Archives of Past Events at All Saints
God, our Father, we thank you that you gave us this place where we can worship you and where we feel at home. We thank you for the riches you give us by the diversity of our origins and backgrounds. We ask you to continue lavishing your blessings among the people here. Allow us to experience your generosity, so that we can feel at home, allowing us to be open for those who want to join our community and to cross the borders for all who are our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Excerpt from Fr. Ralf’s 50-year Jubilee Mass Homily.
Office Hours: Mondays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12 am.
UPCOMING
Our new
email address is:
allsaintsberlin@t-online.de
All food donations go to families in need and to the Soup Kitchen of the Sisters of Charity in Kreuzberg.
Father Wolfgang blesses the crib, Christmas 2009
Christmas 2009
We congratulate Konrad, Jim, André, Vanessa and all the volunteers who made the Hüttenweg Interfaith Open House & Concert on December 20th 2009 a great success. Our fellow communities, the Protestant Faith Fellowship and the Crossways Church also contributed to the success of this ecumenical event. The musical performances by each community provided a unique spiritual experience during the Advent season.
"Christ dancing with an angel"
Unknown African artist
Photographed by Dani Villanueva
SJ.
Advent 2009
Thanksgiving Dinner 2009 at All Saints
Scouting Food Drive
Saturday, September 19th 2009
.JPG)
The scouts collected over 400 canned and/or dried food...
...for the Sisters of Charity soup kitchen in Kreuzberg
Our Annual Welcome BBQ and Family Bazaar
were a big success. We thank all of our volunteers, particularly, Konrad
and Heide for organizing the events and all the helpers who contributed
with set-up, clean-up, grilling and selling coffee & cakes! The Family
Bazaar is one of our key fundraisers. Thank you for your support!
We welcome Father Wolfgang Felber to All Saints
Father Wolfgang with altar servers
Anna Berger and Cathleen Rückeis
at the Welcome Mass
Lord, look upon this sacrifice...
Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for September 2009
General: That the word
of God may be better known, welcomed and lived as the source of freedom
and joy.
Mission: That Christians in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, who
often meet with great difficulties, may not be discouraged from announcing
the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Father Ralf Klein,
In deep gratitude we wish you a fond farewell and all the best
on your new assignment.
You have been a true blessing to the
All Saints Catholic Community.
God Bless You!
You are leaving the American Sector...
Saying good-bye to All Saints...
The last sermon...
Father Ralf at his Farewell Mass on July 5, 2009
Training the new altar servers...
We adore thee, our Lord...
Light-and-shadow pattern at the Catholic Academy
Father Justin Warnakula of Sri
Lanka visiting with us
Pray for us, our Madonna
Annual Membership Meeting of the Friends
of
All Saints on May 24th, 2009
Mike Hoth addresses the Membership
Meeting of
the Friends of All Saints
Howard Eyth Chairman sums up last year's events
The meeting votes for the board
All Saints Council meeting took place on May 25th, 2009
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manyfold are your works, O LORD!
The earth isfull of your ceatures.
Psalm 104:1
60th anniversary of the end of
the Berlin Airlift
Vanessa Hansen, Mike Hoth, Halvorsen, Mercedes and friend at the Allied Museum
Raisinbomber flying over the Tempelhof
Memorial
during the ceremony
Members of Troop 46 with the mayor of Berlin
Niels and Philip, both members
of All Saints, getting ready to present a medal on behalf of the city
of Berlin
to the veterans at Tempelhof
The bellframe has been repaired
and our bell has been working again since Easter
Baptism at All Saints on April
26, 2009.
We welcome our new Parishioner
Many thanks to Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag Devotees and the Philippine community for a wonderful hospitality
Christ is risen! Alleluja!
Lord, by thy Cross and Resurrection
thou hast redeemed the world
"Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"
St. Patrick's Day was celebrated at All Saints on Saturday, March 21st 2009
Green, the colour is most widely
associated with Ireland,
with Irish people, and with St. Patrick's Day.
Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day
Small and big watching intently...
...the dancers' performance.
"I am the vine, you are the branches"
March 14th 2009
We would like to thank Father Ralf for the Easter Retreat on Saturday, March 14th at All Saints. This spiritual experience contributed significantly in our preparation for Easter. Please feel free to join us in prayer and meditation using the introductory thoughts below:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples (John 15).
If I have all faith so as to move
mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 1
Corinthians 13
We are preparing our hearts for Easter...
Pancake Breakfast on March 28, 2009
The Pancake Breakfast at the J
F Kennedy School
on March 28, 2009...
...attracted more than 1000 participants...
...and mobilised the Scouts. It was a great success.
A Scout is reverent toward God.
He is faithful in his religious
duties
and respects the beliefs of others.
