e-Tomorrow

What was your reaction when you heard that the Parish Assembly was around the corner? “Cool! Let’s go together!” Or… “Parish Assembly? What’s that?” “Pffft.” “Yah I don’t think it’s that important to attend la…”

“So what?” you ask. “What’s the big deal about the Parish Assembly anyway? What difference would it make if I attended or not?” We-ell, the big deal is… the Parish Assembly IS a big deal to every Catholic! But you’d only understand this if you have a formed understanding of the purpose of Parish Assembly and your identity and role as a baptised Catholic.

What is a Parish Assembly? It is our parish family’s annual reunion gathering – every member is invited! What happens at a Parish Assembly? The Parish Team (consisting of the friars and full-time staff) and Parish Pastoral Council – PPC- (elected by you) are present to listen to the pastoral concerns, ideas and thoughts of the parishioners. The PPC presents to you how the parish has moved since the previous Parish Assembly and how the pastoral issues that have been previously raised are being addressed. This is also the time when the Parish Team will lay out the planned vision and direction for the following year so that you can be more aware of where we are heading as a family, and so that you can be engaged on our journey.

The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council teach us that every baptised Catholic is supposed to help build up God’s Kingdom and strengthen the Church wherever we are situated. We were never meant to be passive recipients of service in the parish, rushing in and out every week just in order to fulfil our Sunday obligation. The parish is not made up of the building structure – it is made up by the people. And each and every one of us – lay and religious – are meant to be collaborators in growing the Body of Christ. In the Vatican II document, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium or LG), we are taught:

“Pastors of the Church…should minister to one another and to the other faithful. These in their turn should enthusiastically lend their joint assistance to their pastors and teachers. Thus in their diversity all bear witness to the wonderful unity in the Body of Christ.” (LG 32)

“The laity are gathered together in the People of God and make up the Body of Christ under one head. Whoever they are they are called upon, as living members, to expend all their energy for the growth of the Church and its continuous sanctification, since this very energy is the gift of the Creator and a blessing of the Redeemer.” (LG 33)

Have we been expending our energy for the growth of our parish and its continuous sanctification? Or do we expect the parish to serve our needs? Are our eyes open to the needs of our community – the needy, the sick and elderly, the migrant workers? Are we doing our part to care for the spiritual health and unity of this parish family that we belong to?

Jesus said that He is the True Vine. “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:4-5)

St Mary of the Angels has over 8,000 parishioners attending masses on weekends, 26 Neighbourhood Christian Communities (NCCs) and over 37 parish groups and ministries. How in-sync are all these individuals, communities, groups and ministries with the True Vine through the Church?  We may all be doing our best in our own quarters, but Jesus made it clear – apart from Him, we can do nothing. And the way we keep connected with the Vine is through union with the Church.

We are always a work in progress. We sometimes know too well how the Church is made up of broken people who make life difficult for us. That doesn’t change the fact that God calls us to let conversion of the whole Church begin with our self.

We are meant to dialogue, discern and work together towards an ever more Christ-like parish. The weight of the responsibility of making St Mary of the Angels the parish God means for her to be does not rest only on a few chosen ones. It rests on every one of us.

The Parish Assembly is a chance for every parishioner – especially for those who feel a need for greater connection to the parish – to get connected. Attending my first Parish Assembly at St Mary of the Angels as a new parishioner back in 2009 changed my life (I’m not exaggerating). Who knows what God may have in store for you? Come and see!

Parish Assembly 2012
Date: Saturday, February 18
Time: 7-9:30pm
Dinner will be catered!
Register online NOW!

Download PDF version TianMing Jan 2012!

“The frescoes that we are contemplating here introduce us into the world of the contents of the Revelation. The truths of our faith speak to us here from all sides. From them human genius took its inspiration undertaking to clothe them in forms of incomparable beauty”. With these words pronounced in the Homily during the Holy Mass celebrated on 8 April 1994, on the occasion of the completion of the restoration of the Last Judgement, the Holy Father John Paul II wished to place emphasis on the sacredness of the place in which the paintings, like the images of a book, serve to render the truths expressed in the Holy Scriptures more understandable. — Vatican Museum

Haven’t had a chance to visit the Sistine Chapel? Or found it too crowded the last time you were there and couldn’t fully enjoy the view? Take this virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel. It’s amazing!

