The Girls Summer Camp held at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa, was again this year a highlight for many girls during the Christmas school holidays. Many girls reunited with old friends while others were attending for the very first time. But everyone joyfully left feeling very pleased to have participated in the camp.
There were two camps held this year to cater for the different age groups, and both were in nearly full capacity attendance. The first camp which ran from Saturday 11 till Monday 13 January was organised for girls aged14 and upwards. The next camp held from Tuesday 14 till Thursday 16 was for girls aged 10-13.
There were a number of young women who volunteered their time to be leaders as well as four enthusiastic junior leaders who provided support for the second camp.
Both camps took on the theme of what it means to be an apostle of Mary, and each of the input sessions enfolded a section of the Marian Apostle logo. There was a good mix of times for singing, prayer, input and games as well as a good balance of indoor and outdoor activities which included a rosary bushwalk and walks to the Shrine.
Participants of The Girls Summer Camp held at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa for the summer holidays. Image: supplied.
The Shrine had a special place during these camps – not only as it is our Schoenstatt home, but also as it has been elected to be a place of pilgrimage in the Parramatta Diocese where the Jubilee Indulgences for the Holy Year can be obtained.
Thanks to Fr Sheldon Burke CRS from Glenmore Parish and Fr Pawel Barszczewski OP from Kingswood Parish each group had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and could celebrate a Mass together in the Shrine.
It was beautiful to witness three girls sealing the Marian Apostle Consecration, which is the Covenant of Love (the core of our Schoenstatt spirituality) for the girls of this age group.
Another element of the schedule which was very well received was the “Ask me Anything” sessions.
The girls were invited to write down any questions that they had, and it was truly amazing to see the depth of the conversations that took place during this time. The fun night under the title of “Schoenstatt’s Got Talent” allowed the girls to really express themselves and their hidden talents.
This night in particular was overflowing with plenty of fun and laughter.
Participants of The Girls Summer Camp held at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa for the summer holidays enjoying some activities. Image: supplied.
Reflections on the camp experience
Here are some of the girls’ responses when asked regarding their highlights for the camp:
“I liked walking to the Shrine and walking back in the dark with our torches.”
“My favourite thing was singing our camp theme song in the Shrine.”
“I really enjoyed the bedtime story with Thorie.”
“My favourite part of the camp was the bushwalk rosary.”
Participants of The Girls Summer Camp held at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa for the summer holidays. Image: supplied.
The junior leaders and some young women stayed on an extra day after the final camp had finished. This was a time for prayer, bonding and reflection. This day was very beautiful and relaxing where the camps could be reviewed but also the growth of each individual as a leader was discovered.
A special moment of the day was saying a thanksgiving rosary overlooking the Nepean River at the Rocks lookout.
The Girls’ Summer Camp is held every year in January at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa. Days Out at the Shrine are events held for girls during the school holidays throughout the year for the different age groups. Visit the Schoenstatt website or Facebook page for more information.
Sr. M. Rita, previously known as Christina Rita Baysari, is a 35-year-old Sydneysider with a Maronite-Lebanese background. After being heavily involved in her local parish of St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands, working as a teacher at Greystanes High School and participating in the various youth events in Schoenstatt, she decided to enter the community of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary.
In 2014, she moved to Germany (the place of Schoenstatt’s origin) to begin her formation journey and on 6 September 2015, gave her ‘yes’ of love to God’s calling! This was the day that she first put on the sisters’ dress and took on the name of Sr. M. Rita. You can read Sr M. Rita’s story here in Catholic Outlook.
