Confirmation

Confirmation

From the Catholic Almanac

Last Sunday, Stella Maris Parishioners 70 years and above not confirmed yet, need to be conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation. They were reminded to register by 1st April 2009 at the Parish Office starting at 9.00am.

I am surprised why these elderly catholics have not been confirmed yet and am wondering why they need to be confirmed at this late stage.

I found the neccessity and importance of all Catholics to be confirmed in their catholic faith, and am happy to share with all those concerned. 

Those who have yet to be conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation are urged to read the following, or share with their friends, the importance of this Sacrament that every Catholic should not miss:- 

Confirmation is the sacrament by which a baptized person, through anointing with chrism and the imposition of hands, is endowed with the fullness of baptismal grace; is united more intimately to the Church; is enriched with the special power of the Holy Spirit; is committed to be an authentic witness to Christ in word and action. The sacrament confers a character on the soul and can be received only once.

According to the apostolic constitution Divinae Consortium Naturae, dated Aug. 15, 1971, in conjunction with the Ordo Confirmationis (''Rite of Confirmation''): ''The sacrament of confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the imposition of the hand (matter of the sacrament), and through the words: 'N., receive the seal of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of the Father''' (form of the sacrament). On May 5, 1975, bishops' conferences in Englishspeaking countries were informed by the Congregation for Divine Worship that Pope Paul VI had approved this English version of the form of the sacrament: ''Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.''

The ordinary minister of confirmation in the Roman rite is a bishop. Priests may be delegated for the purpose. A pastor can confirm a parishioner in danger of death, and a priest can confirm in ceremonies of Christian initiation and at the reception of a baptized Christian into union with the Church.

Ideally, the sacrament is conferred during the Eucharistic Liturgy. Elements of the rite include renewal of the promises of baptism, which confirmation ratifies and completes, and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop and priests participating in the ceremony.

In the Roman rite, it has been customary for children to receive confirmation within a reasonable time after first Communion and confession. There is a trend, however, to defer confirmation until later when its significance for mature Christian living becomes more evident. In the Eastern rites, confirmation is administered at the same time as baptism.

READ MORE HERE

Chicken Wings - Its Dangerous

(Posted by Douglas Joinol, an e-mail he received for information to the public particularly to the Ladies.) - Linundus.

Avoid eating chicken wings frequently - ladies, especially; a true story...! 

A friend of mine recently had a growth in her womb and she underwent an operation to remove them.

The cyst removed was filled with a dark colored blood. She thought that she would be recovered after the surgery but! She was terribly wrong. 

A relapse occurred just a few months later. Distressed, she rushed down to her gynaecologist for a consultation. 

During her consultation, her doctor asked her a question that puzzled her. 

He asked if she was a frequent consumer of chicken wings and she replied yes wondering as to how, he knew of her eating habits. 

You see, the truth is in this modern day and age; chickens are injected with steroids to accelerate their growth so that the needs of this society can be met. This need is none other than the need for food. 

Chickens that are injected with steroids are usually given the shot at the neck or the wings. Therefore, it is in these places that the highest concentration of steroids exists. These steroids have terrifying effects on the body as it accelerates growth. 

It has an even more dangerous effect in the presence of female hormones, this leads to women being more prone to the growth of a cyst in the womb. Therefore, I advise the people out there to watch their diets and to lower their frequency of consuming chicken wings!  People, who receive this email, please forward it to your friends and loved ones. I am sure no one wants to see him or her suffer! 

Regards, 

Sharon How  SingaporeMedical Association  Tel:  (65) 6223 1264 , ext. 22  Fax: (65) 6224 7827 

This article came from Ms. Sharon How of the Singapore Medical Association. So I wouldn't dispute the authenticity of this article. I believe that given the nature of foods we eat these days which are mostly genetically engineered, the ramifications on one's heatlh is beyond anyone's imagination as in the case of eating too much chicken wings. So ladies, when you eat chicken wings, don't over eat. I know that it is one of the favorite local delicacy.   Thanks   Douglas J Joinol

EPF’s 4.5% Dividend – Was Your Cheese Eaten by ValueCap?

