SCHOENSTATT ENCOUNTERS THE WYD CROSS AND ICON OF OUR LADY.

National Schoenstatt Movement members, local and interstate pilgrims eagerly awaited the arrival of the WYD Cross and Icon. A welcome procession with interstate flags accompanied the WYD symbols to the Joseph Kentenich Founder Statue. Theresia Schmeinck (19), Schoenstatt Volunteer from Germany said: ‘There were only five of us carrying the Icon which was heavy. But we didn't want any help. It needed to be heavy. That made it a very special experience for me.' Then the procession moved towards the Schoenstatt Shrine, flanked by international flags, where around 600 people were gathered.
	‘Schoenstatt Fathers Fr John Evans and Fr Marcelo Aravena concelebrated Holy Mass. Schoenstatt Volunteer Kerstin Heckroth touched everyone with a witness on her experiences from WYD 2005 in Cologne .' (Dan Parana, 27)
After Holy Communion, Schoenstatt Youth led us to prayer and veneration through a Marian drama and liturgical dance. Dan thought it highlighted ‘the importance of hope, faith and prayers to Our Lady. She leads us to her Son and helps us carry our own crosses.' General Veneration of the Cross and Icon followed. Maria Durek (19) thought it ‘impressive to see how people venerated these symbols, entrusting their personal crosses to Jesus and his Mother.' Near the Cross and Icon stood a large wooden heart. People were invited to place a rose on it; a sign of journeying with Mary to Christ.

Then the highlight of our multicultural gathering began. Fifteen ethnic groups in national costumes bearing national flags solemnly processed to the Shrine for the International Celebration and venerated the WYD symbols in cultural song and dance. A fierce storm at 3:00pm saw us relocate to the Family Hall and our program continued with Schoenstatt Youth acting out scenes from Our Lady's life in a ‘Marian Journey through the life of Father Kentenich' despite a lack of electricity.

 

 

Vocations Encounter began in the evening. Kerstin (21) said: ‘My vocation! This is a topic which moves young people. Where will my way lead me to? It's great there are people to share their life stories and help us. Fr. Marcelo Aravena, Sr. M. Rebecca Sampang, Daniel and Regina Rossetto answered as many questions as time allowed. It was an opportunity to think about my life's journey.'
	The Night Vigil began at 8:00pm with Living Rosary, Stations of the Cross, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, witnesses, processions and personal prayer; a time of personal encounter with the Cross and Icon. Jenny (20) said ‘I would not have thought that the Vigil would touch me so deeply. The encounter with the Blessed Sacrament, when placed on the Cross became a real time of prayer for me.'

Kerstin recalls ‘At the end of a beautiful and ‘too short' Night Vigil we brought the Cross into the Shrine. As we sang ‘Mary You Queen of Light' the frame around the MTA picture suddenly lit up! From the Shrine we processed with the Blessed Sacrament to the highest point on Mount Schoenstatt for a sunrise celebration. Our program culminated with Holy Mass. By 10:00am the WYD Cross and Icon was packed and ready to travel on.'

Dan sums it up: ‘A successful event celebrated by young and old. The Cross and Icon's visit brought hope, faith, and unity to all. See you at World Youth Day!'

 

SUNDAY

DAY PROGRAM

9:00am    ANTICIPATION

9:30am    ARRIVAL

9:45am    WELCOME AT FOUNDER STATUE

10:00am   INTERNATIONAL SCHOENSTATT FAMILY WELCOME

10:30am   Out DOOR HOLY MASS

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY 10:30am HOLY MASS ON THIS DAY!!!

11:30am   LITURGICAL DANCE & VENERATION

12:00pm   SCHOENSTATT INTERNATIONAL Family Celebration

Lunch with international Songs, Drama & Dance

3:00pm    SERMON ON THE MOUNT

A look at Fr. Joseph Kentenich's life with Christ and Our Lady

3:45pm    Journey through Schoenstatt's holy HISTORY

1 st Milestone – Schoenstatt's Founding Hour

2 nd Milestone – 20 th January 1942

3 rd Milestone – 31 st May 1949

4 th Milestone – A Gift for the Church

NIGHT PROGRAM

6:00pm    Dinner & DVD presentations

8:00pm    NIGHT VIGIL & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

In the shadow of the Shrine prayer, reflection & music

9:00pm    SCHOENSTATT – A PLACE OF GRACE

10:00pm   Eucharistic Adoration & Veneration

11:00pm   SCHOENSTATT – AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT

12:00am   LIVING ROSARY Mysteries of Light

1:00am   SCHOENSTATT – A MESSAGE FOR TODAY

2:00am   Eucharistic Adoration & Veneration

3:00am   SCHOENSTATT – A WAY OF LIFE

4:00am   Stations of the Cross in Schoenstatt's Spirituality

5:00am   SUNRISE CELEBRATION OF LIGHT

6:00am   EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION & BENEDICTION

7:00am   Breakfast

8:30am   Concluding HOLY MASS

9:00am   FAREWELL HANDOVER

REGISTRATION FEE: GOLD COIN

RSVP by 10 th January @ Mt Schoenstatt 230 Fairlight Road Mulgoa

Phone 4773 8338