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9/10/07
Manitowoc teens join Serrans for Religious Sisters Picnic
7/6/07
A crowd of 200 attend the installation of officers for District 46-E and the Dallas Diocese Serra clubs.
6/8/07
Joliet Serran’s son is one of two ordained on June 2
DuPage Serra club inducts new officers
Serrans co-sponsor Shreveport Diocese Eucharistic Procession for vocations
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At the District 46E Installation Mass: From left to right: Richard Mathews, Immediate Past President of the University of Dallas Serra Club; Elena Blake, Governor of Serra District 46E; Ernie Doclar, President-elect of the USA Council of Serra International; Bishop Kevin Farrell. |
Dallas Diocese Serrans welcome new officers, members
Before Bishop Kevin Farrell and a crowd of 200 Serrans and guests, new presidents of the five Serra clubs in the Dallas Diocese were installed. Also sworn into office was Elena B. Blake, governor of Serra District 46E and the chief Serra officer of the Dallas Diocese. Bishop Farrell celebrated the Eucharist in the Church of the Incarnation on the University of Dallas campus. Inducted also as new members of the international organization that works for priestly and religious vocations were 27 Catholics of the diocese. New member inductions occurred in the church. Other honors took place in the Haggar Center dining room of the University of Dallas. Patrick Daly served as organizer of the event.
Receiving their new president’s pin were: Paul Ficalora, Serra Club of North Central Dallas; Lawrence Whaley, Serra Club of Metropolitan Dallas; Mark Monfrey, Serra Club of Dallas; Greg McCarthy, University of Dallas Serra Club; and John McKeefery, Young Serra Community of Dallas. Installing new District Governor Blake was Ernest Doclar, a fellow member of hers from the University of Dallas Serra Club. Doclar will be welcomed as the new president of the USA Council of Serra International at the international convention set for Atlanta, August 9-12. Outgoing District Governor Tony Schmidt received his past governor’s pin from Blake.
Wichita clubs host vocations fairs
In early March 2007, the Downtown and Metro Wichita Serra clubs held two successful vocation fairs for sixth grade students in the diocese.
St. Patrick School in Parsons hosted a fair for 86 students on March 1. Magdalen School hosted 659 students on March 2.
Bishop Jackels celebrated Mass and addressed students at Magdalen in the first general session. Priests and sisters made presentations about the discernment of their vocations and what their life is like. Father Bernie Gorges delighted the students with music and shoe relays in the gym. We are grateful to Bishop Jackels and all the priests and religious whose contributions made the fairs so successful.
On behalf of both Serra Clubs, we also want to thank Diocesan Vocation Director and Wichita Metro chaplain Father Matt McGinness, and Downtown Wichita chaplain Father Ken Schuckman for supporting and participating in our efforts to help students learn more about vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Without our many volunteers, the fairs would not have been possible. Six Downtown Serrans and seven Metro Serrans served at St. Patrick, along with 15 parent/teacher volunteers. At Magdalen, 26 Downtown Serrans and 22 Metro Serrans served, in addition to 79 parent/teacher volunteers. We send a big “thank you” to all who gave of their time and talent to help in this effort.
We especially would like to recognize the Serrans from both clubs who served on the Vocation Fair Planning Committee. The following people met and worked diligently from October to March to ensure the success of both fairs: Fred Gorges, DT president; Robert Knapp, Metro president; Don and Carolyn Loughman, Metro Vocation Chairman; Mike Bartlett (DT), student schedules; Tony Duran (DT), publicity; Walt Rohling (DT) and Jim Goethe (M), Mass/Liturgy; John/Judy Marstall (DT) and Leon/Jan Keiter(M), lunch; Ray/Bessie Letourneau (DT) and George/Vi Schuckman (M), hospitality; Rick Marney (DT) and Terri/Stan Smeltzer (M), speakers; Greg/Cindy Schafer (DT), volunteers. Our deepest thanks for their cooperation and hard work, which resulted in two very successful fairs.
--- Jack and Charlette Holt, Downtown Club Vocation Chairmen
Saginaw Second Annual Bishop's Dinner to benefit seminarian education raises over $20,000
The second annual Serra dinner to benefit the seminarian education endowment fund was a great success. The event, held on February 7 at the Center for Ministry in Saginaw, raised more than $20,000. The main speaker was Fr. Patrick Jankowiak, pastor of Clare’s St. Cecilia parish. He spoke on the role of the priests in liturgy, stressing the importance of being well versed in scripture and knowledgeable about liturgical prayers. Jankowiak said that perhaps the most significant characteristic a priest can possess is kindness. Special guests included Serra International President Robert Wright, past International President Dennis Lieber, seminarians Richard Budd, Nick Caffaro, Chris Coman, Andrew LaFramboise, Ben Moll, Bill Spencer, and David Wallman.
