Beloved, let us love one another, Mission Statement for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and The HERALD is a Catholic knows God. Anyone who does not Weekly of the Malaysian love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of Church. It endeavours to God was made manifest among communicate up-to-date news us, that God sent his only Son into and Christian values and strives the world, so that we might live THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY through him. to dialogue with all sectors MAY 9, 2021 TERHAD PP 8460/11/2012(030939) ISSN: 1394-3294 Vol. 28 No. 17 1 John 4:7-9 of society in order to build a (FOR INTERNAL CIRCULATION ONLY) harmonious community of The Publisher, Editor and Staff believers in God. We support Vocational 55th World stories from of HERALD wish all our Muslim the formation of a participatory Communications priests, religious Selamat Hari Raya. Church and encourage the laity Day and lay people friends Come and See Stories meant There will be no issue on and religious to make moral (John 1:46) to be heard decisions in the marketplace. May 16, 2021. Our next issue P14 P16 will be on May 23, 2021. Pope to create new official Catholic ministry of ‘catechist’ ATICAN: Pope Francis will be creating a new offi- Vcial ministry in the Catholic Church for those who teach children and others the fundamentals of the faith, the Vatican announced May 5. In a brief note to journalists, the city-state advised that it would be hosting a press con- ference May 11 to present a new papal motu proprio (on his own initiative) making the change. The document will be titled Antiquum ministerium and will “institute the ministry of catechist,” the note said. The Vatican did not immediately provide further details. In the Catholic Church, a catechist is some- one who teaches the core principles of the faith. In earlier centuries, catechists were of- ten priests or members of religious orders but they are now frequently lay persons who vol- unteer or are sometimes employed at Catholic schools or parishes. A file photo of Pope Francis with the children at Vatican in 2018. (Vatican News photo) Francis’ decision to recognise catechists more formally as having a ministry in the Church structures. A few hours after the initial announcement Second International Congress of Catechists. Church could be a response to the 2019 The Vatican’s May 11 press conference of the new motu proprio, official outlet Vati- “Being a catechist is a vocation … and is a Synod of Bishops from the wider Amazon will be led by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the can News explained that Francis had first ex- true and genuine ministry in the Church,” region, which called for better recognition president of the Pontifical Council for the Pro- pressed a desire to formally create a ministry the pontiff said at the time. — By Joshua J. for the various roles played by laypeople in motion of the New Evangelisation. of catechist in a 2018 video message to the McElwee, NCR Prayer intention for May: ‘For the world of finance’ VATICAN: Pope Francis released his prayer Pope Francis then repeated his emphasis on intention for the month of May 2021, and the term “speculation”. called for regulators to limit speculation in fi- The Pope expressed his hope that finance nancial markets and protect ordinary people. might be a vehicle to meet people’s needs. “The true economy, the one that creates “May finance be a form of service, and an work, is in crisis.” instrument to serve the people, and to care for Pope Francis launched his prayer intention our common home!” for the month of May 2021 with this warning. He also urged everyone to promote a form In “The Pope Video”, he lamented the ap- of economy which is more just and sustain- parent disconnect between the lives of ordi- able, and which leaves no one behind. nary people and the froth currently evident in Pope calls for regulators to limit speculation in financial markets and protect ordinary people. “We can do this!” affirmed Pope Francis. several financial markets. (http://clicktopray.org/) “And let us pray that those in charge of fi- “How many people are now unemployed!” if unregulated and left to its own devices, be- dangerous,” he said. “So that the poor do not nance will work with governments to regu- he said. “But the financial markets have never comes “pure speculation driven by various suffer painful consequences from this sys- late financial markets and protect citizens been as inflated as they are now.” monetary policies.” tem, financial speculation must be carefully from its dangers.” — By Devin Watkins, The Pope went on to note that high finance, “This situation is unsustainable. And it is regulated.” Vatican News 2 Forum / Reflection HERALD May 9, 2021 There’s something ‘fishy’ about the Gospels ver since COVID reached our shores, I Today, the fish remind us of what is at stake, as have been taking morning strolls at a cas- new challenges and threats emerge: pollution of Euarina-lined seafront promenade a couple Sunday Observer the seas and oceans, overfishing, the takeover of of miles away from our home in Penang. the commons through massive land reclamation, By The stillness of the seawater makes it look like eroding food security, super-hurricanes originat- a vast lake. On the horizon, the pale blue morn- Anil Netto ing in the sea, and rising sea levels. ing skies blend into the grey-blue waters. Fish and bread meant a lot more to the ordi- From the promenade, I see fishermen in boats [email protected] nary people of the Gospels than they do for most casting their nets to catch ikan senangin (thread- middle-class or upper-class people, even today. fins). Further south,garupa (grouper) and siakap Those of Jesus’ disciples who were fishermen was another possible site for the multiplication.) The distributive justice inherent in the multipli- (barramundi) are also found. lived along the northern shore of the Sea of Gali- Wherever it took place, the earliest disciples cation of the fish and loaves stands in stark con- Sometimes, others wade in to look for siput lee. often used the symbol of the fish as a secret code trast to the growing income inequalities in our mentarang (angelwing clams) and siput remis This northern shore is also close to the site tra- or symbol to indicate their allegiance to Jesus. As world, where wealth is hoarded and concentrated (mussels). ditionally believed to be the Mount of the Beati- the fish symbol had already been used by pagans, in the hands of a few. From here, it is not too difficult to imagine tudes and the site of the multiplication of the fish there was less danger in using it. Consider how far we have strayed from the what it must have been like from the shoreline of and loaves for 5,000 people near Bethsaida. The Christian symbolism of the fish emerged vision of the kingdom where there should be the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida was a small fishing village that from a word puzzle or acrostic in Greek. The enough from the bounty of the earth to feed the Most of the Gospel episodes took place by was the hometown of apostles like Simon Peter, Greek word for fish was ichthys, and this was multitude, where no one should go hungry. It all the sea or close to the sea. And fish was highly Andrew and Philip, though the precise location used as a code for “Iesous Christos Theou Yios began with a small boy sharing the small fish symbolic. has been contested. Still, it not far east of Caper- Soter”, which means Jesus Christ, Son of God, (perhaps sardines) and loaves that he had with Imagine Jesus helping his prospective disci- naum, both along the northern shore. Saviour. Sometimes, the Greek letters for ichthys Jesus, perhaps prompting others to share what ples land a huge catch by the shore. The fishermen may have moved from Beth- are spelt out within twin arcs that outlined the they had brought along as well. The multiplication of the fish and the loaves saida to Capernaum, and perhaps carried out fish. In our pandemic-ridden world today, many was highly symbolic and is closely associated their fishing 1.5 miles to the west along the shore The fish symbolised the multiplication of the have been thrown out of work or are living on with the Eucharist – the community sharing and at a place called Tabgha, known as the “fisher- fish and loaves and the calling of the disciples to reduced incomes, adding to the poverty that had fellowship – highlighting a common table of dis- men’s suburb of Capernaum”. Tabgha is also the become “fishers of men (and women)”. already existed. The distributive justice symbol- tributive justice. site of the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves It also symbolised the waters of baptism. Ter- ised by the fish and loaves reminds us that we The fish caught at the real freshwater lake of and Fish. tullian, a second century historian, described too must reach out to share what we have with Galilee, in the present day at least, are musht The site traditionally believed to be “Mount Christians as “we, little fishes, after the image of those in need. (which includes Galilean tilapia, also known as Beatitude’ lies a short distance inland, midway our Ichthys, Jesus Christ, are born in the water." We should be doing this not only individually St Peter’s fish, the redbelly tilapia and the blue between Capernaum and Tabgha. Even in science, we learn that life emerged at the grassroots level but also as a community tilapia), biny or barbels (species in the carp fam- So, this northern coastline seems to have been from the sea. and at the highest policymaking levels as well ily) and the Kinneret sardine (pickles were used a ‘happening place’ for fishing and the symbol- The fish symbolism was seen even in a post- — through pro-people reforms in our taxation to preserve these sardines, especially at Magdala, ism of the fish (though some have recently argued Resurrection scene, when Jesus grilled fish for system, universal healthcare, education and food a major fish processing centre). that Hippos, along the southwestern shoreline, his disciples. security. Sixth Sunday of Easter: The elixir of love ack in the Middle Ages, there was an al- came more and more sullen and depressed. Bchemist who had achieved notable fame And eventually, he became angry, frustrated Reflecting on our Sunday Readings for his intellectual prowess. For want of a bet- and mean spirited. Why? Because, through- ter name, we’ll call him Justin of Bieberland. out the years, he was plagued with a question. life. 6th Sunday of Easter I want you to consider St Teresa of Calcut- Now, usually when we think of alchemy, we It became an all-consuming obsession. The Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26, ta. Her work among the poorest of the poor focus on the attempts of alchemists to create question he kept asking himself over and over 34-35, 44-48; gold, but actually, the alchemists attempted was this: Would she have loved me if she had spread throughout the world. Her religious much more than that. They were really the not drunk the elixir? order, the Missionaries of Charity, became the 1 John 4:7-10; first inorganic chemists. And Justin was one Our society perpetuates the great lie that fastest growing religious order in the Church. Gospel: John 15:9-17 of the best. He understood the properties of love can be won through an elixir. The elixir Why were so many people attracted to Moth- mercury, how best to transform various ele- may be becoming a professional who makes er Teresa? Certainly they felt called to join Augustine’s sermon on 1 John 7). ments into energy and so forth. The problem a great deal of money. Money is supposed to her in making Matthew 25 a reality: “...when So, we are concerned about this or that was that Justin was so intelligent that people guarantee that happiness can be bought. Or I was hungry you gave me food to eat, when I member of the family. Maybe he or she is in were afraid of him. He was too smart for the elixir might be that having the perfect was thirsty you gave me drink, etc.” But there a bad relationship, or behaving badly. If we them. And so people avoided him. Especial- body will attract lasting love. But the beau- was even more than this that attracted people strike out at them, let them feel our wrath ly, female people. Now Justin really wanted tiful bodies of the young become the bodies to Mother Teresa. They were drawn by Jesus’ for the people they are hurting, we will ac- to have a wife and family, but how could he of the middle aged. And that six-pack stom- love within her. And like a magnet, that love complish nothing. But if instead we allow convince a fair lass to marry him? So, being ach turns into a full keg. Commercials try to flowed through her into them. And then they the magnetism within us to be evident in our a scientist, Justin set to work on creating an convince us that the right perfume or cologne attracted others to Christ. The love of Christ concern for them, and we seek the ways that elixir of love. After months and months of will do the job. That’s as close to an ancient flowed through her into them. It still does. we can best expose them to the love of Christ, meticulous work, he had finally a finished elixir as you can come. But a good job never We have been attracted by the dynamism, eventually, over time, Christ will prevail. The product. Justin did have one friend, an older won anyone love, and a beautiful body may the magnetism of Jesus Christ. We know that Easter message is that Jesus is the Victor. alchemist. And this friend had a beautiful attract another person but it isn’t going to win saying that we love Him is not enough. We Christ wins. He always wins. young daughter. Justin told his friend that he his or her love. And folks, a famous perfume have to live His Love. In the Gospel, Jesus Another example: we are invited to join had made a wonderful discovery and would like El Stinko #5 is not going to be a love uses this phrase: “Remain in my love.” He an activity which is immoral; and we decline like to show it to him, perhaps at dinner at magnet. tells us that we remain in His Love if we keep respectfully, but lovingly. A close friend asks the friend’s house. So, Justin was invited. He Today’s second reading from the First Let- His commandments. But Jesus doesn’t give a us to join him or her. And we say, “I have to brought his elixir. During the meal he made ter of John, and the Gospel from John 15, whole list of commandments like Moses did tell you what is happening inside of me. I just up a story of how he had created a potion that both speak about love, Christian love. Chris- when he came down from Mt Sinai. Jesus just can’t reconcile going there and doing that would bring happiness to young maidens. He tian love is not forced on a person. It isn’t due gives one commandment: Love one another. with the deep love for God I feel within me. and the girl’s father convinced her to try it. to an elixir, nor does it come merely from That is all that really matters, if we love It just is not me. It is not my style.” And we The girl drank the elixir. And she began to physical attraction, or any other attraction each other, truly, in the sacrificial love of the leave it at that, then the person we are speak- see Justin through different eyes. After a few for that matter. Love, true love, lasting love, Lord, everything else falls into place. St Au- ing to might eventually, someday, also say, “I months, she was open to Justin’s proposal only results from the Love of Christ. And that gustine put it this way: “Once and for all, a want that deep love of God in my life.” of marriage. So, Justin married his beautiful love becomes a magnet. If a person loves the short rule is laid down for you: Love and do Jesus Christ is the Elixir of Love. He is the girl, and soon they had their own family of Lord, that love itself will attract other people what you will. If you keep silence, do it out potion that brings happiness. We pray today three wonderful children. Now you would who are seeking the Lord. Perhaps it will at- of love. If you cry out, do it out of love. If you for the courage to love His Presence so much think that they would live happily ever after. tract a person who is looking for someone to refrain from punishing, do it out of love. Let that His Love will flow through us and attract But they didn’t. Justin had everything he ever make a life with, certainly it will attract many the root of love be within you. From such a others to love as He Loves. — B y M s g r wanted, but he was not happy. In fact, he be- others who are looking for the meaning to root, nothing but good can come.” (From St Joseph A Pellegrino HERALD May 9, 2021 Home / Pastoral 3 Malaysian Bishops’ Diaries Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur May 2021 Chan/MC/10/2021

Bishop Sebastian Francis Penang Diocese 11 Meeting - Simee Home Suspension of Masses Board, Ipoh (Zoom) 17 Meeting - Penang Diocese Seminarians of St Peter’s College, Kuching in Penang in Kuala Lumpur and 18&19 Council of Priest and Clergy Monthly Recollection, Penang 22 Mass - Pentecost, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Penang at 6.00pm Selangor 23 Mass - Pentecost, Cathedral It was announced that six districts under tor, parish offices may remain open way of private appointment with the of the Holy Spirit, Penang at the state of Selangor and the Federal Ter- with additional precautionary meas- priest. ritory of Kuala Lumpur would be placed ures, e.g. shorter opening hours, shift 10.00am 2.7. Masses will continue to be under the Movement Control Order work among staff, no over-counter 26 Formation - Healing in live-streamed from various par- (MCO) effective May 6, 2021 for Selan- transactions etc. Evangelisation, Penang ishes. The links can be found on gor and May 7 for Kuala Lumpur. 2.2. Weddings - Scheduled wed- TV.ArchKL.org. Parishes conduct- 29&30 Session - 24hrs with Bishop Although the MKN SOP permits ac- dings may proceed with a maximum ing live-streaming should not have Sebastian, Penang tivities in non-Muslim places of worship, number of 30 persons (inclusive of more than 10 volunteers present at His Grace, Most Reverend Archbishop 31 Meeting - Penang Diocesan minister, couple, and witnesses). All any Mass. The Archbishop has also Julian Leow D.D., is cognisant of the fol- Pastoral Team, Bukit attendees should be preregistered. dispensed the faithful from the ob- lowing worrying developments: alarm- Mertajam ligation to attend Mass on Sundays ing figures of new infections, escalating 2.3. Funerals - Parlours in churches and holy days of obligation. rate of infectivity, utilisation of hospital may be opened. There should be no beds and ICU approaching maximum ca- in-person communal prayers (which 3.0 Other States - for parishes lo- pacity in the Klang Valley. Furthermore, could be done via ZOOM) and pri- cated within Negeri Sembilan, Pahang he notes that inter-district travel restric- vate prayers within the parlour are and Terengganu, the status quo is main- tions will impede the movement of pa- limited to not more than five persons tained and public Masses will continue rishioners and volunteers to the various at any one time. Funeral Masses as scheduled. churches, chapels and Mass Centres. may be celebrated with a maximum As our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has 1.0 After having consulted the Archdi- number of 30 persons. All guests and called us to pray for an end to this pan- ocesan Crisis Management Task Force, it family members should be preregis- demic, let us not cease in invoking God’s is the decision of His Grace to temporar- tered. intervention and seeking our Lady’s in- ily suspend all public Masses in parishes 2.4. Baptisms are to be postponed tercession as we pray the Holy Rosary located within Kuala Lumpur and the except in the case of an emergency. during this month of May. state of Selangor with effect from Friday, May 7, 2021 until further notice. 2.5. Anointing of the Sick shall be 2.0 These additional protocols are to reserved for urgent cases. All home be observed for all parishes located in communion by extraordinary minis- Fr Michael Chua Selangor and Kuala Lumpur: ters of holy communion will be sus- Chancellor pended until further notice. Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur 2.1. Parish Offices - At the discre- tion of the parish priest/ administra- 2.6. Confessions can be heard by May 5, 2021