Have you seen that video on YouTube? That really sleek video poem that features a charismatic young man enumerating his reasons for loving Jesus and hating religion? The one that went viral on Facebook and Twitter and has over 200,000 likes on YouTube alone? What did you think about it? How did you feel when you saw it? Now let me ask you another question – how do you imagine Jesus would have reacted to it?

There are many Catholics who are understandably upset about the video. They see the video as promoting a “Jesus and me” only kind of Christianity, and as a not-too-thinly veiled attack on the Church. Many Catholic responses to the video that can be found online makes a defence of the Church, for example, by pointing out scriptural evidence that Jesus instituted the Church (Mt 16:18), and how Jesus instituted the Eucharist (Mt 26:26-28,Mk 14:22-24, Lk 22:17-20) and empowered certain men to ‘bind and loose sins’ (Jn 20:23, Mt 18:18).

There are certainly many theological loopholes and problems in the video. You can find some very well thought-out and well-researched responses to the Jesus > Religion video and I’d recommend that you read these if you watched the video. BUT… If all we can think of is how to prove the video wrong, then I think we have a bigger problem: We are not acting as Jesus would. Why do I say that? Because Jesus always listened beyond what was apparent. That’s what made him able to look beyond the surface to recognize the good and true in even the worst sinners whom the religious leaders of his day condemned.

Let me paint you an image: If a young Catholic person came up to you and told you that she is struggling with her faith because she doesn’t agree with what the Church teaches about homosexuality, how would you respond? Would you be tempted to give her the perfect argument of why the Catholic Church’s stance on homosexuality is grounded in scripture and why the Church is right while she is wrong?  Or would you be interested in knowing what it is that she has experienced that makes her feel this way? For all you know, she or someone very dear to her may be struggling with sexual identity. Would proving to her that the Church is right help this young person encounter the loving presence of Christ – which is probably what she needs most?

Jesus – the heart and soul of the Church – was always more interested in loving and healing people than in proving to them that he was right. The source of his authority was compassion – not rhetoric. It was his compassion that gave sinners the courage to face up to their brokenness and seek forgiveness. It was his love that enabled him to wield the sword of truth and break the chains that had been keeping people captive.

There are many Catholics who are hurting and struggling but who feel the need to keep their struggles secret for fear of being judged. There are many who are active in parish ministries and groups but who are angry, bitter and self-righteous because they have not personally experienced the unconditional love and forgiveness that God has for them. There are many children who go to church and are taught about love and forgiveness on Sundays, but from Monday to Sunday they live in a house devoid of parental presence and love. Some of them are even living in a climate of domestic violence, infidelity, and revenge. This IS the reality of the Church – the Body of Christ – the People of God!  And yet, is it not true that we all feel the need to ‘appear holy’ when we are around fellow Catholics? How many of us can honestly say that we have never judged a brother or sister who does not outwardly abide by the laws that we ascribe to God and the Church? Do we experience the Catholic community as a ‘hospital for the broken’ or do we subconsciously behave like it’s a ‘museum for good people’?

The law without Christ is dead for the law is meant to be in the service of love. If we know and love God and God’s people deeply and truly, we would be able to appreciate the beauty and truth inherent in the Church’s rituals and doctrine and use these to bring people to God. But the fact is that we – the Church – always fall short of loving God and God’s people, and that is why many of us do not experience ‘religion’ (defined here as the set of beliefs and practices that we adhere to) as life-giving.

I believe that it would do us a serious disservice if we were to simply dismiss the Jesus > Religion video as plain wrong. How would that transform us or make us more like Christ? You may scoff at the idea that this video could bring you closer to Christ. But you see, I believe that God speaks to us all the time. I believe that if we ask him, he will give us the grace to see the world through his eyes and to hear him in even the least expected places. I believe that if we are secure in God’s love, we would know that Mother Church is not so interested in being defended against attack from her children as she is in forgiving, embracing, and comforting them.

