www.catholicnews.sg SINGAPORE S$1.00 / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.00 MICA (P) 043 / 01 / 2012 PPS 201/04/2013 (022940) VOL 62 NO. 25 SUNDAY DECEMBER 16, 2012 HOME Reaching out to region’s needy CHIJ students, teachers aid Southeast Asia’s poor Page 5 Year of Faith bloggers St Francis Xavier’s young adults share faith online Page 6 ASIA Indian lay Praised for holding onto faith despite persecution Page 12 WORLD Strengthening Catholic charities’ identity Pope issues new rules Page 13 FAITH ALIVE! Advent – a promise of vindication Page 16 PENITENTIAL SERVICES & CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Page 17 INSIDE Pope creates 6 new cardinals, 3 from Asia By Alessandro Speciale VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI created six new cardinals on Nov 24. Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Syro-Malankara Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal of India, and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai of Lebanon received the red hat in a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica. Archbishop James Michael Harvey from the US, Nigerian Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan and Colombian Arch- bishop Ruben Salazar Gomez were also installed. The pope’s second batch of did not include anyone from Eu- rope and just one person from the ranks of the Roman Curia. The pontiff’s previous consis- tory, in February, had been criti- cised for leaning heavily to Italian and other European churchmen in a future conclave, even as the Church continues to shrink in the old world and grows rapidly in Asia and Africa. With the latest appointments, 120 out of a total of 211 living cardinals could be called upon to elect Pope Benedict’s successor. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Of the 120 cardinal-electors, 62 – or slightly more than half – now come from Europe, 35 are from the Americas and 11 respec- tively from Asia and Africa. Just one comes from Oceania, Austral- ia’s Cardinal George Pell. The new consistory raises the percentage of Asian electors from seven to nine percent. Catholics in Asia account for just over 10 percent of the worldwide Catholic population. At the same time, the percent- age of European electors dropped slightly to just over 51 percent. But the continent remains statisti- cally over represented, since the Vatican reports that fewer than 24 percent of the world’s Catholics live in Europe. In his homily before bestow- ing the red hat, the pope seemed to address such concerns by stress- ing repeatedly the “universality” of the Catholic Church. The word “catholic” comes from the Greek term for “universal”. “In this consistory,” he said, “I want to highlight in particu- lar the fact that the Church is the Church of all peoples, and so she speaks in the various cultures of the different continents. She is the Church of Pentecost: amid the po- lyphony of the various voices, she raises a single harmonious song to the living God.” The College of Cardinals is particularly representative of the Church’s “unity and universality: It presents a variety of faces, be- cause it expresses the face of the universal Church”, the pope said. He recalled that Jesus gave the apostles the mission to bear witness “all over the world, tran- scending the cultural and religious - tality, “so as to open themselves to the universal Kingdom of God”. In this sense, even when they spread throughout the world and founded different local Church- es, they always thought of their Church not as a “community of their own” but as part of the “unique, universal and all-inclu- sive identity of the Catholica that is realised in every local Church”. After the pope’s homily, the him and to the Church before receiving the red hat and a ring marking their new rank. Some of them, including Cardinal Tagle, were visibly moved and shed tears. UCANEWS.COM, CNS The new cardinals raise the percentage of Asian papal electors from seven to nine percent. Catholics in Asia account for just over 10 percent of the world’s Catholics. Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila (left) is greeted by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The Filipino Church leader was made a cardinal by the pope at the Vatican on Nov 24. CNS photo
DECEMBER 16, 2012, Vol 62, No 25
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Pope creates 6 new cardinals, 3 from Asia
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SINGAPORE S$1.00 / WEST MALAYSIA RM$2.00 MICA (P) 043 / 01 / 2012 PPS 201/04/2013 (022940) VOL 62 NO. 25SUNDAY DECEMBER 16, 2012
HOMEReaching out to region’s needyCHIJ students, teachers aid Southeast Asia’s poor� Page 5
Year of Faith bloggersSt Francis Xavier’s young adults share faith online� Page 6
ASIAIndian lay ������������Praised for holding onto faith despite persecution� Page 12
WORLDStrengthening Catholic charities’ identityPope issues new rules� Page 13
FAITH ALIVE!Advent – a promise of vindication� Page 16
PENITENTIAL SERVICES & CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE� Page 17
INSIDEPope creates 6 new cardinals, 3 from Asia
By Alessandro Speciale
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI created six new cardinals on Nov 24.
Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Syro-Malankara Archbishop Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal of India, and Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai of Lebanon received the red hat in a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica.
Archbishop James Michael Harvey from the US, Nigerian Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan and Colombian Arch-bishop Ruben Salazar Gomez were also installed.
The pope’s second batch of �������� ��� �� � ������������did not include anyone from Eu-rope and just one person from the ranks of the Roman Curia.
The pontiff’s previous consis-tory, in February, had been criti-cised for leaning heavily to Italian and other European churchmen in a future conclave, even as the Church continues to shrink in the old world and grows rapidly in Asia and Africa.
With the latest appointments, 120 out of a total of 211 living cardinals could be called upon to elect Pope Benedict’s successor. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.
Of the 120 cardinal-electors, 62 – or slightly more than half – now come from Europe, 35 are from the Americas and 11 respec-tively from Asia and Africa. Just one comes from Oceania, Austral-ia’s Cardinal George Pell.
The new consistory raises the percentage of Asian electors from seven to nine percent. Catholics in Asia account for just over 10 percent of the worldwide Catholic population.
At the same time, the percent-age of European electors dropped
slightly to just over 51 percent. But the continent remains statisti-cally over represented, since the Vatican reports that fewer than 24 percent of the world’s Catholics live in Europe.
In his homily before bestow-ing the red hat, the pope seemed to address such concerns by stress-ing repeatedly the “universality” of the Catholic Church. The word “catholic” comes from the Greek term for “universal”.
“In this consistory,” he said, “I want to highlight in particu-
lar the fact that the Church is the Church of all peoples, and so she speaks in the various cultures of the different continents. She is the Church of Pentecost: amid the po-lyphony of the various voices, she raises a single harmonious song to the living God.”
The College of Cardinals is particularly representative of the Church’s “unity and universality: It presents a variety of faces, be-cause it expresses the face of the universal Church”, the pope said.
He recalled that Jesus gave
the apostles the mission to bear witness “all over the world, tran-scending the cultural and religious ������� �� ����� ���� ��� ���-tality, “so as to open themselves to the universal Kingdom of God”.
In this sense, even when they spread throughout the world and founded different local Church-es, they always thought of their Church not as a “community of their own” but as part of the “unique, universal and all-inclu-sive identity of the Catholica that is realised in every local Church”.
After the pope’s homily, the ��� �������� ���� ������� ��him and to the Church before receiving the red hat and a ring marking their new rank. Some of them, including Cardinal Tagle, were visibly moved and shed tears. � UCANEWS.COM, CNS
The new cardinals raise the percentage of Asian papal electors from seven to nine percent.
Catholics in Asia account for just over 10 percent of the world’s Catholics.
Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila (left) is greeted by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The Filipino Church leader was made a cardinal by the pope at the Vatican on Nov 24. CNS photo
2 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews22 HOME
ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY����� ������� ����������!�������"��#$�%����������� &���'� ����������"������#$�%�����������Dec 10-16 Vietnam: FABC General Assembly��� ( )�(�'� *�������������������#$�%�����������
“Only through an encounter with God are we able to see in the other something more than just another creature, to recognise the divine image in the other, thus truly com-ing to discover him or her and to mature in a love that ‘becomes concern and care for the other’.” (Pope Benedict XVI in the new en-cyclical, Caritas in Veritate)
Caring for God’s creation
God made us stewards of His creation – giving man supremacy and guardianship of His creation. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, and let them ���� �+�� ��� �� �� ��� �� ���the birds of the air, over the live-stock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’” (Genesis 1:26.)
With such control and domi-nance comes responsibility for the care and protection for the well being of our planet earth.
Eco-friendliness has been a trend in recent times. Many organi-sations and companies have caught on to this and lobbied for a cleaner and greener environment – one that discourages wastage and advocates conservation and protection.
This trend has not been lost on the Church, and it is one organi-sation that has also made efforts to do its part. As recently as 4-5 years ago, the Church has been at
��� ��������� �� ��� ���� ������climate change and advocating eco-friendliness.
In 2011, the Vatican issued the statement: “We are committed to ensuring that all inhabitants of this planet receive their daily bread, fresh air to breathe and clean wa-ter to drink, as we are aware that, if we want justice and peace, we must protect the habitat that sus-tains us. The believers among us ask God to grant us this wish.”
In our local churches, church canteens have recyling bins to cut down on wastage and parishioners are urged to do their part in keep-ing the church clean.
In context of the Mass – song sheets have replaced song books, or projection on the screen to cut down on the wasteful printing of hymnals. The green movement is now part and parcel of the Church’s way of life.
However as noted in recent times, some lapses have occurred in Singapore in general. Incidents of littering have risen and standards of cleanliness have fallen. This is naturally a cause for much concern.
‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’
Although not actually a biblical quote, there are many references to “cleanliness” in the Bible. Re-cently there has been much dis-
cussion in the media about clean-���� 9'��������� ���������; ���the returning of trays in hawker centres and food courts.
God desires his people to be clean. He instructs us to clean the inside so that the outside may be clean as well. Inward cleanliness should manifest itself in outward cleanliness. When we are clean inwardly it can be unbearable
to live in unclean surroundings. In Matthew 23:26, Jesus says,
<=���>����?����������������that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
Keeping the Temple of the Lord clean
From the early beginnings of the Bible we see how “on reaching
Jerusalem, Jesus entered the tem-ple courts and began driving out those who were buying and sell-ing there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts” (Mark 3:5). Such was Jesus’ zeal for His Father’s House and for it to be kept clean.
Do to others as you would have them
do to you (Luke 6:31)
Cleanliness is a social grace – part and parcel of communal living and a civilised society. As a coun-try striving to be more gracious, such social values and civic re-sponsibility are necessary. A soci-��������'����������+�����does not foster harmony nor is
it conducive towards generating goodwill and peace amongst its people.
Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10)
Cleanliness displays important character traits such as respon-sibility, discipline or simply just common courtesy to the person after us. It reflects our mindset – either that we are considerate and thoughtful towards others or think and care for only our-selves and our own conveni-ence.
The Servant King has demon-strated through example – wash-ing the feet of His disciples during the Last Supper.
Similarly, returning of trays in food courts is not just an act of cleanliness, but also one of ser-vice, humility and love for our neighbour.
Just as our Lord Jesus Christ was humble enough to wash the feet of His disciples, we are called to imitate His humility and love in doing menial tasks with joy, and to “serve one another humbly in love”. (Galatians 5:13).
Through our actions in spreading the message of cleanli-ness, we are invited to “do to oth-ers as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). In becoming the least of our brethren, we as-pire to greatness and everlasting happiness in the heavenly king-dom. �
Archbishop Nicholas Chia
ARCHBISHOP’S MESSAGE
Covenant between man and environmentResponding to God’s command to till and to keep the land that he has entrusted to humanity (Genesis 2:15)
Church canteens have recyling bins to cut down on wastage and parishioners are urged to do their part in keeping their church clean.
3Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews ADVERTISEMENT
4 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews HOME
Parishioners from the Church of the Blessed Sacrament celebrated the feast of Christ the King with an evening cruise around the Southern Islands.
The novel activity, on Nov 25, was the brainchild of parish priest Fr Anthony Hutjes.
He had wanted to provide a casual atmosphere for parishion-ers to get to know one another better and grow in Christian char-ity.
The 200 participants enjoyed a buffet dinner on-board and also +������������@��'��������-tosa’s Palawan Beach.
During the cruise, Fr Hutjes
briefed participants on the par-ish’s programmes leading up to the parish’s golden jubilee cele-bration next year, as well as those for the Year of Faith.
