FEBRUARY 9, 2014, Vol 64, No 03

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2014

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More activities needed for Christian unity This was a common cry among participants of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

VOL 64

NO. 3

INSIDE HOME Catholic Theological Institute of S’pore launched Hailed as ‘milestone’ for local Church „ Page 5

Archbishop Chia marks golden jubilee as priest Well-wishers crowd Nativity Church to celebrate „ Page 10

ASIA Unrest in Thailand Priest stresses non-violence to protesters „ Page 11

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0 4 Christian leaders in Singapore stressed the need for Christian unity at two ecumenical celebrations recently. “Many of us think of Christian unity like icing – it’s nice, sweet, but not really essential,� said Rev Dr Gordon Wong, President of the Trinity Annual Conference, The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held at the Trinity Theological College, on Jan 21, he compared the divisions among Christians to a mother with two successful sons. The boys were both doing well individually, but the “competitiveness between the sons remains permanently�, he said to the crowd which included both Protestants and Catholics. The relationship is more of “toleration rather

than love, and distance rather than unity�, he added. In the second service, held at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea on Jan 24, Fr John Joseph Fenelon stressed that Catholics and Protestants “should focus on what we have in common� rather than look “at our differences�. “One fundamental fact is that we believe in God,� he said. “This wonderful union and communion [with God] was given to us at baptism,� he added. “If we believe in this unity given to us

Such services ‘should be ongoing, perhaps once a month or once every two months’. 8 * 4 4 9) ( + '

at baptism, this unity among us as Christians must prevail. We cannot be one with God and not one with one another.� Fr Fenelon also stressed, “I hope that this is not the only event we will have this year, but that we’ll be able to have more collaboration� with various Churches “as a sign of unity�. The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which ran from Jan 18-25 worldwide, was Has Christ Been Divided? Representatives from various Christian Churches, including priests and pastors, led various segments of the two services, which featured songs, prayers of repentance, intercessory prayers, readings and a commitment to unity. During both services, there was also a segment to thank God for various blessings such „ Continued on Page 25

Pope to visit Asia? S Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka are possibilities „ Page 12

POPE FRANCIS Christian division ‘a scandal’ Pontiff urges prayer, „ Page 15

FOCUS Did humans evolve from monkeys? Fr Henry Siew gives his take on the issue „ Page 19

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Montfortian institutions launch education charter Described as a ‘basic road map’ for all seven institutions. Clara Lai reports. A new education charter for the seven Montfortian institutions in Singapore was launched on Jan 18 with much fanfare. About 800 educators and students gathered for the event held during the Montfortian Education Symposium 2014 at ITE College Central auditorium at Ang Mo Kio. The symposium is believed to be

stitutions here under the Schools of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel. During the gathering, a mandala – a circular symbol representing wholeness – in which the eight dimensions of the Montfortian Education Charter (MEC) was listed, was unveiled. These are: inclusive education; participatory methodology; innovation and creativity; the best interest of the child; partnership and networking; respect for community of life; quest for excellence; and a spiritual vision. Staff members of the seven institutions as well as the Board of Governors had put their thumbprints on the mandala as a “symbol of their ownership of the MEC and their partnership in the work of the Montfort Brothers�, Gabrielite Br

Dominic Yeo-Koh, Supervisor of Schools, told CatholicNews. In Singapore, the Montfortian schools are Assumption English School, Assumption Pathway School, Montfort Junior School, Montfort Secondary School, St Gabriel’s Primary School, St Gabriel’s Secondary School and Boys’ Town. Br Dominic, in his opening

It is a good ‘ beginning of what we should be looking out for in our Montfort education.

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– Br John Kallarackal, Superior General of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel

prayer and address during the recent symposium, noted that: “Today, we’re celebrating our commitment to carry out our founder’s mission from some 300 years ago.� A video of the life of the founder, St Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716) was also shown. Br Francis Chua, Provin-

Launch of the Montfortian Education Charter at the ITE College Central.

cial Superior for the Province of Malaysia-Singapore, told the crowd, “We need to re-position our [Montfortian] education mission that speaks to the world of the 21st century. To realise this effort, we need to create a synergy among all partners in education.� The “charter is a basic road map that should guide us�, he stressed. Br John Kallarackal, Superior General of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel, echoed this in his keynote address. “The launch of the Montfort Education Charter is an expres

education mission for the years to come,� he added. “It is not the last word, but rather it is a good beginning of what we should be looking out for in our Montfort education.� In his response to the keynote address, Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang, a former Montfortian student himself, told the audience, “We are blessed to have three bishops who have had the Montfortian education – Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia in the 1950s, myself in the 60s, and Archbishop William Goh in the 70s.� Archbishop Chia was also present at the symposium. During the event, choirs and dance groups from several of the schools performed for the crowd. Several people CatholicNews spoke to later said they found the symposium uplifting. St Gabriel’s Secondary School principal Stephen Chin said it was “timely that the charter was launched� to give a “clearer meaning of what we do as a fam-

Some of the Montfortian institutions showcased their performing arts groups, including a dance by students from Assumption English School (above) and a choir performance by Montfort Secondary School’s Chorale (below).

ily of institutions�. “This is only the start of the journey to understand the values of education of our founder,� he added. “It’s part of a larger effort to talk about what we do and keeping the legacy alive.� Mr Simon Lim, head of department of Hospitality at Assumption Pathway School, said he hopes to “bring the awareness of this Montfortian heritage� to his students through various ways like assembly talks, and to “collaborate more with the Gabrielite community this year�. Ms Hajar Rahman, 29, a Mus-

lim and a teacher at Montfort Junior School said, “It is good that we get to meet everyone else from the other Montfortian schools, to know that there’s so many of us.� The educational heritage of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel can be traced back to the early 18th century when four Brothers who had worked with the founder were entrusted to look after charitable schools for poor children in France. This educative mission later spread to 32 countries. „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

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Young Charismatic leaders pick up skills for ministry Fr Lionel Thomas conducting a retreat for 16 cabin crew members.

Cabin crew on retreat

A formation programme for Charismatic youth leaders has empowered them greatly in their ministries, say participants. “I felt that after this camp, I’m fully ready to step up to God’s calling and lead others!� said Shaun Lee, 18, from the Church of the Holy Trinity. “Times might be hard but I’m sure with God’s grace, nothing is impossible!� “After this leadership training, I’m more empowered and motivated to do more, push myself and give everything back to God,� said Johanna Canlas, 29, also from Holy Trinity Church. Lee and Canlas were among 70 young Catholics who attended the Jan 17-19 formation programme, held at the Choice Retreat House in Jurong West. It was for leaders of youth

to SACCRE Youth. SACCRE is short for Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The camp aimed to help participants grasp God’s call to holiness in their lives, and equip them with leadership skills for their ministries, such as leadership

time management. During the camp, Mr C C Joseph, who is with the Jesus Youth International Formation Team, told participants that God calls

Christians to die to self and live for Him. Christians are called to give a full and total response to God’s call without any conditions. In another session, partici

Jonah and Zacchaeus. They learnt that Jonah’s call was to preach repentance while Zacchaeus’ call was a change of heart. The last day of the camp focused on the characteristics of Christian leadership and what is needed in a youth ministry. One point Mr Joseph highlighted was that good leaders always create new leaders. As a follow up to this program, SACCRE Youth is planning for a charism workshop sometime in the middle of the year. The aim is to help youth leaders exercise their Charismatic gifts within the proper pastoral guidance of the Church when they minister to other young people. There are six groups currently " #

comprising three parish groups – Holy Trinity Youth Ministry, Emmaus Young Adults (Church of St Mary of the Angels), Kanektas (St Joseph Church, Bukit Timah) – and archdiocesan groups Living Stone Campus Outreach, Jesus Youth, and NTU Charismatic Prayer Group. „

Participants at the SACCRE Youth formation camp pose for a photo. The camp aimed to help participants grasp God’s call to holiness in their lives.

Sixteen cabin crew members from various airlines took time

to attend a retreat conducted by a priest who used to be a crew member himself. Malaysian Fr Lionel Thomas, $% &

& coming a priest in 2011, said he felt prompted to reach out to cabin crew and help them in their faith journey. The retreat, themed Your Face O Lord Do I Seek – Psalm 27:8, was held at the Marriage Encounter House in Punggol from Jan 20-21. It consisted of group sharings and presentations, Masses, Stations of the Cross, praise and worship, Eucharistic adoration and confession. Fr Lionel also shared his experiences as a former cabin crew, and used the Gospels and readings to explain how Catholics in the

industry can practise their faith

' Retreatants said they found the retreat helpful. Ms Denise He, 26, said she found it easy to relate to what was presented as Fr Lionel shared his own personal experiences using airline jargon. She added that she looks forward to reaching out in faith to people she meets overseas and in the course of her work. * %+

retreat helped him learn how to be more patient with fellow crew members and passengers. He

to handle the challenges of the job knowing that Jesus did not have an easy time Himself. Mr Martin Paulo, 56, shared that he came with an open mind and found the retreat enriching. He added that he rediscovered his faith in many ways. „

