Catholic News issue 5, 2018

SUNDAY MARCH 4, 2018

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VOL 68

NO. 05

INSIDE HOME

Catholics visit synagogue Get close-up look at Torah scroll  Page 3

On conscience and human life S’pore doctor warns of proposed changes by world medical group  Page 11

ASIA

Earthquakes in Taiwan Pope Francis greets Archbishop William Goh at the Vatican on Feb 8 during his ad limina visit.

MEMORABLE TRIP TO ROME Meeting Pope Francis was a highlight of a recent trip to Rome for Archbishop William Goh. He was there from Feb 3-12 together with bishops of Malaysia and Brunei for their ad limina visit.

This is an obligatory visit that bishops make periodically to the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul and to report to the pope on the state of their dioceses. This was Arch-

bishop Goh’s first since he took office in May 2013.

Archbishop Goh in a Facebook post shared that during the Feb 8 meeting, “we introduced ourselves individually to the Holy Father who greeted us in the library. He then discussed with us openly about the issues facing the Church and in our dioceses for almost 90 mins.

“He was a very humble man,

not caring much about protocols and formality. He invited us to ask any questions, even sensitive ones, because he was keen to hear from us.”

One issue Archbishop Goh raised was Chapter 8 of the pope’s apostolic exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love).

He asked the pope “how should we understand and apply the pastoral

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei pose for a photo with the pope together with conference executive secretary, Sr Margarete Sta Maria.

guidelines given to assist the spiritual lives of married couples who are living in irregular marriages”.

In all his replies, the pope was “receptive, open and nondefensive but sought to help us to understand the context and objectives of his apostolic exhortation”, wrote Archbishop Goh. “We left the meeting feeling inspired by the Holy Father’s humility, humanness and simplicity in showing his solidarity with us bishops in our struggles and challenges as shepherds of our local dioceses.”

Other highlights of the trip were concelebrating Mass at the tomb of St Peter and at St John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, i.e. the Holy Father. It is also the oldest Church in Christendom, the first to be built by Emperor Constantine.

Archbishop Goh also spent time having dinner and catching up with Singapore priests and Religious working or studying in Rome. 

Pope offers condolences, prayers  Page 12

WORLD

I’m on a ‘pilgrimage towards Home’ Says retired Pope Benedict  Page 14

POPE FRANCIS I pray for those who call me a ‘heretic’  Page 16

LENT FEATURE What can I do this Lent?

Suggestions on outreach, love and gratitude  Page 19

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

ANNUAL CHARITIES WEEK (FEBRUARY 24 – MAY 6, 2018)

Archbishop’s message for Charities Week Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, “All of us, in truth, are called to water ourselves upon the rock that is the Lord and to quench the world’s thirst with the charity that springs from Him.” – Pope Francis This Lent, as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ, let us also contemplate on our journey of discipleship where we follow the example of Christ and “walk in His footsteps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Charities Week 2018 ap peal envelope.

It is timely that we ask ourselves: What does it mean ceeds will benefit our Cathoto be a disciple of God lic charities in areas that inhe ord of God reminds clude: us that discipleship goes Helping the poor and beyond the observance of needy precepts, prohibitions, and Nurturing the young mandates to taking concrete Enriching family relaactions to help a brother or tionships sister who is hungry, thirsty, Providing for the elderneeding clothes, sick or in ly prison.

Caring for the marginale ardless of ho bi ised or small the step, when Every cent you give will we share our time, our talgo a long way towards iments, and our money with proving the lives of our broththose in need, we are makers and sisters in need. ing known His kindness and – Archbishop Goh Together, let us give a love. voice to Christ in the poor. t elred of ie a l aptet s so the lo e of God in ly puts it, “Charity may be a very short word, but with its tremendous God’s lo e thro h o r actions to ards the hearts of others.  meaning of pure love, it sums up man’s others. Therefore, let us share generously entire relation to God and to his nei h- our blessings with the less fortunate in Yours in Christ, bour.” our society.

This time of Lent provides us with the ne ay to e emplify God’s lo e is illiam Goh opportunity to respond to this call to be by supporting the mission of the Catholic Most e true disciples of Christ – to demonstrate Charities Week Appeal of 2018. The pro- Archbishop of Singapore

cent ‘youEvery gi ve will oga l ong way tow ards impr ov ing the lives of our br ot he rs and sisters in need.’

• • • • •

About Charities Week Charities Week is an annual giving event organised by Caritas Singapore, the social and community arm of the Archdiocese of Singapore. It is the umbrella body for 25 Catholic charities that help more than 0,000 beneficiaries re ardless of race or religion. It is also a member of Caritas Internationalis, a global confederation of 165 humanitarian organisations.

Donations to Charities Week 2018 will help Caritas Singapore’s member organisations and Agape Village to serve diverse and marginalised groups including low-income families, youth-at-risk, ex-prisoners, those with physical disabilities and those with mental health problems.

Your donations will support the work of 14 Catholic charities under Caritas Singapore, and Agape Village – a Caritas Singapore initiative.

How to donate: The Charities Week 2018 appeal envelopes (purple in colour) are in your parish. Appeal envelopes that go to schools and businesses are yellow in colour.

Donations can be made in the following ways: Cash: Drop the appeal envelope into your parish offertory box with your cash donation.

Cheque: Write a cheque payable to “Caritas Singapore” and drop the appeal envelope into your parish offertory box, or mail to: Caritas Singapore, 5 Waterloo Street #08- 01 Catholic Centre, Singapore 187954.

Credit card: Charities Week Campaign will be available online at www. caritas-singapore.org/donate from Feb 24t o May 6,2018.

GIRO: Opt for monthly giving by fillin p the G form in the appeal envelope, and drop the envelope into your parish offertory box; or mail to Caritas Singapore, 5 Waterloo Street #0801 C atholic Centre, Singapore 187954.

Char ities Week donat ions are tax deduc tibl e. Please tick the opt ion to reque st for tax deduc tion, and include the mandator y details (name as pe r NRIC, and NRIC num be r). 

HOME 3

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Catholics visit synagogue, get close-up look at Torah

By Jar ed Ng Participants of a recent visit to a synagogue were left in awe as they got a up-close look at the Torah – hand-written scrolls in Hebrew of the Books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The Torah is the most important document of Judaism.

The Feb 11 visit to the ChesedEl Synagogue at Oxley Rise saw Rabbi Asher Fettmann sharing with the estimated 50 Catholic participants the features of the synagogue and the tenets of the Jewish faith.

The Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD) organised the visit to

help Catholics better appreciate interreligious dialogue as well as promote mutual respect and friendship with people of other faiths.

Rabbi Fettmann shared with his visitors that situated at the front of the synagogue is the ark, akin to a sanctuary in a Catholic church, where the Torah scrolls are kept.

In the centre of the synagogue is the bimah, a raised wooden platform where a rabbi leads prayers and reads from the Torah.

Men and women are also separated during prayers to “avoid distraction”, he said.

Rabbi Fettmann said that there are 613 laws in Judaism, and prayers are held in the synagogue on Mondays, Thursdays and on the Sabbath,

Participants walking inside the synagogue. In the centre is the bimah, a raised wooden platform where a rabbi leads prayers and reads from the Torah.

Rabbi Asher Fettmann, seen here beside a Torah scroll, speaking to participants during the Feb 11vi sit.

observed by Jews on Saturdays.

According to Rabbi Fettmann, there are about 2,50 Jews living in Singapore.

He also answered questions during the course of his sharing.

One participant asked what were some of the issues facing the Jewish community in Singapore.

Rabbi Fettmann said that the main issue, similar perhaps to other religions, was reaching out to young people and inspiring them to continue the traditions of Judaism.

Another participant asked Rabbi Fettmann how he was inspired to become a rabbi.

“When I was 10 years old, I al-

The Chesed-El Synagogue, located at Oxley Rise, was built in 1905.

ready knew I wanted to be a rabbi.

My father was a rabbi so you can say the ame’ as passed on to me,” he said.

Participants said they found the talk enlightening.

A visitor from the Church of the Holy Cross said he could identify with some of the issues facing the Jewish community.

“We too have an aging population issue in most of our parishes because ... a lot of the young people are not coming,” he said. “I think it’s something that we as an archdiocese need to look at.”

Another participant shared her views. “The way [the rabbi] shared about Judaism has really made me re ect on my o n faith and what I can do to live it more fervently,” she said.

The Chesed-El Synagogue was built in 1905 and is one of two synagogues in Singapore, the other being the Maghain Aboth Synagogue at Waterloo Street.  jared.n g@ cathol ic.or g.s g

50 years later, back to where it all began As they walked down the blackand-white-tiled aisle of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd toether, memories came oodin back. Fifty years ago at this very place, their wedding was solemnised, and on the same day and at the same time.

It was also the place where they first met.

It was therefore only appropriate that Mr Lucas Dass, 76, and Madam Teresa Gaspar, 72, celebrate their 50t h wedding anniversary back at the cathedral where it all began.

And the couple’s close relatives, godchildren and friends were there on Jan 27 to share their joy during the Mass celebrated by Franciscan Friar Justin Lim. Also present was Madam Gaspar’s former bridesmaid and some of the couple’s closest friends who were present at their wedding in 1968.

Mr Lucas Dass and Madam Teresa Gaspar pictured in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in 2018 and 1968. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the same church and on the same day that they had tied the knot.

The couple told Catholic News that when they heard the cathedral was being renovated, they hoped

they would eventually be able to celebrate their wedding anniversary in it.

Mr Dass studied at the old St Joseph’s Institution along Bras Basah Road before serving in

the Naval Police Force Sembawang.

Madam Gaspar, who studied at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus at Victoria St, worked as a clerk in an ins rance firm after finishin her st dies.

After being married a few years, the couple moved to Sabah.

Mr Dass worked with the Sabah Port Police and later with the Johor Port Police at Pasir Gudang as Asst Superintendent of Police before retiring in 1997.

He then served at the Church of St Theresa in Masai, Johor, in various ministries, including as a sacristan and care-taker, until 2016.

In his speech at the lunch following the anniversary Mass, he said, “Life together has at times been hard, but we thank God that it is in these tough times that we have really grown stronger!”  Subm

itted by LUCASD ASS AND SE RENA ORTEGA

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

financial governance:

where canon law meets civil law

The first issue of this series on Church governance looked at canon law and the governance structure of the Church. In this second article, Msgr Philip Heng focuses on the financial governance of the Church, and describes how secular and management constructs are being employed to enhance financial governance.

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

When the disciples were first sent out in pairs to proclaim the Kingdom of God, Jesus had instructed them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there” (Lk 9:3-4).

In the same manner, the Catholic Church today continues to depend on God to provide, often through the generosity of His people as empowered by the Holy Spirit, for the resources necessary to carry out its mission to “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).

But with the growth and scale of the Church, how can it ensure that the material resources provided for its mission are truly and properly used for this purpose? This is where the financial governance of the Church comes in.

In every diocese around the world, including Singapore, financial governance follows the norms set out in canon law.

Additionally, each diocese may enhance its financial governance with professional management and other legal constructs available in civil law.

canonical norms In canon law, it is the diocesan bishop who governs the particular church entrusted to him with “legislative, executive, and judicial power

according to the norm of law” (Can. 391 §1).

For the Archdiocese of Singapore, this means Archbishop William Goh has the ultimate authority in its financial governance, since he is the one able to exercise judicial authority.

While Archbishop William has the responsibility “to exercise vigilance so that abuses do not creep into ecclesiastical discipline, especially regarding… the administration of goods” (Can. 392 §2), he is also both assisted as well as checked by a few other individuals and bodies in this regard.

Heng, vicar general for administrative and financial matters. The vicar generals have “the executive power over the whole diocese which belongs to the diocesan bishop by law” (Can. 479 §1).

In Singapore, the finance committee is known as the Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC). Its seven members, including the archbishop, meet monthly to review the archdiocese’s finance related matters.

Each year, it is the responsibility of the AFC to prepare a budget of income and expenditure for the whole diocese, and to review

i believe, with the guidance of the holy spirit, the servant leaders of the church will remain persistently vigilant in ensuring the proper use of our church’s resources to spread the good news In each diocese, canon law also requires that the diocesan bishop appoints a vicar general (Can. 475 §1), a financial administrator (Can. 494 §1), a finance committee (Can. 492 §1), and a college of consultors (Can. 502 §1).

In the Archdiocese of Singapore, there are two vicar generals who take on different sets of tasks to cater to the size of the archdiocese.

They are Msgr Ambrose Vaz, vicar general for pastoral matters, and Msgr Philip

the financial results of the archdiocese for the end of the year (Can. 493 §1 and §4).

The financial administrator is Deacon Clement Chen. His duties, together with his staff, are to “administer the goods of the diocese under the authority of the bishop in accord with the budget determined by the AFC and, from the income of the diocese, to meet expenses which the bishop or others designated by him have legitimately authorised” (Can. 494 §3).

The AFC and the financial administrator (an ex officio member of AFC) ensure that the accounting and treasury needs of the archdiocese are properly and professionally managed.

They are supported by the Archdiocesan Finance Office (AFO), which comprises four fulltime accountants and finance staff.

