Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter July 2014

Calendar of Events.
July 1, 2014.  Feast Day of Blessed Junipero Serra.
July 4, 2014.  Independence Day.
July 14, 2014.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at the University Club.  Speakers will be seminarians.  Fr. Chelich is scheduled for August.
July 9-13, 2014.  Serra International Convention, Sacramento, California. President-Elect John Osterhart of Serra USA is the new president-elect, and Serra International President-Elect Dan Grady will become president.  Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, Moderator Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz, Dan Grady, John Osterhart, Nancy King, club delegate, and Frank Lake, club alternate delegate, will attend from Grand Rapids.
July 21, 2014.  Board Meeting and luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
July 28, 2014.  Serra Meeting and luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.  Please remember to prepare for discussion of Chapter 5 of the "Be Happy Attitudes."

Priests' Anniversaries for July.
Fr. Larry King, July 8 1989.
Fr. Lam Le, July 10, 2009.
Fr. Ray Bruck, July 20, 1958.

A Message from Sean Yeo, on the Feast Day of Blessed Junipero Serra.

1 July 2014
My Fellow Serrans,
Shalom!
On this feast day of Blessed Junipero Serra, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all the good works and personal sacrifices that you all have made for God's Kingdom in the Serra lay apostolate for vocations.  I would also like to thank you for all your prayers and for your support that you have extended to Serra International and to me over the past year. I hope you will continue to lend your support to Serra and to Daniel Grady who will be taking over the office...I also hope you keep Dan in your prayers so that he will be able to carry out the responsibility that God is entrusting him with.
I would also like to seek your prayers for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all who will be attending the convention from 10-13 July.  Kindly join me to offer a decade a rosary daily from 10 July (Thursday) to 13 July (Sunday) for this intention.  I pray for the special intercession of Blessed Junipero Serra for all of you.
If anyone serves, he should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
1 Peter 4:11.

Some Significant Serra Events in June.

Last week, on June 23, 24, and 25, our club set a record in experiencing three consecutive days of important Serra events.
The first of these meetings was a dinner with the Dominicans at the Marywood Campus in observance of the opening of a valuable community resource, opening of the newly refurbished Aquinata Hall.  Aquinata Hall was dedicated and blessed  this past April as a long-term, assisted living community with 45 rooms on three floors.
The moderately priced rooms are open to area seniors 60 and older, and residents do not have to be Catholic.  Dominican sisters also in the home, which includes a central dining room, chapel, beauty salon, and three-story atrium. Each floor also features a community day room with fireplace, laundry facilities and an exercise room.
 Aquinata Hall, once an infirmary for the sisters, has been repurposed as part of the sisters' new focus on health care services.  It is part of a long-term plan to transform the Marywood campus at 2025 E. Fulton Street into a center that offers programs for all ages.  An important feature for Serrans to keep in mind is that the facility, in conjunction with Mary Free Bed, has rooms available for short-term post surgical rehabilitation.  The Dominican Sisters also collaborate with Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services in offering Marywood Circle Home Health.
We enjoyed the opportunity to have dinner with the sisters and experience the beautiful Marywood campus.

The second Serra event, on June 24, took place on June 24 with District Governor Bob Barrett presiding.  Also in attendance were President Jim Wilson and Judy Cancro of Detroit-Oakland, and John Osterhart, Weldon Schwartz, Aggie Kempker-Cloyd, Beth Gumina, Nancy Mulvihill, and Michael Fiorenzo of Grand Rapids.  In summary, the group discussed the importance of eucharistic adoration, especially around the clock. The Diocese of  Lansing has 34 seminarians, and the Archdiocese of  Detroit has 32.  Jim Wilson, whose son is a seminarian, said that in recent years 15 young men have entered various seminaries from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. Michael spoke of St. Isidore Parish, with 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration, as a "vocation making machine," and he also mentioned his participation in the Cincinnati Serra's Bible Reading Novena, lasting 108 consecutive hours.  Muskegon has done something similar as part of an ecumenical project with other denominations in Muskegon.    And those present discussed the many contributions of Nate McKenzie, who passed away in June, along with the opportunity to donate to the Sister Robert Anne Scholarship Fund, established in the name of Nate's grandson, Malik Haywood.  Donations can be sent to
Catholic Central High School, 319 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, Michign, 49503, or (616-233-5899.  
One of the most important topics discussed at the meeting was the Newman Connection, which has replaced the old Catholic Conference, as a means of insuring the continuing involvement of college-age Catholics in the Church.  Research shows that of those practicing Catholics entering college, only 15 per cent, if left on their own, end up still practicing their faith upon graduation.
Bob Barrett, noting in an article appearing on June 13, 2014 in the Michigan Catholic the vital connection between campus ministry and the mission of vocations, says, "Sixty percent of vocations come out of campus ministry."  With campus ministries in college, he says, we have a better chance of more vocations.
The process involves getting in touch with youth ministers to inform them of what's available in offering a Catholic presence on college campuses.  As we move toward fall, John Osterhart, Michael Fiorenzo, Nancy Mulvihill, Weldon Schwartz, and Nancy King will be calling on various parishes to gather the names of those  headed for college.  Also, because eighty percent of Catholic high school students attend public schools, we will be working with representatives from all schools in the diocese.  Let John know if you'd like to help.

