MARCH 25, 2012, Vol 62, No 06

w w w . c a t h o l i c n e w s . s g

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20 MICA (P) 043 / 01 / 2012 PPS 201/04/2012 (022727) VOL 62 NO. 6SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012

HOMEFlight of An Angel Movie director talks about �� Page 6

HOMELiving simply Photo exhibition portrays life in monasteries� Page 7

ASIASainthood for slain Pakistani minister? Calls grow for his canonisation� Page 9

WORLDChristians in SyriaFears of persecution increase� Page 10

WORLDCommitting to Christian unityPope, Anglican leader hold prayer service� Page 11

YOUTHTeenagers share what Lent means to them� Page 15

INSIDE

rectory, an outreach ministry, a stor-age building, grotto and picnic shel-ter – previously stood on the parish grounds. After the storm, only the �� -��its adjoining wall were left standing.

�� of St Luke in Salyersville and St Martha Church in Prestonsburg, reminded his parishioners as they gathered for Mass on the weekend that the church is a com-

US churches hit as twisters wreak havocHENRYVILLE, INDIANA, USA – As one of the few buildings in town to come through intense storms near-ly intact, St Francis Xavier Church in Indiana has become a natural staging area for relief efforts, com-munity organising and prayer.

Four days after a devastating tornado hit, volunteers and profes-sionals used St Xavier, the nearby Henryville Community Church and a community centre as bases for people trying to put their lives back together.

The town of about 1,600 was one of several in the region to be severely damaged by storms that created dozens of tornadoes across 11 states on March 2 and 3.

At least 39 people were killed. ��

Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio. Substantial damage dot-ted those states as well as Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Missis-sippi, Virginia and South Carolina.

Ms Tracy Guernsey, the staff !��"��#$��!��complex, was among about 40 peo-ple still in the building when the tornado hit. She told Catholic News Service in a phone interview that if classes had not been dismissed early in the face of the advancing storm, the death toll in Henryville would have been dramatic.

She said she and about 15 oth-�� %��the school ripped off.

Also reeling were parishioners of St Luke Catholic Church in Sa-lyersville, Kentucky.

There, parishioner Helen Pennington was working in the church basement as the twister approached. Two carfuls of peo-ple passing through the area asked to seek shelter and joined her in safety while the structure ��$��%��&

Six buildings – the church, the

Parishioners of St Luke Church in Kentucky will meet for Mass in one another’s homes until a new church is built, says their parish priest.

munity of people, not a building. "��'!��

�� (��homes until a new church is built.

Catholics from neighbouring parishes also tried to salvage what they could.

At Sunday Mass at St Fran-cis Xavier on March 4, Fr Steven Schaftlein, said the church was “spared to be a symbol of hope”.

News video of the Mass showed the back pews of the

� �� !�� !��&� �#� ��next day, the entire building was �� &

)�� Lexington, Kentucky, Prince of Peace Church lost the roofs of both the rectory and the church building,

Just a few days earlier, another wave of tornadoes left 13 people dead in Illinois, Missouri and Ten-nessee.

Relief efforts included a spe-cial collection taken up in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis dur-ing weekend Masses and coordi-nation of emergency assistance ��!�� #� ��St Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities agencies. � CNS

A man helps to clear debris from the ruins of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ridgway, Illinois. The church was destroyed by the recent wave of tornadoes in the US. CNS photo

2 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews22 HOME

Archbishop’s ScholarshiprecipientsFive out of seven students who were recipients of the Arch-bishop’s Scholarship attained four distinctions or more.

Since 2010, CJC has awarded the scholarship which recognises students’ academic and sporting abili-ties, and is valued at $1,500 per annum.

Apart from Oen, the others who scored four or more dis-tinctions were Stuart Andrew Peter, Luke Ho Zhi Qiang, Bernadette Marie Low and Marie Therese Siew Hui Li.

“We thank God for His blessings,” said principal Christine Kong.

“The 2010 cohort of stu-dents at CJC have produced another year of good and improved results in the 2011 GCE A Level Examination. The positive outcomes from the hard work and determi-nation of the teachers and students only foster greater resolve in the CJC commu-nity to continue this upward trend.” �

Two Catholic Junior College stu-dents had much to rejoice when they received their GCE A Level results on March 2.

Joshua Low, formerly from the Normal stream, found it hard ��-lege life. Thaddeus Soh admitted he hardly paid attention in class and did badly for his mid-term exams.

Nevertheless, with help and support from the school, both scored 4 As.

Low had studied in St Ste-phen’s and St Patrick’s schools before entering CJC. Coming from the Normal stream, he found it tough initially to cope with his A Level studies and even admit-ted that he was “disengaged in academics”.

However, attending Mass in school (held three times a week) gave him the solace and strength to work harder, he shared. His

teachers were also very encour-aging, he said, and attributed his score of four As and one B to their help.

The arts student did some re-lief teaching at St Patrick’s School after his A Levels.

Thaddeus Soh came from a neighbourhood secondary School and, with 13 points for his O Lev-��#�7!��8!��-lege admission.

� :;�� <� �� #�� attention in class, was away from books, got into trouble and did badly in mid-terms,” he said. “Then my principal, Mrs Christine Kong, counselled �� <� �� hard and stayed away from trou-ble.”

The science student also at-tributed his four As and one B to a combination of time management, self-discipline, group study, and help from teachers. �

Supportive environmentmade all the differenceSeveral Catholic Junior College students had A Level results that were outstanding in various ways, reports Don Gurugay

Mass, counselling helped them improve grades

Thaddeus Soh (left) and Joshua Low overcame various hurdles to score four As each.

Three students who scored six As credit the school’s “family” envi-ronment for their grades.

Top science student Timothy Oen said the school’s community spirit, teachers’ dedication and support from classmates motivat-ed him to do his best.

Oen, who had a merit in H3 level Economics, was also a re-cipient of the Archbishop’s Schol-arship (see other story).

Oen, who studied in the for-Timothy Oen Ivan Teo

Erica de Souza

Top-scoring students highlight school’s communal spirit ��(��=��<��!��>� �� <��!-tion, said he liked the tranquillity of the school chapel and enjoyed ��%��&

He also found a retreat for sec-ond-year Catholic students partic-!��#� ��&� :?�� %�� !�� <� �� #��&�<��!��@��-ence,” he said.

?��!��<$�?��had a merit in H3 level literature,

said he liked the school’s atmos-��&� :<� �� !��&�There is a sense of calm and sereni-ty, tension seems to be missing and <��!�� D��&

Science student Erica de Sou-za attributed her success to her teachers.

:<�� !��-ers here,” she shared. “People are more supportive, there is a family feel, and it feels less stressful.”

H1 and H2 subjects are equiv-alent respectively to AO- and A-Level subjects used prior to 2006. H3 subjects provide students with a variety of learning opportuni-ties, including advanced content and research. �

3Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews HOME

The archdiocese’s umbrella body for overseas humanitarian aid, CHARIS, held a humanitarian as-sistance and disaster relief train-ing session recently.

The 15 participants who attend-ed included volunteers from CHAR-<�� ;��UY�� Nurses Guild and Project Kyrie, a group that assists the less privileged in Singapore and overseas.

The training, which took place on Feb 18, was held at ST Logis-tics’ Army Logistics Base along Old Chua Chu Kang Road.

ST Logistics is an independent contractor that stocks and ships relief supplies for CHARIS (Cari-tas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore). These are ��#� ��7!�� -tration systems, blankets, human sanitation equipment and tents.

During the full-day session, participants were given a com-prehensive tour of the storage

facilities and explanations on the supplies that CHARIS stockpiles. They were also given training on what to expect on the ground.

Col (Retd) Chan Jwee Kah, who headed a UN-directed mis-sion in Aceh, Indonesia, in the ��$��U__`��!-nami, shared his experiences.

He stressed the importance of being sensitive to cultural dif-ferences, working in a team, and conducting a thorough needs as-sessment before embarking on any relief mission.

“It was an eye-opener,” said one nurse participant, Ms Susan Loh. “Getting involved in the hands-on sessions was really useful.”

CHARIS will be organising two more training sessions this year in July and October. Details will be made available in due course. For more information on CHARIS, call 6338 0182 or email [email protected] �

By Martin See

The archdiocesan commission for migrants says it is pleased with the Manpower Ministry’s an-nouncement that foreign domestic workers (FDWs) be given a week-ly day off starting next year.

According to the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People =;�(<>��$��for the rights for these workers when it developed a workshop, Building Harmonious Relationship between ) ��#��{��U__|&

In a statement, ACMI said it hopes “that our local parishes welcome their fellow Catholics on their precious day off and provide them with the pastoral care that they need”.

ACMI says there are currently ��!�� U_}�___� ��{�� to Manpower Ministry statistics, �� ~_�___� �� _�___� ��Filipinas who are predominantly Catholic.

ACMI adds that “this is the best time to seriously consider the Pope’s recent Message for the World Day of Migrants and ��!��U_|U��!��faced with the challenge of help-�� and Christian communities are to accompany them with prayer, solidarity and Christian charity’”.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia, in �� U_||� (�� {��Day of Migrants, had noted that there are people who believe “do-mestic helpers should work seven days a week, sometimes even U`�}��#��

no time for themselves each day”.“If you enjoy having a day

off during the week, would it not follow that your domestic helper would also enjoy and appreciate ��!@!�#��D��&�

Catholic employers that CN contacted said they welcome the new policy.

“[Maids] have to have their time away from the home, so once a week is not too much to ask,” said Mr Michael Hong.

“It’s a fair policy that everyone needs a break. My only concern is

Migrants’ bodyhails new policy on maids’ day off

A baking class for foreign domestic workers run by ACMI. File photo

‘We sincerely hope our local parishes

welcome their fellow Catholics on their day off.’

– Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of

Migrants and Itinerant People

that my maid should not be alone without the company of friends on her day off,” said Ms Sharon Tan.

Ms Agatha Koh, on the other hand, said, “I think it’s a bit dras-tic from one to four off days [a month]. My only reservation is that now they might abuse their ��#�� -thing meaningful to do.”

Some maids contacted shared their thoughts.

“I like this new rule of the day off, as I had requested it from my employer before,” said Ms Kin from Myanmar.

“Sometimes I get a day off but I don’t know what to do. So it doesn’t really matter to me”, said Ms Jacqueline Quilates, from the Philippines.

Filipina Emily Carganillo, on the other hand, said, “I’ve already been given a weekly day off for six months already.” �

[email protected]

CHARIS holds disaster relief training session

Participants learning how to set up mobile toilets.


