By Margaret Chan Kit Yok
Raising children towards a journey that lasts a lifetime in Catholic Faith
KUCHING — Three events marked the end of the 2024 Sunday School session for the English stream in Holy Trinity Parish, Kenyalang, which started on 7 January 2024.
The morning of 26 October 2024 welcomed four children who received the Sacrament of Baptism from the class established for the first time in Holy Trinity Parish for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) under Catechist Stella Chin. This class was a preparation course for the baptism of children between six (6) to 14 years of age who have passed the age of reason and know right and wrong, and can thus commit actual sins.
During the Sunset Mass, the congregation joined the families of nine first communicants in a momentous occasion of their lives—being allowed to experience the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. In preparation for the sacred rite of passage that nourishes the young souls on their spiritual journey, the candidates had their First Reconciliation on 8 September 2024, subsequently followed by another on 13 October 2024 guided by Catechists Angeline Yeo and Alice Tan.
The certificate-giving celebration was held on 27 October 2024 to show gratitude to the 104 students, parents, catechists and priests who all deserved special thanks for the work they did to support the parish’s Faith Formation programme for young children. The parents were congratulated for recognising their priority in their provisions of faith, life and education for their children, with whom God has entrusted to them.
The rector, Fr Eugenio Gocela Maglasang, SDB presented to all the students their certificates of attendance and participation, and to those respective students their Baptismal, First Holy Communion and Confirmation certificates.
The generosity of the parents and teachers who brought varieties of food, without any formal arrangement, made the occasion so memorable. It was true to what Paul said, God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
It was also gratifying to hear all parties of this Faith Formation programme asking when the 2025 Sunday School session will start. It will be a joy to welcome everybody to another wonderful year of Faith Formation in the Holy Trinity Parish.
The Catechists holding the fort for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) are Catechist Cecilia Kong with her assistants: Agatha Wong, Astrid Ong, Elizabeth Blassan and Teresa Wong. The CGS is a fully immersive, hands-on religious formation programme for teaching children aged three to six on the important details of their Catholic Faith.
The Catechists for the six-year-olds are Susanna Juan and Jessica James, while Primary 1 and 2 groups are Gilbert Lai and Teresa Lim; Primary 3 and 4, Angeline Yeo and Alice Tan, Primary 5 and 6, Catechist Karen Woon; Form 1 and 2, Stephanie Harry and Form 3 and above, George Chapman. The coordinator is Margaret Chan.
