On Sunday, July 26th, the faithful in the war-displaced parish of Stara Rijeka near Prijedor celebrated St. Anna, the heavenly co-patron of their parish.
The solemn Mass was led by Dr. Rev. Hrvoje Kalem, professor of fundamental theology at the Catholic Theological Faculty in Sarajevo. With the parish priest rev. Boris Ljevak, rev. Zlatko Matić, parish priest in Ljubija and Ravska, and OFM Ivica Matić, parish priest in Sanski Most also concelebrated.
In his homily, rev. Hrvoje emphasized that Saints Joachim and Anna are an example of how God realizes his plan of salvation quietly and unobtrusively, and yet in strength and power.
“That what in human eyes is insignificant, cursed, barren and seems to be left by God, in God’s eyes is important, blessed, pleasing to God, and brings a hundredfold fruit. The example and life of St. Anna and St. Joachim is a calling to look at things and life by God’s logic, not human logic”, said the preacher, and in that context reminded of the important role of grandparents in the transmission of the faith.
At the end of the Holy Mass, the parish priest, rev. Boris urged the faithful to never forget their origins and those from whom they inherited the faith.
After the Holy Mass, the socialising continued in the courtyard of the parish church.
Although only 60 souls live permanently in the area of the parish of Stara Rijeka, this year’s celebration, despite the restrictions, gathered about 200 believers.
KT
www.nedjelja.ba
Stara Rijeka – July 28, 2020