Lenten boostfor Mandarinspeakers

By Darren Boon

Mandarin-speaking Catholics say an annual Lenten programme for them have helped them prepare spiritually for Easter.

The programme, organised by the Commis-sion for Apostolate of Mandarin-speaking in Sin-gapore (CAMS), begins with the Stations of the Cross followed by a Mass.

<��$��{��#��$��!��Lent and draws a crowd of about 300-400 people.

The programme has been running for more than 25 years, according to CAMS.

This year’s Lenten programme is held at Church of the Risen Christ from Feb 29 to March 28.

Madam Ho, from Church of St Mary of An-gels said the programme inspires participants to �� @ �� %�� $��!��Lent, and reminds them of what “our faith is all about”.

Another participant, Madam Teresa Neo, said the programme is a reminder that “Christ is our �$��!�D��$��Catholics.

Madam Tan, from the Church of the Risen �� #� ��priest during the homily useful for her spiritual growth. �

[email protected]

By Darren Boon

Children from St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) are staging a musical on Christ’s passion over the Palm Sunday weekend.

The performance, which aims to raise money for the church building fund, will feature scenes from Christ’s passion as well as the Stations of the Cross. The music will comprise famil-iar Lenten hymns as well as songs from Christian music songwriters Danielle ��?��{��&

The event will be held at the parish’s community hall on March 31 at 7.30pm and April 1 at 2.30pm.

The average age of the participants is 11 years. They are from the catechism classes and the children’s choir which sings at every third Saturday of the month during sunset Mass.

The initiative for the musical be-gan with the leaders of the children’s choir. Subsequently, the choir roped in the catechists and the children from the catechism class for the project, said Mr �� {�� !-sical.

Apart from performing, the children of the parish have also been helping with prop-making. Several adults have

also helped make the costumes. {�� #� ��8��$��

musical is to raise money for the church

building fund, it is hoped that through the musical, the parish community “will ... better understand, experience, and appreciate the suffering and love of our '��D��(��{��&��

Church renovations were completed last December.

Brian Julian Colond, 11, who is playing the part of Jesus, said he is happy to be chosen for the role and is “honoured to show how Jesus suffered for us”.

He is working hard on his acting with the support of his parents, and hopes to put on a good performance.

He told CatholicNews that he has learnt a lot from taking part in this mu-sical, especially of how Jesus “suffered for us”, and how important it is to be His “faithful servant”.

Another participant, Miriam Saguda, 12, told CatholicNews that she is happy to “contribute to the church in some way other than giving money”.

Tickets are at $30, $50 and $50. To purchase tickets, email sjc_musical_4ushedied@hotmail .com with your contact information. You �� 0891. �

[email protected]

Children from St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) making props for their upcoming musical on the sufferings of Christ.

Kids from Bukit Timah church to stage Passion musical

5Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews HOME

Catholic Welfare Centre at 55 Wa-terloo Street will undergo renova-tion.

Refurbishment works to the nine-storey building, located next to Church of Sts Peter and Paul, are expected to begin in mid-April and last a year.

Existing tenants such as Cari-tas Singapore, Caritas Humanitar-ian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singa-pore (CHARIS), Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), CANA – The Catholic Centre, and the Apos-tolic Nunciature will temporarily relocate to other premises during the renovation.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia has accepted an offer by the Singa-pore Land Authority to extend the building lease by 30 years to 2042. Its 99-year lease was about to end.

The building’s infrastructure such as mechanical and electrical installations, and plumbing, sani-��#��#�� be upgraded to meet new building regulations and practices. The new building will have barrier-free access and meet security and environmental requirements, said the Archdiocesan Land and Prop-erties Singapore (ALPS), which is managing the renovation on be-half of Archbishop Chia.

He had established ALPS in Dec 2009 to monitor the inven-tory and properties belonging to the Titular Roman Catholic Arch-bishop of Singapore and deal with any other matters relating to land and property. The ALPS council comprises volunteers across vari-ous professions.

According to ALPS, the tenan-cy mix will change after the reno-vation to allow the building “to be a town hub of Catholic charities and the Catholic community”.

Caritas Singapore, CHARIS and CWS will expand their space and have improved facilities.

Caritas Singapore will provide services to other Catholic chari-ties and community organisations �� ;�� $�� while CHARIS will have a Hu-manitarian Resource Centre.

CWS will set up a Social Ser-vice Hub to reach out to the poor and needy, said ALPS in a state-ment to CatholicNews.

The Singapore Pastoral Institute (SPI) will also move into the reno-vated building and will manage a ��#��!��%��&�

Church groups will be able to use the meeting rooms and facili-ties available on the second and �� %��&� �;�;� �� these facilities.

The Apostolic Nunciature will ��%��&��

The Waterloo Hostel, a com-mercial hostel that occupies three %��!��!��no longer operate at the renovated premises.

To add vibrancy to the build-ing, the archdiocese is also calling for tenders to operate a Catholic ��!��!��%��(see box on right).

Temporary premises

Caritas Singapore’s executive di-rector Bernadette Lau told Cathol-icNews that her organisation

started its search for alternative premises last September.

While Ms Lau acknowledged that the move might pose some inconvenience, Caritas Singapore will continue to run its services from their new premises which is already operational.

Caritas Singapore and CHAR-IS moved to 1557 Keppel Road, #02-18/19 Cantonment Central on March 5.

Ms Janet Lim, CANA’s secre-tary, said her centre is in the process of working out what can and can-not be done at its temporary prem-

Tender for café/restaurant operation Those interested in responding to the tender invitation are re-quested to collect the Call For Proposal For The Operation Of A Café/Restaurant document. Please contact Mr Elijah Tan of the Archdiocesan Land & Properties Singapore (ALPS) at [email protected] or call 6337-3711. Deadline for sub-mission of proposals: 12 noon, June 22, 2012. �

Clarity Singapore, a Catholic char-ity which caters to mental health needs moved its service centre from Blessed Sacrament Church to Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Yishun on March 1.

Its executive director Grace Ang told CatholicNews that the move is to get a headstart in meeting the mental health needs of the community in the north-ern area of Singapore in line

with the organisation’s plans. Clarity will continue to offer

counselling sessions and public education services. The organi-�� :��the church here is most ideal”, Ms Ang added.

However, this move is tem-porary. The organisation will move to a HDB void deck in Yishun in six to eight months’ time, she said. �

Clarity S’pore moves to Yishun

Catholic Welfare Centre to undergo renovation��

Renovations to the Catholic Welfare Centre are expected to last a year.

ises in St Joseph’s Church, Victoria St. She said that CANA will still be available for use by the community.

Meanwhile, CANA sees ex-citement, new challenges and new opportunities ahead. Its “volun-teers are all geared up to trans-form whatever space we are given to a place of welcome and Chris-tian hospitality”, Ms Lim said.

CANA will move to St Joseph’s Church on May 1.

Mr James Chew, CWS execu-��$��:;�� #��!��!�� to our temporary premises. Howev-er, we have been preparing them for our move since last month.”

CWS will move to St Theresa’s Home at 49 Upper Thomson Road on April 9.

Meanwhile, the organisation looks forward to returning to the building which will house its headquarters and CWS Hub on ��@��%��:��#�designed to better serve our cli-ents”, Mr Chew said.

Mr Arthur Goh, SPI director, said: “We are grateful to have been allocated space in this new facility, and foresee that relocat-ing to Waterloo Street will make our courses and library more ac-cessible.”

SPI is currently located at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (CAEC) on Highland Road.

Mr Goh said he hopes the “design and location of the new

building will invite more people, particularly the younger working/student set, to forge connections with SPI as well as our neighbour-ing diocesan organisations like CANA and Caritas”.

Although SPI will relocate, Mr Goh said he does not rule out the possibility of continuing to of-fer popular courses at the CAEC.

Meanwhile, the Apostolic Nun-ciature is expected to move to the �� Doulous Building, 113 Tank Road, on April 1.

All mailing addresses will not change and all mails should still �� Waterloo Street address. �

[email protected]


The 2012 Southeast Asian Film Festival is showcasing four Chris-tian-themed movies.

They are Fable of the Fish (screened on March 2), Flight of an Angel (screened on March 4), Trespassers (screened on March 11), and Baby Factory (to be screened on March 25).

?�� $�� -ond year.

In Fable of the Fish, a mother ��$�� $��that it is God’s gift. Trespassers dwells on the theme of forgive-ness and refers to the line in The Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”.

Baby Factory focuses on the pro-life debate – on mothers decid-ing whether to keep their babies, says Philip Cheah, one of the cu-rators and organisers of the event.

Cheah, a Catholic, had seen �� $�� $��

Manila in 2010. He described the �� :��written with strong performances and unique directing styles”.

As these are independent �� !��

have a commercial release. Film festivals thus provide an alterna-tive platform for audiences to �� &�

:?�� $��#�!�unmoved. They will leave you with �� %��D��&�

Cheah was a founding mem-ber of the Singapore International Film Festival.

He is co-editor of BigO, an independent magazine on rock-music and was part of the team for �� #��7!��#�� -��$��;�� &�

He is also vice-president of the �� for the Promotion of Asian Cin-� �=�)?�;�>��&

Baby Factory, a movie in Ta-galog with English subtitles, is scheduled for screening at the Singapore Art Museum on March 25 at 4.30pm. It is rated NC-16. Tickets can be purchased from SISTIC outlets. �

God’s gift, forgiveness and the pro-life debate

Philip Cheah, an organiser of the Southeast Asian Film Festival

A late friend had recounted to Filipino writer-director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr his experience of carrying a frail beggar to a chari-table home. There, nuns cared for the poor and dying.

This incident became the basis ��(!�� an Angel (Paglipad ng Anghel) which he wrote and directed.

:<� �� !��goodness. Just what does it mean to be good?” the Catholic director �� -lines of the March 2-31 Southeast Asian Film Festival.

“I think I’m more interested in a cinematic experience in which viewers will connect with a good ��-ness ‘cool’.”

Flight of an Angel is one of several Christian-themed movies screened at the festival, held at the Singapore Art Museum.

The others are Trespassers, Fable of the Fish and Baby Fac-tory (see story below), says Philip Cheah, one of the curators and or-ganisers of the event.

Del Mundo Jr pointed out that �� #� �� -ing with the theme of good ver-sus evil, he wanted to “explore the idea of the good within the character and the dilemma that the character experiences from a ‘what if’ situation”.

In the movie, Gabby, an or-dinary salaried worker, develops a pair of wings after bringing an elderly beggar to a hospice run by nuns.

His attempts at removing his wings prove futile, and word later gets around that his wings have healing properties. Although Gab-by does good deeds, he does not

want to be recognised for them, said the 64-year-old director.

“I’m thinking of a reluctant angel in Gabby’s character. He says he wants to remain human without wings. I guess he doesn’t know what it means to be human – that every person is meant to �$��$��&�)$��!-ally, to be human is to be divine,” he mused.

The director said that in mak-ing this movie, he was reminded of how “man was made in the im-age of God”. Furthermore, faith requires one to believe that there is the “divine” in the person, he added.

Although there are many �� stressed that it goes beyond the

idea of what it means to be Catho-lic. The movie is also not a com-mentary on Philippine society.

Through fantasy, he was trying to explore the question of what goodness is all about, he said.

His previous works, such as screenplays, however, contained social commentaries, while his documentaries focused on issues such as corruption, poverty and working overseas.

Del Mundo Jr had taught screenwriting De La Salle Univer-sity in Manila. He had previously ��!�� $-eral documentaries that included Maid in Singapore, on domestic helpers. He is professor emeritus and university fellow at De La Salle University. �

When a man sprouts wingsDirector Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr, whose Christian-themed movie Flight of an Angel � ��

‘I wanted to do a ��

Just what does it mean to be good?’

– Filipino director Clodualdo Del Mundo Jr (above)

In the movie, Gabby, the protagonist, develops a pair of wings after bringing an old beggar to a hospice run by nuns.

By Darren Boon

While Flight of an Angel does not aim at being preachy about values, it is about as “Catho-lic” as a movie can get.

Set in the Philippines, Catholic images and icons are present throughout the entire �� &

The movie tells the story of Gabby, an ordinary salaried worker, who one day in an act of kindness sends an old, sick-ly beggar to a hospice run by nuns.

What happens next is that Gabby starts to develop wings. His attempts at remov-ing them prove futile and his efforts at concealing them go awry.

"�� %�� !-tryside to live with his rela-tives. However, word gets around that his wings have healing properties after a sick-ly cousin becomes well, and $�� %�� for help.

"�� !�� from his situation and when �� #�� -�� %�� #��%��&

The movie raises interest-ing questions about what one does with one’s God-given gifts and abilities, even if these become a burden.

Gabby represents one re-sponse. He does good deeds but does not crave recogni-tion. In fact, he rejects his gift in favour of being an ordinary person.

I feel the movie makes $�� %�� we run from or hide our God-given gifts and talents that can be used to serve the com-munity, Church and the wider society.

How many times do we feel burdened by what God is asking of us that we choose to retreat from doing greater things?

The movie is also a re-minder to Catholics, especial-ly during this Lenten season, that though human, we can strive towards achieving our potential as children of God and followers of Christ.

Overall, Flight of an Angel is a feel-good movie with its �� &� )$��the villains in the movie are not completely evil people, but those with weaknesses such as greed and ambition, that most can identify with.

More importantly, the movie is all about exploring what one does with one’s God-��$�� $�� %��-tion from the viewer. �

[email protected]

MOVIE REVIEW

What does one do with one’s gifts?

7Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews ASIA

A vast crimson sky arches over a Trappist monastery in Flores, In-donesia. A carved wooden stool, with rays of sunlight pouring down on it, stands in a quiet cor-ner of a room.

These are two powerful imag-es of Christian monasticism that viewers to a photo exhibition will get to see from March 27-April 4.

The event, to be held at CANA, the Catholic Centre, will show-case 24 photo artworks of Indone-sian Djoni Sutanto, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

Sutanto, who is in his late 30s, says he hopes to introduce Chris-tian monasticism to the Catholic community in Singapore through his exhibition titled Come Away, Search Within, Rest...

The photography enthusiast had held the same exhibition in February, and CANA is restaging it due to popular demand.

“I visited this exhibition and was overwhelmed by the exhibits which exuded such depth, peace and transcendence,” said one visi-tor, Ms E. Chuoong. “It was God’s way of drawing me closer to Him. It has shown me that solitude does not equate to loneliness.”

“The exhibition gave me a ��%��&&&�<�� me of a silent retreat I had expe-rienced,” said another visitor, Ms Nikki Dy-Liacco from the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

Sutanto, who started working in Singapore in 2007, said that despite a successful career and promising future, he nevertheless felt a sense of disenchantment with life here. He thus decided to embark on a journey of contem-plation and prayer.

He also remembered feeling forlorn and restless after his father died the previous year.

All these led to a four-year spiritual journey during which he stayed at Trappist and Benedictine monasteries in Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and Australia. “It has not been an easy journey, but I did have a lot of fun!” recalled the Sin-gaporean PR who is self-employed.

Sutanto said he would email the monasteries’ guest masters re-questing residency, and often en-joyed favourable responses. The conditions were that he had to ob-serve silence, participate in their Liturgy of the Hours, and share in the chores.

He fondly recalls the hospi-tality and warmth of the monks. “They are just ordinary human beings like us,” he said.

Sutanto, who grew up in Malang, East Java, said the mo-nastic life attracted him even

when he was a teenager.He became Catholic at the age

of 14 – the only member of his family to do so – and attributes it to his Catholic primary and sec-

ondary school education.He recalled joining the Le-

gion of Mary then and visiting the Carmelite monastery. “This trans-�� $��@��

Exhibition focuses on monastic simplicityMartin See speaks to Djoni Sutanto, who is re-staging a photo exhibition of his experience of monastic life

‘Life in the monastery is simple

with minimum distractions.

This helped me to listen to the subtle

voice of the Spirit.’– Djoni Sutanto

life of solitude, prayer, silence, yet full of genuine joy ... made a strong impact on me,” he said.

He later worked in Japan from 1995, and in 2002, spent half a year in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. There he

discovered the writings of Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, which rekindled his teenage passion for monasticism.

Sutanto said that although he took photos of his monastic stays during his four-year spiritual jour-ney, he never had the intention of staging an exhibition.

“I thought that I could give a talk or seminar but then I was struck by the question of ‘how would I describe solitude in words?’ It was then that I realised that photos probably would do a much better job!”

He continued, “Through my journey, I realised that this world believes in a call to mate-rial achievements. But life in the monastery is repetitive and simple with minimum distractions. This routine gradually freed me from the domination of my false ego and helped me to listen to the sub-tle voice of the Spirit.”

The free exhibition will be held from March 27-April 4 at CANA, 55 Waterloo St, 2F, Singapore 187954. Opening hours: 11am-9pm daily, closed on April 1. Sutanto will also hold dialogues with visitors at 7.30pm daily and at 3 pm on March 31. �

[email protected]

Djoni Sutanto, a parishioner of the Church of the Holy Spirit, stayed at monasteries in Indonesia, Japan, Philip-pines and Australia over several years.

Left and above:The simple rhythms and settings of monastery life.

8 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews ASIA

HONG KONG – Religious lead-ers have called for changes in the election process of the special administrative region’s chief ex-��!��$�� scandals surrounding two of the leading candidates.

The inherent problem “of the ‘small-circle election’ makes us angry and disappointed,” leaders from various Protestant denomi-nations, theological seminaries and Christian organisations said in a recent statement.

The statement has been signed by more than 800 people.

This year’s election, to be held on March 25, is largely a contest between candidates Henry Tang Ying-yen and Leung Chun-ying.

Mr Tang, a wealthy business-man turned civil servant who many believe is Beijing’s pre-ferred candidate, has been dogged by questions about his credibility over the building of an illegal lux-ury basement in his wife’s home �� #&

Mr Leung, a surveyor and for-mer Executive Council convener, leads in public opinion polls de-spite allegations by local media of business irregularities and being a Communist Party member, both of which he has denied.

Rev Lo Lung-kwong, director

of the Divinity School at the Chi-nese University of Hong Kong, said the electorate deserves more from the political process.

“We want to raise our fellow citizens’ awareness that the dis-torted electoral system will only �� %�� and social divisions.”

Hong Kong’s chief executive is elected by a 1,200-member Election Commission, which crit-ics say favours candidates with close ties to Beijing and denies the public an adequate say in choos-ing their leaders. �

DALI, CHINA – An upcoming priestly ordination ceremony in China’s Dali diocese has sparked controversy after it was an-nounced that an illicitly ordained bishop is to preside over it.

Dali diocese, in Yunnan prov-��#�ordinations since the Church hier-archy was established in China in 1946.

Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming, the only government-approved bishop in the province and president of the government-sanctioned bishops’ conference, is �� (��U~��-nations, though he was ordained without papal mandate.

A Church observer who asked not to be named said Bishop Ma risks a sacrilegious act if he par-ticipates.

“It would make the new priests irregular according to Can-on Law,” the observer said.

“Bishop Ma is also prohibited from doing this according to Can-on 1331, as he is still illegitimate. There is no need for him to violate Church law in order to be loyal ��#��$�� &D

He added, “I would advise him

to follow the example of the other illicit Chinese bishops by sending the deacons to another Vatican-approved bishop for the rite.”

However, a source in Dali said the Church could only address the matter according to its situation.

“This is not simply a religious matter but touches on the govern-

ment’s law and regulations,” the source said, adding that Church �� !�� bishop from another province to perform the rite when there is al-ready one in the province.

The three deacons set for ordi-nation are Tibetan-ethnic Liu Zhi-bin, Miao-ethnic Li Jiaoquan and Jingpo-ethnic Pai Zaonan.

:?��#� �� priests from our diocese, so many faithful wish to attend the ceremo-ny,” the source said.

Dali diocese currently has three priests and three nuns serv-ing 80,000 laypeople, mostly from seven tribal groups who live in remote mountainous areas.

Differences in culture and lan-guage as well as poor transporta-tion infrastructure make it hard for pastoral and evangelistion.

“A priest travels nearly 60,000 km a year to visit the faithful,” the source said.

