Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, January 2019

Calendar of Events.

January 14, 2019.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.  Our January speaker will be Fr. Michael Hennessey, CSP, Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
January 17-20, 2019.  Serra Rally, Ventura, California.  A three-day tour of the California Missions will follow for those who wish to stay after the rally.  Weldon and Karen Schwartz and John and Ellen Osterhart will participate in the tour.
January 28, 2019.  There will be NO Board Meeting on January 28.  Weldon and John both attended the late Mass at the Cathedral yesterday and they agreed not to schedule  the board meeting on that date.  Both will be attending the Serra Rally in California, followed by the Mission tour.

Other Important January Dates.  

January 1, 2019.  Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.  New Year's Day.  Holy Day of Obligation.
January 2, St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen.
January 3, 2019.  The Most Holy Name of Jesus.
January 4, 2019.  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
January 5, 2019.  St. John Neumann, Bishop.
January 6, 2019.  The Epiphany of the Lord.
January 7, 2019.  St. Raymond of Penafort.
January 13, 2019.  The Baptism of the Lord.......
January 17, 2019.  St. Anthony Abbot.
January 21, 2019.  St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.
January 22, 2019.  Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn.
January 24, 2019.  St. Frances De Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
January 25, 2019.  The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.
January 26, 2019.  Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops.
January 28, 2019.  St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church.
January 31, 2019.  St. John Bosco, Priest.

Spend time in 2019 by learning more about each of the Saints on his or her Holy Day.
Also, Mario Biscardi, President of Serra International 2018-19, reminds us:
Membership in Serra is everybody's business.  Every Serran is to recruit 1 new Serran in 2019.
He also suggests that every Serra District is to charter one new Serra Club in 2019.
Please download and review the membership materials from serrainternational.org or serraus.org.

Christmas Message from Serra International President Mario Biscardi.

Saturday, December 22, 2018.

Advent season is a very joyful time for us to prepare ourselves to celebrate the real reason for the season, namely, the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  We cannot help but remain totally awed and humbled by the realization that God so loved us that He assumed human form so that He could be close to us.  Not only that; he chose to come to us in the form of a baby,  completely defenseless and vulnerable, born in a strange place where to our knowledge had no family or friends or other tangible means of support. Imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt after a lengthy journey from Nazarath to Bethlehem.  As the Son of God, Baby Jesus could have been born in a place that exceeded the splendor of all of the wonders on earth, but yet He chose a bed of straw in a manger, in a stable with animals inside.  Truly, this was far from the expectations that the people in Israel held for their Messiah...

(During this Christmas season) let us thank the Lord for the gift of life, the gift of family, the gift of Serra, and most of all the gift of our Catholic faith, the most wondrous of all gifts by which we have the means of achieving eternal life with Him in heaven.

It is in being true to our Catholic Faith that we can meaningfully give thanks to our Good Lord for all of the gifts that He has bestowed upon us, for which we were created but for which we are unworthy, were it not for the graces that come to us through being true to our Catholic Faith and through being of faithful service to His Church.  It is, after all, the only true gift that we can give to Him, namely being His true disciples here on earth.

May our daily reflection and meditation of the first Christmas lead us to our ultimate goal of being found worthy of life with Him for all eternity in heaven when our day is done, along with our loved ones.

May the true joy of Christmas remain within us each and every day of our lives, and may we magnify that joy to all around us!

Blessings for a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year to all!

The Serra Foundation.

As we end 2018 and look forward to 2019, we are reminded to look to the Serra Foundation as we allocate our gifts to charitable organizations.  On December 28, John Liston wrote, "How Far Do Your Donations Go?"

In Cameroon, 25 Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis were trained to perform community outreach and evangalization from a grant awarded by the Serra International Foundation last year.  When you donate to the Serra International Foundation, your dollars can travel as far as India, Uganda, Australia, Mexico, the United States, and Canada to touch the lives of people discerning and living their religious vocations.  If you are considering a donation, there is one day left to prayerfully consider making a generous donation to the Serra Foundation.  If you missed out on 2018, you may, of course, consider 2019.  Follow the link to Support the Serra International Foundation.  Try johnliston@serrainternational.org/http://www.serrainternational.org.

Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament for Vocations.

O God, Our Father, You have called us to Baptism, to follow Your Son through lives of living service to You and to one another.

Grant us Your assistance as we seek to live out our vocation in life.

We pray especially for those who have answered Your call as priests, brothers, sisters, and deacons.

Keep them faithful in following Your Son, and dedicated in serving You, in their brothers and sisters.

Grant that many more men and women will be open to the challenge of dedicating their lives in the ministry of building Your Kingdom.

Jesus, High priest and Redeemer, we ask You to call men and women to Your service as priests and religious.

May they be inspired by the lives of dedicated priests, brothers, and sisters.

Holy Spirit, give to parents the grace of generosity and trust toward You and their Child, so that their sons and daughters may be helped to choose their vocation in life with wisdom and freedom.

We ask all of this through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen

From www.serrainternational.org

Bus Trip to St. John Vianney Seminary, St. Paul, Minnessota.

Please note Fr. Stephen Durkee's article in the latest issue of Faith Magazine about the annual bus trip to St. John Vianney Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Viannney Visit provides men ages 16-24 the opportunity to take a closer look at the priesthood by experiencing a few days in the life of a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary.  Transportation, accommodations, and meals are provided free of cost.  According to Fr. Durkee, the trip bears much fruit in helping prospective priests to discern their vocations.  Supporting this trip with our prayers is still another way to fulfill our Serra mission.

From Our President.  

Weldon is looking for a replacement.  If you feel called to fill this position, please step forward.
Let us thank Weldon for arranging our Christmas party and for all he has done for our club in the past.

Adoration:  IHM 24/5, 5412.
St. Isidore, 24/7.  Find out the code by calling the office at 616-459-4731.

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

Micah 6:8.

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, December 2018

December Dates To Remember and
Calendar of Events

The main date for our club during December is the Christmas Dinner on December 10, 2018 at the University Club.  Social Time begins at 5:30 p.m.  Dinner will be served at 6:00.  Please help Weldon keep track of numbers.  If you have not already reported to him, please do so ASAP.  Call him at 401-0227.  In accordance with our commitment to increase membership during 2019, please invite prospective guests who you think would be good Serrans, committed to pray for, foster, and promote priestly and religious vocations.  Thank you, Weldon, for your work in getting this event organized.


Other December Dates.

December 6, 2018.  Feast of St. Nicholas.
December 8, 2018.  Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
December 25, 2018.  The Nativity of the Lord.  Holy Day of Obligation.
December 30, 2018.  Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Celebrate Advent With Serra.

Serra International President John Liston invites you to sign up for Serra's daily Advent Reflections at jliston@serrainternational.org

Dear Serrans:

Joyful Advent greetings to Serrans one and all.

As in previous years, we are happy to present to you our Advent calendar.  This year, in the spirit of anticipation and delight, we would like to offer the calendar via e-mail.

25 Days of Serra Treasure:  What is Serra Treasure?  These are tips, resources, historical facts and other goodies you may not already know about.  They can be used to strengthen your club and give you greater resolve to fulfill our vocational mission.

In addition to Serra Treasures of the day, we will offer you a different prayer for vocations daily.  That's 25 chances to add another vocation prayer to your collection.

If you would like to receive the daily message, send John an e-mail.  Thank you, John, for all you do for Serra.

Upcoming Dates in January.  

January 8, 2019.  Membership Conference Call, 7:20-8:20 p.m.   Dial in with 641-715-0700.  Access code 936393.
January 10, 2019.  Alternative Date.  Same time, same place.
January 14, 2019.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.  Speaker will be Fr. Michael Hennessey, Assistant Pastor of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
January 17-20, 2019.  Serra Rally, Ventura, California, followed by the Serra Mission bus tour led by Father Jim Heyd.

Priests' Anniversaries for December.

Reverend Charles Dautremont, December 18, 1960.
Reverend Norbert Leyrita, December 21, 1963.
Msgr. John F. Porter, December 15, 1953.
Reverend Julian Reginato, December 19, 1964.

Who is Father Jim Heyd?

Ordained a priest in 1989, Fr. James F. Heyd is a member of the Archdiocese of Chicago.  He considers the presence of Serra International in Chicago to be a blessing.  As a 1985 graduate of Notre Dame with a major in history,  he is well prepared to appreciate the life, legacy, and meaning of the newly-canonized Fray Junipero Serra and the California missions.  Fr. Jim played a role in the Tricentenary of the birth of Fray Serra (1713-2013). and has participated in Serra Conventions over the last decade.  Fr. Jim has traveled throughout Mallorca, Mexico, and California to learn and understand Fray Junipero Serra.  Fr. Jim sees him as one of the pivotal mission disciples of the evangelization of the Americas, a staunch defender of human dignity, and a learned and saintly man.  At present, Fr. Jim is studying the role of pilgrimage in the spiritual and cultural development of Western Civilization.  Let us pray for our Grand Rapids pilgrims Weldon and Karen Schwartz and John and Ellen Osterhart as they participate in this 2019 pilgrimage.

Who is St. Nicholas, Santa Claus and Father Christmas?

