13 August 2021 · 2021-08 newsletter
Our Women’s Group had planned to come together for a formation day on Saturday 17th July. However, as has happened on a number of occasions over the past 12 months, this event had to be changed due to COVID restrictions here in the Greater Sydney Area. So, instead of sharing a day together, we had to re-think and in a spirit of flexibility, decided to have a three hour study afternoon via Zoom
The topic seemed to be particularly relevant at this time – it related to Schoenstatt’s idea of Freedom and how we experience it in today’s world.
We began by looking at Schoenstatt’s Pre-Founding Document where Father Kentenich laid out his program for himself and the boys: “Under the protection of Mary we want to learn how to educate ourselves to become firm, free and priestly characters.” He later said that at the time the emphasis was on “freedom” and is a program of self-education according to the ideal of the person who is truly and inwardly free. However, the program also indicates that the boys (and we now) want to educate ourselves, we want to take the initiative in our education. Selfeducation, therefore, means that we are not prepared to surrender ourselves to the crowd. We want to personally take responsibility for ourselves and our decisions.
Father Kentenich said on a number of occasions that over the years this program had never changed. It has only been expressed in different words here and there and it is still totally relevant for us today as ‘self-education’ is even more important in these difficult times.
At this time when we are restricted in where we can go and what we can do, we looked at what ‘freedom’ means for us. Are we able to feel a sense of ‘freedom’ in spite of the restrictions that are imposed on us at this time?
Many people today are complaining because they believe their right to unrestrained freedom has been taken away from them. So, what do we mean by freedom? Can we be ‘free’ even if we are asked to seriously restrict what we can do and where we can go? Do we have the right attitude to be able to say ‘yes’, I am inwardly free, in spite of the restrictions around me. We only have to look at Father Kentenich during his time in Dachau.
He said that he was always interiorly free because whatever restrictions were placed on him, he accepted in the spirit of inner freedom and with the knowledge that they were part of God’s plan (belief in Divine Providence). Can we also see that whatever is asked of us is part of God’s plan for us?
We discussed how in taking responsibility for ourselves and the decisions we make, we need to foster the right attitude and practice it in all situations. We need to be convinced that what we are doing is right and we are comfortable with our decisions in spite of what others around us may be doing, or may be saying.
We spoke about this in the light of the workplace where it may sometimes be difficult to do what we know and believe is right, when we are told to act in a way in which we are not comfortable. For example we may be asked to ‘play the game’, or ‘toe the line’.
What do we do if this doesn’t fit with what we personally believe? How do we reconcile this with our freedom to choose for ourselves what we believe is right, even if it might mean that we are overlooked for a promotion or not well thought of by those higher up in the organisation? Am I able to practice what I preach? True inner freedom means being true to oneself, knowing who I am (my weaknesses/strengths, gifts and talents). We recognised that it can sometimes be difficult to be true to oneself and to freely choose what we believe is right and not do something just because others are doing it or it is what we know is expected of us in the workplace. This can take courage and a strong sense of our own worth and personal beliefs. It means knowing what God is asking of us – our belief in Divine Providence – and having the courage to accept it.
This can happen of course, not just in the workplace. It can happen with our friends, in social situations, even with family members etc. where we don’t feel comfortable in ‘following the crowd’ or doing things just because others are doing them, or we feel that we will be singled out if we say ‘no’.
We also discussed how freedom should not be seen as a burden. We need to be people of joy and find joy in our lives. This might mean that we need to find joy in the sacrifices we are asked to make. We reminded ourselves that we have a loving Father and we can go to him and ask for his help when things get difficult and we find it hard to say ‘yes’ in true inner freedom.
We concluded by reminding ourselves that the program proposed by Father Kentenich in the Pre-Founding Document began with “under the protection of Mary, we want to educate ourselves…..” We are not alone in our striving. We find strength in our union with Our Blessed Mother in the Covenant of Love. Our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt is not only our Mother and Queen, but also our Educator. She will help us learn how to be firm, free women, with clear principles, and become strong, independent personalities who are able to live in joy and security in today’s world.
“Nothing without you MTA, nothing without us”.
We were also reminded that through our striving together as a group and through our unity in our Covenant of Love we also have the support of each other.
As many of us in our group live alone, we appreciate the times when we can come together face to face. These times not only give us the opportunity to support each other by sharing our thoughts and ideas, they also give us an opportunity to share together as a community, in a spirit of joy and friendship. Unfortunately we were not able to do this on this occasion. However, we did get an opportunity to share our thoughts and experiences on this topic which is so relevant today. What I have presented is only a few of the many thoughts and ideas that were shared during our discussions. I believe we all gained a lot from the day, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of all our group and the leadership of Sr. M. Elizabeth.
– Shirley Hall
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