Catholic News issue 2, 2017

Sunday january 22, 2017

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Religious representatives bond at cathedral gathering The celebration, held on Dec 29, aimed at promoting religious harmony

Vol 67

No. 02

Inside home

Cathedral to hold dedication Mass 12 days of celebration to follow n Page 2

ASIA

Malaysia’s 1st cardinal honoured Thanksgiving Mass held n Page 6

Promoting family meals Vietnam Church stresses importance of family time n Page 7

WORLD

Attacks in Turkey Catholics fearful about attending church Archbishop William Goh and representatives of various religions pose for a photo in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Dec 29. Photo: VITA Images

By Jared Ng “As religious leaders, we must set the example of leading the world to find peace not through war but through dialogue,” said Archbishop William Goh. He was speaking to representatives of various faiths at an interreligious Christmas celebration held at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

They comprised members of the Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Taoist, Baha’i, Sikh and Christian (Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox) communities.

The celebration, organised by the Archdiocesan Catholic Coun-

cil for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD), was held on Dec 29.

“Peace between nations begins with peace between religions,” Archbishop Goh said.

He added that “peace is possible only through genuine dialogue when we seek to grow in mutual understanding and appreciation of each other’s beliefs and practices.”

Emphasising the part played by various religions in promoting

peace, Archbishop Goh said: “Our presence here from different religions is a good sign that we are serious in promoting peace through mutual understanding and appreciation of each other’s religions.

“It is important that religions do not view each other as a threat,” he said, adding that “we have much to learn from each other.”

He also shared the meaning of Christmas for Christians.

‘Peace between nations begins with peace between religions,’

– Archbishop William Goh

The celebration also saw the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ singing carols such as Mary’s Boy Child, Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful.

Msgr Philip Heng, rector of the cathedral, took the opportunity to share about the history of the cathedral and its significance to Catholics in Singapore as the Mother Church.

Participants were then invited to view the Heritage Gallery and large Nativity scene in the Annex Building of the cathedral. Many took photos and asked questions about certain artefacts housed in the gallery. n Continued on Page 2

n Page 9

POPE FRANCIS

When a mother loses her child…

Reach out with tears, not words n Page 12

OPINION

Hogging the ends of pews at Mass Move in, be courteous, says writer n Page 14

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Cathedral to hold Dedication Mass, 12 days of celebrations The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Mother Church of the archdiocese, will hold its Dedication Mass on Tues, Feb 14, at 7 pm in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of its first dedication.

The Mass will be presided over by Archbishop William Goh. While certain VIPs, priests and Religious are invited, this Mass is open to everyone as the Mother Church is the church for all Catholics.

Following the Dedication Mass, there will be 12 days of activities at the cathedral which will see all five districts’ parishes celebrating Mass with different themes on the Good Shepherd such as Hospitality, Mercy, Generosity, Compassion, and Witness and Service.

In keeping with the pastoral vision of our Mother Church, the themes of the other days of celebration would be: Young People, Family, Spirituality, Heritage, Aged and Sick (with anointing of the sick), and the Poor and Needy.

The newly restored cathedral will hold its Dedication Mass on Feb 14 followed by 12 days of activities on different themes.

n Look out for more information in the next issue of CatholicNews!

Strengthening religious unity

Msgr Philip Heng (second from left) sharing with religious representatives the history behind an artefact in the Heritage Gallery. From left: Ustaz Mohamed Ali Atan (Muslim), Mr Foo Check Woo (Baha’i), Mr Rajesh R. Shah (Jain), Mr Ashvin Desai (Jain) and Master Lee Zhiwang (Taoist). n From Page 1

During the dinner which followed, participants enjoyed fellowship among themselves while also taking part in table games.

These games required them to solve a quiz on religions, complete a word-search puzzle, and play a hidden objects game.

Mr Foo Check Woo, a Baha’i and a member of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Singapore, also led all participants in the popular Christmas song, Feliz Navidad.

The event ended with everyone singing Let There be Peace on Earth.

“I always look forward to this gathering every year,” said Venerable Shi You Wei, Education Committee chairman of the Singapore

Religious representatives taking part in a table game. From left: Master Chung Kwang Tong (Taoist), Venerable Shi You Guang (Buddhist), Swami Jitamanasananda (Hindu), Mr Pua Luck Kheng (Taoist) and Swami Vimokshananda (Hindu).

Buddhist Federation. “A lot of us [religious representatives] are always busy throughout the year so it’s good that we have a gathering such as this to have fun but also, more importantly, stand together to promote religious harmony.”

Master Lee Zhiwang, president of the Taoist Mission (Singapore), concurred with Venerable You Wei. “It is important to have such events for the various religious representatives to gather.

Us being here shows that we are committed to strengthening religious unity in Singapore.”

This was the first time that the annual celebration was held at the cathedral. Previous venues were the Churches of St Teresa and St Ignatius. n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Religious representatives viewing the Nativity scene in the cathedral’s Annex Building.

BUILDING THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW 3

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE Much has happened since the 10-year pastoral vision of the archdiocese was first introduced in 2013. But perhaps the most important and least visible of all, is the alignment of different parts of the Church toward a common vision. This journey continues to unfold, calling for patience, perseverance and the participation of everyone.

Fr Terence Pereira, Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation, discusses the tenets of the New Evangelisation with leaders of parishes and archdiocesan organisations at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in August 2015. Photo: Office for New Evangelisation The recently restored Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Mother Church of our archdiocese, has caused some buzz in the Catholic community lately.

But as much as this restoration is a source of joy for all of us, and for which we thank the Lord for His blessings, this is only one of numerous other projects that have been initiated since the archdiocese embarked on a new pastoral vision.

When Archbishop William Goh took office in 2013, he expressed a wish for a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church in Singapore, as a response to the call for the New Evangelisation by Pope Francis in the same year.

Much has happened in the Church since then, with the restoration of physical structures, establishment of new archdiocesan organisations, expansion of others, and many more taking place. But amongst these, the alignment of the archdiocese has perhaps been the most important progress of all.

Seeing the Bigger Picture The Catholic Church in Singapore, like any other organisation, has her structures, processes and people. But as we all know, it is people that ultimately brings about the changes needed. In the first years of the vision, there was a need for clarity and to help everyone understand the archdiocese’s new pastoral direction.

Thus began a process of consultations and engagements amongst a wide spectrum of people – from priests in the archdiocese, to spiritual directors of archdiocesan organisa-

tions and their leadership teams, to religious and the laity. What is the New Evangelisation? What are its key tenets? How do we know that we are moving in the right direction? What will success look like?

The output of this series of conversations was an uplifting description of what the New Evangelisation is really about, “a call to all Catholics to renew their faith in Jesus Christ and to share the Good News with ardour, in whatever sphere of society that they are in, using means relevant to the times”. This was promulgated by Archbishop William on Catechetical Sunday in January 2015.

Following this, the Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation, Fr Terence Pereira, further highlighted the four key tenets of the New Evangelisation to the leadership teams of parishes and archdiocesan organisations, movements and ministries in August 2015. The four tenets are Word, Worship, Communion and Witness. It was at this event that Fr Terence announced that the theme for the upcoming years will be Communion.

basis for a Strategic Communion Symposium which was convened in March 2016.

It brought together the Archbishop, the Board of Consultors, members of the Senate, the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning of Resources team, and the leadership of all key archdiocesan organisations. This provided a critical platform to begin the process of “horizontal alignment” where areas for collaboration to achieve synergy and efficiency were identified.

Monthly Strategic Communion Meetings were subsequently organised by the Office for the New Evangelisation (ONE) to provide a consistent platform for alignment. These meetings, held nearly once every month in 2016, have already yielded tangible results. On a people-to-people level, they have brought many closer together as co-labourers in the Lord’s vineyard.

In September 2016, ONE organised the New Wine Conference to further emphasise ‘com-

munion’ and to equip leaders within the Church. As St John Paul II describes, “communion and mission are inseparably connected. They interpenetrate and mutually imply each other” (Ecclesia in Asia 24).

Many Members, One Body In his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 12:12), St Paul reminds us that we are all members of the one body of Christ. Just as the human body has different parts playing different roles, so must each one of us, with our particular gifts and talents, help build the Church of Christ.

As the servant leaders of the Church continue to align themselves, it is now also our duty to begin becoming more involved in the vision of the archdiocese and to align ourselves toward it. The pope has called for a New Evangelisation, and our archbishop has set out a direction for us.

Now, we respond. How are you being called to play your part to build the Church of tomorrow?

Mission Is Communion Animated by the pastoral vision, key archdiocesan organisations started to examine their prevailing mission and vision, scope of programmes, people they serve and their priorities. From this, they developed their future strategic profiles and blueprints to support the archdiocese’s pastoral vision.

This “vertical alignment” of each organisation’s plans toward the pastoral vision provided the

Mr Mark Goh, Chairperson of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People (ACMI), discusses the challenges and future plans of the organisation with leaders and staff of Catholic organisations during an alignment meeting.

Photo: Office for New Evangelisation

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews Photo: VITA Images

Imam Habib Syed Hassan Al-Attas (extreme right) shows a Qur’an manuscript to (from left) Msgr Philip Heng, Archbishop William Goh and Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the Ba’alwie Mosque during an interfaith visit.

Mosque visit deepens friendships Archbishop William Goh made a personal visit to the Ba’alwie Mosque at the invitation of Imam Habib Syed Hassan Al-Attas on Dec 29.

“It was a friendly and personal visit,” Archbishop Goh later shared in his Instagram account.

“We had a warm and pleasant conversation.”

Imam Habib Syed Hassan took Archbishop Goh and Msgr Philip Heng, Vicar General for Inter-Religious Affairs, around the interfaith museum in the mosque, located on Lewis Road off Bukit Timah Road.

The museum contains an impressive collection of artefacts including books related to Islam, Christianity and other religions in Singapore.

The religious leaders spoke about nurturing shared values, respect and deepening interreligious engagement in creating a common space for religions to exist harmoniously in multiracial and multireligious Singapore.

In his Instagram account,

Archbishop Goh shared that he was very edified by the warmth, love and genuine fraternal friendship of Imam Habib Syed Hassan and his collaborators.

“There is nothing more effective in building and fostering relationships than by cultivating a sincere love for each other,” he noted.

“By so doing, through our sharing, we increase our common space as well, so that we learn to cherish what we have in common, appreciate what we differ in, and learn from each other the eternal values, the truths and the culture of others.”

