Catholic News Issue 9 2018

SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2018

SINGAPORE $0.70 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.10

MCI (P) 010/08/2017

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Archbishop Chia honoured at 80th birthday celebration

By Jared Ng “I ask the Lord to bless all present today,” said Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia to thunderous applause.

He was speaking during his 80th birthday celebration held on April 7 at the Church of the Holy Cross, where he was parish priest for more than 20 years.

In the presence of fellow priests and loved ones, Archbishop Chia blew out the candles on his birthday cake and received specially-made shirts with his name embroidered on them as a present.

A slide show of him over the years, including a picture of him and Pope John Paul II, was another highlight.

Prior to this, a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Archbishop William Goh was held and saw about 400 people attending.

They included Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez of Malaysia, Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei and Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur.

“He is a man who is always available for the people,” said Archbishop Goh in his homily.

He gave the example of how when Archbishop Chia was heading the Church in Singapore, his residence was always open for people to drop by.

VOL 68

NO. 09

INSIDE HOME

Learning about leadership from the president Canossian schools hold special symposium n Page 2

Assumption Pathway marks 10th anniversary Commended for its supportive programmes n Page 4

ASIA

Don’t exploit religion for politics Say Indian faith leaders n Page 12

Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia is joined by Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez of Malaysia and Archbishop William Goh as he blows out the candles on his birthday cake.

Recalling his time as assistant priest under then Fr Nicholas Chia at Holy Cross Church, Archbishop Goh laughed and said, “With him around, there was no rest.”

Archbishop Chia “was always trying to rejuvenate the parish with renewal programmes to better cater to the parishioners,”

Archbishop Goh said, adding that no matter how busy he was, he always made time to visit the elderly and the sick.

After Mass, many people came up to Archbishop Chia to wish him happy birthday and take photos with him.

Born on April 8, 1938, Arch-

bishop Chia was ordained a priest on Jan 26, 1964. He was ordained Archbishop of Singapore on Oct 7, 2001. He retired when Rome accepted his resignation as head of the archdiocese on May 18, 2013, after he reached the age of 75. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

POPE FRANCIS In wake of strike on Syria Pope appeals for peace, justice n Page 13

New apostolic exhortation released Spotlight on ‘saints next door’ n Page 15

REFLECTION

How connected am I with Jesus?

Spending quality time with God Archbishop Chia at the thanksgiving Mass to commemorate his birthday.

People were eager to take a photo with Archbishop Chia.

n Page 16

2 HOME

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Left: President Halimah Yacob poses for a photo with Canossian assistant head girls (from left) Alessandra Anthony, Hannah Tan and Kok Xiu Min. Right: Canossian student leaders at the Be Empowered – a Canossian Girls’ Leadership Symposium.

Canossian students learn about leadership in symposium Canossian school students learnt what it meant to be a leader from President Halimah Yacob and other speakers at a recent leadership symposium.

Leadership is first and foremost about service to others, Singapore’s first woman president told some 400 girls, teachers and Canossian Sisters at the opening of the Be Empowered – a Canossian Girls’ Leadership Symposium on April 4.

She reminded the girls how important it was to be always fully present in school, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

President Halimah also encouraged participants to take on leadership roles and shared that she hoped she would not be the first and only woman president in Singapore.

Participants at the opening of the three-day symposium included Canossian student leaders aged 10 to 16; nearly 40 others from Canossian sister schools in Ma-

laysia, India and the Philippines; and student leaders from the East Zone Cluster Schools 4 and 5.

The symposium was organised by Canossa Convent Primary, St Anthony’s Canossian Primary and St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary schools. It aimed to inspire young girls to dare to take up leadership roles to make a difference in the world they live in.

Over the three days, the Canossian student participants attended talks and workshops on following in the footsteps of St Magdalene of Canossa, founder of the Canossian Religious congregation, and explored what the virtue of charity in humility meant to them as leaders.

Canossian Sr Angela Ng also shared with them about life as a missionary and the work of the Canossians in Myanmar. She spoke of how compassion was key in helping others and alleviating their sufferings.

The symposium aimed to inspire young girls to take up leadership roles and make a difference in the world they live in.

Girls problem-solving in groups during the symposium.

The girls also took part in breakout workshops on sports, the arts, the cyber-world, the environment and community and mission.

They problem-solved issues per-

taining to their school through the use of the basic protocol in design thinking and had many platforms to work in teams and share their thoughts with other student leaders.

The closing address on the last day was delivered by Ms Janet Ang, vice-president of Industry, Solutions and Business Development at IBM Asia Pacific; and chairperson of Caritas Singapore.

She shared the importance of being clear with what one wants to achieve in life, to set priorities right from the beginning while at the same time valuing one’s family.

She also urged the girls not to be afraid to take on leadership roles when opportunities arose. n Submitted by CANOSSA CONVENT PRIMARY SCHOOL

BUILDING BUILDINGTHE THE CHURCH CHURCH OF OFTOMORROW TOMORROW 3

Sunday April November 27,n 2016 n CatholicNews 29, 2018 CatholicNews

Giving in Faith & Thankfulness gift campaign report 2018 Quarter 1 The GIFT (Giving in Faith & Thankfulness) campaign is a rallying call to all Catholics in Singapore to support the vision of the archdiocese to be a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church. Every person is challenged to pledge a monthly monetary contribution for the archdiocese’s operational and building needs.

breakdown of contributions

a good start to 2018 Since the launch of Catholic Foundation’s GIFT campaign, $18.5 million has been collected from November 2016 to December 2017. These generous gifts have made a tremendous impact on the various building projects and archdiocesan organisations that are funded by the Catholic Foundation.

Now, into its second year, GIFT saw a good start for the first quarter of 2018 with $4.9 million collected, an increase of 42 percent compared to

the same period of 2017.

Much of this generosity is due to the tremendous support for the St Francis Xavier (SFX) Seminary Building. Through parishes’ GIFT second collections, and online and mail-in contributions in January, $1.3 million was raised, doubling the usual monthly collections. Thank you to all who have responded generously to this special appeal.

contributions $1.8m

Nov-Dec 2016

$3.5m

Jan-Mar 2017

$4.9m

$2.2m

Apr-Jun 2017

$6.8m

$4.2m

Oct-Dec 2017

July-Sep 2017

Total Nov 2016 - Dec 2017: $18.5m

Jan-Mar 2018

upcoming initiatives Catholic Foundation has planned various activities to continue to rally support for the vision of the archdiocese. Some key initiatives are highlighted below.

monthly intercessory prayer sessions As GIFT goes beyond fundraising, monthly prayer sessions are being organised as a platform for Catholics to come together and pray for the archdiocese.

These sessions are held on the second Saturday of each month since September 2017 at the Annex of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

All are invited to come and lift up our intentions collectively. Those keen to join may contact Eileen at pray.cf@catholic.org.sg

mission mass Additionally, quarterly Mission Masses to celebrate the work to support the needs of the archdiocese are planned. These Masses will cater for a larger community of Catholics united in the common mission to give thanks for all the work of the Church. All are welcome to join.

Dates: 7 May 2018, (Monday) & 10 September 2018 (Monday) Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm Venue: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Celebrant: Rev Msgr Phillip Heng

shepherds night

@ sfx

Fundraising efforts for the SFX Seminary Building are still underway as more will be needed to fully fund the completion of this building project.

Shepherds Night, promises to be a special evening hosted by the clergy and seminarians at the new SFX Seminary site on 28 July 2018, before the official opening of the building.

Catholics who are interested in helping to achieve the fundraising target and would like to participate in this dinner, should contact Caroline at seminary.cf@catholic.org.sg

CITY DISTRICT Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church) Church of St Bernadette Church of St Michael Church of Sts Peter & Paul Church of St Teresa Church of the Sacred Heart St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street)

Jan - Mar 2018 $64,728 $15,134 $39,724 $97,026 $61,082 $23,980 $65,178 $30,323 $4,613

EAST DISTRICT Church of Divine Mercy Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church of St Stephen Church of the Holy Family Church of the Holy Trinity

$139,397 $191,826 $97,225 $21,665 $124,016 $85,731

NORTH DISTRICT Church of Christ the King Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church of St Anthony Church of the Holy Spirit Church of the Risen Christ St Joseph’s Church (Bukit Timah)

$104,074 $29,539 $62,665 $140,719 $105,925 $103,250

SERANGOON DISTRICT Church of St Francis Xavier Church of St Vincent de Paul Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church of the Transfiguration St Anne’s Church

$120,546 $114,358 $114,527 $241,866 $32,094 $78,009

WEST DISTRICT Blessed Sacrament Church Church of St Francis of Assisi Church of St Ignatius Church of St Mary of the Angels Church of the Holy Cross

$38,040 $34,999 $147,744 $152,628 $134,917

OTHERS Contributions by mail not identifiable to a parish CF fundraising receptions and and restricted funds

$178,013 $1,976,848

TOTAL

$4,972,410

your involvement matters Though the GIFT campaign is off to a good start this year, much more prayers, time and resources are still needed to realise the vision of the archdiocese. The response of every Catholic is crucial in building up the Church for generations to come.

Visit gift.catholicfoundation.sg or pick up a GIFT envelope today to play your part in the mission of our Church. All contributions, big and small, will make a difference.

pray

act

give

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Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Assumption Pathway commended for its supportive programmes School recently celebrated its 10th anniversary

By Jared Ng

intends to pursue other courses in food and beverage after finishing Through the support of Assump- his National Service. tion Pathway School (APS), forOn his part, Mr Muhammad mer student Muhammad Nor Bin Nor, 21, told Catholic News that Jasmi has become “a confident APS gave him the confidence and young man who firmly believes support to excel in his studies and that he can go further in life with that the school was “more like a hard work and perseverance,” home” for him. said President Halimah Yacob.

In her address, President Hali“He had very supportive mah said that “the 10th anniversateachers in APS who ry is a significant mileAssumption never gave up on him. stone for APS” and They encouraged him that the school “has Pathway to explore and pursue rolled out many innoSchool gave his interests,” she said vations and initiatives during the 10th anni- former student to maximise the potenversary celebration of tial of its students.”

Muhammad APS on April 13.

This was showAPS is a Catholic Nor Bin Jasmi cased during a video educational institu- the confidence presentation which tion which helps stufeatured former stuand support dents who are unable dents giving testito excel in his monies on how they to access mainstream studies and schools to have an received practical education. Students at the school was and valuable experiAPS undergo an alterence from APS’ pro‘more like a native curriculum that grammes and teachers. focuses on vocational home’ for him, Putting to practice skills which prepares what they had learnt, he said. them for further eduthe dinner table decocation at the Institute of Techni- rations and menu were specially cal Education, according to the prepared by some APS students. school’s website.

Others put on dance performances Mr Muhammad Nor gradu- to entertain attendees. ated from APS in 2013 with two During the celebration, PresiITE Skills certificates in Baking dent Halimah also visited the Practices and Hospitality Servic- school’s art gallery where two es. For his excellent performance, students shared with her their inhe also received the prestigious dividual pieces of artwork. One Lee Hsien Loong Award. of them also invited her to paint a He recently completed his part of his artwork. n NITEC in Asian Culinary Arts at ITE College West and said he jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

President Halimah Yacob painting a part of an Assumption Pathway School student’s art piece during the April 13 celebration.

Cutting the 10th anniversary birthday cake. From left: Br Dominic YeoKoh, supervisor of the Gabrielite schools; Mr Gabriel Teo, school management commitee chairman; President Halimah and Mr Eric Leong, principal of APS.

Former APS student Muhammad Nor Bin Jasmi said the school gave him the confidence and support to excel in his studies.

Discussing the sanctity of human life Although there are differences in the understanding of when life begins, human life is a gift from God. This was the agreement among three religious representatives during an April 10 interreligious panel and discussion.

Rabbi Jean-Pierre Fettmann, Ms Tengku Suhailah binte Tengku Kamarudin and Sr Maria Lau, IJ, were the three speakers from the Abrahamic faiths who spoke on the topic of birth and religious initiation in their respective religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

The discussion time allowed participants to dwell deeper into such

topics as adoption and abortion and to appreciate the similarities and differences among the three religions.

More than 50 people attended the event held at the annex building of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

It was organised by the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD) as the first in a series this year on life’s important milestones, the upcoming ones being on marriage and death.

Each event will only feature three speakers so as to provide more time for presentation and discussion. n

At the April 10 interreligious event. From left: Sr Maria Lau, IJ, (chairperson of ACCIRD); Ms Tengku Suhailah binte Tengku Kamarudin (staff, Zakat and Wakaf Strategic Unit, Asset Development Cluster, Muis); Fr Avelino Marin, Opus Dei (ACCIRD member and moderator of panel discussion) and Rabbi Jean-Pierre Fettmann (Rabbi of Chesed El Synagogue).

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ACMI marks 20 years of service with special Mass “God directed me to serve in this ministry although I had no knowledge or experience of migrants,” said Ms Elizabeth Tan, an Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) staff of 18 years.

She was speaking to Catholic News on April 8 at Agape Village after the thanksgiving Mass to celebrate 20 years of ACMI’s work and service.

Ms Tan noted that today, more Singaporeans are accepting of migrants and appreciative of their contributions as foreign workers, domestic helpers or foreign students.

“As a result of continued highlighting of the need to treat migrant workers fairly by religious and civil groups, their working and living conditions have improved,” she said.

Franciscan Friar Julian Mari-

aratnam, in his homily, reminded the congregation that through the risen Lord, Catholics are restored to full life and, as one Church, are called to act with mercy.

Members of the Sri Lankan Catholic community were present during the Mass and offered the hymn “I am a Vine” in Sinhalese during Holy Communion.

