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"Your shrine - Our Home"
The first Shrine in England on the day of its dedication
Das erste Heiligtum in England am Tag der Einweihung |
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Corner Stone
Grundstein
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Bishop Brain (l), Fr. Cunningham
Festive Holy Mass
Festgottesdienst
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Inside tent
Im Festzelt
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In the marquee: MTA picture for
the Shrine
Im Festzelt: MTA-Bild für das Heiligtum
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An expression of years of longing
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Ausdruck von Jahren des Wartens ...
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The Youth carrying
the picture of the MTA to the Shrine
Jugendliche trugen das MTA-Bild zum Heiligtum |
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Bishop Brain saying the blessing
and welcoming the MTA picture outside the Shrine
Bischof Brain segnete das MTA-Bild vor dem Heiligtum
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The net in the Shrine
Das Netz im Heiligtum
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Inside of the new Shrine
Im neuen Heiligtum
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Display in the marquee Schönstatt
Informationen im Zelt
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Shrine, side view - evening after
the dedication
Seitenansicht - am Abend nach der Einweihung
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Shrine - evening after the dedication:
All want to visit!
Heiligtum - am Abend nach der Einweihung: alle
wollen hinein!
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A Home for a lifetime - Shrine
on October 2, 2000
Heimat für immer - Heiligtum am "Tag danach"
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Fotos: Hartley, Fuller, Beebe
© 2000 |
(Patricia McEvoy, John Bebee, mkf) On October 1 Bishop Terence John
Brain of Salford, dedicated the first Daughter Shrine in England. Approximately
900 people, among them several visitors from Ireland, Scotland, Germany,
Australia, Mexico and South America, attended the celebration. Thirty
years of preparation, two years of planning, 10 months of building the
Shrine came to a climax on this Sunday, when the Schoenstatt Movement
of England found "A Home for a Lifetime" in their Schoenstatt Shrine in
Kearsley, Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Literally up to the last moment, work was being done in and around the
Shrine, and prayers were being said, (not only in England), for good weather.
And as the festive moment of the dedication of the first daughter Shrine
in England approached, not only was all the work done, but blue skies
and sunshine welcomed the 900 or so participants – although heavy rain
had been forecast for the whole of England. Joy, gratitude and awe marked
the atmosphere of the celebration. One participant summarised: "The warm
welcome we received, the site of this beautiful Shrine, the lovely marquee
with the fantastic display of flowers, the music, the singing and the
Mass, – everything was just perfect."
The Shrine is built on a hillside with a valley below and then views
of distant hills beyond: "We thought that only Our Blessed Mother could
have chosen such a spot. The setting is quite magnificent!"
"It Feels Like a Dream"
For dedication a large tent had been put up just behind the Shrine, seating
about 850 people, but the congregation was so large that some had to stand
at the back! Most were from the United Kingdom, but there were also visitors
from Australia – they had come over from Schoenstatt – , South America,
Ireland, and Germany. A Mexican couple who had moved from Querétaro
to Manchester on September 18 were able to join in the celebration and
enjoyed being there very much. The representatives of the local community
were invited to the dedication celebrations.
Some members of the Focolare movement form Liverpool were there, among
them also Anglicans. The local Methodist Minister was present, also. John
Bebee, retired Methodist minister, from Rustington, got to know Schoenstatt
in Manchester: "Jan and I were glad to have been invited to the Dedication.
We have known some of the people in the Manchester groups for over 20
years and for us it seemed like joining part of our family. We really
did feel included; the fact that we are not Catholics did not seem to
matter; during Communion we and all non-Catholics were invited to receive
a blessing."
The MTA picture, decorated with an abundance of flowers, was placed by
the altar, next to a model Shrine that symbolised the longing of the entire
English Schoenstatt Movement for a Shrine. "Shrine 2000" – this vision
had enkindled their love and striving for the past years. "Words cannot
describe our feelings," shared Pat McEvoy from Liverpool. "It is quite
an emotional experience. There were so many tears of joy. It is so lovely
to have a Shrine of our own near to us. I just love being in the Shrines.
It is wonderful to think that our English peoples have an opportunity
to enjoy this sanctuary of love and peace. We hope and pray that it will
help to make England once again `Mary's Dowry`."
A member of one of the Schoenstatt family groups added: "I just can't
believe it ! Is it really true after all these years of waiting and longing
? It feels like a dream. It is a dream come true! Isn't it brilliant!"
A choir provided songs for the festive Holy Mass; Bishop Terence Brain
was the main celebrant. Many Schoenstatt Fathers and priests stood at
the altar with him. The moment of the actual blessing was incorporated
into the Holy Mass, with the bishop knocking at the door of the still
closed Shrine, as one special moment of the rite.
Opening the Door for Our Lady
Patricia McEvoy and her husband Bill had the special task of opening
the door for Our Lady: "Bill and I were so honoured to have been asked
to open the Shrine door for Bishop Brain. We felt that we were opening
the door for Our Lady to come into the Shrine. We really did welcome her
and asked her to work miracles of grace not only for England, but for
all our Schoenstatt family. I particularly remembered the Professional
Ladies in Germany, because I felt that it was their prayers for good weather
that resulted in the sun shining. The beauty of the colourful display
of flowers around the altar in the Shrine expressed our joy and happiness
in welcoming Our Blessed Mother." The Schoenstatt Movement in Cuidad del
Este, Paraguay, who celebrated the dedication of their new Shrine on the
same day, were especially united in prayer with the Schoenstatt Movement
in England.
"A Home for a Lifetime "
"Our Lady is here!" – This remark was overheard again and again, when,
after the Holy Mass, all could visit the Shrine. "Isn't the Shrine beautiful
? It is so peaceful." The blue and yellow ribbons which had been in each
one's text of the celebration, were placed in a net on the right wall
inside the Shrine, as an expression of bonding. "The whole day was just
wonderful from beginning to end. It was just perfect," said one visitor.
Another one: "It was one of the best days of my life."
"Your Shrine - Our Home" - the name under which the Schoenstatt Shrine
in England was dedicated, is a program, and an experience. Already on
the day of its dedication, this new shrine became a home for many. "I
can't wait to come back." – " What a peaceful place." John Bebee: "Our
sadness is that we are 300 miles away and cannot go there very often!"
Pat McEvoy summarised the feeling of the day: "I have never seen so many
people with such happy, smiling faces, full of excitement and enthusiasm.
It is a memory that will forever live in my heart."
English edition: Marlene Peter, Harare, Zimbabwe
Schoenstatt in United Kingdom:
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