Catholic News issue 25, 2017

SUNDAY DECEMBER 10, 2017

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VOL 67

Family programme focuses on forgiveness

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Villagefest saw families reflecting on affirming and forgiving one another

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Families gathered for Villagefest, a special programme promoting health family relations, at St Joseph’s Institution Junior on Nov 18.

The theme of the event was Celebration of Families, and it was organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family (ACF) in collaboration with the Office for the New Evangelisation (ONE).

At the start of the day’s programme, the 50 or so participants were invited to reflect on the members of their family that they would like to affirm. Participants also shared with one another on how they could practise affirming their family members regularly.

Ms Frances Warren said she would try to affirm her children immediately when the need arises rather than saving it for a later time.

In his talk to the adults during the session, Forgiveness in the Family, Fr Terence Pereira said, “Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves and not only to the ones who have hurt us.”

Fr Terence, the Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation, reminded the adults that forgiving and letting go allows one to be set free.

Simultaneously, in the track for youths, youth coordinator Sheila Fong introduced Ignatian contemplation to participants based on the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible.

The children, on the other hand, were treated to a visual story-telling session on the topic of forgiveness.

Participants were later encouraged to write down the names of family members they were prompted to forgive and to place these before a crucifix. Time

NO. 25

INSIDE Follow your dreams!

Athletes tell kids at special sports day

WORLD

Reconsider stance on climate 161 Catholic leaders tell Trump n Page 10

Nun shares painful story of her youth And how God touched her through the love of people n Page 12

POPE FRANCIS

Mass is time for silence, prayer Not idle chitchat

Fr Terence Pereira speaking to adults attending Villagefest on Nov 18.

Families and friends took candid shots of themselves at Villagefest’s photo booth.

was also given for families to be in prayer, to reconcile with one another, and for sharing to take place.

“When we speak of family, we think of the Holy Trinity in terms of their mutual love for one

another and they don’t compete with each other, they complete each other. In our families, do we compete with each other?” vicar general Msgr Ambrose Vaz asked the adults.

In the session titled Jesus in

the Life of My Family, he presented various examples from Scripture where Jesus promoted and exemplified good family relations, and how families today can apply these qualities and values.

In his closing address, Fr Terence reiterated the importance of placing Jesus in the centre of the family and led with a prayer for the consecration of families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

ACF aims to help families grow into intimate communities of life and love, experiencing the fullness of love and joy that God desires for all.

ONE aims to inspire, equip, and support Catholics to be agents of the New Evangelisation through their personal witness, community life, and the explicit proclamation of the Good News. n Submitted by: OFFICE FOR THE NEW EVANGELISATION

The ACF website is at catholicfamily.org.sg. The ONE website is at www.one.org.sg

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ADVENT FEATURE How St Joseph is an Advent model n Page 19

ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES AND SIMBANG GABI SCHEDULE n Page 4

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Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Business people learn about living their faith at workplace Hundreds of business leaders and professionals attended a conference on the topic recently More than 700 people including business leaders and professionals gathered for a day-long conference on finding one’s spiritual purpose and mission in the workplace.

The sixth Christ@Work2017 Conference was held on Nov 18 at Catholic Junior College and featured distinguished speakers.

They included Mr Peter Seah, chairman of Singapore Airlines and DBS Group Holdings; Mr Christopher Lowney, author of the best-seller Heroic Leadership, and former managing director of J. P. Morgan, New York, Tokyo, Singapore and London; and Dr Jake Yap, a professor at Loyola School of Theology, Philippines.

During the conference, organised by Catholic Business Network (CBN) with the theme “Growing in Christ, Building Community, Impacting the Workplace”, Mr Lowney shared that leader-managers must inspire others by their own example and create environments of love rather than fear.

Leaders should help subordinates be self-motivated for greater performance, and trust and support those who are “on the ground”, he said. Leaders should also articulate the values they stand for and have

21 November 2017

Participants of the panel discussion on Nov 18 (from left): Mr Andre Ahchak (moderator), Mr Stephen Raj, Mr Andrew Lee, Mr Anthony Soo, Ms Marie Boon and Dr Jake Yap. Photos: VINCENT CHIA and GABRIEL LEE

a daily, self-reflective habit of refocusing on priorities and extracting lessons from successes and failures.

In summary, the four pillars of leadership are the integration of self-awareness, ingenuity, love and heroism, he said.

Another segment in the conference was an interview with Mr Seah by Ms Christine Tan, anchor of CNBC’s Managing Asia programme.

Being a leader can be lonely and having a strong faith helps

one when making difficult decisions, Mr Seah shared. He suggested saying a morning prayer to start the day well. “Do your best and let God do the rest,” he said.

Dr Yap, in his talk, stressed the importance of small faith communities in achieving the Church’s larger mission.

These can take the form of task groups, service groups, prayer groups or Bible study groups. Be prepared for blessings, difficulties, needs and specific action, he

CHANCERY NOTICE

APPOINTMENTS 1. Fr Colin Tan SJ has been appointed as Parish Priest to the Church of St Ignatius after presentation by the Superior of the Jesuits in accordance with can. 147. This appointment is for a term of six [6] years with effect from 1 January 2018.

2. Fr Ferdinand Purmono OCD has been appointed as the Director of the Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate for a term of two [2] years with effect from 16 November 2017.

3. Prof Su Guaning has been appointed as Vice Chair of Catholic High’s School Management Committee for a term of two [2] years with effect from 16 November 2017.

4. The following have been appointed members of the Board of the Archdiocesan Commission for Migrants and Itinerants (ACMI) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 16 November 2017. a. Mr Mark Goh b. Ms. Lynn Isabel Yeo Swee Lin 5. The following have been appointed members of the Arch-

diocesan Commission for the Family for a term of two [2] years with effect from 16 November 2017: a. Mr Roderick Theseira – Chairperson b. Dr John Hui – Vice-Chair c. Mr John Ooi – Secretary d. Ms Cyrine Gregory – Treasurer e. Dr Bernard Thio f. Mr Alphonsus Gregory g. Mr Kenneth Poon h. Mr Mark Lim i. Mr Nicholas Gabriel Lim j. Ms Caroline Theseira k. Ms Joann Ooi l. Ms Karen Poon m. Ms Monica Lim n. Ms Thio Ying Ying 6. The following have been appointed to the Board of Management of the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 16 November 2017:

CHN/CN/20 17/023

aaaa. Mr Anthony Seah – Chairperson b. Mr Alvin Koh c. Mr Arthur Goh d. Mr Derrick Chee e. Mr Kenneth Ho f. Mr Lionel Tseng g. Ms Rose Yeo 7. The following have been appointed as Board Members to Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore (CHARIS) CLG for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 January 2018: a. Ms Jenny Teng – Chairperson b. Mr Philip Lim – Deputy Chairperson c. Msgr Philip Heng SJ d. Fr Colin Tan SJ e. Mr Edwin Sim f. Mr Gamaliel Tan g. Mr Lum Hon Fye h. Mr Stephen Raj i. Mr Willie Cheng j. Ms Elizabeth Quah

Keynote Lowney.

speaker

Christopher

said, adding that leaders of small ly, for the love of the Father, and communities are like “shepherds thirdly, unity is strength,” he said.

“At the workplace, we may find looking after their flock”.

A panel discussion followed ourselves not always able to have comprising Dr Yap; Mr Andrew only Catholic colleagues. When we Lee, CEO of Seoul Garden Group; are able to work with colleagues Mr Stephen Raj, former CBN pres- from other traditions, it allows us to ident; Mr Anthony Soo, deputy share resources and better serve the wider community.” chair of Caritas SinThe audience gapore and president Leader-managers was then divided into of Catholic AIDS Remust inspire small breakout groups sponse Effort; and Ms Marie Boon, a former others by their to discuss challenges and growth special needs educaown example strategies that they tor working with dysfound useful in the lexic children. and create

by Dr Yap and Each shared his environments talk the panel discussion. or her own experiSeveral shared ences in creating, of love rather that they were motileading or growing than fear, said vated to bring Christ small communities.

Summing up, Mr keynote speaker to their workplaces after the sessions and Lee spoke about his Christopher listening to each oth30 years’ experience Lowney. er. Many also made serving at the ecunew contacts for furmenical Servants of ther growth in the faith. the Lord Community.

The conference ended with a “It is a place where I learned that we have more reason to work Mass celebrated by Msgr Philip together with other Christian tra- Heng, who spoke on the importance of using one’s talent to serve ditions than not to,” he said.

He gave three reasons for a higher purpose.

The Catholic Business Networking together. “Firstly, it is for the greater glory of God. Second- work’s website is www.cbn.sg. n

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

Mr Peter Seah being interviewed by Ms Christine Tan of CNBC.

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Sunday December 10, 2017  CatholicNews

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

F E AT U R E

SCHOOL OF WITNESS 2018 The OYP School of Witness is an 8-week, live-in discipleship school that aims to provide an environment of faith in which young people can be encouraged and challenged to go beyond their comfort zones to grow in the awareness of who God is and who they are.

The 2018 School of Witness runs from 7th January to 3rd March 2018 and is open to all young people in the Archdiocese between the ages of 18 (as at 31st Dec 2017) to 30 years old. There will be a school break for Chinese New Year from 15th to 19th February 2018. Registration fee is $600 which covers food, accommodation and all other overheads. Sign up at www. oyp.org.sg/sow18 or www.tinyurl.com/sow18. Registration closes on 15th December 2017.

me to be.

I was never someone who wanted to be married or have children. I always thought that I would become a nun. However, this was not due to a prompting from the Lord but an inner vow that I made out of fear. The fear of not being good enough, the fear of causing damage to another person and worse still, to an innocent child.

Therefore, upon realization that the Lord was calling me to marriage and family life, my immediate, horrified response to the Lord was, “No! You’re crazy! I will ruin everything!” As an older sister led me to reflect on my reaction, I realized that growing up, I had no example that a loving Christian marriage was possible and no assurance that this was something that I could do well. And so, I did my best to avoid it.

As I look back, I thank God for the fact that I was able to walk into the His plans for my life in spite of those fears. My life has been all the richer for it. In everything that the Lord calls us to, there is always a purpose and out of the infinite generosity of His heart, no plan that He has for us is one for its own sake. His desire is to always bless us extravagantly.

Anita with her husband and son

by Francis Tan Hi, my name is Francis and I am 26 this year. Though I am a cradle Catholic, for most of my life, I took my faith and God for granted. I regarded God as a Super Hero, only praying to Him in times of trouble. It was a very transactional relationship and I had no idea who God truly was. Things took a turn for the better when I was invited to attend the Conversion Experience Retreat. I came to understand that Jesus doesn’t just want the good things about me, He wants to be in every area of my life so that His light can penetrate the deepest darkness of my heart. For the first time in my life, I experienced liberation and did not have to hide in the dark any longer.

The priorities in my life shifted and I felt like a whole new person. I looked at things with purer intentions and also slowly grew closer to my family, learning to appreciate and love them more. By God’s grace, I was also introduced to a young adults community at the Office for Young People (OYP). With the support and love from them and my family, my faith grew steadily and I began to experience a deeper change happening within me – my hunger and thirst for the Lord. I fell deeply in love with Jesus and wanted to dedicate all my time, energy and being to God and thus, left my job and was given the opportunity to work full time for OYP at the start of this year.

of our lives. ‘To fall in love with God is the greatest romance.

