Carmel Bulletin, 20 September 2015
Fr Paul is currently sharing with everyone the design concept for the renewal of our church. One feature of this design is the provision of a new fixed, dignified space for the celebration of baptism.
Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people” (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.
Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, article 14 (emphasis added)
Whenever we enter the church, we bless ourselves with holy water. It reminds us of our baptism; a baptism that initiates us into the death and resurrection of Christ and into the Christian Church. The liturgical celebrations of the Church are celebrated in the name of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Only those of us who are baptised can participate in them fully.
The blessing of ourselves with water becomes an even stronger and more obvious reminder of our baptism when we bless ourselves directly from the baptismal font. We will be led directly to the proposed location of the baptismal font from whichever door we enter the church. From here, we will bless ourselves with its water, reminding ourselves of our baptism; the same baptism by which we have not only the right, but the duty to participate in the public worship of the people of God.
You can read and view more about the design concept in the parish centre and at www.olmcwenty.org.au/churchrenewal
Liturgy 