October is Respect Life Month and Mary's Month.
Calendar of Events. Please note change to 11:30 a.m. for our Monday Meetings.
For various reasons, it seems appropriate to begin this newsletter with our President's Message for this month:
Dear Fellow Serrans:
We are going to continue with our luncheon meetings at Olive's Restaurant in East
Grand Rapids. It would help them if we would begin our meetings or at least place our orders around 11:30. I agreed to try this for the next meeting.
We delivered Serra brochures and prayer books and other brochures for the Fall Convocation of Priests event held at Shanty Creek Lodge. We also prepared bifolds announcing that the Muskegon Club and the Grand Rapids Club were supporting their event by funding their reception.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!
Weldon Schwartz
October 9, 2017. Columbus Day and Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 11:30 a.m. at Olive's Restaurant. This change will help the server because she is responsible for both the downstairs and upstairs sections. We will try this change for the October and November meetings. Information about the December meeting TBA. A short board meeting will follow. Our speaker will be Father Thomas Cavera.
Father Cavera is the grandson of the late Joseph Cavera, who joined Serra within a year of its founding and who is remembered as one of our longest-time and most dedicated Serrans. Among other things, he acted as keeper of the archives. Let us also remember him for his devotion to the club and its mission.
October 29, 2017. Priesthood Sunday. Help prepare for this day in your parish. This day provides a great opportunity to make your fellow parishioners aware of Serra and its mission.
November 4-11, 2017. National Vocations Awareness Week.
Priests' Anniversaries for October.
Reverend Michael Hodges, October 27, 2012.
Reverend Darrell Kempf, October 27, 2012.
Work and Pray for Membership.
John Osterhart received a call from someone inquiring about becoming a member of Serra. The caller had received his Serra brochure and his Serra Prayer Book from his priest, who got them from the Fall Convocation. Thank you, Weldon, for distributing these materials at the Convocation, and thank you, John, for responding to the inquiry. Right now we are reaching out to two prospective members and will let you know of any further news. We need your prayers and your help.
Also, be sure to get some copies of John's Invitation to Catholic Laity...to join and support Serra. We will have some available at the October meeting.
John also tells us that he and Ellen encountered David Mohan and his wife Lilly at Devos Hall a couple of weeks ago and found out that they are moving to Florida. John invited David to come to our October meeting.
Serra Promotion and Resource Kit.
Welcome to the Serra Promotion and Resource Kit (spark.org) Brought to you by the U. S. A. Council of Serra International, Spark is a free online collection of best-practices tools in religious vocations ministry...
Created by a group of experienced laypeople with a longstanding devotion to the Roman Catholic Church, SPARK covers everything from discernment retreat agendas to vocations talks to using social media in vocations promotion...and much more.
Nearly two dozen topics are covered in this site. Also look for SPARK videos for vocations.
Serra Club Activities in New Orleans.
John Osterhart attended a Serra USA Council meeting of the Serra USA Executive Committee on September 22-29. This meeting coincided with the National Convention of Diocesean Vocation Directors. Serra USA held a reception for the Vocation Directors.
Hurricane Relief.
During September and October, our attention has been directed toward aid and relief for victims or Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. We can help in the form of monetary donations, but also we must remember to pray not only for the victims but also for the priests and religious in the affected locations.
One of the many ways to help in Puerto Rico is by donating to Catholic Charities of Central Florida
Hurricane Maria: Catholic Charities of Central Florida joins aid efforts for Puerto Rico.
September 30, 2017.
Orlando, Fla.
As recovery efforts continue in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, Catholic Charities of Central Florida is ramping up its own initiative to assist people on the island. The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary held a Mass of solidarity Saturday for those devastated by the hurricane in Puerto Rico. Many members of the church have family on the island.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida parked two trucks outside the cathedral to accept the donations of nonperishable food and personal hygiene items like shampoo and toothpaste.
Father Miguel Gonzalez is a priest at the church. He's still waiting to hear from some of his relatives on the island. "The relatives in San Juan are fine, but up on the mountain area, we still have not been able to connect with them," said Gonzalez.
Let us pray for Father Gonzalez as he waits for news of his loved ones.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!
What doth the Lord require of thee but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Micah 6:8.
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