Today's Catholic Vol. 33 No. 5 August 2021 by Todays Catholic

CATHOLIC today’s

A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

Vol 33 No 5 August 2021

Professio ad hostiam

Solemn Perpetual Vows of Fathers Alvin Ng, SJ and Francis Lim, SJ KUCHING — On 31 July 2021 which was the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola, due to the restrictions caused by COVID-19, a limited number of persons attended the Mass of the Solemn Perpetual Vows of Jesuit Fathers, Alvin Ng and Francis Lim. A large number of viewers however, participated in the live stream Mass. The presider, Fr Stanley Goh, SJ received the vows. He was delegated by the Regional Superior of Malaysia-Singapore Region (MAS), Fr Chris Soh, SJ who in turn represented Father General of the Society of Jesus. Fr Chris Soh was not able to be in Kuching due to the travel restrictions of the current pandemic. As with all Jesuit vow profession, it was done professio ad hostiam (profession before the Eucharistic host). The vows were made by Fr Alvin and Fr Francis, one after the other, after the showing of the host by the presider just before he took communion. Then only they received communion. Professio ad hostiam When Ignatius and his companions made their final profession in the Basilica of St Paul-Outside-the-Walls on 22 April 1541, they used a completely different rite which later passed into the Constitutions

of the Society of Jesus. This rite is used for both the profession of first vows and final vows. The rite was contrary to the customary vow ceremonies of that time until even today. It is not the professio super altare or professio in manus, but professio ad hostiam to signify it is neither a stable monastic order nor a mendicant one. It is an apostolic order with a contemplative aspect.

Fr Alvin pronouncing his vows as Fr Stanley, who stood in for the Regional Superior, held up the Eucharistic host just before communion.

Professio super altare The profession on the altar is the monastic rite. During the offertory, the novice first pronounces verbally his promise by committing himself to monastic stability, to reform of life and to the observance of obedience, then he places on the altar his request which is a document written in his own hand which would serve as proof of his promise and of his desire to enter and form part of that monastery. At the end of Mass, the abbot picks up the request from the altar and carries it away with him as a sign of accepting the promise of the newly-professed.

Fr Francis kneeling before the Eucharistic host pronouncing his vows.

Professio in manus The profession into the hands was inspired by the offering of the homage of a vassal to his lord in early feudal Europe. It was adopted by the mendicant orders in the 13th century, for example the Dominicans and the Franciscans. The profession on the altar is abandoned by the

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mendicants because they do not vow to monastic stability. Instead, they are known as mendicants, that is, religious who go about begging. Kneeling before the superior, the novice joins his hands and the superior takes them between his own. In this posture of submission, he pronounces the words of

profession and then the superior gives him the kiss of peace. The central element here is the joining of the subject’s hands with that of the superior, signifying commitment of personal submission to the master general. Continued on p4

NEWS

PAGE 2 EDITORIAL

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

Is it time for remorse and repentance?

As the clock ticks for the countdown to our National Day celebration on 31 August, many of us are left with feelings of despondence for the plight of thousands of people affected by the pandemic. Are we living out our Christian social responsibility to help those in need? The Home of Peace at Kota Padawan is a Home for the elderly, built by the Catholic Welfare Services Council Sarawak (CWS) in 2009. It is managed by the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS). The prolonged Covid-19 situation in the state has put a dent in its coffers. The Home is appealing for support from ‘Friends of Hope’, a campaign it launched last year to supplement operational expenses. For this issue of Today’s Catholic, we interviewed Sr Ursula Lian, the Matron of the Home. Check it out to see how you can support them.

What else can we do? Is it time we focus our attention on more prayers and reparation? Scriptures tell us that Jesus has paid for our sins through His most precious blood. “He himself took our sickness and carried away our diseases.” (Matt 8:17). Is it time to get down on our knees and repent for the sins of the world? Let us pray for healing and deliverance from the pandemic and political turmoil that has already plagued us for far too long. On a brighter note, we also share in the joy, as we congratulate Jesuit Fathers, Francis Lim and Alvin Ng on their Solemn Perpetual Vows on 31 July that was live-streamed to the Christian community. Congratulations also to Archbishop Simon Poh on his 33rd Priestly Ordination Anniversary, also on 31 July!

CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM PUBLISHER The Archbishop of Kuching ADVISOR Fr Felix Au EDITOR Ivy Chai ASSOCIATE EDITOR (Chinese) Magdalene Yeo EDITORIAL TEAM Freddy Bohari (BM) Mabel Salin (English Children’s Section) James Lo (Chinese) Cecil Yong (Chinese) Margaret Bong (Chinese Children’s Section) STAFF Shannon Wei

M E S S AG E From Archbishop Simon Poh Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, We are celebrating significant moments these few months for Sarawak and Malaysia. < On 22 July, we celebrated Sarawak Independence Day. < On 31 August, Malaysia will celebrate National Day. < On 16 September next month, we will celebrate Malaysia Day when Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore as sovereign nations, joined Malaya to form Malaysia. The name “Malaysia” was adopted in 1963 when the existing states of the Federation of Malaya, plus Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak formed a new federation. One theory on Malaysia being the name that was chosen is that “si” represented the inclusion of Singapore, North Borneo Sabah and Sarawak, to Malaya. In any case, on 16 September 1963, a new nation called Malaysia came into existence. As Christians living in Malaysia after 58 years, one pertinent question is, “As citizens, what is the role as Christians and Church in Malaysia today?” During these few months celebrating our Nation Building, I would like to share my reflection on our duties to God and to our nation Malaysia. 1. Prayer for our Leaders and Nation The first duty of any Christian for his country is prayer. The apostle Paul wrote, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way!” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). It is important to note that in the first century, the Emperor was persecuting Christians and yet Paul did not ask them to use violent means to fight back. Instead, he calls all believers to pray day by day asking God to change the situation with prayer and action that will eventually lead to peace and triumph of good over evil. Christians are thus called to be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” (Mt 5:13–14) by bringing values that transform society. All authentic human values are found at the very heart of the Gospel teaching. In prayer, we are to come humbly before our God and intercede for our nation and leaders—both political and spiritual. God promises that “and if then my people who bear my name humble themselves and pray to me and seek my presence as they turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) 2. Register as Voter and Vote In a democratic government, the freedom to elect leaders through voting is the right of each citizen. To vote means to stand up and be counted. Hence, registration to be a voter is an inherent responsibility as a Christian citizen who has come of age to vote. God has entrusted this stewardship to us as his faithful servants to work for the common good of our Nation and the Church. This does not mean that we simply cast our vote blindly or according to the popularity of a candidate. Every Christian should seek knowledge to become well informed about respective visions of political parties and the politicians. In Exodus 18:16–22, when Moses needed leaders to help him to govern the people, God asked Moses to select men with these qualities. < Capability in leadership.

< Godliness and always seeking to be in a right relationship with God. < Trustworthiness. < Integrity so they cannot be bribed. < Leaders who are just. So, we look for the above qualities in our leaders. Each citizen is to vote according to one’s conscience before God. And thus, we seek to elect Godly leaders who will ensure the common good of people of all races, religious and social standings. While it is important that we demand such qualities from our political or spiritual leaders, let us also remind ourselves of this double edged sword. Each Christian is called to strive for these qualities as part of our stewardship and leadership in our respective families, workplaces and positions of leadership, in which we have been entrusted. When we sincerely, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (right relationship with God and people), then all other things we need will be given to us as well.” (Mt 6:33)

“Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and to God what is due to God,” (Mt 22:15–22) Jesus teaches us that as citizens living in a nation, we give our government what is its due. At the same time, as the beloved people of God, we are to give God what is his due—our worship, our time, talent, treasures and good works. As good stewards, we are becoming God’s partner in seeking to create a world of love, peace, justice and abundance for all. < Pay our taxes due to our elected government. (Rom 13:7) < Be accountable and transparent in our dealings. (Lk 3:13–14) < Be responsible for the ecology that God has created. God has entrusted us to be his stewards on this earth. Concretely, we seek to reduce carbon dioxide footprints. We consume local products to stimulate our local economy. We reduce the consumption of meat and use of plastic products. < Donate to alleviate suffering especially during this pandemic. Give to Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) or recognised charitable bodies to alleviate poverty. < Donate blood to save lives of fellow citizens. < Pray for our nation and the world. As Christians celebrating Sarawak Day, National Day and Malaysia Day, may our prayers, sacrifices, commitment and actions in collaborating for the common good of all people and ecology build solidarity, harmony, mutual acceptance and respect in our tanahair. “Let your light shine so that it can be seen by others; this will enable them to observe your good works and give praise to your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16) With my blessing and prayers.  Archbishop Simon Poh

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

NEWS

Catholic Church of Mary, Mother of God serves as Covid-19 Swab Test Centre

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UNIFOR releases new SOPs for Sarawak Recovery Phase 2

Archbishop Simon Poh

BATU KITANG — With the recent EMCO imposed on Kampong Bumbok, the Catholic Church of Mary, Mother of God, has offered the use of the Church and its compound as a swab test centre for the whole community. Additional canopies have been erected to supplement the front covered porch of the

Church. The Catholic Church of Mary, Mother of God is encouraging the Catholic Community in the village to follow the Sunday live-stream Masses from St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching. The Church is also presently looking into providing food baskets for families in need there.

UNIFOR launches joint COVID-19 vaccination drive for Kuching residents KUCHING — UNIFOR, in collaboration with the Kuching Divisional Health Office, is carrying out a joint vaccination drive to encourage more residents in the Kuching Division to be vaccinated. Eligibility • Both Malaysian and non-Malaysian citizens, 18 years old and above

• •

Residing in Kuching Division Have not registered or have not received any appointment

Completed forms are to be returned to UNIFOR as soon as possible. You can download a copy of the Registration Form here.

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KUCHING — Chairman of the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Archbishop Simon Poh, has expressed appreciation to UNIFOR for the new SOPs that will allow houses of worship and churches to reopen their doors to their congregations. However, after consultation with the ACS heads of churches, the general consensus is “to be cautious and the need to be prudent before opening our church as soon as this weekend, especially in Kuching where the infection cases have been increasing and reaching 184 according to Friday’s report. We are also aware that this could be the Delta variant of the infection that has now been detected in Sarawak,” the Archbishop informed the media on 23 July. Areas under EMCO have been urged to delay their reopening “because of common social circles of contact by people in those affected areas.” Archbishop Simon noted that since the MCO in June and the current push to expedite vaccinations, we are seeing a slow flattening of the infection curve. He feels “it is important that we do not undo the months of sacrifices we have made to contain this wave.” All houses of worship to maintain safety SOP The Archbishop continued: “As the COVID-19 virus infects any human person without concern for culture, race, faith or social status, it is important that we, as the people of Sarawak and especially in all houses of worship—cathedrals, churches, temples, mosques, suraus and other religious centres—be of one mind and heart, maintaining the safety SOP for our worship —especially when our houses of worship are gathering points for our respective followers who come from different locations in a city, town or surrounding villages. And every family have their own

social circles of contact. Let us work together for the common good of all as we seek to contain the current wave.” Archbishop Simon also encouraged all religious leaders to continue to pray and suggested that respective congregations can “even be centres of mercy and compassion as we donate and procure food aid to be distributed to urban families or those in the rural villages who are in need. Thus, while we may be struggling ourselves, let us live simply and we can contribute any surplus that we have to help one another who are in worse situations than us. When everyone gives a helping hand and contributes a little, we make the world a kinder place, by offering hope and immediate relief to those who are suffering.” “I exhort all Christians and people of goodwill to respond in kindness and generosity. Together we can make a difference for those in need. As we have just celebrated Sarawak Day, let our unity and harmony witness who we are as people of Sarawak. May God bless, protect and deliver us from this pandemic. Amen.” Churches in the Archdiocese of Kuching As for the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching, Archbishop Simon says most priests concur with him, that in view of the uncertainty of the Delta variant detected in Sarawak, the churches will use the week ahead to update the existing SOPs and in-house revision and training for the worship and service teams, before reopening. “Ultimately, the health and safety of our people are our priority which will also contribute to the general safety for all the people of Sarawak,” he concluded. *Download SOP Ivy Chai

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NEWS

Blessed 33rd Priestly Ordination Anniversary to Archbishop Simon Poh

KUCHING — Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh reached another milestone in his consecrated life on 31 July 2021. It was 33 years ago to this day, that he was ordained a priest by then Archbishop (now Emeritus) Peter Chung at St Joseph’s Cathedral. The staff at the Archbishop’s Office presented him a cake topped with a symbolic chalice with hosts. In thanking the small group gathered at the ACCPC hallway, Archbishop Simon said that the number ‘33’ reminded him of Jesus’ life on earth.

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

Professio ad hostiam

Continued from p1

Significance of professio ad hostiam From a mystical and spiritual point of view, the Jesuit professing the vows makes his vows to the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Jesuits are called to follow Jesus Christ closely and their company is known by his holy name. Therefore, Jesuits make their vows in front of him whose name they bear. Communion follows with the value of a confirmation, a ratification, a sacred seal set by Christ on the commitment that the professed has made to him. With this communion a sort of covenant is made between God in the Blessed Sacrament, the Society through the representation of the superior holding the host and the professed. For by administering the Eucharist to the professed the superior shows that he accepts his profession and receives him into communion with himself and the Society. By the gift of himself, Christ promises the professed his strength so that he can keep the commitment that he has just made. By receiving Christ, the professed presents and offers himself to God. Solemn Perpetual Vows or Final Vows For Jesuits, the first vows which

are made at the end of novitiate are already perpetual; for there is no need for periodical renewal. So what are the final vows that Fathers Alvin and Francis took recently? For first vows (also called simple perpetual vows), the Jesuit gives himself unconditionally to the Society of Jesus whereas the Society accepts him conditionally. This means a Jesuit before final vows can be easily dismissed. As for final vows for Brothers or Spiritual Coadjutor, or solemn perpetual vows for the fully professed, the Jesuit who has given himself unconditionally to the Society of Jesus is accepted unconditionally as well by the Society. This is the reason why final vows happen many years after ordination for Jesuit priests. After many years of probations, the superior can go to sleep in peace with the opinion that he can leave the Society of Jesus in good hands when a particular Jesuit is accepted into final vows. Fr Alvin is thankful for his final vows; he says, “I am humbled and grateful for the gift of final vows in the Society of Jesus.” For Fr Francis, he is contented that “final vows are the natural progression of my life within the Society of Jesus.” MAS Communications

Community reps ready to take on social media, thanks to Caritas virtual workshop series KUCHING — Caritas Malaysia’s basic communication skills series came to an end when community representatives across the Malaysian dioceses gathered over Zoom for the final workshop on 12 July. The series consisted of six workshops held between March and July, and explored the tools of basic Writing, Photography and Videography for social media. The purpose was to train diocesan representatives in communication skills, using smartphone as a way to independently share news and information from their community. Through these skills, Caritas Malaysia hopes to promote local activities, projects and campaigns in each diocese to be shared on their social media platforms, including Caritas Malaysia’s national portal. This will also help share their learning with others and reach out to new and current volunteers, collaborators and benefactors. The panel of trainers from SIGNIS Malaysia were, Karen Arukesamy (Writing), Kogulanath Ayappan

A screenshot of the photography workshop in session, 12 April 2021. (Photography) and Louis Clovis importance of the “5Ws and 1H”. (Videography). They offered a wide In the following two workshops range of industry-level knowledge on Photography, Kogul as he is and expertise to an average of 20 called, discussed topics such as participants at each workshop. the rule of thirds, tips and tricks of Karen, who covered the first mobile photography as well as the two workshops on Writing, is a importance of photo captions and former journalist with theSun and respecting protection rights. Kogul president of SIGNIS Malaysia. is currently the Head of Graphic She shared with participants her Design Department with a leading knowledge and practice in basic online news portal in Malaysia. writing for social media, web The final two Videography and blogs, and offered insights workshops covered by Louis on how to achieve effectively the added on to Kogul’s expertise

by expanding on video scripting; planning the shots, using transitions, lighting etc. Louis introduced various mobile video editing software, including equipment to enhance smartphone for video production. Louis is the Managing Director of New Media Technologies. Participants also received assignments at the end of each workshop that tested their creativity, flexibility and new skills under the restrictions of MCO. In return, they received valuable feedback from these trainers. Participants are expected to receive a digital certificate as an appreciation and reminder of their commitment. The programme was requested and jointly organised by Caritas Malaysia to support the diocese Caritas office communication needs. The basic communication skill series was planned and managed by Public Media Agency (NGO) in collaboration with SIGNIS Malaysia (World Catholic Association for Communication) who provided the media trainers. Shannon Wei

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Caritas MJD working with NGOs to help homeless in JB

JOHOR BAHRU — Caritas Diocese of Malacca-Johore (MJD) has been working together with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) to give aid to the homeless in the area. Director of Caritas MJD/OHD, Hugh Dason, explained that there are many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Catholic parishes that are jointly working to provide the homeless in Johor Bahru with food, medical aid and job opportunities. Caritas Malaysia is a faithbased organisation which offers help to the needy during times of crisis and humanitarian emergencies. The organisation is a part of Caritas Asia and Caritas Internationalis. “[Caritas] and the MRCS have now combined to help the homeless,” Hugh said, when speaking to the HERALD in an interview. Hugh explained that initially, the non-governmental organisations and churches were providing assistance to the homeless on their own, before deciding to join forces. “[Multiple] organisations in the Johor area have come together to offer their services in the form of manpower and donations,”

Hugh said. Hugh also shared that there is now a centralised location in Johor Bahru city where the homeless can go to for food aid, known as the Sri Lanang Distribution Centre. It is a street distribution centre located in a car park. “All the food is distributed at a central location in the city of Johor Bahru. We provide two meals a day, seven days a week,” Hugh said. Hugh added that there are currently about 250 registered homeless people in Johor Bahru,

but there are more than this number that require food aid, due the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed in the state and nationwide. The Sri Lanang Distribution Centre was set up at the end of 2020 and has been ongoing ever since. Besides food aid, Caritas also works with Anjung Singgah YKN, a government supported project to help the homeless, to provide for housing and medical assistance for the homeless in need. The

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Johor Bahru has also created a Facebook page to share and spread job openings for both the homeless and non-homeless affected by the MCO. “We help to spread the word about job openings and we encourage the homeless [who come to the Sri Lanang Distribution Centre] to go for interviews if the opening is suitable,” adding that they are also given money and transport assistance to attend these interviews. “The best way to help the homeless is by helping them to find a job,” Hugh explained. “The immediate aim is ensuring that they are fed, so we will help them with food aid until they are able to find work and support themselves independently,” he added. Another immediate need for the homeless at the moment is vaccinations. Hugh shared that the homeless in Johor Bahru are assisted with the vaccination registration process and transport to vaccination appointments. Deacon Louis Martin is currently the coordinator for Caritas MJD, North Johore Vicariate. Herald Malaysia Online

Applications invited for “Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis for an Economy of Fraternity” International Award The Diocesan Foundation of Religion—Sanctuary of the Renunciation, Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, invites applications for the 2022 International Award “Francis of Assisi and Carlo of Acutis.” As stated in its Statute (Part II, Art.1), the Award aims “to promote a renewal of the economy in the name of the universal fraternity of all human beings, beginning with the condition and the interests of the humblest and most disadvantaged, in the evangelical perspective of the unique fatherhood of God and his design of love for all of his children.” Applicants are asked to view the website www. francisofassisicarloacutisaward. com for full details of the Award and to read carefully the Statute and attached Norms to ensure full compliance and acceptance of the terms.

