October 2007 News Bites
1)140 YEARS AND STILL NO CANONIZATION!
2)MISSIONARY ACTION IN FÜSSEN
3)FRONT OF CHURCH OFFICE AND PRESBYTERY GET CLEANUP!
4)ACTION ON ZEBRA CROSSING!
5)MISCARRIAGE & INFANT LOSS MEMORIAL BOOK COMES TO FÜSSEN!
6)GERMAN TRAIN DRIVERS AFFECT PILGRIMAGE TURNOUT!
7)CELEBRATIONS OF 1200 YEARS OF ST SIMPERT
8)AMERICAN AUTHOR PRESENTS BOOK TO THE PARISH
9)FÜSSENER INITIATIVE BURIES STILLBORN BABIES
10)VACANCIES IN THE MOTHER & BABY GROUP
11)KINDERGARTEN HAVE NEW PARENTS COUNCIL
12)FIRST SNOW OF WINTER ARRIVES
13)KIRCHWEIH (DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH SUNDAY)
14)3 COUPLES CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON KIRCHWEIH SUNDAY!
15)INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL MASS CELEBRATED IN FÜSSEN
INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL MASS CELEBRATED IN FÜSSEN
At 0830hrs(CET),at the Catholic Church of Acht Seligkeiten,west Füssen,the International Annual Mass in thanksgiving for all babies who have died from conception to 3 years old,was celebrated.
Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,Regional Dean,and Father Bryan Storey,Spiritual Director of the Miscarriage & Infant Loss Memorial Book Ministry,concelebrated.
Father Bryan took the Memorial Book onto the Sanctuary with him.
Photo:Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,Regional Dean & Father Bryan Storey who is holding the Memorial Book with the servers,Mr Vogler and Miss Wöller.
The Mass was also the Requiem of Mrs Maria Brandl.
During Monsignor Knebel's sermon he quoted part of Jeremiah 1 V5 "BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB,I KNEW YOU" he went on to mention the children who died in their mother's womb and never had life outside of it."They had no name ,but are known,loved and had been given a unique life by God."
Another Mass will be celebrated for all the babies and for their grieving parents on ALL SAINTS,1st November 2007 at 1000hrs in the Catholic Church of St.Paul the Apostle,Tintagel,Cornwall,UK.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 COUPLES CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON KIRCHWEIH SUNDAY!
3 Couples celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries in St Mang Basilica on Sunday 21st October 2007,which also happened to be "Dedication of the Church Sunday".The Parish Newsletter mentioned Mr & Mrs Driendl & Mr & Mrs Eder,both couples live in the Parish.However another couple also were celebrating and the English website of St Mang has the exclusive photo of them.Herr & Frau Dr.Linckh of Geislingen an der Steige,situated between Ulm and Stuttgart,also celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary and were delighted to have their photo taken for this website.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ALL.
-------------------------------
KIRCHWEIH (DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH SUNDAY)
Kirchweih Sunday is a very big festival in Germany.It seems that all churches celebrate it on the same Sunday rather than in the UK where they celebrate on the actual Anniversary.St Mang's cornerstone was laid on the 10th May 1701 by the 52nd Abbot of St Mang Monastery.It took Johann Jacob Herkomer 16 years to build.It was consecrated on the 15th February 1717 by the Bishop of Augsburg,Alexander Sigismund.
Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel celebrated all Masses for the Feast Day.At the 1000hrs Mass the Choir and soloists sung ""Missa Brevis in D-Dur" von W.A. Mozart"
----------------------------
FIRST SNOW OF WINTER ARRIVES
On the night of Friday 19th to Saturday 20th October the first fall of snow this winter hit the Basilica.
----------------------------
NEW PARENTS COUNCIL FOR ST GABRIEL CATHOLIC KINDERGARTEN
Exclusive
Wednesday October 17th saw a new line up representing the parents for St Gabriel's Catholic Kindergarten based in west Füssen.
-----------------------------
MOTHER & BABY GROUP HAS A FEW VACANCIES!
The Mother & Baby group which meets every Wednesday in the Seeloshaus has a few vacancies for babies & toddlers aged 6 months to 5years old.They meet at 0930hrs till 1100hrs.
