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Parte del equipo del Centro Pedagógico Dios Padre, Mendoza, en la capilla del colegio, con el símbolo del Padre Part of the team of the Pedagogical Center God Father, Mendoza, in the chapel of the school, with the Father Eye Symbol Teil des Teams vom Pädagogischen Zentrum Gott Vater in Mendoza in der Kapelle der Schule, mit dem Vatersymbol |
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Entrada del Centro Pedagógico Dios Padre Entrance of the Pedagogical Center God Father Eingang zum Pädagogischen Zentrum Gott Vater |
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Interior de la capilla Interior of the chapel Inneres der Kapelle |
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Ermita de la Mater en el parque infantil Wayside shrine at the children’s playground Bildstock auf dem Spielplatz des Kindergartenbereichs |
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Un trabajo común entre docentes y padres Teachers and parenst working together Zusammenarbeit von Lehrern und Eltern wird groß geschrieben |
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Alumnos Students Schüler Fotos: Ovejero © 2007 |
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ARGENTINA. Liliana and José Ovejero. This year is the 15th of God the Father Educational Center in Guaymallén, Mendoza. It has been a commitment for the past fifteen years to educate children in the pedagogy of Father Kentenich, at Mary’s hands. So they can become new men and women: free persons, anchored in God the Father, responsible and joyful persons, who will make their own decisions guided by their ideals of life.
There are a total of 444 students, 62 staff members, and 252 families who are involved in wanting to form a world of love in the God the Father Pedagogical Center. The Father Eye symbol, which was sent more than twenty-five years ago from Mendoza as a gift for the Original Shrine, was forgotten and lost in Schoenstatt and in Mendoza for years. Last year the search was resumed through schoenstatt.de, with no great hope of finding it, but as it turned out the Symbol was found a few days later in Austin, Texas. Currently, it resides in the chapel of God the Father Educational Center, and is a focal point for motivating and inviting those who come there to grow in the love of God the Father and in transparent attachment to Father Kentenich and the Original Shrine.
Liliana Michelini de Ovejero narrates two touching experiences that have happened during the last few days.
United in a special way to the Original Shrine
Today, September 18th, Covenant Day, we incorporated the richness of offering our Capital of Grace in a symbolic way into our traditional Mass for the 18th with the jar that the Austrian girls gave us when they visited this year. Katy and Lissi, from the Austrian Girls’ Youth joined us from July 12th to August 26th to carry out an educational experience. For us it was enriching to share so many conversations, ideas, and to work with them. We always felt united in the love of the Blessed Mother in spite of the cultural differences. They presented us with a large jar on which they had painted the phrase, NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, NOTHING WITHOUT US, for our Capital of Grace to place in our Shrine. Since that day, the children, youth, and the visiting grandparents, who came this month for a Mass in their honor, placed their offering in the jar.
After Mass, the third grade students of the school, who had prepared the script, accompanied by their teachers, went on pilgrimage to the Shrine to burn the capital of grace at the foot of this jar. For the school, it was a new experience that united us to the Original Shrine in a special way. Because, from our smallness we imitate this gesture of self-giving.
Kentenich Days at the school
Every year we have what we called Kentenich Days at the school. These consist of dedicating a special day to Father Kentenich, an opportunity to remember him, to revive his presence among us and to express gratitude to him for all that he has done for us. During this month the children participate in different contests: literary musical, sculpture…all of them oriented to the annual motto, this year’s was: Anchored in God the Father, hearts on fire for Him, we offer You the Shrine. We mentioned the Shrine because we want to make progress with building and offer more to the Capital of Grace so that the Blessed Mother’s graces will cosntinue flowing from there.
September 14th, Kentenich Day, eve of Father’s departure to the Heavenly Home, we had a questions and answers Olympics with participants from the different grades. Then, we announced the results of the other contests. Some of the poems read were composed by the children, the sculpure works were displayed, the winning songs were sung, etc. It was a special moment of encounter with Father. The prize for the winners of the Olympics was a trip to the National Shrine in Buenos Aires, for the Conference FRIENDS OF THE FATHER that is organized by the Father Joseph Kentenich Secretariat.
The Father Symbol is currently on pilgrimage throughout Argentina.
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj