Gallery 2025: First Communion, Family Mass, Art Show

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking Parish Father Christian blesses a parishioner couple on their 26th wedding anniversary, as well as her parents (behind Father) visiting from India to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

28.05.2025

Family Mass: Special meditations and hymns

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking Parish

In observance of the Marian month of May, a special statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was set up in the sanctuary, with parishioners offering flowers in a sign of veneration before the beginning of Mass

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishPupils in the First Holy Communion class answer questions during the homily portion of the Family Mass.

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishMusic director Connie Horne and Family Mass leader Treena Relova also taught some signing to the children for a hymn following Communion.

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishMusic director Connie Horne leads the children in a hymn.

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishFather Christian blesses a couple from India visiting family in Frankfurt on their 50th wedding anniversary.

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishAfter blessing her parents on their 50th wedding anniversary, Father Christian blesses a parishioner couple on their 26th anniversary.

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishFather Christian blesses the women of the congregation at the end of Mass in honor of Mothers' Day

The Family Mass on May 11, 2025, featured veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a presentation of flowers to the statue before Mass, parishioners being taught an adaptation of German sign language for the deaf for the Lord's Prayer and one of the closing hymns, and Father Christian blessing a visiting couple on their 50th wedding anniversary, their parishioner daughter and her husband on their 26th anniversary and all the women of the congregation on the occasion of Mother's Day. (Click on the photo above to see a range of pictures from the Mass.)

Children's art exibition: The Blessed Virgin Mary

© Parishioners of the International English-Speaking Parish

In honor of the Marian month of May, parish children drew pictures depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary that were displayed next to the Parish Hall at Holy Cross after the Family Mass on May 11, 2025. Click on the photo above to see the kids' artwork.

First Holy Communion

The view of the First Holy Communion class and congregation, from the sanctuary at Holy Cross Church

© Renata Jaroscakova, REALJOY PHOTOGRAPHYThe class gathers in the back of the church before the opening procession.

© Renata JaroscakovaREALJOY PHOTOGRAPHYFather Christian leads a hymn during Mass.

© Renata JaroscakovaREALJOY PHOTOGRAPHYFather Christian asks a question during his homily.

© Renata JaroscakovaREALJOY PHOTOGRAPHYThe First Holy Communion class gestures during a hymn presentation at Mass.

© Renata JaroscakovaREALJOY PHOTOGRAPHYThe International English-Speaking Parish's First Holy Communion Class of 2025.

Great joy on the morning of Saturday, May 24, 2025, as 13 children from our parish received their First Holy Communion. May the grace of this Sacrament strengthen their faith and draw them ever closer to Christ. (Click on the photo above for access to the full gallery).