SEPTEMBER 11, 2011, vol 61, no 18

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

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‘BUILD ON YOUR FAITH, SHARE IT WITH WORLD’ MADRID – Pope Benedict XVI saw that 1.4 million young people could be buffeted by gusty winds and drenched by a driving rain and still fall silently to their knees to adore the Eucharist. $W WKH ÂżQDO 0DVV FORVLQJ World Youth Day (WYD) on Aug 21 in Madrid, the pope challenged the Catholic pilgrims to take that faith, make it grow and share it with the world. Despite the hardships of getting to the Cuatro Vientos military air base in blistering heat on Aug 20 and the downpour during the nightime vigil with the pope, hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world spent WKH QLJKW RQ WKH RSHQ ÂżHOG SUD\ing, singing and perhaps trying to snatch a few hours’ sleep. But they were up, ready and rowdy when the pope arrived for the morning Mass. In his homily, Pope Benedict said faith is not about understanding a bunch of facts, “it is an ability to grasp the mystery of Christ’s person in all its depthâ€?. Faith entails “a personal relationship with Christ, a surrender of our whole person, with all our understanding, will and feelingsâ€?, he said. However, he stressed that a personal relationship with Jesus always must be transformed into service and love for others. In addition, it must be lived within the Church, the community of believers to whom Jesus entrusted His message mission of salvation. Pope Benedict told the young people, who had been texting, tweeting and posting Facebook updates about their adventures, that whenever we really “likeâ€? anything, we share it, and that must hold true for faith as well. To the joy of the Brazilians present, at the end of the Mass, the pope announced that the next

international WYD would be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2013. Even before Mass began, :<' RI¿FLDOV WROG WKH FURZG WKDW most pilgrims would not be able to receive Communion and asked WKHP WR RIIHU LW XS DV D VDFUL¿FH for the pope. Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the plan was to distribute Communion from 17 Eucharistic chapels set XS RQ WKH SHULPHWHU RI WKH DLU¿HOG The previous evening’s storm destroyed several of the chapel-

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INSIDE HOME Migrants’ centre to move New premises at Nativity Church „ Page 2

HOME Pilgrimage for people with special needs Faith and Light group plans activity for next year „ Page 4

HOME East District Youth Rally touches young hearts

The pope told WYD pilgrims, who had been tweeting and posting Facebook updates, that whenever we really ‘like’ anything, we share it, and that holds for faith too. tents, and police asked organisers to dismantle most of the others as they posed a danger in the wind. Young people said they have been touched by their WYD experience. Miss Brigette Liss, a 26-yearold American, said she has a difÂżFXOW WLPH DWWHQGLQJ FKXUFK HYHU\ Sunday while working. “This experience has helped me come back to Mass and see how important it is to keep up on your faith and be sure that every day you take time out to pray and think of God,â€? she said. She added that it was the WYD catechesis and the witness of so many young people alive in their faith – “wearing it on their sleevesâ€? – that helped her.

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More than 600 attend event „ Page 9

ASIA S’poreans, M’sians in joint pilgrimage Activity marks 50th year of Jesuit parishes „ Page 11 Pope Benedict XVI waves from his popemobile as he arrives to celebrate the closing Mass of World Youth Day. CNS photos

WORLD Pope condemns Nigeria attacks Tells terrorists to stop violence „ Page 13

COMMENTARY Sacred liturgy in the digital age Should digital formats replace printed texts? Young people brave strong winds and rain during the WYD vigil.

„ Page 19

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Sunday September 4, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Migrants’ training centre to move to Nativity Church Sr Theresa Seow and members of Singapore’s Inter-Religious Organisation visit Archbishop Chia. Photo: AHMED AL-ATTAS

Present premises rundown and costly to maintain

IRO members visit archbishop in hospital Members of the Inter-Religious Organisation visited Archbishop Nicholas Chia in Mount Alvernia Hospital after he fractured his ankle. 7KH\ EURXJKW KLP Ă€RZHUV DQG FRQYH\HG WKHLU ZLVKHV IRU D speedy recovery, said Canossian 6U 7KHUHVD 6HRZ ZKR DFFRPSDnied the visitors. They also “asked if they could offer a minute of prayer in silence and the archbishop gladly accepted,â€? Sr Theresa WROG &DWKROLF1HZV $UFKELVKRS &KLD ZDV ÂłYHU\ happy and ... cheerfulâ€? during the 15-minute visit on Aug 21 and

“stressed the importance of harmony and friendshipâ€?. “He mentioned that it is important to count [one’s] blessings everyday and though he had a fall, LW FRXOG KDYH EHHQ ZRUVH ´ 6U 7KHresa said. According to her, the YLVLW ZDV D ÂłPHHWLQJ ZLWK VRPH IULHQGV ZKRP WKH DUFKELVKRS NQHZ IRU D JRRG QXPEHU RI \HDUV´ Archdiocesan communications director Joan O’Reilly Fix said on Aug 20 that the archbishop sustained a “mild fractureâ€? of the ankle after he fell the previous day. “Doctors say that he may not require surgery,â€? she said. „

Domestic workers, who graduated from courses run by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, throw confetti in celebration on Aug 21.

By Darren Boon

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Sep 05 Church of the Risen Christ: Mass – Commissioning - LISS Sep 07 Cathedral of the Good Shepherd: Mass – 90th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary Sep 10 Church of St Bernadette: Mass – Vocation Retreat Sep 11 Church of the Holy Cross: Mass – Feastday Church of the Nativity of the BVM: Mass – Feastday Sep 14 NTU: Mass – Commissioning of NTU CSA Sep 17 FMM Chapel: Mass – 60th Anniversary of Sr Anastasie Hao FMM

The migrants commission’s trainLQJ FHQWUH ZLOO UHORFDWH WR 1DWLYLW\ Church for three years as the organisation looks for larger premises. The move, to take place later WKLV \HDU LV EHFDXVH RI WKH UXQGRZQ state of the present centre and its high cost of maintenance, said the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI). The centre for foreign domesWLF ZRUNHUV LV FXUUHQWO\ KRXVHG DW the former St Joseph’s Convent at Hillside Drive, near to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The organisation had looked at several locations before deciding on the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, DV $&0, ZDQWHG D SODFH QHDU LWV present location. +RZHYHU WKH UHORFDWLRQ ZRXOG PHDQ VPDOOHU SUHPLVHV ,Q YLHZ RI this, ACMI plans to space classes DW WKH QHZ FHQWUH RYHU WZR WHUPV in a year instead of having a single nine-month-long term. ACMI executive director JerHP\ .KRR WROG &DWKROLF1HZV LW LV not cost effective to rent commercial space on a daily basis as the centre is used mostly on Sundays. +H ZDV VSHDNLQJ RQ WKH VLGHlines of the 10th anniversary celebration of the ACMI Training Centre on Aug 21. The event, held at Immaculate +HDUW RI 0DU\ &KXUFK VDZ PLJUDQW ZRUNHUV JUDGXDWLQJ IURP courses. Cooking, baking, dressmaking, hairdressing, caregiving, EHDXW\ DQG ZHOOQHVV VPDOO EXVL-

ness enterprise, computer and lanJXDJH FRXUVHV ZLOO VWLOO EH RIIHUHG depending on demand, said ACMI. Nativity Church has also alORZHG $&0, WR XVH FDWHFKLVP FODVVURRPV LQ DGGLWLRQ WR ÂżYH rooms the commission had conYHUWHG IURP ZKDW XVHG WR EH D KDOO ACMI also gave an update of its other initiatives. Its soup kitchHQ IRU IRUHLJQ ZRUNHUV KDV EHHQ UHplaced by a “bread basketâ€? service. The need for food packets diPLQLVKHG DV IRUHLJQ ZRUNHUV PRYHG into dormitories that have canteens and provision stores. A permit is

A computer assembly class.

also needed to serve food to them, said ACMI chairman Mark Goh. :KDW $&0, GRHV QRZ LV GLVtribute provisions such as tinned food, rice, instant noodles, biscuits, and toiletries to foreign FRQVWUXFWLRQ ZRUNHUV 7KH FRPmission distributes 1,000 packets WR GRUPLWRULHV D IHZ WLPHV D \HDU thanks to the generosity of donors. 0HDQZKLOH $&0, FRXUVH JUDGXDWHV WROG &DWKROLF1HZV WKH\ IRXQG the lessons useful as they are able WR DFTXLUH VNLOOV ZKLFK FRXOG SURYH

XVHIXO ZKHQ WKH\ UHWXUQ KRPH Filipina Ma Helen P Odquier, ZKR WRRN D KDLUGUHVVLQJ FRXUVH said she hopes to start a business ZKHQ VKH UHWXUQV KRPH RU WKH very least, be able to do her children’s hair. She also intends to take other courses such as dressmaking. She said the teachers are patient and give their best. 0V 0LUD DQ HPSOR\HU ZKR DFFRPSDQLHG KHU GRPHVWLF ZRUNHU to the graduation ceremony, said she is happy to see her helper complete her course. “It’s better for them to come and learn something than spend time idling,� she said, adding that she encouraged HPSOR\HUV WR DOORZ WKHLU GRPHVWLF ZRUNHUV WR DWWHQG VXFK FODVVHV ACMI training programme coordinator Connie Fong said courses such as cooking, hairdressing, DQG EHDXW\ DQG ZHOOQHVV DUH SRSXODU +RZHYHU WKHUH LV QRZ D UHDO QHHG IRU (QJOLVK WUDLQLQJ ZLWK WKH increase in Indonesian and MyanPDU GRPHVWLF ZRUNHUV According to ACMI, its goal is IRU GRPHVWLF ZRUNHUV WR EH DEOH WR VWDUW WKHLU RZQ EXVLQHVV ZLWK WKHLU VDYLQJV ZKHQ WKH\ UHWXUQ KRPH ACMI also conducts English and Mandarin classes for foreign spouses from China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The centre has trained over VWXGHQWV $&0, DOVR ZHOcomes volunteer trainers. „ Registration for classes at the new premises begins on Nov 13. Classes start on Dec 18. For more information, call 6280 5424 or email general@acmi.org.sg darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 4, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Bernard Chen steps down as ACCS chairman By Don Gurugay After being at the helm of Catholic education for more than 10 years, Mr Bernard Chen is stepping down as chairman of the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS). The former Minister of State for Defence chaired the Catholic Education Task Force subcommittee in 1996, then the more formalised Catholic Education Council which started in 1998. He was chairman of ACCS from 2004 till August this year. His successor is Prof Tan Cheng Han, dean of the Law faculty, National University of Singapore. “It’s time to hand over to a younger person and I think we have found a man with the passion and knowledge,â€? said Mr Chen. “Catholic Education is a ‘trinity’ – collaboration between the Church, schools and the parents. Under my watch we tried to reach out to the schools and churches. “Some schools assume it is the sole responsibility of the Church for the child’s religious education and some churches assume it is the responsibility of the schools WR GR VR ,W LV VRPHWLPHV GLIÂżFXOW to change mind sets,â€? he said. “It is critical to bring all partners to-

Performers at the Project Intan concert on Aug 21. Photo: BOB LEE

Mr Bernard Chen (left) has passed on the chairmanship to Prof Tan Cheng Han (right).

