FEBRUARY 27, 2011, vol 61, no 04

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2011

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VOL 61

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INSIDE HOME Church restored Church of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrates „ Page 3

HOME Single Catholics

Church can do more to help „ Page 4

HOME Lunar New Year celebrations

Two parishes celebrate with Chinese migrants „ Page 8

ASIA Anti-abortion drive

An Egyptian policeman is carried by a throng of people during a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo. CNS photo

9DWLFDQ RIÀFLDOV H[SUHVV hopes for Egypt’s future VATICAN CITY – The Vatican’s

ambassador to Egypt said he hoped the country’s future would include greater social justice and greater freedom for all of the country’s people. In an interview with Vatican Radio Feb 11, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald said he hoped the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is running Egypt, would follow the direction of constitutional reform and “will also respond to the other demands of the population with regard to social justice and with regard to political liberties as well�. Archbishop Fitzgerald, the Vatican nuncio in Cairo, said that even before President Hosni Mubarak resigned Feb 11, the Egyptian leader had given his vice president the task of studying

various articles of the constitution with a view of amending them in response to protesters’ demands for greater democracy. Mubarak’s promises of reform were not enough for protesters, and he was forced to hand over power to the military and step down. As Mubarak left the capital and the military took over, the nuncio told Vatican Radio, “We are still in an uncertain position, but the people are very happy – they are rejoicing – and we hope that this euphoria will produce a moment of solidarity for the people in this country.� The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced Feb 13 a series of steps needed for a democratic transition, including the dissolution of Mubarak’s

parliament, a suspension of the constitution with the promise of establishing a committee to rewrite it, and the promise of elections in six months. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, told Vatican Radio Feb 14 that he hoped the patient commitment to nonviolence and democracy that motivated the protesters would continue to inspire changes in Egypt for the good of all of its citizens, including the Christian minority. “These changes could signal VLWXDWLRQV RI GLIÂżFXOW\ EXW WKH\ also can represent seeds of hope for a new situation,â€? the cardinal said. Egypt’s eight million to 10 million Coptic Orthodox and

up to 250,000 Coptic Catholics have a right to express their opinions and hopes in the process of rewriting the nation’s constitutions, he said. “I certainly think they should be listened to, and I also hope that their opinions will be accepted. I also hope that in the constitution there are those fundamental SULQFLSOHV WKDW DIÂżUP WKH GLJQLW\ of men and women, the freedom of all and civic coexistence with respect for others and respect for the law,â€? Cardinal Sandri said. “I really hope the wisdom that the Egyptians have and that they showed during the demonstrations, which were conducted in a peaceful way and in which they expressed their desire for change, will enlighten their future steps,â€? he said. „ CNS

Korean Church launches project „ Page 9

WORLD Pope’s Communications Day Message

Use online social networks to spread Gospel, but beware of dangers „ Page 13

LETTERS Need for Mandarinspeaking priests

Don't neglect the Chinesespeaking community „ Page 14

FAITH ALIVE Social Media

Families can use new technologies to strengthen connections „ Page 16

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

St Mary’s raises funds for Australian disaster victims By Darren Boon

Religious gather for Mass at Church of St Mary of the Angels on Feb 1 to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

Religious urged to be gifts to lay faithful By Darren Boon The living example and identity as Religious make them “the story of Jesusâ€? to the lay faithful who are seeking out “authentic religionâ€? in “an atmosphere of relativismâ€? where “morality is no longer a concernâ€?, said Singapore Pastoral Institute’s Director Arthur Goh. Mr Goh was addressing some 200 Religious men and women at a talk to mark the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on Feb 1. “You don’t preach with words ‌ you preach with life choices,â€? Mr Goh said. The lay people can learn from the Religious on recognising one’s charism, committing one’s life and deciding on one life’s

based on understanding the charism, he continued. Religious can share and impart the lay faithful important life skills such as living in a community as Christians – accepting and putting up with the different personalities, bearing forgiveness and reconciliation to one another, he added. He urged the Religious to befriend the lay people, and not to estrange their lives from the faithful as “ethereal, angelic beings that cannot be touched or emulatedâ€?. 7KH ÂżGHOLW\ RI WKH 5HOLJLRXV in Christ is an example to the lay faithful where “the wonderful story of Jesusâ€? is told through the Religious’ eyes, and where the Religious can show the lay faithful a clear path to

the Kingdom of God in “full humanity, full community in submission to Godâ€?, Mr Goh concluded. Later at a Mass at Church of St Mary of the Angels, Jesuit Fr Colin Tan reminded the Religious to recognise their mission and identity and to be gifts to the Christian community. Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Danielle Pang who ZLOO PDNH KHU ÂżQDO SURIHVVLRQ in March said that “lay people and Religious are oneâ€? and the Religious can be an example to the lay people in how the Religious live as a form of Christ’s presence and love in the midst of the lay faithful. She aspires to be “the ear for the people, the eyes of people ‌ being with the people in the life of the peopleâ€?. Jesuit novice Br Stanley Goh said being an example to the lay people is “to imitate Christ LQ KRZHYHU GLIÂżFXOW LW PD\ EH´ ÂżUVWO\ WR NQRZ &KULVW DQG WR exercise a life of humility in dealing with others. „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

The Church of St Mary of the Angels has raised funds for Australian disaster victims in a collection taken up on the weekend of Feb 5-6. The money raised will be sent to the Franciscan Provincial 2IÂżFH LQ $XVWUDOLD ZKLFK ZLOO then disburse the funds to the neediest amongst the victims whom the friars there are serving, St Mary’s Parish Priest, Franciscan Friar John Paul Tan wrote in the parish’s bulletin. He reminded the parishioners of the relationships and bonds Singapore as well as the parish of St Mary share with Australia. “Our Custody is still very much tied to our Australian friars. We continue to belong to the Province of the Holy Spirit, incorporating Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. Many Australian friars have worked and died in Singapore, serving in our parish, formation work, retreats and many other ministries within the Archdiocese of Singapore ‌ we are grateful for their contribution and we

owe it to them for what we have today,â€? Friar John Paul wrote. 7KH Ă€RRGLQJ KDV DIIHFWHG WKH states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and the Church in Australia has been appealing for assistance for the disaster victims. Tropical cyclones have also hit Queensland. While Friar John Paul is relieved that none of the congregation’s properties in Australia were affected by the Ă€RRGV KH EHOLHYHV WKH SHRSOH with whom the friars are working will be affected. “May we not forget our friends in their time of need and let us show our solidarity as a parish in a most practical way possible by taking up a collection for this,â€? he concluded. Meanwhile Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore (CHARIS) has been in contact with Caritas Australia to discuss how CHARIS can best help. CHARIS has, at this time, pledged AU$100,000 to support the relief HIIRUWV IRU $XVWUDOLD Ă€RRGV „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Feb 20 11.00am Church of St Bernadette: Mass – Feastday 2.30pm Church of the Holy Spirit: Mass – 50th Anniversary of Sr Florence Wong FMDM )HE DP <RXWK 0LQLVWU\ 2I¿FH 0DVV ¹ &RPPLVVLRQLQJ Feb 27 6.00pm Church of the Holy Trinity: Mass – Altar Servers (East District) Mar 05 10.30am Blessed Sacrament Church: Mass – Final Vow of Sr Sandra Seow (Verbum Dei Missionaries)

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop Nicholas Chia places a relic of St Bernadette in an aperture of the altar while Fr Ignatius Yeo and Fr Augustine Joseph (the parish priest) look on. Photos by Don Gurugay

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes restoration completed By Don Gurugay Restoration works to the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes have been completed. Changes include a renovated belfry, sanctuary, altar and grotto, new SHZV QHZ ÀRRULQJ WLOHV IRU WKH QDYH DQG QDUWKH[ D QHZ DQJHO ¿JXULQH DWRS the narthex, new chandeliers, LED video screens and a cooling system. The total cost of the renovation amounted to about S$1.75m LQFOXGLQJ IXUQLWXUH DQG ¿WWLQJV Donations and funding from the Preservation of Monuments Board amounted to about S$700,000. The church which was gazetted a national monument in January 2005, had opted to accept the government’s offer to co-fund the repair and restoration works. The parish still needs another S$1m in funds The 10am Feast Day Mass on Feb 13 saw the dedication of the altar and a relic of St Bernadette deposited in an aperture of the altar. The altar and walls of the church were then anointed. Archbishop Nicholas Chia was the main celebrant with Bishop Francis Antonysamy from India amongst the con-celebrants. At the 6pm Mass, the Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was celebrated with a procession of the statue of Our Lady around the church grounds. „ Parishioners celebrate the joyous occasion.

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Sunday February 27, 2011 CatholicNews

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Newly weds Wu Xin and Liu Fan with Josh and Maud.

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Sharon and Stellus in a tango pose.

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Free at last: Experiencing God’s forgiving love despite my abortions The following is a sharing by Christine (not her real name) who attended Rachel’s Vineyard, a post abortion healing retreat I was a cradle Catholic and attended a Convent school when I was young. Yet my childhood was particularly traumatic. I was almost raped by uncle on many occasions. These drove me to move out to stay with my ¿UVW ER\IULHQG 7KDW UHODWLRQVKLS broke down and I had to stay RQ P\ RZQ IHHOLQJ LVRODWHG unworthy and unloved. I began WR GLVWDQFH P\VHOI IURP WKH Church and God, partly because I had the impression that God ZRXOG EH ZUDWKIXO , IHOW VXLFLGDO and I started to drink and lead a SURPLVFXRXV OLIHVW\OH ZKLFK OHG WR P\ ¿UVW DERUWLRQ ZKHQ , ZDV $IWHU D IHZ \HDUV RI WKLV VHOI GHVWUXFWLYH OLIHVW\OH , VWDUWHG WR FUDYH IRU VWDELOLW\ $W , married a Christian, and attended Protestant churches. My body was not ready when I had my ¿UVW SUHJQDQF\ DQG , PLVFDUULHG

I became pregnant again, but DIWHU P\ ÂżUVW FKLOG , KDG VHYHUH SRVW QDWDO GHSUHVVLRQ DQG IHOW suicidal. I had another child the QH[W \HDU 0\ KXVEDQG UHIXVHG to attend church, and became SK\VLFDOO\ DEXVLYH , VXIIHUHG another miscarriage. The marriage EURNH GRZQ DIWHU VL[ \HDUV , ZDV VR GLVDSSRLQWHG WKDW , IHOO EDFN LQWR P\ ROG VHOI GHVWUXFWLYH OLIHVW\OH DJDLQ WKLV WLPH WDNLQJ XS smoking as well. Later, I entered another relationship, this time with a Catholic. Let’s call him A. We went to Mass nearly every weekend and received the (XFKDULVW EXW , IHOW LW ZDVQÂśW right. I got pregnant but I aborted GHVSLWH KLV SURWHVWV $ IHZ PRQWKV later, it happened again. He told PH KH KDWHG PH IRU ÂłNLOOLQJ´ KLV FKLOGUHQ , GLGQÂśW WKLQN PXFK RI LW DW WKH WLPH DQG VWLOO IHOW LW ZDV WKH ULJKW GHFLVLRQ IRU SUDFWLFDO reasons. We broke up soon DIWHUZDUGV DQG P\ OLIH VWDUWHG VSLUDOOLQJ RXW RI FRQWURO DJDLQ Around the same time, my IULHQG 6 DOVR JRW SUHJQDQW +HU VLVWHU KDG EHHQ WU\LQJ IRU D FKLOG IRU D IHZ \HDUV , WROG 6 DERXW KHU

RSWLRQV EXW LQVWHDG RI DGYLVLQJ her against an abortion, I even EURXJKW KHU WR D FOLQLF IRU DQ DERUWLRQ , IHHO VR UHPRUVHIXO QRZ WKDW , DP UHPLQGHG RI it. I had murdered my own children, and was an accomplice WR DQRWKHUœV DFW RI WKH VDPH With A’s words still ringing in my ears, I have also become SDLQIXOO\ DZDUH DIWHU 5DFKHOœV Vineyard, how these experiences

are not isolated to women. With all these weighing heavily on me and being in denial, I met the man to whom I am now married. Through God’s grace, our nine year journey together led us both EDFN WR WKH &KXUFK DQG IRU PH WR 5DFKHOœV 9LQH\DUG $W WKH DJH RI GXULQJ WKH UHWUHDW , ¿QDOO\ IDFHG XS WR DOO WKHVH VFDUV IURP P\ SDVW WKH KXUW WKH JXLOW and the shame, I realised how mentally tiring and emotionally draining these years have been, how during those times, it was impossible to be close to God. I was helped during the retreat to DVN IRUJLYHQHVV IURP *RG DQG DOVR IRU WKH FKLOGUHQ ZKR ZHUH DERUWHG EHFDXVH RI P\ GHFLVLRQ I learnt at the retreat to change P\ YLHZ RI *RG IURP EHLQJ D ZUDWKIXO MXGJH WR D IRUJLYLQJ IDWKHU DQG WR FRPPLW WR *RG DOO SDLQ DOO WKH DQJHU DQG DVN IRU healing too. I also learned how to DYRLG IDOOLQJ EDFN LQWR ROG PRGHV RI EHKDYLRXU ,QVWHDG , KDYH WR SUD\ IRU FRQWLQXDO KHDOLQJ ZKLOH IDFLQJ P\ SDVW God has been gracious to me. He will be gracious to you too. „

Rachel’s Vineyard 5DFKHOœV 9LQH\DUG LV D post-abortion healing retreat IRU DQ\ ZRPHQ ZKR KDYH had an abortion; and also IRU RWKHUV ZKR PD\ KDYH provided the abortion or pressured someone to carry it out. The weekend retreats are specially designed to help participants experience the mercy and compassion RI *RG DQG JLYH WKHP WKH opportunity to release their UHSUHVVHG IHHOLQJV RI DQJHU VKDPH JXLOW DQG JULHI LQ D VDIH DQG FRPIRUWLQJ environment. The next two retreats will EH KHOG RQ 0DU DQG 0DU )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ and registration, please visit http://www.rachelsvineyard. VJ RU FRQWDFW 5RVH DW (QTXLUHV ZLOO EH KHOG LQ WKH VWULFWHVW FRQ¿GHQFH

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop Nicholas Chia blesses the book “To Save a Thousand Souls� as Sean Yeo (in jacket), President of Serra Club of Singapore looks on.

