Schoenstatt Girls Youth of Minnesota

Holy Week

2011-04-19T16:28:00.001-05:00

Have a blessed Holy Week, as we remember the most important event of history! United with our MTA, we follow Christ's journey to the cross and stand at the empty tomb of His Resurrection. It is so important to allow ourselves to be formed in the womb of our Mother, where the Incarnation took place. We can experience the Passion in a transformed way when she covers us with her veil and shows us her Son. Absorb the full beauty of the Church this week as we enter into the Triduum.

Spanish Prayers

2011-04-19T16:22:00.001-05:00

For the girls coming to High School Camp, and La Fiesta de Maria, I wanted to share a few recordings of prayers in Spanish. When you don't know how to pronounce the words, please refer to them so you can work on memorizing them for camp. The Hail Mary (Dios Te Salve, Maria) is especially important since we'll be focusing on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary during La Fiesta de Maria. The only problem is that I'm pretty sure you need Windows Media Player to listen to them. It may be possible to use some other program, but I haven't figured that out :) I just used WMP, and they played fine for me. Here are the links:
My Queen, My Mother (O Señora Mia, O Madre Mia)
I Trust Your Might (En Tu Poder)
Hail Mary (Dios Te Salve, Maria)
Let me know if these work well, or if you have suggestions for improvement :)

the Camp Brochure is here!!!

2011-01-31T21:52:00.002-06:00

Summer will be here all too soon, and it's time to register for camp! Click here to get the information and sign-up sheet. Sign up quickly so you can get in.

Weekend Brochure

2011-01-31T21:50:00.000-06:00

To find out about upcoming spring events and register for them, click here.

guest bloggers

2011-01-31T09:29:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I wanted to let you know that I'm accepting guest submissions if you'd like to share something about the Schoenstatt Girls Youth. Anything about camp, monthly meetings, events, or how Schoenstatt has blessed you is great! Please comment if you have something :)
United in the Shrine!
Hannah

heads up!

2011-01-27T16:59:00.000-06:00

Watch for the camp brochure and sign up to be coming soon. You don't want to miss out!

HAPPY FOUNDING DAY!!!!

2010-10-18T19:38:00.000-05:00

How did you celebrate today? I am so grateful for the gift of Schoenstatt in my life, and I know that all of you have been blessed by it, through the MTA. Let's ask for the special intercession of Fr. Kentenich and our MTA today so that we can become saints!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Queen, my Mother
I give myself entirely to you.
And to show my devotion to you,
I consecrate to you this day,
my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart,
my entire self without reserve.
As I am your own, my good Mother,
guard me and defend me as your property and possession.
Amen.

being an instrument

2010-10-17T21:37:00.001-05:00

On this eve of the Founding Day, consider your mission and the birth of Schoenstatt through this prayer, written by Fr. Kentenich:
Hymn of the Instruments

Mother Thrice Admirable,
let us always be your instruments,
lovingly giving ourselves in your service
today and forever.
Use us as it pleases God,
entirely for your Schoenstatt world.

Take possession of our hearts and wills-
they are undividedly yours.
They will blindly follow
your every sign and word.
It is your instrument's honor and glory
to belong entirely to you.

We are ready without reserve
to serve your Schoenstatt work.
Send us suffering, lead us into battle;
let us win the complete victory.
Give us light and strengthen our courage
against the guile and rage of the devil.

Let us reflect your image
and walk through life entirely like you:
strong and noble, simple and kind,
spreading love and peace and joy.
In us go through our times
and make them ready for Christ.

Whether we are threatened by the world or the devil
or caught in the swirl of the tempest,
you will victoriously overcome every need
and grant us your unlimited power.
Your heart, our gateway to heaven,
will always remain our safe harbor.

We will never perish
as long as we faithfully remain your instruments.
You will help us at all times
to effectively bring forth abundant fruit.
With our hand in yours let us joyfully enter
the eternal Schoenstatt Land. Amen.
(Heavenwards, p. 162-163)

founding day is approaching quickly!

2010-10-14T12:44:00.001-05:00

Founding Day is coming up! It's only 4 days away- on October 18th. Do you have any special plans? Be sure to spend a little extra time celebrating our MTA's special day, and maybe reading about Fr. Kentenich and the founding of the movement. Stay tuned for updates :) Is anyone planning on going to the Founding Day Celebration in Sleepy Eye?