Among those present for the visit were Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mayor, South East District; Mr Abdul Razak Hassan Maricar, Chief Executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis); and Canossian Sr Theresa Seow, Vice Chairperson of the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD). n

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

SJI’s top International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme students jump for joy. Ben Ng, who attained a perfect score, is fourth from right.

SJI excels in International Baccalaureate exams St Joseph’s Institution’s Class of 2016 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) students have performed well in the November 2016 examinations.

According to the Catholic independent school, all 80 students from its third IBDP cohort

passed their exams, and achieved an average score of 41.5 out of 45 points. This is higher than the average score of 40.7 attained by its Class of 2015, the 2016 national average of 38.27 and the global average of 29.21.

The Class of 2016 also pro-

duced SJI’s first perfect scorer – Ben Ng – since the IBDP started in 2013. In addition, 10 students had a near perfect score of 44 points, and 84 percent (67 out of 80) students attained at least 40 points out of 45.

“We are very proud of our

third batch of IBDP students who have graduated with stunning results,” said SJI principal, Fr (Dr) Adrian Danker, SJ. “We are confident that they are well prepared for their next phase of education beyond SJI.” The head of SJI’s senior sec-

tion, Mr Nick Moughtin, added, “We encouraged them to ‘aim high and get involved’; they seized the opportunities to be responsible for their own learning, pursuing and developing their interests and passions beyond the academics.” n

Catechists’ priority is witnessing to Gospel, says archbishop The most important role for a catechist is that of being a witness of the Gospel. Young people are inspired if they see Jesus in their catechists, and so catechists’ lifestyles must be consistent with what they teach, said Archbishop William Goh. He was speaking to more than 300 people gathered at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre on Jan 2 to launch the new catechetical year, which has the theme, Persevere in Prayer.

The participants included children’s and youth catechists, RCIA sponsors, Liturgy of the Word with Children ministry members, parish coordinators and others involved in catechetical ministries.

Archbishop Goh stressed that what young people need today is personal accompaniment on their faith journey so that they can be formed in the right way.

He recognised the role of parents in this regard as the first and primary catechists of their children. However, if parents fail to form their children in the faith, then the Christian community has to share the responsibility of catechising the young, he said.

On the other hand, if catechists do not pray or meditate on the Word of God, they have nothing to offer young people but information which can be found in books.

Archbishop Goh emphasised that catechists need to first encounter Jesus for themselves and then they

can go out and proclaim Jesus.

Archbishop Goh noted that the whole purpose of catechesis is to lead the person to fullness of life which includes a relationship with God. He stressed that there are three essential goals of catechesis: faith, discipleship and witnessing. He asked catechists to consider if they had imparted faith to those under their charge, helped them to become real disciples who want to live the Gospel values they have

Catechists need to first encounter Jesus for themselves so they can go out and proclaim Jesus, said Archbishop Goh. learned about, and nurtured a desire in their catechumens to share the Good News with others.

During the event, organised by the Office for Catechesis (OfC), catechetical director Fr Erbin Fernandez encouraged catechists to persevere in prayer in the midst of the uncertainties in the world.

He reminded those gathered that catechists are called to be messengers of hope and mercy.

To this end, he invited catechists to use the treasures of faith, especial-

Catechetical director Fr Erbin Fernandez speaking at the launch of the new catechetical year as Archbishop William Goh looks on.

ly the rosary and to attend retreats in order to be renewed so that they can help young people experience God. During the celebration, Ms Wendy Loe, OfC associate director, unveiled a new online platform to help catechetical minis-

tries access more materials and resources online as well as keep track of their training progress.

Certificates were also given out to those who had successfully completed the Basic Catechist Certification Levels I & II; and

tokens of appreciation were presented to parishes and individuals who partnered with OfC in 2016.

For more information on the courses and events offered by the Office for Catechesis, visit www. catechesis.org.sg n

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Mass marks appointment of Malaysia’s first cardinal Photo: HERALD

“To all of you, I wish to remain just Soter, without any titles,” said Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez.

The new Malaysian cardinal made this self-effacing remark during a thanksgiving Mass held to mark his appointment as Malaysia’s first cardinal.

The celebration, held at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 8, also commemorated Cardinal Fernandez’s 50th priestly anniversary.

He was among 17 cardinals from 14 nations created by Pope Francis during the consistory at St Peter’s Basilica on Nov 19, 2016.

In his message, Cardinal Fernandez recalled the words of Pope Francis during the consistory, “Today each of you is asked to cherish in your heart, and in the heart of the Church, this summons to be merciful like the Father.”

Cardinal Fernandez also noted

that the pope had said in his apostolic exhortation, the Joy of the Gospel, that “if something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life.”

The cardinal’s address was also read out in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil for the benefit of the faithful from the vernacular groups.

Archbishop Joseph Marino, apostolic nuncio to Malaysia, in his address, said the pope “is very much aware of the dynamic life of the Church in Malaysia and the deep faith of Malaysian Catholics, as well as the determination of so many throughout this country to foster mutual respect and harmony in this multi-racial,

In many ways, to ‘raise Archbishop

Soter to the office of cardinal was to raise the Catholic Church in Malaysia to be seen and recognised by others.

’

– Archbishop Joseph Marino, apostolic nuncio to Malaysia

Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez greets people during a Jan 8 thanksgiving Mass to mark his appointment as Malaysia’s first cardinal.

ethnic and religious society.

“So in many ways, to raise Archbishop Soter to the office of

cardinal was to raise the Catholic Church in Malaysia to be seen and recognised by others,” he said.

The Mass saw the attendance of members of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism and other religious organisations.

Also present were Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur, bishops from the region, ambassadors, Religious and foreign dignitaries. n HERALD

Church in Kerala forms support group for transgender people COCHIN, India – The Church in

Members of the LGBT community hold placards during a protest rally in Bangalore, India, on Oct 21, 2016. The Church in India’s Kerala state has formed a group of priests, nuns and laypeople to respond to the pastoral needs of transgender people. CNS photo

LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and India’s Kerala state has formed transgender] community.” a group of priests, nuns and lay“There is an active sex racket people to respond to the pastoral from North India eyeing transgenneeds of transgender people in Kerala. der people, reported The ministry is They are trying to ucanews.com. significant as exploit the discrimiFormed in Cochin natory situation they under the aegis of it is one of the face,” Fr Madassey Pro-Life Support, a few outreach told ucanews.com. global social service India has an estimatprogrammes ed 500,000 movement within the transgender for the Church, the ministry is people. They are often significant as it is one transgender ostracised from their of the few outreach families and – without community programmes for the adequate state support transgender commu- by the Church in terms of employnity by the institutional ment, health and eduin India.

Church in India. cation – end up on the “The whole Church has a big streets begging for money or are role to play,” said Fr Paul Madas- exploited in the sex trade. sey, who is in charge of pro-life In mid-December, Sisters of support for the Kerala Catholic the Congregation of the Mother Bishops’ Council. He noted that of Carmel offered their buildings Pope Francis had talked about the to form an exclusive school for need to give “pastoral care to the dropouts among transgender people. The nuns offered their venue after at least 50 building owners declined to let out their buildings, indicating the discrimination prevalent in the society, Fr Madassey told ucanews.com.

Earlier this year, Caritas India, the social service wing of the Catholic Church, announced a programme to fight such discrimination.

Vijaya Raja Mallika, a leading transgender activist in Kerala, is pioneering a three-month pilot school for transgender school dropouts in Cochin. Mallika said the “Church has been very supportive” of their struggles.

“Religion plays an important role in social and behavioural change at the grassroots level,” said Mallika. n CNS

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Cardinal calls for ‘selflessness’ at Black Nazarene feast Manila – Cardinal Luis Antonio

Tagle of Manila called on millions of devotees who attended this year’s feast of the Black Nazarene to turn away from selfishness and serve others.

He urged Catholics to offer “love that is ready to embrace even the weak and the sinful instead of condemning them, trampling upon them, and distancing ourselves from them.

“In his homily during a midnight Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta before the annual procession of the charred image of the Nazarene on Jan 9, Cardinal Tagle called for unity.

“Division is often the fruit of judgment,” he said, adding that if Filipinos do not change “we [will] never attain unity because there is no ability to say that we are no different from each other.”

“Love is also patient, not rejoicing in the misfortune of one’s fellow man,” said Cardinal Tagle.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte also called on all Filipinos to “join the Catholic faithful in the passionate observance of the feast of the Black Nazarene.”

The president said his administration, whose war against illegal drugs has resulted in the death of some 6,000 suspected drug users and peddlers, “has deep empa-

thy for the core of faith that pushes the masses of Filipinos to resort to sacrifice every single day.”

“Good fortunes are usually borne out of hard work and perseverance,” said Mr Duterte.

“Prayers are likely answered because we do not give up or get tired from asking God for the fulfilment of our heart’s desires,” he added.

He lauded the “phenomenal expression of faith” of the millions of devotees of the Black Nazarene.

Devotees of the life-size image of the “black” Jesus carrying a cross believe that the four-century old image is miraculous.

Sociologist Jayeel Serrano Cornelio of Ateneo de Manila University said the devotion of millions of Filipinos to the image of the Black Nazarene cannot be readily dismissed as fanaticism.

He said devotees see in the religious icon a representation of someone who can understand the situation of the poor.

“The Black Nazarene attracts

the working class because a lot of people in this country are still poor,” said Mr Cornelio.

He said the devotion of people on the image of the suffering Jesus manifests the “people’s aspirations and struggles.”

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that 18 million participants

The devotion of people on the image of the suffering Jesus manifests the ‘people’s aspirations and struggles.’

– Sociologist Jayeel Serrano Cornelio of Ateneo de Manila University

Vietnam archdiocese promotes family meals Ho Chi Minh City – Ho Chi Minh City archdiocese is promoting family meals as a way to strengthen relationships and foster harmony within communities.

Some 300 Catholics and Buddhists attended an event hosted by the archdiocese’s Ministry Committee for Family called “Meal of Heaven” on Jan 7.

The event was part of a campaign in the southern Vietnamese city inviting families to rediscover the importance of meal times in bringing families together.

“We should restore the real value of meals in Catholic families, who gather to pray to God, express loving care, talk and share food,” Sr Mary Nguyen Thi Hong Que said at the event.

