New Initiavtive
Fr John Peter who returned recently from Germany, took over the movement work in Tamil Nadu and writes now about his mission: In Madurai, I have settled down to some extent. I began with my task as the director of the Schoenstatt movement in Tamil Nadu.
Tuition centers to be reenergized
Fr John Peter: My first task in Madurai was to visit the tuition centers that were initiated by Bro. Paulraj. Some of them do not function anymore and are to be reenergized. Now, we have a total of 25 centers. I visited seventeen centers personally and motivated the educators. In August, I would like to invite all educators to Madurai to give an advanced training. I would also invite all children of the tuition centers to join us in September.
Schoenstatt youth work initiated
Fr John Peter informs us about his plan to build first youth groups in Tamil Nadu: Since then I am in Madurai, I tried to move a few things. In the parish Bibikulam, I began a tuition centre for two groups of children. There I also got the permission to begin with the Schoenstatt Boys. I began with both initiatives in a Sunday’s solemn service. Two of our philosophy students helped me. Thematically, we worked on “new man” from the Schoenstatt youth work. On 13 July, we celebrated the Sunday service with the youth from the parish with the topic “new man in Jesus“.
Parish priest entrusts altar boys to Schoenstatt
Fr John Peter makes a wonderful experience in Madurai and shares with us: On 6th July, the pastor of the parish Elisnagar in Madurai entrusted me with the altar boys in his parish. We were asked to educate the youth according to Schoenstatt values. I sent two philosophy students to the parish to work with them.
New open doors for Schoenstatt youth work
Fr John Peter thanks God for opening new doors for his movement work: I am really very grateful that we are able to begin purposefully with the youth work in two parishes in Madurai. The two pastors stand behind it. They are very glad that we are there. I pray to Mary that we have at least two Schoenstatt Boys groups by the end of this year. I visited some parish priests and schools personally to talk about our apostolate and wishes. With a school, I now have the first contact. If our Blessed Mother continues to open this door I will have a youth group in the school.
Seminarians being trained for youth work
It is essential to train the seminarians before they are sent for the pastoral work, says Fr John Peter. He illustrates his project: I give classes on the Schoenstatt youth work to the philosophy students so that they are able to work with the youth thematically better.
The Pilgrim Mother continues to move
Being the new movement director, Fr John Peter continues with the regular programs: of the Pilgrim Mother: I visit some groups of the Pilgrim Mother Movement and motivate them to take the Mother of God from house to house and to pray with the families. On the 2nd Saturday of the month, we have a prayer service with fasting at the shrine in Madurai. On the 18th of each month, we have a solemn Holy Mass before the shrine. Many pilgrims attend.
Looking for a new house
Fr John Peter reveals his wish as an urgent need: Among other works that I undertake include a search for a house in the city of Madurai. This house could accelerate our movement work as it facilitates the people to have an easy access.
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