Today's Catholic Vol. 28 No.4 July 2016

CATHOLIC today’s

A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

Vol 28 No 4 July 2016

Inside...

Kuching Carmelite Nuns moving out

P2

World Day of Migrants for voiceless and vulnerable

“The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.”

Lk 10:2

今日教友 第十六至二十二頁

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Joint ‘Buka Puasa’ a sign of mutual respect and acceptence

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(From left to right) 1. The recital of Azan, a call to prayer for the Muslims; 2. Archbishop John Ha receiving Holy Quran from Pn Zabaria as a symbol of mutual respect between Islam and Christianity; 3. Seminarians and Muslim friends posing for photos after dinner; 4. Christians and Muslims sharing a meal together at the table.

KUCHING — The photographs and news on the buka puasa or the breaking of fast on Friday 17 June at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC), Kuching went viral in the Malaysian internet.

The Star Online used the title “Harmony in Hornbill land” as they carried the news in their website on 20 June. This event saw peoples of different religious background coming together in the name of good will and harmony.

Archbishop John Ha, the head of the Catholic Church of Kuching welcomed and thanked the CEO of Islamic Information Centre (IIC), Puan Zabaria Bt Haji Matali, for the opportunity to have a joint buka puasa together with Muslims and Catholics.

In his welcoming address, he said the idea was mooted by Puan Zabaria when she was invited to share the tenets of the Islamic faith and practices with the Catholic priests in February this

year.

“Her openness and the openness of the team that came with her gave us the confidence to accept her suggestion on the spot. And so here we are, doing the breaking of fast together,” he added.

Present at the buka puasa were Archbishop John Ha, Auxiliary Bishop Simon Poh, priests, religious Sisters, seminarians and parish councillors, some of whom came as far as Lundu and Bunan Gega in the Mongkos area. They joined their Muslim brothers and sisters from IIC to experience the breaking of fast together.

While acknowledging that there are differences, Archbishop Ha said: “This evening we choose to focus on what unites us rather than what divides us so as to embrace mutual respect and acceptance and live together in harmony and peace in our beloved and beautiful State of Sarawak and Country of Malaysia.”

Another key point that Archbishop Ha pointed out was the need to use terms like

Visit us at http://www.todayscatholic.com.my

“mutual respect and acceptance,” instead of “tolerance”. He elaborated: “Harmony and peace are brought about not by tolerance which has been advocated for decades and failed for the most part, but by mutual respect and acceptance.

“For tolerance by nature implies mutual dislike and even mutual offence, while mutual respect and acceptance make room for one another in society.”

The prelate spoke about the common practices such as prayer, fasting and giving alms as practised by for Christians and Muslims.

“In this month of Ramadan and in our Christian season of Lent, the highlighted common practices we have are of course prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Both Islam and Christianity pay great attention to these important practices as God-given ways to build up a relationship with him and in doing so with one another,” he said.

“This evening we come together to buka puasa – to break the fast that we

have observed today. We are also here to pray together – to worship God and ask his blessings for all. In doing so, we are expressing together our desire to do God’s will and grow in our relationship with him as well as with one another.

An inevitable end-product of such an exercise can only be mutual respect and acceptance – and even mutual love. This surely is an important pillar of harmony and peace for our State and Country,” said the Archbishop.

As a preparation for the buka puasa, the Bishops, priests and Catholics also fasted that day as a sign of solidarity with the Muslim brothers and sisters.

Archbishop John Ha concluded his address by imploring God’s blessing, “May God bless us and our little gesture this evening. May all adherents of the Islamic faith truly experience closeness with God during this month of Ramadan so that they will truly have a fruitful celebration of Aidilfitri.”

• Continued on p4

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EDITORIAL

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

Moving beyond tolerance

On board the plane from Armenia recently the Holy Father addressed issues of discrimination to questions referring to the recent massacre in a gay night club in Orlando.

Often and conveniently quoted out of context by secular media, the Pope this time took pains to add that we must “say sorry not only to the gay person it has offended but also to the poor, to exploited women and anyone whom the Church did not defend when it could.” Mercy and reconciliatory efforts aimed at the person is not to be confused with acceptence of the sin.

Here in our little Archdiocese of Kuching, history

was made when Archbishop Ha, priests and Catholics welcomed Puan Zabaria, the CEO of the Islamic Information Centre and her entourage to the ACCPC for a buka puasa session complete with prayers (our front page story). Mutual respect and acceptance not merely tolerance was the message conveyed by His Grace for the occasion.

Discrimination rears its ugly head all over the world in various guises, any gesture that brings people together in this divisive world glorifies our Father.

Stella Chin

CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM 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

Ready now to accommodate more than 500

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL BLOCKS ... (Left) The front view of the new Sunday School blocks.

(Right) Archbishop John Ha unveiling the plaque, flagged by Rector Fr Lawrence Chua (left) and Auxiliary Bishop Simon Poh (2nd left)

The Rector and Parish council would like to put on record their appreciation and gratitude to all donors and contributors...

KUCHING — At long last, after five years of planning and fund raising, the rector of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Fr Dato Lawrence Chua once again lived up to his nickname as ‘The Lord’s builder’ with the opening of the new 4-storey Blessed Sacrament Church Sunday School blocks on Sunday, 19 June.

The combined Chinese and English Mass were presided over by His Grace Archbishop John Ha with Auxiliary Bishop Simon Poh and Fr Lawrence

Chua concelebrating.

The two new Sunday School blocks comprised 24 classrooms, of which 17 classrooms were sponsored by the Chinese congregation. Each room has been named after the Saints.

Due to the increasing number of children attending Sunday School at Blessed Sacrament Parish, the existing Sunday School classrooms were inadequate. Classes to prepare students for the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion

and Confirmation had to be held in three different sessions.

Though an additional floor has been added to the Parish hall, the ever increasing number of students made it impossible to accommodate everyone. As a result, the need for building two new blocks came about.

Currently, there are a total of 567 students in the English and Chinese Sunday School classes, not including those attending the RCIA sessions. With the two new blocks of classrooms, the classes can now be held

concurrently.

Some of the rooms would be set aside for use by the different lay organisations in the parish, including the Emmaus Lay Apostolate, Legion of Mary and Youth Ministry group.

Fund raising is still ongoing: the purchase of other facilities such as air-conditioners, computers, projectors and cabinets to provide the classrooms the conducive and comfortable environment, and to pay off the sum still not settled.

The Rector and the members

of the Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to put on record their appreciation and gratitude to all donors and contributors to include those from Sabah, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand.

Blessed Sacrament Parish is still appealing for continuous support and contribution from all parishioners and wellwishers, particularly from families for whom the new building was meant for.

Isabel Fong Lim

Kuching Carmelite nuns moving out of old monastery KUCHING — The Carmelite nuns have moved out from their monastery to their temporary residence to make way for the construction of a new concrete monastery on 3 July. They are currently staying at 28 Deshon Road, Kuching.

The construction of the new monastery is expected to complete in twenty months.

The nuns requested for prayers that the construction would progress smoothly as planned so they could return to their new home sooner.

They welcome anyone who would like to contribute towards their building fund.

Cheques are to be made payable to “Archbishop of Kuching Carmelite Monastery” and sent to: Mother Prioress, PO Box 940, 93718 Kuching.

LOOKING FORWARD ... Carmelite nuns posing with the model of their new concrete monastery

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

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Fruitful encounter at Regional Social Communications meeting

KUALA LUMPUR — The three-day annual meeting of the Regional Commission for Social Communications (RCSC) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei ended with participants feeling they have had a fruitful encounter that would bear good fruit in time to come.

The meeting, held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur from 20-23 June, was attended by a group of 11 representatives from the Archdioceses of Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching and the Dioceses of Brunei, Penang, MalaccaJohor, Miri and Sandakan.

The theme for the meeting ‘Media, a Fruitful Encounter and its Influence in the Family’, which is also the theme for Pope Francis’ message for the 50th World Communications Day this year, became the focal point that guided the conference

FOR THE ALBUM ... SOCCOM diocesan representatives posing for a photo with Bishop Cornelius Sim (seated, 2nd right) proceedings.

Bishop Cornelius Sim from the Diocese of Brunei, the President of the Regional Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (SOCCOM) of the Conference, was in attendance throughout the meeting. Among other priests and religious present were Fr Robert Leong (Brunei), Fr Thomas Madanan (Kota

Kinabalu), Fr Clarence Devadas (Kuala Lumpur) and Sr Rosalie Lojiu, from the Daughters of St Paul (FSP), the chairperson of RCSC and chief organiser of the meeting.