The Serra Club is grateful to all those who attended the gathering and to Event Chairwoman Jean Seman, who did such a great job. We look forward to next year's event. You can learn more about our Saginaw seminarians by visiting http://saginaw.org/images/walkingwith.pdf
From the Saginaw Serran newsletter.
Serra Club of Pittsburgh Vocation Awareness Weekend
On Jan 5 to 7, 2007, the Serra Club of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Religious Vocation Council cosponsored a vocation awareness weekend at the Kearns Spirituality Center in the North Hills. Twelve young men and women attended. The program began with dinner on Friday followed by an opening session featuring several presenters including Sister Elena Almendarez who chaired the event. John Pillar welcomed the attendees as the representative of Serra. The weekend program included a service project planned by the Little Sisters of the Poor. From the Serra Club of Pittsburgh newsletter.
Lafayette’s new members, from left to right: Judy Parr, Jim Burleigh, Lucy Burleigh, Josefina Munoz, Jose Munoz, Max Fitzgerald. |
On Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, six new Serrans were inducted into the Serra Club of Lafayette, IN. The Lafayette club has over 80 members and is very active with many projects. They are very proud to add to their Serran family! |
Portland Serra Club marks milestone for Archbishop Vlazny
Portland Serrans Dan and Lynn Jones applaud Archbishop Vlazny after presenting him with a gift commemorating his 45th anniversary of ordination.
The man in western Oregon who cares about Catholic vocations perhaps more than anyone, was himself honored for being a priest for 45 years. Serra Club of Portland noted the milestone for Archbishop John Vlazny on his ordination anniversary, Dec. 20, 2006, which happened to coincide with the club's Christmas party! More than 60 Serrans attended along with spouses, friends and guests.
The Archbishop told the luncheon crowd that he and Cardinal William Levada were ordained together. “I received an email at dawn today from the Cardinal reminding me of that cold blustery December 20th morning at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome 45 years ago today,” the amiable archbishop said.
Dan Jones, on behalf of all Serrans, gave the archbishop a commemorative crystal piece engraved with the Serra International seal and an inscription which congratulated him on his anniversary and read, in part: “Thank you for your compassionate, gracious, joyous and loving leadership!”
by Lynn Jones
1/16/07: Downtown Wichita club helps seminarians get to rally
The Serra Club of Wichita, Downtown Club, donated $1200.00 to Fr. Matt McGinness, Diocese of Wichita Vocations Director, to help seminarians that want to go to Wahington DC for the Pro-Life rally on January 22. Fifteen busloads of children, young adults, chaperones, priests and Bishop Jackels are leaving Wichita on the 18th to meet with all the rest of the Pro-Life family members from across the nation.
South Suburban Serran Bill Arockiasamy receives Speeter Award
Each year, Serra International District clubs nominate a local Serran to be recognized for exemplary work in the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.
Bill Arockiasamy, of the South Suburban Serra Club, received the Robert L. Speeter Award on Nov. 17, 2006 at the Region 8 Serra retreat/convention. The award recognizes local Serrans' outstanding contributions to the mission of Serra International.
Bill is a past district governor who worked diligently with fellow club member Hal Durrett to provide an electronic regional directory of clubs in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and parts of Canada. This has become an invaluable tool for Serrans in these areas.
One of his outstanding club achievements was a very successful membership campaign which entailed personal invitations to members of different parishes to join the South Suburban Serra Club. As a result of this effort, the club grew by over 70 people.
Bill is currently chair of St. Hubert's Vocation Committee, a Knight of Columbus, a lector, a Renew Small group leader, an usher, a Eucharistic minister and group leader for bible study. He is also a perpetual adorer, offering his hour of prayer for increased vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.
As winner of the Robert L. Speeter Award, Bill will become District 7's nominee for the Harry J. O'Haire Outstanding Serra Award from Serra International at their next convention in Atlanta in 2007.
Portland 14th Annual Sisters Appreciation Luncheon
More than 130 sisters gathered for the Serra Club of Portland, Or.’s Annual Sisters Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 5, 2006, at the Double Tree – Lloyd Center Hotel. This event honors all women religious of the Portland Archdiocese.
The gracious commitment and gratitude of the honorees marked the post-luncheon program. The sisters’ widespread efforts in the community include working, living and praying in schools, colleges, hospitals, convents, care facilities, parishes, offices, clinics, prisons, retreat houses, and other places.
On behalf of all the sisters, Sr. Dolores Jean Beyer, OSB, led a beautiful blessing and presented Portland club president David Hughes with a jar of Monastery Mustard and a copy of Wisdom Among Our Traditions for Serrans to enjoy.