The College of Consultors consists of no fewer than six, and no more than 12 priests of the archdiocese.

All are appointed to the college by the diocesan bishop for a term of five years, and the college has all the authority given to it by law (Can. 502 §1).

One of such laws requires the bishop to consult the AFC and the College of Consultors for financial matters of “major importance” and require their consent for “acts of extraordinary administration” (as defined by the Episcopal Conference) (Can. 1277 §1).

parish norms Similar to how the archbishop holds authority over the financial governance of the archdiocese, parish priests are given authority over the financial governance of their respective parishes. Each parish priest is similarly assisted by a parish finance committee.

The Parish Finance Committee is “governed,

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

in addition to universal law, by norms issued by the diocesan bishop”, in which a group of Christian faithful selected according to the same norms, “are to assist the pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish” (Can. 537).

In Singapore, a parish finance committee is typically made up of several lay faithful professionals (accountants, lawyers, other professionals), and assisted by a part-time or full-time accountant. The latter works closely with one of the District Accountants. The five istrict Accountants work together to oversee the overall financial statements of the archdiocese.

is currently not required to have its accounts audited and published. However, TRCAS has been submitting the accounts of its parishes to the Commissioner of Charities to provide greater transparency. Parishes have also been disclosing to their parishioners their income and expense statements since 2016.

The archdiocese has decided to adopt Charity Accounting Standards (the approved accounting standard for the charity sector, developed based on Financial Reporting Standards) from financial year (FY) 2017 onwards.

The accounts of all parishes and that of the archdiocese and its organisations will be migrated over to the new accounting standards so that aggregated financial statements can be produced and presented. Much work has been undertaken since

enhancing financial governance As an exempt charity, TRCAS (the legal entity under which the Catholic Church is established in Singapore)

2016 to prepare parishes and the many archdiocesan organisations for this major change. Many volunteers have been mobilised for this process.

The archdiocese has also recently appointed Ernst & Young, a public accounting firm, to audit its accounts for FY2017. The archdiocese will also be providing an annual set of statutory audited financial statements to the Commissioner of Charities from FY2018 onwards.

The archdiocese has also set up an Archdiocesan Audit Committee (AAC).

The AAC, which reports directly to the archbishop, exercises oversight over the archdiocese s financial control, regulatory compliance and reporting risks, and audit matters.

The AAC will also be setting up an Archdiocesan Internal Audit Office (AIAO).

The AIAO will conduct

periodic audits to ensure that ade uate financial and internal controls are in place across the parishes and all archdiocesan organisations (including those separately legally registered), and that they are adhered to.

Given the number of these organisations, the AIAO will be prioritising them in its internal audit review cycle.

I believe, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the servant leaders of the Church will remain persistently vigilant in ensuring the proper use of our Church’s resources to spread the Good News of God’s love and Salvation.

Our Lord is truly stirring growth in our archdiocese; as so many changes are happening and plans underway. Today, I urge all Catholics to continue praying, getting involved, and supporting the plans that God has for us in His Church.

financial governance in the archdiocese of singapore Archbishop William Goh is assisted and checked by other individuals and bodies in his financial governance of the archdiocese

Deacon Clement Chen Financial Administrator

IC ATHOL .SG C .

T F I G ATION FO U N D

Archbishop William Goh

Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC)

Msgr Philip Heng Vicar General, Administration and Finance

AFO helps Financial Administrator and AFC

Archdiocesan Finance Office (AFO)

ow N t f i G

Archdiocesan Audit Committee (AAC)

College of Consultors

AAC oversees AIAO

Archdiocesan Internal Audit Office (AIAO)

Compiled accounts are sent to AFO which further compiles accounts for archdiocese reporting 5 Districts

Serangoon North West East City

District Accountants

AIAO ensures internal controls are in place in parishes and archdiocesan organisations.

District Accountants help to compile accounts of parishes 32 Parishes Parish Priest

Parish Finance Committees

Parish Accountant

Archdiocesan Organisations Board, Council, Audit Committee ED / Accountant

a series contributed by

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Celebrating love with heartfelt stories, music With an acoustic band setup and cosy cafe ambience, young people were treated to an evening of love stories and music.

Held on Feb 10 at Crossings Cafe, the “A Love Like This” event was organised by Couples For Christ Singapore’s youth ministry – Youth For Christ Singapore –t o celebrate Valentine’s Day. The event aimed to help young people discover the right kind of love for them, one that is perfectly blessed in God’s time.

About 60 young people listened to stories of love that tried, that failed, that was tested, and love that lasted. he first t o sharers, Mr a en Trapal and Ms Janille Catalan, both 22, shared about how they were easily caught in the rush of feelings and emotions and misjudged what love was.

Despite the heartache that both experienced, they said they were able to recognise the love that was already there – one that they didn’t need to look so hard for – in their families and friends.

They shared how having grown

Dexter and Mega Caldo shared how their feelings grew for each other the more they prayed with and for one another.

Daven Trapal and Jan ille Catalan shared how after experiencing failed relationships, they now embrace singlehood.

from their own experience, they now continue to embrace singlehood. hile the first t o sharers were witnesses to love that was rushed and eventually didn’t last, Dexter Caldo, 34, and Mega Caldo, 33, shared their story of waiting for and embracing the gift of love which led to the Sacrament

developed and how their feelings grew for each other the more they prayed with and for one another.

They also shared about Mr Caldo’s surprise photoshoot mar-

of Holy Matrimony in 2015.

The couple said meeting each other was like meeting “the angel that He prepared just for you”, and shared how their friendship

The acoustic band performed an array of songs during the Feb 10 event at Crossings Cafe.

13F

ebruary 2018

riage proposal and their memorable wedding, graced with the chance meeting of Pope Francis in the Philippines.

Mrs Caldo said she would always be “grateful that God gave me more than I asked for – more than a husband, He gave me a friend, a great father to my daughter and a prayer partner.”

These sharings were made all the more sweeter as participants were entertained by an acoustic band playing 18 popular love songs in between the stories.

Some included The Scientist

by Coldplay, Perfect by Ed Sheeran and I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz.

These songs were specially selected by the organising team to go hand in hand with the stories of the sharers.

Proceeds from the event went to Crossings Cafe. 

CHANCERY NOTICE

APPOINTMENTS 1. The Canossian Daughters of Charity (Singapore & Myanmar) have appointed a new leadership team for a term of three [3] years from February 2018 to 2021 with the following members: a. Sr. Christina Yeo FDCC – Provincial Leader b. Sr. Geraldine Tan FDCC – Vicar Provincial c. Sr. Louisa Lim FDCC – Provincial Secretary 2. The following have been appointed to the Board of Catholic Foundation Scholarships for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 January 2018: a. Cheah Kim Fee – Chairperson b. Mgr. Ambrose Vaz c. Mgr. Philip Heng SJ d. Grace Tong e. Jennifer Phang f. Lim Cheok Peng

3. The following have been appointed to the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (ACCIRD) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 17 February 2018 : a. Mgr. Philip Heng SJ b. Fr. Cornelius Ching, c. Francois Bretault; d. Gerald Kong; e. Janet Lim, f. Lawrence Chong, g. Michelle Voo h. Sr. Maria Lau, i. Sr. Theresa Seow 4. The following have been appointed to the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumen-

CHN/CN/2018/

04

ical Dialogue (ACCED) for a tenn of two [2] years with effect from 17 February 2018: a. Mgr. Philip Heng SJ b. Gabrielle Jestina Low c. Gerald Kong d. Sr. Veronica de Roza FMM e. Sr. Elizabeth Lim RGS f. Terese Huang 5. The following have been appointed as members of the Archdiocesan Emergency Response Operations (AERO) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 17 February 2018: a. Anne Claudine Tan b. Dominic John Baptist

Fr Joh n-Paul Tan, OFM, JC L, Chancellor Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #0701C atholic Centre, 5 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday March 4, 2018  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

SOW 2018 OUTREACH UPCOMING

SOW 2018 OUTREACH DATES If you are between 16 to 35 years of age, join us for a time of worship, testimonies, preaching and more! Come and hear the Good News as participants of the school share about the good works of the Lord in their lives.

Tuesday 27th February, 7:30pm St Joseph’s Church (BKT) Community Hall Tuesday 27th February, 7:30pm Church of the Transfiguration, Level 3 Auditorium Wednesday 28th February, 7:oopm SIM A.2.09B (LT) Wednesday 28th February, 8:oopm NTU NIE TR206 The School of Witness 2018 before setting out on their first outreach

increase our faith: thanksgiving

UPCOMING

SHINE Combined Tertiary Retreat

Outreach was amazing. I got a chance to witness the Holy Spirit working through us and speaking to the participants. My eyes were truly opened to the love that God has for each and every one of the people that we ministered to!

- Barry Chng, SOW 2018 It was a very heartwarming and humbling experience to witness so many hearts desire the Lord. I saw many breakthroughs that night and I think the Lord was really using us as His instruments to plant seeds of faith!

- Joanna Chng, SOW 2018

The SHINE Combined Tertiary Retreat will be held from 20th to 23rd March 2018. This retreat is open to students in Polytechnics, ITE and those pursuing diploma studies.

Before the outreach, I was feeling dreadful. However, God was so loving, understanding and forgiving. He touched my heart during prayer ministry, healed my brokenness and gave me a sense of hope.

- Shermine Teo, St Anthony’s Church God spoke to me through the prayer team. He told me that it was okay for me to let go of all the fears and lies that I sometimes find myself attached to! It still brings a smile to my face today just dwelling on the thought of God taking good care of me!

- Melissa Foo, NUS

I was reminded of how God continues to fight for me everyday with His reckless love that is unfailing. The SOWers shared their faith with a lot of courage and certainty! Their strong belief in God has inspired me to be resilient in my faith and claim my identity as a beautiful child of God. - Francine Ho, JC-IB outreach I went to the outreach filled with anxiety and stress as exams were drawing near. After the prayer ministry I felt lifted up and also realised the truth that Jesus will always come knocking on my door in all seasons of my life. I just need to turn to Him and trust Him more!

-Nicholas Chew, Singapore Polytechnic

Final.indd 1

Registration fee is $40. To register for the retreat, please visit https://tinyurl.com/oypshine2018.

Registration closes on 14th March 2018.

TESTIMONIES & THANKSGIVING Before the SHINE Retreat, I was struggling with trusting God. He just seemed like a figure I had to follow. I had no deep and true relationship with Him as I had neglected Him and prioritised all other earthy desires instead. However, SHINE allowed me the time and space to let God’s light enter my life. I had been so foolish to keep hiding in the darkness, away from God’s light! Now I know I am blessed to have such a loving God, one who loves me unconditionally. Going back to God wasn’t as hard as I thought. Instead, I experienced a welcoming Father. He had been waiting for me to run back into His loving arms all this while. All I had to do, was to surrender everything to Him - my struggles, fears and insecurities. SHINE reminded me that I can always go back to God no matter how far I have strayed. I am a child of God and He loves me so dearly. Amen!

- Justin Toh, 19, Singapore Polytechnic

15/2/18 10:57 AM

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Single Pringle’s Valentine’s Day

Omg, Valentine’s Day is here again!

Valentine’s Day has a way of announcing its presence. In the month leading up to it, the world seems to explode in all things red, pink, flowery and chocolatey.

As a university student, V-Day’s impending approach is even more blatant. Countless student groups will plead or cajole me to buy their roses or chocolates.

Friends will pick my brain for ideas on upping their V-Day game plans or worse, “complain” to me about their partners’ V-Day plans.

Social media is another source of angst. I see people around me get stressed comparing and competing with the “perfect” show-reel of everyone else’s Instagram. With each passing year, the “standards” of V-Day seem to get closer and closer to the stuff that fairy tales are made of.

As for me, the #singlepringle who is trying to wait patiently for true love, I am grateful that my friends don’t pressure me to get dates.

But honestly, the temptation to swipe left, swipe right Tinderstyle is real. That familiar twinge of envy whenever someone gets a date or is concocting extra-special plans for his/her partner sometimes makes me question if my resolve to wait is right.

Remembering the past Growing up, I’ve had my fair share of messy relationships and hookups, many of which were attempts to grasp love and use it to fill my loneliness and insecurities.

In primary school, I was in TAF Club (read: FAT Club) and was often bullied in school. So by the time I reached secondary school, my self-esteem and selfimage were pretty battered. I was often consumed by my insecurities and felt deeply alone and unloved.

When I got into my first relationship, I felt released from the prison of loneliness. Finally, someone sees something in me and accepts me as I am!

But as time went by, he became increasingly physical with me and I felt really uncomfortable with it.

Guilt and shame ate me up and I couldn’t shake away the thought that I had tainted God’s precious creation – myself.

I would push him away in tears and he would be kind and console me. But the same cycle would repeat eventually.

One day, during one such teary episode again, he blurted out in his confusion: “I thought you liked it?”

His question really shook me because it was partly true. While

physical intimacy brought me temporary pleasure, I felt immense shame at our behaviour and the feeling of emptiness continues to consume me.

Looking back, I realise now that I consented to the physical demands because I did not want our relationship to end. I thought that by acceding to his requests, he would be happy and love me. My desire to be loved was so great.