1. Applications are invited from persons, entities and societies, in any part of the world, but especially in the poorer regions, who, responding to their lack of opportunities and scarce economic means, come together, in cooperative ways and always collaboratively, around worthwhile project ideas in favour of the most disadvantaged in their communities. In keeping with the Award ethos, projects submitted are to represent initiatives, beginning as fraternal economic processes “from below,” that is, from the grassroots level. 2. The Award will consist of: i. A public recognition in a ceremony held in Assisi on or close to the feast day of the Sanctuary of the Renunciation in May

2022; ii. A monetary award, set at no more than Euro 50,000 for 2022, to be used exclusively for the realisation of the awarded project and to be disbursed as set out in the Statute (Part II, Art.13); iii. A symbolic investiture of the “cloak of Francis,” recalling the gesture with which the then Bishop of Assisi, Guido, covered the young Francesco Bernardone, and the conferral of a plaque

bearing the images of Saint Francis and Blessed Carlo Acutis. 3. Applications will be admitted to the competition based on the following criteria: i. The completeness of the project profile (see n.7 below) and its adherence to the ethos of the Award and the competition guidelines, as set out in the Norms of the Statute; ii. The documented... Continued on p7

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

Pope at Audience: Vatican unveils official image of 2022 World There is only one Gospel Meeting of Families The saint wrote: “After the ROME, ITALY — The Vatican unveiled Thursday the wedding feast, Paul went in and official image of the 2022 World saw / the veil spread out there, he took it and pulled it away from Meeting of Families in Rome. The image, painted by the the beautiful couple. / In this way Slovenian Jesuit Fr. Marko Ivan he uncovered and revealed to the Rupnik, was released July 28 by whole world Christ and his Church the Dicastery for Laity, Family, / whom the prophet Moses had and Life and the Diocese of depicted in his prophecy.” A July 28 press release explained Rome, which will host the event that in the painting, St. Paul is on June 22-26, 2022. The image, entitled “This drawing back the veil from the mystery is great,” features the bride and groom, and exclaiming, Wedding at Cana, the first miracle regarding the wedding, “This of Jesus in the Gospel of John. The wedding is depicted in the background of the painting, with the bride and groom standing behind a veil on the left, and Jesus and Mary on the right. Before them is a servant pouring wine. Rupnik, the director of the Centro Aletti in Rome, is best known for overseeing the renovation of the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, which reopened in 1999 after three years of work. He redesigned the “This mystery is great,” the official Knights of Columbus’ Holy image of the 2022 World Meeting of Family Chapel in New Families in Rome. / Work of Fr. Marko Haven, Connecticut, in Ivan Rupnik, 2021. 2005. He also designed the mosaics in the Chapel of the Holy is a great mystery, but I speak Spirit at Sacred Heart University in reference to Christ and the in Fairfield, Connecticut. Church!” (Ephesians 5:32). In a video exploring the new Rupnik created the image using painting’s meaning, Rupnik said: vinyl paint on plaster mounted “For us Christians, the family is on a wooden square with sides of the expression of a sacrament, approximately 30 inches. which is marriage. And this The first World Meeting of changes its meaning completely, Families took place in Rome in because a sacrament always 1994 at the behest of St. John Paul implies transformation.” II. It was also held in the Eternal He continued: “It is within City in the year 2000. The meetings natural life that the Holy Spirit take place every three years and brings about the transformation the most recent gathering was in of the way of existence. And he Dublin, Ireland, in 2018. does so by transfiguring natural The 10th World Meeting of life, not by denying it, but by Families will be the third time embracing it and transforming it, that Rome has hosted the event. because the primacy is no longer It was originally scheduled for of nature, but of the relation.” June 2021, but was postponed by “So to set up this image, on the a year because of the coronavirus occasion of this great gathering of pandemic. families, I thought about where I It will be held at the end of should start from.” the Amoris Laetitia Family Year, “What I felt was important which marks the fifth anniversary was to show the novelty of the of Pope Francis apostolic family according to the Church, exhortation on love in the family, according to baptism, according Amoris laetitia. The Year, which to life in Christ, according to the began on March 19, will last for new man.” 15 months, culminating with the The priest said that he was gathering in Rome. inspired to depict the servant Pope Francis has called for pouring wine as St. Paul the local gatherings to be held across Apostle by the writings of the the globe at the same time as the Syriac poet-theologian St. Jacob meeting in Rome. of Serugh (c. 451-521). The Vatican published the

Pope Francis leads his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Aug. 4, 2021. It was his first audience since undergoing colon surgery July 4. (Photo: CNS/Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY — “When it comes to the Gospel and to the mission to evangelize, Paul is enthusiastic,” said Pope Francis at Wednesday’s General Audience. “Everything in him is dedicated to this proclamation, and has no interest other than the Gospel.” Headed down a wrong path The Holy Father is continuing his catechesis on St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Resuming his Audiences after the summer break, Pope Francis noted the sadness and disappointment Paul felt at seeing the Galatians taking a “wrong path, which would lead them to a point of no return.” For Paul, he said, the Gospel came down to four points: Christ died for our sins… was buried… rose from the dead… and appeared to the disciple. “This Gospel is the fulfilment of the promises and the salvation offered to all men.” But the Galatians were in danger of turning away from the Gospel, following new preachers who threatened to “distort the true Gospel” by “preventing them from attaining the freedom gained by coming to faith.” These preachers of novelty wanted to impose on them the obligation to follow the Mosaic law. event’s official prayer in April and the logo earlier this month. In his reflection on the image, Rupnik recalled that the Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev (1874-1948) once wrote that “in Christian traditions, marriage has not been explored yet, because we have included it too quickly into family, however according to nature.” The priest said: “I hope that, through this text and also through this small image, we can understand that for us Christians, the family is the expression of the Sacrament and that it has an ecclesial dimension, therefore it is inseparable from the Church.”

No other Gospel For St Paul, however, there can be no other Gospel than that which he received from Christ, the Pope said. So “we can understand why Paul uses very harsh terms,” insisting on the need to keep far from the community that which threatens it foundations. Although the preachers of novelty seemed to be animated by good intentions, “seem to be inspired by fidelity to the tradition received from the fathers,” they did not hesitate to cast suspicions even on St Paul, who they “considered unorthodox with regard to tradition.” A salutary warning Paul, however, knows that the Gospel he preached “is the only authentic one, because it is that of Jesus Christ.” He “sees the great risk facing the young Christians.” Pope Francis made it clear that, “in this labyrinth of good intentions, it is necessary to extricate oneself in order to grasp the supreme truth that is most consistent with the Person and preaching of Jesus and His revelation of the Father’s love.” St Paul’s “clear and decisive word,” the Pope said, “was salutary for the Galatians, and is salutary for us, too.” Vatican News “In it, the bond of blood cannot compete with our participation in the blood of Christ, even if it is easy for the blood according to nature to prevail and not the blood of the Eucharist.” He continued: “But, as another great father, [the 14th-century Byzantine mystic] Nicholas Cabasilas, puts it: ‘We are truly blood relatives of Christ.’ Our parents gave us blood, but our blood is not the parents’ blood. As soon as they gave it to us, our blood is no longer theirs. While we are nourished by life, that is, by the blood of Christ that becomes ours.” CNA

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Feast of the Assumption Pope: Grandparents,

elderly are bread that nourishes our life

An elderly couple

Applications invited for “Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis for an Economy of Fraternity” International Award Continued from p5 ...progress already achieved in elaborating the submitted project; iii. References from local ecclesial authority and other relevant authorities, where the candidate is domiciled or the project is being realized. 4. Projects initiated by and intended to be carried out by persons under 35 years of age will be favoured. 5. Bishops, other ecclesial realities, and entities of competent credibility may submit applications for deserving subjects upon their own initiative. 6. Applications are open to persons, entities and societies of any religious denomination. 7. Applications must include: i. Name(s) of person(s) responsible for project ii. Full contact details of person(s) responsible iii. Location of project iv. Description of project – aim, beneficiaries, implementation process, timeline, budget, other relevant details

v. A presentation of no more than two pages of how the project reflects the ethos of the “economy of fraternity” 8. The Award will normally be conferred upon one candidate, unless a double award is decided exceptionally. 9. Non-awarded applications may be deemed worthy of some recognition in a way deemed appropriate on a case-by-case basis. 10. Applications will be judged by an Evaluation Commission. 11. A historical and completed project will not be admitted to the competition. 12. The closing date for applications is October 31, 2021. You can download an application form here. Applications should be submitted in English both by email and regular post to: Segreteria per il Premio Fondazione Santuario della Spogliazione Diocesi di Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino Piazza Vescovado, 3 06081 (PG) ITALY

VATICAN CITY — As the Church marked the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, celebrated Holy Mass in the Basilica of St Peter, standing in for Pope Francis, who is still recovering from surgery. Archbishop Fisichella read the homily prepared by Pope Francis, in which the Holy Father reflected on the Gospel for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, which recounts Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The Holy Father reflected on “three moments” in the Gospel: “Jesus sees the crowd’s hunger; Jesus shares the bread; Jesus asks that the leftovers be collected.” These three moments, he said, “can be summed up in three verbs: to see, to share, to preserve.” Seeing the needs of each person The miracle of the loaves and fishes, said Pope Francis, “begins with the gaze of Jesus, who is neither indifferent nor too busy to see the hunger felt by weary humanity.” Instead, He is concerned for everyone, and “understands the needs of each person.” Our grandparents look on us the same way, the Pope said. Their love helped us to grow, and we, in turn, are called to share our love and attention. “Let us lift up our eyes and see them,” Pope Francis said, “even as Jesus sees us.” A covenantal sharing of life The Holy Father pointed out that Jesus fed the people with the loaves and fish shared by a young person. “At the heart of the miracle,” he said, “we find a young person willing to share what he had.” Pope Francis insisted that “Today we need a new covenant between young and old. We need to share the treasure of life, to dream

together, to overcome conflicts between generations and prepare a future together.” He added that without this “covenantal sharing in life,” we risk dying of hunger. “I have often mentioned the words of the prophet Joel about young and old coming together,” the Pope said. “Young people, as prophets of the future, who treasure their own history. The elderly, who continue to dream and share their experience with the young, without standing in their way. Young and old, the treasure of tradition and the freshness of the Spirit.” Nothing meant to be cast aside Reflecting on Jesus’ instruction to gather up the fragments of bread after the miracle, the Pope said, “This reveals the heart of God” who is concerned that “nothing be lost, not even a fragment.” This is especially true of people, he said, who must never be discarded. “We need to make this prophetic summons heard among ourselves and in our world: gather, preserve with care, protect.” Pope Francis emphasized the importance of “protecting” our grandparents, as they protected us as we grew. “Let us protect them, so that nothing of their lives and dreams may be lost.” The bread of our lives Grandparents and the elderly, said Pope Francis “are the bread that nourishes our life.” In the conclusion of his homily, he pleaded, “Let us not forget them. Let us covenant with them” so that, “together, young and old alike” might “find fulfilment at the table of sharing, blessed by God.” At the conclusion of Mass, young people offered flowers to the elderly who were present in the Basilica for the Liturgy. Vatican News

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

THE SACRAMENTS By Fr Patrick Heng

THE SACRAMENTS is a series of teachings by Fr Patrick Heng Lesson 5 – The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Part 4) In the Catechism of the Catholic Church no.1210, it says “Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.”

The seven sacraments can be separated into three groups: 1. SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION which will bring a person into the full life of Christ (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) 2. SACRAMENTS OF HEALING which heal both the soul and the body (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick) 3. SACRAMENTS OF COMMITMENT in which a person responds to a specific call of God (Marriage, Holy Orders) Pastoral Care of the Sick: The Rites of Anointing and Viaticum (1972) The Rite of Anointing is set within the pastoral care of the Church for the sick and dying. The Church shows its care for the sick and dying by visiting those who are in poor health, by raising them up through the sacrament of anointing and by nourishing them with the eucharist during their illness and when they are in danger of death. Finally, the Church offers prayers for the sick to commend them to God, especially in the last crisis of life. Part 1: Pastoral Care of the Sick Chapter 1: Visit to the sick Chapter 2: Visit to a sick child Chapter 3: Communion to the sick Chapter 4: Anointing of the sick Part 2: Pastoral Care of the Dying Chapter 5: Celebration of Viaticum Chapter 6: Commendation of the dying Chapter 7: Prayers for the dead Chapter 8: Rites for exceptional circumstances Difference between Blessed Oil and Holy Oils The usage of Blessed Oil by lay people is an ancient custom of the Catholic Church. Today, the use of blessed oil by lay people is very much prevalent in the church. The Church recognises the use of blessed oil which is at times used for anointing the sick in prayer meetings, seminars, etc. However, blessed oil is different from Holy Oils.

The Church recognises the use of blessed oil which is at times used for anointing the sick in prayer meetings, seminars, etc. However, blessed oil is different from Holy Oils.

1. Sacrament and sacramentals. Holy Oils: The oil of Catechumens, the oil of the Sick, and the

Sacred Chrism are called “Holy Oils”. These are used in the administration of the Sacraments. Blessed oil: Blessed oil is a sacramental that can be used by lay persons for personal use. A sacramental is an object, a prayer, etc., that helps us grow in our spiritual life and increases our devotion to our faith. Examples of sacramentals are rosaries, holy water, scapulars, medals, blessings, etc. 2. Usage and purpose Holy Oils: These are used by an ordained minister (bishop, priest, deacon) in the administration of the sacraments. Blessed oil: This is often used by lay persons for their own personal use. The purpose of this oil is primarily for strengthening, healing and protection from harm. 3. Source Holy Oils: Jesus instituted the Sacraments. Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace by which divine life is given to us. Blessed oil: The Catholic Church instituted the sacramentals. Sacramentals obtain grace or power by the prayers of the Church. They prepare a person to receive the fruits of the Sacraments. 4. Blessing Holy Oils: The Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Chrism are blessed by the Bishop at the Cathedral where he is joined by the priests of the diocese. This Mass is usually held on Holy Thursday and is known as Chrism Mass. Blessed oil: This is blessed by any ordained minister at any proper place and time. When using blessed oil as a sacramental, a lay person has the obligation: 1. to make it clear to those present that he is not administering a Sacrament which is limited to a Bishop or priest; 2. to ensure that people are not confused between the blessed oil conferred by a lay person and the Church’s Holy Oil that is administered only by a priest in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and; 3. to ensure that the use of blessed oil (or any other sacramentals) is not associated with superstitions or having a magical power by itself. To be continued

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

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A feature on Sunday’s Mass readings: 8 August 2021: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A (1 Kings 19:4–8; Ephesians 4:30–5:2; John 6:41–51)

by Fr Francis Lim, SJ

For the greater glory of God

Divine Scandal The people listening to Jesus were aghast. They grumbled to each other on what kind of hard teaching this was. They were appalled by two things that he said. First, he came down from heaven. Second, he was bread to be eaten. These two things that he said were scandalous to the religious minds of the people during Jesus’ time and still are for the people of today who do not have faith. Why? First, he came down from heaven—this means Jesus is divine. This is blasphemous because only God is divine; no humans can be divine because that’s just the way things are. God and humans are separate; they are totally different beings; they cannot be combined; otherwise God won’t be God. This is also the belief of some religions today. God cannot be a man or woman because God is God— full stop. For us who believe, this is a divine revelation from God. God informs us that Jesus is God. How can this be? Well, in my opinion using secular logic, this is possible because nothing is impossible with God. If we say that God is almighty and can do all things, surely God can become human. And that’s what God did in Jesus Christ! This is our faith by divine revelation.

Photo: CNS

However, the question should not be HOW can God do this? Rather the question should be WHY does God want to do so? The answer to WHY is because God wants to be in solidarity with us in our human experiences. God loves us so much that the Creator is willing to sort of “downgrade” Godself to become a creature. In this way, God can truly say that God knows our very selves because God has gone through what we experience in life. Jesus has undergone all kinds of human experiences, eg joys, pains, sufferings, work, relaxation, etc. Therefore, when we pray and converse intimately with Jesus, we can build a relationship that is meaningful and identifiable because we believe Jesus truly

understands us. The second is the issue of bread to be eaten. Jesus says that the bread that he will give is his flesh, for the life of the world. To eat another person’s flesh is to be a cannibal which is taboo to most civilizations. Thus, we have another scandalous concept which is even detested by some Christians—the Eucharistic bread is the real body of Christ. For the Jewish people of Jesus’ time, it is blasphemous enough to say that a man is God, what more to say that this bread is his flesh! Again, the contention here, in my opinion, is not whether HOW can the Eucharistic bread become the real presence of Jesus, but WHY would he want to be really present in the bread?

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The answer to this WHY is because Jesus wants to be really united with us when we receive Holy Communion. It is not merely a SYMBOL of his communion with us, but it is the REAL presence of Jesus uniting himself with us. I am not merely receiving a symbol of Christ, but the real Christ. A further reason that Jesus gave is “for the life of the world.” He nourishes us with his own body to give us life, and that life is a real life (not symbolic) because the bread is consumed and becomes part of us inside our bodies. Therefore, putting together the two points above, we have this article of faith: the Divine has come down from above to feed us with divine life in a real way. As in the past, when manna rained down from heaven to feed the pilgrim Israelites, now Jesus, the Bread of Life, comes to us every time in the Mass to feed us, the pilgrim Church of God. The manna is the prefigurement of the Eucharist. This is a free gift from God, just like also how God freely provided and fed Elijah with food and drink in the first reading before he went on his pilgrimage for forty days and nights. In the same way, God wants to nourish us freely with God’s very own self for our daily journey which can be very long and arduous.

Pope Francis’ Prayer intentions for August

The Church Let us pray for the Church, that she may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel.

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

CWS Home of Peace Home for the elderly needs your support

The Home of Peace located at Jalan Landeh 10th Mile, Kota Padawan, is a Home for the elderly built by the Catholic Welfare Services Council Sarawak (CWS). The Home is managed by the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS). Home of Peace was established in 2009 as a Home for the poor and destitute irrespective of race, religion or creed. However, with the expansion and opening of Phase 2 in 2019, it now accepts applications from retirees with monthly pensions, as well as the elderly who can contribute donations toward the operations and maintenance costs of the Home.

Sr Ursula Lian In an interview with Sr Ursula Lian, the Matron of the Home, she expressed surprise that after 12 years, many people are still unaware of the existence of the Home. “They only know when they run around looking for a place to put their elderly parents. Even Catholics do not know we have a Catholic Home for the elderly,” she said. The Residents Currently, there are 34 residents, of whom three (3) are bedridden and 13 wheelchair bound. Some have dementia and require nursing care. A team of 23 staff and Sr Eunicia help Sr Ursula to take care of the residents. “I am very happy that all of them are very committed, reliable and responsible people. That’s a consolation for me

personally. I thank God for that,” she said. “These are challenging times, and with more people applying to enter the home, we may need to increase the number of staff to serve the Home and its residents.” Sister says the residents of the home are well taken care of, especially where both their physical and spiritual needs are concerned. “They are very devoted to their prayer life. They pray daily, with Rosary prayers in the morning and Divine Mercy prayers every afternoon. They offer special prayers especially for ‘Friends and Benefactors of Hope’, donors, staff, the Bishops, Priests and even for those who ask for their prayers. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they cannot attend physical Mass, but they never miss the live-stream Mass every Sunday and whenever there is a feast day or live-stream Mass for the sick, either from St Ann’s Church or St Joseph’s Cathedral.” The PAVILION Sr Ursula hopes that the PAVILION built in 2015, can be rebuilt and put to better use. She says it can be converted to serve as a multi-purpose area. “It can be used as the residents’ recreational corner with TV, where they can have coffee/tea break there, at the same time the nurses can check their blood pressure and TPR there too, because the present nurses’ area is too small and congested.” Sister proposed that the Pavilion can also house additional toilets for the convenience of the residents who are often faced with insufficient toilets in their rooms. Friends of Hope According to Sr Ursula, the Home is presently facing financial constraints as less people have come forward with donations because of the pandemic. “Now we are only left with a few regular donors, and benefactors. Luckily, we have Friends of Hope, otherwise how to survive? Friends of Hope at least give us some relief. I really appreciate them very much. I hope and appeal for many

The residents gather to celebrate their birthdays once every three months.

