Today's Catholic Vol.30 No.7 October 2018

CATHOLIC today’s

A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

Vol 30 No 7 October 2018

Inside...

October: Rosary #PrayForTheChurch

Hari Bella St Ann 2018

P11

P26

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing.”

Mk 10:21

Nurses and medical practitioners worldwide congregated for the 20th World Congress

THE DELEGATES ... 280 delegates from 21 nations representing the Church in the world through their vocation as nurses and medical practitioners KUCHING — The International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medical Social Assistants (CICIAMS) held its 20th World Congress in Kuching from 4 to 7 September, hosted by the Catholic Nurses Guild of Malaysia.

The theme for 2018 Congress, ‘Education for Sustainable Health: Engaging Development, Respecting Life,’ was inspired by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 2015.

A total of 280 delegates, including host delegates, attended the Congress, with 149 international delegates from 21 countries from Africa, Americas, Europe and Asia.

The two keynotes speakers touched on the Congress’ theme; His Eminence Cardinal KA Peter Turkson, the Prefect for the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, and Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Kiyu Dawie from UNIMAS spoke on Respecting Life.

Cardinal Turkson shared

how the Dicastery had came about. He directed the attention of the delegates to the lopsided state of development that has taken place in many cities around the world, and how the high-rising buildings are standing side-by-side with the dilapidated conditions of the slums occupied by the urban poor. It was this deplorable state that prompted Pope Francis to create a new dicastery to work towards achieving Human Dignity for all, especially for the urban poor and rural population.

Dr Andrew, on the other hand, stressed that nursing and sustainable development goals go hand-in-hand, and is the responsibility, future and choice of the Catholic Nurses.

He revealed how much today’s modern convenience on the usage of plastic has seeped into the healthcare industry. While the industry has a great capacity to heal, it is also the “sizeable consumer of natural resources and leaves a significant environmental footprint.” He called on the Catholic nurses to practise the 3Rs of Recycle,

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

Recreate and Reuse in their daily practices.

A total of four plenary sessions and four roundtable sessions were held with speakers from United States of America, South Africa, England & Wales, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Swaziland, Singapore and Malaysia sharing their extensive knowledge and experiences with the delegates.

Fr Thomas Nairn OFM (USA) touched on the Catholic Ethical Tradition, calling on the delegates to respect the spirit as they heal the body. He emphasised that the core role of nurses is to care. He urged the delegates not to forget the spiritual needs of their patients when tending to their physical needs. Dr Theresa Chong (Singapore) gave a talk on promoting holistic health globally. She presented that a holistic health is as a contributing factor towards better quality of life. She called on the delegates to treat health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.

She reiterated that health is a

OPENING MASS ... Cardinal K.A. Peter Turkson (centre), main celebrant of the Mass dedicating the Congress to the Lord fundamental human right, and an attainment of the highest possible wellbeing in these three areas contribute towards better quality of life.

Ms Tshidi Morigitlane (South Africa) presented that societal mental health is necessary in sustaining development of the society. She touched on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse that include narcotic and alcohol abuse, and the interdependence of mental, physical and social functioning.

Without one or another, the state of balance in the family, community and society will greatly be affected.

Dr Patricia Sayers of the National Association of Catholic Nurses USA presented a global update on the nursing role in the aging population, fertility and replacement migration. The subject of fertility and population replacement proved to be a sensitive issue as the Catholic Nurses face the dilemma of carrying out state-sanctioned birth control measures against the church teaching on creation of life.

The roundtable sessions offered the delegates rare insights and perspectives from various regions and nations on crucial matters that have direct impact on sustainable development – welfare issues affecting the children, youth and elderly in the society.

The role of nurses and midwives in today’s contemporary world cannot be undermined as the delegates heard from speakers from Kenya, Mexico and India on the challenges their fellow nurses and practitioners faced in promoting and sustaining public health development in the areas of environment preservation, as well as in the areas of promoting holistic healthcare and wellbeing for the families, communities and society.

Ikuno Yamaguchi, the President of the Catholic Nurses Association Japan, shared with the delegates the long-term suffering of wars and conflicts victims.

• Continued on p4

Contact us at 082-231164 (Tel), 082-425724 (Fax), todaycat@gmail.com (E-mail), P O Box 940, 93718 Kuching (Post)

NEWS

PAGE 2

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM

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

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

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

(Chinese Children’s Section)

“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given

by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” ­— St Padre Pio

STAFF Audrey Yu

Celebrating ninety years of God’s gift of life KUCHING — The Archdiocese of Kuching has a lot to thank God for in the person of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung Hoan Ting, who has given his entire life to serving the people of Sarawak. On 10 September, bishops, priests, the lay faithful and his family and friends, came together to celebrate the 90th birthday of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung in a thanksgiving Mass.

The Archbishop Emeritus presided over at the Mass.

In the homily, he recalled how God has shown him love throughout his life and priesthood. Expounding on the first reading (Hos 11:1-4), he said just as God rescued and brought the Israelites out of Egypt, cared and protected them throughout their journey to the promised land, in the same way God has fathered him.

“My father died six months before I was born, and my mother remarried after three years, thus I was left to the

MANY HAPPY RETURNS … Archbishop Emeritus Chung’s relatives from China presenting birthday wishes in handwritten Chinese calligraphy loving care of my grandmother God who called my father away, by the rise of communism and aunt, who were devout took the place of my father and in China, he persevered and Christians. They gave me a provided me with great care completed his seminary good Christian upbringing, not and with fatherly love!” He formation in June 1954. He was so much through their words as continued. sent to Sarawak on 21 August through their devout lives and His years in the seminary 1954 and ordained priest on daily prayers,” he said. were “bad years”. Despite the 26 September that same year.

“As I reflected on all these, I outbreak of World War II and the His was the first ordination began to realise and believe that, great famine it caused, followed in the land of Sarawak. On

15 November 1970 he was ordained a bishop in Kota Kinabalu and was installed as Archbishop of Kuching on 26 November 1976.

“As I was looking back on those years in the seminaries, in the sacred ministries of priest and bishop, I realised again the exceedingly great love and care God has given me until this day,” he said.

Archbishop Emeritus Chung thanked the archbishops, priests, sisters and all lay people for their kind acceptance, cooperation and support. “I promise you, I will continue to pray for you and for the local Church. And I beg your continual remembrance of me in your prayer.”

Many asked if he was happy in his long years as a priest and bishop, to which he answered, “I frankly told them I have had many hard times, but I thank God for his fatherly love and care that supported and encouraged me.”

• Continued on p6

40 years a priest and counting

MIRI — The St Joseph’s Cathedral Hospital Ministry, Miri recently held a simple gathering at the Holy Rosary Chapel hall in Piasau residential estate to celebrate the joyful occasion. Fr Philip Empalah presided at the celebratory Mass for more than 200 guests before the gathering.

Fr Philip is the patron for the Church’s Hospital Ministry that helps to look after the spiritual and material needs of poor sickly people in the Miri Hospital and in the homes.

He had served in various parishes in Miri before his current post in St Joseph’s

AD MULTOS ANNOS ... Fr Philip Empalah (3rd from left) cutting a cake to commemorate his 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood in Miri Diocese Cathedral where he is assisting Diocese thanked Fr Philip for his Bishop Richard Ng, the Bishop 40 years of dedicated service to the church and the parishioners. of Miri.

Stephen Then The parishioners of Miri

HEALING MASS ... To celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday, and to bless and dedicate the upgraded Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto as his ‘Retirement Gift’ to Mother Mary, Fr Lawrence Chua, together with Fr Felix Au, presided over at the healing Mass at the grotto on the evening of 7 September.

Hundreds of people turned up, including non-Catholics, to seek healing for themselves and for their loved ones. Many testified their experience of healings that evening.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

NEWS

PAGE 3

Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Bintawa officially opened and blessed

BINTAWA — It has been a two-year wait for the Catholic community of Bintawa for the completion of their new church. Finally on 17 September, together with Catholics from city parishes in Kuching and well wishers, they witnessed the opening and blessing of the new Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea by Archbishop Simon Poh. Also in attendance were Archbishop Emeritus John Ha and 13 priests, including the parish priest of St Peter's Church, Padungan, Fr Vincent Chin.

A traditional troupe comprising Iban, Orang Ulu and Bidayuh dancers performed a welcoming dance at the beginning of the opening ceremony. Archbishop Simon Poh then cut the ribbon and unlocked the main door of the new Church, declaring the Church open. Parishioners who gathered outside the Church followed the procession into the Church as the Mass began.

During the homily, Archbishop Simon said that the Church is a place where we come in contact with God. He urged the Bintawa Catholic community to bring

the love and mercy they have experienced to everyone they meet.

The Mass proceeded with the blessing of the new Church, where Archbishop Simon sprinkled holy water to bless the walls of the Church and the congregation. He incensed the altar, a sign of dedication of the new altar to God, where the Eucharist is to be celebrated.

The Church of Our Lady Star of Sea is an outpost of St Peter’s Parish which is under the pastoral care of Fr Vincent Chin.

The Church is managed by a committee that coordinates the various activities to cater for the spiritual needs of the Bintawa community.

At the end of the Mass, the chairman of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church committee, James Jonik, gave a speech thanking all those who had helped in one way or another to make the occasion possible.

Fr Vincent Chin, in his short speech, expressed his gratitude to all corporate sponsors and parishioners who had contributed in cash and kind which enabled the successful completion of the new Church.

He was especially grateful to the anonymous donor who had

IT’S OFFICIAL ... Archbishop Simon Poh cutting the ribbon at the church’s main entrance, declaring the new church open contributed RM1.5 million towards the construction project.

Archbishop Simon was optimistic of the future of the Bintawa community with the new Church. He anticipated the continual growth of the community. With a bigger church and growing community, he said, more parishioners would have the opportunity to be involved in serving the church. He also requested the parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church to inform the Catholic workers around Bintawa area of the new Church and encourage them to come and attend Mass.

Effective 23 September, Mass in Bahasa Malaysia will be held every Sunday at the new Church at 10.30 am.

The then small Chapel was built by the late Fr Peter Aichner, MHM, the first rector of St Peter’s Church, Padungan to serve the Chinese community of Bintawa, who were fishermen.

Rightly so, the chapel was dedicated to Our Lady Star of the Sea as Bintawa was a fishing village. As time went by, the Catholic Chinese population dwindled and the Chapel was disused. When Catholics from outstation parishes who worked in Bintawa started to

increase, with the approval of Archbishop John Ha, the then Archbishop of Kuching, the Chapel was put to use again.

Mass was celebrated once a month. Since Fr Vincent Chin became the rector of St Peter’s Church, he increased the celebration of Mass to twice a month.

The Catholic population in Bintawa continued to grow until a bigger place of worship was needed.

On the Feast of Christ the King, 21 November 2015, the St Peter’s Development Fund was launched, which included raising funds for the new Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea. On 31 October 2016, then Archbishop John Ha and Fr Vincent Chin performed the earth-breaking ceremony to pave way for the construction of the new Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Construction began in November 2016 and completed in May 2018.

The total contracted sum for the new Church was RM2,601,067.00 with a seating capacity of 450 people, on a 1.33 acres of land given by the State Government of Sarawak. — Audrey Yu

I Will Sing Forever: Liturgical Music Workshop

KUCHING — The Catholic Sacred Music Ministry organised a weekend Liturgical Music Workshop at Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, BDC on 22 - 23 September. The programme comprised a liturgical talk open to all the faithful, and a music composition workshop limited to those with some formal training in music.

Fr Felix Au, rector of Blessed Sacrament Church, described how music has a special way of moving our souls and touching our hearts – to express our love for God. He was happy that a talented team of Kuching musicians had come together to try to provide a platform for musicians to compose locally inspired liturgical music. This is one sign of a maturing Catholic community.

The weekend talk and workshop were led by Fr Manoling Francisco, SJ. He grew up thinking he would, one day, become a concert pianist.

However, when he was slated to perform his first public recital, he felt God’s calling.

His life was to be committed elsewhere.

Fr Manoling became a

such a short period of time, they were completely blownaway and in awe of what they were able to accomplish, under Fr Manoling’s ‘handson approach’.

Fr Manoling now plans to focus his attention on mentoring young musicians to compose songs in their own language, incorporating local and ethnic music that would appeal to all age groups.

Ivy Chai

BE CREATIVE ... (Top) Participants at a photo call with Fr Manoling; (Left) Fr Manoling playing his compositions Jesuit novitiate at the age of twenty. He was ordained a priest in 1997. Today, he is a professor of Theology at the Loyola School of Theology at the Ateneo in the Philippines.

Fr Manoling started composing liturgical songs when he was 14 years old. He is one of the founders of Bukas Pallad Music Ministry, which to date, has produced 18 recordings of CDs and Albums. Fr Manoling has himself written well over two hundred songs that are now sung in different languages, all over the world.

At the liturgical talk on Friday night, Fr Manoling skilfully presented the guiding principles for music used in the celebration

of the Mass. He captivated the audience by playing some of his original compositions, to demonstrate important learning points. He also engaged them in singing along to the simple, but beautiful, pieces of music.

Participants of the Liturgical Music Workshop had to be limited due to the nature of the workshop. Only thirty musicians who serve in church ministries, and have some musical background, were accepted into the workshop.

They came from the different parishes of the Archdiocese; from Kuching, Betong, Lundu and Kota Padawan.

Participants were divided into small groups of three or

four, and they learnt how to put melody to their original song compositions. They were asked to compose hymns and music to different parts of the Mass (eg. the Kyrie, Sanctus, Doxology, etc.). The participants wrote the hymns in BM, English and Chinese.

Fr Manoling was full of admiration for the musical talent found at his Kuching weekend workshop. He was overwhelmed with gratitude at the songs they sang, which he felt, were even more beautiful than the existing ones he had heard them sing.

Although some participants expressed apprehension over composing a completely original music to parts of the Mass in

Below are testimonies from some very happy participants: “I feel very grateful and happy to be here. Looking at the authentic talent that we were not able to tap before, it is indeed a privilege to have Fr Manoling to train us.”

— Grace Boniface “As a responsible Catholic, it is my duty to teach and share this with others. Definitely worth the time spent here.”

— Sean Ashley “This is the epitome of empowerment. We have been given tools to write songs that can help our brothers and sisters grow closer to God.” — Joyce Ting

NEWS

PAGE 4 NOTICE Brother Stephen Bong from the Holy Cross Ministry of Deliverance & Healing will be giving the first teaching for this year on “Jesus’ Love and Power”. The teaching will be followed by a deliverance and healing session.

Date: Friday, 26 October 2018 Time: 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Place: Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre, Lot 2500,

Block 10, Jalan Stampin, KCLD, Kuching Entry is free. All are welcome.

For more info: Tel. 082-363945 / www.holycross-ministry.org

3RD ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

ABRAHAM AK EDWARD DAUT 10 February 1996 - 3 October 2015 Silent memories keep you near, As time unfolds another year, Out of our lives you may be gone, But in our hearts you still live on.

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

May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by Dad, Mom, sister, brother, brother-in-law, nephew, nieces and all loved ones.

3RD ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

DANNY LIEW

Departed: 11 October 2015 Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Deeply missed by wife, sons, daughter-in-law and grandson.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

Nurses and medical practitioners worldwide congregated for the 20th World Congress “Nursing is part of the pastoral and evangelising activity of the Church.”

— Fr Thomas Nairn, OFM

• Continued from p1 She urged the delegates not to forget the atomic bombing in Japan at the end of World War II and appealed to the delegates to advocate world peace through their vocation.

Throughout the Congress, the delegates were treated to Malaysian hospitality where various ethnic traditional dishes were offered and cultural dances presented. The Congress ended with the closing Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral presided over by Archbishop Simon Poh together with Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, Bishop Cornelius Sim who is the President for the Commission Pastoral Health Care of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei.

Priests from the participating countries together with local priests also joined in the closing celebration of XX World Congress of CICIAMS. Ms Catherine Pero, who is the Organising Chairperson of the Working Committee for the CICIAMS XX World Congress, shared some of the most challenging moments that she and her Working Committee had have in organising the worldlevel conference during its four years’ preparation.

“The biggest challenge was the 2Cs: coordination and communication in organising a congress with multiple side programmes. This was because we have three main bodies that are based in three different geographical areas (Ireland, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching) working in the concerted team effort to get the Congress organised. In addition, we have members in our Working Committee from all over Malaysia. Furthermore, there was multi-level of clearance within the Church as well as with the Government that was needed for certain decisions to proceed to the next level.

Through it all, the challenge was to keep all concerned people informed and updated every step of the way.

Secondly, as the registration of participation was done separately by another body, it was difficult to anticipate the needs of the delegates coming from 21 nations world-wide including having a group of Mexicans who are non-English speakers. This required us to source a Spanish translator.

The initial responses from overseas and local delegates were not very encouraging, making it challenging for the

Working Committee to define and confirm the various side programmes for the Congress.

The local members felt that the Congress fee was beyond their reach. Hence the Working Committee had to raise funds and seek sponsors to assist with the registration fees of the deserving delegates. In this regard, we were most grateful that we managed to receive sponsorship for 8 foreign delegates and 14 local priests and religious from Sabah and Sarawak. Moreover, the Sarawak State Government’s grant of RM40K was timely as it helped to defray some of the organising expenses.”

Catherine Pero is also a Vice President of the Catholic Nurses Guild Malaysia. She is currently a lecturer and the Head of Nursing School at the International College of Advance Technology Sarawak. She has 40 years of nursing experience, including 10 years in practical nursing and 30 years in teaching.

Marcella Zhang *** Conference materials, notes and slides can be found on CICIAMS website: ciciams.org

Getting to know about the Legion of Mary Apostolate What is the Legion of Mary?

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organisation of lay people in the Catholic Church, with well over three million active members and approximately six million of non-active members in almost every country of the world. The Legion of Mary was founded on 7 September 1921 in Dublin, Ireland. It has been approved by the last eight Popes, and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members.

Who can join the Legion of Mary?

The Legion is open to lay people (boys and girls, men and women), religious brothers and sisters and priests, who: • Are animated by the desire to participate in the Church's apostolate through membership in the Legion; • Are prepared to fulfill each and every duty which active membership in the Legion involves There are two types of members: Active members are lay people who attend a weekly meeting and carry out an assignment given to them each week. Assignments include visiting the sick and handicapped in hospitals, nursing homes, and homes; giving religious instruction; reaching out to migrants in the community; welcoming new converts to the Church; and

visiting the lonely.

Auxiliary members are those who are not able to commit themselves to active work in the Legion. Instead they share in the Legion apostolate by joining as praying members – praying the Legion prayers and Rosary everyday.

Auxiliary members can be lay people, religious brothers and sisters or priests.

You do not need to have deep learning or great skills to be a Legionary – the Legion is a family which gives you a supportive environment to learn and to grow as a Catholic, and offers you the opportunity to respond to God in the generous way that Mary did.

How does the Legion of Mary work?

Members meet once a week for prayer, planning and discussion in a family setting. Then they do two hours of definite work each week in pairs and under the guidance of their spiritual director.

How can I get more information?

(For Kuching Comitium) Joseph Wong (President) - 016-862-8066 William Ting (Vice President) - 016-860-5003 Winnie Chiew (Secretary) - 013-816-4377 Philip Then (Treasurer) - 016-883-7397 Or contact the Presidents of Legion of Mary of the respective parishes in your diocese.

CLASSIFIEDS NEWS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018 October, month of the Holy Rosary

PAGE 5

3RD ANNIVERSARY

4TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of

In ever-loving memory of

MARIA THEN SIAT MOI

“Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world”

who was called home by the Lord on 2 October 2015 You are near, even if we don’t see you.

You are with us, even if you are far away.

You are in our hearts, in our thoughts, In our lives, always...

Dearly missed and forever cherished by all loved ones.

~ Blessed Pope Pius IX

13TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of LUCY LAW SIEW LAN

Departed: 23 October 2005

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

May she rest in peace.

PHILIP LING KOH KIONG Departed on 17 October 2014

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

Dearly missed and forever cherished by Veronica, Francis, Simon, Robin, Celeste, Phuong, Linus, Lucas, Matthew and all loved ones.

7TH ANNIVERSARY

21ST ANNIVERSARY

In ever loving memory of

Deeply missed but fondly remembered by husband, Vincent, children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

Tomb Maker

13TH ANNIVERSARY In ever-loving memory of

Simon Sim See Huat

BERNARD CHIA TIAW BENG who was called to be with the Lord on 17 October 2005.

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

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

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

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

MICHAEL SANTANG AK BARET

Departed: 31 October 2011

MARGARET LITCHUN AK RUGUS

Departed: 18 September 1997

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

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Deeply and lovingly remembered by children, children-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all loved ones.

15TH ANNIVERSARY

16TH ANNIVERSARY

In ever loving memory of our beloved parents

Dearly missed by wife, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all loved ones.

25TH ANNIVERSARY In ever-loving memory of

DATUK POLYCARP SIM CHENG MONG

who was called home by the Lord on 8 October 1993.

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

May he rest in peace. Amen.

From: God-children and all loved ones.

A Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul on 16 October (Tuesday) at St Joseph’s Cathedral day chapel, 5.30 pm.

SYLVESTER BONIFACE ENGKASSAN Departed: 24 October 2003

VERONICA EBONG

Departed: 19 August 2002

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

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Deeply missed by sons, daughters, sons & daughters-inlaw, grand & great grandchildren.

2ND ANNIVERSARY 6TH ANNIVERSARY In ever-loving memory of

IN LOVING MEMORY 26TH ANNIVERSARY

8TH ANNIVERSARY Fondest memories of the time we shared will always be treasured in our hearts.

We miss you.

AGNES SIAW SHUI NYONG

Departed 6 October 1992

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

MARY ANN HSU TSING SIEW

Departed 6 October 2010

Dearly missed and lovingly remembered by son/husband, brother, sister, in-laws, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all loved ones.

JOHN CHEN CHAO CHOOM @ TING TIAW CHUNG

PATRICIA LING SIIK KING

who were called to be with the Lord on 14 October 2016 26 January 2012

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

Deeply missed and remembered by children, grandchildren and all loved ones.

NEWS

PAGE 6

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

Another priest in the making for Archdiocese of Kuching

MASS FOR UPSR STUDENTS ... The examination Mass, organised by Catholic Teachers Guild, was celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church (BSC), BDC for the first time on 5 September.

Fr Felix Au, rector of BSC, wished the students success in the examination. The Mass was an ‘all students affair’. The students took on the roles of commentator, lectors, altar servers, wardens and presented the Offertory gifts.

BAU — On 23 September, the Archdiocese of Kuching rejoiced as John Ekly Direk was ordained to the diaconate

by Archbishop Simon Poh at St Stephen's Church, Bau. The occasion saw about 1800 parishioners from Bau and other parts of the archdiocese thronged St Stephen’s Church to witness the ordination ceremony.

In his homily, Archbishop Simon Poh said the responsibilities of a deacon is to “help the Bishop and his priests in the ministry of the word, of the altar, and of charity, showing himself to be a servant to all”.

A deacon also presides over public prayer, administers Baptism, assists at and blesses Marriages, brings Viaticum to the dying, and conducts funeral rites.

Addressing the newly ordained, the Archbishop told John to do God’s will from the heart. “Serve the people in love and joy as you would the Lord,” he said.

Deacon John Direk hails from Kampung Apar, Singai, Bau. He is the second of 14

TO PROCLAIM AND SERVE ... Archbishop Simon Poh handing the Book of the Gospel over to Deacon John Direk children of Direk anak Jiom and the Archdiocese of Kota Lisiness anak Gadiam. After Kinabalu, and Fr Simon Lau having worked as an electrician from the Diocese of Keningau and part time plumber for ten who was ordained on 11 years, he joined the seminary in August. Out of the 11 of them February 2010 at the age of 30. in his class, six are now priests Deacon John completed while the other four, including his seminary formation in John, are deacons.

