DECEMBER 28, 2014, Vol 64, No 26

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2015 Calendar with this issue

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VOL 64

NO. 26

‘Nativity at Night’, by Italian Baroque painter Guido Reni, depicts the birth of Christ in the Bethlehem manger. CNS photo

SUNDAY DECEMBER 28, 2014

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Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

11,200 pack S’pore Indoor Stadium for Lourdes Experience

Archbishop William Goh giving communion to the sick during the Mass.

The crowd at the event.

By Lorna O’Hara

The Filipino community, dressed in their traditional costumes, leading the rosary.

Sr Rosalind Chan, from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, spoke about how after bathing in the miraculous Lourdes water in France, she was cured of her ailments. Photo: HENRY SEAH

Eugene and Caselin Lee shared how their son Joshua was healed after suffering from multiple health issues. Photo: HENRY SEAH

“It’s an experience that gives one a feeling of God’s love through Our Lady,â€? said 89-yearold Charlie Goh. “I truly felt the presence of the Lord here. I feel very happy,â€? said 25-year-old Esther Ong, a wheelchair bound victim of a hitand-run incident. Mr Goh and Ms Ong were among a group of people suffering from health issues who attended the Lourdes Experience at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Dec 6. They were seated in front, on wheelchairs. Some 11,200 people attendHG WKH ÂżYH DQG D KDOI KRXU ORQJ event for the sick, the third of its kind here organised by the Order of Malta, Singapore. It had the theme, Lourdes, The Joy of Conversion. “When we think of Lourdes, these three things come to mind: peace, healing and prayers,â€? Archbishop Goh said during his homily. As Christians, “we are called to grow in holiness,â€? he said. “Spiritual healingâ€? is needed for one to be at peace and to be healed. He added that if one wants to be healed of physical or emotional suffering, one “must be sincereâ€?. The key to “long-term healingâ€?, Archbishop Goh said, is to reĂ€HFW RQ WKH 6FULSWXUHV DQG ZKDW LW means when Christians say, “thy will be doneâ€?. “Pray for your own conversion,â€? he added, as “without prayer, nothing can be done. Only prayer can change lives.â€? )DVWLQJ DQG PRUWLÂżFDWLRQ DUH also important, he noted. Fasting is necessary because “when we fast, we show sincerity in our prayersâ€?. He also urged Catholics to go for confession at least once a month. During the Mass, Archbishop Goh gave Holy Communion to

the sick and carried the Blessed Sacrament around the stadium for people’s prayers and adoration. The Lourdes event also saw a nun and a married couple sharing their experiences of God’s healing in their lives. Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Rosalind Chan shared that she went to Lourdes, France, on two separate occasions, to pray for ailing heels and knees. After taking a bath in the Lourdes water, “the pain was just gone. That’s how Our Lady interceded for me,� she said. She added that in 2013, after doctors operated on both her knees, she was back on her feet within three days.

When we think of ‘Lourdes, these three things come to mind: peace, healing and prayers.

’

– Archbishop William Goh

In the second testimony, Mrs Caselin Lee, accompanied by her husband Eugene, shared how their son Joshua, was born with multiple health issues, including two holes in his heart. He had to be strapped to a ventilator then as his oxygen saturation level was below 50 percent. “Home, then, was a mini hospital,� recalled Mrs Lee, adding that at that time, “I started to think of funeral arrangements.� She attended the 2008 Lourdes Experience in Singapore in trepidation as she was afraid of leaving her son’s side. Nevertheless, she prayed hard when the Blessed Sacrament was raised during the event.

The couple shared that a miracle happened later. At one point, the ventilator Joshua was on IDLOHG ZKLFK OHIW KLP ÂżJKWLQJ IRU his life. However, while waiting for a replacement ventilator, his oxygen saturation level began to rise to optimal level. His health has improved sigQLÂżFDQWO\ VLQFH WKHQ Photos of Joshua, happy and laughing, were then projected onto the screens in the stadium. “We hope that Joshua’s story will bring joy to your lives,â€? said Mrs Lee. During the Lourdes Experience, various foreign Catholic communities, dressed in their own native costumes, prayed the rosary in their own tongues. They included Filipinos in patadyong and barong Tagalog, Indonesians in kebayas, Myanmar nationals in longyis, Koreans in hanboks, and Indians in their sarees. Apart from participants who gave positive comments about the event to CatholicNews, a few said they faced certain challenges during the programme. Seventy-seven-year-old Anna Lim complained of physical discomfort from sitting for the event’s duration. “It was too long,â€? she said in Teochew. Ms Jacqueline Pang, 60, who suffers from polio, and who came on her motorised wheelchair, had to wait for about an hour for the crowd to disperse before she could head home. “It’s too crowded for me to move,â€? she said. A volunteer communion guide also said there appeared to be some confusion when it came to the distribution of communion and hoped that things would be more systematic the next time. „ lorna.ohara@catholic.org.sg

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ARCHBISHOP’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

they had been told.� (Lk 2:20) We who have experienced God’s love in Christ too, must glorify Him and praise Him for all that we have seen and heard; not just in worship or in words but in our lives. We are called to be the praise of God in our lives; be the incarnation of Christ to others by our deeds of compassion, love and forgiveness. Like the angels and shepherds, let us be the bearers of the Good News of hope, peace and love to the world. Let us go out and proclaim, praise and thank God for the gift of Jesus by sharing Him with others in love and humble service, and may the joy and peace of the Christ-child be yours as you make the Good News your own. „

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The feast of the Incarnation invites us to contemplate on the wondrous beauty of God’s love. This God humbly reached out to us by assuming our humanity. He was born to share our fragile human condition. He came as a little baby without power or strength. He had no room for the night. He chose to be born in a cave without any honour and glory. He was announced to the lowly shepherds, the outcasts of society. Jesus, the Son of God chose the way of humility and lowliness so that He could feel with us. By His coming, He came to teach us how to love, so that we too might have life. Happiness in life is not dependent on who we DUH ZKDW RI¿FH ZH KROG ZKDW VRcial status we have in society. It is given to those who are capable of love. By loving and emptying Himself in humble love and service, Jesus shows us the way to the heart of God. By identifying ourselves with God and loving as He did, we too can participate in His joy and peace. So no matter who we are, all of us are capable of love and have opportunities to show our love to each other. In the home, we can be more caring, forgiving and tolerant. We can show our appreciation for the things that are done for us and not to take them for granted. We can cultivate the art of gratitude for all that we have and learn to be grateful for small things and not just big things. Indeed, if we choose the path of Jesus to be life-givers, showing our love and forgiveness whenever we can, we will bring the light and love of God into the world. We can give hope to those in despair. How can this be done? By allowing Jesus to be born in our hearts! Through baptism and the forgiveness of our sins, we have received the Holy Spirit, the love of God in person. At Christmas, we are to become conscious of the love of God in the Incarnation so that we can actively appropriate the gift of the Holy Spirit to us. So Christmas is more than just commemorating Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem. More importantly, it is to embrace Jesus into our lives and let Him be born anew in our hearts. Unless Jesus is born in our hearts, there is no Christmas. We are not commemorating a historical event but an existential event. Christmas is not a nostalgic celebration but a celebration of Christ’s birth in our hearts and with Him being reborn in us, we

A blessed and holy Christmas to all! Yours devotedly in Christ, ÂżQG MR\ SHDFH DQG KRSH UHQHZHG How can we receive this love again? We must be like the shepherds who were ever ready to respond to God’s invitation. When the angels announced the Good Tidings to them, “the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.â€? (Lk 2: 15-16) Yes, they acted on the message of the angels. They were ready to obey and respond. And immediately, they went to look

loved ones and when you reach out to the lonely, it is important to recall the wonderful things the Lord has done for you in your life. By speaking about Jesus who has made an impact in your life, \RX ZLOO ÂżQG JUHDW MR\ DQG KDSpiness. We must help each other to remember the love of God in our lives. If the world has lost faith it is because they have lost the memory of God in their lives. We are called to inspire faith by sharing our faith in Jesus. Thirdly, we need to contemplate His love over and over again in quiet prayer as Mary did. “As for Mary, she treasured

Christmas would never be an impactful event if in the midst of our merry-making, we have no room for Him at our inn; no time to quietly spend time with Mary and Joseph, contemplating WKH VLJQLÂżFDQFH RI WKH ELUWK RI &KULVW for the new born king. Secondly, we need to share and talk about the Good News to inspire faith. This was what the shepherds did. “When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.â€? (Lk 2: 17-18) If the Church celebrates Christmas, it is but a way to recall the wonderful events of salvation history. We need to commemorate our history, speak about it, otherwise we forget our connection. So talking and sharing our faith is the way to remember God’s love for us. During this Christmas season, when you meet with your

all these things and pondered them in her heart.â€? (Lk 2: 19) Truly, 0DU\ PXVW KDYH UHĂ€HFWHG GHHSO\ on the events that took place and could not but marvel at the mercy and love of God. There are many things in life that cannot be understood with the head, and all at once. We need time to think, feel and pray to appreciate the goodness and mercy of God in our lives. That is why Christmas would never be an impactful event if in the midst of our merry-making, we have no room for Him at our inn; no time to quietly spend time with Mary and Joseph, contemSODWLQJ WKH VLJQLÂżFDQFH RI WKH birth of Christ. Finally, we are told that “the

shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as

Archbishop William Goh

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Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Posing with the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ at the Dec 14 concert are (from left) choral director Sir Dr Peter Low; Archbishop William Goh; President Tony Tan and his wife, Mary; and Mrs Linda Low.

Night of carols, prayers at fundraising concert By Christopher Khoo It was an evening of music, colour and movement as the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ, accompanied by the Cathedral Chamber Consort, presented its annual Christmas concert at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria St. Titled Prince of Peace, the Dec 14 event saw the choir singing and dancing to a range of carols and songs, from the traditional to the modern, and in different languages. The 800 guests in the audience included President Tony Tan and his wife, Mary, Archbishop William Goh and diplomats from various countries. One highlight of the concert was the placing of ornaments on a Christmas tree by Dr Tan and the diplomats to symbolise peace. During the concert, prayers

and blessings were offered by Archbishop Goh and Vicar General Msgr Philip Heng. The concert was also to raise funds for the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and St Joseph’s Church.

Choral director Sir Dr Peter Low informed the audience at the end of the concert that the event managed to raise some $40,000. „ christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Dr Tony Tan placing an ornament on the Christmas tree.

Choir members dancing to an upbeat carol.

Biblical apostolate’s 1st retreat focuses on welcoming Christ By Christopher Khoo

Verbum Dei Sr Sandra Seow giving a sharing at the retreat.

What is love and what are some of the obstacles to loving? These and other related issues were tackled during an Advent retreat organised by the newly formed Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate on Dec 13. More than 60 people gathered at the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) Retreat House on +ROODQG 5RDG IRU WKH ÂżUVW SURgramme of the apostolate, which is run by the Verbum Dei Missionaries. “Love is not a feeling that makes our heart beat faster,â€? Sr Maria Jose M Egido told the crowd during the event, which

had the theme, Open Your Heart to Christ. “Love has to be felt in the hands -- when we give with generosity ‌ in our feet – when we walk an extra mile for someone,â€? she said. “Love always implies VHOI VDFULÂżFH VHOI JLYLQJ ´ However, there are obstacles to loving, which one has to be aware of, Sr Sandra Seow later shared with the group. These include the challenges that life throws at a person, such as disappointments, sin, a lack of forgiveness and fears, she said. Participants were led to reĂ€HFW RQ ZKDW SUHYHQWHG WKHP from “opening the doorâ€? of their hearts to Jesus and to allow Him

to enter more and more into their lives. In another session, Sr Leticia Candelario Lopez told retreatants that “welcoming Jesus is a choiceâ€?. “There has to be a change in our lives,â€? she said. Apart from time for silent UHĂ€HFWLRQ GXULQJ WKH UHWUHDW participants also shared in small groups how they felt the retreat has helped them in their spiritual journey. For more information on the Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate, visit https://biblicalapostolate.wordpress.com „ christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Sunday December 28, 2014 CatholicNews

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CHANCERY NOTICE APPOINTMENTS 1. Msgr Ambrose Vaz has been appointed as Spiritual Director of the Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate which has been entrusted to the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (FMVD) to manage and run programmes. 2. Fr Paul Tay has relinquished KLV RIÂżFH DV 3DULVK 3ULHVW of the Church of the Sacred Heart with effect from 8 December 2014 and is a retired clergy of the Archdiocese. Further arrangements are being worked out for his residence and onward care. 3. Fr Stephen Yim has been appointed as Parish Priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart for a term of six [6] years with effect from 8 December 2014. 4. Ms Wendy Louis will retire from her current post of Executive Director for the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools on 9 December 2014, having served in this role since 1 January 2009. She has been serving the Archdiocese and regional bodies as a full-time staff since 1987 and in different capacities. The Archdiocese would like to acknowledge her years of dedicated service. 5. Fr Edward Seah has been appointed as Acting Director “ad interimâ€? for the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools with effect from 9 December 2014. 6. Ms Pauline Teng Chock Ngin has been appointed a member of the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools for a term of two [2] years beginning 1 January 2015. 7. Mr Jeffrey Koh Thiam Seng has been appointed a member of the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools for a term of two [2] years beginning 1 January 2015.

8 December 2014

8. The following have been appointed to the Board of Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations (ABLE) for a term of two [2] years beginning 1 January 2015: a. Mr Ambrose Law b. Mr Bernardus Angkawidjaja c. Mr Michael Choo d. Mr Quek Khor Ping e. Mr Raymundo Yu f. Mr Soh Yew Hock g. Ms Serena Fah

14. Fr John Joseph Fenelon is appointed as Parish Priest to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes for a term of six years with effect from 1 May 2015.

9. Ms Sherlyn Khong has been appointed onto the Board of Caritas Singapore Community Council for a term of two [2] years beginning 1 January 2015.

