GERMANY, fma. “We have a dream — of bright classrooms, a big hall with a warm wooden ceiling, of teachers who make music, of lessons that we simply enjoy, and a school we have built ourselves …” Who would have thought three or four years ago that schoolchildren in Kempten-Leubas would talk about this dream, which has become a reality for 42 children, to 280 guests, among them the second Mayor, Josef Mayer? Between the dream and its realisation lay insufficient means and financial possibilities, the lack of permissions and buildings, mocking smiles for such a crazy idea, and rejection and attacks on account of something new. These called into question the deadlocked ideas and a whole host of other reasons that made such a dream seem utter utopia. “A handful of determined parents who were prepared to take every kind of risk” believed in it, according to Fr Elmar Busse during Holy Mass in the church of Mary of the Visitation in Kempten-Laubas only a few minutes on foot from the dream of the Joseph Kentenich School that has become a reality.
There are “gift ribbon” Christians and “roped mountain climber” Christians Fr Elmar Busse said in his sermon on 26 October. The “gift ribbon” Christians tie shiny ribbons of faith around the beginning and end of life, and perhaps a few feasts in the course of their lives like First Communion and marriage. However, when push comes to shove they don’t trust the ribbon – and faith in the form of a gift ribbon doesn’t survive the times of trial. Then there are Christians whose faith is a mountain climber’s rope. It is a rope that supports far more than their own weight, their own burden. It is a rope that holds even when the ground under their feet collapses, and even when they are suspended over the abyss. Faith like a mountain climber’s rope is an adventure, because the fact that the rope will hold is only experienced in situations when it really matters that it does hold … not before. Adventurous Christians, risk-taking Christians with this rope-strong faith dare things that others wouldn’t even want to see on TV; they take steps the mere thought of which makes others tremble; they cope with what would humanly speaking make people collapse; they create realities that others could not even dream about, and dream dreams that become a reality because they took a decisive step in faith that allowed for no return. Such adventurous Christians were and are the people who dreamt of this school, who willed it and built it. These adventurous Christians took the “Jubilee Step 2014”, and stepped over the threshold of “we for us” into “ours for all”, a missionary step over the threshold of working internally, to moving out onto the street, a step that Pope Francis is calling for day in and day out. Go! Do not be afraid! To serve.
Ready for Jubilee 2014
With the blessing of the extension this school is now completed outwardly. It opened in September 2012 with 17 children in two classes, and this year it had 42 children in all four classes. Two classrooms, a library, a new administrative section, a storeroom for chairs, a utility room and technology room, a total of 500 sq m for learning and living, have been added to the renovated older building. It has been financed by personal contributions, the favourable purchase of materials, the generous support of various firms, donations and private guarantees. With the support of local politicians, friends in the Schoenstatt Movement, and increasingly of parents who are convinced of the need for a private Catholic primary school, it has been possible to build up a school in which every child is given the support he or she needs so that the best possible result is achieved for them. Even before the Jubilee 2014 the school is ready for the jubilee – the building is completed and each class is in operation. That is what it was meant to be: A covenant gift for Jubilee 2014.
Who is to give the main speech? The children, of course.
The school children, teachers and parents prepared the Holy Mass on 26 October with spirited songs and corresponding texts. Afterwards Fr Elmar Busse blessed the new schoolrooms accompanied by a crowd of altar servers.
The amazed and positively surprised guests at the dedication realised that the Joseph Kentenich School is different, and that the children are the focal point, when they saw the choice of the main speakers. Four of the school children described the dream of their school in a truly refreshing and original way. The enthusiastic musical contribution of the band composed of teachers and students, the smell of freshly baked waffles and biscuits from the “school bistro”, and the happy games of the schoolchildren in their school, made the festive act a happy child and family-friendly experience. Renate and Christian, the Chair couple of the school board, thanked all who had built the school either through their work or through donations, as well as all who had supported it and repeatedly encouraged them not to give up.
Wonderful atmosphere until late in the day
After a tasty lunch, and strengthened by coffee and cake, the magician “Michelo Angelo” ensured that the afternoon appealed to everyone. The appearance of the Mini Rock Band (altar servers of St Magnus parish, Lenzfried) and the joyful group dances of the children accompanied by the teachers, made for a wonderfully happy atmosphere.
The Joseph Kentenich School in Kempten-Leubas takes its name from Fr Joseph Kentenich, the founder of the Schoenstatt Movement whose pedagogical concept has inspired the worldwide foundation of primary and secondary schools, schools for disabled and disadvantaged children, and a university (Invenio, Rosta Rica), as well as teachers and students.
More on this subjct under “Apostolic Projects”, sectio Pedagogy.
Original: German. Tanslation:: Mary Cole, Manchester, England
PHOTOS
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| October 31, 2013 – Einweihung des Anbaus der Schule in Kempten-Leubas |
Information on the Joseph Kentenich School as well as application for the coming school year can be obtained from www.kentenich-schule.de.