Just pop along on a Wednesday to see how friendly they are and how much fun the children have.
------------------------------
FINAL FAREWELL HERE ON EARTH
The sun shone and the shadows lengthened over St Sebastian old graveyard in Füssen as the young babies who never saw this world were laid to rest.
The babies had been miscarried or stillborn at the local Oest Allgäu Hospital in the last 6 months.
A small group of dedicated people who include a Doctor and two midwives have set up a private initiative to help bury these babies at no cost to the parents.
As the clock from St Mang Basilica struck 1500hrs,Fransiscan,Father Michael and Evangelical Lutheran,Reverend Susanne Birkel led the small group in prayer and thanksgiving for these small babies the world had never seen but who were not forgotten.
The coffin was placed in front of the Memorial area for miscarried and Stillborn babies in the graveyard as all those present prayed as we gave these babies back to God.
In the peace and quiet of the graveyard we prayed for them and for their parents.It was fitting that this ecumenical service of burial took place on the feast of Mothers to be,St Gerard Majella.Many parents have felt the emptiness of loosing their baby.It can feel as if your world has come to an end when you loose a baby in this way.
Its uplifting to know that some dedicated souls care enough to help others to give their babies a proper and dignified burial.
After a few moments of silent prayer the babies coffin
was placed into the earth and buried.
It was a moving moment for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby and not been able to bury the body.
The Füssener Initiative is kept going by donations of private individuals.You can contact them and offer a donation via the St Mang Church Office or the Evangelical Church Office in Füssen.
The group will be holding another ecumenical service on the 17th November at 1600hrs.It will be a service of prayer and thanksgiving and will be held in the St Stephan Franscican Church and also in the graveyard.Following the service drinks and refreshments will be available in the Franscican Monastery.
------------------------------
150 YEARS OF HISTORY AND BLESSED SEELOS TOO
American author,Dr.Robert L.Worden presented Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel on behalf of the Parish, a copy of his book
"St Mary's Church in Annapolis,Maryland.
A Sesquicentennial History .1853-2003"
In his book he gathers all available data on the times that Blessed Seelos spent there in his ministry.It is of great importance to Füssen as Blessed Seelos was born,Baptised,Confirmed,made his 1st confession and communion here as well as serving daily Mass.
Dr Robert Worden has been archivist and historian at St Mary's since 1982.He gained a PhD at Georgetown University in 1972.He has lived in Annapolis since 1971. Father John Kingsbury CSsR,Parish Priest of St Mary's,told us "He is our parish archivist but it is a labor of love and he is not on our paid staff."
ST SIMPERT CELEBRATIONS IN FÜSSEN
St Simpert was an Abbot,Bishop of Augsburg for 30 years and a confessor.He was educated at Murbach Abbey in France.He became a Benedictine and was elected Abbot.He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese in 778.
He rebuilt the Church of St Afra amongst many others.He remained Abbot as well as being Bishop of Augsburg.He died 13th October 807.Hence the Diocese are having such grand celebrations for the 1200th Anniversary of his death.83 years after his death,St Ulrich became Bishop of Augsburg.He and St Afra are the main Diocesan Patrons.
Here in St Mang a special vespers was sung and rosary and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament were held.At 1800hrs the 1st Mass of Sunday was in honour of St Simpert.
In Augsburgh according to police estimates,over 3000 people took part with Bishop Mixa in honouring the saint.
-------------------------------
TRAIN DRIVERS STRIKE HITS PILGRIMAGE NUMBERS!
Maximilian Rosenthal-English and his brother and 4 sisters will miss the Pilgrimage due to the National train drivers strike in Germany.
Striking German Train Drivers could drastically affect the numbers attending a Pilgrimage by the Parish to Maria Hilfe in Speiden.Drivers have called a National Strike in Germany on Friday October 12th 2007.Long distance services have been protected by a court decision,but regional services which includes the Munich/Augsburgh to Füssen line is affected.The strike started at 0200hrs and will continue to Midnight.
