POLAND, Fr. Elmar Busse. The scene: A varied and vast sea of burning lights, the noise and bustle of people visiting the graves of loves ones! Scenes of a vibrant local faith on the eve of the Solemnity of All Saints; scenes that will undoubtedly remain in the heart, when you arrive for the first time in Poland. The deceased loved ones, however, was not the theme for the Family Conference for around forty participants, it was much more the “living” and the “loving” – children, families and couples.
How can we support successful family life today? What do children and couples need, so that they may grow into free, resilient people, who are capable of connecting to others in healthy relationships? For the past two years, supported by the European Union, families have gotten together in order to share their experiences and practice. This year’s meeting took place in Jozefow, on the outskirts of Warsaw on the banks of the Weichsel River, and was was hosted by the Schoenstatt Fathers.
Different work groups
The participants broke into various Workshops tackling different themes. For example: The development of the new internet homepage www.midili.eu – a European resource of the sharing of practice and experience in family care; different models for improving the “cascading process” for families, which are even today still inspired in content and style by the first Family Academy in Vienna, Austria; another Workshop concentrated on the preparation for a European Family Congress, that will take place in Schoenstatt, Pentecost 2010; a further Workshop shared their observations of how people who had taken part in our local seminars and meetings, proceeded afterwards to become active themselves in promoting family care themes and resources.
The key question: What is needed in regard to confidence, training and competence, so that one-time “consumers” may become active “apostles”?
The Conference also included a visit to the Schoenstatt Shrine and Pastoral Centre four miles away in Swider; a guided tour through the impressive “Old Town” of Warsaw, and shared liturgy. The last evening was highlighted by a casual get-together with refreshments and speciality food from various different countries.
The next meeting of this kind will take place at the end of January in Vienna, Austria.