The upcoming programmes include an Advent Parish Carni-val, Youth Lenten Campaign for the Poor, Formation Programme for Evangelisation and a Parish Social Night.
Mr Benjamin Raja, a parish youth councillor, said the three-and-a-half hour cruise helped him “grow closer” to fellow parishion-ers in an atmosphere in which all the “demands of parochial minis-try” were “forgotten”. �
Blessed Sacrament parishioners go on cruise
Parishioners on the
cruise which went to the
Southern Islands.
Photo:
DR PETER WANG
CatholicNews launched its new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/catholic-news) on Dec 1.
The archdi-ocesan news-paper’s exist-ing Facebook account (www.facebook.com/thecatholicnews) will be discon-������������Z�����������'-tion of news feeds for some sub-scribers.
The new Facebook Page will allow all viewers to receive regu-lar updates when they subscribe to it. To do this, click “Like” at www.facebook.com/catholic-���� ���� ����� <[�� \������-
tions” and “Show in News feeds”.The new Facebook page aims
to promote faith sharing and in-formation exchange within the Catholic community. It comple-ments the current CatholicNews website (www.catholicnews.sg).
Messages to the CatholicNews Facebook team can also be sent through Facebook. �
CatholicNews launchesnew Facebook page
The Catholic Archdiocesan Edu-cation Centre on Highland Road resounded with children’s voices and laughter as 120 kids descend-ed on the premises for a “wilder-ness adventure”.
=����������������+���� �were attending the second annual Kid’s Bible Camp organised by the Singapore Pastoral Institute. They came from 15 parishes.
The Nov 19-23 camp, which had the theme A Wilderness Ad-venture Through The Sacraments, ��'������'�����+���������+�groups – Beavers, Bears, Wolves, Eagles and Raccoons.
Their Bible camp “adven-����������^'�����+���������stations – Faith, Games, Music, Snacks and Craft.
At the Craft station, the kids learned about the healing sacra-ments such as Anointing of the Sick. Here they made their “Wil-derness First Aid Kit”, which in-cluded plasters to remind them that Jesus heals the wounds of the heart.
The Faith station was a place ������������������Z������'����Catechetical director Fr Erbin Fernandez led them in Eucharis-tic adoration and also shared with them his call to the priesthood.
The Music station was a popular stop as the kids sang and danced to upbeat, inspirational songs. By the end of the camp, many were singing the tunes they had learnt, especially the camp theme song, Hike of My Life.
Even the Games and Snacks stations were opportunities to learn: A game of tug of war reminded the young participants that though it is a daily struggle to keep away from sin, God strengthens them through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
And when the children made “baptismal cupcakes” at the Snacks station, they decorated
them with white icing, candles, �������������>������-mind themselves of the new life that all share in Jesus at baptism.
A small army of 60 volunteers comprising catechists, parents and young people helped guide the chil-dren during the camp. They kept the camp running smoothly and took care of details such as the making of materials and packing of snacks.
Participants of last year’s camp, now in secondary school, also returned as facilitators.
There was even assistance from four catechists from the Church of
Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Ipoh, who were learning how to run a similar camp for their parish.
At the end of the camp, in thanksgiving for all they had re-ceived, the children and their fam-ilies donated food items, toys and books to disadvantaged children and needy families in Singapore.
Seven-year-old Nicole Long, from St Francis Xavier parish, echoed the sentiments of many of the young participants.
“It was fun and I learned a lot about Jesus... and I want to come back again next year!” she said. �
‘Wilderness adventure’teaches children about sacraments Kids learn about faith the fun way at Bible camp
A young participant of the Wilderness Adventure Through The Sacraments camp with a message for his father.
Children learning about the sacraments as they snack.
5Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
By Michelle Tan
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Teaching Thai students English
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CHIJ students, teachers reach out to needy in regionMission trips to Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia the latest in CHIJ Toa Payoh’s special programme
Four Myanmar teacher trainees conduct an experiment with paper planes with help from CHIJ teachers. Students conducting a class for kids in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
CHIJ students serving
rice soup to village
children in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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6 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews6 HOME
By Darren Boon
Four seminarians will be ordained deacons at St Joseph Church (Bukit Timah) on Jan 25 at 7.30pm.
They are Brs Jovita Cyprian Ho, Alphonsus Dominic, Edward Seah and Benedict Chng. They are all Singaporeans.
Br Ho, 37, was a non-uniformed regular in the Singapore Armed Forces and a paramedic by vocation before joining the seminary.
He was an altar server, cat-echist, cantor, and served in the li-turgical committee when he was a parishioner of the Church of Lady of Perpetual Succour.
He is currently a parishioner of the Church of Christ the King.
Br Dominic, 37, had his own ���'��������+��������������� ��������� �� ��� ���� >�����joining the seminary.
The parishioner of Church of the Holy Spirit was active in the art ministry and children and adult choirs.
He was also an altar server.Br Chng, 49, was a general
manager in company that dis-tributed and marketed sound re-inforcement products and radio broadcast equipment prior to join-ing the seminary.
The parishioner of the Church of the Holy Family was also in-volved in the RCIA and Liturgy of the Word for Children.
Br Seah, 53, was formerly a De La Salle Brother. The parish-ioner of the Church of the Risen Christ was a catechist and also served in the Legion of Mary and youth ministry.
Meanwhile, two Malaysian seminarians who had studied at the St Francis Xavier Major Sem-inary, Brs Peter Anthoney and Gregory Chan, were scheduled to be ordained deacons in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8.
Their priestly ordination date is set for Jan 24. �
4 to be ordained deacons
From left: Seminarians Alphonsus Dominic, Benedict Chng, Edward Seah and Jovita Cyprian Ho are to be or-dained deacons in January.
By Martin See
About 100 Taoist delegates from around Asia learnt a little about the Catholic Church when they visited the Church of St Teresa on Nov 27.
The delegates were guests of Zhen Ren Gong Temple at Redhill Close, which celebrated its 100th anniversary on Nov 25. The dele-gates came from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philip-pines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Fr Stephen Yim spoke in Man-darin as he welcomed the Manda-rin-speaking guests.
He explained that the title “Father”, used before his name, meant that he is a member of the Catholic clergy who has embraced a special vocation of serving God.
Fr Yim also gave a brief histo-ry of St Teresa Church and said it is the only Catholic church in Sin-gapore which has a canopy struc-ture located within the building.
It is also the only Catholic
church here with a Roman-Byzan-tine architectural design, he added.
Besides visiting the Catholic church, the delegates also visited a Sikh temple, a mosque and a Protestant church.
“We decided to invite the dele-gates to visit various places of wor-ship in Singapore because we be-lieve that some of them have never seen the inside of a church, mosque or Sikh temple,” said Ms Mary Wang, a temple committee member.
“We also wanted to expose these delegates to the interreli-gious harmony that we have in Singapore,” she added.
<����+������+������������-ganisations an eye-opener and the people are welcoming,” Mr Wu Qing Liang, 50, a Philippine del-egate told CatholicNews. “In my country, different faith groups don’t mix with one another, whereas in Singapore it’s harmonious.” �
Asian Taoist delegates visit St Teresa Church
Guests of Zhen Ren Gong Temple at Redhill Close entering the Church of St Teresa for their interreligious visit.
By Darren Boon
A group of young adults from the Church of St Francis Xavier has banded to blog about the Year of Faith.
Mr Timothy Soo, 23, who started the initiative told Catholic-News the blog is about translating “head knowledge to heart knowl-edge” through the sharing of the bloggers’ faith experiences.
The aim is to make the faith relevant to others and connect with readers, he said.
The blog, launched in Octo-ber, is called The Door of Faith, but its website address has a rath-er unusual name: http://knocking-onthebrotheldoor.wordpress.com.
Ms Yvonne Chen, 23, another blogger, said it refers to a quote at-tributed to English writer G K Ches-terton, who supposedly said: “Eve-ry man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God.”
?��'�� ��@ ��� ��������� ����������������[����������she said.
There are four themes the group focuses on in its blog: faith and the Creed; life of Christ; the liturgy, sacraments and rites; and Christian morality and prayer.
The bloggers also refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Vatican documents in their posts, said Ms Chen.
So far, the team have written about their faith life, how they came to embrace the faith and their spiritual struggles.
The bloggers told Cathol-icNews their inspirations come from Church events, conversa-
tions they had with others includ-ing non-Christians, and through sharings with other Catholics.
“We want [readers] to see that the Church’s teachings are not something imposed on them but something that speaks the truth and the truth guides them towards God,” said Mr James Yap, 22, an-other team member.
The blogging exercise is about using language to give colour to the faith, said another blogger, Mr Marcus Foo, 26.
He said he joined the initiative as he was won over by the idea of promoting the faith through tech-nology and social media.
According to Mr Soo, he got the idea for the blog after hearing a priest speak about the Year of
Faith during Mass, and during his personal prayer time.
He then sent an email to the St Francis Xavier youth and young adults’ community asking who might be interested in the ini-tiative. The group presently com-prises nine bloggers including one parishioner based overseas.
The team updates the blog once or twice a week. They also hope to invite guest contributors.
Mr Soo said that through read-ers’ comments, he learnt that be-hind every theological question lies a personal question. Some people are seeking answers and the best way to win them over is to “speak with love”, he said. �
Five of the nine-member team responsible for the The Door of Faith blog: (front, from left) Mr Timothy Soo and Ms Yvonne Chen, (back, from left) Mr Leon Tan, Mr James Yap and Mr Marcus Foo.
St Francis Xavier young adults launch blog on Year of Faith
7Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews HOME
By Martin See
The Congregation of the Immacu-late Heart of Mary (CICM), popu-larly known as Scheut Missions, celebrated their 150th anniversary with a Mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit, which they helped build.
“What we celebrate is our faith in the Lord and proclaiming the Good News,” CICM priest Fr Anthony Lim told the 300-strong crowd on Nov 28 during his hom-ily.
Fr Lim shared about his pil-grimage to Inner Mongolia, Chi-na, earlier this year, in which he was spiritual director for 25 other ��������� �� �� �� ��� ����visiting the region and seeing the works that other CICM members had done.
The group visited Tiger Val-ley, where CICM founder Fr The-ophile Verbist died in February 1868 after working for three years in Inner Mongolia.
Fr Verbist had a dream of preaching the Gospel in China.
Fr Lim and his fellow pilgrims saw the room Fr Verbist died in as well as photos of the late CICM members who had served in that parish. Later, they visited the cemetery where the bodies of nine missionaries were laid to rest.
Fr Lim shared that many of them died in their 20s and 30s ei-ther of diseases or were tortured to death during the Boxer Rebel-lion (1898-1901) in China.
“The tombs of these mission-aries are signs of their strong faith and their close relationship with Jesus,” said Fr Lim, “each one committing himself to proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation, just like the apostles.”
Archbishop Nicholas Chia was the main celebrant at the Mass and he congratulated the CICM missionaries on the work they had done in Singapore.
History of Scheut Missions (CICM)
Scheut Missions began as the dream of a young priest from the Archdiocese of Mechelen in Bel-gium in the 1860s.
When Fr Théophile Verbist (1823-1868) learnt that mission-aries might be allowed to work in China, he became convinced of his calling to preach the Gospel there even though he was a dioc-esan priest.
A few more diocesan priests from Belgium and Holland joined him, and on Nov 28, 1862, the statutes of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were approved.
They set up their headquarters, or motherhouse, at Scheut, a sub-urb of Brussels – hence the name Scheut Missions.
Three years later, Fr Verbist left Belgium for mission work in Inner Mongolia, accompanied by four others.
Their main task was to obtain �������� �''���� �������� �����and send new members to China ���������������������'������-ly 1868, Fr Verbist succumbed to typhoid fever and died.
However, from then on, the number of CICM members and their mission territories kept growing.
From 1865 until the expulsion of missionaries from China in the early 1950s, no fewer than 679 CICM members were active there.
In 1888, CICM accepted a new mission territory at the re-quest of the Vatican and the king
of Belgium: the vast area of new-ly discovered Congo. In 1907, CICM concentrated its efforts in the Philippines when there was a need to replace the Spanish mis-sionaries there.
CICM in Singapore
CICM was set up in Singapore in 1931 to support the mission in China and the Philippines.
In 1953, Belgium-born CICM Bishop Carlo van Melckebeke was appointed by the Holy See as Apostolic Visitor of the Overseas Chinese.
The former Bishop of Ningxia, who was forced to leave China in ��) � �� �' ����� �� �����'����He established the Singapore Catholic Central Bureau (today’s Carlo Society) for the diffusion of Catholic literature in Southeast Asia, and initiated several Manda-
Scheut Missions marks its 150th anniversary
Archbishop Nicholas Chia (third from left) poses for a photo with Scheut Missions (CICM) priests during the Nov 28 celebration. The priests are (from left): Frs Paul Staes, Kamelus Kamus, Anthony Lim, Robertus Sarwiseso and Angel Luciano.
CICM Bishop Carlo van Melck-���������������� ����������������in the 1950s. Fr Staes seen here with children in Mongolia.
rin language publications includ-ing Hai Sing Pao, the archdioc-esan Mandarin newspaper.
He died in 1980 and his re-mains are at the Church of the Holy Spirit.
The CICM also sent Dutch members to the Toraja area of Sulawesi, Indonesia, in 1937.
After World War II, and after China closed its doors to foreign missionaries, the CICM started accepting requests from bishops in Asia, such as in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, to set up the congregation in these places.
Ministries in Singapore
The CICM participates regularly in Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) activities and has held talks to foster better understanding of other faiths.
One of its members, Fr Angel Luciano, provides pastoral care to migrant workers, especially those from the Philippines. Since 2004, he has been the spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
Another priest, Fr Romeo Yu Chang, is the Regional Coordi-nator of the Apostleship of the Sea for East and Southeast Asia. He speaks English, Tagalog, Bi-colano (a language of the Philip-pines), Cantonese and Mandarin.
The CICM is a co-founder of the Archdiocesan Commission for Missionary Activity (ACMA) and also promotes evangelisation through the Rite of Christian Ini-tiation of Adults (RCIA).
Two CICM members have also published books – Steps on My Missionary Journey by Fr Peter Koh and Dwelling in God’s Love by Fr Frans De Ridder.
Missionhurst magazine, pub-lished by CICM in the US, is also sent bi-monthly to over 1,000 friends and supporters of the Scheut Missions in Singapore. �
8 HOME
Laura Low is one student who ex-cels both in the classroom and in sport.
The CHIJ Kellock Primary scored four A* and a merit grade for Higher Mother Tongue in PSLE.
She was also captain of her school’s netball team who came in ���������������������������|Primary Schools Netball Cham-pionships and were second in this year’s National Primary Schools Netball Championships.
She says she has had a passion for the sport since early primary school days, and has decided to pick the Singapore Sports School for her secondary education.
“Netball helps me to relax and forget the stress from my studies,” she said.
Laura said that representing her school in netball and at the Na-tional Mathematical Olympiad of Singapore 2011 was a bit stressful. However, that “pressure drove me to do my best”.
She added that such competi-tions taught her perseverance and hard work.
Through leadership training from her school, Laura said that she ���������������������
Going beyond the P In the wake of the PSLE results, several schools responded to CatholicNews’ can be regarded as role models in various ways. Martin See speaks to these
A cheerful Deborah Choo was all smiles when she talked about her school, CHIJ Our Lady of the Na-tivity.
“It was a fun experience since Primary One!” said the leukaemia survivor. “I’d ask God to help me make good friends and help me in my studies, and He answered my prayers.”
Deborah, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of four and a half, scored an A for English, a B for Maths and a C for Science and Chinese.
“I didn’t even expect her to pass and thought she needed to stay back another year but she surprised us and did well,” said her mother, Mrs Felicia Choo. “I’m so proud of her.”
Mrs Choo said that leukae-mia sufferers tend not to do well in school, so when her daughter passed her PSLE she was thankful to God and the teachers.
<��>���� �� ���� � �����-cant improvement in Maths which was her weakest subject,” said Deborah’s form teacher, Mrs Ser-ena Lee. “She was scoring in the 30-40 percent range and achieved a B in the PSLE which is in the 60 percent range.”
Leukaemia no obstacleto her getting good grades
Deborah Choo (CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity) took part in community ser-vice such as visiting children with cancer in hospitals.
After being diagnosed with can-cer, Deborah spent the next couple of years undergoing treatment that had side effects such as hair loss and vomiting. “She didn’t attend preschool due to her poor health,” said Mrs Choo.
Yet amidst her battle with can-cer, she took part in community service such as visiting children with cancer in hospitals.
“I sometimes see that kids who are healthy don’t empathise, take life for granted and can be spoilt. For me, I appreciate life to the full-est and every day I have is a bless-ing from God,” she said.
In November, she passed the �+�|���� ������� '����� ��� �now considered cancer free.
Deborah was part of the school choir, which participated in the 2010 and 2012 Singapore Youth Festival. The choir bagged silver awards both times.
�������������������<��-laxing”. Furthermore, the breath-ing techniques help keep her “calm and improves information reten-tion”.
Deborah and her family attend St Anne’s Church. She has picked CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent for her secondary education. �
8 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
Ruby Heramis received the Bakh-ita award from her school, St An-thony’s Canossian Primary, for being an all rounded student and rising against the challenges of life to achieve excellence.
She comes from a family of six children and, being second in the family, has the responsibility of helping her mother look after her two younger brothers aged three ����+��
“When I’m at home I have to feed my baby brothers and also make sure that they take naps in the afternoons,” said Ruby. “When my siblings are asleep ... I study and do my homework.”
Nevertheless, “I’m very happy to help out at home and be a role model to my younger siblings,” she said.
Ruby, who was selected to be captain of the school netball team this year, scored an A for English, B for Maths and Science, and a
Grade 4 for Chinese. She does not have tuition.“Being the captain of the team
means that I have to be responsi-ble for the younger ones and other team mates,” she said.
Her Co-Curricular Activ-ity (CCA) commitment saw her juggling twice-a-week practices with studies and home commit-ments.
Ruby recalled that during the PSLE exams, her older brother Ryan helped cover her duties at home. She said he inspires her as he also did well in his PSLE two years ago and received awards.
She said her school has taught her to be “charitable, humble and forgiving”, qualities she attrib-utes to a Catholic education.
Ruby says she has chosen St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School for her secondary educa-tion. �
Juggling studies, family duties and sport
Ruby Heramis (St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School) seen here with her awards.
A* student
She took part in taekwondo, Chi-nese dance and choir in her school, and has guitar, piano and ballet les-sons outside of school. She even found time to act in the musical Annie this year.
And when the PSLE results were released, all-rounder Erika Goh scored A* for Maths and Sci-ence and A for English and Chinese.
The St Anthony’s Canossian Pri-mary School student said she does her best to manage her time well, making use of every spare moment to either focus on her studies or get some rest in between activities.
“You shouldn’t get stressed out with the PSLE,” said the Catholic girl, adding that students should “take it as a positive thing. It’s like any exam”.
She said she would sleep at �>��� ��'� ����� ������� ���homework. However, she slept earlier during the exams upon the advice of her parents, “so that I won’t get a mental block”.
Her teachers also helped her and her schoolmates “by giv-ing extra lessons after school and by telling motivational stories
Dance, choir, for this all-rou
HOME
By Darren Boon
The Korean Catholic community in Singapore has settled down in their new home at Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
They relocated from the Ca-thedral of the Good Shepherd to its current location at the end of October due to upcoming renova-tion works at the cathedral.
=���������������$��at Nativity Church began on Nov 4.
The move is permanent, ac-cording to Mr Daniel Kim, the community’s president.
The Korean Catholic commu-nity needed a big enough space for its activities and following consultations with various par-ishes, Nativity Church gave the community permission to use its premises.
The community also makes use of classrooms for its meetings, catechism classes and Masses.
Speaking to CatholicNews through Mr Kim, Korean chaplain Fr Louis Kim said that there are slightly more than 1,000 regis-tered Korean Catholics in Singa-pore, though the actual number could be higher.
The average age of the com-munity is about 40. The commu-nity comprises mostly families and is very active, Mr Kim told CatholicNews. About 350 to 400 people attend the group’s Sunday Masses while 50 to 70 people at-tend the weekday Masses.
The community also has a Legion of Mary curia. It also or-ganises catechism classes for the children and youth as well as bible classes.
Mr Kim said that the commu-nity also takes part in mission out-reach activities such as fundrais-ing to help the needy in Vietnam and Myanmar, an annual mission trip within South East Asia, and supporting charities and old folks’ homes in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Mr Kim said that they are looking forward to inte-grating more with the local Cath-olic community, starting with the community in Nativity Church, with “open heart…open arms”.
And one way is through Ko-rean language classes which the community is thinking of offer-ing, Mr Kim added.
Korean Catholics Catholic-News spoke to said that they are trying to adjust to the move and the minor inconveniences.
$�������������������with the move though he prefers the more centralised location of the cathedral in town.
Madam Lydia Kim told said she is also adjusting to the move and the location, and believes that things will get better with time. She hopes to be able to know the local Catholics better.
Meanwhile, Mr Kim said that if the need arises, they would look at organising shuttle services for community members. �
Korean Masses at Nativity ChurchSunday: 12.45pm (main church). Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (Block C3-4): 10am. Thursday: 7.30pm (Block C3-4). Saturday: 2.30pm (Children’s Mass at St John Auditorium), 5pm (Youth Mass at Block C3-4).
The community is contactable through email at [email protected] or through their webpage (in Korean) http://cafe.daum.net/kccsg
Fr Louis Kim, the Korean chaplain in Singapore.
The Korean Catholic community outside Nativity Church after Sunday Mass.
Singapore Korean Catholic community gets new home in Nativity Church
SLE exams request to interview students who students.
9Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
Laura Low (CHIJ Kellock Primary School, centre) is choosing the Singapore Sports School for her secondary education.
with a passion for netball
She attributes her good PSLE results to her dedicated teachers who would “offer to help me even without me going to them for help”.
<!���������������������she said. “I would complete my homework when I get home and only play after completing” it, she said.
She is grateful to her school be-cause “besides making sure that I learn in class, the school has pro-grammes that taught me values and how I can apply them in life”.
Laura’s form teacher, Ms Tay Sze Leng, notes that her student “is conscientious in both her stud-
ies and her CCA…she makes it a point to think through the concepts taught and would raise questions to deepen her understanding”.
She also has “initiative and is able to anticipate the needs of oth-ers”. �[email protected]
and offering support”, she said.Erika’s schedule of activities
would certainly tire out many stu-dents her age.
The student, who was appointed prefect in Primary Five, is a mem-ber of the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir and practises with them for four hours every Saturday.
She and her schoolmates par-ticipated in the 2012 Singapore Youth Festival in Chinese dance and Choir. “The Chinese dance re-hearsals were very rigorous” right before the competition, she said.
In June, she went for the audi-tions for the musical Annie and was accepted. “From July onwards there were lots of rehearsals for the performance in August,” she said, adding that “it was a great experi-ence to meet new friends and I had fun”.
Erika received her school’s Magdalenian award for her aca-demic achievement and for being an all-rounded student.
She attends novena devotions at Novena Church. She and her fam-ily are parishioners of the Church of the Holy Trinity. �
Erika Goh (St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School) had A* scores and even acted in the musical Annie.
taekwando under
10 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNewsHOME
Applicationsopen forCarlo bursaries
By Darren Boon
Carlo Catholic Society is ac-cepting applications for its 2013 bursary scheme from Dec 15 for needy students in primary, sec-ondary, centralised institutes and junior colleges.