The parish has arranged a Pilgrimage to a local Shrine of Our Lady which included a bus trip to Weisensee,then a pilgrimage walk of 6.5 kilometres to Maria Hilfe in Speiden.Mass will be celebrated at the shrine then a social gathering will take place in a local pub.After this all were meant to return back to Füssen by train.Due to the strike this last part of the evening has been scuppered and so many with children will not be able to attend as its to far for them to walk that late at night.
------------------------------
MEMORIAL BOOK OF WORLDWIDE LOSS SUPPORT MINISTRY COMES TO FÜSSEN
For the past 12 years thousands of grieving families worldwide have been helped by a couple who now live in Füssen,Bavaria,Germany.
Myke & Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English lost their first child,Ruth,to miscarriage aged 14 weeks.The treatment they received from medical professionals and those around them made them more upset than they already were.No one seemed to care except their local Priest,Father Bryan Storey.
After talking with others they soon realised they were not alone.Thousands worldwide were suffering the same feelings of loss,isolation and loneliness.Even the Catholic Church,to which they belong, fights the evil of abortion and promotes the sanctity of life,but had little to say about babies who die in the womb naturally.Also there was a massive gap in understanding and giving pastoral care to the grieving parents and families!
They started a small support group in the Diocese of Plymouth,United Kingdom.The Local Bishop at first opposed their actions,but eventually Bishop Christopher Budd gave it his full support.It was soon realised that people wanted their babies remembered as persons.So the Miscarriage Memorial Book was started.Soon parents who had suffered a stillbirth asked if their babies could be placed in the book.As more and more requests were received it was decided to include all babies who have died for any reason from conception to 3 years old.Also many non-catholics and even unbelievers wanted the names of their babies in the book,so once again this was accommodated so as to relieve the sufferings of parents and families.It is now called the "Miscarriage & Infant Loss Memorial Book".It is normally kept at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church,Tintagel,Cornwall,UK.It is placed upon the altar at all Masses and a special Mass is said annually for all in the book.
Last year saw the 1st International Mass held in the Krippkirche in Füssen,Germany.This year Father Bryan Storey,Spiritual Director of the Ministry,will be concelebrating Mass at the church of Acht Seligkeiten at 0830hrs on Tuesday 23rd October 2007.
Myke & Miriam moved to Germany just over 15 months ago and continue to run the Memorial Book as well as two support groups on the internet.One group is for those who have lost their babies and the other is for those who have lost a baby and are trying again using Natural Methods of Family Planning.Miriam was trained to teach the Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning.The couple also have Father Bryan for the spiritual needs of the groups.The medical needs are looked after by a non-catholic pro-life Paediatrian based in Malta and an OB-GYN Physician Assistant based in Philidelphia,USA.
The couple even had special prayers written in Cornish for the Annual Mass(See above).These have been translated into English and German and it is hoped that Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,Regional Dean and Parish Priest of Füssen will allow the German Prayer to be said during the bidding prayers at the Mass.
All are welcome to attend the Mass.If you can't come then please join us spiritually at 0830hrs(CET) on 23 October.
The Memorial Book is a prayer based support Ministry to all who have lost a child from conception to 3 years old and their babies.
Names can be put in the book on-line at
Memorial Book Link
The United Kingdom Annual Mass will be celebrated at 1000hrs on ALL SAINTS-NOVEMBER 1st At the Catholic Church Tintagel,Cornwall.
The Rosenthal-English's lost two other babies due to miscarriage.They were named Sabine & Thomas Klaus.They also have 6 live children between the ages of 1 and 11 years.
-----------------------------
1ST MAYOR GANGL PROMISES ACTION ON ZEBRA CROSSING!
Acording to the local paper,"Allgäer Zeitung-Füssener Blatt" of 11th October 2007,1st Mayor of Füssen,Christian Gangl is to contact the police and find a solution to the ex Zebra Crossing outside the Parish Office.
A month ago the English St Mang Website exclusively showed photos and explained the dangers the crossing was causing.It has now been brought before the Parish Council and Both the Vice Mayor Walter Gänseneder and Lothär Schäffrath have complained.The dangers to the elderly have been mentioned.Herr Gangl who is always one to work from behind,has now promised to have a meeting with the police to see what they can do!Watch this space!Maybe to put the Zebra Crossing back would be a good idea.White paint doesn't cost as much as a life!
