20 June 2022 · 2022-06 newsletter
15th May 2022
“Mary, perfect model of holiness”. This was the theme for this year’s Marian Pilgrimage. It was in keeping with the motto of the striving of the Australian Schoenstatt Family this year: “Schoenstatt’s way: Authentic witness to holiness.
As this was the first time our Schoenstatt Family in NSW had been able to come together for this celebration since 2019, the pilgrimage was eagerly awaited, especially by the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators. However, the weather was not being kind to us and on the Friday prior to the pilgrimage, the decision had to be made whether or not the Holy Mass could be held outside. Not only was there a good chance of rain on the Sunday, but because of the amount of rain that had already fallen over many days prior to the celebrations, the grounds, particularly around the shrine and the stage area were extremely wet underfoot.
The decision was therefore made that the Holy Mass would take place in the Family Hall with many chairs also being placed outside to cater for those who would not be able to be seated inside the Hall. This was the first time over many years of celebrating the Marian Pilgrimages that a PLAN B had to be put into place.
However, in spite of the inconveniences caused by the weather, and the many adjustments that had to be made to the arrangements for the Holy Mass, the day turned out bright and sunny. People seemed overjoyed at being able to come together once again to give thanks to our Mother Thrice Admirable for all the graces and blessings she has bestowed on us over the past few years. We particularly wanted to thank her for the graces received through her Pilgrim Mother Shrines and the dedicated Coordinators who take responsibility for sharing our Blessed Mother with others in their circles.
Although there were not as many people as it previous years, a real sense of unity permeated the day as once gain we could celebrated as one Schoenstatt family. It was special blessing to see about 20 of our Schoenstatt Family from Melbourne joining us for this day. Over the years they have been very loyal in attending the Marian Pilgrimages and it was wonderful to have them with us again. Some had travelled overnight and went back that evening. Others arrived only on the Saturday afternoon and returned to Melbourne on the Monday. They gave a wonderful testimony to loyalty and commitment to our Blessed Mother and to her Shrine and it was a real sign of solidarity to come together as one family. In fact it seemed that all who took part in the celebrations, were feeling truly blessed to be able to come together once again around our Blessed Mother in her Schoenstatt Shrine.
The main celebrant for the Holy Mass was the Bishop of Parramatta, Most Reverend Vincent Long. Concelebrating with the Bishop were Father Terry Bell, Father Pawel Barszczewski, OP, Father Paul Marshall and Father Shane Reade, SDB. Seminarians from the Holy Spirit Seminary, Diocese of Parramatta, were servers for the Mass and it was wonderful to see these future priests assisting at the Holy Mass.
At the beginning of Mass Bishop Long expressed his joy at once again being able to celebrate this Holy Mass at Mount Schoenstatt. In his homily he began by saying:
“I welcome all of you who have come from near and far to this Schoenstatt Shrine. I welcome especially the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators who will be re-commissioned during this Mass in order to be apostles in the Schoenstatt tradition. You are sent forth from this sanctuary to be God’s instruments of peace, justice, compassion and love.
Indeed, that is the missionary call that all of us received by virtue of our baptism and confirmation. We are meant to be salt of the earth and light for the world. ……
Mary gave us an example of trust and courage in times of disruption and turbulence. She aligned her heart and mind to God’s unfolding plan. We must do the same as a community of disciples. We must have the humility and courage to reset ourselves once again to the self-emptying journey of the humble Servant-Leader rather than reverting to fear and defence of status quo. Let us pray that we followers of Christ may not grow stale and insipid. Like him, may we have the courage to leave our security, to accompany, to serve and to empower all people to live life more fully. In this way, may we be an agent of the Gospel and able to transform our society into what God intends for all. Let us pray that we have the faith and courage of Mary in responding to unmet needs. May Mary help us to be carers and protectors of those who have been entrusted to us. May she intercede for us as we follow her example of embodying the Gospel of love and service in the world.”
