Catholic News issue 5, 2017

Sunday MARCH 5, 2017

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Vol 67

No. 05

Archbishop William Goh, together with about 70 priests, celebrate the cathedral’s Dedication Mass on Feb 14.

‘The cathedral is mother of the abandoned, poor’ ... says Archbishop William Goh at cathedral’s Dedication Mass

By Jared Ng The air was thick with anticipation as Catholics gathered for the historic Dedication Mass of the newly restored Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on Feb 14.

The date was significant as it marked the 120th anniversary of the cathedral’s original dedication in 1897.

As there were limited seats in the cathedral, most of the 2,500 participants viewed the three-hour celebration from a large tent outside while others peered through the building’s windows.

Joining the 70 or so priests, and various Religious at the event, were guest-of-honour Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean; Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say; Mr Lim Boon Heng, cathedral restoration steering committee chairman; Council of Presidential Advisers chairman J.Y. Pillay and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.

The celebration began with Archbishop William Goh and some priests blessing the cathedral, its compound and participants with holy water.

After the Liturgy of the Word,

Archbishop Goh deposited the relics of St Laurent Imbert and St Francis Xavier into the altar.

St Laurent Imbert visited Singapore in 1821, and was the inspiration behind the name of the cathedral. St Francis Xavier was a prominent missionary in Asia.

Archbishop Goh then anoint-

ed the altar with chrism and incensed it.

In his homily, Archbishop Goh likened the cathedral to an elderly mother whose children eventually left her.

“Parents will understand.

When you get older, your children will leave you. Some even migrate,” he said.

Similarly, the cathedral, the “Mother Church” of the archdiocese, gave “birth” to many parishes, and now has become “a church for visitors and tourists”.

The cathedral is not and should not be a “museum”, he said, adding that when “people gather in the cathedral such as to-

The cathedral and all other churches in Singapore have to be ‘inclusive and universal.

All are welcome!’

Archbishop Goh presents guest-of-honour Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean with a brick from the original cathedral building.

day, it should be an assembly of God’s people.”

He stressed that the cathedral and all the other Catholic churches in Singapore have to be “inclusive and universal. All are welcome! The rich, the poor, believers, non-believers, those who are divorced and those with same-sex orientation.”

Coming to church should also “lead us to a life of charity,” said Archbishop Goh. He highlighted the Homeless Jesus sculpture – a bronze artwork depicting a homeless Jesus on the cathedral grounds – and the cathedral’s social mission fund which gives food to the poor every Sunday.

These “remind us that the cathedral is mother of the abandoned and poor,” said Archbishop Goh. At the end of the celebration, he presented DPM Teo with a brick from the orginal cathedral building, completed in 1847. Mr Lim Boon Heng and former cathedral rector Fr Adrian Anthony also received a similar brick, in appreciation of their work in the cathedral’s restoration.

– Archbishop William Goh n Continued on Page 2

2 Cathedral dedication

Archbishop Goh depositing the relics of St Laurent Imbert and St Francis Xavier into the altar. Video: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Archbishop Goh anointing the altar with chrism.

An ‘emotional, meaningful’ event n From Page 1

Present cathedral rector, Msgr Philip Heng, reminded all gathered of the 12 days of celebrations which were to follow. These included Masses organised by the five districts of the archdiocese, a special Mass for the aged and sick, as well as a night of worship for young people.

Mr Alex Louis, 62, who has served the cathedral for 40 years, told CatholicNews that it was very “emotional and meaningful for me to witness this occasion”.

“I hope this dedication also really empowers the youth, for them to see the importance of

The cathedral can be ‘a place of refuge for those who are spiritually down.’

– Fr Adrian Anthony, former cathedral rector

church and the impact it can have on so many people,” said Mr Louis, who has been a Mass coordinator, a communion minister, and who now works with young people.

Fr Adrian Anthony, who pioneered the cathedral’s restoration project, said he “felt the pres-

ence of God every day during the restoration”.

He added that he hopes the cathedral can be “a place of refuge for those who are spiritually down.”

Ms Clare See, 23, shared that she struggled to see the significance of the dedication Mass initially but soon realised, through the “rites and hymns and the overall ambience”, that she was part of “something much greater” than herself.

“The celebration really made me reflect upon my faith and to really think about how far the Catholic Church in Singapore has come,” she said. n

The archbishop incensing the altar.

jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Msgr Philip Heng anointing a cross on the cathedral wall with chrism.

The crowd at the cathedral looking on as the celebration came to an end.

Fr Adrian Anthony was presented with a brick from the original cathedral building, in appreciation of his work in the cathedral’s restoration.

Priests and Religious attending the Feb 14 celebration.

n More cathedral celebration stories on Page 4

Cathedral dedication 3

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Seventeen on the 14th Day of February, I, William Goh Seng Chye, DD, the Archbishop of Singapore, in the Rite of Dedication solemnly dedicated the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and the Altar, where beneath the mensa, I deposited the relics of St. Francis Xavier and St. Laurent Imbert.

With me, His Excellency Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, DD, D. Ph., Titular Archbishop of Capri, Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore and to ASEAN, the clergy and religious of the Archdiocese of Singapore, the faithful of the island of Singapore as well as many friends of our Faith, gather to rededicate this restored Cathedral hallowed through the years since the laying of the cornerstone of the first building – the Church dedicated to Our Divine Saviour under the Title of The Good Shepherd – on the feast of Corpus Christi, 18th June, 1843 – so named and inspired by the sacrifice of Bishop Mgr. Laurent Imbert who was martyred near Seoul in 1836.

We remember the first missionaries who lived and toiled alongside the flock in Singapore, as far back as 9th June, 1833, when a humble chapel along Bras Basah Road opposite the site of this Cathedral was blessed and opened by Rev. Etienne Albrand of the Missions Etrangères de Paris (MEP). We recognize the vision and zeal of Rev. JeanMarie Beurel, MEP, who spent his whole life and private means to establish the mission field in Singapore, including the building of the first local Catholic Church which would become this Cathedral.

With the appointment of Bishop Mgr. Edouard Gasnier as Bishop of Malacca in

1888, the Church of the Good Shepherd was elevated to the status of a Cathedral and consecrated by Bishop Mgr. RenéMichel-Marie Fée on 14th February, 1897, 50 years after its blessing and opening by Rev. Beurel. Over the course of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945, the Cathedral was damaged by a bomb falling in front of its porch, destroying its walls and the railings.

Since the Japanese Occupation and several renovations, the forces of nature and time have taken their toll on this holy edifice.

This most recent undertaking of restoration and renewal, having been started by Rev. Adrian Anthony in 2013 and continued by Rev. Mgr. Philip Heng, SJ in 2016, is now complete. Among many major works were included new foundations for the Cathedral building, the replacement of the Altar and Ambo with new ones made from Carrara marble, a re-furnished Sanctuary, restored church bells and pipe organ, re-landscaped gardens, a restored Rectory, a new basement containing the Cathedral Crypt, Perpetual Adoration Chapel and St. Laurent Imbert Hall, and a new 3-storey annexe called the Jean-Marie Beurel Centre, which includes the Cathedral Heritage Gallery.

We also give thanks to God for a fortuitous incident during the restoration work, whereby a pediment facing Victoria Street collapsed on the evening of 3rd September, 2015, pulling down some columns with it.

All these had to be removed and completely reconstructed. In the course of the removal, workers found at the column base nearest the junction of Victoria Street and Bras Basah Road, the cornerstone and a time capsule from the first dedication of the Church

in 1843. Their location had previously been lost to us.

On this, the 120th anniversary of the Cathedral’s consecration, we gather once again to dedicate this newly restored and renovated house of prayer to the glory of God, to our Saviour Jesus Christ, in honour of Mary, His Mother, and in remembrance of the many men and women, who like St. Laurent Imbert and St. Francis Xavier, have given their lives to spreading the Good News.

Done in Singapore, this 14th Day of February Two Thousand and Seventeen.

Most Rev. William Goh Seng Chye, DD Archbishop of Singapore

Rev. Mgr. Philip Heng, SJ Rector, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Rev. John-Paul Tan, OFM Chancellor, Archdiocese of Singapore

4 Cathedral dedication

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

A night of youthful praise, worship and outreach

By Natalie Wong Jiayan

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd rocked with praise, worship and exuberance as it hosted 1,500 young Catholics from various walks of life for the Nox Gaudii event.

Titled “Welcome to the Father’s House”, Nox Gaudii (Latin for Night of Joy) was organised and animated by the Office for Young People (OYP). The Feb 18 event featured praise and worship, preaching by Archbishop William Goh, Eucharistic adoration, confession, prayer ministry and fellowship.

The evening began with an opening address by Fr Jude David, one of the OYP chaplains, who highlighted the importance of young people in the Church of Singapore.

“Tonight we want to invite you, young men and women of the body of Christ, to bring that vibrancy of life to this building of stone … and let the world see that we are not just a Church that is 2,000 years old, we are a Church that is ever young and relevant, and still speaks with a mighty voice, proclaiming Jesus to the ends of the world.”

The celebrations then kickedoff with an exuberant dance by the 41 participants of the OYP School of Witness, an eight-week live-in discipleship school, before leading into a time of praise and worship with songs like “Joy of The Lord” and “God and God Alone”.

Archbishop Goh, in his preaching, highlighted what it means to be in the Father’s house.

Firstly, he elaborated on how young Catholics, despite having many achievements in their studies or their work, face the issue of

Young people taking part in a time of worship at the cathedral on Feb 18.

emptiness in their lives.

“No matter what the world offers you, there is a certain dissatisfaction. No matter how successful you are, how much wealth you have, how many achievements you have made in your life, it remains empty.”

He underscored the need for people to have a life of prayer and a relationship with God to fill that void.

“Prayer is the heart of the Church. If people learn how to pray again, how to relate with God and with Jesus as his or her personal friend, then it will become the Father’s house,” he said.

Secondly, he drew attention to the role of the Church as a house

It was very humbling to ‘see so many youths and young adults seeking and experiencing Jesus’ love. A great reminder that Jesus has always and will always be there for us no matter what.

’

– Ms Cheryl Chua, 25.

of mercy and compassion. “The Father’s house must be a place where people can find hope and encouragement. The Father’s house belongs to everyone. No one must be excluded from the

Father’s house,” he said.

Putting the spotlight on the Homeless Jesus sculpture in the cathedral compound, he stated that it serves as a reminder to make the Church a place of mercy for those who are poor, wounded and spiritually hungry. He also shared his plans to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation more available throughout the day at the cathedral.

Lastly, he stressed the importance of recognising unity in diversity within the Church. He noted that Jesus chose 12 apostles of different characters and talents, “who were different and yet united”.

Eucharistic adoration, confession and a time of ministering by prayer teams followed.

As the evening progressed, the prayer teams carried out street evangelisation in the cathedral’s vicinity, in which Catholics and non-Catholics were invited into the cathedral to light a candle for their prayer intentions.

Mr Shaun Yim, 23, a School of Witness participant, who took part in this activity, shared: “Initially, it was a little daunting to be partaking in an outreach of this magnitude. However, the grace of the Lord really shone through our worries as he led my prayer partner and I to individuals who were really open to our sharings. It was truly an incredible experience in letting Christ lead us ever so fervently as his messengers.”

Others said they were inspired by the Nox Gaudii event, “Before this, I didn’t know what Nox Gaudii meant,” said Ms Cheryl Chua, 25. “After experiencing it, truly what a night of joy it was! It was very humbling to see so many youths and young adults seeking and experiencing Jesus’ love. A great reminder that Jesus has always and will always be there for us no matter what.”

“Nox Gaudii made me reflect a lot on how I can become a better person, and it was emotionally stirring for me, said Ms Sherry Chua, 23.

Nox Gaudii is a worship event organised by OYP once every two months to stir faith in the young people, and foster a sense of being part of the local Church. The next Nox Gaudii is on Fri, April 28 at OYP, 2 Lorong Low Koon (536449).

For more information, visit oyp.org.sg, Instagram: @oyp.sg, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oyp.sg/ n

District Masses, cathedral tours

Highlighting the Church’s social mission

“It’s important to understand what hospitality means. It is simply seeing to the one who is in need,” said Fr Peter Tan, from the Church of St Michael.

Hospitality is about serving the person who “comes to us knocking at our door”, and even going “out of the way to see to their need,” said Fr Peter.

He was giving the homily at a Mass for City District parishes at the cathedral on Feb 15 as part of the cathedral’s 12 days of celebrations.

The theme for the Mass was hospitality.

After the Mass, prayer leaders led groups to pray at the various gardens of the cathedral. The congregation was earlier given prayer cards and candles for prayers.

Tours of the cathedral were also conducted.

The social mission of the Church is the expression of how a Christian should be living out a life of holiness.

The holiest people in the Church are “those who are involved in the social mission of the Church, who care for the poor, who have a heart for those who are in need”, said Archbishop Goh during the Social Mission Mass at the cathedral on Feb 19 evening.

The Mass aimed to remind Catholics to live the Gospel of Christ’s preferential love for the poor and needy, and to bear witness to the archdiocese’ commitment to social mission.

Representatives of Caritas, the official social and community arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore, and its 25 affiliate organisations, attended the Mass.

Mr Jevon Liew, a cathedral volunteer conducting a tour of the cathedral.

The other districts of the archdiocese held Masses on other days with themes such as mercy, generosity, compassion, and witness and service. n

Representatives of Caritas and its affiliate organisations take part in a procession during a Mass on Feb 19. Photo: VITA Images

In his homily, Archbishop Goh noted that these organisations were involved in different forms of service and commended them on their outreach work.

Earlier that day, these organi-

sations held a poster exhibition showcasing their work.

A food fair was also held during which the needy were given coupons entitling them to food and drinks. n

home 5

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Charities Week 2017 is set to launch on March 11

Archbishop’s message for Charities Week Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, “Charity is born of the call of a God who continues to knock on our door, the door of all people, to invite us to love, to compassion, to service of one another.” – Pope Francis This Lent, as we come before God searching for union with the crucified Jesus in His suffering, let us also contemplate on the mystery of the incarnate God, who in His infinite mercy, “though he was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that through his poverty, you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).

What does it mean “to become rich”? In the eyes of the world, to be rich is to amass material wealth; more than what we truly need. In truth, we are truly rich when we are able to give life to others, be it in the form of emotional or financial or moral support. When we are able to share from our wealth – of time, money, talents, health, we experience the joy and richness of sharing in the love of God! The beatitudes of Jesus are the blueprint to a blessed life of which

Charities Week 2017 appeal envelope.

Archbishop Goh: Let us reach out in love.

the call to be merciful through identification with the sufferings, injustices and deprivation of our brothers and sisters in their spiritual and physical needs is paramount for our happiness in life.

This year, the mission of the Catholic Charities Week Appeal has been expanded to benefit our Catholic charities in areas that include: n Helping the poor and needy. n Nurturing the young. n Enriching family relationships.

CHANCERY NOTICE

14 February 2017

APPOINTMENTS 1. The following Major Superiors representing the sponsoring authorities of Catholic Schools have been appointed as members of the Archdiocesan Comtnission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 19 January 2017: a. Br John Albert FSG b. Br Paul Ho FSC c. Br Robert Teoh FMS d. Sr Joan Lopez RGS e. Sr Maria Lau IJ f. Sr Susan Thomas FMM g. Sr Theresa Seow FDCC 2. The following have been reappointed to the board of Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations Limited (ABLE) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 February 2017: a. A/Prof Denny T. T. Lie b. Ms Joanne Tan Tang-Ling 3. Fr Terence Pereira has been reappointed as Episcopal

CHN/CN/2017 /006

Vicar for the Office for the New Evangelization for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 February 2017.

