Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, December 2009

Calendar of Events.

December 14, 2009. Luncheon Meeting and speaker Dr. Chad Gunnoe, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House. Dr. Gunnoe, Provost, Aquinas College. Dr. Gunnoe's talk will be about initiatives to strengthen the mission and theological exploration of vocations at Aquinas College. Dr. Gunnoe has served as Provost and Dean of Faculty at the college since July 1, 2008.

December 21, 2009. Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House.

There will be no meeting on December 28.

January 14, 2009. Luncheon Meeting and Speaker Dr. John Penniero, who directs the Catholic Faith Studies at Aquinas College. 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House.

April 17, 2010. Sisters' Appreciation Dinner, at St. Jude's Brophy Center.

December Anniversaries.

Reverend Robert Gillespie, December 8, 1943.
Reverend Msgr. John Porter, December 15, 1957.

Reverend Charles Dautremont, December 18, 1960.

Reverend Julian Reginato, December 19, 1964.

Most Reverend Joseph McKinney, December 20, 1953.

Reverend Isidro Gargantiel, Deember 21, 1968.

Reverend Norbert Leyrita, December 21, 1963.

Most Reverend Robert Rose, December 21, 1955.

Reverend Michael Olson, December 20, 1994.

Correspondence. Lee Sullivan has received notes from several priests thanking her for the anniversary cards. Thank you, Lee, for taking on this important task.

Our club also received this note from Joseph Scoville following the Inaugural Bishop's Dinner on December 1, 2009: Congratulations to Fr. Ed, Pam, Marco, Joe and Kathy Westdorp and everyone else who helped make the event a success.

Seeing Fr. Ferris in a cassock and ferraiolo was worth the price of admission.
The editor thanks the Hon. Joseph Scoville for pointing out the proper nomenclature for such garments.

About Ralph Hauenstein. For those who did not attend the Bishop's Dinner, the program included the following information:

Ralph Hauenstein began his service to our nation in 1934 after active duty in the army. He returned to civilian life and became city editor of the Grand Rapids Herald. In December, 1940 he returned to active duty in the Second World War, rising to the rank of colonel as chief of the Intelligence Branch in the Army's European Theater. After he war he entered into international trade. Returning to civilian life, he partnered with European Enterprises to provide goods and services to consumers in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere where democracies were struggling. Because of his extensive travels, Hauenstein was one of the first Serrans to promote the Serra organization outside of North America. His efforts helped found chapters of Serra International in Liverpool, England in 1957 and later in Genoa, Italy, the organization's first nonn-English speaking chapter. He was chosen as international president in 1961 and now serves as the Dean of Past Serra International Presidents.

His philanthropy has benefited a variety of organizations devoted to medical research and education. The Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley University, the Hauenstein Center at St. Mary's Health Care for Neurological Studies are recent examples of his generosity.

The Samuel Cardinal Stritch Award.

Mr. Hauenstein was presented with this award as its first recipient both in August at the Serra International Convention in Omaha and later at the Bishop's Inaugural Dinner. The award is named after His Eminence Samuel Cardinal Stritch, who graciously accepted Serra's invitation to become its first Episcopal Advisor in November, 1946 and continued that important role until his death in 1958.

In May, 1951 Cardinal Stritch successfully petitioned His Holiness Pope Pius XII to approve the aggregation of Serra International to the Ponvifical Work for Priestly Vocations, part of the Sacred Congregation for Seminaries and Universities.

This award was created to recognize inspired apostleship and unwavering commitment to Serra's global lay apostolate for vocations.

We can help. The Franciscan Center at Lowell has published the following wish lists for various good causes: 1) the Preschool Wish List asks for sleds, wood scraps, binoculars, old jewelry, old wax candles or wax, beads for stringing, alphabet stamps, and dress-up clothes.

2) the Franciscan Friends Program volunteers need donations of yarn suitable for knitting. The volunteer group uses the donated material to create knit caps for cancer chemo patients, afghan blankets for the elderly in nursing homes and lap blankets for parents of neo-natal infants, and items for St. John's Home. Those able to donate these items may bring them to the Franciscan Center or call the center at 616-897-7842 for more information.

Also keep in mind that HARPfest 2010 is scheduled for August 19-21, 2010 at the Center.

Pray for Vocations. Sister Gabriel of St. Anne's Home addressed the parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows regarding the need for priestly and religious vocations on the weekend of December 5 and 6. She also described the Carmelites' very important work of caring for children and the elderly. Let us all make a special effort to pray for vocations, especially during this Christmas season when we are all so busy with other activities.

Another Way of Supporting Vocations. Again the Trappist Monks at Gethsemani Center offer an array of delicious Christmas gifts. Call toll free at 1-800-549-0912 Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and and 7:30 p.m. ET and Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET. Other gift ideas include (1) Mystic Monk coffee (various blends available). Call 1-877-751-6377.

2) The Pope's Cologne (from the private formula of Pope Pius IX). $25.95 with free shipping. The cologne may be ordered online at http://www.thepopescologne.com/ or toll free 888-357-3957.

3) Gifts from MonasteryGreetings.com offers quality products from Trappist, Benedictine, & Franciscan Communities. Call 1-800 472-0425 for a free catalog.

Good News. Salute, the magazine of the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA, Fall

2009's column, "The Harvest Continues," presents the biographies of 19 of its seminarians. They are Ryan C. Boyle of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL; Michael E. Creavey, Diocese of Harrisburg, PA; Daniel J. Czajak, Diocese of Syracuse, NY; Thomas P. Gallagher, Diocese of Arlington, VA; Michael R. Hofer, Diocese of Rapid City, SD; Anthony N. Lezcano, Archdiocese of Seattle, WA; Kenneth Malley, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, PA; Nicholas J. Reid, Diocese of Jefferson City, MO; Alexander B. Scott, Archdiocese of Washington, DC; Matthew S. Soto, Diocese of Victoria, TX; Thomas C. Wills, Diocese of Arlington, VA; and Daniel A. Zeiss, Diocese of Paterson, NJ. The Archdiocese for Military Services USA is under the leadership of (Most Reverend) Timothy P. Broglio, and its website is http://www.milarch.org/

A Special Day. December 13 is the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday (Liturgical Year C, Cycle II). There are two reasons to commemorate December 13. St. Lucy's calendar day is one. The Sunday feast supplants it liturgically, but she can still be remembered on this day. She's famous as the victim of a gruesome act of torture: Her eyes were torn out (and she's often depicted holding them on a plate). What's less known about Lucy (283-304) was that she was a devotee of St. Agatha, who was a virgin and martyr who was put to death half a century before her. Lucy angered her fiance by distributing her family's riches to the poor in gratitude for a miracle she attributed to St. Agatha. He reported her as a Christian, and she was first condemned to suffer prostitution. She refused, and her captors found her literally unmovable. Her feast day is celebrated especially in Sweden, by crowning the oldest daughter and having her deliver baked goods to family members in bed. The custom is for the oldest daughter to bake the coffee cake--but Mom was usually happy to help. It was once the custom to put candles on a wreath on the eldest daughter's head, but we find having her sister hold a candle beside her conveys the image of light and sight just as wewlll. It's also safer.

Gaudete Sunday is the other, liturgically pre-eminent celebration on this day. The name of the Third Sunday of Advent means "rejoice." Advent is more than half over, and we're that much closer to Christmas. The rose candle in the Advent wreath is lit on this day, and if the priest wishes, he may wear rose vestments. Source: Tom and April Hoopes, National Catholic Register, December 6, 2009.

Our President's Message. December 3, 2009. Dear Serrans, Many, many thanks to the Inaugural Bishop's Dinner Committee for an outstanding evening on December 1. The many sponsors certainly helped us move ahead, but without the outstanding work and faith of the committee...what is there to say but a TREMENDOUS JOB WELL DONE! Many other words of appreciation have been sent my way on how NICE the dinner was. I recommend the committee take a short break and reconvene in January to start 2010 planning. At a later date we will have a complete accounting of the evening's expenses and the final outcome of what we were able to present the Bishop.

Don't forget to attend the last Serra meeting for 2009 on December 14 at Louis Benton Steak House at noon. Our featured speaker will be Dr. Chad Gunnoe, whose short biography appears in the Calendar of Events. Our meetings, with their slate of outstanding speakers, offer a nice opportunity to invite a dinner attendee or other guest to join Serra. Please RSVP for both of the December and January meetings, and especially let us know if you are planning to bring a guest.

Also, during the holiday season, please do not forget to pray for vocations. Adoration as a club was offered on December 4, and of course there are several other opportunities throughout the city for individual adoration in a chapel, or just pray at home in a quiet place.

The coming year will bring us challenges and great opportunities for Serrans to assist our Bishop, our seminarians, students of all ages, and new vocation programs. We may affirm our Catholic faith with family and friends as well. A life with prayer at the top of the list of things to do is the only way to take on these new opportunities and to reflect upon the old ones.

Today's news (Thursday) brings word of the upcoming snow season and a possible 2-5 inches. As if we Michiganders needed to hear this news! But the snow is a good thing, too. Its whiteness can remind us of the white dove of the Holy Spirit. The bright moon shining on the snow gives the glistening excitement of new birth. The coldness lets us cuddle up a little more often with a loved one. Then there is the wind! Is it the Holy Spirit telling us to "Be not afraid," as the Angel Gabriel told Zechariah and Mary? Advent is a time to pause, reflect, and prepare for the coming of the Lord.

