A place of power for the little ones: children's chapel dedicated after renovation

Created: 05/20/2022, 15:27

By: Andreas Sachsen

A joint project of the parish was the renovation of the chapel where Saint Conrad watches over the children.

Together they helped (from left) church curator Georg Wagner, initiator and donor Petra Coleman, Hans Furtmayr (project manager for renovation), pastor Ulrich Kampe, fraternity chairman Nicolas Golling, his predecessor Stefan Reitschuster and Johann Rödel, the restorer and church painter.

© Andreas Sachse

The renovation of the children's chapel in Schleißheim was a community effort.

Now she has been consecrated.

There is also a suggestion box waiting for the worries of the boys and girls in the village.

Oberschleißheim

– Since the 1960s, Brother Konrad has been watching over boys and girls in Oberschleißheim.

Recently, the dwelling place of the saint shines in new splendor.

The children's chapel, which was newly renovated thanks to generous donations and voluntary muscle power, has now been ceremonially inaugurated by Pastor Ulrich Kampe.

Saint Konrad has been doing his good work in front of the Maria Patrona Bavariae church for more than half a century.

He cares about the well-being of the weak, especially children.

It is not for nothing that two small children are tugging at the robe of the wooden sculpture.

At the front of the chapel there is now a suggestion box.

"This is a place of power for children," reveals Petra Coleman, who received an award from Pastor Kampe as the initiator and sponsor of the renovation work decided by the parish council two years ago.

"Not every child dares to go to church."

Celebrities from politics and society, flag delegations from Schleissheim associations, the parish youth and last but not least the boys' association with groups of friends were present when the pastor gave his blessing.

The boys and girls have made it their personal concern to help the saint find suitable quarters.

"With the spade in hand," reported Pastor Kampe ecstatically, club members paved the way for the new chapel.

The children's chapel of Maria Patrona Bavariae is something like a community project of the parish.

Many hard-working hands and generous donors made the work carried out possible.

Acid rain and woodworm had bothered the saint over the years.

Experts, including a restorer, took on the extensive renovation.

Petra Coleman is particularly concerned about the suggestion box: "Not every child dares to go to church." Many have just suffered from the pandemic: "We wish them a lot of strength." Anyone who leaves a telephone number on their grief note can ask for help counting.

The messages would of course be treated anonymously, church official Georg Wagner assured.

At the express request, the community intervenes.

Befitting dedication: Many people from Schleissheim and clubs took part.

© Andreas Sachse

Born in December 1818 as the eleventh of twelve children in a farming family, Brother Konrad only heard the call of the Capuchins when he was over 30 years old.

Working as a porter in the Altötting monastery, he was soon known as someone "who has his heart in the right place," said Pastor Kampe.

Walking on the "path of charity", he distributed bread and donations to the needy.

Whoever knocked at his gate was heard.

His generosity is said to have sometimes even led to tensions among confreres.

Pastoral advisor Michael Raz encouraged the youth to choose Brother Konrad as their patron saint.

The call of the pastoral officer was heard.

While the congregation listened to his words during the service, Melanie (22) and her friends from the parish youth prepared a snack outside.

There were even free chocolate crepes.

Donations were welcome.

"Half goes to Ukrainian refugees," said Melanie.

The message of the 1934 by Pope Pius XI.

canonized benefactor fills the generation of Melanie, Tobias,Victoria and Teresa with life in their own way.

More news from Oberschleißheim and the district of Munich can be found here.