To seek him is the greatest adventure. To find him the greatest achievement.’ - St Augustine.

May you come to fall deeply in love with Him today!

THANKSGIVING & TESTIMONY

COMBINED UNI RETREAT

However, in the midst of human frailty, there is immense grace! A short time ago, the little one and I had a not very good day together. This resulted in a series of naughty things done by chubby little fingers. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when he tore up a page from a book that belonged to my husband as a child. Against my better judgement, I ended up shouting at him and saw him jump in fright.

As I looked at his little face, feelings of self-loathing washed over me.

Sabrina (second from right) at CUR 2016

Going into CUR, I was looking for a lot of reassurance and yet, I felt like I had too much pride to admit it to anyone. During the retreat, I was very firmly assured that not only had I been found, but that Jesus was very lovingly carrying me back to His flock. I was also reminded of the humility that it took for Jesus to come and meet us where we are. If Jesus could humble himself by coming into the world as a vulnerable and fragile baby, then I too could find the strength to lay my pride down and be vulnerable too.

Francis (center) during outreach

And honestly, it has been the best year of my life! One of my highlights was being able to attend the School of Witness. It really helped me to take the next step to grow my faith deeper – learning to be a true disciple not just during the school, but every single day, no matter the circumstances. It really is the best school in Singapore! My life has gone through a total transformation because I have come to live the fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Never in my life had I thought of working for the Church but OYP has nurtured and helped me to grow immensely. And yet, there is still so much more to go! That is how generous and gracious our God is, His love and grace is boundless, ever flowing and always inviting us into so much more.

Christianity is not just a religion or a segment of our lives. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ that encompasses every area

02 FINAL.indd 1

I am mother to a beautiful little 22 month old boy and as I navigate this calling to motherhood, I am made increasingly aware of the great blessing of being where God has placed me. As most parents of toddlers can attest, parenting a small child is rarely ever easy. They throw tantrums at the most inopportune times (like in the middle of mass), will get food on their clothes precisely when they have a brand new outfit on and fall off sofas at the exact moment that your hands are full and you are unable to catch them in time. Perhaps the most heartbreaking realization of all, is the ways in which I as the parent, can hurt a child despite all good intentions.

This experience changed my whole view on faith and brought a new meaning to the Christmas story. CUR remains one of my biggest conversion moments, and I hope that you give it a chance too. - Sabrina Lee, SMU CUR will be held from 18 to 21 December 2017 and is open to students studying in local and overseas universities. Registration fee is $60. Register at www.tinyurl.com/CUR2017

THANKSGIVING & TESTIMONY

THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY SON

by Anita Zidar Hi there! My name is Anita and I work at the Office for Young People. I have had the privilege of working in the Lord’s vineyard for the past 6 years. During my time in the office, the Lord has used the work I do and the family He has blessed me with to form and shape me more and more into whom He calls

A few hours later, we sat together and had a little talk as we usually do on days like this to re-group. I told him how sorry I was and why he had been scolded. I then followed that up with placing my hand on his little chest and telling him that he is good. I then asked him if he believed that I love him and his response was, “Soooo much!”. I then asked him if he still loved me and received the same response, delivered with a big smile on his face.

I later shared the day’s adventures with my husband and as I did, I was struck by how much my relationship with my son parallels my relationship with the Lord. I often implore my son to listen to me and cooperate with me so that I can keep him safe, and all too often, I find myself dropping everything and running to save him because he hadn’t heeded my words. I don’t love him any less even when a tantrum is in full swing or when he has done something naughty. If I as a limited human being find it impossible to not love my child even in the most trying of moments, how much more would the Father continue to love me unwaveringly? For the first time in my life, I am beginning to see how the Lord loves me in very much the same way and profoundly more.

We adults sometimes fool ourselves into thinking that we are the ones shaping and moulding our little ones but indeed, my son is the one who gives me Jesus in the simplest yet most remarkable ways. As much as I am called to be mother to this child, he too has been called to be the Father’s messenger of love to me. I see very much how the Lord is using us as mirrors of His great love to each other and I rejoice at this remarkable truth that continues to heal me daily!

21/11/17 5:12 PM

4 HOME

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE

CITY

NORTH

CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD No Penitential Service

CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA Thursday, December 14 at 8pm

CHURCH OF ST ALPHONSUS (NOVENA CHURCH) Monday, December 18 at 8pm

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Monday, December 18 at 8pm

ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH No Penitential Service CHURCH OF ST BERNADETTE Wednesday, December 13 at 8pm CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL Tuesday, December 19 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Friday, December 15 at 8pm CHURCH OF ST TERESA Tuesday, December 12 at 8pm CHURCH OF STS PETER & PAUL Thursday, December 14 at 8pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Please check with the parish for updates.

EAST CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN Tuesday, December 12 at 8pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Monday, December 11 at 10.30am & 8pm CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY Thursday, December 14 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY Friday, December 15 at 10.30am & 8pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE Monday, December 18 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY Wednesday, December 13 at 10.30am & 8pm Note: Please check with parishes for updates.

CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Tuesday, December 19 at 10.30am & 8pm CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Friday, December 15 at 10.30am & 8pm

CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY Wednesday, December 20 at 8pm

SERANGOON CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Wednesday, December 13 at 8pm ST ANNE’S CHURCH Tuesday, December 12 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Please check with the parish for updates.

CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER Thursday, December 14 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Friday, December 15 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION Monday, Decemeber 18 at 8pm

WEST CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS Tuesday, December 19 at 8pm CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Wednesday, December 20 at 8pm CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Monday, December 18 at 8pm CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS Friday, December 15 at 8pm BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Thursday, December 14 at 8pm

Simbang Gabi sa Singapore 2017 Organised by the Filipino Parish Communities in Singapore Overall Coordinator for Simbang Gabi 2017: Rizaldy Sapiera Filipino Migrant Chaplain: Fr Charlie Oasan DAILY MASSES IN THE FOLLOWING PARISHES FROM DEC 15-23 AT 8PM:

CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA Elmer D: 93826874, William V: 97610892 Yishun. Bus# 804 BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Mylene M: 84995558, Rezel E: 83101735 Commonwealth. Bus#: 93, 153, 147, 123, 196, 198, 855, 961 CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY Marie S: 94783985, Arman B: 96976507 Pasir Ris. Bus#: 58, 88, 359 (Red West Loop) DEC 15, FRIDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Betty C. 96582456, Robert M: 91402265 Ang Mo Kio. Bus#: 22,24,135 DEC 16, SATURDAY, 8PM

ST ANNE’S CHURCH Geraldine Q: 92359267, Alex Q: 92399824 Sengkang. Bus# 50, 119, 136 CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Kenneth O: 84815693, Daisy D: 97108366 Lakeside or Boonlay.

Bus#: 99, 174, 198, 240, 246, 502 CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN Manulet B: 91258086, Rey D: 97453947 Mattar. Bus#: 40, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 135, 154, 155 DEC 17, SUNDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Grace V: 919711581, Chona P: 81369819 Farrer. Bus#: 48, 153, 165, 174, 186, 961 CHURCH OF ST BERNADETTE Edil E: 96583526, Deth V: 84440213 Orchard or Outram. Bus# 14, 65, 75, 970 CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS Bong E: 82015842, Arlene E: 90220824 Clementi.

Bus# 33, 96, 151, 183, 189, 196 DEC 18, MONDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS Arman A: 97679102, Charles M: 91698509 Bukit Batok.

Bus#: 6, 61, 66, 157, 174, 178, 852

Children dressing up one of their parents during the relay race on Nov 23 at CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School.

ST JOSEPH CHURCH (BT) Thursday, December 21 at 8pm

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR John A: 82829013, Nilo L: 98242199 Kembangan.

Bus#: 2, 24, 25, 28, 67, 854 CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY DE PADUA Tess T: 94304204, Richard A: 96749360 Woodlands. Bus# 912, 912B DEC 19, TUESDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Tosing K: 96246061 Toa Payoh.

Bus#: 28, 56, 73, 88, 153, 155, 157, 163 CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Tess C: 81233508, Gemma M: 84221261 City Hall. Bus#: 7, 14, 16, 36, 171, 175, 700, 857, 518 CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR John A: 82829013, Nilo L: 98242199 Kembangan. Bus#: 2, 24, 25, 28, 67, 854 DEC 20, WEDNESDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR John A: 82829013, Nilo L: 98242199 Kembangan. Bus#: 2, 24, 25, 28, 67, 854 CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Lanie: 92343638, Arlene: 97819358 Bugis. Bus#: 48, 57, 130, 851, 960

Athletes to children: Chase your dreams

By Jared Ng Always do your best and don’t give up on your dreams.

These were some encouraging words offered by two Singaporean athletes to children from the two student care centres under the Infant Jesus Homes & Children’s Centres (IJHCC) – IJ Galilee Centre and IJ Village.

The athletes were speaking during a sports day organised by IJHCC for the children and some of their parents to spend quality time together.

The event, held on Nov 23 at CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, saw about 90 kids, aged 7-12, take part in races and relays.

Mr U. K. Shyam, a retired athlete and current national 100-m record holder of Singapore, shared with the children the difficulties he faced in his family when he was younger and how sports became an avenue for him to chase his dreams.

Ms Shanti Pereira, a track and field athlete who holds the national record for the 100-m and 200-m sprints, encouraged the children to do their best in whatever they set their heart on and not to be afraid of failure.

The highlight of the event saw

Children and parents using hula hoops to complete a segment of the relay race.

children and one of their parents working together to navigate through obstacles placed in front of them while using objects such as small bean bags and hula hoops.

The kids also took joy in dressing up one of their parents using the props provided as part of the competition.

The trophies awarded for the parent-child relay race were for best teamwork and best dressed parent.

Participants and all those involved in the sports day were invited to IJ Village, located next to CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, for lunch after the event.

DEC 21, THURSDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Lanie: 92343638, Arlene: 97819358 Bugis. Bus#: 48, 57, 130, 851, 960

jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

The purpose for ‘having a sports

DEC 22, FRIDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Third G: 96340743, Luz G: 91376938 Serangoon or Yio Chu Kang.

Bus#: 50, 70, 103, 854 CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Ness S: 93669584, Daisy L: 90995035 Hougang or Kovan.

Bus# 112, 113, 74, 147 DEC 23, SATURDAY, 8PM

CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Third G: 96340743, Luz G: 91376938 Serangoon or Yio Chu Kang.

Bus#: 50, 70, 103, 854

“The purpose for having a sports day is ultimately to build confidence in the children and to promote character development,” said Ms Annabel Pennefather, a member of the IJHCC Management Committee.

“We want to encourage them to follow their dreams, not just in sports, but in life,” she added.

The IJHCC sports day has been held annually since 2015 and is one of the events that brings together children from both centres.

IJHCC serves children and youth of different races and religions. Its two student care centres IJ Galilee Centre and IJ Village house less privileged children and teenagers during the day when their parents are at work. n

Retired athlete U. K. Shyam shared with the children how sports became an avenue for him to chase his dreams.

Track and field athlete Shanti Pereira encouraged the children to do their best in whatever they set their heart on.

day is ultimately to build confidence in the children and to promote character development.

’

– Ms Annabel Pennefather, a member of the IJHCC Management Committee.

