Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.
Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213
Baptism is not only the first of the seven sacraments, it is also the basic sacrament.Why? Unless a person is baptized, none of the other six sacraments can be received. For instance, only a baptized person can receive Holy Communion.
Christ Himself ordered His disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations and to baptize those who accept the message of the Gospel. "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5) This sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ.
Infant Baptism
Role of Parents
Parents are the child’s "first teachers or witnesses" in the ways of the faith. Having your child baptized endorses your agreement to take on the responsibilities of training him/her in the practice of the faith and bringing him/her up in the way of Christ.
Role of Godparents
The Godparents are the chosen child’s parents, because they represent your family and friends, & also represent the Christian community
By the Godparent’s own faithful practice and involvement in the life of the child, he/she will help the child live a Christian life faithful to the baptismal promises.
Baptismal name
A baptismal name is usually taken from the Saints, one whom the child could look up to or be inspired by as he/she grows up
RCIA/ RCIY
RCIA/Y stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults/Youths. As Jesus said “Come and See” in John 1:39, we warmly invite all inquirers and our separated brethren to come and join us in our journey to explore and deepen our faith. This journey prepares adults to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist).
To fully understand the level of commitment as a Catholic, the RCIA/Y journey allows one to deepen their knowledge and clarify any doubts they may have before deciding to get baptised.
The starts in July and the journey concludes with baptism being celebrated the following year at the Easter vigil. The year long journey is anchored by weekly sessions held on Tuesdays, from 8pm - 10pm, at the John Paul II Hall (Parsonage).
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) sessions start in July and the journey concludes with baptism being celebrated the following year at the Easter vigil., every Tuesday from 8 - 10pm. Jesus invites everyone - both Inquirers and Companions are invited to come and see!
RCIY (Rite of Christian Initiation for Youths) typically runs from after Easter to Easter vigil the following year, session is every Sunday from 10.15am to 12pm. This is for youths (between the ages of 13 to 23) who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or baptised youth who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation due to exceptional circumstances. Parental consent is required for youths below 21 years old. A “Come and See” information session is usually held just before a journey officially begins.
The Programme:
A rundown of what the journey looks like from start to end - A typical session starts off with a prayer followed by a short time of praise and worship. The designated speaker (either a Priest or a guest speaker) will then delve more into the topic of the week. Depending on the flow of conversations and time limitations, there may be sharing in break-out groups where inquirers, candidates, companions and facilitators get to participate.
The 4 key areas of the RCIA journey are:
- Evangelisation and Pre-catechumenate
As an Inquirer, this is a time for you to ask questions, be introduced to Gospel values, and experience the beginnings of faith. If you feel that you are ready and would like to take the next step, this period concludes with the celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.
- Catechumenate
As a Catechumen, this is a time for your faith to be nurtured, attending sessions to learn about Catholic faith and teachings. If you feel that you are ready and would like to take the next step towards initiation, this period concludes with the celebration of the Rite of Election/Enrollment of Names where there will be a diocesan-wide celebration of Catechumens.
- Purification and Enlightenment
As an Elect, this period (usually during Lent) preceding your initiation is meant to be a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by the celebration of the scrutinies and preparation for the rites of the Sacraments of Initiation. During this time, you are still free to make a final decision whether you wish to be fully initiated into the church.
- Mystagogy/Postbaptismal Catechesis
Now that you have been initiated, as a neophyte, you are fully a part of the community. This is a time for deepening of your faith.