Today's Catholic Vol.29 No.11 February 2018

CATHOLIC today’s

A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

Vol 29 No 11 February 2018

Inside...

When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of his children.

Launching Mass For KAYD18

— Pope Francis, Lenten Message 2018

Lenten Appeal 2018

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Mk 1:41

Message from Archbishop Simon Poh Give the money saved as your offering of love to the Lord.

24 Feb

Jesus said to the leper: ”Be clean”

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今日教友 第十六至二十二頁

Pope announces 23 February as a day of prayer for peace

Pope Francis venerates a Marian statue during a prayer service for peace in South Sudan and Congo in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on 23 November 2017 (Photo: CNS) VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis announced that Friday the first full week of Lent would be a day of prayer and fasting for peace given the many ongoing conflicts throughout the world, particularly those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

“Facing the tragic continuation of conflicts in different parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to a special day of prayer and fasting for peace on 23 February, the Friday of the first week of Lent,” the Pope said on 4 February.

He asked that the day be offered specifically for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan and invited both nonCatholics and non-Christians to join “in the ways they deem most appropriate.”

“Our heavenly Father always listens to his children who cry out to him in pain and anguish,” he said, and made a “heartfelt appeal” for each one of us to “hear this cry and, each one according to their own conscience, before God, ask ourselves: ‘What can I do to make peace?’”

While prayer is always an effective resolution, more can be done, Francis said, explaining that each person “can concretely say no to violence to the extent that it depends on him or herself. Because victories obtained with violence are false victories, while working for peace does good for all!”

The Pope’s appeal, which he made during his Sunday Angelus address, comes just two months after a 23 November prayer vigil for peace in the

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two countries.

With plans to visit South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year thwarted by ongoing conflict, Pope Francis organised the prayer vigil in order to pray for an end to war in the two countries and to ask for comfort for victims of the violence.

He had planned to visit South Sudan last fall alongside Anglican Primate Archbishop Joseph Welby for an ecumenical trip aimed at promoting peace in the conflict-ridden country.

However, due to safety concerns, the visit was postponed until the situation on the ground stabilizes.

South Sudan has been in the middle of a brutal civil war for the past threeand-a-half years, which has divided the young country between those loyal to its

President Salva Kiir and those loyal to former vice president Reik Machar. The conflict has also bred various divisions of militia and opposition groups.

Since the beginning of the war, some 4 million citizens have left the violencestricken country in hopes of finding peace, food and work. In August 2017 Uganda received the one-millionth South Sudanese refugee, highlighting the urgency of the crisis as the world’s fastest growing refugee epidemic.

For those who haven’t fled the nation, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought refuge in churches for protection from violence.

Most IDPs are typically women, children and those who have lost their families in the war.

• Continued on p4

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM

Think on these things (Phil 4:8)...

PUBLISHER The Archbishop of Kuching ADVISOR Fr Felix Au EDITOR Stella Chin ASSOCIATE EDITOR (Chinese) Magdalene Yeo EDITORIAL TEAM Freddy Bohari (BM) Martha Ngui (English) Victoria J Lim

(English Children’s Section) James Lo (Chinese) Margaret Bong

(Chinese Children’s Section) STAFF Audrey Yu

Lord Jesus, our Saviour, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love.

Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood.

Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit.

Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence.

Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself.

— St Augustine of Hippo (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)

Catholic lawyers begin the new Legal Year with Red Mass

KUCHING — The Red Mass, a Mass celebrated annually in the Catholic Church to offer prayers for those in the legal profession, was held at Holy Trinity Church, Kuching, on 20 January. It coincided with the opening of the new Legal Year in Sarawak. The Archbishop of Kuching, Archbishop Simon Poh presided over the Mass that was attended by lawyers and judges amongst others.

The origins of the Red Mass can be traced back to the year 1245, whereby the first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in Paris. Its name derived from the red vestments traditionally worn by its celebrant, as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. To this day, the purpose of the Red Mass is to invoke the Holy Spirit upon those in the legal community and persons holding office.

During the homily, Archbishop Simon expanded on the notion of the Red Mass.

The perception that the church has an existence divorced from the socio-political context of today needs to be debunked.

LORD, GUIDE OUR LAWYERS ... Members of the legal profession posing for a photo with Archbishop Simon Poh at the entrance of Holy Trinity Church after Mass The Red Mass is to encourage leadership roles and to pray to God for guidance and strength in the Legal Year to come. He urged those present to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, namely wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude, that these

gifts be used to bring about change in the society.

The Archbishop went on to draw an analogy from the reading of day (2 Sam 1:1-4, 1112, 19, 23-27), concerning Saul and David. Saul was anointed

by Samuel as king, and was

succeeded by David. Although the throne of power had changed hands, God had and always will reign over the kingdom. During Saul’s time as king, he was asked

by God to guide his people.

Archbishop Simon said that through our baptism, we in

The birth of a new parish: Long Lama BARAM, Miri — It was a historical moment when Bishop Richard Ng of Miri elevated Long Lama into a parish on 21 January.

The Bishop installed Fr Lazarus Swinie as rector of the new parish of Blessed Sacrament, Long Lama. About 500 people from the different longhouses attended the installation Mass at the hall.

Long Lama was formally under the care of Lapok parish.

Over 30 longhouses and a few schools come under the

jurisdiction of the new parish.

Fr Lazarus, who is now the rector of the new parish, is the former rector of Holy Spirit Parish, Archdiocese of Kuching.

He has been incardinated into the Diocese of Miri as fidei donum for five years since January this year.

The Latin term “fidei donum” means “the gift of faith”. It is the title of the encyclical of Pope Pius XII on 21 April 1957, calling on bishops to share his vision “to face the challenges of the universal mission of the

Church”. Not only does this call involve praying and assisting each other, but also make their priests and lay people available as a “gift of faith” to other dioceses.

Audrey Yu Photo on the right: THE NEW RECTOR ...

Fr Lazarus Swinie reciting the Creed and making an oath during the installation ceremony presided over by Bishop Richard Ng (right); Msgr Francis Kulai looks on.

turn are asked to bring God’s grace to others. Being kingly does not only mean being in a position of authority, but also to govern in accordance with God’s values. Therefore, the members of the legal profession and those in political office are asked to be a prophet, to teach the gospel values and speak of mercy and justice to make the world a better place – just like Jesus once did, even in the face of reproach by secular thoughts.

Before concluding the Mass, the Archbishop reminded the congregation to emulate St Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers.

He invited everyone to draw on the saint’s steadfastness and faith in God, despite the condemnation made against him by secular law. The Mass concluded with the choir’s rousing rendition of the Hymn to St Thomas More.

After the Mass, everyone was invited to fellowship and morning tea at The Good Shephard’s Hall.

Maxine Ch’ng

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

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CELEBRATING CATECHETICAL SUNDAY

Blessed Sacrament Church launches English Children’s Liturgy

KUCHING — Blessed Sacrament Church (BSC), BDC launched its English Children’s Liturgy at the English Mass on Saturday Sunset Mass and Sunday Morning Mass on 20 - 21 January respectively. More than 70 children joined the first lesson.

The aim of the Children’s Liturgy is to introduce children to listen, reflect and respond to the Word of God at a tender age, CLOW (Children’s Liturgy of the Word) is an Act of Worship.

Children between the ages of 4 - 9 years old is the targeted group. The sessions are held every Sunset and Morning Masses.

Instead of accompanying their parents or guardians to the Mass proper, children who have registered for the programme partake in the Liturgy of the Word in a separate room. They listen to simplified versions of the same readings read at Mass and are taught the proper way to pray.

Activities like music and art are sometimes incorporated into CLOW to enhance the children’s learning experience.

What it takes to be faith formation facilitators

AN IMPORTANT ROLE ... Fr Galvin Ngumbang blessing the faith formation facilitators during Sunday Morning Mass

CHILDREN OF GOD ... A volunteer teacher leading the children out to attend the Children’s Liturgy session Teachers from both St This conducive learning Joseph’s Cathedral Sunset environment ensures that they Children’s Liturgy and BSC’s become active listeners and Chinese Children’s Liturgy responders to the Word of God. assisted at the commencement These children then join their parents in the church during the of the English Children’s preparation of the offertory gifts. Liturgy at BSC. Those who wish to volunteer While the launch was for the as teachers are requested to English Children’s Liturgy, the contact the BSC office for Chinese Children’s Liturgy is an further enquiries. ­ on-going programme, initiated Ivy Chai some years ago.

KUCHING — The Catechetical Sunday, which fell on the Fourth Sunday of the Year, was specially commemorated on 27 January at Holy Trinity Church, Kenyalang.

Two faith formation facilitators, Gilbert Lai and George Chapman, shared their experiences. They highlighted the roles, sacrifices, challenges and joys, and the mission of building the future Church entrusted to them. Gilbert and George testified that, though the ministry is not a walk in the park, nothing is more rewarding than to witness those under their care grow in faith and love for

PREPARING FOR LIFE ... Youths at the discipleship and leadership training programme on a range of topics that will deal with human emotions and prepare them for the life ahead, issues in the working life, build said Fr Sylvester. He stressed up their prayer life, discern that the topics will prepare them priestly and religious vocations, spiritually and emotionally as understand the culture of life well as psychologically for the and culture of death and reach challenges in their life. out to the community they live He added, “They are taught in,” he said. to strengthen their personal As part of their training discipleship with Christ, to become more communitytheir human relationship with minded so that they will be more each other, children-parents equipped to help the needy, the relationship and men-women participants will also be assigned relationship.” to do charity works in Miri.

“They will also be trained to Stephen Then

UNSEEN BUT PRESENT ... Plantation workers in Lawas highlands include Catholics from Indonesia and Philippines MIRI — Foreign workers of workers made up of who are Catholics can be found Indonesians, Timorese and in the remote and mountainous Filipinos.

Merarap Camp can be timber camps and plantations in northern Sarawak. They have reached from the nearest urban centre of Lawas town which not been forgotten.

Father Sylvester Ding Ibau is the northernmost town of and Father Peter Hwang of the Sarawak. It is a two hour road Limbang Parish are reaching out trip through rugged, slippery, to them, including those in the muddy terrain.

The camp is located highlands, through their pastoral visits as evidenced by their enroute to Long Semadoh.

Fr Sylvester and Fr Hwang recent visits to the parishioners and workers of Merarap Camp are based in the Limbang Parish which is the northern and JinLand Camp.

On those visits, they hub of Miri Diocese. offered Mass and distributed Stephen Then Holy Eucharist to the dozens

God. The ministry is under the auspices of the rector, Fr Patrick Heng. Catholics who are interested are very much welcomed to join them.

Photo slideshows of Sunday School activities organised years ago was shown to the congregation.

All the facilitators were blessed by the presiding priests at the various Masses. Then the Sunday School students and RCIA catechumens passed on lighted candles to their respective Sunday School and RCIA facilitators.

Jasmine Fong

Preparing the young for discipleship Bringing Christ into the deep mountains in society MIRI — A discipleship and leadership training programme is being organised by the Miri Catholic Diocese Youth Apostolate (MiDYA).

This is to prepare the young to face life when their school days are over.

The five-week stay-in programme will be held on 8 January to 12 February at the Church of Mater Dei Lutong in Miri city.

The programme will be coordinated by Father Sylvester Ngau Juk. Some 105 teens and youth, of both genders, who are waiting for their SPM and STPM results and those waiting for employment would be taking part. These youths are from parishes throughout Miri and Sibu Dioceses, including from rural parishes like Long San, Limbang and Belaga.

Archbishop Simon Poh and Bishop Richard Ng, priests, nuns, seminarians and lay people are the invited speakers.

The youths will be taught

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Pope Francis’ Prayer intentions for February

Say ‘No’ to Corruption That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Sibu celebrates 31st Anniversary as a diocese

SIBU — Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu calls on all Catholics to continue to evangelise and to bear witness to the truth in this world.

In his homily during the 31st Celebration of the Diocese of Sibu at Sacred Heart Cathedral on 6 January, he said that Catholics in Sibu had been given a diocese to carry out evangelisation works.

He pointed out that all Catholics are call to bear witness to the truth.

“Thirty one years ago, we had our ‘Merdeka’ from the Archdiocese of Kuching, that is how we have the diocese of Sibu and this is how the church can grow and advance," he recounted.

“God put us into this diocese so that we may continue to evangelise and bear witness in this world,” he said. He also pointed out that evangelisation also means to give blessings to people.

Bishop Joseph Hii, the Bishop of Sibu blessing some parishioners after the thanksgiving Mass Meanwhile, he said that first home for education and the diocese also celebrated the faith formation. The school, he 31st anniversary of Episcopal said, was the second home for Ordination of Bishop Emeritus education and faith formation.

Dominic Su, who was ordained Bishop Hii also urged as the first bishop of Sibu 31 people to pray for the schools to years ago. continue developing characters On education, the Bishop of the children. pointed out that the family is the Jane Moh

Pope announces 23 February as a day of prayer for peace “Facing the tragic continuation of conflicts in different parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to a special day of prayer and fasting for peace on 23 February, the Friday of the first week of Lent.” — Pope Francis • Continued from p1 Many are too fearful to stay in their homes because they know they could be killed, tortured, raped or even forced to fight. And despite successful partnerships between the local Church, aid agencies and the government, refugees in many areas still need a proper supply of food.