When that relationship eventually ended, I felt so broken and disgusted with myself. I couldn’t bring myself to go for confession because I felt my sins were too great.

It was at a church retreat where I first realised God’s love for me and my brokenness. During the praying-over session, I was told that I did not have to walk alone in my cold, dark forest anymore.

Falling down (again) As much as I wish to say that it has been all happily ever after since that retreat, the truth is, I fell into another downward spiral of flings during my JC days.

JC was highly stressful and my relationships were the only thing I felt I had control of. Being liked by boys made me feel good and satisfied my need for love.

There was one particular boy that I really liked and I desperately wished that I could share with him my struggles. On the very first date, he tried to make advances and by the second, he was trying to get me into bed.

But I was too hooked on the idea of being in a relationship with him that I ignored the red flags and conceded to everything except actual sex. That was when the familiar cycle of self-loathing and justification started again.

Every time I wanted to end the relationship, he would woo me in different ways – nice dinners, movies in cosy settings, leading to more intimate time together.

When he broke up with me eventually, over text with some vague explanation, I felt like a mere container, something to be thrown away after use.

I felt angrier with myself than with him, for being foolish enough to fall into the same trap.

Forgiving myself The turning point came when I was asked to lead a session on love and forgiveness for my community’s retreat. The scripture passage given to me to reflect on was Luke 7:47: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven— as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

When I saw that passage, I knew God was asking me to forgive myself because He had already forgiven me. Why do I not love myself when He loves me so preciously?

Through that retreat, I explored my old wounds and received the healing I needed. After so many years of believing that I was trash, it was really difficult to embrace the truth that I am a beloved child of God, His precious princess.

However, with the help of my community I was able to remind myself of this truth, day by day, month by month. I am created to love and receive love, not an object to be used.

Walking with Jesus through my darkest forest

I’ll be waiting patiently for the fulfilment of God’s promise to me.

I believe true love is worth waiting for and I deserve to be loved.

Falling down in guilt and shame

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Tips from Single Pringle So what did I do this Valentine’s Day? Pray and attend Mass!

Cliched as it sounds, I am learning to be wooed by God and to see myself through His eyes – precious, priceless and greatly loved. Being around other Catholics on campus, going for cell group meetings and masses together have also been a lifeline and kept me from the temptations of the world (and V-Day).

As St Augustine says: “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.”

I’ll be waiting patiently for the fulfilment of God’s promise to me.

I believe true love is worth waiting for and I deserve to be loved.

If I should fall again, I will remember to turn back and not tire of asking God for forgiveness.

There is no sin too great that God cannot forgive.

To all parents Be there for your children. Young people become vulnerable to temptations when there is a lack of emotional support at home.

Be visible signs of God’s love to them. Help them to embrace their identity as beloved children of God.

Yours truly God’s Princess

Purposefully Single When I was a child, I thought there were only three types of singles: spinsters, nuns and priests. Since nuns and priests willingly give their lives to serve God, they choose to be single. But what about the spinsters? You see, my experience with them as a young child was not very pleasant. They were usually the strict grumpy teachers who mainly taught Chinese in school or those eccentric ladies in church who shushed and glowered at children. I remembered being scared of them and often wondered if they were unhappy because they were ‘left on the shelf’.

Desire to be single And yet, at 17 years old, I knew I wanted to be single. Oh, don’t be mistaken. I was interested in boys all right. Through my university years and as a working adult, I dated and was even in a couple of relationships, but somehow, deep down inside me, I felt that marriage was not my thing. I just did not desire marriage or a longterm relationship.

My friends would say to me: “Don’t worry, you just haven’t met the right man. That time will come.” Or “You are too fussy, Margaret. Lower your expectations and give love a chance.” Wellmeaning friends hooked me up with single male friends of theirs.

They thought that if I met more people, I might just meet THAT man for me. When I tried to explain to them that maybe being single wasn’t that bad, they tuttutted me.

Life as a new-age bachelorette

Singing joyously in Gods love for me

Meanwhile, I was having the time of my life as a financially independent, strong-willed, single woman; my way of life was strongly influenced by the ‘-isms’ of a modern urbanite: relativism,

Margaret Leong

Mission trip to Ind onesia bah Mission trip to Sa

activism and feminism. I was the prodigal daughter, having stopped going to church. I left the home of God our Father and stayed away for 23 years. I was determined to prove that I was in complete control of my own life. I made my own rules, I danced to my own tune. Not even God could tell me what to do.

That seemed to work well in my 20s, 30s and early 40s. I was the poster girl for the new age bachelorette; travelling extensively, partying hard and working even harder. I went to church once a year for the obligatory Christmas Mass.

Then something happened.

The search for meaning in life I started to ask THE question – What is the meaning of life?

With no responsibilities and commitments, I found it difficult to understand my purpose on Earth. What do singles live for? I was experiencing an emptiness, a boredom that could not be filled by another holiday or dinner parties or date nights or … anything. I flipped through Philosophy books written by Plato, Aristotle, JeanPaul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche and Bertrand Russell – hoping

to find answers. I found none, of course. Then one day, by the grace of God, my journey home started.

It happened in the most undramatic way. I looked down at my hands and a thought just struck me: how under-used my hands were. As I held them up, I saw St Mother Teresa’s lined and calloused, gentle and loving hands; her pair of humble yet strong, meek but powerful hands.

Then I heard a voice telling me: “Put your hands to good use.

They are too smooth. They are meant to be purposeful.”

The journey home And that’s how, four years ago at age 44, I started my journey home – single with a purpose. As St Paul said in 1 Cor 7:34 ‘… a

woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and be holy in body and in spirit.’ I have 23 years of catching up on my Catholic faith. And I am so thankful that I do not have familial distractions to pull me away. I started going on mission trips to Sabah and Indonesia. I developed a Day with God discipline where Saturday is spent with God from morning mass to attending a faith formation class in the afternoon to quiet reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening. I try to attend a talk during weekday evenings. I serve in my church’s ministry of lectors.

As a single woman, I am blessed with the gift of time to devote to God. After all, our first and primary relationship is with God our Heavenly Father. I know I am called to do more.

God has a plan for each of us. When we embrace his plan and do his will, we experience joy and peace in our hearts. Everything just falls into place. My vocation and mission as a single woman in the secular world is to live a joyous Christian life so as to be a witness and evangelist to those around me. That is God’s purpose for me – single and joyous to do his will.

Catholic Family Events in February - March 2018

For a list of family events in the Archdiocese visit

catholicfamily.org.sg/events

March 2

5

9

Marriage Encounter Weekend

Surviving Divorce. Hope and Healing for the Catholic Family

Beginning Experience

CHOICE Weekend

9–11 March (Friday - Sunday), Friday 6:30 pm to Sunday 4 pm Lifesprings Canossians Spirituality Centre, 100 Jln Merbok, Singapore 598454

16–18 March (Friday - Sunday), Friday 7 pm to Sunday 6:30 pm CHOICE Retreat House, 47 Jurong West Street 42, Singapore 649368

2–4 March (Friday - Sunday), 8 pm – 6 pm Marriage Encounter House, 201B Punggol 17th Avenue, Singapore 829651 Discover the weekend that has been transforming marriages all over the world for more than 40 years.

For couples married two years and above.

Programme starts Friday (8 pm) and ends Sunday (6 pm). wwmesg.org/me-weekend-selector to book a weekend.

5 March to 28 May (Mondays), 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Rd Singapore 549102 An initiative under ACF to support Catholics who are separated or divorced. http://catholicfamily.org.sg/sd Joann (9780 4456) Jilleen Tan (9383 6868)

16

Join us for a lifetime of change – helping those who are divorced, separated or widowed to come to terms with their loss so that they are free to love themselves, others and most of all, God. http://besingapore.com beginningexperiencesg@gmail.com

18

CHOICE is for single young adults aged between 18 – 40 years old (Catholics and Non-Catholics) seeking some time to re-examine the values, lifestyle and relationships in their own lives. registration@choice.org.sg Hillary (9790 0537) Carrie (9671 6695) Francesca (9710 9680)

27 Couple Empowerment Programme@Church of St Anthony Introductory Session 18 March (Sunday), 2 pm – 6 pm Church of St Anthony 25 Woodlands Ave 1, Singapore 739064 A parish-based, post-marriage catechesis and formation programme to help couples build Christ-centred and emotionally intelligent marriages goto_cep@hotmail.com

Pieta Monthly Support Session for Bereaved Parents 27 March (Tuesday), 7.30 pm – 9:30 pm Agape Village, 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319264 We meet as a group of bereaved parents to find mutual support through prayer, scripture and sharing of experiences.

No need to register, just walk in.

Pieta.singapore@gmail.com facebook.com/PietaSingapore

Victor & Annabelle (9105 9921) Jason & Andrea (9857 9075)

This section is produced by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family and is published on the last issue of each month. For more information on Catholic family life matters, visit catholicfamily.org.sg.

10 HOME

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Proudly affirming marriage

Couples mark World Marriage Day at ‘Freeze Flash Mob’ event

Marlene De Silva (left), 76, and Penny D’Rozario, 80, married for 5 years, won the prize for the longest married couple.

Marking 55 years of marriage, Ms Marlene De Silva, 76, and Mr Penny D’Rozario, 80, won the prize for the longest married couple at this year’s “Freeze Flash Mob”.

The couple shared that they were delighted to be part of the event, organised by Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Singapore, and thought it was a novel and creative way to celebrate marriage.

The prize for the most newlywedded couple went to Sabastian and Stephanie Wong, who have been married for just under a year.

Since 2011, WWME Singapore has been organising a World Marriage Day Freeze Flash Mob to celebrate marriage in Singapore.

More than 300 people, made up of couples and their families, took part in the event this year on Feb 11.

Gathered in front of ION Orchard, the couples proudly posed for fi e min tes hile declarin the number of years they have been happily married.

Some also dressed according to the theme of o ers for the e ent.

Their loving poses drew appreciative nods, smiles and even applause from passersby.

Thomas and Debbie Lim, married for 14 years, included their three children in a pose which won the family the most creative pose award.

Sabastian and Stephanie Wong, married for less than a year, won the prize for newlywedded couple.

Laurent and Isabelle Fagot and their two children showed their rench air for fashion ith matching hats decorated with o ers hich on them the best dressed family award.

The largest group turnout award was won by a group of Indonesians residing and working in Singapore. ecked in oral batik, many had attended Marriage Encounter in Indonesia and continue to journey as a “love circle” in Singapore.

World Marriage Day is observed by the WWME movement on the second Sunday of February

each year globally. WWME is a global movement that is focused on helping married couples to build strong, intimate relationships. It conducts weekend programmes for married couples in 94 countries worldwide.

Inspired by Singapore, 10 other countries including Australia, Belgium, Ecuador, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico and Spain have also marked World Marriage Day with a similar fi e min te ree e lash Mob .

For mor e infor mation on Marriage Encount er, visit ht tp: // wwmesg.or g/ . 

HOME 11

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Archbishop William Goh speaking with guests who visited him at his residence. Phot

Archbishop welcomes visitors to his residence during CNY SINGAPORE – Over the Chinese

e ear eekend, rchbishop William Goh welcomed visitors to his residence where he gave out blessed oranges and prayed for them.

Held over two days from Feb 1 1 , an estimated 00 people isited rchbishop Goh, ho went around his residence to speak with his guests as they enjoyed festive treats.

Guests also took photos with the archbishop and received a printout of their picture as a souvenir. n the second day, isitors were entertained by a music performance by the Mustard Seed M sic Ministry, a Chinese orship team officially formed on an 1. his is the fifth year that Archbishop Goh has welcomed guests to his residence during Chinese New Year. 

Catholics offer food to poor farmers during Tet CNS file photo

HUE, VIETNAM – Catholics

from parishes in a central Vietnamese province have given meat and other humanitarian aid to underprivileged farmers who suffered due to last year’s oods and storms, in celebration of Tet on Feb 16.

Falling on the same day as the nar e ear, et is the most important festival in communist Vietnam. It ran from Feb 14-20 this year.

Some 300 farmers from various faiths gathered at An Truyen church on Feb 11 to receive 3 kg of pork A man pushes a basket of rice cakes to a and 2.5 kg of sticky rice cooking pot in Vietnam. Catholics in ceneach. The Catholic Church tral Vietnam have given food aid to strughas made charitable giving gling farmers during the Tet festival. to ood hit farmers a tradipork and sticky rice so that I can tion in recent years.

Fr Anthony Nguyen Thang use it to prepare food to offer to said the parish purchased 13 pigs my ancestors for et.

Ms Teresa Nguyen Lan and 70 kg of sticky rice to offer on , ho r ns a Catholic yo th to poor farmers.

“Poor people only have rice and group from Our Lady of Perpetual elp arish, said ro p members vegetables year-round. They rarely cooked up batches of a popular et to eat meat, r han said.

Pork and sticky rice are only glutinous rice cake known in Vieteaten on special occasions by nam as banh tet and distributed it many farming families in Viet- to poor people in Hue City.

