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Kansas City Serrans suit up priests
“If they aren't already, the priests of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will soon be the sharpest dressed in the nation.” Click here to go to the Catholic Key for the full story.
The top-quality suits were only part of a grand Priests and Seminarians Appreciation Day, which took place on Sept. 17, 2007. Once again shutterbug Kansas City Serran Dick Shaw has sent us some fantastic photos of the annual event’s golf outing, shown below!
Charleston Club hosts “Day of Reflection”
On Sept. 15, 2007, the Serra Club of Charleston, W. Va., presented "A Day of Reflection for the Everyday Person of Faith." The theme was “Conversion and Renewal in the Church.” Three speakers held the attention of 200 participants at Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center and were well received. A short summary of each follows:
Fr. Eric Bergman, a former Episcopalian minister, is a newly ordained priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, PA. His explanation of the process which led him to the Catholic church and the adoption of the Anglican Use Prayer Book, which enables converts to continue to use familiar elements of the Book of Common Prayer in Catholic services, was interesting and enlightening.
Fr. Casey Mahone, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, shared his story of conversion in a very open and entertaining talk. His early upbringing was very limited in religious matters until he became involved with the Episcopal Church in high school. His career as a physician’s assistant was interrupted by his involvement with Episcopalian monks and then by his conversion to the Catholic Church.
Mike Aquilina is vice president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology in Steubenville, Ohio. His presentation on the early church fathers provided the group with an historical overview of conversion and renewal in the early church. The pattern of outstanding growth in times of persecution and plague was emphasized.
Serra Club Regional Conference Held in Bay City
Sr. Molly Neville, S.N.J.M. presents a statue of Blessed Junipero Serra to Saginaw Serra Club President Bernard Coppolino at the Great Lakes Conference in October 2007.
Over 150 Serrans and guests from six states gathered on Oct. 18-21, 2007, in Bay City, Mich., for the annual Serra Great Lakes Conference. Hosted by the Serra Club of Saginaw, the Conference lived up to its biblical theme of “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him (Matt 4:20)”. Delegates from Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin met at the Doubletree Hotel for a weekend of presentations, workshops, liturgies and fellowship designed to renew their commitment to the Serra goal of encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
“We are very pleased with the success of this year’s conference”, stated Bernard Coppolino, Serra Club of Saginaw President. “That this weekend’s activities went off like clockwork is a tribute to the incredible work put in by Conference Chairman Louis Rapin and the members of the Conference Committee.”
The work of the conference started on Oct. 19 with leadership meetings for the two regions, where ideas for increasing membership, fostering communications and supporting vocations were shared. Afterward, Bishop Daniel Flores, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit, celebrated Mass at Bay City St. James. In his sermon, Bishop Flores pointed to the first North American martyrs as examples of those who gave back everything that God had given them in the service of his Church.
Later that evening, the Serrans and guests attended a buffet dinner at the Doubletree. Fr. Jay Scott Newman, of Charleston, S.C., addressed the diners. A parish priest located in the heart of the Bible Belt, he spoke passionately of evangelical Catholicism, which begins with accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. Fr. Newman went on to outline the “Eight Principles of Evangelical Catholicism,” which are designed to help Catholics grow stronger in their public witness of the Church’s teaching. More information about Fr. Newman and his talk can be found at www.jayscottnewman.net.
Sr. Molly Neville, of Monterey, Calif., addressed the Serrans and guests after breakfast on Saturday morning, Oct. 20. The vocations director and parish life minister for the Monterey Diocese, Sr. Molly spoke of the challenges of bringing God’s word and encouraging vocations to a generation raised with the Internet, MySpace and YouTube. She also spoke after lunch on the importance of prayer in one’s relationship with God, and gave tips on how to pray when one is harried.
Saturday morning also featured a workshop for Serra club presidents and presidents-elect, and a vocation panel discussion that included Bishop Flores, Sr. Molly, deacons and others. Tom Ryan, member of the Detroit Oakland Serra Club, moderated the discussion. Mr. Ryan was Master of Ceremonies for all of the Saturday events.