OTHER MATTERS

10. Fr Paul Ngo Thanh Phong MEP is appointed as Assistant Priest to the Church of Christ the King with effect from 10 January 2015. 11. Fr Emmanuel Danjoux MEP is appointed as Assistant Priest to the Church of St Teresa with effect from 10 January 2015. 12. Fr Augustine Joseph has been granted permission to take a sabbatical and will relinquish his post as Parish Priest of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes with effect from 3 January 2015. He will pursue studies in Marriage and Family. 13. Fr Anthony Raj has been appointed as Parish Administrator for the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in accordance with can. 539 with effect from 3 January 2015 to 1 May 2015.

15. Fr Gregory Van Giang MEP is appointed Parish Priest of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea for a term of six [6] years with effect from 1 June 2015.

1. The Congregation of the Infant Jesus Sisters have elected a new leadership team WKDW ZLOO DVVXPH RI¿FH LQ February 2015 to February 2018 with the completion of the term of the current Provincial Sr Agnes Lee IJ. The new Provincial is Sr Maria Lau with two councilors Sr Jocelyn Kang IJ and Sr Joan Tay IJ. 2. The Infant Jesus Clementi Centre (IJC) which provides residential care for children from disadvantaged and challenged backgrounds has ceased operation with effect from 1 November 2014. 3. Parish Priests and heads of entities are reminded to attend an important session on Salary Administration Session in order to assist them at the annual yearend performance review of their staff. The session is planned for Friday, 12 December 2014, from 10am – 12 noon at St Ignatius Hall, Church of St Ignatius.

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

CatholicNews to increase in price Dear Readers, Greetings of hope and peace! As the year comes to a close with the celebration of Our Lord’s Birth, let me take this opportunity to wish all of you, on behalf of the staff RI &DWKROLF1HZV D MR\ ¿OOHG Christmas and blessed New Year. I would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that rising costs in the production of our paper has made increasing the price

of CatholicNews inevitable. For the past 24 years, since 1990, the paper has been priced at 50 cents. It will cost 70 cents starting from January. Your parishes have already been informed and in almost all parishes in the archdiocese, CatholicNews is provided free of charge. I write with the hope that you will support whatever initiative your parish employs to defray the cost. Your continued support of the paper will help to ensure

that this particular ministry of the archdiocese will carry on. Together with the staff of CatholicNews, I thank you for your support of the paper over the decades, and look forward to serving you for many more years. „ God’s blessings

Fr Richards Ambrose Managing Editor

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ACTS reaches out to needy girls in Myanmar By Gabriel Ong /D\ PLVVLRQ JURXS $&76 $ &DOO 7R 6KDUH UHFHQWO\ FDUULHG RXW LWV PDLGHQ RXWUHDFK WR 0\DQPDU ZLWK SDUWLFLSDQWV YLVLWLQJ WKH KRPHV RI WKH 6DOHVLDQ 6LVWHUV LQ $QLVDNDQ 3\LQ 2R /ZLQ DQG &KDQWKDJRQ LQ FHQWUDO 0\DQPDU 7KH SXUSRVH RI WKH 1RY WULS ZDV WR VHUYH WKH SRRU DQG QHHG\ DV ZHOO DV VXSSRUW WKH 6DOHVLDQ QXQV LQ WKHLU PLVVLRQDU\ work. 7KH QXQV DW WKH $QLVDNDQ KRPH FDUH IRU JLUOV SURYLGLQJ WKHP ZLWK WUDLQLQJ LQ VHZLQJ NQLWWLQJ DQG HPEURLGHU\ 7KH 6LVWHUV DOVR UXQ D NLQGHUJDUWHQ IRU FKLOGUHQ DW WKH KRPH 7KH 3\LQ 2R /ZLQ KRPH VKHOWHUV VHFRQGDU\ VFKRRO JLUOV ZKR UHFHLYH HGXFDWLRQDO DVVLVtance from the nuns. $W WKH &KDQWKDJRQ KRPH FROOHJH OHYHO JLUOV UHFHLYH KHOS LQ VXEMHFWV VXFK DV (QJOLVK DFFRXQWLQJ DQG FRPSXWHU VWXGLHV ,Q DOO WKH KRPHV WKH QXQV HPSKDVLVH UHOLJLRXV HGXFDWLRQ DQG YDOXHV IRUPDWLRQ WR JLUOV ZKR come from poor families. 7KH PRVWO\ &DWKROLF SDUWLFLSDQWV IURP 6LQJDSRUH ZHUH LQYROYHG LQ YDULRXV LQLWLDWLYHV GXULQJ WKHLU PLVVLRQ $ VRFLDO HQWHUSULVH WHDP WDXJKW WKH JLUOV OHDUQLQJ YRFDWLRQDO VNLOOV KRZ WR VHZ WDEOH PDWV DQG KDQGEDJV IRU VDOH LQ 6LQJDSRUH DV ZHOO DV KRZ WR EDNH FDNHV DQG FRRNLHV $Q HGXFDWLRQ WHDP FRQGXFWHG (QJOLVK OHVVRQV DQG WDXJKW WKH JLUOV skills to prepare them for the workLQJ ZRUOG VXFK DV UHVXPH ZULWLQJ KDQGOLQJ LQWHUYLHZV DQG JURRPLQJ

An ACTS team member (centre) conducting an activity with vocational students.

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The purpose of the Nov 22-29 trip was to serve the poor and needy as well as support the Salesian nuns in their missionary work. $ PHGLFDO WHDP FRQGXFWHG KHDOWK HGXFDWLRQ DQG SURYLGHG KHDOWK VFUHHQLQJ IRU WKH NLQGHUJDUWHQ FKLOGUHQ DQG JLUOV ZKLOH DOVR WUHDWLQJ YLOODJHUV $QRWKHU JURXS JDYH D IUHVK new coat of paint to several ZDOOV LQ WKH $QLVDNDQ KRPH DQG FUHDWHG D PXUDO LQ WKH NLQGHUJDU-

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Providing health screening for a young child.

Nuns take part in a catechetical workshop.

At Latin Mass, archbishop stresses importance of priestly holiness “The Immaculate Conception inYLWHV XV WR UHÀHFW RQ WKH GLJQLW\ RI WKH SULHVWKRRG WKH SULHVWKRRG just like the Immaculate ConcepWLRQ LV SXUHO\ WKH JUDFH RI *RG ´ VDLG $UFKELVKRS :LOOLDP *RK GXULQJ D WUDGLWLRQDO /DWLQ 0DVV on Dec 8. +H ZDV VSHDNLQJ WR &DWKROLFV ZKR SDFNHG 6W -RVHSK &KXUFK %XNLW 7LPDK WR FHOHEUDWH WKH 6ROHPQLW\ RI WKH ,PPDFXODWH &RQception. 7KH 0DVV LQ WKH ([WUDRUGLQDU\ )RUP ZDV DOVR WR FHOHEUDWH WKH WK DQG WK SULHVWO\ DQQLYHUVDULHV RI )UV $XJXVWLQH 7D\ DQG $QWKRQ\ +R UHVSHFWLYHO\ $UFKELVKRS *RK UHPLQGHG WKH FURZG WKDW *RG KDG JLYHQ WKH &KXUFK WKH RUGDLQHG PLQLVWU\ EHFDXVH DIWHU +LV GHSDUWXUH RQ HDUWK -HVXV ³ZDQWV WR FRQWLQXH WR EH SUHVHQW LQ RXU PLGVW VR ZH FDQ FRQWLQXH WR HQFRXQWHU +LP SHUVRQDOO\ DQG VDFUDPHQWDOO\ WKURXJK WKH SULHVW ZKR FHOHEUDWHV

Leaving the congregation after the Latin Mass on Dec 8 (from left): Archbishop William Goh, Fr Augustine Tay, Fr Anthony Ho and subdeacon Michael Feng.

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XOWLPDWHO\ \RXU KHDUW «ZKHQ \RX HQFRXQWHU WKH /RUG LQ \RXU KHDUW \RXU OLIH ZLOO FKDQJH« DW WKH HQG RI WKH GD\ LW LV KRZ ZH ZRUVKLS KRZ PXFK DUH ZH DWWXQHG WR WKH /RUG ´ KH VDLG 7KH 6ROHPQ +LJK 0DVV LQ /DWLQ ZDV FHOHEUDWHG E\ )U 7D\ ZLWK )U +R DVVLVWLQJ DV GHDFRQ 7KLV ZDV WKH VHFRQG WLPH WKDW $UFKELVKRS *RK KDG SDUWLFLSDWHG LQ D /DWLQ 0DVV RUJDQLVHG E\ WKH /DWLQ 0DVV FRPPXQLW\ VLQFH LWV RI¿FLDO HVWDEOLVKPHQW LQ $UFKELVKRS *RK HQGHG KLV KRPLO\ E\ WKDQNLQJ )UV 7D\ DQG +R IRU JLYLQJ WKHLU OLYHV WR WKH SULHVWKRRG +H OLNHQHG WKHLU SHUVHYHUDQFH DQG VHUYLFH RYHU WKH \HDUV DV RIIHULQJ WKHPVHOYHV DV D ³OLYLQJ VDFUL¿FH´ UHFDOOLQJ WKDW KH KLPVHOI ZDV RQO\ ZKHQ )U +R ZDV RUGDLQHG The Latin Mass community meets at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria St, for Mass in the Extraordinary Form every Sunday at 3 pm.

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Participants meditate, learn how to manage ‘Eight Big Problems of Life’ By Deborah Peterson Participants at a two-day meditation retreat at Catholic Junior College, received tips on how to manage the “eight big problems in life” and to transcend them. From Nov 29-30, about 600 participants attended talks by retreat master and The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) director, Benedictine Fr Laurence Freeman, watched videos and attended question-andanswer sessions. At the start of retreat, called The Eight Big Problems of Life, organised by WCCM Singapore, Fr Laurence asked participants, “What are you most seeking in life? “The answer,” he said, “is that we are all seeking meaning, love, truth and beauty. All these are to be found within us...not further than a step away. They are to be found in a deeper dimension within us, in the space within our heart.”

Retreat master, Freeman.

Fr

Laurence

And yet from the dawn of time, humanity has wrestled with gluttony, greed, anger, acedia (spiritual or mental sloth), lust, sadness, vanity and pride. So how does one free oneself from their grip to get to that truth, love and meaning, and to be more fully alive and at peace? Fr Laurence set the back-

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 News” and mail it to 2 Highland Road, #01-03, Singapore 549102.

Some of the participants at the Nov 29-30 meditation retreat.

ground by explaining that the SUREOHPV ZHUH ¿UVW IRUPXODWHG E\ the Desert Fathers of the fourth century as the eight principal faults. The Desert Fathers however, did not view these faults in a moralistic way, but saw them as negative states of mind. By identifying these eight problems as “faults” and inherent “states of mind” affecting every human being regardless of culture, race, age, religion, it allows one to move beyond the crippling guilt and shame associated with sin to decisive action and freedom. In four talks covering the

problems, Fr Laurence gave participants an in-depth analysis of each fault. “It is important to know your enemy better than your enemy knows you,” he said. Fr Laurence also explained that the faults were interconnected and they all originated in man’s desire for truth, love and *RG 1RW NQRZLQJ ZKHUH WR ¿QG these, one imagines ways to address these desires. Participants learnt how all these states of mind could be overcome through the ascesis (spiritual self-discipline and exercise) of a deep and faithful spiritual practice. Fr Laurence taught meditation or pure prayer,

Meditation is not just a process but a relationship where one cultivates attentiveness to the presence of God, said Benedictine Fr Laurence Freeman.

the prayer of the heart, as a way of transcending these states of mind. He also shared with participants that meditation was not just a process but a relationship where one cultivates attentiveness to the presence of God. The meditation practice runs counter to the culture of narcissism and distraction. He added that meditation does not claim to solve problems but instead transforms the way one looks at them. But how does one meditate or pray purely? Fr Laurence told participants that it was as simple as going back to God’s words in the Bible: “Be still and know that I am God.” To meditate, participants had to sit still and upright, and be relaxed and alert at the same time, while closing their eyes. Participants were asked to use a word recommended by Fr Laurence – “maranatha” or “come Lord”. It is in Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke. Participants were asked to recite the word as four syllables of equal length silently. It was obvious that people were touched by the deep, heartcentred prayer. As one of the participants later shared: “This seminar is so different ... I enjoyed the meditation calmly and joyfully throughout these two days.” Another said, “We are conYLQFHG RI WKH EHQH¿WV WKDW PHGLtation can reap ... on an individual and global level.” To know more about WCCM Singapore, visit www.wccmsingapore.org

HOME 9

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

RGS Sisters mark 75 years The Good Shepherd Sisters remember their pioneers and look forward to the next phase of their journey By Mel Diamse-Lee Rejoicing over their 75 years here, the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) of Singapore-Malaysia Province celebrated with a Mass in their spanking new hall. Over 200 family members, friends, collaborators, benefactors, current and former students of Marymount Convent School joined the Sisters for the Mass and dinner on Dec 12 at Good Shepherd Place, Toa Payoh Lorong 8. Fr Cyril Lee, who delivered the homily at the concelebrated Mass, noted that the four Irish Sisters who sailed to Singapore from Sri Lanka in 1939 endured much hardship. This included KDYLQJ WKHLU ÂżUVW FRQYHQW LQ 3XQJgol destroyed and being exiled in Bahau, Malaysia during World War II. Today, he added, “the Sisters’ PLVVLRQ KDV GLYHUVLÂżHG EXW WKH IRcus remainsâ€? in that they serve the needy and disadvantaged women and children. Dominican Fr Antonio Gonzalez, CICM Fr Kamelus Kamus, and Frs John Sim and Peter Paul concelebrated the Mass with Fr Lee. In her thank-you speech after the Mass, Sr Joan Lopez, the Provincial Superior, expressed gratitude and “indebtedness to the pioneersâ€?. She also thanked the families of the Sisters for having PDGH PDQ\ VDFULÂżFHV DQG VKDULQJ their child or sister with the congregation. Two of the earliest local members of the congregation, Sr Gerard Fernandez and Sr Therese Thong, spoke of their joy at being present for the celebration. Sr Gerard, 76, told Catholic News, “I feel privileged to be alive to celebrate our 75th year. I knew the pioneers‌ I saw the building of Marymount Con-

The Good Shepherd Sisters and aspirants of the Singapore-Malaysia Province outside their new chapel at Good Shepherd Place, Toa Payoh Lorong 8.

vent... Now with our new buildings, it’s a joy to be here. I hope our Sisters will be able to carry on our mission in a big way. I also believe that vocations will come. We now have three aspirants and that’s wonderful!â€? Sr Therese, 77, has been on mission in Hong Kong and Taiwan for over 30 years. She decided to take up Taiwanese citizenship years ago in order to continue the mission of the Sisters there. “This LV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH , FDPH EDFN IRU WKH [anniversary] celebration‌ I’m very happy to see we have aspirants and collaborators,â€? she said. Joining the Sisters from the Province were fellow congregation members from Indonesia,

‘

I feel privileged to be alive to celebrate our 75th year... It’s a joy to be here. I hope our Sisters will be able to carry on our mission in a big way.

