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.
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.
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.
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
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