Serra Club celebrates 5th anniversary with initiatives for vocation promotion in 2011 By Darren Boon Distributing a guide book on priesthood discernment and inviting its author, an expert in priestly formation to hold a retreat, were a slew of initiatives Serra Club RI 6LQJDSRUH XQYHLOHG RQ LWV ÂżIWK anniversary to promote vocations to the diocesan priesthood. ,W ÂżUVWO\ ODXQFKHG WKH ERRN “To Save a Thousand Soulsâ€?, a comprehensive guide to young men discerning the diocesan priestly vocation. The book is authored by American priest Fr Brett Brannen. [See box] Each diocesan priest will receive two copies of the book – one for his own retention and the other as a gift to a young man discerning the priestly vocation. Serra Club of Singapore which had obtained the sole rights to publish 1,000 copies of the book plans to distribute the books to seminarians, aspirants, Catholic secondary school boys and vocation promoters. Fr William Goh, Rector, St Francis Xavier Major Seminary gave his thumbs up to the book: “I can assure you this is an excellent

book for discerning your vocation. It is concise yet comprehensive, practical yet edifying.â€? Fr Brannen will also be in Singapore from Sep 30-Oct 2 to conduct a vocation retreat for seminarians, aspirants and single young men from Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei considering the diocesan priesthood. The retreat hopes to inspire the participants with a desire “to save a thousand soulsâ€?. 6HUUD &OXE PDUNHG LWV ÂżIWK anniversary with Archbishop Nicholas Chia celebrating Mass on Feb 10 at the Carmelite Chapel with over 100 people comprising priests, seminarians, aspirants, collaborators and the Carmelite Sisters.

Mr Yeo said that the organisation is thankful for the Lord for “all that has taken placeâ€? – inspiring Serra Club of Singapore in its vocation promotion initiatives as well as for the spiritual growth of its members through the various projects. 7KH ÂżUVW 6HUUD &OXE ZDV formed in Seattle in 1935. It is now an international movement aggregated to the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic (GXFDWLRQ DQG WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO Work for Priestly Vocations. Today, Serra Club is present LQ $VLD 3DFLÂżF (XURSH WKH Americas, and Africa. „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

To save a thousand souls “To save a thousand souls� is a 400-page book that contains answers to common questions posed by young men discerning the priesthood. It contains stories, some from the author Fr Brett Brannen’s personal experience. The book explains the important aspects of discerning a priestly vocation such as basic steps for discernment, spiritual direction, virtue, dealing with parents, celibacy and cheerfulness, as well as insights into seminary life and ordination day. Fr Brannen is an expert on priestly formation. When

he was serving as Vocation Director in the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, the number of seminarians expanded from ¿YH WR PHQ +H LV WKH FXUUHQW Vice-rector of Mount St Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, 0DU\ODQG +H KDV DOVR SXEOLVKHG several booklets on the priesthood and released an audio series on discerning a diocesan vocation. „

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

(Left) Fr Nicolas speak with lay collaborators. (Right) Fr Nicolas with the conference organising committee.

-HVXLWV $VLD 3DFLÀF FRQIHUHQFH GLVFHUQ VLWXDWLRQ DQG FKDOOHQJHV -HVXLWV RI WKH $VLD 3DFL¿F region gathered recently to discern and discuss the situation and challenges facing the congregation. The congregation’s Superior General, Jesuit Fr Adolfo Nicolas spoke at the Jan 23-28 meeting of the Major Superiors of the Jesuit &RQIHUHQFH RI $VLD 3DFL¿F DW Kingsmead Hall at the Church of St Ignatius. The challenges facing the Jesuits include preserving the

congregation’s “Jesuit, Christian and prophetic identityâ€? of their works and institutions while VWD\LQJ ³¿W DQG UHOHYDQW´ communicating clearly without an excessive use of Ignatian terms, and collaborating more closely with the Church expressed as “Sentire cum Ecclesiaâ€? that is part of the charism of the Jesuits. “People appreciate us whenever we are able to forget ourselves for the greater good of the wider Church,â€? he said.

&DWKROLF %XVLQHVV 1HWZRUN WR UDLVH IXQGV IRU FKDULWLHV By Darren Boon Members of Catholic Business Network will raise funds for the needy through a charity dinner while at the same time seek to increase its membership. The event will be held on Apr 28 at Orchid Country Club. Each table costs $2,500. Funds UDLVHG ZLOO EHQH¿W 6W 7HUHVDœV Home and Infant Jesus Homes & Children’s Centres. A memo to its members stated that one of CBN’s aims is to help the FRPPXQLW\ DW ODUJH ¹ ³WR ¿QDQFLDOO\

help the needy and to provide the right talent and human resources for worthy causes and to charities�. The organisation also helps its members strengthen their faith, provides a social and business networking platform so as to be a strong pillar for, and to build the Catholic Church in Singapore. For more information about the charity dinner, contact Vincent at cbn.vincent@gmail. com or 6337 3711, or visit http:// www.cbn-singapore.sg „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

Fr Nicolas also urged Jesuits to “rediscover the humility embedded in the experience of being a ‘minima societas’ (the least Society)â€?. Rather than desiring to initiate something new and having others work for the congregation’s cause, but to “learn and be taught by othersâ€? and assist in the endeavours of others who are doing well in striving towards a goal and purpose better than the Jesuits. Also as “men of depthâ€?, the OLYHV RI -HVXLWV PXVW EH ÂżOOHG ZLWK a life in the Spirit. Fr Nicolas said that people “seek from the Church those with whom they can talk about the deep complexities of their personal and modern livesâ€?

from whom they expect a response to their questions and needs. -HVXLWV RI WKH $VLD 3DFLÂżF region were asked to renew their mission in the following areas: work for the poor, the formation of the laity, ecology and migrants. “We need men full of passion and dedication, not fanatics. We need men who are present with the poor, men who keep a regular contact with the poor, and be challenged by them. We must allow questions to emerge from within the depth of an encounter and not from an isolated mind,â€? he said. Fr Nicolas also shared on his work to update and renew Jesuits worldwide in order to sustain the

vibrancy and relevance of the various ministries and apostolic endeavours to nurture a more integrated vision. While meeting the lay collaborators on his visit, he assured them of his support and encouragement in their activities, but warned, “We cannot do everything, we have to discern.â€? Seven provinces (Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam) and six regions and missions (Cambodia, East Timor, Malaysia-Singapore, Micronesia, Myanmar, and Thailand) make up the 13 units of the Jesuit &RQIHUHQFH RI WKH $VLD 3DFLÂżF „

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Parishes celebrate Lunar New Year with Chinese migrants By Darren Boon For the Chinese, Lunar New Year is a time of reunion with family members. But for the Chinese migrants who left their homes for Singapore, the holiday season is a time when they miss their families even more. As such parishes such as Blessed Sacrament Church and Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated the festive occasion with the migrants. A group of parishioners from Holy City Ministry of Blessed Sacrament Church organised a reunion dinner with performances on Lunar New Year’s Eve on Feb 2 for some 50 over Chinese migrants, mostly labourers who live in a dorm nearby the church. The Holy City Ministry were assisted by volunteers from Gospel Station, an outreach arm to Chinese migrants from Nativity Church. Some Chinese migrants such as students and ‘study-mothers’ who are involved in Gospel Station’s activities also attended the celebration at Blessed Sacrament Church. While welcoming strangers

Chinese migrants celebrate Lunar New Year at Nativity Church.

and bringing joy to those who are far away from home, Blessed Sacrament Church’s volunteers hope to share with people who have not heard about God that God blesses everyone. Fr Anthony Hutjes, the parish priest welcomed the migrants and shared the blessings of God in his opening prayer. The parishioners from Blessed Sacrament Church hope to offer some social services or faith formation classes to the migrants in the future. Meanwhile, Gospel Station

also organised a similar FHOHEUDWLRQ RQ )HE WKH ¿UVW GD\ of the Lunar New Year. About 50 migrants turned up for the celebration that evening. They prepared dumplings as well as a dish each from their own hometowns. They also put on a skit based on biblical stories written by the church volunteers and a cross-talk that depicts the GLI¿FXOWLHV LQ FRPPXQLFDWLRQ between the migrants and Singaporeans. „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

Nativity Church participates in neighbourhood Lunar New Year carnival By Darren Boon Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary parishioners say the parish’s participation in a neighbourhood Lunar New Year carnival is a form of outreach and creates public awareness of the church. The parish contributed two game stalls and one food stall to the carnival at the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol Chingay 2011 on Feb 13. Matthew25, the parish’s soup kitchen, contributed the food stall. Rosalind Lee, a representative from Matthew25 said that participation in such an event helps “create awareness of the soup kitchen in the communityâ€?. The soup kitchen operates from Mondays to Saturdays and offers breakfast and lunch to the needy. Working the game stalls were the youth of the parish. It LV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH IRU WKH SDULVK youth like Deborah Tan, Gabriel Patrick and Theodora Hui who are representing the church in a community event. It is “something newâ€? for the youth, and the main purpose is to create awareness for the church, Tan said. Patrick told CatholicNews that the game stalls are a small

Theodora Hui working on a caricature while two boys try out the games at the stall.

contribution and outreach to the general community. Hui who was putting her talent in drawing caricatures to good use say she feels that she is contributing to the church. Parish priest Fr Henry Siew told CatholicNews that the event organisers invited the church to take part. He added: “I think it’s an opportunity to showcase the church in a way to make known the church to the public.�

The celebration was jointly organised by People’s Association, Bedok ReservoirPunggol Citizens Consultative Committee, Northeast Community Development Council and Aljunied Town Council. The carnival was held at the RSHQ ¿HOG LQ +RXJDQJ $YHQXH 10, near the MRT Station and Bus Interchange. „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Church in Korea launches anti-abortion drive SEOUL – The Korean Church

KDV ODXQFKHG D SURMHFW WR SUHYHQW DERUWLRQV E\ PRELOLVLQJ UHOHYDQW Catholic institutions to assist single mothers after they give ELUWK The Pro-life Activities of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea (CBCK) launched the 1HZ /LIH 3URMHFW ZLWK D 0DVV DW 0\HRQJGRQJ &DWKHGUDO RQ )HE 7KH SURMHFW FRPELQHV 15 Church and pro-life group VKHOWHUV IRU VLQJOH PRWKHUV DQG assistance from dioceses and hospitals to encourage unmarried pregnant women to have their EDELHV Catholic-run hospitals will offer free delivery for unmarried pregnant women who will later EH RIIHUHG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ DW WKH VKHOWHUV DORQJ ZLWK ¿QDQFLDO support from dioceses and parishes. 7KH SURMHFW ZLOO DOVR IRFXV on sex education for youths in Catholic schools and parish Sunday schools to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

³:H DOO VKRXOG EH WKH SURWHFWRUV RI OLIH E\ UHVSHFWLQJ DQG ORYLQJ OLIH DQG EHLQJ SURFODLPHUV RI WKH *RVSHO RI OLIH ´ VDLG %LVKRS *DEULHO &KDQJ %RQJ KXQ RI &KHRQJMX SUHVLGHQW RI WKH CBCK Committee for Bioethics. )DWKHU &DVLPLU 6RQJ <XO VXS secretary of the Pro-life Activities

Catholic hospitals will provide free delivery for unmarried pregnant women who will also be offered ÂżQDQFLDO VXSSRUW VDLG WKH SURMHFW ZRXOG KHOS PDQ\ women. Âł$QQXDOO\ VRPH VLQJOH ZRPHQ KDYH WKHLU EDELHV DQG WKH\ are great mothers who protect life. 7KLV SURMHFW LV FRQFUHWH DFWLRQ DQG will help them and many others JUHDWO\ ´ KH VDLG „ 8&$1(:6 &20

Catholic missionaries ‘ready to work in Bhutan’ VATICAN CITY – Catholic missionaries are ready to set up faith communities in Bhutan after the country announced it would accept the registration of &KULVWLDQV IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH D Vatican news agency reported. The Fides missionary news agency said on Jan 27 that two Catholic religious orders in India were prepared to go to Bhutan as soon as the government permits registration. The population of the VPDOO 6RXWK $VLDQ FRXQWU\ ZKLFK KDV D WLQ\ &KULVWLDQ PLQRULW\ LV predominantly Buddhist and Hindu. “We do not know the territory ZHOO EXW LI WKH DXWKRULWLHV SHUPLW LW DQG ZH KDYH WKH QHFHVVDU\ FRQGLWLRQV ZH ZLOO ZLOOLQJO\ VWDUW RXU DFWLYLWLHV ´ )U $UXO 5DM D PLVVLRQDU\ IURP WKH 2EODWHV RI 0DU\ ,PPDFXODWH WROG )LGHV Details of how the registration process would take place for Christians were discussed in 'HFHPEHU DW D PHHWLQJ RI WKH group that regulates religious RUJDQLVDWLRQV ,Q WKH SDVW WKH FRXQWU\ KDV EDQQHG RSHQ SUDFWLFH of non-Buddhist and non-Hindu UHOLJLRQV EXW RIÂżFLDOV VDLG WKDW would change under the new policy. 7KHUH DUH DERXW &KULVWLDQV LQ %KXWDQ DQG DERXW RI WKHP DUH &DWKROLF according to Vatican statistics. )U 5DM KDV IRXQGHG WZR UHOLJLRXV RUGHUV LQ ,QGLD WKH Society of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and the Society of the Missionaries of Mary Immaculate.