Diocese of Malacca Johore MJD News Update #38 Greetings and the Peace of the Lord Jesus Is your heart burning within you? Is it a paring prayer vigils to re-live and rekindle 3.3 Of course, the barriers to becoming Christ be with you, dear People of God. passionate heart on fire? Pray for the gifts the Pentecost fire. The MPI has organised fully human are the many self-indulgent at- So much uncertainty. Peace is what all of of fire, zeal and passion. Pray for the gift of a nine-day Novena to the Holy Spirit. The titudes and sin, seen as failure to reach out us are looking for. Jesus said: Do not let Pentecostal fire but never ever try to manu- Triumphant Heart of Mary (THM) Inter- to others (not primarily individual sexual your hearts be troubled. The peace I give facture it. cessory group will gather for the Jericho transgressions) you, the world cannot give. The fire of Pentecost is a gift to be re- Walk from May 13-16 and end with Praise 3.4 The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Troubles everywhere; depressive news ceived. The other kind of fire is a false fire and Mass on Pentecost Sunday. Online #23 reminds us that human beings are cre- daily; troubled children, parents, pension- and may spell disaster. Pentecost prayer services are also availa- ated to praise, revere and serve the Lord ers and daily wage earners. The ‘haves’ are ble. Ask for the Holy Spirit. Pray for clean our God, and by means of doing this to fed; the ‘have-nots’ go hungry. 2.0 Announcements for this Week: waters to be poured upon you; ask for a save souls. Big numbers have foregone their Sunday 2.1 No reports of Covid cases lately in the heart of flesh and a new spirit. The other things on the face of the earth are obligations and the call to community wor- diocese. Malacca and Johore are classified 2.4 Changes in online Mass timing for Ma- ship. as Red Zones. Three (3) districts in Johor created for human beings in their pursuit of lacca Johore Diocese. the end for which they are created. The daily COVID updates are alarming. ie. Johor Bahru, Kulai and Kota Tinggi are Mass in Bahasa Malaysia at 4.00pm every The vaccination programme is slow. Cur- now under MCO from the 7th till 20th May Saturday and Mass in English is at 7.30am 3.5 What we are or have is God’s gift to rently, there’s an exercise to register for the 2021. Refer to the latest Bishop’s Circular every Sunday. us; and what we become is our gift to God. Astra Zeneca vaccines. for SOPs under MCO. Be patient with par- Nature and nurture meet. ish registration systems with the 30 per- 3.0 This Week’s Questions & Queries Thank you for reading. Let us continue 1.0 A Thought for the Week: sons maximum rule. The Q asks: “Nature or Nurture?” to build God’s Kingdom together. Lorenzo de’Medici, the great Florentine 2.2 Coming next is Hari Raya Aidilfitri, 3.1 Inherited genetic disposition or re- Pentecost is near. Let us await in prayer, patron of the arts, was very proud of the the Ascension and Pentecost. Pentecost is ceived upbringing? Both play a crucial role seeking to regain our lost or dying fire. No spectacles he staged for the citizenry. the birthday of the Church. But for many and their interplay is significant. For us, the fire, no light. Among his many productions were several parishes, everything ends with Easter. No people of faith, to reach full human poten- Let us pray with our Muslim brothers amazingly realistic religious pageants per- commemoration. No waiting. No prayer tial, spiritual growth and development are and sisters as they end their Ramadan next formed in church. But one Pentecost, Lor- vigils. No seeking the Holy Spirit’s unc- important aspects. Sometimes growth and week, which coincides with our Ascension. enzo went a little bit too far: he used actual tion. No exceptional depiction of the great development look alike. It is important to keep safe and stay safe. fire to depict the descent of the tongues of day. No wonder, we are powerless and 3.2 Brian O’Leary describes a three-stage flames on the apostles. fruitless. It’s not for charismatics only. It The fragile stage set caught fire and, be- journey to present our spiritual develop- Bishop Bernard Paul is our feast. We need the Holy Spirit, our mental; a journey that begins with childlike fore horrified onlookers, the entire church Advocate. May 7, 2021 burned to the ground. “wonder”, of being led into “gratitude”; and Something to think about: 2.3 Various groups in the diocese are pre- of becoming radically “available” to others. Click here to watch the video 4 Home HERALD May 9, 2021 Praying the Psalms Renewal of Covenant — Ps 95 (94) t is to the credit of the Second heologian Vatican Council that translations, T Grail is usually one less. especially in the liturgy, opened A Speaks By his psalm is the invitatory psalm I Msgr James for morning prayer in the Divine the floodgates for lay participation. This is a new column for our local T The Constitution on the Sacred Lit- theologians and biblical scholars to Gnanapiragasam Office. It begins with two invitations urgy emphatically promoted active share their thoughts. SSL, STL to pray called out by the Levites participation, exhorting priests and (Vss 1-2 and Vs 6). others to pray the divine office and reread a particular psalm to get the divine office in the Grail translation. After each invitation, the crowd “to attune their minds to their voic- full import of what it says. The vo- Readers who do not have the Divine responds professing faith in the God es when praying it. To achieve this cabulary and images they use may Office may use their own Bibles, of Creation (A mighty God … vs more fully, they should take steps to be foreign to us. However, these which may even have footnotes to 3-5) and in the God of the Covenant improve their understanding of the psalms are our prayer. They are the help in understanding. The numbers (For he is our God…Vs 7). liturgy and of the Bible, especially prayer of the Church. Whether we of the psalm will be indicated here as What follows is an oracle spoken the psalms” (SC 90). pray in private or in common, these the Hebrew numbering of the psalm by God, reminding the people that he knew the 150 psalms by heart. We undertake here to give a se- psalms express our experiences and and the Greek or Latin numbering the Covenant is important and how He had his own desert experience, ries of articles that would help read- we respond in prayer to these experi- of the psalm which the Grail fol- their ancestors disobeyed Him in the hunger and temptation to power. He ers to understand the psalms. Some ences. lows will differ. Bibles today usually past. knew how hurt his Father, the God of these psalms may be difficult to Consequently, we will use the prefer to use the Hebrew numbering We know that Jesus prayed the of the Covenant, was by their diso- grasp and it might help to read and psalms as given in the Missal or the which we give in bold print. The psalms. It would be fair to say that bedience. Catholic teachers encouraged Sarawak Catholic Teachers to join CTAM share their experiences of KUALA LUMPUR: The Catho- formation about themselves. Spiritual Care, which provides pro- the pandemic lic Teachers Association Malaysia Fr Alvin Ho SJ, the ecclesiastical grammes to train participants from (CTAM) organised a Zoom event, assistant, then gave a short sharing different faiths and professions on Juice Nightz, for Catholic teachers on the history of CTAM and what it spirituality in medicine, end of life on April 30. A total of 35 partici- does; i.e: care, spiritual assessment, and how pants joined. l organise events/activities for to respond to the spiritual needs of The CTAM is an organisation for Catholic teachers to have bonding patients from diverse faiths and eth- Catholic teachers teaching in any sessions; nic backgrounds. learning institution, such as kin- l provide support to Catholic Stanislaus shared on his social dergartens, primary and secondary teachers; services with the Orang Asli com- schools, colleges, universities or l guide Catholic teachers who munity, which he calls “Masyarakat working with the Ministry of Edu- want to be principals / headmas- Akar” (provide provisions and free cation (MOE). It began in 1960 at St ters in Missionary schools. education). He does food and gro- John’s Institution and was registered Jamie Lim, the CTAM secre- ceries distribution with his car to the in 1999. It is an association where tary, shared on previous activities B40 families. He is also involved in Catholic teachers come together for organised in CTAM (Symposi- the Prison Ministry to meet the in- Sarawak teachers recollection via Zoom. spiritual growth, personal develop- ums, Teachers’ Day Celebrations, mates and motivate them. KUCHING: A group of Catholic ple, positive feelings like gratitude, ment, self-enrichment and fellow- etc.) and introduced the 2021-2022 Elizabeth Chong shared on her teachers got together online on May open-mindedness and calmness. At ship. CTAM EXCO committee. involvement with poor students in 1, 2021 to share their challenging ex- the same time, there were negative Though it has been around for 61 Then three persons shared on her previous school (SMK Bukit periences during this time of the pan- feelings such as anxiety, worry and years, many Catholic teachers are the Power of Volunteering. Lucille Mewah). She collects and distributes demic, which is into its second year. apprehension. not aware of CTAM. This virtual Lopez (Active teacher), Stanislaus used furniture, electrical appliances, COVID-19 positive cases among Fr Lim shared with the partici- event was aimed to recruit all Catho- Emmanual (Lecturer) and Elizabeth vegetables, fish, meat and provisions students and teachers are rising in pants the Ignatian Examen, which lic teachers to join CTAM. Chong (Retired teacher). to the B40 families. She also coordi- Malaysia with several school clus- can be a useful tool to help teachers The virtual meeting began with Lucille shared on her involvement nated the Seremban Flood Aid (No- ters. People are feeling stressed out seek God who is actively working in some ice-breaking sessions that in- with WCCM Christian Meditation vember 2020). She visits and coun- with this situation. their daily lives. This examen needs cluded a virtual scavenger hunt. The Community Malaysia. She is also sels the poor and needy families “Sharing helps, with the aware- daily practice in order to train our- winners then had to share some in- involved with ZIYARA Muslim (help find jobs, find sponsors to buy ness that others are going through selves to find God in all things. Over laptops and motorbikes, and counsel the same issues, and that we are not time we can get better at it. domestic violence cases. She pro- alone. Sharing also benefits us in the “We need a more holistic and vides cash aid and sponsors tuition sense that we feel supported by each well-balanced life during the pan- for poor athletes (BM, Maths, etc). other, the objective of this recollec- demic. The examen facilitates better She is also actively involved in the tion. mental health. It helps with a more Ministry of the Poor (MOP). “It is hoped that through this event, positive mindset. At the same time, Then the participants had a short teachers can look forward with hope it is also a prayer to converse with chit chat session. The night conclud- amidst their hectic teaching and God in the ordinariness of our life. ed with a group photo. learning in school, whether online or It can deepen our personal relation- For more information, please physical, which at the same time is ship with God who is very near to go to the CTAM Facebook page, coupled with the fear of getting the each and every one of us,” Fr Fran- CTAM Telegram Group, CTAM virus,” said Fr Francis Lim, SJ, the cis shared. Official Email (ctamsia@gmail. Principal of St Joseph’s Private Sec- Google Meet Breakout Rooms com), & CTAM contacts (Presi- ondary School, who facilitated this were used as the platform for this dent Anne 014-3389182, Secretary sharing and recollection. event which was organised by the Jamie 017-6945431). — By Jaclyn Participants entered the recollec- Sarawak Catholic Teachers’ Guild. Catholic teachers gather for Juice Nightz via Zoom. Sharmelee tion with mixed feelings, for exam- — Today’s Catholic Committed to serve the parish with Carmelite charism KOTA KINABALU: In the midst years, was preceded by a nine-day 2024). Sacred Heart Parish rector, OCDS in order that the election the posts of Secretary and Treas- of the COVID-19 pandemic, 23 Novena to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Fr Paul Lo, witnessed the process would proceed in an orderly man- urer. members (including aspirants) of after daily Mass at the Carmelite as the Carmelite Chaplain (Fr Mat- ner. The rest of the members enjoyed the Secular Carmelites of Our Lady chapel. The term of office actually theus Luta) was unable to be pre- Prior to the election process, re- their packed lunch fellowship be- of Mount Carmel and St Therese of expired in March, but had to be pro- sent. ports were made by the Secretary, fore they reassembled for the re- the Child Jesus (OCDS) assembled longed till May due to the CMCO. The entire process was conducted Formation Director and Treasurer newal of promise for the DP or TP. for the Community council elec- Fifteen members, who have by Matthew Liow, the incumbent for the term just ended (2018-2021). The assembly ended with the Re- tion, which is governed by OCDS taken definitive (DP) or temporary former councillor, upon request by After the council election, the gina Caeli, rejoicing with Mother Constitution (Art. 49), at the Sacred promises (TP), were eligible to par- the President. Liow read out briefly elected councillors held their dis- Mary for the blessings bestowed. Heart Cathedral Centre May 1. ticipate in the election process for the concerned article of election cussion to elect the Formation Di- — By Catherine Wan, Catholic The election, held every three the new term of Council (2021 to provided in the Constitution of the rector and to appoint members for Sabah HERALD May 9, 2021 Home 5

Penang Diocese PKK/BDN/2021/04/093 Notifications and Updates in the Penang Diocese My dear Easter People, Happenings in the Diocese of Penang – May 2021 Greetings of Easter JOY! As I celebrate with you the culmination of Lenten Campaign 2021 Caholic Information Services (CIS) and Penang State Coordinator for Creation Easter with the Birthday of the Church at The Diocese of Penang through CARI- St Anne’s Article Centre at RM25/ copy. Justice Commission in the Diocese of Pentecost, where we are sent as the Church TAS PENANG / Penang Office for Hu- Hall and Accommodation Bookings Penang with effect from May 1, 2021. of Christ on mission in the world, I invite man Development (PON) will be of- The Diocesan Halls and Accommodation More initiatives on this commission can you to reflect with me on the following: ficially closing the accounts for Lenten are now available for bookings following be found on the Diocesan Website or by Heresies: Pelagianism, Gnosticism, Jansen- Campaign 2021. Parishes that have yet the required SOPs. Below are the contact clicking this link: CREATION JUSTICE ism, Phaireseim = Spiritual Capitalism. to submit their contributions, kindly do persons for enquiries and bookings: COMMISSION PENANG In simple language, I can do it, I must so by June 30, 2021. For further details,  Penang Diocesan Pastoral Institute do it, I will do it, I rely on my own human kindly contact Ms Annie Dennis (04- (PDPI) – Vincent Joseph (04-2611350). Seminarians of the Penang Diocese efforts only. 2292742/761).  Stella Maris Retreat Centre, Penang Presently, we have a total of 13 seminari- Be your own version of inadequate spir- – Amanda Chan (04-8920809). ans from the Diocese of Penang currently ituality vs be your true self in Christ Jesus. The Online Novena Devotion to  under formation. Gospel of the Risen Lord alternative: Domus St Anne, St Anne’s Dormitory, Our Mother of Perpetual Help The full list of the seminarians can Prayer, Fasting, Penance, Sacrifice. Dewan St Anne, Dewan St Joachim – The Online Novena Devotion to Our Charlotte Mary Stella (04-5386405) be found on the link provided below. Lived out in daily poverty (detachment), Mother of Perpetual Help animated by the Continue to keep them in your prayers: chastity (pure in heart), obedience (sub- Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 24 hours with Bishop Sebastian PENANGSEMINARIANS OF THE mission to God’s will) Ipoh can be followed from home every The 24 hours with Bishop Sebastian is DIOCESE OF PENANG I pray that, guided by the Holy Spirit, we Saturday at 9.00 am. Here is the link to back. may strive daily to be authentic missionary follow: ONLINE NOVENA DEVOTION This unique programme is open to all Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) – disciples of the Risen Lord, sharing His single young men and working adults, TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL A journey towards Pan Malaysia Joy, Mercy and Hope! above the age of 18, who are interested HELP Pastoral Convention 2026 to explore their vocation to Discipleship, Greetings of Harmony and Peace to all in The Pan Malaysia Pastoral Convention the Diocese of Penang and beyond. Mission and the Priesthood. New SYPG Hymnal 2026 organising Team has prepared a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Click the link for more details on this The SYPG Hymnal orders have been de- questionnaire to be used for the Parish Selamat Hari Wesak programme: 24 HOURS WITH BISHOP livered to the respective parishes. Pay- Pastoral Assembly (PPA). Selamat Hari Kamatan SEBASTIAN ments are to be made to the following: Parishes are encouraged to disseminate Selamat Hari Gawai DIOCESE OF PENANG RHB Acct No this questionnaire widely prior to the PPA Selamat Hari Ibu & Bapa 2-07082-0005132-4. Kindly notify pay- Penang State Coordinator which has to be conducted by 2022. Here is Bishop Sebastian Francis ment to: [email protected] Creation Justice Commission the questionnaire: PARISH PASTORAL Bishop of Penang Further purchases can be made at the Magdalene Chiang has been appointed ASSEMBLY QUESTIONNAIRE The Archbishop and ‘the boiling of frogs’ Let’s start with a summary of a re- For the record, allow me to pro- a strategic communications con- ter’s words out of context. angry, but acting when angry often cent controversy: vide a transcript of the relevant sec- sultant, I must say that the response This however, is more of a case produces sub-optimal and coun- A recording started making the tion: to this act has also not been opti- where Paul said “I think our rights terproductive results. Using words rounds, featuring the Archbishop “It is the rights of minorities, it mal. are being slowly eroded”, but Mary like “nefarious”, however justified, of Kuala Lumpur, Julian Leow is standing up for those who are The Catholic Lawyers Society is saying “Paul said he wants to is merely adding oil to the fire, and Beng Kim, giving a speech at an voiceless, it is to hold our ground (CLS), who must have been un- commit genocide”. This is not tak- playing to the gallery in a way that undetermined event. so that more and more is not tak- derstandably very upset, released a ing Paul’s words ‘out of context’. does not cool down the situation or This recording was then up- en away. The Constitution is also statement. Paul quite simply said something provide clarity. loaded to the Internet by a group being reinterpreted if you realise When I received the record- else. Indeed, it plays right into the that claimed that in that recording, what’s happening around us. So, ing over Whatsapp, I noticed two I don’t bear them any ill will at hands of those who are trying Archbishop Leow said he wanted we need to stand up for our rights, things. all, but one imagines that a group to stoke the fires of disunity by to do something like “boil the Mus- for the rights of our future genera- The first was the title of the vid- of lawyers may perhaps have cho- spreading this video in the first lims slowly like frogs”. tion. We know the analogy of the eo, which was (in Bahasa Malay- sen their words with more care. place. This has become yet another ma- frog in the boiling water, no? Yes, sia) “The 25-year Christian project Saying the Archbishop’s words Even if we make police reports, jor facepalm moment for Malaysia. no? For the benefit of those who in Malaysia: Boil Muslims like were ‘taken out of context’ seman- and the police arrest these people, Dutiful columnist that I am, I don’t eat frogs, I have to tell you, boiling frogs”, with the Archbish- tically implies that the Archbishop the damage is already done, and took the time to listen to the whole if you throw a frog into boiling wa- op’s name and face. actually said he wanted to boil conspiracy theorists can spin those recording. ter, it will jump out straight away. The second was a news headline, Muslims. This was honestly the developments to worsen the situa- What the Archbishop was actu- But if it’s boiled slowly, increasing based on the statement that CLS impression I got reading that news tion even further. ally talking about was a sentiment degree by degree, by the time it re- released, which read: ‘Nefarious’ headline. It made me think,“oh, It is also my humble view that that minority rights were slowly alises, it is already half-cooked. So, video takes archbishop’s words out we’re in for it now”. the best way for the Archbishop being eroded in Malaysia. that’s what’s been happening in our of context, says Catholic group. The truth of course couldn’t be and the Church to diffuse this situ- He gave the following analogy: country.” The words ‘nefarious’ and ‘out more different. ation is to take this opportunity If a frog is thrown into boiling wa- There is really no way any sane of context’ were indeed taken ver- In fact, you can hear right there to meet with reasonable Islamic ter, it will surely notice immediate- person would understand any part batim from the CLS statement, in the recording that the Archbish- groups that are committed to na- ly. If it is put in water that is boiled of this speech to imply anything which I later had a chance to read op was talking about things like tional unity. very, very slowly, the frog may not even near to ‘the Archbishop wants in its original form. people from different faiths being Having a dialogue and present- notice as much. to boil Muslims’. Reading these two headlines ini- able to come and sit down together, ing a united front is the best way In this analogy, the minorities As the saying goes, however, a tially, my immediate reaction was and having communities put on to transform this controversy from in Malaysia are the frogs. And the lie can go around the world before to be alarmed. their thinking caps to find creative something that divides people an- slow boiling is meant to represent the truth has put its boots on. The reason for this is when you ways to build bridges. grily, to an opportunity to bring a slow process of change that is The people who fabricated this say that words were “taken out Those on the side of truth should people together in search of great- happening, which the Archbishop spin on what the Archbishop said of context”, this means that those be emphasising this, rather than er mutual understanding. — By believes is happening to these mi- definitely had ill intentions, and words were actually spoken. jumping to express rage. Nathaniel Tan, The Star norities. were looking to create an atmos- For example, if Peter says “I From a communications per- Whether or not we agree with phere of distrust, suspicion, and want to boil Muslims a nice cup spective, I would very much hope l Nathaniel Tan is a strategic this sentiment, I think we can agree animosity among different com- of delicious hot tea.” And you only that organisations avoid knee-jerk communications consultant who that Archbishop Leow is not trying munities. say: “Peter said he wants to boil reactions made in anger. also works with Projek Wawasan to boil anybody. In my humble view, however, as Muslims”, then you have taken Pe- I can understand why people are Rakyat (POWR). 