Calendar of Events.
January 5, 2010. (Tuesday). January Adoration at Ss. Peter and Paul. Adoration will take place all day beginning at 9:00 a.m., with Mass and Benediction beginning at 7:00 p.m. Len's plan is to arrive at 6:30 p.m. and stay through the Mass and Benediction.
January 11, 2010. Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House. Speaker will be Dr. John Pinero, Director of Catholic Faith Studies at Aquinas College.
January 10-16, 2010. Vocation Awareness Week. Serrans are urged to get the message out to their respective parishes. See the military articles in this newsletter for an added perspective to praying for vocations.
January 22, 2010. March for Life, 12:00 Noon in Washington D.C.January 25, 2010. Prayer Service and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
February 1, 2010. (Monday). Adoration at Holy Spirit. Mass at 8:00 a.m., with adoration to follow.
February 7, 2010. World Day of Prayer for the Consecrated Life.
Looking Ahead.
April 16 and 17, 2010. Preparation and Sisters' Appreciation Dinner at St. Jude's Brophy
Center. Details to follow as they become available.
April 25, 2010. World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Vocations in the Grand Rapids Diocese.
We now have 12 seminarians. Let us pray for them.
Priestly Anniversaries.
The following anniversaries will take place in January, 2010:
Rev. William Perez-Navarro, January 9, 1999.
Rev. Joseph W. Kenshol, January 19, 1973.
Rev. G. Frederick Brucker, January 25, 1976.
Rev. Mark E. Mitchell, January 25, 1976.
Rev. Msgr. Ernest P. Schneider, January 30, 1977.
Rev. Thomas G. Simons, January 30,, 1977.
In November, Lee Sullivan received thank-you notes from Father Julian Reginato and Father Norman Leyrita. Thank you, Lee, for your efforts in sending these anniversary cards. A number of years ago, this ministry was faithfully observed by the late Serran Joe Cavera, and Lee Sullivan recently resumed sending the cards on a regular basis. As the priests' thank-you notes indicate, they very much appreciate this small token of recognition in celebrating their vocations.
Other News from the Vocations Committee. Bob Gabridge and Paul Nelson are reviewing several films aimed at promoting and encouraging vocations.
Nominating Committee. Bob Paul is serving as the chairman of the Nominating Committee, assisted by Tim Hile, Bob Gabridge, and Dan LaVille. Let them know if you have someone in mind to fill the available positions. The ballots will be revealed as the information becomes more complete.
Thank you for a great job. Many thanks especially to Joe and Kathy Westdorp and Mark Kubik and all others who had a part in making the Inaugural Bishop's Dinner a success.
Membership. The Membership Committee is considering options other than the evening Member-Guest receptions we have been holding for the past couple of years. As always, our guest speaker programs provide an excellent format for introducing your Catholic friends and neighbors to our club and to the educational and enrichment opportunities provided at these luncheon meetings. Keep in mind that guests are always welcome.
Always Pray for Vocations.
Tom Hoopes, Correspondent for the National Catholic Register, writes from Kabul, Afghanistan, "Chaplains Help Troops Through Tough Times."
It's an eight-yar war already, and in spite of a planned surge that promises to bring it to an end, it's still tough for those who have to be there, especially at this time of year--the Christmas Season, including the feast of Epiphany and ending with the Baptism of the Lord,
It's aa time of year when military chaplains, rare at any time, are perhaps even more important.
"Christmas in a combat zone is often lonely," said U. S. Marine Lt. Col. Timothy Parker, who spent one Christmas deployed in Iraq. But then, there is precedent for spending Christmas this way."
He compared Christmas on the front to "the Holy Family, who had to trek across the desert to another town, where there was no place to stay and in many ways they were unwelcome."
"We make the best of what we have and are thankful for a warm place to stay," he said. "The company of good friends, a good meal in the chow hall, and being able to attend Mass in a makeshift chapel or in the field."
Those "makeshift Masses" are made possible by U. S. military chaplains.