Scout Sunday at All Saint on February 22, 2009
Lord, look kindly down upon our Community
May the Lord accept the sacrifice
at your hands... -
Father Ralf and Altar Servers Cathleen Rückeis and Jan McGreal
May God at the intercession of St. Blaise preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil
Saint Blaise, pray for us that we may not suffer from illnesses of the throat...
... and pray that all who are suffering be healed by God's love. Amen.
sThe
Petition for a Referendum (Volksbegehren) “Pro Reli” to introduce
religious education in Berlin’s schools has been successful: more
than 300,000 signatures have been collected. Thank you for your support!
The Berlin Senate has set the date of the Referendum for
April 26th, 2009.
... only say the word...
... and I shall be healed.
Christmas Celebration in 2008
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord...
Father Adrian saying the Children's Mass
The Holy Family, narrators and an angel
The shepherds
Father Adrian playing the guitar
Singing Christmas Carols
Johannes playing the piano
Father Ralf saying the Mignight Mass
The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that
the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when
Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his
own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was
of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed,
who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have
her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in
swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room
for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
My Peace Wishes for 2009…
that more people will help others,
especially needy children and babies.
that there will be less fighting around the world.
that people will take better care of nature.
and that all children will go to school and live in a house.
-Niels Waliszewski, age 9
Cub Scouts of America, Pack 152
PEACE LIGHT OF BETHLEHEM
The Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign
was originally organized by the Austrian Broadcasting Company - ORF (Linx)
- and was part of a large charitable relief mission - Light into Darkness,
for children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1990, there has been
a great deal of co-operation between Scouts and Guides in many countries,
which has allowed the light to travel throughout Europe. Each year, a
child from Upper Austria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem
where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it
is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe
and who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries
for use at ecumenical services throughout the continent.
Scouts and Guides can then take the light on to houses of worship, hospitals,
homeless shelters, old people homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural,
and political importance - to anybody who appreciates the significance
of the "gift".
The Peace Light arrived at All Saints on Sunday, December 21st.
The Aim of the Campaign
is to address as many people as possible,
to bring them the Light and the Peace Message, which encourages everyone,
but especially Scouts and Guides, to active create peace in their environment.
The Austrian Scout movement became involved when they were invited to
act as couriers of the Light once it had reached Austria, in the hope
that they could spread the Light throughout Europe.
After many years of successful cooperation with the different Scout movements
the Light has been spread into Croatia, The Czech republic, Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland,
United States of America, Ukraine, Bela Russia and Russia.
Thanksgiving Dinner 2008
Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner took place
on November 29, 2008. We celebrated the traditional American feast in
a warm and jovial atmosphere. The lovely Thanksgiving Dinner was possible
thanks to the many volunteers who spent long hours, some even days, to
make it happen. Our sincere appreciation goes to Konrad Giersdorf for
organizing this unforgettable evening and to all volunteers, especially
those who donated and/or helped cook the turkeys, set up and cleaned up
after the event.
We have a few pictures posted on our website to commemorate the event:
The Community Hall was full with about 180 guests.
Giving drink to those who are thirsty...
The Running Bears presented lively Square
dances
accompanied by country music.
The Filipino Anahaw dancing group was fantastic.
Participants joined in to test their skills.
The Filipino songs touched our hearts.
Peace Light of Bethlehem
The Berlin Scouting community would like to distribute a special gift
of Peace, the Peace Light flame and symbol, as a present from the Scouts
to the American and international communities in Berlin.
The Peace Light from Bethlehem in Austria was created as a charitable
relief mission for children in need. Since 1986, it has co-operated with
Scouts in many countries allowing the light to travel throughout Europe.
Each year, the Austrian Scouting community organizes a trip to the Church
of the Nativity in Bethlehem to light the first Peacelight lantern from
the eternal flame burning in the Church Grotto and brings it back to Austria
for distribution at a service of dedication to delegations from across
Europe. The light has been presented to such dignataries as Pope John
Paul II, Mikhail Gorbatshow and former King Hussain of Jordan.
The main Peace Light service took place at the Marienkirche in Mitte at
14:30 on December 14, 2008. The Peace Light arrived at All Saints on Sunday,
December 21st during Mass.
Tempelhof Central Airport and the All Saints Community Connection
USAF C-47 aircraft at Tempelhof airport during the Berlin Airlift. RAF Museum
The end of October 2008 marks the passing of an era in
Berlin's history. Tempelhof Central Airport will cease all aviation operations
and with this passing goes a part of America's and the former Allies contributions
to Berlin's survival and development to its current position on the world
stage. From 1945 until 1993 the U.S. Air Force provided control from Tempelhof
for the entire greater Berlin Air Safety Zone (including Schönefeld).
