Covenant Day, The Opening of the Year of the Shrine toward 2014 - come celebrate with us TODAY!
In the Shrine we experience transformation, healing and conversion
We know about superficiality and indifference in our surrounding. We know physical and emotional hurts. Everyone has his wounds. Testimonies give us courage to begin anew and to bring everything to the Blessed Mother: A mother recounts: “When the pilgrim MTA comes into our house, the atmosphere changes every time. Then we talk differently with each other.” The story of our vocation is a story of transformation in our hearts. Here we find the highest quality of love represented in Mary, and she wants to lead us to it.
The shrine is the cradle of sanctity as the Founding Document says. This is not only true for youth who carry a great idealism in their hearts. Their radicalism keeps us older ones awake, too. During this year may we recognize when and where there is need of a turn in our life, to come closer to the will of God. Those personal steps purify and sanctify the realm of our family so that Mary may touch the hearts of people through our common witness.
October Events
Dear Schoenstatt Family,
In this month of the Covenant, and the beginning of the Year of the Shrine in our Triennium towards 2014, the Blessed Mother has blessed us with many graces and rich life! We have many activities coming up!
Sunday, October 16th, we will celebrate Covenant Mass. Please remember that for this mass everyone received a special invitation from the Fathers inside the last issue of the Quarterly, inviting all to attend the Send-off Mass for Alex Quintana, Postulant to the Seminary of the Schoenstatt Fathers. We want to support Alex as he makes this huge step, and give thanks to God for the gift of vocations. Mass will begin at 11am as usual, please bring a dish to share.
Please remember that October 18th will be the kick-off event for the Year of the Shrine, the Pilgrimmage to the Addie Roy from the Cathedral. We will meet at the Cathedral at 2pm, and begin walking at 2:30. There will also be silmultaneous Adoration held at the Shrine land open to all. Volunteers are needed to help prepare dinner for those walking. For details please contact Will McCarthy at willmccarthy@mail.utexas.edu. As we have officially conquered our Shrine land in our Land Work for the Shrine Capital of Grace, our new Capital of Grace will be announced at the end of the pilgrimage.
In the Heart of the Blessed Mother,
Rachel Gardner
Communications Coordinator
Diocesan Committee, Schoenstatt Movement of Austin
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The Holy Father started yesterday his first official visit to his native Germany. As Schoenstatters we want to accompany this historic pilgrimage to the land of our Founder and of Schoenstatt's birth place. Germany and all of Europe needs a new Evangelization to re discover that "Where there is God, there is future". This is the motto that accompanies the Holy Father's visit.
Let us follow along though the news and media and pray for a fruitful visit. Let us give thanks at the same time for the gift of our Faith and the role it plays in our society. As a Movement on our way to celebration our centennial, we renew our efforts to promote a "covenant culture" in our midst.
Fr. Jesus Ferras, ISP