There was also a special commissioning for ACMI staff and executive committee members.

In his speech, ACMI chairman Mark Goh said, “Through your [the staff’s] work, you have

Franciscan Friar Julian Mariaratnam blessing the executive committee members of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

acted as God’s agent to reach out to 4,835 client cases and 8,834 domestic workers in the training programmes, as well as more than 202,268 foreign workers in the dormitories. Since last year alone, our community building activities have reached out to 1,110 persons.”

He also reminded the team that all these actions and policies “have no meaning if we did not do our work with love.”

Mr Al Dizon, who played the guitar during the Mass, was among

the earliest ACMI volunteers. He recalled being among those who helped to start up the training programmes at the Madonna Centre (formerly St Joseph’s Convent) and procured computers for use. n

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Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Learning to love anew In this issue of FamFare, we salute and pay tribute to the couples who have struggled amidst severe challenges in their marriage and have persevered in upholding their marriage sacrament when it would have been easier to just give up.

They managed to find the humility to own their problems and return to a right relationship with God, turning to prayer and fasting, seeking the grace of God as well as appropriate help and intervention. Most importantly, they refocused on their covenantal love relationship and gained a keener awareness of their true vocation and mission in their lives.

In our previous issue, we highlighted that nobody enters into a marriage able to manage it perfectly. Our model for marriage will have come, in most cases, from our parents. And our spouse may have a different frame of reference for what a marriage should be, due to a different upbringing or family of origin. We believe man and woman are created with equal dignity, in the image and likeness of God. Yet they are also distinctly different, not to oppose nor subjugate one another, but to complement each other and to make each other whole.

Yet couples cannot walk alone We need the grace of God and the support of the Church’s community to sustain, nourish and strengthen marriage.

ACF works with an eco-system of marriage and family apostolates/partners to help couples build a strong, faithful and fruitful Christ-centred marriage.

Let’s now turn to the stories of our couples …

When sin divides …

Ian* and Beth* took the models for their relationships from their parents. Ian did not have a close relationship with his father. The harsh treatment he received and lack of affirmation from his father resulted in his inability to respect his wife, and to encourage and nurture his kids. Beth’s parents divorced when she was 18 years old and, prior to that, she had witnessed quarrels and a perpetuating family cycle of abuse and hurt.

So when pornography reared its ugly head, dividing Ian and Beth in their marriage, neither of them were equipped with the communication skills to deal with it, and so the problem festered. Ian had been addicted to pornography long before he got married.

At a young age, he enjoyed watching pornographic films with his school-mates. He shares that watching pornography and masturbating oneself is a terrible addiction that brings on feelings of guilt, which in turn made him angry at everything around him.

“This affected the relationship with my wife and my kids as I took

my anger and frustrations out on all of them. I felt unworthy of the grace of God. I tried to give up the pornography on my own, but each time, it wasn’t long before I gave in to the temptation again.”

“My husband’s addiction to pornography was slowly killing our marriage,” explains Beth. “It created a wall between us in our bed and in every other area of our marital relations. He refused to speak openly about the problem, and came clean only once, when he was caught red handed.”

When Ian was forced to defend his actions, Beth heard one of the most painful words ever when he told her he looked for another woman’s attention because Beth was not attractive. This was the day after their second child was born. For years, Beth carried those words in her heart. It destroyed her confidence as a woman and she felt unworthy when they had sex, even when Ian tried to initiate it.

“I realise now that I carried the emotional scars of my parents’ marriage breakdown into my own marriage,” recalled Beth.

“This subconsciously created an atmosphere of tension. Like my mum, I constantly pointed out his faults and never once showed appreciation towards him. We

lived like this for years, unable to have an authentic relationship, until my husband signed us up for the Couple Empowerment Programme (CEP).”

The Holy Spirit intervenes “A while back, I went for Mass alone while my wife and kids were out of the country,” Ian recalls.

“There was a CEP roadshow that weekend and I immediately felt drawn to it. I signed up without asking for my wife’s consent, which was rather unusual. By then I had begun to recognise, through my wife’s silence, that she was slowly giving up on our marriage.

Looking back, I think it was the Holy Spirit knocking on the door of my heart to take action: Romans 5.5: the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”

After attending CEP, the couple started to spend three to four hours regularly every week talking honestly about their lives, praying and reflecting on scripture passages and turning back to God to get their bearings right.

“Then, things started to change,” Beth recalls. “We learnt to calmly discuss hot-button issues in our marriage, including financial

issues and our parents and in-laws, in a constructive manner.”

The breakthrough During one of those sessions, Ian finally decided to talk openly about his addiction to pornography. “I was very happy for the both of us that he found the courage to speak about this addiction and that he was willing to make changes to improve our relationship,” says Beth. “We realised that we needed to encourage and support each other on our path to holiness as we administer the sacrament of holy matrimony daily to each other. We both come from abusive families, and we did not know how to treat each other with dignity and respect as spouses. Now we are able to speak with each other without fear of being rejected or attacked. We know, that whatever we are facing, there are larger forces influencing our actions and, through prayers and fasting, we choose to appeal to the Risen Lord to guide us.

We now feel more united and our relationship has become more sincere.”

A community comes together Once Ian opened up, the CEP community rallied round the couple and devised a battle plan.

“As I owned up to my problem, I prayed and fasted, and I finally went for the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” says Ian. “I was encouraged by my wife’s support in praying and fasting together with me. The community was also praying and fasting along with us. This battle plan united us; we became a couple again, rekindling the love in us as we sought the good of the other. We shared deeply and cared for each other more tenderly. Of course, we still have our differences, but there are no more lies that separate us, and this is key to building our intimacy and to the healing of my broken sexuality.

“I have been clean for six months now. Having reconciled myself with God and loving authentically again, our marriage has improved, and I have new-found freedom and am less anxious and afraid.”

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Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

A marriage takes three When Joseph* and Samantha* first met through a mutual friend, love blossomed and after two years of dating, the couple married in 2012. Their belief that they needed only one another soon faded as the realities of married life began to take hold. They were soon to discover that they were missing a third, very important, partner in the marriage.

“Although Samantha and I knew that marriage would never be a bed of roses, we were totally unprepared for what was a horrendous start to our marriage,” says Joseph. “It was fraught with constant disagreements and heated quarrels over just about everything. We were both quick to lose our cool. So when troubled times came, like when I lost my job and felt very low about myself, I just could not see her as my helpmate but rather someone who judged me along with the rest. Our marriage crumbled like a house of cards since the foundations of our faith and our marriage were never properly developed.”

Killing a marriage Their fights were often sparked by a lack of tolerance and poor understanding of each other’s underlying needs and emotions.

One negative tone or judgemental look would escalate to insensitive comments, and even expletives.

“Sometimes the fights were in the open and our children could hear all the ugly words we threw at each other,” adds Samantha.

“We were not even aware that we were repeatedly breaking the 5th commandment: Thou Shall Not Kill.”

Joseph had grown up with a mother who had anger management issues and a father who was extremely reticent and could not protect him. With deep hurt from his family of origin, his anger flares out easily and is

often laced with contempt at the slightest provocation. Samantha’s upbringing held no model for what she was now experiencing in her marriage. Growing up, all the way into adulthood, she was doted on by her parents, who took care of her every need. In the workplace too, she was treated with respect and courtesy. Yet, daily, she returned home to a very different environment. “After each fight, Joseph and I were unforgiving and chose instead to store all the resentment. I became angry with God for this hurtful man who made me feel so condemned. I struggled to pray whenever we fought, and I blamed Joseph for the endless cycle of negativity,” says Samantha.

gave up the CEP sessions at one point. “But I suppose God never gave up on us,” said Joseph. “He sent the CEP team after us. When the subsequent CEP run came round, we were invited to continue where we had left off. And so we soldiered on.”

Over time, they started to be able to remove the shades of sins and to see how pride and fragile egos had contributed to the brokenness and hurt that lay deep within. Joseph came to realise that even if he felt he was being provoked to anger, he should not give in to his rage and negative emotions and vent them on Samantha. “She is my wife, whom I vowed to love and honour all the days of my life,” he says. “I need to accord her dignity and respect. She is, after all, a child of God just as I am. Like Jesus, who gave His all to the Church, His Bride; and also like her dad, who always acted in her best interest, as her husband, I am called to be Samantha’s protector and life partner. I should be looking for opportunities to love and affirm her.”

Divorce was on the cards It was a deeply unhappy and untenable position, and it wasn’t long before the couple decided the easiest way out was to cut their losses and divorce. And they could easily have fallen through the cracks, but for the divine intervention of our Merciful God. “On the verge of breaking up, while at Mass one Sunday, we heard a church announcement about an upcoming Couple Empowerment Programme (CEP),” Samantha remembers.

“We were invited to attend once we got out into the Church lobby and, to my surprise, Joseph agreed, seeming to be ready to give our marriage a last shot.”

The restoration plan The couple were provided tools in CEP to repair, heal and rebuild themselves and their marriage.

These included going for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, praying the rosary and other prayers, attending daily Mass,

allowing the Word of God to nourish them, and spending quiet moments in the Adoration Room as well as setting aside time to regularly check in with each other, to have their couple dialogue and to pray together as a couple.

Most significantly, they felt a deep presence of God’s love through their assigned CEP mentor couple, facilitators and the entire CEP community, who ministered to them, and journeyed and prayed with and for them as Samantha recalls: “They literally carried Joseph and I through our deeply wounded marriage state, helping us to reconnect with God and drawing upon His love to rekindle our love for one another.”

A welcome third wheel “There were countless times when the conflicts in our marriage seemed unsalvageable,” adds Joseph, “but with every fall we took, we felt God holding us up each time and whispering into our ears: ‘I’m here, keep going’.

Through this, we know for sure that God is ever present whenever we call upon Him.” “It certainly does take three to be married,” says Samantha.

“These days, whenever those tense moments arise, we cling on to that all-important third party in our marriage, the Crucified Christ, and allow Him to lead us.”

STRENGTHENING OR RESTORING MARRIAGE & FAMILY TIES Couples seeking to strengthen or restore their marriage and family ties can consider the following: Couple Empowerment Programme Truly live your marriage promises to each other with this catechesis and formation programme, which helps you to build a strong, emotionally intelligent family.

9857 9075 www.cep-sg.org Worldwide Marriage Encounter Sign up for this stay-in programme which encourages open communication, romance and intimacy. Thousands of couples all over the world have transformed their marriages through this programme.

9670 5390 www.wwmesg.org Retrouvaille Open to people of all faiths, this programme transforms hurting into healing and offers you tools you can use to rediscover a loving married relationship with your partner.

6522 8750 www.helpourmarriage.sg Family Life Society 2 Highland Road #LG-01 Singapore 549102 6488 0278 fls@familylife.sg Community Clinical Support Services Marine Parade Family Service Centre Blk 53 Marine Terrace #01-215 Singapore 440053

God sent in his squad It was not easy. It took many attempts and long sessions to break down the many facets of the couple’s issues. They even

6445 0100 ccss@monfortcare.org.sg

* The names of the couples have been changed to protect their privacy.

Catholic Family Events in April - June 2018 April

May

27

4

22

Retrouvaille

Marriage Encounter Weekend

27 - 29 April (Friday - Sunday) Friday 7 pm to Sunday 6.30 pm Marriage Encounter House 201B Punggol 17th Avenue Singapore 829651

4 - 6 May (Friday - Sunday) Friday 8 pm - Sunday 6 pm Marriage Encounter House 201B Punggol 17th Avenue Singapore 829651

For couples with marital problems including those who are considering marriage separation and those who are already separated or divorced but want marriage help.

Discover the weekend that has been transforming marriages all over the world for more than 40 years.

retrouvaille.singapore@gmail.com +65 6522 8750

For a list of family events in the Archdiocese visit

For couples married two years and above. wwmesg.org/me-weekend-selector to book a weekend.

catholicfamily.org.sg/events

31

Pieta Monthly Support Session for Bereaved Parents 22 May (Tuesday) 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Agape Village 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Singapore 319264

Family Camp 31 May - 3 June (Thursday - Sunday) Batam View Beach Resort What are your plans for the family in the coming school holidays? How about spending some time away with your family to encounter God in each other?.

Register here: http://www.one.org.sg/event/family-camp-2018

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

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.

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St Theresa’s Convent celebrates 85th year, aids charities

Current and former school leaders cut the anniversary cake on April 6 as Fr John Bosco looks on.

In place of the 5Cs that society advocates – namely cash, credit card, condominium, car and club – young people today should cultivate compassion, chastity and character, in order to be the cornerstone of their community.

Fr John Bosco, parish priest of the Church of St Teresa, gave this suggestion to students of CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent during their 85th anniversary Mass on April 6.

Infant Jesus Sisters, members of the IJ board of management, principals of affiliated schools,

ex-principals and ex-staff, as well as parents, alumni, current staff and students attended the Mass.

The anniversary celebrations included a carnival the next day during which students welcomed parents and guests to 85 food and game stalls, the effort of months of planning and hard work.

The carnival raised funds for Caregiving Welfare Association, the Catholic Welfare Services and the Infant Jesus Homes & Children’s Centres.

Highlights of the event included a Ramly Burger stall run by

alumni, a reverse bungee jumping station and a teachers’ concert amidst a constant stream of song dedications from students. In the course of the day, the school welcomed crowds numbering in the thousands and raised more than $90,000 for its three beeficiaries.

History The Infant Jesus Sisters started CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent in 1933. They rented a lodge in Kampong Bahru and used it as a small primary school for about

Girls having fun at a game stall during the carnival.