The third event was a gathering at the home of Dennis and Margaret Leiber with newly appointed Bishop Joseph Arshad and two other priests from the Diocese of Faisalabad, Pakistan, as guests of Father Ayub Nasar, chaplain of St. Mary's Hospital and frequent substitute priest throughout the diocese. The guests spoke of the challenges facing Christians in their country.  Pakistan is a country of more than 180,000,000 inhabitants, only 13 percent of whom are Christians.  An article from Agenzia Fides, an organization dedicated to propagation of the faith, reports that 2014 has been proclaimed a "year of peace and hope" in Faisalabad:
The Diocese of Faisalabad in the heart of Pakistan, Punjab, has declared 2014 a "year of peace and hope," is what the new Bishop, Msgr. Joseph Arshad said, who is making a pastoral visit to parishes, communities, educational institutions in the area, to learn more about the different realities, meet priests and religious mean and women, listen to the faithful, all in the name of two words, peace and hope.  As Fr. Emmanuel Parvez, pastor of the St. Paul Church in Pansara says, "the bishop continues to become familiar with the nature and potentiality of the diocesan Catholic reality, trying to exploit the existing pastoral resources."  In particular, the work carried out by Fr. Parvez regards children:  the priest has launched a special childhood pastoral, thanks to the presence of a statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague.  Fr. Pavez promotes spirituality and prayer meetings, educational, social, cultural, and recreational activities that involve thousands of Christian and Muslim children.  "Dialog, peace and reconciliation, in the name of Christ, who loves us all, start right from childhood.  If children of different religions are educated to getting to know each other and to live peacefully together, the foundations for a harmonious society are laid," he explains.  Bishop Arshad and also the Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies inPakistan.  Fr. Waseem Walter, appreciate and encourage the pastoral work with children promoted by Fr. Parvez.  (PA) Agenzia Fides 31/01/2014.
Let us pray for the efforts of Bishop Arshad and his fellow priests who offer hope for a better future in promoting peace and harmony among the various religions in Pakistan.  Let u
s remember that with God, anything is possible.

A Message from our President.

Please pray for me and for our soon to be elected SI President Dan Grady and our USAC President-Elect John Osterhart.  We are blessed to have produced so many leaders out of our local chapter.  Let us keep these gentlemen and their families in our daily prayers.
A big thank you goes out to all the Serrans who accepted the Dominican Sisters' invitation to their center for dinner and to share their vision with out club.  I encourage all of us to come together to be generous in our support of the Dominican Sisters and their work.  Do not let the starting pledge of $1000 scare you away from giving help.  Do the best you can do.  It is not necessary to give that amount ($1000) at one time...rather break that amount up to bite size pieces that are comfortable in your budget.  For instance, approximately $333 a year amounts to $999 or $200 a year for five years equals $1000.  Or, if you prefer a monthly budget, $30 a month for 34 months is a $1020 contribution.  Remember, every little bit helps.  If everyone does a little bit, that will make a big difference.  This joining forces to contribute also allows a naming opportunity for the Serra club.  We already have approximately  $76,000 given by the Serra Club.  May the Holy Spirit guide you in your gift giving to this worthy cause.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, pray for us in our vocations work to bring dedicated leaders to the call for Service to the Church.
Agnes Kempker-Cloyd

Editor's Note:  Those wishing to contribute to the Marywood Legacy Campaign may call 616-514-3106 to request a pledge card.

