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Federación de Madres (con maridos) en Lamar Federation mothers with husbands at the Schoenstatt Center in Lamar Mütterbund (mit Ehemännern) im Schönstatt-Zentrum Lamar |
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El Padre les espera... The Father expected them... Der Vater und Gründer erwartete sie… Fotos: Mary Tamez © 2005 |
USA, Lamar, Mary Tamez. A historical event took place in August 2005. The three Federation courses from Texas came together in Lamar to greet and welcome the Federation Mothers from Germany, making this the first International Conference of Mothers Federation in Texas U.S.A.
The Schoenstatt Mothers’ Federation welcomed Fr. Theo Breitinger and Sr. Luciane Machens along with 20 mothers and 7 husbands who accompanied their wives.
The weekend was filled with a well planed schedule thanks to Sr. Corelia. They made visits to the Confidentia Shrine where mothers from Germany and Texas expressed their thanksgiving for this joyous occasion. Holy Mass was celebrated each day by Fr. Breitinger in the Provincial House Chapel. The Texas mothers enjoyed the beautiful songs and prayers sang by the German mothers with the participation of the men with their well toned voices. If it were not for the hot Texas weather, surely you would think you were in Schoenstatt Germany across the sea!
As a Federation community, the mothers came together to share their experiences and goals and how they strive to find their ideals.
A pilgrimage to the places where Father Kentenich visited Corpus Christi
On Sunday, a trip by bus took them to Corpus Christi. Connie Castillo pointed out to them the beautiful homes and sights of Corpus Christi. The footsteps pilgrimage to the places where Father Kentenich visited the city in 1948 was the highlight of the day. This helps to a better understanding of Fr. Kentenich’s vision for Schoenstatt in Texas. They spiritually united themselves with him as they entered the beautiful cathedral. The Schoenstatt Family of Texas guesses (and believes) that Father Kentenich once stood in this cathedral.
The trip also included a visit to the beach at Padre Island at the Gulf of Mexico. The water was so inviting that many could not resist wading along the seashore. What fun! Back in the city they had dinner by the water front at Joe’s Crab Shack. They continued in Father’s footsteps through the city and were blessed with refreshing rain to end the evening.
Keeping in contact in future – via the Shrine
Monday was the last day for the Texas mothers as well as for their German visitors who would head to Milwaukee the other morning. After Holy Mass, they gathered again in the training center to continue the presentations concerning the courses and Federation in general. They also exchanged meaningful gifts. The final farewell was a visit to the shrine where all gave heartfelt thanks to the Mother and Queen of the Federation and to the Father and Founder. They drew each others name from the altar of the Confidentia Shrine, so they could keep in touch with one another in the future. "May God bless our Federation Mothers as they journey on to Milwaukee to Father Kentenich’s exile places. May you have a safe journey home!" The Texas Mothers Federation wishes to thank Fr. Breitinger, Sr. M. Luciane, and Sr. M. Corelia for making it possible to meet as an international Mothers Federation.