Three other deacons from Yunnan will also be ordained priests during the March 26 cer-emony. They are: Cao Taishan and Wang Jifeng of Kunming diocese, and Huang Xiaojin of Zhaotong apostolic prefecture. �

HK Christians call for electoral change

Mr Henry Tang, leading candidate ��

Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kun-�� !"#%&��'(��

Illicit bishop to ordain ethnic priests

9Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews ASIA

TOKYO –�(��||�� -�$��#� �� #�� $��-�� 7!�� ! ��#��#��&��!��!��!�� #� �#� �� #�� !�� !�� $�� &

<� ?��#�� -��!��=��>�� =��>�� 8�� -$��8� ��!��&�;��!��|�___��&

;�� ?�� ?��#�� $�� (��$��<� !�� ;�� !�� !�� &�

;�� U&`~� �� 7!�� !�� #�� !��!�� #� �� #��&

:<� �!�� $�� !��D� ;�� !�� #&

(�� !�� $��!��#� �� -�� (��#��(��-8��&

�� ?��!�� "�� -�� $�� (�� #��:��)�� )��7!��

��$��#D&�(��__��&

;�� -�� $�� #��$��#��&�?�� ?��#�� U&`~� � �� #��&

�!�� #��"�-��%�� !��!�� -�� !�� !��!��&

:�� #��

�� !�� -�� #�� $�� !�� !�� !��!��#��!��!��&�<�� !�� !��#�� !��?��'��!�� !�� !��&D

��"��!��#�� :�� "��$��!��$��$�� $�� !�-$�$��!��$��D&�� UCANEWS.COM

LAHORE, PAKI-STAN –� �� $�� !�� #�� !��#�� #��&

��!�� !��#�� - �� $�� (�� Y� �� !-�� $��-��#�� &

� (� �� #� ��(��#�;�� %�� <�� &

�:?��!�� #� �� !�� !�� -�� !�� ! ��D� ��(��;�� &

:"�� !�� &�?��!�� !�� D��&

� ��;�� $��-�� '�� @-�� $�� -�� $�� (�� |_� 8��#�� !��&

�:{��!��!�� #��!��&� ;�� #� �� !�� #��D��-

��-�� __� �� "��'��&

� ��!�� -�� ;��@-�� (�� @�� &

� :;� �� #�� !�� $��

��#�� @�� &� <��!��$��!��#�� !�� #�� -��D��&�� UCANEWS.COM

Priests call for slain minister’s sainthood

One year after, prayer brings Japan together

An area destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan.

�"&��

The late Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti. �"&��

10 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNewsASIA

Kuwait’s bishop criticises law that restricts churches

‘We lost Christians in Iraq; if we lose

Christians in Syria, what will happen to the Middle East?’

– Mr Ra’ed Bahou, ��

�� for Jordan and Iraq

�!�� !� ��"��CNS photo

Christians in Syria fear persecution, �� JERUSALEM – Christians in Syria live in fear of a repeat of perse-cution like what was seen in Iraq, �� (��&

“The same pattern like in Iraq is re-emerging, as Islamic mili-tants are now kidnapping and kill-ing Christians in Syria,” said Mr Issam Bishara, vice president of ��(��-��'��#��&�

“Christians are concerned about the repercussions of the �$��&�They fear that the experiences of Iraq and Lebanon – which took place against the backdrop of a civil war – could play out again in �� &� ?�� !��#��&D

“We lost Christians in Iraq; if we lose Chirstians in Syria, what will happen to the Middle East?” ��(��!��-cal Mission’s regional director for �� <�7&� :�� leaving the region, and we have to �� !�� &�?� �� !�&��#��

��#��(��)��&�If they start emigrating from Syr-ia, it is the beginning of the end of ��#��&D

On March 7, Mr Bahou said �� -tics, but an estimated 200 Chris-tians were among the recent wave of Syrian refugees �� &�He said many of those same refu-gees earlier had %��<�7��#��&�

“They are refu-gees from one ��!��#� �� &�It is everywhere now, not just in Jor-�&�;�� '��-�� ?!��#&�This population movement is also creating a chang-��(��)��D�(��!��&

In an email interview, Mr Bishara said more than 200 Chris-tians have been killed in the vio-lent confrontations between gov-ernment soldiers and rebels in the �#��#��"� �&

In addition, he said, Christian residents of the Homs neighbour-hood of Hamidiya have been stopped from leaving the city by ��$�� &� "�� they were forced into the mosque, where they have been used as hu-

man shields by rebel forces as protection against attack by ��$�� &�

Mr Bahou said Syria has an estimat-��|&�� -tians, and many of them are concerned about what their situation will be like in a future Syria should the current ��;�� -�� &� ;��they were in Egypt,

the minority Christian community in Syria is regarded as allied with the ruling secular regime which, al-though it is a dictatorship, ensured �� &��retribution from anti-government and extremist Islamic forces, Mr ��!��&�� CNS

OXFORD, ENGLAND – Bishop Camillo Ballin, who administers the Church in Kuwait criticised legislation that would restrict Christian places of worship in the ��!��#&

“There’ll be problems if the government adopts this proposal; it’s out of step with the traditions of Kuwait, which seeks to be an open, tolerant country welcom-ing other religions besides Islam,” ��<��&

Such proposals come “from ideologies which want to divide the world between Muslims and non-Muslims”, he told Catholic ��$��(��|U&

In February, the newly formed ��;��=�!��>��!��legislation to remove Christian churches from Kuwait and impose <�� &� ��#� ��-�� would not remove the churches but prohibit further construction of Christian churches and non-Mus-lim places of worship in the coun-

��#&� <�� !�� <�� -�� !��!��:��!��#D&�

��;�-la’s claims that there were more churches in Kuwait than needed by its Christian minority were un-true and took account only of the small number of Christians who ��!��&�"��church needs at least 30,000 square metres of additional space to ac-�� &

“When religious life is as-sured, social life is also easier – so why can’t our foreign members have a place for worship?” the ��&

The Catholic Church claims ¡�_�___� ��#� �@�� -bers in Kuwait, making up six per-�� !��&

Several other Christian groups, Kuwait’s Council for Islamic-Christian Relations and the Kuwait Human Rights Society also criticised the proposal by the <�� #��&�� CNS

11Sunday March 25 2012 � CatholicNews 11WORLD

ROME – Remembering the com-mon roots of the Christianity they share, Roman Catholics and An-glicans should renew their com-mitments to praying and working for Christian unity, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The pope and Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, held an evening prayer service on March 10 at Rome’s Church of St Gregory on the Caelian Hill. This was the church from which Pope Gregory the Great sent St Augustine of Canterbury and his fellow monks to evangelise England in 597.

“We hope that the sign of our presence here together in front of the holy altar, where Gregory himself celebrated the eucharistic �� #��reminder of our fraternal encoun-ter, but also as a stimulus for all the faithful – both Catholic and Anglican – encouraging them ... to renew their commitment to pray constantly and to work for unity,” Pope Benedict said during the evening prayer service.

Camaldoli monks and nuns were joined by cardinals, An-glican and Catholic faithful and representatives of other Christian communities in Rome for the prayer service.

Archbishop Williams told Vatican Radio that he and the pope spoke about the situation of Christians in the Middle East “and about our shared sense of deep anxiety and frustration and uncertainty about what the future holds there”.

He said they also spoke about Pope Benedict’s invitation to Archbishop Williams to address October’s world Synod of Bish-

ops on the new evangelisation.Anglicanism and Roman

Catholicism, he said, both are committed to “a vision of the restoration of full sacramental communion, of a eucharistic life that is fully visible, and thus a wit-ness that is fully credible, so that a confused and tormented world may enter into the welcome and transforming light of Christ”.

But Catholic-Anglican unity

Catholics and Anglicans need to commit to unity, pope says

is imperfect, at least in part be-cause Catholics and Anglicans have an “unstable and incom-plete” recognition of one another as the body of Christ, Archbishop Williams said. “Without such ul-timate recognition we are not yet fully free to share the transform-ing power of the Gospel within the Christian community” and in the world.

He told Vatican Radio that Anglicans and Roman Catholics :�� @��D��!��of authority and Church structure “that we can forget the gift of bap-tism and the gift of one another in baptism”, which are the true basis of unity.

“One of the hardest, yet most important, lessons the differ-ent Christian communities today have to learn is that they cannot live without each other and that no single one of them in isolation possesses the entirety of the Gos-pel,” he said. � CNS

Pope Benedict XVI and Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams arrive for vespers in Rome. CNS photo

Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism, both are committed

to ‘a vision of the restoration of full sacramental communion...’

– Anglican Archbishop Williams

VATICAN CITY – The number of Catholics in the world and the number of deacons, priests and bishops all increased in 2010, while the number of women in Religious orders continued to de-cline, according to Vatican statis-tics.

At the end of 2010, the world-wide Catholic population reached 1.196 billion, an increase of 15 million or 1.3 percent over 2009, slightly outpacing the global pop-ulation growth rate, which was estimated at 1.1 percent, said a statement published March 10 by ��¢��&

Catholics as a percentage of the global population “remained stable at around 17.5 percent”, it said.

The statement reported a handful of the statistics contained ��U_|U�;!��yearbook containing information ��!��$��#�¢��as every diocese and religious or-der in the world.

The percentage of Catholics declined slightly in South Amer-ica from 28.54 percent to 28.34 percent of the regional popula-tion, and dropped considerably in Europe from 24.05 percent to 23.83 percent. The percentage of Catholics increased in 2010 by just under half a percentage point in Southeast Asia and Africa.

The Vatican said the number of bishops in the world increased from 5,065 to 5,104; the number of priests went from 410,593 to 412,236, increasing everywhere except Europe.

The number of permanent deacons reported – 39,564 – was an increase of more than 1,400

over the previous year. About 97.5 percent of the world’s permanent deacons live in the Americas or in Europe.

The number of men joining a Religious order showed “a set-back”, the Vatican said, with an increase of only 436 male reli-gious worldwide in 2010.

The number of women in Re-ligious orders fell by more than 7,000 in 2010, despite showing a 2 percent increase in both Asia and Africa. At the end of the year, Catholic women’s orders had 721,935 members.

Vatican says number of Catholics, priests, bishops increased worldwide

‘At the end of 2010, the worldwide

Catholic population reached 1.196 billion,

an increase of 15 million

or 1.3 percent.’$�% �� &��

The number of seminarians around the world showed contin-ued growth, from 117,978 at the end of 2009 to 118,990 at the end of 2010.

<��$��#��¢��-can said, the number of seminar-ians rose more than 14 percent in Africa, 13 percent in Asia and 12.3 percent in Oceania. Numbers decreased in other regions of the world, particularly Europe, which saw a 10.4 percent drop in the number of seminarians between 2005 and 2010. � CNS

12 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNewsWORLD

ROME – A Catholic archbishop welcomed a Turkish government decision to consult Christian lead-ers on a new constitution.

“We’re glad this hearing is taking place, since it points in the right direction toward respecting and acknowledging the rights of minorities,” Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini of Izmir, president of the Turkish bishops’ confer-ence, told the Italian bishops’ news agency, SIR.

