Faith and Reason Series: The Bible & Evolution

'Religions do make claims about the universe - the same kinds of claims that scientists make, except they're usually false.'

'Evolution is God's redundancy notice, his pink slip.'

- Richard Dawkins

Is Christianity incompatible with the theory of Evolution? Is there no need, no place for God, now that science can explain our origins?

Pope John Paul II once said that
'…evolution [is] more than a hypothesis…. The convergence in the results of these independent studies—which wasneither planned nor sought—constitutes in itself a significant argument in favor of the theory.'

Was this a change of position and an accommodation to facts of science that no longer could be ignored?

Find out more about Christianity and the theory of evolution, and also about how Catholics understand the origins, authorship and purpose of Scripture at this latest installment of the "Faith and Reason" series.

When? Tue, 28 Aug, 7-9pm
Where? Central Library Theatrette 2

Speakers:
Dr Patrick Gilligan, PhD Molecular and Cell Biology
Fr Jose Lopez, M.A. English and English Literature, PhD Philosophy

RSVP: tinyurl.com/BibleandEvolution

Notes from Patrician Meeting - Penance

Here are some notes I took down from the Patrician Meeting.

Disclaimer: Most of these are from Fr. Marin's short talk but this is not a word-for-word transcription. Some are, but others are only paraphrased, summarized versions of the ideas he presented. My sincere apologies to him if I misrepresent anything that he said.

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Why do we do penance? First of all, because Our Lord asked us to do penance. We also do penance because we have sins and we have to atone for our sins.

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Usually, we commit sin when we seek some pleasure and because of that end up doing something that displeases God. To make up for it, we do something unpleasant for us to atone.

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Penance must be done with obedience. Jesus voluntarily accepted His sufferings. However little it may be, willingness must be present from the one doing the penance.

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Love is expressed with sacrifice.

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Very few people are called to do corporal mortification. Nobody should do these things without the permission of a prudent confessor.

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When we commit sin, it is always because there is a disorder in our will. That is why we must subdue our will sometimes through mortifications. The penance that is given in the Sacrament of Confession is sufficient for forgiveness but it probably not enough to correct our will. We all have disorders in our passions. Doing penance can help us correct these disorders.

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Jesus called us not just to carry our cross but also to deny ourselves.

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Penance is the spirit and attitude; it is not merely actions.

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As students, we can do penance by using our time well, keeping to our schedule of study and prayer, being charitable to everyone around us, etc.

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Non-Christians may find it difficult to understand the value of penance. A helpful analogy would be that of physical health and spiritual health. Some people spend a lot of time exercising to either look good, slim down, or just to keep healthy. For them, they do not mind the sacrifice of having to exercise. In the same way, we do not mind the sacrifice we do for penance because it improves our spiritual health.

Public Service Announcement

Photos!

Click the link below each photo to access the respective album:

From 22.2.09 - Legion DoR

From 25.2.09 - HMG's 100th meeting

From 26.2.09 - Therese's bday

From 2.3.09 - Valerio's FFM talk

From 5.3.09 - Paul's bday

From 12.3.09 - Millennial Meeting

This calls for some...

glitter...

"Because it (Dominican Order) is the best!"

We had a fun Patrician meeting last Wednesday. I was a bit worried before the meeting, especially because I really couldn't write down my opening speech. An hour before the meeting, all I had was an outline. Well, it went quite well and the first round of discussion was fun and interesting.

We had Friar David Garcia, O.P. as our Spiritual Director and he was really, really, really good. He explained things very well.

Favorite Verse: John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free."

Photo Source: Dominic

Is the Church a killjoy? Father David summed it up this way. First, the Church does seem to be a killjoy. Second, the Church is a killjoy. Third, the Church is not a killjoy. Haha. That's Dominican for you. =p Okay, let me explain that again. Father David said that there are three things that influence a person's actions: Reason, Emotion, and Will. Reason usually only points to the direction, but it is the emotion that pushes. As a result of original sin, those three things are constantly pulling against each other, all pointing into different directions. When they do, we feel divided. We find it hard to make decisions. But when those three things decide to cooperate and point to one single direction, that's when a person finds peace in his actions.

