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/Y (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults/Youths)
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 those exploring the Catholic faith 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.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
The RCIA journey begins in June and concludes with the celebration of Baptism at the Easter Vigil of the following year. The year long journey is anchored by weekly sessions held every Tuesdays from 8pm - 10pm at the John Paul II Hall (Parsonage).
Jesus invites everyone to “Come and See” — both inquirers and companions are welcome to join us on this journey of faith.
RCIY (Rite of Christian Initiation for Youths)
RCIY (Rite of Christian Initiation for Youths) typically runs from after Easter to Easter vigil the following year, session is every Sunday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Isaiah Room (Parish Centre, Level 2).
This programme is open to youths aged 16 to 23 who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, as well as baptised youths who, due to exceptional circumstances, have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Parental consent is required for participants below 21 years of age. A “Come and See” information session is usually held before the commencement of each new journey.
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.