By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The SOP for the COVID-19 pandemic enforced on places of worship, had necessitated some changes to be made before 38 students from the BSC English Sunday School could receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The confirmands were students from Level 10, aged between 16 and 17 years old. The limited number of parishioners allowed at Mass meant the candidates had to be split into two groups of 19 each.
The first batch received the Sacrament of Confirmation on 23 October, while the second batch received the Sacrament on 25 October. The SOP had also resulted in the BSC Chinese Sunday School students receiving the Sacrament a week earlier.
Nonetheless, it was an occasion to rejoice, given the long postponement. Only parents and godparents of the candidates were given permission to attend the celebration with an estimated congregation of about 90 at each Mass, including the faith formators.
To celebrate the Mass for the confirmands was BSC Rector Fr Patrick Heng, who had been granted the faculty to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation by Archbishop Simon Poh, the Ordinary Minister of Confirmation.
In welcoming everyone, Fr Patrick said it “was a joy” for him to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. He expounded on the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit given at confirmation.
At the end of Mass, certificates were given out to the candidates.
The annual event for the Sacrament of Confirmation was organised by the Bible and Faith Formation Committee (BFFC) Sunday School English session.