Peranakan initiative raises funds for children’s centre

gether. Not quite enough was done in this area although we achieved a certain degree of success.â€? Prominent Church people praised Mr Chen’s dedication. “Mr Chen did all in his power to promote all that would strengthen the growth of a truly Catholic education,â€? said ACCS member Sr Maria Lau, who was with the Catholic Education Council. “His deep faith and spirit of hope allowed him to transcend GLIÂżFXOWLHV +LV VWURQJ VHQVH RI purpose, perseverance and reliance on the guidance of God, gave him the courage to move forward,

Teachers and students of Mandeville Music School recently donned Peranakan attire and put on a special concert in aid of children suffering from cancer. The performance was held at The Intan, a Peranakan museum in Joo Chiat, on Aug 21. The event was part of Project Intan, a yearly fundraising effort by Peranakan antique collector Alvin Yapp. Dr Yeoh Joo Seang, chairperson of ARC Children’s Centre, WKH EHQH¿FLDU\ RI WKLV \HDUœV FKDUity drive, attended the concert together with about 80 people.

FRQÂżGHQW WKDW WKH JRRG ZRUN EHgun will continue to bear fruit.â€? Archbishop Nicholas Chia said, “As a devout Catholic he has contributed much to the vision and mission of our Catholic education ... We warmly welcome Prof Tan Cheng Han who has generously accepted to take the place of Mr Chen and we look forward to his contributions to ACCS.â€? Prof Tan also noted that Mr Chen “has been a pillarâ€? in ACCS and its predecessors. “An enormous amount has been achieved under his stewardship and he has OHIW ELJ VKRHV WR ÂżOO ´ KH VDLG „

According to Mr Yapp, about $30,000 was raised to build a multi-sensory room for the centre, which would provide a therapeutic atmosphere for the children to have fun. Mr Yapp started Project Intan in 2007, and has raised funds for Assisi Hospice previously. The Holy Family Church parishioner, who plays the violin at Blessed Sacrament Church, says he organises these fundraising events “to give back to our community and honour and respect our heritage and identity�. „

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Sunday September 4, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Haven for people with special needs Faith and Light Singapore supports people with intellectual disabilities and their families By Darren Boon People with intellectual disabilities and their families say they are grateful for the much needed support a community has been providing them. The Faith and Light Singapore community, established in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in 2001, serves about 20 people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The disabilities include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. Mrs Tan (not her real name), says her 16-year-old son enjoys the community’s activities and experiences love and acceptance WKHUH VRPHWKLQJ GLI¿FXOW WR H[SHrience elsewhere as people tend to view him differently. At Faith and Light activities, the trained volunteers and friends are able to communicate with him, something even his own relatives ¿QG FKDOOHQJLQJ DW WLPHV VKH VDLG Ms Rose Mary Alexander said when her husband died a few years ago, the community helped her and her son, Max, through ¿QDQFLDO DVVLVWDQFH SUD\HUV DQG

fellowship. Thanks to the community, Max, 34, now takes an interest in prayer and spiritual songs, she said. He would also volunteer to lead prayers by emulating the other adult prayer leaders. Faith and Light International started in 1971 when founders Jean Vanier and Marie-Helene Mathieu learned of a family who was discouraged from joining a pilgrimage to Lourdes because of their two special-needs sons. Mr Vanier and Ms Mathieu then decided to organise a mass pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1971 for more than 12,000 people with special needs. Communities were formed and there are now 1,648 such communities in 79 countries. The Singapore community meets monthly “to celebrate the

A camp organised by the Faith and Light community.

gift of one another� within their own districts. Sessions are kept small and attended by those with special needs, their families and people who accompany the family spiritually. The latter also keep in touch with the families regularly outside of these meetings. Sessions are lively and focused on activities such as songs and performances. Spiritual input, in the form of prayer, mimes and skits, help connect the “special person� to God. The activities create a sense of belonging for the “special person�, said Faith and Light Singapore West District Coordinator Gerry Szeto. These “special people� look forward to the meetings as they know are they going to a place

Bowling event to raise funds for a pilgrimage next year.

where people are familiar to them, a place of welcome, said Ms Szeto. Whatever little contribution WKH\ JLYH LV DIÂżUPHG VKH DGGHG Members agree wholeheartedly. Max says he enjoys the community activities as he gets to make friends. Jessica, 21, says the activities are fun, plus she gets to meet all her friends and “learn a lot of new thingsâ€?. Parents receive support from one another as well. “Many parents face a lot of rejection from [society] and many are trying to ... come to terms with why they were given a ‘special person’,â€? said Ms Szeto. One woman’s colleagues even asked why she had not aborted her child. Through the community, the parent knows she is supported in her decision not to do so, said Ms Szeto. Apart from monthly meetings, the community also organises outdoor activities, excursions, Masses and camps. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Group plans pilgrimage to Johor The Faith and Light Community Singapore is raising funds to help its members go on a pilgrimage next February. Local branches of the international community have been encouraged to go on pilgrimages as part of the worldwide group’s 40th anniversary celebrations. The Faith and Light communities of Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines are organising a pilgrimage to Majodi, Johor. Members with special needs would go free while their families would be subsidised. Faith and Light Singapore West District Coordinator Gerry Szeto said the pilgrimage would give those with special needs a sense of belonging and the knowledge that “they have a place in society and Church�. It is also a time for family members to spend quality time and bond with one another. Through the joy they experience, they would then be able to “go out to the world and proclaim that God loves them and ... has a special place for them in His heart�, she said. Ms Szeto added that she hopes other families who have members with special needs could also join the group’s pilgrimage or activities, so they would be able to receive support and know that they are not alone. Fundraising for the pilgrimage has already begun with a bowling event in July. A dinner will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church on Oct 10. Tickets cost $50 per person. For details, contact Gerry Szeto (9181 7763) or Magdalene Yip (9621 5183), or email faith.lightsingapore@ gmail.com. „

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Sunday September 4, 2011 CatholicNews

Reconciliation session moves St Mike’s youths Memorable and inspiring. This was how young parishioners of the Church of St Michael described a youth gathering they attended, held as part of a parish mission conducted by the Redemptorists. “It was very inspiring to see the hunger that the youth have for God,” said Gabriel Sng, 18. “The most memorable part of the gathering was the reconciliation time, seeing so many youths seek healing by the Spirit.” “It was an unspoken sense of unity for the youths that day,” remarked 23-year-old Charlene Sng (not related to Gabriel). “There were many memorable experiences for me but what called out to me most was the praise and worship session where it made me feel one with God and everyone there, and the reconciliation and healing session.” The two young people were among some 130 who attended the Aug 20 youth gathering, held as part of the parish’s golden jubilee celebrations, leading up to its feast day celebration on Sept 25. The gathering featured sharings from parents, praise and worship, and a healing session con-

Young people at the special youth gathering organised by the Church of St Michael.

ducted by Fr Simon Pereira. Many people said they were touched by the healing and reconciliation session in which the youths were encouraged to seek forgiveness from their parents. Parents like Sam and Janice Hong said they were moved when their son came up to them, and said “sorry”. “That moment of embrace ¿OOHG WKH JDSV LQ RXU KXPDQ ZHDNness and gave me the awesome feeling of oneness,” one of the parents shared. One youth remarked, “We should never take our family members for granted.”

Obviously pleased with the outcome of the youth gathering, parish priest Fr Peter Tan commented, “I encourage St Michael’s youth to take greater ownership of the community and to be more open to God’s call to serve Him.” As part of the parish’s celebrations, home visits and group Masses were held starting from July 18. These will culminate in a nine-day preached mission ending on the parish feast day. The parish mission aims to renew the faith of parishioners, create a sense of belonging and form Neighbourhood Christian Communities.

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Sunday September 11, 2011 CatholicNews

Serving underprivileged children for 70 years Former residents and staff of Canossaville Children’s Home share their memories

Nun working with boys in the home during the early years.

By Darren Boon A former resident of what is now Canossaville Children’s Home remembers it as “a home of love”, where residents were one big family – sharing, playing and praying together. There, orphans and abandoned children not only received meals and clothing, but also love, discipline and life skills, recalled Mr Tony Tay. The lessons he learned during his childhood years there obviously paid off. Mr Tay, 64, now not only runs printing and insurance businesses, he also started Willing

Hearts, an organisation that provides free meals to the poor. On Aug 20, the home, started by the Canossian nuns, celebrated its 70th year with a Mass and concert. Mr Jerome Cheok, another former resident, took part in the celebration and taught present residents there a hip-hop dance. He said he hopes to do something for the home by teaching residents what he learnt because “he wouldn’t be where he is today if not for the home”. Sr Elizabeth Law, who headed the orphanage from the 1950s to 1970s, was one of the nuns who left a deep impression on

Above: The boys’ dormitory in the 1940s. Right: The present Canossaville Children’s Home. The home celebrated its 70th anniversary recently.

people like Mr Tay. Sr Elizabeth, now 92, told CatholicNews the children were quite unruly and required constant attention to prevent them from getting into trouble and accidents. ,W ZDV DOVR GLI¿FXOW WR JHW WKHP to study. She remembers one incident in which a boy ran away by climbing over the wall of the home. However, she attributed their behaviour to their longing for their parents, some of whom had abandoned them. She said she always hoped the children would grow up to become good people and not become gangsters. Other residents also painted a picture of the dedication of the nuns and how they experienced family and character building at Canossaville Children’s Home, which adopted this name in 1979. Dorothy Chua, 17, who was a former resident together with her two siblings, said they were able to study on their own at the home, thanks to the discipline. She has fond memories of her life there such as the morning scramble for toilets, sharing meals at the breakfast table, and getting into trouble together. “I don’t regret having to come here,” she beamed. She also describes Sr Rose Low, Residential Head from 1989 and Executive Director from 1996-2003 as someone who was strict but fun at the same time. Sr Rose admitted she had been strict. “I believe that I will

do them a disservice if I do not impart values to them. However I also believe that the children need to know that I needed to correct their misbehaviour,” she said. Sr Rose also worked with their parents as part of the children’s holistic formation and to help integrate them back into the family. The challenge, Sr Rose said, is “when the parents are not only ¿QDQFLDOO\ SRRU >EXW DOVR@ PRUDOO\ and emotionally deprived”. The Canossian nuns founded the home in 1941 under the late Fr Stephen Lee’s vision of starting an orphanage and private Chinese school to educate the poor. However, the Japanese invasion put a halt to the plans as the Sisters and orphans left for Bahau, Negri Sembilan. They lived there for two years until the Japanese surrender. The Sisters then returned with more than 150 orphans, and even more orphans joined the home. However, food scarcity forced the Sisters to focus on vegetable planting and chicken rearing rather than education at that time. The home grew over the years

with a new wing and various initiatives to help the underprivileged. These included a home for the handicapped (Fatima Home), a girls’ vocational training centre, Magdalene’s Kindergarten, before and after school care, and programmes for single parents and children from single parent homes. A centre was opened to help FKLOGUHQ ZLWK OHDUQLQJ GLI¿FXOWLHV In the 1990s, the Canossian Eduplex comprising Canossa Convent, Canossian School for the Hearing Impaired, Canossa Convent Primary School, Magdalene’s Kindergarten and Canossaville Children’s Home, was inaugurated to promote close FRRSHUDWLRQ DPRQJ WKH ¿YH VHFWRUV Today, the home offers residential care to girls six to 12 years old from family situations that may put them at risk. The Student Care Centre has 70 students with special needs. The nuns’ dedication is summed up by Mr Tay, who says that they “surrendered themselves to God” in caring for the children”. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Sunday September 11, 2011 CatholicNews