100 students, mainly daughters of poor harbour, hospital and railway workers.

The school survived the Second World War and moved to its permanent home on Kampong Bahru Hill in 1953. Back then, Town Convent in Victoria Street helped to raise money for the construction of the school building.

There were no paved roads leading to the school until 1961.

Staff and students had to trudge 58 steps up the slope before reaching the school gate each day.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the school building provided light to

St Theresa’s Convent in 1933.

the Kampong Bahru villagers and it came to be known as the “Light on the Hill”. In 1956, the school started its secondary section; in 1986, it admitted its last Pri 1 cohort; and in 1992, it functioned as a secondary school.

The school underwent upgrading over the decades. The upgrading programme in 2010 and 2011 saw the addition of facilities such as an air-conditioned multi-purpose hall, an indoor sports hall and a hockey pitch.

The school offers a valuescentred, mission-driven education for young ladies. n

9

Sunday April 29, 2018 n 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

FEATURE

UPCOMING

TREASURE#9

KICKSTART Freshmen Gathering 2018

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor the human heart conceived, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Cor 2:9

Sat,23 June 2018 (10 am) to Sun, 24 June 2018 (6pm) Are you entering university and wondering how to grow your faith life? Looking for a community of fellow Catholic students on campus? Join us at KICKSTART Freshmen Gathering 2018 for a time of PRAYER, WORSHIP, COMMUNITY and ENCOUNTER! The Father waits with open arms.

Want to find out more? Sign up at http://oyp.org.sg/kickstart2018/

testimony & thanksgiving

by Joshua Lowe I came into Treasure feeling emotionally and mentally tired.

My prayer life was poor and I had started to wonder if I was doing what the Lord wanted me to do. I had thought that the decision to take on my job was made with the Lord and I was looking forward to thriving where He put me. However, I had been feeling defeated at the end of each day for the past year.

THANKSGIVING & TESTIMONY

Elizabeth (middle, in white)

Through Treasure, Jesus showed me how to trust in Him not just with my head but with my heart. He enlightened me with many truths and made my love for Him come alive.

I have now begun my journey of surrendering to God’s will and overcoming my fears in doing so. I have faith that God will show me how to place Him in the centre of my life, and to be living proof of His love for the world.

Joshua (third from left)

There were people around me who lived their lives close to the Lord despite having secular jobs. They seemed to have fullness of life; yet I didn’t. So the question that I had was, ‘Where is this fullness of life that you promised me, Lord?” I did not want to settle for anything less than what the Lord had promised me.

Through the prayer teams, I received many truths from the Lord. Jesus reminded me and told me that He hears me. He understands and knows the struggle, pain and tiredness that I have been feeling. He tells me that He is proud of me, that my heart is good and that I have the capacity to love Him. He tells me my life has been fruitful. He tells me that He knows that at work, it is my responsibility to take care of others, but He wants to take care of me and carry me.

Finally, He tells me that my fullness of life begins NOW. He tells me He loves me. I hope in Jesus Christ, that moving forward, I find my fullness of life in Him. Not at work and not in the things I do, but in Him alone. Lord Jesus, may I have the courage to act on the desire to follow you! Amen.

by Elizabeth Chen I came to Treasure not knowing what to expect, but with a desire to draw closer to God. I had been feeling spiritually dry for years, and having started work a year ago, I was struggling to find balance in the different aspects of my life (work, family commitments, social life and my relationship with God).

FINAL.indd 1

UPCOMING

Day of Recollection: 5th May 2018

University life is a time of great transformation, filled with trials but also with graces. The Lord offers to walk with us, to calm the storm for us and to straighten the way to fulfilment of our lives. It is difficult to comprehend how much grace is available for us to claim as sons and daughters of God the Father. It was during KICKSTART that I learnt to claim this great love I cannot comprehend and grow to accept that my Father calls me to greatness- He calls this unworthy person to sainthood. It is impossible, but He makes it possible with love that is at once constant yet ever new. He asks for us simply to start, to choose to take that first step and the rest will follow from His grace. - Regina,Yale NUS.

UPCOMING

Emmaus in the City

for young people in JC or army

Time: 10am to 6pm (lunch provided).

Sign up: https://tinyurl.com/JCNSDOR2018 Are you a JC student, waiting to enter uni or serving National Service? You are not alone in your faith journey.

Come join fellow Catholics for a day of recollection on 5th May 2018 at OYP. Make time to pray, listen to sharings, relax and have good conversations. Discover how we can encourage one another to keep the flame of our faith alive amidst the stresses and pressures of life.

Bring a friend along and see you at OYP! For enquiries, please email info.oyp@catholic.org.sg

Time: 7.30pm to 10pm Date: Every Monday from 16 April to 28 May 2018 Venue: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Annex Level 3 Hall Emmaus in the City is an Easter season outreach to young working adults. Come and encounter Christ and experience the fullness of life that He desires to give you even in the midst of a busy working life.

12/4/18 4:11 PM

10 HOME

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Church communicators learn about fake news at workshop

By Christopher Khoo Why is fake news a problem, and how does one manage it and stop it from spreading?

These were issues that an archdiocesan-run workshop, titled “Untangling Fake News”, addressed on April 14.

Fake news appeals to stereotypes, and people’s social prejudices and emotions, said Ms Michelle Voo, vice-president of the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild, and one of three speakers at the workshop.

People spread fake news because they are misinformed, misled or are being malicious, said Ms Voo, at the event held at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd annex building.

Speaking to about 60 people involved in Church communications, she gave as examples of fake news photos of the pope circulating on social media that have had misleading descriptions given to them, as well as how certain words were attributed to the pope which he had never said.

She noted that fake news can also spread regarding the local Church’s stance on liturgy and other disciplines. This comes about when people mistake personal opinion for authoritative Church teaching, and assume that norms for foreign dioceses apply in Singapore.

To discern if something is fake news, one should ask the follow-

To discern if something is fake news, one should ask: Is it current?

Is it relevant?

Who wrote it?

What authority does that person have?

Is it accurate?

What is its purpose? nology companies to verify the identities of people who are hiding behind digital profiles.

Journalism for peace. The Holy Father has called for journalism that is not driven by sensationalism but which shares with people the root causes of problems and helps to foster dialogue.

Participants at the workshop also broke into small groups to share examples of fake news that they have encountered and how they can play a part to stop it.

Mr Andre Ahchak, director of communications in the Archbishop’s Office, shared with participants that the archdiocese has come up with various channels to fight fake news.

These include a Telegram channel, www.telegram.catholic. sg, for subscribers to receive verified information about the Church.

People can also visit www.check. catholic.sg for verification of Church-related news.

In addition, people can contact archcomms@catholic.org.sg or call 6895-1565 during office hours for clarification of Churchrelated news and rumours.

Mr Ahchak also informed the crowd that the archdiocese will hold a special World Communications Day Mass at the cathedral on May 13 at 10.30 am. Msgr Ambrose Vaz will celebrate the Mass during which there will be a special prayer for those working in communications.

Visit www.check.catholic.sg for various resources including articles, reference sites and FAQs dealing with fake news. n

•

Ms Michelle Voo speaking at the archdiocesan-run workshop, ‘Untangling Fake News’.

ing questions, she suggested: Is it current? Is it relevant? Who wrote it? What authority does that person have? Is it accurate? What is its purpose?

Ms Estella Young, a lay Dominican, gave a theological reflection on “The Truth Will Set You Free” Pope Francis, in his World Communications Day 2018 mes-

sage, pointed out that it was the serpent who created the first “fake news” in the Garden of Eden, said Ms Young. The serpent pretended to be Eve’s friend and hinted that man couldn’t trust God. The deadly sin behind fake news is greed – greed for social, financial and political gain, she noted.

She offered four tips from Pope Francis on fighting fake news. These are: Avoiding cliques and silos.

•

The pope notes that fake news thrives in closed circles, when people associate only with likeminded people.

Education. Pope Francis supports educational programmes to help people discern what they read and what they share.

Initiatives. The pope commends the efforts of governments and private institutions to develop laws to curb fake news as well as initiatives by the media and tech-

•

•

VITA Images

Participants broke into small groups to discuss questions related to fake news.

christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

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11

12 ASIA

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Don’t exploit religion for politics, say Indian faith leaders PANAJI, INDIA – Leaders of six major religions in India have made a joint call to end branding people as patriotic or unpatriotic based on religion amid increasing attempts to exploit religious sentiments for political purposes ahead of a crucial election.

Leaders of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Muslim and Sikh communities gathered on April 5 in the western state of Goa to express their distress at communal tension in several areas of the country.

“We strongly object to anyone taking control of individual decisions. No one is to be categorised as anti-national or non-patriotic based on his religion, region or community,” said a statement issued at the end of a meeting initiated by Catholic priests in collaboration with the Indian bishops’ conference.

Every Indian has dignity, respect and the right to decide what to eat, who to marry and their faith, the statement said, alluding to pro-Hindu groups imposing restrictions on Christians, Muslims and socially poor Dalit groups.

India is preparing for a national election next year as reports emerge of religion-based tensions in the major states of West Bengal, Bihar and Rajasthan.

Local reports suggest tensions are politically engineered to divide people on the lines of religion and caste as rival political parties project themselves as champions of sectarian interests.

Further restrictions on religion in China province HONG KONG – Moves by Chi-

A woman holds a rosary during Mass in India. Leaders of six major religions have made a joint call to end branding people as patriotic or unpatriotic based on religion. CNS file photo

The election in April 2019 is crucial for both the ruling proHindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to retain power and for rival Congress to emerge from its lost political prominence.

Hindu groups that support the BJP are accused of attacking people who eat beef, arguing the cow is a revered animal in Hinduism, and violently dealing with those opposing Hindu nationalist ideology.

Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary-general of the bishops’ conference, said at least 270 sectarian incidents, including vandal attacks on churches, were reported in the past two years.

He said church groups plan to organise “communal amity” gatherings to help and exhort people to “overcome the power of hatred.” n UCANEWS.COM

na’s all-powerful Communist Party to gain tight control over religion have been ramped up in the Pengyuan district of the populous central province of Henan.

On April 4, local authorities posted a notice that demanded those who follow the official religions to register with the residents’ committee.

Followers of Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism should register, the notice from the committee read.

Authorities in Henan, which has an estimated 300,000 Catholics, have been noticeably tightening their grip since September last year. It has become the third province to dismantle crosses following Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

A Henan-based priest in the so-called underground Catholic Church loyal to Rome but not part of the official state-run Catholic association told Church news agency ucanews.com that the authorities were not only targeting underground churches but also those who worship in governmentcontrolled “official” churches.

A priest from the state-run Catholic Church also revealed that Church-run Wan Huying nursery in Yanlu parish of Anyang diocese had been ordered to close, while the secretary of the local government said that all nuns in service had been told to leave the school.

The diocese has not made new arrangements for them yet.

“It happened at the beginning of April and the authorities did not give any compensation,” the priest said.

A woman prays during Mass in China. Churches and religious communities in the central province of Henan have been subjected to tighter religion controls. CNS photo

He also said that in Anyang diocese, minors under the age of 18 were not allowed to enter churches that have been guarded by government personnel every Sunday. New rules on religion forbid minors from attending Church services.

Local officials also took away all lights on the crosses of all churches in the diocese, while

In Anyang diocese minors under the age of 18 were not allowed to enter churches that have been guarded by government personnel, said a priest.

even street lights in some parishes were dismantled.

All religious site management personnel and church property in the diocese must be registered.

Those without a venue certificate that proves the churches or personnel have been registered and approved by the government were banned.

Authorities have also organised study groups for Catholics and Protestants to learn the revised regulations on religious affairs that came into official effect on Feb 1.

On March 21, officials of the Rushan County Religious Affairs Bureau of Pingdingshan City convened government-approved Protestant preachers to learn about the regulations, resulting in more than 700 faithful attending. n UCANEWS.COM

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

POPE FRANCIS 13

Pope appeals for peace, justice in wake of strike on Syria VATICAN CITY – Sharply criticis-

ing a failure to find nonviolent means of bringing peace to Syria and other parts of the world, Pope Francis appealed to world leaders to work for justice and peace.

“I am deeply disturbed by the current world situation, in which, despite the instruments available to the international community, it struggles to agree on joint action in favour of peace in Syria and other regions of the world,” he said after praying the “Regina Coeli” with people gathered in St Peter’s Square on April 15.

“While I unceasingly pray for peace and invite all people of good will to keep doing the same, I appeal once again to all political leaders so that justice and peace may prevail,” he said.

The pope’s appeal came after the United States, France and the United Kingdom launched missiles on Syria on April 13, targeting sites intended to weaken the nation’s chemical weapons capability. The missile strikes came one week after an alleged chemical attack in the Ghouta region, outside Damascus.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow telephoned Pope Francis after the missile attack, he told reporters on April 15 at his residence outside of Moscow.

“We shared the common concern about the situation in Syria, and we talked about how Christians should influence this situa-

I unceasingly ‘While pray for peace ...

I appeal once again to all political leaders so that justice and peace may prevail.

’

– Pope Francis

A firefighter inside a destroyed building in Damascus on April 14. Pope Francis joined Christian leaders in appealing for peace after the April 13 air strike on Syria. CNS photo

tion to stop violence, war and so many tragic victims as we have seen in these days,” he said, according to AsiaNews, an Asian Church news agency.

The patriarchate launched an initiative to unite Christian leaders from the East and West to promote peace and prevent a humanitarian crisis in Syria, said Fr

Respect life of ill patients, pontiff says VATICAN CITY – Highlighting the plight of a seriously ill toddler in Great Britain and a severely braindamaged man in France, Pope Francis called for greater respect for every patient’s life and dignity.