’

– Sr Gerard Fernandez, one of the local pioneers

Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Also present were representatives from the Brothers of Mercy, Canossian Daughters of Charity, Cena-

cle Sisters, Infant Jesus Sisters, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood and Missionaries of Charity Sisters. The RGS Sisters began their anniversary celebration 75 days earlier, in September, by remembering in prayer their pioneers, local Church leaders, benefactors and Sisters who have passed on. 7KHLU ¿UVW FRQYHQW D EXQgalow, was donated by Fr Lee’s grandfather, the late Paul Lee. Meanwhile, Sr Cecilia Liew, who heads the community in Good Shepherd Place, shared WKDW LWV RI¿FLDO LQDXJXUDWLRQ ZLOO take place in April next year. The compound has a chapel, the Mary-

mount headquarters, a convent, a hall with a seating capacity of 200, a kindergarten, a children’s home and a retreat centre. She added that journeying forward, the Sisters hope for greater and more creative involvement in WKH ZRUN DJDLQVW KXPDQ WUDI¿FNing, to be more actively engaged in their Toa Payoh neighbourhood, and be involved internationally in the movement for peace and non-violence, respect for human life and the environment. She also noted that without volunteers and collaborators, the congregation would not have enjoyed 75 years in Singapore. „ mel.lee@catholic.org.sg

10 ASIA

1XQV ÀJKW KXPDQ WUDIÀFNLQJ LQ .RONDWD VATICAN CITY – Leaving their

“We never go alone. We go habits behind and disguised along along with other NGOs together. with police in regular clothes, a But we need our pastors to come small group of three or four nuns along with us, our bishops, our raid brothels in Kolkata, India, at priests to support us, because if night, snatching young women they are with us we can still do and girls as young as 12 from the PRUH ´ VKH VDLG clutches of their captors. The ongoing call to get more In four years, “we have put priests and men Religious active WUDIÂżFNHUV LQ MDLO´ 6U 6KDUPL LQ WKH ÂżJKW DJDLQVW WUDIÂżFNLQJ ZDV 'Âś6RX]D D PHPEHU RI WKH 6LVWHUV UHLWHUDWHG E\ D 86 SULHVW LQ WKH RI 0DU\ ,PPDFXODWH WROG MRXUQDO- audience during the question-andists at a Vatican news answer portion of the conference on Dec news conference. 6KH DQG D QXPFr Jeffrey Bayhi, ‘In one night, ber of other Religious SDVWRU RI 6W -RKQ we saved women attended the the Baptist and Our 37 girls.’ event that presented Lady of the AsPope Francis’ World sumption churches – Sr Sharmi D’Souza Day of Peace message in Zachary, Louisifor Jan 1, which urged DQD 86$ VXJJHVWHYHU\RQH WR ÂżJKW PRGHUQ IRUPV RI ed the Church develop a short slavery. practical guide to help priests “In one night, we saved 37 develop homilies for the day of JLUOV ´ VKH VDLG DGGLQJ WKDW prayer, as well as offer courses ZHUH PLQRUV 7KH 6LVWHUV WDNH WKH or information for priests and women to safety and offer them seminarians about human trafsupport and assistance; the wom- ÂżFNLQJ en also provide critical informaWhile women Religious are tion to police, such as the names on the streets helping victims, RI WUDIÂżFNHUV DQG WKH ORFDWLRQ RI priests need to take advantage of other brothels. ÂłWKH SXOSLW´ WR VSHDN RXW DJDLQVW If the police refuse to go with the exploitation of other human the nuns on a raid because they beings. KDYH EHHQ EULEHG E\ WUDIÂżFNHUV “That’s the one microphone the nuns go to someone higher we have got worldwide, that the up on the chain of command “and priest in the church can help eduWKH\ WDNH DFWLRQ´ VDLG 6U 'Âś6RX]D FDWH´ RWKHUV KH VDLG „ CNS

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

/HVVRQV IURP +DL\DQ KHOSHG OHVVHQ +DJXSLW¡V LPSDFW CNS photo

MANILA – Initial assessments by

Catholic emergency responders VKRZHG VLJQLÂżFDQW GDPDJH WR FRDVWal areas of an island province in the east-central Philippines, where TySKRRQ +DJXSLW ÂżUVW KLW RQ 'HF +RZHYHU &KXUFK RIÂżFLDOV VDLG WKDW in some parts, chapels that were used as shelters held their own. Mr Josh Kyller, Catholic ReOLHI 6HUYLFHV 3KLOLSSLQHV HPHUJHQcy response coordinator, headed a WHDP LQ (DVWHUQ 6DPDU SURYLQFH ZKLFK WRRN +DJXSLWÂśV ÂżUVW ODVKings. Team members surveyed several small towns along the coast. “There’s a lot of poor communities and isolated communities up there [that] have traditional, light material buildings and homes that did not hold up very well against WKH ZLQG ´ 0U .\OOHU VDLG LQ D phone interview with Catholic 1HZV 6HUYLFH &16 Âł$QG VR >WKHUHÂśV@ D ORW RI VKHOWHU GDPDJH ´ However, Fr Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, said the 40 chapels his agency had constructed for coastal towns LQ 6DPDU DQG QHDUE\ /H\WH SURYinces, after experiencing Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, all fared well during Hagupit. They were used as evacuation centres. “The secret is they were conVWUXFWHG IRU FDWHJRU\ ÂżYH >W\SKRRQV@ ZKLFK LV NP K DQG

Children display a sign asking for food from motorists by the side of a road in Dolores, Eastern Samar province, Philippines, after Typhoon Hagupit hit.

DERYH ´ )U 3DVTXDO WROG &16 Almost all the evacuation chapels in Palo archdiocese also held up well, said Msgr Rex RamLUH] DUFKGLRFHVDQ YLFDU JHQHUDO After Haiyan, an open area near 3DORÂśV &DWKHGUDO RI WKH 7UDQVÂżJXration of Our Lord was turned into a mass gravesite as entire families were swallowed by the tsunamilike storm surges. “Two or three new [chapels] ... were supposed to be typhoon UHVLOLHQW ´ 0VJU 5DPLUH] WROG &16 Âł%XW WKH\ VXIIHUHG GDPDJH

LQ VRPH SDUWV OLNH WKH ZLQGRZV ´ 3DORÂśV SDULVKLRQHUV DOVR Ă€HG their homes to take shelter in the brand new Pope Francis Centre for the Poor. The pope will bless the centre during his visit to the PhilLSSLQHV VFKHGXOHG IRU -DQ With Typhoon Haiyan still very much on people’s minds, more than a million residents did not need much prompting to follow the government’s mass-evacuation orders. The result was the “largest SHDFH WLPH´ HYDFXDWLRQ DFFRUGLQJ to the United Nations. „ CNS

WORLD 11

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Religious leaders slam CIA torture practices in wake of report WASHINGTON – The chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace said acts of torture outlined in a Senate Intelligence Committee report ÂłYLRODWHG WKH *RG JLYHQ KXPDQ dignity inherent in all people and were unequivocally wrongâ€?. Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, also called on President Barack Obama to strengthen the legal prohibitions against torture “to ensure that this never happens againâ€?. The bishop joined several religious leaders who condemned the use of torture by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after Democrats in the Senate released a 500-page executive summary of the Senate Select Committee on ,QWHOOLJHQFH ÂżQGLQJV RQ 'HF The religious leaders’ comments were provided by the Washington-based National Religious Campaign Against Torture after the report became public. Sr Patricia Chappell, executive director of Pax Christi USA, said she was appalled by the “lack of moral integrity of a nation and individuals who justify the use of torture in the name of national securityâ€?. She called the actions by the CIA a “travesty of justice DQG D Ă€DJUDQW YLRODWLRQ RI KXPDQ rights, with no reverence for the dignity of human lifeâ€?.

0U *HUU\ /HH H[HFXWLYH GLUHFWRU RI WKH 0DU\NQROO 2IÂżFH RI *OREDO &RQFHUQV VDLG WKH UHSRUW should drive Congress to enact new laws to permanently prevent the use of torture. “Maryknoll missioners have very often served in communities alongside torture survivors, and some have experienced torture themselves,â€? he said. “As Chris-

A ‘travesty of justice DQG D Ă€DJUDQW violation of human ULJKWV ZLWK QR reverence for the GLJQLW\ RI KXPDQ OLIHÂś Âą 6U 3DWULFLD &KDSSHOO H[HFXWLYH GLUHFWRU RI 3D[ &KULVWL 86$

WLDQV WKH\ NQRZ WKDW LW LV KRUULÂżF dehumanising behaviour and its use must be stopped immediately.â€? Mr Scott Wright, director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, said torture is QHYHU MXVWLÂżHG DGGLQJ WKDW WKH UHport “makes very clear that crimes were committed, laws were broken and lies were told to the American people by our govern-

Vatican sends questionnaire for 2015 family synod VATICAN CITY – To help set the agenda for the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the family, the Vatican is sending the world’s Catholic bishops’ conferences a list of questions on a range of topics, including matters of marriage and sexuality that proved especially controversial at the 2014 family synod. 7RJHWKHU ZLWK WKH ÂżQDO UHSRUW of the 2014 meeting, the 46 questions published by the Vatican on Dec 9 comprise a preparatory document, known as a lineamenta, for the Oct 4-25 synod, which will have the theme: The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and the Modern World. Bishops’ conferences are being asked to consult with “academic institutions, organisations, lay movements and other ecclesial associationsâ€? in preparing their responses, which are due at the Vatican by April 15. The bishops’ responses will serve as the basis for the synod’s working document, to be published by summer. A list of 38 questions, sent to the world’s bishops in October 2013, was widely circulated on

the Internet and helped generate advance interest in the 2014 synod. The questionnaire for 2015 instructs bishops’ conferences to “avoid, in their responses, a formulation of pastoral care based simply on an application of doctrine� in favour of what it describes as Pope Francis’ call to “pastoral activity that is characterised by a ‘culture of encounter’ and capable of recognising the Lord’s gratuitous work, even outside customary models�. „ CNS

ment. We must never as a nation go down that path again.â€? “The revelations about the use of torture have been a source of torture to many of us,â€? said Mr Sayyid M Syeed, national direcWRU RI WKH 2IÂżFH RI ,QWHUIDLWK DQG Community Alliances of the Islamic Society of North America. “We had taken pride in the fact that we have left behind many societies where it was a norm and that we had chosen to be part of a nation that prided itself on its belief in human dignity and human rights.â€? 5HY 6XVDQ 7 +HQU\ &URZH general secretary of the United 0HWKRGLVW &KXUFK *HQHUDO %RDUG of Church and Society, said the UHSRUWÂśV ÂżQGLQJV ÂłVKRFN WKH FRQscienceâ€?. She called for actions WKDW UHVSHFW OLIH DV D JLIW IURP *RG in condemning any governmentsanctioned practices that violate moral teachings. Rev A Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches, said he was grieved that “in our name others were torturedâ€?. Âł0D\ *RG JLYH XV WKH PRUDO courage to never again betray the core principles that have guided our nation as a leader in the struggle for human rights,â€? he added. „ CNS

Mary movie focuses on her life after the Resurrection

%DKLD +DL¿ *ROG WDNHV RQ WKH UROH RI 0DU\ ZKLOH 1RDP -HQNLQV SRUWUD\V 3HWHU LQ WKH PRYLH )XOO RI *UDFH CNS photo COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, USA – $ 86 ¿OP GLUHFWRU LV

taking on Mary’s story with a new ÂżOP LQ SURGXFWLRQ LQ +ROO\ZRRG Âł6KH ZDV WKH ÂżUVW RQH WR VD\ ‘yes’ to Christ, to take on this whole idea of being the Mother of all of us. It’s all about that encounWHU WKDW ÂżUVW WLPH \RX PHW &KULVW It’s different for everybody,â€? said $QGUHZ +\DWW ZULWHU DQG GLUHFWRU Âł$ ORW RI WKLV ÂżOP LV D UHĂ€HFtion on this moment, how that has carried out to help us all to remember that moment, why did we end up here as Catholics doing what we’re doing,â€? he told The ColoUDGR &DWKROLF +HUDOG QHZVSDSHU of Colorado Springs diocese. 7KH ÂżOP )XOO RI *UDFH wrapped production on Nov 7. It LV D ÂżOP WKDW JHWV EDFN WR WKH URRWV and simplicity of the Church, referring to Pope Francis’ words of getWLQJ EDFN WR WKH EDVLFV VDLG +\DWW

Outside da Box, in association with Justin Bell Productions and 5H.RQ 3URGXFWLRQV VWDUWHG ¿OPing on Oct 27. The movie uses authentic casting, with many Middle Eastern actors in its principal character roles. ³,WœV D UHDOO\ LQWLPDWH UHÀHFWLRQ on Mary a good decade or so after Jesus’ death and resurrection,� said (ULF *URWK H[HFXWLYH SURGXFHU IRU Outside da Box. The company has ¿OPHG DW OHDVW VKRUW PRYLHV IRU religious education across the USA. While Scripture did not detail PDQ\ RI WKH ¿QDO \HDUV RI 0DU\œV OLIH WKH ¿OP VHHNV WR ¿OO LQ WKH JDSV by imagining what likely would have been her associations prior to her assumption into heaven. It LV ¿OPPDNHUV VDLG DQ H[SORUDWLRQ of the years after Christ’s resurrection and follows the life of his mother, Mary of Nazareth, in her ¿QDO HDUWKO\ KRXUV „ CNS

12 WORLD

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

MOVIE REVIEW

CNS photo

Christian Bale, Kevork Mailkyan (centre) and Maria Valverde star in the movie Exodus: Gods and Men.

