risk of fundamentalist or extremist deviations,� he said, people must look at the positive aspects of religious

beliefs, especially how they are a source of hope for so many. The pope also praised the profound improvements in JewishChristian relations. He said the past 50 years have seen indifferHQFH DQG FRQĂ€LFW WXUQ LQWR FROlaboration and goodwill, and enemies and strangers have become friends and family. Mutual understanding and re-

spect make up the only path for fruitful dialogue, not only with Jews, but with Muslims as well, he said. “The dialogue we need has to be open and respectful,â€? he said, DQG LQFOXGHV UHVSHFWLQJ SHRSOHÂśV right to life, physical integrity and fundamental freedoms like freedom of conscience, thought, expression and religion. „ CNS

14 SYNOD ON THE FAMILY

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Highlights from the last few days of the S

‘Accompany’ families in their particular situations: synod report VATICAN CITY – :KLOH QRW VSHFLÂż-

cally mentioning the controversial proposal of a path towards full reconciliation and Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried, members of the Synod of Bishops on the family handed Pope Francis a report emphasising an obligation to recognise that not all Catholics in such a situation bear the same amount of blame. The 94-paragraph report approved on Oct 24, the last working day of the three-week synod, highlighted the role of pastors in helping couples understand Church teaching, grow in faith and take responsibility for sharing the Gospel. It also emphasised how “pastoral accompanimentâ€? involves discerning, on a case-by-case basis, the moral culpability of people not fully living up to the Catholic ideal. Bishops and other full members of the synod voted separately on each paragraph. The paragraph dealing VSHFLÂżFDOO\ ZLWK OHDGLQJ GLYRUFHG and remarried Catholics on a path of discernment passed with only one vote beyond the necessary two-thirds. Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna told reporters on Oct 24 that the key word in the document’s discussion of ministry to divorced and civilly remarried people is “‘discernment’. I invite

you all to remember there is no black or white, no simple yes or no.â€? The situation of each couple “must be discernedâ€?, which is what was called for by St John Paul II in his 1981 exhortation on the family, he said. 7KH V\QRGÂśV ÂżQDO UHSRUW KH said, proposes that priests help divorced and remarried couples

Cardinal Schonborn said the report proposes that priests help divorced and remarried couples undergoing conversion and repentance, so they recognise if they are worthy to receive Communion or not. undergoing conversion and repentance so that they recognise whether or not they are worthy to receive the Eucharist. Such an examination of conscience, he said, is required of every Catholic each time they prepare to approach the altar. While insisting on God’s love for homosexual persons and the obligation to respect their dignity,

A mother holds her child as she observes a session of the Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican. CNS photos

the report also insisted that samesex unions could not be recognised as marriages and denounced as “totally unacceptable� governments or international organisations making recognition of “‘marriage’ between persons of the same sex� a condi-

WLRQ IRU ÂżQDQFLDO DVVLVWDQFH The report also spoke speFLÂżFDOO\ RI WKH FKDQJLQJ UROH RI women in families, the Church and society; single people and their contributions to the family and the Church; the heroic witness of par-

ents who love and care for children with disabilities; the family as a sanctuary protecting the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death; and the particular strain on family life caused by poverty and by migration. „ CNS

Today ‘is a time of mercy’, says pope at closing Mass VATICAN CITY – As disciples,

Christians are called to imitate Jesus’ heart and lead others directly to Him without lecturing them, Pope Francis said. Thousands gathered in St Peter’s Basilica on Oct 25 for the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops. The Mass concluded three weeks of intense discussion and debate on pastoral responses to the challenges facing families. 5HĂ€HFWLQJ RQ WKH GD\ÂśV *RVSHO reading, which recalled Jesus’ healing of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar from Jericho, the pope said Christ is not content with giving the poor man alms, but preferred to “personally encounter himâ€?. Jesus asking the beggar what he wanted may seem like a senseless question, the pope said, but it shows that Jesus “wants to hear our needsâ€? and “talk with each of us about our lives, our real situationsâ€?. When Jesus’ disciples address Bartimaeus, they use two expresVLRQV ÂłWDNH KHDUW´ DQG ÂłULVH´ WKH pope said. “His disciples do nothing other than repeat Jesus’ encouraging and liberating words, leading him direct-

ly to Jesus, without lecturing him,â€? he said. “Jesus disciples are called WR WKLV HYHQ WRGD\ HVSHFLDOO\ WRGD\ to bring people into contact with the compassionate mercy that saves.â€? In moments of suffering and FRQĂ€LFW KH VDLG WKH RQO\ UHVSRQVH is to make Jesus’ words “our ownâ€? and most importantly, to “imitate his heartâ€?. Today, the pope said, “is

A faith that does not ‘know how to root itself in the life of the people remains arid and creates other deserts rather than oases.

’

– Pope Francis

a time of mercyâ€?. However, he also warned that the Gospel shows two temptations that face those who follow Jesus when confronted with people who are sufIHULQJ 7KH ÂżUVW LV WKH WHPSWDWLRQ RI falling into a “spirituality of illusionâ€? shown in the indifference of those who ignored Bartimaeus’ cry, “going on as if nothing were happeningâ€?. “If Bartimaeus was blind,

WKH\ ZHUH GHDI KLV SUREOHP ZDV not their problem,â€? the pope said. Âł7KLV FDQ EH D GDQJHU IRU XV LQ WKH face of constant problems, it is better to move on, instead of letting ourselves be bothered.â€? This “spirituality of illusionâ€?, he said, makes one capable of developing world views without accepting “what the Lord places before our eyesâ€?. “A faith that does not know how to root itself in the life of the people remains arid and creates other deserts rather than oases,â€? he said. The second temptation the pope warned against was of falling into a “scheduled faithâ€? where “everyone must respect our rhythm and every problem is a botherâ€?. The pope said that like those who lost patience with the blind man and rebuked him for crying out to Jesus, there is the risk of excluding “whoever bothers us or is not of our statureâ€?. “Jesus, on the other hand, wants to include above all those kept on the fringes who are crying out to Him,â€? he said. “They, like Bartimaeus, have faith, because awareness of the need for salvation is the best way of encountering Jesus.â€? „ CNS

Pope Francis walks past an image of the Holy Family after celebrating the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family.

