17 January 2025 · 2025-01 newsletter
This year we celebrated the Advent and Christmas Carols at Mt Schoenstatt, Mulgoa on Saturday 14th December in the Family Hall. It was a very prayerful and joyful evening with the central focus being on preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. The Schoenstatt choir accompanied by Sr. M. Elizabeth on the organ and Agnes Simon with guitar were able to create a very beautiful atmosphere and lead the approximate 100 people in attendance in song and prayer.
The evening began with an explanation and lighting of the three candles on the Advent wreath whilst singing “We’d like to announce the time of Advent”. Then the prophets Isaiah and Micah appeared, and each one proclaimed their prophesies of the coming of our Saviour. Amongst the many positive echoes received, many mentioned that it was very nice to have the prophets of the Old Testament introduced and being part of the evening.
The next scenes to be acted out were from the New Testament beginning with the annunciation, Mary’s fiat, her visit to Elizabeth, the journey to Bethlehem and ending with the Nativity scene along with the shepherds and wise men. It was such a delight to see many families get involved with most of the actors being youth or adults. Another highlight was during the Magnificat when all the children were invited to walk in procession with battery-operated candles in their hands and a star leading the way.
There was a sea of cameras as both parents and children enjoyed this beautiful scene.
It was clearly evident during this evening that God and the blessed Mother always provide, take care and actually have better plans than we ourselves can ever have. This can be seen in the following two situations:
In the days prior Sr. M. Elizabeth and Regina Rossetto were looking tirelessly without luck for a mum with a little bub to play Mary and Jesus. In the end they asked a young women Dona Simon who was at the time visiting from Melbourne to play the part of Mary. This was a very personal and special gift for Dona as she had secretly wished to play Mary this year.
Another example of God’s providence was that it was advertised that children should come dressed as angels and shepherds and there were a few angels but unfortunately no shepherds had arrived. That was until Fr. Pawel walked in with a very fitting hat, thinking the carols would be outside. So, we stuck a shepherd’s staff in his hand, and he played the part of “the main Shepherd” perfectly!
After the wise men arrived and presented their gifts to baby Jesus everyone was invited to write down their personal gifts and offerings that they wanted to give to Jesus. These were then collected by the Wise Men and brought forward.
At the conclusion everyone was invited to go to the shrine to pick up a candle with a quote from Fr. Kentenich to take home which was very much appreciated.
After the final hymn of “Silent Night” everyone gathered at the back of the Hall for fellowship which lasted long into the night, again a testimony of the very blessed, joyful and family-like evening.
Sr. M. Rita Baysari
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