An active place of grace

Groundbreaking for the future Schoenstatt Shrine in Nebraska, USA

Sophie Polk, de 3 años, lleva la corona de flores para la Mater Three-year-old Sophie Polk, carrying the crown of the Blessed Mother during the May crowning. Sophie Polk, drei Jahre alt, trägt die Blütenkrone für die Gottesmutter
El P. Robert Barnhill hace la primera palada, como representante de la diócesis de Lincoln Father Robert Barnhill breaking ground for the future shrine, as a representative of the diocese of Lincoln Pfarrer Robert Barnhill tätigt als Verteter der Diözese Lincoln den ersten Spatenstich
Kevin Clark, el arquitecto, con sus dios hijos Gabriel y Claire Architect Kevin Clark, breaking ground with his two children Gabriel and Claire Der Archtiekt, Kevin Clark, machte den Spatenstich mit seinen beiden Kindern Gabriel und Claire
Nick Christensen, listo para cortar el pasto Nick Christensen, getting ready to mow during the outdoor work afternoon Nick Christensen legt los: Rasenmähen ist angesagt
Ruth y Isaac O’Gara, y Abigail Burenheide, trabajando en  el jardín Ruth and Isaac O'Gara and Abigail Burenheide doing gardening work during the outdoor work afternoon Ruth und Isaan O’Gara und Abigail Burenheide verschönern den Garten beim Arbeitseinsatz am Nachmittag Fotos: Sr. Emily Kenkel © 2007

USA, Lois Kenkel. May 28, 2007, Memorial Day, was a landmark day for the Schoenstatt family and for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. On this day, ground was broken for Schoenstatt’s newest Shrine.

A full slate of events was planned at the Cor Mariae Schoenstatt Center in Crete, Nebraska. The day began with an outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Robert Barnhill and concelebrated by Fathers Julius Tvrdy and Brendan Kelly. Well-known Catholic singer and songwriter Ellen Soukup played the keyboard and led the hymns. During the Mass, a May crowning honored the Mother Thrice Admirable. After Mother Mary was crowned by a Schoenstatt family, each attendee at Mass came forward and placed a flower before her.

Groundbreaking

In his homily at Mass, Father Barnhill asked that everyone pray for all the priests and laity who will make their Covenants of Love in the new Shrine. Father also asked that the word "active" be foremost in the minds of our Schoenstatt family, because the Shrine is an active place of grace. Father also said that Father Jonathan Niehaus was in his thoughts because it was Father Niehaus who introduced Father Barnhill to Schoenstatt.

Immediately following Mass, everyone processed to the nearby site of the new Shrine. Father Barnhill blessed the entire circumference of the Shrine site, and then he strode to where the front door of the new Shrine will be and he jubilantly dug the first piece of ground! That was a very exciting moment for all! Following Father Barnhill, the Shrine architect Kevin Clark overturned some ground, as did Sister Marie Day, who was the first Schoenstatt Sister in Nebraska and who was representing the Provincial Superior. Sister Janice Heyl, the local movement coordinator, also took her turn with the spade. Lay officials of the local movement then took their turns with the shovel, and then each and every person in attendance was invited to dig up some earth.

Volunteers at work

An outdoor picnic was next on the agenda. Visitors enjoyed pizza, salads, chips and cake, and the weather cooperated, too! Just a smattering of raindrops fell, but the mood of the Schoenstatt group could not be dampened! After lunch, Sister Marie Day, the pioneering Schoenstatt Sister in Nebraska, spoke a few words. Sister thanked Bishop Bruskewitz for inviting her to the Lincoln Diocese to introduce Schoenstatt to Nebraska, and she expressed that Our Mother Thrice Admirable’s heart will be here in a special way at the Shrine at Cor Mariae, which in Latin means "Heart of Mary." Sister also said that Father Kentenich, Schoenstatt’s Founder, was present in spirit because he always loves to be where Mother Mary is honored.

The day culminated with volunteers changing into work clothes and cleaning up a good deal of the 90 acres of the Cor Mariae Schoenstatt Center. Trees were trimmed, weeds were pulled, flowers were planted, grass was mowed, etc. It was an opportunity for members of the Nebraska Schoenstatt family to work together as a team and enjoy each other’s company.

The general consensus of the 200-300 people in attendance during the day was that everything went perfectly. Thanks go to Sisters Janice, Veronica, Maribel, and Emily, and to all who helped organize such a tribute to the Mother Thrice Admirable.