17 December 2021 · 2021-12 newsletter
In June 2022, our international Schoenstatt Movement will hold a “Pentecost Congress” at original Schoenstatt. This is a follow-up to the first Schoenstatt International Pentecost Congress held in 2015, following the celebration of Schoenstatt’s centennial in 2014.
The 2015 Congress produced a five-year plan and a memorandum setting “A Way Forward for the International Schoenstatt Movement at the Beginning of the Second Century of its History.” Members of the Congress said a new yes to the covenant of love with Mary. They experienced the Original Shrine as the radiating centre of our worldwide multicultural Movement. They experienced an international Family in unity and diversity. Finally, they agreed to a threefold task as they were sent out into the new times: “We choose the way of holiness. We live authentic and strong attachments. We make a missionary option.”
The planned Congress for 2020 was postponed because of COVID, giving the opportunity to plan in ways other than originally foreseen. A synodal way was introduced and the members of our movement in countries around the world were invited to hold “Mini-Congresses”.
The purpose of these Mini-Congresses was to look at the central values that embody our country and to ask ourselves about the impact of Schoenstatt in our present-day church and society. Our reflections will contribute towards the international Congress next year when it is envisioned that a meaningful plan for our Movement for the next five to ten years will be proposed.
Our Australian Schoenstatt Family was able to hold our “Mini-Pentecost Congress” on November 27. We had participants from the various States of our country and for this reason the Congress was held on-line.
We recognised and appreciated the opportunity to gather together to reflect on the life currents in our small movement and rejoiced in the various ways in which our members are contributing to the Church in Australia. This may be on a small scale, cognisant with our very small movement, but none-the-less valuable for the parishes to which we belong.
We had been asked to describe life currents in the country through which Schoenstatt’s charism becomes fruitful both on a personal as well as an ecclesial level. A report from our discussions and sharing is presently being formulated but the following were some of the life currents which were identified.
- We recognised that, due to Covid and the necessary increase in the use of technology we have grown as a family within our national movement, becoming a “National Family” and experiencing a closeness that did not exist before.
- The monthly Newsletter for Covenant Days combining a Schoenstatt reflection with news reports from Schoenstatt events around the country has made us more aware of the spiritual impetus given to many who attend the various functions which are offered.
- Monthly videos on our YouTube Channel – this year offering reflections about the Domestic Church – have offered further means of formation as well as evangelisation.
- In the service of the Church, Schoenstatt members are involved in various capacities within parishes: as catechists, lectors, acolytes, in parish choirs, leading scripture groups, RCIA, etc.
- Offering formation for families and children through reflection days involving sacramental preparation, focus on liturgical seasons and marriage Caminos.
All these initiatives have fostered life in the hearts of people, in their Schoenstatt groups and parishes.
In addition, the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate has become a very real “life-current” in our Australian Schoenstatt Family. This apostolate is active in parishes as well as across parishes and is vital in bringing Christ and his Mother into the homes of many people to offer them the graces that our Mother Thrice Admirable intercedes for us in her Schoenstatt Shrines. We identified the need to continue working to offer this apostolate to many parishes but at the same time to invite those involved in the Apostolate into a deeper commitment through involvement in the various Schoenstatt Groups in the Movement.
Considering our Australian Mission, to be “One Heart in the Father for the Family of God” we believe that the many contributions the members of our movement make to the family, professional, social and ecclesial life, whether small or large, are helping towards the renewal of our church and society in Australia. We want to continue to ‘make a difference’ wherever it is possible.
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