6 World HERALD May 9, 2021 Global press freedom restricted over past year VATICAN: Day and night, and for dom brought about by draconian In a tweet on Monday May 3, 365 days a year, journalists around laws introduced during the COV- Pope Francis urged the media to the world bring us information ID-19 pandemic. help in efforts to strengthen the via radio, television, internet and The report found that nearly 75 common good. newspapers. Over the past year, per cent of states blocked the media “Let us use everything we can, many have been on the frontlines in some shape or form during the especially the powerful instrument in hospitals reporting on the COV- outbreak. of the media, to build and strength- ID-19 pandemic, while others have The findings also found that the en the common good,” he said. been recounting stories from coun- African continent continues to be In 2019, he also called for a free tries of conflict. the most dangerous place for jour- and unhindered journalism in the Every year on May 3, World nalists, while eastern European service of truth, goodness and jus- Press Freedom Day is observed. countries such as Russia and Bela- tice. According to the UN agency UNE- rus scored badly on the Press Free- This year, World Press Freedom SCO, the day serves “as a reminder dom Index. Day is marking its 30th anniversa- to governments of the need to re- Marking World Press Freedom ry. It originated three decades ago spect their commitment to press Day, the UN Secretary General, at a UNESCO conference in Wind- freedom and is also a day of reflec- File photo of dummies with press jackets. (Vatican News) Antonio Guterres, said the situation hoek, Namibia, in 1991. tion among media professionals lost their lives covering stories. good along with exploring ways to for journalists continues to worsen. The event concluded on May 3 about issues of press freedom and The theme for this year’s World distribute it and strengthen journal- “In too many countries, they with the adoption of the landmark professional ethics.” Press Freedom Day is “Informa- ism.” run great personal risks, including Windhoek Declaration for the De- In addition, it offers an oppor- tion as a public good”, which, According to media watchdog new restrictions, censorship, abuse, velopment of a Free, Independent tunity to defend media against at- UNESCO states, acts as a call “to Reporters Without Borders, there harassment, de-tention and even and Pluralistic Press. — Vatican tacks and to remember those who cherish information as a public was a global decline in press free- death,” he said. News UNICEF says COVID-19 hitting Pontifical Mission children hard in South Asia Societies gear up for 200th The United Nations children’s fund, distances, and get vaccinated if they The UN’s World Health Organi- UNICEF, is calling on South Asian have the opportunity to do so. zation points to alarming surges in anniversary celebrations governments to do everything possi- As countries are trying to respond infections in South Asia, with India ble to stop the catastrophe of COV- to the public health emergency, the accounting for over 90 per cent of in- ID-19 as soon as possible, saying UNICEF official said “we cannot fections and deaths in the region. In- the virus is disproportionately hitting forget the profound impact of the dia also accounted for 46 per cent of children in greater numbers. pandemic on children”. “Children global cases and 25 per cent of global “The deadly new surge in South are being directly affected by the deaths reported in the past week. Asia threatens us all. It has the po- disease in higher numbers than ever India’s official count of - COV tential to reverse hard-earned global before. They are losing parents and ID-19 cases surpassed 20 million on gains against the pandemic if not caregivers, becoming witnesses to Tuesday (May 4), nearly doubling in halted as soon as possible,” warned scenes no child should ever see, and the past three months, while deaths George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF Re- being cut off from their schools and have officially exceeded 220,000. gional Director for South Asia, in a vital support networks.” The country’s official average of statement on Tuesday. As resources are diverted and ser- newly confirmed cases per day has Pope Francis incenses an image of Pauline Jaricot. (Vatican News) He urged governments to “do eve- vices saturated, he said, the essential soared from about 65,000 on April Preparations have begun for next the conversion of sinners and the rything within their power to stop the health services they so heavily rely 1 to about 370,000 today, and deaths year, when on 3 May 2022, the Pon- evangelisation of the world. devastation”, and those able to send on – including routine immunisation per day have officially gone from tifical Mission Societies (Missio) She died in poverty in Lyon on assistance to do so immediately. programmes – are now at risk of be- over 300 to more than 3,000. will mark the 200th anniversary of 9 January 1862. On 25 February “The international community must ing compromised, if not shuttered The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan their official foundation as the “As- 1963, she was declared Venerable step up without delay. This is a moral entirely. “If this happens, it will once and Sri Lanka have also reported sociation for the Propagation of the by St John XXIII. On May 26, 2020, imperative”, he said. more be the most vulnerable children increasing caseloads. The situation Faith”. It also marks the 100th an- Pope Francis approved a miracle Laryea-Adjei also reiterated the and families who will suffer most.” is particularly alarming in Nepal, niversary of the Motu Proprio Ro- attributed to her intercession, thus importance of individual responsi- Laryea-Adjei pointed out that the where cases recorded a 137 per cent manorum Pontificum, with which paving the way for her beatification. bility. “Every decision we make has first wave of the pandemic caused rise this week, reaching the highest Pope Pius XI declared this a “Pon- Present in 130 countries, today the potential to alter the course of this drastic cuts in the availability and use levels since the pandemic started tifical” society. Missio counts 354,000 missionar- surge – and to either safeguard or en- of essential public health services in last year, severely straining its fragile The Pontifical Mission Societies ies, 3 million catechists, 114 dio- danger the lives of those around us. South Asia, costing us the lives of health system and resulting in a dire has begun preparing for the 2022 ceses in mission territory, and 150 We may be ex-hausted, but the virus an estimated 228,000 children and shortage of hospital beds, intensive celebrations, looking back to the million dollars allocated to pastoral is not”, he stressed. 11,000 mothers. He said everything care units and critical medical sup- sources of their founding charism, and social projects. The UNICEF official also remind- must be done “to keep essential plies, including personal protective which began with the laywoman All these resources are employed ed all of their “individual responsi- health, immunisation and nutrition equipment (PPE) and oxygen con- Pauline Jaricot. with the aim of supporting the Pope bility” to wear masks, wash hands services running — and make sure centrators. — By Robin Gomes, Born in Lyon, France, on 22 July in his commitment to all the particu- thoroughly with soap, keep physical women and children are protected”. Vatican News 1799, Pauline Jaricot suffered a fall lar Churches, both in prayer, which that caused her serious physical in- is the soul of the mission, and in jury, and therefore a somewhat dif- material aid to Christians around ficult growth. the world. But she felt the call to missionary In 2020, the year marked by the life. On 3 May 1822, together with beginning of the COVID-19 pan- a group of lay people, she founded demic Pope Francis established an the association of the “Propagation Emergency Fund as part of Missio of the Faith”, approved by Pius VII for the mission lands most affected in 1823. by the coronavirus, with a starting Pauline devoted herself exclu- donation of 750,000 dollars. The sively to serving the poor and the ill, Pope himself, in May of last year, visiting hospitals and the terminal- reminded Missio that mission is a ly-ill on a daily basis. free gift of the Spirit, not the out- The aid she brought to those in come of strategies, and that being need was accompanied by a life a missionary is a reflection of grati- of intense prayer: she received the tude for what one has received. — A clown raising awareness about COVID-19 among children in a slum in Mumbai, India. (Vatican News) Eucharist daily, and interceded for Vatican News HERALD May 9, 2021 World 7 Blessed Lazarus Devasahayam Pillai, six others to be named saints VATICAN: Pope Francis presided at set at a later time. Once canonised, es, and he was arrested in 1749. After meditation, prayer and study. an Ordinary Public Consistory for the the holy men and women will be enduring increasing hardships, he re- He was killed on December 1, Canonization of Blesseds on May 3 recognised as Saints throughout the ceived the crown of martyrdom when 1916 by a band of marauders. Bless- in the Consistory Hall of the Apos- universal Church. he was shot on January 14, 1752. ed Charles de Foucauld inspired a tolic Palace in the Vatican. One martyr is numbered among Blessed Lazarus is the first lay per- “spiritual family” which follows his During a Consistory, the Cardi- the Blesseds who will are set to be son from India to be canonised. way of life. nals “assist the Supreme Pastor of canonized. Blessed Charles de Foucauld was Three priests who founded reli- the Church through collegial action” Blessed Lazarus, known as Deva- a French soldier who travelled exten- gious orders – César de Bus, Luigi by offering their counsel on matters sahayam, was a Brahmin of the Nair sively in Northern Africa. Maria Palazzolo, and Giustino Maria of particular importance to the whole caste in India. Converted to Ca- Originally a fallen-away Catholic, Russolillo; and two religious foun- Church. tholicism by a Jesuit priest in 1745, he embraced the Faith at the age of dresses – Maria Francesca di Gesù At the Consistory, Pope Francis Devasahayam Pillai took the name 28. Blessed Charles found his voca- and Maria Domenica Mantovani confirmed the vote of the Cardinals Lazarus when he became a Christian. tion during a pilgrimage to the Holy – round out the number of Blesseds to proceed with the canonization of In his preaching, he particularly Land. whose causes were given definitive seven Blesseds, who will be raised insisted on the equality of all peo- He was ordained at the age of 43, approval at Monday’s Consistory. to the altars in the coming weeks and ples, despite caste differences. This after which he returned to the desert — By Christopher Wells, Vatican months, according to a schedule to be aroused the hatred of the higher class- Blessed Devasahayam Pillai in Algeria, where he lived a life of News Ranchi Church offers free lunch to relatives of COVID-19 patients RANCHI: Many Catholic institu- the grounds of the hospital by the government rules of social distanc- tions in India have being making Ranchi Catholic Youth led by its ing and public safety, he said the their facilities available in the na- President Kuldip Tirkey. Hot-packed Church will continue to work for the tion’s battle against a devastating lunches consisting of rice, lentils poor. “We are able to help the needy second wave of COVID-19 infec- (dal), chicken and vegetables along only because of the generosity of tions that is severely straining its with bottled water, are being served good people who are contributing,” healthcare system. to needy people. he said. “The Church will continue The Archdiocese of Ranchi, the Inaugurating the initiative, Arch- this service daily as long as it can, capital of eastern India’s Jharkhand bishop Felix Toppo said, “Our Heav- as those attending the patients have state, has thought of a new way to enly Father has been good to us and neither the time nor the resources to help ease the pain and suffering of this goodness needs to be shared prepare a meal for themselves.” COVID-19 patients and their fami- with the less fortunate, especially The RIMS is a government hos- lies. It has launched a free lunch ser- at this difficult moment.” Auxiliary pital and is mostly frequented by the vice for the relatives of patients hos- Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas not- poor, as they cannot afford treatment pitalised in the Rajendra Institute of ed the country was going through at private hospitals. The lunch ser- Medical Sciences (RIMS), the city’s a very difficult time, with the- pan vice is being carried out with every biggest hospital. demic showing no signs of abating. safety precaution. — By Robin A lunch stall by Ranchi Archdiocese at the RIMS Hospital in Ranchi, India. The service is being organised on While stressing the need to follow Gomes, Vatican News (Vatican News) Shrines around the world link up for recitation of the Rosary VATICAN: “Guided by Date Shrine Country Prayer Intention Shrines around the world 1 St Peter’s Basilica (Madonna del Soccorso) Vatican City State For the entire world wounded by the pandemic during this month of May, 1 The Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady (Our Lady England For all the deceased we recite the Rosary to of Walsingham) invoke an end to the pan- 2 The Sanctuary of Jesus the Saviour and Mother Mary Elele, Nigeria For all those who have not been able to say goodbye to their demic and the resumption deceased loved ones of social and work-related 3 The Monastery of Jasna Góra (Black Madonna of Częstochowa) Poland For all those infected with the coronavirus and all the sick activities.” (Pope Francis, General Audience, May 5, 4 The Basilica of the Annunciation Nazareth, Israel For all expectant women and their unborn children 2021) 5 The Shrine of our Lady of the Rosary Namyang, South Korea For all children and adolescents As part of an initiative 6 The National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida Brazil For all young people promoted by the Dicastery 7 The Cathedral of Antipolo (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) Philippines For all families for the New Evangelisation, 8 The Basilica of Luján (Our Lady of Luján) Argentina For all communication workers the Marian prayer of the 9 The Basilica of the Holy House (Our Lady of Loreto) Italy For all seniors Rosary unites 30 Shrines 10 The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock Ireland For all people with disabilities around the world. 11 The Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux (Virgin of the Poor) Belgium For all the poor, the homeless, and the economically distressed On the right is the list of Shrines where the Rosary is 12 The Basilica of Our Lady of Africa Algiers, Algeria For all people who live alone and those who have lost hope prayed each day at 6.00pm 13 The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima Portugal For all prisoners (CET), with links to watch 14 The Basilica of Our Lady of Health Vailankanni, India For all scientists and medical research institutions live, or afterwards on de- 15 The Shrine of Our Lady of Medjugorje (Our Lady of Peace) Bosnia For all migrants mand. — Vatican News 16 The Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Sydney, Australia For all victims of violence and human trafficking Mother of God, Help of Christians (St Mary’s Cathedral) 17 The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Washington, D.C., For all world leaders and for all heads of international organizations (Washington, D.C.) USA 18 The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes France For all doctors and nurses 19 Mother Mary’s House Ephesus, Turkey For all people at war and for world peace 20 The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre Santiago de Cuba, Cuba For all pharmacists and health care personnel 21 Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Our Lady of Nagasaki) Japan For all social workers 22 Santa Maria de Montserrat (Virgin of Montserrat) Spain For all volunteers 23 The Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap Trois-Rivières, Canada For all law enforcement and military personnel and for all firefighters 24 Our Lady of Lourdes Nyaunglebin, Myanmar For all those who provide essential services 25 The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu Għarb, Malta For all teachers, students and educators 26 The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mexico City, Mexico For all workers and entrepreneurs 27 The Shrine of the Mother of God of Zarvanytsia Ukraine For all the unemployed 28 The Shrine of Our Lady of Altötting (Black Madonna of Altötting) Germany For the Holy Father, bishops, presbyters, and deacons 29 The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon Harissa, Lebanon For all consecrated men and women 30 The Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii Italy For the Church Pope Francis prays at the church of San Marcello on the 31 The Vatican Garden Vatican City State For the end of the pandemic and the resumption of our social Corso (Vatican Media) and economic life 8 World HERALD May 9, 2021 The clock is ticking for Pakistan’s beleaguered Christian nurses LAHORE: “Religiously charged cent weeks I have spoken to several International Religious Freedom, in staff of Lahore mental hospital take Christian families who described its annual report for 2021 released over the building.” This headline urging their daughters to ignore dis- last month, retained Pakistan as “a may seem like something ripped course on religion in hospitals. country of particular concern” while straight out of a psychological hor- A group of Christian nurses, hid- seeking the repeal of the “blasphemy ror film, but it actually happened on ing behind face masks, took to social and anti-Ahmadi laws” and the re- April 27 when Muslim nurses oc- media to plead for protection and lease of blasphemy accused. cupied a chapel at the hospital that bread for their family. Last week the European parlia- was used for Sunday services after “It will ruin us as a nation. Mi- ment adopted a resolution demand- they accused a Christian nurse of norities are at your mercy. While the ing that Islamabad allow freedom committing blasphemy by sending world is appreciating the services of for religious minorities and asked an “objectionable” video to a nurses’ health workers [amid the pandem- the European Union to reconsider its unofficial WhatsApp group. ic], look at what you are doing. We GSP (Generalised Scheme of Prefer- Videos of nurses reciting naats Christian staff nurse Maryam Lal (left) and Catholic nursing student Newsh worked hard to be here. Other nurses ences) plus status for Pakistan amid (devotional hymns to the Prophet Arooj were arrested on blasphemy charges in Faisalabad. (UCA News photo) are irritating us so that we quit our the increasing number of blasphemy Muhammad) in front of a wooden other. The atmosphere of love will Nazir Gill was slapped and stripped jobs. You are threatening us,” they cases. cross and a banner with Biblical be prevailed. The Christians will for alleged blasphemy at a hospital stated in a video. The European parliament also ap- verse, and then raiding the premises, continue using this auditorium for in Karachi in Sindh province where “For God we urge the chief justice pealed for the freedom of Christian quickly went viral on social media. weekly worship as before,” it stated. she had worked for nine years. She of Pakistan and prime minister to