Archbishop Julian Leow who presided over the opening Mass on 20 June, urged the SOCCOM delegates to ensure that their actions to build the family and society would

Christian teachers-to-be urged to make a difference

BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED ... Teachers and students of Institude of Teacher Education Batu Lintang attending Mass in the newly refurbished St Bede Chapel BATU LINTANG, Kuching — Archbishop John Ha, Fr Francis Lim, SJ and Fr Larry Tan, SJ celebrated a Holy Mass at St Bede Chapel, Batu Lintang Institute of Teacher Education on 10 May. In the homily, the Archbishop explained the concept of eternal life. He said it is a relationship with the Father as the only true God and Jesus the one whom the Father has sent to us as the Saviour. He pointed out that the concept of eternal life is

not only obtained in the afterlife, but also can be experienced while still on earth.

Then, Archbishop Ha highlighted the role and mission of the students as future teachers by taking the example of St Paul’s extraordinary dedication in proclaiming the glory of God in Jerusalem by the help of the Holy Spirit. He urged the students to make a difference as Christian teachers when they get posted to different schools through example, commitment and love that Jesus taught us.

He prayed that the students will be good Christian teachers in the eyes of the society and be aware of the presence of Jesus around them.

He also thanked generous benefactors and contributors who had helped to fund the refurbishing of the chapel.

Before the Mass ended, the Archbishop blessed the students as they prepared for their upcoming final exams.

A potluck dinner at the chapel backyard followed.

Danison Manium

radiate the tenderness of God. He also expressed the hope that the media that they use would influence Catholic families to reflect the meekness and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Representatives from various dioceses in the region presented progress reports on the implementation of plans, programmes and activities in their respective diocese of the past year. It was from these reports that they saw the need for the sharing of resources.

Due to the unexpected reassignment of Sr Rosalie FSP, from Kuala Lumpur to Manila by end of July, Fr Thomas Madanan, the Spiritual Advisor of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu SOCCOM was elected as an interim chairman for the 2016-2017 term of office. The vacant post of deputy chairman was filled by Clement Josos from the Malacca-Johor Diocese SOCCOM while Frank Saing remains as Secretary of RCSC. When asked to comment

on the outcome of the threeday RCSC meeting, Bishop Cornelius Sim said the message from Pope Francis for this year’s World Communications Day (WCD) provided very relevant material for the Commission’s sharing and planning this year.

He said the Pope’s focus on the family was providential, as social communications have a major influence on this critical area of our society at this moment in history. He expressed the hope that the RCSC encounter and joint efforts at its annual meeting in KL would bear good fruit in time to come.

The next RCSC meeting in 2017 will be hosted by SOCCOM of the Archdiocese of Kuching. The last time Kuching hosted such a meeting was in 2008.

The 2014 and 2015 annual RCSC meeting were held in Kota Kinabalu and Penang respectively.

Joseph Leong

Action plan highlights the need to strengthen family ties weakened by digital media

WHAT SHOULD WE DO? ... Delegates discussing the influence of media at the workshop KUALA LUMPUR — A five-point plan of action for the coming year was formulated during the three-day annual meeting of the Regional Commission for Social Communications (RCSC) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, held from 21-23 June. They are as listed: 1. Media Literacy Education (MLE) for parents, catechists, youth and seminarians; 2. Programmes to restore Christian values in families which are affected by worldly influences; 3. To share resources among dioceses on digital materials, publications, video productions and positive stories; 4. Upgrading contents of diocesan websites such as the inclusion of stories for children, church teachings and traditions.

5. To have solid programmes aimed at strengthening marriages and the family institution, and firmly inculcating Christian values in young children.

These plans were conceived after studying the many issues of grave concern related to Christian family life in the region as had been highlighted by the invited speakers earlier on.

Fr Raymond Michael, a Capuchin priest, an experienced counsellor and adviser for intellectually challenged children and their families, was one of the speakers. His focus was on matters related to families arising from the Synod of Bishops in October 2015. He said that the family, being the “domestic church” is in reality weakening and that there are signs of its “fragile nature”, adding that the culture of individualism has crept so much into our life. • Continues on p6

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Pope Francis’ Prayer intentions for July EVANGELISATION Latin America & the Caribbean That the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean, by means of her mission to the continent, may announce the Gospel with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

UNIVERSAL Indigenous Peoples That indigenous peoples, whose identity and very existence are threatened, will be shown due respect.

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

Joint ‘Buka Puasa’ a sign of mutual respect and acceptence “Harmony and peace are brought about not by tolerance which has been advocated for decades and failed for the most part, but by mutual respect and acceptance.” — Archbishop John Ha • Continued from p1 After breaking fast with dates and drinks, the Muslims went off for their Maghrib prayer in a room specially prepared for them, while the Catholics remained in the Grand Hall and prayed the Rosary. When praying was over, they got back to their fellowship dinner.

Before the event concluded, Puan Zabaria expressed her thanks and gratitude for this shared experience of fasting and prayer.

She shared that Bishop Simon Poh had spoken to her about the need to go beyond sharing meals and festivities, towards sharing of theology and understanding of each other’s religion.

Thus as a symbol of the mutual respect between Islam and Christianity, Archbishop John Ha was presented a copy of the translation of the Holy Quran. In turn, the Archbishop presented a Christian Alkitab Bible to the Islamic Information Centre as a sign of the commitment toward deepening this inter-faith dialogue and sharing of religious experience and theological exchange.

Bishop Simon Poh

Testimonies by those at the dinner: “The buka puasa event was a new interesting experience for me. Developing mutual respect, rather than merely tolerating one another was not something that can be learnt overnight. This is a good beginning of nurturing genuine appreciation for the ways other people express their faith and beliefs.” - Elmer Adonis, Seminarian (Diocese of Sandakan) “It was my first experience of such gathering and fellowship with our Muslim brothers and sisters. The exchanging of the Quran and Bible really moved me to respect the faith that one has in his/her religion. I hope this occasion will be organised yearly”.

- Alban Bong (St Jude’s Parish, Bunan) “To break fast together with our Muslim sisters and brothers is an enjoyable and beautiful experience. Praise God for we share the aim to promote racial and religious understanding, to live in peace and harmony with each other.”

- Catherine Lee (St Joseph’s Cathedral)

CLASSIFIED

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

PAGE 5 2ND ANNIVERSARY In ever loving memory of

B.PGK.KCH(JM)461/2016/02

“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.”

JOSEPH TAN KAI HUAT who was called home by the Lord on 24 July 2014 ‘A silent thought, a secret tear, Keeps your memory ever dear.

God took you home, it was His will, But in our hearts, you live on still.’

~ St Teresia Benedicta (Edith Stein)

May eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon him, May he rest in peace. Amen.

Lovingly remembered by wife, son, daughters, son-in-law and all loved ones.

1ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of Love God, serve God; everything is in that.

- St Clare of Asissi

MMS

Education Placement

MRS JANET READ who was called to eternal rest on 6 July 2015

1ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

(since 1981)

called to eternal rest by the Lord on 17 July 2015

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

15TH ANNIVERSARY

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, let perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace.

In loving memory of HELENA GOPAL PANJALI

Fondly remembered and greatly missed by all loved ones at home and abroad

18TH ANNIVERSARY

Born: 28 August 1931 Departed: 19 July 2002

10TH ANNIVERSARY

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

May she rest in peace.

Amen.

In ever-loving memory of

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

Deeply missed and forever cherished by all loved ones

MARY KOE SWEE KHIM

Market Management Services Sdn Bhd No. E32 (2nd Floor) Taman Sri Sarawak Mall Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman 93100 Kuching Tel: 082-246 795 / 012-808 5112 Email: market@mms.com.my Website: www.mms.com.my

Tomb Maker

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord & let perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace.

Always remembered and dearly missed by children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

Fondly remembering VINCENT TUKUN AK TUGANG AK MAMAT SAGEG whom the Lord called to rest on 22 July 1998

21July 2006

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them, May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

Sadly missed and remembered by loving wife, children, grandchildren, family and all loved ones.