St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in a place called Myra in Asia Minor, now called Turkey.  He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him with a lot of money.  He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people in need.  There are several legends about St. Nicholas, although we don't know if any of them are true!

The most famous story about St. Nicholas tells how the custom of hanging up stockings to put up presents first started.  It goes like this:

There was a poor man who had three daughters.  The man was so poor that he did not have the money for a dowry, so his daughters couldn't get married.  One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house.  (This meant that the oldest daughter could get married.  The bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry.  This was repeated later with the second daughter.  Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold.  Nicholas begged the man not to tell anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself.  But soon the news got out, and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from St. Nicholas.

Because of his kindness, Nicholas was made a Saint.  St. Nicholas is not only the patron saint of children but also of sailors.  One story tells of him helping some sailors that were caught in a dreadful storm off the coast of Turkey.  The storm was raging around them and all the men were terrified that their ship would sink beneath the great waves.  They prayed to St. Nicholas to help them.  Suddenly, he was standing on the deck before them.  He ordered the sea to be calm, the storm died away, and they were able to sail their ship safely to port.

St. Nicholas was exiled from Myra and later put in prison during persecution by the Emperor Diocletian.  No one really knows when he died, but it was on the 6th of December in either 345 or 352.  In 1087, his bones were stolen from Turkey by some Italian merchant sailors.  The bones are now kept in the church named after him in the Italian port of Bari.  On St. Nicholas feast day (6th of December) the sailors of Bari still carry his statue from the Cathedral out to the sea, so that he can bless the waters and so give them safe voyages throughout the year.

In 1066, before he set sail to England, William the Conqueror prayed to St. Nicholas asking that his conquest would go well.

Priests and Seminarians Need Our Special Prayers.  

In these times, please pray in a special way for our priests and seminarians.  See Fr. Ron's column in the December edition of Faith Magazine.

Adoration.

Adoration 24-7 is available at St. Isidor's, Code 513, and at IHM 24-5, Code 5412.

Do you feel called to Serve?

Weldon Schwartz is asking for a replacement for him as our President.  Also, we have various officers' positions available.

Isaiah's Prophecy for Our Lord and Savior:

But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.  
The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
A spirit of wisdom and understanding,
A spirit of counsel and strength,
A spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.

We wish all of you a Blessed Christmas Season.  
Let us celebrate with one another at the Christmas Dinner at the University Club on December 10.
Invite guests to this event if you can.

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, November 2018

Calendar of Events
November 4-11, 2018.  National Vocation Awareness Week.  O God, Father of all Mercies, Provider of a Bountiful Harvest, send your Graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor, preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.  Open the hearts of your children that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.  Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.  Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels and Saints, humbly hear our prayers and grant your Church's needs, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.
November 11, 2018.  Veterans' Day.  Let us remember our Veterans.  Veterans and their families sacrifice selflessly so that all Americans can enjoy freedoms, including freedom of religion.
November 12, 2018.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.
November 13, 2018.  Feast Day of Mother Cabrini (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini), Saint of the Month.
November 21, 2018.  The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
November 22, 2018.  Thanksgiving Day.
November 25, 2018.  Christ the King and the end of the Liturgical Year.

There will be no separate Board meetings during November and December because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.

Looking Ahead.  

December 10, 2018.  Christmas Dinner at 6:00 p.m. at the University Club.  Please look upon this evening as a member-guest occasion.  Invite spouses, friends, and all who might consider membership in our club.  At the appropriate time, when the December newsletter comes out, you will be asked to R. S. V. P. to Weldon or Nancy.
January 17-20, 2019.  Serra Rally, Ventura, California.  Stay for the California Mission Trail Pilgrimage, January 20-24, 2019. From our club, Weldon and Karen Schwartz and John and Ellen Osterhart will attend the rally and the pilgrimage.

On November 1 and 2 or each year mark the Solemnity of Saints (All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls Day), when we remember the deceased relatives and friends of the faithful.  "The souls of the dead are in the hands of God."  Wisdom 3:1.

Priests' Anniversaries for November.

The Reverend Daniel De Pew, November 2, 1982.
The Reverend Rock Badgerow, November 3, 1979.
The Reverend Thomas Bouffard, November 7, 1981.
The Reverend Peter Schaefer, November 10, 2005.
The Reverend Wayne Wheeler, November 3, 1979.

Serra Speakers.

We thank Dan La Ville for his excellent choice of speakers over the past several months.  A number of our members may have missed these past speakers< the first of which was Tricia Worrell, Director of the Prison and Jail Ministry for our Diocese, and Brian Piecuch, Director of Development of the Saint Benedict Institute.  Brian was back for the second time to discuss the exciting happenings of his ministry on the Hope College campus.

Tricia Worrell says she's excited to go to work every day.  Her outreach ministry, GROW (Guiding Returning Citizens to Our World), helps returning citizens break the cycle of recividism by educating church communities on the spiritual needs and concerns of returning citizens and their families, thereby helping to create welcoming faith communities through building awareness and relationships.

Please note the article of GROW in the November issue of Faith Magazine.  The Prison Ministry is seeking donations for its Annual Christmas Drive.  It is collecting the following items for those in local prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers and shelters:

New white tube socks
New plastic reading glasses in varying strengths
Travel-size hygiene items, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizing lotion, lip balm and deodorant.

Please deliver all donations  Monday, December 10 to the Cathedral Square Cemter at 350 S/ Division Avenue.  For more information, call or write Tricia Worrell at tworrell@dioceseofgrandrapids.org or 616-475-1255.



Brian Piecuch directs the Saint Benedict Institute for Catholic Thought, Culture, and Evangelization on the Hope College campus.  Brian tells us that the single largest denomination among Hope College students is Catholic.  The institute offers Daily Mass, Sunday Mass at 5:00 p.m., with Rosary at 4:30, Adoration, and Confessions.  Fr. Nicholas Monco, O. P. serves as the Saint Benedict Institute chaplain.   All of this is good news for Serrans, who are interested in keeping our young people Catholic throughout their college years and in nurturing and fostering potential vocations among our young people. 

Vianney Visit, November 15-17.

The Diocese offers young men the opportunity to take a closer look at the priesthood by experiencing a few days in the life of a seminarian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.  All transportation, accommodations, and meals willo be provided at no cost.  For questions, call or write Father Stephen Durkee at sdurkee@dioceseofgrandrapids.org or 616-475-1254.  Father Stephen Durkee is now associate director of priestly vocations.  He also serves as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Rockford.

Spark.

Don't forget to consult the Spark Sampler, which offers 5 tools to create a culture of vocations in our communities.  Find the information at serraspark.org.  Also, download the "Common Serra Club and District Problems with Suggested Solutions Tool Kit at serraus.org.  Serra's USA Council Membership Committee has taken the most common Serra Club membership concerns and compiled them into a book of strategies designed to help you find a solution that works best for your club.

A Message from our President.

Put the Christmas Dinner on your calendar.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us.

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, October 2018

Calendar of Events.  

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This is New.  Serra International Conference Calls for Club Committee Chairmen.

October 1, 2018 at 7-8 p.m.  Conference Call  for Programs Chairmen.  Dial in 712-775-7031. Access Code 648-583-478#.
October 18, 2018 at 8:20-9:20 p.m.  Conference Call for Vocations Committee Chairmen.  Dial in 641-715-3580.  Access Code 273848.

Calendar of Events.  

October 2, 2018.  Memorial, The Holy Guardian Angels.
October 7, 2018.  Respect Life Sunday.
October 14, 2015.  Our Lady of Sorrows Spaghetti Dinner, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5830 Clyde Park Avenue SW, Wyoming. Please note the change in location. The K of C Hall offers easy access with no steps, lots of parking, and plenty of seating. Tickets are available now at $9 each.  Call 243-0222 Tuesday through Friday to order, or they may be purchased at the door for $10.
October 15, 2018.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.  Speaker will be
October 18, 2018.  Feast Day of St. Luke, Patron Saint of Physicians, Surgeons, and Sculptors.  Saint Luke was a gentile born of Greek origin.  He was a doctor, who St. Paul described as the Beloved Physician.  It is believed that he was an artist who painted the first portrait of Mary.  Luke is the writer of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.  We have Luke to thank for the Scriptural parts of the Hail Mary:  "Hail Mary full of grace" spoken at the Annunciation and "Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus" which was spoken by her cousin Elizabeth.  Luke best reveals Jesus as friend of the downtrodden, comforting even the thief who was crucified alongside him.
October 22, 2018. Feast Day of St. John Paul II.
October 28, 2018.  Priesthood Sunday.
October 29, 2019.  Board Meeting and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.  All members are welcome to attend.  Just send an RSVP to Nancy King.

Looking Ahead. 

Christmas Dinner.  December 10, 2018.  Christmas Dinner, 6:00 p.m. at the University Club.  See the President's message below.

January 17-20, 2019.  Serra Rally.  Engage, Inspire, Ignigte!
Attend the USA Council's Serra Rally and return to your club with renewed energy to put our vocations mission into action.

Serra's USA Council's popular annual Serra Rally event is moving to Ventura, California, in
2019!  Expect a super-charged leadership and inspirational weekend ibn a place infused by the spiritual presence of our patron, Saint Junipero Serra.

Venue.  Ventura Beach Mariott Hotel is ideally located within walking distance of the shoreline, Piermont Bay and San Buenventura State Beach Park.  It is approximately 1-2 hours north and west of Los Angeles and Burbank Airports, and 30 minutes east of Santa Barbara California airport.


Who should attend?  Serra Board members, District Governors, Chaplains, Serra Club officers from all Serra Clubs;  two or more are recommended to attend from each club, new Serrans, and those who have attended previously.

A Weekend Packed with Inspiring Talks, Spiritual Oases, and Practical Workshops.Our speaker line-up is excellent this year, featuring our keynote presenter, Fr. Eugene Hemrick, who will speak on "Energizing Ministry and Future Ministers through inspirational images."  Fr. Hemrick will also lad a special track for Serra Club Chaplains.  Christina Lamas, Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, will tell us about "The I-Phone Generation" from which our current priests and religious are coming, and how we can understand and support them better.  Highly anticipated is the presence of Serra International Episcopal Adviser Thomas Cardinal Collins of Toronto, who will speak on Serra discipleship and spirituality.

Costs.  Registration Fee:  $340 per person; register by December 17 and save $50.  There is a special promotion for chaplains.  Serra Club chaplains pay a reduced registration rate of $200.  With two paying Serra Club members, registration is complimentary.

Hotel room rate:  The special $130 per night hotel room rate will extend a couple of days on either side of the rally.  If you make your reservation directly with the hotel, be sure to mention that you are coming for the Serra Rally.

Key Times.  The Rally officially kicks off on Thursday, January 17.  USA Council and Serra International board members and  district governors should arrive on Wednesday, January 16.

Arrival Cities are Los Angeles, Burbank CA and Santa Barbara CA.  The hotel does not provide shuttle service but bus and private taxi are available.

Find all the links you need at www,serraus.org.

Stay for the Mission Pilgrimage.  A four-day Serra Mission pilgrimage will depart from the hotel on Sunday, January 20.  Buses will pick up pilgrims at the hotel on noon on Sunday and make the first stop in Santa Barbara.  The pilgrimage visits six missions and concludes with transportation to San Francisco Airport on Thursday, January 24, 2019.  Serra Rally attendees save $100 off the pilgrimage cost.

Vocations Updates.

Fr. Stephen Durkee has been appointed as associate director of priestly vocations, assisting Fr. Ron Hutchinson.  In the October edition of Faith Magazine,  Fr. Hutchinson writes that this year we welcomed nine new men to our seminarian ranks, which means that of our 31 men studying this year, 15 will be at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and 16 will be at St. John Vianney College Seminary.

Fr. Hutchinson also writes, "You may think that the seminarians are not aware of your your prayers, but that is not true.  They constantly share with me how much they feel your prayerful support when they face the challenges of academics and formation.  They know that you are praying for them, and they experience the grace of God that you ask to be showered on them.  Please do not forget to pray for them and their needs frequently.

In addition, our seminarians and I are extremely conscious of the reality that their formation and studies would not be possible without your financial generosity.  Not a day goes by that one of them doesn't offer a prayer of thanksgiving for your financial support of their journey to the priesthood."

Remember that Fr. Hutchinson's remarks are addressed to all Catholics, not just Serrans.  Let us keep these thoughts in mind as we continue on our Serran journey.

Some Thoughts on Membership.  Keep in mind that Membership is the focus of all Serrans during 201-2019.  

Serra International President Mario Biscardi requests for Serrans.

"What we need is what the Church needs:  more laborers for the Harvest, qualified laborers who will place their hands on the plow and not look back.

I ask evey Serran to bring in one new member is 2018, and again in 2019.

I ask every district to bring in one new Serra Club in 2018, and again in 2019.

I ask every district to bring in one new Serra Club in 2018, and again in 2019.

I ask every council to work closely with their district govenors and bring in one new Serra Club in a nearby country or state where there is no Serra presently, in 2018, and again in 2019.

Simply put, let us ALL make a concerted effort to one year at growing Serra.  It will be well worth the effort...It is through being of more service to our Church that Serra will grow.  Source:  The Serran, September 2019.

Our Grand Rapids Club and the Muskegon Club donated to the Priests' Convocation, as has been our custom for a number of years.  Robert Nolan is now the President of the Muskegon Club.

Officer Vacancies.  We are looking for President, President-Elect, and Committee Chairmen for Membership and Vocations.  We also need Trustees.

Thank you to all who attended the Day of Prayer at St. Isidore and the Bishop's Holy Hour at the Cathedral.  Both events were well attended.

Help for those in Need.

Bishop Walkowiak has launched a diocesean-wide special collection for victims of Hurricane Florence.

What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Thy God?  Micah 6-8.  

A Message from our President.

Dear Serrans:

Our Christmas Dinner will be held on December 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the University Club, as has been our custom for the last several years.  This event will be considered a member-guest occasion.  Invite spouses and guests. 

Also, please note the officer vacancies.  We invite you to step forward for one of these positions.

Weldon Schwartz

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, September 2018

Calendar of Events.

September 7 and 14, 2018.  Our Lady of Sorrows Devotions, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows, 101 Hall St. SE.  Homilists will be Fr. Steven Geerling and Fr. Stephen Dudek.
September 10, 2018.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.
September 15, 2018.  Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows.  Mass begins at 4:00 p.m., celebrating with Msgr. Gasper Ancona, our chaplain emeritus, and Knights of Columbus Honor Guard.  Msgr. Ancona was once a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows.
September 19, 2018.  Holy Hour, 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  Join Bishop Walkowiak for a Holy Hour offered for the healing of survivors of sexual abuse, reparation for the sins of the clergy, and the restoration of hope for our Church.
September 24, 2018.  Luncheon and Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.
Upcoming Events.  
October 14, 2018.  Our Lady of Sorrows Spaghetti Dinner.  11:00-3:00. at Knights of Columbus Banquet Center, 5830 Clyde Park Avenue SW.  Hosted by Our Lady of Sorrows and Knights of Columbus Council #4362 and Assembly #2210.  Please note the change of location.  The K of C Hall offers easy access, with no steps, lots of parking, and plenty of seating.  Pre-sale tickets will be $9 and available in September.  Call 243-0222, Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Tickets at the door will be $10.00.
October 27, 2018.  Priesthood Sunday.  Plan your parish event, which offers the opportunity of introducing the Serra Club to parishioners who might not be familiar with us.
January 17-January 20, 2019.  THIS IS EXCITING!  Serra Rally,  Ventura Beach Mariott, Ventura, CA.  Serra's popular annual Serra Rally event is moving to Ventura in 2019.  Expect a super-charged leadership and inspirational weekend in a place infused by the spiritual presence of our patron, Saint Junipeo Serra.  A pilgrimage tour of seven California missions is planned for all who wish to stay after the rally, starting on the afternoon of Sunday, January 20 and ending on Wednesday, January 23 with a flight home on January 24. Coordinated by Canterbury Pilgrimages and led by Fr. Jim Heyd of Chicago, this will make 2019 the most special rally yet, until 2020, that is!  Connect to your Serran spirituality like never before when you treat yourself to this California Mission Trail pilgrimage.

Pray for the respose of the soul of Sean Yeo, past President of Serra International.  John Liston writes,  "Past Serra International President Sean Yeo, of the Singapore Club, passed from this life to the next on 15 August 2018.  Sean had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, so it should be noted that his passing coincides with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sean.  His strong love of the faith, deep spiritual practices, and genuine kindness radiated through everything he did.  Each action that Sean took began and ended in prayer and was done in loving service to the Church.  I ask that all Serrans keep Sean and his wife, Lucy, in their prayers.

Sean's legacy at Serra is profound, far-reaching, but in most cases imperceptible to most people.  Sean's humility ensured that everything he did was for the glory of God, not himself.  Sean's overarching plan as Serra International president was to assist all Serrans in spiritual growth through prayer.  Sean 's initiatives to that end included digitally publishing Serra Connects, a magazine focused on Serran spirituality, and Serrans United in Prayer,  which served as the forerunner to our currently global monthly rosary for vocations.  He carried out these programs with fervor, dedication, and a willingness to receive input from his fellow Serrans and respond accordingly.  Both of these programs, along with countless other things that Sean has done, helped Serra return to and remain close to its spiritual roots. His actions have fostered greater fellowship and increase effectiveness in Serra worldwide.

Sean will be missed by Serrans throughout the world.  Please pray for the repose of his soul and for all departed Serrans,

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!  St. Junipero Serra, Pray for Us!
John Liston
Executive Director
Sean was Serra International's president during 2013-14.

Membership.  #1 Priority for Serra International in 2018/2019.  A Message from Serra International President Mario Biscardi.

Dear Fellow Serra Leaders, I would like to share with you my #1 focus as President of Serra International, and that is MEMBERSHIP IS E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y-'S BUSINESS.

The saying is not new.  We have heard it many times in the past and it emphasizes the importance of having everyone become actively involved in promoting membership in Serra, and not just the VP of membership.