In the light of Christ’s love, this video contains a lot more truth than error. If we fail to acknowledge that, we would be driving more people away from God and his church than we would be evangelizing. So let’s pray for the love and courage to really listen – not only to this video, but to everyone who expresses unhappiness and doubt in God or the church.  May we listen not just in order to rebut or counter-argue – for that is not genuine listening. Rather, may we listen with a humble and loving presence as Christ did. Conversion in others can only happen if we let ourselves be converted first. So before we preach, let’s learn to listen.

Note:
[Jefferson] Bethke, the young man in the video, clarifies that he loves the church and the Bible but he wants to expose the hypocrisy and legalism apparent in many houses of worship.

He wrote on his Facebook on Friday, “If you are using my video to bash ‘the church’ be careful. I was in no way intending to do that.”

“The Church is Jesus’ bride so be careful how you speak of His wife,” he stated. “If a normal dude has right to get pissed when you bash His wife, it makes me tremble to think how great the weight is when we do it to Jesus’ wife. The church is His vehicle to reach a lost word. A hospital for sinners. Saying you love Jesus but hate the Church, is like a fiancé saying he loves his future bride, but hates her kids. We are all under grace. Look to Him.”

According to the Washington resident, he loves Jesus and is just trying to make Him famous. It’s a feat that appears well on its way as the video keeps racking up hits and commentary.

- Excerpt from Ravelle Mohammed, 2012 -01-13, ‘Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus’ Viral Video Sparks Faith Debate’, The Christian Post, http://www.christianpost.com/news/why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-viral-video-sparks-faith-debate-67119/

A special gift for all SMOTA parishioners this Christmas as St Mary’s presents its very own iPhone app on this joyous occasion.

Receive daily readings on your iPhone and keep up to date with the latest news of what is happening around the parish! Download the app now at http://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/st.-mary/id489824416?mt=8

Compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, the newly-launched app requires iOS 5 or later. Please send us your feedback and suggested improvements to viji@stmary.sg

Have yourself a ‘App-y Christmas!

This Advent, in partnership with Franciscans International, the parish brings to you this series on Human Rights. Weekly handouts will be given to parishioners at all weekend masses. You may wish to download the digital versions of the handouts here as well.

For more information on Franciscans International, visit www.franciscansinternational.org

If you would like to contribute more to help Franciscan International, cheques may be made payable to “Church of St Mary of the Angels” and deposited or mailed to the parish office. Remember to include “The Advent Project 2011” at the back of the cheque.

Week 1: What are Human rights? (available here)

Week 2: What is Human Dignity? (available here)

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Human Trafficking Worldwide

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Church Documents:

1) Pope John-Paul II – Twenty First Century Slavery

2) Pope John-Paul II – World Migration Day 2000

Other resources:

3) Order of Friars Minor – Custody of St Anthony (Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei)

4) At the End of Slavery

5) Kevin Bales – How to Combat Modern Slavery

This Advent, in partnership with Franciscans International, the parish brings to you this series on Human Rights. Weekly handouts will be given to parishioners at all weekend masses. You may wish to download the digital versions of the handouts here as well.

For more information on Franciscans International, visit www.franciscansinternational.org

If you would like to contribute more to help Franciscan International, cheques may be made payable to “Church of St Mary of the Angels” and deposited or mailed to the parish office. Remember to include “The Advent Project 2011” at the back of the cheque.

Week 1: What are Human rights? (available here)

Week 2: What is Human Dignity?

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Or download Week 2: What is Human Dignity? PDF.

Other resources:

1) Catechism of the Catholic Church

2) Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes

3) Catholic Social Teaching

4) Caritas Singapore

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Cape Town, December 10, 2007— To begin the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), The Elders and partners today launched the Every Human Has Rights campaign to empower global citizens to protect the first-ever comprehensive agreement on human rights among nations.

