Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, June 2012

Calendar of Events.
June 2, 2012.  Ordination of three seminarians to the permanent diaconate, 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  Serrans who wish to assist with ushering should report at 9:00 a.m.  RSVP to Tim Hile if you can help.  Biographies of the three will appear immediately below the calendar of events.
June 11, 2012.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker Jimmy Hsu, 12:00 Noon at University Club. His biogtaphy will appear immediately after the list of transitional deacons.
June 18, 2012.  Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
June 21-23, 2012.  Serra International Convention, Providence, Rhode Island.
June 23, 2012.  St. Lazare Retreat House Men's and Women's Golf Outing, Grand Haven Golf Club.  8:00 a.m. Registration, 9:00 a.m.  Shotgun Start, Scramble.  We are sponsoring a foursome of priests.  June 15 is the last day to register.  Call 616-842-4040 or e-mail Fr. Vincent O'Malley at vomcm@att.net.
June 25, 2012.  Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
Looking Ahead...
August 13, 2012.  Luncheon meeting and tour of St. John's Home, 12:00 noon.  Maps will be provided.
October 4, 2012.  Father Fred Presentation, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Aquinas College.  This presentation will be centered on the book, The Heart of a Priest.  Bill Bjork has read the book and says it's wonderful.
Father Edwin Frederick, Father Fred, was a Catholic priest who served in the Traverse City, Michigan area from 1959 until his death in 2000.  At the time of his death, thousands mourned the loss of this incredible man.

For the first thirty years of his time in Traverse City, he served as Catholic chaplain at the Traverse City State Hospital, a state-run mental health facility that closed in 1989.  When the state hospital closed, Fr. Fred started the Father Fred Foundation to help those displaced residents who suddenly found themselves homeless in Traverse City.  Initially, the foundation was a drop-in center where "his people" could stay in contact with the man who treated them with so much dignity.  Neither a person's denomination nor belief mattered to Father Fred.  If someone needed help, Father Fred was there.
Eleven years after his death, his biography was written by Traverse City author, Paul LaPorte.

The Transitional Deacons.
Mr. Scott T. Nolan, 25, is the son of Holly and Robert Nolan of Muskegon.  He has three siblings, Sean (Kendall), Daniel (Ashley and daughter Amelia), and Brian (Tiffany) Nolan.  His home parish is Prince of Peace North Muskegon.  Mr. Nolan is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and St. John Vianney Seminary with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and Catholic studies.  In 2011, he completed an internship at Holy Name of Jesus parish under the mentorship of Father Stephen Dudek.  Mr. Nolan will enter his final year of seminary at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois in the fall of 2012 and will receive his master's of divinity degree in May 2013.
Mr.Charles J. Schwartz, 30, is the son of Felipa and Michael Schwartz of Grand Rapids.  He has five siblings, Rose, Cecelia, Angelica, Jeffrey and Rita.  Mr. Schwartz's home parish is the Shrine of St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Grand Rapids.  Mr. Schwartz is a 2009 graduate of the University of St. Thomas and St. John Vianney Seminary with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and Catholic studies.  In 2011, he completed an internship at St. Michael Parish, Muskegon Heights, under the mentorship of Father Tom Brown.  Mr. Schwartz will enter his final year of seminary at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois in the fall of 2012 and will receive his master's of divinity degree in May 2013.
Mr. James VanderLaan, 28, is the son of Patricia and Stephen VanderLaan of Grand Rapids.  He has two siblings, Sarah and Joshua VanderLaan.  His home parish is the Shrine of St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Grand Rapids.  Mr. VanderLaan is a 2007 graduate of Grand Valley State University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and Spanish.  In 2011 he completed an internship at St. Francis deSales Parish in Holland under the mentorship of Father Charlie Brown.  Mr. VanderLaan will enter his final year of seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois in the fall of 2012 and will receive his master's of divinity degree in May 2013.

