Singapore: lunch time Masses for Catholics in Changi Business Park
Singapore (AsiaNews) - Catholics working in the Changi Business Park can now attend weekday lunchtime Masses just like their office counterparts who work in different areas of the city-state. The initiative is organized by the Catholic Prayer Society's (CPS), which celebrated the opening Mass on August 20, in the Meeting Room of the EU Convention Centre, in the presence of over a hundred of the faithful.
The daily Mass aims to promote reflection and prayer in the workplace. Moreover in recent months, the Archbishop of Singapore Msgr. William Goh Seng Chye had invited employees of parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions of the city-state to "pray at work" as "a sign of Christian witness".
In his homily, Fr Terence Pereira, CPS spiritual director, noted that in today's world, things are seldom fair. Some are paid more, while others less. He invited Catholics as believers, to simply do the work they are called to do, because what matters to God in the end when we meet Him is what we, and not what others, have done, he said
The new lunchtime Mass was welcomed by those who attended. It is "a good break from our busy work schedules and it allows us to praise God", said one participant. Another said he enjoys the fellowship which comes from a "smaller congregation and the warmth of the smiles from total strangers".
The idea to have lunchtime Masses in Changi was first
mooted by some members of Couples for Christ who work in offices at the Changi
Business Park. The functions are scheduled every Wednesday and during Holy Days of obligation, at 12:15 pm (click here for more information.)
The Changi Industrial
Park is located in the southern
part of the district of the same name, which lies
in the eastern part of Singapore. Launched in
July 1997, it is the second
biggest center for production and business, after the
International Business Park in Jurong East.
The Changi Park consists
of a mix of businesses
related to high technology, software, with the leading international research and
development companies, as well as in
finance and trade. Prestigious
brands who have bases there include Nestle, IBM and CreditSuisse.
In Singapore Catholics
number more than 200,000, or about 5 per cent of the total population. Buddhism
has the largest following with 33 per cent, followed by Christianity with 18
per cent, Islam with 15 per cent, and Taoism and Hinduism with 11 and 5 per
cent respectively.
The local church is going through a phase of growth and dynamism illustrated by the opening of a theological seminary, a real "milestone" for the local community.
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