International Family Mass in Obrechtchurch every Saturday 5 pm

All are welcome!
Fr. Dean Eric Fennis, parish priest

Appointment of new priests

To the parishioners of the Centrum and Zuid parishes

Amsterdam, July 1, 2026

Dear parishioners,

I am very pleased to inform you that, as of July 1st, our parishes are receiving some reinforcement from two priests affiliated with the Family of Mary (OPUS J.S.). They are Fathers Gabriel Heinzelmann and Stefan Lippert, who have been working in Amsterdam for several years and are already familiar faces at some locations in our parishes.

Since the departure of priests Marc Timmermans, Eric van Teijlingen, and more recently Aad van Ruiten sss, the priestly ministry for the three parishes and four locations has been very sparse. Last week it became clear that we will be welcoming two new priests in the near future. The fathers have been appointed for 0.5 FTE for the three parishes, and the hope is that a third priest will join around the turn of the year, bringing their total capacity to 0.8 FTE.

For the time being, the Fathers of the Family of Mary will conduct the weekday services in St. Nicholas Cathedral. On Saturdays, they will also conduct the service every other week for the English-speaking community of the Obrecht Church. On Sundays, they conduct the weekly English-language service in St. Joseph’s Church (Papegaai) and replace the undersigned in the Vredeskerk where necessary. They are available to all parishes for personal conversations, home visits, anointing of the sick, and the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

You can find their contact details on the various websites of our parishes.

The roster of celebrants who will celebrate Holy Mass at the various locations through December was already ready. However, starting in January 2027, the Fathers will also be more visible at the various locations on Sundays.

I am very pleased with this ‘enlightenment in the pastoral ministry’ and have every confidence that the Fathers will make a good and valuable contribution to church life in the Center and South districts. I ask for your prayers for the start of their pastoral mission, and together with you, I look forward to a beautiful new period in our parishes.

With very warm regards,

Pastor-Dean Eric Fennis