Dear brothers and sisters, with the beginning of March we are entering the Lenten season, which is primarily intended for preparation for the Easter holidays. Easter, as a celebration of God's victory over sin and death in Jesus Christ, is our fundamental hope in the face of life's complexities. We join Jesus' victory with our faith and baptism, and we prepare for the renewal of our baptismal confession especially during Lent, so that we can make room in our hearts for God. For this purpose, proven means help us, namely God's word, which is full of life and power and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:4), the effort for repentance and reconciliation with God and our neighbors - in Christ's name we urge you: be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20) and especially prayer, as a means of meeting Him: be steadfast in prayer, remaining alert and thankful in it (Colossians 4:2). I wish us all to prepare together for the meeting with Christ, the renewal of our baptismal confession, and let us also help our catechumens to reach their rebirth on the Great Night.
In the week of March 2 we will have an online Bible study on Tuesday at 20:30. Wednesday is a day of strict fasting, which adds a fast of abstinence to the fast from meat, meaning only eating to satisfaction once a day, which applies to Catholic Christians between 18 and 60 years old. On Wednesday evening, there will be a mass with the imposition of ashes at the Church of the Holy Family. On Thursday at 19:00 there will be a meeting in the Club to discuss Scripture and its theme. On Friday at 16:45 we continue in the Club preparing children for their first Holy Communion. On Friday at 17:00 there will be a regular first Friday adoration of the Eucharist at the Church of the Holy Family. The Stations of the Cross after the Holy Mass will not take place, but will always be on Fridays after the Holy Mass during Lent. Registration for the parish spiritual renewal at Strahov, which takes place on Saturday, March 15 at 9:00, is now open on the parish website.
In the week of March 9 there will be an online catechism class on Tuesday at 20:30. On Thursday at 19:00 the Parish Pastoral Council will meet in the Club. The preparation for children’s first Holy Communion will continue there on Friday at 16:45. After the Holy Mass on Friday, you are invited to the Stations of the Cross. I remind you that you are also invited to the Stations of the Cross at Petřín every Tuesday at 20:00, meeting at the first station. On Saturday at 9:00 there will be a parish spiritual renewal at Strahov. Please register by Wednesday at the latest so that we can know the number of meals to order. Late registrations will not guarantee lunch. In the appendix of the article, you will find the pastoral letter of Archbishop Jan for the first Sunday of Lent.
In the week of March 16 there will be an online Bible study on Tuesday at 20:30. On Friday at 14:00, there will be a farewell to Mrs. Venuška Krmelová at the Church of the Holy Family. On Friday at 16:45, the preparation for children’s first Holy Communion will continue in the Club. After the Holy Mass on Friday, there will be a Stations of the Cross. Next Sunday, the collection will be for the youth.
In the week of March 23 there will be prayer Taizé at the Church of St. Martin on Tuesday at 19:00, be aware of the change of time and place of the event! On Tuesday at 20:30 there will be an online catechism class. On Friday at 16:45, the preparation for children’s first Holy Communion will continue in the Club. After the Holy Mass on Friday, we will pray the Stations of the Cross. On the “multimedia/records” page here on the website, recordings of lectures from our parish's Lenten spiritual renewal on Saturday, March 15, are available for download.
On Sundays during Lent, March 3, 4, and 5, there will be scrutinies during the Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Family, meaning that the Gospels will be read from the annual cycle A (About the Samaritan Woman, About the Healing of the Blind Man, and The Resurrection of Lazarus).
We cordially invite the entire parish to join in common prayer during the triduum of the Mothers' Prayer. On Friday, March 28, we will meet for common prayer and adoration at the Church of the Holy Family at 17:15. On Saturday, March 29, there will be prayer after the Holy Mass and Stations of the Cross at around 19:00, also at the Church of the Holy Family. On Sunday, March 30, you are welcome to prayer at the Church of St. Martin at 18:00. From the mothers of the Reporyje Mothers' Prayer, Ivana Rousková.
I wish you all the best during the Lenten season and much strength!
Řehoř J. Žáček
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