SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012VOL. 66, NO. 14 PALM SUNDAY www.umatuna.org

Holy Week Begins

Churchgoers wave palm fronds during a Mass on Palm Sunday at a church in Manila, Philippines. CNS photo/Cheryl Ravelo, Reuters

Holy Week Parish Lenten Schedules on

pages 8-9

(Agenzia Fides) BEIRUT — There are approximately 20 thou-sand Syrian refugees in Lebanon and it is already "humanitarian emergency." This is what Caritas Lebanon tells Fides, engaged in humanitarian assistance in the North of the country.

Fr. Simon Faddoul, President of Caritas Lebanon, explained in an interview with Fides that "the official figures of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees speak of 8-9,000 displaced Syrians, of-ficially registered. But only a frac-tion of refugees register, because refugees are terrified. They fear for their lives and the lives of their families who are still in Syria. Ac-cording to our estimates, there are already over 20 thousand, and the flow continues".

"The refugees” he continued “are Christians and Muslims.

20,000+ Syrians Flee to Lebanon, Humanitarian Crisis Imminent

In Mexico, Pope Says Social Change will Come with Revival of Faith

SYRIA MEXICO

A s we now move into Holy Week and recall the re-demptive sufferings of Jesus Christ the God-

Man for us, we must take notice of the dire suffering of Chris-tians throughout the world— particularly now that large areas of the world see the active per-secution of Christians. Often ne-glected in our regional as well as national media is the Church in the Holy Land—from Jerusalem to Egypt to Syria all the way to Iraq. Christians are driven under-ground, murdered, martyred, at-tacked, and suffer in ways that we on Guam can only imagine.

We ask our readers to see our stories in this week’s edition re-garding the terrible situation in Syria as well as the push of the re-ligious authorities in Saudi Arabia to eliminate all churches. Given that a very large Filipino Catho-lic population lives in the region (in addition to native Christians), this is an out-and-out assault on the Body of Christ.

The situation in Syria contin-ues to deteriorate, and the future of the Christian population there—especially in Alleppo—is unclear. Civil unrest destroyed the country of Lebanon during the 1970s and 1980s, and if the

situation in Syria is not resolved both justly and peacefully, the Church which has existed in Syria since the time of the Apostles is in danger of being wiped out, both by violence and by mass exodus.

So this week, as we partici-pate in the remembrance of the Passion of our Blessed Lord in Holy Week’s series of beautiful, sublime liturgies, let us also bear in mind the sufferings of our sisters and brothers around the world who are neglected by our media and dismissed by the gov-ernments who have the power to help protect them.

From the Editor’s Desk

(CNS) SILAO, Mexico — Vis-iting Latin America for the sec-ond time in his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI offered a message of hope for social progress root-ed in a revival of Catholic faith.

The overriding message of the pope's public statements during his three days in Mexi-co, March 23-26, was that this troubled country, and the region in general, cannot solve their problems — which include pov-erty, inequality, corruption and violence -- by following the pre-scriptions of secular ideologies.

Instead, the pope said, peace and justice in this world require a divinely inspired change in the human heart.

"When addressing the deep-er dimension of personal and community life, human strate-gies will not suffice to save us," the pope said in his homily dur-ing an outdoor Mass at Guana-juato Bicentennial Park March 25. "We must have recourse to the one who alone can give life in its fullness, because he is the essence of life and its author."

Echoing his earlier critiques of liberation theology, a Marx-ist-influenced movement that found prominent supporters among Latin American Catholics during the 1970s and '80s, Pope Benedict told reporters accom-panying him on the plane from Rome that the "church is not a political power, it is not a party ... it is a moral reality, a moral power."

Yet the pope made it clear that he was not encouraging be-

See CHANGE, Page 1

Palm Sunday ushers us to Holy Week, the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ, the climax of the history of salvation and the greatest of the Christian feasts.

St. Paul’s 366 Days with the Lord

Pope Benedict XVI

“But Palm Sunday tells us that [...] it is the cross that is the true tree of life.”

TO K E N FA I T H

T O DAY !

Guam ArchdiocesanWorld Youth Day 2012

DATE Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012TIME

12Noon-7pm PLACE

Father Duenas Phoenix Center

See REFUGEES, Page 10

I N B R I E F

Sainthood Causes Advance for Boys Town Founder

U.S. Government and Contraception

Murder of Christians Continues in Iraq

E5: Husbands Fasting for Their Wives

Fr. Edward Flanagan declared a ‘servant of God’. PAGE 4

Catholic institutions forced into a national system for providing family planning. PAGE 6

Islamic extremist linked to murders. PAGE 11

E5 Man fasts for his bride as a way to imitate Jesus. PAGE 11

2 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012ARCHDIOCESAN

MATUNA SI YU’OSR O M A N C AT H O L I C N E W S PA P E R

is an entity of theArchdiocesan Development Group

207 Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores StreetHagåtña, Guam 96910

CONTACTPhone: 671.989.6391

Fax: 671.472.1729news@umatuna.org

The office of the U Matuna Si Yu’os is now located on the second floor of the

Dulce Nombre Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña.

PUBLISHERMost Reverend

Anthony Sablan ApuronO.F.M. Cap., D.D.

DIRECTORReverend Monsignor

James L.G. Benavente

STAFF

Luz S. Oberiano

EDITOR

Jeffrey L. Fitzgerald

GRAPHIC ARTIST& WEBMASTER

Sedrick S. Serisola

M I S S I O N

DID YOU KNOW ?

O N L I N E

The U Matuna Si Yu’os is published every week by the Archdiocese of Agaña,

Guam. Our mission is to print and distrib-ute a true report of the Roman Catholic

Church’s ministry of changing lives though the proclamation of the Gospel of

Jesus Christ. By offering news and commentary about

issues impacting the Catholic Church, it aims to serve as a focal point for the

expression and discussion of the Catholic faith on Guam.

U Matuna Si Yu’os is committed to bringing news to Catholics on Guam,

but without taking funds from the Archdiocese or its parishes. Please

support our advertisers who help make our weekly editions possible.

Connect with the U Matuna Si Yu’osby visiting our website at:

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NEWS DEADLINEDeadline for news stories and photos is noon Tuesday prior to the date of

publication. Please note that theU Matuna reserves the right to select and

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is 3 pm Tuesday prior to the date of publication. Camera-ready copy is due at the U Matuna Si Yu’os office no later

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STAY CONNECTEDWith Your Catholic Community

Listen to KOLG 24 hours a day on 90.9 FM (Sunday

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HAGATNA — For the 10th year in a row, Guam bankers will be the first in the United States to participate in National Teach Children to Save Day on April 24, 2012. And dozens of bankers from Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii, Citibank, ANZ Bank and the Association for Government Accountants are ex-pected to take part on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Invitations have also been sent to members of the Guam Legislature.

So far, 8 public and private schools (San Vicente, St. Anthony Catholic School, Bishop Baumgartner, DL Perez, Talofofo Elementary, Price Elemen-tary, Machanao Elementary and Ulloa Elementary) have confirmed their par-ticipation, for over 1,100 students to be reached that day.

For additional information, please contact Kebrina Duenas at 472-5236 or fax 477-6796.

Guam’s 10th Annual National Teach Children To Save Day

Bank of Guam’s Symon Madrazo at Bishop Baumgartner BOG photo

Local Bankers First in the U.S. to Teach Students on April 24

On February 29, 2012, the Fa-ther Dueñas Memorial School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) conducted its an-nual Area Manager’s Inspection. The purpose of this inspection, commonly dubbed AMI, is insuring that the NJROTC unit is function-ing properly and efficiently. Cap-tain Robert Gumpright, the Area 5 Manager, inspected each cadet’s personal appearance and military knowledge, as well as the unit’s lev-els of functionality, organization, and efficacy.

Following the Personnel In-spection, cadets assembled inside the Phoenix Center to demonstrate the traditional Military Pass-in-Review Ceremony. The festivities began with the arrival of the official party, signaled by the sound of a boatswain’s whistle and the forma-tion of the Arch of Swords which

was commanded by Honor Guard Commander Cadet Ensign Angelo Martinez. Vice Principal Mr. Tony Thompson, Captain Robert Gum-

pright, and Commander of the Joint Region Marianas Rear Admiral Paul J. Bushong were the official party. Under the leadership of Color Guard

Commander Cadet Chief Petty Of-ficer Jonathan Toves, the Color Guard presented colors while Mr. Ishmael Perez sang the National Anthem and the Guam Hymn. Then, Father Edwin delivered the Invocation. After the performance, Commanding Officer Cadet Com-mander Cody Lizama accompanied Rear Admiral Bushong in “trooping the line.” At the orders of Execu-tive Officer Cadet Lieutenant Com-mander Justin Brown, the Phoenix Company began the parade. As the Reviewing Officer, Rear Admiral Bushong saluted each Platoon and Special Drill Team as they passed the reviewing stand. On his re-marks, Captain Gumpright stated how he was pleased with the unit’s performance.

The Phoenix Company was awarded with the Area Thirteen Bravo Zulu Pennant, as testimony that their Personnel Inspection was outstanding.

FDMS NJROTC Phoenix Company Soars During Annual InspectionBy Val SeparaFor the U Matuna Si Yu’os

Photos courtesy of Val Separa

St. Thomas Captures 4th Straight Mock Trial Championship TitleOn March 28, the Mock Trial

team from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School defeated St. John’s in the finals of the high school Mock Trial competition. The final competition was held in the District Court of Guam before a panel which included Chief Judge Francis Tydingco-Gatewood, Jus-tice Robert Torres, Judge Jamie Canto and Guam Bar Association President Cynthia Ecube. This was the fourth year in a row that STA has won the island wide competi-tion and earned the honor of repre-senting Guam at the National High School Moot Court Competition, which will be held on May 7 -9 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The STA team consisted of Kyra Rocco, Janielle Cuala, Crystal Men-

doza, Mike Yoon, Audell Sabeti, Ashanti Mitchell, Daniel Liu and Stella Bae. STA was coached this year by Attorney Leslie Travis and Melissa Mendoza. Mock Trial is a demanding event; students spend more than 20 hours a week honing their skills as attorneys and wit-nesses while maintaining a mini-mum of a B average in their school work. The Team, Ms. Williams (the President), and Dr. Diambra-Odi (the Principal) expressed particular gratitude to Archbishop Anthony Apuron for his vision and his con-tinued support of STA, and to the Vicar General, Monsignor David C. Quitugua, his support of STA dur-ing the Archbishop’s recovery.

The school, which is Guam’s newest Catholic high school, is ded-

icated to promoting Catholic values in the pursuit of academic excel-lence. Since opening its doors in 2008, STA students have excelled in Guam and national competitions. A list of the student’s accomplish-ments in the past year is as follows:

� 2008-2012 STA Mock Trial Team (First Place – Guam and represented Guam at Nationals)

� 2011- STA National Mock Trial Competition, Whitney Quinley was awarded “Most Outstanding Attor-ney”, a distinction given to 9 out of over 100 of the very best attorneys in the national competition.

� 2011 - STA ACB Team ranked number four in the Guam High School Competitions.