(Editor's Note). The Lord awarded many regions in our metropolitan area with much more snow than was predicted in this column.

May the Advent season bring you anticipated peace for the coming of the Lord on Christmas Day and for the coming new year. Christmas and New Year's blessings to everyone! Pam McKenzie.

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, November 2009

Calendar of Events.
November 6, 2009. Serra First Friday Adoration 9:00-10:00 a.m. at St. Isidore.
November 6, 2009. Another First Friday Adoration Opportunity. Eucharistic Night at Ss Peter and Paul Church. Mass begins at 7:00 p.m. with rosary and prayer to follow. The evening closes with Benediction at 9:05 p.m.
November 9, 2009. Luncheon Meeting at 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House. Guest Speaker, Father Anthony Russo.
November 16, 2009. Serra Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House.
November 23, 2009. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting at Sacred Heart of Jesus.
December 1, 2009. The Bishop's Dinner, Cathedral Square Conference Center, 6:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker Msgr. Wm Duncan.
Please Note: There will be no meeting on December 28.
November Anniversaries.

Fr. Dan DePew, November 2

Fr. Rock Badgerow, Fr. Thomas Hall, November 3

Fr. Thomas Bouffard, November 7

Fr. Edward Vella, November 9

Fr. Peter Schafer, November 12

Deacons' Anniversaries. Zenon Cardenas, Dale Hollern, Leon Jankowski, and Howard Scheid, November 10.

Congratulations to our Newest Member. Congratulations to new Serran Beth Gumina, a St. Stephen parishioner and owner of Gumina's Flowers. Congratulations as well to Aggie Kempker-Cloyd, Beth's sponsor.

In Memoriam. At this time, let us pray especially for the repose of the soul of Mary Hauenstein Stahl.
Born March 5, 1933. Passed away October 12, 2009. Eternal Rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

This Month's Liturgy at a Glance. While the celebrations of All Saints and All Souls opens up the month, the end of the Liturgical Year also gets underway. Readings for these Sundays begin to announce the end of times and the arrival of a triumphant Christ as a presage to Advent, which celebrates both the Incarnation of the Word and the second coming of the Lord.
The first three Sundays present recommendations of a Christian life with a watchful vigil and discipleship of Christ being a part of daily life. The message is accentuated with the feast of the Saints, close friends of God who gave their lives to Christ. On the fourth Sunday, the feast of Christ the King is celebrated, a king who comes not in the form of political force or military power, but in peace.
It is a king who announces as a model of his reign the beatitudes of peace, poverty, humility, and the struggle for justice that are read on All Saints. The last Sunday in November is the first of Advent, which continues to emphasize the subject of a joyful watch and wait for the manifestation of the Lord, not as a destroyer of the earth, but of a Lord who comes to bring his peace. It is the responsibility of Christians simply to live in vigil, love one another, and maintain a relationship with God so that His coming will find us living as children of light.
In November we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence, patroness of Puerto Rico, and a good time in these moments of crisis to devote ourselves to God with confidence in his loving care. We also celebrate St. Martin de Porres, first saint of Peru; St. Martin of Tours, apostle of peace; Blessed Roque Gonzalez, first person beatified from Paraguay; and St. Miguel Pro, a Mexican martyred for his faith who died shouting, "Long Live Christ the King."
Source: Paraphrased from Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, October 25, 2009.

The Year of the Priest. In this special year, let us take special note of St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews, read on the Thirtiety Sunday of Ordinary Time:
Brothers and Sisters: Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for hmself as well as for the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him:
You are my son:
this day I have begotten you;
Just as he says in another place:
You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:1-6.

A Message from our President.

Dear Serrans: At this writing we have celebrated the Feast of All Saints at our weekend liturgies. The saints of today and the saints of old have touched our lives by sharing, caring, nurturing and giving and by exhibiting boldness, kindness and meekness. The list goes on and on, and we are so blessed to have these people to look to. We will also never forget those souls who have departed this world. May they all rest in peace.

Much excitement is building for the Bishop's Dinner. We are already over last year's number of attendees, and more reservations are expected. It is not too late to get another sponsor signed up or sell more tickets. Everyone's help is needed and appreciated. Many attendees do not know about Serra and our local club. Help promote our mission as well as invite folks to our meetings. Meetings provide a great opportunity for us to get others interested in joining.

The annual meeting with Aquinas faculty, staff, and students took place November 2. Serrans who attended will be sharing much information with board and members in the days ahead. The Aquinas staff and faculty are excited about their work in their offerings to students via masses, class selections, club activities, small group sharing, and missions and retreats. Many new things are happening.

One event for all of us to attend will be held on Thursday, January 28 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Wege Ballroom on the Aquinas campus. This is a one-woman play about a great Saint who inspires people of all ages, Catherine of Siena. The performance will be done by Sister Nancy Murray, OP, Adrian Dominican. It is free and open to the public. I hope you will try to attend.

Also, on January 11 Dr. John Pinheiro will be our luncheon speaker. He is the director of the Catholic Studies Program offered at Aquinas College. Through his Catholic Studies program, Aquinas has started a Catholic Studies Lecture Series open to the public. The next offering will take place on January 29, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. in the Wege Ballroom. Peter Kreeft, PhD. of Boston College will speak on "Seeking and Responding to the Truth." Bring your lunch or purchase it from the cafeteria. Both the January 28 and 29 events are sponsored by Campus Ministry in conjunction with St. Thomas Aquinas Week.

As Catholics, giving thanks to God is part of our daily activity. Giving thanks is also part of our American heritage. What the early settlers endured can seem overwhelming. Could we live as they did? Their faith in God certainly helped them along the way. Thanksgiving blessings and peace to all Serrans and their families.

Pam McKenzie

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, October, 2009

Calendar of Events.

October 4, 2009. Gloria Deo Concert, 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Serrans will assist with handing out programs and otherwise serving as the hospitality crew. Tim Hile will give a short presentation about Serra. As of this past Monday, we needed about three more people to help. Call Pam if you are interested. Those who simply wish to attend the concert are also invited. There is no admission charge, but freewill offerings are welcomed. Gloria Deo is touring the country in observance of The Year of the Priest.

October 5, 2009. Adoration. Mass at 8:00 a.m., followed by Rosary. Adoration will begin at 9:00 a.m.

October 6, 2009. One of a three-day retreat at St. Stephen. The topic for that day will be "Vocations." 7:00 p.m., followed by refreshments.

October 12, 2009. Member/Guest Reception, 5:30 p.m. at Louis Benton Steak House. Please give Tim Hile the names of those you wish to invite.

October 19, 2009. Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House.

October 22, 2009. Fall leaf raking with West Catholic High School students with the Consolata Missionary Sisters in Belmont. The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 11:00 a.m. If you wish to help, bring rakes and leaf bags.

October 25, 2009. Priesthood Sunday. See below for more information.

October 26, 2009. Communion Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.

November 9, 2009. Luncheon Meeting at 12:00 noon at Louis Benton Steak House. Our speaker will be Fr. Tony Russo.

December 1, 2009. The Bishop's Dinner, 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Square Conference Center. As our members have noted, the Planning Committee is making a great effort to keep members motivated and informed. As readers know, proceeds from this event will be used to support the continuing education of a priest at the North American College in Rome. This fall, the Reverend Monsignor William Duncan, once a Serran, will be participating in this program. He will return to Grand Rapids and deliver the Keynote Address at the dinner.

Priests' Anniversaries. Lee Sullivan will send anniversary cards to Father Martine Toolis (Ludington), October 7, 1970, and Deacon Don Sobolewski, October 16, 1993.

About Priesthood Sunday. The Serra Leader provides the following information about Priesthood Sunday, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Readings of the day include the following:

Reading 1: Jer 31:7-9.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 126: 1-2,2-3, 4-5, 6.

Reading 2: Heb 5: 1-6.

Gospel: Mk 10: 46-52.

For music and liturgical ideas, visit http://www.priestsunday.org/

Dr. Woody Hoover Addresses Serrans. For those who missed Dr. Hoover's talk on September 14 at the University Club, or for those who wish to further study or review the materials he presented, we are reprinting the list of textbooks and instructional materials used in Dr. Hoover's course, MG 570 at Aquinas College: ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT.

1. Encyclopedia Britannica, (Macropedia Section) "Ethics".

2. John Paul II Veritatis Splendor ISBN 1-55586-679-4 (Download at http://www.holysee.org/)

3. John Paul II Centesimus Annus ISBN 1-55586-436-8 (Download at http://www.usccb.org/)

4. Marc Gunther Faith and Fortune ISBN 1-4000-4893-1 (Hardcover, 2004).

ISBN 1-4000-4894-X (Paperback, 2005).

5. Marianne M. Jennings, Business Ethics, Case Studies, and Selected Readings ISBN 0324-657-749. In addition to the websites, readers might find http://www.vatican.va/ useful for downloads.

Editor's Note: I have downloaded the first 20 pages of Veritatis Splendor (it's 77 pages in all) and have started to read, i.e. study, it. I highly recommend it as a spiritual exercise.

Dr. Hoover's presentation generated much interest among the audience. Some even brought up the possibility of auditing Dr. Hoover's course.