-------------------------------
ALL CHANGE OUTSIDE CHURCH OFFICE
Contractors were busy working at the front of the Parish Office building,Wednesday 10th October 2007.
They were cutting back the bushes and putting a fence on top of the existing wall.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
140 YEARS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN FÜSSEN & NEW ORLEANS!
Füssen celebrated the 140th Anniversary of the death of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos on 5th October.Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel at 0830hrs in St Mang.It was also the 1st Friday of the month and the Catholic Ladies Organization were there to swell the congregation.
Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in St Mang Basilica
Monsignor informed the congregation about the life of Blessed Seelos and how the Vatican Congregation had granted Füssen the right to celebrate the Blessed on his Feast Day as he was born here.He is more venerated in America where he served as a Missionary than in Germany the place of his birth.He gave his life in America by his tireless and always cheerful following of the Gospel, and preaching and looking after the needs of fellow Germans who had emigrated there.
Mass was followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a Litany to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.
At 1900hrs another Mass was celebrated in Acht Seligketen,West Füssen in honour of Blessed Seelos.
Over in New Orleans,USA, at the Church of St Mary's Assumption where Blessed Seelos died and is buried,they invited all worldwide to say the Angelus for the Canonization of Blessed Seelos at 1745hrs Central Standard Time.
The Annual Memorial Mass there takes place on Sunday 7th October at 1100hrs(CST)in St Mary's Assumtion Church.Then at 1330hrs(BST) there will be a special Vietnamese Memorial Mass in Honor of
Chân PhƯoc PhanxicÔ Xaviê Seelos C.Ss.R
with Seelos Crucifix Blessing.
At 1730hrs(CST) they will hold the 4th Annual Seelos Gala Dinner & Auction at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MISSIONARY ACTION IN FÜSSEN
Saturday 6th October 2007 saw parishioners descend on Acht Seligkeiten with yellow bags full of new and nearly new clothes,shoes and other items which could be used by our poorer brothers and sisters in the Third World.
Organized by "Aktion Hoffnung" ,the collection is taken every year at the beginning of October.
---------------------
1)140 YEARS AND STILL NO CANONIZATION!
2)MISSIONARY ACTION IN FÜSSEN
3)FRONT OF CHURCH OFFICE AND PRESBYTERY GET CLEANUP!
4)ACTION ON ZEBRA CROSSING!
5)MISCARRIAGE & INFANT LOSS MEMORIAL BOOK COMES TO FÜSSEN!
6)GERMAN TRAIN DRIVERS AFFECT PILGRIMAGE TURNOUT!
7)CELEBRATIONS OF 1200 YEARS OF ST SIMPERT
8)AMERICAN AUTHOR PRESENTS BOOK TO THE PARISH
9)FÜSSENER INITIATIVE BURIES STILLBORN BABIES
10)VACANCIES IN THE MOTHER & BABY GROUP
11)KINDERGARTEN HAVE NEW PARENTS COUNCIL
12)FIRST SNOW OF WINTER ARRIVES
13)KIRCHWEIH (DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH SUNDAY)
14)3 COUPLES CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON KIRCHWEIH SUNDAY!
15)INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL MASS CELEBRATED IN FÜSSEN
INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL MASS CELEBRATED IN FÜSSEN
At 0830hrs(CET),at the Catholic Church of Acht Seligkeiten,west Füssen,the International Annual Mass in thanksgiving for all babies who have died from conception to 3 years old,was celebrated.
Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,Regional Dean,and Father Bryan Storey,Spiritual Director of the Miscarriage & Infant Loss Memorial Book Ministry,concelebrated.
Father Bryan took the Memorial Book onto the Sanctuary with him.
Photo:Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,Regional Dean & Father Bryan Storey who is holding the Memorial Book with the servers,Mr Vogler and Miss Wöller.
The Mass was also the Requiem of Mrs Maria Brandl.
During Monsignor Knebel's sermon he quoted part of Jeremiah 1 V5 "BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB,I KNEW YOU" he went on to mention the children who died in their mother's womb and never had life outside of it."They had no name ,but are known,loved and had been given a unique life by God."
