"Charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine."

(Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 2)

Dear brothers and sisters-in-Christ,

This Lent, as we reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us remember how His actions showed that charity always manifests God’s love in human relationships.

Our Pope Benedict XVI said in his latest Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, “Charity is at the heart of the Church’s social doctrine”.  Charity is everything, because God is love.  In fact, God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to serve and show all men to salvation. It is the greatest charity of all.

This Lent, take time to reflect with your family and friends on our relationships with God and one another. I encourage you to take a copy of the reflection booklet Walking with Christ produced by the Singapore Pastoral Institute, in partnership with Caritas Singapore and use it with your family, neighbourhood group or Small Christian Community.

In the season of Lent, while it is about giving something up, it is also about placing something positive in its place. So let us put our faith into action to help the poor and those in need.

This weekend, the Church will be conducting its annual fundraising through the Charities Week appeal envelopes. This is being coordinated by Caritas Singapore.

I strongly urge every one of you to take an envelope and give generously to support the work of Caritas Singapore and the 20 Catholic charities and organisations under its umbrella. Your generosity will help them to reach out and serve over 50,000 of our brothers and sisters in need across all races, languages and religions. You may also wish to give beyond your financial resources and offer your time and talent to these organisations.

As instruments of God’s grace, may we shine forth Christ’s light to those in greater need so that they may come to experience the love of Christ through each one of us.

May God bless you! 

Yours-in-Christ,

Archbishop Nicholas Chia