Dr. Hoover can be reached at hoovehar@aquinas.edu

News From Serra International, Omaha. Ralph Hauenstein, Nate McKenzie, John Osterhart, Mark Kubik, Dennis Leiber, John and Mary Stepanovich, and Dan Grady attended from our club. Ralph, Mark and Dennis participated in a panel discussion. Dan was elected to the International Board and will be traveling to Mexico in March. Nate served as our club's delegate, and John was our alternate. One result of this convention was that Serrans around the world became better acquainted with Ralph's many accomplishments and his invaluable contributions to both Serra International and our club. (Side note from Nate: A dinner party orginally planned for only a few people turned into a considerably larger event when at least 30 additional Serrans expressed an interest in taking Ralph to dinner). Brochures featuring Ralph's biography will be distributed at the Bishop's Dinner on December 1. Booklets outlining the nuts-and-bolts proceedings are available upon request from Nate.

Interesting to note is that the Omaha Convention received front-page coverage from the National Catholic Register. Register Senior Writer Tim Drake describes the event as follows:

"Serra International is using the Year for Priests to tackle the laity's role in promoting vocations to religious life. More than 530 Serrans, several bishops, and many priests gathered in Omaha for the group's 67th International Convention August 27-30, which focused on the them, 'The Role of Christ's Lay Faithful.'

" 'No one offers more support and encouragement for vocations than Serra,' said the host, Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, about the organization, which was founded 75 years ago. 'The genius of Serra is that it's founded in prayer.'..."

All who attended from our club agreed that the convention was an excellent experience. Nate's heartfelt recommendation is this: Try to attend at least one international convention during your life as a Serran.

Next year's convention will be held in Fairbanks, Alaska.

More News from the Military. Last month, in observance of the Year of the Priest, we reprinted an article by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Gary R. Studniewski, who served in Iraq.

This month we bring further news about serving the spiritual needs of those in the military. Furthermore, we commend those, including Pope Benedict XVI, who strive to keep up with the newest technologies in their efforts to serve our troops in this special way.

Catholics Seeking Christ Goes Digital: Follow the AMS on Facebook and Twitter.

"A CSC leader deployed at a U. S. Marine Corps Camp overseas e-mailed the AMS to inquire about recruiting new participants. While we had experience in assisting leaders in recruiting participants at military installations, this question was asking something more. How, as a new arrival in a foreign setting, do you invite peers to join a small group for spiritual discussion about the Catholic faith?

Rather than try to answer the question from our offices in Washington, D. C., we posted the inquiry on our new CSC Group on MyCatholicVoice.com. Using the Q+A feature, we were able to share the question with CSC leaders who had experience inviting others to join their CSC groups in deployed settings. Navigating tents and temporary structures is quite different from interacting with ppers at a military installation in the United States. On this site relevant ideas were shared by others who had the experience. The information shared helped the young Marine to start two CSC groups in his deployed setting.

The new CSC group on MyCatholicVoice.com has a short welcome video along with the purpose and goals of Catholics Seeking Christ. All of the training and session videos are posted for viewing on the web. Those who sign up for a free user account are able to download the video and written documents that correspond to each session. Already these resources have been used to train new leaders throughout the military....

Our troops may download the sessions the need to a computer, iPod, or any other handheld device for immediate use. The new media of social networking is enabling us to connect our global archdiocese in new and exciting ways. Visit the CSC Group site on MyCatholicVoice.com at http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/group/Catholics+Seeking+Christ. Recently, the Vatican has launched a new web site for young people called Pope 2 You, www.pope@you.net. The site has links to theVatican You Tube Channel, Facebook and iPhone applications, along with news links to keep young Catholics connected. On the 43rd World Communications Day, May 24, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI specifically addressed young people regarding new technologies:

"It falls, in particular, to young people, who have an almost spontaneous affinity for the new means of communication, to take on the responsibility for the evangelization of this 'digital continent.' Be sure to announce the Gospel to your contemporaries with enthusiasm. You know their fears and their hopes, their aspirations and their disappointments: the greatest gift you can give to them is to share with them the 'Good News' of a God who became man, who suffered, died, and rose again to save all people. Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. Our faith can respond to these expectations: may you become its heralds! The Pope accompanies you with his prayers and his blessing."

By Mark Moitoza, Salute Magazine, Summer 2009.

A Message from our President.

Dear Serrans: Wow! When you look at the beginning of this newsletter, we are busy bees! I know the October 6 evening is a last minute opportunity. When we have a chance to get our name and information of our mission out, I can't refuse, especially when only time is needed. Thanks to Nancy King and me, we will provide some homemade baked breads along with coffee, juice, and wine for the reception following. Any Serrans attending the retreat are encouraged to lend a helping hand. We will have handouts available, and of course, conversation with friends both old and new.

The Bishop's Dinner Committee has been busy and the fruits of their labors are starting to show. It is nice to see the thermometer to see how we are progressing. Keep spreading the word and selling tickets so that we can fill the room to capacity this year.

This week's mail brought me a surprise. The Office for Priestly Vocations has updated its poster of seminarians, and Serra was included to receive a copy. It is being mounted for us to display and use at our meetings and events we attend. Thank you to Father Ron Hutchinson for thinking of us.

As promised, we are again on the calendar at Aquinas College to meet with faculty and students on Monday, November 2 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. We can bring up to six Serrans. Paul Nelson will be the moderator. I will call members regarding your interest and availability to attend.

Many thanks to Nate McKenzie for accepting, attending, and reporting on the International Convention as our delegate. Dan LaVille picked a good one this year. John Osterhart was the alternate, and we will be hearing some of his comments at future meetings. Congratulations to Dan Grady for being elected to the International Board. I'm sure he will keep us informed and current on news from International. At future meetings we will be listening to some of the keynote addresses from the convention. Thanks to John Stepanovich for purchasing these cds for our use.

Fall has arrived and the trees will be changing. Does your prayer life change, too? I think mine does as the seasons come and go, but praying for an increase to vocations is always included. May we continue to move forward. Enjoy this colorful time God has given us before the North Wind arrives with the white stuff.

Christ's love is never-ending.

Pam McKenzie

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, September, 2009

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. Psalm 116:15. In 2006, when a group of Serrans visited Our Lady of Sorrows in their bid to recruit new members, it was Phillip Weber who heard the call to join our club. We now mourn his passing on August 8, 2009. We will remember him as one of our most prayerful members ever, and we take comfort in our certainty that his prayers will make a difference in our collective effort to nurture and support priestly and religious vocations.

Thank you to members of St. Andrew's Cathedral who led the Rosary at his visitation. All who attended were reminded of the importance of the Rosary in Phillip's life.

We extend our thanks also to Father Ted for his wonderful funeral homily, in which he pointed out Phillip's role as a quiet, unsung hero in setting an example for all of us in his love of the Lord and the richness of his prayer life.

I once read in an otherwise long since forgotten novel that it is not the absence of the dead that startles us; it is their presence. I, for one, as a member of Our Lady of Sorrows, will forever see Phillip's bicycle parked in the breezeway, or Phillip kneeling in prayer at either of the side chapels or otherwise praying or meditating in various locations throughout the parish grounds. Father Ted mentioned his habit of sitting on the school steps at 8:30 every Sunday morning, in good weather and in bad, waiting for the church to open. Now and then Father Ted says still, as he prepares for weekday or Sunday masses, "Phillip won't be with us today."

No, he will not be physically present, either at Our Lady of Sorrows or at Serra meetings. But we will not easily forget the blessings he brought to the parish and our club and to all who knew him. We give thanks for the gift of his life. Let us pray for the repose of his soul.

By Nancy King

Adoration Opportunities for September, October, and Beyond.

Tuesday, September 1. Ss. Peter and Paul. 6:00 p.m. Adoration with Mass to follow at 7:00.

Monday, October 5. Holy Spirit. 8:00 a.m. Mass, with Adoration to follow at 9:00.

These are the Adoration Opportunities regularly scheduled by our club. Fr. Ed has offered additional Adoration Opportunities at Sacred Heart as follows:

Thursday, September 3. Adoration to begin after 7:30 a.m. Mass. Adoration closes at 7:00 p.m. with Evening Prayer, Night Prayer, and Benediction.

Thursday, October 20. Adoration to begin after 9:00 a.m. Children's Mass. The closing of Adoration at 7:00 p.m. will be more formal than usual, with extra priests present, Evening Prayer, Guest Homilist, Litany of Saints, Procession, and Benediction.

Thursday, November 5. Same format as September 3.

Thursday, December 3. Same format as September 3.

Meeting Dates for September and Beyond.

September 14, 2009. Luncheon Meeting at 12:00 Noon at the University Club. At this meeting, we begin our fall lecture series with Dr. Woody Hoover, Chair of the Department of Business Administration at Aquinas College. Here is the information he gave us: Dr. Hoover will discuss a study of the role and responsibilities that organizations have in their relationship to local, state, national and international communities and how the School of Management uses these encyclicals as a basis for its Ethics course for students in the Master of Management program.

September 21, 2009. Board Meeting at 12:00 Noon at the University Club.

September 28, 2009. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart. The International Convention report will be given at that time.

October 12, 2009. Member/Guest Reception at 5:30 p.m. at Louis Benton Steak House. Please submit names of prospective guests/members to Tim Hile so that he can send invitations.

