Penza, 26 December 2011. PenzaNews. Christmas mass was served in Catholic parish of Immaculate conception of Maiden Maria in Penza in the evening on Saturday, December, 24th.

The mass was served by bishop Klemens Pikkel who arrived from Saratov.

The bishop informed: “I was in Penza three years ago. Usually our parish priest from Saratov came here and we are lack of priests we serve Penza as a branch”.

He said that 14 years of service it’s the second time he left Saratov on Christmas.

Bishop Klemens said: “I’m in Penza today and it’s a big exception. The first time I left Saratov for Caucasus on Christmas and. There are only 4 priests with Russian passport in the country, and more than 40 clerics arrive here from abroad”.

According to the bishop, he hopes that he will visit Penza parishioners once again next summer.