Applications must be submit-ted by Feb 1, 2013. Each bursary for primary school students is at $350 per year, $500 for second-ary school students and $750 for students in centralised institutes and junior colleges.
The applicant must be a Cath-olic student, must possess good conduct and satisfactory academ-ic results, and must not be a re-cipient of any other scholarships or bursaries.
The applicant’s total house-hold monthly income must not exceed $2,000, or the – per cap-ita (average) household i.e. total monthly household income di-vided by total number of house-hold members – must not exceed $450 per month.
More information is available on the application form, which can be obtained from Carlo Catholic Society at 225-B Queen St, or through http://on.fb.me/YoIA27
Applications for ITE, poly-technic and university students are expected to start next May.
Carlo Catholic Society has awarded a total value of $24,200 worth of scholarships in 2012 comprising 12 primary, 12 sec-ondary/ITE, six polytechnic and four university bursaries.
The bursaries are to provide ������������� �����������-nancial assistance to motivate them to further their education. �
By Don Gurugay
Catholic educators who took part in a training programme run by a team from Brisbane, Australia, said they gained much from it.
The course “introduced to me the many strategies we can adapt, e.g. using colours, mind scaffold-ing, music, art and dance, and using all the wonderful things of God’s creation to aid us in our teaching
sessions,” said Mr Bernard Lim, a Catholic preschool board member.
“We were exposed to new tools through technology which enhances traditional materials,” said Ms Irene Leong, principal of Nativity Church Kindergarten.
“Every single activity that we experienced and enjoyed may be used with our students and, most importantly, was meaningful for ourselves.”
Mr Lim and Ms Leong were among 52 teachers from Catho-lic preschools, primary and sec-ondary schools who attended the Religious Education Training Pro-gramme held at Catholic Junior College from Nov 26-29.
The Archdiocesan Commis-sion for Catholic Schools (ACCS)
in Singapore conducted the pro-gramme in conjunction with the Brisbane Catholic Education of-��������������^|'���������
“More than anything, an RE [religious education] teacher
Teachers get fresh ideas at Australian-led course
Mr Mark Elliott from the Brisbane Catholic Education � ����speaking to Catholic teachers.
should know that who they are as an authentic human being is just as important as what they teach,” Mr Mark Elliott, Principal Educa-���� ������ �� {������� �����-�����������*��>������������CatholicNews.
“RE teachers need to have a deep understanding of scripture and be prepared to challenge stu-dents to recognise the person of Jesus not just in scriptural texts but in everyday life.”
According to Ms Merilyn Das-son, director of early childhood education at ACCS, the aim of the programme is for “religious edu-cators to be able to infuse a genu-ine spirituality into the school and especially in RE classes”.
Some Catholic preschool teach-ers are also expected to go for a week’s attachment at a Catholic kin-dergarten in Brisbane next year. �
By Martin See
The stigmatisation that HIV/AIDS sufferers face.
This was the highlight of a forum organised by the Catholic AIDS Response Effort (CARE) to mark World AIDS Day.
The Dec 1 forum was held at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul on Dec 1 and saw three panellists discussing the issues that HIV/AIDS patients face in Singapore.
Fr Paul Staes, chairman of the archdiocesan Senate of Priests, shared that “what the Church has to say is that we’re dealing with a sickness. And Jesus said that ‘when I was sick, you came to see me.’”
He added, “The best thing you can do is to offer care…and the last thing you should do is to con-demn the sick.”
Assoc Prof Albert Teo, a vol-unteer at Tan Tock Seng Hos-pital’s Communicable Disease ������� ����� ���� ���� �� ���started his volunteer work, he was at a loss as to how help the pa-tients because of his shyness.
The CARE management com-mittee member said he then tried to give them massages with the approval of the staff there.
Apparently the patients ben-����� ���� �� ����� �����'��he said; it helped them feel less discriminated against because someone was willing to come into physical contact with them.
=�� '������ ��� ������� ��him about the stigmatisation they face. Some said they were estranged from their family and ostracised by society because of their condition.
“People say cruel things like
the patients deserve to die because they did immoral things,” shared Assoc Prof Teo.
Dr Lee Cheng Chuan, senior consultant at the Communicable Disease Centre, said that for those at risk of contracting HIV, family intervention is necessary to help them change their behaviour.
In response to a question from the audience on HIV testing, Dr Lee replied that “when HIV
Stigmatisation discussed at World AIDS Day forum
Panellists at the World AIDS Day forum: (from left) Fr Paul Staes, Dr Lee Cheng Chuan, Assoc Prof Albert Teo, and moderator Gabriel Ong.
screening is done it should be to offer early medical treatment” should the person test positive.
Members of the audience said they welcome such a forum.
“The forum is useful for peo-ple to talk about [HIV/ AIDS],” said Ms Leong Li Ting, 23, a hu-man resource analyst.
“It’s important to educate the public about the transmission of AIDS so that they will not be un-necessarily worried when inter-acting with HIV-positive people.”
A HIV-positive person stay-ing at the CARE shelter said, “I’m happy for such forums to take place because it gives the public a better understanding and creates more awareness of the truth be-hind being HIV-positive.”
The previous day, CARE held a Mass to mark World AIDS Day, also at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul.
The main celebrant was Fr Al-bert Ng.
He encouraged the congrega-tion to pray for people who are ill, especially HIV-positive sufferers, and for God to give them the cour-age to continue with their lives. �
11Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews ADVERTISEMENT
12 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNewsASIA
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, USA – " ����|���@��� �̀����� �������from China says he doesn’t expect
much to change in Church-state �������� ���� ��� ��� ������government.
<� ����� ����@ ����� ���� >�� >�� ������ �� ��� ��������������� ��� ��� �������� '�����in China. It’s not one of the im-������� '�������� �� ��� ���government. They have many other things to take care of,” said "���>���' ��+�� ��� =��|!���secretary of the Vatican’s Congre-������ ��� ��� �+����������� ��?��'���
�����������������������+����������������*���@����'�������^|������'��������
�������+����� ��������-����� ?���� ��������' �� \�+15.
$������'����������'���-�������'�����������������<���������������������'�����'�����
"���>���' ��� �^'�������������������&&|���&��������{�+���������������'��'����+�>����>�� �� �����������'�=��'��>���� �� '������ ���� � ����<��� �������� ��� ��+���'������ ��� ������ % �'������� ���������������%��������������much.”
The Chinese government de-�������'�������''��+��>�-�����>���'���>��''������>�the Vatican.
�������\�����@�"���>��-�'���+�����������������-munity in Queens.
�� ��� �^'���� ����@ ���� �������� <��� ����� ����� ��-fection for other Churches in need ����������������� CNS
‘Little change’ under new Chinese govt
KUANTAN, MALAYSIA – A judge ������������$������������������������'�������������~���-������+������������+����������������������������������
�� \�+ �&� ������� ��������������$����������������-�� ���+� �� ��� =������ {������������ "���>���' �� �����Lumpur to start the proceedings.
=�������+��+������+���-ment trying to take over part of ��������������=���������������=���������������������������������������
=��������^�������� ��(��� ���� ��� ~������� ��+��� �'-'�������� ���� ��� ~���� ���� >��@���������������������������������������������������>�the government.
=�� ~���� ����+���� ��� ����-��� �� ����� ��� ~������� ��+����''��������������>��>��������������� ����� ����� ��� >� ����*����� �̀�������� ��� ������!������������"���"����������"�������[���������������������-����������>��������\�+ �
=�� ����� �� ����� ��� '��-������� ��� ��� ���� ����������in the meantime.
�������� ���� +����� $�-������'�����'��@�� ��������room during the recent hearing ����� ����� '����� ��� ����������������������������
�������� �� ������� ��� >�-���+�� �� >� '������ �� ������$�� ��� ������ ��� !��������� ���� ��� � ��+����>�� ���-come. � HERALD
M’sian Church given leave � ����������������� �
Malaysian Catholics display banners outside the Kuantan High Court on Nov 16.
BANGALORE, INDIA – The ������*������+�������?������������|������������-����������������������for refusing to reject his faith ��'��� >���� ��������� �������'����^��'��������������������>�����
“[India] can rejoice as ����������������������� ��' ���� ���� >���� ��������� ������ *���' ?�-��� {������ �� ������ ������������ \�� ���+��� ����� (� � ��� ����� }������'��'�������������>�������-���� �������� �� \�����������=����\��������
�������� "����� "�����prefect of the Congregation ��� ��� ������ ����� '��-sided during the ceremony.
!� "����� [�>����� +���'�������� �� ��� ������-������ '����� �����>��*����?�������<�������-tyr”.
?������ �� �''��|���� ��������+���� �� >��� �� "'��� (���� � �� �� � ���>�� �� �������� ��+��� ��� �� ���� ������$�������� �̀��������|���-er of Travancore.
�� ���+����� �� ������������ ��}) ����� ��� ��Z����� ��
Eustachius Benedictus de Lannoy, the Dutch commander-in-chief �� ���=��+���������������������>�'�����
�� ��+�� ����� \����@����?��������������� ��������>���� >����� '�'������ @���� ���+�������9[������';�
Indian martyr praised for holding onto faith
Portrait of Blessed Devasahayam Pillai who ����������������������
?������ ����� *�����+�"����� ���>����������-����
“Their conversion antag-����� �''��|���� �������� ���� $�������� �̀������������ ?����� �� �����-+��� �� ������� >�� �� ��-���������!�[�>����������>������@�����?����������������� ��� ��� ��� ��years.
=�� @��� ������� ?����������� ����}����������������� ������ ��� �'����������� ��'������� ����������� ������ >������ �� ���"���+������� ������ � ��-���� >����� ���� ��=��+��-core.
?����� �� � �������� ��������+�������
“In that short period, he ����'����������������under severe persecution for �������� �� ������ !�����������������������"���-
+������������������}���) ��!�[�>��������
�������� ����� ����+������ ������ ��� >����� ���� ���������������������!�������-+��������������������+����� ������ ������� ������������UCANEWS.COM, CNS
13Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews WORLD
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican is offering a new app that provides live streaming of papal events and video feeds from the Vatican’s six webcams.
“The Pope App” also will send out alerts and links to top stories coming out of the Vatican’s news outlets, said Mr Gustavo Entrala, founder and CEO of the Spanish ����������������+���'�����free app.
“You’ll have almost every-thing that the pope does or says” delivered to a mobile device and app users “will be able to watch the pope live every time he speaks”, he told reporters during a Dec 3 news conference at the Vatican.
The app should be available �� ��� �� ��� �?���� ��� �?��while an Android version is due out in January, he said.
Archbishop Claudio Celli, '������� �� ��� ?�������� ����-cil for Social Communications, said the Vatican has also sent out requests to every bishops’ confer-ence in the world asking them to
��� �� ����� ��^�� ���������photos, videos and even music tied to “local events celebrating the Year of Faith”.
������ �?�'�*�����������start tweeting from his @Pontifex account. He will answer ques-tions on faith submitted via Twitter through the hashtag #askpontifex. He will mostly tweet about the con-���� �� �� ������� '����� ���homilies.
Details have also emerged about the Vatican’s own YouTube channel in Chinese, launched with very little fanfare in October.
The channel (http://www.you-tube.com/user/vaticancn/) already '����+��&�+������'�'�����Vatican events with commentary in Mandarin.
According to Vatican spokes-man Fr Federico Lombardi, the channel is mostly directed to the “Chinese diaspora”, since You-Tube is not available in mainland China. Nevertheless, he added, it is “the sign of a presence” for Chi-nese Catholics. � CNS, UCANEWS.COM
Papal events, video feeds available with ‘Pope App’
VATICAN CITY – A new Saudi-backed interfaith centre will provide an opportunity for the Church to promote religious free-dom for Christians and others around the world, said the head of ��� �̀������ ����� ��� ���������-gious dialogue.