Maria Choo Nyong Set

2 December 1978

Gabriel Yong Ted Hin

Lawrence Yong Shoon Fatt

25 June 2010

5 February 2003

By all your loved ones

11TH ANNIVERSARY In ever-loving memory of Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May her soul rest in peace. Amen Deeply missed and forever remembered by

JOSEPHINE NANCY LIM Departed: 29 July 2005

Husband: Joseph Wong I D Daughters: Geraldine, Esther, Jo-Anne Sons-in-law: Albert Tan, Paul Ajah, Luis Ferreira Grandchildren: Thierry, Joshua, Gwynn, Georgia, Lia, Leo

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

Christians, Muslims are called to imitate God’s mercy, says cardinal VATICAN CITY — God asks Christians and Muslims to be forgiving, merciful and compassionate toward others, especially those in need, said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.

“We are saddened to see so many victims of conflicts and violence,” in particular the elderly, children and women, as well as people who suffer from human trafficking, poverty, illness, natural disasters and unemployment, said the cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

“We cannot close our eyes to these realities, or turn away from these sufferings,” making it vital that “all work together in assisting those in need,” he said.

Cardinal Tauran’s annual message to Muslims for Eid alFitr, the feast marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast, was published by the Vatican 17 June. Ramadan will end on or

around 5 July this year.

The message was titled, “Christians and Muslims: Beneficiaries and Instruments of Divine Mercy,” and it focused on the common belief in a merciful God. “We, Christians and Muslims, are called to do our best to imitate God,” the message said.

God, who is merciful, “asks us to be merciful and compassionate toward others, especially those who are in any kind of need. So, too, he calls us

to be forgiving of one another.”

The cardinal said it was “a source of great hope when we experience or hear of Muslims and Christians joining hands to help the needy.”

Not only are people heeding God’s command, he said, they are showing God’s mercy and “thus offering a more credible witness, individually and communally, to our beliefs.”

May God “help us to walk always along the path of goodness and compassion,” he said. — CNS

Action plan highlights the strengthening of family ties weakened by digital media • Continued from p3 Another speaker, Raymund NC Jagan, a former civil servant with long experience in counselling and guidance for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, gave his views on the current situation of families in Malaysia. He highlighted, among other matters, the dangers of computer games that have given rise to serious addictions and harm to children and the youth. At the same time, he recognised the need to maintain strong bonds within the family institution despite the many challenges.

There was also a panel discussion at which speakers gave their life experiences in bringing up their children in the light of widespread use of communication media.

The panel speakers were: a couple, Andrew and Andrene Teoh, who have four children;

St Ann’s Feast Day Mile 10, St Lukas Apostolic, Kota Padawan PROGRAMME Thanksgiving Mass Sunset Mass 30 July, Saturday 6.30 pm 1st Mass 31 July, Sunday 7.00 am 2nd Mass 31 July, Sunday 9.00 am (Venue: St Ann’s Baruk)

a young mother Fiona Biggs with a 9-year old daughter; and Frank Saing, present Secretary of RCSC, an Iban from Miri, Sarawak, with four children.

They shared their experiences on how they managed to inculcate Christian values in their families in the face of the adverse influence of media.

One of the panelists said his approach in dealing with his children was not to impose but to inspire. Their sharing showed that parents play an important role in helping children learn healthy concepts of digital use.

RCSC representatives, at a workshop that followed, then reflected on how they, as Catholic communicators, could formulate plans and programmes that would address these pressing current needs of

families.

Bishop Cornelius Sim from the Vicariate of Brunei, who is the President of the Regional Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (SOCCOM) of the Conference, described the RCSC action plan for the coming years as “modest proposals”.

However, he said at the close of the conference that he was happy to see that SOCCOM practitioners in the region have come to a better understanding of the subject matters relating to how the media is influencing the family at this age and time.

“May our encounter and joint efforts these few days bear good fruit in the time to come,” he added.

Joseph Leong

7TH ANNIVERSARY In ever-loving memory of our dear

DAVID TONNYSON whom the Lord called to rest on 28 July 2009 (8 February 1990 - 28 July 2009)

To be celebrated by Archbishop John Ha

Parish Sales 30 July, Saturday 10.00 am - 11.00 pm

31 July, Sunday 7.00 am - 3.00 pm (Venue: St Lukas’ Centre compound)

For more information, please contact St Ann’s Parish Office Tel. : 082 611757 / 610308

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon him, May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Lovingly remembered by Daddy, Mummy, brothers, sisters, brother-in-law, sister-inlaw, niece, nephew, relatives and friends.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

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Brotherly embrace: Pope, Armenian leader highlight Christian unity

VA G H A R S H A P A T , Armenia — Recognising that the church of Christ is one and that Christian divisions are a “scandal” to the world, Pope Francis and Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II offered their faithful the example of praying and working together.

Approaching the end of his three-day trip to Armenia, Pope Francis attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated on 26 June by the patriarch at Etchmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

To accommodate the crowd, the liturgy was held outdoors at a towering stone sanctuary used for major celebrations.

In his homily, Catholicos Karekin told his faithful and his guests, “During these

days together with our spiritual brother, Pope Francis, with joint visits and prayers we reconfirmed that the holy church of Christ is one in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ in the world, in taking care of creation, standing against common problems, and in the vital mission of the salvation of man.”

All Christians, he said, share the mission of “the strengthening of solidarity among nations and peoples (and the) reinforcing of brotherhood and collaboration.”

The catholicos warned of modern attacks on the faith, including a selfish lack of concern for “those who long for daily bread and are in pain and suffering,” as well as other “economic, political, social, environmental” problems. Yet

Christians from other churches join pilgrimage to Holy Door

SRI AMAN — In conjunction with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, 54 pilgrims participated in the two-dayone-night pilgrimage to Sri Aman on 11 June.

Upon their arrival they entered the Holy Door of the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. The recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy continued, culminating in a special Mass celebrated by Fr Martin Wong.

The next day saw the

pilgrims proceeding to Mount Hosanna Chapel, 33 km away from Sri Aman town to attend a healing Mass. For some, it was their first experience of a healing pilgrimage.

Of special mention and significance is that there were Christians from the Anglican Church, Methodist Church, Borneo Evangelical Mission (SIB) and non-Christians among the Catholic pilgrims who made the pilgrimage.

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Pope Francis exchanging greeting with Catholicos Karekin II, patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church the Gospel and the churches prayed together and shared the that preach it, he said, know that gifts, hopes and concerns of the God continues to promise his church of Christ”. loving care and wants Christians “We believe and experience to go out preaching salvation that the church is one,” the Pope and helping the poor. said.

Invited to address the Using words from St Gregory gathering, Pope Francis of Narek, a 10th-century said, “We have met, we have Armenian monk declared a embraced as brothers, we have “doctor of the church” by Pope

Francis last year, he prayed that the Holy Spirit would dissolve the “scandal” of Christian division with the power of love.

Christian unity is not and cannot be about “the submission of one to the other or assimilation,” the Pope said, but rather should be an acceptance of the different gifts God has given to different Christians at different times.

“Let us respond to the appeal of the saints, let us listen to the voices of the humble and poor, of the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith,” said Pope Francis. “Let us pay heed to the younger generation, who seek a future free of past divisions.”— CNS

Malaysian Secular Carmelites called to love and to serve

SIBU — Some 51 members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) of Malaysia from the four communities of Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri convened at the Sibu Diocesan Pastoral Centre for the 6th OCDS Malaysia National Congress from 29 April - 2 May. Fr Thomas Lim, OCD, General Delegate of TaiwanSingapore and Fr Kenneth Gopal, OCD, Taiwan-Singapore OCD Provincial Delegate to Malaysia OCDS were in attendance.

“OCDS called to love and to serve” was the theme of this National Congress chosen in response to the evangelisation call to be “Merciful like the Father” in this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

This National Congress held triennially served as the platform for the fraternity of the Secular Carmelites from Malaysia to come together in fellowship and prayer with their General and Provincial Delegates.

They presented their activities, experiences and insights of the past three years through their

Secular Carmelites in discussion respective general and formation celebrated morning Mass with reports. During workshops that the Carmelite community on 30 followed, they discussed and April. In his homily, the prelate drew up plans on the life and succinctly highlighted that the service as a community for teachings of St Teresa of Avila the common mission ahead. is as relevant as ever with so The new National Council for much richness and depth to the term 2016 - 2019 was also offer the whole Church.

He also pointed out that St elected.