I have chosen this focus because SI has an amazing 83-year-old history of worthy vocation programs and and activities, including prayer services, and is quite relevant to our Church across the globe....However, for these and activities and prayers to continue, we need to work continuously at increasing membership.

Why?  Because a club may have the best vocation activities and best programs, but if the club is not successful in membership, it will die one day,  We cannot allow that to happen!...

Simply put, let us ALL make a concerted effort for one year at increasing membership. Let each Serran find one new member in the next year...

Download a printable copy of the entire memo at the Serra International website.

A Message from Our President.

Dear Fellow Serrans:

My term as president is now has expired, and we now need someone else to step up replace me, as well as volunteers for other club positions. The need is great but the laborers are few!

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!.

Weldon Schwartz

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

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, August 2018

Calendar of Events

August 3, 2018.  The first of the annual series of devotions to the Seven Sorrows of Mary, 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows.  Homilist will be Father George Fekete.  A full list of the Sorrows and homilists will appear below.  Please consider attending one or more of these devotions, which will take place each Friday evening until September 14, the eve of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish.
August 13, 2018.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.  Weldon will pick up a tray of assorted sandwiches at Subway.  Please note that this is a new location.  Please RSVP to Weldon or Nancy King so that we can better plan for the food.
August 15, 2018.  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Holy Day of Obligation.
August 27, 2018.  Board Meeting and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Cathedral Square.
Looking Ahead, to prepare for a possible Parish celebration...
October 28, 2018.  Priesthood Sunday.

Friday Night Devotions at Our Lady of Sorrows.

These devotions will be held as follows:

August 10.  The Flight into Egypt, homilist Fr. Don Lomasiewicz.
August 17.  The Loss of Jesus in the Temple, Fr. Steven Cron.
August 24.  The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross, Fr. Bill Edens.
August 31.  The Crucifixion, Fr. Larry King
September 7.  Mary Receives the Body of Jesus.
September 14.  The Burial of Jesus, Fr. Stephen Dudek.

Keep in mind that only those parishes that display the Seven Sorrows icons are eligible to conduct these devotions.

Priests' Anniversaries for August.  

Fr.  George Darling, August 11, 1984.
Fr. Stephen Dudek, August 11, 1984.
Fr. Dennis Morrow, August 24, 1975.
Fr. Dennis O'Donnell, August 20, 1983.

Help Suppport Our Seminarians and Priests.  Bishop Walkowiak Wants Your Feedback.

Please note that the Diocese of Grand Rapids will be conducting a feasibility study throughout July and August, and Bishop Walkowiak would like to hear from you.  The study will seek feedback on a potential diocesan-wide campaign to support our seminarians and priests.  A high level of responses from Catholics throughout West Michigan is needed to aid the Bishop on making an informed decision on whether to move forward.

Potential campaign goals include investing in the education of our growing number of seminarians, supporting specialized education for our priests, and funding the Priest Retirement Fund.  The Steier Group, a Catholic development and fundraising firm, has been hired to conduct the study.  A final recommendation on the viability of the campaign will be made in the early fall.

Visit dioceseofgrandrapids.org for additional details on how you can participate.  Stay tuned to your church bulletins throughout the study for regular updates.

Pray for Our Seminarians.  

Our current number is 23, which presents a challenge to us as Serrans:  how to help fund their education.  One of the very interesting things about this list is that it contains two sets of brothers. Jacob E. Beers and William L. Beers, sons of Robert II and Kristina Beers.  Their home parish is St. Michael Parish, Remus, Michigan,  Deacon Robert C. Mulderink and Luke F. Mulderink, sons of Robert and Kathryn Mulderink.  Their home parish is St. Luke University, Allendale.  Other seminarians are Cody J. Armock, Deacon Andrew M. Ayers, Nicholas R. Baker, David J. Bridge, Dominic T. Couterior, David Dinh, Mitchell E. Dietrich, Maxim T. Ferrell, Deacon Michael J. Gordon, David A. Jameson, Jonathan W. Johnson, Andre W. Klaes, Jake A. Kreuger, Daniel R. Orris, Jr. Eric B. Rewa, David J. Sachs, Noah I. Thelen, Logan C. Weber, and Jacob M. Zemaitis.  Pray for each of these seminarians by name.  Visit the dioceseofgrandrapids.org home page for further information.


New Member Orientation.

Keep in mind that the Serra New Member Orientation is available online. Go to serraus.org to find the 35-minute webinar.  This information is good for all of us to review, especially if we are inviting potential new members to join the club.

What We Can Do Every Day to Boost Our Serran Ministry.

In the June issue of Serran Magazine, Fr. Vincent De Rosa, Chaplain of the Serra Club of Downtown Washington, D. C. suggests the following:

*Make a promise to St. Junipero Serra to devote a manageable number of hours to Serra work each week.  After a few months, review in prayer with Our Father and see if He prompts you to do more.
*Read passages from a biography of St. Junipero Serra as part of your daily prayers.
*Explore Franciscan teachings that were essential to St. Junipero's spiritual life.
*Before embarking on any Serra related work, take a moment to reflect on the deeper reasons why you are doing it.
*Consider conducting more Serra functions at home.

The entire June 2018 issue of the magazine can be downloaded at serraus.org.

A Message from Our President.

We are going to begin meeting at the Catholic Information Center (CIC) located at Cathedral Square at the intersection of South Division and Wealthy Streets.  We will begin meeting at that location at 12 Noon on August 13 and continue meeting there on our usual days of the month, that is the second and fourth Monday of each month.  We will meet on the second floor in one of the classrooms.  We will provide a light lunch and drinks.  There is both covered and uncovered parking available a few feet from the main entrance of the CIC.  Hope to see all of you there.

(Please RSVP to Weldon or Nancy regarding the 13th).

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us.

Weldon Schwartz

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, July 2018

BEFORE WE GET STARTED, WE WOULD LIKE TO MENTION SEVERAL ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE.

1)  WE NEED HELP FINDING OUR TRAVELING CHALICE WHICH NATE AND PAM MCKENZIE DONATED TO THE CLUB SEVERAL YEARS AGO.  PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHALICE OR ANY IDEAS AS TO WHERE IT MIGHT BE, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

2)  THERE ARE STILL SPOTS AVAILABLE ON THE MUSKEGON/GRAND RAPIDS BUS PILGRIMAGE TO DETROIT ON FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2018.  MUSKEGON AREA PARISHES ARE HOSTING A DAY TRIP TO DETROIT TO VISIT THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER,  THE SOLANUS CASEY CENTER, AND GREEKTOWN.  COST IS $100 PER PERSON.  ACCEPT CASH OR CHECKS MADE OUT TO FR. PHIL LEGACY PROJECT.  GRAND RAPIDS FOLKS WILL BE PICKED UP AT 8:15 A.M. AT THE CASCADE MEIJER STORE AT 5531-28TH ST. SE ( CORNER OF KRAFT AND 28TH STREET S.E.) AT THE ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATION.  DROPOFF ON THE WAY HOME WILL BE THERE AS WELL.  COST INCLUDES MOTOR COACH AND ADMISSION FEES.  MEALS ARE EXTRA.  FOR MORE INFORMATION AND /OR TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, CALL MARY JO TRENTER AT 231-329-2918 OR CHRISTINE AMANTE AT 231-206-4844.  CHRISTINE'S ADDRESS IS 5036 DAVIS ROAD, NORTON SHORES, MI 40441 FOR MAILING CHECKS.  SO FAR JOHN AND ELLEN OSTERHART AND WELDON AND KAREN SCHWARTZ ARE ATTENDING FROM GRAND RAPIDS.

3)  PLEASE NOTE THE OPENING OF A SPECIAL EXHIBIT AT THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM ON JULY 21, 2108 CALLED, "RALPH W. HAUENSTEIN:  A LIFE OF LEADERSHIP."  ESPECIALLY THOSE NEW TO THE CLUB WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT  RALPH HAUENSTEIN, OUR GRAND RAPIDS CLUB'S FOUNDER AND PHILANTHROPIST.  SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION.  ALSO, VISIT SERRAUS.ORG FOR A LINK TO A VIDEO, AN ORIENTATION FOR NEW MEMBERS.  LONG-TIME MEMBERS ALSO COULD BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATIN AS TO HOW TO INFORM NEW AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS ABOUT SERRA AND ITS MISSION.

4)  IT'S TIME TO REVIEW THE LIFE OUR PATRON, ST. JUNIPERO SERRA.  SEE BELOW AN ACCOUNT OF AN IN-DEPTH ARTICLE BY FATHER JOSEPH CINNICI. OFM, HISTORIAN AND PRESIDENT EMERITUS.OF THE FRANCISCAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

Calendar of Events.

July 9, 2018.  Luncheon meeting and speakers, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.  Speakers will be John Osterhart, Dan Grady, and Dennis Leiber, who will tell us about the recent Serra International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.....
July 21, 2018.  Opening of the special Ralph Hauenstein exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW.  There is a parking ramp at the museum.  Interactives will allow visitors to test out writing a headline for the newspaper on an antique typewriter and try their hand at writing a secret code.  Hauenstein was a leader in the West Michigan community, remembered for his role as a journalist, a member of the military and intelligence service under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, dedication to the Catholic faith, and his entrepreneurship and philanthropy in Grand Rapids.  The exhibit will run through January, 2019.
July 23, 2018.  Board Meeting and luncheon, 12:00 noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.

