org. The next official 2014 newsletter is just around the corner, being planned for the 17th February, just on time to be shared with all who come together for the renewal of the Covenant of Love on February 18th. Fr. Andrew Pastore, from England, member of the Communication Team 2014, is in charge for this newsletter and the official website of the jubilee, www.schoenstatt2014.org – as you will see a lot on has happened since the launch of the website in October and of the newsletter in December 2011.
How many subscriptions do you have in total for the newsletters, and what is the “language ranking”?
We are two newsletters in and already have just below 600 subscriptions. I am also aware of a number of websites, local newsletters and national coordinators and teams who circulate the newsletter.
The majority of our readers are Spanish speaking, then, English, German, Portuguese and Italian. We have no idea in how many other languages the newsletter is being translated into and we are always on the look out for help in translating the information into as many languages as we speak in the family.
Who can subscribe for the newsletter? Is it only for those directly involved in the preparations of the jubilee?
The newsletter is intended for those responsible for the preparation of the Jubilee. The thing is, as we discovered at the Conference 2014, every member of the family plays a role in the preparation of the celebrations as we all share in the life of the covenant. Thus, logically, it is for everyone.
It is also interesting to note that we have a number of subscriptions from people who do not belong directly to Schoenstatt. The newsletter is also a god chance for them to come to know the life and spirit of our movement and the charisma of Fr. Kentenich.
Everyone can subscribe and, of course, contribute.
http://www.schoenstatt2014.org/en/mailing-list/
http://www.schoenstatt2014.org/es/lista-de-correo/
http://www.schoenstatt2014.org/de/mailing-liste/
What role does the official website play in the preparations for 2014?
As a late comer to the team I had to learn a lot and quickly. Our site is there to inform everyone of the preparation (Trienium) and celebration (Jubilee) – all the elements that Team 2014 are responsible for.
This has been difficult till now as many elements – catering, accommodation, transport, security – needed to be brought together. This is happening now. There have been many critical voices about our progress. The next weeks will see a change of pace.
Recently you moved into the Bundesheim where you will be present now and then. How does it feel to work in this house? What will you do there?
It has always fascinated me how Fr. Kentenich brought together spirituality and formation. This house represents the formational arm of the original Shrine. More than that, the house was a place where Fr. Kentenich brought together those working for the movement to work in cooperation for the good of the whole.
I can’t help feeling as Team 2014 takes up their offices here in the house, members of many of our communities, that cooperation for our family will bring rich fruit.
We have a set of newly renovated rooms, a great cafe and a communications room where the work of the Team can be coordinated and take shape. It’s really exciting.
I will actually live in the Bundesheim when I am in Schoenstatt. I have my office there and will work with the communications team to facilitate, as much as possible, the passing on and sharing of information. As a team we want to be very much at the heart of this covenant culture that the Jubilee celebrates. We want to share your covenant life.
A personal question: What is the moment that most fascinates you with the preparation for 2014?
What most fascinates me is the little initiatives – both apostolic and spiritual – that are taking place throughout the world. Sometimes we can get caught up in the “Management” of this mega event. The signs that we see throughout the world, though are simple – the covenant lives. Mary, our mother, is alive and well at the heart of our movement. She is gathering her family to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – and the family is responding.
And: What is the moment you personally are most looking for when you think of the jubilee celebrations?
I was lucky to be around at the last great Jubilee in Schoenstatt 1985 – my abiding memory – and what I am most looking forward to, is to see the Schoenstatt Family in all its multi-cultural wealth, gather and renew the covenant around the Original Shrine. That will give us great apostolic strength for the future.
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Missed the boat? Download Newsletter 1 (Dec 2011) and Newsletter 2 (January 2012)
Awesome! Thank you Father Pastore and the entire 2014 Team for your dedication and hard work preparing for this gargantuan Family celebration! You all are in our prayers.