Faith Formation

SESSIONS FOR NON-CATHOLICS

RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults)

What is R.C.I.A. ?
R.C.I.A. means the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This Rite expresses the essential mission and purpose of the Church - to draw all people to the Father through Christ Jesus the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

How does it work?
New members of the Church are led, by stages and at their own pace, into full participation with the community of the faithful alongside whom they have journeyed. That community develops its proper identity - as a faith-sustaining body.

The group of new members meet for about two hours one evening a week along with the priests, their sponsors and facilitators.

The person of Jesus Christ is introduced and His teachings are presented. Participants are invited to know, love and follow Him. Meanwhile, enquirers or "catechumen" are put in communion with sponsors, ie: Catholics who devote their times to assist them throughout the journey. Together they come to experience life in the Catholic Church through group prayers and community activities. Faith are experienced, discussed and shared.

Two liturgical rites mark the progress of the community before the enquirers accept baptism. They are the Rite of Acceptance which welcomes the candidates for "becoming catechumens" and the Rite of Election where the Church formally "elects" the candidates to a process of full initiation, and the "elected" express their willingness to accept membership of the Catholic Church.

Enquiry and Its Rite
During the first stage in the faith journey, participants begin to form relationships with one another. Sessions are formal and informal, with teaching imparted, life stories shared and curiosities about “things Catholic” answered. When a decision to continue in the process is made, enquirers get to know sponsors who mentor them along the way. The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is celebrated within the community’s Sunday Mass.

Catechumenate and Its Rites
With the Rite of Acceptance, participants make a commitment to deepen their relationship with the Lord and with one another. The spirit, value and mentality of Christ will be introduced and all are called to imitate Christ, the way, the truth and the life. Members get to know various faith witnesses, including our heroes and models of faith of old and our present participants. We are also initiated into the practices and prayers of the Catholic Family.

Immediate Preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation
For those getting baptism on Easter, the Rite of Election takes place on the first Sunday of Lent. Otherwise another suitable date may be chosen. It is celebrated by the bishop or his representative, and marks a major transition. Catechumens now become the Elects, and their names are inscribed in the diocese’s Book of Enrolment. On the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent, the Rites of the Scrutinies are celebrated at a Sunday Mass. As Lent draws to a close, the elect will be invited to participate in a day of reflection.

Mystagogy and Its Rites
The Rites of Initiation usually take place at the Easter Vigil or on other suitable day of Eucharistic celebration. The Elects are now neophytes (new Catholics). They join the parish community to the Eucharistic table and receive their first Communion. Neophytes’ final stage of learning is centered on how to be a committed Catholic, including personal prayer time, community worship and involvement in Church’s specific ministries.

 

Mandarin Sessions

  • Every Tuesday 7.45 pm at St. Anne’s Hall

Person-in-charge

  • Abel Cheng- 93383366

Download Forms

English Sessions - Every Wednesday 7.45 pm at St. Joachim’s Hall

Contact persons - Joseph Lum 97923599

 

CHILDREN CATECHESIS

The Parents’ Role In Catechesis

If parents want their children to grow up believing in God and living their life in faith, they have to do more than enrolling them for catechism. If parents want their children to have faith, they will have to share their own faith with them.

Parents must understand that sharing one’s own faith may not be easy. In fact, it may be uncomfortable, especially for parents who have been Catholic since infancy. Nevertheless, that is the challenge parents are offered. It is a role they must take.

If they want their children to believe, then their children will have to see and hear that they believe. If parents want their children to pray, they will have to let their children see and hear them pray. If parents want their children to know about God, they will have to share stories about God with them— their own stories and stories from Scripture.

Every home ought to have a children's Bible so that parents may read to their children from it. Family prayers are important. Grace at meals, a blessing at dinner or before bed are recommended. Some indications like a crucifix, a picture, a family Bible somewhere in the house and in the child’s room that says this is a Christian home would be helpful too.

Let religious education begin at home. Let the faith begin with you and be shared by you and through your good example.

Catechism Timing

  • Saturdays : 4 pm - 5.15pm, Sec 1 to Sec 3
5.45pm - 6.45pm, (Chinese Catechism)

  • Sunday : 8.45am - 10 am, Preschool, P2 & P3
10.30am - 11.45am, P1, P4 to P6

Children Liturgy

  • 1st & 3rd Sunday at 11 am.

Children’s Participated Mass

  • 2nd Sunday at 11 am and 4th Sunday at 9 am.

Registration for children (Download Forms)

Apply to be a catechist

  • Stephanie Ng - 96841489
  • Download Forms (Coming Soon)