December 2017, after which “Include us in your he went for pastoral immersion prayers,” the new deacon at St Joseph’s Cathedral, the requested during his speech at KAYA programme, Holy Trinity the end of the Mass.

Parish and St Stephen’s Parish.

Deacon John Direk will be Also present at the ordination serving in St Stephen’s Parish, Mass were his classmates, Bau until further appointment.

Deacon Gilbert Marcus from Audrey Yu

Celebrating ninety years of God’s gift of life

18TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

THOMAS HII

Called home on 11 October 2000 Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him.

Deeply and lovingly remembered by wife, Rita Chong, son & daughter, the Church Community, RCBM St Joseph’s Chapel & Society of St Vincent de Paul members.

13TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

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

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

May she rest in peace, Amen.

Dearly missed by all loved ones.

• Continued from p2 The prelate shared the secret of his joy and strength: the Holy Mass and God’s word. He urged the congregation to do the same. “Make good effort to read, reflect and practise God’s word in the Bible, especially the words on the Beatitudes. You will surely find true happiness as Jesus promised.”

A birthday dinner was organised by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council the evening before at a local restaurant. It was attended by a thousand guests, consisting of bishops and priests, and the family members of Archbishop Emeritus Chung who came all the way from China.

It was an emotional moment when Archbishop Emeritus’ family members, all seven of them, together with Fr Peter Liew from China, presented him with birthday wishes in three set of Chinese scrolls. These wishes were handwritten in calligraphic Chinese, which mean: “May you be blessed with overflowing joy and a long life”. It was probably the best birthday gift the Archbishop Emeritus received – the presence of his loved ones on such an auspicious day as this.

The evening was made all the more special with various entertaining items presented from different parishes and lay organisations.

A video featuring a typical day in the life of the retired archbishop produced by the Social Communications Committee was shown. Since his retirement in June 2003, Archbishop Emeritus Chung has never really ceased reaching out to the laity. Though no longer holding the episcopal office, he continues to administer to the people through daily celebration of the Eucharist, hearing confessions, giving formation, counselling and all forms of assistance he is able to give.

In her speech, Cecilia Chung, the niece of Archbishop Chung thanked all parishioners and

clergy who have accompanied and supported him throughout his life. She requested everyone to continue that companionship and support they have offered him.

Audrey Yu *** A thanksgiving message from Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, To mark my 90th birthday, you have participated in my Thanksgiving Mass and held a grand dinner for me, and offered me many words of praise. While I thank all of you and appreciate for all you have done and manifested, I felt, truly, my unworthiness in receiving such great honour and glory. I humbly offer the honour and glory to God, because it was he who did not look down on my humbleness, but called me to become his priest and bishop to serve you, his Church and people here in this land.

Though my body is old, but my heart is not.

Therefore, I will continue, with God’s blessing and help, to serve you through my prayer and sacred ministries. I beg you to remember me when you attend the mass and offer your prayers.

My special thanks and appreciation to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, to its Chairperson Perpetua and the Secretary Stephanie, for organising the Mass, dinner and the arrangements for the guests including my relatives from China. May God grant them a special blessing for the love shown me.

May almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless all of you, now and for ever.

Amen.

Peter Chung Archbishop Emeritus of Kuching

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

NEWS

PAGE 7

Annual retreat for Sarawak clergy KUCHING — A total of 76 archbishops, bishops and priests from Kuching, Sibu and Miri gathered together for their annual retreat at St Peter’s College, Major Seminary, Kuching from the 10 - 14 September. The retreat began on Monday evening with the 90th Birthday Thanksgiving Mass of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung, whom Sr Catherine Joseph Droste, OP the retreat directress called “a man of the Beatitudes”.

Sr Catherine Joseph Droste, OP (inset photo), is a Dominican Sister of the Congregation of St Cecilia, Nashville, Tennessee and she is a professor of theology at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. She also serves as vice-dean of the theology

faculty.

The retreatants were invited to look at the Beatitudes and to reflect on them in their priestly life. To help their reflections on the Beatitudes, Sr Catherine shared on the writings of St Catherine of Siena, a 14th century doctor of the Church.

She also spoke about the virtues

to complement the Beatitudes.

During the retreat, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was offered. There was also a fellowship to celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries of the priests on the final night. It was indeed a fruitful retreat for the priests.

Fr Galvin Richard Ngumbang

KUCHING — The Kuching Archdiocesan Pastoral Council held its 27th Annual General Meeting on 22 September and elected new office bearers for its Executive Board upon the completion of the 2015-2018 term.

Archbishop Simon Poh thanked Perpetua Phang, Aloysius Lai and Stephanie Ng for their tireless and committed services as Chairperson,

Deputy Chairperson and Secretary General respectively.

At the same time, he welcomed and thanked the newly elected Board members for their ‘yes’.

Christina Eng from Blessed Sacrament Parish and Remus Chabang of Mother Mary Chapel was elected as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively. Felix Kong is being retained as the Honorary Treasurer for his 3rd

term, while Bernadine Sammy has been appointed to the office of Secretary General

by Archbishop Simon Poh according to Statute 4.3 under the APC Constitution.

The AGM was attended by 51 parish pastoral councillors, Commission and Committee Chairpersons, priests including Archbishop Emeritus John Ha.

New Exco for Kuching Archdiocesan Pastoral Council

Marcella Zhang

BOL Community members called to live up to their name

KUCHING — The Bread of Life Covenant Community (BOL) held a two-day retreat at the St Peter’s Chapel in ACS1 Hotel on 4 - 5 August.

The retreat was animated by Archbishop Emeritus John Ha with the focus on the Creation (Gen 1-3).

The programme began with the Mass to commit the retreat into the hands of the Lord.

The retreatants were led through the Creation accounts in depth, exploring how God prepared everything to welcome the arrival of man, and that everything he created is good. There was a sheer divine delight for the creation of man and woman; a perfect companionship, both in compatibility and dignity!

Everything was perfect until the rivalry with God came into that perfection. The immediate consequence of that disobedience perverted the original divine order: the innocence of their nakedness became a shame, they hid and attempted to cover themselves; their solidarity with one another became

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.

- St Teresa of Avila

MMS since 1981

MARKET MANAGEMENT SERVICES SDN BHD

- THE EDUCATION PLACEMENT GROUP https://mmsmalaysia.com

Block E, No 32, 33 & 34 (1st Floor), Taman Sri Sarawak Mall Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (Opposite Hilton Kuching) 93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia Tel: +6082-246 795 / +6012-808 5112 / +6016-823 9112 +6016-870 6112 Fax: +6082-428636 Email: market@mms.com.my

ARCHDIOCESE OF KUCHING INSPIRED ... Archbishop Emeritus John Ha speaking at BOL’s retreat divisiveness, they were pointing fingers at each other. Even then, God still desired and continued to reach out to man. He did not accuse; he asked Adam and Eve to engage in dialogue.

Finally, with his infinite wisdom and plan, the paradise is restored by a perfect man.

The destructive work of the imperfect man, who rivalled with God, is fully restored beyond its original splendour by his total obedience and the perfect Love of the Father.

The retreatants were also reminded to be good stewards of God’s creation and to exercise leadership authority whenever

called as servant leaders.

The final sharing was taken from Romans 7:15. Indeed there are many things that we do not want to do but doing it and things that we wanted to do but did not do. However, grace is always in more than sufficient supply for the challenges (cf 2 Cor 12:9, Rom 5:20b).

Many members were touched during these sharing sessions. By divine providence, the Sunday readings reminded the community to live out the name itself – to be Bread of Life, to be broken and shared.

BOL Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

We are online! kuchingcatholic.org facebook.com/arch.kuching

IN MEMORY

THERESA LING NYUK YING

WILLIAM LAW NAI YANG

Born in Sibu on Born in Fuzhou, China on 4 June 1911 22 March 1920.

Called to be with Our Lord on 8 October 1971 Called to be with Our Lord Conferred the Papal Medal by His Holiness on 12 October 1986.

Pope John XXIII on 24 October 1967

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

We remember and miss our dear papa and mama: Teresa Law, Philip Law, Louis Law, Lucy Law, Carmella Law, Anthony Law, Edward Lau

NEWS

PAGE 8

KUCHING — Holy Trinity Parish began its second round of “The Great Adventure: Catholic Bible Study Course” from 1 March - 20 September with the module, The Bible Timeline (History of Salvation).

The first round of the six year Course started in 2011 and ended 2017, covering 10 modules, namely The Bible Timeline (History of Salvation); The Gospel of St Matthew: King and His Kingdom (2012); Acts of the Apostles: The Spread of the Kingdom (2013); Revelation: Kingdom Yet to Come (2013); First Corinthians: The Church and the Christian Community (2014); Galatians (2014); Psalms: School of Prayer (2015); James: Pearls for Wise Living (2015); The Prophets: Messengers of God’s Mercy (2017); and Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John (2017).

Newcomers to the Course as well as some of the ‘graduates’ of 2011-2017 round attended the first module, The Bible Timeline (History of Salvation) which was conducted over the period of 24 weeks. It was a journey of discovery for the newcomers and a journey of deeper understanding for the ‘graduates’ as they found the link between the Old and New Testaments. Through the

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

Truly a Great Adventure!

WE MADE IT! ... Participants of “The Great Adventure” Catholic Bible Study Course posing with their certificates with the rector of Holy Trinity Parish, Fr Patrick Heng (2nd row seated, 7th from left) for a photo call module, they begin to see the complete story of salvation, and understand God’s plan and his love for mankind.

The module helped them to see Jesus in new light: as the “seed of the woman” sent to crush the head of the “seed of the serpent” (Gen 3); as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham; the new Moses; the true Manna; the new Temple. They learnt what all these mean today.

Many discovered the storyline in the Bible. They learnt how Jesus had

reconstituted the struggling kingdom of Israel around himself and opened the Kingdom of God to all people. They discovered the period where each Book of the Bible fits, and with that discovery, they found reading the Bible more meaningful and interesting. Attending Mass has taken on a new meaning and the readings during the Mass become alive.

They discovered their own personal story in the story of salvation.

Despite the challenges they faced in

completing the assigned reading of the Bible and their homework, nonetheless they have made progress in reading the Bible as they prepared for the lessons each week.

The participants celebrated the successful completion of the Bible Timeline (History of Salvation) module with a potluck fellowship at Holy Trinity Parish on 20 September.

Fr Patrick Heng, the parish rector, congratulated the participants for persevering through the 24 sessions.

However, he reminded them to bear in mind that the whole history of Salvation spanned over thousands of years, hence the 24 sessions’ course is still very short in comparison. He further reminded the participants that the Bible Study is not just about reading and studying the Word of God, but importantly how our reading and studying is applied in our lives.

The Parish will embark on the next module which is the “Gospel of St Matthew: The King and His Kingdom” in 2019. Those interested to participate in the next module are kindly requested to register by sending an email to teoyeeyee@gmail.com.

Perpetua Phang

Church and Clericalism: Pope Francis warns priests against living a double life

PALERMO, Italy — During a day trip to Sicily on 5 September, Pope Francis told priests and religious to fight their vices and strive to live a consistent witness of morality.

“One cannot live a double morality: one for the people of God and another in their own home,” the Pope told a group of priests, religious and seminarians in Palermo, Italy.

“No, the witness is only one. The testimony of Jesus always belongs to him. And for his love [the priest] undertakes a daily battle against his vices and against all alienating worldliness.”

He referred to the room of Blessed Pino Puglisi, who was assassinated by the Mafia 25 years ago, saying it stands “in genuine simplicity. It is the eloquent sign of a life consecrated to the Lord, who does not seek consolations and glory from the world.”

People look for simplicity in priests and in consecrated men and women.

He said: “People are shocked not when they see that the priest ‘slips,’ is a sinner, repents and goes on… People’s scandal is when they see worldly priests, with the spirit of the world.”

People are scandalised, he continued, when they see a priest who is like “an executive,” rather than a pastor.

“And this puts it right in your head and in your heart: shepherds yes, executives no!”

In the meeting, the Pope also discussed clericalism, stating that clericalism is to think the Church is “above the world,” when the Church is in fact “inside the world, to make it ferment, like leaven in the dough.”

“For this reason, dear brothers and sisters, every form of clericalism must

Pope Francis venerates a relic at the Palermo cathedral during his encounter with clerics, religious, and seminarians (Photo: Vatican Media) be banned. It is one of the most difficult in themselves they are not useful. The perversions to remove today, clericalism.” way of the encounter, of listening, of He also warned against careerism, sharing is the way of the Church.” which he said is about power, and He listed ways to grow the Church emphasised that priests and religious within the parish, such as helping young are meant to be people of service. To people at school, accompanying people as be a good witness, therefore, he said, they discern vocations, meeting families “means fleeing every duplicity, that and the sick, creating meeting places to hypocrisy which is so closely linked to pray and to learn. This is the “pastoral clericalism; to escape every duplicity of care” that brings fruit, he said. life, in the seminary, in religious life, in Condemning gossip and division, the priesthood.” saying they “are not sins that everyone Francis was also critical of “pastoral does,” Francis added that “always the projects,” which he said are often error must be distinguished from the one “pharaonic,” or extravagant, not simple. who commits it,” and people should be “We go to meet people,” he said, “with loved and treated as brothers and sisters. the simplicity of those who want to love He pointed to the example of Don Pino, them with Jesus in the heart… without who welcomed everyone with an open riding the fashions of the moment.” heart, even criminals.

What have pastoral projects done?

He also told priests that they are a man “Nothing!” he said. “Pastoral plans are of God 24 hours a day, not only when necessary, but as a means, a means to help wearing vestments, and that the liturgy [those near us], preaching the Gospel, but is life for them, not just a ritual. “This is

why it is fundamental to pray to the One we talk about, to nourish ourselves with the Word that we preach, to adore the Bread we consecrate, and do it every day,” he said.

“It demonstrates that the Church is a sacrament of salvation,” he said, “that is, a sign that indicates and an instrument that offers salvation to the world.”

Following his encounter with priests and religious at the cathedral, Pope Francis met with the young people of Palermo and the surrounding areas.

Asked a question about how to know God’s will for one’s life, he said it cannot be found by looking in a mirror or staying locked in one’s room, but “in relationship.”

God speaks “in the journey and in relationship with others. Do not close yourselves, confide in Him, entrust everything to Him, seek Him in prayer, seek Him in dialogue with others, seek Him always on the move, look for Him on the way,” he said.

“This is important: Jesus believes in you more than you believe in yourselves. Jesus loves you more than you love yourself. Seek him out of yourself, on the way: He awaits you.”

Doing this, you will hear the Lord’s invitation, he said. “Pray with your words: with what comes from your heart. It is the most beautiful prayer.”

At the end of the meeting, noting the probable presence of non-Catholics in the crowd, the Pope forwent giving his usual apostolic blessing, instead saying an off-the-cuff prayer for blessing on all those present. “May the Lord God accompany all these young people on the journey and bless everyone,” he prayed. — CNA/EWTN News

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

FOCUS

PAGE 9

ON APOLOGETICS

Was Jesus Christ crucified?

by Deacon Dr Sherman Kuek, OFS

In the previous article, I evidenced my explanation on Jesus’ crucifixion from the perspective of early Christian belief and eyewitnesses. But there are more other points to belabour on the reality of Christ’s crucifixion. d) People’s lives were transformed by the crucifixion.

Those of us who are well-read in Scripture texts as well as historical documents would be rather informed, and probably astonished, at the way in which the lives of the early disciples of Jesus were transformed after His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This transformation in the various personalities involved in the entire drama, and the consequent emergence of the early Church, in itself constitute a strong evidence for the authenticity of the crucifixion of Jesus. The transformation in them was so deep that a strong early Church arose from their convictions.

It has been established prior to this that many people, including the opponents of Jesus themselves, witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Upon the burial of Jesus’ corpse, they even guarded the entrance of the tomb to ensure that His body would not be stolen. Thus, when the early disciples began aggressively preaching the fact of the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Christ, as reflected in the Acts of the Apostles, and had their preaching been nothing more than a mere lie, these very opponents would undoubtedly have produced the corpse of Jesus to expose the myth of His resurrection. Further to that, had He been replaced by another man at the cross and the real Jesus taken up by God, at the very least the body of the replacement victim should still have been available for exhibition. Yet, no such thing happened.

Those who guarded the tomb produced no body.

In the light of the absence of any evidence of a dead corpus, coupled with the strong conviction of those who witnessed the death and the appearance of the resurrected Jesus such that their lives were radically transformed, any theory denying the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is untenable. e) There were early non-Christian historians who believed in the crucifixion.

During and just after the time of Jesus, not all people believed in Him or followed His teachings. Because they were not dedicated followers of Jesus, they had no personal vested interests in Him. But yet, quite a few of them who were professional historians testified by writing in favour of His crucifixion. Here are a few examples: [Nero] falsely charged with the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius.

Tacitus, Roman Historian (1st/2nd century) [Jesus] was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day.

Josephus, Jewish Historian (1st/2nd century) A second-century satirist called Lucian also recorded his observation of “the man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced this new cult into the world…”

Lucian denounced the Christians for “worshiping that crucified sophist himself and living under his laws.”

A tenth-century bishop whose name was Apapius claimed, “We have found in many books of the philosophers that they refer to the day of the crucifixion of Christ.”

He lists and quotes those ancient works, some of which are unknown to scholars of the modern times. If these works were in fact still in existence today, we would have a great many works from other secular historians who believed in the crucifixion of the man called Jesus.

(Part IX)

4. The crusades were launched to get back lands that were seized by the Muslims.

Now, having considered that various evidences for the authenticity of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we must turn to how the cross of the Christians is these days perceived more as being directed towards the crusading spirit of the medieval era than the crucifixion of Jesus our Lord.

The crusades were a series of military campaigns waged by the Christians of medieval Europe against their opponents between the 11th and the 17th centuries.

The goal given by Pope Urban II when he first sent them out on these crusades were, firstly, to rescue the captured Christians of the East as an errand of mercy, and secondly, to liberate Christian holy places from Muslim occupation. In short, the crusades were not a conquest, but rather, a reconquest; not a confiscation but a forceful taking back of what had been unlawfully seized from the Christians.

By the end of the 11th century, that was when the first crusade was launched, two thirds of the Christian world had been captured by the Muslim armies at the time: Palestine (the home of Jesus Christ), Egypt (the birthplace of Christian monasticism), and Asia Minor (where the first Christian communities were first founded by Saint Paul). These places were of absolute importance to the core of Christianity.

By the 14th to the 16th centuries, the Ottoman Turks had conquered not only their own fellow Muslims, but they were also pressing towards the West, capturing Constantinople and driving deeper into the heart of Europe. The Europeans began to contemplate the possibility that Islam would conquer the entire Christian world. They concluded with much nervousness that they needed to risk their lives to attempt to ensure the survival of the Christian world.

Of course, in discussing the crusades, there are many other details to be considered.

But essentially, contrary to popular propaganda, the crusades were an act of defence rather than offence. Christianity as a faith and a culture was attempting to defend itself or be consumed.

For Christians worldwide, the cross is not a symbol of our triumph in political battle. It is a symbol of the gruesome torture and death our Lord and Master who died on it in order to make possible our friendship with God. This has been a lengthy series. In slightly more than 30 articles, spanning over more than two years, I have sought to respond in great detail to the four major concerns presented by our Muslim friends regarding certain fundamental tenets of the Christian faith: 1) Is the Christian Bible altered or contaminated?, 2) Do Christians worship three gods?, 3) Is Jesus Christ truly divine?, and 4) Was Jesus Christ really crucified? Of this we are certain: I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

PAGE 10

FEATURE

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

October, The Month of Holy Rosary

(Photo: Sheryl Lanzel)

Hmong Catholics keep faith in Vietnam despite hardship

Ethnic group passes down religious beliefs to younger generations amid restrictions and absence of priests The month of October is devoted to Blessed Mother Mary through Holy Rosary.

However in many societies where there is a shortage of priests and religious restrictions, Rosary is often the only means to keep faith alive for generations. There is once a story where one day a foreign priest came across a remote village in China and found the faith of the villagers to be very much alive and active. He was astonished to know that there was no church, priest or religious for more than 100 years. He was even more stunned to know that the only prayer they knew was the Rosary. When he asked the villagers for the secret of their faith, the villagers told him that their grandmothers would taught them the Rosary and that Rosary is prayed every day.

This, unfortunately, is still a prevalent trend in today’s world despite all our modernities and digital world, like Joseph Mua Vang Sang who is the Hmong Catholic in the northern Vietnam in the story that was earlier published in UCANEWS.

Photo: Peter Tran (UCANEWS) Joseph Mua Vang Sang (above) and his seven-member family gather in front of an altar set up inside their home in northern Vietnam and recite prayers and the Holy Rosary in their native Hmong language every day after dinner.

His parents and mother-in-law also join their evening prayer sessions, which are a long-established tradition in this and other Hmong households in Van Chan district of Yan Bai province.

“We’ve had all of our children baptised at our local church,” Sang said. “Then we teach them how to make the sign of the cross, recite Our Father before meals and say their daily prayers before going to sleep.”

His youngest child is just a year old while his oldest is 17. The four eldest daughters have already received their first communion and confirmation.

They are also part of a choir led by Sang’s wife at their home near Ngon Lanh chapel, which serves 200 ethnic Hmong Catholics in this remote region.

“We try to teach our children the kind of faith-based practices we learned from our parents, who went through decades of hardship that saw many restrictions imposed on their religion,” said Sang, 37, who serves as a member of the subparish council.

His parents were among 20 Hmong Catholics who settled in this area in 1993 and converted to Catholicism. They were illiterate but managed to learn church prayers and the Rosary by heart, Sang said.

“When I was three, they taught me how to make the sign of the cross before meals and before going to sleep. I started to recite the Rosary when I was five,” he added.

He recalls saying the Rosary and singing hymns with his three siblings in front of an altar on dark nights without any electricity. The children were encouraged to give thanks to God — “uo trau” in Hmong — for bringing them into the world and giving them good health, weather and crops.

Sang’s wife, Mary Ho Thi La, said their ancestors migrated over to the Catholic faith due to the influence of foreign missionaries. After this it was passed down from generation to generation. “So now we have a duty to teach it to our children,” she said.

La, who wears traditional ethnic clothes and is fluent in Hmong and Vietnamese, said in the past her family had to walk 15 kilometers to Vinh Quang church whenever priests visited the area to celebrate Mass.

“I remember one time I walked there carrying my three-month-old baby. It was exhausting but still I was happy to be able to attend a Mass,” she said.

La conducts the choir and teaches catechism classes. She said most local people raise cattle and grow crops on hills for a living. Many suffer severe food shortages for about a quarter of the year, she added.

The Hmong have been spreading their Catholic faith and keeping it alive in this region for decades with little if any help from priests, La said, adding that prayers are passed on orally to younger generations.

The better educated among them teach prayers in Hmong to help preserve their culture and especially their written language, which was created by foreign missionaries. Hmong is not taught at public schools in Vietnam.

Many wear rosaries around their necks to show their devotion to Mother Mary.

From 2011, Catholics in the area started going to La’s home on Sundays to say prayers together. They would also attend irregular Masses celebrated by visiting priests en masse, she said.

However, the government did not recognise them as legitimate members of Ngon Lanh subparish until 2014. Now they see priests come from other parts of the country to hold Masses once or twice a month at their wooden church, which was built early this year on a 3,000 square meter plot of land.

La said her family donated land and part of their home so that the church could be established. Now they make do by living in the kitchen.

She said locals gather there to pray on weekends but pray at home on weekdays. In the summer, nuns and seminarians also teach catechism classes to children and help couples prepare for their nuptials.

Sang said those Hmong who convert to Catholicism soon disavow old traditions like having shamans treat sickly patients or throwing lavish funerals.

They are an especially tight-knit community who respect and help one another, and congratulate their neighbors on getting a new house, celebrating a wedding or giving birth, he said.

Sang, a member of the subparish’s evangelisation group, said they also run programmes to try and convert other people from different districts. As a result, 31 Hmong from neighboring Mu Cang Chay district were baptised last Easter.

