"Where Mary Is, Christ Is There Also"
New Family Groups in Concepción del Uruguay
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Han surgido dos nuevos Grupos de la Obra Familiar en Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina Two new groups of the Schoenstatt Family Movement began their work in Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina Zwei neue Familiengruppen sind im Mai in Concepción del Uruguay entstanden |
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Uno de los nuevos Santuarios Hogares One of the new Home Shrines Eins der neuen Hausheiligtümer dort |
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Encuentro Group meeting Treffen |
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Melba y Pedro Lopez, de Corrientes Melba and Pedro Lopez, from Corrientes Melba und Pedro Lopez aus Corrientes gaben Starthilfe |
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Presentación Presentation Präsentation |
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Schoenstatt, ¡somos nosotros! Schoenstatt, that’s us! Schönstatt, das sind wir! Fotos: Lopez © 2008 |
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ARGENTINA, Pedro and Melba López. "It is very significant that the Feast of the Visitation is celebrated on the last day of May. With this conclusion, we would like to say that each day of this month has been a type of Visitation for us. During the month of May, we have lived a continuous Visitation as was experienced by Mary and Elizabeth….."(John Paul II – Feast of the Visitation – May 31, 2001). The Family Work of the Schoenstatt Movement of Concepción del Uruguay( in Entre Ríos, Argentina) could claim these words of John Paul II. It is a place with a welcoming MTA Wayside Shrine and an active Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. Every 18th they offer 1,000 Hail Mary’s at the Wayside Shrine.
It is a warm city alongside a fresh and wooded stream connected to the Uruguay River. It exists with significant history in each corner since it is the cradle for leaders and great persons of the National Organization. There is an academic ambience at the secondary, post-secondary, and university levels. Its inhabitants are restless and hospitable. In that small world, "Mary, Mother and Queen"…..got on the way in haste. It was during this past May of 2008, when a handful of couples experienced, as Elizabeth did, among other things, a closeness of hearts. They trembled with all that happened and with the fruitfulness which resulted.
If we review somewhat, we can say: The Family Work began around 2003 with two leading couples: María Adela and Alberto Gestner and Sonia and Gustavo Eyeralde. They were called for this mission by Fr. G. Carmona who received their Covenant of Love in New Schoenstatt. He sent them forth afire as pioneers from the National Shrine.
Two new groups
They are four docile instruments who placed the sacred mindfulness of their attachment into the hands of Father. They constantly demonstrate their generous surrender and their silent contributions to the Treasury of Grace. They work tirelessly, and with joyful service, they lead the founding group of the Family Work. They enriched their attachments, they consolidated and they grew. In that first group, they generated the vocation of leadership in order to multiply what they were experiencing and shared it with new families.
They lit new lamps – Home Shrines which flicker anew and are firm in the constellation of grace which Blessed Mother radiates in the "possession" of homes and hearts.
There was much hustle and bustle and personal encounters throughout the month of May. They gathered families, friends, for their talks. Other children of this land, allies of the MTA who live far away, also strengthened the enthusiasm for igniting new homes. They did it all to nurture the way of growth which does not know vertigo and which establishes with equilibrium an authentic vocation of self-education for marriage and which is lived by the Branch of the Family Work.
The atmosphere of work was responsible, unceasing, loaded with affection and almost anonymous. These are good qualities for highlighting and rescuing. On the Feast Day of Corpus Christi, providentially in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, two new groups gathered before the Auxiliary Image of the Pilgrim Mother.
Among their blessings, they count on the whole-hearted support of Pastor Jorge Almeida, an extraordinary diocesan priest who encourages the families on the path of growth and who are in the hands of the Victorious Mother of Schoenstatt.
New leaders along with Sonia and Gustavo – with experience – are Daniel and Graciela Francia.
When that handful of couples, with their holy cards in their hands, prayed to Jesus in the Eucharist their consecration prayer, soft sounds of acclamation were lifted to Mary, Queen of Families, and through Her to Christ.
Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 061208