� 2011 - First place in the 10th Grade Category of the American

Mathematical Competition, Guam Chapter.

� 2011 - First place in the Island-Wide Science Fair competition for High School Division (Winner will earn a trip to NASA in summer 2011 or to the International Science Fair Competition in Pittsburgh in March 2012).

� 2011- First place in Island-Wide Science Fair, Physical science Cat-egory.

� 2011 - Second place in Island-Wide Science Fair, Human and Medical Category.

� 2011- Second Place in UOG Mathematical Competition.

� 2011 - Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude in National Latin Exam.

� 2011 - Candidate for AP Scholar.

3www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 GOSPEL & REFLECTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF GUAM � Apr. 2-9: Holy Week, NO CLASSES � Apr. 3: Easter Liturgy, 8:30 am � Apr. 12: Early Dismissal, 1:45 pm;

Faculty Meeting, 2:00 pm � Apr. 19: Early Dismissal, 1:45 pm

Join the AOLG Advancing Women Educa-tionally (AWE) Program to help prepare for the G.E.D. test. Program open to women 18 years or older who do not have a high school diploma and who qualify. Classes to be held on Saturdays at AOLG campus. An appraisal test must be taken to determine math and language skills level prior to attending classes. For more information, contact Marilyn Magofna at 734-7407/email: tonlyn123@guam.net or call the school at 477-8203. Application available online at www.aolg.edu. Please visit the school’s website at www.aolg.edu.gu or call 477-8203 for more information.

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL � Apr. 2-9: Easter Break � Apr. 10: Classes resume � Apr. 24: Junior & Senior Prom � Apr. 21: Placement Test for Incoming

9th Graders 9 am - noon

MASS FOR AN INCREASEOF VOCATIONS All those interested in the vocation to the priesthood or religious life are invited to attend a weekly Mass for Vocations offered every Wednesday, at 7 pm at Santa Barbara Catholic Church. For more info, please contact Fr. Paul Gofigan at 488-0613. Those interested in the permanent diaconate ministry are also invited to attend.

GUAM ARCHDIOCESAN WORLD YOUTH DAY (AWYD 2012)AWYD 2012 will be held today (April 1) from 12noon-7pm at FD Phoenix Center & Our Lady of Peace & Safe Journey Catholic Church, Chalan Pago. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the event in one way or another, especially those who prayed for us, volunteered, or made donations for the event. Si Yu’os Ma’ase! May God Bless You Abundantly!

KOLG.9FM is temporarily not airing regular programming. We are currently upgrading our system. We regret the inconvenience. Si Yu’os Ma’ase for your patience and understanding.”

Please send all announcements to news@umatuna.org or contact

472-6201 or 989-6391.

S isters and Brothers: In his novel Exodus, Leon Uris re-counts how, one night when the Gestapo began rounding

up the Jews, a Jewish father gath-ered his family for the breaking of the Unleavened Bread. The man desperately called upon God to re-peat the wonders he did long ago in delivering the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt.

In the first Pass-over, the de-stroying an-gel “passed

over” the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, sparing them but striking down the Egyptians. Moses then commanded the Israelites to cel-ebrate the Passover as a perpetual ordinance.

Originally, the Passover was a pastoral festival celebrating the weaning of the flock in spring. Af-ter it was historicized, it became a celebration of the exodus which is symbolized by the Passover meal. In later years, when the Israelites would know other oppressions and exiles, there were yearnings for the celebration of the Passover in the land of promise. Through the cen-turies, the Passover has evolved from an old family celebration into a feast celebrated in the temple in Je-rusalem. After the exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple, it became the festival par excellence.

Jesus entry into Jerusalen which we recall today happened on the occasion of the feast of Passover, when the Jews in Palestine and in

the diaspora would flock to the city. The Last Supper that Jesus ate with his disciples on the eve of his death happened when the priests would sacrifice the Passover lamb in the temple. On that night Jesus cele-brated a new Passover, his “passing over” from this world to God by his passion, death and resurrection.

In the process we would make it possible for humankind to “pass over” from their enslavement to sin to a new life in God. Palm Sun-day ushers us to Holy Week, the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ, the climax of the history of salvation and the greatest of the Christian feasts. Blessed John Paul II tells us: “What God accomplished in Creation and wrought for his peo-ple in the Exodus has found its full-est expression in Christ’s Death and Resurrection although its definitive fulfillment will not come until the Parousia, when Christ returns in glory.

The Passion reading from Mark pictures to us the intense suffering of Jesus who dies bereft of the Fa-ther’s loving presence and who cries out in agony: “My God! My God! why have you forsaken me.” His trial, his torture, and his crucifixion remind us of the mysterious Suffering Ser-vant of God: “Like a lamb led to the

slaughter...he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and con-demned, he was taken away.” And yet, “it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings he endured.” St. Mark tells us plainly that though Je-sus showed himself as Son of God by his miracles, it was through obedi-ence to the Father, dying the death of a sinner abandoned by God, that he proved himself as the Son.

With Palm Sunday, we celebrate the beginning of our liberation from sin and death by uniting our lives to Christ crucified. But before we could wave palm branches of true victory, we have to go to Jesus “out-side the camp, bearing the reproach that he bore.”

This gospel reflection is taken from St. Paul’s 366 Days with the Lord. May your day be filled with love and may Almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pinagat Atsubispo Anthony Sablan Apuron, Kapuchinu

M ane’lu-hu: Gi tinige’ lep-blo Exodus, si Leon Uris ha kuenta hafa taimanu, un puengge anai i Ge-

stapo matutuhon marikohi i Man-hudios, un Hudios na tata ha rikohi i familiha-na para i ma’ipe’ i pan ni ti ma libadura. I taotao sen fehm-an ha agang si Yu’os para u ripiti i na’manman na checho’-na ni ha cho’gue gi manmaloffan na tiempo siha anai hana’fanlibre i Manisraeli-tas ginen i isklabun Ehipto.

Gi fine’nana na Pasgua, i man-distrorosa na anghet “ha’upus” i gima’ i Manisraelitas giya Ehipto, hana’fansafu siha lao hakastiga i Manehipto siha. Si Moises ha manda i Manisraelitas para u ma silebra i Pasgua komu taifinakpo na man-damiento. Gi tutuhon, i Pasgua un pastorat na gupot anai masilelebra i manmagunos i mangaga’ siha gi tiempon mananom. Despues di mafa’istoriha, mama’un silebra-sion i manmadestiladun-niha ni mama’simbulu gi senan Pasgua. Sakkan despues, anai i Manisraeli-tas matungo’ otro siha na hinne’nu yan dinistiladu, ma tatangga para ma silebra i Pasgua gi tano’ prume-sa.

Duranten i siklu siha, i Pasgua humuyong antiguyan na kustum-bren familiha na silibrasion guatu gi

gipot ni masilelebra gi templo giya Jerusalen. Despues di manmades-tiladun-niha guatu Babylon yan i maritokan i templo, humuyong un silibrasion ni sumen maolek.

I hinalom Jesu Kristo para Jeru-salen ni ta hahasso pago masusedi gi gipot Pasgua, anai i Manhudios giya Palestina yan i manmachalap-pon manetnon gi siudat. I Uttimu Sena ni ha silebra si Jesu Kristo yan i mandisipulu-na gi puengge antes di u matai masusedi anai i mamale’ ma sakrifisiu i kinilun Pasgua gi templo. Guihi na puengge , si Jesu Kristo ha silebra i nuebu na Pasgua, anai ha “upus” ginen este na tano’ asta as Yu’os ginen i minasapet-na, finatai-na yan lumala’-na ta’lo.

Gi este na fina’pos, hana’pusipble para todu taotao para “uma’upus” ginen i isklabun-niha gi isao guatu gi nuebu na lina’la’ as Yu’os. I Damenggon Ramos ha’esgagaihon i Simana Santa, i silibrasion i mis-teriun Pasguan Jesu Kristo, i pun-tan i istorihan satbasion yan i mas tatkilo’ entre i giput kilisyanu. I Bi’atu Juan Papblo Dos ha sangani hit’: “Hafa si Yu’os ha kumple gi

Nina’huyong ya ha cho’gue para i taotao-na gi Dinistiladu ha sodda i mas kabales na makumple’-na gi finatai yan kinahulu’ Jesu Kristo ta’lo, maseha i senmonhayan na makumple’-na ti u fatto asta i Par-ousia, anai u fatto ta’lo si Jesu Kristo gi gloria. I tinaitai put minasapet gi as San Marcos ha litratutuyi hit i mahattot na minasapet Jesu Kristo ni matai ma’abandona ni ginaigen i guaiyayon na Tata-na ya umagang huyong umagoninihas: “Yu’os-hu, Yu’os-hu hafa na un abandona yu!” I makotte-na, i mana’lamen-na, yan i maklaba-na hana’hahasso hit i mis-teriosu na Masasapet na Setbienten Yu’os: “Taiguihi i kinilu ni mako-konne’ para u ma punu’...sumilen-siu ya ni ta ha baba i pachot-na. Ma-honu’ yan makundena, makonne’ gue.” Lao, “i manmalangu-ta ha kakatga, i mina’sapet-ta ha sungon.”

Si San Marcos ha sangani hit kla-ru na maseha ha fa’nu’i hit si Jesu Kristo na guiya i Lahen Yu’os ginen i milagru-na siha, ginen i ubidiente-na as Tata-na, matai ni finatai i isao na taotao ni inabandona as Yu’os, nai ha prueba gue’ komu Lahen Yu’os.

Gi Damenggon Ramos, ta silel-ebra i tinituhon i manmana’libre-ta ginen i isao yan finatai gi mana’dana i lina’la’-ta yan si Jesu Kristo ni mak-laba. Lao antes di ta yengyong i pat-man ramos minagahet na ginana, debi di ta hanaogue’ si Jesu Kristo “gi hiyong i kampo, ta kakatga i marichasa-na ni ha katga.”

Este na pinagat machuchule’ ginen i Lepblon San Papblo 366 Di-has yan i Saina. Ohalara ya u bula guinaiya i ha’anen-miyu ya i todu hana’sina na Tata infambinendisi gi na’an i Tata yan i Lahi-na yan i Es-piritu Santo. Amen.

Ibangheliu (Matkos 11:1-10)

A nai manguaguaguatu para Jerusalen, gi fi’on Bethpage yan Bethania na songsong manmatto gi

Eksu’ Olibas. Ha na’hanao si Jesus dos na disipulu-na mofo’na yan este na tinago’-na. “Hanao para I seng-song ni gaige tunas gi me’nan-miyu, ya gigon humalom hamyo siempre in sedda’ guenao magogodde un tatneru ni taya’ nai guaha ma’udai. Pila’ ya in kenne’ magi. Yanggen guaha umalok nu hamyo, “Hafa na inche’che’gue enao? Sangani, ‘Hanisisita I Ma’estro lao siempre ha nana’lu’ insigidas.” Entonses hu-manao I dos, ya masodda’ I tatneru magogodde gi chalan gi kanton I tranka; ma pula’ I gedde. Guaha tumohtohge gi uriya umalok nu siha. “Hafa hinasson-mimiyu na in pipila’ I tatneru?” Ma oppe taimanu ha’ I I mansinangani siha as Jesus, ya mansinetta ha’ siha nu I tao-tao. Makonne’ I tatneru guatu as Jesus ya matampe I tatalo’-na nu I magagon-niha, ya mata’chong gue’ guenao. Meggai na taotao mahutu I magagon-niha gi chalan, mien-tras otro siha machalapon I karisu ni manma’utot gi gualo’. Ayu siha I manmofo’na yan kun todu ayu siha I manatatte mane’essalao: “Uma-tuna si Yu’os! Umatuna gue’ ni ma-mamaila’ gi na’an I Saina! Umatuna I rainon I tata-ta as David ni para u fatto! Si Yu’os u sinatba gue’ ginen hilu’!”