Father Michael Duesterhaus has been deployed to combat areas three times, including Fallujah, Iraq, in 2006. The Navy chaplain said close teamwork, mission focus, and personal deprivations can deepen one's faith, and he recounted how one Marine whom he baptized and confirmed and to whom he gave First Holy Communion in the Al Anbar Province told him one night, "Catholicism is a tough religion...We have to believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus and not a symbol. Andconfession--whoa, there's a challenge. Yeah, it's tough. But I'm a Marine. Who wants a wimpy faith?"...
U. S. Army Lt. Col. Father Eric Albertson is a chaplain on the Afghan front. "Christmas when deployed is hard because of the separation. However, we all become family to one another and celebrate it as much as we can." The troops put on holiday programs with carols and skits...
Father Albertson notes that in the combat zone, soldiers become far more open to prayer. Small group prayers are quite common, and the chaplain is often invited to lead them...He also said that there is a hunger in the troops for religious literature. "Many read their Bibles nightly and will frequently ask questions over lunch or before missions," he said...
"Finally, I am often asked to bless medals and rosaries that loved ones have sent from home. The troops devoutly carry these with them in combat, condfident that Mary and the saints are interceding for their protection."
Source: National Catholic Register, January 3, 2010.
A Follow-up from Salute Magazine. Reprinted from the Boston Pilot. Sacraments can be a challenge for troops.
While St. Neil W. McCabe was prepared for the blazing temperatures and the dusty, dry conditions which are part of the arid desert climate in Iraq, deployment has brought him to an unexpected challenge--the struggle to receive the sacraments. ...Though sometimes travel and other obligations keep service members from participating in the sacraments, many times the problem is that there are simply too few priests to go around.
"I've never in my life had to deal with a situation where there are no priests. It's something you hear about in missionary countries," he said.
McCabe said sometimes senior officers may lead liturgies of the word when a priest is not available. Other times, Catholic service members have to settle for attending Mass whenever they can, even when it's not Sunday....
Vicar General Father Richard Erikson, a colonel and chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, concurred with McCabe's experience of a scarcity of Catholic chaplains in the military. He also spoke of the dedication of existing chaplains who often go back on successive tours of duty. According to Father Erikson, the lack of Catholic chaplains in the armed services results from a shortage of vocations to the priesthood in the United States. Priests are needed at home, so bishops are less willing to send them abroad.
However, despite hardships, service in Iraq has provided the Pilot reporter with unforgettable spiritual memories...a unique rite of sprinkling and a Mass in Aramaic offered by the Bishop of Basra, for example.
"For all my experiences so far, this is the highlight of my deployment--to have been in the chapel for that Mass," he said....
January 5, 2010. (Tuesday). January Adoration at Ss. Peter and Paul. Adoration will take place all day beginning at 9:00 a.m., with Mass and Benediction beginning at 7:00 p.m. Len's plan is to arrive at 6:30 p.m. and stay through the Mass and Benediction.
January 11, 2010. Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Louis Benton Steak House. Speaker will be Dr. John Pinero, Director of Catholic Faith Studies at Aquinas College.
January 10-16, 2010. Vocation Awareness Week. Serrans are urged to get the message out to their respective parishes. See the military articles in this newsletter for an added perspective to praying for vocations.
January 22, 2010. March for Life, 12:00 Noon in Washington D.C.January 25, 2010. Prayer Service and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
February 1, 2010. (Monday). Adoration at Holy Spirit. Mass at 8:00 a.m., with adoration to follow.
February 7, 2010. World Day of Prayer for the Consecrated Life.
Looking Ahead.
April 16 and 17, 2010. Preparation and Sisters' Appreciation Dinner at St. Jude's Brophy
Center. Details to follow as they become available.
April 25, 2010. World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Vocations in the Grand Rapids Diocese.
We now have 12 seminarians. Let us pray for them.
Priestly Anniversaries.
The following anniversaries will take place in January, 2010:
Rev. William Perez-Navarro, January 9, 1999.
Rev. Joseph W. Kenshol, January 19, 1973.
Rev. G. Frederick Brucker, January 25, 1976.
Rev. Mark E. Mitchell, January 25, 1976.
Rev. Msgr. Ernest P. Schneider, January 30, 1977.