Priests' Anniversaries for July.

Fr. Raymond Bruck, July20, 1958.
Fr. Larry King, July 8, 1989.

What West Michigan Leaders Have Said about WW II Hero Ralph Hauenstein, who passed away at age 103 on January 10, 2016.

Bishop David J. Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids:

I am saddened to learn of Mr. Hauenstein's passing.  For more than a century, he had profound impact upon our Catholic Church both locally and internationally.  He was an active layman, working as an auditor at the Second Vatican Council.  In West Michigan, Mr. Hauenstein founded the Grand Rapids Serra Club, helping to provide support for men who are interested in pursuing the priesthood.  He was a longtime member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which supports the Christian presence on the Holy Land.   In 2013, he was awarded with the Silver Palm of Jerusalem for his extraordinary service to the Order.  Mr. Hauenstein is an inspiration to us all as someone who lived and practiced his Catholic faith...

Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University:

Ralph Hauenstein's life of leadership and service inspires everything that we do at the Hauenstein Center.  He was active in our programs, strategic vision and with our students' development.  Ralph had the gift of friendship.  He was an effective, ethical leader in every endeavor he undertook.  In an age that fixates on celebrity, Ralph was a true hero, the real deal.  He always stressed ethics, integrity, and service to others.  He was a dear friend, and we will miss our mentor deeply.

Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas:

Ralph Hauenstein was an etraordinary individual.  He was a man of great honor, great integrity, and all who knew him feel it was a privilege.  His presence in our lives an din this community will be sorely missed.


Phil McCorkle, former president and CEO of Saint Mary's Health Care (Now Mercy Health of St. Mary's):

Ralph not only gave his money, but he convinced others to support St. Mary's.  We would't have this nationally acclaimed neuroscience program without Ralph's support. It was Ralph's style, it was his sensitivity, it was his respect in this community that made it happen.

Michelle Rabideau, President of the Saint Mary's Foundation:

People loved to see him.  I think he was so proud, but he also simply loved walking through and thanking people.  It was very personal for him.  He wanted to get to know the physicians and nurses and staff members at St. Mary's.  He wanted to inspire them to greatness.  Who better to do that than Ralph Hauenstein.

For our new members to learn about, and for our long-term members to review as we think of this great man.

"Walk with Saint Junipero Serra as he traces our Lord's footsteps in search of workers for the vineyard."

A Franciscan missionary, St. Junipero Serra is well known as the 18th century founder of a string of California missions.  Like St. Serra, the Serrans of today put faith into action,  whether through meetings, vocational programs, or personal involvement in school, parish and diocesan activities, Serrans accept the challenge of fostering vocations and encouraging spiritual growth.

Let Serra inspire us to nurture vocations and become missionaries ourselves as we work for vocations.  The USA Council Program Committee invites you to carry out this program of renewal by which all Serrns recommit themselves to furthering Serra International's principles and activities.

If you want to know more about our patron, please read the in-depth article, "Missionary Disciple:  The Spirituality of Saint Junipero Serra," by Father Joseph Cinnici, OFM, historian and President Emeritus of the Franciscan School of Theology at Oceanside, California.  Find the link to this article at serraus.org.

A Message from our President:

We continue to search for other places to hold our twice a month meetings.  As you know, every place has its own pluses and minuses.  I am currently having discussions with staff at the Catholic Information Center and the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  I will have more information available to discuss at our next meeting July 9 at Ss. Peter and Paul.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, July 2018

ul.

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, June 2018

Who are We?  
Serrans are lay Catholics, men and women from all walks of life:  lawyers, doctors, accountants, business people, engineers, sales people, clerks, retires, and more, all dedicated to promote and foster vocations.  

We are the only lay organization to be aggregated to supporting Pontifical work.

Calendar of Events

June 2, 2018.  Celebration of the Eucharist with Rite of the Ordination of Deacon Michael Steffes, 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  June 3, 2018.  The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
June 11, 2018.  Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
June 19, 2018.  11th Annual Dinner to Benefit the Bishop Robert J. Carlson Seminarian Endowment Fund, Sponsored by the Saginaw Serra Club, Swan Valley Banquet Center, 9521 Highland Green, Saginaw, MI 48609. Registration/Social Hour at 6:00 p.m., Dinner at 7:00. June 24, 2018.  Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
June 25, 2018.  Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
June 27-July 1, 2018.  76th Annual Convention of Serra International, Nashville Tennessee.
October 28, 2018.  Priesthood Sunday.  Prepare in advance to celebrate this day with your parish.
January 17-20, 2019.  Serra Rally.

About the Saginaw Benefit Dinner. 

The cost is $65 per person, with a table of 8 available for $500.  A silent auction and raffles will be held as well.  For information and tickets call Mary Catherine Siers at 989-792-1334.  Make checks payable to Serra Club of Saginaw.  Mail to Serra Club, c/o Mary Catherine Siers, 4882 Lynndale Drive, Saginaw, MI 48603.  Sponsorships to a priest, nun, or seminarian may be made as well.
We will discuss or club's participation at our June 11 meeting.  At this point, Weldon does not plan to attend, but either Weldon or I would be willing to serve as a link to those who might want to attend and share rides.Notify us at njking50@gmail.com or kazu12769@gmail.com.

Bishop Carlson was appointed the fifth Bishop of Saginaw on December 29, 2004, in one of the last episcopal appointments to the American Catholic Church made by Pope John Paul II.  He focused on priestly vocations, Catholic schools, service to the poor, stewardship, and evangelization.

In demonstration of his dedication to vocations, Carlson filled the role of diocesean vocations director himself.  In 2005 the number of seminarians increased from 4 to 12, and in 2006 the number of seminarians increased to 19.  In August 2006, the first permanent deacon in 25 years was ordained in the diocese.  Ine 2007, two men were ordained to the priesthood and five to the transitional diaconate.

He is now serving as the Archbishop of St. Louis, Missouri

Thank You.

Thanks to all of you who attended the joint meeting of the Grand Rapids and Muskegon Serra Clubs on May 14 at St. Stephen's.  Also, many thanks to Greg Schwietz, who spoke on the topic, "Vocations are Everybody's Business.

Another guest speaker at this event was Catherine Babbitt, from Grand Haven, who is now discerning her vocation.  She spoke of her connection to the Laboure Society, an organization formed to help rescue vocations from the problem of college debt.  Each member of the society is expected to raise $70.000 for the cause.  This society, and especially donating in Catherine's name,  offers us the opportunity to become directly involved in the nurturing and fostering of vocations.

Why is this society needed?

*There are an estimated 10,000 individuals discerning a priestly or religious vocation in the U. S. annually.
*42  are blocked from pursuing this call because of education loans.
*The average vocational aspirant in Laboure owes $60,000 in education loans.
*Most religious communities cannot assume this debt.
*Most dioceses will allow some debt but have a limited threshold for acceptance.

If you would like to donate but did not pick up a brochure and a contribution envelope. donate online, watch videos, see updates, meet new aspirants, and learn more at www.LaboureSociety.org.

Priests' Anniversaries for June.  Once again we have the happy task of announcing this long list of our June anniversaries:

The Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, June 9, 1979;  Bishop Emeritus Walter A. Hurley, June 5, 1965 Michael Alber, June 1, 2001; Msgr. Gaspar Ancona, June 1, 1963; Reverend Louis Anderson, June 1, 1963; Reverend Matthew Barnum, June 2, 2007; Reverend Mark Bauer, June 14, 2986; Reverend Thomas Bolster, June 12, 1982; Reverend Edward Boucher, June 14, 1960; Reverend James Bozung, June 3, 1961' Reverend Douglas Braun, June 6, 2015; Reverend Charles Brown, June 6, 1999; Reverend Michael Burt, June 6, 2009;  Reverend Bernard Carlin, C. S. s. R., June 1, 1978; Reverend Thomas Cavera, June 4, 2016; Reverend Patrick Cawley, June 6, 1970; Reverend James Chelich, June 6, 1976; Reverend Michael Cilibraise, June 7, 2008; Reverend Michael Danner, June 5, 1965; Reverend Thomas DeYoung, June 18, 1983;  Reverend Norman Droski, June 6, 1964; Reverend George Fekete, June 5, 1965; Reverend Aaron Ferris, June 6, 2009; Reverend Patrick Jegar N. Fickel, June 4, 2016; Reverend Joseph Fix, June 1, 1968; Reverend Melvin Fox June 1, 1963; Reverend Luis Garcia, June 4, 2011; Reverend Pedro Garcia, June 5, 1965; Fr. Eugene Golas, June 4, 1955; Reverend Patrick Grille, June 24, 1971; Reverend David Gross, June 5, 2010; Msgr.
Edward Hankiewicz, June 24, 1979; Reverend Victor Kynam, June 2, 2007; Reverend John LaGoe, June 3,, 1961; Reverend Donald Lomasiewicz, June 2, 1962; Reverend Richard Lewis, June 7, 1969; Reverend Thomas McKinney, June 3, 1961;  Reverend Paul Milanowski, June 5, 1965; Reverend Colin Mulhall, June 4, 2016; Reverend Ayub Nasar, June 28, 1985; Reverend Troy Nevins, June 1, 1996; Reverend Scott Nolan, June 1, 2013; Reverend Godfrey Onyekwere, June 7, 2003; Reverend Thomas Page, June 16, 1979; Reverend Mark Peacock, June 2, 2007; Reverend Anthony Pelak, June 7, 2003; Reverend Jose Quintana, June 1, 1996; Reverend Chris Rouech, June 1, 1996; Reverend Kenneth Schichtel, June 2, 1962; Reverend Ronald Schneider, June 4, 2016; Reverend Daniel Schumaker, June 4, 2016; Reverend Charles Schwartz, June 1, 2013; Reverend Phillip Sliwinski, June 7, 1997; Msgr. Louis Stasker, June 5, 1965; Msgr. Terrence Stewart, June 19, 1970; Reverend John Thome, June 15, 1946; Reverend Anton Tran, June 1, 2002; Reverend Anthony Vainovicaz, June 3, 1961; Reverend John Vallier, June 13, 1987; Reverend James Vander Laan, June 1, 2013;
Reverend William Vander Werff, June 6, 2015; Reverend Thomas Vesbit, June 6, 1984; Reverend Peter Vu, June 7, 1997; Reverend John Wisneski, June 6, 1964; and Reverend William Zink, June 1,
1968.