Another Mass will be celebrated for all the babies and for their grieving parents on ALL SAINTS,1st November 2007 at 1000hrs in the Catholic Church of St.Paul the Apostle,Tintagel,Cornwall,UK.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 COUPLES CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON KIRCHWEIH SUNDAY!
3 Couples celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries in St Mang Basilica on Sunday 21st October 2007,which also happened to be "Dedication of the Church Sunday".The Parish Newsletter mentioned Mr & Mrs Driendl & Mr & Mrs Eder,both couples live in the Parish.However another couple also were celebrating and the English website of St Mang has the exclusive photo of them.Herr & Frau Dr.Linckh of Geislingen an der Steige,situated between Ulm and Stuttgart,also celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary and were delighted to have their photo taken for this website.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ALL.
-------------------------------
KIRCHWEIH (DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH SUNDAY)
Kirchweih Sunday is a very big festival in Germany.It seems that all churches celebrate it on the same Sunday rather than in the UK where they celebrate on the actual Anniversary.St Mang's cornerstone was laid on the 10th May 1701 by the 52nd Abbot of St Mang Monastery.It took Johann Jacob Herkomer 16 years to build.It was consecrated on the 15th February 1717 by the Bishop of Augsburg,Alexander Sigismund.
Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel celebrated all Masses for the Feast Day.At the 1000hrs Mass the Choir and soloists sung ""Missa Brevis in D-Dur" von W.A. Mozart"
----------------------------
FIRST SNOW OF WINTER ARRIVES
On the night of Friday 19th to Saturday 20th October the first fall of snow this winter hit the Basilica.
----------------------------
NEW PARENTS COUNCIL FOR ST GABRIEL CATHOLIC KINDERGARTEN
Exclusive
Wednesday October 17th saw a new line up representing the parents for St Gabriel's Catholic Kindergarten based in west Füssen.
-----------------------------
MOTHER & BABY GROUP HAS A FEW VACANCIES!
The Mother & Baby group which meets every Wednesday in the Seeloshaus has a few vacancies for babies & toddlers aged 6 months to 5years old.They meet at 0930hrs till 1100hrs.
Just pop along on a Wednesday to see how friendly they are and how much fun the children have.
------------------------------
FINAL FAREWELL HERE ON EARTH
The sun shone and the shadows lengthened over St Sebastian old graveyard in Füssen as the young babies who never saw this world were laid to rest. The babies had been miscarried or stillborn at the local Oest Allgäu Hospital in the last 6 months.
A small group of dedicated people who include a Doctor and two midwives have set up a private initiative to help bury these babies at no cost to the parents.
As the clock from St Mang Basilica struck 1500hrs,Fransiscan,Father Michael and Evangelical Lutheran,Reverend Susanne Birkel led the small group in prayer and thanksgiving for these small babies the world had never seen but who were not forgotten.
The coffin was placed in front of the Memorial area for miscarried and Stillborn babies in the graveyard as all those present prayed as we gave these babies back to God.
In the peace and quiet of the graveyard we prayed for them and for their parents.It was fitting that this ecumenical service of burial took place on the feast of Mothers to be,St Gerard Majella.Many parents have felt the emptiness of loosing their baby.It can feel as if your world has come to an end when you loose a baby in this way.Its uplifting to know that some dedicated souls care enough to help others to give their babies a proper and dignified burial.
After a few moments of silent prayer the babies coffin
was placed into the earth and buried.It was a moving moment for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby and not been able to bury the body.The Füssener Initiative is kept going by donations of private individuals.You can contact them and offer a donation via the St Mang Church Office or the Evangelical Church Office in Füssen.
The group will be holding another ecumenical service on the 17th November at 1600hrs.It will be a service of prayer and thanksgiving and will be held in the St Stephan Franscican Church and also in the graveyard.Following the service drinks and refreshments will be available in the Franscican Monastery.
------------------------------
150 YEARS OF HISTORY AND BLESSED SEELOS TOO
American author,Dr.Robert L.Worden presented Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel on behalf of the Parish, a copy of his book
"St Mary's Church in Annapolis,Maryland.