(The following e-mail was sent to LINUNDUS KINABALU  today by DJJG, for information of the public, especially the EPF Contributors.)

"Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Nobody likes to hear that their hard-earned money “invested” in EPF is earning pathetic dividend. I mentioned the word invested because your money was “forced” out from your pocket before you can even smell the aroma of the money and both of you (money and you) were cruelly separated on the same day you received your pay-slip.

It’s another way to say that your money is working for you (does that make you feel better?) so that when you retire you won’t die a hungry ghost *really?*.

And EPF is your custodian because it was deemed that all of you do not have the discipline in saving, let alone the knowledge to grow your money. So it was fair that the caring EPF took the huge burden of this responsibility. And we should be grateful to EPF because they know best on how to invest your money *grin*.

And so the EPF was performing exceptionally well from 1950s to 1980s - the highest dividend ever declared was 8.50% in the golden period of 1983 till 1987. Thereafter the dividend yield has been plunging from the roof.

In fact the great era of dividend was fast losing its shine after the 1993 Super Bull-Run. We  may never experience the 1993 Super Bull-Run again in many decades to come. Heck, the country has never recovered to the pre-1997 Asia Economic Crisis even until today and we’re already entering the recession again of which our politicians were saying otherwise.

Did you notice how the Second Finance Minister Nor Yakcop panicked when asked by reporter about the rumour that EPF was about to declare dividend of only 4.5%? He was almost speechless and was mumbling directionless.

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Board declared a 4.5% dividend for 2008 yesterday for its members, lower than 5.8% declared in 2007. That’s 1.3% lower (than 2007) or 22.41% decrease year-on-year.

As usual the blame was on the global economic crisis. However the fact remains that EPF recorded the highest ever earnings of RM20 billion in “gross income” for 2008, an increase of 9.36% over the previous year's gross income of RM18.29 billion. But the “net income” (surprisingly) for 2008 was RM14.26 billion, a decrease of 15.47% over 2007 net income of RM16.87 billion.

It’s here where EPF needs to explain  – why the 15.47% decrease in net profit despite the 9.36% increase in gross profit? The EPF earned RM6.67 billion from equities in 2008 compared to RM5.37 billion in 2007 so the blame cannot be on stocks investment.  So which part of the overall investment portfolios went wrong?

Gross income: 2007 = RM18.29 billion ; 2008 = RM20 billion (9.36% increase)Net income: 2007 = RM16.87 billion ; 2008 should be = RM18.45 billion (9.36%)? But now 2008’s net income = RM14.26 billion, short of RM4.2 billion?

The above is of course the dummy way of deriving where the money has gone. Assuming the cost of doing business is the same the above average-Joes calculation reveals more than RM4 billion has disappeared into the thin air.

If not what expenses or losses equal to this amount has EPF incurred? This is not RM4 million or RM40 million but a whopping RM4.2 billion we’re talking about here.

EPF acknowledged that it was doing fine up until September last year but not thereafter. Could that same amount of money loaned to Valuecap Sdn Bhd (RM5 billion), coincidently occurred at the same period of time, was written off from the accounting book hence the EPF members are getting only 4.5% dividend?

In short, can we assume that the 12 million members’ “dividend money” was used for Valuecap’s so-called equity investment programme? Can the members’ hard-earned money loaned to Valuecap be returned to the rightful owners thereafter then, together with interest of course?

*boy, I am stupid for asking such question*? You can’t simply take away contributors’ money, presume everything is in order, everyone will forget about it after some grumbling and blame it on global financial meltdown, can you?

For God’s sake, we need to have some transparencies here because the money is our only retirement fund. No matter where the money has been siphoned to (if any), EPF contributors are still the victims (or rather suckers) ultimately.

Let’s hope the EPF’s total investment funds of over RM342 billion (as at Dec 31, 2008) still exists and this is not another big-time Ponzi-scheme *grin*.

I am made to understand that ValueCap Sdn Bhd was established in 2003. It is a fund management firm created to invest specifically in the Malaysian equity market. It is jointly owned by the government's investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Permodalan Nasional Bhd and Retirement Fund (Incorporated).

