I want to make my Covenant of Love, too…

Schoenstatt participating in the Rosary Sunday celebrations in Phoenix, Arizona

Visita del P. Gerold Langsch a Arizona, conferencista en el „Domingo de Rosario“ diocesano Father Gerold Langsch, during his visit to Arizona, was speaker at the diocesan Rosary Sunday Pater Gerold Langsch war bei seinem Besuch in Arizona Gastredner beim diözesanen Rosenkranz-Sonntag
Con Mons. Thomas J. Olmstedt With Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted Mit Diözesanbischof Thomas J. Olmstedt
La delegación de Schoenstatt The Schoenstatt delegation Die Schönstatt-Abordnung
Todos misioneros... All are called to be missionaries... Alle sind gerufen zum missionarischen Einsatz
Encuentro Sharing Austausch und Wiedersehensfreude
Encuentro con miembros de la familia de Schoenstatt Meeting with members of the Schoenstatt family Treffen mit Mitgliedern der Schönstattfamilie   Foto: LeRoy © 2005

USA, Sally LeRoy. Schoenstatt Father. Gerold Langsch gave the keynote speech at Rosary Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona, and he asked the 6000 participants to look at the many ways the Lord touched their lives during the Year of the Eucharist. He asked them to invite the Blessed Mother to help us rediscover the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and each other. He said "You and I are the living image and reflection of Christ in a unique and original way." Before, the Schoenstatt Movement had carried the Auxiliary Pilgrim MTA and the Rosary Campaign banner in the first-ever Eucharist Procession to take place in Phoenix.

Many graces flowed throughout the Arizona desert, October 1^st-4^{th ,} 2005 with Schoenstatt Father Gerold Langsch visiting the valley. He arrived October 1^st to participate in the 30^th Annual Diocesan Rosary Sunday (honoring Mary as Our Lady, Queen of the Angels) and Closing of the Eucharistic Year weekend.

Rosary Sunday activities began with Fr. Langsch concelebrating Mass with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted at Immaculate Heart of Mary church. After Mass, the Bishop led an estimated 500 people on foot and in cars in the first ever procession of the Blessed Sacrament with the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, through the streets of downtown Phoenix. Prior to praying the rosary, many attended confession, which was a completed part of the requirement for a plenary indulgence, outlined by Pope John Paul II for the Year of the Eucharist.

The "Blessing Procession" started at 1:30pm, with nearly 60 groups participating, varying from Ecclesial Movements -Schoenstatt AZ family had approximately 20 participants-, parish representatives, dancers, sodalities, prayer circles, schools, and Cursillo groups. Some carried large rosaries, banners and flowers to honor the Blessed Mother. The Schoenstatt people carried the Auxiliary with the yellow banner of the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign, and then the Arizona Rosary Campaign.

I just helped him cry

Welcoming was by Bishop Olmsted who stated this Rosary Sunday was dedicated to John Paul II. And he added, though this is the official closing of the Year of the Eucharist for the Diocese of Phoenix, it by no means is the end of each Catholic’s reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. He encouraged everyone to keep Sunday as a day of rest and consideration in an effort to remind people it is the holiest day of the week.

Fr. Langsch gave the keynote speech, and he asked the 6000 participants to look at the many ways the Lord touched their lives during the Year of the Eucharist. He asked us to invite the Blessed Mother to help us rediscover the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and each other. He said "You and I are the living image and reflection of Christ in a unique and original way." Father said he’d like the Lord to be very real, personal and alive in us just as He is in the Eucharist. "How can we love Him, live with Him, live like Him when we don’t have a loving relationship with Him," Father asked.

One of the stories Fr. Langsch told was about the little boy who told his mom of the elderly neighbor who was crying; and, how he jumped up on his lap. When his mom asked him what he then did, the little boy said, "I just sat there and helped him cry." Father Langsch. said we should do exactly this and ask Jesus to sit on our lap and just pour our hearts out to him as to all our heartaches and he’ll sit and listen to us.

The Unity Cross for the Bishop of Phoenix

The procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament followed, with the exposition while different groups said the rosary. At 4:00 pm the diocesan closing ceremony for the Year of the Eucharist took place and solemn benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Following the Rosary Sunday celebration, Bishop Olmsted was presented with a gift of the "unity cross" from the Schoenstatt AZ family, in gratitude for his great job of shepherding his flock here in AZ. The evening ended with dinner at Sam’s Restaurant, with Dorothy Westfall, Legion of Mary, and one of the main coordinators of Rosary Sunday, as well as other Rosary Sunday staff and Schoenstatt family. This was an opportunity to unwind and relish the grace-filled day.