Now, the Church, being the guardian and the bulwark of truth, has for centuries, tried to steer us to the right direction. It tells us that there are objective truths. But times have changed. Now, Truth is equated to popular opinion. What is good for a person is now also based on the person's opinion, and not fixed to any objective truths. Thus, our reason pulls us one way, and our emotions (which are usually much stronger) the other way. Because of this division, when the Church tells you that you're going in the wrong direction, naturally, she will definitely seem like a killjoy.

If the Church is a killjoy, it can only be through our consciences. For our consciences, if properly-formed, often speak inconvenient truths. They are not ego-boosters, as some may think. Nor is our conscience our scapegoat. A truly well-formed conscience will keep on nagging it you, telling you to choose what is good no matter how difficult it may be. So I guess, in that sense, when the Church's teachings resound in your consience, and governs your actions, it can be a killjoy. But it's a killjoy that I'd most welcome.

The truth though, is that the Church is really not a killjoy. She only seems to be like one because what she teaches goes against the grain. It goes against what the world is telling us. "The Church is a killjoy only for a disintegrated person," Father David said. That is, a person with his reason, emotion, and will tugging at different directions. But when our desires coincide with objective truths, when we truly become whole, the Church ceases to be a killjoy. The Church leads us to happiness.

I managed to chat a bit with Father David during the break. I asked him how long he's been in Singapore and he said he's been here for six years. Before that, he was in China trying to pick up Chinese. When I asked him how long he's been a Dominican, he said, "24 years"and then astutely asked me how old I was. I told him I was younger than that.haha.

Then I asked him, "Why (did you choose) Dominican, Father?" Without missing a beat, he replied with all honesty, "Because it is the best!" We all burst out laughing but he said, "No, really. If you're buying shoes, why shouldn't you pick the best?"

Do visit their website! Fr. David's blogs are very insightful and they've got helpful resources on Catholic issues, especially on bioethics.

Retreat Photos!

16.1.09 to 18.1.09 - Legion Retreat

And here are the Pauls engaged in a battle of minds (click on the "thumb"nail for the video):

From 16.1.09 to 18.1.09 - Legion Retreat

After Legion Meeting

Thanks Ferninda for singing!

More videos and photos here

Thank you all for the very relaxing time and the wonderful company :)

(the video quality seems bad...anyone wanting the original can contact me :p)

God bless, Ferninda!

28.11.08 - Ferninda takes the Promise

Legionaries are already full of the love of their Queen and Mother. If they join it to a definite devotion to the Holy Spirit, they will enter most fully into the Divine plan, which has required the union of the Holy Spirit and Mary in the work of regenerating the world. As a consequence, their legionary efforts cannot fail to be attended by a great addition of force and success.

Legion Handbook, Chapter 15

Up Close and Personal with the Daughters of St. Paul

Here's an email I received from Sr. Jocelyn from Daughters of St. Paul:

Dear Carina,

I am Sr. Jocelyn from the Daughters of St. Paul, an international women religious called to proclaim the Gospel through the means of communications.  We are organizing an event for young women below the age of 30 and would like to invite your members to participate.  This is an informal gathering on 10 January, where we would like to share with young women our mission and spirituality. The aim is to give awareness to them of our presence here in Singapore and at the same time, we hope for future collaboration in any way.  I hope you will be able to collaborate with us by making this known to your legionaries.  Attached is a little ad for it.  please feel free to write to me if you have any enquiries.  Thank you very much.