The Every Human Has Rights campaign calls on citizens to uphold the goals of the
Universal Declaration in their daily lives and to hold governments accountable for the same. Through this effort, one billion people around the world will sign the Universal Declaration, taking responsibility and pledging to speak out to protect the freedom and rights of others in their communities.

“Today, we remind people around the world that there are universal values we all share and universal rights to which every individual is entitled,” Archbishop Tutu, Chair of The Elders said. “We launch this campaign to create an atmosphere in which no person, government, or entity can deny freedom and liberty for any human. By calling on individuals to sign the Universal Declaration, we are asking the citizens of the global village to empower themselves and their communities by standing behind its values and goals. But we are also asking that one united human family join together to protect and defend the rights of each other.”

Persistent Abuses Galvanize Human Rights Icons
The Every Human Has Rights campaign launches at a time of human rights uncertainty around the globe, and will aim to raise awareness, particularly in areas of the world where governments ignore “equal justice, equal opportunity, [and] equal dignity without discrimination,” as voiced by Eleanor Roosevelt, champion of the Universal Declaration 60 years ago.

The Elders, a group of global leaders convened by Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel to address some of the major problems facing the world, became the first signatories to the online pledge, as an empty chair draped in orange drew attention to the continued imprisonment of Burmese human rights defender and Elder, Aung San Suu Kyi. The Elders Chair Archbishop Desmond Tutu, members Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, and Graca Machel, President, Foundation for Community Development, Mozambique, shared the stage with leaders of human rights organizations to demand respect for the basic human rights agreed to in the UDHR.

An Unprecedented, Diverse Coalition
A diverse group of global NGOs, civil society organizations and businesses are partnering in the Every Human Has Rights campaign to highlight UDHR principles, including the right to health, women’s rights, and freedom of expression. Launch partners include ActionAid, Amnesty International, Center for Women’s Global Leadership, International PEN, Witness, Realizing Rights, Save the Children and UNICEF and throughout the year we will expand to include partners from civil society organizations in the developing world through networks like Civicus and directly. Through an innovative collaboration with Google and Witness, individuals and communities from around the world can tell stories of human rights abuses
and human rights triumphs, which will then be brought to life on Google Earth.

“The UDHR’s 60th anniversary offers a chance for a global conversation about the values that unite us as one human family,” said Mary Robinson. “But it can be more. It can also be a moment for new visions and actions rooted in the best traditions of our past. 2008 can be a year in which people from every walk of life learn about and reflect on our shared rights. Now a new generation takes on a task to ensure that every human truly does have the rights they deserve – and that every government lives up to an agreement made 60 years ago to deliver those rights.”

Background on UDHR
Signed on December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration marked the first time in history that nations came together to agree on basic principles of justice, equality, and rights for all of humanity. Signatories took this action as the world began to confront the devastation in the wake of World War II, the Holocaust, and the use of the atomic bomb.

UDHR has exerted a moral, political and legal influence throughout the world, far beyond the aspirations of its drafters. It has been a primary source of inspiration for all post-war international legislation in the field of human rights. All of the United Nations human rights treaties and resolutions as well as the regional human rights conventions – the European and American conventions and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ rights – have been directly inspired by UDHR.

Campaigning at a Critical Time
Today, nearly 60 years after its signing, the world is confronted with the need to reaffirm UDHR in the face of abuses across the globe.

“Human rights are not a privilege, they are everyone’s entitlement and it is an indictment of all of us that the rights of women and children are continually trampled on and ignored. So, as we approach the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we now have the opportunity to enforce the Declaration’s principles ensuring that every single woman and every single child enjoys the rights of all human beings,” said Graca Machel.

It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.

The Advent Conspiracy. Christmas can [still] change the world.

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Congratulations to the Chinese-language community at Church of St Mary of the Angels on the inaugural issue of the ‘Tian Ming’ newspaper in November 2011!

You may also download the PDF version of Tianming November 2011.

Or ‘flip’ through the wonderful new publication below :)

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This Advent, in partnership with Franciscans International, the parish brings to you this series on Human Rights. Weekly handouts will be given to parishioners at all weekend masses. You may wish to download the digital versions of the handouts here as well.

