23 December 2024 · 2024-12 newsletter
Sunday 1st December saw a new step forward in the vision to have a replica Shrine in Melbourne. Since the Shrine at Kew needed to be demolished early last year, the dream of our Schoenstatt Family continues to be for a replica Shrine.
We are grateful for the ‘new home’ found for our Mother Thrice Admirable in St. Lukes’ parish church at Wantirna but the longing for a physical Shrine is still deep within our hearts. Since it is not possible to erect a Shrine Altar a “mini-altar”, truly worthy of our Mother’s picture, was decided upon.
Plans were drawn up, a carpenter found, permission given by the parish council and then it was ‘go-ahead’.
The annual Christmas gathering of the Melbourne Schoenstatt Family took place on December 1st and to our surprise – we were unaware that it would be finished on time- the mini-Shrine-altar welcomed us as we gathered for Holy Mass on this First Sunday of Advent.
Fr. Joseph, the parish priest, must have been as equally excited because he asked that the altar be brought to the front of the Church at the Offertory. There it stood throughout the Mass. Once Mass ended one little girl left her place and went straight to the altar and touched the Unity Cross. Her brother joined her later and the Schoenstatt Family gathered around, many venerating the MTA and the Cross. After a prayer of thanksgiving by Sr. M Elizabeth, Father Joseph blessed this new ‘home’ for our MTA.
We then wheeled the mini-Shrine-altar to its place in the Divine Mercy Chapel where it reminds us of the interior of our Schoenstatt Shrine.
Each one gathered in private prayer before moving to the Parish Hall for the Christmas Play and Family Gathering.
We thank Rohan and Eric for all the efforts to bring about the beautiful mini-Shrine-altar and Delmy and her family for the preparation of the Christmas pageant. Adults and children alike enjoyed reenacting the message of the Incarnation and Birth of Our Lord.
The young man who played St. Joseph this year had been Baby Jesus more than 18 years before. A wonderful tradition of our Melbourne Schoenstatt Family has been carried on over these many years. Christmas Carol singing and fellowship followed.
The Melbourne Schoenstatt Family
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