A Sesquicentennial History .1853-2003"
In his book he gathers all available data on the times that Blessed Seelos spent there in his ministry.It is of great importance to Füssen as Blessed Seelos was born,Baptised,Confirmed,made his 1st confession and communion here as well as serving daily Mass.
Dr Robert Worden has been archivist and historian at St Mary's since 1982.He gained a PhD at Georgetown University in 1972.He has lived in Annapolis since 1971. Father John Kingsbury CSsR,Parish Priest of St Mary's,told us "He is our parish archivist but it is a labor of love and he is not on our paid staff."
ST SIMPERT CELEBRATIONS IN FÜSSEN
St Simpert was an Abbot,Bishop of Augsburg for 30 years and a confessor.He was educated at Murbach Abbey in France.He became a Benedictine and was elected Abbot.He was appointed Bishop of the Diocese in 778.
He rebuilt the Church of St Afra amongst many others.He remained Abbot as well as being Bishop of Augsburg.He died 13th October 807.Hence the Diocese are having such grand celebrations for the 1200th Anniversary of his death.83 years after his death,St Ulrich became Bishop of Augsburg.He and St Afra are the main Diocesan Patrons.
Here in St Mang a special vespers was sung and rosary and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament were held.At 1800hrs the 1st Mass of Sunday was in honour of St Simpert.
In Augsburgh according to police estimates,over 3000 people took part with Bishop Mixa in honouring the saint.
-------------------------------
TRAIN DRIVERS STRIKE HITS PILGRIMAGE NUMBERS!
Maximilian Rosenthal-English and his brother and 4 sisters will miss the Pilgrimage due to the National train drivers strike in Germany.
Striking German Train Drivers could drastically affect the numbers attending a Pilgrimage by the Parish to Maria Hilfe in Speiden.Drivers have called a National Strike in Germany on Friday October 12th 2007.Long distance services have been protected by a court decision,but regional services which includes the Munich/Augsburgh to Füssen line is affected.The strike started at 0200hrs and will continue to Midnight.
The parish has arranged a Pilgrimage to a local Shrine of Our Lady which included a bus trip to Weisensee,then a pilgrimage walk of 6.5 kilometres to Maria Hilfe in Speiden.Mass will be celebrated at the shrine then a social gathering will take place in a local pub.After this all were meant to return back to Füssen by train.Due to the strike this last part of the evening has been scuppered and so many with children will not be able to attend as its to far for them to walk that late at night.
------------------------------
MEMORIAL BOOK OF WORLDWIDE LOSS SUPPORT MINISTRY COMES TO FÜSSEN
For the past 12 years thousands of grieving families worldwide have been helped by a couple who now live in Füssen,Bavaria,Germany.
Myke & Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English lost their first child,Ruth,to miscarriage aged 14 weeks.The treatment they received from medical professionals and those around them made them more upset than they already were.No one seemed to care except their local Priest,Father Bryan Storey.
After talking with others they soon realised they were not alone.Thousands worldwide were suffering the same feelings of loss,isolation and loneliness.Even the Catholic Church,to which they belong, fights the evil of abortion and promotes the sanctity of life,but had little to say about babies who die in the womb naturally.Also there was a massive gap in understanding and giving pastoral care to the grieving parents and families!
They started a small support group in the Diocese of Plymouth,United Kingdom.The Local Bishop at first opposed their actions,but eventually Bishop Christopher Budd gave it his full support.It was soon realised that people wanted their babies remembered as persons.So the Miscarriage Memorial Book was started.Soon parents who had suffered a stillbirth asked if their babies could be placed in the book.As more and more requests were received it was decided to include all babies who have died for any reason from conception to 3 years old.Also many non-catholics and even unbelievers wanted the names of their babies in the book,so once again this was accommodated so as to relieve the sufferings of parents and families.It is now called the "Miscarriage & Infant Loss Memorial Book".It is normally kept at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church,Tintagel,Cornwall,UK.It is placed upon the altar at all Masses and a special Mass is said annually for all in the book.
Last year saw the 1st International Mass held in the Krippkirche in Füssen,Germany.This year Father Bryan Storey,Spiritual Director of the Ministry,will be concelebrating Mass at the church of Acht Seligkeiten at 0830hrs on Tuesday 23rd October 2007.