A Note About our Annual Bishop's Dinner. The dinner, to be held on Tuesday, December 1 at the Conference Center at Cathedral Square, has undergone name changes since its inception. Nineteen years ago, we were asked to support our Bishop by inaugurating the Sabbatical Dinner Program. Proceeds were used to fund sabbaticals for priests actively serving in our diocese. Over time, the proceeds from this dinner were also used for other diocesan vocational activities, and it became known as the Vocations Dinner. This year, our club has been asked to continue our fundraising endeavor and host the Annual Bishop's Dinner. Proceeds from this event will be used to support the continuing education of a priest at the North American College in Rome, This fall, the Reverend Monsignor William Duncan, once a Serran, will be participating in this program. He will return to Grand Rapids and deliver the Keynote Address at the dinner, which will begin at 6:00 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and social hour, with dinner to follow at 7:00 p.m.

As Mark explains in his letter, each Serran is asked to support the program the co-ordinating the sale of a table of eight. An early bird rate of $760 per table, ($95 per person) is available to those who submit payment by Monday, October 12.

Priesthood Sunday. Priesthood Sunday will be observed on October 25, 2009, the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. For music and other liturgical ideas, visit http://www.priestsunday.org/

Preists' Anniversaries. The following diocesean priests will celebrate anniversaries of their ordination in September: Fr. Johnson Jeyable Pappusamy, September 16, 1998, Pastor of St. Jerome, Scottville and St. Mary Custer; Fr. Loc Q. Trinh, September 19, 1992, Pastor of St. Anne, Paris, and St. Phillip Neri, Reed City; and Fr. Ron Hutchinson, September 24, 1994, Pastor of Holy Redeemer, Jenison.

News From the Franciscan Life Center. Father Stan Fortuna, C. F. R., will appear at the Franciscan Center's Life Fest during the weekend of October 10 and 11, starting with Saturday night's Evening of Inspiration from 6 to 10 p.m.

A founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Stan uses his background as a cabaret singer, recording artist, music producer, and composer to reach people of all ages.

Beginning at noon on Sunday, October 11, Father Fortuna will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Later in the afternoon he will take the stage, performing with his guitar, accompanied by additional musical performers.

Saturday night's Evening of Inspiration is $60 per adult, or $50 per student ticket. The Sunday Family Fall Celebration costs $8 per person or $20 per family. Box lunches are available for purchase at the event, or guests are welcome to bring their own picnic lunches.

Source: Troubador, Fall, 2009.

News from Iraq, from Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Gary R. Studniewski.

In this Year of the Priest, we offer this piece as an example of the many faces of the Priesthood,

"Never Far from Home, Again."

"Ten years ago the AMS, in conjunction with Jack Ball Productions, Inc., produced a video promoting the vocation of the priest-chaplain serving the members of our military communities. The video was titled, "Never Far From Home." The title conveyed the idea that, no matter how far removed our military members were from "home," the priest gathers the family of God together and, through the ministry of the Church, gives access to the comfort and the surety of our true home in Christ. As I serve in Iraq, as one privileged to assemble the Church around the Lord's Table, I have come to experience the reality of that insightful title.

Home is that 'place' where we feel welcomed and where we feel safe; where we can always be ourselves because we are surrounded by those who love us for who we are. In the austere and oftentimes hostile environment of a deployed setting like Iraq one is removed from things friendly and familiar. One feels like a stranger, out of place and disconnected from the security and comforts of home.

In the war film Saving Private Ryan, Captain John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, remarks, "Every time I kill someone, I feel farther away from home." In our wars today there are still plenty of brutalities, alienations, and deprivations that make a battle space a hostile territory. Not a few free moments are spent with the mind's eye on the homeland we hope to regain. Isn't it a wonderful gift to have the Church resent at the place where people are feeling such estrangement, such disassociation from all that their heart longs for? With the Church present and visible in the many settings that military personnel serve, people are never far from home.

Sunday Eucharist has been the occasion for the family to gather here at Joint Base Balad, a large base with some 20,000 military personnel and another 10,000 civilians. So many people have commented to me that Sunday Mass is the highlight of their week here; the time when they feel transported to a safe place, a lace of refuge and peace. I know what they mean. Recently I returned from two weeks of R&R leave in Hawaii, a marvelous escape to a tropical paradise. And yet how indescribably good it felt to be back 'home' in Iraq with the family, in the Father's house with nurture of Mother Church. I found myself saying that this was where I wanted to be. There are many exciting and beautiful places to visit and explore in life, but none feels quite like home in the heart of a family where our soul derives peace.

Many people come 'home' to Mother Church in Iraq. For years some have been estranged, or lukewarm, or variously distracted. But the regularity of life here and the silence of the heart proper to the desert prompt many to pursue soul care. Some make a good confessin after many years, a sweet homecoming. Others attend Mass more regularly, take up a new devotion, or participate in a study group. Many depart Iraq very thankful for the spiritual growth and consider it the great grace of their tour. There is great appreciation for the opportunities which the Church presents for spiritual growth through the ministry of priests...

It saddens me that many service members in Iraq are deprived of the sacramental and pastoral ministry of a priest because of our severe priest-chaplain shortages. I pray that more priests may answer the call to serve as military chaplains. But I also give thanks for the dedicated and faithful priests who are spending themselves in service to the deployed forces, and in so many other places, reminding the people that wherever and whenever Christ draws the family together, they are truly never far from home."

Source: Salute, The Magazine of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Father Gary Studniewski is an Active Duty Army Chaplain serving in Iraq since September, 2008. He is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Our President's Message. September 1, 2009.

Summer comes to a close and fall begins--school starts, colors change, temperatures cool, football rivalries are renewed, and the Grand Rapids Serrans continue moving forward in their missin of promoting, fostering, and praying for vocations.

In the near future, we will again be attending a meeting with the Aquinas staff and students with Paul Nelson as our facilitator. These meetings have been beneficial in connecting with the students on their faith journey. The venturing crew of young men discerning priesthood is still active and we will be hearing more about them in the coming weeks.

West Catholic High School has set Thursday, October 22 as their service day. They have asked if they could help at the Consolatas raking leaves. I have arranged this dat with the sisters, and they are happy to get the help. Serrans, please hold this date open to help keep the students on track as well as mingle and talk with them about their faith journey. Arrival time of the students at the Consolatas will be approximately 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

By now you should all have your Bishop's Dinner tickets at hand. If you did not attend the last meeting, they will be mailed to you. Mark Kubik and his committee are working hard to make this an exciting, enjoyable evening. The proceeds will be given to Bishop Hurley for the purpose of sending priests to the North American College in Rome for continuing education. We will also be celebrating Serra International's 50th anniversary. As many of you know, our Ralph Hauenstein was instrumental in promoting Serra around the world. He chartered the first club outside the United States in Genoa, Italy, making Serra a truly international organization. Because of his efforts, Serra has grown all over the world. Let us celebrate with Ralph on this 50th anniversary! I hope ticket sales are moving ahead and we can fill the room. The committee is also working on getting more sponsors for the event.

Today, members returned home from the International Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. I am hearing lots of stories on what happened or didn't happen at the convention. I look forward to hearing their report on September 28. Congratulations to Dan Grady on being voted to the International Advisory Board. Also, thanks to Dennis Leiber for his continuing leadership in planning the convention.

Try to attend one of the adoration times if you can, but if it is not possible,please continue praying for vocations when and where you can.

Go Blue! Pam McKenzie. (Editor's note: We typed the letter as presented. Lest some of our dear friends be offended by the closing, please note that readers may feel free to substitute some other color of their choice. Some may prefer red, some green, and so on).

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter August, 2009

June 19, 2009-June 19, 2010.The Year for Priests.

Calendar of Events.
August 7, 2009. Adoration, August 7, 2009, IHM. Mass at 7:45 a.m. Adoration to follow from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
August 10, 2009. Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at University Club. Speaker Deacon David Gross.
August 17, 2009. Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at University Club.
August 24, 2009. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart. Speaker Paul Guild.
August 27-31, 2009. Serra USA and Serra International Convention, Omaha, Nebraska. Nate McKenzie will serve as our club's delegate, with John Osterhart as alternate.
Looking Ahead.
October 12, 2009. Evening member-guest reception, 5:30 p.m. at Louis Benton Steak House. Please furnish names of prospective members to Tim Hile.
December 1, 2009. Vocations Dinner at Cathedral Square. Mark Kubik is chairman.

Great Events at the Franciscan Life Process Center.

Saturday, August 15. "Music on the Green," an Evening of Traditional Irish Music with the Fenian Group & Guest Harpists. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. Donations are appreciated.

Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, 2009. LIFE fest 2009, a weekend for the heart and soul. Special Guest Speaker and Performer Father Stan Fortuna, CFR. For more information see the Franciscan Center web site at http://www.lifeprocesscenter.org/ A ticket order form is available online, or you may also call 616-897-7842.


More about the Year for Priests. Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 19, 2009 through June 19, 2010 as the Year for Priests. This year-long celebration began on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day on which we pray for the sanctification of all priests. The Holy Father has likewise declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of All Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the saint's death.

About St. John Vianney. Jean-Marie Vianney was born into a peasant family in Dardilly, France in 1786. With difficulty he reached the ordination of priest at age thrity-two, and in 1818 he was appointed parish priest of Ars-en-Dombes, a remote town that had lapsed in its faith. He brought the town back to the Church using only prayer, mortification, and example. The town became a pilgrimate site, where the "holy curate" heard confession for long hours each day. He died in 1859 and was canonized in 1925. He is often depicted near a confessional with the surplice, the stole, and the cross. His feast day is August 4.
He is the protector of parish priests.
Source: Saints. A in Faith and Art, New York, 2005.