Biography of Jimmy Hsu, CSP,  our speaker for June 11.  Date of birth, November 1, 1988.  Home town:  Plano, Texas.  Favorite Saint, St. John the Evangelist.  Hobbies, reading, speeping, computer games, golf, and food.  Favorite foods:  Chinese and Italian.  What did I enjoy most about my pastoral year?  Experiencing and participating firsthand in the ministries of a pastoral minister, and of a Paulist  I look forward to working as a member of a parish team to serve the people of a parish.
Vocation Story:  I first considered the priesthood after going to a youth retreat in the eighth grade.  It was always on my mind as I went through my high school years.  When I entered the University of Texas in Austin, I met the Paulist Fathers, who serve at the campus ministry.  I became active in campus ministry and got to know the Paulists well.  The priests became my mentors and continued to encourage my discernment for the priesthood.  As I was graduating, I gelt that I wanted to apply to enter the seminary.  With encouragement from the Paulists in Austin, I chose to apply for the Paulist novitiate.  I have found my novitiate to be very rewarding and hope that I continue to be guided though this path.

Priests' Anniversaries for June.
June 1.  Michael Albert, Gasper Ancona, Louis Anderson, Bernard Carlin, Joseph Fix, Melvin Fox, Troy Nevins, Jose Luis Quintana, Chris Rouech, Anton Tran, William Zink.
June 2.  Matthew Barnum, Victor Kynam, Donald Lomasiewicz, Mark Peacock, Ken Schichtel.
June 3. James Bozung, John LaGoe, Thomas McKinney, Anthony Russo, Ron Schneider, Anthony Vainavicz.
June 4.  Eugene Golas, Tom Schiller, Luis Garcia.
June 5.  Charles Brown, Tom Brown, Michael Danner, George Fekete, Pedro Garcia, David Gross, the Most Reverend Walter Hurley (priesthood), Paul Milanowski, Louis Stasker.
June 6.  Michael Burt, James Chelich, Norman Droski, Aaron Ferris, Msgr. John Giammona, Tom Vesbit, John Wisneski.
June 7.  Michael Cilibraise, Godfrey Onyekwere, Anthony Pelak, Philip Salmonowicz, Phil Sliwinski, Peter Vu.
June 11.  Fred Hoesli.
June 12.  Tom Bolster.
June 13.  John Vallier.
June 14.  Mark Bauer, Ed Boucher.
June 15.  John Thome.
June 16.  Thomas Page.
June 18.  Thomas DeYoung.
June 19. Msgr. Terrance Stewart.
June 24.  Patrick Grile, Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz.
June 27.  Francis Sacks.
June 28.  Ayub Francis Nasar
June 29.  Robert Balsar.
Thank you, Lee, for compiling this list and sending the cards.

Nominating Committee Report for 2012-2013. 
President:  Tim Hile XX
President-elect:  Agnes Kempker-Cloyd XX
Treasurer:  Pat Leikert (Continuing) 
Secretary:  Nancy King//Lee Sullivan XX
Vice-president Communications:  Nancy King (Continuing)
Vice-president Vocations:  Nancy Mulvihill X
Vice-president Membership:  Weldon Schwartz X
Vice-president Programs:  Larry Mulligan X
Trustees:  Bob Gabridge*
                 Dan Grady***
                 Bob Paul*
                 John Osterhart***
Past President:  Dan LaVille
Moderator:  Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz

Symbols:  X=First year of two; XX=Second year of two; **=Second year of three; and ***=Third year of three.
Date of installation of these officers:  TBA

The Serra Hour of Holy Family Radio's Sharathon.
On Wednesday, May 9, our club participated in Holy Family Radio's Sharathon, the radio's first on air pledge drive.  The pledge generated over 500 pledges totaling over $175,000, including matched pledges.  The 5-6 p.m. hour in which Serra was featured generated over $5500 in pledges, including matched pledges provided by club members.  Club President Tim Hile, former club member Msgr. Bill Duncan, and current members Mark Kubik, Weldon Schwartz, and Dan Grady discussed the history and activities of the club with Pledge Drive host Jerry Usher, who produces the Vocation Boom radio show heard on Holy Family Radio on Saturdays and Sundays at 5:00 p.m.  Club members Dan LaVille, Beverly Shields, and Nancy Mulvihill helped answer phones on the pledge phone bank.  Our participation has generated interest in joining the club from three persons who listened or met Serrans at the station during the Serra Sharathon hour.  Thanks to all who helped and pledged.
Information provided by Dan Grady.
 
A Tribute to Ralph Hauenstein.