SYNOD ON THE FAMILY 15

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Synod of Bishops on the family (Oct 4-25) ANALYSIS

Synod debates how Church should relate to wider world By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY – Members of the

Synod of Bishops on the family agree that Catholic families are the beating heart and busy hands of the Church, but the tensions in the synod hall demonstrate that what they don’t agree on is a vision of the Church and its primary attitude to the world. “The discussion is about the future of the Church,� German Cardinal Reinhard Marx told a group of reporters on Oct 20. Some synod members seem to view the Church as “a castle to be defended, surrounded by enemies. That I can’t understand,� he said. “The Church is a sacrament in the midst of people�, reaching out, challenging, bringing healing, he said. The synod highlighted the fact that the family is at the very heart of the Church: The family is where the faith is lived and passed on and where the Christian community most strongly impacts and is impacted by the surrounding society.

As pastors, members of the synod were wrestling, for example, with the questions of Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried and with how best to respect the dignity of homosexual persons while defending marriage as a union of one man and one woman for life. But none of the bishops thought the questions ended there. A Church living in the midst of the people obviously is challenged by the variety of cultures those people represent. Maintaining unity while responding to diversity and even learning from it has been a task the Christian community has struggled with from the beginning, and not always successfully. The dangers are real. From the beginning of the synod, members discussed the possibility that in a truly universal

Pope Francis celebrates the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family in St Peter’s Basilica.

Church, some pastoral approaches to particularly important questions could be tailored to local situations. Members of the synod’s German-speaking small group said outreach to the divorced and civilly remarried was one of those situations. But English Group A, which had Australian Cardinal George Pell as its moderator and US Archbishop Joseph E Kurtz as its record-

‘The discussion is about the future of the Church.’

– German Cardinal Reinhard Marx

A Church of ‘tenderness’ rather than ‘judgement’ VATICAN CITY – If the process of respectful listening and dialogue endorsed and experienced at the Synod of Bishops on the family were applied at the local level, it would mark the end of an era of judgment and the beginning of “a Church of tenderness towards everyoneâ€?, said a synod participant. “It could be the start of a new Churchâ€? that welcomes, accompanies, listens and “also speaks clearlyâ€? about God, Bishop Lucas Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, said at a Vatican news conference on Oct 23. If the synod experience were embraced by the whole Church, he said, “I would say that it is the end of judging people, the end of a Church that casts judgment over every situation,â€? he said. The 74-year-old bishop spoke DW D EULHÂżQJ ZLWK &DUGLQDO *HUDOG LaCroix of Quebec and Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, president RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH and Peace. The three Church leaders told reporters that the synod was transformative and enriching because they experienced the approach of dialogue and respect that was of-

Cardinal LaCroix: The synod was about presenting a Christ-like attiWXGH UDWKHU WKDQ Âż[HG DQVZHUV

ten highlighted as the pastoral approach needed for today’s families. ³, WKLQN WKDW WKH UHÀHFWLRQV WKDW we’ve had, the research that we have conducted together with discernment has given the right attitude to look for the right path,� said Cardinal Lacroix. The synod was about presenting a Christ-like attitude, rather WKDQ ¿[HG DQVZHUV WKH FDUGLQDO said.

Cardinal Turkson said the point RI D V\QRG LV QRW LWV ÂżQDO ZULWWHQ UHport but the process. “The thing about the synod is learning also to appreciate another person’s point of view. And that may not be your point of view, but you accept that this is also the situation they have experience of,â€? he said. Cardinal Lacroix said that while WKH ÂżQDO UHSRUW ZKLFK ZLOO EH JLYHQ to the pope, “is very important ... the whole synodal experience is very importantâ€?. Pope Francis “has been listening all these three weeks to all of itâ€? VR KH NQRZV WKH PDLQ DQG ÂłGLIÂżFXOW points. We may not have a consensus on everything but he knows the weight of each argument,â€? said the cardinal. „ CNS

ing secretary, said leaving a matter that touches on the indissolubility of marriage up to individual bishops’ conferences “would risk harm to the unity of the Catholic Church, the understanding of her sacramental order and the visible witness of the life of the faithful�. Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, who has become a must-read blogger during the synod, wrote on Oct 22, “For me personally, one real fruit of the synod has been a deeper and richer understanding of synodality in the life of the Church�, particularly the way Pope Francis explained it

in a speech on Oct 17 as a style of “journeying together� with everyone – the pope, bishops, priests and laity – listening to, teaching and learning from each other. However, he did make it clear that, in the end, he is the pope and has the responsibility “to speak as ‘pastor and teacher of all Christians’, not on the basis of his personal convictions but as the supreme witness� to the faith of the Church and as “the guarantor of the obedience and the conformity of the Church to the will of God, to the Gospel of Christ and to the tradition of the Church�. „ CNS

Tell people that ‘God is open to them’ VATICAN CITY – Several hours before the final report of the Synod of Bishops was put to a vote, two US bishops said that what is new is not the Church’s message, but the synod’s emphasis and attitude towards the role of the family in the modern world. Bishop George V Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, and Bishop Kurt Burnette of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey, met with journalists on Oct 24. Bishop Burnette agreed the report shows a “new attitude, a new emphasis� in facing the challenges in ministering to families.

