By
Raymond Wong
SANDAKAN - In the
middle of December 2016, the Parish Family Life Ministry together with the
Catechetical Commission discerned to conduct catechesis for married Catholics
who, due to certain circumstances, were not able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The target group is for those in their thirties, baptized but not confirmed and
those who are married but have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
With the Bishop’s
advice and instructions, a small committee initiated by Sister Martina, Chairperson
of the Catechetical Commission together with the couple, Caesar & Eva Siruno
from the Parish Family Life Ministry undertook the duties of organizing the
sessions together with members from the Catechetical and Family Life Ministry under
the Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and the English sections.
It was given a time
frame of 4 weekend sessions of catechesis in January 2017 where all candidates
must attend the full course of 4 Sundays. Whereas on 31st January
2017, was allotted solely for the recollection, confession and rehearsals of
both the confirmands and the sponsors. It was in preparation for the mass at 4
pm by His Lordship Bishop Julius. A total of 23
candidates ranging from the age of 27 to 83 years participated in the sessions.
The catechism began
from 8th Jan 2017 with four consecutive Sundays and the last session
was on 29th January 2017 held in the Parish conference room.
In the first Sunday
session, Sister Martina gave the talks on “Sacraments in the Catholic Church”
and the importance and effect of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The second Sunday, Catechist
Pius Gorohom talked about the strengthening of the Sacrament of Confirmation through
the power of the Holy Spirit that makes the Catholic Church alive.
Catechist Lionel
Randasan, on the third Sunday session, touched on the subject of the challenges
of the confirmed person as children of God in today’s setting.
The couple, Caesar
and Eva emphasized on the role of the family as “the domestic church” where baptized
and confirmed parents have the responsibility to form and educate their
children in the Catholic faith.
The Sacrament of
Penitential service was done by Fr. Christopher Ireneus .
The mass was
celebrated in the afternoon of 31st Jan 2017 at St Joseph Church by His
Lordship Bishop Julius with the presence and support of family members of all
candidates.
The certificates of
confirmation were then presented to all candidates before the fellowship dinner
after the mass.
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