MCCARTYVILLE — On April 28, 2017, more than 100 members from 10 area parishes made their Schoenstatt Covenant of Love at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McCartyville.
More than 300 witnessed the ceremony during Holy Mass, and a reception was held afterwards. This is the largest group ever in Ohio, and possibly the United States. The Rev. Stephen Mondiek, pastor at Sacred Heart, and Deacon Roger Klosterman, of St. Augustine Catholic church, presided.
Classes were offered at three area parishes and will be offered again this fall and in 2018: Sacred Heart in McCartyville, St. Michaels in Fort Loramie and Immaculate Conception in Botkins.
Schoenstatt began on Oct. 18, 1914, in Schoenstatt, Germany. It is an international Catholic Marian lay apostolate that strives to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the example and guidance of Mary. Schoenstatt is a movement of moral and religious renewal in the Catholic Church. Through Covenant spirituality, the love of Blessed Mother opens new avenues to a vibrant relationship with Jesus, in the Holy Spirit to God the Father.
