SINGAPORE (LiCAS News): William Cardinal Goh Seng Chye of Singapore, urged social action and humanitarian workers to reflect Christ in their service during the Social Mission Mass at Saint Anne’s Church earlier in January.
The event, organised by Caritas Singapore and Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives [CHARIS-Singapore], brought together around 300 staff, volunteers, and partners, according to the official newspaper of the archdiocese.
“If those you serve fail to see the face of Jesus in you, it means you are not serving the right way,” Cardinal Goh told attendees. He stressed the importance of embodying Christ’s presence in their actions.
“I hope some of the people you have helped would have said to you, ‘I want to join the organisation. I want to be of service to others,’” he said. “When that happens, then you know that you have shown them the face of Jesus.”
Speaking after the Mass, CHARIS chairperson, Josephine Koh, encouraged the attendees to “be the light of Christ to each other and their beneficiaries.”
Koh acknowledged the dedication of member organisations, describing them as “the boots on the ground, having travelled a long and difficult journey in their work as overseas missionaries and pilgrims.”
She also announced that the biennial Humanitarian Forum and Fair will return this year, set for June 14 at Saint Joseph’s Institution Junior.
The event will feature food stalls, interactive games, and opportunities to engage with representatives from CHARIS’ 19 member organisations.
Last year, CHARIS disbursed $1.34 million in grants to support 163,000 beneficiaries across 16 countries, reinforcing its role as the archdiocese’s umbrella body for humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.
Caritas Singapore chairperson, Agnes Liew, highlighted key accomplishments from 2024, including the first in-person Social Mission Conference since 2018, the inaugural Laudato Si’ Mass in May to celebrate care for creation in the archdiocese, and the first Walk with Caritas Family event on October 5, which saw 1,600 participants gather at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park for a five-kilometre charity walk.
Looking ahead, Caritas Singapore plans to organise another community walkathon this year, designed to accommodate all participants, including wheelchair users, seniors, and families with pets.