Exodus: Gods and Kings By John Mulderig

Egypt’s Pharaoh, Seti (John Turturro), and adoptive brother of NEW YORK – Time was when the Seti’s heir, Ramses (Joel Edgbiblical extravaganza was a Hol- erton), Moses is sent into exile lywood staple. when Hegep (Ben Mendelsohn), In fact, from the silent era D FRUUXSW RI¿FLDO ZKRVH ZURQJGRthrough the mid-1960s, it seemed ing he has uncovered, reveals his a safe bet that selected slices of lowly origin as the child of a Hethe Bible, the best-selling volume brew slave. RI DOO WLPH ¹ RU ¿FWLRQDO VSLQRIIV Working as a shepherd, Moses from it like Ben-Hur – translat- ¿QGV VRODFH LQ PDUULHG OLIH 0DULD ed to the screen on a large scale Valverde plays his loyal, devout ZRXOG \LHOG ER[ RI¿FH JROG spouse Zipporah). But his conEarlier movie offerings from tentment is once again disturbed this year – ranging from Son of ZKHQ *RG ¹ RGGO\ SHUVRQL¿HG God to Noah – also suggest that by an 11-year-old boy (Isaac Ansome in Tinseltown are apparent- drews) – calls on him to lead his ly dusting off their enslaved compatriThe script is copies of the Scripots to freedom. tures and taking a While Scott’s skittish where second look. picture has commiracles are The latest to do puter-generated efso is director Ridley fects to spare, especoncerned and Scott (Gladiator, cially in the plague revisionist in Kingdom of Heavscenes, its human its treatment of en). The bad news interaction is stilted is that his 3-D epic and uninvolving. the relationship Exodus: Gods and A d d i t i o n a l l y, between Moses Kings (Fox) turns the script is skitand the Almighty. tish where miracles out to be big but boring. The good are concerned and news is that, somewhere, Cecil B revisionist in its treatment of the DeMille is at ease, knowing his relationship between Moses and 1956 blockbuster, The Ten Com- the Almighty. PDQGPHQWV UHPDLQV WKH GH¿QLGranted, the Moses of the tive mass-media take on this cru- Bible sometimes plays the role cial portion of the Old Testament. of advocate for the Israelites, However, Scott’s tale is not pleading with God to spare his without its promising aspects. wayward people. But it’s noneChief among them, for viewers WKHOHVV SHUSOH[LQJ WR ¿QG 6FRWWœV of faith, is the conversion story main character frequently coming KLV ¿OP LQWURGXFHV LQWR WKH OLIH across as more merciful than the of Moses (Christian Bale). Here, petulant lad who embodies his vithe patriarch’s series of trials and sion of the Divinity. „ CNS triumphs takes him from religious skeptic to true believer. The movie is rated PG-13 and is now Raised as a foster son to showing in Singapore cinemas.

WORLD 13

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Count down to Christmas by counting your blessings, says pope

Kerry asks Vatican for help in relocating Guantanamo detainees VATICAN CITY – US Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Vatican counterpart on Dec 15, and asked him to support the Obama administration’s efforts to close the US detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, met with Mr Kerry for an hour, according to Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman. Mr Kerry underscored the “commitment of the United States to close the Guantanamo prison and the desire for the Holy See’s support in the search for appropriate humanitarian solutions for the current detainees,� Fr Lombardi said. The main topic of Mr Kerry’s discussion with Cardinal Parolin

$ PDQ KROGV D ÂżJXULQH RI WKH EDE\ -HVXV DV 3RSH )UDQFLV OHDGV WKH $QJHOXV IURP WKH ZLQGRZ RI KLV VWXGLR RYHUORRNing St Peter’s Square on Dec 14. &16 SKRWR VATICAN CITY – “Be joyful as you prepare for Christmas,â€? said Pope Francis as he clebrated the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, on Dec 14. A Christian’s Christmas joy has nothing to do with “the consumerism that leads to everyone being anxious on Dec 24 because, ‘Oh, I don’t have this, I need that.’ No, that is not God’s joy,â€? he said. The pope was speaking during a Mass he celebrated while visiting Rome’s St Joseph parish. He also met with the sick, with D JURXS RI *\SVLHV ZLWK D ÂżUVW Communion class and with dozens of couples whose newborn babies were baptised in the past year. With Christmas just around the corner, “we give thanks to God for the many things he has given us and IRU IDLWK ÂżUVW RI DOO ´ VDLG WKH SRSH Earlier in the day, reciting the Angelus with visitors in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis blessed the statues of the Baby Jesus that will take centre place in Nativity scenes in Rome schools, churches and homes. Addressing the chil-

GUHQ ZKR EURXJKW WKHLU ÂżJXULQHV WR the square, the pope said, “When you pray in front of your creche at home, remember to pray for me.â€? At the end of the Angelus, volunteers distributed a little booklet, marked “gift of Pope Francisâ€?, containing the texts of the Our

7KH MR\ RI &KULVWPDV ‘LV D VSHFLDO MR\ QRW RQO\ IRU &KULVWPDV 'D\ EXW IRU WKH HQWLUH OLIH RI D &KULVWLDQ

’

– Pope Francis

Father and Hail Mary and other traditional prayers. “The human heart desires joy,� the pope said in his Angelus address. “We all want joy; every family, all peoples aspire to joy. But what kind of joy are Christians called to witness? It is that joy that comes from closeness to God and from his presence in our lives.�

“A Christian is one who has a heart full of peace because he or VKH NQRZV KRZ WR ÂżQG MR\ LQ WKH Lord even when going through GLIÂżFXOW PRPHQWV LQ OLIH ´ KH VDLG “Having faith does not mean not KDYLQJ GLIÂżFXOWLHV EXW KDYLQJ WKH strength to face them knowing that we are not alone.â€? When joy or at least peace shines through a person’s face, he said, others will wonder why, opening the possibility of sharing with them the Gospel. With Christmas approaching, the pope said, “the Church invites us to give witness that Jesus is not MXVW D KLVWRULFDO ÂżJXUH +H LV WKH word of God who continues to illuminate people’s paths todayâ€?. During the evening Mass at the parish on Rome’s western edge, Pope Francis said, “The joy of Christmas is a special joy, a joy that is not only for Christmas Day, but for the entire life of a Christian.â€? Christian joy, he said, “comes from prayer and from giving thanks to God.â€? It grows as one reviews all the blessings God has given. „ CNS

Pope’s words of advice to Catholic media VATICAN CITY – In a world where words and images are used to manipulate or to scapegoat people, Catholic media must use them with a care that shows how powerful words can be, Pope Francis said. “Reawaken words! This is the ÂżUVW WDVN RI D FRPPXQLFDWRU (YHU\ ZRUG KDV D VSDUN RI ÂżUH DQG OLIH inside it,â€? he told employees of the Italian Catholic bishops’ TV 2000 on Dec 15. Too often, communications media have been used for “propa-

ganda, ideologies, political aims or for economic or technical control,â€? he said. The best way to avoid that is “to have the courage to speak frankly and freely.â€? “If we are truly convinced of what we have to say, the words will come,â€? he said. “If, on the other hand, we are preoccupied with tactical aspects, our words ZLOO EH DUWLÂżFLDO DQG XQFRPPXQLcative, insipid.â€? With carefully chosen words, he said, the Catholic media must attempt to explain complicated

situations without oversimplifying them. Too often, he said, the media pretend that one person has all the answers or that one person or group of people is to blame. The media have become “fastHU DQG OHVV UHĂ€HFWLYH´ DV GHDGOLQHV get tighter and people expect immediate access to the news, he said. Audiences have a right to be treated as people with both a brain and a heart, and to receive the information they need to make judgments about what is going on in the world, the pope said. „ CNS

was the “situation in the Middle East, and the commitment of the United States to avoid a worsening of tensions and an outbreak of violence, as well as the commitment to promoting a resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians,� Fr Lombardi told reporters. Mr Kerry was in Rome as one stop of a European tour dedicated largely to reviving peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. He was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Rome later the same day. Fr Lombardi said the two secretaries of state also touched briefly on other subjects, including the civil war in Eastern Ukraine and the Ebola epidemic. „ CNS

US Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with then Cardinaldesignate Pietro Parolin in January. The two met again recently. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

Sainthood process opened for Vietnamese priest HO CHI MINH CITY – Vietnam may

soon have a new saint: the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has given the green light to the opening of the canonisation process of Fr Francis-Xavier Truong Buu Diep. The Vietnamese priest died a KHUR LQ GXULQJ WKH ÂżUVW 9Letnamese War, in an effort to save the lives of his parishioners. The Vatican body informed the bishop of the southern Cân Tho diocese of the opening of the canonisation process on Oct 31, but the news has only been announced recently. The Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference has been calling for the opening of the canonisation dossier, after having launched the proposal during their annual meeting in 2012. Amongst those who have a special veneration for the priest and martyr is Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Mân, Archbishop Emeritus of Ho Chi Minh City, who knew the late priest when he was eight years old. The cardinal points out that Fr Diep “was a holy priest, always concerned about the future of the Church and ready to encourage

the faithful to commit themselves deeply to their religion.â€? Wherever he went, the cardinal said, “he undertook to set up a place of worship and to build houses for the faithful. He lived and died for them.â€? Fr Diep was born in 1897 in a village in the southwest of Vietnam, in the province of An Giang, which at the time was part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, which is where he later completed his studies at the major seminary. His priestly ordination took place in the Cambodian capital in 1924. From 1930 he was assigned to the Parish of Tac Say, where he continued to work until his death by martyrdom. When the Viet Minh (a Vietnamese revolutionary organisation) arrived in the area, many priests decided to leave, but he chose to stay close to his faithful. He was arrested on March 12, 1946, along with 60 parishioners. +H RIIHUHG KLV RZQ OLIH LQ VDFULÂżFH in exchange for their release. He is buried in the Church of Tac Say in Cân Tho diocese. „ ASIANEWS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Walk with young people, help them discover their vocations, pope says VATICAN CITY – Youth ministry is

not about planning activities for young people, but about opening one’s eyes to their culture, walking alongside them and helping them discover the path God wants them to take, Pope Francis said. If youth ministers strive to see young people and their cultures with the eyes of Jesus, they will see “not only the challenges and problems, but they will recognise the many seeds of love and hope scattered on the earthâ€?, the pope wrote in a message to the European Meeting on Youth Ministry. The Dec 11-13 meeting in Rome was sponsored by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences. Pope Francis said youth ministers offer a precious service to the Church when they provide young people with “adults and peers who are mature in the faith and will accompany them on their journey, KHOSLQJ WKHP ÂżQG WKH SDWK WKDW leads to Christ. “Much more than promoting a series of activities for young people, this pastoral work consists in walking with them, personally ac-

<RXWK PLQLVWHUV RIIHU D SUHFLRXV VHUYLFH WR WKH &KXUFK ZKHQ WKH\ SURYLGH \RXQJ SHRSOH ZLWK DGXOWV DQG SHHUV ZKR FDQ KHOS WKHP ¿QG WKH SDWK WKDW OHDGV WR &KULVW VDLG 3RSH )UDQFLV companying them in the complex DQG VRPHWLPHV GLI¿FXOW FRQWH[WV LQ which they are immersed,� he said. The starting place, the pope said, has to be the real questions young people are asking. Youth ministers do not have to have all the answers, but they must be willing to enter into dialogue with the young people and help them see how they can have a relationship with Christ. The process of dialogue and accompaniment, he said, also includes helping young people ask the questions they need to discern whether God is calling them to married life or to the priesthood or Religious life. „ CNS

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Church is ‘mother’ when it offers mercy, tenderness, pope says VATICAN CITY – As his interna-

tional Council of Cardinals began a three-day meeting to discuss the reform of the Roman Curia, Pope Francis said having a perfect organisational chart for the Church won’t guarantee that the Church IXOÂżOV LWV PLVVLRQ RI EULQJLQJ SHRple to Christ. Celebrating an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence on Dec 9, Pope Francis prayed that “the Lord would give us the grace to work, to be joyful Christians.â€? Commenting on the Gospel story from Matthew 18:12-14 about the shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to go in search of the one lost sheep, Pope Francis said the shepherd could have approached the situation like a “good businessman: ‘Well, there’s still 99, if one is lost, it’s QRW D SUREOHP Âś 7KH ÂżQDO EDODQFH earnings and lossesâ€? are what counts. But instead of having a busi-

‘:KHQ WKH &KXUFK VWRSV ZLWK LWVHOI FORVHV LQ RQ LWVHOI Âą HYHQ LI LW LV ZHOO RUJDQLVHG KDV D SHUIHFW RUJDQLVDWLRQDO FKDUW ZLWK HYHU\WKLQJ LQ SODFH HYHU\WKLQJ WLG\ EXW LW ODFNV MR\ ODFNV FHOHEUDWLRQV ODFNV SHDFH Âą LW EHFRPHV D PLVWUXVWLQJ DQ[LRXV VDG &KXUFK

’

– Pope Francis

nessman’s head, the Gospel protagonist “has a shepherd’s heart. +H JRHV RXW ORRNLQJ XQWLO KH ÂżQGV the one lost and celebrates; he’s joyful,â€? the pope said, according to Vatican Radio. “The joy of going out to

search for our brothers and sisters who are far off, this is the joy of the Church,� the pope said. “That is when the Church becomes a mother, becomes fruitful.� “When the Church doesn’t do this, when the Church stops with itself, closes in on itself – even if it is well organised, has a perfect organisational chart with everything in place, everything tidy, but it lacks joy, lacks celebrations, lacks peace – it becomes a mistrusting, anxious, sad Church.� The perfect, closed-up Church “is useless, it’s a museum Church�, the pope said. “The joy of the Church is to give birth; the joy of the Church is to go out of itself to give life; the joy of the Church is to go in search of lost sheep.� “The joy of the Church,� he said, “is precisely the tenderness of the shepherd, the tenderness of the mother.� „ CNS

