Request for financial support of the Original Shrine

org. Father Heinrich Walter, Superior General of the Schoenstatt Fathers, today, May 10th,  sent a  request for financial support for the Original Shrine to the superiors of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The letter, already published in German at the German National Website, announces the foundation of an Association of Support. As fundraising methods and customs vary from country to country,  and due to the lack of internationally viable payment methods, he recommends that in each country, the Schoenstatt family find ways to support the maintenance and possible funding for purchasing the Original Shrine.

May 2012

 

Dear Friends of the Original Shrine,

On 1 April, during the Year of the Shrine Current, it has become possible for the Schoenstatt Family to take over the administration of the Original Shrine and the pastoral work at our Movement’s place of origin. We thank God for this huge and unexpected gift. Until now the Pallottine community had this responsibility as the owners of the shrine and the land around it. The Pallottine Fathers and Brothers have cared for the Original Shrine for decades and we thank them for doing so.  In May the Schoenstatt Fathers, on behalf of the Schoenstatt Family, will begin discussions with them about the possible purchase of the Pilgrim Place around the Original Shrine.

The new Rector of the Original Shrine, Fr Michael Marmann (Germany), and the sacristans, Mr & Mrs Fellhofer (Austria), have taken up their new tasks.

For years there has been a changing group of Adoration Sisters from various countries which has kept Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament going in the Original Shrine.

The Pilgrimage Leaders, together with an international Pilgrimage Team, organise meetings and times of prayer for large and small groups.

The Administrative Council of the Original shrine, which has been appointed by the General Presidium, meets regularly in order to coordinate the tasks and take the necessary decisions.

We may all see ourselves as co-operators with the Blessed Mother at the Original Shrine. Our shrine lives from its pilgrims, from their faith and the spiritual contributions they place in the jar. We say: Nothing without you – nothing without us! Whoever lives in or around Koblenz can also help with practical tasks, preparing the liturgy and other services. You can approach the Rector of the Shrine directly in this regard.

However, we also need a circle of friends and patrons who support the Original Shrine financially. This year, 2012, we probably need to raise 180.000 Euros (237.000 US$, or £147.000) to cover the lease to the Pallottine Fathers, for sacristy expenditure, for the staff and upkeep of the surrounding site, as well as to finance some purchases. We are grateful for every donation, either single or regular, to support the shrine.

In order to secure permanent financial support we want to found the International Friends of the Original Shrine. Its aim is to secure the financial basis for the pastoral work at the Original Shrine, and for its upkeep, through regular contributions from all over the world.

You can become a Friend of the Original Shrine by completing the application and making an annual contribution of 100 Euros (EU countries) or 100 US$ (other countries).

Members will receive a regular circular letter with information and spiritual input from the Rector of the Original Shrine. Mr Fellhofer has agreed to take over the administration of the International Friends of the Original Shrine for this year.

In the Year of the Shrine I again realise how much the Original Shrine is our common centre. Through the covenant of love with Mary at the source of our Movement we form a single Family even before we begin to belong to a definite community, section of the Movement, or group. When we are united around the Original Shrine we become even more a Family at the start of the second century of our Movement’s history.

 

Fr Heinrich Walter

Chairman of the General Presidium

Bank Account:

Recipient:
Schoenstatt-Patres-International e.V.
Vaterhaus – Berg Sion 1
56179 Vallendar
Germany

Purpose: Original Shrine

Bank: DKM Darlehnskasse Munster eG
IBAN: DE60400602650003161602
BIC: GENODEM1DKM