Workshops covering membership, communications and club programs filled Saturday afternoon. Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., theologian-in-residence for Ave Maria University near Naples, Fla., concluded the day’s events with a dinner at the Doubletree and an address. Fr. Fessio noted that much of Vatican II had been implemented as a breach with the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. He stressed that Pope Benedict XVI is working to implement the Council’s reforms as a continuation of the Church’s tradition and history.
The conference concluded on Sunday, Oct. 21, with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Carlson at Bay City St. Joseph. In his sermon, Bishop Carlson noted the relationship between faith, prayer and action in furthering God’s Church on earth.
The Serra Club of Wheeling, W. Va., will host next year’s convention on Oct. 10-12, 2008 at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling.
by Bernard Coppolino
Centenarian Serran feted in Charleston
Michael C. Paterno CPA, one of the two surviving founding members of the Charleston, W. Va., Serra Club, celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 23, 2007. He has been an active member through the years and his eagerness to greet everyone at Serra events is enjoyed by all. He installed himself as permanent bartender and timekeeper at club events and other functions. Mike was born in or near Boomer, W. Va., and practiced as a CPA in Charleston. His wife, Mary, has been at his side for almost 80 years. They have two sons, Vince and Frank. His birthday was celebrated at the church hall at Blessed Sacrament Church and was punctuated by awards and recognition from the parish, the mayor of South Charleston, the Bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, the governor of West Virginia, President George W. and Laura Bush, and Pope Benedict.
Quilting project keeps Omaha seminarians cozy
Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Omaha will be warm this winter thanks to quilts made by six women of the St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion. Seminarians who received the handmade quilts include, from left, Jim Netusil, Brother John Michael Voithofer, Francisco Franco, Brady Anderson, Matt Capadano, Ben Boyd, Brother Jerome Lies, Matt Niggemeyer, Jose Hernandez, Nick Koley and Rafel Majano. They are pictured with Father Ralph O’Donnell, vocations director for the Archdiocese of Omaha. The quilters include Marsha Weisbeck, Mary Pechar, Cecilia Wortmann, Cathy Van Haute, Karrie Rowan and Ann Caskey.
Serra Club of Pasadena Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The Serra Club of Pasadena, Calif., celebrated its 50th anniversary with a golden jubilee party on July 27, 2007. Members and chaplains past and present, spouses, and friends gathered at the residence of Club chaplain Father Joe Moniz to remember 50 years of fun and prayer and work for vocations. Immediate past chaplain Monsignor Gary Bauler also attended, along with numerous past and present club officers and district governors for an evening filled with reminiscing and fellowship.
Biloxi Serrans and Knights implement traveling chalice program
The traveling chalice is the focus of attention at the children’s dinner table in Ocean Springs.
The Biloxi Serra Club and the Saint Alphonsus Knights of Columbus Council 5654 joined to "create a culture for vocations" in parish families by initiating a traveling chalice program in Ocean Springs, Miss. The chalice, called the “Elijah Cup,” is rotated amongst families, who take it home and pray before it for vocations to the ordained priesthood and consecrated religious life.
With the support of Diocesan Vocation Director Father Dennis Carver, the program will be expanded to all parishes and pastors who wish to participate. Participating parishes provide the chalice to families along with a kit which includes a CD on the Eucharist and vocation prayers to be recited at family meals.
Saginaw Serra Club Selects Richard McKinley “2007 Serran of the Year”
This year the Saginaw Serra Club selected Richard McKinley as its outstanding member, recognizing him for the many contributions that he has made throughout the years of his membership. The award was given at the club’s annual charter night celebration on June 19 at The Swan Valley Banquet Center.
The Serran of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has given greatly of his or her time and talents to the fulfillment of the Serra mission, which is “to foster and affirm vocations to the ordained priesthood and vowed religious life in the United States and, through this ministry, our members' common Catholic faith.”
“I have never known Dick to say no when asked to do something for Serra,” said Saginaw club President Bernie Coppolino.
Dick first joined the Saginaw Serra club in 1997 and since then he has held several offices in the club, including two terms as president. He also has served as district governor and is currently serving on the Membership Committee of the USA Council of Serra International.
Dick and his beloved wife Jane, (dec. 2003) are the parents of nine children. Dick is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas parish. He was recently quoted in a Serran newsletter as saying, “I fervently pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life. I will continue to pray for all priests, nuns and brothers for my remaining life.”
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