Serra Club Grand Rapids Newsletter, June 2014

 Calendar of Events.
PLEASE NOTE THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT FOR OUR JUNE 23 MEETING.
June 1, 2014.  Celebration of the Ascension.  "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."  Matthew 28:18-20.
June 7, 2014.  Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Mr.  Douglas Braun and Mr. William VanderWerff, 10:00 a.m.Cathedral of St. Andrew.  Serrans have been asked to serve as ushers.  If you wish to help out, call John Osterhart at 245-1893.  Ushers are scheduled to arrive beginning at 8:30 a.m.
June 8, 2014.  Pentecost Sunday.
June 9, 2014.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at the University Club. Our speaker will be Rabbi David Krishef.  See  bio below.
June 15, 2014.  The Most Holy Trinity.
June 16, 2014.  Serra Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
June 19, 2014.  Anniversary of installation of Bishop David Walkowiak.
June 22, 2014.  The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).  There will be procession at 2:215 p.m.  Starting locations are Sacred Heart of Jesus (West) and St. Isidore (East).  Dress reverently but consider the walk and the weather.  The walk will be approximately three miles from each location, ending at Our Lady of Sorrows.  Shuttle service and refreshments will be provided.  For more information call Mike Bertram (776-1274) or Peter Lundgren (459-4184).
June 23, 2014.  Dinner with the Dominican Sisters, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Marywood Health Center, 111 Lakeside Drive on the Marywood Campus.  The Dominican Sisters are hosting our club for a special presentation on the exciting changes taking place on their campus.  We will learn about the Sisters' current expanded ministry in health care and future plans.  A light dinner will be provided, and spouses are welcome.  Park in the Marywood Health Center parking lot (first driveway heading north off Fulton on the west side of the street).  RSVP TO DEB KALINKA AT dkalinkamanning@grdominicans.org or 616-550-1177 BY THURSDAY, JUNE 19.   THIS EVENT WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF OUR REGULAR FOURTH MONDAY MEETING FOR JUNE.  The sisters have requested that we notify her directly if we plan to attend.  It is not necessary to notify anyone else.  There is no cost to us to attend, but envelopes will be available for those who wish to donate to he home health care effort.
July 10-13, 2014.  Serra International Convention, Sacramento, California.

Rabbi David J. B. Krishef's Biography.  Rabbi Krishef grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Hebrew and Jewish Studies.  Following a two-year stint as a program director at the University of Minnesota Hillel Foundation (serving students at Carleton and Macalester Colleges), he entered the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he received ordination in 1994.
Since then, Rabbi Krishev has served as the rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Israel, a Conservative synagogue in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  In addition, from 2006-7 he taught Beginning and Intermediate Biblical Hebrew at Grand Valley State University; and beginning in 2008 he is teaching Jewish Life, Literature, Culture and History at Kuyper College.
He is the author of a CHAl curriculum revision published by URH Press, revising the CHAl curriculum to adapt the Reform curriculum for use in a Conservative or joint Reform/ Conservative religious school; and edited a section on Judaism for a World Religions textbook (published by Teacher Created Materials).
His interests also include BioMedical Ethics.  He serves on the Spectrum Bioethics Committee, and delivered an address, "The Beginnings of Life" at the DeVos Medical Ethics Colloquy in Grand Rapids.  He also serves as one of the volunteer rabbis on several internet AskaRabbi services.
He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, (Cantor) Marisa, and four children, Zachary, Solomon, Harrison and Sarah.
We congratulate Rabbi Krishef on his many accomplishments and look forward to hearing from him on June 9.  