A Buddha statue seen after a snowfall in Thimphu, Bhutan, in early January. CNS photo

+H VDLG KH ZDV FRQÂżGHQW WKH WZR communities could do successful work in Bhutan. The two orders work in QRUWKHUQ ,QGLD ZKLFK ERUGHUV Bhutan. They have created self-help groups for poor and indigenous women in the most UHPRWH DUHDV DQG ZRUN ZLWK young people through college education programmes. He said their approach WR PLVVLRQDU\ ZRUN LV EDVHG RQ ZLWQHVV DQG GLDORJXH DQG that “many among the women and youth who partake in our programmes spontaneously ask to HPEUDFH WKH &KULVWLDQ IDLWK´ He said this style of HYDQJHOLVDWLRQ ZRXOG EH ZHOO suited for Bhutan. „ CNS

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Christian, Hindu artists portray Mother Teresa’s compassion on canvas CALCUTTA – Much to his

Bishop Banchong Chaiyara with some displaced people in Si Saket province (Photo courtesy of COERR)

Church on standby to help in border clash Thousands caught in fallout from deadly ÀJKWLQJ RYHU GLVSXWHG &DPERGLDQ WHUULWRU\ THAILAND – Churches and

schools are prepared to provide any long-term assistance to people displaced by recent deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, a local bishop said. “We have a policy that all Catholic organisations are ready to provide support to affected people immediatelyâ€? as there was QR ZD\ WR NQRZ ZKHQ ÂżJKWLQJ might resume, said Bishop Banchong Chaiyara of Ubon Ratchathani. Local media report that after 3,000 affected people returned KRPH WKH\ FRXOG VWLOO KHDU ÂżULQJ so some of them turned back or stayed at a nearby temple.

Fr Anucha Chaopraeknoi, chaplain of the volunteer group of the Catholic Commission for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR), said “COERR is coordinating with Ubon Ratchathani diocese and churches in the area. If the situation worsens again, women’s groups in the churches nearby will immediately help them with cooking, while COERR will provide funds.â€? Suwan Laothathit of the volunteer group said they visited Ban Tha Sawang school, some 10 kilometres on the Thai side of the border and cooked for the displaced families, who he said have to live in tents in very hot conditions. Boonnithi Namboon from Ubon Ratchathani diocese said they distributed basic supplies and blankets to 3,000 affected persons at the school The Thai government announced Feb 12 that the situation had improved so all villagers were to return home, but many are still frightened and concerned about their security, said Suwan. Fighting had ceased but the problem was not yet solved, he added, and villagers UHPDLQ UHDG\ WR Ă€HH DJDLQ DW D moment’s notice. „

chagrin, Hindu painter Venkataswami Logaguru never had the chance to see Blessed Teresa of Calcutta as she ministered to some of the city’s poorest residents. These days, he’s painting his impressions of her as a way to honour the beloved woman. “From childhood, I wanted to see the Mother, but I could not. Now, I am happy I could draw three paintings of her,â€? Logaguru told Catholic News Service Feb 11 at an exhibit featuring the work of two dozen artists after they participated in a four-day FDPS RUJDQLVHG E\ WKH Ă€HGJOLQJ Christian Artists Association of India. The camp, which ended Feb 10, celebrated the theme “Mother Teresa: Communicator of Compassionâ€?. The idea for the exhibition came from Sister Nirmala Joshi, retired superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa. “We started the camp by visiting and praying at the tomb of the mother for inspiration for our work,â€? Logaguru said. The artists from across India produced 42 paintings depicting various facets of Mother Teresa’s life. “This depicts Mother’s love, service and the peace she promoted through her work,â€? explained Logaguru, pointing to one of his paintings. Subhas Maity, another Hindu artist, was pleased to be asked to participate in the camp. Painting images of Mother Teresa allowed him to share his gratitude for the work of the Missionaries of Charity in his life. Maity told CNS that he was indebted to Mother Teresa

Hindu painter Venkataswami Logaguru with his painting of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Feb 11. The painting was part of an exhibit featuring the work of two dozen artists after they participated in a four-day camp organised E\ WKH Ă€HGJOLQJ &KULVWLDQ $UWLVWV $VVRFLDWLRQ RI ,QGLD 7KH FDPS FHOHEUDWHG the theme “Mother Teresa: Communicator of Compassionâ€?. CNS photo

because the Missionaries of Charity arranged treatment and provided medicine for his acute epilepsy. “I have been visiting Mother’s tomb at least twice a week for years,� said Maity who travels two hours by bus to reach Mother Teresa’s tomb. “Each time I paint Mother, I feel that I was touching the Mother,� said Maity, who had one of his paintings of Blessed Teresa presented to the governor of West Bengal state during celebrations of the 100th anniversary of her birth Aug 26 2010. Alphonso Arul Doss, a worldacclaimed artist and former principal of Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai, told CNS he brought a team of 10 artists, including Logaguru, to the camp from the southern Indian city. “This is part of the efforts to identify and bring together artists who stand for Christian values,�

explained Doss, a Catholic who has been associated with Asian Christian Arts Association for 15 years. Salesian Fr George Plathottam, media secretary for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said the camp was part of an effort to strengthen the Christian Arts Association of India, which was launched in August. One piece of art from each artist will serve as a “membership fee� for the association. The money generated for the sale of the artwork will be used to support ailing and poor artists, Fr Plathottam said. The paintings can be seen online at www. motherteresapaintings.com. Three similar regional art camps are being planned to bring together other artists who promote Christian values in their work. „ CNS

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Death threats don’t deter work of Catholic Pakistani cabinet minister OTTAWA – Pakistan’s minister for minorities refuses to stop speaking against his country’s blasphemy law even though he is a primary target for assassination. “I have been told by proTaliban religious extremists that if I will continue to speak against the blasphemy law, I will be beheaded,â€? said Shahbaz %KDWWL WKH ÂżUVW &KULVWLDQ WR KROG a cabinet post in Pakistan. %KDWWL D 5RPDQ &DWKROLF LV IHDUOHVV Âł$V D &KULVWLDQ , believe Jesus is my strength. He has given me a power and wisdom and motivation to serve the suffering humanity. “I follow the principles of my conscience, and I am ready to GLH DQG VDFULÂżFH P\ OLIH IRU WKH principles I believe,â€? he said. %KDWWL PHW ZLWK &DQDGLDQ cabinet ministers in Ottawa on Feb 7 to raise awareness of his campaign to reform the blasphemy law to stop its misuse against the persecution RI &KULVWLDQV DQG RWKHU UHOLJLRXV minorities. Âł, ZDQW &DQDGD DQG 3DNLVWDQ to join hands together to promote interfaith harmony based on religious freedom,â€? he said. The Pakistani government has continued its hard line against any amendments to the law. Pakistan’s blasphemy law was imposed in 1986 by General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq, the former military dictator and president, who, Bhatti said, wanted to use religion as a

Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic and Pakistan’s minorities minister. CNS photo

“political tool to divide the Pakistani nationâ€?. From Pakistan’s founding in 1947 to 1987, blasphemy was never used as a pretext for communal violence or persecution. Since the law came into being, extremists use it to pursue personal vendettas, he explained. “These religious extremists are terrorising everyone who is speaking against blasphemy. They think speaking against the blasphemy law is also blasphemy,â€? he said. Bhatti is virtually the only SXEOLF ÂżJXUH QRZ VSHDNLQJ against the law. The minister of minorities may face a cabinet shake-up when he returns to Pakistan, but he said he had no concerns about whether he keeps his job. He said: “I am the advocate and voice of the voiceless minorities in Pakistan.â€? „ CNS

Bells ring out thanks to God MYANMAR – For many years, U &KDUOLH .KLQ DQG 'DZ 'RULV 7XQ Bo from Yangon demonstrated their gratitude to God by donating EHOOV WR &DWKROLF DQG %DSWLVW FKXUFKHV LQ 0\DQPDU .KLQ a retired civil servant said God WXUQHG WKH &DWKROLF FRXSOHÂśV OLYHV around enabling them to own their own home and raise their children comfortably after many years of living in poverty. Their thanks to God began in 1996, when pastoral council members from Pyay diocese asked if they would like to donate some bells for a local church. “We decided after that to donate church bells to show our ‘gratitude’ to God for the graces ZH KDG UHFHLYHG ´ VDLG .KLQ D parishioner from the Sts Peter DQG 3DXO &KXUFK LQ <DQJRQ “I would say it’s inspiration from the Holy Spirit that’s guided us to donate just over 100 FKXUFK EHOOV VLQFH WKDW LQLWLDO ÂżUVW GRQDWLRQ ´ .KLQ FODLPHG The couple has made bell donations across the country, QRW MXVW WR &DWKROLF FKXUFKHV EXW

WR %DSWLVW RQHV WRR 8 .KLQÂśV family has also donated statues of 2XU /DG\ 6DFUHG +HDUW 'LYLQH Mercy and Infant Jesus. “I felt I had received great strength from God and was closer to Him. Peacefulness and God’s graces lived within me and the desire to donate increased more DQG PRUH ´ 8 .KLQ VDLG The couple isn’t rich. The funds needed to buy the bells came from savings from money their children had given them. Among the special donations they’ve made were their 50th bell on the 50th anniversary of St Jude &KXUFK LQ <DQJRQ $UFKGLRFHVH and their 75th bell on the 75th Anniversary of Hti Tha Saw church in Taungngu diocese. More recently they donated a 100th church bell for a church in Mawlamyine diocese. The last bell they will donate will again be in Taungngu diocese, making it their 102nd donation. That’s because .KLQ DQG KLV ZLIH OHIW IRU WKH United States for good last week, to spend the rest of their lives with WKHLU ÂżYH FKLOGUHQ „ www.ucanews.com

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Number of priests IPhone confession app ‘no growing worldwide, substitute’ for the sacrament Vatican reports VATICAN CITY – A Vatican

VATICAN CITY – There are 5,000 more Catholic priests globally in 2009 than there were in 1999, DFFRUGLQJ WR RIÂżFLDO &KXUFK statistics. The Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano newspaper anticipated the news from the soon-to-be released 2009 almanac prepared E\ WKH 9DWLFDQÂśV &HQWUDO 2IÂżFH RI &KXUFK 6WDWLVWLFV The statistics reveal that there were 410,593 priests in the world in 2009 compared to 405,009 in 7KH QXPEHU RI GLRFHVDQ priests among these increased by RYHU ZKLOH WKH QXPEHU RI WKRVH EHORQJLQJ WR UHOLJLRXV orders fell by nearly 5,000. In North America, as well as (XURSH DQG 2FHDQLD WKH QXPEHUV decreased for both diocesan and UHOLJLRXV SULHVWV $IULFD DQG $VLD KRZHYHU EURXJKW XS WKH RYHUDOO ÂżJXUHV ZLWK D PRUH WKDQ SHUFHQW increase on both continents. (XURSH VWLOO KDV QHDUO\ KDOI RI WKH ZRUOGÂśV SULHVWV EXW WKH ÂłROG FRQWLQHQW´ LV JUDGXDOO\ ORVLQJ weight on the world stage. More seminarians are VWXG\LQJ IRU WKH SULHVWKRRG IURP Africa and Asia and fewer from (XURSH %XW WKHUH LV DOVR WKH