“Let us pray that every sick person may always be respected in their dignity and cared for in an appropriate way for their condition, with the unanimous contribution of family members, doctors and other health-care workers, and with great respect for life,” he said after praying the Regina Coeli in St Peter’s Square on April 15.

Doctors have not been able to make a definitive diagnosis of 23-month-old Alfie Evans’ degenerative neurological condition; he has been on life-support at a children’s hospital in Liverpool.

However, doctors at the hospital have said keeping the toddler on life-support would be “futile,” and he should begin receiving palliative care. A high court judge backed a lower court’s ruling saying the hospital can go against the wishes of the family and withdraw life-support.

The other person the pope re-

ferred to was 41-year-old Vincent Lambert, who has been receiving artificial nutrition and hydration at a hospital in France after a motorcycle accident in 2008 left him paralysed and in a “minimally conscious state”.

Lambert’s wife and his doctor want to end continued nutrition and hydration while Lambert’s parents have brought their fight to a number of courts to continue basic life support for their son.

The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has in the past clarified that providing artificially administered nutrition and hydration to patients, including those in a vegetative state, is morally obligatory except when that support can no longer be assimilated by the patient’s body and, therefore, cannot achieve its purpose or causes significant discomfort.

Artificially administered nutrition and hydration cannot be discontinued for a patient even when physicians have determined with reasonable certainty that a patient will never recover consciousness, the doctrinal congregation said. n CNS

Aleksandr Volkov, spokesman for the Russian patriarchate.

Christians “cannot be silent when things like those of these

days are taking place in Syria,” Patriarch Kirill said.

Other patriarchs taking part in the initiative included Orthodox

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X of Antioch and all the East, according to Patriarch Kirill.

“Each of them has expressed a willingness to continue consultations to find a way to stop the bloodshed,” he added.

The Syrian Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs of Syria also publicly condemned the “brutal aggression” of the US-led allied missile attack and called upon all churches in the countries that participated to likewise condemn the attack and urge their governments to work towards international peace. n CNS

‘Is my dad in heaven?’ boy asks pope ROME – After circling a massive, crumbling public housing complex on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis had an emotional encounter with the neighbourhood’s children.

Question-and-answer sessions with youngsters are a standard part of Pope Francis’ parish visits. And, at St Paul of the Cross parish on April 15, there were the usual questions like, “How did you feel when you were elected pope?”

But then it was Emanuele’s turn. The young boy smiled at the pope as he approached the microphone. But then froze. “I can’t do it,” Emanuele said.

Msgr Leonardo Sapienza, a papal aide, encouraged the boy, but he kept saying, “I can’t.”

“Come, come to me, Emanuele,” the pope said. “Come and whisper it in my ear.”

Msgr Sapienza helped the boy up to the platform where the pope was seated. Emanuele was sobbing by that point, and Pope Francis enveloped him in a big embrace, patting his head and speaking softly to him.

With their heads touching, the pope and the boy spoke privately to each other before Emanuele returned to his seat.

“If only we could all cry like Emanuele when we have an ache in our hearts like he has,” the pope told the children.

Pope Francis embraces Emanuele, a boy whose father had died, as he visits St Paul of the Cross Parish in Rome on April 15. CNS photo

Pope Francis said he had asked Emanuele if he could share the boy’s question and the boy agreed. “‘A little while ago my father passed away. He was a nonbeliever, but he had all four of his children baptised. He was a good man. Is dad in heaven?’”

“How beautiful to hear a son say of his father, ‘He was good,’” the pope told the children. “And what a beautiful witness of a son who inherited the strength of his father, who had the courage to cry in front of all of us. If that man was able to make his children like that, then it’s true, he was a good man. He was a good man.

“God is the one who says who

goes to heaven,” the pope explained.

The next step in answering Emanuele’s question, he said, would be to think about what God is like and, especially, what kind of heart God has.

“Does God abandon His children?” the pope asked. “Does God abandon His children when they are good?”

The children shouted, “No.” “There, Emanuele, that is the answer,” the pope told the boy.

“God surely was proud of your father, because it is easier as a believer to baptise your children than to baptise them when you are not a believer. Surely this pleased God very much.” n CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Pope sorry for ‘serious mistakes’ in judging Chilean abuse cases

In a letter to the bishops of Chile, Pope Francis apologised for underestimating the seriousness of the sexual abuse crisis in the country.

CNS photo

He said he hopes to meet with Chilean sex abuse victims VATICAN CITY – In a letter to the bishops of Chile, Pope Francis apologised for underestimating the seriousness of the sexual abuse crisis in the country following a recent investigation into allegations concerning Bishop Juan Barros of Osorno.

The pope said he made “serious mistakes in the assessment and perception of the situation, especially due to a lack of truthful and balanced information.”

“I ask forgiveness of all those I have offended and I hope to be able to do it personally in the coming weeks,” the pope said in the letter, which was released by the Vatican on April 11. Several victims have apparently been invited to the Vatican to meet the pope.

Abuse victims alleged that Bishop Barros – then a priest – had witnessed their abuse by his mentor, Fr Fernando Karadima.

In 2011, Fr Karadima was sentenced to a life of prayer and penance by the Vatican after he was found guilty of sexually abusing boys. Fr Karadima denied the charges; he was not prosecuted civilly because the statute of limitations had run out.

Protesters and victims said Bishop Barros is guilty of protecting Fr Karadima and was physically present while some of the abuse was going on.

During his visit to Chile in January, Pope Francis asked forgiveness for the sexual abuses committed by some priests in Chile.

However, speaking to reporters, he pledged his support for Bishop Barros and said: “The day they bring me proof against Bishop Barros, I will speak. There is not one piece of evidence against him. It is calumny.”

He later apologised to the victims and admitted that his choice of words wounded many.

A short time later, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis was sending a trusted investigator, Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, to Chile to listen to people with information about Bishop Barros.

Pope Francis said Archbishop Scicluna and his aide, Fr Jordi Bertomeu Farnos, heard the testimonies of 64 people and presented him with more than 2,300 pages of documentation. Not all

of the witnesses spoke about Fr Karadima and Bishop Barros; several of them gave testimony about abuse alleged to have occurred at a Marist Brothers’ school.

After a “careful reading” of the testimonies, the pope said, “I believe I can affirm that all the testimonies collected speak in a brutal way, without additives or sweeteners, of many crucified lives and, I confess, it has caused me pain and shame.”

The pope said he was convening a meeting in Rome with the 34 Chilean bishops to discuss

the findings of the investigations and his own conclusions “without prejudices nor preconceived ideas, with the single objective of making the truth shine in our lives.”

Pope Francis said he wanted to meet with the bishops to discern immediate and long-term steps to “re-establish ecclesial communion in Chile in order to repair the scandal as much as possible and re-establish justice.”

Archbishop Scicluna and Fr Bertomeu, the pope said, had been overwhelmed by the “maturity, re-

I can affirm that all the testimonies collected ‘speak in a brutal way ... of many crucified lives

’

and, I confess, it has caused me pain and shame.

– Pope Francis

spect and kindness” of the victims who testified.

“As pastors,” the pope told the bishops, “we must express the same feeling and cordial gratitude to those who, with honesty [and] courage” requested to meet with the envoys and “showed them the wounds of their soul.”

Following the release of Pope Francis’ letter, Bishop Santiago Silva Retamales, president of the bishops’ conference and head of the military ordinariate, said the bishops of Chile would travel to the Vatican in the third week of May. The bishops, he said, shared in the pope’s pain.

“We have not done enough,” he said in a statement. “Our commitment is that this does not happen again.” n CNS

Abuse victims welcome pope’s letter SANTIAGO, CHILE – Victims of

clergy sexual abuse welcomed Pope Francis’ letter in which he apologised for underestimating

the seriousness of the crisis in Chile.

Mr James Hamilton, Mr Jose Andres Murillo and Mr Juan Carlos Cruz, victims of Fr Fernando Karadima, released a statement on April 11 saying

they appreciated the pope’s letter and were “evaluating the possibilities” for meeting with the pope.

“The damage committed by the hierarchy of the Chilean Church, to which the pope refers, has affected many people, not just us,” the victims said.

“The purpose of all our actions has always been about recognition, forgiveness and reparation for what has been suffered, and will continue to be so, until zero tolerance against abuse and concealment in the Church becomes a reality,” they said.

Pope Francis’ letter, released by the Vatican on April 11, asked “forgiveness of all those I have offended” and said he hoped to “be able to do it personally in the coming weeks.”

In an interview with CNN

CNS photos

Mr James Hamilton (left) and Mr Juan Carlos Cruz, victims of clergy sexual abuse, said they appreciated the pope’s letter.

Chile, Mr Cruz said he was grateful for the pope’s “unprecedented” apology and expression of shame, and he hoped to have a frank discussion with Pope Francis about the pain suffered by victims of abuse.

“We want to talk with him and humbly speak to him about for-

giveness and tell him not only everything we have experienced, but also to speak with him about the situation that many people have suffered, what we have suffered.

It happened not only in Chile but also in the United States, in Italy, in the whole world,” he said. n CNS

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

POPE FRANCIS 15

Spotlight on ‘saints next door’ in papal document

The apostolic exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate focuses on the call to holiness VATICAN CITY – God calls all

Christians to be saints – real people who make time for prayer and who show loving care for others in the simplest gestures, Pope Francis said in his new document on holiness.

“Do not be afraid of holiness.

It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy,” the pope wrote in Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), his apostolic exhortation on “the call to holiness in today’s world”.

The Vatican released it on April 9.

“With this exhortation I would like to insist primarily on the call to holiness that the Lord addresses to each of us, the call that he also addresses, personally, to you,” he wrote. Pope Francis focused mainly on how the call to holiness is a personal call, something God asks of each Christian and which requires a personal response.

“We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer,” he wrote. But “that is not the case.”

“We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves,” he said.

He wrote about “the saints next door” and said he likes “to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly Religious who never lose their smile”.

The path to holiness, he wrote, is almost always gradual, made up of small steps in prayer, in sacrifice and in service to others.

Being part of a parish community and receiving the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation, are essential supports for living a holy life, the pope wrote. And so is finding time for silent prayer.

“The holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures,” he said, before citing the example of a woman who refuses to gossip with a neighbour, returns home and listens patiently to her child even though she is tired, prays the rosary and later meets a poor person and offers him a kind word.

The title of the document was taken from Matthew 5:12 when Jesus says “rejoice and be glad” to those who are persecuted or humiliated for his sake.

The line concludes the Beatitudes, in which, Pope Francis said, “Jesus explained with great simplicity what it means to be holy”:

A family prays before meals. ‘We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves,’ said Pope Francis. CNS file photo

living simply, putting God first, trusting Him and not earthly wealth or power, being humble, mourning with and consoling others, being merciful and forgiving, working for justice and seeking peace with all.

The example of the saints officially recognised by the Church can be helpful, he said, but no one else’s path can be duplicated exactly.

Each person, he said, needs “to embrace that unique plan that God willed for each of us from eternity”.

The exhortation ends with a section on “discernment”, which is a gift to be requested of the Holy Spirit and developed through prayer, reflection, reading Scripture and seeking counsel from a trusted spiritual guide.

“A sincere daily ‘examination of conscience’” will help, he said, because holiness involves striving each day for “all that is great, better and more beautiful, while at

The pope said he likes to contemplate the holiness present in ‘parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families’.

Cover of Gaudete et Exsultate.

the same time being concerned for the little things, for each day’s responsibilities and commitments”.

Being holy is not easy, he said, but if the attempt makes a person

judgmental, always frustrated and surly, something is not right. “The saints are not odd and aloof, unbearable because of their vanity, negativity and bitterness,” he said.

“The apostles of Christ were not like that.”

In fact, the pope said, “Christian joy is usually accompanied

by a sense of humour.”

The document included many of Pope Francis’ familiar refrains about attitudes that destroy the Christian community, like gossip, or that proclaim themselves to be Christian, but are really forms of pride, like knowing all the rules and being quick to judge others for not following them.

Holiness “is not about swooning in mystic rapture”, he wrote, but about recognising and serving the Lord in the hungry, the stranger, the naked, the poor and the sick.

“Our defence of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred,” the pope wrote. “Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia....”

The document also included warnings about a clear lack of holiness demonstrated by some Catholics on Twitter or other social media, especially when commenting anonymously.

“It is striking at times,” he said, that “in claiming to uphold the other commandments, they completely ignore the eighth, which forbids bearing false witness or lying”.

Saints, on the other hand, “do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others; they can hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters, and avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others.”

The full document is at https:// w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/ en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-etexsultate.html n n See related story on page 27

16 OPINION

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

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REFLECTION

Do we give God our leftover time?

By Msgr Philip Heng, SJ Being in the Easter season, our Risen Lord would perhaps wish to specially “enlighten” us with “new” perspectives of how we are living our faith and relating to Him in our daily living. A question which we could reflect on is, “Do we give God our leftover time?”

If this question evokes an immediate, “No, not me,” then let us be more open to pondering on our faith more deeply and not take the way we live our faith for granted.

This is because our answer to this question reveals the quality of our relationship with Jesus.

We all have a very personal way of living our faith – whatever this may be. Some Christians may practise their faith in church and say their prayers, but such spiritual engagements are separated and have no significance to their secular living.

Other Christians may consider their faith from an individualistic point of view. To them, God is everywhere, and thus, there is no need to belong to an institutional Church with moral rules and practices.

Regardless of which group we belong to, do we give God only our ”leftover time”?