The most recognized example of the success of these endeavors was the
Berlin Airlift of 1948-49 (Luftbrücke) which saw the allies supplying
a hungry and defeated former enemy with the necessary means to survive.
After 1957 many of the married U.S. Air Force personnel who worked at
Tempelhof used this chapel on Hüttenweg as their place of worship
and brought their children for religious education and the receiving of
sacraments. This chapel had a very important role in the lives of these
airmen who gave so much in return to the city of Berlin. - Mike
Hoth
Vineyard
Vinyard in Montone, Italy
Twenty years ago I literally worked in
the vineyard. As I was a volunteer harvester for a monastery my working
conditions were probably more comfortable than the ones of those who did
it for their living. However, each morning we left our house when it was
still dark and we started our journey back when it had become dark again.
At home again I did not have any difficulties to get asleep. Since this
experience I always sympathize with the workers of the first hour who
complain: “These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made
them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.”
Many attempts have been made to explain the logic of the landowner’s
behaviour. There is just one element which has convinced me. The Greek
text of the parable does not speak of the “usual daily wage”
(V 2 and passim) as our translation does, but of “one denarius”.
From other texts we know that this amount of money was needed to feed
a family of six persons just one day. The landowner’s decision to
pay the latecomers as much as the others allows the latecomers to have
their living for another day thus preventing that some of them fall into
misery.
However, Jesus did not want to present a parable which teaches social
generosity. If he had intended to do so, the landowner could have given
the latecomers their wages after the payment of the others. Such a behaviour
would not only have avoided the dispute with the workers of the first
hour, it would have also followed Jesus advice, “But when you give
alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,”
(Mt 6:3)
The arrangements of the payment procedure are a provocation, and I think
the parable cannot be understood if the provocation is not seen or understood.
Jesus wants to provoke but this time he does not aim at the Pharisees,
the priests or other Jewish representatives, but at the labourers in the
vineyard, i.e. the disciples and all Christ’s followers –
us included.
By this parable Jesus continues his answer to Peter’s question,
“We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be
for us?” (Mt 19:27) Jesus direct answer seems to promise a special
reward: “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the
new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves
sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Mt
19:28) However, after mentioning strives and persecution and their reward
Jesus finishes by saying: “But many who are first will be last,
and the last will be first,” (Mt 19:30) which is also the ending
of the parable which Jesus tells directly afterwards.
Despite Jesus’ word of the twelve thrones one can doubt whether
Jesus really thinks that the Kingdom of Heaven is a community with a social
hierarchy and a privileged class. If there are any VIPs in the Kingdom
of Heaven everybody is a VIP there. This abolition of social ranking is
not just something which will be done in the future, but Jesus demands
it from his disciples now: “As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth
your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your
servant.” (Mt 23:8ss)
Consequently, the question must be: “If there is no special reward,
why should there be a special commitment?” If those who rarely go
to mass enjoy the same status in the Kingdom of Heaven, why should I go
to mass every Sunday? Why should I give alms generously if the stingy
gift of the egoist weighs equal? And lots of other fields can be found
where the same question applies.
At this point we definitively have to leave the world of the parable because
it is the world of business and its logic is give and take. Jesus message
is: “Don’t think of God’s Kingdom in these terms. Otherwise,
you misunderstand it.” We live out of God’s love and everything
we get from God is founded in God’s love. However, as long as we
live our relation with God in the same way as we live a business relation
we are unable to understand His love. The more we enter the logic of love,
the more we live our relation with God as a love relation the more we
understand His love and His way of thinking. In this logic we work for
the Kingdom of God not because we will get an outside reward but because
doing so brings us closer to God. It follows the same logic as speaking
to a beloved person. We do so to be in closer contact with the loved one
but not to get some reward.
Christians are both: children of the Kingdom of Heaven and children of
this world. Therefore, we are always tempted to think of God in the logic
of this world, in the logic of business. The provocation of today’s
parable may help to realize the times when we are following this logic.
May we find in these moments the courage to ask the Lord to understand
His logic better. - Father Ralf Klein
All Saints' Fall Barbeque
Our barbeque is always a special event. In spite
of the not very favorable weather, many members attended our BBQ on Sep
20, 2008 and spent a pleasant afternoon together. The following pictures
give some impressions about the friendly atmosphere. Many thanks to Jim
Ziomek, Mike & Lori Hannan, Konrad Giersdof, Heide Doblhofer, Vanessa
Hansen and all the volunteers who made this event possible!
All Saints Family Bazaars
Our bi-annual bazaars have become a popular neighborhood tradition; they represent our presence as an intrinsic member of the local community. Each year, our bazaars attract an increasing number of people, both buyers and sellers, from the surrounding area.
The Singing Fathers Padi
Filipino Frs. Macaraeg, Bufete and Tandingan.