Fundraising was carried out by nam, s ch as at eddin parties 100 members who sell used items and et festi als, he said. on Catholic oan an , on weekends to raise money for , said ’m happy to ha e some charity, she added.  UCANEWS.COM

os : VITA Image s

About 50p

eople visited the archbishop over the Chinese New Year weekend.

S’pore doctor warns of proposed policy changes by world medical group VATICAN CITY – No doctor non medical reasons , and should be forced to choose affirms that the physician between violating his or her who objects must nevertheconscience and facing proless provide ‘safe abortion’ fessional sanctions when dein some circ mstances . n fendin h man life, said the addition, he said, the propospresident of the World Fedal apparently removes the eration of Catholic Medical 2006 declaration’s reference Associations. to the nborn child and rein aporean r ohn fers instead to the foet s . ee, the federation presiOn the issue of euthanadent, rote a letter in early sia, r ee said he has been February to the World Meditold that Canada and the cal Association (WMA) proNetherlands have proposed testing proposed changes in changes that would state its ethical policy statements that the “WMA does not on abortion and euthanasia. condemn physicians who The changes apparently will follow their own conscience be discussed at the WMA in deciding whether or not council meeting in Latvia in to participate in these activiApril. ties in risdictions here he atican ne spaper, euthanasia and physician’ sser atore omano, reassisted suicide are legal. ported on Dr Lee’s letter on “By saying that the its front page on Feb 16 unWMA does not condemn der the headline, Conscienphysicians who perform tio s ob ection in dan er . e thanasia here it is le al, he t o proposals, r Singaporean Dr Joh n Lee, president of the the WMA is saying that euee said, o ld facilitate World Federation of Catholic Medical Associa- thanasia can be ethical if it is worldwide abortion and eu- tions, seen here wearing the chain of office. le al, r ee rote. thanasia by curtailing docn addition, he said, tors’ conscientio s ob ection by “based on the Canadian experiDr John L ee wrot e sin decepti e lan a e, presence, acceptance of the ethical a letter tot he Wor ld neutrality of medically-assisted sure on doctors by national regulatory bodies and legal force to death has resulted in almost imMedical Assoc iation weaken national laws protecting mediate challenges for physicians h man life . who are unable to refer [patients prot estingpr ops ed The WMA’s Declaration of other doctors beca se of moral, change s in its ethi cal to slo on herape tic bortion, religious or ethical concerns. It is most recently pdated in 200 , a serio s problem, ith physicians pol icy statements said the association “requires the put in the impossible position of on abor tion physician to maintain respect for having to choose between their h man life b t here the la alconscience and being allowed to and eut hanas ia. lows therapeutic abortion to be percontin e to care for their patients. formed, the proced re sho ld be “Doctors who exercise their performed by a physician compe- a alified collea e, the 200 right of conscientious objection to tent to do so in premises approved declaration said. abortion and e thanasia ill find by the appropriate a thority . pparently, r ee said, the themselves victims of coercion “If the physician’s convictions proposed revision removes any by their professional societies and do not allow him or her to advise distinction between “a therapeu- the state, r ee rote. his or perform an abortion, he or she tic abortion and an electi e oppression of the silent majority may withdraw while ensuring abortion an abortion performed by the vocal minority cannot end the continuity of medical care by at the request of the woman for ell.  CNS

12 ASIA

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Pope sends condolences to Taiwan after earthquakes VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

expressed his solidarity with the people of Taiwan after two highmagnitude earthquakes devastated the island nation, killing at least 17 people and injuring hundreds more.

The pope “offers the assurance of his prayers for those who have

lost their lives and for those who have been injured,” read a telegram sent by the Vatican following the earthquakes on Feb 6 and 7.

“As he encourages the civil authorities and emergency personnel engaged in the rescue efforts, His Holiness willingly invokes upon all the Taiwanese people the divine blessings of strength and peace,” said the telegram, signed

by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

A 6.4- magnitude earthquake rocked the east coast of Taiwan late on Feb 6. This initial earthquake caused immense destruction in Hualien, a coastal city,

A building is seen pulled away from its foundation on Feb 8 following earthquakes in Hualien, Taiwan. At least 17 people have been killed. CNSphot o

destroying smaller buildings and walls. It even left some skyscrapers and larger buildings leaning at sharp angles.

But almost before anything could be done, a second earthquake slammed the region. The

In a telegr am,t he poe of fered ‘the assur ance of hi s pr ayers for thos e whohav e los t the ir lives and for thos e whohav e be en injur ed.’

5.7-magnitude quake was centred in roughly the same area. The Associated Press reported on Feb 8 that more than 260 people were injured and 10 people remained unaccounted for in Hualien County.

In response to the tragedy, a hi h rankin apanese offi cial announced that his country would dispatch a rescue team to aid in the search efforts for the remaining missing persons.

Meanwhile, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen took to Facebook

to reassure her people. Ms Tsai said she “ordered search and rescue workers not to give up on any opportunity to save people, while keeping their own safety in mind.”

Taiwan’s location along one of the many seismic faults that encircles the acific cean means the country frequently experiences earthquakes. The last major quake hit two years ago, causing the collapse of an apartment complex and resulted in the deaths of 115 people.  CNS

ASIA 13

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Hindu attacks on Christians double in India, says report

People pray at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing. A papal associate has spoken about the Vatican-China discussions on the appointments of bishops. CNSphot o

Addressing the controversy over bishops’ appointments WASHINGTON – A close associmunicated,” the priest continued. ate of Pope Francis has spoken “But later, and across the counup about an ongoing controversy try and across the decades, agreeover Vatican-China talks regard- ments between these bishops and ing the appointment and recogni- Rome were reached. But no great tion of bishops in China. issue was made of this, and these “Francis is walking the same bishops and the Vatican reached path of John Paul II and Benedict solutions to realise appointments , tryin to find a ay to dia- and just get on with redeveloping logue effectively with the Chinese dioceses and the Church’s life.” authorities,” said Jesuit Fr AntoFr Spadaro put the number of nio padaro, editor of the in - bishops appointed by the Chinese ential Rome-based magazine La government and later “legitimatCivilta Cattolica. ed” by either St John Paul or Pope He was speaking about the Benedict at 5,4 with 70 bishops pope’s “diplomacy of mercy” dur- now considered legitimate by the ing a Feb 13 talk at Ch rch and offiGeorgetown UniFrancis is walking cial” by the state. versity, Washing“Maybe the time the same pat hof ton D.C., USA. The has come to move John P aul II and talk, titled “The forward,” he said.

Francis Factor at “Some are askBenedict XVI, Five Years: Pope ing if it is acceptable t to fi Francis’ Global Vito give the authority way todi alogue sion and His Work to ordain bishops to for a More Just and [the] China governeffectively Peaceful World”, ment,” said Fr Spawitht he Chi nese was sponsored by daro, adding that aut hor ities. the university’s Inthis was a “mis–Je suit Fr itiative on Catholic characterisation”.

Antonio Spadaro Social Thought and “The Church Public Life. doesn’t want to give In his talk, Fr Spadaro ad- away the authority to ordain bishdressed the controversy which has ops. The history of the Church is the erupted over the Vatican reported- history of findin a reements ith ly asking two Vatican-recognised the political authorities about the bishops to step aside to make way appointments of bishops,” he said. for two bishops chosen by the He noted that there are about government-controlled Chinese a dozen countries where civil Catholic Patriotic Association. authorities have consultation or “For decades, bishops were “presentation” rights on bishops, elected locally throughout the and when a Vatican-Vietnam accountry [China] in open churches cord was reached on episcopal apoperating with government ap- pointments, it “raised no noise”. proval,” said Fr Spadaro.

While “it is certain that there “In countless instances, these will still be misunderstandings, were not episcopal candidates ap- fatigue and suffering to be faced,” proved by Rome. As bishops ap- Fr Spadaro said, the desired outpointed irregularly and often or- come is “realistic pastoral soludained by other bishops who were tions that allow Catholics to live similarly appointed without Vati- their faith and to continue the can approval they were – formally work of evangelisation in the spespeaking – automatically excom- cific Chinese conte t.  CNS

‘

’

BHOPAL, INDIA – Hindu attacks on Christians in India have doubled in the past year as part of an unprecedented trend to portray Christians as acting against the state, its religious tolerance and national ethos, according to a newly released report.

The country recorded 736 incidents of attacks against Christians in 2017 against 348 in 2016, according to data from Persecution Relief, an ecumenical forum that records Christian persecution in India and helps victims.

Most police complaints filed against victims accused them of crimes such as sedition, working against religious tolerance, discriminating against people, acting

a ainst national inte ration, defiling places of worship and insulting religions, the report revealed.

“It is a new trend to accuse Christians of serious crimes,” said Mr Shibu Thomas, founder of Persecution Relief. If sedition charges are proved, the accused can get life terms in prison, he told Asian Church news portal ucanews.com.

Christian leaders say violence against their people increased after the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014 with the support of Hindu groups who want to make India a Hindu-alone state. These groups attempt to present religious minorities like Christians

and Muslims as unpatriotic.

Violence against Christians was reported from 24 of the 29 states last year. Most were “daring physical attacks” on church leaders and members, the report said. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh states accounted for 57 percent of incidents.

Pastor Anil Andrias, who works in Uttar Pradesh, said typical attacks involved Hindu activists opposing prayer gatherings and physically attacking Christians ho defied orders not to ather.

Christians are beaten, their small churches burned and sometimes social prohibitions are imposed on them, he said.  UCANEWS.COM

14 WORLD

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Retired pope says he’s ‘on a pilgrimage towards Home’ VATICAN CITY – “I am on a pilgrim-

age towards Home,” retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote, capitalising the Italian word “casa” or “home.” lmost e actly fi e years after announcing his intention to be the first pope in nearly 00 years to resign, Pope Benedict wrote the letter to a o rnalist from the talian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

“I am touched to know how many of the readers of yo r ne spaper want to know how I am experiencin this last period of my life, the 90 year old retired pope rote.

“In that regard, I can only say that, ith the slo diminishin of my physical strength, inwardly I am on a pilgrimage towards Home.”

“It is a great grace in this last, sometimes tirin sta e of my o rney, to be s rro nded by a lo e and kindness that ne er co ld ha e imagined,” said the letter, written on stationery with the heading “Benedictus XVI, Papa emeritus.”

Massimo Franco, the journalist, said the letter, dated Feb 5, as hand deli ered the ne spaper posted it online on eb and p blished it on the front pa e of the print edition on Feb 7.

During a meeting with cardi-

nals on eb 11, 2013, ope enedict stunned the cardinals and the orld by sayin , in atin, fter ha in repeatedly e amined my conscience before God, ha e come to the certainty that my stren ths, d e to an ad anced a e, are no longer suited to an adequate e ercise of the etrine ministry. e set the date for his retirement as eb 2 , 2013. nd, seen off by do ens of eepin atican employees, he e by helicopter to the papal illa at Castel Gandolfo, here he remained ntil after Pope Francis was elected.

A monastery in the Vatican Gardens as remodelled for ope Benedict, and that is where he has li ed for fi e years, readin , praying, listening to music and welcomin isitors.

‘

It is a great grace in this last, sometimes tiring stage of my journey, to be surrounded by a love and kindness that I never could have imagined.

’

–R etired Pope Benedict XVI

The retired pope’s letter to Corriere della Sera echoed remarks he had made the afternoon of his retirement hen he arri ed in Castel Gandolfo and reeted cro ds there before the ery dramatic, lobally tele ised scene of iss G ards closin the massi e doors to the illa and han in p their halberds.

“I am a simple pilgrim who beins the last sta e of his pil rimage on this earth,” he told the people. “But with all my heart, with all my lo e, ith my prayers, with my re ection, ith all my interior strength, I still want to work for the common good and the ood of the Church and humanity.”

In “Last Testament,” a booklen th inter ie ith o rnalist eter ee ald p blished in 201 , Pope Benedict insisted he was not pressured by anyone or any partic lar e ent to resi n, and he did not feel he as running

a ay from any problem. o e er, he ackno led ed practical o ernance as not my forte, and this certainly was a weakness.”

Insisting “my hour had passed and had i en all co ld, ope enedict said he ne er re retted resigning, but he did regret hurtin friends and faithf l ho were “really distressed and felt forsaken by his stepping down.  CNS Then Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

In a Feb 5,2018, letter to a journalist, the retired pope said he has diminished physical strength.

CNS file photo

WORLD 15

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Church leaders urge prayers as US reels from another shooting MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA – The

Archbishop of Miami, Florida, has urged community members to come together “to support one another in this time of grief” after a shooting rampage on Feb 14 at a high school that left at least 17 people dead and at least 14 injured.

“With God’s help, we can remain strong and resolute to resist evil in all its manifestations,” Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski said in a statement. “May God heal the brokenhearted and comfort the sorrowing as we once again face as a nation another act of senseless violence and horrifying evil.”

In a late-night telegram to Archbishop Wenski, Pope Francis assured “all those affected by this devastating attack of his spiritual closeness”.

Pope Francis was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic shooting,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state said

in the telegram he sent on behalf of the pope. “He prays that Almighty God may grant eternal rest to the dead and healing and consolation to the wounded and those who grieve.”

