AUSTRIA, Hertha and Martin Schiffl. “The Church needs couples like you.” Father Karl Wallner was touched by what he heard and saw. Six couples, who belong to Viennese course Number 13 of the Academy for Family Pedagogy, briefly presented their favorite subjects; they not only spoke about them but more importantly, they live what they say and it could be felt. This is the fire, which can enkindle more fire. These six couples finished a two-year training program to become family trainers and all of them passed the final exam. And now they will be commissioned.
Father Karl Wallner celebrated the commissioning Mass on January 25 in Lazenkirchen Parish, and he sent forth the six couples. “Today is not the end; but rather, the beginning,” he told the couples. And continuing in this spirit during the talk: “This is precisely what the Church needs. On one hand, priests, on the other hand couples who are able to present the Faith and encourage others to seal the sacrament of marriage and to live it.” He went on to insist that the new family trainers: “Aspire to the highest, the Church needs modern saints and holy families.”
At the end of the Holy Mass, the couples received their diplomas from the bishop in charge of the Family Pastoral, Bishop Klaus Küng, and they were sent forth. During the following reception, there were many conversations and Father Karl Wallner expressed appreciation for the special work of the Schoenstatt Movement for the Church, for couples and for the family.
Father Wallner is the rector of Heiligenkreuz University. During the last few years, his university has experienced an enormous growth of candidates to the priesthood. Now that we had the opportunity of knowing him better, this success does not surprise us. With a profound faith and a lot of humor, he is a teacher of joy. He possesses the language adequate for the present time. In him we could see what we have learned from Father Kentenich and which we give to the participants of Academy of Family Pedagogy: with the head in heaven and both feet placed firmly on the ground.
A preparation lasting two years has come to an end. This means: six new family trainers are ready to begin their work for the Church and for society. We wish them many blessings and success.
Approximately 500 family trainers – a very strong network
At the present time, there are already approximately 500 family trainers in Austria who have taken the training course, which is such a great network of Christian homes. And next week Viennese course Number 14 will begin. This course is practically filled. However later courses will begin in Upper Austria and Tirol (close to Tirol of the South), where some spaces is still available.
Source: www.schoenstatt.at
Original: German – Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX USA