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Reaching out in Phnom Penh By Damian Png A missionary outreach to Cambodia by Church group ACTS (A Call to Share) saw 281 participants, including members of other faiths, joining hands to assist the less privileged in Phnom Penh. Some 120 doctors, dentists, and National University of Singapore medical and dental students, were also part of this mission that ACTS coordinates each year. The Dec 14-21 trip kicked off with about 60 participants visiting Peace CafĂŠ on Dec 15. The cafĂŠ sells craft from Banteay Prieb (Centre of the Dove), a vocational training centre and home for landmine victims and the disabled, built by Jesuit Service Cambodia. At the same time, about 120 young people and educators met with their Cambodian counterparts at the Don Bosco School in Tuek Thla where they reviewed the curriculum and education plans for the week ahead with the Salesian Sisters who run the Don Bosco schools. It was also an opportunity for the Cambodian teachers and ACTS participants to get to know each other. That afternoon, the nuns organised a tour to the houses of students. It was an eye opener for most of the Singapore participants as the houses were spartan, with

a mat for the bed and an earthen stove for a kitchen. There was no piped-in water and the toilet was just a hole in the ground. All participants then attended evening Mass at the Don Bosco Technical School chapel, led by the group’s spiritual director, Dominican Fr David Garcia. /

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group’s young members taught in the Don Bosco Schools in Teuk Thla, Toul Kork and Phum Chreh in Phnom Penh. Here, they interacted and bonded with the Cambodian children through enrichment activities designed to facilitate learning through action. Each year, these lessons include the learning of English, maths, science, art and craft, sports and dance. Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia joined the participants in mid-week and visited a Christmas party for kids with HIV at the Missionaries of Charity Home at Chom Chau. Participants organised a fun fair for the kids complete with bowling, hoop-shooting, face painting and dancing. Goodie bags were also distributed and the highlight was a 45-minute chartered bus to nowhere for the kids, who have not taken a bus before. Archbishop Chia and key members of the ACTS committee

A recent ACTS trip saw not just Catholics but also members of other faiths working together to assist Cambodians.

Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia distributes a ‘Love Package’ to a Cambodian villager in Phum Chreh as ACTS members looks on.

were then hosted to luncheon by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler of Phnom Penh, who shared his vision for greater training opportunities for young Cambodians. That afternoon, Archbishop Chia distributed “Love Packages�,

which included rice and cooking supplies, clothing and food items donated from Singapore, to 200 villagers in Phum Chreh. On Dec 20, Archbishop Chia distributed more Love Packages to families of construction work-

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Bosco Middle and High School in Phnom Penh. The institution will have 12 classes for grades seven to 12, and has been designed by a Singaporean architect pro bono with funds from Singapore and other countries. The school is expected to be completed in July. The participants of the trip ranged in age from 12 to 70 and included Redemptorist Fr Gino Henriques, seminarians Nicholas Lye and Gerard Robert and 28 Australians. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Christians from other denominations also joined the group. The Catholic participants came from 19 parishes in Singapore. „ For more information on ACTS, visit http://acts-singapore.com

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CTIS launch a ‘milestone’ for Church By Darren Boon The establishment of the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) will allow for formation of the laity in theology in a more systematic way and at a higher level, said speakers at the institute’s inauguration ceremony on Jan 22. Archbishop William Goh in his address to the audience which included apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, priests, Religious and laypeople said that

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God, one’s relationship with God or on the meaning of life, one is “already a theologian�. The difference between a theologian and an “ordinary Catholic�

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in a systematic, methodical manner. We are able to give a reason for what we believe so that people can understand our faith is credible, reasonable, but not reasoned.� “So it is truly an important development of the local Church in Singapore that we want to bring

to a higher level,� Archbishop Goh said. The archbishop also pointed out the “anomaly� that while Singaporeans are well-educated with many Catholics doing well in the corporate world, they are “dif @

doctrine and theology. He added it is important for the lay people in leadership posi-

tions, Church organisations and diocesan movements and those involved in formation work to be “guided by the magisterium to ensure that their faith is orthodox and not their own personal interpretation of the faith�. Hailing the opening of CTIS as a “milestone�, CTIS’ rector Fr James Yeo said in his speech that “the primary purpose of establishing CTIS is to provide a systematic theological formation for our Catholics in Singapore and eventually, also for those from the neighbouring countries�. Fr Yeo also announced that there were more than 130 appli

Q ogy course. A total of 105 students have been accepted. Many of the applicants are of “high calibre� and are professionals. Mr Arthur Goh, academic director of CTIS later told CatholicNews that there are 91 part-time students, seven full-time with the rest being audit students who do not take examinations. Fr Peter Zhang, the institute’s vice rector led the audience in the evening prayer. Archbishop Goh and Fr Yeo later unveiled the institute’s seal and Archbishop Goh presented appointment letters to the institute’s board of management. Meanwhile, students have told CatholicNews that they are eagerly looking forward to the commencement of the programme. Mr Paul Chua who is in the

Archbishop William Goh unveils the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore’s seal together with rector Fr James Yeo on Jan 22.

IT industry said the setting up of CTIS presented a “golden opportunityâ€? as he had been thinking about taking a course in theology. He hopes to deepen his prayer life and “have a better understanding of the God who lovesâ€? him through the course. Another part-time student, Ms Hannah Lim said that she looks forward to “growing in the Lord‌growing to know God better‌knowing Jesus better, knowing my faith and to be able to bring others to Christâ€?. The term for the programme is scheduled to commence on Jan 27 with the celebration of a commencement Mass that evening. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Volunteers, donors needed All Catholics can visit the CTIS library at the Catholic Centre, but only members can borrow books. Membership is $20 a year. The opening hours are 10am9pm (Mondays to Fridays) and 10am-4pm on Saturdays. Volunteer librarians are also needed to man the library in the evenings and on Saturday. To volunteer, contact Angela at 6434 8008 or email angelafernandez@ctis.sg. Donors who share the vision and mission of the CTIS can

( &U+ cially. Please contact Fr James Yeo at 6434 8001 or email jamesyeo@ ctis.sg for more information. One can also be a Friend of CTIS by contributing $100 a year. Friends of CTIS will be invited for an annual gathering for CTIS updates and possibly a public lecture along with complimentary library membership. For details, contact Melinda Reyes at 6434 8000 or email: melindareyes@ctis.sg. „

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They scored in O Level Strong school support and personal determination helpe

Experienced crisis of faith He experienced a major crisis of faith in Sec 4 and his studies suffered as a result. However, strong school support helped James Chen overcome this major hurdle, and saw him attaining six distinctions, an L1R4 raw score of eight points and L1R5 of 10 points in last year’s GCE O Levels. Chen, from St Gabriel’s Secondary School, was a former head prefect and assistant sergeant major of his co-curricular activity, NCC Land. However, at the start of Sec 4, he had to stop being an altar server at St Anne’s Church, even though it “was a big part” of his life, because of school commitments. As a result, Chen started to feel “lost”, and when he had problems in school, he felt that he had “no one to turn to”. He started to become unfocused during lessons and even found it hard to relate to classmates.

Chen’s form teacher, Mr Lim Yen Swee, told CatholicNews he received feedback from other teachers that Chen did not “seem to be focusing” during lessons. The situation deteriorated to a point when Chen stopped attending classes for about four days,

The teacher-incharge of his CCA went to Chen’s house to speak with him. because he “didn’t want to see anyone in school”. “What’s the point? God left me,” he had thought then. It was his social studies teacher, Mr Emmanuel Teo, who brought Chen back on track. As Mr Teo was the teacher-in-charge

of NCC Land, and had known Chen since he was in Sec 1, he went to Chen’s house personally to speak with him. “It came as a surprise when James’ results plummeted,” said Mr Teo, a parishioner of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea. “But I’m glad we had this good rapport so I could go and talk some sense into him.” He added, “I think the fact that we were both Catholics made it easier for us to relate, and whatever advice I gave him, he was very open” to it. Chen is currently active in a youth community in his parish called Alpha 13. He told CatholicNews that in the group, he can “see how God is calling each one of us”. With the encouragement of his teachers, Chen was motivated to persevere for the national examinations. He hopes to enter the science stream in St Andrew’s Junior College.

James Chen and his teacher-in-charge of NCC Land, Mr Emmanuel Teo. Mr Teo brought Chen back on track.

School rallied around her after mum’s death

Ng Xin Yi with her form teachers, Mrs Stella Tan (right) and Mrs Soh Ming Kiat.

Ng Xin Yi had to deal with a major tragedy as she was preparing for her GCE O Levels last year. Her mother, who was battling breast cancer for 10 years, passed away in the middle of Ng’s midyear exams. However, support from her classmates and teachers at CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent (SJC), coupled with her own determination, helped her to do well in the GCE O Levels. She obtained five distinctions, an L1R4 raw score of 10 points and L1R5 of 13 points. Ng told CatholicNews that seeing her friends and teachers attending her mother’s wake helped her “feel much better” and “emotionally stronger”. The school also provide her with counselling which helped her to “open up my heart” and “accept the fact”. In addition to coping with her mother’s illness last year, Ng was also active in her CCA, netball, and attended practices thrice a week. When her mother’s condition worsened and she had to be hospitalised, Ng had to make frequent trips to visit her after school or after netball practices. Ng’s form teacher Mrs Stella Tan noted that despite these challenges, the teenager Ng knew “her

responsibilities and priorities in school, family and CCA”. Furthermore, if Ng “knows she needs to catch up on lessons, she will do it on her own time”, said Mrs Tan. Although Ng would miss lessons when she was away for interschool netball competitions, “somehow her homework will always appear with the rest of her class on time”, added Mrs Tan.

Having friends and teachers attend her mother’s wake helped her feel ‘emotionally stronger’. Another teacher, Mrs Soh Ming Kiat, describes Ng as a “diligent and independent girl”, who “picked herself up very fast” after her mother’s death, and had the “initiative to ask for help from teachers” when she needed assistance in her schoolwork. Ng says she hopes to enter the science stream in Tampines Junior College.