Sr Ursula briefing the residents at their meeting held every three months.

Residents praying the Rosary in the garden before the statue of Mother Mary. more people to come forward to register themselves as Friends of Hope.” Friends of Hope is a contuinity programme that the Home launched last year (May 2020) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused a drastic drop in collections for the CWS Annual Lenten Appeal. To help with the operating costs of the Home, donors register to either contribute a monthly minimum amount of RM100 or make a yearly contribution. The current estimated total operating expenses for the Home is RM50,000 per month. The Friends of Hope programme has raised RM506,755 since its introduction to 30 June 2021. Presently, there are parts of the main building that are in need of repair and maintenance, especially the roof, ceiling and gutters. In

times of heavy downpour, “you can see leaking everywhere,” says Sr Ursula. Some utilities also need urgent attention, like the pipes, toilets, sinks, lighting and wheelchairs. Even the bush cutter and washing machines need repair from time to time. Sr Ursula expressed her gratitude to all Friends of Hope. “I assure you of my prayers. I especially pray that God may bless you and your family members abundantly, and may we all be protected from harm and danger, especially from COVID-19. Thank you and God bless.” For more details of the Home of Peace and on how to participate as Friends of Hope, you can contact Sr Ursula Lian at 018-2401337, 014-3942425 (Office). Ivy Chai

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

CHILDREN

PAGE 11

Hello kids! How are you doing? We hope that you are in the pink of health and stay awesome as always! Stay safe and God bless!

Love, JoySome Siblings

SEORANG NABI TANPA PENGHORMATAN

Colour the above picture: “but Lord, we don‛t have anything to give. There is only a boy who has only five loaves and two fishes. Should we buy more food? There are about 5,000 men and women here...”

Yesus berkata kepada mereka, “Seorang nabi dihormati di mana-mana kecuali di kampung halamannya, antara sanak saudaranya dan dalam keluarganya sendiri.” Markus 6:4

Ya Yesus, MELINTANG: 3. Kebolehan untuk menilai yang baik dan betul 6. Tempat di mana seseorang dilahirkan atau dibesarkan 8. Saudara lelaki yang lebih tua daripada seseorang (biasanya seibu seayah dengannya) 9. Hari ketujuh dalam suatu minggu, hari untuk berehat dan memuji Allah untuk orang-orang Yahudi 10. Kejadian luar biasa yang berlaku melalui kuasa Allah MENEGAK: 1. Seorang yang membuat atau membaiki sesuatu yang diperbuat dari kayu 2. Budak itu telah diajar untuk _____ ibubapanya 4. Yakin dan percaya terhadap seseorang atau sesuatu 5. Ibu Yesus 7. Orang yang dipilih Allah untuk menyampaikan pesanan-Nya

Amin.

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CLASSIFIED

PAGE 12 10TH ANNIVERSARY

11TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

3RD ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of

ADVERTISING in Today’s Catholic Today’s Catholic offers In Memoriam and commercial advertising for local businesses.

ALBERTUS CHIN TSOI ON

Departed: 24 August 2011

ANNA LIM CHAI SUAN

Departed: 1 March 2010

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upoh them. May they rest in peace. Amen. Deeply missed by children, family and loved ones.

JONAS ANAK NOEB

who was called to be with the Lord on 11 August 2018 Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord And let your perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Deeply missed by wife, sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sonsin-law, grandchildren and all loved ones.

The payments made towards the advertisements are respectfully regarded as contributions to be used to cover the expenses incurred in the production of Today’s Catholic. Today’s Catholic is not obligated to publish all intended materials to be advertised. For further details, please contact: Today’s Catholic Office Tel: 082-231164 Address: 1st Floor, Archdiocesan Curia & Cathedral Pastoral Centre Email: todaycat@gmail.com

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COUNSELLING HOTLINES Contact numbers you may need when a death occurs: (for the Archdiocese of Kuching) Catholic Cemetery Committee: Tel. 082-242634 / 016-8933878 Catholic Mutual Benefit Society: Tel. 082-244493 / 019-8563438 / 016-8954201 For use of funeral parlour at St Joseph’s Cathedral: Tel. 082-423424 (St Joseph’s Parish Office)

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AUGUST

is a month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

“If you embrace all things in this life as coming from the hands of God, and even embrace death to fulfill His holy will, assuredly you will die a saint.” ~ St Alphonsus di Ligouri

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

YOUTH

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YOUTH 2021

Kudos to SJPSS for the Gold B win

at MCE National Virtual Choir and Vocal Festival 2021 Congratulations from teacher Benedict Lo

KUCHING — The results and testimonies from the choir club members of SJPSS (St Joseph’s Private Secondary School) show that hard work and dedication always pay off. “Our school’s SJPSS Choir Club participated in the MCE National Virtual Choir and Vocal Festival 2021 through the application Zoom. It was a three-day long festival from 25–27 June 2021. Choirs from all over Malaysia took part in this festival. There were a lot of workshops throughout the festival. These included workshops such as choral conducting, composition and arrangements which gave us a view into the world of choral conducting, choosing the right songs for our choir as well as some sharing from prominent choral conductors, musicians and arrangers in Malaysia. We also learnt singing and choral techniques shared by an amazing pool of professional musicians. Other than that, we had fun interacting and bonding with one of the choirs from Penang, Choir SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth. During the Closing and Award Ceremony, our school choir club was announced as second runner-up in the Gold B, Secondary category, with a total mark of 85.00. It was a momentous occasion for the whole choir. We were proud and glad as our efforts had made that moment possible. With that, the festival soon came to an end.” ~ Olivia Lau & Charlotte Lee

“Congratulations to all Choir Club members for reaching this significant milestone in Malaysian choral tradition. Some of you are new to the choir this year and have done exceptionally well in this competition. In SJPSS Choir, we nurture young people’s personal growth through high-level choral artistry in an open, cheerful, and nurturing environment. Young choristers develop their skills through practise, performance, and education, and emerge as confident young adults with a lifelong love of music. We hope to have more exciting projects in the future, as well as more students join our Choir group to continue our choral adventure.”

Point standing: 89.33 Gold B – Sam Tet Voices 88.33 Gold B – Chung Ling High School Private Choir 85.00 Gold B – SJPSS Choir 81.00 Gold C – CLHS Choir Club “I had a great time participating in this MCE programme. During 80.33 Gold C – Jit Sin Independent High School Choir this period of time, I had learnt many techniques in singing which 80.00 Gold C – Tsun Jin High School Girls Choir

What other choir members say

helped me to improve a lot. I was also excited that I could be part of this choir competition even though it was done virtually.” ~ Brandon could say that we’ve all done our best (including our teachers) and all Chan En Hao deserve a pat on the back.” ~ Joycelyn Hon Xin Ning “MCE choir festival was certainly one of the highlights of the year and I’ve learnt a lot during this process. It was really hard recording at home especially with the restrictions of good lighting and camera but it all paid off and it was worth it. During this competition, I also got to get closer with my friends because they were a big help in helping me to understand the score and the technical part of the song. I will definitely join next year!” ~ Angelina Wong Ying Yin

“Personally I believe that the Malaysian Choir Eisteddfod is a very enlightening experience as it allowed us as a choir to participate in a local competition. This not only allowed us to gain a bit of recognition, it allowed us to get to know other people who possess the same passion and drive for choral singing as well. It is also great as we get to assess how we are as a choir in terms of control, harmonies, rhythm and of course melodies.” ~ Bryan Eng Yen Khai

“Yet another rewarding experience with the most amazing and talented people I’ve ever known. To Mr Ben & Ms Ivy, thank you for being a strong foundation for all of us and for believing in us. To all my choir members, thank you for sharing this experience with me, the struggles and the joy as well. It hasn’t been an easy one but for now, I

“The recent MCE has been a valuable experience for me. I got to learn many new things and meet new people. It was amazing to see the passion that our choir and other participants have put into this competition. I hope that I will be able to join more events like this in the future.” ~ Joyce Singai anak Dickson

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YOUTH 2021

YOUTH

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

Pope to youth in Medjugorje: follow Christ with courage and joy

VATICAN CITY — The guiding theme of the youth festival underway in Medjugorje until August 6 is: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” They cite the words of the rich young man of whom the Synoptic Gospels speak (cf. Mt 19:16-22; Mk 10:17-22; Lk 18:18-23), when he set out, or rather, ran to meet the Lord, to inquire about gaining eternal life, that is, happiness. Pope Francis sent his good wishes to the participants with a message offering some reflections on the theme. An occasion to encounter Jesus Mladifest, the Pope reminds his readers, is in fact a “week of prayer and encounter with Jesus Christ, especially in his living Word, in the Eucharist, in adoration and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” which has the power to “set us on our way to the Lord.” And so this young man of the Gospel, whose name we do not know but whose soul we do know, becomes the symbol of all those who participate in this event. The Pope recalled that the young man recounted in the Gospels was “educated and very knowledgeable” and motivated with a “healthy restlessness that urged him to seek true happiness, life in its fullness”. It is for this reason that he set out on his journey to findin Jesus Christ an “authoritative, credible and reliable” guide who “directed him to God, who is the one and supreme good from whom all other good comes”. Eternal life, the good for which he yearns, the Pope writes, is certainly not a material good to be conquered with “one’s own strength” but requires going through various stages of maturation. Making steps towards eternal life: loving one’s neighbor The first step, indicated by Jesus, is “concrete love for one’s neighbor,” not the love given simply by the observance of precepts, rather a “gratuitous and total” love. Jesus notices

the “desire for fullness that the young man carries in his heart”, but also his “weak point”, which is his attachment to “many material goods”. For this reason, as a second step, Jesus suggests moving “from a logic of ‘merit’ to one of giving.” “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Mt 19:21). Jesus changes the perspective: he invites him not to think of securing the afterlife, but to give everything in his earthly life, thus imitating the Lord. It is a call to further maturity, to pass from precepts observed to receive a reward, to one that is about love by giving freely without limit. Jesus asks him to leave behind all that weighs down the heart and hinders love. What Jesus recommends is not so much that everything be taken away as much as being free to love and rich in relationships with others. To be free from all attachments The Pope went on to explain that if the heart is crowded with possessions, the Lord and one’s neighbor become merely “things”, because “having and wanting too much” suffocate us and “make us unhappy and incapable of loving”. The third step that Jesus proposes to the young man marks a radical choice, the Pope observed when Jesus asks him: “Come! Follow me!” It is a matter of “being disciples of Jesus”, which means, not imitating Him outwardly but “conforming to Him” deep in our hearts in order to receive in return “a rich and happy life, in the company of the many brothers and sisters, fathers, mothers and children”. Following Christ is not a loss, but an incalculable gain, the Pope writes, while renunciation concerns the obstacle that blocks this pathway. The rich young man, however, has his heart divided between two masters: God and money. The fear of risking and losing his possessions makes him return home sad.

Celebrating World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

KUCHIING — Sunday School students were asked how they would celebrate the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday 25 July. The present pandemic restricts visiting grandparents and elderly relatives. Ezralina from St Mark Batu Kawa, had this to say: “Spend time

with them whenever we can. We can visit them on holidays or festive times to cure our longing for them. People will not live forever on this earth, so we must spend time with our loved ones. We should tell them how much we appreciate and respect them.”

Drawing close to Christ to be happy: saying yes without holding back It marked a sad moment, because “he did not find the courage to accept the response, which is the proposal to ‘untie himself’ from himself and from riches in order to ‘bind himself’ to Christ, to walk with Him and discover true happiness”, the Pope observed. He writes: “Have the courage to live your youth by entrusting yourselves to the Lord and setting out with Him. Let yourselves be conquered by his loving gaze that frees us from the seduction of idols, from the false riches that promise life but bring death. Do not be afraid to welcome the Word of Christ and accept his call. Do not be discouraged like the rich young man in the Gospel; instead, fix your gaze on Mary, the great example of the imitation of Christ, and entrust yourselves to her who, with her affirmative response “Here I am”, answered unreservedly to the Lord’s call.”

Mary as an example for all of us May Mary, to whose maternal intercession the Pope entrusts the young people present at the Festival, be the source of the “strength” from which we draw to say our own “here I am”, but also a model for “bringing Christ to the world” and for “transforming our lives into a gift for others”. Like her, the Pope asks us to strive to be attentive to others and to discover in God’s will “our joy”, welcoming it even if it is not easy but with the certainty that “it will make us happy”. The Pope writes: “the joy of the Gospel fills the heart and the whole life of those who encounter Jesus. Those who allow themselves to be saved by Him are freed from sin, from sadness, from inner emptiness, from isolation. With Jesus Christ, joy is always born and reborn.” Vatican News

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

YOUTH

PAGE 15

YOUTH 2021

EMPOWERED MINISTRY KUCHING

A BIBLICAL WALK THROUGH THE MASS KUCHING — Having not attended Mass at church in person for many months, the EMPOWERED Ministry conducted a series of sessions on the Mass to gain a deeper understanding on the richness of the Mass and to be able to participate more fully in Mass whether virtually or physically. The five-part sessions were based on the study material, A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in The Liturgy by Dr Edward Sri. For five Friday evenings from 11 June 2021 until 23 July 2021 (with breaks in between), averagely 25 –30 attendees out of 40 registrants came together to explore the biblical roots of the Mass liturgy and discover what it all means and why it all matters. The session flow started at 8.00 pm with time of grace, followed by a brief introduction and the session teaching video by Dr Edward Sri, before the participants

concluded the evening with group discussion and prayer. In summary, the participants started this biblical journey through the Mass with the Introductory Rites which opens the celebration of the Mass and prepares the faithful for their sacred encounter with God in his Word and in the Eucharist. Thereafter, the participants dived into the two principal parts of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which forms one unified act of worship where the faithful are first nourished at the table of God’s Word through the reading from scripture and then at the table of our Lord’s Body which the faithful receive in Holy Communion. After Communion, the Concluding Rites formally close the celebration and send the people forth to do good works and take Christ into the world. Having participated in each of the sessions and taken a tour through the prayers, hymns, gestures and rituals of the liturgy, the participants gained an enriching understanding of the Mass through learning the biblical background and completed the series with renewed faith and deepening love for the Eucharist. The next short series is scheduled to commence in midAugust 2021 until September or October 2021. Tune in to EMPOWERED Social Media (fb.com/empoweredkch or IG: empoweredkch) for more info and registration.

REVOLUTIONISE YOUR PRAYER! 6 SESSION SERIES TO LEARN How to pray with Scripture under the guidance of Mary. How to discern what God is saying to you. How to develop a daily habit of life-changing prayer. How to find peace and direction every day in God's Word. How to give your fiat to God—just like Mary and all those Holy Saints who followed in her footsteps, allowing God to transform their lives!

HAPPENING 13 & 20 AUG, 17 & 24 SEP, 8 & 15 OCT 2021 | 8PM REGISTER AT linktr.ee/empoweredkch

PAGE 16

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021 『我是從天上降下的生活的食糧；誰若吃了這食糧，必要生活直到永遠。我所要賜給的食糧，就是我的肉，是為世界的生命而賜給的。』（若6:51）

Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)

第400期

教宗頒布手諭：使用梵二大公會議前舊禮彌撒經書的規則

罗马弥撒礼仪经书

（梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗方济各在广泛咨询世界各地的主教后，决定修改教宗本笃十六世14年前关于1962年弥撒经书的使用规范。教宗于7月16日颁布《传统的守护者》（Traditionis custodes）手谕，同时向全球的主教发出一封公开信，解释颁布手谕的原因，以下是要点：教宗方济各确定，「根据梵蒂冈第二届大公会议的法令，由教宗保禄六世和若望保禄二世颁布的礼仪经书是罗马礼的唯一表达」。主教作为教区礼仪生活的主持者，管理使用梵二大公会

议前礼仪的责任重回到主教身上。「根据圣座的指导方针，授权在教区内使用1962 年弥撒经书的权力属于主教」。主教应核实教区内使用旧礼的团体，「他们不能否认梵蒂冈第二届大公会议和历任教宗训导所规定礼仪改革的有效性和合法性」。手谕规定，本堂将不再举行旧礼弥撒，将由主教决定举行旧礼弥撒的圣堂和日期。礼仪中以地方语言读经，使用主教团批准的翻译文本，主祭者应是主教所委派。主教也有责任「根据旧礼弥撒对灵性成长的实际效用」来核实应否保留以旧礼举行弥撒。举行旧礼弥撒的司铎不仅要重视礼仪的庄严，还要关注到信友牧灵和灵修的层面。主教“要注意不

要再批准建立（使用旧礼的）新团体」。在本手谕颁布后祝圣的司铎如要以旧礼主持弥撒，「必须向教区主教提出正式申请，主教在咨询圣座之后才可以授权」。对于那些已经以旧礼举行弥撒的团体，必须申请主教许可才能继续使用旧礼。在「天主的教会」宗座委员会时期成立的献身生活修会和使徒生活团体现在全部由圣座修会部所管辖。教宗颁布手谕时发表的信件中解释他修订过去有过规定的最后一个原因是：「许多人的言语和举动越来越显示出，选择根据梵蒂冈第二届大公会议前礼仪经书举行弥撒的做法，与以他们认为的『真教会』的名义而拒绝教会和其制度息息相关，这是一种相反共融、助长分裂的行为。为了捍卫基督奥体的合一，我被迫取消我的前任们所给予的特许。」

教宗公開接見：福音只有一個，其真理不可廉價出售

周三公开接见活动

（梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗方济各8月4日上午主持周三公开接见活动，这是在7月份暂停之后的第一次。教宗在要理讲授中继续省思保禄宗徒的《迦拉达书》，当天的主题为「福音只有一个」。保禄已向迦拉达人宣讲了耶稣基督，现在却看到他们偏离真理而接受一些新来的宣讲者提供的不同的福音，不免感到遗憾。他极力表示，福音只有一个（参：迦一6-8 ）。教宗说：「对保禄来说，福音就是他的初传，即他所宣讲的耶稣的死亡与复活是救恩的泉源。这福音以 4个动词来表达：『基督照经上记载的，为我们的罪死了，被埋葬了，且照经上记载的，第三天复活了，并且显现给刻法，以后显现给那十二位』（格前十五3-5）。这福音是许诺的圆满，赐予众人的救恩。」在这如此洪恩面前，保禄宗徒无法解释为何迦拉达

人思念著接受另一个「也许更造作、更有学问的福音」，总之是「另一个福音」。保禄宗徒极力警告迦拉达人，新的说教「不会是福音，反而是一种扰乱真福音的宣讲，因为它阻止人接受信仰的自由」。迦拉达人幻想新说教者的讯息能「补充保禄的讯息」，但对保禄而言，在这一点上没有「商量」的余地。教宗继续表示：「福音只有一个，就是保禄所宣讲的那个，其它的不会存在。但要注意，保禄没有说真福音是他的，是他所宣讲的，他没这么说！这样说会是自负和自夸。他说的却是，『他的』福音，同其他宗徒在别处所宣讲的一样，是唯一真正的福音，因为那是耶稣基督的福音。」保禄的措辞非常强硬，用以告诫会走错路的迦拉达人。教宗强调，「他两次用了『诅咒』一词，指出急需远离威胁其根基的团体」。总之，在这一点上保禄宗徒「不给洽商留下空间」。「福音的真理不可拿来讨价还价。你或是接受原本的样貌和所宣讲的福音，或是接受任何其它的东西。但不能拿福