=�� ���� ">������ *�� ">-dulaziz International Centre will offer “another opportunity for open dialogue on many issues, in-cluding those related to fundamen-tal human rights, in particular reli-gious freedom in all its aspects, for everybody, for every community, everywhere”, said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran during the opening ������������� �̀������\�+ &�
“The Holy See is particularly attentive to the fate of Christian communities in countries where such a freedom is not adequately guaranteed”, said the cardinal, '������������?���������������for Interreligious Dialogue.
The centre is named for and �������>����@����������"��-bia.
The Vatican is assisting the project as a “founding observer”.
Cardinal Tauran said there were high expectations that the new initiative would be marked by “honesty, vision and credibility”.
The centre will act as a clear-inghouse to gather information, new ideas and initiatives as well as be a kind of watchdog, to verify and act on human rights’ “failures”, the cardinal said, so that no one might be “deprived of the light and the resources that re-ligion offers for the happiness of every human being”.
Explaining the Vatican’s role in the new initiative, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said the centre’s pur-pose of furthering interreligious and intercultural dialogue was a “basic and an urgent need for the humanity of today and tomor-row”.
The Vatican will use its role in the centre to call for the “effective respect of the fundamental rights of Christians who live in countries with a Muslim majority, in order to promote authentic and integral reli-gious liberty”, the spokesman said �������������\�+ (�� CNS
Vatican promotes religious liberty in Saudi-backed centre
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican praised a United Nations vote making Palestine a non-member observer state but called for full recognition of Palestinian sover-eignty as necessary for peace in the region.
One hundred and thirty-eight ���>�� ���� +���� �� \�+ �to boost Palestine’s status from “entity” to “non-member state” – the same status held by the Holy See – in an implicit recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Israel, the United States and Canada were among the nine states that voted against the motion. Forty-one countries abstained.
=�� +��� ��Z��� ��� <����-ment of the majority of the inter-national community” in favour of � <���� ��������� '������ ��Palestinians within the United Na-tions”, the Vatican said in a writ-�������������\�+ ��
*�� ?�������� �������� ��-tus at the UN “does not constitute, '�������������������������existing problems in the region”, the Vatican said. Such a solution would require “effective commit-ment to building peace and stabil-ity, in justice and in the respect for
legitimate aspirations, both of the Israelis and of the Palestinians”, it said.
Israeli and Palestinian lead-ers need to restart peace “nego-tiations in good faith and to avoid actions, or the placing of condi-tions, which would contradict the declarations of good will and the sincere search for solutions which could become secure foundations
for a lasting peace”, it said.In its statement, the Vatican
������� �������������������Palestinian Authority supporting “the recognition of an internation-ally guaranteed special statute for the city of Jerusalem”.
The agreement aims to safe-guard “the freedom of religion and of conscience, the identity and sacred character of Jerusalem as a holy city, [and] respect for and freedom of access to its holy places”, the Vatican said.
Palestine’s enhanced status gives it the right to speak at UN meetings and sponsor and sign resolutions, but not to vote on UN resolutions. Non-member observ-ers may petition to join the body as full members.
������ ��� '�'�� ���speech in Tel Aviv, Israel, the Vatican said that peace can result only from a situation of justice for all parties: the recognition of Is-rael’s right to exist “and to enjoy peace and security within interna-tionally agreed borders”, as well as the Palestinians’ right “to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely”. � CNS
Palestinians take part in a rally while the speech of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is pro-jected on a screen in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Nov 29. CNS photo
Vatican praises new UN status for Palestine
VATICAN CITY – Warning that Catholic charitable activity must not become “just another form of organised social assistance”, Pope *��������`��������������strengthen the religious identity of Catholic charities and ensure that their activities conform to Church teaching.
The pope’s apostolic letter on the “service of charity”, issued “motu proprio” (on his own initia-tive), directs bishops in overseeing charitable works in their dioceses. =����������������\�+������������>���� �̀������������
Charities approved by the Church or supported by Church funds “are required to follow Catholic principles in their activ-ity and they may not accept com-mitments which could in any way affect the observance of those principles”, the pope wrote.
The staff members of such charities must therefore “share, or at least respect, the Catholic identi-ty” of their agencies, and exemplify <�������� ����� ��� ������*���'are to provide these employees with “theological and pastoral forma-tion” through special courses and “suitable aids to the spiritual life”.
Catholic charities are forbidden �� <�����+� �������� �''��� ����groups or institutions that pursue ends contrary to the Church’s teach-ing”, or to “accept contributions for initiatives whose ends, or the means
used to pursue them, are not in con-formity with the Church’s teaching”.
To ensure that the Church’s �������>�����������Z���<����-tian simplicity of life”, each bishop is to set their salaries and expenses at levels “in due propor-tion to analogous expenses of his diocesan curia”.
When “the activity of a partic-ular charitable agency is no longer being carried out in conformity with the Church’s teaching”, Pope *������� ������ ��� ��'���>��>���'�����������Z��@���“prohibit that agency from using the name ‘Catholic’”.
The document is the Vatican’s latest measure aimed at reinforc-ing the religious identity of Cath-�����������������$�� �� ����
Vatican issued rules strengthening its control over Caritas Interna-�������� � ������������� �� �&}Catholic relief, development and social service agencies around the world, including Catholic Relief Services in the United States.
?�'� *�������� �� �� �������������'�������������?��������Council Cor Unum, the Vatican ����� �� ������ �� ������������and promoting charitable giving, would be primarily responsible for “promoting the application of this legislation and ensuring that it is applied at all levels”. � CNS
The full letter is at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20121111_caritas_en.html
Charities approved by the Church or
supported by Church funds ‘are required to follow Catholic principles in their
activity and they may not accept commitments which could in any way affect the observance of those principles’.
– Pope Benedict XVI
New rules to strengthen charities’ Catholic identity
14 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
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 Facebook: www.facebook.com/catholicnews
IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: [email protected] ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: [email protected]: Medona Walter: [email protected] / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: [email protected] Elaine Ong: [email protected]
MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: [email protected]
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Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all letters to the editor. Published submissions will be edited.
THERE are dangers in overwork, no matter how good the work and no matter how noble the motivation for doing it. Spiritual guides, beginning with Jesus, have always warned of the dangers of becoming too caught up in our work.
Many are the spouses in a marriage, many are the children in a family, many are the friends, and many are the churches who wish that someone they love and need more attention from was less busy.
But it is hard not to be over busy and consumed by work, particu-larly during our generative years when the duties of raising children, paying mortgages, and running our churches and civic organisations falls more squarely on our shoulders.
If you are a sensitive person you will wrestle constantly with the pressure to not surrender yourself to too many demands. As the late spiritual writer, Fr Henri Nouwen, once described it – our lives often seem like over-packed suitcases with too much in them.
There is always one more task to do, one more phone call to make, one more person to see, one more bill to pay, one more thing to check on the Internet, one more leaky faucet to tend to, one more demand from some church or social agency, and one more item that needs to be picked up from the store.
The demands never end and we are always conscious of some task that we still need to do. Our days are too short for all that needs to be done.
And so we give ourselves over to our work. It begins in good will and innocence but it invariably transmutes into something else. Ini-tially, we give ourselves over to all these demands because this is what is asked of us, but as more and more time goes by, that commitment becomes less and less altruistic and more self-serving.
First off, though we are generally blind to this, our work soon be-comes an escape. We remain busy and preoccupied enough that we have an inbuilt excuse and rationalisation so as not to have to deal with relationships – be that within our own families, our churches, or with God.
Being weighed-down constantly with work and duty is a burden, >�������������������'�����������������������������Z�����but we do not have to deal either with the deeper things that lurk under the surface of our lives.
We can avoid the unresolved issues in our relationships and our psyches. We have the perfect excuse! We are too busy.
Generally too our society supports us in this escapism. With virtu-ally every other addiction, we are eventually sent off to a clinic, but if we are addicted to our work, we are generally admired for our disease ���'�������������Z���#�������@���������������������or become dependent on a drug, I am frowned upon and pitied; but if I overwork to the point of neglecting huge and important imperatives in ��������������������#<���������������¡�������������¡�
Workaholism is the one addiction for which we get praised. Beyond providing us with an unhealthy escape from some impor-
tant issues with which we need to be dealing, overwork brings with it a �������~��������#=���������+��|��+����������@�����������the danger of taking too much of our meaning from our work rather than from our relationships.
As we become more and more immersed in our work, to the detri-ment of our relationships, we will naturally begin too to draw more and more of our meaning and value from our work. And, as numerous spiritual writers have pointed out, the dangers in this are many, not ����������������������������������+����������������������������������������������������������������@�
Old habits are hard to break. If we spend years drawing our identity from working hard and being loved for being anything from a profes-sional athlete to a dedicated mum, it will not be easy to simply shift gears and draw our meaning from something else.
Classical spiritual writers are unanimous in warning about the dan-ger of overwork and of becoming over-preoccupied with our work. This is in fact what Jesus warns Martha about in the famous passage in scripture where she, consumed with the very necessary work of prepar-ing a meal, complains to Jesus that her sister, Mary, is not carrying her share of the load.
In a rather surprising response, Jesus, instead of chastising Mary for her idleness and praising Martha for her dedication, tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better part, that, at this moment and in this ������������$��������������'$������>�����
Why? Because sometimes there are more important things in life than work, even the noble and necessary work of tending to hospitality and preparing a meal for others.
�������������>������+������@��'�>��>����������-ways a virtue. �
Busyness – not always a virtue
VATICAN CITY – Traditionalist and progressive camps that see the Second Vatican Council as breaking with the truth espouse �<��������� �����'����������� ���council and its aims, said the head of the Congregation for the Doc-trine of the Faith.
What Pope Benedict XVI has ������ <��� ����������� �� ��-����� �� ������� �� ������������ ��� <���� '��>�� �����'����-tion according to the principles of �������� ���������� "���>���'Gerhard Muller said in remarks published on Nov 29.
<������ ��� ��� �������^interpretation unfortunately exists a heretical interpretation, that is, a hermeneutic of rupture, [found] both on the progressive front and �� ��� �������������� ���� ���archbishop said.
What the two camps have in common, he said, is their rejection �� ��� �������# <��� '������+�in their wanting to leave it behind, as if it were a season to abandon in order to get to another Church,
and the traditionalists in their not ������� �� ��� ������� ����� ��������������������<��������
"<�������'�������+��>����successor of Peter as head of the vis-�>�������������<�������^'��-
������ ���$������������ ������>����������'�����<������-���>���������������������'����and 2,000 years of tradition.
=�� ��������� ������ �����@were published in the Vatican ���'�'��� �����+����� {���-no, to present the seventh volume of The Complete Works of Joseph Ratzinger.
The volume collects both published and unpublished notes, speeches, interviews and texts written or given by the future pope in the period shortly before, during and just after Vatican II.
"���>���' $����� '���������� >� <������������ ��� '�'������ � <'�������� �����'���-ence with the origin, not an adap-tion of whatever has been, which �����������������������
The term aggiornamento or updating – one of the watchwords ������������%<�������������secularisation of the faith, which �����������������������>���<��@���'����������������of Jesus Christ, he said. � CNS
Vatican II ‘didn’t break with tradition’
Pope Paul VI greets the faithful at the close of the Second Vatican Council.
During Mass, I have encountered an adult couple who chatted audi-bly to each other throughout the service, people who text, check email or play games on their handphones, and parents who let their children (not babies) snack as though they were in a cinema.
However, attending a recent service in church certainly took the cake.
A few rows in front of me sat three children who were colour-ing pictures as though they were in a playschool. Behind me, a mother was giving her child a spelling lesson. To her right were two kids from another family who were playing and talking quite loudly.
