22 November 2021 · 2021-11 newsletter
“Like Mary – Called and Sent!”
We are very grateful that we dared to pursue the PMA Reflection Day this year. This was supposed to be an Annual Pilgrims’ retreat weekend but because of the strict restrictions due to COVID we decided to offer just one day. The uncertainty whether the Centre would reopen for bookings after almost four months lockdown delayed all the preparations. However, with the help of our Blessed Mother and of the organising team, we could gather together on Saturday 30 October.
Forty-one PMA coordinators and circle members, all fully vaccinated according to regulations, came including the family members of those who would seal their Covenant of Love.
Following the registration and welcome, Fr Paul (Fr Pawel Barszczewski OP) gave a very enriching talk using our theme for the day: “Like Mary – Called and Sent!.” He unfolded ways in which we can become like our Blessed Mother. He started with the question: “WHO ARE YOU?” Reflecting on this he then answered all the questions: WHO AM I? Knowing one’s personality is not based on knowing our names, etc. but on our own identity as the person who we really are.
Then we looked at our Blessed Mother with a same question: WHO ARE YOU? Fr Paul explained Mary as the model of perfect Woman, Wife and Mother. He based his explanation on letters of St Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI. Mary model of perfect Woman called herself the "handmaid of the Lord" (Lk 1:38) putting herself at the service of love for God and others. Mary model of perfect Wife is a perfect example of all wives and mothers of families as first educators of their children. Mary model of the perfect Mother accepts and loves her children as she loves her Son whom she carried in her womb. In addition, Fr Paul summarised three aspects of the Blessed Mother using Pope Francis’ homily on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 2014. “Mary is so closely united to Jesus because she received from Him the knowledge of the heart, the knowledge of faith, nourished by her experience as a mother and by her close relationship with her Son…That is why Jesus cannot be understood without Mary!”
Fr. Paul’s explanation of the Visitation scene where Mary with her Son under her heart visited her cousin Elizabeth was also much appreciated. In this Gospel scene our Blessed Mother gave us an example of evangelisation by her presence, action, words and prayer. “Mary is the first evangelist because she carries within her the presence of Christ. Mary teaches us to evangelize by action. It was the presence of the divine Word within Mary that inspired her to “go in haste” and visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also “with child”. Mary gave us an example how to evangelize by words. “What she says comes from a place of humility as she seeks every opportunity to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.” It’s not about her glory but God’s glory and his kingdom”. And lastly, "Mary teaches us the necessity of prayer, through which God gives us the courage to reach the ends of the world and proclaim everywhere the Lord Jesus, Saviour of the world….
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed a short break for morning tea. During this time participants had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
For Holy Mass we chose the Mass Formula, the Visitation of Mary, which very much fitted to the theme. In his homily, Fr. Paul emphasized the joy of being called and sent, the joy that can only be fulfilled if we place Jesus in the centre of our lives through our Blessed Mother. He encouraged the participants to be courageous in entering the Covenant of Love and to be apostles bringing Mary and Jesus to others through the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. After the homily was the celebration of the Covenant of Love of seven PMA coordinators. It was for them a moving moment. The text was on the projector so everyone could participate. After the Holy Communion one new PMA coordinator was commissioned.
At lunch we had the opportunity to express our gratitude to Fr Paul for his generous and untiring support to us. We celebrated his birthday in the presence of his superior Fr Andrew. It was a joy for all to participate in the celebration and socialising after a long lockdown and isolation.
Sr Luisa Maria led the session in the afternoon where she mentioned the importance of our calling and our yes to the will of God. Then we watched the history of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate and the life of John Pozzobon which led us to a sharing session discovering how God leads us to become coordinators of the PMA through his divine providence. The day ended with our Devotion prayer and Benediction followed by a small celebration (Afternoon Tea) for those who sealed their Covenant of Love, together with their families.
I thank Edna Aldana for the teamwork: contacting participants, preparing the things needed for the day and organising the two celebrations and the give-aways. Thank you for all who helped on the day and for the sisters who supported us with their prayers.
May our Mother Thrice Admirable continue to win hearts for her divine Son. May we place Jesus at the centre of our lives and be open to say “yes” to our calling as God’s instruments through our Blessed Mother.
You may enjoy a few of the comments from the participants:
- "From the talk of Father Paul, it was inspiring to know and made me more conscious that our Presence, Actions, Words and Prayer are of vital importance to our Mission …"
- “Thank you very much for the Reflection Day …There was so much I learned from the talk of Fr Paul, especially about how I could become more like Our Blessed Mother and be sent forth, as a Living Tabernacle to minister and serve others with the Love and Joy of the Lord Jesus Christ in my life, each day”.
- “Attending with my dear PM Circle sister, Orpha Rivero now also a new coordinator for the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, we found this day to be most enriching in our Spiritual growth and walk of faith together with others in the Schoenstatt Family. May God bless Sr Luisa Maria and all the Sisters of Mary and everyone in the Mt Schoenstatt Community”.
- “Fr Paul’s talk was very enriching to the soul. Teaching us to know more about Mary. I learned a lot about the role of Mary model of perfect Wife, Woman and Mother that I could apply in my personal daily life”.
- “It was beautiful and I was enlightened on things that I was so confused about before. I was so happy that confession was part of it. The sisters are so helpful and accommodating. It was a lovely day for me and I felt so refreshed after that day”.
- “We are truly blessed and we must pass that blessing to all. I took my mum with me and she had the most amazing day and was bubbling over with energy as we left the shrine. Thank you Sister for working gently and tirelessly with us. Thank you for all your prayers, your guidance and for making it all happen”.
Sr Luisa Maria
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