From our Muskegon Friends. Muskegon Serran Bob Nolan has sent a note indicating that there will be no Shrimp Dinner this year. However, there will be several masses in the Muskegon area on August 4 in honor of the feast day of St. John Vianney: St. Michael's at 8:00 a.m., St. Mary's at 12:10 p.m., and at St. Anthony's in Robinson Township at 11:00 a.m.

A Message from Tom Cavera. Tim Hile received the following note from Tom Cavera, Joe Cavera's grandson: Hello, Tim. I have a request to make of you and the GR Serra Club. Since Pope Benedict XVI has inaugurated a year for priests in honor of St. John Mary Vianney, I was hoping that you could request some special prayers for the year. I am well aware of the dire need in the diocese for religious vocations and propose that we join together as a diocese in prayer for an increase in vocations. I am thinking that there could be an amazing blessing of vocations if every church in our diocese prayed at every mass for an increase in religious vocations. This would require some help from our diocese office to send out a message to all parishes asking them to include a prayer during the petitions that are read at every mass. Can you imagine the power of prayer and the fruits that would be realized with this type of unity!...

I appreciate all that you do for the Serra Club in Grand Rapids. I am sure Joseph is smiling down upon all of you from heaven.

A Thank-you Note. July 9. Serra Members, Thank you so much for your generous and kind gift for my 30th anniversary of priesthood. I am especially grateful for your friendship.
Respectfully, Fr. Edw. Hankiewicz.

Special Prayers are in Order. As we noted in an earlier e-mail, Serran Philip Weber notified John Osterhart not only that he was ill with pneumonia, but also that he has been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. He had been in the hospital earlier but is staying for the time being with his sister Carrie here in Grand Rapids. Pam McKenzie has arranged for a healing card. A consultation with an oncologist has been scheduled. Let us keep Philip in our prayers.

August Anniversaries.
Priests: Rev. George Darling, August 11, 1984
Rev. Stephen Dudek, August 11, 1984
Rev. Dennis Morrow, August 24, 1975
Rev. Dennis O'Donnell, August 20, 1983
Rev. Eugene Okoli, August 21, 1983
Rev. Don Tufts, August, 1980

The following deacons were ordained on August 10, 2002:
Kev Baldwin
Robert Cathcart
Pietro Conigliaro
Leo Ferguson
Michael Dordan
Richard Pitt
Daniel Schneider
Larry Vandevorn
Other August dates for deacons:
Michael Mauer, August 16, 1980
Edward Simon III, August 26, 1995

A Reminder from Serra USA Council. The Serra USA Council sent the following note to Nate McKenzie: The USA Council of Serra International Executive Committee encourages Serrans throughout the USA to pray for men and women who devoted their lives to the Church in ministry, our priest, seminarians, sisters, and brothers around the world who need healing.
"All USA Council ofSerra International members are urged to take part inthe effort to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra. We are aware that one more miracle is needed to submit to the Church body examining Father Serra's cause for canonization. Perhaps someone you may remember to pray for will be that miracle cure. One way to do so is to pray the Father Serra Novena for the healing of ailing Serrans. You may find the Serra Novena on the home page of the USA Council of Serra International's web site, in the right-hand column listed under the Here and Now section. In addition, please pray the novena and any other devotions for sick Serrans as well and as often as possible."
We appreciate your thoughtful consideration to join us in this prayer.
Sincerely,
The USA Council of Serra International

The Lord Hears our Prayers. Whether or not his recovery took place as a result of the above-mentioned program, Father Ted Kozlowski of Our Lady of Sorrows has returned to his regular schedule, including weekend masses, this past weekend.
His doctors have declared him cancer-free, and he is receiving voice therapy. Let us give thanks for this blessing and pray for his continuing good health.

Vocations in the 21st Century. July 12, 2009. PRAIRIE DU SAC, WISCONSIN. 22-year-old Sister Mary Bede has finished one year as a postulant and one year as a novice at the Cistercian Valley of our Lady Monastery in Wisconsin. She's due to make temporary vows in a few months if the community votes to accept her.

Sister Mary Bede is the thrid oldest of the half-dozen 20-something women wanting to join this community of Cistercians of the original observance--the only one of its kind in the United States.

The mother prioress, Sister Bernarda Seferovich, 67, reported that the 20 nuns of the monastery range in age from 21 to 78, with a good distribution of ages in between. Six young women entered in 2006; three entered in 2007, and eight are discerning.

When asked what she though was attracting the young women to this ancient contemplative order, Sister Bernada replied, "To begin with, God." She added, "Then, perhaps, the desire of a life of prayer, solitude, simplicity, with an ancient liturgy in Latin and Gregorian chant, and a simple, traditional habit. Also, we follow the directives of our order and the Church.

Sts. Robert of Molesme, Alberic of Citeaux, and Stephen Harding founded the first Cistercian monastery for men outside of Dijon, France, in 1098. 127 years later, a monastery was founded for women who wanted to imitate the life of the monks. Swiss Cistercian sisters founded the Valley of our Lady when they purchased some Wisconsin farmland in 1957, just a few years before Vatican II...

Dominican Father Brian Mullady has seen many traditional orders survive the decades after Vatican II. Theological consultant for the Institute on Religious Life in Libertyville, Ill--a collaborative effort of Catholic bishops, priests, religious, and laity to foster and strengthen vocations to the consecrated life--Father Mullady said: "Mostly they weathered the changes by adapting the things that needed to be adapted for young people--there are sisters on the Internet and carrying BlackBerries--but preserving the habit, the cloister, silence, reading at table, living in community."

Father Mullady is optimistic about the future of traditional orders such as the Cistercians at Valley of Our Lady. "The more traditional orders are very open to the future because they are living the traditional faith, which transcends time and space," he said...

Sister Bernarda has a major initiative in mind for the future of Our Lady Monastery. "A big one is our hope to relocate to a place of more quiet and solitude than our present day site." she said. "There, if God wills and we receive the necessary funds, we plana to build a traditional Cistercian monastery of lasting materials."

Said Sister Bernarda, "To enter and live one's life in one of these ancient buildings gives one a sense of having put on an identity that is greater than any one person could ever be individually." By Annamarie Adkins, St. Paul, Minnesota.

A Message from our President. July 29. Dear Serrans: I was very sad today when I learned of Philip Weber's cancer. Philip has been a very faithful Serran. He has a strong prayer life, and as we know, he has shared some of his prayers with us. Serran Ralph Hauenstein and family also need our prayers as his daughter, Mary Stahl, is also in the hospital with cancer in its advanced stage. Please keep these people in your prayers.
I received a telephone call from Dennis Rybicki asking us for some help. As we know, this is the Year of the Priest, and the Diocese is hosting a concert in honor of all priests. It will be held on Sunday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Dennis is asking for our help as greeters/hospitality for this concert. The choir giving the concert is Gloria Deo. They are a group who prays together, and from their prayer life comes their music. Their tour is starting in Boston and will travel across the U. S., sharing their music in honor of all priests serving God's people. If you are willing to help, please let Len Gross or Pam McKenzie know. This will be a very nice event and will give us more exposure to area Catholics.
On the topic of vocations, St. Peter and Paul Parish is starting a weekly adoration time on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. All are invited to spend time before the Lord and experience his love. This time is in addition to our normal First Friday adoration opportunity.
The NDVI week seems to have fulfilled its mission of presenting an outstanding program to our two students, Anthony and Keegan. They gave us a report on their experience and both reported that they learned a lot, loved the cafeteria, and would recommend NDVI to their friends. Thank you to Len Gross for coordinating this opportunity to Anthony and Keegan.
If you have never experienced Polish food, you missed your opportunity at the picnic. We all rolled out the door! Many, many thanks to Pat Polega for her hours in the kitchen preparing the food. She outdid herself and everyone enjoyed everything! The Franciscan Sisters as well as the Trinitarian Sisters enjoyed praying, eating, and having wonderful conversations with us. Many thanks to Father Ed for celebrating Mass and to Dennis Leiber, John Stepanovich, and Joe Westdorp for their contributions at the Mass. Everyone had a grand time.
At the picnic we also heard about the mission and formation of the Trinitarian Sisters. What a surprise to learn that they were formed only recently, in the early 1990s in Mexico just south of San Diego. In their early years they had no running water or electricity on top of the mountain that was given to them. But with prayer and their strong faith in God they now have electricity, a building, and a vibrant ministry in Mexico. They have expanded and also have a house in San Diego. Three years ago they started up in the Grand Rapids Diocese with six sisters in Lowell. We also learned that they too have a 24/7 adoration chapel and they pray for the well-being of all priests. At a future time we are going to plan a field trip to their chapel.
The Franciscans are also busy bees as always. August 15 is a special day of retreat in honor of St. Mary. In the evening there will be a harp concert. The Center offers harp lessons, and the Sisters are going to host their first Harp Convention. According to Sister Colleen Ann, economic times have had them praying more than ever, and their prayers are continually answered with no lack of customers coming to the center for daily child care, adult care, retreats, music lessons, and a host of other opportunities they offer. They give all to the Glory of God and are thankful for being so blessed.
Don't forget that our next meeting will be held at the University Club. Our guest speaker will be the newly ordained deacon David Gross. We hope to be back at Louis Benton Steak House in September.
Tim Hile is sending our invitations to our next member/guest reception on Monday, October 12 at Louis Benton's. Our membership depends on your inviting family members, neighbors, and Catholic friends to come and experience what Serra is about. You do not have to wait until October 12 to bring a guest--guests are always welcome.
Mark Kubik is chair of the Vocations Dinner this year. He has announced the date as December 1 at the Cathedral Square Conference Center. Everyone needs to start thinking about inviting guests and selling tickets to the dinner. Every planning committee has always hoped for a priest at every table. Let's get busy and make this happen. Ticket price and menu are under consideration. We have secured Monsignor Bill Duncan, Vicar General, parish priest, and former Serran as our featured speaker. This is our only fundraising project. Grand Rapids Serrans are the best, and we will fill the eight chairs at each of the 32 tables. Mark will be giving more information as it becomes available.
The International Convention takes place later this month. Pray for our delegate, Nate McKenzie. A number of Grand Rapids Serrans are going to the convention, and we look forward to hearing about their experiences in September.
Enjoy the days of summer! God's peace be with all of you.
Pam McKenzie