God bless you and all you good works, 

Sr. Jocelyn Veritas Kwek, FSP

Daughters of St. Paul 

47 Jurong West  St 42  Singapore 649 368

Tel: 6560 8003 Mobile: 90396332

And here's the ad for the event:

Every door opens to the humble and respectful Legionary

Photos: Celebrating Fr Gerald's birthday

15.11.08 - Celebrating Fr Gerald's birthday at Curia

Friday Mass

A few photos of yesterday's Mass. I really liked the atmosphere yesterday. And the Rosary slides were nice!! Good job, all!

3.10.08 - Legion Mass and Holy Cross photos

Patrician Meeting: Good Catholics in a Secular Workplace - Can or Not?

Patrician meeting photos

19.8.08 - Patrician meeting. FREE WILL: GIFT OR BURDEN?

Thanks everyone for your presence and for a job well done!

Back from World Youth Day 2008

Hello fellow Legionaries! I just got back from Sydney after attending World Youth Day 2008. As of now, I am still sorting out my thoughts and the rotting emails I've received these past two weeks.

My mind is not yet capable to recap everything that I've experienced in WYD, so I guess my reflections will come in short blogs when inspiration (and memory!) prompts me.

Going to WYD has indeed been a blessing. Getting to know the people from CSS better and seeing the positives and negatives of everyone (including myself) has been an eye-opener. Many of us came with expectations and seeking to find answers. Some were perhaps waiting for some particularly miraculous or grand moment to help us in our renewal of faith.

But something Fr. Val said during the last mass he celebrated with us before departing Sydney, stuck with me. He said that whether we were disappointed or not, if there was one thing that we should have obtained after the whole thing, it should be a greater love for the Church. And I think that for me, personally, it has been the case. I renewed the fragile tie I had with my Lord. And after seeing so many nations united under one church, one faith, one shepherd, I was extremely encouraged and hopeful for the future of the the Catholic Church.

One amusing experience that I had was when my group boarded the train on our way home on the first day of WYD week. We were just talking amongst ourselves. Then suddenly one Polish Catholic introduced himself to us and just started talking to us. Then a priest from Colombia came in at the next station and we greeted each other as well. At the next station, some German pilgrims boarded the carriage and started singing "I love you, Jesus" complete with actions. And we started singing with them, without thinking that it was weird or strange. Afterwards, we talked to two guys from Melbourne about their own parishes. For me, that one night was very special. It may strike anyone else as mundane and insignificant but for me, I was just happy because we were strangers, and yet this one Church brought us together. Just as Pope Benedict mentioned during the Saturday night vigil at Randwick Racecourse, the Holy Spirit's "particular quality is unity."

Thanks to all the people who prayed for the CSS contingent and for the Holy Father and for the success of WYD.

Photos! BBQ at Sharon's

Hello! Here are the photos I took of the BBQ last night. Many thanks to Sharon for hosting us and for the others, who did all the preparation. It was great fun. I loved the cheeeeeese.
Let's meet up again soon. Also, can we try to get together more often during term time? Nothing elaborate...just lunch once in a while.

Legion BBQ at Sharon's

To Jesus through Mary: a video by Sister Carina

Here's the video we used at the Legion FOC session today. Carina certainly did an excellent job with it. The music is very moving too.

I took some photos using Therese's camera but shall refrain from posting them until I get permission from her. Our VP can be strict sometimes, right Paul? :p

Many thanks to those who came down and especially to Paul and Moli for their inspiring sharings.
Let's pray that some freshmen will seriously consider the Legion way of life :)

God our Father, You inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into the mystery of your Church, the Body of Christ, and of the place of Mary the Mother of Jesus in this mystery. In his immense desire to share this insight with others and in filial dependence on Mary he formed her Legion to be a sign of her maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children in the Church's evangelizing work. We thank you, Father, for the graces conferred on him and for the benefits accruing to the Church from his courageous and shining faith. With confidence we beg you that through his intercession you grant the petition we lay before you ..... We ask too that if it be in accordance with your will, the holiness of his life may be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of Your Name, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.