音做交易。一提到福音和其可能被扰乱的情况，我们不能作出妥协：对耶稣的信仰绝非是能用来议价的商品，这信仰是救恩，是相遇，是救赎，不可廉价出售。」教宗提到，迦拉达人本著善意相信，听从新来的传教士能更好地服事耶稣基督。「保禄的敌人似乎是忠于由先祖们传下的传统的人，他们主张纯正的信仰在于遵守法律」。他们甚至开始怀疑保禄，认为他「在传统面前不正统」。教宗指出，福音的新意是一种根本的新意，不是一时的新意，不存在「流行」的福音。迦拉达人的经历在各个时代都会遇到，因此，保禄宗徒的话语对今天的我们也有益处，我们必须懂得摆脱「善意的迷宫」。教宗最后总结道：「懂得分辨极为重要。在历史上，乃至今天，我们多次看到，一些运动团体以自己的方式，有时以确实是自己的神恩来宣讲福音，但加以夸张，将之全都简化为其『运动』的福音。这不是基督的福音，而是会祖们的福音，这在开始时可能会有帮助，但最终结不出根深蒂固的果实。因此，保禄明确果断的话语对迦拉达人有益，对我们也有益处。福音是基督赐予我们的恩典，是祂带来的喜讯。这是给予我们生命的福音。」

砂朥越古晉總教區月刊出版者：古晉總主教顧問：歐慶偉神父 Fr Felix Au 英語編輯：蔡愛薇 Ivy Chai 中文編輯：楊秀音 Magdalene Yeo 編輯組：羅國璋 James Lo 黃儀惠 Margaret Bong 楊清華 Cecil Yong Freddy Bohari (BM) Mabel Salin (Eng) 工作人員：魏愛沁 Shannon Wei

教宗方濟各：祖父母和年長者是滋養我們生命的食糧

普世教会于7月25日庆祝首届『世界祖父母和年长者日』。

（梵蒂冈新闻网）普世教会于7月25日庆祝首届「世界祖父母和年长者日」，圣座促进新福传委员会主席菲西凯拉（Rino Fisichella）总主教代替手术后康复中的教宗方济各在圣伯多禄大殿主持弥撒，并宣读了教宗的讲道。教宗在讲道中强调青年与长者在生命分享盟约中聚合的重要性。教宗的讲道反思当天常年期第17主日的福音内容（若六1-15），福音讲述了耶稣用两个饼和五条鱼喂饱五千余人的增饼奇迹。教宗反思了福音中的「三个时刻」：「耶稣看到饥饿的人群；耶稣分饼；耶稣请众人把剩下的碎块收集起来。」他说的三个时刻「可以总结为三个动词：看、分享和保存」。教宗解释道，增饼的奇迹「始于耶稣的凝视」，他关注每个人并了解每一个人的需要。教宗说，我们的祖父母也以同样的方式看我们，他们的爱帮助我们成长，反过来，我们也蒙召去分享我们的爱和关怀。「让我们抬起眼睛看他们，就像耶稣看我们一样。」接著，教宗指出，耶稣用一个年轻人分享的饼和鱼喂饱了人们。他说：「奇迹的核心是我们看到一个年轻人，他愿

意与人分享他所拥有的。」教宗强调说：「今天，在青年人与老年人之间需要一个新盟约，我们需要分享生命的财富、一起梦想、克服代际之间的冲突、并且共同为将来作准备。如果没有这种『盟约式的生命分享』我们就有因饥饿而死的危险。」教宗说：「青年人作为未来的先知，珍藏著他们自己的历史。年长者继续梦想并与年轻人分享他们的经验。青年人和年长者是传统的珍宝和圣神的清新（新颖）。」教宗在反思奇迹发生后耶稣指示收集剩下的碎块时说，「这揭示了天主的心」挂念的是「不要丢失任何东西，甚至连一块碎片也不要丢失」。尤其是那些永远不能丢弃的人。「我们需要让我们自己和我们的世界听到这先知性的召唤：聚合、悉心保存和保护。」教宗强调「保护」我们祖父母的重要性，就像他们在我们的成长过程中保护我们一样。「让我们保护他们，这样他们生命和梦想就不会丢失。」教宗在讲道结束时说，祖父母和年长者「是滋养我们生命的食粮」，「让我们不要忘记他们，让我们与他们立定盟约」，好能「男女老少都聚集在一起」能够「在分享的餐桌上获得满足，并得到天主的祝福」。

教宗：沒有青年與祖父母的對話，歷史就不會前進、生命就不會延續（梵蒂冈新闻网）7月25 日是首届「世界祖父母和年长者日」，教宗方济各在梵蒂冈宗座大楼书房窗口带领信众诵念三钟经后，教宗特别提及当天普世教会庆祝的「世界祖父母和年长者日」。教宗首先邀请聚集在广场的信友一起为年长者鼓掌，教宗说：「我们刚刚庆祝了首届世界祖父母和年长者日，我们向所有的祖父母鼓掌。祖父母和儿孙们、青年与长者一起展现出一张美丽的面孔和代际之间的结合。」接著，教宗说：「我邀请每一个团体都庆祝这个节日，去拜访最孤独的祖父母和年长者，把我受耶稣‘我同你们天天在一起’的许诺启发而来的讯息，带给他们。我祈求上主，在这个节日我们更加走

进长者帮助他们回应天主的召叫，尤其在这丢弃的文化背景中，向社会展示出祖父母和年长者临在的价值」。「祖父母需要年轻人，年轻人需要祖父母：他们应对话，他们应相遇！祖父母拥有历史的汁液，这汁液给予正在成长中的树提供生长的力量。」教宗说：「没有青年与祖父母的对话，历史就不会前进、生命就不会延续；祖父母在照料青年人的时候有梦想的权利，青年人有权从祖父母那里汲取汁液而获得预言的勇气。」教宗最后鼓励在场的信友说：「请你们这样做，去与祖父母和年轻人会面及交谈并倾吐心声。这会使每一位都开心快乐。」

PAGE 17

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

教宗：我們是一個大家庭，沒有人缺少水和食物（梵蒂冈新闻网）教宗方济各多次在讲话中提到饥饿和粮食问题。他呼吁说，世界上的饥饿是每个人的问题，战胜饥饿是道德责任。在对抗饥饿方面，如果不包括保护环境，尤其是如果「人类大家庭」中继续有子女、有人拥有太多的食物，而更多的人却没有食物果腹时，那么就永远不会实现这目标。这是圣座促进人类整体发展部和梵蒂冈应对新冠疫情委员会共同制作的一段视频中，有关教宗训导的摘要。该视频是在联合国粮食系统峰会前会议7月26日至28 日于罗马召开期间发布的。在视频的编辑中摘录了教宗方济各在不同场合中讲话的片段，但给人留下深刻印象的是视频的流畅性，使其看起来像是同一篇讲话，这体现了教宗面对复杂问题上的一致性，诸如粮食系统

的改变。教宗2014年11月20日前往位于罗马的联合国粮农组织所在地，会见在那里出席第二届国际营养大会的人士并向他们发表讲话。他在讲话中强调，「我们只有挂虑忍饥挨饿和营养不良的人，才能保障人人享有粮食的权利」。后来，教宗在2017，再次前往粮农组织发表讲话，他说，「我们蒙召建议改变生活方式、资源的使用，以及生产标准和消费」。教宗在2020年世界粮食日的视频讯息中指出，光生产粮食是不够的，还需要「确保粮食体系的可持续性，以及提供健康的膳食，让人人都能享用」。此外，教宗于2015年2月向米兰世博会预备大会发表视频讯息时，引用了若望保禄二世教宗1992年在以营养为题的国际会议上提到的「充裕的自相矛盾」一词。关于这自相矛盾，教宗方济各在讯息中说，

「有足够的粮食为所有人，但不是所有人都有得吃」。因饥饿而死亡是剥夺尊严的最糟糕的方式。教宗在2019年3月27日的公开接见活动中指出：「即使在今天，有多少父母为明天孩子没有足够的食物而辗转难眠！」他在当天的要理讲授中也强调说，为「存活」而「必要的食粮」也意味著「水、医药、家庭和工作」。教宗在2020年9月16日的周三公开接见活动中提醒说，「我们最贫穷的弟兄姐妹和大地母亲正为我们造成的破坏和不公正而哀嚎，他们哀求我们要改变路径」。视频结尾是2013 年明爱会为铲除世界上的饥饿所举办的活动的格言，「只有一个人类家庭，人人享有食物」。教宗在同一年12月11日的周三公开接见活动中也提到这句话。

教宗為中國洪災受害者祈禱（梵蒂冈新闻网）中国河南省最近发生严重水灾。据中国国家电视台报道，有3百多万人遭强降雨袭击，37.6万人被疏散。教宗方济各正如为德国所做的那样，该国莱茵兰-普法尔茨和北莱茵-威斯特法伦州日前遭洪水袭击，在7月25日诵念三钟经后，也特别为郑州洪灾和为此付出代价的人们祈祷。教宗说：「数日前，中国河南省郑州市遭强降雨袭击，导致洪水肆虐。我为罹难者和他们的家人祈祷，向所有那些因这灾难而痛苦的人表达关怀之情」。阿兹哈尔大伊玛目塔伊布在教宗呼吁和祈祷后在推特上发布推文，为中国正在发生的事，以及在世界其它地方发生的事表示担忧。他吁请大家共同采取行动来保护我们的家园。大伊玛目写道，「最近的洪灾和世界各地创记录的气温上升，导致许多人死亡，更多人流离失所。国际社会应加强

诵念三钟经 (Vatican Media)

努力，采取严厉行动，以应对气候变化并保护人类免遭这不可否认的威胁」。教宗方济各在7月25日的三钟经祈祷后，也提到正在日本举行的奥运会。本届奥运会原定于2020年举行，但由于疫情大流行，而延至今年7月举行。教宗说，「在这新冠疫情时期，愿这奥运会在健康的竞技中是希望和普世人类弟兄情谊的标志。愿上主降福筹办者、运动员，以及所有那些为这体育盛事而合作的人」。

“我就是生命的食粮，到我这里来的，永远不会饥饿。”耶稣爱你。你要感谢耶稣，因祂永远嗨!小朋友，耶稣说：和你在一起。

阅读“增饼奇迹”连环故事后，请完成以下的填充题。

1. 耶稣要单独和门徒在一起。但人们到处跟着祂。耶稣对人们讲天主所赐予的生命。祂治愈所有需要帮助的人。到了傍晚，那十二位前来对祂说：打发这些人到附近的村庄去，他们可找些吃的，并找地方过夜，因为这里是个荒野地方。耶稣回答：你们给他们一些吃的。门徒们都呆住了，那里能找到这么多的食粮，给五千多人充饥呢？

2. 耶稣问门徒：你们有多少饼？他们所有的实在太少了：只有五个并和两条鱼。耶稣吩咐群众围坐在草地上，然后取了饼和鱼，祝福了，交给门徒们分给群众。那些饼和鱼分配起来不但不减少，反而越分越多，最后群众都吃饱了，而那些剩下来的共收集了十二篮子。

“传送生命之粮”

在这星期内，我会努力传送生命之粮给他人。试完成下表。事项星期例：星期一

事件一

事件二

事件三

为世界和平祈祷

友爱同学

珍惜食物

“唯你有永生的话，我们还投奔谁呢？” 若6: 68 请重组词语，好能找出达到永生正确的路径。

3. 群众见了这神迹，都彼此谈论：祂真是要来到世上的先知！并想要拥立祂为君王。但是耶稣避开了他们，到清静的地方去祈祷。第二天，当祂又在民众前出现时，所有见过饼鱼神迹的群众都又拥到祂面前来。耶稣想趁此神迹把伟大的许诺启示给他们。

1. 这则增饼奇迹的故事要影射出________________圣事。 2. 耶稣才是真的_____________ 食粮。 3. 耶稣劝诫我们要为这永生的食粮________________。

4. 因此耶稣对他们说：我知道你们寻找我，因为吃饼吃饱了。但不要为那可损坏的食粮劳碌，要为那带给你们永生的食粮劳碌。他们说：天主要我们做什么呢？耶稣说：你们信从祂所派遣的那一位。我就是生命的食粮。到我这里来的永不会饥饿；信从我的永不会渴。

请帮助耶稣得到饼和鱼。

耶稣祝福小孩

请参考路18:15-17把括号内填上正确的字词后上色。有人把（）带到（）跟前，要祂（）她们；门徒们见了便（）她们。耶稣却（）他们说： “你们让小孩子们到我（）来，不要（）他们！因为（）正属于这样的人。我实在告诉你们：谁若（）小孩子一样接受天主的国，决不能（）。”

PAGE 18

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

香港教區青年節10月舉行「你起來，為福音作見證」

「你起来，为福音作见证」

（香港公教报讯）「疫情下难以聚会，大家因此休息了一段时间。现是时候让青年『起来』，鼓励他们去关心邻人的需要和见证信仰。」教区青年牧民委员执行秘书莫静仪期望10月10日的「教区青年节」，能为疫情下的培育工作带来新动力。为了让久未能参与团体活动的青年动起来，本年教区青年节邀请多个堂区和团体合作，让它们派出代表去分享信

仰见证。教区青年节将会分为两部份，若限聚令放宽，第一部份将于上午及下午在堂区或团体举行，由领袖或资深成员分享，配合短片，同时会设置不同「checkpoint」，让参加者完成灵修或指定任务；第二部份假圣本笃堂举行，下午有展览、灵修指导、表演等环节，黄昏以青年弥撒作结束。若限聚令持续，第一部份仍会在堂区或团体，按限聚令

容许的人数分组举行；第二部份则在不同地点以朝拜圣体作总结。青委会刚于6月为合作单位举行简介会（图示活动海报），期间鼓励堂区或团体整理本身的服务经验与历史，好能透过分享他们的服务经验，去燃起青年的信仰心火；合作团体将会与青委会一起筹备这次青年节。本届教区青年节取名为「WOW」（Wake up, Observe, Witness），是要回应教宗方济各为教区层面普世青年节所订的主题：「你起来，为你见到的事作证。」（宗廿六16）青年节将于8月起让堂区、学校及青年组队报名参加。莫静仪期望借此让青年再次投入团体当中，好能互相支持，学会体察别人需要，勇于作证。（邓）

越南新冠疫情危急，主教們呼籲團結互助

越南 (AFP or licensors)

（梵蒂冈新闻网）越南无法阻止第四波新冠疫情，这次疫情与变异病毒有关。受疫情影响最严重的地方是胡志明市，仅7月14日一天，那里就有1637人感染病毒，使该城的感染总数达到了18210 例。从新冠疫情爆发以来，全国染疫人数有40795例，累计死亡200多例，当局已决定，从7月9日起再次实施为期 15天的防疫封锁措施。面对严峻疫情，当地教会即刻动员起来。总教区正在男女会士中召集义工来帮助医院中的医疗人员，医院已经饱和。数日前，越南主教团主席、顺化总教区总主教阮智灵（Joseph Nguyen Chi

Linh）发出紧急呼吁，吁请所有越南人民团结互助，同时告诫说，新的限制措施有带来严重后果的危险，尤其是对人民中最贫困的群体。总主教在一份讯息中写道，即使在战争期间，这座城市也从未面临过像今天这样的紧迫而艰难的挑战。他也说，问题多且严重：诸如社区感染、医院人满为患、经济不景气、物价飞涨和运输停顿等。阮智灵总主教表示，胡志明市因缺粮、缺资金和药物等而受苦，甚至没有未来。「接下来几天，摊贩、出租车司机和零工把什么放在餐桌上呢？当工厂裁员或关闭时，工人们将如何赚钱生活呢？无人知道目前的疫情危机将持续多久，以及如何发展」。接著，总主教也敦促国内外的所有越南人民团结互助。他提到胡志明市公民的慷慨，

他们慷慨援助去年秋天遭洪灾袭击的越南中部省份的灾民。主教团主席特别向天主教徒和慈善机构发出呼吁，也吁请各教区和明爱会办公室开动免费电话以收集捐赠：比如农产品、医疗设备和资金。阮智灵总主教再次强调，无人知道卫生危机将持续多久，以及如何结束，但是对基督徒来说，这是一个时代讯号，在这时期中他们蒙召来辨认天主的旨意。新冠疫情是毁灭性的，可是「我们与国内外的其他越南人一起，将建设一个新的城市」。总主教引用福音中的话说，「你们白白得来的，也要白白分施」（玛十8）。最后，阮智灵总主教邀请信徒向大圣若瑟祈祷，将国家托付于他，同时也为教宗方济各祈祷，愿他从最近的外科手术中早日康复。越南许多天主教徒对总主教的呼吁即刻作出慷慨回应。据《天亚社》报导，几天内，就收到了40亿越南盾，相当于17.4万美元。主教团已在分发援助物资。

印度天主教徒協會：不要再有對少數群體的歧視和暴力

印度基督徒

（梵蒂冈新闻网）印度天主教徒协会呼吁，不要再有针对少数群体的暴力和歧视。基督徒与印度同胞分享共同的遗产、共同的历史，他们为国家的发展作出贡献。一些村镇的圣堂和司铎遭袭击，国外向非印度教宗教组织提供的资金被冻结，当局也使用假新闻来传播少数宗教群体的负面形象，基

督徒与穆斯林被排除于法律为劣势种姓保留的国家福利之外，在其他方面也有歧视。在印度的基督徒团体生活日益艰难。以上是全印度天主教联盟的谴责。该组织要求联邦政府采取果断行动，以停止袭击和歧视少数人群体的行为。全印度天主教联盟数日前在一份公开声明中表示，「基督徒团体发现，对他们的有组织有系统的迫害在急剧增加」，目的是消除和铲除他们。印度天主教组织写道，在接近印度摆脱殖民统治独立75周年之际，其宗教和少数群体、达利特人和妇女在维护他们的人权和公民自由上面对艰难挑战，

然而这些权利却是受到宪法和联合国条约肯定的。天主教组织也谴责警察纵容暴力肇事者，他们往往逍遥法外。全印度天主教联盟在声明中提到「基督徒与印度同胞分享共同的遗产、共同的历史，他们为国家的发展作出贡献」。最后，该组织吁请所有修会和教会领袖密切合作，以监督印度少数群体的状况的演变。近年来，在印度对基督徒的敌视不断增加。这敌视与印度教意识形态有关。在宗派暴力排名领先的邦中，有泰米尔纳德邦、北方邦、查蒂斯加尔邦、中央邦、奥里萨邦、卡纳塔克邦、马哈拉施特拉邦和安德拉邦。除了这些暴力，还有很多法律是针对少数群体，比如有争议的反宗教皈依法便是其中之一。

東京關閉教堂防範疫情未能接待奧運會運動員

（香港公教报讯）日本东京7月中开始至8月22日进入紧急状态，以防范新型冠状病毒疫情扩散。为配合政府措施，东京总主教菊地功发表公告，宣布取消东京奥运（7月23日至 8月8日）期间的牧民服务，又呼吁运动员和工作人员不要前往圣堂，改为上网参与弥撒。菊地功总主教说，他原

先希望每个堂区都能关心访客及运动员的灵性需求，「但今天首要任务是防止疾病传播。」亚洲新闻报导，东京总教区已暂停举行实体聚会。总主教强调，教会防疫时也要尽力去照顾有需人士的忧虑。因应疫情，本届东京奥运将会闭门作赛。

韓國重新開啓紀念韓國殉道者的延豐朝聖地

（梵蒂冈新闻网）韩国延丰朝圣地先前因新冠疫情而停止对外开放60多天，现在已经重新打开大门。这座朝圣地位于槐山郡清州古城，是纪念 19世纪遭朝鲜王朝极度迫害而被杀害的所有天主教徒。这个礼仪场所的特殊之处是一切设施完全免费：比如，参观者和信徒可以自由进出，并享用咖啡厅提供的服务，而这一切无需支付任何费用。事实上，朝圣地的格言是「你们白白得来的，也要白白分施」(玛十8)。朝圣者的捐献由朝圣地办公室支配，用于朝圣地维修或者给最有需要的修会。礼仪场所负责人权相佑（Kwon Sang-woo）神父解释道，「天主的爱和救恩是白白赐予每个人的」。今天，朝圣者人数仍在减少，因为新冠疫情没有停止：目前，韩国感染

