17 December 2020 · 2020-12 newsletter
In our September Newsletter we shared about the celebrations in Germany marking 100 years since women began participating in our Schoenstatt Mission. Since the actual date of the Covenant of Love of the first women was 8th December 1920, Holy Mass was offered at Mount Schoenstatt on that date, for all those who have participated in any way with our women’s branches in Australia and their intentions. The following was included in the prayers of the faithful:
Today we pray in thanksgiving for the many women who, since 1951, have worked to spread the mission of our MTA and her Shrine here in Australia. We pray in silence for the needs and intentions of these women … we pray too for the souls of those women who have gone before us. Lord hear us.
Leading up to this memorial date an “e-celebration” was held via Facebook and our National Schoenstatt Webpage (www.schoenstatt.org.au). Memories of the past and articles sharing about significant celebrations in our Schoenstatt History were shared via these digital means. We hope that those who could follow the posts enjoyed this way of celebrating.
On Saturday 12th December, a small group of representatives of the Women’s Branches (due to the COVID restrictions, these women came from groups that are presently meeting) celebrated the centennial at the National Shrine in Mulgoa. After an introduction from Michelle Davis, highlighting the importance of Gertraud von Bullion, the first woman to enter into the Covenant of Love, those present were led by Sr. Mary Louise into a reflection about the Covenant of Love and the blessings we receive when we follow Mary’s direction to the waiters at the Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you”.
Fr. Bell, who has been the Schoenstatt Moderator for the Mothers’ Branch over many, many years, said Mass and encouraged us to “Go and set the world on fire”, a message he had “received” from Fr. Kentenich back in 1977 when he was in Schoenstatt, Germany.
For some time after lunch, we shared about the history of our Women’s Branches in NSW and other memories of those present. It was wonderful to have three representatives from our youngest women’s group who shared how they have tried to keep in contact during these COVID times via Zoom, even with members of their group who are in Tasmania and Toowoomba.
Following a devotion and Benediction in the Family Hall, during which each participant offered to Our Lady their ‘promise’ for the future and received a memorial candle in return, we went in silence to the Shrine. Since we could not go into the Shrine, we formed a circle around it. Here we renewed our Covenant of Love by singing our consecration prayer. Afternoon tea and the cutting of a Jubilee cake could not be missing to complete this ‘mini’ memorable celebration. Special thanks to all involved in bringing it about – in spite of the difficult COVID times.
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