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter July 2009

IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING CHANGE OF VENUE FOR MONDAY MEETINGS.
Please note that Louis Benton Steak House is being closed on Mondays during July and August for remodeling. July 13 and August 10 meetings will be held at the University Club, Top Floor, Fifth Third Bank Building on Lyon Street downtown. Bring parking ticket to the meeting to receive reduced parking rate.

Calendar of Events for July.
July 6, 2009. Adoration, St. Isidore, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
July 13, 2009. Luncheon and speakers, 12:00 Noon at University Club. Topic will be the NDVI Student Report.
July 27, 2009. Annual Serra Club Picnic at the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Lowell. The picnic will take place rain or shine. 5:30 p.m. Mass in the chapel, Fr. Ed Hankiewicz, celebrant. Social time to follow. Dinner at 7:00 p.m. The theme will be Pulaski Days in July, featuring Patty Polega as the chief cook. The picnic dinner will feature homemade, traditional Polish food, beer, and wine. There will be hot dogs and chips available for children and adults unable to eat the Polish menu. Cost is $20.00 per person, or $45.00 for a family of three or more. Billing will be included in your next dues statement. RSVP to Pam McKenzie or Kathy Westdorp by Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Your RSVP is very important.
The address of the picnic site is as follows:
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
Life Process Center
11650 Downes St. NE
Lowell, MI 49331
Telephone 616-897-7842 for directions or get them from Mapquest or Yahoo Maps.

Looking Ahead.
August 10, 2009. Luncheon and speaker, 12:00 Noon at University Club. Speaker will be Deacon David Gross.
August 24, 2009. Prayer service and luncheon meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
Our speaker will be Mr. Paul Guild, a West Catholic religion teacher who is taking students to Minnesota for a visit to the seminary there.
August 27-30. Serra International Conference, Omaha, Nebraska. Nate McKenzie has been chosen as our club's delegate, with John Osterhart serving as alternate delegate.
September 14, 2009. Luncheon and speaker, 12:00 Noon, Louis Benton Steak House.
Our speaker will be Mr. Woody Hoover, Aquinas professor of business, who will be talking about ethics based on Pope John Paul II's writings.

A Joyful Event. A joyful event took place at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, the ordination of two priests and a deacon, on June 6. Let us welcome them into our diocese:
Reverend Michael E. Burt, 54, was born in Petoskey to Anne and the late Edward Burt. He has one sister, Catherine Richter. His only brother David passed away in 2008. St. Paul Campus Parish and St. Mary Parish, Big Rapids, are his home parishes. Father Burt graduated from George Washington University with a B. S. in health science in 1993 while serving in the U. S. Navy. He retired from the Navy after serving 22 years with an honorable discharge in 1996. He completed his final year of seminary at St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein last fall and received his Master's of Divinity in May.

Reverend Aaron R. Ferris, 27, is the youngest child of Brian and Pauline Ferris of Newaygo. He has one brother, Jacob, and one sister, Danielle. All Saints in Fremont is his home parish. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 2004 with a B. A. in classical studies. He completed his final year of seminary at St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein and received his Master's of Divinity in May.

Reverend Mr. David C. Gross, 33, is the son of Leonard and Roberta Gross. He has two siblings, Doug (Tina) Gross and Cathy (Eric) Buehler. His home parish is St. Stephen. He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a B. S. in education and received his M. S. in education at GVSU. He entered the Mundelein Seminary in 2005 and completed an internship last year at St. Jean Baptiste and St. Mary Parishes in Muskegon under the mentorship of Thomas Page. Deacon Gross will enter his final year of seminary at St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, in the fall.
An added note: The newly ordained Deacon David Gross delivered the Homily at the Our Lady of Sorrows annual picnic on June 28 and will visit the parish on at least two more occasions in July.

Letter from Patty Hughes. June 17, 2009. Dear Serrans: Please convey the deepest appreciation of the Diocese of Grand Rapids for the participation of the Serra Club of Grand Rapids in the Ordination Mass on June 6. Not only were you prompt, but also your group was most gracious and welcoming to our visitors and guests. It's always a pleasure to have the Serrans, and to have you serve as visible supporters of your mission to promote vocations. This annual celebration in the diocese is a perfect opportunity for you to witness the good work that you have done, prayerfully and in direct support.
We hope you noticed that we joyfully printed our thanks to you in the worship aid, and please know that it is a delight to be able to work with people who are as detailed and organized as you are. Thank you for brining ministers of hospitality that we could depend upon. All of the Serrans contributed to making certain that the Communion Rite was well enacted, and that all received communion.
Again thank you for you willingness to take responsibility as major volunteers of the Ordination Mass.
In gratitute, with kindest regards,
Patty Hughes, Director
Office for Worship

Year for Priests. A year of prayer and support for priests has been proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI for June-2009 until June 2010. Please note the following prayer for priests and priestly vocations: Heavenly Father, please grant to Your faithful servants the grace and strength to carry our Your mission for the church each day. Keep our priests close to You and continue to inspire them to serve others in Your holy name.
Good and gracious God, hear our prayer for an increase in priestly vocations. Touch the hearts of young men in our world today. Instill in them a burning desire to serve you. Give them the courage to answer your call with generous hearts.
Reveal to them a vision of Your Kingdom. Help them to see the joy of priestly ministry. Lead them in the footsteps of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
We ask you to bless our seminarians and guide them on the path toward priesthood. Strengthen them as they are educated and formed in the duties and responsibilities of the priesthood. Help them to become faithful servants and leaders in the Church today. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever. Amen. Source: Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, June 28, 2009.

More about the Year for Priests. A letter from Fr. John Corapi. JUBILEE YEAR FOR PRIESTS ANNOUNCED BY THE VATICAN.
Pope Benedict XVI announced that the universal Church will celebrate a Jubilee Year of the Priest, beginning June 19, 2009, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Cure D'Ars.
It is my personal experience of 25 years this month living inside the Church in novitiates, seminaries, pontifical universities, parishes, and chancery offices that we are always in need of renewal and energizing in every vocation, more so than ever in the priesthood. The Holy Father knows this, as do a great many of us priests. So, beginning June 19, 2009 we will try to move toward this goal of strengthening and energizing the priesthood. This happens one priest at a time. Holiness is an individual work in progress for all of us, the priest included.
The patron saint of parish priests, St. John Mary Vianney, should be used as a model in principle, remembering that every man or woman must be a person of (his or her) time. Nonetheless, there are principles and practices that transcend time and space. These we should know and exercise. The preeminence of prayer and the spiritual life must come first for the priest--or any practicing Catholic, for that matter.
St. John Vianney prayed long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. That was the secret of his success. Jesus in the Eucharist must be the heart of the priest's life; the Holy Spirit is the breath that breathes life into his ministry. A simple life, not unfamiliar with penance and sacrifice, is also fundamental for apostolic fruitfulness.
Jesus, the High Priest, gave us all his own Mother to be our spiritual mother. Every priest who would bear fruit that endures must accept the gift of Mary the Mother of Priests as his own spiritual mother. This cannot be over-emphasized. A failure to do it in these times results in almost certain failure for the Catholic priest.
Pray for your priests more than ever in tis Year of the Priest. In many cases there is poor morale, little camaraderie, isolation, and loneliness in the life of the priest. Encourage your priests and remember a little kindness and understanding goes a long way. Priests are human beings, like other human beings, with the same weaknesses and strengths. This year think about the life of priests and how you can contribute to their perseverance and holiness in a most noble vocation. Help your priest get to Heaven by your kindness andyour rayers. You will never be sorry you did.
God bless you, Fr. John Corapi

The Archdiocese for Military Services, USA. This unique diocese was created by Pope John Paul II in 1985. On this Independence Day, let us remember the men and women of the military and the priests and religious who serve their spiritual needs.
How does the church accompany those in the military, who serve with courage and competence throughout the world? In 1939 Pope Pius XII created an independent jurisdiction of the Catholic Church called the Military Vicariate. In 1985 Pope John Paul II named this organization the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA. Spanning the globe and serving nearly one and a half million Roman Catholics, more than one thousand priests minister in hospitals, on military bases of all the armed forces, on ships at sea, and on the battlefield. The AMS does not ordain priests, but accepts priests on loan from religious orders and dioceses.
In 1824 a Jesuit priest named Adam Marshall enlisted in the Navy and died at sea in 1825. He was assigned as a schoolmaster, but he sought out and ministered to Catholic sailors. Twenty years later, President Polk was worried that the War with Mexico would be seen as anti-Catholic. He recruited two Jesuit priests to serve in the army as chaplains. At the time of the Civil War, only about ten percent of Americans were Catholic. Military policies forced Catholic soldiers to attend Protestant services. The Church protested this rule, and many priests volunteered to become chaplains. Their witness and the courage of the Nuns of the Battlefield (several orders of sisters who assisted the Civil War victims) helped temper prejudice against Catholics and pave the way for the life an ministry of this vigorous and unique archdiocese.
Source: Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, June 28, 2009.

