What happens to Schoenstatt without its web page on the Internet?

Appreciation is extended to everyone who through their donations have made it possible for the Schoenstatt web page to continue offering its service

Boletín seminal Weekly Newsletter Wöchentlicher Newsletter
Audios y videos Audios and videos Audios und Videos
Santuarios del mundo Shrines of the world Heiligtümer in aller Welt
Una visita virtual a Schoenstatt Virtual visit to Schoenstatt Virtueller Besuch in Schönstatt
Hna. Kornelia Fischer en su oficina Sr. Kornelia in her office Sr. Kornelia Fischer im Büro
Heinrich Brehm trabajando en la pagina de los Santuarios Heinrich Brehm working on the Shrine page Heinrich Brehm bei der Arbeit an der Heiligtumsseite Fotos: POS Fischer © 2007

SCHOENSTATT, mkf. The first "star for the manger in Schoenstatt" arrived recently from Colombia. "I asked that my star be placed in the manger that so that I can overcome all kinds of difficulties every day. Furthermore I pray for peace in Colombia and for the release of those who are held captive by different groups who act outside of the law," writes Martha Achury. "During the first Mass of Advent, I thought about my star in Schoenstatt," writes a missionary from Buenos Aires, Argentina. "I am filled with joy to know that in this manner I will soon be in Schoenstatt again." This is only one of the many traditions that have emerged and grown thanks to schoenstatt.de, a web page that is and wants to be more than a simple medium that responds – like so many others- to the laws of marketing. "To turn off schoenstatt.de is like turning off the light and the fire of the Original Shrine," commented Fathers Antonio Cosp and Pedro Cabello, Directors of the Schoenstatt Movement from Paraguay and Brazil respectively.

For that reason, besides the hundreds and hundreds of authors of articles, about sixty people have voluntarily – and with a high level of commitment – placed themselves at the service of schoenstatt.de to translate, edit, and to coordinate. Even so the generous economic contributions are needed so that the life of Schoenstatt can continue. Since the appeal for donations was made, we have received a total of 3,061 Euros or 4,561.26 dollars.

"I was touched when I opened the message asking for economic help. I was impressed with the photo of the Press Office. As soon as I saw it I recognized this small place where the information about the life in our place of origin and where we feel connected to the original Covenant and to our International Schoenstatt world. For us it is the organism that keeps us informed and attached. Personally, I wait for these articles that keep me informed and encourage me to be a loyal daughter of our beloved Founding Father. You can count on my economic support," writes Hilda Paga from Puerto Rico.

Through donations from generous donors that we have received since October until now – from Germany, Argentina, Paraguay, United States, Honduras, Costa Rica, South Africa, Austria, Italy, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Portugal, and Mexico, we have covered the annual expenses for :

• Travel expenses: 2443.44 Euros (3542 US$)
• phone bill total : 541.49 Euros (785 US$)
• Press Office computers and office machines maintenance: 136.56 Euros (197 US$)

Other annual expenses include:

• The server: 811.44 Euros (1219 US$)
• office supplies including hardware 1332.09 Euros (1931 US$)
• Photo albums 15.00 Euros (20,00 US$)
• Webmaster’s salary, insurance & rentals totalling to approximately 19,000. Euros (27,500 US$) annually for the website only, of 40,000 Euro (58,000 US$) in total that the Press Office uses.

How many basic things would disappear…

"I froze when I found out that the Press Office might close by the end of the year – December 31^st- unless economic help is received," commented Christi Jentz, from Milwaukee. What would become of Schoenstatt without the web page on the Internet? That is – what would become of Schoenstatt? How many people wouldn’t know about Father Nicolas’ virtual retreats that, thanks to the Schoenstatt Press Office and its fluid contact with Zenit and other Catholic agencies, reach more than a thousand people throughout the world, within, and outside of the Movement. Or what about the Pastoral for Hope, a Schoenstatt initiative in Paraguay for divorced people who have remarried. "We continue to receive echoes from the Pastoral of Hope that appeared on Zenit and other webs. The great majority asked for more information, they congratulated and they manifested their joy for this necessary initiative, a bishop from Paraguay, Monsignor Edmundo Valenzuela, commented. Father Antonio Cosp sent his message: "I read the article on Zenit with inquisitiveness and in a timely manner. Very good! This is the way. To accompany, to bring people closer to Christ, his Word and to his Church." How many people wouldn’t know about the blessing of new Shrines, the death of people who have been pillars in Schoenstatt, the Rosary Campaign of Serenity or of the Blind, of the Academy for Couples, and the Family of the Dawn Breakers? How many people couldn’t attach themselves to the Original Shrine through the Stars in the manger and prayer requests that are received daily through email? How would they know about the Schoenstatt Pastoral for the divorced who have remarried that appeared in the newsletter of the Brownsville Diocese, USA.?

On the other hand, if the web page closes, many encounters among people who haven’t seen each other in years, or the friendships that have been established among people from different countries wouldn’t take place. The ‘meetings of the reporters’ that are always accompanied by so much joy, and which awaken interest about the Covenant of Love in many people. Through reading articles on schoenstatt.de, donations come from many countries to support social work in places such as Dequeni, the Children’s Home, Help of Mary, and the prayers of the entire Family for the countries where Schoenstatt is established.

In a global world, the phenomenon of the Covenant of Love, which from its origin has had a universal character, cannot be ignored.

The New MTA

Life enkindles life. If Father Kentenich were alive today, he would encourage this vital exchange, like he did with the MTA magazine uniting the Original Shrine with the trenches, which were transformed into workshops of holiness.

Life should also circulate towards the Church and the world. We have the Mission at Renew the World. Last week journalists from Deutsche Tagespost, Zeit ZDF German national TV, Radio Maria, and two Catholic seminaries from Germany contacted the Press Office seeking more information related to articles that have been published. The editors for the magazine of the Focolare Movement regularly seek information from the Schoenstatt web page. There is more: "I accidentally found your web page," writes Rudiger J. from Berlin, Germany, "I am interested in your work, please send information about Schoenstatt." To reach the Church, to go beyond the Movement seems to be something new. Schoenstatt broke its own borders…and the world that was born in the heart of Father Joseph is beginning to flow towards the Church, towards the world.

Solidarity and commitment on the move

The response to the appeal for economic solidarity had a strong echo.

In four countries a system to pay without fees has already been organized:

• In Paraguay, contributions can be made to Estela Franco, Secretary of the Movement.
• In Argentina, Father Pablo Pol is willing to receive the donations and to send them through the Fathers’ general account..
• In the United States, contributions can be made through the account of Father Gerold Langsch from Waukesha..
• In Costa Rica, Gonzalo Vega organizes the transfer of donations..

For the rest, there are other options: postal money orders and Paypal, which accepts credit cards and bank accounts, or cash can be sent with people traveling to Schoenstatt. You find a button that links you to the fundraising page under each article. Each day, some 8,000 people visit schoenstatt.de; if each of them today would give 5,00 Euro/7, 50 US$), the total annual budget of PressOffice Schoenstatt, for 2008, would be covered.

If a Branch, diocese, or a National Family wants to sponsor concrete projects, this is also possible. Please contact Sr. Kornelia about this. PressOffice@schoenstatt.de

My sincerest thanks to all who have already donated. I know that this has been and will truly be a sacrifice. I commit myself to value each penny that is donated by taking care of it and investing it in what we all want so much: the schoenstatt.de that belongs to us all.

But this is the best part, sponsored by Father Jose Barmettler from Switzerland:

There will be a drawing for a shingle tile from the roof of the Original Shrine on December 31^st among all those who have donated.

Donation

• Giro or postal money transfer

• Online