This is a message which should resonate with all of us and give us much to think about as we strive to live as authentic witnesses to holiness after the example of Mary our Heavenly Mother, who is a “perfect witness to holiness”.
The re-commissioning of the Pilgrim Mother Co-ordinators took place after Holy Communion. It was wonderful to see so many Pilgrim Mother Coordinators standing throughout the Hall and on the outside perimeters, holding up their PM Shrines. The Bishop thanked the coordinators for taking on this responsibility for another twelve months and then after their re-commitment, he proceeded to go around the Hall and outside blessing them.
At least the tent which should have been used for the Holy Mass was not completely wasted. It was used by one of the priests for Reconciliation before the Mass and at the lunch time some families used it as their picnic area.
However, while people sat around in the sunshine enjoying lunch and the company of each other, it was time to make a decision about the afternoon program as some rain had been falling.
It was decided that we needed to go with another Plan B. However this Plan B hadn’t been organised for the afternoon, except that if it rained, the program would be re-located to the Family Hall. So after a quick discussion, the afternoon program was re-organised to include most of what had been planned for the afternoon.
In spite of these changes, people were very accepting and it was a real joy to see people being so generous about accepting the changes, and even when asked, quickly stepping up and taking on a task. It showed a real spirit of working together and accepting that God obviously had a better plan in mind for us for this day.
The changed program meant that all who wished, could now receive the blessing of the sick. While this took place, the Rosary was prayed, together with some of the hymns from the procession which were sung between the decades. The celebrations concluded with Father Pawel leading the Benediction.
There was certainly a joyous atmosphere evident throughout the day and the depth of the devotion of the people had been shown in the way they responded to the day. And even the changed program did not deter most people, but seemed to almost give a more ‘family-like’ atmosphere to the day. So it seemed that indeed, God DID have a better plan in mind for us for this day.
This was reflected in some of the comments that were made after the Pilgrimage. Bishop Vincent Long sent the following message to Sr. Luisa Maria:
“I write to thank you for the way the sisters welcomed and looked after us last Sunday. It was such a joy to meet the pilgrims from near and far and to celebrate the Mass with them. The atmosphere was wonderful, and one could tell that people had longed to be back after a period of disruption. The clergy, seminarians, and I enjoyed the fellowship immensely. May the Mother Thrice Admirable intercede for you and your ministry among us.”
Fr John Frauenfelder (Vice Rector of Holy Spirit seminary) wrote:
“What a blessed day it was yesterday and I thank you for the invitation to share this experience, a delightful introduction to the Schoenstatt spirituality. This was my first time at Mount Schoenstatt! I arrived earlier than anticipated, arriving just as Mass commenced, and appreciated the vibrant and joyful liturgy, and later shared a beautiful lunch.
In spite of having to change your original program you responded quickly and appropriately to changed circumstances in a short space of time.
Sister, thank you once again.”
One of the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators who was sitting outside commented afterwards that she thought it was the best Annual Pilgrimage Mass she had attended. Someone else commented that it was wonderful to hear everyone joining in the singing. There was a real sense of unity and community.
It seemed that all who took part in the day, and particularly the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators, went home inspired and renewed in their enthusiasm for, and commitment to Our Blessed Mother and the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. We pray that through their example many others will be inspired to help in this mission to bring all people, particularly our families, to Christ and the Heavenly Father through devotion and praying to Our Blessed Mother.
This pilgrimage could not have taken place without the hard work and commitment of so many people who generously gave of their time and talents to assist with this day. This included not only Bishop Vincent Long, the priests and seminarians, but all who made this day possible and in particular, all the Pilgrim Mother Coordinators and all who took part in the day.
This year especially when so much of the planning had to be re-organised to suit the new program of the day, some of which had to be done at the last minute it was wonderful to see the way everyone worked together.
The Pilgrim Mother Apostolate Team thanks each one of you very personally for your assistance. We offer you our sincere appreciation and ask Our Blessed Mother to reward and bless you.
Shirley Hall
(On behalf of the Organising Team)
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