The objective

“In this Year for Priests proclaimed by the Pope, we see an open door to demonstrate to the Church the priestly richness of our Father Kentenich. We are proud to have a founder who – as a priest – has been so fruitful in his life.

He was a priest who matured through a crisis in his youth. He accepted the great challenge of risking his life and was not afraid to face the hierarchy of the Church.

He was a priest who spoke about God as if he were exactly next to Him. His love for Mary awakened all the powers of his soul and impregnated his entire pastoral work.

His heart was so big that he was able to unite himself deeply with each person he encountered. His priesthood was a source of joy for us. This is what we want to manifest publicly.

In reality, Schoenstatt was born one hundred years ago with the priestly ordination of Father Joseph Kentenich. The group of sodalists was formed around that young priest, who, as such, lived as a shepherd amid his flock…..a flock which is a family which has a Father. He was not only a dispenser of the sacraments: he was a creator of relationships, a former of persons, an expert in covenants, a strategist in organization, a prophetic interpreter of the times.

His priesthood, source of our joy

His priestly being is always attached to all of us. It is a joy for all of us and a task for the entire Family to present his priestly profile today. Each pastor, each diocese, the entire Church, should experience the richness which his priestly life embodies.

The four Schoenstatt priestly communities (the Schoenstatt Fathers, the Secular Institute of Diocesan Priests, the Apostolic Federation of Diocesan Priests and the Apostolic League of Diocesan Priests) are putting together a program with this aim. The key is to give to the Church, in the present challenges, all which has made fruitful the priesthood of our Father Kentenich.

Would it not be possible that with the present crises of the priests, the entire Schoenstatt Family would become enthused for helping the Church, manifesting an image of that priesthood which has confirmed its fruitfulness so that it can be a model for many?”

Fr. Heinrich Walter, President of the International Presidium of the International Schoenstatt Work

Passionate for God and for mankind

There is a passionate debate among committed Catholics: what will become of the priestly vocation? What will become of our parishes? What is the type of priest we need for a totally secularized society and for an “ecclesial panorama” which changes very rapidly? There are those who no longer question. They no longer expect something from the Church. Is the vocation to priestly celibacy “a model on the periphery (on the edge)?”

The Year for Priests…..for whom?

Pope Benedict XVI wanted to motivate the priests with the proclamation of the “Year for Priests,” but it is not only meant for them. Everyone can understand their being Christian as a vocation whether it is from “priesthood through baptism” or consecrated “priesthood through service.” They should ask themselves what can they do “in a priestly way” for others while living their faith and creating community?

A priest for tomorrow: Father Joseph Kentenich

It is very appropriate that the centennial celebration of the ordination of Father Kentenich fell “precisely” during this Year for Priests. It is the overwhelming example of a priest who has lived and has worked as a “man of God.” We are very grateful for him and we can present him to the world.

Fr. Josef Treutlein, spokesman for the Schoenstatt Diocesan Directors in Germany

To attract the widest circles of priests

Time and time again, many happenings call attention on the priests: often it is about scandals which embarrass the clergy and deeply hurt all of us…..scandals which bad intentioned media exaggerate even more so. Thanks be to God, brilliant examples of brave priests who give their all for their mission as pastors are not lacking.

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed a Year for Priests (from June, 2009 to June, 2010) to commit the entire Church to pray for the sanctification of the priests.

Coincidentally, as Schoenstatt Family and in particular its diverse priestly communities, we celebrate on July 8, 2010, the centennial anniversary of the priestly ordination of our Founder, Father Joseph Kentenich.

What would our Father and Founder say to us in these circumstances? On the 15th anniversary of the foundation of Schoenstatt – in 1929 – he made the daring affirmation: “in the shadow of the Shrine…..” Shortly thereafter, he said these words to the Sisters which seem to have just been proclaimed now. For that reason, I let him speak now:

“What should we expect for the next fifteen years? Look, what I said for the first time three months ago on the occasion of the consecration of the secondary students, could perhaps become a bit more of a reality in the course of the next fifteen years. I said then: ‘In the shadow of our small Shrine, the destinies of the Church, not only in Germany but also further afield, will essentially be co-decided in the next centuries…..’”

It is something special on how many priests and priest communities, in the last few months, look toward Schoenstatt and they make an effort to direct from here the current of graces to their dioceses. As I see the present situation, the Blessed Virgin wants to attract large circles of priests to Schoenstatt….. If the destinies of the Church are to be decided from here, then the Blessed Virgin must especially attract all our priests here: our diocesan priests, our religious priests and also our pars motrix priests. She must send all of these circles here so they may be captivated by the current of graces and then be sent forth to win the battles for God…..