In his written message, Fr Teresa from her great spiritual Aloysius Deeney, OCD, General depth went forth carrying her Delegate for the OCDS of staff to do the will of God Asia-Oceania who directed the exclaiming joyfully, “I am growth and formation of OCDS yours Lord. I was born for you. in Malaysia and journeyed with What do you want of me?” He them since 2001 until recently, concluded on this note: “Let reminded the Secular Carmelites this beautiful exclamation be of the central importance of printed in our hearts and minds prayer. “Keep focus on our to be the motto of our vocation dedication to prayer and let to live a life of holiness, to love everything else fall into place,” and be of service for God’s greater glory”. ­ he wrote.

Catholic Sabah Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

Christians should apologise for helping to marginalise gays, Pope says

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ARMENIA — Catholics and other Christians not only must apologise to the gay community, they must ask forgiveness of God for ways they have discriminated against homosexual persons or fostered hostility toward them, Pope Francis said.

“I think the church not only must say it is sorry to the gay person it has offended, but also to the poor, to exploited women” and anyone whom the church did not defend when it could, he told reporters on 26 June.

Spending close to an hour answering questions from reporters travelling with him, Pope Francis was asked to comment on remarks reportedly made a few days previously by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, president of the German bishops’ conference, that the Catholic Church must apologise to gay people for contributing to their marginalisation.

At the mention of the massacre in early June at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Pope Francis closed his eyes as if in pain and shook his head in dismay.

“The church must say it is sorry for not having behaved as it should many

Photo: CNS

times, many times – when I say the ‘church’, I mean we Christians because the church is holy; we are the sinners,” the Pope said. “We Christians must say we are sorry”.

Changing what he had said in the past to the plural “we”, Pope Francis said that a gay person, “who has good will and is seeking God, who are we to judge him?”

The Catechism of the Catholic

Church is clear, he said. “They must not be discriminated against. They must be respected, pastorally accompanied”.

The Pope said people have a right to complain about certain gay-pride demonstrations that purposefully offend the faith or sensitivities of others, but that is not what Cardinal Marx was talking about, he said.

Pope Francis said when he was

growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, part of a “closed Catholic culture,” good Catholics would not even enter the house of a person who was divorced.

“The culture has changed and thanks be to God!” “We Christians have much to apologise for and not just in this area,” he said, referring again to its treatment of homosexual persons. “Ask forgiveness and not just say we’re sorry.

Forgive us, Lord.”

Too often, he said, priests act as lords rather than fathers, “a priest who clubs people rather than embraces them and is good, consoles.”

Pope Francis insisted there are many good priests in the world and “many Mother Teresas,” but people often do not see them because “holiness is modest.”

Like any other community of human beings, the Catholic Church is made up of “good people and bad people,” he said. “The grain and the weeds – Jesus says the kingdom is that way. We should not be scandalised by that,” but pray that God makes the wheat grow more and the weeds less.

CNS

Catholic nuns and Buddhist women World Day of Migrants to reflect to fight breast cancer together on vulnerable, voiceless minors

HANOI — A group of Catholic nuns, together with some Buddhist nuns and volunteers, have joined forces to help Vietnamese women prevent breast cancer and cope with the social stigma associated with it. In ten years, breast cancer increased 69 per cent.

The group held its first seminar to raise awareness last month in Hue, a city in central Vietnam. Titled ‘Communication of Cancers and Breast Cancer’, the workshop was organised together with Community Capacity Development, a local NGO. Some 40 Catholic sisters, Buddhist nuns and female volunteers attended the event. Sister Mary Nguyen Thi Van, a Saint Paul de Chartres nun, was one of them. She was also a special keynote speaker.

A breast cancer survivor herself, she once found it hard to share her experience. Diagnosed in 2006, she was reluctant to tell other people because breast cancer is considered a bad omen among women.

“At first I did not dare to tell other nuns about my disease, although I had a burning pain in my chest and was extremely afraid to get hospital treatment and die of the cancer,” Sister Mary said.

After receiving encouragement from her superior, she was diagnosed and her left breast was removed at the hospital, where she spent five months recovering.

The nun, who is now healthy, urged participants to be brave and face the risk of breast cancer by getting medical

Photo: Asianews.it

treatment right away rather than hide it.

In recent years, cancer has been growing at an alarming rate in Vietnam.

From 2000 to 2011, the rate jumped by 69 per cent. This is largely due to the lack of screenings, and patients waiting until the disease is in its late stages. This points to the need for education.

“The workshop is aimed at enhancing understanding of cancers, especially breast cancer, among Catholic and Buddhist nuns and volunteers, who will then pass on to other people the information about cancer suffering, prevention and treatment at early stages,” said Dr Pham Thi Kim Ngan, the community group’s director and founder.

During the workshop, Dr Nguyen Dinh Tung, president of the Hue Breast Cancer Society, said that women in their 40s run a greater risks of developing breast cancer, which is one of the most common cancers facing women in Vietnam, with 12,000 new cases each year and 4,500 deaths.

Sister Mary said the Group plans to include cancer prevention as well as HIV/ AIDS training in marriage preparation classes. — AsiaNews/Agencies

Photo: CNS

VATICAN CITY — Migrant children, the most vulnerable and fragile victims of war and persecution, will be at the heart of the Catholic Church's annual day of reflection and prayer on the situation of migrants and refugees.

The theme chosen by Pope Francis for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2017 will reflect on “vulnerable and voiceless” minors, the Vatican announced on 22 June.

The Pope also will release a message for the world day prior to its celebration, which will be 15 January in most countries.

Explaining the Pope’s choice for the theme, the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers said the Pope wants “to focus attention on the littlest of the little”.

“Oftentimes, children arrive alone in their countries of destination, they are unable to make their voices heard and easily become victims of grave violations of human rights,” the council’s statement said.

The World Day of Migrants and

Refugees began in 1915 “to raise awareness on the phenomenon of migration and promote a collection to support pastoral work” for Italians emigrating to other countries and the formation of missionaries to assist them, the council said.

Today, however, “migration is a global phenomenon, not just European or Mediterranean,” the council’s statement said. “All continents are touched by this reality that does not exclusively affect people looking for work or better living conditions, but also adults and minors who are fleeing true tragedies.”

All nations, but especially those receiving migrants, must ensure that all refugees “enjoy full recognition of their rights.”

“Children and women represent the most vulnerable category within this great phenomenon and minors are particularly the most fragile, often invisible because they are undocumented or unaccompanied,” the council’s statement said.

CNS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

Message for Bible Sunday 2016

FOCUS

Holistic reading of the Bible

by Fr Robert Daniel, SSL

I

n the last 50 years, there has been a renewed interest in the biblical studies both in the Catholic and the Protestant circles. More progressively the current direction of the Catholic Church seems to point towards her desire to have theological, spiritual and ecclesiastical roots planted deeply in the Word of God. The three-volume publication of the work of Pope Benedict XVI on Jesus of Nazareth in 2007 is truly a significant contribution to this renewed interest in the study of Scripture especially Biblical Christology. With the rise of this new enthusiasm among Christians, there arises also a need to have a balanced and a holistic reading and interpretation of the Scripture.

PAGE 9 Each year, the Church gives special emphasis to the Word of God by celebrating Bible Sunday.

This year, Bible Sunday falls on 10 July. Today’s Catholic presents the reflection by the Regional Biblical Commission.

themselves have presented Jesus in all his words and deeds as the fulfilment of the Old Testament. Namely, there are 16 instances of the Old Testament quotations in the Gospel of Matthew pointing at Jesus as the direct fulfilment of the Jewish Scripture (e.g. 1:22-23; 2:5-6; 2:15; 2:17-18; 2:23; 3:3-4; 4:14-16; 8:17; 11:10; 12:17-21; 13:14-15; 13:35; 15:7-9; 21:4-5; 26:54-56; 27:9-10).

There are also other numerous instances in the Gospels and other writings in the New Testament demonstrating Jesus as the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies. These theological idea of ‘Promise-made’ (OT) and ‘Promise Fulfilled’ (NT) are indeed crystal clear themes connecting both testaments.

The New Testament writers were convinced and they believed that Jesus was the true and awaited Messiah. He was to come and fulfil all that were foretold in the Old Testament. St John highlights the purpose of his Gospel,“but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name” (Jn 20:31). It was this conviction of the identity of Jesus which was translated into writings by the New Testament writers.