Rev. Thomas G. Simons, January 30,, 1977.
In November, Lee Sullivan received thank-you notes from Father Julian Reginato and Father Norman Leyrita. Thank you, Lee, for your efforts in sending these anniversary cards. A number of years ago, this ministry was faithfully observed by the late Serran Joe Cavera, and Lee Sullivan recently resumed sending the cards on a regular basis. As the priests' thank-you notes indicate, they very much appreciate this small token of recognition in celebrating their vocations.
Other News from the Vocations Committee. Bob Gabridge and Paul Nelson are reviewing several films aimed at promoting and encouraging vocations.
Nominating Committee. Bob Paul is serving as the chairman of the Nominating Committee, assisted by Tim Hile, Bob Gabridge, and Dan LaVille. Let them know if you have someone in mind to fill the available positions. The ballots will be revealed as the information becomes more complete.
Thank you for a great job. Many thanks especially to Joe and Kathy Westdorp and Mark Kubik and all others who had a part in making the Inaugural Bishop's Dinner a success.
Membership. The Membership Committee is considering options other than the evening Member-Guest receptions we have been holding for the past couple of years. As always, our guest speaker programs provide an excellent format for introducing your Catholic friends and neighbors to our club and to the educational and enrichment opportunities provided at these luncheon meetings. Keep in mind that guests are always welcome.
Always Pray for Vocations.
Tom Hoopes, Correspondent for the National Catholic Register, writes from Kabul, Afghanistan, "Chaplains Help Troops Through Tough Times."
It's an eight-yar war already, and in spite of a planned surge that promises to bring it to an end, it's still tough for those who have to be there, especially at this time of year--the Christmas Season, including the feast of Epiphany and ending with the Baptism of the Lord,
It's aa time of year when military chaplains, rare at any time, are perhaps even more important.
"Christmas in a combat zone is often lonely," said U. S. Marine Lt. Col. Timothy Parker, who spent one Christmas deployed in Iraq. But then, there is precedent for spending Christmas this way."
He compared Christmas on the front to "the Holy Family, who had to trek across the desert to another town, where there was no place to stay and in many ways they were unwelcome."
"We make the best of what we have and are thankful for a warm place to stay," he said. "The company of good friends, a good meal in the chow hall, and being able to attend Mass in a makeshift chapel or in the field."
Those "makeshift Masses" are made possible by U. S. military chaplains.
Father Michael Duesterhaus has been deployed to combat areas three times, including Fallujah, Iraq, in 2006. The Navy chaplain said close teamwork, mission focus, and personal deprivations can deepen one's faith, and he recounted how one Marine whom he baptized and confirmed and to whom he gave First Holy Communion in the Al Anbar Province told him one night, "Catholicism is a tough religion...We have to believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus and not a symbol. Andconfession--whoa, there's a challenge. Yeah, it's tough. But I'm a Marine. Who wants a wimpy faith?"...
U. S. Army Lt. Col. Father Eric Albertson is a chaplain on the Afghan front. "Christmas when deployed is hard because of the separation. However, we all become family to one another and celebrate it as much as we can." The troops put on holiday programs with carols and skits...
Father Albertson notes that in the combat zone, soldiers become far more open to prayer. Small group prayers are quite common, and the chaplain is often invited to lead them...He also said that there is a hunger in the troops for religious literature. "Many read their Bibles nightly and will frequently ask questions over lunch or before missions," he said...
"Finally, I am often asked to bless medals and rosaries that loved ones have sent from home. The troops devoutly carry these with them in combat, condfident that Mary and the saints are interceding for their protection."
Source: National Catholic Register, January 3, 2010.
A Follow-up from Salute Magazine. Reprinted from the Boston Pilot. Sacraments can be a challenge for troops.
While St. Neil W. McCabe was prepared for the blazing temperatures and the dusty, dry conditions which are part of the arid desert climate in Iraq, deployment has brought him to an unexpected challenge--the struggle to receive the sacraments. ...Though sometimes travel and other obligations keep service members from participating in the sacraments, many times the problem is that there are simply too few priests to go around.
