Updates
on Children of Mary, Wanganui
on Children of Mary, Wanganui
After
a farewell to Reverend Father Michael Fortin, who left for the Philippines, the
Children of Mary received its new chaplain, Reverend Father Louis
Bochkoltz. There was an official welcome
for Father on May 2nd, at which we celebrated his arrival by an
afternoon tea and singing competition – girls vs Fr Bochkoltz. Each team had a
limited amount of time to sing a line from a song (no repetitions allowed) and
if they took too long the opposition won.
This continued to go back and forth for at least 20 minutes until
finally…. (We admit defeat, Father!)
a farewell to Reverend Father Michael Fortin, who left for the Philippines, the
Children of Mary received its new chaplain, Reverend Father Louis
Bochkoltz. There was an official welcome
for Father on May 2nd, at which we celebrated his arrival by an
afternoon tea and singing competition – girls vs Fr Bochkoltz. Each team had a
limited amount of time to sing a line from a song (no repetitions allowed) and
if they took too long the opposition won.
This continued to go back and forth for at least 20 minutes until
finally…. (We admit defeat, Father!)
On
June 29th, Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, we attended Mass as a
sodality. This was followed by a
breakfast of croissants and pain au chocolat.
This was a combined celebration of our chaplain’s 3rd
anniversary of his ordination as well as the 7th anniversary of the
Children of Mary in Wanganui which actually fell on July 2nd, a few
days later. Our sodality president used
her artistic abilities to make an amusing card for Father and we all
contributed to a spiritual bouquet for him.
June 29th, Feast of Sts Peter and Paul, we attended Mass as a
sodality. This was followed by a
breakfast of croissants and pain au chocolat.
This was a combined celebration of our chaplain’s 3rd
anniversary of his ordination as well as the 7th anniversary of the
Children of Mary in Wanganui which actually fell on July 2nd, a few
days later. Our sodality president used
her artistic abilities to make an amusing card for Father and we all
contributed to a spiritual bouquet for him.
Masses
and meetings later came our “surprise trip” (Father loves to give surprises) –
a hike organised by Father Bochkoltz and Sister Madeleine. Though planned for July 16th, Feast
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, it was postponed to the 20th due to the
inclement weather. It had cleared by the
20th and the sky was the colour of Our Lady’s mantle. Although some of the girls were no longer
able to come, there were still a good number of us to make the hike an
enjoyable event.
and meetings later came our “surprise trip” (Father loves to give surprises) –
a hike organised by Father Bochkoltz and Sister Madeleine. Though planned for July 16th, Feast
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, it was postponed to the 20th due to the
inclement weather. It had cleared by the
20th and the sky was the colour of Our Lady’s mantle. Although some of the girls were no longer
able to come, there were still a good number of us to make the hike an
enjoyable event.
AfterMass and breakfast, we set off for the Ruahine Ranges, a two hour drive from
Wanganui. Though some of us “almost
died” (definitely not our energetic chaplain who took great delight in
capturing the difficult moments on his camera), the hike was worth it. We were
literally climbing to get to the top. We even encountered ice on the track and
had to tread very carefully in order not to slip.
reaching our destination – Rangiwahia Hut – there was a magnificent view of
Mount Ruapehu covered in snow. Our
sodality chefs made us crepes while we took in the breath-taking surroundings
from the hut veranda. After lunch we sang songs and played a memory game and
then packed up.
After a quick descent, and a noisy drive home, we ended the day with fish ‘n’ chips and games – these were thought up by Father, of course! All in all it was a splendid day and one we will always cherish.
On
August 10th, we assisted at Benediction and Rosary as a Sodality and
then made our way down to the tennis club for some festivities in honour of our
Patroness, St Philomena. The Fathers and
Brothers joined us for the occasion. The
room was beautifully decorated with a red and white theme – the tables were
covered in white tablecloths and there were red and white balloons and
serviettes.
August 10th, we assisted at Benediction and Rosary as a Sodality and
then made our way down to the tennis club for some festivities in honour of our
Patroness, St Philomena. The Fathers and
Brothers joined us for the occasion. The
room was beautifully decorated with a red and white theme – the tables were
covered in white tablecloths and there were red and white balloons and
serviettes.
The menu consisted of pizzas and chips followed by dessert. After the
meal we were divided into teams of three to compete in different games prepared
by two sisters on the council. Everyone
had a wonderful time and was reluctant to go home. The next day we all assisted at the Mass in
honour of St Philomena. May we grow more
in virtue like her each day!
meal we were divided into teams of three to compete in different games prepared
by two sisters on the council. Everyone
had a wonderful time and was reluctant to go home. The next day we all assisted at the Mass in
honour of St Philomena. May we grow more
in virtue like her each day!
We
all agree that the Children of Mary never stops being interesting and the
spiritual benefits make it even better!
We are all very excited about the prospect of a future branch of our
sodality being established in Auckland by one of our former members and the
possibility of another sodality in the Philippines. May Our Lady bless these holy apostolates with
many members.
all agree that the Children of Mary never stops being interesting and the
spiritual benefits make it even better!
We are all very excited about the prospect of a future branch of our
sodality being established in Auckland by one of our former members and the
possibility of another sodality in the Philippines. May Our Lady bless these holy apostolates with
many members.