ARCHBISHOPAnthony Sablan Apuron,O.F.M. Cap., D.D.

TODAY’S GOSPELMark 11:1-10

With Palm Sunday, we celebrate the beginning of our liberation from sin and

death by uniting our lives to Christ crucified.

I M P O R TA N T E V E N T S !

Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking:Contact 477-9079 / 477-2304 for more information.

� April 13, 2012 – Southern Christian Academy � April 15, 2012 – St. Jude CCD Confirmation Class � April 21, 2012 – Astumbo Elementary School � April 23, 2012 – UOG Student Services Office � April 27, 2012 – Youth for Youth LIVE! Guam

Other Community Events:

� March 28-30, 2012 – 2012 Social Work Training Conference � April 18, 2012 – UOG Alcohol Screening Day � Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month – Survivors’ of Suicide Support Group - DMHSA PEACE office (Hagatna) - Call 477-9079 for more information

PLACE DONORSAMOUNT

REPORTEDAMOUNT

TURNED IN

Asan 9 $410.00 $410.00

Dededo $2,629.25 $2629.25

Umatac 2 $225.00 $225.00

TOTAL 11 $3,264.25 $3264.25

Catholic Charities Appeal Archdiocese of Agana, Guam 2012

4 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012www.umatuna.org CHURCH & SOCIETY

ITE MISSA EST

From the Mass to the Market: Engaging the World Beyond the Church Doors

As most of us know by now, the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious free-dom is being invoked by our Church leaders to challenge President Obama’s contraceptive mandate. What you probably haven’t heard is that we have no constitutional basis for doing so, and if brought before the court, we would lose such a challenge.

At least that is the opinion of Bishop Thomas Curry of Los Angeles, an historian and First Amendment scholar - an opinion of course that is complete-ly out of step with Car-dinal Dolan and the rest of the USCCB who have pinned their hopes for a wider exemption from the mandate on the basis that it violates religious freedom.

Curry opined in a recent speech given at Catholic University that the contraceptive mandate is NOT unconstitutional because it does not target a specific religion. The fact that Catholics feel targeted is simply due to the fact that the Catholic Church is the only major reli-gion which prohibits deliberate contraceptive acts. But the Catholic Church would have no more First Amendment standing against the mandate than Jehovah Witnesses had against serving in the military during the days of a mandated draft.

As you may recall, JW’s and other con-scientious objectors, while they could be ex-empted from military service, were not ex-empt from the penalty for not serving. Some were given alternative community tasks, others were assigned to non-combat duty, and still others, as in the famous Muhammed Ali case, were sentenced to prison. Under the mandate, Catholics are free to avoid the man-date by not purchasing health insurance, but they would still be liable for the penalty for not doing so as were conscientious objectors to the military draft.

Also, Catholic leaders seem to have for-gotten that there is no blanket guarantee of religious liberty in America, and indeed, we may not want one. In 1878, the Supreme Court ruled that George Reynolds, a Mormon, did

not have a First Amendment right to marry more than one wife, despite the dictates of his religion, and was sent to jail for doing so. The Catholic Church did not protest and today would still support the state’s right to penalize polygamists.

While the Mormon church has since changed its teaching on plural marriage, Islam has not. Islam teaches that a man can have up to four wives. Will we be expecting the U.S. bishops to demand religious liberty for Ameri-can Muslims in that regard? Islam also teaches honor killings and the killing of converts to Christianity (though not all hold to it). Any calls for religious liberty here?

What about religious liberty for Wiccans and other neo-pagan religions? There is al-ready a Wiccan shrine, built at taxpayer ex-pense, on the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and a taxpayer funded witch min-istry to see to the spiritual needs of Wiccan cadets. Do we....should we support religious liberty for the religious practices of witch-craft-related and other pagan religions? I think not, but this is where the religious liber-ty argument will take us, and I think that this is precisely where President Obama is allow-ing it - if not wanting it - to go (for the purposes of a much larger social engineering agenda).

Also Catholics seem to have forgotten that religious liberty, as an established doctrine, only dates back to Vatican II. Prior to that, Ca-tholicism had gradually incorporated a prag-matic approach to religious tolerance, but the Church historically not only condemned and persecuted what it deemed to be heresy, it condemned and persecuted heretics as well.

It makes me wonder if Obama isn’t waiting for just the right moment to bring up the In-quisitions, the Crusades, and the decimation of native New World populations by (Spanish-Catholic) Conquistadors. And let’s not forget that for centuries Christianity did not con-demn slavery but in fact commanded slaves to obey their masters. (Something that we will look into another time but has already been floated by media mongers.) I can hear Obama scoffing (with the god-like reverb that seems to accompany all his speeches): “Catholics? Religious liberty? Come on, give me a break!” - and then roars of approval and thunderous applause. Scary.

The truth about those things and how the Church actually intervened to tame the excesses of what were essentially state-spon-sored ventures (at least in the case of the In-quisitions, the conquest of the New World, and slavery) won’t matter. Perception is ev-erything, and the Church, still limping from its clergy sex abuse wound, will be blasted out of the public arena by the Obamanites as Jew-burning, Indian-killing, Muslim-brutalizing,

slavery-advocating, child-molesting, woman-subjugating, medieval pretenders to religious freedom. And we are marching right into this with signs held high!

The absolutely amazing thing is that the USCCB’s cry for religious freedom is not even necessary. Obama, unintentionally perhaps, has already given the bishops all the exemp-tion they need. Let’s review:

The mandate exempts religious employers and defines a religious employer as: (1) has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; (2) primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; (3) primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and (4) is a non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code...

Most Catholic organizations already qual-ify under the IRS code, so let’s look at the others. (1) What is keeping the bishops from simply stating that all of its institutions, its hospitals, schools, clinics, orphanages, etc., have “the inculcation of religious values as its purpose”? Do we not exist first and foremost to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed?

Incredibly, one of the arguments proffered by the USCCB leadership has been that not even Jesus, since he cared for everyone, would qualify for the exemption. This amazing state-ment presupposes that Jesus’s primary pur-pose was to heal the sick, not save them! That we can even float this argument with any de-gree of seriousness from the official rostrum of the USCCB is an indication of just how far our commitment to social justice has gone to replace our duty to save souls.

As for (2) employing or (3) serving people who share our religious tenets we can simply say “we don’t know” and shift the burden of proof to the government. A religious employer can no more determine the level of adherence in the heart of an employee or patient to its church’s religious tenets than could a priest determine the level of adherence to Catholic religious tenets in the hearts of those who reg-ularly attend Sunday Mass. And the govern-ment would have no means of doing so either.

In fact, this is Bishop Curry’s point. After stating that the imposition of the contracep-tive mandate is not in itself unconstitutional, Curry points out that the language of the ex-emption in which Obama attempts to define what constitutes a religious employer is the part of the mandate that IS unconstitutional. For not only does the President NOT have the authority to define what constitutes a reli-gious employer, he neither has the authority to measure whether or not, or to what degree, a person employed or served by a religious in-stitution subscribes to its religious tenets.

Imagine the conundrum. A non-Catholic

patient in a Catholic hospital responds to his government interrogator: “Yes, I believe in the Trinity, that Jesus Christ is God, that he died for my sins and opened the gates of heaven, and that he established his Church on earth. It could be the Catholic Church. I’m not sure yet. I’m looking into it.” Or imagine a Catholic working at a Catholic university saying “Yes, I believe in the Catholic Church as the true Church but I don’t go along with the Church’s teaching on divorce and birth control.”

In short, the exemption is impossible to police and the USCCB, in barking about reli-gious freedom, is simply barking up the wrong tree. But to change course and exploit the ex-emption the bishops would have to say that the primary purpose of every Catholic institu-tion is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that while they would like to be able to deter-mine the level of adherence to that Gospel by the people they employ and serve, they have no means of doing so.

By merely stating so, Obama and his con-traceptive-sterility-mad matron (Sibelius) could not touch the Church. However, the fact that it appears that we have either not thought of this, or there is in fact a reluctance to claim our institutions and our work for Jesus Christ, is evidence that our Church may have bigger problems than Obama.

That said, regardless of how the Church fairs in its stand-off over the exemption, the rest of us who are not directly in the employ of the Church, are already being forced to fund, through our insurance premiums, the evil that our Church condemns.

For the rest of us, our only hope is for the individual (not the contraceptive) mandate to be declared unconstitutional (the case is being heard as of this writing), and barring that, the election of a president and a congress who are committed to the repeal of the whole Obam-acare monstrosity - for it contains many other such death-driven surprises.

Meanwhile, let us hope that our own Arch-diocese will claim that all of its institutions have “the inculcation of its religious values as its purpose” and in so doing avoid having to fund the evil our Church rejects. The rest of us will just have to look out for ourselves. But we can at least make sure that the congressio-nal candidate of our choosing this November is committed to the death of this whole evil edict. We shall see.This column reflects only the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff and management of the Umatuna. Hyper-links to supporting data can be found on the online version at www.themassneverends.com The author can be contacted at timrohr.guam@gmail.com or “friended at facebook.com/tim-rohr.guam

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

By Tim Rohr

(CNS) OMAHA, Neb. — Father Edward Fla-nagan was declared a “servant of God” during a Mass March 17 at Immaculate Conception Church at Boys Town as the Archdiocese of Omaha formally opened the cause for saint-hood for the founder of the home for troubled youths.

Omaha Archbishop George J. Lucas presid-ed at the liturgy and Father Steven Boes, ex-ecutive director of Boys Town, concelebrated and was homilist.

During his homily, Father Boes sat in front

of the altar with several Boys Town residents gathered around him, and he described the early days of Father Flanagan’s ministry in downtown Omaha in the early 1900s.

Directing the sermon at the youths, he said Father Flanagan helped children in need, and the internationally known ministry that stands as his legacy continues to do the same work.

Alluding to the clerical sex abuse scandal, Father Boes said the cause for Father Flana-gan’s sainthood appeared to be happening at an opportune time for the church, which some have perceived in a negative light be-cause of the evil actions of a few priests who

have hurt children.“The church needs to hold up people who

held children up,” Father Boes said.At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Lu-

cas formally opened the cause for sainthood, which included the archbishop and five mem-bers of a tribunal taking oaths of secrecy and a promise to faithfully execute their duties as they review Father Flanagan’s life and works. Six people forming theological and historical commissions created for the cause of canon-ization also took oaths, with each placing one hand on Father Flanagan’s personal Bible.