LVVXH RI WKH QXPEHU RI GHDWKV RI priests in the different areas. ,Q (XURSH WKH DYHUDJH age of priests is higher than in $IULFD DQG $VLD 7KH QXPEHU RI (XURSHDQ SULHVWV LV IDOOLQJ DV QHZ RUGLQDWLRQV GR QRW VXUSDVV WKH QXPEHUV RI WKRVH ZKR GLH %XW LQ $VLD DQG $IULFD WKH QXPEHU RI GHDWKV ZDV RQO\ RQH third of the total new ordinations. 1RUWK DQG 6RXWK $PHULFDœV QXPEHUV FRPELQHG VKRZ D SRVLWLYH trend over the decade since 1999, according to L’Osservatore Romano. In Oceania, the deathWR RUGLQDWLRQ UDWLR ZDV HTXDO 7KH 9DWLFDQœV SXEOLVKLQJ KRXVH SULQWV WKH YROXPH RI &KXUFK VWDWLVWLFV DQQXDOO\ ,W LQFOXGHV names and biographies of major &DWKROLF ¿JXUHV DQG RIIHUV D YDULHW\ statistics on all those who work in apostolates and evangelisation efforts the world over. It also offer shorter term statistics. They report, for example, that between 2008 and WKH QXPEHU RI SULHVWV LQ WKH world increased by 809. According the Vatican newspaper, this is the KLJKHVW MXPS VLQFH DQG D UHDVRQ ³WR ORRN WR WKH IXWXUH ZLWK renewed hope�. „ CNA/EWTN NEWS

Injured Polish race car driver to get drop of Pope John Paul II’s blood WARSAW, POLAND – ,QMXUHG

Polish race car driver Robert .XELFD ZDV WR UHFHLYH D UHOLTXDU\ containing a drop of blood from WKH ODWH 3RSH -RKQ 3DXO ,, LQ DQ HIIRUW WKDW &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV hope will hasten the 26-yearROG )RUPXOD 2QH ULVLQJ VWDUœV UHFRYHU\ IURP D VHULRXV FUDVK .XELFD DOVR ZLOO UHFHLYH D strip of fabric from one of the late SRSHœV OLWXUJLFDO UREHV &DUGLQDO 6WDQLVODZ ']LZLV] WROG :DUVDZœV TVN24 news. ³-RKQ 3DXO ,, ZDV D VSRUWVPDQ KLPVHOI KH ORYHG VSRUW DV D \RXQJ man,� said the cardinal, who was secretary to the Polish pope. .XELFD ZDV FRPSHWLQJ LQ D URDG UDOO\ LQ /LJXULD ,WDO\ Feb 6, when he lost control of his YHKLFOH DW KLJK VSHHG RQ D FXUYH DQG FUDVKHG LQWR D JXDUGUDLO +H VXVWDLQHG PXOWLSOH IUDFWXUHV DQG KLV right hand was partially severed, according to police. &R GULYHU -DNXE *HUEHU D passenger in the vehicle, was XQLQMXUHG .XELFD UHPDLQHG KRVSLWDOLVHG XQGHU LQWHQVLYH FDUH )HE QHDU the northwest Italy coastal town RI *HQRD 'RFWRUV SHUIRUPHG VHYHQ KRXUV RI VXUJHU\ LQ DQ attempt to save the driver’s right KDQG +H DOVR XQGHUZHQW RWKHU

VXUJHULHV WR UHSDLU EURNHQ ERQHV LQ KLV DUP VKRXOGHU DQG IRRW 5HQDXOW IRU ZKRP .XELFD drives, said in a statement Feb 14 on the company website that the driver’s condition ÂłUHPDLQV SRVLWLYH´ „ CNS

RI¿FLDO VDLG D QHZ L3KRQH application can help Catholics SUHSDUH IRU FRQIHVVLRQ EXW FDQQRW VXEVWLWXWH IRU WKH VDFUDPHQWDO HQFRXQWHU EHWZHHQ D SHQLWHQW DQG a priest. ³&RQIHVVLRQ $ 5RPDQ Catholic App� for Apple’s L3KRQH L3DG DQG L3RG 7RXFK was recently released as a way for Catholics to prepare for and participate in the sacrament of SHQDQFH 6RPH UHFHQW SUHVV UHSRUWV KRZHYHU KDYH VXJJHVWHG WKDW WKH DSSOLFDWLRQ FRXOG UHSODFH in-person confession. ³,WœV HVVHQWLDO WR XQGHUVWDQG that the sacrament of penance UHTXLUHV D SHUVRQDO GLDORJXH between the penitent and the FRQIHVVRU DQG DEVROXWLRQ E\ the confessor who is present,� -HVXLW )U )HGHULFR /RPEDUGL the Vatican spokesman, told reporters. ³7KLV LV VRPHWKLQJ WKDW FDQQRW be replaced by any application. 2QH FDQQRW VSHDN RI D ¾FRQIHVVLRQ via iPhone’,� he said. Fr Lombardi said the new DSSOLFDWLRQ FRXOG EH XVHIXO in helping people make an

A woman holds an iPhone in Rome Feb 9 with a new confession DSSOLFDWLRQ $ 9DWLFDQ RIÂżFLDO VDLG WKH QHZ DSS FDQ KHOS &DWKROLFV SUHSDUH IRU FRQIHVVLRQ DV LWV GHYHORSHUV LQWHQGHG EXW WKDW LW FDQQRW VXEVWLWXWH IRU WKH VDFUDPHQWDO HQFRXQWHU EHWZHHQ D SHQLWHQW DQG D SULHVW CNS photo

examination of conscience. In the SDVW KH QRWHG &DWKROLFV ZRXOG VRPHWLPHV XVH ZULWWHQ TXHVWLRQV and answers to prepare for confession, and that’s something WKDW FRXOG EH GRQH WRGD\ ZLWK WKH aid of a digital device.

The application, developed by D VPDOO ¿UP LQ ,QGLDQD LV EDVHG on the Ten Commandments. It was designed in part for people who have been away from the &KXUFK DQG ZDQW WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ to go to confession. „ CNS

Anglicans, Catholics dialogue about Mary %LVKRS DIÀUPV QHHG WR H[SORUH GRFWULQH IXUWKHU LONDON – As Anglican and

Catholic leaders advance LQ GLDORJXH DERXW UHOLJLRXV differences, they are attempting WR XQGHUVWDQG PRUH GHHSO\ WKH role of Mary, the Mother of God. 2Q )HE $X[LOLDU\ %LVKRS *HRUJH 6WDFN RI :HVWPLQVWHU SKRWR DGGUHVVHG WKH &KXUFK RI England general synod on this WRSLF +H UHIHUHQFHG LQ SDUWLFXODU WKH UHSRUW WLWOHG Âł0DU\ *UDFH DQG +RSH LQ -HVXV &KULVW´ presented by the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). 7KH SUHODWH XQGHUOLQHG WKH importance of this topic in the SURFHVV RI GLDORJXH QRWLQJ WKDW 3RSH -RKQ 3DXO ,, ZURWH LQ Âł8W 8QXP 6LQW´ WKDW ÂłWKH 9LUJLQ Mary, as Mother of God and ,FRQ RI WKH &KXUFK > @ LV RQH RI WKH DUHDV LQ QHHG RI IXOOHU VWXG\ EHIRUH D WUXH FRQVHQVXV RI IDLWK can be achieved.â€? The bishop also recalled that WKH VXEMHFW ZDV DGGUHVVHG LQ WKH $5&,& VWDWHPHQW RQ DXWKRULW\ LQ WKH &KXUFK LQ +H REVHUYHG Âł7KH IDFW WKDW 0DU\ IRXQG D SODFH LQ the theological and historical PLQHÂżHOGV RI WKH GRFXPHQW RQ DXWKRULW\ DQG QRW MXVW LQ GHYRWLRQDO OLWHUDWXUH LV DQ indication of her important

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EHWZHHQ *RG DQG WKH KXPDQ UDFH Âł$Q H[DPSOH RI VXFK D GLVWRUWLRQ ZRXOG EH WKH development of a theology which places her as an intercessor by the VLGH RI KHU 6RQ ´ 7KH SUHODWH DGGHG WKDW ÂłWKH degree to which these dogmas and their teaching on virginity, sinlessness and obedience in the life of Mary have affected DQ XQGHUVWDQGLQJ DQG UROH RI ZRPHQ LQ WKH OLIH RI WKH FKXUFK mentioned in the Faith and Order *URXS 5HVSRQVH QHHG WR EH explored in the historical context in which the dogmas were proclaimedâ€?. Âł7KHVH TXHVWLRQV UDLVHG E\ D VWXG\ RI Âľ0DU\ *UDFH DQG +RSH LQ &KULVWÂś DUH HTXDOO\ OHJLWLPDWH for Catholics as they are for Anglicans in an exploration and explanation of the two doctrines RQ 2XU /DG\ DQG WKH OLJKW WKH\ shine on her life and the whole GUDPD RI VDOYDWLRQ DV OLYHG RXW LQ DQG WKURXJK WKH &KXUFK ´ KH DIÂżUPHG The bishop added that this GHEDWH ÂłLV HYHQ PRUH VLJQLÂżFDQW in the light of last week’s DQQRXQFHPHQW WKDW WKH WKLUG SKDVH RI WKH $5&,& GLDORJXH ZLOO EHJLQ LQ 0D\ RQ WKH VXEMHFW RI Âľ7KH &KXUFK DV &RPPXQLRQ Âą /RFDO DQG 8QLYHUVDOϫ „ ZENIT.ORG

WORLD 13

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Pope: online social networks can help spread the Gospel VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict

XVI invited Christians to join online social networks in order to spread the Gospel through digital media and discover “an entirely new world of potential friendshipsâ€?. At the same time, the pope warned of the limits and the dangers of digital communication, including the risks of constructing a false online image and of replacing direct human contact with virtual relationships. “Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world,â€? the pope said in his message for the 2011 celebration of World Communications Day. “In the search for sharing, for ‘friends’, there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of FRQVWUXFWLQJ DQ DUWLÂżFLDO SXEOLF SURÂżOH IRU RQHVHOI ´ KH VDLG The theme of this year’s World Communications Day to be celebrated on Jun 5 is “Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital ageâ€?. The pope in his message, acknowledged that the Internet has fundamentally changed the way people communicate today. “This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship,â€? he said. In the digital world, he said, information is increasingly transmitted through social networks as a form of sharing between persons. He said this dynamic has favoured dialogue,

Cristine del Campo works on the Facebook site of World Youth Day at the headquarters of the international youth gathering in Madrid, Spain, Nov 12, 2010. CNS photo

exchange, a sense of solidarity and the creation of positive relations. “The new technologies allow people to meet each other beyond WKH FRQÂżQHV RI VSDFH DQG RI WKHLU own culture, creating in this way an entirely new world of potential friendships,â€? he said. The pope added that digital communication has built-in limits, including the one-sidedness of the interaction and “the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior worldâ€?. The creation RI DQ DUWLÂżFLDO RQOLQH LPDJH LQVWHDG of an authentic one “can become a form of self-indulgenceâ€?, he said. The great potential of social networks for building relationships makes it a natural place for the Church to be present, he said. But there is a “Christian wayâ€? of being online – through communication that is “honest and open, responsible and respectful of othersâ€?, he said. Archbishop Claudio Celli, SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO for Social Communications,

VDLG WKH SRSHÂśV ZRUGV UHĂ€HFWHG concern over an aggressive and derisive approach found on some Catholic sites and blogs. His council was working on a document that would offer, among other things, some reference points about the appropriate tone and behaviour for church-related Internet sites. Pope Benedict’s message, while underlining the risks of the Internet, was generally positive about online opportunities, saying they had opened new “spiritual horizonsâ€?. He said proclaiming the Gospel through new media was not simply a matter of inserting religious content into online platforms, but also of witnessing the Gospel consistently when communicating choices, preferences and judgements. This witness, he said, can and should challenge some ways of thinking that are typical of websites – for one thing, he said, the truth Christians want to share is not based on its popularity or

the amount of attention it receives. The pope said the Gospel should be presented online not as a consumer item, but as daily nourishment. That requires communication that is “respectful and sensitive, which stimulates the heart and moves the conscience�, he said. In their online activities, he added, Christians also need to remember that direct human relations remain fundamental for transmission of the faith. “Even when it is proclaimed in the virtual space of the Web, the Gospel demands to be incarnated in the real world and linked to the real faces of our brothers and sisters,� he said. The pope said that believers can help prevent the web from becoming an instrument that “depersonalises people, attempts

to manipulate them emotionally or allows those who are powerful to monopolise the opinions of othersâ€?. Archbishop Celli offered an example when social network users are unwittingly tracked for marketing purposes. While Pope Benedict’s message spoke of the “wondersâ€? of new online possibilities, 9DWLFDQ RIÂżFLDOV DJUHHG WKDW the pope himself doesn’t use new media much. Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said that the pope does not surf the Internet much. The pope still writes with a pen, Fr Lombardi said. But he added that the 83-year-old pontiff fully recognises the opportunities offered by the new technologies, and has encouraged Vatican departments to move forward on digital projects. „ CNS

