Grand Rapids Serra Club, July 2020

The first thing readers will notice is that there is no calendar of events.  Serran Judy Cozzens sends a helpful notice which addresses the pandemic and related issues:

Dear Serrans,

I challenge you to meet the needs of our Church at this time.  We cannot let the virus stop us from fulfilling our duties and mission as Serrans.

We need to be creative in reaching out to support our priests, seminarians, and consecrated orders.
We can use this time to strengthen our Serra Mission.

Recently, the U. S. Council Board had a brainstorming session on ways to keep our clubs and their activities thriving during the pandemic.  I am including here a link to the fruits of our session for your own use in your .  I would recommend you conduct a similar brainstorming session with your local club leadership as well.

Now is the time to be curious and courageous with regard to the wonderful communications services offered to us by technology.  It might be a little intimidating, but don't let that stop you.  I tried to set up a Zoom meeting and signed up for a trial run.  However, I was the only one who couldn't get into the trial. So I contacted our new regional director, Jerry Biese, and I asked him
if he would learn how to run a Zoom meeting.  Jerry accepted the challenge and we had our first district-wide Serra meeting with about 60 attendees.

Father Stephen DeLacy, vocation director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, wants to organize six new Serra Clubs in his archdiocese for vocation work.  To that end, U. S. Council Northeast Region Director Mark Bonkiewicz, five Serrans and I took part in a virtual rally introducing Serra to over 100 potential members in that archdiocese.

If we can do it, so can you!

If you would like speakers for your electronic meetings, please let us know.  The Serra Board is willing and ready to help..

Please feel free to call or email me if you have questions.  Remember our patron saint's slogan, "Always Forward, Never Back."
God Bless,

Judy Cozzens,

President, Serra's United States Council

P.S.  Don't forget to download and print the Ways to Keep Your Serra Club Thriving During Self Isolation and Social Distancing document.

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I know you can still hear me!"--God

Even when Mass is cancelled, God is still calling.

When youth groups can't meet, God is still calling.

When Catholic schools are closed, God is still calling.

When college students are stuck at home, God is still calling.

In the hardest, strangest times, God is still calling.a

Become a Part of a Prayer Team.

John Osterhart sent an important note regarding the formation of a Gaylord club:

All:

Our Serra Club has been working to help the Diocese of Gaylord start a Serra Club.  Past USA Council President Judy Cozzens helped initiate a program of prayer for diocese of Gaylord Vocation Director(s).

Attached is the Prayer Team sign-up sheet for Gaylord Vocations Director Fr. Ben Rextoat (and also his assistant Fr. Christopher Jarvis and staff secretary Caryn Jacobs).  The sign-up sheet has some background information about Fr. Rexroat. who is a good friend of one of Muskegon Serran Bob Nolan's sons.  Fr. Ben is leading the Gaylord effort to form a Serra Club in their diocese.

Committed to pray so far are Sunday, Ann and Jim Rosloniec; Tuesday, Pam McKenzie; Wednesday, Dan Grady, and two days unassigned (whatever is left), John and Ellen Osterhart.  Open yet are 2 or 3 days--pick from Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

We would anticipate that some of the Gaylord Serra recruits would take this project over before a year is up.  Please notify me or Weldon Schwartz if you wish to participate or have any questions.

Blessings to all,
John Osterhart
616-245-1893
ejost@att.net
Weldon Schwartz
616-401-0227
kazu12769@gmail.com


Seminarians Need Our Prayers.

"These last four years have been incredible, but they haven't been easy."  That's how one swhateminarian from the Midwest, now preparing for ordination, described his time in seminary.
"The academics are tough, sure.  But for me--and I think for most of the other guys--the hardest part is abandoning yourself to formation, to admit there's stuff you need to work on personally, and to put a hundred percent into growing into virtue."  He laughs, "Thankfully seminary formation works!  When I visit home, my brothers say I've lost my edge in Xbox, but I can tell them I've become a stronger Catholic man.  Honestly, my classmates and I are just eager to get ordained, get into the parish, and start bringing Jesus to people."
Because we Catholics care so deeply about the quality of our priests, we need to redouble our prayers for seminarians.  They are striving to be faithful to daily prayer, discern the gift of celibacy, serve part-time in hospitals and schools, all while doing master's level coursework.  ...Would you adopt a seminarian to pray for daily?


Life Goes On, and We Give Thanks for That.

Three priests were ordained on June 6, 2020 at St. Andrew's Cathedral.  They are Father Dominic Couterier, Father Michael Goodwin, and Father Daniel Orris.  Masses of Thanksgiving were celebrated on June 7 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Paul the Apostle, and St. Dominic, respectively.  Let us give thanks for these new priests.

President Weldon Schwartz is looking into ways to start meeting again during this time.  We will keep you posted.  Our main goal is to stay focused on our mission of nurturing, praying for, and supporting priestly and religious vocations during this time.  We have the technology and the time to do so.

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

Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for us.