病例有20.2万例，死亡病例超 2千例。权相佑神父强调，尽管如此，信徒们「继续来朝圣地，在一个平静的环境中祈祷」。延丰朝圣堂内部有六位殉道者的坟墓，教堂顶部有一个大型十字架，是为纪念在仇恨信仰的浪潮下遇害的韩国天主教徒。教堂坐落于一座特别重要的山：神学家、当地传教士崔良业（Choe Yang-eop）神父（1821-1861），曾经穿过这座山去探访团体，把天主的圣言带给他们。崔良业神父被誉为「韩国的圣保禄」，他每天走很多路，不知疲倦地进行福传工作。在12年的时间里，他向分散在100多个不同团体的大约4000人宣讲福音。教宗方济各2016年宣布，崔良业神父为「可敬者」。

抄寫聖經全人投入細味聖言（本报讯）随着社交媒体普及，人们现在已少有执笔写字，青衣圣多默宗徒堂却举办抄写圣经活动，让参加者静下来与主相遇。该堂培育组于7月4日举办首场「集体抄写圣经灵修活动」活动当日约有40人参加，开始时，参加者先作半小时灵修准备：静默祈祷、特别留意呼吸和身体状况，尤其双手的触感。然后，在宁静的心境中，参加者各自抄写圣经——有的翻开圣经，有的查看手机；他们手握笔杆，在堂区提供的「抄经小册子」上，逐字抄写自选的经文段落。约半小时后，参加者聚集

一起分享抄经感受。有参加者表示以往诵读圣经多用眼睛和口舌，有时忽略了一些字词，抄经则可多留意一些字词，甚或稍稍停留在引发感受的字词上。堂区主任司铎陈永超表示，抄经的重点不在于能抄写多少章节，而在于抄写时整个人的投入，身心并用，首先用眼睛细阅经文、用心默想，再用手执笔书写。陈神父鼓励参加者将缮写的经文送赠亲朋好友，体验以文字形式流传圣言。堂区将于本年8月和10月再举行两次抄经活动，详情可参阅圣多默宗徒堂Facebook 专页（朱）

濟南教區文史館落成探討信仰與中國文化互動（香港公教报讯）山东济南教区的天主教中国化文史馆落成后开放予教友参观，从中认识天主教在中国的本地化进程。这间文史馆尤如一部微缩的中国教会历史书，展现艰难而充满恩典的发展历程，带领教友认识历代传教先贤的精神。馆内所展出的文字与图片，均由济南教区神父悉心整理和收集。信德网报导，文史馆位于西门主教府后院，分两个展厅。展厅区域分为四个部份，第一部份初探天主教本地化；第二部份带出天主教中国化的种种尝试；第三部份探讨天主教中国化进程；第四部份聚焦社会服务。

展览具备不同板块，从不同角度回顾中国教会历史，例如有百年禁教、教会印刷事业、服饰本地化、中国风格圣像绘画、教堂建筑中国化等。「我愿在天堂上还是中国人。」文史馆展示中国圣人的名句，如热爱中国的圣言会传教士圣福若瑟神父；也有遣使会传教士雷鸣远神父：「不要看我的眼睛，不要看我的鼻子，要看我的心，它是不折不扣的中国心！」此外，文史馆也带出不同时代的本地化成就，例如是清光绪二十七年（1901年）山东济南天主堂华洋印书局的历史，以及2010年被列入山东济南第三批非物质文化遗产名录的「胡庄天主教华化音乐」。

PAGE 19

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

非穆斯林事務單位為砂朥越第二復甦階段頒布新標準作業程序

傅雲生總主教

（古晋讯）砂朥越基督教会联合会主席傅云生总主教对非穆斯林事务单位颁布宗教崇拜场所为信众开放的新标准作业程序表示感激。不过，在与其他基督教会领袖们咨询后，普遍的共识是「小心为上，在即将到来的周末开放教堂需要谨慎，特别是在确诊人数不断攀升的古晋。我们也获知那已在砂朥越流行的可能是德尔塔毒株，」总主教7月23日对媒体说。在实行加强行动管制令的地区则因为受感染的地区同社群感染群接触而受促延迟开放。傅总主教指出，自从六月实施行管令到目前加速接种疫苗以来，我们看到感染曲线逐渐压平。他觉得「不放弃我们数月来为压平感染曲线所做的牺牲是重要的。

」

的聚集点，而每一个家庭都有各自的接触圈子。让我们一起为所有人的益处努力，设法压平目前的感染曲线。」傅总主教也鼓励所有宗教领袖们继续祈祷，并建议各自的信众「甚至作慈悲和怜悯的中心，捐献及采购物资分发给市区，或乡區需要帮助的人们。如此，当我们本身或许也在挣扎，让我们过得简朴些，而能够有所剩余来帮助比我们更惨的人们。当每个人伸出援助的手作一点贡献，我们就会藉着带给人希望和给受苦的人们及时的救助，使世界成为更友善的地方。「我在此劝勉所有基督徒和善心人士作出善意和慷慨的回应。一同努力我们就可以为有需要的人们带来改变。我们刚刚庆祝砂朥越日，让我们的团结与和谐为我们身为砂朥越人民作证。愿天主祝福、保护及从大流行中释放我们。阿们。」

所有崇拜场所保持安古晋总教区的教堂全标准作业程序至于古晋天主教总教区，总主教继续说：「由于新冠病毒感染任何人，不论其文化、种族、信仰背景或社会地位。我们身为砂朥越人民，特别在所有的崇拜场所---座堂、教堂、庙宇、清真寺、小回教堂及其他宗教中心---同心同德为我们崇拜时保持安全标准作业程序是重要的，特别是当我们的崇拜场所是来自城市、市镇和周边的乡村我们各自的信徒

傅总主教说，大多数司铎同意，鉴于德尔福毒株入侵砂朥越的不确定性，各教堂将利用开放前的一周来更新现有的标准作业程序及内部的调整和培训崇拜与服务团队。「毕竟，人们的健康和安全是我们最关心的，这也将对所有砂朥越人民的安全作出贡献。」他总结说。（蔡爱薇报导）（译文）

天主教天主之母堂用作新冠肺炎檢測中心

（峇都吉当讯）甘榜布博最近实行了加强行动管制令，天主教的天主之母堂借出教堂场地供作为整个社团的检测中心。该甘榜的天主教信友们受促参与由古晋圣若瑟总主教座堂直播的主日弥撒。该堂也在筹备为当地有需要的家庭提供食物篮。（译文）

耶穌會两位神父吳世新与林進才發永願（古晋讯）2021年7月31日是罗耀拉的圣依纳爵的庆日。因了新冠肺炎肆虐下的限制，只有非常少数的观礼者出席两位耶稣会士吴世新神父和林进才神父发永愿的弥撒。不过有大量观众参与了直播弥撒。耶稣会士斯坦利吴友明神父代表马来西亚新加坡省会长克里斯托弗苏神父接受他们的誓愿。苏神父因新冠疫情下旅行限制而无法亲临古晋主持。如所有耶稣会士的发愿，会士们是在圣体前宣誓（professio ad hostiam），林神父和吴神父依次跪在由主礼神父举扬的圣体前宣誓，之后才领圣体。

林进才神父跪在圣体前宣发圣愿

在圣体前发愿

当圣依纳爵和他的同伴于 1541 年 4 月 22 日在罗马城外圣保禄大殿发永愿时，他们使用了一种完全不同的仪式，它后来编入耶稣会的章程。这仪式用于发初愿和末愿。这仪式与当时，甚至到今天，通行的发愿仪式背道而驰。它不是在祭台上的誓愿或是手中的誓愿，表示它既不是稳定的修道院修会，也不是乞讨的修会。它是一个具有默想层次的使徒修会。

在圣体前发愿的意义

从神秘和属神的角度来看，发愿的耶稣会士向耶稣基督在圣体中的真实存在宣发圣愿。耶稣会士受召紧随耶稣基督，而他们的团体以祂的圣名闻名。因此，耶稣会士在他们以他们的名字命名的祂面前宣誓。紧接着的领圣体伴随着确认、批准、基督在发愿者对祂作出的承诺上所设置的神圣印记的价值。通过这种共融，圣体中的天主，藉着举扬着圣体

吴世新神父在领圣体前在代表会省长上的吴友明神父举扬的圣体前宣发圣愿。

的长上代表的修会和发愿者订立了一种盟约。因为通过为发愿者施放圣体，长上表明他接受了他的圣愿，并接受他与自己及与修会共融。基督借着祂自己的恩赐，应许发愿者祂的力量，使他能够恪守他刚刚作出的承诺。藉着领受基督，发愿者将自己献给天主。

永愿或末愿

对于耶稣会士来说，他们在见习期结束时所发的初愿已经是永久性的，因为不需要定期更新。那么，最近吴神父和林神父最后的誓愿是什么呢？发初愿（也称为简单的永久誓愿）时，耶稣会士无条件地将自己献给耶稣会，而该会则有条件地接受他。这意味着耶稣会士在发永愿之前可很容

易被开除。至于修士或精神助理的永愿，或完成发愿者的永愿，将自己无条件献给耶稣会的耶稣会士也被该会无条件接受。这就是为什么耶稣会神父晋铎多年后才发永愿的原因。经过多年的试用，长上可以安心入睡，并认为当某个耶稣会士被接受发永愿时，他可以妥善保管耶稣会。吴神父为发永愿心怀感谢，他说：「我对耶稣会内发永愿的恩赐感到谦卑和感激。」而对林神父来说，他对「永愿是我在耶稣会中生活的自然进程」感到心满意足。（译文）

教宗「耶穌神聖勞工基金」：羅馬2500人受惠走出貧困和孤獨（梵蒂冈新闻网）「「耶稣神圣劳工基金」的工作成果于八月初在罗马教区主教公署公诸于世。教宗方济各有意借由这个基金来协助在新冠疫情中受创的人。受惠者不仅接受援助，还能迈开自己的双腿，踏上旅途。耶稣神圣劳工基金」在教宗的授意和指示下成立，旨在协助那些因新冠疫情而失业的人能在收入上得到补贴和支持，并重新投入劳动界。然而，它还带来了另一个效果，即：通过教会和政府密集分布的聆听和关怀工作，许多人走出了孤独的深渊。这或许是「耶稣神圣劳工基金」首要且最重要的成果。这个成立刚满一年的基金的相关成果，于8月3日上午在罗马教区主教公署公诸于世。出席记者会的有罗马教区副代理主教帕尔米耶里（Gianpiero Palmieri）总主教、罗马市长拉吉（Virginia Raggi）女士和拉齐奥行政区主席津加雷蒂（Nicola Zingaretti）等人。意大利拉齐奥行政区和罗

马市参与了教宗的这个项目，缔结了「罗马联盟」。教宗方济各首先拨出了一百万欧元的经费，随后拉齐奥行政区和罗马市分别贡献了50万欧元。在这段时间里，多个企业教宗与穷人 (@L'Osservatore Romano) 和市民也贡献己力，总共捐赠了20.1万欧元的匮乏到什么都做不了」。善款。众人的慷慨之举惠及了罗马教区的副代理主教超过2500人，满足了920个提出进一步解释道，重点在于「申请的需求。这些数字相当重不要把爱德和赈济相混淆。要。穷人不需要我们给出零星或帕尔米耶里总主教表示，剩余的东西，而是需要感受总体来说，这个举措成了「救到自己不是社会的负担」。恩与希望的锚」。「藉著这个因此，该基金也推出实习计项目，我们每个人善尽本分、划和陪伴进程，让受惠者不竭尽所能，试图遏止自私自利只是接受援助，还能迈开自的倾向，为他人施以援手」。己的双脚、踏上旅途。罗马「一个严峻的问题是工作联盟这个项目的负责人帕斯的不稳定性」。帕尔米耶里总阔（Massimo Pasquo）表示，主教提醒道，「我们不该助长「这个项目不是一块被瓜分透明度低、报酬过少的工作。的蛋糕，而是加到面团里、作为社会和教会，我们必须做让面团发酵变大的酵母。」出希望的小举动。没有人真的

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聖事傅雲生總主教的訊息

王博弟神父《天主教教理》的第1210条说：「新约圣事是由基督建立的，共有七件，就是圣洗、堅振、感恩(圣体)、忏悔、病人傅油、圣秩以及婚姻。七件圣事涉及基督徒生命中的所有階段，以及一切重要时刻：它们产生、滋长、治愈基督徒的信仰生命，並赋予使命。这样，自然生命的各階段与灵性生命的各階段之間，有着某些类似之处。」这这七件圣事可分为三组：七件圣事可分为三组：

亲爱的主内兄弟姐妹们，这几个月我们庆祝砂朥越和马来西亚的重要时刻。像一颗芥子开始的140周年。 = 七月廿二日我们庆祝砂朥越独立日。 = 八月卅一日我们庆祝国庆日。 = 九月十六日，我们将庆祝砂朥越、沙巴、新加坡作为主权国家加入马来亚组成马来西亚的马来西亚日。「马来西亚」这个名称是当马来亚联邦原有的州，加上新加坡、北婆罗洲和砂朥越在1963年组成了一个新的联邦而采用。马来西亚被选作这个新联邦的名称的理论是「si（西）」代表包括新加坡、北婆罗洲沙巴和砂朥越加入马来亚。无论如何，1963年9月16日，一个名为马来西亚的新国家诞生了。身为基督徒生活在马来西亚58年后，一个相关的问题是：「身为公民，身为马来西亚的基督徒和教会，我们的角色是什么？」借此庆祝国家建设的这几个月里，我要分享我在我们对天主和对我们的国家马来西亚的责任的反思。 1. 为我们的领袖和国家祈祷任何一个基督徒对他的国家的首个责任是祈祷。保禄宗徒写道：「首先我劝导众人，要为一切人恳求、祈祷、转求和谢恩，并为众君王和一切有权位的人，为叫我们能以全心的虔敬和端庄，度宁静平安的生活」（弟前2:1-2）。很重要注意的是，在第一世纪，君王迫害基督徒，然而保禄并没有叫他们以暴还暴，反而，他呼吁所有信徒每天祈祷，以祈祷和行动求天主改变情况，使最终达致和平，善战胜邪恶。基督徒因此被召叫藉着

带来转变社会的价值而作「地上的盐」和「世上的光」（玛 5:13-14）。所有真正的人类价值就在福音教导的核心。在祈祷中，我们谦逊地来到我们的天主面前，为我们的国家和领袖---政治上和精神上的领袖---转求。天主许诺：「这称为我名下的百姓，如果谦逊祈祷，寻求我的面，远离自己的恶行，我必从天上俯听，寬恕他们的罪过，使他们的土地生产。」（编下7:14） 2. 登记为选民及投票在民主的政府中，通过选举选出领袖的自由是每一位公民的权力。投票的意义是站出来成为一份子。因此，登记作选民是身为基督徒年届投票年龄的公民的固有责任。天主将这个管理权托付给我们，作祂

= 忠實可靠。 = 诚信不受贿。 = 公正的领袖。因此，我们在我们的领袖中寻找上述的品质。每个公民应按自己在天主前的良知投票。如此，我们寻求选虔诚的领袖，他们将确保所有族群、宗教和社会地位人们的共同益处。我们要求政治或精神领袖拥有这些品质是重要的，让我们也提醒自己这个双刃剑。每个基督徒受召致力在我们各自的家庭、工作场所和我们被托付的领导位置上，达致这些品质作为管理权和领导权的一部分。当我们忠实地「寻求天主的国和它的义德（和天主及与人们的关系正确），这一切自会加给你们。」（玛6:33）

「凯撒的，就应归还凱撒；天主的，就应归还天主」（玛22:15-22）

耶稣教导我们，身为一国的公民，我们应对我们的政府尽我们的义务。同时，身为天主所爱的子民，我们也应给天主祂应得的---我们的敬拜、我们的时间、才能、宝藏和善功。身为好仆人，我们成为天主寻求创造一个为所有人的爱、平安、公平和丰富的世界的搭档。 = 缴付我们应对民选政府的课税（罗13:7） = 对我们的交易负责及保持透明（路3:13-14） = 为天主所创造的生态负责。天主委托我们为世界的管理人。具体是，我们寻求减少二氧化碳排放的脚印。我们购买本地产品以刺激本地经济。我们减少吃肉类及减少用塑料产品。 = 捐献物资以减轻疫情大流行造成的苦难。捐助天主教福利服务，圣文生·德保善会，或受承认的慈善团体以减轻贫穷。 = 捐血救助同胞性命。 = 为我们的国家及世界祈祷。忠实的仆人，为我们的国家和教会的共同益处努力。这并不是说，我们只是盲目地，或是按候选人的受欢迎程度投下我们的票。每个基督徒应该寻求了解政党和政治家各自的政见。在出谷纪18:1622梅瑟需要领袖帮助他治理人民，天主叫梅瑟去找拥有下列品质的人。 = 有领导才能。 = 虔诚及常寻求与天主的关系正确。

当基督徒庆祝砂朥越日，国庆日和马来西亚日，愿我们为全体人们的共同益处和生态的祈祷、付出、允诺和行动，在我们的土地上建立团结、和谐、互相接纳和尊重。「你们的光也当在人前照耀，好使他们看見你们的善行，光耀你们在天之父。」（玛5:16）谨此寄上我的祝福与祈祷  傅云生总主教（译文）

恭賀傅雲生總主教晉鐸卅三週年（古晋讯）33年前的7月 31日，傅云生总主教在圣若瑟总主教座堂由锺万庭总主教祝圣晋升神父。总主教公署职员聚集在牧灵中心走廊，为他送上装饰有象征圣爵和面饼图案的周年蛋糕。总主教感谢众人，他说，33提醒他耶稣在世上的年岁。（译文）

1. 入门圣事将一个人带入基督的完满生命入门圣事将一个人带入基督的完满生命 (圣洗圣事, (圣洗圣事, 圣圣 1. 体圣事，坚振圣事) 体圣事，坚振圣事) 2. 2. 治愈圣事治愈灵魂和肉身治愈圣事治愈灵魂和肉身 (和好圣事，病人傅油圣事) (和好圣事，病人傅油圣事) 3. (婚配圣事， 3. 服务的圣事，一个人回应特定的天主圣召服务的圣事，一个人回应特定的天主圣召 (婚配圣事，圣圣秩圣事）秩圣事）

第五課 – 病人傅油聖事（四）

病人的牧灵照顾：傅油和临终圣体礼典（1972）傅油礼是包括在教会为病人及临死信众的牧灵照顾范畴内。教会藉着探访健康状况不佳的信众，在他们病痛中和死亡的危险中，藉着傅油圣事及以圣体滋养激励他们，而显示对病人和临死信众的关怀。最后，教会为病人祈祷将他们托付于天主，特别在生命最后的危机中。（一）病人的牧灵照顾第一章：探访病人第二章：探访病童第三章：给病人送圣体第四章：给病人傅油（二）临死者的牧灵照顾第五章：临终圣体（天路行粮）的庆典第六章：为临终者祈祷第七章：为亡者祈祷第八章：为特殊状况的仪式

祝福油和圣油的不同平信徒用祝福油是天主教会一个古老的习俗。今天，教会内平信徒用祝福油仍非常盛行。教会认可在祈祷聚会、研讨会等等时候用祝福油来为病人傅油。但是，祝福油和圣油是有不同。 1. 圣事和圣礼品圣油：圣洗油、病人油和坚振油称为圣油。它们是在施行圣事时用。祝福油：祝福油可以由平信徒作个人用的圣礼品。圣礼品是帮助我们属灵的生命成长及增加我们的虔诚及信德的一件物品、一个祷词等等，例如玫瑰念珠、圣水、圣衣牌、圣牌、祝福等等。

2. 用法和目的圣油：这是由领了铎品的司祭（主教、司铎、执事）在施行圣事时用。祝福油：这油通常由平信徒为个人用。这油的目的基本上是为增强、治愈和保护预防伤害。 3. 来源圣油：耶稣建立圣事。圣事是借以给予我们属神的生命的恩宠的有效迹象。祝福油：天主教会建立了圣礼。圣礼藉着教会的祈祷获得恩宠或力量。它们准备一个人领受圣事的果实。 4. 祝福圣油：圣洗油、病人油和坚振油是由主教在主教座堂，和聚集一堂的教区内的司铎们一起祝圣。这弥撒通常是在圣周四举行，称为祝圣圣油弥撒。祝福油：这油是由任何一位领了铎品的司铎于任何适当的场所和时间祝圣。当用祝福油作为圣礼品时，一位平信徒有下列的义务： 1. 向在场的人们说明他不是在施行只有主教或司铎才有权施放的圣事； 2. 确保人们不会混淆了由平信徒施行的祝福油和只有司铎才可在病人傅油圣事中施放的教会的圣油； 3. 确保祝福油（或任何其他圣礼品）的应用不和迷信或魔术力量混淆。（译文）

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平安之家需要你們的支持

平安之家住客们每三个月聚首庆祝他们的生日。

位于哥打巴达湾十里兰迪路的「平安之家」，是砂朥越天主教福利服务议会建立来收容贫困年长者的中心。该中心是由砂朥越圣方济各修女会的修女们管理。平安之家始建于2009 年，主要收容不分种族、宗教或信仰的贫穷孤苦老人。不过2019年第二期扩展计划完成后，该中心现在也接受每月享有退休金的退休人士，以及有能力对该中心的运作和维修经费作出贡献的年长者。

中心住客在园子里圣母态像前诵念玫瑰经。

是悔恨和悔改的时候吗？当时钟滴答滴答着进入8 月31日的国庆日倒数，我们许多人在为千千万万为大流行影响的人们的困境感到郁闷。我们有没有活出我们基督徒的社会责任，帮助有需要的人们？位于哥打巴达湾的平安之家是天主教福利服务议会建于 2009年为收容年长者的中心。它由砂朥越圣方济各修女会管理。本州内持久的新冠疫情状况已在其经济上造成损伤。平安之家呼吁「希望之友」的支持，这是平安之家去年推展以筹措运作经费的活动。本期《今日教友》，我们采访了平安之家的舍监乌苏拉·连修女。请看看你可以如何支持他们。还有什么我们能做的？是

主的

不是我们集焦于更勤祈祷和作赔补的时候呢？圣经告诉我们，耶稣已经藉祂最珍贵的血为我们的罪作了补赎。「衪承受我们的脆弱，担荷了我们的疾病。」（玛8:17）是不是跪下来为世界的罪悔改的时候？让我们祈求从已困扰我们太久的大流行和政治动荡中治愈和释放吧。说说比较阳光的一面，我们也分享耶稣会士林进才和吴世新两位神父于七月卅一日发永愿的喜悦，并恭贺他们。他们发愿的弥撒向基督徒群体直播。我们也恭贺傅云生总主教也在七月卅一日庆祝晋铎33周年。蔡愛薇（译文）

耶穌會士, 林進才神父

話

(八)

愈顯主榮

2021年8月8日：常年期第十九主日（乙年）（列上 19:4-8；厄 4:30-5:2；若 6:41-51）

神聖的醜聞乌苏拉修女在每三个月的例会上向住客们简报。乌苏拉修女

在一项采访中，平安之家舍监乌苏拉修女表示很惊讶，该中心成立已有十二年，但还有许多人不知道其存在。她说，只有当他们到处寻找地方安置年老的父母时才获知这个中心，甚至天主教徒都不知道天主教有一所老人院。

住宿者

目前该中心有34位住宿者，其中3位卧床不起，13位需用轮椅。他们中有些患有老年痴呆而需要医护照顾，由包括23位职工和尤妮霞修女的团队帮助乌苏拉修女照顾。「我很庆幸他们都非常敬业，可靠和尽责。这对我个人是一种安慰。为此我感谢天主。」她说，因越来越多人申请入住该中心，中心或需要增加人手，这是一个挑战。修女说，中心的住宿者在身体和精神的需要都获得良好的照顾，「他们非常注重祈祷生活，他们每天祈祷，早上念玫瑰经，下午念上主慈悲经。他们特别为「

希望之友」、捐款人、员工、主教、司铎们，甚至为请他们祈祷的人们奉献祈祷。为了新冠肺炎大流行的缘故不能参与弥撒，但他们从不错过从圣亚纳堂或圣若瑟总主教座堂，每主日和大庆典，或为病人奉献的直播弥撒。

偏厅

乌苏拉修女希望2015年建成的偏厅可以重建作更好的用处。她说，它可以改成多用途区，用来作住宿者的休闲、看电视、进茶点的角落，同时护士可以在这里检查他们的血压和TPR（总身体反应），因为现在的护士室太小太拥挤了。修女建议可在偏厅加建厕所，方便那些房间厕所不够用的住宿者。

希望之友

据乌苏拉修女，由于新冠疫情，为中心捐钱的人比前少了许多，以致平安之家目前面对经济困难。「现在我们只剩几个固定的捐款人，幸好还有希望之友，至少希望之友为我们提供一些赈济，好感谢他们。我希望也呼吁更多人挺身加入希望之友的行列。」

「希望之友」是平安之家去年2020年5月、新冠疫情高发而影响天主教福利会的常年募捐大大减少时推展的一个持续性的活动。捐款人注册为希望之友成员，允诺每个月至少捐一百令吉或每年捐一次，以赞助中心的经费。中心每月的运作经费估计在五万令吉左右。希望之友计划截至2021年6月30日共筹得 506,755令吉。目前，中心的主建筑物有多处需要维修，特别是屋顶、天花板和水槽。乌苏拉修女说，每当下大雨，你可以看到到处在漏水。有些设备如水管、厕所、洗涤槽、灯光和轮椅也迫切需要修理，甚至割草机和洗衣机也不时需要修理。乌苏拉修女对所有的希望之友表达感激，向他们保证为他们祈祷。「我特别祈求天主祝福你们和你们的家人；保护我们大家免于伤害和危险，特别是新冠肺炎。」愿意获得关于平安之家的更多资料，以及如何参与希望之友的可拨电话018-2401337和 014-3942425（办事处）联络乌苏拉修女。（蔡爱薇报导）（译文）

慶祝世界祖父母與年長者日（古晋讯）主日学学生被问他们会怎样庆祝七月廿五日的首届世界祖父母与长者日。当前实行的行管令限制了探访祖父母和年长的亲戚。圣若瑟堂区的主日学的学生Shirley Sii分享说：「我是Shirley Sii，今年 13岁。奶奶对我来说很重要，因为她老了，我怕我长大以后她就不在了。在生活中，奶奶

对我很好，我有困难的时候她会帮助我，我不会做的事情她会教导我，比如说功课有困难的时候，或者煮饭时米要放多少水。特别的节日她都会跟我们一起庆祝，煮好吃的给我们吃，奶奶煮的我都喜欢吃。我希望天主可以让奶奶长名百岁，身体健康，每天开开心心，特别是让她的脚不痛了。」

听着耶稣的人们都惊骇了。他们互相叨叨：这是怎么难接受的教导。他们给祂说的两件事吓坏了。首先，祂从天上下来；第二，祂是给人吃的面饼。祂所说的这两件事对耶稣时代人们的宗教思想中是丑闻，而对今天没有信德的人们仍然是如此。为什么呢？第一，祂从天上下来---这样是说耶稣是神圣的。这是亵渎，因为只有天主是神圣的；没有人可以是神圣的，原本就是这样。天主和人类是分开的；他们是完全不同的存在；他们是不能合起来的；否则，天主就不是天主了。这也是当今一些宗教的信仰。天主不可能是一个男人或是女人，因为天主就是天主---就是这样。对我们有信仰的人们，这是一个来自天主的神圣启示。天主告知我们，耶稣就是天主。怎么可能呢？好吧！我想，用世俗的逻辑，这是可能的，因为在天主没有不可能的事。如果我们说天主是全能的，无所不能的，那天主肯定能成为人类。那也是天主在耶稣基督内做的！这是天主启示给我们的信德。尽管如此，问题应该不是天主如何做到的？问题应该是为什么天主要这么做？为什么的答案是，因为天主要在我们人类的经验中和我们合一。天主是那么爱我们，至造物主愿意「降格」放下身段来成为受造物。这样，天主就可以真正地说，天主知道我们的每一个部分，因为天主已经体验过我们一生所体验的。耶稣已经经历过人类的所有经验，例如喜悦、痛苦、苦难、工作、休闲，等等。因此，当我们祈祷和与耶稣亲密交谈时，我们可以建立一个有意义和可识别的关系，因为我们相信耶稣真的了解我们。

第二是给众人吃的面饼的课题。耶稣说，祂将为世界的生命给的面饼是祂的肉。吃另一个人的肉是吃人族，这为大多数文明是一种忌讳。于是，我们又有了另一个令人反感的概念，甚至连今天的一些基督徒都嫌恶的---圣体的面饼是基督真实的身体。在耶稣的时代的犹太人，说一个人是天主已经够不敬的了，更何况说这面饼是祂的肉！再者，这里的论点，在我看来，并不是圣体面饼如何能成为耶稣的真实临在，而是为什么祂要真实地临在面饼内？这个为什么的答案是因为耶稣要在我们领圣体时真实地和我们结合。这不只是祂和我们共融的一个象征，而是耶稣真实临在和我们结合。我领受的不只是基督的一个象征，而是真实的基督。耶稣给的更进一步的理由是「为世界的生命」。祂以自己的身体滋养我们，给我们生命，而且那是真实的生命（不是象征性的），因为面饼给吃了而在我们的身体内成为我们的一部分。因此，将上述两点放在一起，我们总结出这个信条：天主从天降下，真实地以神圣的生命喂养我们。就如从前从天上撒下玛纳喂养旅途中的以色列人一样，现在耶稣---生命之粮，在每次的弥撒中到来喂养我们---天主在旅途中的教会。玛纳是圣体的预兆。这是来自天主的白白的礼物，就像在读经一中，天主如何在厄里亚开始他四十天四十夜的旅途前以食物和饮料白白地喂养厄里亚一样。同样的，天主要为我们每天漫长艰巨的旅途亲自以祂自己滋养我们。（译文）

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

SAKRAMEN Oleh Fr Patrick Heng

SAKRAMEN ialah siri pelajaran oleh Fr Patrick Heng

Ajaran 5 – Sakramen Pengurapan Orang Sakit (Bahagian 4) Dalam Katekisme Gereja Katolik No. 1210, ia menyebut “Kristus menetapkan sakramen-sakramen bagi undang-undang baharu. Terdapat tujuh sakramen: Pembaptisan, Penguatan (atau ‘Chrismation’), Ekaristi, Pertaubatan, Pengurapan Orang Sakit, Pentahbisan, dan Perkahwinan. Tujuh sakramen tersebut menyentuh semua peringkat dan semua waktu penting dalam kehidupan Kristian: ia memberikan kelahiran dan peningkatan, penyembuhan dan misi kepada kehidupan keimanan Kristian. Maka itu, persamaan tertentu wujud di antara peringkatperingkat kehidupan semulajadi dengan peringkat-peringkat kehidupan rohani.” Tujuh sakramen boleh dibahagikan kepada tiga kumpulan: 1. SAKRAMEN-SAKRAMEN INISIASI yang akan membawa seseorang itu ke dalam kehidupan Kristus sepenuhnya (Pembaptisan, Ekaristi, Penguatan) 2. SAKRAMEN-SAKRAMEN PENYEMBUHAN yang akan menyembuhkan jiwa dan tubuh mereka (Rekonsiliasi/ Perdamaian, Pengurapan Orang Sakit) 3. SAKRAMEN-SAKRAMEN KOMITMEN di mana seseorang itu respon kepada panggilan Allah yang khusus (Perkahwinan, Pentahbisan) Penjagaan Pastoral bagi Orang Sakit: Upacara Pengurapan dan Viatikum (1972) Upacara Pengurapan ditetapkan di dalam penjagaan pastoral Gereja untuk orang sakit dan orang nazak. Gereja menunjukkan keprihatinan bagi orang sakit dan orang nazak dengan melawat mereka yang tidak sihat, dengan mengangkat mereka menerusi sakramen pengurapan dan menyuburkan mereka dengan Ekaristi pada waktu mereka sakit dan apabila mereka berdepan dengan kematian. Akhir sekali, Gereja memanjatkan doa bagi orang sakit untuk menyerahkan mereka kepada Allah, terutamanya dalam krisis terakhir kehidupan. Bahagian 1: Penjagaan Pastoral bagi Orang Sakit Bab 1: Kunjungan kepada orang sakit Bab 2: Kunjungan kepada budak sakit Bab 3: Komuni kepada orang sakit Bab 4: Pengurapan orang sakit Bahagian 2: Penjagaan Pastoral bagi Orang Nazak Bab 5: Perayaan Viatikum Bab 6: Penyerahan orang nazak Bab 7: Doa untuk orang yang sudah meninggal dunia Bab 8: Upacara bagi keadaan yang luar biasa Perbezaan di antara Minyak Diberkati dengan Minyak Suci Penggunaan Minyak Diberkati oleh jemaat awam merupakan satu adat purba dalam Gereja Katolik. Pada hari ini, penggunaan minyak diberkati oleh jemaat awam sangat berleluasa dalam Gereja. Gereja mengiktiraf penggunaan minyak diberkati yang kadang-kadang digunakan untuk mengurapi orang sakit dalam kelompok doa, seminar, dan sebagainya. Bagaimanapun, minyak diberkati adalah berbeza daripada Minyak Suci. 1. Sakramen dan sakramental. Minyak suci: Minyak Katekumen, minyak Orang Sakit, dan Krisma Suci dipanggil “Minyak-minyak Suci”. Ini digunakan dalam pemberian Sakramen-sakramen.

Mintak diberkati: Minyak diberkati merupakan satu sakramental yang dapat digunakan oleh jemaat awam untuk kegunaan peribadi. Sakramental adalah objek, doa, dan sebagainya yang membantu kita berkembang dalam kehidupan rohani kita dan meningkatkan kebaktian kita kepada kepercayaan kita. Contoh sakramental adalah rosari, air suci, skapular, pingat, pemberkatan, dan sebagainya. 2. Penggunaan dan tujuan Minyak suci: Ini digunakan oleh pelayan yang ditahbis (uskup, paderi, diakon) dalam pemberian sakramen-sakramen. Minyak diberkati: Ini sering digunakan oleh individu awam untuk kegunaan mereka sendiri. Tujuan utama bagi minyak ini adalah bagi penguatan, penyembuhan dan perlindungan daripada kemudaratan. 3. Sumber Minyak suci: Yesus memulakan Sakramen-sakramen. Sakramen-sakramen merupakan tanda-tanda rahmat yang mujarab dan memberikan kehidupan ilahi kepada kita. Minyak diberkati: Gereja Katolik memulakan sakramentalsakramental. Sakramental-sakramental mendapatkan rahmat atau kuasa menerusi doa-doa Gereja. Ia menyediakan seseorang itu untuk menerima buah-buah Sakramen-sakramen. 4. Pemberkatan Minyak suci: Minyak Katekumen, Minyak Orang Sakit, dan Minyak Krisma diberkati oleh Uskup di Katedral di mana dia disertai para paderi keuskupan. Misa ini biasanya diadakan pada Hari Khamis Kudus dan dikenali sebagai Misa Krisma. Minyak diberkati: Ini diberkati oleh mana-mana pelayan yang ditahbis di mana-mana tempat dan pada bila-bila masa yang baik. Apabila menggunakan minyak diberkati sebagai satu sakramental, seorang individu awam mempunyai kewajipan: 1. untuk menjelaskan kepada mereka yang hadir bahawa dia tidak memberikan Sakramen yang terbatas kepada uskup atau paderi; 2. untuk memastikan orang tidak keliru mengenai minyak diberkati yang diberikan oleh individu awam dengan Minyak Suci Gereja yang diberikan oleh paderi dalam Sakramen Pengurapan Orang Sakit; dan 3. untuk memastikan penggunaan minyak diberkati (atau mana-mana sakramental lain) tidak dikaitkan dengan kepercayaan tahyul atau memiliki kuasa ajaib tersendiri. Akan bersambung (Terjemahan)

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

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Ciri pada bacaan Misa Ahad: 8 Ogos 2021—Hari Minggu Ke-19 dalam Masa Biasa Tahun B (1 Raja-raja 19:4–8; Efesus 4:30–5:2; Yohanes 6:41–51)

‘Skandal’ Ilahi

Orang yang mendengar Yesus tergamam. Mereka merungut kepada satu sama lain mengenai ajaran-Nya yang susah ini. Mereka terkejut dengan dua perkara yang Dia sebut. Pertama, Dia telah turun dari syurga. Kedua, Dia adalah roti untuk dimakan. Dua perkara yang Dia sebut ini adalah penuh ‘skandal’ bagi orang beragama pada zaman Yesus, dan ini masih juga sama bagi orang yang tidak ada kepercayaan pada hari ini. Kenapa? Pertama, Dia datang dari syurga—ini bermakna Yesus adalah ilahi. Ini adalah kekufuran kerana hanya Allah sahaja yang ilahi; tidak ada manusia yang ilahi kerana ini adalah kelazimannya. Allah dan manusia adalah terpisah; mereka adalah kewujudan yang sama sekali berbeza; mereka tidak dapat digabung; jika dapat, maka Allah bukanlah Allah. Ini juga adalah kepercayaan dalam beberapa agama sekarang. Allah bukan lelaki mahupun wanita kerana Allah adalah Allah—titik. Bagi kita yang percaya, ini adalah wahyu ilahi dari Allah. Allah memaklumkan kepada kita bahawa Yesus adalah Allah. Bagaimanakah ini boleh berlaku? Pada pendapat saya, dengan menggunakan logik sekular, ini

boleh berlaku kerana tiada yang mustahil bagi Allah. Jika kita menyatakan Allah adalah maha berkuasa dan dapat mengerjakan semua perkara, sudah tentulah Allah dapat juga menjadi manusia. Itulah apa yang Allah lakukan dalam Yesus Kristus! Inilah kepercayaan kita menurut wahyu ilahi. Bagaimanapun, persoalannya bukan BAGAIMANA Allah dapat melakukan perkara ini. Sebaliknya, persoalannya adalah KENAPA Allah mahu berbuat demikian. Jawapan kepada KENAPA adalah kerana Allah ingin bersolidariti dengan kita dalam pengalaman manusiawi kita. Allah begitu mengasihi kita sehinggakan Sang Pencipta sanggup untuk seakan-akan “menurun taraf” Diri dan menjadi makhluk. Dengan cara ini, Allah boleh menyatakan dengan sebenarnya bahawa Dia tahu siapa diri kita yang sebenarnya kerana Allah pernah mengalami apa yang kita alami dalam hidup. Yesus telah merasai semua jenis pengalaman manusia, contohnya sukacita, kesakitan, penderitaan, kerja, istirahat, dan sebagainya. Maka itu, apabila kita berdoa dan berbual secara intim dengan Yesus, kita dapat membina perhubungan yang bermakna dan boleh difahami kerana kita percaya Yesus benar-benar memahami kita.