The Spring 2012 edition of the Grand Valley Magazine features Ralph Hauenstein in celebration of his 100th birthday.  In the Q&A format, the magazine's Nate Hoekstra interviewed Ralph just before his birthday to ask him about his ties to Grand Valley and Grand Rapids and the secret to his longevity.  About the Hauenstein Center, Ralph notes, "I think the Hauenstein Center has been a tremendous success under the direction, guidance, and supervision of Gleaves Whitney.  We were fortunate to get a man of his caliber to carry it on, and it's making tremendous inroads with young people.  I see it all the time when people come to me who are as enthused as I am about this.  I watch these young men and women and I'm absolutely certain that we are providing great, great leadership for the future of our country right from within the leadership of our university.  I think our major goal is to develop successful people within themselves, but obviously we're also helping to make them more aware of their country as well, no question about it.  It's a well-run program...
Of his 100th birthday, Ralph comments, "I've been fortunate to have many, many good things happen to me throughout my life...People ask me what I attribute my long life to, and I just say, 'stay alive.'  It's the best I can do."
Thank you, Ralph, for all you have contributed to our club (as one of the three founders), our community, and our country.

A Special May Ordination.
Formerly a federal bankruptcy judge, Father Timothy Corcoran, 66, was ordained as a priest on May 20 after four years of seminary school in Massachusetts.  He has been assigned as a parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin.  He is a graduate of Blessed John XXXIII National Seminary, a special seminary for older men.  There were eight graduates in his class.

His first day was almost his last.  Tim Corcoran was 62, a former federal judge in Tampa, used to having his own way.  He had a home off Bayshore Boulevard, all to himself.  But here he was in a cold monastic cell of a room with bare floors and walls, with a tiny bathroom he'd have to share for the next four years.  The bare room did drive home the idea that the priesthood is a calling of sacrifice and humility.  "It was ugly and noisy and it looked like an institution.  What was I thinking?"  This was his quarters at Blessed John Seminary.

Few men come into the priesthood with as many life experiences, though at the special seminary, Corcoran had classmates who were physicians, retired military, government bureaucrats, and even two veterinarians.  He's a combat veteran, an ex-husband, a lawyer, and a former judge.  

Corcoran and his father, also named Timothy, served in Vietnam at the same time.  Corcoran's mother, Betty Lou, and his father lie together at Arlington National Cemetery.  Before he came home from the seminary, Corcoran made his customary visit.

"Whatever success I've had in the past had involved setting a goal and making a plan and then taking credit for what I had achieved," he said.  "It was all about me.  That's the antithesis of the seminary experience.  All we are doing is being instruments of the Lord."  Father Corcoran celebrated his first solo mass on May 21 at Sacred Heart Church in Tampa.
Source:  Tampa Bay Times.  Furnished by Dan LaVille.

A Message from our President.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the University Club on June 11.  Our speaker will be Jimmy Hsu, CSP.  The regional conference is moving forward with invitations to speakers so that we can publish the agenda and generate interest in the fall conference in Cleveland.
Enjoy the slower pace of summer and continue to pray for our current priests and seminarians.  Some of our priests will be moving to Senior Priest (retired);  change can be very hard but we hope to be able to help them and aid their transition.  As you get the opportunity to contemplate Serra and its purpose and your purpose within Serra, think about this:  You know well enough that our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.  -St. Therese of Lisieux
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us. 
President Tim Hile

