PARAGUAY, Papito and Chiquita Martín •
In August 2014, when we arrived in Ayolas commissioned by Fr. Antonio Cosp to found the Family Branch, our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt already awaited us with a group of couples who had walked with the picture of the Pilgrim Mother with Mrs. Elodia Cardoza, an extraordinary missionary…Those couples opened their hearts to us and this how we began the great task of taking the message of God’s Kingdom to so many families in Ayolas.
Today three years since initiating the task, there are three couple groups that are journeying in the wonderful Schoenstatt world, and they are transmitting it to many more through the witness of their lives.
A gathering with an extraordinary beginning
Everything was prepared for a gathering with an extraordinary beginning: invitations, promotional little cards, prayers, and abundant contributions to the capital of grace by the Ayolas family. When the program was finished, the presence of the Bishop of Misiones and Ñeembucú at our gathering was confirmed. We could not believe it! Bishop Collar decided to make his first visit after assuming his post and through the invitation of a couple from the first group to the interior, to Ayolas… It was a blessing for the Ayolas Schoenstatt Family and for the community.
Mass with the entire community
Bishop Collar arrived punctually at the San Roque González Chapel, where the picture of the Blessed Mother has been enthroned for a year. The representatives of the different apostolic movements and the entire community welcomed him with expressions of love and affection. Three priests con-celebrated Holy Mass. They were congratulated because he found many communities working in the Church in this part of the Department of Missions, and he urged them to support the activities of pastor, Fr. Esteban Chaparro, a young and enthusiastic priest who the community unwaveringly supports.
Testimonies
During the gathering and then in the Mass, Bishop Collar encouraged couples to work for God’s Kingdom in families and in homes, which need Jesus’ and Mary’s presence so much, to strengthen the marriage commitment, persevering in loyalty and in love, values that are so devalued nowadays.
Then, members of the two Couple’s Groups that are functioning presented their testimonies. Sebastián and Concepción Martín, coordinators of the Family Branch in Ayolas were in charge of the main presentation. They developed the motto and the objectives of the Movement for the biennial: As the Father and Founder’s children, live the Covenant of Love with daring, building Family, and the Family Branch’s special resolution: Working to conquer more families united in Schoenstatt’s grace.
As a result of this wonderful gathering, the existing groups gathered, Barca’s Missionary Hearts, along with their leaders Patricia and Jorge González; Group Two with Faviana and César González, and Group Three, constituted at this time and led by Eva and Alejandro Frías.
By the grace of God and the Blessed Mother, the Family Branch from Ayolas is strengthening organically, thus far, bringing more than thirty couples together that are beginning on their way training in the spirit of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement.
Original: Spanish. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA – Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