4. Archbishop William Goh DD has accepted the resignation of Fr Augustine Tay as Rector of St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) with immediate effect. All matters relating to St Joseph’s Church are to be referred to Mgr Philip Heng SJ in the interim pending the appointment of a new Rector of the Church.

5. Fr Alex Chua has been appointed as Assistant Rector to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for a term of three [3] years with effect from 1 March 201 7.

6. Fr Anthony Maria Joseph has been appointed as Assistant Rector to the Church of St Joseph (Victoria Street) for a term of three [3] years with effect from 1 March 2017.

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

n Providing for the elderly. n Caring for the marginalised.

We are invited to respond by sharing our blessings with the less fortunate in our society. Let us use this blessed time of Lent to look deep within our hearts to see how we can participate in this call to love more generously.

Let us recognise in the face of our brothers and sisters the face of Christ who became poor for our sake. Let us reach out in love and Christ-like charity to give the poor, the sick, the destitute and the oppressed the hope of a brighter future, and the means to live in dignity as sons and daughters of God. Mother Teresa who made car-

ing for the poor her life’s purpose, said: “If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.” Help us put into action her mission to love our brothers and sisters in need.

When you support the Catholic Charities Week Appeal of 2017, you will not just be helping to provide financial support – you transform lives. Let us therefore be recognised as Jesus’ disciples by being rich in love, in mercy and compassion.

Yours in Christ,

Most Rev William Goh Archbishop of Singapore

When you support the Catholic Charities Week Appeal of 2017, you will not just be helping to provide financial support – you transform lives.

About Charities Week Charities Week is an annual event organised by Caritas Singapore, the social and community arm of the Archdiocese of Singapore.

It is the umbrella body for 25 Catholic charities that help more than 50,000 beneficiaries regardless of race or religion. It is also a member of Caritas Internationalis, a global confederation of 165 humanitarian organisations.

Donations to Charities Week 2017 will help Caritas Singapore’s member organisations and Agape Village to serve diverse and marginalised groups including low-income families, youths at risk, ex-prisoners, those with physical disabilities and those with mental health problems.

How to donate: Pick up a Charities Week 2017 appeal envelope from your parish. Donations can be made in the following ways: Cash: Drop the appeal envelope in your parish offertory box with your cash donation.

Cheque: Write a cheque payable to Caritas Singapore and drop the appeal envelope in your parish offertory box or mail it to: 55 Waterloo Street #08-01 Catholic Centre Singapore 187954.

Credit card: Charities Week Campaign will be available from March 11 at www. giving.sg.

Tax deductions: Charities Week donations are tax deductible. Please ensure that the option to request for tax deduction is selected and provide the necessary details (i.e. name as per NRIC, and NRIC number). n

OBITUARY

Br Bernard called to the Lord Br Bernard Michael Heaney, CSsR, of the Redemptorists in Singapore passed away on Feb 8, 2017. He was 89.

Br Bernard was born in England on Dec 11, 1927. As a young boy, he was sent to Australia from his home in London to escape World War II in Europe. During his time at his boarding school in Perth, Br Bernard encountered the Redemptorists just once, when they asked for volunteers to help look after some guests.

He found them to be a “happy and committed people, filled with love and kindness”. After some years reflecting on his calling and inspired by St Gerard Majella, who was a Redemptorist Brother, Br Bernard joined the Redemptorists at age 18.

Br Bernard made his First Profession on July 2, 1947. After his Final Profession on July 2, 1953, he was posted to Singapore to be part of the Redemptorist community at Thomson Road. In 1960, he

Redemptorist Br Bernard Michael Heaney.

was sent to Ipoh, Malaysia, where he lived and worked for two years.

Br Bernard was well known for his tireless work at Novena Church.

He was actively involved with “The Primitives” youth group – young people who came to help clean the church on Saturday evenings after the Novena sessions. From this group emerged the “Sowers”, who

went out every Sunday to bring love and good cheer to the people in various homes and hospitals.

Br Bernard also helped to guide the Agape Group at Novena – volunteers who would help decorate and clean the church every Saturday.

In 2007, Br Bernard celebrated his 60th anniversary of Religious Profession. He returned to England for a short while but returned to Singapore to spend his retirement years. He will be dearly missed.

Br Bernard’s wake was held in the Church of St Stephen, 30 Sallim Road.

Details of funeral Date: Feb 13 (Mon) Time: 10 am Venue: Church of St Stephen, 30 Sallim Road, S (387639) Cremation followed at Mandai Crematorium Hall 4, at 11.45 am.

We invite you to pray for him in your Masses and prayers. n Submitted by the CHANCERY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE

6 ordinations

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Three Franciscans orda

Friars Jason Richard, Don Don Ramerez and Esmond Chua s Archbishop Goh to new priests: Be of service to the people of God Do everything for the sake of love, be motivated by it.

These were words shared by Archbishop William Goh to Franciscans friars Esmond Chua, Don Don Ramerez and Jason Richard during their ordination Mass.

About 1,000 people attended the Mass at the Church of St Mary of the Angels on Feb 12.

“Don’t be inward looking, be of service to the people of God,” he said.

Archbishop Goh warned them against “action without the spirit.

This is the greatest temptation for us as priests and Religious, me included.”

“A priest can be saying Mass and yet not be praying or celebrating it,” he said.

He urged the newly ordained Franciscan priests to “really encounter the depth of God’s love”, following the example of their founder.

“St Francis of Assisi when he encountered the depth of God’s love, he gave up everything. Eve-

rything else became secondary to him. Without God’s love, we would never be able to do what Jesus had done.”

Concluding his homily, Archbishop Goh asked the congregation to pray for all priests in the archdiocese. “Please pray for us, that we will encounter this love of God more and more each day, so that we can love you with a pure and humble love.”

The end of the special celebration saw each of the new priests giving a speech.

Friar Esmond, a Malaysian, gave thanks to everyone involved in supporting him through his journey to the priesthood.

“What I am today is a reflection and response to God for what each and everyone of you have been for me,” he said.

Friar Don Don offered his gratitude to “all the prayers and practical help” he received on his journey.

He also thanked friends and family who had come from his home state of Sabah for the celebration,

From left: Friars Esmond Chua, Don Don Ramerez and Jason Richard stand before Archbishop William Goh during their ordination Mass on Feb 12.

as well as those from Sarawak, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Friar Jason, a Singaporean, thanked his formators Friar Julian Mariaratnam, Friar Michael

D’Cruz, Friar Peter Michael and Friar Clifford Augustine.

“I think these are the people who scolded us for the last 10 years,” he said to laughter. “Today

and the weeks leading up to this moment, I realised that it was out of love and care.” n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Service in the Holy Land affirmed his vocation He was in his prime – young, independent and earning a stable income.

However, Friar Jason Richard felt a certain void in his life.

“I felt something was missing, there was a sense of emptiness and loneliness,” he told CatholicNews in an interview prior to his ordination.

In his late 20s, while working in the Singapore Exchange, Friar Jason said he began to discern his calling through prayer.

Admitting that his faith was weak at that time and that he only attended Mass during major feasts such as Easter and Christmas, Friar Jason, now 43, said that “a real reexamination” of his life was necessary.

He started reading about the life of St Francis of Assisi. “I was able to relate to his life in a way, how he received the call from God to build His Church,” Friar Jason said.

St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christ after hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Church.

Inspired by the saint, Friar Ja-

son reached out to the Franciscan order in Singapore and joined their community in 2008 at the age of 34.

He said his family was “proud and supportive” of his decision.

Friar Jason also recalled an occasion in his childhood that helped him discern his vocation.

He was an altar server in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at that time, and during a morning Mass, he made a mistake.

Embarrassed, he left the Eucharistic celebration halfway and hid in the sacristy. Fr Louis Loiseau, the celebrant, immediately went to look for him to reassure and comfort him.

“I thought he would be angry but instead he made me feel really touched by his gentleness and love,” Friar Jason said.

Entering the Franciscan order came with its fair share of challenges.

“I used to have freedom and more control over the things happening around me,” Friar Jason said. “In the community, I had to cook, buy groceries, do chores as part of my formation,” something he was not used to.

However, as the years went by,

If I had any doubt ‘ about my calling, the visit was the seal.

Everyday I could feel the spirit of love and mercy.

Friar Jason Richard seen here with a Turkish guard in Bethelem during his Franciscan pastoral formation period.

“I discovered more about myself and God’s plans for me,” he said.

In 2012, as part of his Franciscan pastoral formation, Friar Jason had the opportunity to work in the Holy Land. There, he served in different cities in Israel, Palestine and Jordan. He was also posted to the Vatican Embassy in Cyprus.

“Initially, it was daunting. I had to learn Italian before leaving and really didn’t know what to expect,” he recalled.

During his posting, he helped with relief efforts for those living in poverty and would meet the locals by travelling from village to village with a donkey carrying his belongings.

“If I had any doubt about my calling, the visit was the seal.

Everyday I could feel the spirit of love and mercy.”

Friar Jason returned to Singapore and made his final profession in 2013.

’

– Friar Jason Richard on how serving in the Holy Land allayed doubts about his vocation

In June 2016, he was ordained to the diaconate and has since served in the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Some of his responsibilities included giving sessions and conducting retreats for the youth, RCIA and the catechetical ministry.

He now serves as assistant parish priest in the Church of St Mary of the Angels.

His advice to those thinking of joining the priesthood: “Don’t ignore the little voice inside you telling you to return to God. Really re-examine your life and see where He is calling you to be.” n jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

ordinations 7

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

ained to the priesthood

share their faith journeys with Jared Ng Idea of community life attracted him to the Franciscans

Friar Don Don Ramerez shared that he will be posted to St Anne’s Church in Kuching, Sarawak, after his ordination.

Touched by a movie, he answers God’s call to serve Friar Don Don Ramerez first felt older brothers and a younger sister. the call to the Religious life when Friar Don struggled initially in he watched the 1972 movie – adjusting to a new culture and enBrother Sun, Sister Moon – based vironment in the Franciscans. In on the life of St Francis of Assisi, 2010, he began to have doubts about founder of the Franciscans. his vocation and thought of leaving.

“The movie spoke to me in a During his periods of doubt, he way I never felt before ... it made noticed many people coming up to me cry,” said the 40-year-old Fili- him to ask for prayers. pino, who was born in Kampung “I realised that God was telling Babagon, Sabah, East Malaysia. me to look beyond myself and to Speaking to CatholicNews, instead see the bigger purpose in Friar Don shared that he was only life, which is the service of others,” 19 when he was invited by a friend he said. to watch the movie at a As he spoke mostly Franciscan convent.

The fraternity Bahasa Malaysia, the Now 40, he recalled language barrier posed the “feeling of empti- and brotherhood another challenge. that we had in ness” he had during his “The fraternity and teens despite being in the Franciscan brotherhood that we the company of friends in the Franciscan community kept had and family. community kept me me going.

After watching going,” said Friar Don, the movie, he shared – Friar Don Don who made his final that he started attend- Ramerez on the support vows in August 2014. ing daily Mass and his he received from his In July 2015, he was yearning for God grew.

Religious community posted to the Church After completing of St Francis of Assisi his college studies, he worked in his as part of his preparations for the family’s contracting business for a priesthood. few years before he took a leap of In June 2016, Friar Don was orfaith and wrote to the Franciscans in dained to the diaconate.

Singapore.

He was be posted to St Anne’s In 2008, he joined the Franciscan Church in Kuching, Sarawak, after postulancy in Singapore. He also had his ordination. his priestly formation at the St Francis His advice to those thinking of Xavier Major Seminary in Punggol. becoming priests: “Do not be fearDespite his family’s concerns, “I ful; listen to your heart. Running felt such a strong calling to follow away won’t help, God will always my heart, I told my family to ‘let find you.” n me go’, and they gave me their support,” said Friar Don, who has three jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

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smooth sailing. Community The idea of community living life also presented its fair share and prayer inspired me to a of “misunderstandings” and Religious life,” said Friar Es“arguments,” he recalled. mond Chua, 37, “to be able to Friar Clifford Augustine, bring the Gospel to those who who was one of Friar Esneed it and to share the faith.” mond’s formators at that time, Friar Esmond, who was reminded him “to see the bigborn in Kuala Lumpur, shared ger picture,” he recalled. with CatholicNews that his “He [Friar Clifford] said it faith journey started with his wasn’t about me but about the family. “My family always kingdom of God,” Friar Eshad a strong prayer life, we mond recalled. would pray together everyIn 2013, he was posted to night.”

Auckland, New Zealand, as As a boy, he would atpart of his Franciscan pastoral tend Mass in a little chapel formation. There he leant about called Kristus Aman (Peace of the shortage of priests there Christ). He recalled Paris Forand its effect on the Church. eign Missions Society priest Parishes had to close down Fr Peter DeCroocq visiting his or merge with others because grandmother every week to there were not enough priests, minister to her. he said.

“That availability he alFriar Esmond made his fiways had, despite being so nal profession in 2014 and was busy, really intrigued and ordained to the diaconate in made me want to know more June 2016. about the Religious vocation,” Friar Esmond Chua has been appointed assisSince then, he has served in he said.

However this did not ma- tant parish priest at the Church of St Mary of the Church of St Mary of the Angels assisting parish priest terialise at first. He worked in the Angels.

Friar Clifford in the liturgy and the private education sector from 2002-2007 where he taught “leap of faith,” he said. “My family other prayer services.

Friar Esmond is now assistant students source skills to prepare supported me in my decision but I them for the working world. was nervous because I knew no one parish priest there.

His advice to those thinking of Although he “really enjoyed” in Singapore.” what he did, “I felt something was He shared that he and the other joining the priesthood: “There is defmissing in my life,” he shared.

Franciscan postulants supported initely a risk element involved but He underwent a period of dis- one another “despite coming from that is where one must discern and take that leap of faith. Also, lean on cernment during which he recalled different backgrounds.”

Fr Peter’s moving gesture when he “We all felt nervous so in a way, the support of your family because was younger. it was easy for us to share and re- that is where all vocations start.” n Friar Esmond then decided to late to one another,” he said. approach the Franciscans in SingaHowever, it was not always jared.ng@catholic.org.sg pore because of the idea of “community living and also the ability to move around, whereby the parish Lean on the support of your family because isn’t your only ministry.” that is where all vocations start.

He joined the Franciscans in 2008. Coming to Singapore was a – Friar Esmond Chua’s advice to those thinking of joining the priesthood

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Formation roadmap for the New Evangelisation proposed

Parish representatives sharing in small groups.

Fr Terence Pereira speaking to parish representatives at the Milestone Conference on Feb 18.

By Christopher Khoo The challenge facing the Church is a “disconnect between the inner life of the Christian and the ministry he is involved in”, Archbishop William Goh told 200 representatives from various parishes recently.

“Many Catholics who are baptised … who have encountered God … immediately want to go and evangelise. But if the person is not well formed, his inner life is not in order, what is the consequence?” he asked the crowd gathered at the Holy Innocents’ High School on Feb 18 afternoon.