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, May 2012

Calendar of Events.
April 29, 2012.  World Day of Prayer for Vocations,  During May, the month of the Rosary, let us renew our resolve to nurture, foster, and pray for priestly and religious vocations.
April 30, 2012.  Regional Conference Planning Committee, 5:30 p.m. at St. Stephen and subsequently every second Monday. 
May 3, 2012.  Joint meeting with the Muskegon Club, 12:00 Noon at Sam's Joint in Coopersville.
The meeting was well attended, and not only did we enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with the Muskegon Serrans, but also we were able to make the initial contact toward co-hosting  the 2013 Regional Conference.  Also, Bob Barrett talked briefly about the College Connection.  Let us pray for him as he continues his dedication to this ministry to keep young people in the Church and in some cases to provide them with a forum to discern their vocations.  We certainly hope to enjoy other such meetings in the future.  See below for 2013 Regional Convention Committee update.
May 9-11, 2012 from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Holy Family Radio Sharathon Fundraising Drive.  Our club's hour is Wednesday, May 9 from 5:00-6:00 P.M.  Remember to make your pledges directly to HFR in Serra's name before the pledge drive.  If you can't make the May 9 date, call Dan Grady or HFR directly at 616-956-1140 if you still want to help at another time.
May 21, 2012.  Serra Board Meeting at 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
May 28, 2012.  Memorial Day.  No meeting.
June 11, 2012.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at the University Club.
June 18, 2012.  Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
June 20-21, 2012.  USA Council of Serra International Annual Meeting/Super Weekend, Providence,
Rhode Island.
June 21-24, 2012.  Serra International Convention, Providence, Rhode Island.
June 23, 2012.  Golf Outing, Grand Haven Golf Club, Sponsored by St. Lazare Retreat House, Grand Haven.  8:00 a.m. registration, 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start, ,Scramble.  $95 per golfer, $330 per foursome, including luncheon and soft drinks.  Director:  Fr. Vincent O'Malley (vomcm@att.net).  Make checks payable to St. Lazare Golf Outing, 18600 W. Spring Lake Rd, Spring Lake, MI 49456. Call Lew Gorbach (616-842-4040) if you'd like to participate or help sponsor a foursome of priests.
June 25, 2012.  Prayer Service and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart.
July Dates TBA.
August 13, 2012.  Tour and Luncheon at St. John's Home with Sharon Loughridge, 12:00 Noon.  Maps will be forwarded before the event.


Priests' Anniversaries.
April 1. Rev. Steven Cron
May 1.  Rev. John Kenny
May 5.  Rev. Philip Shangraw
May  14.  Rev. Anthony Britt
May 15.  Rev. Leonard Sudlick
May 16.  Rev. Tom Tavella
May 19.  Msgr. Wm. Duncan, Rev. D. Tirkey, Rev. Charles Mason
May 20.  Rev. Peter Nghiem, Rev. Mark Przbysz
May 22.  Rev. Ernest Bernott, J. Lalley
May 24.  Rev. Michael Bliszcz, Rev. Ted Kozlowski, Rev. Don Weber
May 27.  Rev. Brad Schoeberle
May 28.  Rev. Thomas Hack

2013 Regional Convention Update.  Friday, September 27-Sunday, September 29,2013 at the Airport Hilton, Grand Rapids.  Expected attendance about 150 people from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Tentative Theme:  Being Catholic in the United States:  Living the Faith in a Pluralistic Society.
Possible topics for four workshops:
Catholic Radio with Larry Nienhaus, How the laity can help the clergy, Panel discussion of newly ordained priests on vocations, the College Connection, and Increasing Serra Membership.
Committees are Program Committee, Marketing Committee, Registration Committee, and Fundraising/Underwriting Committee.
Note that 2013 will mark the 65th anniversary of our club's chartering.  The following year the Muskegon club will celebrate its 65th anniversary.
We thank the committee for their work so far.  Please feel free to join in at any time if you see a way in which you can help. 


31 Club Meetings.  If you are willing to talk to your parish priest about a 31 Club, please let Nancy Mulvihill know.

Election of Officers.  Bob Paul will be stepping down as trustee.  However, he is still in charge of nominations.  Let him know if you would like to serve.  So far, all of the other officers have agreed to remain in their positions.  We have tentative plans for installation of officers at a May or June meeting.


Let us Pray...that our club bears fruit through our support of Holy Family Radio.  Holy Family Radio airs EWTN's Vocation Boom on Saturdays 5-6 p.m. and again on Sundays 5-6 p.m.
Last weekend one of the featured priests was Father Tony Russo, of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Pastor of Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford.  Father Tony was ordained in June, 2000.  Some Serrans may remember that he spoke to our club regarding his story.  Let us keep in mind that each priest has his unique vocation story, and that each vocation is a gift from God.  Our club sponsors the Vocation Boom broadcast, and we are mentioned as having prayed for vocations since 1948.

Vocation Boom has appeared on EWTN each weekend since February 28, 2011.  Says founder and host Jerry Usher, (and once a classmate of Fr. Tony Russo), "My hope for the show is really two-fold.  First, I want to be a source of encouragement for young men and their families as they prayerfully discern whether or not God is calling them to the priesthood.  Second, I want to draw attention of the laity to the priesthood and vocations with the hope of helping all of us better understand and appreciate who a priest is by virtue of his ordination."