By “leftover time” I am referring to the quality and not the quantity of our time that we devote to God. Perhaps, it may be a helpful clarification if we ask ourselves, “Do I spend quality time with my family?”

By this we understand that a person can be at home the whole weekend, but may not be spending “quality” time with his family, if he/ she is engaged in and self-absorbed with office work or with computer games, social media or interests that distance him/her from the family.

However, quality time with our family need not necessarily mean that we have to be engaged in the actual “doing” of things with our family, but the quality of our “presence” with them.

The quality time we have for God can be sensed in asking ourselves, “In my daily living, how conscious and connected am I with Jesus?” In other words, do we only find ourselves connected to God only during our prayers, at Mass or when we are engaged in some spiritual reading and spiritual activities?

God is “present to us” and we need to try to love Him at all the times, in all places and with all peoples with whom we relate to or

God can be found, and wants to be found. It is a matter of “tuning in and sensing” where and how He is present to us in our lives. To find God and to allow God to find us, we need to live a more discerning life (to be addressed in future articles).

Let us begin our journey of “discovering” God’s presence in our ordinary and what seems to be routine living to us. Be more fully conscious and be assured that when we pay special attention to God’s presence during the

The quality time we have for God can be sensed in asking ourselves, ‘In my daily living, how conscious and connected am I with Jesus?’ come into contact. He is indeed in our midst, in our minds and within our hearts. He is in our moments of joys, pain, sorrows and trials too.

Very often, many of us have the tendency to dichotomise and “create” an “artificial space” where God is to be found. In such distorted perspectives, we subconsciously relate to God only in church, at prayer and in spiritual activities, and live as though He is “absent” in our secular daily activities.

Indeed, God is “present” to us at all times and in all situations.

day, our day would be lived with greater meaning and purpose.

Such a change of perspectives “draws” us into a “newness” of life, and the Risen Lord’s Spirit will nurture us into knowing, believing and loving Him more personally and the Church more wholeheartedly. Indeed, the quality of our lives will improve and we will become more conscious of not giving God our leftover time. n Msgr Heng is the rector of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

Reasons to believe in God TODAY, belief in God is often seen as a naiveté. For many, believing in God is like believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny – nice, something for the kids, a warm nostalgia or a bitter memory, but not something that’s real, that stands up to hard scrutiny and indeed stands up to the dark doubts that sometimes linger below the surface of our faith. Where’s the evidence that God exists?

A true apologetics, I believe, needs at a point to be personal. So here are my own reasons why I continue to believe in God in the face of the agnosticism of our overly-adult world and despite the dark nights that sometimes beset me.

First, I believe in God because I sense, at the deepest level of my being, that there’s an inalienable moral structure to things.

Life, love and meaning are morally-contoured. There’s an inalienable “law” that’s experienced everywhere and in everything: good behaviour is its own happiness, just as bad behaviour is its own sorrow. Different religions word it differently but the concept is at the heart of all religions and is in essence the very definition of morality: The measure you measure out will be the measure that’s measured back to you. Simply put: If we cut down too many trees we will soon be breathing in carbon monoxide.

I believe in God because blind chaos could not have designed things to be innately moral. Only an intelligent Goodness could have built reality this way.

My next reason for believing in God is the existence of soul, intelligence, love, altruism and art. These could not have emerged simply from blind chaos, from billions and billions of cosmic bingo chips coming out of nothing, with no intelligent loving force behind them, endlessly churning through billions of years. Random chaos, empty of all intelligence and love from its origins, could not have eventually produced soul and all that’s highest inside it: intelligence, love, altruism, spirituality and art.

Can our own hearts and all that’s noble and precious within them really be just the result of billions of fluke chances colliding within a brute, mindless process?

I believe in God because if our hearts are real, then so is God. Next, I believe in God because the Gospel works – if we work it. What Jesus incarnated and taught ultimately resonates with what’s most precious, most noble and most meaningful inside of life and inside each of us. Moreover, this checks out in life.

Whenever I have the faith and courage to actually live out the Gospel, it always proves to be true. But it doesn’t work unless I risk it. The Gospel works, if we work it.

The objection could be raised here, of course, that many sincere, faith-filled people risk their lives and truth on the Gospel and, from all appearances in this world, it doesn’t work for them.

They end up poor, as victims, on the losing side of things. But again, that’s a judgment we make from the standards of this world, from the Gospel of Prosperity where whoever has the most worldly success wins. The Gospel of Jesus undercuts this.

Anyone who lives it out as faithfully as he or she is able, will be blessed with something beyond worldly success, namely, the deeper joy of a life well-lived, a joy which Jesus assures us is deeper, less ephemeral, and more lasting that any other joy.

I believe in God because the Gospel works! As does prayer!

Finally, though certainly not least, I believe in God because of the community of faith that stretches back to the beginning of time, that stretches back to the life and resurrection of Jesus, and that baptised me into the faith. Throughout all of history virtually all human communities have been also communities of faith, of belief in God, of worship, and of sacred ritual and sacrament.

I believe in God because of the existence of families of faith and the existence of Church and sacrament.

We don’t come to believe in God because of the compelling power of some mathematical equation or logical syllogism.

God’s existence becomes real to us when we live an honest, sincere life. n

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

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Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, April 22 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Next October, the fifteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will meet to discuss the theme of young people and in particular the relationship between young people, faith and vocation. There we will have a chance to consider more deeply how, at the centre of our life, is the call to joy that God addresses to us and how this is “God’s plan for men and women in every age” (Synod of bishops, XV ordinary general assembly, Young People, The Faith and Vocational Discernment, Introduction).

The 55th World Day of Prayer for Vocations once again proclaims this good news to us, and in a decisive manner. We are not victims of chance or swept up in a series of unconnected events; on the contrary, our life and our presence in this world are the fruit of a divine vocation!

Even amid these troubled times, the mystery of the Incarnation reminds us that God continually comes to encounter us. He is God-with-us, who walks along the often dusty paths of our lives.

He knows our anxious longing for love and He calls us to joy. In the diversity and the uniqueness of each and every vocation, personal and ecclesial, there is a need to listen, discern and live this word that calls to us from on high and, while enabling us to develop our talents, makes us instruments of salvation in the world and guides us to full happiness.

These three aspects – listening, discerning and living – were also present at the beginning of Jesus’ own mission, when, after His time of prayer and struggle in the desert, He visited his synagogue of Nazareth. There, He listened to the word, discerned the content of the mission entrusted to Him by the Father, and proclaimed that He came to accomplish it “today” (Lk 4:16-21).

Listening The Lord’s call – let it be said at the outset – is not as clear-cut as any of those things we can hear, see or touch in our daily experience. God comes silently and discreetly, without imposing on our freedom. Thus it can happen that His voice is drowned out by the many worries and concerns that fill our minds and hearts.

We need, then, to learn how to listen carefully to His word and the story of His life, but also to be attentive to the details of our own

daily lives, in order to learn how to view things with the eyes of faith, and to keep ourselves open to the surprises of the Spirit.

We will never discover the special, personal calling that God has in mind for us if we remain enclosed in ourselves, in our usual way of doing things, in the apathy

of those who fritter away their lives in their own little world. We would lose the chance to dream big and to play our part in the unique and original story that God wants to write with us.

Jesus too, was called and sent.

That is why He needed to recollect Himself in silence. He listened to and read the word in the

noise that sometimes prevails in our cities and our neighbourhoods is often accompanied by our interior dispersion and confusion. This prevents us from pausing and enjoying the taste of contemplation, reflecting serenely on the events of our lives, going about our work with confidence in God’s loving plan,

and making a fruitful discernment.

Yet, as we know, the kingdom of God comes quietly and unobtrusively (cf. Lk 17:21), and we can only gather its seeds when, like the prophet Elijah, we enter into the depths of our soul and are open to the imperceptible whisper of the divine breeze (cf. 1 Kg 19:11-13).

The kingdom of God comes quietly and unobtrusively and we can only gather its seeds when we enter into the depths of our soul and are open to the imperceptible whisper of the divine breeze. synagogue, and with the light and strength of the Holy Spirit He revealed its full meaning, with reference to His own person and the history of the people of Israel.

Nowadays, listening is becoming more and more difficult, immersed as we are in a society full of noise, overstimulated and bombarded by information. The outer

Discerning When Jesus, in the synagogue of Nazareth, reads the passage of the prophet Isaiah, He discerns the content of the mission for which He was sent, and presents it to those who awaited the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Lk 4:18-19).

In the same way, each of us can discover his or her own vocation only through spiritual discernment.

This is “a process by which a person makes fundamental choices, in dialogue with the Lord and listening to the voice of the Spirit, starting with the choice of one’s state in life” (Synod of bishops, XV ordinary general assembly, Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment, II, 2).

Thus we come to discover that Christian vocation always has a prophetic dimension. The Scriptures tell us that the prophets were sent to the people in situations of great material insecurity and of spiritual and moral crisis, in order to address in God’s name a message of conversion, hope and consolation. Like a whirlwind, the prophet unsettles the false tranquility of consciences that have forgotten the word of the Lord.

He discerns events in the light of God’s promise and enables people to glimpse the signs of dawn amid the dark shadows of history.

Today too, we have great need of discernment and of prophecy.

We have to resist the temptations of ideology and negativity, and to discover, in our relationship with

the Lord, the places, the means and situations through which He calls us. Every Christian ought to grow in the ability to “read within” his or her life, and to understand where and to what he or she is being called by the Lord, in order to carry on His mission.

Living Lastly, Jesus announces the newness of the present hour, which will enthuse many and harden the heart of others. The fullness of time has come, and he is the Messiah proclaimed by Isaiah and anointed to liberate prisoners, to restore sight to the blind and to proclaim the merciful love of God to every creature. Indeed, Jesus says that “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk 4:21).

The joy of the Gospel, which makes us open to encountering God and our brothers and sisters, does not abide our slowness and our sloth. It will not fill our hearts if we keep standing by the window with the excuse of waiting for the right time, without accepting this very day the risk of making a decision. Vocation is today! The Christian mission is now! Each one of us is called – whether to the lay life in marriage, to the priestly life in the ordained ministry, or to a life of special consecration – in order to become a witness of the Lord, here and now.

This “today” that Jesus proclaimed assures us that God continues to “come down” to save our human family and to make us sharers in His mission. The Lord continues to call others to live with Him and to follow Him in a relationship of particular closeness. He continues to call others to serve Him directly. If He lets us realise that He is calling us to consecrate ourselves totally to His kingdom, then we should have no fear! It is beautiful – and a great grace – to be completely and forever consecrated to God and the service of our brothers and sisters.

Today the Lord continues to call others to follow Him. We should not wait to be perfect in order to respond with our generous “yes”, nor be fearful of our limitations and sins, but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord. To listen to that voice, to discern our personal mission in the Church and the world, and at last to live it in the today that God gives us.

May Mary Most Holy, who as a young woman living in obscurity heard, accepted and experienced the Word of God made flesh, protect us and accompany us always on our journey. n

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Learning to balance the ‘ups and downs’ of priesthood Since his ordination to the priesthood in August 2016, there have been many “ups and downs” in his vocation, says Fr Cornelius Ching.

However, “nothing has surprised me,” he said, adding that his time in the seminary benefitted him and other seminarians as they were able to “share about their pastoral experiences” after returning from respective attachments to a parish.

Fr Cornelius, 41, said he enjoys accompanying people through good and bad times, and also couples through the joys of marriage.

“Another thing is watching the youths grow, especially their faith life,” he said.

Throughout his journey so far, one challenge for him has been balancing the expectations of laypeople.

“Sometimes they forget we are human too,” said Fr Cornelius.

Also, people today are more educated, therefore the questions they ask are more complicated, he said.

As priests, we must really know what we are preaching, he added.

One major challenge is serving people going through vastly different life experiences.

“There was one day when I had a funeral to do in the morning.

Afterwards I had to go celebrate a wedding Mass before leaving that for another funeral. It was not the easiest of experiences,” said Fr Cornelius.

Despite the challenges, he said he constantly reminds himself of what Archbishop William Goh once said: Bring everything back to your prayer life and the rest will fall in place.

However, there are certain trends in the Church that bother him, such as the rise of individualism.

“People are more self-centred,

Fr Cornelius Ching’s advice to those thinking of joining the priesthood: ‘Be true to your heart and be ready to take that leap of faith.’

the word ‘I’ is very strong and it’s something that needs to be addressed,” he said.

Even in marriages, there is a lot of individualism which harms the relationship, he added.

Another concern is that young people have become scepti-

Bring everything back to your prayer life and the rest will fall in place.

– Fr Cornelius Ching on dealing with challenges

cal about the faith. They do not make time for prayer because of their busyness, said Fr Cornelius.

“It makes it difficult to reach out to those with such a mindset.”

One way that the Church can reach out to those estranged from it is to “better understand the challenges of the people,” he said.

This would involve journeying with those seeking to know more about the faith and meeting them where they are at in life.

Also, “seminarians should

have some working experiences” so they can better understand people’s situations, he said.

His advice to those thinking of joining the priesthood: “It will be a challenge, especially for those seeking stability in their lives. In the priesthood, everyday has new challenges and you never know what can happen ... However, be true to your heart and be ready to take that leap of faith.” n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Redemptorist shares his priestly journey, talks about joys, struggles

By Jared Ng Reflecting on his vocation since being ordained on Sept 8, 2016, Redemptorist Fr Francis Vijayan says that the priesthood “has been a growing experience,” one which has made him more aware of his “limitations”.

Some of these, he said, are whether he has lived up to the role he has been called to and if he is inspiring vocations through his work as a priest.