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the US bishops’ conference, urged all to unite their “prayers and sacrifices for the healin and consolation” of those affected by the violence in South Florida and for a society “with fewer tragedies caused by senseless gun violence”. a enforcement officials identified the shootin s spect as 19- year-old Nikolas Cruz, who had been expelled for disciplinary reasons from the school where he opened fire Mar ory toneman

Students attend a candlelight prayer vigil on Feb 15, the day after a mass shooting at the nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. CNSphot o

Douglas High School in Parkland.

Thousands of mourners remembered the victims at a candlelight vigil held near the high school on the evening of Feb 15.

Still others attended a prayer service at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Parkland.

‘Whe n will thi s stop? ’

– The Sisters of Mercy, echoing the voices of Church leaders

offi ial ealing a ROME – As the Catholic Church

celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a French bishop anno nced the 0th officially reco nised miraculous cure of a pilgrim to the Lourdes grotto where Mary appeared 160ye ars ago. ishop ac es enoit Gonnin of ea ais formally declared on Feb 11 “the prodigious, miraculous character” of the healin of r ernadette Moria , a French member of the Franciscan blates of the acred eart of esus, who had been partially paralysed for more than 20 years despite repeated surgeries to relieve pressure on the nerve roots of her lower back.

In November 2016, the International Medical Committee of o rdes confirmed the n n’s nexplained healing, in the current state of scientific kno led e . t it is p to the bishop, not the physicians, to declare a healing miraculous.

Sr Moriau, now 78, made her pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2008, the 150t h anniversary of the apparitions. She had experienced lo er back pain, the first symptom of her disease, in 196 at the age of 27. Four surgeries did not stop the progressive worsening of her condition.

She said she went to confession and received the anointing of the sick during the pilgrimage. “In no case did I ask for healing, but

ourde

A few days after returning to her convent, she said she felt unusually relaxed and she experienced warmth throughout her body. She said an inner voice asked her to remove the rigid corset that helped hold her erect, the splint that kept her foot straight and the neurostimulator she used for pain control.

She then began walking unaided and without pain.  CNS

A French nun received a miraculous cure of her neurological condition at Lourdes. CNS file photo

only for the conversion of heart and the strength to continue my journey as an invalid.”

Via Twitter, various US bishops offered condolences and urged for something to be done to stop the violence.

“We must prevent those who are mentally ill from access to deadly firearms, said oston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley. “We can and must do better for each other by coming together as a society with the resolve to stop this senseless violence.”

The Sisters of Mercy, in a statement, questioned how the

more than 300 school shootings reported since the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 could occur “when the entire country was outraged” following that horrific massacre in Connecticut.

“When will this stop?” they asked. “We will raise our individual and collective voices to speak out against legislation, the gun lobby, industry and organisations that promote and perpetuate a culture of hate and violence.”  CNS

16 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Pope says he prays for those who call him a heretic VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis said

he tries to dialogue with those who disagree with him in the hope that he will learn something; but he just prays for those who call him a heretic.

“When I perceive resistance, I seek dialogue whenever it is possible; but some resistance comes from people who believe they possess the true doctrine and accuse you of being a heretic,” the pope told a group of Jesuits during a meeting on Jan 16 in Santiago, Chile.

“When I cannot see spiritual goodness in what these people say or write, I simply pray for them,” Pope Francis said in response to a question about the “resistance” he has encountered as pope.

The exchange was part of the usual question-and-answer ses-

Paul VI to be declared saint

‘ eehe p t oo e the e people o te p o the

sion Pope Francis has with Jesuit communities during his papal trips abroad. With the pope’s approval, the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica publishes a transcript of the conversation several weeks later. The text from the January trip was released on Feb 15.

Pope Francis told the Jesuits in Chile that he tries not to think of opposition as “resistance,” because that cuts off an opportunity for dialogue, discernment and learning

NEW YORK – A former Chilean

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis told pastors in the Diocese of Rome that Blessed Paul VI would be canonised this year.

The pope’s announcement came at the end of a question-and-answer session with the priests on Feb 15.

Archbishop Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar for Rome, had told the priests that they would be receiving a book of “meditations” about priesthood drawn from speeches from each pope, from Blessed Paul VI to Pope Francis.

That prompted Pope Francis to comment, “Paul VI will be a saint this year.”

The cardinals and bishops who are members of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes reportedly voted on Feb 6 to recognise as a miracle the healing of an unborn baby and helping her reach full term. The baby’s mother, who was told she had a very high risk of miscarrying the baby, had prayed for Blessed Paul’s intercession a few days after his beatification by ope rancis in 201 .

Blessed Paul was pope from 1963-1978. He presided over the last three sessions of the Second Vatican Council and began the process of implementing its decisions.  CNS

pl

’

–P ope Francis

something or at least recognising a need to explain something better.

As for blogs and Internet sites devoted to leading the “resistance” against him, Pope Francis said, “I know who they are, I know the groups, but I do not read them for my own mental health.”

People are naturally resistant to change, and “this a great temptation that we all faced in the period after the Second Vatican Council,” the pope said. The resistance

u e i im mee Pope Francis said the late Pope Paul VI, pictured here, would be canonised this year. CNS file photo

ot l h t

seminarian who accused a current bishop of abuse cover-up met with a Vatican investigator and said he finally felt he had been heard.

Mr Juan Carlos Cruz met for nearly four hours on Feb 17 with Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, a longtime expert on clergy sex abuse. Mr Cruz, who currently lives and works in Philadelphia, said that this is the first time he felt Ch rch officials had listened to how, as a seminarian, he was sexually abused by Fr Fernando Karadima, a Chilean priest. Mr Cruz maintains that now-Bishop Juan Barros of Osorno, Chile, witnessed some of the abuse.

In a statement to reporters outside of Manhattan’s Church of the Holy Name of Jesus on Feb 17, Mr Cruz called his meeting “a good experience,” one he described as emotional and at times “very intense and very detailed.”

He also said he thought it was “eye-opening” for the archbishop.

“I leave here very hopeful today,” Mr Cruz told reporters after the meeting. He called Archbishop Scicluna “a very good man, and I think he was sincerely moved by what I was saying. He cried.”

Mr Cruz said he gave the archbishop names of people he believes have taken part in concealing abuse by Fr Karadima as well as the names of other victims of the priest.

n 2011, the atican ordered r aradima, then 0, to retire to a life of prayer and penitence” for sexually abusing minors and forbade him from exercising public ministry. Fr Karadima denied the charges; he was not prosecuted civilly because the statute of limitations had run out.

At the time, Mr Cruz welcomed the move but expressed frustration that no one listened to

continues today with some people trying to “relativise” or “water down” the council’s teachings and the course it set for the Church.

As he has told most communities of Jesuits he has met with over the past fi e years, ope rancis told the groups in Chile and Peru that the Church needs them to share their expertise in St Ignatius of Loyola’s formal process for discernment, which involves prayerfully seeing where God is at work and where God wants to lead a person.

“One of the things that the Church most needs today is discernment,” the pope said. “This is put very clearly in the pastoral perspectives and objectives of moris aetitia,’ the 201 ap-

a i an offi ial twice, Pope Francis said he was “personally convinced” Bishop Barros was telling the truth when he insisted he had no knowledge of Fr Karadima’s history of abusing minors.

During his January trip to Chile, Pope Francis was asked by reporters about the accusations of cover-up levelled against Bishop Barros and how he could be named to head a diocese.

C lo C le t th the fi t t e he elt Ch h o fi l h l te e to ho e he e ll e Ch le p e t the accusations when they were first made in 200 . he ecclesiastical in esti ation be an in 2010.

Fr Karadima had been thenFather Barros’ mentor. n 201 , ope rancis appointed Bishop Barros to lead the iocese of sorno. ome 3,000 demonstrators gathered outside and inside the Osorno cathedral to protest his installation as bishop.

After the case was investigated

ostolic exhortation on the family.

“We are used to a ‘yes, you can’ or ‘no, you can’t’ mentality,” the pope said. “If you take a look at the panorama of reactions to ‘Amoris Laetitia,’ you will see that the strongest criticisms of the exhortation are against the eighth chapter: ‘Can a divorced person receive communion, or not?’ But ‘Amoris Laetitia’ goes in a completely different direction; it does not enter into these distinctions,” the pope said. Instead, “it raises the issue of discernment.”

Picking up the same themes on Jan 19 during a meeting with Jesuits in Peru, the pope said he was convinced God was asking the Church to be evangelising, missionary, reaching out – the Ch rch as a field hospital.

“Ah, the wounds of the people of God,” he said. “Sometimes the people of God are wounded by a rigid, moralist catechism, of the ‘you can or you can’t’ variety, or by a lack of testimony.”

In many ways, he said, the resistance to the changed approach he has proposed “is a good sign. It is a sign that we are on the right road, this is the road. Otherwise the devil would not bother to resist.”  CNS

“The day they bring me proof against Bishop Barros, I will speak.

There is not one piece of evidence against him. It is calumny. Is that clear?” Pope Francis said.

The pope later apologised for the remark and, soon after returning to Rome, appointed Archbishop Scicluna to conduct a new investiation he e to Chile after interviewing Mr Cruz in New York. The Vatican said the pope’s decision to

have the archbishop investigate the alleged cover-up was prompted by “recently received information” in the case of Bishop Barros.

Less than a week after the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ appointment of Archbishop Scicluna, Mr Cruz gave the Associated Press a copy of a letter he had given to the pope and which he said Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, president of the ontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, handdeli ered to the pontiff in 201 .

Mr Cruz’s eight-page letter graphically described the abuse he suffered and said that then-Fr Barros was in the room watching when some of the incidents occurred.

In a separate incident, Pope Francis told a group of Jesuits in Peru that he often meets on Fridays with survivors of sex abuse.

The meetings, which he said do not always become public knowledge, make it clear that the survivors’ process of recovery “is very hard. They remain annihilated. Annihilated,” the pope told the Jesuits on Jan 19i n Lima.

The scandal of clerical sexual abuse shows not only the “fragility” of the Catholic Church, he said, “but also – let us speak clearly –our level of hypocrisy.”

The director of the Vatican press office on eb 1 confirmed that the pope’s meetings with abuse survivors is regular and ongoing.  CNS

POPE FRANCIS 17

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Lent ‘allows our hearts to beat in tune with Jesus’ heart’

Cardinal oJz ef Tomko places ashes on the head of Pope Francis during Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb 14. CNSphot o ROME – Lent is a time for Christians to get their hearts in sync with the heart of Jesus, Pope Francis said.

“Let the Lord heal the wounds of sin and f lfil the prophecy made to our fathers: ‘A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take o t of yo r esh the heart of stone and i e yo a heart of esh,’ the pope said on Feb 14, celebrating Mass and distributing ashes at the beginning of Lent.

After a brief prayer at the enedictine’s Monastery of t Anselm, Pope Francis made the traditional Ash Wednesday procession to the Dominican-run Basilica of anta abina on ome’s Aventine Hill for the Mass.

He received ashes on his head from 93- year-old Cardinal Jozef Tomko, titular cardinal of the basilica, and he distributed ashes to the cardinals present, three Benedictines, three Dominicans, an Italian couple with two children and members of the ontifical Academy for Martyrs, which promotes the traditional Lenten “station ch rch pil rima e in ome.

In his homily, the pope said the Church gives Christians the period of ent as a time to re ect on “anything that could dampen or e en corrode o r belie in heart .

Everyone experiences temptation, the pope said. Lent is a time to pause and step back from situations that lead to sin, a time to see how God is at work in others and in the world and, especially, a time to return to the Lord, knowing that His mercy is boundless.

Lent, he said, is a time “to allow our hearts to beat once more in tune with the vibrant heart of es s .

This, the pope said, requires taking a pause from “bitter feelings, which never get us any here and from a frantic pace of life that leaves too little time for family, friends, chil-

Lent is a time tos ee how God i s at wor k in ot he rs,and e spe cially, a time to retur n tot he Lor d,s aid the poe .

dren, grandparents and God. “Pause for a little while, refrain from the deafening noise that weakens and confuses our hearing, that makes us forget the fruitf l and creati e po er of silence, the pope said.

“Look at faces alive with God’s tenderness and oodness orkin in o r midst, the pope said, referring to families who struggle to survive yet continue to love; the wrinkled faces of the elderly that re ect God’s isdom at ork and the faces of the sick and their caregivers who “remind us that the value of each person can never be reduced to a question of calc lation or tility . ee the remorsef l faces of so many who try to repair their errors and mistakes, and who from their misfortune and suffering, fi ht to transform their sit ations and mo e for ard, he said.

But most of all, “contemplate the real face of Christ cr cified out of love for everyone, witho t e ception . e r ed those present to “return without fear to experience the healing and reconcilin tenderness of God .  CNS

18 OPINION

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

Fighting online exploitation of kids

By Sam Lucero espite its co ntless benefits in ad ancin learnin and lobal communication, the Internet has had its pitfalls. The most heinous has been the ro th of online child sexual exploitation.

Children make up over onearter of the 3.2 billion nternet users, according to WePROTECT Global lliance, and they are the most lnerable to ne forms of harm and ab se. ne recent st dy, led by tatistics Canada in 2016, showed child pornography offences in that co ntry re by more than 200 percent in the last decade.