All Saints recently hosted the musical group Padi during
their European concert tour on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Padi is composed
of Fr. Igor Macaraeg, Fr. Melvyn Bufete and Fr. Franklin Tandingan. Funds
collected will benefit the construction of their local church and school
facilities in the Philippines. Padi means “priest” in the
Filipino Ilocano dialect.
The Berlin Airlift
Berlin celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift in 2008. The first C-47 Skytrain airplane landed in Tempelhof Airport on 23 June 1948 starting an unparalleled heroic act in which the United States saved West Berlin from starvation and being overrun by the Soviet Union. It set a signal to all oppressed peoples in Europe and elsewhere: there is hope for justice and freedom.
An important lesson from the Airlift is how a former enemy
became friend. Former Airlift pilot and WWII veteran, Col. Halverson,
mentioned at a function how he and others felt obligated to defend Berlin,
now defenseless, against an oppressive Communist regime. The Airlift was
about defending the freedom of those most in need.
All Saints, formerly the American Military Chapel, was built under the
protection of the United States Air Force and Army. We are privileged
to be able to celebrate Holy Mass every Sunday in a church that was the
religious home to many of those heroes who defended the freedom of not
only Berlin, but Western Germany as well.
Let us pray for those who still suffer under oppression and for those
who fight to obtain their freedom and pay the high price for their struggle.
Col. Halverson with All Saints members, Mike Hoth, Kathleen Rueckeis, Vanessa Hansen, Bernward and Jonathan Steinhorst at the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift at Tempelhof Airport on Friday, June 27th, 2008. More about Col. Halverson's visit at All Saints in Feburary here.
All Saints Catholic Community is proud
to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 46. Boy Scout Troop 46 has
been serving boys in Berlin since the American Brigade. Please visit their
website www.troop-46-berlin.org or contact Committee Chairperson Lori Hannan (hannan4@gmail.com) for more
information.
Troop 46 'Freedom Outpost' would like to thank the All Saints community for hosting the legendary Col. Halverson (the Chocolate Pilot) on February 10th at Hüttenweg 46. We had nearly 400 people attend this very successful event!
Mission
of mercy. Dr. Jenny Gebhardt, daughter of one of our parishioners,
led a medical team on a mission of mercy to the jungles of Nicaragua,
Central America, where they donated 2 weeks of their time to provide medical
care for the poor. These teams traveled at their own expense and had to
provide their own medicines and materials as well. Many crucial medications
cannot be purchased in Nicaragua, so Dr. Gebhardt purchased these medications
and took them with her. This was the only way to make sure that these
medications actually reached the people. In response to Dr. Gebhardt's
appeal, All Saints supported this endeavor by a special collection.
Click here to view her brief report.
All Food Donations placed in the wicker basket at the church entrance go to families in need in our community and to the Soup Kitchen of the Sisters of Charity in Kreuzberg.
Many of the collections are „designated
collections“, which are for the special purposes of the Archdiocese
of Berlin. We transfer this money to the Archdiocese in full. All Saints
has readily supported these initiatives from its inception. However, please
be advised that, in agreement with the Archdiocese of Berlin, the existence
of the All Saints Catholic Community on Hüttenweg may result in no
expense for the Archdiocese. It follows then that our community receives
no financial support from the Archdiocese. We are left completely to our
own devices and existentially dependent upon your donations. Please continue
to donate to All Saints, using the white envelopes stamped “ALL
SAINTS FUND” and/or transferring your donation to the Pax-Bank
account written below. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Friends of All Saints Verein: Bank Account No.: 6001669018,
BLZ (routing number): 370 601 93, Pax-Bank eG Berlin
A special receptacle
has been set up in the back of the church for the All Saints envelopes.
You may also make your tax-deductible donation
via our bank account or to Heide Doblhofer in the Office. Your continued
financial and moral support is vitally important for the existence of
the All Saints Catholic Community on Hüttenweg.
Thank you.
WEEKLY
AT ALL SAINTS
Holy Mass: Sundays 10:00
am
Eucharistic ministry: every Sunday Mass
Rosary: every first Sunday of the month, all Sundays
in May and October at 09:30
Confession: before and after every Sunday Mass
Hospitality/coffee and cake: after every Sunday Mass
EVENTS THROUGH THE YEAR
Common English-Speaking Mission Mass
St. Patrick's Day Celebration and Potluck Dinner
Easter Retreat
Holy Week Services:
- Palm Sunday
- Holy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Sunday
Family Bazaar: September and May
Space reservation: phone: 86203636, fax: 86203638,
email: allsaintsberlin@aol.com
Summer Music Event
Barbeque
Thanksgiving Dinner Novemebr 28, 2009
Christmas:
- Children's Mass and Christmas Pageant
- Christmas Carols
- Midnight Mass
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Family Group Meetings: organized individually
General Assembly
