Today's Catholic Vol.30 No.8 November 2018

CATHOLIC today’s

A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak Vol 30 No 8 November 2018

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

Inside...

Harmony Walk 2018

Domestic abuse victims’ predicament

P2

P11

The poor widow “contributed all she had, her whole lifelihood”.

Mk 12:44

今日教友 第十六至二十二頁

Church and world need young people’s involvement, synod fathers say

Photo: CNS

Pope Francis and bishops attending a session of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican VATICAN CITY — Writing to the to young people around the world.

Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general world’s young people, members of the Synod of Bishops said they wanted to secretary of the Synod of Bishops, encourage them and help them fulfil read the letter aloud after a Mass 28 their dreams, and they prayed that their October closing the Synod of Bishops on own failings would not drive the young young people, the faith and vocational discernment. from the church.

In the presence of Pope Francis and “Our frailties and sins must not be an obstacle for your trust. The church is young people at the Mass, he said the your mother; she does not abandon you; synod members wanted to offer words she is ready to accompany you on new “of hope, trust and consolation”. roads, on higher paths where the winds After gathering for discussions at the of the Spirit blow stronger – sweeping Vatican on 3-27 October, they said they away the mists of indifference, recognised in the voice of Jesus “your superficiality and discouragement,” the many voices, your shouts of exultation, synod fathers said in a letter addressed your cries and your moments of silence”.

Clergy and lay people participating in a working group at the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment at the Vatican “We wish to be sharers in your joy, the journey now in every part of the so that your expectations may come to earth where the Lord Jesus sends us as life,” the letter said. “We are certain that missionary disciples”.

“The church and the world urgently with your enthusiasm for life, you will be ready to get involved so that your dreams need your enthusiasm,” they told young may be realised and take shape in your people. “Be sure to make the most fragile people, the poor and those wounded by history.”

When the world that God so loved life your traveling companions. You are “is focused on material things, on short- the present; be a brighter future.”

The special letter, approved by the term successes, on pleasures, and when the world crushes the weakest, you must synod, was drafted by a international help it to rise up again and to turn its gaze commission that included four bishops, toward love, beauty, truth and justice once two young women – one from the more,” the bishops told young people.

United States – the leader of the Taizé After the month-long synod at the community and an Italian priest, all of Vatican, they said, “we wish to continue whom took part in the synod. — CNS

The Synod of Bishops – What is that?

The Synod of Bishops is a permanent institution established by Pope Paul VI, 15 September 1965, in response to the desire of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council to keep alive the spirit of collegiality engendered by the conciliar experience.

Literally speaking the word “synod”, derived from two Greek words syn meaning “together” and hodos meaning “road” or “way”, means a “coming together”. A Synod is a religious meeting or assembly at which bishops, gathered around and with the Holy Father, have opportunity to interact with each other and to share information and experiences, in the common pursuit of pastoral solutions which have a universal validity and application. The Synod, generally speaking, can be defined as an assembly of bishops representing the Catholic episcopate, having the task of helping the Pope in the governing of the universal Church by rendering their counsel. Pope John Paul II has referred to the Synod as “a particularly fruitful expression and instrument of the collegiality of bishops”. (Adapted from www.synod2018.va)

DID YOU KNOW ?

Website: http://www.todayscatholic.com.my

Pope Francis @Pontifex

This Synod is intended to be a sign of the Church that truly listens and that doesn’t always have a ready-made answer. #Synod2018 7.30 PM - 24 Oct 2018

Contact us at 082-231164 (Tel), 082-230196 (Fax), todaycat@gmail.com (E-mail), P O Box 940, 93718 Kuching (Post)

NEWS

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

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

T

he Mass is not a religious service.

When Catholics say morning prayer or the recitation of the rosary or even have Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, that’s a service. It’s something that we do for God, similar to the public prayer of any religious denomination. But the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, the Divine Liturgy, is not precisely – in its essence – done by man at all.

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

— Scott Hahn (The Lamb’s Supper)

A tribute to the late Fr Leonardo Polinar

KUCHING — Emmaus Servant Community of Blessed Sacrament Parish recently mourned the loss of their founder and spiritual father, Fr Leonardo Polinar who passed away in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, 25 September.

The Head Servant, Pauline Lim and two other members of the Pastoral Team (the leaders of the Community) flew over to Manila to pay their last respects to the late Fr Polinar, on behalf of the Community and the parish. Fr Lawrence, who knew Fr Polinar well, paid tribute to him during the Mass offered for the repose of his soul. Fr Polinar, through Emmaus Community had made significant contributions to the spiritual life and growth of both Holy Trinity and Blessed Sacrament Parishes.

The charismatic evangeliser and founder breathed his last at the age of 82, after serving the Church for 54 years as a priest of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

As a price for fighting against injustices, he was imprisoned three times during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Fr Polinar was a renowned speaker. He had

AT THE WAKE … The late Fr Leonardo Polinar (inset) was laid in state at PACEM Lay Missionary house where Masses were offered every day until the day of his funeral on 4 October been to different parts of Emmaus Servant Community in for ‘Pastoral Assistance the Philippines, other Asian Kuching is one of them. and Community Education countries (including Malaysia), Above all, Fr Polinar, Mission’.

USA, Europe and Australia for also founded a community of Sometime in 2006, on the speaking engagements. With priests, professed brothers and prodding of the then Bishop the help of his followers and seminarians called ‘PACEM of Tagbilaran, Msgr Leonardo collaborators, he formed more Missionaries’. ‘Pacem’ is the Medroso, PACEM began than 300 “servant communities” Latin word ‘pax’, which means the arduous preparations of in the Philippines and abroad. ‘peace’. It is also the acronym pertinent documents, all in view

of its canonical erection as a society of apostolic life of diocesan right. On 9 October 2014, representatives of PACEM went to the Vatican to present their request together with three bishops: Msgr Medroso, Msgr Tumulak and Msgr Antonieto Cabajog.

Finally, on 26 September, the Congresso of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life gave its assent: PACEM is erected as a society of apostolic life of diocesan right. This was the day after Fr Polinar passed away, leaving a legacy of 34 ordained PACEM priests and servant communities all over the world.

By doing so, the Church affirms the authenticity of the charismatic gift received by Fr Polinar for the building of the Church. As people who had worked closely with him, it was a time of deep mourning as he was greatly loved by all those who knew him.

He was a man of great simplicity and humility, a man who truly “walked the talk”!

Emmaus Servant Community

St Theresa’s Parish celebrates feast of Patron Saint with a concert and procession SERIAN — The St Theresa’s Parish Pastoral Council celebrated the Feast of St Therese of Child Jesus, who is the Patron Saint of the Parish, on 29 – 30 September.

A big crowd of parishioners from far and near Serian attended the various activities organised for the two-day celebration. The actual Feast day is on 1 October.

Archbishop Simon Poh kicked off the two-day festivity with a gong to open the special concert. The Parish

Chinese Community, Kampung Riih Mawang, St Theresa’s Kindergarten, students from the Parish Sunday School and Santa Maria, Kampung Baru Mawang, gave their rendition of songs and dance performances for the concert.

In his address earlier, the prelate urged all parents to continue to encourage their children to take part in the church activities to cultivate and nurture good relationship with God with their individual talents. He was pleased to

have seen many children and the youths involved in the celebration.

He reminded everyone to serve the church with his or her own ability and talent, for God would reward them fully.

Later in the evening, Archbishop Simon Poh, Parish Rector, Fr Paul Herry, parish priests and religious sisters, Chairman of Parish Pastoral Council, Dennis Sung, Chairman of Special Functions Committee, Dennis Edwin, members of the various lay

organisations, parishioners and friends joined in the special procession of St Therese around the Serian Bazaar.

The two-day celebration ended with the Thanksgiving Mass held on 30 September, presided over by Archbishop Simon Poh. Apart from introducing the holy contributions of St Therese, he urged every Catholic to take the lead in following the instructions from the authorities concerned to prevent and eradicate the outbreak of rabies,

and to avoid using plastic materials to maintain and preserve the environment.

In his speech at the end of the Thanksgiving Mass, Fr Paul Herry thanked the Archbishop for his presence at the celebration despite his busy and tight schedule.

During the Mass, the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Dennis Sung, thanked the parishioners for their active participation and support for the celebration.

• Continued on p4

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS

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Sarawakians demonstrate unity through Harmony Walk 2018

KUCHING — Despite the weather forecast of possible rain, an estimated 1000 plus Sarawakians turned up at the crack of dawn at the Association of Churches (ACS) car park on 29 September for the annual Harmony Walk, which was first initiated last year.

Jointly organised by the Association of Churches in Sarawak, the Islamic Information Centre (IIC), the Baha’i and the Kuching Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Associations, the event was to facilitate the Sarawakians to express their desire for unity, and to live in harmony with each other. It was to showcase that religions could unite, rather than, divide us.

With the theme ‘Unity is Our Calling’, the spirit of religious freedom and harmonious co-existence was very much alive on that day.

This year’s event was organised by the Kuching Buddhist Society (KBS).

Archbishop Simon Poh, Blessed Sacrament Church’s rector, Fr Felix Au, and representatives from the various participating faithbased associations were present for the Walk.

UNITY ... Participants of different faith groups at a photo call with the religious leaders Participants to the Harmony Walk were entertained by a colourful welcome dance routine. A Zumba session helped the participants to warm up before the flag-off, which was delayed for about one and half hours due to heavy rain.

The 5-km walk took participants past the many houses of worship. From the ACS car park, the route covered the BEM Kuching Evangelical Church, Tong Kak Kuang Temple, Malaysian Hindu Sangam Sarawak Council,

IIC, Sarawak Sikh Temple and Assembly of the Baha’is of Sarawak, and ended at the KBS building.

Some participants were happy to share what they experienced at the Harmony Walk.

“I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to reconnect with old friends of other faiths during the Harmony Walk. The rain was an obstacle, but it didn’t dampen the spirit of many of us on that day. May Malaysians of good will, truly strive to build

St Jude’s parishioners urged to emulate Our Lady

our nation to be one of greater harmony, love and respect, between all peoples.”

— Fr Felix Au “I really love our country, as it portrays true racial harmony and religious tolerance.

Because of the heavy downpour early in the morning, I was able to get acquainted with Dr Shahrul and his family from Kota Samarahan. I was amazed to see a Malay couple with five kids, aged 12 years old and below, participating in the Harmony Walk. Dr Shahrul,

walking with an umbrella, was carrying a one-year-old baby on his back all the way. The rest of his adorable children were walking in the rain without any cover. It touched me so much that I offered to share my big umbrella with them, and we became friends.

This is what we call ‘Racial Harmony’ and ‘Religious Tolerance’.” — Thomas Ting “It was a wet morning for the Harmony Walk. But we enjoyed the walk as we were able to meet up with some friends from different religions.” — Julian Chan “Nothing is more beautiful than witnessing all religions gathering at a Christian premise and partaking a simple meal at a Buddhist Temple.” — Edwina Tham “I see that the objective of this walk is truly achieved through peace, love and respect. There were different groups of races together, and generally the youths were having fun. Overall, the atmosphere was one of harmony. This was my first walk and I enjoyed the fresh air and cooling rain.”

— Wendy Lam Ivy Chai

A FAMILY BREAKFAST … Kuching St Joseph’s Parish Ladies Guild held their Sunday Breakfast on 28 October at St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish Gallery as part of their monthly service to the community. Frs Albert Jacobse MHM and Martin Wong along with Franciscan Sisters were among the crowd who dropped in and enjoyed the varieties of food on the offering.

TOGETHER AT PRAYER ... Parishioners of St Leo, Mujat praying the Rosary at the Marian grotto (not shown) to mark the beginning of the Rosary month BUNAN GEGA — Paul’s Saan, Fr Galvin spoke Selvan CMF preached on the About 800 people from about the faithfulness of the importance of the practice of all the kampungs under St Blessed Virgin Mary, the first family prayer in the family. He Jude’s Bunan-Tebedu Parish, and best disciple of Jesus also urged the faithful to take up gathered at the Marian grotto whom we ought to emulate as the habit of praying the Rosary of St Jude’s Bunan, St Leo, Christians. daily in the family.

Mujat and St Paul, Saan to Christians are not alone After Mass, the people begin the Rosary Month on in facing the challenges of gathered at the longhouses at the Sunday evening of 30 Christian living, for we have Kampung Mujat and Kampung September. the powerful intercession of our Saan for the table fellowship.

They began with the heavenly Mother, especially in Nightly rosary recitation took recitation of the Rosary, after praying for reconciliation and place every night throughout the which Mass was celebrated healing, as the universal Church month of October, either in the at their respective parishes, faces sex scandals. homes of the faithful or at the except for St Jude’s.

At the Eucharistic celebration kampung churches in the parish.

During the Mass at St at St Leo, Mujat, Fr Kulanthai Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang

CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF ROSARY … On 2 October, Chapel of Mother Mary, Stutong kicked off the month-long devotion to the Holy Rosary with a Holy Mass presided by Msgr William Sabang. The evening continued with a procession of the statue of our Lady and recitation of the Rosary at the Grotto.

NEWS

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

Healing of Families Seminar attracts many overseas participants

KUCHING — Two Healing of Families Seminars (HoF) were conducted simultaneously at Blessed Sacrament Parish on 5-7 October.

The seminars were organised especially in response to many requests received since the Emmaus Servant Community had already completed all their scheduled seminars for the year.

The seminar for first time saw the majority of the 105 participants who attended the English HoF coming from other parishes, locally and abroad. Apart from Peninsular Malaysia, people flew in from Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Australia and Indonesia. There was even a participant who was

FULL HOUSE ... Participants of the Healing of Families Seminars coming from Malaysia and abroad on a home visit from Russia.

Participants for both the English and Chinese sessions joined in the procession for Our Lady of Fatima’s 16th Annual Worldwide Children’s

Eucharistic Holy Hour, before proceeding to their respective venues to attend the seminars.

Among those who attended the weekend seminar in English was Fr Antonius Suhendri, a

Catholic priest from Medan, Indonesia. Although he was in a capacity as a participant, he offered his priestly services when called upon on numerous occasions, including leading everyone in prayer and hearing Confessions.

As with past HoF seminars, many participants felt the embrace of our loving Father, and experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit within them, resulting in spiritual and physical healing.

Recounting his experience, a participant said he felt a struggle going on within himself during the Inner Healing session. His swaying body stopped only after he was prayed over. He felt something being lifted off him,

leaving him feeling lighter with a sense of peace.

Another participant said she forgave her mother who had disapproved of her marriage.

Even as she was being ministered to, she received two missed calls from her mum. By returning her calls and being able to speak to her so soon after forgiving her, she felt spiritually healed.

Overall, the seminars had made an impact on the particpants. They left participants, who had experienced some form of healing, wanting for more.

Many were already making enquiries about follow-up seminars, which will resume next year. — Ivy Chai

St Theresa’s Parish celebrates feast of Patron Saint with a concert and procession

• Continued from p2 He also thanked them for their generous donations to the Parish Pastoral Council to finance the many projects in the pipeline.

“With the donations received from well-wishers during the Feast celebration, the Parish Pastoral Council would be able to complete the projects like the bell tower, HVLS fans, upgrading the main church audio and video systems, repairing the kitchen roofing and the land perimeter survey, etc. The Council’s other projects proposed are to rectify the sinking apron, the replacement of the aging pews in the main church, to construct the roofing for the grotto, to improve the water supply system and to have a master plan for future developments.”

All these proposed projects need funding badly, he added.

The children also played their part. They took part in a colouring competition, which attracted 35 young participants.

The first four winners for year

A soul united to Jesus is a living smile that radiates him and gives him.

- St Elizabeth of the Trinity, OCD

MMS since 1981

LET’S GO ... The team from Kpg Ranchan getting ready to pull the statue of St Theresa for procession 1 and 2 were Chelsea Cgall (1st place), Cornelius Samuel (2nd), Stina Stifferly (3rd) and Darience Lee (4th). The first four winners for year 3 and year 4 were Marian Jesacynthia (1st place), Jesslyn (2nd), Veronica Lovelynn (3rd) and Felician Fritz (4th).