re- couple Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat The facility has 700 employees, Meanwhile the accused nurse has remains in hiding. view the blasphemy laws being used Emmanuel, who have been on death of whom 339 staffers, including 105 been granted a month’s leave. The population of minority wom- to settle personal scores. The law row since 2014 after being convicted nurses, are Christian. Since 2019, the This is the third reported incident en in Pakistan is estimated to be should prevent this tyranny. Keep of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. hospital administration has desig- of blasphemy allegations against around 3 million, of whom around this profession peaceful and for ser- “The prime minister intends to take nated a multipurpose auditorium as Christian nurses this year. two per cent work as nurses, doc- vice only. Don’t use it for terrorism.” the leaders of the Muslim countries a chapel for Christian staffers for 30 On April 9, two Christians nurses tors, teachers, professors or do office Minority places of worship are not into confidence and tell the European minutes of weekly prayer. were detained by police after a first work, claims the Coalition for Reli- enemy posts to be conquered. Reli- Union and the United Nations not to On May 3, Dominican Fr James information report under section gious Equality and Inclusive Devel- gious assaults on Christian nurses hurt the feelings of 125 million Mus- Channan, regional coordinator of 295-B of the blasphemy law was opment (CREID) in a recent study may be a start. If the trend continues, lims in the world. What about the United Religions Initiative Pakistan, made by a doctor at Civil Hospital, titled Violence and Discrimination other Christian professionals includ- feelings of the non-Muslims in Paki- joined interfaith leaders and hospital Faisalabad, who accused them of against Women of Religious Minor- ing doctors and lawyers will be next. stan? Fix up your own house first,” staff to sign an agreement to end the scratching a sticker inscribed with ity Backgrounds in Pakistan. Protests against the ongoing assaults said Fr Abid Habib, former presi- conflict. “Durood Shareef,” a salutation for The increasing blasphemy cases will further isolate Pakistan in the in- dent of the Major Superiors Leader- “Both parties will not issue any the Prophet Muhammad. against Christian nurses have in- ternational community. ship Conference of Pakistan. — By statement or complaint against each In January, Christian nurse Tabitha creased their deep insecurity. In re- The United States Commission on Kamran Chaudhry, ucanews.com Why is India facing a medical oxygen crises? or the past couple of weeks India companies like Linde and Innox. Commentary Fhas suddenly been facing a big They are the largest oxygen produc- shortage of medical oxygen supply, ers in India. They produce liquid by while the government and the minis- oxygen and sell to various customers Don Aguiar ters deny and say all is well. through tankers and tanks. A few things which will probably 5) Several refillers around the their profits. make things clear. country buy liquid oxygen from gas d) Last but not least had our Industrial and medical oxygen are companies and fill gas cylinders after Government thought of this im- produced in the same plants, stored vaporising the liquid. pending danger and prepared, in same tanks and filled in the same 6) Oxygen is generally delivered a major crisis could have been cylinders. For medical oxygen the to end users by three means: directly avoided. But that’s easier said gas company just has to analyse each through pipe line from plant to end than done knowing our demo- batch and certify. No other differ- user which is say 80 per cent of prod- cratic setup and the govern- ence. In fact, for industrial the need uct; fifteen per cent or so is delivered ments’ need to win elections and is 99.5 percent pure oxygen whereas in liquid form through tanks and so on. Now the government is for medical as per pharmacopeia all tankers, and less than five per cent taking steps. India is facing a big shortage of medical Oxygen supply, while the government over world is 93+\-3 per cent. through cylinders. The Prime Minister has announced and the ministers deny and say all is ok. (Matters India photo) 1) There is absolutely no shortage So why are we facing a crisis to- to the nation that his government profits at the cost of human life? 1) Strict advisory to gas compa- of oxygen in India. You will be sur- day? I think a combination of the fol- will be providing relief by waiving How can the PM stop the interna- nies to use all distribution assets prised to know that less than one per lowing: customs duty and health taxes on tional press that has covered the hy- for medical purpose only from cent of oxygen production capacity is a) Shortage of distribution assets oxygen and related equipment. Also, pocrisy of the central government? day one. They could provide used for medical purposes. Even the i.e., road tankers, storage tanks COVID-19 related vaccines are ex- What motivates someone to profit compensation to gas companies present times it may go up to three or and cylinders. Mind you, these empt from customs duty, which will from another human’s misery? I will for this just like MSP for food even five per cent. But that’s it. are expensive. Each road tanker boost availability as well as make never understand this. grains. 2) The estimated total oxygen pro- costs 4.5 million on road and a these items cheaper. This announce- However, the tyranny of failed 2) Advise all plant owners not to duction capacity in India is around cylinder costs around 10,000 ment was immediately praised by the governance is heaped upon none but use a drop of liquid oxygen from 100,000 tons per day (may be more), rupees in which you sell oxygen railway minister, whether for seeking our children: the ruin of their peace plant / tank for their process use and around 80 per cent of oxygen just worth 300 rupees. These as- publicity and praise of the Prime and the base oppression of their lives; until medical needs have been production capacities are with steel sets have been built by gas com- Minister through real concern for the the imposition of punishment after met. companies, where oxygen is pro- panies based on normal times. suffering. punishment for the crimes of inno- 3) Using railways to transport duced and used in iron and steel There is only so much one can However, the Railway Minister’s cence, trust and hope. It is time to re- through green door track. making. Reliance Jamnagar alone do with these assets. publicity stunt was quickly coun- solve never again to allow the grossly If we all survive this, as I hope we has 22,000 tons per day capacity for b) Logistics management. Most tered by a major general and many incompetent into the hallowed por- shall, remember this. That when it pet coke gasification. plants are located in select geog- others who said – “That’s his job, tals of power. What a shame this is. comes down to it, we didn’t fight for 3) Most plants are in East India, raphies. So, distribution assets Minister. If all organisations start do- With great power comes great re- land or weapons or houses or jewel- some in west (Mumbai and Gujarat) travel a fair distance (200-1000 ing this kind of worship, where will sponsibility, it is said. In an unprece- lery. We didn’t fight for concert tick- and some in Karnataka. These plants km) to deliver to customers. it end? Please get on with the work dented crisis such as this COVID-19 ets or fancy designations or religion typically produce 5-10 per cent of Even with good roads, a tanker without seeking publicity. This kind pandemic, responsibility acquires or politics. We didn’t fight for shares product as liquid which is stored in takes around 7-10 days to make of idolising has a negative impact in greater importance. Do we see any in a company or a seat at the table. large tanks. This liquid is used by a round trip and a cylinder also times of such national crises.” Please iota of this in our present govern- We didn’t fight for business class them as a backup when the plant is takes that much time to turn take our suggestion positively. ment? tickets or the keys to a house by the down and also to meet peak demand. around. How long can the PM prevent In hindsight I think the govern- beach. When all this is over, remem- 4) There are several standalone c) Desire of gas companies the truth from being spoken? How ment could have planned the follow- ber that we fought for air. — Matters liquid oxygen plants owned by gas to focus on what maximises can the PM encourage hoarding and ing: India HERALD May 9, 2021 World 9 Pope approves seven German Catholic new invocations to bishops’ leader: We Litany of St Joseph VATICAN: The Vatican Congrega- new invocations to Pope Francis, tion for Divine Worship and the Dis- who approved their integration into cipline of the Sacraments on May 1 the Litany of Saint Joseph. introduced seven new invocations to The new invocations, originally are not ‘schismatics’ the litany in honour of St Joseph. The in Latin, are as follows: Custos Re- DENVER: The chairman of the discuss four main topics: the way initiative comes during the Year of St demptoris, Serve Christi, Minister German Catholic Bishops’ Confer- power is exercised in the Church, Joseph which runs from December salutis, Fulcimen in difficultatibus, ence has insisted that the country‘s sexual morality, the priesthood, and 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. Patrone exsulum, Patrone afflicto- Catholics are not “schismatics” the role of women. In a letter to the presidents of bish- rum, and Patrone pauperum. These seeking to “detach ourselves as The German bishops initially said ops’ conferences around the world, could be translated as: Guardian of the German national Church from that the process would end with a the Secretary of the Congregation, the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Rome.” series of “binding” votes — rais- Archbishop Arthur Roche and Un- Minister of salvation, Support in dif- Bishop Georg Bätzing told ACI ing concerns at the Vatican that the dersecretary, Fr Corrado Maggioni, ficulties, Patron of exiles, Patron of Stampa that the Church in Germa- resolutions might challenge the SMM, explained the reason behind the afflicted and Patron of the poor. ny remains close to Rome, despite Church’s teaching and discipline. the move. “On the 150th anniversary With these additions, the invoca- tensions over same-sex blessings, Bätzing pointed out that, in terms of the proclamation of Saint Joseph tions in the Litany to St Joseph now Communion for Protestants, and the of Church law, the “Synodal Way” as Patron of the Universal Church, rise to 31. country‘s “Synodal Way.” Bishop Georg Bätzing is not technically a synod but rather the Holy Father, Pope Francis, pub- The Congregation said, “It will be He said: “It is absolutely clear that “a sui generis format.” lished the Apostolic Letter Patris the responsibility of the Episcopal there are matters that we can only bond with Rome and the Holy Fa- He said: “The central question is: corde, with the aim ‘to increase our Conferences to see to the transla- discuss at the level of the Universal ther is very tight.” how can we talk about God today love for this great saint, to encourage tion and publication of the Litany in Church. We will contribute from In the interview published May 6, and come to a deeper faith? Faith us to implore his intercession and the languages which are within their Germany with our reflections. the 60-year-old bishop of Limburg can grow and deepen if we free to imitate his virtues and his zeal’,” competency; these translations do “However, I would like to reject explained that the German hierar- ourselves from fears and mental they wrote. “In this light, it appeared not require the confirmation of the the accusation repeatedly used of chy launched the “Synodal Way” in closures, if we ask the questions and opportune to update the Litany in Apostolic See.” The Congregation us being schismatics or of wanting response to the clerical abuse crisis. look for ways in which the Church honour of Saint Joseph, approved has also allowed the bishops confer- to detach ourselves as the German The multi-year process brings today can be present for people.” — by the Apostolic See in 1909, by ences to add other invocations with national Church from Rome. Our together bishops and laypeople to CNA integrating seven new invocations which St. Joseph is honoured in their drawn from the interventions of the countries. “Such additions,” it said, Popes who have reflected on aspects “should be made in the proper place Petition asks for lectionary of the figure of the Patron of the Uni- and preserve the literary genre of versal Church.” the Litany.” — By Robin Gomes, translation in inclusive language The Congregation presented the Vatican News The Core Group of the Scottish Lai- ESV-CE continues to use gender- Church’s credibility. To neglect to ty Network write: It is not common- exclusive language, opting for ‘he’, make the Word of God accessible in ly known that the Scottish Bishops ‘man’, ‘brother’ etc even when the a cultural context of gender equal- have decided to adopt a new trans- context includes both male and fe- ity is to risk becoming irrelevant. In lation for Bible texts that are read at male, and an inclusive translation is doing so, we are compromising the Mass. It is of great concern that this easily possible. Church’s mission to dialogue with translation continues to use gender- The Bible was written and revised and bring the Good News to our exclusive language when the equal over centuries when patriarchy was wider secular society. partnership of women and men is the norm and such language was not Alternative inclusive translations fundamental to our society and to seen to be exclusive. Our cultural for Catholic use do exist. The Ca- the credibility of the Church today. climate is markedly different, how- nadian Episcopal Conference, for A petition set up by the Scottish La- ever. We now expect both men and example, adopted the New Revised ity Network is asking for a Bible women to enjoy the same human Standard Version-CE (1985) in Here is the Updated Litany: translation in inclusive language. rights. In the 21st century, young 2008. Our petition asks the Scottish Those who keep abreast with women and men in these Isles see Bishops to approve the most re- Lord, have mercy. Joseph most faithful, pray for us. specialist Catholic news outlets themselves as equal partners in the cent Revised New Jerusalem Bible Christ, have mercy. Mirror of patience, pray for us. may be aware that both the Bishops home, in school, in the workplace, (2018), which has received much Lord, have mercy. Lover of poverty, pray for us. of England & Wales and the Bish- and in the eyes of God. praise for its inclusive language and Christ, hear us. Model of artisans, pray for us. ops' Conference of Scotland have They expect no less in their up-to-date scholarship, if necessary Christ graciously hear us. Glory of home life, pray for us. Guardian of virgins, pray for us. chosen the English Standard Ver- Church. The perception of language alongside the ESV-CE so that a God our Father in heaven, Pillar of families, pray for us. sion - Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) has shifted significantly, even over choice may be made. This would by have mercy on us. Support of the afflicted, pray for us. for the lectionary to be used at Mass the last 55 years since the JB was no means be unprecedented, since God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Solace of the wretched, pray for us. in the future. The vast majority of published. What was formerly a up until now two translations were have mercy on us. Hope of the sick, pray for us. laity in our parishes, however, are generic use of ‘men’ and ‘brothers’ approved by the Bishops of both God the Holy Spirit, Patron of exiles, pray for us. quite oblivious to this decision that is now considered outdated and is England & Wales and Ireland, the have mercy on us. Patron of the afflicted, pray for us. Holy Trinity, one God, Patron of the poor, pray for us. will impact an entire generation. no longer understood by younger JB (most commonly used) and the have mercy on us. In the aftermath of the Second people to include women as well. Revised Standard Version-CE. Patron of the dying, pray for us. Vatican Council, the three Bishops' It is now felt to be exclusive and is A similar earlier English peti- Holy Mary, pray for us. Terror of demons, pray for us. Conferences of Ireland, Scotland preventing women from recognis- tion addressed to Cardinal Nichols Saint Joseph, pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. and England and Wales approved ing themselves as being addressed closed with 875 signatures. To date, Renowned offspring of David, pray Lamb of God, for us. the Jerusalem Bible (JB) as the ba- in Scripture. the Scottish petition has gathered you take away the sins of the world, Light of Patriarchs, pray for us. spare us, O Lord. sis for the revised three-year lec- Much is at stake. Women are 892 signatures, including English, Spouse of the Mother of God, pray tionary of the Roman Rite of Mass. already leaving the institutional Welsh, Irish and international sup- Lamb of God, for us. you take away the sins of the world, This translation has been in use for Church, feeling disenfranchised, port. This might serve as a litmus Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for some 50 years so we can expect, and they have the support of their test that there is indeed wide-spread graciously hear us, O Lord. us. Lamb of God, at Mass, to be listening to any new male partners and brothers. Gender- concern about gender-exclusivity, Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray you take away the sins of the world, lectionary translation for decades to exclusive language is likely to ac- well beyond the boundaries of for us. have mercy on us. come. Scholars have voiced con- celerate that exodus. The Church is Episcopal Conferences. The Irish Foster father of the Son of God, cerns about the lack of consultation, already in decline, and losing young Bishops, with whom the Associa- pray for us. Let us pray: the provenance of the ESV-CE, and people as the first teachers of faith tion of Catholic Priests have raised Diligent protector of Christ, pray for O God, in your ineffable providence us. its lack of gender inclusivity. The of future generations will exacer- the same concerns, are yet to make you were pleased to choose Blessed Servant of Christ, pray for us. Joseph to be the spouse of your most far-reaching consequences there- bate the situation. a decision. It will be interesting to Minister of Salvation, pray for us. fore raise questions about its pasto- A translation which will be al- see which road they will take. — holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. we may be worthy to have him for our ral suitability for the mission of the ienating for many, both inside and ICN Joseph most just, pray for us. Church in 21st century Scotland, outside the Church not only has intercessor in heaven whom on earth Joseph most chaste, pray for us. we venerate as our Protector: You England and Wales and Ireland. serious pastoral implications. Ex- The petition is available here: www. Joseph most prudent, pray for us. who live and reign forever and ever. In our petition, the Scottish Laity clusive language is also likely to change.org/Inclusive-language- Joseph most strong, pray for us. Network express concern that the have a detrimental impact on the bible-texts-at-Mass Joseph most obedient, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us 10 Editorial HERALD May 9, 2021 HERALD To choose a bishop: May 9, 2021 Eucharist weaponised a man for the Church, for political ends — this must not happen! not a “ladder-climber” n the six months since the 2020 election, a growing Pope Francis has used a strong expres- movement has emerged in the Church in the United I sion to describe the great responsibil- The criteria is not to seek perfection, “saints” to put on a pedestal, States that calls upon the nation’s bishops to publicly ex- ity that belongs to the Dicastery called but men who certainly possess human and spiritual virtues. The clude President Joseph R Biden and other Catholic public to choose Successors of the Apostles: first of these is prudence which does not mean “reticence or timid- officials from the Eucharist. “This Congregation exists to ensure ity” but “balance between action and reflection while exercising a Those who support this action make a concise, three- that the name of the one who is cho- responsibility that requires great dedication and courage”. Cardinal part argument: the long tradition of the Church requires sen has first been spoken by the Lord”. Marc Ouellet succinctly outlines the typical profile of a candidate for personal worthiness to receive the Eucharist, the president What do you do to remain faithful to the ministry of bishop. The Vatican Congregation he has guided for supports positions on abortion that clearly depart from the such an exalted and demanding task? teaching of the Church on an extremely grave moral is- years has this responsibility which is carried out according to well- The task the Church entrusts to this Di- defined norms and practices. The objective is to