Dominican Sister Mary Cu Thi Huynh Hoa, a Hmong from Giang La Pan parish, said she was grateful to her parents for teaching her prayers and leading her to a religious vocation. Her mother is 83 but still visits villagers and shares her Catholic faith with them.

Sr Hoa, 41, said local Hmong Catholics used to listen to Christian radio programmes from abroad and quietly practise their faith at home without any aid from clergy since they migrated there in the 1960s until a priest was assigned to the area in 2003.

Fr Peter Phan Kim Huan, the pastor of Lai Chau parish, said 2,300 Catholics including 800 ethnic Hmong live in 15 communities in nearby Lai Chau province.

He is forbidden by authorities from providing pastoral activities for 10 of those communities because the government does not recognise those communities.

In July 2017, his parish offered catechism classes, living skills and accommodation to 60 Hmong children at the parish house. Fr Huan said many were badly malnourished.

Two other parishes from Dien Bien and Lao Cai provinces also hold summer programmes and Hmong language courses for local children.

Father Huan said local priests have dialog with government authorities and seek official approval to offer religious activities to communities that are not officially recognised by the government.

Hung Hoa Diocese covers eight provinces in Vietnam including part of Hanoi, where scores of ethnic groups live. It serves 250,000 Catholics including 20,000 ethnic Hmong, Dao, Tay, Thai and Muong. They mostly live in mission stations and subparishes that don’t have resident priests. ­ UCANEWS

Never

will anyone

who said his rosary everyday astray.

be this

statement

I

led is

a

would

gladly sign with my blood.

(St Louis Marie de Montfort)

FEATURE A month to pray, respect and remember

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

by Laura Kelly Fanucci What surprised me most was not that she had carried her grief quietly for half a century.

Not that she could tell me exactly how old her babies would be today. Not that her bright eyes brimmed with tears as she shared her story with a stranger.

What shocked me was that after we finished talking, I looked up to find another woman waiting to speak to me about her own losses. Then another behind her. And another. And another.

After speaking and writing publicly about infertility, miscarriage and infant loss, I have gotten used to the fact – indeed, the grace – that whenever one shares a story, others come forward to tell their own.

But I still carry the memory of that first night, in a parish not far from mine, where woman after woman waited to share their same silent sorrow.

Each one taught me how the heaviest stories are made lighter when we carry them together. We sat and talked for nearly an hour. Nothing was fixed by our conversation or tears, but we left lighter.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfil the law of Christ,” wrote St Paul (Gal 6:2). The same exhortation holds true for us today, especially this month.

As Catholics, our call to family life – within our own families and the wider body of Christ – commands us to carry out these works of mercy. To comfort the sorrowful. To pray for the living and the dead.

October is Respect Life Month.

It’s also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and the month of the rosary.

A perfect time to take up our call to pray for those who are grieving the loss of life at its very beginning.

Even those at the end of their

earthly life, the wise ones who have learned much from their length of days, still carry the weight of this grief. Their stories, buried for decades, are wounds that can burst open with unexpected emotion.

Generations past often endured the added burdens of secrecy and shame.

Doctors who whisked away their babies before they could hold them. Spouses who never spoke of the stillbirth.

Relatives who told them to forget about the miscarriage, move on and try again.

“At least now people are talking about it,” they tell me, dabbing at eyes welled with fresh sorrow. “No one helped me.

No one cared.”

Facing the pain of the bereaved is daunting for all of us. Even after writing a book on miscarriage for Catholic couples, I still hesitate each time I pen a sympathy card or wait in line after a funeral. What can I possibly say?

But October reminds me to serve with the simplest acts of love: respect, pray and remember. To be the church that reaches out with mercy, honours each life lost and continues to care for the bereaved.

When people ask me what to say to someone in their life who has lost a child, I offer four simple phrases, the four I fall back on every time. “I’m so sorry. I love you. I’m here for you. You and your child will not be forgotten.”

This is how we grow into greater compassion for those who mourn.

Respect the depth of their grief, pray for their healing and remember their pain over time.

“I have thought about my babies every day since,” the last woman in line told me that night. Bent over a walker, she leaned forward with a shaky whisper.

“Every day since.”

I cannot forget her words. I hope you will remember, too. — CNS

Thoughts while praying the rosary Q&A

Q A.

by Fr Kenneth Doyle I would appreciate your help with a question I've had for a long time.

When I am saying the rosary, should I be thinking of the words to the Hail Mary or about the particular mystery I am then on?

I think it's a matter of personal choice. Whatever best helps to make these moments a time of prayer and of peace, whatever makes you more aware of the presence of God and his love, that is the way to go. I myself like to change it around.

Sometimes I fashion a mental picture of the mystery I'm on - with the resurrection, for example, I imagine the women arriving at the tomb early on Easter morning, their confusion on finding it empty and their excitement, later in the day, as the realization dawns that their friend Jesus is, somehow, once again alive.

Other times - particularly if I'm tired and creative thought eludes me - I think about the words of the Hail Mary: the angel Gabriel's greeting to the faith-filled girl of 14 or 15, or Elizabeth's praise of the one “blessed among women.”

I don't pretend that my technique is fail-safe; often enough, my thoughts drift to the phone calls I need to make, the homily still to be written. Distractions are always the challenge, and so sometimes I pray just a decade at a time; I have a “ring rosary” with just 10 beads, and, often, when I'm driving, I put it on my finger and it helps me to focus on Jesus and Mary. — CNS

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

FEATURE TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018 Ten reasons to pray the Holy Rosary

by Fr Ed Broom, OMV

Motivation is the key to carrying out any worthy enterprise. Great men and great women have clear goals and strong motivations. They know what they want and they have a clear plan before their eyes.

CEOs in successful companies know what they want, have goals, deadlines, and concrete steps to attain those goals. Professional athletes have a determined determination to win. They study their opponent’s weak points, capitalise on their own strengths and play for victory. Therefore, to attain to any goal there must be a clear plan and strong motivations.

Spiritual Goals and Objectives Even more important for the human person created in the image and likeness of God should be the goal and the motivation to attain that goal. Our goal is very clear – to get to heaven. One of the most efficacious means to attain eternal salvation with God in heaven is through prayer. Prayer is the key to salvation. What oxygen is to our lungs so is prayer to the life of our soul. For that reason Saint Augustine asserted: “He who prays well lives well; he who lives well dies well; and he who dies well, all is well.”

Still there is a powerful means and intercessor before the throne of God who can help us to get to heaven and to help us in our prayer life and motivate us to focus our energies on God and God alone – the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mary’s Favourite Prayer Our Lady has a prayer that fills her heart with joy – the Hail Mary and the most Holy Rosary. Every time the Hail Mary is prayed with attention and sincere heart, Our Lady’s heart is filled with joy. Therefore, let us offer ten points to motivate us to pray the most Holy Rosary.

1. Our Lady of Fatima Our Lady of Fatima appeared in Fatima, Portugal six times to three little shepherd children: Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. In every one of these six apparitions Our Lady said: “Pray the Rosary.”

2. Her title Finally at the end of her apparitions Our Lady gave herself the title: “Our Lady of the Rosary.” Therefore, if Our Lady insisted six times to pray the Rosary and actually called herself “Our Lady of the Rosary,” common sense tells us that she really wants us to pray the Rosary!

3. Pope St John Paul II This great modern saint and spiritual giant strongly encouraged the world to pray the most Holy Rosary. In his writing “The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary” the Vicar of Christ insisted that we pray the Rosary. He himself said, at the start of his pontificate, that the Rosary was his favourite prayer.

4. For the sake of the family In this same document St Pope John Paul II insisted that we pray the Rosary for the sake of the family which is under attack and in crisis. With the growing numbers of separations and divorces, with so many children without the warmth of the family, now more than ever we must pray the most Holy Rosary. The Holy Father quotes the Rosary-priest, Fr Patrick Peyton: “The family that prays together stays together.”

5. For world peace The document of Saint Pope John Paul II came in the wake of the terrorist attack in New York City with the Twin Towers. Therefore, another reason to pray the Rosary now, more than ever, is for the sake of world peace. With the threat of ISIS, nuclear arsenals, and general tensions growing among nations, the Rosary can be our shield and safeguard.

At the end of the First World War, Our Lady of Fatima stated clearly that wars come as a result of sin; and if people did not stop sinning then a worse World War would erupt. Within twenty years, the Second World War broke out.

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen states that world wars are the net result of

many individual wars waging in the hearts of sinners, that spreads out to towns, cities, countries and continents, and then boom – the huge war explodes. Sin produces war; prayer produces peace of heart, mind and soul and harmony among peoples!

6. To save our children Never have we lived in a society with so many dangers, especially with respect to our children and teens. Of great importance is the virtue of purity. The mass media, the modern school and teaching agenda, billboards and posters, modern movies and TV programmes militate fiercely against the virtue of purity. And, to be honest, we live in a pornographic society!

Devotion to Our Lady and the family Rosary can serve as a shield against this onslaught and deluge of filth that is descending upon the world, especially our children and young people. In a word, we must shield our children in the most pure and Immaculate Heart of Mary; she is an oasis, a refuge, and ark of safety and protection.

We must find refuge in the ark of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart – a safe refuge!

7. To order our disorders As a result of the Original Sin that we all inherit in the moment of our conception, our life is marked with disorder. Our thought process, our will, our emotional state of being, our soul, our intentions, our family and social life – all have a certain disorder.

St Ignatius of Loyola suggests that we do the Spiritual Exercises so as to order the disordered in our lives. Sin causes disorder; prayer brings order. Prayer to Our Lady communicates to our soul and lives the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is a God of order. Our Lady of Guadalupe with her own hands ordered the roses in the tilma of St Juan Diego. By praying the most holy Rosary Our Lady can help to order the disordered in our lives.

8. For interior peace of mind and soul Another wonderful effect of praying the most Holy Rosary is peace of mind, heart and soul. We all desire peace and Our Lady of the Rosary also known with the title “Queen of Peace” can definitely attain for us this peace that our hearts so ardently yearn. St Augustine defines peace as the tranquility of order. As the hymn reminds us: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

9. It’s a biblical prayer Pope St John XXIII stated that the Rosary is a summary of the whole of the Gospel. They are truly based on the Bible, even the prayers of the Our Father and the Hail Mary have their foundation in the Gospels.

Therefore, by praying the Rosary fervently, we get to know Jesus and Mary better and better as presented from the Word of God, we fall in love with them and then we become their fiery and ardent Apostles in a world marked with so much coldness and indifference. As Pope Francis reminded us in his Lenten message: There is a widespread globalisation of indifference because there is a lack of love of God in the world. This love can be planted and ignited through love of Our Lady and the Holy Rosary – a summary of the Gospels and a true Biblically centred prayer.

10. To conquer our adversities David had to fight against the ferocious and malicious giant, Goliath. Strategically, there was no way that the smaller, inexperienced, unprepared shepherd boy could conquer the giant Goliath. It was like an ant against an elephant. However, the Bible teaches us a very certain truth: Nothing is impossible with God. David went with a total trust in his God, the Lord of heaven and earth. We all know the ending! David shot a stone from his slingshot; the stone riveted itself in the brow of Goliath, who cascaded to the ground unconscious. David quickly drew the sword of Goliath and cut off his head. Victory, due to the intervention of God! Today we are surrounded by so many “Goliaths”, almost too many to count!

However, our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. Let us turn to the Queen of Heaven and earth and pull out our spiritual slingshot which is the most Holy Rosary and win the battle. Jesus is the King of Heaven and earth and Our Lady is the Queen. Let us find sure refuge under her heavenly mantle. ­­­­­­­­­ Catholic Exchange

IN MEMORIAM 20TH ANNIVERSARY

2ND ANNIVERSARY In ever loving memory of

In loving memory of

WINIEFRED LO BINTI DOMINIC ATONG 17 May 1955 - 27 October 1998

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.

All I have are memories and your picture in frame.

Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part.

God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart.

Dearly missed by all loved ones.

VALERIE LOO WEI LIH

14 March 1998 – 11 October 2016

Our Darling Val, Not a day goes by without thoughts of you It has been many days since God took you Into his merciful presence and his loving care To be our angel in heaven and to be with him there Each day when we miss you We gladden our hearts with loving memories of you We cherish every moment Of warm hugs and tender kisses from you Till we meet again in heaven With warm and loving thoughts We pray each day for you Forever in our hearts you will remain, Mum & Dad

CHILDREN

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

PAGE 13

Blind Bartimaeus Hi Kids!

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Mark 10:51

The month of October is a good time to commit to praying the Rosary everyday. The Rosary will bring great peace and holiness to your life.

Aunty Jo

Each line of the puzzle has one word hidden in a list of random letters. The blank space is a missing letter that belongs to that word. Fill in the missing letter.

They are precious in his sight Mark10:13-16 People were bringing their little children to see Jesus. But his disciples shooed them away. When Jesus saw this, he was not pleased. He said to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me. It is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. In fact, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children, laid hands on them and blessed them.

BEGGING BLIND

CHEER FAITH

HEALED MERCY

QUIET SIGHT

Colour the picture above and complete the crossword puzzle below.

Are you good enough?

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered.

“No one is good - except God alone.”

Mark 10:18 Read Mark 10:17-31.

Find the words of the passage in the wordsearch below.

ARMS BLESS CHILD COME HAND HINDER KINGDOM LITTLE PEOPLE TOUCH

ACROSS 1. A person from the time of birth until he or she is grown 4. To put the fingers or hand on something 6. The part of the body at the end of the arm that includes the fingers 9. A country ruled by a king or a queen 10. Men, women, and children as a group; human beings

DOWN 2. To limit the ability of someone to do something 3. Small in size 5. To move or travel toward the speaker 7. The long parts of the body that are joined to the shoulders and have hands at the end 8. To ask for God’s help and protection for someone

October - Month of the Holy Rosary The month of the Holy Rosary is October and this entire month is dedicated to the Rosary. The feast day of the Holy Rosary in particular is 7 October.

Colour the rosary above.

Ask your parents to help you identify where you’re supposed to pray 1 - The ‘I Believe’ 2 - The ‘Our Father’ 3 - ‘The ‘Hail Mary’ 4 - ‘The ‘Glory Be’ Say a rosary daily with your family!

ADULTERY ETERNAL FALSE FATHER

FELL GIVE GOOD HONOR

INHERIT JESUS KNEES LIFE

MAN MOTHER MURDER POOR

Servant of all "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:43b-45

SAVED SELL STEAL TEACHER

YOUTH

PAGE 14

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

2018年星火营《使命》

KYCS Leadership Formation Camp 2018 SEMATAN — The Kuching Youth Christian Students (KYCS) held its annual Leadership Formation Camp (LFC) from 31 August to 2 September. A total of 55 student leaders attended the camp which was held at Kampung Pueh, Sematan.

Meditating on the story of The Road to Emmaus (Lk 24:1335), the camp took the theme ‘Recognising a Leader’ as its focus point.

The camp was specially designed to train the incoming new committees on how to manage the club in the schools, and to organise YCS activities. A total of five sessions were given to cover the technical aspects as well as the spirituality of leadership. The participants also had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills on the YCS Methodology: ‘See, Judge and Act’ throughout the camp. They were taught various animation songs and games, to help them to attract new members and to animate their own sessions in their clubs. In addition, a praise and worship session was also given.

With Jesus at the centre of it all, this camp started and ended each day with a prayer. In conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, a Mass was held to commemorate the day, which enabled the participants to learn the importance of conserving the environment.

The second Mass was held in the kampung hall where the kampung folks joined in the celebration.

Youth leaders learning action songs Being located in the kampung for the camp, the city participants were exposed to the life in the kampung, where they learnt to appreciate the simple things in life and not to be wasteful with their resources.

“I am grateful that I got to join LFC this year. I gained leadership skills and I love how the speakers tried to help us to grow. I hope that all participants can lead their YCS members with the knowledge and skills gained, and I hope YCS will grow bigger. I thank all the YCS leaders in this camp for all the wonderful experiences.” – Lucia Lunggan, 16, SMK Penrissen No.1 “LFC taught me how to be a good leader. This camp showed me what a good leader needs to do. Every session was purposeful and gave us a chance to discuss in order to solve or complete the assignments. The camp not only taught us how to be good leaders but also about the importance of communicating with the community around us.” – Celestine, 16, SMK Balai Ringin “I am very thankful to have

been a part of this camp as I have learnt a lot of valuable and important lessons throughout the camp. The theme of the camp was very suitable, and it was a blessing to meet the kampong people. I learnt how to be a great leader when mingling with them.” – Noel Fidelis, 15, SMK St Joseph “The camp was great. I met new friends and got to learn new songs which I love. I also enjoyed the team building games as they taught me about teamwork and humility. The sharing sessions were also useful, and I gained a great deal of knowledge from them. This was one of the best camps that I have ever attended.”

– Magdalena Maya, 16, Kolej Abdillah “The camp sessions and activities have left a great impact on me, and I was able to learn how to be a great leader.

It was both an amazing and overwhelming experience to be able to participate in this event.”

– Frances Mikolden, 16, SMK St Teresa Esther Chai

Kuching Campus Ministry – Campus Logout 2 KUCHING — About 40 students from various campuses based in Kuching attended the 2nd ‘Campus Logout’ organised by the seminarians from St Peter’s College in collaboration with the Kuching Campus Ministry (KCM).

After a short Praise & Worship session, Br Sylvester gave a talk on “Understanding the Mass & Confession”. In his talk, he mentioned the importance on receiving the Holy Communion and going for Confession. He also explained the general order of the Mass. ­— Regina Akee Testimonies: “This Campus Logout was fun; it also increased my knowledge about my church and my faith.

Overall it was a good experience for me.” – Helen Cecilia Danker (UNIMAS) “The Campus Logout gathering was a simplest and knowledgefilled event that I have ever joined among many other church activities. I gained a lot of new and important information regarding our faith. I strongly

recommend it for all Catholic students.” – Marcellus Tugang Anyi (UNIMAS) “I can feel the love of God among us during the gathering, and I learnt to deepen my faith as a Christian. I also get to understand the Eucharist and the order of Mass better.” – Britiana Lucia (ILKKM Kuching)

（古晋讯）星火营的对象是 13至21岁的青少年。宗旨是为了 制造平台让青少年与主相遇，体 验爱和喜乐，与耶稣建立亲密的 关系，使生命得到转变。 今年的星火营主题为「使 命」。采用的圣经章节取自若望 13:34 :「我给你们一条新命令: 你们该彼此相爱；如同我爱了你 们，你们也该照样彼此相爱。」 这样的主题目的是为了唤醒并凝 聚青少年，使他们意识到自己的 使命，看见教会甚至社会需要年 轻人的力量，启发他们去服务和 关爱周遭。 此营于8月 23 至 26日 假10 哩圣路加中心举行。营员共有三 十一位，分别来自总主教座堂圣 若瑟和圣马尔谷堂。其中十五位 是候领坚振者，更有一位是非教 友。此营的分享员为黄思美姐 妹，朱美枫姐妹和刘会欣姐妹。 此营的活动内容丰富，其中包 括感恩弥撒，讲座，小组分享， 组别活动，赞美敬拜，志工服务 （探访慈善福利机构），早祷（

天主圣言），游戏，星火夜（营 火夜）和祈祷与敬拜之夜（朝拜 圣体与覆手祈祷）。在四天三夜 的星火营里，筹委和营员如兄弟 姐妹般相处，彼此鼓励，共同体 验主的爱和喜乐，更是见证了彼 此的成长和改变。 营员见证 在星火营里，我体会和学到了 很多。比如在赞美敬拜的时候， 体会到了天主圣神的降临。还有 拜访老人院和星火夜，体会到喜 乐，也学习感恩生活，还有意识 到家人的重要。- Bridget 很开心没有错过祈祷与敬拜 之夜的和好圣事和覆手祈祷，我 内心得到医治和平安。- Joanne Chan 天主耶稣赐与非凡的安全感和 归属感。身心的压力全部都如释 重担的释放出来。很庆幸可以参 与这么有意义的教会活动！我也 收获到主伟大的爱，深深触动我 心，使我可抛开一切烦恼，全心 投入专注在主的平安和助佑里。Irene Chia

First retreat for Miri Campus students

MIRI — The Campus Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Miri organised its first ever retreat on 3 - 5 August for 34 students from various campuses in Malaysia as well as Singapore. The Campus Youth Ministry is a newly formed youth group in the Diocese of Miri, aimed to cater for all campus, institute and college students in the diocese.

With the theme “Have a break, have Jesus,” this first ever retreat under the Ministry was to encourage fellowship among the participants. It is hoped this would lead the students to continue their journey of fostering their relationships with each other and with God, through monthly gatherings and be more involved in youth activities.

Genevieve Chai, the coordinator of the newly formed Campus Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Miri, said during the introductory session that the organisers hoped that the retreat would help the participants to build closer relationship with Jesus through the fellowship with each other.

The second day of the retreat had Fr Andy Lee leading them in reflection according to the Gospel of Mark. The aim is to inspire the participants to read the Bible daily and to have personal approach with the Word of God. In his homily at the Mass later, Fr Andy reminded the participants to always put Jesus in every part of their life, to fully let Jesus to take control and be the centre of all their activities.

He later invited the participants to come and visit his parish in Lapok for a missionary outreach.

Throughout the retreat, the participants were encouraged to spend some quiet time in

prayer and to have personal reflections on the sessions given.

The participants were also encouraged to get to know each other and made themselves available to each other.

There were also teambuilding activities which taught the participants valuable lessons on helping each other and being responsible when undertaking any task. The climax of the retreat was the performance night that was prepared by the participants. The musical sketch depicting a young person being torn by the lure of the world and the love of Jesus stole the show.

Other presentations included an original song expressing the performers’ love for God, a creative signature youth cheer in a ‘Dikir Barat’ style, and a solo trumpet performance.

At the end of the retreat, the participants felt that the retreat gave them opportunity to spend time with Jesus. Another shared that “a conversation with Christ is like conversing with a good friend.” One participant, who is also a student leader, said that she would encourage her members to study the bible and do gospel reflections together.