A Possible Sainthood Close to Home.

Did you know that our diocese has connections to a possible future sainthood? for Grand Rapids native Fr. Joseph Walijewski?  His cause advanced on May 27, 2018, with a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew to mark the completion of the investigation of his life.  Watch for further developments.

The Asian Connection.

Grand Rapids Serrans Dennis Leiber and Dan Grady attended the recent convention of Asian Serrans.  Both are past presidents of Serra International,

A Message from our President.

We will not be holding the meeting this Monday, since it's Memorial Day.  However, in lieu of our regular meeting, I would like you to consider joining the Muskegon Serra Club at Prince of Peace Church Thursday evening to support  fundraiser for seminarians from the Diocese.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us!

Calendar of Events
May 3, 2018.  National Day of Prayer
May 13, 2018.  7th Sunday of Easter and The Ascension of the Lord.  Also, Mother's Day.
May 12, 2018.  Ordination to the Order of Deacons Andrew M. Ayers, Michael J. Goodwin, and Robert C. Mulderdink, 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  Our club may be invited to assist as ushers.  We will keep you posted.

VERY IMPORTANT..MONDAY EVENING, MAY 14
Save the Date.  May 14, 2018.  Special Joint Meeting with Muskegon Serrans with District Governor Greg Schwietz as Speaker, 6:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's lower level).  Billy K. will cater the dinner.  We will be soliciting a free will offering (suggest $10-$15 range) to cover additional costs.
May 28, 2018.  Memorial Day observed.


VERY IMPORTANT...THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 31

May 31, 2018.  Annual Vocations Dinner of the Muskegon Club at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 6:00 p.m. The speaker will be Fr. Ron Hutchinson, Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.  Make checks payable to the Serra Club of Greater Muskegon.  Reply by May 18.
Bob Nolan, Vice-President of Vocations of the Muskegon Club tells us in his invitation that this year the fundraising effort is especially important because of the large crop of new seminarians coming in.

Saturday, June 2.  Ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Michael M. Steffes, 10:00 a.m. at the
Cathedral of St. Andrew.

Priests' Anniversaries for May.

The Reverend Ernest J. Bernott, May 22, 1948.
The Reverend Michael Blisczcz, May 24, 1958.
The Reverend Anthony Britto, May 14, 1988.
The Reverend Charles Cuniff, CSP, May 21, 1983.
Msgr. William Duncan, May 19, 1990.
The Very Reverend John Geaney, CSP, May 11, 1964.
The Reverend Thomas Hack, May 28, 1955.
The Reverend Theodore Kozlowski, May 29, 1958.
The Reverend Joachim Lalley, CSP, May 22, 1965.
The Reverend Charles O. Mason, May 19, 1979.
The Reverend Peter Joang-Xuan Nghiem, May 20, 1972.
The Reverend Kevin Niehof, OP, May 8, 1993.
The Reverend Philip Shangraw, May 5, 1979.
The Reverend Robert Sirico, May 13, 1989.
The Reverend Leonard Sudlick, May 15, 1976.
The Reverend Dominic Tirkey, May 19, 1998.
The Reverend Mark Przybysz, May 19, 1980.

Officer Vacancies.  

We need a new President and two trustees.  Let Weldon know if you are interested.

A Message from Greg Schweitz.

On April 24, 2018,  Greg Schwietz wrote:

Dear Serra Leaders,

Another God moment in my life.  This time it happened in Bridgeport, Connecticut while I was visiting the good Serrans of the Bridgeport Serra Club.

By way of my background, my brother Paul, was number 3 child of 6 Schwietz children.  I am the oldest.

After graduating from St. John's University in St. Cloud, Minnesoga in 1976, Paul joined the Benedictine community there and went on to ordination.  For 25 years, Fr. Paul served the St. John's Abbey community as land manager of the 2500-acre wooded abbey grounds in Central Minnesota. During much of his time at St. John's, the Abbot assigned him as the "Summer Vacation priest" to St. Christopher Parish in Nisswa, Minnesota, located in the Lakes area of Central Minnesota, in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota.  Nisswa is a town of slightly less than 2,000 "year-round" people and is located 10 miles north of the larger community of Brainerd.

In May of 2000, my brother Fr. Paul died suddenly from a heart attack (not cancer) at the young age of 47.  In addition to the loss felt by his family and the Benedictine community, the Catholic Community of St. Christopher parish experienced similar grief, and as a positive response initiated a scholarship fund for graduating high school students who desired to attend St. John's University.  The rest of the story, which appears below, is told so well by Serran David Flynn, a classmate of my brother Paul, having also graduated from St. Johns in 1976.  We discovered that fun coincidence on the last visit I made to his Serra Club.

Great thanks to David, founding member of the Bridgeport Serra Club, for his wonderful recollection of that very special occasion during our recent trip.  We will continue to ponder the wonderful ways that God chooses to manifest his love for us through family and friends, both dead and alive.

The story which follows is called A God Incident, by David Flynn

Something amazing happened the evening of April 9th, when Greg Schwietz, President of Serra International, and his wife Mary Lynn visited with members of the Serra Club of Bridgeport.  The meeting was arranged at a restaurant in Shelton, CT, which was on the route Greg and Mary Lynn were traveling visiting Serra Clubs between Boston and New Jersey before they returned to their home in Omaha, NE.

On the way of background, Greg was born in St. Paul, MN and lived there until he was six, when the family moved to Omaha.  Although she was born in Omaha, Mary Lynn's family has roots in Minnesota too, and her family owns a lake home in the central part of the state that Greg and Mary Lynn visit every summer.

After the Schweitzes and the six Serrans who had joined them for dinner were seated, another diner named Bernie came over to the table and introduced himself to Greg.  He asked Greg where he was from because he had heard Greg and Mary Lynn talking about Minnesota.  After Greg explained his family's Minnesota roots, Bernie introduced himself and said that he and his wife Linda were from Nisswa, a town near Brainerd.  He went on to tell Greg what a coincidence it was that his name is Schweitz, because there was a priest he and his wife had dearly loved from a Benedictine monastery called St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN.  This priest had spent many summers serving their parish and the vacationers in that part of Minnesota's lake region.

This wonderful priest, he explained, had unfortunately died of cancer at too young an age a number of years ago.  The parish was heartbroken by his death, but they decided to do something positive with their grief and created a scholarship fund to honor that priest, Fr. Paul Schwietz.
Bernie explained that he and Linda were trustees of that fund and it provides an annual scholarship for a young man to attend St. John's University.  The University, he added, is associated with the abbey in Collegeville.

"What a coincidence! Bernie exclaimed, that Greg would have the same last name as that wonderful young priest.  "What are the changes of that?" he wondered.  Bernie called Linda over to to the table and introduced her to their new acquaintance, saying that he was not only from Minnesota but also had the same last name as their dear friend Father Paul.

Imagine their shock, and then their joy, when Greg said, "Yes, that priest was my brother."

Ruminating over the improbability of such a meeting, Greg later commented that he was moving from "How did this happen?" to "Why did this happen?"  This will bear fruit, he thought.  Maybe God wanted a Serra Club to be started up in Brainerd, or it would strengthen the one in Bridgeport.

Whatever the outcome, the story demonstrates the impact a good priest makes, an impact that lasts well beyond his life and unites people in the most unique ways and unlikely places.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

A special observance of the World Day of Prayer took place on April 22 at St. Mary's Parish in Marne.  Although we received last minute notice, Weldon and Karen Schwartz, John and Ellen Osterhart, and Dan Grady represented out club at this occasion.  Thank you to those who attended.
Bishop Walkowiak and Father Ron Hutchinson were among the several speakers.