On Friday the US banned the export of weapons sales in South Sudan and urged other nations to do the same over growing frustration at the country’s inability to put an end to the conflict.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, political unrest first erupted in 2015 after a bill was proposed which would potentially delay the presidential and parliamentary elections.

The bill was widely seen by the opposition as a power grab on the part of Kabila.

Relations between the government and the opposition deteriorated further when a Kasai chief was killed last August, after calling on the central government to quit meddling in the territory, insisting it be controlled by the local leaders.

Catholic bishops in the country had helped to negotiate an agreement, which hoped to prevent a renewed civil war by securing an election this year for the successor of President Kabila. However, in January of this year, the bishops said the agreement was expected to fail unless both parties were willing to compromise. In March, the bishops withdrew from mediation talks.

With a history of bloody ethnic rivalries and clashes over resources, fears have developed that the violence in Kasai, a hub for political tension, will spread to the rest of the nation and even lead to the involvement of neighbouring countries.

In the past year alone, more than 3,300 people have been killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai region. The death toll includes civilians caught in the crossfire of a brutal fight between the Congolese army and an opposing militia group.

According to the Guardian, violence in the east of the country in recent weeks has increased to the extent that last week alone some 7,000 people fled to neighbouring Burundi

and another 1,200 into Tanzania.

In terms of a humanitarian crisis, the Food and Agriculture Organisation last week pointed to an “alarming food insecurity” in the country, due largely to the fact that violence has now spread into areas that were previously considered stable, such as the Kasai and Tanganyika provinces. In the past six months alone, the number of people experiencing extreme hunger has risen by 2 million, rising to about 7.7 million people, which is roughly 10% of the population.

After reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading from Mark and leading faithful in praying the Angelus, Pope Francis also offered his prayer and closeness to the people of Madagascar, who were recently hit by a massive cyclone which so far has left at least 51 people dead and has caused extensive damage.

Francis assured of his prayer, and asked that the Lord would “comfort and sustain” all those who have died or who have been displaced.

CNA/EWTN News

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

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10TH ANNIVERSARY

Contact numbers you may need when a death occurs: (for the Archdiocese of Kuching) Catholic Cemetery Committee: Tel. 082-242634 / 016-8933878 Catholic Mutual Benefit Society: Tel. 082-244493 / 019-8563438 / 0168954201 For use of funeral parlour at St Joseph’s Cathedral: Tel. 082-423424 (St Joseph’s Parish Office)

In loving memory of

ANGELINA REKIAT BINTI GARAN Departed: 22 February 2008

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Always remembered and dearly missed by sons, daughters, sons-in-laws, daughter-in-laws, grandsons, granddaughters and grandchildren

1ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

The sole purpose of life is to gain merit for life in eternity.

43RD ANNIVERSARY

9TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of

ALBERT SOH AH LAI

9 September 1940 - 2 February 2017 Eternal rest grant unto Albert, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

~ St Augustine of Hippo

Deeply missed by brothers, sisters and all loved ones.

8TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of beloved JOSEPH TEO BOON AIK (26 March 1925 - 4 February 2010) “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11: 25-26)

Tomb Maker

JOHN CHIN PIANG ONN Departed: 19 March 1975

MARY YAP AH ENG

Departed: 27 February 2009

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

May they rest in peace.

Deeply missed and forever remembered by sons, daughters-in-law, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Lovingly remembered by family and all loved ones.

Simon Sim See Huat

10TH ANNIVERSARY

15 Nanas Road 93150 Kuching, Sarawak Tel: 082-617616 / 0138117616 Fax: 082-627616

In ever-loving memory of GEORGIE DUSUN Departed: 6 February 2008 Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

Specialise in: Construction & Cleaning of Grave Monuments Manufacturing Gravestones imported from China, Italy

Deeply missed by wife, son, daughter-in-law and all loved ones.

5TH ANNIVERSARY

11TH ANNIVERSARY

1ST ANNIVERSARY

CHARLES BANGUH AK AUR

7 March 1967 - 6 July 2012

RICHARD DICKY AK AUR

2 Sept 1969 - 8 Nov 2014

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Deeply and sadly missed and lovingly remembered by: Mrs Charles Banguh & 5 sons, Brendan, Clearence, Damian, Dunstant and Emanuel

Daughters of Richard Dicky, Armanda & Cassandra Debbe and son Darren Chris

Both their parents, brothers, sisters and all loved ones.

8TH ANNIVERSARY In ever-loving memory of

JOSEPH UNG NENG LUNG who was called to the Lord on 28 February 2010.

In loving memory of

Eternal rest grant unto Joseph Ung Neng Lung, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

ANDREW KUEH FATT TATT Born: 15 January 1921 Departed: 2 February 2013

MARY VOON YIN AI

Born: 26 February 1927 Departed: 9 February 2007

Always remembered by all loved ones.

ANNIE KUEH GUEK LUAN Born: 21 May 1947 Departed: 23 February 2017

Deeply missed and always remembered by beloved wife, sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters, grandson-in-law, granddaughter-in-law and great granddaughters

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Lenten Appeal 2018 The passing of Fr David Francis Message from Archbishop Simon Poh

Give the money saved as your offering of love to the Lord.

T

his year, our Chinese New Year falls on the third day of the Lenten Season. Our Malaysian Bishops have given dispensation from fast and abstinence from meals on this Friday in view of this festive season when we offer our gratitude and respect to our elders, celebrate and reconnect as friends.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ message for Lent calls for a conversion of cold hearts that tend to be self-centred and engrossed in materialistic living. Lent is an appropriate time to begin afresh, to repent of sins, to renew our faith and to bring hope and mercy to those in need living among us.

PRAYER allows us to recollect our minds, to hear God’s gentle whisper amidst a busy world. We talk with our Lord in prayer, walk with him on the Stations of the Cross.

PENANCE. Through abstinence and fasting, we seek to overcome a materialistic and hedonistic lifestyle that pursues pleasure and enjoyment. Our penance invites us to turn away from such self-centred lifestyle.

The Church invites us to live humbly and share our resources. With the call of creation of justice, we can choose not to waste food. The Star (24 May 2016) reported

that “Malaysians waste 15,000 tonnes of food daily including 3,000 tonnes that is still fit for consumption and it should not be discarded”. Let us make a difference this Lent.

ALMSGIVING is more than just giving $$$ or donations to charities or the poor, as a way to appease our conscience as a result of our materialistic lifestyle or a way of making up for not contributing to society.

Almsgiving calls for an interior attitude for us to offer our hearts and be willing to “give till it hurts”. And so, I ask you to put aside the money saved from abstinence from chocolates, icecream, etc, and money saved from not eating out or going to the movies, etc. Give the money saved as your offering of love to the Lord.

I appeal to all Catholics to collect your Lenten Boxes and envelopes. Seek to live a simple lifestyle. Let us eat less and let us not waste food, water, electricity, etc. Be more reflective in what we do and pray more earnestly. As a sign of gratitude to our loving God who offered us his only Son, Jesus, let us give generously to support our Lenten Appeal for “the measure you give will be the measure you will receive” (Mt 7:2).

Praying for a Spirit-filled Lenten season.

When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of his children.

— Pope Francis, Lenten Message 2018

Bingham, MHM

ENGLAND — Fr David Francis Bingham, MHM passed away at 8.00 am on Saturday, 27 January.

David Bingham was born in Nakuru, Kenya on 7 April 1931 to Francis Dennis and Mary Bingham (née Kilkelly).

The family was later blessed with one more son. David’s father served as an engineer in the Royal Navy, but after the Second World War, having been made redundant, the family settled in Kenya where they took up farming.

David had his secondary education with the Benedictines at Ampleforth from 1944 to 1949. He then did compulsory military service after which he went to study in Cambridge from 1951 to 1956 where he obtained a BA degree in History.

He then got a job with a shipping line in Singapore. His main task was to liaise between ship and shore. It was there that he made his first contacts with people from Malaysia who were among the personnel.

In his memoirs about that time David wrote that through his contacts with the Church in Singapore his Catholic faith was strengthened and the first stirrings of a vocation to the priesthood made themselves felt. Eventually David applied for admittance to the formation programme of the Mill Hill Missionaries.

After a bridge-year in Osterley he entered the Mill Hill formation programme

The late Fr David Bingham 7 April 1931 - 27 January 2018 in Roosendaal for studies in Philosophy. In 1961 he entered St Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, for the study of Theology. On 1 May 1964 he took the Perpetual Oath and the following year, on 10 July, he was ordained priest in Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Heenan.

He received an appointment to Malaysia, where he taught for two years in Sarikei followed by two years of mission work in Kanowit. He was transferred to Simangang in 1971 and served there for some five years.

Subsequently David worked in the missions of Binatang, Julau, Sibu and Song. Altogether David spent 46 years working in the mission of Sarawak.

He learnt the Iban language, reportedly with a pronounced English accent, as well as a little Hokkien (Chinese). In May 2005 David was appointed to the British Region where he took up

APF work. In October 2014 he took up residence in our retirement home in Freshfield.

David’s great missionary zeal is reflected in reports from General Council members who had visited him in his various missions. In July 2001 he was awarded an OBE for more than 45 years of mission work in Malaysia. On the occasion of his golden jubilee as a priest in 2015 the General Superior wrote with much appreciation in his letter of congratulations: “The Lord gave you great energy, an enquiring mind and a good sense of humour. Your ability to move among people of all religions and cultures has surely enriched your life and promoted the Reign of God.” Jesting and joking, often about himself, was typically part of a conversation with David. In a short autobiography he quotes a person who told him that all Mill Hill Missionaries were either bad or mad and some were both. David added: “I leave it to you (the reader) to decide into which category I fall!” We believe that the Lord of the Harvest will have a more uplifting verdict and grant his faithful servant the beatific vision.

The funeral Mass for Fr David took place on 3 February at 11.00 am in the Chapel of Herbert House. He is buried in the Society graveyard nearby.

Mill Hill Missionaries

St Ann’s Christmas by Candlelight 2017

A BLAST ... Everyone sharing in the joy of Christmas KOTA PADAWAN — 18 December 2017 was a night of festivities as more than 1000 parishioners from the Church of St Ann, Kota Padawan, gathered at the foyer of the new St Ann’s Church for a night of Christmas carols and pageant to celebrate the coming of the Christ child.

Since 2015, the annual Christmas by Candlelight is a well-loved event. It gives the parishioners from the various kampungs an opportunity to

come together to share their Christmas joy with each other.

Each zone gave off their best. There were choral and dance performances, and the traditional Christmas pageants recounting the story of how Jesus came to be born at Bethlehem.

Participants from various age groups were involved, ranging from the Children’s Liturgy to working adults. Each brought their gifts and put their talents to

good use to welcome the Lord, very much like how the Magi brought theirs to honour the new-born King.

In his address, Friar Gerard Victor, Rector of St Ann’s, highlighted the true meaning of Christmas and encouraged all present to give birth to Christ in their hearts. In that way, Christmas would indeed be a time of peace and joy to everyone we meet.

Contributed

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

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Religious Major Superiors meet JOHOR BAHRU — The Conference of Religious Major Superiors (CRMS) of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei gathered at Majodi Centre, 9 - 11 January for their semi-annual meeting.

Twenty-two superiors of men and women religious congregations of Malaysia and Singapore also met up with the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia and Apostolic delegate to Brunei, Archbishop Joseph Martino.

In his address to the religious, Archbishop Marino thanked the religious men and women for the wonderful work they are doing for God and the Church.

On a personal note, the Nuncio informed the religious superiors that he is a product of religious educational institutions, from the age

TIME TO UPDATE ... Religious superiors meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino of five up to his Licentiate in Theology in Rome.

Archbishop Marino then urged the religious for special prayers for the forthcoming Ad Limina visit of the CBCMSB

with Pope Francis in February.

He stressed the importance of the Ad Limina visit of the local Arch/bishops with the Pope.

The CRMS also appreciates the opportunity to grow in

relationship with their respective Arch/bishops through these semi-annual encounters.

The major Superiors then joined the Catholic Bishops' Conference in the session with

SUHAKAM, led by Gerald Joseph.

The Human Rights Group encouraged the Church to continue its work to promote and uphold human rights based on the dignity of the human person, by conscientising the people, particularly the members of the Catholic Church.

They also mentioned that Catholic schools could contribute tremendously to upholding human rights through information campaigns in its schools.

The superiors also shared “family news” – updates on what is happening in their community and ministries.

They further discussed possible collaborative projects among themselves and other Christian organisations. ­Vincent D’Silva

Going for God: Vatican invited to attend Olympic opening ceremony

VATICAN CITY — For the first time, the International Olympic Committee has invited a Vatican delegation not only to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games, but also to attend its general meeting as an official observer.

The delegation was to be led

by Msgr Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture and head of its “Culture and Sport” section.

The Vatican delegation was invited to attend the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on 9 February as well as the Olympic committee’s annual session on 5-7 February where voting

Senior officials of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, both winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, carry the torch of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics during a relay in Cheongju.

members meet to discuss major issues in the world of sports,

reported the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, 2

Pope’s trip to Chile and Peru that concluded a few days ago.

The Al Akhbar agency published the contents of the message, although it has not released the video itself. It says that the video lasts 4:44 minutes

and that “the Colombian hostage pleads with the Pope of the Vatican to intervene to free her”.

Sr Cecelia was kidnapped on 7 February 2017 in southern Mali.

The Colombian National Police told RCN Radio earlier this month that they are collaborating with the Vatican police to obtain the 56-year-old nun’s release and met in Holland to exchange information.