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els despite challenges

ped these students through their exams. Clara Lai reports He persevered despite Autism Spectrum Disorder John (not his real name) suffers from some of the traits of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. This meant he needed extra time to understand and complete his assignments and exam questions. Nevertheless, the former St Patrick’s School student went on to score eight distinctions, an L1R4 raw score of five points and L1R5 of six points at last year’s GCE O Level exams. John was in Pri 3 student in St Stephen’s School when it was discovered that he had difficulties with his school work. After seeking professional help, he was diagnosed with some of the traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Undeterred, he completed his primary school education, passed his PSLE and went on to study at St Patrick’s School. “The teachers in St Patrick’s are very supportive, not just to me, but to all the students,” he told CatholicNews. “They do not look down on students who are weaker.” As a Catholic, he also found

that being in St Patrick’s made it “easier to keep close to the Church and God” because of school prayers. St Patrick’s School chaplain, La Salle Br Nicholas Seet, who had known John since he joined the school’s Junior Legion of Mary in Sec 1, said that John is “a Catholic who is proud to be one”. “I remember him praying at Our Lady’s grotto for a long time when he was in lower secondary without any embarrassment that his friends would see him praying for so long,” Br Nicholas told CatholicNews. He added that John “has grown and matured very well with God’s grace”, and that “the teachers have given much support and he is one who appreciates the help given”. John said, “Sometimes I have to stay back longer after school to complete my class assignments. I just put in the extra effort, study hard and pray, especially before my exams.” John added that he hopes to enter the science stream in Catholic Junior College.

St Patrick’s School where ‘John’ was from. The teachers were ‘very supportive’, he said.

‘I just put in the extra effort, study hard and pray, especially before my exams.’

From Normal Technical to O Levels

Zachary Kish Wu: ‘My faith taught me patience.’

Achieving four distinctions out of the five subjects he took for the GCE O Levels and an L1R4 raw score of 11 points was no mean feat for Zachary Kish Wu. The former St Gabriel’s Secondary School admitted that in his younger days, he “didn’t bother about studying”. He entered the Normal Technical stream but “hated it”, he told CatholicNews. This was because he was constantly being compared to his older siblings who were performing better academically. Nonetheless, that was also his motivation to study hard. He was promoted to the Normal Academic stream in Sec 2, but found it “really difficult” as he also was a member of the school’s concert band which had practices about four times a week. “I really had no time to study,” Wu admitted. “But I decided that if I can’t study at home, then I must pay double attention in class. So I actually managed to pass all subjects in Sec 2.” His most challenging year

was in Sec 3, often called the “honeymoon year” as most students took things easy. Wu said he was unable to focus, and with extra CCA practices to prepare for the Singapore Youth Festival competition, he had to ask his teachers for supplementary lessons. Wu took his GCE N Level ex-

‘I decided that if I can’t study at home, then I must pay double attention in class.’ ams the following year. “It was stressful for me and my whole class,” he recalled. However, his teachers gave extra lessons and steered wayward students onto the right path, he said. He went on to Sec 5. Being part of his parish choir

also helped in his motivation to study. Wu, a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, joined the church’s choir after Confirmation. At their weekly spiritual sessions, the group would read the Gospel and reflect upon it, he said. This “built my faith and reminded me that my classmates and I have a small light of hope at the end of the tunnel if we try hard”, he said. Looking back, Wu said that it was “quite stressful”, going “from the strongest [academic student] in Normal Technical to the weakest in Normal Academic”. But “my faith taught me patience, to take my time to understand what the teacher is teaching”. Wu is now working as an administrative staff member in a local company and hopes to pursue a Diploma in Business Studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

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CHANCERY NOTICE January 21, 2014

APPOINTMENTS 1. Fr Anthony Maria Joseph, a priest from the Diocese of Salem, Tamil Nadu, is engaged for two years to work in the Archdiocese and is assigned to the Church of St Francis of Assisi for a term of two years from 1st of January 2014. Apart from assisting with parish duties, he will also look after Tamil-speaking migrant workers in the Jurong area.

lished, namely the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED) and the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue (ACCIRD). 6. Fr Ignatius Yeo has been appointed with effect from 20th January 2014 as the Rector of St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street in accordance with can 557 §1. OTHER MATTERS

2. Fr Eugene Lee, CSsR, has been appointed Assistant Chaplain to the Roman Catholic Prisons Ministry from 1st January 2014 for a term of two years renewable. 3. Archbishop William Goh DD, STL, has accepted the retirement of Fr Michael Teo from active ministry in the Archdiocese with effect from 20th January 2014. 4. Fr Michael Teo has been assigned to the Church of St Stephen as a priest in residence with effect from 20th January 2014. 5. Mr Gerald Kong has been appointed as Executive Secretary for the two new bodies that were estab-

Chrism Mass 2014 is scheduled for 17 April 2014 at 10.30am at Church of St Ignatius, 120 King’s Road. The Redemptorists community has appointed Fr George Puthenpura, CSsR, from Bangalore as the Postulant Director from 5th January 2014 and he will be able to offer his priestly services to the Archdiocese. His residence is at the Redemptorists formation house in Ponggol. A Catholic Students Chaplaincy has been established at James Cook University with Fr Jude David as the chaplain to oversee the pastoral care of Catholic students enrolled at this university.

Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM, JCL, Chancellor, Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #07-01 Catholic Centre, 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

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MasterCard or Master Jesus. Who is ruling our lives?

Verbum Dei Sr Sandra Seow speaking at the Catholic Business Network talk.

By Benedict Tang “Who is at the centre of our lives? Is it Jesus, or Jesus and something else?� Verbum Dei Sr Sandra Seow made these remarks in a spirituality talk for working professionals organised by the Catholic Business Network (CBN). About 60 people attended the event held at the newly-opened Catholic Centre on 55 Waterloo St. Addressing the group of working professionals at the CBN Spiritual Talk session, she asked, “Which master is ruling our lives, MasterCard or Master Jesus?� As a former working professional herself – she was a school teacher – Sr Sandra noted how Catholics here are busy people with little time left for God, and just enough for Sunday Mass. Locals would also go on a nation

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available, but “we need to pray as much as we love to eat�, she said. “We assume that Jesus only cares about how many pages of the Bible we read, but not the type of TV programmes we watch or Internet sites we surf; we assume Jesus is interested in who we give our money to but not how we earn it,� said Sr Sandra. “This split between the faith which many profess and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age,� she added. “Faith and family life and relationships cannot be separated,� said Sr Sandra. She noted also that “many of us blend in so well in society� that it is hard to distinguish who is a Catholic. “Not many are willing to live out our lives for Jesus.� Furthermore, there are those who “make use of others� for >&

must live for a higher purpose�, she stressed. Sr Sandra also gave a little insight into her own spiritual journey. “I wasn’t born with a Bible in one hand and a cross in the other� even though many people thought this was the case, she quipped. Even praying the rosary as a family was a challenge to her when she was young, as she could

split between ‘theThis faith which many profess and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age.

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– Sr Sandra Seow

not wait to get back to watching her favourite TV programmes. Looking back though, she said she was glad her parents instilled the love of the rosary in her, and that praying the rosary as a family brought them closer. One question raised during the question-and-answer segment was ' Sr Sandra said one has to learn

to see Jesus in them, from the cleaner to the boss. It may be dif

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strength, but with Christ it is possible, she added. Members of the audience said they found the talk challenging. Ms Mikaela Kwee, 34, said that to learn to see Christ in everybody is hard, especially when

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wouldn’t be any fruit if it wasn’t @

' The parishioner of the Church of the Holy Trinity added that the examples Sr Sandra gave were relevant and that she would try to put them into practice. For more information on the Catholic Business Network, visit http://www.cbn-singapore.com/ „

OBITUARY

Fr Fabian Van Lieshout called to the Lord By Darren Boon Fr Fabian Van Lieshout, a priest from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, was called home to the Lord on Jan 22. He was 83. Fr Fabian was born Bernard Pieter Herman Van Lieshout in Holland and entered the minor seminary at Sacred Hearts, St Oedenrode, followed by the major seminary in Valkenburg. He was ordained on Sept 4, 1955. A former regional superior of his congregation in England and parish priest at Great Missenden, Bucks, South East England, he was posted to Singapore as assistant priest at Blessed Sacrament Church from 1985 to 2000 until his retirement. He was also spiritual director of the parish’s charismatic group. He was chaplain to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sisters from 2000 to 2003 and was residing in Gillman Heights until recent times when he was transferred to Bethany Home, Upper Thomson Road, for medical care and stay. Fr Fabian fell ill suddenly and was admitted to Mount Alvernia Hospital where he passed away. Mr Richard Chua, who was baptised by Fr Fabian and who attended Blessed Sacrament

Fr Fabian Van Lieshout passed away on Jan 22.

Church’s Charismatic group, described Fr Fabian as a “very kind, loving, patient priest�. Mr Chua remembered Fr Fabian inviting him and his family to join the group. Fr Fabian always lent a kind, listening ear to people and never turned anyone away, recalled Mr Chua. One could pour out one’s grumbles to him and he would pray over the person, said Mr Chua. Fr Fabian’s funeral Mass was scheduled for Jan 27 at Blessed Sacrament Church followed by his cremation at Mandai Crematorium. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

10 HOME

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur (far right) shares his memories of Archbishop Chia during the dinner as (from left) Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei, Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur and Archbishop William Goh look on.

Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia celebrates priestly golden jubilee By Darren Boon _`

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Archbishop Chia went to the various tables and posed for photos with the diners.