Unable to concentrate on what the priest was saying, I moved to the back of the church, hoping it would be less distracting.
Before long, I realised that standing behind me were a fa-ther and his two teenage chil-dren who joked and laughed with each other throughout the service.
After a while, a child started
screaming and crying for a full �+� ������ �� � � ��� ������looked on helplessly.
������������ �� �����������on the Mass with so many distrac-tions. It seemed as though I was in a community club and not the house of God.
When I look at videos of ser-vices in churches like New Crea-tion or City Harvest, I note that the congregation actually concen-trates on and participates in the service.
Some people even take notes when the pastor is preaching. There seems to be a strong sense of worship.
How can we promote a spirit of prayerfulness and reverence in our churches? �
Audrey ThngSingapore 557884
A mother was giving her child a spelling
lesson during Mass while a father and his two teenage children joked and laughed with each other throughout
the service.
LETTERS
How to promote reverence in church?
LETTER/OPINION
15Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
‘MARIAN’ IMAGE IN MALAYSIA:
People pray in front of a glass panel with an
image said to resemble Mary at the Church of
Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang, Malaysia, on Nov 20. The panel was
removed from a window at a hospital and sent to
the church. Pictures of the image went viral on
the Internet and drew crowds to pray outside
the hospital. CNS photo
FOCUS
Studying for a degree
Ms Endang Susanti is an Indone-sian domestic worker who attends an accounting degree course at the Singapore Indonesian School.
She came to Singapore to work in 2006 and, while taking some basic computer classes, found out about the degree course and promptly signed up to further her education.
Start giving maids a weekly day offJeremy Khoo, from the archdiocesan commission for migrants,
highlights the useful activities that some domestic workers engage in on their days off
On the week-end of Dec 15-16, Catholics ���� �� ���Z��(right) in their parishes inviting them to celebrate I n t e r n a t i o n a l Migrants Day by giving their foreign domestic workers a week-ly day off.
The special day is celebrated on Dec 18 by the United Nations to recognise the contributions made by millions of migrants to their host and home countries, and to promote respect for their basic human rights.
In Singapore, the law grant-ing a weekly day off to foreign domestic workers will come into effect for contracts signed or renewed from Jan 1.
To celebrate International Migrants Day, the Archdioc-esan Commission for the Pas-toral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) and
Appeal to employers
Caritas Singapore are encour-aging all Catholic employers to give their domestic workers a weekly day off, and not wait until contracts are renewed.
The weekly day off allows the worker to rest and recharge.
Many also spend the time attending services at their plac-es of worship, running errands, relaxing with friends or taking up skills courses at training centres like ACMI.
And some do far more than that (see main story). �Ms Ma Swe Swe: lends listening ear
to Myanmar nationals.Ms Maria Luisa Tayco: helps children of Filipino workers.
Ms Endang Susanti: studying for accounting degree.
The degree is held in partner-ship with the Indonesian Open University and is believed to be �������� ��@��� �� ��� �������It is taught in Bahasa Indonesia by Indonesian professionals working ��������������������������>�the Indonesian civil service as well as many private companies in In-donesia.
Ms Susanti attends her classes every Sunday for three hours and
�������������������������-pleting three years of study. She hopes to graduate next year.
She pays $500 per term with her own savings and after gradua-tion hopes to return to Palembang to look for work as an accountant.
Assisting Myanmar workers
Ms Ma Swe Swe is a Myanmar domestic worker who has been
helping her countrymen since she came here to work 17 years ago.
She does this by giving them advice such as how to adapt to life in Singapore and where to look for help if in trouble. She also en-courages them to persevere when ���������������������'������
Besides lending a listening ear to fellow Myanmar nationals, she sometimes even lends them mon-ey during emergencies without charging any interest.
Recently she lent $2,800 of her hard earned savings to one country-man to cover his medical expenses.
Ms Swe Swe says she is able to help her friends because her employer is kind enough to give her time off on Sundays and dur-ing weekdays to answer such emergency calls.
She currently volunteers at ACMI as one of the few Myanmar Befrienders who reach out to fel-low migrants in need.
Helping Filipinos back home
Ms Maria Luisa Tayco is a Filipi-na domestic worker who started her own charity in 1999 to reach
out to fellow Filipino workers in Singapore.
The charity, called the Pinyokos Welfare Fund, grants scholarships, opens libraries and assists in school programmes so that the children of Filipino workers can receive a proper edu-cation.
Ms Tayco started the charity because on her trips back to her hometown in Iloilo, she noticed that many children could not af-ford to go to school.
So every Sunday she and her fellow domestic workers would meet to organise jumble sales or canvass for donations for the fund.
They also collect old clothes, books and toys to ship back to the >���������� >��@ ���� �� ���Philippines.
�� �� ��������������|Singaporean to receive the Rotary Club of Singapore’s Good Samar-itan’s Award for her work. �
The writer is executive director of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itiner-ant People (tel: 6280-5424, website: http://www.acmi.sg/)
16 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews FAITH ALIVE
By Nancy de Flon
HERE we are at that time of year again.
It would do us well to catch our breath a little and slow down, but instead a whirlwind of holiday-related activities encroaches on our time: shopping, writing cards, planning meals and so forth.
We experience considerable tension between the external de-mands of the holiday season and the need to slow down. Yet, it’s precisely now that we thirst for a spiritual oasis.
We normally associate an oa-sis with the desert – a place of re-freshment and rest within a land-scape of emptiness and dryness.
And yet it’s in this December rush that we need to carve out a spiritual oasis for ourselves: to slow down and introduce an element of ��Z���������������+����������option. It’s essential to our survival.
Advent couldn’t come at a better time. It’s the start of a new liturgical year and, more than Jan 1, the ideal time for “new year’s” resolutions.
The readings at Mass during Advent set us up spiritually for the year. They ring with the prom-ise of the long-awaited Saviour, the Redeemer who comes to free us from whatever is holding us captive in our lives.
But they also energise us, shining bright lights into our dark-est corners.
For me, one word sums up
the Advent readings: vindication. They herald an end to suffering, a putting aside of the past with its pain, its faults and mistakes, be-cause God promises us to “make all things new”.
In the readings for the second Sunday of Advent, the prophet Baruch exhorts Jerusalem to “stand upon the heights” for “God will show all the earth your splen-dour”. Jerusalem, which has been overrun, emptied of its people, oc-
cupied by foreign powers, will be restored to its former glory.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist preaches repentance: throw off the old, not because this is a time of self-judgment, but because wonderful things are coming.
Luke quotes God’s promise ���� ������� ������ <"�� Z��shall see the salvation of God.”
In the Liturgy of the Hours, the stunningly beautiful respon-sory for morning prayer foretells
�� �� "�+��� ��Z������� "����-can Jesuit Fr James Martin wrote about this special time prior to Christmas as a time of desire. In the fast-paced swirl simply de-scribed as “the holidays”, this de-sire could come to the secular world as a longing for material things.
Some can’t wait for Christmas
Day, not because they’ll head to a spiritual encounter, but to see whether Santa brought what was desired, such as an iPad, a new cell phone, much sought-after toys or jewellery.
Christians, Fr Martin says, “desire the coming of Christ into their lives in a new way”.
These desires may coincide with what God wants for us, mainly peace.
Fr Martin says it’s important to identify our desires, to name them and to have a discussion with God about them. “Desire is a key way that God can communicate with us,” he writes.
It’s not about asking for a new car but about looking at the deep-est needs for ourselves and our families. “Our deepest desires,” Fr Martin says, “are the ones that shape our lives: desires that help us know who we are to become and what we are to do.” � CNS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Identifying our desires
Advent presents a promise of vindication
������������������������������������������������!����� ��������������������������������������������"�����
The Advent readings herald an end to
suffering, a putting aside of the past
with its pain, its faults and mistakes, because
God promises us to ‘make all things new’.
that Jerusalem’s light will come: “The Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.”
Substitute your name for Je-rusalem: that’s God’s promise to �������'�����������^����-rating as I do.
What can be more compelling motivation to wade into our spir-itual oasis than to be energised by the promise of vindication?
Let’s slow down; let’s enjoy and take a lesson from the natural world.
Perhaps you can walk in a park and regard the trees with gratitude. If you enjoy taking pic-tures, take your camera.
No time to get outdoors? Slow down by spending time with a beautiful image in a book, or buy a calendar with scenic photog-raphy or other art that appeals to you and keep it handy for enjoy-ment during your oasis.
Music? Treat yourself to an early Christmas present. Buy a CD of relaxing classical music and choose pieces that particu-larly speak to you.
Psalm 46 enjoins us, “Be still and know that I am God.” Now, Advent, is the time to do this; in St Paul’s words, “Now is the time of salvation.” � CNS
De Flon is an editor at Paulist Press in the US and the author of The Joy of Praying the Psalms.
�����������
17Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews PENITENTIAL/CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
CITY
CATHEDRAL OF THE GOOD SHEPHERDDec 24: 9.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 10.00am, 6.00pm CHURCH OF ST ALPHONSUS (NOVENA CHURCH)Dec 24: Carolling & Pageant 9.30pm, Mass 10.30pmDec 25: 9.00am, 11.00am (Tagalog),5.30pm
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Dec 24: 9.00pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9.00am, 10.30am, 12.00pmCHURCH OF ST TERESA Dec 24: 8.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL Dec 24: Pageant & carolling 7.10pm, Mass 8.00pm, Pageant & carolling 11.10pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.00am (M*), 9.30amCHURCH OF ST BERNADETTE Dec 24: 9.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.00am (M*), 9.30am, 11.00am, 3.30pm (Indonesian)ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH Dec 24: Carolling 8.30pm, Mass 9.00pmDec 25: 9.00amCHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Dec 24: Carolling 8.30pm, Mass 9.00pm, Carolling 11.00pm (T*), Mass 11.30pm (T*)Dec 25: 9.00am (T*), 10.30am, 6.30pm (T*) CHURCH OF STS PETER AND PAUL Dec 24: 9.00pm (M*), Carolling 11.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.30am (M*), 11.00am
EAST
CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN Dec 24: Carolling 11.30pm, M’nite MassDec 25: 8.00am (M*), 10.00am, 6.00pm CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY Dec 24: Children’s Mass & Pageant 7.00pm, 9.30pm, M’nite MassDec 25: 9.00am, 11.30am, 5.30pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE Dec 24: 9.30pm (M*), M’nite MassDec 25: 9.00am (M*), 10.30am, 5.30pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOURDec 24: Pageant followed by Mass 8.30pm, 11.30pm Dec 25: 7.30am (M*), 8.45am, 10.30am, 12.15pm, 6.00pm CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY Dec 24: Children’s Mass 7.30pm, M’nite MassDec 25: 8.00am (M*), 9.30am, 11.15am, 6.00pm CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY Dec 24: 9.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 9.15am, 11.15am, 6.00pm (M*)
NORTH
CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST Dec 24: 8.00pm, 11.00pm Dec 25: 7.00am, 8.15am (M*), 9.45am, 11.30am, 6.00pm ST JOSEPH CHURCH Dec 24: 9.00pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.00am, 10.00amCHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Dec 24: Children’s Mass 5.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am CHURCH OF ST ANTHONYDec 24: 7.30pm (M*), 9.30pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 11.15am, 6.00pm CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEADec 24: 5.00pm, 6.30pm (T*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.15am (M*), 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am, 5.00pm CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING Dec 24: Children Pageant 5.30pm, Children Mass 6.00pm, 9.00pm, M’nite Mass (Cantata 30 mins before Mass)Dec 25: 8.15am (M*), 9.45am, 11.30am, 5.30pm
SERANGOONST ANNE’S CHURCH Dec 24: 8.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.15am, 9.00am, 11.00amCHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Dec 24: 9.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 8.00am, 10.00am, 6.15pm CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Dec 24: Pageant 7.00pm, Mass 7.30pm, Pageant (M*) 9.00pm,
Mass 9.30pm (M*), Advent Service 11.20pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am, 9.15am, 11.00amCHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL Dec 24: 9.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am, 6.00pm CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER Dec 24: Children’s Mass 6.00pm, 9.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am
WEST
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Dec 24: 7.00pm (M*), 9.30pm, M’nite Mass (pageant 30mins before Mass)Dec 25: 7.30am, 9.00am (M*), 10.45am, 5.30pm CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS Dec 24: 6.00pm, 11.00pm Dec 25: 8.15am, 10.15am, 12.00pm, 6.00pm CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS Dec 24: Children’s Mass 9.00pm, M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am (M*), 9.00am, 10.45am, 12.30pm. CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS Dec 24: 7.30pm, 9.30pm (M*), M’nite Mass Dec 25: 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.15am CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Dec 24: 6.00pm (T*), Carolling & Mass 8.30pm (M*), Pageant & Mass 11.30pm, Dec 25: 7.30am, 9.00am, 11.00am
Note. M*: Mandarin; T*: Tamil
Information correct at time of printing. Please check with parishes for updates.
