 |
 |
Universitarios en el Santuario de Milwaukee, con Mons,. Dolan University Youth in the Shrine in Milwaukee, with Archbishop Dolan Studenten mit Erzbischof Dolan im Heiligtum von Milwaukee |
|
 |
|
Momentos de oración Moments of prayer Zeit des Gebets |
|
 |
|
Juntos en camino al Santuario Together on the way to the Shrine Gemeinsam auf dem Weg zum Heiligtum Fotos: Iturriaga Berrios © 2005 |
UNITED STATES, Osvaldo Anres Iutrriaga Berrios. The Archbishop of Milwaukee, Monsignor Timothy Dolan, is a very busy man. He is so busy that when the Schoenstatt Youth invited him to breakfast, he gladly accepted the invitation, setting a date for three months later.
The first encounter of these youth with Monsignor Dolan took place last October during the opening of the Eucharistic Year for the Diocese of Milwaukee, that the Bishop celebrated at the International Schoenstatt Center in Waukesha. At the end of the Mass - two youth from Chile who are part of the Operation Mario team - mission of the Boys' Youth from Campanario (Santiago, Chile) who have worked for five years to form a university branch in Milwaukee - along with some North American youths, approached the bishop to greet him. Monsignor Dolan had started his sermon that day thanking Schoenstatt and expressing his affection and admiration for this Movement, and no doubt that is why he readily accepted the invitation that the Schoenstatt University Branch extended to him.
Archbishop's Birthday
The encounter was scheduled for Sunday, February 6, 2005 at the Schoenstatt Movement House in Milwaukee, one block from the Exile Shrine. A few days before the young men found out by mere coincidence (or merely as a gift from Our Lady), that this day was Monsignor Dolan's birthday which converted the breakfast into a birthday party for the archbishop. At 8:00 a.m. on the morning of February 6th, 15 North Americans and 4 youth from Chile arrived promptly at the Cathedral of Milwaukee to participate in the Eucharist celebrated by Monsignor Dolan. After Mass the Archbishop greeted them affectionately, and then he cordially greeted other persons, and he gave a television interview, then he accompanied the youth to the Movement House.
Upon entering the house the youth surprised him with a delicious birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday" beautifully. Monsignor Dolan laughingly thanked them for the unexpected reception (How did you know it was my birthday?), and he laughed out loud when he received a "Birthday Miter". Then he began to greet several of the youth he knew by name; the surprising thing is that many of those he greeted, he had only seen once.
During the breakfast - prepared by the youth from Chile and the Sisters - he also surprised them with questions such as: "Vince, how is your grandmother?" I heard she was ill, or "Brian, how are your parents?" "Do they continue to live in Pewaukee?". "Does someone want me to bring you more coffee?"
"His very intimate manner and his bonding with persons reminded me of several stories the families from Milwaukee tell about Father Kentenich," commented one of the youth.
A shepherd who guide and loves his sheep
After an entertaining conversation and a fair share of jokes from the Archbishop, he also devoted some time for serious talk. "You know of the great respect
I have for Schoenstatt", he said. "Today's Gospel related about the salt and the light of the world...you are that salt and that light of the world! Today great things are happening in the Church, and you are one of them. As Schoenstatt youth you have much to offer", were some of his words. To end this great encounter he invited them to accompany him to the Shrine, where they had enough time for prayer and praise for the Blessed Mother. Monsignor Dolan especially prayed for the fruitfulness of the newly formed Schoenstatt Youth in Milwaukee. Before bidding farewell, photos were taken with him in the Shrine, where he proudly showed his pectoral: the Unity Cross.
After a brief but intense morning with Monsignor Dolan, I think that all the youth that shared this breakfast with him, felt the sensation of having been with one of those persons to whom God has given a really special charisma. It was a great joy to have met this great man and to experience his affection toward the youth and toward Schoenstatt. When this encounter was finished some of the boys said: "Now we must thank our beloved Mother for the privilege of having spent time with Monsignor Timothy, and to ask her intercession for him so that he can continue to be the Shepherd who guides and loves his sheep."
Translation: Celina M. Garza, Harlingen, Texas, USA