HOME 5

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Care for and support those living with HIV/AIDS “Following the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, can we be compassionate in how we treat our brothers and sisters?” asked Fr Kenson Koh. He was speaking at this year’s World AIDS Day Mass held at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

About 1,500 people attended the Mass on Nov 26.

The annual event is organised

by Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE), a Catholic charity operating under the umbrella of Caritas Singapore. It provides support to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Singapore and runs a shelter for men with HIV/AIDS who are rejected by their families and are homeless.

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus walks in front of His flock, leading by example, said Fr Kenson, adding that Jesus was loving and compassionate to sinners such as prostitutes, and those

who were rude to Him, he said.

Fr Kenson, spiritual director of CARE, related his own experience with discrimination when he was in Rome. It was the year when SARS hit Singapore and other parts of Asia.

He shared how he felt alienated when people avoided him on the streets because he was Asian.

However, he added that what he experienced was nothing compared to the discrimination felt

by PLWHAs because of the social stigma surrounding the disease.

Fr Kenson also recounted St John Paul II’s act of compassion when he hugged a five-year-old AIDS patient during his visit to San Francisco in 1987.

His hug sent a very strong message of love and compassion to the world. He followed the footsteps of Jesus. Are we ready to do the same? asked Fr Kenson.

He urged the congregation to be more accepting of PLWHAs

Items such as rosaries and candles made by people living with HIV and AIDS were on sale at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary during the World AIDS Day Mass.

Fr Kenson Koh (left) urged participants to be more accepting of those living with HIV/AIDS who are rejected by society and help them lead dignified lives. who are rejected by society, and help them lead dignified lives.

“Even if we are unable to make time for them through volunteering, we can still show that we care for

them by supporting them in various ways. We can pray for them. We can also buy the products handmade by them, not so much to raise funds but more to show them the worth of their work,” said Fr Kenson.

He also reminded participants, “Take time to follow Jesus. Pray for the grace to do what you can for the least. For what you do for the least of His brothers, you do it to Him.” After Mass, there was a display of items made by residents of the CARE shelter. Many people were seen buying rosaries, crucifixes and candles to show their support.

A parishioner, Martina, said she was touched by the plight of people with AIDS and was grateful that CARE was providing assistance and support for them.

The CARE website is http:// www.care.org.sg/ n

3 BUILDING THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW 6

the gift of

Sunday December 10, 2017  CatholicNews

Guided by the pastoral vision of the archdiocese, numerous Catholic organisations are increasing and expanding their programmes to allow more hearts to fall in love with Christ. In this collection of testimonies, Catholics of all walks of life share how God’s love has transformed them through the work of archdiocesan organisations.

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

Gift Now

gift.catholicfoundation.sg

office for young people (OYP)

catholic spirituality centre (CSC)

My given name is Jian Yi, baptised as Ambrose as of Easter 2016, and I am the president of the 16th Core Team of Fides, the Catholic community present in SMU. I study business at SMU and am in my final year of studies.

I hail from a loving family of five, of which I am the only Catholic Christian; I converted to Catholicism at the age of 23.

I had just begun my Rite of Christian Initiation for Youth (RCIY) journey at my parish, St Ignatius, when I was introduced to Fides. It was my second year of university, and I was approached by my friend from RCIY and fellow SMU student to attend the Fides freshman orientation camp, which kick-started my relationship with this Catholic community and more importantly, my relationship with the Lord.

I attended the 51st run of the Conversion Experience Retreat (CER) organised by the Catholic Spirituality Centre in March 2016.

During the retreat, I felt the Lord’s presence leading and stirring emotions within me that I never knew existed. I know now that if I truly look for God and welcome Him into my heart, I will always find Him. This experience made me yearn to know our Lord and find out more about the wonders He has done for us.

Questions I always had were slowly answered and the meaning behind some of my life’s experiences were revealed to me throughout the retreat. My conversion experience was very gradual but one thing was certain – my perspective of life has changed drastically after I attended CER. I now spend most of my free time praying or reading the Bible – something that is completely new to me. I tell all my friends and acquaintances of my encounters with God and let them know my determination to seek God first above everything else.

I am glad for I have a deeper relationship with God now and my prayer life is stronger than it has ever been. I pray about the decisions I am called to make every day and the path seems clearer each time I pray.

I am, with the greatest sense of joy, committed to cooperating – through these modest efforts and more – with the Lord’s will in my life.

By the grace of God, I received spiritual nourishment and experienced internal conversion in this time; the fires of faith were kindled within me through Fides (“Fides” means “faith” in Latin). Through the weekly formation sessions, vulnerable sharing by brothers and sisters of the community and their intentional outreach to me – a non-Catholic at the time – the desire to know Christ and seeds of faith were planted in me.

It was a culmination of these blessings, and a combination of the Fides-initiated mission trip to Phnom Penh and attending OYP’s School of Christian Leadership (both in 2016), that I grew more formed in this faith. The need for the love and peace of Christ and the saving truth of this great faith tradition had become increasingly evident to me.

It was through all these that I encountered the presence of Jesus Christ in His Church, beyond the abstract theoretical understanding of God that initially drew me in.

Through ministering to the materially poor, I unexpectedly recognised the spiritual poverty of myself and the people around me, and came to witness a phenomenon Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI termed “the people on the existential margins of society”. This has become the grounding principle of my service: loving others, especially those who need it most, as I am loved by Christ and His people. I am, with the greatest sense of joy, committed to cooperating – through these modest efforts and more – with the Lord’s will in my life.

- Ambrose Lee Jian Yi

It is because of this conviction that I can confidently proclaim that OUR GOOD LORD LIVES! He is the reason I find renewed strength to carry on believing and having faith.

Fortunately for me, I also have other channels through which the Lord conveys subtle messages to me. The first channel is the CSC Intercession Ministry which I have joined as a member. As we pray for others, I am reminded of the blessings I receive from God every single day.

I am also in a discipleship group (similar to a cell group) where my fellow brothers and I share our daily struggles and joys openly as disciples of God. I am thankful also for my CER group – the people whom I have come to know as friends. We still keep in touch and journey together spiritually, helping and praying for each other.

During times when I feel the Lord does not hear me, this conviction would strike me: God has already given me the most precious gift of all — the gift of life. It is because of this conviction that I can confidently proclaim that OUR GOOD LORD LIVES! He is the reason I find renewed strength to carry on believing and having faith.

- Gabriel Koh

BUILDINGTHE THECHURCH CHURCHOF OFTOMORROW TOMORROW 4 BUILDING 7

my church Sunday December 10, 2017  CatholicNews

The Giving in Faith and Thankfulness (GIFT) Campaign is a project of the Catholic Foundation to garner the needed support for the vision of the archdiocese. This Advent, the Catholic Foundation is renewing the GIFT call to challenge every Catholic in Singapore to pray, act and give for the mission of the Church, so that more may come to fall in love with Christ.

archdiocesan commission for the family (ACF) When you go through a crisis like a marriage breakdown, it is natural to withdraw from community. You want to hide from the shame, judgement and humiliation that you feel will be passed upon you.

Yet somehow, God has His way. I was blessed that I had a strong God-centred circle of friends whom I could turn to. While they helped with being my source of comfort, they could not fully comprehend what a divorce entails. They had not gone through it themselves. I had to admit that I really could not do this by myself, to go through it all alone. I needed help.

In 2015, ACF introduced the first Catholic Divorce Survival Guide (CDSG) programme in the archdiocese. It was the best thing to have happened in my healing process.

With its intimate setting of five to six participants and structured topics with videos and practical tips on dealing with finances, children, self-esteem, healing and many other relevant topics, things that were hard to talk about was made real.

It was in bonding with these other separated / divorced women that I was able to heal and grow stronger in my faith.

CDSG offered me a platform to share my fears and concerns within the Catholic faith. Divorce always brings with it a stigma and there were many questions I had about my faith and the Church’s stand on divorce. We were able to address these taboo topics.

Topics like Annulment, receiving Holy Eucharist in my divorce situation, etc. I also saw others healing in their break downs and honest sharing. We were in a safe space and we could freely express our emotions. While CDSG is not a counselling session, it helps to be with peers facing similar issues. Empathy and understanding was most needed.

Staying focused on our faith has greatly benefitted the group of us. Our friendships have also deepened from all the in-depth sharing as we got to know each other over 12 weeks. Now, two years on, we still meet up regularly. It is a bond of mutual trust and growth we uniquely share.

My biggest takeaway was that being part of a Church community is essential to keep in touch with God. It is hard to do it alone. It is where you feel His love the most. It was in bonding with these other separated/divorced women that I was able to heal and grow stronger in my faith.

- Jo-anne Lee

office for catechesis (OFC) “This is a gift! If anything happens to mummy, you can rely on this gift.” I said to my children as we were about to be baptised together at Easter 2017.

“Huh?” my daughter exclaimed, puzzled as the three of us walked towards the waters of baptism together. I said, as we walked, “Our heavenly inheritance – the gift of salvation from God!” If not for the Bridging Programme offered by OFC, the gift of baptism would not have come to my family. What a wonderful gift I received to be baptised with my own children!

I am not a cradle Catholic. It was only in motherhood when I encountered some crisis, that I came into RCIA by chance. My two children, who are nine and 13 years old, were self-proclaimed freethinkers. They were sceptical about my attending the RCIA. Through my RCIA process at Novena Church (Church of St Alphonsus), we were taught about the salvation that God offers us. I asked God then, “Oh my God, I cannot just save myself! What about my family, especially the children who are so young? Can you help me share this heavenly inheritance with my children so that if anything happens to me, I know You will take care of them?”

Soon, I began to witness His work. I was given a registration form for OFC’s Bridging Programme. Clueless as to what it was, I went home and asked my children, “Want to join the Bridging Programme? I think it is Bible study.” Without hesitation, they replied, “Why not?” I could not believe it as I thought they would stubbornly reject me.

w o N t f Gi HOLICG T A C .

T .S GIF ATION D N U O F

What a wonderful gift I received to be baptised with my own children!

As my children journeyed through the Bridging Programme, they have learned so much. I must confess they are learning more and faster than me. Their minds have been filled with stories from the Bible and knowledge of the teachings of the Church, strengthening their faith and belief in God day by day.

The Bridging Programme is indeed a gift from God for my children. I am so immensely thankful for how the programme has changed their lives and I definitely want to wholeheartedly thank all the amazing people in the team.

You will always be in our family’s Thanksgiving prayers.

Managed by OFC, the Bridging Programme is a catechetical programme for children aged nine to 13 who have never had formal catechesis or ‘dropped out’; in order for them to eventually join parish catechesis.

- Mary Grace Dena Lim

a series contributed by

8 ASIA

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews Photos: AGNES CHEONG and VINCENT D’SILVA

Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu blessing the nunciature’s oratory.

Apostolic nunciature in M’sia inaugurated

By Vincent D’Silva The apostolic nunciature at Jalan Ampang Hilir in Kuala Lumpur was inaugurated on Nov 23, and its oratory blessed by Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Substitute of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See the next day.

Catholic leaders from Malaysia and Brunei, politicians and other guests were present to witness the occasion on Nov 23.

In his address, Archbishop Becciu said the nunciature symbolises the friendly ties between Malaysia and the Holy See. Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino also thanked the

Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino speaking on Nov 23.

Malaysian government for its assistance in setting up the nunciature. n

Church leaders: Catholics persecuted on social media MANILA – Catholics, although predominant in the Philippines, face persecution, said a priest during activities marking Red Wednesday on Nov 22. Red Wednesday is a global campaign to show solidarity with persecuted Christians.

Although there was no “physical persecution” of Christians in the Philippines, Fr Alvin Platon of Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese said, persecution could be seen in social media.

“It’s a new form of persecution,” said the priest, adding that it was unlike in the past when it was “more physical, like torture.”

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic bishops’ conference, said Church leaders had become “martyrs” on social media for criticising government policies.

The prelate said Church leaders were being attacked on social media for being a “moral compass of society.”

“Whenever we call for respect of human life and dignity, we are tagged as an enemy and become targets of trolls,” said the prelate.

A “troll” is internet slang for somebody who sows discord by

posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community.

Fr Platon said Filipino Catholics are facing a “word war” that puts people’s faith to the test.

“We hope and pray that Chris-

A man types into a keyboard.

Church leaders in the Philippines have come under attack on social media for issues such as criticising government policies. CNS photo

tians being persecuted through social media will stand in their faith and not give up their being Christian,” said the priest.

He said that to fight the war, the Church had engaged itself in evangelisation through social media “where the people are.”

A total of 45 cathedrals, 24 shrines, and five basilicas in the Philippines participated in this year’s Red Wednesday activities by praying and illuminating the facade of churches in red.

The campaign, which was launched by the group Aid to the Church in Need, aimed to create awareness about the persecution of Christians around the world.

In Manila, Bishop Edwin de la Pena of Marawi told Catholics gathered at Manila Cathedral that he had not expected the terrorist attack on his prelature that resulted in a five-month conflict.

Close to 400,000 people were affected by the fighting that started on May 23 when Islamic Stateinspired gunmen attacked and occupied the city of Marawi in the southern Philippines.

Part of the mission of the Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic charity organisation, is to raise funds for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi.

Bishop De la Pena vowed to make an effort to stop the persecution of Christians “by the power of the Gospel of God’s love, mercy, and compassion.” n UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 9

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

OBSERVING THE FIRST WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

Catholics give money, food, clothes to poor in India NEW DELHI – The first World Day Church with 14 dioceses has also of the Poor instituted by Pope undertaken a series of charitable Francis has helped put poverty activities, said Church spokesman centre stage in the life of Catho- Fr Bovas Mathew Meloottu. lics in India.

“As far as we are concerned, Communities have made long- charity is an ongoing process,” he term commitments to share re- said. “Church members are very sources with those in need and to generously contributing for the pray for them. purpose of charity.”

Leaders of InCardinal Oswald Parishioners dia’s three Catholic Gracias of Bombay, rites – the Syrohead of the Latin-rite of one church Malabar, Syro-Mabishops’ conference, in Madhya lankara and Latin asked parishes to Pradesh baked help make the world rites — followed a papal exhortation to a local delicacy “more Christ-like”. express solidarity “Pope Francis for victims of with those who are has ceaselessly been Hansen’s disease, reminding us about impoverished.

Pope Francis informerly known special care for the stituted for the first poor,” the cardinal as leprosy. time, the World Day said. of the Poor, which He invited all fell on Sunday, Nov 19. parishes to have at least one proAll 34 dioceses of the Eastern- gramme for the poor. rite Syro-Malabar Church obFr Thomas Rajmanikam, from served the day, Church spokesman St Joseph Parish in the Nanda NaFr Jimmy Poochakkat told Asian gar area of Indore diocese in MadChurch news portal ucanews.com. hya Pradesh, said parishioners Catholics went into the streets baked a local delicacy for distrito give away money, food pack- bution to victims of Hansen’s disages and clothes, he added. ease, formerly known as leprosy.

The smaller Syro-Malankara n UCANEWS.COM

Vietnamese Church hosts lunch for elderly, disabled HO CHI MINH CITY – An archdio-

cese in southern Vietnam has demonstrated care for the poor though provision of a special meal.

More than 600 elderly and disabled people of different faiths had a hearty lunch at the Bishop’s House in Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 19.

The event to mark the first World Day of the Poor, initiated

by Pope Francis, was attended

by Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Do Manh Hung of Ho Chi Minh City.

“The meal is an opportunity for the local Church to concretely show mercy, care and respect to our brothers and sisters who are in need,” Archbishop Doc told participants.

As well as food and other gifts, each participant was given US$13 (S$17).

Mr Paul Bui Van Lien, who lost his sight in 1976 when he struck an unexploded shell with a hoe at a farm, said he had not tasted such delicious food for a long time.

“I am happy to have lunch with the archbishop here,” he said.

Mr Lien, 65, who receives a monthly allowance of 10 kg of rice from Caritas workers, said he felt loved and respected by Church people.

The money given to him at the lunch would be used to buy medicine when he got sick, he said.

Ms Tran Thi Tan Van, a Buddhist, said this was the first time she had joined a big meal with Catholics.

Ms Van, 60, who suffers from kidney failure, said Caritas workers carried her to the venue.

“I take comfort and spiritual strength from the meal where all people are friendly and kind to one another,” she said.

Fr Vincent Vu Ngoc Dong, head of Caritas in Ho Chi Minh City archdiocese, called on all parishes to help those living in poverty.

In his message for World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said sharing with the poor enabled the faithful to understand the deepest truths of the Gospel. n UCANEWS.COM

Homeless people in New Delhi try to keep warm during a cold winter. The Church in India observed the very first World Day of the Poor by reaching out to the needy. CNS file photo

10 WORLD

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

161 Catholic leaders urge Trump to rethink US stance on climate US Catholic leaders asked President Trump to ‘act based upon the best available climate science’.

CNS file photo

WASHINGTON – The United States must resume its leadership role in addressing climate change, more than a hundred Catholic leaders wrote in a letter to President Donald Trump.

“On behalf of people who are poor and vulnerable and future generations, we especially ask that you act based upon the best available climate science,” 161 leaders said in the Nov 16 correspondence.

The group called on the president to fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), meaningfully participate in the framework convention deliberations, and honour US commitments to the Green Climate Fund.

The UN framework guides international climate policy while the IPCC assesses scientific, technical and socioeconomic information related to human-induced climate change. The framework convention established the Green Climate Fund in 2010 to assist countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially least developed countries,

small island developing states and African nations.

The writers cited Blessed Paul VI, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis for advancing the Church’s call to care for creation.

“Catholic leaders across the nation and world have explicitly and consistently affirmed climate change as a moral issue that threatens core Catholic commitments including to protect human life, promote human dignity, exercise a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, advance the common good, live in solidarity with future generations and care for God’s creation, which is our common home,” the letter said.

The signers included Mr Michael Galligan-Stierle, president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities; Dominican Sr Donna Markham, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA; Sr Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity and president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association; leaders of religious congregations; college and university presidents and administrators; and representatives of justice and peace organisations. n CNS

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

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11

12 WORLD

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Nun shares painful story to lead youth to God Sr Miriam recalls how God touched her woundedness as a young person through the love of others CNS file photo

INDIANAPOLIS, USA – It wasn’t

the story that the 20,000 young Catholics were expecting to hear from a nun.

And the audience of young people inside Lucas Oil Stadium on the morning of Nov 17 became more quiet and riveted as Sr Miriam James Heidland shared the hard, heartbreaking story of her life.

She told participants at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis that she was sexually assaulted when she was 11. She began drinking alcohol on her 12th birthday. She was raped when she was 13 and she was an alcoholic by the age of 21.

“I woke up one morning when I was 21, and I remembered two things,” recalled Sr Miriam, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

“Number one, I remembered what I had done the night before, and it was awful. Secondly, I remember something that was so much deeper in the area of shame.

“I remembered I had promised myself that I wasn’t going to do that anymore. At that moment, I realised I couldn’t stop, that I was sick. I crawled up in a ball on the floor of my room in college, and I just wished for death. And I didn’t know what to do.”

However, God did, she told the crowd of young people.

“He started sending people into my life to speak the truth to me,” she said as walked across the stage set up in the middle of the stadium floor.

One of the people God sent to her was a priest who challenged

is ... waiting for ‘youJesus in the areas that are incredibly painful for you.

He’s waiting for you in the areas of your deepest dreams and your deepest desires.

’

– Sr Miriam James Heidland

her to change her life.

“He would say, ‘You’re called for more. What are you doing with your life? I know you want more.

You have a great destiny for your life. Have you thought about saying ‘yes’ to it?’

“That man loved Christ, and he let Christ try to reform Him to the core of his being. And one of the reasons I’m here before you is because of the power of one person who said ‘yes’ to Christ. And how often do you and I think we can’t make a difference? But your

Young American Catholics walk in procession for the opening general session of the National Catholic Youth Conference on Nov 16. The biennial conference draws some 20,000 Catholic teenagers from across the country.

‘yes’ matters. Your life matters.

When you say ‘yes,’ the world is changed.”

So has the life of Sr Miriam.

“I’ve been sober for many years now, through a lot of people’s love for me and a lot of grace,” she said, adding that wherever young people in the audience are today, “it’s not the end of the story. Jesus is already waiting for you. He’s waiting for you in the areas that are incredibly painful for you. He’s waiting for you in the areas of your deepest dreams and your deepest desires.”

She also told the story of two

choices that continue to define her life.

“My biological parents were high-school students, 17 years old, obviously not married,” she said. “To this day, I’ve never seen her face, but I have a deep intuition that at one point my mother thought of aborting me, but she didn’t. And I stand here before you today because a scared 17-year-old girl said ‘yes’ to life and to the child in her womb.”

Then there was the choice of the couple who became her mother and father when they adopted her.

“One of the first pictures my

parents have of me was at Christmas time. My mom put me under the Christmas tree and said I was the gift to the family that year.”

She told the audience that God also offers people the gift of His love.

“We don’t understand His heart for us. We don’t understand His love for us,” she said, emphasising that “God longs to heal you because you are made for more. He looks at you, and He just loves you.”

“God has no other ulterior motive,” she told the young people, “than for you to share in His own beautiful life.” n CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope prays for victims of Beijing bans tours Egyptian mosque attack to the Vatican CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

led pilgrims in prayer for the victims of a bombing at a mosque in Egypt’s northern Sinai region.

Addressing thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said he received news of the attack with “great sorrow”.

“May God deliver us from these tragedies and sustain the efforts of all those who work for peace, harmony and coexistence,” the pope said after reciting the Angelus on the feast of Christ the King, Nov 26.

The Nov 24 attack took place at the Al-Rawdah Mosque in Bir al-Abd. More than 300 people, including two dozen children, were killed when at least 40 attackers detonated a bomb, then gunned down worshippers as they fled. More than 120 others were wounded in what is being described as the deadliest modern-day attack in Egypt’s history.

The Egyptian prosecutor’s office said it believed the attack was coordinated by Islamic State militants and was targeting Muslims who practice Sufism, or Islamic mysticism.

Remembering the victims and the wounded, Pope Francis called on Christians to pray for those who were “so severely affected”

A mobile phone picture shows a victim being taken care of in a hospital in Ismailia, Egypt, after a bomb attack at Al-Rawdah Mosque in Bir al-Abd.

by the attack that occurred during prayers at the mosque.

“Those people, in that moment, prayed. We, too, in silence, pray for them,” he said.

Following news of the bombing, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the pope was “profoundly grieved” by the loss of life and condemned the attack as a “wanton act of brutality directed at innocent civilians gathered in prayer”.