RM5 billion was injected into the company to maximise the investment portfolio in purchasing stocks of lower value as part of the local effort to strengthen the stock market.

The argument in the article above seems to make sense on the where-about of the RM4.2 billion shortfall. The people, in this case the EPF contributors have always been short changed. Of course, as usual the government has denied this allegation and stated it as baseless. 

We need the ingenuity, the grit and determination of Barack Obama to solve this predicament of the EPF Contributers - just as the way he resolved the AIG case when he managed to get the top management personnels to refund their bonuses they paid to themselves after getting the bailout money from the Government.  - LINUNDUS

"Bogus" Catholic Priest in Local TV.

"Letter To The Herald March 21 , 2009 Dear Editor, I wish to refer to the Isu@1 programme which was broadcast via the national TV network featuring panel members from one particular religion. As one writer put it, he was humoured by the statement of a panel member, a “former priest” who stated that the second person in the Christian God was “God the Mother”. I fully agree that the facts put forward by the so-called "former priest” were a very shallow knowledge of Christianity. It baffles me to hear how little this “former priest” knew about the Christian faith. This reminds me of a so called former priest and bishop bearing the name “Laden.” This so called “former priest” has posted his anti-Christian articles in the internet and blogs now and again. His postings are at times very sensitive and could be seditious. I think it’s time that we put an end to postings by this sort of “bogus” personality. I have read in his postings where he claimed himself a former “bishop” of Sabah, having been sent by the Catholic Church to study in Rome for his priesthood. At one time he claimed that he was loaded with hundreds of millions of ringgit to convert people and to build churches. He claimed to be of the Suluk race and a convert after many years serving amongst the Christian communities in Sabah. Most Catholics in Sabah know who the priests are. Even we in Sarawak know who the priests in Sabah and Sarawak are. I would suggest that one of the bishops in Sabah clarify this fact and deny the existence of such a “priest”. Maybe a church member can also lodge a police report on the lie this fellow has been disseminating. The TV programme should be the last straw. The authorities should once and for all know this “bogus” person who unceasingly arouses sensitive issues against Christianity. He is not fit even to be an “ustaz” if he happens to be one. We Malaysians of multi-cultural, multiracial and multi-religious background all want to live in peace and harmony in our beloved country Malaysia. Edward Andrew Bintulu, Sarawak"

SOURCE

I agree with Edward Andrew that Authorities concerned should identify this "Bogus" Bishop or "Priest" who claimed himself from Sabah. This was disgustingly aired by our Local TV Station without first verifying the background of the "Priest" in question, especially when broadcasting religious program "with intent to deceive the listners".

The Diocese of Kota Kinabalu should investigate into this matter as the above letter seems to suggest that the "priest" comes from Sabah. - LINUNDUS.

Malaysian Opposition Leader Warns of More Repression

"Tuesday, 31 March 2009 04:49 By Heda Bayron, Voice of America Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim warns of rising repression in the country as a new prime minister takes office this week. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to take over Thursday as prime minister of Malaysia, when Abdullah Badawi steps down. But Malaysian opposition-leader Anwar Ibrahim told reporters in Bangkok that recent developments suggest the Najib administration could usher in a further stifling of dissent and a return to the authoritarian style of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. 'We can only point out to the statements he has made, measures like banning newspapers, threatening tough measures the moment he took over the presidency [of his party, UMNO],' he said. 'That is why the opposition People's Alliance views this with great consternation that Datuk Seri Najib represents the old order.' The government recently shut down two opposition newspapers for three months, preventing them from reporting on a series of high profile events, a hotly contested by-election in Perak state on April 7 and the verdict in a sensational murder case involving a close aide of Najib Razak two days later." READ MORE HERE