14 LETTERS/OPINION

ROLHEISER

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: MRKIHUQ#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: FKULVNKRR#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Darren Boon: GDUUHQERRQ#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: GHVLJQ#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ Elaine Ong: HORQJ#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ

EDITORIAL: FQHGLW#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ 3OHDVH LQFOXGH \RXU IXOO QDPH DGGUHVV DQG WHOHSKRQH QXPEHU IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: PHPRULDP#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: VXEVFULSWLRQV#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: DGYHUWLVHPHQWV#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: PHGRQD#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ

0DQGDULQ VSHDNLQJ FRPPXQLW\ QHHGV SULHVWV I would like to highlight WKH QHHGV RI WKH 0DQGDULQ speaking Catholic FRPPXQLW\ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH ZHEVLWH of the Commission for $SRVWRODWH RI 0DQGDULQ 6SHDNLQJ LQ 6LQJDSRUH there are currently 21 parishes in Singapore WKDW KROG &KLQHVH 0DVVHV UHJXODUO\ 7KH LVVXH DW KDQG LV $UH WKHUH HQRXJK 0DQGDULQ speaking priests within these 21 parishes to not only FHOHEUDWH &KLQHVH 0DVVHV but also offer the much needed spiritual direction for the various Chinese ministries and groups in WKHVH SDULVKHV" ,Q DGGLWLRQ LV WKHUH a good distribution of 0DQGDULQ VSHDNLQJ SULHVWV across these parishes to ensure that our priests in these parishes are not overloaded with their duties to the Chinese-speaking FRPPXQLW\" Given the limited number RI 0DQGDULQ VSHDNLQJ SULHVWV it is understandable that the Chinese-speaking community is disappointed with the recent WUDQVIHUV RI VRPH 0DQGDULQ speaking priests from parishes WKDW KDYH UHODWLYHO\ ODUJH YLEUDQW DQG DFWLYH &KLQHVH JURXSV 2QH FDQQRW KHOS EXW ZRQGHU

A Chinese migrant at a Catholic church event.

if such deployment of priests is a signal that the Chinesespeaking community is viewed as D GHFOLQLQJ SRSXODWLRQ ,I VXFK LV WKH FDVH , ZRXOG EHVHHFK DQ\RQH who holds such an opinion to UHFRQVLGHU *LYHQ WKH LQÀX[ RI &KLQHVH QDWLRQDOV WKHUH DUH PRUH Chinese in Singapore than at any

SRLQW LQ RXU QDWLRQ¶V KLVWRU\ 0DQ\ RWKHU &KULVWLDQ churches have attracted these new migrants with Chinese services and SURJUDPV 6RPH HYHQ PDGH Chinese interpretations of English services readily DYDLODEOH 2Q WKH RWKHU KDQG LQ RXU &DWKROLF &KXUFK we have had so many instances of Catholics from China going over to other Christian churches due to WKH ODFN RI &KLQHVH 0DVVHV DQG DFWLYLWLHV IRU WKHP The Chinese community in Singapore has a real need IRU 0DQGDULQ VSHDNLQJ SULHVWV WR VHUYH WKHP +RZHYHU EHDULQJ LQ mind the limited number of 0DQGDULQ VSHDNLQJ SULHVWV LQ RXU GLRFHVH , ZRXOG suggest that such priests be deployed within the 21 SDULVKHV Let us also not forget that our pool of priests is aging and their number is getting VPDOOHU 6WDUWLQJ PRUH &KLQHVH services at other parishes other than the 21 would then not be a JRRG LGHD 0D\ *RG KHOS WKH 0DQGDULQ speaking priests to shepherd His &KLQHVH ÀRFN Mel Phua-Carroll Singapore 560134

3UHVHQWLQJ &KXUFK WHDFKLQJ RQ VH[XDOLW\ , :5,7( WR WKDQN $UFKELVKRS Nicholas Chia for his clear WHDFKLQJ RQ VH[XDOLW\ HGXFDWLRQ The Church’s teaching DQG YLVLRQ RQ VH[XDOLW\ ZKHQ presented in all its splendour is really good news for the world and I pray that Catholics and nonCatholics who come through our schools can have a taste of it and UHWXUQ MR\IXO DQG KHDOHG ,Q P\ RSLQLRQ RI SDUWLFXODU effectiveness is the Theology of WKH %RG\ GHYHORSHG E\ WKH ODWH 3RSH -RKQ 3DXO ,, Two programmes which are particularly suitable for teens would include Theology of WKH %RG\ IRU 7HHQV E\ %ULDQ

%XWOHU DQG -DVRQ (YHUW DQG the programs developed by &+2,&(= 0HGLD D QRQ SUR¿W organisation run by Jonathan and .DUHQ 'R\OH D 0HOERXUQH EDVHG couple who graduated from the -RKQ 3DXO ,, ,QVWLWXWH The programme has no explicit Catholic/religious content but its vision of the dignity of the human person is rooted in the vision of WKH 7KHRORJ\ RI WKH %RG\ $JDLQ LQ P\ YLHZ &DWKROLFV and non-Catholics who come to Catholic schools deserve the very best from our life-giving Catholic KHULWDJH (YHU\ &DWKROLF SXSLO DQG non-Catholics who choose to

RSW LQ VKRXOG H[SHULHQFH WKH IXOO 7KHRORJ\ RI WKH %RG\ SURJUDPPH Non-Catholic pupils can H[SHULHQFH WKH &+2,&(= 0HGLD SURJUDPPH 3DUHQWV ZKR may have a different opinion regarding these programmes may opt their children out if they so FKRRVH , SUD\ WKDW WKH $UFKGLRFHVDQ Commission for Catholic Schools can work with the relevant people to make both these programmes a reality in our &DWKROLF VFKRROV Nick Chui Singapore 680470

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

ORDYHV ÀVK DQG D KXQJU\ ZRUOG THEY hadn’t understood about the loaves! The Gospels use those words to describe the crowd WKDW -HVXV KDG PLUDFXORXVO\ IHG ZLWK ¿YH EDUOH\ ORDYHV DQG WZR ¿VK 7KH\ DWH EXW WKH\ GLGQ¶W XQGHUVWDQG :KDW GLGQ¶W WKH\ XQGHUVWDQG" This is the story: Jesus had been preaching to D ODUJH FURZG VHYHUDO WKRXVDQG SHRSOH %XW WKH\ were in a remote place and the people had been ZLWKRXW IRRG IRU D ORQJ WLPH 7KH\ ZHUH KXQJU\ VR IDPLVKHG LQ IDFW WKDW they lacked the strength to return to their own WRZQV DQG YLOODJHV 7KH GLVFLSOHV DSSURDFKHG -HVXV DQG DVNHG +LP whether they should go into the neighbouring towns and buy food for WKH FURZG -HVXV WROG WKHP LQVWHDG WR IHHG WKH SHRSOH WKHPVHOYHV 7KH\ SURWHVWHG WKDW WKH\ KDG WRR OLWWOH IRRG DOPRVW QRQH -HVXV DVNHG WKHP ZKDW WKH\ LQ IDFW GLG KDYH 7KHLU DQVZHU ³2QO\ ¿YH EDUOH\ ORDYHV DQG WZR ¿VK ´ $QG WKLV FDPH ZLWK D TXHVWLRQ :KDW JRRG LV WKDW DPRQJ VR PDQ\" 7KH HTXDWLRQ LV KRSHOHVV VR OLWWOH IRRG VR PDQ\ SHRSOH $QG VR -HVXV DVNHG WKHP WR EULQJ WKH ORDYHV DQG ¿VK WR KLP +H blessed the food and asked the disciples to distribute it among the KXQJU\ WKRXVDQGV :H NQRZ WKH UHVW RI WKH VWRU\ 7KH\ VHW RXW WKH IRRG HYHU\RQH DWH DV PXFK DV KH RU VKH ZDQWHG DQG WKH\ JDWKHUHG XS WZHOYH EDVNHWV RI VFUDSV OHIW RYHU DIWHUZDUGV $QG WKH FURZG ZDV LPSUHVVHG VR PXFK LQ IDFW WKDW WKH QH[W GD\ WKH\ IROORZHG -HVXV DURXQG WKH ODNH KRSLQJ IRU DQRWKHU VXFK IHHGLQJ -HVXV IRU KLV SDUW ZDV VDGGHQHG E\ WKHLU ODFN RI XQGHUVWDQGLQJ 7KH\ KDGQ¶W XQGHUVWRRG DERXW WKH ORDYHV :KDW KDGQ¶W WKH\ XQGHUVWRRG" 7ZR WKLQJV )LUVW :KHQ WKH GLVFLSOHV LQLWLDOO\ DSSURDFKHG -HVXV DQG DVNHG KLP ZKHWKHU WKH\ VKRXOG JR LQWR WKH QHLJKERXULQJ WRZQV DQG EX\ EUHDG WKHLU TXHVWLRQ EHWUD\HG WKDW WKH\ ZHUH XQDZDUH WKDW WKH\ ZHUH ZLWK WKH EUHDG RI OLIH They were in the presence of that which is the object of all the ZRUOG¶V KXQJHUV DQG ZKLFK LQ LWV ERXQW\ LV XQOLPLWHG DQG LQ¿QLWH <HW WKH\ ZDQWHG WR JR RII DQG EX\ IRRG HOVHZKHUH 7KH OHVVRQ :KHQ \RX DUH ZLWK WKH EUHDG RI OLIH WKHUH LV QR QHHG WR JR RII WR EX\ IRRG RU DQ\WKLQJ HOVH HOVHZKHUH <RX KDYH DOO WKH UHVRXUFHV \RX QHHG WR IHHG HYHU\ NLQG RI KXQJHU The disciples’ wanting to go off to buy food betrays their lack of DZDUHQHVV RI WKLV 7KH\ GLGQ¶W VHH WKH LQFRQJUXLW\ WKH LURQ\ LQ WKHLU UHTXHVW -HVXV LV WKH EUHDG RI OLIH IRRG IRU WKH OLIH RI WKH ZRUOG DQG they ask Him if they should go off elsewhere to buy what is needed to IHHG WKH FURZGV The second thing they didn’t understand was the meaning of the HTXDWLRQ VR OLWWOH IRRG VR PDQ\ SHRSOH $ IHZ VPDOO ORDYHV RI EUHDG DQG D IHZ ¿VK DUH KRSHOHVVO\ LQDGHTXDWH WR IHHG D FURZG RI WKRXVDQGV It goes against common sense to put such a pathetically meagre fare EHIRUH VR PDQ\ SHRSOH +RZ FDQ ¿YH ORDYHV DQG WZR ¿VK IHHG D FURZG RI WKRXVDQGV" Sometimes well-meaning homilists have tried to explain what might have happened by suggesting that Jesus’ invitation to share drew out from the people the privately guarded resources of food that each KDG EURXJKW DQG ZKHQ HYHU\RQH VKDUHG ZKDW KH RU VKH KDG DOO ZHUH IHG DQG WKHUH ZDV IRRG WR VSDUH 6XFK D KRPLO\ KDV LWV RZQ JRRG OHVVRQ EXW WKH SRLQW RI WKH VWRU\ LV SUHFLVHO\ WKH KRSHOHVVQHVV RI WKH HTXDWLRQ ,Q HVVHQFH WKH UHVRXUFHV RI WKH *RVSHO DOZD\V VHHP KRSHOHVVO\ GZDUIHG E\ WKH ZRUOG¶V SRZHU WKH ZRUOG¶V KXQJHU WKH ZRUOG¶V VLQ DQG WKH UHVRXUFHV WKDW WKH ZRUOG LWVHOI VHHPV WR RIIHU )LYH ORDYHV DQG WZR ¿VK VHW RXW WR IHHG D FURZG RI WKRXVDQGV LV WKH *RVSHO HTXLYDOHQW RI WKH IDPRXV VWRU\ LQ WKH -HZLVK VFULSWXUHV RI WKH \RXQJ VKHSKHUG ER\ 'DYLG VWDQGLQJ EHIRUH WKH JLDQW *ROLDWK $ \RXQJ ER\ EDUHIRRW KROGLQJ D ER\¶V SOD\WKLQJ D VOLQJVKRW VWDQGLQJ EHIRUH D JLDQW D WUDLQHG VROGLHU FORWKHG LQ LURQ ZLWK D VZRUG EHDUHU FDUU\LQJ KLV ZHDSRQV LV DOVR D KRSHOHVV HTXDWLRQ 6R OLWWOH SRZHU DJDLQVW VR PXFK VWUHQJWK %XW WKH \RXQJ ER\ WULXPSKHG EHFDXVH *RG ZDV RQ KLV VLGH ,W¶V WKH VDPH ZLWK WKH ORDYHV DQG WKH ¿VK :KDW GR ZH QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG DERXW WKH ORDYHV" :H QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW ZH DUH ZLWK WKH EUHDG RI OLIH HYHU\WKLQJ ZH QHHG WR IHHG WKH ZRUOG ZH DOUHDG\ KDYH :H GRQ¶W QHHG WR JR DQ\ZKHUH WR EX\ DQ\WKLQJ :H KDYH WKH UHVRXUFHV DOUHDG\ WKRXJK RQ WKH VXUIDFH WKRVH UHVRXUFHV ZLOO DOZD\V ORRN RYHU PDWFKHG KRSHOHVV GZDUIHG QRQVHQVLFDO ZLVKIXO WKLQNLQJ 2Q WKH VXUIDFH LQYDULDEO\ ZH ZLOO ORRN OLNH 'DYLG EHIRUH *ROLDWK ± SXQ\ DQG SDWKHWLF QRW XS WR WKH WDVN RI GHIHDWLQJ D JLDQW RU IHHGLQJ D KXQJU\ JUHHG\ ZRUOG %XW WKH *RVSHO ZRUNV ,W LV DGHTXDWH WR WKH WDVN ERWK RI IHHGLQJ WKH ZRUOG DQG GHIHDWLQJ WKH JLDQW ,W RQO\ QHHGV WR EH WUXVWHG „

