Be the face of Jesus to those you serve – Cardinal Goh at Social Mission Mass
Happiness is not found in material goods, but in meaningful relationships with others and in Christ, said Cardinal William Goh at the Social Mission Mass organised by Caritas Singapore and Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives (Singapore) (CHARIS) at Saint Anne’s Church on January 4.
Jan 22, 2025

By Joshua Chan
Happiness is not found in material goods, but in meaningful relationships with others and in Christ, said Cardinal William Goh at the Social Mission Mass organised by Caritas Singapore and Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives (Singapore) (CHARIS) at Saint Anne’s Church on January 4.
“If those you serve fail to see the face of Jesus in you, it means you are not serving the right way,” he said to some 300 staff, volunteers, and partners of CHARIS and Caritas Singapore – the official social and community arm of the Church, and the umbrella body for 25 Catholic charities and organisations.
“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’,” said the Cardinal. “When that happens, then you know that you have shown them the face of Jesus.”
Speaking after the Mass, CHARIS Chair Josephine Koh encouraged those present to be the light of Christ to each other and their beneficiaries.
“Our member organisations are really the boots on the ground, having travelled a long and difficult journey in their work as overseas missionaries and pilgrims,” she said.
Ms Koh, 57, also shared that the biennial Humanitarian Forum and Fair will once again be held this year at Saint Joseph’s Institution Junior on June 14.
In addition to food stalls and interactive games, those attending the event can meet representatives of CHARIS’ 19 member organisations, learn more about their work, and volunteer on overseas missions, she said.
CHARIS is the umbrella body for the Archdiocese’s humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, and last year disbursed $1.34 million in grants to some 163,000 beneficiaries in 16 countries.
Caritas Singapore Chair Agnes Liew, 68, recounted some highlights of Caritas Singapore and its member organisations in the past year – including the first in-person Social Mission Conference since 2018, the inaugural Laudato Si’ Mass in May to commemorate care for creation in the Archdiocese, and the first Walk with Caritas Family event on Oct 5, where some 1,600 people gathered for a five-kilometre charity walk in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park to raise funds for Caritas Family member organisations.
Caritas Singapore will hold another community walkathon later this year – designed to be inclusive for all participants, such as wheelchair users, seniors, and families with pets.--catholicnews.sg
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