The group later engaged in discussions to evaluate what they have learnt from the retreat and what they would do after the retreat to continue getting closer to Jesus. — Antonina Chai

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

YOUTH

PAGE 15

今日教友

PAGE 16

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

砂朥越古晉總教區 「耶穌定睛看他，就 喜愛他，對他說： 『你 還缺少一樣』」 (谷10:21） Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

第366期

教宗致開幕詞：世界主教會議是分享的時刻

世界主教会议开幕式 (Vatican Media)

（梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗 方济各10月3日下午在世界主 教会议第十五届常规会议的开 幕式中表示，「我们举行的世 界主教会议是分享的时刻」， 分享意味著既要勇敢和坦率 地说话，又要谦卑地倾听。他 说，对这些直接参与会议的人 而言，世界主教会议「应当是 一个学习对话」的大好时机。 教宗继续说，世界主教 会议「是教会在分辨过程中的 一项操练」，是一种「根植于 （梵蒂冈新闻 讯）教廷新闻室九月 十八日介绍教宗方济 各论述世界主教代 表会议结构的《主教 共融》宪令，强调重 点在于共融、集体 领导、动员全体天主 子民并听取他们的意 见，以及合一运动。 主教会议是梵二 大公会议的成果，教 宗方济各坚持这个传 统，再次肯定在天主 子民的需求和所有教会彼此 共融方面主教团负有责任。 记者会上，主教会 议秘书长巴尔迪塞里枢机 （Lorenzo Baldisseri）强调： 「对教宗方济各而言，需要 深入重整教会的所有结构， 使其『更具传教性』，更加 关注众人的需要，向新的情 势开放，以及更加适应快速 转变的时代。」 教宗重提《教会宪章》 第二章「论天主子民」的思 想，指出「世界主教会议不 能离开信众。相反地，它正 是个透过主教们让全体天主 子民发言的适当途径，因为 天主立了主教们为整个教会 的真正守护者、代言人和信 仰的见证人」。 可见，教会成员虽然身 份不同，但全体天主子民都 应参与主教会议。主教会议 副秘书长法贝内主教（Fabio Fabene）解释道，凭着这一 点，主教会议便从「事件转 为进程」，天主子民得到了 倾听并应邀参与其中。主教

信仰行动的内在态度」。本届 大会的一项创新之举将是每五 次发言后的静默时刻，这正是 为了让与会者能分辨他们所听 到的内容。 教宗在讲话中特别强调 倾听的重要性。教宗说，为了 成为一个「聆听和行走」的教 会，我们必须「抛弃」我们的 「偏见和刻板」，尤其要警惕 「教权主义的祸害」和「自我 满足的病毒」。 教宗提醒说，尽管教会

今天遇到困难，「我 们的信仰却告诉我们 这也是个『恩宠的时 刻』（Kairos）」，天 主的时刻，「这时候 上主来会晤我们，来 爱我们，召叫我们活 出圆满的生命」。 教宗也强调了青 年与老年人的价值， 勉励成年人不可低估 青年的能力或给予他 们负面评价，而青年 也要克胜认为老年人 已经过时的诱惑。教宗说，「 忽视经验的宝库」乃是一种「 自毁行为」。 教宗祝愿「世界主教会议 唤醒我们的心」，希望「代际 之间的会晤」能为激发希望带 来丰硕的果实。 教宗最后总结道，「让我 们花时间与下一代人相处」， 其目的不仅是「透过世界主教 会议得出一份文件」，最重要 的是提出具体的牧灵建议，实 现世界主教会议的目的。

月刊出版者 ： 古晋总主教 顾问 ：欧庆伟神父 Fr Felix Au 英语编辑 ： 陈佩莲 Stella Chin 中文编辑 ： 杨秀音 Magdalene Yeo 编辑组 ： 罗国璋 James Lo

黄仪惠 Margaret Bong

杨清华 Cecil Yong Freddy Bohari (BM) Martha Ngui (Eng) Victoria J Lim (Eng) 工作人员 ： Audrey Yu

教宗與参加世界主教會議的 两位中國主教會面并相互問候

教宗方济各与两位中国主教

（梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗方 济各与两位中国主教的会面充 满兄弟情谊和家庭氛围。在圣 座与北京关于主教任命问题达 成临时性协议后，若瑟·郭金 才主教和洗者若翰·杨晓亭主 教获得中国政府许可参加本届 世界主教大会，主题为：「青 年、信德和圣召分辨」。 前一天10月3日上午，教宗

方济各在世界主教会议开幕弥 撒中特别指出，参加本届世界 主教会议常规会议的还有来自 中国大陆的两位主教。教宗在 问候中国主教时心情非常激 动，他说：「让我们向他们表 示热烈欢迎：全体主教与伯多 禄继承人的共融因他们的临在 而更加明显可见。」

教宗牧訪波羅的海三國 分享自由與社會團結信息

主教會議新憲令

教宗在立陶宛接见司铎和男女会士(ANSA) 主教會議新憲令网页

说，这个进程在《最后文件》 公布前还需要经历不同的阶 段。 《最后文件》经由大会 通过后再呈交给教宗。这关乎 主教会议的几项新意：在咨询 型的大会上，教宗可决定是否 批准该文件；在决议型的大会 上，教宗可决定是否认可并公 布该文件。「在两种情况下， 《最后文件》都会列入伯多禄 继承人的常规训导，因此具有 一种特定的训导权威。」 此外，在主教会议有决议 权力的情况中，教宗认可的文 件将由全体与会神长签名，然 后再公诸于世，这又是一个类 似大公会议的作法。新的宗座 宪令将首次应用于今年十月以 青年为题的主教会议，借此回 应天主子民在教会这段特殊历 史时期的需要和期待。 谈到当中的更新，宗座额 我略大学信理神学顾问维塔利 教授（Dario Vitali）解释道， 过往的主教会议只是「与会 者」的事件，自高处下降到天 主子民的生活中；而《主教共

融》宗座宪令欲将全体信众包 括在主教会议的进程中。 在这方面，论及征询天主 子民意见的第五条乃是一个决 定性的新事物。这个新意是教 宗对大公会议训导的践行，因 为天主子民借着所有领受圣洗 者的信仰意识而参与基督的先 知性职务（参《教会宪章》12 号）。 维塔利强调，《主教共 融》宗座宪令还有另一个「更 具本质性的新意」，那就是「 伯多禄继承人能够开启并实现 同道偕行的进程」。关于同道 偕行，教宗方济各表明，「教 会应向正教会学习很多东西， 因为它们保持了她们教会的惯 例」。 新宪令最后提到合一运 动。巴尔迪塞里枢机解释说， 教宗方济各表明他深信，透过 对教会同道偕行幅度的应有重 视，以及对关于首席权教义的 重新审阅，最终能开启圣若望 保禄二世所祈愿的「教宗牧职 的转变」进程（参《愿他们合 而为一》通谕95号）。

（综合梵蒂冈新闻讯） 波 罗的海三国纪念独立一百周年 之际，教宗方济各九月廿二日 至廿五日访问立陶宛、拉脱维 亚、爱沙尼亚, 到当地分享自由 与社会团结信息。 教宗出访前向三国人民 发表录像片段，他说：「在黑 暗、暴力、迫害的时代, 自由的 火焰没有熄灭, 反而启发对未来 的希望，期盼天主赋予每个人 的尊严都能受到尊重, 我们感受 到自己蒙召去携手合作, 建设正 义且友爱的社会。」 教宗九月廿二日抵达立陶 宛，同日他在维尔纽斯的主教 座堂前广场会晤青年, 聚会中两 名青年作见证。教宗发言时指 出，人的真实身份必须属于一 个民族，以及属于家庭和民族 的身份。 纪念犹太人隔离区拆除 教宗廿三日在立陶宛考纳 斯主持三钟经活动时，提及维 尔纽斯犹太人隔离区拆除七十 五周年纪念；那里曾经有成千 上万犹太人丧生。教宗吁请基 督徒及时发现有害态度的任何 新苗芽，使社会环境和文化不 再消灭或排斥被丢弃者与少数 群体。教宗当天也在犹太隔离 区受害者纪念碑前祈祷。 九月廿四日，教宗前往拉

脱维亚，他除了会晤当地教会 团体外，也向为独立战争而设 的自由纪念碑献花。该国大部 份的国民是信义宗信徒。 教宗在塔林信义会圣嘉 禄堂出席合一聚会时会晤青 年，谈到以青年为题的主教 会议，他指在准备过程中, 许 多青年「表达出渴望有人陪 伴」, 但教会的态度有时让成 年人比较容易发言；而成年人 是按照自己经验提出建言，而 非聆听青年。教宗吁请成年人 改弦易辙。 教宗九月廿五日转到爱 沙尼亚，探访该国只有五千人 的天主教团体，同日晚上返回 罗马。 教宗在首都里加的信义 会主教座堂主持合一聚会时， 勉励该国基督信徒在生活中做 主耶稣的传教使徒。 立陶宛主教：自由乃牧 访核心 这次访问适逢若望保禄 二世到访廿五周年纪念，立陶 宛主教团主席格鲁沙斯总主教 于牧访前对梵蒂冈新闻网说， 自由的主题是教宗这次牧访的 核心。他说，「廿五年前，我 们把自由视为与外来独裁的压 迫相对立的事物：自由等于是 一个国家的自决。

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

今日教友

教宗方濟各：基督徒有責任遏止排外現象的蔓延

教宗接见有关排外现象国际研讨会的与会者(Vatican Media)

（梵蒂冈新闻网）倘 若在最后审判时，上主将提 醒我们：「我作客时，你们 没有接纳我。」那么，今天 上主就在质问我们：「我正 在作客，你们难道认不出我 吗？」教宗方济各以这番话 点出，在遏止排外现象和种 族主义的新形式不断蔓延方 面，基督徒负有道德责任。 教宗9月20日上午在梵蒂冈接 见200名相关国际研讨会与会 者，并在讲稿中如此表示。

本次研讨会是由圣座促进人类 整体发展部与世界基督教协会 联合主办，并由圣座促进基督 信徒合一委员会协办，主题为 「在全球移民潮背景下的排外 现象、种族主义、民粹国族主 义」。 教宗在讲稿中强调，「 每个人的尊严、人类基本的合 一、活出友爱精神的召叫，都 在符合福音教导的举措中获得 证实，进而得以加强」；福 音的教导是，「基督一视同

梵蒂冈集邮钱币局 （梵蒂冈新闻讯）梵蒂 冈集邮及钱币局九月六日发 行五枚邮票，庆祝教会十月 三日召开以「青年、信德和 圣召分辨」为主题的世界主

仁地拯救每一个人，并使众人 再次合一」。这就是圣保禄所 说的：「不再分犹太人或希腊 人，奴隶或自由人，男人或女 人，因为你们众人在基督耶稣 内已成了一个。」（迦三28） 因此，对基督徒而言，我 们「不只因为一个人与生俱来 的尊严而尊重他」，更视之为 我们理当「爱护的弟兄姊妹」 。因为在基督内，「宽容化为 友爱、温柔和团结互助的具体 行动」。事实上，「基督徒的 身分是个逆流而行的召叫，必 须在弟兄姊妹们身上认出、接 纳并服事那被舍弃的基督」。 教宗最后总结道，「目 前已存在许多向外来者表达关 怀、接纳，以及促使他们融入 的方式」。教宗祝愿本次研讨 会「能涌出更多其它的合作倡 议，好使我们能携手建设更正 义与团结的社会」。

发行主教会议邮票

教代表会议；其他邮票则纪念 庇护神父逝世五十周年、欧洲 文化遗产年、保禄六世教宗封 圣，以及若望保禄一世教宗去 世四十周年。主教会议邮票描

绘基督拥抱不同国家的青年， 以及教宗和几位主教，体现教 会年轻、团结、有活力也有传 教热忱。

嗨!小朋友，

PAGE 17

圖爾克森樞機： 針對移民問題, 應遵守《人權宣言》 （梵蒂冈新闻网）「在全 球移民潮背景下的排外现象、 种族主义、民粹国族主义」国 际研讨会9月18日在罗马拉开帷 幕。这项活动由圣座促进人类 整体发展部和世界基督教协会 联合举办，并由圣座促进基督 信徒合一委员会协办。 圣座促进人类整体发展部 部长图尔克森枢机在开幕致词 中表示，本次研讨会旨在省思 「那些接纳移民的社会如何与 初来乍到的人互相调适，用怎 样的眼光看待外来者」，以检 视那些社会在道德和法律上应 对移民现象的能力。「迁徙是 人类自古以来就存在的现象」 ，我们见证了「许多人甘愿让 自己和挚爱冒著生命危险寻求 更好的未来」。他们的生活、 创伤和希望都在质问我们的良 心，并引导我们省思接纳移民 的社会对初来乍到者的眼光」 枢机邀请众人反思，在 《世界人权宣言》通过后的这 70年内，人类是否加以落实， 明白「种族、性别、肤色、语 言、宗教、政治见解、国家或 社会背景、富有或贫穷都不足

图尔克森枢机

以作为冷漠、排斥、仇恨、拒 绝或是丢弃一个人的借口」。 此外，「身为基督徒， 迁徙和流放的经验提醒我们， 我们不仅在外来者身上认出吾 主耶稣基督（参阅：玛廿五 31-46），而且祂本身也是在襁 褓中逃离出生地。因此，接纳 移民，尤其是身处险境的人， 是一个立基于福音和圣经、并 从中汲取力量的道德准则。这 是基督徒的一部分，也就是要 归属于基督。」 圣座促进人类整体发展 部部长最后期勉与会者省思教 会在当前棘手的移民潮中应当 扮演的角色。

治 好 耶 里 哥 的 瞎 子 。 谷10:46-52

十月为圣母玫瑰月，为提醒我们在这一个月份要勤念玫瑰 经，恳求圣母妈妈为我们的一切需要代祷。

阅读“耶稣使瞎子 复明”的故事后， 把图中遗漏的字词 填上并彩上颜色。

为 人 是 不 可 能 的 事 ， 为 天 主 却 是 可 能 的 。 谷10:27

有一天，耶稣和他 的门徒及一大群众 从耶里哥城出来 时，有一个瞎子坐 在路旁行乞，他听 见群众路过，便 查问是什么事。有 人告诉他是耶稣经 过，他便大声喊叫

请回答下列问题：（参考谷10:17-30） 1. 当耶稣正要启程时，有一个人跑来，跪在祂面前，问祂什么？ _________________________________________________________。 2. 耶稣问那人是否清楚天主的诫命，那人怎样回答？ _________________________________________________________。 3. 最后，耶稣要那人做什么？ _________________________________________________________。 请你为那青年或 自己，选择四把 锁匙（善行）， 组成开启天国之 门的钥匙。

1. 为什么那人最后会面带愁容，闷闷不乐地走了？ _________________________________________________________。 2. 若你是那人，你会怎样做？ _________________________________________________________。

说：“耶稣，可怜我吧！”

耶稣站着，叫人把他带到自己跟前来，问他说：“你愿意我给你做什么呢？” 他说：“师傅！叫我看见！”耶稣对他说：“去吧！你的信德救了你。”瞎子 立刻看见了，便跟随着耶稣去了。 反思: 我 们 常 常 都 会 求 上 主 替 我 们 完 成 很 多 的 希 望 ， 但 你 有 没 有 想 过，你也可向上主说：“你要我为你做什么？” 按点连线 你能看到厄里 亚求上主把什 么降到他献的 祭物上吗？ ( ) 你可参阅列王 纪上18:1839找到这个 故事。

人 子 不 是 来 受 人 服 侍 ， 而 是 服 侍 人 。 谷10:45 在现世上，你认为谁可坐在耶稣的右 边或左边？ 请把他/她们的样貌绘在图中适当的 位置上。（或可剪下他/她的照片贴 上）

达尼尔先知 他祈祷的故事可参阅达 尼尔先知书第六章

1. 你选择了谁？ _______________________________________________________。 2. 为什么是他们？原因何在？ _______________________________________________________。

今日教友

PAGE 18

梵蒂岡正式承認首爾的朝聖地 枢 机 还说，韩国 教会是建立 在殉道者 的「血汗」 上，他们因 自己的信仰 而遭受严峻 的迫害。 自 二 零一三年以 菲西凯拉总主教（左）和廉洙政枢机（中）在九月 来，首尔总 十一日参观首尔的一个博物馆。 教区一直在 梵蒂冈九月十四日在首 组织教友前往各个具历史意义 尔举行官方庆祝活动，承认南 的圣地朝圣, 这些圣地在首尔的 韩首都多处朝圣地为官方认可 天主教会有逾两百年的历史。 的国际朝圣地；这是亚洲首个 宗座促进新福传委员会 地区的殉道者圣地获此认可。 主 席 里 诺 ． 菲 西 凯 拉 （ R i n o 庆祝活动在具历史意义 Fisichella）总主教主持这次的 的徐素文公园举行。在那里曾 庆祝活动。 有数百个人被杀害，当中有四 总主教说，对首尔诸朝 十四人已获宣圣，另有廿七人 圣地的认可是一个「特殊的时 已获宣真福。 刻」，表明了天主教会在福传 首尔总主教廉洙政枢机 方面的努力。 菲西凯拉总主教说，「 表示，教廷对圣地的认可对 韩国人民来说「具有极大的意 朝圣的想法对教会是重要的契 义」，因为到这里来朝圣，已 机」，他补充说，「大众对宗 成为「我们生活的一部分」。 教虔诚」在信徒生活中起着重

要的作用。 他说，天主教会这些日子 正面临着诸多挑战，「需要新 而有力的福传运动」。 来自十三国最少三十位亚 洲教会领袖，参与从九月十日 起的「朝圣周」庆祝活动。 廉洙政枢机说：「殉道者 承受了可怕的迫害和苦难，我 们作为他们的后代，热切地等 待着教廷正式的认可。」 这位首尔总主教说，亚洲 的天主教徒「通过朝圣（相互 间）将发展更好的关系」。 枢机说：「这些朝圣路线 沾上了殉道者的血和汗，故不 仅仅是韩国教会独自的遗产。 」 他形容这些朝圣地「是一 件神圣祖传遗产，不但对天主 教教友来说，甚至还有朝鲜半 岛全体公民，及亚洲和世界的 人们亦然」。 首尔旅游局的玄一金 （Hyun Il-kim）表示，宗教活 动为那些到该国的游客提供了 一个「文化交流与新体验」的 机会。

教宗方濟各希望明年能訪問日本 （梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗 方济各说：「利用这次访问的 机会，我要向你们宣布，我有 意明年访问日本。我们希望能 成行。」教宗9月12日上午在 梵蒂冈接见日本「天正遣欧使 节显彰会」成员时，出人意料 地在问候词的结尾这么说。这 个代表团是在德卢卡（Renzo De Luca）神父和川村信三神 父的陪伴下前来拜会教宗。 教宗指出，4百多年 前，1585年，有4名日本青年 在几名耶稣会传教士的伴随下 抵达罗马，晋见时任教宗额我 略十三世。教宗方济各对日本 宾客表示，「那是首次有贵国 的代表团前来欧洲」，并强调 当时他们不仅在罗马受到热情 款待。 教宗说：「欧洲人与日 本人相遇，而日本人不只遇 见了欧洲，也触碰到天主教会 的核心。那是两个伟大文化

与精神 传统的 历史性 相会， 理当保 存那份 记忆， 教宗接见日本「天正遣欧使节显彰会」 一如你 成员(Vatican Media) 们显彰 会所做 的。」 他们现今的使命，尤其是借由 与当年的旅程相比，今天 不同企业的贡献设置一个教育 代表团旅行的时间大幅减少。 青年与孤儿的基金，展现出「 教宗说：「我希望，你们跟他 宗教、文化与经济界能和谐地 们一样感受到教宗的款待，品 通 力 合 作 ， 以 创 造 一 个 更 有 尝到这次相遇的喜乐，并勇敢 人情味又具备整体生态特色的 地在回国之后，成为友谊的使 世界」。「对我们共同家园的 节，以及人性与基督信仰伟大 未来而言，这是一条正确的道 价值的推动者。」 路。」 4百年前的青年便做到了 教宗最后亲切地问候代表 这一点：他们当中有一个人成 团说：「请你们将罗马教宗的 了司铎，另一个人为见证信仰 友谊及整个天主教会的敬意带 而殉道，今天荣列真福品。教 给你们非凡的人民和伟大的国 宗方济各鼓励日本代表团落实 家。」

蒙古首位主教安息主懷 （天亞社訊）蒙古首 位主教、菲律宾籍的黄旭东 （Wenceslao Padilla）主教， 于九月廿五日安息主怀，享年 六十八岁。蒙古是全球最年轻 的地方教会。 这位原属圣母圣心会的 主教，据报在蒙古首都乌兰巴 托因心脏病发辞世。 修会在菲律宾的团体在 声明中说：「我们向蒙古教会 及主教的家人和朋友，致以最 真摰的慰问和祈祷。」 明爱亚洲亦就主教的突 然离世表示伤感。 在声明中，明爱亚洲 说：「我们将永远怀念他，主 教服务别人的热诚和对工作的 投入，为我们是一种启迪。」 这个教会的援助组织表 示，黄主教是「明爱工作坚定 的支持者」。 黄主教四年前向「援助 有需要教会」说，当他们首次 抵达这个传教区时，传教士需 要由「零」开始工作。 黄主教说：「首个弥撒 都是在酒店内进行。之后我们

黄旭东主教。

租用了一些住宅单位，并透过 一些国际组织和大使与教友建 立起初步的联系。」 菲律宾加洛坎教区保禄． 比尔希略（Pablo Virgilio）主教 回忆起黄主教对传教的投入。 「我看到他有多么爱护他在蒙 古那细小的羊群。我也留意到 他对蒙古文化真正的尊重。他 的简朴和谦逊能启迪人心。」 黄主教一九四九年生于菲 国北部拉乌尼翁省的图宝，于 一九六零年进修院，并于一九 七六年晋铎。 他曾到台湾传教, 并担任所 属修会中华省省会长达六年。 当蒙古于一九九一年与梵

蒂冈建立外交关系时，他被派 往从前称为「乌尔嘎」的乌兰 巴托传教区传教。 一九九二年四月，他获 委任为乌兰巴托传教区会长。 他当时在当地照顾街童、露宿 者、残障人士和长者。 二零零二年七月八日，教 宗圣若望保禄二世成立乌兰巴 托监牧区，并任命这位传教士 为首任监牧。 二零零三年八月二日，黄 主教领衔为塔罗斯首牧，并于 同月廿九日从塞佩（Crescenzio Sepe）枢机手中领受牧职。 二零一六年, 黄主教祝圣了 蒙古首位国籍司铎。这名年青司 铎正是多年前由黄主教授洗。 目前，蒙古教会有二十名 外籍传教士和来自十二个修会 的五十名修女，牧养著近一千 三百名教友。 黄主教刚于九月十至十四 日与多名亚洲的主教，在南韩 首尔出席一项朝圣活动。 这次朝圣活动的重点，是 梵蒂冈在仪式中正式宣布首尔 为一个国际朝圣点。

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

印度教會爭取釋放在囚神父和修女

孔奇利亚来自为未婚妈妈而设 的庇护中心。图为警察来到该 庇护中心作调查。

（天亞社訊）印度教会人 士要求贾坎德邦高等法院准许 一位神父和一位修女的保释申 请；而他们早前被初级法院拒 绝他们的保释, 并一直遭监禁。 耶稣会士亚丰索．艾恩德 （Alphonse Aind）神父于六月 廿二日，因被指教唆强奸五名 女子而遭拘捕；而仁爱传教女 修会的孔奇利亚（Concilia）修 女在七月四日被指在其负责的 孤儿院贩卖儿童而遭拘捕。 沙勿略．索伦戈（Xavier Soreng）神父是耶稣会士兼活 跃的社运份子，他于九月十三 日表示，很快会为艾恩德神父 寻求保释。 昆蒂县的初级法院于九月 十日驳回艾恩德神父的保释申 请，原因是神父跟一宗轮奸案 中的一名主被告有关连，而据 悉神父被指未能阻止被告绑架 受害女子。 索伦戈神父对天亚社说:「 这些都是捏造出来的指控。我 们希望神父将会获得公义。」 艾恩德神父是施托克曼纪 念中学的校长；该校位于昆蒂 县一条偏远的村落，由耶稣会 负责管理。教会领袖声称，艾 恩德神父是被陷害的，因为当 地的邦政府是由亲印度教的人 民党执掌，他们暗中支持印度 教徒针对基督徒的激进行为。 五名社运份子在该校演出 街头剧，并于六月十九日，遭 六名男子绑架及强奸，据报是 因该剧的主题冒犯了在区内的 部落自治运动。 艾恩德神父现面临着严重 的刑事指控，包括合谋、教唆 绑架和轮奸，以及支持反国家 活动。 孔奇利亚修女的保释申 请，在七月二十日遭初级法院

拒绝后，于九月六日再向高等 法院提出。 此案的律师兼顾问伯多 禄 . 马尔定 (Peter Martin) 神父 说:「案件尚未获排期聆讯。」 马尔定神父告诉天亚社 说:「我们知道修女是无辜的, 她将从高等法院获得公义。」 基督徒领袖表示，自从 人民党于二零一四年执政以 来，针对基督徒的暴力和恐吓 有增无减。 贾坎德邦政府上月下令 调查八十八个收取外国捐款的 基督教非政府组织，同时对邦 内所有由仁爱会开设的院舍展 开调查。 在最近的骚扰事件中， 八十二岁的耶稣会神父达 尼老．卢杜萨美 (Stanislaus Lourdusamy), 其住所和办公室 同遭突击搜查，其后他在八月 廿八日被控参与反国家活动。 兰契总教区辅理主教泰 莱斯福尔．比隆（Telesphore Bilung）枢机说，印度教团体 反对在穷人和部落村民之间的 基督教传教工作。 他指出，他们想玷污教 会的形象，并给人一种印象： 基督教的传教士都是违法者和 罪犯，从而使人们远离教会。 贾坎德邦的总人口为三 千二百万人口，当中一成六为 原住民。邦内约有一百万基督 徒，占邦内总人口的百分之四 点三。现时，印度全国的基督 徒数目占总人口的百分之二点 三，故贾坎德基督徒的比例几 乎是全国比例的两倍。 基督徒领袖表示，诸如 昆蒂等地区，基督徒在政治上 均起着决定性的作用，这令印 度教团体担心，因为该国将于 明年初举行国家及联邦选举。