McCain supports Palin for president ... sort of

"WASHINGTON (AFP) – Republican Senator John McCain gave lukewarm support Sunday to a bid for the presidency by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, his former running mate in the 2008 race for the White House he lost to President Barack Obama. In an interview with NBC, the Arizona lawmaker said he would 'like to see her compete,' when asked if he would approve of Palin running for president at some future date. Pressed further on his likely support of the Alaska governor were she to compete for the White House, McCain was more circumspect. 'Oh, I'd have to see who the candidates are and what the situation is at the time,' he said, adding in the same breath his 'respect, admiration and love for Sarah and her family.' Palin, 44, and McCain, 72, ran on the same Republican ticket against Democrat Obama in the November 4 election, but many observers felt that the photogenic governor's faux pas and perceived lack of experience in national politics contributed to McCain's loss. A former beauty pageant contestant in Alaska, Palin is the first female governor of the northern state and the Republican Party's first female vice-presidential nominee."

THE FERTILITY CLINIC THAT USED THE WRONG SPERM!

"When Nancy Andrews, of Commack, NewYork became pregnant after an in vitro fertilization procedure at a New York fertility clinic, she and her husband expected a beautiful new addition to their family. What they did not expect was a child whose skin was significantly darker than that of either parent. Subsequent DNA tests suggested that doctors at New York Medical Services for Reproductive Medicine accidentally used another man’s sperm to inseminate Nancy Andrews’ eggs. The couple has since raised Baby Jessica, who was born Oct. 19, 2004, as their own, according to wire reports. But the couple still filed a malpractice suit against the owner of the clinic, as well as the embryologist who allegedly mixed up the samples."

SURGERY ON THE WRONG TESTICLE!

"In yet another case of a wrongful operation, surgeons mistakenly removed the healthy right testicle of 47-year-old Air Force veteran Benjamin Houghton. The patient had been complaining of pain and shrinkage of his left testicle so doctors decided to schedule surgery to remove it due to cancer fears. However, the veteran’s medical records suggest a series of missteps — from an error on the consent form to a failure on the part of medical personnel to mark the proper surgical site before the procedure. The error, which took place at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, spurred a $200,000 lawsuit from Houghton and his wife."

EWTN.com - Secretary Clinton Leaves Flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Asks "Who painted it?"

EWTN.com - Secretary Clinton Leaves Flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Asks "Who painted it?": "Secretary Clinton Leaves Flowers for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Asks 'Who painted it?' Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 27, 2009 (CNA).- During her recent visit to Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unexpected stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and left a bouquet of white flowers “on behalf of the American people,” after asking who painted the famous image. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted by Mary on the tilma, or cloak, of St. Juan Diego in 1531. The image has numerous unexplainable phenomena, such as the appearance on Mary’s eyes of those present in the room when the tilma was opened and the image’s lack of decay. Mrs. Clinton was received on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. by the rector of the Basilica, Msgr. Diego Monroy. Msgr. Monroy took Mrs. Clinton to the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had been previously lowered from its usual altar for the occasion. After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!” Clinton then told Msgr. Monroy that she had previously visited the old Basilica in 1979, when the new one was still under construction. After placing a bouquet of white flowers by the image, Mrs. Clinton went to the quemador –the open air area at the Basilica where the faithful light candles- and lit a green candle. Leaving the basilica half an hour later, Mrs. Clinton told some of the Mexicans gathered outside to greet her, “you have a marvelous virgin!”

Beware Conficker Worm come April 1.

In an event that hits the computer world only once every few years, security experts are racing against time to mitigate the impact of a bit of malware which is set to wreak havoc on a hard-coded date. As is often the case, that date is April 1.

Malware creators love to target April Fool's Day with their wares, and the latest worm, called Conficker C, could be one of the most damaging attacks we've seen in years.

Conficker first bubbled up in late 2008 and began making headlines in January as known infections topped 9 million computers. Now in its third variant, Conficker C, the worm has grown incredibly complicated, powerful, and virulent... though no one is quite sure exactly what it will do when D-Day arrives.

Conficker is clever in the way it hides its tracks because it uses an enormous number of URLs to communicate with HQ. The first version of Conficker used just 250 addresses each day -- which security researchers and ICANN simply bought and/or disabled -- but Conficker C will up the ante to 50,000 addresses a day when it goes active, a number which simply can't be tracked and disabled by hand.

