18 December 2023 · 2023-12 newsletter
On Saturday 29th October 1988, the Pilgrim Mother Shrine Number XVIII was commissioned at the Shrine at Mulgoa, by Fr Denis Foley. Through his Parish of Holy Family Menai, the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate Image of our Mother Thrice Admirable and Child, together with wooden Rosary Beads, was sent out to a number of participating families, to share the presence of the image and rosary in their homes. They continued to do this each month.
On Sunday 29th October 2023, the image for Pilgrim Mother Circle XVIII, returned once again to the Shrine at Mulgoa, to acknowledge the 35th anniversary of its inauguration.
This Circle has undergone a few changes since its inception during the 35 years, as one would expect, but three of the original families from 1988, are still participating in its monthly roster. The Circle currently has nine families involved, with the newest family joining just over ten years ago, on 1st November 2013. It has had three Parish Coordinators, with the current coordinator being in the role, for over thirty years.
The Pilgrim Mother circle has been wonderfully supported through the members of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, and by several of the Schoenstatt Sisters over the 35 years, specifically with Sr Loretta being the initial Moderator of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate, when the Apostolate was formed in 1988. This role was then filled by Sr Myrna, and then till the present, by Sr Luisa Maria.
Mementos for the 35th anniversary were struck by the Coordinator to be given to each of the member families of the Pilgrim Mother Circle. The mementos consist of a small image of Our Blessed Lady that adorns our Pilgrim Mother image, and these, together with the original image, were brought to the Shrine at Mulgoa, on the anniversary day, for Mass and for placement in the Shrine, to commemorate the milestone date. A memento was also created for Sr Luisa Maria, to share the occasion.
“A touch of sadness on the anniversary day at Mulgoa, was that Fr Denis Foley had left us just over five years ago in October 2018, but he was very much included and remembered for all he was, and all he had done, for the Pilgrims Mother Apostolate, for his Parish at Menai, and for those in Pilgrim Mother Circle XVIII. “
Pilgrim Mother Coordinator of Circle XVIII.
“It was a privilege to meet the Coordinator of the Pilgrim Mother shrine No. 18 (XVIII) and his wife on Sunday 29 October. I thank our Lord and our Mother Thrice Admirable for his faithfulness. I was humbled to receive the little PM shrine as a memento of this great milestone – 35 years of loyalty. Every time I see this shrine I remember and pray for him, his wife, his family, and all Pilgrim Mother coordinators and members of PM shrine XVIII. We are also greatly indebted to Father Denis Foley who started the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate at Holy Family parish, Menai.”
Sr Luisa Maria
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