首爾總教區聯同青年前赴 兩韓邊境祈求和平

前赴兩韓邊境祈求和平

（亚洲新闻讯）约一百位 来自世界各地的青年在韩国首 尔总教区安排下，于八月十六 至廿二日沿分隔南北韩的非军 事化区步行三百公里，同为和 平祈祷，这也是普世青年节和 平朝圣之旅的活动。 亚洲新闻社八月廿四日报 导，朝圣者南北韩等十多个国 家，他们在给教宗方济各的信 中表达愿望：「我们身为年青 人，希望成为缔造和平的人与 和平工具，在地球每一个角落,

在现在, 以至未来都是。」 而朝圣期间，首尔总教 区暨平台宗教署理廉洙政枢 机与教廷大使舒埃雷布总主 教（Alfred Xuereb）等共祭弥 撒。南韩统一部部长赵东明亦 有出席典礼，他指朝鲜半岛的 和平之风，是由天主教会的祈 祷而带动的。 廉洙政枢机强调两韩应 继续对话，并指祈祷和人道主 义援助是必须的，也对两韩和 平相当重要。

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

今日教友

梵蒂冈新聞網多则稿件談梵中關係接納主教等課題 梵蒂冈新闻网九 位左右修女及一些修 月廿二日发表六则稿 生从事牧灵服务。 件，公布圣座与中国 梵中签署协议：漫 签署临时协议，去处 长旅程的果实 理主教任命议题；以 （梵蒂冈新闻 及教宗方济各重新接 网）圣座与中国九月 纳中国八位主教；设 廿二日在北京签署关 立承德教区等，以下 于主教任命的临时协 是这些新闻稿内容： 议，这是一段漫长旅 梵中签署临时协议 程取得的果实。这段 处理主教任命议题 旅程始于圣若望保禄 （梵蒂冈新闻 二世, 这位教宗在中国 讯）很长时间以来圣 向外界开放的背景下 座与中国不断地接 决定与中国当局建立 梵蒂岡新聞網九月廿二日發表六則稿件 触，以商讨共同关心 直接或间接的接触。 圣若望保禄二世二○○一 的教会问题，推动进一步的 从而克服过去的创伤，实现所 年十月廿四日在关于利玛窦来 合作关系，本月二十二日梵 有中国信友的完全共融。 在中国的天主教团体蒙召 北京四百周年国际学术研讨会 蒂冈外交部副部长卡米莱利 （Antoine Camilleri）和中国外 善度更加友爱的合作生活, 以更 上的致辞中表示,「毋庸讳言, 交部副部长王超，分别作为梵 新的努力进行福传。事实上, 教 圣座以普世天主教会的名义 ─ 中双方的代表团团长，在北京 会是为了见证耶稣基督、天父 我相信 ─ 也为了全体人类的 举行了一次会谈。 宽恕和救赎的爱而存在的。 好处，祝望开辟一个与中华人 在此次会谈期间，两位 教宗在中国成立承德教区 民共和国对话的空间，希望能 双方代表签署了一项有关主教 （梵蒂冈新闻讯）为促进 借此克服过去的不解，进而为 任命的临时协定。 对主羊群的牧灵照顾并为更有 中国人民的福利并为世界的和 该项临时协议是一个循 效地期待祂的神益，教宗方济 平，携手合作」(6号)。 序渐进和相互靠近的成果，是 各决定在中国大陆成立承德教 本笃十六世本着相同的 经过漫长过程的慎重商讨后签 区，乃北京的省属教区，其主 路线在二○○七年致在中国教 署的，协议也将就其本身的落 教座堂设在「承德市」双滦区 会的信函中表示，圣座愿意与 实情况进行定期的评估。该协 的耶稣善牧教堂。 中华人民共和国对话，期盼「 议涉及教会生活极其重要的主 该新教区一大部分的地域 不久就能见到圣座与中华人民 教任命问题，并为更广泛的双 原属于旧时一八八三年十二月 共和国之间有具体沟通合作的 方合作创造条件。 廿一日成立的东蒙古宗座代牧 途径」。因为，「友情策励交 双方的共同期望是该项 区，一九四六年四月十一日教 往、分享心灵喜忧、团结与互 协定能促进一个富有成果和远 宗庇护十二世颁布《我们的每 助」（4号）；同时也强调，信 见的双边对话, 并能为在中国 一天》敕令，将它升格为热河 德的罗盘和牧灵智慧在于谦卑 的天主教生活 中国人民的福 ╱锦州教区。 地去了解相关问题的复杂性， 祉及世界的和平做出积极的贡 承 德 教 区 位 于 河 北 省 境 设法解决教会问题，克服与合 献 内。它的地域范围与目前「承 法当局现存的张力。 教宗重新接纳中国八位主教 德市」的行政管辖范围相同， 教宗方济各继承前任的行 （梵蒂冈新闻讯）为支 包括八个县（承德、兴隆、平 动和训导，渴望继续这项对话 持在中国的福传事业, 教宗方 泉、滦平、隆化、丰宁、宽城 的努力，推动并支持与中国政 济各决定将尚存的未经教宗任 和围场）及三个区（双桥、双 府进行官方对话。他于二○一 六年二月接受《亚洲时报》专 命被祝圣的「官方」主教, 重 滦和鹰手营子矿）。 为 此 ， 热 河 ╱ 锦 州 教 区 访时表示：「对我来说，中国 新接纳到教会的完全共融中: 郭金才主教 黄炳章主教、雷 和赤峰教区的教会边界得以变 一直以来是个伟大的参照点： 世银主教 刘新红主教 马英林 更，它们的一部分区域现在被 一个伟大的国家、一种蕴含取 主教 岳福生主教、詹思禄主 划分到新的承德教区内。该新 之 不 尽 、 用 之 不 竭 智 慧 的 文 教和涂世华主教(已于二○一 教区的面积为三万九千五百一 化。」他又说道，「对话不表 七年一月四日去世 临终前,他 十九平方公里，人口约三百七 示屈服」，「真正稳健的和平 十万，根据最近的资料，该教 是透过对话实现的，对话并不 曾表达与宗座修和的愿望) 教宗方济各希望借所做 区大约有二万五千名教友, 分布 意味著作出妥协，而是为了建 的决定能开启一个新的历程， 在十二个堂区, 由七位神父、十 设而一起行走」。

教宗邀請全球信友為教會的益處 特别在十月份每日誦唸玫瑰經 （梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗 方济各邀请全世界的信友们在 10月份每天诵念玫瑰经，恳请 童贞圣母玛利亚和总领天使 圣弥额尔保护教会免遭魔鬼达 到分裂基督徒团体的目的。 教宗将他的书面呼吁交给教宗 全球祈祷网络（国际祈祷福传 会）主任，耶稣会士傅德立 （Frédéric Fornos）神父，使 之传播开来。 这项特别祈祷运动将从 10月1日圣女小德肋撒纪念日 开始，促使教会愈加意识到所 犯的过错和滥权行为，好能 更新战斗的力量，不让邪恶得 胜。傅德立神父向《梵蒂冈新 闻网》谈到这次对抗恶神的祈 祷运动。 他说：「最近几年和这 几个月，我们经历了教会内 的困境，其中包括来自圣职人 员、奉献生活者和平信徒的性 侵、滥权和践踏良知，还有内 部分裂，这些无疑是受到了恶

神的助长。恶神在我们 内心寻找同谋，正如圣 依纳爵所言，恶神是『 我们人性的死敌』。」 诵念玫瑰经 神父解释道，在基 督信仰的传统中，恶有不同的 向出现，然后逐渐将人引向邪 名称。例如，「撒旦」在希伯 恶的意向，即不和、谎言等。 来文中意指「对头或魔鬼」， 傅德立神父最后谈到, 教宗 在希腊文中称为「搞分裂或制 方济各在今年8月20日《致天主 造不和者」。在圣经传统中也 子民的信函》中阐明, 若一个肢 把恶称作「尘世的诱惑者」、 体受苦, 所有的肢体都将一同受 「谎言之父」或者「魔王」, 它 苦。因此「教宗要求众信友在 以一种光明天使的面目出现 , 看 10月份的个人和团体祈祷中更 似良善, 却将人引向骗局。 加尽心尽力 教宗邀请我们每 恶表现在不同的形式上， 日诵念玫瑰经, 恳请童贞圣母玛 今日教会的福传使命变得更加 利亚在这危机时期帮助教会」 困难，而且也因我们与恶成了 「我们知道，圣母留守在 同谋，使教会失去信用。神父 十字架下，即使门徒们四散逃 同意，恶的泛滥最终是我们的 走。她站在十字架下帮助我们 责任，因为我们「随从不向真 与耶稣同在。在诵念玫瑰经结 正生命开放的欲望」。这些欲 尾时，教宗要求我们恳请总领 望包括追求财富、虚荣以及骄 天使圣弥额尔，让他捍卫教会 傲，正如教宗所言，透过这些 免受魔鬼的攻击。根据灵修传 欲望，恶欲将我们拖下水。恶 统，弥额尔天使是天上万军的 是个诱惑者，它起初以好的意 统领及教会的保护者。」

聖座國務卿： 教宗將修和的任務托 付給中國天主教徒 （梵蒂冈新闻网）对于在 中国的天主教会的生活、对于 圣座与中国民事当局的对话， 这份协议至关重要。在签署了 有关主教任命的协议后，圣座 国务卿帕罗林枢机在一份正式 公告中如此表示。枢机重申这 份协议的漫长进程，强调「巩 固和平国际的前景」。 圣座与中华人民共和国就 主教任命问题签署临时协议非 常重要，特别是对在中国的天 主教会的生活、对圣座和中国 民事当局的对话。但也是为了 在此我们所处的世界各地许多 紧张局势的时刻，巩固和平国 际的前景。 圣座的目标是牧灵的目 标，也就是说明地方教会，使 他们享有更大自由、自治和组 织的条件，使他们能够献身于 宣讲福音的使命、为人和社会 的全面发展作出贡献。 几十年后, 今天, 中国的全 体主教第一次与罗马主教共融

圣座国务卿帕罗林枢机

了。教宗方济各和他的几位前 任一样, 特别关注中国人民、 特别照顾中国人民。需要合 一、需要信任和新的推动力、 需要有好的牧人，被伯多禄继 承人和他们国家的合法民事 当局承认的好牧人。协议正是 向著这一方向的: 是一个工具, 我们希望借助这一工具在所有 人的合作下能说明这一进程。 教宗特别将善度兄弟手 足间真正修和精神的任务交给 在中国的天主教会团体——交 给主教、司铎、修会会士、修 女以及教友们，做出有助于战 胜历史的和近期的误解的具体 行动。由此，在中国的信徒、 天主教徒能够见证自己的信 仰、真诚的爱；也向著所有人 民的对话及促进和平敞开。

教宗向記者談及性侵犯、 隱瞞事件、中梵協議 教宗方济各结束波罗的海 国家访问后，在返回罗马途中 的飞机上，向随行记者们说， 天主教会在明白到神职性侵及 隐瞒事件的恐怖中得已成长。 据《天美社》引述教宗讲 话，他指出：「就算只有一名 神父性侵犯一名男童或一名女 童，这已经是骇人听闻，因为 这个人是获天主召选，带领儿 童到天国的。」 教宗说，在许多环境中发 生的性侵犯儿童事件，并没有 以任何方式减轻这种丑闻。 他向记者说，但如果说教 会没有做任何「清理工作」， 这是不真确的。 他指出，已鼓励主教向信 理部举报这些案件，而他「永 远、永远不会」特赦一名被判 性侵罪成的神父。 教宗方济各没有点名提 及前驻美国大使嘉禄．维加诺 (Carlo Vigano) 总主教。这名总 主教早前指教宗，无视前枢机 刁多禄．麦卡里克（Theodore McCarrick）的不当性行为。 但教宗说:「当一名前大使 发出那份著名的声明时，世界

在返回罗马途中的飞机上

各地的主教都写信告诉我，他 们离我很近，并为我祈祷。」 当谈到中梵于九月廿二 日就主教任命签署临时性协议 时, 教宗表示自己将在任命主 教上有最终的决定权, 而非北 京。 《路透社》报道, 教宗指 出:「这不是 ( 政府 ) 任命他 们。这是一次对话。但是教宗 会任命他们。要清楚这一点。 」 中国有约一千二百万天 主教徒，他们分裂为忠于梵蒂 冈的地下教会，及政府认可的 天主教爱国会。 教宗表示：「我想到遭 受苦难的天主教徒的忍耐力。 确实，他们会受苦。在一项协 议上，总有痛苦，但是他们有 很大的信德。」 【来源：《十字架报国 际版》，天亚社编译】

教宗接見梵蒂岡博物館藝術 贊助人：藝術是普世的需要, 因為它是和平的源泉 （梵蒂冈新闻网）「艺 术在为主作见证方面仅次于生 命」，因为它「不需要通过许 多语言和思想就能让人认识信 仰，因为它与信仰有相同的路 径，即美的路径」。因此，「 在被自私和权力逻辑所摧残的 世界」，艺术是一种普世性的 需要，因为「它是和谐与和平 之源」。教宗方济各在接见梵 蒂冈博物馆艺术赞助人时如此 表示。 教宗说，「在历史上，艺 术在为主作见证方面仅次于生 命。事实上，它曾经是且现在 依然是一条让人认识信仰的高 速公路，远胜过许许多多的言 语和思想，因为它与信仰有相

同的路径，即美的路径。艺术 是一种美，它对生活有益，并 创造了共融。」 教宗最后总结道，「默 观伟大的艺术就是对信仰的表 达，这特别有助于我们重新发 现生活中重要的事物」。「事 实上，基督宗教艺术使人深入 自己，并超越自身：将我们引 向那创造我们的圣爱、拯救我 们的天主慈悲，以及等候我们 的望德。因此，在我们不安宁 的世界中，今天尤其被自私和 权力逻辑所撕裂和摧残的世界 中，艺术也许比过去更是一种 普世性的需要，因为它是和谐 与和平的泉源。它表达了白白 恩赐的幅度。」

今日教友

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

古晉總教區隆重慶祝鍾萬庭榮休總主教九秩大壽

荣休锺万庭总主教在亲人和神父主教陪 同下切生日蛋糕。

锺总主教庆祝90岁诞辰感恩弥撒一瞥。

（古晋讯）九月十日晚 间八时，来自东马教区与汶莱 代牧区的主教与司铎，以及总 教区的教友们，聚集古晋圣若 瑟总主教座堂，参与锺万庭荣 休总主教的九十大寿暨晋铎64 周年感恩弥撒。古晋总教区的 教友们为天主赏赐锺总主教为 总教区奉献终身衷心感谢天 主。 锺总主教亲自主持感恩 弥撒，他在证道时回顾天主如 何在他的一生，以及他的铎职 中显示祂的爱，天主就像读经 中所述，将以色列人从埃及解 救出来，一路照顾他们到祂应 许他们的福地那样地照顾他。 他说：「我的父亲在我 出生前六个月就去世，我的母 亲三年后改嫁，我是在祖母和 姑妈的照顾下长大。她们都是 虔诚的基督徒，她们以虔诚的

生活和每日的祈祷，给予我很 好的基督徒教育。」 「回想起这些，我了解 到，也相信，天主将我的父亲 召去，祂取代了他的位置来好 好照顾我给我父爱。」 他在修院的日子是艰苦 的。但，尽管连年战乱和饥 荒，接着共产党接管中国，他 坚持了下来，并于1954年6月 完成修院培训。他被派遣到砂 朥越，并于9月26日在古晋晋 铎，那是砂朥越的第一个晋铎 礼。1970年11月15日他晋升亚庇 主教，1976年11月26日被祝圣为 古晋总主教。 「回顾在修院, 在担任铎职 和牧职的那些年里，我再次了 解天主超伟大的爱和看顾，直 到今天。」锺总主教感谢总主 教、主教、司铎、修女和所有 信友们给予他的接受、合作及

支持。「我许诺会继续为你们 及本地教会祈祷，也请你们继 续在你们的祈祷中记住我。」 他说，许多人问他那么多 年的司铎和主教的生涯，他过 得快乐吗，他会回答, 「我老实 告诉他们，我经历许多困难， 但感谢天主，祂父亲般的爱和 照顾一直支持和鼓励我。」 总主教分享他的喜悦和力 量的秘诀：弥撒聖祭和天主的 话。他呼吁教友们和他一样， 「努力阅读圣经，反思其中的 天主圣言并实践它，特别是真 福八端。你肯定会如耶稣所应 许的找到真幸福。」 弥撒的前一晚，总教区牧 灵议会在本地一酒楼为总主教 摆了千人寿宴，出席者中包括 来自锺总主教老家老河口远道 而来为他祝寿的亲人和本堂刘 希军神父。他们的临在应是给

总主教最好的生日礼物。 各堂区和教友组织在晚 宴上呈献精彩的余兴节目，一 段由社会传播委员会制作的关 于锺总主教一天的生活的视频 中显示，自2003年卸下总主教 职务后他从未真正停止接触信 友，虽然不再履行主教职，他

敬

唱「主是我 力量」、「天 主的祝福满 满」、「耶稣 爱你」及「妈 妈的爱」等 多首悦耳动 听的歌曲。 歌声嘹亮、 十哩圣亚纳堂华文部主日学儿童组表演舞蹈。 动人, 深获赞 赏, 掌声连连。当合唱「妈妈的 乐。 爱」时，代表们将玫瑰花赠送 天主教教友互助会除了備 给在场的修女们，感谢她们终 有丰富午餐招待住院修女外, 尚 生献身服务教会, 为主照顾祂的 带来了应时应景的月饼及不少 羊群。並祝贺修女们中秋节快 的日常用品。（许中新报导）

聖體堂舉行聖母誕辰暨治癒彌撒

蔡钦友神父为长者覆手祈祷。

〈古晋讯〉圣体堂9月7日 晚上在该堂圣母亭举行了一台 圣母诞辰暨治愈弥撒。 圣母诞辰暨治愈弥撒是 由刚刚庆祝83岁生日的蔡钦友 神父主祭，圣体堂堂区主理欧

庆伟神父襄祭，逾千教友参与 其盛。感恩圣祭过后即进入治 愈环节，两位神父为长者、病 患者做治愈覆手祈祷。 圣母玛利亚圣诞是普天同 庆的日子。圣若亚敬，圣妇亚 纳两老夫妻欢天喜地得到了这 位千金，也许还不了解她的伟 大，和她所负的使命。她本是 万民所仰望的。厄娃给世界带 来了痛苦。亚纳的女儿给世界 带来了喜乐，她是新旧约的桥 梁；旧约上所预许的都集中在 她身上，她要结束旧约。 「圣母玛利亚的诞日，举 世欢腾。她是幽谷的百合，她 将来产生贵子，改变原始的人

类，消除原祖的罪过，洗去天 主对厄娃说的诅咒：『你将在 痛苦中产生子女。「（创3：16 ）玛利亚在快乐中产生基督。 厄娃痛苦；玛利亚生子喜乐， 她欢乐地唱出：『我灵赞颂上 主』的诗歌。（《路加福音》 第1章46-55节），厄娃给世界带 来了惩罚；玛利亚给世界带来 了救赎。」 圣教会立定圣母诞辰瞻 礼的目地：（一）为赞美天主 赏赐各种殊恩异宠给圣母玛利 亚，（二）赞美天主借着圣母 之手颁赐给人类的各项恩典， （三）祈求圣母保佑信友神形 平安。（許中新報導）

谢

主内敬爱的弟兄姐妹们， 为纪念我九十生日，你们参与我的感恩弥撒，和举行盛大 宴会，还说了许多赞扬我的话，我深深感谢你们，但我深感不 堪接受你们给我这样大的赞扬及光荣。为此，我虔诚地把你们 的赞扬和光荣, 全奉献给天主, 因为是天主不嫌我的卑微, 恩赐 了我司铎及主教圣职, 派我来服务你们, 他的教会和他的子民。 虽然我身体老，但心灵还不老。为此，只要你们不嫌弃， 我依靠天主仁慈恩佑，愿继续以祈祷和圣职服务你们。也求你 们在参与弥撒及祈祷中，不忘记我。 愿全能的天主圣父，圣子，圣神，祝福你们. 阿们。 荣休钟万庭总主教

聖馬爾谷堂慶中秋暨 榮休鍾總主教九十大壽

教友互助會假修女療養院聚首慶中秋 〈古晋讯〉天主教教友 互助会一行近百人於9月17日 齐聚在座落在BDC的修女疗养 院 (HOME OF SANTA CLARA) 为住院修女们庆祝中秋节。 圣体堂区主理神父欧庆 伟，互助会名誉主席许我新的 出席庆祝中秋节活动，使庆祝 会培增热闹与温馨。 天主教教友互助会除了 成员林世坤，蔡子光呈献独唱 外，也得到来自10哩圣亚纳堂 华文部主日学儿童组表演多支 舞蹈。娱乐节目进入尾声，由 互助会成员带领全体出席者高

仍通过每日的圣体圣祭，听告 解，提供信仰培育，辅导等服 务人们。 锺总主教的堂侄女钟天 平感谢总教区所有司铎和教友 陪伴和支持他。她请求大家继 续陪伴和支持他。（俞金琳报 导）

St Mark

（圣马尔谷堂讯）圣马尔 谷堂于九月十六日傍晚的主日 弥撒后，在其礼堂举行中秋佳 节及荣休钟总主教的九旬大寿 庆祝会。当晚参与的教友们各 家准备了美味佳肴齐分享。 享用了丰盛的晚餐后，钟 总主教在孩童们围绕，众人高 唱生日歌歌声中切生日蛋糕。 孩童们纷纷献上小礼物给主教

以示祝福。之后大家 观赏了一段主教飘洋 过海来马来西亚的司 铎之路点滴的短片， 「光阴似箭」这句成 语在这时也显得格外 应景。陆续的活动有 由本堂歌咏团所呈现 的两首歌和小朋友们 最期待的提灯笼环节。庆典在 主教的降福之下完满结束。 总主教说十分喜欢简单 温馨的聚餐，也很感恩不同年 龄层的教友们陪伴他庆祝中秋 节与生日。他同时也期望主内 的家长们能继续地将这样的精 神传承下去，让孩子们能够体 验到亲情的可贵也使信仰茁壮 成长。（Clare Hong报导）

古晋華文 聖母軍 討論大會 古晋华文圣 母军光荣圣母区团 与诸宠圣母区团于 八月廿六日假肯雅 圣母军讨论大会照片 兰圣三堂礼堂联合 举办讨论大会，参加人数约有 讲，主题为领导人的实质与态 百余人，讲师則由两个区团的 度及圣母军的实际工作。(图 区团长蒋为新及邓菲立兄弟主 文 ：许道介)

聖馬爾谷堂聖母誕辰游行 （圣马尔谷堂讯）由圣 若瑟华文联委会主办，圣马尔 谷堂协办，庆祝圣母诞辰的圣 母游行于九月七日星期五晚间

圣马尔谷堂圣母游行

假圣马尔谷堂举行。约有数百 教友参与庆祝。 傍晚七时四十五分开始先 诵唸三端玫瑰经做为当晚庆典 序幕，八时正 开始弥撒。弥 撒由来自中国 的刘希军神父 与马丁黄祯贤 神父一起主 持。刘神父比 喻说如果耶稣 是我们与天主 的桥梁，而圣