“The Pope is aware of what Colombia is doing and to what point we’ve come to obtain her release,” said General Fernando Murillo of the Colombian National Police’s hostage and extortion unit. Continued on p8

Reported message from kidnapped nun calls on Pope for help

BAMAKO, Mali — A reported video message from a Colombian nun kidnapped almost a year ago in Mali appeals to Pope Francis for his help in securing her release.

The video was reportedly created by two local terrorist organisations that are linked to Al Qaeda.

According to the online edition of the Spanish newspaper El País, the video, which may have been recorded in December, would prove that Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti is still alive. In the video, Sister Cecelia reportedly mentions Christmas and the

February.

A Vatican delegation attended the opening of the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, but this was the first time a Vatican delegation was also invited to attend an annual session of the Olympic committee.

Msgr Sanchez, a former modern pentathlete, told the Vatican newspaper he would present Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, and all Korean Olympic athletes with the official yellow and white jerseys worn by members of the Vatican’s running club “Athletica Vaticana”, which – like its other sports teams – is made up of employees of Vatican City State and the Holy See.

Athletes from both North Korea and South Korea were to walk together during the opening ceremony and were to carry the Korean “Unification Flag” – a flag designed to represent all of Korea when athletes from the North and South participate as one team in sporting events.

Nearly two dozen North Korean athletes received permission from the IOC to compete in the Winter Games, which take place on 9-25 February. While athletes will compete for their respective countries, there will be a unified Korean team at the Olympics for the first time as players from both North and South Korea make up a team in women’s ice hockey. – CNS

HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH CELEBRATES ... Fr Joseph Chai welcoming his special guests from Australia, Fr Joseph Laundy, Fr Vinh Dong, Sr Tuyen and Sr Duyen to mark the occasion of his appointment as the new rector of Holy Spirit Church, Lundu. The Mass on the evening of 13 January was attended by many parishioners from Lundu and Kuching. The parishioners of Lundu extended a very warm welcome for Fr Joseph Chai and all guests with a dinner after the Mass.

NEWS

PAGE 8

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Filipino youths Pope Francis: Don’t let technology distribute candy to fight replace real encounters VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis told consecrated men and women Friday that they are called to have real encounters with their brothers and sisters, and that technology should never have a higher priority than time spent with God and others.

“Today’s frantic pace leads us to close many doors to encounter, often for fear of others,” the Pope said on 2 February. “Only shopping malls and internet connections are always open.”

“Yet that is not how it should be with consecrated life: the brother and the sister given to me by God are a part of my history, gifts to be cherished. May we never look at the screen of our mobile phone more than the eyes of our brothers or sisters, or focus more on our software than on the Lord.”

Pope Francis cautioned against getting trapped by the “life of this world,” pointing out how consecrated life, and vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, are about turning away “from fleeting riches to embrace the One who endures forever.”

“The life of this world pursues selfish pleasures and desires; the consecrated life frees our affections of every possession in order fully to love God and other people,” he said. “Worldly lives aim to do whatever we want; consecrated life chooses humble obedience as the greater freedom.”

The Pope’s homily came during Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which also marks the 22nd World Day of Consecrated Life.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also sometimes called Candlemas. On this day, many Christians bring candles to the church to be blessed. They can

pornography

Photo: CNS then light these candles at home during prayer or difficult times as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

The Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica began with a blessing of the candles in the rear of the church by Pope Francis.

He then processed into the darkened church with priests, bishops and cardinals carrying lit candles. Those present in the congregation also held small candles.

This feast, in the Eastern Churches, is sometimes called the “Feast of Encounter,” Francis said. Speaking to consecrated men and women, he noted that their vocation was borne of an encounter with the Lord and his call.

“We journey along a double track: on the one hand, God’s loving initiative, from which everything starts and to which we must always return; on the other, our own response, which is truly loving when it has no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’, when it imitates Jesus in his poverty, chastity and obedience,” he said.

Referencing the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the pontiff said that like the elderly Simeon, it is good for Catholics to also hold the Lord “in our arms”.

“Not only in our heads and in our hearts,” he explained, “but also ‘in our hands,’ in all that we do: in prayer, at work, at the table, on the telephone, at school, with the poor, everywhere.”

A genuine encounter with the Lord in this way helps to correct “saccharine piety and frazzled hyperactivity”. It also helps remedy the “paralysis of routine,” he said.

“The secret to fanning the flame of our spiritual life is a willingness to allow ourselves to encounter Jesus and to be encountered by him,” he continued. “Otherwise we fall into a stifling life, where disgruntlement, bitterness and inevitable disappointments get the better of us.”

In an encounter with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters our hearts can rest in the present moment, the Pope said, not worried about the past or the future.

He also drew attention to another encounter with Jesus from the Gospels that can inspire those in consecrated life – that of the women who go to the tomb to anoint Jesus after his death.

“They had gone to encounter the dead; their journey seemed useless,” he said. “You too are journeying against the current; the life of the world easily rejects poverty, chastity and obedience.”

“Like those women, be the first to meet the Lord, risen and alive. Cling to him and go off immediately to tell your brothers and sisters, your eyes gleaming with joy,” he concluded.

CNA/EWTN News

Reported message from kidnapped nun calls on Pope for help

• Continued from p7 He said the Colombian police are in ongoing contact with the Catholic Church in Mali to expedite negotiations.

Murillo said that the kidnapping was done for ransom purposes and that the authorities do not know the specific amount being asked for the release of the religious, nor of any communication the terrorists may have had with relatives.

At the end of the video, the terrorists reportedly propose “to negotiate through independent charitable organisations outside the colonialist force.”

Sr Cecilia has served in Mali for 12 years. Her community administers a large health centre in the country, as well as a home where they care for some 30 orphans between one and two years of age.

The children were all orphaned at birth, and the sisters

pick them up and take care of them, along with some moms that work with them, Sr Noemi Quesada, the superior of Sr Cecelia’s order in Colombia, told Colombia La FM Radio last February.

In addition to their pastoral ministry, they teach literacy to some 700 Muslim women and are working on a barn project for times of food shortages, as many mothers in the region die from malnutrition. — CNA

Photo: UCAN MANILA — Catholic youth groups in Manila are giving away candy ahead of Valentine’s Day as part of an awareness campaign against pornography.

It has become an annual activity of sorts for young people not only to promote “true, chaste love” on Valentine’s Day but also “to speak out against pornography”.

Anthony James Perez, head of a candy-giving project held every year to mark Valentine’s Day and dubbed #Free2Love, said pornography is “the enemy of true love because the endpoint is almost always selfpleasuring”.

“Love needs both men and women, but especially the men, to be selfless and to sacrifice their own comfort for the sake of their beloved,” said Perez.

Young Catholics belonging

to Prolife Philippines, Filipinos for Life, YouthPinoy, Love + Life Philippines, and Singles for Christ, will distribute packs of candy with literature on the “harmful effects of pornography” in Manila’s parks.

Perez said this year’s activity aims to warn young people about the “lasting negative effects” of pornography, including “women being objectified and sexually harassed”.

In previous years, the youth groups exchanged candy and flowers tagged with Bible verses for packs of condoms on Valentine’s Day to counter the Philippine government’s campaign to promote safe sex by distributing condoms in the streets.

Ucanews

Caviezel to play St Luke in upcoming St Paul biopic

DENVER, USA — It has been more than a decade since Jim Caviezel played Jesus in the “Passion of the Christ”.

This spring, he’ll play St Luke in another major religious film, “Paul, the Apostle of Christ,” opening in theatres on 28 March.

Unlike the “Passion”, Caviezel will not be the main actor in the film: James Faulkner, star of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” will portray Paul.

The movie follows St Paul in the last days of his life, facing Roman imprisonment for preaching Christianity while waiting execution under Emperor Nero. Luke, a physician, is able to visit his fellow Christian in jail.

Caviezel said the movie’s theme centres on forgiveness and merciful love, a message relevant today, and he recalled a powerful scene in which Paul restrains Luke from calling for justice on the Roman oppressors.

“Forgiveness starts with not just love, but ardent love,” Caviezel told USA Today. “It’s really easy to love people who

think like you think; it’s very hard to treat someone with a polar opposite view with the same dignity and respect you would treat a friend. That’s this movie’s core message.”

While the release of “Paul” is still a month away, Caviezel is also excited about another movie, the sequel to “The Passion,” again directed by Mel Gibson.

Caviezel has not disclosed the sequel’s tentative schedule for the filming date, but has hinted at some surprises in the retelling of Christ’s resurrection.

“There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience,” he said. “But I’ll tell you this much: The film [Mel Gibson’s] going to do is going to be the biggest film in history.

It’s that good.”

Mel Gibson has talked about the movie in the past.

He has said it has taken time to develop a script that sheds a new light on Christ’s resurrection without making it “weird”. — CNA/EWTN

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

FOCUS

PAGE 9

ON APOLOGETICS

Was Jesus Christ crucified?

by Deacon Dr Sherman Kuek, OFS

(Part I)

Now that we have addressed the question of whether Jesus was really God, we must turn to the next stage of concerns revolving around this Jesus. If Jesus was really the Son of God, how can his Father sacrifice him on the cross? It would not be conceivable that God would abandon his prophet into the hands of his enemies, let alone his Son. So this notion is rather blasphemous as far as our Muslim friends are concerned.

HOW MUSLIMS VIEW THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST In order to understand how Muslims view the crucifixion and death of Jesus, we need first to understand how they view the fall of the First Parents and their concept of humanity’s sin.

The Quran does contain an account of the sin of Adam, rather similar to the Biblical account (Quran 2:30-38). In this account, God commands Adam and his wife (who is, interestingly, not mentioned in the Quran as being named “Eve”) not to eat from the tree of life but they eventually disobey. Contrary to the Biblical account, Adam is recorded in the Quran as having repented and thus God forgives him. Therefrom, Adam becomes the first of many “sinless” prophets mentioned in the Quran.

On the issue of whether the sin of Adam had consequences for subsequent generations of humanity, the Muslim faith looks at both sides of the question. On the one hand, Adam and his wife (and subsequent generations of humanity) are driven out of Paradise, they are subject to the temptations of the Evil One, and their life is characterised by struggles and challenges.

A human person, despite not being personally responsible for the sins of his forefathers, does have a gravitation towards evil. The Quran frequently describes human persons as being inherently inclined towards evil. It often emphasises that humanity is rebellious, ungrateful, unbelieving, violent, impatient, quarrelsome, and untrustworthy (2:75; 3:72; 5:61; 6:43; 7:94-5; 14:34; 17:11,67,100; 18:54-5; 21:37; 33:72; 48:26). They kill one another and cause mischief (2:30) from the first instance of assassination, the murder of one of Adam’s sons by the other (5:27-32), to the killing by the people of Israel of the prophets whom God had sent to them (2:61; 3:21,112,181,183; 4:155; 5:70). The Quran therefore holds that humanity is most certainly prone to evil (12:53).

On the other hand, there are Quranic verses that emphatically reject the notion of a man bearing the consequences of another’s sin. It would be unjust to hold a child responsible for the sins of his parents. It is often prescribed in the Quran that “No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another…” (6:164; 7:28; 17:15; 35:18; and 39:7). These passages indicate that the fact of the First Parents’ sin cannot be used as an excuse for one’s own fallenness. In other words, Adam’s sin does not emancipate a person from personal responsibility. Each individual must be responsible for only his or her own choices and actions.

The Last Judgement, for Muslims, is an individual judgement, whereby every person will be required to account for his or her life personally (references in 52:21; 53:38; 56:4-11; 82:19). Of particular relevance is the passage which states as follows: On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done). Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it.

(Al-Zalzalah, 99:6-8, Yusuf Ali’s translation)

14th century icon of the crucifixion With this, we now turn to the question of how the Muslims would then view the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In accordance with the Muslim point of view, the sacrifice of an innocent man, no matter how righteous he may be, cannot eradicate the sins of another man or release another man from the weight of his responsibility over his own sins. Because of this, to allege that an innocent man died in the place of someone else who deserved that death is nothing short of scandalous.

In fact, for Muslims, there would not even be a need for anyone to sacrifice for the sins of a person. Since Allah is merciful and kind, he forgives anyone who would be willing to repent and surrender themselves in obedience to him and who is willing to constantly live in their faith as Muslims. So there is no need for anybody’s sacrifice in place of someone else.

3

FEATURE

PAGE 10

Lent ISN’T meant to be

sweet

by Lexie Metzler

What in me must die so that God can live within me?

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Pillars of Lent ALMSGIVING | FASTING | PRAYER

LENT begins with ASH WEDNESDAY, where we remember our mortality and need for repentance. The infographic below shows what each of the “3 pillars of Lent” is and how to practise them this Lent.

When I was growing up, my understanding of Lent was that I wasn’t supposed to be eating candy, I got “black stuff” on my forehead at the beginning of the season, and we didn’t eat meat on Fridays. What it actually meant was beyond me; and to be completely honest, I didn’t really care.

At the time, I didn’t really know Jesus. I knew that God existed, but the message of the Paschal Mystery was foreign. Thankfully, my heart converted during my high school years, and my life was never the same.

Once you let Jesus open your heart and transform you, Lent suddenly has an entirely new meaning.

Many of us have heard the verse, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). In other words, we must be willing to let go of our desires and plans in order to allow him to renew our souls.