“When he enters into ministry, he is going to get hurt and he is going to hurt others because he is still wounded.”

That is why the archdiocese is encouraging every disciple, who is “called to be a missionary”, to undergo spiritual formation, human formation, intellectual formation and pastoral formation, said Archbishop Goh.

He was giving the opening speech during the Milestone Conference organised by the Office for the New Evangelisation (ONE) on the “Formation Roadmap for New Evangelisation”.

The conference saw Fr Terence Pereira, Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation, sharing a common direction and frame of reference for the formation of members of parishes.

“Where is your ministry going to be five years from today?” he asked participants, adding that if they wanted to transform the archdiocese and their parishes, they needed to be “transformed” themselves.

He noted that the archbishop has come up with a vision for the archdiocese, for it to be vibrant, missionary and evangelical.

“We need to have a strategy,” said Fr Terence. In the roadmap that he presented, he listed the following steps:  Excite: Helping the individual become excited about the faith.

 Encounter: Helping the individual to experience a deepening of Jesus’ call to “come and see”.  Engage: Providing faith information for the individual, and helping the individual to practise his faith.

The vision for the archdiocese is for it to be vibrant, missionary and evangelical.

‘We need to have a strategy,’ said Fr Terence Pereira, Episcopal Vicar for the New Evangelisation.  Evangelise: Those who are formed are then ready to evangelise others.

Fr Terence warned parish representatives against being so focused on their ministry work that they neglect faith formation.

“It’s not about doing the work, it’s about living the faith,” he stressed.

Fr Terence also shared a framework to holistically develop a baptised person to participate in the three-fold ministry of Christ as “priest”, “prophet” and “king”.

They are:  Kerygma (proclamation, Scripture)  Koinonia (community, Church)  Leitougia (prayer, Eucharist)  Didache (teaching, tradition)  Karisma (gifts, calling)  Diakonia (works of mercy, works of charity)  Evangelismo (witness, proclamation) Fr Terence urged participants to bring the proposed roadmap to their parishes for further discussion. He added that ONE will invite them back at a later date for further discussions.

Participants CatholicNews spoke to welcomed the roadmap.

“I can clearly understand where the archbishop wants us

to move,” said Ms Paulette Lirio, from the parish pastoral council of the Church of the Risen Christ. She said the roadmap and Fr Terence’s examples made the archdiocesan vision “more concrete, so something to work on at parish level”.

Mr Roderick Theseira, who is with the catechetical ministry of the Church of St Francis Xavier, shared: “I think it’s very important to have this step because our parish has the opportunity to do things as one unit.” He added, “If we don’t have a parish plan, we don’t have a ministry plan, we will still work in silo.”

A similar session was held in the morning for 70 representatives of archdiocesan organisations comprising commissions, councils, offices, Religious and ecclesial communities, and schools and lay groups.

The Office for the New Evangelisation website is www.one. org.sg. n christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Freeze ... in the name of love

Willie and Teresa Koh were the longest-married couple at Marriage Encounter’s freeze flash mob event.

In their 56 years of marriage, Mr Willie Koh and his wife, Teresa, have never raised their voices at each other.

“Love is about accepting and respecting each other,” said Mrs Koh, 80. “We make it a point to forgive and not harp on things.”

Mr Koh, 81, added: “We do argue at times, but it is over in a few minutes. There is no fire in our arguments.”

Their love is still burning strong.

The Kohs were among some 350 people who took part in this year’s “Freeze Flash Mob” on Feb 12. It was organised by Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Singapore and supported by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Family and Family Life Society.

Held in front of ION Orchard, the event drew the biggest turnout since it was launched in 2011 to mark World Marriage Day, which is observed on the second Sunday of February each year.

For five minutes, couples – many with their children and/or parents in tow – held various fun and romantic poses as they brandished signs declaring the number of years they have been married.

Meanwhile, curious passersby stared, smiled or stopped to figure out what was going on. The confusion was cleared up soon enough, thanks to volunteers with placards that read: “Please do not be alarmed. Just happily married couples having fun.”

The event has inspired similar freeze flash mobs in at least 10 other countries, including Belgium, Ecuador, Guatemala and Spain, since 2015.

By celebrating the sacrament of marriage in a novel way, the organisers hope to show that long-lasting marriages are still possible. The Kohs were in fact the longest married couple among the flash mob participants.

Their daughter-in-law, Suelynn, 43, said of her in-laws: “They show love and concern for each other even during normal, quiet moments. For example, Dad would take out old photos and say, ‘See how beautiful Mum is.’

“It is a blessing for me to live with them. They are exemplary models of love and faithfulness.”

On the other end of the scale were sales director Darren Ong, 46, and his wife, Evelyn, 36, who tied the knot just a few hours before the event.

Mrs Ong, a business development manager, noted that the event inspires married couples to keep and renew their vows. “It is also a good reminder to those who have neglected their marriage after having kids to keep the flame alive,” she said.

For more information on Marriage Encounter, visit wwmesg.org n

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RECOGNISING TRUE RICHES Since the launch of the GIFT campaign, Catholic Foundation has received many heart-warming responses. Lionel, a member of one of OYP’s young adult communities, shares how being a regular giver to the Church despite being a young person still early in his career, has helped him realise his true richness as a child of God.

Youths and young adults during a time of worship at the Catholic Youth Day organised by the Office for Young People in 2016. Photo: Office for Young People.

I am unsure if this happens with everyone who first embarks onto life as a young working adult. But when I first started working six years ago, it always felt as if I never had enough money.

Every month, I looked at my bank statement, and would be fraught with disappointment. To null my worries, I would spend much time dreaming about how I can be rich someday.

My perceived financial scarcity had led to some interesting behaviours, and affected the way I understood the act of almsgiving to the Church. When I attended Mass, I would usually pick out the smallest note in my wallet to give during offertory, hastily crumpling it up in my fist so that no one would notice.

I only contributed larger amounts on certain occasions when I was feeling particularly generous. Then, I would pat myself on the back and tell myself that I was “done” with charity for the year. After all, I told myself, money was already scarce enough. I was giving during Mass and giving to special fundraisers in my parish.

What more did God want?

But things did not seem right.

I could not shake the nagging feeling that giving to the Church based on how I felt, when it was convenient for me, is not what I was called to do as a Catholic.

Everything I had read in the Bible suggested otherwise. As Matthew 16:24 states, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he

must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”

merely stewards In 2015, I learned on Facebook that a friend had passed away.

He was a rich, successful banker who died at the tender age of 25.

Young people like me often forget that we will not live forever. It took the sudden death of a young friend to shake me out of my stupor and remind me that I, too, will one day leave this place—and all my worries about money would have been useless.

The Bible teaches that none of what we have, our money, possessions, intelligence, skills,

I think. Rather than focusing on myself, I wanted to use my money in a way that truly benefitted God’s Church.

to build the church of tomorrow Just a year later, I picked up a brochure detailing the various organisations and projects supported by the Giving in Faith & Thankfulness (GIFT) initiative. It had also laid out the governance structure of how the funds of the archdiocese were handled.

I did not need much convincing. All my life, the Church had always been there for me. I received my education

Ironically, taking this step has helped me to realise that all that striving to inflate my bank account had done nothing but made me feel poor. It was only when I started giving that I truly experienced richness. and so on, are ever truly “ours”.

Instead, as described in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” We are merely stewards of our gifts, and we are called to use them responsibly.

Was I hoarding my money selfishly, like a child refusing to share his Christmas toys? When God calls me to give an account of how I had used my “gifts”, is He going to be interested in my clever savings strategy? Or would He instead ask, “Lionel, how have you used your gifts to build My kingdom?” What would my answer be?

I was shaken to shift the way

in a Catholic school, I found a spiritual family in my community, and in my darkest moments, a priest had guided me back to Jesus. I wanted others to be able to share in the joy and faith as well.

Instead of contributing based on how I was feeling, I wanted a more deliberate strategy. The one proposed by the brochure, a regular contribution, would essentially help me to say, “Lord, I commit to offering you the firstfruits of my labour. Please help me remember that everything I have comes from You.” So I adjusted my budget to allow for what I could afford to

be transferred to the Church via GIRO every month. It is not a huge amount, but it is a start.

I pray that the Lord will slowly, but surely, imbue the spirit of generosity in me, like the widow who gave all that she had (Mk 12:41-44).

Ironically, taking this step has helped me to realise that all that striving to inflate my bank account had done nothing but made me feel poor. It was only when I started giving that I truly experienced richness.

I am not perfect, but we are all on a journey together. I hope that by sharing this, God may move more hearts to contribute to our Church regularly through monthly contributions. I pray that when the day comes for us to give an account to the Lord about how we have used His gifts, we will hear the wonderful words described in Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master’s happiness!”

The Giving in Faith and Thankfulness (GIFT) Campaign is a rallying call for all Catholics to contribute regularly to the Archdiocese of Singapore. Any contribution, no matter the size, will provide much needed resources for organisations in the archdiocese to continue transforming lives, and for the physical structures of the Church to be built up for tomorrow’s generation. Visit gift. catholicfoundation.sg to give today.

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No conflict between faith and science for Professor Leo SINGAPORE – He does not see any

Filipino family members react as a loved one is killed in a police operation in Manila. A Church group in the country will conduct sessions for families of victims of drug-related killings to help them overcome trauma. CNS photo

Help offered to families of victims of drug-related killings Manila – A faith-based group in Manila is conducting trauma and stress-debriefing sessions for families of victims of drug-related killings.

Carmelite priest Gilbert Billena of the group Rise Up said the family meetings aim to create a support group that will help them overcome trauma.

The priest said his group condemns the proliferation of illegal drugs but is against the methods used by the government to go after suspected drug users and peddlers.

“The very people who should be witnesses in cases against the suppliers are viciously killed, while the suppliers merely look for new pushers,” said Fr Billena.

Rise Up conducted its first debriefing recently, seven months

after Philippine President Rodrigo launched an intensified campaign against narcotics that resulted in the death of about 7,000 people.

Mr Nardy Sabino of the Promotion of Church People’s Response said some “survivors” of summary executions also attended the session. “We also want to make sure that they will be given due process of law,” he said.

Br Ciriaco Santiago, a Redemptorist missionary, said the families of victims and survivors of the killings need a community that will listen to them.

“These people are the poorest of the poor and they have no voice in our society,” said the Religious Brother. They should be given “a chance to talk,” he said. n UCANEWS.COM

contradiction between his Catholic faith and his work in science.

Rather, Prof Leo Tan finds that the “heart of man precedes the discovery of facts by science”, that man imagines all the possibilities and science seeks to find the answers to explain it.

The former director of the Singapore Science Centre, who is an educator and marine biologist, was speaking at a series of talks organised by the Catholic Business Network titled “My Journey”.

About 75 people attended the event held on Feb 16 at the indoor sports hall of St Joseph’s Institution.

The aim of these talks is to help Catholic business professionals understand how their faith can help shape workplace practices.

Prof Leo, who is in his 70s, shared that his interest in science led him to discover inspiration in the thought and writings of Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit palaeontologist who contemplated the evolutionary nature of the cosmos and his own deep faith during his work in the backlands of China.

Prof Leo shared an example of how he put his faith into practice in the workplace. He remembered writing notes to his colleagues, especially on festive occasions, reviewing where they were in their work and how well they were doing.

“And always,” he smilingly added, “at the end [of it], I would

Prof Leo Tan speaking at the ‘My Journey’ series of talks on Feb 16.

add something which is biblically inspired, about sharing and caring.”

One question posed by an audience member was how, as a scientist, Prof Leo reconciled his faith in scripture with the theories of evolution and Darwinism.

“God is omnipotent,” Prof Leo replied. “What is stopping Him from creating the universe and then at the right moment, when it was perfect, to put the soul into [mankind]?”

He noted that God could not be explained in scientific terms, in reply to another question.

Prof Leo is the current director of special projects at the science faculty at the National University of Singapore (NUS). In 2016, he was one of four people who were awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal at the National Day Awards.

CBN will be organising various events including its forthcoming Lenten retreat in March and the biannual Christ@Work conference in November as well the continuation of its “My Journey” talks.

More information can be found at www.cbn.sg n

New pastoral diagnosis programme in Korea south KOREA – The Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of Korea has unveiled a pastoral diagnosis programme that will help priests plan how best to teach their flocks

and see how they are maturing in their faith.

On Feb 8, the bishops’ pastoral institute held a demonstration of the computerised, “Parish Pastoral Index”, after developing it for three years. The programme visualises how the teachings and spirit of the Second Vatican Council are

being realised in parishes to help them customise their activities.

Until now, the Korean Church has collected external statistics on the number of parishioners, evangelisation rate and Sunday Mass participation. However, it was hard to measure how Church teachings were affecting parishioners or how

the fellowship of the parish community was formed. The new programme aims to address that.

The institute has been jointly researching the index and discussing its use with foreign institutes including East Asia Pastoral Institute in the Philippines, RuhrUniversity Bochum and Missio-

Aachen in Germany. Through the International Pastoral Network, sponsored by Missio-Aachen, the institute will spread the programme to other countries.

Bishop Basil Cho Kyu-man of Wonju said, “It is meaningful that the programme finds its basis from the teachings and spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The programme will help front-line pastors do their work with more passion.” n UCANEWS.COM

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Cardinal: China, Vatican reach agreement on appointment of bishops WASHINGTON – China and the Vatican have reached consensus on the appointment of bishops, which will lead to the resolution of other outstanding problems, said Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong.

“From now on, there will be no more the crisis of a division between the open and underground communities in the Church in China,” the cardinal said in a letter published on Feb 9. “On the contrary, these two communities will gradually move toward reconciliation and communion on the aspects of law, pastoral care and relationships. The Church in China will work together to preach the Gospel of Jesus on the soil of China.”

The Vatican and China, which severed diplomatic ties in 1951, have had on-again, off-again talks since the 1980s. Under Pope Francis, the two restarted a formal dialogue in 2014.

Cardinal Tong said the SinoVatican dialogue indicates that China now will “let the pope play a role in the nomination and ordination of Chinese bishops.” Since, under Church law, the pope has the final say in the appointment of bishops, this would solve several problems, he said.

“Beijing will also recognise the pope’s right of veto and that the pope is the highest and final authority in deciding on candidates for bishops in China,” he said. The Catholic Patriotic Association advocates the “self-nomination and self-ordination” of bishops, but if the agreement on papal approval of bishops is reached, that principle will become history, he said.

From now on, ‘ there will be no more the crisis of a division between the open and underground communities in the Church in China.

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– Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong

“If the pope has the final word about the worthiness and suitability of an episcopal candidate, the elections of local churches and the recommendations of the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China will simply be a way to express recommendations,” Cardinal Tong said.

The role of the government-controlled patriotic association has been seen as a stumbling block in ChinaVatican relations, but this move would turn it into a “voluntary, nonprofit, patriotic and Church-loving organisation composed of clergy and faithful from all around the

Chinese Catholics receive communion during a Mass in Beijing. Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong published a letter that said the Vatican and China have reached an agreement regarding the appointment of bishops. CNS photo

country,” Cardinal Tong said.

China requires Catholic leaders to register with the patriotic association, and some bishops have refused.

On some levels, this has led to socalled unofficial or underground and official or registered communities within the Catholic Church.