Through this I see it as a gift from God – and surely you have the same opinion – the fact that not only one course but also that many members of our Family feel spontaneously motivated to sacrifice themselves for the priesthood, and in particular for the priests which God and the Blessed Virgin send to us here…..

All religious currents – which at least do not all rest on the shoulders of the diocesan clergy – in time are condemned to be infertile. For that reason, the priests play a very important role in our Movement. One must add to this that they have to live amidst a world affected by paganism. Thus they are always in danger of being affected by the pagan spirit of the time. From there comes our desire to unite them and to attract them to our Shrine to place them under the influence of the Blessed Virgin.” (Fr.JK 1929)

Fr. Juan Pablo Catoggio, Superior, Schoenstatt Fathers, Argentina

Hello Dearest Schoenstatt Family!

We have officially counted our first month of Hail Marys for the Shrine! Already at this first month, we surpassed the last movement-wide prayer effort, where the goal was 18,000 - and we've only just begun! These numbers are also probably not representative, since many people were still out of town or did not email in their prayers. We will count them again and record them at the April Covenant Mass!

A special thanks to the children who helped me put all the stickers on the Hail Mary chart today!

First Place: SUM - 7800 Hail Mary's
Second Place: Schoenstatt Father's - 5200
Third Place: Annunciation School -3700

Boys Youth: 1600
SUW/SWYP: 3400
Mothers: 400
Rosary Campaign & Hispanic Youth: 3300
Family Branch: 2400

MOVEMENT TOTAL: 27,800 prayers! That means we've conquered 27 actual paving stones for our pathway to the future shrine!!!

Thank you everyone!! Let us continue to show our devotion and striving for the Shrine to our Mother!!! Keep praying!

Bring your prayers to the April Covenant Mass OR email them to me at cog@schoenstatt.us.

Dearest Schoenstatt Family,

The Blessed Mother is hard at work in our Austin Family! I have lots of great news for you.

First, the February Covenant Mass was a huge milestone for the Shrine! There were several short presentations about the progress of our material and spiritual striving.

Our Capital of Grace for the Shrine was also presented and offered up at the February Mass! To spiritually strive for the Shrine, we want to offer as many Hail Marys as we can, to show the Blessed Mother our desire and willing enthusiasm! Our prayers will conquer actual paving stones in the pathway to our future Shrine - so that the pathway to the Shrine is paved with prayers!Each branch will compete to pray the most Hail Marys! Please bring your completed papers to each Covenant Mass, or email the number you've prayed to cog@schoenstatt.us. Don't forget to include which branch or group the prayers should be attributed to!

Also, on March 8, Fr Christian, Joe Lawlor, SUM and Board Member, and myself, had the honor of attending the Installation Mass of Bishop Joe Vasquez as representatives of Schoenstatt Austin! It was a breath taking experience and a milestone in the history of our Diocese - the Blessed Mother was very present! The MTA went with us, and attracted much attention! Several times throughout the night someone would point to her and ask who she was, or recognize us as Schoenstatt! We even were found by Corina Peralez, who was fresh from Lamar and making her Covenant of Love with her husband on the couples retreat this past weekend with Fr Christian! It was astounding to witness the rich history and vibrant life of our diocese represented at the mass. Over 400 priests, 200 deacons, 25 bishops, and many religious and seminarians joined Cardinal DiNardo in welcoming our new bishop!

We kept you all very present at the mass, and lifted up all our Family's efforts and sacrifices that contribute vitally to the life of our diocese. Let us all keep our new Shephard Bishop Vasquez in our prayers and commend him to the Blessed Mother!

Last, please find the calendar of upcoming dates below! Please note that in April, we will receive a very special guest! Sr Carol Winkler, a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary from Milwaukee, will be here to visit with us! On Saturday, April 17th, she will be the guest speaker for a fund-raising dinner at the Movement Houses. As Sr. Carol spent 6 years with our Father and Founder, it will be a great gift to our family and a unique opportunity for us to learn more about Fr Kentenich! More details will be given soon.

May the Blessed Mother continue to bless us with such abundant life!

Yours in the heart of the Blessed Mother,

Rachel Gardner

Communications Coordinator
Diocesan Committee

Calendar

Mar 18, Thurs - Covenant Day Adoration for our Shrine 7-9pm, Chapel House
Mar 21, Sunday - Covenant Mass, 11 am, potluck lunch
April 17th, Saturday - Sr Carol Winkler as guest speaker for Shrine fund-raising dinner, Chapel House, more details to follow
April - 18th - Covenant Mass, 11am Sr. Carol to speak afterwards
April 18th - "Our Marriage A Cradle of Sanctity" 1:30pm-3:30 pm Reflections with Sr. Carol for Couples, Chapel House, Babysitting with $5 donation