Others include dealing with the workload as well as people’s expectations of him as a priest.

At the end of the day, though the challenges are many, Fr Francis, 35, said he brings it all back to God. “He makes up for my limitations, my flaws. I try and remind myself everyday of His presence.”

On what have been some of the joys of his priesthood, Fr Francis said that “journeying with and encountering people where they are at” is something he enjoys.

Also, “counselling people about marriage, addictions and other issues.”

With the young people, he said that he has been doing a lot of “fathering”.

‘The use of technology has to be guided by a moral compass.’

Technology should not replace face-to-face relationships, said Fr Francis Vijayan.

Redemptorist Fr Francis Vijayan said that ‘counselling people about marriage, addictions and other issues’ is something he enjoys as a priest.

“Others my age are probably fathers now. My role as a ‘father’ towards the young people is really journeying and listening to their struggles and concerns. To be more of a friend

or brother for them,” he said.

Fr Francis also touched on some significant issues in today’s society.

“The use of technology has to be guided by a moral compass,” he said

adding that technology should not replace face-to-face relationships.

He also warned that there are a lot of distractions that come with technology, leaving no time for silence and reflection.

Fr Francis also stressed that a lot of “accompaniment and acceptance” is needed for those with different sexual orientations, and it is important to let them know that the Church welcomes them.

One of Fr Francis’ main responsibility is overseeing the media ministry in Novena Church.

The ministry is looking to “revamp” its media platforms for “long-term sustainability and to better connect with the people,” he said.

Fr Francis also compared being called to be a priest or Religious to falling in love. “When you love God, you will be doing things you never thought you would,” he said. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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Nuns’ sewing ministry a gift to the Church

By Jared Ng Four Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) Sisters and their five laywomen helpers perform a unique ministry at the Atelier or Workroom, located next to the FMM Convent at 49D Holland Road.

Here, they produce Church vestments: chasubles, bishop vests, copes and mitres, surplices, stoles, choir gowns and baptismal gowns. Other items include altar linens and lectern cloths, and banners for Church organisations and schools.

The late FMM Srs Lilianne Lebel, a French-Canadian, and Sr Ciro, an Italian, launched the vestry ministry in 1954. They felt that the FMM Sisters in Singapore could provide vestments for local and regional clergy as a service.

The ministry began with re-

quests from parish priests for vestments to be mended. As time went on, they asked if liturgical vestments could be produced, adapted to the local climate. So it was that Sr Lilianne, with her artistic talent, designed vestments in lighter material. She formulated designs to emulate the liturgical themes.

The workroom not only serves the Catholic Church, but also other Christian Churches both locally and regionally.

During Pope John Paul II’s visit to Singapore in 1986, the workroom had the honour of making the vestments to be used by priests during the Mass celebrated by the future saint.

Although most of the work is done manually or using sewing machines, Sr Teresa Lee said that the advancement in technology has contributed greatly to their work. Computers are now used

Sisters minister to the intellectually disabled SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – In the

nautical world, a “spar” is the straight pole used to support the sails and rigging of a ship.

In the world of faith and the ministry of the Daughters of St Mary of Providence in the Syracuse diocese, New York, SPAR is the support offered to Catholics with intellectual disabilities to help them to recognise the presence of God in their daily lives.

The Sisters’ Special Adult Religious Formation Program apostolate (SPAR) operates in accordance with the Catholic Church’s teaching that “all baptised persons with disabilities have a right to adequate catechesis and deserve the means to develop a relationship with God.” In Syracuse, the Sisters concentrate on offering support for older teens and adults with intellectual disabilities who, when they were of school age, were not able to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. They are offered a catechetical programme designed with them in mind.

The foundation of the Sisters’ apostolate is “respect for life and dignity of every human person,” according to the Sisters’ Guanellian ethics code, named after the congregation’s co-founder, St Louis (Luigi) Guanella.

CNS photo

Sr Kathy Stark poses with a young lady that her programme serves.

The programme helps those with intellectual disabilities recognise the presence of God in their lives.

“We hope to contribute to the good of every person who must be helped to live his or her life with conditions that require support, attention and care,” the code says.

In the US, the Sisters made their primary concern caring for and teaching the faith to those with intellectual disabilities.

For those adults with intellectual disabilities who have received religious and sacramental education through their parishes, SPAR offers a continuing formation programme once a month to help deepen the faith planted and grown in their families and parishes. n CNS

Sr Teresa Lee, FMM, (far left), seen here with other FMM Sisters and laypeople who work in the Atelier.

for sewing certain designs, some of which are formulated using Asian motifs.

Despite their busy schedule, Sr Teresa said they also make time for people who visit and are in need of prayers and a listening ear.

When asked what the future holds for the Atelier, Sr Teresa smiled and said, “As long as there is a need, we will always continue our service here.”

For more information about the Atelier, email fmm.litvest@ gmail.com or call 6405 4056. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

An FMM Sister using a sewing machine at the Atelier.

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Priest who was a former bar owner helps people overcome addictions QUEBEC CITY, CANADA – Re-

demptorist Fr Andre Morency used to own a bar. But after his ordination in the early 1990s, he founded a unique shelter in Quebec City, Canada, where he has dedicated his life and ministry to offering a Catholic space for the men and women whose lives capsized because of alcohol addiction, drugs or gambling.

Fr Morency knows something about regaining control of life. In his 20s, he owned a bar in Shawinigan-Sud, the city where he grew up. But in his early 30s, within one year he went bankrupt and parted ways with his fiancee.

In his office at the St Alphonse Fraternity, the shelter he founded, volunteers and residents come and go, greeting him and seeking his advice. In his large armchair, he spoke with serenity about the darkest years of his life.

“For three months I didn’t want to see anyone. I kept my blinds shut, alone with my pride.

One day, I don’t know, I got up one morning, it was sunny, and I looked outside and said, ‘No, my life doesn’t stop here.’”

He became a Redemptorist brother in 1981, at 33. During his

novitiate, he started working at Lauberiviere, a Quebec City shelter for homeless people. There, he developed “the love of the poor.”

But he also realised he could go much further spiritually with alcoholics and drug addicts if he were a priest.

“If God wants you to be a priest, studies won’t get in your way,” said his superior at the time.

“He gave me a list of classes. Because of my age and my schooling – I dropped out of school in grade 10 – he told me to get a certificate.”

“I struggled,” he said. “Every night I prayed: God, if it’s not my place, give me a sign, I’ll stop right there, it won’t be long. I really prayed to know if it was my place. But I always got the passing grade. Even on the morning of ordination on May 5, 1990, I said, if it’s not my place, give me a sign!”

Inspired by his experience at Lauberiviere, he founded the St Alphonse Fraternity.

“When I was chatting with the guys, they showed me that there was no place for them. No place where they could express their faith. A homeless man, sitting in a church, is still seen as a homeless man. People won’t talk to him.

That’s when I started thinking about having a place where people could live their faith, and make it grow,” he said.

His youngest boarder is 23. His oldest is 72 and has just spent 10 years in prison. Though tensions sometimes arise among the 30 boarders, Fr Morency said he never had to deal with violent outbursts and, in three decades, he only had one close call.

For me, the person ‘entering this house is Christ suffering.’

– Fr Andre Morency

“I always tell the guys that if they’re here, it’s because God is sending them here. Why? It’s in their relationship with Him that they’ll find out. God is waiting for them here. For me, the person entering this house is Christ suffering,” he explained.

“It’s not a matter of expecting you to go church every Sunday, I tell them. It’s a question of knowing that the day you’ll want to leave the house, you’ll know you’re not

Redemptorist Fr Andre Morency founded the St Alphonse Fraternity in 1994, a place where he helps his boarders overcome alcohol, drug and gambling addictions. CNS photo

alone. That you have someone in front of you. That you can hold on to Him, that you can ask Him

for strength, to help you. Temptations will come for you. Speak to Him like He’s your buddy.” n CNS

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Priest-physician helps the sick, ministers to others OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – At the bottom of the Pilgrims’ Path leading to the Oakland’s Cathedral of Christ the Light stands the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California, a tiny space where more than 25,000 times over the past nine years, patients with no medical insurance have been treated.

The clinic is staffed primarily by volunteer doctors and nurses who provide medical care without an insurance card or co-payment, and with a major dose of compassion.

Among the clinic’s latest additions is a physician who wears a white coat embroidered with his name. And beneath that coat is a Roman collar.

In the clinic, he’s Dr Diaz. Up that path at the cathedral, where he serves as parochial vicar, he’s Fr Diaz.

“My first vocation was a priestly vocation,” Jesuit Fr Francisco Javier Diaz said. “Everything started from there.”

“I was 10 years old when I felt called to become a priest,” he told The Catholic Voice, newspaper of Oakland diocese.

He told his parents. He recalled their reply. “You need to grow up first before you join Religious life.”

“Eventually I came to terms,” he said. “I was not going to join

a monastery at 12.” But he was a Boy Scout, and an aptitude for first aid led him to consider how medicine might help him serve.

He described the journey through medical school as “tough, when you have your heart always

Jesuit Fr Francisco Javier Diaz is a physician and parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland. CNS photo

driven to Mass and Religious life.”

He finished medical school, he said, “with the support of my classmates.” He finished, too, without “doing things that were contrary to my conscience.” He avoided, for example, opportunities to attend surgery for sterilisation.

He began practising medicine

after his graduation. “I studied medicine as a work of mercy,” he said.

“I started volunteering my services as a doctor in a public clinic,” he said. “When I came there, I said I just wanted to give my time. The state provided my education ... I practised for three years, mostly with youth at risk.”

Eventually, he entered the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus. His formation put his medical experience in the background at first. He was allowed to serve as an interpreter at a medical clinic, and visit Loyola University Chicago to help students.

After his fourth year, he was sent to Chicago to pass the examination to allow him to practise in the United States. He began his medical residency at Texas Tech in El Paso.

After his residency, he practised at Catholic Charities of Washington, DC. In June 2016, he realised the calling that he had at 10: He was ordained a priest in Spokane, Washington.

Fr Diaz welcomes the opportunity to serve in the medical clinic and the cathedral parish.

He sees himself as a “priest-physician. I see my work there brings up the works of mercy, the hospitality of the cathedral. It is not separate. It is a part of our Catholic heart.” n CNS

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New app designed to help users discover vocations The app is available for downMANCHESTER, ENGLAND – The Catholic Church in England and load free of charge onto iPhone Wales has launched a cellphone and Android devices from the app designed to help users deep- God Calls website at www.goden their faith and discover their calls.co.uk.

Sr Elaine Penrice, a Daughter vocations.

The “God Calls” app was of St Paul who serves as the Relicommissioned by the National gious life promoter of the vocation Office for Vocation of the Bish- office, told Catholic News Service ops’ Conference of England and that the app was proposed two years ago as part of a strategy to help Wales as a “spiritual toolkit.” “build a positive The app invocations culcludes daily ture in our local prayers and Church.” meditations on “This means the Gospel and that everybody the lives of the should feel saints, as well as called by God,” a news section she said in an and Twitter feed email, “firstly to connect users to universal hoto the life of the The God Calls app has been liness, and in a Church.

It also in- launched to help Catholics deep- particular way of life or work.” cludes a journal en their faith. CNS photo “The app so that users can monitor their spiritual growth and was one of the ways we thought understand more clearly how God we might be able to help people – especially young people – to think might be calling them.

The vocations office said in about their relationship with God, a statement that Catholics would and how to make that relationship see their faith grow if they used concrete every day,” she said.

“We have no specific targets the app regularly.

“Gradually – God never pres- of how many downloads we seek sures – you’ll discern the divine but, of course, more is better, so calling He’s crafting for your fu- that the word of God goes to the ture, your happiness, your soul,” ends of the world,” added Sr Penrice. n CNS the statement said.

FOCUS 27

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

As young people speak to Church, they must also listen to Jesus VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church wants to listen to young people and know where they are coming from, but young Catholics must be ready to listen to Jesus and discover where He wants to lead them, Pope Francis said.

“Are you willing to listen to Jesus and change something about yourselves?” he asked young people from the northern Italian Diocese of Brescia, the birthplace of Blessed Paul VI. Each person should reflect and ask themselves, “Am I willing to make Jesus’ dreams my own?

Or am I afraid that His dreams may ‘disturb’ my dreams?” the pope said on April 7 during an audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall.

Pope Francis said it was his heartfelt desire that the Church truly listen to young people and their hopes, dreams, fears and concerns.

“And when I say, ‘truly listen’, I also mean the willingness to change something, to walk together, to share dreams,” he told the young people.

However, while it is hoped young people can help the Church change so that it can better carry out its mission, young people also must listen and be willing to change, he said.

‘Are you willing

to listen to Jesus and change something about yourselves?’

– Pope Francis to young Italians

Pope Francis greets young people from the Italian Diocese of Brescia in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. He asked them if they were willing to embrace Jesus’ dream for humanity. CNS photo

He asked those in the audience hall if they were willing to listen to what Jesus has planned for them and “also change in order to embrace this dream” of His? What is Jesus’ dream for humanity, the pope asked.

“It is called the kingdom of God,” which is “love for God and love among us, forming a great family of brothers and sisters with God as father, who loves all of His children and is full of joy” when the one who was lost comes home, he said.

Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,” the pope noted. The word “deny,” the pope said, can sound a bit harsh, but the Lord is not referring to denying divine gifts of life, love, one’s body or relationships.

People are asked to deny or renounce the “old” self – the “old man,” the self-centred, selfish person – who does not follow the “logic of God, the logic of love”, but its opposite, “the logic of egoism” while hiding selfish pursuits behind a “good facade,” he said.

