By Martina Juan
KUCHING — The Children’s Mass was celebrated on 7 February 2026 to mark the beginning of the new Sunday School year for both the English and Chinese sessions of BSC Sunday School. Parents and children gathered to seek God’s blessings for the new year of catechetical sessions. During the Mass, the Faith Formators were also commissioned for the 2026 session.
Sunday School Children’s Choir. (Photo: Dominic Bong)
In his homily, Rev Fr Leonard Yap reflected on the week’s Scripture readings, which focused on the Beatitudes. He reminded the congregation that in our busy lives, we often fail to spend time with Jesus. Many are so occupied with work and responsibilities that they struggle to commit time not only to God, but even to themselves and their families. Even when free time is available, exhaustion often prevents meaningful engagement, especially with children.
Fr Leonard encouraged everyone present to see this Mass as an opportunity to slow down, rest, and intentionally spend time with the Lord. He emphasised that every Mass is, in fact, a commissioning. When the priest proclaims, “Go forth, the Mass is ended,” it is a sending forth — a commissioning for all to go out and spread God’s Word. The Church is a place where we meet God and spiritually recharge for the week ahead.
He further reminded parents that they are the first teachers of their children, and that the home is the first school. Quoting Jesus’ call to “teach them what I have taught you,” he encouraged parents and Faith Formators to teach the Beatitudes and the values of the Gospel. Fr Leonard stressed that we are nothing without God and must rely on Him rather than on our own strength.
Teaching the Faith does not depend solely on formal training, but on one’s personal relationship with God. If we lack that relationship, we may unknowingly teach according to worldly values instead of Christ’s teachings. The world may promote dishonesty and self-reliance without God, but as Christians, we are called to listen to God’s Word, understand it, and live as His children.
Following the homily, the commissioning of the Faith Formators took place. In 2026, both the Chinese and English formators/teachers were commissioned together. Fr Leonard decided that the teachers should receive their commissioning at the beginning of the year, before the full commencement of the Sunday School sessions, to formally assign them their responsibility as Faith Formators.
This year’s Mass recorded the highest attendance over the years, with an estimated congregation of 600.
