Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter June 2015

2015  Year of the Family and Year of Consecrated Life

Calendar of Events.
June 6, 2015.  Ordination of Douglas A. Braun and William R. VanderWerff to the priesthood and Thomas Cavera, Patrick Fickel, Colin John Muhall, and Daniel P. Schumaker to the transitional diaconate, 10:00 a.m. at the Catheral of St. Andrew.  Our club has been asked to serve as ushers, with an arrival time at 9:00.  You should have received an e-mail about this invitation.  Fr.Braun's first mass will be celebrated  on Saturday 4:30 p.m. at St, Stephen, and Fr. VanderWerff will celebrate his first mass at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at St. Isidore.
June 7 2015.  Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).  
Celebrate this feast with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.  Friends of the Center and members of local parishes are invited to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi with Mass and a Procession on Sunday, June 7 at 4:00 p.m. at the Lowell Campus.  An open house and refreshments will follow.
"As Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, we desire to continue this holy tradition of a procession in honor of the Eucharist by bringing Catholics from area parishes to our Center," states Sister Mary Margaret Delaski, FSE.
Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz, (our Moderator), pastor of St. Mary Great Mother of God Church, will be the celebrant.
Please call Barbara at 616-897-7842 if you plan to attend so that we can adequately prepare for the day.
June 8, 2015.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at the University Club.
June 15, 2015.  Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
June 16, 2015.  Eighth Annual Bishop Robert J. Carlson Seminarian Endowment Fund Dinner, with Social Hour beginning at 6:00 p.m., with dinner to follow at 7:00.  This event will be held at the Swan Valley Banquet Center, 9521 Highland Green Drive, Saginaw, MI, 48609.  $50 per person, table of 8 $350.  Make checks payable to Serra Club of Saginaw.  Direct questions to John and Marian Moll, 3828 Fireside Lane, Freeland, MI 48623.  Call 989-751-2228 or email at mjmoll333@gmail.com.
June 19, 2015.  Charter Night.  Mass at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  A reception will follow at the University Club where dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.  You should have received your invitations from Mark Kubik by now.  Please respond  ASAP but for sure by Tuesday, June 15.  If you still have questions, call Mark at 616-450-8509 or send an e-mail at markakubik@gmail.com.  Our Bishop, the Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, will be the principal celebrant.
June 21-July 4, 2015.  Fortnight for Freedom.  This is a 14 day period of celebration of a series of great martyrs, who paid the ultimate price for remaining true to the Gospel.  This year's theme is "The Freedom to Bear Witness" to the truth of the Gospel.  Find more information in the diocesean web page and the Fortnight for Freedom web page.  Please watch for a letter which will be published on June 13-14 throughout the diocese.  Bishop Walkowiak writes his very important message, an excerpt of which is as follows:  "During these 14 days, I invite you to join me in prayer for our country and its leaders.   Culminating on Independence Day, this special time of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action provides the opportunity for us to concentrate on the freedom of religion we enjoy in the United States, while also focusing on the need to defend it...Additional resources may be found at dioceseofgrandrapids.org.
June 22, 2015.  There will be no Fourth Monday meeting in June.  The June 19 Charter Night takes the place of that meeting.
IMPORTANT:  As you have seen in Mark's letter, Serra's National Council for the United States will hold their board meeting on Saturday.  Because of John's investiture on that day there will be Board Members from the National Council, Serra International Foundation and the Executive Staff will be joining us for Mass and Dinner.  
Also, please note that there will be a CASH ONLY bar at the reception and dinner.  No credit 
cards can be accepted at that time.  
June 30, 2015.  
Tuesday, 4;00-6:00 P.M.  D. A. Blodgett-St. John's open house in honor of Mark Thomson's retirement after 42 years of service, 2355 Knapp Avenue NE.  Remarks at 5:15 p.m.  RSVP to Meghan at 616-361-4138 or e-mail mbechtel@dabsj.org.

Charter Night makes history for our club, with Dan Grady serving as International President until the Serra International Convention in July, and John Osterhart will be invested as President of Serra's National Council on June 20.  No other Serra Club has had two members serving concurrently in these very important officers.  The evening also marks the investiture of our own officers.

July 31-August 2, 2015.  Serra International Convention, Melbourne, Australia.
September 22-27, 2015.  World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia, PA.  More to come later.
September 23, 2015.  Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D. C.  Go to the "Always Forward, Never Back" April 29 edition for more information.

September 23, 2015.  
Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra.
Please be mindful of this special message from John Liston, Executive Director of Serra International.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Serra,
Our patron, Fr. Junipero Serra, will be canonized by Pope Francis in Washington, D. C., U. S. A., at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on 23 September, 2015.  We are alerting Serrans far and wide to some exciting news about how you can be a part of this momentous occasion, not only for our organization, but for our Church.
Serra International has reserved a block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Washington, D/ C. on Capitol Hill from September 21-25, 2015.  The rate is $199 plus taxes.  Following the canonization ceremony, there will be a dinner for members of the heirarchy, Serrans and guests at the Hyatt.  Over 100 Serrans from all over the world are planning to be present at this once-in-a-lifetime event.  Please join us in rejoicing for the sainthood of our patron.
The hotel's address is 400 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, D. C. 20001.  For those attending the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia (September 22-27, 2015, the Hyatt Regency is about 3 hours away.  For those attending the World Meeting of Families, Serra has secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt House Mt. Laurel, 3000 Crawford Place, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08504.  Stay tuned for more information.  We will share more as details are confirmed by the Holy See.
Questions?  Call Serra International Executive Director John Liston at 312-419-7411.
Thank you for all you do for the Church, for Vocations, and for Serra.  Help us use this unique opportunity of our patron's canonization to raise awareness about our vocations mission.  Donate to the SERRA SPREAD THE WORD

Priests' Anniversaries for June.

Bishop David J. Walkowiak, priesthood June 9, 1979, and Episcopacy, June 18, 2013.
Bishop Emeritus Walter A. Hurley, June 5, 1965 and Episcopacy August 12, 2003.
Rev. Louis Anderson, June 1, 1963; Rev. Michael Alber, June 1, 2002; Rev. Msgr. Gaspar Ancona, June 1, 1963; Robert K. Balser, June 29, 2949; Rev. Matthew Barnum, June 2, 2007; Reb. Mark Bauer, June 14, 1986; Rev. Thomas Bolster, June 12, 1982; Rev. Edward Boucher, June 14, 1960;  fund!Rev. James Bozung, June 3, 1961; Rev. Charles D. Brown, June 5, 1993; Rev. Thomas J. Brown, June 5, 1999; Rev. Michael E. Burt, June 6, 2009; Rev. Bernard R. Carlin, June 1, 1978; Rev. Patrick T. Crowley, June 6, 1970; Rev. James A. Chelich, June 6, 1976; Rev. Michael Cilibraise, June 7, 2008; Rev. Michael A. Danner, June 5, 1965; Rev. Thomas DeYoung, June 18, 1983; Rev. Norman P. Droski, June 6, 1964; Rev. George Fekete, June 5, 1965; Rev. Aaron Ferris June 6, 2009; Rev. Joseph Fix, June 1, 1968; Rev. Melvin E. Fox, June 1, 1963; Rev. Luis Garcia, June 4, 2011; Msgr. John J. Giammona, June 6, 1959; Rev. Eugene S. Golas,  June 4, 1955; Rev. Patrick Grile, June 24, 1971; Rev. David C. Gross, June 5, 2010; Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz, June 24, 1979; Rev. Frederick D. Hoesl, June 11, 1964; Rev. Victor Kynam, June 2, 2007; Rev. John P. LaGoe, June 3, 1961; Rev. Donald E. Lomasiewicz, June 2, 1962; Rev. Richard J. Lowie, June 7, 1969; Rev. Thomas McKinney, June 3, 1961; Rev. Paul A. Milanowski, June 5, 1965; Rev. Ayub Francis Nasar, June 28, 2985; Rev. Troy A. Nevins, June 1, 1996; Rev. Scott T. Nolan, June 1, 2013; Rev. Godfrey Onyekwere, June 7, 2003; Rev. Thomas P.Page, June 16, 1979; Rev. Mark E. Peacock, June 2, 2007; Rev. Anthony M. Pelak, June 7, 2003; Rev. Jose Luis Quintana, June 1, 1996; Rev. Chris W. Rouech, June 1, 1996; Rev. Anthony Russo, June 3, 2000; Rev. Philip J. Salmonowicz, June 7, 2003; Rev. Kenneth H. Schichtel, June 2, 1962; Rev. Ronald F. Schneider, June 3, 1967; Rev. Charles J. Schwartz, June 1, 2013; Rev. Philip A. Sliwinski, June 7, 1997; Msgr. R. Louis Stasker, June 5, 1965; Msgr, Terrence L. Stewart, June 19, 1970; Rev. John J. Thome, June 15, 1946; Rev. D. Anton Tran June 1, 2002; Rev. Anthony C. Vainawicz June 3, 1961; Rev. John F. Vallier, June 13, 1987; Rev. James R. VanderLaan, June 1, 2013; Rev. Thomas S. Vesbit, June 6, 1964; Rev. Peter C. Vu, June 7, 1997; Rev. John J. Wisneski, June 6, 1964.  Those wishing to send cards to any of these priests may go to the Diocese home page and click on Priests.  The page provides a link to locations and mailing addresses.

