January 6 Epiphany and our Church Sanctuary
Blest Are We Chapter 18 p 203-211 “The Eucharist”
In this chapter it talks about “Gathered as One in Christ” especially through the Mass. We meet in the church building as an assembly to unite with God-
As a class, we went to the church as looked at the nativity, talked about the wise men coming from other countries. We had a few students share prayer in languages they speak at home… German, Vietnamese and French. The 3 wise men (3 kings) were some of the first people to worship Jesus. They were from different countries and didn’t speak the Hebrew language. God opened salvation to all peoples not just the Jewish people!
We had a prayer service for the Epiphany and lit a candle for our intentions (friends and family who may be sick, grieving or rejoicing) We stood in front of the altar near the Tabernacle, Baptism font, and the Ambry (Blest Are We p.120)
Baptism in our Church:
We visit the Baptismal Font in the Sanctuary
The Pascal candle and the Sacramental Chrism oils are store in the Ambry—
(the special glass cabinet on the wall).
Holy Water (Symbol of the Holy Spirit)is kept on the left and poured over the catechumenate (person to be baptized) into the basin on the right. The center drain leads right to the ground so the holy water will not be dumped into the septic. The baptized person receives a Candle–“Receive the Light of Christ” and puts on a White Garment–“Putting on Christ”
January 13 we will be talking about Baptism of Christ
Gospel Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”
Blest Are We Chapter 6 pp. 78-85 “Baptism”