Some 12 wonderful individuals took a step closer into the heart of Jesus Christ in this year’s Easter celebration at the Church of Divine Mercy, Sungai Ara, after undergoing the rites of baptism and confirmation in front of a full-house congregation.

On Easter Virgil, during the evening mass (3rd April 2021), parish priest Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap had said during his sermon that despite the many setbacks, struggles and difficulties that all the 12 individuals had to endure to be able to be where they are now. They are drawing ever closer to the church and the almighty king, Jesus Christ, through their tireless efforts, commitment to Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit played key roles in their journey. The following are some of the key points from Fr Michael’s homily, directed to the soon to be baptized and confirmands.

“One year of walking through this RCIA, there were days you had online sessions, days where you had to rush for face-to-face sessions. There were so many struggles, but all of you stood firm in this commitment towards God and Lord Jesus Christ. You guys have been amazing, you guys continued to believe in Christ and his love and mercy for us all”.

“It’s a whole new movement that all of you will be experiencing tonight. It is from darkness to light. Your journey, hereafter, is not only about you, but about Christ as well, who will be journeying with you. It’s a new life, something tremendous will happen to all of you tonight. It is God’s love you are experiencing. Something different will take hold of you tonight. I ask you to experience: He is risen; from death to life, from sin to grace and from darkness to light. “

“My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I will ask God to touch the very fiber of your life, and from today onwards, you will be empowered to the core because God is present in all of you,” Fr Michael said.

The next day, during the Easter Sunday mass, Fr Michael had presented the baptismal and confirmation certificates to all the 12 individuals.

There were eight individuals who received the rite of baptism, which include Teresa Teoh Siew Li, Oaklyn Ong Jing Ling, Olivia Ong Jing Ern, Alexis Faustina Ng Chie Chien, Krysta Kaminee Muniandy, Jasmine Lee Mun Theng, Luke Premadevan Sukumaran and Teresa Mardiyana Sihombing.

The four that received the rite of confirmation include Marcela Jeanne Yansi Dwi Anggriana Kasandi, Rachael Anggun Rosittauli Gurning, Kresensia Lewi Anita Manurung and Danaprekash Francis Xavier.

Story by Kevin Vimal