The Serran Spokesman
The Grand Rapids Serra Club Founded February, 1948 June, 2007
Calendar of Events
June 11, 2007……………...Luncheon at Louis Benton Steak House, 12:00 Noon
June 25, 2007……………...Prayer Service and Luncheon, Sacred Heart Parish, 12:00 Noon
Coming up…
The 2007 Serra International Convention will take place in Atlanta, Georgia on 2-12 August, 2007.
The Hilton Atlanta will be Serra’s host for this event, featuring some of the most dynamic speakers in the world. Internationally recognized journalist and EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo is set to welcome you as Atlanta 2007’s official Master of Ceremonies. To register go to the serraus.org website. From this website you may also find out about optional tours, convention schedule, convention speakers, and An Evening with Raymond Arroyo at the Georgia Aquarium.
More Thank-you Notes
Thank you so much for the enjoyable time we had Saturday evening (April 21). Everything about the evening was perfect. May God bless all you do. Gratefully, Sr. Donna Jean
Thanks for the delicious food and great hospitality. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated. Sr. Theresa.
Thank you for the wonderful meal and everything you gave us. Sr. Lourdes.
Dear Nancy: Please extend my heartfelt thanks to all the Serra Club members who provided the delicious dinner, gifts, entertainment, and fun for the Sisters. I always look forward to this special evening, and I am grateful for all the planning and hard work that it takes to have such a great celebration. May God bless all of you and your work. Sister Diane Dehn, O. P.
Dear (Serrans): What a wonderful evening! Please convey to all of the Serrans my deep gratitude for their care and hard work in preparing for us a delicious meal. Everything about the evening was so well done. The presentation of the dinner, the lovely decorations, the gifts, the entertainment…all is deeply appreciated. God bless you for your care and generosity. Sister Rosemary O’Donnell, O. P.
Dear Mark and Serrans: Thank you for the wonderful evening this past Saturday. It was great gathering as always. Also, thank you for the gift certificates and flowers. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and kind words. Sincerely, Sister Patrice.
The Vocation Sacrament
By Gail Besse
The Eucharist is a key to vocations, says author Vinny Flynn. He says in his case, a spiritual hunger for the Eucharist has infused his life. Even as a child, he sensed that Our Lady somehow played a part in this new relationship he entered when he received first Holy Communion.
He believes when Catholics really understand this sacrament, the Eucharist will radically change their lives, and this can transform the world. Flynn’s new book, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist, (published by MercySong with Ignatius Press), invites readers to recognize Christ in the breaking of the bread as the disciples on the Road to Emmaus did.
Known as “the man who sings the Divine Mercy Chaplet on EWTN,” Flynn and his wife Donna now run MercySong Ministries of Healing (mercysong.com), which offers Eucharistic parish missions, retreats, talks, and music. He recently spoke with Register correspondent Gail Besse about his ministry and his recent book.
The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is April 29. How does Eucharistic adoration promote vocations?
Recently at a parish mission, the pastor told us he had received his vocation during a Eucharistic procession. He had been away from the Church and had only attended the devotion at a relative’s request. Although he had no interest in what was happening, when the priest blessed him with the Eucharist, he heard an inner voice telling him he was to be a priest. He had never contemplated the priesthood, and it came as a total shock, but he knew immediately that this was for real. Jesus had called him from the Eucharist and given him the grace to change his life. But I must add that, as wonderful as such dramatic healings may be, I’ve found that what the Lord told St. Faustina is true: “The greatest miracles of mercy take place in the confessional” (Diary, 1448). Once people understand that we come to confession not just to be forgiven, but to be healed” (Diary, 377), everything changes.
In your title, “secrets” refer to known truths about theEucharist that have been hidden somewhat because they haven’t
been appreciated. Is that right?
Yes, in fact I was led to write the book because as I traveled around the country, I realized most people, even some daily communicants and those devoted to adoration, don’t really know what the Church teaches about the Eucharist. Many priests told me they never learned this in the seminary, even though recent Popes (John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI) have all emphasized that the Eucharist is central to their lives, to their ministry, and to the life of the Church. I felt there was a great need to express this deep theology simply, with clear relevance to the daily life of the average person.
What are some of the truths that many of us know little about?
We’re invited to enter into Communion, not just to passively receive. The whole Holy Trinity is involved. Christ is truly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—in every particle of the Host and drop of Precious Blood. People need to understand the reality and importance of spiritual Communion, and how the Mass relates to them. Most importantly, they need to get the “so-what” aspect, meaning: “How does it all fit together” and “How can it help me live my life?” For example: Christ is alive, in his full divinity and in his full humanity, in the Eucharist. So what does this mean in my life? It means I have to be aware of how I receive him, and of all that I do…
Do you see a connection between our diminished appreciation for the Holy Eucharist and the loss of a sense of sin?