The President's Message.

Dear Serrans:

VERY IMPORTANT...MONDAY EVENING, MAY 14
May is going to be a busy month for Serrans of West Michigan.  On May 14 at 6:00 p.m. at 6:00 p.m/ at St. Stephan's (lower level) in East Grand Rapids, USA Council President Greg Schwietz is coming from Omaha to speak at our evening joint dinner meeting with the Muskegon Serrans.  We will be soliciting a free will offering (suggest $10-$15 range to cover additional costs.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Be sure to send your RSVP to Weldon or to Nancy King, as Billy JK. would like a count.

VERY IMPORTANT...THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 31
The second event being held in May is on the 31st. at Prince of Peace Church in Muskegon.  The dinner will be a fundraiser to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life for the Grand Rapids Diocese.   Tickets are $40 and sponsorships range from $125 (patron/1 ticket, $250.00 (bronze/2 tickets, $500 (silver/2 tickets), $800 (table/8 tickets, $1000 gold/8 or more tickets) and include different levels of recognition and numbers of tickets as indicated.

And don't forget about the ordinance to the diaconate of the three young men on May 12.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us.

Weldon Schwartz



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Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter April 2018

Calendar of Events.

April 8, 2018.  Grand Rapids Diocese Celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, 2:00-4:00 p.m.at Holy Redeemer Parish, Jenison.  The Divine Mercy celebration includes Praise and Adoration, along with the Sacrament of Healing, with Testimony by Dr. Bryan Thatcher,Founder of Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy.  See more about Divine Mercy Sunday below, following the calendar of events.
April 9, 2018.  Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.  We will have a short prayer meeting and discussion to prepare for World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 22.
April 9, 2018.  The Annunciation of the Lord.
April 15, 2018.  Spaghetti Dinner, 11:00-3:00 at Our Lady of Sorrows.  Tickets are available in advance by calling 243-0222, or they may be purchased at the door.
April 22, 2018.  World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
April 23, 2018.  Board Meeting and Luncheon, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.

Looking Ahead.

May 14, 2018.  Dinner Meeting and Speaker Greg Schweitz, 6:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Parish.  Greg Schweitz is planning to come to Grand Rapids from Omaha and wanted to make the Grand Rapids stop.  The Muskegon Club will join us for that meeting.  Please put the date on your calendar and plan to attend if you possibly can.  More details will follow as we come closer to the day.  Greg Schweitz is the President of Serra's National Council for the United States.
June 27-July 1, 2018.  Serra International Convention, Nashville, Tennessee.  Please keep in touch with the Chicago office if you are thinking of attending.  Hotel space is limited to 200 guests.
October 28, 2018.  Priesthood Sunday.

The Message of Divine Mercy.

The mesage of Divine Mercy is that God is merciful.  He is love itself poured out for us, and He wants no one to escape that merciful love.

The message is that God wants us to turn to Him with trust and repentance while it is still a time of mercy, before He comes to us as the just judge.  This turning with trust to Him who is mercy itself is the only source of peace for mankind.  Turning to and imploring God's mercy is the answer to the troubled world.  There is no escaping that answer.

What is Divine Mercy Sunday?

Jesus requested that a special feast devoted to his Divine Mercy take place on the Octave day of Easter (Second Sunday of Easter), a day in which he would pour out special graces on the whole world.  Jesus grants an indulgence (either partial or full remission for the temporal punishment of sin) for all who will participate in this feast and implore His Divine Mercy.

What exactly is the Divine Mercy devotional?

The Divine Mercy devotional is a modern devotional to the attribute of God's infinite mercy that was promulgated by St. Faustina'Kowaalska in Poland, and later to the Universal Church by Pope St. John Paul II ("The Mercy Pope").


Priests' Anniversaries for April.

Fr. Steven Cron, April 1, 1978.
Fr. Peter Damian, April 22, 2005.
Fr. Roc Gerard Magalla, SAC, April 29, 1992.

Good News.

We welcome our newest member, Earl Burhans.

We Need to Elect a New President and Update Our Board.

As we continue on our journey of supporting and promoting priestly and religious vocations and growing in our own spirituality (as per the Serra Mission), we need to consider ways in which we can serve the Lord, the Serra mission, and our club.

Our present board is as follows:

Weldon Schwartz, President                    John Osterhart, Trustee
Nancy King, VP Communications          Pat Leikert, Treasurer
Nancy Mulvihill, Trustee                        Dan LaVille, VP Programs
Sara Vander Werff, Past President          Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz, Chaplain/Moderator

Open Positions:
Vice-President, Vocations                      Trustee

What Does a Trustee Do?

The Serra USA Council of Serra International defines the responsibilities of trustees as follows:
Attend all Club and Board meetings.  Trustees are responsible for the overall policy-making,
governing and coordination of club activities, approves all bills and conducts all ordinary business, determines annual tasks for the club, approves the club annual budget, fills any officer vacancy by finding and assisting with the appointment of appropriate candidates.

In our club, trustees have not traditionally met separately to carry out such tasks.  In practice, trustees have attended regular and board meetings and participated in our club's policy decisions along with other members of the board.

What Else Can I do to Support the Serra Mission?

Review the Serra International Foundation Special Issue, December 2017.  The Serra International Foundation  takes the work of Serrans far beyond the reach of local clubs.  The special issue features how the Foundation helps vocations promoters in India, Zambia, Rwanda, Haiti, the US and more.

John Liston, Serra International's Executive Director,has worked tirelessly to establish the regular distribution schedule for the Serran Magazine for 2018.  As he explains, the first issue will focus on Serranship":  how we can be better Serrans outwardly; the second issue on the spirituality and the development of the interior lives of Serrans; the third will feature the events of the Serra International Convention in Nashville, and the final issue of the year will highlight the good works performed by the Serra International Foundation.   We look forward to the continued publication of the magazine.

Visit the web site for Aid to the Church in Need to find a variety of opportunities to help the cause of persecuted Christians around the world.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for us!

A Message from our President.

Dear Serrans: 

I wish to confirm that on May 14th we will have our Grand Rapids Serra Club meeting at 6:00 in the evening at St. Stephen's Parish in East Grand Rapids.  Greg Schweiz, USA Council President, will be our honored guest and speaker.

We are inviting members of the Serra Club of Greater Muskegon to join us for this informative meeting.  The meal will be catered and wine will be served.

Weldon Schwartz

Grand Rapids Serra Club March 2018

Attention all Members.  

Work and pray about the following:  We have a trustee position vacant.  Also, note Weldon's reminder, "I am nearing the end of my term of two years as your president, and it's time for one of you to step forward to replace me.

Our present board is as follows:

Weldon Schwartz, President                                 John Osterhart, Trustee
Nancy King, VP, Communications                       Pat Leikert, Treasurer
Nancy Mulvihill, Trustee                                      Trustee, Vacant
Sara Vander Werff, Past President                         Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz, Moderator
Dan LaVillel, VP Programs                                   Dominic Niewald, VP Vocations, with
                                                                               John Osterthart assisting
Also, our present membership is at 26.  Work and pray for new members.

One other thing:  Registration for the 76th Annual Serra International Convention is now open.  See below for details.


Dates to Remember

March 10, 2018.  2018 Catholic Men's Retreat,  "Behold the Man, "West Catholic High School, 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
March 11, 2018.  The beginning of Daylight Savings Time.
March 12, 2018.  Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.  Our speaker will be Fr. Rene Constanza, Director of the Catholic Information Center.  If you're planning to attend, please notify Billy K directly at billmontk@sbcglobal.net so that he can plan on an appropriate amount of food for the event.  If you're going to bring a guest, let him know that, too.  Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
March 17, 2018.  St. Patrick's Day.
March 25, 2018.  Palm Sunday.
March 30, 2018.  Good Friday.
April 1, 2018.  Easter Sunday.
March 26, 2018.  Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul
June 27-July 1, 2018.  Serra International Convention, Nashville, Tennessee.  Registration is now open.  Theme:  A Tribute to Serra Chaplains..

About the International Convention.

Remember that space is limited.  On top of the rock bottom price of $250 for registration, enjoy the $155 per person, plus tax, when you reserve directly online at the Serra International site.  Noting that the convention theme is:  A Tribute to Serra Chaplains.  Serrans need to look no further than their own chaplains for a powerful reminder of our unique vocations mission.  Our chaplains serve us tirelessly as spiritual guides and advisors.

DO YOU WANT TO LET THE REST OF SERRA KNOW WHY YOUR CHAPLAIN  IS SO SPECIAL? 

We invite you to participate in our "25 words for $25 ad program":  Write 25 words celebrating your chaplain, and see them printed in the convention program.  Talk with Anne McCormack for details).

Side trips from Nashville:

Adore the Eucharist as never before.  Pan a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament and a visit to Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, cofounded by Mother Evangelica of EWTN fame, in Hancevile, Alabama, about 2.5 hours directly south of Nashville.


About St. Patrick.
Spend the day or perhaps the month of March learning more about this notable saint, who was born ca. AD 385.  One of the world's most popular saints, he was captured and enslaved as a young teen by pagans and Druids.  He turned to God in captivity.  Escaping at age 20, he returned to his family and began studying for the priesthood.  For 40 years he preached throughout Ireland, converting many.  He died in AD 461 at Saul, the site of the first church he built.