Coinciding with the Archbishop’s pastoral visit in conjunction with the feast day celebration, a special Mass was celebrated on the early morning of 29 September where 60

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candidates received their Sacrament of Confirmation.

The prelate, in his homily, reminded the candidates, “You are now confirmed to be with Jesus Christ. The cross anointed on your forehead means that you belong to Jesus Christ. You were baptised in church before, now you are confirmed in church, so you must marry in church and your children will likewise, be baptised in church.”

Joseph Then

CLASSIFIED

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018 2ND ANNIVERSARY

2nd Anniversary

9TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of

NOVEMBER

PAGE 5

In loving memory of

We little knew that day, God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly, In death, we do the same.

is a month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory (the Church Suffering), whose feast we celebrated on 2 November.

It broke our hearts to lose you.

You did not go alone.

For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.

CECELIA SINGKET AHUI

Born: 12 April 1961 Departed: 22 November 2016

LAZARUS JAMES

Born: 15 May 1983 Departed: 4 October 2009

Memories is a loving thing, it lasts the longest day It can never be spent, never be lent and never be taken away.

May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

Always remembered and deeply missed by all loved ones.

FRANCISCA HELENA FOO AI MING 2 May 1970 - 24 November 2016 Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.

Deeply missed by Mum, Dad, siblings, nephews, niece, relatives and friends.

2ND ANNIVERSARY

21ST & 14TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of

In loving memory of

HENRY CHEW KUI FONG

Tomb Maker

Departed: 8 November 2016

Simon Sim See Huat 15 Nanas Road 93150 Kuching, Sarawak Tel: 013-8117616 Email: simsee7616@yahoo.com

You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide.

And although we cannot see you, You are always at our side.

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

(Ps 23:6)

DOMINIC ATONG BIN SEGUMAL 20 December 1920 2 October 1997

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

LOUISA BANUN BINTI LAI

Deeply missed and always remembered by beloved wife, daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

30 April 1921 12 November 2004

20TH ANNIVERSARY

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

May they rest in peace, Amen.

In loving memory of

Mother, you left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, although we cannot see you, you’re always at our side.

Dearly missed by all loved ones.

9TH ANNIVERSARY

9TH ANNIVERSARY

In memory of

In loving memory of

JOSEPH LIM Born: 19 March 1924 Died: 29 November 2009

JOSEPH NOBUO IWANAGA who was called to eternal rest on 5 November 2009

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord & let your perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.

Deeply missed and always remembered by loving daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, foster daughters, foster son, foster daughter-in-law, foster granddaughters and all loved ones

May her soul rest in peace.

Amen!

WINNIEFRED LO DOMINIC ATONG 17 May 1947 - 27 October 1998

Another year has gone since you left us. All those precious times with you are special memories we keep deep within our hearts.

Dearly missed and forever remembered by all loved ones.

14TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

With the faith in Christ that we’ve inherited from you, we look forward to being united again someday where the Lord promises eternal life.

DOMITTILA MICHELLE BINTI JACOB JENALAM 29 March 1985 - 29 October 2004

May your soul rest in peace. Amen.

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

May she rest in peace, Amen.

Lovingly missed by children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Deeply missed and forever remembered by all loved ones.

DEEPEST CONDOLENCES to Fr Joseph Chai

for the passing of his sister

HELEN CHAI

on 12 October 2018

to Fr Christopher Laden for the passing of his father

CORNELIUS JABAN on 4 November 2018

May their souls rest in peace.

From: Today’s Catholic Editorial Board & Archbishop’s Office

L

da ove

nd missed

by family and f

rien d

s

DOMINIC KENDY

15 August 1998 - 19 October 2018 “A fine young man who loves his family very much and knows what family and respect are all about.”

PAGE 6

NEWS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

Young people encounter Christmas Charity Bazaar and Run Christ in the sacraments for the elderly poor

COMFIRMED … 7 October marked another historical milestone for Chapel of Mother Mary, Stutong as seven candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Mass was presided by Archbishop Emeritus John Ha and concelebrated by Msgr William Sabang, rector of the Chapel of Mother Mary, Stutong.

RECEIVING JESUS FOR THE FIRST TIME … At Chapel of Mother Mary, Stutong, 30 September, 22 children receiving their First Holy Communion after having completed one year of religious instructions at Sunday School. Prior to their first communion, these children had their first individual confession on Saturday. The special Mass was presided by Fr Patrick Jerome.

KUCHING — Catholic Welfare Services Council Sarawak (CWS) is organising a charity bazaar and run on Saturday, 15 December to raise funds in aid of the operations and maintenance costs for the ‘Home of Peace’, which is catered to the elderly poor and needy.

The Christmas Charity Bazaar and Run 2018 hopes to raise at least RM200,000 for this cause. With 25 elderly poor residents at the Home and 22 staff, the annual operating and maintenance cost is about RM400,000.

The Charity Run revolves around the theme “Run for the Elderly Poor”.

CWS is targeting at least 3,000 runners with sponsor cards for the 3km run which is non competitive. Families are encouraged to participate.

The Run will begin and end at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC) of St Joseph’s Cathedral. The rules and regulations of the run are

FOR THE POOR ... Sponsor cards and bazaar coupons can be obtained from respective parishes in Kuching detailed on the sponsor cards.

CWS appeals to all The sponsor cards with parishioners and their families the Bazaar coupons have and friends to support the been distributed, since late Charity Bazaar and Run in September, to various parishes the spirit of fellowship and in Kuching as well as some rural Christmas goodwill. parishes.

Further information on The Bazaar will have stalls the Christmas Charity Bazaar selling food and drinks among and Run can be obtained from others. Coupons are sold at CWS office at ACCPC ground RM50 per booklet. CWS is floor, contact number 082seeking support from various 241407, or the Home of Peace ministries and individuals to set at 082-381262.

Catholic Welfare Services up stalls.

Installation of St Peter’s new Parish Pastoral Council

KUCHING — The installation of new office bearers for St Peter’s Parish Pastoral Council for the term 2018-2021 was held during Sunset Mass on 6 October by Fr Vincent Chin, the parish rector, at St Peter’s Church, Padungan.

Some new faces are added into the new Parish Pastoral Council with others staying on faithfully to serve for another three-year term (2018-2021).

The new line up of office bearers is as follows.

President: Fr Vincent Chin Chairman: Joseph Wong Kee Choon Vice Chairman: Matthew Eden Anak William Suip Secretary: Leonard Chang

READY TO SERVE ... The newly installed Parish Pastoral Councillors with Fr Vincent Chin (centre) Assistant Secretary: Nichola Amy Tnay Treasurer: Damian Ho Soon Aik Members: Shenton Chai Elizabeth Kho Keith Yong Kian Shin

Victor Chin Frederick Kuek Mong Sing Joseph Yeo Anthony Tomik James Jonik Oren Robin Loi Fui Sek ­— Amy Tnay

St Peter’s Parish aims to become an ecological parish

KUCHING ­ — St Peter’s Church, Padungan is looking forward to making the parish an ecological parish, a member of the parish Creation Justice team members told Today’s Catholic.

Throughout the Season of Creation from 1 September – 4 October, a series of campaigns was launched to raise awareness among parishioners on climate crisis and the dire condition of Mother Earth.

The activities included subject-related exhibitions,

FOR MOTHER EARTH ... Children enjoying a ‘wefie’ with signatures on the ecological pledge in the background signing of Ecological pledge, recycling which is ongoing, and

showing of videos on Laudato Si’ during Mass.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS

Children gather for 16th annual Worldwide Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour

KUCHING — Blessed Sacrament Church celebrates the Worldwide Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour annually. This event usually takes place around the first week of October, to commemorate Blessed Mother Mary’s apparition at Fatima to three young children – Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, and her request for prayers.

This year’s Holy Hour, organised by the Faith Formation Committee (BFFC) was held on 5 October, with the theme ‘Peace: Gather the children to pray for their families, country and the world’.

There was a procession after the welcoming speech and lighting of the Unity candle at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, to honour Mother Mary. Pretty flower girls then escorted Mother Mary’s statue around the Church compound into the Church, as the community sang praises to her along the way.

After announcing the intentions of the Worldwide

PRAY FOR THE WORLD ... Children leading the procession during the Worldwide Children Eucharistic Holy Hour Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour, the Petition Box containing the petitions as an offering from the Sunday School students / children was placed at the foot of the altar.

Mother Mary’s crowning capped the highlight of the procession, followed by adoration and benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Five Sunday School students led the recitation of the World Mission Rosary. Each Sorrowful mystery represented a continent.

The evening ended with songs of praise to Mother Mary, and the students presented her with five different coloured flowers to represent the continents. Europe was represented by a white flower; Americas by a red flower; Asia by a yellow flower; Oceania by a blue flower, and Africa by a green flower.

Fr Felix, in his closing remarks, asked the congregation to pray for the renewal of families. – Ivy Chai

PAGE 7

On St Teresa of Avila and prayer life

PONDER ON THE WORD … Participants at the Prayer Workshop reflecting and sharing God’s word KUCHING — In on the importance and benefit conjunction with the feast of St of living a healthy prayer life, Teresa of Avila – The Teacher of which includes the theological Prayer, the Carmel Missionaries life of Faith, Hope and Love, of Prayer (CMP) conducted a to build a closer relationship Prayer Workshop on the ways of with God. living the theological life titled Dora Tula, a participant, “Living in Faith, Hope & Love” testified: “It deepens my on 20 October. spiritual knowledge.” Another The workshop was facilitated participant, Bernadette

by Cynthia Lim, a Carmelite.

Hyacinth said, “now I have A CMP Prayer Workshop better insight and knowledge primarily helps participants to of loving God.” deepen their spiritual knowledge CMP

Focus on your blessings, women urged KUCHING — The Women of Faith Conference (WOFC) organised under St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish was held over the weekend of 5 - 7 October at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC), with the participation of more than 90 women.

Based on the theme ‘Beloved’: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Prov 31:25), the two invited speakers – Veronica Antoine from Kuala Lumpur and Leoreen Heah-Rodrigues from Penang – shared how God is first in their lives. One of the speakers also equipped the participants with tools on how they, as daughters of God, can pray for their own families using scriptures.

The Conference kicked off with the Mass celebrated by Fr Ramon Borja SDB. During his homily, he touched on how as daughters, the participants can become a blessing to others.

Using an example of a single black dot on a piece of white paper, he urged them to focus on the many blessings they have received and experienced rather than on a few difficulties in their lives. He shared that even for some people, the difficulties in life can be the

COUNT OUR BLESSINGS ... Women in a group discussion during the Women of Faith Conference source of blessings.

Testimonial: The Saturday evening was “I have experienced a lot a time filled with good food, of his love throughout this laughter, dancing, fellowship Conference and have been and fun, as the ladies let their strengthened and empowered hair down and dressed their in my spiritual journey. The best for the theme of the night: speakers helped me recognise “Genesis – In the Garden”. my true identity and worth as It was an enjoyable and the beloved child of God. The memorable evening, topped worship team is awesome.” with lucky draws and awards for — Sylvia Richard the best dressed winners.

“All the sharings helped The organising committee me to realise that there are also thanked the St Joseph’s others who are going through Cathedral Parish for their the same thing. Veronica’s first support, and many friends and session on Saturday helped me volunteers who have worked to be more grounded in my tirelessly behind the scene identity as a child of God and for the smooth running of the to put him first in everything.

Conference. The committee also Leoreen’s sharing on how expressed their gratitude to the she and her husband put each sponsors for their generosity other second as they put God in bringing WOFC 2018 to first, taught me to do the same fruition.

– putting God first, and others Sherly Lee second.” — Olivia Chen

ARCHDIOCESE OF KUCHING We are online!

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NEWS

PAGE 8

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS 2018 • YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FAITH & VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT • 3-27 OCTOBER

The church online: Synod calls for virtuous digital outreach VATICAN CITY — “Log on, but bring your brain, your Bible and your Christian values with you” could summarise one of the Synod of Bishops’ messages to Catholics young and old.

Many people, and not only young people, are “immersed” in the digital culture “in an ordinary and continuous manner,” said the final document of the synod on young people, the faith and vocational discernment.

Christians need to know the dangers of the medium – from increasing isolation to cyberbullying and exploitation, the synod said on 27 October, but they also must be part of the billions of conversations that take place there.

The synod document was peppered with references to social media and the digital sphere but had two specific sections devoted to the topic: one on the pervasive nature of digital media in modern life and the other on evangelisation and the digital sphere.

“Living in a widely digitalised culture,” it said, “has very profound impacts on the notion of time and space, on the perception of oneself, of others in the world, on the way of communicating, learning

Photo: CNS

and informing oneself.”

Bishop Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said Catholics and the church itself have work to do. Social media can “hyperintensify” the idea that fame, achievement, wealth and power are the culture’s most important values, which is one reason why entertainers and sports figures have so many social media followers.

“We are at a moment when the Gospel’s potential to ‘disrupt’ that culture has never been so strong,” Bishop Tighe said.

“The Gospel message wants to say fundamentally that we don’t have to be in the business of performing, of earning, of proving ourselves all the time.

God’s love is unconditional, even when we mess up and

make mistakes.”

“The digital environment is not so tolerant of such things,” he said, which should give Christians extra incentive to reflect God’s love and mercy online.

The synod document also raised questions about the digital world’s focus on images and the implications that has for a faith “based on listening to the Word of God and on reading Scripture”.

Natasa Govekar, director of the theological-pastoral section of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, which coordinates Pope Francis’ Instagram page, offered a different point of view.

“Faith comes from listening to the Word, but we must not forget that it is an incarnate

Word,” that is, God become flesh in Jesus and has “an image, a face”, she said. “That’s why from the early centuries this Word that was listened to and celebrated in the liturgy also was painted on icons and church walls.”

Early Christian art was important not only because many people could not read, but because the use of images “corresponds to the logic of the Incarnation,” she said. And the same could be said of the emphasis on images online.

“The Word of God always reveals himself through the concreteness of an image: the beauty of nature and art and especially through the light on people’s faces, faces transfigured by the Word they have welcomed in their hearts,” Govekar said.

The challenge for Christians today, she said, is to use digital media “to prolong this audio-visual experience of the encounter with the Word that became a face.”

Bishop Tighe’s office focuses on the cultural implications of the digital world, the way it impacts education and the influence it has on forming people’s identity – all of which are referred to in the synod document.

When social media first started taking off, he told CNS,

some people felt that for the church “it was an arena best avoided because the reality is that it can be quite nasty” and polarising.

But, he said, “if people with good values and good aspirations are not present in that arena, we’re abandoning one of the most important forums we have.”

The synod document also recognised how important the internet and social media are for connecting people and informing them. It called for Catholics not just to use digital media to proclaim the Christian message, but “to imbue its cultures and its dynamics with the Gospel”.

The extraordinary possibility of the digital environment fostering an “authentic culture of encounter,” Bishop Tighe said, requires “being attentive to the kind of language we use.

It requires paying attention to not relaying information that is negative, untrue or that we have not verified for ourselves.”

That, he said, “requires people to slow down a little bit, think a bit more and reflect on what they are doing” online.

CNS

‘Watering down’ church What is God saying with rise of won’t attract young secularisation? Jesuit superior asks teaching people, cardinal says

VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church must find a way to look at secularisation as an opportunity to find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, the Jesuit superior general told the Synod of Bishops.

While the working document of the synod dedicated to young people views secularisation as “a dark phase that is in the process of being overcome,” the document offers no approach to “looking to interpret reality and discern God’s action in history,” said Jesuit Father Arturo Sosa Abascal.

“What if we try, instead, to look at secularisation as a sign of the times, in the theological sense that the Second Vatican Council gave to this expression? It means looking at secularisation, and the secular world that arises from it, as one of the ways the Spirit is speaking to us and guiding us in this time,” he told the synod on 11 October.

Fr Sosa began his brief talk by looking at the working document’s interpretation of

“It means looking at secularisation, and the secular world that arises from it, as one of the ways the Spirit is speaking to us and guiding us in this time.”