TWO EXTREME APPROACHES 1. Dissociating the Old Testament from the New Among some Christians, there is a tendency to disassociate the Old Testament from the New Testament. Some even regard the Old Testament as inferior to the New. There are others who think like Marcion (second century) who considered Christianity as radically different from Judaism. Marcion believed that the God of JESUS CHRIST IS THE HERMENEUTIC KEY TO THE the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament.

REVELATION OF GOD Early Church Fathers rejected Marcion’s view for it severed the continuity of In Salvation History, Jesus Christ is the crucial reference point. He is the pivotal the revelation of God which begins in the Old and apexes in the New Testament.

This continuity is fundamental link between the Old and the New Testament. In fact, point where every idea, image and theme converges as we have seen above in the the New Testament authors themselves used the Old Testament extensively in their previous paragraph. Jesus is the hermeneutic key to the interpretation of the revelation writings to demonstrate not only well-grounded theological reflections but also to of God that runs through the Old and the New Testament. “Long ago God spoke to show their reflections and prophecies were indeed part of the ongoing revelation of our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son” (Heb 1:1-2).

God in biblical history which includes both the Old and the New Testament.

Even Jesus himself understands his calling and mission in relation to the Old In order to demonstrate this essential method of theological reflection using Old Testament as the foundation, modern biblical writers have shown that there are Testament namely during his ministry of teaching Jesus indicated that the Hebrew approximately more than 1,000 direct, indirect or partial Old Testament quotations Scriptures pointed to himself. In John 5:39, we read “You search the scriptures found in the New Testament writings. We notice that even Jesus himself used the because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on Old Testament quotations in his arguments and rhetoric with the Scribes and the my behalf.” In the story of Emmaus, Luke depicts how Jesus himself interpreted the Pharisees. For example, in debate on divorce Jesus referred to Gen 2:24 (cf. Mt 19:5); scripture to the two bewildered disciples who were on their way from Jerusalem to he also quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 when he was confronted with the devil in Matthew Emmaus, “… beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all 4:4 or Luke 4:4; he quoted Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:17-19 at the beginning of his the scriptures the things concerning himself” (24:27). Later, when they were found in Jerusalem he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while mission.

What we truly need is a I was still with you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, There are many more instances of Jesus’ use the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds of Old Testament in his preaching. The expression balanced understanding to understand the scriptures…” (Lk 24:44-45).

“The Scripture says…” has been used 48 times in and interpretation of When the time came for the Christian tradition to be written as a Gospel, the Gospel in reference to the Old Testament in the Old and the New John tells us that the purpose of those writings was to point to Jesus as the general. Such literary ingenuity and references to Testaments which can Christ too, “But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus the Old Testament are expressions of historical be achieved firstly by is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life and hermeneutic of continuity between the Old acknowledging the in his name” (20:31). and the New Testament. We cannot discount this unity and the diversities Not only the New Testament authors spoke of this with ardent conviction, continuity so easily! found in the respective the Early Fathers of the Church especially Sts Irenaeus (2nd Century), Origen (3rd Century), Hilary of Poitiers (4th Century) and Augustine of 2. Literal and Allegorical Meanings testaments.

Hippo (5th Century) too had demonstrated the similar conviction and belief Extremely, we too have Christians who give in to another position of assigning literal and allegorical meanings to the Old Testament in their writings. When reading their writings, we discern this conviction and belief texts. Such proponents simplistically interpret the entire Old Testament as a symbolic that Christ is indeed the climax and definitive interpretive key to the revelation of representation of that which is found in the New Testament. Such an exaggerated God. St Jerome, fourth century bible scholar nailed this utter conviction of the Early interpretation makes the Old Testament so absorbed in the New that its unique status Fathers in these words: “Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ” (conf. St is completely lost.

However, the allegorical and literal interpretations are not to be completely Jerome’s commentary on Isaiah). There is no Scripture without Christ! Christ is the compromised but to ascertain that they have their time and value in the overall world of centre of all that we believe in. All that we believe gain its meanings in and through the interpretations. Also to note that far-fetched allegorical and literal interpretations Christ Jesus. Everything that we teach, all that we say about God and the relationship can cause both the NT and the OT writings to lose their value, importance and between God and his people depend on our understanding of Jesus Christ. Therefore, everything pertaining to our faith depends on our relationship with Christ. This is historicity which eventually can lead us to naïve and superficial spirituality.

We ought to be cautious not to fall into any of these two extreme positions. What both the point of departure and the point of arrival! we truly need is a balanced understanding and interpretation of the Old and the QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION New Testaments which can be achieved firstly by acknowledging the unity and the diversities found in the respective testaments.

1. How does reading the Old and the New Testament as narratives of A coherent biblical theology as a discipline presupposes that the two testaments Promise-Fulfilment make us realise the effective saving plan of God are one aspect of the unity and diversity, continuity and discontinuity within the whereby we ourselves are actively a part of it? canon of the Scripture.

JESUS IS THE FULFILMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WRITINGS One classical approach of explaining the relationship between the Old and the New Testament is to interpret the Old Testament as preparing the way for Christ. In this way, we consider that the Old Testament prepares the reader in understanding the New Testament through the value of the Old. In fact, the New Testament writers

2. How does Christ the centre of all interpretations challenge our radical Christian faith and its response to the world?

3. How do we study or interpret the Word of God? Do we interpret both the OT and the NT in reference to each other or do we interpret them in isolation?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Regional Biblical Commission is very grateful to Fr Robert Daniel, SSL, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Silibin, for this year’s Bible Sunday Message. Fr Robert holds the Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016 FEATURE A good Christian is a Christian with compassion

PAGE 10

by Effie Caldarola Years ago, in the mid-1980s, my younger brother Bill and I sat alone in the tiny kitchen of my mom’s house. It was very late.

We were a family that didn’t confront issues head-on. We walked around the elephant in the room, and if that meant sometimes we had to take turns cleaning up after the big fellow, we did so silently and in a way that wouldn’t offend anyone.

So it was with fear and faltering tones that my brother confided to me that he was gay. I had long suspected – no, I assumed – as much. His “roommate” was practically a member of the family whom everyone loved, even while we tiptoed around the nature of their relationship. We feared my mother learning the truth, although later we all realised she’d always known it.

Nevertheless, we’d continued our private version of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

So, the revelation was not startling.

The stinging memory of that evening came in another way. My brother told me he had confided in a few other family members but had feared telling me because I was such a “good” Catholic.

I have spent the past 30 years trying to recast the image of a “good” Catholic. I want to be the Catholic who offers compassion and a listening ear. I do not want to be the judgmental, selfrighteous Christian. I want to be the Catholic to whom another brings his

Catholic leaders spoke out with sympathy for [Orlando shooting] victims ... those who did acknowledge the LGBT community deserve our applause

Photo: CNS

story to share in safety and love. I want to be part of a church that welcomes and comforts the marginalised.

I want to be part of the church that knows God’s name is mercy.

The other night, I watched a 2013 documentary called, “God Loves Uganda.” This film, broadcast on public television’s “Independent Lens” programme, produced an almost physical revulsion in me. In it, Uganda debates and passes a bill to criminalise homosexuality and even considers the death penalty for repeated gay behaviour.

Throughout the film, we see American evangelical Christians preaching in Uganda a strident anti-gay message, helping to stir up the crowds. We see the

inevitable violence against gay people go without condemnation by the “good” Christians.

There are American Christians who do wonderful work in African nations. Many build hospitals and schools and preach and live a loving example of Jesus Christ.

But those who allowed themselves to be filmed in “God Loves Uganda” were hateful and dangerous, even while their young fresh-faced youth workers sang sweet Jesus songs. It occurred to me that evening that homophobes aren’t getting very far in the US, so they ply their hate in far-off lands.

Then I awoke two days later to the slaughter at the gay bar in Orlando, Florida. Although the issues were

complex, including anti-American extremism and our crazy romance with assault rifles, it was also, clearly, an anti-LGBT assault.

Catholic leaders spoke out with sympathy for victims. But not everyone addressed the elephant in the room: who these victims were. Those who did acknowledge the LGBT community deserve our applause.

For example, Bishop Robert Lynch of St Petersburg, Florida, wrote on his blog the Monday after the attack, “Sadly it is religion, including our own, that targets, mostly verbally, and also often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people. Attacks today on LGBT men and women often plant the seed of contempt, then hatred, which can ultimately lead to violence.”

And Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich wrote to an archdiocesan gay and lesbian outreach immediately after the massacre, “Know this: The Archdiocese of Chicago stands with you. I stand with you.”

