Calendar of Events.
Note: Read Carefully. We are in a time of transition as to meeting schedules and activities.
December 7, 2015. Pearl Harbor Day (1941) and First Day of Hanukkah.
December 8, 2015. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Holy Day of Obligation. December 8 is also the Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America and the first day of the Year of Mercy.
December 12, 2015. Schubert Chorus Concert. 7:30 p.m. at East Grand Rapids High School Fine Arts Center. Ask Aggie about tickets. Also Our Lady of Guadalupe.
December 14, 2015. Christmas Dinner at 5:30 at the University Club. As stated in the November Newsletter, this would be a fine opportunity to get accustomed to our new evening meeting schedule. If you or your friends have a difficult time making the noon meetings, join us for this occasion. RSVP with Weldon Schwartz.
December 15, 2015. Last day for early registration fee for the Houston Rally.
Early fee is $275; after December 15 is $300. Please visit serraus.org
December 21, 2015. There is no Board Meeting in December. We will resume in January.
December 25, 2015. The Nativity of the Lord.
December 27, 2015. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Looking Ahead.
January 14-16, 2016. Serra Rally, Houston, Texas. See below for important information about the convention. We especially wish to call to your attention three very special talks and workshops:
Reaching the Masses: How to Promote Serra through Media; Campus Ministry: Increasing Vocation Awareness on College Campuses; and Hundredfold Workshop: Laying the Cornerstone for your Parish Vocation Ministry.
Call 1-281-443-2310 for information about accommodations at Houston Airport Mariott at George Bush International. Book your room as soon as you decide to attend the convention.
February, 2016. World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.
March 28-April 7, 2016. California Mission Pilgrimage.
June 30-July 3, 2016. Serra International Convention, St. Louis, MO.
Please visit serraus.org and click on the link to the convention for all information about the rally.for all
About the Year of Mercy.
During his homily for a Lenten penitential service, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Jubilee to start the end of the year, which will be dedicated to a theme close tot he pontiff's heart: mercy.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have thought about how the Church can make clear its mission of being a witness of mercy,..
It's a journey that starts with a spiritual conversion. For this reason I have decided to declare an Extraordinary Jubilee that has the mercy of God at its center. It will be a Holy Year of Mercy."
The Biblical passage for the Holy Year's theme is from Luke Chapter 6:36, in which Jesus tells his disciples, "Be merciful as I am merciful." Source: Catholic News Agency.
Editor's Note: Luke's Gospel is a rich source of Scripture readings about mercy.
Priests' Anniversaries for December.
Fr. Norbert Leyrita, December 21, 1964.
Fr. Michael P. Olson, December, 1994. (No day given).
Msgr. John Porter, December 15, 1957.
Fr. Julian Reginato, December 19, 1964.
Why not address an extra Christmas card, or an anniversary card, to one or more of these priests to thank them for answering the Lord's call? Addresses may be found on the dioceseofgrandrapids.org web page. Click on the link to Priests.
Reflections on our Club's Direction and Mission for 2016.
At our November Board Meeting, we discussed Frank Lake's proposal for Holy Hours.
Mt 9:37. Then He said to the Disciples, The Harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few, so ask the Master of the Harvest to send out laborers for the harvest.
Goal: To encourage Grand Rapids Serrans and their families and friends to make Holy Hours for vocations. Keep a count of Holy Hours made.
We had four transitional deacons ordained this past year. How about asking our Lord for at least four a year for the next 10 years. How about asking for 10 women per year to enter religious life?
1. Ask members each month to make a Holy Hour.
2. Report the Holy Hour.
Look for parishes which regularly hold Holy Hours.
Msgr. Hankiewicz suggested that we could even spend quiet time with the Lord in churches which are open. He recommended no Rosary, no books. Instead, just spend quiet time listening to the Lord.
No formal decision was made, but we will keep you in touch after the next Board Meeting.
Your suggestions on this and any other of our activities are always welcome.
St. Isidore Chapel's code, 24/7 is 513. IHM times are 24/5, code 5412.
Another topic we touched upon was increased collaboration with the Muskegon Serra Club on various events throughout the year. Again, no formal action was taken.
We invite you to share any special information about Holy Hours at your Parish. Notify Nancy King.
Serrans United in Prayer.
Along with observing Holy Hours, Serrans throughout the world are invited to pray an International Rosary for Vocations. Again, you may find the link to the new Serra International web page to read more about this activity. The practice was launched in October.
The International Rosary for Vocations takes place the last Saturday of every month. To join the rosary from your computer, tablet, or smartphone , find the information on the web page. You can also dial using your phone. Access code: 314-315-981. The dialing code for the United States is 1-312-757-3119.
A Message from our President.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our Christmas dinner scheduled for December 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club. This date will kick off the new time for our monthly meetings, the second Monday of each month at 5:30 in the evening. There will be no charge for parking at the U club for our monthly dinners.
Also, from this month on we will have only a single meeting as described above, plus a board meeting on the 3rd Monday at noon at Saints Peter and Paul.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!
P. S. from the Editor:
"I've just spoken with staff at the Kalamazoo diocese and they're planning to send two people from that diocese to our Christmas dinner as our guests. We have been working hard to establish a new Serra Club in the Kalamazoo diocese, so I want them to come up and visit our club.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!
Weldon Schwartz
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