— Fr Arturo Sosa Abascal

secularisation, which he said was viewed in a “simplified and negative” light.

Secularisation, he affirmed, can range from a combative attitude, “a militant atheism,” that “wages war against any form of religious faith” to a more common form that interrupts “the social transmission of religion leading to ignorance regarding faith, religious experience and religion itself.”

However, if the church views secularisation as a “sign of the times,” it can lead to a more authentic faith that challenges people to make a conscious choice to become Christian rather being “automatic Christians” who only practise their faith because of the society in which they live or their family traditions.

“Secular society also frees us from establishing in religion a

tribal identity, a national identity or any other identity foreign to the spiritual experience that invites us to recognise each other as humans, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the same Father,” Fr Sosa said.

A secularised culture, he added, also can help the church recover the importance of proclaiming the Gospel, which is “a key dimension of the work of the church in these types of societies” and is a fundamental experience of those who give witness to “a personal encounter with Christ.”

The experience of faith, Fr Sosa said, “does not produce subjects of an earthly estate but rather voluntary followers of the universal estate of the Crucified-Risen One from who they have freely chosen to make themselves disciples.”

CNS

VATICAN CITY — Just because some young people disagree with Catholic moral teaching, including in the area of sexuality, does not mean the church’s teachings are unclear or should change, Cardinal Robert Sarah told the Synod of Bishops.

The church and its pastors should “courageously propose the Christian ideal corresponding to Catholic moral doctrine and not water it down, hiding the truth to attract young people to the bosom of the church,” the cardinal told the synod on 16 October.

Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, noted how in preparation for the synod, some young people asked the church to be clear in presenting its teaching on “some questions that are particularly close to their hearts: freedom across the board and not only in sexual relations, nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation, equality between men and women, including in

Photo: CNS

the church, etc.”

Others, however, “demand not only a discussion that is open and without prejudice, but also a radical change, a real and true U-turn by the church in its teaching in these areas,” he said.

The church’s teaching may not be shared by everyone, the cardinal said, but no one can say that it is not clear.

However, there may be “a lack of clarity on the part of some pastors in explaining the doctrine” and that requires “a profound examination of conscience”.

“Undervaluing the healthy idealism of the young” is a serious error and sign of a lack of respect, he said. It also “closes the door to a real process of growth, maturation and holiness”. — CNS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

FOCUS

PAGE 9

ON APOLOGETICS

“SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES!”

by Deacon Dr Sherman Kuek, OFS

For most children (and adults!) familiar with the Harry Potter series, the opening title of this article would ring a bell. Why, of course, this was the song sung by the Frog Choir at the Welcoming Feast of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

A whole industry has been birthed from this perennial human fascination with witches and magic and spirits. A large part of the English-speaking world is right now gearing to celebrate Halloween, and even a Japanese chain like Daiso wants in on the profits to be gained from selling all sorts of colourful pumpkins, pointy hats and scary masks. Come Halloween, big and small children in the civilised West will be prowling excitedly around their neighbourhoods trick-or-treating.

What many people do not remember though, is that Halloween has very Catholic roots. And to retrace these roots, we need to begin our investigation with a brief explanation about the Feast of All Saints which we celebrate on the first day of each November. Originally being celebrated on the thirteenth day of May each year, Pope Gregory III in the eighth century transferred that feast to the first day of each November.

As all regular practising Catholics are aware, we usually begin celebrating a feast in the Church from the evening before the actual day. We call it the vigil. And the eve of All Saints Day was the very day that the Catholics of yesteryears called “All Hallows Eve” (“hallows” is nothing more than an Old English term for “saints”).

Halloween, therefore, was originally the beginning of the celebration, or the feast, of All Saints Day. Like any Catholic feast, it was to be a time of holy feasting – a happily good Catholic party! – that would climax with the celebration of the Holy Mass.

As you can probably see by now, Halloween back then had nothing to do with witches, broomsticks, goblins, pumpkins, or even candies. It was a very Christian feast. The commercial world capitalises on it by bringing all these irrelevant elements into the celebration in the same way that it brings Santa Claus and his reindeer and sleigh into Christmas, except at a more spooky level.

On All Saints Day, we remember those who have lived their lives faithfully in the path of faith, and who upon their departure from this world have achieved the beatific vision. They are with God. We celebrate them and ask for their intercessions with the hope that one day we too will tread the same path towards our sainthood.

Of course, the Holy Church has many saints in its register and many more are being added on an annual basis. But there are actually more saints than we know, and on this great and happy feast, we call to mind and acknowledge even those whom we do not know. We call upon them to intercede for us so that we too might end up where they are in their happy journey towards eternity.

Now, to be sure, we do not talk to the dead in the way people commonly think (for example, going through mediums in séances) and neither do we play with them.

Such a practice is categorically forbidden by the Church and considered as wrong an indulgence as witchcraft is. But to these holy souls, we are frequently encouraged to seek their intercessions on our behalf.

Having said that, we do not also forget those who have died and have yet to attain the eternal experience of heaven. Hence, on the day following the Feast of All Saints, we remember those who are still undergoing the process of purification – those “in purgatory” – and we pray earnestly for them. This is the Feast of All Souls which we commemorate on the second day of every November.

The practice of praying for the dead is neither new, nor is it an invention of the Catholic Church. It has existed since the days of the Old Testament among the ancient Jews (refer to 2 Maccabees 12:42-46).

There are many people whose lives had demonstrated visibly clear signs of faith in God but who had not been fully purged of the effects of their sins in the course of their earthly journey. Their sins were forgiven through the sacrament of reconciliation, to be sure, but they continued having attachments to certain fallen aspects of their lives.

God does not will that these who die in imperfection should be separated from him eternally. He wants them. In fact, God wants all to be saved if that were at all possible!

And so, on the Feast of All Souls, we pray for these souls that their purification would be hastened and their continuous “conversion” be fully complete in order that they may swiftly be in union with God who loves them totally and absolutely.

In this non-final state, our prayers for them have efficacy, just as the prayers of the saints for us have great effect. After all, even in physical death, one does not get separated from the mystical communion of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

In Malaysia, we can be thankful and glad that our Feasts of All Saints and All Souls have thus far not been contaminated by a culture of trick-or-treating. Let us pray that the day never comes. In seeking to remain faithful to our Catholic tradition and liturgical practices, let us observe these two days by seeking to be prayed for by the saints, and by praying for those who have departed and are still aspiring to be saints.

Painting by Fra Angelico

On the Feast of All Souls, we pray for these souls that their purification would be hastened and ... that they may swiftly be in union with God who loves them totally and absolutely...

PAGE 10

FEATURE

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBEER 2018

(

The 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops held on 3 - 28 October focused on the youth with the theme: “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment”. The synod presented the Youth an opportunity to make their presence known and their voices heard. Among the many young witnesses that the Synod Fathers heard were Viktoria Zolnova who spoke as lay Catholic withnessing in the secular world, and Briana Santiago who is preparing herself for a consecrated life as religious.

Witness of Viktoria Zolnova, from Slovakia, at the 2nd part of the Synod Holy Father, Synodal Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is a great honour and privilege for me to be with you here today and my heart is full of gratitute for such a grace.

My name is Viktoria and I come from Slovakia, from the Archeparchy of Prešov, where the young people experience the love and care of our Mother Church, and where I have been involved with youth ministry for over 10 years. Through this involvemen and by serving God in my neighbour I have experienced being alive and important part of the Church. He is the one who is leading me through my life, showing me step-by-step his plan with me.

I studied Management, and then I worked for a small company as an Office Manager. The environment was acceptable, but I was not growing personally or professionally and I was missing that deep satisfaction and joy that comes from well accomplished work.

I desired a change.

While praying and searching for new opportunities, God opened a door for me to study English and Catchechism abroad. I was grateful to God for answering my prayer, but I knew I needed further direction from someone.

I spoke at length with a priest who was my coworker for a few years. I trusted him and I was not afraid of being misunderstood by him even if I had so many questions and concerns.

Our conversations led me to imagine that I had already made the decision. The question I had to ask was: What would my heart and mind experience? This was the turning point for me.

After much consideration and prayer, I realised that there was more to gain than to lose. I had made my own decision: “yes”! And this decision brought peace and joy to my heart, but I also knew it would be difficult for me to leave everything behind, and I still had questions and fears about the unknown.

In a way, I felt like Moses when God interrupted his daily routine and called him to lead the Israelites out of captivity.

I did not take anyone out of captivity, but I did know that this was NOT an ordinary offer. God was calling me to something new and he was showing me the way. I perceived this as a vocation or a call to do something that God wanted me to do in a concrete time and a concrete place. The call to the interior activity which God wanted to fullfill in me, was a call to a growth in holiness.

This call was not what I expected, but it was how God chose to rekindle the flame of my heart’s desires.

It also helped me to realise that vocation and its discernment is not limited to religious life or to marriage. It is an every day process that is reflected in my work, whereby fulfilling my tasks I can grow in holiness. I also understand that young people need someone to accompany them and support them in their discernment process as they seek to know and follow God’s will.

Thank you! http://www.synod2018.va

“It also helped me to realise that vocation and its discernment

is not limited to religious life or to marriage. It is an every day process that is reflected in my work, whereby fulfilling my tasks I can grow in holiness.” Viktoria Zolnova

Witness of Briana Santiago Holy Father, and all here present, my name is Briana Santiago, I am 27 years old, and I am from San Antonio, Texas. I have just begun my fifth year of formation with the community of consecrated women called “The Apostles of the Interior Life,” and my fourth year of philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical University of St John Lateran, here in Rome.

We young people of today are searching: searching for the meaning of life, searching for a job, searching for our path or our vocation, searching for our identity. “Young people dream of safety, stability and fulfillment… to find a place where the young person can feel that he or she belongs.” Wounded by solitude, fragile family situations, and existential anxiety, we ask that the Church accompany us, not as “models of faith to imitate, but instead [as] living testimonies to witness. [People who] evangelise by their life.” We recognise the usefulness of “the exchange of information, ideals, values and common interests…” which is possible via Internet, but also how technology used in an inhumane way can create “a delusional parallel reality that ignores human dignity.”

The majority of what I have just listed above is fruit of our reflection during the Pre-Synodal Meeting this past March. I contributed by welcoming the Englishspeaking young people who desired to participate via Social Media, and I was physically present among the three hundred delegates while they gathered together to reflect. I would like to share that I was surprised by how many desires we all have in common, regardless of country and culture. There was so much joy in that room… the joy to know and be known, that could be heard in the laughter, the songs, and the chatter during breaks. We young people desire dialogue, authenticity, participation… and there, we found ourselves greeted by adults who were willing and desirous to know what we carry in our hearts. It was a fraternal experience amongst very different people – some of other creeds or nonbelievers – who lived seven days of communion and mutual sharing.

We realise that there are many needs in the world – many topics that require reflection and dialogue – and so we are even more grateful that the Church, at

“We young people of today are searching: searching for the meaning of life, searching for a job, searching for our path or our vocation, searching for our identity.” Briana Santiago this very moment in History, is turning her attention towards young people and our concerns. This is an honour, and for us, also a great responsibility to be transparent and aware of our fragility in order to help not only ourselves, but also the generations that will come after us.

At a more personal level, I would like to share that the Lord led me to Rome to seriously discern the Consecrated life not just because the members of my family are practicing Catholics, but also thanks to every person who was Providence for me on my journey. My pastor in San Antonio was one of us, and in his proximity, I saw a Church who embraces and has at heart even the smallest of its members, and I melted in the presence of this kind of love. My catechists did not only speak of rules to follow, but also of their personal relationships with Christ, which changed my vision of God from judge to Father. In college, I met a Consecrated woman who took me seriously and who walked alongside me, helping me to pray and grow in my interior life. As it was for me, I believe that all young people need first to be listened to, and then guided towards an increase of self-knowledge. “In short, we [would like to] be met where we are – intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, socially and physically.”

I unite myself to all of you in the hopes that the Spirit will come down upon each of us and illuminate that which will bring us ever closer to Joy – to the encounter with Christ in the fullness of life and love. http://www.synod2018.va

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

FEATURE

PAGE 11

Domestic abuse victims find escaping their predicament no easy matter

By Agnieszka Ruck Nothing could have prepared Adelaide for the nightmare that was 18 years of her life.

She had married that many years ago, having checked off the stereotypical “Catholic” boxes: She saved sex for marriage, was wed to a Catholic man and was open to having as many children as God gave them.

However, just weeks after her wedding, things took an unexpected turn: Her husband was becoming manipulative. It wasn’t through drunken tirades or threats of violence but through alternating periods of silent treatment and rage.

Like most domestic abuse victims, Adelaide, who asked that her real name not be used, didn’t realise how harmful her husband’s actions were at first.

“It is like boiling a frog. The stories I could tell you about what it was like you would say, ‘That’s insane. You know that’s nuts, right?’ This many years, looking backward, yes, I do. But when you’re in the middle of it, no,” she said of the abuse she faced.

“I was newly married, I was pregnant already and Catholic. I went into this fully expecting this grand sacrament to be a grace and a blessing ... and I thought: ‘Well, if that bothers him, I won’t do it anymore,’” she said.

“What you begin to realise after a very long time is it isn’t about the deed.

It’s about the control.”

Adelaide is not alone. In 2016, more than 93,000 people – 79 percent of them women – reported domestic abuse to police, according to Statistics Canada.

Though every domestic abuse victim has a different, harrowing story, their accounts have similar threads of manipulation and control.

“The stress of being in an abusive relationship is crazy. You’re always on high alert, in fight-or-flight mode, because you never know when the next attack is coming,” Laura, not her real name, told The B.C. Catholic, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Laura’s husband of six years was verbally and financially abusive, yelling inches from her face, overspending while blaming her for gaps in family finances and keeping secret email accounts and relationships with other

Q&A

Q

“It happens everywhere, and unfortunately also in Catholic families” women.

Once divorce proceedings began, she realised how her sense of self-worth had been systematically dismembered.

“It’s hard to leave because you’ve been so demolished by the ongoing power and control and you don’t know what life looks like outside of that anymore,” she said.

“It was a lot easier to get married than to get out of the marriage.”

Adelaide and Laura felt medical professionals, the court system and even the Catholic Church largely failed them.

“Even Catholic women get told: ‘You just need to have more sex. You need to make him better dinners. You need to be dressed up when he comes home from work.’ That’s advice from the 1950s,” Laura said.

After discovering photos of another woman on her husband’s phone, Laura went to her parish to seek solace in the confessional. When she admitted she didn’t know how to confront her husband, the priest replied: “Are you sure you want to blow up your marriage?”

That was the last time Laura sought help from the church. Instead, she turned to online groups where she could get advice and remain anonymous.

Adelaide found that priests she encountered seemed to lack understanding. While working part-time jobs and getting four hours of sleep at night, she asked for financial assistance to care for her five children. One pastor said he couldn’t help because he didn’t want to appear to support divorce; another said he had to check the story

Where do ‘single Catholics’ fit?

By Fr Kenneth Doyle

Where do single people “rank” within the Catholic Church? Many times we are asked to pray for those who are married or who have followed a calling to the religious life – but how many times has anyone in any parish been asked to pray for those who are single?

Are we singles shut out, are we to be ignored until we follow one of the other life paths? What if the single person truly believes that his or her calling is to be single?

Who is asked to pray for the single person who steps up whenever someone else’s children need care, for the single person who is expected to care for ailing or aging family members because he or she “has no other obligations?”

with her husband.

She eventually found a priest who listened with compassion. He helped pay for her children’s school tuition and affirmed her for providing for them and raising them as faithful young Catholics.

Not every abuse victim has a poor encounter with the church, however.

Agnes Drewniak, operations manager at Domestic Abuse Services – Our Lady of Good Counsel Society in Surrey, British Columbia, said in the four years she has served abuse victims, she has noticed more people seem to be aware of the issue.