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Sunday September 11, 2011 CatholicNews

Teachers urged to have deep spirituality By Don Gurugay It is important for teachers to realise that they cannot continue to be good Catholic educators unless they have a “deep ... spiritual life”. “If we don’t, we’re just going to be swallowed up by the world in which we live,” Vicar General Msgr Eugene Vaz told some 300 teachers gathered for a Teachers’ Day Mass recently. The annual celebration, organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS), was held at St Joseph’s Institution International on Aug 27, ahead of Teachers’ Day, which falls on Sept 2. The archdiocesan event, which aimed to honour the dedication of Catholic teachers, had the theme, Your Word is a Fire Burning in my Heart. Msgr Vaz went on to say, “On Teachers’ Day we have to ask ourselves as Catholic educators, the way we are going on in our Catholic schools today, are we pleas-

ing to God or are we pleasing to someone else? Who are we serving? We have to be clear.” Msgr Vaz and Dominican Fr David Garcia concelebrated the Mass, held in the school chapel. After Mass, the educators were treated to a mini show at the SJI Hall. 7KH ¿UVW ZDV D SHUIRUPDQFH by the Holy Trinity Kindergarten children called Rhythm of the Earth, which included song, dance and percussion. The second was a skit on the day-to-day lives of teachers, performed by Walk on Water Productions, a Catholic theatre community. Participants said they enjoyed the celebration in their honour. “Mass was really special and the message delivered by Msgr Vaz was very good,” said Ms Angelina Wong, vice principal of CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel. “I enjoyed the whole event, especially the performances by the Holy Trinity Kindergarten as

Above: About 300 teachers attended the archdiocesan Teachers’ Day celebration on Aug 27. Right: Holy Trinity Kindergarten children entertain with Rhythm of the Earth, a song, dance and percussion performance.

well as the Walk on Water Productions,” said Mr Don Liew , a trainee teacher at the National Institute of Education. “I thought that was a very nice and meaningful way of expressing the joys of a teacher.” This was the fourth consecutive year that ACCS has organised the Teachers’ Day celebration.

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Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews Photos: GERARD GOH and SANDRA LOW

Young participants at the event held at the Church of the Divine Mercy.

East District Youth Day inspires young people By Charlene Siow and

‘I learnt that I have to take ownership of my faith.’

David Wong More than 650 youths gathered at the Church of the Divine Mercy to celebrate the East District Youth Day (EDYD), an event held every two years. This was the second ('<' KHOG IRU WKH &RQ¿UPDWLRQ 3 youths. Participants, helpers and orJDQLVHUV FDPH IURP DOO VL[ SDUishes in the east: Church of the Divine Mercy, Holy Trinity, Holy )DPLO\ 2XU /DG\ RI 3HUSHWXDO Succour, Queen of Peace and St Stephen. 7KH WKHPH IRU WKH $XJ event, Rooted in Christ, was based on this year’s World Youth 'D\ WKHPH ,W IRFXVHG RQ NQRZLQJ ZKDW LW PHDQV WR EH D 'LVFLSOH RI Christ. The evening rally started with D SOD\ E\ :DON RQ :DWHU 3URGXFWLRQV ZKLFK IRFXVHG RQ ¿QGLQJ one’s Christian identity. Following that was an input VHVVLRQ E\ ¿QDO \HDU VHPLQDULDQ %U 6DPXHO /LP ZKR UHLQIRUFHG WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI NQRZLQJ RQH¶V identity. Three youths then shared their

A play by Walk on Water Productions focused on ¿QGLQJ RQH¶V Christian identity.

– Stephanie Lee from Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace

Fr Lionel Thomas addressed issues affecting youths.

FRQYHUVLRQ H[SHULHQFHV DQG KRZ *RG WRXFKHG WKHP GHHSO\ 7KH\ also shared how they decided to stay rooted in Christ. The event ended with Mass by )U /LRQHO 7KRPDV IURP 0HODND Johor diocese. ,Q KLV KRPLO\ KH DGGUHVVHG PDQ\ UHDO OLIH LVVXHV DIIHFWLQJ youths today and focused on how to live as a disciple of Christ. He also captured the attention of the youths with his sense of huPRXU ³7KH HYHQW ZDV DZHVRPH DQG

, UHDOO\ HQMR\HG P\VHOI ´ VDLG 6WHSKDQLH /HH IURP &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 4XHHQ RI 3HDFH ³, OHDUQW WKDW , KDYH WR WDNH RZQHUVKLS RI P\ IDLWK DQG UHFRJQLVH WKDW *RG LV LQ PH DQG LQ HYHU\RQH , PHHW ´ ³7KH HYHQW PDGH PH UHÀHFW RQ ZKR , DP´ D VLQQHU ORYHG DQG called by God, said Michael GaEULHO 5DSKDHO IURP WKH &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ RI 3HUSHWXDO 6XFFRXU 7KH HYHQW DOVR KHOSHG KLP strengthen his “resolve to serve *RG ZLWK DOO P\ KHDUW´ KH DGGHG /\GLD 7HR IURP WKH &KXUFK RI 'LYLQH 0HUF\ UHPDUNHG ³, HQMR\HG WKLV \HDU¶V ('<' WKH PRVW HQMR\DEOH SDUW ZDV WKH KRPLO\ DV LW UHDOO\ LQVSLUHG PH ´ „

10 ASIA

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Vietnamese Church club helps former sex workers NHA TRANG, VIETNAM – A Church

association is helping sex workers and their children in the Vietnamese city of Nha Trang to start a new life. “We are deeply grateful to them for giving us an opportunity to start afresh and earn people’s respect,â€? says 41-year-old Vo Thi Thu, one RI WKH EHQHÂżFLDULHV RI WKH SURMHFW The association, known as the Hoa Bien (Sea Flower) Club gave Ms Thu three million dong (S$170) in 2009. Although she has little education and no other work experience, she was able to use the money to start a business selling fruit at a local market. “I have a 12-year-old daughter who was raped in our lodgings while I was away,â€? she says. “She’s been given medical treatPHQW LVVXHG ZLWK D ELUWK FHUWLÂżcate and she’s now supported by a local Catholic family. I’m so happy about that.â€? Ms Marie Nguyen Thi Phuc is a social worker who also leads the

Hoa Bien Club. “We have 20 club members and between us we provide the money for 30 former sex workers so they can set up small businesses for a living and escape from prostitution. “We also help the women to learn vocational skills and give them free health care,� she says. The coastal city of Nha Trang attracts a large number of tourists and has an estimated 3,000 women working in the sex trade. “Our volunteers go around local restaurants, bars and brothels and encourage prostitutes to leave them and give up that way of life,� says Ms Phuc. Thanks to funding from Family Health International, a USbased NGO, “we’re also able to give medical health and material support to the women’s children and look after them�. Ms Phuc says that “three of the former sex workers have converted to Catholicism�. „ UCANEWS.COM

Aid to North Korea well distributed: Caritas SEOUL – A humanitarian aid mon-

itoring delegation has returned from North Korea, where they say food delivered in July from the South has been well-distributed. Fr Simeon Lee Jong-keon, executive director of Caritas Corea, and Fr Baptist John Kim Hun-il, along with three other personnel visited North Korea from Aug 1013 to administer the delivery of WRQV RI ÀRXU The team oversaw distribution of the aid at one hospital and one of 18 day-care centres in Kangnam-gun county, Hwanghaebukdo province, where Caritas Corea ,QWHUQDWLRQDO VHQW WRQV RI ÀRXU Fr Kim, executive secretary of the Subcommittee for Aid to North Korea under the Korean Bishops’ Conference’s Committee for Reconciliation, said more aid was urgently needed in the

North and that monitoring needed to be more focused in some areas. South Korea has been reluctant to send government-level aid north despite the recent lifting of a ban on such aid following Pyongyang’s attack last year of Yeonpyeong island, which killed 50. Fr Kim said that transparency in the distribution of aid has been a PDMRU FRQFHUQ IRU 6RXWK .RUHD DQG the international community, which fears that goods would be given to the army instead of those in need. He added that North Korean RI¿FLDOV DFFHSWHG WKH GHPDQG IRU monitoring for the most recent aid distribution but have complained that the process was too strict. 6RXWK .RUHDœV 8QL¿FDWLRQ 0LQistry gave its approval for the Caritas aid but required the submission of video clips and documentation of the aid distributed. „ UCANEWS.COM

HK protesters stress balanced growth as Chinese politician visits HONG KONG – Hong Kong diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) has warned that progress in China should not solely focus on economic prosperity, but also on more balanced social development. Democracy, upholding the rule of law, and human rights, are the greatest safeguards for providing stability for the nation, including Hong Kong, it said in a petition letter. The commission also said a recent deadly train accident highOLJKWHG MXVW KRZ PXFK WKH ZRUOGÂśV second largest economy is blindly pursuing economic development. The JPC wanted to present the letter to China’s vice-premier, Mr Li Keqiang, on the last day of his Aug 16-18 visit to Hong Kong Âą KLV ÂżUVW WR WKH IRUPHU %ULWLVK colony – but were unable to do so because of heavy security. The 56-year-old is tipped to be the next premier after next year’s 18th Party Congress. Police were out in force as Mr Li attended the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong government’s new headquarters on Aug 18. Protesters staged a demonstration on a footbridge on the route leading to the building, but could only watch as his motorcade passed beneath them. “Li pretends to be amicable

Hong Kong Catholics march to the government headquarters to hand a petition to Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang. Photo: UCANEWS.COM

and cordial, but he dares not listen to any voice of opposition,� one protester said. Members of the JPC, who had MRLQHG DURXQG SURWHVWHUV IURP other pro-democracy and rights groups, read out the letter which GHQRXQFHG RI¿FLDO UHVWULFWLRQV RQ several Church people, including foreign missionaries who have been refused entry to the mainland without any explanation. ,W DOVR GHPDQGHG WKDW %HLMLQJ respect religious freedom, cease ordaining illegitimate bishops, and release detained clergy and dissidents.

