Egon M. Zillekens/org. Actually it is completely crazy. Seven private individuals from Chile and Germany are convinced they can take on a task the goes beyond human possibilities – financially, staff-wise, conceptually, institutionally. To fill with new life an old house that has stood empty for years and is badly in need of renovation, and situated at the centre of a city, would make a city council and most city planners with a highly professional team break out in sweat. To do this in a place that has no central management and where there is no lack of construction sites, and instead a great lack of funds and staff, is crazy. The seven knew this and christened themselves the “crazy seven” – and set to work. Very soon new life began to flourish. We are talking about Schoenstatt-Bundesheim International e.v. (Schoenstatt Covenant Home International Ltd.), which held a full meeting of the council in this Covenant Home to which all the members had journeyed. They came from Chile, as did Fernando Arrau, who had transferred the management of the Covenant Home to them.
The Schoenstatt-Bundesheim International eV started with a clear goal: The Covenant Home had to be renovated and filled with life. This is the goal by which they measure their actions and success.
Life has moved into the Covenant Home
And quite a lot has happened. Despite the blows of the last few years, the Communication Centre 2014 is up and running in the Covenant Home. Maria Elena Vilches from Ecuador has worked there since early 2012, and Fr Andrew Pastore appears again and again. Now other people are moving in, so there is life in the offices and committee rooms in the East Wing. Now the Schoenstatt Bundesheim International e.V. is also meeting there – a sign of things to come.
The first occupants have arrived
Mr & Mrs Musolino from Argentina, who have been working in the Covenant Home since last year, are now moving in completely, and Maria Elena Vilches will soon join them. Eduardo Arnouil from Chile is moving into the Covenant Home as a volunteer, and at 71 is started from the beginning again as “Majordomo”, as Luis Jensen remarked jokingly. With fluent German, English and Spanish he is prepared to welcome all who come, and their questions. In the time that remains – and this fits into the spirit of the Covenant Home – he has made himself available to the Communication Centre 2014/schoenstatt.org as translator. His first translation into Spanish has already been published.
We go on
Now it has been decided: We go on. A great moment of exchange with site manager Reichert. The historic part of the Covenant Home, which includes Fr Kentenich’s flat, the large conference rooms and the little kitchen will be connected to the heating, as will the house chapel and the hall about it. It is not only the kitchen that will profit from this amenity, because schoenstatt-tv will also be able to move in there.
Heating, internet connection, electricity, new flooring and decorating – similar to the East Wing – will be installed still in 2012. Then people will be able to meet there, enjoy meals there (Catering) and pray in the chapel. In the meeting room of “King Arthur’s Circle” and his flat they will be able to meet the person who once filled this house with life and set his Schoenstatt in motion: Fr Kentenich.
Who will set up their offices here? First come first served, as well as those who want to help overcome “all national barriers” (Heavenwards) and make this house the centre of the worldwide Movement in the spirit of co-operation and networking.
Working together
Working together, helping, supporting, filling with life: In the three days that Schoenstatt Bundesheim International e.V. met, there were many discussions, among others with the Central Team 2014 and various responsible people in Schoenstatt.
Covenant Home, 2014, Original Shrine, internationality, networking, covenant culture: They all belong together. The Schoenstatt Bundesheim International e.V. supports the work of the Central Team 2014 and its working groups so quietly and discreetly that they are sometimes not really aware of it. Equipment, a large part of the running costs, accommodation and pocket money for Maria Elena Vilches, and so much more …
The Fundacion Maria Reina del Trabajo guarantees an annual sum until the expiry of the Trust. Now in 2012, however, a larger sum will be invested in the renovations so that life can continue and more life can move in until 2014.
There is a possibility to join in with donations, loans, even short-term loans.
Donations from within the SEPA zone can be made here:
Bundesheim International e.V.
BAN: DE91 5705 0120 0181 0201 40
BIC MALADE51KOBInformation on payment from other regions to come.
Questions, information: Rektor Egon Zillekens o Lucho Jensen
Original: German. Translation: Mary Cole, Manchester, England
