AUSTRALIA, Sr. M. Helen Ockerby. For the delegates from Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, it was the centenary of Father Kentenich’s ordination to the priesthood and first Mass that cast a warm glow in the middle of winter over the weekend conference held at the Joseph Kentenich House in Mulgoa, New South Wales.
A power point presentation about the life of Father Kentenich set the scene on Friday evening and prepared the delegates for the jubilee celebration of the centennial of his ordination and first Holy Mass.
A tree and small shrine were the symbols chosen for the conference to visually focus on the theme: United in truth and love- building up the family around the Shrine. The gospel of holy Mass spoke of the sending out of the seventy two disciples.
Father Prabhu Kallingal highlighted the need of the twofold aspect of prayer and active involvement – characterized by charity, simplicity, traveling light, not looking for reward or privileges.
The impact of the Covenant of Love
Talks on Saturday considered and deepened insights into the Schoenstatt Covenant of Love from three vantage points:
- The New Person in the Covenant
- The New Community in the Covenant
- Nothing Without You – Nothing Without Us
The last of these was a shared presentation by Ida Stokes and Peter de San Miguel of the Family Branch in Western Australia – sharing how the impact of the Covenant of Love has influenced their daily life within their family and as a group leader – to the extent of being able to cope with correction from one’s own adult children!
Peter spoke of establishing a meeting etiquette within a group, being patient and gentle with group members, endeavouring to draw members of the group out – so that they have their say. Peter commented that it is sincere dedication to our Mother Thrice Admirable that enables one to attempt do these things.
The acceptance of Cath Goodwin’s consecration as a member of the Family Branch by Father John Evans at the Shrine was a poignant reminder to all, that a person becomes a herald of Schoenstatt’s Covenant of love by their personal dedication to our Mother and Queen.
Celebrating the centenary of Fr. Kentenich’s ordination
For group members living in the Sydney area, an invitation had been sent to join the celebration of the Eucharist at 5 p.m. and then celebrate the one hundred years of our founder’s ordination in the Joseph Engling Centre.
Coloured drapes across the ceiling gave the distinct message of a covenant celebration about to begin. The highlight of the evening was the video clips showing Fr. Kentenich walking, talking and praying with his Schoenstatt family.
The two sessions on Sunday morning titled – Building up the family around the Shrine proved immensely valuable in that initiatives implemented by the different states since the New Shore Conference held in June last year were shared.
For New South Wales, these include among others, the establishment of a Schoenstatt choir, a Schoenstatt study group, a monthly meeting for the sick who attend the Thursday holy Mass at 11a.m. and support for a medical outreach team of doctors and nurses planned for April 26 – May 2, 2011, in the Philippines.
Victoria has established a quarterly newsletter while Queensland has extended the resource pack for Pilgrim Mother Co-ordinators to include two new CD’s.
A combined initiative by New South Wales and Western Australia established a virtual team to upgrade and extend the Schoenstatt Australian website. Using a workshop feedback sheet from items mentioned the previous day, future aims were discussed in groups and taken to a plenary before each state then discussed what they considered the future priorities for their situation in the forthcoming twelve months.
It was after lunch that the new Schoenstatt website and bi-monthly newsletter were launched – already with dates by which articles and news should be submitted for inclusion!
A brief written evaluation of the conference took place, followed then by holy Mass with the sermon identifying the compassion and leadership qualities of the Good Samaritan who took time and used his resources to help another in his hour of need. The singing by the choir and participants was both vital and enthusiastic, no doubt mirroring the gathered momentum of hope for the future.
The birthday of our Father and Founder was also very great around the Victory Shrine in Nigeria. We are all United in the Covenant of Love following the great pathfinder….shalom!