In mid-February, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Tur-key’s top Orthodox leader, made ��-liamentary commission preparing the constitutional reforms.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate’s spokesman, Orthodox Father Dositheos Anagnostopoulos, said that in his testimony, Patriarch Bartholomew had drawn attention

to “sufferings and hardships” by small religious groups and called

for minority citizens to be allowed ��!��!��&

Patriarch Bartholomew was the �� (!�� !�� to be consulted on the constitu-tional reforms, which were backed in a September 2010 referendum. Leaders of Turkey’s Syriac, Arme-nian and Jewish minorities, which �� #� �� #� ��government, are also expected to testify before the commission.

The country’s 32,000-member Catholic Church, which co-hosted a visit by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, is not recognised as a reli-gious minority.

Archbishop Franceschini told SIR that he was disappointed a Catholic representative had not also been called to testify, but he had counted on the Istanbul-based patriarch to highlight “expecta-tions of religious minorities”. � CNS

Turkey consults Christianson new constitution

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartho-��'� *� ' �� +��religious leader to be consulted.

13Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews WORLD

Archdiocese of Omaha opens canonisation process for Boys Town founder

Father Edward Flanagan, The Founder of Boys Town CNS photo

‘I could not be more convinced that it needed

a man called by God, ��)��

youth at risk to the Boys *�)��’ – Br Emmanual, former director of Boys’ Town, Singapore

OMAHA – Fr Edward Flanagan who started Boys Town in 1917 ��!��$��!-bled boys who needed a home in Omaha, USA, might someday be named a saint.

Now, Boys Town helps more than 1.6 million people each year through its main campus of group homes, churches, a grade school �� bank, as well as a national re-search hospital in Omaha, a na-�� $��and locations around the country.

The process toward canonisa-tion began on Feb 27 with Arch-bishop George J. Lucas – sur-rounded by more than 200 people �� %��placing a notice on the doors of St Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

The notice, which is a centu-ries-old church tradition, alerts the public to the opening of Fr Flanagan’s sainthood cause. It �� $�� thoughts with a tribunal that is be-�� $�� life and works.

If there is a declaration of the ��$��!��!��$�� :$��D&�

?�� -cation, after which he is called :��D&�?��-��&�;��$��!��-�� $�� alleged miracles is presented to Church authorities. In general, two miracles need to be accepted �#��!��$��!��through the intercession of the ��$��&�

If Fr Flanagan is canonised, he ��!��a saint whose ministry was based in the Archdiocese of Omaha.

The process could take years �� $�� said Mr Omar Gutierrez, director

��(��-sions and Justice and the tribunal notary.

But Mr Gutierrez and others �$��$�� !�� #� ��$�� !�� $�� $��#� 7!��#��!�� #�� ?��$�� #� ��records on the late priest’s life.

:{�� ! �� $��-joyed by Archbishop Lucas’ ac-ceptance of our petition to exam-�� $��!��#�

�� D� �� (�� $��{��!��|Y�_�Boys Town High School graduate.

��@��!��$��#�� ?�� @��$��!��$��!��&

:?��!�� $��$�� -sociated with Fr Flanagan, we �� !��$�-ry day in his work to heal children �� #��D��&

Br Emmanuel, former director ��#��?��:<��!�� $��it needed a man called by God, �� to combat his way to the courts, �$��#��#�!��found, and bring them to the Boys’ ?��!��$��oasis of peace for these young people needing a second chance.

:<� �$�� #�� ?�� <� �$�� -spired myself from the exam-ple and life of Fr Flanagan and I can only conclude that indeed he ��!��$��$��!��!�#��$��of God, who saw Christ in each ��$��#�� -�� $�� &D

(�� <�� '�� @��!��$�� -rector of Boys’ Town, Singapore, �� :��#�� ?�� takes our inspiration from Fr Fla-�&&&�&�<��$��that there is no such thing as ‘bad ��#��#��$��-ment’, ‘bad training’ and ‘bad ex- ��&D

:{�� #� �!� � ��-tial programme for these youths, we also run a street outreach pro-gramme (in collaboration with �� {�� $��>� ��reach out to the youths at risk on ��&D��

14 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNewsLETTERS/OPINION

WE CAN lose our freedom for different reasons and, sometimes, for the best of reasons.

Imagine this scenario: You are on your way to a restaurant to meet a friend for dinner, a perfectly legiti-mate agenda, but en route you witness a car accident. Some of the people in the accident are seriously hurt ��#�!��$��&�

At that moment your own agenda, dinner with a �� !�� &�£�!�$�� #�!�� #� ��! -stance and need, conscripted to remain there and help. You phone for an ambulance, you call for the police, and you wait with the injured until ��$��&

During that whole time, your freedom is suspended. You are still ��#��!��&�£�!��!��$��8!�� -��$�� #�!��!��#�!��!��part of your humanity by doing that.

��! ��$��#�#�!��@�� &�?��#��$��#�!��#�!��8!��!��#��a bishop’s blessing sets apart a building to be a church. The building ��!��!��!��&��!��! ��!��away our freedom.

In the ordinary mindset, consecration is a word that connotes things to do with Church and religion. We understand certain things as con-��!��#��$�� @ �� !�� =��!��>�� =�� !�>�� =��>��!��=��>��=$�� !��>&�

There is some merit in that, but the danger is that we tend to see con-secration as a cultic and metaphysical separation rather than as a setting ��$��&��#�!�� #�!��! ��#�� 8!��!��#�!��#��$��#&�

<��#�!��$��!��#�!��!��you are more special or holier than anyone else

That was the case with Moses. When God calls him to go to Phar-�� <��(��8��:{�#�� #��"�� &� <�� {�#� ��D�;��8��:��!��#�!��$��!��D�

<�� &��(�� #��#��!��he has seen the people’s suffering. For that reason, he is the consecrated ��#&��! ��$��consecrated him.

�!��$��#��!��&��?��)�� Ek Kaleo. Ek is a preposition meaning :�!��D��Kaleo��$�� :��D&��?�� !��:��!��D&�

;��:��!��D��!�� !��be if we weren’t conscripted by our baptism and by the innate demands of consequent discipleship.

�� !�� !�&�?��#� �� !�� !��!�� #��$��!��<��#�(�� !��!��#�� #��#�� friend sets aside our dinner plans for that night.

?�� )�� @�� @��#� ��!��$�� &�"��@ ��$��!�� $��-��!��!�� #��!��$�� !��:��@��#�impossible” for Him to marry.

<��@��#��!��$�� !�� !�$�� "�� $�� !�� !�� #��$��"� �� #�� #��$��!��!��&��

'��(��"��#�� $�&�"��not marry because He judged it holier to be celibate or because He need-�� !��!��#��"�� #&�"��$�� !��the needs of this world simply suspended ordinary life. He was celibate not by emotional preference or by spiritual superiority, but by moral conscription.

?��#��:��D�� !�� &�{��$��#��$��-notations of purity and cult. That’s unfortunate because both what’s best ��!��! ��#��!��$��#��!�&�

?�� !�� !�� #� �� !�� suspend our radical freedom, to set aside our own agendas, in order to ��$�&�;��(��$��!��!��!��7!��:{�#� ��D �

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102.Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg

IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: [email protected] ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: �$�� ¤��&��&��WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: [email protected] / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: [email protected] Elaine Ong: [email protected]

Consecration and freedom

LETTERS

MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: ��&��¤��&��&��

STAFF CORRESPONDENTS: Darren Boon: [email protected] Martin See: [email protected]

EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: [email protected]

Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all letters to the editor. Published submissions will be edited.

I refer to the letter by Ms Car- ��"��=��(!��$��"��$��(��||>&

Contrary to what was pre-sented in that letter and in many media, the issue is NOT so much about women’s health as it is about freedom of religion and one’s in-alienable right to witness to one’s ��$��according to one’s conscience.

<�� #� ��Protestants and people of other faiths strenuously opposing this "�� "! � ��$��=""�>� ��&

?��: �� D� �� -�� #� �� -cial burden to the insurers, is just an accounting game. Ultimately the cost will still be included in the premiums calculated and paid for by Catholic institutions.

What about organisations as-sociated with the Church who self insure? Under the bill, they will �$�� $�� $��sterilisation and medications �� !�� !��#��escalate year after year.

{��!��:�� D��?��$��#��-��$�� #�� :�� -$��D�� (��"��!��

�� $�� and abortion causing drugs are ��#�$��¥��!��many channels including the more than 820 federally funded Planned Parenthood centres located in all �_��$��!��$��-es as well as abortions. And they charge close to nothing because ��#� �� !�� #� ��$�� !�� !��$��a billion dollars annually.

According to the Centres for �� $��=��>�� !�� _� �� $�� ¥�� the name of women’s health since |Y}¡��¥��!�� !��legalised abortion in their judge- ��$��{��&

Since when has fertility be-�� $��to be protected from?

According to Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, if the bill is ��$�� -tutions associated with the Catho-lic Church and closely tied to her mission of spreading the Gospel, �� $�� -��$�� !�� down.

The Catholic Church and its associated institutions are the �� $�� -

�� !�� $�� -�� $�� ¥�&� <��they are forced to shut down, what would happen to the millions of ��institutions care for?

{��@��?��-lic Church being forced to marry �� @!�� !�� 7!�� $�� $�� #� ��forced to closed down as they re-�!�� $��!�� @� ��!�� @� ��&

Or maybe a bill that requires �!�� -��$��#��-�� law? Or maybe the Church being forced to ordain female priests in the name of gender equality?

£��-arates Church and state, but a line there is and it must not be crossed.

During this Lent, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen our brothers and sisters in the ¥�� $��#�� !��@��persecution for her witnessing to �� !�� #� ��!��Christ.

Edmund Augustine LohSingapore 821105

Fine line between Church and state – but it exists

I’m writing in response to Ms �� "�� =��(!�� $�� "�� $��(��||>&�

With respect to the recent US ��$�� (�� "�-�� !�� :�� !�� $�� $�� ALL women regardless of how the Church judges her decisions”.

In an article published in last �� {�� !��)$�� united with Catholics in condemn-

ing the mandate as contrary to the $��#� �� !�� (��"��$��&�

¥�$�� $��$��#��¥��-ed States. Health insurance plans are selected by employers when of-fered at all, and not all plans are ac-��#��$��&��

The problem with healthcare in America is far, far more com-�� $�� -��$��#��!��@��!��

�!��$��#&��Finally, with regard to Ms Harto-

��$��Church and state, please recognise that the US Conference of Catholic �� #�� #�� :��D� �� but merely asserting that the Church !�� practice she has consistently, pub-��#��$��#�� &

Denise NahigianSingapore 238255

Church not abolishing anyone’s ‘right’

15Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews 15 YOUTH

I think that prayer and fasting really help to make us think about all our past wrongdoings and change. From my expe-rience, I am quite impa-tient with my younger ��&�<��satisfy their needs, often shouting at them or start-ing an argument.