Myke & Miriam moved to Germany just over 15 months ago and continue to run the Memorial Book as well as two support groups on the internet.One group is for those who have lost their babies and the other is for those who have lost a baby and are trying again using Natural Methods of Family Planning.Miriam was trained to teach the Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning.The couple also have Father Bryan for the spiritual needs of the groups.The medical needs are looked after by a non-catholic pro-life Paediatrian based in Malta and an OB-GYN Physician Assistant based in Philidelphia,USA.
The couple even had special prayers written in Cornish for the Annual Mass(See above).These have been translated into English and German and it is hoped that Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,Regional Dean and Parish Priest of Füssen will allow the German Prayer to be said during the bidding prayers at the Mass.
All are welcome to attend the Mass.If you can't come then please join us spiritually at 0830hrs(CET) on 23 October.
The Memorial Book is a prayer based support Ministry to all who have lost a child from conception to 3 years old and their babies.
Names can be put in the book on-line at
Memorial Book Link
The United Kingdom Annual Mass will be celebrated at 1000hrs on ALL SAINTS-NOVEMBER 1st At the Catholic Church Tintagel,Cornwall.
The Rosenthal-English's lost two other babies due to miscarriage.They were named Sabine & Thomas Klaus.They also have 6 live children between the ages of 1 and 11 years.
-----------------------------
1ST MAYOR GANGL PROMISES ACTION ON ZEBRA CROSSING!
Acording to the local paper,"Allgäer Zeitung-Füssener Blatt" of 11th October 2007,1st Mayor of Füssen,Christian Gangl is to contact the police and find a solution to the ex Zebra Crossing outside the Parish Office.
A month ago the English St Mang Website exclusively showed photos and explained the dangers the crossing was causing.It has now been brought before the Parish Council and Both the Vice Mayor Walter Gänseneder and Lothär Schäffrath have complained.The dangers to the elderly have been mentioned.Herr Gangl who is always one to work from behind,has now promised to have a meeting with the police to see what they can do!Watch this space!Maybe to put the Zebra Crossing back would be a good idea.White paint doesn't cost as much as a life!
-------------------------------
ALL CHANGE OUTSIDE CHURCH OFFICE
Contractors were busy working at the front of the Parish Office building,Wednesday 10th October 2007.
They were cutting back the bushes and putting a fence on top of the existing wall.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
140 YEARS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN FÜSSEN & NEW ORLEANS!
Füssen celebrated the 140th Anniversary of the death of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos on 5th October.Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel at 0830hrs in St Mang.It was also the 1st Friday of the month and the Catholic Ladies Organization were there to swell the congregation.
Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in St Mang Basilica
Monsignor informed the congregation about the life of Blessed Seelos and how the Vatican Congregation had granted Füssen the right to celebrate the Blessed on his Feast Day as he was born here.He is more venerated in America where he served as a Missionary than in Germany the place of his birth.He gave his life in America by his tireless and always cheerful following of the Gospel, and preaching and looking after the needs of fellow Germans who had emigrated there.
Mass was followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a Litany to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.
At 1900hrs another Mass was celebrated in Acht Seligketen,West Füssen in honour of Blessed Seelos.
Over in New Orleans,USA, at the Church of St Mary's Assumption where Blessed Seelos died and is buried,they invited all worldwide to say the Angelus for the Canonization of Blessed Seelos at 1745hrs Central Standard Time.
The Annual Memorial Mass there takes place on Sunday 7th October at 1100hrs(CST)in St Mary's Assumtion Church.Then at 1330hrs(BST) there will be a special Vietnamese Memorial Mass in Honor of
Chân PhƯoc PhanxicÔ Xaviê Seelos C.Ss.Rwith Seelos Crucifix Blessing.
At 1730hrs(CST) they will hold the 4th Annual Seelos Gala Dinner & Auction at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MISSIONARY ACTION IN FÜSSEN
Saturday 6th October 2007 saw parishioners descend on Acht Seligkeiten with yellow bags full of new and nearly new clothes,shoes and other items which could be used by our poorer brothers and sisters in the Third World.
Organized by "Aktion Hoffnung" ,the collection is taken every year at the beginning of October.
---------------------
