Baptism Ceremony at Holy Trinity Parish (Village East)

After my eldest child's baptism at Christ The King in Greenmeadows, I swore to never avail again of mass baptism ceremony. Our experience at CTK was disappointing as the ceremony was very disorganized. During that time (2006) they don't offer yet solo baptism.

So for my son, we had him baptized at Santuario de San Antonio in Greenhills as they have a separate chapel or room exclusive for baptism. Now for my youngest, I decided I want a church near our place and if lucky, I'll find a reception hall near the church too for the convenience of our guests.

Fortunately, after weeks of ocular visits I found Holy Trinity Parish located inside Village East Executive Homes in Cainta. The church was being improved from the outside but the interiors were already completed. Best of all, Village East Clubhouse is just a few meters from the church too, which is perfect for the reception!

 

There's something unique in this church and their baptism ceremony. Instead of the usual pouring of water on the baby's forehead, the officiating priest uses a shower head for the baptism. Pretty cool, right?

 

 

According to the church assistant, the parish priest is creative and innovative. He was the one who came up with the idea and the design of the baptismal basin.

 

There's a mandatory orientation/seminar for parents an hour before the baptism ceremony for special baptisms (solo) and on a Saturday scheduled by the church for mass baptisms. Baptismal rites fees are Php350 for mass baptisms are that done every Sunday at 10am, and Php1800 for special/solo baptisms done every Sunday at 5pm. They only accept one special baptism every Sunday.

 

Holy Trinity Parish

Village East Executive Homes, Cainta, Rizal

Tel. No. 474-6362 look for Buboy or Joan.

 

Parish office schedule:

Tues-Sun 830am to 5:30pm; 12nn -230pm breaktime

No office on Mondays.

 

Shakey's Kiddie Party Package

It is very seldom that I am invited to a Shakey's kiddie party. If my memory serves me right, I've only attended 2 parties in Shakey's. The first one was my cousin's 1st birthday and the second was a birthday of a godson.

 

So yes, this was the 3rd time and a lot have changed in their party package since.

There are 2 themes to choose from: Barney and Justice League. Not much choice especially for girls who are more particular with parties.

On positive note, the giveaways/lootbag and game prizes are of good quality (not cheap-looking) and useful compared to the lootbag at Jollibee or McDonald which contain mostly small toys.
 

cupcakes are NOT from Shakey's, hehe

 

I love the Superman capes if you choose to have the Justice League theme. It's fun watching the kids excitedly wear their capes and join the games. Speaking of games, maybe due to the fact that hosting kiddie parties is not one of the key competencies of Shakey's, the party host is not that entertaining. She could further improve with training...maybe she needs to attend Jollibee parties.

 

 

 

For the food, below are the packages, but I also learned you can have food served buffet style. Just check with the branch for more details.

 

 

 

If I could give an unsolicited suggestion to Shakey's, I'd say they should give ample space for their party areas. The space was too limited (at Retiro Branch but I've also been to other branches) for the parlor games and other party activities.

 

For more party info based on personal experience on Shakey's, please click here.

Baptism Ceremony at Lourdes Church

I've stood as god mother to my friends and relatives' children over two dozen times but my experience last week at my nephew's christening was an unforgettable one.

Catholic baptism rites are normally dragging with the priest handing out a booklet so the child's parents and godparents know the proper responses as the sacrament is administered. In most parish churches it involves pouring a small amount of water three times on the forehead of the infant. This is followed by a white cloth or a cap being placed over the head of the baby. The usual lighting of candles ensues at the cue of the priest.

When I got to the baptism hall, I frowned at the sight of babies for baptism wearing only very casual clothes - sando and briefs to be exact, while their baptism gowns or clothes were all in hangers carried by the moms. My nephew was in his tan pair of shorts and shirt so I asked my sister why the baby wasn't wearing decent baptismal clothes. She said that was the instructions of the parish office. Weird.

Anyway, the baptism rites began soon after all the candidates arrived (there were 7 that Sunday). I must commend the priest and 3 church assistants who sang, read the Bible and Gospel and organized the venue. The ceremony was not sleep-inducing and I didn't feel like being hurried and the officiating priest is just doing his duty like baptism is just a paint job that needs to be finished. I actually felt part of the baptism ceremony.

After the usual anointing of oil, the lector asked the babies to be stripped down to their birthday suit. Whoa! That's when we realized the 'wisdom' behind the instruction to have them wear their gown after the baptism. After baptism meaning after they were bathed ala laundry way.

 

 

 

There were lots of forced laughter mixed with nervousness from parents and relatives of the babies being baptized. Come to think of it, when we give bath to our babies we're all careful not to pour water over their eyes and noses - but hey Father Whoever just dip the babies into the water as if rinsing a dirty piece of cloth.

During the days of early Christianity, baptism is done near a body of water (normally a river) where the candidate is immersed in the water. Sometimes the candidate kneels down while water is poured over his/her head. Immersion or submersion are the key words - but during that time people who are being baptized are grown ups, probably way beyond their teens, hence, they could be immersed, submerged, thrown, drowned into the river.

Honestly, I like the baptism ceremony at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (or Lourdes Church for short). If I could bring back the hands of time, perhaps I'd have my children's baptisms there (that is if The Hubby will not object).

For inquiries, you may call the Parish Office at 731-9306, 740-8878.

NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
Kanlaon cor. N. S. Amoranto Ave. (formerly Retiro St.) Sta. Mesa Heights,
Quezon City

 

(cross-posted at www.bratinelangkikay.com)