母则是我们与耶稣的桥梁。弥 撒后，两位神父在圣马尔谷堂 华语组主席張奇峰兄弟与圣若 瑟华语联委会秘书徐希丰兄弟 陪同下一起切圣母生日蛋糕。 过后教友们隨同神父一起 列隊于圣母态像四轮花拉车后 边，从圣马尔谷堂大门前环绕 商业店铺巷道从右侧门遊行回 教堂前，继续诵念两端玫瑰经 后，在黄祯贤神父的降福中结 束。教友们则到教堂礼堂齐分 享点心及圣母诞辰的喜悦。(报 导：Clare Hong/徐希丰）

二十六週年紀念

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

今日教友

PAGE 21

外在同儕壓力的世界 内心自由的世界

護教學

耶稣基督有没有被釘死在 十字架上？（九）

圣類思·公撒格 （St Aloysius Gonzaga） 青年的主保 誕生450週年： 2018年3月9日至2019年3月9日

在俗方济会士郭渊龙执事 在上期的文章里，我从初 期基督徒的信仰和目击证人的 观点来证明我对耶稣被钉死十 字架的解释。但是还有更多其 他关于基督被钉十字架的事实 可以叙述的。 d）人们的生活因耶稣被钉死 十字架而转变 在耶稣被钉十字架、死和 复活后, 祂的门徒们的生活起 了怎么样的转变, 我们中熟悉 圣经经文和历史文件的都获知, 可能还感到震惊。参与在整个 事件中不同的人的这个转变, 和后来初期教会的出现, 其本 身就构成耶稣被钉十字架的真 实性的一个有力证据。他们的 转变是那么深刻，致使一个坚 强的初期教会在他们的信念下 诞生。 在这之前已经肯定，许多 人---包括耶稣的对手们---都目 睹了耶稣被钉十字架及死亡。 在埋葬耶稣的遗体的时候, 他 们甚至把守着墓穴的进口, 以 确保祂的遗体不被人偷走。因 此, 当初期的门徒们, 如宗徒大 事录所记述的, 开始积极地宣 讲耶稣被钉死十字架及复活时, 如果他们所宣讲的只不过是纯 属谎言,那些敌对人士必会扬出 耶稣的遗体, 来揭破祂复活的 神话。此外, 如果祂是由另一 个人代替上十字架, 而真正的 耶稣被天主举上天, 那么, 至少 那个代替祂的人应该仍然还在 让他们示众。但是, 这些都没 有发生。守卫墓穴的人不能出 示遗体。 在这样没有任何遗体的证 据的情况下, 加上那些目击耶 稣死亡和复活耶稣的显现的人 们的坚强信念, 和他们的生活 起了彻底的转变, 任何否定耶 稣基督被钉死十字架和复活的 说法都是站不住脚的。 e）初期的非基督徒史学家有 相信耶稣被钉十字架的 在耶稣的时代和紧接下来 的时代, 不是所有人都相信祂 或跟随祂的教导。因为他们不 是耶稣忠诚的追随者, 耶稣对 他们来说没有直接的个人利 益。但他们中却有一些专业的 史学家, 在文字上为祂被钉十 字架作了见证。以下是几个例 子： 「当时，基督徒人数愈来 愈多，招致罗马人的厌恶，为 了压制自己焚烧罗马城的谣 言，尼罗王假加焚城之罪于基 督徒身上，并对他们酷施严 刑。基督教的创始人基督，在 罗马皇帝提庇留(Tiberius)在位 期间，被统管犹大地的罗马巡 抚本丟彼拉多 (Potius Pilate)处 死。」--- 塔西图（公元第一/ 第二世纪罗马历史学家） 「这人(耶稣)就是基督，但 罗马巡抚在我们民间領袖的怂 恿下，判刑釘他十字架。从起

初就爱他的那群人一直没有离 弃他，因为他在死后第三天又 复活了。」 --- 約瑟夫（公元第 一/第二世纪犹太史学家） 公元二世纪一位名为陆西安 （Lucian）的讽刺作家也记述 了「因为创立异端邪教而在巴 勒斯坦被钉在十字架上的一个 人…」。陆西安因基督徒「敬 拜被钉在十字架上的自己, 及遵 守他所制定的法律」而斥责他 们。 公元十世纪的一位名叫阿比 亚斯（Apapius）的主教宣称： 「我们找到许多哲学书籍，其 中都提及基督被钉十字架那一 日的情形。」他列举并摘录那 些古籍, 有些是现代学者们闻所 未闻的。如果那些古籍今天还 存在, 我们就会有更多来自其他 相信那位名叫耶稣被钉十字架 的人的世俗历史学家的文献。 4. 十字军的成立是为夺回被穆 斯林所侵占的土地 讨论过耶稣基督被钉十字架 的真实性的各种证据, 现在我们 必须来谈, 基督徒的十字架是如 何被看成中世纪时代的十字军 东征的精神更甚于主耶稣被钉 十字架的记号。 十字军东征是十一至十七世 纪期间, 由中世纪欧洲基督徒对 他们的敌人发动的一系列军事 运动。教宗乌尔班二世首次派 遣十字军的目的是: 一, 拯救东 方被俘的基督徒的慈悲任务; 二, 解放被穆斯林侵占的基督徒圣 地。简单来说, 十字军东征不是 征服, 而是夺回 ; 不是侵略, 而是 强行收回被非法地从基督徒夺 去的东西。 到十一世纪末, 就是当首次 发动十字军东征时, 基督徒世 界的三分之二已被穆斯林军队 攻占: 巴勒斯坦 (耶稣基督的家 乡), 埃及（基督徒修道院制度 的发源地) 和小亚细亚 (圣保禄 创立首个基督徒团体的地方)。 那些地方对基督教是绝对最重 要的。 从十四世纪到十六世纪, 奥 斯曼土耳其人已征服不只穆斯 林, 他们也逼向西方, 占领了君 士坦丁堡, 长驱直入欧洲心脏。 欧洲人开始思虑穆斯林将征服 整个基督徒世界的可能性。他 们非常不安地总结, 他们需要冒 死尝试去确保基督徒世界的存 在。 当然, 在讨论十字军东征中, 还有许多其他细节需要考虑 的。但要点是, 和普遍宣传相反 的, 十字军东征是一个自卫的行 为, 不是侵略行为。基督信仰作 为一个信仰和文化, 在试图保卫 自己免被消灭。 对全世界的基督徒, 十字架 并不是我们在政治战争胜利的 标志, 它是我们的主为使我们能 和天主建立友谊而在它上受着 残酷的苦难和死亡的标志。 这是一个蛮长的系列。在历

贤哲箴言 「有些人是那么愚蠢，以为他们可以不必圣母的帮助走过 生命的旅程。敬爱圣母，唸玫瑰经，因为她的玫瑰经是今 天世界上对付邪恶的武器。天主赏赐的恩宠都通过圣母。」 --- 圣比 约 神 父

时两年多的卅多篇文章中，我 尝试尽量详细地回应了我们的 穆斯林朋友所提出的关于基督 徒信仰的基本信条的四个主要 关注：一：基督教的圣经是否 已被篡改？二、基督徒是否敬 拜三位神？三、耶稣基督真的 是天主吗？和四、耶稣基督真 的被钉死十字架上吗？这是肯 定的： 我信唯一的主、耶稣基督、 天主的独生子。 祂在万世之前，由圣父所生。 祂是出自天主的天主， 出自光明的光明， 出自真天主的真天主。 祂是圣父所生，而非圣父所造， 与圣父同性同体， 万物是藉着他而造成的。 祂为了我们人类， 并为了我们的得救， 从天降下。 祂因圣神由童贞玛利亚取得肉躯, 而成为人。 祂在般雀比拉多执政时， 为我们被钉在十字架上， 受难而被埋葬。 祂正如圣经所载，第三日复活了。 祂升了天，坐在圣父的右边。 祂还要光荣地降来， 审判生者死者， 祂的神国万世无疆。

耶穌會士林進才神父 缘起 类思出生在他的家族在 北意大利卡斯蒂廖内德莱斯 蒂维耶雷看（Castiglione delle Stiviere）极其富丽堂皇的城 堡。他是七个孩子中最年长 的，本应继承父亲的公撒格侯 爵爵位，那是曼图亚公国的一 部分。他奴仆成群，养尊处 优，并有私人教师教导他；更 有无限的金钱任他调度。 因此，他的家庭背景是世 俗的，充满了淫荡、野心和 暴力。这样的生活许他的是财 富、名誉和权势的前途。他的 父亲为了准备他将来度这种的 生活，将他送进意大利和西班 牙的不同宫廷受训。那些宫廷 的生活方式浮夸奢侈，人们都 沉溺在充撤当时政治生活的交 易和双面交易，背信弃义中。 例如，类思将佛罗伦萨的贵族 们形容为最可怕的欺诈、奸 险、恶毒和纵欲的社会。 另一方面，他的家庭又有 着浓厚的基督教背景，而在 他内建立了坚强的信德，以及 奇异的内在的自由。当大多数 公撒格的男人以征服别人为荣 时，类思却决心征服自己。他 抛弃奢华的生活方式的愿望显 示了他内在的力量。 他年纪轻轻就抗拒各种压 力，寻求让与他的良知共鸣的 圣神的声音引导。他尝试明了 天主的召叫来跟随主作为他的

穿着花俏贵族宫廷服饰的年轻类思 http://www.tfp.org/saint-aloysius-gonzagaa-saint-more-angel-than-man/

生活方式，这分辨最终引导他 成为耶稣会的一名成员，耶稣 会那时候才刚刚由罗耀拉的圣 依纳爵和他的同伴们创立。 反思 因了那么年轻的他个人内 心的力量，少年男女在面对同 侪压力时可以向他呼求。年轻 人常常受到生活，和他们处身 的动荡世界的挑战，更常是来 自同侪压力的挑战。 我如何镇定，及觉察圣神 在我的生命中活动，使我更好 地跟随天主呢？请让我拥有内 心的自由去分辨及作出和天主 的计划契合的决定，以及过一 个符合在强大的同侪压力文化 下所作出的选择的生活意愿。

西連聖德麗莎堂區常年主保日籌款活動順利舉行

傅云生总主教(前排中)为60名教友主持坚振圣事后 和他们合照留念。

(西連讯) 此间圣德莉莎堂 区牧灵议会之庆典筹备委員 会，于9月29日星期六晚上和30 日星期日上午順利主办圣德莉 莎节筹款活動。每年的十月一 日是圣德莉莎节。 9月29日星期六下午四时的 弥撒中, 傅云生总主教为60名合 格教友主持坚振圣事。傅总主 教告诉領受坚振圣事者: 你们現 在坚定是跟随耶稣基督了。在 以圣油在前额划上十字架时开 始, 你便是属于耶稣基督了。以 前你在教堂里领圣洗圣事, 現在 領受了坚振圣事, 你也－定要在 教堂领婚配圣事, 以後, 你们的子 孙也照样在教堂领所有圣事。 弥撒过后，教友们在教堂 范围内集合，準备跟随圣德莉 莎圣像遊行西连鎮。出席当晚 圣像遊行者有傅总主教，堂区 主管博亨利神父，堂区神父， 修女，堂区牧灵议会主席宋文 国，堂区牧灵议会庆典筹委会

傅总主教为圣德莉莎节 鸣锣推展时摄。

主席邓尼斯艾因，堂区各组成 員，来自遠近各地的主内兄弟 姐妹和朋友们。 当晚呈献节目者有堂区华 语组，甘榜里伊玛旺，主堂幼 稚园，主堂主日学和甘榜巴陸 圣玛利亚堂主日学的学生们 每 场演出，都获得掌声如雷鼓励 共有35位耒自堂区内之主 日学和主堂幼稚园学童参与图 案填色比赛。第一和第二学年 的前四名优胜者有1.Chelsea, 2. Cornelius, 3. Stina 和4. 李佳 定。第三和第四学年的前四名 优胜者有1. Marian, 2. Jesslyn, 3.

Veronica和4. Felician。 傅总主教在节日推展礼致 词中，希望家长们继续鼔励孩 子们参与教会活动，使他们更 接近天主。他表示很高兴看到 很多孩童和青少年们参与庆祝 会。他也表示大家应該以自已 所持有之能力和特出之技能呈 献给教会。

该堂区牧灵议会主席宋 文国致词时表示，该议会获得 各界热心公益人士的支持及捐 款，使该议会能順利完成以下 所擬定之工程: 大鈡楼工程， 大吊风扇工程，提升改進主堂 音响和視影，維修廚房屋顶和 教会土地边界測量工程。 还有数項很需要经費的 計划与活动及設施, 如維修主 堂楼下之下沉圍道, 更換主堂 内之陈旧長櫈，遮盖現有的假 洞穴, 擬订未来发展蓝图和改 進水供等等。 在9月30日早上的感恩弥 撒中，傅总主教除了简介圣德 莉莎之功徳外，也呼吁所有天 主教兄弟姐妹们应在前缐，与 有关当局互相配合，防止及根 除狂犬病继续蔓延和在环境保 护方面大家盡力，少用塑料用 品。他表示，自已为社会出点 力，天主会在不覚中给予回饋 的。（邓亚玉报导）

PAGE 22

FOKUS

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

MENGENAI APOLOGETIK

Adakah Yesus Kristus disalibkan?

Oleh Diakon Dr Sherman Kuek, OFS

Dalam artikel sebelum ini, saya membuktikan penjelasan saya mengenai penyaliban Yesus daripada perspektif saksi-saksi dan kepercayaan Kristian awal.

Namun terdapat perkara-perkara lain untuk dihuraikan mengenai realiti penyaliban Kristus. d) Kehidupan manusia diubah oleh penyaliban itu.

Kita yang tekun membaca dan meneliti teks Kitab serta dokumen sejarah pasti maklum, dan mungkin terkejut, dengan perubahan dalam kehidupan murid-murid awal Yesus selepas penyaliban, kewafatan dan kebangkitanNya. Transformasi ini dalam pelbagai personaliti yang terlibat dalam seluruh drama berkenaan, dan seterusnya kemunculan Gereja awal, dengan sendirinya memberi bukti kukuh bagi ketulenan penyaliban Yesus. Transformasi mereka begitu mendalam sekali sehinggakan Gereja awal yang kuat muncul daripada keyakinan mereka.

Ia sudah ditentukan sebelum ini bahawa ramai orang, termasuk penentang Yesus sendiri, menyaksikan penyaliban dan kewafatan Yesus. Selepas pengebumian jasad Yesus, mereka malah mengawal pintu masuk ke kubur untuk memastikan jasadNya tidak akan dicuri. Maka itu apabila murid-murid awal mula mengajar secara agresif fakta tentang penyaliban dan kebangkitan Kristus, seperti dicerminkan dalam Kisah Para Rasul, dan jika ajaran mereka sekadar satu pembohongan, penentangpenentang ini pasti sudah mempamerkan mayat Yesus untuk mendedahkan mitos tentang penyalibanNya. Lanjutan daripada itu, jika Dia digantikan oleh lelaki lain di atas salib dan Yesus yang sebenar diangkat oleh Allah, sekurang-kurangnya mayat mangsa gantian sepatutnya masih dapat diperolehi untuk dipamerkan. Namun demikian, perkara sedemikian tidak pernah berlaku. Mereka yang mengawal kubur tidak mempamerkan sebarang mayat.

Memandangkan bukti tiada bagi sebarang mayat, digabungkan dengan keyakinan kuat mereka yang menyaksikan kewafatan dan kemunculan Yesus yang bangkit sehinggakan kehidupan mereka berubah dengan begitu radikal sekali, sebarang teori yang menafikan penyaliban dan kebangkitan Yesus Kristus tidak dapat dipertahankan. e) Ahli sejarah awal yang bukan Kristian percaya kepada penyaliban Yesus.

Sewaktu dan sejurus selepas zaman Yesus, tidak semua orang percaya kepadaNya atau mengikuti ajaranNya. Oleh kerana mereka bukan pengikut Yesus yang dedikasi, mereka tidak ada kepentingan peribadi di dalamNya. Namun demikian, beberapa orang daripada mereka yang merupakan ahli-ahli sejarah profesional memberikan kesaksian menerusi tulisan mereka tentang penyalibanNya. Di sini adalah beberapa contoh: [Nero] dengan palsu mendakwa bersalah, dan menghukum dengan penyeksaan paling teliti, orang-orang yang umumnya dipanggil orang-orang Kristian, yang dibenci kerana kebesaran mereka. Kristus, pengasas nama itu, dihukum mati oleh Pontius Pilatus, prokurator Yudea pada waktu pemerintahan Tiberius.

Tacitus Ahli Sejarah Romawi (Abad Ke-1/Ke-2) [Yesus] adalah Kristus, dan apabila Pilatus, menurut cadangan lelaki-lelaki utama di kalangan kami, menghukumnya untuk mati di atas salib, mereka yang menyayanginya pada mulanya tidak meninggalkannya; kerana dia muncul kepada mereka dalam keadaan hidup semula pada hari ketiga.

Josephus Ahli Sejarah Yahudi (Abad Ke-1/Ke-2) Penulis satira pada abad kedua bernama Lucian turut mencatatkan pemerhatiannya tentang “lelaki yang disalibkan di Palestin kerana dia memperkenalkan kultus baharu ini kepada dunia...” Lucian mengecam orang Kristian kerana “menyembah lelaki yang disalibkan itu dan hidup menurut undang-undangnya”.

Seorang uskup pada abad ke-10 bernama Apapius mendakwa, “Kita mendapati dalam banyak buku ahli falsafah bahawa mereka menyebut tentang hari penyaliban Kristus.” Dia menyenaraikan dan memetik tulisan-tulisan purba, ada di antaranya tidak diketahui sarjana pada zaman moden. Jika tulisan ini benar-benar masih wujud pada hari ini, kita pasti mempunyai banyak sekali tulisan daripada ahli sejarah sekular lain yang percaya kepada penyaliban lelaki yang dipanggil Yesus.

4. Perang salib dilancarkan untuk mengembalikan tanah yang telah dirampas oleh orang Muslim.

Sekarang, selepas mempertimbangkan pelbagai bukti bagi ketulenan penyaliban Yesus Kristus, kita mesti beralih kepada salib orang Kristian pada hari ini yang lebih ditanggapi sebagai lambang bagi semangat peperangan pada zaman purba dan bukannya penyaliban Yesus, Tuhan kita.

Perang salib merupakan siri kempen ketenteraan yang dilancarkan oleh orang Kristian di Eropah purba untuk menentang musuh mereka di antara abad ke-11 hingga abad ke-17. Matlamat yang diberikan oleh Pope Urban II ketika beliau pertama kali

(Bahagian IX)

mengutuskan mereka untuk melancarkan perang salib ini adalah pertama sekali, menyelamatkan orang Kristian dari Timur yang ditawan sebagai satu tugasan belaskasihan, dan kedua, membebaskan tempat suci Kristian daripada penjajahan Muslim.

Secara ringkasnya, perang salib bukan satu penaklukan, sebaliknya satu penaklukan semula; bukan satu rampasan tetapi mengambil balik dengan kekerasan apa yang telah dirampas secara salah daripada umat Kristian.

Menjelang akhir abad ke-11, iaitu ketika perang salib pertama dilancarkan, dua pertiga dunia Kristian sudah ditawan oleh tentera Muslim ketika itu: Palestin (kampung halaman Yesus Kristus), Mesir (tempat kelahiran ajaran monastik Kristian), dan Asia Minor (di mana jemaat Kristian pertama mula-mula diasaskan oleh Santo Paulus). Tempat-tempat ini amat penting sekali kepada teras agama Kristian.

Menjelang abad ke-14 hingga abad ke-16, orang Turk Othmaniah sudah menakluki bukan sahaja rakan Muslim mereka sendiri, tetapi mereka turut bergerak ke dunia Barat, menawan Constantinople (Istanbul) dan maju lebih jauh ke tengahtengah Eropah. Orang Eropah mula merenungkan kemungkinan bahawa Islam akan menakluki seluruh dunia Kristian. Mereka merumuskan dengan begitu gelisah sekali bahawa mereka perlu menggadai nyawa untuk cuba memastikan kelangsungan dunia Kristian.

Sudah tentulah, apabila membicarakan tentang perang salib, banyak butiran lain perlu dipertimbangkan. Namun pada asasnya, tidak seperti propaganda popular, perang salib merupakan satu tindakan untuk mempertahankan diri dan bukannya untuk melancarkan serangan. Agama Kristian sebagai satu kepercayaan dan satu kebudayaan cuba mempertahankan diri supaya ia tidak ditakluki.

Bagi orang Kristian di seluruh dunia, salib bukan simbol kemenangan kita dalam pertarungan politik. Ia merupakan simbol mengerikan bagi penyeksaan dan kewafatan Tuhan dan Guru kita yang mati di atas salib untuk membolehkan kita bersahabat dengan Allah.

Ini merupakan siri yang panjang. Dalam lebih 30 artikel, yang menjangkau tempoh lebih dua tahun, saya cuba menjawab dengan begitu teliti sekali empat perkara utama yang dikemukakan oleh rakan-rakan Muslim kita berhubung beberapa rukun asas tertentu dalam kepercayaan Kristian: 1) Adakah Al-Kitab Kristian telah diubah atau tercemar?, 2) Adakah orang Kristian menyembah tiga allah?, 3) Adakah Yesus benar-benar Tuhan?, dan 4) Adakah Yesus Kristus benar-benar disalibkan?

Mengenai perkara ini, kita pasti: Aku percaya kepada satu Tuhan, Yesus Kristus, Anak Tunggal Allah, Dilahirkan dari Bapa sebelum segala zaman.

Allah dari Allah, Terang dari Terang, Allah benar dari Allah benar, Dikandung, bukan dibuat, sama inti pati dengan Bapa; menerusiNya, segala perkara telah dibuat.

Demi kita manusia dan demi penyelamatan kita Dia turun dari syurga, dan oleh Roh Kudus dilahirkan oleh Perawan Maria, dan menjadi manusia.

Demi kita, Dia disalibkan di bawah Pontius Pilatus, Dia menanggung kematian dan dikebumikan, dan bangkit semula pada hari ketiga menurut Kitab.

Dia naik ke syurga Dan duduk di sebelah kanan Bapa.

Dia akan kembali lagi dalam kemuliaan untuk mengadili orang yang hidup dan orang yang mati dan kerajaanNya tidak akan berakhir.

Salib merupakan simbol mengerikan bagi penyeksaan dan kewafatan Tuhan dan Guru kita yang mati di atas salib untuk membolehkan kita bersahabat dengan Allah.

IMAN DAN HIDUP

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

PAGE 23

Bulan untuk berdoa, hormat dan ingat Apa yang paling mengejutkan saya ialah bukan hakikat bahawa dia menanggung kesedihannya dengan senyap selama setengah abad.

Bukan hakikat bahawa dia dapat memberitahu saya dengan tepat berapa umur bayi-bayinya pada hari ini jika mereka masih hidup. Bukan hakikat bahawa matanya bergenangan air mata ketika dia menceritakan kisahnya dengan orang yang tidak dikenalinya.

Apa yang mengejutkan saya ialah selepas kami habis berbual, saya melihat ke atas dan melihat seorang lagi wanita yang menunggu untuk bercakap dengan saya mengenai kehilangannya sendiri.

Kemudian seorang lagi di belakangnya.

Dan seorag lagi. Dan seorang lagi.

Selepas bercakap dan menulis secara terbuka tentang kemandulan, keguguran dan kehilangan bayi, saya sudah membiasakan diri dengan hakikat – sesungguhnya rahmat – bahawa setiap kali kita berkongsi cerita, orang lain akan tampil untuk menceritakan kisah mereka sendiri.

Namun saya masih membawa memori daripada malam pertama itu, di sebuah paroki tidak jauh dari paroki saya, di mana wanita demi wanita menunggu untuk menceritakan tentang kesedihan senyap mereka yang sama.

