A song of love and gratitude

15^th Anniversary of the God the Father Educational Center in Mendoza, Argentina, with the visit of Bishop Arancibia

Los fundatores: Liliana y José Luis Ovejero The founders: Liliana and José Luis Ovejero Die Gründer: Liliana und José Luis Ovejero
Visita de  Mons. Arancibia Bishop Arancibia visiting Besuch von Bischof Arancibia
Mons. Arancibia en la capilla Bishop Arancibia in the chapel Bischof Arancibia in der Kapelle
17 de noviembre: 15 aniversario November 17: 15th anniversary 17. November: Feier zum 15. Jahrestag der Gründung
Presentación Presentation Präsentation
Presentación Presentation Präsentation Fotos: Osaderuk © 2007

ARGENTINA, Arturo Osaderuk. On November 17^th and 18^th the 15^th Anniversary of the God the Father Educational Center was celebrated in Los Corralitos, Mendoza, Argentina. Since its beginning, it is a school dedicated to teaching and educating the students, with the cooperation of the parents, according to the pedagogy of Father Joseph Kentenich.

Without a doubt, Mary had prepared a torrent of graces for the school during the fifteen years since its founding, which were experienced during each moment of the celebration. The grounds were already prepared. White fabric hung from the roof that highlighted the white walls; at its sides a small garden with multicolored little flowers recently prepared by the graduates. Inside all the lights were lit and amid simple floral bouquets She and her Son were offering them their hearts. At the side, the stage was not only decorated with the back curtain; but there was also a scenic backdrop created by the 7^th and 8^th grade students.

Sharing the Word and the Bread of life with over 750 people

With an elegance appropriate for this very important event, the invited guests began to arrive, and the Holy Mass began at 8:15 p.m. presided by the chaplain of the school, Father Hugo. The Sisters from the Holy Family School in the neighborhood of Bombal and people from the Schoenstatt Movement who are close to the school visited them. The entire celebration was a song of love and gratitude to God the Father, who manifests himself to his small children, who shared the Word and the Bread of life in a devout and joyful atmosphere.

Then, the community began to prepare for the dinner and the celebration in front of the stage. The tables were placed in a formation of rays and they were occupied by all the family of the school. The 500 chairs that had been prepared weren’t sufficient to seat all those who wanted a place to sit. They had to bring chairs and benches from the classrooms to enlarge the setting that been prepared; there were more than 750 people. What a family! Among those present were the first families, those who gave their complete confidence to the school 15 years ago and who renew their commitment as founders every year.

During the dinner each sector of the community wanted to be present: the students from the different cycles, the Civil Association, the mothers, the teaching staff and those who do not teach, the graduates, the parents (one father made a large cake that sweetened the night)…The intention of the founders of being an EDUCATIONAL CENTER was reaffirmed, their intention was to go beyond the classrooms to forge families…

At midnight the music stopped, the few lights were turned off, and the fireworks began in the starry sky announcing the arrival of the 18^th…Happy Birthday beloved school! Happy Birthday Father Joseph Kentenich! We give you the chapel, beloved Mother; you give yourself to each one of us who form this family.

There were moments of tears, of joy, of celebration...After everyone danced the waltz, there was a toast and after dinner there was a dance that was long awaited by the youth.

This is your work, Lord, guide us in your wise plans, and make us instruments always willing and firm!

A celebration before the great celebration

On October 30^th, there was a celebration before the great celebration 15^th Anniversary; this date was very special for the educational community since this was when the little Chapel was dedicated. This date was chosen because each year they renew the Covenant of Love with "God the Father" that Father Kentenich and the family of Cologne, Germany made on October 30, 1966.

For us, to renew this Covenant means that we offer our smallness and weakness again to someone so merciful and powerful as our Father, so that His Will will be done in us and through us in our surroundings. It’s placing ourselves in the hands of our founder, Father Kentenich, who teaches us how to be parents in the present world manifesting the glories of Mary although our surroundings are hard and difficult.

In the silence of the night and with the pleasant presence of the Father Symbol – which had been given for the door to the Original Shrine almost twenty-five years ago, then was lost only to reappear in Austin, Texas, in June of 2006 and finally returned to Mendoza in August of the same year – they again prayed the Covenant Prayer of that October 30, 2001 like they did the first time. They especially prayed for the necessary graces to be faithful to the mission and for the pastoral visit of their bishop on the following day.

Visit of Bishop Arancibia to the God the Father School in Mendoza

The 30^th began with many expectations. Bishop Arancibia had given them this date for his visit. Close to 11:00 a.m. they welcomed him with songs and flags and the youngest ones formed a little road. In the gallery the 6^th and 7^th grades told him about the annual motto, Anchored in God the Father, hearts on fire, we give you the Chapel, which illuminates their work. He listened to them inquisitively and then he answered spontaneous questions. In the cordial atmosphere, the children wanted to sing a song that they created for Father Joseph for the Kentenich Journeys and they recited a poem that was explained with complete simplicity and affection by the author.

Then he directed himself to the older students. The students of the Polimodal classes (sort of vocational school class) also waited to speak to him in the park of the school. They talked about several subjects; above all Monsignor stressed the social commitment as Catholic youth in view of the recent governmental elections.

The most important part of the day was approaching. In the chapel there was the consecration of the 3^rd graders to Mary and the renewal of the attachment of the graduates.

There was a very special atmosphere in the chapel. There were bags of lime plaster and cans of paint in the corners, signs that the chapel was in the midst of work. In the center, in front of the Blessed Mother, the group of students and ex-students were prepared for the moment.

Monsignor referred to Mary as Mother in the history of the Church and the ancient pictures with the Child in her arms that represent the "new Man" that she wants to educate. After listening to him, the youth prayed their prayer devoutly and emotionally. The teachers sang to Mary while they received the medals already blessed by the Bishop. Then a group of graduates from the different grades renewed their consecration. The little chapel resounded with the songs to Mary, fruit of this interior joy that She gave, and in heaven surely the Father looked at us with love.

The Father Symbol witnessed all this life offered to the Capital of Grace by their conquest.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj