A time to pray, invite, encourage, and affirm

by Bill Ramsey USAC Past President

2002-2003 USA Council President’s Report 

It has been said that the door to happiness opens outward… and this year that door opened many times as I experienced a myriad of emotions and enjoyed a host of memorable moments. I am grateful for each and every one of them.

To lead a movement dedicated to fostering and affirming vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life is an exceptional blessing. I must admit that an axiom passed briefly before me as I began my term in Toronto, just 8,760 hours ago. It was this: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”

The presidency of USAC seemed at once complex and even overwhelming to me, but as the journey progressed, I could see clearly the signposts implanted by the previous nine presidents of the United States Council: Dick Stolly, John Tichenor, Sal Stagnitto, John Latenser, Tom Benson, Jim O’Hanlon, Lloyd Crockett, and Claire Howard. That path of progress continues today, as Serrans in 38 nations and hundreds of communities dedicate themselves to Christ and His Church.

As I look back, I am amazed at the fire of commitment that lit the way for me. I recall the Masses, the meetings, the programs… but most of all, I remember the individual Serrans who urged me on and enriched and enlightened my life and that of my wife, Pat. It was no ordinary trip but rather a pilgrimage driven by the Holy Spirit, blessed by Jesus and inspired by the bishops, priests, religious, Serrans and spouses whom I encountered along the way.

I read recently of an aviator, suffering from diabetes, who flew around the world to raise money for research into that debilitating disease. His flight was more than 25,000 miles! As I totaled up my mileage from Toronto to my last club visit in Wichita, Kansas, I was astounded that it equaled that worldwide flight.

The trip included Winona, Minn., for a 50th anniversary of that club; Green Bay, Wis.; Wheeling, W. V.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Overland Park, Kan., for regional conventions; to Chicago for two SuperWeekends; Washington, D.C., as USAC hosted a hospitality room for the bishops’ annual meeting there; Las Vegas, Nev., to participate in regional director and district governor training; to Galveston, Texas, to plan 2003-2004 with incoming president Jim DeNike and his Executive Committee; to Denver, Colo., to address the Serra clubs of that area; back to Chicago to attend Serra International’s Long-Range Planning Committee session and discuss my role with them when I am past president. And as my year came to a close, quick trips to Carroll, Iowa; Lincoln, Neb.; and Wichita, Kan., to spread the good news of Serra. And just weeks before assuming the presidency, I had the privilege to attend the North American Vocations Congress in Montreal.

All together, these visits comprise probably more miles than I traveled in my previous 10 years. And a mystery virus somehow contracted in West Virginia that dulled my appetite and sapped my energy made the long journey even more of a test. But then, I think of dear Father Serra, our beloved patron, whose travels by foot and donkey and usually in great pain, make my year seem like a vacation.
I’ve learned long ago to follow the cardinal rule of business—to always under-promise and over-deliver.

Among accomplishments that my Executive Committee and Board and I achieved, together with help from Serra leadership across the nation, are the following:

* Our dual themes: Serra, now more than ever! and Pray, Invite, Encourage, Affirm: Celebrate vocations—respect vocations—support vocations.

* Provided stories and suggested articles for serraUSA and the Serran magazines

* Introduced our first membership card

* Campaigned (along with our Vocations Committee) for affirmation of our bishops and priests

* Prepared case statement for urgently needed, long overdue dues increase

* With leadership and support from our Executive Committee, pursuing bylaws change to strengthen our representation on the Serra International Board

* Collaboration with Knights of Columbus to carry the story of Father Serra’s life and summary of cooperative efforts between the Knights and USAC in the Spring 2003 issue of Columbia Magazine
Some indication of Serrans’ efforts include: a number of formerly closed seminary dormitories are re-opening and some religious orders are increasing substantially; and the Institute for Priestly Formation’s enrollment is growing rapidly.

It is a small miracle, I believe, that the spirit of Serra keeps one moving forward at all costs. Our role serves a particular and vital need in our Church… to continue to assist priests and religious to serve the people of God faithfully on their journey.

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