Based on his own pastoral experience, the Byzantine bishop said that it is not enough to tell people what’s wrong, rather a minister must tell them “that there is a way out� and “that God is open to them.� “It’s not a different message, it’s a different emphasis, he said. “And I really believe that’s what Pope Francis is trying to tell people.� “You don’t have to tell people they have something wrong; they know. Telling them that there is a way out is what they don’t know. That’s why they stay where they are instead of moving on,� he added. „ CNS

Embracing God’s mercy and goodness „ From Page 1

Clearly, he said, the threeweek synod did not resolve every problem facing families or even every question of how the Church can best minister to them. But it

did try “to enlighten them with the light of the Gospel and the 2,000year tradition and history of the Church� formulated in ways people today can understand. Without acting as if every form of modern family life was equally

valid, but also without “demonising others,� he said, the synod wanted “to embrace fully and courageously the goodness and mercy of God who surpasses our human calculations and wants nothing other than that ‘all would be saved’�. „ CNS

16 OPINION

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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COMMENTARY

Asia and the synod on the family

&DUGLQDO /XLV $QWRQLR 7DJOH RI 0DQLOD VHFRQG IURP ULJKW DQG RWKHU &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV JLYLQJ D PHGLD EULH¿QJ GXUing the Synod of Bishops on the family. CNS photo

By Jayeel Serrano Cornelio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¿FDQW FRQVHTXHQFHV IRU &KXUFKHV LQ $VLDQ VRFLHWLHV $JLQJ PLJUDWLRQ YLROHQFH DJDLQVW ZRPHQ DQG OLPLWHG HFR-

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The synod and whatever future documents that come out of it need to ask a bigger question: What does it mean to be the Catholic Church in Asia today? WUXPSV GLIIHUHQFHV LQ RSLQLRQ ,I WKH IDPLO\ LV WKH ³VXEMHFW RI SDVWRUDO DFWLRQ´ WKHQ LWV LPPHGLDWH FRQWH[WV GR PDWWHU LI WKH &KXUFK ZHUH WR UHPDLQ UHOHYDQW ,Q PDQ\ $VLDQ VRFLHWLHV WKH LGHD RI WKH VWDEOH QXFOHDU IDPLO\ KDV WR EH UHFRQVLGHUHG 7RGD\ D ZKROH QHZ JHQHUDWLRQ RI ,QGRQHVLDQV 7KDLV %DQJODGHVKLV DQG )LOLSLQRV DUH JURZLQJ XS LQ VXUURJDWH DUUDQJHPHQWV EHFDXVH WKHLU SDUHQWV DUH ZRUNLQJ HOVHZKHUH ,Q WKH DGYDQFHG HFRQRPLHV RI

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¶V FORVLQJ 3RSH )UDQFLV ULJKWO\ DFNQRZOHGJHG WKDW WKH V\QRG ODLG EDUH ³WKH FORVHG KHDUWV ZKLFK IUHTXHQWO\ KLGH HYHQ EHKLQG WKH &KXUFK¶V WHDFKLQJV RU JRRG LQWHQWLRQV LQ RUGHU WR VLW LQ WKH FKDLU RI 0RVHV DQG MXGJH VRPHWLPHV ZLWK VXSHULRULW\ DQG VXSHU¿FLDOLW\ GLI¿FXOW FDVHV DQG ZRXQGHG IDPLOLHV´ ,Q WKLV OLJKW WKH V\QRG ZDV QRW VR PXFK DERXW WKH IDPLO\ DV LW ZDV DERXW WKH &KXUFK LWVHOI ,QWULJXLQJO\ LWV RZQ GRFXPHQW GHPDQGV QRWKLQJ OHVV WKDQ DFWV RI JUHDW PHUF\ „ UCANEWS.COM Cornelio is a sociologist of religion and the director of the Development Studies Program at the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. This is a slightly condensed version of the original commentary which appeared in ucanews.com.

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FOCUS 17

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Yearning to share your faith? 7KH 2IĂ€FH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ ZDV VHW XS WR RIIHU KHOS By Fr Terence Pereira Evangelisation is a word that evokes fear in many Catholics. The thought of going out to share the faith is a daunting task for many. To some, faith is a personal thing with it being up to the individual to live the faith the way RQH VHHV ÂżW 7R RWKHUV RQH LV ERUQ into the faith – “my grandfather was a Catholic and my mother is a Catholic, I am a Catholic and my son will be a Catholicâ€? – and this OLQHDU SURJUHVVLRQ IXOÂżOV RQHÂśV part in spreading the faith. Many think that they are simply not equipped to evangelise. Yet many others think that it is the work of the clergy or Religious or a group who are tasked to perform this function of the Church. Despite this dismal situation, there are bright sparks every now DQG WKHQ FUHDWHG E\ WKRVH ÂżOOHG with the desire for Jesus and fuelled by the Holy Spirit venturing out to proclaim the Good News. The truth is that everyone has the obligation to evangelise. It is not an option. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to be an evangeliser. Catholics often give the excuse that they are not ready to evangelise. If this is indeed so, should one not begin to prepare oneself to proclaim the Good News sooner or later? If we look to the Acts of the Apostles, the example of John Mark who initially followed St Paul on his missionary journey but turned back half way should be of inspiration to us because later he changed his mind and followed Barnabas on his missionary journeys. This is the same John Mark who is credited with writing the Gospel of Mark. The archbishop set up the OfÂżFH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ ZKHQ KH WRRN RIÂżFH WR LPSOHPHQW his vision of a vibrant evangelising Church. The New Evangelisation, as proposed by the recent popes, is to be the cornerstone of WKH ZRUN RI WKH RIÂżFH Seeing the evangelical duty of the Church as being so important and central, the Archbishop saw ÂżW WR DSSRLQW DQ (SLVFRSDO 9LFDU to oversee this work. The EpisFRSDO 9LFDU VSHDNV IRU WKH $UFKbishop in this crucial aspect of the Church. After going through a process of dialogue with priests, 5HOLJLRXV DQG WKH ODLW\ WKH RIÂżFH launched the New Evangelisation Tenets on Aug 22. This enables us to speak the same language as we embark on this journey. As our Pope encourages, we can reach out with newness and vigour to everyone who has heard or yet to hear the Good News of salvation! Some of our Singapore Catholics, who want to reach out to

