*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator ***

Mechernich – A Sunday filled with gratitude, music and moving encounters characterised this year's harvest festival at Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich. Two events created a festive atmosphere and a palpable sense of community – the solemn harvest festival mass in the morning in the house chapel and a touching charity performance by the choir "Ahr Voices" in the Stella Maris hospice in the afternoon.

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Paul Cyrys SDS, Superior of Steinfeld Monastery and a long-time friend of the Mechernich community. In a powerful sermon, he reminded us that true faith is not rooted in human achievement, but in a liberating relationship with God.

"If your faith were only as big as a mustard seed," he quoted the Gospel and called for trust and gratitude to be placed above self-sufficiency. With moving examples – including the story of Thomas Edison and his mother – he showed how faith and trust can transform a life.

Guido Jackson-Wilms provided the festive setting, playing well-known songs such as "What a Wonderful World," Cohen's "Hallelujah," and "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" by Sebastian Temple, who set St. Francis' world-famous prayer "Make me an instrument of your peace" to music.

Although his duo partner Dr Norbert Feinendegen was absent due to illness, Jackson-Wilms filled the room with warmth and musical devotion. Sr. Theresia had lovingly decorated the harvest altar beforehand – at the end, each visitor was allowed to take home a blessed fruit as a visible sign of gratitude.

"It was such a beautiful morning. Thank you for letting me be part of it," the musician later wrote to the overall organiser, Sister Lidwina – and promised to come back soon: "Next time, back to four hands..."

In the afternoon, there was singing that touched hearts, writes Sister Lidwina: the "Ahr Voices" gave a guest performance at a charity concert in the Stella Maris hospice. The ensemble from Blankenheimerdorf, conducted by Pascal Lucke, performed under the motto "Remembrance and Gratitude".

Spiritual depth and human closeness

The occasion was the stay of a singer's mother in the Mechernich hospice. "This personal connection gave rise to the desire to bring joy and comfort through music," reports Communio Sister Lidwina.

The choir's voices filled the high, light-flooded room in the centre of the star-shaped building complex with songs such as "Falling in Love with You" and a lively "Abba" medley. Residents, hospice guests, relatives and staff were infected by the cheerful yet sensitive atmosphere. Some long-term care residents also came with their carers – and were delighted.

Barbara Massong from the hospice team expressed everyone's gratitude: "We have never had such a beautiful evening service. We look forward to the next one." The choir spontaneously agreed – and after the concert there was still time for conversation and a cup of coffee to round off this special afternoon together.

This time, Harvest Sunday at Ordo Communionis in Christo combined spiritual depth with human closeness and cultural vitality. In God's word, in music and in encounters, it became clear what Father Paul emphasised in his sermon: "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and prudence." A sentence that was not only spoken on this day, but tangibly lived.

pp/Agentur ProfiPress