Hati ke hati...

dari pena penulis jemputan,

Fr Peter Liston

Kekecilan atau kekurangan dalam diri sering kali menjadi penghalang bagi kebanyakan kita untuk melakukan sesuatu tugas atau kerja yang penting. Kadang-kadang ia boleh menjadi halangan yang besar bagi seseorang untuk mengejar impian dan berjaya dalam hidupnya. Apabila kita disuruh untuk melakukan suatu perkara yang penting, jawapan atau alasan yang sering kita dengar ialah seperti: “Kenapa pula saya? Kamu salah orang ni kan? Suruh orang lain

lah! Saya tidak layak untuk memikul tanggungjawab ini sebab saya tidak pandai, saya banyak kelemahan, saya tak sekolah tinggi macam orang lain” dan sebagainya. Kebanyakan kita lebih cenderung berkata ‘Tidak’ daripada memberi diri kita peluang untuk mencuba. Kita suka memandang rendah pada diri sendiri, kurang yakin dengan keupayaan sendiri. Kita suka membandingkan diri kita dengan orang lain dengan cara yang negatif. Kita lebih suka melihat kepada kelemahan dan kekurangan yang ada pada diri kita sendiri. Dengan

Oleh Fr Francis Lim, SJ

Kedua adalah isu roti yang dimakan. Yesus menyatakan roti yang Dia akan beri adalah daging-Nya, demi kehidupan dunia. Untuk memakan daging manusia lain bererti untuk menjadi kanibal, sesuatu yang dilarang oleh kebanyakan tamadun. Oleh itu, kita ada satu lagi konsep penuh ‘skandal’ yang malah tidak disukai segelintir orang Kristian pada hari ini—roti Ekaristi merupakan tubuh sebenar Kristus. Bagi orang Yahudi pada zaman Yesus, ia adalah cukup kufur untuk menyatakan bahawa seseorang manusia itu adalah Allah, apatah lagi untuk menyatakan roti itu adalah daging-Nya! Sekali lagi, isu perdebatan di sini, pada pendapat saya, ialah bukan BAGAIMANA roti Ekaristi dapat menjadi hadirat sebenar (the real presence) Yesus, tetapi KENAPA Ia mahu benar-benar hadir (present) di dalam roti itu. Jawapan kepada KENAPA ini ialah kerana Yesus mahu benar-benar bersatu dengan kita apabila kita menerima Komuni Kudus. Ia bukan sekadar SIMBOL bagi komuni atau kesatuan-Nya dengan kita, tetapi ia adalah hadirat SEBENAR Yesus yang menyatukan diri dengan kita. Saya bukan sekadar menerima simbol Kristus, tetapi Kristus yang sebenarnya. Satu lagi sebab yang Yesus berikan ialah “demi kehidupan dunia”.

ini kita akan menolak apa jua tugasan penting yang diberikan kepada kita. Bila ini berlaku, kita akan lupa apa yang kita boleh lakukan demi kebaikan dan keperluan orang lain. Kita menutup pintu kepada peluang untuk memikul peranan serta tugas yang penting. Mengimbas kembali pengalaman saya pada usia remaja dan di alam pekerjaan, saya akan berusaha untuk mencari alasan yang sekukuhnya supaya tidak diberi tugasan yang berat dan mencabar. Hakikatnya, bukan saya tidak mahu tetapi saya merasakan diri saya terlalu kecil, lemah dan tidak layak untuk memikul tanggungjawab itu. Saya memilih untuk terus kekal berada dalam zon selesa. Jawapan yang sama juga saya pernah gunakan bila beberapa individu menyuruh saya masuk seminari untuk menjadi paderi. Saya dengan selamba menjawab sambil tersenyum: “Kamu bergurau kah ini? Haa … muka saya ini nak jadi Father?” Namun dalam ucapan pada hari pentahbisan kepaderian saya beberapa tahun yang lalu, saya telah menyatakan walaupun saya ditahbis menjadi paderi, ini bukan bermakna saya

Demi kemuliaan Allah yang lebih agung

Dia memberikan kita tubuhNya sendiri sebagai makanan untuk memberikan kita kehidupan, dan kehidupan ini adalah kehidupan yang sebenar (bukan simbolik) kerana roti itu dimakan dan menjadi sebahagian daripada kita di dalam badan kita. Maka itu, dengan menggabungkan dua perkara di atas, kita ada perkara iman ini: yang Ilahi telah turun dari atas untuk memberikan kita kehidupan ilahi dengan cara yang sebenar. Seperti pada masa silam, ketika roti manna turun dari syurga untuk menjadi makanan bagi bangsa Israel yang menjadi penziarah, sekarang Yesus, Roti Kehidupan, datang kepada kita setiap kali dalam Misa untuk menjadi makanan kita, Gereja Allah yang sedang melakukan ziarah. Roti manna merupakan gambaran awal bagi Ekaristi. Ini adalah pemberian percuma dari Allah, sama juga seperti bagaimana Allah secara percuma menyediakan dan memberi makanan dan minuman kepada Elia dalam pembacaan pertama sebelum dia melakukan ziarah selama 40 hari dan malam. Demikian juga, Allah ingin memberikan Diri-Nya sendiri sebagai makanan percuma untuk perjalanan harian kita yang mungkin sangat jauh dan meletihkan. (Terjemahan)

lebih hebat, bijak atau lebih baik dari orang lain. Sesungguhnya, saya memang tidak layak disebabkan oleh dosa dan kelemahan yang ada pada diri saya. Namun Tuhan sendirilah yang memilih saya, dan Dia memanggil dan mengasihi saya seadanya. Kita sering memikirkan bahawa diri kita ini bukan siapa-siapa. Kita lebih cenderung memikirkan apa yang kita boleh lakukan sahaja. Tetapi kita lupa tentang apa yang Tuhan boleh lakukan melalui diri kita, bagaimana Tuhan boleh bekerja melalui diri kita di sebalik kekecilan, kelemahan dan kekurangan yang kita ada. Jika kita bersikap terbuka dan menyerahkan diri kita sepenuhnya kepadaNya, Dia akan menggunakan pemberian yang sekecil manapun yang kita miliki untuk sesuatu yang lebih besar serta bermakna demi kebaikan dan keperluan orang lain. “Ada seorang budak di sini yang mempunyai lima buku roti barli dan dua ekor ikan. Tetapi tidak mungkin akan cukup untuk orang seramai ini!” (Yoh 6:9). Seperti budak yang hanya ada lima roti dan dua ekor ikan. Bagi kita ia amatlah mustahil untuk

mengenyangkan ramai orang namun Tuhan boleh melakukan mukjizat dengan menggunakan apa yang kecil, sikit atau kurang di mata manusia untuk memberi makan kepada beribu orang. Tuhan tidak memandang kepada saiz atau kuantiti tetapi kepada sikap kita yang ingin menyerahkan diri kita sepenuhnya dengan penuh keimanan agar kita dapat menjadi alat untuk menyampaikan cinta kasih, sukacita, damai serta pengharapan-Nya kepada ramai orang. Kita boleh bergantung kepada diri sendiri dengan kekuatan dan kebolehan yang kita ada tetapi ia tidak akan sempurna sekiranya tiada ruang atau tempat untuk Tuhan dalam diri kita. Kita mungkin lupa dan tidak sedar akan kehadiran seseorang iaitu Tuhan, yang sebenarnya bekerja dalam dan melalui diri kita. Dialah yang mampu mengubah perkara yang kecil atau nampak mustahil kepada hal yang besar dan tidak mustahil. “Aku dapat melakukan segalanya melalui Kristus yang memberiku kekuatan.” (Filipi 4:13)

IMAN DAN HIDUP

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TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

CWS Home of Peace

Rumah warga emas memerlukan sokongan anda

Pusat Home of Peace (Rumah Harapan) yang terletak di Jalan Landeh, Batu 10, Kota Padawan, merupakan sebuah Rumah bagi warga emas yang dibina oleh ‘Catholic Welfare Services Council Sarawak’ (CWS) atau Majlis Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Katolik Sarawak. Rumah ini diurus oleh perkumpulan ‘Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak’ (SSFS). Home of Peace ditubuhkan pada 2009 sebagai sebuah Rumah untuk orang miskin tanpa mengira kaum, agama atau kepercayaan. Bagaimanapun, dengan pengembangan dan pembukaan Fasa 2 pada 2019, ia sekarang menerima permohonan daripada pesara yang mempunyai pencen bulanan, selain warga emas yang dapat memberi sumbangan kepada kos penyelenggaraan dan operasi Rumah itu.

Sr Ursula Lian Dalam satu temu ramah dengan Sr Ursula Lian, Matron Rumah, beliau menyuarakan rasa terkejut kerana selepas 12 tahun, ramai orang yang masih tidak tahu tentang kewujudan Rumah itu. “Mereka hanya tahu ketika mereka mencari tempat untuk meletakkan ibu bapa mereka yang sudah tua. Malah orang Katolik sendiri tidak tahu kita ada Rumah Katolik untuk warga emas,” katanya.

Para Penghuni Sekarang terdapat 34 orang penghuni, yang mana tiga terlantar di katil dan 13 menggunakan kerusi roda. Ada yang menghidap demensia atau kenyanyukan dan memerlukan penjagaan. Sebuah pasukan yang dianggotai 23 kakitangan dan Sr Eunicia membantu Sr Ursula untuk menjaga para penghuni. “Saya sangat gembira kerana semua mereka adalah orang yang sangat komited, boleh diharapkan dan bertanggungjawab. Itu adalah sesuatu yang menyenangkan saya secara peribadi. Saya mengucapkan syukur kepada Allah untuk itu,” katanya. “Zaman sekarang adalah mencabar, dan dengan lebih ramai orang yang memohon untuk memasuki Rumah ini, kita mungkin perlu meningkat jumlah kakitangan untuk melayani Rumah ini dan para penghuninya.” Sr Ursula berkata para penghuni Rumah dijaga dengan baik, terutamanya dari segi keperluan jasmani dan rohani. “Mereka sangat setia kepada kehidupan doa mereka. Mereka berdoa setiap hari, dengan doa Rosari pada waktu pagi dan doa Kerahiman Ilahi selepas tengah hari. Mereka memanjatkan doa istimewa terutamanya bagi ‘Friends and Benefactors of Hope’ (Rakan dan Penderma Harapan), penderma, kakitangan, uskup, paderi dan malah bagi mereka yang meminta doa-doa mereka. Disebabkan oleh pandemik COVID-19, mereka tidak dapat menghadiri Misa fizikal, tetapi mereka tidak pernah tidak menyertai Misa strim langsung setiap Ahad dan setiap kali ada hari raya atau Misa strim langsung untuk orang sakit, sama ada dari Gereja St Ann atau Katedral St Joseph.” PAVILION Sr Ursula berharap Pavilion (Astaka) yang dibina pada 2015

MERAIKAN KEHIDUPAN … Para penghuni berhimpun untuk menyambut harijadi mereka sekali setiap tiga bulan. dapat dibina semula dan digunakan untuk perkara yang lebih baik. Beliau berkata ia dapat diubah untuk dijadikan sebuah kawasan serbaguna. “Ia boleh digunakan sebagai sudut rekreasi para penghuni dengan TV, di mana mereka dapat berehat sambil minum kopi/ teh di sana, pada waktu yang sama jururawat dapat memeriksa tekanan darah dan TPR mereka di sana juga, kerana kawasan jururawat sekarang terlalu kecil dan sesak,” katanya. Sr Ursula mencadangkan agar Pavilion itu juga dapat menempatkan tandas tambahan bagi kesenangan para penghuni yang sering mengalami keadaan tandas yang tidak mencukupi dalam bilik-bilik mereka. ‘Friends of Hope’ Menurut Sr Ursula, Rumah itu kini sedang menghadapi kekangan kewangan selepas tidak ramai lagi orang yang tampil dengan sumbangan disebabkan oleh pandemik. “Sekarang kami hanya ada beberapa penderma tetap sahaja, dan dermawan. Puji Tuhan, kita ada ‘Friends of Hope’ (Rakanrakan Harapan), kalau tidak bagaimana untuk meneruskan kehidupan? ‘Friends of Hope’ sekurang-kurangnya memberikan bantuan kepada kami. Saya sangat menghormati mereka. Saya harap dan merayu agar ramai lagi orang tampil untuk mendaftar diri sebagai ‘Friends of Hope’.” ‘Friends of Hope’ merupakan satu program kesinambungan yang dilancarkan oleh Rumah itu pada tahun lepas (Mei 2020) di kemuncak pandemik COVID-19 yang menyebabkan penurunan kutipan yang mendadak bagi Rayuan Tahunan Musim Lent CWS.

Untuk membantu dengan kos operasi Rumah itu, penderma mendaftar diri untuk sama ada menyumbang jumlah bulanan minimum sebanyak RM100 atau membuat sumbangan tahunan. Anggaran perbelanjaan operasi keseluruhan sekarang bagi Rumah itu sebanyak RM50,000 sebulan. Program ‘Friends of Hope’ telah mengutip RM506,755 sejak pengenalannya sehingga 30 Jun 2021. Buat masa sekarang, terdapat beberapa bahagian bangunan utama yang perlu diperbaiki dan diselenggara, terutamanya bumbung, siling dan pancur. Apabila hujan lebat turun, “anda dapat melihat kebocoran di mana-mana”, kata Sr Ursula. Beberapa utiliti juga memerlukan perhatian segera, seperti paip, tandas, singki, lampu dan kerusi roda. Malah pemotong semak dan mesin basuh perlu diperbaiki dari semasa ke semasa. Sr Ursula menyuarakan kesyukurannya kepada semua rakan-rakan Harapan. “Saya memberi jaminan bagi doa-doa saya untuk anda. Saya terutamanya berdoa agar Allah memberkati anda dan anggota keluarga anda dengan kelimpahan, dan semoga semua kita dilindungi daripada kemudaratan dan bahaya, terutamanya daripada COVID-19. Terima kasih dan Allah memberkati.” Untuk maklumat lanjut tentang ‘Home of Peace’ dan bagaimana untuk mengambil bahagian sebagai ‘Friends of Hope’, anda dapat menghubungi Sr Ursula Lian di talian 018-2401337, 0143942425 (pejabat). Ivy Chai (Terjemahan)

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Dari meja pengarang

Adakah sekarang masanya untuk kesesalan dan penyesalan?

Menjelang sambutan Hari Kebangsaan pada 31 Ogos, ramai daripada kita rasa sedih mengenai nasib ribuan orang yang terjejas akibat pandemik. Adakah kita melaksanakan tanggungjawab sosial Kristian untuk membantu mereka yang ada keperluan? Pusat Home of Peace di Kota Padawan merupakan sebuah rumah untuk warga emas, dibina oleh Catholic Welfare Services Sarawak (CWS) pada 2009. Ia diurus oleh perkumpulan ‘Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak’ (SSFS). Situasi COVID-19 yang berlarutan di negeri ini telah menjejaskan tabung kewangannya. Rumah itu merayu sokongan daripada ‘Friends of Hope’, satu kempen yang ia lancarkan pada tahun lepas untuk melengkapi perbelanjaan operasi. Bagi isu Today’s Catholic, kami telah menemuramah Sir Ursula Lian, Matron Rumah tersebut. Sila baca untuk melihat bagaimana anda dapat menyokong mereka. Apakah perkara lain yang anda dapat buat? Adakah

sekarang masanya untuk kita menumpukan perhatian kita kepada lebih banyak doa dan penebusan? Al-Kitab memberitahu kita bahawa Yesus sudah menebus dosa-dosa kita menerusi darah-Nya yang tidak ternilai sama sekali. “Dialah yang memikul kelemahan kita dan menanggung penyakit kita.” (Matius 8:17). Adakah ini masanya untuk berlutut dan menyesali dosa-dosa dunia? Marilah kita berdoa untuk penyembuhan dan pembebasan daripada kemelut politik dan pandemik yang sudah begitu lama membelenggu kita. Dengan nada yang lebih ceria, kita juga bersukacita dan mengucapkan tahniah kepada Paderi-paderi Jesuit, Francis Lim dan Alvin Ng, di atas Ikrar Kaul Abadi mereka pada 31 Julai yang distrim secara langsung kepada komuniti Kristian. Tahniah juga kepada Uskup Agung Simon Poh di atas Ulang Tahun Kepaderian beliau yang ke-33, juga pada 31 Julai! (Terjemahan)

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CATHOLIC today’s THE TEAM PENERBIT Uskup Agung Kuching PENASIHAT Fr Felix Au EDITOR Ivy Chai EDITOR BERSEKUTU (B Cina) Magdalene Yeo SIDANG EDITOR Freddy Bohari (BM) Mabel Salin (Halaman Kanak-kanak B Inggeris) James Lo (B Cina) Cecil Yong (B Cina) Margaret Bong (Halaman Kanak-kanak B Cina) STAF Shannon Wei

P EDaripada RU TUskup U Agung SAN Simon Poh

Saudara-saudari yang dikasihi dalam Tuhan, Kita meraikan peristiwa-peristiwa yang signifikan dalam masa beberapa bulan ini bagi Sarawak dan Malaysia. < Pada 22 Julai, kita menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Sarawak. < Pada 31 Ogos, Malaysia akan meraikan Hari Kebangsaan. < Pada 16 September akan datang, kita akan menyambut Hari Malaysia untuk memperingati hari Sarawak, Sabah dan Singapura sebagai negara-negara berdaulat, menyertai Malaya untuk membentuk Malaysia. Nama “Malaysia” diguna pakai pada 1963 apabila negeri-negeri sedia ada dalam Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, bersama Singapura, Borneo Utara dan Sarawak membentuk persekutuan baharu. Satu teori tentang pemilihan nama Malaysia ialah “si” melambangkan penggabungan Singapura, Borneo Utara Sabah dan Sarawak dengan Malaya. Walau apa pun, pada 16 September 1963, sebuah negara baharu dipanggil Malaysia dilahirkan. Sebagai orang Kristian yang tinggal di Malaysia selepas 58 tahun, satu soalan yang berkaitan adalah, “Sebagai warga negara, apakah peranan kita sebagai orang Kristian dan Gereja di Malaysia pada hari ini?” Dalam masa beberapa bulan ini di mana kita meraikan pembinaan negara bangsa kita, saya ingin membahagikan renungan saya tentang kewajipan kita kepada Allah dan kepada negara kita, Malaysia. 1. Berdoa bagi Negara dan Para Pemimpin Kita Tugas pertama orang Kristian untuk negaranya adalah berdoa. Rasul Paulus menulis, “Maka itu, pertama sekali, saya menggesa agar permohonan, doa syafaat dan ucapan syukur dipanjatkan bagi semua, bagi raja-raja dan semua pembesar, agar kita dapat menjalani kehidupan yang tenang dan tenteram, soleh dan hormat dalam segalanya!” (1 Timotius 2:1–2). Ia adalah penting untuk mengambil kira bahawa pada Abad Pertama, Maharaja menindas orang Kristian, namun Paulus tidak meminta mereka menggunakan kaedah yang ganas untuk melawan balik. Sebaliknya, dia menyeru kepada semua orang percaya untuk berdoa setiap hari dan meminta Allah mengubah keadaan dengan doa dan tindakan yang akan pada akhirnya menjurus kepada kedamaian dan kemenangan kebaikan ke atas kejahatan. Maka itu orang Kristian dipanggil untuk menjadi “garam bumi” dan “cahaya dunia” (Matius 5:13–14) dengan membawa nilai-nilai yang mengubah masyarakat. Semua nilai manusiawi yang tulen dapat dijumpai dalam ajaran Injil. Dalam doa, kita diseru untuk datang dengan rendah hati kepada Allah kita dan berdoa untuk negara dan para pemimpin kita—baik

politik mahupun rohani. Allah menjanjikan itu “dan maka itu, jika umat Aku yang atasnya nama-Ku disebut merendahkan diri, berdoa dan mencari wajah-Ku, lalu berbalik daripada jalan-jalannya yang jahat, maka Aku akan mendengar dari syurga dan mengampuni dosa mereka, serta memulihkan negeri mereka.” (2 Tawarikh 7:14) 2. Daftar Diri Sebagai Pengundi dan Mengundi Dalam kerajaan yang demokratik, kebebasan untuk memilih para pemimpin menerusi pengundian merupakan hak setiap warga negara. Untuk mengundi bermaksud untuk berdiri dan diambil kira. Maka itu, pendaftaran untuk pengundi merupakan satu tanggungjawab yang semula jadi sebagai seorang warga Kristian yang sudah mencapai usia mengundi. Allah telah mengamanahkan penjagaan ini kepada kita sebagai hamba-Nya yang taat untuk bekerja demi kebaikan Negara kita dan Gereja pada umumnya. Ini bukan bermaksud bahawa kita mengundi dengan membabibuta atau menurut populariti seseorang calon. Setiap Kristian harus mencari ilmu pengetahuan untuk mengetahui dengan baik tentang visi parti politik dan ahli politik. Dalam Keluaran 18:16–22, apabila Musa memerlukan para pemimpin untuk membantunya memerintah rakyat, Allah meminta Musa memilih lelaki-lelaki dengan kualiti-kualiti ini. < Keupayaan dalam kepimpinan. < Kealiman dan sentiasa berusaha untuk menjalin perhubungan yang betul dengan Allah. < Boleh dipercayai. < Integriti supaya mereka tidak dapat disogok. < Para pemimpin yang saksama. Maka itu, kita mencari kualiti-kualiti di atas dalam para pemimpin kita. Setiap warga negara perlu mengundi menurut nurani hatinya di hadapan Allah. Justeru, kita mahu memilih para pemimpin yang alim dan dapat memastikan kebaikan rakyat yang berbagai kaum, agama dan kedudukan sosial. Sementara ia adalah penting bagi kita untuk menuntut kualiti-kualiti sedemikian daripada para pemimpin rohani atau politik kita, marilah kita juga mengingatkan diri tentang pedang bermata dua ini. Setiap orang Kristian diseru untuk mencapai kualiti-kualiti ini sebagai sebahagian daripada kepimpinan dan penjagaan kita dalam setiap keluarga, tempat kerja dan kepimpinan kita, di mana kita telah diamanahkan. Apabila kita dengan ikhlas “cari kerajaan Allah dan kebenaranNya (perhubungan yang betul dengan Allah dan sesama), maka semua perkara lain yang kita perlukan akan diberikan kepada kita juga”. (Mt 6:33) Bersambung di ms26