But Cardinal Tong said Catholics in both communities “are actively seeking and expressing complete communion and unity with the universal Church.” Although some bishops were ordained without the permission of the pope, “they still

Pakistan bishop condemns attack at Muslim shrine Lahore, Pakistan – Archbish-

op Joseph Coutts of Karachi, head of the Pakistan Catholic bishops’ conference, has strongly condemned the attack on the shrine of a 13th century Sufi saint in Sindh province, Pakistan.

“It is sad that a Muslim shrine has been attacked in a Muslim country. We feel so helpless. The scourge of terrorism has spread like a cancer. It has long roots in our society,” the archbishop said.

“The government or army cannot fight it alone. The whole nation should stand united, without discrimination of faith, use all peaceful methods and reject these terrorists,” he told ucanews.com.

“Terrorists lie when they claim to target only government departments and spare public or religious places. Attacks on shrines is a wider problem emerging from sectarianism; terrorism has no borders,” he said.

At least 88 people, women and

children among them, were killed and over 250 were injured when a suicide bomber struck the shrine on Feb 16.

Fr Qaiser Feroz, executive secretary of the Pakistani bish-

The whole nation ‘should stand united, without discrimination of faith, use all peaceful methods and reject these terrorists.

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– Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, head of the Pakistan Catholic bishops’ conference

ops’ social communications commission, said “shrines are being targeted simply because they are crowded and people of all faiths visit them especially to listen to devotional songs. The religious fundamentalists only want blood-

shed, there is no faith motivation.”

It was the latest in a series of nationwide terrorist attacks over the last five days. The death toll, it is feared, is likely to go up due to the critical condition of many of the injured.

The bomb blast took place when the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was packed with large numbers of devotees watching a dhamal, a spiritual dance ritual which can transport performers and audience into a state of religious ecstasy.

“Preliminary investigation points to a suicide attack,” Mr Khadim Hussain Rind, a senior police official, told media in Jamshoro, the provincial capital.

“A team of forensic experts have reached the shrine to examine the place,” he said.

The so-called Islamic State, a global terrorist organisation, has claimed responsibility for the attack. n UCANEWS.COM

make every effort to explain to the pope afterwards and ask for his understanding and acceptance,” the cardinal said. “Of course, if all the requirements are fulfilled, they will be absolved, accepted and probably be entrusted with the power to govern dioceses.”

Cardinal Tong said he understood that, even with these changes, the Church would not have complete freedom as in other countries.

“The choices in front of us are either to embrace the essential freedom now and become an imperfect,

but true Church, then struggle for complete freedom in the hope of moving toward a perfect Church, or we give up essential freedom and have nothing at all, and then wait for complete freedom – but no one knows when this will ever happen. In fact, the moral principle of the Church teaches us to choose the lesser of two evils. Therefore, under the teaching of the principle of healthy realism that Pope Francis teaches us, it is clear which path the Catholic Church in China ought to take,” he said. n cns

Buddhists, Catholics in Sri Lanka grateful for cheap drugs Colombo, Sri Lanka – Catholic

and Buddhist clergy and laity met in a church to express gratitude to the Sri Lankan government for slashing the prices of life-saving drugs.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine and Minister Rajitha Senaratne reduced the price of 47 essential drugs including those used by heart and diabetic patients under the first phase of the National Medicinal Drugs Policy, prohibiting retailers from selling drugs beyond a set limit.

Oblate Fr Oswald Firth, chairman of the People’s Association for Peace and Development said that drastically slicing the prices of some generic drugs would be helpful for sick people and the entire nation.

“Health care is a right for everybody. This service is not the privilege of the few who can afford it,” he said at the gathering of Catholic and Buddhists clergy and laity at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Feb 16.

“The programme needs to be

rolled out not only in Colombo but also in remote areas where people depend so much on state health services,” he said.

Programme coordinator, S.P. Anthonymuthu told ucanews.com “the government now provides free access to stents implantation in the case of cardiac surgery.”

Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne said he appreciated the event.

Mr Senaratne said that the government introduced the Professor Senaka Bibile’s National Drug Policy and, as part of that, “the government will reduce the expensive prices.”

Bibile was the founder of Sri Lanka’s drug policy which was a model for other policies including those of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Bibile left Sri Lanka to work for the United Nations in British Guyana where he died in 1977 under mysterious circumstances. n UCANEWS.COM

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US bishops urge Trump to protect religious liberty WASHINGTON – Catholic Church

leaders in a Feb 16 statement said they were encouraged that President Donald Trump may be considering an executive order to protect religious freedom and said they would be grateful if he would move forward with the pledge that his administration would “do everything in its power to defend and protect religious liberty.”

“As Christians, our goal is to live and serve others as the Gospel asks. President Trump can ensure that we are not forced from the public square,” said the statement from committee chairmen of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The statement was jointly issued by: New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty; and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

The Church leaders said an executive order would “implement strong protections for religious freedom across the federal government in many of the areas where it has been eroded by the preceding administration, such as health coverage, adoption, accreditation, tax exemption, and government

grants and contracts.”

“We ourselves, as well as those we shepherd and serve, would be most grateful if the president would take this positive step toward allowing all Americans to be able to practice their faith without severe penalties from the federal government,” they said.

A draft version of the executive order was leaked in late January called “Establishing a Government-Wide Initiative to Respect Religious Freedom.”

When it failed to appear on the president’s desk, rumours were circulating that a scaled-back version might appear at his desk but there has been no word about it from the Trump administration.

The US bishops posted an online letter for Catholics to send to the president urging him to sign the order after the draft version was leaked.

The Feb 16 statement said the order would restore “the federal government’s proper relationship with the First Amendment and other laws protecting conscience and religious freedom [and] will enable us to continue

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We ... would be most grateful if the president would take this positive step toward allowing all Americans to be able to practice their faith without severe penalties from the federal government.

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US President Donald Trump prays during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the president to implement an executive order that would protect religious freedom in America.

our service to the most vulnerable of Americans.”

The statement stressed that US Catholic bishops have long supported religious liberty, adding that during the last several years “the federal government has eroded this fundamental right,” most

– US Conference of Catholic Bishops

notably with the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate for religious employers who do not fit the mandate’s narrow exemption.

The USCCB leaders urged Trump to keep his promise and put an end to regulations and other mandates by the federal government “that force people of faith to make impossible choices.

“We express our fervent hope that with new leadership in the executive branch, basic protections for religious practice may be restored and even strengthened,” they said.

The statement said an immediate remedy to the threats against religious freedom is needed and without it the Church’s freedom to serve others “will remain in jeopardy and needless conflict between the faith community and the federal government will continue.” n CNS n See commentary on Page 22

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WWME explores social media use, greater outreach Participants of Marriage Encounter’s 2017 World Council Meeting in Quito, Ecuador. Singaporean couple Shelley Ee (front row, fourth from left) and her husband Daniel (directly behind her) helped chair the meeting.

By Fr Carmelito (Jun) Limbaga The Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) held its 2017 World Council Meeting from Feb 2-8 to discuss further ways to accompany married couples as well as those in irregular unions.

Six WWME ecclesial teams, representing the continents of

Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, Pacific and Pan Africa, attended the meeting and each team composed of a married couple and priest.

Singaporean couple Daniel and Shelley Ee and Filipino Fr Nathaniel Gomez, who are serving their third year as the International Ecclesial Team (IET), chaired the meeting held in Quito, Ecuador.

During the meeting, themed Love Changes Everything, the delegates committed to extend WWME’s reach within the 94 countries where the movement is present and to new countries.

While they re-affirmed the definition of marriage in fidelity to Church teachings, participants also explored possible pastoral ways to gradually accompany those in irregular unions and also widows and widowers, inspired

by Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia.

Delegates agreed to step up

the use of social media as a platform to foster the relationship of encounter among people and to promote the relevance of WWME. Equally important was the need to find ways to increase the involvement of priests in the movement.

The World Council is the global governing body of WWME and for seven days the ecclesial teams with the IET, the secretariat, translators and support group worked across language barriers to discuss the direction of the movement.

An important and unique value of WWME is priests and couples collaborating to present the Weekend experience and formations.

The delegate couples were hosted by families in the local community during this meeting.

In 2018, the WWME World Council meets in Madrid, Spain. n The writer is an ME Asian Team priest from the Philippines.

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Vatican officials explain provisions of ‘Amoris Laetitia’ CNS photos

VATICAN CITY – The provisions of

“Amoris Laetitia” allow people in irregular marriage situations access to the sacraments only if they recognise their situation is sinful and desire to change it, according to the cardinal who heads the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.

The fact that such a couple also believes changing the situation immediately by splitting up would cause more harm, and forgoing sexual relations would threaten their current relationship, does not rule out the possibility of receiving sacramental absolution and communion, said Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the pontifical council that is charged with interpreting canon law.

The intention to change, even if the couple cannot do so immediately, “is exactly the theological element that allows absolution and access to the Eucharist as long as – I repeat – there is the impossibility of immediately changing the situation of sin,” the cardinal wrote.

Cardinal Coccopalmerio’s short booklet, “The Eighth Chapter of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia,” was published in Italian by the Vatican publishing house and presented to journalists on Feb 14. It includes material compiled from articles and speeches the cardinal has given about the pope’s document on marriage and family life.

“To whom can the Church absolutely not concede penance and the Eucharist [because] it would be a glaring contradiction?” the cardinal asked in the book. “To one who, knowing he or she is in a state of serious sin and having the ability to change, has no sincere intention of carrying it out.”

Cardinal Coccopalmerio quoted “Amoris Laetitia” to make his point: “Naturally, if someone flaunts an objective sin as if it were part of the Christian ideal, or wants to impose something other than what the Church teaches ...

Copies of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the family, ‘Amoris Laetitia’ (The Joy of Love). Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the pontifical council, has written a booklet on a highly debated chapter in the apostolic exhortation on allowing people in irregular marriage situations access to the sacraments.

‘Amoris Laetitia’ is offering guidance, hope and the possibility of sacramental grace to couples who know they are in sinful situations and want to change, said Fr Maurizio Gronchi, a theologian and consultant to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. such a person needs to listen once more to the Gospel message and its call to conversion.”

Fr Maurizio Gronchi, a theologian and consultant to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told reporters on Feb 14 that Cardinal Coccopalmerio’s reading of “Amoris Laetitia” is the same as the bishops of Malta, Germany and the Church region of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Those bishops have issued guidelines that include the possibility of eventually allowing divorced and civilly remarried Catholics access to the sacraments without first requiring an

annulment of their sacramental marriage or a firm commitment to abstaining from sexual relations.

Fr Costa told reporters the cardinal’s book is an “authoritative” reading of the papal document and a contribution to the ongoing discussion.

In his document, Pope Francis affirms the constant teaching of the Catholic Church on the indissolubility of marriage and the sinful state of those who cohabit and those who form a second union while one or both of them are still bound sacramentally in marriage to another person, Cardinal Coccopalmerio wrote.

The only time such persons

would not be in a state of mortal sin, he wrote, is if they were ignorant of Church teaching, were unable to understand Church teaching or “knew the norm and its goodness, but were unable to act as the norm indicates without incurring another fault.”

Cardinal Coccopalmerio cited the case of a woman who enters into a relationship with a man who, along with his small children, was abandoned by his wife.

The woman knows the relationship is not in accordance with Church teaching, but leaving the man and his small children would devastate him and leave the chil-

dren without a maternal figure.

In writing that the Church could admit such a couple to the sacraments with the “verification of two essential conditions – that they desire to change that situation, but they cannot act on their desire,” the cardinal said the verification must be done with “attentive and authoritative discernment” under the guidance of a priest.

Does “welcoming the sinner justify the person’s behaviour and renounce doctrine?” the cardinal asked. “Certainly not.”

Fr Gronchi told reporters “Amoris Laetitia” is not reaching out to couples who are “peaceful and tranquil” while living in situations that are not in harmony with the Gospel, rather it is offering guidance, hope and the possibility of sacramental grace to couples who know they are in sinful situations and want to change.

The papal document and the cardinal’s book are “not saying, ‘amnesty for all,’” Fr Gronchi said. “It’s about indicating possible paths to conversion, not to amnesty.” n CNS

Special Olympians show world that ‘every person is a gift,’ pope says

Pope Francis greet athletes and assistants on Feb 16 preparing for the Special Olympics World Winter Games. During the meeting, the pope said the Special Olympics demonstrate that ‘every life is precious, every person is a gift.’ CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – The athletes of the Special Olympics witness to the world the beauty and value of every human life and the joy that comes from reaching a goal with the encouragement and support of others, Pope Francis said.

“Together, athletes and helpers show us that there are no obstacles or barriers which cannot be overcome,” the pope told representatives of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, which will take place in Austria from March 14-25.

The Special Olympics are for people with intellectual disabilities.

“You are a sign of hope for all

who commit themselves to a more inclusive society,” the pope told the group on Feb 16. “Every life is precious, every person is a gift, and inclusion enriches every community and society.”

Pope Francis praised the passion and dedication of the Special Olympians as they train for their events, and said sports are good for everyone, physically and mentally.

“The constant training, which also requires effort and sacrifice, helps you to grow in patience and perseverance, gives you strength and courage and lets you acquire and develop talents which would otherwise remain hid-

den,” the pope told the athletes.

“In a way,” he said, “at the heart of all sporting activity is joy: the joy of exercising, of being together, of being alive and rejoicing in the gifts the Creator gives us each day. Seeing the smile on your faces and the great happiness in your eyes when you have done well in an event – for the sweetest victory is when we surpass ourselves – we realise what true and well-deserved joy feels like!”

Sporting events, especially international events like the Special Olympics World Winter Games, help “spread a culture of encounter and solidarity,” the pope said.” n CNS

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Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope highlights role of Catholic schools VATICAN CITY – Catholic schools and universities play a key role in evangelisation and in creating a more humane world built on dialogue and hope, Pope Francis said.

Future generations who are “educated in a Christian way for dialogue, will come out of the classroom motivated to build bridges and, therefore, to find new answers to the many challenges of our times,” he said.

The pope made his remarks on Feb 9 to members of the Congregation for Catholic Education, who were meeting at the Vatican for their plenary assembly. The Vatican office oversees Churchaffiliated schools and colleges around the world.

Catholic schools and universities should serve the Church’s mission of helping humanity grow, build a culture of dialogue and plant the seeds of hope, he said.

In fact, the pope said, true educators are just like mothers and fathers who give life open to the future.

In order to do this, educators need to listen to young people, he said, “and we will do this, in particular, with the next Synod

of Bishops” dedicated to youth, faith and vocational discernment in 2018.

“Unfortunately, there are many forms of violence, poverty, exploitation, discrimination, marginalisation and restrictive approaches to the fundamental freedoms that create a throwaway culture” in the world today, he said.

That is why Catholic schools “are called to the front lines to practice the grammar of dialogue,” which prepares people to encounter others and appreciate cultural and religious diversity.

“Schools and universities are called to teach a method of intellectual dialogue aimed at seeking the truth,” the pope said.

St Thomas Aquinas is still the best teacher of this method, “which consists of taking seriously the other – the one speaking – seeking to understand fully his or her reasons and objections in order to be able to respond in a way that is not superficial, but is appropriate,” Pope Francis said.

This is the only way “to truly move forward together in understanding the truth.” n CNS

Pope: Pray for your enemies

ROME – A practical first step to-

ward holiness is to pray for a person who has caused offence or harm, Pope Francis said.