Priests' Anniversaries for March.

Father Richard Host, March 17, 1974.


Promote Vocations with a Novel.

See Serra International's website to learn about an illustrated novel of St. Junipero Serra's life.  This work is a teriffic vocation activity.  The suggestion is to give a copy to each 8th grade student in a particular district or school in a club's area, or it could be distributed to all school and church libraries.  One reviewer spoke of its design and printing as a fantastic, highly professional work.
Copies can be ordered at the Serra International web site.

Reminder of our Pontifical Work for Vocations.

As we work on increasing our membership numbers, keep in mind our club' special role in performing pontifical work for priestly vocations.  Consult and download the information from the Serra International website:

Serra International is the only lay organization aggregated to a primary pontifical work.  A pontifical work is an organization instituted by the Vatican to advance a particular goal of the Catholic Church.  In 1941, Pope Pius XII created the Pontificium Opus Vocationum Sacerdptalium to encourage and coordinate efforts to promote vocations to the sacred priesthood of the Catholic Church.  Aggregation, or affiliation, to this pontifical work reflects not only specific support from the Vatican for our mission, but also confers special spiritual benefits on all Serrans.  (From "Pope Pius XII and Serra International."

Aid to the Church in Need.  

One of the projects this organization has taken on is restoration and repair of another 2,000 homes on the Nineveh Plains.

Christians forced out of their ancestral lands in northern Iraq are rejoicing after we made the announcement that we are proceeding with the repair of 2,000 Christian homes...ACN Middle
East projects head Father Andrzej Halemba said he was encouraged that up to 35 percent of Iraq's Christians had already returned to their homes on the Nineveh Plains--homes they had to abandon in the summer of 2014 when ISIS invaded the region.  He said, "More than 30,000 Christians have in the meantime gone back to where they lived before."

However, their situations are anything but easy," Father Halemba added, explaining that a severe winter had led to high heating and electricity costs.  What's more, though ISIS had been expelled from the territory, Islamist ideas had taken root in some sections of society.

Rebuilding is being overseen by the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee, which was jointly formed by the Chaldean, Syriac Orthodox and Syriac Catholic Churches, the three main denominations in the Nineveh plains....

Father Halemba added that to keep people from emigrating from the area, further steps needed to be taken to ensure long term security.

Since 2014, when ISIS seized the Nineveh Plains, we have provided more than US$40 million for Iraq's Christians.  That total covered nearly half of all emergency aid--food, medicine, shelter and schooling--for displaced families from the Nineveh Plains living under the care of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil in Kurdish Iraq.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has stated that his country needs more than US$97 to fix its crumbling infrastructure.

There were more than 1 million Christians living in Iraq before the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.  Numbers have declined to between 200,000 and 250,000.  (www.churchinneed.org).

A Message from our President.

Dear Serrans:

Greg Schweitz, the USA Council President, is planning on visiting Grand Rapids on May 14.  We are planning to invite him to our May meeting on the same day.  We are currently looking for a place and time.  He will be flying in from Omaha, addressing the Detroit Club, and continuing on to Grand Rapids.  I will keep you posted.

(As noted above):  I am nearing the end of my term of two years as your president, and it's time for one of you to step forward to replace me.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us.

Grand Rapids Serra Club Newsletter, February 2018

What is Serra?

Serrans are lay Catholics, men and women of all ages, from all walks of life:  lawyers, doctors, accountants, business people, nurses, engineers, sales people, retirees and more, all dedicated to promote and foster vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to consecrated religious life.

Calendar of Events.

February 2, 2018.  The Presentation of the Lord.
February 3, 2018.  St. Blase.
February 12, 2018.  Lincoln's Birthday and Luncheon Meeting and Speaker, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.  Our speaker will be Father Mark Przybycz, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua.  His topic will be the Diocesean Program for the Formation of Deacons.
February 26, 2018.  Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon at Ss. Peter and Paul.
February 27, 2018.  Serra International Founders Day (1935).
June 27-July 1, 2018.  Serra International Convention, Nashville, Tennessee.

Treasurer's Report.

Treasurer Pat Leikert reports that our club is financially stable, and our membership is at 26.
Let us each pray for an increase of vocations and for an increase in our membership. 

Serra International Convention.

Our club is in the process of forming a plan for our participation.  We note that Nashville is drivable, and there has been some discussion of renting a vehicle and doubling up on rides.  Also, John Osterhart notes that registration will be limited to 400 participants, no more and no less.
Registration fee will be $250.00, and links to the sign-up will soon become available.  Hotel rooms will be reserved from our Chicago office.  Stay posted as the information becomes available.

Where you'll stay.  
Feel inspired by the sights and sounds of Music Valley Drive during your stay at The Inn Opryland, our convention venue.  Located near the famed Grand Old Opry and just 7 miles from Nashville Airport, this first-class hotel combines the excitement of Nashville with a comfortable, inviting place to recharge.  Enjoy complimentary shuttle service to popular area attractions, including the Grand Ole Opry, General Jackson Showboat and Opry Mills Mall--Tennessee's largest shopping destination.  The convention rate at the Inn at Opryland is $155 plus tax per night, including free parking.

Nashville:  Home of Country Music.
If music is your thing, you're in the right place.  After registering for the convention on Wednesday, June 27, get your ticket for the Grand Ole Opry concert hall, now home to the show that made country music famous.  The next day, consider a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame before opening Mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation at 5:00 p.m.  Enjoy entertainment at the reception after Mass, but get yourself to the Ryman Auditorium for authentic bluegrass starting at 7:30 p.m.  Of course, there'll be plenty more cultural and culinary adventures for you to enjoy!  We look forward to revealing these soon.

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the Purification of Mary.

The Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord with a Feast on February 2.  F
or many centuries this feast was called, "The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary,"
but it was modified in 1970 to "The Presentation of the Lord," a name that better describes the meaning of the celebration.
This feast had its origin in the 4th century in Jerusalem; it then was celebrated in Antioch and later in
Constantinople.  The first thing that is known is the story of Egeria narrated in the Peregrinatio Aetheriae.  In the 4th century people celebrated Christmas on January 6 and the Presentation on February 14.  Egeria reports that 40 days after the Epiphany, people in Jerusalem  participated in a grand celebration that included a procession, which started in the place where the Lord had resurrected.
The feast started to spread little by little from Jerusalem to the East, mainly throughout Byzantium, and during the papacy of Justin I (527-565), the feast received the name of Hypapante (encounter).  This name helped to highlight the enounter between Jesus and Simeon, a righteous man from the people of Israel.  The feast was set by the same pope to February 2, since the celebration of the Birth of Our Lord was set to December 25.
The Roman Missal celebrates this mystery 40 days after the Solemnity of Christmas, to remember the day in which Jesus is presented at the Temple to comply with the laws of primogeniture and consecration to God, acknowledging his sovereignty and in gratitude for the deliverance of
Egypt.  The mother had to comply with the law of the 40 days of the parturient to be purified from the impurities of childbirth.
Luke seems to refer to both duties that Mary was observing at the temple (LK 2:22-24).  She, the humble servant of the Lord, does not refuse to submit to God's covenant with His people...
The feast was celebrated in Rome up until the 7th century.  It began with a procession from the Forum to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.  The people, along with the pope, walked with candles in their hands; thus it received the name of Feast of Candlemas..
The Marian character of this feast resides in the fact that Mary is indissolubly tied to the redeeming work of her Son (Cf. LG 53).  Mary, as the mother of Jesus, Supreme Pontiff, Holy Bridge between God and men, participates in the redeeming work of her son by presenting at the Temple and complying with what is stated in the Law of Moses.  The light of the candles in the festivity evokes Christ, Light of the World, illuminating men with his coming and his earthly presence, and Mary is the candlelabrum that holds this Light.
Source, Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, January 28, 2018.
The Serra Rally.

John Osterhart has prepared a booklet of the materials from the 2018 Serra Rally in Phoenix.   We will make these materials available for the membership at our February meeting.  Of special interest are references to the newly created SPARK program and an information sheet about a traveling vocations crucifix for use in our parochial schools.The ready-made kit, available at the Serra Store for $85, includes a distinctive 10" bronze crucifix with stand-up base, a travel case with protective foam padding, two brochures--one for schools and one for parish families--that explains the program and provides daily prayers, and 100 prayer cards for students and 100 prayer cards for families.

SPARK is a free on-line collection of best practices tools in religious vocations ministry.  If you're seeking ways in which we can all make a difference in fulfilling our mission, a visit to the SPARK page at www.serraspark.org will serve you well.

A Message from our President.

We need to have someone step forward to replace me as my term of Club President winds down in the next few months.  We also need to find a replacement for our District Governor for the four Serra Clubs in the lower peninsula replacing Bob Barrett, our current governor.  Please let me know your thoughts as soon as possible.

Weldon Schwartz

Thank you, Weldon and Bob, for your dedicated service to Serra.



Mary, Mother of Vocations, pray for us.