DECEMBER 14, 2014, Vol 64, No 25

SUNDAY DECEMBER 14, 2014

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Pope, Orthodox leader denounce religious violence A joint declaration between Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople were among the highlights of the pope’s trip to Turkey

NO. 25

INSIDE HOME St Joseph’s Church stained glass Special celebration to mark restoration Page 6

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – During his

recent visit to Turkey, Pope Francis met young refugees from civil wars in Syria and Iraq, and signed a joint declaration highlighting anti-Christian violence with Orthodox leader, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

“The degrading conditions in which so many refugees are forced to live are intolerable,” the pope told about 100 young refugees in Istanbul, including Christians and Muslims, on Nov 30. “We must do everything possible to eradicate the causes of this situation.”

Pope Francis also publicly reiterated his appreciation for Turkey’s acceptance of refugees from neighbouring lands – an estimated 1.6 million from Syria alone.

He did not repeat his earlier statements of quali¿ed support for multilateral military action against Islamic State militants who have targeted Christians in Syria and Iraq. However, he appealed for “greater international cooperation to resolve the conÀicts which are causing bloodshed in your homelands, to counter the other causes which are driving people to leave their home countries, and to improve conditions so that people may remain or return home”.

Speaking to the young refugees in the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis told them, “I wanted to meet other refugees, but it was not possible.” The young people, who also included refugees from Somalia and other parts of the Horn of Africa, sang for the pope in Spanish, English and Arabic.

Earlier in the day, the pope joined Patriarch Bartholomew, considered ¿rst among equals by Orthodox bishops, to sign a joint declaration that highlighted violence against Christians in the region.

“We cannot resign ourselves to

VOL 64

Realising archbishop’s pastoral plan Catholic Foundation supports people, infrastructure development Page 8

ASIA Christian couple burnt in Pakistan Catholic Church protests to govt Page 10

WORLD Above: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople kisses Pope Francis as they embrace during an ecumenical prayer service in the patriarchal Church of St George in Istanbul on Nov 29.

Below: Pope Francis in a meeting with young refugees from civil wars in Syria and Iraq.

a Middle East without Christians,” the leaders wrote, speci¿cally noting the conÀicts in Syria and Iraq.

“Many of our brothers and sisters are being persecuted and have been forced violently from their homes,” the declaration said.

“Tragically, all this is met by the indifference of many.”

The statement described an “ecumenism of suffering” according to which the “sharing of daily sufferings can become an effective instrument of unity”.

“We no longer have the luxury of isolated action,” the patriarch said during a liturgy celebrating the feast of St Andrew, patron saint of the Pa-

triarchate of Constantinople. “The modern persecutors of Christians do not ask which Church their victims belong to. The unity that concerns us is regrettably already occurring in certain regions of the world through the blood of martyrdom.”

Continued on Page 16

Ending modern slavery Religious leaders sign declaration Page 12

Advent penitential services and Simbang Gabi celebrations Page 21

We cannot resign ‘ ourselves to a Middle

’

East without Christians.

– Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, in their declaration

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Sunday December 14, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Pioneer batch of students graduate from theology institute

By Lorna O’Hara It was an exciting time for 23 students on Nov 21, as they were the Âżrst batch of students from the newly set-up Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS), to receive their CertiÂżcate in Theology. “The graduation of our Âżrst cohort truly gives CTIS a sense of pride and satisfaction, because it is the culmination of a year of hard work for everyone, students as well as staff and lecturers,â€? the institute’s rector, Fr James Yeo, told CatholicNews.

The institute which provides theological training to help Catholics develop their religious knowledge, was established on Jan 22.

It welcomed its Âżrst students at Waterloo Street on Jan 27. Its second intake was on July 7.

The CertiÂżcate in Theology course comprises six modules: The Second Vatican Council, Introduction to Christian Philosophy, Overview of Catholic Theology, Fundamental Moral Theology, Introduction to the Bible, and Research Writing. These modules are taught by priests and Religious.

Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore graduates pose for a photo with Archbishop William Goh. Beside him is vice rector Fr Peter Zhang (in black) and rector Fr James Yeo (on Archbishop Goh’s left).

During his keynote address at the graduation ceremony, Archbishop *oh encouraged the graduates to share what they had learnt, and to “be of service� to other Catholics in the New Evangelisation.

Then, two graduates, Ms Ursula Quah and Ms Hannah Lim, went up to the podium to give their sharings.

Ms Lim said that after learning about 2,000 years of Church history, she now feels more “equipped to reach out to Christians in empa-

‘

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’

– CTIS rector, Fr James Yeo

thy to encourage them to deepen their personal relationship with *od�.

CatholicNews also spoke to a few graduates after the ceremony.

Mr Sylvester Singh, 26, shared that the experience was “quite draining but for me, the whole experience was joyful�.

With regard to the course, he said that it has given him a â€œÂżrm [spiritual] foundation ... It answered a lot of questions about my own faith.â€?

Sixty-one-year-old Edwin Chan, who is not a Catholic, said that “we had very good teachers whose knowledge and insights made the courses very interesting.� He added that he has a greater sense of appreciation when it comes to the Scripture and he hopes to further his studies at CTIS. Students who attend the certif-

icate and diploma courses at CTIS are heavily subsidised by the archdiocese. For the certi¿cate course alone, students are subsidised ,000 – a ¿gure shared by Archbishop *oh during his address.

For those who wish to study theology, the institute will offer a free scholarship to a parishioner from every parish. This is for the &HUWLÂżFDWH LQ 7KHRORJ\ FRXUVH For those who wish to apply, they can approach their parish priest.

Registration for next semester, which would start in February, is now open. The closing date is end December 2014.

For more information, visit www.ctis.sg „ lorna.ohara@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday December 14, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Lorna O’Hara speaks to various students who did well in their PSLE despite facing challenges.

Overcoming the odds for the PSLE The cancer survivor As bubbly Ophelia Liew puts it, if anyone taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) does not ace it, it “is not the end of the world�.

If one were to see the 12-yearold today with her plaited lustrous hair, the thought that this St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School girl used to be bald as she battled leukaemia would never have crossed one’s mind. “My mum kept telling me to be a survivor and not be a victim of leukaemia,� she said.

Leukaemia is a group of cancers which often starts in the bone marrow.

At the tender age of six, Ophelia had to undergo chemotherapy. “When I went to school, my friends teased me in Primary 1 because I didn’t have hair. They thought I was different from them.

They didn’t understand until my teacher explained to them that I had cancer,� said Ophelia, as she Àashed her pearlie whites.

Special attention had to be given to her throughout her primary school life. “We still have to watch her.

That’s why sometimes in class when I see her look tired, I get a bit concerned�, shared Ophelia’s form teacher, Mrs Agnes Lim. Throughout the interview on Nov 21, she sat beside Ophelia.

However, Ophelia never faltered as she studied hard to prepare for the PSLE. “Even on the days she was not doing well or tired, she pushed herself to come to school,� said Mrs Lim. In the end, her perseverance and hard work paid off as she has earned a place in the Express Stream. “She’s a very resilient girl.

Former St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School student Ophelia Liew with her form teacher Mrs Agnes Lim (left) and Sr Geraldine Lim.

She doesn’t just give up like that,� said Mrs Lim. Ophelia’s success could not have been achieved without the support of her parents. They were

behind her all the way, giving her that added boost for her to do well, even though sometimes, she would throw “a tantrum� while under stress, said Ophelia. „

The boy who couldn’t speak English Imagine coming to Singapore at the age of seven and not being able to speak a word of English. To top it off, imagine having to suffer partial deafness and retinal dystrophy or really poor eyesight.

Even though 13-year-old Sithu Win faces these challenges, the Myanmar school boy brushed them aside and earned stellar grades for his PSLE. “I feel that my hard work paid off,â€? said Sithu conÂżdently, a former student of the Canossian School for the hearing impaired.

At the tender age of three, Sithu had mumps, which caused him to lose his sense of hearing. Even now, he still has trouble picking up high frequency sounds.

His mother, Dr Htet Htet Kyaw, 43, shared with CatholicNews that after he had mumps,

Sithu Win from Myanmar.

his loss of hearing also affected his speech.

Sithu’s parents tried desperately to get his ears tested in Myanmar, but hearing tests for children were unavailable then. Hoping for a better future for their children, Dr Kyaw and her husband, along with their two children – Sithu and

his sister, Aye Chan Myat Mon who has delayed speech – left for Singapore in July 200 .

From Primary 1 until Primary 6 and just before PSLE, Sithu “tried to catch up�, he said.

To help him, Sithu’s parents signed him up for many tuition lessons.

But as teachers started giving more school homework before PSLE, the tuition work felt overwhelming. “I had so much tuition homework,� said Sithu.

So how did Sithu stay focused throughout his primary school years? Simple: will power and discipline. “He wants to read the books and he wants to study, so it’s lucky for me,� said Dr Kyaw, beaming.

Sithu shared that he dreams of becoming a doctor and saving lives, just like his mother. „

If the exam question is hard, ‘just try your best’

Athena Han and her parents, Andrew and Jacqueline.

When CatholicNews spoke to 13-year-old Athena Han from the Canossian School for the hearing impaired, she exuded much conÂżdence.

But before Athena entered primary school, her father, Andrew, told CatholicNews, that she was a completely different girl. “She didn’t really speak much before, but now, she talks a lot and has a lot of conÂżdence,â€? said Mr Han. During the interview, Athena also gave this piece of advice to all students, and it is not just for those who will have to sit for the PSLE: “No matter how hard the [exam] question may be, just try your best. Maybe if you try, you might get some method marks.

It’s better than not trying.�

Preparing for the exam was a little tough for Athena, as Maths was not her forte. “Some Maths problem sums are really hard,� she said. But Athena tried her best to stay focused during lessons.

She also made it a point to set aside extra time for homework and revision. This was even though she lived in Jurong West which is far from her holding school at Circuit Road. “In school when we have les-

sons, I must concentrate more because I live very far away and it takes longer for me to get home.

When I reach home, I do my homework and revision,â€? said Athena. “Her homework always comes Âżrst the moment she steps home,â€? shared Athena’s mother, Jacqueline. “She’s very disciplined.

There’s no need to tell her what to do,� Mr Han added.

With homework piling up just

She’s very ‘ disciplined. There’s no need to tell her what to do.

’

– Athena’s father, Mr Andrew Han

before PSLE, Athena also sacriÂżced her sports time. “I love to do sports but when PSLE was coming, I had to prepare. There was more homework, so I didn’t have much free time to play sports,â€? she said.

When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, after some thought, Athena said that she hopes to be a PE teacher one day. „ lorna.ohara@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday December 14, 2014 „ CatholicNews

CN for missionaries Would you like to help our overseas missionaries receive free copies of CatholicNews?

A list of more than 40 Religious priests and nuns serving overseas was published in CN’s Mission Sunday feature a few issues ago. These missionaries serve in Myanmar, Philippines, Tanzania, Australia, USA and many other countries.

A yearly subscription for a

missionary in most parts of Asia costs S$84. For those working in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Americas, the cost is S$121.

If you would like to help these missionaries receive free copies of CN, please send a cheque payable to “The Catholic Newsâ€? and mail it to 2 Highland Road, #01-03, Singapore 549102. „ CORRECTION: In the article, Forum Helps Parents In Raising Their Primary School Children (CN, Nov 30), the following sections should read: Paragraph 17: According to research Mr Lim cited, the Âżrst critical bonding stage of a boy’s life is between 18 months and Âżve years old, where the role of the father is vital.

Paragraph 18: The second is between 11 and 14 years when “a boy needs to ... detach from the mother�. The father should then take over and help shape his male gender identity, he said.

Paragraph 20: “Stability of the family affects a boy’s attitude, behaviour and coping,�

Mr Lim said.

Paragraph 36: He added that he liked how Mr Lim “went into detail about the importance of fathers�. „

ACCS, Serangoon District offer early childhood education scholarship Aspiring early childhood educators and those who wish to enter the preschool education sector can expect more support, as a new diploma scholarship programme is now being offered by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) and Serangoon District Catholic parishes.

The programme aims to recruit students who are passionate about working with young children, who desire to be groomed to be future leaders for Catholic preschools, and who are committed to pursuing a full-time diploma in Early Childhood Education.

A Memorandum of Understanding between ACCS and Serangoon District parishes was signed on Nov 6 this year, offering a scholarship that hopes to attract young educators to bring in new vibrancy and creativity into preschool classrooms, especially in a time where early childhood education is seeing increasing demand. “The educational mission of our Catholic preschools is to be agents of the Good News of

Christ,� explains Ms Merilyn Dasson, project director for Catholic preschools.

Participants in the programme can expect to receive a full course sponsorship, a study allowance, as well as funding for additional professional development. This includes specialised courses offered by the polytechnics in art,

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The scholarship scheme is available to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who meet the requirements to be enrolled as full-time students in the Early Childhood Education diploma courses offered by Ngee

Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic.

There are 19 Catholic preschools operating across Singapore today, ¿ve of which are in the Serangoon District Parishes – Catholic Kindergarten, Nativity Church Kindergarten, St Anne’s Church Kindergarten, St Francis Xavier Kindergarten, and St Vincent De Paul Kindergarten.

Through a two-year bond with one of these Âżve preschools, the scholarship programme also offers job security to participants after graduation.

Fr Henry Siew, chairman for Serangoon District parishes shared, “The district is appreciative to ACCS for the training and resource provision to our kindergarten staff. We hope that Catholics who are called to serve as early childhood educators will join our kindergartens and exercise their role in witnessing to the Gospel of Christ, scattering the seeds of faith and charity in the hearts of the children.�

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Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Year of Consecrated Life launched Religious and laypeople attend a special Mass held at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street, on Nov 29.

By Lorna O’Hara In the presence of Religious and priests, the Archdiocese of Singapore celebrated a Mass dedicated to the Year of Consecrated Life on Nov 29.

Archbishop William Goh, who was the main celebrant at the Mass at St Joseph’s Church , Victoria Street, said in his homily that in order to proclaim the Good News, Religious have to “radiate joy”.

He gave four indicators of how Religious can tell if they are joyful, consecrated persons.

Firstly, they need to “experience this yearning of intimacy with the Lord”, he said to about 200 Religious present.