Setiap daripada mereka mengajar saya bagaimana cerita paling berat menjadi lebih ringan apabila kita membawanya bersama. Kami duduk dan bercakap hampir selama sejam. Tiada yang diperbetulkan oleh perbualan atau tangisan kami, tetapi kami pulang dalam keadaan lebih ringan.

“Pikul beban satu sama lain, dan dengan demikian kamu akan menunaikan hukum Kristus,” tulis St

oleh Laura Kelly Fanucci

Paul (Gal. 6:2). Seruan sama juga benar bagi kita pada hari ini, terutamanya pada bulan ini.

Sebagai orang Katolik, seruan kita kepada kehidupan keluarga – di dalam keluarga kita sendiri dan badan Kristus yang lebih umum – memerintah kita untuk menjalankan kerja belas-kasihan ini. Untuk menenangkan mereka yang bersedih. Untuk berdoa bagi mereka yang hidup dan mereka yang sudah meninggal dunia.

Oktober adalah Bulan Hormati Kehidupan. Ia juga Bulan Kesedaran Kehilangan Bayi dan Kehamilan serta bulan rosari.

Masa yang amat baik sekali untuk menyahut seruan supaya berdoa bagi mereka yang bersedih kerana kehilangan nyawa pada permulaan lagi.

Malah mereka yang berada di hujung kehidupan mereka di Bumi, orang bijaksana yang banyak belajar daripada

Hati ke hati...

dari pena penulis jemputan,

Fr Lazarus Swinie

“Tidak baik manusia hidup seorang diri. Aku akan menjadikan seorang teman yang sesuai untuk menolong dia (Kej. 2:18).

Allah membentuk seorang perempuan, lalu membawanya kepada lelaki itu (Kej. 2:22), mereka bukan lagi dua orang tetapi satu” (Mat. 19:6).

Dari petikan di atas saya percaya dan yakin bahawa perkahwinan adalah diperbuat di syurga.

M e m a n d a n g k a n perkahwinan adalah penyatuan dua insan yang mempunyai perasaan maka pendeta Lukas Kusuma dalam ceremahnya

tentang Keluarga Bahagia menyatakan “Mendirikan tangga rumah jauh lebih mudah daripada mendirikan rumahtangga”.

Perkahwinan bukan sahaja satu panggilan yang suci seperti yang tercatat pada petikan Alkitab di atas tetapi juga pengorbanan yang berterusan. Perkahwinan bukan hanya setakat pemberkatan di gereja atau membuat pesta besar-besaran tetapi adalah berpanjangan. Ianya adalah komitmen sepanjang hayat.

Semasa pemberkatan perkahwinan di gereja, keduadua mempelai akan berkata kepada satu sama lain, “Saya

hari-hari mereka yang panjang, masih membawa beban kesedihan ini. Cerita mereka, yang tertanam selama berdekaddekad, merupakan luka-luka yang dapat dibuka dengan emosi yang tidak dijangkakan.

Generasi pada masa lalu sering menanggung beban tambahan iaitu kerahsiaan dan keaiban. Doktor yang membawa keluar bayi mereka sebelum mereka dapat memegangnya. Suami yang tidak pernah bercakap mengenai bayi yang lahir mati. Saudara-mara yang memberitahu mereka untuk melupakan keguguran itu, teruskan kehidupan dan cuba lagi.

“Sekurang-kurangnya sekarang orang bercakap mengenainya,” kata mereka kepada saya, sambila mengelap mata yang bergenangan dengan kesedihan baharu. “Tidak ada orang yang membantu saya. Tidak ada orang yang mengambil berat.”

Menghadapi keperitan orang yang bersediah amat mencabar sekali bagi semua kita. Malah selepas saya menulis sebuah buku tentang keguguran bagi pasangan Katolik, saya masih was-was setiap kali saya menulis kad simpati atau menunggu dalam barisan selepas pengebumian. Apakah yang saya mungkin dapat katakan?

Namun Oktober mengingatkan saya untuk berkhidmat dengan amalan kasih yang paling mudah: hormat, berdoa dan ingat. Untuk mejadi gereja yang menjangkau dengan belas-kasihan, menghormati setiap nyawa yang hilang dan terus mengambil berat tentang mereka yang bersedih.

Apabila orang bertanya kepada saya apa untuk disebut kepada seseorang dalam kehidupan mereka yang kehilangan anak, saya menawarkan empat ungkapan mudah, empat ungkapan yang sanata gununkan setiap kali: “Saya begitu sedih. Saya mengasihi anda. Saya di sini untuk anda. Anda dan anak anda tidak akan dilupai.”

Inilah caranya kita berkembang dalam rasa belas kasihan bagi mereka yang bersedih. Hormatilah kesedihan mereka yang mendalam, berdoa untuk pemulihan mereka dan ingatilah keperitan mereka lama kelamaan.

“Saya telah memikirkan tentang bayi-bayi saya setiap hari sejak itu,” kata waita terakhir dalam barisan kepda saya pada malam itu. Sambil bersandar pada tongkat, dia tunduk ke hadapan dengan bisikan yang bergetar: “Setiap hari sejak itu.”

Saya tidak dapat melupakan katakatanya. Saya harap anda akan ingat juga.

CNS (Terjemahan)

Hanya ego seseorang yang menjadi batu penghalang dalam memperbaiki kehidupan berkeluarga berjanji setia kepadamu dalam susah ataupun senang, sihat ataupun sakit, dan saya mahu mencintai dan menghormatimu seumur hidup.” Harus diingat bahawa ungkapan tersebut bukanlah hanya sekadar pelengkap pada saat pemberkatan di gereja tetapi adalah perjanjian peribadi terhadap pasangan yang disusuli dengan kata-kata Yesus, “Apa yang disatukan Allah tidak boleh dipisahkan oleh manusia” (Mat. 19:6). Janji tersebut tidak boleh diubah sebab sebelum mengucapkannya, kedua mempelai sudah menyatakan kesediaan masing-masing, iaitu berjanji untuk menghormati suami atau isteri sepanjang hidup dan juga kesediaan untuk memikul tanggungjawab sebagai ibu dan bapa dalam keluarga.

Jika perkahwinan itu diperbuat di syurga, begitu juga dengan guruh dan petir. Itulah sebabnya gereja menekankan supaya setiap pasangan harus menghadiri kursus pra

perkahwinan dengan harapan agar setiap pasangan akan bersedia untuk menghadapi guruh dan petir dalam kehidupan berkeluarga kelak. Pendeta Lukas berkata, “Keluarga boleh bahagia, perkahwinan boleh bahagia bukan hanya kerana mukjizat dan campur tangan Tuhan tetapi perlu diusahakan, perlu dibangun sebuah perkahwinan yang berasaskan Tuhan.”

Perkahwinan Kristiani sepatutnya meletakan Yesus dihadapan.

Kehidupan berkeluarga bukannya untuk memenuhi keinginan tubuh dan kesenangan peribadi tetapi untuk kebajikan dan perasaan suami atau isteri dan anak-anak.

Yesus berpesan, “Apa yang kamu mahu orang lakukan kepadamu, lakukanlah demikian juga kepada mereka” (Lukas 6:31).

Dengan cara yang demikian sikap tolak ansur akan wujud, kasih sayang terhadap keluarga tidak akan berbelah bahagi.

Sekuat manapun guruh dan petir yang melanda keluarga tersebut

ianya tidak akan goyah.

Menuding jari kepada sesama tidak akan memperbetulkan keadaan.

Anak-anak yang tidak berdosa akan menjadi mangsa. Masalah keluarga yang disebabkan oleh pasangan yang tidak setia akan menghantui kehidupan anak-anak. Anak-anak adalah anugerah dari Tuhan dan patut diberi peluang untuk membesar dalam suasana yang dikehendaki oleh Tuhan.

Memberi keperluan secara kebendaan kepada anak-anak tidak dapat menggantikan cinta kasih ibubapa.

Kata Yesus, “Kasihilah satu sama lain. Sebagaimana Aku telah mengasihimu, kasihilah sesama sendiri” (Yoh. 13:34).

Tiada masalah yang terlalu besar dalam hubungan suami dan isteri yang tidak dapat diselesaikan. Saya percaya hanya ego seseorang yang menjadi batu penghalang dalam memperbaiki kehidupan berkeluarga.

Fr Lazarus Swinie

PAGE 24

IMAN DAN HIDUP

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

Sepuluh sebab bagi doa Rosari Suci Oleh Fr Ed Broom, OMV Motivasi merupakan kunci kepada sebarang usaha yang berbaloi. Lelaki dan wanita hebat mempunyai matlamat yang jelas dan motivasi yang kuat. Mereka tahu apa yang mereka inginkan dan mereka mempunyai rancangan yang jelas di hadapan mata mereka.

Malah lebih penting lagi bagi manusia yang dicipta dalam gambaran dan rupa Allah untuk mencapai matlamat itu - sampai ke syurga. Salah satu kaedah paling berkesan untuk mendapatkan penyelamatan abadi dengan Allah di syurga adalah menerusi doa. Doa adalah kunci kepada penyelamatan. Apa maksud oksigen bagi paru-paru kita adalah apa maksud doa bagi kehidupan jiwa kita. Kerana sebab itulah Saint Augustine menegaskan: “Dia yang berdoa dengan baik, hidup dengan baik; dia yang hidup dengan baik, mati dengan baik; dan dia yang mati dengan baik, segalanya adalah baik.”

Walaupun demikian, terdapat satu kaedah dan pengantara yang berkuasa di hadapan takhta Allah yang dapat membantu kita sampai ke syurga dan membantu kita di dalam kehidupan doa kita dan mendorong kita untuk menumpukan tenaga kita kepada Allah dan Allah sahaja – Bonda Perawan Maria.

Doa Kegemaran Maria Bonda kita mempunyai doa yang memenuhi hatinya dengan kegembiraan – doa Salam Maria dan Rosari Paling Suci. Setiap kali doa Salam Maria disebut dengan teliti dan hati yang ikhlas, hati Bonda kita penuh dengan kegembiraan. Maka itu, marilah kita menyajikan 10 perkara untuk mendorong kita untuk menyebut doa Rosari Paling Suci.

1. Bonda Kita di Fatima Bonda Kita menampakkan diri di Fatima, Portugal, enam kali kepada tiga orang kanak-kanak gembala yang kecil: Jacinta, Francisco dan Lucia. Dalam setiap daripada enam penampakan ini, Bonda Kita berkata: “Sebut doa Rosari.”

2. Gelaran Bonda Akhirnya pada hujung penampakannya, Bonda Kita memberikan kepada dirinya gelaran ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’ (Perawan Rosari). Maka itu, jika Bonda kita menegaskan sebanyak enam kali untuk menyebut doa Rosari dan malah memanggil diri ‘Our Lady of the Rosary’, akal fikiran memberitahu kita bahawa boda benarbenar mahukan kita untuk menyebut doa Rosari!

3. Pope John Paul II Gergasi rohani dan santo moden yang hebat ini amat menggalakkan dunia untuk menyebut doa Rosary Paling Suci. Dalam tulisannya ‘The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary’, Pope John Paul II menuntut agar kita menyebut doa Rosari.

Beliau sendiri berkata, pada permulaan pontifikat beliau, bahawa Rosari adalah doa kegemaran beliau.

4. Demi keluarga Dalam dokumen yang sama ini, St John Paul II menuntut agar kita menyebut doa Rosari demi keluarga yang sedang diserang dan dalam krisis. Dengan jumlah perpisahan dan perceraian yang semakin meningkat, dengan begitu ramai kanakkanak tanpa kemesraan keluarga, sekarang lebih daripada selama ini, kita mesti menyebut doa Rosari Paling Suci. Bapa Suci memetik paderi Rosari, Father Patrick Peyton: “Keluarga yang berdoa bersama kekal bersama.”

5. Demi keamanan dunia Dokumen St Pope John Paul II itu dikeluarkan ekoran serangan pengganas le atas Menara Berkembar di Bandaraya New York Maka itu, satu lagi sebab untuk menyebut doa Rosari sekarang, lebih daripada selama ini, adalah demi keamanan dunia. Dengan ancaman ISIS, senjata nuklear, dan ketegangan umum yang semakin meningkat di kalangan negara-negara, Rosari dapat menjadi perisai dan pelindungan kita.

Pada hujung Perang Dunia Pertama Bonda Kita di Fatima menyatakan dengan jelas bahawa peperangan berlaku kerana dosa; dan jika manusia tidak berhenti berdosa, maka Perang Dunia lebih buruk akan meletus. Dalam tempoh 20 tahun, Perang Dunia Kedua meletus.

Uskup Agung Fulton J. Sheen yang dihormati menyatakan perang dunia adalah

akibat daripada banyak perang individu yang dilancarkan di dalam hati orang yang berdosa, yang menular ke bandar, bandar raya, negara dan benua, dan kemudian perang besar meletus. Dosa menghasilkan perang; doa menghasilkan ketenangan hati, fikiran dan jiwa selain keharmonian di kalangan bangsa-bangsa!

6. Untuk menyelamatkan anak-anak kita Kita tidak pernah hidup dalam masyarkat dengan begitu banyak bahaya, terutamanya berhubung anak-anak dan remaja kita. Perkara amat penting adalah nilai kesucian. Media massa, agenda pengajaran dan sekolah moden, papan iklan dan poster, filem moden dan program TV menentang sekeras-kerasnya nilai kesucian.

Dan, secara jujur, kita hidup dalam masyarakat pornografi!

Kebaktian kepada Bonda Kita dan Rosari keluarga boleh menjadi perisai yang melindungi kita daripada serangan dan kekotoran yang menyelubungi dunia ini, terutamanya anak-anak kita dan golongan muda.

7. Untuk mengatur kekalutan kita Disebabkan oleh Dosa Asal yang semua kita warisi pada saat kita dikandung, kehidupan kita diwarnai kekalutan. Proses pemikiran kita, kehendak kita, keadaan emosi kita, jiwa kita, niat kita, keluarga kita dan kehidupan masyarakat – semua mempunyai kekalutan tertentu.

Dosa menyebabkan kekalutan, dia membawa kesusunan. Doa kepada Bonda Kita berkomunikasi dengan jiwa kita dan membantu kita untuk hidup dalam Roh Kudus.

Roh Kudus adalah Allah yang teratur. Dengan menyebut doa Rosari Paling Suci, Bonda Kita dapat membantu mengatur kekalutan di dalam kehidupan kita.

8. Untuk ketenangan fikiran dan jiwa dalaman Satu lagi kesan indah daripada menyebut doa Rosari Paling Suci adalah ketenangan fikiran, hati dan jiwa. Semua kita menginginkan kedamaian dan Bonda Rosari, juga dikenali dengan gelaran ‘Ratu Kedamaian”, sudah tentu dapat mendapatkan untuk kita kedamaian ini yang begitu didambakan oleh hati kita.

9. Ia adalah doa dari Al-Kitab Pope St John XXIII menyatakan Rosari adalah ringkasan bagi seluruh Injil. Ia benar-benar berdasarka Al-Kitab, malah Doa Bapa Kami dan Doa Salam Maria mempunyai asasnya dalam Injil.

Maka itu, dengan menyebut doa Rosari dengan bersemangat, kita akan lebih mengenali Yesus dan Maria seperti yang dibentangkan dari Firman Allah, kita jatuh cinta dengan mereka dan kemudian kita menjadi rasul-rasul mereka yang berkobarkobar dan bersemangat dalam dunia yang dicemari begitu banyak kedinginan da sikap acuh tak acuh.

Seperti apa yang diingatkan Pope Francis kepada kita dalam perutusannya sempena Musim Lent: Terdapat globalisasi sikap acuh tak acuh yang berleluasa kerana kasih Allah tidak ada di di dunia. Kasih ini dapat ditanam dan dinyalakan menerusi kasih Bonda Kita dan Rosari Suci – ringkasan bagi Injil dan doa yang sebenarnya berpusatkan Al-Kitab.

10. Untuk menakluki musuh kita David terpaksa menentang gergasi garang dan jahat, Goliath. Dari segi strategi, tidak mungkin budak gembela yang lebih kecil, mentah dan tidak bersedia itu dapat menakluki gergasi Goliath. Ia umpama seekor semut menentang seekor gajah.

Bagaimanapu, Al-Kitab mengajar kita satu kebenaran yang sangat nyata: tiada yang mustahil bagi Allah.

David melangkah dengan kepercayaan sepenuhnya kepada Allahnya, Tuhan syurga dan bumi. Semua kita tahu bagaimana penghujungnya! David melepaskan batu dari lastiknya; batu terkena dahi Goliath, yang tumbang di atas tanah dalam keadaan tidak sedar. David dengan cepat menarik pedang Goliath dan memenggal kepalanya. Kemenangan, disebabkan oleh campur tangan Allah!

Pada hari ini kita dikelilingi begitu ramai ‘Goliath’, hampir terlalu ramai untuk dikira! Bagaimanapun, bantuan kita adalah dalam nama Tuhan yang mencipta langit dan bumi. Marilah kita beralih kepada Ratu Syurga dan Bumi dan mengeluarkan lastik rohani kita iaitu Rosari Paling Suci dan memenangi pertarungan. Marilah kita mencari tempat pelindungan yang pasti di bawah mantel syurgawinya.

Catholic Exchange (Terjemahan)

Saudara-saudari dalam Kristus, Bulan Oktober merupakan bulan tradisi kita untuk menyebut doa rosari. Apabila anda berhimpun di rumah dan kejiranan anda, dalam Rosari Blok Keluarga, BEC, taman, kampung, marilah kita berdoa bersama Gereja universal untuk niat-niat Bapa Suci. “Jika satu anggota menderita, semua anggota menderita bersamanya” (1 Kor. 12:26). Pope Francis telah menyeru kepada umat Katolik di mana-mana sahaja untuk berdoa, berpuasa dan melakukan pelunasan bagi dosa-dosa pencabulan paderi yang melukai Gereja dan misinya. Gereja kita di Malaysia merupakan sebahagian daripada Tubuh Kristus yang universal, dan menderita bersama semua mangsa. Marilah kita berpaling kepada Maria, Bonda kita dan Bonda Gereja, pada bulan Rosari ini untuk berdoa bagi penyucian, pemulihan dan pembaharuan Gereja Katolik di mana-mana sahaja, bermula dengan keluarga, paroki dan keuskupan kita sendiri. Misa harian pada Jumaat terakhir iaitu 26 Oktober akan dirayakan untuk niat ini. Bentuk hukuman dosa lain pada bulan ini mungkin merangkumi penyembahan peribadi, amal kebajikan, amal korban, amal soleh serta amal-amal kerahiman jasmani dan rohani. Kita mesti merayu bagi kerahiman (belas kasihan) Allah ke atas Gereja dan dunia. Kami sentiasa dalam kesatuan doa dengan anda, Umat Allah.

Dikeluarkan oleh Uskup-uskup Katolik Malaysia pada 26 September 2018, Pulau Pinang.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

BERITA

PAGE 25

CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM

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

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

A

da orang yang begitu bodoh sehingga mereka memikirkan mereka dapat menjalani kehidupan tanpa bantuan Bonda Suci. Sayangi si Madonna dan sebut doa Rosari, kerana Rosarinya adalah senjata untuk menentang kejahatan di dunia pada hari ini. Semua rahmat yang diberikan oleh Tuhan disalurkan menerusi Bonda Suci.”

— Padre Pio

Jururawat dan pengamal perubatan antarabangsa menghadiri Kongres Dunia XX CICIAMS KUCHING — Jawatankuasa Jururawat dan Pembantu Sosial Perubatan Katolik Antarabangsa (CICIAMS) telah mengadakan Kongres Dunia Ke-20 di Kuching pada 4 hingga 7 September lalu, yang dihoskan oleh Catholic Nurses Guild Malaysia.

Tema bagi Kongres 2018, “Pendidikan untuk Kesihatan Lestari: Menangani Pembangunan, Menghormati Kehidupan”, diilhamkan oleh Matlamat Pembangunan Lestari Pertubuhan BangsaBangsa Bersatu 2015.

Seramai 280 wakil delegasi, termasuk wakil delegasi tuan rumah, menyertai kongres ini, dengan 149 wakil delegasi antarabangsa dari 18 buah negara Afrika, benua Amerika, Eropah dan Asia.

Dua penceramah utama menyentuh tentang tema kongres dengan meluas; Kardinal K. A. Peter Turkson, yang merupakan Pengawas bagi Dikasteri untuk Menggalakkan Pembangunan

Manusia Bersepadu, dan Profesor Datuk Dr Andrew Kiyu Dawie dari UNIMAS yang berucap mengenai Menghormati Kehidupan.

Sebanyak empat sesi plenari disampaikan dengan penceramah dari Amerika Syarikat, Singapura dan Afrika Selatan, manakala empat sesi meja bulat diadakan bersama penceramah dari England dan Wales, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Swaziland, Singapura dan Malaysia yang membahagikan pengetahuan dan pengalaman mereka yang meluas dengan wakil delegasi.

Sesi meja bulat memberikan kepada wakil delegasi perspektif dan gambaran yang unik dari pelbagai rantau dan negara tentang perkara-perkara penting yang memberi impak secara langsung kepada pembangunan lestari – isu-isu kebajikan yang menjejaskan kanak-kanak, belia dan warga emas dalam masyarakat.

Peranan jururawat dan bidan dalam dunia kontemporari pada hari ini tidak boleh diketepikan

CATHOLIC COVMUNITY BOOKSHOP Lot 4.08, Wisma Saberkas Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg 93000 Kuching Tel: 082 - 231741

(329947-X)

Salib Rosari Buku rohani Al-Kitab Muzik Idea hadiah Patung Altar Gambar suci

BUKA

Isnin - Sabtu/Cuti Umum 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Ahad 11.00 am - 5.00 pm

PENTING … Antara yang menghadiri Kongress Dunia XX CICIAMS termasuk Uskup Agung Simon Poh, Uskup Cornelius Sim dan Kardinal Turkson seperti apa yang didengari delegasi daripada penceramah dari Kenya, Mexico dan India tentang cabaran yang dihadapi jururawat dan pengamal lain dalam usaha menggalakkan dan melestarikan pembangunan kesihatan awam dalam bidang pemeliharaan alam sekitar dan dalam usaha menggalakkan penjagaan kesihatan yang holistik serta kesejahteraan keluarga, komuniti dan masyarakat.

Sepanjang Kongres, delegasi dilayan dengan keramahan Malaysia di mana pelbagai

hidangan tradisional kaum entik dan tarian kebudayaan telah dipersembahkan.

Kongres ini berakhir dengan Misa Penutupan di Katedral St Joseph yang dirayakan oleh Uskup Agung Simon Poh bersama Uskup Agung Emeritus John Ha, Uskup Cornelius Sim yang merupakan Presiden Suruhanjaya Penjagaan Kesihatan Pastoral dalam Persidangan Uskup-uskup Katolik Malaysia, Singapura dan Brunei.

Paderi dari negara peserta

bersama paderi tempatan turut menyertai perayaan penutupan Kongres Dunia XX CICIAMS. Catherine Pero, selaku Pengerusi Penganjur Jawatankuasa Kerja bagi Kongres Dunia XX CICIAMS, membahagikan beberapa perkara paling mencabar yang beliau dan jawatankuasa kerjanya hadapi dalam usaha untuk menganjurkan persidangan peringkat dunia itu selama empat tahun persiapan dijalankan.

“Cabaran terbesar adalah 2C, iaitu ‘coordination’ (penyelarasan) dan ‘communication’ (komunikasi), dalam usaha menganjurkan kongres dengan program pelbagai segi. Ini adalah kerana kita ada tiga badan utama yang berpangkalan di tiga buah kawasan geografi yang berlainan (Ireland, Kota Kinabalu dan Kuching) yang bekerja dalam usaha berpasukan yang bersepadu untuk menganjurkan Kongres ini. • Bersambung di ms26

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

E-mel: kprolife@gmail.com

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

BERITA

PAGE 26

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

Hari Bella St Ann 2018 naikkan semangat keberanian belia PADAWAN — Hari Belia St Ann (SAYD 2018) telah dianjurkan oleh Parish Youth Ministry (PYM) St Ann pada 15 hingga 17 September lalu di perkarangan Gereja St Jude, Kampung Stabut di Padawan.