At this point, you should be extra vigilant about protecting your PC: Patch Windows completely through Windows Update and update your anti-malware software as well. Make sure your antivirus software is actually running too, as Conficker may have disabled it.

Microsoft also offers a free online safety scan here, which should be able to detect all Conficker versions.

READ MORE HERE

How Singapore Dealt With The Language

"Everybody has the same chances in education and we chose a neutral language – English. Rather than legislatinng, we just said that you either go to an English school where you learn your mother tongue as a second language, or you go to a Chinese, Malay or Tamil school and learn English as a second language.After a few years, parents discovered that having English as a first language led to better job opportunities, so that solved itself." - Lee Kuan Yew 

MarGeeMar comments: Malaysia went the other way by throwing out English and adopting Malay. The Chinese and Indians decided to have their own schools, teaching in Chinese and Tamil, and now they have a divided society.

These are basics that you have to get right: a level playing field and a meritocracy regardless of race, language or religion. 

READ MORE HERE

Of the three showdowns, Batang Ai is the most critical.

Batang Ai has long been a BN seat. Although the BN candidate is a local unknown, he has the massive BN machinery to help him win. The PR candidate is a popular five-term former BN MP who, after being dropped by the BN in 2008 given local party conflicts, has since moved his politics and his longhouse into PR. Campaigning together with the popular Batang Ai PKR division chief, they collectively pose a clear and present electoral danger to the BN.

READ MORE HERE

Banging drums an election offence?

In the Bukit Selambau by-election, it was reported that ‘Deputy Election Commission chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar pointed out to police that using musical instruments on nomination day was an election offence and requested that they “advise the supporters to stop” but the supporters kept banging on’. (Malaysian Insider, 29 Mar 09).

READ MORE HERE

It is either “KadazanDusun”, or “Kadazan” or “Dusun”.

The Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) has always maintained that there is no such race as Kadazandusun, but "KadazanDusun" is, when combining the two ethnic races of Kadazan and Dusun. Hence, the term “KadazanDusun” to identify the two main races is more appropriate as against “Kadazandusun” which is a misnomer.

Kadazan and Dusun leaders have already expressed their opinions on this issue when Datuk Marcel Leiking, President of KSS, expressed the Society's stance that there is no such race as ‘Kadazandusun’ at the KSS Installation Dinner on 23rd December, 2008.

Datuk Marcel maintains that the term ‘Kadazandusun’ is not an indigenous ethnic race, but “KadazanDusun” (capital K and D) are two ethnic races combined. Therefore, the Kadazans or Dusuns can be identified under the new term ‘KadazanDusun’ if there is a need to coin a new term. 

"The spelling of the word is very important in order to denote the common identification of both ethnic groups under this new term ‘KadazanDusun,’ he added.

However, KSS maintains its stance that those who identify themselves as ‘Kadazan’ or ‘Dusun’, depending on one’s own preference, should also be respected. "This is one’s own personal preference and pride to be identified as such," Marcel added.

When Tun Fuad admitted his mistake (Kinabalu Sunday Times on February 19, 1967) he said, “We are more matured now and see clearly that the name should be left to us to choose, if we prefer to be called Kadazans, that is what we are and if we prefer to be called Dusuns that is what we should be remembering always that whatever name we prefer to go by, we are (one and) the same people.”

"Tun Fuad’s statement has been the hallmark and the guiding principle that KSS has been elucidating in an attempt to dispel the usage of ‘Kadazandusun’ as the uniting factor of Kadazan and Dusun, when such term does not even connote a race," Datuk Marcel added.

Tan Sri Joseph Kurup prefers to be called Dusun although his mother is from Penampang. KSS respects him for identifying himself as Dusun because he is comfortable with it. Kurup is also a Life Member of KSS because he subscribes to its aims and objectives.

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok considers himself as Kadazan and he is also a Life Member of KSS.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Herman James Luping does not mind to be called Kadazan or Tangaah from Penampang. He is also a Life Member of KSS.

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan is happy to be called as Dusun because his birth certificate is based on his Dusunic parentage, and he publicly declared himself as “Kadazandusun”, or is it “KadazanDusun”?