others, are sometimes at a loss. Âł, GRQÂśW NQRZ ZKHUH WR VWDUW ZLWK evangelising to a friend,â€? said D VRPHWKLQJ ÂżQDQFH SURIHVsional who is married with two children. “The Church has so many teachings and practices, but I GRQÂśW NQRZ ZKHUH WR VWDUW , DOVR feel awkward trying to emphasise the personhood of Christ and relationship with Him. My friend

effective way for Christ to be visible to non-Christians.� There is strong and clear desire amongst a segment of the people RI *RG WR IROORZ WKH 3RSHœV H[KRUtation to re-evangelise Catholics and bring the Good News to those who have yet to hear it. Since its inception in September 2013, the 2I¿FH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDtion has been working with those parishes that have contacted us to

might think that my faith is built on an imaginary friend!â€?. Another 40-year-old, Jason, adds “I think evangelisation comes foremost from the way we live our lives in evidence of &KULVWÂśV ORYH 7KH &KXUFK FRXOG possibly do more to encourage the faithful to infuse our faith with our lives at work and in social settings. That, perhaps, is the most

clarify and contextualise the vision of the Archbishop. This exciting work is taking us to new possibilities in the parish. There is a strong and clear desire amongst a segment of the people RI *RG WR IROORZ WKH 3RSHÂśV H[hortation to re-evangelise Catholics and bring the Good News to those who have yet to hear it. In these people there is a real

and deep aspiration to reach out to those who have heard the Word of God our Father but who have yet to fully embrace it or understand it. The work of reaching out to people – even as we deepen our own understanding of the Word of God our Father in a stable community – is demanding as it is rewarding. Those aspiring to evangelise need a stable, welcoming and loving community to facilitate their own ongoing growth in Jesus. After all, when touched by testimonies, examples of Christian living and proclamations they encounter, they naturally want to know more about Jesus Christ. There is much work to be done, but without a foundation it may be hazardous. To work out a SODQ RI DFWLRQ PD\ QRW EH GLI¿FXOW but to lay the foundation and to build it up takes time. ,Q 6LQJDSRUH ZKHUH HI¿FLHQF\ is a requirement, the work of laying the foundation may not look expedient. It has been seen for instance, when new MRT lines are being constructed. If one can recall, the Marina Bay area was left to stand idle for 20 over years before anything was built on it. The reason for this is that the piece of UHFODLPHG ODQG KDG WR VHWWOH ¿UPO\ before any construction could take place. Likewise when it comes to the important role of evangelisation, ZH ¿UVW QHHG SHRSOH WR EH IRUPHG and this takes time. As we move forward in building communities in

our parishes and organisations, we must be mindful this work of building communities takes time. We sow the seeds, only God our Father can make the seed grow as the individual makes a continual response. 7KH 2I¿FH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQgelisation was set up to facilitate, promote, coordinate and align the work of evangelisation. We strive to be all that we have been tasked to be. We look forward to those who have a great desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ to come forward to join us. We are in the process of setting up a resource centre for all seeking to understand the New Evangelisation as well as looking for ways to establish communion in your parish or organisation. We hope that parishes and organisations that require assistance in building communion will be contacting us. If you have a yearning to speak about the Good News of Jesus Christ to others and help build the foundations for evangelisation, please call us. If you do not know where you can serve and you do not belong to any organisation, we are here to advise you. 7KH 2I¿FH IRU WKH 1HZ (YDQJHOLVDWLRQ LV DW +LJKODQG 5RDG &DWKROLF $UFKGLRFHVDQ (GXFDWLRQ &HQWUH 2XU FRQWDFW QXPEHU LV :H DUH ZDLWLQJ IRU \RXU FDOO „ Fr Terence is the Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Living in communion with faith By Mike Nelson A seemingly good and decent person, by what the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us – went to Jesus, asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus asked him if he’d kept the commandments, the young man said he had and waited for Jesus’ next piece of advice. But Jesus threw him, as we used to say in baseball, “the old high hard one.â€? Sell all you have, give the proceeds to the poor, “then come, follow me.â€? But the rich young man couldn’t do it. As Jesus suggests in this story, keeping the commandments – following the rules – is a good start. But, as Jesus also suggests, eternal life in God’s kingdom is about communion with others. How often did Jesus Himself come under ÂżUH IURP WKH KLJK SULHVWV DQG RWKHU “expertsâ€? in His day for breaking “the rules,â€? such as when He dined with and forgave sinners? Or speaking with foreigners, including foreign women? Or performing miracles on the Sabbath? Much in our lives today is wrapped up in following rules – rules of faith, rules of society, rules of law, rules of good behaviour. And that’s not a bad thing because rules give us focus in life and help

Being in full communion with our faith is much more than knowing the right answers.