I remember during Ash Wednesday 2017, the priest kept saying, “What in me must die so that he can live within me?”

That is what Lent is really about; not that giving up candy for 40 days is going to get us into Heaven, but to rid ourselves of our ungodly ways so that we can be filled with his spirit and become more like him. As Jesus went to be tempted by the Devil for 40 days, we too let ourselves go through temptation by challenging ourselves, asking Jesus to help us through it.

We undergo a “spiritual death” so that on Easter, we may rise with him.

2. You can add something The common question for the season is “what are you giving up for Lent?”

But believe it or not, we can actually add something, like additional prayer or even attending daily Mass. The real deal is to be challenged spiritually.

What do we give up for Lent?

Here are a few tips to help you decide.

5. Memento Mori (Remember your death) If you are active on Catholic Twitter, chances you are aware of #mementomori from Sr Theresa Aletheia. She’s an awesome media nun who has been keeping a skull on her desk for over 180 days, used as a reminder that there is something even greater after life.

Why not give it a try yourself? Having a reminder that we are living for something greater than ourselves definitely can give us a push on our path to holiness, which is something we absolutely need Jesus for. Plus, as Sister has mentioned, it’s quite the conversation starter.

1. Lent isn’t meant for dieting fads I know so many people who give up sweets and/or coffee for Lent.

Some people may have a real addiction to something that is truly harming their body, and, in that case, giving up something food related would be fine. However, in other cases, it’s important to look at what you are really worshiping here…God, or your body?

Is the food you are giving up really going to put you through an emptiness that you can fill in with Jesus, or is it just a convenient (but not so holy) timeframe to use to begin a new diet, like the beginning of the New Year?

3. Give up AND add something The first time I had ever heard this idea was in college and honestly, it makes the most sense to me. How many of us have claimed that we don’t have time to pray? In fact, the bigger question is, why we are treating Jesus like an item on our to-do list? Hey, I’m guilty of it too, unfortunately. For example, you can sacrifice watching your favourite show, or… dare I say it, give up binge-watching Netflix to spend time in prayer instead.

Or, replace a bad habit with something spiritual. With Lent, we are supposed to rid ourselves of what takes us away from Christ and to give up our wilfulness in order to let Jesus fill us.

4. Charity I saw a commercial recently reminding me that just because the “season of giving” is over, doesn’t mean that we should stop helping others. That may sound obvious, but it is so easy to get caught up in ourselves, especially once the Christmas season is over, because we are trying to get back into the “flow.”

However, being selfless is a great way to empty ourselves for Christ. Plus, acts of charity help us to do his work.

Adapted from CatholicLink

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

FEATURE

PAGE 11

Lenten listening: What do you hear?

by Carolyn Woo There is an ongoing debate in our home on how well my husband can hear. He doesn’t always catch the conversation, and particularly so in noisy venues. Sometimes I will loudly convey a message from the bottom of the stairs to his office upstairs. (I guess that would be yelling, but it is such an unattractive image!)

Almost always, David will work hard to get the message: In a crowd, he will cup one ear and lean toward the speaker; at home he will come into the room where I am; and frequently he asks for repetitions.

One day watching Dave, it hit me that Lent is a time to practise our hearing. For many of us, our spiritual listening skills are probably not much better than my husband’s physical hearing. There is so much noise around us: news and messages demanding our attention, music through ear buds to facilitate our escape to some other world that we would rather be in, and background TV that is on everywhere.

Lent is a gift from the church for us to tune into what God is trying to tell us.

When I was young, I associated Lent with a much deserved “scold” with all the readings and homilies pointing out our faults and follies. It filled me with dread and unshakeable weariness of my own imperfections and vanities.

In time, my thinking evolved and now I approach Lent as a time of warning – much like road signs that spell out “Danger”, “Do Not Trespass”, “Dead End”, “Slow”, “Mind the Gap” or “Exit”. All these messages are meant

Q&A

Q A

The first step in listening to God is to say

“I can’t hear”

to alert us, calling for needed behaviour before we get into deep trouble.

The prodigal son found great mercy and a much better life when he returned to his father. But he had to take note, acknowledge his mistakes and reverse direction. Lent invites us to do the same.

The ultimate goal of Lenten exercises is not to avoid punishment, but to end up in that kingdom in which the prodigal son made his home. Yes, Lent reminds us of our faults, but it does not end there.

Such examination helps us get out of the ruts that prevent us from living our full potential as children of God: gifted, loved and made in his image.

Lent probes our ways that can be

small, suffocating and foolish in light of the real prize. It speaks with a certain urgency to not waste time, to not waste our lives. Most precious for me, Lent offers hope in that my repentance does not all depend on me, but on God’s grace that is there for our asking. Lent invites us to ask.

Learning from my husband, perhaps the first step in listening to God is to say, “I can’t hear”. The second step is to assert and affirm our desire to hear, and to actively place ourselves in the presence of God. For these 40 days of Lent, we can hang a “reserve” sign on certain moments of the day so we can listen to God through

Scripture, the needs of another person and our hearts.

One of my Lenten practices is to keep a journal of my reflections from the daily readings and meditations: They seldom exceed five sentences.

During the Easter triduum, I review these and somehow the act feels like a conversation.

Look, we are all a bit lost. But Jesus reassured us in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Lent is that time to turn our ears, minds and hearts to the shepherd’s beckoning.

CNS

Why Mass stipends?

by Fr Kenneth Doyle

Why does the church solicit stipends for Mass requests? It seems that we haven’t learned anything from the Protestant Reformation in 1517. I wish that the church would discontinue this practice.

What do you think?

I certainly would not mind if the church were to discontinue the present practice of Mass stipends, but let me offer some background.

First, the church’s Code of Canon Law uses the word “offering”, not “stipend” – to highlight that this is a free-will gesture and not an

obligation.

To require payment would be wrong, and in fact the code specifies that priests should “celebrate Mass for the intention of the Christian faithful, especially the needy, even if they have not received an offering” (945.2).

Next, in some developing countries, priests do not receive a regular salary but are totally dependent on Mass offerings to meet their living expenses.

Third, the code is especially concerned that “any appearance of trafficking or trading is to be excluded entirely from the offering for Masses” (947). There is no financial incentive for a priest to celebrate multiple Masses a day since he is permitted to keep for himself the offering from only one Mass (951.1).

That having been said, I would still feel more comfortable if there were another way of doing things. I cannot count how many times, in my 50-plus years of priesthood, people have asked me, “How much does a Mass cost?” I have to explain that there is no set fee, that the suggested offering is $10, but if that’s any problem, you can donate something less or nothing at all, and the Mass will still be offered for the intention you desire.

Practically speaking, if there were no Mass offerings at all, I suppose some people might submit pages of intentions regularly while others might be embarrassed ever to ask. And I also think there is some merit in the present practice, when one makes a nominal financial sacrifice to request a Mass for a loved one. So I’m not sure what the ultimate solution is, and the floor is open for suggestions. — CNS

The church’s Code of Canon Law uses the word “offering”, not “stipend” – to highlight that this is a free-will gesture and not an obligation.

PAGE 12

FEATURE

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Year of the Dog 2018 in Christian Perspective

Introduction The Dog is the 11th symbolic animal of the twelve terrestrial branches. It is classified as one of the six animals of China (Birds and Beast).

There are different kinds of dogs of all sizes and shapes looking like a bull, lion, monkey, cat and etc. Some are very intelligent and have special characteristics. They are employed for various uses to humanity.

The following are some of the types of dogs used for various functions on special occasions.

福 Wishing all readers a Happy Chinese New Year of the Dog!

The dog as guardian A dog acts as a guard of the house to protect the children, the household and property of the master. Even in modern times, dogs are employed to sniff out harmful drugs as a guardian of society.

As Christians and followers of Christ, we should be like the guardian-dog, striving to protect the deposit of faith and the teaching of Christ with great fidelity and alertness, especially in this age of materialism and moral degradation of even the Christians and the secular society at large. The sanctity of marriage and of the family in particular has been severely threatened, violated, and crushed to the point of nearly no return.

Dog employed for rescue operation In times of danger on the icy lands of snow and cold, dogs are employed to rescue people and livestock.

In times of fire or disaster, dogs have helped to pull their master or children to safety.

Dogs are employed to detect the presence of criminals or to find the lost.

Like this wonderful quality of the dog, we must come to be the ‘saviour’ of people from all sorts of danger and harm to their body and souls - especially from sin and Satan.

In Christ, we must be ‘saviours’ of others by our care, action and prayer.

The dog and ‘discernment’ The dog is extremely sensitive, ‘intelligent’ and quick to know by intuition, the needs and commands of the

Local Domestic Helper Needed Day or stay-in * To do general household duties * Able to cook Contact: Julie (019-8568191)

master.

We must also be quick to discern the will and wishes of our Master and Lord Jesus. If we do not have this gift, we should humbly and sincerely ask from the Lord this gift of discernment.

It is very necessary that we can detect or discern in spiritual depth, what comes or is from the Lord Jesus and what comes or is from the devil – the evil one.

Jesus warned us to be awake and to be as “cunning” as a fox, or else, even the holiest among us would be deceived

by Satan. Discern what is from God and accept it and do it. Discern what is from the devil and reject it, as well as warn others to reject it.

The dog leads the way This image of a dog carrying a torch with its mouth to light the way for its imperial master is a beautiful on for us Christians who have received the Light of Life and Love of Christ. We are called to be the torch bearers of our faith and of Christ himself and to be his witnesses throughout the world, to herald his coming to them and to bring to them the Light of Christ.

The dog barks to warn of dangers ahead so that steps must be taken to avert the dangers. How beautiful comes the thought of the Greatest Prophet, John the Baptist. We must be like John the Baptist, a voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Saviour’s coming to warn people of the dangers ahead, to take measures to repent and be saved by Jesus Our Saviour, from sin and death.

The shepherd dog A dog acting as a shepherd or helping the shepherd is a common phenomenon in countries where sheep are reared.

Here is the image of the beauty and faithfulness of a shepherd dog which is so hard working in serving its master with such exemplary loyalty that the master (the shepherd) always treasures, loves and gives the choicest food as a reward for his shepherd dog’s help to look after his sheep.

This brings to mind Jesus as a good

With Compliments

The dog in Holy Scriptures A Canaanite woman persistently begged Jesus to cast out demon from her daughter. Jesus said, “It is not right to take the children’s food and throw to the dogs”. The woman replied, “Ah, even dogs can eat of the food that drops from their master’s table”. Jesus replied, “Woman, great is your faith. What you want, will be done for you.” At that moment, her daughter was healed (See Mt 15:21-28).

The Canaanite woman was considered to be as low as a ‘dog’. But the ‘dog’ believes in and is faithful to its master. This woman believes and is faithful to her Master and Lord Jesus.

She firmly believes in him and is richly rewarded by him for her faith and fidelity.

Conclusion May this New Year of the Dog 2018 bring prosperity and happiness to our homes.

May we have greater fidelity and loyalty to God’s commandments of love and service to everyone.

May we have greater discernment to protect and guide, shepherd and enlighten people, to be torch bearers of Christ and to proclaim Christ to the world, to save and lead many to Christ, the Good Shepherd to enter God’s Kingdom to live a life of love, joy, peace, harmony and untold blessings!

Fr Stephen Chin Lian Swee Rector Sacred Heart Church, Kuching

The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light.

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shepherd. We are his sheep. He takes care of us. He chooses the baptised to be his witnesses, to be light of the world and salt of the earth. We are to be like the shepherd dog - faithful and loyal to Christ, to look after the sheep of the good shepherd, to help, lead, guide, the sheep (people) to Christ and to protect them from the wolves (devils). Yes we are to be ‘other shepherds’, ‘other Christs’ to follow Christ’s example in taking care of his sheep, tending them with great care and diligence.

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

CHILDREN

Jesus heals a paralytic

Hi Kids!

February is the month of love. We celebrate love by loving our parents, brothers and sisters, friends and all those around us. We celebrate love because Jesus loves us. Lent season also begins in the month February. Let’s do a little extra good deeds for the people we love.

PAGE 13

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...”

He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

Mark 2:10-11 Aunty Jo

Read how Jesus healed the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12.

Find the words of the passage in the wordsearch below.

Jesus heals a leper A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

“I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”

Mark 1:40-41 Read Mark 1:40-45.

Complete the crossword puzzle.

DOWN 1. An adult male 2. A person who has been trained to perform religious duties in some churches 4. To be free from dirt or impurities 5. To come in contact with something, especially with the hands

BEG CLEAN HAND LEPROSY MAN PRIEST SACRIFICE TOUCH

ACROSS 3. To offer an animal or other material possession to God 6. To plead for something; or to ask again and again 7. A skin disease 8. The part of the body at the end of the arm that includes the fingers

AMAZED CARRIED CROWD FAITH

FORGIVEN FOUR HOME LOWERED

MAT MEN OPENING PARALYTIC

PRAISED ROOF SINS WALK

LENT

Carrying the message “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1:15

Each number above represents a letter of the alphabet.

Substitute the correct letter for the numbers to reveal the coded words below.

1. 13-15-7-18 __________________________________________________________________ 2. 13-15-2-25 __________________________________________________________________ 3. 3-25-16-14-19-2-12-26 _______________________________________________________ 4. 17-12-26-15 _________________________________________________________________ 5. 6-16-16-5 ___________________________________________________________________

Photos: CNS

BELIEVE COME GOOD KINGDOM NEAR NEWS PRISON PROCLAIM REPENT TIME

Lent is a forty-day season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The season begins on Ash Wednesday, when the priests mark the foreheads of Christians with ashes as a reminder that we are created from dust and to dust we shall return.