Datuk Marcel did not even think of using the Society as his political platform as elucidated by Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan in his interview with DE which appeared on Sunday, March 15, 2009. "This is far from it. KSS constitution is very clear that it is apolitical," Datuk Marcel commented.

"KSS main intention was to correct the misnomer of the term ‘Kadazandusun’, and not to use the Society as “being a political platform (or base) for political aspirants,” Datuk Marcel said.

Marcel further explained, "From the outset when KSS was registered as a Society, and it has always been vocal regarding the wrong usage of the term "Kadazandusun" as a race because it is misleading to the younger generations who do not know the historical background as to why the term was used – in a wrong way!"

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Bernard G. Dompok has rightly said, “The Kadazan Society Sabah is purely non-political.” 

He further explained, “People who are active in politics, which means you are holding positions in political parties, are not allowed to become office bearers. That’s what is stated in their (KSS) constitution unlike KDCA which is open”.

"The statement by Tan Sri Bernard, who is also a Life Member of Kadazan Society Sabah, should therefore dispel the ‘mischievous and naughty’ allusion of Dr. Jeoffrey Kitingan that KSS as “being a political platform (or base) for political aspirants.” - Linundus.

Related Posting: Kinabalukini.

Fund Raising Dinner by INTI College Students netted RM5,000.00

Some of the Organizing Committee

Standing (L) Victoria O. Cardenas (R) Victoria J. Ongkili

Seated (L) Pang Fui San (R) Michelle Wong

Fabulous MC Adelaide Cornellius as he was introdusing the Main Organizing Committee.

Dr. Alan Lim, INTI College Academic Dean, watering the potted plant to symbolise the function theme "Nurture Nature For The Future" witnessed by Datuk John Sikayun, Batholomew Jingulam, Freddy Ekol, Sylvester Motulis and Ms Sherylnn James.

The VIP Guests Table attended to by the MC Adelaide Cornellius (Blue Shirt)

Batholomew, John and Freddy witnessing the watering of the "Feng Shui" plant.

Ms Mary Sherylnn James, the Organizing Chairperson, delivering her welcoming address.

Kota Kinabalu March 29, 2009: The Fund Raising Dinner organised by the final year 2009 students of the Diploma in Tourism Management from INTI College at one of the well-known Sea Food Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu last night far exceeded the INTI College Academic Dean’s expectation. It was well patronised by about 250 diners and well wishers including invited VIP guests.

I was one of the invited guests in the VIP Table and, on the insistence of my fellow VIP guest, agreed to sing a popular Chinese song entitled “Yue Liang Dai Piau Wo De Xing” meaning “My heart represents the Moon”. Perhaps most of the diners present were surprised by the fact that I am a Kadazan and yet I could render a Chinese song for the purpose of fund raising.

In the name of Charity, the organizers managed to collect from the enthralled guests who generously donated totalling RM1,500.00, thus raising the organizers’ total Nett collection of RM5,000.00 during this function in aid of WWF.

The students were given a task to carry out a management project from which they would be assessed – a requirement from the College Board of Examiners for the final year students to qualify themto pass their final examination and for the award of the Diploma Certificates in Tourism.

How apt it was for them to choose this Fund Raising Dinner as their final project. The project itself was not only related to Tourism industry but also to assist the WWF, a non-profit and non-governmental organization, in its effort to carry its various global conservation projects.

The Organizing Chairperson, Ms Mary Sherylnn James, together with more than 20 of her fellow final year students, had barely one month to organize the function timely to coincide with the Earth Hour which was observed globally on 28^th March from 8.30pm – 9.30pm local time.

The function was launched by the INTI College Academic Dean, Dr. Alan Lim by symbolically watering a potted plant (see pix) in reflection of the function theme, “Nurture Nature For our Future”.

The function would not have been so successful if not for the mastery of the MC, Mr. Adelaide Cornellius who was appointed by the event advisor cum Head of the Program, Mr. Sylvester Motulis. 

