17 January 2023 · 2023-01 newsletter
Following nine months of short walks, came the wonderful full camino walk — 4th December, 2nd Sunday of Advent 2022
For nine months starting April, we never knew how many people to expect after the 11am, 1st Sunday Mass and who would join us in the walk offered. Every month, 40 ‘invitations’ containing much information on the history of the Schoenstatt Movement here in Australia and meditations to do in the Shrine or at the Station itself were placed on the Family Hall seats and more often than not at least 30 went home – a great result in itself.
Momentum built and by November when we offered the ‘Jesse Tree Symbol’ project we were starting to see the Family Branch with children in tow as well as all of our ‘Mary and Martha’ Mother’s Group.
By the time the big day came, we were on a roll (with 9 finished Jesse Tree decorations), but still had no idea whether people from Mass might take part.
Finally when our hopes and expectations cliqued with the plans of the Holy Spirit, we had an amazing walk from the ‘Original Wayside Shrine’ all the way down to Sr. Bonitas’ Corner with women from the Mother’s Branch – two groups represented, the Single Women’s Branch (technically the ‘Choir’), the Men’s branch, a fellow who had come all the way from Melbourne, the Family Branch (two families) and the Sisters along with others who were related or friends.
We read, we prayed, we sang our hearts out, we decorated Sr. Bonitas’ Garden and felt so fulfilled. Repeat next year?
There are many people to thank for their support but none as much as Shirley who did all the document editing, Michelle who put it all on the Schoenstatt Australia website and it’s all still there, Sr. Elizabeth for all her support as well as Sr. Myrna who was tickled pink with the people’s response to the ‘uncovering’ of the ‘Joseph Engling Memorial’.
We always said “In as much as we did it for one we were doing it for Our Lord and Our Mother’ and ‘Mother did take Perfect Care’ right down to a fine day with no rain!
‘The Mary and Martha’ Mother’s Group.
Filed underCommunity · Newsletter