20 June 2022 · 2022-06 newsletter
The Victorian Schoenstatt family was blessed to be able to get together once again and celebrate after 2 years of restrictions and isolation due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The community was determined to make the 70th anniversary of the blessing of the Kew Shrine (actual date 11th May) a memorable occasion where we honoured Our Lady for her faithfulness and loyalty and many blessings bestowed over the last 23 years, since the re-conquering of the Shrine.
Preparation:
In the lead up to the event, there was much preparation, which included.
- Daily contributions to the Capital of Grace
- Reflections prayed in the home for each day during the month of May,
- Preparation of symbols for the day,
- Reaching out to the community to remind and invite to the event, and
- Negotiation with the Pallottine community for Mass and use of the premises.
The community came together beautifully as always, for in Melbourne we do not have resident sisters on whom we can lean to assist with the organisation.
Symbols:
We are very blessed to have so many talented people as part of our community. The following outstanding contribution cannot go without mention:
- Florida Nugara who prepared a huge celebration cake, with decorations of a Shrine and other symbols that was so beautiful and well done that we were reluctant to cut it.
- Annerine Pragnesekera who came up with the idea of a Souvenir and gathered information and photographs from many sources to share the history which we treasure with the community
- Yvonne Roche who prepared the Mass booklet and programme.
- Lidia Dias who prepared beautiful cards with a picture of the Shrine on the front, and when you open the doors you see the inside of the Shrine. These were used to record contributions and petitions and placed in the jar.
- The rest of the community who assisted with the setting up, liaising with the Pallottine community, and organisation of refreshments, and of course clean up afterwards.
Our Lady did her part in providing us with the most gorgeous weather, of beautiful sunshine and blue skies, We were able to share Mass together, celebrated by Fr Pat Jackson, in the Pallotti House with around 50 people attending. We then proceeded to the Shrine in procession and serenading Our Blessed Mother. In the Shrine we offered our contributions and joyfully praised Our Mother in song and prayer.
We were sorry that Sr. Elizabeth could not join us on this occasion, and we continue to pray for her full recovery. We were blessed that so many of the pioneer members of our community were able to join us in this milestone celebration. Thank you to everyone who contributed and made the day possible and such a memorable one.
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