Blooming Through Fire Conference

2010-08-16T19:30:00.001-05:00

Hi all Schoenstatt Girls Youth!
I want to invite you to a special conference I'm hosting this fall for 6th- 8th grade girls. It is not an official Schoenstatt event, but it has been approved by Sr. M. Deanne, and she is planning to come and help. Here's the basic info, and you can find everything else you need to know on the Blooming Through Fire blog. The registration flyer is also there. You can email me with any questions: hamlake[at]gmail.com. I hope you can come, because it will be an amazing day of learning, encouragement in our faith and way of life, and prayer!
-Hannah

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please join us at the Church of Saint Paul in Ham Lake, MN, for a Blooming Through Fire conference for
young ladies who are going into grades 6-8 this fall.
Date: September 11, 2010
Time: 1-9 p.m.
This conference will encourage girls to stand strong against the corrupt culture and the low expectations associated with young people today by covering topics such as:
- Relationships with your parents
- Friendship
- Our Catholic faith
- Polluting influences
We will be attending 5:30 mass as a group, and will also spend a short time
praying for the victims of the nine-eleven terrorist attack and their families.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Please return this portion by September 1st along with $18 to Hannah Andrews, or mail it to:
Blooming Through Fire Conference Registration
1808 141st Lane NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
Name___________________ E-mail address____________________
Address____________________________ Grade ___ T-Shirt Size ___
We also need volunteer help from moms! Please let us know if you would be willing to help.

Quote of the Day: The Royal Child

2010-08-01T19:37:00.000-05:00

"We swim and jump into this ocean (of God's merciful love), even if we do not understand it. And why do we do this? Because through faith we are deeply convinced- how should I express it- that the eternal Father's arms embrace us lovingly." (J. Kentenich, Game of Love, Book 1 p.24)

pictures from fiesta de maria

2010-08-01T19:32:00.000-05:00

Check back for more later!

how was camp?

2010-07-05T12:58:00.003-05:00

For those of you who have already gone to camp, how was it?? What were your favorite parts? Any fun memories? Please comment and let me know! Oh, what did you think of the camp song- "Dive Into the Ocean"? I wrote it, so tell me if it was catchy enough...I heard that the campers made actions for it :)

high school camp report

2010-07-04T11:56:00.003-05:00

Well, the high school camp for 2010 is over. It was an amazing week, and everyone had lots of fun. There were 23 girls this year. We hosted the Fiesta de Maria again this year with lots of new additions and fun activities. I have lots of pictures to post, so stay tuned- there's lots of super cute ones! We had a Las Posadas procession every day (the Fiesta lasted four days, from 4-6 pm each day). The fun also included a craft, songs, teachings, cookies, a lovely picnic on the last day, and ever popular water games!! About 30 Hispanic kids were able to come, which was a higher number than last year. It was a fantastic experience, and the Blessed Mother blessed us in so many ways, including gorgeous weather, open children, and a smooth schedule. Plus, we got to work on our Spanish! Well, more to come later...keep checking back :)

Quote of the Day: Mary's Love

2010-06-13T20:13:00.002-05:00

"Who, O Blessed Lady, could ever measure the expanse, the magnitude, the grandeur, the depth of your love? The expanse- she comes to the aid of all who call upon her. The magnitude- her love fills the universe. The grandeur- it reaches up to the city of God. The depth- it descends to those who walk in the shadow of death and calls them to the light...

Her kindness and mercy have but a single limit- her power. (And for that) she is the interceding omnipotence. Her love for us is 'strong as death'. There is no obstacle she is incapable of overcoming. Neither time nor separation, neither ingratitude nor death can retard or stop the immeasurable stream of her love..." (MME 168)

camp is starting soon!

2010-06-12T14:32:00.003-05:00

I can't believe summer is here already, and camp is beginning! I hope you all have a beautiful experience and grow closer to the MTA. If you would like, comment on this post and tell us about your week. Oh, and don't forget to keep Sr. Deanne, Sr. Yolanda, and the other sisters in your prayers. They do such amazing work for us!
United in our MTA,
Hannah

Father-Son retreat this Spring

2010-02-23T10:11:00.002-06:00

For any dads and brothers who would like to go on retreat at Schoenstatt, here's the information to sign up.

Summer Camp Information is out!

