Our Encounter with Christ

Sep 20, 2019

By GSC Catechetical Ministry
It was truly a joyful and memorable day for the parishioners of Good Shepherd Church (GSC), Setapak as they witnessed the Confirmation of 48 students August 24 during the 6.00pm sunset Mass. Of the total number, 39 were Form 5 students, four from the RCIA and five from the adults’ Confirmation class.

There had been much preparation for the confirmands prior to the Confirmation ceremony. To list out : 

-- March 2 & 3 - Form 5 Confirmands attended Part 2 of the Theology of the Body camp at Good Shepherd Church. 
-- June 14 - The parents, students and teachers came together for a briefing on the Confirmation Mass, Confirmation Camp and preparation for the Rite of Confirmation. 
-- July 12-14 - Form 5 Confirmands attended a three-day-two-night camp themed Jesus, I am Yours at the IJ Centre, Port Dickson.  
-- August 24 - Confirmation Mass

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow and concelebrated by GSC parish priest Fr Christopher Wilvaraj and Fr Si mon Lau of Sacred Heart Church.

Before Mass, all the confirmands gathered at the entrance of the church for a group photograph with Archbishop Julian Leow. Then they processed into the church. The multi-lingual kids’ choir of GSC which consists of 30 children, sang in four languages, adding more joy to the multi-lingual Mass.

The Gospel reading was from Luke 13:22– 30. Archbishop Leow in his homily in English and Bahasa Malaysia, spoke about the narrow door to enter the Kingdom of God. He emphasised that whoever we are — a lay person, a priest, a catechist or a bishop — we are not guaranteed a place in the Kingdom of God. Many people who think themselves as saved may hear the Master saying, “I do not know you”. The door to God’s Kingdom may be narrow, but it is open to everyone. It very much depends on our encounter with Christ in our daily life. We need to choose the narrow door, the door of love, which challenges us to follow Christ.

The Rite of Confirmation followed. The Laying of hands and anointing with chrism by the Archbishop was the most awaited moment for the confirmands. We hope and pray that the Sacrament of Confirmation they  have received will empower them to live a virtuous and holy life and also strengthen them with the grace to love and serve as disciples of CHRIST.

Before the Mass ended, Fr Christopher thanked Archbishop Leow for celebrating the Mass and also Fr Lau for his presence. He also thanked all the parents, the catechists, the GSC Kids choir and everyone involved. 

After the Mass, the newly confirmed, Archbishop Leow and the priests adjourned to the canteen for the cake-cutting and potluck fellowship with food items contributed by the parents and the catechists.

We pray that the newly confirmed will live their faith and witness to Christ as they face the challenges of the world.