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El Santuario en Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, Estados Unidos The Shrine in Eye, Minnesota, USA Das Heiligtum in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, USA Foto: Macari © 2004 |
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La ceremonia de inauguración Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building extension Feierlich wird das Band durchschnitten - der Erweiterungsbau ist offen! Foto: Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch © 2004 |
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Misa con unos 300 participantes Mass with some 300 participants Messe mit gut 300 Teilnehmern |
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Mons. John C. Nienstedt, New Ulm Bishop John C. Nienstedt of New Ulm Bischof John C. Nienstedt, Diözese New Ulm |
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Bendición de la casa Blessing of the house Der Neubau wird gesegnet |
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Uno de las nuevas habitaciones One of the new double romos Eins der neuen Doppelzimmer |
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...con baño ...with bathroom …alle mit Nasszelle |
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Sala de reunion Group room Gruppenraum |
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La família Goedtke: música The Goedtke family during the afternoon musical program Familie Goedtke beim musikalischen Ausklang am Nachmittag Fotos: Macari © 2004 |
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Fotos: © 2004 |
USA, Randy Sobrack/Sleepy Eye Herald. Over 300 people attended the blessing and dedication of the Schoenstatt on the Lake Retreat Center addition. "This was our first time here," said Annette Wolak of Milwaukee, Wisc. "My husband and I were impressed by the many young families participating in the day." Bishop John C. Nienstedt of New Ulm, celebrated Mass and blessed the Center addition. Members of the Schoenstatt Family from Minnesota and beyond, the Province Council of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, several priests, and local authorities - including "Miss Sleepy Eye"- present.
Eric Oleson, a native of Sleepy Eye, who is an architect in Mankato, designed the addition to serve the expansion needs of the center. The general contractor for the project was Heymann Construction Company of New Ulm. They were the same company that constructed the existing retreat center dedicated in 1981. The original blueprints from that time indicated the intention to increase accommodations for guests and add living quarters to the facility for the Schoenstatt Sisters.
With a growth in Minnesota vocations, three in the past year, adding to the facility had become imperative for the Schoenstatt Sisters. There are presently seven Schoenstatt Sisters assigned to the house in Sleepy Eye. The new addition has room for eight sisters.
"Although the center is larger, I still find a warm sense of being at home"
Along with the Sisters' living quarters, the two-story addition includes nine new rooms, bringing the total to 12 double rooms available for housing retreat participants.
"Although the center is larger, I still find a warm sense of being at home," said Steve Carlson of Isanti.
The double rooms will give the retreat center an opportunity to conduct more adult programs. It will also add much needed space for their summer camp programs.
According to Sr. Angela Macari, occupancy of the new addition started May 15, two weeks ahead of schedule. Further improvements provided additional office space, enlargement of the present conference hall and dining room areas, two smaller meeting rooms, new restrooms, an attached garage and an elevator rounded out the project.
The Sisters expressed gratitude to all who have helped to support the project spiritually and financially.
The mission of leading others to Christ
Holy Mass began at 10:00 a.m. in the newly renovated conference hall. Chairs were set up for approximately 175 people, and every last chair was filled ... besides those who were seated in the lobby area and standing in every available corner.. Together with Bishop Nienstedt three priests concelebrated: Father Jonathan Niehaus, Father Celestine Pistulka, a retired priest of this diocese who resides in Sleepy Eye, and Father Bob Wyffels, a former pastor of St. Mary's in Sleepy Eye, currently stationed at St. Michael's parish in Morgan. Five altar servers assisted. The Goedtke family of Springfield was honored to assist with their musical talents on the keyboard, bass, cello, and violin, with Paula Dudgeon as cantor.
In his sermon the bishop mentioned his gratitude for the Sisters' work in the diocese, where they have been present since the early 1960s. He is especially thankful for the promotion of strong families and their work with the youth. The center, he said, is not in competition with other retreat centers in the area; rather, they are to work together with the diocese for the one common mission of leading others to Christ, especially through Schoenstatt's pronounced Marian devotion.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony with Miss Sleepy Eye
After the homily the bishop recited the prayer of blessing, then walked through the new addition to continue the blessing. He even asked especially to bless the elevator!
The Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors came to cut an Open House ribbon. Mayor Jim Broich and even Miss Sleepy Eye took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dedication of the Schoenstatt on the Lake Retreat Center addition. Participating were Fr. Cel Pistulka, Divine Providence Community Home; Bishop John C. Nienstedt; Miss Sleepy Eye Rachel Heiderscheidt; Sr. M. Angela Macari, House Superior; Sr. M. Virginia Reidl, Provincial Superior; and Sleepy Eye Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, Fr. Jonathan Niehaus, Schoenstatt Fathers; Eric Oleson, project architect; Fr. Robert Wyffels, St. Michael Church pastor of Morgan.
The secret highlight of the day: Covenant of Love
Besides the guided tours taking place in the afternoon, a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Mr. John Kenkel ran continuously on a computer screen in the new dining area. It consisted of pictures of the building project from beginning to end.
In the midst of all the activity, there was still time for what maybe was the secret highlight of the day: the Covenant of Love that some girls and a lady sealed in the Shrine. After the solemn benediction, the Goedtke family, this time decked out in country-style outfits, performed a 45 minute bluegrass program.
"We were happy to come out," said Gene Dautsch of Roseville. "We have been coming for over 20 years and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and the little shrine."
Taken with the editor`s permission from: Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch, ed: Randy Sobrack
Additonal information provided by Sr. Angela Macari, Sleepy Eye.