For this Lent, I am trying to be patient with them and my friends around me.

I have also made a short list of

Lent is a time when we are re-minded of Christ’s death on the cross for us, and when we go about relinquishing some of our luxuries.

I play computer games a lot less often, and spend more time reading the news, magazines, and being with friends. I also pray the rosary more often and am more proactive with house work, trying to make that a habit.

Doing activities that add more value to my life and to the lives

of others makes me feel good (al-though I’m really itching to play games).

��<��7!��amusing that some of the pub-lic get shocked by the sight of so many people having a cross mark on their foreheads. Rather, I feel that it is a sign of repent-ance to God and a lead-up to Lent.

Bryce Chee, 19, Church of the Holy Spirit

Cutting down on computer games

?�� %��!��lives. During this period, prayer and fasting help us better prepare for a more worthy reception of the graces from our Jesus.

Lent is also a time of testing. Jesus was out in the wildness for 40 days praying to His Father, pre-paring for what was to come. That was also when Satan came with many temptations. From this, we can see that Jesus was determined to strengthen His duty to save us.

During Lent, I will refrain from eating meat on Friday and will pray twice daily. In addition, I try to do more voluntary work such as helping out with charity organisations and donation drives.

I hope to be able to strengthen my faith in God and understand more about His mysteries as I un-dertake these practices.

Bernard Lee, 19, Church of the Sacred Heart

Doing more voluntary work

Lent is a time of recollection for me; a time to take a step back and �� #� ��&� <�� time of waiting for the promise of resurrection: of Easter!

Hailing Jesus physically with palms and words is easy. However being prepared internally with the appropriate disposition, worthy of God’s reception, is what we all strive for.

I believe that fasting and absti-

nence are a higher form of prayer (as opposed to verbal prayer). They take effort on our part and one feels a small degree of ac-complishment. In depriving one-self of one’s earthly wants (and sometimes needs), one can further one’s communion with Christ.

Joseph Faustine Victor Tan, 19, Church of St Ignatius

(De Vita Christi Youth Choir)

A time of recollection

'��8�!��#�� #�!�� !��#� ��#�� %��&� "��$��it is not simply about praying but also facing our true selves and re-penting of our sins.

Through the small positive ac-tions that we do every day, we are journeying together with Jesus. To me, I start from the small things everyday to make it through the 40 days.

During this time, my family and I make it a point to have more quality family time, like eating a meal together and being more for-giving when we make mistakes.

I try to make positive choices such as being more patient and understanding towards people and not getting worked up when things do not go according to my own preference.

Also during this Lent, I plan to do more good, and being more

kind and compassionate to the people around me.

I will also make it a point to read the Bible more often and re-%��&�

When I face temptations, I know that I am being guided by the Holy Spirit who will help me ��!��!��8�!��#&

Darren Chan, 19, Church of the Holy Spirit

More family time

Lent is an important pe-riod of time to me. It is the time when I pray for pen-ance and repent for all my sins and misdeeds through prayer and fasting.

During Lent, I will refrain from meat on Fridays and also attend

Before we actually see Jesus’ suf-fering on the cross, we too ourselves must experience a time of suffering to understand what God has given to us.

Usually, what I would give up for Lent is something that is not really good for me but which I like a lot, for ex-ample sugared drinks. Normally, I would take one bottle a day or may-be two to three cans a day. I would now take plain water.

I also plan to quarrel less with

��#�� <��!��do. They include going to the

chapel for 10 minutes every day, going for Friday morning Mass in school, and not eat-ing chocolate and ice cream. I feel these prac-tices make me think about others who suffer more than me, so I also �� %��&

John Marie Tan, 15, Church of the Holy Spirit

family members and spend less time on Twitter.

These practices do help. In pre-vious years, I used to go out with my friends a lot. But during Lent, I realised that I had been spending less time with my family. I am now able to balance time with family and friends a lot better.

Benedict Nicholas Chan, 18, Church of the

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Giving up sugared drinks

More brotherly patience

Abstaining from meatweekday evening Masses.

These practices help me to keep calm and seek penance during this period.

Benjamin Lee, 19, Church of

the Sacred Heart

LONDON OLYMPICS: Visitors to the games, which start in July, can check out these religious sites in London.

16 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews FAITH ALIVE!

IN A Gospel reading at Mass this Lent, Jesus says of His �� !��@��:<� �troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’”

��¦¢<��%��-ed on this passage in a homily �� #�� &� "�� :;��a human being, even Jesus feels impelled to ask that He be spared the terror of the pas-sion. We too can pray in this way. We too can grumble be-fore the Lord.”

The pope noted that Je-�!�� #��:��#�Your name.”

The pope said of this peti-��:<��#��

His lordship, His will, is al-ways more important and more true than my thought and my will.

:;�� point in our prayer and in our life: Learning this right order of reality, accepting it inti-mately; trusting in God and believing that He is doing what is right; that His will is truth and love; that my life becomes good if I learn to adhere to this right order.

:?��!�-rection of Jesus are for us the guarantee that we can truly trust God. It is in this way that His kingdom is realised.” � CNS

By David Gibson

SOME say that at heart, Christi-anity is counter-intuitive. Its mes-sage contrasts strikingly with the patterns usually proposed to us for living successfully and harvesting life’s riches.

After all, Christianity counts losses as gains, insists that self-lessness paves the way to self-discovery and locates the seeds of new life in death.

Christianity also ranks love far ��$��#�� fostering our surrounding world’s �� !��&� ;�� @�-��#��#�� for its capacity to open channels ��$��%��&

<��$��literally can be life-giving.

Thankfully, while this message ��!�� #� �� !��intuitive, it applies directly to the lives we lead. Most of us must at �� !�� @��

forgiving someone and in the pro-cess surrendering feelings of hurt.��

made for their future that, time showed, was wrongly conceived.�� -

ceived notions of others that blocked understanding between them.��£�� #�

taking steps to recover from ad-dictions and give up negative hab-its for their own sake and for their families.

There is a sort of dying in �� !�� &�This is the mystery John’s Gospel has in mind when Jesus says:

:¥��to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (12:24).

In his 2006 encyclical God Is Love, Pope Benedict XVI talked about the fruitful grain of wheat

sowed into the ground and about a related statement in the Gospel of '!��#��:��$��seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it” (17:33).

��!�� #�� :"�� path, which leads through the cross to the resurrection: the path of the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies and in this way bears much fruit,” Pope Benedict �@��#��=��&�~>&

He added that while Jesus is talking in these passages about Himself, He also is talking about His followers.

:�� "��$��!�� "��also portrays in these words the essence of love and indeed of hu-man life itself,” the pope said.

<�� @�-cal, counter-intuitive life pattern was set for Christians. According ��!��"��$��&

Naturally, it can be tough to

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Trusting God during tough times

6�� ;�� "�� ' ��'��His side, as described in John’s Gospel. �"&��

&�� )��

�� /��)��<��)��

For Christians, ��be life-giving

welcome the opportunities that �� !��#��!��!��!��- ��!��%��-��&� �� #� ��may involve responding positive-ly to unwelcome developments – crosses we did not choose, chal-lenges we barely understand.

Moreover, in employing the �� :��D�� mean an action that requires a generous commitment of their time and energy.

<��%��!�-fering, the bishops of New Zea-land pointed to the relationship ��$�&�?��noted how Blessed Mother Teresa ��:��$��which in order to be authentic has to be generous and giving”.

?��#�7!��#��:?�!��love causes pain. Jesus, in order to give us the proof of His love, died on the cross. A mother, in order to give birth to her baby, has to suf-fer. If you really love one another, you will not be able to avoid mak-��&D�� CNS

17Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews

By Anne Lim

Embracing simplicity can be seen as a response to Lent, the appoint-ed time for conversion and repent-ance. It is also a positive move to-wards a more sustainable way of living for our planet in crisis.

Conversion means to seek God above all things, according to St Benedict. This involves a “turning away from” certain hab-its of our life “in order to return wholeheartedly to Him who is the only reason for our lives”, writes Benedictine monk, Br Victor-An-toine D’Avila-Latourrette, in The Gift of Simplicity.

Authentic simplicity, he adds, ��:��%��!��-pel values”. It is this simplicity of the heart which makes for “the best preparation for undertaking the work of repentance”.

es to work part-time or give up work so she has more time for her children. A parishioner’s family walks or takes public transport to church and reduces their carbon footprint. They get more exercise and have zero parking woes.

When we choose simplic-ity, we walk more lightly on our Earth, at the same time remember-ing our deep-rooted connected-ness with Creation’s great gifts of earth, water, air.

This natural simplicity is one that comes from “a deep rever-ence for the community of life on Earth and accepts that the non-hu-man realms of plants and animals have their dignity and rights” (Andrews and Urbanska) as much as humans do.

As Br Victor-Antoine reveals, repentance is “an invitation to true inner freedom”.

Simplicity and Lent

Although it comes from the word “simple”, simplicity is a complex concept. So one can be forgiven for asking the question again: What is simplicity?

;� �� !�� the book, Less is More, by Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska.

The core meaning of simplic-ity, say the authors, is that it is “a voluntary limitation of our outer wealth so that we can have greater inner wealth”. So, if you are one of those who believe that being rich will make you happy, research has shown that this is simply not true!

Christians know this too, and yet, the lure of outer wealth continues to be a great source of temptation.

When we make the choice to live simply by reducing our spend-ing, we set off a chain of actions that actually translate to: less is more.

For example, a mother choos-

What has repentance to do with simplicity? It is simplicity that “impregnates in us a clear, single-minded sense of purpose” and this is what forms the basis “upon which to embark on the path to conversion or true re-pentance”, says the Benedictine monk.

“Repentance stirs in us the awareness that we must work at changing ourselves daily, and that this effort must include every as-pect of our lives.”

Now, let us with renewed vig-our, take the path of transforma-tion for, whether we like it or not, we are all in this together.

Embrace simplicity. �

The writer is a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a special interest in Crea-tion Spirituality.

Simplicity of the heart makes for

‘the best preparation for undertaking

the work of repentance’.