“Are you merciful toward the people who have harmed you or don’t like you? If God is merciful, if He is holy, if He is perfect, then we must be merciful, holy and perfect as He is. This is holiness. A man or woman who does this deserves to be canonised,” the pope said on Feb 19 during an evening parish Mass.

“I suggest you start small,” Pope Francis told members of the parish of St Mary Josefa on the

extreme eastern edge of the Diocese of Rome. “We all have enemies. We all know that so-and-so speaks ill of us.”

When that happens, the pope said, “I suggest you take a minute, look at God [and say], ‘This person is your son or your daughter, change his or her heart, bless him or her.’ This is praying for those who don’t like us, for our enemies.”

Forgiveness, the pope said, is the path toward holiness and toward peace. “If everyone in the world learned this, there would be no wars.” n CN

Vancouver archbishop: Drug overdose crisis is ‘devastating families’ VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Archbishop J. Michael Mill-

er of Vancouver called on Catholics to respond to a drug overdose crisis that had been sweeping the city, “cutting across every segment of society, devastating families and communities.”

In a pastoral letter released on Feb 16, Archbishop Miller said that following Jesus’ teaching would require Catholics to “scrutinise the sign of the times” and, in Vancouver, “these signs are calling the Church to address today’s lethal crisis of drug overdoses.”

A report released by the British Columbia Coroners Service revealed that 914 people died of illicit drug overdoses in 2016; those statistics prompted the provincial government to declare a public health emergency. That number represented an 80 percent increase in overdose deaths from the previous year.

Archbishop Miller said three factors contributed to the overdose crisis: overprescription of opioid painkillers, social isolation and mental illness.

“I am inviting the Church in Vancouver to respond to the overdose crisis by reaching out to our society’s suffering men, women and young people,” said the archbishop. He said Catholics could respond to the crisis by:

n Urging elected officials to focus more attention on the crisis and the need for more treatment facilities. n Calling for more education about safe-prescribing practices. n Promoting services like 12step programmes in parishes.

Mr Shaf Hussain, spokesman for Providence Health Care, which operates St Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver, said the surge in overdoses had created a sense of urgency around the issue “and rightly so.”

“We need to talk of the causes, going back earlier in our society and in individuals’ lives. We need to ask, ‘Why is there a breakdown

in this individual’s life?’” said Hussain.

While there were many community-based support services available for people addicted to drugs in Vancouver, Mr Hussain said, “the challenge is coordination and integration, having a more coordinated system so people don’t fall between the cracks.”

Mr Hussain said there were many community-based support groups that needed volunteers with a variety of skills and praised the archbishop’s pastoral letter for offering “pragmatic suggestions” for Catholics to respond to the crisis. n CNS

India favourable to pontiff’s visit New Delhi – Three Indian cardinals met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a possible visit to the country by Pope Francis.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis,

MASS WEDDING: Newlyweds release pigeons after their Valentine’s Day Mass wedding in Cavite, Philippines, on Feb 14. CNS photo

The Church in Vancouver needs to address the lethal crisis of drug overdoses that has swept the city, ‘cutting across every segment of society,’ said Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver.

president of the Indian bishops’ where St Teresa lived and worked conference, Cardinal Oswald Gra- for the poorest of the poor. Other cias of Bombay who head India’s places suggested included the largest archdiocese, and Cardinal national capital New Delhi and George Alencherry, head of the Mumbai, where Bombay archdioSyro-Malabar Church, met with cese is based. the prime minister on Feb 7 in A source close to the prime New Delhi. minister’s office told ucanews.

“The prime minister informed com that the meeting was of a [us] that the government holds a “confidential nature” as it disfavourable attitude toward the cussed sensitive issues such as pope’s visit to India,” the bishop’s government steps to secure freepress release said dom for kidnapped Fr without giving any Uzhunallil.

Pope Francis Thomas further details of the The 58-year-old had said meeting.

Salesian missionary Federal External was abducted from the in October Affairs Minister SuMissionaries of Char2016 that he ity home for the aged shma Swaraj had extended an invitation would ‘almost in Yemen on March 4, to the pope to visit 2016, after militants India when she visited certainly’ visit shot and killed 16 the Vatican during St India in 2017. people, including four Mother Teresa of Calnuns. cutta’s canonisation in Pope Paul VI beSeptember 2016. came the first pope to visit India Pope Francis had said in Oc- in 1964. St Pope John Paul II tober 2016 that he would “almost first visited India was in 1986 for certainly” visit India in 2017. ten days when he toured various Social media speculated that parts of the country. Pope Paul the meeting was to finalise the visit the India again in 1999 when dates and places for Pope Fran- he promulgated a document that cis to visit and named places such closed the Synod of Bishops for as Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Asia. n ucanews.com

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope highlights plight of Rohingya people, refugees VATICAN CITY – Marking the

feast of St Josephine Bakhita, a former slave, Pope Francis urged Christians to help victims of human trafficking and migrants, especially the Rohingya people being chased from Myanmar.

For the Catholic Church, St Bakhita’s feast day on Feb 8, is a day of prayer for victims of trafficking.

Pope Francis asked government officials around the world to “decisively combat this plague” of human trafficking, paying particular attention to trafficking in children. “Every effort must be made to eradicate this shameful and intolerable crime.”

Describing St Bakhita as a “young woman who was enslaved in Africa, exploited, humiliated,” Pope Francis said she never gave up hope and, finally, she was able to migrate to Europe.

Holding up a booklet with a photograph of the Sudanese saint, who died in Italy in 1947, the pope continued telling her story.

In Europe, he said, “she heard the call of the Lord and became a nun,” joining the Canossian Daughters of Charity.

“Let us pray to St Josephine Bakhita for all migrants and refugees who are exploited and suffer so much,” the pope said.

“And speaking of migrants who are exploited and chased away, I want to pray with you today in a special way for our Rohingya brothers and sisters,” the pope continued. “These people, thrown out of Myanmar, move

Council of Cardinals publicly expresses support for pope ment on the family, “Amoris ful of public challenges to Pope Laetitia.”

Cardinal Rodriguez MaraFrancis’ teaching and authority, the members of the pope’s in- diaga, speaking on behalf of ternational Council of Cardinals the Council of Cardinals, also began their February meeting ex- thanked Pope Francis for the way pressing their “full support” for he explained the council’s work on the reform of the Roman Curia his work.

Honduran Cardinal Oscar to Vatican officials.

Meeting with members of the Rodriguez Maradiaga, coordinator of the council, began the Curia just before Christmas, Pope meeting on Feb 13 assuring the Francis said the reform was mopope of the cardinals’ “full sup- tivated by a desire to ensure the port for his person and his magis- central offices of the Church are terium,” according to a statement focused on sharing the Gospel, published by the Vatican press better meet people’s needs and assist the pope in his office. ministry of service The statement The cardinals’ to the Church and said the cardinals’ the world. support was offered support was “We cannot “in relation to reoffered ‘in be content simply cent events.” with changing perNo specific relation to sonnel; we need to events were menrecent events.’ encourage spiritual, tioned, but the human and prostatement came fessional renewal just a few days after a fake version of the Vatican newspaper, among the members of the CuL’Osservatore Romano, was ria,” the pope had said.

“The reform of the Curia is emailed to Vatican officials and a week after posters were put up in no way implemented with a around Rome questioning the change of personnel – something pope’s mercy in dealing with the that certainly is happening and Sovereign Military Order of Mal- will continue to happen – but ta and other groups over which with a conversion in persons. the pope had placed special del- Continuing formation is not enough; what we need also and egates.

It also came several months above all is continuing converafter US Cardinal Raymond L. sion and purification. Without Burke and three retired cardinals a change of mentality, efforts at publicly questioned Pope Fran- practical improvement will be in cis on the teaching in his docu- vain.” n CNS

VATICAN CITY – After a hand-

Rohingya people from Myanmar are held in a detention cell. Marking the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, a former slave, Pope Francis asked government officials around the world to ‘decisively combat this plague’ of human trafficking. CNS file photo

from one place to another because no one wants them.”

Pope Francis told the estimated 7,000 people at his audience that the Rohingya, who are Muslim, “are good people. They are our brothers and sisters. They have been suffering for years.

They have been tortured, killed, just because they want to keep their traditions and their Muslim faith.”

He led the audience in praying the Lord’s Prayer “for our Rohingya brothers and sisters.”

In a report released on Feb 3, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said since October, there had been escalating violence against the Roh-

ingya in Myanmar. The report cited eyewitness reports of mass gang-rape, killings – including of babies and young children – beatings, disappearances and other serious human rights violations by the country’s security forces.

An estimated 66,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since October, the report said.

The recent violence, the UN said, “follows a long-standing pattern of violations and abuses; systematic and systemic discrimination; and policies of exclusion and marginalisation against the Rohingya that have been in place for decades in northern Rakhine state.” n CNS

Pontiff on populism and migrants VATICAN CITY – Indifference,

fuelled by populist rhetoric in today’s world, fans the flames of rejection that threaten the rights and dignity of migrants, Pope Francis said.

Refugees escaping persecution, violence and poverty are often shunned and deemed as “unworthy of our attention, a rival or someone to be bent to our will,” the pope told participants of the VI International Forum on Migration and Peace.

“Faced with this kind of rejection, rooted ultimately in self-centredness and amplified by populist demagoguery, what is needed is a change of attitude to overcome indifference and to counter fears with a generous approach of welcoming those who knock at our doors,” he said on Feb 21.

The Feb 21-22 conference, “Integration and Development: From Reaction to Action,” was organised by the Scalabrini International Migration Network and sponsored by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

According to the forum’s website, the conference focused on refugee crisis management while

POPE FRANCIS 19

Pope: Be ashamed when using Church to gain power VATICAN CITY – Whenever one

Refugees from Eritrea tell Pope Francis about their journey to safety during a meeting on Feb 21 at the Vatican with participants in the VI International Forum on Migration and Peace. CNS photo

aiming to “influence migration policies and practices in Europe.”

In his speech, the pope said millions of people are being forced to flee their homelands due to “conflict, natural disasters, persecution, climate change, violence, extreme poverty and inhumane living conditions.”

To confront this challenge, he said, the Church and civil society must have a “shared response” of welcoming, protecting, promot-

ing and integrating migrants and refugees.

Providing access to “secure humanitarian channels” – legal paths to safety – is crucial in helping people who are “fleeing conflicts and terrible persecutions,” but are often met with rejection and indifference.

“A responsible and dignified welcome of our brothers and sisters begins by offering them decent and appropriate shelter,” the pope said. n CNS

is tempted to use the Church for pursuing personal ambitions or to be arrogant, pray to feel ashamed, Pope Francis said.

When the competitive bug strikes, reflect on whether one can “see my Lord on the cross” and still want “to use the Lord for moving up” the ladder of success, he said on Feb 21 during his early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

“May the Lord give us the grace of shame, that holy embarrassment – when we find ourselves in that situation, with that temptation,” he said.

In his homily, the pope looked at the day’s Gospel reading (Mk 9:30-37) in which the disciples were arguing among themselves on the way to Capernaum about “who was the greatest.” When Jesus asked them what they were arguing about, “they remained silent.”

“They became silent because they were embarrassed about their discussion,” the pope said.

The disciples “were good peo-

ple, they wanted to follow the Lord, to serve the Lord. But they didn’t know that the path of service to the Lord wasn’t so easy.

It wasn’t like joining a group, a charitable organisation, to do good,” he said.

Laypeople, priests, bishops – everyone is tempted, the pope said.

Some of the many ways people may be tempted is to use the Church to pursue their personal ambitions, like manoeuvring, wrangling, pulling strings or backbiting.

The desire to be a big shot pushes people along a path of wordiness, which is why people must ask God for “the grace of feeling ashamed when we find ourselves in these situations.”

May the Lord protect everyone from “ambition, the worldliness of feeling greater than others,” the pope said, and may he “give us the grace of a child’s simplicity” and see only the path of service. n CNS

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Pontiff praises abuse survivor for speaking up VATICAN CITY – The sexual abuse

Native Americans lead a protest against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline last year. Pope Francis said development projects must have ‘prior and informed consent’ of native communities in order to avoid conflict.

Consult, respect indigenous peoples and their lands VATICAN CITY – Development

projects involving indigenous communities must be planned in consultation with them and must respect their traditional relationship to the land, Pope Francis said.

Having the “prior and informed consent” of the native communities who could be impacted by development projects is essential for “peaceful cooperation between governing authorities and indigenous peoples, overcoming confrontation and conflict,” the pope said on Feb 15 during a meeting with about three dozen representatives of indigenous communities.

The representatives from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean were in Rome for continuing discussions with the UN-related International Fund for Agricultural Development. Their talks aim at ensuring development projects impacting native communities are carried out in consultation with them and that they respect their lands, cultures and traditions.

“I believe that the central issue is how to reconcile the right to development, both social and cultural, with the protection of the particular characteristics of indigenous peoples and their ter-

ritories,” the pope said. “This is especially clear when planning economic activities which may interfere with indigenous cultures and their ancestral relationship to the earth.”

While none of the representatives were from North America, several news outlets immediately connected the pope’s remarks to the ongoing protests over the construction of a leg of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would go through indigenous land in North Dakota. Several Sioux tribes have protested the pipeline project saying it endangers the Standing Rock reservation’s water supply and infringes on sacred tribal grounds.

Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis praised the indigenous communities for approaching progress “with a special care for Mother Earth. In this moment in which humanity is committing a grave sin in not caring for the Earth, I urge you to continue to bear witness to this.

And do not allow new technologies – which are legitimate and good – but do not allow those that destroy the earth, that destroy the environment and ecological balance, and which end up destroying the wisdom of peoples.” n CNS

of children by those who have vowed to serve Christ and the Church is a horrendous monstrosity that represents “a diabolical sacrifice” of innocent, defenceless lives, Pope Francis said.

The Church, which must protect the weakest, has a duty “to act with extreme severity with priests who betray their mission and with the hierarchy – bishops and cardinals – who protect them,” the pope wrote in the preface to a new book written by a man raped as a child by a Capuchin priest.

The book, “Mon Pere, Je Vous Pardonne” (My Father, I Forgive You), was written by Mr Daniel Pittet, 57, in an effort to describe how he fell victim to a predator abuser when he was eight years old growing up in Fribourg, Switzerland, and the challenges he faced when he came forward two decades later with the accusations. The book, currently published only in French, was released on Feb 16. News outlets released the text of the pope’s preface on Feb 13.

Mr Pittet – who had been a monk, but later married and had six children – met the pope at the Vatican during the Year of Consecrated Life in 2015.

In the course of their conversation, Mr Pittet said he told the pope he had been raped as a child by a priest. Tears welled up in the pope’s eyes, and the two embraced, Mr Pittet said in an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica.

Pope Francis said in his preface that Pittet’s personal testimony about his abuse “is necessary, invaluable and courageous” because often it is very difficult for survivors to talk about what happened and the trauma that lingers for years.

“His suffering moved me. I saw once again the frightful damage caused by sexual abuse and the long and painful journey that awaits the victim,” the pope wrote.

It is good for people to read his testimony and see how “evil can

Victims of clergy sexual abuse march in Rome in 2010 within view of the Vatican. Pope Francis praised a victim for sharing his abuse story in a book.

