Posted On 2010-10-14 In Covenant Life

You are called to participate in the grace which your founder received

Schoenstatt Fathers Christian Christiansen, Hector Vega, and Marcelo AravenaUSA, Carlos Cantú. The yearly workshop for Delegates of the Schoenstatt Family in Texas was held October 8 – 10, 2010, at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center in Rockport/Lamar, Texas. The event began with the celebration of the Eucharist in the Confidentia Shrine. The Schoenstatt Fathers, Héctor Vega and Christian Christensen, happily introduced Schoenstatt Father Marcelo Aravena a native of Chile who will also be working with the Schoenstatt Movement in Texas.

 

In his homily at the Friday Eucharist, Fr. Vega exhorted those present to reflect on how the Spirit is moving Schoenstatt locally and regionally as it prepares for the great 2014 Celebration. He asked the participants to place themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they entered the Cenacle to discern what their response would be.

One Heart in the Father

ConferenceAfter the delicious Friday evening meal, everyone gathered in the Founder’s Room to ask for the special assistance of the Father and Founder. The singing of UNITE, OH FATHER, ALL MINDS IN TRUTH AND ALL HEARTS IN LOVE, FATHER, MAKE US ONE IN YOU set the mood and tempo for the annual meeting. After highlighting some of the key points in the motto and in the significance of the words IN JOYFUL GRATITUDE, ONE HEART IN THE FATHER (our 2009 – 2010 Motto), Fr. Vega shared some of his observations: 1) Schoenstatt is growing state-wide and 2) the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Confidentia Shrine unleashed a Shrine current. He stressed that as Schoenstatt goes toward 2014, there is an anticipation of change. What does this mean in particular and that we dare to dare.

‘Shrines of the Church’

GroupThe Saturday morning presentations highlighted Father Kentenich as a prophet of Mary and as a prophet of Divine Providence, and thus as a prophet of the Covenant of Love. Fr. Vega emphasized that Blessed Mother is looking for hearts, for associates. Also stressed in the second presentation was the gift as the USA Schoenstatt Family to Father Kentenich in 1985, and the words of Pope John Paul II as he addressed the members of the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt in 1985: “You are called to participate in the grace which your founder received, and to offer it to the entire Church. For the founder’s charisma proves to be an experience offered by the spirit which was passed on to his followers, that they might live accordingly, guard it, deepen and constantly develop it; and that in the community and for the good of the Church, who herself grows and lives from the even new loyalty to her founder.” Also stressed were the words of Pope John Paul II on Sept. 9, 2004, in connection with the blessing of the Matri Ecclesiae Shrine in Rome: “Schoenstatt’s endeavors are particularly directed to the family as the fundamental cell of the Church, of culture and society. Following your founder’s advice, you give the Cross and the picture of Mary a place of honor in your homes, so that they become ‘shrines of the Church’ where Mary works as Mother and Educator. So Mary continues to come to the people as the ‘Pilgrim Mother of God,’ that they may experience her motherly help and love.”

Following group discussions, prayers, and the meeting of the diocesan leaders and representatives of several areas present, the key words and ideas for the future work were determined. After considerable discussion, the new motto for 2010 – 2011 was found:

With Father, proclaim the Covenant of Love

GroupFor their work in the coming year, the Mothers’ Branch decided to keep the motto as it is. The Families’ Branch opted for a minor change: FATHER’S FAMILIES, PROCLAIM THE COVENANT OF LOVE.

The Schoenstatt Family in Texas will have its annual October Day celebration at the Confidentia Shrine/Schoenstatt Center on Sunday, October 24th. The motto for the Texas Schoenstatt Family will be announced on this day: WITH FATHER, PROCLAIM THE COVENANT OF LOVE. The October 24, 2010 October Day Celebration will be very special. On this day, the Schoenstatt Family of Texas will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Father Kentenich’s ordination to the priesthood. On this day, in a commemorative and solemn celebration, everyone will have the opportunity to seal the Covenant of Love with Father Kentenich, or to renew their covenant with Father Kentenich, which they sealed previously in 1999, the Year of the Father.

As the Texas Schoenstatt Family goes toward 2014, they are forging the culture of the Covenant of Love!

WITH FATHER, PROCLAIM THE COVENANT OF LOVE

 

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