“It used to be that priests would say, ‘Don’t get divorced. The kids will suffer.’ Now I am hearing from a client who left not long ago that she confided to a priest. He said, ‘This is not a good situation for you to be in. You have to look for help. It’s not OK for him to treat you this way.’”

October is observed across North America as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month and Drewniak hopes that speaking about the issue can help abuse victims feel supported and less judged.

“It happens everywhere, and unfortunately also in Catholic families,” she said. “If you suspect that someone

might be abused, let them know you are ready to talk to them. Offer them help. Let them know you are there and they won’t be judged if they disclose something.”

While awareness, support groups and housing exist for female victims of domestic abuse, it’s remarkably difficult for male victims to get help.

“There not only isn’t any knowledge of it, but the knowledge that exists is backward and really harmful,” said Louis, who also asked that his name be changed.

Louis faced 30 years of yelling, insults and beatings from his wife.

But he said the physical violence was nothing compared to the ridicule he received.

“If I could have made a deal: ‘Don’t say anything, don’t run me down, don’t call me fat, don’t call me weak, don’t call me stupid, don’t call me a failure, don’t say any of that, and you can hit me once a day,’ I would have taken that in a heartbeat,” he said.

Louis found no support from friends, family or the church. Only a psychiatrist believed Louis’ abuse accounts and offered help. Louis also discovered two films – including “The Browning Version” – that touched on domestic abuse toward men and helped him realise he was not alone.

Despite the lack of support from the church, Adelaide, Laura and Louis have not abandoned their Catholic faith.

“Back then, I was destroyed. Now I’m shaken, but I know Jesus is real,” Laura said.

“I’m still concerned for my daughter, for her safety. I hope the legal system will step in when I need it to, and I know God is taking care of her and her angels are surrounding her. I’m sure my angel is also with her, making sure she’s OK. That’s the most I can do, and in the meantime, help her develop boundaries and show that we can live in truth in our house.” — CNS

You are in difficult situation and you don’t know which decision is the best, You have just lost someone dear, and you need to grieve, You are in a complicated relationship, and don’t know where to turn, Or You just need someone to hear you out ...

You can reach out to Nelly Chin at St Joseph’s Cathedral Parish Office (Kuching) Tel: 082-423424 / 423425.

A

I couldn’t agree more with your eloquent plea. I feel strongly that some are called to the single state as a true vocation – a deliberate choice made to give them more time to serve both God and other people. Traditionally the church has identified three vocations: holy orders, marriage and consecrated life; but lately I find increasing references to the notion of the “single vocation”.

The website of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, for example, says this: “Life as a single person can be a vocation from God. ... Single women and men usually have more freedom than those in other vocations. ... The vocation to the single life is a gift to the church!”

And the Archdiocese of Melbourne in Australia explains that “they may be a carpenter, office worker, scientist, dentist, train driver, who has a fulfilling personal relationship with Jesus which they feel able to live out more fully if they are not tied to other relationships.”

Like you, I believe that those who have responded to this noble calling deserve regular mention in the public prayers of the church.

CNS

FEATURE

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

The Seven in Heaven: Meet the new saints source The Catholic Church gained seven new saints when Pope Francis canonised seven saintly people on 13 October. The canonisation could not have taken place in the better month than the holy month of rosary when the Church traditionally and universally dedicated the whole month to Blessed Mother Mary, and just a month before November when the Church will remember all those who have gone before to join the Lord and Mother Mary and the whole legion of saints in heavan. Below is a brief biography on each of the Church’s latest Saints:

Saint Pope John VI

Born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897 and ordained a priest in 1920, he did graduate studies in literature, philosophy, and canon law in Rome before beginning to work for the Vatican Secretariat of State. In 1954,

he was named Archbishop of Milan, and in 1958 was made a Cardinal by Pope John XXIII. As a Cardinal, he helped to arrange the Second Vatican Council and chose to continue the council after he became Pope.

Montini was elected as Pope Paul VI in 1963 at age 65, not long after the start of the second Vatican Council. This was a difficult time for the Church and for the world, as the “Sexual Revolution” was in full swing and the struggle for civil rights in the United States in particular was at its peak. Paul VI is perhaps most noted for his 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which served as the Church’s official rebuke to artificial contraception, prohibiting its use.

Paul VI died in 1978 and Pope Francis beatified him in 2014.

Saint Vincent Romano Born in 1751 and ordained a priest in 1775, Romano had studied the writings of St Alphonsus de Liguori and developed a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He spent his whole life as a priest in Torre del Greco and was known for his simple ways and his care for orphans. He worked to rebuild his parish, often with his bare hands, after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1794. He died in December 1831 of pneumonia and was beatified by Paul VI in 1963.

Saint Francesco Spinelli

Saint Oscar Romero Born in 1917 in El Salvador, Romero was auxiliary bishop of San Salvador for four years before being elevated to Archbishop in 1977. He was an outspoken defender of the rights of the poor in El Salvador, who were being terrorised by right-wing military death squads mainly because of protests over the extreme economic inequality in the country in the 20th century.

His weekly homilies, broadcast across the country on radio, were a galvanising force for the country’s poor as well as a reliable source of news.

In addition to speaking out against the government’s actions El Salvador, he also criticised the US government for backing the military junta that seized El Salvador in 1979, and even wrote to

Born in Milan in 1853, Spinelli entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1875. He began his apostolate educating the poor and also served as a seminary professor, spiritual director, and counselor for several women’s religious

Saint Nunzio Sulprizio

Jimmy Carter in February 1980 asking him to stop supporting the repressive regime.

In March 1980, Romero was assassinated, likely by a right-wing death squad, while celebrating Mass.

Pope Francis beatified Romero in 2015.

Saint Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa Born in 1889 in Madrid, Spain, Nazaria was the fourth of 18 children. Growing up, her family was indifferent and sometimes even hostile to her desire to enter religious life, but later she led several family members back to the Church when she entered the Franciscan Third Order. Her family moved to Mexico in 1904, and Nazarie met sisters of the Institute of Sisters of the Abandoned Elders, who inspired her to join their order. In 1915, she chose to take perpetual vows with the order in Mexico City and was assigned to a hospice in Oruro, Bolivia for 12 years.

Beginning in 1920, she felt a call to found a new order dedicated to missionary work. In June 1925, she founded the Pontifical Crusade, later renamed the Congregation of the Missionary Crusaders of the Church, with the mission to catechise children and adults, support the work of priests, conduct missions, and to print and distribute short religious tracts. Many opposed her work, but Nazaria pressed on. Her order cared for soldiers on both sides of the 1932-35 war between

communities. In 1882, Fr Spinelli met Caterina Comensoli, with whom he would found the Institute of the Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. The sisters dedicated themselves to Eucharistic adoration day and night, which inspired their service to the poor and suffering.

He died in 1913. Today his institute has around 250 communities in Italy, Congo, Senegal, Cameroon, Colombia, and Argentina. Their ministries include caring for people with HIV, orphans, drug addicts, and prisoners.

St John Paul II beatified him in 1992.

Born in Pescosansonesco, Italy in 1817, Sulprizio lost both of his parents at age six and was brought up by an uncle who exploited him for hard labor. Fatigued and often given dangerous assignments, he developed gangrene and eventually lost his leg. Despite his tremendous suffering, he would reportedly make statements such as: “Jesus suffered a lot for me. Why should I not suffer for him? I would die in order to convert even one sinner.”

He recovered from the gangrene and dedicated himself to helping other patients before his health deteriorated again. Sulprizio died of bone cancer in 1836, when he was only 19 years old.

Pope Paul VI beatified him in 1963.

Saint Maria Katharina Kasper

Paraguay and Bolivia, and she herself survived persecutions in Spain during the Spanish Civil war. She died in July 1943, and four years later Pope Pius XII finally granted papal approval to the Congregation of the Missionary Crusaders of the Church, which by that time had spread throughout South America and begun work in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Cameroon.

Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1992.

Born in Dembach, Germany in 1820 as Catherine Kasper, she attended very little school because of poor health. Despite this, she began to help the poor, the abandoned, and the sick at a young age.

Her mother taught her household chores, how to spin and weave fabric. After her father died when she was 21, Catherine worked the land as a farm hand. Her helpfulness toward others attracted other women to her, and she felt a call to the religious life, but knew she needed to stay and support her mother, who was in poor health.

After her mother died, Catherine started, with the approval of the bishop of Limburg, Germany, a small house with several friends who also felt the call. In 1851 she and four other women officially took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and formed the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Catherine, known in the religious community as

Mother Mary, served five consecutive terms as superior of the house and continued to work with novices and to open houses for their order all over the world. Today there are 690 sisters in 104 houses in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Mexico and India.

She died of a heart attack in February 1898, and Pope Paul VI beatified her in 1978.

CNA

CHILDREN

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

PAGE 13

The greatest commandment

Hi Kids!

We celebrate All Souls’ Day on 2 November. This is the day when we remember our loved ones who have passed away. Let us keep them in prayers this whole month.

Aunty Jo

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”

Mark 12:30-31 Read Mark 12:28-34. Complete the crossword puzzle below.

The widow’s offering Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”

Mark 12:43 Look at the numbered clues, determine the correct word, and write that word in the spiral puzzle.

Each numbered square will begin a new word.

MONEY OFFERING

POOR RICH

TEMPLE WIDOW

And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord, for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

1 Samuel 1:11

DOWN 1. A person who lives near or next to another 2. To have a deep feeling of affection or attraction for someone 4. The most important; better than all others of the same kind 6. A spoken or written reply to a question 7. A system of rules or principles LAW LOVE NEIGHBOUR SECOND TEACHER

ALL COINS

Hannah prays for a son

ACROSS 3. Coming next in order after the first one 4. The creator of heaven and earth; The one we worship 5. The centre and source of a person’s emotions or feelings 8. A rule or law; direction or instruction to do something 9. Someone who educates or trains others

ANSWER COMMANDMENT GOD GREATEST HEART

CLUES 1. The official currency issued by a government 2. Having little or no wealth 3. A contribution or gift made at a religious service 4. The entire amount; everything 5. A woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried 6. A building used for worship 7. Having great material wealth 8. A small piece of flat, circular metal, used for money

All Souls’ Day

Enter the correct words in the boxes based on the shape of the letters.

1.

6.

Photo: CNS

answer birth children crying family give morning prayer priest worship

2.

7.

3.

8.

4.

9.

5.

10.

Hannah desperately wanted a son. She even promised that if God gave her a baby boy, she would dedicate him to doing the Lord’s work. And God heard her prayer. It must have been difficult for Hannah to keep her promise, but she did by presenting Samuel to Eli the priest.

This feast day is one of the most loving celebrations in the Church’s liturgy.

It is the day that we especially remember all those who have passed from this life into the next.

Today we stop to remember all who have died especially our relatives and friends.

We pray for those who taught us good things and made sacrifices for us.

We pray for those who prayed for us while they were on this earth.

We pray for the most forgotten souls.

We pray for those who had great responsibilities while they were on earth.

We think of those holy souls in purgatory and we realise that they are saved. Now they wait, being purified, until the moment when they can be with God, face to face.

We can offer the sacrifice of the Mass and pray for these suffering souls in purgatory to hasten their journey to God. Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

YOUTH

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

Youth 2018 “Take Courage”, youth told in Dance Camp SERIAN — The EMPOWERED (Youth) Ministry held the Empowered Dance Camp 2018 (EDC18) from 8 – 10 September at Kampung Pichin, Serian. It was themed “Take Courage”, taken from Isaiah 35:4a “Say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage, do not be afraid’”.

EDC18 is a programme for secondary school (Form 1 to Form 6), college and university students as well as young working adults. The aim is to equip the youths with the knowledge of dance, and how to utilise dancing as a tool to inspire the younger generation to worship and praise God. The three-day-two-night programme attracted 28 people to take the courage to use dance to praise God, and to grow as a dancer of God. EDC18 is blessed to have a guest speaker and instructor, Melvin Jansen Ang from Team Vibe of The Philippines.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the speaker had brought the campers together to discover themselves through dance and body movement; to understand the purpose that God has set for them individually; and to create an impact on the community especially among the underprivileged.

BAU — The Archdiocesan Commission for Mission and Human Development, and the Archdiocesan Commission for Youth, jointly organised a two-day and one-night programme for the youths in conjunction with World Mission Sunday from 20 - 21 October at the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Centre, Mt Singai.

Coinciding with the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome which was focused on the youth, the theme for the camp was “With the Youth, we proclaim the Gospel to all”.

Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang, the chairman for the Archdiocesan Commission for Mission and Human Development, introduced to the participants the missionary

The campers also learnt to take better care of their bodies to use as a medium to express themselves before God through their dance, regardless of their genre. It is hoped that the campers could put into practice what they had learnt and experienced throughout the programme, in overcoming life’s challenges.

It was a very relaxing yet fruitful weekend of dance camp. It has taught each and every one to be united. The participants were reminded that whatever things that they do, they need to have the passion to fulfil that purpose in their lives. It is always scary to “go forth”, but they were reminded to take courage and not be afraid to take that extra step!

The EMPOWERED Ministry would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors, donors, parents and friends who have supported the EDC18 financially, and with prayers throughout the camp.

Testimony: “Now I feel that I’m back refreshed and renewed. I like this feeling! I made a right choice to join this dance camp, and to serve God more from now on.”

— Audry Mayla, 16 “I’m no longer shy, and I’ve learnt to open my wings and become a newly transformed person. Thanks to the sessions, sharing, and bonding time in the camp!”

— Emma Husun, 16 “I’m so blessed to meet so many young people who are willing to

listen to my story and allow me to listen to theirs. I will not waste any breath and will keep saving more lives as God has saved me.

Thank you, God, for this dance camp.” ­ — Stephanie Bakat, 27 “In this camp I’ve not only learnt about dance choreography

and the moves, but I’ve also learnt about the passion and finding that purpose in life; which is unexpected but I’m glad I came.”

— Gabriel Polycarp, 19 Kelvin Chan & Francis Davin

I.M. POSSIBLE Camp: Youth called to be on mission EACH

VOCATION MISSIONARY

by o u r

is a

character of the Church and her missionary activities through the Pontifical Mission Society. A brief history of Mission Sunday was also shared.

“Each of us who are baptised, by our vocation,

is a missionary,” he told the participants.

Fr Ramon Borja, SDB, a Filipino missionary serving at St Stephen’s Parish, shared how the youth can be the agent of the Good News to the world.

of us who are B APTI SED

He also spoke on the Pope’s World Mission Sunday Message addressing the young people.

There was an opportunity to reflect and pray during the Taize Prayer, in which the youths were offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The following day, Lucy Gumek, Chairperson for the Archdiocesan Commission for Youth, animated the participants into mission through the ‘wax museum’ that would help them to start their own mission in the little ways they can do. During the Mass, Fr Galvin encouraged

the 85 participants, and all the youths in the Archdiocese to take up their mission seriously, especially in loving and serving Christ wherever they are.

An exhibition had been set up by the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak, and the Divine Mercy Apostolate throughout the programme, to share information on the mission the youths can embrace.

Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

Youth raising funds while building ties

SRI AMAN — On 6 October, the Catholic Youth Ministry of the Holy Family Church, Betong organised the Youth Annual Dinner 2018 at a local restaurant in Sri Aman.

The theme of the dinner was “Unite in Christ’s Love”. The main objective of the event was to raise funds specifically to cover the cost of running spiritual programmes planned

by Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) Holy Family Church, for 2019.

Among the guests who came to give their support were the members of the Youth Ministries of Our Lady Queen of Peace Sri Aman, St Ignatius Saratok, Engkelili, St Anthony Skrang and Parish Youth

Ministry (PYM) St Stephen Bau. The evening’s special guests were Frs Augustine Jepy and Robert Jissem. Many activities took place during the dinner which included singing, dancing, lucky draws as well as the collection for Suara Emas by Fr Augustine Jepy.

It is evidenced from the event that there is a strong bond between the youths and the other members of the parish.

The organisers also hoped that this event would continue in the future to strengthen ties among youths and church members, apart from giving the youths encouragement to faithfully serve the church together.