During Lent, we follow Jesus from his adult ministry through his suffering during Holy Week to his crucifixion and death on Good Friday. And we read the Psalms that foretold what happened during that week.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, and continues through Holy Thursday (when Holy Communion was instituted at the Last Supper) and Good Friday, when Jesus was tried, crucified, and buried.

Because the Last Supper was celebrated during the Feast of the Passover, which is calculated on the phases of the moon, Easter is called a movable feast. Lent is scheduled backwards from Easter.

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox. The forty days of fasting and penitence during Lent do not include Sundays. Christians always celebrate Sunday as the day Jesus rose from the dead, so it is never a day of fasting.

Jesus gave us the work of preaching the Good News.

Here’s a little prayer to our Father to help us carry his message to others.

Here are the important dates during Lent this year: Ash Wednesday - 14 February Palm Sunday - 25 March Holy Thursday - 29 March Good Friday - 30 March Holy Saturday - 31 March

6. 25-15-3-15-13-17 ____________________________________________________________ 7. 3-25-12-18-16-13 ____________________________________________________________ 8. 23-12-13-6-5-16-26 ___________________________________________________________ 9. 14-16-26-15 _________________________________________________________________ 10. 22-15-19-12-15-1-15 __________________________________________________________

PAGE 14

YOUTH

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

YOUTH

PAGE 15

PAGE 22

FOKUS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

MENGENAI APOLOGETIK

Adakah Yesus Kristus disalibkan?

K

Oleh Diakon Dr Sherman Kuek, OFS

(Bahagian I)

ita sudah menjawab persoalan mengenai sama ada Yesus adalah Allah ataupun bukan, dan sekarang kita beralih kepada kemusykilan seterusnya yang berkisar sekitar Yesus. Jika Yesus benar-benar Putera Allah, bagaimanakah BapaNya dapat mengorbankanNya di atas salib? Ia tidak mungkin terlintas di fikiran bahawa Allah akan menyerahkan nabiNya ke dalam tangan musuhNya, apatah lagi PuteraNya. Maka itu tanggapan ini seperti satu kekufuran atau hinaan terhadap Allah bagi rakan-rakan kita yang Muslim.

Pandangan Orang Muslim mengenai penyaliban Yesus Kristus Untuk memahami pandangan orang Muslim mengenai penyaliban dan kematian Yesus, kita perlu terlebih dahulu memahami pandangan mereka mengenai kejatuhan Ibu Bapa Pertama serta konsep mereka mengenai dosa manusia.

Al-Quran ada mengandungi ayat-ayat mengenai dosa Adam, yang agak sama dengan tulisan dalam Al-Kitab (Al-Quran 2:30-38). Dalam petikan ini, Allah memerintah Adam dan isterinya (yang menariknya tidak disebut dalam Al-Quran sebagai bernama Hawa (Eve)) untuk tidak makan dari pokok kehidupan tetapi mereka pada akhirnya mengingkariNya juga. Tidak seperti petikan dalam Al-Kitab, Adam dicatatkan dalam Al-Quran sebagai sudah bertaubat dan oleh yang demikian Allah mengampuninya. Sejak itu Adam menjadi nabi pertama di antara ramai nabi “tidak berdosa” yang disebut dalam Al-Quran.

Mengenai isu sama ada dosa Adam meninggalkan kesan ke atas generasi manusia seterusnya atau tidak, kepercayaan Muslim melihat kedua-dua aspek persoalan tersebut. Dari satu sudut, Adam dan isterinya (dan seterusnya generasi manusia yang menyusul selepas mereka) diusir dari Firdaus, mereka tertakluk kepada godaan Si Jahat, dan kehidupan mereka dicorakkan oleh kesusahan dan pancaroba.

Manusia, walaupun tidak bertanggungjawab bagi dosa-dosa nenek moyangnya, sememangnya mempunyai kecenderungan atau tarikan ke arah kejahatan. Ia sering menekankan bahawa umat manusia cenderung memberontak, tidak bersyukur, tidak percaya, ganas, tidak sabar, suka bergaduh, dan tidak boleh dipercayai (2:75; 3:72; 5:61; 6:43; 7:94-5; 14:34; 17:11,67,100; 18:54-5; 21:37; 33:72; 48:26).

Mereka membunuh satu sama lain dan melakukan kerosakan (2:30) daripada pembunuhan pertama, iaitu pembunuhan salah seorang anak lelaki Adam oleh seorang lagi anaknya (5:27-32), hingga kepada pembunuhan nabi-nabi yang diutus Allah kepada bangsa Israel oleh bangsa itu sendiri (2:61; 3:21,112,181,183; 4:155; 5:70).

Maka itu Al-Quran menyatakan umat manusia ternyata sekali cenderung ke arah kejahatan (12:53).

Dari sudut lain, terdapat ayat-ayat dalam Al-Quran yang menolak sekeras-kerasnya tanggapan mengenai manusia yang menanggung akibat daripada dosa manusia lain.

Ia adalah tidak adil untuk mempertanggungjawabkan anak bagi dosa ibu bapanya.

Ia sering dianjurkan dalam Al-Quran bahawa “Tidak ada penanggung beban yang dapat menanggung beban orang lain …” (6:164; 7:28; 17:15; 35:18; and 39:7). Petikan ini menunjukkan hakikat bahawa dosa Ibu Bapa Pertama tidak boleh digunakan sebagai alasan bagi kejatuhan kita sendiri. Dalam erti kata lain, dosa Adam tidak melepaskan seseorang itu daripada tanggungjawab peribadi. Setiap individu mesti bertanggungjawab bagi pilihan dan tindakannya sendiri.

Penghakiman Terakhir, bagi orang Muslim, adalah satu penghakiman individu, di mana setiap insan diwajibkan untuk mempertanggungjawabkan kehidupannya secara peribadi (rujukan dalam 52:21; 53:38; 56:4-11; 82:19). Khususnya relevan adalah petikan yang menyatakan seperti berikut:

3 TONGGAK LENT

Pada Hari itu manusia akan bergerak dalam kumpulan yang tersusun, untuk ditunjukkan amalan yang mereka telah buat. Ketika itu baharulah sesiapa sahaja yang telah melakukan kebaikan seberat atom, melihatnya! Dan sesiapa

Ikon penyaliban dari abad ke-14 yang telah membuat kejahatan seberat atom, akan melihatnya.

(Al-Zalzalah, 99:6-8, menurut terjemahan Yusuf Ali ke dalam Bahasa Inggeris) Dengan ini, kita sekarang beralih kepada persoalan tentang pandangan orang Muslim seterusnya mengenai penyaliban Yesus Kristus. Menurut pendapat Muslim, pengorbanan seorang manusia yang tidak berdosa, tidak kira betapa benar, tidak dapat membasmi dosa-dosa manusia lain atau melepaskan manusia lain daripada beban tanggungjawab ke atas dosanya sendiri. Oleh kerana ini, untuk membuat dakwaan bahawa seorang manusia yang tidak berdosa mati di tempat orang lain yang sewajarnya menanggung kematian itu adalah satu skandal.

Sebenarnya, bagi orang Muslim, keperluan itu malah tidak ada bagi sesiapa untuk dikorbankan bagi dosa seseorang. Memandangkan Allah Maha Rahim dan Maha Baik, Dia mengampuni sesiapa sahaja yang bersedia untuk bertaubat dan menyerahkan diri dalam ketaatan kepadaNya dan bersedia untuk sentiasa hidup dalam kepercayaan mereka sebagai orang Muslim. Maka itu keperluan bagi pengorbanan seseorang itu untuk menggantikan tempat orang lain adalah tidak perlu.

D O A PUASA SEDEKAH

Berikan kepadaNya apa yang anda mampu: meritnya bukan sama ada ia besar atau kecil, tetapi dalam niat anda memberinya.

— St Josemaria Escriva

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

IMAN DAN HIDUP

PAGE 23

Mendengar Lent: Apakah yang anda dengar? oleh Carolyn Woo Perdebatan sedang berlangsung dalam keluarga kami mengenai sejauh mana suami saya dapat mendengar. Dia selalunya tidak memahami perbualan, khususnya di tempat bising. Kadangkadang saya akan menyampaikan mesej dengan suara kuat dari bawah tangga ke pejabatnya di atas. (Saya agak itu adalah menjerit, tetapi ia adalah imej yang begitu tidak menarik!)

Hampir selalunya, David akan berusaha keras untuk memahami mesej: di khalayak ramai, dia akan meletak tangan pada sebelah telinga dan mendekatkan telinga ke arah pengucap; di rumah dia akan memasuki bilik di mana saya berada; dan dia kerap meminta diulang kenyataan.

Suatu hari ketika saya melihat Dave, saya tiba-tiba sedar bahawa Lent adalah waktu untuk mengamalkan pendengaran kita. Bagi kebanyakan kita, kemahiran mendengar rohani kita mungkin tidak lebih bagus berbanding pendengaran jasmani suami saya. Bunyi bising di sekeliling saya kuat: berita dan mesej yang menuntut perhatian kita, muzik menerusi fon telinga untuk memudahkan kita lari ke dunia lain di mana kita lebih suka berada, dan TV yang sentiasa dipasang di latar belakang.

Lent merupakan pemberian dari Gereja untuk kita cuba memahami apa yang Tuhan cuba beritahu kepada kita.

Ketika saya muda, saya mengaitkan Lent dengan “teguran” yang sewajarnya dengan semua bacaan dan homili yang menunjukkan kesalahan dan kebodohan

kita. Ia memenuhi saya dengan ketakutan dan kebosanan dengan kesia-siaan dan sifat kita sendiri yang tidak sempurna.

Lama kelamaan, pemikiran saya berubah dan saya sekarang menyambut Lent sebagai masa amaran - sama seperti tanda jalan yang menyebut “Bahaya”, “Jangan Ceroboh”, “Jalan Mati”, “Perlahan”, “Berhati-hati dengan Luban” atau “Pintu Keluar”.

Semua mesej ini bertujuan untuk membuat kita berjaga-jaga, yang menuntut tingkah-laku yang diperlukan sebelum kita jatuh ke dalam masalah yang mendalam.

Anak sesat menemui belaskasihan yang hebat dan kehidupan yang jauh lebih baik apabila dia kembali kepada

Hati ke hati...

bapanya. Tetapi dia perlu mengambil perhatian, mengakui kesilapannya dan berpatah balik. Lent mengajak kita untuk melakukan perkara yang sama.

Matlamat utama amalan Lent bukanlah untuk mengelak hukuman, tetapi untuk sampai ke kerajaan itu di mana anak sesat itu membina rumahnya.

Ya, Lent mengingatkan kita kepada kesalahan kita, tetapi ia tidak berakhir di sana. Renungan sedemikian membantu kita keluar dari kemelut yang menghalang kita daripada menjalani potensi kita sepenuhnya sebagai anak0anak Tuhan: berbakat, disayangi dan dibuat menurut imejNya. Lent meneliti cara kita yang mungkin kecil, melemaskan dan bodoh dalam

cahaya hadiah sebenar. Ia bercakap dengan kesegeraan tertentu untuk tidak membuang masa, untuk tidak mensiasiakan hidup kita. Paling tak ternilai bagi saya, Lent memberi harapan bahawa pertaubatan say tidak semuanya bergantung kepada saya, tetapi rahmat Tuhan yang ada untuk kita pinta. Lent mengajak kita untuk meminta.

Belajar dari suami saya, mungkin langkagh pertama untuk mendengara Tuhan adalah untuk menyatakan, “Saya tidak dapat mendengar.” Langkah kedua ialah untuk menegaskan dan mengesahkan keinginan kita untuk mendengar, dan meletakkan diri kita secara aktif di dalam hadirat Tuhan.

Selama 40 hari dalam Musim Lent ini, kita dapat menggantung tanda “simpan” pada waktu tertenttu setiap hari supaya kita dapat mendengar Tuhan menerusi Al-Kitab, keperluan orang lain serta hati kita.

Salah satu amalan Lent saya ialah untuk menyimpan jurnal bagi renungan saya dari bacaan dan meditasi harian: ia jarang melebihi lima ayat. Sewaktu triduum Paska, saya menelitinya semula dan amalan itu rasa seperti satu perbualan.

Beginilah, semua kita sedikit keliru.

Namun Yesus memberi jaminan kepada kita dalam Yohanes 10:27, “DombaKu mendengar suaraKu; Aku mengenali mereka, dan mereka mengikut Aku.” Lent merupakan waktu itu untuk mengalihkan telinga, minda dan hati kita kepada panggilan gembala.

CNS (Terjemahan)

Iman kita kepada Tuhan boleh membawa perubahan kepada orang lain.

dari pena penulis jemputan,

Fr Lazarus Swinie

“Tak kenal maka tak cinta”, itulah tajuk lagu Francisca dan Royston yang menjadi siulan muda-mudi pada tahun 80an.

Walaupun demikian, ratusan atau ribuan yang kita kenali namun cuma puluhan yang kita cintai.

Di dalam iman, mengenali tidaklah mencukupi. Kita tahu jutaan manusia mengenali Yesus. Sebelum Adven, pusat membeli belah sudah mulai dihiasi dengan pokok Krismas; perayaan Krismas, Jumaat Agung dan Paska dirayakan atau sekurang-kurangnya dikenali di seluruh dunia. Apa sahaja yang berbentuk salib juga dikaitan dengan Yesus.