Nearly every day, news outlets report arrests of people for possession of child pornography stored on comp ters. Child se traffickin is also linked to the spread of illicit images shared online. The growth, say child protection advocates, has been f elled by the spread of illicit material over the Internet. ast ctober, the ontifical Gre orian ni ersity’s Centre for Child rotection, based in ome, alon ith e C Global lliance, based in n land, sponsored an international congress titled Child Dignity in the Digi-

tal World. Pope Francis spoke to members of the international congress gathered at the Vatican.

During his address, the pope pledged the Church’s commitment to fi htin child se al e ploitation.

“The Church today feels especially bo nd to ork stren o sly and with foresight for the protec-

Prot ectingc hi ldren from the ‘dark net’ requi res the coope ration of gov ernments,l aw enfor cement,t ech com pani es,r eligi ous com muni ties and ot he r conc erned gr oups . tion of minors and their dignity,” said Pope Francis, acknowledging the recent Church scandals involving ordained ministers.

“The spread of printed pornography in the past was a relatively small phenomenon compared to the proliferation of pornography on the net,” added the pope.

The international congress was

one si n of a lobal mo ement to end the sexual exploitation of children online. e C Global Alliance has partnered with tech industry leaders, including Facebook, Goo le and Microsoft, to make technology safe for children.

Seventy countries are participatin in the Global lliance ainst Child b se nline campai n.

Protecting children from the “dark net” requires the cooperation of governments, law enforcement, tech companies, religious communities and other concerned groups.

The tech industry acknowledges that it helped spread child exploitation and pornography through online means. Now it is joining forces to curtail it and make the Internet safe for children.

“We know that technology facilitates the exploitation of children, stated Mr rnie llen, the former president and CEO of the ational Center for Missin and ploited Children, b t e also know that within technology resides a solution.”

It’s a movement we can all support.  CNS h t le fi t ppe e he Com pas s, newspape r of the Dioc ese of Green Bay,W iscons in,U SA .

Our most common sin CLASSICALLY Christianity has listed seven sins as “deadly” sins, meaning that almost everything else we do which is not virtuous somehow takes its root in one of these congenital propensities. These are the infamous seven: pr ide, gr eed, lus t, envy, gl ut tony ,w rath and slot h. n spirit al literat re the first three, pr ide, gr eed, and lus t get most of the ink and attention. Pride is presented as the root of all sin, Lucifer’s primordial defiance of God as fore er echoed in o r o n li es ill not ser e Greed is seen as the basis for o r selfishness and o r blindness to ards others and l st has often been i en the ltimate notoriety, as if the Sixth Commandment were the only commandment. ot to deny the importance of these, b t s spect that the sin hich most commonly af icts s and is not m ch mentioned in spiritual literature is wrath, that is, anger and hatred. I venture to say that most of us operate, however unconsciously, out of anger and this shows itself in our constant criticism of others, in our cynicism, in o r ealo sy of others, in o r bitterness, and in o r inability to praise others. And unlike most of our other sins, anger is easy to camoua e and rationalise as irt e. t one le el, an er often rationalises itself as stified indi nation o er the foibles, st pidity, e otism, reed and fa lts of others How can I not be angr y gi ven what I see every day! Here anger shows itself in our constant irritation and in our quickness to correct, criticise, and make a cynical remark. Conversely we’re very slow to praise and affirm. erfection then becomes the enemy of the ood and since nothing and no one is perfect, we’re always in a critical mode and we see this as a virtue rather than for what it in fact is, namely, an inchoate anger and unhappiness inside of ourselves. t o r nhappy cynicism isn’t the bi est problem here. More seriously, anger too often parades itself as godly virtue, as righteousness, as prophecy, as a healthy, divinely-inspired militancy for truth, for ca se, for irt e, for God. nd so e define o rsel es as holy arriors and i ilant defenders of tr th , takin stification in the popular (though false) conception that prophets are angry people, on passionate fire for God. o e er there’s a near infinite distance bet een tr e prophetic anger and the anger that today commonly parades itself as prophecy.

American priest and poet Daniel Berrigan, in his criteria for prophecy, s bmits and ri htly that a prophet is someone ho takes a o of lo e, not of alienation. rophecy is characterised by lo e achin for reconnection, not anger pushing for separation.

And love isn’t generally what characterises most so-called prophetic an er in o r orld today, especially as it pertains to God, religion and defence of truth. You see this in its worst form in religious e tremism here, in the name of God, e ery kind of hatred, iolence, and random m rder p ts on God’s cloak. Catholic theolo ian laise Pascal captures this well in his Pensees here he rites Men ne er do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” He’s wrong on one thing; mostly we aren’t doing it cheerf lly b t an rily. here is s ch a thin as healthy prophetic an er, a fiery response hen the poor of God, the ord of God, or the tr th of God are bein slandered, ab sed or ne lected. here are important ca ses and bo ndaries to be defended. t prophetic an er is an an er that emanates out of love and empathy and always, regardless of the hatred it meets, still e hibits lo e and empathy, like a lo in mother in the face of a belli erent child. es s on occasion e hibits this kind of aner, b t is an er is antithetical to most of hat mas erades as prophetic an er today, here lo e and empathy are so noticeably absent. omeone once said that e spend the first half of life str lin with the Sixth Commandment, and then spend the second-half of life struggling with the Fifth Commandment: Thou shal t not kill! We see this ill strated in the famo s parable of the Prodi gal Son, his older brother, and his prodi al father. he yo n er son is effecti ely o t of his father’s house through wrestling with the seductive energies of yo th. he older brother is st as effecti ely o tside his father’s ho se, not thro h sin, b t thro h restlin ith an er. s a yo n boy as catechised to confess bad tho hts as sinf l, b t bad tho hts then ere defined as se al tho hts. s e a e, s est, e mi ht contin e to confess bad tho hts , b t no those bad tho hts ha e to do ith an er. 

LENTEN FEATURE 19

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

How will I love others this Lenten season? ffie

a aro a

B

ETH (not her real name) teaches high school English as a second language, and many of her students are from the city’s large refugee community.

When one of her students was frequently absent, which was affecting his progress, she discovered that the reason was basic and solvable.

With the harsh winter setting in, his family had no appropriate clothing. Walking to school in sandals and a T-shirt as diffic lt in the cr el chilly wind. Beth discovered several refugee students faced the same problem.

She made a list of names and clothing sizes, and presented them to our faith sharing group.

Who would take a name? Bags full of new boots, coats and gloves quickly appeared at Beth’s back door and school attendance picked up markedly.

Another person in our faith sharing group, Mary (not her real name), visits a Somali man who is seeking asylum in the US. He has been jailed for 18 months as

his case drags between a judge, who has granted him asylum, and the US Immigration and Custom Enforcement, which repeatedly appeals the judgment.

Mary has faithfully visited the man, offering friendship.

Others have joined her, and others ha e pro ided financial support to his family members who have escaped to South Africa.

These are acts of charity, and although they did not all occur during the season of Lent, they were born out of the theological lesson of Lent lived out in faith, the lesson of Jesus’ life, passion and death all given as an example for us. They were born of love, which is the meaning of charity.

In our culture the word “charity” often has a limited connotation. Sometimes, we equate “charity” mainly with the cheque we write or the change we drop in the collection bag during Mass.

Volunteers hand out meals to the homeless as part of a charity programme. During Lent, offer to support the parish food drive. CNS file photo

These are important acts of charity.

But they are the fruit of a deeper meaning of charity, a love that becomes woven into the fabric of our lives. Pope Francis has said that charity is “the soul of the (Church’s) mission.” For this reason, Lent should become for us not a 40-day checklist, but a school of love.

Ms Vinita Hampton Wright writes that we should love “as if lo in is the first thin on o r to-do list.” We could make that our Lenten morning mantra. How will I love more generously today? How will I pay greater attention to others’ needs, whether

h e t te o p ho ol te withan ul terior mot ive of los ingw eight ,c ons ide ho ll let p e ho t

my children and spouse, the irritating guy at the next desk, or the homeless in my city?

My enten sacrifices sho ld deepen my commitment to love.

Instead of giving up chocolate with an ulterior motive of losing weight, how will I let my “giving up” reach outward? Can I give p somethin that has definite monetary value, like a morning latte, and dedicate that money to a worthwhile cause?

Perhaps giving up screen time will help me intentionally focus more on my kids or give me the time to volunteer at a food pantry. r sacrifice sho ld chan e s and move us forward in loving.

In her book, “Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job,” Ms Kerry Weber attempts to live out each of the

corporal works of mercy during Lent.

The corporal works of mercy could become our roadmap for Lent, a template for love in action that will expand our love in the years and months ahead.

The example of Mary and Beth teaches us that being part of a faith community can provide us with opportunities to love that we might otherwise miss. Our parish community provides such opportunities. During Lent, offer to visit the homebound, participate in sponsoring a needy family or support the parish food drive. y aster, yo ill find yo rself changed by these experiences. o may find that lo in has become a lot closer to the top of your to-do list.  CNS Caldarola is a freelance writer and a columnist for Catholic News Service.

Try ‘gratitude journal’, shared prayer this Lent

By Maureen Pratt If doing the same thing this Lent as in Lents past seems a bit hollow to you, two Catholics’ experiences with doing something different might help bring a fresh perspective to your own Lenten practice. fe years a o, dissatisfied with the “same old” way of moving through Lent, Mr Gary Jansen decided to blend what he does for a living with a new Lenten practice. An editor and author, Mr Jansen started a daily gratitude journal.

“A gratitude journal is a meditative exercise that helps you slow down and pay attention to things you might pass by in your daily life,” says Mr Jansen. “I listed everything I was thankful for: the sky and the air we breathe, the shoes and clothes I wear, the water and food I drink. At the end of the entry, I would just write, ‘Thank you, God.’”

For Ms Jeanne Loftis, a mother, wife, and attorney in Portland, Oregon, USA, “The most meaningful Lenten journey I can recall as a child involved my dad sitting all of us kids down and reading to us from the family children’s Bible. I can still picture ... the warmth and love in the room as we gathered around my dad.”

Her childhood experience inspired another family Lenten practice seven years ago when she and her husband Blair signed up for a parish weekly Lenten prayer group.

“Prior to joining the prayer group,” says Ms Loftis, “we didn’t know any of these people, despite having been parishioners for over 20 years. The discussion allowed us to get to know our fellow parishioners better.”

Unlike chocolate, dessert or another thing given up during Lent but taken up again once the season of sacrifice is past, both

Involving others in one’s Lenten goals can bring a fresh perspective to Lent.

Mr Jansen’s and Ms Loftis’ experiences had deeply lasting effects.

“We [her husband and her] have sought out other prayer

groups,” says Ms Loftis, “including one that we are now going to participate in at the same house as the one seven years ago.”

Mr Jansen says, “It’s easy

to forget that God is present in everything we do. [The gratitude journal] makes me mindful of the blessings so many of us have.”

Involving others in our Lenten goals is helpful, too.

“From time to time,” says Ms Loftis, “it is important to realise we all need help to stick to our goals. Involve others in learning your goals and helping you reach them. We do so much better when we are able to create a community.”

“Cultivating a Lenten spirituality,” says Mr Jansen, “is really about cultivating an awareness of God’s unrelenting presence in our lives.”

And as we journey through Lent, mindful of that presence, we build strength within and draw closer to God and others for months and years to come.  CNS Pratt is a col um nist for Cathol ic News Se rvice.

20

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

By Jennifer Ficcaglia One day, God visited Abraham and told him that Sarah, his wife, was going to have a son.

This news came as a surprise, because Abraham was almost 100 and Sarah was in her 90s . But Abraham trusted God’s promise, and, sure enough, Sarah gave birth to a boy named Isaac.

Several years later, God once again spoke to Abraham.

“Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah,” God said. “There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.”

Abraham loved and trusted God, so he obeyed God’s command.

The next morning, Abraham cut some wood, saddled his donkey, and travelled to the land of Moriah with

Isaac and two servants. When they reached Moriah, he told the servants to stay with the donkey while he and Isaac went on ahead to worship God. When father and son came to the place God had told Abraham about, Abraham built an altar. He laid the wood on it, then bound Isaac and placed the boy on top of the wood.

Abraham took out his knife. He raised the knife in the air and was about to bring it down on Isaac when a messenger from heaven urgently called Abraham’s name.

“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” the messenger said. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”

Then Abraham noticed a ram whose horns were caught in a thicket. He removed Isaac from the altar

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

Sts Perpetua and Felicity The noblewoman St Perpetua and the slave St Felicity (d.

203) lived in Carthage, a part of the Roman Empire that is now in present-day Tunisia in northern Africa.

Perpetua and Felicity were catechumens – people who wanted to be baptised as Christians. They and three other catechumens refused to worship the Roman emperor as a god, so they were arrested and sentenced to be killed by wild beasts in the arena.

During their imprisonment, the catechumens were baptised, and Felicity gave birth to a daughter.

When the catechumens were

and sacrificed the ram instead.

The messenger spoke once more.

“Because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing – all this because you obeyed

my command,” the messenger said.

