Gladbeck/Bochum.
Jan Sienert from Gladbeck was ordained a priest in the summer. Now he is celebrating Christmas with his congregation in Bochum. His view of the festival.
“It would be strange if there were no nervousness,” says Jan Sienert. After all, the native of Gladbeck is facing a premiere: For the first time he is celebrating the Christmas service as a priest with his congregation. In the summer he was ordained a priest by Bishop Overbeck and then took up his position as chaplain in Altenbochum.
And when he celebrates the service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, then there is also a piece of his Gladbeck homeland in these celebrations. After all, he claims to create an all-round contemplative atmosphere. Even the light plays a role. It can be a little more subdued than in the classic Sunday masses – he already knows it from his time as an altar boy in St. Josef in Rentfort. At the end of the day, the churchgoers should notice that it is a special day and not just a Sunday mass.
With the beginning of the Advent season, the preparations for the festival services begin
After all, Christmas – the celebration of the birth of Christ – is one of the highest church festivals. And for many people, going to church is part of the festival. The services on those days should be correspondingly well attended. And of course the preparation starts accordingly early.
Of course he had stood at the altar before Christmas. But the time as a deacon in Oberhausen differs from that as a chaplain in Bochum. For now the responsibility for the service lies solely with him. The preparations for the nativity scene celebration for families began at the beginning of the Advent season. After all, many volunteers are involved and the children are preparing a nativity play, which takes time.
Gladbecker wants to spread confidence and courage at Christmas
At the same time, the Christmas sermon should be considered for the Christmas mass. The Gladbeck chaplain says that he actually always acquits himself during the sermon. Nevertheless: to think about it beforehand, to think about the main lines and topics of the sermon – without that it doesn’t work. The war in Ukraine will certainly play a role. It’s about spreading confidence and courage. God did not become human for nothing. “He knows how we are doing and he is by our side in all difficulties,” Jan Sienert reveals some of the thoughts he has had on the Christmas sermon so far.
In previous years, the man from Gladbeck had worked as a deacon in Oberhausen-Osterfeld at Christmas. These years were still dominated by Corona. But other things have changed for him since he was ordained a priest. “I am now fully responsible,” says the chaplain. The preparation of the services together with the volunteer helpers, the agreements with the musicians, the selection of the texts – all this is now up to him.
The 32-year-old feels well received in Bochum
But that’s also something he’s happy about, says the 32-year-old. “Since being ordained to the priesthood, I’ve noticed even more that I really enjoy celebrating services and the sacraments with people.” He looks back with satisfaction and gratitude on the first six months in the parish in the north of Bochum and east. He was well received here, he says.
But: Do you actually learn how to celebrate church services? In fact, that’s part of the training in the seminary, says Jan Sienert. The liturgical training in the pastoral course is very intensive – both before being ordained a deacon and a priest, explains the young chaplain. “You really learn to celebrate mass there.” But donating the sacraments is also part of the training.
Four services in four churches are on the program for Christmas
Four services in four churches – that’s what the chaplain looks like at Christmas. On Christmas Eve he will first accompany the crib celebration in Liebfrauen in Altenbochum, later the Christmas mass in St. Elisabeth in Bochum-Gerthe is on the plan. After that he actually has time and will probably use the opportunity to celebrate with his family in Gladbeck. The other two Christmas services are then on the first and second public holidays.
After all, Christmas is a family celebration, so he knows it from before. And that’s why he’s making a conscious effort to spend time with friends and family during the Christmas season. For him, good memories include classic songs such as “O you happy” and, of course, “Silent Night”. Of course, they would also be sung in his services, they were a sign for many people: “It’s Christmas now!”
People should go home inspired
And that’s exactly what it’s all about, proclaiming the birth of Christ and giving people a good time at the same time. For his first Christmas as a priest, the Gladbecker has made one thing: “I want people to go home inspired.” Merry Christmas!
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