July 1, 2015. Feast Day of Blessed Junipero Serra.
July 13, 2015. Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at the University Club. July speaker will be Fr. Joachim Lally.
July 15, 2016. Aquinas College Catholic Studies Event. Father Robert Barron,Baker Book House, 2768 E. Paris, "To See According to the Icon of Jesus Christ: Reflection on the Intellectual Tradition of the Catholic Church." Private Q & A session, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tickets $10.00. Call 866-241-6733 or 957-3110. Two participants at this event will win a dinner with Fr. Barron that night. The evening event will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Again, call 915-3110..
July 16, 2015. Fr. Robert Barron, 10:00 a.m. at Aquinas College, Thomas Merton and the Metaphysics of Peace." For questions about the Aquinas event, inquire at catholicstudies@aquinas.edu. This event is free and open to the public and does not require a ticket or RSVP, but a large turnout is expected. Arrive early to insure a seat.
July 20, 2015. Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
July 27 2015. Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
July 30-August 2, 2016. 73rd Serra International Convention, Melbourne, Australia.
September 21-24, 2015. World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia, Pa. Since its inception by St. John Paul II in 1994, the World Meeting of Families has strengthened the sacred bond of the families across the globe. An internet search, World Meeting of Families 2015 will provide links to information regarding all events, accommodations, and other related topics.
September 23, 2015. Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D. C. See below for the note to the Membership from John Liston.
September 23, 2015. Celebratory Dinner for the Canonization of Bl, Fr. Junipero Serra, Hyatt Regency, Washington, D. C., September 23, 2016, Reception at 6:30 p.m., Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
November 1-7. 2015. National Vocations Awareness Week.
Editor's Note: John Osterhart, having been asked to proofread the draft of this newsletter, comments on Fr. Barron.
"Father Barron was a featured speaker at our 1998 Regional Convention in Grand Rapids, which also coincided with our 50th anniversary as a Serra Club. I hope to attend one or more of his presentations. I remember his saying that families who feel that their sons might have had brilliant careers in medicine, law, or science should be viewing the chosen vocation of our priests as "BEARERS OF THE MYSTERIES AND DOCTORS OF THE SOUL," (vs. presiders or leaders of services) a profession of even greater significance than those others that they may have chosen. I believe that terminology may even have been used in the title of one of his earlier books.
Priests' Anniversaries for July.
Rev. Thomas Davidson, CSsR. July 2, 1984,
Rev. Laurence King, July 8, 1989.
Rev. Peter Omogo, July 10,2004.
About John Liston's Note.
Our patron, Fr. Junipero Serra, will be canonized by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Washington D. C., U. S. A., on 23 September 2015--over two centuries after Serra's death.
There has never been a better time to share our important vocations mission and organization, named after Father Serra, in the world.
Recognizing this unique opportunity to raise awareness about our work around the world, we have created a special "Serra Spread the Word Fund."
Between May 1 and September 15, 2015, money donated to this donor-designated fund will be used for the express purpose of promoting Serra International during Pope Francis' visit to the United States, the canonization and World Meeting of Families via displays, sponsorships, materials and selected publicity, including resources that Serra clubs can use to celebrate the canonization in their own parishes and dioceses.
Dozens of Serrans and Serra Clubs from around the world have contributed to this fund and we ask you to help us reach our goal of $250,000 by September 15, 2015!
Please make your tax deductible contribution payable to "SERRA SPREAD THE WORD FUND" AND SEND TO
Serra International Foundation
Attn: John Liston, Executive Director
333 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
Donate online using your credit card at
http://www.serrainternational.org/spread-the-word
A promotional flyer is available online at the Serra International Website, or call Serra International Executive Director John Liston at 312-419-7411.
Thank you for all that you do for the Church, for Vocations, and for Serra.
P. S. An announcement of Serra's participation in the canonization ceremony in Washington, D. C., will be isued once the final details are confirmed to us by the Holy See.
Also, John Liston will provide a link for tickets for the canonization. Tickets for Fr. Serra's canonization have not yet been distributed. Serra International has requested a block of tickets for this blessed event. Information on how those tickets will be distributed will be released at a future date.
A Thank You Note.
As Vice-president of Communications, I wish to thank all who took part in making our Charter Night and Serra USA Council National Meeting a success. Thank you to His Excellency David J. Walkowiak, to Mark Kubik for organizing the dinner, to John Osterhart in organizing and presiding over the Serra USA Council meeting, and to all who attended the event. For those who could not attend, thank you for your support and your prayers for the event. Also, congratulations to John Osterhart, who became President of the Serra USA Council during the weekend of June 20 and 21.