Dec 15, Saturday, 8pm HOLY MARYCHURCH OF ST ANTHONY� Francis Cepe (94761255) / Tony Odiada (91472542)ST ANNE’S CHURCH� Geraldine Quiambao (91516794)CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY� Zap Sapiera (84848065) / Marie Sapiera (94783985)
Dec 16, Sunday, 8pmHOLY MOTHER OF GODCHURCH OF ST BERNADETTE� Edilberto Endeno (96583526) / Renelen Villabesa (93255106) / Dodeth Vergara (84440213)CHURCH OF ST IGNATIUS� Rilyn Binas (97918677) / Melinda Dumalogdog (83327821) / Melinda ay (91447850)CHURCH OF ST STEPHEN� Arnold Cordova (96478721) / Rey De Luna (97453947) / Manulet Bulaong (91258086)CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS� Lalang Castro (91769340) / Bong Erana (82015842) / Bong Nungay (90401529)
Dec 17, Monday, 8pmHOLY VIRGIN OF VIRGINSCHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS� Arman Ardiente (81057725) / Joanne Marquina (82003496)CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA � Elmer Del Rosario (93826874) / Gerard Arceo (94880407)
Dec 18, Tuesday, 8pmMOTHER OF OUR SAVIOURCHURCH OF ST TERESA� Eric Arroyo (85713310) / Gilbert Naguit (93572781)CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL� Third Gutlay (96340743) / Luz Gutlay (91376938)CHURCH OF OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE� Mel Diamse-Lee (91995621) / Judee Bendiola (90530721)
Dec 19, Wednesday, 8pmVIRGIN MOST PRUDENTCHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY� Ma. Victoria Balan (84926086) / Lyn Antolos (91914392) / Nelly Callanta (98318044)CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST� Tosing Kew (96246061) / Veronica Oreste (97467143)CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILYContact: Asuncion Mendiola (98496229) / Vikki De Jesus (81805294)
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES� Jenny Arancon (93425839)
Dec 20, Thursday, 8pmVIRGIN MOST VENERABLECHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI� Agnes Paculdar (81235158) / Ma. Joselle Sumayo (98971854) / Daisy Ducusin (93636408)CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER� Damian Low (81239673) / Annaliza Tan (81180179) / Dominic Tan (93827463)
Dec 21, Friday, 8pmVIRGIN MOST RENOWNEDCHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT� Maleen Ngan (97867143) / Violet Liew (91542797) CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY� Malou Tay (97669971)CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING� Marvin Arrabaca (93639480) / Allan Sato (96548467) / Robert Mendoza (90408946)
Dec 22, Saturday, 8pmVIRGIN MOST POWERFULCHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR� Bryan Romulo (94464840) / Christian Blas (98529873)BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH� Arman Laspona (92272160)CHURCH OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL� Third Gutlay (96340743) / Luz Gutlay (91376938)
Dec 23, Sunday, 8pmVIRGIN MOST MERCIFULCHURCH OF SAINT MICHAEL� Fr. Angel C. Luciano, CICM (63920592)
Dec 24, Monday, 6pmVIRGIN MOST FAITHFULCHURCH OF SAINT ALPHONSUS (NOVENA CHURCH)� Rey Tatoy (90122243) / Bobby Bermundo (97673053)CHURCH OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL� Jenny Arancon (93425839)
Daily Masses to be held in the following Parishes:CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR� Bryan Romulo (94464840) / Christian Blas (98529873)CHURCH OF DIVINE MERCY� Zap Sapiera (84848065) / Marie Sapiera (94783985)BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH� Arman Laspona (92272160)
Simbang Gabi sa 2012Theme: The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Organised by Fr Angel C. Luciano, CICM and Filipino Parish organisations in Singapore
CITYChurch of Our Lady of Lourdes
Dec 11: 8.00pm Dec 16: 8.30am & 5.00pm (Tamil)
Church of St Bernadette Dec 10: 8.00pm
Church of St Teresa Dec 12: 8.00pm
Church of St Michael Dec 13: 8.00pm
Church of Sts Peter and Paul Dec 14: 8.00pm Dec 15: 1.30pm (Mandarin)
Church of St Alphonsus (Novena) Dec 17: 8.00pm
EASTChurch of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour Dec 13: 10.30am, 8.00pm
Church of Divine Mercy Dec 14: 8.00pm
Church of the Holy Family Dec 18: 10.30am, 8.00pm
Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace Dec 19: 8.00pm
Church of the Holy Trinity Dec 20: 10.30am, 8.00pm
Church of St Stephen Dec 21: 8.00pm
NORTHChurch of the Holy Spirit
Dec 14: 10.30am, 8:00pm
Penitential ServicesARCHDIOCESE OF SINGAPORE
Church of Christ the King Dec 17: 10.30am, 8.00pm
St Joseph Church (BT) Dec 18: 8.00pm
Church of St Anthony Dec 19: 8.00pm
Church of the Risen Christ Dec 20: 10.30am, 8.00pm
Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea Dec 21: 8.00pm
SERANGOONChurch of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary Dec 13: 8.00pm
Church of St Vincent de Paul Dec 14: 8.00pm
St Anne’s Church Dec 17: 8.00pm
Church of St Francis Xavier Dec 18: 8.00pm
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dec 19: 8.00pm
WESTChurch of St Ignatius
Dec 17: 8.00pm Church of the Holy Cross
Dec 18: 8.00pm Blessed Sacrament Church
Dec 19: 8.00pm Church of St Mary of the Angels
Dec 20: 8.00pm Church of St Francis of Assisi
Dec 21: 8.00pm
18 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
DUBLIN – Expressing anguish and sorrow over the death of a preg-nant woman in an Irish hospital, the country’s Catholic bishops said that pregnant women must receive all treatment to save their lives, even if it results in the unin-tended death of an unborn child.
The statement on Nov 19 came three weeks after the deaths of Savita Halappanavar, 31, who died after a miscarriage, and her unborn child.
Halappanavar died after hos-pital medical staff determined they could not end the child’s life because they could detect a fetal heart beat, even as the woman’s husband, Praveen, urged them to save his wife’s life.
Halappanaver’s death on Oct 28 at University Hospital Galway has led to an outpouring of public anger.
Thousands of people took to the streets calling for the coun-try’s constitutional ban on abor-tion to be overturned.
In its statement, the Standing Committee of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference described the case as “a devastating person-al tragedy” for the Halappanavar family and acknowledged that the circumstances of her death had “stunned our country”.
The bishops’ statement sought to clarify Church teaching on the need for medical intervention to save the life of a mother.
The bishops said they believe Ireland’s medical guidelines con-tain adequate ethical provisions to allow medical staff to intervene as long as necessary steps have been taken to save both mother and un-born child.
Meanwhile, medical profes-sionals also pointed out that cur-rent Irish law allows for interven-
tion to save the life of a mother even if it results in the unavoid-able and unintentional death of an unborn child.
The bishops in their statement insisted that the Catholic Church has never taught that the life of a child in the womb should be pre-ferred to that of a mother.
“Whereas abortion is the di-rect and intentional destruction of an unborn baby and is gravely im-
moral in all circumstances, this is different from medical treatments which do not directly and inten-tionally seek to end the life of the unborn baby,” the bishops said in their statement.
The bishops also reiterated a statement made by Dublin Arch-bishop Diarmuid Martin to Catho-lic News Service on Nov 18 that Ireland is a safe place for expect-ant mothers. � CNS
Irish bishops stressteaching on right to life of mum, child
Savita Halappanavar is seen on her wedding day in this photo. Halappana-var miscarried and died on Oct 28 after medical staff at an Irish hospital determined they could not end her unborn child’s life, even as the woman’s husband urged them to save his wife’s life. CNS photo
Irish bishops, in a statement, said that the Catholic Church has never taught
that the life of a child in the womb should be preferred to that of a mother.
FOCUS
19Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
20 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
CHILDREN’S STORY:
By Joe Sarnicola
John was a man sent from God. He was charged with telling the people of the world that a light was going to shine on the earth. But John was not the light. John also spoke of the Word of God, which would become human and would dwell among us. When John prophesied, he said, “We saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”
John wandered throughout the country, telling everyone that a very special person would soon make His presence known. “The one who is com-ing after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me,” John declared.
Priests and Levites came to John from Jerusalem to interrogate him. “Who are you?” they demanded to know.
“I am not the Messiah,” John
answered.“What are you, then?” they con-
tinued. “Are you Elijah?”John looked sternly at his ques-
tioners and said, “I am not.”“Are you the Prophet?”“No.”By now the priests were getting
frustrated with John. “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?”
John did not give a simple reply: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Some Pharisees had come with the priests and Levites. They asked John, “Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the prophet?”
Again John answered by pro-fessing the greatness of the man he
preached about. “I baptise with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognise, the one who is com-ing after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” Then John pro-ceeded to baptise those who came to him in the water of the Jordan River.
The very next morning John saw Jesus coming. John pointed to Him and shouted for all to hear, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Then the Spirit of God came down upon Jesus in the form of a dove and sat on Jesus.
When two of John’s disciples came to meet with him, Jesus was there again.
“Behold, the Lamb of God,” John said to them. One of them was named Andrew.
After spending the day with Je-sus, he went and told his brother he had found the Messiah. His broth-er’s name was Peter. �Read more about it: John 1
Q&A1. Who did John say that he was?2. How did John introduce Jesus?
