A Good Beginning for 2014. Good News from Serra International.
From Serra's Council for the U. S.
On the weekend of November 21-24, 2013, the Executive Committee of the United States Council of Serra International met in Carmel, California. Most of our members stayed for the 300-year celebration of our patron sponsored by Regions 11 and 12. The Carmel Mission was established by Junipero Serra and is actually his burial site.
At our invitation, we were honored to have John Liston, Executive Director of Serra International, attend and participate in the USAC's meetings on Thursday and Friday. This was a very positive step toward the Council working together with Serra International with open communication to solve issues that affect all of us.
The Western Regional Conference Committee from Region 11 put together a great event featuring good speakers, beautiful Masses, a wonderful tour of the Mission, and a scenic area to visit. Supporting this combined regional conference, the USA Council was pleased to have more than 20 Serrans attending from Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, and California.
Finally, let us thank the Lord for all the positive steps that have taken place this year:
- Dismissal of the lawsuit
- Reinstatement of the USA Council of Serra International
- Approval of the Resolution of Unity by both the USA Council and Serra International
Task force appointed by Sean Yeo and myself consisting of Dan Grady, Tim O'Neill, Greg Schweitz, Bob Labat, Cindy Bell, and Greg Lynch, who are diligently working to bring us together into one office and continuing their efforts toward a unified Serra devoted to one worldwide mission of religious vocations.
We have many blessings to be thankful for.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!
Dan Jones, President
Serra's Council for the U. S.
Forwarded by Tim Hile on December 6, 2013.
With renewed energy and dedication, let us get on with the business of Serra as we continue our ministry and mission.
Calendar of Events.
January 1, 2014. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Holy Day of Obligation.
January 12. 2014. Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at the University Club.
January 16-19, 2014. Serra USA Super Weekend and Leadership Training, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosemont, IL. See below for more information on the serraus.org web site.
Keep in mind that all Serrans are invited to attend the Super Weekend and join the important work of Serra within the United States. To obtain registration information, call the Chicago office at 888-777-6681 or check online at www.serraus.org. This occasion will once again provide a wonderful opportunity for us to begin the new year with our Council focused on moving forward in the spirit of Father Junipero Serra on the 301st anniversary of his birth.
January 19, 2014. Serra Board Meeting and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart of Jesus.
January 22, 2014. 41st Annual March for Life, Washington, D. C. Please pray especially for our Michigan Right to Life participants, including West Catholic and Catholic Central students. Also, check the Grand Rapids Right to Life web site for related local events.
January 26, 2014. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Sacred Heart of Jesus.
February 2, 2014. World Day for Consecrated Life. See below for more information regarding the National Church Vocations programs.
May 11, 2014. World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
July 10-13, 2014. Serra International Convention, Sacramento, CA.
November 2-8, 2014. National Vocation Awareness Week.
serraus.org web site.
The mission of the web site is to foster and affirm vocations to the priesthood and vowed religious life. The USA Council of Serra International invites you to visit often so that you are able to browse all of the valuable information provided in support of your mission and ministry to foster and promote vocations through prayer, awareness, affirmation and support. This online resource is designed to help you meet your USA Serra club and vocation ministry needs.
National Coalition for Church Vocations Programs.
If you'd like to get your parish more involved in one or more of the three vocation events (Vocation Awareness Week, World Day for Consecrated Life, and World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the serraus.org web site provides links to all sorts of materials aiding in the planning of these events: liturgy planning guides, music suggestions, homily guides, general intercessions, prayer services, prayer card masters, bulletin announcements, clip art, and posters. NVAW: Item 712, (English) via Adobe PDF download, or Item 713 (Spanish); WDfCL, 716 (English) or 717(Spanish); or WDoPfV, Item 720 (English) or 721 (Spanish). Call USA Council of Serra International toll free at 1-888-777 6681 or email serraus@serraus.org for more information and download instructions.
Priests' Anniversaries for January.
Father Fred Brucker, January 25, 1976; Father Joseph Kenshol, January 19, 1973; Fr. Mark Mitchell, January 25, 1976, Father Ernest Schneider, January 30, 1977, and Father Thomas Simone, January 30, 1977. Let us pray for these priests as they labor in the vineyards of the Lord.