help the Pope choose sue; and the persistent rejection of clear Catholic teaching castery is that of helping the Holy Fa- extinguishes that worthiness. pastors to whom the ecclesial communities throughout the world will ther decide. Our task is that of making a be entrusted. It is a task, he explains, that is conducted collegially It is understandable how numerous Catholic leaders prior discernment. Concerning this “first have come to this moment. It is almost 50 years since the stage”, I can synthesise this enormous “with a spirit of faith, and not with a calculating spirit”. Supreme Court decision in the case Roe v Wade. While task in three verbs: prayer, consultation, progress in reducing abortions has occurred in some ju- verification. Prayer: prayer is the first and Isn’t there a risk that the selection pro- throughout the world experience with risdictions and the number of abortions nationwide has last thing done. It is an act of an initial cess of bishops might be affected by the Pope and the Dicasteries that assist fallen, the United States still rejects the legal structures and final entrusting of our intentions to certain commonalities or conditions? him in his ministry. The “presentations” and policies that can bring meaningful protection to the the Heavenly Father. It is not by chance How can this be avoided? the Episcopal Conferences bring from unborn. that the Chapel with the Blessed Sacra- As in all human matters, those involved their territories create a fascinating mo- The election of President Biden and a Democratic Con- ment is at the centre of the offices of the might be moved by ambition, envy, per- saic through which one can glimpse how gress is a sign that, outside of the courts, federal progress Congregation. Every time anyone walks sonal interests. To avoid this, it is neces- God is working in every corner of the on the pivotal moral issue of abortion will not occur in the the halls, we find ourselves in front of sary to cultivate the spirit of detachment globe. Prior to the visit, each individual immediate future. This is an immense sadness for every this mysterious Presence to whom every in the people of God and in the forma- bishop should have listened to his peo- bishop in our country and the Church as a whole. The action must refer. Consultation: this pre- tion of priests. The Church has no need ple. Once he has returned to his diocese leaders of the Church are ardently seeking a step that will paratory stage we carry out reaches its of people who want to “climb the lad- after this series of meetings that culmi- advance the protection of the unborn. peak after an intense undertaking using der”, of people who seek the first places, nates with the celebration of the Eucha- But the proposal to exclude pro-choice Catholic politi- a synodal method in consultation with but of men who sincerely want to serve rist with the Holy Father on the Tomb of cal leaders from the Eucharist is the wrong step. It will the People of God, Nuncios, Members their brothers and sisters and show them Peter, he should recount this experience bring tremendously destructive consequences — not be- of the Plenary Assembly. What has been the path of faith and conversion. so everyone is informed about what was cause of what it says about abortion, but because of what distilled from all this is what arrives on received. it says about the Eucharist. the Pope’s desk. Verification: this means What counts most in the pastoral pro- The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1325) teaches we try to achieve the greatest certainty file of a bishop: natural gifts, spiritual You are also President of the Pontifical that: “The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime possible that the person who has been virtues, or the capability to govern a Commission for Latin America, estab- cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity indicated possesses the necessary quali- diocese? lished by Pius XII in 1958. Why was this of the People of God by which the Church is kept in be- ties. The Congregation for Bishops, unlike Commission placed under the Congre- ing. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the Congregation for Saints, deals with gation for Bishops and what role does the world in Christ and the worship men offer to Christ Behind each episcopal appointment is the pastoral profiles of candidates who it play within the context of the pontifi- and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit.” a discernment made on the part of the are not yet perfect, but of men on the cate of the first Latin American Pope in Because of this sacred nature and identity, the Eucharist Congregation. But it also consults and way of perfection. What certainly counts history? must never be instrumentalised for a political end, no mat- involves the Apostolic Nunciatures and in a priest proposed for the episcopate Historically speaking, the Pontifical ter how important. But that is precisely what is being done the local Churches. Can you explain are the theological and cardinal virtues, Commission for Latin America (C.A.L.) in the effort to exclude Catholic political leaders who op- the method used to carry this out and the so-called principal human virtues. was established as a body meant to fa- pose the Church’s teaching on abortion and civil law. The what financial resources this entails re- Above all, what is most important for cilitate the sending of missionaries from Eucharist is being weaponised and deployed as a tool in garding your mission budget? this office is prudence. This should not Europe to South America. Throughout political warfare. This must not happen. Identifying and evaluating a candidate be understood as reticence or timidity, the years, its physiognomy has changed The substantial damage that will occur within the eu- is the fruit of a collaboration between but as balance between action and re- as the face of the Church has changed. charistic community due to this instrumentalisation will several players. Every three years, a flection while exercising a responsibility Currently, the flow of missionaries is go- be broad and deep. The Catechism (#1323) proclaims: list of promovendis is compiled by the that requires great dedication and cour- ing in the opposite direction. So, priests “At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Metropolitan Bishops. This is a list of age. from the Latin American continent are Saviour instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body priests who may be suitable for the of- treading in reverse the paths taken by and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacri- fice of bishop, according to the indica- What influence has the personality the first missionaries to bring the Good fice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come tions of the Bishops of the Metropolitan and sensibilities of various Pontiffs had News to many European countries. To- again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, dioceses. The Nunciature evaluates each on the criteria used to select bishops? day, the C.A.L. is a dynamic entity that a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of candidate using a consultative process The sensibilities of a pontificate certain- fosters awareness of the Continent to the love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet.” with the people of God. This process is ly have a notable influence on the choic- Curia and vice versa. Above all it offers A national policy of excluding pro-choice political carried out with utmost confidentiality. es. Each Pope has received a particular its availability regarding the needs of leaders from the Eucharist would constitute an assault on Those who are consulted in this process “vision” from the Holy Spirit regarding those lands, follows them directly and that unity, on that charity. are asked to keep strict confidentiality the Church’s problems and priorities it promotes small direct interventions. In Fully half the Catholics in the United States will see to guarantee the truthfulness of the in- should have. Anyone who collaborates the past few years, the Commission has this action as partisan. It will bring the terrible partisan formation and, above all, to protect the with him is called to enter into the per- focused primarily on dialogue and pro- divisions into the very act of worship that God intends to reputation of the person being evalu- spective of the Chief Shepherd with motes reflection on the priorities regard- cause and signify our oneness. ated. Once the best candidates who fit the spirit of faith, and not a calculating ing the future of this Catholic Continent Quo Vadis, Catholic Bishops of America? — By the needs of the moment have been spirit. under the direction of Pope Francis. Bishop Robert W. McElroy, America identified, the information is transmit- An Assembly of 20 members collabo- ted to the Holy See. It then, through the The ad limina visits which the bishops rates with the C.A.L. They participate HERALD — The Catholic Weekly Congregation for Bishops, considers the from around the world make every five in the Plenaries that reflect on and pro- Jointly published by the candidates in the light of general criteria years are an important moment for ex- vide orientations for the future of this Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, and, with the help of an Assembly of its change between the local Churches, territory. I would like to recall the Ple- Diocese of Malacca Johore, Diocese of members designated for this purpose by the Pope and the Roman Curia. What nary Assembly of 2018 in a particular Penang and Diocese of Keningau the Holy Father – which currently con- can be done so these visits become an way. Its theme was: Woman: a pillar in Editor: Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ sists of 23 members between Cardinals opportunity for awareness and enrich- constructing the Church and society in HERALD, 5, Jalan Robertson, 50150, KL and Bishops from all over the world. ment for the lay faithful and parish Latin America. It was a truly beautiful Tel: 03-20268290/20268291; This Assembly carries out the final eval- communities? moment, a moment accompanied by the Online: www.heraldmalaysia.com. The ad limina visits are a concrete Holy Spirit. — By Benedetta Capelli, E-mail: [email protected] uation that will be offered to the Pope for his final decision. synodal moment which the bishops Vatican News HERALD May 9, 2021 Focus 11  Continued from last week The future of the parish Perspectives for a reform very reform must be preceded by ample “clericalising” the laity. develop the “going forth” dimension of the of catechesis, charitable work, youth ministry, Econsultation with both clergy and laity, The most successful experiences have clear Church in order to meet the increased mobility service to the sick, the poor, refugees and in as well as with the institutional spheres del- signs: communion and good coordination, so of people and give each member of the faith- all the other activities that the life of a parish egated for this purpose (presbyteral, pastoral that the centre and the periphery of the diocese ful the possibility of being an active part of the requires. Here we see the great generosity of and diocesan councils), so as to bring alive are in effective communication through zones community. lay men and women, consecrated persons and the pastor’s concern for all the realities of and pastoral units where everyone can find his This role can be expressed in participatory volunteers, who discreetly and silently help the the diocese. A certain indifferentism must be or her own place and service. These groupings bodies (pastoral councils, councils for eco- community and reach out to the most fragile avoided, either in “secularising” clerics or in foster a “culture of encounter”[15] and help to nomic affairs), but also in the individual tasks and needy people. At the heart of the community n any case, whatever solution is adopted, it come, prayer, adoration, reconciliation, spir- a remuneration to be demanded.[18] This is a work of evangelization. Raising people’s de- Imust be stressed that the beating heart of the itual rest, of encounter with God, with the topic dear to Pope Francis and keenly felt by sire will be all the more effective when priests entire Christian life and the centre of every brothers and sisters of faith, in the pilgrimage the faithful. live a sober lifestyle, are discreet in their use community gathered around the altar is the to the house of the Father.[17] In this regard, it would seem a priority to of money, not only on a personal level, but Eucharist. Pope Francis reiterated this, urging A further consideration of the Instruction, motivate the faithful to contribute willingly to also in the transparent management of parish us “to give a central place to the Eucharist in which must be an integral part of any reform, the needs of the parish, which is their home expenses and in helping the poorest and the our lives. It is the Eucharist that makes us live concerns the offering for the celebration of and for which they must learn to be respon- most needy. Several parishes already imple- the life of Christ and makes the Church.”[16] Mass and the other sacraments: it must be sible. While this is essential everywhere, it is ment the collection of offerings in an anony- The Pope also proposed, as a model towards “free” and “secret” – according to the Lord’s necessary in those contexts where the liber- mous way, so that everyone feels free in con- which parishes should strive, the style of teaching, “Freely you have received, freely ality of the people of God is the only means science to donate what they can and what they churches, so that they may be places of wel- give” (Matt 10:8) – and not a fee to be paid or of helping priests and supporting them in the consider right. ‘Community of communities’: history of an image he image of the “community of communi- ning, or ardour, methods and expression. A The theme returned again in 2007, on the to want to be Christians without the Church, Tties” is the centre of the Instruction: it can new evangelisation in its ardour presupposes occasion of the Vth Plenary Assembly of with a search for individualistic spirituality be traced back to the Second Vatican Coun- a solid faith, an intense pastoral charity and CELAM. Starting from Scripture, Tradition or, in some sense, sectarian behaviour, that cil, with the idea of a parish as a composite fidelity, which, under the action of the Spirit, and the Magisterium, the final document of is, excluding and retreating into a group, a reality, not “monolithic,” but rather a “fusion generates a mystique, an irrepressible enthusi- Aparecida reflects on the communion lived movement or an association. Faith in Christ of diversities” that cooperate in a single mis- asm in the task of proclaiming the Gospel.”[20] by the missionary disciples and highlights that has come to us through the Church, which has sion, each bringing its own contribution. Each In line with conciliar ecclesiology, the con- Jesus “made twelve of them, whom he called made us members of a family, the universal member of the parish should recognize him- cluding document affirms that the parish is apostles, to be with him and to send them family of God in the Catholic Church and the self or herself in an ecclesial commitment that not primarily a structure with a territory but out to preach” (Mark 3:14). In order to foster more closer-knit family of the diocesan and makes him or her a true evangeliser: “In the rather, the locus of the family of God, a fra- communion and promote the mission, Jesus parish community. Church there is room for all and all can find ternity animated by the spirit of unity, and yet leads the disciples into the desert to rest for a Through the magisterium of Pope Francis, their place, in the one family of God, with the a “community of communities,” because it is while (cf. Mark 6:31-32). They are called to the spirit of Aparecida has flowed into the In- vocation of each one respected.”[19] made up of groups, associations and move- live in communion with the Father and with struction of the Congregation for the Clergy, A further mention of this vision goes back ments in which everyone offers their own his Son who died and rose again in the Holy which has found in it a theological-pastoral to 1992, in the final document of the IVth Ple- contribution so that the kingdom of God may Spirit. For this reason, the communion of the vision particularly suited to shed new light on nary Assembly of CELAM. It speaks of the grow and reach all. Thus, in Santo Domingo, faithful and of the particular Churches within the canonical legislation in force, with a view parish as a “community of communities and a link was made between the demanding and the People of God is nourished in communion to its re-propositioning, as well as seeking to movements,” which welcomes the concerns challenging ecclesial mission and the pros- with the Trinity. contribute in some way to supporting pastors and hopes of people, and promotes and directs pect of fulfilling it by initiating a process of Aparecida stressed that the vocation to mis- and communities in the field who are working communion, co-responsibility, participation making the parish progress more and more in sionary discipleship is a call to communion to proclaim Christ to those who do not know and mission. John Paul II, in his opening ad- defining itself as a community reality with di- in the Church, since there is no discipleship him and to those who have forgotten him, dress to the Assembly, stressed that the central versified internal articulations, distinct but not without communion.[21] However, there is a revitalising their missionary and evangelical idea “is about attitude, style, effort and plan- separate, united but not uniform. reality that cannot be forgotten: the temptation action.[22] Perspectives on pastoral conversion rom the perspective of the Instruction, the (c) Missionary Parishes. The end point of Christian life. In it, together with Eucharistic Fcanonical norms aim to make pastoral con- the life of the parish community is the proc- adoration and the practice of the sacrament of [15]. PC 25. version feasible in various ways of grouping: lamation of the Kingdom. Therefore, it is reconciliation, the members of the parish are [16]. Francis, General Audience, June 19, federative form, incorporation and fusion.[23] required that every parish have a missionary formed to bear permanent fruits of charity, rec- 2019. In any case, it should not be forgotten that the character. The renewal of parishes in this sense onciliation and justice for the life of the world. [17]. Cf. PC 30-32. parish embodies the family of God, composed is required both in the evangelization of large [18]. Cf. PC 40. of smaller families. It gathers around the Word cities and in that of rural areas. This requires * * * [19]. Thus the communiqué of the Holy and the Eucharist, and lives a fraternity ani- imagination and creativity in order to reach the The value of the Instruction can be summa- See Press Office, July 20, 2020. rised in the dynamism that the parish must ac- mated by the Spirit, not closed in on itself, but crowds who yearn for the Gospel. [20]. John Paul II, Address at the Open- incorporated in society and open, in intimate d) Formation of the laity. A parish cannot quire for a pastoral and missionary conversion ing of the Work of the Fourth General Con- solidarity with its aspirations and difficulties. be missionary without trained lay people, since of all its members, from the pastors to the last ference of the Latin American Episcopate, From here derive some fundamental dimen- good will and availability for the proclamation of the faithful: it is necessary to get out of the October 12, 1992, Nos. 6 and 10. sions. of the Kingdom are not enough. Therefore, routine and the attitude of “it has always been [21]. Cf. Benedict XVI, Address to the a) Co-responsibility in evangelisation. In they must be guaranteed adequate formation done so,” to have the courage to confront the Inaugural Session of the Work of the Fifth order to be a community, all the members of – spiritual, theological, pastoral – for an effec- epochal changes taking place in society, cul- General Conference of the Latin American the parish are responsible for evangelization tive proclamation. Only through the formation ture and the lives of people, so as to become and Caribbean Episcopate, May 13, 2007. in every setting, each according to his or her of the laity can we respond to the challenge of a community capable of communicating the [22]. Cf. Francis, Address to Members own charism, vocation and ecclesial commit- the present time, which touches the complex strength and joy of the Gospel.[24] of Parish Cells for Evangelisation, Nov 18, ments. The Holy Spirit, as happened at Pente- world of work, culture, the sciences and the Those who object that the document has a 2019. cost (cf. Acts 2:1-13), is sent to all members of arts, politics, the media and economics, and utopian perspective should be reminded of [23]. Cf. PC 46-48. the community so that they may participate in concerns the family, education and profession- what Pope Francis said, inviting us to cultivate [24]. See PC 122. the common mission. al life, especially in those contexts where the “healthy utopias”: “A utopia grows well if it is accompanied by memory and discernment. [25]. Francis, Discourse to the Members b) Renewal of structures. If the mission Church can be present only through the laity. of the Pontifical Commission for Latin of the parish community is evangelisation, it e) The model of the first Christian com- Utopia looks to the future, memory looks to America, February 28, 2014. is necessary to rethink its structures, so that munities. The parish must look to the life of the past, and the present discerns.”[25] In short, the Instruction is meant to be an implementa- [26]. J. M. Bergoglio – Papa Francesco, a network of communities and groups is cre- the first Christians (cf. Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35), Nei tuoi occhi è la mia parola…. , op. cit., ated that is capable of articulating itself in the prototype of every community that gathers tion of the pastoral vision of Evangelii Gaud- 193. such a way that its members feel, and truly to share the bread of the Word and celebrate ium: “a form that hope takes in a concrete his- are, missionary disciples of Christ in mutual the Eucharist, to persevere in catechesis, sac- torical situation,” or “something that does not communion. The Word and the Eucharist thus ramental life and fraternal love. The Eucha- yet exist, something new, but toward which we DOI: La Civiltà Cattolica, En. Ed. Vol. 5, no. constitute the dynamic source of missionary rist, in which the community of disciples is must move, starting from what is there.”[26] — 5 art. 6, 0521: 10.32009/22072446.0521.6 discipleship. strengthened, is, for the parish, a school of By Giancarlo Pani SJ, La Civiltà Cattolica 12 Varia HERALD May 9, 2021 The eyes of love