People who criticise social issues are punished heavily, and Christians have been put under house arrest, tortured or have disappeared because of their faith, it said. )U )UDQFR 0HOOD RQH RI ÂżYH priests denied entry to mainland China recently, said it would have been better if Mr Li had shown more concern for ordinary people during his visit. “But Li chose to meet those with money and power and visited the middle class. He is only concerned about the economy,â€? the Italian said. „ UCANEWS.COM

Philippine Church doubts new talks will emerge on birth control measure MANILA – The Philippine Catho-

lic Church says the possibility of further talks with the government over birth control are almost zero after President Benigno Aquino made a controversial reproductive health bill a priority measure. “I think the chances [of dialogue] are very slim because [Aquino] himself slammed the door shut with this [decision],â€? Fr Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Philippine bishops’ Commission on Family and Life, told the Asian Church news agency UCA News. Mr Aquino said on Aug 16 he wanted “expeditious actionâ€? on the priority measures he submitted to Congress, including the reproductive health bill. The bill would require the government to provide information on family planning options, provide contraceptives free of charge and introduce reproductive health and sexuality classes in schools. Catholic leaders are opposed to the bill. Prior to its introducWLRQ &DWKROLF RIÂżFLDOV PHW ZLWK Mr Aquino and his aides, but cut off meetings in May when Mr

the chances ‘[ofI think dialogue] are very slim because [Aquino] himself slammed the door shut.

’

– Fr Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Philippine bishops’ Commission on Family and Life

Mr Aquino said he wanted ‘expeditious action’ on a controversial reproductive health bill.

Aquino refused to budge on the bill’s provisions. “This is very painful because he said in his [state of the nation address] that he wants dialogue with us and even lauded some Catholic Church leaders,� Fr Castro said. “It seems he didn’t really want dialogue, and this proves it.�

Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, president-elect of the bishops’ conference, expressed dismay at Aquino’s decision. “I am saddened that the RH [reproductive health] bill is one of the priorities submitted in Congress,� the prelate said. “I personally would like to exhort the many people who believe in the cause of the Lord, the values that the Gospel preaches and the stand that we have been defending these months to rally to this cause,� he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 11

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Parishioners of the churches of St Ignatius (Singapore) and St Francis Xavier (Petaling Jaya) preparing to attend Mass within the ruins of St Paul’s Church in Malacca.

S’pore, M’sian Catholics make joint pilgrimage By Regina Quek SINGAPORE – Parishioners from

two Jesuit-founded churches in Malaysia and Singapore made a joint pilgrimage to Malacca recently to mark their churches’ 50th anniversary Parishioners of the churches of St Ignatius (Singapore) and St Francis Xavier (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia), visited the Malaysian town on Aug 20-21 for a weekend of celebration, fellowship and prayer. Their churches were founded by Irish Jesuit missionaries. Malacca was chosen as the destination because although St Ignatius of Loyola never came to Asia, his good friend and cofounder of his order, St Francis ;DYLHU YLVLWHG 0DODFFD ¿YH WLPHV – from 1545 till his death in 1552. In fact, when St Francis Xavier died on Dec 3, 1552, his incor-

Parishioners of two Jesuit-run parishes marked their churches’ golden jubilee with a pilgrimage to Malacca. rupt body was temporarily buried in Malacca on March 22, 1553 EHIRUH KH ZDV ¿QDOO\ ODLG WR UHVW in Goa, India. An open grave in St Paul’s Church in Malacca now marks the site of his burial. In preparation for this pilgrimage, parishioners of St Ignatius Church gathered the weekend beIRUH IRU DQ DIWHUQRRQ RI UHÀHFWLRQ and contemplation on the life of their patron saint. In the early hours of Aug 20, about 145 parishioners from St

Ignatius left for Malacca, accompanied by parish priest Fr Philip Heng and Fr Colin Tan, Jesuit Regional Superior for Singapore and Malaysia. Upon arrival, the group celebrated Mass at St Francis Xavier Institution’s chapel (1880). After lunch, pilgrims from both churches took part in a treasure hunt, Amazing-Race style, through Malacca’s heritage trail. During dinner, the pilgrims paid tribute to the Jesuits who had served in Malaysia and Singapore for the past 50 years. The highlight of the pilgrimage was Sunday Mass celebrated within the ruins of the famous St Paul’s Church on top of St Paul’s Hill. Jesuit Bishop Paul Tan of Melaka-Johor diocese, Fr Simon Yong from the Church of St Francis Xavier, Fr Philip Heng, and Fr Colin Tan celebrated the Mass. „

12 ASIA

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Christians see Aung San Suu Kyi in ‘mediator’ role YANGON – An independent and

PDLQ DQRQ\PRXV DOVR VDLG DQ well respected mediator is needed apparent thawing in relations beto help bring to an end to ethnic WZHHQ 6XX .\L DQG WKH QHZ FLYLOFRQÀLFW LQ ERUGHU UHJLRQV DURXQG LDQ JRYHUQPHQW FRXOG PDNH WKLV WKH FRXQWU\ DFFRUGLQJ WR 0\DQ- SRVVLEOH PDU &KULVWLDQ FOHUJ\PHQ $ &KXUFK RI¿FLDO IURP 0DZ0DQ\ VHH IUHHG RSSRVLWLRQ ODP\LQH ZKR DOVR ZLVKHG WR UHOHDGHU $XQJ 6DQ 6XX .\L DV WKH PDLQ DQRQ\PRXV VDLG ³,I WKH LGHDO FDQGLGDWH IRU government and WKH MRE DIWHU VKH SXW DUPHG HWKQLF JURXSV WKH LGHD IRUZDUG UHmeet and negotiate FHQWO\ LQ D OHWWHU WR with good intentions 3UHVLGHQW 7KHLQ 6HLQ DQG VLQFHULW\ UHFRQTheir comments ciliation can be acFRPH DIWHU WKH 0\FRPSOLVKHG ´ anmar government 7KH &KXUFK RIextended an olive ¿FLDO VDLG UHFHQW branch to ethnic arstatements and acmies to end ongoing WLRQV IURP WKH JRY¿JKWLQJ LQ ERUGHU DUernment have been HDV OLNH .DFKLQ VWDWH HQFRXUDJLQJ The government A Protestant VDLG LW ZRXOG OLNH WR &KXUFK OHDGHU VDLG negotiate with each Christian leaders say Aung VLQFHULW\ IURP DOO DUP\ RQ D RQH WR San Suu Kyi could help SDUWLHV ZRXOG EH RQH EDVLV +RZHYHU bring peace to Myanmar. vital to the negoWKH DUPHG JURXSV WLDWLRQV 7KLV ZRXOG VDLG WKH\ SUHIHUUHG WKDW WKH\ DOO EH PHDQ WKH PHGLDWRU ZRXOG DOVR LQFOXGHG WRJHWKHU KDYH WR EH VRPHRQH ZKR FRXOG VHW ³6XX .\L LV WKH ULJKW SHUVRQ DV DQ H[DPSOH WR WKH RWKHUV she has good standing in the inter)RU KLP 6XX .\L ZRXOG EH WKH QDWLRQDO FRPPXQLW\´ DQG LV ZHOO LGHDO FKRLFH DV VKH XQGHUVWDQGV WKH UHVSHFWHG ZLWKLQ 0\DQPDU VDLG D LVVXHV VKH KDV D KLJK SUR¿OH DQG &DWKROLF SULHVW KHU VLQFHULW\ DQG LQWHJULW\ DUH UHF7KH SULHVW ZKR ZLVKHG WR UH- RJQLVHG XQLYHUVDOO\ „ UCANEWS.COM

Church groups backed hunger striker’s cause NEW DELHI – &KXUFK JURXSV LQ

7KH 1DWLRQDO &RXQFLO RI ,QGLD KDG ZHLJKHG LQ RQ WKH DQWL &KXUFKHV LQ ,QGLD WKH ERG\ WKDW FRUUXSWLRQ PRYHPHQW OHG E\ DQ represents Protestant and OrthoDJLQJ ULJKWV DFWLYLVW GR[ &KXUFKHV VDLG WKH FXUUHQW XS3HDVDQWV VWXGHQWV SURIHVVLRQ- ULVLQJ LV WKH UHVXOW RI D IDLOXUH E\ DOV DQG H[HFXWLYHV IURP DFURVV WKH GHPRFUDWLF LQVWLWXWLRQV WR WDFNOH FRXQWU\ WRRN WR WKH VWUHHWV WR VXS- UDPSDQW FRUUXSWLRQ SRUW \HDU ROG $QQD +D]DUH¶V 7KH JURXS XUJHG WKH JRYHUQKXQJHU VWULNH WR IRUFH ment to heed the the government to SHRSOH DQG LQWURGXFH pass a stricter law ODZV DQG V\VWHPV WR DJDLQVW FRUUXSWLRQ HQVXUH JRRG JRYHUQ6XFK RXWSRXULQJ DQFH DQG WKH ZHOIDUH RI SRSXODU VXSSRUW LV RI DOO VHFWLRQV HV³D UH DZDNHQLQJ RI SHFLDOO\ ORZHU FDVWH WKH PRUDO FRQVFLRXVDQG WULEDO JURXSV QHVV RI RXU QDWLRQ´ +RZHYHU WKH the Evangelical Fel&DWKROLF %LVKRSV¶ ORZVKLS RI ,QGLD &RQIHUHQFH RI ,Q (), VDLG LQ D VWDWHGLD GLVWDQFHG LWVHOI PHQW RQ $XJ IURP WKH +D]DUH &RUUXSWLRQ KDV FDPSDLJQ VD\LQJ entered into all ar- Mr Anna Hazare WKH &KXUFK FDQQRW HDV PDNLQJ RUGLQDU\ endorse attempts to ,QGLDQV VXIIHU ³ZLWK D GHHS VHQVH XQGHUPLQH SDUOLDPHQWDU\ GHPRFRI GHVSHUDWLRQ´ WKH (), VWDWHPHQW UDF\ VDLG ³,W LV WUDJLF ZKHQ SHRSOH UH0U +D]DUH ZDQWHG WKH SULPH JDUG KRQHVW\ WUXWK DQG LQWHJULW\ PLQLVWHU DQG VHQLRU MXGJHV WR EH DV QHJRWLDEOH YDOXHV ´ VXEMHFW WR WKH /RNSDO D ERG\ RI 7KH (), VWDWHPHQW DOVR H[- RPEXGVPHQ WDVNHG ZLWK PRQLWRUSUHVVHG UHJUHW WKDW WKH ZRUVW DIIHFW- LQJ FRUUXSWLRQ 2Q $XJ WKH HG E\ FRUUXSWLRQ DUH FRPPRQ SHR- government embraced his three SOH HVSHFLDOO\ ZRPHQ WULEDO SHRSOH NH\ GHPDQGV +D]DUH HQGHG KLV WKH SRRU DQG PLQRULW\ FRPPXQLWLHV IDVW WKH QH[W GD\ „ UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 13

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Pope asks Nigerian terrorists to stop violence VATICAN CITY – In the wake of

a deadly suicide bomb attack on 81 RIÂżFHV LQ 1LJHULD 3RSH %HQedict XVI made an urgent appeal for terrorists to renounce violence, choose dialogue and have respect for human life. In two identically worded telegrams – one to UN Secretary*HQHUDO %DQ .L PRRQ DQG RQH to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan – the pope appealed “to those who choose death and violence to embrace, instead, life and respectful dialogueâ€?. The telegrams, written by the Vatican secretary of state, CardiQDO 7DUFLVLR %HUWRQH RQ EHKDOI RI the pope, were released to journalists by the Vatican on Aug 27, the day after the attack. The pope “was distressed to learn of the terrorist attack upon WKH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV RIÂżFHV LQ Abuja and of the terrible loss of life among both local citizens and United Nations’ personnel,â€? the telegrams said. An attacker drove a car laden with explosives through security gates and into the UN complex, leaving at least 23 people dead and 81 others wounded. The pope said his prayers were with all those who were killed in the attack and asked that mourners and the injured be blessed with “courage and strengthâ€?. A radical Islamic sect from QRUWKHUQ 1LJHULD %RNR +DUDP claimed responsibility for the at-

tack. The group claims it wants to see Shariah, or Islamic law, applied more widely in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has EHHQ ¿JKWLQJ WKH WHUURULVW JURXS which has carried out a number of assassinations and bombings, including against Muslim and Christian places of worship. St Patrick’s Cathedral in Maiduguri was damaged in an attack in June.