Anatashia Stephanie Koliang

YOUTH

PAGE 15

St Joseph’s Parish Tuition Centre

今日教友

PAGE 16

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

砂朥越古晉總教區 這寡婦『把所有的 一切， 部的生活 費，都投上了。』 （谷12:44） Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

(梵蒂冈新闻网)从10月3 日开启的世界主教会议第十五 届常规会议,在这26天里一步一 个脚印地探讨了「青年 信德和 圣召分辨」的主题。教宗方济 各在圣伯多禄大殿主持弥撒,为 这「携手同行」的旅程画上句 点。与会的神长和旁听青年,以 及7千名信友参加了弥撒。 教宗的弥撒围绕「信德旅 程」中三个步骤展开,第一步是 「在说话前先聆听」,也就是成 为「聆听的使徒」。 当天主日的福音中（谷十 46-52）,有人听到耶里哥瞎眼乞 丐的喊叫时,不许他说话，斥责 他叫他不要呼叫。相反地，对 耶稣而言,「那些寻求帮助的人 的呼声」不是一种打扰，而是 「至关重要的问题」。因此， 基督徒蒙召以爱和耐心，去聆 听近人的需求，而非「那无益 的喋喋不休」。 教宗说:「我想对青年说: 如果我们并未常常倾听你们,如 果我们非但不敞开心扉,还总是 对你们喋喋不休;请接受我们的 歉意。你们的生命对天主而言 非常宝贵,因为天主是年轻人， 祂爱年轻人;你们的生命对我们 来说也是极其宝贵的,甚至是我 们继续前行的必要条件。」 像耶稣那样,做耶里哥瞎子 的近人,是我们信仰之旅的第二 步。耶稣问巴尔提买:「你愿意

第367期

教宗主持世界主教會議閉幕彌撒： 聆聽，做近人，作見證 世界主教会议开幕式 (Vatican Media)

世界主教會議10月11日新聞簡報: 兩位中國主教的出席是 『一份極大的喜樂』

世界主教会议新闻发布会

我给你做什么？」天主怀著「对 每个人的偏爱」,设身处地的帮 助人。教宗说：「当信仰只关注 教条时，就会陷入高谈阔论却无 法打动人心的危险。当信仰只关 注做什么的时候，就有可能成为 道德主义，或社交的行为。相反 地，信德是生命，是活出那改变 我们生命的天主之爱。我们不能 成为教条主义者或行动主义者； 我们蒙召以天主的方式推进天主 的工程；与祂紧密契合，与弟兄 姐妹彼此共融，做他们的近人。 」 教宗邀请我们在信仰之旅 中迈出的第三步，是「做见证」 。关于这一点，教宗警告说，「 坐等弟兄姐妹寻上门来敲门，不

是基督徒的作为；我们应该去寻 找他们」，把耶稣而非我们自己 带给他们。 教宗感叹道：「多少次， 我们不是宣讲耶稣的话，而是藉 祂的话散播我们的想法！多少 次人们感受到的是我们机构的重 担，而非耶稣朋友般的临在！就 这样，我们慢慢成为一个非政府 组织，一个半官方的组织，而不 是一个生活在上主的喜悦中、由 得救者组成的团体。」 教宗最后总结道,「拯救巴 尔提买的信德，不在于他关于天 主的明确想法，而在于他寻求天 主，愿意与主相遇」。感到自己 需要得救是信仰的起点。「信德 的关键在于相遇，而非理论。」

世界主教會議《最後文件》簡介：邀請青年與教會同行 （梵蒂冈新闻网）世界 主教会议在10月27日下午的全 体大会中通过了《最后文件》 总发言人达罗沙 (Sérgio da Rocha)枢机表示,这份文件得到 了热烈的掌声,由于世界主教会 议与会神长和其他代表,「尤 其是青年」都参与了这项工作, 因此「它的确是团队工作的成 果」 此外,《文件》收入了364 项修改意见,「其中大部分都精 确且具有建设性」 整份文件 以必要的三分之二多数票得到 通过 《最后文件》是《工作文 件》的补充,从《路加福音》记 述厄玛乌门徒与复活基督的相 遇获取灵感 《文件》分为三大 部分:「与他们同行」 「他们 的眼睛开了」, 以及「他们随即 动身」(参阅: 路廿四13-35) 第一部分「与他们同行」 注意到青年生活的具体情况, 强调学校和堂区的重要性 《文 件》承认, 由于许多神父和主教 已经负载过重, 因此需要培养平 信徒, 使他们有能力陪伴青年 《文件》提到公教教育不可替 代的角色, 同时指出堂区需要重 新考虑自己的传教使命, 因为这 项工作经常缺乏效率和活力, 在 要理讲授方面尤其如此 此外,移民青年的现况 各 种形式的侵害 「丢弃文化」也 是第一部分的内容 关于性侵， 主教们表示「坚决承诺采取严 厉的预防措施, 禁止此类行为再 次发生, 这首先要从那些将负起 教育责任者的选择和培育上入 手」 艺术、音乐和体育的表达

月刊出版者：古晉總主教 顧問：歐慶偉神父 Fr Felix Au 英語編輯 ： 陳佩蓮 Stella Chin 中文編輯 ： 楊秀音 Magdalene Yeo 編輯組 ： 羅國璋 James Lo

黃儀惠 Margaret Bong

楊清華 Cecil Yong Freddy Bohari (BM) Martha Ngui (Eng) Victoria J Lim (Eng) 工作人員 ： Audrey Yu

(梵蒂冈新闻网)两位中国 主教出席世界主教会议,以及「 朝鲜准备向世界开放」,这是10 月11日的新闻发布会上谈到的 两项主要内容 圣座传播部部 长、世界主教会议新闻组负责 人鲁菲尼(Paolo Ruffini)主持会 议，特别提到大会讨论的议题: 分辨进程、代际关系、感恩祭 之美、青年的互动, 以及平信徒 的角色 新闻发布会上以广泛的空 间谈到中国大陆的两位神长郭 金才主教和杨晓亭主教的出席 大田教区俞兴植(You Heung-sik) 主教表示,在圣座与中华人民共 和国签署临时性协议后,这是「 一份极大的喜乐」和「一个新 希望」的标记,「将为中国和世 界结出美好果实」 俞兴植主教说, 我在他们身

上看到「值得爱护的弟兄」, 他们待我如同「一位大哥」 意大利基耶蒂-瓦斯托教区福 尔特（Bruno Forte）总主教也 指出:「中国是一个向世界开 放的国家 」 此外,俞兴植主教在回答 记者提问时也谈到朝鲜的近况 不久前,韩国总统府发言人宣 布,朝鲜领导人金正恩将在文 在寅总统10月18日访问梵蒂冈 的机会上托信邀请教宗前往访 问 俞兴植主教表示,如果教 宗方济各能访问平壤,那将促 使朝鲜半岛的和平及统一迈出 「巨大的一步」 不过，他也承 认,「仍有许多有待走出的步 伐,有些事必须作出改变」,尤 其是关于「宗教自由」,但此刻 平壤已准备迈出新的一步。

第92届世界传教节:人人都要传播福音

世界主教会议最后一场大会 (Vatican Media)

也能被用来作为「牧灵资源」 《最后文件》第二部分「 他们的眼睛开了」,表明青年是 上主临在的「神学场所」之一 藉著青年，教会能够自我更新、 摆脱「沉重和缓慢」的负担 传 教使命对于青年是另一个「可靠 的指南针」,因为它本身就是那 带来真正和持久幸福的恩典 圣 召则是一个与使命密切相关的概 念,每个领受圣洗的人都蒙召走 成圣的道路 第二部分也提到,陪 伴和分辨是另两个能帮助青年在 使命和圣召上成长的要素 《文件》的第三部分「他 们随即动身」,世界主教会议的 神长们将玛利亚·玛达肋纳，复 活耶稣的首位见证人作为一个年 轻教会的典范 所有青年, 包括那 些持有不同生命观的青年, 都在 天主的心中 同道偕行, 即「一起行走」 是世界主教会议神长们指明的一 种动态。他们邀请全世界的主教 团继续分辨的进程, 力求制定出 具体的牧灵方案 「同道偕行」 是鼓励我们从「我」走向「我

们」而提出的传教风格，要我们 顾及人的面容、感受、籍贯和文 化的多元性 在世界主教会议期间屡次提 出一项要求,就是在主教团层面设 立一个「以圣召为核心的青年牧 灵机构」, 帮助教区和堂区的领 袖在他们的培育及陪同青年的行 动上取得资格, 为克服教会牧灵 工作上某些支离破碎的现象作出 贡献 《最后文件》提醒家庭和 基督徒团体陪伴青年的重要性, 让青年发现性是一份恩典 主教 们承认,教会在时下的文化背景中 传递「基督信仰性欲观的美好」 遇到了困难 因此, 迫切需要寻找 「更为恰当的方式, 使其在形成 新道路的发展中得以表达」 《最后文件》在末尾将世界 主教会议涉及的各个议题归纳为 一个圣召的推动力，即成圣的召 叫 「圣召的多样性归纳为那唯一 和普遍的成圣召叫」 许多遭受迫 害的青年为忠于福音而宁愿舍弃 性命, 透过他们的圣德, 教会得以更 新自己的灵性热忱和使徒活力。

世界传教节记者会

(梵蒂冈新闻网)圣座万 民福音传播部部长斐洛尼 (Fernando Filoni) 枢机等神长10 月19日在圣座新闻室的记者会 上介绍了第92届世界传教节文 告 今年的传教节适逢以青年为 题的世界主教会议期间,教宗的 文告正是向年轻世代发出呼吁, 题名为《和青年一起,让我们把 福音带给所有人》 斐洛尼枢机首先指出,世界 传教节与主教会议同时进行是 刻意安排的 教宗在文告中的头 一句话便展现出对青年的邀请, 写道:「亲爱的年轻人,我愿意和 你们一起反思耶稣交给我们的 使命 」教宗向青年阐明,每个生 命都是一个传教使命 一个圣召 人人都是教会传教使命的主角, 应当将福音传扬到地极。统计 数据显示,很多民族 全世界三分

之二的人口还没接受初次福 传,而且许多团体迫切需要再 次福传 因此,教会的任务尚未 完成。 最后,宗座外方传教会会 士 《信仰通讯社》主编梅罗 尼(Fernando Filoni) 神父在记 者会上宣布了教宗方济各的新 举措:在本笃十五世教宗颁布 《夫至大》牧函 改变教会传 教态度的一百周年之际,明年 十月将是特别传教月,主题为 「领受洗礼和派遣:基督的教 会在世界上传教」 这项活动 旨在激励信友意识到他们既然 领了洗,就领受了传教使命 梅 罗尼神父也解释了2019年以亚 马逊地区为题的世界主教会议 与特别传教月之间的关系:事 实上,教宗希望这两者能表达 出教会的同一份福传热情

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

今日教友

PAGE 17

天主教發展機構呼籲採取緊急的氣候行動

有关全球气候变化的可怕警告Media)

随着联合国「政府 间气候变化专门委员会 （IPCC）」发布有关全球 气候变化的可怕警告后，世 界各地天主教发展机构的领 袖们亦发出紧急行动的呼 吁。 「天主教发展机构网络 （CIDSE）」是天主教社会 正义组织的一个国际团体； 据其报道，下一届联合国气 候变迁大会预定十二月在波 兰召开，而这次的会议必须 成为奠定三年前所签署的「 巴黎气候协定」的一个里程 碑。 天主教发展机构同意 那委员会最新专题报告的一

项调查结论；该报告指出， 世界正处于全球气温上升摄 氏三点五度或更高的「路」 上；这意味着在与目前所定 下气温上升摄氏一点五度的 目标，存在着巨大的差距。 天主教机构在一份联合 声明中指出:「将全球暖化限 制在摄氏一点五度内，是所 有人的生存问题，要通过大 胆的政治行动才可行的：应 对气候变化的障碍是政治性 的！」 「现在我们比以往任何 时候，更需要领导者承认并 采取行动，来压止我们目前 的排放轨迹。」 「这是一个道德的迫

切需要，首先提醒我们人类 及地球的巨大风险，这些风 险已是最弱势群体所经历过 的。」 「我们目前的排放物已 造成诸多影响,譬如丧失生物 的多样性;数百万人被迫迁徙; 产量亏损威胁到食品安全;海 平面上升,以及海洋变暖威胁 著海洋生物,并对渔业造成直 接影响。」 由于气候变化无法孤立 地被解决,故天主教机构倡议 一种范式转移。 天主教机构说,世界需要 逐步淘汰矿物燃料,并以再生 能源取代;而且,资金流动需要 转向此种可行的替代方案。 他们表示,必须重新考虑 目前的能源消耗水平,以尊重 地球的界限和理解到我们正 生活在一个有限的星球上。 天主教机构的声明又说: 「我们应转向有机农业,重新 设计农业生态系统以达致多 样化,并从而整合它们,改变饮 食习惯,减少肉类和乳制品的 生产和消费,重新定位食品系 统以减少食品损失和浪费,并 建立食品主权(即人对食品的 控制权)。」 【来源:《十字架报国际 版》, 天亚社编译】

教宗致函糧農組織:為使窮人充飢， 需要的是行動而不是空談 (梵蒂冈新闻网)教宗方济各 10月16日联合国「世界粮食日」 当天致函粮农组织总干事若泽 • 格拉齐亚诺 • 达席尔瓦(Josè Graziano da Silva), 强烈呼吁「应 走出经常令我们瘫痪和无法行动 的麻木状态」 今年「世界粮食 日」的主题为「行动造就未来, 到2030年能够实现零饥饿」 教宗写道, 举行「世界粮食 日」的目的「不在于收集资料或 满足我们的好奇心, 而是「需要 忧心如焚地关注饥饿的悲剧」, 以及数百万缺少日用粮的人的「 焦虑」和「希望」,「勇于将世界 现况视为切身之痛」(参阅:《愿 祢受赞颂》通谕19号),从而「加 倍努力使任何一个人在数量和质 量上都不缺少所需的食粮」 教宗痛心地指出,一无所有 或几乎没有任何食物的人数正在 剧增,「国际关怀似乎却在减弱」 「穷人等待我们的是一种能消除 他们沮丧的有效援助,不只是在详 细研究了他们贫穷的原因后,提出 论述或举办盛大的研讨会作为问 题的唯一解答,或是作出从未具体 落实的承诺或大量出版使图书馆 书目变得臃肿的出版物」。 教宗提到,「在这21世纪我们 在技术、科学、传播和基础设施 方面取得了长足的进步,我们该当

印度穷人

因人性和团结互助方面并未有 相同的进步、未能满足劣势人 群的基本需求而感到惭愧」 「 我们众人必须有所跨越。我们 能够,而且必须做得更好」 「因 此, 需要有所行动, 让饥饿的灾 难彻底消失」 这需要得到「道 德信念」支持的「政治决策和 行动方案」, 决意促进人的「整 体福祉」 教宗告诫道:「不是郑重的 声明就能彻底根除这灾难 对抗 饥饿迫切需要提供慷慨的资金 取消贸易障碍,尤其是面对气候 变化而增长的冲击强度,以及经 济危机和武装冲突 」教宗最后 呼吁:「我们需要增加资金用以 促进各民族的和平与发展;我们 需要让武器及其有害的贸易闭 嘴,好能聆听那些感到被抛弃在 生活和发展边缘者的哭泣 」

“天地会过去，我的话却永不过去。” (谷13:31)