Regarding the USA Council meetings, newly installed president John Osterhart writes, "Most USA Council meetings attendees also attended the Friday, June 19 evening Mass and Grand Rapids Charter Night celebration, and were seated so as to share tables with and be able to visit with our local club members. Our USA Council meetings were held on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Downtown. Bob Labat and Don Semeneaux led a review of a Long Range Planning Committee report on structure and governance in a meeting of the outgoing Council Board where retiring members were also recognized. The legally required Annual Meeting of Serra's National Council for the United States followed and a brief meeting of the incoming Board which dealt with a number of primarily perfunctory requirements completed the day's meetings.
Most Council meeting attendees then rode a bus to St. Adalbert Basilica where Mass was celebrated by Fr. Scott Nolan, son of Serra Club Muskegon Past President Bob Nolan.
Dennis and Margaret Leiber hosted a wonderful reception BBO which was enjoyed by Council meeting attendees. Mark Kubik served as chef, in addition to his many other Serra responsibilities for the weekend.
Many favorable and complimentary comments were received from our out of town attendees regarding their experiences, the weekend's events, and the City of Grand Rapids in general. Thanks to Bishop Walkowiak, to Msgr. Hankiewicz, and to all of our local members for making the experience here a most positive one."
Serrans United in Prayer,
My Fellow Serrans:
Three Past Presidents of Serra International, Gerald Murphy (1980-1981) of the Serra Club of London, England, Luis Jimenez Franco (1993-94), Serra Club of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Jame E. Brennan (1982-83) Serra Club of Janesville, Wisconsin, recently passed away. I did not have the honor of knowing Luis Jimenez Franco or James Brennan. I did enjoy the peasure of knowing Gerald Murphy.
I first met Gerald in Tel Aviv in July 2011 on a pilgrimage he organized for Serrans. I fondly recall Gerald and his wife Fiona looking after us like elementary school teachers look after students on a field trip. They displayed a sincere interest in each of the members of our group. In 2013 I enjoyed a brief visit to London with Gerald and Fiona. Gerald was very proud of his "flat," which was the top level of a renovation project he had developed early in his career and which had a stunning view of downtown London. He proudly and mischievously confided that the top level was in violation of certain municipal codes restricting roof heights and window openings!
Serra celebrates 80 years of service this year, and the passing of my predecessors reminds me of the debt of gratitude we owe those who have served Serra these past 80 years and the obligation we have to continue this work they have helped build.
The Feast Day of our Patron, Junipero Serra, is July 1....Thank God for the increase in vocations in recent years, for the service of so many Serrans over the past 80 years, and the privilege of serving the Church through Serra. Pray confidently, knowing that Junipero Serra, Gerald, Luis, James and the Serrans who have gone before us will be praying with us!
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!
Daniel S. Grady
More About Fray Junipero Serra.
Junipero Serra will be canonized this September 2015. This 18th century saint from Mallorca, Spain had a fascinating life. Born of humble peasant illiterate parents, he studied and became a university theology professor. He entered the Franciscan Order when he was 16 years old and studied with important figures of the arts and philosophy of Mallorca. He was sent to Mexico, where he contracted an illness in his leg; however, he never stopped walking huge distances to extablish over ten missions throughout California. Besides spreading the Gospel, he taught agriculture, ranching, carpentry, masonry, cooking and sewing. He also taught people to sew and weave. His work has been recognized in the Capitol, in Washington, D. C.
Source: Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, June 21, 2015.
Prayer for Persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
Lord, the plight of our country is deep and the suffering of Christians is severe and frightening. Therefore, we ask you, Lord, to spare our lives, and to grant us patience and courage to continue our witness of Christian values with trust and hope. Lord, peace is the foundation of life; grant us the peace and stability that will enable us to live with each other without fear and anxiety, and with dignity and joy. Glory to you forever. Amen
By His Beatitude Louis Rafael Sako, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Iraq
Your Prayers. Let us continue to pray for Robbie Gross and for all of her family.
Also, let us pray for Fr. John Kenney. CSsR, of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Our friend Lee Sullivan sent us a note that Fr. John was recently in the hospital, but the good news is that he saw his cardiologist and was cleared to attend the Paulist gathering.
Adoration.
IHM 24/5, Code 5412. St. Isidore 24/7, Code 613, Let us spend quiet time with the Lord to pray for vocations.
A Message from our President:
My fellow Serrans:
Thank you for selecting me to be your next Grand Rapids Serra Club President. I plan to maintain the same level of excellence that our club has enjoyed for the past few years since I have been a member. We have exciting events coming up, including the canonization of our namesake Fr. Junipero Serra on September 23, as is discussed elsewhere in this newsletter. We also have wonderful speakers lined up for the remaining part of this year. With your help and guidance, we will be planning more events for the upcoming year, including participating in some fashion with the canonization of Fr. Junipero Serra, Sisters' Appreciation night, and other events.
Hope to see you at our next Serra Club luncheon at the University Club.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us.
Weldon Schwartz
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