Sainthood Causes Advance for Boys Town Founder, Other AmericansBy Lisa MaxsonCatholic News Service

See SAINTHOOD, Page 5

Father Edward Flanagan, founder

of Boys Town, is pictured in an

undated file photo. The Irish priest,

who died in 1948, devoted his life to

the care of troubled and abandoned

boys. CNS Photo

5www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 CHURCH & SOCIETY

Father Flanagan’s was not the only U.S. sainthood cause to advance in recent weeks. Among the other developments:

The Vatican is reviewing documents that would allow the cause of sainthood to go forward for Cora Evans, a wife, mother, and possible mystic who was baptized Catholic in 1935 after becoming disillusioned with the Mormon faith.

The Diocese of Allentown, Pa., reported that the Vatican has given its formal approval for the canonization process to begin for Jesu-it Father Walter Ciszek, a U.S.-born priest who spent many years in Soviet labor camps and ministered clandestinely among the Siberian population after his release.

The Diocese of Raleigh, N.C., opened the diocesan phase of the canonization cause of Maryknoll co-founder Father Thomas Fred-erick Price March 9. The cause was originally introduced in the Archdiocese of Hong Kong, where Father Price died, but was transferred to the Archdiocese of New York, where the majority of the documentation regarding his life is located, and then to North Carolina, where he was born and spent 25 years in mis-sionary work.

Evans, who died in Boulder Creek, Calif., on March 30, 1957, reported visions of Jesus and the saints and a mission from Jesus to promote the “mystical humanity of Christ,” the idea that Christ is always within us and we should behave always as Christ would, said Mike McDevitt, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Pillar in Half Moon Bay, Calif., who is the promoter of Evans’ cause of sainthood. The spirituality is also focused on praying the Mass.

Evans’ two children were baptized with her in Ogden, Utah, and her husband, Mack, became Catholic shortly afterward, with many family and friends following her from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said McDevitt. Born in 1904, she moved to Southern California in 1941 and to Boulder Creek in 1956.

“Cora loved the Mormons. She considered the Mormons her heritage people,” McDevitt told Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper. “She wanted them to know who Jesus was and she wanted them to have the Eucharist. She prayed for Mormons.”

Evans rejected the Mormon faith in 1924, for what she considered to be false teachings about God, and began a 10-year search for the true religion, according to a biography pre-sented to the Vatican by the Diocese of Mon-terey in February 2011.

She became Catholic shortly after listen-ing to the Catholic radio hour on Dec. 9, 1934, when she was too sick to change the station

despite a great aversion to Catholicism, McDe-vitt said. She went to nearby St. Joseph Catho-lic Church with questions because what she heard was nothing like what she had been taught about Catholicism, he said. She was baptized March 30, 1935.

Jesus and many saints reportedly ap-peared multiple times to Evans, according to the two-page chronology sent by Monterey Bishop Richard J. Garcia to the Vatican Con-gregation for Saints’ Causes.

In Father Ciszek’s cause, the Allentown Diocese said materials and documentation sent to the Vatican in 2006 included testimo-ny from 45 witnesses, the Jesuit’s published and unpublished works, and transcription of hundreds of his handwritten documents.

An additional 4,000 pages of documenta-tion from the Jesuit archives in the U.S. and Rome, the original store of documents ar-chived at the Father Ciszek Center in Shenan-doah, Pa., and other important documents obtained from state records in Russia were sent to the Vatican in 2011.

Father Ciszek volunteered to work in Po-land in 1939 and fled to the Soviet Union dur-ing World War II. Captured by the Soviets as a suspected spy, he was interrogated for years at Moscow’s notorious Lubianka prison, then sent to a Siberian labor camp. After his re-lease years later, he lived and worked in small towns in Siberia, where he heard confessions and celebrated Mass, at risk of being discov-ered and executed.

Presumed dead by his fellow Jesuits, the priest was released in 1963 in a prisoner ex-change negotiated by President John F. Ken-nedy. He later wrote “With God in Russia,” an account of his years in the Soviet Union, and “He Leadeth Me,” his spiritual memoirs.

Father Price, who co-founded the Catho-lic Foreign Mission Society of America, also called Maryknoll, with Father James A. Walsh in 1911, was the first native-born priest from North Carolina.

SainthoodCONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

lievers to withdraw into a private kind of piety uninvolved with worldly affairs.

"The first job of the church is to educate consciences," he said, "both in individual eth-ics and public ethics."

Christian hope, the pope told an audi-ence that included Mexican President Felipe Calderon, does not merely console the faith-ful with the promise of personal immortality.

The theological virtue of hope, he said, inspires Catholics to "transform the present structures and events that are less than satis-factory and seem immovable or insurmount-able, while also helping those who do not see

meaning or a future in life."The practical expression of this inspira-

tion, the pope said, is the church's extensive charitable activities, which help "those who suffer from hunger, lack shelter, or are in need in some way in their life."

That point seemed particularly relevant to the second half of Pope Benedict's Latin America visit, to Cuba March 26-28, where he was to mark the 400th anniversary of the country's Virgin of Charity of El Cobre.

Catholic charities in Cuba have become notably active in recent years, sometimes in cooperation with agencies of the state. After half a century of communist government and decades of official atheism there, Pope Benedict could hardly find more powerful evidence for the inadequacy of secular solu-tions than the church's growing role in caring for Cuba's poor.

ChangeCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Father Steven Boes, executive director of Boys Town, is surrounded by young Boys Town residents as he gives his homily during Mass March 17 at Immaculate Conception Church at Boys Town, Neb. CNS Photo

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As the end of his two-term presi-dency approached in 1960, Dwight Eisenhower looked at the idea that the government should promote birth control and said it wasn’t good. Family planning was no business of the American government, Eisen-hower pronounced.

What a difference a half-centu-ry makes. Back then, Catholic op-position was the chief obstacle to government involvement in family planning. Today, a different presi-dent wants to force Catholic institu-tions into a national system for pro-viding family planning.

Lobbying effortsNumbers illustrate the change.

According to a 2008 study, public spending for family planning “cli-ent services” in the United States totaled $1.85 billion in fiscal 2006, with Medicaid accounting for 71 per-cent of that figure and other federal programs for much of the rest. Infla-tion-adjusted public funding rose 18 percent between fiscal 1980 and fis-cal 2006, although there have been some cutbacks since.

Now President Barack Obama proposes co-opting Church-spon-sored schools, hospitals and chari-ties as elements of a national health care program for covering not only contraceptives — as the media regu-larly report — but also sterilization and abortioninducing drugs, some-thing the media often leave out.

This shift is a result not only of a cultural revolution but of maneu-vering over many years by the birth controlabortion lobby, government officials and major foundations — with assistance sometimes coming from within the Catholic commu-nity.

In the early 1960s, family plan-ning’s relationship to the federal government was that of an outsid-er looking in. After a presidential commission headed by investment banker and Planned Parenthood enthusiast William H. Draper Jr. proposed government support for birth control, President Eisenhower issued his no.

The Catholic Church was consid-ered the chief opponent. Yet a 1953 poll had found 53 percent of Ameri-can Catholics in favor of the idea. Opinion on what to do was divided within the National Catholic Welfare Conference, predecessor of today’s U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The abbreviated presidency of John F. Kennedy brought private talks between administration of-ficials and family planning groups, but the big change set in with the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. Two

Catholic administration officials, Jo-seph Califano and Kennedy brother-in-law R. Sargent Shriver, were as-signed to cultivate the bishops.

Catholic complicityTracing these events in his book

“Intended Consequences” (Oxford University Press, $60), historian Donald T. Critchlow says leaders of the campaign to get the government into birth control were “upperclass, Protestant, and white.”

A major object of their efforts was the Catholic Church, where there al-ready were efforts to persuade Pope Paul VI to say yes to birth control in his forthcoming encyclical on the subject. The encyclical, Humanae Vitae (“Of Human Life”), appeared in 1968 and condemned artificial contraception. But by 1965, Catholic support for government birth con-trol had reached 78 percent.

Helping the process along was a series of off-the-record conferences sponsored at the University of Notre Dame from 1963 to 1967 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, with the cooperation of Notre Dame pres-ident Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., and his assistant, George Shuster.

These talks brought together liberal Catholic academics, Planned Parenthood officials and leaders from the foundation world like John D. Rockefeller III, a determined sup-porter of contraception and, later, abortion. Participants understood from the start that, in Critchlow’s words, they “were coming together to formulate an acceptable liberal position for the church on family planning.”

Turning pointPresident Johnson’s 1965 State

of the Union address marked major turning point. In it Johnson called population growth an international problem that needed addressing, and soon the U.S. Agency for In-ternational Development was in-troducing family planning into its overseas programs. At home, birth control became a major component of Johnson’s War on Poverty.

Concern for the poor moved the Catholic hierarchy to support the anti-poverty campaign while mut-ing opposition to family planning. The bishops merely insisted that it should be “non-coercive,” with oth-er methods besides contraception also available.

By the time Johnson left office in 1969, Critchlow says, a sea change in government policy had occurred.

It continued and expanded in the Nixon years. In one high-visi-bility incident, President Richard Nixon, with an eye on the Catholic vote, publicly repudiated the final report of a presidential commission on population headed by Rockefell-er. At the same time, though, Nixon pressed ahead with family plan-ning. In 1970, it was a $32.8 million federal budget item, but by 1975 the figure had jumped to $159.7 million.

Shifting prioritiesBy now, too, Catholic opposition

to government birth control had wilted, with attention — and opposi-tion— shifting to abortion, which the Supreme Court had declared legal in its Roe v. Wade decision of 1973.

After Roe, the bishops worked harder — and much more success-fully — to mobilize opposition to abortion than they’d done a decade earlier in the case of birth control. But family planning was firmly es-tablished as an instrument of gov-ernment policy by now both over-seas and at home.

Memories of this less-than-glo-rious history, involving an earlier generation of the hierarchy, may be among the reasons for the bishops’ firm resistance now to Obama’s plan for making Church-related institu-tions elements of his system of man-dated health coverage for birth con-trol, sterilization and abortifacients.

Newly-named Archbishop Wil-liam E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB religious liberty com-mittee, says the bishops “will not rest” until protection under the law is guaranteed to the Church and institutions. If the story of govern-ment involvement in family plan-ning is any indication, the bishops may not be getting much rest.Russell Shaw is an OSV contributing editor.

How U.S. Government Got Tied Up with Contraception

By Russell ShawOSV Newsweekly

In many cases, the shift toward family planning came through the assistance of Catholic groups

(CNA) WASHINGTON D.C. — Egypt is still among the world’s worst violators of religious free-dom, according to a U.S. commis-sion whose 2012 report has named it as a “country of particular con-cern” for the second year in a row.

“In Egypt, an epicenter of the Arab Spring, hope turned to dis-may, as human rights conditions, particularly religious freedom abuses, worsened dramatically under military rule,” the U.S. Com-mission on International Religious Freedom stated in its report re-leased March 20.