0DQ LQMXUHG LQ VXLFLGH ERPE DWWDFN RQ 81 KHDGTXDUWHUV LQ $EXMD

Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja told Fides news agency that the latest attack “causes deep concern�. “We do not know what these people intend to do, and I ask myself which forces are behind these events. We also expect an appropriate response from the government to stop this violence,� the archbishop told the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples on Aug 27. „ CNS

‘Cradle Catholics haven’t evangelised enough’ VATICAN CITY – Cradle Catholics

have not done enough to show people that God exists and can EULQJ WUXH IXOÂżOPHQW WR HYHU\RQH 3RSH %HQHGLFW ;9, WROG D JURXS of his former students. “We, who have been able to know [Christ] since our youth, may we ask forgiveness because we bring so little of the light of His face to people,â€? the pope said. The pope presided at a Mass on Aug 28 in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, during his annual meeting with students who did their doctorates with him when he was a professor in Germany. The Vatican released the text of the pope’s remarks on Aug 29. 3RSH %HQHGLFW KLJKOLJKWHG the day’s reading in Psalm 63 in which the soul thirsts for God. He noted that it is up to Christians to make God known to the world, and older generations may not have done their best. “We want to ask [God] to forgive us, that He renew us with the living water of His spirit and that He helps us to celebrate properly

JRS assisting Africans stricken by food crisis

the sacred mysteries,â€? he said. The closed-door Aug 25-28 seminar held in the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, focused on the new evangelisation. Forty people attended, reported L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper. Summarising the discussions for the paper, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna said participants felt the recent World Youth Day represented a fresh “boost of renewed hopeâ€? for the Church. He said older generations have VXIIHUHG E\ ÂżUVW OLYLQJ WKHLU IDLWK DW a time when Church life was thriving, and today they are watching parishes lose many parishioners. %XW WRGD\ÂśV \RXQJ &DWKROLFV seem to realise they are a minority in a secular, relativistic world and have shown their “undaunted willingness to give witness to their peers in such an environmentâ€?. Seminar participants saw the VR FDOOHG Âł-RKQ 3DXO ,, DQG %HQedict XVI generationsâ€? as a whole new phase for the Church, said the cardinal. „ CNS

5HIXJHH VKHOWHUV DW WKH WUDQVLW FHQWUH LQ 'ROOR $GR ZKHUH UHIXJHHV DUH GRFXPHQWHG EHIRUH HQWHULQJ FDPSV Photo: ANGELIKA MENDES/JRS

By Venessa Lee Children vastly outnumber adults in some of the refugee camps in the Horn of Africa, where a prolonged drought is causing a severe food crisis. In the camps in the Dollo Ado district in Ethiopia, there are almost 120,000 refugees, most of whom came from neighbouring Somalia in search of food and water. Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has provided information on the situation through reports and press releases. “More than 80 per cent of the refugee population are children below the age of 18,â€? said Fr FriGR 3Ă€XHJHU WKH GLUHFWRU RI -56 Eastern Africa. “It was one of the worst things I have seen in my life: All these little children in the desert ‌ the camps are like little towns, little towns full of children,â€? said Fr 3Ă€XHJHU ZKR YLVLWHG WKH DUHD LQ August. An estimated 12 million people are facing starvation in the Horn of Africa, a region that includes Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia, the worst-hit nation. There are more than 750,000 Somali refugees in Eastern Africa, mostly in Kenya and Ethiopia. In the four Dollo Ado camps in southeastern Ethiopia, single mothers with large families predominate. “The men are either dead or disappeared, or they remained in Somalia looking after the livestock, or have been recruited by al-Shabab or were not allowed to OHDYH WKH FRXQWU\ ´ VDLG )U 3Ă€X-

eger, referring to the al-Shabab militant group that controls parts of south and central Somalia. Very few aid agencies work in Somalia because of the dangers posed by al-Shabab, which has restricted access to famine victims. Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, a contributing factor to the food crisis. )U 3ÀXHJHU VDLG ³-56 WHDPV DUH DOVR ZHOFRPLQJ IDPLOLHV ÀHHing the forced recruitment of their children ‌ one 16-year-old boy

It was one of the ‘worst things I have seen in my life: All these little children in the desert.

’

Âą )U )ULGR 3Ă€XHJHU director of JRS Eastern Africa

had his hand amputated after he refused to join al-Shabab. “Other families have had to take longer routes to avoid alShabab, consequently their children die from hunger or face exploitation at the hands of people posing as good Samaritans.â€? In Kenya and Ethiopia, JRS Eastern Africa is assisting more than 16,000 refugees and asylum seekers by offering food items, HPHUJHQF\ DLG HGXFDWLRQDO Âżnancial and medical support, as well as training counsellors and mental health workers. In the Ethiopian capital of Ad-

dis Ababa, Idil, a 59-year-old Somali refugee, said: “I walked one month to reach Addis, my legs were swollen and I was too weak WR VSHDN ZKHQ , ÂżQDOO\ DUULYHG , had to leave my mother behind on the way, she was too old, she didn’t make it and I had to save my own life. Now I worry about her.â€? JRS Eastern Africa plans to start a project soon in the Dollo Ado camps. “There are children everywhere! And they have nothing to do. ‌. And what I found most astonishing: you greet them and they smile at you, friendly, and look at you with open eyes,â€? said )U 3Ă€XHJHU “Many of them need special treatment because they are malnourished. Some NGOs are already working very hard to make sure the children ‌ get fed. JRS has to act very soon, because it is our obligation to help the poorest of the poor. And I have seen them in these camps,â€? He emphasised the need for a longer-term response, in addition to ensuring emergency needs are met. “I think the best way to create a conducive environment for them is to build schools.‌ My impression is that the Somalis will stay in these camps [for a long time] ‌ it does not look like the situation in Somalia will improve soon. So it makes sense for us to provide education.â€? „ JRS is active in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit JRS Singapore’s website, www.jrssingapore.org

14 WORLD

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Aid agencies struggle to reach communities cut off by storm

(PHUJHQF\ PDQDJHPHQW RI¿FLDOV UHPRYH WUHHV IURP D URDG DIWHU +XUULFDQH ,UHQH KLW /RL]D 3XHUWR 5LFR RQ $XJ CNS photo SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Hurricane Irene left

widespread destruction in the Bahamas and elsewhere in the Caribbean, slowing the response of Church aid agencies to outlying communities. The massive storm pulled away from the Bahamas on late Aug 25, leaving the 700-island naWLRQ ZLWK Ă€RRGLQJ GRZQHG SRZHU lines and felled trees. Although there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, many communities were isolated because of EORFNHG RU Ă€RRGHG URDGV “This was an enormous storm. Even after it passed over the island, we were still feeling the effects, the rain and the wind, for days,â€? said Fr Enrique Camacho, director of Caritas Puerto Rico. The eye of the storm left Puerto Rico’s coast on Aug 22, but the island was still being battered by winds and heavy rains two days later, Fr Camacho said. “Because the storm was so large, it’s hard for us to know exactly how bad the damage is. We’re still assessing communities.

:KHQ ZH ÂżQG SHRSOH ZKR QHHG assistance, we respond with supplies, like food rations,â€? he said. 2IÂżFLDOO\ D IHZ KXQGUHG 3Xerto Ricans had taken refuge in government shelters, but Fr Camacho expected the number of displaced people to be higher. A Caritas Dominicana spokesman said the Church humanitarian agency had prepared emergency VXSSOLHV WR UHVSRQG WR WKH Ă€RRGLQJ and displacement and that it was attempting to reach communities most in need of assistance. Ms Cherry Araujo of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, which includes the Bahamas, told Catholic News Service, “We haven’t been able to contact partners in the Bahamas, but we understand that the damage was expected to be worse in the outlying islands. We’re waiting to evaluate the damage.â€? The country’s emergency workers told reporters that the full extent of the damage would not be NQRZQ IRU GD\V EXW WKDW Ă€RRGLQJ and damage was widespread. „ CNS

WORLD 15

Sunday September 11, 2011 CatholicNews

US Catholics brainstorm on Scripture CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA – There is a common misper-

ception that Catholics don’t read the Bible. Tell that to the more than 200 people from around the US who attended the Catholic Scripture Study International (CSSI) Bible Conference, and you’ll get a chuckle out of them. That’s because most of them spend countless hours leading or participating in CSSI Bible studies in their home parishes year after year. The three-day CSSI conference, held from Aug 5-7 in Charlotte, North Carolina, attracted people of all ages from more than 33 states. They met to talk about Sacred Scripture, learn about issues like sin, temptation and exorcism, and become more well-versed in apologetics. Ms Gail Buckley, founder and president of CSSI and a convert

to the Catholic faith, spoke on the topic of Typology in the Bible. Typology is Ms Buckley’s favourite way to study Scripture and focuses on the people, places, things and events in the Old Testament and how they foreshadow the New Testament. She summed up her commitment to Scripture study, stating, “If you don’t really know Jesus, how can you commit to Him? The way to know Him is through His Holy Word. The whole of Scripture is what we need to study.” Jesuit Fr Mitch Pacwa, worldrenowned biblical scholar who speaks 12 languages and appears regularly on the Eternal Word Global Catholic Network (EWTN) hosting both television and radio programmes, gave talks on Sin in the Bible and The Penitential Psalms. During both talks, Father

Pacwa educated participants on the intricacies of language in the Bible and God’s will for people’s lives. “God created us for the Truth,” said Fr Pacwa. “We want truth from others and for ourselves… We desire Truth.” Mr Patrick Madrid, publisher of Envoy Magazine and director of Envoy Institute at Belmont Abbey College since 2007, has EHHQ ZRUNLQJ LQ WKH ¿HOG RI ELEOLcal apologetics for more than 24 years and spoke on how to provide answers to common questions posed to Catholics using Sacred Scripture. “God gives us a great, powerful, necessary gift in Scripture,” Mr Madrid said. “The Church and the Magisterium are whom God entrusted with His teachings. As Catholics we have something that is unique and different: Sacred Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium.” CNA