CNS photo

enter the heart of a servant of the Church,” the pope said.

The abuse of children at the hands of Religious, Pope Francis said, is “an absolute monstrosity, a horrendous sin, radically contrary to everything Christ teaches us.”

The pope wrote that he was also moved by the fact that Mr Pittet had forgiven his abuser, Capuchin Fr Joel Allaz, even meeting with him face-to-face 44 years later.

“I thank Daniel because all testimony like his breaks down the wall of silence that hushes up scandals and suffering, sheds light on a terrible area of darkness in the Church’s life,” he wrote.

According to a press release

by the Catholic bishops’ conference of Switzerland, accusations were made against Fr Allaz by at least 24 victims.

The first two civil court cases in 1995 and 2002 were thrown out because the statute of limitations had run out. Only when Fr Allaz admitted to abusing two minors between 1992 and 1995 was the court able to prosecute and hand down a suspended two-year sentence.

The Capuchins acknowledge that their way of handling accusations against Fr Allaz over the years, including transferring him to ministry in France, only allowed for further abuse, according to the press release on Feb 13. n CNS

It is good for people to read his testimony and see how ‘evil can enter the heart of a servant of the Church.’

– Pope Francis

Rigid thinking isn’t divine, pope tells staff of Jesuit magazine VATICAN CITY – Discernment is needed to understand life’s ambiguities, not rigid thinking that tends to silence the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said.

True discernment can only be achieved by interpreting the signs of the times and listening to the sufferings of others, especially the poor, the pope told editors and staff of an Italian Jesuit journal.

“Rigid thinking is not divine because Jesus assumed our flesh, which is not rigid except at the time of death,” he said.

The pope met on Feb 9 with the editors and staff of La Civilta

Cattolica, a Jesuit-run magazine founded by Pope Pius IX in 1850.

The Rome-based biweekly continues to be reviewed by the Vatican Secretariat of State before publication.

Commemorating the journal’s 4,000th issue, the pope said it was “a truly unique milestone.” He also encouraged the editors and staff to continue their journey and “to remain in the open sea.”

“A Catholic should not be afraid of the open sea nor look for shelter in safe havens. Above all, you, as Jesuits, must avoid clinging to certainties and securities.

The Lord calls us to go out in mis-

sion, to go far off and not retire to safeguard our certainties,” he said.

As the journal launches versions in English, Spanish, French and Korean, the pope said, Civilta Cattolica can continue its mission of being a Catholic magazine that doesn’t “simply defend Catholic ideas,” but “transmits and gives witness” to Christ.

Editors, journalists and staff,

he continued, must be guided by the prophetic spirit of the Gospel, especially in a world that is complex and full of challenges.

In particular, there is a “‘shipwreck culture’ that seems to triumph – nourished by profane messianism, relativistic mediocrity, suspicion and rigidity – as well as a ‘dumpster culture’ where everything that doesn’t

True discernment can only be achieved by interpreting the signs of the times and listening to the suffering of others, the pope said.

work as it should or is considered useless is thrown away,” the pope said.

He also encouraged the journal’s staff to use the magazine to help men and women understand that today’s world “is not a black and white canvas. It is a colourful canvas.”

“This is the area of discernment, the space in which the Spirit stirs the heavens like air and the sea like the water,” he said. “Your task – as Blessed Paul VI asked of you – is that of ‘living the confrontation between man’s deepest desire and the perennial message of the Gospel.’” n CNS

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

Pope stresses care for poor in Lenten message Slum dwellers in Mumbai, India.

In his Lenten message, Pope Francis focused on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, saying it shows that a right relationship with people consists in recognising their value. CNS file photo VATICAN CITY – Without mak-

ing room for God’s word in their heart, people will never be able to welcome and love all human life, Pope Francis said.

“The word of God helps us to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it is weak and vulnerable,” he wrote in his message for Lent, which begins on March 1, Ash Wednesday.

The text of the pope’s Lenten message, titled “The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift”, focused on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of St Luke (16:19-31).

In the Gospel account, Lazarus and his suffering are described in great detail. While he is “practically invisible to the rich man”, the Gospel gives him a name and a face, upholding him as worthy, as “a gift, a priceless treasure, a human being whom God loves and cares for, despite his concrete condition as an outcast”, the pope wrote.

The parable shows that “a

right relationship with people consists in gratefully recognising their value,” he said. “A poor person at the door of the rich is not a nuisance, but a summons to conversion and to change.”

The nameless “rich man” lives an opulent, ostentatious life, the

Money can chain us ‘and the entire world

to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace.

’

– Pope Francis

pope wrote, and his love of money leads to vanity and pride.

“Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidarity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace,” he added.

The rich man’s eyes are finally opened after he and Lazarus are dead; Lazarus finds comfort in heaven and the rich man finds torment in “the netherworld” because, as Abraham explains, “a kind of fairness is restored” in the afterlife and “life’s evils are balanced by good”, the pope said.

The pope asked that Lent be a time “for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in His word, in the sacraments and in our neighbour”.

“May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need,” he said, especially by taking part in the various Lenten campaigns sponsored by local churches. n CNS

The pope’s full message is at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20161018_messaggioquaresima2017.html

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Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

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COMMENTARY

Assessing Trump’s actions: good and bad

By John Fink Pope Francis said that “we must wait and see” what President Donald Trump does before passing judgment on him. We didn’t have to wait very long.

No one should be surprised that Trump is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He is keeping the campaign promises he made, which obviously connected with enough voters for them to elect him president.

From a Catholic perspective, that’s both good and bad.

The good part concerns efforts to restrict abortion. On his first working day in office, one of his executive orders was to reinstate the “Mexico City Policy” that bans foreign non-governmental organisations that receive US funds from performing or promoting abortions.

Then, on Jan 27, he sent Vice President Mike Pence to speak during the annual March for Life in Washington, and he sent his own message of support to the marchers.

On Jan 31, he nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Gorsuch has a track record of supporting religious liberty. He sided with the family that owns Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor in two cases involving the Health and Human Services mandate regarding contraception, abortion and sterilisation.

Many Catholics voted for Trump precisely so that he, rather than Hillary Clinton, would choose justices for the Supreme Court.

The bad part of Trump’s actions, from a Catholic perspective, concerns immigrants and refugees. First, he issued an executive order to start building a wall on the border with Mexico and ordered the hiring of more immigration officers to enforce the country’s broken immigration laws.

Then he issued an executive order – which is already being challenged in the courts – that temporarily bans entry into the United States of any citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries – Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya,

Welcoming the stranger

A woman holds a sign during a protest near the White House in Washington.

From a Catholic perspective, there have so far been positives and negatives since his inauguration.

One positive being his prolife support.

Yemen and Somalia. It affected many people who already had valid visas to enter the country.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, former archbishop of Indianapolis, for example, said that Trump’s actions were “not rational acts” and called the orders “inhuman policies.”

Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich said: “The executive order to turn away refugees and to close our nation to those, particularly Muslims, fleeing violence, oppression and persecution is contrary to both Catholic and American values.”

There is every reason to believe that Trump’s presidency will continue much as it has started, i.e. mixed from a Catholic perspective.

Let’s pray that we can praise his actions more often than we criticise them.

Trump has said that he is issuing this temporary ban to protect the country from acts of terrorism, and that it will be lifted after new procedures are in place for more stringent vetting of Muslims seeking to enter the country. However, the current procedures are stringent indeed, including multiple interviews and background studies that usually take three to four years.

There is every reason to believe that Trump’s presidency will continue much as it has started, i.e. mixed from a Catholic perspective.

However, how is that different from the previous presidency of Barack Obama? He, too, did many good things from a Catholic perspective, and many bad things. It’s just that now the roles are reversed.

We praised Obama’s good actions and criticised his bad ones.

We will continue to do the same for Trump. Let’s pray that we can praise his actions more often than we criticise them. n CNS This commentary first appeared in the Feb 10 issue of The Criterion, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

In the Hebrew Scriptures, that part of the Bible we call the Old Testament, we find a strong religious challenge to always welcome the stranger, the foreigner. This was emphasised for two reasons: First, because the Jewish people themselves had once been foreigners and immigrants. Their scriptures kept reminding them not to forget that. Second, they believed that God’s revelation, most often, comes to us through the stranger, in what’s foreign to us. That belief was integral to their faith.

The great prophets developed this much further. They taught that God favours the poor preferentially and that consequently we will be judged, judged religiously, by how we treat the poor. The prophets coined this mantra (still worth memorising): The quality of your faith will be judged by the quality of justice in the land; and the quality of justice in the land will always be judged by how orphans, widows, and strangers fare while you are alive.

Orphans, widows, and strangers! That’s scriptural code for who, at any given time, are the three most vulnerable groups in society. And the prophets’ message didn’t go down easy. Rather it was a religious affront to many of the pious at the time who strongly believed that we will be judged religiously and morally by the rigour and strictness of our religious observance. Then, like now, social justice was often religiously marginalised.

But Jesus sides with the Hebrew prophets. For Him, God not only makes a preferential option for the poor, but God is in the poor. How we treat the poor is how we treat God. Moreover the prophets’ mantra, that we will be judged religiously by how we treat the poor, is given a normative expression in Jesus’ discourse on the final judgment in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25. We are all familiar, perhaps too familiar, with that text. Jesus, in effect, was answering a question: What will the last judgment be like? What will be the test? How will we be judged?

His answer is stunning and, taken baldly, is perhaps the most challenging text in the Gospels. He tells us that we will be judged, seemingly solely, on the basis of how we treated the poor, that is, on how we have treated the most vulnerable among us. Moreover at one point, He singles out “the stranger”, the foreigner, the refugee: “I was a stranger and you made me welcome … or … you never made me welcome.”

We end up on the right or wrong side of God on the basis of how we treat the stranger.

What also needs to be highlighted in this text about the last judgment is that neither group, those who got it right and those who got it wrong, knew what they were doing. Both initially protest: the first by saying: “We didn’t know it was you we were serving” and the second by saying: “Had we known it was you we would have responded.”

Both protests, it would seem, are beside the point. In Matthew’s Gospel, mature discipleship doesn’t depend upon us believing that we have it right, it depends only upon us doing it right.

These scriptural principles, I believe, are very appropriate today in the face of the refugee and immigrant issues we are facing in the Western world. Today, without doubt, we are facing the biggest humanitarian crisis since the end of the Second World War. Millions upon millions of people, under unjust persecution and the threat of death, are being driven from their homes and homelands with no place to go and no country or community to receive them. As Christians we may not turn our backs on them or turn them away. When we stand before God in judgment and say in protest: “When did I see you a stranger and not welcome you?” Our generation is likely to hear: “I was a Syrian refugee, and you did not welcome me.”

This, no doubt, might sound naïve, over-idealistic, and fundamentalist. The issue of refugees and immigrants is both highly sensitive and very complex. Countries have borders that need to be respected and defended, just as its citizens have a right to be protected. Admittedly, there are very real political, social, economic, and security issues that have to be addressed. But, as we, our Churches, and our governments, address them we must remain clear on what the scriptures, Jesus, and the social teachings of the Church uncompromisingly teach: We are to welcome the stranger, irrespective of inconvenience and even if there are some dangers.

For all sorts of pragmatic reasons, political, social, economic, and security, we can perhaps justify not welcoming the stranger; but we can never justify this on Christian grounds. Not welcoming the stranger is antithetical to the very heart of Jesus’ message and makes us too-easily forget that we too once were the outsider. n

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

faith alive! 23

Ash Wednesday falls on March 1 this year

A look at the rituals and symbols of Ash Wednesday

By Paul Senz On Ash Wednesday, we sign ourselves as disciples of Jesus by the ashes placed on our foreheads, and we strive to live the following 40 days in Lent so that the world knows we are Christians.

However, what significance do the ashes hold? Why do we engage in this ritual each year?

There are two primary symbols with which we often associate the ashes.

First, in the Bible a mark on the forehead is something that signifies ownership. This tradition was retained in the early Church after the resurrection, as the early Christians would make the sign of the cross with their thumbs on their foreheads, indicating their complete gift of self to Jesus Christ.

Similarly, the forehead is marked with the sign of the cross at baptism, at confirmation and at every Mass prior to the proclamation of the Gospel. Signing the forehead with ashes is one more reiteration of this ownership.

Second, and perhaps more widely recognised, ashes are biblically a sign of mourning and penance, as well as death. There are countless scriptural examples wherein people expressed their penitence and seek forgiveness by covering themselves in sackcloth and ashes.

Reflect for a moment on the words used by the minister when the ashes are administered: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The first part recalls what

CITY DISTRICT

Students, with a cross marked on their foreheads, sing during an Ash Wednesday Mass in Manila. CNS file photo

God said to Adam when he and Eve were being expelled from the garden (Gn 3:19), and Abraham’s declaration: “I am only dust and ashes” (Gn 18:27).

It is a profound reminder of the reality of death. This phrase is

Ashes are biblically a sign of mourning and penance. a strong reminder of our mortality, a reminder that the things of this world are fleeting, and that we are ultimately meant for the kingdom of God. According to Fr William Saun-

ders, former professor at Notre Dame Graduate School in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, this ritual is one that dates back at least to the eighth century, in the earliest extant editions of the Gregorian Sacramentary, a collection of prayers and other liturgical texts.

Later, Fr Saunders notes, around the year 1000, an AngloSaxon priest wrote of repentance being displayed by sackcloth and ashes, and the priest would say, “Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent that we strew ashes upon our heads to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten fast.” n CNS Senz is a freelance writer in Oregon, USA.

Seeing Lent as a pilgrimage

By Effie Caldarola I see Ash Wednesday as the beginning of a pilgrimage, my personal journey, but one I share liturgically and spiritually with more than a billion worldwide pilgrims.

I’ve laced up my spiritual hiking boots, I’ve made my resolutions, I have my hope of making it to the finish line. And there is a finish line, folks. Hey, this is a mere 40 days, doable and measurable.

That smudge on my forehead is like that first bit of dust and mud on my hiking boots. I’m on the way.

When I was a child, the words I heard were bleak – “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Perhaps thinking we

need a little more encouragement than that, the Church now offers an alternative, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

Either way, those words ignite us like the opening gun at a race.

We’re off. A pilgrimage has begun.

And we all begin it with conviction. But pilgrimages are tough.

Ask those who have walked the Camino de Santiago, that famous Christian trek in Europe. It’s a journey full of blisters, fatigue, setbacks and sometimes failure.

So it is, often, with Lent. The good intentions and firm resolutions of Ash Wednesday clash with our busy lives and our imperfections. No one makes a perfect Lent, whatever that means. No

one reaches some kind of spiritual peak every step of this journey.

Maybe that’s why some drop out along the path. We set our goals very high, forgetting that Jesus is interested in our weakness and our need, not just our supposed strengths and victories.

So on Ash Wednesday, I’ll have a plan. How will I grow closer to Jesus during Lent? That’s the only question. I will try to have a modest, doable goal for each of the three pillars of Lent – prayer, penance, almsgiving. Perhaps I’ll keep a little journal to reflect my progress. If I slip up – and we all will – I’ll begin again. n CNS Caldarola is a freelance writer in the US.