Pope wants solidarity in creating world without nuclear weapons VIENNA – Pope Francis called on

world leaders, activists and people of faith to pull together to rid the world of the threat of nuclear weapons. Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican’s permanent representative to UN agencies in Geneva, read the pope’s statement in Vienna on Dec 8 at the opening of Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. In his message, Pope Francis restated the Vatican’s long-standing advocacy for the global elimination of nuclear weapons and

said peace is not just a balance of power, “but true justice�. The pope’s statement said nuclear nations should move beyond the mere ideal of the abolition of atomic weapons stressed in The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation Of Nuclear Weapons and take the next steps toward meeting that objective. “The humanitarian consequences are predictable and planetary,� the pope said in the statement, read before representatives of more than 150 countries gathered for conference. More attention should be given to the unnecessary suffering that

would result from the use of nuclear weapons, the pope’s statement said. He encouraged open dialogue between nuclear and non-nuclear states, with the inclusion of religious communities and civil society. In his message, Pope Francis encouraged participants of the conference to remind the world of the risks of nations possessing any nuclear weapons. “I’m convinced the desire for peace will bear fruit in concrete ways,â€? the pope said in the statement, adding that it was his hope that “a world without nuclear weapons is possible.â€? „ CNS A nuclear missile submarine. The Vatican advocates the elimination of nuclear weapons. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Pope calls for more ‘integration’ of divorced Catholics, gay people

Pope Francis gave comments to an Argentine newspaper, La Nacion. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis said

that the Catholic Church must consider various ways to integrate the divorced and civilly remarried in the life of the Church – not merely allowing them to receive Communion, but letting them serve as eucharistic ministers and godparents – and to make it easier for Catholic families to accept their homosexual members. The pope also said he would travel to three Latin American countries and several African countries in 2015, and that major reforms of the Vatican bureaucracy, including the possible appointment of a married couple to head D QHZ RIÂżFH ZLOO QRW EH UHDG\ EHfore 2016. Pope Francis made his remarks in an interview published on Dec 7 in the Argentine newspaper, La Nacion. The interview, with journalist Elisabetta Pique, was conducted on Dec 4 in the pope’s suite at the Vatican guesthouse, where he lives. The pope answered several questions about the October 2014 Synod of Bishops on the family, which considered a controversial proposal to allow some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion even without DQ DQQXOPHQW RI WKHLU ÂżUVW VDFUDmental marriages. By Church law, such Catholics may not receive Communion unless they abstain from sexual relations, living as “brother and sisterâ€? with their new partners. Regarding such Catholics, “we posed the question, what do we do with them? What door can be opened for them?â€? Pope Francis said. “Communion alone is no solution. The solution is integration.â€?

The pope noted several currently prohibited activities, including teaching Sunday school and distributing Communion, that he said amounted to the de facto excommunication of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. “Let us open the doors a bit more. Why can’t they be godfathers and godmothers?� Pope Francis said, dismissing the objection that they would set a poor example for the baptised. Divorced and civilly remarried godparents offer their godchild the “testimony of a man and a woman saying, ‘My dear, I made a mistake, I was wrong here, but I

Communion ‘ alone is no solution. The solution is integration.

’

– Pope Francis on divorced and civilly remarried Catholics

believe the Lord loves me, I want to follow God, I was not defeated by sin, I want to move on.’ Is anything more Christian than that?� Such godparents are more worthy of their role than “political crooks� who happen to be properly wedded, the pope said. “We must go back and change things a bit, in terms of standards,� he said. Referring to the synod’s controversial midterm report, which used remarkably favourable language toward people with ways of life contrary to Catholic teaching, including those in same-sex unions, Pope Francis said, “Nobody mentioned homosexual marriage at the

synod, it did not cross our minds. “The synod addressed the family and homosexual persons in relation to their families,â€? the SRSH VDLG Âł:H KDYH WR ÂżQG D ZD\ to help that father or that mother stand by their [homosexual] son or daughter. That’s what the synod addressed. That’s why someone mentioned positive factors [of VDPH VH[ XQLRQV@ LQ WKH ÂżUVW GUDIW But that was just a draft.â€? Asked about his decision to dismiss US Cardinal Raymond L Burke from his post as the head of the Vatican’s highest court, the SRSH FRQÂżUPHG ZLGHO\ FLUFXODWHG reports that he had decided on the move prior to the synod; hence the cardinal’s positions at the synod, where he was a leading conservative voice, were not the reason for his reassignment to a largely honorary job with a chivalric Religious order. 7KH SRSH FLWHG XQVSHFLÂżHG “legal restructuringâ€? in the Vatican as reason for Cardinal Burke’s reassignment, noting also that the Order of Malta needed a “smart American who would know how to get aroundâ€?. Pope Francis said his ongoing reform of the Vatican bureaucracy is a “slow processâ€? that will not be ready before 2016. He said it ZDV SRVVLEOH WKDW D QHZ RIÂżFH WKH product of a merger of the current SRQWLÂżFDO FRXQFLOV IRU WKH /DLW\ the Family and Justice and Peace, could be headed by a woman or even a married couple. The pope also announced that he would travel in 2015 to “some African countriesâ€? and three Latin American countries, not including his native Argentina, which will have to wait until 2016. „

16 OPINION

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

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LETTER

Detracting from the Liturgy “The Celebration of Mass, as the action of Christ and the People of God arrayed hierarchically, is the centre of the whole Christian life for the Church both universal and local, as well as for each of the faithful individually. “In it is found the high point both of the action by which God VDQFWLÂżHV WKH ZRUOG LQ &KULVW DQG of the worship that the human race offers to the Father, adoring him through Christ, the Son of God, in the Holy Spirit.â€? (General Instruction of the Roman Missal #16) The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1407) These statements serve to reinforce the importance and dignity of the Eucharistic celebration and rightly so. I cannot recall the numerous times I’ve heard preachers and speakers extol with a humble pride on the beauty and simplicity of the Sacred Liturgy and how LW LV VXSSRVHG WR Ă€RZ VHDPOHVVO\ within the Rites uninterrupted. We can pride ourselves on “having achieved so great a workâ€? (CCC 1088), as the Body of Christ and His bride, the Church. However, over the years, some laxity, and to some extent neglect, has crept into the Sacred Liturgy. In the Introductory Rites of the Eucharist, there is a formal (liturgical) greeting by the presider with an appropriate response by the assembly. “The Lord be with you.â€? “And with your spirit.â€? These days, this liturgical greeting seems to have lost some meaning for assemblies, or perhaps, even presiders themselves; Quite a few presiders “innovateâ€? by mentioning a “follow-up’,

Over the years, some laxity, and to some extent neglect, has crept into the Sacred Liturgy. informal greeting immediately after by saying, “Good morning,â€? thereby eliciting an added reciprocal response from the assembly. This latter greeting comes after having just responded to the former, appropriate greeting . The latter greeting could mean that the presider did not really mean the former greeting, but supposedly meant for the latter greeting to reinforce the former. This belittles and trivialises the liturgical greeting, an obvious detraction from the Liturgy because one can immediately sense WKH ÂłEUHDN´ LQ WKH Ă€RZ RI WKH Rites. This is just one of several as-

pects of the Eucharistic celebration that presiders have detracted or digressed from. Pope Benedict XVI (speaking in Vatican City in October 2012 during one of his weekly addresses), noted that when priests RU SDULVKLRQHUV UHĂ€HFW RQ KRZ WR make the liturgy “attractive, interesting and beautifulâ€?, they can “risk forgetting the essential: The liturgy is celebrated for God and not for ourselvesâ€?, that the liturgy belongs to Jesus Christ and His Church, and should not be changed according to individual whims. We have been taught that the Sacred Liturgy has been so RUGHUHG DQG WKDW LW VKRXOG Ă€RZ without interruption. In the same spirit, we share, teach and impress upon our catechumens the importance and sacredness of the Liturgy, made more prominent with the revised Roman Missal. However, when presiders unilaterally choose to digress or detract from the Liturgy, how are we, as faith formators and sharers of the faith, able to explain such actions when we don’t live what we preach. Its my hope that the appropriate authority in the archdiocese will take a closer look at the reverence, dignity and sacred awe that must be accorded the Sacred Liturgy. I conclude in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “Let us ask the Lord to learn every day to live the sacred liturgy, especially the Eucharistic celebration, praying in the ‘we’ of the Church, that directs its gaze not in on itself, but to God, and feeling part of the living Church of all places and of all time.â€? „ Michael A Samy Singapore 530452

Two churches, two sacred places, two struggles GOD has given us two churches, one is found everywhere and the other is found at select places. Some of us prefer one of these and struggle with the other, but both are sacred places where God can be found and worshipped. When most people think of church, they generally think of a building, a cathedral, a shrine, a temple, a synagogue, a mosque, or a holy site. Roman Catholics might think of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome or some famous cathedral or their local parish church. Anglicans and Episcopalians might think of St Paul’s Cathedral in London or their local church building, even as Muslims might think of Mecca or their local mosque. These are all churches, privileged holy places where God meets us. This is one kind of church, housed in a building or a holy location. But what grounds this concept? In the Book of Genesis we read that Jacob had a dream within which he saw a ladder connecting earth to heaven with angels going up and down on this ladder. Waking from the dream, Jacob realises that he has had a very privileged experience within which the gap between heaven and earth was, for a moment, bridged. Not wanting to lose this experience, nor this special place, he sets up a stone as a pillar, as an altar, to mark the place, a concrete physical spot, where he sensed a special connection between heaven and earth, so that he may ÂżQG KLV ZD\ EDFN WR WKLV SULYLOHJHG VSRW 7KDWÂśV WKH ÂżUVW FKXUFK EXLOGLQJ DQG WKDWÂśV XOWLPDWHO\ WKH PHDQLQJ of every church building, every temple, every shrine, every mosque, and every holy site. It’s a privileged place where there’s a ladder between heaven and earth, with the angels of God ascending and descending. It’s a special place where one can go to pray. But there’s a second kind of church that has nothing to do with buildings, churches, temples, shrines, or holy sites. This is the church that Jesus reveals to the Samaritan woman in John’s Gospel. Most of us are familiar with the dialogue Jesus has with this woman. In their conversation she confesses a certain confusion regarding churches. She tells Jesus that she lives in a world that disagrees about where the real church, the real ladder between heaven and earth, is to be found: The Jews tell her that the real place to worship, the authentic church, is the temple in Jerusalem, but her own community, the Samaritans, tell her that the proper place to worship is Mount Gerizim. So which is the proper place to worship? Jesus tells her that she need not necessarily worship at either of those sites. Rather the real temple, the real sacred place, the real privileged place where a ladder runs between heaven and earth, upon which angels ascend and descend, is inside of her. The real church is not always a building or a holy site, but a place of conscience and spirit inside a person, accessible to us without having to travel to the Holy Land, Rome, London, Salt Lake City, Mecca, Lourdes, or your neighbourhood church. The ladder upon which angels ascend and descend between heaven and earth can be found everywhere, nature itself is a cathedral and, inside each of us, there’s a church. Thus there are two real churches given us by God; one is outside of us, physical and concrete, the other is inside of us, spiritual and amorphous. Ideally, of course, a healthy sense of church would have us all worshipping deeply at both places, outside in our church buildings and inside in our heart and conscience. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Today huge ecclesial tensions exist within all major religions and within all Christian denomiQDWLRQV EHWZHHQ WKRVH ZKR GHÂżQH FKXUFK SULPDULO\ RU H[FOXVLYHO\ E\ one’s active participation inside of a church building (If you aren’t FRPLQJ WR FKXUFK \RX DUHQÂśW D UHDO EHOLHYHU DQG WKRVH ZKR GHÂżQH church, however unconsciously, as sincerity and worship within conscience and spirit. (I’m spiritual but not religious!) Both are right, both are wrong, and both need to widen their understanding of church. God gave us both churches, and both are vital. I know persons, not least some very good male friends, who struggle with spiritual interiority. They grasp the meaning of church buildings, holy sites, and church structures, and these genuinely ground their Religious lives. They can relate to the church as a building and as an institution that holds holy services; they can grasp Jacob’s ladder there. Conversely, I have good friends, not least some women friends, who have a rich spiritual interiority but struggle with the church as an institution, one that, to their mind, too-easily and sometimes idolatrously privileges certain human organisations, sites, and persons as “sine qua nonâ€? avenues to heaven; they struggle to see Jacob’s ladder inside such concrete, imperfect physicality. Both need to learn from each other, and grasp more deeply the interrelationship of the two churches that God gave us. „

FOCUS 17

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Preparing for Christmas one papal homily at a time By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY – As Advent got

underway, Pope Francis included LQ KLV PRUQLQJ 0DVV KRPLOLHV VSHFLÂżF JUDFHV &DWKROLFV VKRXOG SUD\ for as they prepare for Christmas. In the chapel of his residence RQ 'HF 3RSH )UDQFLV HQGHG KLV homily by telling the small congregation, “Let us ask the Lord during this Advent time to draw us closer, closer to His mystery and do so on the path that He wants us to take: the path of humility, the path of meekness, the path of poverty, the path of recognising we are sinners.â€? Preaching two days later, he said, “Let us ask the Lord to help us be based ÂżUPO\ RQ WKH URFN that He is; our hope is in Him.â€? With highlights from his mornLQJ 0DVV KRPLOLHV available online and on Vatican Radio, millions of people use Pope Francis’ homilies as a guide through the Church’s liturgical year. 7KH ÂżUVW 6XQGD\ RI $GYHQW RQ 1RY 30 this year, marked the beginning of a QHZ \HDU RI 0DVV readings, a full calendar of seasons and feast days. While every celebration of 0DVV LV D FRPPHPRUDWLRQ RI WKH life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Church’s liturgical calendar is designed to help Catholics IRFXV RQ VSHFLÂżF HYHQWV DV WKH\ progress through the year and through time. But, as Pope Francis explained in February, “The liturgy is God’s time and space, and we must put ourselves there in God’s time, in God’s space, without looking at our watches. The liturgy is precisely entering into the mystery of God; bringing ourselves to the mystery and being present in the mystery.â€? Beginning a new Church year with the Advent preparation for &KULVWPDV KH VDLG LQ ÂłZH rediscover the beauty of all being on a journey: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and all humanity, peoples, civilisations, cultures, all on a journey across the paths of time.â€? When people grow weary and feel the weight of sinfulness or struggle to keep moving forward with hope in the new life Christ brings, Pope Francis wants them to realise how strongly the ScripWXUH UHDGLQJV IRU $GYHQW 0DVVHV

emphasise God’s love, tenderness and forgiveness. A desperate search for perfect gifts may also be part of many people’s Advent days, but Pope Francis thinks it might be even WRXJKHU WR ¿QG WKH SHUIHFW $GYHQW atmosphere: a bit of silence. It is good during this season to listen to God, who speaks quietly, tenderly, like a mother or father, the pope stressed in another AdYHQW KRPLO\ LQ ³:KHQ D child has a bad dream and wakes &16 ¿OH SKRWR

When was the last time you had fun? At the recent Conversion Experience Retreat, we did the “Hokey-Pokeyâ€?. It brought back fond childhood memories. Prior to that, it was watching my nieces and nephews enjoy the sights and sounds of ÂżUHZRUNV DW WKH 1DWLRQDO 'D\ Parade in August. Name an occasion you felt embarrassed or humbled.