Jesus, he said, died on the cross to free people from being enslaved to their old self – to being selfish, being attached to material riches and vices.

“It is sin that makes us die inside,” Pope Francis said.

“Only He, Jesus, can save us from this evil, but that requires our collaboration, that each one of us would say, ‘Jesus, forgive me; give me a heart like yours, humble and full of love.’” n CNS

Joy, holiness – fundamental components of pope’s document

By Fr Geoffrey A. Brooke Jr “Evangelii Gaudium,” “Amoris Laetitia” and, now, “Gaudete et Exsultate”. What do they have in common? They were written by Pope Francis? Yes. They are apostolic exhortations? Yes. More important? Joy. Although joy is not only the thing that these three challenging texts of Pope Francis have in common, it is the way one should approach reading “Gaudete et Exsultate” (“Rejoice and Be Glad”) – it provides a key of how to interpret and understand the document.

“Gaudete et Exsultate” is what is called an apostolic exhortation. It is not a solemn proclamation of dogma regarding a particular infallible and immutable truth contained within supernatural revelation.

No one should treat it as such a proclamation.

However, all Catholics should still listen and take to heart what the Holy Father has to say.

The document should be received and read as it was intended

by its author: as an exhortation.

An exhortation is meant to challenge every Catholic. It is not just for theologians, bishops, priests or Religious.

It is a document addressed to all to help them more fully live out some aspect of their Catholic faith. In this case, the challenge is to holiness, and more specifically how joy is a part of that universal call.

Looking more specifically at the text, one can identity three key steps that culminate in joy.

The first such step is the universal call to holiness. Pope Francis affirms that “to be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a Religious” (no. 14).

The universality of this call to holiness can be seen in the examples given by Pope Francis, in which he refers to parents, grandparents, husbands and wives.

Later, he also speaks of communities not just in reference to consecrated Religious, but also the community that is formed by families and parishes.

Not only does the universal-

Shopping encounters, participating in the liturgy, recognising the poor and having a sense of humour are all highlighted as elements of life where holiness can be integrated and expressed. ity of the call to holiness apply to these different kinds of groups, but holiness also applies universally to the different aspects of a person’s life.

The second key of the document leading towards joy is that holiness affects all parts of a person’s life.

Shopping encounters, mourn-

ing death, participating in the liturgy, recognising the poor, prayer, humour, the small everyday things and much more all make significant appearances as elements of one’s life where holiness can be integrated and expressed.

Last, the culminating step is that of joy itself. Joy is meant to be the expression of holiness found throughout all the varied parts of one’s life. No, this does not mean that a life of holiness will be devoid of difficulties and challenges. Pope Francis recognises that reality too.

The question and the point of the exhortation is that in the face of those challenges, and in each and every other part of our lives, there is holiness expressed through joy.

All are invited to read the exhortation and examine for themselves which parts of their lives might be lacking in holiness and where joy can be more fully expressed. n CNS Fr Brooke is a priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, USA.

28

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Word had reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the apostle Peter had done something outrageous while visiting the town of Joppa.

Not only had Peter agreed to enter the home of a gentile in Caesarea, but he also preached the Gospel to the man’s family and friends and baptised them!

The apostles and the other believers were shocked. Jews were not allowed to associate with gentiles. Peter’s friends demanded an explanation.

Peter said that he had been praying while he was visiting in Joppa when he had a vision. He described seeing a large sheet in the sky.

“Looking intently into it, I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles and the birds of the sky,” Peter

said. “I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’”

Peter said he refused “because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.”

The voice said in reply, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.”

After hearing this three times, the vision ended, Peter said. Then the Holy Spirit told him to go with the men who were coming to see him.

“The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating,” Peter explained.

So Peter and six other believers went with the three gentiles to the home of Cornelius, a gentile who had found favour with God. Peter learned that an angel of God had visited Cornelius and told him to summon Peter, who would speak the word that would

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Petronax St Petronax (d. 747) was from Brescia, Italy, and joined the Benedictines.

In 717, he travelled to the ruins of an abbey at Monte Cassino. The hermits living in the ruins elected him as their superior.

The saint rebuilt the abbey and it once again became very famous.

Many people either joined the order or wanted to visit because it was such a friendly and holy place.

We honour Petronax on May 6. n

save Cornelius and his household.

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as it had upon us at the beginning,” Peter said, “and I remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said, ‘John baptised with water but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift He gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?”

Peter’s friends began to glorify

God.

“God has then granted life-giving repentance to the gentiles too,” they said. n Read more about it: Acts 11

Q&A 1. What was the vision Peter had?

2. Whose house did Peter go to?

Wordsearch: n AGREE

n VOICE

n WORD

n HOLY

n AWARE n JOIN

n CHURCH

n VISION

n PETER

n ABBEY

n ANGEL

n PREACH

BIBLE TRIVIA: What was Cornelius’ occupation?

(Hint: Acts 10:1)

Bible Accent:

What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.

Answer to puzzle: call you clean God has to profane made are not what Answer to Bible Trivia: He was a centurion.

When the gentiles were first being converted, a debate arose: Should they also become Jews and follow the Mosaic law?

In Acts 15, we read that Paul, Barnabas and some others went to Jerusalem to ask the apostles.

The apostles and the presbyters, who also were Church leaders, discussed the question with help from the Holy Spirit.

After much debate, Peter arose.

“You are well aware that from early days God made His choice among you that through my mouth the gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe,” he said.

“And God ... bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as He did us. ... Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?”

James also shared his thoughts.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the gentiles who turn to God,” he said, “but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.”

So Paul, Barnabas and some others delivered a letter to the gentiles, telling them they did not have to become Jews and follow the entire Mosaic law in order to follow Jesus, but to avoid the things that James had mentioned.

“If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right,” they told the gentiles. n

PUZZLE: Unscramble the words and arrange them in the correct order to make a sentence from the children’s story: lacl uyo nelac ogd sha ot neafrop dame rae ton htwa ____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

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____

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____

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS

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

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

FEB 27 TO MAY 22 UNCOVERING ST MARK’S GOSPEL

BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ Every Tuesday from 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.

APRIL 4 TO MAY 2 BASIC CATECHIST COURSE 2 – INTRODUCTION TO MORALITY Time: 7.30pm-10pm. Venue: CAEC, 2 Highland Rd. Speaker: Fr David Garcia.

This course seeks to provide catechists with an overview of the fundamental guiding principles of morality. For more information,W: www.catechesis.org.sg.

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

Register online at: www.goo.gl/UMsUPS. APRIL 21 TO MAY 19 CLARITY’S SELF-WORTH INTRODUCTORY AND SMALL GROUP WORKSHOPS Every Saturday from 10am-noon. Join us for a four-session workshop to understand self-worth, its importance and impact in your life. Through various activities and exercises, practise ways to recognise and replace self-defeating thoughts. Learn how to love and accept yourself in spite of your imperfections and how to make your life more meaningful. Venue: Blk 854 Yishun Ring Rd. Cost: $15 per person.

For more information, T: 67577990.

APRIL 22 TO APRIL 28 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER @ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING The Sojourners’ Companions invites you to learn how to pray with Scripture and develop a closer relationship with the Lord.

April 22: 2pm-5pm (taster). April 23-27: Daily 30mins @ home + 30mins with personal prayer guide at a convenient time between 9am-10pm. April 28: 2pm5pm (closure). Venue: Church of Christ The King. Cost: $30. To register: W: www. sojourners.sg; W: wogp@sojourners.sg.

For more information, visit the parish office on the weekend of April 14 and 15.

APRIL 27 TO APRIL 29 CHOICE APRIL WEEKEND It takes that one weekend to inspire you for the rest of your life. Come away for a Choice Weekend – it is by the choices we make that we define what our life is all about. Venue: Choice Retreat House, 47 Jurong West Street 42, S649368. For more information: 97900537 (Hillary); T: 97109680 (Francesca); W: http://www.choice.org.sg/?page_id=8.

MAY 3 TO MAY 31 BIBLE STUDY DVD PANORAMA OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Every Thursday. A four-session DVD programme (no class on May 17). Time: 8pm-10pm. Come and join us to get a bird’s eye view of how all the different books of the Old Testament fit into the messianic coming of Christ. Venue: Church of Christ the King, Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, St Mary’s Room Lvl 3. To register: T: 98321538; E: ctkbat@hotmail.com.

Workbook to be purchased – cost: $25.

MAY 5 A GRAND EASTER CONCERT Presented by Ad Orientem Solisti, this fundraising Easter concert features an orchestra of accomplished young musicians playing some of the most beloved Christian music, both contemporary and traditional.

It includes works by Mozart, Vivaldi and Ernst Bloch. All proceeds go to Assisi Hospice.Venue: Church of St Mary of the Angels, 5 Bukit Batok East Ave 2.

Tickets at $10 available at Canticle Books + Gifts at St Mary’s Church and CANA (Waterloo St). For more information, E: craft2concert@gmail.com.

MAY 17 CONNECTED PARENTS, THRIVING KIDS Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Learn how to connect with your children to express understanding, validation and affirmation for who they are becoming. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $30. To register: W: http://tinyurl. com/parentsxkid; T: 64676072.

MAY 19 FINDING GOD THROUGH WRITING Time: 10am-4.30pm. Come and spend a day to connect with God through writing and journalling. Learn to explore and express your innermost thoughts and feelings through activities and writing exercises.

Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Cost: $80. To register: W: http:// tinyurl.com/Godwriting; T: 64676072.

MAY 25 TO MAY 29 LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD RETREAT A stay-in retreat open to Catholics above the age of 21. Come away and allow yourselves to be encountered by the Lord. Programme includes daily Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, talks, praise and worship sessions and spiritual counselling. Retreat master: Fr Terence Pereira. To register: W: www.one.org.sg/ events. Organised by Office for the New Evangelisation.

MAY 26 TO MAY 29 COME AWAY (BEACH RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS) A Cenacle programme. Take a holiday in a meaningful way in this “play and pray” retreat designed to help us grow and deepen our faith despite our busy lifestyle. Following the pattern of the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, these days offer tips on self-care, daily discernment and a way of finding God in all things and time. For more information, E: cenaclemissionsingapore@ gmail.com; W: cenaclemission.com.

MAY 30 HOW TO MAKE STRESS YOUR FRIEND Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Based on the latest research by Dr Kelly McGonigal, learn how the handling of stress can either shorten or extend our healthy life span. Facilitator: Fr Matthew Linn, SJ. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $50 ($80 if also attending “What is the Key to Happiness talk”). To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ MattLinn18; T: 64676072.

MAY 31 WHAT IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS? Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Where are the happiest people in the world, and what are their secrets to yielding true happiness?

We will answer this with research from the award winning documentary “Happy.”

Experience simple processes to daily find happiness wherever it eludes us. Facilitator: Fr Matthew Linn, SJ. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $50 ($80 if also attending “How to Make Stress Your Friend” talk). To register: http:// tinyurl.com/MattLinn18; T: 64676072.

Killer robots will make war more inhumane: Vatican official VATICAN CITY – Allowing for

the development and use of fully automated lethal weapons systems would make warfare even more inhumane and undermine efforts to achieve peace through dialogue, a Vatican representative said.

“A world in which autonomous systems are left to manage, rigidly or randomly, fundamental questions related to the lives of human beings and nations, would lead us imperceptibly to dehumanisation and to a weakening of the bonds of a true and lasting fraternity of the human family,” Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic told a group of experts at the United Nations in Geneva.

The archbishop, who is the Vatican observer to UN agencies in Geneva, spoke on April 9 at a session for the “Group of Governmental Experts” on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).

States that are party to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons agreed in 2016 to establish the group to address the legal and ethical implications concerning such autonomous technologies, which are also referred to as

The General Assembly of the UN. A Vatican representative has warned a group of experts at the UN that autonomous weapons systems lack the ‘unique human capacity for moral judgment.’ CNS file photo

robotic weapons or “killer robots.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross has defined LAWS as being “any weapon system with autonomy in its critical functions. That is, a weapon system that can select – i.e. search for or detect, identify, track, select – and attack – i.e. use force against, neutralise, damage or destroy – targets without human intervention.”

Archbishop Jurkovic told the group, which was meeting from April 9-13, that “the development of LAWS will provide the capacity of altering irreversibly the nature of warfare, becoming even more inhumane, putting in question the humanity of our societies.”

“Any armed intervention must be carefully weighed and must at all times verify its legitimacy, legality and conformity with its purposes,” he said.

Autonomous weapons systems, he said, also lack the “unique human capacity for moral judgment and ethical decision-making,” which involves input much more complex than a “collection of algorithms.”

The needed capacity to understand a situation or context and apply the appropriate rule or principles can never be replaced by or programmed into a machine, he said, since such discernment or judgment “entails going well beyond the potentialities of algorithms.” n CNS

MAY 31 TO JUNE 3 FAMILY CAMP 2018 Come and spend some time away with your family to encounter God in each other. Sessions for children, teenagers, and adults. Cost: $350 per adult/teen and $200 per child. Venue: Batam View Beach Resort. To register: W: www.one.org.sg/ events. Organised by the Office for the New Evangelisation and Archdiocesan Commission for the Family.

JUNE 1 TO JUNE 3 PEACE BE WITH YOU: TRANSFORMING FEAR INTO GIFT June 1 (7.30pm)-June 3 (5pm). This healing retreat will focus on how Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to transform the disciples “behind locked doors out of fear” into bold, risk-taking apostles rooted in a deep peace. Discover how this transformation can happen to us. Facilitator: Fr Matthew Linn, SJ. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. Fee: $270 (non-AC),

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 JUNE 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. Please 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: 96671137 (Elayne); T: 96355635 (Peter).