magine a young couple in- person, and basking in the good Levine answers this from a very (though these are part of it). toxicated with each other feeling this has generated inside different perspective and throws It is a metaphysical condition, Iin the early stages of love. us. That is why, invariably, at a new light on the question. What not something that comes and Imagine a religious neophyte given point in a relationship, the is his perspective? goes like an emotional state, nor in love with God, praying ec- powerful feelings of being in Love, he says, is not a “dualis- something that we can choose or statically. Imagine an idealistic love give way to disillusionment tic emotion”. For him, whenever refuse morally. A metaphysical young person working tirelessly – disillusionment (by definition) we are feeling authentic love, condition is a given, something with the poor, enflamed with a implies the dispelling of an illu- we are, at that moment, feeling we stand within, that makes up thirst for justice. Are this young sion, something was unreal. So, our oneness with God and with part of what we are, constitu- couple really in love with each for John of the Cross, when we all that is. He writes, “The ex- tively, though we can be bliss- other? Is that religious neophyte are in love, partly the love is real perience of love arises when we fully unaware. Thus, love, not really in love with God? Is this and partly it is an illusion. More- surrender our separateness into least falling in love, can help young social activist really in over, John would say the same the universal. It is a feeling of make us more conscious of our love with the poor? Not an easy thing about our initial feelings unity … It is not an emotion, it non-separateness, our oneness in question. of fervour in prayer and in altru- is a state of being … It is not being with others. Whom are we really loving istic service. They are a mixture Fr Ron Rolheiser so much that ‘two are as one’ When we feel love deeply or when we have feelings of love? of both, authentic love and an il- so much as it is the ‘One mani- passionately, then perhaps (like The other? Ourselves? The ar- lusion. so too does the sense of being fested as two.’” In other words, Thomas Merton describing a chetype and energy the other is Some other analyses are less in love. We fall in love without when we love someone, in that mystical vision he had on a street carrying? Our own fantasy of generous. In their view, all ini- really knowing the other person moment, we are one with him corner) we can awake more from that person? The feelings this tial falling in love, whether it and we fall out of love without or her, not separate, so that even our dream of separateness and experience is triggering inside be with another person, with really knowing the other person. though our fantasies and feel- our illusion of difference and us? When we are in love, are we God in prayer, or with the poor The very phrase “falling in love” ings may be partially wrapped see the secret beauty and depth really in love with another per- in service, is mainly an illu- is revealing. “Falling” is not up in self-serving affectivity, of other people’s hearts. Perhaps son or are we mostly basking in sion. Ultimately, you are in love something we choose, it hap- something deeper and more real too it will enable us to see oth- a wonderful feeling which could with being in love, in love with pens to us. Marriage Encounter than our feelings and fantasies is ers at that place in them where be just as easily triggered by what prayer is doing for you, or spirituality has a clever slogan occurring. We are one with the neither sin nor desire nor self- countless other persons? in love with how working for around this: marriage is a deci- other in our being – and, in love, knowledge can reach, the core of There are different answers justice is making you feel. The sion; falling in love is not. we sense it. their reality, the person that each to that question. John of the other person, God, and the poor Who is right? When we fall in In this view, authentic love one is in God’s eyes. Cross would say it is all of these are secondary. That is why, so love, how much is genuine love is not so much something we And wouldn’t it be wonder- things; we are in fact really lov- often, when first fervour dies, so for another and how much is feel; it is something we are. At ful, Merton adds … “if we could ing that other person, loving a too does our love for its original an illusion within which we are its root, love is not an affec- see each other that way all the fantasy we have created of that object. When the fantasy dies, mostly loving ourselves? Steven tive emotion or a moral virtue time.” — By Fr Ron Rolheiser, Synodality is Pope Francis’ vehicle for changing the Church hurch leaders, including those in the under Pope John Paul II and two under CUnited States, uncomfortable with Pope Benedict XVI — Tobin said that Pope Francis’ emphasis on mercy and an Francis is “tuning up an engine” of the attentiveness to the voices of those on the Synod of Bishops, a body first initiated by peripheries should reexamine their skepti- Pope Paul VI. cism, according to Cardinal Joseph Tobin Synodality, the cardinal observed, is an of Newark, New Jersey, who says such pri- often misunderstood “buzzword of this pa- orities are here to stay. pacy.” Tobin said that such a course must “The election of Pope Francis opened up be guided by a church willing to journey the rest of the world to the rich theologi- together, recognising the importance of cal foment of the church in Latin America, conversion and the role that mercy plays with its strong sense of mission, encoun- in that process. ter, the peripheries and mercy,” said Tobin. Tobin addressed criticisms of the synod “Many, including church leaders in this process, such as those that have said it country, have found that shift to be uncom- lacks direction or “seeks to accompany, but fortable.” not convert.” The New Jersey cardinal’s remarks came “A movement from severity to mercy is during a webinar on Synodality and the already quite a conversion,” he countered. Long Game of Pope Francis, delivered “Conversion requires going out.” May 4 for Loyola University Chicago's The body of Christ, he went on to ar- Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual gue, must “go out” to the world around it. Heritage annual Cardinal Bernardin Com- “What do healthy bodies do?” he asked. mon Cause lecture. “They move.” In March 2021, Francis named Tobin a member of the Congregation for Bishops, the office that Francis’ priorities, said Tobin, are “not “The ones who seemed most threatened,” advises the pope on the nomination of bishops. (CNS file photo/Vatican Media) going away anytime soon.” He went on to by such a process, said Tobin, are often the when he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Ber- Dirty War up close, could prophetically of- quote Pope John XXIII’s opening address ones with the most fine-tuned grasps “of all goglio of Buenos Aires, has become one fer an alternative to this dark, brutalising to the Second Vatican Council that “Christ the norms and canons.” of his closest allies in the United States. In worldview.” prefers to make use of the medicine of “You can be the most knowledgeable March, Francis named Tobin to the Con- “He could warn us that alliances with mercy rather than of severity.” mechanic on earth and still be a rotten gregation for Bishops, the Vatican's power- dictators have always ended with tears, Tobin identified Francis’ focus on syno- driver,” he said, offering a criticism of the ful body responsible for advising the pope death and the loss of the Gospel essence,” dality as the vehicle by which Francis rigourist mentality of those who have lam- on the selection of Catholic bishops around Tobin added. hopes to usher in this new focus on the basted the Pope and the openness of the the globe. Eight years into Francis’ papacy, through need for mercy and listening to a range synodal process. Since Francis’ surprise election in 2013, the process of conversion — a process of voices for the church, saying that it is “You can’t show up with an imperialist Tobin said many Catholics have asked Tobin said that even the Pope has under- a “model of the Church that the Lord ex- attitude where you claim to have all the “why God would send us this shepherd gone — and through the instrument of syn- pects for us in this millennia” and one that answers,” he said, adding that “the acts from the southern hemisphere?” odality, Francis is helping to “integrate the “will require changes in how we do and are of synodality do not look so much like “In early 2013, we thought it was about head of the church and the rest of the body Church.” sweeping dogmatic definitions as they do institutional reform,” he mused. “In 2016, of Christ.” Drawing on his own experience of par- fine tuning how the Gospel is applied to the as Donald Trump, Rodrigo Duterte and “We can’t embrace people with just our ticipating in five synods in his capacity as signs of the times.” other demagogues strutted into power, we heads,” said Tobin, before asking: “Where former superior general of the Congrega- Tobin, who first met Francis during the could see clearly that Pope Francis, a man are the outstretched arms of the body of tion of the Most Holy Redeemer — three Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist in 2005 who witnessed the horrors of Argentina’s Christ?” — By Christopher White, NCR HERALD May 9, 2021 13 Catholic nun fasts during Ramadan in interfaith solidarity INDONESIA: A Catholic nun, Jesus in India, I embarked on a of the Parahyangan Catholic Uni- committed to promoting peace and journey to encounter God in the versity and at the Department of interreligious harmony in Indone- hearts of my sisters and brothers, Religious Studies of the Islamic sia, has made the decision to fast, including those of Muslim faith.” State University of Bandung. She as a sign of spiritual communion, In the convent where she lived, has also worked as a counsellor at which the Muslim faithful experi- there was a scholar who had a the Atma Jaya Catholic Univer- ence during the month of Rama- keen interest in promoting good sity in Jakarta and as a lecturer dan, sacred to the Islamic tradition. relations between Christians and in psychology at the Paramadina Sr Gerardette Philips, a 55-year- Muslims. Sr Gerardette said in- University in Jakarta. In the past old nun of Indian nationality of terreligious dialogue “helps us she has been a consultant to the the Religious of the Sacred Heart overcome prejudices and develop Pontifical Council for Interreli- of Jesus, has lived and carried out respect for others”. gious Dialogue, in the Commis- her mission in Indonesia since Sr Gerardette Philips has a de- sion for Relations with Muslims, 2000. According to Fides, the idea gree in Special Education from and today she is Director of the of fasting during Ramadan came Jamia Millia Islamic University Formation of Novices of the tem- to her during Lent many years in New Delhi, India, and she has porary professed religious of her ago. It was 1991 when Lent and a Master’s degree from SNDT congregation, as well as animator Ramadan coincided. During that University in Mumbai, India. She of inter-congregational formation period, she began practicing the completed her studies in Theol- programs. spiritual weapon of fasting. Sr Gerardette Philips (2nd from front right) with other Muslim faithful, ogy at the Pontifical Jnana Deep Among her various activities, Taking care of disabled chil- grace, full of mercy, reconciliation and requires discipline,” explains Vidyalaya in Pune, and obtained a she deals with teacher training pro- dren, she found herself alongside a and forgiveness. For me, this fast the nun, noting that “fasting dur- Masters in Islamic Philosophy and grams on topics such as interfaith Muslim student who was also fast- has a sense of closeness to God ing Ramadan is a sign of solidar- Mysticism from the Islamic Col- tolerance, character education and ing: the two women shared that and of total giving to the poor,” ity, joy and friendship with our lege for Advanced Studies in Lon- peace building. Her sisters say of experience in a fruitful exchange. she says. Muslim friends”. don) and Paramadina University her: “The depth and breadth of her “I have been observing the fast “Fasting does not mean giv- Sr Gerardette has always been in Jakarta, Indonesia. She also has service to the Church and to the during Ramadan for 30 years. It is ing up food. It is about creating a concerned with building bridges a PhD in Philosophy from Sekolah world are accompanied by a mys- a gesture of spiritual communion space and strength within yourself with the Muslim community. She Tinggi Filsafat (STF) Driyarkara, tical and deeply human approach. that the Muslim brothers appreci- to receive God’s mercy and love. explained: “Respect for Islam be- in Jakarta. She is truly an ambassador of ate. Fasting during Ramadan and Fasting helps us train our mind, gan in childhood. By joining the Sr Gerardette is currently a lec- peace and love wherever she is during Lent, I live days full of heart and body. It is a commitment Religious of the Sacred Heart of turer at the Faculty of Philosophy called to serve.” — ICN Caritas enters into the Ramadan spirit in Pakistan KARACHI: Caritas Pakistan’s Ka- demic,” a Caritas statement said. Hindus and Christians to strengthen rachi chapter has joined hands with Caritas, Antim Yatra Seva Samaj, our relationship with Muslim broth- several organisations to share Iftar Ahsas Insaniat Welfare Community ers by greeting and sharing meals.” boxes with the public and law en- Services, MasterPeace Karachi and Caritas staff also distributed in- forcers. the Salvation Army handed out 150 formation, education and commu- The charitable arm of the Catho- packets of biryani, drinking water nication material about COVID-19 lic Church handed out the evening and Iftar boxes to the public and po- among the public and police officers meal with which Muslims end their lice officers performing their duties for their personal protection. daily Ramadan fast at sunset on on roads. Pakistan is set to impose a nation- May 5. “We appreciate the idea of Antim wide lockdown during the Eid holi- “The objective of the sharing of Yatra Seva Samaj to help the pub- days from May 8-16 as it battles a an Iftar was to share love and broth- lic and security personnel who are third coronavirus wave. erhood among our Muslim brothers unable to join their families in time According to official figures and sisters and to pay the highest for Iftar due to their duty to protect shared by the National Command regards to all our courageous of- peoples from coronavirus,” said and Operation Centre, the country ficers who are our frontline heroes Mansha Noor, executive secretary has been logging nearly 5,000 new and playing their part in this time of of Caritas Karachi. infections a day for the past few Caritas shares Iftar meals with the public and law enforcers in Karachi on need to fight the COVID-19 - pan “Ramadan is a propitious time for weeks. — ucanews.com May 5. (UCA News photo) Indonesian cleric’s Sunday sermon irks Catholics JAKARTA: A popular Islamic “So, when they go [to Church], The priest’s tweets also went They should not feel the need to cleric in Indonesia has come un- where are they going? To worship viral and have been viewed more “jump the fence and try to guess der fire for claiming that Catholics St Domingo,” he said. than 320,000 times. the teachings of other religions,” only go to Church on Sundays to The sermon drew an angry re- Fr Gulo said on May 5 that he said the priest, who belongs to the pray to St Dominic. sponse from Catholics. felt he had to respond as some Congregation of the Immaculate In a sermon that went viral on Holy Cross Fr Postinus Gulo Catholics had asked him whether Heart of Mary. social media on May 3, Adi Hi- from Bandung Diocese responded there was any truth to the cleric’s Attacks on Christianity by con- dayat, who has 3.1 million follow- with a series of tweets to “set the claim. servative Muslim clerics in ser- ers on Instagram and preaches via record straight.” He said Sunday In dealing with statements that mons are frequent in Indonesia. his YouTube channel, claimed that is very important to Christians as offend other religions, he said that On April 27, Yahya Waloni, a Minggu — the Indonesian word it is “the Lord’s day.” “there is no need to strike back” controversial preacher, was re- for Sunday — was adapted from “Sunday is the first day of the and that it is better to “clarify mat- ported to the police for claiming St Domingo, as St Dominic is also week, which according to the ters in a mature and friendly man- that the Bible was fake. known. Scriptures is the day of the Res- ner.” In 2019, another cleric, Abdul St Dominic lived between 1170 urrection of Jesus, the centre and Fr Jufri Kano, a writer, respond- Somad, drew the ire of Christians and 1221 and was the founder of core of the mystery of the Chris- ed by saying the cleric “doesn’t for describing Jesus as an “infi- the Dominican Order. tian faith,” he said. know what he is talking about.” del genie on the cross,” which he “When going to Church on Sun- He also said that Christians go In an article on Jalapress.com, called an “element of the devil.” days, Catholics want to worship to Church for various purposes a Catholic website that focuses on Muslim clerics are increasingly the saint. The Catholic way of and not only on Sunday. catechesis, he said: “It would be using social media to spread their worshipping is not directly wor- He called on Catholics to for- better for religious leaders, what- sermons as it is a platform used by Muslim cleric Adi Hidayat says shipping their Lord, [but] through Catholics only go to church on give the cleric. “May God bless ever their religion, to discuss the nearly 150 million of Indonesia’s intermediaries [saints],” Hidayat Sundays to pray to St Dominic. (UCA him, spread the truth and not lies,” core of their own beliefs so that 268 million people. — By Ryan said in the video. News photo) he said. their followers can understand it.” Dagur, ucanews.com 14 HERALD May 9, 2021 Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2021 World Communications Day — May 16, 2021 “Come and See” (Jn 1:46) Communicating by encountering people where and as they are Dear Brothers and Sisters, tions Day, January 24, 2020), it is necessary touch the freshness and vitality of things, so for all communication that strives to be clear to move beyond the complacent attitude that that when others read what you write, they and honest, in the press, on the internet, in The invitation to “Come and see!”, which we “already know” certain things. Instead, too can touch first-hand the vibrant miracle the Church’s daily preaching and in political was part of those first moving encounters of we need to go and see them for ourselves, of life”. This was the advice that Blessed or social communication. “Come and see!” Jesus with the disciples, is also the method for to spend time with people, to listen to their Manuel Lozano Garrido offered to his fellow This has always been the way that the Chris- all authentic human communication. In order stories and to confront reality which always, journalists. This year, then, I would like to de- tian faith has been communicated, from the to tell the truth of life that becomes history in some way, surprises us. “Open your eyes vote this Message to the invitation to “Come time of those first encounters on the banks of (cf. Message for the 54th World Communica- with wonder to what you see, let your hands and see!”, which can serve as an inspiration the River Jordan and on the Sea of Galilee.