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Bersambung dari ms25

“Berikanlah kepada Kaisar apa yang kamu wajib berikan kepada Kaisar, dan kepada Allah apa kamu wajib berikan kepada Allah.” (Matius 22:15–22)

Yesus mengajar kita bahawa sebagai warga negara yang tinggal di sesebuah negara, kita memberikan kepada kerajaan kita apa yang wajib diberikan kepadanya. Pada masa yang sama, sebagai umat yang dikasihi Allah, kita mesti memberikan kepada Allah apa yang wajib diberikan kepada-Nya—ibadat kita, masa kita, bakat, harta karun dan amalan yang baik. Sebagai penjaga yang baik, kita mesti menjadi rakan Allah dalam usaha untuk mewujudkan dunia penuh kasih, kedamaian, keadilan dan kelimpahan bagi semua. < Bayar cukai kita yang sepatutnya kepada kerajaan yang kita pilih. (Roma 13:7) < Bertanggungjawab dan telus dalam urusan kita. (Lukas 3:13–14) < Bertanggungjawab bagi ekologi yang Allah telah cipta. Allah mengamanahkan kita untuk menjadi para penjaga-Nya di bumi ini. Secara konkrit, kita berusaha untuk mengurangkan tapak kaki karbon dioksida. Kita menggunakan produk tempatan untuk merangsang ekonomi tempatan. Kita mengurangkan pengambilan daging dan penggunaan produk plastik. < Dermalah untuk mengurangkan penderitaan terutamanya pada waktu pandemik sekarang. Berikanlah kepada Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) atau badan kebajikan yang diiktiraf untuk mengurangkan kemiskinan. < Derma darah untuk menyelamatkan nyawa warga senegara. < Berdoa untuk negara kita dan dunia. Sebagai orang Kristian yang meraikan Hari Sarawak, Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia, semoga doa-doa, pengorbanan, komitmen dan tindakan kita dalam kerjasama demi kebaikan semua manusia dan ekologi dapat membina solidariti, keharmonian, penerimaan antara satu sama lain, dan rasa hormat di tanahair kita. “Hendaklah cahayamu bersinar di depan orang lain; supaya mereka melihat perbuatanmu yang baik dan memberi pujian kepada Bapa kamu di syurga.” (Matius 5:16) Dengan berkat dan doa saya.  Uskup Agung Simon Poh ( Terjemahan)

UNIFOR keluarkan SOP baharu untuk Fasa 2 Pemulihan Sarawak KUCHING — Pengerusi Persatuan Gereja-Gereja Sarawak (ACS), Uskup Agung Simon Poh, telah menyuarakan penghargaan kepada UNIFOR bagi Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) baharu yang membenarkan rumah ibadat dan gereja dibuka semula kepada kongregasi mereka. Bagaimanapun, selepas konsultasi dengan ketua-ketua gereja ACS, konsensus umum adalah “untuk berwaspada dan berhati-hati sebelum membuka gereja kita seawal hujung minggu ini, terutamanya di Kuching di mana kes jangkitan semakin meningkat dan mencapai 184 menurut laporan pada Jumaat. Kita juga tahu bahawa ini mungkin jangkitan varian Delta yang kini sudah dikesan di Sarawak,” Uskup Agung memaklumkan media pada 23 Julai lalu. Kawasan di bawah Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD) telah dinasihatkan untuk menangguhkan pembukaan semula “kerana lingkaran sosial umum bagi kontak oleh orang dalam kawasan yang terjejas itu”. Uskup Agung Simon memberitahu sejak PKP pada Jun lalu dan kempen sekarang untuk mempercepatkan vaksinasi, kita sedang melihat lengkuk jangkitan diratakan dengan perlahan. Beliau merasakan “ia adalah penting bagi kita untuk tidak merosakkan pengorbanan selama berbulan-bulan yang kita

Uskup Agung Simon Poh telah lakukan untuk membendung semua tatkala kita berusaha untuk membendung gelombang gelombang ini”. sekarang.” Uskup Agung Simon turut Semua rumah ibadat untuk menggalakkan semua pemimpin memelihara SOP keselamatan Uskup Ketua menambah: keagamaan untuk sentiasa berdoa “Memandangkan virus COVID-19 dan malah mencadangkan agar menjangkiti sesiapa sahaja tanpa setiap kongregasi “menjadi pusat mengambil kira kebudayaan, kerahiman dan belaskasihan bangsa, kepercayaan atau status apabila kita menderma dan sosial, ia adalah penting bagi mendapatkan bantuan makanan kita, sebagai rakyat Sarawak dan untuk diagihkan kepada keluarga terutamanya di semua rumah di kawasan bandar atau penduduk ibadat—katedral, gereja, kuil, di kampung luar bandar yang tokong, masjid, surau dan pusat memerlukan bantuan. Justeru, keagamaan lain—bersatu hati sementara kita sendiri mungkin dan fikiran, memelihara SOP mengalami kesusahan, marilah keselamatan bagi ibadat kita— kita hidup dengan sederhana, dan terutamanya apabila rumah ibadat kita dapat menyumbang sebarang kita mengutip mata untuk pengikut kelebihan yang kita miliki untuk masing-masing yang datang dari membantu satu sama lain yang berbagai lokasi di sesebuah bandar berada dalam situasi yang lebih raya, bandar atau kampung sekitar. teruk daripada kita. Apabila semua Dan setiap keluarga memiliki orang menghulurkan tangan dan lingkaran kontak sosial mereka memberi sumbangan sedikit, yang tersendiri. Marilah kita kita menjadikan dunia tempat bekerja bersama demi kebaikan yang lebih baik hati, dengan

menawarkan harapan dan bantuan segera kepada mereka yang menderita”. “Saya menggesa kepada semua orang Kristian dan orang yang berniat baik untuk menyahut dengan kebaikan dan kemurahan hati. Bersama kita dapat membawa perbezaan bagi mereka yang memerlukan bantuan. Memandangkan kita baharu sahaja menyambut Hari Sarawak, biarlah perpaduan dan keharmonian kita menjadi saksi bagi siapa kita sebagai rakyat Sarawak. Semoga Allah memberkati, melindungi dan membebaskan kita daripada pandemik ini. Amin.”

Gereja-gereja dalam Keuskupan Agung Kuching Bagi Keuskupan Agung Katolik Kuching, Uskup Agung Simon berkata kebanyakan paderi bersetuju dengannya, bahawa mengambil kira ketidaktentuan varian Delta yang sudah dikesan di Sarawak, gereja-gereja akan menggunakan minggu akan datang untuk mengemaskinikan SOP yang sedia ada selain menjalankan latihan dan semakan dalaman bagi pasukan-pasukan ibadat dan sembahyang, sebelum dibuka semula. “Pada akhirnya, kesihatan dan keselamatan umat kita adalah keutamaan kita yang juga akan menyumbang kepada keselamatan umum bagi seluruh rakyat Sarawak,” katanya. *Muat turun SOP Ivy Chai (Terjemahan)

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Professio ad hostiam

Ikrar Kaul Abadi bagi Fr Alvin Ng, SJ dan Fr Francis Lim, SJ KUCHING — Pada 31 Julai 2021, yang merupakan hari raya St Ignatius Loyola, disebabkan oleh sekatan akibat COVID-19, tidak ramai orang menghadiri Misa Ikrar Kaul Abadi bagi Paderi-paderi Jesuit, Alvin Ng dan Francis Lim. Bagaimanapun ramai penonton mengambil bahagian dalam Misa strim langsung itu. Pemimpin Misa, Fr Stanley Goh, SJ menerima ikrar kaul mereka. Beliau diwakilkan oleh Ketua Wilayah MalaysiaSingapura (MAS), Fr Chris Soh, SJ yang seterusnya mewakili Ketua Bapa ‘Society of Jesus’. Fr Chris tidak dapat datang ke Kuching disebabkan oleh sekatan perjalanan akibat pandemik sekarang. Seperti semua ikrar kaul Jesuit, ia dilakukan professio ad hostiam (ikrar di hadapan hos Ekaristi). Ikrar itu dibuat oleh Fr Alvin dan Fr Francis, ketika hos ditunjukkan oleh pemimpin Misa sejurus sebelum beliau menyambut komuni. Selepas itu baharulah mereka berdua menerima komuni. Professio ad hostiam Ketika Ignatius dan sahabatsahabatnya membuat ikrar terakhir mereka di Basilika St Paul-Outside-the-Walls pada 22 April 1541, mereka menggunakan upacara yang berbeza sama sekali dan ia kemudian dimasukkan ke dalam Konstitusi ‘Society of Jesus’. Upacara ini digunakan untuk kedua-dua ikrar kaul pertama dan kaul terakhir. Upacara itu berbeza daripada upacara ikrar biasa pada ketika itu, malah sehingga ke hari ini. Ia bukan professio super altare atau professio in manus, tetapi professio ad hostiam untuk menandakan bahawa ia bukan perkumpulan biara yang stabil mahupun perkumpulan religius pengemis. Ia merupakan perkumpulan apostolik dengan aspek kontemplatif. Professio super altare Ikrar kaul di atas altar adalah upacara biara. Sewaktu upacara penyampaian pemberian, novis mula-mula melafazkan secara lisan janjinya dengan memberikan komitmen kepada kestabilan biara, pembaharuan hidup, dan amalan ketaatan.

Kemudian dia meletakkan di atas altar permintaannya yang merupakan satu dokumen yang ditulis dengan tangannya sendiri yang akan menjadi bukti bagi janjinya dan keinginannya untuk memasuki dan membentuk sebahagian daripada biara itu. Pada hujung Misa, ketua biara mengambil permintaan tadi dari altar dan membawanya keluar sebagai tanda penerimaan janji novis yang baharu melafazkan ikrar kaul itu. Professio in manus Ikrar kaul ke dalam tangan diilhamkan oleh pemberian penghormatan oleh orang bawahan kepada tuannya pada zaman feudal di Eropah. Ia diguna-pakai oleh perkumpulan religius pengemis pada abad ke-13, contohnya perkumpulan Dominikan dan Fransiskan. Ikrar kaul di atas altar ditinggalkan oleh golongan religius pengemis kerana mereka tidak memberi ikrar kepada kestabilan biara. Sebaliknya, mereka dikenali sebagai ‘mendicants’, iaitu religius yang mengemis. Sambil berlutut di hadapan ketua, novis menyatukan tangannya dan ketua mengambilnya dengan kedua-dua tangannya sendiri. Dalam postur tunduk ini, dia melafazkan ikrar kaul dan kemudian ketua memberikannya ciuman kedamaian. Unsur utama di sini adalah penyatuan tangan novis dengan tangan ketuanya, yang menandakan komitmen bagi penundukan peribadi kepada ketua utama. Makna professio ad hostiam Dari sudut pandangan mistik dan rohani, si Jesuit yang melafazkan ikrar kaul melafazkan ikrar kaulnya kepada hadirat sebenar (real presence) Yesus Kristus dalam Sakramen Maha Kudus. Golongan Jesuit diseru untuk mengikut Yesus Kristus dengan dekat, dan perkumpulan mereka dikenali dengan NamaNya yang kudus. Maka itu, golongan Jesuit melafazkan ikrar kaul mereka di hadapan-Nya yang memiliki Nama yang menjadi pengenalan mereka. Komuni menyusul dengan nilai pengesahan, satu ratifikasi, mohor suci yang dicopkan oleh Kristus ke atas komitmen yang telah dibuat oleh si pelafaz kepadanya.

SAYA JUGA BERIKRAR … Fr Alvin melafazkan ikrar kaulnya ketika Fr Stanley, yang mewakili Ketua Wilayah, mengangkat hos Ekaristi sejurus sebelum komuni.

SAYA BERIKRAR … Fr Francis berlutut di hadapan hos Ekaristi sambil melafazkan ikrar kaulnya. Dengan komuni ini, sejenis perjanjian dibuat di antara Allah dalam Sakramen Maha Kudus, perkumpulan itu menerusi ketua yang mengangkat hos, dan si pelafaz. Dengan memberi Ekaristi kepada si pelafaz, ketua menunjukkan bahawa dia menerima ikrar kaulnya dan menerimanya ke dalam komuni bersama dirinya sendiri dan perkumpulan. Dengan menghadiahkan diriNya sendiri, Kristus menjanjikan kepada si pelafaz kekuatan-Nya supaya dia setia kepada komitmen yang dia baharu sahaja buat. Dengan menerima Kristus, si pelafaz mempersembahkan dan memberi diri kepada Allah. Ikrar Kaul Abadi atau Ikrar Kaul Terakhir Bagi golongan Jesuit, ikrar kaul pertama yang dibuat pada hujung novisiat sudah dianggap abadi; kerana keperluan tiada bagi pembaharuan dari semasa ke semasa. Maka itu, apakah ikrar kaul terakhir yang dibuat oleh Fr Alvin dan Fr Francis baru-baru ini? Bagi ikrar kaul pertama (juga dipanggil ikrar kaul abadi sederhana), si Jesuit menyerahkan diri tanpa syarat kepada ‘Society of Jesus’ manakala perkumpulan

itu menerimanya dengan syarat. Ini bermakna seorang Jesuit dapat dihentikan dengan mudah sebelum ikrar kaul terakhir. Bagi ikrar kaul terakhir untuk ‘Brothers’ atau Koadjutor Rohani, atau ikrar kaul abadi bagi si Jesuit yang membuat lafaz sepenuhnya, si Jesuit yang telah memberikan diri tanpa syarat kepada ‘Society of Jesus’ diterima tanpa syarat juga oleh perkumpulan itu. Ini adalah sebabnya kenapa ikrar kaul terakhir berlaku bertahun-tahun selepas pentahbisan paderi Jesuit. Selepas tempoh percubaan selama bertahun-tahun, ketua dapat tidur nyenyak dengan pendapat bahawa dia dapat meninggalkan ‘Society of Jesus’ di dalam tangan yang baik apabila seorang Jesuit khusus diterima ke dalam ikrar kaul terakhir. Fr Alvin bersyukur bagi ikrar kaul terakhirnya; beliau berkata, “Saya rasa rendah diri dan bersyukur bagi pemberian ikrar kaul terakhir dalam ‘Society of Jesus’.” Bagi Fr Francis pula, beliau puas hati bahawa “ikrar kaul terakhir merupakan rentetan bagi kehidupan saya yang semula jadi di dalam ‘Society of Jesus’”. MAS Communications (Terjemahan)

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Selamat Ulang Tahun Pentadbisan Kepaderian Ke-33 Yang Diberkati kepada Uskup Agung Simon Poh

KUCHING — Uskup Agung Kuching Simon Poh mencapai satu lagi mercu dalam kehidupannya yang dikonsekrasi pada 31 Julai 2021. Tiga puluh tiga tahun lalu, beliau ditahbis menjadi paderi oleh Uskup Agung ketika itu (sekarang Emeritus) Peter Chung di Katedral St Joseph. Kakitangan di pejabat Uskup Agung menyampaikannya kek yang dihiasi dengan hos dan piala simbolik. Dalam ucapan terimakasihnya kepada kumpulan kecil yang berhimpun di lobi ACCPC, Uskup Agung Simon berkata angka ‘33’ mengingatkannya kepada kehidupan Yesus di bumi. (Terjemahan)

Menyambut Hari Sedunia bagi Datuk, Nenek dan Warga Emas KUCHING — Pelajar Sekolah Minggu telah ditanya bagaimana mereka akan menyambut Hari Sedunia bagi Datuk, Nenek dan Warga Emas yang julung kali diadakan pada Ahad, 25 Julai. Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD) sekarang tidak membolehkan ramai untuk mengunjungi datuk dan nenek serta anggota keluarga yang sudah tua. Thea Leonie Ak Tony dari Gereja Foto fail St Mark Batu Kawa, berkata: “Cara saya menunjukkan penghargaaan, kasih sayang dan penghormatan kepada mereka ialah menyambut hari jadi dan Hari Ibu bersama mereka. Seterusnya, membawa mereka bersiar siar ketika cuti sekolah ataupun pada hujung minggu. Ketika perayaan, saya akan balik ke kampung untuk menyambut bersama-sama. Saya juga akan membantu mereka mengemas rumah, memasak dan sebagainya. Dengan ini mereka akan berasa gembira dan dihormati malah dapat merasakan perasaan kasih sayang.”

TODAY’S CATHOLIC AUGUST 2021

Gereja Katolik Maria, Bonda Allah, jadi Pusat Saringan Calitan COVID-19

BATU KITANG — Dengan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Diperketatkan (PKPD) barubaru ini yang dikuatkuasakan di Kampung Bumbok, Gereja Katolik Maria, Bonda Allah, telah menawarkan gereja dan perkarangannya untuk digunakan sebagai pusat saringan calitan bagi seluruh komuniti. Kanopi tambahan telah didirikan untuk melengkapkan anjung tertutup di hadapan gereja.

Gereja Katolik Maria, Bonda Allah, menggalakkan komuniti Katolik di kampung tersebut untuk mengikut Misa Hari Minggu strim langsung dari Katedral St Joseph, Kuching. Gereja itu juga kini sedang berusaha untuk menyediakan bakul makanan bagi keluarga yang memerlukan bantuan di sana. (Terjemahan)

Foto fail Petrus Moses anak Dampa dari Gereja St Mark Batu Kawa, berkata: “Cara saya menunjukkan perhargaan, kasih sayang dan penghormatan kepada mereka ialah dengan menolong mereka apabila di kampung seperti mengemas rumah, memasak dan sebagainya. Selain itu, saya juga akan membeli barangan keperluan dapur mereka yang kurang pada setiap hujung bulan ataupun pada hujung minggu. Di samping itu, saya juga akan menghantar mereka ke hospital apabila mereka ada temu janji dengan doktor serta membawa mereka makan di kedai sebagai tanda kasih sayang saya terhadap mereka.”

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