Abraham and Isaac then returned to their waiting servants and began their journey home.  Read more about it: Genesis 2

Q&A 1. What did God command Abraham to do?

2. Who spoke to Abraham from heaven?

Wordsearch:  JA COB

 NOTICE

 BAPTISE

 TRUST

 DEVOTE

 BLESSING

 OBEY

 OFFER

 TRAVEL

 WORSHIP  HOME

 ISAAC

BIBLE TRIVIA: What was Abraham called before God changed his name?

(Hint: Genesis 17:5)

sent into the arena, the wild beasts attacked but did not kill them. Instead, they were killed by Roman gladiators.

We remember them on March 7. 

Bible Accent: Answer toB ibl e Trivia: Abr am

PUZZLE: Put a T next the statements that are true, and an F next to the ones that are false. Hints have been provided.

1.

_

Sarah’s original name was Sally. (Genesis 17:

2.

____

Abraham had a son named Ishmael. (Genesis 16:15)

3.

_

Lot was Abraham’s brother. (Genesis 12:

4.

5.

15)

5)

Sarah lied to God when he asked her a question. (Genesis 18: 13- 15) _

____

Abraham’s father was named Terah. (Genesis 11:26)

Answer to Wordsearch

promise to Abraham through Jacob. In Genesis 28, God came to Jacob in a dream and told him that his descendants would “be like the dust of the earth, and through them, you will spread to the west and the east, to the north and the south.”

Jacob married and had 12 sons.

These sons went on to have many children, and those children had many children, and so on.

All the descendants of Jacob’s 12 sons – who also were the descendants of Abraham – became the people of the 12 tribes of Israel. 

Answer topuz zle: .1F ; 2.T ; 3.F ; 4.T ; 5.T

In Genesis 15 and 17, God promised Abraham that he would have as many descendants as there were stars in the sky and that he would be the father of a multitude of nations.

But how could Abraham have that many descendants when he and his wife, Sarah, had only one son?

It took many generations for Abraham’s descendants to become numerous.

For example, we read in Genesis 25 that Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, gave birth to twin sons named Esau and Jacob.

God chose to continue his

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

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

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

SEPT 27,2017 TO MAY 1,2019 SHARE THE JO URNEY: 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.

J N 30 TO MAY 22 A COURSE ON PROPHET JE REMIAH Every Tuesday except Mar 13 and May 1.

Time: 9.30a m-11.30a m. Fifteen sessions conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Venue: CAEC 2 Highland Rd. Cost: $120.

To register: E: aba_s ecretariat@catholic. org.sg; T: 62800356.

FEB 1 TO MARCH 15 VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT Seeking volunteers for CareNights in Bedok and Sengkang. MondayFriday from 6.30pm -9.30 pm. Temasek

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith.

Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors.

APRIL 8, 2018 TO JU NE 9,2019 RCIA @ THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Time: 7: 30pm-9: 30pm . New RCIA journey will begin with a welcome night on April 8 and thereafter every Sunday onwards in Verbist Hall, Level 4.P lease register your name or names of those who are interested in the Catholic faith.

Registration forms are available at the parish secretariat. For more information, W: www.olps.sg; T: 9671 137( Elayne); T: 9635635( Peter).

Foundation Cares–C areNights@ Morning Star needs committed and energetic volunteers to assist children with homework and other necessary skills. The children come from households who must undergo skills upgrading, shiftwork or take on two jobs to make ends meet. For more information, T: 62851377 (Mel or Jaanani).

FEB 1 TO MARCH 21 SPECIAL NEEDS CATECHESIS 1– UNDERSTANDING & SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Every Wednesday from 7:30pm-10pm.

Venue: 2 Highland Rd S549102. This course aims to provide participants with an insight into the wide spectrum of physical, intellectual, emotional, behavioural and learning challenges more commonly faced by people with special needs through experiential exercises. For more information, E: formation@catechesis.org. sg; W: www.catechesis.org.sg. To register: https://tinyurl.com/ybwf 8yf5.

FEB 5 TO APRIL 9 AT HOME RETREAT Every Monday. A 10- week programme based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola to know Jesus more intimately in the midst of life’s daily routine.

Includes weekly meeting of faith sharing, daily prayer with Scripture and spiritual direction by Cenacle Sisters and team.

Two time slots available: 9.30a m-11.30a m at LaSalle Centre, 490 East Coast Road; or 7.30pm-9.30pm at CANA Catholic Centre, 5 Waterloo Street. For more information, T: 652895; E: cenaclesing@gmail.com.

FEB 21 TO MAY 30 BIBLE STUDY: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Venue: Church of St Francis Xavier.

Every Wednesday night from 8pm-10pm (14 lectures). FOC. To register: E: maisielee21@ gmail.com; nsron2003@yahoo.com.

FEB 2 TO MAY 31 BIBLE STUDY: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm at the Church of St Ignatius, annexe hall (level 2).

No pre-registration. FOC. All are welcome.

Come enjoy the living Word of God. For more information, E: henrythwu@gmail.com.

FEB 27 TO MAY 2 UNCOVERING ST MARK’S GOSPEL

BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ Time: 7.45pm-10pm. What was the purpose of St Mark’s writing? Who is he writing for? What does his Gospel emphasise?

Let Msgr Ambrose Vaz guide you in 10 insightful sessions on St Mark’s Gospel.

FOC. Organised by F.R.E.E. Ministry at the Church of the Risen Christ, Toa Payoh.

To register: W: http://free.risenchrist.org. sg; E: free.risenchrist@gmail.com.

MARCH 2 TO MARCH 4 MONTFORTIAN XPERIENCE 3 (MX3) FRIENDS OF THE CROSS Time: 7pm (Fri)-1pm (Sun). Christ died on the cross for our sins. Come to discover the true way of life based on the spirituality of St Louis Marie de Montfort.

Venue: Montfort Centre. Retreat masters: Br Dominic Yeo-Koh and Br John Albert.

Cost: $130( twin/sharing). For more information, T: 67951 1; E: enquiries@montfortcentre.org.

MARCH 2 TO MARCH 4 HOMECOMING – A LENTEN SOJO URN March 2 (7.30pm )-March 4( 4pm ). This Lent, Jesus wants to invite you on a journey home to God’s love. In the words of ope rancis, ent is a beneficial time to rediscover one’s Christian identity, hich is lo e that ser es, not selfishness that uses.” Facilitators: Fr Greg Tan and Mr Lance Ng. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $260 (non-AC), $30( AC). To register: http:// tinyurl.com/hals2018; T: 64702.

MARCH 3 MASS FOLLOWED BY PRAYERS FOR HEALING All are welcome and no registration is needed. Time: 2pm-4pm. You are invited to join us for praise and worship, and Mass, followed by prayers for healing.

After Mass, prayer teams will be available to pray with you for healing. Please spread the word to your family and friends.

Celebrant: Fr Tom Curran. Organised

by Praise@Work. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul. For more information, E: praiseatworksg@yahoo.com; T: 97472467.

MARCH 4 LENTEN RECOLLECTION Time: 9:30am-5pm. Venue: Choice Retreat

o se. o often do e find o rsel es in need of getting up and returning to the Lord? Spend a day of prayer to listen to this invitation and take courage to come back to God who is unconditional love.

Organised by The Cenacle Mission.

To register, W: www.cenaclemission.com; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com MARCH 17 CRUCIS SINGAPURA 2018 Jesus Youth announces ‘Crucis Singapura’ – a unique ‘Way of the Cross’ prayed while walking barefoot across the island marking the sign of the cross. Participants ill alk across ei ht pre defined ro tes, the longest being 20km and shortest 3km.

Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email ith all details. o on to www.singapore.jesusyouth.org to register free before March 7. For more inforamation, T: 90922091 (Nobin Jose).

MARCH 24 LIGHTING THE WAY – A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION Time: 10.30a m-12.30pm . Venue: Agape Village. This workshop is for individuals who have direct or indirect experiences with friends or loved ones who may be suffering from depression b t ha e diffic lty getting them to seek help. Cost: $15.

To register, W: https://tinyurl.com/ LTW24M ar; T: 67590.

APRIL 11 TO SEPTEMBER 19 FAITH FORMATION AT CHURCH OF ST TERESA Come journey on an exciting 24w eeks through the Bible to learn, understand and be inspired by God’s great plan in salvation history and your role in this great plan.

Discover how the Bible relates to your life and get to know better the God who loves you and is forever faithful to His promises.

Register online at: www.goo.gl/UMsUPS.

NEWS

Learn to scrutinise ‘signs of the times’, pope tells priests ROME – While it is true that the world is full of sin and sinful behaviour, priests must learn to scrutinise the “signs of the times” for new trends and attitudes that are good and healthy and holy, Pope Francis told pastors from the Diocese of Rome.

While there is “conduct that we aren’t used to seeing,” such as people living together before marriage, there also is a greater awareness of human rights, a push for tolerance and equality and appreciation for the values of peace and solidarity, he said on Feb 15.

“We should not be frightened of the diffic lties, b t discern the signs of the times, the things that come from the Spirit” and then “help with the others,” he said, according to RomaSette, the diocesan newspaper.

As is customary on the day after Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis spent the morning with the pastors in the Basilica of St John Lateran, the Rome cathedral. The session began with a penitential liturgy and with the pope spending almost an hour hearing confessions.

Afterwards, he responded to some of their questions. The event was closed to the press, although the Vatican Media website and RomaSette provided some information later in the day.

The questions were submitted by groups of priests according to how long they had been ordained.

The younger priests asked how they could fully live their voca-

Pope Francis hears confession during his annual Lenten meeting with the pastors of Rome parishes on Feb 15. CNSphot o

tion. Pope Francis had three recommendations first, learn to balance commitments second, find yo r o n style and finally, spend time in pri ate prayer and find a good spiritual director with whom to talk over what arises in prayer.

To priests who are 40- 50 years old and have been ordained a bit longer, Pope Francis said theirs is a time when ideals tend to become weaker and when the weight of ministry and administrative duties start to be felt.

The approach of middle age is a time of “many temptations,” he said, but also the time of a “second calling from the Lord,” a call to greater realism about ministry and greater maturity.

“One cannot continue without this necessary transformation because if you keep going like this, without maturing, making a way for crisis,” the pope said, “it will end badly. You’ll end up living a double life or leaving everything.”

The older group of priests, those ordained more than 35 years ago, asked the pope about handling change, saying “we cannot always draw on our experience to respond to new questions” raised by society. They also asked the pope how he handled that mature phase of his ministry.

While the pope said he understood their unease with the fastchanging culture, he insisted that what people need most today are things they are more than able to provide: a smile, a listening ear and “offering pardon without condition in the sacrament of reconciliation.”

Elderly priests, he said, know the trials of life and the diffic lties and pain that people experience.

They don’t have to talk much, but they should listen a lot.

In his own life, when he faced big changes in his ministry, he told the priests, what helped most was to spend more time in prayer and adoration before the tabernacle.  CNS

No young person should feel excluded from presynod meeting: cardinal VATICAN CITY – As the Catholic

The 300 young people invited Church prepares to welcome young to the pre-synod meeting in March people from around the world to a were chosen to represent national preparatory meeting for the Synod bishops’ conferences, the Eastern of Bishops on youth, Cardinal Lor- Catholic churches, men and womenzo Baldisseri said the Church is en in consecrated life and seminarusing every means of communica- ians preparing for the priesthood. tion available to listen to young The gathering also will inpeople from all walks of life. clude representatives from other Speaking to journalists on Feb Christian communities and other 16, Cardinal Baldisseri, the general reli ions and e perts in the fields secretary of the Synod of Bishops, of education, culture, sports and said social networks such as Fa- arts, who “are involved in helping cebook, Instagram young people discern oc ial networ ks their choices in life,” and Twitter will allow S young people to follow according to the synwill allow and interact “with their ungpe opl e to od office. peers in Rome” attend- yo India’s bishops interact ‘with ing the March 19-24 ha e chosen fi e pre-synod meeting. young people, inthe ir pe ers in “In short, even a Sikh and a Rome’ attending cluding through the new techHindu, to join in the the pr e-synod nologies of communipre-synod meeting. cation, the pre-synod Inderjit Singh meeting. meeting wants to from Jalandhar diobroaden as much as possible the cese in Punjab will represent the audience of young people involved Sikh religion while Sandeep Panso that no one should feel exclud- dey from Vasai diocese in Maed,” Cardinal Baldisseri said. harashtra state will represent the Announcing the pre-synod Hindu faith at the gathering. meeting last October, Pope Franhe three others are officials cis said he hoped Christian and of the Indian Catholic Youth non-Christian young people from Movement, the Church’s national around the world would attend youth network. so the Church could listen to the The pre-synod meeting, Carhopes and concerns of all young dinal Baldisseri said, also will men and women. include young men and women The theme chosen by the pope from what many consider the marfor the Synod of Bishops, which will gins of society, particularly young be in October, is: “Young people, ictims of h man traffickin and faith and vocational discernment.” prostitution.  CNS,U CANEWS.C OM

22 IN MEMORIAM Eleventh Anniversary In loving memory of

ROY SANTHANARAJ S/O A. LOUIS Departed: Mar 7, 2007 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile are forever imprinted in our minds.