2010-02-06T16:25:00.001-06:00

Announcing: Summer Camp 2010!! Please check out this brochure to register for camp this summer.

Spring weekends 2010

2010-01-25T10:34:00.002-06:00

View this brochure to see all the events coming up this spring in Sleepy Eye.

the birth of our Savior!

2009-12-25T21:23:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all the Schoenstatt girls around Minnesota! "For today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord!" (Luke 2:11) Keep his love and peace in your heart throughout the Christmas season, and rejoice. Please continue to pray for the movement, especially the girls' branch, here and across the US. May the youth of today find the Baby in the manger through our witness.
Christmas blessings,
Hannah

Barbara Kast

2009-10-29T20:53:00.002-05:00

I wanted to share a quote from Barbara Kast's biography:
"Christ, now you are present in the shrine. You are in the tabernacle, which has open doors so that all can feel your presence and love. Mother, help me to become a true tabernacle of the living Christ, a radiant, pure tabernacle, empty of self and filled with God, a tabernacle full of the Father's love, the Mother's trust and unconditional, childlike faith; a tabernacle that is modest from within and without, that always bears true witness to the presence of the living God amongst us in the Immaculate Host that is transformed at Holy Mass." (Diary 16)

Her life was a beautiful example of love, sacrifice, and the living out of the Personal Ideal. May we all speak to Christ these same words.
Hannah

HAPPY FOUNDING DAY!!

2009-10-18T21:32:00.003-05:00

Greetings from my room shrine!

Happy October 18th to all the girls of our Girls' Youth in MN! This is the day that Fr. Kentinich established the Covenant of Love with the boys in their little shrine in Germany. 95 years later, the movement has spread around the world and we have many girls here. May the MTA be glorified and her love spread to even more people. If we all would imitate her in every aspect, the world would change drastically.

"Pope Pius X's fundamental insight that the easiest, surest, and shortest way to a vivid oneness with Christ and a deep penetrating love for the heavenly Father is through Mary."
-Fr. Kentinich

Many blessings as we are united in our shrine,
Hannah

October 18 is approaching quickly...

2009-10-15T22:35:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's almost our Founding Day! October 18 will be the 95th anniversary of Fr. Kentenich's new idea to create a shrine in a tool-shed to honor our Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt. They entered into a covenant with her, and the movement grew. Please pray especially for our girls in Minnesota, Iowa, and La Crosse, and for Sr. Deanne as she continues her amazing work as our youth sister. May you receive many special blessings from our Mother on her special day!
United in the Shrine,
Hannah

Our latest production!

2009-10-15T16:28:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share a video with all of you that our Leaders' Circle put together. Every September, the North and South Minnesota Leaders' Circle girls come to the shrine for the Leaders' Overnighter. This was one of our big projects, and I finished it later at home. There were several technical hitches, and it's still not "professional", but it gets the word out. Please continue your contributions to the Capitol of Grace for 2014! Enjoy!!
Hannah

Mens' Retreat

2009-09-25T12:52:00.003-05:00

I know that you girls probably aren't looking to go on a mens' retreat, but let your dad know about this great opportunity to spend time at the shrine! :-) Here's the information and sign-up for this upcoming retreat led by Fr. Gerald Langsch.

Fall Weekends at the Shrine!

2009-09-15T15:02:00.001-05:00

Here's the latest brochure of upcoming events.

Commitment form for this year

2009-09-15T14:56:00.001-05:00

To sign up for Schoenstatt girls' groups, print and fill out this form.

pictures from Fiesta Maria

2009-07-01T15:06:00.007-05:00

Here's a picture of the kids throwing water balloons at each other. All the water games were a big hit!!

Check out all of us doing the "Shark Song"!

Flowers for Mary!

Our Fiesta Maria sign at the end of the driveway welcoming everyone.

How did Fiesta Maria go??

2009-07-01T15:02:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to update you all on the recent high school camp where we ran the Fiesta Maria for the Hispanic kids of Sleepy Eye. Here's a copy of the article that I wrote for the St. Mary's Parish Bulletin, and it should answer all your questions :-) Check out the pictures as well!

Fiesta Maria!