MAY 3, 2018 TO JUNE 6, 2019 RCIA (ENGLISH) @ BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Every Thursday from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

For more information, T: 64740582; E: rcia@bsc.org.sg; W: https://tinyurl.com/RCIA-BSC. MAY 16, 2018 TO JUNE 6, 2019 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY Every Wednesday from 7.30pm-9.30pm at 6 Chapel Road. From July, sessions will also be held on Sundays. Registration forms are available at the parish office.

For more information, T: 63440046; 93414999; E: rciaholyfam@gmail.com.

JUNE 6, 2018 TO MAY 29, 2019 RCIA @ CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Every Wednesday from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Register at goo.gl/xJ4AgX and at the

WHAT’S ON 29 $330 (AC). To register: W: http://tinyurl. com/MattLinn18; T: 64676072.

JUNE 2 FULLY ALIVE IN GOD’S LOVE Time: 10am-5.30pm at Agape Village (7A, Lorong 8 Toa Payoh S319264). Preregistration is required. A social mission event for young adults to discern their own personal mission and get to know more about what the Church is doing to help those in need. To register: E: youngadults@ caritas-singapore.org; T: 63383448.

JULY 16 TO OCT 15 A STUDY ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION

By Msgr Ambrose Vaz. The Book of Revelation is not so intimidating once you understand what the author was up to. Every Monday frpm 7.45pm-10pm.

Venue: Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Cost: $10. To register: W: https://www.cognitoforms.com/OLPS1/ ABiblicalCourseByMsgrAmbroseVaz. cathedral office. For more information, E: cathedral.rcia@catholic.org.sg; T: 96308346 (Terese).

JUNE 6, 2018 TO JUNE 5, 2019 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm9.30pm at the parish hall. Registration forms are available at the parish office.

For more information, T: 94243608; E: iwanttobeaCatholic@gmail.com.

JUNE 25, 2018 TO MAY 13, 2019 RCIA (MANDARIN) @ BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Every Monday from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

For more information, T: 64740582; E: rcia@bsc.org.sg; W: https://tinyurl.com/RCIA-BSC. JULY 3, 2018 TO APR 20, 2019 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm at St Ignatius Hall. For more information, T: 64660625 (Angela); T: 96286472 (Sandra); W: https://tinyurl.com/stignatius-rcia.

JULY 24, 2018 TO APR 20, 2019 RCIY @ CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Calling all non-Catholic youths aged 17-24. Key dates: welcome tea and information session: July 14 (4pm-6pm).

Introductory Sessions: July 21 and July 28 (4pm-6pm). Subsequent RCIY sessions will commence on Aug 7 and continue every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm. For more information, T: 97247613 (Eliza); T: 82283419 (Aaron); T: 98172118 (Debbie); E: rciy.ignatius@gmail.com; W: https://tinyurl.com/ignatiusrciy.

30 IN MEMORIAM

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING

Holy Spirit; you who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal.

You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. Amen. Please continue to watch over Christopher and me. Most gratefully, Christabell

O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need.

To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

St Jude, pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your interces–––––––––––––––– sion. Amen. Thank you for answering my Grateful thanks to apostle St Jude Thadprayers. deus for prayers an––––––––––––––––

swered once again.

Also heartfelt thanks and gratitude to our Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Divine Mercy, Mother Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Lourdes, Sts Joseph Anthony, Jude and all the Holy Angels and Saints for all the unfailing favours, granted many intercessions, miracles, blessings protection and prayers answered during the most difficult times.

Please continue to protect, intercede, bless and guide us and my loved ones always.

––––––––––––––––

Thanks to St Joseph of Cupertino for success in examination. From Jeremy Chew

Forty-fifth Anniversary

Fourth Anniversary

In loving memory of

First Anniversary In loving memory of

Sixth Anniversary

In loving memory of

JOHN CHUA MARGARET KIAM GUAN ANG Departed: April 4, 1973 May 18, 2014

Dearest pa-pa and ma-ma, You are in God’s Kingdom The glory of His universe Eternally the peace and joy Flow like a watering-can.

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

In memoriam rates Minimum $80 for an insertion not exceeding an eightcentimetre column.

Additional space: $8 per one-centimetre column.

Crossword Puzzle 1208

HELEN LEE NYUK YIN Called to be with our Lord Jesus on April 30, 2012 He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6.8 Always cherish by all your loved ones.

Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of

TAN SWEE JIANG DOREEN IVY Departed: Apr 28, 2006 Filial Daughter, Devoted Wife Doting Mother, Caring Sister And Dear Friend to all…

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

Forever cherish and remembered

by Teresa Tan, family members and all loved ones.

Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

V JUSTINE SILVESTER Departed: 29 Apr 2011

Eternal rest grant unto Papa, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

Fondly remembered by wife, Josephine, children, their spouses and grandchildren.

Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 29 April 2018 at 5.30pm at the Church of the Divine Mercy.

23rd Anniversary In loving memory of

VERONICA BERNADETTE PEREIRA Departed April 21, 2017 It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone.

A part of us went with you, The day God took you home.

If tears could build a stairway, And heartaches make a lane, We’d walk our way to heaven, And bring you back again.

In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still, In our hearts you hold a place No one could ever fill.

Deeply missed by Angela, Geoffrey, Alyshia and your doggie, Shawny.

Sixty-first Anniversary In loving memory of

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

MARY NADASAN SOOSAY Departed: Apr 23, 2010 In our hearts HELEN YEOH you will always live GEOK SUAN Departed: Apr 28, 1957 Your love, your voice and your smile Deeply missed and lovingly remembered Are forever imprinted in our minds. by children, Always remembered grandchildren and and dearly missed by great-grandchildren. family and loved ones.

Twentieth And I said, Anniversary In loving memory of ‘Here am I, send me.’

Isaiah 6:8 Third Anniversary In loving memory of

OBITUARY ACROSS 1 Catholic actor Frawley’s famous TV role 5 Frown 10 The Pharisee did this twice a week 14 Like a garage floor, perhaps 15 Carried 16 Biblical physician 17 Peter Fonda “golden” role 18 “… is still _____, a sigh…”

19 Theater award 20 Title for clergy (abbr.)

21 Wading bird 22 David is their patron saint 23 Parisian school 25 Delighted 28 “…_____, holy, catholic and apostolic…”

29 Finish shooting 30 Eccentric 33 Coffee house order 36 Indelible aspect of some sacraments 38 Scat queen 39 Suave 40 Rake 41 Give fresh vigor 43 Products of 22A 44 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 45 Cover with wax 46 Book attributed to Solomon (abbr.)

47 Take a quick look

48 Pope St. ____ 50 He ordered the slaughter of the Innocents 53 Some outdoor gear 54 Pope Benedict ___ 57 At the summit 58 Clerical colour 60 God, to Pedro 61 Cabbage-like plant 62 Confused hand-tohand fight 63 103 in ancient Rome 64 Some annexes 65 Unearthly 66 Covers DOWN 1 Number of horsemen in Revelation (Rev 6:2–8) 2 Vex 3 23A attendee 4 Coloring material 5 Where Joseph and Mary had to stay 6 Catholic news reporter Roberts 7 Elevator name 8 Director Craven 9 Joseph Smith’s denom.

10 Genesis event 11 River in France 12 Parody 13 Casual tops 21 Catholic College in New Rochelle, NY

22 Haydn sobriquet 24 Catholic singer and songwriter George M. 25 Free and undeserved gift of God 26 Songbird 27 Very hard mineral 29 Colour of smoke that indicates a pope has been elected 30 Native American 31 “Te ____” 32 Apparel 34 Topping in a tub 35 Dressed 36 Catholic author, Mary Higgins ___ 37 Crucifix 39 Jolly Roger hand 42 Some tea 43 There were 3

popes with this name in the 20th century 46 According to Psalms, they flourish like grass (with “the”) 47 By the end of the 20th century there had been 265 of these 48 AMC vehicle 49 The last John 50 Cod relative 51 And others (abbr.)

52 Trundle 53 Timbuktu’s land 55 Empty 56 Egyptian goddess of fertility 58 Expensive car 59 Martial artist Bruce 60 CCC + CCCL

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1207

THIRTHIETH DAY In ever loving memory of

ROBERT HERMAN TIRO Departed: April 23, 1995 Dearly remembered by beloved wife, daughter and family, relatives and friends.

FRANCES XAVIER S/O B LAZAR Who was called home to the Lord on March 17, 2018 “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take up my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Masses will be celebrated in his memory on Monday, April 23, 2018: 7.00am Church of St Ignatius 7.45am Mt Alvernia Chapel 1.15pm Cathedral of Good Shepherd 5.30pm Church of Sacred Heart 6.00pm Church of St Teresa 6.15pm Church of Divine Mercy

MARJORIE GOH NEE SCULLY Departed: May 4, 1998 ANTHONY TAN KHENG HAI In our home she is fondly remembered, Departed: Apr 29, 2015 Sweet memories Close in our hearts cling to her name; you will always stay Those who loved her Loved and remembered in life sincerely, every day.

Still love her Remembered by in death just the same. mother, wife, sons, Dearly missed daughter-in-laws and by loved ones. grandchildren.

Thirteenth Sixteenth Anniversary Anniversary In precious memory of In loving memory of

Matthew 11:28-29

Requiem Eucharistic Celebration will be offered at St Joseph’s Church Bukit Timah, 620 Upper Bukit Timah, Singapore 678116 on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 5.30pm After Mass, please adjourn to the canteen for reception and fellowship.

Dearly missed and always remembered by loved ones: Caroline, Jacquelyn, Daniel, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and loved ones.

Please turn to page 31 for more in memoriam advertisements.

ANNA KIN MOI @ SIEW PIN MOI Departed: May 2, 2005 We think of you in silence No eyes can see us weep But still within our aching hearts Your memory we keep.

Dearly missed, fondly remembered and forever loved by loving daughter and grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, and great-grandchildren.

NALPON PETER DAMIAN Called home to be with the Lord on May 3, 2002 The depths of sorrow we cannot tell, Of the loss of one, we love so well, And while he sleeps a peaceful sleep.

His memory we shall always keep.

Deeply missed by wife, children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

Second Anniversary In loving memory of

GEOFFREY JAMES CHONG KHIM SIONG Departed: May 3, 2015

ALPHONSUS CHUNG FATT YAT June 29, 1929 – May 7, 2016 Dearly missed and fondly remembered

by Florence and the family.

Thank you for the years we shared Thank you for the way you cared We loved you then and we love you still Forget you, we never will.

Mass will be offered at Church of the Sacred Heart, 111 Tank Road, on May 6, 2018 at 8am & May 7, 2018 at 7am.

Dearly missed by Ethel, Kelvyn, Colin, Jocelyn and all loved ones.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6)

Masses will be celebrated at 6.30pm on May 2-4, 2018 at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea.

Twenty Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Twentieth Anniversary In loving memory of

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

Sixth Anniversary In loving memory of

ADOLF HERMAN DE SOUZA Departed: Apr 22, 2008 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds.

Always remembered by family and all loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at 6.15pm on Sunday April 22, 2018 in the Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In loving memory of

JOHN EMMANUEL SANTHOU Departed: May 4, 2012 We think of you in silence No eyes can see us weep But still within our aching hearts Your memory we keep With love, your family.

ANTHONY RAJANDRAN Departed: Apr 26, 1991 We remember and cherish the happy times together Remembering them today and forever.

Dearly missed by wife Nelly, daughter Caroline, son-in-law Robert, granddaughters Audrey & Amelia.

Seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

LILIAN A. MONTEIRO Departed: Apr 30, 2008

JOSEPH A. MONTEIRO May 8, 1988

Our thoughts are always with you, Our hearts are sore with pain This world will be like heaven If you were here again.

Fondly remembered by sons Joe, Chris, Bert & all loved ones.

Please turn to page 30 for more in memoriam advertisements.

CHARLIE FRANCIS VALBERG Departed: Apr 21, 2015 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds.

Deeply missed and remembered by mother, brothers, sisters and loved ones.

ANNA KATHERINA RODRIGUES Departed: May 1, 2011 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds.

Dearly missed by Ashley, Kathleen, Michael, Agnes, Gabriel, Janelle, Mark and Antonia.

ALEXANDER GOMES Departed: Apr 27, 1998 In our home you are fondly remembered, Sweet memories cling to your name; Those who loved you in life sincerely, Still love you in death just the same.

Always remembered by family and all loved ones.

MARTHA KHOO CHENG SIEW Departed: May 6, 2010 Gone from our lives One so dear But in our hearts Forever near.

Dearly missed by Rosa Lee and all loved ones.

Twenty-seventh Anniversary In loving memory of

Thirty-third Anniversary In loving memory of

KURIAN SEBASTIAN Departed: Apr 24, 1991 A light from home has gone The voice we loved HENRY to hear is stilled SEBASTIAN Gone is your face MIRANDA we so dearly loved Departed: May 1, 1985 Leaving a vacuum If we could have in our home one wish today Never shall your It would not be for gold memory fade But just to have Sweet thoughts of you you back again will always remain.

As in the days of old. Lovingly remembered Your loving by wife Ivy Sebastian children, in-laws, nee Ivy Paglar, grandchildren and sons, daughters-in-law great-grandchildren. and grandchildren.

Mass will be celebrated Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Immaculate Heart Mary on Tuesday, of Mary on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 6.15pm. April 24 at 6.15pm.

IN MEMORIAM 31

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Sunday April 29, 2018 n CatholicNews

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