Pastor Stefan Scheifele moves on to Gauting.
He doesn't like to leave Geretsried, as he reveals in an interview.
Geretsried
- Pastor Stefan Scheifele's guest
appearance was
brief.
For 15 months he headed the Catholic city church as a mobile reserve in the so-called qualified vacancy representation.
Now the archbishop's clergyman is moving on and leaving his successor Andreas Vogelmeier a well-tilled field.
During his time in Geretsried, Scheifele experienced a lot of human warmth, openness and courtesy, as he reports in an interview with editor Doris Schmid.
Mr. Scheifele, the city's slogan is “Geretsried - simply different”. Does that also apply to the city church with its 8,500 believers?
Pastor Scheifele:
It's different because of the people who live here.
You can feel where the older generation comes from.
Especially during the corona pandemic, I experience that people here are better able to deal with crises.
Above all, they do not show any activism.
You are handling the situation with great calm.
I explain this to myself by the fact that many people had to give up their homeland.
This homelessness raised existential questions in the war generation.
That's why I experience the Geretsrieder as really strong, also in the city church.
How does this strength show?
Pastor Scheifele:
It shows in a more relaxed approach to the pandemic.
There is no quiet, no loud grumbling, no rebellion or provocation.
People stick to the rules without complaint.
Does Corona bring people closer together?
Pastor Scheifele:
Corona reveals what was previously covered with a cloak by distraction or occupation.
The crisis reveals well-functioning connections, but also broken ties.
Is the crisis a test?
Pastor Scheifele:
It shows whether you can rely on your partner, whether you can go through thick and thin with the family.
And it also becomes clear what role you play in the family, in your social structure.
Much becomes clear here that was otherwise not queried.
And great things happen that you would never have expected.
For example in the area of neighborhood help.
Are pastors particularly important at such times?
Pastor Scheifele:
Yes, but not at the beginning.
I know from my Bundeswehr experience that at the end of a crisis, when people run out of air, they need us most of all.
We are being signaled: It is good that you exist, you are there for us.
And we give this guarantee to the end and beyond.
That is the decision.
Have you had contact with people who have died from the coronavirus?
Pastor Scheifele:
There were people in Geretsried who died of Covid-19.
But I wasn't allowed to.
In general, dying during the pandemic is a challenge, also for the bereaved, who were often unable to attend the dying process in the hospital.
Can a Covid 19 patient be denied the sacraments of death?
Pastor Scheifele:
The Archdiocese has set up a special emergency force for such cases.
The final unction on the deathbed of a Covid-19 patient in the hospital is donated by special pastoral workers who have been trained.
They were allowed to face the dying in protective gear.
It is tragic that access to retirement homes was severely restricted during the pandemic.
There's a lot of loneliness there.
The way to a town church in Geretsried was not easy. Do the parishes of the Holy Family and Mary Help now harmonize?
Pastor Scheifele:
I tried to understand people.
Many believers come from families that have given up their homes.
They found a new home in the parish.
Now the parishioners were called upon to give up what creates identity in order to form a large city church.
I felt that people were attached to their parish because it gave them a home.
But not much has changed with the formation of a town church.
Pastor Scheifele:
That is what we in the pastoral care team were able to show people.
Everything stays as it is in her everyday life.
There is also the senior afternoon and the Silesian meeting.
The times of worship have changed because we can't tear ourselves apart.
The position of administrative manager was newly created.
Pastor Scheifele:
Right.
Hedwig Sesto has been working for us for about half a year.
The administrative effort that the legislator requires of us has multiplied many times over: data protection regulations, prevention requirements, workplace protection, labor law, the management of buildings and, last but not least, the hygiene regulations during the pandemic.
Ms. Sesto is a great stroke of luck for us.
She takes a lot from me and keeps my back free.
They also had difficult hours in Geretsried. Pastor Georg March's death was not easy.
Pastor Scheifele:
The death of my predecessor, Pastor Georg März, shook me and made me very sad.
We were almost the same age and we knew each other.
I still remember how we said goodbye to him here in the parish in the smallest circle a good year ago.
You could tell that he was extremely serious.
Shortly afterwards he died at home in Lenggries.
One does not wish one's worst enemy such a disease process.
I was very moved that he had to endure it.
Just like the deep sympathy of the community members, both in Geretsried and in Lenggries.
Geretsried is different, that has been confirmed once again.
As a pastor you are in the hearts of the believers.
Have you already experienced it differently?
Pastor Scheifele:
Oh yes.
For example, that the parish council is totally contrary to the pastor.
Or there are parishes where Corona is doubted, where conspiracy theories have spread.
In Geretsried I experienced a lot of human warmth, openness and accommodating people.
I don't like to leave here.
How are you preparing for Christmas in this unusual year?
Pastor Scheifele: Well
over 20 people are involved in the 15 church services at Christmas, and this year one thing in particular is in demand: the greatest possible flexibility.
We'll keep improvising.
Have you already had to?
Pastor Scheifele:
In Maria Hilf this year there is not this huge Advent wreath hanging from the ceiling.
It's a scary job because it's freshly bound.
The joint binding had to be canceled this year due to Corona.
A red plastic star now hangs in the place of the Advent wreath.
It's improvised.
Congregational singing is currently not allowed in the church.
The organist will come up with something so that the service is still nice.
How will you personally spend Christmas?
Pastor Scheifele:
I would be really happy if, if possible, I could go to the retirement home to hold a mass there.
That is very important to me personally.
On Boxing Day and Boxing Day I will visit my family and relax.
I still have three brothers.
Together with our parents we are then five households.
We have to see how we do it.
What do you wish for your successor as Pastor Andreas Vogelmeier?
Pastor Scheifele:
Have fun.
And after we're both motorcyclists: He should move his machine regularly and also take time for himself.
I feel it will be fine.
nej
The town church also offers church services online at Christmas.
Click here to go to the corresponding YouTube channel.