June 22-24, 2009

Hannah Andrews from Ham Lake, MN

During the Schoenstatt high school girls' camp 2009, we planned and led a camp for the Hispanic children of Sleepy Eye. Participants ranged from 16 children on the first day to 25 children on the last day. The Fiesta Maria took place each afternoon for about 2 hours from 3:30-5:30 pm, Monday through Wednesday at Schoenstatt on the Lake. Each day had a specific theme: the Trinity, Mary, Mother of God, and Called to Be Saints. All the day's songs, dances, skits, and crafts were based on that theme. The ages of the children ranged from 5 to 13 years old. The kids enjoyed the camp immensely, and the smiles grew throughout each day. All of the high school girls had specific jobs to do and led the camp with help from the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary: Sr. M. Deanne and Sr. M. Sophy Ann. Some girls led the crafts, while some led the games. The best part of Fiesta Maria for the kids was the water games. We threw water balloons, squirted everyone, and cooled everyone off in the hot weather.

Some of the older boys first thought that the camp was boring, but they quickly changed their minds when the water balloons came out. All of us playing with them got pretty wet as they squirted bottles of water on us! One boy brought his own bottle full of water on the second day so he would be ready to squirt everyone. The shrine was also an important part of Fiesta Maria. Led by Maria Lucia, the children talked about the day's theme and the parts of the shrine. On the first day, about the Trinity, we played an “I Spy” game trying to find the persons of the Trinity in the shrine. On the last day, the kids made paper flowers and gave them to the Blessed Mother in the shrine. They realized the importance and reverence of the shrine, and some even wanted to stay and pray more!

The weather for Fiesta Maria was clear and hot. We were thankful that all storms and rain were during the morning and early afternoon, so we could play our games outside. The children who came had a great time, and they enjoyed it tremendously. An older boy told me, “This is a lot better than school!” They were sad to leave us each day, and wanted to come back.

All of us were grateful to be able to come and help with Fiesta Maria. We would like to thank the following for their support of our project: Bishop LeVoir, Sr. Anne Marie Reha from the Hispanic Ministry office of the New Ulm Diocese, Msgr. Lozinski and St. Mary’s Parish, & Alma Saenz and those who coordinate the Migrant program. We would also like to thank the Schoenstatt high school girls who came the weekend before to help prepare for the camp. Sixteen young women helped to organize the camp, go door to door inviting Hispanic families to send their children to the Fiesta Maria, and to attend the Hispanic Holy Mass on Sunday, June 21. The girls had fun learning the songs for Holy Mass and meeting families belonging to the parish.

The mission experience reminded us to give to others, for giving makes us truly happy! As part of the high school camp, we attended Holy Mass each day, prepared the camp afternoon, and had fun activities in the evenings. We agreed that this mission project was a smashing success, and we should repeat it again next year to minister to the Hispanic community of Sleepy Eye. The wet smiling faces of the kids were priceless!

Fiesta Maria Talent Help List

2009-02-16T09:52:00.001-06:00

For all high school girls that are coming to the high-school camp, please indicate your talents on this form.

Come and See Weekend

2009-02-16T09:49:00.001-06:00

Calling all girls ages 15 and older! Come to Schoenstatt on the Lake to spend time with the sisters and to learn more about the life of Schoenstatt sisters. Click here for more information.

Camp Registration

2009-01-31T22:42:00.003-06:00

Here's the camp information! Click here to download the information sheet and print your registration form. Come to camp at the shrine this summer! Register soon to reserve your spot. Camps fill up quickly!

CAMP!!

2009-01-29T08:44:00.004-06:00

Watch this blog carefully over the next few days! Camp registration will open on February 1. Be sure to register early because camps fill up very quickly. The registration form and information will be posted here....

Winter-Spring Weekends

2009-01-29T08:39:00.013-06:00

Click here to find out more about upcoming events this winter and spring and to print the registration form.

Pre-Christmas Holiday at Schoenstatt on the Lake - Invitation

2008-11-13T13:14:00.001-06:00

Come to the Pre-Christmas Holiday at Schoenstatt on the Lake! Click here for more information and to sign up.

What is the Schoenstatt Girls Youth?

2008-10-09T11:46:00.003-05:00

To find out more, click here.

Commitment Form for 2008- 2009

2008-10-09T11:41:00.004-05:00

This form indicates your involvement in Schoenstatt Girls groups this year. Please click here to view it.

Brochure for Weekend Events 2008- 2009

2008-10-09T11:33:00.003-05:00

To find out more about the events happening this fall and winter, click to read this brochure: