The 2017 October Day Celebration of the Texas Family was held at the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine, Mount Schoenstatt on Sunday, October 22. Our Heavenly Father provided us with a beautiful sunny day for our family celebration. Schoenstatt family and friends from six dioceses came on pilgrimage to visit our Mother Thrice Admirable and to celebrate as one family united in the heart of the Father and in the heart of our Father and Founder, Fr. Joseph Kentenich. The guardians of the shrine enthusiastically welcomed the pilgrims. The Schoenstatt Family from the Laredo Diocese arrived by charter bus. We were so blessed to have three Schoenstatt Fathers and seven Schoenstatt Sisters join the Texas Family for the day!
By Pilar Huerta, Family Federation
Communications Editor
The morning program began with a serenade for our Mother and Queen and a truly beautiful opening prayer expressing thanks to our Heavenly Father for a new day to be cor unum in Patre – one heart in his own fatherly and triune heart. Fr. Patricio Rodriguez, state director, was the main celebrant for the Holy Mass in the Cor Unum in Patre Shrine and its forecourt, which is nestled in the shady oak trees. Fathers Christian Christensen and Johnson Nellissery were concelebrants in the Mass.
All came prepared for a picnic lunch on the grounds of Mount Schoenstatt. Sr. M. Mara Medina organized children’s games and activities.
A media presentation by Sr. M. Heidi Infante: “Impulse for the Father Kentenich Year” was shown in the Community Center. It emphasized several points referring to our founder’s charism – how we must keep it alive to shape the future of the Church and society – it must become alive in us! His charism is a gift and a task, it is a mission – it is a mission also meant for us.
A Witness Panel was next on the program. Sr. M. Danielle Peters introduced the presenters who shared about their experiences with Fr. Kentenich. Fr. Christian Christensen shared about his encounter with the Founder and described him, in a profound way, with three words, “a fine man.” Sr. M. Erlinda Pimo was in Germany when a novice (1966-68) and experienced Fr. Kentenich as someone who had time for everyone and who gave each person he talked to his full attention. She shared that he received many gifts from his visitors and would share the gifts with others, including herself, and gave the persons to choose from the gifts he had received what they would like to have. Carlos Cantu shared a very special answered prayer. 41 years earlier, his wife was pregnant for the 5th time. It appeared that something might be wrong and the doctor suggested a therapeutic abortion. In unison, the Cantus said no! They turned to Father Kentenich and entrusted the pregnancy to him. All went well and their only son was born, a healthy baby boy who is now 41 years old. In gratitude for the answered prayer, the child was named Jose Carlos. The Cantus are the parents of five daughters and one son. They are expecting their 9th grandchild. Several of their children also turn to Father Kentenich in prayer. One daughter also entrusted her pregnancy to Father Kentenich. In gratitude, she named her child Josef. So, Cantu urges everyone to entrust their needs to Father Kentenich, write them down and make them known, especially in this Father Kentenich Year. It was such a special gift to hear the presenters’ words that brought the presence of our Founder so near to us.
The beautiful day ended at the Shrine with a closing prayer and renewal of our pledge: “Yes, Father, we go with you!” Together we recited the Prayer for the Father Kentenich Year. Holding hands in the expansive unity ring around the shrine, we raised our voices to renew our consecration, “My Queen, my Mother …” One by one, we all went up to lovingly sign our name on a red poster board heart that symbolized the heart of our Father and Founder. Fr. Patricio walked into the shrine with the heart filled with all our names and placed it on the altar. With this closing act of our celebration, our Texas Schoenstatt Family expressed our gratitude to God for the gift of our Father and Founder -- particularly his “fatherhood” – from which stems the love we have for him.