Every Now and Then, Someone Special Touches Your Life…..

At her funeral, Sister Lisann once again united "God’s and Blessed Mother’s loved Ones"

Asi la recordamos: en Sonnenau This is how we remember her: in Sonnenau So erinnern wir uns an sie: in der Sonnenau
Santa Misa en Sonnenau por parte de los empleadas Holy Mass in Sonnenau, with the employees Heilige Messe in der Sonnenau mit den Angestellten Foto: Weißenberg  © 2007
Una comunidad  grande – y una verdadera fiesta A big community – and a real feast Eine große Gemeinde – und ein wirkliches Fest
En el cementerio At the cemetary Auf dem Friedhof
Libor de condolencia Condolence book Kondolenzbuch Fotos: POS Fischer © 2007
Gracias, Hermana Lisann Thank you, Sister Lisann Danke, Schwester Lisann Foto: Weißenberg  © 2007 Album de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. Every now and then, someone special touches your life. Sr. Lisann was that special someone in our Schoenstatt Land. She embodied many of the better things of Schoenstatt – not only love for Mary, but also love for those who are motivated by their love for Mary. She made Schoenstatt a home for everyone. It will not be the same without her presence. Nevertheless, I cannot cease from asking myself: what changes will she introduce in heaven and what delicious foods will she have for the buffet? Father Andrew Pastore (from England) wrote a beautiful testimony in the book of condolences. He summarized what many persons felt and who accompanied Sr. Lisann on her final pilgrimage on February 27^th. They are certain that she is now happy in heaven and continues there with her life’s mission: to make Schoenstatt a home for everyone.

Even heaven cried. On the day of her funeral, not one ray of sunshine peeked through the sky. There was a torrential rain. Once again she gathered people from all ages, nationalities, beliefs and styles of living: members of the Institutes, Federations, branches of Schoenstatt, laborers, taxi drivers, employees, youths, her sisters, nieces and nephews, relatives, Pallottine priests…..No one wanted to be absent in that moment: there were persons who traveled three, four, and five hours just to be present. There were youths, students, and recently married young people who sought permission to attend and not even mention those who were there spiritually…..the number of masses celebrated on that day or days previous by Schoenstatt Fathers, diocesan priests in Ghana, Argentina, Chile, Brazil…..Thirteen priests concelebrated, among them Pallottine priests: Fr. Pieler, Fr. Rummel, Fr. Niederschlag, Fr. Egon Zillekens (Rector of House Marienau), Fr. Oskar Buehler (Rector of House Moriah), Fr. Angel Strada, Fr. Gunther Niehauser, Fr. Peter Noethen, and as main celebrant, Father Ludwig Guthlein, National Director of the Girls’ Youth.

The Girls’ Youth, with their choir, flutes, and guitars, offered a touch of Sonnenau to the Mass…..a touch of internationality and festivity.

The example of a life

"Strong and noble, meek and mild" and such a great mother; Sr. Lisann, thank you for taking care of me in such an unselfish way. Thank you for making Schoenstatt a home, for radiating the warmth of Mary. She gave of herself as a generous gift of service without reserve. May we know how to assume her legacy, attracting people to our Schoenstatt Land. Cor unum in Patre," wrote Olenka Hand from Austin, Texas USA in the book of condolences…..one of the hundreds of testimonies, a demonstration of that wave of gratitude, pain and acknowledgement for someone special and to which Father Ludwig Guethlein made reference in his entrance greeting. More than 5,000 entries in the book of condolences transformed the book into one of stories and testimonies, hundreds of emails, letters and telephone calls speak of what she meant for so many people. "I am so moved by these marvelous testimonies which have been shared here on Sr. Lisann. I am so grateful for having been able to experience Father and the Blessed Mother through her. I have already asked her for some favors, but especially that from heaven she helps us to be on fire for our mission as Schoenstatters and as she taught us with her life. On the afternoon of her homegoing to the eternal Schoenstatt, we celebrated Mass in the Shrine of Solidarity in Puerto Rico. How great to see our ideals in the Covenant of Love, of magnanimity, of being little Marys embodied in her person. Thank you, Sr. Lisann! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for having given us Sr. Lisann!" wrote Sr. Nancy from Puerto Rico.