Pope Francis, Cardinal Pa-

rolin wrote, “joins all people of good will in imploring that hearts hardened by hatred will learn to renounce the way of violence that leads to such great suffering, and embrace the way of peace”. n CNS

BEIJING – The from visiting the Chinese Comcity state. munist Party has “We can’t do warned the stateit any more,” the controlled tourPhoenix Holidays ism industry not to employee said. “All send tour groups to of this has been dethe Vatican, amid cided by the State growing diploTourism Bureau.” matic tensions be“These are tween Beijing and policies that have the Holy See. been handed down Tours to St Peter’s Basilica Travel agencies have been banned. to us by the govhave been sent a diernment.” rective ordering them to delete or An employee at the Chengdu cancel the Vatican and St Peter’s branch of the same firm confirmed Basilica from their list of destina- the directive. tions, Radio Free Asia reported “There won’t be any [tours to an employee at Phoenix Holidays the Vatican] from now on, because International Travel Agency in of the international situation,” the China as saying. employee said. “Travel agencies “Any travel agency found to are no longer including them in be advertising these destinations in itineraries.” their promotional literature or other Employees at other travel products will be fined up to 300,000 agencies confirmed they had reyuan [S$61,000],” the directive said. ceived similar orders.

The move is the first time BeiChinese officials were unavailjing has tried to stop its nationals able for comment. n UCANEWS.COM

14 POPE IN MYANMAR

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope Francis greets children as he arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar, on Nov 27. The pope was making a six-day visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh. CNS photos

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon.

Pope arrives in Myanmar, meets generals after warm welcome YANGON, MYANMAR – Greeted by two dozen children wearing traditional attire and by the nation’s bishops, Pope Francis arrived in Myanmar on Nov 27 for a four-day visit.

The children in costumes, representing only a portion of Myanmar’s ethnic groups, were joined by another 100 schoolchildren wearing white slacks and white T-shirts with the logo of the papal visit.

Banners and billboards along the road from the airport into the city proclaimed: “A heartiest welcome to the Holy Father, Pope Francis.”

More than 7,000 ethnic Kachin from the conflict-torn state in northern Myanmar travelled down to welcome the pope in Yangon. People in Kachin traditional dress sang songs and danced while others shouted “Papa Francis” and wished the pontiff good health as his motorcade passed along the streets.

The arrival ceremony at the Yangon airport was brief and led by an envoy of the president, because the formal welcome was scheduled for the next day in Naypyitaw, which has been the capital since 2005.

However, Pope Francis had a “courtesy visit” with the leaders of the nation’s powerful military.

The pope and Gen Min Aung Hlaing, who was accompanied by three other generals and a lieutenant colonel, met that first evening in the Yangon archbishop’s residence, where the pope is staying.

Mr Greg Burke, director of the

Vatican press office, told reporters the meeting lasted 15 minutes. After discussions about “the great responsibility authorities in the country have at this moment of transition,” the two exchanged gifts.

The pope gave the general a medal commemorating his visit to Myanmar and the general gave the pope “a harp in the shape of a boat and an ornate rice bowl,” Mr Burke said.

Pope Francis had been scheduled to meet the general on Nov 30, his last morning in Myanmar.

Although the country is transitioning from military rule to

greatest expectation is to get peace ‘Our through the pope’s visit as we believe he will raise peace issues and push the country’s leaders to end ethnic conflicts.

’

– Mr John Hong Khong, a catechist from Myitkyina, Kachin, Myanmar

democracy, the general has the power to name a portion of the legislators and to nominate some government ministers.

Although described by Mr Burke as a “courtesy visit” and not an official welcome, the visit seemed to go against the usual protocol, which would dictate that the pope’s first meetings with authorities would be with the head of state and head of government.

Mr Burke did not say whether Pope Francis had mentioned in any way the plight of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, who are treated as foreigners in the country.

Gen Min Aung Hlaing has been criticised by human rights groups for what has been described as disproportionately harsh measures against the entire Rohingya community following attacks on security posts by small groups of Rohingya militants.

Pilgrims who travelled on a train for two days to see Pope Francis sit in St Anthony Parish on Nov 26 in Yangon.

The majority of people in Myanmar are Buddhist.

The pope was scheduled to lead a public Mass at Kyaikkansan sports ground in Yangon on Nov 29 where more than 150,000 Catholics and people from other religions were expected to join.

Mr Moses U Kyar, from the ethnic Kayah tribe in Taunggyi diocese, said the first visit by a pope to a poor country like Myanmar is a special blessing and will encourage the minority Catholics.

“His motto is love and peace, so he will surely talk about peace,” Mr U Kyar, a government school teacher, told Asian Church news portal ucanews.com.

Sr Bambina, a nun from St Joseph of the Apparition congregation in Yangon, said she was so excited over the pope’s visit.

“The visit will bring peace and prosperity to the country and it will deepen our faith,” Sr Bambina told ucanews.com.

Thousands of Catholics and Buddhists packed the street near St Mary’s Cathedral to catch a glimpse of the pope’s motorcade.

Mr John Hong Khong, 59, a catechist from Myitkyina, Kachin, said it is a special privilege for the people of Myanmar to have the pope visit the country.

“Our greatest expectation is to get peace through the pope’s visit as we believe he will raise peace issues and push the country’s leaders to end ethnic conflicts,” Mr Hong Khong told ucanews. com.

Pope Francis was scheduled to visit Bangladesh from Dec 1-2 after his Myanmar trip. n CNS, UCANEWS.COM

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Quick fixes, denial won’t stop climate change, says pope A woman and children walk through a droughtstricken rice field in Cebu, Philippines.

Pope Francis has issued a message to government leaders attending the COP23 session of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn.

CNS file photo

VATICAN CITY – Denial or indifkeeping in mind the needs of those ference when it comes to climate who are most vulnerable, he said. change will not help further honA recent UN Environment est research or facilitate finding Programme report found that curadequate solutions, Pope Francis rent goals for cutting greenhouse told government leaders attending gas emissions by the agreement’s a meeting on implementing the signatory nations will result in Paris accord. just one-third of the reductions reRatified by 170 nations, the quired by global targets for 2030.

2016 agreement marks “a shared Closing some of that gap would strategy to tackle one of the most require increased action in curbing worrying phenomena our human emissions by private industries and race is experiencing – climate regional governments, the report change”, the pope said said, but even if counin a written message. tries were to reach their We must The message was national targets, there avoid falling would still be an increase read on Nov 15 to those attending the COP23 of 3 degrees Celsius by into these session of the UN Cli- four grievous 2100 – a number beyond mate Change Conferthe Paris target of under attitudes ence in Bonn, Germa2 degrees Celsius. ... denial, ny, from Nov 6-17.

The pope said if naIn the message – adtions are to continue to indifference, dressed to the president build and implement of the COP23 session, giving up and guidelines and practictrusting in Prime Minister Frank es that are truly effecBainimarama of Fiji – tive and able to reach inadequate the pope said the Paris the complex goals of solutions. agreement is “a clear the agreement, their – Pope Francis to “willingness to cooperpath of transition toward a model of low- or government leaders ate” must stay high. no-carbon economic de“We must avoid velopment, encouraging solidarity falling into these four grievous atand emphasising the strong links titudes that certainly do not help that exist between fighting climate promote honest research and sinchange and fighting poverty”. cere and fruitful dialogue about The urgency of addressing building the future of our planet: climate change demands “greater denial, indifference, giving up and commitment from countries, some trusting in inadequate solutions.” of which will have to seek to take Focusing on economic and on a leadership role in such a tran- technological solutions is necsition”, which will also necessitate essary, but not enough, he said;

‘

’

ethical and social concerns and consequences of a new vision of development and progress must also be considered.

Pope Francis told leaders to maintain a proactive and collaborative spirit so they can better stimulate and increase awareness and the willingness “to adopt truly effective decisions” to tackle climate change and poverty, and promote true, integral human development. n CNS

Pope warns against police brutality, dangerous driving VATICAN CITY – While praising The pope asked the officers the work and sacrifice of police and their supervisors to “use merofficers dealing with transit and cy in the countless situations of highway patrol, Pope Francis also weakness and pain that you concautioned them against turning front daily” not just with victims the just use of force into brutality. of crime or accidents, but with the “Wisdom and self-control are poor and vulnerable, too. needed, especially when the police With so many people dependofficer is viewed with mistrust or ing on increased mobility, the pope seen almost as an enemy, instead said traffic officers have a lot to do, of as a guardian of the common especially when driving and comgood,” he said. muting has become The pope made his “increasingly comWhenever remarks in a speech plex and unruly”. officers must on Nov 20 to staff Not only do and managers of the roads and safety check or central administration measures lack needconstrain of the Italian police in ed improvements someone, ‘it’s charge of traffic and and investments, highway patrol and of officers must deal important to the railways. with the “poor sense rely on a use of of responsibility by Whenever officers force that never many drivers, who must check or constrain someone, “it’s often seem not to degenerates important to rely on a realise the even seriinto violence’. ous consequences of use of force that never degenerates into being distracted – for violence”, he said, particularly in example, with the improper use of places where the police are looked cellphones – or being reckless.” upon with distrust, which unfortuHe said these behaviours were nately is widespread and, in some caused by people being in too cases, pits society against the state. much of a hurry or being comMercy is essential, he said; petitive, which turns “other drivmercy is not weakness nor does it ers into hurdles or adversaries to mean renouncing all use of force. overtake, transforming roads into “Instead, it means being able ‘Formula One’ racetracks and to not equate the culprits with the traffic lights into the starting line crime they commit, ending up for a grand prize.” causing damage and creating a Increased sanctions will not be feeling of revenge; it also means enough, he said. Education and a making an effort to understand the greater awareness of responsibilneeds and motives of the people ity and a civic duty toward one’s that you encounter in your work,” fellow travellers are needed, he he said. said. n CNS

16 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope Francis eats lunch with the poor after celebrating Mass marking the first World Day of the Poor at the Vatican on Nov 19. Some 1,500 poor people joined him for the meal. CNS photo

Pope celebrates 1st World Day of the Poor with needy VATICAN CITY – People have a basic choice in the way they live: either striving to build up treasures on earth or giving to others in order to gain heaven, Pope Francis said.

“What we invest in love remains, the rest vanishes,” the pope said in his homily on Nov 19, the first World Day of the Poor.

Between 6,000 and 7,000 poor people attended the Mass in St Peter’s Basilica as special guests, the Vatican said. While almost all of them live in Europe, they include migrants and refugees from all over the world.

Among the altar servers were young men who are either poor, migrants or homeless. The first reader at the Mass, Mr Tony Battah, is a refugee from Syria. Those presenting the gifts at the offertory were led by the Zambardi family from Turin, Italy, whom the Vatican described as living in a “precarious condition” and whose one-yearold daughter has cystic fibrosis.

In addition to the bread and wine that were consecrated at the Mass, the offertory included a large basket of bread and rolls that were blessed to be shared at the lunch the pope was offering after Mass.

Some 1,500 poor people joined the pope in the Vatican’s audience hall for the meal, while the other special guests were served at various seminaries and Catholic-run soup kitchens nearby.

If in the eyes of the world, the poor they have little value, he said, “they are the ones who open to us the way to heaven; they are our ‘passport to paradise’. For us it is an evangelical duty to care for them, as our real riches, and to do so not only by giving them bread,

we invest ‘inWhat love remains, the rest vanishes.’