Archbishop Goh then asked them if they truly believed “that Jesus makes a difference in your life”. If not, “how are we going to share that Jesus has made a difference in other peoples’ lives?”

For the third indicator, Archbishop Goh asked all Religious if they were men and women of charity, and in communion with the Lord.

Do you have a “desire to reach out to them [laypeople] in love?” he asked.

The archbishop added that Religious “cannot reach out to others if we don’t experience love”.

Lastly, “are we restless and excited to share Jesus with others?” Archbishop Goh asked.

As Religious are human beings too, Archbishop Goh said that they might sometimes think that their Religious duties might be “a burden”, or “a job”.

But the root of the issue, is the fact that “we don’t spend suf¿cient time contemplating the Word.”

Religious, priests and laypeople singing together at the opening for the special Mass on Nov 29.

God “supplies everything because He loves us”, he said.

He noted that Religious have taken “the vow of obedience” because you only “want to do God’s will and nothing else”.

Archbishop Goh also addressed Religious who might have lost sight of why they embraced their vocations.

“How do we recover this joy?” he asked them.

“We need to reconsecrate ourselves to the Lord,” he said.

Archbishop Goh also emphasised the need for all Religious to pray fervently. He shared that he spends at least three hours in the morning praying.

He also added that Religious need to experience the “joy of community life”.

Archbishop Goh gave four indicators on how Religious can tell if they are joyful, consecrated persons.

“When everyone prays fervently, the Church will grow by leaps and bounds,” Archbishop Goh said.

Then speaking to the laypeople, he asked them to “pray for us” in the priestly and Religious life, “for the mistakes we have done, and forgive us”.

CatholicNews spoke to a few Religious after the Mass.

Brother of Mercy Ambrose Heng said that the event was “great

because of the coming together as one family. It is like one reunion, a big reunion. We never get this type of opportunity to come together with one common vision.

The bishop said to love, to be with the people. That’s what it is.”

Canossian Sr Christine Santhou said, “we have come to serve in God’s name and we seek to do our best in our capacity. At the same time, we are an ageing population in many ways. So as time goes on, it doesn’t get any easier but we do our best.”

Franciscan Br Xavier Chung, who considers himself “young in the Religious life”, said the Mass was very empowering and af¿rming. He added that “it’s a good reminder that we should always con-

Archbishop William Goh delivering his homily.

nect with God. No matter how busy we are, we must spend time with Him. If not we’ll be a social worker. A consecrated social worker.”

The Mass was “a way to celebrate and thank God for calling our vocation as Religious and to celebrate together with priests, Religious and also the lay people as a family of the Church,” said Sr Mary Soh from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

“Our life is not meant to be a burden. It’s meant to give joy and love to people, and to bring others to love the Lord,” she added. lorna.ohara@catholic.org.sg See related stories on Pages 15, 20 and 21.

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Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

St Joseph’s Church stained glass gets new lease of life after restoration

From left: Director of Preservation of Sites and Monuments, Ms Jean Wee; CEO of National Heritage Board, Mrs Rosa Daniel; Dr James Boss; Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong; parish priest Fr Ignatius Yeo and Msgr Philip Heng, SJ, at the unveiling of the plaque.

By Lorna O’Hara St Joseph’s Church Victoria Street, marked the restoration of its 72 panels of stained glass on Nov 29. Guests who attended the occasion included Jesuit Msgr Philip Heng and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong.

Parish priest, Fr Ignatius Yeo, in his speech, thanked the Singapore government and especially the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Board and National Heritage Board, for helping to make the restoration project a reality.

According to Fr Ignatius, the church is home to “the largest collection of stained glass in Singapore”.

As part of the afternoon event, the 100-strong audience enjoyed a choral performance by two allfemale choirs – Philomela, a Finnish chamber choir, and VOCO Singapore.

Dressed in red and white, the Philomela choir sang Finnish songs, which included songs centred on the theme of Christmas.

After their loudly applauded performance, VOCO Singapore, under the musical direction of Darius Lim, sang a few pieces, including a German piece called “Heilig Ist Der Her” or Holy is the Lord.

Dr James Boss, who headed the restoration committee, shared that the church, with its 190 over years of history, is home to the Portuguese Eurasian community.

He also spoke in Kristang, a creole language used by a community of people of mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry.

Then, Msgr Philip Heng blessed the stained glass. Following the blessing, Mr Wong and Dr Boss un-

veiled the commemorative plaque.

Restoration works began in July 2012. When CatholicNews met up with Ms Koh Bee Liang on Nov 20, a Catholic stained glass consultant who was assigned to do the task, the frames holding the stained glass at the choir loft at the back of the church were still in the midst of being put in place.

She said she was grateful to God “for being with me throughout” the whole process.

Ms Koh shared that her team of about 15, had to “try and salvage each and every piece” of glass.

Working on the stained glass restoration. Photo by: ARTGLASS

Surprisingly, the most challenging part of the task, Ms Koh shared, was not the centrepiece. It was the green-coloured panels on the left and right of the church which were the most dif¿cult to restore.

“It was really challenging to restore all the green panels, as the old glass used in 1912 came in different textures and colours. It gave the glass character and life.”

Most of the stained glass panels came from Belgium, while those at the baptismal font came from Milan, Italy.

Ms Koh also shared that over the years, “Dutch repair” was done. This meant that to try to cover up the wear and tear over the years, some of the glass quar-

ries, or pieces, were replaced with clear glass, or painted over with mismatched enamel paint.

Newsprint was also used to ¿ll the gaping holes between the frames holding the stained glass.

Before restoration works began on the damaged centrepiece above the main altar, Mary’s hand had a cobalt blue piece of mismatched glass. Her crown, which was also severely damaged, was painted over with enamel paint.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus also looked more like a green diamond instead of a red heart.

Now, with with all the restoration completed, visitors and parishioners can marvel at this collection of stained glass in Singapore.

In a statement to CatholicNews, Fr Ignatius, in a reference to challenges that the restoration process faced, said, “We are happy that the project has been brought to its successful conclusion, notwithstanding the many challenges, both technical and administrative, along the way. We are relieved in particular, that the complaints lodged against the Church have been found to be without basis.

CAD has written to inform us that they will not be pursuing further action on the matter.”

CAD is an acronym for the Commercial Affairs Dept.

“Moving forward, it is our hope that more people will be drawn to visit the Church, not just to appreciate the artistry of the stained glass, but to draw inspiration from the pictures depicted in the stained glass, and to contemplate on how these have in turn inspired the faith of our forefathers as they came weekly to worship and give glory to God.” lorna.ohara@catholic.org.sg

The centrepiece, restored to its former glory.

According to Ms Koh Bee Liang who was assigned the restoration task, these side panels were among the most challenging to restore.

Ms Koh busy at work on the centrepiece. Photo by: JEROME LIM

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

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Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Catholic Foundation aims to help realise archbishop’s pastoral plan The foundation, set up in 2012, is a channel for those wishing to support the Church’s capacity building In May and June this year, Archbishop William Goh shared his 10-year pastoral plan of Church renewal with the Catholic community.

He recalled that later, during his visits to parishes, many Catholics had asked him, “How can we make this plan happen?”

“Yes, there’s certainly a lot that we have to do,” Archbishop Goh af¿rmed, “but God will make it happen, not you, not me”.

Nevertheless, to help achieve this vision, the Catholic Foundation was established on Dec 27, 2012.

It seeks to promote philantrophic giving to support the capacity building needs of the Church in Singapore.

Alternative channel The main source of funds for the archbishop has traditionally been a 15 percent share of each Sunday’s ¿rst collections in parishes.

The money is used to support the operations of the archdiocese and

the many archdiocesan organisations. However, with limited funds, the growth and development of the Church is constrained.

The Catholic Foundation is thus an alternative channel for benefactors who wish to support the Church’s capacity building – the developing of people and Church infrastructure.

It includes initiatives that strengthen the Catholic community, enhance the spiritual and theological growth of the faithful, develop the human and organisational capabilities of Religious and laypeople, improve the infrastructure and processes of Catholic organisations, and the sharing of best practices.

It does not, however, include funding renovations and buildings.

Assisting organisations The Catholic Foundation has been working with several organisations, especially the new ones launched by Archbishop Goh, to realise his plan.

Archbishop William Goh with some members of the Catholic Foundation.

One of these is the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) which received a start-up grant from the foundation.

CTIS rector, Fr James Yeo, noted that one of the institute’s immediate objectives is to establish a core group of people who are trained in theological studies.

“The scholarships and bursaries that the foundation has funded will certainly help CTIS grow in this direction,” he said.

The foundation says it also aims to support CTIS in its hope of being a regional Church institute for Southeast Asia.

Another organisation that has received assistance is the Of¿ce for the New Evangelisation (ONE).

Said ONE executive director Jane Lau, “The Catholic Foundation has been very supportive of ONE, helping us to grow the capabilities of our people as well as to develop the strengths of our organisation in this work of the New Evangelisation.”

The foundation is helping the Of¿ce for Young People (OYP) to build a vibrant community where youths can feel comfortable and engaged. It recently supported the OYP team’s participation at the Asian Youth Day in South Korea.

The foundation is also supporting the start-up of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family and will fund programmes aimed at rebuilding family values and enhancing family life.

Another initiative supported by the foundation is a series of workshops to help Catholic organisations review their strategies and align them with Archbishop Goh’s plan to “build an evangelistic and missionary Church”.

The ¿rst of these workshops,

Strategic Thinking in Church Organisations was held in August at the Catholic Centre, while a followup session, Realising The Pastoral Vision was held on Nov 22 at the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary.

More than 40 Church leaders, spiritual directors and senior staff

that the foundation, in its ¿rst year, had made grants totalling more than half a million dollars to support the archbishop’s vision.

“The new initiatives of these organisations will strengthen the formation of lay people and help us to build a stronger Church in

Archbishop William Goh and Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore rector, Fr James Yeo, unveiling the institution’s seal earlier this year.

The foundation supports initiatives including those that enhance spiritual and theological growth, and develop the human and organisational capabilities of Catholics. from selected Church organisations attended each workshop conducted by Mr Andrew Sng, an experienced consultant who has been helping Church ministries and NGOs develop and re¿ne their strategic plans.

Catholic Foundation chairperson, Mr Kwek Mean Luck, said

Singapore. There is so much more that our Church can be and do,” said Mr Kwek.

7R GRQDWH RU ¿QG RXW PRUH about the work of the Catholic Foundation, visit www.catholicfoundation.sg or contact Stefanie Herman at stefanie.cf@catholic. org.sg

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Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Senior citizens wow judges S’pore Church holds World AIDS Day Mass at Elder’s Night Dinner It was a night of glitz and glam on Nov 22, as 72-year-old Mrs Elizabeth Kolandasamy, during the Elder’s Night Dinner, stole the show with her catwalk and dance, wowing the judges to win the Saree Queen contest.

The dinner for the elderly, held at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, and organised by the Commission for the Apostolate of the Tamil-Speaking or CATS’ year-old Elders Ministry, was held to engage senior citizens in social events to boost their personal autonomy. It was also to let them know that growing old can be fun and entertaining, shared Mrs Louise Joseph, a CATS coordinator.

The ministry also organises spirituality-based activities, said Mrs Joseph.

About 110 people between the ages of 40 and 79 years turned up for the event, with about 80 percent of the participants being women.

To take part in the Saree Queen contest, the contestants had to be actively involved in the Elders Ministry. About 10 women, including Mrs Kolandasamy, who were dressed in their best sarees, were selected. One by one, they catwalked, danced and paraded their out¿ts.

“The spontaneity of these

Age doesn’t matter as contestant Mrs Elizabeth Kolandasamy, 72, (front left) won the Saree Queen contest.

elderly ladies is very overwhelming. The contest has just opened a whole new dimension” of viewing the elderly, said Mrs Mary Francis, one of the judges and the chairperson of CATS. The evening event also included games, a mini dance competition and a treasure hunt.

Madam Maria Pushpalm, 71, who attended the event, said it was heartening to see elderly Catholics attending such programmes.

She added that “this programme gave us encouragement in our old age that we also can do

anything now. This programme gave us the motivation to do better in future programmes.”

Participants Ms Catherine Makil, 42, and Mr Francis Muthu, 65, said the event was a good idea.

“I’m sure such events for elders would bene¿t their wellbeing and give them an opportunity to come out of their shell and mingle, and to make every second meaningful and stress-free,” said Ms Makil.

“It is a wonderful idea by the committee. It brought all of us together for a great time to bond with lots of fun and laughter,” said Mr Muthu.

Assumption English School holds carnival, open house Assumption English School (AES) held a carnival in conjunction with the annual school open house on Nov 22 in its temporary campus at 121 Queensway.

The event served as a platform for AES students to apply their classroom learning and promote entrepreneurship skills, as they designed, pitched sales and managed stalls by themselves.

All sales proceeds from the event went to the school’s upgrading project under the School Upgrading Programme or PRIME. Pastry chef, Mr Jimmy Kea, was amongst a group of chef volunteers who offered to help in the event. Besides actively arranging for event partners, Mr Kea also offered his expertise in baking and cake decoration.

“It has been a wonderful experience working together with the staff and students of Assumption English School. Everyone is devoted to the mission of running the event well,” Mr Kea said.

Mrs Mabel Leong, Principal of Assumption English School said, “we are grateful for the many kind souls who have stepped forward to help make this event a

“Do things out of the ordinary.

Mingle with people you normally would not, such as the poor and marginalised,” said Fr Clifford Augustine at this year’s World AIDS Day Mass, which was held on Nov 30 at the Church of St Mary of the Angels.

The Mass, which is held annually, was organised by the Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE), a Catholic Charity which provides care and support for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs).

Guests included friends and supporters, members and volunteers of CARE, and residents from the shelter home, run by the charity.

In his homily, Fr Augustine urged the congregation to pray during this Advent for a change in their lives, to do what God wishes for them; to bring God’s light into their lives so that they too can share it with others.

He added that a change of heart and stepping out of one’s comfort zone is required. He then asked the congregation to pray the prayer of the Prophet Isaiah from the ¿rst reading, that God will change them according to His wishes.

Fr Clifford Augustine at the Mass.

He made reference to people living with HIV/AIDs, who are often misunderstood and rejected not just by society, but by their families and loved ones as well.