A Special Kind of Vocation. During December our diocese conducted a special collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Washington, D. C. The Call to Evengelize Active-Duty Young Adults remains a particular focus for the AMS. Its Office of Evangelization supports priests-chaplains, lay leaders, and ministry co-ordinators in meeting the pastoral needs of this young generation, those who need to hear the Word of God proclaimed boldly and authentically.
Although Priest-Chaplains are in short supply, more seminarians are on the way. Thanks to the support of our bishops, religious superiors, and increased awareness and discernment opportunities, more young men are now entering seminaries to become priest-chaplains through the co-sponsored Seminarian Program, which splits the cost of seminarian education between a home diocese and the AMS.
The Archdiocese depends solely on generous donations from the general public, from current and retired priest-chaplains, and from private grants.
If you missed the opportunity to donate or would like more information about the AMS, you may call 202-719-3600. Above all, let us pray for our troops and for these very special men who serve them as military chaplains.
A Tribute to Sir Ralph W. Hauenstein, Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
A number of Serrans attended the presentation of the Silver Palm of Jerusalem to Sir Ralph at St. Andrew's Cathedral on December 9, our only meeting date in December. He was assisted by his fellow Knight, Mark Kubik. The programs provided a brief history of the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
The origins of the order date back to the First Crusade, when its lealder, Godfrey de Bouillion, liberated Jerusalem. To secure the newly freed territories, he founded the Order. In 1103 the Knights became agents of the Catholic bishop of Jerusalem, called the Patriarch. The knights undertook the ongoing defense of the Holy Sepulchre and other Holy Places in the Holy Land...
After Saladin regained Jerusalem in 1182, the Order ceased to exist in the Holy Land, yet it continued to survive in Europe to keep alive the ideals of the Crusader Knights: the propagation of the Faith, defense of the weak, and charity toward others.
In 1847 the Patriarchate of Jerusalem was restored under Pope Pius IX, who modernized it and made it subject to the new Bishop of Jerusalem...Members of the order are chosen from among persons of a deep and practical Catholic Faith and of exemplary moral conduct.
Congratulations and prayers to Ralph as he continues to serve the Faith in so many ways.
Venturing Program.
On December 13, 2013, Tim Hile wrote, "West Catholic has decided to renew their Venturing Program and they are looking for our support. Half of the $665 fee can be reimbursed by the Serra Foundation. So, the cost to our club is $332.50. I feel this is a good investment for vocations in general for our community.
Discussions have begun with Catholic Central as well for their Peer Ministry program and a small discernment group..." This past month the Board agreed to the $332.50 donation to continue our support of this program.
For those new to the club, and as a reminder to all members, we note the following 2007 message from serraus.org:
Gerald Ford Council Starts a Venturing Program
Congratulations are in order for Dennis Leiber, fhte Serra Club of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Diocesan Catholic Committee Scouting on forming the first Serra Club chartered Catholic Venturing Crew for students at West Catholic High School. In 2006 the Serra International Foundation provided a $7000 grant to fund the establishment of Serra Club chartered Catholic Venturing Crews or Sea Scouting units in Catholic high schools. Each Serra Club which charters a venturing crew will receive funding for one half of the expenses...
Receipt for Charitable Gift.
Information for those who itemize their tax deductions: If you purchased tickets for the Serra Club Dinner on September 28, Joseph Scoville can provide receipts with the Serra International logo for the deductions.
Congratulations. Andrew Cozzens, son of Serrans Judy and Jack Cozzens, has been installed as Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis.
A Message from our President.
Dear Serrans:
I ask that you pray for me and our local Serra Club as we work together on our own important mission as the vocation arm of the Catholic Church..
We have just celebrated the birth of Baby Jesus. What a wonderful display of God's awesome love for us, (that He gave his only begotten Son). That is the best gift of all during the Christmas season. We are also reminded of the Holly Family at this time of year and of our responsibilities as parents, using Mary and Joseph as our role models to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
There were two wonderful opportunities for Serrans to socialize this December. The presentation of the Silver :Palm Award to Ralph Hauenstein and cocktail party as well as the Schubert Choir (which has become a wonderful holiday tradition for many of our Serrans).
I would like especially to thank and recognize John Osterhart and Dan Grady for all their work as Grand Rapids Serrans plus all their work for USAC (John) and Serra International (Dan). We are so lucky to have these two talented gentlemen in our club.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for us!
Agnes Kempker-Cloyd
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