ASIA 11

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Thai priest urges peace amid protests BANGKOK – A Catholic priest has urged anti-government protesters in Bangkok to seek justice and reform through peaceful means following violence in the Thai capital. Addressing several thousand protesters in central Bangkok on Jan 15, Jesuit Fr Vichai Phoktavi prayed for peace and justice in Thailand. “I think that politics and our government in Thailand should be reformed, we need to reduce corruption and there should be more participation from the people,� he told ucanews.com. He said he was approached by protest organisers to help lead an interfaith prayer service to kick off the third consecutive day of citywide protests, dubbed “Shutdown Bangkok� by organisers. He followed on stage a Muslim imam who offered a similar prayer for peace and justice, Fr Vichai said. The religious leaders’ pleas for peace came after pockets of violence were reported across the city. People were shot, an explosive device was thrown at the main opposition party leader’s house, a bus was set

separate incidents, authorities said. The shootings occurred near the city’s Pathum Wan intersection, not far from where the prayer session took place. Fr Vichai, former director of the Catholic Commission for Justice

Fr Vichai reminded protesters that non-violence was the best way for them to achieve their goals. prime minister, Mr Thaksin Shinawatra, to return from his self-imposed exile without going to jail. Mr Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, is popular in northern Thailand, but reviled by many in the south and Bangkok’s middle class. „ UCANEWS.COM

Protesters gather in Bangkok in an attempt to topple the government.

and Peace, said he reminded the crowd in a city still scarred from the deadly 2010 riots that the use of non-violence was the best way for them to achieve their goals. “I am not involved in politics and I am not here to choose sides. I am here to help strengthen Thai society and to promote justice and peace and good morals among Thai people and Thai politics,� he said.

Protesters have been seeking to oust the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and install an appointed government to institute political reforms before holding new elections. They and the main opposition Democrat Party have refused to participate in elections scheduled for Feb 2 unless reforms are made. The ongoing protests involve

blocking off several major streets and intersections in central Bang '

schools were closed and larger shopping centres closed early, organisers have fallen short of their goal to paralyse the city. The protests were initially triggered by a failed amnesty bill that could have allowed Ms Yingluck’s billionaire brother and former

12 ASIA

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Pope may visit S Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka VATICAN CITY – A possible papal

trip to South Korea for an Asian youth gathering in August is under consideration as are invitations to the Philippines and Sri Lanka, the Vatican spokesman said. “It’s true,� an invitation for Pope Francis to visit South Korea “is being studied� but the |

the trip will take place nor announce dates, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi told journalists on Jan 22. He said the possible trip to Korea would be to coincide with the 4th Asian Youth Day in Daejeon, South Korea, which is scheduled for Aug 10-17. Fr Lombardi also said “it’s true there are invitations� for the pope to visit the Philippines and Sri Lanka and that a possible trip to those countries is being studied, “but it is not for this year�. Pope Francis had told report } †„ &

^ ” eign journey, that “papal trips are always good�. The pope had said he already had invitations to go to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. “I must go to Asia,� he said, because Pope Benedict XVI did

Pilgrims from South Korea wave blue bandanas at a papal audience. Pope Francis could visit the nation in August. CNS photo

not manage to visit the continent •

Asia “is important�. Q

lion Catholics in South Korea, according to Cardinal-designate Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. He recently celebrated Mass with members of the Pon €

mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and South Korea. „ CNS

New M’sian bishop ordained for Miri MIRI, SARAWAK – Fr Richard Ng

was ordained the new Bishop of Miri diocese on Jan 25 at the Miri Indoor Stadium. More than 6,500 attended the ceremony, including eight bish „%

' In an interview, he said his > sult the laity and clergy on what kind of Church they want. Then we will be able to sort out some kind of priorities and have a goal in mind and work towards our goal. “We certainly have to preach the gospel, pay attention to the formation of the clergy and laity, be committed to pastoral and spiritual care of the laity. As for the rest, I need to let the Lord take my hands and lead me where he wants me to go.�

Sri Lankan bishops seek inquiry into civil war’s last stages

Bishop Richard Ng at his ordination ceremony.

Bishop Ng, 47 was a priest from the neighbouring Archdiocese of Kuching. He studied at St Peter’s College, the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Kuching, and was ordained in 1995. „

Sri Lankan soldiers stand guard near internally displaced ethnic Tamils at a refugee camp on the outskirts of Vavuniya in 2009. BANGALORE, INDIA – Two Tamil

bishops in Sri Lanka joined a call for an independent inquiry into reported war crimes in the closing stages of the country’s protracted ethnic war in 2009. Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar and Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam Emmanuel of Jaffna reiterated the demand during a meeting with Mr Stephen J Rapp, US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues in the State = \ /

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Criminal Justice, in early January in Jaffna. “We want to know what happened in the last few days of the war,� Bishop Emmanuel, who hosted the meeting, later told Catholic News Service. On Jan 12, the US Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, called upon the Sri Lankan government to undertake an independent investigation and “seek the truth through independent and credible investi-

gations, and where relevant, have prosecutions�. UN agencies estimated that more than 40,000 people belonging to ethnic minority Tamils died * †``–

of the war that ended with the decimation of the rebels from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), who had merged with

' The bishops’ raising of questions about war crimes with Mr Rapp sparked calls from Sinhalese nationalist groups demanding their arrest. Bishop Emmanuel told CNS there are always adverse reactions “when we speak about unpleasant things�. “The man who needed to know was Mr Rapp, and we had told him of our stand,� Bishop Joseph told CNS.  &

meeting, Bishop Joseph said that even hospitals were attacked by

the Sri Lankan forces and cluster bombs were used in areas crowd &

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civilians were held as human shields, you can’t justify killing civilians.� Bishop Joseph also alleged that a “structural genocide� was continuing in Tamil majority areas and that Tamil property was being appropriated by “government-aided colonisation schemes�. “The international community should conduct an investigation to establish the truth. ... We are not asking this to make revenge on anyone in the government. We only want this for the betterment of this country,� Bishop Joseph said. „ CNS

Asian cardinals-to-be share their views ASIA – Two Asian Church lead-

ers, who will be made cardinals by Pope Francis on Feb 22, gave their views in recent interviews. “I have to admit I am a bit afraid and worried, but I ac-

cept with humility and with joy the Holy Father’s invitation and the Lord’s call,� said Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul “My gaze goes to my predecessors in the history of our country, who dedicated themselves to evangelisation: I want to follow

their footsteps,� he told Fides News Agency. Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, said he is praying that with his appointment he will be able to contribute to peace and dialogue in the southern Philippines and in the formation of “righteous leaders� in the country. „ ZENIT, UCANEWS.COM

WORLD 13

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

to St Peter’s for blessing CNS photo

Cardinal Angelo Comastri looks at ducks as he blesses farm animals and pets outside St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. VATICAN CITY – Bleats, barks and honks accompanied the “Our Father� as Cardinal Angelo Comastri blessed farm animals and pets gathered outside St Peter’s Square. Hundreds of local residents and tourists gathered for the Jan 17 blessing to mark the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, patron saint of animals and farmers. Members of an Italian association of farmers and ranchers brought their donkeys, cows, horses, rabbits, hens, geese, sheep, goats and pigs, who munched on hay or feed in their wooden pens. Many Rome residents brought their pets – ranging from a giant Neapolitan Mastiff to a tiny kitten named Birba, who got a special caress from the cardinal, the papal vicar for Vatican City. Cats and dogs could enjoy a free veterinary checkup at two tents nearby. Italian police mounted on horseback paraded up the wide boulevard leading to the square and two

Vatican bank cardinals replaced VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis replaced four cardinals serving on a •

ing the Vatican bank, which had been marred by an image of secrecy and scandal for decades. The new members are Cardinal-designate Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state; Canadian Cardinal Thomas C Collins of Toronto; Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna and Spanish Cardinal Santos Abril Castello. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran,

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for Interreligious Dialogue, is the only serving member to stay on. The four cardinals replace Cardinals Tarcisio Bertone, former Vatican secretary of state; Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi, India; Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. The Vatican announced this on Jan 15. „ CNS

police dogs, with their agents, circled and sniffed pedestrians enthusiastically – unaware they were offduty to get a blessing. Before the blessing, Cardinal Comastri celebrated a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica with members of the livestock association and their families. Standing near the animals’ pens, he thanked Italian farmers for helping care for nature and providing communities with healthy, wholesome food. He said Pope Francis has reminded people of their duty to protect creation. The cardinal said the recent cleaning and restoration of Bernini’s colonnade surrounding St Peter’s Square revealed the extent and seriousness of urban pollution. He said he hoped the farmers’ example of being ethical and honest stewards of God’s gifts would “be

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Budget cap on saints’ causes VATICAN CITY – Postulators and

those working on sainthood causes are having to adhere to budget restraints in line with Pope Francis’ call for austerity, the prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has announced. In a speech given to postula } $+

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Lateran University in Rome, Cardinal Angelo Amato said that a “reference tariff� came into force earlier this year “inspired by a sense of simplicity and fairness� in order to avoid causes for beati >&

treated differently�. The decision is a “good step� as it helps those involved to be “aware of the expenses involved, both in terms of Holy See taxes and the postulator pay�, the cardinal said in remarks reported in the Jan 15 edition of L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper. “Some have already sent donations for causes that are less well-funded,� he added.