16 WORLD

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

‘1 m people celebrating God is something’ „ Continued from page 1 The previous evening’s vigil had been a challenge. +RXUV DIWHU ÂżUHÂżJKWHUV GRXVHG overheated pilgrims with jets of water, the heavens drove wind and rain onto the more than 1 million participants camped at the airbase. But this did not dampen the spirits of the pilgrims, who sang and chanted all the louder for Pope Benedict XVI, who entered the airbase to cheers and applause. He told them to be proud of the gift of their faith and that they should “gather with others to deepen itâ€?. He asked the youths, during the Eucharistic adoration that followed, to “raise our minds and hearts to Jesus Christâ€? so He “may pour out His Spirit upon us and upon the whole Church, that we may be a beacon of freedom, reconciliation and peace for the whole worldâ€?. For Rachel Leghezza, 17, from the US, the WYD experience was “unworldlyâ€?. “You have these little connections with people from other countries where you just kind of click and you realise that you’re all here for the same reason, to rejoice and celebrate being Catholic,â€? she said. “Seeing over a million people in unison celebrating God is ... something to be seen.â€? Earlier that day, at the end of a Mass with some 6,000 seminarians from around the world, the pope announced he would soon proclaim St John of Avila, a 16thcentury Spanish saint, as the 34th doctor of the Church. Pope Benedict entrusted all the seminarians, as well as priests and bishops, to the intercession of St John, a master of spirituality and a renowned preacher. On Aug 19, 12 young people, FKRVHQ IURP WKH ÂżYH FRQWLQHQWV were privileged to have lunch with the pope. “It was like eating lunch with your family: your father and people you have been working with and really care about,â€? said Miss 0LFKHOOH +DWÂżHOG “It just came naturally,â€? said the American. Most of the conversation, she said, involved the young people telling the pope

Pilgrims carry the WYD cross during the Way of the Cross.

Priests hear confessions in some of the 200 temporary open-air confessionals.

about their lives and about the lives of young adults in their countries. A highlight of the WYD celebrations was the Way of the Cross that day. Many arrived hours early to stake out a place near the papal platform in Plaza de Cibeles or in front of one of the station-statues set up along a main street leading to the plaza. The meditations included prayers for the defence of human life, for peace in the Holy Land and other areas where there LV FRQĂ€LFW IRU YLFWLPV RI QDWXUDO

disasters, for the unemployed, for those who suffer racial discrimination or religious persecution, for those with alcohol or drug addictions, and for the victims of sexual abuse. A cross was carried from one station to another by young people from countries or situations where there is suffering. They included Iraqis, immigrants, recovering drug addicts, unemployed and people from Rwanda and Burundi. The theme for the WYD in Rio de Janeiro will be Go and Make Disciples of All Nations. „ „ Page 20: A S’porean shares his WYD experience

‘You have these little connections with people from other countries where you just kind of click and you realise that you’re all here for the same reason.’ 7ZHOYH \RXQJ SHRSOH FKRVHQ IURP WKH ÂżYH FRQWLQHQWV OXQFK ZLWK WKH SRSH

– Rachel Leghezza, 17

WORLD 17

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Franciscans in Tripoli barricaded as battle raged ROME – Some Catholic leaders

were holed up in Tripoli as the battle for control of the Libyan capital raged around them, said a Church source. Late on Aug 22, three Franciscan friars were barricaded in their home in a Tripoli neighbourhood, ZKHUH WKHUH ZDV KHDY\ ÂżJKWLQJ D source told Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. “No one dares to walk in the street because people are shot on sight, even if it is not clear who shoots whom. Of course, it is dangerous for civilians to leave the house,â€? said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. “Currently, the phone lines are cut and we cannot contact the friars,â€? the source said, but the last thing the friars said was that they could not leave the house because of the shooting nearby. The situation of the Catholic community in Benghazi is better and calmer, Fides reported on Aug 23. The Church continues its pastoral activities and “there have QRW EHHQ SDUWLFXODU GLIÂżFXOWLHV HQcountered with the new authoritiesâ€?, the source said. Earlier on Aug 22, a source told Fides that the situation on the streets was “a disasterâ€?. “We do not know how the situation is evolving because leaving the house means risking one’s life,â€? said the source. 7KH UHEHOV KDYH EHHQ ÂżJKWing to wrest power from dictator 0XDPPDU *DGGDÂż IRU DERXW VL[ months. They launched their offensive on the capital on Aug 19. “Many fear a bloodbath,â€? the

source said. “While part of the population has left town, many of those who have remainedâ€? are adopting a “wait and seeâ€? attitude. On Aug 22, the head of Libya’s rebel forces, claiming they KDG WDNHQ WKH FDSLWDO VDLG *DGGDÂż had tried to scare people by saying WKDW ,VODPLF H[WUHPLVWV ZHUH SDUW of the rebel movement. Mr Mustafa Abdel-Jalil called on all Libyans to respect the lives of others and urged the rebels to show they world that Libya is a country of “religiously moderateâ€? people.

/LE\DQV ZDYH ÀDJV QHDU WKH FRXUWKRXVH LQ %HQJKD]L DV WKH\ FHOHEUDWH WKH HQWU\ RI UHEHO ¿JKWHUV LQWR 7ULSROL CNS photo

,Q )HEUXDU\ D )UDQFLVFDQ priest who has worked in Libya for seven years, told Catholic News Service that Christians were afraid ,VODPLF IXQGDPHQWDOLVWV ZRXOG WDNH RYHU WKH FRXQWU\ LI *DGGD¿ IHOO +H VDLG WKDW XQGHU *DGKD¿ Christians had been protected. Libya is a Muslim country, with Christianity restricted mostly to enclaves of foreign workers, many of whom were evacuated earlier this year. „ CNS

Muslims, Catholics urged to promote spirituality VATICAN CITY – As Muslims around the world prepared to celebrate the end of their monthlong Ramadan fast, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran encouraged Catholics and Muslims to work together to promote spirituality. Cardinal Tauran, president of WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU ,QWHUUHligious Dialogue, said Christians and Muslims are concerned about the challenges of materialism and secularisation and the loss of the importance of spiritual and moral values in society. The message, released on Aug 19 at the Vatican, was addressed to Muslims around the world to mark the end of Ramadan on or around Aug 30. Cardinal Tauran deplored that “Christians and Muslims are too often witnesses to the violation of the sacredâ€? and are often

mistrusted by others. “We cannot but denounce all forms of fanaticism and intimidation, the prejudices and polemicsâ€?, as well as the fact that believers are, at times, the object of discrimination by people in society, politics and the mass media, he said. “Christians and Muslims, beyond their differences, recognise the dignity of the human person endowed with both rights and duties,â€? the cardinal wrote. That younger generations embrace religious and moral values is a common concern, he wrote. Âł,W LV RXU GXW\ WR KHOS >\RXQJ people] discover that there is both good and evil, that conscience is a sanctuary to be respected, and that cultivating the spiritual dimension makes us more responsible, more supportive, more available for the common good.â€? „ CNS

18 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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: MRKQVRQ IHUQDQGH]#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ

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VLRQV WKH H[LVWLQJ UDWH FRXOG DSSO\ Otherwise, where can we carry on this tradition and how about our FKLOGUHQ ZKHQ ZH KDYH H[SLUHG" 7KH DUFKGLRFHVH FDQ DOVR KHOS E\ JLYLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ RWKHU FKXUFK FDQWHHQV DYDLODEOH ,W LV DJUHHG WKDW WKHUH DUH IHZ RIIHULQJ UHDVRQDEOH SULFHV Paul Antony Fernandez Singapore 541119

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CN, Aug 28

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COMMENTARY 19

Sunday September 11, 2011 CatholicNews

Sacred liturgy in the digital age Should digital formats replace the current printed texts? WITH increased use of e-readers (eg Kindle and Nook), tablet computers (such as iPads), and an ever-increasing variety of mobile device applications (apps), it is no surprise that many have begun searching for liturgical texts in digital formats. Publishers have received inquiries about whether published editions of the Roman Missal would also be available in digital formats. As new technologies continue to emerge, there will undoubtedly be new ways to make use of them in the context of Church ministry and the Liturgy in particular. Some say the Church has been slow to embrace technology. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for the standardisation of liturgical books, but not before some initial resistance to “modern” technology. Today, the Church makes use of a wide range of technology to teach, share news, and even build community. Parishes, dioceses, and Conferences of Bishops make use of websites, Facebook and Twitter, and many pastors and bishops host their own weblogs. ,Q DQ HIIRUW WR EH ÀH[LEOH DV well as “environmentally friend-

Publishers have received inquiries about whether published editions of the new Roman Missal would also be available in digital forms. ly”, some parishes make use of LCD projectors and screens to project texts and music in lieu of printed participation aids, which also creates the possibility of multimedia applications. Little guidance for the use of new technology has been given thus far, and liturgical norms do QRW VSHFL¿FDOO\ DGGUHVV PDQ\ RI the questions that have begun to emerge. In the Information Age, how does the Church transmit the Faith that is ageless?

With regard to liturgical books, there has been speculation about the future. In the secular world, some envision a paperless society as books and other print media are replaced by tablets, e-readers, and other mobile devices. What would happen to liturgical books? Liturgists wisely caution about moving too quickly in this direction. On a practical level, such devices are not foolproof and can occasionally freeze up, requiring a restart. On a deeper level, we treat

objects admitted for liturgical use with respect and understand that once given over to liturgical use, they are used solely for that purpose. To use an iPad, for example, in place of a printed Missal, what happens after its use in the Mass? Is that same iPad later used to check e-mail, browse the Internet, play games, or watch streaming video? Liturgical books also have a physical form that points to the “substance” of prayer and worship. Liturgical texts are not “disposable”, and yet downloadable texts that can be printed and then discarded, or digital formats that can be deleted, would seem to indicate otherwise. Mobile apps that deliver prayers, including daily Scripture readings and the Liturgy of the Hours, make prayer at any time and any place convenient, and by doing so they promote habits of prayer. But should these digital formats replace the printed texts and ritual editions? The question of copyright is also a sensitive matter. The Latin texts of the Missale Romanum and other liturgical books are protected by copyright, held and administered by the Holy See.

