By Raymond Wong
The first week of Lent at the Sunset mass was held on the 25th Feb 2023 and the Rites of Election was conducted where 7 catechumens from the English RCIA were elected to the status of “Elects” in the Catholic church with the new Parish Priest Fr. Simon Kontou presiding over the holy mass.
7 catechumens from the English RCIA
The following weekend on 5th March 2023 at the Chinese Mass with ten catechumens from the Chinese community also had the rites with Fr Raymond Lee presiding. It was due to some unforeseen circumstances that it was conducted in the second week of Lent
10 catechumens from the Chinese community
At the Bahasa Malaysia mass also on the second week of Lent Fr. Simon Kontou elected 18 catechumens into the status of “Elect” witnessed by the congregation present
18 catechumens from Bahasa Malaysia
At the Rites, the ‘Book of Elect’ with all the names of candidates was presented to the celebrant at the mass.
The journey of the RCIA candidates took them through the knowledge of the word of God through the Holy Bible. Emphasis was on Jesus Christ and that God exists in their lives and learning about the Catholic Church, the sacraments, the feast days of the Church, and discovering themselves to be children of God.
Group sharing was also done among themselves where the candidates will get to know one another better.
The other Rites of Purification or Scrutiny during the season of Lent will be conducted in the weeks to come in preparation for their baptism this coming Easter Celebrations in early April 23
After the Easter celebrations, the candidates will then continue their sessions in the period of “mystagogy” where the baptized will be introduced to the mystery of Christ and to the various communities of the church.