– Br Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette in his book,

The Gift of Simplicity

FEATURE

18 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews

Bible Trivia:What is the name of the book that contains the ��

CHILDREN’S STORY:

By Joe Sarnicola

Although the Passover feast was a Jewish tradition, some Greek travel-ers had come to worship during the celebration as well. They also had a �� 7!�� #� �� !��be granted. They found Philip, who was one of the apostles chosen by Jesus, and they said to him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

Philip went and found Andrew, his brother, who was also an apostle. Andrew went with Philip directly to Jesus, who as usual was surrounded by many people who had come to hear Him teach.

Jesus told His two apostles, “The hour has come for the Son of Man ��&�; �� <��#��you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just

a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it pro-duces much fruit. ... Whoever serves �� !�� <� ��there also will my servant be. The Fa-ther will honour whoever serves me.”

Jesus became more serious and ��:<� ��!��&�£��!��<��#��$�� !��!�� !�-��<�� !�&D�

Then Jesus declared, “Father, ��#� £�!�� &D� ?�� $�� $��:<��$��it and will glorify it again.”

The crowd heard this, but they did not agree on what had actually happened. Some said, “An angel has spoken to Him,” but others dis-missed it as thunder.

Jesus addressed the crowd. “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judg-

ment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And ��<� ��!�� <�will draw everyone to myself.”

The people wanted to know what Jesus was talking about. “We have heard from the law that the Mes-siah remains forever. Then how can you say that the Son of Man must be ��!��{��(�D

Jesus answered, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so

that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.” �

Read more about it: John 12

Q&A��

��

Bible Accent:�� $��#�� (��&� <� #�churches, a lay minister will read from the Old Testament and the New Testament, and a priest or deacon will read the Gospel. The priests often base their homilies on one of the readings.

Religious education classes are designed to help us understand Church history, teachings and doctrines, all of which are rooted in the Scriptures.

There are many books available that help us to study ��!�� -nacs, and, of course, our religious education textbooks.

(#� �� !�� !�#� �!��that provide background information about the different ��!�� -raphies of some of the writers.

?�� !�� can understand how God wants us to live. �

PUZZLE:Match the titles in one column with the services they might provide during Mass from the other column.1) Eucharistic minister a) song leader2) Lector b) serve Communion3) Cantor c) homily4) Usher d) New Testament readings5) Altar server e) collect offerings6) Priest f) assist the priest

Answer for Bible Trivia:The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Answer for Puzzle:1. b 2. d 3. a 4. e 5. f 6. c

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:St Patrick�� &�"��father was a deacon. When he was about sixteen, he was cap-tured and carried off as a slave ��<��&��shepherd, remaining a captive for six years. He writes that his faith grew in captivity, and that he prayed daily. After six years he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and returned home to his family.

;��#��$��&�"��:<��man coming, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of �� &�<��:?��¢��<��D&�;��<��<�� <��$��of those very people and they cried out with one voice: “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.”

��<�� taught and baptised thousands who did not know Jesus. Pat-��#��`Y¡&�"��<��&�His feast day is celebrated on March 17. �

Three leaf CloverThe Trinity is the most im-portant belief that Chris-tians hold. The story of St Patrick says that he used the three leaf clover to explain the Trinity to the people of <��&� ;�� $�� three distinct leaves but is only one piece of clover so also God has three distinct persons while remaining one God.

Jesus reveals to us that He is in the Father, and we are in Him, and He is in us (John 14:20.) This is the good news that we are called to believe and to announce to the world. �

ShareWe believe in Jesus and because He shared His life and love with us, we are called to do the same. The season of Lent is a special time to share. Have you received a Charities {��$��#�!��(�� !��;�� &�"��:<�urge you to support Charities Week U_|U&D� <�� us with so many gifts. Let us give some of what we have to the poor.

Take that envelope, place your money in it and drop it in the box when you go for Mass next week.

Jesus said that when you give, you must not let your left hand know what your right hand is giving. �

19Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews

20 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONSWe welcome information of events

happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at

least one month before the event.Online submissions can be made at

www.catholic.sg/webevent_form.php

Tuesdays until April 3 STATIONS OF THE CROSS@SUNTEC THE ROCK After 12.15pm Mass and before 1.15pm Mass. At Suntec City The Rock Auditorium (Level 3). By Catholic Prayer Society.

March 20HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS (JESUITS)7.30pm: Theme: Mandarin Jesuits in China. By CANA The Catholic Centre. At 55 Waterloo St (Level 2). Register T: 6336 4815, 6336 4467; E: [email protected]

Friday March 23 to Sunday March 25 BUILDING YOUTH COMMUNITY WORKSHOP 7pm (Fri) – 1pm (Sun): A stay-in workshop touching on the six pillars of what a youth community should experience and build upon. A time to experience prayer and testimonies, and learn about being life-giving and accountable to one other. ��!��$��!��attend together. By Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre and Church of St Francis Xavier Youth Community. At Church of St Francis Xavier (63A Chartwell Dr). Register E: [email protected]; W: http://www.cayconline.org

Wednesdays March 21 and April 18 THE WHYS OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN WORK 7-9pm: Fr David Garcia, OP, will explore the theological and spiritual aspects of

WHAT’S ON

Lenten Reconciliation ServicesCITY

Church of St Bernadette Wed March 21: 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Thu March 22: 8.00pm

Church of St Teresa Mon March 26: 8.00pm

Church of St Michael Tue March 27: 8.00pm

Church of Sts Peter & Paul Thu March 29: 8.00pm Sat March 31: 1.00pm Mandarin

EAST

Church of the Holy Family Fri March 23: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Tue March 27: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace Wed March 28: 8.00pm

Church of the Holy Trinity Thu March 29: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Church of St Stephen Fri March 30: 8.00pm

Church of the Divine Mercy Mon April 2: 8.00pm

NORTH

Church of the Holy Spirit Fri March 23: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Church of Christ the King Mon March 26: 10.30am & 8.00pm

St Joseph Church (BT) Tue March 27: 8.00pm.

Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Wed March 28: 7.30pm

Church of the Risen Christ Thu March 29: 10.30am & 8.00pm

Church of St Anthony Fri March 30: 7.30pm

SERANGOON

Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mon March 26: 8.00pm

Church of St Francis Xavier Thu March 27: 8.00pm

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Wed March 28: 8.00pm

St Anne’s Church Thu March 29: 8.00pm

Church of St Vincent De Paul Mon April 2: 8.00pm

WEST

Church of St Ignatius Mon March 26: 8.00pm

Church of the Holy Cross Tue March 27: 8.00pm

Blessed Sacrament Church Wed March 28: 8.00pm

Church of St Mary of the Angels Thu March 29: 8.00pm

Church of St Francis of Assisi Fri March 30: 8.00pm

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

Saturdays from March 17 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS 3.30-6.30pm: For youths aged 13-20 years. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. T: 9100 4382 (Andrew), E: [email protected]

Wednesdays from April 18RCIA@CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS7.30-9.30pm:At Church of St Francis of Assisi (200 Boon Lay Ave)T: 9765 1315 (Carol) E: [email protected]

Thursdays from April 26RCIA@BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH 7.30-9pm: At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Drive). T: 6474 0582, E: [email protected]. Registration forms available at parish ��!��7!��#�� &��

Fridays from April 27 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST TERESA 7.45-9.15pm: At Church of St Teresa (St Paul Room Level 4 Parish House). T: 6271 1184, E: [email protected]

Saturdays from May 12 RCIY@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 4-6pm: At Church of St Ignatius (120 King’s Rd). E: [email protected]

Tuesdays from May 29RCIA@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS 8-10pm: At Church of St Ignatius Hall (120 King’s Rd). T: 6466 0625 ext 10 (Angela) E: [email protected]

Thursdays from May 31RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 8-10pm: At Church of the Holy Spirit (248 Upper Thomson Rd). T: 9010 2829, E: [email protected]

��7!��{�#��human suffering? Are natural disasters a chastisement by God? What does it truly mean to help the needy? Why go overseas to do humanitarian work? By CHARIS. At CANA (55 Waterloo St Level 2) on March 23; Church of the Holy Spirit Room 03-02 (248 Upp Thomson Rd) on Apr 18. Register T: 6338 0182 (Albert); E: [email protected]

March 23TALK ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK8-9.30pm: Third part in a series of Lenten talks. Fr Gerardus Suyono, SSCC, whose ministry revolves around the sick and the elderly of the parish, will explain the !�7!��!�� as share his own pastoral anecdotes. At Blessed Sacrament Church (Damien Hall)

March 24WALKING THE WAY OF THE CROSS: A LABYRINTH EXPERIENCE 2-5pm: Journey with Christ on the Way of the Cross through prayer, meditation and contemplation. Facilitated by Roselie Chia and Diana Tan (trained labyrinth facilitators). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Cost: $30. T: 64676072; E: [email protected]

Sunday March 25 to Saturday March 30 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER@CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Sojourners’ Companions, in collaboration with Wellsprings Books, is offering a Week of Guided Prayer. Participants will be taught Ignatian contemplation and Lectio Divina. More details on website. Cost: $30 =��7!��# ��8�!��Companions). E: [email protected]; W: www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners

March 30TALK ON THE SACRAMENTS IN MANDARIN8-9.30pm: Mr Longinus Dismas Chew, chaplain of Assumption English School,

Assumption Pathway School, and Boys’ Town, will present an overview of the Sacraments in Mandarin. Mr Chew is also a Mandarin-speaking pastoral coordinator and youth pastoral coordinator. At Blessed Sacrament Church (Damien Hall)

Friday March 30 to Sunday April 1POLYTECHNIC RETREAT 20127pm (Fri)-4pm (Sun): Combined polytechnic camp. Join and make new friends before the new academic year starts. Join the Catholic youth group in your polytechnic and make your student years memorable. At Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre. Register T: 8126 6205 (Patricia), 9825 1064 (Francis); E: [email protected], W: http://polycatholics.wordpress.com

March 30 CHILDREN’S EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 7.45-9pm: Lent is an opportune time to pray as a family, and what better way than praying together before the Blessed Sacrament? For children, parents, catechists. At Church of the Holy Spirit. T: 9362 5408; E: [email protected]; W: http://www.adorejesus.com

March 30 STATIONS OF THE CROSS REFLECTIONS FOR YOUNG ADULTS ��|_� ��;��$��%��the Stations of the Cross followed by Eucharistic adoration and benediction in preparation for Holy Week. All welcome. At Church of St Ignatius Kingsmead Hall St Francis Xavier Chapel.