The report covers the period from April 1, 2011 – two months after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned – to Feb. 29, 2012. Other countries cited for violations during the same period include Burma, China, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, and Vietnam.

During the reporting period, the commission found that Egyp-tian authorities “continued to prosecute and sentence citizens charged with blasphemy and al-lowed official media to incite vio-lence against religious minority members, while failing to protect them or to convict responsible par-ties.”

According to the commission, the police and courts “fostered a climate of impunity in the face of

repeated attacks against Coptic Christians and their churches.” In October 2011, security forces were accused of shooting Coptic pro-testers during street clashes that left at least 24 people dead and 200 injured.

Last year’s report marked Egypt’s first appearance on the list of countries singled out for concern by the government commission, which maintains a list of countries found to have “engaged in or toler-ated systematic and egregious vio-lations” of religious liberty.

He described religious freedom as “inseparable” from other civil rights, noting that it is often “the first human right threatened by tyranny.”

During 2011, the commission’s own work was threatened when a bill reauthorizing its existence was stalled in Congress. Accord-ing to CQ Weekly, which reports on developments in Congress, the re-authorization stalled because of a “hold” placed on it by Richard Durbin (D-Ill.).

The last-minute re-authori-zation, passed in December 2011, established term limits and travel restrictions on the commission-ers. Its provisions called for five of the nine commission members to resign their positions on March 21, one day after the release of its 2012 report.

Egypt Remains On U.S. List of Worst Religious Freedom Violators

People rally for the protection of religious liberty March 23 in downtown Phoenix. CNS Photo

7www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012

8 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012www.umatuna.org

Holy Week Parish Lenten SchedulesAgana Barrigada Dededo

Sinajana

Inarajan

Tumon

Yona

Chalan Pago

Toto

Santa Rita

Dulce Nombre deMaria Cathedral – Basilica

San Vicente Ferrer / San Roke Catholic Church

Santa BarbaraCatholic Church

St. JudeCatholic Church

St. JosephCatholic Church

Blessed Diego Luis deSan Vitores Church

St. FrancisCatholic Church

Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey Catholic Church

ImmaculateHeart of Mary

Our Ladyof Guadalupe

Wednesday, April 46:30pm Mass of Blessing of the Oils

Holy Thursday, April 57:00pm Mass of the Last Supper

Good Friday, April 61:00pm Solemn Stations of the Cross1:30pm Seven Last Words of Christ 3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday Holy Saturday, April 78:00pm EASTER VIGIL

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 85:45am, 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30amNo 7:00pm Mass

Holy Thursday, April 56:00am Morning Prayer (No Mass)7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper - The Monumento (Chapel of Reposition) Will remain open for Adoration until 12:00 midnight

Good Friday, April 66:00am Morning Prayer (No Mass)1:00pm Seven Last Words of Christ2:00pm Solemn Stations of the Cross3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday (Procession after service)

Holy Saturday, April 76:00am Morning Prayer7:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 86:00am, 7:30am, 8:30am(San Ramon Chapel), 10:00am

Monday of Holy Week, April 26:00am and 7:00pm Masses

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 36:00am and 7:00pm Masses7:00pm Baptism Instruction for parents and sponsors who will be baptizing their child on Easter Sunday

Wednesday of Holy Week, April 46:00am MassNo 7:00pm Mass The faithful are encouraged to attendthe Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30pm

Holy Thursday, April 5No 6am Mass7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Triduum begins)

Good Friday, April 6 No Masses this day12noon Stations of the Cross and other devotional prayers3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday. Vigil will conclude at 10:00pm

Holy Saturday, April 7 No Masses, No Baptism

EASTER SUNDAY Mass, April 8 8:00am

Monday & Tuesday of HolyWeek, April 2 and 37:00pm Mass

Holy Thursday, April 57:00pm MassAdoration of the Blessed Sacramentwill begin immediately after the massand will end at 12:00 midnight Good Friday, April 63:00pm Liturgy of Good FridayAdoration of the Dead Christ willbegin immediately after the serviceand will end at 12:00 midnight Holy Saturday, April 77:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 88:30am and 10:30am

Holy Thursday, April 56:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday, April 67:00am Stations of the Cross2:30pm Seven Last Words of Christ3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday

Holy Saturday, April 78:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass EASTER SUNDAY MASS, April 88:00am

Saturday, March 315:30pm Anticipated Mass

Palm Sunday of the Lord’sPassion, April 17:00am Mass9:00am Mass

Monday & Tuesday of Holy Week,April 2 and 35:00pm-5:55pm Confessions6:00pm Mass

No Parish Mass on Wednesday, Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30pm

Holy Thursday, April 46:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Church will remain open for

Adoration until 11:00pm

Good Friday, April 52:00pm Rosary and Stations of the Cross3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday Church will remain open for

prayer until 7:00pm

Holy Saturday, April 67:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses: The Resurrection of the Lord, April 77:00am and 9:00am

Monday thru Wednesday ofHoly Week, April 2, 3, & 47:00am Mass Wednesday of Holy Week, April 46:30pm Chrism Mass at the Cathedral

Monday of Holy Week, April 25:20pm Stations of the Cross6:00pm Mass6:45pm Confessions

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 35:20pm Stations of the Cross6:00pm Mass

Wednesday of Holy Week, April 46:30pm Chrism Mass at Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica No Parish Mass at Our Lady of Peace

Holy Thursday, April 57:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper8pm-12midnight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Good Friday, April 62:00pm Rosary, Stations of the Cross, I Sieti Na Finiho (‘Seven Last Words’)3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday & Santo Interu Procession

Holy Saturday, April 78:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 86:30am and 10am

Monday & Tuesday of HolyWeek, April 2 and 35:15am & 5:15pm Daily Rosary5:30am & 5:30pm Stations of the Cross5:45am Morning Prayer and Mass6:00pm Mass

Holy Thursday, April 5 6:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Holy Saturday, April 79:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 86:00am and 9:30am

Wednesday of Holy Week, April 45:15am Daily Rosary5:30am Stations of the Cross5:45am Morning Prayer and Mass No Parish Mass – Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30pm

Good Friday, April 6 5:00am Village Stations of the Cross12noon Stations of the Cross1:00pm Seven Last Words of Christ2:00pm Passion of Our Lord3:00pm Divine Mercy Novena

Holy Thurday, April 56:00am Tenebrea (Morning Prayer)6:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament immediately after mass12midnight Closing of the Church

Good Friday, April 66:00am Tenebrea (Morning Prayer)1:00pm Seven Last Words of Christ1:30pm Stations of the Cross3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday and Procession Veneration immediately after the Mass9:00pm Closing of the Church

Holy Saturday, April 76:00am Tenebrea (Morning Prayer)8:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 8No 6:00am Mass8:00am and 10:00am

** Schedules were not provided from the following parishes: Agana Heights, Malojloj, Merizo/Umatac, Ordot, Piti, Tamuning, and Talofo

Visit our website, umatuna.org to download printable versions of the Holy Week Parish Lenten Schedules

9www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012

Holy Week Parish Lenten SchedulesMangilaoMaina

Yigo

Inarajan

Tumon

Yona

Santa TeresitaChurch

Our Lady ofPurification

Our Lady of Lourdes and Santa Bernadita Chapel

St. JosephCatholic Church

Blessed Diego Luis deSan Vitores Church

St. FrancisCatholic Church

Monday of Holy Week, April 25:30pm Stations of the Cross6:00pm Mass

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 35:30pm Stations of the Cross6:00pm Mass6:30pm Confessions

No Parish Mass on Wednesday;Mass of Chrism at the Cathedral at 6:30pm

Holy Thursday, April 57:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Adoration until midnight

Good Friday, April 61:00pm Devotional Prayers2:00pm Living Stations of the Cross (Youth)3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday Church will remain open until 10:00pm

Holy Saturday, April 77:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 86:00am, 8:00am, 10:30am (No 6pm Mass)

Monday of Holy Week, April 25:00pm Mass

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 35:00pm Mass5:30-7pm Confessions

No Parish Mass, Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30pm

Holy Thursday, April 56:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday, April 61:00pm Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words of Christ), Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and Divine Mercy3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday

Holy Saturday, April 77:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY MASS, April 8 8:00am

Monday of Holy Week, April 2 Tuesday of Holy Week, April 36:00am Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes 6:00am Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes6:00pm Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes 6:00pm Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes6:30pm Mass, Santa Bernadita Chapel 6:30am Mass, Santa Bernadita Chapel

Wednesday of Holy Week, April 4 Holy Thursday, April 56:00am Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes No Morning Mass 6:30pm Chrism Mass at the Cathedral 6:00am Morning Prayer, Our Lady of Lourdes 7:00pm Liturgy of the Last Supper, Our Lady of Lourdes 7:00pm Liturgy of the Last Supper, Santa Bernadita Chapel

Holy Saturday, April 7 6:00am Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes 8:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes 9:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass, Santa Bernadita Chapel

Holy Thursday, April 56:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday, April 67:00am Stations of the Cross2:30pm Seven Last Words of Christ3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday

Holy Saturday, April 78:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass EASTER SUNDAY MASS, April 88:00am

Saturday, March 315:30pm Anticipated Mass

Palm Sunday of the Lord’sPassion, April 17:00am Mass9:00am Mass

Monday & Tuesday of Holy Week,April 2 and 35:00pm-5:55pm Confessions6:00pm Mass

No Parish Mass on Wednesday, Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 6:30pm

Holy Thursday, April 46:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Church will remain open for

Adoration until 11:00pm

Good Friday, April 52:00pm Rosary and Stations of the Cross3:00pm Liturgy of Good Friday Church will remain open for

prayer until 7:00pm

Holy Saturday, April 67:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAY Masses: The Resurrection of the Lord, April 77:00am and 9:00am

Monday thru Wednesday ofHoly Week, April 2, 3, & 47:00am Mass Wednesday of Holy Week, April 46:30pm Chrism Mass at the Cathedral

Holy Thursday, April 5 6:00pm Mass Immediately after the Mass,the Veneration and Adoration ofJesus in the Monument

Good Friday, April 6 1:00pm Seven Last Words of Jesus and Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother2:00pm Stations of the Cross3:00pm Passion of Christ and Communion Service followed by the Procession

Holy Saturday, April 77:00pm EASTER VIGIL Mass

EASTER SUNDAYMasses, April 88:00am and 10:30am

Good Friday, April 6 No Morning Mass 7:00am Village Stations of the Cross Please meet at Santa Bernadita Chapel for 1st Station, Location: Agafa Gumas Area Note: Will begin at Santa Bernadita Chapel then proceed to the 2nd through the 13th stations and then to the Chapel for the final Station of the Cross Please bring: Rosary and Water

3:00pm Veneration of the Cross, Our Lady of Lourdes3:00pm Veneration of the Cross, Santa Bernadita Chapel

EASTER SUNDAY Masses, April 8: Our Lady of Lourdes Church6:00am, 7:45am, 9:30am, 11:15am, 1:00pm, and 6:00pm

Santa Bernadita Chapel: 6:00am, 7:30am, and 9:00am

10 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012www.umatuna.org REGIONAL

(UCA News) Coadjutor Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou and his chancellor Fa-ther Paul Jiang Sunian were spirited away this week to attend “learning classes,” sources say.

