Boys Magazine Addition, This article got left out.

[sourceseeker]

Hi guys,

I wrote this for the magazine, but it didn't get printed so I thought I would post it on here for now as it will be really outdated by the time the next magazine is published. B)

October Celebration in MN


by Paul Befort

On Saturday, October 23, some of the Schoenstatt Boys Youth from Wisconsin and Minnesota arrived at the Sleepy Eye center and Shrine. Their plan of action was to prepare for the celebration to be held there the following day. The Schoenstatt Boys Youth were in charge of putting on a Fr. Kentenich stage production celebrating the centennial anniversary of Fr. Kentenich’s ordination to the priesthood. Scarcely lacking international acclaim, the performance had already been performed at the National Convention and at the Cor Maria Shrine in Nebraska that summer. In both cases it had been well received and now the Minnesota Schoenstatt family was to have the opportunity of experiencing it and of hearing a concert the boys also planned to present. In order for it to be a success, the boys rallied together from across state boundaries and descended Saturday on the sleepy little town in western Minnesota to prepare. They also hoped to hold a Regional Meeting for the Boy’s Branch while united in one place. The plan was to do all of this while having a fun, grace-filled, time!!!

As soon as everyone coming on Saturday to prepare had arrived, the wisest amongst us got serious about assigning the acting roles for the approximately hour and a half long Fr. Kentenich production. This was a very serious matter that was contemplated properly with juice and cookies. We practiced in our new roles until supper, which was terrific. After supper, drama gave center stage to the music endeavor. Some of the erstwhile actors goofed off in the basement in imperfect darkness. Later Sister Deanne Niehaus taught the boys how to sing the new Schoenstatt theme song. Eventually we all met in the basement for the Regional Schoenstatt Boys Meeting, the first in, perhaps, two years. This went well with Tim Sanchez generously volunteering to take minutes and many worthy issues laid on the table for productive discussion. These topics included the possible dates for upcoming events, new events, and finding a faster way for news to spread throughout the boy’s branch in the Midwest. After the meeting, we went back to practicing the play in the basement. Shortly after that, Sister Miriam came down and asked the music people to finish practicing for the concert on stage upstairs so that the stage could be transformed for Mass the following day. After the music group went upstairs, the rest of the boys finished up the play practice and then those boys were free to play. Some carefully commenced playing Frisbee in the basement! Others drew great works of art. Soon we all went to the Shrine for night prayers and then Fr. left it up to our own discretion when we would wind our weary ways to bed! Really bad idea!?! Actually, most of us were able to fall asleep, at a relatively decent hour of about midnight.


Arising early -----at seven thirtyish----- Sunday morning, most of the boys jumped or crawled out of bed to meet the new day. We had a short morning prayer, a quick breakfast, and then plunged into our dress rehearsal for the Fr. Kentenich production. With the families expected to arrive at 10:30 that morning for the celebration we knew we didn’t have much time. We had to do the dress rehearsal in front of the stage, because the stage had been transformed for Mass by Sister Miriam and a Schoenstatt couple, the night before. This dedicated trio had stayed up till around 11:00 P.M. to finish decorating the center for the celebration! Before we knew it, the people started coming! We had many families in attendance and the event kicked off with the singing of the new theme song Father Give Us Your Light led by the Schoenstatt boys, in the persons of John and Michael Loomis and Tim and Kevin Sanchez!! After that a Schoenstatt dad got up, thanked the retiring leaders from the family branch, and introduced the new ones. Next, Sister Miriam, who had led the family branch for nine years, was applauded for all of her work in MN and gave a touching farewell speech. Then Fr. Francisco gave his talk on the 2010 Schoenstatt motto: Father, Give Us Your Light. After that it was time for Mass and lunch. The Schoenstatt girls provided the music during Mass. It was an amazing Mass with excellent participation that was truly inspiring. Lunch was terrific, with the sisters pulling out all the stops and serving pumpkin pie! During lunch a woman and two girls made their Covenants of Love with the MTA. This was a big event for many of the boys, who were family and friends of the individuals, and many renewed their own covenants with the girls at the ceremony. Shortly after lunch, adults and children trooped into the assembly hall for the Fr. Kentenich performance and the Schoenstatt Boy’s concert!!!!!! It was an enormous success. Although not everything was perfect, we properly entertained the audience and brought Fr. Kentenich’s exciting life alive in a mostly realistic manner. There was some amazing acting present, ranging from a drunken solider to a Scottish history professor. Kevin Sanchez was sensational in his role as Fr. Kentenich. With everyone’s help, we pulled this thing off! The concert got everyone literally jumping up and down! I heard an elderly lady, who was using a walker, say to a friend, “I was jumping up and down on the inside!” We closed with Benediction in the Shrine. Conveniently, there was more food and refreshments provided in the center before socializing people slowly wound their ways to their cars and home.


Some of the boys from Wisconsin stayed at Sleepy Eye till Monday morning, but the Minnesotans helped to clean up and then hit the road that night after an inspiring, blessings filled weekend of fellowship, fun and a wee bit o’ Scottish brogue!!!!!

[Secret Asian Man]

I haven't finished yet, but so far it sounds excellent! Great job! Too bad it didn't make it past the editor :(

[D.J.R.S.]

I have a feeling that a few people just smacked their heads. Just a feeling.

[Isidore]

yup

[Libera]

Oh my. That was... a great article... how did I not hear about this?? I'm very sorry Paul, I didn't know about this article.

[sourceseeker]

Thanks, Tim. :) LOL :lol:
I smacked my head too when I didn't see it in the magazine!

I sent it to Jim, but he was having email trouble, and I don't think he ever got it the first time.

I sent it again and got a confirmation, but it was pretty early so I am guessing it got lost in the long interval between early November and publishing. Don't know for sure cause I haven't heard back from Jim yet. Hopefully he hasn't even seen my email yet and is still just enjoying being done with the last issue! :D Thanks for doing it Jim and whoever else is working on the magazine each month. Just for future reference, who is on the Magazine Team? Also, should I send all stuff to the email address given above? Thanks!