Lebih 1,400 peserta yang berkampung untuk SAYD 2018 pada kali ini terdiri daripada pelbagai lapisan umur.

Pada tahun ini, SAYD dianjurkan secara besarbesaran seiring dengan Perayaan Jubli Emas Paroki St Ann yang ke-50 tahun.

SAYD 2018 memetik tema ‘Be Not Afraid’ (Lukas 1:30) yang secara tidak langsung menaikkan semangat dan keberanian belia agar lebih tabah dan berani dalam mengharungi cabaran keimanan sebagai umat Kristian Katolik yang muda.

Misa pembukaan dirayakan oleh Rektor St Ann, Friar Gerard Victor, OFM bersama Penasihat Kerohanian PYM St Ann, Friar Don Don Ramerez, OFM. Ahli Parlimen Puncak Borneo, Willie Ak Mongin, turut menghadiri Misa Pembukaan.

Upacara pembukaan yang diatur dengan persembahan tarian tradisional dan tarian ‘Laskar Kristus’ telah mengiringi perarakan masuk ‘Salib KAYD’ ke pentas utama.

Terdapat tiga sesi ceramah selama tiga hari SAYD 2018 diadakan.

Penceramah jemputan, Friar Aiden, OFM, dari

KAMI TIDAK TAKUT ... Lebih daripada 1,400 belia bergambar bersama-sama (depan, dari kiri) Friar Aiden, Friar David Au, Friar Don Don, Friar William dan Friar Gerard Singapura, menyampaikan seruan Bapa Suci, Pope Francis, Budaya pada malam pertama ceramah bertajuk ‘Apa itu dalam ensikliknya ‘Laudato Si’ merupakan malam pembukaan ketakutan?’ seiring dengan yang menginginkan kedamaian yang menampilkan persembahan tema SAYD kali ini. Ceramah bangsa serta keselamatan bumi belia dalam tarian disertai laguini sedikit sebanyak dapat daripada krisis yang dilakukan lagu pujian dan penyembahan. memberikan semangat dan oleh kita sebagai makhluk di Penyembuhan Luka Batin pada malam kedua merangkumi keyakinan diri dalam diri peserta muka bumi. supaya lebih berani tampil ke SAYD 2018 dimeriahkan Jam Kudus dalam Saat Teduh, hadapan dan menyuarakan dengan pelbagai aktiviti Sakramen Pengakuan Dosa dan pendapat mereka. sukaneka. Kampung Stabut seterusnya Sesi Pemulihan.

‘St Ann Got Talent’ juga Friar Don Don Ramerez, yang berhampiran Sungai Serin OFM pula menyampaikan telah membolehkan Sukan diadakan di mana peserta yang ceramah bertajuk Pertaubatan Air diadakan selain sukaneka berminat telah menyerlahkan yang membantu belia membuka daratan yang lainnya. Semangat bakat masing-masing. Terdapat pintu hati mereka ke arah bekerjasama di kalangan belia 20 kumpulan dan individu dengan aksi-aksi penyembuhan luka-luka batin. berjaya dipupuk walaupun berentap Peserta turut didedahkan mereka baharu sahaja mengenali hebat yang sangat mencuit hati dan peserta tidak putusdengan ceramah kesedaran satu sama lain. mengenai pemuliharaan dan Dua malam SAYD diisi putus memberikan sorakan dan pemeliharaan alam sekitar yang dengan Konsert Kerohanian dorongan.

Seperti tema SAYD, disampaikan oleh Friar David Budaya dan Sesi Penyembuhan Au, OFM. Beliau menyampaikan Luka Batin. Konsert Kerohanian ‘Jangan takut’, begitu juga

dengan peserta yang berani mempamerkan bakat mereka dengan penuh keyakinan.

Pada Misa Penutupan SAYD 2018, Friar William Lee, OFM bersama semua paderi Paroki St Ann telah “turun padang” merayakan Misa.

Sokongan yang diberikan oleh semua paderi paroki sesungguhnya telah menaikkan semangat peserta yang berkobar-kobar mengikuti acara seperti ini.

Pada akhir Misa, dalam Upacara Penutupan, pengumuman telah dibuat bahawa tuan rumah untuk SAYD 2019 adalah Gereja St John de Brebeuf, Kampung Tematu.

SAYD 2018 telah menempa beberapa sejarah baharu antaranya: daripada 1,400 peserta yang mendaftar, penyertaan peserta lelaki lebih ramai daripada peserta perempuan.

Tempoh penganjuran SAYD telah ditambah kepada tiga hari dua malam berbanding dua hari satu malam sebelum ini yang membolehkan pengayaan aktiviti seperti sukaneka, Sukan Air selain persembahan Bakat Belia.

Untuk lebih banyak gambaran bagi suasana SAYD 2018, layarilah laman Facebook rasmi paroki iaitu ‘St Ann Catholic Church Kota Padawan’.

Semoga berjumpa lagi pada SAYD 2019.

Angeline & Jiji

Jururawat dan pengamal perubatan antarabangsa menghadiri Kongres Dunia XX CICIAMS • Bersambung dari ms25 “Selain itu, kita ada ahli dalam jawatankuasa kerja kita dari seluruh Malaysia.

Tambahan lagi, kita ada pelbagai peringkat kelulusan di dalam Gereja selain dengan kerajaan yang diperlukan bagi keputusan tertentu untuk melangkah ke peringkat seterusnya.

Dalam semua itu, cabaran adalah untuk memastikan semua orang berkenaan sentiasa diberi maklumat dan dikemaskinikan dalam setiap langkah perjalanan.

Kedua, memandangkan pendaftaran peserta dibuat secara berasingan oleh sebuah badan lain, ia adalah sukar untuk menjangkakan keperluan delegasi yang datang dari 21 buah negara di seluruh dunia termasuk

sekumpulan warga Mexico yang tidak bercakap dalam Bahasa Inggeris, dan memerlukan kami untuk mencari seorang penterjemah Bahasa Sepanyol.

Pada mulanya sambutan dari seberang laut dan delegasi tempatan tidak begitu menggalakkan, menjadikannya mencabar bagi Jawatankuasa Kerja untuk menentukan dan mengesahkan pelbagai program sampingan bagi kongres ini.

Ahli tempatan merasakan yuran kongres tidak dapat dijangkau mereka. Maka itu Jawatankuasa Kerja perlu mengumpul dana dan mencari penaja untuk membantu dengan yuran pendaftaran bagi wakil delegasi yang layak. Sehubungan ini, kami sangat gembira kerana kami berjaya mendapatkan tajaan untuk lapan wakil delegasi asing dan 14 orang

paderi dan religius tempatan dari Sabah dan Sarawak. Selain itu, geran sebanyak RM40,000 daripada Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak amat bertepatan sekali kerana ia membantu untuk menampung sebahagian daipada perbelanjaan penganjuran.”

Mengenai harapan dan aspirasi beliau dari kongres itu, Catherine berkata, “Agar Catholic Nurses Guild (CNG) Malaysia diperkenalkan kepada dunia dan kongres ini telah memberi pengalaman yang tidak dapat dilupakan oleh penganjur dan delegasi.

“Bagi delegasi, saya harap mereka memperolehi pengetahuan dan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang kebudayaan dan bahasa kita menerusi pelbagai program sampingan yang kami telah atur untuk mereka.”

Mengenai beberapa nilai yang beliau telah perolehi daripada penganjuran Kongres ini, yang beliau ingin kongsikan bersama pembaca Today’s Catholic, Catherine berkata ia adalah sangat penting untuk sentiasa berdoa dan memohon campur tangan Tuhan.

Rendahkan hati dan beranikan diri untuk bertanya apabila ada keraguan dan sentiasa bersabar kerana perselisihan sentiasa akan ada.

“Hargai anggota pasukan anda dan mereka yang membantu menjayakan acara anda,” ujarnya.

Akhir sekali, katanya, ia juga amat penting untuk sentiasa memaklumkan anggota pasukan, mendapatkan cadangan mereka dan membuat perancangan sebagai persiapan untuk sebarang kemungkinan.

Baginya, ia adalah satu kepuasan untuk melihat usaha berpasukan yang bersepadu serta sesuatu yang menggembirakan untuk melihat cabaran berjaya diatasi dengan penyelesaian yang kreatif.

Catherine Pero juga merupakan Naib Presiden Catholic Nurses Guild Malaysia.

Beliau kini seorang pensyarah dan Ketua Sekolah Kejururawatan di Kolej Teknologi Lanjutan Antarabangsa Sarawak. Beliau mempunyai pengalaman selama 40 tahun dalam bidang kejururawatan, termasuk 10 tahun dalam kejururawatan amali dan 30 tahun dalam pendidikan.

Marcella Zhang (Terjemahan)

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

BERITA

Seminar mengenai kebaktian Kerahiman Ilahi

BUNAN-TEBEDU — Sempena perayaan jubli Paroki St Jude, paroki tersebut telah menganjurkan seminar selama tiga hari mengenai Kerahiman Ilahi pada 20-22 Julai lalu di dewan paroki untuk ketua sembahyang, ahli majlis pastoral paroki, anggota Ladies’ Guild, warden dan sebagainya.

Seminar tersebut diselaraskan oleh Kerasulan Kerahiman Ilahi.

Ia turut disertai kumpulan Kerasulan Kerahiman Ilahi dari Telupid Sabah, Miri, Sibu, Kuching dan Serian.

Kumpulan Lumen Christie dari Jakarta yang diketuai Father Yohanes Subagio, seorang bekas Vikar Jeneral Jakarta, menyampaikan ceramah mengenai teologi Kerahiman Ilahi, kehidupan Saint Faustina dan sebab-sebab

BERBELAS-KASIHAN … Penceramah dan peserta di seminar kebaktian Kerahiman Ilahi. kenapa Kebaktian Kerahiman menutup seminar dengan Misa Ilahi mesti digalakkan.

Kudus.

Pada hujung hari kedua, Selepas Misa, sesi Eksposisi Sakramen Kudus penyembuhan dan doa untuk diadakan dengan perarakan di orang sakit telah diadakan. dalam gereja.

Boniface Panyon Uskup Agung Simon Poh (Terjemahan)

Seminar Kehidupan Dalam Roh Kudus

DEWAN DIPENUHI ... Para peserta yang menyertai seminar Kehidupan Dalam Roh Kudus telah melebihi jangkaan pihak penganjur BATU KAWA — dari Gereja St Mark malah juga Katolik Keuskupan Agung Jawatankuasa Induk Gereja peserta dari Paroki St Joseph Pontianak seramai 40 orang.

Seminar dimulakan dengan St Mark telah menganjurkan dan beberapa gereja Katolik lain Misa yang dirayakan oleh Seminar Kehidupan Dalam di sekitar Kuching.

Roh Kudus pada 31 Ogos Seminar yang bertemakan Uskup Agung Simon Poh hingga 1 September lalu ‘Bangunlah dan dipenuhi oleh bersama pastor yang mengiringi dari Pontianak di Dewan Besar St Joseph, Roh Kudus’ (Efesus 5:14,18) kumpulan ACCPC, Kuching. dikendalikan oleh penceramah tersebut dan diakhiri dengan Seminar tersebut yang dan fasilitator yang diringi Misa Senja bersama jemaat Innocensius dari pada keesokan harinya di julung kalinya dianjurkan Father oleh Gereja St Mark menarik Badan Pelayanan Keuskupan katedral. lebih 400 peserta bukan sahaja Pembaharuan Karismatik Cosmas Klumai

Salib KAYD sampai di Saratok

SARATOK — Pada 9 September lalu, perayaan Misa Kudus di Gereja St Ignatius Saratok telah dimulakan dengan acara membawa masuk salib KAYD 18 ke dalam gereja oleh belia dari Gereja Our Lady Queen of Peace Sri Aman, Gereja Holy Family Betong, Gereja St Anthony Skrang dan Gereja St Ignatius Saratok.

Ini diikuti bacaan Injil dan juga penerangan tentang KAYD oleh Brian Anak Leonusia. Tema pada tahun ini iaitu ‘Be Not Afraid’ (Jangan Takut) bertujuan untuk meraikan festival belia peringkat Keuskupan Agung Kuching 2018 di samping menyampaikan mesej kepada anak-anak muda

PIKUL SALIB... Belia bersiap sedia untuk membawa salib KAYD ke dalam gereja khasnya belia Paroki Sri Aman supaya mencontohi Bonda Maria yang berani melakukan kehendak Allah Bapa untuk menyempurnakan rencana

penyelamatan umatNya. Program ini juga berjaya mengeratkan hubungan dan kesatuan dalam cinta kasih Tuhan Yesus. - Rossita Guang

PAGE 27

Perayaan 2 dalam 1: Ulang tahun kepaderian dan Hari Perayaan ‘Our Lady Queen of Peace’

TAHNIAH ... Hadirin menyanyikan lagu ulang tahun sebelum Fr Jepy memotong kek.

SRI AMAN — Pada 18 Ogos lalu, Paroki Our Lady Queen of Peace telah meraikan serentak dua sambutan yang sangat bermakna. Majlis makan malam khas diadakan sempena sambutan Hari Perayaan ‘Our Lady Queen of Peace ‘ dan Ulang Tahun Kepaderian Ke-40 untuk Father Augustine Jepy.

Uskup Agung Simon Poh yang turut hadir menyatakan rasa bangga dan berbesar hati di atas bimbingan dan khidmat Fr Jepy dalam Keuskupan Agung Kuching sehingga kini.

Antara aktiviti yang telah diadakan adalah acara memotong kek, persembahan

nyanyian, karaoke dan cabutan bertuah.

Fr Jepy yang ditahbis pada 1 November 1978 menyatakan rasa gembira dan sukacita dalam melayani jemaat Tuhan kerana dapat melihat orang lain bersukacita melalui peranannya sebagai paderi.

Beliau juga merasa bertuah dan bersyukur kerana dapat berkhidmat di bawah tiga orang uskup agung, iaitu Uskup Agung Peter Chung, Uskup Agung John Ha dan Uskup Agung Simon Poh, yang telah membimbing dan menyokong kepaderian beliau selama ini. - Rossita Guang

SELAMAT BERJAYA! ... Pada 5 September lalu, kira-kira 40 orang pelajar Katolik SMK Engkilili menghadiri Misa untuk peperiksaan Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) yang dirayakan oleh Father Robert Jissem. Turut hadir adalah beberapa orang belia dan juga katekis dari Paroki Our Lady Queen of Peace

SEMOGA BERJAYA ... Salah seorang calon Pentaksiran Tingkatan Tiga (PT3) meletakkan alat tulis untuk diberkati dalam Misa khusus bagi calon PT3 di Gereja St Stephen, Bau pada 29 September lalu. Misa tersebut dirayakan oleh Father Benard Jim Bujang untuk mendoakan kejayaan pelajar yang menduduki Peperiksaan Tingkatan 3.

BERITA

PAGE 28

TODAY’S CATHOLIC OCTOBER 2018

Gereja ‘Our Lady Star of the Sea’ diberkati dan dibuka secara rasmi BINTAWA — Pada 17 September lalu, bersama jemaat Katolik dari paroki bandar raya Kuching, jemaat Bintawa menyaksikan pembukaan dan pemberkatan Gereja ‘Our Lady Star of the Sea’ yang baharu oleh Uskup Agung Simon Poh. Turut hadir adalah Uskup Agung John Ha dan 13 orang paderi, termasuk paderi paroki Gereja St Peter, Padungan, Father Vincent Chin.

Dalam homilinya, Uskup Agung Simon berkata gereja itu merupakan tempat di mana kita dapat berhubung dengan Tuhan. Beliau menggesa jemaat Katolik Bintawa untuk membawa kasih dan belas kasihan yang mereka telah

alami kepada semua orang yang mereka jumpa.

Gereja ‘Our Lady Star of the Sea’ adalah sebahagian daripada Paroki St Peter di bawah penjagaan pastoral Fr Vincent. Gereja itu diurus oleh sebuah jawatankuasa yang menyelaras pelbagai aktiviti untuk memenuhi keperluan rohani jemaat Bintawa.

Pada hujung Misa, pengerusi jawatankuasa Gereja ‘Our Lady Star of the Sea’, James Jonik, memberi ucapan terima kasih kepada semua mereka yang telah membantu dalam apa jua cara untuk merealisasikan gereja itu.

Dalam ucapannya yang ringkas, Fr Vincent menyuarakan kesyukurannya kepada semua

Diakon baharu untuk Keuskupan Agung Kuching

Diakon John Direk BAU — Selepas melengkapkan latihannya di seminari dan persiapan yang intensif selama sebulan, Seminarian John Direk telah ditahbiskan sebagai seorang diakon pada 23 September lalu di Gereja St Stephen, Bau. Pentahbisan diakonat itu dikendalikan oleh Uskup Agung Simon Poh dan dihadiri lebih seribu jemaat.

Ia ternyata saat yang menggembirakan bagi diakon yang baharu ditahbis itu

apabila beliau menyampaikan ucapan terima kasih kepada Uskup Agung dan semua paderi yang telah membimbingnya sepanjang tempoh formasi sehingga beliau mencapai diakonat.

Beliau juga mengucapkan terima kasih kepada ibu bapanya di atas sokongan penuh mereka ketika beliau berada di seminari.

Diakon John Direk berasal dari Kampung Apar, Singai, Bau. Beliau adalah anak kedua daripada 14 orang anak Direk anak Jiom dan Lisiness anak Gadiam. Selepas beliau bekerja sebagai seorang juruelektrik dan tukang paip sambilan selama 10 tahun, beliau menyertai seminari pada Februari 2010 di usia 30 tahun.

Diakon John Direk akan berkhidmat di Paroki St Stephen, Bau, sehingga pelantikan selanjutnya.

Andrew Riging (Terjemahan)

PUJI TUHAN ... Uskup Agung Simon Poh memberkati gereja baharu Bintawa, termasuk altar Ekaristi penaja korporat dan anggota Beliau terutamanya paroki yang telah menyumbang berterimakasih kepada seorang wang tunai dan barangan yang penderma tidak dikenali yang membolehkan gereja baharu itu telah menyumbang RM1.5 juta kepada projek pembinaan itu. siap dengan jayanya.

Uskup Agung Simon meminta anggota paroki ‘Our Lady Star of the Sea’ untuk memberitahu pekerja Katolik di sekitar kawasan Bintawa tentang gereja baharu itu dan menggalakkan mereka untuk datang dan menghadiri sembahyang Misa.

Bermula pada 23 September lalu, Misa dalam Bahasa Malaysia diadakan setiap Ahad di gereja baharu pada jam 10.30 pagi.

Pembinaan gereja tersebut bermula pada November 2016 dan siap pada Mei 2018.

Jumlah kontrak keseluruhan adalah RM2,601,067 juta.

Audrey Yu (Terjemahan)

Ahli Ladies Guild diingatkan tentang peranan ibu bapa

PADAWAN — Pada 2 September lalu, Ladies Guild Paroki St Ann telah menganjurkan Seminar Keluarga di Gereja St Emily Kampung Krian dengan tema ‘Peranan Ibu Bapa Katolik di Zaman Moden Kini’.

Seramai 230 orang peserta dan 15 orang belia turut menyertai program setengah hari itu.

Program dimulakan dengan perayaan Misa Kudus di Gereja St Michael Teng Bukap yang dipimpin oleh Friar Gerard Victor, OFM. Selepas itu, program diteruskan lagi di Kampung Krian dengan aktiviti seperti ‘ice breaking’, ‘Sing Along’ dan ceramah yang disampaikan oleh Friar Don Don Ramerez, OFM. Banyak yang dipelajari daripada seminar ini, antaranya peranan kita sebagai ibu bapa di zaman moden ini. Sesungguhnya

PUJI TUHAN ... Ahli-ahli Ladies Guild bernyanyi bersamasama semasa sesi ‘Sing Along’ ada di kalangan kita adalah ibu yang berada di sekililing kita. bapa yang terlalu sibuk bekerja Nilai-nilai keagamaan sehingga tidak mempunyai sangat penting dan harus masa untuk bersama keluarga. diterapkan dalam keluarga kita Gajet juga merupakan salah sebagai keluarga Katolik. satu pemusnah keluarga bahagia Seminar tamat pada pukul pada zaman kini, kerana kita 2.00 petang dengan acara ‘sing kerap melayani telefon bimbit along’ dan doa penutup yang dan melayari laman sesawang dipimpin oleh Friar Don Don. sehingga lupa dengan orang Alice Lidup

Makna kehidupan adalah kasih, kata paus KOTA VATIKAN — Pada hari ini, lebih daripada selama ini, dunia memerlukan revolusi kelemahlembutan, kata Pope Francis.

“Daripada sekadar sentimentalisme, kelemahlembutan adalah langkah pertama dalam usaha mengatasi tindakan berundur ke dalam diri sendiri, untuk muncul daripada sikap mementingkan diri yang merosakkan kebebasan manusia,” katanya pada 13 September lalu.

“Kelemahlembutan Tuhan membimbing kita untuk memahami bahawa kasih adalah makna kehidupan,” kata paus itu kepada

peserta persidangan ‘Teologi Kelemahlembutan Pope Francis’ di Assisi pada 14-16 September.

Kepercayaan Katolik mengikat kelemahlembutan dengan teologi yang tidak dapat dileraikan, yang dipanggil “untuk menyampaikan kekonkritan Allah sebagai kasih”, katanya.

Teologi kelemahlembutan, kata paus, menunjukkan “keindahan rasa dikasihi Tuhan” dan keindahan merasai keperluan untuk mengasihi orang lain dalam nama Tuhan.

“Apa pun yang berlaku, apa pun yang kita buat, kita pasti bahawa Tuhan dekat, berbelaskasihan, bersedia unuk rasa disentuh oleh kita,” katanya,

“Kelemahlembutan Tuhan membimbing kita untuk memahami bahawa kasih adalah makna kehidupan.”

— Pope Francis kerana Tuhan mengasihi anakanakNya. “Apabila orang rasa benarbenar dikasihi, mereka juga rasa dapat mengasihi,” katanya.

“Lagi pun, jika Allah adalah kelemahlembutan abadi, maka manusia – yang dicipta menurut gambaranNya – juga berupaya menunjukkan kelemahlembutan.”

“Kita rasa terpanggil untuk mencurahkan ke atas dunia kasih yang diterima oleh Tuhan, untuk mempersembahkannya di

dalam gereja, dalam keluarga, dalam masyarakat, untuk menyertainya dalam pelayanan dengan memberi diri,” dan semua itu dibuat “bukan kerana kewajipan, tetapi kerana kasih”, katanya.

Ia adalah teologi “berjalan”, melangkah keluar dari “cekekan” yang sering mengunci teologi dan berjalan menuju Tuhan sambil memimpin tangan orang lain, kata paus.

Ia adalah teologi yang tidak “narsisistik” (kagum dengan

diri sendiri) tetapi melanjutkan diri untuk berkhidmat kepada masyarakat, “teologi yang tidak berpuas hati dengan mengulangi paradigma masa lalu” tetapi sentiasa ingin menjadi “Firman yang menjadi manusia”.

“Maka itu, banyak kerja perlu dibuat untuk teologi dan untuk misinya pada hari ini: menjelmakan Firman Tuhan untuk gereja dan untuk manusia pada alaf ketiga,” kata Pope Francis.

“Hari ini lebih daripada selama ini, revolusi kelemahlembutan amat diperlukan.

Ini akan menyelamatkan kita.”

CNS (Terjemahan)

Published by: The Archbishop of Kuching, Batu 1, Jln Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching. Printed by: Bahagia Press Sdn Bhd (86546-K), Lot 225, Section 49, Jalan Padungan Utara, 93100 Kuching. Tel: 082-238900