GERMANY, Klaus Heizmann •
Singles, couples, and families were invited to a special weekend, October 13 – 15. It was an “active pause,” at Marienau, to rediscover one’s potential within the sunny framework of a golden October. It was a gathering designed and filled with a “duel of giants” that was directed toward different potentials, with “an oasis time” in the shrine and with several workshops that Fr. Güthlein introduced in an interactive manner: “What am I seeking? Who do I want to be? Why is it worth seeking?” To do this several presenters revealed that potentials could be discovered in this way. From the perspective of marketing, Oliver Sladek, a manager in marketing for the food industry, illustrated the uniqueness and success of certain brands, conveying their attractiveness, how we can discover and consolidate “our brands.”
Path of marriage, uniqueness and individual blessing
With splendid autumn weather, Claudia and Heinrich Brehm attracted many to take part in some of the stations on the “path of marriage” by observing: What defines us as a couple?
Sr. Gertrud-Maria continued the thematic line with questions about personal uniqueness: What touches me? Why did God create me?
Everyone could choose among the topics offered according to their needs. The children and youths took great advantage of what was offered on the program, where they developed metal relief plaques, windmills, figures of animals, nightlights, nesting boxes, and paddlewheel boats. All of this could be taken home in a bag they decorated, there were also paper lanterns for a candle lit procession. Everything ended in the shrine, the “meeting in a special place”, with Fr. Strecker, who specifically arrived from Munich, offering individual blessings. They were touching moments!
The round of workshops were completed on Sunday, and a guide was offered for “a new productive pause”. Meanwhile between games, the children and youths rehearsed the representation of the Sunday Gospel in which Peter found his identity as “rock” and “fisher of men,” thanks to Jesus. Fr. Strecker made it clear in his homily that every gift demands a task. Then everyone wrote: Who is Jesus for me? Who am I for Jesus?
Sr. Gertrud- Maria Erhard’s farewell
After the Eucharist, there was a special farewell event for Sr. Gertrud-Maria, who has developed and accompanied this project for years. To conclude her last event, within her task of leading the Family Movement in Germany, expressions of gratitude and many best wishes were extended to her for her flight to Vienna.
The management team, made up by Christine and Oliver Sladek, Ktharina Klein, Sr. Gertrud-Maria and Maria and Klaus Heizmann, received great positive feedback: “I have gotten closer to myself,” “wonderful for youths and adults,” organized with affection,” “…we have never made so many handicrafts.”
Original: Germany, 25 October 2017. Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA. Edited: Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, TX USA