This Advent is a good opportunity to remember these people who need care, love and compassion beyond monetary assistance, he said.

After Mass, guests had fellowship over dinner at St Clare Hall.

Fr Julian Nerius Roy Mariaratnam giving his sharing during the retreat.

Tamil Advent retreat

By Sr Motcha, FMM An overnight Advent retreat in Tamil, organised by the Commission for the Apostolate of Tamil Speaking and the St Joseph Tamil Prayer Group, was held on Nov 29-30 at Blessed Sacrament Church.

The retreat which began at 10pm, started with participants

Participants playing a game at the carnival.

success, and a memorable one for our students and visitors.”

Other sponsors included Furama City Centre, Singapore, BreadTalk, Yeos and Pokka.

Assumption English School was founded in 1953 by the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel. The school, together with Assumption Pathway School and Boys’ Town Home, form the three components of Boys’ Town.

The school will return to its Upper Bukit Timah campus in December 2015.

An AES student having a go at the game, Tower of Assumption.

praying the rosary, followed by a short sharing by Fr Julian Nerius Roy Mariaratnam. He shared how to prepare for the coming of Christ this Advent.

Fr Julian also spoke about the unconditional love of God the Father, giving participants a deeper insight into the incarnation of Jesus.

10 ASIA

Catholic Church marks 500 years in Myanmar MYANMAR – Thousands of Cathoucanews.com in an interview at lics arrived in Yangon on Nov 21 his residence ahead of the Nov 21 for the start of a three-day cel- festivities. ebration of the 500th anniversary “Since the government anof the arrival of Catholicism in nounced its programme of reform Myanmar. in 2011, many other [Religious] Archbishop of Mumbai, Car- orders have shown up in Myandinal Oswald Gracias, attended mar, as it’s such a fertile ground the opening ceremony of the cel- for novices. So there is a lot of ebration at St Mary’s Cathedral in competition,” Archbishop Bo Yangon on behalf of Pope Francis, said. bearing with him the good tidings He added that Myanmar curand love of the pontiff to the peo- rently has 300 seminarians preple of Myanmar. paring for the priesthood, and that “Today is not just a day of the Church has seen considerable great joy and festivities but one growth, particularly in rural areas, of reÀection on what we can do in recent years. or not do, how much more we can “In Myanmar, typical of dededicate ourselves to the Gospel, veloping countries, you will get how we can transform society and whole villages of 10 to 20 peohow we can better ple joining [the serve the people of Church] all at Myanmar,” Cardionce. The headman nal Gracias said. makes a decision to In his welcome join, and everyone speech for the Indielse follows,” he an cardinal, Archsaid. bishop Charles Bo Archbishop of Yangon celebratBo added that he ed the endurance hoped Pope Franof the Myanmar cis would schedule Church amid dif¿a visit to Myanmar cult times. some time next “Poverty and year as part of his persecution – even Archbishop Charles Bo of focus on Asia. death – have met Yangon. File photo The Church’s our people, but commemoration never did our people Àinch from comes at a pivotal time in the hiswitnessing to their faith,” Arch- tory of the country, as Myanmar’s bishop Bo said. quasi-civilian government strug“The faith that was cemented gles to follow through with its with tears and blood unites us to- transition to democratic reform day from every corner of Myan- after decades of military rule. mar.”

The Church has a signi¿cant The Church in Myanmar has role to play in that transition, said grown signi¿cantly in the years Fr Maurice Nyunt Wai, executive since General Ne Win seized secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ control of the country and initi- Conference of Myanmar. ated his drastic Burmese Way “What we need today is to be to Socialism, which saw the ex- involved in nation-building, the pulsion of missionaries and the peace process and national recnear-complete isolation of the onciliation. The Church must be country. a voice for the voiceless, and it Now, Myanmar is exporting must stand for the people of marpriests and Religious to other ginalised [communities],” he said. countries, Archbishop Bo told UCANEWS.COM

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Pakistani Church sends demands related to blasphemy to government

Pakistani Christians and civil society activists light candles on Nov 5 to protest the killing of a Christian couple accused of blasphemy. CNS photo THRISSUR, INDIA – The Catholic Church in Pakistan has presented a series of demands to the government, calling for a fair and thorough investigation into the beatings and burning of a young Christian couple accused of desecrating the Qur’an.

In a so-called Charter of Demands sent to top government of¿cials on Nov 17, Church leaders said they were seeking to curb the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy law against religious minorities.

The charter also urges the government to act on the misuse of mosques to incite violence and calls for training police to protect victims of violence.

“The brutal burning to death of a Christian couple working as bonded labour at the brick kiln is a grim reminder that intolerance

in the name of religion in Pakistan has escalated beyond rule of law,” said the document submitted by Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, president of Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The document was sent to President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Supreme Court Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk.

The Major Superiors Leadership Conference, representing Catholic religious communities in Pakistan, also signed the charter.

A mob estimated at more than 1,000 people tortured and burned alive Shahzad Masih, 28, and his pregnant wife, Shama Bibi, 24, parents of three young children, on Nov 4 at the brick kiln where they worked in Punjab province. Police said the size of the crowd prevented

them from protecting the couple.

After the killings, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said its investigators found “no evidence of blasphemy”. The commission traced the cause of the slayings to “a dispute over wages or recovery of advance that the kiln owner had extended to two families of Muslim labourers who had escaped”.

Dominican Fr James Channan, director of the Dominican Peace Center in Lahore, Pakistan, led an ecumenical delegation on Nov 18 to meet with Mr Muhammad Sarwar, governor of Punjab province.

The priest told Catholic News Service that Mr Sarwar emphasised that had people involved in earlier blasphemy-related violence been punished, “no one would have dared to kill this Christian couple”. CNS

ASIA 11

Sunday December 14, 2014 „ CatholicNews

&DQRQLVDWLRQ RI WZR VDLQWV IURP ,QGLD MANNANAM, INDIA – More than 100,000 pilgrims thronged the Chavara shrine in southern Kerala state as Kuriakose Elias Chavara was canonised by Pope Francis on Nov 23 at the Vatican, along with Euphrasia Eluvathingal, a member of the Religious order founded

by St Chavara.

Thousands of people patiently waited in line for hours ahead of the live telecast of the canonisation, which began at mid-afternoon local time, to pray at the tomb of St Chavara, founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a Syro-Malabar Catholic order.

As Pope Francis pronounced the canonisation of the two saints, people applauded as they watched the telecast on one of the dozen giant screens placed around the premises of the hilltop shrine.

St Chavara lived at the shrine for 33 years until 1866.

Soon after the Vatican ceremony, more than 100 priests concelebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the pilgrims. “Today the spirituality of India has reached the heavens. Fr Chavara founded the Âżrst Indian Religious congregation,â€? said Bishop Thomas Koorilos Chakkalapadickal of the Syro-Malankara Diocese of Tiruvalla during his homily.

Born in 1805, Chavara was ordained a priest in 1829. Two years later, he co-founded the Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, the Âżrst indigenous congregation.

It now has more than 3,000 professed members.

In 1866, Fr Chavara also founded the Congregation of Mount Carmel, a women’s congregation with 6,500 members.

Blessed Euphrasia led a quiet

Kerala’s chief minister Oommen Chandy speaks to more than 100,000 peoSOH DV WKH\ ¿OO WKH &KDYDUD VKULQH RQ D KLOOWRS DW 0DQQDQDP ,QGLD DV 6W .XULDNRVH (OLDV &KDYDUD DQG 6W (XSKUDVLD (OXYDWKLQJDO ZHUH FDQRQLVHG RQ 1RY %RWK ZHUH IURP .HUDOD ,QGLD CNS photo

With Fr Chavara ‘and Sr Euphrasia

becoming saints, the entire Kerala society is being blessed today.

’

– Kerala’s chief minister Oommen Chandy

prayerful life, spending almost all her time at a convent at Ollur, a Thrissur suburb.

Born in 1877 to a middle-class family, Rosa Eluvathingal resisted her father’s dream that she get married. She became a member of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel in 1898, and took the name Sr Euphrasia.

3RSH œVHOÀH¡ WHHQ DPRQJ GHWDLQHG +. SURWHVWHUV HONG KONG – A Catholic arrested at pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong has seen his plight addressed in an open letter to Pope Francis on Facebook, three months after meeting the pontiff in South Korea.

Mr Giovanni Pang, who met Pope Francis during his landmark Âżrst visit to the region in August and took a “selÂżeâ€? with the pope, was among more than 100 people arrested by police on Nov 25 as they removed barricades at the main protest site in Mongkok district. “Do you recall Giovanni Pang from Hong Kong who met you twice in South Korea earlier?â€?

Popular radio deejay Henry Chan, a friend of Mr Pang, said in his letter to the pope posted on Facebook recently. “May I let you know this issue and bring it to [sic] Vatican’s kind attention?�

The letter added that Mr Pang went to the protest site to help students as bailiffs removed barriers and arrested leaders of the prodemocracy movement after two months of sit-in rallies.

The Hong Kong Diocese, which Mr Pang works for as a member of the liturgy and youth commissions, reportedly sent a representative to the police station to check on Mr Pang’s situation, according to Mr Chan.

Mr Pang was widely referenced by global media during the papal visit to South Korea after asking Pope Francis about “control and oppression� of Catholics in China.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi had told reporters that the pope decided to avoid “political� topics during what was supposed to be a “pastoral� event. „ UCANEWS.COM

“With Fr Chavara and Sr Euphrasia becoming saints, the entire Kerala society is being blessed today,� said Kerala’s chief minister Oommen Chandy to pilgrims after the two-hour Mass.

Kerala is the most literate and educationally advanced state in India because of the work of the Catholic Church, which runs nearly half of the 15,000 private primary schools in the state. „ CNS

3DSDO YLVLW WR 3KLOLSSLQHV ÂśLV QRW IXQGUDLVLQJ HYHQW¡ Msgr Mejia reiterated the MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Philippine Church ofÂżcials expect the theme of Pope Francis’ visit to the pope’s Jan 15-19 visit to bring Philippines, which is “Mercy and healing to victims of disasters. Compassion.â€?

Fr Anton Pascual, head of the They also emphasised that the visit will not be a fundraising event media relations committee, said the theme is not just for Catholics. for the Church.

Fr Pascual told Catholic News Members of the media relations committee for the papal visit Service that “Mercy and Compastold reporters on Nov 20 that the sion� also refers to solidarity. “It’s a very profound mission Vatican sought a cap on spending for Pope Francis’ visit.

They said the pope had requested that money saved go toward rebuilding after disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones to hit the Philippines.

Msgr Marvin Mejia, secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said bishops were chipping in toward the costs of the visit out of their own pockets. He said they had not yet tallied how much has Filipinos walk past a picture of Pope Francis on Nov 20 at a museum dedicated to the been given.

He also said the only pope inside a Manila cathedral where he special seating at the pope’s is scheduled to celebrate Mass during his outdoor Mass in Manila trip to the Philippines. CNS photo would go to the poor and people with disabilities in groups of the Church – solidarity with of Âżve from all dioceses across the victims of calamities,â€? said Fr the country; everyone else would Pascual. “The pope ... is coming to the get in on a Âżrst-come, Âżrst-served victims in the spirit of oneness to basis.

The conference and the Arch- be one with them. “When one suffers, everybody diocese of Manila have been reminding the faithful that no suffers. We feel the suffering of tickets are being sold to any pa- other people because we are part pal events, and they have warned of one humanity, we are brothers and sisters under Christ.� „ CNS against scammers.

12 WORLD

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Little impact on Aceh Catholics from Shariah law expansion BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA – An

Buddhists, as well as domestic and expansion of Islamic law, or Shari- foreign visitors to the province, ah, to include non-Muslims has had have been considered exempt from little impact on Catholics in Indo- the Shariah provisions. If arrested nesia’s conservative Aceh province. on any charge, they could simply “Until now, no Catholic has request that their case be handled been punished for violating Sha- under the national legal system. riah Law. And I hope that doesn’t Yet on Sept 27, the provincial change in the future,” Fr Hermanus legislature expanded the religious Sahar, pastor of Banda Aceh’s Sa- law to outlaw homosexual activcred Heart Catholic Church, told ity and adultery. Up to 100 lashes Catholic News Serand 100 months of vice (CNS). Fr Saprison can be imUntil now, no har, who said he has posed for consensuCatholic has yet to witness one of al same-sex sexual the public Àoggings activity, while adulbeen punished carried out under carries a penalty for violating the tery the auspices of the of up to 100 lashes.

Shariah law... I religious law, said As these new crimes he doubts the prachope that doesn’t are not part of natice is necessary. tional law, even nonchange in future “There’s really Muslims caught viono need for this. – Fr Hermanus Sahar, pastor lating them would of Banda Ache’s Sacred be subjected to the We still live in InHeart Catholic Church Shariah provisions. donesia, and we’re all subject to InRights groups donesian law. When you already decried the new developments. have instruments for justice such “The two new bylaws deny as the police and prosecutors and people in Aceh the fundamental judges, why should there be an- rights of expression, privacy, and other institution to punish crimi- freedom of religion,” said Mr Phenals? Why not improve the exist- lim Kine, deputy Asia director of ing justice institutions?” he said.

Human Rights Watch. “CriminalAceh is the only one of In- ising same-sex relations is a huge donesia’s 34 provinces that can backward step that the Indonesian legally adopt local regulations de- government should condemn and rived from Shariah. repeal. Whipping as punishment Roughly 90,000 non-Muslim should have been left behind in Acehnese, mostly Christians and the Middle Ages.” CNS

‘

’

Pope, religious leaders pledge to work together to end slavery by 2020 VATICAN CITY – As Pope Fran-

cis and leaders of other churches and religions signed a declaration pledging to work together to help end modern slavery in the world by 2020, he urged governments, businesses and all people of good will to join forces against this “crime against humanity”.

Tens of millions of people are “in chains” because of human traf¿cking and forced labour, and it is leading to their “dehumanisation and humiliation,” the pope said at the ceremony on Dec 2, the UN Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

Every human person is born with the same dignity and freedom, and any form of discrimination that does not respect this truth “is a crime and very often an abhorrent crime”, the pope said.

Inspired by their religious beliefs and a desire “to take practical action”, the pope and 11 leaders representing the Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, Anglican, Buddhist and Hindu communities made a united commitment to help eradicate slavery worldwide.

The leaders signed the joint declaration at the headquarters of Ponti¿cal Academy of Sciences in the Vatican Gardens. The signatories included: Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury; Rabbi David Rosen, international director of interreligious affairs for the American Jewish Committee; Aya-

Former Filipino ‘comfort women’ protest outside the Japanese embassy in Pasay City, Philippines, on June 25. Pope Francis, together with leaders from the world’s major religions, have pledged to help eradicate human VODYHU\ DQG WUDI¿FNLQJ CNS photo

We pledge ourselves here today to do ‘ all in our power, within our faith communities and beyond, to work together for the freedom RI DOO WKRVH ZKR DUH HQVODYHG DQG WUDI¿FNHG so that their future may be restored.

’

– From the joint declration by the pope and 11 other religious leaders

tollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi, an inÀuential Shiite scholar; and representatives signing on behalf of Ahmad el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar University – a

leading Sunni Muslim institution in Cairo – and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

The declaration recognised that any action that fails to respect every person’s freedom and dignity “is a crime against humanity”.

“We pledge ourselves here today to do all in our power, within our faith communities and beyond, to work together for the freedom of all those who are enslaved and traf¿cked so that their future may be restored,” it said.

“Today we have the opportunity, awareness, wisdom, innovation and technology to achieve this human and moral imperative,” said the joint declaration, which was read aloud in English by a man from Ghana and in Spanish by a woman from Mexico, both of whom had been victims of human traf¿cking and forced labour.

The initiative was organised by the faith-based Global Freedom Network, which was launched in March after a joint agreement by the Vatican, Al-Azhar University and the Anglican Communion.

Pope Francis thanked the men and women religious leaders for this “act of fraternity” on behalf of the countless numbers of women, men and children who are exploited for personal or commercial gain.

The pope also asked that people of faith join together in the ¿ght to end slavery and he called for the “steadfast support” of the world’s governments, businesses and people of good will to “join this movement”. CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday December 14, 2014 „ CatholicNews

In Ferguson, Catholics called to ‘rekindle’ commitment to end racism WASHINGTON – The scenes of chaos and violence in Ferguson, Missouri, USA, on Nov 24 following the grand jury’s decision not to indict the white police ofÂżcer in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an African-American teenager, reveal deeper issues going on in the country, said one of the country’s black Catholic bishops. “The racial divide that exists between blacks and whites is not addressed adequately except when tragedies such as this happen,â€? said retired Bishop John H Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida, who is president of the National Black Catholic Congress.

The smashed windows, lootings, car and building Âżres when the grand jury’s decision was announced were “part of a cycle of violence that is going to continue spirallingâ€?, he added.

The reactions also went against the Brown family’s wishes to keep “protests peaceful�.

In a statement, the family urged the public to channel their “frustration in ways that will make a positive change. We need to work together to Âżx the system that allowed this to happen.â€?

When asked what can be done to work toward this “positive change�, particularly by the Catholic community, the bishop said Catholics should return to the passion many of them showed during the civil rights movement. “We need to rekindle that commitment and not be so silent and only react when there is a great tragedy that forces us to,� he said on Nov 25.

The bishop noted that many Church leaders were at the forefront in integrating schools and Âżghting against racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s. “The Church took an active roleâ€? back then, he noted and add-

ed that Church leaders in St Louis have made efforts but overall the Church as a whole has not been as “visibly active�.

Bishop Ricard, who grew up in the segregated South in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, and was a seminarian in Washington when the Civil Rights Act passed, does not have a simple reason for why the Church has not been as outspoken in recent years but he thinks complacency is partly to blame. “People throw up their hands in air when there aren’t clear solutions,� he told Catholic News Service.

Protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, 86$ RXWVLGH RI 6W /RXLV UXQ IURP D FORXG RI WHDU JDV RQ 1RY CNS photo

What he would like to see happen in the wake of the Ferguson decision and reaction is for parishes or dioceses to convene to discuss racism. “We have structures in place,� he said, noting that it also takes courage and the “will and leadership to determine we’re going to take this step�.

Because as he sees it, these types of violent situations and reactions will continue if nothing is done.

He also said it “raises questions on both sides on the use of violence and police reaction�, adding that in USA, there seems to be a “consistent pattern of excessive force used against African-American men�. „ CNS

3RSH¡V JLIWV UDIà HG WR UDLVH PRQH\ IRU SRRU CITY – Like many Catholic parishes, the Vatican has turned to a rafÀe to raise money; the difference is, though, the prizes are items originally given as gifts to Pope Francis.

For 10 euros, about S$16 anyone can go to the Vatican post ofÂżce or pharmacy and buy a chance to win a Fiat Panda 4x4, a small SUV “fully loadedâ€? with every option available, the Vatican said. Tickets are not for sale on the Internet or anywhere outside Vatican City.

The rafĂ€e is being run by the Vatican City State governor’s ofÂżce, and proceeds will be placed directly “at the disposition of the pope himselfâ€?, said Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.

First prize is the Fiat. The other main prizes include: a blue racing bike, an “orange bicycle with baskets�, a tandem bike, a small HD digital video camera, an espresso machine and a silver pen and a brown leather briefcase.

VATICAN

Gifts that the pope received are listed in Italian on tickets for a Vatican rafÀH WR UDLVH PRQH\ IRU WKH SRRU CNS photo

The tickets also say there will be “more than 30 consolation prizes�.

In the small print, it speciÂżes that the winner of the Fiat will have to pay Italian value-added tax and automobile registration fees.

The winning tickets will be drawn on Jan 8 next year, and

the names of the winners will be published on the governor’s of¿ce website: www.vaticanstate.va.

The rafĂ€e, Fr Lombardi said, is “a response to Pope Francis’ appeal for new forms of solidarity with our neediest brothers and sisters, particularly with the approach of Christmasâ€?. „ CNS

14 WORLD

Sunday December 14, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Catholic leaders work for peace as tensions simmer in Jerusalem JERUSALEM – Catholic aid work-

ers and clergy are Âżnding that life is becoming increasingly difÂżcult in Jerusalem as tensions simmer and violence between Israelis and Palestinians mount.

Seemingly one retaliatory measure after another have occurred since June. Then, riots broke out in Jerusalem after the murder of a Palestinian boy. Authorities said he was killed in retaliation for the killing of three Jewish high school students outside a Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

Since then tensions have spilled into religious sites, with the most recent episode occurring on Nov 18 at a synagogue in West Jerusalem, leaving four worshippers, a policeman and two attackers dead.

Priests at the two Jerusalem parishes – St Saviour and the Hebrew-speaking parish of the House of Simeon and Anne – have offered support to parishioners.

Fr RaÂżc, who leads the Hebrew-speaking parish in Jewish West Jerusalem, said that during Sunday Mass silent prayers for peace are offered. While parishioners who live within Israeli society may have differing political points of view, politics are not discussed in church, he said.

Fr Feras Hejazin, whose St

Seemingly one retaliatory measure after another have occurred between Israelis and Palestinians since June.

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Saviour Parish is located within the Old City, said people have grown accustomed to living with the instability.

Many Christians are involved in the tourism industry, which has been hard hit as tourists and pilgrims refrain from visiting Jerusalem, Fr Hejazin explained.

Other business owners have also suffered because people are less likely to go out nowadays, he added.

For the US-based Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the situation has made Âżnding funding for dialogue or peacebuilding projects challenging, said Mr

Matthew McGarry, the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s country representative for Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.

He noted that his ofÂżce recently completed a budget proposal for a cross-border peacebuilding project but that prospects for Âżnding funding for it are slim.

A three-year effort by CRS to partially fund a Jewish-Arab

dialogue group is ending and Mr McGarry is unsure if the agency will be able to secure funding for cooperation in other such projects.

Mr Sami El-Yousef, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) regional director for Palestine and Israel, expressed concern that the Israeli government is moving towards withdrawing the residency rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem.

He noted that this would create a serious demographic change which would escalate the tense atmosphere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The answer is ... [to create] new bridges and a real honest analysis of why we are where we are today,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He suggested that efforts be made that will lead to tolerance and coexistence so that Jerusalem could be a joint capital of two states and â&#x20AC;&#x153;a symbol of peaceâ&#x20AC;?.

He urged both sides to learn how to â&#x20AC;&#x153;shareâ&#x20AC;? Jerusalem and â&#x20AC;&#x153;not to claim exclusivityâ&#x20AC;?.

He noted that CNEWA is working to support and strengthen Church institutions working in health care, education and social services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no better peacebuilding and reconciliation effort than in a school where Christians, Muslims and Jewish students grow up together and learn to appreciate the human face in each other, where patients at clinics and hospitals who face similar life miseries and experiences deal with them and learn to receive support from each other,â&#x20AC;? he said. Â&#x201E; CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Religious should ‘change with times’ &16 ¿OH SKRWR

VATICAN CITY – Religious orders

and the Vatican congregation that assists them must be bold in assessing whether current structures and practices help or hinder the proclamation of the Gospel, the pursuit of holiness and the service of the poor, Pope Francis said.

“We must not be afraid to leave ‘old wineskins’, that is, to renew the routines and structures that, in the life of the Church and in consecrated life, no longer respond to what God is asking us today in order to promote His kingdom in the world,” the pope, a former Jesuit provincial superior, told members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

The pope met congregation members on Nov 27, just three days before the opening of the Year of Consecrated Life. The same day, he also met with the Pauline Fathers, the Daughters of St Paul, and other Religious and lay groups that trace their inspiration to Blessed James Alberione’s foundation of orders dedicated to evangelisation through the media.

In his speech to members of the congregation for Religious, the pope said the Church must be bold in recognising and changing “the structures that give us a false sense of

‘

We must not be afraid to leave ‘old wineskins’, that is, to renew the routines and structures that, in the life of the Church and in consecrated life, no longer respond to what God is asking today in order to promote His kingdom in the world.

’

– Pope Francis

protection and that condition the dynamism of charity”, as well as “the routines that distance us from the Àock we are sent to and prevent us from hearing the cry of those await-

ing the good news of Jesus Christ”.

Pope Francis told the congregation members he knows not all the news about Religious life is good and the Church should not

“hide the areas of weakness”, including “the resistance to change in some sectors, the diminished ability to attract new members, the not irrelevant number of those who leave – and this really worries me”.

The Vatican and the orders themselves must take care in accepting candidates and in training them, he said, but they also must be very careful to ensure that “institutional and ministerial tasks” do not take priority over the development of members’ spiritual lives.

Orders also face “the dif¿cult integration of cultural and generation diversity, the problematic balance of the exercise of authority and the proper use of material goods – poverty concerns me, too”.

In his speech, he added that prayer is the ¿rst task and aid to holiness.

“Please tell your new members that to pray is not to waste time, adoring God is not a waste of time, praising God is not a waste of time.”

Meeting a short time later with the Pauline family, Pope Francis continued to reÀect on the importance of prayer and discernment of methods.

“The secret to evangelisation ... is to communicate the Gospel in the style of the Gospel,” he said.

“The ultimate aim of our work as Christians on this earth is to attain eternal life,” he told them.

“Therefore, our being a pilgrim Church – rooted in the commitment to proclaim Christ and His love for every creature – prevents us from remaining prisoners of earthly and worldly structures.”

Trusting in the Lord and convinced of the action of the Holy Spirit, he said, Religious are called to be unafraid and, especially, to be witnesses of hope and joy in the world.

“Many are still waiting to know Jesus Christ. The creativity of charity knows no limits and will always open new paths” of evangelisation, he said. CNS

16 POPE IN TURKEY

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Pope reaches out to Muslims, Chr ISTANBUL, TURKEY – Pope Fran-

cis prayed alongside a Muslim cleric inside Istanbul’s most famous mosque during his recent trip to Turkey.

At the Blue Mosque on Nov 29, Istanbul’s grand mufti Rahmi Yaran led the pope to the mosque’s mihrab, a niche indicating the direction to the holy city Mecca. He explained that the name is related to that of Jesus’ mother, Mary, who is revered by Muslims.

Then, as the grand mufti continued speaking, the pope fell silent and remained so for several minutes, with head bowed, eyes closed and hands clasped in front of him. A Vatican statement later described this as a “moment of silent adoration”.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, an early 17th-century structure, is known as the Blue Mosque for the predominant colour of the 21,000 tiles decorating its interior.

For Pope Francis, the prayer was apparently his latest gesture of a desire for closer relations with Islam.

He later walked to the nearby Hagia So¿a, a sixth-century basilica converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, then turned into a museum in the 20th century. The interior decoration today includes gigantic calligraphy of Qur’anic verses as well as mediaeval mosaics of Jesus and Mary. As the pope toured the museum, it was ¿lled with the sound of the noon call to prayer from the minaret of a nearby mosque.

In the afternoon, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Istanbul’s 19thcentury Catholic cathedral, which ordinarily holds fewer than 600 people, but was ¿lled to overÀowing for the Mass.

The congregation included Catholics of the Armenian, Syriac, Chaldean and Latin rites and prayers in several languages, including Turkish, Aramaic and English.

Christians in predominantlyMuslim Turkey make up less than 0.2 percent of the population.

The pope’s homily, which acknowledged the presence of several Orthodox and Protestant leaders, focused on the challenge of Christian unity, which he distinguished from mere uniformity.

“When we try to create unity through our own human designs, we end up with uniformity and homogenisation. If we let ourselves be led by the Spirit, however, richness, variety and diversity will never cre-

Pope Francis visits the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul on Nov 29. CNS photos

The pope prays alongside Istanbul’s grand mufti Rahmi Yaran at the Blue Mosque.

For Pope Francis, his prayer in the Blue Mosque was apparently another gesture of a desire for closer relations with Islam. ate conÀict, because the Spirit spurs us to experience variety in the communion of the Church,” he said.

The pope’s last public event of the day was an evening prayer service with Orthodox leader, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, at the patriarchal Church of St

George. The service was a kind of prelude to a liturgy planned for the next day in the same church.

Like his predecessors Blessed Paul VI, St John Paul II and retired Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis timed his visit to Turkey to include Nov 30, the feast of St Andrew, pa-

Pope Francis greets Catholics in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul.

tron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in what is today Istanbul. Like the earlier popes, his primary reason for visiting was to strengthen ties with the ecumenical patriarch, considered ¿rst among equals by Orthodox bishops.

In an address, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that the church contains relics of St Gregory the Theologian and St John Chrysostom, taken by crusaders during the 1204 sack of Constantinople and returned eight

centuries later by St John Paul II. “May these holy fathers, on whose teaching our common faith of the ¿rst millennium was founded, intercede for us to the Lord so that we rediscover the full union of our churches, thereby ful¿lling his divine will in crucial times for humanity and the world,” the patriarch said.

At the end of the service, in a typically spontaneous gesture, the pope asked the patriarch to bless him and the Church of Rome. CNS

‘Full communion between Churches is neither submission nor absorption’ From Page 1

Pope Francis, also speaking during the liturgy, said that the “cry of the victims of conÀict urges us to move with haste along the path of reconciliation and communion between Catholics and Orthodox. Indeed, how can we credibly proclaim the message of peace which comes from Christ, if there continues to be rivalry and disagreement between us?”

The leaders’ joint declaration called

for peace in eastern Ukraine, where a war between government forces and Russianbacked separatists has exacerbated historic tensions between Eastern Catholic and Orthodox communities there.

“We call upon all parties involved to pursue the path of dialogue and of respect for international law,” the declaration said, in an apparent reference to Russia’s support for the separatists, which has drawn international condemnation.

Pope Francis said unity between the Churches is also necessary to combat the “structural causes of poverty” including unemployment and scarce housing, and a “dominant culture” of materialism that particularly demoralises the young.

The pope assured his listeners that “to reach the desired goal of full unity, the Catholic Church does not intend to impose any conditions except that of the shared profession of faith”, and that Orthodox Christians

would not lose their distinctive forms of worship, spirituality and governance in a reunion with Rome.

Full communion between the Churches, which have been divided since 1054, “means neither submission of one to the other nor absorption, but rather welcoming of all the gifts that God has given to each to show the whole world the great mystery of salvation realised

by Christ the Lord through the Holy Spirit”, the pope said. CNS

POPE IN TURKEY 17

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

istians, political leaders in Turkey ANALYSIS

Pontiff, Turkish leaders trade concerns Pope’s experience in about religious discrimination ANKARA, TURKEY – Interreligious dialogue dominated Pope Francis’ ¿rst day in Turkey, with the pope and Turkish leaders frankly stating their concerns, respectively, about discrimination against Christians in the Middle East and against Muslims in the West.

“It is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian – both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties,” the pope said on Nov 28 in a speech to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other of¿cials at the presidential palace.

Turkey’s secularist constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but Pope Francis’ call for equality “both in the provision and practice of the law” seemed to allude to persistent de facto discrimination against non-Muslims.

Speaking prior to the pope, Mr Erdogan raised the issue of prejudice and intolerance against Muslims in other countries, stating that “Islamophobia is a serious and rapidly rising problem in the West” and lamenting that “attempts to identify Islam with terrorism hurt millions”.

Later in the afternoon, the pope visited Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs, called the Diyanet, a large and well-funded government agency that oversees Muslim

Turkey: Christianity on the margins

By Francis X Rocca

VATICAN CITY – Ankara and Is-

Pope Francis talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with government authorities at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey.

worship and Muslim education in the country.

In his speech, he criticised the use of religion to justify violence, particularly in the neighbouring countries of Syria and Iraq.

“Prisoners and entire ethnic populations are experiencing the violation of the most basic humanitarian laws. Grave persecutions have taken place in the past and still continue today to the detriment of minorities, especially – though not only – Christians and Yezidis,” he said.

The pope also reaf¿rmed his

quali¿ed support for the use of military force to stop the Islamic State.

While he noted that the “problem cannot be resolved solely through a military response”, the pope repeated his stated position that “it is licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor” such as the Islamic State. The pope did not repeat the quali¿cation, which he had stressed to reporters on two previous occasions, that such military action should be undertaken by a coalition and not any single national government. CNS

Pope urges Muslim leaders to condemn religious violence ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ISTANBUL – Pope Francis

called on political and religious leaders across the Muslim world to condemn violence done in the name of Islam.

The pope said he told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Nov 28 that “it would be beautiful if all Islamic leaders – whether they be political leaders, religious leaders, academic leaders – would say clearly that they condemn [terrorism], because that will help the majority of Islamic people to say, ‘that’s true,’” and show non-Muslims that Islam is a religion of peace.

“I sincerely believe that you cannot say that all Muslims are terrorists just as you cannot say that all Christians are fundamentalists; every religion has these little groups,” the pope said.

The pope made his remarks on Nov 30 during a 45-minute news conference on his Àight to Rome after a three-day visit to Turkey.

In response to other questions, Pope Francis said: During a televised moment of silent prayer in Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, alongside the city’s grand mufti, “I prayed for Turkey, I prayed

for the mufti, I prayed for myself because I need it, and I prayed above all for the peace and an end to war.”

The “substance” of controversial language on “welcoming homosexuals” in the midterm report at the October 2014 extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family survived in the corresponding section of the ¿nal document, even though the latter was widely considered more conservative.

‘It would be beautiful’ if all Islamic leaders would say clearly that they condemn terrorism, said the pope.

The pope said the synod was not a parliament but an “ecclesial space where the Holy Spirit can work” and was just part of a process to be continued through the coming year of preparation for an October 2015 worldwide synod on the same subject.

Although dif¿culties remain in relations between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches, the pope is ready to meet with the Or-

thodox patriarch of Moscow as soon as the patriarch wishes to invite him.

Both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches include conservative members resistant to ecumenism, who must nonetheless be treated with respect: “A conservative has a right to speak, you don’t expel him,” said the pope.

The pope would like to visit one of the camps housing refugees from the civil wars in Syria and Iraq but cannot do so now because of security concerns.

He speculated, without naming names, that at least one of the governments that denounced the use of chemical weapons in Syria’s civil war may have been the source of those very weapons.

He praised Mr Erdogan’s 2013 statement on the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces – a statement criticized as inadequate by many Armenians, who consider the massacres a “genocide” – as an “outstretched hand”. The pope voiced hope that other gestures over the coming anniversary year would bring the two nations nearer, and he speci¿cally voiced hope that Turkey would open its border with Armenia. CNS

tanbul were gray and cold, at least compared to Rome, during Pope Francis’ Nov 28-30 visit to Turkey.

And the general reception, outside of the pope’s of¿cial meetings, was hardly warmer. There were none of the enthusiastic crowds that usually greet him on his trips, no masses waving signs of welcome along his motorcade route or behind police barriers at the stops.

Pope Francis, who seems to thrive on contact with the public, especially with the young, the aged and the in¿rm, seemed dispirited by the lack of it this time. Despite his relatively light schedule – six speeches over three days, compared to 14 during his three-day visit to the Holy Land in May – he looked attentive but increasingly weary at his public appearances.

There was an obvious reason, unrelated to the pope himself, for the general indifference to his presence. An observer did not need to know that Turkey is 99.8 percent Muslim to see that both cities he visited are dotted with the domes and minarets of countless mosques, miniature versions of the great monuments, Hagia So¿a and the Blue Mosque, that he toured in Istanbul.

Even a brief experience of Christianity’s marginality in that part of the world makes it easier to understand why Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, whom Pope Francis travelled to Turkey principally to see, is the papacy’s best friend in the Orthodox Church and an eager participant in ecumenical dialogue.

Although Patriarch Bartholomew is traditionally considered ¿rst among equals by Orthodox bishops, his Greek Orthodox Àock in Turkey is estimated at no more than 4,000 people. Turkish authorities have kept his Church’s only seminary closed for more than 40 years.

Just across the border, in Syria and Iraq, Christian minorities are being slaughtered or driven from their homes by Islamic State militants.

Under such circumstances, it is no wonder that Patriarch Bartholomew told Pope Francis on Nov 30: “We no longer have the luxury of isolated action. The modern persecutors of Christians do not ask which Church their victims belong to. The unity that concerns us is regrettably already occurring in certain regions of the world through the blood of martyrdom.”

In other words, necessity is the mother not only of invention but ecumenism, which also makes it

easier to understand why Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who leads tens of millions of Russian Orthodox and is closely allied with his nation’s government, can maintain his predecessors’ stance of refusing even to meet with the bishop of Rome.

Rome obviously is a far less lonely place than Istanbul to be a Christian. But Pope Francis follows St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in recognising that the West is, increasingly, Christian only in name. His Nov 25 visit to the European institutions in Strasbourg, France, where he arrived to ¿nd the streets practically empty, was a recent reminder of that reality in the Church’s traditional heartland.

The impressions of Christian culture that the Muslim world encounters through globalisation are not the work of missionaries. A luxury shopping mall decorated with lighted Christmas trees was

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople sign a joint declaration.

something noticed by reporters as they passed it after the pope left Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs in Ankara on Nov 28.

In response to the secularism of Europe and other wealthy societies, Pope Francis has taken a different tack from his two immediate predecessors. The current pope denounces a “throwaway” culture of abortion, euthanasia, unemployment, economic inequality and environmental pollution. But he rarely speaks of secularism, and his teaching focuses less on the failings of contemporary society and more on the Church’s own shortcomings as impediments to evangelisation.

To see the Church’s future now, the pope must perhaps look elsewhere, such as the Philippines, where in 1995 St John Paul celebrated a single Mass in Manila with a congregation of more than 5 million.

Pope Francis travels there in January. CNS Rocca is Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau chief

18 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday December 14, 2014 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Pope asks if Europe Pontiff says he would â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;never close the doorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on can still inspire modern-day culture talks with Islamic State STRASBOURG, FRANCE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pope

Francis said he would â&#x20AC;&#x153;never close the doorâ&#x20AC;? on dialogue with the Islamic State in an effort to bring peace to a region of the world suffering from violence and persecution.

He also said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;terrorismâ&#x20AC;? could describe not only the actions of such extremist groups but also those of some national governments using military force unilaterally.

Meeting reporters on Nov 25 on his return Ă&#x20AC;ight from Strasbourg where he addressed the European Parliament and the Council of Europe (see other story), Pope Francis said terrorism is a threat the world must take seriously.

Asked if he thought there was even the most remote possibility of dialoguing with terrorists like those from the Islamic State, Pope Francis said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I never count anything as lost. Never. Never close the door. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difÂżcult, you could say almost impossible, but the door is always open.â&#x20AC;?

But he also said that the threat of terrorism is not the only horror weighing on the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slavery is a reality inserted in the social fabric today, and has been for some time: slave labour, the trafÂżcking of persons, the sale of children â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a drama. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not close our eyes to this. Slavery is a reality today, the exploitation of persons,â&#x20AC;? he explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But there is another threat, too,â&#x20AC;? he said, the threat of â&#x20AC;&#x153;state terrorismâ&#x20AC;?, when tensions rise and an individual nation decides on its own to strike, feeling it has â&#x20AC;&#x153;the right to massacre terrorists and with the ter-

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rorists many innocent people fallâ&#x20AC;?.

Nations have a right and duty to stop â&#x20AC;&#x153;unjust aggressorsâ&#x20AC;?, he said, but they must act in concert and in accordance with international law.

A reporter asked about a man from Granada, Spain, who wrote to the pope about being sexually abused by a priest. The correspondence set off a police investigation, the arrest of three priests and a layman, and the suspension of several priests by the Granada

archdiocese in November.

The pope said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I phoned the person and I told him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Go to the bishop tomorrow,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and I wrote to the bishop and told him to get to work, conduct an investigation.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The truth is the truth and we must not hide it,â&#x20AC;? said the pope.

Another journalist asked the pope about his remarks at the Council of Europe that in audiences at the Vatican, he has noticed differences between young politicians and their older peers.

The pope told reporters that no matter what countries or political parties they belong to, the young seem â&#x20AC;&#x153;to not have fear of going out of their own group to dialogue. They are courageous. And we must imitate this.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Europe needs this today,â&#x20AC;? he added. Â&#x201E; CNS

STRASBOURG, FRANCE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The project of European unity and cooperation, ensuring peace on the continent and helping others Âżnd peace as well, requires a real commitment to dialogue and respect for others, Pope Francis said.

While the pope did not speciÂżcally mention the current conĂ&#x20AC;ict between Ukraine and Russia, both members of the Council of Europe, he told council members that a â&#x20AC;&#x153;great toll of suffering and death is still being enacted on this continentâ&#x20AC;?.

Visiting European institutions in Strasbourg on Nov 25, the pope marked the 65th anniversary of the 47-member Council of Europe, which was formed to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law on the continent in the wake of the destruction and division sown by World War II. Where is Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy, idealism and constant search for truth, he asked members of the Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parliamentary assembly, ambassadors from the 47 member states, the 47 judges of the European Court of Human Rights and other guests, including representatives of the religions present in member countries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Europe should reĂ&#x20AC;ect on whether its immense human, artistic, technical, social, political, economic and religious patrimony is simply an artefact of the past or whether it is still capable of inspiring culture and displaying its treasures to mankind as a whole,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a world more prone to make demands than to serve,â&#x20AC;? he said, helping one another and promoting a peaceful resolution of conĂ&#x20AC;icts must be at the heart of the Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agenda. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The royal road to peace â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and to avoiding a repetition of what

occurred in the two world wars of the last century â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is to see others not as enemies to be opposed, but as brothers and sisters to be embraced,â&#x20AC;? the pope said.

He told the Council of Europe, as he had told the European Parliament earlier in the day, he realises that members of the Catholic Church in Europe have not always been blameless, but that the Church constantly commits itself to serving others better, a commitment that government and international organisations must make as well.

He pleaded with the European CNS photo

Pope Francis addresses the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.

institutions to be more serious and creative about increasing employment, particularly for the young. He also urged the â&#x20AC;&#x153;banishingâ&#x20AC;? of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;culture of conĂ&#x20AC;ict aimed at fear of others, marginalising those who think or live differently from ourselvesâ&#x20AC;?.

Using the international forum of the Council of Europe, the pope condemned â&#x20AC;&#x153;religious and international terrorism, which displays deep disdain for human life and indiscriminately reaps innocent victimsâ&#x20AC;?. Â&#x201E; CNS

POPE FRANCIS 19

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

Break down isolation, stigma of autism, pope says VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis called for greater acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorders and their families so as to break down the “isolation” and “stigma” that burdens them.

“Everyone should be committed to promoting acceptance, encounter and solidarity through concrete support and by encouraging renewed hope,” the pope said on Nov 22. He was meeting with people with autism disorders, also known as ASD, and their families, and with 700 participants in a three-day conference on autism and related disorders, organised by the Ponti¿cal Council for Health Care Ministry.

Pope Francis called the daily challenges for people with autism spectrum disorders and their families “a cross” and noted the need to develop more “comprehensive and accessible” support networks.

The accompaniment of people with autism and their families must not be “anonymous or impersonal”, he stated. Rather, it must involve “listening to the profound needs that arise from the depths of a pathology which, all too often, struggles to be properly diagnosed and accepted without shame or withdrawing into solitude”.

Pope Francis greets a child during an audience with people who have autism in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on Nov 22. CNS photo

The accompaniment of people with autism must not be ‘anonymous or impersonal’.

The pope said support networks should extend to include “grandparents, friends, therapists, educators and pastoral workers”, who “can help families overcome the feelings that sometimes arise of inadequacy, uselessness and frustration”.

He thanked families, parish

groups and various organisations for the care they provide people with ASD, noting that such care is the “direct responsibility” of governments, institutions and Christian communities. He also encouraged researchers in their work of discovering treatments and therapies to help cure and prevent the disorders.

CNS

20 OPINION

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

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Pope: support Religious in their mission, ministries VATICAN CITY – During the Year

of Consecrated Life, all Catholics are called to thank God for the gifts members of Religious orders have given the Church and the world, to join them in prayer and ¿nd practical ways to support them and their ministries, Pope Francis said.

“Let them know the affection and the warmth which the entire Christian people feels for them,” the pope said in a letter issued for the special year, which opened on Nov 30 and will close on Feb 2, 2016, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

The Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court, issued a note on Nov 28, specifying that both lay and consecrated people can receive an indulgence for participating in events related to the Year of Consecrated Life, going to confession, receiving the Eucharist and offering prayers for the intentions of the pope.

In his letter, Pope Francis also offered greetings to Orthodox communities of monks and nuns, and to members of Protestant Religious orders, who also take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The bulk of the pope’s letter and video messages he sent for a Nov 29 prayer vigil in Rome, and the year’s opening Mass the next day in St Peter’s Basilica, were addressed speci¿cally to the world’s more than 900,000 Catholic Religious priests, Brothers, Sisters and consecrated virgins.

“Leave your nests and go out to the peripheries,” he told those at the vigil in the Basilica of St Mary Major. “Live on the frontiers” where people are waiting to hear and understand the Gospel.

“Wake up the world, enlightening it with your prophetic and countercultural witness,” he said in the message to those at Mass in St Peter’s the next morning.

“Being joyful”, he said in the message, “being courageous” and “being men and women of communion” are the common traits of the founders of Religious orders and are the key to their future.

The pope’s letter for the year

Pope Francis speaking to representatives of Religious communities during his visit to Kkottongnae, South Korea, in August this year. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

explained that while he was writing as pope, he was also writing as a Jesuit, “a brother who, like yourselves, is consecrated to the Lord”.

Pope Francis urged Religious to “look to the past with gratitude”, rediscovering the way their predecessors read “the signs of the times” and responded with creativity. However, it also involves recognising the dif¿culties and inconsistencies resulting from human

Let them know ‘ the affection and the warmth which the entire Christian people feels for them.

’

– Pope Francis

weakness and learning from them.

Religious are called “to live the present with passion” and “embrace the future with hope”, he said, knowing that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire new responses to the needs of the Church and the world and to give Religious the strength to be faithful servants of God. Within communities, within dioceses and within the Church, he said, Religious are called to be “ex-

perts in communion”, a call that is prophetic in the modern world. “In a polarised society where different cultures experience dif¿culty in living alongside one another and where the powerless encounter oppression, where inequality abounds, we are called to offer a concrete model of community which, by acknowledging the dignity of each person and sharing our respective gifts, makes it possible to live as brothers and sisters.”

“Don’t be closed in on yourselves,” he said, “don’t be stiÀed by petty squabbles, don’t remain a hostage to your own problems.”

“None of us”, he said, “should be dour, discontented and dissatis¿ed, for a ‘gloomy disciple is a disciple of gloom’”.

Countering the decline in the number of people entering Religious life in the West will not be the “result of brilliant vocations programs”, the pope said, but of meeting young people who are attracted by the joy they see in Religious men and women.

The pope’s full letter can be found at: http://w2.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco_ lettera-ap_20141121_lettera-consacrati.html CNS

Fewer people are going to church – whom to blame?

IT’S no secret that today there’s been a massive dropoff in Church attendance. Moreover that drop-off in church-going is not paralleled by the same widespread growth in atheism and agnosticism. Rather, more and more people are claiming to be spiritual but not religious, faith-¿lled but not church-goers. Why this exodus from our churches?

The temptation inside Religious circles is to blame what’s happening on secularity. Secular culture, many people argue, is perhaps the most powerful narcotic ever perpetrated on this planet, both for good and for bad.

It swallows most of us whole with its seductive promises of heaven on this side of eternity. Within our secularised world, the pursuit of the good life simply squeezes out almost all deeper Religious desire. Interestingly, this is also the major criticism that Islamic extremists make of Western culture. For them it’s a drug, which once ingested, has no cure.

That’s why they want to block their youth from Western inÀuences.

But is this true? Is secular culture the enemy? Are we, churchgoers, the last true remnant of God and truth left standing, prophetic and marginalised in a society that’s shallow, irreligious, and godless?

Many, including myself, would argue that this conclusion is far, far too simple. Secular society can be shallow, irreligious, and godless, there’s more than suf¿cient evidence for that; but, beneath its shallowness and its congenital allergy to our churches, real Religious desire still burns and the churches must ask themselves: Why aren’t more people turning to us to deal with their Religious desires? Why are so many people who are seeking spirituality not interested in looking at what the Church offers? Why, instead, are they turning to everything except the Church? Why, indeed, do so many people have the attitude: “The Church has nothing to offer me: I ¿nd it boring, irrelevant, caught up inside its own petty issues, hopelessly out of step with my life.”

Secularity is, no doubt, partly to blame, but so too are the churches themselves. There’s an axiom that says: All atheism is a parasite of bad theism. That logic also holds regarding attitudes towards the Church: Bad attitudes towards the Church feed off bad Church practices.

The great Jewish scholar, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, would agree. In his book, God In Search of Man, he writes: “It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendour of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than the voice of compassion – its message becomes meaningless.”

Novelist Marilynne Robinson (who has both a deep sympathy for and a commitment to the Church) echoes Heschel. For her, as churches today, we are not radiating the immensity of God and the larger mystery of Christ. Rather, despite our good will, we are too much subordinating the mystery of Christ to tribalism, resentment, fear, and self-protection.

This is one of the major reasons for our marginalisation. Christianity, Robinson submits, “is too great a narrative to be reduced to serving any parochial interest or to be underwritten by any lesser tale”. It is our narrow attitudes, she believes, that denigrate the Christian message and leave the churches, for good reason, marginalised: “Undigni¿ed, obscurantist, and xenophobic Christianity closes the path for many to enter the church.” Blaming the world for our problems, she argues, does nothing to enhance the respect the world has for religion or for Christianity.

The drop-off in church attendance is very much our own fault because far too often we are not radiating a church with a compassionate embrace and we are not in fact addressing the real energies that are burning inside people. For Robinson, the secular world isn’t, per se, irreligious. Rather it sees our churches as self-absorbed, non-understanding, and non-empathetic to its desires, its wounds, and its needs.

And so her challenge to us, church-goers, is this: “It behooves anyone who calls himself or herself a Christian, any institution that calls itself a church, to bring credit to the faith, at very least not to embarrass or disgrace it. Making God a tribal deity, our local Baal, is embarrassing and disgraceful.”

Some years ago, I heard an Evangelical minister state the problem this way: As Christian churches we have the living water, the water Christ promised would quench all ¿res and all thirsts. But, this is the problem: We aren’t getting the living water to where the ¿res are Instead we are spraying water everywhere, except where it’s burning He’s right. The answer to the mass exodus from our churches is not to blame the culture; it’s to make better churches

FOCUS 21

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE

Penitential Services CITY Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Under renovation/restoration.

Church of Sts Peter & Paul No penitential service.

Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church)

Under reconstruction.

No penitential service Church of the Sacred Heart No penitential service. Confessions available before every Mass Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Dec 14: 8.45am (Tamil) and 5.45pm (Tamil) Dec 17: 8.00pm Church of St Michael Dec 15: 8.00pm Church of St Teresa Dec 16: 8.00pm St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) Dec 18: 8.00pm Church of St Bernadette Dec 19: 8.00pm EAST Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Dec 11: 10.30am & 8.00pm Church of Divine Mercy Dec 12: 8.00pm Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace Dec 15: 8.00pm Church of the Holy Trinity Dec 16 : 10.30am & 8.00pm Church of St Stephen Dec 17: 8.00pm Church of the Holy Family Dec 18: 10.30am & 8.00pm

NORTH Church of the Holy Spirit Dec 12: 10.30am & 8.00pm St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) Dec 15: 8.00pm Church of the Risen Christ Dec 16: 10.30am & 8.00pm Church of St Anthony Dec 17: 8.00pm Church of Christ the King Dec 18: 10.30am & 8.00pm Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Dec 19: 8.00pm SERANGOON Church of St Vincent De Paul Dec 15: 8.00pm Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Dec 16: 8.00pm St Anne’s Church Dec 17: 8.00pm Church of St Francis Xavier Dec 18: 8.00pm Church of the Nativity of the BVM Dec 19: 8.00pm WEST Church of St Ignatius Dec 15: 8.00pm Church of the Holy Cross Dec 16: 8.00pm Church of St Francis of Assisi Dec 17: 8.00pm Church of St Mary of the Angels Dec 18: 8.00pm Blessed Sacrament Church Dec 19: 8.00pm

Simbang Gabi sa 2014 Theme: Year of the Family

Organised by Fr Angel C. Luciano, CICM and Filipino Parish organisations in Singapore Dec 15, Monday, 8pm LOVE OF GOD

Dec 20, Saturday, 8pm FORGIVENESS OF SINS

CHURCH OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA

Francis Cepe (94761255) / Tony Odiada (91391180)

SAINT ANNE’s CHURCH

Geraldine Quiambao (92359267)

CHURCH OF SAINT STEPHEN

Rey De Luna (97453947) / Manulet Bulaong (91258086) Dec 16, Tuesday, 8pm LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR CHURCH OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Agnes Paculdar (81235158) / Daisy Ducusin (93636408) Dec 17, Wednesday, 8pm FIDELITY IN MARRIAGE CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST

Tosing Kew (96246061) / Veronica Oreste (97467143) CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA

Butch Sarmiento (91349109) CHURCH OF SAINT MARY OF THE ANGELS

Mark Perico (96488038) / Arman Ardiente (97679102) Dec 18, Thursday, 8pm RENUNCIATION OF WORDLY GOODS CHURCH OF SAINT TERESA

Yeng Palma (97516598) / Gilbert Naguit (91518924) CHURCH OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL

Third Gutlay (96340743) / Luz Gutlay (91376938) Dec 19, Friday, 8pm RENUNCIATION OF VIOLENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING

Betty Cervantes (96582456) / Robert Mendoza (98932229) CHURCH OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL

Third Gutlay (96340743) / Luz Gutlay (91376938)

CHURCH OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL

Third Gutlay (96340743) / Luz Gutlay (91376938) Dec 21, Sunday, 8pm RESPECT FOR LIFE CHURCH OF SAINT MICHAEL

Fr Angel C Luciano, CICM (63920592) CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE

Edilberto Endeno (96583526) / Dodeth Vergara (84440213) CHURCH OF SAINT IGNATIUS

Rilyn Binas (97918677) / Melinda Dumalogdog (94690437) CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS

Lalang Castro (91769340) / Bong Nungay (90401529) CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Ma Victoria Balan (82474582) Dec 22, Monday, 8pm HONOUR ONE’S PARENTS CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Nes Sanio (93669584) / Daisy Leong (90995035) CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Jenny Arancon (93425839) Dec 23, Tuesday, 8pm UNCONDITIONAL LOVE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Maleen Ngan (97867143) / Violet Liew (91542797) CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Jenny Arancon (93425839) Dec 24, Wednesday, 5pm JESUS, CENTER OF THE FAMILY SAINT JOSEPH’S CHURCH

Jenny Arancon (93425839)

When was the last time you had fun?

Just last week! I went on a treasure hunt with my classmates as part of our class assignment. In two hours, we had to ¿nd and photograph ourselves with the “treasures” we found in central Milan, which included a historic opera house, a library which houses the largest collection of Da Vinci’s works, a 15th century castle and more!

Name an occasion you felt humbled.

I’m currently learning Italian but I feel like a stammering preschooler every time I have to speak it. Once, the visiting provincial superior asked if I liked Italian food. I wanted to say “I love it” but ended up saying “I love you” instead.

She gave me a funny look so I hastily modi¿ed my reply!

Name an occasion when you felt God was far away.

In my mid-20s, I doubted the Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Being at Mass was painful; it was a weird, torturous experience of wanting God so badly yet being unable to believe. This went on for a year but the light at the end of the tunnel was the discovery of my vocation.

What do you like best about being a Religious?

Belonging totally to Jesus, being available to those who seek him and a reminder to those who have forgotten Him. What are the usual distractions in your prayer? What do you do about them?

One thing that “prevents” me from praying is that feeling of being stuck. It usually happens when I’m avoiding or dreading something. Once I realise it though, I just “say-it-like-it-is” to the Lord and that often leads to genuine encounter with God.

Favourite book?

I read “He Leadeth Me” by Walter Ciszek, SJ, during my novitiate. It is an amazing testimony of faith and how one can still ¿nd God and freedom of spirit in very harsh circumstances. (Fr Ciszek spent 23 years in Soviet camps.)

Favourite food?

Sushi and most things Japanese.

Before I entered the convent, I secretly wondered if I would have to give that up. To my delight, I discovered later that one of the Sisters in Singapore makes great sushi.

God sure has a sense of humour!

What do you usually do to relax?

Pope Francis calls for a Church of the poor, for the poor. How do you live this within your vocation?

Our mission is to feed the spiritually hungry children of God by communicating the Gospel through the media. We carry out our mission in poverty because our mission, though very relevant in today’s world of communications, is often misunderstood by others.

What do you like to do when you are with your biological family?

Potter around the house. Since I don’t live there anymore, it’s really nice just being with them.

I also enjoy being with my little nieces and nephew – their antics can be quite entertaining!

Singaporean Sr Karen Eng, Daughters of St Paul.

Currently residing in Italy in preparation for perpetual vows.

Website: http://www.paulines.org.sg/

Read children’s books. I also enjoy connecting with friends on social media.

22 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday December 14, 2014 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Listening to the language of the Lord CNS photo

%\ 'DYLG *LEVRQ What language does the Lord speak? Advent is a great time for listening to the language of the Lord and learning to speak it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or, perhaps better, learning to sing it.

Pope Francis proposed as much a year ago during Advent.

To speak the language of the Lord, it is essential not only to learn â&#x20AC;&#x153;whatâ&#x20AC;? to say, but â&#x20AC;&#x153;howâ&#x20AC;? to say it, said the pope. He meant that students of this unique language need to pay close attention to the way the Lord expresses Himself.

The Lord â&#x20AC;&#x153;draws nearâ&#x20AC;? to people in much the way that a father or mother draws near a little child who is afraid, speaking tenderly and in words the child understands, the pope explained. Someone overhearing it might Âżnd the conversation ridiculous, with all its affectionate, endearing words.

But, Pope Francis commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The love of a father and a mother needs to be close.â&#x20AC;? Thus, they â&#x20AC;&#x153;lower themselves to the world of the childâ&#x20AC;?.

The Lord draws near â&#x20AC;&#x153;without making a spectacleâ&#x20AC;?, becoming â&#x20AC;&#x153;small in order to make me strongâ&#x20AC;?, said the pope. The quiet closeness and tenderness that characterise this way of speaking are â&#x20AC;&#x153;the music of the language of the Lordâ&#x20AC;?.

This is how â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is with the Lordâ&#x20AC;?, he stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the language of the Lord, the language of the love of a father or a mother.â&#x20AC;?

It could become our language too, he made clear.

Learning any new language is a real accomplishment. It requires time and commitment. But as this demanding process unfolds, a new

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person emerges, someone able to speak in a new way.

The same is true of journeys toward many important points of destination in life. In retrospect, people see how they were transformed by the somewhat long, complicated process of acquiring needed job skills, caring for a baby during the early years, healing a broken friendship or coping with an energy-sapping illness that lingered for months.

Perhaps they discover that

the entire process mysteriously changed them for the better in large or small ways. Maybe their self-respect grew. Or they may notice, with some surprise, that they now interact with others in a more understanding manner.

In any event, becoming new persons in large and small ways, is what the Church encourages by inviting Christians to see Advent as a time of conversion, of transformation.

Because this is a season of watching for the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming,

conversion in Advent can have a Âżnest talents? Not according to lot to do with recognising the Lord the pope, who offered this advice: when He comes, taking care not to â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I feel envious â&#x20AC;&#x201C; beoverlook His presence in the Eucha- cause envy comes to everyone, rist, in ourselves and in others. we are all sinners â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I must say to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The meaning of our lives is the Lord, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Thank you, Lord, beto be a process of conversion,â&#x20AC;? the cause you have given this [talent Catholic bishops of Ireland said in or quality] to that person.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? a 2012 pastoral letter. They added, Thank God for His gifts to â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can gradually come to know others, the pope proposed. I conourselves and our destiny better,â&#x20AC;? sider it a proposal with an Advent but â&#x20AC;&#x153;the process is never com- tone, since it involves watching pleted, and it involves setbacks as for the coming of the Lord in othwell as growthâ&#x20AC;?. ers and not ignoring or dismissing Conversion is a word to de- His presence in them. scribe â&#x20AC;&#x153;the journey by which we We are readily thankful for open ourselves, allow our outlook the good qualities God gives to to be changedâ&#x20AC;?, us personally. said the bishops.

But the habit of In the season of Conversion inthanking God ofAdvent, take time volves growing ten for talents and to recognise God qualities given to recognise as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the source of to others might the Lord when our gifts and our well demand a ability to develspiritual converHe comes, taking op them and use sion, a journey care not to overlook prompting us to them wellâ&#x20AC;?.

What might an interact far more His presence Advent converpositively with in ourselves sion look like? those who are part Consider, for exof our lives. and in others. ample, the spirit The same of competition or jealousy that seems true of learning the lancharacterises many human rela- guage of the Lord. Doing that tionships, setting people against could require a conversion to a each other, even within church changed way of speaking. communities.

The Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of expressing Pope Francis mentioned this Himself is a language Christians in October when he discussed the indeed could learn, Pope Francis body of Christ, which he insisted is said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, we understand â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; not a â&#x20AC;&#x153;catchphraseâ&#x20AC;?. Baptism â&#x20AC;&#x153;re- [the Lord] tells us, but we also see generates us in Christ ... and unites â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; He says it. And we must do us intimately among ourselves as what the Lord does, do what He limbs of the same body of which says and do it as He says it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with he is the headâ&#x20AC;?, the pope said. love, with tenderness.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS Should the members of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body, who are each oth- Gibson served on Catholic News Sererâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;limbsâ&#x20AC;?, resent each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s YLFHÂśV HGLWRULDO VWDII IRU \HDUV

Advent as a time of conversion

By Marcellino Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ambrosio The days before December 25th are for shopping, ofÂżce parties, and stoking the Christmas spirit.

While the world is decking the halls with boughs of holly, the Church is draping itself in the colour purple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the same colour as the penitential season of Lent.

At church we hear the message from the stern Baptist calling us to repent and change our lives,

a far cry, indeed, from Frosty the Snowman.

How do we explain the need for conversion in this otherwise joyful season of anticipation? Maybe we can Âżnd the answer in a phrase that often appears on many Christmas cards: Peace on earth. The world is obviously not at peace because human hearts are not at peace. We are pulled in opposite directions by competing desires, torn apart by loyalties to different gods.

We must look at our lives and give God permission to burn away our impurities.

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ity, the forerunner must come with his stern message of warfare. The enemies of peace will not leave by their own accord. They must be put down. Peace is a fruit of victory.

The Holy Spirit that the Messiah brings comes not only as light, but as cleansing Âżre. In the light of the spirit, we must look at our lives and give Him permission

to burn away the impurities. This is part of conversion. It may hurt a bit, but the Âżre weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re put through is a reÂżnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Âżre. The aim is to make us pure gold. Â&#x201E; CNS 'Âś$PEURVLR ZULWHV IURP 7H[DV 86$ He is co-founder of Crossroads Productions, an apostolate of Catholic renewal and evangelisation.

So before the prince of peace can usher in a season of tranquil-

FOOD FOR THOUGHT While messages at this time of year shout of joy, shopping, baking, parties, and on and on, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to remember that Advent is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;mini-Lentâ&#x20AC;?, as some call it. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re asked to examine ourselves, our behaviours, and change those things that may be cumbersome on the road to salvation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Advent season arrives as our annual wake-up call,â&#x20AC;? wrote Miami Archbishop

Thomas G Wenski in a 2013 column about Advent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The liturgy of Advent is sober,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Wenski said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;calling us to repentance and conversionâ&#x20AC;?.

We have to examine the choices we have made, he wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;sinful choices that turn us away from the destiny to which [God] calls usâ&#x20AC;?. If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, â&#x20AC;&#x153;God will be not only â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;missingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from our lives; He will not

even be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;missed,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he wrote.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to look at the ways in which we can grow closer to God â&#x20AC;&#x153;Advent reminds us that Christ wants to come to us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and, through us, He wants to come and live in our world,â&#x20AC;? Archbishop Wenski said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[God] continues to come among us and knocks at the door of our hearts asking us: Are you willing to give me your Ă&#x20AC;esh, your time, your life?â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; CNS

$ JLUO LQ 6W 3HWHUÂśV 6TXDUH KROGV EDE\ -HVXV ÂżJXULQHV IRU 3RSH )UDQFLV WR bless during his Angelus at the Vatican in 2013. CNS photo

Sunday December 14, 2014 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

23

24

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

By Jennifer Ficcaglia God had a very special mission for a man named John. John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth was the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

God sent John to baptise people so they could repent and get ready for the coming of the Messiah. God also wanted John to recognise the Messiah and to let everyone know who the Messiah was, once he recognised him.

John did not know ahead of time who the Messiah was. God said He would reveal the Messiah’s identity to John through a sign: “On whomever you see the spirit come down and remain, He is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.”

While he was waiting for that sign from God, John baptised people with water and told them what he did know about the Messiah. The Messi-

ah existed in the beginning with God, and all things came to be through Him. But even though everything came to be through the Messiah, when He came to earth as a man, people would not recognise Him and many would not accept Him. It was John’s job to recognise the Messiah and to tell people to accept Him as the son of God. When some Jews from Jerusalem heard that John was baptising people, they sent priests and Levites to ¿nd out who John was and what he was doing.

John told them, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Then some Pharisees came to him and asked, “Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?”

John answered them, “I baptise with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognise, the

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Dominic of Silos St Dominic of Silos (d. 1073) was born on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees Mountains. His family members were peasants, and he would watch his father’s Àocks. Being alone with the Àocks made him used to the quiet and being away from people, so he became a monk and went to live in a monastery.

He began to work on reforms at his monastery and eventually became its prior. He lived there until he got into an argument with the king, because he refused to give the king some of the monastery’s possessions. So he and two other monks were sent away and went to a monastery in Silos.

Dominic became abbot, and under his leadership, the monastery became the most famous in Spain.

Dominic performed many miracles, and it was said that he could cure all diseases by his prayers. We honour him on Dec 20.

one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”

The next day, John saw his cousin, Jesus, walking toward him. Then he saw the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, rest upon Jesus.

John became very excited.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” John shouted. “He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because He existed before me.’ I did not know Him, but the

reason why I came baptising with water was that He might be made known to Israel ... Now I have seen and testi¿ed that He is the Son of God.” Read more about it: John 1

Q&A 1. Who did people think John could be?

2. How did John recognise the Messiah?

Wordsearch: MAN

WATER

SIGN

REPENT

EARTH

GOD

COUSIN MESSIAH

SPIRIT

EXISTED WORLD

KIDS’ CLUB: Why is it so important to show that we are sorry for our sins?

Bible Accent: Answer to puzzle: Make straight the way of the Lord.

PUZZLE: Unscramble the letters in each word to reveal a sentence spoken

by John the Baptist in John 1:23.

Kame

gtstihra

het

yaw

fo

hte

d Lro

__________

______________

______

______

____

_____

_________

Answer to Wordsearch

John’s baptism with water was very different from Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit. Some say John’s baptism was a version of the Jewish mikvah, which is a ritual bath meant to cleanse the spirit and to represent a new beginning. John wanted people to become clean so they could prepare for the Messiah’s coming.

There are many places in the Bible that describe how people prepared for something important by cleansing.

For example, in the Book of Exodus, Aaron and his sons were washed with water before they were consecrated as priests, and they also washed their hands and feet before approaching the altar. In the Book of Numbers, the Levites were sprinkled with water to be cleansed before they could start serving God. And in Revelation 22, those who wash their robes are said to have the right to the tree of life.

World day against human WUDIÀFNLQJ VHW IRU )HEUXDU\ VATICAN CITY – The ¿rst International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Traf¿cking has been announced for Feb 8, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who eventually was freed and became a Canossian nun.

The day is intended to raise awareness and to encourage reÀection on “the violence and injustice that affect” the numerous victims of traf¿cking, according to a Nov 25 press release from the Ponti¿cal Council for Migrants and Travellers.

Traf¿cking victims “have no voice, do not count, and are no one. They are simply slaves,” the council said.

The observance also is designed to seek solutions and promote concrete action to stop traf¿cking.

The organisers underlined the

need to ensure the rights, freedom and dignity of all traf¿cked people and to denounce the criminal organisations involved in human traf¿cking, as well as those who “use and abuse” the victims as “goods for pleasure and gain”.

The new observance is being promoted for all dioceses, parishes and church groups by the council for migrants, the Ponti¿cal Council for Justice and Peace, and the international unions of superiors general of men and women’s Religious orders.

Several other Catholic organisations are supporting the initiative, including the Ponti¿cal Academy for Social Sciences, Caritas Internationalis, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and Jesuit Refugee Service. CNS

Pope: the world will end with peace VATICAN CITY – Believ-

ing in eternity and in the ¿nal establishment of the kingdom of God, Christians throughout history – starting with the disciples – were ¿lled with questions such as when the end will come and what will happen to the created world, Pope Francis said.

No one knows the answer to those questions, the pope said on Nov 26 at his weekly Pope Francis kisses a baby as he leaves the general audience, but general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Catholics are con- Vatican on Nov 26. CNS photo vinced that the end of At the end of time, he said, time will not bring the “annihilation of the cosmos and of every- “we will be face to face” with God. “It’s beautiful to think thing around us”.

God’s plan, he said, is to re- about this, isn’t it, to think about new everything in Christ and heaven. All of us will be there, all “bring everything to its fullness of of us. It’s beautiful and gives us strength.” CNS being, truth and beauty”.

Evangelise in cities ‘without fear of pluralism’ VATICAN CITY – The Church must evangelise in the world’s big cities “without fearing pluralism” or ceding to discrimination, said Pope Francis in his message to an international evangelisation conference in Barcelona, Spain.

“The Church has the mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ and His saving love to diverse contexts, without fearing pluralism and without falling into any form of discrimination,” he said. His message was read on Nov 25 at a Liturgy of the Word, held in Barcelona’s most renowned church, La Sagrada Familia.

Everyone living in “large urban centres, which are always

WHAT’S ON 25

WORLD

Sunday December 14, 2014 CatholicNews

in expansion ... need to feel the closeness and the mercy of God, who does not abandon them”, the pope said. “God always knows how to make Himself known. He takes the initiative to offer the true meaning of life to those who are alone, disoriented or suffering from the wounds often brought on by a frenetic society that does not demonstrate solidarity.”