The solemn profession of my three brothers and I was a humbling experience. Family, relatives and friends from all around came in large numbers. It was humbling because I did not expect such a crowd, considering it was a weekday (Friday), which meant them taking leave. Their support, prayers and enthusiasm were a very visible sign of God’s love. Name an occasion when you felt God was far away.

When I took God for granted. I found myself “doing� (ministry, prayer, studies, etc) more than “being� His child. It was then I began feeling as if I was “missing� God that I knew I needed to take a step back and remind myself to “be� rather than “do�.

EXLOGLQJ *RGÂśV NLQJGRP , ÂżQG this manner the most life-giving for me because I am able to avail myself of the promptings and movements of the Spirit through my superiors. What are the usual distractions in your prayer? What do you do about them?

'R]LQJ RII GXULQJ PHGLWDWLRQ time. To keep myself awake, each time I catch myself about to nod off, I would refocus on the scripture passage or on images around me. Pope Francis calls for a Church of the poor, for the poor. How do you live that within your vocation?

By living simply, such as not wasting food, recycling, etc; by not being part of the “use and throw culture�; by being grateful for whatever I have instead of desiring what I don’t.

What do you normally do to relax?

Jog. It’s a time to appreciate and enjoy nature. It also reminds me of the reality of life and not lose touch with people’s struggles as I see them waiting at bus stops DQG VTXHH]LQJ LQWR SDFNHG SXElic transport to get to work early in the morning. What do you like doing most when you are with your biological family?

Eating! Especially food that I PLVV 1RWKLQJ FDQ EHDW 0RPœV cooking). In the act of eating together as a family, we catch up on life and how everyone is doing because my family resides in Kuala Lump u r. „

Favourite book or author?

5LFN :DUUHQÂśV Âł3XUSRVH 'ULYHQ Lifeâ€?. Practical steps to live a life of purpose with God. Jason Evert’s “Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Lovesâ€?. It reminds me that even unfortunate events are in God’s control and that He holds my tomorrow. Favourite food?

What do you like best about being a Religious/consecrated person?

Giving myself to the service of

In Advent, and throughout the year, Pope Francis’ homilies are a lens for examining and understanding the key themes of KLV SRQWL¿FDWH particularly God’s mercy, human sinfulness, the evils of gossip and corruption, and the humility required of Christians. XS FU\LQJ 'DG JRHV DQG VD\V ¾'RQœW EH DIUDLG GRQœW EH VFDUHG I’m here.’ The Lord speaks this way too.� In Advent, and throughout the year, Pope Francis’ homilies are a lens for examining and understanding the key themes RI KLV SRQWL¿FDWH SDUWLFXODUO\ God’s mercy, human sinfulness, the evils of gossip and corruption, and the humility required of Christians. „ CNS

Fu chuk (a type of bean curd), durians and seafood.

Malaysian Friar Esmond Chua Order of Friars Minor www.franciscans.sg

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS AT VATICAN: A Christmas tree is positioned in St Peter’s Square on Dec 4. The WUHH LV D P ZKLWH ¿U IURP WKH &DODEULD UHJLRQ LQ VRXWKHUQ ,WDO\ CNS photo

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Celebrate Christmas all year round with simplicity, while remembering Joseph,

The hidden gift of Christmas

A felted wool Nativity scene made by Palestinians with intellectual disabilities is seen here. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

By David Gibson From a vantage point near the top of a large hill in Canada, my wife and I lingered to gaze late last summer upon a breathtaking view of the St Lawrence River. We knew, though, that after the trip, our life was about to return to normal. A familiar scene captivates Christians in a similar way, and at Christmastime they spend time gazing upon it. The scene depicts Mary, Joseph and the newborn Jesus. Shepherds are on hand, too, having received “Good News of great joyâ€? from an angel. &KULVWLDQLW\ DIÂżUPV WKDW WKH meaning of Christmas is not outside believers’ lives, ready to be left behind the way the St Lawrence River or the Grand Canyon get left behind when a vacation ends. Christmas invites Christians not just to celebrate Jesus’ birth for a few days, but to “give birthâ€? to Him repeatedly in the year ahead. The hidden gift of Christmas is its

commission, its mandate to Christians. The child in the manger on Christmas is the Word of God made Ă€HVK The Gospel reading heard by those participating in the Mass of Christmas Day proclaims that “the :RUG EHFDPH Ă€HVK DQG PDGH +LV GZHOOLQJ DPRQJ XV´ -Q Notably, that biblical statement comprises two essential, interreODWHG SRLQWV ÂżUVW WKDW WKH :RUG RI *RG ÂłEHFDPH Ă€HVK´ VHFRQG WKDW the Word of God “made His dwelling among usâ€?. Focusing on the statement’s second part, allow me to inquire what difference it makes that the Word of God “made his dwelling among usâ€?. The child Jesus “remains forever the sign of God’s tenderness and presence in our worldâ€?, Pope Francis remarked during a May YLVLW WR %HWKOHKHP /LNH every other child, the infant Jesus was “vulnerableâ€?. He also stressed that “today, too, children need to be

A kindergarten student dresses up as an angel. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

&KULVWPDV LQYLWHV &KULVWLDQV QRW MXVW WR FHOHEUDWH -HVXVÂś ELUWK IRU D IHZ GD\V EXW WR ÂľJLYH ELUWKÂś WR +LP UHSHDWHGO\ LQ WKH \HDU DKHDG welcomed and defended from the moment of their conception.â€? Pope Francis considered today’s children, like the infant Jesus, a sign for the world. “They are a sign of hope, a sign of life, but also a “diagnosticâ€? sign, a marker indicating the health of families, society and the entire world.â€? Moreover, according to Passionist Fr Donald Senior, God “does not stay aloof from His creation but is involved, although mysteriously, in human historyâ€?. The American biblical scholar VDLG LQ WKDW WKH *RG RI WKH %LEOH ÂłLV D *RG ZKR VHOI FRPPXnicates, a God who is not self-contained but one who wishes to reveal

Himself to the worldâ€?. Communication tends to improve a hundredfold whenever it is possible for two people to hear each other’s voices and, even better, speak face to face. This is where emails and text messages fall short. They have a capacity to hide feelings and emotions, and to reduce communication to its barest essentials. Indeed, though, the Word of God PDGH Ă€HVK FRPPXQLFDWHV IDFH WR face. He is known as Emmanuel, meaning “God with usâ€?. Dwelling among people and walking alongside them, His face reveals the face of God. Recent popes call it a face of love and mercy. Once again, though, the presence of the Word of God is a call to action, it is a call impelling Christians to do whatever they can to reveal the loving, merciful face of God to others. „ CNS *LEVRQ VHUYHG RQ &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFHÂśV HGLWRULDO VWDII IRU \HDUV

Taking the ‘perfection’ out of Christmas By Louise McNulty Most Christmas celebrations are shaped by the expectations of a “perfectâ€? day. Whoever does the SODQQLQJ WULHV WR IXOÂżO HDFK SHUson’s dream of a perfect Christmas. That may or may not include the planner’s wishes. It also may not take into consideration the family budget, time constraints, or even trying to incorporate religious meaning into the day. If you’re the type to get stressed out by these expectations, try something new this year. Shed the external pressures. Remember that what’s important is to share the

love and peace Jesus brought. That often gets lost in the sea of baking, cooking, buying presents, and making sure everything is “perfectâ€?. Simplify and focus on what’s important. Christmas celebrations do not come in one size and no ChristPDV H[FHSW WKH ÂżUVW LV SHUIHFW ,I ÂżQDQFHV DUH OLPLWHG DQG IRU most people they are), limit the presents you give. It will cut down on time and expense and provide meaning in gift-giving. Many families put in place a lottery system in which each member picks one name and gets one present for that person. 7KLV FDQ KHOS UHOLHYH WKH ÂżQDQ-

cial pressures of the holidays and allow people to focus on the one JLIW ZH DOO UHFHLYHG RQ WKH ÂżUVW Christmas. Any extra money you would have spent can go to charity. One couple I spoke with said taking their young son to Christmas Mass is the best present they can give. We all have a different idea of what a “perfectâ€? Christmas might be like, but the most perfect might be a quiet evening pondering that greatest and priceless of gifts we received long ago. „ CNS 0F1XOW\ LV D IUHHODQFH ZULWHU ZKR OLYHV LQ $NURQ 2KLR 86$

A family praying in front of a creche at Christmastime. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

CHRISTMAS MASSES 19

FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

the father of Jesus

CITY CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Under renovation/restoration.

ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH (VICTORIA STREET) Dec 24: 5pm (Filipino),

7pm (French), 9.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9am, 11am (Latin)

CHURCH OF STS PETER & PAUL Dec 24: 9 pm (M*),

(11pm Carolling) M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.30am (M*), 10am

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Dec 24: (7.30pm Carolling, 8pm

Rosary) 8.30pm, (10pm Carolling in T*) 10.30pm (T*) Dec 25: 9am, 10.30am (T*), 6.30pm (T*)

A stained glass panel of Joseph. He was Jesus’ male role model. File photo

Joseph as ‘best supporting actor’ By Marcellino D’Ambrosio In the drama of the Incarnation, Jesus is, of course, the star. That’s the way it is at every birth. All eyes are on the baby and mom, the co-star. Without her love and labour, the event could not have happened. In this case, without mom’s faith, it couldn’t have happened either. But there is a best supporting actor in this drama. While God carefully selected the mother of His son, God must have been equally careful selecting the man who would care for Jesus. Jesus, in His humanity, had to grow in wisdom, age, and grace. Joseph was responsible for a good deal of this. Joseph was Jesus’ male role model. From Joseph’s example, Jesus learned more than the trade that He would

practise for some 20 years. Joseph was a just man, an honest man, a courageous man, a man of integrity. His integrity would not allow him to marry an adulteress and pretend the child Mary was carrying was his. But he would not expose the woman he loved to shame and punishment. Then came a messenger. In Luke’s Gospel, we hear about the annunciation of Mary, but Joseph gets one, too. We forget that he also was told the unbelievable, and he believed. He changed his plans, received Mary into his home and accepted responsibility for the special child. While Mary needed no revelation to know hers was a virginal conception, Joseph had to go by what an angel told him in a dream. Then the angel shows up in a dream again, saying Herod had sent soldiers to destroy the baby, WHOOLQJ -RVHSK WR ÀHH WR (J\SW ZLWK Mary and the child. Wasn’t the 100 km walk to Bethlehem with a pregnant woman enough? Now he faced another long journey into pagan territory with a nursing mom and newborn. If this were God’s son, shouldn’t there be an easier way? St Paul said we walk by faith, not E\ VLJKW DQG -RVHSK ¿WV WKLV PRGHO of faith because he kept walking, even in times of uncertainty. „ CNS D’Ambrosio writes from Texas, USA. He is co-founder of Crossroads Productions, an apostolate of Catholic renewal and evangelisation.

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Dec 24: 9pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9am, 10.30am, 12pm CHURCH OF ST TERESA Dec 24: 8pm, (11pm Carolling)

M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm CHURCH OF ST.ALPHONSUS

(NOVENA CHURCH) Under reconstruction

Masses at SJI Junior School, (VVH[ 5RDG 6LQJDSRUH Dec 24: (9pm Carolling, 9.30pm Pageant) 10pm Dec 25: 10am

CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY Dec 24: 7.30pm (M*), 9.30pm,

M’nite Mass Dec 25: 11.15am, 6pm

CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA Dec 24: 6.30pm (T*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.15am (M*), 8.30am, 10am,

11.30am, 5pm

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Dec 24: 5.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7am, 9am, 11am CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Dec 24: 8pm, 11pm Dec 25: 7am, 8.15am, 9.45am, 11.30am,

6pm

CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Dec 24: (5.30pm Cantata) 6pm,

(8.30pm Cantata) 9pm, (11.30pm Cantata) M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.15am (M*), 9.45am, 11.30am, 5.30pm SERANGOON CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BVM Dec 24: (7pm Pageant) 7.30pm,

(9pm Carolling) 9.30pm (M*), (11.15pm Advent Service) M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am, 9.15am, 11am CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Dec 24: 9pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8am, 10am, 6.15pm

CHURCH OF ST BERNADETTE Dec 24: 9.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8am (M*), 9.30am, 11am,

CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER Dec 24: 6pm, 9pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9am, 11am, 5.30pm

CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL Dec 24: (7.30pm Carolling) 8pm

ST ANNE’S CHURCH Dec 24: 8pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.15am, 9am, 11am, 1pm (M*)

3.30pm (Indonesian)

(11.30pm Carolling) M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8am (M*), 9.30am, 5.30pm EAST CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY Dec 24: 9pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9.15am, 11.30am, 6pm (M*) CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE Dec 24: 9.30pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9am (M*), 10.45am, 5.30pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR Dec 24: (5.30pm Carolling) 6pm

(Children’s Mass), (8.15pm Pageant) 9pm, (11.15pm Pageant) M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am (M*), 8.45am, 10.30am, 12.15pm, 6pm CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN Dec 24: (11.30pm Pageant) M’nite Mass,

(1am Christmas party) Dec 25: 8am (M*), 10am, 6pm

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY Dec 24: 7.30pm (Children’s Mass),

M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8am (M*), 9.30am, 11.15am, 6pm CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY Dec 24: (6.30pm Children’s Pageant)

7.00pm, (8.15pm Cantata) 9pm, (11.15pm Cantata) M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7am, 9am, 11.30am, 5.30pm NORTH

ST JOSEPH CHURCH (BUKIT TIMAH) Dec 24: 9pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8am, 10am

CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Dec 24: 9pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7am, 9am, 11am, 6pm,

1.30pm (Vietnamese)

WEST CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Dec 24: (5.30pm Children’s Pageant)

6pm, 11pm Dec 25: 8.15am, 10.15am, 12.15pm, 6pm

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Dec 24: 7pm (M*), 9.30pm,

M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am, 9am (M), 10.45am, 5.30pm CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS Dec 24: 6pm (T*), (8pm Pageant)

9pm (Mass with Children’s Liturgy), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am (M*), 9am, 11am, 12.45pm CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Dec 24: 6pm (T*), 8.30pm (M*);

11.30pm (Malayalam-Basement Chapel), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am, 9am, 11am CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS Dec 24: 7.30pm (Family Mass),

9.30pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.15am

Note: M*: Mandarin; T*: Tamil Information correct at time of printing. Please check with parishes for updates.