Bishop Shao, 49, was appointed by the Holy See in to lead Wenzhou’s “underground” community in 2007 and is not recognized by the government. He and Fr Jiang were taken on Monday.

If Bishop Shao and Father Jiang are “in-telligent enough in their learning,” they will be allowed back soon; if not, they will be de-tained longer, local Church sources quoted government officials as saying. “This implies their release depends on whether they accept the government’s religious policies,” one of the sources said.

Among 17 underground priests, a few of them have been summoned to meet with religious officials in the past two days, the sources said.

Some were told to remain behind while others were allowed to return home the same day, they added.

Though no official reasons have been giv-

en, the sources suspect the recent events may be linked to the secret episcopal ordination in Tianshui diocese in Gansu province last year.

Government officials are investigating who was involved in the ordination, they said.

Bishop John Wang Ruowang of Tianshui was taken away for “learning classes” at an undisclosed location in January.

A Church observer who asked not to be named said China’s religious policy is “mov-ing backwards” and is reflected in the current situation with the Catholic Church and with the 30 Tibetan monks and nuns who have self-immolated in the fight for religious free-dom. The spate of detentions of underground clergy since the fall of last year was a decision coming from the government, he noted.

On March 2, a bureau chief of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China told a joint meeting of leaders of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of the Catho-lic Church in China that he hoped the two Church bodies could do a good job in “con-verting the underground community.”

(UCA News) The Vietnamese Church is working to gather evidence relevant to the cause of beatification of Vietnamese Cardi-nal Francis Xavier Van Thuan, promoted by the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace”, of which Van Thuan was President.

As reported to Fides from local sources in the diocese of Hue (Central Vietnam), among the testimonies gathered by the Church of Hue, there are two women (a nun and a lay person) who claim to have been healed through the intercession of the Cardinal. Fi-

des is able to anticipate briefly the two sto-ries.

Sister Marie Thi Lan, of the Congrega-tion of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, said that in 2009 she had to undergo a deli-cate eye surgery. The doctors never gave her assurances that her sight problems would have been resolved and feared the danger of blindness”. I prayed to the Cardinal and my eyes healed without surgery,” says the nun.

Also in the diocese of Hue, a woman of the parish of Thach Han, Mrs. Mary Le Thi Than, aged 70, was bed-ridden for over 40 years because of a severe form of neuralgia. She relied on prayer and intercession of Car-dinal Van Thuan and has recently healed, resuming a normal life and daily activities, which for decades was unable to do.

(AsiaNews/Agencies) BEIJING — China plans to abolish the transplanting of organs from executed prisoners within five years; instead, it will try to spur more citizens to do-nate, a top health official said.

After refusing to acknowledge the prac-tice for a long time, Chinese authorities ad-mitted it last Sunday, insisting however that only prisoners who volunteered their organs were involved, Xinhua reported today, citing Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu.

The decision does not stem from any hu-manitarian considerations, but from the fact that the practice is very risky.

Prisoner organ donations are not ideal be-cause condemned inmates have high rates of fungal and bacterial infections, Huang said.

"Therefore, the long-term survival rates

for people with transplanted organs in China are always below those of people in other countries," Xinhua cited the vice health min-ister as saying.

In the past, China has been criticised by the international community for this prac-tice. According to the United Nations, which sent an envoy in 2009 to visit Chinese pris-ons, local authorities put pressures on prison-ers to donate.

"Organ donations from condemned pris-oners will be abolished within five years," Xi-nhua wrote, citing Huang.

Instead, hospitals will rely on a national organ donation system that is being set up. Trial systems have already been launched in 16 provinces.

CHINA VIETNAM

CHINA

China Plans to Abolish “Organ Harvesting” from Executed Prisoners

Evidence Found for Beatification of Vietnamese Cardinal

Bishop, Priest Taken for ‘Learning Classes’

(UCA News) Tuberculosis is often consid-ered a disease that no longer exerts such a powerful grip or claims as many lives as be-fore. But while it has declined in more devel-oped parts of the world, it remains at epidemic levels in others.

World TB Day on March 24 highlights the plight of the many people whose risk of TB is aggravated by economic conditions.

Despite a racking cough and the need for constant medication, Paul Nguyen Giang car-ries 500 kilograms of cassava powder every morning by tricycle. He earns 100,000 dong (US$5) a day for that and when the day’s work is done, he does housework for extra money.

“The TB is affecting me again because the heavy work is so exhausting,” he says.

“I had treatment for it in January and the doctors advised me to have adequate food and a good rest for at least for three months until I recovered. But I have to work to support my

family.”Giang lives with his wife and two children

in a small, one-room flat in Hue. His wife earns 1,500,000 dong (US$75) a month as a nurse-maid.

Pham Thi Van has a similar problem. Her husband died of TB in 2010 and she has been undergoing medical treatment for the past eight months which, fortunately, she receives free of charge.

“But I can’t rest while I’m getting the treat-ment because I have to work to bring up my two children,” she says. She works as a mussel diver from 1 to 6 a.m, earning 30,000 to 50,000 dong a day.

Ho Thi Hong, another TB patient, says there are around 150 fellow sufferers in her neighborhood. Most of them were infected by the harmful dust and smoke that comes from charcoal burning, yet it is charcoal burning that provides them with a living.

Doctor Nguyen Cuong, a TB expert at Hue’s state-run General Hospital, confirms that “numbers are on the rise. Locally, we re-corded 2,150 patients in 2010 and 2,500 in 2011. The disease spreads among people who live in poverty and work in a polluted environment.

VIETNAM

People Caught in Poverty Trap When Fighting Tuberculosis

They are exhausted and desperate. Our vol-unteers have noticed that they have fear of retaliation, some from the forces of the Syr-ian regime, others from the opposition forc-es. They do not want to be photographed, they do not want to give their names and prefer to remain incognito.”

Fr. Simon was quick to caution the in-ternational community: "The situation has

worsened over the past two months. Each day brings new refugees. The humanitarian emergency already exists, but at the mo-ment we can contain it. If the exodus con-tinues, however, the situation could soon become unsustainable".

Caritas Lebanon in some areas in the Northeast of the country is the only organi-zation present with its volunteers. Since last year, Caritas has been taking care of about 3-400 Syrian refugee families (2,000 people) and, in the last two months, provides assis-tance to another 300 families (other 2,000 displaced persons).

RefugeesCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

11www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 INTERNATIONAL

(AsiaNews) KIRKUK - The Christian community of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, is celebrating the official re-opening - after a painstak-ing restoration - of the parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For one evening last week the violence and mas-sacres, including the series of bombings of 20 March and the killing of a believer on February 22 in Mosul, were forgotten as the religious minority celebrated a joyous moment gathered round their pastor and priests of the com-munity. In his homily, Arch-bishop Mgr. Louis Sako asked those present to "witness the faith" between persecution and abuse, urging them not to leave the country but on the contrary, "to remain" to help

create a future of hope.The parish church,

opened in 1965, was fully restored through the efforts of the Chaldean archbishop of Kirkuk. On the evening of March 22, Msgr. Louis Sako has chaired the inaugural mass, concelebrated in the presence of many priests and faithful who packed the place of worship. A Christian says that "the church was full" and "priests from other parishes also arrived "for a moment of "real celebration".

On 29 January 2006, the church of the Virgin was a target of violent attacks by Islamic fundamentalists (see AsiaNews, 01/29/2012 Bomb attacks on Churches in Bagh-dad and Kirkuk), the extrem-ists attacked the Christian

worship, in response to the Pope's address in Regens-burg, which had sparked controversy with the Muslim world. The explosion of a car bomb had also caused the death of a 13 year old altar boy named Fadi Raad Elias, who, returning from school, had stopped by the church to pray "to thank Jesus for good school grades".

During his homily, Msgr. Sako recalled the sacrifice of the young Iraqi Christian "martyr", and his death and bloodshed, the prelate ex-plained, are "an invitation to persevere" despite the "chal-lenges" that the community will face. "Our number is decreasing - added the arch-bishop - due to emigration, but our presence, the witness and the implications it gener-ates depends on the cultural, moral and spiritual quality that we can offer to a dynamic participation in society ".

(AsiaNews) Mosul — The Christian community in Iraqis once more the target of Islamic extremism: Yester-day morning in Mosul in the north, security forces found the corpse of a man riddled with bullets. The discovery occurred in the Yarmouk dis-trict, in the south-west of the city, the body carried nine bullet wounds, fired at close range. The victim is Salman Dawoud Salman, 45, a free-lance photographer, and had been kidnapped four days earlier, probably for ransom.

AsiaNews sources in Mo-sul city explain that it is "a stronghold of Sunni Wahabi fundamentalism, which has close ties with Saudi Arabia." The goal, adds an expert on Iraqi politics, is "to form a Shariah state ", with the Ko-ran and the sunna as referenc-

es to legislation and "Islam as the only state religion". "And the faithful of other religions - he adds - will have no other choice; either convert or flee the country or pay the tax im-posed on non-Muslims."

A church figure in the gov-ernorate of Mosul confirms that "many Christian families have left Mosul several years ago." "They have lost faith in everything - he adds - and the government is incapable of doing anything to protect them. The administration's promises are lies and a ques-tion emerges: what does the future hold for non-Muslims in those countries where the logic of violence dominates ".

For some time the Chris-tian community in north-ern Iraq has been a victim of kidnapping for extortion and caught up in a war between

Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds to gain power and control over huge oil fields contained in the subsoil. In a decade, es-timates speak of a minority "more than halved" following the "biblical" exodus caused by the serial murders.

From 2003 to December 2011, the date of complete withdrawal of U.S. troops, 4,550 U.S. soldiers have died and 300 allies. However, the real carnage regards the Iraqi civilian population, which has around 100 thousand ca-sualties since the war began. On 20 March, on the ninth an-niversary of the U.S. invasion, a series of attacks - at least 20 explosions, which also target-ed a Syrian Orthodox church in Baghdad over 40 people were killed and dozens in-jured.

SAUDI ARABIA

IRAQ

IRAQ

Grand Mufti: All Churches on the Arabian Peninsula Should be Destroyed

Murder of Christians Continues in Parts of Iraq

Christians Celebrate Reopening of Parish of the Blessed Virgin in Kirkuk

(AsiaNews / Agencies) RIYADH — All the churches located on the Arabian Pen-insula must be destroyed. This is the opinion expressed by Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority, Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, in response to the request of the delegation of a Kuwaiti nongovernmental organization, the Society of the Revival of Islamic Heri-tage. The delegation wanted a clarification on the basis of Islamic law with regard to the proposal made by the Parlia-mentary Assembly of Kuwait, to prohibit the construction of new churches in the coun-try. A proposal not accepted

by Parliament.The Grand Mufti, who

is also head of the Saudi Su-preme Council of Islamic Scholars replied by quoting the prophet Mohammed, ac-cording to which only one re-ligion should exist on the Ara-bian Peninsula. As part of the Peninsula, the conclusion of the Grand Mufti Kuwait must destroy all the churches in its territory.