A man reading the Bible. Being open to the teachings of God is just as important as having knowledge of it. CNS photos

us maintain some order in society. But let’s be honest: You can pass a driving test by indicating you know how to “follow the rules,â€? regardless of whether you believe in those rules or intend to follow WKHP <RX FDQ SDVV D ÂżQDO H[DP in an advanced collegiate religious

studies course because you’ve learned the material, regardless of what religious faith you believe in or even if you don’t believe at all. When I was becoming Catholic in the RCIA of my parish, I was given what our leader called, a “midterm,� which was just what

it sounds like: a bunch of questions designed to gauge our knowledge of the faith and, presumably, determine if I was on the right track toward communion with others of the faith or, as I called it, “full Catholicism.� I dutifully answered the questions and got a high score, which

, ÂżJXUHG ZDV EHWWHU WKDQ D ORZ score. But it has occurred to me many times since then that this test in no way measured what was in my heart or in the heart of anyone else who took the test. Because being in full communion with our faith is much more than knowing the right answers. It’s even more than having received the Sacraments of Baptism, &RQÂżUPDWLRQ DQG (XFKDULVW DOthough these steps, signs of having achieved certain levels of maturity and knowledge, can help guide us in a right and moral path toward Jesus. Yes, rules matter. But the person and the example of Jesus tell us that entering the kingdom of God also requires open minds, open eyes, open ears and, most of all, an open heart. And yes, we should expect a few “high hard onesâ€? along the way. „ CNS Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Finding God in a day’s work %\ (IÂżH &DOGDUROD 6RPHWLPHV \RX FDQ ÂżQG LQVSLUDtion for prayer in surprising places. Parade magazine is a small publication that’s inserted into many US Sunday newspapers. 5HFHQWO\ WKH\ SURÂżOHG +XJK Jackman, the Australian actor famous for his signature role as Wolverine in the X-Men movie series, who made some surprising comments about faith and vocation. Jackman’s mom deserted the family when he was eight, and he admits to working through a lot of anger. He seems to have emerged whole and healthy, with a sound marriage and a strong sense of self. Raised a Christian, he retains a deep sense of spirituality. He says KH UHPLQGV KLPVHOI EHIRUH HDFK ÂżOP that his kids are going to watch it. I hope that’s true, and I wish more Hollywood actors had that attitude. As a college student, he discovered that acting, especially on stage, brought him peace and deep happiness. Jackman is quoted in a recent edition of Parade: “In ‘Chariots of )LUH Âś WKH UXQQHU (ULF /LGGHOO VD\V ‘When I run I feel [God’s] pleasure.’ And I feel that pleasure when I act. When I go on stage I pause and dedicate the performance to God.â€? How many of us can describe our vocation in the way Liddell or Jackman describe theirs? How many of us do what we love to

Hugh Jackman in a scene from the movie Les Miserables. He said that whenever he performs, he dedicates the performance to God.

the extent that we can feel God’s enjoyment? I began my career as a classroom teacher, and I can remember times when I realised , KDG VWDUWHG D ¿UH RI LQWHUHVW DQG

discernment in a student’s heart. $QG DV D ZULWHU ZKHQ , ¿QLVK writing something that I truly think is good, I experience gladness. But did I feel God’s pleasure

in those moments? We seek God’s approval, we attribute our success to God’s help. But do I imagine the work I do as something in which God takes delight? Do I surrender my work to God and let God be an active partner in it? Sometimes, we do our work or we volunteer with a heavy sense of burden or obligation or resentment. Do I sense God’s pleasure in that? If not, perhaps we need to pray over what we’re doing and be open to choosing a new path. Maybe we’re doing the wrong thing. Or perhaps we’re doing the right thing, but with the wrong attitude. We’ve all heard stories of people who forsake great-paying careers for some artistic or charitable endeavour that barely feeds the body but nourishes the soul. It takes courage to make big changes, or sometimes even little ones. (DFK GD\ ZH KDYH SOHQW\ RI decisions to make about how to use our time and what will make us feel creative and good at the end of the day. Do we spend our workday with our eye on the clock? Do our volunteer activities both help the community as well as contribute to our happiness and growth? Or do we agree to them because “somebody has to do it�? God is as near to us as our laughter and our tears, and if we listen to each, they provide for us a lesson in God’s will. „ CNS

19

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

St Edmund the Martyr St Edmund became the king of East Anglia (part of modern-day England) in 855 when he was just 14 years old. He was a very good man, and he memorised the Psalter (book of psalms) so he could take part in Church liturgies. Around the year 870, the Danes invaded East Anglia, and St Edmund was captured after a battle. It is said that he told his captors that his religion meant more to him than his life. Edmund was then tortured, shot with arrows and beheaded. We honour him on Nov 20. „

MDK WKH ZLGRZœV MDU RI ÀRXU DQG MXJ RI oil did not go empty, and she and her son had plenty to eat for a long time. „ Read more about it: 1 Kings 17

Q&A 1. Whom did Elijah warn about the upcoming drought? 2. What two ways did Elijah receive food when he was in hiding?