The congregation is encouraging those involved to observe the new guidelines so as to ensure “potential worthy causes can be taken into consideration�. The cardinal said there were $„ &

year with 540 newly blesseds, of whom 528 were martyrs. Pope Francis also canonised 804 saints in 2013, 800 of them martyrs. The cardinal said the congregation especially encourages cases of those who have shown concrete examples of holiness from outside Europe. The congregation “always reserves a fast track for causes coming from Asia, Africa, the Americas and also Eastern Europe, which is noted for the brutal persecution of the Church under Nazi and Communist regimes�, he said. He lamented that often causes, even those that are “duly matured�, face considerable delays because the actors – bishops, Religious superiors or others – “seem to be absent�. „ ZENIT

14 WORLD

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

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A clergyman holds a religious picture during a rally by pro-European Union protesters in Kiev, Ukraine on Jan 21. Ukrainian Catholic Church leaders appealed for calm as violent protests escalated after a government crackdown. CNS photo

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VATICAN CITY – Business leaders

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Council for Justice and Peace, at the meeting, which every year draws thousands of businesspeople, politicians and celebrities to

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VATICAN CITY – The prelature

of Opus Dei has announced that Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, the successor to Opus Dei founder St Jose Maria Escriva, will be beati †‚ * ' In July, Pope Francis approved

& cation of Bishop del Portillo, who served as the head of Opus Dei $–‚_ $––%' The cure accepted as a miracle through his intercession involved a Chilean newborn baby boy, Jose Ignacio Ureta Wilson, who recovered after being in cardiac arrest for 30 minutes and suffering a

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POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Christian division ‘a scandal’ VATICAN CITY – The divisions

that exist among Christians are a source of pain and scandal, and damage the credibility and work of spreading the Gospel, Pope ‰ ' “Christ’s name creates com ' ~

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and continual conversion’, said Pope Francis.

The pope at his Jan 22 general audience. CNS photo

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the square, especially those from Egypt, asking them to never let the faith be used to divide, but to join in communion with God and & ' Let the Lord’s name be proclaimed, not to shut people out, but “to open the heart to love which unites and enriches�, he ' >Š \

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grants unity to Christians, living differences as a richness; seeing the other as a brother to welcome '@ „ CNS

Obama to visit pope in March VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will

meet with US President Barack Obama at the Vatican on March 27, the White House has announced

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Pope Francis, who was elected on * $+ †`$+' Mr Obama met Pope Benedict ž| } †``–' The White House said the upcoming visit would be part of a presidential trip to the Nether ^  ' “The president looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis ing poverty and growing inequality,� said the Jan 21 White House ' During the same trip, Obama will participate in a summit in the Netherlands on nuclear security, visit the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission in Brussels, and hold talks in Rome with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Œ

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Sunday February 9, 2014 CatholicNews

POPE FRANCIS 17

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Persecuted Christians can learn lesson from Japan, says pope

Women attending a Mass in 2008 in Nagasaki for the

of 188 Japanese martyrs killed between 1603 and 1639. CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Christians facing

especially in the Middle East, can learn a valuable lesson from Japanese Christians who survived by clandestinely baptising, praying and hiding during 250 years of harsh persecution, Pope Francis said. >=

when they are lived with trust,

faith and strengthen it,� he said in his general audience talk in St Peter’s Square on Jan 15. “Be true witnesses of Christ and His Gospel, authentic children of the Church, always ready to give reasons for your hope with love and respect,� he told pilgrims from the Middle East. The pope continued a series of talks on the Sacrament of Bap-

tism, underlining that it is through baptism that “we become members of the body of Christ and the people of God�. To underline how important baptism is for the people of God and for keeping the faith alive, Pope Francis pointed to the experience of Christians in Japan in the early 17th century. Every priest was expelled from the country, he said, while thousands of Christians there were killed and those who were left went underground, praying and practising the faith secretly. When missionaries were allowed to return after nearly 250 years, they found thousands of Christians ready to help the Church blossom again, said the pope, who as a young Jesuit wanted to serve as a missionary in Ja-

pan, but was turned down because of concerns about his health. Japanese Christians “survived with the grace of baptism�, which, because there were no priests, was conferred to every newborn by his baptised mother or father, he said. “They maintained, even in secrecy, a strong spirit of community because baptism made them become one single body in Christ: they were isolated and hidden, but they were always members of the people of God, of the Church,� he said. “We can learn a lot from this history.� Later, in a greeting to pilgrims from Jordan and the Holy Land, Pope Francis urged them to learn from the Japanese example how

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lit, transmitting it from one generation to the other�. „ CNS

Beware of abusing religious status: pope VATICAN CITY – The authority of

Jesus’ teaching seemed “new� to the people of His day, not because of its content, but because of the love and respect with which Jesus spoke, Pope Francis said. Jesus “wanted the people to draw near and seek Him, and He was moved when He saw them like sheep without a shepherd,� the pope said on Jan 14 in the homily at his early morning Mass. The day’s Gospel reading, describing Jesus preaching in the synagogue at Capernaum, said the people were astonished by His preaching, which to them was “a new teaching with authority�. Jesus’ authority came from “the power of holiness� and the novelty of His teaching came from the fact that He transmitted “the love of God for each one of us�, the pope said, according to a summary by Vatican Radio. Jesus “draws near to the people so they can draw near to Him; He

‘How many times do the people of God feel unwanted by those who should be giving a witness?’ – Pope Francis

is close to sinners,� the pope said. “He seeks people’s hearts and draws near to people’s wounded hearts,� Pope Francis said. The people of Capernaum were used to hearing the Scribes preach, the pope said. However, they placed so many requirements, so many “heavy things on their shoulders that the poor people couldn’t move�. The Scribes and Pharisees basically “beat the people down, didn’t they? ‘You have to do this and this and this,’� he said. “Many people think the faith is like this.�

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Hannah, who is weeping and begging God for a child. Eli “was a representative of the faith, a faith leader, but his heart wasn’t in the right place and he disrespected this woman�. the pope said. “How many times do the people of God feel unwanted by those who should be giving a witness – by Christians, lay Christians, priests, bishops?� The pope also spoke about Eli’s sons, who were “priests, but brigands�, because they “exploit

alms and gifts�. “The Lord punished them heavily,� he said, because they were corrupt, which should serve as a warning to “laity who are corrupt, corrupt priests, corrupt bish ations and the privileges of faith and being Christian�. „ CNS

18 OPINION

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

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LETTER

Allocate area for latecomers to avoid distractions at Mass I refer to the letter from Ms Jocelyn Lim (CN, Jan 26) in which she highlighted the perennial problem faced by many churches of latecomers causing distractions during Masses. Such distractions are not only caused by latecomers but also very often by families whose very young children are frequently restive and aggravated during the hour-long Masses. Most churchgoers are tolerant of the occasional distraction but such problems are increasingly becoming more acute due in part to the growing numbers in the congregations of most churches. It is heartening to observe that many churches in Singapore have already created segregated areas to cater to the needs of families with very young children, whether by designating areas outside the main air-conditioned hall (in the case of Church of St Ignatius) or having segregated glass enclosures (in the case of Church of St Mary of the Angels) for such families. There is no reason why a similar policy cannot be implemented for latecomers as after all the ob-

CN, Jan 26

jective is the same, which is to minimise the distractions. While the issue of being late perhaps cannot be entirely eliminated (there will always be situations when churchgoers are late for one reason or another), church administrators can always mitigate the problem by implementing certain rules or procedures in handling such disruptions. One or two rows of pews located next to the main entrances or right at the back of the church can always be reserved for such latecomers. In this way, the main congregation would not be affected by the commotion caused by the latecomers as this would only affect the few rows of pews that are re ' Shortly prior to the com-

mencement of Mass, church ushers can help to ensure that the various seats in front and in the

up, so that by the time Mass starts, latecomers will not be allowed to move all over the church trying to look for seats so that they are no longer the cause of distractions. Once these measures are strictly implemented, over time the latecomers will know which are particular pews in the peripheral area to look for seats.

&

they would also know where to stand or congregate with minimum distraction to fellow church goers who happen to be more punctual than themselves. „ Harry Tong Singapore 258290

A divided Christian family FOR more than a thousand years, Christians have not had the joy of being one family around Christ. Although there were already tensions within the earliest Christian communities, it was not until the year 1054 that there was a formal split so as to, in effect, establish two formal Christian communities, the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in the West. Then, with the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, there was a further split within the Western Church and Christianity fragmented still further. Today there are more than a hundred Christian denominations, many of them, sadly, not on friendly terms with each other. Division and misunderstanding are understandable, inevitable, the price of being human. There are no communities without tension and so it’s no great scandal that Christians sometimes cannot get along with each other. The scandal is rather that we have become comfortable, even smug, about not getting along with each other. The scandal is that we no longer hunger for wholeness and that we no longer miss each other inside our separate Churches. In virtually all of our Churches today there is too little anxiety about those who are not worshipping with us, whether these separated brothers and sisters belong to other denominations or whether they belong to our own. For instance, teaching Roman Catholic seminarians today, I sense a certain indifference to the issue of ecumenism. For many seminarians today, this is not an issue that is of particular concern to them. Sad to say, this holds true for most Christians in all denominations. But this kind of indifference is inherently unchristian. Oneness was close to the heart of Jesus. He wants all His children at the same table, as we see in this parable in the Gospels: A woman had 10 coins and lost one. She became extremely anxious and agitated and began to search frantically and relentlessly for the lost &

in her house. Eventually she found the coin. She was delirious with joy, called together her neighbours and threw a party whose cost far exceeded the value of the coin she had lost. (Luke 15: 8-9) < {

coin whose value was that of a dime? The answer lies in the symbolism: In her culture, nine was not a whole number; 10 was. Both the \ <

