Members of the Croatian national football team, which began preparations for the World Cup in Rijeka, took part in mass in Ičići on Sunday, May 31.
Modestly and without announcement, the national team members and the professional staff led by the coach Zlatko Dalić they came to a small town near Opatija and joined the parishioners at the mass celebration in front of the chapel of St. John of God, she announced Archdiocese of Rijeka.
Pastor Mato Berišić greeted them at the beginning of the mass, saying sorry to them health and success in the competition. After the mass, although it was not planned, the national team members could not avoid taking a photo together with the pleasantly surprised parishioners. There were also children who happily “captured” several players and waited for their signatures.
However, they did not stay long rushing to training and other obligations, which shows that participation in mass was a matter of personal choice, not a protocol meeting.
Pastor Berišić dedicated his sermon to one of the most important Christian holidays, Holy Trinity. Speaking about the greatest and unfathomable secret of faith, one God in whom there are three Divine Persons, the pastor highlighted the secret of love that makes this possible.
Today God is saying to all of us, “I love you more than you can understand. I am not giving up on you no matter who you are. I am not coming to condemn you. I am coming to lift you up, encourage you, and comfort you.”
He invited the gathered to think about it every time they make the sign of the cross with the words: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
Let’s remember to ourselves we put the name of God who is lovewho created us, who redeemed us, who never stops loving us. And that’s why, no matter how wounded, or tired, or burdened we are, let’s return to God today with open hearts and let his love heal usconcluded the pastor.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Archdiocese of Rijeka)
