So February has arrived, and with it a solemn moment.
Our community has the opportunity to attend Holy Mass daily, which takes place in the Church; and each day more and more new parishioners come, as if the Church itself gathers people under its arches. It feels like a new life has breathed into these mild February days, although February itself is the beginning of Lent, a time of trial for every person.
But just as we experience Lent in anticipation of the feast of Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus, so too do all troubles sooner or later end for those who believe in God, and after gloomy times, a bright time comes, and our Church strides in glory through the ages and across nations. As when reciting the Rosary and recalling the Sorrowful Mysteries, somewhere in the subconscious a feeling of joy and the memory of the Resurrection is held.
The editorial board apologizes for the untimely release of the latest issue and once again invites all those interested to collaborate. Your wishes and feedback will help us make our newspaper truly needed in every home.
The editorial board also apologizes for the technical errors made in issue No. 1 (3) for January 1993.
(Luke 11:28)
Thus Jesus answered the woman who was praising Mary, the Mother of God. Not only she, who became the mother of the Savior of the world, is worthy of blessedness. God’s message, His Word, is addressed to all of us.
We only need to be able to hear it in the hustle and bustle of daily life, amidst complaints and curses. If we do not hear and understand Jesus, how can we come to faith in God?
The Word of God is not enough to hear once — it must be «kept,» that is, preserved. The Lord’s commandments are not «spiritual canned goods»; their «expiration date» will expire if they are not used every day.
To keep the word of God means to live according to it every day, every hour. Only in this way can we attain that blessedness of which Jesus speaks.
Today in the "Personal Opinion" section, we would like to present to you an excerpt from a book by Richard Wurmbrand titled "Is Atheism the Way?" In this book, a man who spent a long time in a "communist prison" reflects on the existence of God. He is a deeply religious person, but in the preface he says that …
Hilde Virtel The Irishman of the Century Frank Duff and «Legio Mariae» «Life with God», Brussels. 1990
Founded on September 7, 1921, the “Legio Mariae” was established and continuously led for many years, until 1980, by Frank Duff, an Irishman, and has since spread throughout the world, including a group of legionaries active in Krasnoyarsk, also led by an …
There are several publishing houses abroad that produce books for Russia. We will try to introduce them to you in detail. This time, we bring to your attention one of the latest books from the Brussels publishing house “Life with God,” an undisputed leader among similar publishers. For now, this book can only be obtained by sending an order directly …
The Legion of Mary is the largest Catholic lay organization in the world. It numbers one and a half million active legionaries and about eleven million supporters. The basic organizational structure of the Legion of Mary is the praesidium. It consists of 14–15 lay members and a priest who serves as the group's spiritual director. He is appointed by the …
In February, we honor the memory of a saint known to all lovers in the world — whoever they may be: Catholics, Orthodox, Christians, or Jews. Who does not know St. Valentine? Who among us has not sent their beloved a “valentine” — a card with doves and flowers (and a declaration of love), or given the object of their …
Those gathered at the altar represent all of humanity and, on its behalf, offer praise to God. Acknowledging that He is the Lord and Master of the whole world, that He is the Giver of life and all that is necessary for our life. The symbol of God’s kindness and goodness is bread. This bread—the fruit of the …
This feast commemorates the event described by the Evangelist Luke: Joseph and Mary bring their firstborn son Jesus to the temple for the rite of circumcision. Simeon, "a righteous and devout man," presents Him to the entire community and recognizes in Him "a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for the people Israel" (Luke 2:32). This feast, a feast of light, is associated with the tradition of blessing candles. In many communities, the rite of blessing takes place during a procession held in the church in complete darkness. The candles lit during the procession continue to burn during the celebration of the Mass.
Candles may also be lit at home; while the whole family prays the Rosary, the candles burn.
Ash Wednesday opens the 40-day (Sundays are not counted) Lent — a time of preparation for the feast of Easter, the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday are given over to merriment, jokes, and songs. Before beginning the fast, Catholics around the world bid farewell to their "bad" habits and indulgences, dancing and laughing at the carnival.
On Wednesday at Mass, the priest reminds them once again that they are "made from dust and to dust shall return." With blessed ashes, he traces the sign of the cross on the believer's forehead.
The ashes truly symbolize the fragility of the human body and the human soul's susceptibility to mortal sins. But the ashes are also a symbol of purity: in ancient times, people washed with ashes, and sinners sprinkled ashes on their heads as a sign of repentance. The ashes for the ceremony are taken from burned "palm branches" (in Siberia, from Easter willow branches) and are blessed by the priest.