July Anniversaries in our Diocese:

Father Raymond Bruck 7-20-58; Fr. Peter M. Chukwu, 7-3-93; Father Lawrence King 7-8-58; and Lam Le 7-10-04. Deacons are Michael Herrera, 7-3-77; and David Kasprzk, 7-12-81.

News from Catholic Radio. The Holy Family Radio Apostolate was organized in 2008 as a means of Catholic evangelization, education, and ecumenical outreach. The desire of the apostolate is to share the life-changing message of the Gospel and the heart of the Catholic Faith with others, primarily by way of radio. We now broadcast 26 hours per week on three area stations, including a Spanish broadcast on Saturday mornings. Our website is holyfamilyradio.net.
Join our family! Please prayerfully consider if God is calling you to become a part of the Holy Family Radio "family" of volunteers. We welcome all types of volunteers, no matter how much time or talent you have. As we grow, we need individuals to be parish representatives as well as those with office or sales experience. We hope that having Catholic Radio in West Michigan will serve as a way to plant the seeds of religious vocations in some of our listeners as it has in many other communities across the country.
To see a sample of our Sunday lineup, got to http://holyfamilyradio.net/programschedule.html. Underwriters Needed for Holy Family Radio. We are developing a plan to help find underwriters for HFR. If you know of Catholic friends, family, or business contacts who you think may be interested in learning about the HFR radio apostolate as an underwriter, or if are interested in assisting underwriters, write Renee at reneeb@mayclan.com or call 616-477-5016. Pay Pal is available to donate to Holy Family Radio. Holy Family Radio is a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization. If you are interested in supporting Catholic Radio, Pay Pal is a safe, simple, and swift way to donate! Donations are greatly appreciated to help bring more Catholic programming to West Michigan and keep moving HFR toward obtaining a station for 24/7 broadcasting. If you are able to help in any way, go to http://www.holyfamilyradio.net/ and click on "Donate to HFR".
Testimony: Here's an e-mail from a listener that should be encouragement for all of us to persevere. "I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your programming. I have been enjoying the Son Rise Morning Show on my way to work. I am not Catholic but I am Christian and sometimes listen to EWTN on satellite. I was pleased to hear about you from them. I'm curious if there are plans for a full-time Catholic radio station in GR. What sort of volunteer help is needed? I would be interested in helping our if there is something I would be good at. Thanks for your efforts so far. I will pray for continued growth in your ministry."
We hope you can tune in to Holy Family Radio. If you have any questions, write to us at contact@holyfamilyradio.net

In Christ,
Cheryl Doyle
President, Holy Family Radio
P. O. Box 150154, Grand Rapids, MI 49515-0154
1-800-414-2834
Submitted by Lois Flaig, Administrative Assistant, Holy Family Radio

Please pray for: Father Dick Host, pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Grand Rapids, who is home and recovering from hip surgery.
Also, please pray for Monsignor Ancona, also home and recovering, and for Father Ted Kozlowski of Our Lady of Sorrows, who has completed radiation treatments and is awaiting a consultation in August.
Fr. Tom DeYoung has begun substituting at Mass for his fellow priests on a limited basis. Let us pray for his continued recovery.

The President's Message. Dear Serrans: As usual our newsletter is packed with information! A big change for everyone is the meeting place for July 13 and August 10. We had to move our meeting place because Louis Benton Steak House is being remodeled. Please read carefully at the beginning of the newsletter how you can receive a reduced parking rate at the Fifth Third parking lot. This move is a slight inconvenience, but we will be back to normal come September. Please help by spreading the work and reminding each other where we are meeting.

As Serrans we have a great opportunity to promote our club, and perhaps gaining new members, because this is the Year of the Priest as announced by Pope Benedict XVI. Please be thinking of ways we can promote both the Year of the Priest and our Serra Club. Both our Programs Committee and Vocations Committee will try to offer some opportunities during the coming months.

Homemade traditional Polish food will be on the menu for our picnic. Bring a guest or two; children and grandchildren are also welcome. The Life Process Center is a great place to visit. The Sisters will give tours and bring us up to date on activities they offer at the Center. This picnic will take place rain or shine. The outside landscape is ideal for a picnic, but an inside dining hall with air conditioning is also available in case of rain. Come to Mass at 5:30 and enjoy the rest of the evening with soft drinks, beer, and wine and a taste of Poland. Please call Kathy Westdorp or Pam McKenzie with your reservations so that we can prepare the food accordingly. Serran Pat Polega is our head chef!

Thank you to Cheryl Doyle and Bill for bringing us up to date on our local Holy Family radio station. They have been working hard to get this operation up and running and are now offering 23 hours per week of Catholic radio. One of their next goals is to get their own radio staation. Three of our Serrans, Dan Grady, John Osterhart, and Nate McKenzie are all actively involved with this project, and I know they will keep us informed. In the near future we hope to get the opportunity to be interviewed on the air, allowing us to promote our Serra mission.

As we come to the July 4 weekend, I reflect on the many freedoms we have in America. I know that sometimes it seems as if all of our freedoms are being taken away. Freedom to practice my Catholic faith, praise God, attend Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist are the most precious freedoms I have. Second is the great opportunity of being a Serran with some of the best Catholics in the world and serving as your president. Thank you to all for your support this past year and for the year ahead of us. Enjoy the summer! Pam McKenzie.

Serra Club of Grand Rapids Newsletter June, 2009

Calendar of Events.
June 4, 2009. Adoration. This date represents a change from our usual adoration schedule. Adoration will take place at Sacred Heart from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.
June 6, 2009. Ordination of two priests, Aaron Ferris and Michael Burt, and one deacon, David Gross at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 10:00 am. Serrans who wish to serve on the Hospitality Team should arrive at 8:45.
June 7, 2009. Trinity Sunday.
June 8, 2009. Luncheon and speaker at 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House. Aquinas professor Dennis Marshall will speak about the Trinity.
June 15, 2009. Serra Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House.
June 22, 2009. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.

Other Dates to Note: An alternative First Friday event, a Eucharistic Night Vigil, will be held at SS. Peter and Paul Church on June 5, 2009. Mass starts at 7:00 p.m. with rosary and prayer to follow. The event closes with Benediction at 9:50 p.m. The invitation states, "Please come and pray with us for an end to all wars and for an end to all abortions. We need especially to pray for our country and for peace in the Holy Land. "

Also, you are cordially invited to a retirement reception honoring Father Michael Danner and bidding farewell to Father Mark Peacock on Sunday, June 7. The reception will take place in the Msgr. Charles Brophy Center at St. Jude Parish, 1120-4-Mile Rd. NE, from 12:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with presentations at 1:00 p.m. Please plan to join in celebrating with these two priests and wishing them well in their future endeavors. Source: Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, May 24, 2009.

August 27-31, 2009. Serra's 67th International Convention, Omaha Nebraska. Opening Mass at 6:00 p.m. at St. Cecelia Cathedral. Principal Celebrant, Most Reverend Elden Curtiss, Archbishop of Omaha, followed by Welcome Reception and Dinner at 7:45 p.m. The Convention will close with a Travelers' Mass in the Qwest Center at 8:00 a.m. Principal Celebrant Archbishop Emilio Carols Berlie. Registration may be completed online by visiting http://www.serra.org/. All hotel reservations MUST be made directly with the Hilton Omaha by either calling the hotel directly aat 1-800-445-8667 and quoting the group code "SIA" or by visiting 222.serra.org and clicking on the appropriate link.

