Schoenstatt’s National Central Committee

Schoenstatt’s National Central Committee

19 April 2021 · 2021-04 newsletter

You may be interested in a recent development in the coordination of our Schoenstatt Movement in Australia.

Already in 1982, a body was set up to be a channel for information and coordination of our Australian Schoenstatt Family. Because of the distances in our vast country the members of this body have, over the years, been people who lived in Sydney. The Schoenstatt Fathers and Sisters who worked in the other States (WA, VIC & QLD) provided information about the projects and developments which took place there.

Last month, thanks to the development in technology and our use of it during the past year of pandemic, this body, now known as the National Central Committee (NCC) met via Zoom for the first time with representatives from WA, QLD, VIC and NSW.

The purpose of the NCC is to provide for the spiritual formation and education of the Schoenstatt League Communities and enables it to work in the apostolate. It takes into account that “the education and inspiration in the spirit of Schoenstatt’s spirituality is the responsibility of each individual branch of the League” (International Statutes for the Schoenstatt Movement) but, when asked for, gives support and inspiration to the individual Schoenstatt League communities (Families, Men, Mothers, Single Women, Youth, Pilgrim Mother Apostolate etc.).

The NCC also has the task to inspire and coordinate apostolic projects and undertakings if they involve more than one diocese or State – the autonomy of each diocese or State is respected but if more than one State is involved then it helps with the inspiration and coordination; it cares for spiritual trends and takes up and promotes existing vital impulses; supports the interests, goals, and initiatives of the State Coordinating Teams (see below) and carries out events of the whole Apostolic Movement on a national level. The latter is normally the annual National Movement Conference where it offers spiritual input and agrees on a fitting and ‘timely’ theme which can inspire and direct our apostolic endeavours for the coming year. This year the motto is “Domestic Church – Be what you are”.

The present members of the NCC are:

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of the above.

The State Coordinating Teams

These teams, in WA and NSW, have representatives from each of the Schoenstatt League Communities (Families, Men, Mothers, Single Women) and the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. In VIC, the State Coordinating Team has elected representatives (owing to the fact that it is an incorporated body) from the Mothers League Community and the PMA (the other communities do not yet exist in VIC).

Each State Team usually meets about three times a year to share the life, initiatives and life-streams in the various communities. Since our movement is so small in Australia these teams rely on sub-committees to help organise functions for the Schoenstatt Family in their respective States. This year we are trialling a national approach to the celebration of Covenant Sundays. See the YouTube Channel Schoenstatt Australia for presentations prepared for these Covenant Sundays.

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