By Joseph Bingkasan
INANAM – An 89-years-old and a husband and wife were among the five newly-baptised in a ritual conducted by Fr Sylvester Wong at the St Mary’s Chapel, Kionsom on Apr 21.
The couple were James Jayapal, 71, and Angeline Jolly, 67. Two others were Aaron Roy Pius and Violet Duin.
The five catechumens were baptized, confirmed and given their First Holy Communion by Fr Sylvester.
The ceremony was witnessed by parishioners who filled up the Chapel and it’s multipurpose hall. Holy Mass was presided by the St Catherine’s Church, Inanam based priest.
Meanwhile Fr Sylvester said God’s people should be baptized because God commanded it, not because Church requires it.
He said baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith.
“Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured,” he said.
He reminded the newly baptised that baptism declares that they are follower of Jesus Christ.
“It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ, ” he said.
According to him, it is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for Christian life.
In a later date, more will be initiated into the Catholic Church as more than 20 are now attending Sunday school in preparation for their baptism.
