Schoenstatt – Reaching out Category

LITHUANIA, Hilde and Herbert Fellhofer • At the end of January, eight couples began participating in the third course of the Kentenich Academy for Family Pedagogy. The Academy for Family Pedagogy was introduced in Lithuania in 2009, during a family camp; the rest is the work of the Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit. Eva and Erich Berger began the first course in 2010, with several couples from Austria as speakers. The course ended in 2012 with ten couples from Lithuania. The second course – Lithuanian families developed 90% ofRead More
CHILE, Esperanza Colombo vía Revista Vínculo • “Rejoice family, you are fertile ground:” Many weeks and many special events have passed, especially the blessing of the Talca Shrine, since more than ninety people, children and adults from Talca and Curicó went on mission for a week through the streets of Chimbarongo in Region VI.  However in retrospect and with the distance of time, hearts blaze when these Family Missions’ experiences are told. For the second consecutive year, Chimbarongo and its people were in charge of welcoming the families, who carriedRead More
BRAZIL, Sr. M. Rosequiel Fávero • Fr. Argemiro Ferracioli, postulator of João Luiz Pozzobon’s Cause of Beatification, went to Rome in March, and he reported on the state of the process. Fr. Argemiro, what is the stage of the process? We finished writing the “Positio” (350 pages), the proof of the Servant of God, João Luiz Pozzobon’s life, virtues, and widely known sanctity.  It is being corrected and will be published soon as a red hardback book with gold lettering on the cover.  Then it will be presented to fiveRead More
ARGENTINA, by Maria Fischer • “One has to know how many are at the table, so everyone gets their meal.”  My small friend looked at me with her great big eyes and irresistible smile, while she places a bowl on the table that I share with her and three more children.  “There is enough for everyone,” she explained.  “Because we always have to think about everyone.”  Before going down to the dining room, she takes the task she assumed of introducing the “new one, this lady from Germany, who alongRead More
PARAGUAY, by Rafael Vera • During the University Missions carried out in Holy Week, I went with the Pilgrim Mother for the visually impaired. And the Blessed Mother took me to right place. I met Mr. Claudio, 45, who has desire to fight. He lives in the city of Gral. Morinigo. He had the experience of touching the soft relief of our Mother and her son. He was very touched by the Blessed Mother’s visit, and he rejoiced. Mr. Claudio valued and appreciated the Blessed Mother’s visit; he kissed herRead More
GERMANY/SWITZERLAND, Melanie and Ulrich Grauert • The mission statement of the IKAF (International Kentenich Academy for Leaders) states, among other things, “Genuine love of God, which should burn within us, gives us a new vision, a new understanding …” This “new understanding” shone out in a special way during the IKAF weekend at the beginning of March in Memholz, Germany. Based on very different actual situations we could clearly feel that as a team – in the plenary sessions – we could strengthen and enrich each other through the charismsRead More
CHILE, Gonzalo and Paulina Peña Peñaranda • In 2012, a vacation in Guadalajara became the beginning of an apostolic adventure.  The day of our arrival coincided with a re-encounter for couples, that a few days before, had a Fortalecimiento Matrimonial (Marriage Enrichment) gathering.  We shared some tacos and a potent renewal of married love that we shared with them, the atmosphere was filled by the complicity of having shared a unique experience.  Our in-laws, Claudio and Angelito Castro Peñaranda, were part or the organizational team.  We shared  several days withRead More
PARAGUAY, Encarnación, by Julia and Rodolfo Widmann • The Schoenstatt Family from Encarnación and the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign has had a special privilege since December 2014:  The diocesan bishop is a Schoenstatt Father, Bishop Francisco Pistilli, who knows and loves the Campaign and he counts on its support in his diocese.  At the beginning of 2015, a meeting was held at the bishopric with Bishop Pistille, the outgoing coordinator Chiquita Martín and the new coordinators, Julia and Rodolfo Widmann.   Going forth and sharing her graces In August, twenty-seven PilgrimRead More
BRAZIL, Sr. M. Rosequiel Fávero, via tabormta.org • The Brazil’s southern region Schoenstatt Family began Holy Week with some sad news: Giuseppe Marramarco died. He was known for his untiring apostolate with the Pilgrim Auxiliary MTA among convicts in Río Grande do Sul. His life was transformed by an encounter with the Servant of God João Pozzobon in 1985 Giuseppe Antonio Marramarco was born in the city of Corleto Perticar, province of Potenza, Italy, and at the age of 23, he arrived as an immigrant to Brazil on 24 MarchRead More
PARAGUAY, Santa Rita, by Amada Girett/org • Santa Rita (department of Alto Paraná) located approximately 350 km east of Asunción has a natural wonder that has gained a lot of attention in recent times.  It is a tunnel of lead trees (mimosas) that extends 1,550 m. (almost a mile) in length along a stretch of Route 6.  At this time, it is one of the area’s main natural tourist attractions.  It all began about twenty-five years ago, when a few lead trees were planted on both sides of a stretchRead More