"I've never in my life had to deal with a situation where there are no priests. It's something you hear about in missionary countries," he said.
McCabe said sometimes senior officers may lead liturgies of the word when a priest is not available. Other times, Catholic service members have to settle for attending Mass whenever they can, even when it's not Sunday....
Vicar General Father Richard Erikson, a colonel and chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, concurred with McCabe's experience of a scarcity of Catholic chaplains in the military. He also spoke of the dedication of existing chaplains who often go back on successive tours of duty. According to Father Erikson, the lack of Catholic chaplains in the armed services results from a shortage of vocations to the priesthood in the United States. Priests are needed at home, so bishops are less willing to send them abroad.
However, despite hardships, service in Iraq has provided the Pilot reporter with unforgettable spiritual memories...a unique rite of sprinkling and a Mass in Aramaic offered by the Bishop of Basra, for example.
"For all my experiences so far, this is the highlight of my deployment--to have been in the chapel for that Mass," he said....
Editor's Note: For those who would like to send either monetary donations or religious reading materials and religious medals and rosaries to the troops, we will try to confirm an address for doing so and will let the readers know what we have found out. Some may already be contributing to our troops through other means.
There is a new website for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, at THENEWWWW.MILARCH.ORG
Let us pray that as Serrans these two excerpts regarding the experiences of the military will give special meaning to our efforts to pray for more vocations, not only on those special days listed in the Calendar of Events but also during every day of our lives.
Let us pray that as Serrans these two excerpts regarding the experiences of the military will give special meaning to our efforts to pray for more vocations, not only on those special days listed in the Calendar of Events but also during every day of our lives.
A Message From our President.
Dear Serrans: A Happy 2010 New Year to Grand Rapids Serrans and their families. Time certainly flies when you are having fun!
Our Serran year was full of activities, planing, praying, traveling, and enjoyment. January 2009 started out with the signing of a second venturing crew. This is a group of men discerning at Aquinas College. They enjoyed the use of the Boy Scouts' facility on Walker for a retreat weekend. This group continues to meet and needs our prayers. W\
We enjoyed many outstanding speakers this past year: Fr. Tony Russo, Dr. Woody Hoover, Dr. Chad Gunnoe, Sister Colleen Ann Nagel, and Cheryl Doyle, to name only a few. We again hosted and enjoyed putting on the annual Sisters' Appreciation Dinner. Even though it took place in a blizzard, 65 sisters attended. The weather situation has prompted the committee to schedule this year's event after Easter.
We were happy to celebrate with the seminarians who were ordained this past year, and we continue to wish them well and to pray for them. Our summer picnic, Pulaski Day in July, was delicious. Pat Polega and Carolynne Etheridge outdid themselves with the cooking of authentic Polish food. It was especially nice at the picnic to make friends with the Trinitarian Order of Sisters located in Lowell.
This past fall we also met with the staff, faculty, and students at Aquinas College to learn of the many new opportunities available on campus for faith formation, discernment, mission/retreat opportunities, and Catholic Faith classes. The list goes on.
Several members attended the International Convention in Omaha. Dan Grady was elected to the International Board.
The Vocations Dinner Committee was especially busy planning our annual dinner for December. The Dinner has a new name: The Bishop's Dinner for Continuing Education for Priests. All of these activities, along with many not mentioned, included prayers for vocations.
And prayer was always at Phillip Weber's list of things to do. With his passing, may he rest in peace with the Lord.
I know I have missed some things, but these were some of the highlights. None of them would be possible without the dedication and hard work of the Grand Rapids Serra Board of Directors and Trustees. They have all put in many hours of hard work and prayer for our club, and for this I am deeply grateful. May our club continue to grow in membership, creating lasting friendships and wonderful memories for the cause of Serra and vocations for our Church.
There is much to do in the coming months. Please bring a friend to a meeting, and never hesitate to get involved with a committee. Many hands make light work. The Board is planning a work day to review the activities we have already done and those we would like to try in the future.
In addition to our regular meetings, our next big event is the Sisters' Appreciation Dinner in April. Watch for details in upcoming newsletters.
Happy New Year!
Pam McKenzie.
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