The SMCs, held biennially since 2008, serve as a platform to raise awareness of the charitable work carried out by Caritas Singapore and its member organisations. Over the years, these conferences have also inspired many like-minded individuals to come together and join in the effort to care for those in need.
Join us this year for Social Mission Conference 2024.
Date: Saturday 25 May
Time: 9am to 5.30pm
Venue: Catholic Junior College
Programme Overview
Our Faith calls us to action. How can we respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor?
Our care for one another and for the Earth are intimately bound together.
How does the Church understand society and environment together?
How can we bring about a society that respects the dignity of all?
How can the Church be a force for good?
Timing | Programme |
---|---|
8.30am | Morning Coffee and Registration |
9.00am | Welcome by Ms Agnes Liew, Chairman of Caritas Singapore |
Cell | Opening Prayer and Morning Praise |
Cell | ‘Dignity of Life & Care for Soul’ How do we see the beauty of the dignity of life? How do we care for our soul such that we better understand and apply the Spiritual Motivations of Laudato Si and so put into action the calling of our faith in the care for all. Friar Robin Toha, Order of Friars Minor. |
Cell | Keynote Presentation ‘Care for Environment’ What does 'integral ecology' mean for Catholics? What is 'ecological conversion' and why does it matter? What should be the next steps to care for our environment? Prof Christiana Zenner, Associate Professor of Theology, Science, and Ethics, Department of Theology, Fordham University. |
Cell | Morning Break |
Cell | Sharings on ‘Care for Culture’ and ‘Care for People’ With the changes in the environment, our history, culture and society has changed. How do we continue to make sense and meaning of these changes, especially for our people and society? What kind of culture is needed to bring about a real change of mindset to address environmental efforts in our Singapore society and therefore care for those in need? Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary,Ministry of Social and Family Development & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. and Mr Samuel Ng, BBM, Founder | CEO of Montfort Care |
Cell | Panel Conversations with Friar Robin Toha, Professor Christiana Zenner, Mr Eric Chua and Mr Samuel Ng. |
12.30pm | Lunch and Activity |
2.00pm | Care for All In this midst of the challenges of rising environmental issues, how do we respond to those in need? Concurrent Tracks: Breakout Track 1 – Care for The Marginalised Breakout Track 2 – Care for The Elderly Breakout Track 3 – Care for Mental Health and The Youth Breakout Track 4 – Care for The Environment |
Cell | Afternoon Tea Break |
Cell | Closing Address by Dr Roland Yeow, Chairman of Social Mission Conference 2024. |
4.30pm | Mass |
5.30pm | End of Conference |
Meet Our Speakers
Friar Robin Toha
order of friars minor
Friar Robin Toha was born and raised in Indonesia before he came to Singapore for university study. His initial plan was to complete his study and to work for five or six years before going back for good to his country of birth. However, the Lord had another plan.
During his university days, he did not only learn about engineering, but even more about faith, life, and vocation as a catholic.
After a very long process of discernment, he joined the Franciscan friars in 2014 and was ordained in 2022.
He is currently serving as the assistant parish priest in the Church of of St Mary of the Angels. Through his ministry, he hopes he will be able to help others to experience God's goodness in the ordinary daily life so that each of us can say that God is good, and so is our life.Professor Christiana Zenner
associate professor of theology, science, and ethics department of theology, fordham university
Christiana Zenner, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Theology, Science, and Ethics and Affiliated Faculty in Environmental Studies at Fordham University-Lincoln Center, New York City.
She is a scholar of science and religion, focusing especially the Catholic Church's tradition of social teaching, and its ecological turn. The author of Just Water: Theology, Ethics, and Fresh Water Crises (2014, rev. ed. 2018), Dr. Zenner is also co-editor of two volumes on bioethics, science and society, and sustainability. Her next book, Beyond Laudato Si', will be published in 2025, aligned with the tenth anniversary of the papal encyclical Laudato Si'.
Professor Zenner is currently engaged in an international, interdisciplinary project on Planetary Metaphysics through the Berggruen Institute.
Mr Eric Chua
senior PARLIAMENTARY secretary, ministry of social and family development & ministry of culture, community and youth
Mr Eric Chua is currently serving as Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Family Development, as well as the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. He previously served in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs for 17 years before being elected into Parliament in July 2020.
Eric is a strong advocate of social mobility. He believes in the power of mentoring as a great leveller, particularly for youth from humbler family backgrounds.
He spent most of the past 15 years of community service working with youth, and have served as two-term Chairman for the People Association Youth Movement’s Central Youth Council, Chairman of the Cairnhill CC Youth Executive Committee for 10 years and as a two-term member of the National Youth Council. For his service to the youth community in Singapore, Eric was conferred the prestigious 2017 Excellent Youth Award and Meritorious Youth Awards (2010, 2012, 2017) by the People’s Association.
A dedicated community leader, Eric was most recently Chairman of the Cairnhill Community Club Management Committee (CCMC), Chairman of the Henderson Dawson Community Sports Club, and members of the Moulmein-Cairnhill and Henderson Dawson Citizens’ Consultative Committee.
Mr Samuel Ng, BBM
Founder | ceo of montfort care
Mr Samuel Ng, Founder and CEO of Montfort Care, has over 30 years of experience in the social service industry. He established Marine Parade Family Service Centre in 2000 to address community needs, which evolved to become the Montfort Care today, an organisation that offers services and programmes via Family Service centres, a Child Protection Specialist Centre, the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH), and Goodlife by Montfort Care that provides care for seniors.
Samuel has held numerous roles in community groups, such as District Councillor with South East Community Development Council, Board Member at Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), Management Committee Member of three CWS Nursing Homes, Advisory Panel Member for Social Work Education at Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Council Member of National Council on Problem Gambling.
His dedication to social service has earned him prestigious honors, such as the Outstanding Social Worker Award and the Public Service Star, as well as recognition as a trailblazer in the social service sector by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in early 2023.
Concurrent Breakout Tracks
Be inspired by individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving those in need and the environment.
There will be 4 concurrent breakout tracks, each led by professionals from their respective fields.
Let's come together and discover ways to put our faith into action and care for everyone.
Click on each Breakout Track to view the organisations represented on the panel.
Ticket Price
- Individual - $40 per pax
- Group - $100 for 3 pax
- Caritas Family Member Organisations - $20 per pax
- Clergy and religious – Complimentary
For those who require assistance, please email Gail at [email protected] or call 6338 3448 ext 3115.