– Pope Francis

but also by breaking with them the bread of God’s word, which is addressed first to them”.

In the Gospels, he said, Jesus says that He wants to be loved in “the least of our brethren”, including the hungry, the sick, the poor, the stranger and the prisoner.

“In the poor, Jesus knocks on the doors of our heart, thirsting for our love,” he said. True goodness and strength are shown “not in closed fists and crossed arms, but in ready hands outstretched to the poor, to the wounded flesh of the Lord”.

Before joining his guests for lunch, Pope Francis recited the Angelus prayer with thousands of people in St Peter’s Square.

Offering special prayers for people living in poverty because of war and conflict, the pope asked the international community to make special efforts to bring peace to those areas, especially the Middle East. n CNS

POPE FRANCIS 17

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Care for dying does not mean resisting death, pope says VATICAN CITY – People who are

dying must be accompanied with the love of family members and the care of medical professionals, but there is no requirement that every means available must be used to prolong their lives, Pope Francis said.

“Even if we know that we cannot always guarantee healing or a cure, we can and must always care for the living, without ourselves shortening their life, but also without futilely resisting their death,” the pope said in a message to the European members of the World Medical Association.

“This approach is reflected in palliative care, which is proving most important in our culture, as it opposes what makes death most terrifying and unwelcome: pain and loneliness,” the pope said.

The European members of the medical association were meeting at the Vatican from Nov 16-17 for a discussion with the Pontifical Academy for Life on end-of-life care. At the same time, across St Peter’s Square, the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the International Confederation of Catholic Health Care Institutions were hosting a meeting on inequalities in health care.

Pope Francis’ message touched both topics, which he said intersect when determining what level of medical intervention is most appropriate when a person is dying.

“Increasingly sophisticated and costly treatments are available to ever more limited and privileged segments of the population,” the pope said, “and this raises questions about the sustainability of health care delivery and about what might be called a systemic tendency towards growing inequality in health care.

“This tendency is clearly visible at a global level, particularly when different continents are compared,” he said. “But it is also present within the more wealthy countries, where access to health care risks being more dependent on individuals’ economic resourc-

If the patient is competent and able, he or she ‘has the right, obviously in dialogue with medical professionals, to evaluate a proposed treatment,’ said Pope Francis. CNS file photo

es than on their actual need for treatment.”

A variety of factors must be taken into account when determining what medical interventions to use and for how long with a person approaching the end of his or her earthly life, Pope Francis said.

Determining what measures amount to “therapeutic obstinacy”

The anguish associated with the ‘ difficulty of the decision we have to make,

may tempt us to step back from the patient.

Yet this is where, more than anything else, we are called to show love and closeness.

’

– Pope Francis

‘Papal’ Lamborghini gift to be auctioned off for charity VATICAN CITY – While a Lam-

borghini would make a stylish popemobile, Pope Francis has decided to auction off the one he was given by the Italian automaker to aid several charities close to his heart.

The pope was presented with a one-of-a-kind white and gold Lamborghini Huracan by the luxury car manufacturer on Nov 15.

The pope signed and blessed the automobile and the proceeds, the Vatican said, will be given to the pope, who already has chosen to fund three projects: the resettlement of Christians in Iraq’s Ninevah Plain; support for women rescued from human trafficking and forced prostitution; and assistance to the suffering in Africa.

Specifically, part of the proceeds from the auction will go to Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical foundation, which is working to rebuild homes, houses of worship and community buildings that were destroyed by the Islamic

Pope Francis autographs a Lamborghini presented by representatives of the Italian automaker at the Vatican on Nov 15. The car will be a auctioned and the proceeds given to charity. CNS photo

State and caused thousands of Iraqi Christians to flee their homes.

The pope also will give funds to: the Pope John XXIII community, an Italian organisation that assists women victims of prostitution and human trafficking; and to

the International Group of Hand Surgeon Friends to support its projects to provide specialised medical care in Africa; and to the Italian group Amici di Centrafrica, which helps women and children in the Central African Republic. n CNS

or “overzealous” treatment, and are therefore either optional or even harmful, requires discernment and discussion with the patient, the patient’s family and the caregivers.

In determining the best course of action in caring for a dying person, the pope said, “the mechanical application of a general rule is not sufficient.”

If the patient is competent and able, the pope said, he or she “has the right, obviously in dialogue with medical professionals, to evaluate a proposed treatment and to judge its actual proportionality in his or her concrete case” and to refuse the treatment “if such proportionality is judged lacking.”

In either case, he said, even medical professionals must follow

“the supreme commandment of responsible closeness,” remaining alongside those who are dying.

“It could be said that the categorical imperative is to never abandon the sick,” he said. “The anguish associated with conditions that bring us to the threshold of human mortality, and the difficulty of the decision we have to make, may tempt us to step back from the patient. Yet this is where, more than anything else, we are called to show love and closeness, recognising the limit that we all share and showing our solidarity.”

“Let each of us give love in his or her own way – as a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother or sister, a doctor or a nurse. But give it!” Pope Francis said. n CNS

Mass is a time of silence and prayer, not idle chitchat VATICAN CITY – Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk, Pope Francis said.

At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing “to meet with Jesus” instead of engaging in “chitchat,” the pope said on Nov 15 during his weekly general audience.

“Silence is so important,” he said. “Silence prepares us and accompanies us.”

The pope continued his new series of audience talks on the Mass, reflecting on the Eucharist as a form of prayer that is “the highest, the most sublime and, at the same time, the most concrete” way of encountering God’s love.

“This is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through Him, with God and with our brothers and sisters,” the pope said.

In the Gospels, he continued,

Jesus teaches His disciples that the first thing needed to pray “is to know how to say ‘father’” and to trust in God with the humility of a child.

Christians also must allow themselves to be “surprised by the living encounter with the Lord,” he said, and not simply “talk to God like a parrot,” repeating the words of prayers without thinking.

“The encounter with God is a living encounter,” the pope said departing from his prepared remarks. “It is not an encounter of a museum, it is a living encounter.

And we go to Mass, not a museum!”

Pope Francis said the Mass is also a gift and a consolation where Christians discover that God’s greatest surprise is that He “loves us even in our weakness.”

“The Lord encounters our frailty,” the pope said. “This is the environment of the Eucharist.

This is prayer.” n CNS

18 OPINION

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Education, advocacy effective in removing stigma on mental illness I refer to the report, Discussing discrimination surrounding mental illness (CN, Nov 26).

The move by Clarity to create a platform for people to talk openly and share personal stories about mental health issues is a step in the right direction.

More of such discussions and sharings by those who have walked the journey and have stayed resilient in the face of adversity can help a great deal in eradicating stigma, as well as paving the way for family members to embrace caregiving as a noble job.

All of us in the mental health community need to raise our voices against stigma – in every possible way. Stigma prevents people struggling from mental health issues from seeking help.

Wrongful assumptions that persons with mental illness cannot recover must be corrected. This is where advocates should come out in full force to debunk this misconception. Combating stigma is by no means an easy task. Stigma leads to discrimination where sufferers of mental disorders become isolated and are the prime target of all kinds of humiliating remarks within the community and at the workplace.

Most people fear what they don’t understand. In the case of mental illness, a lack of understanding can give the wrong

CN, Nov 26

impression that all psychiatric patients are violent and cannot function properly. This is far from true as there are many success stories of how recovered patients are contributing as useful members of society through the support, love and care of their caregivers.

The media has an important role to play in de-stigmatising mental illness as it can so easily sway peoples’ thinking. Patients and caregivers are the best peo-

Patients and caregivers are the best people to speak out against stigma.

ple to speak out against stigma.

By expressing their thoughts and opinions through public forums, letters to the media and on social media, they can gradually change perceptions of the mentally ill.

In managing a loved one with mental illness, it is important to observe the 3Ps – Patience, Perseverance and Prayer.

Recovery from mental illness takes time, so be patient and don’t set your expectations too high.

Above all, don’t get discouraged.

Some days will be worse than others, but just like the clouds, these will pass away. n Raymond Anthony Fernando Singapore

A threat to our decency JESUS tells us that in the end we will be judged on how we dealt with the poor in our lives, but there are already dangers now, in this life, in not reaching out to the poor Here’s how American lawyer and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson teases out that danger: “I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavoured, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned. We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated. An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation. Fear and anger can make us vindictive and abusive, unjust and unfair, until we all suffer from the absence of mercy and we condemn ourselves as much as we condemn others.”

What needs to be highlighted here is what we do to ourselves when we don’t reach out in compassion to the poor. We corrupt our own decency. As Stevenson puts it: An absence of compassion corrupts our decency – as a state, as a Church, as family, and as individuals.

How so?

St Augustine teaches that we can never be morally neutral – either we are growing in virtue or falling into vice. We never have the luxury of simply being in some neutral, holding state. There’s no moral neutrality. Either we are growing in virtue or sliding into virtue’s opposite.

That’s true for all of life. A thing is either growing or it’s regressing.

So too with our attitude towards justice and the poor: Either we are actively reaching out to the poor and being more drawn into concern for them or we are unconsciously hardening our hearts against them and unknowingly sliding into attitudes that trivialise their issues and distance ourselves from them. If we are not actively advocating for justice and the poor, it is inevitable that at a point we will, with completely sincere hearts, downplay the issues of poverty, racism, inequality and injustice.

It’s interesting to note that in the famous text on the final judgment in the Gospel where Jesus describes how God will divide the sheep from the goats on the basis of how they treated the poor, neither group – those who did it correctly and those who didn’t – actually knew what they were doing. The group who did it right state that they didn’t know that in touching the poor they were touching Christ; and the group who got it wrong protest that they hadn’t known that Christ was in the poor.

And so we need to be alert not just to our conscious attitudes but to what we are actually doing. We can, in all sincerity, in all good conscience, in all good heart, be blind towards justice and the poor. We can be moral men and women, pious churchgoers, generous donors to those who ask help from us, warm to our own families and friends, and yet, be unhealthily elitist, subtle racists, callous towards the environment, and protective of our own privilege. We are still good persons no doubt, but the absence of compassion in one area of our lives leaves us limping morally.

We can be good persons and yet fall into a certain hardness of heart because of kindred, ideological circles that falsely affirm us.

Within any circle of friends, either we are talking about ways that we can more effectively lessen the gaps between rich and poor or we are talking, however unconsciously, about the need to defend the gaps that presently exist. One kind of conversation is stretching our hearts; the other is narrowing them. Lack of compassion for justice and the poor will inevitably work at turning a generous heart into a defensive one.

We all have friends who admire us and send us signals that we are good, big-hearted, virtuous persons. And no doubt this is substantially true. But the affirmation we receive from our own kind can be a false mirror. A truer mirror is how those who are politically, racially, religiously, and temperamentally different from ourselves assess us. How do the poor feel about us? How do refugees assess our goodness? How do other races rate our compassion?

And what about the mirror that Jesus holds up for us when He tells us that our goodness will be judged by how we treat the poor and that the litmus test of goodness consists in how well we love our enemies?

An absence of compassion in even one area subtly corrupts the decency of a community, a state, a nation, and that eventually turns our generosity into defensiveness. n

ADVENT FEATURE 19

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

How St Joseph is an Advent model

By David Gibson

“L

et us see your face.”

The whole Church repeats this fiveword, heartfelt plea to God four times during Masses on Advent’s first Sunday. Heard in the responsorial psalm after the first biblical reading, it echoes this repeated plea to God in Psalm 80: “Light up your face and we shall be saved.”

