St. John Neumann Classroom Shrines

Father Joseph’s “Blessing and Sending of Schoenstatt Classroom Pilgrim Shrines”  September 7  was attended by all the students at St. John Neuwmann Catholic Grade School located in Maryville, IL.  Father Joseph Havrilka is currently the pastor of Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville and the school’s current administrator.
It was a wonderful Catholic Grade School experience for the children and adults alike.  Father Joseph went out of his way to make this a memorable occasion.
The children are to say the following prayer prepared by Father Joseph every school day:
Classroom Prayer to Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt
Dear Mother Mary, I want to be like you.  Help me to think of Jesus in all I say and do.  Make my hands more helpful as I work and play today.  Help me to see the good in all people I meet this day.  Open my ears to listen to those who care for me.  Let my words be loving as you would have them be.  Keep my heart pure, that, united with you and Jesus, my love may grow and grow.  Amen.
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Crowning of Pilgrim MTAs

On October 18, 2016, the monthly remembrance of Fr. Kentenich’s First Founding Document on October 18, 1914, Southern Illinois members of the Schoenstatt Movement crowned its Pilgrim MTAs at Mother of Perpetual Help in Maryville, Illinois.  The crowned Pilgrim MTAs will visit many homes to augment the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign and begin the move for Our Mother Thrice Admirable (MTA) as Queen of the Three Graces on the Move from just a visit to a permanent home shrine!

Fr. Joseph Havrilka, pastor of Mother of Perpetual Help, officiated and Sr. Marie Day from the Schoenstatt National Center in Waukesha, WI provided a reflection.  How blessed we are in Southern Illinois to have Our Mother Thrice Admirable visiting members of our homes with the crowned Pilgrim MTAs!  May Our Queen of the Three Graces on the Move help these visits grow into Covenants of Love and Home Shrines!

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Backyard Shrine

Chris and her family create a Backyard Shrine that was blessed by Fr. Joseph on July 6, 2014 that is entitled:  Faith, Family, Friends.

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Here is their dedication prayer:

“Just as Christian wayside shrines throughout the world give comfort and reassurance to weary travelers, we have chosen to carry that tradition in a small way into our home.  We’ve chosen to place an MTA wayside shrine near the entrance way to our home to reassure us, our family, friends and visitors that our home is also a place of faith, comfort and welcome.
Whether we are returning from a long journey or quietly meditating on our patio and enjoying the silence and beauty of the wonderful home that God has blessed us, we thank Him for reminding us of His continual presence and care through sacred images placed lovingly along our way.”