Thank you to these leaders. — CNS

Marriage advice that lasts

by Bill Dodds

In 2003, my wife and I had been married for 29 years when we wrote a column on marriage that offered tips for newlyweds.

Remember, we wrote, that the sacrament is called “marriage,” not “wedding.” Also, continue to transform your wedding day promises into everyday compromises. Be fiscally prudent. Avoid being a “shopaholic” or a miser. When the hard times arrive, be on the same team. Make it “us against them.”

Keep in mind that thoughtfulness and generosity remain the keys to happy romance. Don’t hesitate to get professional help (for your car, your health or your marriage).

Also important is praying for each and praying with each other. Stay friends, we said, and laugh whenever possible but never at the expense of another, especially your spouse.

Celebrate your anniversary! One year is a big deal. And, finally, don’t eat the top tier of the wedding cake that has been in the freezer for a year. Ick. Then later in 2009, a couple of months after our 35th anniversary, we wrote: We’re not saying you don’t already know these things, but, when you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you’re angry – and all those things happen to every husband and wife – it can help to return to some of

Like a fire or a garden, marriage is a “living” thing. It needs to be tended regularly and that takes deliberate effort. the basics.

Remember that you’re not competitors. If one person “wins,” both lose. Part of your role is graciously to help your spouse become a better person,

and part is to accept your spouse’s help graciously, to grow toward becoming the person God created each of you to be: his beautiful son or daughter.

Nagging is not gracious, and exactly

who you think your spouse should be may not be who God created him or her to be.

Like a fire or a garden, marriage is a “living” thing. It needs to be tended regularly and that takes deliberate effort. Left alone or ignored, it can turn into nothing but ashes or weeds, accompanied by the deep regret of what might have been.

Laugh with each other, not at each other. Pray with each other and for each other. Talk to each other every day of every week of every month of every year of every decade of every half century and more. At some point in the distant future, smile, shake your heads and offer a little advice when there’s a new bride and groom in your family, your parish, your neighbourhood or workplace.

Now, in 2016, the year of our 42nd anniversary, I look at those two lists and I think, “Yes, we got it right.

Those are solid, practical suggestions.”

And it comforts me to realise that even though Monica has died, over those many years we learned that a happy marriage is a bit of heaven on earth. We experienced that. And now I know that makes widowhood a bit of purgatory on earth. It’s only temporary and it’s nothing that a loved one in heaven can’t fix. — CNS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

FEATURE

PADI SEEDS

To be yourself One of my favourite spiritual mentors and characters is the Jewish Rabbi, Lionel Blue. I have only actually met him once, but his BBC broadcasts and writings have been of tremendous help to me over the years.

Amongst other things, he has helped me to appreciate the part that humour should play in a healthy spirituality.

I remember one BBC programme, in particular, some years ago, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. He was sitting in the garden of the Carmelite Retreat House just outside Oxford and he was reminiscing prayerfully about his life. He said something like this: “Lord, I have always been a good boy. I wanted to be a good boy for my Mama and I wanted to be a good boy for my Rabbi and especially I wanted to be a good boy for you, Lord, so I did the things I thought would them all happy – and, I thought, would also make you happy.” At that point, he gave a great sigh and said, “But, Lord, I’m tired of being a good boy. I want to be myself, to be Lionel and do the things that make me, me.”

Having reached roughly the age that he was, at that time, I realise that I am in a similar position, but this is not something new, rather it is something the Spirit has been leading me towards for a long time. I remember, an instance of this, when the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the memory of a conversation, I once had, with my old Parish Priest, Francis Ryan. I had asked him whether his patron saint was Francis of Assisi and he had answered, “No, it is the gentle Francis – Francis de Sales”. The Spirit used that memory to make me curious to know more about St Francis de Sales and I started looking for his

Q&A

writings and, having found them, have treasured his wisdom ever since. This is one of his sayings, which points towards the same journey that Rabbi Lionel was on – and which I am still on – “Most of us” he wrote, “spend our lives looking over the fence at other people and wishing – and often praying – that we were like them. We think that if we were like them all our problems would be solved. But” – adds Saint Francis de Sales – “if God had wanted you to be like that, he would have made you like that; instead he made you as you are, because he wanted you to be as you are. So, to do God’s Will, stop looking over the fence and grow where you are planted!”

Pondering these words, I began to realise that, like Rabbi Blue, I too had wanted to be what others thought I should be – and that included God! I had assumed that there was such a thing as the “model christian”, the “model priest” and that I was supposed to become like that, so I used to pray earnestly that the Lord would make me like that. I am now so grateful that he ignored those prayers of mine and instead has been leading me throughout my life to become “me”!

So, I am now learning to ask the Lord, each day, what his Will is for me, for I so often get it wrong, when I rely on what I think is right and wrong. His Will and his Providence, I am learning, are far greater than I can possibly imagine and they always astonish me.

However, in addition to this wrong understanding of what God wanted for me, there were also parts of me that I rejected, that I hid from and desperately wanted changed and so I begged and begged the Lord to take them away.

However, on one occasion, when I was imploring him to free me from them – I

PAGE 11

heard him answer, “But, if I took them away, you would no longer be “Terry” and it is Terry whom I love – not that imagined, perfect man without faults.”

It is an awe-inspiring experience to be loved in this way and I am still plumbing the depths of that experience - that what the Lord wants is “me”, that he wants not only to listen to my story, but also to tell my story together with me. So, I am having to look under the old costumes and masks that I have worn for so long, to discover who the “Terry” is, that is hidden under the “Father Burke” I have lived with for so long. I am having to learn to tell again my story and tell it with all its gifts and weaknesses, its successes and failures – and also to listen to it in memory and accept the love of my Lord, which is written throughout that story of mine – especially in the episodes of sin and grace which are woven throughout my life. I am also still having to learn to be honest about myself – and so discover the place for my Lord in my life, my story – for it is only in my weakness and failures, in the broken and dark places of my story that he can shine and become one with me by drawing me into living with him. I am realising that if I seek to be perfect and so self-sufficient, he can have no place in me – and that I do not want.

Recently, I attended a Mill Hill meeting of our priests from the various Asian Mill Hill Missions. At the end of the last Mass, our Superior General suggested that we approach each other in friendship and bless each other. This we did and I was touched by the love and concern I experienced as each one came to me to bless me, for most included a prayer that I may be cured from the sickness I carry within me. However, I

Fr Terry Burke is a Mill Hill Missionary, who has served in Sarawak, Indonesia, India and England.

Currently, he is a resident lecturer at St Peter’s College and also assigned to do formation work in the Archdiocese.

Today’s Catholic thanks him for sharing his rich pastoral reflections in his column ‘Padi Seeds’.

He sends out a blog each week.

If you would like to receive it, please email him at terrylburke@gmail.com. noticed that while I appreciated their loving words – my heart drew back from the petition that I should be “cured”, for it seemed to suggest that my cancer had no real part in my story with the Lord, whereas it has drawn me much closer to him. I pray instead that I may be “healed” – that I may,

by God’s grace, accept myself as I am and entrust myself into the Lord’s hands, whatever the future may hold.

Whatever then happens to me, my story will be interwoven with the story of Jesus, my Lord – and I shall become the one whom God made me to be.

Fr Terry Burke

Assisted suicide

by Fr Kenneth Doyle

Q

Two years ago, my daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

We understand that the disease is considered terminal but pray for a healing. Two of her friends died of cancer, so she has witnessed firsthand the stages of dying and the profound sadness which that leaves in its wake. Based on those experiences, my daughter has said more than once that, when her own death draws near, assisted suicide is her wish. (And her husband has promised her that he will comply.)

I have prayed about this but don’t know how to approach my daughter without alienating her. (She believes in God but doesn’t worship formally.) Please give me your thoughts.

Life comes to us as a gift from God, and God alone has the right to decide when it is time for us to return that gift.

A

Life comes to us as a gift from God, and God alone has the right to decide when it is time for us to return that gift. This is the fundamental reason why I, along with the church, oppose assisted suicide. It violates the sacredness of human life.

But even without that theological basis, there are many who find the notion discomforting. Among them are a host of physician groups, including the American Medical Association, because it violates a doctor’s oath, which is to heal and to do no harm.

Disability advocates also are strongly opposed because it seems to equate human worth with social utility. (One danger is that people who are seriously ill might feel “obliged to die” because they have become a burden to their family, either emotionally or financially.)