For more information on Franciscans International, visit www.franciscansinternational.org

If you would like to contribute more to help Franciscan International, cheques may be made payable to “Church of St Mary of the Angels” and deposited or mailed to the parish office. Remember to include “The Advent Project 2011” at the back of the cheque.

Week 1:

What are Human Rights?

Other resources:

1) From Rejection to Proclamation – Catholic Church’s Thinking on Human Rights

2) Youth For Human Rights

3) Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Sat 3 Dec | 8 – 10pm | Main Church

Come, Let Us Adore.

We invite all youth and young adults to join us for an evening of music and reflection, with caroling, to prepare our hearts for Christmas on Saturday, 3 Dec, from 8-10pm at the main church. Come with your friends!

Click here for Online registration!

“To be Christian is to be more than human; it is to be human in the way that God intended for us to be human. To be Christian is to be a human being infused with God’s Spirit.” - Fr. John-Paul Tan OFM, Homily on the Feast of All Saints 2011

To be infused is:

1. To put into or introduce as if by pouring
2. To fill or cause to be filled with something
3. To steep or soak without boiling in order to extract soluble elements or active principles
4. To flavour or scent by steeping ingredients in it

What does it mean then to be Christian? It is to have God’s Spirit poured into us… to be filled to the brim with God’s love… to be steeped and soaked regularly in God’s presence… and to be scented with God’s own fragrance.

Have you been infused? :)

For the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. – Rom 5:5

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Jesus has made it clear that He values the way we treat each other. For the Last Judgement, Jesus will consider acts done “to one of the least of these” (Matthew 25:40, 45), as having been done to Himself.

In other words, Jesus will look carefully at how we have treated the poor and marginalised during our lives. What we have done to them, we have done to Jesus in His eyes. When we reach that moment, will we be prepared for His judgement on our actions?

Historical events such as the slave trade, the Holocaust and apartheid offer particular insights into the thinking and behaviour of the people in those times. Otherwise “good” people were led to believe that “bad” acts were okay, and in some cases, even participated in carrying out those acts.

Others just looked the other way as if such abominable things did not exist around them.
On the occasion of World Day of Migrants, which is celebrated in our Archdiocese on 30 October this year, I ask all Catholics to open up their hearts and minds to the plight of migrants in Singapore – more than 25 percent of the population.

We must ask ourselves how historians will view our attitudes and behaviours towards migrants years down the road. More importantly, how will Jesus view these actions?

Foreign matchmaking

Over the last few years, demand for “foreign matchmaking”, where men pay agents to find a suitable foreign bride, has grown to the point where some consider it commonplace in Singapore.

In most cases, the brides are from very poor, rural families and are only looking for a better life. They speak very limited English, and the “marriage” is often not more than an excuse for using a person for convenience.

Even more commonplace is the belief that domestic helpers should work seven days a week, sometimes even 24/7, with no days off and little or no time for themselves each day.

Some employers do not trust their helpers, feeling that they might “get into trouble” if given some time off. Others feel that they cannot possibly cope without help due to their own need, caring for a child, elderly parent, or someone with a disability.

In his message for the 97th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (2011), Pope Benedict XVI explains that while people may come from different backgrounds and experience different situations during their lives, we are all moving through life together, and we are all “one human family”.

Therefore, “the value of work should be measured by the same standard and not according to the difference in nationality, religion or race” (Laborem Exercens 23).

In other words, migrants must be paid fair wages, given adequate food and ample time to rest each day and have the ability to reunite with their families on a regular basis.

Jesus’ Golden Rule tells us to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). As Catholics, we are called to follow this rule by showing respect for one another, most especially those living under our own roof.

For example, if you enjoy having a day off during the week, would it not follow that your domestic helper would also enjoy and appreciate this “luxury”?

Many organisations, including the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI), offer classes on Sundays to help migrants improve their skills. By supporting your domestic helper in enrolling in such classes, you not only enable her to learn new skills and build confidence, but ultimately you help to create an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in your household, which will benefit everyone.