Sr Que, who initiated the programme, said mealtimes are a space to unite family members, promote harmony between parents and children, educate children in their faith and give them a chance to experience family life.

People in Manila jostle to reach the statue of the Black Nazarene on Jan 9. Many Filipinos believe the statue of Christ has miraculous powers. CNS photo

Participants watched a play depicting the common situation of meal times in many families. In the play, the father was often on his cellphone, while one son used his smartphone, and another came home drunk.

They didn’t say a word to each other and quickly left after the meal.

Sr Que warned that “ignoring family meals is a start to broken home.”

Bishop Joseph Do Manh Hung, who was at the event, said meals in families should show the love and fraternal communion of the Eucharist. Parents work hard to provide food for the family and show their love to their children.

“When we eat, we should thank God and think about the poor and those who are absent from the meal,” Bishop Hung said.

Participants at the event were also given copies of mealtime prayers to pray at home. n UCANEWS.COM

from across the country joined the procession, which lasted for about 22 hours from Jan 9-10.

Up to 5,000 policemen, soldiers, security and medical personnel were deployed.

The procession – one of the country’s biggest religious events – started before sunrise with barefoot devotees lifting the image onto a carriage.

The image was supposedly carved from a dark wood in the 16th century in Mexico, and then transported to the Philippines by a group of Augustinians led by Fr Benito de San Pablo in 1606.

Established in 1620, the Cofradia de Jesus Nazareno was the first confraternity dedicated to Jesus in the Philippines and was mostly composed of men with a strong devotion to the Black Nazarene.

Pope Innocent X in a Papal Bull officially endorsed it in 1651.

In 1767, Archbishop of Manila Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa y Rufina decided to move the image from a church near Manila Bay to Quiapo district.

The procession, which attracts millions of devotees, reenacts the image’s transfer to the Minor Basilica in Quiapo. n UCANEWS.COM

Manila diocese to build drug rehab centre CNS photo

MANILA – The Archdiocese of Ma-

nila will build a rehabilitation centre for drug dependents amid Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, in which more than 6,000 people have been killed.

Ucanews.com reported that the move is aimed at helping users avoid falling victim to death squads accused of killing many drug dependents and dealers.

“We want to show people that there is really hope,” said Fr Anton Pascual, head of the social services ministry of the archdiocese.

The priest said the Church will offer those who have succumbed to drugs “a new life, a home that will welcome them, regardless of their past.”

Fr Pascual said the archdiocese is looking for a 20-hectare property outside Manila to set up a “drug rehabilitation farm.”

Fazenda da Esperanca (Farm of Hope), a therapeutic community that started in Brazil in 1983, will manage the facility.

Franciscan Fr Hans Stapel, Fazenda’s founder, said his organisation shows a “different way of living and addressing the problems about various addic-

An armed member of the Philippines’ Special Weapons and Tactics team stands guard as children look on during an anti-drug operation in 2016 in Manila. The Archdiocese of Manila plans to build a rehabilitation centre for drug dependents amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

tions of different individuals.”

He said the drug rehabilitation farm would be run based on the principles of “spirituality, community life, and work.”

Fr Pascual said the facility to be built by the archdiocese will accommodate 100 “drug reformists” to ensure quality and intensity of the programme.

He said the farm is one of many programmes the Church in the Philippines is introducing to help the government’s fight against illegal drugs.

A similar facility was established in Masbate province in 2003 and has already facilitated the recovery of some 300 drug dependents, reported ucanews.com. n cns

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Muslims, Christians unite against blasphemy violence Mr Babar has been organising Lahore, Pakistan – A group of Muslim and Christian community village councils in his shop loleaders have formed an interreli- cated in front of Nasri Church in gious peace committee to thwart vi- Kamahan village, home to about olence after torn pages of the Qur’an 600 Christian families.

Mr Veero Masih, the accused’s were found on a street in Lahore.

The 20-member committee, half elderly father, said the Christian of whom are Christians, was formed community has been apprehenin Kamahan village where Christian sive since the incident. “We no longer walk with our pastor Babu Shahbaz up,” he said. was arrested on Dec 28 We have been chinAmnesty Internafor alleged blasphemy. living with tional claims the most Locals claim the invoked Qur’an pages found in Christians like frequently blasphemy laws in Pathe Pakistani city bore a family and the name of Shahbaz will not allow kistan’s Penal Code are Sections 295-A whose family is now in this. Only the (outraging religious hiding.

“We called his fami- one responsible feelings), 295-B (desecrating the Qur’an), ly for questioning when should be and 295-C (defiling the three pages were found punished. the first day and they – A Muslim member name of the Prophet agreed to meet us and of the interreligious Muhammad.

The government has answer all our quespeace committee formed several ulema tions,” Mr Asif Ali Babar, a Muslim committee member, committees in the past to review the told ucanews.com. The Christians misuse of laws but could not change denied that pages belonged to them. them owing to domestic pressure.

According to a Punjab gov“But then more pages were found in the street. How can a ernment report, 1,296 blasphemy culprit leave such clear evidence cases were registered involving 2,299 persons in the province twice?” Mr Babar asked.

“We have been living with from 2011 to 2015.

These included 48 cases filed Christians like a family and will not allow this. Only the one responsi- by Muslim complainants against non-Muslims. n UCANEWS.COM ble should be punished,” he said.

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Video appeal of kidnapped Salesian priest triggers calls for his release COCHIN, India – The emergence of a video in which Salesian Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, kidnapped by Islamic State militants in Yemen in March, is apparently seen appealing for his release has led to widespread calls for diplomatic efforts to end his captivity.

Mr Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, India’s minister of state for parliamentary affairs, reiterated to Cardinal George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly, major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, that the government is “doing everything possible” during a meeting at Church headquarters in Cochin on Dec 27.

The minister’s visit came a day after a five-minute video of what appears to be a visibly weak Fr Uzhunnalil making an emotional appeal for his release. The Salesian hails from India’s Kerala state.

In the video, Fr Uzhunnalil appeared to blame both the Indian government and church officials for failing to secure his release. He claimed his captors had made several contacts with the Indian government and

Screen grab of a video apparently showing Salesian Fr Tom Uzhunnalil.

yet “I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard.”

“If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value ... Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father

please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating,” the priest is seen saying.

Archbishop Maria Soosa Pakiam of Trivandrum, president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, demanded Fr Uzhunnalil’s release “without further delay” on Dec 27.

“Not withstanding technicalities involved, the delay is seen by the common people as a lapse on the part of those concerned,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fr Paul Thelakkat, who ministers in Kerala, called the video of “Fr Tom’s appeal for his life very painful and distressing,” in an interview with Catholic News Service.

“The video clearly indicates that the terrorists are putting more pressure on India and the Church to succumb to their demands, whatever they may be,” Fr Thelakkat said.

Fr George Njarakunnel, vicar of Ramapuram parish in the Palai diocese, said parishioners began praying at the priest’s residence after the video became public. n CNs

world 9

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Bishop: Turkish Catholics fearful, but government supportive OXFORD, England – A Church leader in Turkey said Catholics are fearful about attending church after recent terrorist attacks, but insisted local Christians can count on government protection.

“Although we can move around freely, people are understandably afraid of coming to Mass and there’s been a drop in participation,” said Bishop Ruben Tierrablanca Gonzalez, apostolic vicar of Istanbul.

“But all churches have been given police guards since a coup was attempted last July, and security officials have shown great kindness to us. Christians, Muslims and Jews are talking together and sharing the same anxieties, although the future doesn’t depend on us.”

The Mexican-born bishop gave these comments after a car bomb killed four and wounded 11 outside a courthouse in Izmir on Jan 5, while a police hunt continued for the perpetrator of a Jan 1 attack on Istanbul’s Reina nightclub, which left 39 dead and at least 70 injured.

In a Jan 5 interview with Catholic News Service (CNS), Bishop Tierrablanca said Turkey’s minority Catholic Church was thankful no resident members had been hurt or killed in the atrocities.

He added that uncertainties had been worsened by the extension of a state of emergency im-

posed by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the July15-16 coup plot, but said he believed this was “not a time to criticise government failures.”

“It’s a difficult moment, and all we can really do is speak out together against terror and in favour of peace; this, rather than any political statement, has to be our message to the Turkish authorities,” said Bishop Tierrablanca, who also heads the exarchate for Turkey’s Byzantine-rite Catholics.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the nightclub attack in retaliation against Turkish military action in neighbouring Syria. Mr Veysi Kaynak, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, said police were closing in on the nightclub gunman after tightening security at airports and border crossings.

Armenian Catholic Archbishop Levon Boghos Zekiyan of Istanbul, president of the Turkish bishops’ conference, said in a Jan 2 statement terrorism was “a betrayal of the religious calling” and should be answered with “unity in prayer and solidarity, openness and concrete help.”

Earlier, Archbishop Lorenzo

People mourn at a funeral Mass of a victim of the Jan 1 attack on a nightclub in Instanbul, which left 39 dead. After a car bomb attack on Jan 5, a bishop in Turkey said Mass attendance has dropped for fear of further terrorist attacks. CNS photo

Piretto of Izmir, Turkey’s thirdlargest city, said “many Muslims” had attended a Jan 1 Mass in Ephesus. The Mass was given police protection, and the archbishop said he believed the Erdogan government had “shown concern for Christian minorities.”

“The war in Syria is right on our borders and the issue of the Kurds is complicating an already uneasy situation,” he told the Rome-based

Terrorism is ‘a betrayal of the religious calling’ and should be answered with ‘unity in prayer and solidarity, openness and concrete help.’

– Armenian Catholic Archbishop Levon Boghos Zekiyan of Istanbul

Adnkronos news agency on Jan 2.

During a November 2014 visit, the pope urged greater tolerance for Christians, including the Catholic Church.

However, human rights groups have voiced fresh concerns about human rights and democratic procedures amid mass arrests and job dismissals since the July coup attempt, in which 246 people, mostly civilians, died.

Bishop Tierrablanca told CNS that imams and Muslim community leaders regularly attended Catholic services and took part in interfaith events.

He said Catholics in Europe and the US should help highlight the Church’s “many positive achievements” in Turkey, including its ecumenical links, charity work and support for Middle East refugees. n CNS

10 world

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Doctrinal chief rejects idea of ‘fraternal correction’ of pope Four cardinals had asked Pope Francis to clarify certain aspects of his document on the family.

VATICAN CITY – The

Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the papal document, Amoris Laetitia, was ‘very clear’ in its teaching. CNS file photo

Catholic Church is “very far” from a situation in which the pope is in need of “fraternal correction” because he has not put the faith and Church teaching in danger, said the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Interviewed on Jan 9 on the Italian all-news channel, TGCom24, Cardinal Gerhard Muller said Pope Francis’ document on

the family, Amoris Laetitia, was to the dubia because they directly “very clear” in its teaching. impact the faith and the teaching of In the document, the cardinal the Church. If there is no response, said, Pope Francis asks priests “to he said, a formal “correction of the discern the situation of these persons pope” would be in order. living in an irregular union – that is, Cardinal Muller told the Italian not in accordance with the doctrine television that “a possible fraterof the Church on marriage – and nal correction of the pope seems asks for help for these people to find very remote at this time because a path for a new integration into the it does not concern a danger for Church according to the condition the faith”, which is the situation of the sacraments [and] the Chris- St Thomas Aquinas described for tian message on matrimony.” fraternal correction. “It harms the In the papal document, he said, Church” for cardinals to so pub“I do not see any opposition: On licly challenge the pope, he said. one side we have the clear doctrine In Amoris Laetitia, Pope Franon matrimony, and on the other the cis affirmed Church teaching on obligation of the the indissolubilChurch to care of marriage, Everyone, especially ity for these people but he also urged cardinals of the in difficulty.” pastors to proThe cardinal spiritual Roman Church, have vide was interviewed guidance and the right to write a about a formal assistance with request to Pope discernment to letter to the pope.

Francis for clariCatholics who However, I was fication about have married Amoris Laeticivilly without astonished that tia (The Joy of an annulment this became public.

Love), and parof their Church ticularly its call marriage. A pro– Cardinal Muller for the pastoral cess of discernaccompaniment of people who ment, he has said, might eventually are divorced and civilly remarried lead to a determination that access or who are living together without to the sacraments is possible. marriage.

In the view of the cardinals who The request, called a dubia wrote to the pope, this possibility (“doubts”), was written in Sep- reflects a change in Church teachtember by US Cardinal Raymond ing on the indissolubility of marL. Burke, patron of the Knights of riage and the sinfulness of sexual Malta, and three other cardinals relations outside a valid marriage.

– Cardinals Walter Brandmuller, In the TGCom24 interview, a German and former president Cardinal Muller said, “Everyone, of the Pontifical Commission for especially cardinals of the Roman Historical Sciences; Carlo Caffa- Church, have the right to write a rra, retired archbishop of Bologna, letter to the pope. However, I was Italy; and Joachim Meisner, retired astonished that this became pubarchbishop of Cologne, Germany. lic, almost forcing the pope to They published the letter in say ‘yes’ or ‘no’” to the cardinals’ November after Pope Francis did questions about what exactly the not respond. pope meant in Amoris Laetitia.

In an interview later, Cardinal “This, I don’t like,” Cardinal Burke said the pope must respond Muller said. n CNS

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

POPE FRANCIS 11

Magi’s journey reflects people’s longing for God, pope says on Epiphany VATICAN CITY – The Magi had the courage to set out on a journey in the hope of finding something new, unlike Herod who was full of himself and unwilling to change his ways, Pope Francis said.

The Wise Men who set out from the East in search of Jesus personify all those who long for God and reflect “all those who in their lives have let their hearts be anesthetized,” the pope said on Jan 6, the feast of the Epiphany.

In Singapore, the feast was celebrated on Jan 8.

“The Magi experienced longing; they were tired of the usual fare. They were all too familiar with, and weary of, the Herods of their own day. But there, in Bethlehem, was a promise of newness, of gratuity,” he said.

Thousands of people were gathered in St Peter’s Basilica as the pope entered to the sounds of the choir singing “Angels we have heard on high” in Latin.

The pope said that the Magi adoring the newborn king highlight two specific actions: seeing and worshipping.

Seeing the star of Bethlehem did not prompt them to embark on their journey but rather, “they saw the star because they had already set out,” he said.

“Their hearts were open to the horizon and they could see what the heavens were showing them, for they were guided by an inner

Pope Francis holds a booklet titled Icons of Mercy as he leads the Angelus from the window overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Jan 6. The pope offered the booklet as a gift to those in attendance at the Angelus. CNS photo

restlessness. They were open to something new,” the pope said.

This restlessness, he continued, awakens a longing for God that exists in the hearts of all believers who know “that the Gospel is not an event of the past but of the present.”

However, the figure of King Herod presents a different attitude of bewilderment and fear that, when confronted with something new, “closes in on itself and its own achievements, its knowledge, its successes.”

The quest of the Magi led them first to Herod’s palace that, although it befits the birth of king, is only a sign of “power, outward appearances and superiority. Idols that promise only sorrow and enslavement,” he said.

Unlike the Magi, the pope added, Herod is unable to worship the newborn king because he was unwilling to change his way of thinking and “did not want to stop worshiping himself, believing that everything revolved around him.”

Christians are called to imitate the wise men who, “weary of the Herods of their own day,” set out in search of the promise of something new.

“The Magi were able to wor-

Christians are called to imitate the wise men who, ‘weary of the Herods of their own day,’ set out in search of the promise of something new. ship, because they had the courage to set out,” the pope said.

After the Mass, Pope Francis greeted tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany.

Explaining the significance of

the Wise Men who presented their gifts to Christ after adoring him, the pope gave the crowds a gift: a small booklet of reflections on mercy.

The book, entitled “Icons of Mercy,” presents six Gospel episodes that recall the experience of people transformed by Jesus’ love: the sinful woman, Zacchaeus, Matthew, the publican, the Samaritan, the good thief and the apostle Peter.

Together with the homeless, poor men and women and refugees, Religious men and women distributed the books to the crowd. As a thank you, the pope also offered more than 300 homeless men and women sandwiches and drinks. n CNS

Pope: Vocations require prayers, open doors, big hearts VATICAN CITY – While God is the

one calling people to a vocation, clergy and Religious have to cooperate by being inspirational role models, keeping their doors open and giving restless young people constructive things to do, Pope Francis said.

Praying for vocations and holding meetings to discuss effective strategies are key, he said, but if those things are done “without making sure that the doors are open, it’s useless.”

The pope made his remarks near the end of a Jan 3-5 conference on pastoral ministry for vocations, sponsored by the Italian bishops’ conference national office for vocations.

The pope recalled how Peter heard this call while he was sleeping, chained in prison awaiting trial. An angel told him, “Get up quickly” and “put on your cloak and follow me.” The angel freed him and led him safely to an alley, but then left him there alone, a bit confused at first, but then excited and eager to find his friends.

Unfortunately, the pope said, when Peter got to the home where his friends were praying fervently

To foster vocations, ‘you need to make young people walk,’ go on a journey and accompany them because it will be while they are helping and interacting that they will feel part of the Church.

– Pope Francis

A Carmelite Brother gives a high five to pilgrims at the World Youth Day evangelisation centre in Krakow, Poland. The pope said outreaching to today’s young people requires an ‘open door’. CNS photo

for him, the door was shut and the servant didn’t think to open it right away when she heard him calling.

How often does this happen today, the pope wondered, with so many people praying for vocations and for the Lord to tell people to rise up and be free, but then

when those people go out to seek what they are looking for, they find a closed door.

This happens when a priest has very limited or inconvenient hours for receiving the public or for hearing confessions or when the parish has a very unfriendly secretary who “scares the people

away. The door is open, but the secretaries show their teeth” like a snarl.

The pope said he knows how tiring, frustrating or difficult it can be to do outreach with today’s young people.

He said when he was young, he and his friends were happy to go to parish-organised meetings where they just sat around and talked about a particular topic, then went out after to watch a game at the stadium or do some charity work.

To foster vocations, he said, “you need to make young peo-

ple walk,” do something, go on a journey and accompany them – “an apostleship of walking” and working because it will be while they are helping and interacting that they will feel part of the Church and then start going to confession and Communion – not the other way around, he said.

Priests also have to be patient and make the person feel they have all the time in the world to sit and just listen.

Young people may have dreamy, crazy ideas or really tough questions or cause trouble with their “shenanigans,” but that’s because they are young, “thanks be to God,” and eventually they will get their act together with time, the pope said.

The pope told the priests and Religious men and women how important it was they set a good example for young people.

It’s true that people are called to a religious vocation by God, he said, but it is also true a majority of those vocations were also prompted by the effective, inspiring witness of the people in their lives. n CNS

12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Fix overcrowded prisons unfit for human life, pope says

Inmates inside a prison in the Philippines. In the wake of a deadly riot in a Brazilian jail, Pope Francis called for all prisons to offer dignified living conditions and be places for true rehabilitation. CNS photo VATICAN CITY – In the wake of

a deadly riot in a Brazilian jail, Pope Francis called for all prisons to offer dignified living conditions and be places for true rehabilitation.

He expressed his sorrow and concern over the “massacre” in the Amazon city of Manaus, “where a very violent clash between rival gangs” resulted in at least 56 deaths.

The riot began on Jan 1 and authorities regained control early on Jan 2. Prison gang members took other prisoners and some guards hostage, decapitated or mutilated some of their victims and shot at

police, according to early reports.

During his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Jan 4, the pope asked people to pray for those who were killed, for their families and for all inmates and employees at the Manaus detention facility.

“I renew my appeal that penitential institutions be places of reeducation and social reintegration and living conditions for inmates be fit for the human person,” he said.

He invited everyone to pray for all prisoners in the world, and that prisons not be overcrowded, but about rehabilitation. n CNS

When a mother loses a child, reach out with tears, not words, pope says VATICAN CITY – In the depths of despair, when no words or gestures will help, cry with those who suffer, because tears are the seeds of hope, Pope Francis said.

When people are hurting, “it is necessary to share in their desperation. In order to dry the tears from the face of those who suffer, we must join our weeping with theirs. This is the only way our words may truly be able to offer a bit of hope,” he said on Jan 4 during his weekly general audience.

“And if I can’t offer words like this, with tears, with sorrow, then silence is better, a caress, a gesture and no words,” he said.

In his first general audience of the new year, the pope continued his series of talks on Christian hope by reflecting on Rachel’s inconsolable sorrow and mourning for her children who “are no more,” as written by the prophet Jeremiah.

Rachel’s refusal to be consoled “expresses the depth of her pain and the bitterness of her weeping,” the pope told those gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall.