Deeply missed and fondly remembered by father and loved ones.

In memor iam rates: Minimum $80 for an insertion not exceedingan eight -centimetre col um n.

Additional spac e: $8pe r one -centimetre col um n.

Classified advertisement rates: Minimum S$40 o the fi t 25 words.

Additional words: $1.00 a word.

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

Eighth Anniversary

CATHERINE VINCENT PEREIRA ANG LYE HO Departed: Feb 28, 2010 Departed: Mar 1, 2010 We miss you You are always in so many ways in our hearts.

We miss things you used to say Peter Tan Chin Kiat And when old times Anne & Joachim we do recall Ignatius Ng It’s then we miss Raphael & Victoria, you most of all.

Marie and Rachael, Godchildren Sadly missed by and loved ones. family and all loved ones.

Second Anniversary In loving memory of Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

VICTORIA D’CRUZ Departed: Mar 7,2009 We speak of you with love and pride.

We smile with tears that we cannot hide.

We thank you for the years we shared, the love you gave, the way you cared.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of St Michael at 6pm on 7M arch 2018.

Forty-third Anniversary In loving memory of

JO HN DANAM Called home on Feb 28, 1975 We remember and cherish the happy times together Remembering them today and forever.

Always remembered by wife, daughters and loved ones.

Fourteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Seventeenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

Eighteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

KAREN GOH SIEW NEO EDWARD TAN ANNA CHEONG Departed: Mar 2, 2014 ANN TAN HUI ENG TECK YAM AH NYONG You had a heart Departed: Mar 1, 2000 Departed: Feb 27, 2013 Departed: Feb 26, 2001 of gold Eternal rest grant We remember and You had a heart of gold One of the best unto her O Lord, cherish the happy One of the best to behold to behold And let thy perpetual times together.

You were generous, You were generous, light shine upon her, Remembering them loving and kind loving and kind May her soul rest in today and forever.

These are the memories These are the memories peace. Amen.

Dearly missed by you left behind. you left behind.

Dearly missed by Doreen, Avryl, Samuel Always loved and Deeply missed and family and loved ones. and all loved ones. cherished by always remembered by all your loved ones. family and loved ones.

Eighteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

PETER LEOW Departed: Feb 29, 2000 “All you that fear the Lord, look forward to his blessings of mercy and eternal happiness.”

Sirach 2: 9 Always remembered by: wife – Teresa, children – Maria & Ignatius, Paul & June, Angela and grandsons –G erard, Gregory & Linus.

Thirteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

JO HN JO SEPH AROKIASAMY MARIARAJ (A. JO HN) DORETT Departed: Mar 2, 2016 His life was earnest, Departed: Feb 21, 2004 We miss you his actions kind in so many ways A generous hand We miss things you and an active mind, used to say Anxious to please, And when old times loath to offend, we do recall A loving brother It’s then we miss you and faithful friend. most of all.

Deeply missed and Always remembered fondly remembered by wife, children by family and and loved ones. loved ones.

STEVEN JO HN CHOW Departed: Feb 26, 2005 t’s diffic lt to p t into ords o r sorrow that we carry in our hearts or to find the ri ht ords to e press the kind of man yo ere. t’s diffic lt to describe the moments when we miss you and wished that you were still here with us. The Lord took you home, but you will never leave our thoughts or the place you have taken in our hearts.

Forever remembered as a loving husband, a giving father, a doting grandfather, a caring friend and a wonderful human-being who touched and graced our lives.

Please turn to page 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

Crossword Puzzle 1204 1

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ACROSS 1 14of the 27 books of the New Testament are traditionally attributed to him 5 The Church is the _of Christ 10 John Paul II’s “On Human _” 14 Femme’s pronoun 15 Spiritual programme 16 “Are you _ out?”

17 City in central Texas

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5 Papal letter signed by the Pope’s secretary and sealed with the Pope’s ring 6 Withdraw 7 A party to 8 Sandwich shop 9 Biblical animal 10 Book attributed to Solomon (abbr.)

11 Singles 12 The pope is the bishop of this city 13 _K ringle 22 Monastery chamber 25 Jurisdiction of a bishop 26 Bus. school course 27 Catholic Oscarwinning actress and princess 29 Skier’s bane 30 Son of Kish 31 “How hard can _? ” 32 Appear 33 Nourishment

34 Hindu goddess of fire 35 8D orders (abbr.)

36 Contract 39 The Works of Mercy require us to visit them 40 Having a high temperature 43 Depend 4 Number of apostles, in Roman numerals 46 Catholic dancer and actor O’Connor 49 Postpone 50 External 51 Exorbitant rate of interest 52 Third of IHS 53 Saint from Domremy 54 Italian spewer 5 At _e nd 56 Decline 57 High-tech item 59 _D .A. 61 Jonah was thrown into this 62 Classroom goody-goody

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

18 19 20 21 23 24 26 28 33 37 38 39 41

Eleve’s place 18-wheeler Type of gun _, vi di, vici Parisian possessive Wiped out Squeal Prayer petitioning God to send the Holy Spirit Legend Arrange in sequence Rubberneck Catholic actor Martin _ Grease

42 The Archdiocese of Toronto is here 4 Compound tissue in vascular plants 45 Cut up 47 North American deer 48 Detestable 53 “There is neither _nor Greek” (Gal 3:28) 56 Element of Eucharist 58 Former overseer of the VOA 60 Frequent Mayberry jail occupant

2 36 64 65 6 67 68 69

ffice held by the Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1203 Bishop of Rome D I E S B R A S S S C A D Pulls L U S T Y O R D O A D A R It leads to a deal M O R T A S S U M P T I O N _G ay E S S A Y I S T P E T E R S Sea eagles E S E G A L O R E Apollo creator L A R V A E C I T E President A N E A R L E A H E L A M Roosevelt, familiarly C A R N Y D E S I S C A M Peasant T E M P A B E T D E V I L

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V E N I A L E E S M A N I A R O A D T R A N N E Y M E S S www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

IN MEMORIAM 23

Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

TENTH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

ANGELINE MASSANG NEE LIM Departed: Mar 4,2008 There is a place in our hearts which is yours alone A place in our lives No one else can ever own We hold back tears when we speak your name But the ache in our hearts Remain the same.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by family and loved ones.

Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

ELIAS YEN CHANG SHENG Departed: February 25,2016 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.

Dearly missed by Grace, Daniel, Samuel and all your loved ones.

JOHN SEBASTIAN CHOO Departed: March 10, 2009 A light from home has gone The voice we loved to hear is stilled Gone is your face we so dearly loved Leaving a vacuum in our home Never shall your memory fade Sweet thoughts of you will always remain.

Sadly missed by wife Sally, daughter Bernadette, parents Peter & Thelma and all loved ones.

Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

CHER CHOO HUI JO SEPH Departed: Feb 25, 2011 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.

Fondly remembered and cherished by loving wife, children, children-in law, grandchildren, grandchildren-in law, great grand-daughter, relatives and friends.

In loving memory of Tenth Anniversary

In loving memory of

We’re assured of your love Even though we’re apart, ‘Cause so much we’ve shared Is written in our hearts.

Remembered with love and deeply missed by all in the Family.

Please turn to page 22 for more in memoriam advertisements.

30TH DAY MASS The Lor d is my sheph erd; there is not hingI shall want.

In loving memory of

LAWRENCE GEORGE FERNANDEZ (BEN) Departed: Feb 6, 2018 ANTHONY ADAIKELASAMY Departed: Feb 26, 2003 Take him in Thy arms, dear Lord, And ever let him be A messenger of love Between our hearts and Thee.

Forever loved and remembered by children and loved ones.

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 Caroline, daughter Leeanndra, mother Freda, family and friends.

30th day Mass will be offered at Church of Christ The King, 2221, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, S’pore 569809 on Saturday March 10,20 18 at 5.30pm .

OBITUARY

Eleventh Anniversary

DAISY ALFRED & BELLA WILFRED who were called to the Lord on March 1, 200

BERNARDETTE FROIS CHIA AH NG (TRUDY) Departed: Mar 6, 2004 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.

Deeply missed and always remembered by husband Bernard and loved ones.

Fifteenth Anniversary In Ever Loving Memory of Our Precious Darling Pa

Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

PAULINE TAN SAI ENG Called home: March 7, 2013 Time changes many things but not the memory this day brings Till now you are still in our minds and hearts.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of St Vincent de Paul on March 7a t 6.30pm .

Fourteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

MOSES PEREIRA EVELYN PEREIRA Departed: Mar 10,2007 Mar 1, 2008

A light from home has gone The voice we loved to hear is stilled Gone is your face we so dearly loved Leaving a vacuum in our home Never shall your memory fade Sweet thoughts of you will always remain.

Sadly missed and forever cherished by children and spouses, Maureen and Burton, Colin and Cynthia, Jen and David, granchildren, great-grandchildren and loved ones.

SAM LAWRENCE PETERSON Departed: Jan 22, 2018 a t Kota Kinabalu We often think of bygone days When we were together; The family chain is broken But memories live forever.

Dearly missed by loved ones.

A memorial Mass in loving memory of Sam will be held at St Patrick’s School Chapel, 490E ast Coast Road, Singapore 42 9058 on Friday March 2, 2018 a t 7.30pm .

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Sunday March 4, 2018  CatholicNews

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VOL. 8 | FEBRUARY 2018

A NEW S LETTER O F ABILITIES BEYOND LIMITATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

ABLE’S RETURN-TO-WORK (RTW) PROGRAMME ABLE offers an array of services for the physically challenged and their family caregivers. A key programme is the RTW programme under ABLE’s Rehabilitation services. The programme supports the vocational goals of clients between ages 18 and 67, and facilitates opportunities for suitable and sustainable employment.

The programme is an individualised and client-centric intervention programme that is created in consultation with the client. 40% of ABLE’s RTW clients have successfully returned to their existing employer or were placed in new jobs.

These are the stories of Mr Muhammad Aminullah Bin Abdul Aziz (Amin) and Mr Lim Lian Hua who were involved in traffic accidents before engaging in ABLE’s Rehabilitation services.

Amin sustained a traumatic brain injury, extensive nerve damage in his left shoulder, and facial fractures which did not allow him to directly return to his job as a maintenance technician at Mega Adventure. However, ABLE’s therapists and RTW coordinator worked with his employer to understand his duties and working environment. This has enabled joint goal-setting and the set-up of a simulated work station at Amin’s workplace.

Mr Lim on the other hand suffered a spinal cord injury and underwent a considerable period of rehabilitation before starting rehabilitation at ABLE. He was able to undergo a work trial at Vegriculture with the help of ABLE’s therapists and RTW coordinator. They also helped apply for an appropriate replacement for his powered wheelchair and reached out to HDB to install ramps to allow Mr Lim to use the sheltered pathways at his workplace.

We consider ourselves blessed to work with supportive employers. It is only through close partnerships with supportive employers that ABLE may fulfil its social mission - to enable the physically challenged to live with dignity and to have a productive, meaningful and independent life.

“My supervisors and colleagues have been very supportive, and I feel blessed to have a stable job to return to. Even though I am returning to the same workplace, my new job scope will be slightly different from what I used to do. I am very excited to return to work and to learn new things”. Amin

“I have learnt many new things so far while working at Vegriculture. My employer and colleagues are very supportive towards me. I am always open to trying new things at work, and I never say no to challenging tasks.”

Mr Lim Lian Hua

Amin, with ABLE Physiotherapist Nicola Ying, and Occupational Therapist Cheng Shuet Fong at his job site.

Mr Lim, peeling spring onions at his workplace.

If you are an employer or influence employment opportunities in your organisation, ABLE would be happy to explore employment opportunities with you for our clients on the RTW programme.

TRANSPORT ABLE provides transport services to ease challenges faced by the physically challenged with our wheelchair accessible vans. In addition to serving our Rehabilitation and Respite centre clients, the vans are also available for private hire.

To ensure affordability, means testing using the Ministry of Health guidelines are carried out. Clients who are eligible will have their transport charges subsidised

by ABLE.

ABLE’s transportation service has been a blessing for Mdm Nabizah, a family caregiver. Her son Zahir suffers from Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome, a neuromuscular condition. She now has peace of mind when he travels to ABLE for his Rehabilitation and Respite programmes, as well as for his other hospital appointments using the ABLE transport.

Charges before subsidy for clients / for public hire: Weekdays (8:30am to 5:30pm)

After operating hours & Saturdays

Sundays & public holidays

Per Trip

$40

~

~

4 hours

$140

$180

$240

8 hours

$280

$360

$480

*$5 charge for ERP where applicable.

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE • Be a Volunteer - share your time and talents • Make a Donation - Online via Giving.sg or

By cheque made out to ‘ABLE Ltd’ (Please indicate your name, NRIC / UEN & address / email to facilitate tax exemption)

ENABLING PEOPLE. CHANGING LIVES.

A MEMBER OF

• Rehabilitation • Respite • Training • Transport

Agape Village | 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #02-09 Singapore 319264 T: +65 6801 7460 | www.able-sg.org | enquiries@able-sg.org

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