嗨!小朋友，

十一月为炼灵月，给我们追念我们的先人及已亡的亲友恩人 而特定的。教会鼓励我们要常为炼灵祈祷和献弥撒，让这些 炼灵能早日升天享福。

耶稣说：“天地会过去，我的话却永不过去。” 你对他的教训认识有多少？请根据章节阅读福音后，把它们连起来。

诸圣节 （11月1日）

和平的君王基督邀请你做祂的继任人。请你： •设计一个能代表“和平”的标志， •创作一句提倡“和平”的口号， 提醒大家努力迈向和平。 帮助大家尽快实践世界和平。

• 提供一些方法，帮助大家在日常生活中与家人，同学及邻居和睦相处。 （例：说话温文和带微笑。）

在本星期内，天天祈祷，求耶稣给我更多的恩宠去明白他的 教训，并努力生活出来

追思已亡日（11月2日）

按点连线

这张图中的耶稣 是复活的耶稣， 他的身上有明显 的伤痕。 耶稣来到世界 上，是要大家跟 随他，与他一起 死亡和复活。 看看左边这群人 好像在烈火中，但是却没有害怕的样子，因为他们看见耶稣，知道耶稣会保护他 们，不会丢下他们任何一个人，一定会带领他们到天上的国。 请为耶稣上色。

图中，是什么 把巴郎的驴吓 呆了？ (请参阅户籍 记22:1-35就 可找到这个故 事了)

保禄信主的故事 (参阅宗9:1-9)

保禄（之前叫扫禄）往大马 士革抓拿基督徒时，他被天 上的光弄盲，耶稣在光中跟 他说话。你可在图中找出八 种植物吗？

基督普世君王节

(若18：33-37)

试根据你的认识，耶稣的国是怎 样的呢？请绘出来。

今日教友

PAGE 18

各地慶祝思高聖經出版五十周年,「主人翁」卻只低調感恩

「一会一团」主办的「思高《圣经》出版发行五十周年座谈会」， 共计有四十名国内外天主教和基督教人士和学者参与。［信德网］

【天亚社．香港讯】今 年是思高圣经出版五十周年， 中国大陆、澳门和香港的教会 或团体均有举办讲座或研讨 会，暂以大陆办的最大型，共 计有四十名国内外及天主教 和基督教人士和学者参与。然 而，「真正的主人家」香港思 高圣经学会却发声明，指所有 以出版周年为名的活动，都与 他们无关。 有关声明于十月廿二日 由「思高圣经学会」发出，内 容指：「本学会翻译及出版的 中文圣经合订本，素称为『思 高圣经』，自一九六八年出版 以来，承蒙大中华各教区的接 纳，并于礼仪及日课中采用， 本学会仝人除深感荣幸外，更 热切感谢天主的恩宠和引导， 以及祂上智的安排。」 「今年适逢『思高圣 经』出版五十周年，本学会仝 人决定不作特别的庆祝，祗会 在祈祷、工作和日常生活中表 达对天主的感恩，常记着耶稣 基督的教训：『我们是无用的 仆人，我们不过做了我们应做 的事』（路17:10）」 「因此，近来在京、 港、台不同地区和团体以『思 高圣经』出版五十周年的名义 所举行的庆祝活动，本学会 都没有参与，即是说：本学会 不是主办或合办团体。该等活 动与本学会没有直接关系。此 外，本学会也没有透过任何团 体为本学会筹募经费或呼吁捐 款，敬请垂注。」 有关声明于十月廿三 日，在思高圣经学会的脸书刊 出。十月廿五日，香港思高圣 经学会回复天亚社查询时指， 对于外界举办有关思高圣经出 版五十周年的活动，他们不清

楚也没去了解，而他们发声明 是要清楚表达自己的立场，并 强调他们没有举办或合办任何 庆祝活动。 事实上，以思高圣经出 版五十周年名义所庆祝的活动 也不少。像天主教澳门圣经协 会于六月九日举行第十三届干 事就职礼时，就邀请了香港教 区夏志诚辅理主教前去澳门， 顺道介绍思高圣经的主要诠释 者真福雷永明（Gabriele Maria Allegra）神父的生平。 另外，天主教华语圣经协 会联合会举办第十一届世界华 语圣经大会，主题「与圣言同 行活出信望爱」，于十一月廿 二至廿六日举行。当中的宣传 有写「庆祝『思高中文圣经』 诞生出版五十周年」。 大会的揭幕弥撒由香港教 区主教杨鸣章主持。香港教区 夏志诚辅理主教、菲律宾马尼 拉总教区类斯．塔格莱（Luis A. Tagle）枢机等神职分别有专题 演讲，活动为期四天。 而近期较有规模的庆祝活 动，要算是在北京举行的座谈 会。据《信德网》十月十九日 的报道，由中国天主教主教团 及中国天主教爱国会(一会一团) 主办的「思高《圣经》出版发 行五十周年座谈会」于十月十 八日在北京友谊宾馆举办。 出席者达四十人，包括「 一会一团」、全国八大修院、信 德文化研究所及信德社的代表。 此外还特邀邀请「联合圣经公会 中国事工」主任柯伟、「普世 天主教圣经协会」秘书长杨德范 神父、「爱德基金会」理事长暨 南京「爱德印刷有限公司」董事 长丘仲辉、额我略大学讲师罗木 兰(Monica Romano)等。而早前 代表中国出席世界主教会议的郭

金才和杨晓亭主教也有出 席。 主教团副主席兼秘书 长郭金才，即最近获教宗 接纳的非法主教，于致辞 中介绍思高《圣经》的翻 译历程以及出版发行的历 史脉络，指出思高圣经合 订本自正式出版发行，很 快成为华语地区天主教采 用最广泛的版本。 他还说，自一九九三 年中国大陆首批思高圣经 出版到二零一八年的廿五 年间，共印行了不同版本 的思高圣经四百五十多万 册，并十分感谢香港思高圣经 学会一直为中国教会无偿提供 版权。 而在会议讨论环节，来自 全国八大修院的十七位教授圣 经的神父、执事和修女，分别 对圣经教学、翻译、诠释资料 等方面取得的成绩和存在的问 题，以及未来愿景作分享及提 出建议。 报道指，与会者充分肯定 了思高圣经的价值及其对中国 教会的重大贡献，对以真福雷 永明神父为首的香港思高学会 表达了深深的敬意。 但与会者也同时指出，目 前《圣经》普遍存在的问题，如 圣经研究缺少一个有效的权威的 组织系统；思高圣经因错别字、 用语生僻难懂、句子不通顺等 需要进行修订；教会对圣经的重 视程度不够；圣经研究、诠释资 料、教友学习圣经和查经教材匮 乏；圣经教材不统一及修生对圣 经认识的匮乏；神职人员需要圣 经再培育等。 他们希望成立「圣经学 会」和圣经「培育机构」，并 多举办圣经研讨会、出版圣经 专刊、圣经资源分享、建设圣 经神学培育交流平台等，以加 强沟通；若条件许可，出版各 种少数民族圣经及多出版圣经 注释书籍；利用假期举办修院 讲师圣经研习班；以及重视新 媒体的应用。 座谈会尾声，刚从意大利 参加会议归来的中国天主教一 会一团常务副主席沈斌主教赶 到会场，并在讲话中指出，希 望通过座谈会收集不同意见， 并能于日后落实。他谈到，学 成回国的神父、修女仅专攻圣 经学科的就有四五十人，会好 好发挥他们的特长。(1791)

諾貝爾物理學獎得主朱棣文獲任命為宗座科學院院士

朱棣文

（梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗方 济各任命了美国加州斯坦福大 学分子和细胞生理学教授朱棣 文为宗座科学院院士 朱教授发 展了用雷射冷却和捕获原子的

方法，因而1997年获得诺贝尔物 理学奖。 朱棣文于1948年2月28日出 生在美国密苏里州圣路易斯 他 得到纽约罗切斯特大学的数学 和物理学学位后,1976年在加州 大学伯克利分校取得物理博士 学位,并从2013年起在斯坦福大 学教授物理学,以及分子和细胞 生理学 他发表了多篇关于原子 物理学 聚合物 生物物理学 生 物学 蓄电池和其它能源技术的

论文,并且拥有多项专利。 2004年至2008年,朱教授领 导了贝尔实验室量子电子学研 究部门和劳伦斯伯克利国家实 验室,并在斯坦福大学教授物理 学和应用物理学 2009年元月至 2013年4月,他担任美国能源部部 长 此外,朱教授也是美国国家科 学院院士,以及英国皇家学会 英 国皇家工程院 中国科学院 韩国 科学技术院的外籍院士,享有许 多荣誉学位。

帕羅林樞機:教宗表達有意願前往朝鲜訪問

帕罗林枢机

(梵蒂冈新闻网)「教宗表 示他有意愿前往平壤」 圣座国 务卿帕罗林枢机10月18日出席《 一道通谕的诞生,人类生命》新 书介绍会时向记者们证实了教 宗的意愿 帕罗林枢机表示，新 闻界对于韩国总统带来朝鲜领

导人邀请教宗访问平壤的消息是 真的 教宗表达了他前往的意愿。 问: 那么,是否已经开始筹划 了呢？ 答: 没有。现在需要稍微等 候，好使它更为正式化 目前只 是进行初步接触,就如先前所说 的,韩国总统向教宗转达了朝鲜 领导人金正恩的口头邀请。 问：教宗去朝鲜之前,圣座 是否会提出一些条件呢？ 答：这应该是后来工作的 一部分。一旦开始认真思考这次 访问的可能性，显然地会对此加

以考虑，会提出能够实现访问的 一些条件。 问：韩国消息来源称，教 宗已表达了他去朝鲜的意愿。 答：是的,可以说,他表达了 去朝鲜的意愿 但很显然——这 是我的想法——此类访问需要认 真地筹备，认真地考虑。 问：这会带来何种贡献呢？ 答：我认为,最基本的贡献 就是给予支持 韩国总统的这次 访问在这层意义上已经起到了作 用 就是说,韩国在朝鲜半岛的修 和与无核化进程上给予支持

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

教宗向印度青年發表視頻訊息， 鼓勵他們對未來有信心 （梵蒂冈新闻网）第一届 印度全国天主教青年大会10月21 日在新德里拉开帷幕。教宗方 济各在此机会上向与会的印度 青年发表视频讯息,说,「让你们 的生命结出硕果,造福每个人。 不要忘记青春是财富,它带来果 实。你们的未来和现在掌握在 你们的手中。你们要用勇往直 前,不要气馁」。 据信仰通讯社报导,本次会 议由印度拉丁礼主教团青年委 员会筹办,将于25日结束。印度 天主教青年运动的主席霍尔特 出席以青年为题的世界主教会 议，并于10月18日见到教宗。他 赠送给教宗一个手工雕刻的木 制善牧十字架和一朵莲花。

印度全国天主教青年大会 与正在梵蒂冈举行的世界主教 会议同步进行。来自全国132 个教区的500多名代表参加了 这一重要活动。印度天主教青 年运动的其中一位筹办者马诺 杰表示，「青年聚会将成为固 定的年度大会，我们认为，为 青年提供机会参与全国培育计 划是非常重要的」。 马诺杰还表示有意筹办每 三年一次的青年大会,将印度的 拉丁礼、叙利亚-马兰卡礼和叙 利亚-马拉巴尔礼的公教青年聚 合起来。他说,「我们要努力更 好的了解印度年轻人的实况,帮 助青年找到答案,来应对他们在 现实生活中面对的挑战」。

阿拉伯聯合酋長國將舉辦 第三屆天主教青年大會 （梵蒂冈新闻网）阿拉伯 半岛南北部宗座代牧区将于10 月26日至27日在哈伊马角联合举 办2018年阿拉伯天主教青年大 会。与会者年龄介于18岁至35岁 之间。 阿拉伯半岛南部宗座代牧 欣德（Paul Hinder）主教向《梵 蒂冈新闻网》表示，「我们期望 至少能有1200名青年参与这项活 动」。这些与会青年将来自阿拉 伯半岛，如阿曼、科威特、巴 林、沙乌地阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合 大公国，共同参加在帕多瓦的圣 安多尼堂举行的聚会。 介绍该活动的一份公告指 出，本次大会旨在回应教宗方 济各的邀请，在年轻人的生活 环境中与他们相遇，聆听他们 的期望，向他们再次展现教会 见证和宣讲的耶稣的面容，即 随时准备好「接纳、融入、与 人并肩同行」。欣德主教解释 道，「我们渴望加强这些在艰 困处境中生活的青年的信德。 我们主教们将与他们同在，向

信徒参与礼仪 (AFP or licensors)

他们展示我们的爱与关怀」。 过去也曾于2009年在迪 拜、2012年在阿布扎比举办过 类似的公教青年大会。在本次 大会中，每天都有弥撒、祈祷 和朝拜圣体的时刻，同时也有 会议讨论。此外，还有联欢活 动，例如有基督教摇滚乐队的 表演。 欣德主教表示，「今年青 年大会的主题引用天使加俾额 尔向圣母所说的话，即『玛利 亚，不要害怕，因为妳在天主 前获得了宠幸』」（路一30） 。主教最后说，「我们想告诉 这些年轻人不要害怕，因为他 们可以毫无畏惧的享有天主的 恩宠」。

菲律賓兒童參加全球祈禱， 求當地停止殺害毒品嫌犯

菲律宾的学生十月十八日参与了 「百万儿童玫瑰经祈祷运动」。

十月十八日马尼拉一市 郊，逾千名菲律宾儿童恳求天 主「治愈这国家」的诸多不 幸，并结束针对毒品嫌犯的杀 戮行为。 一位参与祈祷的孩子说， 诵唸玫瑰经是他们对这场危机 的回应。 十一岁的乔斯林．加尔甘 塔(Jocelyn Garganta)说:「我们祈 求结束目前正发生的暴行 」 在过去两年，菲律宾政 府在这场针对毒品的「战争」 中，已杀害数千名吸毒嫌犯和 交易商，而乔斯林也因这场战 争失去了父亲。 她说，身份不明的枪手在 去年八月那同样致命的一天， 也杀死了她的祖父。 对乔斯林来说,玫瑰经是她 通过童贞玛利亚与天主的「直 接联系」,她相信圣母俯听人们 的恳求,并在天主前为我们代祷 这女孩在她两名兄弟过世 后, 现与祖母同住 她的兄弟, 一 位因病而去世; 一位死于意外 她 说:「我恳求这场杀戮将停止 」 加洛坎教区的保禄．达

味(Bishop Pablo Virgilio David)主教表示，这场「 毒品战」导致孤儿数目激 增，并指在任何战争中,「 孩子受苦最深」。 达味主教的教区在菲 律宾首都市郊,那儿已成 为「毒品战」的一个主战 场。他说:「(人们)不理解 到底发生了什么」。 十月十八日，达味主教带 领儿童诵唸玫瑰经，作为全球 「百万儿童玫瑰经祈祷运动」 的一部份。 这一运动由国际非盈利 牧灵团体「援助有需要教会」 发起，以聚集全球各地的年青 人，为世界和平诵唸玫瑰经。 运动今年迈进第三个年 头,逾八十个国家参与其中。 而今年参与菲律宾祈祷运动 的儿童，来自四十一个教区里 的一千两百个堂区和七百所学 校。 在菲律宾的「援助有需 要的教会」,其主任乔纳森.卢 西亚诺(Jonathan Luciano)表示, 是次在菲侓宾的活动,旨在与 世界各地的儿童一起展示团结 的力量,「他们较我们更需要帮 助」 他说：「【活动】意义重 大，尤其对那些受迫害与压迫 而遭遇极大痛苦的人。」 为促进运动的目的，孩子 们捐出自己的部分零用钱来资 助伊拉克、叙利亚和非洲的儿 童基金专案。

