Parish Celebrates the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter Vigil

The crowning event of life

If someone were to ask you, "What is the most important thing in life for everybody without exception?," You should respond with the answer: "Baptism!" without a second thought.

The Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of life—supernatural life! We receive God's special grace and become His Children!

After a year of Journeying in Faith through the weekly English RCIA classes, Michael Tang and Karen Lio finally received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, together with Anne Sri Devi (Mrs. Jerry Manikam) and Matius Jilly Marubong and his wife Magdaline Santie, from the Bahasa RCIA class conducted by Sr. Caroline Gan. There was also a baby baptism and the sole candidate for confirmation was Diana Orzanes Almeda (Mrs. Christopher Lim)

Congratulations to all the candidates who have been through the RCIA process and May God continue to bless and guide our newly baptised in their journey of life!

(Photo Credits : Jenny Teo)

The Elect with their sponsors being called to the altar to receive the sacraments of Iniitiation

Baptism ceremony of each candidate

Anointing with Holy Oil after baptism

Candidates being prayed over

Candidates are presented with a new cloth - signifying new life

Sponsors, receiving the baptismal candles -the 'Light of Christ' and passing them to their Godchildren

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Michael Tang, being anointed with Chrism, with sponsor, Joseph 

Sole Confirmation candidate, Diana Almeda, with her sponsor and husband, Christopher Lim

Karen Lio, receiving her confirmation, sponsor Tijan

Magdaline Santie being confirmed

Matius Jilly Marubong being confirmed

Fr. francis Andrew celebrating the   Easter Vigil Mass

The newly Baptised and Confirmed being congratulated and welcomed by the parish

The RCIA  teachers, Sr. Caroline Gan, Joseph Wang and Sr. Regina 

Holy Saturday

Easter is the greatest feast in the Church's Calender. Tonight's Easter Vigil Service is arranged in four parts:

Part 1:             Service of Light: The fire is lighted and blessed.

                        The Easter Candle is ceremoniously prepared and is then lighted

                        from this new fire.

Part 2:             The Liturgy of the Word: The Church meditates on all the

                        wonderful things God has done for his people.

Part 3:             Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism and                                             Confirmation. We have 5 baptisms, the culmination of a journey of faith through RCIA                          and we welcome tonight, our newly baptised sisters and brothers.

Part 4:             And finally, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist - Jesus truly alive. 

Tonight is a night of rejoicing - Jesus overcoming sin and death - rising again that all of us  may have eternal life. 

(Photo Credit: Jenny Teo and Joseph Wang)

Service of the Light held outside the church, on the field.

Markings on the Paschal Candle, " the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the year 2016..."

Lighting of the new fire

Lighting the Paschal Candle from the new fire.

All in darkness during the Service of Light.

Lighting the incense from the new fire 

The Celebrant intones: "Christ Our Light"  our Response "Thanks be to God"

"Christ Our Light" for the 2nd time outside the front of the church

 The congregation follows in procession into the darkness of the church,

For the third time, the Celebrant intones: "Christ Our Light!" 

The Exultet being sung by Sr. Jackie

The congregation with lighted candles  listening to the Liturgy of the Word.

The Elect  and their sponsors  being invited to front of the altar to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day to remember the victory which Christ won by shedding his blood for us. The Cross, for us Christians is not only the sign of our redemption but calls us to embrace our whole human condition- sufferings as well as the joys of our life.

Today’s celebration is divided into 3 parts:

 1.    Liturgy of the Word – we listen to the words of scripture and strive to understand the true meaning of his suffering and the mind that was in him.

 2.    Adoration/Veneration of the Cross – we adore/venerate   the cross as the symbol of victory and salvation and finally,

 3.    Holy Communion – we enter into sacramental communion with him who is our Saviour and our life.

Before the service which was held at 5.00 pm, Fr. Francis Andrew led the servers and the congregation in the Way of the Cross which was held this year round the church field and the Fatima Kindergarten road. Though the weather was hot and humid, parishioners braved the heat to experience the suffering and passion of our Lord.

(Photos credit: Jenny Teo)

The congregation, following the Way of the Cross

Fr. Francis prostrate in front of the altar in total surrender to God

The Unveiling of the Cross