Namun pada hakikatnya mengenali Yesus tidak

semestinya pengikut Yesus.

Dalam Alkitab juga ada menyatakan bahawa roh jahat juga mengenal Yesus. Di Kapernaum roh jahat berkata, “Aku tahu siapa Engkau. Engkau Yang Suci daripada Allah” (Mat. 1: 24) manakala di daerah Gerasa roh jahat mengakui Yesus sebagai “Anak Allah Yang Maha Tinggi” (Mat. 5:7).

Roh jahat mengenali keilahian Yesus tetapi dalam masa yang sama mereka berusaha untuk menjatuhkan pengikut Yesus.

Siapakah Yesus kepada kita?

Adakah kita mengenali Yesus hanya melalui perayaan atau simbol?

Iman adalah cara kehidupan.

Ianya melebihi perayaan dan simbol. Ianya juga melebihi

penyembahan pada hari Minggu atau pesta gereja. Ada kalanya kita hanyalah umat ‘hai, hai dan bye, bye.” Pada hari Minggu dan pesta gereja kita datang untuk mengucapkan ‘hai’ kepada Yesus. Setelah selesai, kita ucapkan ‘bye, bye’ kepadaNya. Kita tinggalkan Yesus di gereja sebab kita percaya di situlah tempat kediaman-Nya. Kita malu untuk menjemputNya ke rumah kita sebab kita tahu rumah kita tidak cantik atau keluarga kita tidaklah sempurna.

Abraham tidak pernah meragui janji Tuhan terhadapnya. Melalui iman Abraham, dalam usia yang sudah dianggap tidak subur Sarah telah melahirkan seorang anak lelaki seperti yang dijanjikan oleh Tuhan. Kehidupan Abraham dan Sarah berubah setelah kelahiran

Ishak. Dengan penuh iman, kita juga boleh mengubah rumah kita yang tidak cantik kepada tempat kediaman yang sempurna dan keluarga yang tidak sempurna kepada sebuah keluarga yang saling mengasihi.

Sebelum meninggalkan gereja pada perayaan Misa Kudus paderi mengutus kita dengan kata-kata, “Marilah pergi! Kita diutus.” Melalui pengutusan ini kita dipanggil bukan hanya untuk membawa Yesus balik ke rumah kediaman kita tetapi juga kepada orang lain. Iman kita kepada Tuhan boleh membawa perubahan kepada orang lain seperti Abraham kepada Sarah yang kurang percaya. Iman kita boleh membawa harapan kepada mereka yang putus harapan akibat penganiayaan,

tekanan hidup, penyakit dan kemiskinan. Kita membawa Yesus kepada mereka melalui layanan yang penuh dengan cinta kasih.

Iman bukanlah anganangan tetapi adalah usaha untuk mendekati Tuhan dan mengurus kehidupan kita seturut kehendak-Nya. Ketika Tuhan memanggil Abram meninggalkan negerinya, Abram membawa bersamanya binatang ternakan dan hambahambanya menuju ke Tanah Haran. Iman menjadikan kita lebih tekun berusaha serta mensyukuri rahmat dan belas kasih Tuhan.

Marilah kita menyintai Yesus sepertimana Dia telah menyintai kita.

Fr Lazarus Swinie

IMAN DAN HIDUP

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Rayuan Lent Tahunan 2018 Pesanan daripada Uskup Agung Simon Poh

P

ada tahun ini, Tahun Baharu Cina jatuh pada hari ketiga Musim Lent. Uskup-uskup kita di Malaysia telah memberi pengecualian daripada puasa dan pantang makan pada Jumaat ini sempena perayaan tersebut di mana kita bersyukur dan memberikan penghormatan kepada orang tua kita, bergembira dan mengeratkan lagi hubungan dengan rakan-rakan.

Perutusan Bapa Suci kita, Pope Francis, sempena Lent menuntut perubahan kepada hati yang dingin dan cenderung mementingkan diri sendiri dan asyik dalam kehidupan materialistik. Lent merupakan waktu yang sesuai untuk memulakan lembaran baharu, menyesali dosa-dosa, memperbaharui kepercayaan kita serta membawa harapan dan belaskasihan kepada mereka yang memerlukan bantuan di kalangan kita.

DOA membolehkan kita untuk merenungkan fikiran kita, dan mendengar bisikan lembut Allah di tengah dunia yang sibuk. Kita bercakap dengan Tuhan kita dalam doa, berjalan bersamaNya dalam doa Jalan Salib.

HUKUMAN BAGI DOSA Menerusi pantang dan puasa, kita mahu mengatasi gaya hidup materialistik dan hedonistik yang mengejar kenikmatan

S&J

Berikanlah wang yang

dijimatkan itu sebagai

pemberian kasih

anda kepada Tuhan.

dan keseronokan. Hukuman bagi dosa kita mengajak kita untuk meninggalkan gaya hidup yang mementingkan diri sendiri. Gereja mengajak kita untuk hidup dengan rendah hati dan berkongsi sumber kita. Dengan seruan bagi mewujudkan keadilan, kita boleh memilih untuk tidak membazirkan makanan. Akhbar The Star (24 May 2016) melaporkan “rakyat Malaysia membazirkan 15,000 tan makanan setiap hari termasuk 3,000 tan yang masih boleh dimakan dan tidak

Mendoakan Musim Lent yang dipenuhi Roh Kudus.

Kenapa ada stipendium Misa? oleh Fr Kenneth Doyle

S

Kenapakah Gereja meminta stipendium untuk doa permintaan jemaat dalam Misa? Ia seakan-akan kita belum mempelajari apa-apa daripada Reformasi Protestan pada 1517. Saya harap Gereja tidak meneruskan amalan ini.

Apa pendapat anda?

J

harus dibuang”. Marilah kita membawa kelainan pada Musim Lent ini.

MEMBERI SEDEKAH adalah lebih daripada sekadar memberi $$$ atau derma kepada badan amal atau orang miskin, sebagai satu cara untuk menyenangkan suara hati kita disebabkan oleh gaya hidup kita yang materialistik atau cara bagi menebus kegagalan kita untuk menyumbang kepada masyarakat.

Memberi sedekah menuntut sikap dalaman bagi kita untuk menyerahkan

hati kita dan bersedia untuk “memberi sehingga ia menyakitkan”. Selain itu, saya meminta anda mengetepikan wang yang dijimatkan daripada amalan menghindari coklat, aiskrim dan sebagainya serta wang yang dijimatkan kerana tidak makan di luar atau menonton filem, dan sebagainya.

Berikanlah wang yang dijimatkan itu sebagai pemberian kasih anda kepada Tuhan.

Saya merayu kepada semua orang Katolik untuk mendapatkan sampul dan Kotak Lent anda. Cubalah menjalani gaya hidup yang sederhana. Marilah kita kurangkan makanan dan janganlah kita membazir makanan, air, elektrik, dan sebagainya. Sentiasa merenung diri dalam apa jua yang kita buat dan berdoalah dengan lebih bersungguhsungguh. Sebagai tanda kesyukuran kepada Allah kita yang Maha Penyayang dan yang memberikan kepada kita PuteraNya yang Tunggal, Yesus, marilah kita memberi dengan murah hati untuk menyokong Rayuan Lent kerana “ukuran yang kamu beri adalah ukuran yang kamu akan terima” (Matius 7:2).

Saya sudah tentu tidak kisah jika Gereja tidak meneruskan amalan stipendium Misa seperti sekarang, tetapi izinkanlah saya untuk memberi sedikit latar belakang. Pertama sekali, Kanun Undang-undang Gereja menggunakan perkataan “pemberian”, bukan “stipendium” – untuk menyatakan bahawa ini adalah sesuatu yang bebas dan bukan satu kewajipan.

Meminta bayaran adalah salah, dan sebenarnya kanun itu menyatakan bahawa paderi harus “merayakan Misa untuk niat jemaat Kristian, terutamanya mereka yang memerlukan bantuan, walaupun jika mereka tidak menerima pemberian” (945.2).

Seterusnya, di beberapa negara membangun, paderi tidak menerima gaji tetap tetapi bergantung sepenuhnya kepada pemberian Misa untuk menampung perbelanjaan hidup mereka.

Ketiga, kanun ini terutamanya menegaskan “sebarang gambaran penyeludupan atau pemerdagangan mesti dikecualikan sepenuhnya daripada pemberian untuk Misa” (947). Insentif kewangan tidak ada bagi paderi untuk merayakan beberapa Misa sehari memandangkan dia dibenarkan untuk menyimpan bagi dirinya sendiri pemberian dari hanya satu Misa sahaja (951.1).

Walaupun demikian, saya tetap masih rasa lebih selesa jika ada cara lain untuk membuat sesuatu. Saya tidak dapat mengira berapa kali, selama lebih 50 tahun saya menjadi paderi, orang bertanya kepada saya, “Berapakah kos Misa?” Saya terpaksa menjelaskan bayaran tetap tidak ada, bahawa pemberian yang dicadangkan adalah $10, tetapi jika itu menjadi masalah, anda boleh memberi sedikit daripada itu atau tidak memberi apa-apa, dan Misa tetap akan dirayakan untuk hasrat yang anda inginkan.

Bercakap secara praktikal, jika pemberian Misa tiada sama sekali, saya agak ada orang yang mungkin mengemukakan hasrat setebal beberapa lembaran dengan kerap manakala orang lain mungkin rasa malu untuk meminta. Dan saya juga rasa amalan sekarang ada meritnya, apabila kita membuat pengorbanan kewangan yang kecil untuk memohon Misa bagi orang tersayang.

Jadi saya tidak pasti apa penyelesaian yang mutlak, dan ruang terbuka untuk cadangan.

CNS (Terjemahan)

Kanun Undang-undang Gereja menggunakan perkataan “pemberian”, bukan “stipendium” – untuk menyatakan bahawa ini adalah sesuatu yang bebas dan bukan satu kewajipan

BERITA

TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

PAGE 25

CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM

Fikirkanlah perkara ini (Phil 4:8)...

PENERBIT Uskup Agung Kuching PENASIHAT Fr Felix Au EDITOR Stella Chin EDITOR BERSEKUTU (B Cina) Magdalene Yeo SIDANG EDITOR Freddy Bohari (BM) Martha Ngui (B Inggeris) Victoria J Lim (Halaman Kanak-kanak B Inggeris) James Lo (B Cina) Margaret Bong (Halaman Kanak-kanak B Cina) STAF Audrey Yu

“Tuhan Yesus, Penyelamat kami, biarkanlah kami datang kepadaMu: hati kami dingin; Tuhan, hangatkanlah ia dengan KasihMu yang tidak mementingkan diri. Hati kami berdosa; bersihkanlah ia dengan DarahMu yang tidak ternilai. Hati kami lemah; kuatkanlah ia dengan RohMu yang gembira.

Hati kami kosong; isikanlah ia dengan hadiratMu yang ilahi. Tuhan Yesus, hati kami milikMu; milikilah ia selalu dan hanya untuk DiriMu sahaja.”

— St Augustine dari Hippo (Doa Augustine, 354-430)

Seminar Keluarga Kedua – Memperkukuh Hubungan Perkahwinan

SHAH ALAM — Seminar Keluarga ke-2 anjuran ABMA KL (Kerasulan Umat Berbahasa Malaysia Keuskupan Agung Kuala Lumpur) telah diadakan pada 25-26 November 2017 yang dihadiri seramai 52 keluarga Katolik dari Sabah dan Sarawak yang menetap di Semanjung Malaysia di bawah Keuskupan Agung Kuala Lumpur.

Seminar Keluarga yang bertemakan “Memperkukuhkan Hubungan Perkahwinan” ini adalah kali yang kedua dalam siri Seminar Keluarga yang dikendalikan oleh Romo B ernardinus Realino Agung Prihartana, seorang penceramah dari Semarang, Indonesia yang tidak asing lagi di kalangan umat berbahasa Malaysia di Semanunjung Malaysia, Sabah dan Sarawak.

Sesi pertama seminar mengajak semua pasangan dibawa untuk merenung sejenak adakah mereka bahagia dalam perkahwinan? Realiti status perkahwinan yang perlu dinilai mulai tahun pertama sehingga masakini samada sepanjang perkahwinan itu berada di syurga atau sebaliknya.

Sesi kedua pula berkenaan kesatuan lelaki dan perempuan yang sepatutnya merupakan satu persatuan yang membahgiakan seperti dalam Wahyu Perkahwinan di syurga di mana Yesus bersatu dengan gerejanya dan membawa pemahaman kepada peserta bahawa perkahwinan pasangan suami isteri didunia adalah bayangan perkahwinan di syurga.

Tips bagaimana mengeguhkan perkahwinan telah disampaikan dalam sesi ketiga, iaitu pasangan mesti

menjaga kesucian hidup, berdoa bersama, menerima Ekaristi bersama keluarga, berdialog, sabar dan kepedulian sesama.

Sesi yang terakhir pula adalah berkenaan Keibubapaan atau “parenting”.

Ibubapa mestilah mengambil peranan sebagai pemimpin, pembimbing dan penasihat dalam mendidik anak-anak iaitu banyak memberikan kesempatan yang memotivasikan setiap pribadi anak-anak. Rumah adalah Taman Eden yang telah dianugerahkan bagi keluarga, manakala keluarga adalah sekolah nilai kemanusiaan dan iman.