Notable VIP guests at the function were Datuk Marcel Leiking, President of Kadazan Society Sabah; Datuk John Sikayun, President of Sabah Law Society; Datuk Lawrence Sinsua, a prominent KL based businessman; Batholomew Jingulam, KSS SG; Freddy Ekol, a prominent local based businessman as well as KSS VP; and yours truly.

Baby gloom haunts Lee

Saturday March 28, 2009

THE rising number of reluctant brides, particularly among the highly educated, has again been highlighted by Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew.

In a recent dialogue with undergraduates, Minister Mentor Lee pointed to his own daughter as an example when he talked about the long-term impact of falling marriage and procreation rates.

His concern about Singapore’s population slide had been around for some 25 years, seeing it a threat to its long-term survival.

A newspaper headline just asked: “Will we be the last of the Mohicans (an American Red Indian tribe that became extinct)?”

In other words, the low fertility will lead to the extinction of the present 3.25 million true-blue Singaporeans.

The white-haired Lee says an increasing number of the better-educated women are choosing to remain single as a lifestyle choice, and happy with it.

Lee is 86 today. This year he enters a historic 50th year of state leadership to become the world’s longest serving leader.

He showed the students an uncharacteristic glimpse of his softer, fatherly figure, a divergence from his past combatant self. This time, he talked of his unmarried daughter to make a point.

She is Dr Lee Wei Ling, the bright 54-year-old director of the National institute of Neurological Sciences, who once lashed out at the “elitist attitude of some in our upper socio-economic class.” Courtesy from The Star

READ MORE HERE

Media effort draws faithful back to Church.

Phoenix, Ariz., March 27 (CNA). - Maybe TV isn't so bad after all. An estimated 92,000 inactive Catholics have come back to the Church in the last year thanks in large part to the groundbreaking Catholics Come Home television advertising campaign. The promotional spots featured people and locations from around the Phoenix Diocese to promote the Church during prime time television. The cornerstone of the campaign, the Catholics Come Home Web site, addresses often misunderstood aspects of the faith. READ MORE HERE Linundus Comments: Regretably we do not even have Catholic faith promotion aired over the radio in our country, let alone any Church promotion during prime time television.

Flick your switch off to observe Earth Hour.

Do you want to show you care about energy conservation? Simply switch off your lights tonight, March 28 2009 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time. Don’t wait for SESB to switch off the power supply; they will do it for you at odd times not according to scheduled Earth Hour. This is Earth Hour, and Saturday is the third annual worldwide event. Millions of homes and businesses and hundreds of major landmarks will go dark for one hour to show that energy conservation is important and to send this message to political leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009. At the same time, Earth Hour reminds each of us how easy it is to conserve -- just turn off non-essential lights and electronics to reduce our own power consumption. Some famous buildings will be going dark on Saturday including: The Empire State Building in New York City, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, the Sydney Opera House, the Sears Tower in Chicago, Seattle's Space Needle, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Broadway theatre marquees in New York City. Malaysia is also observing the Earth Hour but it is not known yet whether the Petronas Twin Tower will go dark tonight for one hour from 8.30pm. Earth Hour is both a symbolic act and the start of a practical habit to conserve energy.And during Earth Hour, what will most participants use for illumination? Candles. The Earth Hour website is filled with announcements – from New Zealand to Hong Kong to Serbia – of restaurants hosting candlelit dinners and clubs holding candlelit acoustic concerts, along with lots of tips on what to do at home during the electricity-free hour, which includes taking a candlelit bath or playing board games by candlelight. Check out some of the recommended tips for saving energy in and around the house all year round. How to save energy around the house From shutting down the electronics and picking up a book (gasp!) to closing your curtains at the right time, here are 21 simple things you can do to save energy, and cash, in your home. What's wasting energy in your home right now A gentle reminder -- with specifics -- to get up and unplug appliances you're not using. Keeping cool indoors If you don't have air conditioning -- or if you want to keep your power bill from going gangbusters -- you still can lower the temperature inside your house or apartment. Greening your home in the right order There is an important order to the steps each of us can take to make a difference. How low can you go? Saving energy while washing the dishes is as easy as pushing a button.