Wordsearch: „ FLOUR „ EARTH „ LAND

„ MEAL „ RAIN „ BREAD

„ EMPTY „ STICKS „ WIDOW

„ WATER „ LORD „ FOOD

KIDS’ CLUB: Essay: Why is it important to follow the Ten Commandments? E. 10; J. 2

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

Elijah told her to not be afraid and to make him a little cake before making something for herself and her son. “For the Lord, the God of IsraHO VD\V 7KH MDU RI Ă€RXU VKDOO QRW JR empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth,â€? he said. The widow did what Elijah asked. And just as God had said through Eli-

D. 7; I. 6;

God was not pleased with King Ahab of Israel. Ahab was even more evil than his ancestors. One of the bad things he did was to marry the Phoenician princess Jezebel of Sidon, who worshipped the idol Baal. Soon the king worshipped Baal, too, which meant that he broke one of God’s commandments: “You shall not have other gods beside me.� So the Lord sent His prophet Elijah to give Ahab a warning. God said that no dew or rain would fall on the land for a long time. The dew and rain would come again only when God instructed Elijah to say so. Then God sent Elijah into hiding in the Wadi Cherith. While he was there, God sent ravens to bring food to Elijah. The prophet drank water from the wadi

– a streambed that has water in it only during the rainy season. Since there was a drought, the wadi soon went dry. “Arise,â€? God then told Elijah, “go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you.â€? Elijah went to Zarephath. At the city’s entrance, he saw a widow gathHULQJ VWLFNV WR PDNH D ÂżUH 7KH SURSKet called out to her, asking her to bring him a cup of water. As she left to get it, he also asked for a crust of bread. The widow turned around. She H[SODLQHG WKDW VKH KDG HQRXJK Ă€RXU and oil to make one last meal for herself and her son. After that, she wouldn’t have money to buy more food. “When we have eaten it,â€? she said of the bread she was going to make, “we shall die.â€?

Answer to puzzle: A. 5; B. 8; C. 3; F. 1; G. 9; H. 4;

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

Bible Accent:

Answer to Wordsearch

The story of the prophet Elijah began during a very tense time. The Israelites did not all worship God. Some of them – including King Ahab – began to worship the Phoenician god Baal. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, who was from Phoenicia and worshipped Baal, even put the prophets of God to death. God brought a three-year drought to the land to get the Israelites to turn from their evil ways. In the drought’s third year, God sent Elijah back to Ahab to end the drought. Elijah gathered all the Israelites, prophets of Baal and prophets of another false god, Asherah, on Mount Carmel. There, Elijah and the prophets of Baal each built an altar, sacriÂżFHG D EXOO DQG SXW WKH EXOO RQ VRPH ZRRG “You shall call upon the name of your gods, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. The God who answers with ÂżUH LV *RG ´ (OLMDK VDLG DQG DOO WKH SHRSOH DJUHHG The prophets of Baal called out to the false god for many hours, but nothing happened. When Elijah called upon God, WKH ZRRG DQG HYHU\WKLQJ RQ DQG DURXQG WKH DOWDU ZDV VHW RQ ÂżUH All the people fell to the ground and cried, “The Lord is God!â€? All the false prophets were put to death, and not long after, a heavy rain began to fall. „

PUZZLE: 3XW WKH 7HQ &RPPDQGPHQWV LQ WKH ULJKW RUGHU XVLQJ 'HXWHURQRP\ DV D JXLGH ___ A. You shall not kill. ___ B. You shall not bear dishonest witness against your neighbour. ___ C. Observe the Sabbath day – keep it holy. ___ D. You shall not steal. ___ E. You shall not desire your neighbour’s KRXVH RU ¿HOG KLV PDOH RU IHPDOH VODYH KLV R[ RU GRQNH\ RU DQ\WKLQJ WKDW EHlongs to your neighbour.

___ F. You shall not have other gods beside me. ___ G. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife. ___ H. Honour your father and your mother. ___ I. You shall not commit adultery. ___ J. You shall not invoke the name of the /RUG \RXU *RG LQ YDLQ

20 WHAT’S ON EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www.catholicnews.sg/whatson

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. NOV 1 TO DEC 25 2016 CALLING YOUTHS TO JOIN OUR CATHOLIC FAMILY! The RCIY team is welcoming non-Catholics, aged between 14 and 24 years old, to join us on a journey to know about the Catholic faith from November 1. Venue: Church of Christ the King. Sessions will take place on Sundays at 3pm. Register. T: 96718555 (Randy), T: 81880239 (Bernadette) OCT 14 TO JAN 27 2016 CATHOLIC’S DIVORCE SURVIVAL GUIDE A 12-part DVD-based programme that ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of the separated and divorced. This programme is not a substitute for necessary professional, legal, or therapeutic needs, but offers the truth about love, marriage, divorce, and recovery from a faithfully Catholic perspective. Organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family. Venue: 2 Highland Road, LG-01, CAEC. T: 6488 0278 (Theresa Bung); E: theresabung@familylife.sg NOV 13 WHAT IS CANON LAW? An overview of the Catholic Church’s legal system that regulates the juridical relationships amongst its members (subjects) and represents the dimension of justice in the Church. As the Church is a visible and organised society, it needs laws for her mission. Speaker: Andrew Kong (Licentiate in Canon Law) Time:7.45pm-9.30pm. Venue: St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) Conference Room. FOC. All are welcome. Register. W: http://tinyurl.com/ACT-Talk-Signup NOV 13, (8PM, CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR) NOV 14, (8PM, CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST) HEAVENLY VOICES CONCERT Join the Daughters of St Paul from around the world as they celebrate their centennial with two nights of inspiring concerts. They are joined by special guests, Fr Edward, OCD; Fr KK, CICM; Fr Valerian and Fr Terence, CSsR. Tickets at $25 available at DSP bookshop, Church of the Risen Christ; CANA. E: paulinesg100years@ gmail.com; T: 63565958/ 65608003; W: www.paulines.org.sg

