This time after the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord and before the start of Lent reminds us of the period of Jesus’ public ministry, during which we also celebrate several feasts, in addition to the mentioned Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, also the octave of prayers for Christian unity, concluded with the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
In the week of February 5, we have an online Bible study on Tuesday at 8:30 PM, where we will continue reading and reflecting on the 1st Letter of St. Peter. Additionally, on Wednesday at 1 PM, there will be a farewell to Mr. Lukáš Hradil in the Church of the Holy Family. On Thursday at 7 PM, the parish pastoral council will meet at the Club. On Saturday, we celebrate World Day of the Sick. There will be an opportunity to receive the sacrament of the sick during Mass. I recommend this for all seriously ill and elderly people. Please come and register in advance at the sacristy.
In the week of February 12, there will be no online catechism class on Tuesday. I would like to gauge interest in holding Bible study and catechism classes in person. Those who would like to attend these classes on Tuesday after Mass at St. Martin’s, please let me know in the sacristy. I will leave a space for voting for 3 weeks until March 5. I have a request: if anyone drives from Zličín to Sunday Mass at 9:00, please consider giving one less mobile parishioner a ride. Again, please let me know in the sacristy. Cleaning in the Church of the Holy Family: again, I ask those of you who have at least a little possibility to help with cleaning the Church of the Holy Family and to sign up on the website. We are now offering slots on Saturday at 9:00 and also on Wednesday at 6:00 PM, alternating every two weeks. This is a long-standing problem where we are unable to organize cleaning for the church. I ask once again to consider your possibilities.
In the week of February 19, there will be an online Bible study on Tuesday. The collection on Sunday, February 19, is designated for St. Peter’s Pence. Wednesday is a day of strict fasting. Fasting from meat (and only one full meal per day) applies to adult Christians aged between 18 and 60. In the evening, there will be Holy Mass with the imposition of ashes. During Lent, I invite you to a series of Lenten sermons, which will take place every Thursday from March 2 to March 30, always at 6 PM at the Chapter Church of All Saints at Prague Castle. The sermons will be delivered by Doc. Josef Hřebík and Doc. Jaroslav Brož. Details will be in the attached poster of this article.
In the week of February 26, there will be an altar servers’ meeting on Monday at 5 PM in the Church of the Holy Family. On Tuesday, after Mass at 7 PM at St. Martin’s, the parish finance council will meet, therefore this week’s online meeting is canceled. On Tuesday at 7:30 PM in the Church of the Holy Family, there will be a Taizé prayer. On Thursday after Mass at the Club, there will be a post-synodal meeting. On Saturday at 9:00 AM, we ask for help with the large cleaning of the Church of the Holy Family. Next Sunday’s Mass at 9:00 will be a children’s Mass. After that, there will be a parish coffee, and we again ask for help with refreshments and thank you in advance.
The Stations of the Cross during Lent will be held every Friday after Mass. I also invite you to the Stations of the Cross on Petřín, every Tuesday at 8 PM, meeting at the first station.
Lenten almsgiving (Lenten collection boxes). Information from the Archdiocesan Charity: Like every year, we offer boxes for the so-called Lenten almsgiving. Lent renews our spiritual strength and our connection with Christ. It is a time that opens our eyes to perceive the needy around us and to open our hearts. During Lent, (not only) believers have the opportunity to return to the ancient tradition of almsgiving. Therefore, Charity has prepared paper collection boxes, so-called "postničky", in which people can deposit money for the pleasures they have denied during Lent. The collected amount can then be donated to the parish or Charity for a good cause, such as supporting socially weak families in the parish, the homeless, etc. It is advisable for the priest to determine the purpose for which these finances from the parish will be allocated. We ask you to inform the parishioners about Lenten almsgiving. The collection box is also suitable as a tool for the formation of children during shared evening prayer or Lenten catechesis in the family circle. It is possible to add requests for specific sick, poor, hungry, and those affected by various disasters. By limiting our consumption, we can not only help suffering people but also enrich ourselves. St. Augustine says: "It is better to need less than to have more."
We warmly invite you to a Lenten spiritual retreat, which will again take place at Strahov Monastery on Saturday, March 18. More information is in the attached poster.
In the attachment of the article, I offer you the Czech translation of Pope Francis's message for this year's Lent.
I also offer the pastoral letter of Archbishop Jan Graubner for the 1st Sunday of Lent.
I wish you a blessed time.
Řehoř J. Žáček.
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