Papar-Limbahau catechumens conclude enrollment for RCIA

PAPAR – Ninty-seven (Papar – 45; Limbahau – 52)  concluded their enrollment for The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)  at St Joseph Church here on 4 Mar 2017.

The RCIA is a process for people who wish to become members of the Roman Catholic Church and the central and unifying principle of the process and the Rite is conversion.

The event began with a brief sharing by Seminarian Gilbert Marcus followed by a catechesis on the RCIA process and structure by Father Thomas Madanan. This includes the scrutinisation of the catechumens’ readiness in accepting the teaching of the Catholic Church, the history of evangelisation in Labuan, Brunei, Papar, Limbahau and Kinuta by Msgr Don Carlos (1857) and the Mill Hill Missionaries (1881).

In his homily, the pastor said,”Jesus called us here not by chance, but to bear witness to those faithful before us. Hence, we all must continue Christ’s mission to bring as many people with us to enter the Kingdom of God.”

The catechumens and their sponsors then proceeded to sign the parish books to conclude their enrollment process in the presence of the priest.

The pre-catechumenate was carried out on 5 Feb  2017 at Fr John Tsung Hall with the Rite of Acceptance officiated by Father Thomas Yip, assisted by Seminarian Gilbert Marcus, and attended by the inquirers’ sponsors/godparents and their facilitators.

These catechumens will join other catechumens in the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese for the Rite of Election to be officiated by Archbishop John Wong at Sacred Heart Cathedral Kota Kinabalu on Mar 5 at 3 pm.

The Elect will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Apr 15.  – William Charles Mindus, SOCCOM Papar-Limbahau