16 September 2024 · 2024-09 newsletter
On August 18th the Schoenstatt Family in Melbourne celebrated 25 years since they invited our MTA to once more take possession of the Shrine at Kew. This “reconquering” of the Shrine was preceded by a 9-week novena which has continued each year over these 25 years – even the last two years when the Kew Shrine no longer existed! The day was then also celebrated as “25 years novena” and those who attended were given a candle marking this occasion. The loyalty of our people is simply wonderful. This year’s novena saw an average of 20 -25 people each week. Each week another family or coordinator took responsibility for conducting the novena but, to see the support of others, is so encouraging.
The celebration on the 18th began with a rosary procession at St. Luke’s Wantirna, the new home of our MTA which was decorated with 25 red roses. The Schoenstatt Family gathered in the Divine Mercy Chapel and then proceeded to process outside around the Church praying the Rosary.
Holy Mass followed with Fr. Joseph, the parish priest, welcoming the Schoenstatt Family to this regular parish Mass. Throughout Holy Mass in several prayers he prayed for the Schoenstatt Family. We really felt welcomed and at home. Before the end of Mass the PMA Coordinators were invited to stand and renew their commitment for another 12 months. It was a genuine witness in the regular parish Mass.
Following the Mass, we moved to the Divine Mercy Chapel for the Covenant of Love celebration of four new members, a couple joining the family branch and two women who entered the Covenant as pilgrims (one is vision impaired). It was a joyful celebration and Fr. Joseph generously obliged in leading the celebration. The next highpoint was to pray our prayer of thanksgiving and commitment to our Mother Thrice Admirable for the future – see below.
A serenade to the Blessed Mother had been planned but as it was time for lunch we simply sang “With Heartfelt Love we thank you Mother dear…” to bring together our gratitude for all that our MTA has done for us over these past 25 years.
A festive shared lunch and the AGM completed the programme.
The other events during the visit of Sr. M. Elizabeth to Melbourne all went well.
We had a formation day on Saturday 17th with 22 attendees sharing about the topic “instrumentality”.
There was a meeting in one region in the East of Melbourne on the Monday with 16 participants, one of whom has been visiting the Shrine in Mulgoa, at least annually for the past 38 years and who didn’t know anything about Schoenstatt.
There was a meeting in the West of Melbourne with 12 participants who at the end decided they want to form a monthly women’s group and finally one evening a small group of Spanish speaking members gathered together and could share their hopes and dreams.
All in all, the week of activities with Sr. M. Elizabeth was very blessed. We thank our Blessed Mother for her continued support into the next 25 years.
Some Echoes from this special celebration:
It is with immense gratitude to Our Blessed Mother for journeying with us over the last 25 years and look forward to her graces and blessings for the future. She has been with us through the difficult times and showed us the way forward at every hurdle.
The Feast of the Assumption which we celebrated on Sunday, August 18, 2024 was a glorious day and there were over 70 pilgrims participating.The day commenced with a Rosary Procession around St Luke’s Church, Wantirna with the Unity Cross, Fr Kentenich’s hand, many Pilgrim Mother Pictures and flags, followed by Holy Mass. Subsequently, in the Divine Mercy Chapel we had four people making their Covenant of Love, which was a great milestone on the 25th Anniversary of the Schoenstatt Novena. Serenading to our Blessed Mother and burning of the petitions took place followed by refreshments and fellowship.
Many thanks to Fr Joseph Amal and Sister Elizabeth for their induction to the Covenant of Love. Our sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother for the great weather and making this special day fruitful with many members attending this celebration.
Annerine
After experiencing much uncertainty in Melbourne after the Kew Shrine no longer is in existence, the Schoenstatt Family and the Picture of Grace has found its home. This year it truly feels like a home, as we continued to conduct our nine-week Novena leading up to the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption. During the nine weeks it was interesting to note the loyalty of the people, some of whom travelled a considerable distance to attend week after week to honour Our Blessed Mother. There were on average 25 people each week.
We celebrated 25 years since the first Novena and Feast celebration in 1999. The day was marked with many blessings as four people made their Covenant of Love, amidst much joy and jubilation experienced by all who attended.
We were privileged to have Sr. M Elizabeth from Mulgoa, and the parish priest, Fr. Joseph Amal in attendance, to lead us through the celebrations. We continue to pray and offer up our contributions to the Capital of Grace so that Our Lady may guide us and show us the way forward.
Karin
PRAYER FOR SILVER JUBILEE OF “RECONQUERING” THE KEW SHRINE.
Dear Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt,
With grateful hearts we come to you today to thank you for your loyalty over the past 25 years.
On 15th August 1999, you heard our plea to take up your abode once more in the Shrine at Kew.
This Shrine, blessed on 11th May 1952, spent 30 years without our cooperation in the Covenant of Love and thus without bearing fruit in these years, but once we recognized our responsibility to bring you our contributions as our part in the Covenant, you have not been outdone in loyalty.
Throughout these past 25 years you have blessed us with rich graces and drawn many hearts to yourself.
Our father and founder, in his letter for the blessing of the Shrine told us then that you “expect … earnest co-operation with grace from us.”
She calls upon us in a similar way as she did in 1914 at the Shrine in Schoenstatt: Do not worry about the fulfilment of your wishes. Ego diligentes me diligo…(I love those who love me). Prove first by your deeds that you love me …, then I will prove that I love you.”
Although we are saddened that the physical Shrine no longer exists, we are truly grateful that your Picture of Grace has found a new home in St. Luke’s Wantirna.
Thank you that you live among us, intercede many graces for us, continue to educate us and lead us to your Son and the heavenly Father.
Today we promise that we will do everything to ensure that you will always remain with us.
As our father did in 1952 “we entrust to the Blessed Mother the destiny of our people and our country.
Generously we offer our sacrifices as contributions to the capital of grace. In all situations we will find our way to the Shrine.
We go into the future full of confidence and will not grow tired of repeating the words of St. Vincent Pallotti: ‘Mater habebit curam’. (Mother takes care.) She will take care of our salvation and of the well-being of our people and country.”
And so, we offer to you our prayers, sacrifices, joys and limitations as our contributions to the Capital of Grace.
Above all we offer you our hearts and ask you to draw “many youthful hearts” to yourself so that one day we will again have a Shrine here in Melbourne.
We continue to trust as our father did that the picture of the Mother Thrice Admirable and Queen of Schoenstatt, now enthroned here in the Divine Mercy Chapel, may “prove itself worthy of the title of honour: “Madona Populi Australiensis” (Mother of the Australian people).
We thank you, Mother, may our thanks not end. Take us, our love and life into your hands. Amen.
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