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to do with the value of the coin but with the value of wholeness; an important wholeness in her life had been fractured, a precious set of things was no longer complete. Hence the parable might recast this way: A woman had 10 children. With nine of them, she had a good relationship, but one of her daughters was alienated. Her nine other children came regularly to the family table, but this daughter did not. The woman could not rest in that situation; she needed her alienated daughter to rejoin them. She tried every means to reconcile with her daughter and, one day, miracle of miracles, it worked. Her daughter came back to the family. Her family was whole again, everyone was back at table. The woman was overjoyed, withdrew her modest savings from the bank, and threw a lavish party to celebrate that wholeness. Christian faith demands that, like that woman, we need to be anxious, dis-eased, lighting lamps and searching, until the Church is whole again. Nine is not a whole number. Neither is the number of those who are normally inside our respective Churches. Roman Catholicism isn’t a whole number. Protestantism isn’t a whole number. The Evangelical Churches aren’t a whole number. The Orthodox Churches aren’t a whole number. No one Christian denomination is a whole number. Together we make up a whole number. Thus we are meant to ask ourselves uncomfortable questions: Who no longer goes to church with us? Who feels uncomfortable worshipping with us? Are we comfortable that so many people can no longer join us in our church? Sadly, today, too many of us are comfortable in Churches that are '

even rejoice in it: “Those others aren’t real Christians in any case! We’re better off without their kind! There’s more peace this way! We are a purer, more faithful Church because of their absence! We’re the one true remnant!� But this lack of a healthy solicitude for wholeness compromises both our maturity and our following of Jesus. We are mature loving people and true followers of Jesus, only when, like Jesus, we remain in tears over those “other sheep that are not of this fold� and when, like the woman who lost one of her coins and would not sleep until every corner of the house was turned upside down in a frantic search for what was lost, we too set out solicitously in search of that lost wholeness. „

FOCUS 19

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Fr Henry Siew dissects and examines the controversial issue

O

F ALL creatures, man is uniquely superior. The psalmist says, “You have crowned him with glory and honour. You made him rule over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.� (Ps 8:6-7) Yet there is a degrading remark about man that contradicts the psalmist; and for years has evaded the scrutiny of some men – “that man is evolved from monkey�. How ridiculous is that proposition and if we do not refute it resolutely, it undermines the dignity of man and obscures his identity. The hypotheses of evolution The question, “Can monkey become man?� concerns evolution, and it began as a hypothesis. Since the time of Charles Darwin, his writings had captured the attention and imagination of many. His understanding of evolution hinges on the propositions of “the struggle for survival� >

@' They assume that in the process of ensuring survival and sustaining growth, living things must adapt to the natural environment for protection against weather, predators and the acquisition of food. Those which could not adapt were eliminated and those which could prospered. The acceptability of the hypotheses depends on the credibility and persuasiveness of the evidence and arguments. We are not obliged to accept them blindly or deny them indiscriminately. For example, if there is enough evidence to show how the trunks of elephants and the necks of giraffes have grown longer through thousands of years of adaptation and re-adaptation, we are likely to accept the proposal. However, there are other hypotheses that lack any solid evidence and they are without rational support; we must then be quick to reject them. The unreasonable proposition Scientists have observed and discovered many species of living things, some with simpler life forms while others have more complex make-up. No one knows how these various species of plants and animals originated. Many of them have survived thousands (or perhaps millions) of years, others might be relatively new species; but no one knows exactly how long they had been in existence. What we do know is that no matter what form they appeared years ago, they are no different now. Many simpler vegetable forms such as lichen and moss, and the intermediate ones such as cabbage and spinach, are basically the same as they were while the more complex ones such as apple and durian trees also are essential-

' There is no evidence which shows lichen has turned into cabbage, or cabbage into apple trees. Likewise for animals, after thousands and millions of years, the many kinds of insects remain &

birds and animals as animals. After many years, carp may produce offspring with larger or smaller tails, and with new colour combination, but they do not turn into sharks, and certainly they do not become dogs. To propose the latter would be absurd and totally nonsensical. Likewise, horses and donkeys may produce offspring that are smaller or bigger in size and of different colours of fur. Cross breeding between horses and asses can produce mules, and that is it. But to presume that a cat can turn into a horse, or a lamb into tiger, worse still to hallucinate about a dog turning into man, those are crazy thoughts. So to assume that monkeys could turn into human beings is totally irrational. It is absolutely impossible for a monkey to become a man, just as it is absolutely impossible for an orange tree to turn into a lion. In short, the proposition that a species evolved within itself with changes in some of its features and functions to adapt to different environments over a long period of time is reasonable and probable. However, the proposition that a species can mutate and change into a different species is unreasonable and absolutely improbable, no matter how long the time span. The latter hypothesis must be rejected.

Uniqueness of human species Natural beings are basically divided into non-living things and living things. Living things can broadly be divided into plants, insects, birds, animals and men. Biologically, men share some similarities with animals, but philosophically man belongs to a different kind, absolutely different from any animal: cat, dog, horse, bull or monkey. Does man evolve over time? Yes, within his own species, but

It is absolutely impossible for a monkey to become a man, just as it is absolutely impossible for an orange tree to turn into a lion. absolutely not evolved from another different species. With the

learns to use many of his faculties which in the past were not fully developed or utilised. Man evolved from cave dwelling to various architectural constructs; from eating raw food to enjoying cooked foods of diverse culinary styles; from using rough tools to sophisticated equipment and machinery; from barter trade to money and credit transaction; from simple signs to advanced languages.

These are clear indications of human evolution. However, such evolution is within the species of man. Man is uniquely himself – spiritual and physical – and he had not and will never be evolved from any other species, plant or animal! Man has the intellectual power

and argue. Some animals such as elephants and monkeys can be trained by man to repeat conditioned behaviours, but they can never think and create as man does. Animals such as bees can construct marvellous hives, yet stereotypical and monotonous. Man can construct creatively in thousands of new ways. Man can choose and decide for he has will power. In extreme situations, he can still choose what he ¢

life for the sake of others. Animals do not have such power of choice and self-determination. When hungry, an animal looks for food, and a domesticated animal will attack its caregiver when no other food is provided. When it is time to mate, an animal simply couples with another indiscriminately. Man has interpersonal and social interaction, and has communication power involving the use of language to express his feelings and thoughts, including abstract ideas such as justice and harmony. And man constantly creates new gadgets for improved communication. Animals do not have linguistic ability, and they communicate

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manner, such as ants and bees. Man has the aesthetic ability

to create different artforms such as sculpture, painting, dance, music etc. Man creates various social systems and structures to enhance his social life, such as customs, laws, economic, sciences, politics and other cultural expressions. In brief, man is uniquely his own kind. The dignity of man The uniqueness and dignity of man is endowed by God. God has created man to share His life and love, and to help to manage the world. God said, “Let us make man in our image, to our likeness. Let them

the birds of the air, over the cattle, over the wild animals, and over all creeping things that crawl along the ground.� (Gn 1:27) Any animal, however pampered by its owner, is not and should not be more precious than man. A person likes her pet cat because it pleases her and gives her comfort. She spends time and money on her and invests her emotions taking care of it. If that same person has no empathy for the poor and needy, worse still, despises and belittles them, then we wonder if she really loves her pet, or loves the pleasure it can bring her. A genuine pet lover must also be a lover of the poor and needy, for she understands the meaning of human dignity. Every human person is unique, special and precious. No plant, in &

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him. Do not insult anyone by saying that he evolved from monkeys. „

20 COMMENTARY

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

On abortion and contraception, Vatican puts words in context By Francis X Rocca

‘Horrifying’ to think there are children who will never see the light of day, the pope told diplomats.

VATICAN CITY – On successive

days in mid-January, Pope Francis and his top collaborator at the Vatican made public statements that provided a lesson in Franciscan contextualisation of highly loaded moral issues. On Jan 13, the pope told the Vatican diplomatic corps that he found it “horrifying just to think that there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day�. That was strong language, especially for a pope who has spoken relatively little about abortion. His words had even more impact given the setting: not before a group of clergy, nuns or Catholic doctors, but in a room full of ambassadors, almost all of them from countries where abortion is legal in at least some cases. The pope’s words were even

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kind of speech in which they occurred. Popes normally use talks to diplomats to survey crises and

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urge the pursuit of peace, which is what Pope Francis for the most part did. In such a context, references to anything other than geo-

Illustration of human foetus.

politics are bound to stand out. *

of abortion came in the middle of a paragraph about threats to human dignity such as hunger and ‘ &

about which the pope has spoken more often, as consistent with the priority he has set on helping the world’s poor. The appearance of abortion in that company suggests the defence of unborn life is at the heart of Pope Francis’ agenda.