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Noon & 1.15pm St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) 12.30pm, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of Sts Peter & Paul 7.20am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm (M*) Church of Our Lady of Lourdes 12.30pm, 6.30pm & 8pm (T*) Church of the Sacred Heart 7am, noon & 7pm Church of St Teresa 12.30pm & 8pm Church of St Alphonsus (Novena Church) Mass will be held at the Church of the Risen Christ at 12.15pm Church of St Bernadette 6.30am & 7pm Church of St Michael 6.30am & 8pm

EAST DISTRICT Church of the Holy Family 6.15am, 1pm & 7.30pm Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8.30pm (M*) Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 6.30am, 12.30pm, 6pm & 8pm Church of St Stephen 6.30am & 8pm Church of the Holy Trinity 6.30am, 6pm & 8pm Church of Divine Mercy 6.30am, 1pm, 6.15pm & 8.30pm

NORTH DISTRICT St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) 6.30am, 6.15pm & 8.15pm Church of St Anthony 6.30am, 8pm Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea 6.45am, 12.15pm, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of the Holy Spirit 6.30am, 6pm & 8pm Church of the Risen Christ 6.30am, 12.15pm, 6pm & 8pm Church of Christ the King 6.30am, 1pm, 6.15pm & 8pm

SERANGOON DISTRICT Church of the Nativity of the BVM 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8pm Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 6.15am, 6.15pm, 8pm Church of St Francis Xavier 6.30am, 6.30pm & 8.30pm

St Anne’s Church 6.30am, 6.15pm & 8pm Church of St Vincent De Paul 7am, 6pm & 8pm

WEST DISTRICT Church of St Ignatius 7am, 6pm & 8pm Blessed Sacrament Church 7am, 8.30am, 6pm & 8pm Church of St Mary of the Angels 6.55am, 1.15pm, 6.30pm & 8.30pm Church of St Francis of Assisi 6.30am, 7pm (M*) & 8.15pm Church of the Holy Cross 6.15am, 6pm & 7.30pm (M*) (Mandarin Mass is @ St Michael Hall level 1)

Catholic prayer society (CPS) CPS OUTRAM Time: 12.15pm Venue: Medical Alumni Association, 2 College Road, Level 2 Auditorium, S169850 Contact: 98233971/ 98782833 CPS JURONG EAST Time: 12.15pm Venue: German Centre, 25 International Business Park, 5th Floor Munich Room, S609916 Contact: 98893438/ 93769897 CPS SHENTON Time: 12.20pm & 1.20pm Venue: 7 Shenton Way, 2nd Level Singapore Conference Hall Contact: 90463061/ 91149240 CPS ORCHARD Time: 12.40pm & 1.20pm Venue: Grand Hyatt Hotel, 10 Scotts Road (Refer to event board for room venue) Contact: 97543672/ 97940963 CPS RAFFLES PLACE Time: 11.15am, 12.15pm & 1.15pm Venue: 18 Cross Street, #B1-05 China Square Central Contact: 98270815/ 97658832 CPS SUNTEC CITY Time: 12.15pm & 1.15pm Venue: 1 Raffles Boulevard Room 606A & 606B Contact: 64087891/ 93665573 CPS Changi Time: 12.15pm Venue: UE Convention Centre, 4 Changi Business Park Ave 1, Level 1 (opposite FairPrice) Auditorium (see signage) Nearest MRT: Expo MRT Contact: 98262246 / 81807089

Note: M*: Mandarin; T*: Tamil

Please check with parishes for updates.

For CPS updates, please refer to http://cps.org.sg

24

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Jesus walked away from the great crowd that had gathered around Him and climbed up a mountain. Once He was on the mountain, He sat down and began to teach the apostles and the people.

Jesus started to say things that surprised His listeners. Not only did He teach as someone with authority would, but He also said that they needed to think and act in new and different ways.

For example, the people loved their neighbours but hated their enemies. Instead, Jesus told them to also love their enemies and pray for them.

The people also lived by the Old Testament rule of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Instead of seeking retaliation, Jesus said that when someone has wronged another,

turn the other cheek and forgive.

Jesus also talked about how important it was to be righteous, but to “take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”

He talked about praying, fasting and almsgiving, warning the people not to make big, public displays of such things.

“When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you,” He said.

Jesus said not to pray in public to be purposefully seen and also not to babble like the pagans who thought they’d be heard for their many words.

“Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need

Spotlight on Saints:

St Casimir

St Casimir was born in 1458, and was a son of the King of Poland. He was very devout from a young age and prayed and meditated often. He also was known to give his possessions to the poor.

He reluctantly agreed when his father asked him to take an army to war.

He made his father angry by calling off the battle and vowing never again to take part in war.

He eventually returned but had no desire to rule as a prince.

Instead, he focused his energy on prayer and the Church. Some wanted Casimir to get married, but the saint said that he wanted to live a life of celibacy.

He died in 1484 at age 25, and miracles were reported to take place at his tomb. We honour him on March 4. n

before you ask Him,” Jesus said.

When He talked about praying, Jesus also taught the people a good way to pray, which has become known as the Lord’s Prayer.

And while fasting, Jesus said to not look gloomy or unkempt. Instead, he said, “anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Jesus said not to act like the hypocrites, who prayed, fasted and gave alms in public to try to look like they were righteous and religious when they were not. n Read more about it: Matthew 6

Q&A 1. Where did Jesus give His sermon?

2. Who did He warn not to be like?

Wordsearch: n THINK

n PUBLIC n FORGIVE

n LORD

n PAGAN

n TEACH

n PRAYER n APOSTLE n TOOTH n SECRET n APPEAR n Great

BIBLE TRIVIA: How many beatitudes are there?

Bible Accent: Answer to puzzle: peacemakers, merciful, persecuted, meek Answer to Bible Trivia: Eight

PUZZLE: Put an “X” next to the types of people to whom Jesus referred in the beatitudes. See Matthew 5:3-12 for hints.

n frail n peacemakers n rabble-rousers

n merciful n persecuted

n blind n meek Answer to Wordsearch

One of the most famous of Jesus’ sermons is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.

Jesus covered many different topics in his sermon. As St Augustine noted: “If anyone piously and earnestly ponders the discourse which our Lord Jesus Christ delivered on the mount ... I believe that he will find therein, with regard to good morals, the perfect standard of the Christian life.”

The first part of the sermon features the beatitudes. Jesus begins each beatitude with the words “blessed are” followed by a description of the people who are blessed. He said that people who have hardships on earth would find what they seek in heaven.

Jesus also compared people to lamps, saying that our “light must shine before others” so they can see our good deeds that give glory to God. Jesus also offered some warnings. In Matthew 6, he said not to store up treasures or material things for ourselves on earth, but to focus our attention on heavenly, spiritual treasures, like acts of kindness and prayer.

He said not to worry about anything. Just as God takes care of the birds in the sky, so too, will our heavenly Father take care of us. n

Sunday March 5, 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. 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 vaz: 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 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. feb 21 to may 23 Discover Ministry and Msgr Ambrose Vaz present: The Gospel of Matthew Discover Ministry and Msgr Ambrose Vaz present the Gospel according to Matthew.

Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of the Holy Spirit, room #03-11. This Gospel is read at Sunday Mass during Ordinary Time for this liturgical year. Matthew shows us that Jesus is the perfect fulfilment of God’s promises made in the Old Testament as the messiah promised by the prophets. To register: E: kim_f_ ho@yahoo.com; T: 90102829 feb 22 to april 26 SYMBOLON PART TWO A DVD programme. Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Dr Edward Sri and his team of experts from Augustine Institute turn our attention to how

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith.

Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. april 23 to may 20, 2018 RCIA at church of our lady of perpetual succour (OLPS) Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Interested to inquire about the Catholic Faith? New RCIA Journey will begin with a welcome night on April 23 and thereafter every Sunday evening till May 20, 2018. Please register your name or names of those who are interested in our Catholic faith.

Registration forms are available at the OLPS secretariat or RCIA ministry @ www.olps.sg. For more information, T: 96718216 (Christina); T: 96355635 (Peter) we encounter God in the sacraments and the moral life. Organised by Bible Apostolate team. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Room # 03- 11) To register: T: 97848090 (Louisa). Love offerings welcomed. feb 24 to march 31 Walking in the Spirit Every Friday from 8pm-9.30pm at Church of St Bernadette, 12 Zion Rd. Inspiring video talks to help Catholics continue to discover the joys of their faith, to open their minds and hearts to the wonder of God, who is at all times guiding their lives. To register: T: 90070987; E: acptcafe@gmail. com with your name and age. Presented by the Archdiocesan CaFE Promotion Team. feb 28 to march 28 Special Needs Catechesis 1 – Understanding & Supporting Young People with Special Needs Time: 7:30pm-10pm. Venue: Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre 2 Highland Road, S549102. Please register using the link: http://tinyurl.com/hexcsgx.

This course aims to provide participants with an insight into the wide spectrum of physical, intellectual, emotional, behavioural and learning challenges more commonly faced by people with special needs. For more information, T: 68583011; W: www.catechesis.org.sg MARCH 4 MASS WITH PRAYERS FOR HEALING Time: 2pm-4pm. 2pm: Praise and Worship.

2.25pm-4pm: Mass celebrated by Fr Tom Curran, followed by prayers for healing.

Venue: Church of Sts. Peter and Paul (main church). E: praiseatworksg@yahoo.com; T: 98170152 (Kristyn). Organised by SACCRE and Praise@Work. march 4 Clarity’s Public Talk on ‘Youth Depression & SelfHarm’ Time: 10am-noon. Learn more about youth depression and self-harm, recognise early warning signs and available therapeutic interventions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from our keynote speaker Assoc Prof Ong Say How and our panel of

speakers. Fee: $10 per person. Free for students who present their student card.

Venue: Agape Village level one. To register: W: http://www.clarity-singapore. org/english-programmes.html; T: 68017467 March 5 Lenten Recollection “Come back to me”, a familiar refrain during Lent is a call to deeper conversion.

Join us in a day of prayer and reflection as we journey through the Lenten season with a deeper sense of coming home to the Lord. Organised by the Cenacle Sisters.

Time: 9.30am-5pm. Venue: 47 Jurong West St 42. To register: T: 97223148; W: www.cenaclemission.com; E: cenaclemissionsingapore@gmail.com MARCH 8 TO APRIL 12 BASIC CATECHIST COURSE LEVEL 1 – Intro to Catechetical Pedagogy & Catechetical Methods March 8, 15, 22, 29. April 5, 12. Time: 7.30 pm-10pm. Venue: Church of St Ignatius, 120 King’s Road. This 6-session course will introduce participants to the method of teaching as proposed by the Universal Church. To register: Register before March 3 at http://tinyurl.com/ h5by795 Contact: Office For Catechesis.

E: enquiry@catechesis.org.sg; T: 68583011; W: www.catechesis.org.sg march 15 Practical applications of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in our daily life Time: 7.30pm-9pm. This talk uncovers multiple layers of meaning of the Holy Trinity, with focus on the Christological issue of Jesus’ divinity and humanity and how it affects us. Organised by the Catholic Theology Network. Venue: St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street, Conference room. Speaker : Mary Rajadurai (Masters in Religious Education, Australian Catholic University). To register: E: theology.sg@gmail.com 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 CBN Lenten Retreat A day of self-reflection and recollection.

Time: 8.30am-3.30pm. The Catholic Business Network is organising a Lenten retreat to bring together Catholic professionals and business owners in a day filled with engaging talks and praise and worship. It will be led by Mr Lance

Ng, a spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition. Venue: FMM Retreat House.

For more information, T: 92284463 (Raymond). E: admin@cbn.sg. Cost: Free (CBN Member) / $50 (Non Member), includes one-year membership.

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 IHM Lenten Bloodmobile Outreach Time: 10.30am-3.30pm Venue: Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary multipurpose hall, 24 Highland Rd. Glory to God, service to society! Faith and service go hand-in-hand, our blood is God’s gift of life. Give blood and save up to three lives! (If you’re between 16 to 60 years & weigh above 45kg). Bring along your NRIC or passport. The bone marrow donor programme (BMDP) is also available. For more enquiries: T: 97519906 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 march 25 and april 1 Catechist Elective Course (CEC) - History of the Catholic Church in Singapore This two week course seeks to create an awareness of the history of the Catholic Church in Singapore. Time: 9:30am12:30pm. Venue: CAEC 2 Highland Road, S549102. Contribution: Waived for 2017. Register using the following URL: http://tinyurl.com/j4x7ucf. For more information: E: enquiry@catechesis.org.sg; T: 68583011; W: www.catechesis.org.sg

march 26 to may 17 Couple Empowerment Programme (CEP) 2017 CEP is a programme for married couples who wish to discover more about building strong marriages, and to raise emotionally well-balanced children. This programme is faithful to the Catholic Church teachings and incorporates well-studied life skills. Child-minders available.

Venue: Church of St Ignatius. To

What’s On 25 register: T: 91059921 (Victor); 98579075 (Andrea); E: goto_cep@hotmail.com; W: www.cep-sg.org or fb.com/sg.cep April 1, 8, 22 Clarity’s Self-Worth Introductory workshop Join us for a three-session workshop to understand self-worth, its importance and impact in your life. Through various activities and exercises, practise ways to recognise and replace self-defeating thoughts. Learn how to love and accept yourself, in spite of your imperfections, and how to make your life more meaningful. Time: 10am-noon. Venue: Blk 854 Yishun Ring Rd. Cost: $10 per person.

For more information, T: 67577990; E: email registration@clarity-singapore april 8 open house Canossian Convent Kindergarten open house. N1, N2, K1 and K2 open for registration! Time: 9am – 1pm, 100 Jalan Merbok, S598454. “We believe that every child has the potential to shine.”Games for preschoolers, mini food fair, thrift shop and free parents’ workshop.

For more information: T: 64692201; E: cckg.generaloffice@gmail.com; W: www.canossian.org.sg. april 12 to may 17 april 8 The prophets - messengers of god’s mercy Every Wednesday from 9.30am-11.30am.

Venue: Church of the Holy Spirit Level 3 Room 10 - Annex Blk. A DVD-based programme presented by Thomas Smith and Sarah Christmyer (Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study). Prophets bridge the Old and the New Testaments, calling us to return to our covenant relationship with God. This study shows us how their words continue to speak to us with urgency today.

No preregistration. For more information: E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com April 22 clarity’s workshop on ‘a guide to understanding depression’ Time:10.30am-12.30pm. Individuals with depression often have difficulties seeking help for themselves and in most times, causing friends and family members to feel frustrated and burnout. Come join us to find out what depression is about and share insights on the journey of providing care to your friends or loved ones who may need help. CANA The Catholic Centre L2. FOC. To register: E: registration@clarity-singapore.org may 13 Our Lady of Fatima Centennial Celebrations Time: 6pm-9pm. Come join us for Mass and a candlelight procession for the centennial celebrations of Our Lady of Fatima at St Joseph’s Church, 143 Victoria Street. The celebrations commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal and to honour the Fatima message of penance and prayer.

feature

Celebrating marriage: Newlyweds look to pope for blessings

Pope Francis greets newlyweds during his general audience at the Vatican on Feb 8. Each week dozens of newlyweds from around the world meet the pope and receive a special papal blessing. CNS photo

VATICAN CITY – Each week dozens of newlyweds, dressed in their wedding gowns and tuxedoes, come to the Vatican to receive a special papal blessing as they begin their lives together.