“Facing the tragedy of the loss of her children, a mother cannot bear words or gestures of consolation, which are always inadequate,

A mother holds her child. In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis said it is better to offer tears instead of consoling words to a mother who has lost her child. CNS photo

always unable to alleviate the pain of a wound that cannot and doesn’t want to heal,” he said. The amount of pain, he said, is proportional to the amount of love in her heart.

Rachel and her weeping, he said, represent every mother and every person throughout history who cry over an “irreparable loss.”

Rachel’s refusal to be consoled also “teaches us how much sensitivity is asked of us” and how delicately one must approach a person in pain, the pope said.

Jeremiah shows how God responded to Rachel in a loving and gentle way, with words

that are “genuine, not fake.”

The pope said God answers with a promise that her tears are not in vain and her children shall return from exile and there will be new life and hope.

“Tears generated hope. This isn’t easy to understand, but it is true,” he said.

“So often in our life, tears sow hope, they are seeds of hope,” he said, emphasising how Mary’s tears at the foot of the cross generated new life and hope for those who, through their faith, became her children in the body of Christ, the Church. n CNS

Jesus’ ‘closeness’ to people touched them VATICAN CITY – Jesus astonished people with the way He taught and interacted with others because He wasn’t aloof, domineering or hypocritical, Pope Francis said in a homily.

“Jesus wasn’t allergic to people. Touching lepers, the sick did not disgust Him,” whereas the Pharisees – who strolled around in fine clothes – looked down on the people and considered them ignorant, he said at the Mass on Jan 10 in the chapel of his residence.

“They were removed from the people, they weren’t close,” the pope said of the Pharisees. “Jesus was very close to the people and this gave Him authority.”

The pope’s homily centred on the day’s Gospel reading (Mk 1:21-28) in which people gathered at the synagogue in Capernaum “were astonished” at Jesus’ teaching because He displayed an authority that differed so greatly from that of the scribes.

The people would listen to and be respectful towards the doctors of the law and the scribes, but the people didn’t take what they said “to heart”, he said. These teachers felt themselves superior, as if to say: “We are the teachers, the princes and we teach you. No service. We command, you obey,” the pope said. But Jesus “never passed Himself off as a prince. He was always the servant of everyone and this is what gave Him authority.”

The traditional teachers were hypocrites, declaring the truth, but not doing what they preached, Pope Francis said.

“Jesus, who is humble, who is at the service [of others] ... has authority,” the pope said. “This is the authority that the people of God sense.” n CNS

Pope Francis met with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the traditional exchange of new year’s greetings on Jan 9. CNS photo

Papal meeting highlights religious freedom, migrants VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has suggested to diplomats, at the start of a new year, how political and religious leaders can build peace.

In a Jan 9 speech to diplomats accredited to the Vatican, the pope said that political leaders must guarantee “in the public forum the right to religious freedom” and recognise the positive contribution

religious values make in society.

They must promote social policies aimed at fighting poverty and promoting the family as well as invest heavily in education and culture so as to eliminate the sort of “terrain” that spreads fundamentalism.

Christians, whose divisions “have endured too long”, also must heal past wounds and

journey forward together with common goals since many of those conflicts have threatened social harmony and peace, the pope said.

Peace, he said, entails greater justice and mercy in the world, especially towards foreigners, migrants and refugees. Peace also requires a common commitment to care for creation, he said. n CNS

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope urges reconciliation, end to violence in New Year comments VATICAN CITY – Whether the new

year will be good or not depends on us choosing to do good each day, Pope Francis said.

“That is how one builds peace, saying ‘no’ to hatred and violence – with action – and ‘yes’ to fraternity and reconciliation,” he said on Jan 1, which the Church marks as the feast of Mary, Mother of God and as World Peace Day. Speaking to the some 50,000 pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for the first noon Angelus of 2017, the pope referred to his Peace Day message in which he asked people to adopt the “style” of non-violence for building a politics for peace.

Lamenting the brutal act of terrorism that struck early on Jan 1 in Istanbul at a popular nightclub, the pope offered his prayers for Turkey as well as those hurt and killed .

“I ask the Lord to support all people of good will who courageously roll up their sleeves in order to confront the scourge of terrorism and this bloodstain that is enveloping the world with the shadow of fear and confusion,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the pope spoke of how maternal tenderness, hope and self-sacrifice were the “strongest antidote” to the selfishness, indifference and “lack of openness” in the world today.

Celebrating Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, which was decorated with bright red anthuriums, evergreen boughs, white flowers and pinecones brushed with gold paint, the pope said that a community without mothers would be cold and heartless with “room only for calculation and speculation”.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St Peter’s Basilica on Jan 1. During the Mass, he praised mothers’ unconditional love for their children. CNS photo

He said he learned so much about unconditional love, hope and belonging from seeing mothers who never stop embracing, supporting and fighting for what is best for their children incarcerated in prisons, ill in hospitals, enslaved by drugs or suffering from war.

“Where there is a mother, there is unity, there is belonging, belonging as children,” he said.

Just like all mothers of the world, Mary, Mother of God, “protects us from the corrosive disease of being ‘spiritual orphans,’” that

is when the soul feels “motherless and lacking the tenderness of God, when the sense of belonging to a family, a people, a land, to our God, grows dim”, he said.

Remembering that Jesus handed His mother over to us “makes us smile once more as we realise that we are a people, that we belong”, and can grow, that we are not just mere objects to “consume and be consumed,” that we are not “merchandise” to be exchanged or inert receptacles for information.

“We are children, we are family, we are God’s people.” n CNS

That is how one builds peace, ‘ saying ‘no’ to hatred and violence – with action – and ‘yes’ to fraternity and reconciliation.’

– Pope Francis

POPE FRANCIS 13

Even complaining to God is a form of prayer: pope VATICAN CITY – To complain to

“Hope opens new horizons; it God in moments of doubt and fear makes us able to dream that which like Abraham did is not something isn’t imaginable. Hope makes us bad but rather is a form of prayer enter into the darkness of an unthat requires the courage to hope certain future to walk in the light,” beyond all hope, Pope Francis said. the pope said.

While in life there may be times However, this path is not withof frustration and darkness, “hope is out its difficulties, even for Abrastill there and it moves us forward”, ham, who, after months of travel, the pope said on Dec 28 during his began to doubt God’s promise of a weekly general audience. son borne by his wife, Sarah.

“I won’t say that Abraham losIt is in this moment, the pope es patience, but he complains to the said, that Abraham prays to God Lord. This is what in the dark of we learn from our night, a darkness father Abraham: that mirrored his complaining to the “disappointment, Lord is a form of discouragement prayer. Sometimes and the difficulty I hear confessions of continuing to where people say, hope in something ‘I complained to impossible”. the Lord.’ But no.

Faith is not just [Continue] to comsilent acceptance plain; He is a father or a “certainty that and this is a form of secures us from prayer. Complain doubt and perplexto the Lord, this is Faith is not just silent accept- ity,” but it also ance, it also means ‘to argue good,” he said. means “to argue Entering the with God’, said Pope Francis. with God and show Paul VI audience Him our bitterness hall, the pope greeted thousands of without ‘pious pretences.’” pilgrims from all over the world. “’I became angry with God, I During the audience, the pope told Him this, this, and that.’ But continued his series of talks on He is a father and He understands Christian hope and reflected on you; go in peace. You must have the life of Abraham who, along this courage. This is hope,” the with his wife, Sarah, left his pope said. homeland with hope in God’s It is in the darkness of night promise of a son. and in the darkness of his own This hope, he said, gave Abra- doubts that Abraham once again ham the ability to “go beyond hu- receives, believes and hopes in man reason, and worldly wisdom God’s promise of descendants as and prudence” to believe in the numerous as the stars, Pope Franimpossible. cis said. n CNS

14 opinion

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

About those who hog the ends of pews People who hog the ends of pews before the start of Mass can be annoying, especially if they refuse to move in for others. Sam Lucero shares his thoughts.

A letter to the editor in another diocesan newspaper caught my attention recently. It was on a topic I muse about nearly every weekend at Mass: people in the pews.

More specifically, people sitting at the ends of the pews.

Here is what the letter writer says: “The AP (Aisle People) covet the seats at the end of the pew regardless of the emptiness within. … The AP make up approximately 30 percent of attendees and I am not sure they realise the angst they cause in other parishioners.”

Does this resonate with you?

It’s an unwritten rule, it seems, that if you’re early for church you get to claim your seat. Usually that’s at the end of a pew. But what happens when other folks, who sometimes arrive after the entrance procession? Let our letter writer tell the story: “Everyone who attends Mass … has no doubt noticed that the late arrivals will ‘probe the line’ looking for a charitable aisle person to allow them to enter the pew.

It disgusts me to see how many AP stare straight ahead, ignoring the petitioner’s tacit plea to access the vacancies within.”

The writer’s words may be a bit extreme, but it’s safe to say we’ve all witnessed this occurrence. A popular Catholic blog, Aggie Catholic, even included this subject in its post, “Mass Etiquette: 20 Things to Do and not Do in Mass.”

“Don’t sit on the edge of the pew if you sit down before others,” the blog post states. “Rather,

‘Don’t sit on the edge of the pew if you sit down before others,’ says a popular Catholic blog.

‘Rather, sit in the middle so others don’t have to climb over you.’ sit in the middle so others don’t have to climb over you.” It also suggests that men be gentlemen and give up their seats to women, the elderly or disabled.

Some Massgoers have good reasons to sit near the aisle. They might have a role in the liturgy, such as lector. They also might have a health condition that requires a quick and easy exit from church.

But for the rest of us, can we find ways to be more welcoming?

If we are determined to keep that seat by the aisle, at least be courteous to others. Stand or exit your pew and allow them to easily take a seat. Better yet, make it your penance for pew greed by sliding to the middle on occasion.

What can parishes do to make their members more aware of the situation? It begins with hospitality.

If the role of all baptised Christians is to make others feel welcome in the house of the Lord, shouldn’t it start by welcoming them into our pews? If not, our pew parochialism may resolve itself, as people who feel unwelcome at Mass simply stop attending.

A blurb in the parish bulletin can remind people to make room for others. Ushers can gently ask Aisle People to kindly slide over or allow others to pass. Even the priest-celebrant can offer a few words in his welcoming remarks.

We are called to be missionary disciples and one way to make this happen is by welcoming others into our pews. This includes the Aisle People. n CNS

This commentary first appeared in The Compass, newspaper of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA.

My favourite books of 2016 So much of life, particularly today, constitutes an unconscious conspiracy against reading. Lack of time, the pressure of our jobs, and electronic technology, among other things, are more and more putting books out of reach and out of mind. There is never enough time to read. The upside of this is that when I do find time to pick up a book this becomes a precious, cherished time. And so I try to pick books that I read carefully: I read reviews, listen to colleagues, and keep track of my favourite authors. I also try to make sure that my reading diet, each year, includes some spiritual books (including at least one historical classic), some biographies, some novels, and some essays.

Among the books that I read last year, these are the ones that touched me. I cannot promise that they will touch you, but each of them left me with something.

Among books in spirituality Gil Bailie, God’s Gamble, The Gravitational Power of Crucified Love. Bailie again takes up Rene Girard’s anthropology to shed some new light on how the cross of Christ is the most monumental moral and religious event in history. The text is very dense and (truthfully) a tough read, but its insights are exceptional.

Heather King, Shirt of Flame, A Year with Saint Therese of Lisieux. This book will make for a very good, private retreat for anyone struggling with an addiction or obsession, or just with mediocrity in his or her spiritual life.

Christophe Lebreton, Born From the Gaze of God, The Tibhirine Journal of Martyr Monk, 1993-1996. This is the diary of one of the Trappist monks who was martyred in Algeria in 1996. It is the intimate journal of a young man which chronicles how he moves from paralysing fear to the strength for martyrdom.

Kathleen Dowling Singh, two books: The Grace in Dying and The Grace in Aging. According to Singh, the process of aging and dying is exquisitely calibrated to bring us into the realm of spirit. In these two remarkable books, she traces this out with the depth that, outside of the great classical mystics, I have not seen.

Christine M. Bochen, Editor, The Way of Mercy. This is a series of remarkable essays on mercy, including some by Pope Francis and Cardinal Walter Kasper.

The Cloud of Unknowing. I finally had the chance to study this classic in some depth and it is, no doubt, the signature book on contemplation and centering prayer.

Among biographies and essays: Marilynne Robinson, The Givenness of Things, Essays. These essays are dense, deep, robustly sane, and are Marilynne Robinson, the gifted novelist, at her religious best.

Michael N. McGregor, Pure Act, The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax. This is the biography of the man who was Thomas Merton’s closest soul-friend, lived out his life as a secular monk, and who carried his solitude at a very high and noble level. It will help re-awaken your idealism.

Thomas Merton was well known for being a Trappist monk, a poet and a social activist.

Daniel Berrigan, Essential Writings, Edited by John Dear. Daniel Berrigan died in late April of this year. His writings set the compass for what it means to be a Christian prophet, and this is an excellent selection of his writings.

Three books that deal with facing aging and dying: Michael Paul Gallagher, Into Extra Time, Living Through the Final Stages of Cancer and Jottings along the Way. A man of faith and letters, Gallagher shares the journal he kept during the last nine months of his life, when he already knew he was dying.

Katie Roiphe, The Violet Hour, Great Writers at the End. How did a number of great writers, including Sigmund Freud, John Updike and Susan Sontag face terminal illness? This book tells us how.

Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air. This is a remarkable journal of a young doctor facing a terminal diagnosis that documents his courage, faith, and insight.

Three novels that I recommend: Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train. This didn’t make for a great movie, but the book is a page-turner.

Ian McEwan, Nutshell and Edna O’Brien, The Little Red Chairs.

The pedigree of these two authors alone is enough of a recommendation, but neither will disappoint you here.

Happy reading! n

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

faith alive! 15

Building a parish of hospitality and more How does one build a welcoming parish? Two people share their experiences

By Fr Herb Weber

A friendly and welcoming parish is not the only quality that makes a parish successful, but it is desperately needed.

S

hortly after receiving the assignment to establish a new parish 12 years ago, I gathered groups of new parishioners for meetings. People spoke freely about what they wanted in their parish: a youth ministry, programmes for young families, outreach to the needy and more.

But the most common request was that the parish be friendly and welcoming to people.

Over the years since then, our parish has supported and developed a ministry of hospitality.

This is not the only quality that makes a parish successful, but it is desperately needed.

A woman who later told me that she had wanted to sneak into church, pray and then sneak out, was met at the door by several friendly people. As she sat down, someone nearby smiled and said hello. The liturgy itself was inviting and authentically warm. Her grandson discovered there were cookies after Mass, which led her to stay a bit longer. By the second week, she knew she belonged there.

Many parishes have greeters at the doors. We do too, but I have found that they function better when they have a deliberate task. So they give out bulletins as people come in.

Hospitality goes way beyond the greeters. We remind people that everyone has to welcome and make room for others. It starts in the parking lot, where people warmly greet each other. On rainy

People exchange the sign of peace during Mass. Promoting a welcoming atmosphere within a parish is important when creating a vibrant church. CNS photo

mornings, the “umbrella brigade” is in action as people are met with someone handing them an umbrella to use as they walk in.

Inside church, people talk to each other as they enter the gathering space. A warm and clean atmosphere is promoted.

Accessibility is one of our goals. It means that people with disabilities of all kinds are not only welcomed but joyfully accepted.

Children are treated as fullfledged parishioners, as we do what

we can to assist their parents. At all Masses, there is a children’s Liturgy of the Word. We have a Sunday morning preschool for kids three to five years old as well as a nursery with qualified child care workers.

One more comment about hospitality. A man who had gone through a serious personal struggle commented one day after Mass he was finally feeling whole again, thanking me and the parish. When I asked what we had done, he said, “Father, don’t you understand?

Hospitality is healing.” Little did I know how his being accepted by the community had helped him.

In addition to hospitality, a parish that wants to be successful has to address two other aspects in the way Mass is celebrated.

The first of those is preaching.

As a homilist myself, I know this is an ongoing challenge.

I have learned that the best way to help this happen is to employ visual images as part of a homily. Such images as stories,

comparisons, analogies and wellthought-out examples can help all listeners regardless of age or educational background.

Just as the homilist prepares for Sunday, the people of the parish must do so as well. Our parish has small faith groups that meet regularly and read the Scriptures of the subsequent Sunday. Parents are encouraged to read Sunday readings to their children before coming to church.

The final element to help people have a rich Mass experience is the music. This cannot be overstated because music is an art form. What appeals to one person may not be the preference of another. What all people like, however, is when music is well-done, inviting and allows participation of the assembly.

Parish life is more than the Sunday Mass experience, but for many, that is precisely where they get to know a church community. Often that experience is where people find what their faith needs to help them in their discipleship of the Lord. n CNS Fr Weber is the founding pastor of St John XXIII Parish in Perrysburg, Ohio, USA.

Welcome others ‘as Christ has welcomed you’

By Mike Nelson It may be his first parish leadership assignment after 30 years in Catholic education as a teacher and administrator, but Fr Tom Elewaut needed no instructional manual to determine the most important element of a Christ-centred parish community: welcome.

For the six years he has headed Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, California, Fr Elewaut takes time after each Sunday Mass to greet everyone and anyone, parishioner or not, with a handshake, a smile and a hearty hello.

At every Mass at which he presides, Fr Elewaut invites visitors to stand and announce where they are visiting from, to acknowledge their presence with applause from the assembly and to make sure the ushers give each visitor a prayer card.

“It is our privilege and our joy to welcome each of you,” he tells them with a smile, “and we hope you will return.”

Fr Elewaut also makes it a point at liturgies where there are likely to be people who are either not Catholic or non-practising Catholics – Christmas and Easter, for example, or funerals and weddings – to let them know that “you have a home here ... and you are always welcome.”

But the genial pastor is simply modelling what all Catholics are called to do, as St Paul told the Romans: “Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God” (15:7).

And throughout the US, many Catholic parishes make “welcome” the guidepost in their efforts to evangelise their communities.

One such parish is Sacred Heart Church in Royersford, Pennsylvania, which three years ago established a welcome ministry at the behest of its parish council.

Each week, a core group of about 20 parishioners opens the doors and greets all Massgoers, parishioners and visitors alike, as they

A priest greets parishioners after Mass. Steps parishes can take to make their church more inviting is to have welcome ministers provide parish information to those who request it after Mass and to offer them hospitality in the church canteen. CNS photo

enter the church to attend Mass.

The “welcome ministers” are a representation of all age groups and parish organisations, from Boy Scouts and Catholic Youth Organisation sports teams to the

“Silver Liners” (those over age 55), from housewives to executives and working professionals.

Welcome ministers are also on hand after Mass to thank people for attending, to provide parish infor-

mation and to offer hospitality in the downstairs “Fellowship Cafe.”

“It’s usually nothing fancy, just coffee and doughnuts,” smiles Ms Pam Galbraith, welcome ministry director, “but it is an opportunity for everyone, especially newcomers, to get acquainted with one another, to learn more about what we do and who we are.”

The response to the welcome ministry, Ms Galbraith adds, has been very favourable.

“People tell us they like our liturgies, our music, our homilies,” she says, “but they also like and appreciate that our people are very welcoming.”

“It doesn’t matter who or how old you are,” says Ms Galbraith.

“All you need to be is enthusiastic, outgoing and happy to welcome people to your spiritual home.”

And shouldn’t that describe every follower of Christ? n CNS Catholic journalist Mike Nelson writes from Southern California.

16

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the desert. During that time, He was tempted by Satan, but He didn’t give in to the devil’s evil ways.

At the end of His time in the desert, Jesus learned that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been arrested.

Upon hearing the news, He withdrew to His home in Galilee.

Jesus then decided to leave His home in Nazareth and move to a different city in Galilee. He went to Capernaum, which is located by the Sea of Galilee in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Jesus’ move to Capernaum fulfilled a prophesy about the Messiah that can be found in the book of Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond

the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.”

When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, He began to preach to all who would listen.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Jesus told the people.

One day, as He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two men who were casting a net into the water.

The men were brothers. Their names were Andrew and Simon, who also was known as Peter.

Jesus called out to them.

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men,” Jesus said.

Simon and Andrew looked at each other. They dropped their nets and followed Jesus.

The three new friends kept walk-

Spotlight on Saints:

St Joan de Lestonnac St Joan (Jeanne) de Lestonnac was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1556.

She married and had four children.

After her husband died and her children were grown, she became a nun at age 47.