20 CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Running out of gift ideas for loved ones? Or wondering how you can meaningfully share

'HOLJKW ORYHG RQHV E\ GRQDWLQJ RQ WKHLU EHKDOI $QG LI \RX DUH IHHOLQJ JHQHURXV WRZDUGV WKH OHVV IRUWXQDWH FRQVLGHU

Family Life Society (FLS)

Clarity clients engaged in art therapy. Clients in training at an ABLE partner agency.

Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations (ABLE) ABLE helps youth and adults from low-income households suffering from muscular dystrophy or needing therapy to be able to perform basic daily functions, such as eating, toileting and personal grooming. ABLE also supports caregivers of people with muscular dystrophy by offering res-

pite care, whereby a homecare nurse or nursing aide attends to the client while the caregiver runs errands or takes a muchneeded rest. To donate, make your cheque payable to “ABLE LimLWHG´ 7R ÂżQG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH organisation and to contribute, check out www.able-sg.org. „

Clarity Clarity helps people from all walks of life who struggle with various psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression, as well as some other forms of mental disorders. A large majority of clients are unable to pay for Clarity’s services due to unemployment or large medical ELOOV DQG RWKHU ¿QDQFLDO GLI¿FXOties. The charity provides psy-

chotherapy counselling, peer/ group support and art-based therapy. To donate, make your cheque payable to Clarity Singapore Limited or go to https: www.sggives.org/clarity. To find out more about the organisation and to contribute, check out www.clarity.org.sg „

Catholic Aids Response Effort (CARE) Assisi Hospice Each year, Assisi Hospice celebrates Christmas in a big way as it may be the last for many of their patients. It is for this reason that it lights up a 9-metre tree with some 30,000 bulbs (see photo below). Symbolising peace and joy, the festive lights also bring comfort and cheer to patients and their families as they spend precious time in each other’s company.

Each $10 donation will light a bulb on the Assisi Christmas tree. All funds raised will go towards supporting needy patients who need hospice and palliative care. To make a donation, visit www.sggives.org/ah and select “Christmas Light Up 2014â€? or FDOO 7R ÂżQG out more about the organisation and to contribute, check out www.assisihospice.org.sg „

CARE serves homeless people living with HIV/AIDS by providing short-term accommodation, meals and other material needs, such as pocket money. For women and their children who are on the Non-Residential Programme, CARE provides monthly food vouchers, pocket PRQH\ DQG RWKHU IRUPV RI Âż-

nancial support. It also offers emotional, psychological and spiritual support to its clients. Donations to CARE can be made via cheque in favour of “Catholic AIDS Response EfIRUW´ 7R ÂżQG RXW PRUH DERXW the organisation and to contribute, check out www.care.org.sg. „

CARE clients engaged in making rosaries to earn a living.

The clients of FLS are low-income and “sandwichedâ€? middle income families. Their needs DUH PDLQO\ ÂżQDQFLDO DQG VRFLDO such as monetary assistance, food, shelter and counselling. FLS offers programmes in schools, parishes and to the general public on couple relationship, parenting and sexuality. It operates a Pregnancy Crisis Service to support women who have decided to keep their unexpected pregnancy by providing counselling, referring them to a shelter, and assisting them with adoption linkage. It also runs Rachel’s Vineyard, a post-abortion healing weekend. Donations can be made by cheque payable to “Family Life Societyâ€?. For donations by credit card, contact VeronLFD 7R ÂżQG RXW more about the organisation and to contribute, check out ZZZ Ă€V RUJ VJ „

Morning Star Community Services Morning Star reaches out to mainstream primary school kids at risk of dropping out due to failing grades in at least two subjects. Through a programme called NOVA (Nurturing One’s Valuable Attributes), the children receive individualised educational support, enabling them to learn according to their own pace. This further encourages the kids to gradually develop an interest in learning. The NOVA Fund supports struggling learners who come from disadvantaged and multistressed, low-income families. Donations to the NOVA Fund are matched dollar for dollar by the government. To donate, write a cheque to “Morning Star Community Servicesâ€?, or go to http://www.giveasia.org/ movement/run_for_the_kids_2 or https://www.sggives.org. To ÂżQG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH RUJDQLsation and to contribute, check out www.morningstar.org.sg „

CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING 21

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

your year-end blessings with others? Here are some suggestions from Mel Diamse-Lee.

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A Christmas present that helps loved ones get closer to God or enhance their marital relationship is surely a blessing.

Cenacle Sisters*

Canossaville Children’s Home (CCH) CCH offers residential care to girls between the ages of four and 12 who come from family situations which may put them at risk. Their Student Care Centre provides before/after school care for primary school boys and girls. The home works creatively to give the children emotional and psychological support. This helps in the eventual reintegration of the residents with their families. The home is run under the guid-

ance of the Canossian Daughters of Charity. From now to Dec 31, donations will be matched by the government under the Care & Share initiative. To donate, make your cheque payable to “Canossaville Children’s Homeâ€? or go to www. sggives.org for donations via credit card Intenet banking. To ÂżQG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH RUJDQLVDtion and to contribute, check out www.cch.org.sg „

HopeHouse HopeHouse serves at-risk youths between the ages of 16 and 21 years who have been rendered homeless, unable to return to their families due to PDMRU FRQĂ€LFWV RU KDYH FRPmitted legal offences. Some are referred to HopeHouse by the Ministry of Social and Family Development. The residents receive individualised support that will enhance their life skills and

positive values, eventually enabling them to be integrated into their respective families and to society. To donate, make your cheque payable to “HOPEHOUSE LTDâ€?. Online donations can be made through: https://www. VJJLYHV RUJ KRSHKRXVH 7R ÂżQG out more about the organisation and to contribute, check out www.hopehouse.org.sg „

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Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore (CHARIS)* CHARIS is the umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid by the Archdiocese of SingaSRUH ,WV EHQHÂżFLDULHV LQFOXGH disaster victims as well as those displaced by civil wars and strife. CHARIS provides basic needs such as food, water, shelter and sanitation. It also provides aid to the poor and needy in non-disaster related situations. As an entity directly under the Archdiocese of Singapore and whose services EHQHÂżW QHHG\ SHRSOH RXWVLGH the country, CHARIS does not receive funding from the government. To donate, make your cheque payable to “HumaniWDULDQ $LG )XQG´ 7R ÂżQG RXW more about the organisation and to contribute, check out www.charis-singapore.org „

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The Cenacle Sisters dedicate themselves towards giving retreats, spiritual direction, pastoral counselling, catechesis and other spiritual formation programmes. The Cenacle Sisters in Singapore also need a convent of their own to reside in and accommodate small groups for spiritual formation. Get the “Gift of Prayer� cards or “Gift of a Retreat�

FHUWL¿FDWH DV SUHVHQWV IRU ORYHG ones. These gifts are valid throughout 2015. For details call 6565-2895 or email cenaFOHVLQJ#JPDLO FRP 7R ¿QG RXW more about the Cenacle Sisters and their programmes, and to make a lasting gift, visit www. catholic.org.sg/cenacle. „

Daughters of St Paul (FSP)* The Sisters use every available means of communication to spread the Gospel and promote the dignity of all peoples. They operate from a temporary convent in Jurong West and serve the Catholic community in parishes and schools. They also manage the bookshop at the Church of the Risen Christ as part of their media ministry. The most pressing need of the Sisters is to raise enough funds to acquire a new convent in order to continue staying in Singapore and carry on their media ministry. To donate, make a cheque payable to “Daughters of St Paul

Building Fund�. For fund transfers, write OCBC Account Number: 892189001 (If your bank is OCBC, use 615892189001). To ¿QG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH 'DXJKters of St Paul and to give a lasting gift, visit http://www.paulines.org.sg „

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Singapore (ME)* ME facilitates weekends for married couples in a good relationship. Through authentic dialogue, couple intimacy is enKDQFHG 0( EHQHÂżWV both the young married couples who want to build a strong marriage foundation and also couples who have been married for many years who want to make their marriages even better. An ME Gift Voucher, costing $50, covers the registration fee for a weekend and is valid

for 12 months. During the Christmas season (from now till Jan 15, 2015), vouchers will be available at $25. To obtain the vouchers, call Shelley Ee DW 7R ¿QG RXW PRUH about ME and to make a lasting gift, visit www.mesingapore. org. „

22 FEATURE

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

PDPA and its implications Parishes and Catholic organisations review current practices to ensure compliance %\ 0HO 'LDPVH /HH 3DULVKHV RUJDQLVDWLRQV DQG RI¿FHV XQGHU WKH DUFKGLRFHVH DUH LQ WKH PLGVW RI ZRUNLQJ WR FRPSO\ ZLWK WKH 3HUVRQDO 'DWD 3URWHFWLRQ $FW 3'3$ ZKLFK RI¿FLDOO\ WRRN HIIHFW LQ -XO\ WKLV \HDU )LYH 3'3$ ZRUNVKRSV KDYH EHHQ RUJDQLVHG WR GDWH E\ WKH &KDQFHU\ RI¿FH H[FOXVLYHO\ IRU WKH $UFKGLRFHVH RI 6LQJDSRUH WR HQVXUH WKDW WKH QLQH REOLJDWLRQV XQGHU WKH $FW DUH XQGHUVWRRG DQG DSSOLHG ZLWKLQ WKH &KXUFK¶V PLQLVWU\ DQG ZRUN %HWZHHQ 6HSWHPEHU DQG WKLV 'HFHPEHU QHDUO\ SDULVK UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV DQG VWDII IURP YDULRXV &DWKROLF HQWLWLHV KDYH DWWHQGHG WKHVH WZR GD\ ZRUNVKRSV $ KDOI GD\ VHPLQDU LQ 1RYHPEHU ZDV DOVR FRQGXFWHG IRU WKH FOHUJ\ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH &KDQFHU\ RI¿FH D GUDIW 3'3$ SROLF\ LV FXUUHQWO\ EHLQJ UHYLHZHG E\ D ODZ\HU DQG LV H[SHFWHG WR EH UROOHG RXW LQ WKH ¿UVW TXDUWHU RI ,Q DQ HPDLO WR WKH &DWKROLF1HZV 0V 6KDURQ /HH IURP WKH &KDQFHU\ ZURWH ³$V WKH 3'3$ LV DSSOLFDEOH WR DOO RUJDQLVDWLRQV LQ 6LQJDSRUH SDULVKHV DQG FKXUFK HQWLWLHV DUH FRPPLWWHG WR FRPSO\LQJ ZLWK WKH $FW :H UHFRJQLVH WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI WKH SHUVRQDO GDWD WKH SDULVKLRQHUV LQGLYLGXDOV KDYH HQWUXVWHG WR XV DQG UHVSHFW WKHLU ULJKW WR SURWHFW WKHLU SHUVRQDO GDWD :H EHOLHYH LW LV RXU UHVSRQVLELOLW\ WR PDQDJH SURWHFW DQG SURFHVV WKHVH SHUVRQDO GDWD SURSHUO\ LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK 3'3$ REOLJDWLRQV ´ 7KH 3'3$ ZDV HQDFWHG WR SURWHFW WKH ULJKWV RI LQGLYLGXDOV WR KDYH FRQWURO RYHU WKH XVH RI WKHLU SHUVRQDO GDWD 7KHVH LQFOXGH D SHUVRQ¶V 15,& QXPEHU QDPH DJH FRQWDFW QXPEHU RFFXSDWLRQ DQG DGGUHVV 7KH DUFKGLRFHVH WKURXJK LWV YDULRXV HQWLWLHV FROOHFW PLOOLRQV RI VXFK GDWD LQ WKH FRXUVH RI LWV ZRUN HLWKHU WKURXJK HOHFWURQLF RU QRQ HOHFWURQLF PHDQV 3'3$ GLFWDWHV WKDW SHUVRQDO GDWD PXVW EH FROOHFWHG RQO\ ZLWK WKH SHUVRQ¶V FRQVHQW DQG WKH SXUSRVH RI WKH GDWD PXVW EH PDGH NQRZQ FOHDUO\ 'LVFORVXUH RI VXFK GDWD WR RWKHU SDUWLHV LV SURKLELWHG ZLWKRXW WKH SHUVRQ¶V FRQVHQW 6KRXOG WKH GDWD IDOO LQWR WKH wrong hands and abused and the FKXUFK HQWLW\ LV IRXQG WR EH QHJOLJHQW WKH VDLG HQWLW\ LV OLDEOH WR D ¿QH RI XS WR PLOOLRQ +HQFH WKH 3'3$ VSHOOV RXW WKDW DQ RUJDQLVDWLRQ KROGLQJ GDWD must ensure that administrative, WHFKQLFDO DQG SK\VLFDO PHDVXUHV DUH LQ SODFH )RU H[DPSOH FKXUFK VWDII VKRXOG EH ERXQG E\ D FRQ¿GHQWLDOLW\ FODXVH LQ WKHLU HPSOR\PHQW OHWWHU FRQ¿GHQWLDO GRFXPHQWV DUH FOHDUO\ DQG SURPLQHQWO\ VWDPSHG DV VXFK DQG GDWD LV HQFU\SWHG WR SUHYHQW XQDXWKRULVHG DFFHVV

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identify areas of non-compliance and implement procedures to ensure compliance. [The PDPA] will impact almost everything that we do.