Serra Club of Southeast Kansas, MO Priesthood Sunday 2006 activities
4th Annual Priesthood Sunday Celebrated at St. John Francis Regis Church on Oct. 29th
The planning for the 2006 celebration of Priesthood Sunday began in August when the USA Council of Serra International – Priesthood Sunday Kit was given to the parish staff and Fr. Tom Holder, pastor. Members of the Parish Vocations Committee prepared appreciation cards for the School of Religion students to decorate and present to Fr. Holder.
The Knights of Columbus Council #13672 hosted a reception for Fr. Holder and Msgr. Comiskey following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Also, the Knights sent appreciation cards to priests who have served St. Regis parish community.
St. Catherine's Vocation Committee
The children in the 5th, 6th and 7th grades at Our Lady of Peace School signed cards that went to the pastors of St. Catherine, St. Matthew, Coronation, and St. Sabina parishes. These cards were made by a fellow Serran from the Kansas City, MO club.
In addition to that, a huge banner was made by the children and put up on Priesthood Sunday. The bulletin featured a picture of Father Bob Stone as well as a biography. A large portrait of Father Stone adorned the entrance of St. Catherine's Church.
The Vocation Committee invited Father Stone to a dinner party held at RC's restaurant in Martin City, MO on Saturday October 28th was attended by most of the members of the Parish Vocations' Committee.
At Visitation Parish
Dick Muraski, Serra Club of Kansas City, MO member, talked to Deacon Don Madden at the school about Priesthood Sunday activity at Visitation Parish. Don reported that the
Wednesday before Priesthood Sunday the Visitation Students made a humongous card thanking all the priests serving the parish. All classes participated in creating the appreciation card. It was presented to the pastor during Mass at the Offertory on October 29th.
Fr. Rush, pastor, was very surprised. The card sits in the priest’s living room and Fr. Steve Cook, Diocesan Vocation Director who is in residence, told the kids at the next Wednesday School Mass how much the appreciation card meant to them, “It brings a smile to their face each time they see it.”
Our Lady of the Presentation Vocation Committee planned a variety of activities for Priesthood Sunday, October 29, 2006. Beth Tilling reported that the children in the Parish School as well as the children in the School of Religion and the Pre-School drew pictures showing why Father Mike Clarey and Father John Eldringhoff were their favorite priests. Some teachers had the students make a flower with a prayer for father on the petals and putting them together made a “prayer bouquet”. Other classes assembled their drawings into a book. One class book included a Polaroid picture of each student beside their drawing.
The pictures were hung on the walls of the vestibule, down the hall way and in the Mulligan Room where a reception was held after all the Masses for the parishioners to greet Father Mike and Father John. The “prayer bouquets” were placed in vases to decorate the tables.
The books were placed on the entrance table along with preprinted note sheets for parishioners to write messages of appreciation for each priest. Cookies were baked by the ladies from St. Joseph’s and St. Jude’s Guild. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves.
At the beginning of each Mass, a short explanation of Priesthood Sunday was given along with an invitation to the reception after Mass. Special intercessory prayers were made for our parish priests and also for the priests of the universal church. After Communion, the deacon led the congregation in a Prayer of Blessing for Father Mike and Father John. At the end of Mass, the invitation was again extended to attend the reception.
After the reception following the 4:30 Mass on Saturday evening, the Vocation Committee invited Father Mike and Father John to dinner at one of the member’s home. George and Kathy Gardner graciously shared their home for this occasion and rearranged the furniture to seat all fourteen guests. Everyone brought food and wine to share and a most enjoyable evening was had by all. Cards of appreciation were given to both priests as they left the celebration.
The Vocation Committee received notes of appreciation from both priests. The following week in the Message from the Pastor in the bulletin, Father Mike thanked everyone for himself and for Father John for all the messages and gifts of appreciation.
The two Serra Clubs in Wichita and the one in Hutchinson worked together to place a display advertisement in the Catholic Advance, the diocesan newspaper, honoring and thanking our priests. We did encourage individual letters and cards to our priests. Parish Vocation Committees put notices in parish bulletins and encouraged parishioners to send cards and letters. There was a reception for Fr. Kenneth Schuckman, Serra Club of Wichita, Chaplain, in his parish an appreciation event planned by his parish.
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West Omaha President Sam Morasco and Omaha Serran Kevin Cooper stand in front of a billboard advertising Priesthood Sunday. |
The Serra clubs of Omaha and West Omaha, Neb., invited parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Omaha to join in the celebration of holy priesthood on Oct. 29, 2006.
Two large outdoor billboards, owned by Lamar Advertising of Omaha were posted at two locations – 83rd and Maple streets and 84th and L streets declaring Priesthood Sunday and encouraging Catholics to say thanks to their priests on this special day and throughout the year.