The copyright of English liturgical texts, including the Roman Missal, is held and administered by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), on behalf of its member Conferences of Bishops, according to its mandate from the Holy See. Texts proper to the Dioceses of the United States, including the Lectionary for Mass, are copyrighted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Any digital reproduction of liturgical texts, even excerpts thereof, including projected texts, on websites or other mobile devices, is also subject to copyright guidelines. These questions on digital formats will not be answered quickly or easily. Technology can serve the Liturgy well, but we must be cautious not to put the Liturgy at the service of technology. Bishops, pastors, liturgists, and publishers must discern carefully not only the opportunities available but, more importantly, the needs of the Church in establishing liturgical guidelines or norms for the digital age. EXCERPTED FROM NEWSLETTER OF THE USCCB’S COMMITTEE ON DIVINE WORSHIP

20 WORLD YOUTH DAY

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

D

AY 1 (Aug 11): We arrived in Barcelona at about 8am. Renting three vans, we drove to Xaloc School, and made a quick stop to dump our luggage before heading straight to Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. I marvelled at the genius of Gaudi, where each detail is carefully constructed in Christian symbolism. We then sauntered down the famous street of La Rambla in the afternoon, where we saw many of the famous statue-performing artists. Day 2 (Aug 12): We visited the Oratory of Our Lady of Bonaigua which contains the remains of Montserrat Grases, a teenager who died of bone cancer at the age of 18 in March 1959. Her gentle and heroic acceptance of her painful disease led to her cause for beauti¿FDWLRQ ZKLFK VWDUWHG LQ Seeing her photos reminded me of the many youths I saw here in Spain, and I wished that many would be touched by her story. Our next destination was Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine abbey in Catalonia. The famous Virgin of Montserrat (the Black Virgin) is Catalonia’s favourite saint, and her statue is located in the sanctuary of the Mare de Deu de Montserrat. There were already hundreds of WYD pilgrims queuing to venerate the statue, and we joined in, waiting in line for hours. The spirit of WYD was awakening at that time, we could see many international pilgrims singLQJ DQG ZDYLQJ WKHLU ÀDJV Day 3 (Aug 13): We arrived at the major Marian shrine of Torreciudad. The original shrine dates back to the 11th century, and there was already a strong devotion to Our Lady of Torreciudad since then. Day 4 (Aug 14): In the morning, we attended the WYD Commissioning Mass for local pilgrims celebrated by the local ordinary, Bishop Alfonso Miliån Sorribas of the Diocese of Barbastro-Monzon. He was delighted to see us, coming from a faraway country. We then drove to Zaragoza, where we went to the Claretian Museum of Martyrs. I listened with a heavy heart to the story of the martyrs being told by one of the Claretian seminarians there. This experience underscores the brutality of the Spanish Civil War, especially

Singapore pilgrims pose with pilgrims from other countries.

I noticed a common ‘element among the participants: joy. But this was an extraordinarily real, deep happiness.

’

– Benedict Tang (right)

after seeing the bones of the 51 seminarians and priests killed there. Day 5 (Aug 15): We visited another major Marian shrine dedicated to our Lady of the Pillar, Patroness of Spain, in Zaragoza. Day 6 (Aug 16): Arriving in Madrid, I felt the Spirit come alive through the thousands of pilgrims I saw during the Opening Mass. One RI RXU SLOJULPV 0U 0DUN 7DQ said, “Indeed, never have I felt that alive!� I was also interviewed by Radio Vatican (http://www.radiovaticana. RUJ HQ DUWLFROR DVS"F RQ my faith journey. The interview was picked up by a variety of Catholic and secular news agencies.

Day 7 (Aug 17): We took a side trip to Avila, birthplace of the famous Carmelite, St Teresa of Avila. Seeing her relics gave me a sense of connection with the Carmelites in Singapore in the Church of Sts Peter and Paul. We then rushed down to Palacio Vista Alegre, where we met the Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria Rodriguez, together with about 10,000 WYD pilgrims. He told us to ask for spiritual fruit from WYD. Day 8 (Aug 18): We celebrated Mass at a chapel on Level 33 of Torre Espacio, the highest chapel in a building in Madrid. We were then privileged to have a short session with Mr Ignacio Vi-

Brazilian representatives celebrating on stage after the pope announced that the next WYD will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

cens, chief architect of the massive WYD main stage areas. The WYD setting “will be young, bright and modern, and will have one main objective: to highlight the presence of the pope among the over one million young people expected in Madrid�, he said. In the evening, we went to the centre of the city called Cibeles, where the main WYD events in the city would be held. That day, the pope arrived and a welcoming cer-

emony was held there. The crowd roared in excitement as the popemobile passed by, with many clicking away on their camHUDV RU ZDYLQJ ÀDJV Day 9 (Aug 19): This morning, we attended a catechesis at Parroquia de Santa María la Blanca in Alcorcón. We were taught by the Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, head of the Church in England and Wales. The catechesis was animated

WORLD YOUTH DAY 21

Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Pilgrims in sleeping bags at the Cuarto Vientos Air Base before the start of the Final Mass.

by the Jesus Youth from India who did an excellent job in rousing the crowd with their charismatic style. In the evening, we attended the Way of the Cross at Cibeles. The meditations were on the problems of the world’s youth. Day 10 (Aug 20): We visited El Escorial in the morning, a monumental UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, we made our way to Cuarto Vientos Air Base, ZKHUH WKH YLJLO DQG ÂżQDO 0DVV would be held. 0RVW RI WKH VXUURXQGLQJ URDGV within 2 km were closed, and all pilgrims had to make at least a twohour trek to their allocated sites in the 40-deg-C heat. Relief came in WKH IRUP RI ÂżUH WUXFNV WKDW VSUD\HG us with water and I was delighted to stand in front of the hoses. It was almost 3pm when we reached our designated area. Songs and entertainment made the waiting bearable under a scorching sun. The pope arrived at about 8.30 pm. Soon afterwards, black clouds and lightning arrived and he had to stop speaking at times. Despite attempts to shelter him with umbrellas, his clothes and the text of his speech were drenched. After a few minutes in which everything stopped except the cheers of the crowd, the pope said, “Young people, thank you for your joy! Thank you for your resistance! Your strength is greater than the rain!â€? Another unforgettable experience that evening was the pope’s long silence before the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic adoration. How that silence impressed everybody

LV GLIÂżFXOW WR H[SODLQ %XW LW LV QRW every day you see two million people in such intense prayer, which also brought tears to quite a few. 0\ RWKHU PHPRU\ RI WKH YLJLO was the pope saying, “Guard the Ă€DPH ZKLFK *RG KDV OLW LQ \RXU hearts tonight. Never let it go out, renew it each day, share it with your contemporaries who live in darkness and who are seeking a light for their wayâ€?. Later that evening, pilgrims wandered around chatting and making new friends. Some gathered in groups to sing while others prayed silently before the Blessed Sacrament in tents. Day 11 (Aug 21): 7KH ÂżQDO 0DVV ZDV a culmination of WYD events, where the pope sent us all into the world to be ³¿UP LQ IDLWK URRWHG LQ &KULVW´ As some of the Communion distribution tents were destroyed by the storm the night before, communion points were reduced during WKH 0DVV DQG VRPH ZHUH XQDEOH WR receive the sacrament. Our group was one of them. The pope said, “Your friends will want to know how you have changed after being in this lovely city with the pope and with hundreds of thousands of other young people from around the world. What are you going to tell them? I invite you to give a bold witness of Christian living to them. In this way you will give birth to new Christians and will help the Church grow strongly in the hearts of many others.â€? His words resounded strongly in my heart, and I feel the obligation to bring this joy I have to others that I meet back in Singapore. „

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Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

By Joe Sarnicola Peter came to Jesus with a question that had been troubling him: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?� Jesus looked at His friend and decided to answer the question with a story. “I say to you, not seven times but 77 times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.� Jesus described a man who had a servant that owed him a very large debt but was unable to pay it. To reclaim his money, the man ordered that the servant, his family and all of his possessions be sold as payment for the debt. But the servant pleaded with his master. “Be patient with me,�

he said, “and I will pay you back in full.â€? The man was touched by his servant’s honesty and sincerity, so he forgave him the entire debt. This same servant, who had been forgiven, was not as compassionate to the people who owed him money. Now that he no longer owed a debt to his master, any money he could raise would be his to keep. +H ZHQW ÂżUVW WR D PDQ ZKR owed him a small amount of money and tried to choke him. “Pay back what you owe,â€? he demanded. This man said to him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.â€? But the servant did not forgive him and had him thrown into prison for his debt. Some of the other servants learned about what had happened

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Guy of Anderlecht Guy of Anderlecht (died 1012) was born in Belgium into a poor but happy and spiritual family. His parents could not afford to send him to school, but they were able to teach him about their faith and about how to lead a good Christian life. Guy never complained about living in poverty but instead considered it a blessing, and he often asked God to give him the grace to live as a poor man with happiness and gratitude. He also possessed a deep love for the people, especially other poor people, who shared the world with him. Guy was fooled into investing his meagre savings in a business venture that failed. He had hoped to raise more money to help others. After this he vowed never to place such a value on money, and he made a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem. Along the way he visited many of the holy sites of the time. We honour him on Sept 12. „

Bible Accent: 2Q 6XQGD\ 6HSW WKH ¿UVW UHDGLQJ IURP the Old Testament is from the Book of Sirach. This is not one of the well-known books of the Old Testament. What do we know about the Book of Sirach? It is a collection of poems and wise sayings that were written by a man named Jesus (not Jesus, the Son of God), who was the son of Eleazar, the son of Sirach, and it includes a foreword by the author’s grandson. The Jesus who wrote this book wanted to share his love of the laws of God, the priesthood and worship. Because the ancient Jews did not agree with some of the teachings and personal beliefs of the book’s interpreter, the book was not made part of the Jewish canon, and it is not part of the Protestant versions of the Bible. It is part of the Catholic Bible, however, and can be found between the Book of Wisdom and the Book of Isaiah. „

and reported it to the master. The master had the servant brought back in front of him to ask him about what he had done. “You wicked servant!� the master said. “I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?� The master was very angry, so he had the unforgiving servant thrown into prison until he was able

to pay off his debt. Then Jesus said to Peter, “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.� „ Read more about it: Matthew 18 Q&A 1. What did the master do when his servant asked for more time? 2. What did the servant do to the man who owed him money?