FEATURE 15

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

This is the new face of the pro-life cause By Mary O’Regan U.S.A – Lila Rose is the 22-yearold founder of Live Action, an organisation that collects intelligence on America’s leading abortion provider and brings it to the world’s attention through the new media. In early February, she generated global headlines when she released undercover video footage of staff at Planned Partenthood giving advice to a man posing as a pimp seeking abortions for underage prostitutes. Lila, from San Jose, California, and a recent graduate from UCLA, was brought up as one of eight children in an Evangelical household. She was received into the Catholic Church two years ago because she “hungered to receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharistâ€?. Since starting Live Action at 15, Lila has been a revolutionary prolife campaigner. She went into various abortion clinics posing as a young teen with a story about a 31-year-old boyfriend who had got her pregnant. She used police FDPHUD HTXLSPHQW WR ÂżOP FOLQLF workers explaining how she could hide the abortion from her parents, as long as she got someone else with the same surname to sign the papers. They were eager to ensure that the father of the baby would not face the consequences. James O’Keefe, the young conservative media activist who has collaborated with Lila in her exposes, says: “What Lila has

been able to do is frame the issue of abortion through the lens of social issues that both liberals and conservatives can agree on. Everyone can agree that it’s wrong to help pimps out and to cover up statutory rape.â€? Commenting on the impact of KHU VKRFNLQJ XQGHUFRYHU ÂżOPV Lila says; “People who were supportive of Planned Parenthood have become disgusted.â€? But she emphasises that “this project is only halfway throughâ€? and that Live Action hopes to UHOHDVH RWKHU ÂżOPV WKLV \HDU ZKLFK give an inside view of what goes on in American’s abortion clinics. Live Action’s work has caused several states to launch investigations into Planned Parenthood. The organisation is clearly rallied. Last week the billionaire George Soros reportedly held a conference call with Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards, about how to counter the videos. On Monday the group said it would retrain thousands of members of staff regarding its rules for reporting possible dangers to minors and would sack anyone who violated them. But Lila says that the testimonies of women who have had abortions corroborate what she has found through her undercover investigations. She told the New York Times this week that the changes announced by Planned Parenthood were “window dressingâ€?. “Live Action’s investigation

Lila Rose: “It’s our job to be strong and sincere, kind but unwavering in our defence of the truth.�

has uncovered a serious, institutional crisis in which Planned Parenthood is willing to DLG DQG DEHW VH[ WUDIÂżFNLQJ DQG exploitation of minors and young women,â€? she said. Lila’s work has even more credibility in the wake of the testimony of Abby Johnson. She was a director at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas and has criticised her former role there as one of the “salespeopleâ€? for abortion. She has said that Planned Parenthood should be grateful to Live Action for bringing the deeds of its staff to the public’s attention. Live Action’s work is being warmly welcomed by the gigantic pro-life population in America. Many women of all ages who

have had abortions have spoken to Lila and told her that the videos showed them “the truthâ€?, that they KHOSHG WKHP WR ÂżQG KHDOLQJ DQG that they are now pro-life. Activists in Britain are naturally considering whether Live Action’s tactics would further the pro-life cause here. If abortion clinics in Britain were caught out would it cause pregnant women to lose all trust in abortion providers and prevent abortions? Mark Bhagwandin, an education RIÂżFHU ZLWK /LIH 3UHJQDQF\ &DUH thinks it might be effective. “We must expose the clinics in Britain as acting in a commercial interest, not in the interests of women,â€? he says. He argues that this is the “missing componentâ€? of pro-life work in Britain. But he explains that it has to work in tandem with proper pro-life help for pregnant mothers. “A lot of women going for abortions are in a personal crisis,â€? he says. “If they are offered practical alternatives then they may keep their baby. We have found women in crisis pregnancies who really need WR FRQÂżGH LQ VRPHRQH DQG DUH considering abortion but have changed their minds after a chance of being able to come to terms with their pregnancy.â€? Last year Bhagwandin and his colleagues at Life presented the the pro-life message to 35,000 school students. He says he encountered a very positive reaction from young people.

He argues that “investigative journalism that exposes the abuses in abortion clinics will go down well with the British people�. “The British love the truth,� he says. “They respect any operation that exposes the truth.� Posing as someone who was 23 weeks pregnant and requiring “help� without the mention of wanting an abortion, two abortion providers I spoke to said the only “help� they would give is a speedy abortion. While Lila openly admits that she does not know enough about Britains legal and political climate to recommend any particular project for Britain, she suggests an interesting plan. “Consider that many women are at this moment going for that ‘counselling’ in British clinics, and they are not being told about the risks, or what abortion will do to their child,� she tells me. ‘If you were to get footage of inside the clinic of the kind of things that are said during this ‘counselling session’, then you could compare this with the actual statistic and facts of what happen during and after an abortion.� Will the public see Lila’s actions as attention-seeking? Lila defends the risk as worthwhile. “Public opinion of pro-lifer comes and goes,� she says. “But it’s our job as pro-lifers to be strong and sincere, kind but unwavering in our defence of the truth. When you educate young people you will see a cultural shift.� „ THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Movie Review: The Rite By Darren Boon An ominous warning is sounded when experienced exorcist Fr Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) says to Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), a transitional deacon: “You be careful Michael, choosing not to believe in the devil will not protect you from him.â€? Michael’s faith in God is non-existent, and he subscribes to science and the secular. In fact, Michael makes no denial that his joining the seminary is really about receiving a free college education so as to escape the family’s undertaking business and his strained relationship with his father (Rutger Hauer). Thus when Michael wanted to quit the seminary, his superior Fr Matthews (Toby Jones) believing in Michael’s pastoral qualities as a priest after witnessing him minister to a dying woman, sends Michael off to Rome for a course on exorcism. In Rome, Michael still sceptical over the supernatural, is later introduced to )U /XFDV DQG WKXV EHJLQV DQ XQRIÂżFLDO teacher-protĂŠgĂŠ relationship as Michael follows Fr Lucas about in his work in ÂżJKWLQJ RII GHPRQV LQ D SUHJQDQW ZRPDQ and a young child. The inexplicable and supernatural experiences challenge Michael on his beliefs (or rather non-beliefs in God and the supernatural) and ultimately climaxes when Michael is forced to deal with the possession of Fr Lucas. Michael

UHFHLYHV WKH KHOS DQG DIÂżUPDWLRQ RI D fellow course-mate, journalist Angeline (Alice Braga) who is researching the topic of exorcism for an article. The Rite is not a movie about the ABCs on exorcism even though scenes of contorting human bodies, characters spitting out nails and speaking in different voices are thrown in for good measure. Audience should go not go in with the expectation echoed by Fr Lucas to Michael: “What do you expect? Spinning heads and pea soup?â€? Looking beyond exorcism and realism (how can a transitional deacon forgive sins), The Rite explores several interesting points for Catholics to ponder about. Do we keep a conscious awareness that the power of the devil is real and present, or have we fallen to the seduction of the evil one’s lies? Evil here is portrayed as being powerful to be able to read and identify men’s thoughts, feelings and weaknesses and exploits them. Have we conform to the secular and worldly standards which the devil exactly wants us to do? Are we like just like the young Michael ZKHQ KH EHQW WKH FUXFLÂż[ RQ KLV URVDU\ DW the funeral of his mother? One particularly powerful scene sees Michael acknowledging that he believes in the devil, but is followed the next moment

Anthony Hopkins and Marta Gastini star in a scene from the movie “The Rite.�

in his belief in the power of God. It is only having faith in God that He is the saviour, and not words or reciting prayer texts that deliver the faithful from evil. The Rite is based on a real life accountof Fr Gary Thomas from the Diocese of San Jose, California told in the book “The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcistâ€? by journalist Matt Baglio, but IXUWKHU JLYHQ D ÂżFWLRQDOLVHG DQG GUDPDWLF treatment here. Overall, The Rite is an entertaining movie about one man’s journey from spiritual wilderness into the light – Michael

eventually becomes a priest. Rather than a ¿UVW HQFRXQWHU ZLWK *RG WKH PRYLH LV WROG WKURXJK D GLIIHUHQW DSSURDFK RI ¿UVW PHHWLQJ evil straight in the eye, and then believing in the power of God to conquer evil. In the midst of the entertainment, the message is clear: evil is a powerful force, truly present and a threat to our souls and that we must guard against it and to remain steadfast in our faith. The movie is rated PG and is now showing in cinemas. „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

16 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Families can harness power of social media New technologies can sometimes help families make stronger connections By Scott J. Rutan THAT the new forms of what are called “social mediaâ€? are revolutionising how people communicate is old news. The debate over whether or not these forms are improving communication is just beginning, though. While these debates will go on for some time, there are many stories of how new technologies are helping families make stronger connections, often creating bonds that otherwise would not exist. “Our closest family member lives about 750 miles away from us,â€? pointed out our friend Laure Barr. “We have a niece in New Mexico whom we haven’t seen in years.â€? Despite the distance, they have become very close, thanks to the very popular social networking site Facebook. “When she announced that VKH ZDV H[SHFWLQJ KHU ÂżUVW FKLOG two other nieces, Grandpa and I were all talking together live on Facebook – across three different time zones,â€? Barr said. For her family, Facebook is the medium of choice, affording them the opportunity to send out brief greetings, share pictures and videos, and chat online in real time. Because of this, Barr and her niece have become more than “friendsâ€? on Facebook. “We’ve become real friends,â€? Barr said. They talk about everything, especially their latest recipes. She added, “Elisa will often write, ‘Try this dish, Aunt Laure! It’s really good!’â€? Such networking sites – other

popular ones being MySpace, Yahoo! Groups and Twitter – are becoming the medium of choice for casual family conversations. Unlike a phone call, a sender doesn’t have to wait for the other party to be at home. On the downside, however, there are real privacy issues regarding who can read a person’s postings. Constant care must be taken regarding what one is willing to share. David and Eva Moore, however, have found a way around this. Eva’s family is from the Philippines, which is 13 time zones away from where she and David live. “Nineteen years ago, when we ZHUH ÂżUVW PDUULHG WKHUH ZDVQÂśW even a phone service in her hometown,â€? David pointed out. Now the village has phone service (which is incredibly expensive) and Internet access. “We Skype Eva’s family all the time,â€? David said.

“Because of the poverty in the Philippines and our own limited EXGJHW ZH ÂżQG WKH FRPSXWHU PXFK cheaper,â€? David explained. “I have refurbished donated computers and given them to family members. This lets us have unlimited conversations for the cost of the usual monthly Internet fee. “We are able to see Eva’s sisters face to face and check up on how the nieces and nephews are growing.â€? Skyping is not for

everyone, though. Burr said that her family will not be getting it anytime soon. “We have a sixth-grade daughter here, and we’ve heard too many stories about strangers making video calls and doing some rather not-nice things online,â€? she said. The new technologies are not perfect, which could probably be said about every form of communication, including faceto-face conversations. Even so, IDPLOLHV DUH ÂżQGLQJ QHZ DQG

EHQHÂżFLDO ZD\V WR XVH WKHP “Because of Facebook,â€? David said, “Eva discovered that VKH KDG D ÂżUVW FRXVLQ OLYLQJ LQ Toronto. When we contacted her, she immediately invited us to her baby shower that next week.â€? For them it was a priceless opportunity to connect in a way that wouldn’t have been remotely SRVVLEOH HYHQ ÂżYH \HDUV DJR Because of today’s different forms of social networking, the miles and time zones seem to be disappearing and families are becoming closer than ever. „ CNS Rutan is an adult and family faith formation coordinator in the US.