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

NOV 14 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE Come and pray with fellow Christians and all who want to create greater trust and openness through prayer. All are welcome. 8pm-9.30pm. Organised by the S’pore Taize core group at the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, 60 Hill Street. Register. E: bennycah@gmail.com; W: www.taize.fr/en NOV 14 LIVING WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) SYMPOSIUM 2015 Journeying together with a child with $6' FDQ EH GLI¿FXOW DQG FRQIXVLQJ It often seems as if there is a maze of challenges at every stage in life. Join us as our expert speakers discuss how to navigate services, interventions and care for children with ASD. Time: 8.30am-1pm. Free admission. Registration required. Organised by Holy Spirit Church. At Agape Village, 7A Toa Payoh Lorong 8. W: http://www.bit.ly/livingwithautism2015; T: 93200640 (Teresa); E: autism.symposium.2015@gmail.com NOV 20 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE Come join us in this ecumenical meditative prayer with songs of Taize, every third Friday of the month (except in Dec). 8pm-9pm. All are welcome! Organised by Taize Group at Good Shepherd Place. Venue: Good Shepherd Place Chapel, 9 Lor 8 Toa Payoh, S319253. For enquiries, E: a.quiet.time@ gmail.com; W: www.taize.fr/en NOV 20 (10AM) TO NOVEMBER 22 (5PM) WOMEN ON A JOURNEY ...RETREAT FOR WOMEN A stay-in retreat for women. A time and space for women to rest, pray and reconnect with God in their life. There will be time for inputs, personal UHÀHFWLRQ DQG SUD\HU 7KHUH ZLOO also be an opportunity for individual spiritual direction. By Kingsmead Centre spiritual directors. At Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Road, S266492. Contribution: $270 (non-aircon); $330 (aircon). Register. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

NOV 20 CLARITY TIN CANS RECYCLING WORKSHOP Come join us for a session to learn how to recycle tin cans! Relaxation techniques will be imparted as well. Material fees: $3. Venue: Wellness for Life @ Nee Soon South Block 839 Yishun Street 81 #01-290. Register. T: 6757 7990 / 9710 3733; E: registration@clarity-singapore. org; W: http://www.clarity-singapore.org/ NOV 21 ST CECILIA FEAST DAY 2015 REPERTOIRE AND MASS The Liturgical Music Committee (LMC) is organising a pre-Mass concert of Sacred Music culminating with Mass in the honour of our patron St Cecilia, held at St Francis Xavier Major Seminary, 199 Ponggol 17th Avenue, S829645. 9.15am1pm. Register. E: lmcsingapore@gmail. com; W: https://lmcsingapore.wordpress. com/ NOV 21 (8.45AM) TO NOV 22 (4.30PM) WHOSE AM I? A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR WORKING ADULTS With the theme ‘Whose Am I?’, the retreat UHĂ€HFWV RQ WKLV TXHVWLRQ WR H[DPLQH WKLV longing in us and how it affects our lives. Individual spiritual direction (one-to-one) will be available during the retreat to explore where God is in our lives and how He may be speaking to us. Venue: FMM House of Prayer and Formation at Holland Road. Organiser: Praise@Work. Cost: $70. Register. W: praiseatwork.wordpress.com; T: 90187914; E: praiseatworksg@yahoo.com NOV 27 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS OF MIRACULOUS IMAGES Shroud of Turin, Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Face of Manopello. Organised by Apostolate for Catholic Truth (www.catholic.sg/act). Time: 7.45pm-9.30pm. Venue: St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) Conference Room. Speaker: Heather Goh. FOC. All are welcome. Register. W: http://tinyurl.com/ ACT- Talk-Signup; T: 96493893 NOV 27 TO NOV 29 CHOICE WEEKEND It takes that one weekend that will inspire you for the rest of your life. It is by the FKRLFHV ZH PDNH WKDW GHÂżQH ZKDW RXU life is all about. Venue: Choice Retreat House 47 Jurong West Street 42 S649368. Register. T: 97900537 (Hillary); T: 97109680 (Francesca); E: registration@choice.org.sg

NOV 20 NOX GAUDII (NIGHT OF JOY) Through Nox Gaudii, OYP seeks to stir faith among the young people as they come together to worship God, receive through teaching and prayer, and experience the fellowship of the local Church community. 8pm-10:30pm (be VHDWHG E\ SP 9HQXH 2IÂżFH IRU Young People, 2 Lorong Low Koon, S536449. For more info, E: info.oyp@catholic.org.sg; T: 62860341

NOV 28 ART JOURNALING FOR SELF CARE A workshop for those who need to reconnect with their inner world so as to declutter and reboot. No previous experience of art making is necessary. 2pm-5pm. Organised by Heartspace, 55 Waterloo St. Catholic Centre #05-03. Cost $150. Register. E: jo@joannatan.com