Arizona in the Covenant of Love

The Rosary Sunday activities were followed by discussions with the Schoenstatt members, subjects ranging from basic Schoenstatt introductions, preparation for the Covenant of Love to leadership considerations.

October 4^th was the celebration of a home Mass and Covenant of Love Day for Maria and Ramon Gurule who had come back, "on fire" from the Journey of Love, June 2006, Corpus Christi, Texas and yearning to make their covenant with Mary. They studied very hard, preparing themselves for this partnership and exchange of hearts with Mary, Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt. As Maria and Ramon signed their names in the Covenant book Father said the significance of this is "We inscribe our names in Mary’s heart when we sign the book."

One couple, Eva and Israel Feliciano, from Puerto Rico, with 25 years of belonging to Schoenstatt , moved to Arizona 12 years ago and knew of no Schoenstatt family here. It was through Maria and Ramon as they brought the Pilgrim MTA to a rosary gathering that Eva & Israel were drawn back to Schoenstatt. Eva & Israel never left Schoenstatt, as they made their covenant of love many years ago and had their homeshrine dedicated in Puerto Rico, but they had not had any contact with the Schoenstatt community. They attended this celebration and will start a couples group in Chandler, AZ. They already have four couples who are anxious to learn more about Schoenstatt as well as visit the International Shrine in Waukesha for a retreat weekend.

Marcy Meacham also made her Covenant of Love in the evening and celebrated with Mass too. She and Walter have 8 children, from 19 down to 2 years of age. Walter was working temporarily in Germany (Dec 2004) and Marcy looked up for a shrine as she wanted him to visit one during the Year of the Eucharist. She found Schoenstatt and asked him to please try and get there. He met Sr. Angela and she took him to the Original Shrine and told him to bring his family next time he came. He had to return, because of his job, in March, and listening to Sister Angela’s advice, brought Marcy and the four younger children who had the luxury of staying right in Schoenstatt for four days. When they returned to the states, the coordinator of Schoenstatt in Arizona was informed by a Pro Life committee member of Marcy and called her to come and visit their home shrine "Mother of Good Counsel." Marcy was so enlightened with Father Kentenich, and read and heard so much about him. So she decided she too wanted to make her Covenant of Love when Fr. Langsch came for Rosary Sunday.

"I felt embraced by God in many ways during our visit to Schoenstatt", she shares. "Soon after our trip I met a Schoenstatt coordinator from my parish in Scottsdale Arizona and we had a home shrine for a few weeks. The presence of Mary "Our Lady Thrice Admirable" seemed to be taking great care in my life. I was then invited to make the Covenant of Love.

So I found myself preparing for our first Home Mass. We have eight children and a house that is always busy and always a little messy and I wondered could a Mass even be possible? Well on the feast of St Francis, I was getting everything ready in the hope that we could provide a reverent and holy place for this Mass. Our Lady must have helped me, because by the time Father Langsch arrived, the house was a glow in a grace of beauty. Mass was beautiful and I feel renewed within my Covenant to Mary. The whole event was truly a great blessing for my whole family.

I am very grateful to be united to Mary, united to her Son, and united to Schoenstatt. Within my covenant of Love I ask Mary's continued grace to perfect in all of us great unity and peace."

Let her go, she’ll come back

Little Annie (the 2 year old, sitting on dad’s lap) was fussing as Father talked during the Mass and he said "Let her go, she’ll come back." She jumped off her daddy’s lap, ran in her little barefoot to the other room. And sure enough, not more than 10 minutes later, as Father was explaining the Covenant of Love and graces that come down from heaven, here comes Annie dashing for mom and dad. "I thought how great it would be if our children who have left the flock, would come back to the Shepherd and their Catholic faith. Mothers never stop praying for them to do just this", one of the mothers commented.

Marcy & Walter have a unique wall in their dining room "The First Communion Wall", here they have photos each of their children who have made their first communion. Marcy wants to put her Coveant of Love photos also on this wall.

After Marcy made her Covenant of Love, and all were enjoying the evening, Mary Kate, 10 years old, said "I want to make my Covenant of Love too."

Fotos