March 31INTRO TO PALLIATIVE CARE SUPPORT 2.30-4.30pm: At Church of St Teresa (Parish House Level 4). T: 8113 1729 (Anne); E: [email protected]

Sunday April 1 to April 8HOLY WEEK MALAYALAM SCHEDULEApr 1 (4pm): Palm Sunday Mass at Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Celebrant: Fr Michael. Apr 5 (8pm) Holy Thursday Mass at Church of St Francis of Assisi. Celebrant: Fr Kurian. Apr 6 (10.30am) Good Friday

Service at Church of St Stephen (Sallim Rd). Apr 7 (8.30pm) Easter Vigil. At Church of St Francis of Assisi. Celebrant: Fr Kurian. Apr 8 (3.30pm) Easter Sunday Mass. At Church of St Stephen. Celebrants: Frs Kurian and Michael

April 5 CHRISM MASS AT NATIVITY CHURCH 10.30am: Churchgoers are advised to park their cars at the neighbouring HDB carparks or at the Catholic Spirituality Centre just across the road. At Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

April 5 HOLY THURSDAY TAIZE 8.30-10pm: Children’s choir to sing Taizé hymns. Join us after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper for prayers in song, meditation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Dr).

Thursday April 5 to Saturday April 8HOLY WEEK ARTFULLY LIVED 8-9.30pm (Thu); 10am-4pm (Fri-Sun): A 4-day art retreat based on the events of Holy Week. Conducted by visiting friar, Fr John Quigley, OFM. No art skills necessary. Participants of all ages and backgrounds welcome. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (5 Bt Batok East Ave 2). Cost: $200 (inclusive of basic art materials & lunch). ��!��#�&��7!��payment to Church of St Mary of the Angels with participant’s name and contact ��$��7!�&��#�(��|��E: [email protected]

Tuesday April 10 to Thursday April 12PAINTING MY WAY TO GOD10am-1pm (morning workshop); 7.30-9.30pm (talk): Fr John Quigley OFM, will combine morning creative time with an evening talk on mysticism and art. Through art creation and shared ��%��@��spiritual journeys in a creative manner. No art skills necessary. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (5 Bt Batok East Ave 2). Cost: $60 (inclusive of basic art materials) or $20 (per evening talk). Register by Mar 18 E: [email protected]

Wednesdays April 11 to May 9BASIC CATECHIST COURSE LITURGY 19.30am-12.30pm: A 4-session course on the Liturgy and Liturgical Catechesis for catechists and faith formators. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 7019; E: [email protected].

Fridays April 13 to April 27 INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL 8-10pm: 2012 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Find out what this much heard-about council was about. By SPI. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 3011; E: [email protected]

April 14FAMILY KITE FLYING EVENT 1.30-3.30pm: This Easter, gain an insight into Familiaris Consortio and discover God’s plan for marriage and the family through a Kite-Flying family event.By Family Life Society. At Nativity Church. Cost: $30 (kite and refreshments for 3). ;�$��# ��7!��&�� $��#�;��`&�T: 6488 0278 (Veronica); E: [email protected]

April 14FINDING GOD IN YOUR WRITING 9.30am-5pm: Learn to write your sacred

story. Through writing exercises and other activities, explore and express your inmost thoughts and feelings, and gain a deeper understanding of self and your relationship with others and with God. No prior writing �@��7!��&��#��Chia (trained writing group leader). Cost: $80 (including lunch). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: [email protected]

April 156TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS IN TAMIL 6.30pm: St Joseph Tamil Prayer Group will celebrate its 6th anniversary of Divine Mercy Prayers in Tamil. With Mass at 7pm. All welcome. At Blessed Sacrament Church.

Wednesdays April 18 to May 23BOOK OF DANIEL9.30am-11.30pm: By Church of the Holy Spirit Bible Apostolate. At Church of the Holy Spirit Room A2-01. Register T: 8228 8220 (Clare), 9815 4098 (Genevieve). E: [email protected]

April 20CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY FUND-RAISING GOLF EVENT11.30am-9.30pm: The parish is hosting a golf charity to raise funds for its new church building. Guest of Honour: Dr Tan Cheng Bock. At Warren Golf & Country Club. T: 9748 8308 (Louise); E: [email protected]

Wednesday April 25 to Saturday April 28 PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL TALKS 7pm (daily): Talks by Fr Michele Vezzoli on Enneagram and Spiritual Growth, Transactional Analysis and Relationship with God, Stages of Spiritual Growth, Prayer in the Modern World. By LifeSprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At Canossa Convent Primary School (1 Sallim Rd). Register T: 6466 2178; E: [email protected]; W: http://www.lifespringscanossian.com

April 27 CONTEMPORARY JESUIT HYMNS: THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF LITURGICAL MUSIC 7.30-9.30pm: Liturgical music is properly a theological enterprise, expressing in aesthetic form the faith of the contemporary Church. Explore salient theological aspects of Jesuit Liturgical Music in this talk. At CANA The Catholic Centre (55 Waterloo St Level 2). Register T: 6336 4815, 6336 4467; E: [email protected]

Monday April 30 to Thursday May 3 SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY TRAINING 9.30am-1pm: 3 day training course for new members of School Chaplaincy Teams by Dr Michael Downey. By ACCS. At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 7085 (Louis). E: [email protected]

Wednesdays May 2 to May 16FINDING GOD IN YOUR READING 8-9.30pm: Based on Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith and through Ignatian ��#��$��%��the environment and their relationships with the Divine. A teacher, a mother, and a medical doctor will share their personal ��%��&�� &Kindly read the book beforehand. Facilitated by Fr Leslie Raj, SJ. Love offering. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: [email protected]

Y

21Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNews IN MEMORIAM

Crossword Puzzle 1054

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1053

Aquila left here because the Jews were ordered out (Acts 18:2)

13 ___ Scott decision21 ___ jet23 Agape ___25 “Where, O ___,

is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)

28 Monsters30 With 6D, a Holy

Land site31 507, to Nero¡U� '��33 20th letter of the

Hebrew alphabet34 Jesus is the ___ of

God35 Cupid¡~� ¥��

number

37 Hoodwink39 Paddled43 Written guarantee46 Pop classic50 Impasse52 Non-pro sports

org.54 Silhouette56 “___ us peace”57 Errand runner58 Clear the board59 Indoor game60 ___ of Thunder

(Mk 3:17)61 Streetcar62 Assess63 ___ vera64 Former Russian

ruler68 Mythical sea

monster

ACROSS1 Chalice covering5 Son of Sarah10 One of two names

in a Catholic book publishing company

14 Hip bones15 Franciscan

founder of California missions

16 Composer Stravinsky

17 Recedes18 Speeder19 Identical20 Saint of Avila22 Did a carpenter’s

job24 Longed for26 Holy ___27 Topping in a tub29 Jacob’s dream

(Gen 28:12)34 The Pharisee was

surprised to notice that Jesus did not do this (Lk 11:38)

38 Othello’s betrayer40 Embankment41 Typee sequel42 Pharaoh refused to

give this (Ex 5:10)44 Is unwell45 Rite in the

Catholic Church47 Daughter of

Cronus48 Kitchenware49 St. Katherine’s

surname

51 Shot contents53 OT prophetic book55 Hauled60 A street in

Damascus (Acts 9:11)

65 Roman goddess of the dawn

66 Like much lore67 He housed Paul

and Silas in Thessalonica

69 A place to worship from?

70 Western pact71 Away72 Make a home73 Hook’s hand74 “Have ___ on us”75 Very, in Versailles

DOWN1 One of the seven

gifts of the Holy Spirit

2 Playwright Edward

3 Seventh sign of the zodiac

4 Intense light beam5 Middle easterners6 See 30D7 Type of angel that

Michael is8 Extents9 Elijah held his

challenge here10 Describes some

men in the Bible11 Culture medium12 Priscilla and

A L M S P Y R E S C R TM O O T A E A E A L I E UO S L O S A C E R D O T A LS T E A L T H Y D E S E R T

E O S G I B EA N S G A R P I N T S I Z EM I C A H C A F E S S E AT S A R M U T T S C A B SO A R T I R E S O H A R EO N E L I N E R F R A C A S

I B I S C I AA D O N I S D Y S L E X I AP E N T A T E U C H A I D SP A C E E C O L E S I L K

D E L R O S E S T I E Smoc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 11 21 31

41 51 61

71 81 91

02 12 22 32

4 52 2 62

72 82 92 03 13 23 33

43 53 63 73 83 93 04

14 24 34 44

54 64 74 84

9 04 5 15 25

35 45 55 65 75 85 95

06 16 26 36 46 56

66 76 86 96

07 17 27

37 47 57

moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www CLASSIFIEDTHANKSGIVING

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the whole world now and forever. Amen. Grateful thanks to our Lord Jesus for answer-ing our prayers. Please continue to bless and guide our family with good health, success and safety. Thank you Mother Mary for your prayers and intercession. Con-tinue to bless and inter-cede for our petitions to be answered. Thank you St Anthony for your prayers and guidance for my family. S.K.Lim

Oh Holy St Jude Thad-deus Apostle and mar-tyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Je-sus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and hum-bly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my urgent petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Thank

you St Jude for all your prayers answered. Continue to bless pray and intercede for me and my family always. S.K.Lim

O Holy St Jude, apos-tle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in times of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for me and all who invoke your aid. Humbly in need of your intercession. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers.

Thank you, Lord for being there in times of my needs and distress, through your Apostle, Saint Jude. Maajun

Grateful thanks to Mother Mary, St Jude and Holy Spirit for prayers answered. Please continue to pray for us and hear our prayers. Margaret

VATICAN CITY – When life feels like a dark and silent tunnel, faith gives a Christian light and music, Pope Benedict XVI said at the end of his weeklong Lenten retreat.

Congolese Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa led the pope’s retreat from Feb 26 to March 3 in the Redempto-ris Mater Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. Cardinal Monsengwo of-fered the pope and top Vatican of-�� #�on the theme ‘Christians’ Com-munion With God’.

The pope said he was particu-larly struck by the cardinal’s story about a friend of his who was in a coma and “had the impression of

Light at end of life’s tunnel being in a dark tunnel, but at the end he saw a bit of light and heard beautiful music”.

“This can be a parable of our lives,” the pope said. “Often we �� !��$�� !��in the middle of the night, but through faith we see a light at the end and hear beautiful music, per-ceiving the beauty of God.”

Cardinal Monsengwo based his meditations on the First Letter of St John. He told Vatican Radio the letter “gives great attention to communion in the Church, both the communion of the faithful with the apostles and of the faith-ful and the apostles with God”. � CNS

WORLD

PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

24 Sunday March 25, 2012 � CatholicNewsADVERTISEMENT

Documents

MARCH 25, 2012, Vol 62, No 06