The response of the high-est religious authority in Sau-di Arabia - where there are no churches, although there are at least a million Christians - supersedes the proposal of the Kuwaiti parliamentarian, Osama al-Munawar, accord-

ing to whom existing church-es could stay, but the con-struction of new buildings of religions other than Muslim should be prohibited.

The statement of the Sau-di Grand Mufti was greeted with concern by Christians living in Arab countries and has caused mixed reactions in the media of the Middle East. But it has practically been ig-nored in Europe where March 19 a report on intolerance and discrimination against Chris-tians in Europe was released, which certifies hundreds of cases on the Old Continent in 2011.

12 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012www.umatuna.org FEATURE

(AsiaNews) Damascus — "This is the Christians' hour"; there has begun "a new historical process in Syria" from which it will never turn back and "Christians cannot miss this rendezvous with history": Msgr. Mario Zenari, for three years now the Vatican nun-cio in Damascus, speaks almost excitedly as he recalls the Christians' missionary efforts of Christians, which is to be "like sheep among wolves", but with an identity and a task. Pre-cisely because in Syria the gap between the different components of society is widening more and more, he sees an urgent need for Christians to come out into society and build bridges of reconciliation, defending the val-ues typical of the Church's social doctrine: human dignity, rejection of violence, equality between men and women, fundamental free-doms, freedom of conscience and religion, the separation between religion and state. "It is urgent", he said, "to go out into the open, on the attack, and not to sit back and watch." Mgr. Zenari, 66, tells stories of ordinary hero-ism of some priests who have remained in Homs during this months' bombing and vio-lence. While sharing in the mourning for the tragedy of the Belgian children killed in a car accident in Switzerland, he reminds us that in Syria 800-900 children have already been killed, mostly shot "in the head and the heart" by strangers: "Their murder is an atroc-ity" and it is necessary that the international community ensure "justice for these children." Here is the full interview which Mgr. Zenari gave via telephone to AsiaNews.

Q Your Excellency, what is it like is to be in Syria at this

moment?My heart is sad. This is the fourth spring

that I've lived in Damascus and this year I still haven't seen spring arrive. They're ex-pecting the fruits of Kofi Annan's mission, but there are fears that the parties will say "Yes, but ...", where the "but" is more impor-tant than the "yes". Instead it is urgent that both parties make a tremendous effort. The distances between them have become huge and are widening every day. For this rea-son it's necessary for both parties to jump through hoops to rebuild the dialogue. A reversal is necessary, a conversion... The cli-

mate is so deteriorated that a fair amount of heroism is needed, perhaps a bit more from one particular side. Hopefully the help of the international community will bear fruit, so it will make them make great gestures, but it's a bit difficult.

Before, the international community accused only the regular army. Now Annan has called for an end to the violence from both sides; Britain hopes for a peaceful so-lution; France is doubtful about sending weapons to the rebels...

Yes, this is true. The request has to come from 360 degrees, from all sides. Maybe at the beginning the media exaggerated about only one of the sides. But both parties are called upon to make gestures of goodwill and put an end to violence. At first, perhaps driven by enthusiasm for the Arab spring in other regions, the riots were seen in a very idealistic manner; and then going forward, we saw many other aspects come into play. To date, Syria is a tangled skein, and there are many elements to watch.

Q Could you list these elements?

Initially there were demonstrations for more democracy, more respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, with peace-ful demonstrations that were suppressed. But then so many factors were added: first, the fact that 75% of the society here is com-posed of Sunnis; then, that it is governed by 12% of the population who are the Alawites. This tension between Sunnis and Alawites today is decisive, without forgetting the other aspects. History will assess how the relationship between Sunnis and Shiites has gone (the Alawites are somehow linked to the Shiite world).

Q There is also an attempt to internationalize the conflict.

We are neighbors with Iraq, with Israel, with Lebanon; and we're not far from Iran... and so in Syria ingredients come in from all sides and complicate the mess.

Q There is a risk that the international community

use Syria as a chessboard for its interests: the West, Saudi Ara-bia and Qatar against Iran; Israel against Hezbollah; Turkey against

The Church in Syria: Time to Go on the OffensiveMsgr. Mario Zenari shares about the Christians’ missionary efforts in Syria

A sign in response to the violence in Syria is seen during Mass at a church in the West Bank town of Ramallah. As a sectarian conflict in Syria intensified, Pope Benedict XVI called on all Syrians to begin a process of dialogue and reminded the government of its duty to recognize its citizens' legitimate demands. CNS photo/Mohamad Torokman, Reuters

See SYRIA, Page 16

13www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 FAMAGU’ON Yan MANHOBEN

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKUSUDOKU

SCRIPTURAL CRYPTOGRAMThe sentence below is encrypted using a secret code. Your job is to break the code by substituting the correct letter for the ones given. Each letter given in the code always represents the same letter throughout the puzzle.

No region can contain any duplicate digits.

There is only one solution to a Sudoku puzzle.

Use a pencil.

“Yahweh supports all who stumble, lifts up those who are bowed down“ (Psalm 145:14)

Last Week’s Solution

Last Week’s Solution

TIPS

HINTS:

THEMEHoly Eucharist Part 1

ANNOINTED CHRIST CORNERSTONE CRUCIFIED EMMANUEL GOD GOOD SHEPHERD HIGH PRIEST HOLY EUCHARIST INCARNATION JESUS KING OF JEWS LAMB OF GOD LORD MERFICUL MESSIAH

M C O Y D B H R M I E H T I DE U O O B S M E N D I S D N ER D G R B N S Y O G I N R C IF Z E B N S V G H R W K O A FI S U T I E F P A P W R L R IC F U A N O R H Y G M N G N CU U H S B I C S U Y Z V H A UL A Q M E U O R T N E U L T RU V A S E J L N Y O D I O I CD L T Y K L X K N T N Y D O QJ O L T S I R H C A F E X N KB O S W E J F O G N I K U Y GH E M M A N U E L U E Q X Z KG O O D S H E P H E R D S R AN V E J F U M A O C S C F S O

Puzzles & Games

74 2 5

9 1

5 9

3 4

5 8 9 3

18 6 7

5

8

6

97 1

6 9 2

6

2 1 3 6 4 8 5 976 3 9 1 8 7 2 459 8 2 5 7 3 1 64

3 9 4 2 5 6 7 81

4 5 7 8 6 9 3 12

7 6 1 3 9 5 4 28

8 2 5 9 1 4 6 73

5 4 8 7 2 1 9 361 7 6 4 3 2 8 59

Fill the empty cells so that each column, each row, and each of the 3x3 regions contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.

Find all the words hiding within the puzzle. Words are placed diagonal, forward, backward, up and down.

A M H K Y H , L P R P S H P C L

M C P P X ! J A Q S D Y R I S H , U P J Y

G E B U O C A S P J A H Y C F .

H = h P = o

The cast and company actors of Santa Barbara Catholic School's production of Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. Playing the role of the Queen of Hearts is 8th grader, Jovelle Alcantara and the King of Hearts is played by 4th grader, Isaiah Atalig.Photos courtesy of SBCS

SBCS Brings ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr.’ to Stage

14 SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012www.umatuna.org DEVOTION & SPIRITUALITY

(CNA/EWTN News) ROME, Italy — The producer of a new film that brings to life the fight against the Mexican government’s persecution of Catholics in the 1920s says there are clear parallels to today’s situa-tion in the United States and else-where.

“I think what we are living now is the same things that happened at that time, and after you watch the movie you will see there are a lot of topics that are very alive right now,” Pablo José Barroso, producer of “For Greater Glory,” told CNA on March 21.

“For Greater Glory” – formerly called “Cristiada” – charts the histo-ry of Mexico’s Cristero War that was sparked by anti-clerical legislation being passed by the Mexican Presi-dent Elías Calles in 1926. Those laws banned religious orders, deprived the Church of property rights and denied priests civil liberties, includ-ing the right to trial by jury and the right to vote.

The persecution became so fierce that some Catholics began to forcibly resist, fighting under the slogan and banner of “Cristo Rey” (Christ the King).

“This story broke our hearts, but it’s a story that has to be told,” said Barroso.

“It is a real story about people who stood up for their beliefs, and as a Mexican, I am very proud to share with the world this Mexican story which even many Mexicans don’t know about.”

The film is directed by Dean Wright and stars award-winning ac-tors Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria and Peter O’Toole among others. “We’re trying to do values movies” with high production quality, explained Barroso, who was present at a pre-mier of the film in Rome on March 20.

On Sunday, March 25, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass with over 400,000 pilgrims in the central Mexican city of Silao. He will do so in the shadow of the 65-foot statue of Christ the King which was constructed in the 1940s as a memo-rial for those who died in the Cris-tero War.

Dozens of martyrs from the war have since been canonized and beatified by the Church, including 14-year-old Jose Sanchez del Rio who was declared blessed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. His story is particularly highlighted in the new film.

“I hope that after seeing this movie that people start to stand up and really live by their religion,” said Barroso, who sees the threat to religious liberty emerging around the globe.

“As a Catholic, I think now is the time for laymen to stand up and do something.”

“For Greater Glory” will arrive in theaters in the United States on June 1, 2012.

Movie on Mexico's War Against Catholics Offers Timely Lessons

E5: Husbands Fasting for Their WivesThe e5 Man fasts for his bride as a

way to imitate Jesus as described by Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephe-sians, chapter 5 (for which the e5 is named). e5 Men fast in unison on bread and water for at least one 24 hour day per month - preferably the 1st Wednesday of the month.

EPHESIANS 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

EPHESIANS 5:28-29 "So hus-bands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church."

Jesus made a bodily sacrifice on the cross for his bride the church to present her to God the Father "with-out spot or wrinkle." (Eph 5:27) By fasting for our earthly bride and joining our sufferings to Christ's we intercede for grace for our brides. At the same time our act of bodily love

in union with Christ accelerates our own conversion.

By making this sacrifice for the women in our lives we live out the essence of the gospel through a very particular act of self denial. To lay down one's body out of love for another is the central message of the gospel.

Not only for married men

Membership is not limited to married men. For single men, their fast may be dedicated to their future bride. For widowers or those un-likely to get married, the beneficiary of their fasts may be for a daughter, a sister, or a granddaughter, and for those whos faith believes in the need - their deceased wife, or any other women in great need. For the consecrated celibate man the bene-fit of their fast can be for the benefit of the community they serve or for consecrated celibate women.

RequirementsExcept for medical reasons, the

minimum requirements to be an e5

Man are that you: � Be a baptized Christian man. � Register with e5 Men. � Fast on plain bread and water at

least one 24 hour period a month for your bride for her needs of spiritual growth and/or healing; preferably on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

‘It is a real story about people

who stood up for their beliefs, and as a Mexican, I am very proud to share with the world this Mexican story which even many Mexicans don’t know about.’