Palliative care and, in the final stages, the merciful ministry of hospice, can do much to relieve a patient’s pain while also providing emotional and spiritual support.

You might assure your daughter of that, along with the pledge that you will be with her all the way through, helping to ease her burden.

Photo: iStockphoto

I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to speak with her about this matter. The New York State Catholic Conference in Albany has some helpful material that you might want to pass on to her, perhaps with the comment that you have come across this information and wondered what she might think of it.

Be sure that she understands, too, that the church does not require burdensome treatment that offers little benefit and would simply prolong the agony of dying.

CNS

FOCUS

PAGE 12

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

ON APOLOGETICS

Is the Sacred Scripture of the Christians corrupted?

by Deacon Dr Sherman Kuek, OFS

I

n addressing the main concerns of our Muslim friends regarding the Christian faith, we first turn to the issue of our Sacred Scripture.

Their main concerns in this regard stem, first of all, from the fact that there are four Gospels in the New Testament rather than just one single Gospel.

Since there are four Gospels, which one of these is the authentic one? This question arises especially because there are seeming discrepancies found among the Gospels, which therefore naturally arouses a suspicion that they have been corrupted along the way.

The other concern regarding our Sacred Scripture is the fact that each book of the Bible was written by a human author. This would mean that the authors were merely transmitters of the revelation they had received.

But yet, how could they have truly received authentic revelation when they were not first-hand eyewitnesses of the events recorded in these books? In fact, they do not even belong to an uninterrupted succession of transmitters, which is an important thing in the Islamic faith (e.g. the Hadith). For example, Saint Luke himself never truly witnessed the event of the resurrection. Far from being a disciple who had lived with Jesus like a number of the other disciples did, and who had seen everything he had done and heard all he had taught, Saint Luke was not even a Jew. HOW MUSLIMS VIEW THE WORD OF GOD It is important to understand that our Muslim neighbours have a particular point of reference in presenting these concerns. They judge the Bible (and every other allegedly sacred text) by how they view the Quran. The Quran, for Muslims, is the direct Word of God that is revealed by the Prophet Muhammad in his appointed role as the transmitter of the Word exactly as it was given. This means that the text of the Quran is distinct and unalterable, and in no way is it produced by human means.

Because of this immutable stature of the Quran, it is the yardstick by which every truth and every text is measured. The Christian Bible is considered by Muslims as the Word of God only insofar as selected parts of it are consistent with the Quran. It is deemed that people who read the Quran have no need to refer to the sacred texts of other religions because those others have been modified in such a way that they are no longer the same as the original texts that were revealed.

Even those that were not modified have been wrongly interpreted.

As far as the Muslims are concerned, there is only one Scripture which is eternal and unchanging in nature.

This Scripture is the Word of God that is protected on the preserved tablet. And it is this Scripture that was revealed to prophets over time, to Moses (the Torah), David (the Psalms), Jesus (the Gospel), and finally to Muhammad in the form of the Quran. These prophets were tasked by God with the duty to transmit these Scriptures exactly as they had been dictated by God. THE CHRISTIAN VIEW ON THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF OUR SCRIPTURE 1. The Quran itself attests to the trustworthiness of the Bible.

The Quran seems to attest to all Scriptures being given to the prophets and to Jesus as being sent from Allah in order to confirm those very Scriptures.

“It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind.”

(Al-‘Imran 3:3, Yusuf Ali translation)

(Part I)

[Muslims] judge the Bible (and every other allegedly sacred text) by how they view the Quran. ... The Christian Bible is considered

by Muslims as the Word of God only insofar as selected parts of it are consistent with the Quran.

“That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth, confirming what was (revealed) before it.” (Fatir 35:31, Yusuf Ali translation) “This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the worlds.”

(Yunus 10:37, Yusuf Ali translation) “Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by Allah’s will, a confirmation of what went before.”

(Al-Baqarah 2:97, Yusuf Ali translation) “The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers.”

(Al-Baqarah 2:285, Yusuf Ali translation) “O ye People of the Book! Believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you, before.” (Al-Nisa 4:47, Yusuf Ali translation) It would be logical to think that if there had been any corruption in the Christian Scriptures prior to the coming of Muhammad, Allah should have warned him of these falsifications that had supposedly taken place. But instead, what we see from the Quran are affirmations of the veracity of the Sacred Scripture of the Christians.

2.

Muhammad himself attested to the trustworthiness of the Bible.

It is important to note that Muhammad himself, during his lifetime as a prophet to the Muslims, never doubted the trustworthiness of the Bible. He affirmed that the Taurat (being the Scripture of the Jews) and the Injil (being the Scripture of the Christians) were reliable instruments for attesting to the alleged truth of his teachings. Multiple passages from the Quran seem to both implicitly and explicitly confirm that the Christians and the Jews, also known by the Muslims of Muhammad’s time as “People of the Book”, should study and practise the contents of their respective holy books.

“And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you.”

(Al-Baqarah 2:41, Yusuf Ali translation) “Ye People of the Book! Why do ye clothe Truth with falsehood, and conceal the Truth, while ye have

knowledge?”

(Al-‘Imran 3:71, Yusuf Ali translation) “Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel.”

(Al-Maidah 5:47, Yusuf Ali translation) “O ye People of the Book! believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you.” (Al-Nisa 4:47, Yusuf Ali translation) “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: ‘This is from Allah’, to traffic with it for miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.”

(Al-Baqarah 2:79, Yusuf Ali translation) Having said that, there is actually reference within the Quran to Jews who had changed the words of their Scripture: “But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (Our command) repeatedly.”

(Al-Baqarah 2:59, Yusuf Ali translation) “But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that they repeatedly transgressed.”

(Al-‘Araf 7:162, Yusuf Ali translation) However, such accusations are absent with respect to the Christians. In fact, the authenticity of our Bible’s translations never came into question until 1046 AD, which was over 400 years after the demise of Muhammad.

Above are merely two points attesting to the trustworthiness of the Christian Bible. In Parts Two and Three of this topic, I will present several more points demonstrating that the Bible is reliable in its consistency.

(To be continued) Deacon Dr Sherman Kuek OFS is a permanent deacon incardinated in the Diocese of Melaka-Johor, Malaysia. He is also a Secular Franciscan and theologian. He is writing for Today’s Catholic on the Church and her teachings. Have a question for him?

Just send them to todaycat@gmail.com.

CHILDREN

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

FUN FACTS!

Hi Kids!

Jesus wants us to spend more time with him rather than worry about the things of this world. There are many problems around us. But by talking to Jesus, he can lift the burdens off our shoulders and we will feel so much better because we know that he is always there with us.

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St Thomas

to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like __________________________

St Thomas was a Jew, called to be one of the twelve Apostles. he was a dedicated but hasty follower of Jesus.

At the Last Supper, when Jesus told his apostles that he was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thomas is best known for his role in confirming the resurrection of Jesus. Thomas’ unwillingness to believe that the other apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the title of ‘doubting Thomas’. Eight days later, on Jesus’ second apparition, Thomas was gently scolded for his skepticism and was given the evidence he had wanted – seeing in Jesus’ hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into his side. At this, Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed: “My Lord and My God,” thus making a public profession of faith in the divinity of Jesus. We celebrate the feast of St Thomas on 3 July.

among __________________________. Do not take a __________________________ or bag or

St Mary Magdalene

Aunty Jo

Jesus sends out workers

Luke 10:1-7 Complete the paragraph by filling the blanks with the correct words from the word bank at the bottom of the story.

After this the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them away two-by-two ahead of him to every __________________________ and place where he was about to go. He told them,

“The

__________________________

is

__________________________,

but

the

__________________________ are __________________________. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,

__________________________; and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house’. If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deservers his __________________________. Do not move around from house to house. few harvest

lambs plentiful

purse sandals

town wages

wolves workers

Parable of the Good Samaritan “Which of these three do you think was a good neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

Luke 10:36 Complete this puzzle.

ACROSS 1. Someone who takes money or property illegal from

another person 5. To feel sympathy and sorrow for the misfortune or

suffering of another 6. Not living 7. Someone who lives very near you

St Martha

DOWN 2. To hit someone again and again 3. A pathway for vehicles, people and animals 4. An adult male human 5. A person who performs religious duties in the church beat dead

man neighbour

pity priest

road robber

At the home of Mary and Martha Find the words of the passage in this puzzle.