She founded and was superior of the Religious congregation, the Company of Mary Our Lady in Bordeaux. In that city, she performed such work as ministering to people who were sick with the plague.

St Joan died in 1640, and we remember her on Feb 2. n

ing along the sea. They eventually came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, who were mending fishing nets on their father’s boat. Jesus called out to them and asked the men to follow Him. James and John left their father on the boat and went with Jesus, Simon and Andrew.

Jesus and His friends travelled all around Galilee. Jesus taught in the synagogues, proclaimed God’s Gospel and cured people of their diseases.

As Jesus’ fame as a preacher and a healer spread, people came from all around to be cured by Him and also to follow Him. n Read more about it: Matthew 4

Q&A 1. What city did Jesus move to?

2. Who were the first two men Jesus asked to follow Him?

Wordsearch: n DAYS n PAIR n NIGHTS n HEALER n CURED n LISTEN

n LIGHT n FAME n EVIL n PREACH n BOAT n NETS

TRIVIA: What was the name of James and John’s father?

(Hint: Matthew 4:21)

Bible Accent:

I will make you fishers of men.

Answer to puzzle: 1. Simon (i, m); 2. Capernaum (e, r, n, u, m); 3. fishing (f, i, s, h); 4. Andrew (w); 5. Galilee (l, i, l, e); 6. kingdom of heaven (k, e, a); 7. follow him (f, o, o); 8. yes (y, s) Answer to Trivia: Zebedee

In the Bible, we read that many people who heard Jesus preach or who were healed by Him began to follow Him. We also read that some of His followers were called “disciples” and others were called “apostles.”

What is the difference between Jesus’ followers?

As Jesus’ reputation as a preacher and healer became known, random people would follow Him from town to town to hear Him talk or in hopes of being cured by Him. In Matthew 4:25, we read that “great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed Him.” Disciples were not just random followers. As Jesus travelled around Galilee, He called specific people to follow Him and learn from Him. The first people He called were Simon, Andrew, James and John.

As Jesus’ ministry continued, He chose 12 men from among His disciples to be His best and closest assistants. In Matthew 10, we read that these men – called apostles – were sent on missions to preach God’s word, and they were given “authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.”

The apostles are listed in Matthew 10:2-4. They were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean and Judas Iscariot. n

PUZZLE: Fill in the blanks with the answer to each question. The numbers following the questions correspond to the positions of certain letters in the answers. Find all those letters and arrange them to spell out something Jesus said in the story above. Hint: What Jesus said is in quotation marks.

1. What was Peter’s other name? _ _ _ _ _ (2, 3) 2. What city did Jesus move to? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (4, 5, 6, 8, 9) 3. What were Simon and Andrew doing? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (1, 2, 3, 4) 4. Who was Simon’s brother? _ _ _ _ _ _ (6) 5. What sea did Jesus walk by? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (3, 4, 5, 6)

6. What did Jesus say was at hand? _ _ _ _ (1, 11, 12)

_ _ _ _ _

7. What did Jesus ask the men to do? _ _ _ _ _ _ 8. Did the men do what Jesus asked? _ _ _ (1, 3)

_ _

_ _ _

_ _ _ _

(1, 2, 5)

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http://www.catholic.org.sg/chancery/ announcement-advertisement-request/.

Once forms have been submitted online, kindly send us details of your event for publication at www. catholicnews.sg/whatson/ at least one month ahead of the publication date. jan 10 to feb 7 BCC Level 1 – Scripture Every Tuesday from 7:30pm-10pm.

Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Road, S549102.

Contribution: Waived for 2017.

Please register using the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/gryfqms. For more information, contact Sylvia Stewart from the Office For Catechesis at 68583011.

W: www.catechesis.org.sg jan 18 ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8) Why did God allow my mum to suffer four bouts of cancer and years of pain?

A person’s faith can often be shaken by such apparent contradictions. This talk is an invitation to an alternative way of understanding suffering and God’s love.

Time: 7.30pm-9pm (begins with Vespers).

Venue: St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street.

Jan 18 to march 29 BIBLE STUDY ON ST PAUL’S LETTERS TO THE ROMANS WITH FR CORNELIUS CHING Every Wednesday from 9.30am-11.30am.

Join us for 10 sessions to study St Paul’s Letters to the Romans led by Fr Cornelius.

No pre-registration required. Registration on day of first session. Venue: Church of Holy Spirit in Room 03-11. Love offerings welcomed. For more information, E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com.

Jan 19 Craft of Catechesis Workshop: Planning First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion A retreat for children. Time: 7.30pm10pm. Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, 2 Highland Road, S549102. Contribution: Waived for 2017.

Please register using the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/jpw2clo. For more information, contact Sylvia Stewart from the Office For Catechesis at 68583011.

W: www.catechesis.org.sg jan 20 to jan 22 WORKING WITH DREAMS Jan 20 (8pm)-Jan 22 (1pm). This programme helps us with our dreams, to understand their symbolic language, listen to and experience them as a way in which the Divine can speak to us.

Participants are to bring a significant dream to work on. This is a stay-in programme organised by the Cenacle Sisters. Venue: 47 Jurong West, St 42 Contribution: $200. To register: T: 65652895 or sms 9722 3148; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com Jan 28 to Jan 20 ANNUAL RETREAT Organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for Malayalam Apostolate.

An annual retreat for children, teens and the elderly. Venue: Holy Innocents’ High School at 1191 Upper Serangoon Road S534786. For more information, T: 62887761; E: archmalayalamcatholic.org.sg feb 1 to may 10 Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew Conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Every Wednesday from 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of St Francis Xavier. No course fee. To register: E: maisielee21@gmail. com; E: ronlee@lucas.com.sg feb 2 to may 11 lectures by Msgr Ambrose: The Gospel According To Matthew Every Thursday from 8pm-10pm at the

Church of St Ignatius, level 2 St Ignatius Hall. No pre-registration required.

All are welcome. FOC. Come and enjoy the living word of God! For more information: E: henrythwu@gmail.com Feb 9 to May 18 Introduction to Basic Counselling Every Thursday from 7.30pm-10pm.

A 14-week course providing an introduction to basic counselling skills and personal development. Learn about the counselling process and its benefits, as well as develop an awareness of mental wellbeing. Participants will also get to apply problem-solving strategies and techniques in a safe, supportive environment. Fee: $600. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http:// tinyurl.com/itcc14; T: 64676072 feb 12 to feb 18 CHARIS MISSION TRIP: SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA Join us to train and build a biosand water filter with Caritas Cambodia and Boeung Mealea Village. This is to provide clean drinking water for the village. Organised

by Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, Singapore (CHARIS). Slots for nine participants only. Cost: $850 per pax. Closing date to register: Jan 13.

Terms and conditions apply.

For more information: T: 63374119; E:victoria@charis-singapore.org feb 13 to april 17 At Home Retreat Every Monday from 7.15pm-9.30pm.

Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul.

A 10-week programme based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, which enables one to know Jesus Christ more intimately in the midst of the daily routine of life. It includes a weekly meeting of faith sharing, daily prayer using Scripture, and spiritual direction. As the retreat period falls within the Lent season, the retreat theme of “Journeying from Ashes to Easter” would be a timely opportunity for us to deepen our Lenten pilgrimage.

Organised by the Cenacle Sisters.

Woman who survived abortion shares her story SAN FRANCISCO – Ms Melissa Ohden was delivered during a saline infusion abortion, a 1.3 kilogrammes baby suffering jaundice and respiratory distress after undergoing five days of inhaling toxic salt and Pitocin-laced amniotic fluid.

An adopted child, she did not learn the facts of her birth until she was 14 during a childhood argument with her sister.

It wasn’t until last year that Ms Ohden met her birth mother. She learned that her birth mother was forced to undergo the abortion procedure and that her mother’s twin sister – Melissa’s aunt – tried to help the pregnant 19-year-old escape from the hospital during the procedure in Sioux City, Iowa, USA, in 1977.

“It was literally forced upon her. She was given no other choice. We know that is representative of so many women,” said Ms Ohden.

Ms Ohden, who is now based in Kansas City, founded the Abortion Survivors Network, online at theabortionsurvivors.com. She counts 210 people who were born alive during an abortion. She said there may be many more. Those are only the ones who have contacted her.

“I appeared to have a bleak future, but I was alive,” she wrote in

Ms Melissa Ohden, pictured in this 2013 photo, shares her experience of surviving abortion and reuniting with her mother after being adopted 39 years ago. CNS photo

an account in 2007 for The American Feminist. She was adopted by parents who knew “full well that as they opened their hearts and their home to me, they took a chance on raising a child who would quite probably not live past her infancy.”

Today, Ms Ohden told Catholic San Francisco, newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, that her experience and that of her mother highlight another often disregarded aspect of abortion.

“As a woman, we often hear about abortion being a right. As a woman who survived an abortion,

where is my right in that? Certainly the other piece of that is the rights of my biological mother. I spent years thinking she chose to abort me,” Ms Ohden said.

For 39 years, her birth mother believed Melissa had died in the abortion, as Melissa’s adoption was arranged without her knowledge, Ms Ohden said.

She has written a book, “You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir,” which was published in early January. Her birth father died before she could contact him.

“I not only share my survival and my search for my biological family, I ultimately get to share how I’ve been united with her,” Ms Ohden said. “What I love about the book is that it not only shares my story, but her story.”

“I was scared to write the book because I wanted to protect her. When I finally sent it off to her, her response was she loved it,” said Ms Ohden, who first met her mother in person at a zoo with her half-sister and her children – where the little cousins immediately took each other’s hands.

“It is the way God wanted the story to end. Who could have imagined 39 years ago?” Ms Ohden said. Today there is “love, forgiveness. We’re part of each other’s lives. We’re committed to each other.” n CNS

feb 16 to feb 19 Prayer Experience Retreat (PER) 21 This is a 4D/3N stay-in programme, designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and to deepen their prayer experience. It is especially recommended for Conversion Experience Retreat participants, following their conversion experience. Facilitated by Fr Erbin Fernandez, the PER incorporates praise and worship, prayers, talks, testimonies and healing. Cost: $160.

Registration opens on Jan 6.

