mev. During the meeting of the International Foundation of Covenant House, schoenstatt.org met with Luis and Pilar Jensen, Chileans, who belong to the Family Institute. They participated in the Planning Conference of 2009 and in the Meeting of Experts during the following year becoming a part of the 2014 Central Team. Both of them are directors of the International Foundation of Covenant House, along with Father Egon Zillekens, Birgitt Winter, Peter Kleinitzer, Francisco Matte and José María Fuentes.
______
An interview with Luis and Pilar Jensen of the International Foundation of Covenant House
When we asked them about the present situation of Covenant House, they related: “We have a contract with the Mary Queen of Work Foundation, whose president is Mr. Fernando Arrau. This contract entails that we have the responsibility to administer the house for five years, and it presently means keeping it open and preparing in the best possible way according to the resources so that members of the Schoenstatt Family can come here and feel at home.”
What is the responsibility of the International Foundation of Covenant House in this process?
On one hand, we should make decisions about the upkeep and repairs that should be made so that the house can better serve the purposes of the Schoenstatt Family as a meeting and work place with Father Kentenich. Moreover, in fixing the historic spaces where Father lived and worked, so they can be visited by pilgrims.
The Foundation took charge of remodeling the east wing– the offices for Central Team 2014 and the International Office of Communications 2014 (SICO2014) are located there. We hope that soon we will also install the Schoenstatt TV studios in the house and other initiatives at the service of the Family and beyond.
How do you see the relation of Covenant House to– 2014?
A great deal of life is emerging in the Schoenstatt Family throughout the world; pilgrimage 2014 is already bringing forth fruits. 2014 Central Team is at the service of this life, and its work site is at Covenant House. More and more it is also becoming the place where the Covenant of Love “tents” are being coordinated. Everything that has to do with the Team and the support structures can have their space in the House. All the adaptations that have been made or that are in progress are made with the thought that this be an adequate, functional, and worthy work place where a family atmosphere reigns.
What other aspects of life have developed around the House recently?
Another of our desires is to have the house breathe a religious atmosphere which is why the Blessed Sacrament is present once again in the chapel where Father Kentenich prayed. From time to time, there are Masses, Adoration, and it is open to the pilgrims who come to pray. It is important to us that the people’s attachment to the house be in relation with the person of Father Kentenich and with the Original Shrine; this was all the members greatest motivation for the International Foundation of Covenant House when we assumed this project that by any means is madness and whose future is completely in the Blessed Mother’s hands.
How is Covenant House projected?
We dream that it will be a meeting place and a work place. It is the place for collaborators, volunteers, and projects; a house that is always open.
We have many more desires beyond 2014; however, this implies a vision on the part of the Schoenstatt Family, not only of the Foundation. We hope that the mission of the house is profiled as more concretely departing from the experience of 2014, and that it be an experience of our Mission as a fruit of the renewal of the Covenant for our time. Thousands of dreams! We are aware that this would be possible if we can convoke many collaborators who can help and work. We have limited resources, but our Father said the measure of the difficulties were the measure of the graces. There are already some creative results and we hope that potent signs will come from above. We know that the house is part of the Schoenstatt heritage and therefore of all the Family
Related Article:
Translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, TX, USA
