Today is the first Sunday of Advent and that means we are into year 2 or B of the Catholic calendar. I am glad I found my way to St. Ignatius Church in Petaling Jaya. Lucky that I get the clear directions from Bro. Greg who is a parishioner and now, the seminarian in CG. Bro. Greg told me about the welcome the parishioners give to new visitors to the church. But I didn’t expect such a warm welcome!
Right after communion and thanksgiving, the commentor invited those who are new to the church or a visitor to stand up. I did and wow, the parishioners burst into songs and claps. Made me feel so welcom and yet, a little shy with the attention as I was the only one who stood up.
The other thing I noted is how beautiful the mass is coordinated. The lectors wore cassocks and the colours of Advent. The first lector is also the psalmist while the second lector sings the acclaimation before the gospel. As a fellow lector, I went….Wow…the lectors’s voices are so good and with the robes, I think the feelings must be awesome.
Today, is also the day they welcome the new cathecuments to the Catholic church. All the RCIA cathecuments were lined up outside the church before mass. Then, the door was closed. They have the ceremony where they need to knock, indicating their desire to come to the Catholic church. After that, the priest and congregation welcome them.
It is a lovely way to celebrate the season of Advent and I am so glad to join the parishioners of St. Ignatius Church to prepare for the birth of Son of God. One word that captured me is “Jesus is the visble image of the invisible God.”
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I haven’t been to St Ignatius in a long time due to problems with parking and traffic in that area.
You should also go to CDM in Shah Alam. The church is lovely with statues of the saints.