The next day came a statement

implications for Vatican policy, even though it did not come from the pope himself. Cardinal-designate Pietro Parolin, who as secretary of state is con

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met with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Jan 14 for a conversation that lasted an hour and 40 minutes. Peace in the Middle East, and particularly Syria, had been ex-

pected to be Topic A. Mr Kerry was stopping in Rome between meetings in Paris and Kuwait devoted to the crisis in Syria. And Pope Francis has made ending the civil war in Syria a major focus, among other ways by leading a prayer vigil last September that drew 100,000 people to St Peter’s Square. So it was no surprise when Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, reported that the two secretaries of state had discussed common concerns on Syria, as well as Israel and Palestine, and other questions of foreign policy. The attention-grabbing anomaly in his account of the diplomats’ talk was a US domestic issue. Fr Lombardi said the two men “also discussed the United States, especially the themes that have been the object of concern and discussion by the US bishops: the health care reform and its relationship to guarantees of religious freedom.� That was evidently a reference to the contraceptive mandate: the Obama administration’s requirement that nearly all health insurance plans, including those offered by most Catholic universities and agencies, cover sterilisations, contraceptives and some

& • ‘

of which are forbidden by the Church’s moral teaching. While legal challenges to the mandate are making their way through the US courts, Archbishop Joseph E Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the US bishops’ conference, asked President Barack Obama on Dec 31 to

< tutions who believe funding contraception and sterilisation violate their religious principles. If there were any doubts about the Vatican’s support for the bishops’ stand, they were dispelled by Cardinal-designate Parolin’s decision to include the contraception mandate in a discussion of geopolitical priorities with Obama’s top dip ‘

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spokesman tell the press about it. “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods,� Pope Francis said in a widely quoted interview published last September. “When we speak about these issues, we have to talk about them in a context.� „ CNS Rocca heads Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau.

FAITH ALIVE! 21

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

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( ‚, ƒ) 9 learn more about his person in real life.

Learning about a person in 140 characters With social media platforms like Twitter, where communication is simple and inexpensive, is it still possible to learn about a person in just a few words? By Erick Rommel One complaint about our growing reliance on communicating via the Internet is that we place less value on the words we use. Many years ago, people communicated by writing letters. The person receiving the message understood that it took time on the part of the sender to craft a message. And because it took some time to deliver each message, great value was placed on what was said. With the invention of the telephone, communicating with one another became more immediate. You could talk with anyone, anywhere, if you were willing to pay. Time, literally, was money. Words were expensive. Today, communicating with one another is as instant as with a telephone, but not as expensive or limiting. It’s easy to share a message with one person or 100 and it costs the same. Because communicating is simple and inexpensive, we often mistakenly believe that those words have little meaning. That belief is incorrect. You can still learn a lot about a person in just a few words. You can learn far more than you probably imagine. Take for instance, the Twitter messages of two people we would expect to be quite similar: Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI. Œ

^ \ sage, sent out in December 2012, matched his public persona: He was caring but academic. It read: “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.� His tweets in the days that followed were equally formal. On Dec 21, 2012, Pope Benedict wrote, “At the end of the year, we pray that the Church, despite her shortcomings, may be increasingly recognisable as Christ’s dwelling place.�

It’s a powerful Christmas message, but not exactly a personable one. From the moment of his election, Pope Francis demonstrated a ' Â

tweet, he asked people to pray for him, making it clear that he was now the shepherd, but he strongly

' Following his election, it became easier to see the man behind the mitre. Pope Francis’ words on Twitter are less academic and more embracing. “God loves us. We must not be afraid to love Him,� he tweeted on April 4, 2013. “The faith is professed with the lips and with the heart, through words and through love.� That word, “love�, is found throughout Pope Francis’ tweets. If you look at his @Pontifex Twitter feed and search for it, you’ll \ '

As a result, the person we perceive him to be, by reading his feed, is an accurate representation of the person in real life. =

match who we are as closely? Are we the same person online as we are in person? Or, do we create a different person – someone who is better, or worse, than the reality? If people formed an opinion of you based on how you present yourself online, would they leave with an accurate picture? We know it’s unlikely that Pope Francis personally tweets his messages on his phone, computer, laptop or tablet. But that doesn’t make the tweets any less honest or powerful. We see that his message is one of love of others. It’s also about love of self. And, what is that love? Pope Francis shared his answer on Twitter as well. “Are you angry with someone?� he asked via Twitter on June 17, 2013. “Pray for that person. That is what Christian love is.� „ CNS

Developing a perspective inclusive of all How does one make the world a more united place? Karen Osborne shares some insights. The world looks beautiful from 30,000 feet. You look out of the window of an airplane and you can’t see the borders of states or countries or the cars on the road. You can only see trees and lakes, the dark scars of deep canyons and the orderly rectangles of buildings, farms and ranches. From up high, the world looks peaceful. It changes when the plane lands, though, and you’re thrust back into daily life. Suddenly nothing is peaceful at all: there are papers to write and tests to take, work to do and tons of responsibilities. That’s another perspective. We rely on perspective to make sense of the world and what we see happening in it. Perspective tells us who to trust, what to do next, what moral decisions to make and how the world works. It allows us to make moral, political and personal decisions, such as who to vote for class president or who we should have as a friend. It would be easier to get along with each other if we all had the same perspective, but we don’t. A celebrity baby raised in the lap of luxury will think the world works in one way. A child whose family spends time in a homeless shelter will have a different perspective. My neighbour and I love theatre, books and reading, but we were born in different parts of the country, and although we have a lot in common, we see things differently. To get far in life, all of us have to broaden our perspective while keeping our values and goals. We must understand where other people are coming from and what they want and need. The most successful CEOs, prom queens and class presidents understand that the world is a varied place and that everyone has a different way of seeing it. They are able to understand others’ perspectives and work together, making others feel heard and counted. Otherwise, we’re blind and deaf, living in a world that confounds us at every turn. It’s important to listen to what astronauts say when they come back from space: the world

CNS image

‘The things that we share in our

world are far more valuable than those which divide us.’

– Retired NASA astronaut Donald Williams

is fragile and beautiful, and they can’t understand the divisions that humans make. “The things that we share in our world are far more valuable than those which divide us,� said retired NASA astronaut Donald Williams. selves stuck in one perspective ‘ &

it’s possible. If you’re a teenager, you have a giant “under construction� sign slapped on your worldview, so take advantage of it. Develop your perspective by serving at soup kitchens or talking with people who are knowledgeable about science, culture

and religion. Make friends from across the racial spectrum. This year, I want to see what the astronauts see: a united world where people will work together for the advancement of all. That’s very much in line with what God wants us to do as Catholics (after all, “catholic� means universal). It is also how Pope Francis wants us to serve and help the poor. God’s love for everyone is universal. That’s His perspective. The more we understand that, the more amazing the world becomes, and the better we’re able to serve it, no matter how old we are. „ CNS

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Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

JESUS saw that so many people had come to hear Him preach or to have Him heal their sick that He had to go up the side of a mountain to be seen and heard. They had come from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and even from beyond the Jordan River. Jesus sat down and began to teach. After telling them about the blessings that would be received by those who were poor in spirit or who were meek or who were hungry, He said, “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.� Then Jesus compared the people who were listening to things that they saw or used every day. “You are the

salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.â€? Jesus also made a point of explaining why He had come to earth. He knew some people felt He was not following the Religious laws properly. “Do not think,â€? He said, “that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish & ' Â

heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Michael Febres Cordero Michael Febres Cordero (1854-1910) of Ecuador was

opened by the LaSallian Brothers of the Christian Schools in Cuenca in the 1860s. He was an excellent student, and he knew very early that he wanted to pursue a Religious vocation. His parents said he should become a priest rather than a brother. He tried this but poor health forced him to return home, where he was &

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' He became a teacher specialising in languages, but what

Communion. As part of his work he wrote textbooks for the Spanish curriculum, a catechism and several other related books. We honour him on Feb 9. „

things have taken place.� Jesus also preached about love. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for He makes His sun rise on the bad and on the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. “For if you love those who love

you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? ... So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.� „ Read more about it: Matthew 5

Q&A 1. What did Jesus say about being like a light? 2. What did Jesus say about our enemies?

PUZZLE:

Wordsearch: „ REJOICE „ ENEMY „ PLACE

„ PREACH „ LIGHT „ ORDER

„ WORLD „ BASKET „ LAMP

1. t w e m a h t l _____________________________

2. s m n a o r s _____________________________

3. c h a s i n i n o r t p _____________________________

4. m a s e j u _____________________________

5. n o a t e e l v i r w _____________________________

6. s i g a t l a n a m

Bible Accent:

_____________________________

7. p r e e t i _____________________________

KIDS’ CLUB: Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: Why do you think Jesus told stories and parables?

Answers to Puzzle: 1. Matthew, 2. Romans, 3. Corinthians, 4. James, 5. Revelation, 6. Galatians, 7. Peter

One of the items Jesus refers to in today’s story is salt. Salt was much more important (as well as symbolic) during the times of the Old Testament and the New Testament than it is now. In Exodus 30, the Lord told Moses that the holy incense was “kept pure and sacred� by salt. In Leviticus 2, instructions were given that all grain offerings were to be seasoned with salt. Since there was no refrigeration in biblical times, salt was one of the main preservatives that kept food from spoiling. The salt used back then was either mined or produced by allowing the sea water to evaporate. When Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,� He meant more than just a mild seasoning; He meant a lifepreserving mineral. „

Unscramble the names of the New Testament books listed below. Be careful: Every name has one extra letter that doesn’t belong there.

Answer to Wordsearch

By Joe Sarnicola

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday February 9, 2014 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www. catholic.sg/webevent_form.php

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors.