(Luke 10:38-42)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42 better help chosen Jesus disciples made feet Martha

Mary needed needed preparation

Mary Magdalene is called ‘the penitent’.

Mary was given the name ‘Magdalen’ because, though a Jewish girl, she lived in a Gentile town called Magdale, in northern Galilee, and her culture and manners were those of a Gentile. St Luke records that she was a notorious sinner, and had seven devils removed from her. She was present at Jesus’ Crucifixion, and with Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and Salome, at Jesus’ empty tomb. Fourteen years after Our Lord’s death, Mary was put in a boat by the Jews without sails or oars – along with Sts Lazarus and Martha, St Maximin (who baptised her), St Sidonius (the man born blind), her maid Sera, and the body of St Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They were sent drifting out to sea and landed on the shores of Southern France, where St Mary spent the rest of her life as a contemplative in a cave known as Sainte-Baume.

She was given the Holy Eucharist daily by angels as her only food, and died when she was 72. Mary was transported miraculously, just before she died, to the chapel of St Maximin, where she received the last sacraments. We celebrate the feast of St Mary Magdalene on 22 July.

sister taken thing upset

village woman work worried

‘Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus.’ This unique statement in John’s gospel tells us of the special relationship Jesus had with Martha, her sister, and her brother.

Apparently Jesus was a frequent guest at Martha’s home in Bethany, a small village two miles from Jerusalem. Martha welcomes Jesus and his disciples into her home and immediately goes to work to serve them. Hospitality is vital in the Middle East and Martha believed in its importance. Imagine her frustration when her sister Mary ignores the rule of hospitality and Martha’s work in order to sit and listen to Jesus. Instead of speaking to her sister, she asks Jesus to intervene. Jesus’ response is not unkind, which gives us an idea of his affection for her. He observes that Martha is worried about many things that distract her from really being present to him.

He reminds her that there is only one thing that is truly important – listening to him. And that is what Mary has done. In Martha we see ourselves – worried and distracted by all we have to do in the world and forgetting to spend time with Jesus. It is, however, comforting to note that Jesus loved her just the same.

The next visit shows how well Martha learned this lesson. She is grieving the death of her brother with a house full of mourners when she hears that Jesus has just come to the area. She gets up immediately and leaves the guests, leaves her mourning, and goes to meet him.

Her conversation with Jesus shows her faith and courage. She states clearly without doubt that she believes in Jesus’ power, in the resurrection, and most of all that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus tells her that he is the resurrection and the life and then goes on to raise her brother from the dead. Martha doesn’t do showy things, she doesn’t receive spectacular miracles. She simply serves Jesus. We celebrate the feast of St Martha on 29 July.

YOUTH

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

First Regional Kuching Bible Knowledge Quiz 2016 and BK16 Quiz

KUCHING — On 25 June, the First Regional Bible Knowledge Quiz 2016 and BK16 Quiz were carried out in the Auditorium Tan Sri William Tan of SMK St Joseph and in the classrooms.

This event was organised by the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council (MCSC) and was jointly run by SMK St Joseph, St Joseph’s Private School and the Sarawak Catholic Teachers' Guild.

A total of 36 teams took part in the BK Quiz and 118 individuals in the BK16 Quiz.

The 11 schools that participated were SMK St Joseph, St Joseph's Private School, SMK St Teresa, SMK St Thomas, SMK St Mary, Kolej DPAH Abdillah, SMK Batu Lintang, SMK Batu Kawa, SMK Muara Tuang, SMK Kuching High and SMK Kota Samarahan.

The event started with a praise and worship session led by the ISCF of St Joseph’s

Meet the winners!

Private School, followed by a welcome speech by Fr Francis Lim, SJ, principal of St Joseph’s Private School and coordinator of the quiz.

Mdm Tan Heng Chan from the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council (MCSC) that organised this quiz, gave a briefing on the format of the quiz.

The first part of the quiz was answering multiple choice questions on paper, followed by

the second and third parts that were oral.

Student helpers from SMK St Joseph and St Joseph’s Private School helped out with the recording of marks and preparation of tuna sandwiches which was sponsored by Ayam Brand. Teachers from the various schools taking part helped with the invigilation and judging of answers.

The winning team was

Terrance Yeo and Ashlyn Wong from SMK Batu Lintang; first runner-up, Alyssa Ng and Nicola Chan from St Joseph’s Private School; second runner-up, Ashley Yap and Zachary Aw from St Joseph’s Private School. Fourth placing were Zachary Liew and Chris Wong from St Joseph’s Private School. Fifth placing were Cassandra Bong and Jasmine Chee from SMK Batu Lintang.

For BK16 Quiz, a total of 13

plaques were given out for the best scores with Naomi Vasanthi a/p Siva (Form 6) of SMK St Thomas scoring the highest.

Other plaques were given to Jonah Lee Jing Hao (Form 6, SMK St Joseph), Christer Dimbab (Form 6, SMK St Thomas), Valerie Ann Anak Trin (Form 5, St Mary), Catherine Lim Jiaxin (Form 5, SMK Batu Kawa), Eva Maria Anak Geofery Edward (Form 4, SMK St Mary), Joel Jii Jun Jie (Form 4, SMK Batu Kawa), Freddy Yong Dee Hang and Erica Tiong Syn Hui (Form 3) of St Joseph’s Private School, Rebecca Lau Li Wei (Form 2, SMK St Teresa), David Kho Wen Hao (Form 2, SMK St Joseph), Elaine Wong Sze Jing (Form 1, SMK St Mary) and Jeremiah Keepat anak Westmoreland (Form 1, SMK St Thomas).

The quiz ended with a closing prayer and blessing by Principal of St Joseph’s Private School, Fr Francis Lim, SJ.

Man who survived Holocaust as child prepares WYD participants for Auschwitz MONTREAL — Leon Celemencki looked at the group of young adults heading to the World Youth Day celebration in Krakow, Poland, in July, asking about their planned side trip to the notorious Nazi concentration camp known as Auschwitz.

“So, you’ll go to Auschwitz, this summer? I’ve never been there. I’ll never go to Auschwitz. It’s too hard,” the 76-year-old Celemencki told them.

Surely, Celemencki, who is Jewish and born in France, knows about the place.

“This is where my mother was

murdered,” he explained to the dozen pilgrims gathered 4 June in the rectory of St Bruno Parish in the Diocese of St JeanLongueuil on Montreal’s South Shore.

Celemencki was only 2 when his mother, Faiga Tabacznick, was arrested by the French military in 1942 and sent to Poland. At the time, children were not being arrested and deported – just yet. So his father sent Leon and his two sisters to orphanages, a safer place.

After the war, in 1945, an elderly Catholic couple took care of the three children. “They were really nice. We called them Grandma and Granddad,”

Celemencki recalled. Unfortunately, he has no real memory of spending time with his father, who was a peddler. He died in the early 1960s, around the time Celemencki moved to Canada.

He paused and then tapped his fingers twice on a map of Poland to show the group where Krakow and the Auschwitz concentration camp are located.

“In Auschwitz, there’s a room as big as this one filled with mounds of hair.

Then there’s another filled with shoes of men, women and children. You’re going to see horrible things,” he warned.

“How and why have we been able to commit such horrific acts? It happened, and it must never happen again,” Celemencki said.

Celemencki now lives in Laval, a Montreal suburb. He moved to Quebec in 1963. He helped manage a grocery store before becoming a florist. He and his wife Bella have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Celemencki lost all of his grandparents, as well as three uncles, seven aunts, and many cousins during World War II. "All of them have been assassinated in the

Auschwitz and Treblinka concentration camps,” he said. Celemencki often gets to tell his story to young audiences in collaboration with the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre.

Norman Levesque, a pastoral minister who will accompany the diocesan delegation to Poland, said the meeting with someone so intimately connected to the Holocaust is important for the preparation the young adults are going through prior to World Youth Day, which runs from 26 – 31 July.

“Do you want us to make any specific gesture on your behalf, when we’ll be in Auschwitz?” asked Levesque at the end of the meeting.

“I’m moved by your proposal,” Celemencki replied. “What I’d like is that when you’ll be back home you tell people what happened in Auschwitz.

And that you commit to never accept any kind of racism or anti-Semitism. We’re all equal, regardless of our religion or the colour of our skin, and we all long for happiness. The sun shines for every one of us.”

CNS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC JULY 2016

YOUTH

PAGE 15