The
Internationale Treffen des Familienverbandes Padberg 2008
(International Reunion of the Familienverband Padberg)
took place in the
renovated parts of the former Bredelar monastery on
June 21 and 22, 2008
The foundation of the Bredelar monastery was begun by Count Gottschalk I von Padberg in 1170. The old St. Peter's Church in Padberg and the Bredelar monastery are the oldest historic buildings still in existence and in use which give us such a close relationship to the ancestors who were first to bear our last name. (The locations Bredelar and Padberg are only 2 km [= 1 ¼ miles] apart.)
At the date mentioned above, people with the last name Padberg, Padtberg and Pattberg, or descendants from earlier Pad/dt/ttbergs, and interested friends, gathered. They represented the nations of Canada (5), Germany (67), the Netherlands (31) and the USA (9).
If it weren’t for the many generous helping hands, the reunion would not have been such a tremendous success. Thank you so much to everyone who assisted.
A special acknowledgement is extended to the following individuals who are listed here in the order of their presentations.
- Mr
Rüdiger Schulte
who told us on Saturday about the life
and death of Father Sylvester (Heinrich Padberg from Hildfeld,
1906-1937), who was a missionary in China
- Mr
Bernd Follmann
who gave a review of the history of the
Bredelar monastery, translated into English by his son Christian
- Mr
Klaas Padberg Evenboer
who talked about the houses and coat
of arms of the von Padberg families
- Mr
Uwe and Mr Sven Padberg
who reviewed the celebrations for the
975th anniversary of Padberg held in 2005 (You can order a
copy of the presentation directly from Uwe. Please check souvenirs.)
- Father
Ulrich
who celebrated an ecumenical Sunday service in St.
Peter's Church in Padberg, commemorating the living and deceased
members of the Familienverband Padberg
- Gräfin
Ulrike Droste zu Vischering
who described the history of the
two churches in Padberg (St. Peter's and St. Maria Magdalena)
- Mr
Norbert Becker
who informed us of the life of the Jewish
community in the Padberg area as we gathered in the former synagogue
- the
Bänkelsängergruppe (medieval singers group) “Rücken
bücken”
who surprised us with a collection of
old historic songs on Sunday afternoon
We are also grateful to
- Mr
Heinz Körner
who advised us on services we were looking
for
and
- Mr
Martin Lübke
who patiently helped us with all technical
issues in the monastery during the whole event.
Finally we wish to acknowledge
- “Ludmillus,
the Troubadour”,
who provided the entertainment with
songs and games on Saturday night
- the
catering service Kappe from Beringhausen
who supplied us
with the most delicious meals throughout the reunion.
We are most grateful.
The
Organization Committee:
Sabine Padtberg-Fronapfel
Klaas
Padberg Evenboer
Peter Paul Padberg
Volker
Pattberg
Heinz-Bernd Padberg