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probably have ‘toWeinstall equipment and software to ensure data is protected. The problem is we are not so well-versed with computers and IT in general.

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23

Sunday December 28, 2014 „ CatholicNews

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

Mary and Jesus were at the temple, Simeon, a very righteous and devout Joseph was related to King David, so old man who lived in Jerusalem, was he and his wife, Mary, travelled from led to the temple by the Holy Spirit. It their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem, had been revealed to Simeon through the city of David, to be counted in a the Holy Spirit that he would not die census. Mary was pregnant and wound until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took up giving birth to her baby while in Bethlehem. She wrapped him in swad- the infant into his arms and blessed dling clothes and laid him in a man- God. “Now, Master,â€? he said, “you ger, because there was no room for them to stay at any of the town’s inns. may let your servant go in peace, acEight days later, the infant was cording to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you named Jesus. About a month after Jesus was prepared in sight of all the peoples, born, Joseph and Mary presented him a light for revelation to the Gentiles, to the Lord, according to the law of and glory for your people Israel.â€? Joseph and Mary looked at each Moses. They decided to do this by visiting the temple in Jerusalem. The law other in surprise as Simeon blessed said they needed to consecrate Jesus to them. What an incredible thing had WKH /RUG DQG PDNH D VDFULÂżFH RI D SDLU just been said about their newborn son! Simeon then looked at Mary. of turtledoves or two young pigeons. “Behold, this child is destined for On the same day that Joseph,

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Elizabeth Ann Seton St Elizabeth Ann Seton (d 1821) was born into an Episcopal family in New York, New York, in 1774. She married a wealthy EXVLQHVVPDQ DQG KDG ¿YH FKLOGUHQ +HU KXVEDQG EHFDPH LOO and travelled to Italy for help, but he died there. It was in Italy that Elizabeth became interested in Catholicism, and she was received into the Church in 1805. ,Q VKH IRUPHG WKH ¿UVW RUGHU RI ZRPHQ 5HOLJLRXV founded in the US, the Daughters of Charity of St Joseph. The order helped the poor, founded orphanages and hospitals, and worked with parochial schools. When she died in 1821, her congregation had 20 comPXQLWLHV LQ WKH 86 ,Q VKH EHFDPH WKH ¿UVW QDWLYH ERUQ North American saint. We honour her on Jan 4. „

the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed,� he told Mary. An old woman, the prophetess Anna, also was in the temple that day. She worshipped, prayed and fasted at the temple day and night, never leaving it. When she heard that the Baby Jesus was at the temple, she came over to see Him. She then gave thanks to God and

told everyone she knew about Jesus. Afterward, Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth with Jesus, who grew and became strong and wise. „ Read more about it: Luke 2

Q&A 1. Who told Simeon he would not die until he saw the Messiah? 2. Whom did Simeon bless?

Wordsearch: „ LAW

„ MASTER „ INFANT

„ DEVOUT

„ BABY

„ PIGEONS „ GENTILES „ TEMPLE

„ ARMS

„ MANGER „ LORD

„ BLESSED

BIBLE TRIVIA: Which Old Testament book contains many details about the Mosaic law?

Bible Accent: Answer to puzzle: 1. a small, wild pigeon; 2. deeply religious; 3. a woman who delivers God’s messages Answer to Bible Trivia: Leviticus

PUZZLE: Learn some new vocabulary words from the story of Jesus’ presentation in the temple. Have a friend or family member help you look up the verses provided from Luke 2, then look up and memRULVH WKH GH¿QLWLRQV RI WKH ZRUGV 1. Turtledove (verse 24) 2. Devout (verse 25) 3. Prophetess (verse 36)

Answer to Wordsearch

There are many places in the Gospel of Luke that talk about Jesus being in the temple. For example, in Luke 2 we read that the infant Jesus was presented to the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem. Also in Luke 2 we learn that when Jesus was 12, he, Joseph and Mary travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, something they did every year. But this particular year, after Joseph and Mary had left to return home with a big group of family and friends, they realised Jesus was PLVVLQJ 7KH\ VHDUFKHG IRU +LP IRU WKUHH GD\V DQG ¿nally found Him in the temple. As an adult, Jesus could be found in the temple as well. In Luke 19, He cleansed the temple in Jerusalem by chasing out the people who were buying and selling things. In Luke 20, He was teaching people in the temple area when the priests, scribes and elders came to question His authority. And in Luke 21, we learn that during His ministry Jesus taught in the temple in Jerusalem every day, and at night He stayed at the Mount of Olives. „

24 WHAT’S ON EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www. catholic.org.sg/webevent_form.php 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 27 TO FEBRUARY 1, 2015 CARLO CATHOLIC SOCIETY BURSARY 2015 Applications are now open for Primary/ Secondary/JC/CI students. Applicants must be Catholic – Singaporeans or foreigners – and must be full-time students. The applicant’s gross monthly household income divided by the total number of household members must not exceed $450, or the gross monthly household income must not exceed $2000. Applicants must possess good conduct and satisfactory academic results, must not be receiving any other scholarship/bursary. Application forms are available at 225-B Queen Street, or can be downloaded from www.carlo.org.sg. 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 would be cocktail, a

Sunday December 28, 2014 CatholicNews

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. TUESDAYS JUNE 24 RCIA @ CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL 7.30pm-9.30pm: 225A Queen Street. Register T: 9753 6863 (Joanna Sng, coordinator); E: sng.joanna@gmail.com. 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 would be adoration at 8pm followed by Mass at 8.45pm. 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 will 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 VSDFHV LV RQ D ¿UVW FRPH ¿UVW VHUYH EDVLV VR KXUU\ 2UJDQLVHG E\ 03& DI¿OLDWH RI ACF). At CJC Auditorium, 129 Whitley Road. For enquiries, T: 9367 3411 (Peter and Rita); E: MPCSingapore@gmail.com.

JANUARY 10, 2015 WALKING A SACRED PATH ON THE LABYRINTH 10am-1pm: As we begin the New Year, come and experience a spiritual journey on foot. This walking meditation along the twists and turns of the sacred path will KHOS \RX WR UHÀHFW RQ \RXU UHODWLRQVKLS with God, what He is doing in your life, and where He may be leading you to. Facilitated by Roselie Chia and Joy Toh. Organised by Kingsmead Centre. At Sacred Heart Hall Annexe, behind St Ignatius Church. Fee: $30. Contact T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@ gmail.com; W: www.kingsmeadcentre.sg. JANUARY 13, 2015 BIBLE TIMELINE BY JEFF CAVIINS 9am-12pm: Every Tuesday, join us for a 24-part Bible study that will take you on a journey through the entire Bible. Go deep into each period of salvation history and discover the amazing story woven throughout all of Scripture to reveal the remarkable story of your faith. Organised by Queen of Peace Church. At 4 Sandy Lane. Fee: $53 for study materials per participant. Registration T: 6744 2879 / 9455 3456 (Felicia Lee); W: http://tinyurl.com/btl-qop2. JANUARY 14 TO MAY 20, 2015 BIBLE STUDY, BOOK OF GENESIS 8pm-10pm: Every Wednesday from Jan 14, there will be Bible study sessions conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. The sessions are free of charge. Organised by Bible Apostolate team, Church of St Francis Xavier. At Church of St Francis Xavier, 63A Chartwell Drive, SFX room, parish centre. Register E: ronlee@lucas.com.sg (Ron Lee) / maisielee21@gmail.com (Maisie Lim). JANUARY 15 TO APRIL 23, 2015 BIBLE GENESIS – GENESIS LECTURES BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ 8pm-10pm: Every Thursday from

Jan 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 E: henrywu@lucas.com.sg. JANUARY 23 TO JANUARY 25, 2015 JANUARY CHOICE WEEKEND 6pm (Friday)-6pm (Sunday): It takes that one weekend that will inspire you for the rest of your life. Come away for a Choice Weekend – it is by the choices we make WKDW ZH GH¿QH ZKDW RXU OLIH LV DOO DERXW Organised by Choice Singapore. At 47 Jurong West Street 42. Register T: 9790 0537 (Hillary) / 9424 2606 (Jacqueline); E: registration@choice.org.sg. JANUARY 24 TO FEBRUARY 7, 2015 SE7EN – AFTER GOD’S HEART Calling all young working adults between ages 25 and 35, come discover God’s love. Join us for a three-week programme on two Saturdays from 2-4pm, on Jan 24 and Feb 7. There will also be a stay-in weekend retreat from Jan 30 at 8pm, to Feb 1 at 2pm, at the IHM Retreat House, 46 Kovan Road. Fee: $90. Register E: http://tinyurl.com/se7en2015. Enquiries T: 9272 7884 (Martin); E: se7en.msc@ gmail.com. Register by Jan 11, 2015.

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VATICAN CITY – Preceded

E\ D SURFHVVLRQ RI ÀDJV from the nations of the Americas and the recitation of the rosary in Spanish, Pope Francis and thousands of Catholics from across the Atlantic celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Vatican. The Argentina-born pope celebrated the Dec 12 Mass to the sounds and rhythms of many of South America’s indigenous peoples. The pope said that with St Juan Diego’s vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531, Mary “became the great missionary who brought the Gospel to our America”. In his homily, the pope prayed that Mary would “continue to accompany, assist and protect our peoples” and that she would “lead all the children who are pilgrims on this earth by the hand to an encounter with her son Jesus Christ”. The pope also prayed that God would help the people of Latin America forge a future of hope, development and opportunity for the poor and suffering, “for the humble, for those who hunger and thirst for justice, for the compassionate, the pure of heart, peacemakers and those persecuted for the sake of Christ’s name”. The dark-skinned image of Our Lady of Guadalupe tradition-

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Pope celebrates feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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 sanitation situation. A mission team will be deployed to help with the building of these WRLOHWV %LR VDQG ZDWHU ¿OWUDWLRQ WUDLQLQJ ZLOO 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.

Crossword Puzzle 1125

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NEWS

JANUARY 24, 2015 INTRODUCTION TO AUTHENTIC CONVERSATIONS: HOW TO ENGAGE IN AND FACILITATE ONE? 9.30am-5pm: The dire lack of authentic conversation spaces has reduced many conversations into gossip, slander and the vulgar. How does one facilitate and nurture safe spaces for authentic conversation that is so critically needed in the church and the world today? Facilitated by Lance Ng and Diana Koh. Organised by Kingsmead Centre. At Sacred Heart Hall Annexe, #02-02 (behind St Ignatius Church). Fee including lunch and refreshments: $50. Contact T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@ gmail.com; W: www.kingsmeadcentre.sg.

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Pope Francis prepares to use incense to venerate an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. CNS photo

ally believed to have been miraculously impressed on Juan Diego’s cloak, the pope said, proclaimed to the indigenous peoples of the Americas “the good news that all its inhabitants shared the dignity of children of God. No more would anyone be a servant, but we are all children of the same Father and brothers and sisters to each other.” Mary did not just want to visit the Americas, the pope said, the image on the cloak or tilma is a sign that “she wanted to remain with them”.

“Through her intercession, the Christian faith began to become the greatest treasure” of the American peoples, Pope Francis said, a treasure “transmitted and demonstrated even today in the baptism of multitudes of people, in the faith, hope and charity of many, in their precious popular piety and in that ethos of the people who show that they know the dignity of the human person, in their passion for justice, in solidarity with the poor and suffering.” CNS

ACROSS 1 Joseph had a multi-colored one 5 Agreements 10 First murder victim 14 Ready, willing and _____ 15 Heron 16 Nautilus captain 17 Jaworski of Watergate fame 18 Battery terminal 19 404, to Nero 20 Recondite 22 Stay attached 24 To happen to 25 Medley 26 Small island 27 Textile fabric 31 Sacred song 34 Walkways 35 Alphabet string 36 _____ of Christian Initiation 37 Catholic actor of “The Wizard of Oz” fame 38 Southeast Asian cuisine 39 Lyric poem 40 Do’s partner 41 Businesses 42 Private feud 44 Eve beginner 45 Draft picks 46 Places of contest 50 Hebrew liturgical prayer

53 Condition of Peter’s mother-in-law 55 Like much lore 56 Silly 58 Avid about 59 Size of type 60 Send out for pizza 61 Trac II successor 62 Part of BPOE 63 Certain woodwinds 64 Discharge of a ¿UHDUP DOWN 1 A scout for Moses 2 Corpulent 3 At a distance 4 Feeler 5 Heavenly fencing material? 6 Hindu goddess of ¿UH 7 Gator 8 Spread out for drying 9 Furtive 10 Symbol of hope 11 Medieval English monk 12 Arabian VIP 13 One of the theological virtues 21 Shem’s eldest son 23 “None of us lives to himself, and none of us ____ to himself.” (Rom 14:7)

25 Hall’s musical partner 27 Island in Acts 27–28 28 OT historical book 29 Father of Cain 30 Diocese of Honolulu necklaces 31 OT wisdom book 32 Team 33 “A dillar, a dollar, _____ o’clock scholar” 34 Trousers 37 St. Armand is his/ her patron 38 AKA Galilee (Jn 6:1) 40 Editor’s comment

41 Symbol of the Holy Spirit 43 Catholic university in Texas 44 “Consider the ____: they neither sow nor reap…” (Lk 12:24) 47 A non-coveting commandment 48 Jetson canine 49 Weaned pig 50 One of the theological virtues 51 Seed covering 'H¿FLHQF\ 53 Destiny 54 City west of Tulsa 57 Not, to a Scot

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Sunday December 28, 2014 CatholicNews

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

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