On Ash Wednesday, Lent begins. Those who have decided to strictly observe all the rules of Lent will "partake of food" only once a day for 40 days and will completely abstain from meat dishes. On Sundays of Lent, one may set the table several times a day, but meat dishes are still excluded from the menu.
Not only the body but also the soul must fast and be purified. To fast means to give up bad habits, make offerings, and think more often about those around us. It is no coincidence that during these very days, the "campaign against hunger and disease throughout the world" is held. The Union of German Catholic Youth and "Misereor" have revived the custom of "fasting for the eyes," which existed as early as the 11th century. On Ash Wednesday, the altar area is covered with a curtain so that the eyes may also fast.
February 2 — Presentation of the Lord 1st reading: Mal. 3:1-4 or Heb. 2:11-12, 13c-18 Gospel: Lk. 2:22-40 (22-32) Circumcision of the infant. Presentation. Prophecies of Simeon and Anna.
February 7 — 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st reading: Is. 58:7-10 2nd reading: 1 Cor. 2:1-5 Gospel: Mt. 5:13-16 Disciples — salt and light of the world.
February 14 — 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time. St. Valentine's Day 1st reading: Sir. 15:15-20 (16-21) 2nd reading: 1 Cor. 2:6-10 Gospel: Mt. 5:17-37 (Mt. 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37) Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
February 21 — 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st reading: Lev. 19:1-2, 17-18 2nd reading: 1 Cor. 3:16-23 Gospel: Mt. 5:38-48 Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
February 24 — Ash Wednesday 1st reading: Joel 2:12-18 2nd reading: 2 Cor. 5:20-6:2 Gospel: Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18 On almsgiving. On prayer. On fasting.
February 28 — 1st Sunday of Lent 1st reading: Gen. 2:7-9, 3:1-7 2nd reading: Rom. 5:12-19 (5:12, 17-19) Gospel: Mt. 4:1-11 Temptations of Jesus Christ.
Brother Barnabas de Poer has been bringing the Good News to people for 30 years. For many years, in cities and villages, in primary and secondary schools, he taught children with love in his heart. Throughout his life with God, he has studied Christian doctrine extensively, taught the Irish language, and many sciences. The Lord, through the hands of Mary, granted him many talents. Barnabas de Poer engages in music, swimming, and plays badminton; he loves reading books and studies the history of his homeland. He visits theaters, watches interesting films, and loves to travel widely.
Zealous in his heart for grace in human life, he humbly contributes his part to God’s work. Dear friends, Barnabas de Poer hopes that his lessons will not be boring, but rather engaging, instructive, and very beneficial.
Krasnoyarsk Catholic Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Krasnoyarsk, 20 Dekabristov St.
Day / Time
No. / Date / Topic
May Jesus always live in your hearts. Everyone beginning this course must be certain that they will attend at least one lesson per week.
Holy Mass:
Sunday:
9:30 AM — Holy Mass:
Holy Mass on weekdays:
Before Mass, those who wish may approach for Confession.
Our "Personal Opinion" column was conceived as a multifunctional space, thereby we invite you to write to us, sharing both your own experiences and your discoveries made on the path of learning our Faith. This column also grants everyone the right to express their opinion, regardless of religion or denomination; we acknowledge the existence of opinions different from our own, and they have the right to be expressed. It is through dialogue and debate that we can move forward on the path of knowing the Truth, sharpening our knowledge and faith on complex questions.
In connection with the allocation of a room for activities, the creation of a library for our parish is becoming a reality. The library's collection will be composed of books already in the possession of the community, but we also count on your help. If you wish to donate any books to our library, not only those responsible for the library but also future readers will be grateful to you.
If you want to tell people about God —
If you doubt or do not believe in God —
If you are seeking the meaning and value of life —
Write to us.
Our address: 660000, Krasnoyarsk, P.O. Box 25216. Editorial office of the newspaper «Catholic Messenger».
Tel. 27 55 71 Fax. 23 35 25. E-mail Root@ancla. Krasnoyarsk.SU
Editor: Alexei Nemchenko
Artist: Vitalina Zhivilo
Executive Secretary: Lev Zhivilo
Computer layout: Vladimir Zimmerman
Typesetting: Nadezhda Gueeva, Svetlana Beloglazova
In our city, there are many elderly people for whom Catholicism is the religion of their childhood. For many of them, the media through which they could receive information about the work of our parish is becoming inaccessible. Our task, yours and mine, is to provide them with oral information so that they learn about Masses and the Holy Sacraments, and to help them come to the Church.