The liturgy was part of the second series of meetings of the International Congress on Ministry in Big Cities from Nov 24-26. For two days, 23 bishops from some of the world’s largest cities, gathered to discuss the challenges and approaches to ministry in large urban centres. CNS

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church.

Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www. catholic.org.sg/webevent_form.php

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors.

TUESDAYS FROM MAY 19, 2015 TO MAY 10, 2016 CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL – RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS 2015/16 7.30pm-9.30pm: Discover the Catholic faith! Embark on this journey of faith, hope and charity with us. We welcome non-Catholics who are keen to know more about Christ, baptised Christians from other denominations seeking full communion as Catholics. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul, 225A Queen Street.

Register T: 9753 6863 (Joanna Sng, coordinator); E: sng.joanna@gmail.com.

CATECHISM FOR THE ELDERLY Catechism classes for the elderly are held in English, Mandarin, Peranakan, Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese on Thursdays from 1pm-2.45pm at Holy Family Church and on Saturdays at St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street, parish hall) from 9.30am11.30am. Register T: 9115 5673 (Andrew).

DECEMBER 7 TO DECEMBER 23 SPREADING CHRIST’S LOVE AND MESSAGE IN THE MARKETPLACE 11am-9pm daily (except Mondays): The Daughters of Saint Paul, through their mission of spiritual books and media materials, are once again conducting their annual Christmas outreach in Jurong Point.

Their presence in the mall, with a pushcart containing inspiring gift items to help one grow in faith, is a reminder to all that Christ is the reason for the season of Christmas.

Organised by Daughters of St Paul. At Jurong Point Shopping Mall, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Level 1 (opposite Bata).

DECEMBER 8 SOLEMN HIGH MASS OF THANKSGIVING 8pm-9pm: A Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered in thanksgiving for the 40th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Fr Augustine Tay. His Grace will be in attendance. The Mass will be of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Organised by Latin Mass Group. At St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah), 620 Upper Bukit Timah Road.

DECEMBER 8 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 11.30am: Join us to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. There will be prayers, rosary and confession. At 1pm,

there will be Mass. Please bring along your 2013 prayer book and hymn sheet.

A large tentage will be set up at the open carpark so during Mass, parking lots would not be available. Organised by Church of Sts Peter and Paul. At 225A Queen Street.

DECEMBER 10 MASS FOR INTERGENERATIONAL HEALING 8pm-10pm: Fr Tom Curran will be celebrating a Mass for intergenerational healing. There will be a time of prayer for healing after Mass. All are welcome.

Organised by Praise@Work. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul, 225A Queen Street, Chapel, Level 3. Register T: 9459 2450 (Marilyn); E: marilyn8sep@yahoo.com.

DECEMBER 12 TO DECEMBER 14 ADVENT RETREAT 7.30pm (Dec 12)-3pm (Dec14): Come for a time of quiet, prayer, praise and worship and praying over. Like Mary our Mother, receive the Holy Spirit and welcome Christ! Retreat Directors: Ms Celina Lin and Fr Tom Curran. Organised

by Praise@Work. At Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park. Register T: 9459 2450 (Marilyn); E: marilyn8sep@yahoo.com.

DECEMBER 12 MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 7.30pm-9pm: Come join us in honouring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protector of the Unborn. Come together to pray to end abortion – to save the lives of the unborn, and to pray for the conversion of those involved in abortion. There will be a special blessing for pregnant mothers.

Organised by Family Life Society’s Pregnancy Crisis Service. At Church of The Risen Christ, 91 Toa Payoh Central.

DECEMBER 13 ADVENT RETREAT: OPEN YOUR HEART TO CHRIST 9am-6pm: Join us for an Advent retreat to prepare for the coming of Christ.

There will also be Mass. Organised by Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate. At FMM Retreat House, 49D, Holland Road.

Fee: $50 adults; $30 for students. Register T: 8657 5177 (Verbum Dei Missionaries); E: bibleapostolate@catholic.org.sg.

DECEMBER 21 CHRISTMAS RECOLLECTION 9.30am-5pm: The Cenacle Sisters invite you to spend a day of prayer to prepare for the feast of the Nativity of the Lord.

Organised by Cenacel Sisters. At Choice Retreat House, 47 Jurong West Street 42.

Register T: Tel: 6565 2895 / 9722 3148; E: cenaclesing@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 29 CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 7pm-10pm: The Catholic Business Network (CBN) would like to invite you to an exciting evening of food, fun and entertainment by celebrating Christmas with other CBN members and for non-members to network with new

acquaintances. There will be cocktail, a buffet dinner and entertainment from the Sts Peter & Paul Church band – Chronicles 169. Fee: $120 (CBN members); $150 (non-members). Organised by CBN. At 9 Bras Basah Road, Level 2. Register T: 9228 4463 (Raymond); E: raymond@cbn.sg.

DECEMBER 31 YEAR-END THANKSGIVING AND ADORATION 8pm-10pm: The Archdiocesan Commission for Malayalam Apostolate will be organising a thanksgiving Mass in Malayalam for the Syro-Malabar rite and Latin rite Malayalam speaking. There will be adoration at 8pm, followed by Mass at 8.45pm. Organised by the Malayalam apostolate. At Church of Christ the King, 2221 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8. Enquiries E: archmalayalam@ catholic.org.sg (Fr Salim Joseph).

JANUARY 4 TO NOVEMBER 8, 2015 MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE Calling all couples who are intending to get married! Join us for a marriage preparation course. Sessions would take place next year from Jan 4-Feb 8; April 26-May 31; July 19-August 30 and Oct 4-Nov 8. Forms are downloadable at www.catholic.org.sg/MPC. Allocation of spaces is on a ¿rst-come-¿rst-serve basis so hurry! Organised by MPC (af¿liate of ACF). At CJC Auditorium, 129 Whitley Road. For enquiries,T: 9367 3411 (Peter and Rita); E: MPCSingapore@gmail.com.

JANUARY 15 TO APRIL 23, 2015 BIBLE GENESIS – GENESIS LECTURES BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ 8pm-10pm: Every Thursday from January 15, join us for Bible study lectures on the Book of Genesis by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Organised by the Church of St Ignatius Bible Apostolate. At 120 King’s Road, Level 2 Annexe Hall. No pre-registration required.

Enquiries contact: henrywu@lucas.com.sg.

THURSDAYS FROM JANUARY 22 TO MARCH 26, 2015 BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY 9.45am-11.45am: Join us for eight sessions

by Fr Valerian Cheong, to learn more about the Book of Deuteronomy. Organised by the Bible Apostolate of the Church of the Holy Spirit. At Church of the Holy Spirit, 248B, Upper Thomson Road, Room 03-02. Register T: 8228 8220 (Clare); E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com.

JANUARY 26 TO FEBRUARY 1, 2015 CHARIS MISSION FRIENDSHIP – DENIYAYA VILLAGE IN SRI LANKA The CHARIS mission trip to Sri Lanka to help build toilets in the Deniyaya village will be postponed to Jan 26-Feb 1 next year. CHARIS has helped fund the building of 50 latrines to help with the village’s dire sanitation situation. A mission team will be deployed to help with the building of these toilets. Biosand water ¿ltration training will also be conducted there. Come experience faith in action and joy of mission work. Organised

by CHARIS. Register T: 6337 4119; E: lilynne@charis-singapore.org.

28 FAMILY

Sunday December 14, 2014 Â&#x201E; CatholicNews

Bucking the national trend, many young Catholic couples are raising more children

Not stopping at two Gregory and Elaine Ho: Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts to us Married in 2000, Gregory and Elaine Ho took a while to conceive their Âżrst child. They went for fertility treatments, including a surgical procedure, and had planned to adopt a child before they had their Âżrstborn in 2005. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had so much difÂżculty trying for the Âżrst child and were so happy when he came along.

Then came the second, the third and the fourth and we just accepted them,â&#x20AC;? said Gregory, 45. The children are now aged 9, 7, 5 and 3 years respectively.

When news of the third and fourth children was received, well-meaning friends and relatives asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you sure you still want another child? A fourth child will be a burden Âżnancially!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been asking God for children and when He sent more than what we asked for, we could not say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stop giving us blessingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? Elaine, 39, reasoned.

Helping to raise their kids are two domestic helpers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again it is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessing. We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had a problem with them,â&#x20AC;? added

Priorities

:H KDYH EHHQ DVNLQJ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;*RG IRU FKLOGUHQ DQG ZKHQ +H VHQW PRUH WKDQ ZKDW ZH DVNHG IRU ZH FRXOG QRW VD\ Âľ6WRS JLYLQJ XV EOHVVLQJVÂś â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ms Elaine Ho

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Gregory. Occasionally, his mother lends a hand.

Having many children Âżlls the heart with joy, observed Elaine â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the children Âżght, they Âżght for attention at the same time. But when they are not at home, it is very quiet and lonely.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The blessings are uncountable,â&#x20AC;? added Gregory.

6DFULĂ&#x20AC;FHV The daily routine sees the couple leaving home at 7.30am and returning after 8.30pm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The time we have with the children is limited... but we believe God has a

Gregory and Elaine Ho with their four children. From left: Rachel, Rylie, Ryan and Roland.

plan for us,â&#x20AC;? declared Gregory.

As for what they have to forego in raising a big family, Gregory was quick to respond, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No overseas holidays; most of the time we go for staycation.â&#x20AC;? Agreeing, Elaine added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The farthest we have gone to lately is KL and Bintan.â&#x20AC;?

Many of the older childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothes and shoes are passed down to the younger ones. Recently, the youngest boy inherited his sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sandals. To make them

his own, he was allowed to choose shoe accessories to attach to them.

The pram, which was bought nine years ago,was used by all four children They are also told they will receive presents only twice a year: on their birthdays and on Christmas. The kids are Âżne with it, noted the proud parents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To us, material things mean short-lived happiness. Still we do treat ourselves once in a while,â&#x20AC;? said Elaine.

Paulo and Giselle de Guzman: The optimum is 3 Coming to terms with the unexpected arrival of a third child soon after the second was born did not come easy for Paulo and Giselle de Guzman, both 38. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was really, really scared in the Âżrst trimester,â&#x20AC;? said Giselle, referring to the stress that ensued following the news of her pregnancy.

Looking back, the Filipino couple who married nine years ago, would not have it any other way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In spite of the struggles and challenges, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change a thing,â&#x20AC;? stated Paulo.

Why not stop at two kids? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us, the optimum number would be three. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we were used to seeing in our respective families,â&#x20AC;? said Paulo, who used to work with a multinational IT company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have no family member, including cousins, with less than three children,â&#x20AC;? revealed Giselle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saw how my mom and dad clustered together with aunts and cousins to help take care of my grandparents. There are a lot of beneÂżts with multiples rather than just one child,â&#x20AC;? she added.

She realised that having the youngest has made the elder kids â&#x20AC;&#x153;better human beings. Gabriel, who has always been considerate, is now better able to put himself in other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes. Kara, at her

them could have a facial and the other a body massage.

The children also had to grow fast, said Giselle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we had the third, we had no idea we would be sacriÂżcing a lot. Gabriel used to get coaching from me for his school work, now he has to do most of his homework by himself.â&#x20AC;?

The couple admitted the need to consciously Âżnd time together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the activities we do are not couple activities but family activities,â&#x20AC;? said Paulo.

Priorities Paulo and Giselle de Guzman with (from left) Kara, Inigo and Gabriel.

7KHUH DUH D ORW RI EHQHÂżWV ZLWK â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; PXOWLSOHV UDWKHU WKDQ MXVW RQH FKLOG â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ms Giselle de Guzman

age, teaches her younger brother, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;These are your toes, these are your hands.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; She knows how to get along with others. Generally, it takes less effort to make them socially aware.â&#x20AC;?

6DFULĂ&#x20AC;FHV On the other hand, more children means less time for friends, the

couple said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You hold back on hanging out with them because you know that you are needed around the house to help with the kids,â&#x20AC;? added Paulo.

The couple moved here from their posting in Japan eight years ago and the children, aged 71/2, 2 and 6 months, were all born here.

The couple recognised the need for â&#x20AC;&#x153;meâ&#x20AC;? time, when one of

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Workwise, we needed to cut back on night work,â&#x20AC;? said Paulo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the start, we agreed that we would both be working so there was no discussion about one stopping work even when the third child came along.â&#x20AC;?

Added Giselle, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are four questions I ask myself: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Does it Âżt into the 10 commandments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is it for God, is it morally right? Is it good for my family? Is it good for myself? Is it good for my friends?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?

She likened prioritising to Âżtting big and small rocks and sand into a bucket. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to be choiceful. Put in the bigger priorities Âżrst and then try to insert the smaller ones into the crevices.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Priority is always family,â&#x20AC;? said Gregory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a balancing act and planning helps. We put a priority on meeting the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs.

They get [academic] help when required.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We both attend meetings with their teachers,â&#x20AC;? added Elaine. The couple is in partnership with friends who run an accounting Âżrm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being in a partnership helps because they know what we need. If we have to leave early one day, we will make up for it by working harder on other days,â&#x20AC;? explained Gregory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Faith is most important for us,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We make sure we attend church, the children go to catechism classes and Ryan recently joined the altar servers.â&#x20AC;?

Teaching them the right values is another priority, said Elaine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having siblings has made them more willing to share. Their social skills are also better because they learn to gain our attention through better means [as opposed to temper tantrums].â&#x20AC;?

The couple make time for each other weekly. They also serve as wardens at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Â&#x201E;

Tips for young couples raising more kids Planning for more children? Gregory and Elaine Ho and Paulo and Giselle de Guzman offer the following tips: 1. Have a lot of patience, let go of the smaller things.

2. Keep it simple. Remember your 1, 2 and 3 priorities in life. Then everything else that comes up will follow from there.

3. Be ready for the hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easy in life.

4. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry too much, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plan too far ahead.

5. Consider adequate medical insurance for the children.

6. Be communicative to your spouse, children and support network.

7. Always have faith and trust in God. He provides. Â&#x201E; mel.lee@catholic.org.sg

PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC NEWS, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMES PRINTERS PRIVATE LIMITED, 16 TUAS AVENUE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.