“Hitting the streets” Thanks to the courage of many journalists Opportunities and hidden Let us look first at the great issue of news Journalism too, as an account of reality, calls for dangers on the web reporting. Insightful voices have long ex- an ability to go where no one else thinks of going: The Internet, with its countless social media pressed concern about the risk that origi- a readiness to set out and a desire to see. Curiosity, expressions, can increase the capacity for re- nal investigative reporting in newspapers openness, passion. We owe a word of gratitude for porting and sharing, with many more eyes on and television, radio and web newscasts the courage and commitment of all those profession- the world and a constant flood of images and is being replaced by a reportage that ad- als – journalists, camera operators, editors, directors testimonies. Digital technology gives us the heres to a standard, often tendentious nar- – who often risk their lives in carrying out their work. possibility of timely first-hand information rative. This approach is less and less ca- Thanks to their efforts, we now know, for example, that is often quite useful. We can think of cer- pable of grasping the truth of things and selves to this kind of encounter, we remain about the hardships endured by persecuted minori- tain emergency situations where the internet the concrete lives of people, much less the mere spectators, for all the technical inno- ties in various parts of the world, numerous cases was the first to report the news and commu- more serious social phenomena or positive vations that enable us to feel immersed in of oppression and injustice inflicted on the poor and nicate official notices. It is a powerful tool, movements at the grass roots level. The a larger and more immediate reality. Any on the environment, and many wars that otherwise which demands that all of us be responsible crisis of the publishing industry risks lead- instrument proves useful and valuable only would be overlooked. It would be a loss not only for as users and consumers. Potentially we can ing to a reportage created in newsrooms, to the extent that it motivates us to go out news reporting, but for society and for democracy as all become witnesses to events that otherwise in front of personal or company computers and see things that otherwise we would not a whole, were those voices to fade away. Our entire would be overlooked by the traditional media, and on social networks, without ever “hit- know about, to post on the Internet news human family would be impoverished. offer a contribution to society and highlight ting the streets”, meeting people face to that would not be available elsewhere, to more stories, including positive ones. Thanks face to research stories or to verify certain allow for encounters that otherwise would to the Internet we have the opportunity to re- situations first hand. Unless we open our- never happen. port what we see, what is taking place before our eyes, and to share it with others. The Gospels as news stories At the same “Come and see!” were the first words that the tenth hour”, he noted, that is, about four time, the risk Jesus spoke to the disciples who were curi- in the afternoon (cf. v. 39). The next day – of misinfor- ous about him following his baptism in the John also tells us – Philip told Nathaniel mation be- Jordan river (Jn 1:39). He invited them to about his encounter with the Messiah. His ing spread on enter into a relationship with him. More friend is sceptical and asks: “Can anything Many situations in our world, even more so in social media than half a century later, when John, now good come out of Nazareth?” Philip does this time of pandemic, are inviting the communica- has become an old man, wrote his Gospel, he recalled not try to win him over with reasons, but tions media to “come and see”. We can risk report- evident to several “newsworthy” details that reveal simply tells him: “Come and see!” (cf. vv. ing the pandemic, and indeed every crisis, only everyone. We that he was personally present at the events 45-46). Nathaniel did go and see, and from through the lens of the richer nations, of “keeping have known he reports and demonstrate the impact that that moment his life was changed. That is two sets of books”. For example, there is the ques- for some time the experience had on his life. “It was about how Christian faith begins, and how it tion of vaccines, and medical care in general, which that news and is communicated: as direct knowledge, risks excluding the poorer peoples. Who would keep even images born of experience, and not of hearsay. us informed about the long wait for treatment in the can be easily manipulated, for “It is no longer because of your words poverty-stricken villages of Asia, Latin America and any number of reasons, at times simply for that we believe, for we have heard for Africa? Social and economic differences on the glob- sheer narcissism. Being critical in this regard ourselves”. So the townspeople told the al level risk dictating the order of distribution of anti- is not about demonising the Internet but, is Samaritan woman, after Jesus stayed COVID vaccines, with the poor always at the end of rather, an incentive to greater discernment in their village (cf. Jn 4:39-42). “Come the line and the right to universal health care affirmed and responsibility for contents both sent and and see!” is the simplest method to get in principle, but stripped of real effect. Yet even in received. All of us are responsible for the to know a situation. It is the most honest the world of the more fortunate, the social tragedy of communications we make, for the informa- test of every message, because, in order families rapidly slipping into poverty remains largely tion we share, for the control that we can exert to know, we need to encounter, to let the hidden; people who are no longer ashamed to wait in over fake news by exposing it. All of us are person in front of me speak, to let his or line before charitable organisations in order to receive to be witnesses of the truth: to go, to see and her testimony reach me. a package of provisions do not tend to make news. to share. Lord, teach us to move beyond ourselves, Nothing replaces seeing things at first hand and to set out in search of truth. n communications, nothing can ever com- lic life, in business as well as politics. This or to see him during an assembly or in individual Teach us to go out and see, Ipletely replace seeing things in person. Some that one “speaks an infinite deal of nothing... conversation. Watching him in action wherever teach us to listen, things can only be learned through first-hand His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in he was, they saw for themselves how true and not to entertain prejudices experience. We do not communicate merely two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere fruitful for their lives was the message of sal- or draw hasty conclusions. with words, but with our eyes, the tone of our you find them, and when you have them, they vation that, by God’s grace, he had come to Teach us to go where no one else will go, voice and our gestures. Jesus’ attractiveness to are not worth the search. The blistering words preach. Even where this servant of God could to take the time needed to understand, those who met him depended on the truth of his of the English playwright also apply to us as not be encountered personally, the disciples to pay attention to the essentials, preaching; yet the effectiveness of what he said Christian communicators. The Good News of whom he sent bore witness to his way of life in not to be distracted by the superfluous, was inseparable from how he looked at others, the Gospel spread throughout the world as a re- Christ (cf. 1 Cor 4:17). to distinguish deceptive appearances from how he acted towards them, and even sult of person-to-person, heart-to-heart encoun- “We have books in our hands, but the facts from the truth. from his silence. The disciples not only listened ters with men and women who accepted the before our eyes”, said Saint Augustine in speak- to his words; they watched him speak. Indeed, invitation to “come and see”, and were struck ing of fulfilment of the prophecies found in sa- Grant us the grace to recognise in him – the incarnate Logos – the Word took by the “surplus” of humanity that shone through cred Scripture. So too, the Gospel comes alive your dwelling places in our world on a face; the invisible God let himself be seen, the gaze, the speech and the gestures of those in our own day, whenever we accept the com- and the honesty needed to tell others heard and touched, as John himself tells us (cf. who bore witness to Jesus Christ. Every tool pelling witness of people whose lives have been what we have seen. 1 Jn 1:1-3). The word is effective only if it is has its value, and that great communicator who changed by their encounter with Jesus. For two Rome, St John Lateran, “seen”, only if it engages us in experience, in di- was Paul of Tarsus would certainly have made millennia, a chain of such encounters has com- January 23, 2021, alogue. For this reason, the invitation to “come use of email and social messaging. Yet it was municated the attractiveness of the Christian Vigil of the Memorial of and see” was, and continues to be, essential. his faith, hope and charity that impressed those adventure. The challenge that awaits us, then, is Saint Francis de Sales We think of how much empty rhetoric of his contemporaries who heard him preach or to communicate by encountering people, where abounds, even in our time, in all areas of pub- had the good fortune to spend time with him, they are and as they are. Franciscus HERALD May 9, 2021 Children 15 LittleLittle CCatholicsatholics’ CCornerorner

Dear children, their clothes. for one another, other people in know you are my disciples, if you But for us Christians, it is not the world would be able to tell love one another.” How can you recognise that that easy to tell right away. that we are Christians. Children, let’s pray and ask someone is a Christian? However, in our Bible reading Others can’t tell that we follow God to help us love each other so If you saw a group of people, today from the Gospel of John, Jesus by looking at what we wear. that others would recognize us as how would you know they were Jesus said that there was one However, they should be able to Christians and want to know about Christians? thing that would let others know tell that we follow Jesus by how Jesus and His love. For some groups of people, we we are Christians. we love each other. will know their religion through Jesus said that if we had love Jesus said, “by this shall all Aunty Eliz “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. My command is this: Now remain in my love (John 15: 9) Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12) Let’s Colour

Father command life business love greater friends chose remain lay servants bear obey down master fruit

What does Jesus ask us to do in today’s Gospel reading? Put the letters in the spaces that match to find out! HERALD

Social BEC Communication (1976) (1996)

Dialogue Formation (1976) (1976) INTEGRAL EVANGELISATION Poor Unity (1976) (1976)

Family (1996) Youth (1986) YOUTH YOUTHMay 9, 2021 Stories meant to be heard Vocational stories from priests, religious and lay people UALA LUMPUR: The word “vocation” can Kbe daunting for many youths as it deals with matters which are unknown to them – or so they think. As such, in order to help the youths recognize their vocations, the College and Uni- versity Edition (CUE) Ministry, part of the Kristus Aman Youth Ministry, organised a three week Vocation Roadshow on Saturday nights, leading up to Good Shep- herd Sunday. For the roadshow, various speakers from different walks of life were invited to share their vocation journey – priests from various orders, religious brothers and sisters, married couple and single layper- sons. The layout for each of the sessions was similar – each session started off with an ice-breaking activity where participants would vote on each of the speakers’ ambi- Participants and speakers of the Vocational Roadshow. tion when they were younger, continued Robin Toha and Friar John Soh; and one miration for one another throughout the end of the session, Fr Vincent, as the As- by the main sharing session by the speak- Redemptorist priest – Fr Joseph Stephen. night. sistant Vocation Director, mentioned to ers on their journey, and then followed by Both sides shared about the struggles of The second session was held on April 17 the listeners that the Archdiocese Voca- a Question and Answer session from the living in a community, but more impor- with a “split” session as the participants tion Promotion Team aims to nurture and floor to end the night. tantly they shared about the joys and fruits were segregated into men and women. cultivate youths across the Kuala Lumpur The first session on April 10 had four of living out their vocations. Even though The speakers for the men’s group were Archdiocese and aid them throughout their speakers, of which three were Francis- they were from two different orders, it was Bro Kelvin Tan, FSC (La Sallian brother), vocation journey. can Friars – Friar Esmond Chua, Friar pleasant to hear from both sides their ad- John Jonathan Paul (single lay missionary) Although born in different eras and and Martin Koh (married man). Speakers brought up in different cultures, there was for the women’s group were Sr Angeline a similar theme in each speaker’s sharings, Poh (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary), which was God’s unfailing love and His Dorothy Balachandran (Auxiliary of the pursuit for their hearts throughout their Apostles) and Anne Koh (married wom- journey. Another similar theme that was an). The groups were separated according mentioned throughout the roadshow was to gender as the speakers were invited to that community played an important part share specifically on the challenges from a in their journey, emphasising the impor- man’s and a woman’s perspectives. tance of surrounding oneself with good, The final session on April 24 had two God-loving friends. speakers – Fr Vincent Thomas and Fr All in all, it was a successful three-week Lawrence Ng, CDD. There was time for event which allowed many powerful sto- the priests to share more details about ries to be heard and also inspire the future their journeys. In fact, Ng used Power- generation to discern their vocations with Fr Lawrence Ng, CDD and Fr Vincent Thomas giving the final session. Point slides to present his sharing! At the less fear and more hope. — By Ian Ho HERALD May 9, 2021 Youth 17 Session on mental health for the youth KUALA LUMPUR: The Archdiocesan because mental health was identified of the iceberg to illustrate this. Just Single Adults and Youth Office (ASAYO as one of the main areas of concern like there’s so much more beneath the Open my eyes, Lord, to Your beauty unseen, KL) organised a very insightful sharing brought up by our Catholic youth dur- surface of an iceberg, there’s more to The marvels around me, the wonders within. session focusing on mental health and ing the ArchKL Young People’s Assembly you and me. The major portion of the I want to see, Lord, what You see in me, wellbeing this April. Titled Nurturing the 2019 (AYPA 2019). iceberg is submerged under water — I want to grow, Lord, into who I’m meant to be. Inner World: Discovering the Wonder Around 20 young adults from various that represents our inner world with I pray, I discern, I listen for Your voice Within, the engaging sharing took place parishes across Peninsular Malaysia, the tip representing our public selves. I seek You in all things and so I make my choice. during one of ASAYO’s regular online Sabah and Sarawak participated in the So how do we discover and nurture hangout sessions for young adults aged session, which was conducted online on our true selves? This involves practic- I call out to you Lord, Who parted the sea, 25-39 years old. April 26. The session featured special ing self-awareness - being aware of our Who multiplied the loaves and with love, died for me, According to Jacinta Fernandez, a guest Genevieve Wong, a committed feelings, thoughts and what’s going on Please part my fog of inner conflict and strife, Youth Pastoral Worker of ASAYO who ASAYO volunteer who is now a counsel- inside us. It also involves the explora- Multiply my willingness to die and rise to new life also hosted the session, ASAYO chose to lor and co-founder of her own counsel- tion of our mindset, values, behaviours, focus on the topic of mental health this ling and therapy practice. beliefs, yearnings and the past such as May I have the courage to look deep within, time round The hangout session kicked off at our childhood and painful experiences. To be free of the past, pain, hurt... and the stain of all sin. 8.45pm with an ice-breaker session, Overall, Genevieve’s sharing received Sometimes, dear Lord... I just don’t know where to start, followed by a short Praise and Worship positive feedback from the participants, And I look to You, Lord, Who dwell in my heart; It’s there session conducted by ASAYO rep- who generally found it good and in- resentatives Chermaine Raj and sightful. When asked about the entire where I find You, in the depths of my soul, Jacinta Fernandez. Then, the session, one of the participants, who You come to my brokenness and You make me whole. spotlight was on Genevieve chose to remain anonymous, said that My storm you calm; my darkness, you illuminate, and her insightful sharing on she liked the “reminder to be still, calm Healed and at peace, Your love I’ll radiate. nurturing the inner world. and acknowledge God’s presence” in According to her, the inner the journey towards discovering our Lord, you know me best, my heart, my hopes, my all, world refers to our true self, true selves. Help me nurture my Self and answer Your call; which is who we really are Genevieve ended her sharing with As You battle my turmoil, I choose to be still, at our core. a beautiful poem penned by herself, I trust and surrender myself to Your Will. She used the analogy which perfectly summed up her entire “For I know the plans I have for you”, Lord thus you have sharing. said; The inner world refers to After a short Q&A session with Gene- And I know I am loved; I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. our true self, which is who vieve, the hangout session ended with we really are at our core. a closing prayer at around 10.30pm. — Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Genevieve Wong By Rosabel Pinto penned by Genevieve Wong SHC launches The Igniters - Teen Ministry KUALA LUMPUR: The teenag- ers of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jalan Peel, had their first ever Teen Ministry Mass and the launching of the Teen Ministry at