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

世界主教會議第20場全體大會:教宗、神長與青年聯歡活動 (梵蒂冈新闻 向众人，尤其是 网)旁听青年筹备 向最弱小者开放 的联欢活动打破 的教会，有如移 了世界主教会议 动医院那样。」 严肃的气氛。本 青年表明，他们 届世界主教会议 早已成为教会中 第20场全体大会 的活跃成员，并 的下半场，所有 愿意持续促使社 与会神长移师到 会更加美好，建 保禄六世大厅的 设「和平又团结 前廊，参加青年 的文化」;这文 举办的「感谢圣 化「以穷人为核 父」联欢活动。 心，并承认耶稣 教宗参加青年举办的联欢活动 (Vatican Media) 各地青年用自己 亲自临在于穷人 的母语引吭高歌，跳起快闪舞 月的会议期间培养的亲切感。 身上」。 蹈，神长们在欢快旋律的感 在这段时间内，教宗、与会神 此前，在第20场全体大会 染下也手舞足蹈。在这老少 长和青年「携手缔造了一小段 的上半场期间，与会神长们按 同欢的机会上，世界主教会议 历史」。 照地理划分，投票选举出了16 为此，青年写道:「新的想 位主教作为第15届常务委员会 秘书长巴尔迪塞里枢机也慷慨 献艺，演奏了德彪西的钢琴曲 法需要空间，而你给了我们空 成员，其中3位来自亚洲。教宗 间。今日世界带给我们青年前 方济各今年9月15日为世界主教 目。 教宗向在场众人由衷地 所未有的机遇和诸多磨难，这 会议颁布的《主教共融》新宪 表示感激之情，并颁赐宗座降 需要新的对策，以及充满爱的 令第10条规定，这个委员会的 福。同时，青年也呈上了他们 新活力，也需要找到活出『施 成员还要根据下届世界主教会 写给教宗方济各的一封感谢 予比领受更有福』的希望，为 议的主题，增加一位圣座相关 信。这封信函真情流露，打破 更美好的世界奋斗。我们恳请 部会的首长，以及4位教宗任命 一切藩篱和客套，没有使用「 你继续走你已踏上的道路，我 的人选，人数总共是21位。待 您」这个敬语，而是用「你」 们为你祈祷。我们跟你有同样 成员全数确认完毕，再另行公 这个词表达出他们在将近一个 的梦想：一个走出去的教会， 布名单。

教宗方濟各熱愛聖母的新書問世: 《這是我的母親:與瑪利亞相遇》

教宗向阿帕雷西达圣母致敬意

(梵蒂冈新闻网)「亲爱的 弟兄，你这本书是用心写的。 我的见证能为赞扬我们的母 亲派上了用场，这令我很高 兴」。教宗方济各在写给亚历 山大·阿维·梅洛（Alexandre Awi Mello）神父的信函中如此

表示，感 谢他将新 书《这是 我的母亲: 与玛利亚 相遇》赠 予自己。 此书正是 教宗本人 与阿维· 梅洛神父 在 圣 玛 尔大之家一次谈话的内容和果 实。 新书已于10月18日出版并 发行。作者阿维·梅洛神父是 巴西人，也是申斯塔特司铎使 徒团体（Padri di Schoenstatt）的 成员。他在智利宗座圣地亚哥

天主教大学完成学业，又到德 国专修神学。从2017年5月起， 阿维·梅洛神父担任圣座平信 徒、家庭和生命部秘书长。 作者表示，教宗在书中讲 述了他对耶稣的母亲怀有赤子 之情。只要我们想到他的一些 举动，就会直觉到这是一种深 厚和充满孝爱的关系。例如他 在出外访问的前后都会来到罗 马的圣母大殿向童贞玛利亚祈 祷，或在许多圣母像前献花。 教宗向阿维·梅洛神父讲 述了一些他敬礼圣母玛利亚的 个人经验，谈到圣母朝圣地的 重要性、民众热心敬礼圣母的 价值，以及女性和圣母玛利亚 在教会中的角色。这本书的最 后一章还收集了教宗在朝圣地 的祈祷或在一些文件中撰写的 祈祷文精选系列。在圣母玛利 亚的称号中，教宗特别推崇的 首先是「解结圣母」。

世界主教會議與會中國主教：我們屬於一個大家庭 （ 梵蒂冈新闻网）首次 参与世界主教会议的喜悦、受 到热烈的欢迎，以及感到自己 属于一个大家庭，即教会的家 庭。这些是中国大陆主教杨晓 亭和郭金才10月12日接受《梵 蒂冈新闻网》中文编辑部门专 访时表达的心情。两位主教讲 述了他们参与世界主教会议的 经验，也分享了他们教区的牧 灵工作。以下是访谈内容。 問: 两位主教好，欢迎你们前 来参与世界主教会议，可否先 请两位主教跟我们分享这次前 来梵蒂冈参加主教会议的整体 感受？ 郭主教: 我很高兴以中国主教 的身份第一次前来参加世界主 教会议。我们感到教会是一 家，我们受到热烈的欢迎和接 待，特别是和教宗以及来自世 界各地的枢机主教和主教们在 一起，共同探讨青年的主题、 有关圣召的分辨和面对时代的 挑战。我们在这里感受到教会 是一个信仰，是一个大家庭， 我们一起来探讨我们面对的时 代课题。 楊主教: 刚才郭主教谈到的一 些感受，我也有同感。这次会 议的主题是针对全球青年人。

实际上，对中 国教会年轻 人来讲，这个 会议也非常及 时，涉及的有 关议题也是我 们在圣召培育 过程当中经常 需要面对的。 我们感觉到这 中国主教郭金才［左二］和杨晓 次会议非常有 亭［左四］主教在梵蒂冈出席世 意义，对我们 界主教会议。 也是一个非常 好的经验和体会。 活的人和平信徒都同样重要。 問:这次的会议 是以青年为主 我们的考量是让年轻人从不同 题，谈到青年，我们都会注意 的角度来对自己的圣召进行分 到圣召分辨。可否请主教们为 辨。现在在有些比较完善的教 我们谈一谈中国青年回应修道 区都有圣召培育委员会，也有 圣召的状况，在陪伴他们做圣 青年牧灵工作小组，从不同的 召分辨和培育上是否有哪些主 角度、不同的人生价值观给他 要的考量或是挑战？ 们提供很好的机会作为陪伴。 楊 主 教 : 有关这个议题，我从 我们有专门的神父来陪伴年轻 2002年到现在基本上大部分时 人 ， 给 他 们 作 指 导 ， 不 管 是 间都是从事修院的培育工作， 从灵修培育还是信仰方面的知 对 于 目 前 的 圣 召 的 培 育 或 分 识，还是人格方面的成长。我 辨，我想我们所遇到的问题与 们已经有好多计划，这些计划 世界其他国家相类似。对目前 在十多年前从中国教会内部已 在中国的年轻人来讲，谈到圣 经开始，而且也做过几次大型 召的分辨，我们会从培育、教 的研讨会，提出有关的方案， 理讲授或者牧灵工作以及圣召 面对目前的挑战以及我们以后 的「概念」切入，这对奉献生 所发展的机遇作出探讨。

教宗方濟各在封聖大典前夕探望 本篤十六世教宗 （梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗方 济各10月14日主日在圣伯多禄 广场主持封圣大典,册封真福保 禄六世教宗 真福奥斯卡·阿努 尔福·罗梅洛和其他5位真福为 圣人 前一天13日晚上,他前往梵 蒂冈城国内的教会之母隐修院 探望荣休教宗本笃十六世。 本笃十六世于1977年6月27 日被保禄六世教宗擢升为枢机 2014年4月27日,荣休教宗本笃 十六世出席了由教宗方济各主 持的真福若望二十三世和若望

保禄二世的封圣大典,并参与 共祭 这是历史上首次有「四 位教宗」的弥撒,永被世人牢 记。

世界主教會議:教宗贈送給旁聽青年 《Docat:天主教社會訓導》

教宗与世界主教会议旁听青年 (梵蒂冈新闻网)以青年为 题的世界主教会议于10月24日周 三上午召开第19场全体大会， 神长们接续著前一天下午关于 《最后文件》的自由发言进行 讨论。与会者有机会透过口头或 书面的方式表达意见。在第19场 全体大会上有个特别欢乐的时 刻，那就是教宗赠送给所有旁 听青年每人一本《Docat : 天主教 社会训导》。 《Docat》是教会社会训导 的简编版本,适合青年阅读,受到 重要的教宗文件启发,诸如良十

三世的《新事》通谕、教宗方 济各的《愿祢受赞颂》通谕和 《爱的喜乐》劝谕。这本简浅 易懂的教会社会训导是在教宗 的热切要求下编辑出版的，教 宗称之为「知识手册、行路手 册」,是基督徒青年投身于社 会事务的指南。 教宗在书序中写道:「它 像一本使用者手册,帮助我们, 藉著福音,先改变自己,进而扩 及周围,最后是整个世界 藉著 福音的力量,我们能够真正改 变世界 」

古晉華文聖母軍常年退省

退省神师叶保胜神父。

古晋华文圣母军光荣圣母 区团与诸宠圣母区团于2018年 10月13日早上9时至下午6时假 圣若瑟总主教座堂牧灵中心 ACCPC视听室联合举办常年

退省场面一瞥。

退省，邀请西马方济会会士 叶保胜神父但任避静神师， 主题为「成人成己」。约两 百余人参加。（图文 ：许道 介）

聖若瑟總主教座堂永樂禮儀服務團 選出2018-2021新屆理事

2018永乐礼仪服务组新六届理事照片

(古晋讯)古晋圣若瑟总主 教座堂永乐礼仪服务团于10月 17日晚间召开本年度团员大会 并选出第六届理事，团长：萧 凤英；副团长：赖小明，秘 书：纪月花；副秘书：黄仪 惠，财政：蔡玫瑰，以及四位 委员：李宝玲，莫进发，陈财 锦，蔡明伟。 新届理事与全体团员们秉 承本组成立的宗旨，不论是在 殡葬弥撒、婚礼弥撒或其他庆 祝礼仪中提供服务。虽然是属

于圣若瑟堂区的组织，但本 团不拘哪一个堂区的需要都 乐意服务，而且也无任欢迎 有兴趣的教友，不拘年龄和 堂区，加入本服务团体。因 为通过这样的服务方式，可 促进教友之间的互动，营造 一个有共融感的教会。 有兴趣者，可联络团 长萧凤英：011-1056 6319 / 082-506451, 纪月花：012-855 7240, 蔡玫瑰：017-351 1232 。(黄仪惠报导)

TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

聖猶達堂區慶祝五十週年金慶 （西连讯）勿南/打必 禄圣犹达堂区在11月4日的弥 撒聖祭庆祝建立堂区五十周 年。弥撒由傅云生总主教与 夏长福荣休总主教、圣母圣 心爱子会澄乃（Chennai）省 省会长耶稣·多斯神父（Fr. Jesu Doss cmf），圣犹达堂区 的历任堂区主理及司铎联袂 共祭，砂朥越方济会修女们 及千余教友参与。 傅总主教在弥撒开始前 祝圣金庆纪念牌楼以标志堂 区金庆。弥撒中傅总主教也 降福新受委的圣犹达堂区牧 灵议会成员。 傅总主教追述建堂之 初，已故利奥博神父（Fr. Leopold）如何为堂区建教堂 而到外国去筹款。五十年后 的今天，堂区已能藉着配合 庆祝金庆为移民事工收集必 需品来回馈社会，为此傅总 主教深有感触。他强调，该 堂区也出了三位司铎和两位 修女，他们目前都在总教区 服务。他更劝勉众人慷慨地 通过堂区的不同职务为福传

参与圣犹达堂区五十周年弥撒共祭的神长们。

事业献出时间、才能和财物。 圣犹达堂区是在1968年由 若望·沃斯主教创立，弥赫尔 传教士利奥博神父为其第一任 主理。之前，在1947年，弥赫 尔传教士方济·胡斯博治神父 （Fr Frans Hulsboch MHM） 在勿南开了一所教会学校， 它催化了当地的天主教社群。 当地人昵称Babuk Leopold的利 奥博神父在该堂区服务了25年 后，才移交给教区司铎，前后 有威廉·萨邦神父，泽隆·儒 能神父，巴特立王神父及张金 良神父。2017年7月16日，该 堂区被移交来自印度澄乃省 的圣母圣心爱子会的传教士管

明達華海星聖母新聖堂正式開幕祝聖 （古晋明达华讯） 经过两年的等待，古晋 明达华的天主教社群终 于盼来了新圣堂建成的 日子。九月十七日星期 一上午，来自古晋的教 友们聚集在明达华海星 圣母新圣堂，见证傅云 傅总主教开启海星圣母新圣堂大门。 生总主教主持的新圣堂 开幕与祝圣礼。出席者包括 增长的群体，更多教友将会有 夏长福总主教，十三位司铎 机会参与服务教会。他请求该 及圣彼得堂区主理陈初旸神 堂的教友们告知明达华区的天 父。 主教工人，请他们到新圣堂来 开 幕 仪 式 开 始 时 ， 由 参与弥撒。 伊班族，必达友族和乌鲁人 从九月廿三日开始，该圣 组 成 的 传 统 舞 蹈 团 呈 献 欢 堂每主日都将有举行国语的主 迎舞，接着傅总主教剪下圣 日弥撒，时间是在上午十时卅 堂大门的彩带，打开新堂大 分。 门，宣布圣堂开幕，聚集在 海星圣母小堂是由圣彼 圣 堂 外 的 教 友 随 即 进 入 圣 得堂的首任主理，已故艾纳神 堂。 父首建，当年明达华是一个渔 傅总主教在弥撒中证道 村，教友群多是华裔渔民。过 时说，圣堂是我们接触天主 后，华裔天主教徒人数日稀， 的地方；他吁请明达华的天 该小堂也不再启用。直到夏长 主教群体将他们体验到的爱 福担任古晋总主教时期，从别 与慈悲带给每个和他们相遇 个堂区前来明达华区工作的教 的人。 友开始增加，夏总主教遂批准 接著，傅总主教与数位 重新启用该小堂，但每个月只 司铎向圣堂的墙壁及信众撒 举行一次主日弥撒。当陈初旸 圣水，傅总主教以香祝圣祭 神父接任圣彼得堂区主理时， 台。 主日弥撒才增加到每个月两 海星圣母堂是圣彼得堂 次。 区属下的支堂，由陈初旸神 明达华区的天主教人口继 父牧管，该堂由一个以詹姆 续增长，直至需要更大的祈祷 斯·卓尼克为主席的理事会 场地。 协调各种活动，为明达华的 2015年11月21日耶稣君王 社群提供牧灵照顾。 节，圣彼得堂区推展重建海星 陈神父感谢所有团体和 圣母堂的发展基金计划。2016 教友的慷慨赞助，让新圣堂 年10月31日，夏总主教与陈神 得以建成，特别是一位慨捐 父 同 主 持 新 堂 的 破 土 仪 式 ， 一百五十万令吉赞助这个建 同年11月建筑工程开始，并于 筑计划的隐名人士。 2018年5月完工。此坐落在砂朥 傅 总 主 教 对 明 达 华 群 越州政府提供的1.33亩地段的 体与新圣堂的未来抱乐观态 新堂可容纳450人，全工程总共 度。他预见该群体将继续成 耗资2,601,067令吉。（俞金琳 长，有了更大的圣堂和不断 报导）

海星圣母堂祝圣弥撒共祭的主教与司铎们。

理，柏治曼斯·喇亚神父（Fr. Berchmans Rayar cmf）为现任堂 区主理。 圣玛尔大修女院于1974年 在堂区建成，砂朥越圣方济会 的修女们以此为据点藉流动诊 所及在学校的道理课开始传教 活动。 为帮助教友们能更有意 义地过金庆作准备，该堂区从 2017年十月到今年十月进行了 历时一年的活动，使更突显庆 祝主题：「我们一同在一个主 和一个信德内建立天主的国」 。活动有推动圣事的庆祝，研 讨堂区所面对的课题，体育与 娱乐活动。金庆日前也举行了

傅云生总主教推展西连必达友文圣经。

九日敬礼弥撒，弥撒中的证道 以强化群体中的家庭为主题。 该周末的活动从十一月三 日的晚宴开始。傅云生总主教 在晚宴中推展了耗时长达十七 年完成的《西连必达友圣经》 。其翻译工作始于2001年，以 泽隆·儒能神父为首和来自 勿南，西连和古晋的翻译员团 队，在夏日语文机构（美国的 全球性基督教非盈利组织）的 协助下进行。傅总主教感谢泽 隆神父和他的团队的努力，让 本地的社群有必达友圣经。 圣母圣心爱子会澄乃省 省会长耶稣·多斯神父确认弥 赫尔传教士们在这方土地「撒