Facebook and Skype are two social media sites that are helping family members keep in touch over distances

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Managing a world of long-distance connections By Carole Norris Greene IN A 2000 statement on Internet literacy titled Your Family and Cyberspace, the US bishops addressed families who rely heavily on new technologies to stay in touch with each other and obtain information. “Where is ‘cyberspace’?� they asked rhetorically. “It’s a world of

long-distance connections and access to multiple sources of information. You enter it when you switch on your computer or any medium offering this kind of access.� The bishops reviewed the most popular Internet features, clearly explaining how one differs from another in amazing ways. But they also pointed out how the

world of cyberspace puts families in contact with harmful material that is ordinarily kept outside of mainstream society. “Isolated individuals in front of a computer screen can lack the necessary moral and social support to resist what they are being drawn into,â€? the bishops FDXWLRQHG JLYLQJ SDUHQWV YHU\ VSHFLÂżF steps to take to protect their children.

Ultimately, the best protection against the misuse of this technology, they said, “is the presence in your home of an atmosphere of prayer and the sharing of Christian values in which these concerns can be openly discussed by all family members�. „ CNS Green is associate editor of the Faith Alive! series

FAITH ALIVE! 17

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Technology is still no substitute for physical presence By David Gibson

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FAMILY is a complex affair, and every family is complicated in its own unique ways. After all, the members of a family rely upon each other. They look to each other for emotional support, cooperation, love and strength in resolving the practical problems that arise with startling regularity in a household. To function well and to shore up their unity, family members need to communicate well. But the high level of communication family members usually require is not always easily achieved. Stressed out by the competing priorities that weigh on them, family members may begin to suffer communication-wise; short tempers may displace attentive listening and the patient exchanges necessary for true communication about a problem or a relationship. In today’s commuter world, family members, including VSRXVHV RIWHQ ¿QG WKHPVHOYHV separated for the day, the week or much longer by considerable physical distances. What doesn’t diminish for them with the distance is their need to communicate. No doubt the texting, e-mailing and cell phoning that are so much a part of people’s existence nowadays are a great boon to families as they attempt to hold everything together from a distance. Family members need to keep track of each other and to be assured of each other’s wellbeing and safety, and of their continued care for one another, all of which is assisted by the new technologies that serve as GH¿QLWH DLGV WR IDPLO\ XQLW\ But our many technologies are inadequate substitutes for genuine physical presence. There is no substitute for laying your eyes on your spouse or child. The glow in another’s voice and the light in another’s eyes are best experienced when people are together at one time in one place. Nonetheless, family members in our 21st century must attempt to bridge the distances that divide WKHP 'UDZLQJ XSRQ WKH ¿QHVW strengths of the new technologies is one way to do this. But our own greatest strengths as persons need to be coupled with the technology.

The basics of effective human communication do not lessen in importance just because the communication is enabled by one or another technological tool. Family members rely upon each other for respect, for example. That means they need to hear each other out respectfully, whatever the outward form of their communication. And in strong families, people resolve problems together. Furthermore, in strong families, SHRSOH ÂżQG ZD\V WR FRPPXQLFDWH their belief in each other. A big challenge for families when it comes to communicating

when their members act upon their commitment to each other, demonstrating visibly that they place trust and hope in each other, and that despite the struggles of ordinary life they continue to love each other. To accomplish noble goals of this kind, however, family members QHHG WR ÂżQG ZD\V WR EHFRPH really present to each other. So good communication in a family, whether aided by technology or not, calls for more than the expression of clear thoughts and well-honed words; it requires more than the practice of a set of skills.

The basics of effective human communication do not lessen in importance just because the communication is enabled by one or another technological tool from a distance is not to allow themselves to become distant in their very communication. To the extent that the new technologies foster various forms of anonymity – in other words, to the extent that the “screens� of our technological world begin to serve as excuses for weak communication or walls to stand safely behind – they cannot serve family unity well enough. In family life as elsewhere, actions tend to speak as loudly or louder than words. So families function at their best

When family members communicate well, it becomes clear that they are investing themselves in each other’s happiness and well-being, that they are willing to expend time and energy on each other’s behalf, and want and intend to remain a personal and caring presence in each other’s lives for the long haul. But, yes, it is complicated. „ CNS

Gibson used to serve on Catholic News Service’s editorial staff .

The simple act of turning off a light when it is not needed can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. CNS photo

The ‘what’ and ‘why’ of caring for creation MORE and more, the “cry of the Earthâ€? is ringing louder and louder. It is time to step away from our comfort zone and accept that we Christians have a moral responsibility to take care of God’s creation. We can begin by re-educating ourselves, lest we get overwhelmed by the deluge of new buzz words in these ecological times. What is ‘care for creation’? This is a God-centred response to the environmental crisis. When we use the word “creationâ€?, we imply that there is a creator. Implicit in the call to care for creation is the belief that God made the world and all that inhabit it, and most importantly, that humanity has been given the role of the Earth’s stewardship. Is this a new-fangled idea of the Church? “Care for creation is not a new component of Catholic identity,â€? says Mr Dan Misleh, executive director of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change. “It is as old as Genesis, and is written into the very fabric of Catholic mission.â€? Genesis 2:15 tells of God’s gift of the garden of Eden to Adam: “The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.â€? Wasn’t man given “dominionâ€? over the Earth? We read in Genesis 1:28: “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fertile and multiply, DQG ÂżOO WKH HDUWK DQG VXEGXH LWÂś ´ The problem lies with the word “dominionâ€?, which in today’s context has a connotation of subjugation and control. Scripture scholars have challenged this interpretation and Pope Benedict XVI has explained that it was never intended as a command for humans to subdue the earth. Rather, we are charged with the task of being “guardians of creationâ€?. It can be said that this

“dominionâ€? is to be understood DV RQH WKDW UHĂ€HFWV *RGÂśV “dominionâ€? over all creation, one that is based on love and justice. What is climate change? This is not just about natural climate variability. The key point is that such change is “attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphereâ€?, according to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. 0RUH VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ FOLPDWH FKDQJH ÂłFDQ OHDG WR GHVHUWLÂżFDWLRQ more intense storms, melting of the polar ice caps and rising sea levelsâ€?, as we are now experiencing. What is carbon footprint? This term is used as a measure of one’s impact on the climate based on how much carbon dioxide one produces, which contributes to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. Take a look at your travel habits. Do you drive to and from work, and to church? Are you D ÂłIUHTXHQW Ă€\HU´ RQ EXVLQHVV WULSV DQG ORYH WR Ă€\ RQ KROLGD\V abroad? Then, your carbon footprint is certainly larger WKDQ \RXU OHVV DIĂ€XHQW IHOORZ parishioner who walks to church or takes the bus and MRT. What can we do? As Catholics, we are uniquely positioned to encourage the greening of our parishes. We also need the active support of our church leaders. You can: start a Care for Creation group in your parish, Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) or St Francis Day (Oct 4); eliminate the use of styrofoam/ plastic disposables, plant an organic garden and trees, carpool WR ZRUN DQG FKXUFK Ă€\ OHVV HDW less meat, use fans instead of air-conditioning, clean your home with earth-friendly products, use your own water bottle and stop buying water in plastic bottles. „ The writer is a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a special interest in spiritual ecology

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Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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CHILDREN’S STORY:

St Theotonius

FROM his earliest years, it seemed that Theotonius ZDV GHVWLQHG WR EHFRPH D SULHVW +LV ¿UVW DSSRLQWPHQW DIWHU KLV RUGLQDWLRQ ZDV in the Portuguese town of Viseu, and his service ZDV VR ZHOO UHFHLYHG WKDW KH VRRQ ZDV JLYHQ WKH charge of the entire township as archpriest. Theotonius resigned so he could make a journey to the Holy Land. When he returned, he still ministered in Viseu. He was both an excellent speaker and an advocate for the poor, and he was able to raise large sums of money to help care for the poor and underprivileged. He was respected by kings and paupers as a man of prayer and compassion, and his last post was as the abbot of a monastery. We honour him RQ )HE „

BIBLE ACCENT: JESUS often spoke of laws. Sometimes He was referring to the laws that governed the region, but more often He was speaking about the laws of God. There are many laws and commandments that are included in the Bible. The most famous that we know are the Ten &RPPDQGPHQWV WKDW *RG JDYH WR 0RVHV RQ 0RXQW 6LQDL 7KH ÂżUVW ÂżYH books of the Old Testament are sometimes called the “Books of Lawâ€? EHFDXVH WKH\ UHFRUG WKH ÂżUVW ODZV WKDW *RG JDYH WR ,VUDHO ,Q 0DWWKHZ -HVXV VDLG +H GLG QRW FRPH WR DEROLVK WKH ODZ EXW WR IXOÂżO LW ,Q 0DUN -HVXV VDLG WKH WZR JUHDWHVW FRPPDQGPHQWV ZHUH WR love God and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. „

heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ... Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’.� „ CNS Read more about it: Matthew 5 Q&A 1. What did Jesus say about the law and the prophets? 2. What did Jesus say to do if we are angry?

WORD SEARCH The following words are found in the box. They are either down, across, backwards or diagonal. ACTIONS FOLLOWER PROPHETS HEAVEN EARTH FRIENDS COMMANDMENTS ANCESTORS JUDGMENT GIFT JESUS PEACEFULLY

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SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

then come and offer your gift.â€? Jesus cited a few other examples to show His friends how they could obey the law by living peacefully DQG WUXWKIXOO\ ZLWK RWKHUV Âł$JDLQ ´ He said, “you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’â€? His disciples nodded. This they understood. They knew to keep SURPLVHV DQG WR WHOO WKH WUXWK Âł%XW , say to you, do not swear at all; not by

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JESUS knew His actions often were not understood by His closest followers. He said to them, “Do QRW WKLQN WKDW , KDYH FRPH WR DEROLVK WKH ODZ RU WKH SURSKHWV , have come not to abolish but to IXOÂżO $PHQ , VD\ WR \RX XQWLO heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.â€? His friends nodded in agreement, although they were still not sure what things had to take place or when those things might happen. Jesus tried to make a connection between the laws of God and the kingdom of heaven. “Therefore,â€? He said, “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called

least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.â€? Then Jesus wanted to be more VSHFLÂżF DERXW WKH PHDQLQJ RI WKH laws, so He said, “You have heard that is was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills ZLOO EH OLDEOH WR MXGJPHQW Âś %XW , VD\ to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.â€? This confused the disciples, because they did not know that being angry was so serious. To explain further, Jesus added, “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift WKHUH DW WKH DOWDU JR ÂżUVW DQG EH reconciled with your brother, and

1. Esther, 2. Genesis, 3. Joshua, 4. Luke, 5. Hosea, 6. Amos, 7. Obadiah.

By Joe Sarnicola

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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.sg/webevent_form.php CARLO CATHOLIC SOCIETY BURSARY SCHEME Application is now open for JC/CI/ITE/ Polytechnic students. Applicant must be a Catholic (Singaporean or foreigners); Applicant must be a full-time student; The gross monthly household per person income (total gross monthly household income divided by total number of household members) does not exceed $450, or the gross monthly household income does not exceed $2000; Applicant must possess good conduct, regular school attendance and satisfactory academic results; Applicant must not receive any other scholarship or bursary (excluding Edusave Scholarship and Merit Bursary). Closing date Apr 15. Application form at Carlo Catholic Society (225B Queen St entrance of Sts Peter and Paul Church) or E: bursary@carlo.org.sg. CANOSSAVILLE CHILDREN’S HOME SEEKS HOUSEMOTHER Canossaville Children’s Home invites applicants for the position of Housemother. Details W: http://www.cch.org.sg . Fridays February 18 RCIY AT DIVINE MERCY CHURCH 8-9.30pm: Inviting youth who would like to learn more about the Catholic faith on this journey. At Church of Divine Mercy (Level 3). E: catechism@divinemercy.sg Mondays February 21 to April 25 AT HOME RETREAT: JOURNEY TOWARDS NEW LIFE 7.30-9.30pm: A 10 week programme based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. With weekly meetings for faith sharing, daily prayer using Scripture and spiritual direction. At CANA (55 Waterloo St). T: 6565 2895, 9722 3148; E: cenaclesisters@yahoo.com.sg; Wednesdays February 23 to December 15 RCIA AT CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 8-10pm: Inviting Catholics to accompany non-Catholic friends. At RCIA Room 105. T: 9671 4907 (Paul), E: query.rcia@gmail.com. Thursdays February 24 to March 10 SOAP OPERA@CANA 7.30pm: Explore the world of soap operas “Tayong Dalawa� and “Love�: examine the story a little bit more, glean

lessons from it and look at it in the light of Scripture. Cost: $20. At CANA (55 Waterloo St) Thursdays February 24 to May 12 ALPHA COURSE AT BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH 7.30-10pm: An opportunity for anyone to explore Christianity. Ask anything. Dinner is provided. At Blessed Sacrament Church Damien Hall (1 Commonwealth Dr). T: 9239 5562 (Anne), 9385 3381 (Richard); E: bsc_alpha@gmail.com; W: http://www.alpha-bsc.org Thursdays February 24 2011 to May 24 2012 RCIA AT CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7.30-9pm: New RCIA with Welcome Night at Verbist Hall (Level 4). Inviting Catholics to accompany non-Catholic friends. T: 9846 3601/6242 6074 (Rosalind), 9671 8216 (Christine), 9829 9354 (Winnie). E: benjilee@singnet.com. sg. Registration forms available from Church Secretariat. Thursdays February 24 to May 26 ALPHA COURSE AT ST IGNATIUS CHURCH 7.15pm: The Alpha course is for anyone who wishes to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening and enjoyable setting. Do share Christ’s love with your non-Christian friends by bringing them to an Alpha course. At Church of St Ignatius (120 King’s Rd). Register E: alpha_ignatius@yahoo.com Friday February 25 to Sunday February 27 DISCERNING GOD’S CALL TO RELIGIOUS LIFE Fri 8pm-Sun 1pm: A live-in discernment retreat for single women aged 23-35 years. Cost: $80. By Women Religious Vocation Team. Cost: $80. T: 9362 5408; E: wrvocationteam@gmail.com February 25 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 7.30-10pm: Continuation of the series of talks on “The Theology & Spirituality of WKH /LWXUJ\ RI WKH +RXUV 'LYLQH 2IÂżFH´ Part 2. At Catholic Spirituality Centre (1261 Upp Serangoon Rd). February 25 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-9.30pm: Inviting all young adults for a quiet conversation of love with -HVXV :LWK URVDU\ VFULSWXUDO UHĂ€HFWLRQ Eucharistic adoration & Benediction. At St Francis Xavier Chapel (Kingsmead Hall, Church of St Ignatius) E: gen.christ. ministry@gmail.com

