17 March 2023 · 2023-03 newsletter
Our 2022 Movement National Conference was transferred to February 2023 and had the theme “You are our Letter” (2 Cor. 3:2-3). This theme came from the homily at Father Kentenich’s funeral when Bishop Tenhumberg portrayed Fr. Kentenich’s life as a letter from God for us.
In our conference we looked at who Father Kentenich is and our relationship to him. We also looked at the importance of his charism for the Church of today and how we, through a personal attachment to him in the Covenant of Love, can help to bring his mission to our Church in Australia.
We recognised that we may be small instruments, and small in number, but our father’s mission needs to be proclaimed everywhere and that means in Australia too, no matter how small we may be.
We took some directions from the Pentecost Conference held in Schoenstatt Germany last year (June 2022). In the letter to the international Schoenstatt Family following this Congress we were called to be rooted in Fr. Kentenich and his prophetic charism if we are going to bear fruit for our movement, the Church and the world. We were also encouraged to renew Schoenstatt’s charism in a learning, open and synodal way and to search together for creative ways to move forward into the future, full of hope and trust in our particular circumstances.
These expectations or recommendations were responded to by about 30 members of our Schoenstatt Family – between 20 – 25 face-to-face participants and 7-10 participants via Zoom at different times. This combination of being physically present or online gave the Conference this year a unique ‘flavour’.
Through discussions in Breakout groups those on line definitely felt part of the whole conference and were grateful to participate in this way as they were unable to physically join those enjoying the weekend at Mulgoa. We had a group from Perth and Melbourne join those from NSW present in person and we had Zoom participants from WA, QLD and NSW. So we had a good representation from our National Family and a truly family atmosphere prevailed.
Since the scene in the Catholic Church in Australia has been dominated by the Plenary Council for the last three years we chose as themes for the two Sunday sessions two of the decrees which resulted from the final session of the Plenary Council held in July 2022 and which we believe are especially pertinent to us as Schoenstatters: (Decree 6 – Formation and Leadership for Mission and Ministry, Decree 3: Called by Christ – sent forth as Mission Disciples). We are all aware of the importance of continual formation for ourselves as we attempt to respond to the challenge to bring Schoenstatt’s mission to the Church of today and thus Sunday’s discussions helped us formulate some ways in which we can continue our efforts for evangelisation in the spirit of Schoenstatt.
Saturday night saw us join in silent adoration in the Shrine for an hour during which time some wrote their own letter to the person of supernature of their choice expressing how they wished to be a letter of recommendation for our father and Schoenstatt in their everyday lives. It also allowed everyone time to savour the impressions of the day.
On Sunday we were pleased to be able to acknowledge the long-term services of Shirley Hall and Michael King to the Central Coordinating Teams of our National Movement. Both have stepped down from their positions after more than 12 years of belonging to the inspirational team. Being together as a National Family gave us the opportunity to thank them most sincerely for all they have given to our Movement and all their support over so many years. Both will continue their services in various other ways, and we wished them all the best and of course, our prayers.
At the final Mass on Sunday afternoon, we were sent out with renewed spirit. Part of the sending out prayer was:
Priest: Holy Spirit, fall afresh on us and mould us. Let us be a sacrament of love in our world, visible signs of the intimacy and love of the Father and the Son. Enlighten us and fill us with your Spirit so that we may be open to fulfil the Father’s will as Mary did. Send us now anew to be like our Mother Thrice Admirable. May the spark of love be reignited in every Schoenstatt heart as we hear the words anew: “Ego Diligentes me Diligo” ( I love those who love me, prove by your deeds you really love me). Let us be Christ Bearers, Christ Bringers and Christ Servers in the spirit of Mary.
All: Dear Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt, unite our minds in truth and our hearts in love as we remember that our main vocation is to love, as we strive to overcome the crises of our time. Inspired by our father and his charism, we want to be apostles of love in our world, sent out as missionary disciples. We offer you anew in childlike confidence:
Our Eyes—–to see the needs of others and God’s will for us
Our ears—–to hear the signs of the times, through those we meet
Our Mouths—to proclaim your truth and spread our Schoenstatt Mission
Our hearts—-to love those entrusted to our care and those we meet on our journey of lifeWe give ourselves entirely to you without reserve. As we are your own, our good Mother, guard and defend us as your property and your possession. Amen
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