下」信德的种子，本地的教 区司铎们在勿南/打必禄的 天主国「浇灌」，今天，他 说，圣母圣心爱子会的传教 士和目前的基督徒群体正收 获他们的先辈的庄稼。 为总结金庆的庆祝活 动，傅总主教，柏治曼斯· 喇亚神父与堂区牧灵议会主 席西满·布达姆一起卷起草 蓆，将它移交青年，象征教 会确认教会的现在和未来是 在年轻人的手中；由草蓆的 移交，年轻人都受邀更紧密 更活跃地参与教会工作，以 继续在世上建立天主的国。( 柏治曼斯·喇亚神父)

古晉華語聖經協會召開廿七屆常年會員大會暨頒獎禮

2018聖經常識比賽得獎者與葉神父和新一屆理事合影

(古晋讯)华语圣经协会第 二十七届常年会员大会暨颁奖 礼于10月7日下午2时假圣若瑟 牧灵中心举行， 大约60位来自 各堂区的获奖小朋友、青少年 与成年教友与家长，协会会员 及协会神师叶祥胜神父出席。 今年的奖品全由杨清华夫妇赞 助。 大会以供奉圣经礼开 始，宣读当日福音(谷10:2-16) ，同时也为协会的需要祈祷。 神师叶神父在会上劝勉 说：「耶稣藉当日福音告诉我 们，现时的主要危机，就是家 庭的不稳定和混乱的人际关 系，为此人与人之间的相处及 在家庭生活中都该彼此尊重， 包容，多为对方着想，抛弃自 私，不寻己意之享乐，才能在 跟随耶稣的道路上事事忠诚， 无条件的付出及充满着爱以显 示耶稣信徒的特色。」 「参与圣经协会举办的 活动的目的该是为了爱天主作 为出发点，不该是为了得奖而

参加，这样才不至于误解天主的 意愿。今年七月圣经主日的献 词中提到的是静默、聆听、分 辨，就是提醒我们要常保持静 默，才不受其他事物，尤其是人 手一台的手机所干扰，因而才能 听到天主的声音和旨意并能在 生活中实践。圣母玛利亚就是 我们最好的榜样，她聆听了天使 向她传报后就默存在心反复思 想。」他特别指出：「在生活中我 们要有读圣经的习惯，每天拨 出时间特别是家长更有责任带 着子女一起勤读圣经，不管是读 一段或一句都可，并有静默、聆 听与分辨的时间，总有一天天主 自会给你们明白祂的圣意。」 今年圣经协会于三月四 旬期和四月复活期间举办了好 几场别开生面，因为此项活动 对本教区讲华语的教友可说非 常陌生的体验---「泰泽祈祷之 夜」，分别在古晋圣体堂、古 晋圣若瑟总主教座堂和西连圣 德莉莎堂举行。来自多个堂区 的教友，共有80位，参与此歌咏

团，总共练唱12次。为协会的宗 旨，推行阅读圣经与加深圣经知 识，协会也于9月9日为总教区的 慕道班举办基本圣经课程，让慕 道者认识圣经是什么、圣经的 扫描与回应天主圣言等三项课 题。于7月30日开始，连续四周 的周一举办「天主盟约课程」 ，由荣休夏长福总主教主讲。 在大会上会长鼓励会员 报名参加今年于香港举办的第 11届世界华语圣言大会，日期 是在11月22-27日，其主题为「 与圣言同行，活出信望爱」。 每名报名费大约是一千四百令 吉。她也提到明年8月，由「圣 经与信仰培育委员会」安排的 古龙神父的巡回活动与讲座。 本会将配合及协办。 协会理事于今年届满，大 会当天选出新一届理事(20182021)，并订于10月15日举行复 选。新理事成员如下：刘宝玲、 罗碧玉、蔡明伟、萧凤娥、黄 仪惠、杨清华、曾秀萍、何俊 雄、黄美颖、卓年友。

古晉總教區華語聖經協會新一任理事(2018-2021)出炉 圣经协会于10月15日晚 间8时在神师叶神父见证下成 功举行复选。萧凤娥姐妹， 众望所归，连任会长一职； 副会长是杨清华弟兄；秘书 是黄美颖姐妹；副秘书是罗 碧玉姐妹；财政是刘宝玲姐 妹；副财政是卓年友姐妹； 四位委员为曾秀萍姐妹、蔡 明伟弟兄、何俊雄弟兄和黄 仪惠姐妹。（杨清华/黄仪惠 报导）

复選后圣聖經協會神父葉祥胜神父与新一屆理事合影。

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC NOVEMBER 2018

这种邪恶的东西来了！

髒話, 好的轉變

在俗方济会士郭渊龙执事

圣類思·公撒格 （St Aloysius Gonzaga）

对于熟悉哈利波特系列 的大多数孩子（和成年人！ ）来说，这篇文章开头的标 题似曾相识。为什么呢？当 然，这主题是哈利波特的霍 格沃茨魔法学校欢迎盛宴上 青蛙歌咏团演唱的歌曲。 长期以来，人类对女巫， 魔法和精灵的迷恋产生了新 的行业。大部份讲英语的国 家现在正准备庆祝万圣节， 甚至像大创（Daiso）这样 的日本连锁店也希望通过销 售各种各样的五颜六色的南 瓜，尖尖的帽子和可怕的面 具来获得利润。万圣节快到 了，文明西方的大大小小孩 子们会兴奋地在他们的社区 周围搞怪。 然而，许多人不记得万圣 节有很深的天主教根源。为 了追溯这些根源，我们需要 以简要的解释我们在每年十 一月第一天庆祝的诸圣节开 始我们的调查。第八世纪的 教宗格雷戈里三世把这个原 本在每年五月第十三天的庆 日移到每年十一月的第一天 庆祝。 正如所有正规天主教徒 都知道的那样，我们通常 会在瞻礼前一天晚上开始庆 祝教会的庆日，我们称之为 守夜。诸圣节前夕就是昔日 天主教徒称之为「诸圣节前 夜」（All Hallows Eve）的那 一天（「圣器」只不过是「 圣人」的古英语术语）。因 此，万圣节最初是诸圣节的 庆祝活动或庆日的开始。就 像任何天主教庆日一样，这 是一个神圣的庆典 - 一个快 乐的天主教派对！ - 而以弥

撒圣祭达到庆典高潮。 正如你现在可能看到的那 样，万圣节当时与女巫，扫 帚，小妖精，南瓜甚至糖果无 关。这是一场非常基督教的庆 典。商业世界利用它将所有这 些不相关的元素带入庆祝活 动，就像把圣诞老人和驯鹿， 雪橇带入圣诞节一样，只是有 更加诡异的水平。 在诸圣节那天，我们纪念 那些在信仰路上过忠于信德的 生活的人们，以及当他们离开 这世界的时候，他们已经达到 真福的愿景。他们与天主同 在。我们庆祝并请求他们代 祷，希望有一天我们也将循着 同样的道路走向我们的成圣目 标。 当然，圣教会在其登记册 中有许多圣人，而且每年都会 增加更多的圣人。但实际上有 更多的圣人是我们不知道的， 在这个伟大而喜乐的庆日上， 我们纪念并承认那些我们不认 识的圣人。我们呼求他们为我 们代祷，让我们也可以像他们 那样向快乐永恒之旅迈进。 现在，我们肯定不会像人 们通常认为的那样（例如，通 过灵媒作为中介）与死者交 谈，我们也不会与他们玩耍。 教会明确禁止这种做法，并视 之如巫术般的错误行为。但是 对于这些神圣的灵魂，我们经 常被鼓励寻求他们为我们转 祷。 说到这里，我们也不要忘 记那些已经死去，但尚未获享 永恒天堂的人们。因此，在诸 圣节的隔天，我们纪念那些仍 在净化过程中的人们 - 那些「 在炼狱中」的 - 我们虔诚为他

们祈祷。这是我们在每年十一 月的第二天所纪念的追思已亡 节。 为死者祈祷的做法既不新 鲜，也不是天主教会的发明。 它自旧约时代就已经存在古老 犹太人中间（参看瑪加伯下12 ：42-46） 有许多人的生活已显示出 对天主的明显信仰的迹象，但 他们在世上的旅程中还没有完 全涤除罪恶的影响。当然，他 们的罪已藉着和好圣事得到了 宽恕，但他们继续依附生活中 某些堕落的行为。 天主不愿那些在不完美中 死去的人永远与祂分开。祂想 要他们。事实上，如果可能的 话，天主希望所有人都得救！ 因此，在追思已亡节，我们为 这些灵魂祈祷，他们的净化 将被加速，他们的持续的「皈 依」将完全地完成，使他们可 以迅速与完全且绝对爱他们的 天主合一。 在这个非最终状态中，我 们为他们祈祷是有效的，就像 圣人对我们的祈祷有很大的影 响一样。毕竟，即使在肉身死 亡中，人也不会脱离与唯一、 至圣、至公与传自宗徒的教会 的神秘共融。 在马来西亚，我们感恩并 感到高兴的是，我们的诸圣节 和追思已亡节至今未受到搞怪 文化的污染。让我们祈祷，这 一天永远不会到来。在寻求保 持对天主教传统和礼仪实践忠 诚中，让我们在这两天，寻求 诸圣人的祈祷，并为那些已经 离去但仍然渴望成为圣人的灵 魂祈祷。

青年的主保 誕生450週年： 2018年3月9日至2019年3月9日

耶穌會士林進才神父 轶事 类思是长子和继承人。他 的父亲最大的愿望是把他培养 成一个军人。在他四岁的稚龄 就获得一套小型的枪支、参与 军人游行，及陪他的父亲训练 演习，让这孩子学习武器。他 五岁时被送去士兵接受作战训 练的驻地。 和军人在一起时他学了说 脏话和粗俗的笑话，那在军营 中很平常。他开始用那些不 雅的言辞，但不明白它们的意 思。当他的导师听到他说那些 脏话，他被严惩。导师告诉 他，一个孩子说那些话不只不 适当的，且是亵渎神明的。他 感到非常羞愧，过后甚至去告 解时都感到难于将那些话说出 口 这是类思忘不了的一个教 训 反思 类思必须克服说脏话的习 惯。我审察我自己的习惯。我 有没有时常咀咒和用咒骂的言

穿着军人外衣的类思 http://www.tfp.org/saint-aloysius-gonzagaa-saint-more-angel-than-man/

语？我有用我的舌头抬举别 人吗？我常呼天主圣名以发 虚誓吗？我会求圣类思转求 天主恩宠来克服我的这个弱 点。

賢哲箴言 弥撒不是一个宗教礼拜。当天主教徒念早祷，或诵念玫瑰 经，甚或圣体降福，那是礼拜，是我们为天主做的，相似任 何宗教的公开祈祷。但是，圣体圣祭，这个神圣的礼仪，在 其本质上，确切地完全不是人所为的。 --- 斯科特·哈恩著《羔羊的盛宴/婚宴》

聖體堂區BDC八點地華語玫瑰經組赴賀三那山朝聖 慶祝成立銀慶

BDC圣体堂八点地玫瑰经组贺三那山朝圣照片

〈古晋讯〉圣休堂区八 点地华语玫瑰经团成立於1993 年，至今已有25年历史，该团 隶屬圣体堂区，指导神师为欧 庆伟神父。为了配合成立25週 年，特於9月9日组团前往距离 古晋150公里的贺三那山天主 堂朝圣。 朝圣团40人由玫瑰经组组 长蔡高雄，祕书袁达陡及财政 廖秀兰带领下，於清晨在八点 地出发。一路上祈祷歌颂赞美 天主，途中在西连作小休后续 程前往目的地贺三那。 当天的主日弥撒，由一位 土著艾力神父主礼。这一天圣 教会提醒教众：天主以慈悲和 怜悯对侍每一个人，祂也要人 们人与人之间这样彼此相待。 我们都在某种程度上受了伤 害，都需要治愈，需要经验天 主的慈悲给我们力量，选择基 督和祂的道路。而我们最需要

做的就是，求主开启我们的耳 目。 屹立于山丘上的贺三那山 小堂是天主教会著名朝圣地， 曾有无数显灵事迹。 本组同时也响应堂区新牧 灵议会的号召，於2017年12月31 日举行了常年大会，並在会中 选出三年一度的新屆职委。 新的執委如下：神师欧 庆偉神父，组长蔡高雄兄弟， 副组长田明忠兄弟，秘书袁達 陡兄弟，副秘书林彩虹姐妹， 财政廖秀兰姐妹，副财政陈能 強兄弟，通功蔡西滿兄弟，副 通功林福祥兄弟，委员沈賽玉 姐妹，余碧棠姐妹，江丽英姐 妹。 八點地華語家庭玫瑰經組簡介 在七十年代，由于当时政 治动蕩不安，有好些居住在海 外及晋连路一带的居民，放

弃了自己的家园而搬到绍安路 及福卅路路尾一块政府地亚答 芭居住，当中就有數十家天主 教教友，由於亚答芭距离肯雅 兰圣三堂不远，所以这些從别 处搬来的教友，大多数都会到 圣三堂参与弥撒及一些堂区活 动。当时主理肯雅兰圣三堂的 蔡欽友神父，传道员楊秀玉修 女在教友的陪同下去探访这些 教友，给予他们所需的协助， 在蔡神父的探访和鼓励下，堂 区的华语组织及老前辈，如蔡 关香兄弟，蘇孝湊兄弟，陈少 白兄弟，罗先晃兄弟和叶玉凰 修女等等熱心的带领下，就开 始组织了一支华语家庭玫瑰经 小组。那时亚荅芭一带都是沼 泽地，每当涨潮时，有如一片 汪洋，也沒有电流供应，在晚 上小路一片漆黑，大家手拿电 筒，在下雨时更是一片泥泞， 走起路來要格外小心，但大家 的熱心，在圣母的护佑下，这 些困难都一一被克服，每星期 一大家共聚一起歌唱，诵念玫 瑰经赞美关主，大家都抱着为 主服务的精神一起把主的福音 传揚开耒。 到了九十年代初期，政府 为了征用亚荅芭地段，把亚荅 芭的居民安頓到BDC实丹賓八 点地徙置区，新地区新的开 始，开始时只有十多家教友搬

入八点地徙置区，BDC华语家 庭玫瑰经小组就在那时誕生， 就是1993年初期由张源霖兄弟 带领，后耒因工作关系改由袁 達陡兄弟，邓秋花姐妹，江丽 英姐妹一同負责领导。 2003年BDC圣体堂落成了， 新堂区成立后，很高兴天主真 好，又派蔡欽友神父，传道員 楊秀玉修女一同来带领新堂 区。在蔡神父，楊修女努力的 推动下，八点地华语家庭玫瑰 经小组在2003年2月14日正式成 立，BDC圣体堂属下一个教友组 织团体正式取名为BDC圣体堂八 点地华语家庭玫瑰经小组。 在组员的通力合作下，慈 爱圣母妈妈的保护里，组员家 庭也由十多家增加到目前的42 家，小组除了每星期日晚上七 时卅分，到组员的家诵念玫瑰

经外，也为亡者通功，病人 祈祷，協助丧家处理喪事， 做探访和帮助穷苦教友的工 作，活动有每年新春团拜， 户外生活营，朝圣等等，同 时本组也有一个团康组，负 责教导兒童及青年们歌唱， 舞蹈，健康活动，同时小组 也积极参与堂区及教区活 动，因户口的增加，组员也 从以往的七八人增加到如今 整廿人，每年小组召开一次 组员大会，并在会中选出二 年一度的新执委。 2017年2日19日，本组的 神师蔡欽友神父，因年歲身 体的各因素，而御下堂区职 务宣告荣休，欧庆偉神父， 被调来接任为本堂区第二任 主理司铎，也是本组第二任 神师。（许中新报导）

聖母軍 家庭日 古晋圣 母军督察区 团联合光荣 圣母区团与 诸宠圣母区 团于九月十 日上午七时假Kpg. Semaba 民众 会堂举办圣母军家庭日，首先 以早操运动开始后大家享用早

点，备有多项老少游戏节目直 到中午享用午餐后作为结束。 参加军友约有三百余人。