Usher said he is hoping his show will do nothing less than change the way people pray, attend Mass, and receive the sacraments.
Editor's Note:  I believe that my involvement with vocations through Serra and the Vocations Boom broadcast is doing just that.  My faith has been greatly enriched by both of the above. Also, several of the priests interviewed on vocation boom indicate that Catholic radio played a role in their decision to enter the priesthood.

Let us Pray...for Nate McKenzie, who underwent knee replacement surgery on April 23.  A second knee replacement will be scheduled at the appropriate time.  Nate continues to recover, and we were sorry to have missed his presence at the Grand Rapids/Muskegon meeting last Monday.  The joint meeting has been a long-time dream of both John Osterhart and Nate, and let us thank both of them for their interest in encouraging such an event.

A Reflection on Vocations.  What is a vocation and how is it discovered?
By Carmen F. Aguinaco
Vocation is a call.  It is knowing who God wants us to become, discovering how we got there, and tasks or steps we must accomplish and follow.  But how do we know what or vocation is, that who, how, and why?
To begin with, it deals with discovering those desires that God is putting into your heart.  Do you feel attraction or challenge toward serving others?  Do you imagine yourself as a priest, religious sister or brother, as a married or single person with a great dedication to God's things?  Are you seeking a personal encounter with God?
A willingness to come out of yourself and venture toward an encounter with God must follow, which could be unknown and even mysterious.  And something or someone must always be left behind.  Those who consider their life's work to be in a religious community leave behind family possessions, and often their country.  Those who consider married life as their vocation must leave the family life that they have known and begin a new path.  The same can be said for those who opt for the single life.  It is a matter of choice.  What everyone needs to discern is the mission God has called us to and why it was selected over all other securities.
To discern properly, one must have seven attitudes or qualities:
1.  Openness.  We cannot find God's will if we enter the process with preconceived ideals that are based on our will.
2.  Generosity.  It is like having a blank check so that God can decide what he wants to give.
3.  Courage.  One must have courage because God could be asking for something difficult and risky.
4.  Inner freedom.  The deepest desire and principal motivation to do God's will.
5.  Reflection.  One must reflect in prayer to hear God.
6.  Clear priorities.  The important thing is to serve God.
7.  Do not confuse the end with the means.  That is, God is first and everything in life must be directed to him.
It is not an easy process.  There are many complications in our world, and considering a lifelong commitment is difficult.  Many people make a commitment to a person or cause, but it only lasts until the first difficulty arrives.  To make a lasting commitment, persevering in spite of the obstacles, is hard.  But in reality nothing else is worth the effort.  In what things can you employ your life?
Questions for Reflection:  What are your heart's desires?  Where is God in these desires?  What fears emerge when you consider your life's journey?  How do you respond to these fears?  What do you think God has been asking of you?
Source:  Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, April 28-29, 2012.

A Message from our President.
Dear Serrans:
Our joint meeting with the Muskegon Club was a long time coming but proved successful.  It always reinforces our calling to support vocations when we surround ourselves with other people also instilled with the Holy Spirit to further the cause of vocations.
Continue to pray for Nate McKenzie and Pam's mother as well, as they both recuperate from knee replacements.
The sisters of the diocese continue to drop cards and e-mails our way thanking us for the great time at the ballgame on April 22.  The weather was a bit chilly, but our spirits were warm and the White Caps rallied for a win.  Thank you to the LaVilles for their tremendous effort and support of this particular event.
Notice the schedule will settle down some, but we will be at the University Club in June and July (instead of Louis Benton's).
Continue to pray for our seminarians and our current serving priests.  Join me in offering the following  for all priests and seminarians this month:
Eternal God, please bless our priests who represent you on this earth.  Make them more greatly aware of the grace that you pour out through them when they minister the sacraments, and help them fall more deeply in love with you after each Mass that they celebrate.  Please strengthen our priests who shepherd your flock when they are in doubt of their faith, that they may be examples of your Truth, and guide us on the path to you.  We ask these things of our Eternal Priest.  Amen.
Also, let us remember that May is the month of Our Lady.  The rosary is a powerful means for helping young men respond to God's call.  Commit to say the rosary once today (and every day thereafter)!
President Tim Hile 
 Note:  We will continue our military vocations theme in June.
What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:8