Sewaktu para ibubapa mengikuti seminar, anak-anak mereka pula (seramai kira-kira 95 orang) telah mengikuti sesi khas berasingan seperti sekolah minggu, selama dua hari tersebut. — Pauline Pinso

Kaunseling Krisis Kehamilan

Kelahiran paroki baharu: Long Lama

PAROKI BAHARU, REKTOR BAHARU ... Fr Lazarus Swinie melafazkan Kredo dan ikrar di upacara pelantikannya.

BARAM, Miri — Ia merupakan saat bersejarah apabila Uskup Richard Ng dari Miri mengangkat Long Lama menjadi sebuah paroki pada 21 Januari lepas.

Uskup itu melantik Father Lazarus Swinie untuk menjadi rektor paroki baharu Blessed Sacrament di Long Lama. Kirakira 500 orang dari pelbagai rumah panjang menghadiri Misa pelantikan di dewan.

Long Lama dahulu secara rasmi berada di bawah jagaan paroki Lapok. Lebih 30 buah rumah panjang dan beberapa buah sekolah berada di bawah kuasa paroki baharu ini.

Fr Lazarus, yang menjadi rektor paroki baharu itu, merupakan bekas rektor Paroki

ALKITAB VERSI BORNEO

Kumpulan Pro-Life menyediakan: + Kaunseling Krisis Kehamilan - Secara peribadi atau melalui telefon - Sulit dan rahsia + Maklumat berkenaan kehamilan dan jahat pengguguran + Tempat berteduh + Sokongan satu dengan satu semasa dan selepas kehamilan + Bantu mengatur pengambilan anak angkat sebagai satu alternatif kepada pengguguran Hubungan kami Telefon: 082-413454

E-mel: kprolife@gmail.com

Atau datang ke Pejabat Pro-Life: Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre, 1st Floor, Lot 2500, Jalan Stampin, 93350 Kuching Laman web: http://www.prolifegroupkuching.org

Roh Kudus di Keuskupan Agung Kuching.

Beliau ditugaskan ke Keuskupan Miri sebagai fidei donum selama lima tahun sejak Januari lepas.

Terma Latin “fidei donum” bermaksud “pemberian iman”. Ia merupakan tajuk ensiklikal Pope Pius XII pada 21 April 1957, yang menyeru kepada uskup untuk samasama memiliki wawasan beliau “bagi menghadapi cabaran misi Gereja sejagat”.

Bukan sahaja panggilan ini melibatkan berdoa dan membantu satu sama lain, tetapi juga menyediakan paderi dan umat awam sebagai “pemberian iman” kepada keuskupan lain.

Audrey Yu (Terjemahan)

“Saya mendapati terjemahan AVB tepat dan ia menyampaikan Firman Tuhan dengan indah sekali dalam Bahasa Malaysia.”

— Uskup Agung Simon Poh (Perutusan Krismas 2017)

Adakah anda mempunyai Alkitab Versi Borneo (AVB)? Muat turun secara percuma di Google Play dan Apple App Store D ap at k an d i

D apatk an di

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

Fr David Francis Bingham MHM kembali kepada Tuhan ENGLAND — Father David Francis Bingham MHM meninggal dunia pada jam 8.00 pagi 27 Januari 2018 di Herbert House, Freshfield, England (Rumah Persaraan Mill Hill).

David Bingham dilahirkan di Nakuru, Kenya, pada 7 April 1931 kepada Francis Dennis dan Mary Bingham (juga dikenali sebagai Kilkelly). Keluarga mereka kemudian diberkati dengan seorang lagi anak lelaki. Bapa David berkhidmat sebagai seorang jurutera dalam Tentera Laut Diraja, tetapi selepas Perang Dunia Kedua, setelah diberhentikan daripada perkhidmatan, keluarga mereka menetap di Kenya di mana mereka bercucuk tanam.

David menerima pendidikan menengah bersama perkumpulan Benedictine di Ampleforth dari 1944 hingga 1949.

Beliau kemudian menjalankan khidmat tentera wajib sebelum beliau seterusnya belajar di Cambridge dari 1951 hingga 1956 di mana beliau memperolehi ijazah Sarjana Muda (BA) dalam Sejarah.

Beliau kemudian mendapat pekerjaan dengan sebuah syarikat perkapalan di Singapura. Tugasan utama beliau adalah untuk menjadi penghubung di antara kapal dengan darat. Di sanalah beliau berkenalan buat pertama kalinya dengan orang dari Malaysia yang menjadi kakitangan syarikat.

Dalam memoir beliau mengenai zaman itu, David menulis bahawa menerusi hubungan beliau dengan Gereja di Singapura, kepercayaan Katolik yang beliau anuti menjadi semakin teguh dan beliau buat pertama kalinya rasa terpanggil untuk menjadi paderi.

Akhirnya David memohon untuk kemasukan ke dalam program pembentukan Mubaligh Mill Hill.

Selepas menyesuaikan diri selama setahun di Osterley, beliau menyertai program pembentukan Mill Hill di Roosendaal untuk pengajian dalam Falsafah. Pada 1961, beliau memasuki Kolej St Joseph, Mill Hill untuk pengajian Teologi. Pada 1 Mei 1964, beliau membuat Kaul Kekal (Perpetual Oath) dan

KOTA VATIKAN — Pope Francis mengumumkan bahawa Jumaat pada minggu penuh pertama Musim Lent adalah hari doa dan puasa untuk keamanan, mengambil kira konflik begitu banyak yang sedang berlaku di seluruh dunia, khususnya di Republik Demokratik Congo (DRC) dan Sudan Selatan.

“Berdepan dengan konflik tragis yang berterusan di pelbagai tempat di dunia, saya mengajak semua umat untuk mengadakan hari doa dan puasa khusus bagi keamanan pada 23 Februari, Jumaat pada minggu pertama Lent,” kata Paus pada 4 Februari lepas.

Beliau meminta agar hari itu diberikan khusus untuk rakyat DRC dan Sudan Selatan serta mengajak Kristian bukan Katolik dan orang bukan Kristian untuk turut sama “dalam cara yang mereka anggap paling sesuai”.

“Bapa kita di Syurga selalu mendengar anakanakNya yang menyeru kepadaNya dalam kesakitan dan kesedihan,” katanya, dan membuat “rayuan tulus” bagi setiap daripada kita untuk “mendengar seruan ini dan, setiap orang menurut suara hati masing-masing, di hadapan Tuhan, bertanya kepada diri

sendiri: “Apakah yang dapat saya buat untuk mewujudkan keamanan?’”

Walaupun doa merupakan azam yang berkesan, lebih banyak yang dapat dilakukan, kata Francis, yang menjelaskan setiap orang “boleh dengan nyata berkata tidak kepada keganasan hingga ke tahap bahawa ia bergantung kepada dirinya sendiri. Kerana kemenangan yang diperolehi dengan keganasan adalah kemenangan palsu, manakala bekerja untuk keamanan membawa kebaikan kepada semua!”

Rayuan Paus, yang beliau buat dalam ucapan Angelus Ahad, dibuat hanya dua bulan sahaja selepas vigil doa pada 23 November lalu untuk keamanan di kedua-dua negara berkenaan.

Dengan rancangan untuk melawat Sudan Selatan dan DRC pada tahun lepas yang dihalang oleh konflik yang sedang berlaku, Pope Francis menganjurkan vigil doa itu untuk berdoa bagi penamatan perang di kedua-dua negara dan memohon penghiburan bagi mangsa keganasan di sana.

Beliau telah merancang untuk melawat Sudan Selatan pada musim luruh lalu bersama Pemimpin Tertinggi Anglikan Uskup Agung Joseph Welby untuk lawatan ekumeni

Beliau lebih dikenali sebagai ‘Apai David’ di kalangan masyarakat tempatan pada tahun berikutnya, pada 10 Julai, beliau ditahbis sebagai paderi di Katedral Westminster oleh Kardinal Heenan.

Beliau menerima pelantikan ke Malaysia, di mana beliau mengajar selama dua tahun di Sarikei diikuti kerja misi selama dua tahun di Kanowit. Beliau dipindahkan ke Simanggang pada 1971 dan menabur bakti di sana kira-kira selama lima tahun.

Seterusnya David bekerja dalam misi di Binatang, Julau, Sibu dan Song. Pada keseluruhannya, David berbakti selama 46 tahun dalam misi di

Sarawak. Beliau mempelajari bahasa Iban, dikatakan dengan loghat Inggeris yang pelat, selain sedikit dialek Hokkien (bahasa Cina).

Pada Mei 2005, David dilantik ke Wilayah British di mana beliau menjalankan kerja APF. Pada Oktober 2014, beliau menetap di rumah persaraan kami di Freshfield.

Semangat misionari David yang begitu tinggi dicerminkan dalam laporan oleh ahli-ahli Majlis Agung yang pernah melawat beliau di pelbagai misi beliau. Pada Julai 2001, beliau dianugerahkan dengan OBE (Order of the British Empire) kerana kerja misi beliau selama 45 tahun di Malaysia.

Sewaktu sambutan jubli emas beliau sebagai paderi pada 2015, Ketua Pemimpin menulis dengan penuh penghargaan dalam surat ucapan tahniah beliau: “Tuhan memberikan anda tenaga yang begitu kuat, minda yang bertanya, dan kelucuan (sense of humour) yang baik. Keupayaan anda untuk bergerak di kalangan manusia daripada semua agama dan budaya tentunya telah memperkayakan kehidupan

anda dan mengangkat Pemerintahan Tuhan.”

Bergurau dengan riang gembira, selalunya mengenai dirinya sendiri, merupakan bahagian yang tipikal atau biasa dalam perbualan dengan David.

Dalam satu autobiografi yang pendek, beliau memetik seorang individu yang memberitahu beliau bahawa semua Mubaligh Mill Hill adalah jahat atau gila dan ada juga kedua-duanya. David menambah: “Saya serahkan kepada anda (pembaca) untuk memutuskan dalam kategori mana saya tergolong!”

Kita percaya Tuhan Tuaian mempunyai keputusan yang lebih menaikkan semangat dan memberi visi kebahagiaan kepada hambaNya yang setia ini.

Misa Pengebumian Fr David berlangsung pada 3 Februari 2018 jam 11.00 pagi di Chapel Herbert House.

Beliau dikebumikan di tanah perkuburan Persatuan yang berdekatan.

Mubaligh Mill Hill (Terjemahan)

Paus umum 23 Februari sebagai hari doa untuk keamanan

bertujuan bagi menggalakkan keamanan di negara yang dilanda konflik itu.

Bagaimanapun, kerana masalah keselamatan, lawatan itu ditangguhkan sehingga situasi di medan menjadi stabil.

Sudan Selatan sudah mengalami perang saudara yang kejam sejak tiga setengah tahun yang lalu, yang telah memecah-belah negara baharu itu di antara golongan yang setia kepada Presiden Salva Kiir dengan golongan yang setia kepada bekas naib presiden Reik Machar. Konflik itu turut melahirkn pelbagai pecahan kumpulan militia dan pembangkang.

Sejak perang bermula, kira-kira empat warga sudah meninggalkan negara yang

mengalami keganasan itu dengan harapan untuk mencari keamanan, makanan dan pekerjaan.

Pada Ogos 2017, Uganda menerima pelarian kesejuta dari Sudan Selatan, sekali gus mengetengahkan kesegeraan krisis itu sebagai masalah pelarian paling cepat berkembang di dunia.

Bagi mereka yang belum meninggalkan negara itu, ramai orang pelarian dalaman (IDP) mencari pelindungan di gereja daripada keganasan.

Kebanyakan IDP biasanya wanita, kanak-kanak dan mereka yang kehilangan keluarga dalam perang.

Ramai terlalu takut untuk tinggal di rumah mereka kerana mereka tahu mereka boleh

dibunuh, diseksa, dirogol atau malah dipaksa untuk berperang. Dan walaupun kerjasama yang berjaya di antara Gereja tempatan, agensi bantuan dan kerajaan, pelarian di banyak kawasan masih memerlukan bekalan makanan yang baik.

Amerika Syarikat telah melarang eksport senjata yang dijual di Sudan Selatan dan menggesa negara lain untuk melakukan perkara sama ekoran kekecewaan dengan kegagalan negara itu untuk menamatkan konflik tersebut.

Di DRC, pergolakan politik pertama kali meletus pada 2015 selepas satu rang undang-undang dicadangkan yang berpotensi menangguhkan pilihan raya presiden dan parlimen. Rang undang-undang itu dilihat oleh pembangkang sebagai satu usaha merampas kuasa oleh Kabila.

Hubungan antara kerajaan dan pembangkang bertambah buruk apabila seorang ketua di Kasai terbunuh Ogos lalu, selepas dia menyeru kepada kerajaan pusat untuk berhenti campur tangan di wilayah tersebut, dan menuntut agar ia dikuasai pemimpin tempatan.