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday September 11, 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 Mondays August 22 to October 24 REBUILDING AND DISCOVERY SUPPORT GROUP 7-9pm: This group aims to enhance and empower hurt individuals to help them move on and maintain a balance in their emotional well-being, after experiencing a relationship break-up or loss. Open to members and non-members. A meeting with our counsellor is necessary for nonmembers. Cost: $50 (members), $120 (non-members). At Blessed Sacrament Church Damien Centre Level 3 (1 Commonwealth Drive). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org Fridays September 9 to September 30 FISHERS OF MEN NOVENA MINISTRY 7-945pm Divine Mercy devotion with fellowship and biblical stories: Mary of Nazareth, Jacob, Joseph. At Novena Church (Peter Donders Room). T: 8365 6728 (Johnny); E: ndavidik@hotmail. FRP : KWWS ¿VKHUVRPHQ#GRQXPFULVWL com; FB: Fishers of Men Novena September 9 to September 17 DISTRICT TRAINING FOR THE MUSIC OF THE NEW ROMAN MISSAL Sep 9: 8-10pm for Serangoon District at Church of St Francis Xavier. Sep 17: 10am-noon for North District at Church of the Holy Spirit. For anyone involved in making music for Mass. Choirs are free to bring all their members for these sessions. They may go for any of the four sessions. By Liturgical Music Committee. E: jennifer.anthoney@gmail.com September 8 to 11 PARISH RENEWAL EXPERIENCE Sep 8-9, 7.30-10pm; Sep 10-11, 1.3010pm: Rediscover what it means to be a Catholic. Feel the power of the weekend conversion experience. Recharge, reinvigorate your spiritual life. At Church of the Risen Christ. Register T: 9843 6494 (John Bosco); E: jbosco160860@yahoo.com September 9 to 10 RIDING THE ROLLRCOASTER CAMP 10am-5.30pm: Help children cope with the various challenges and stresses in their daily lives. Camp looks at managing HPRWLRQV FRQÀLFWV DQG JHWWLQJ DORQJ ZLWK friends through games, charades, skits and videos. Cost: $70 (per child), $20 (per parent). At Morning Star Community Services Sengkang. Register T: 6315 8812; E: programs@morningstar.org. sg; T: http://www.morningstar.org.sg/ events_upcoming.html September 9 to 11 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE (BE) WEEKEND A weekend away for a lifetime of change for the widowed, divorced, separated. Work through the grief and put the past EHKLQG EH KHDOHG ¿QG QHZ KRSH LQ life, and be free to love oneself, God and others. At Lifesprings Spirituality Centre (100 Jalan Merbok). T: 9661 8089 (Joseph), 9828 5162 (Jean), 9647 9122 (Sue); E:josephchew@ippfa.com Saturdays September 10 to November 26 SATURDAY NIGHT SEMINARS 7-9pm: Theology of the Body and Apologetic Discussions (last Sat of the month). By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At International Plaza 29-03 (10 Anson Rd). T: 9649 3893 (Andrew); E: andrewk@catholic.org.sg September 10 CATHOLIC SINGLES’ JB DAY TRIP 9am-6pm: JB one day shopping and food trip. For fellowship and friendship. Meeting point at Woodlands MRT McDonalds. E: CatholicSingle@ gmail.com September 10 HUMANITARIAN FORUM & FAIR 2011 3-9.30pm: Eager to learn about Catholic humanitarian work abroad? Come meet leaders of international Catholic NGOs and Singapore Catholic groups volunteering overseas. Find out how you can get involved. Dinner features cuisine from 9 Asian countries. Cost: $25 (adults), $10 (students). By CHARIS.

At CJC Performing Arts Centre. T: 6338 0182; E: hff@charis-singapore.org; W: http://www.charis-singapore.org/hff/ September 10 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: All are welcome. At Armenian Church of St Gregory (60 Hill Street). For information on Taize, visit http:// www.taize.fr/en_article9687.html E: bennycah@gmail.com Sunday September 11 to Saturday September 17 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER@ CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Learn to listen to God through Scriptures. Taster afternoon on Sunday to introduce Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio Divina prayer methods and to meet prayer guide. Thirty minutes of personal prayer time and 30 minutes meeting with prayer guide from Monday to Friday in church. Closing session on Saturday. At Church of St Vincent de Paul. Register E: sojourners@ catholic.org.sg; W: http://www.catholic. org.sg/sojourners September 12 to 16 SYNOPTICS & JOHN’S GOSPELS IN SPIRITUAL COMPANIONSHIP 7-9.30pm: Discover through the Gospels, how Jesus, the master spiritual director, journeyed with others. By Fr Anto Vattachuzy, CMI. At Good Shepherd Oasis (790 Thomson Rd). E: ldt@gsosingapore.org September 14 CHRISTIAN MEDITATION FOR THE BUSY EXECTUVIE 6.30-9.30pm: Join us for an evening of meditation by Mr Peter Ng Kok Song, National Co-ordinator for Singapore, The World Community for Christian Meditation. By Catholic Business Network. At SCWO Centre Training Room 1 (96 Waterloo St). Register T: 9686 2107 (Terry); E: ed@cbn-singapore. com September 16 to 18 CONTEMPLATION TO ATTAIN DIVINE LOVE: A DIRECTED RETREAT 8pm (Fri) – 6pm (Sun): Delve prayerfully into the great gifts you have received from God: creation, redemption, and personal gifts, and wonder at how God works in them. By CISC spiritual directors. Cost: $70 (non-aircon); $120(aircon). At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 64676072; F: 64687584; E:cisc2664@gmail.com September 17 NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP 4-7pm: A Labyrinth experience especially for mothers by Edwina Yeow. Bring bible, journal and come with comfortable walking wear. Cost: $20. At Lifesprings Spirituality Centre (100 Jalan Merbok). T: 6466 2178; E: lifsprng@singnet.com.sg September 18 IHM BLOODMOBILE OUTREACH 10.30am-3.30pm: Our blood is God’s gift of life. Give blood and save up to 3 lives. For those between 16 and 60 years and above 45kg. Bring NRIC or passport. At Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary Multi Purpose Hall (24 Highland Rd). W: http://www.ihm.sg/bloodmobile Thursdays September 22 to October 27 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP 7.30-9.30pm: A workshop developed by Boystown, USA, that has helped thousands of parents to walk the talk in raising responsible children. Parents ZLOO JDLQ FRQ¿GHQFH DV WKH\ GLVFRYHU D practical approach to manage behaviours and guide children in the choices that they make and receive opportunities to use the easy-to-learn skills throughout the workshop. Cost: $150 (per participant), $240 (per couple). At Morning Star Community Services Hougang. Register T: 6315 8812; E: programs@morningstar. org.sg; T: http://www.morningstar.org.sg/ events_upcoming.html September 24 UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA 9am-12.30pm: Psychological trauma can affect a person for years. Following traumatic events such as violence, accidents and betrayals, the human mind reacts in a way to protect the person. Dr Christopher Cheok will discuss the nature of traumatic memories, post traumatic stress disorder and how to overcome them. Cost: $10. By Clarity Singapore. At National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, MPH 1 (6 Eu Tong Sen Street

#04-88 The Central). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org September 24 NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP 10am-4pm: Non-violent communication workshop by Sr Rosalia Yeo, FDCC. At Lifesprings Spirituality Centre (100 Jalan Merbok). T: 6466 2178; E: lifsprng@singnet.com.sg September 24 CATHOLIC REVIVAL: BE ROOTED AND CONTINUALLY BUILT UP IN JESUS 5-9pm: Praise & worship, adoration, and teaching by Rev Benny Phang O’Carm. Helping young Catholics live a life that is inspired by Jesus’ teaching and commandments. By Indonesian Charismatic Prayer Group. At Catholic Junior College (129 Whitley Rd). T: 9389 7245 (Ronald), 8112 1457 (Ira) September 30 to October 2 DIRECTED RETREAT FOR MEN 8pm (Fri) – 6pm (Sun): Live-in retreat for men to experience God through meditation/contemplation on masculine holy models in the Bible, such as God the Father, Jesus Christ, Abraham, and St Joseph. Retreat directors: Jesuit Frs Paul Goh, Ponnudurai and Leslie Raj. Cost: $70 (non-aircon); $120(aircon). At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 64676072; F: 64687584; E:cisc2664@gmail.com September 30 ST ANTHONY CONVENT CLASS OF 1961 50TH ANNIVERSARY 12-2.30pm: Buffet lunch celebration. At Fairmont Hotel Plaza Market Place. T: 9843 2845 (Linda); E: chewkhajee@ hotmail.com October 1 FINDING GOD IN YOUR WRITING 9.30am-5pm: Full-day workshop to help you write your sacred story. Through writing exercises and other activities, you will explore and express your inmost thoughts and feelings and gain a deeper understanding of self and your relationship with others and with God. No writing experience required. Facilitated by Roselie Chia, trained writing group leader. Cost: $80 (with lunch). At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 6467 6072; F: 6468 7584; E:cisc2664@gmail.com October 7-9 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND 8pm (Fri)-6pm (Sun) A live-in weekend for married couples to relive their courtship and rejuvenate their romance. Make your good marriage GREAT! At Punggol 17th Avenue. Register: Call 9670 5390 or click www.MEsingapore.org

Spirit (Room A2-01). T: 8228 8220 (Clare), 9815 4098(Genevieve); E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com

October 23-25 RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND Retrouvaille Weekend, a lifeline for troubled and hurting marriages. Register T: 6749 8861 (Michael/Lucy); W: http://helpourmarriage.sg

December 1 to 10 QUIETING THE SOUL RETREAT – CHIANGMAI A silent 8-day (Dec 1 to 10, inclusive of travelling time) or 5-day (Dec 4 to 10) retreat set in the beautiful environment of the Seven Fountains Retreat Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. By Cenacle Sisters and team. Register by Oct 15. T: 6565 2895, 9722 3148; E: cenaclesisters@yahoo.com.sg; W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/cenacle

November 5-12 MISSION AWARENESS PROGRAMME 2011 IN PATTAYA A journey to discover your Christian mission in Pattaya, Thailand. Cost: $650 per person. Register by Oct 7. T: 9838 0123 (Aaron), 9739 9216 (George), 6474 9184 (Lynette); E: aarontns@gmail.com, georgejc@gmail.com, acmasg@singnet.com.sg Wednesdays November 9 to 16 A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS 9.30-11.30am: Learn the biblical background to the words, prayers and gestures of the Liturgy, all in the context of the revised Mass translation. Explore WKH NH\ DVSHFWV RI WKH 0DVV DV 6DFULÂżFH Real Presence and Holy Communion through this DVD-based study by Dr Edward Sri. At Church of the Holy

December 10 to 17 ACTS CAMBODIA 2011 Inviting catechists, IT specialists, English teachers, dance teachers, packers, labourers, cooks, doctors, nurses,dentists, pharmacists and all willing to share time, resources and skills for ACTS (A Call to Share) Cambodia 2011. Each year 180 participants from various parishes go on such mission trips to Cambodia. Register E: contact@acts-singapore.com; W: http://acts-singapore.com

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October 7 to 9 VOCATION WEEKEND RETREAT 6pm (Fri) – 6pm (Sun): Live-in retreat for young men. What are you in search of? Is the Lord inviting you to consider the Jesuits? Come and see. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 64676072; F: 64687584; E:cisc2664@gmail.com October 9 MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE Couples getting married should attend the course at least 6 months before the ZHGGLQJ $OORFDWLRQ RI SODFHV RQ D ÂżUVW FRPH ÂżUVW VHUYHG EDVLV 7 (Fred/Ruby); E: mpcsingapore@gmail. com;W: www.catholic.org.sg/mpc October 14-16 TASTE & SEE: A RESIDENTIAL RETREAT FOR FIRST TIMERS 7pm (Fri)-6pm (Sun): An introduction to silent retreats in the Ignatian tradition for those who want to experience God through meditation on the Word of God. This is an invitation to those new to retreats to come and explore what awareness, meditation and silence can offer. One-to-one spiritual direction is available. Conducted by CISC spiritual directors. Cost:: $110 (non-aircon), $160 (aircon). At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T. 6467 6072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com October 14-17 SERVANT LEADERSHIP SEMINAR 9.30am-4.30pm: Come and learn from Sr Inigo, a Franciscan sister from India on what it takes to be a “servantâ€? leader. Organised by Secular Franciscan Order. Cost: $120. At Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (2 Highland Rd). Register by Sep 15. T: 9397 2487 (Mona); E: sfo_maryclaire@hotmail.com

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A D D E D S T E P P E T A

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Sunday September 11, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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