Pablo Jose Barroso Producer of ‘For Greater Flory’

15www.umatuna.orgSUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2012 THE LIFE OF FAITH

THANKYOU

To all the runners, presenters, sponsors,members, alumni and volunteers

For continuously supportingYouth for Youth LIVE! Guam.

Together we can build an island generationthat is alcohol-, tobacco-, and drug-free!

April 27 - 29, 2012Hyatt Regency Guam

Open to all middle and high school students and educators

For more details+

+

+{ see your school counselorvisit www.peaceguam.orgcall the PEACE office at 477-9079 ~83

FUN RUN/WALK

He meets her, they fall in love and marry later. A prince falls in love with the peasant girl. Joe and Jane were high school sweet-hearts, both are now widowed and they de-cided to get married.

Love is sweeter the second time around so they say. A headline in the newspaper one day tells of a young marine soldier shot dead by a terrorist sniper just a month after his wedding. A crimson love story, some say. A man married his longtime girlfriend at her death-bed, for love knows no bounds. A few weeks before their wedding, his fiancée died from a car accident. Nothing can console him for she is gone forever. These are some of the dramas and tragedies of life where love is es-sentially part of.

“Love Story” is a title of a song derived from a movie of the same title in 1970’s. Its soul-searching lyrics sung by Andy Williams includes lines like these: “Where do I be-gin, to tell the story of how great a love can be. The sweet love story that is older than the sea. The simple truth about the love she brings to me, where do I start. “

Each of us has a spark of love inside of us, some dream of it, paint it, while others live and die for it. The essence of this kind love comes alive with Jesus’ words when He said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15:13) In another occasion the Lord said: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn13:34).

True love is not the same as “love at first sight” which often seeks divorce after the first fight. It is not blind which responds

only to impulses but lacks understanding. It’s not the same as carnal or sexual love for this one lasts only for a moment. It’s not love that comes from the most unexpected places, which usually leads to secret affairs. It is not the type of love shared by peers, for you can be betrayed by a kiss, and kissed by a betray-er. It’s not love that seeks power, for power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts ab-solutely. It’s not platonic love that is mainly confined in the brainwaves but without feel-ings. It is not for the carefree which lacks sin-cerity and permanence. It’s not for the social climbers who come only in time of prosper-ity, but disappear in time of adversity.

True love is Christ-like, which is human and divine. It seeks to love God first, you sec-ond and me third. Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind. This is the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22:37-40).

True love is unconditional and faithful that in spite of your ugliness, sickness, igno-rance and poverty, I will love you. It is easy to love and praise God when things are fine with us but not when they go wrong. It’s amazing to realize that God continues to love us in spite of our repeated sins. As we are now in Holy Week, we journey with the Lord as He leads us to where He would die for His bride, the Church, whom He loves with the greatest love of all. The wedding ring in your finger should remind you that true love is meant to last till death, not until further advice.

In her Diary entry No. 164, St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words: “As often as you want to make Me happy, speak to the world about My great mercy.”

Tune in to KOLG 90.9 FM for the Divine Mercy prayer every 3 p.m. daily. Recite the Chaplet of Mercy for peace in the world and conversion of sinners.

Thanks to M/M Enrique Cruz of Astumbo, Dededo for the presentation of the Divine Mercy and veneration of the sacred relic of St. Faustina in their home last Sunday

Know What Love Is By Knowing What It’s Not

Divine Mercy Moments

Fr. Joel deLos Reyes

A penitent, seen in white behind a metal sculpture of a crown of thorns and a cross, takes part in a procession on Palm Sunday in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, April 5, 2011. CNS photo/Dani Cardona, Reuters

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Syria ... But the needs of the Syrian people are forgotten.

There are various readings. There is the simplistic one of the regime which claims that a foreign conspiracy is present. It's impossible to evaluate fully how much is true and how much is propaganda.

Q The Syrian Christians, 10% of the population, seem caught

in the crossfire.For me there is a place for Christians and

they cannot afford to miss this appointment with this new historical process. There is no doubt that Syria is changing: a new process has begun and there's no going back. Where should the Christians place themselves? I would answer based on the Psalms, a wis-dom that is at least 2500 years old. And one Psalm says: Do not lean on a falling wall [Ps 61 (62), 4]. And neither should a man stand by, gazing out the window. Christians are in society and must roll up their sleeves. In the past there have been faithful who have made a glorious contribution in the field of culture, art, politics: one of the founders of the Baath Party was a Christian. Woe, therefore, if they miss this appointment. What's more, Chris-tians start off with an advantage. The Pope, a few months ago, at the Syrian ambassador's presentation of credentials [June 9, 2011], pointed out that there are exemplary relations between Christians and Muslims. The Chris-tians in Syria also have a good elite: cultural figures, academics, lawyers, presidents of hos-pitals... It's time to live out our task and make

our contribution, reclaiming our dignity and our identity, based on the Gospel and the so-cial doctrine of the Church: human dignity, rejection of violence, equality between men and women, fundamental freedoms, freedom of conscience and religion, the separation be-tween religion and state, etc... It is urgent to go out in the open, on the attack, and not to sit back and watch.

Three years ago I presented my credentials to President Assad. And I was impressed that for following 15 minutes during the personal interview, the president continued to speak of the importance that Christians have for Syrian society. He truly admired the Chris-tian components in the country. In this phase of transformation, one cannot look back and think about some protection from the outside: we must work for a rule of law, in which all citizens are equal, have the same rights and duties.

Another thing I noticed is that at every lev-el Christians serve as a bridge. In many mixed villages, Alawites and Christians live in peace, Sunnis and Christians the same, Druze and Christians live in harmony... In these times, with the conflict, sometimes there has been friction and confrontation, but until now, no church has ever suffered even a scratch. In any case, we Christians can have a function of rec-onciliation among all the groups living in the country. The idea is going around that the fate of Christians in Syria is likely to be similar to what happened in Iraq. But Syria is not Iraq, and it's not even Egypt: it has its own charac-teristics, with a tradition of good tolerance.

The Gospel tells us: I send you out as sheep among wolves. And the wolves are not only in Damascus but also in Frankfurt, New York, London, Paris .... only somewhat more subtle and refined. Being in the midst of wolves is part of our mission and we need not fear. The Gospel also says: "Do not be afraid."

I have continually before my eyes out-

standing examples of this mission. In these days Homs is hell. Everyday I phone three priests who have remained there. As we speak, we hear gunfire because the Christian quarter is between in the crossfire. One of them is remarkable for what he is able to do: he talks to the rebels to halt the violence, asking them permission to let pass the trucks with food aid for the poor. On the other hand, from the other side, he asks the army not to shoot, in order not to hit the neighborhoods where there are still inhabitants, or sacred buildings. And he serves as a bridge, like a sheep among wolves. Several days ago there were the bodies of three soldiers in front of the cathedral. They had been there for 10 days. No one dared to re-cover them because there was the risk of being killed. So he went to the rebels and asked for clemency for these bodies. The rebels at first were angry, shouting: "What do we care for these pigs?" But he said: "No, after we are dead we are not pigs, we are all equal." And he man-aged to get them to listen: they loaded the bodies onto a truck and dumped them onto a piece of road where it was easier for their fel-low soldiers to recover them.

The Church can do a lot, on a practical, charitable level, and with our choices, focus-ing on the defense of the human person, above party lines. We must give attention to the hun-gry, the wounded, the dead... So many people have been killed and no one knows by whom. We must go out, denounce, give our testimony in favor of the human person.

These days the world has been impressed by the tragedy of that bus that crashed in a tunnel in Switzerland. 22 Belgian children died and the emotion that it aroused is under-standable. Here in Syria, until 2 weeks ago, ac-cording to the UN there have been 7500 killed, but now we are up to 9500. Of these, at least 500 are children! This means that out of every 15 deaths, one was a child. Some of them died crushed by the rubble caused by bombs, but

the majority died in the street and not because they stumbled or fell, no: they were shot in the heart or the head with bullets. I hope that the international community can do something to ensure justice for these children. It is good and fitting to be moved over 22 children, but here there are 800-900 who have died. It is urgent to denounce these crimes. Human life is sacred, that of those who wear the military uniform, like that of the rebels, but even more so that of children. Their murder is an atrocity.

The road Syria is on is long, difficult and painful, like that of a river: it may deviate, go right or left, but it reaches the sea. The Synod for the Middle East prompted the bishops and the faithful to witness to the faith and work together to build the city of man along with the others. The Church must speak its posi-tion, meet, comfort, clean up these disfigured faces. Being in this country is a mission.

What can we Catholics do in the rest of the world? The Custody of the Holy Land, for ex-ample, has launched a campaign to help the Christians of Syria...

We must begin by thanking you for your generosity and solidarity, which is much needed. I hope that with Caritas and other in-stitutions we can alleviate all the suffering in the country. It is also necessary try to under-stand the situation of the Christians. It's one thing is to reason at a table, and another thing to get carried away by sentiment. We must un-derstand even the feelings and listen.

What worries me most is the growing ha-tred in society. For now it isn't manifest, but it's burning. The bullets that the two groups are exchanging are only the tip of the iceberg. We are walking on embers that can ignite at any time. For our part, we Christians witness to charity. It's the Christians' moment, we must act and go on the offensive in defense of the human person: it is important not to miss this historic moment.

SyriaCONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Every year, the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona welcomes the public to cel-ebrate the feast of their patron, St. Patrick. On Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the Seminary rejoiced and blessed Almighty God as they celebrated St. Patrick’s feast day with hundreds of faithful from around the island.

The Solemn Mass was presided by Rev. Monsignor David C. Quitugua, Vicar Gen-eral of the Archdiocese of Agana and concelebrated by Fr. Edwin Bushu, Fr. Julio Ce-sar Sanchez, Fr. Francis Walsh, Fr. Pius Sammut, and assisted by Deacon Tony Leon Guerrero, in the Seminary Atrium which became a beautiful chapel for the feast.

Immediately after the Mass, the devotees processed with the statue of St. Patrick carried by the seminarians, towards the Seminary courtyard. Although the proces-sion was short, it was filled with devotion and solemnity and concluded in the cloister garden where the faithful venerated the relic of St. Patrick. Everyone who attended this momentous occasion had the opportunity to honor St. Patrick and to ask him for intercession from heaven. The children present at the feast most especially enjoyed themselves during the procession and veneration. The festivities concluded with a delicious fraternal meal which was also held in the seminary courtyard.

Frankie Casil, 19 of Agat, attended the feast with his friends from the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and together, they are part of the Secular Franciscan Order. “I liked that the Mass was solemn and prayerful with the help of the choir and the selections of the music,” Casil continued, “I also enjoyed that the Mass was held outdoors, which was breezy and sunny.” He exclaimed, “We can't wait to come back next year!”

“The whole celebration was awesome! St. Patrick continues to intercede for our Seminary,” said Fr. Julio Cesar Sanchez, Vice Rector of the Seminary.” He noted, “We thank all our benefactors, friends, and all those who made this festivities possible, we all had a beautiful fiesta.”

Feast of St. Patrick Celebrated in Yona By Jennifer Louise DullaFor the U Matuna Si Yu’os

Photos by the Redemptoris Mater Seminary