The homily of Father Ludwig Guthlein was centered on the words of the wedding feast at Cana. This was the Gospel chosen for the Mass. She – whose first symptoms of illness began at World Youth Day in 2005 and the Night at the Original Shrine in 2006 – took charge, like Mary, that "everything would go well at the festivity," said Father Guthlein: the down-to-earth festivity with her great warmth, her concern and maternal care; the festival of faith, and lastly, the Easter celebration after traveling her Way of the Cross with Jesus and for Schoenstatt.

She will always be with us

"I prayed that there would be at least one ray of sunshine," said her sister, Christel Sinnhuber, in the morning. While coming out of the chapel at Metternich and forming the procession toward the cemetery, a large rainfall greeted us. The raindrops intermingled with the tears of many who could not contain themselves as they passed the Shrine singing an Easter hymn unfamiliar to many but very dear to her: "Rejoice my soul, Jesus your Savior is free, victorious and lives….. When you have lived and fought the good fight with Jesus, when you have suffered death as He, He raises you from the tomb because Jesus, your Savior, is victorious and lives….."

A cloud of love accompanies her in this hour. But her life was not free of crosses and although she did not show it, she suffered much due to criticisms and questions because of her manner of being and acting. She was a pioneer. She established many new forms of hospitality and service which many did not understand. "It is the Way of the Cross which those who have an outstanding charism have to travel," says a Sister of Mary. "The extraordinary coincidence of ideas which all who have written have in regard to her seems miraculous," writes Luis Baeza from Maldonado, Uruguay. "It is not a coincidence but there is a reason why we all think and value that marvelous being which was named Sister Lisann. My wife and I and another couple who are friends are surely among some of the pilgrims in the different narratives I have been able to read about. We were able to experience Sr. Lisann’s great love and her concern in making us feel welcome and even making sleeping arrangements in the most unlikely places. We felt the warmth of a marvelous person who awaited us on cold and snowy nights with something warm to drink so that we could sleep pleasantly.

When I read all of these messages or when some friend asks me to tell them anew about our travels to Sonnenau and that special and friendly "sister," I realize that Sr. Lisann has not left us and that she will always be among us."

A popular cry: a Sister Lisann Room in Sonnenau

While the people approach her grave, the youth begin to sing The Home Song, the canticle of "Sonnenau." Flowers, prayers, benedictions, a leather rosary from Argentina are placed in her grave as a form of greeting….. "I felt a great sadness with the news that Sr. Lisann had gone home to the Father. During my time in Sonnenau, she was a mother to me," wrote Antonella Cerini. "She took care of me when I did not feel well and she always made me feel at home. As I was leaving, she told me something which I inscribed into my heart: "You can come back whenever you wish." I always tried to think about the possibility of seeing her again some day in Schoenstatt. But she is now closer than ever before….. Sr. Lisann was a radiant sun of a person and I ask her, now that she is so close to God, that she pray for me and continue taking care of me as she once did."

Sister Helrike, Provincial Superior, invites everyone to the House to share some coffe, cake and sandwiches. The Sisters of Mary really outdo themselves so that everyone may feel at home. In the exchange of memories, ideas come forth. "I wish that in Sonnenau there may be a room which is named "Sister Lisann Room" with pictures of her and testimonies," says a young woman partly in jest and partly serious. "I named her patroness of those who arrive in Schoenstatt without a reservation," says another lady. "I am already praying to her," adds a mother.

Two youths who lived for many months in Sonnenau approach Christel Sinnhuber and offer their condolences with sad faces. "Do not be sad," she tells them. "She will not abandon us in Sonnenau and she will let us know when she is not happy with how we treat the people," she affirms with a smile and before the youths can ask a question, she adds: "We will remain in Sonnenau. We will be there for 12 days each month, but with flexibility: on the days when there is more work!" "As before," comments a lady. "Yes, as before." And at that moment a ray of sunshine which she had asked for, gleamed.

"I always thought that when I would return to Schoenstatt, she would be waiting for me. For that reason my heart is in mourning for her departure," writes Pia Rocha from Chile. "Thank you, Sister, for your love, for the understanding you always had with the language, for the moments of joy with you especially at Christmas. With her I always learned that in Schoenstatt there was always a reason for getting together and celebrating. Thank you, Sister, I will always carry you in my heart….. and when I return Home, I will look for you amidst each Shrine, amidst each of the sunrays or amidst the rays of the moon at night and I will also be able to find you amidst the flowers we have in the valley. You will always be alive in my heart."

• Testimonies
• Testimonies translated from German and Spanish

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 031107