Report on “Day for Sick, Aged and Disabled” in the Year of Mercy
Sunday 14th February, 2016 was a glorious day! The weather, atmosphere and everything in between was a credit to all, especially to God and Our Lady. The Sick, Aged and Disabled members of our Schoenstatt community and ‘beyond’ are obviously very dear to their hearts!
This Day-event takes place each year in February at Schoenstatt, Constantia. The “Year of Mercy” was an incentive to make it more publicly known throughout the Archdiocese. As a result almost 300 people attended the Mass in the hall of the Centre. Fr Peter-John Pearson was the main celebrant and two other priests, Fr Rohan Smuts and Fr concelebrated. Deacon Rodney Williams was in attendance.
Our Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt had many generous helpers and a community of hearty spiritual supporters in the background, without whom the event would not have been so successful. As it was Valentine’s Day, each participant received a red heart personally inscribed with the words “I have prayed for you in the Shrine” Signed Sister.. X…(one of the Schoenstatt Sisters). On each heart there was a small candle, a so-called tea light. This was much appreciated!
After Registration, tea and doughnuts were served with a smile from students residing at the Centre and volunteers from Branches of the Schoenstatt Movement. Already at that early stage of the day, the book stall and repository table proved to be very popular.
Much loving preparation had gone into the “Day” by the staff of the Training Centre and others too numerous to mention. It was a true Community and Schoenstatt Family affair! At the ‘appointed time’ a talk was given by a Sister focussing on the Year of Mercy and Fr Kentenich’s concept of God the merciful father and our response as the ‘child’ in need of mercy. The large Jubilee banner signifying the Good Shepherd carrying Adam around his shoulders and the Jubilee motto “Merciful like the Father” served as a vibrant visual aid.
Holy Mass, during which Fr Peter-John delivered a rousing sermon on the Gospel of Christ’s temptations in the desert, was a great highlight! The “Anointing of the Sick” was ministered by all three priests who each had a special role to play. Soothing music in the background provided a gentle touch as each participant received this precious sacrament plus the Valentine gift of the heart and candle!
Lunch was served to the guests, some of whom sat outside under gazebos. The attractive containers of food were decorated with red hearts and Scriptural quotes relating to mercy, a fitting reminder of the theme of the day!
Our Mother Thrice Admirable was delighted to see so many of her “favourite children” in the Shrine in the valley. Some were taken down in their wheelchairs and up again to the Centre where they enjoyed the afternoon entertainment. This was provided by an energetic “fitness” group of younger and older ladies who had us tapping our toes, tempting us to join them. We did!
A number of songs were then sung for us by a very gifted teenager called Marcia. What was particularly beautiful was her rendering of “Pie Jesu” (Child Jesus). It was an appropriate ending to a richly blessed day.
Sr M Glynis