KIDS’ CLUB:Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: How can we be voices for God in our daily lives? Answers to Puzzle:
�����������������������Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders,Anointing of the Sick
Answers to Crossword Puzzle
WORDSEARCH: � JOHN ��WORLD ��LIGHT��SHINE ��WORD ��DWELL��GLORY ��GRACE ��TRUTH��MESSIAH ��ELIJAH ��PROPHET
PUZZLE:From the following list of words tick the seven sacraments: � Baptism � Advent ������������� Beatitudes � Eucharist � Reconciliation � Cardinal Virtues � Penance � Marriage � Holy Orders � Anointing of the Sick � Prayer
21Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1072J U D E S T A L E G O A DU T E S H O T E L E T R ED I V E I B O O K N I C EA L I S N I P V I C A RH E L L C A T G A E A
O A R P U G I L I S MJ A C O B B R I A N N O AA D A M S O I L S F O U RC U P E P O D E S U R L YK E E P S A K E R I B
U S E S L O C U S T SS T O L E R O C K A R AS T O P S H A C K S T E NT O N I H E M A N D A N ES P A T A M P L E I N T R
Crossword Puzzle 1073
11 A way to run12 Walk in water13 Cupid21 Let out one’s
breath audibly22 Bouquet24 Car maker26 Meadows28 Lyric poem29 Stylish30 “For my _____
is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:30)
31 One in debt32 Former JFK
arrivals33 Dismounted34 Suggestive38 Major character of
Acts39 Tepid40 Lettuce
42 The _____ Army of Mary
43 Convent dwellers46 A Washington
airport is named after the father of this cardinal
47 ___ Carmel49 Ancient50 “…as you did it to
one of the ___ of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
51 More docile52 Metered rides53 Peek-_____54 Taboo56 Space57 A great deal60 Kipling python61 MacGraw of
“Goodbye, Columbus”
ACROSS1 Sunday service5 The Church
Militant is here10 Type of trombone
mute14 Wading bird15 Assumed name16 Mosque bigwig17 Veinlike deposit18 What the apostles
did while Jesus prayed in the Garden
�� �^�����Z������bird
20 Summer drink21 A deacon wears
this over his left shoulder
22 Card game23 Monster’s moniker25 “…_____ to anger
and abounding in steadfast love.” (Ps 103:8)
27 Pertaining to farming (abbr.)
28 Soissons seasons29 Church assn. for
kids32 Wife of Abraham35 Say the rosary36 “_____ Great
Thou Art”37 Thick slice38 Ruses40 Motorcycle41 Muscle spasm42 Computer speed43 More pleasant44 Farm enclosure45 Patron saint of
lace makers46 Invest with
nickname47 Hybrid48 Take the lock off52 Slender boat55 Basilica of St. Paul
Outside the ____58 Pasture59 “___ Ben Adhem”60 John Paul II’s
given name61 He was made
from clay62 City in the
Archdiocese of Cologne
63 Mountain ridge&} ����^���������65 Smoke deposit66 Collect67 Opener (abbr.)
DOWN1 Italian archdiocese
with the Ambrosian rite
2 Home3 Teams4 Wind dir.5 The day of the
Resurrection6 Hello, from
Jacques7 Cambodian cash8 Hand woven
pictorial design9 Fair Deal
monogram10 Jesus praised her
generosity (Mk 12:42)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 11 21 31
41 51 61
71 81 91
02 12 22
32 42 52 62
72 82 92 03 13
23 33 43 53 63
73 83 93 04
14 24 34
44 54 64
74 84 94 05 15
25 35 45 55 65 75 85
95 06 16
26 36 46
56 66 76
moc.scilohtacrofsemagdrow.www
WHAT’S ON
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
Dec 9OPEN HOUSE CHARITY SALE10am-6pm: Open House Charity Sale to support the building of the IJ Village. Donors are entitled to tax exemption. At Jo’s Private Creation Gallery. (78 Guan Chuan St #01-35).
Mondays Dec 10 to December 24 ADVENT REFLECTION12.30-1.30pm: By Catholic Prayer Society. At 206/208B Telok Ayer St. Register T: 9761 2504 (Michael); E: [email protected]
Dec 12MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 5pm: Rosary followed by Mass in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn. With blessing for expectant parents. By Pregnancy Life Crisis (FLS). At Church of Sts Peter and Paul.
Thursday Dec 13 to Sunday Dec 16 X4 YOUTH CAMP X4 Youth Camp ( ) is for young people aged 12-21. By Commission for Apostolate of Mandarin-Speaking in Singapore. T: 9113 6598 (Nicholas); FB: http://www.facebook.com/x4camp
Friday Dec 14 to Tuesday Dec 18LEGION OF MARY CAMP Fri (1pm)-Tue (1pm) 5D4N of camping fun and spirituality. Experience the Legion way. For young people 13-18 years old. By Mandarin-speaking Youth Legion of Mary. At Maris Stella High School. Register T: 9154 6584 (Simon).
Dec 14ENTERING 2013 WITH JESUS – YEAR END REFLECTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS�'�#"��+���������Z�������� �� and what it means to enter 2013 with �����������������'�������Z�������adoration and benediction. At Church of St Ignatius St Francis Xavier Chapel (Kingsmead Hall). E: [email protected]
Dec 14ADVENT CONCERT: A BLESSED REUNION8pm: Third instalment of an evening of
sacred arias and warm Christmas tunes with tenor Matthew Chua and soprano Teng Xiang Ting accompanied by Dorothy Chia. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. Free. E: [email protected]
Dec 15ADVENT TAIZE: EVENING CANDLELIGHT SERVICE8pm: An evening of prayer in song and meditation with candlelight service that include Taize chants, listening to the Word of God, intercessory prayer with ample time for quiet prayer in an atmosphere of silence and peace. At Blessed Sacrament Church (1 Commonwealth Dr). T: 9105 7446; E: [email protected]
Dec 16CATHOLIC SINGLES POTLUCK11.30am: For fellowship and friendship. Join in for a potluck lunch after the 10:30am Mass at the church canteen. Please bring some food to share with others. By Catholic Singles. At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Register E: [email protected]
Dec 16NEW EVANGELISATION TALK3-5.30pm: World renowned Catholic theologian Dr Tracey Rowland, Dean of John Paul II Institute of Marriage & Family, Melbourne, will speak on how the call of the New Evangelisation can help one renew, rediscover and revitalise one’s faith. By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At The Loft Café (268A South Bridge Rd). T: 9649 3893
Dec 21CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT8pm: The Church of St Francis Xavier Youth Choir is celebrating the Year of Faith and its 25th anniversary with a choral concert. Cost: $15, $30, $50 tickets. At SJI International Chapel. Register T: 9046 4652; E: [email protected]
Dec 27CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION7-11pm: Celebrate Christmas with fellow Catholic business people and professionals. By Catholic Business Network. At Furama Waterfront. Register T: 9686 2107 (Terry); E: [email protected]; W: http://cbn-singapore.com
Dear St Jude, Jesus and Our Lady, we thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Please continue to intercede for us. Tang Family
Thank you for all your blessings. Please continue to guide and guard me. I promise to keep you as my Patron Saint. Sheila Thangavelu
THANKSGIVING
IN MEMORIAM AND CLASSIFIED
Please turn to pages 22 and 23 for more in �������������� ���������� ���� �
Mondays Jan 7 2013 to Apr 1 2013NO GREATER LOVE8-10pm: Enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord. Reference book: Jesus of Nazareth Vol 2. Facilitated by Fr Christopher Soh, SJ. Cost: $120. By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality & Counselling. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Register by Dec 17. T: 6467 6072; E: [email protected].
Jan 12MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH TAIZE8-9.30pm: At the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill Street) E: [email protected]; T: 98377256 (Benny Cahyadi) Wednesdays Jan 9 2003 to June 2013ACTS OF THE APOSTLES8-10pm: DVD-based presentation by Jeff Cavins on the Acts of the Apostles, which provides a historic framework for understanding the rest of the New Testament. Cost: $40. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Room A2-01). Register 9479 3120 (Alex); E: [email protected]
Sunday Jan 13 2013 to Saturday Jan 19 2013 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYERPray with Scriptures using Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio Divina. One-on-one meeting with a prayer guide Mon-Fri. Cost: $30. By Sojourners’ Companions. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. Register W: http: //www.catholic.org.sg/sojourners
Thursdays Jan 17 2013 to March 21THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO ROMANS8-10pm: A series of 9 lectures by Fr Ambrose Vaz. At Church of St Ignatius Annexe Hall Level 2. Free. E: [email protected]
Fridays Feb 15 to March 22YEAR OF FAITH12.30-1.30pm: 6 sessions to help Catholics rediscover their faith and >�����~��|����������������[�'���By ACPT. At Church of St Bernadette AVA Room. Register by Feb 8. SMS: 8467 6161, 8467 6363; E: [email protected]
Feb 24 2013 to Apr 7 2013MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSEFor couples intending to get married. On ������������+��>��� ������ course from Apr 28 2013 to Jun 2 2013. T: 9839 9840 (Ron/Grace); E: [email protected]; Register in parishes or W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/mpc
Friday March 8 2013 to Sunday March 10 2013BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKENDFri (6pm)-Sun (4pm) For those divorced, separated, or who have experienced the death of one’s spouse. Work through one’s grief and put one’s past behind, to be �����������������'��������{������ T: 9647 9122 (Sue), 9828 5162 (Jean),9661 8089(Joseph); E: [email protected]
In loving memory of
EDWARD BENJAMIN
Departed: Nov 13, 2012
OBITUARYGone from our lives
One so dear but in ourHearts forever near.
Dearly missed by mother-Josephine, Jacinta, Gerard,
Raymond, Wilfred BENJAMIN
and their families.Mass will be celebrated on Thursday Dec 13,
2012 at 6pm. Venue: Church of
Saint Vincent De Paul, 301 Yio Chu Kang Rd.
Dearest Lord Jesus, Mother Mary, St Joseph and St Jude thank you most heartily for all your blessings, love and care to my family. Special thanks to St Jude for helping my grandson do well in his ���������^���?�����to St Jude has never known to fail. Amen.
Fifth Anniversary In loving memory of
AUGUSTINE GWEE BOH YAN
Departed: Dec 12, 2007
Eternal rest grant unto him.
O Lord and let perpetual light shine
upon him. May he rest in peace.
Amen.Dearly missed by
wife Ruth, daughters and spouses,
Monica, Mica, Lorraine, Patrick,
Chee Mun, Martyn and
grandson Matthew.
24 Sunday December 16, 2012 � CatholicNews
PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.
MOVIE REVIEW
By John Mulderig
NEW YORK – Religious themes are central to director Lee Ang’s visually artful screen version of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi.
Indeed, this exotic 3-D fable bills itself as a story calculated to make the agnostic reporter in the movie (Rafe Spall), to whom its unlikely events are recounted, “believe in God”.
Regardless of whether it has that effect on audiences, Catholic moviegoers will certainly wel-come its positive portrayal of their faith and the presence in the tale of a sympathetic priest.
However, the protagonist’s earnest spiritual quest results in his simultaneous adherence to Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, which is problematic to say the least.
The main character, played as an adult by Irrfan Khan but portrayed for most of the time as his 17-year-old persona (Suraj Sharma), is an Indian-born Cana-dian known formally as Piscine Militor Patel. He is called Pi for short.
"Z��>��@������������
of memories being shared with the unnamed and unbelieving journal-ist reveal, Pi was bred in the pic-turesque former French enclave of Pondicherry.
Growing up contentedly amid the natural beauty of the area, Pi was fascinated by the wondrous creatures that inhabited the zoo
his parents (Adil Hussain and Tabu) owned.
Discovering God in varied manifestations during the ini-tial stages of the quest, Pi also made a less exalted discov-ery by falling for a local girl. So when Mom and Dad an-nounced, shortly afterwards, they
Memories and spiritual questLife of Pi movie is a complex treatment of religious faith requiring mature interpretation
were moving the family to the Great White North, Pi was crushed.
Upheaval turned to tragedy when the freighter carrying Pi’s family – as well as some of the animals from their former zoo – sank in a terrible squall. Pi was the only human survivor.
But his endurance was imme-diately put to a further test when he found himself forced to share a small lifeboat with a Bengal ti-ger.
Not for the impressionable or the poorly catechised, this psy-chological parable, whose mean-ing cannot be explained without spoilers, also becomes somewhat taxing as the rigours of the lad’s unusual ordeal begin to rub off on viewers.
Aesthetic judgments will like-ly hinge on the degree to which audiences summon the hardiness necessary to follow Pi’s adven-tures through to the end. Assessed from a religious perspective, his �������������������������-ourable but ultimately somewhat misguided.
=�� ��� ������� � ���'��^treatment of religious faith re-quiring mature interpretation, potentially upsetting scenes of life-threatening danger and ani-mal aggression, and some mildly vulgar wordplay. �
The PG-rated movie is now showing in Singapore cinemas.
Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service in Wash-ington, USA.
Piscine Militor Patel (Suraj Sharma) and a Bengal tiger are among the protagonists in Lee Ang’s Life of Pi.
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