A note in the May 22, 2009 edition The Bellringers, by John Woodward, presents the following information:
This edition contains important information regarding the business to be conducted at this year's international convention. Omaha 2009 will offer a convention venue and program of the highest standard. If you have not attended an international convention before, make the best of this year's opportunity for an informative and stimulating look at the Serra spostolate worldwide.
It is over six years since Serra's international convention was held in the Midwest of the United States, which encompasses some of the most dedicated and active Serra Clubs in North America. Our host this year is the Most Reverend Elden Francis Curtiss, who served as Serra's seventh Episcopal Adviser from 1994 to 1999. The convention will be an occasion for honoring an outstanding member of the Catholic heirarchy who has long been an ardent promoter of priestly vocations and a great supporter of Serra's vocation apostolate in many parts of the world.
Omaha 2009 will focus the attention of Serrans on the ministerial priesthood of the Church. The convention theme, "Pastores Dabo Vobis--The Role of Christ's Lay Faithful" invites us to reflect more deeply on two of Pope John Paul II's teaching documents of the 1990s that are of particular relevance to Catholic laymen and laywomen. The choice of that theme has been made even more appropriate by the recent decision of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to call a special "Year for Priests" which will run from 19 June, 2009 until 19 June, 2010. Those dates were chosen to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney and to recognize his new designation as "Patron Saint of Catholic Priests."
Once again, Serra needs the solid support of its worldwide membership if the Omaha convention is to truly emphasize Serra's increasing global outreach as the lay apostolate for vocations in the Catholic Church.
Many of you are approaching the end of your term as district governor, club president, or as the holder of some other important office in Serra. As leaders of Serra, you can help to ensure that Omaha 2009 is the success it deserves to be. Please make a direct appeal to your constituency so that we can achieve a big boost in first-time registrations. Your personal encouragement may well make the difference.
Thank you for your help in this and for all your good work for Serra.
Mary, mother of vocations, pray for us!
John W. Woodward
Executive Director

Another Letter from John Woodward. Dear Serrans: On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Serra International Foundation,k I wish to thank you for your recent contribution. Your gift of $500 is deeply appreciated, and Ralph Hauenstein will be honored at Mass by Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, Serra's Episcopal Adviser.
You will be pleased to know that your gift will help make possible an increase in your Foundation's annual grants to seminaries and houses of religious formation around the world.
Since 1951, financial support from your Foundation has enabled many young people to discern and respond to God's call to serve the Church in priestly ministry or consecrated religious life.
By helping Serra to provide future generations with priests and consecrated religious, your gift will touch many lives and many souls.
May God bless you abundantly for your generous support of the Serra International Foundation.
Mary, mother of vocations, pray for us! Sincerely, John W. Woodward, Executive Director.

A Delegate from Every Club. Every Serra Club should send a delegate to Omaha. Our delegate will discuss and vote on a number of important matters, including proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of Serra International, a proposal to increase the international dues base, the election of the 2009-2010 Board of Trustees, and the approval of the 2009-2010 budget. Delegates also bring back to their clubs a report of the convention happenings they inform members of the new ideams and initiatives for focation activities, internal programs, recruiting and membership retention, and communications. Delebate credentials sent by mail must be postmarked NO LATER THAN JULY 28, 2009. Alternatively, delegate credentials may be taken in person by a delegate, alternate delegate, or proxy delegate and hand-delivered to the office of Serra International at the Qwest Center (Room 207) in Omaha before noon on 28 August, 2009. Please call Pam at 893-5233 if you are interested in serving as a delegate.

Charter Night, 2009. On May 21, 2009, Grand Rapids Serrans installed two new members, Lee Sullivan and Francis Lake, along with its 2009 officers and trustees, with a Vespers Service in the chapel of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. A reception at Cathedral Square Conference Center, with refreshments and dessert, followed the ceremony. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Sam Gregg, Director of Research of the Acton Institute.
Our club was especially honored by the presence of a number of special guests. District Governor Louis Rapin of Saginaw conducted the Installation Ceremony. Past International Presidents Ralph Hauenstein and the Hon. Dennis Leiber also attended, as well as Jean Erhart, daughter of Paul Morrissey, one of the original Serrans, and Tom Linck and George Reidel of the Muskegon Serra Club.
Dr. Gregg shares something in common with another of our very distinguished guests, Mr. John Woodward: both were born in Australia. Approximately 65 Serrans and guests attended.
Many thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this memorable evening, especially to Joseph Scoville and his Programs Committee, and to Tim Hile and his Membership Committee.

About Dr. Gregg and his Featured Address: Benedict XVI: Restoring Faith in Reason. Watch for Dr. Gregg's new book on the above-mentioned subject, soon to be released. On Charter Night, Dr. Gregg spoke of then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's role in the pontificate of John Paul II, and of the significance of Benedict XVI's 2006 Regensburg Lecture, a memorable occasion which defines him as the Pope of Reason. Our faith, he explains, is a faith of reason. In essence, because our Catholic faith is a faith of reason, it is not a burden; it is a liberation.
Dr. Gregg, who holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in moral philosophy from the University of Oxford, is the author of an impressive number of books and articles, several of which have been translated into a variety of languages. He has also written extensively on the thoughts of Benedict XVI and Sir Thomas More. A complete list of his publications can be found on the Acton Institute website. We extend our gratitude to him for adding this dimension to our understanding of our Catholic faith and to the Programs Committee for inviting him.

From a May Edition of Catholic Weekly: Religious order to mark 200th year.
DELHI TOWNSHIP, Ohio. In 2009 the Sisters of Charity throughout the United States and Canada celebrate the 200-year history of charity and dedication that was begun by a small band of young women under the inspiration of Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. in 1809. This is a special year of rejoicing and celebration as Sisters and Daughters of Charity honor the life and accomplishments of a remarkable woman, wife, mother, convert and foundress--the first American-born saint. To learn more about the 200th anniversary and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati visit http://www.srcharitycinti.org/ or call 513-347-5466.
The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, whose Motherhouse is in Delhi Township, a western suburb of Cincinnati, is an apostolic Catholic women's religious community that exists to carry out the Gospel of Jesus Christ through service and prayer in the world. The sisters live and minister in 17 U. S. states and in Guatemala and in Mexico. 172 lay Associates join more than 450 Sisters in their mission. (Submitted by Pam McKenzie).

Vocations Committee. Our two sponsored Notre Dame Vision students will attend the week of July 6-10. As of now, one of the students' fathers will drive them to the event, and Len Gross will ride along. Pam McKenzie has agreed to pick them up. Both high school sophomores, one student is from St. Stephen's Parish and the other is from the Parish of St. Robert of Newsminster.

Keep our Priests and Religious in Our Prayers, especially Fr. Ted Kozlowski, Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, as he continues his radiation treatments. As of this writing, he has completed 22 or his prescribed 35 treatments. The results of the radiation cannot yet be determined. Father Ted has been celebrating weekday masses at OLS from time to time, and this past weekend his parishioners, led by Fr. Don Weber, set aside a short time during the Prayers of the Faithful to pray in silence for him. The Lord hears our prayers!

We Note the Passing of Sister JoAn Brown, OP. Sister JoAn Brown, OP, born in Flint, Michigan, died in Grand Rapids on May 18, 2009 at the age of 78. She served as a Dominican Sister since 1947...In 1991 Sr. JoAn began her ministry as coordinator of pastoral care, spiritual director, and parish librarian at St. Robert of Newminster Parish. In this capacity, Sr. JoAn visited the sick and shut-ins, comforted the bereaved, coordinated service projects and prayer groups, and conducted retreats and days of reflection. Sister JoAn was greatly loved and held in high esteem by all who knew her. Let us pray for the repose of her soul.

A Blessing for Blessing Okoli. Nigerian-born Blessing Okoli, niece of Father Eugene Okali, Pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Lowell, faces heart surgery to repair a damaged mitral valve. The surgery will take place in South Africa, and total costs have been estimated at $100,000. Blessing, 14, is the oldest of three children. Her father is an auto mechanic, and her mother died in 2007. There is no health insurance in Nigeria, Okoli said.
St. Mary's parishioners have rallied around Okoli and have hosted a benefit concert to help raise money for Blessing's care. Fifth Third Bank branches are accepting donations to the Blessing Okoli fund, listed under the name of St. Mary's parishioner Laurie Garcia. Source: The Grand Rapids Press, May 9, 2009.

A Message from our President: Dear Serrans: What a busy month of May! Congratulations to the Muskegon Club as they celebrated their 60th anniversary. Many Grand Rapids members joined in their special celebration. A highlight of the evening took place when Mark Kubik introduced Ralph Hauenstein. Good job, Mark! Ralph, we all love you and appreciate everything you do for Serra!
Many thanks to Joseph Scoville and his committee for an outstanding job for our 61st Charater Night anniversary. Thank you, Father Ed, for presiding over a beautiful, humbling, and inspirational Vespers Service. Many thanks to Bishop Hurley and his staff for use of the Cathedral Square Conference Center. The good was delicious, and the socializing was a lot of fun. Everyone I have talked to enjoyed Dr. Sam Gregg. I hope we can invite him back again for a future event. Also, a big welcome to our newest members, Lee Sullivan and Frank Lake.
At this writing the plans for our summer picnic are not complete. We have not secured a location. Watch for more details at June meetings and in July's newsletter.
This Saturday, June 6, is Ordination Day for the Grand Rapids Diocese. We need 8-10 people to help with hospitality. We wish both Deacon Aaron and Deacon Michael the very best as they are ordained to the priesthood and get their first assignments. Seminarian David Gross will be ordained a deacon and we wish him the best as he finishes his final year of schooling.
As you enjoy the summer, I hope you don't forget Serra. Working for vocations is a year-round opportunity of service for the church and for yourself. Recruiting new members is a year-round need as well. Invite someone to a luncheon. You need not wait until our next member-guest reception. Also, get involved in a committee as part of your commitment as a Serran. Many hands make the work a lot easier. The Programs Committee, along with Father Ed, are working very hard to get quality speakers for our lulncheons at Louis Benton's. Let's fill the room as we learn more about our Catholic faith, Catholic issues, and Serra.
God gave us another gift today: Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit. How is that Spirit working through you?
Peace,
Pam McKenzie.