Feb 18 to Feb 19 Marital First Responders Workshop Time: 9am-5pm. A two-day workshop facilitated by Fr (Dr) Charles Sim. It is meant for those constantly approached by close friends and relatives regarding their marital issues. With this training, these “marital first responders” can better provide frontline counselling help or a listening ear. Contribution: $250 (inclusive of lunch and tea). Organised

by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/ mfr2017; T: 64676072 feb 20 to may 23 Gospel of Matthew Every Tuesday from 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of the Holy Spirit, #03-11. To register: E: kim_f_ho@yahoo.com; T: 90102829 (Kim). In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus as the fulfilment of the messianic prophecy of the Old Testament. More importantly, Jesus is the new and final covenant and the law – He fulfils and completes both. This Gospel is also read at Mass this year. So come discover! Presented by the Discover ministry and Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Feb 24 or Feb 25 A DAY OF QUIET Time: 9am-5pm. We are opening our doors to individuals desiring some personal space and quiet in their lives.

For seasoned retreatants and beginner seekers who would like to experience a day in silent prayer and reflection.

Prayer and handicraft resources, labyrinth walk and spiritual direction will be available. Fee: $60 (including lunch, tea). Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http:// tinyurl.com/dayofquiet; T: 64676072

What’s On 17 March 5 to April 9 The First Spiritual Exercises Retreat Time: 1.30pm-5pm. The retreat is made in daily life over four weeks. These exercises contain first-step exercises for beginners, new visions for searchers and solid food for those desiring more in their interior life. Fee: $170. Organised

by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl. com/1stexercises; T: 64676072 march 17 to march 19 Montfortian Xperience 3 (MX3) - Friends Of the Cross Time: 7pm (Fri)-1pm (Sun).

A weekend live-in retreat based on the spirituality of St Louis Marie de Montfort.

A Friend of the Cross is one chosen by God, from among thousands. A Friend of the Cross is one who is holy and set apart from the things that are visible. Are you walking along the true way of life – the narrow and stony way of calvary?

By Br Dominic Yeo-Koh and Br John Albert. Venue: Montfort Centre.

To register: T: 67695711; E: enquries@montfortcentre.org March 18 Finding God in Writing Workshop Time: 10am-5pm. A full-day workshop designed to help you write your sacred story. Through writing exercises and other activities, explore and express your innermost thoughts and feelings.

No prior writing experience required.

Fee: $80 (includes lunch and refreshments). Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/writing2017; T: 64676072 March 19 Introduction to Authentic Conversations Time: 9.30am-5pm. The lack of authentic conversation spaces has reduced many conversations into gossip and slander.

How does one facilitate and nurture safe spaces for authentic conversation that is so critically needed today?

Listen to your call through the needs of the many who thirst for real conversation.

Fee: $60. Organised by Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Rd. To register: W: http://tinyurl.com/iac2017; T: 64676072

18 IN MEMORIAM Twelfth anniversary In loving memory of

eliZaBeTh lim niK Departed: Jan 24, 2005 Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

From your loved ones.

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

In loving memory of

PhiliP Teo Cheng lim (William) Departed: Jan 23,1995 Rest in peace Papa, 22 years have passed; you’re gone from our lives But are forever living in our hearts.

Forever cherished by family and loved ones.

They can no longer die for they are like angels and they are children of God because they are the ones who will rise.

Twelfth anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of

mR FRanCiS JoSePh PeTeR

BaBY TeReSa PeTeR

Born: Nov 27, 1899 Departed: Jan 20, 1965

mDm anTonia PeTeR

mR Joe aloYSiUS PeTeR

Born: Jan 31, 1935 Born: Jul 18, 1910 Departed: Mar 15, 1935 Departed: Feb 26, 1988

mRS aDeline ChRiSSie PeReiRa Departed: Jan 23, 2005

Born: Sep 21, 1930 Departed: Feb 1, 1972

Fifth anniversary In loving memory of our beloved mother /grandmother

In our hearts you will always live.

Your love, your voice and your smile Are forever imprinted in our minds.

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

Fondly remembered by Martin, Charles and Raymond, their families, relatives and friends.

Luke 20:36

Second anniversary In everloving memory of

Philomena Chan Wai KUan Departed: Jan 29, 2012

God looked around His garden And found an empty place He then looked down upon this Earth And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best.

Dearly missed by family and friends.

Softly within the shadows God gave a gentle call With farewells left unspoken Mum, you silently left us all Our hearts still ache with sadness and Silent tears still flow For what it means to love and miss you, Mum No one will ever know.

Dearly missed by your sons and daughters, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and loved ones.

eleventh anniversary In loving memory of our beloved father

VinoDh aYaThan Born : 3 December 1961 Called Home: January 17, 2015 When you left, you took our hearts by surprise, but your heart beats in each of us.

We rejoice that your heart now rests completely with Jesus in heaven, and that we will meet again – the one whom my soul loves.

Forever loved and dearly missed by wife Jackie, children Liam and Tara, loved ones and friends.

Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St Teresa on Jan 15, at 8.30am and Jan 17, 2017 at 6.00pm.

Third anniversary In loving memory of

JUDe ChUa Tang hoCK Called to be with the Lord: Jan 19, 2006 Always remembered by loved ones.

We miss you in so many ways. eighth anniversary In loving memory of

Crossword Puzzle 1176 1

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

aCRoSS 1 Religious ceremony 5 David married his widow 10 Hall with trays 14 Type of sch.

15 Mission to remember 16 Not pro 17 August 15 19 Score 20 Vegas introduction 21 Israel’s airline

22 23 24 26 29 30 31 35 36 37 38

Extremely small Frankfort’s river Flares Illegal acts Black of country music Tropical plant used in cosmetics Title for the Holy Spirit Years in old Rome Type of poetry Hick Sinned against hope

40 North American buffalo 41 One of the sons of Simon of Cyrene (Mk 15:21) 42 Having grooves 43 Jacob and Rachel, to Joseph 46 Composition in verse 47 “…whatever you did it to one of these _____ brothers of mine” (Mt 25:40)

48 Greek goddess of strife 49 Thing in law 52 Exhort 53 One of Paul’s epistles 56 Demeanor 57 Gregorian _____ 58 Bookkeeper (abbr.)

59 Of the highest quality 60 Strikes on the head 61 Robert E. and family

DoWn 1 “For my flesh is ______ food…”

(Jn 6:55) 2 Casablanca role 3 Hardy lass 4 Large flightless bird 5 Florida town near Ave Maria University 6 The table 7 Remove water 8 ____, amas, amat 9 First name in werewolves 10 It may be ordinary or extraordinary 11 Grandson of Adam 12 Gaze fixedly 13 Grain stores 18 Euripides character 22 Attends to 23 Adjective for God 24 Water, for one 25 Hayes of “The Mod Squad” 26 Large African lake 27 Actress Russo 28 Taverns

29 Takes out the center 31 This king allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1–4) 32 One of the seven deadly sins 33 Musical instrument 34 Tear apart 36 Hoist 39 Relative 40 “______ us, O Lord…”

42 Forces upon 43 Amos’ vision of a line (Am 7:7) 44 Lofty nest 45 Fits of anger 46 Kangaroo jump 48 Dash 49 “I have finished the ____” (2 Tim 4:7) 50 Differ ending 51 Former JFK arrivals 53 One of Roosevelt’s alphabet agencies 54 “Lo and behold” 55 Potent ending

JennY lim Chin KeoW Departed: Jan 24, 2014 Hi Grandma, it’s me, Daryl.

I got married recently.

I think you would have really liked her.

She plays mahjong and she’s very chatty.

I know she would have liked you too.

A lot of people came to the wedding.

Grandma, a lot of people told me you would have been proud.

I wish you could have been there too.

We all love and miss you very much.

Grandma, you will always be in our hearts.

– Daryl

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1175 M A S S

O G L E

R A I L

A N N E

A N N U L

R E E S E

R A I N

A P P A L I L N R E I G G M I G R O E R S E

N E S T E R S

E N O C H

H I N G A H B O T H

S O F T I L I E B A E R F L E T D S A D A R A M O V E L T I D E D A M L L O O R N R E L R U E Y P E

L A S H E L M O V I E S X I B L E L I T S I R V I C A R B O R A S M T G P N E S S R E E W M A N A T O N E D O N N A S N O O P

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

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eDWaRD anThonY SCUllY Departed: Jan 9, 2009 Dad, you left us beautiful memories Your LOVE is still our guide And though we cannot see you You’re always at our side.

We love you DAD/Papa!!

Lovingly remembered by Christine, George, Michelle, Daniel & Shane

IN MEMORIAM 19

Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

Twenty-first Anniversary In loving memory of

LEONARD YEO AIK LEONG Departed: Jan 16, 1996 The dust has now settled on your record collection we saved many pictures have faded the worst of times has been braved and though time has helped us learn to live life anew Time cannot make us forget our love for you It has been 21 years since you left how life has changed since then And 21 years on we still miss our father, husband, son and friend Loving you always, Frances the kids; Ashton, Ashley, Alexandria, Andrew, Avery Mum and Dad God-brother Mass will be offered at the Church of St Michael on Monday, Jan 16 at 6.00pm Thirteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

M. L. DORAIRAJ Departed: Jan 26, 2004 Dear Dad, The love and guidance you showed will be cherished in our hearts every moment till the end of time.

Dearly missed by children, grandchildren, great grandson and loved ones.

Thirtieth Anniversary In loving memory of

AROKIASAMY GNANAROKIAM Departed: Jan 24, 1987 Your presence is ever near us Your love remains with us yet You were the kind father Your loved ones will never forget.

Deeply missed and fondly remembered by children and loved ones.

Twenty-fifth Anniversary In loving memory of

MARK S. PEREIRA Departed: Jan 26, 1992 A million times we needed you, A million times we cried.

If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly In death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a place That no one can ever fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone.

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

Always remembered by wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thirtieth Anniversary In loving memory of

CECILY PEREIRA Departed: Jan 23, 1987 You had a heart of gold One of the best to behold You were generous, loving and kind These are the memories you left behind.

Mass will be celebrated on Monday, Jan 23, at 6.15pm at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Deeply missed by loving children and loved ones.

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Seventeenth Anniversary In loving memory of

VINCENT CHENG TSU PIN Departed: Jan 21, 2000 It was a sudden parting, Too heart breaking to forget.

Those who love you Are the ones who can’t forget.

Deep in our hearts sweet memories are kept Of the one we loved and shall never forget.

May God bless you with eternal rest Mother Mary please pray for Vincent.

Dearly missed and always remembered by family and loved ones.

20

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Sunday January 22, 2017 n CatholicNews

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