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 2018

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Sambutan Hari Minggu Kateketikal dan Ulang Tahun Sekolah Minggu

SEMOGA MENDAPAT HIKMAT … Pemberkatan guru-guru Sekolah Minggu HARAPAN GEREJA … Persembahan yang disampaikan oleh pelajar-pelajar oleh Father Pratap Baskey Sekolah Minggu SERIAN — Jawatankuasa guru Sekolah Minggu oleh mendekatkan lagi anak-anak diserikan dengan beberapa dan Menggu amat berpuas Sunday School Peringkat Father Pratap Baskey, CMF. dengan ajaran agama Katolik. program seperti pemotongan hati dengan penglibatan serta Kampung (JSSPK) dan Dalam homili beliau, Father Penaung JSSPK ialah Fr Pratap. kek ulang tahun JSSPK. Selain kehadiran semua pelajar Sekolah Minggu Paroki Stephen Lim, yang sama- Beliau dibantu oleh Katekis itu, majlis juga dimeriahkan dan ibu bapa yang amat St Theresa, Serian, telah sama meraikan Misa hari itu, Lina Sabang sebagai Penyelaras dengan beberapa persembahan memberansangkan. Mereka mengadakan sambutan Hari menyatakan rasa sangat gembira dan Jenner Menggu selaku oleh pelajar-pelajar sekolah berharap program itu menjadi Minggu Kateketikal dengan beliau dengan penubuhan kira- Pengerusi. minggu kampung. permulaan yang baik untuk tema ‘Kristus Harapan Kita’ kira 47 buah sekolah minggu Misi JSSPK seterusnya Ibu bapa yang turut hadir memastikan lebih banyak sempena ulang tahun keempat peringkat kampung sekitar adalah untuk mewujudkan pada program itu menyuarakan lagi kampung menubuhkan penubuhan JSSPK pada 28 Paroki St Theresa, Serian dan sekolah minggu di semua gereja rasa gembira mereka kerana sekolah minggu pada Januari lalu. menyeru agar semua pihak Katolik di kampung-kampung dapat sama-sama menyaksikan peringkat kampung masingSambutan dimulakan meneruskan usaha tersebut. di bawah seliaan Paroki St persembahan anak-anak masing. dengan sembahyang Misa JSSPK ditubuhkan pada Theresa. mereka.

Kudus dan pemberkatan guru- 2014 sebagai satu usaha untuk Program pada hari tersebut Dalam pada itu, Katekis Lina Walter Angan

Misa Belia bagi belia St Mark

KUCHING — Pada 28 Januari lalu, Ministri Belia St Mark telah mengadakan Misa Belia yang pertama untuk tahun 2018 bersama peserta K.A.Y.A. 26 di Gereja St Mark, Batu Kawa.

Misa Belia ini dirayakan oleh Father Jerome Juleng yang merupakan penasihat Ministri Belia St Mark. Seramai 36 orang peserta K.A.Y.A. 26 dari pelbagai paroki menghadiri Misa tersebut.

Tujuan Misa Belia ini untuk menggalakkan belia supaya bergiat aktif dalam pelayanan di gereja, contoh dalam sebagai anggota koir, pelayan altar, warden, komentator, pengendali alat projektor dan pembaca.

Persembahan khas juga telah disampaikan oleh belia

PEGUAM YANG ADIL DAN BERBELASKASIHAN … Pada 20 Januari lalu, Uskup Agung Simon Poh merayakan Misa Merah di Gereja Holy Trinity, Kenyalang Park. Ia menandakan permulaan tahun guaman baharu di Sarawak. Uskup Agung menggesa mereka dalam profesion guaman dan bidang politik untuk menyebarkan nilai-nilai Injil serta mengamalkan belaskasihan dan keadilan, supaya dunia menjadi tempat yang lebih baik.

(Gambar atas) Para belia bergambar bersama Fr Jerome Juleng (Gambar bawah) Tarian yang bertajuk ‘Yesus Terang Dunia’ St Mark iaitu tarian bertajuk ‘Yesus Terang Dunia’. Tarian itu dipersembahkan untuk menarik lagi minat belia di St Mark supaya mengikut serta dalam Ministri Belia atau lebih dikenali sebagai St Mark’s Youth Ministry (SMYM).

Misa Belia ini merupakan salah satu aktiviti tahunan SMYM. SMYM berharap agar belia sentiasa ingin melayani Tuhan walau di mana jua dan tidak akan lelah untuk bekerja di ladangNya. Ashely anak Bernard

KATEKUMEN … Pada 12 Januari lalu, Upacara Inisiasi Kristian Bagi Orang Dewasa telah berlangsung di Rumah Matali, Meruji, Kabo (Saratok). Seramai 91 orang calon menyertai Upacara Pelantikan Menjadi Katekumen. Pada jam 7.30 malam, upacara dimulakan dengan sembahyang Misa Kudus yang dirayakan oleh Father Robert Jissem. Turut menghadiri upacara adalah Seminarian Davy Entalai, Katekis Christopher dan Katekis Grace Amy dari Sri Aman.

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Rayuan Paus kepada Agama-agama: Kita Mesti Kecam Semua Keganasan dalam Nama Tuhan

VATIKAN — Semua pemimpin agama mesti mengecam sebarang ‘kemutlakan’ yang mewajarkan keganasan, dan menegaskan bahawa keganasan merupakan penafian terhadap setiap ekspresi agama yang tulen.

Pope Francis membuat rayuan ini di Vatikan pada pagi 2 Februari lepas ketika beliau berucap kepada peserta persidangan ‘Menangani keganasan yang dilakukan dalam nama agama’.

Bapa Suci memulakan ucapan dengan mengulangi apa yang beliau sebut ketika beliau melawat Mesir pada April 2017: “Tuhan, yang menyayangi kehidupan, tidak pernah berhenti menyayangi manusia, dan oleh yang demikian Dia menyeru kepada kita untuk menolak jalan keganasan.”

Lebih daripada segalanya dan terutama sekali pada zaman kita, kata Paus, agama-agama diseru untuk menghormati perkara yang amat penting ini, kerana, walaupun kita memerlukan Yang Mutlak, ia amat penting bagi kita untuk menolak sebarang “kemutlakan” yang mewajarkan keganasan.

Keganasan, kata Francis, merupakan penafian terhadap setiap ekspresi keagamaan yang tulen.

“Kita ada kewajipan untuk mengecam pencabulan ke atas maruah

manusia dan hak manusia, untuk mendedahkan cubaan bagi mewajarkan setiap bentuk kebencian dalam nama agama, dan mengecam cubaan ini sebagai karikatur yang bersifat berhala mengenai Tuhan.”

Keganasan yang digalakkan dan dijalankan dalam nama agama hanya memalukan agama itu sahaja.

“Maka itu, keganasan sedemikian mesti dikecam oleh semua, dan terutamanya oleh orang yang benar-benar beragama, yang tahu Tuhan sentiasa baik, pengasih dan berbelaskasihan,

dan di dalamNya ruang tidak ada bagi kebencian, hasad dengki atau dendam.

“Orang beragama tahu antara kekufuran paling besar ialah untuk menyebut Tuhan sebagai justifikasi bagi dosa dan jenayah kita sendiri, untuk menyeru kepadaNya bagi mewajarkan pembunuhan, pembunuhan beramairamai, perhambaan, eksploitasi dalam apa jua bentuk dan penindasan ke atas individu dan seluruh populasi,” kata Paus.

Orang beragama tahu Tuhan adalah Kudus, dan tidak ada orang yang dapat

mendakwa diri menggunakan NamaNya untuk melakukan kejahatan, kata beliau, sambil merayu: “Setiap pemimpin agama dipanggil untuk membongkar sebarang usaha untuk memanipulasi Tuhan bagi mencapai matlamat yang tidak ada kaitan denganNya atau KemuliaanNya.” Bapa Suci menggalakkan semua pemimpin sedemikian untuk sentiasa menunjukkan bahawa setiap kehidupan manusia adalah suci, dan sewajarnya menerima penghormatan, penghargaan, belaskasihan dan sokongan, tanpa mengambil kira etnik, agama, budaya, atau kepercayaan ideologi dan agama.

Kepatuhan kepada agama khusus, kata Bapa Suci, tidak memberi maruah atau hak tambahan kepada individu, mahupun ketidakpatuhan menafikan atau mengurangkannya.

Terdapat keperluan, tegas Paus, bagi komitmen yang sama pada badan politik yang berkuasa, ketua agama, guru dan mereka yang terlibat dalam bidang-bidang pendidikan, latihan dan komunikasi, “untuk memberi amaran kepada semua orang yang digoda oleh bentuk keagamaan yang serong bahawa ini tidak ada kaitan dengan pengakuan sesuatu agama yang sewajarnya dikaitkan dengan namanya.”

Zenit (Terjemahan)

Masyarakat asli diperingatkan waspada perosak kesatuan

TEMUCO, Chile — Semasa memimpin Misa Kudus pada 17 Januari lalu di Temuco, tanah leluhur kaum asli Mapuche di Chile, Pope Francis mengajak masyarakat asli di Chile untuk mengupayakan kesatuan seperti dikatakan Yesus: “Supaya mereka semua menjadi satu (Yoh 17:21)”.

Paus juga berbicara tentang keindahan wilayah Araucania yang dihuni kaum asli Mapuche, dan berterima kasih kepada Tuhan yang mengizinkannya mengunjungi tempat itu serta berjumpa dengan masyarakat tersebut.

Setelah berehat sejenak, paus secara khusus menyalami anggotaanggota peribumi Mapuche, dan juga masyarakat asli lainnya yang tinggal di negara selatan itu iaitu Rapanui (dari Pulau Paskah), Aymara, Quechua dan

Atacameños, dan lain-lain. Mereka, ujar paus, merayakan Ekaristi dalam suasana syukur tetapi juga “sedih dan duka”.

“Kita merayakan Misa di Aredrome (tempat pesawat mendarat) Maqueue ini, yang menyaksikan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia yang serius. Kita mempersembahkan Misa ini untuk semua orang yang menderita dan terkorban, dan

bagi mereka yang setiap hari menanggung beban akibat ketidakadilan. Pengorbanan Yesus di kayu salib menanggung semua dosa dan penderitaan bangsa kita”.

Kemudian paus memperingatkan tentang dua godaan iaitu kesatuan dengan keseragaman yang membingungkan serta kesatuan melalui kekerasan.

“Yesus tidak meminta kepada

BapaNya supaya semua orang sama atau serupa, kerana kesatuan bukan bermaksud meneutralkan atau membenci perbezaan. Kesatuan yang ditawarkan dan dicari Yesus merangkumi semua budaya, dan menerima sumbangan unik mereka,” katanya.

Pope Francis juga berbicara tentang dua jenis kekerasan yang mengancam kesatuan.

“Pertama, kita harus waspada terhadap kesepakatan ‘indah’ yang tidak pernah dilaksanakan,” ujarnya.

Kekerasan seperti itu, kata paus, “menghalang harapan”.

Kedua, tegas paus, “budaya saling menghargai tidak boleh didasarkan pada tindakan kekerasan dan kemusnahan yang berakhir dengan mengambil nyawa manusia”.

VIS (Terjemahan)

Paus umum 23 Februari sebagai hari doa untuk keamanan

• Bersambung dari ms26 Uskup Katolik di negara itu telah membantu dalam rundingan untuk mencapai perjanjian, dengan harapan untuk mencegah perang saudara baharu dengan mengadakan pilihan raya pada tahun ini untuk mencari pengganti kepada Presiden Kabila.

Bagaimanapun, pada Januari tahun ini, uskup-uskup berkata perjanjian itu dijangka akan gagal jika kedua-dua pihak tidak bersedia untuk bertolak ansur. Pada Mac, uskup-uskup menarik diri daripada rundingan perantaraan.

Dengan sejarah pertelingkahan dan permusuhan etnik yang berdarah

berhubung sumber, kebimbangan semakin meningkat bahawa keganasan di Kasai, sebuah hab bagi ketegangan politik, akan menular ke bahagian lain di negara itu dan malah membawa kepada pembabitan negara-negara jiran.

Pada tahun lepas sahaja, lebih 3,300 orang sudah maut di wilayah Kasai, DRC. Mangsa yang terbunuh termasuk orang awam yang terperangkap dalam peperangan kejam di antara tentera Congo dengan sebuah kumpulan militia yang menentang kerajaan.

Menurut akhbar The Guardian, keganasan di timur negara sejak beberapa minggu lepas sudah meningkat

sehinggakan pada minggu lepas sahaja kira-kira 7,000 orang lari ke negara jiran Burundi dan 1,200 lagi ke Tanzania.

Dari segi krisis kemanusiaan, Pertubuhan Makanan dan Pertanian pada minggu lepas memberitahu tentang “masalah makanan yang mencemaskan” di negara itu, umumnya kerana hakikat bahawa keganasan kini sudah menular ke kawasan yang dahulu dianggap stabil, seperti wilayah Kasai dan wilayah Tanganyika. Sejak enam bulan yang lepas sahaja, jumlah orang yang mengalami kelaparan ekstrim sudah meningkat sebanyak dua juta, meningkat kepada kira-kira 7.7 juta orang, iaitu kira-kira 10

peratus daripada populasi.

Selepas merenungkan bacaan Injil pada hari itu dari Markus dan memimpin jemaat dalam doa Angelus, Pope Francis turut memanjatkan doa dan keakraban beliau dengan rakyat di Madagascar, yang baru-baru ini dilanda siklon besar yang setakat ini mengorbankan sekurang-kurangnya 51 orang dan menyebabkan kerosakan berleluasa.

Francis memberi jaminan akan berdoa untuk mereka dan meminta agar Tuhan “menghiburkan dan memelihara” semua orang yang terkorban atau hidup dalam pelarian.

— CNA/EWTN News

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