NOV 28 ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE St Patrick’s Open House for primary six students and parents. Time: 9am-1pm. E: stpatricksch@moe.edu.sg; T: 63440929 Address: 490 East Coast Road, S429058 NOV 28 CHRIST@WORK 2015 CONFERENCE – PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AT WORK This special edition marks the 10th anniversary of Christ@Work, and seeks to equip you with the skills and inspiration to help you answer Christ’s calling at the ZRUNSODFH WR ¿QG WUXH KDSSLQHVV 7KH conference features world-class speakers and corporate leaders, and ends with Mass, celebrated by Archbishop William Goh. 8.30am-6pm. Venue: Catholic Junior College Performing Arts Centre. Cost: $60 Register. T: 92284463 (Raymond); E:admin@cbn.sg; W: http://www. christatworkconference.com NOV 29 TO DEC 5 CHARIS HAIYAN HOUSEBUILDING TRIP On Nov 8 2013, Typhoon Haiyan claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in the Philippines. Last June, after initial relief efforts, CHARIS helped fund the Archdiocese of Cebu in various housebuilding projects. A CHARIS mission team will be deployed to help with the building of houses. Join us as we work hand-in-hand with our brothers and sisters in need to help rebuild their homes and their lives. Come experience faith in action and the joy of mission work with team members and the locals. Register. T: 63374119; E: lilynne@charis-singapore.org NOV 29 CELEBRATING INNER FREEDOMREDUCING HUMAN TOLL IN RELATIONSHIPS 90% of our unhappiness is related to human relationships. This one-day programme helps us to explore our inner landscape through looking at needs and behaviour and understand why we EHKDYH WKH ZD\ ZH GR $ VSHFL¿F VNLOO will be shared to help us explore our goals and decisions in life, and learn to use communicative language to improve every relationship in our life. 10am-4pm. Venue: Lifesprings Spirituality Centre. Cost $90. Register. T: 64662178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg DEC 4 THE TRUTH OF CATHOLICISM Are all non-Catholics unsaved? What about people who call themselves Christians but are not in full communion with the Catholic Church? Is God that cruel to condemn all non-Christians to hell? Time: 7.45pm-9.30pm. Venue: St Joseph’s Church Conference Room (Victoria Street) Organised by Apostolate for Catholic Truth (www.catholic.sg/act)

FOC. All are welcome. Register. W: http://tinyurl.com/ACT- Talk-Signup; T: 96493893 (Andrew) DEC 5 BABY JESUS, CHRISTMAS AND ME An Advent day of recollection for children. An invitation for children (aged 5-10 years old) to spend a PRUQLQJ WR UHÀHFW RQ KRZ WKH\ FDQ prepare to welcome Baby Jesus into their lives. There will be time for songs, creative expression, and learning how to share their hearts with Jesus. Time: 10am-12.30pm. At Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Road, S266492. Contribution: $10. Register. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com DEC 11 TO DEC 13 ACAMS YOUTH CAMP 2015 (MANDARIN) Calling all youth who are interested. Venue: Nativity Church. Theme: Our Father. Spiritual director: Fr Jeffrey Tan, OCD. We hope to give our youths a chance to experience Christian fellowship through games and also to grow closer to Jesus Christ through talks and spiritual programmes. Register. T: 91136598 (Nicholas); E: acamsyouthcomm@gmail.com; W: www.facebook.com/camsyouthcomm JAN 5/JAN 7 TO JULY 14 2016 BIBLE TIMELINE SALVATION HISTORY Understand the entire Bible using a series of 24 videos presented by Jeff Cavins. Includes group discussions & sharing. Venue: Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Event starts Jan 5 (Tues 9 am or 7.30pm) or Jan 7 (Thurs 7.30pm) 2016. Cost: $45. Registration is open on Sunday mornings until Dec 13 at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. T: 94553456 (Felicia); T: 97323368 (David) JAN 10 TO JAN 24 2016 KERYGMA SCHOOL 7KH .HU\JPD 6FKRRO UXQ E\ WKH 2I¿FH for Young People, is a two week live in formation. It inspires, equips and releases participants to share with joy the basic message of the Gospel. Participants will gain practical experience of what it means to evangelise. Age range: 18-30 years old. Registration closes on Dec 20 2015. Cost: $200. Venue: OYP 2 Lorong Low Koon, S536449. For more info, W: www.oyp. org.sg; E: info.oyp@catholic.org.sg JAN 17 TO JAN 24 2016 QUIETING THE SOUL – CENACLE PHILIPPINES Enter your sanctuary to discover and deepen your life, your relationship and \RXU IDLWK ([SHULHQFH D ¿YH GD\ UHWUHDW LQ quiet prayer and solitude with God. Register. T: 65652895/ 97223148; E: cenaclesing@gmail.com Closing date for registration: Nov 30

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Husband of Ruth 5 Starting point of the Exodus 10 “As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble _____ the same.â€? (Job 4:8) 14 Rubberneck 15 Get to know 16 Jaguarundi 17 â€œâ€Śthat I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and ______â€? 18 Small land mass surrounded by water 19 Borscht ingredient $IÂżUPDWLYH 21 French holy woman (abbr.) 22 Tribe of Israel 23 “Quiet!â€? 26 Made off with 28 Agency headed by uncle of Cardinal Dulles 29 Level of command

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24 WORLD

Sunday November 15, 2015 „ CatholicNews

‘Mass Mob’ movement inspires people to attend Mass

Children stand at the altar during Mass on Oct 18 at St Agnes Church in Brooklyn, New York. The church was the site of a ‘Mass Mob’ event, an evangelisation effort aimed at boosting regular Mass attendance. CNS photo

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Members of the Polish Women’s Alliance of America’s Zamek Dancers carry gifts to the altar during Mass at the St Albertus Church in Detroit on Aug 10, 2014. &16 ¿OH SKRWR PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC NEWS, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMES PRINTERS PRIVATE LIMITED, 16 TUAS AVENUE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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