Priests' Anniversaries for June.
June 1:  Michael Alber, Msgr. Ancona, Chris Rouech, Luis Quintana, Louis Anderson, Bernard Carlin, Joseph Fix, Melvin Fox, Troy Nevins, William Zink, Scott Nolan, James VanderLaan, and Charles Schwartz.
June 2:  Matthew Barnum, Victor Kynam, Donald Lomasiewicz, Mark Peacock, Ken Schichtel.
June 3:  James Bozung, John LaGoe, Anthony Vainavica, Thomas McKinney, Anthony Russo.
June 4:  Luis Garcia, Eugene Golas.
June 5:  Charles Brown, David Gross, Pedro Garcia, Paul Milanowski, Louis Stasker, Most Reverend Walter Hurley (Priesthood;  appointed Bishop of Grand Rapids on June 21).
June 6:  Michael Burt, James Chelich, Thomas Vesbit, Msgr. John Giammona, John Wisneski.
June 7:  Michael Celebraise, Godfrey Onyekwere, Philip Silwinski, Anthony Pelak, Philip Salmonowiz, Peter Vu.
June 11:  Fred Hoesli.
June 12:  Thomas Bolster.
June 13:  John Vallier.
June 14:  Mark Bauer, Ed Boucher.
June 15.  John Thome.
June 16:  Thomas Page.
June 19.  Msgr. Terrence Stewart.
June 24.  Patrick Grile, Msgr. Ed Hankiewicz.
June 27:  Francis Sacks.
June 28:  Ayub Francis Nasar.
June 29:  Robert Balsar.

Nominations.  Bob Paul is compiling our nominations list. 

A Letter from the Executive Director.

09 May 2014
Dear Serrans and Friends of Serra.
May the love and joy of the Easter Season be with you and your families.

There are several reasons for  us to be joyful this Eastertide, as our beloved apostolate for vocations continues to grow and improve.  Signs of growth include, but are in no way limited to:  the chartering of the Serra Club of Caltagirone in Italy, the upcoming charter ceremonies for the Serra Club of Northeastern Houston, Texas, in the USA, and the Serra Club of Ourinhos in Brazil, a recent request from Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and member of the College of Cardinals, to charter a Serra Club in Bombay, and a request from the Most Reverend Paul Ssemogerere, Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, to bring Serra into Uganda.  These activities would not have happened without the work of dedicated Serrans throughout the world.
From an operational standpoint, Serra has taken several steps to reduce its overhead and serve
Serrans throughout the world more efficiently and effectively.  The offices of Serra International, Serra's National Council for the United States, and the Serra International Foundation have been consolidated to one location, at 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.  This consolidated office has also led to closer collaboration between Serra International and Serra's National Council for the USA,  This collaboration includes a joint invoicing system for all Serra Clubs in the USA,
Serra Club Treasurers in the USA will receive one invoice for both Serra International and US Council Dues during the upcoming dues cycle.  This joint invoice allows Serra Clubs in the USA to write one check to cover all of their dues and submit one membership roster--saving time, effort, and money.
Serra continues to move forward, refocusing its efforts on vocations.  We are all one Body of Christ:  "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all parts share its joy." 1 Cor. 12:26.  Serra has suffered from divisiveness, which distracted Serrans from their work of fostering and promoting vocations for far too long.  Now is the time for us to move forward, not looking back, to share in the joy of the work of our apostolate.  I am very happy to report that the lawsuit between Serra International and Serra's National Council for the U. S. has been dismissed with prejudice, effective today, and cannot be refiled or reinstated.
Finally, contributions to the Serra International Foundation have increased sharply over the last 8 months, thank in part to a large donation from the estate of a Serran who has gone on to his eternal reward.  These contributions will enable the Serra International Foundation to support more dioceses, seminaries, and houses of religious formation throughout the world.
This is just a brief list of recent "highlights," as there are many more wonderful things taking place throughout the Serra world.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us as we move forward.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, pray for us!
John Liston, Executive Director 