February 25 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR CHILDREN 7.45-9.30pm: Children are actually more inclined than adults to approach the Blessed Sacrament with full faith and trust in the mystery before them. But they need someone to get them there. Inviting parents, catechists and friends to join in prayer with the children before the Blessed Sacrament. At Church of the Holy Spirit. T: 9362 5408 (Sr Angeline); E: childreneucharisticadora@gmail.com Saturdays February 26 to May 21 ALPHA COURSE AT ST BERNADETTE CHURCH 11.30am-2pm: The Alpha Course is an opportunity for everyone to explore Christianity. Relax, eat and share thoughts. Catholics and non-Catholics are welcome. At Church of St Bernadette (12 Zion Rd). T: 9798 7788 (Richard), Andy (8322 5356); E: richardchung@dbsvickers.com, andy_lee_4health@yahoo.com February 26 4TH SATURDAY MASS@CSC 6.45-10.30pm: Mass with healing service. Celebrant: Fr William Goh. Theme “Healing in the Context of Divine Providence� At Catholic Spirituality Centre (1261 Upp Serangoon Rd). Tuesdays March 1 to May 17 LANDINGS AT BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH 8-10pm: A welcoming programme for the “returning� Catholics as well as for those who wish to renew and share their faith experience. At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Dr). T: 9750 3998 (Steven), 9668 2391 (Lilian); E: landings@bsc.org.sg Tuesdays March 8 to April 12 THE PERSONAL COMPASS MODULE ONE: THE HUMAN VIRTUES 7.30-9.30pm: By Wonderfully Made! and SPI. At CWS Auditorium (Level 8) (55 Waterloo St). T: 6858 7012 (Janice); E: Janice@catholicspi.org; W: http:// www.wonderfully-made.org/PCE1.pdf Friday March 4 to Sunday March 6 WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND Fri 8pm-Sun 6pm: A marriage enhancement programme that will turn your good marriage into a great one. Discover more fun, spontaneity and better communication in your marriage. At The Marriage Encounter House (201-B Punggol 17th Avenue). T: 9670 5390 (Kenneth/Suelynn) E: register@marriage-encounter-sg.org March 4 CHURCH & STATE: ROLE OF RELIGION IN PUBLIC SQUARE 7-10pm: A seminar to help educate and

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ACROSS 1 Daughter-in-law of Ruth 6 Hollow cylinder 10 Small clump of bushes 14 Head of an abbey 15 Facial orbs 16 Early Christianity ÀRXULVKHG LQ ______ Minor 17 Tour director 18 Unit of power 19 Web-footed aquatic bird 20 Guides the ship 22 Practice

24 Pertaining to the non-ordained members of the Church 26 The sea of the Exodus 27 Pigpen 28 There were twelve 32 Fabled bird 34 Purse 35 Merits 37 One of the gifts of the Magi 41 Let air out of a line 43 There are seven in Revelation

45 Gaming cubes 46 First letter of the Hebrew alphabet 48 Toast 50 Sesame plant 51 Big _____, fastfood sandwich 53 Celestial 55 Mail deliverer (abbr.) 58 Testing room 60 Shelter for honeybees 61 Figured 64 Seaport in N Spain

68 Uncover 69 Rowing implements 71 Papal crown 72 ___ deucy 73 Convent dwellers 74 Convocation of witches 75 The Good ____ 76 Store 77 Fakeries DOWN 1 Hen-pecks 2 Adjoin 3 Off-Broadway theater award 4 “Body of Christâ€? and “People of Godâ€? are _____ of the Church 5 Do repeatedly 6 Church seat 7 8th month of the Jewish calendar 8 â€œâ€Śyou are ____, and upon this rock I will build my church‌â€? (Mt 16:18) 9 Biblical heroine 10 Bye bye 11 Consumers 12 Commandment which tells us to put nothing before God 13 First Catholic US Supreme Court Justice

21 Barnabas’ partner 23 Biblical nation 25 Goddess of tillage 28 Jesus’ name for the Father 29 Linen square which covers the chalice 30 Double curve in mathematics 31 Garden tempter 33 Dancer Charisse 36 One of the seven deadly sins 38 Religious ceremony 39 Religious instruction for those wishing to become Catholic (abbr.) 40 Eternal damnation 42 Foot dr.

44 Indian form of address 47 Angel’s hat? 49 Members of the priestly caste of Judaism 52 Church laws 54 Condiment 55 A papal name 56 “_______ be with you.â€? 57 Metal fastener 59 Something remarkable 62 “I will give to you the ___ to the kingdom‌â€? (Mt 16:19) 63 Spy movie 65 Ali ____ and the Forty Thieves 66 Biblical name of ancient Syria 67 Cereal food 70 Wind direction

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1026 R O S E S A R O S E M A T T A T S A J A C O B P A T E N O D E S S A C N E S S E T D D T C R U I M P A L A B A R R E L S C U M S I E R N E N N O E L

S C H I S M U T E S I D O

T A R O K E I A S L E C A M O E M B E G O L D R S E E D E T S C A M T O L E O M O N P E M I N E A

A R T H U R B A R R

B A R O N

C R U E T

S E E D S

C O C O A

C L O N K

D E N Y

E T E R T A L Y D D L E

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inform Catholics on various aspects of living one’s Catholic faith to bear witness to the truth. At Church of the Risen Christ. By Catholic Lawyers Guild. W: http://web.me.com/andrewkong/ACT/ Welcome_to_ACT/Entries/2011/3/4_ CLG_PUBLIC_SEMINAR_ON_ CHURCH_%26_STATE.html March 5 IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE! SEXUALITY EDUCATION – WHY WHAT HOW? 2-5.30pm: An enriching experience for all Catholic parents and formators who want to make a positive difference in their teens’ or children’s lives. Listen to experts share their insights on sexuality education. By Catholic Medical Guild. At Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (2 Highland Rd). Shuttle bus services will be provided from Serangoon MRT station from 1.15pm. Register W: http://www. allaboutlove-singapore.com; T: 9187 2541; E: enquiry@allaboutlove-singapore March 5 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At Armenian Church of St Gregory (60 Hill St). T: 9773 1742; E: ca4chang@singnet.com.sg; W: http:// www.taize.fr Sunday March 6 to Saturday March 12 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER @ ST JOSEPH BUKIT TIMAH? /HQW D WLPH IRU SUD\HU UHÀHFWLRQ Learn to listen to God through Scripture during the Week of Guided Prayer, a

retreat in daily life. Contribution: $30. By Sojourners Companions. At St Joseph Church Bt Timah. Registration IRUPV DYDLODEOH DW SDULVK RIÂżFH RU ( sojourners@catholic.org.sg March 13 CONVERSION OF HEART: SUNDAY LENTERN RETREAT 9.30am-4pm: A day of prayer and recollection for those who want to deepen their relationship with God during Lent. Retreat director: Fr Ponnudurai, SJ. Cost: $30 with lunch. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com Wednesday March 16 to Sunday March 20 FORGIVING LOVE OF GOD: A DIRECTED RETREAT Wed 8.30am-Sun 6.30pm: A 5D4N stay-in programme designed to help individuals to revive their faith through a deep personal encounter with God. At Catholic Spirituality Centre (1261 Upp Serangoon Rd). T: 6288 7901; E: admin@csctr.org; W: http:// www.csctr.org/about_cer.htm Wednesdays March 16 to April 20 BOOK OF ISAIAH 9.30-11.30am: No prophet says so much about the coming of the Messiah as the Book of Isaiah. It has the curious likeness to the bible in brief. By Bible Apostolate Team. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Rm A2-01). T: 9815 4098 (Genevieve), 8228 8220 (Clare), 9320 0640 (Teresa); E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com

24 HOME

Sunday February 27, 2011 „ CatholicNews

The Cross is God’s ‘Yes’ to Mankind Below is Archbishop Nicholas Chia’s message to parish priests on World Day of Prayer for the sick

The World Day of Prayer for the 6LFN ZLOO EH RIÂżFLDOO\ FHOHEUDWHG by the Vatican tomorrow, Friday, Feb 11 2011, and this year’s theme is “The Cross is God’s ‘Yes’ to Mankindâ€?. On this occasion of World Day of Prayer for the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI, in his message, asks everyone to become more sensitive to the needs of our sick brothers and sisters, noting that those who are suffering and weak “must be at the centre of our attention so that no one feels forgotten or marginalised.â€? Addressing the youth in SDUWLFXODU DQG UHĂ€HFWLQJ RQ WKH “mystery of sufferingâ€?, the Pope explains that the Passion and Cross of Jesus are nothing to fear. Rather, the cross is the “highest and most intense expression of His love and the source from ZKLFK Ă€RZV HWHUQDO OLIHÂŤWKH cross is God’s ‘yes’ to mankind.â€? The Pope encourages young people to “serve Jesus in those who are poor, sick, suffering, in

GLIÂżFXOW\ DQG LQ QHHG RI KHOS´ ,Q UHĂ€HFWLQJ RQ 3RSH Benedict XVI’s words, the concept of carrying your cross comes to mind. We use this expression often during Mass celebrations, both in homilies and songs of praise, but do we really know whether people understand what it means to carry your cross? Do they take it to heart and incorporate it into their daily lives? World Day of Prayer for the Sick is a perfect opportunity to remind Catholics of the happiness that carrying their cross can provide in terms of bringing them closer to Christ and giving them eternal life. Jesus suffered for our sins, which showed God’s love for us. Pope Benedict XVI notes that, “Jesus used Love to FRPEDW (YLOÂŤ +H KDV VKRZQ XV that the way to peace and joy is Love.â€? When one accepts his or her crosses in life, understanding God’s love for us, it becomes easier to develop a positive attitude, which ultimately leads to the achievement of internal peace and joy! I would like to invite all parishes to acknowledge World Day of Prayer for the Sick by organising initiatives within your local parish that will both

People in wheelchairs join a procession to St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican for Mass marking World Day of the Sick and the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. CNS photo

promote care and service towards the sick and help parishioners to understand the concept of carrying your cross. These activities can be done at any time in the year that is convenient for the parish. Following are some suggestions: ‡ In homilies, elaborate on what it means to carry your cross

in everyday life, not only in terms RI LOOQHVV EXW LQ DQ\ GLI¿FXOW situation. ‡ Organise a parish Mass for the Sick and Anointing on a convenient day this year with the same theme given in the Pope’s message, working in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission.

‡ Ask youth groups (altar servers, etc.) to organise visitations to hospitals, care centres, etc. (e.g. Assisi Hospice, Mount Alvernia, Canossaville Children’s Home, St Joseph’s Home, St Theresa’s Home, Villa Francis, etc.) to reach out to those who are sick and suffering. ‡ Ask catechists to acknowledge this occasion in their Sunday School lessons by sharing stories and/or preparing activities that address the theme of the Pope’s message and what it means to carry one’s cross. ‡ Encourage parishioners to seek out and offer assistance to those who might feel “forgotten or marginalised�, whether through charity work or in their daily lives. ‡ Promote service to Catholic organisations that address the needs of the sick or suffering by providing a list of Catholic organisations with contact information to parishioners for their easy reference. I thank you in advance for your cooperation. Your servant in the Lord,

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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