“The best Priests’ Appreciation Day Ever” in Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese
On Sept. 18, 2006, priests and seminarians from the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese were treated to a day of fun courtesy of the four area Serra clubs (Kansas City, Southeast Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Kansas City North).
The day began in the early morning with a round of golf at the Grand Summit Golf Course in Grandview, Mo., followed by cards and more golf in the afternoon, a fantastic barbecue and a raffle for vacation getaways and new black suits.
Seminarians from Conception Seminary College made the trip down to Kansas City and 74 priests from the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese joined brother priests, Serrans and friends for a day of fun and relaxation. Each priest was eligible in a drawing to win a brand new black suit that retails for about $700.00 at a leading menswear store. Serran Bob Miller negotiated with the store to reduce the price to less than half of that and set out to raise money to buy the suits. By the evening’s end the Serra clubs had raised enough money to purchase 33 suits! The winners of the raffle were measured at the event.
Topeka Fifth Graders Learn about Religious Life
Over 360 students from 18 schools in the Topeka and surrounding areas came to Christ the King School on Oct. 11 for the annual Fifth Grade Vocation Day. The day was packed with presentations by 15 sisters from five communities and 11 priests, plus some words from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Vocation Jeopardy, a quiz that tests for knowledge of vocations in a fun and relaxed manner; Mass with Archbishop Naumann; and lots of singing.
The Serra Club of Topeka assisted with the event by welcoming the teachers and students, preparing and serving breakfast and lunch, taking pictures of boys and girls as priests and sisters, and by distributing an apple to each student before they headed for home.
Serra Speaker Stresses Leadership for Candidates to the Priesthood
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Father Jack Kane, CM (second from left) receives the Montgomery Serra Club’s ‘Alabama Bell of Clay’ in appreciation for his visit in September. From left: Larry Jakel, Montgomery club president; Father Kane, Carolyn Tillage and Anna Lee Ingalls, and Father Albert Kelly, Serra club chaplain. |
Father Jack Kane, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Opelika, told members and guests of the Montgomery Serra Club at their September meeting at St. Bede Church that leadership is the most important attribute of any young man who is called to be a priest.
He told those in attendance not to be hesitant about asking young men with good leadership skills to consider the priesthood.
“Prayer is important and priests need to be men of prayer,” Father Kane said, “but they are ordained to lead God’s people as they climb the path to holiness.”
Father Kane, a native of Philadelphia, entered the seminary in 1956 when there was a strong connection between Philadelphia priests and the Vincentian Fathers. In answering his call he was impressed by their missionary spirit. Following his ordination he traveled to Panama, where he spent 31 years with three other priests teaching high school and doing pastoral work.
His return to the United States and assignment to the small parish of St. Mary’s required quite an adjustment, as he learned to cook and keep house. His five years there have been happy ones.
Montgomery Serrans followed their usual meeting day custom of attending Mass and praying the rosary for vocations and the pope’s intentions. Father Jack Holleman, St. Bede associated pastor, celebrated Mass.
Special guests at the meeting included Anna Lee Ingalls of Holy Spirit Parish and mother of seminarian Victor Ingalls, and Carolyn Tillage, Director of Religious Education for St. Jude Parish.
Carroll Area, IA Serrans participate in Catholic College Days
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Seated: Twilla Hoffman, Carrol Area club president; Rev. Brian Hughes, Sioux City, Iowa Vocations Director. Standing, from left: Carroll Area club vocations chairmen Dr. Frank McCabe and Dennis Schleisman; and Sr. Joyce Blum, F.S.P.A., of LaCrosse, WI. |
Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serrans celebrate 30th Anniversary of Charter
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From left: Bishop of Marquette Alexander Sample; Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serra club chaplain Father Ray Valario; Doris and Jim Madigan, Serra International past president; Mary and Ted Fornetti, founder and first president of Iron Mountain-Kingsford club; Monica and Will Shampo, Iron Mountain-Kingsford club president. The empty chair in the foreground was for the late Father Arnold Thompson, founding chaplain of the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serra club. |
Bishop Sample delivered a talk on “Creating a Culture of Priestly Vocations” citing several personal experiences on attitudes of some on the priesthood. Father Greg Heikkala spoke on the status of vocations in the Marquette Diocese.
The following lay organizations made donations of prayers and money to the bishop to be used for vocations work in the diocese: Daughters of Isabella from Iron Mountain-Kingsford, Norway and Iron River; the Crystal Falls Womens Guild; the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Knights of Columbus and Knights Auxiliary; and the Escanaba and Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serra clubs.
In thanks for his attendance at the event and for his support of religious vocations and the work of Serra, Bishop Sample was given a handmade stole embroidered with the Serra International logo made by local seamstress Blanche Kersting.