“It’s always been a dream of mine, since I was little, to come to the audience and see the Holy Father and see the newlywed couples. It’s always been a very special way to celebrate a marriage,” newlywed Kelly Michelle Byrne told Catholic News Service (CNS).

The Australian bride and her Scottish husband, Geaspar Byrne, were married in Scotland on Feb 4 and were at the Vatican four days later to attend the weekly general audience with Pope Francis.

Couples from around the world who have celebrated their wedding recently are given spe-

cial “sposi novelli,” that is, “newlywed,” tickets to the audience and are seated in the VIP section.

They have a chance to greet the pope and receive his blessing and a special rosary.

St John Paul II made a point of addressing a special greeting to married couples during the weekly general audiences in the first months of his pontificate. Since then, his successors have continued the tradition of greeting and blessing newlywed couples after delivering their catechesis.

Addressing the newlywed couples on Feb 8, Pope Francis encouraged them to “trust in the help of providence and not just in your own abilities.”

“A marriage without the help of God cannot go forward; we must ask for it every day,” the pope said.

Mr Marco Damiani, who married his wife, Stefania, on Dec 8, 2016, said that meeting the pope was a crowning moment after months of marriage preparation.

Mrs Damiani told CNS Catholic marriage is important “because there is a strength that is given to us. Doing it alone through your own strength isn’t enough; you won’t be able to go anywhere, she said.

Catholic newlyweds aren’t the only ones hoping to receive some encouraging words from the pope.

Mr Seelan Mathiyaparanam, a Hindu, told CNS he enjoyed being with his Catholic wife, Camilla Yogaseelan, as they shared an important moment for her and her faith.

Ms Yogaseelan said it was important for her “meet the pope and receive his blessing.” n CNS

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in memoriam

Crossword Puzzle 1179 1

2

3

4

5

13

14

17

18

20

6

7

26

27

10

29

30

41 44

45 50

55

51

52

53

54

We hold back the tears Daddy when saying your name.

The ache in our hearts is still the same.

No one knows the grief we bear, when the family meets and Daddy you are not there.

We can feel your presence even now you are gone.

We can cherish your memory and let it live on.

Or we can do what you would want, smile, remember your words and go on.

Sadly missed and mourned by wife and daughters, sons-in-laws and grandchildren.

57

56

ACROSS 1 Story of original sin (with “The”) 5 What the expectant father did 10 Possesses 13 On sheltered side 14 One of 12 brothers in the Old Testament 15 Musical instrument 17 Luck 18 “Go Down Moses” et al.

20 Deliriously happy 22 Bothers 23 Second of IHS 24 “What’ll ___?”

25 Land in which the tower of Babel was built 29 Preliminary test 33 He accompanied Joshua as he reconnoitered the land of Canaan 34 Mob men 35 Exploit 36 From scratch 37 Performing 38 Belgrade resident 39 Catholic comedian Costello 40 Repasts 41 Attack 42 Cuts up 44 Vessel for perfuming the altar 45 Sorrowful cry 46 “Norma ___” 47 Celtic paradise

BENEDICT HENRY NATHAN (DICKY) who was called to the Lord on Jan 22, 2017

46

49

61

32

38

43

58

31

35

40

48

ROY SANTHANARAJ S/O A. LOUIS Departed: Mar 7, 2007 In our hearts you will always live Your love, your voice and your smile are forever imprinted in our minds.

Deeply missed and fondly remembered by father and loved ones.

24

37

42

16

In loving memory of our father

34

39

12

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

22

28

36

11

19

21

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47

9

15

23 25

8

may they rest in peace

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

59

60

62

63 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

50 Castel ___ (pope’s summer residence) 55 Texas diocese where the Alamo is found 57 Is unwell 58 ___ boy!

59 Clear the board 60 Garden tools 61 Abbr. for two NT epistles 62 Given a G, say 63 Reverse DOWN 1 “By the sweat of your ___ you shall eat bread” (Gen 3:19) 2 Catholic actor Guinness 3 Reduced by 4 For fear that 5 Chief priest in a church 6 Savory jelly 7 Fashionable 8 Permanently, in poems 9 Asea 10 The act of administering or receiving the Eucharist 11 French protest cry 12 Flat-fish 16 Winding shape 19 Brass instruments 21 Evil king of Israel 24 Golf clubs

25 Really burn 26 Capital of Vietnam 27 Intestinal obstruction 28 ___ Testament 29 Labours 30 Governs 31 Long-continued practice 32 “When pigs fly!”

34 Jesus separated these from the sheep in Matthew 25 37 Wine flask 38 Evil deed 40 Watery fruit 41 Faith is like a mustard ___ 43 Peace salutation

44 Boated 46 “And I will ___ you up on eagle’s wings” 47 Father of Jehoshaphat 48 Arizona-Vatican connection 49 Person in opposition 50 Exodus pest 51 Diocese of Honolulu home 52 The righteous are as bold as this animal, according to Prov 28:1 53 Ran away 54 Bologna bone 56 Latin for “to pray”

Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ophir Road on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 6.30pm.

In loving memory of

Fourth Anniversary Eighteenth Anniversary

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.

BERNARDETTE Deeply missed and FROIS CHIA always remembered AH NG (TRUDY) by husband Bernard Departed: Mar 6, 2004 and loved ones.

Thirteenth Anniversary In loving memory of

Third Anniversary In loving memory of

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

Tenth Anniversary In loving memory of

DESMOND CHEANG MUN FOO Departed: Feb 12, 2007 We miss you in so many ways We miss things you used to say And when old times we do recall It’s then we miss you most of all.

Fondly remembered by wife and children.

Seventh Anniversary

KAREN GOH SIEW NEO Ann Tan Hui Eng Departed: Mar 2, 2014 Called to be with Lord Gone is the face on Feb 27, 2013 we loved so dear Eternal Rest grant Silent is the voice unto our mother, we loved to hear O Lord, and let Too far away perpetual light shine for sight or speech upon her.

But not far away for thought to reach. May she rest in peace.

Amen Deeply missed and always remembered by Alway cherished by family and loved ones. family and loved ones.

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1178 B A L M

E L O I

A T T N

N E B O

A Q U A

R U N T

A D O R E

S E D E R

T R I P S

M A S S T T R O I P G S A R I I D N S E

H E B R E W T E N D E R E D

A L L E N I R A T E E X E

G A R A T E E A T A R L P I S F O N T L I E E N D S T H H T A J R R S U I T E D S E A T N S E

E B E R T

T A B O O

T R A W L

A B Y S S

M E A L

R A R E

E V A N

D E N T

A C T S

B O O K

L O D I

E P O S

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

JOSEPH CHAI

YIN KWAN Departed: Mar 3, 2013

GLEN CHAI CHEE FOONG Departed: July 8, 1999

Treasured memories hold you near Silent thought bring many a tear Tears in my eyes I can wipe away But the love in heart will always stay I make no outward show To what it meant to lose you Only I will ever know.

Dearly missed and remembered by loved ones.

Catherine Ang Lye Ho Departed: Mar 1, 2010 You are always in our hearts.

Spouse: Peter Tan Chin Kiat Children: Anne & Joachim Son-in-Law: Ignatius Ng Grandchildren: Raphael, Marie and Rachael, Godchildren and loved ones.

Eighth Anniversary In loving memory of

obituary In loving memory of

GABRIEL LOURDES Departed: Jan 29, 2017 A light from our home has gone Gone is your face we loved so dear A place is vacant in our home Never will your memory fade Sweet thoughts of you.

Will always remain within our hearts.

Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Risen Christ on Mar 4, 2017 at 6.00pm.

Sadly missed by children, spouses & grand-children.

In loving memory of

Anthony Pathrose Departed: January 27, 2017 “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”

PSALM 101:6

VICTORIA D’CRUZ Departed: Mar 7, 2009 Mummy, your heart of gold was one of the best to behold.

Your generosity, love and kindness are memories we will forever cherish.

Deeply loved and missed by family and loved ones.

Mass will be celebrated at Church of St Michael at 6pm on 7 March 2017

In memoriam rates Minimum $80 for an insertion not exceeding an eight-centimetre column.

Additional space: $8 per one-centimetre column.

Classified advertisement rates: Minimum S$40 for the first 25 words.

Additional words: $1.00 a word.

Please turn to page 27 for more in memoriam advertisements.

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

First Anniversary In loving memory of

Elias Yen Chang Sheng Departed: February 25, 2016 Remembering you is easy We do it every day Missing you is the hardest part As it never goes away To hear your voice. To see your smile.

To sit with you and talk for awhile Would be our greatest wish Today, tomorrow, our whole life through We shall always love and remember you.

In loving memory of

DAISY ALFRED & BELLA WILFRED who were called to the Lord on March 1, 2000

We’re assured of your love Even though we’re apart, ‘Cause so much we’ve shared Is written in our hearts.

Remembered with love and deeply missed by all in the Family.

Dearly missed by Grace, Daniel, Samuel and all your loved ones.

Seventeenth Anniversary In loving memory of

In loving memory of our beloved parents / grand parents

MARY VICTOR EDWARD TAN LAW HONG NEO ONG CHENG LOCK TECK YAM Departed: Departed: Mar 1, 2000 November 10, 2015 March 12, 2002 The world Eternal life grant unto them, O Lord changes year to year and let perpetual light shine upon them.

And friend from day to day May they rest in peace. Amen.

But never will Forever loved and always cherished the one we love by your children, daughters-in-law, From memory pass away. son-in-law and grandchildren.

Dearly missed by Mass will be offered at the Church of Doreen, Avryl, Samuel Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on and all loved ones.

Sunday March 12, 2017 at 6.00pm.

First Anniversary In loving memory of Eighth Anniversary

In loving memory of

Third Anniversary

In Loving Memory Of

janet lim swee kim Born on February 24, 1938 Called home on March 6, 2014 It has been three years Mama And we miss you so very much Your unfailing love for us Mama Will always remain in our heart.

Always loved and remembered by Husband Francis Koh, children and grand children.

First Anniversary In loving memory of

Maggie Sylvia Oliveiro Sharma Departed: March 5, 2016 Those we love don’t go away.

They walk beside us everyday.

Unseen and unheard but always near.

Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by family in Singapore, daughter, Indra, son-in-law, Rajoo, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews and family in the United Kingdom.

Twelfth Anniversary In loving memory of In loving memory of Tenth Anniversary

Ninth Anniversary

MOSES PEREIRA EVELYN PEREIRA Departed:

Mar 10, 2007 Mar 1, 2008

Thank you for the years we shared Thank you for the way you cared We loved you then and we love you still Forget you, we never will.

Sadly missed and forever cherished by children and spouses, Maureen and Burton, Colin and Cynthia, Jen and David, granchildren, great-grandchildren and loved ones.

Please turn to page 26 for more in memoriam advertisements.

STEVEN JOHN CHOW Departed: Feb 26, 2005 It’s difficult to put into words our sorrow that we carry in our hearts or to find the right words to express the kind of man you were. It’s difficult to describe the moments when we miss you and wished that you were still here with us. The Lord took you home, but you will never leave our thoughts or the place you have taken in our hearts.

Forever remembered as a loving husband, a giving father, a doting grandfather, a caring friend and a wonderful human-being who touched and graced our lives.

JOHN AROKIASAMY (A. JOHN) Departed: Mar 2, 2016 His life was earnest, his actions kind A generous hand and an active mind, Anxious to please, loath to offend, A loving brother and faithful friend.

Deeply missed and fondly remembered by family and loved ones.

Ninth Anniversary In loving memory of

AnGELINE MASSANG NEE LIM Departed: Mar 4, 2008 Only the memory of bygone days And a sigh for a face unseen; A constant feeling that God alone knows best what should have been.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered by family and loved ones.

John Sebastian Choo Departed: March 10, 2009 Our Lord Jesus knew what was best He took you home for eternal rest We wiped our tears and tried not to be sad And remember the precious times we had.

Sadly missed by wife Sally, daughter Bernadette, parents Peter & Thelma and all loved ones.

Fourth Anniversary In loving memory of

PAULINE TAN SAI ENG Called home: March 7, 2013 Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near Mass will be celebrated at Church of St Vincent de Paul on March 7 at 6.00 pm.

in memoriam 27

28 home

Sunday March 5, 2017 n CatholicNews

S’pore Focolare group meets pope, hears his call for new economy

By Michelle Teo

edged the work of the EoC, noting that by incorporating “communMadam Delphine Sng, a parish- ion” into the economy, the project ioner at the Church of St Francis has begun “a profound change in Xavier, never dreamed she would the way of seeing and living busiget to meet the Holy Father. But ness”. when Pope Francis came to be just He called on the EoC memin front of her, at a recent private bers to build a new economic audience, she felt the call to work system – one that prevents the for humanity in a new way. creation of disadvantaged peoMadam Sng had travelled with ple. And, in order to do so, peoher husband, Theodore Chan, as ple must be ready to give more part of the Focolare Movement’s than just money. “The Economy Singapore delegation of Communion, if it to the international to be faithful to The culture wants Economy of Communits charism, must not of giving ion (EoC) conference, only care for the vicheld at Castel Gan- must overtake tims, but build a sysdolfo, near Rome, from tem where there are current Feb 2-5. fewer victims, where, The EoC is one of possibly, there may economic the key, continuing no longer be any,” he structures projects in the Focolare said.

Movement, inspired Mr Chan and built around by the first Christians, Madam Sng were capitalism. who put everything very encouraged by – Madam the meeting with the into communion so Delphine Sng pope. “It’s a personthat no one would be in need. al validation [of the Members of the EoC today are EoC] from the pope,” Mr Chan spread throughout the world and said. include business owners, workers, Madam Sng added: “His mesacademics and students, investors sage to me was about finding love, and entrepreneurs. joy and hope in EoC, where the Towards the end of the EoC’s culture of giving must overtake 25th anniversary, the conference’s current economic structures built delegates were invited for a pri- around capitalism.” vate audience with Pope Francis.

The nine delegates from the In his remarks to the delegates on Singapore group included two Feb 4, the Holy Father acknowl- Malaysians and a Vietnamese. n

‘

Members of the Focolare Movement’s Singapore delegation meet Pope Francis.

’

What is the Economy of Communion?

The Economy of Communion was started by Ms Chiara Lubich, the Focolare’s founder, in May 1991 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Ms Lubich had been moved to act by the abject poverty she had witnessed in the city’s slums, which the then Archbishop of Sao Paulo described as surrounding the city’s skyscrapers like a “crown of thorns”. In launching the EoC, Ms Lubich said there should be “businesses starting up here whose profits would be freely shared with the same aim as the early Christian communities.”

An “industrial park” was created in Brazil, where members of the movement raised capital and started small businesses. The aim was to create jobs, help those in need, and ensure no one was left in poverty.

The initial mandate of businesses in the EoC was the contribution of profits, at their discretion, towards the community. Today, that direction has expanded to include how businesses are managed, the relationships between employers and their staff, as well as between customer and supplier.

Ms Chiara Lubich founded the Focolare Movement in 1991.

Businesses in the EoC have a set of shared values and practices that build fraternity, instead of engendering the divisions often found in typical organisations. Today, the EoC is present worldwide, and includes all participants of the economy – from economists, investors and capitalists, business owners and entrepreneurs to workers, managers, students and consumers. n

Published by the catholic news, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, Singapore 549102. Printed by TIMES PRINTERS private limited, 16 TUAS AVEnue 5, SINGAPORE 639340.