Nominations.  

Our candidates for 2015-2016 are as follows:
President:  Weldon Schwartz
Past President:  Aggie Kempker-Cloyd
Vice President:  Sara VanderWerff
Treasurer:  Pat Leikert
Secretary:  Nancy King
Vice President, Communications:  Nancy King
Vice President Vocations:  Frank Lake
Vice President Programs:  Beth Gumina
VicePresident Membership:
Trustees:  John Osterhart, Aggie Kempker-Cloyd, Nancy Mulvihill
Moderator:  Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz

Pray for this Raising Vocations Awareness Event.  

As a way of raising awareness in vocations to priesthood and religious life, two Catholic priests and three seminarians have embarked on a 29-day, 1400 mile cycling journey from Saint Augustine, Florida to Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York.  Along the way they will stop in various dioceses to celebrate Mass, pray the Office of the Hours, meet with youth groups, and more.  Passing through 11 states, 10 dioceses, and 5 archdioceses, the biking pilgrimage began on May 17 in Saint Augustine and will conclude on June 14, a week prior to the ordination at the Cathedral of St. Agnes in Rockville Centre.
"The objective of this biking pilgrimage is to give glory to God by encouraging priestly vocations and inviting the local Church to respond to Jesus' missionary call to 'make disciples of all nations.' (Matthew 28, 19-20)" said rider Reverend Joseph Fitzgerald, Diocese of Rockville Centre Director of Vocations and 1996 Olympian.
The NCDVD is helping to organize this exciting event, which also involves 15 NCDVD vocations directors from Florida to New York  Check out NCDVD's biking4donations website where you can make financial donations of $5 to $500 to help support the team and vocations.

In our diocese, Sister Sandra Delgado, O. P.leads retreats at Marywood on the second Sunday of each month for those who may be discerning for the consecrated life.  Sister Delgado has spoken to our club and also serves as a musician at the Noon Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows.

To learn more about the Church's teachings on the Consecrated Life, download the 8-page e-booklet, Dedicated Totally to God.  You will discover what the Church really believes regarding this sublime vocation.  Drawn from the Church's official teaching as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you will gain a better understanding on the vital importance and wide variety of expressions that this special vocation can take.  You will also begin to comprehend why the Pope is urging the faithful to help promote and preserve this sublime calling which serves as a visible sign of the Gospel in our world.
In this booklet you will learn:
***Why the evangelical counsels perfect the virtue of charity in those who embrace them
***What form of consecrated life has existed since apostolic times
***How the consecrated life anticipates the Kingdom yet to come.

Source:  Find the link to this information in the serraus.org Always Forward, Never Back, serraus.org. May 29, 2015.

Many thanks to Frank Lake, who directed us to an article in Columbia,  "Bringing Christ to the People," an interview with Archbishop Jose Gomez about the life and legacy of Blessed Junipero Serra.  If you would like to obtain a copy of this publication, notify me, Nancy King and I will see that it gets to you.  This is a very thoughtful discussion of the topic of his life and his canonization.

A Message from our President.
Dear Serrans,
Please pray for me and our Grand Rapids Serra Club as we work together on the vocations mission and our spiritual growth.
This is my final President's message and I want to let you know that I've really enjoyed working with the Board and membership of this organization.  Thank you for all you do for the club.  The newsletter lists many anniversaries and events.  Of special importance is the Charter Dinner.  Please get your reservations in ASAP.
May the love of Christ be with you and your families this year.  Mary, Mother of Vocations, pray for us and guide us to dedicated leaders to her call to service in the Holy Catholic Church.  Love to all of you!
Aggie

Finally, we note the passing of Barbara King's mother this past Thursday.  The funeral was held in Detroit on Tuesday.  If you wish to send cards, address them to Ss. Peter and Paul Rectory, 1440 Quarry NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49404.