Celebrating Saint Marianne Cope Church, Heppenheim, Germany
Feiern Heilige Marianne Cope Kirche, Heppenheim, Deutschland
By S. Davilyn Ah Chick
We praise and thank God for the magnificent ceremonial Mass and festivities of the newly founded parish, Heilige (Saint) Marianne Cope Church, Heppenheim, Germany, that took place on January 12, 2025.
I was honored and privileged to represent our Sisters and Franciscan Associates at Heppenheim, Germany. It would take volumes to share the remarkable time I had. The incredible opportunity to participate in the formal ceremony of the four parishes uniting and declaring the new church Saint Marianne Cope Church Heppenheim, was truly beautiful and memorable. As a great tribute to Saint Marianne and the celebration, Michaela Riedly composed music and lyrics to “The Marianne Cope Hymn,” sung by the former parishes’ choirs.
After the liturgical celebration, a procession of lights led us to the reception. As one of the guest speakers, I thanked everyone for their welcoming spirit and gracious hospitality, and incorporated highlights of the life, spirit, and legacy of our Beloved and Universal Saint of Outcasts. I also encouraged everyone to continue following Saint Marianne’s beautiful example by being genuine disciples of Jesus Christ, serving as His instruments of peace, love, joy, mercy, and hope. In remembrance of this blessed time of the Saint Marianne Cope Church Heppenheim dedication, I offered on behalf of our Sisters, Franciscan Associates, Bishop Clarence Larry Silva and our Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii, a very significant gift —the banner (4 ft. x 6 ft.) depicting Saint Marianne. Hawaii’s artist Philip Sabado created it specifically for the Heppenheim people (Please refer to the attached picture of the banner and the Vicar General Dr. Sebastian Lang, Pastor Father Thomas Meurer, the Members of the new Parish Pastoral Council, Mayor Rainer Burelbach, Chief Executive (Landrat) Christian Engelhardt, Pastor Katharina Ruhwedel of the Lutheran Church, and Sister Davilyn Ah Chick.)
I had a special meeting with Bishop Dr. Peter Kohlgrate, the Bishop of Mainz, Germany. I presented him with the books, “Pilgrimage & Exile” and “A Walk with Saint Marianne Cope of Molokai,” along with other materials. I also shared more detailed insights on Saint Marianne’s life with the new Pastoral Council, at five other invited gatherings, at the Lutheran Sunday Service, and at other personal encounters. Experiencing the people’s deep love and delight relating to their native-born Saint Marianne and answering their questions about our Sisters of St. Francis and Franciscan Associates of the Neumann Communities were most inspiring and highly impressive.
All those present at the founding Mass and all other gatherings received Saint Marianne’s 3rd Class relic prayer cards and many other materials depicting her life as a Sister of St. Francis.
I will long remember and treasure the memories with much gratitude. It was truly blessed, fantastic, breathtaking, and unforgettable for me to walk on the very land, the same roots and foundation of our Beloved Saint Marianne Cope for the third time at Heppenheim, Germany!