Dewan Louis Guittat on April 24. Teenagers from the parish, aged 13 to 17 years old, were invited to join the Mass and the launch- ing. Before the Mass, there was an ice breaking and games ses- sion led by the Youth Ministry. Everyone introduced themselves and participated in their favourite dance moves and Kahoot games too. It was a great start to make new friends and get to know each other. The teens at the launch of The Igniters with Fr Edwin Peter and Fr Simon Lau. Then before Mass began, a representative, Scott Ambrose, herds and the characteristics of a SHARINGS received a lit candle from the Pas- shepherd. t was truly a very special mo- chal candle from parish priest, Fr The band for Mass was led by ment I encountered through- Edwin Peter. The Teen Ministry Isabel Moses, keyboardist, Clau- “I out the Mass, I’m glad to have is the initiative and brainchild of dine Dass on the drums, Vanessa played the keyboard and helped Fr Edwin. The light was brought Ambrose, guitarist and singers the band to praise the Lord. With- into the hall, passed around to Sheryl Marion and Ashley Pereira. out Him we wouldn’t have had our everyone, symbolising the youth They were guided by Felix Wong first teen Mass and The Igniters sharing the light of Christ as a and Joshua Ithayanathan, who would not have come into exist- community. Then the main candle helped with the practice and prep- ence.” — Isabel Moses was lit to symbolise the official aration for the Music. We would launching of the parish Teen Min- like to give a shout out to Jacinta was honoured to play the istry. That was the beginning of Pauline and Brother Gabriel Pu- “Idrums for Mass and to join the teen ministry known as “The van for organising the Mass and the band. It is not what I experi- Igniters”. They also launched their also to Fr Simon Lau for celebrat- ence every Sunday. I thank God Instagram page. ing the Mass for us. for giving me the opportunity to Fr Simon Lau, in his homily, This is just the beginning of use my talent to praise him.” — spoke about being X young shep- ‘The Igniters’. Claudine Dass The band that played for the Mass. 18 HERALD May 9, 2021 For more enquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] My wife gives up oxygen m e m o r i a m Tel: 03-2026 8290 / 03-2026 8291 to save a COVID patient MUMBAI: On April 18, amid the sec- home, she has to undergo dialysis three ond wave of the coronavirus pandemic, times a week. She now weighs 40 kg, my childhood friend Rafique Siddiqui but she is always at risk of infection. told me that a Holy Mother English The same day that I spoke with School teacher could not access oxy- Rafique, we delivered the oxygen cyl- gen to treat her husband, infected by inder to Shabana. “Don’t worry about COVID me - Rosy told me - whether I live or After telling her this story, my wife die is a gift from God. Let’s save the Rosy decided to give Shabana Malik lives of the sick.” the oxygen tank we keep at home for I spent 20 million rupees (225,500 emergencies. Rosy has diabetes: in euros) for her treatment. We were 2016, she had a cerebral haemorrhage forced to sell our second home to meet and ended up in a coma; her kidneys the costs. With the health emergency, collapsed, and she has since had mild there are few weddings, and my busi- paralysis. ness as a decorator has suffered. Nev- When she arrived at the hospital, she ertheless, we are happy to help oth- weighed 65 kg; after a month of inten- ers with what we have. — By Pascal sive care, she dropped to 20 kg. Back Saldanha, Matters India

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It does not take a special day, We wished that day had never come, for us to think of you, each Mass Where you will bid us goodbye. we hear, each prayer we say, Silently, painfully, with tears upheld, is offered up for you. We had to let you go, for who are we, 19B, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, 50460 We cannot bring the old days back, To hold you back, when your TEL: 03-2148 5776, 2148 4855 when we were all together, our family Kuala Lumpur. loving Creator calls you back. FAX: 03-2143 1442 chain is broken now, H/P: 012-333 4899 / 012-333 4646 / 019-777 5537 but memories live forever. Deeply missed, loved and cherished by Dearly missed by family and friends children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. HERALD May 9, 2021 Saints of the Week & Short Readings 19 Daily Short Sts Nereus and Reading Sunday, May 9 (Acts 10:40-43) Achilleus; St Pancras God raised Jesus to life on the third day and allowed him to be seen, not by the ereus and Achilleus were Roman soldiers Feastday: May 12 whole people but only by certain wit- of the Praetorian Guard (the emperor’s nesses God had chosen beforehand. Nbodyguards) who were martyred at the end Now we are those witnesses – we have of the first century, and were said to have been bap- eaten and drunk with him after his res- tised by St Peter himself. When they became Chris- urrection from the dead – and he has tians, they gave up their posts which they saw as ordered us to proclaim this to his people immoral and were exiled and then killed under the and to tell them that God has appointed reign of the emperor Trajan. him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this An epitaph written by Pope Damasus says the witness: that all who believe in Jesus following: “Nereus and Achilleus the martyrs will have their sins forgiven through his joined the army and carried out the cruel orders of name. the tyrant, obeying his will continually out of fear. Then came a miracle of faith. They suddenly gave Monday, May 10 up their savagery, they were converted, they fled (Romans 10:8-1) the camp of their evil leader, throwing away their The word is very near to you, it is on your shields, armour, and bloody spears. Professing the lips and in your heart: the word, that is, faith of Christ, they were happy to witness to its of the faith we proclaim. If your lips con- triumph. From these words of Damasus, understand fess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from what great deeds can be brought about by Christ’s the dead, then you will be saved. By glory.” believing from the heart you are made St Pancras, or Pancratius, was a Syrian boy of pa- righteous; by confessing with your lips gan origin who went to Rome and was converted you are saved. to Christianity. He was beheaded in 304 at the age of 14 during the persecution of the Emperor Dio- Tuesday, May 11 (Acts 13:30-33) cletian. He is buried on the Via Aurelia in Rome and the church of St. Pancratius, which still stands God raised Jesus from the dead, and today, was built on his grave in the fourth century. for many days he appeared to those Saints Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras have been who had accompanied him from Gali- lee to Jerusalem: and it is these same honoured together on May 12 since the fourth cen- companions of his who are now his tury. — CNA witnesses before our people. We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise but it is to us, their children, that he has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus Feast of the Ascension from the dead. As scripture says in the he Feast of the Ascension is the fortieth day second psalm: You are my son: today I Tafter Easter Sunday, which commemorates have become your father. the Ascension of Christ into heaven, according to Wednesday, May 12 Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2. (Romans 6:8-11) In the Eastern Church, this feast was known as analepsis, “the taking up”, and also as the episo- We believe that having died with Christ zomene, the salvation, denoting that by ascending we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the into His glory, Christ completed the work of our dead will never die again. Death has redemption. The terms used in the West, ascensio no power over him any more. When he and, occasionally, ascensa, signify that Christ was died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his raised up by His own powers. Tradition designates life now is life with God; and in that way, Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where you too must consider yourselves to be Christ left the earth. The feast falls on Thursday. dead to sin but alive for God in Christ It is one of the Ecumenical feasts ranking with the Jesus. feasts of the Passion, of Easter and of Pentecost as Thursday, May 13 among the most solemn in the calendar. The feast (Hebrews 10:12-14) has a vigil and, since the fifteenth century, an oc- Christ has offered one single sacrifice tave which is set apart for a novena of preparation for sins, and then taken his place forev- for Pentecost, in accordance with the directions of Feastday: May 13 er, at the right hand of God, where he is Leo XIII. now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is St Matthias sanctifying. Feastday: May 14 Friday, May 14 (Ephesians 2:19-22) atthias, whose name means “gift of God”, was the disciple chosen to replace Judas as one of the You are no longer aliens in a foreign M land, but fellow-citizens with God’s peo- twelve Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles state that he ple, members of God’s household. You was also one of the 72 disciples that the Lord Jesus are built upon the foundation laid by sent out to preach the good news. Matthias was with the apostles and prophets, and Christ the Lord since His Baptism, and was “a witness to Jesus himself is the foundation stone. Christ’s Resurrection,” according to St. Peter in Acts. In him the whole building is bonded to- He remained with Jesus until His Ascension. gether and grows into a holy temple in According to various traditions, Matthias preached the Lord. In him you too are being built in Cappadocia, Jerusalem, the shores of the Caspian with all the rest into a spiritual dwelling Sea (in modern day Turkey) and Ethiopia. He is said for God. to have met his death by crucifixion in Colchis or by Saturday, May 15 stoning in Jerusalem. (Romans 14: 7-9) There is evidence cited in some of the early Church None of us lives for himself only. none fathers that there was a Gospel according to Matthias of us dies for himself only; if we live, it is in circulation, but it has since been lost, and was de- for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it clared apocryphal by Pope Gelasius. is for the Lord that we die. Whether we He is invoked for assistance against alcoholism, and live or die, then, we belong to the Lord. for support by recovered alcoholics. — CNA For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. Universal: The World of Finance Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.

Download the Click To Pray updates now. THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY May 9, 2021 Why France is losing one religious building every two weeks ROME: One religious building is disappearing fires in religious buildings are due to arson. in France every two weeks. While these statistics include buildings be- That is the conclusion of Edouard de longing to all religious groups, most of them Lamaze, president of the Observatoire du pat- concern Catholic monuments, which still rep- rimoine religieux (Observatory of Religious resent a large majority in France, where there Heritage) in Paris. are roughly 45,000 Catholic places of worship. He is raising the alarm in the French media “Although Catholic monuments are still about the gradual disappearance of religious ahead, one mosque is erected every 15 days edifices in a country known as the “eldest in France, while one Christian building is de- daughter of the Church” because the Frankish stroyed at the same pace,” Lamaze said. “It cre- King Clovis I embraced Catholicism in 496. ates a tipping point on the territory that should Lamaze’s appeal for increased awareness be taken into account.” came after a fire destroyed the 16th-century Lamaze believes that, on average more than Church of Saint-Pierre in Romilly-la-Puthe- two Christian monuments are targeted every naye, Normandy, northern France. The fire, day. Two-thirds of these incidents concern deemed accidental, took place on April 15, ex- theft, while the remaining third involve des- The nave of Saint-Ouen Abbey in Rouen, Normandy, France. (CNA/Jorge Láscar via Wikimedia) actly two years after the blaze that devastated ecration. which he already sounded the alarm. But the ties became the owners of France’s religious Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. According to the most recent figures from situation has heightened tenfold, or even hun- buildings. In many cases, they have been un- The unforgettable image of the burning ca- France’s central criminal intelligence unit, 877 dredfold, since then.” able to meet the costs of maintaining the sites. thedral, which circled the planet in 2019, point- attacks on Catholic places of worship were re- Currently, 5,000 Catholic buildings are po- “These buildings have not been maintained ed to a deeper issue within French society: seri- corded across the country in 2018 alone. tentially in danger of disappearing. for over a century, and they have never been ous shortcomings in the preservation system of “These figures have increased fivefold in Apart from the growing hostility to which subject to restoration work or protection meas- religious monuments, coupled with increasing only 10 years,” Lamaze said, noting that 129 they are subject, these religious sites are also ures against theft or fire,” Lamaze said. hostility toward religion. churches were vandalized in 2008. suffering from deep negligence on the part of He explained that only 15,000 Catholic sites Lamaze said in an interview that in addition “At the beginning of the 1970s, writer and public authorities. are officially protected as historical - monu to one religious building disappearing every journalist Michel de Saint Pierre published a This state of affairs is partly explained by the ments, while the other 30,000 buildings are two weeks — by demolition, transformation, book entitled églises en ruine, Eglise en péril fact that, by virtue of the 1905 law on the Sepa- practically left to decay. — By Solène Tadié, destruction by fire, or collapse — two-thirds of [“Churches in ruin, endangered Church”], in ration of the Church and the State, municipali- CNA At rosary, Pope prays resources move Indian court from military to pandemic prevention takes up jailed VATICAN: Under the gaze of a seventh- century icon of Mary, Pope Francis launched Jesuit’s bail plea a month long global recitation of the rosary, NEW DELHI: The High Court of western pleading for Mary’s intercession for the end of India’s Maharashtra state has asked for the the COVID-19 pandemic. response of a federal anti-terrorism agency And he prayed May 1 that Mary would move to a bail application by an elderly Jesuit people’s consciences “so that the enormous priest, seven months after it arrested and amounts spent to increase and perfect weapons jailed him. are, instead used to promote research to prevent The court sought the response of the Na- similar catastrophes in the future.” tional Investigation Agency (NIA) on May The Pope and about 160 young adults and 4 after accepting the application of 84-year- families from Rome prayed in St Peter’s Ba- old Fr Stan Swamy, who pleaded for his re- silica and were joined remotely by people at the lease on bail from a prison in state capital National Shrine and the Basilica of Our Lady Mumbai. of Walsingham in England, the first of 30 Mar- Pope Francis leads the faithful in prayer before the image of the Madonna del Soccorso in St The priest, who suffers from Parkinson’s ian shrines around the world that will lead the Peter’s Basilica. (Vatican Media) disease and other age-related illnesses, was rosary every day throughout May. said, also would remember “the people, espe- the prayer services one of the special prayers arrested on Oct 8 on charges of conspiring “At the beginning of the month dedicated to cially women, who endured violence within to Mary in the time of COVID-19, written by with the outlawed Maoist rebels against the Our Lady, we join in prayer with all the shrines the home” during the pandemic lockdowns. Pope Francis last year when the pandemic had Indian government. He was jailed on Oct 9. around the world, the faithful and all people of “Mother of Succour, welcome us under your just begun. A special NIA court has denied him bail good will, to entrust to our Holy Mother all of mantle and protect us, sustain us in times of Pope Francis’ invocations to Mary May 1 twice — one sought on health grounds and humanity so harshly tried by this pandemic,” trial and light in our hearts the lamp of hope for included large sections of that prayer, includ- the other on a regular basis. the Pope said, introducing the recitation of the the future,” the Pope prayed, standing before ing a plea to “turn your merciful eyes toward The priest’s lawyers then moved two sepa- Glorious Mysteries of the rosary. the Marian icon. us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort rate applications in the High Court on April The Pontifical Council for Promoting New The Basilica of the National Shrine of the those who are distraught and mourn their loved 26, challenging both the orders of the special Evangelisation coordinated the rosary mara- Immaculate Conception was scheduled to lead ones who have died, and at times were buried court that denied bail. thon, the scheduling of the shrines and the as- the prayers “for all world leaders and for all in a way that grieves them deeply.” The High Court is scheduled to hear the signing of a specific prayer intention for each heads of international organisations” May 17, “Be close to those who are concerned for bail application on medical grounds on May day of the month traditionally devoted to Mary. and the Quebec Shrine of Notre Dame du Cap their loved ones who are sick and who, in or- 15 and posted the appeal based on regular The Pope said those intentions would in- was to lead prayers “for all law enforcement der to prevent the spread of the disease, can- bail for June 14. clude people who have died or fallen ill with and military personnel and for all firefighters” not be close to them,” the Pope continued. “Fill Fr Swamy is charged under the non- the virus, their loved ones and the medical per- May 23. with hope those who are troubled by the un- bailable clauses of the stringent Unlawful sonnel who cared for them, people who have While leaving much of the planning up to certainty of the future and the consequences for Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), making lost their jobs and students who long to return the shrines and their local expressions of faith, the economy and employment.” — By Cindy it difficult for him to get bail in normal cir- to school and to their friends. The prayers, he the pontifical council included in the outline for Wooden, CNS cumstances. — ucanews.com