About the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi is celebrated with processions carrying the consecrated host through the streets of cities and towns around the world.  The monstrance is often carried by a bishop under a canopy and escorted by religious associations, parish groups, and others who walk beside and behind the canopy.  Participants walk slowly, in prayer and singing hymns, and some carry candles.  Children often spread flowers along the procession route.  In some countries, houses and buildings are decorated with altars along the route and the streets lined with carpets of flowers.  The procession ends with a solemn Benediction.
The celebration of the body and blood of Christ, present in the Eucharist, has its roots in the 13th century and was inspired by decades of work on the part of Juliana of Liege.  According to legend, Juliana, a Belgian nun, dreamed of the Church under a full moon with a black spot, which was understood as the lack of a celebration for the holiest element of the Church:  the Eucharist.
In 1208, Juliana reported her first vision of Christ in which she was instructed to plead for the institution of the feast of Corpus Christi.  The vision was repeated for decades, but she kept it a secret.  When Juliana eventually told her confessor, he relayed it to Robert de Thorete, Bishop of Liege, who in 1246 issued a decree for such a festival to be celebrated in his territory.  In 1264, Pope Urban IV instituted the feast throughout the Church, and in 1311, at the Council of Vienna, Pope Clement V made Corpus Christi an obligatory feast for Catholics.  Until then there had been no universal festival to celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist.
By the 17th Century the Feast of Corpus Christi was being held throughout Europe with processions featuring unique characteristics such as dragons, serpents, and demons running in fear from the Blessed Sacrament, as well as the figure of Jesus, children dressed as angels, and others depending on the country and its traditions.  The celebration was a time to expose the Blessed Sacrament, not just to Catholics, but to the entire community, and included processions, pageants, and flower-lined streets along the procession route.
In Spain, processions date back to the 1300s with the first procession in Barcelona taking place in 1320, where it is celebrated with the Dancing Egg, which consists of emptied white eggshells placed above the water jets of fountains.  The fountains are decorated with flowers.  Eggshells symbolize the body of Christ and the water represents renewal.  If the eggshell does not break, it means the coming year will be a good one.  The Barcelona procession includes elements of Catalan folklore, including figures of giants and mystical creatures.  In Valencia, the Corpus Christi procession includes the "momos" or seven demons symbolizing sin.  People from balconies along the route pour water over the participants.  In Toledo, participants in the procession wear medieval costumes representing nobility and knights, while in Granada, the feast is celebrated with two processions, one with giant characters and folk music and another that is more religious in nature.  Spanish missionaries brought this tradition to Latin America and it then spread to the United States.
Source:  Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, May 25, 2014.

Cincinnati's Bible Reading Project.  

We thank Serra Mike Fiorenzo for participating in the Cincinnati Club's Bible Reading Novena, which took place this past month from May 6-9.  Asked whether he would like to add a few comments about the event for the June newsletter, he replied,  "It was a thoroughly enjoyable event.  It was done completely in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  They were very gracious as well." 

The Benefits of Being a Serran (While actively pursuing the Serra Mission).
Download some exciting new materials from the serraus.org web site, including a new membership recruiting brochure, JOY from MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES,  "Go and make disciples from ALL NATIONS..."  Matthew 28:19.  This brochure is an excellent membership recruiting tool.

A Message from our President.

Please pray for me and our local Grand Rapids Serra Chapter.  At long last, spring has arrived and we are blessed with more sunshine, warm weather, beautiful foliage and flowers.  To match the glories of spring, we have three wonderful events this month.  First is the ordination of two men to the transitional diaconate, Douglas Braun and William VanderWerff, brother of Serran Sara VanderWerff; then a luncheon meeting with speaker Rabbi Kreshev;  and last, a dinner with the Dominican Sisters to showcase their new Home Health Care Center.  
I want to give a special thank you to our program chair, Beth Gumina, for organizing our Sisters' Appreciation Dinner this year.  She had a wonderful committee of devoted Serrans and spouses to do this work:  Joel Gumina (co-chef), Weldon Schwartz (chef's helper), Nancy King, Bev Shields, and Nancy Mulvihill (pastry chefs), Francis Lake, Len and Roberta Gross (set-up), Sara VanderWerff and Tim Hile (reservations and kitchen helpers), John Osterhart (wine), and a whole host of Serrans too numerous to name) that served and brought appetizers.  Events of this kind take many dedicated Serrans working together.  It was a special evening for the sisters, who love to get together and socialize.  We have been getting thank-you e-mails, notes, and cards which can be shared with our club at our next meeting.  Many of the sisters remarked with joy about the parting gift of a lovely rose to take home.  Congratulations to the Serra Club of Grand Rapids for hosting such a lovely event for the hard-working sisters!
May the peace of Christ be with you and your families.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, pray for us in our vocation work to bring dedicated leaders to the call for service in the Church.
Agnes Kempker-Cloyd

What doth the Lord require of thee, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:8.