18 October 2024 · 2024-10 newsletter
“The Mission of Mary, an answer to the confusion of the world”
Our Schoenstatt National Conference this year took place at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa, Sydney, from September 20th – 22nd. A beautiful weekend was had by all. Relationships were kindled, stories were shared, and personal insights were given. Along with that, much food and laughter was around every corner.
Our weekend began with Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr Terry Bell. The opening session which followed, was presented by Sr Elizabeth who set the scene for what was to be a very real and thought provoking theme; “The Mission of Mary, an answer to the confusion of the world.” We discussed the Schoenstatt Milestone of May 31st, 1949.
This event involved Fr Kentenich placing on the altar in the Schoenstatt Shrine of Bellavista, Santiago, the first part of a letter which was addressed to the Bishop of Trier, in response to the report of the episcopal visitation which had taken place in Schoenstatt in February 1949.
In this letter Fr Kentenich described the Church at that time as an “institution, incapable of understanding the human soul in its depths.” He proposed his vision of an ‘integrating Church’ where its members have a personal relationship with a God who is Father.
A Church in which Mary accompanies as Mother and Educator. A Church which helps to form ‘Free Personalities’. A Church which has its hands on ‘the pulse of the times’.
Sr Elizabeth addressed the issue of Mechanistic Thinking and how it involves separating God from Life. Its effects are the lack of real, personal relationships that can lead us to the Father.
It is so important for the natural to be integrated with the supernatural. This is what we refer to as Organic thinking, living, and loving. It gave us much to think about on a personal and wider community level. The solution was to think about how we can bring God back into our personal, everyday lives and relationships. Fr Kentenich believed, “Schoenstatt should become the heart of the Church.”
On Saturday we began the day with Holy Mass and then, via zoom from Perth, Sr Thomasine led us into more of a discussion on the 31st of May, the Third Milestone in our Schoenstatt history, and how we can overcome Mechanistic thinking. How do we integrate the natural with the supernatural? To worship and adore God in each moment of life, in each person, in all created things. “Life needs to be personalised; the heart needs to speak!” And, “All created things are a way for us to connect to God. They are a bridge to Our Father!”
Schoenstatt, through the Covenant of Love with Mary, offers us unique guidelines for life, Nothing without you, Nothing without us. Sr Thomasine explained how God loves each one of us personally, we are “the apple of His eye” (Psalm 17:8). God is the first cause who wants us to cooperate with Him, as loving Father, for the redemption of ourselves and the world, to become transparent so that others can see Christ through us, to experience love and understanding on a natural level so that we can get an inkling of how much greater God’s love is for us on a supernatural level.
To allow God’s love to penetrate our entire being so that it shines forth and radiates through our being and acting. We had time to reflect on all of this and think about questions that Sr Thomasine put forward:
- How can we link others to God in a very realistic, human, everyday way?
- How do we experience God’s greatness through His creation?
- How does/did God spoil me even in small things?
- What does God, the Blessed Mother, need me for?
After quiet reflection time, we came together for a shared morning tea where the conversation continued on the topic of being/seeing God in our everyday lives.
Michelle Davis then led us into the next session where we delved deeper into how we experience Mechanistic thinking in our daily lives. She presented us with the idea that; “If St Paul were alive today, I fear we would be receiving another letter!!! What would he say to the world? What would he remind the Church?”
“More importantly, what would he say to me about my lifestyle and relationship with Christ?” These questions were very thought provoking and we had time to reflect on and share various elements: Our personal mission given to us by God; living out the Schoenstatt spirituality in everyday life; Gospels/Parables that resonate with us; how being a member of Schoenstatt has helped us in the challenges we face. We learnt so much from each other through this sharing and questioning.
The afternoon opened up for us something a bit different. A Plenary session led by Terry Huxtable and Michelle Davis.
This involved being in small groups and practicing the idea of ‘active listening’ where we ‘listen to understand, rather than listen to respond’. We invited the Holy Spirit to speak to us during this time of thinking, questioning and sharing. We each had a turn in our groups to share on the topics of:
- What in today’s world and society is mechanistic? Why?