Does it make sense for the Christian family to beg God at the Advent season’s beginning to reveal his face?

“Christ is the face of God, which is never darkened,” Pope Francis told bishops from around the world in September 2016.

When he called in April 2015 for a Year of Mercy throughout the Church, he stated emphatically: “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth.”

So God’s face is known among Christians. But as Advent gets under way, Christians begin again their quest to see God’s face. Does that sound like a contradiction in terms?

During Advent, Christians patiently await the revelation of the face of God at Christmas. Notably, this pursuit prepares them to discover how God is present in their lives and world now.

For the memory of Jesus’ birth is a living memory, not the memory of an event confined to the past.

Like the determined Wise Men from the East, contemporary people of faith set out to find Jesus and dis-

cover what His birth holds for them.

Where can the Lord be seen and heard in the 21st century?

Pope Francis approaches this as a basic Advent question. He spoke of it at the start of Advent in 2016.

The Lord visits humanity, he said. “We all know” that this “occurred with the incarnation, Jesus’ birth in the cave of Bethlehem.”

But, the pope continued, “the Lord visits us constantly.”

Consolingly, he walks “alongside us.”

Advent, he added, encompasses a call “to expand” our hearts’ horizons. “To do this, we must learn not to depend … on our own established strategies.” Awaiting the Lord means preparing “to let ourselves be visited by Him, … even if it disturbs our plans.”

St Joseph is an Advent figure.

God unexpectedly disrupted Joseph’s life plan.

As the time of Jesus’ birth approached, a great question challenged Joseph fiercely. His answer would transform his entire life.

Near the end of Advent in 2013, Pope Francis highlighted Joseph’s predicament. The Gospel of Matthew (1:18-25) tells of “the events preceding the birth of Jesus,” pre-

During Advent, Christians patiently await the revelation of the face of God at Christmas.

Notably, this pursuit prepares them to discover how God is present in their lives and world now.

St Joseph is a bridge for the Church between Advent and Christmas.

CNS photo

senting them from the perspective of Joseph, “the betrothed of the Virgin Mary,” the pope observed.

“Mary, after having welcomed the angel’s announcement, came to be with child by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Joseph “was bewildered.”

Trying to do God’s will, Joseph made “what for him [was] an enormous sacrifice,” the pope explained.

In the Gospel’s words, “the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived.’”

Joseph had been “following a good plan for his life,” but God reserved “another plan for him, a greater mission,” Pope Francis said, adding: “By accepting himself according to God’s design,” Joseph fully found himself. n CNS Gibson served on Catholic News Service’s editorial staff for 37 years

Advent tidings of comfort and joy CNS photo

By Barbara Hosbach I dread the colder days that coincide with Advent.

Fortunately, our parish Advent wreath grows brighter with light from an additional candle each week.

The Advent readings also brighten my outlook – especially the prophet Isaiah’s encouraging words: “Comfort, give comfort to my people” (Is 40:1). God asked the prophet to reassure the suffering Israelite exiles in Babylon.

Although God allowed His people to experience the consequences of their wrongdoing, He didn’t abandon them. He promised to be with the exiles, to nurture them, hold them close and lead them home.

Some years ago, like those Israelites, I felt exiled from all that was familiar to me, including my family and friends. I’d always prided myself on being hardworking, self-sufficient and helpful to others – or so I thought.

After a car accident, followed

As we prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming let’s remember that God is eternal.

A lit candle is seen on an Advent wreath. The Advent wreath grows brighter with light from an additional candle each week.

by a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, that all changed. I could no longer live up to my own self-image. Who was I if I couldn’t work hard? Who’d want me around if I

couldn’t do things for them?

I found out the hard way that many of the things I thought I did “for others” had been attempts to control, pump up my own ego and

earn approval or affection. When my false supports crumbled, I felt useless, miserable and terrified.

Isaiah urged the Israelites to prepare for the Lord by making a straight way in the desert. In my darkest hour, God came into the desert of my heart. Although He allowed me to experience my particular challenges, He didn’t abandon me.

When I was ready to be honest and face my false pride, God tenderly led me through my emotional wasteland. He showed me that my abilities are gifts, not to be denied but not to be relied on in place of Him. Through my challenges, God taught me that I don’t have to prove anything to be worthy of

love. In fact, I’m better able to give and receive love when I’m not trying too hard. My relationships with family and friends are much more relaxed and genuine now.

So how do we make a straight way for our Saviour? By getting straight with ourselves, by honestly admitting our shortcomings and recognising how much we need Him. We celebrate our Saviour’s coming to be with us that first Christmas. We also have His promise that He will come again and take us to be with Him. As we prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming this Advent, let’s remember that God is eternal. Eternity doesn’t mean an endless extension of time, it means being beyond time.

We can trust the light of God’s love to burn within us whenever life is at its darkest – whether the darkness is outside of us or within our hearts. n CNS Hosbach is a freelance writer and author of ‘Your Faith Has Made You Well’: Jesus Heals in the New Testament.

20

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Peter Canisius St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) was born in Holland. He studied canon law in Belgium and then went to Germany to study theology.

In 1543, he became a Jesuit and was well-known for his preaching abilities.

He attended two sessions of the Council of Trent. Afterwards, he helped to revive Catholicism in Europe.

When he became the Jesuit provincial in southern Germany, Austria and Bohemia, he founded schools, colleges and seminaries. He also worked very hard to make sure the people of southern Germany remained Catholic.

We honour him on Dec 21. n

Bible Accent: When Mary received news from the angel Gabriel that she was to give birth to the Messiah, she also learned that her childless cousin, Elizabeth, was going to have a baby as well.

Several months before visiting Mary, Gabriel had visited Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, to tell him that he and his wife would have a child, who would be named John.

After Mary heard the news of her cousin’s pregnancy, she very quickly made the trip to the town in Judah in which Zechariah and Elizabeth lived. She wound up visiting with them for three months.

When Mary arrived at their house, she greeted Elizabeth.

Upon hearing Mary’s voice, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy.

Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb,” she said to Mary in a loud voice.

“And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” n

he had some more news to share with Mary.

Mary had a cousin named Elizabeth, who was married to the priest Zechariah. Elizabeth and Zechariah were old, and Elizabeth was never able to have children.

“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God,” Gabriel said.

Mary was overcome with emotion.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord,” Mary told Gabriel. “May it be done to me according to your word.” n Read more about it: Luke 1

Q&A 1. Who was to deliver a message to Mary?

2. What was the message about?

PUZZLE: In Luke 1, Mary and Zechariah each praised God through hymns called canticles. Below are verses from each canticle. Using the hints provided, fill in the blank after each verse with the name of the person whose canticle it is from.

2. He has helped Israel His servant, remembering His mercy. (verse 54) _______ 3. And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High. (verse 76) _______ 4. He has raised up a horn for our salvation.

1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. (verse 46) _______

5. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear Him. (verse 50) _______

(verse 69)

_______

Wordsearch: n COUSIN

n GABRIEL n BEHOLD

n HOLLAND

n FAVOUR

n GALILEE n AUSTRIA

n THRONE

n GRACE

n INFANT

n JESUIT

n FRUIT

BIBLE ESSAY: When have you received a surprise announcement, and how did you react?

Answer to Wordsearch

One day, God sent His angel, Gabriel, on a very important mission.

God asked Gabriel to deliver a message to a young woman, Mary, who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.

Mary was a virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, whose family was related to King David.

“Betrothed” means that Mary and Joseph were married, but they were not yet living together as a married couple.

Gabriel came to Mary’s home.

When he saw her, he called out to her.

“Hail, full of grace!” Gabriel said. “The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled by his greeting and wondered what it meant.

Gabriel wanted to put her mind at ease.

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God,”

he assured her.

Gabriel went on to explain that God had chosen Mary to be the mother of the Messiah.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus,” the angel told Mary. “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

As Mary was taking in all that the angel said, she asked how what he had told her would take place.

Gabriel said that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary and she would be overshadowed by God’s power.

“Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God,” he said.

After Gabriel had finished delivering his message about the Messiah,

Answer to puzzle: 1. Mary; 2. Mary; 3. Zechariah; 4. Zechariah; 5. Mary

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

DEC 8 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

Rosary and confessions at 11.45am.

Mass at 1pm. Please bring the following: 1) Book of Prayers 2) Book for Holy Mass. Organised by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Family Rosary Prayer Group.

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

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

DEC 12 MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Time: 7pm. Venue: Church of St Bernadette. Celebrated in Spanish (translations of readings, prayers and hymns will be available). Organised by the Mexican community in Singapore.

Celebrated by Fr Joe Lopez, chaplain of the Spanish speaking community.

Mass will be followed by traditional Mexican songs and fellowship.

All are welcome.

SEPT 27, 2017 TO MAY 1, 2019 SHARE THE JOURNEY: A GLOBAL CAMPAIGN BY CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS Organised by Caritas Internationalis, the campaign aims to increase spaces and opportunities with Caritas organisations and parishes to enable local communities and migrants to have more positive encounters. Do join in the campaign activities organised by Caritas Singapore and CHARIS. Follow CaritasSingapore and CHARISSingapore on Facebook for more updates.

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

To register: http://tinyurl.com/craftofre; T: 64676072.

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

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

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

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

DEC 16 ALTAR SERVERS’ DAY OF RECOLLECTION Time: 9.30am-4pm, Fr Terence Pereira, episcopal vicar for the New Evangelisation, will speak on the role of the altar servers, the elements of ministry, and the need for formation in order to realise the archdiocesan pastoral vision of a “vibrant, missionary, and evangelistic

Church”. Organised by the Office for the New Evangelisation. Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Rd. Email enquiry@one.org.sg to register.

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ACROSS 1 Type of angel that Michael is 5 Vestment made of a narrow strip of cloth 10 Captain for 40 days and nights 14 Easter flower

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Euripides character Unattractive Summer drinks Regions Tide Heating fuel At one time it was “at one time”

22 Cover with wax 23 Debt that remains unpaid 26 What a catechumen participates in (abbr.)

27 Our Lady 32 Jack’s Soviet counterpart

35 “Eye has not seen, _____ has not heard…”

36 Affirmative 37 Former overseer of the VOA 38 Capital of Tibet 40 Withered 41 Alphabet string

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE In loving memory of

DEC 18 TO DEC 21 COMBINED UNI RETREAT Dec 18 (10am)-Dec 21 (6pm). Venue: 2 Lorong Low Koon, S536449. For all university students studying locally and overseas. Come away to spend time with Jesus to take stock of your life and to receive grace and power to move on.

Cost: $60. Register at www.tinyurl.com/ CUR2017. Deadline: Dec 10.

JAN 7, 2018 TO MARCH 3, 2018 SCHOOL OF WITNESS Open to all young people in the archdiocese between the ages of 18-30. eight-week, live-in discipleship school, that aims to provide an environment of faith. Young people can be encouraged and challenged to go beyond their comfort zones to grow in the awareness of who God is and who they are. Cost: $600.

Venue: 2 Lorong Low Koon, S536449.

To register: W: www.oyp.org.sg/sow18; W: www.tinyurl.com/sow18. Registration closes on Dec 15. For more information, E: juliana.oyp@oyp.org.sg.

