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We warmly welcome you to our church. For Catholics, the church building is a sacred place where we gather as a family in worship before God our Father.
The Catholic Church is the original Christian Church founded by Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago. “And Jesus answered him, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.’ ”
(Matthew 16:18)
There is much to discover and understand about the Catholic Church, and it would be impossible to explain all our beliefs to you here. We only wish to introduce to you the basic features that you will find in every Catholic church as well as our primary form of worship, commonly known as the “Mass”.
We hope that you will enjoy your visit to our church, and be filled with God’s peace.
Near the entrances ….
Holy Water Fonts
These are receptacles containing holy water. Upon entering a church, Catholics dip their fingers into the holy water, and bless themselves with the sign of the cross; in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This action reminds us of our baptism by which we became members of God’s family with Christ as our Head, and the commitment to continually die to sin so as to live in the light of the Gospel. It is also a prayer, calling on God to help us live this commitment.
Confessionals
This is where Catholics got to confess their sins, and receive forgiveness from God and the Church community. The priest, ordained to forgive in the name of Jesus Christ, represents also the welcoming arm of the whole Christian community whose life of grace has been wounded by individual sin. All sins confessed are kept confidential by the priest under a vow.
Altar
This is the table-like structure in the front of the church, and the main focus during the Mass. It is here that the offering of bread and wine is transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ by the action of the priest, according to the command of Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross accomplished once and for all for our sins is made present at the altar. It also signifies Christ, the living stone (1 Peter 2:4).
Tabernacle
Outside of the Mass, this is the focus of Catholic devotion and worship. It derives from the Tent of Meeting where God was present among His people in the ancient Jewish religion. In the Catholic Church, this contains the consecrated bread that we believe is the true Body of Christ, left over after the celebration of the Mass. Before entering or leaving the church, Catholics genuflect towards it as a mark of respect for Christ. A lighted lamp is placed beside the tabernacle to “indicate and honour the presence of Christ” (GIRM, - General Instructions for the Roman Missal 316)
Ambo
This is the stand from which the readings of scripture and the responsorial psalm are proclaimed. It is also used for giving the homily (after the Gospel is read), and announcing the intentions of the Prayers of the Faithful.
Hymnals
Songs sung during the Mass can usually be found in the hymnals.
Missals
These contain the scriptural readings and prayers used during the Mass on weekdays, Sundays and feastdays. Some prayers are said only by the priest, but you can follow the prayers of the priest in the missal. The responses of the congregation can also be found in there.
Statues & Icons
Statues or icon of Christ, Mary and the saints can be found around the church building. These are visual aids (like photographs) to teach and remind us about certain mysteries of the faith. For example, the statues of saints can remind us of the lives of faith that they led. Their lives of faith are examples to us. Touching or kissing the statues may be carried out as acts of devotion to the person signified like how a person may kiss a photo of his beloved.
Stations of the Cross
A series of 14 plaques depicting the suffering and death of Christ from the time of his sentencing before Pontius Pilate to his death and burial. These are visual aids to help us meditate on the sacrificial love of God, especially during the Fridays of Lent and on Good Friday.
Sacristy
A room where the vestments church furnishings, and sacred vessels are kept, and where the priests and lay ministers meet to vest for the various church services.
Baptismal Font
This is often a large stone container serving as a receptacle for the water used in baptism. In ancient churches and some newer ones, it is a shallow pool with steps at the side. It can usually be found beside the sanctuary or at the back of the Church. The Catholic Church allows for baptism by immersion or pouring of water across the forehead.
As God’s people, Catholics come together at least every Sunday (or Saturday evening) because God holds a central place in our lives, and we want to celebrate Jesus’ continuing gift of himself to us. We do this through the words and actions of the Mass, also known as the Eucharistic Celebration. It is the primary and highest form of worship for Catholics – “the source and summit of Christian life” (Lumen Gentium, 11)
During the Mass, you will hear people praying and singing together. They express their sorrow for their sins, and praise God’s greatness and mercy. You will also hear a few readings from the bible, of which one is always from the Gospel. After the readings, there is a short teaching by the priest called the homily. This is meant to help us understand and apply in our daily life what we have heard in the readings.
Following that is the part of the Mass in which we offer ourselves and all our weaknesses and hopes to God the Father, as Jesus gives himself to us in the form of bread and wine. Catholics believe that the Mass is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to take away the sin of the world. It is not merely a re-enactment of Jesus’ death on the cross, but it makes present the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us. Jesus himself told us to carry out this memorial meal until he comes again. Usually, we receive only the bread (called the Blessed Sacrament) due to practical reasons. By receiving, we also express our communion with God and with each other. That is why it is also called “holy communion”.
At the conclusion of Mass, the priest sends us to go out and bring the good news of God’s presence to others in the world. This is where the word “Mass” come from – the “sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1332).
Note:
Lumen Gentium – An official document stating the official teaching of the Church about the Church from Pope Paul VI.
Missio – Latin word
We hope that you have learnt a little from your visit to our church, and through this pamphlet. If you wish to find out more, please feel free to approach our parish office for assistance.
If you would like to have a series of booklets on Christian living sent to you for free (Within Singapore) please email your request with your name and address to:
info@catholicacma.org.sg
Produced by ACMA, 2007
Scripture verses taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
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