The Time of Snow:

Christmas concert and congregational singing in Amsterdam and Alkmaar

The Church of Our Lady in Amsterdam and the Sint Laurentius Church in Alkmaar have a beautiful tradition of a joint Christmas concert. The quality of the choirs and the interior and acoustics of both neo-Gothic churches make the concert an atmospheric celebration.

The concert is in both churches: in the Sint Laurentius Church on Monday, December 18 at 8 p.m. , and in the

Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk on Tuesday, December 19 at 8 p.m.

The performance is provided by Canticum Novum and will feature a saxophonist Bas Apswoude and pianist/organist Nicholas Papadimitriou . The enire event is under the direction of Una Cintina .

This year the Christmas concert will focus on winter landscapes, as we know them from classic Christmas cards. The cozy atmosphere of snow-covered villages with mulled wine, candles and cute houses under a white blanket will warm us all. We will enjoy compositions by Bob Chilcott , Edward Elgar and Albert de Klerk, among others. It promises to be an enchanting evening full of beautiful music.

Admission to the concert is free. In Amsterdam, a voluntary contribution will be asked for the restoration of the monumental church organ. In Alkmaar, there will be a collection to contribute to the costs of the event. The generosity helps keep the musical magic alive and allows this celebration of Christmas to be shared with the entire community.

After the concert there will be a pleasant get-together with coffee and mulled wine in the meeting rooms of both churches.

The performances are:

Monday December 18, 8 p.m., Sint Laurentiuskerk, Verdronkenoord 68, Alkmaar.

Tuesday, December 19, 8 p.m., Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, Keizersgracht 220, Amsterdam.

Information:

www.olvkerk.nl

Amsterdam is quite an international city and it  is  important to think of those who come from other countries when it comes to prepare for marriage in the Catholic Church. This course brings the participants in touch with other couples in the same situation and more experienced ones, who will help them think about their future married life. You are welcome to register for this course:

DAY AND TIME:       4 Saturday Afternoons and 2 Wednesday evenings

PLACE:                     Keizersgracht 218 B – 1016 DZ Amsterdam

COSTS:                    € 150 the couple. 

Saturday, November 4^th, from 15.30 to 17.00 h

Seven habits of highly effective families

By Jan and Ursula de Jong

Saturday, November 11^th, from 15.30 to 17.00 h

Marriage as a sacrament. The meaning of marrying in the Church.

By Father Rafael Ojeda

Followed by the ceremony for the blessing of engaged couples

Wednesday, November 15^th, with Potluck dinner at 18.30 h

And from 20.00 to 22.00 h:

Christian anthropology of Marriage. 

By Lisette van Aken

Saturday, November 18^th, from 15.30 to 17.00

Sexual intimacy and fertility

By Monica and Sander Reintjens

Saturday, November 25^th, from 15.30 to 17.00 h

Changes of life when children come.

Joys and challenges of raising them well.

By Quentin and Anna Sophie Le Noach

Wednesday, November 29^th from 20.00 to 22.00 h

How can you keep and increase married love during the years?

Mapy and Federico Castillo - Rodríguez

Here you can download the application form to fill up and send back to Fr Rafael (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Or call 06 185 196 47

Marriage Course November 2023

Here you can download the application form to fill up and send back to Fr Rafael (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Or call 06 185 196 47

Here you can hear the homily given on Sunday or a short part of it

The prophet Elisha and the impossible request of Jesus.

Do not be afraid

The Lord truly rises. Alleluia!

Palm Sunday 2023

Mount Tabor and Calvary as disciples of Christ

Leading by example changes ourselves and the world

The kingdom of heaven is at hand, on the divine Word's Sunday

Prepare for the coming of the Lord in the time of Advent

Christ the King of the Universe, who wants to live in you and me

The destruction of the temple and the end of time

Prayer is good for all things  Sunday, October 16th.

Since the beginning of the world, we live in apocalyptic times, and faithfulness in daily tasks is the best preparation

The poor and the rich   'We need the poor to avoid hell' Sunday, September 25th

The 26th of June we had a solemn Mass on the anniversary of Saint Josemaria's death and liturgical feast day.

Here you can get an impression of the Mass. With thanks to Fabio and Magdalena for the pictures they sent.

The Procession of Corpus Christi, through Amsterdam's center, has become a tradition. The Church of Our Lady, at Keizersgracht 220 is once again organizing the procession on Sunday of Corpus Christi, June 11. After a solemn Mass, the Catholic and Orthodox faithful with their bishops will walk through the city with the Blessed Sacrament. You are most welcome.

Program:

11.15 Solemn Eucharist in the Church of Our Lady.

12.45 Procession alongside the canals

13.30 Final solemn praise in Our Lady's Church

14.00 Social gathering in the hall next to the church

Current information: www.olvkerk.nl or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Monday the 26th of June we shall celebrate the Mass to thank the Lord for Saint Josemaria's life.

You are all welcome to attend and celebrate afterward in the parish hall.

Pictures taken by our pilgrims to the Holy Land during 8 amazing and enriching days.  You may 

We had a wonderful exposition on the Holy Shroud from 19 to 26 February and a lecture on two different days.

Hierbij enkele foto's als u belangstelling hebt, om een idee te krijgen van de lezing.

POPULUS CANTAT

Compact course Gregorian chant

Learn to sing Gregorian chant with immediate practice opportunity!

We are going on a wonderful trip to the Holy Land.

On January 22 at 12.30 there is an information meeting about the trip.

Thursday, Nov 10th, we have a presentation about the life and work of Saint Josemaria Escriva. 

The saint of ordinary life and the work of Opus Dei in service of the church.

Please feel free to join and for more information just mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

The session will be in English.

Rafael de Ojeda, rector

Jesus said to his disciples and that means also to you and me: 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden” Mathew 5,13.

I would like to share with you this wonderful article written by experienced parents:

Sometimes at the end of Mass a parishioner comes up to us and says “Your three children are SO well behaved!” Our standard response is either, “Thank you. We work at it” or “Thank you, some days are better than others.” The “better” days are the product of years of articles and brochures we read on taking children to Mass. Here is the distilled wisdom we rely upon.

Our colleagues and good friends of the Beguinage Chapel had a party last Friday. Due to covid the celebration was postponed till now.

On the above link, you can find some photos that give a good idea of the excellent atmosphere and the joy of the event.

Congratulations, and ad multos annos.