Daring children with their gifts of gab.

For many children - including the children in us - 1st October holds a very special meaning.

This year, our Parish celebrated an afternoon Mass for children and youth in celebration of this special day, and of the many young lives who would receive the Sacrament of Baptism and their First Holy Communion on that day.

Before the Mass began, the church was already filled with hundreds of children, teenagers and their parents.

In the front few rows, a sea of children - beautifully dressed in white - were seated, with their Godparents behind them. In less than an hour, these candidates would begin a new phase in their life journey as Catholics.

Gracing the occasion with their gifts of voices, the CLVC choir led the congregation to sing the opening hymn. In line with the theme, the Mass then proceeded with reading, prayers and offerings done by the children.

The Rite of Baptism, led by Fr Adrian Yeo.

During his homily, Fr Adrian Yeo, the Mass' celebrant, discussed the message of the day's Gospel of Mark and reminded the young parishioners present to love each other as Jesus loves us. He strongly encouraged everyone, as Christians, to live and remember the way of love.

Gifts were distributed to many excited children.

The Rite of Baptism soon followed. As the candidates lined up neatly in front of the Altar with their Godparents, Fr Adrian led the whole process.

At the end of the Rite, these newly baptized were welcomed with the roaring applause from the congregation.

Interestingly, besides a bouquet of flowers, bread and wine, a schoolbag was part of the offerings. The bag was meant to be the symbolism of God's guidance in the children's education. The Eucharistic celebration then continued.

At the end of the Mass, boxes of gifts were distributed to the young ones.

Thrilled, many of them jumped out of their seats and flocked to queue up for their gifts as soon as the recessional hymn had been sung.

Smiles shot on the faces of these children and many were busy taking photographs soon after.

Fonny Liberty, one of the nine who had just been baptized, was so excited to have finally become a baptized Catholic.

Fonny (extreme right) celebrated her baptism with her family.	And the children were gleefully smiling on their special day!

"Now I feel closer to God and I really want to build a meaningful relationship with Him," she pleasantly said.

Well, the day was indeed special. Not only did we welcome new members into our Catholic family, we also received special blessings on Children's Day.

All the children, youths and the newly baptized went home with renewed faith - plus teddy bears and chocolates in hand.