WEDNESDAYS FEBRUARY 19 RCIA @ CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 8-10pm: At Church of Christ the € ’†††$ * €

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Register T: 6459 8858. Queries E: query.rcia@gmail.com SUNDAYS MARCH 9 RCIA @ CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7.30-9.30pm: At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (31 Siglap Hill). With welcome night on March 9. Register at Church Secretariat. Enquiries T: 9760 0038 (Bob)

TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 4 TO MARCH 25 PERSONAL MORAL COMPASS MODULE 1 – MY PERSONAL MORAL COMPASS 7.30-9.30pm: Personal Moral Compass is for all who are interested in formation in the foundations of Ethics and Moral Theology. It is a one-year-long systematic course in Moral Theology consisting of six individual modules. Q

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Conducted by Fr David Garcia, OP. At Catholic Centre (55 Waterloo St). Register T: 6338 9453 (Gail). E: formation@caritas-singapore.org FEBRUARY 8 CATHOLIC SINGLES CNY ELDERLY VISITATION 9.30am-2pm: A visitation event to &

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Each person would buy non sugary food (any quantity he/she decides) &

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Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com; ‰^ˆ ˆ¤¤ ' & ' ¤ CatholicSinglesSingapore FEBRUARY 8 BECOMING WOMEN OF JOY 2-5pm: Join Maria Vadia from the Âœ

and she will inspire you to become the woman God created you to be, full of joy, in intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, living out your vocation as a woman who empowers others by being her loving and gifted self. By ICPE Mission’s Woman to Woman Ministry. At CANA (55 Waterloo St #02-02). Register by Feb 1 SMS: 9845 9495; E: icpew2w@gmail.com FEBRUARY 10 EVENING OF WORSHIP 2014 7.45-10pm: Spend some time to worship, to listen to God’s word, and to be ministered to in the busyness of one’s life. Free. For 18 to 35 years old. Limited space of 250 people. ^ /

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Register/Information T: 6285 2571; E: events@cayconline,org; W: www.cayconline.org. TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 11 TO MARCH 25 THE LAMB’S SUPPER – THE MASS AND THE APOCALYPSE 7.30-9.30pm: In this 13-video series • = ~

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source and summit of the Christian life. At Church of the Risen Christ. Register E: free.risenchrist@gmail.com

WEDNESDAYS FEBRUARY 12 TO APRIL 30 PSALMS: THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER 8-10pm: A 10-session DVD course by Jeff Cavins on the psalms. Experience the spiritual riches of scripture with the psalms while learning about the various types of psalms and how to prepare to hear the responsorial psalm during * ' ˆ ÂŚ+† Â’ & “'

By Blessed Sacrament Church. At Blessed Sacrament Church St Andrew’s Room (Level 4 Damien Centre). Register SMS 8158 2388; E: cyclops135an@gmail.com FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16 INDIVIDUAL GUIDED RETREAT 7pm (Fri)-5pm (Sun): An opportunity to spend quiet time with God. This silent retreat will enable one to become more attentive to the presence of God in one’s life. Spiritual direction available.Cost: $180 (non air-con), $220 (air-con) including spiritual director stipend. By CISC. €

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T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com FEBRUARY 15 DISCOVERING YOUR POTENTIAL – CELEBRATE INNER FREEDOM †•_ ˆ

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bird $30). By LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At 100 Jalan * & ' Qˆ Š%ŠŠ †$‚„

(Brenda). E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg FEBRUARY 16 BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD 11am: The couple will learn how to

to space out pregnancy during their marital life, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Classes will only commence if there

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Family Planning. At Church of the Holy Cross. Register E: bern.and. matt@gmail.com TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 18 TO APRIL 1 DISCOVER THE SACRAMENTS 8-10pm: Learn about the Sacraments from Fr Michael Arro. Understand, deepen, articulate, explain and defend the faith one professes. By Discover Ministry. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Upper Room Level 4). Register T: –`$` †„†–¢ "ˆ ÂŞ ÂŞ ÂŤ '

FEBRUARY 19 AND MARCH 19 TALK OF THE TOWN 7pm: Find out about Ignatian Spirituality and Carmelite Spirituality. & ' ‰ *

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inclusive of dinner). By CANA. At Crossings CafĂŠ (55 Waterloo St). Register T: 6338 4080; E: canatheplacetobe2013@gmail.com WEDNESDAYS FEBRUARY 19 TO APRIL 16 GALATIANS BY JEFF CAVINS A 8-session DVD based programme

Law and set us free to live in the Spirit. Cost: $35. By Novena Church Bible Apostolate. At Novena Church. Register by Feb 2 E: bible.novena@ gmail.com or at Novena Church reception counter. FEBRUARY 20 AND MARCH 20 RELAXATION EXERCISES IN ENGLISH 7.30-8.30pm: Learn therapeutic breathing and guided imagery exercises to help release tension, boost energy and mood. Cost: $2. By Clarity Singapore. ^ „_% `$•+_$$ #

Road. Register T: 6757 7990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23 TO SATURDAY MARCH 1 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER Learn to pray with Scriptures using Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio

Divina. There will be one-on-one meetings with a prayer guide

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afternoon on Feb 23 from 2-5pm. At Church of the Holy Trinity. Contribution: $30. Register W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners; E: sojourners@catholic.org.sg

FRIDAY MARCH 28 TO SUNDAY MARCH 30 RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND ‰

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be worthwhile. Register W: http://www.helpourmarriage.sg; T: 6749 8861 (Michael/Lucy)

FRIDAYS FEBRUARY 28 TO MAY 30 ALPHA COURSE 7.45-9.45pm: The Alpha Course provides an opportunity in a relaxed and informal environment to allow

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or discussing any questions they want. At Church of St Bernadette (12 Zion Rd). Register: 9798 7788 (Richard), 8322 5356 (Andy); "ˆ ÂŞ

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SATURDAYS MARCH 29 AND APRIL 5 PARENTS AS LEARNING COACHES – •$ ˆ Q •

aims to help parents identify their child’s strengths, types of intelligences and learning styles to maximise learning. Parents will learn and acquire

more in-depth help in the growing

FEBRUARY 28 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-9.30pm: Gather in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The evening begins with rosary, followed by

benediction.By Generation CHRIST! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius (St Francis Xavier Chapel – € “'

E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com

their children’s love for learning. Cost: $42.80 per person, $64.20 per couple.. By Morning Star Community Services. % Š Š € '

Register T: 6285 1377; E:programs@morningstar.org.sg APRIL 13 BILLINGS OVULATION METHOD 11am: The couple will learn how to

to space out pregnancy during their marital life, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Classes will only commence if

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By Natural Family Planning. At Church of the Holy Cross. Register E: bern.and.matt@gmail.com

Friendship, fellowship important for unity

MARCH 1 DEFINING MOMENTS 9am-1pm: This programme allows people to come to a better understanding of what truly matters to

getting the returns in life that one wants. Cost: $37.45. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lorong Š € ' Qˆ ŠÂ†Â„_ $+‚‚¢

E:programs@morningstar.org.sg THURSDAYS MARCH 6 TO APRIL 10 2014 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP 7-9pm (for Thu): For parents of children ages 5 and above. The programme gives parents and

children’s and teens’ behaviours without affecting their self-esteem. Parents will learn and have the opportunity to practise a new a

professional trainer. Cost $64.20 per person, $85.60 per couple. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lorong Š € ' Qˆ ŠÂ†Â„_ $+‚‚¢

E:programs@morningstar.org.sg MARCH 8 PARENTING SKILLS THAT WORK WITH TEENS 9am-1pm: Parents will further understand the teens of today, their lifestyles, their behaviour, values, the

media and the challenges involved in parenting teens today. Cost: $37.45. By Morning Star Community Services. % Š Š € '

Register T: 6285 1377; E:programs@morningstar.org.sg MARCH 8 HEARTBEATS FOR LIFE PROLIFE SEMINAR 9am-7pm: Topics covered include contraception, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality and others. Come discover the culture of life that

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By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At St Anne’s Church (St Joachim Hall 4th Floor). Register W: http://prolife.caritahost.sg; Enquiries T: 9380 1581 (Andy); E: enquiries@prolife.caritashost.sg THURSDAY MARCH 20 TO SUNDAY MARCH 23 WEEKEND RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS 7pm (Thu)-8pm (Sun): For young †$ +–' Q

retreat allows one to discover oneself and what Jesus has in store for one. Cost: $45. By His Vineyard. At Blessed Sacrament Church. T: 9730 7795 (Damien), 9430 2377 (Mary); E: hisvineyard@gmail.com

The crowd at the Jan 24 service. „ From Page 1

as the different races in Singapore; the variety of music, literature, food and cultures here; and peace and harmony in the country. Methodist pastors Rev Dr = € = Š

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and 24 respectively. After the services ended, participants chatted over refreshments in a time of fellowship. Œ

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to generally felt there should be more events to promote Christian unity. Ms Lillian Law, 32, from the Church of St Francis of Assisi, who attended both services, said, “It was amazing to see so many ministers coming together.� She added that such services “should { @ & >

be ongoing, perhaps once a month or once every two months�. Mr Wong Suen, 52, from Church of Christ (Independent) suggested having combined prayer services for Singapore and neighbouring countries during times of crisis, such as Typhoon Haiyan, because Christians should “come together and pray� at such times. Ms Grace Ho, 44, from St Andrew’s Cathedral (Anglican), said

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retreats would be very helpful�, and it can just be “simple and beautiful� as “we pray together in the Lord’s name�.

Rev Dr Gordon Wong, president of the Trinity Annual Conference, The Methodist Church in Singapore.

One couple who were there for the second service were Ms Janice Tan, 25, a Catholic, and Mr Danny Watt, 29, an Anglican, who plan to get married next year. >"

up any misunderstanding between the denominations,� Mr Watt told CatholicNews. According to Msgr Philip Heng, Vicar General, Christian unity has to start from the “ground level�, to “establish contact and friendship�. “Ecumenism is not just about praying together. It’s about fel

another informally,� said Msgr Heng. “If not, Christian unity only

whole year.� „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

28

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Sunday February 9, 2014 CatholicNews

PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC NEWS, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMES PRINTERS PRIVATE LIMITED, 16 TUAS AVENUE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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