Dearest Schoenstatt Family,

Easter greetings to you all!

Please remember that next week Sr. Carol Winkler arrives to Austin!! Her presence here will bring us a closeness to Fr Kentenich that is totally unique to those who have known him, walked with him, and been formed by him directly. We want to take full advantage of such a generous blessing! In the spirit of the Year of the Priests and Father Kentenich's 100 year ordination anniversary, let us strive as a family to come to know him more, by opening our hearts to Sr Carol.

Sr Carol will be speaking at the "On the Grounds" Dinner (Sat the 17th, see below), as well as after the April Covenant Mass (April 18th, 11am, potluck lunch at Chapel House). Please remember to MAIL IN YOUR DINNER TICKET RESERVATIONS BY NEXT WED APRIL 12 (details below).

We hope to see you all there! The dinner and Covenant Mass are also wonderful ways to bring in family, friends and neighbors - remember that the person to person invitations and connections are what carry us into the heart of God!

You ascend as victor from the grave and jubilantly open to us the gates of heaven.

In your Church you want to go forth blessing the nations in order to extend your kingdom with your Bride, the Queen of Heaven, and to draw them in the Holy Spirit to the Father.

Heavenwards, Fr. J. Kentenich

Happy Easter!

¡Felices Pascuas!

Surges y te alzas de la tumba como triunfador y nos abres con júbilo la puerta del cielo.

En tu Iglesia quieres caminar por todas las naciones bendiciendo, Señor, para extender tu reino; y con tu Esposa, la Reina celestial, llevarlas en el Espíritu Santo al Padre.

Hacia el Padre, P. J. Kentenich

Dear Schoenstatt Family and friends:

The season of Lent ends without ceremony and rather unnoticeably on Holy Thursday during late afternoon. The Church now calls us to celebrate the great "Easter Triduum" or "The Three Days" which begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and ends with Easter Sunday evening.

Tonight, the Church remembers the institution of the Eucharist and Priesthood. Tonight, the church is reminded of Christ's commandment of love and service through the ritual of the washing of feet. The liturgy ends with the procession of the Eucharist to a separate area for the keeping of vigil.

I would like to invite you, in the spirit of this Year for Priests, to give thanks for the priests that, in one way or another, have been present in your lives. Think of the priest who baptized you or perhaps the one who gave you your first communion. Think of those who have been your confessors or spiritual directors. A priest who is maybe a close friend or a fatherly figure in your life. Let us not take for granted that they are there for you. We also want to think with gratitude of our Father and Founder, Fr. Kentenich. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Because of his yes to the calling of Jesus he brought forth a whole movement of renewal to the Church and we are a part of his fruitful ministry today, one hundred years after his yes.

Good Friday is the only day of the year when Mass is not celebrated. The Church's Celebration of the Lord's Passion consists of the reading of the Lord's Passion, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. The stark and simple character of the liturgy speaks for itself. We remember Christ's death, celebrating it in light of His Resurrection.

The Easter Vigil, on Holy Saturday, is the high point of the liturgical year. The evening begins in darkness which is soon pierced by the light of the new fire and the Easter Candle. The Church proclaims that Christ is risen in the words of the Exsultet. The stories of salvation are proclaimed to the faithful as well as to those who will be initiated this very night. The Alleluia returns for the first time in over 40 days while the church is adorned with banners and the scent of spring flowers. The sacraments of initiation are celebrated with the new members of the Church who join for the first time with the entire community gathered to share in the Eucharist.

It has become a tradition of our Movement in Austin, in keeping with the use of the first Christian communities, to celebrate a Sunrise Ester Vigil Mass. The idea of this Sunrise Mass is to celebrate the resurrection with the symbol of the Sunrise early in the morning when in the liturgy the gospel is read at the time of the Sunrise. It is beautiful to listen, as in past years, to the birds singing and the sun rise as we come out of the darkness of the night and the sun brings the new light which for us symbolizes the risen Christ. This year we want to invite you to join us at 6 AM for our Sunrise Easter Vigil Mass followed by a festive brunch at our wayside Shrine at Addie Roy. Please, remember to bring something to share and celebrate for a festive brunch.

The Church celebrates the risen Lord and renews its own baptismal promise on Easter Sunday. The season of Easter begins this day and continues for 50 days culminating in the Celebration of Pentecost.

I invite you to live this intense time of our faith with a renewed spirit and this year in particular in gratitude and thanksgiving for our priests and most particularly for our Father and Founder as a gift for the Church.

Have a blessed Easter Triduum and Easer season. Yours in the Covenant,

Fr. Jesus Ferras, ISP
Schoenstatt Movement of Austin