The date June 25th, 2017 will be specially recorded in the Chronicle of the parish Presnače close to Banja Luka, more precisely in the analogy of its branch in Čelinac, because at that time Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka blessed the chapel devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was heavily damaged in the war and finally now thoroughly renovated.đ
With the bishop, besides parish priest Msgr. Ivica Božinović, four more priests concelebrated, and with the local few Catholics, parishioners of Presnače and the neighboring parishes of Kotor Varoš and Vrbanjci participated.
Msgr. Komarica recalled that at the beginning of the 20th century about 180 Catholics lived in Čelinac, before the Second World War 200, and in the second half of the 20th century several dozen. Much of the domestic Catholics were Germans, which is seen on the tomb stones on the graves near the built church. In the village there is a vow chapel of the Brandl family which was built in the early 20th century.
In his sermon the Bishop spoke about the permanent call of God to conversion and confidence in God’s mercy and forgiveness. He especially emphasized the motherly intercession of the Holy Mother of Mary and recommended to the assembled believers to be every day influenced by the Lady’s intercession.
He thanked the parish priest Božinović and all those who helped to renew this church that was built before the war by then parish priest, rev. Filip Lukenda who, together with Sister Cecilija Grgić, was killed at the end of the war.
Mons. Božinović also told the present believers about the fate of the church and about those who have been struggling to rebuild her.
After the liturgical celebration, the gathered believers remained there for some time in a friendly gathering.
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Written by: KT
Translation: Ksenija Ninić