Did you know that, in Singapore, one in six families employs a domestic helper, compared to most countries around the world where domestic help is reserved for only the ultra-rich? It is unheard of in most countries to have help in the house, so in a way, we are very fortunate.

However, only 53 percent of domestic helpers receive one day off per month, and only about 12 percent receive one day off per week!

Another disturbing trend is the growing pattern of abuses of foreign wives and trafficking of women and children in Singapore, which has increased dramatically over the last five years. This needs to stop!

When historians look back at the Singapore of today, what will they say? Is it possible that the track we are currently on is not the right track in terms of our treatment of migrants?

What will it take for us to change our ways?

We as Catholics, through our social teachings of loving our neighbour and respecting human dignity, must be examples to others in our attitudes and behaviours towards migrants.

We must live out the “Golden Rule” each day and treat others the way we, ourselves, would want to be treated. We cannot turn a blind eye or think that we cannot make a difference.

Each of us can make a difference with our own actions. We can be the light that others follow. After all, Jesus is in our midst in the most unlikely places!

A word for migrants

I would also like to address our Catholic migrant population directly in saying that you, too, have a calling and responsibility to practise Christian values in your own life, as well as in your service to your employer.

It is hard to uphold the dignity of human labour. To do so, you must be reliable and truthful. You must also show respect, confidentiality and discretion, keeping in mind that in serving others, you are serving the Lord Jesus Himself.

Please remain faithful to your own family back home, and teach them the self-discipline that you have learned, knowing that your hard work and sacrifices will provide a better life for future generations.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on the occasion of World Day of Migrants, let us pray for all migrants in Singapore that they may be given the opportunity to realise their dreams of building a better life for themselves and their families back home.

With the support of the Catholic community, through our own actions towards migrants, may we be the change that lights the way for others. n

Yours in Christ.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

TODAY (Fri, Oct 28, 2011): About 3,500 [sic] religious leaders gathered yesterday at the Church of St Mary of the Angels to mark the 25th anniversary ofthe Spirit of Assisi, by holding a prayer for peace. President Tony Tan and his wife Mary were also present. They joined in the lighting of candles at the church’s Garden of Peace. The occasion was also commemorated worldwide. In Assisi, Italy, Pope Benedict XVI joined Buddhist monks, Islamic scholars, Yoruba leaders and a handful of agnostics in making a communal call for peace, insisting that religion must never be used as a pretext for war or terrorism. Pope Benedict welcomed about 300 leaders representing a rainbow of faiths to the hilltop town of Assisi to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a day-long prayer for peace here called by Pope John Paul II in 1986 amid Cold War conflicts. Photo by Ernest Chua

ST (Fri, Oct 28, 2011): Leaders of the major religions here gathered last night at the Church of St Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok for an inter-religious prayer for peace.

Organised by the Franciscan friars, the session was held in the church to mark the 25 years since Pope John Paul II invited representatives of the world religions to the town of Assisi in Italy to pray for peace.

Friar Michael D’Cruz described yesterday’s event as a reminder of the “need for a deep mutual respect for one another, the need for dialogue and the need to uphold the dignity of human life that God has given”.

Mr Jaafar Ma, a representative of the Muslims from Ba’alwie Mosque, said the gathering was an opportunity for the different religions to demonstrate racial and religious harmony.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam was also at the event, which included choir and drama performances by St Joseph’s Institution and drama company Walk on Water Productions.

Photos:

(Above) A volunteer helping as President Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan light candles that make up the word “peace” at the Church of St Mary of the Angels yesterday.

(Right) Mr Harbans Singh of the Sikh faith, Mr Jaafar Ma of the Muslim faith, Reverend Gabriel Liew of the Christian faith, Mr Jayantilal Jasani of the Jain faith, Master Adrian Long of the Taoist faith, Mr Henry Baey of the Buddhist faith, Swami Jitamanasananda of the Hindu faith and Archbishop Nicholas Chia of the Catholic faith (Mr Kuek Yi Hsing of the Baha’i faith cannot be seen in the photo) being accompanied by children with candles that will be placed on a tray to form the word “peace”. ST PHOTOS: ALPHONSUS CHERN