- How do I experience Mechanistic thinking in my own life?
We discussed the importance of and how to practically put our faith into action and be a witness of Christ to others. Love needs to be seen in action, knowledge alone is not enough. Our faith needs to move from our head to our heart.
We then moved into a room decorated for a party, with a table full of party food. We celebrated some important Jubilee milestones.
Fr Terry Bell last year celebrated 60 years of ordination, Sr Renee last year celebrated 60 years of Incorporation into the Sisters’ Community. This year Sr Inez celebrated 60 years of Incorporation along with Sr Marilena who celebrated 70 years!
What an achievement and inspiration these people are for our times! I’m sure they have many stories to tell and wisdom to share.
With full stomachs we moved into our next session with Paul and Ramani Regis. Another very practical and thought-provoking session where we were asked the question, “What is the Schoenstatt family doing in relation to the Jubilee year?” Each group had a different question to think about and apply to our everyday lives. To ask ourselves in what practical ways can we become more integrated as a people and a Church.
Moving on we enjoyed a night of more amazing food and a family games night where there was much laughter and ‘revision’ of the days thinking. Led by Sr Rita, we all had time to relax, and come together as a family.
Sunday brought with it more beautiful weather and we continued exploring our theme. Fr Terry led us into a discussion about the importance of the milestone of the 31st May for the Church, and why this was such an important step. He revisited what occurred on this occasion and what it means for us today.
With the help of Terry Huxtable and Angela Benson we were then able to discuss and share the practical applications of living the 31st of May in our everyday lives. Terry explained the ideal of being whole and living wholistically. Angela discussed an analogy of the ‘Tree of Life’. How we are all like a tree that needs to grow but can only do so if we have the ‘sap’ of Grace flowing through us.
We discussed what it is in our own lives that prevents this flow of grace. Is it being too busy? Too many distractions? Fear? Anxiety? Sin? A disconnection between our Body, Mind and Spirit? We also talked about how the Covenant of Love can bring us closer to Christ and closer to an interior integration of self. This very personal sharing of our stories brought with it more bonding and connectedness as a Schoenstatt Family.
Throughout the weekend it was lovely to be joined with people on Zoom from many different parts around Australia. This positive use of technology helped us to be connected to those in our Schoenstatt family, far away.
The final session, led by Sr Elizabeth, was a great summary of everything discussed over the weekend. From the importance of organic thinking, loving, and living and how this leads us to become more our true selves, a Free Personality.
The power of childlikeness and becoming a child before God, our Father. The task of the Blessed Mother, her mission from the Shrine as the official and permanent helpmate of our Lord. Our Blessed Mother wants to fulfil her mission from the Shrine, through us, her faithful instruments! We can place ourselves at her disposal so that through us she can imprint Christ into our modern age; “I shall draw youthful hearts to myself and educate them to become useful instruments.” In saying that, as we approach the Jubilee year, we all decided on a motto to inspire and lead us into the Jubilee Year:
United in the Covenant – Pilgrims of Hope!
This new motto will help to keep our focus on being pilgrims, journeying together into the future, “One Heart in the Father for the Family of God”. The weekend concluded with Holy Mass in the Shrine celebrated by Fr Terry. Coming together as one family, sharing our faith and lives with each other. Going forward, we ask our Blessed Mother to lead us to the Father and to educate us to live Wholistic lives through thinking, living, and loving organically, just as Fr Kentenich did.
After Holy Mass and a final send-out around the Fr Kentenich Statue, we recommitted ourselves to our loyalty to our Father and Founder, and to Our Blessed Mother: “There remains the fact, we will remain Loyal!”
During my visit to the Father room, I received a small message from Fr Kentenich. It read, “Do What you can”. We can’t be everything for everyone, but we can be something for someone.
Blessings from the Shrine to all our Schoenstatt family everywhere.
United in the Covenant!
Antoinette Donegan
Schoenstatt Mothers Branch – WA
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