JAN 21, 2018 TO JAN 27, 2018 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER AT ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH The Sojourners’ Companions invites you to learn how to pray with Scripture and develop a closer relationship with the Lord. Jan 21 (Taster) 2pm-5pm; Jan 22-26: Daily 30mins at home + 30mins with personal prayer guide at a convenient time between 9am–10pm; Jan 27 (2pm–5pm) closure. Venue: Church of St Anthony. Cost: $30. To register: W: www.sojourners.sg; wogp@sojourners.sg; parish office; church foyer after Masses on Jan 13 and 14.

42 Theology on ____ programme 43 Priest 45 Space 47 Roman statesman 48 Characteristic of God 52 OT book that precedes Ruth 55 Opposite or absence of good 58 Zoo sight 59 “…____ saw Elba” 60 Tithing percent 62 Rent 63 Ruin 64 Lofty nest 65 Mary, _____-Virgin 66 Hip bones 67 Aromatic fragrance 68 Barely passing grades DOWN 1 Blow on the cheek delivered by the bishop at Confirmation 2 Death, on a pale green horse (Rev 6:8) 3 Pellucid 4 Emotional outburst 5 Little, in Lockerbie 6 Saint of Avila 7 River in central Europe 8 Meadows

9 Cain traveled this direction from Eden (Gen 4:16) 10 Papal ambassador 11 Double curve 12 Having wings 13 Ballyhoo 24 _____ of Faith 25 Theater district 27 More, to Pedro 28 Pairs’ debarking point 29 Russian no 30 He blamed the Christians for burning Rome 31 Copier 32 Without value 33 Woe _____!

34 _____ of Kings 35 “The Tell-Tale Heart” monogram 39 Son of Noah 40 Burned 44 Parisian season 46 “Salve _____” 47 Type of cross 49 Ingenuous 50 Give consent 51 Ogles 52 Knight at the movies 53 Mountain range 54 Glace or tasse starter 55 LAX postings 56 Cheney or Biden, for example 57 It was written in three languages (abbr.)

61 Half a laugh

In loving memory of Sixteenth Anniversary

DEC 17 CHRISTMAS RECOLLECTION Time: 9:30am-5pm. Venue: Choice Retreat House, 47 Jurong West St 42. An invitation to spend a day of prayer and reflection on the great joy we are about to celebrate – the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Organised by the Cenacle Sisters.

To register: W: www.cenaclemission. com; T: 65652895; 97223148; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com; Love offerings welcomed.

Crossword Puzzle 1198 1

IN MEMORIAM 21

WHAT’S ON

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Fifth Anniversary

LOPEZ VARGHESE

ANDREW NG MOK KOK Departed: October 10, 1987 Rest in peace, dear loving father.

Thirty long years have passed away; You’re gone, but are still living In the hearts of those who stay.

Always remembered by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

KUCHU TERASIAL LOPEZ Departed Nov 8, 2001 Nov 30, 2012

We miss them in so many ways We miss things they used to say And when old times we do recall It’s then we miss them most of all.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by loved ones.



2nd Anniversary

In loving memory of

Carlose R Pereira called home to be with the Heavenly Father on 30 November 2015

God has you in his arms and we have you in our hearts Till we meet again, Papa Goodnight, sweet dreams, we love you.

Love, The Carloses

Please turn to pages 22 and 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

22 IN MEMORIAM

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

In loving memory Third Anniversary of

ANDREW KOH EVELYN SEOW Departed: December 6, 2014 December 27, 2014

The memories remain warm when it is kept close to the heart.

Dearly missed and always remembered by family and friends.

Eighteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

REONOLD JOSEPH D’CRUZ MISS ELIZABETH Called home to be PETER with the Lord Born: Sep 28, 1938 on Dec 12, 2015 Departed: Dec 3, 1999 Thank you for the The rose years we shared. does not last forever Thank you for the It withers with the way you cared. fading of the spring We loved you then But your memory and we love you still lingers forever Forget you, In the hearts of all we never will. who love you Deeply missed and Because love lovingly remembered lasts forever. by wife Pricilla, Eternal rest grant daughter Rachael unto her O Lord and all loved ones.

And let perpetual Mass will be light shine upon her. celebrated at the May she rest in peace.

Church of Our Fondly remembered Lady of Lourdes on

by Martin, Charles Tuesday Dec 12, 2017 and Raymond, at 6.30pm. their families and loved ones.

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of Twenty-fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

BENEDICT OEN BOON LIM Departed: Dec 10, 2009 He longed PETER GOH to be with Him BUAN TECK Now God has him Departed: Dec 7, 1993 in His keeping We have him in Gone from our our hearts lives one so dear, We will always But in our hearts cherish you with love. forever near.

Lovingly remembered Fondly remembered by wife Anna, children, by all loved ones. and grandchildren.

Mass will be offered Seventh Anniversary and celebrated at In loving memory of Church of OLPS. ‘‘O taste and see that the LORD is good!

Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Psalm 34:8

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

ANTHONY CHIA LEE TONG Departed: Dec 2, 2010 Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near.

Always missed and fondly remembered by all loved ones.

Please turn to pages 21 and 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

In loving memory of our beloved parents Forty-eighth Thirty-fifth Anniversary Anniversary

AGNES

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

ANDREW M MIRANDA

GOMEZ Departed: Mar 30, 1969 Departed: Dec 10, 1982

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

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

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by your children and loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at O.L.P.S. on Sunday, December 10 at 10.30am.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

AUGUSTINE GWEE BOH YAN Departed: Dec 12, 2007

In loving memory of Fifty-sixth Anniversary

Thirty-seventh Anniversary

ANTHONY S/O ANANMAL D/O SARIVMUTHU ANTHONY Departed Dec 10, 1961 Feb 19, 1980

Dearest parents, Time changes many things but not the memory this day brings Till now you are still in our minds and hearts.

Deeply missed by sons, daughters, daughters-in-law and family members.

He will raise you up on eagle’s wings.

Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want: Psalm 23:1 Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of Twenty-second Anniversary

Fourteenth Anniversary

Who returned to the Lord on Dec 10, 2005 PETER LIM KOK CHENG Departed on Dec 10, 2012 We remember and cherish the happy times together Remembering them today and forever.

Angela and daughters, Rachel, Valerie, Magdalene and Grace

We think of you in silence No eyes can see us weep But still within our aching hearts Your memory we keep Dearly missed and fondly remembered by mum, wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and loved ones.

MICHAEL PEH TECK FOO Departed: Dec 13, 2012 You had a heart of gold One of the best to behold You were generous, loving and kind These are the memories you left behind.

Dearly missed by wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

ANTHONY THIO HELENA THIO Departed Dec 3, 1995 Oct 30, 2003

Dearest Grand Pa and Grand Ma, With fondest memories, petitions and prayers always from Bernard & Ying, Jonathan & Marie, Justin, Joel, Marie, Michelle and Nathaniel Thio.

Seventeenth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of Eighth Anniversary

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

EDMUND YEO SIN CHIANG LAUZAR MARK CRISINI 7 Sept 1960 to 14 Dec 2014 Words are few, thoughts are deep Memories of you, we will always keep.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by family members and loved ones.

Eternal rest grant unto him.

O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

Dearly missed by wife Ruth, daughters and spouses, Monica, Mica, Lorraine, Patrick, Chee Mun, Martyn and grandson Matthew.

HENRY BARTHOLOMEUSZ Departed: Dec 14, 2000 You can be proud of the legacy you left behind We thank you for the love you gave In all the world we shall not find A heart so loving and so kind Time changes many things but not the memory this day brings Till now you are still in our minds and hearts.

Dearly missed and lovingly remembered by Margy, Karen, Mark, grandchildren and all loved ones.

Forty-sixth Anniversary

R. SUSAN SIMPSON K.S. SIMPSON Departed: Dec 15, 2009 Dec 10, 1971

The angels came to take you home.

And you left us all alone.

We know you keep watching us from above.

As we still pray for the ones we love.

Dearly missed and always cherished by children and loved ones.

IN MEMORIAM 23

Sunday December 10, 2017 n CatholicNews

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

First Anniversary In loving memory of

FR DAVID THEXEIRA Departed: Dec 13, 2007 God looked around His garden And found an empty place He then looked down upon this Earth And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you And lifted you to rest God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best.

Forever cherished by family and all loved ones.

MARJORIE VALBERG Departed: Dec 7, 2016 In our home, she is fondly remembered, Sweet memories cling to her name; Those who loved her in life sincerely, Still love her in death just the same.

Dearly missed by children and their families.

Thirty-sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

Nineteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

TERESA TAN LIAN NEO Departed: Dec 4, 1998 Peaceful be your rest, dear mother, It is sweet to breathe your name; As in life we loved you dearly, So in death we do the same.

Loved always: Shirley, Sheilla, Kevin & Grandsons (Ramsey, Elijah & Lucius) and all loved ones.

MARIA THERESA JOHN Mdm Kwok Yew Hoe Born: Sep 28, 1922 Departed: Dec 12, 1981 Dearest Ma, Thoughts of you Brighten our day.

From your children Kerwin, Nancy, Ranny, Morris, Mary and those who love you.

Nineteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

FELICIA GARNELL Departed: Dec 15, 2013 We miss you in so many ways We miss things you used to say And when old times we do recall It’s then we miss you most of all.

Deeply missed by family and loved ones.

Fifteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

JOSH GERALD LOPEZ Departed: Dec 19, 1998 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile are forever imprinted in our minds.

Rest in peace, safe in the arms of Jesus.

Forever cherished by love ones.

VICTORIA NAZARETH Departed: Nov 22, 2002 There’s a sad but sweet remembrance There’s a memory fond and true And a token of love and affection And a heartache still for you But a certainty of your happiness In God’s glory and Holy Presence Fills our hearts with joy and hope And a longing to meet in Heaven.

Ever cherished by loved ones.

Fifteenth Anniversary

In loving memory of

JAMES LIM KENG HOE Departed: Dec 5, 2002 The seasons and the tides wait for no man Yet another year has slipped past Life does seem transient But the emptiness left in our hearts of those bygone days which we had spent together still lingers on.

Fondly remembered by all loved ones and kin.

Please turn to pages 21 and 22 for more in memoriam advertisements.

Twenty-fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

PIERRE ROCH Born: Feb 14, 1926 Departed: Dec 13, 1992 Rest in peace, dear loving father, Twenty-five long years have passed away; You’re gone, but are still living in the hearts of those who stay.

Dearly missed by wife Clara, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and loved ones.

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Sunday December 10, 2017  CatholicNews

ADVERTISEMENT

LET US PRAY FOR THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL TO BRIGHTEN OUR WORLD.

Jesus, help us to be a Church moved by great love for you, and a deep conviction of the joy of the Gospel. That this joy may lead many others to come to know you.

“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus,” affirms Pope Francis in the apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium.

“PRAYER AND ACTION MUST ALWAYS BE PROFOUNDLY UNITED.” Pope Francis.

In this exhortation, every Catholic is challenged to constantly renew their relationship with Christ and to spread their joy to others, to truly become the light of the world.

The Office for the New Evangelisation (ONE) was established in the archdiocese to instil such an enthusiasm for Jesus Christ through its initiatives, formation programmes and resources.

Jesus, help us to bring much needed support for the Church to continually motivate and equip the faithful to be witnesses in the world.

Help answer the call to build the Church of tomorrow. Details at gift.catholicfoundation.sg This community project is funded by Catholic Foundation

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