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7/6/07
Did you catch the June 14 “Life on the Rock” show that featured Serra and its College Connection program on EWTN? Here's a report from USAC Past President Gary Davis:
Serra recently appeared on national television for the first time recently on the exciting EWTN youth-oriented show Life on the Rock hosted by Father Francis Mary.
The purpose of the show was to publicize the College Connection program, which is currently being supported by Serra USAC and others as an effort to connect college-bound students with the college’s campus ministry or similar program and to inform those programs about the presence, on campus, of Catholic youth.
Former USAC president Dick Stolly has been working day and night over the last year putting the College Connection program together. He has done an outstanding job!
The purpose of the College Connection program is to minimize the number of college students who drift away from their faith during college years and instead provide them with the opportunity to increase their faith and become future leaders in the Church, some of whom may have vocations to be a priest, sister, brother, or deacon.
Appearing on national television was an interesting experience, in line with our goal to increase our Serran visibility by “putting our light on a lampstand.”
We were treated extremely well by the folks at EWTN including the provision of overnight lodging, a delicious dinner and plenty of snacks, and even a judicious application of make-up in the green room right before show time. (Personally, I found the “Be not afraid” plaque on the desk to be most encouraging.)
Appearing with Bishop Cupich, the Chair of the Bishops Vocation Committee, and Lloyd Crockett, President-elect of Serra International, and other experts in the field of youth ministry was most inspiring. It was an evening that fulfilled several of our Serran goals, and was one that I will not soon forget.
The first 120 people to request a copy of the show from our USA Council office will receive it on DVD – free. Just call 888.777.6681 to place your order. Please allow three weeks for delivery. After these supplies are exhausted, copies will be available for purchase directly from EWTN.
Staying on top of current events: Click here to read a letter from USAC President Gary Davis, President-elect Ernest Doclar, and President-elect-elect Michael Strong regarding the Serra International convention in Atlanta this August, an update on Serra International’s plan to restructure the organization, and Priesthood Sunday (Oct. 28). Please share this information with your club!
4/18/07
Incoming Officers Report Important in Effective Communications
As Serrans worldwide prepare for the start of the 2007-2008 year, new leadership will soon be in place at all levels. One of the keys to making this a smooth transition is effective communication, and the Club Incoming Officers Report is an important tool in assuring information flows efficiently to and from the clubs.
The USA Council’s Communications Committee urges regional directors, district governors, and club presidents to ensure that each club submits the report as soon as annual elections are completed, but no later than May 31.
Communications in both directions between the council and the clubs has been shifting increasingly to electronic methods, and the e-mail contact information in the incoming officers report enables the council’s Chicago office to quickly contact any selected group of club officers at minimal expense.
Don Simoneaux, USA Council Communications Committee chair, stresses the importance of submitting the report even if some of the information is not yet available. “Missing names and contact information can be submitted by e-mail as they become available,” he said. “The committee believes that being able to communicate more effectively, in both directions, will improve the council’s ability to support the clubs in their work for vocations in their local dioceses throughout the United States.”
You can submit your Club Incoming Officers Report online here.
A note from the editor: While you are updating your officers roster, please check your regular club roster to be sure you do not have any retired or deceased members still on the rolls. Also please check for new postage or e-mail addresses and notify us at our office on Wacker Place in Chicago of any changes. Thank you!
4/18/07
April 29, 2007: World Day of Prayer for Vocations is less than two weeks away.
In a letter to vocations directors dated April 4, Father Francis Bonnici of the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education encourages us to reflect on Pope Benedict XVI’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations address last year. Click here to read the Holy Father’s hope-filled words regarding the shortage of clergy and what we can do about it.
3/18/07
Attention club newsletter editors! Are you proud of your attractive, informative club newsletter? Enter to win the USAC Outstanding Newsletter Award! Here’s how:
Entries are due at USAC headquarters by May 1, 2007. Regional winners and one council winner will be awarded certificates. The council winner will receive a framed, matted, personalized poster of Fr. Serra by artist George Pollard. Judging criteria are appearance and content. Winners are selected by a panel of judges from across the U.S.A.
Click here to see previous winners! (Scroll down the page to find newsletters marked “National Outstanding Newsletter Winner.”)
3/1/07
World Day of Prayer for Vocations Kits are here!
Once again, the USA Council has teamed up with the National Coalition for Church Vocations to bring you all the materials your parish may need to coordinate a successful World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 29, 2007. Just call our office at 888.777.6681 to order a hard copy of the kit for $3.50 (plus shipping) or to purchase a downloadable copy for $1.50. The kit includes a liturgy planning guide, bulletin announcements, clip art, and much more.
“The World Day of Prayer for Vocations gives us Serrans a chance to ask the larger church community to join us in prayer for vocations,” says USAC Vocations Committee member and Southwest Denver Serran Judy Cozzens. “It also helps us to publicize Serra and encourage others to join us in the important work of supporting and promoting vocations in our Church.”
Time’s running out – order your kit today!
1/14/07
Club Programs VPs: Kathleen Radford, USA Council Programs Committee chair, recommends the Mission and Ministry program series to fit the Sunday readings for January and February until Ash Wednesday (Feb. 21). Click below to download a .pdf version of each program for distribution to your club members. Please read the Program Process first to help you plan the sort of program experience you would like your club to have.
Planning ahead for Lent:
Leadership Development Committee seeks professional adult educators/trainers
The USA Council's Leadership Development Committee is committed to cultivating enthusiastic, capable leaders and provides training for officers at all levels of leadership in our council.
This committee is looking for two or three Serrans who are professional educators or training/development people with paid experience in organization/company programs to help conduct leadership training. Do you match this description? If so, please e-mail committee chairman Tom Walsh (Serra Club of Kansas City, MO) at your earliest convenience. Thank you!
12/19/06
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USCCB Committee on Vocations Announces New "Fishers of Men" Program The Bishops' Committee on Vocations presents a program for priests to actively invite men to consider a vocation to the priesthood. This program is entitled Priestly Life and Vocations Summit: Fishers of Men. This project is a presbyteral workshop which utilizes the appreciative inquiry method of asking priests about their most positive experiences in the priesthood. |
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Need a last-minute Christmas gift? Buy a Fishers of Men rosary, originally made in conjunction with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops vocations DVD, "Fishers of Men." |