We’ve had a 40-year gap in solid CCD and RCIA teaching, and we’ve lost a sense of the body as a tabernacle. But I’m convinced we won’t stay illiterate, as the Eucharistic revival that Pope John Paul II called for is happening. People will be unpacking what he wrote on the Eucharist for years, and now we have Benedict’s apostolic exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis, the Sacrament of Charity.
Are there other secrets you plan to write about in the future?
Oh, yes. One is: To grow you must adore. We must adore before, while, and after we receive. We also have to adore the Eucharist outside of Mass. And Our Lady is the other secret. There’s a direct relation between Mary’s fiat and our “Amen. The Annunciation was her first holy Communion. She was asked to believe that God himself lived in her. When we receive and say, “Amen” we should be saying, “Yes, take flesh in me, Lord. Let me carry you to other people.” We should act like her, and bring Jesus in haste to someone else.
When we do, we become living monstrances.
From the National Catholic Register, April 29, 2007
Meet Our New Members…
Paul Nelson, who is not really a new member of Serra Grand Rapids, rather he is a returning member. While he was President of Aquinas College, he had so many noon and evening obligations that he was unable to attend Serra functions on a regular basis.
Paul rejoined to begin a process with other Serrans involving local colleges and the Catholic high schools to create a culture of vocations by supporting them in their efforts to
1) Affirm the Catholic faith
2) Encourage growth and development
3) Invite consideration for exploring a religious vocation
4) Provide experiences to test options
5) Offer ongoing support and encouragement.
Aquinas College has agreed to be our first effort and the response has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. Paul and his team have met twice with a committee from Aquinas. They hope for a full-time priest/chaplain on campus as a first priority. To date, volunteer priests have helped out. They also want to work with the Theology Department to develop a Catholic studies minor consisting of 20 semester hours of study. Other possible events, such as meetings between Aquinas students and seminarians, are in the works.
May the Lord bless Paul and our fellow Serrans who have undertaken this work.
The Vocation Chalice
The purpose of the Vocation Chalice, a blessed chalice, is to provide a focal point for prayer.
Each week at a Sunday liturgy, the celebrant will use the Vocation Chalice. After purifying the chalice at the end of Communion, he will call a family forward to receive the Vocation Chalice. They receive a blessing and take the chalice home, putting it in a place of honor.
Each day of the week, the family prays for an increase in and perseverance of vocations. The following Sunday, they return the Vocation Chalice with the bread and wine at the Offertory.
From the Parish Bulletin, St. Adalbert’s, South Bend, Indiana. May 13, 2007
Nate McKenzie tells us that the Vocation Chalice is making its way to Michigan. He will keep us posted. As mentioned in St. Adalbert’s bulletin, this is a wonderful family project, whatever size family you have—1 or 15.
A special mass in honor of Blessed Junipero Serra will take place on July 1 at Sacred Heart. See Mark’s message for more information.
News from the Board
The Board met on May 21. Father Ed opened with a prayer.
Bob Gabridge reported on Charter Night. We did not have official figures at the time, but approximately 50 paid guests attended. The Board paid tribute to Fr. Ed for planning and executing the excellent Vespers Service and to Bob Gabridge and Beverly Shields for taking on the chairmanship of this very successful event.
The Board also went through the proposed master calendar and assigned each major event to a committee, paying special attention to the Vocations Dinner, Charter Night, the Sisters’ Dinner, and the Summer Picnic. One of the goals is to create a customs book so that those who take on these events will start with a guest list and notes with the arrangements for a particular event already in place.
Several of the events were assigned to the Vocations Committee: leaf raking at Belmont, the Priest Appreciation Day, the Vocations Dinner, the Seminarian Luncheon, and the Hospitality Team at ordinations. The Summer Picnic was assigned to Programs.
Member/Guest receptions and other recruiting events were assigned to the Membership Committee. We aim for a 15 percent increase in membership by the end of 2007.
Pam Szczesny, as our President-elect, will serve as the contact person for Serra U. S.
Nate McKenzie and John Osterhart attended Super Weekend in Chicago on May 18-20.
Paul Nelson reported on our club’s work at Aquinas College.
The meeting adjourned with a prayer at 1:15 p.m.
Recommended Reading
At the May 21 Board meeting, President Mark Kubik distributed a copy of Our Iceberg is Melting to each of the Board members. This is an award winning book by Harvard Business School author John Kotter, with foreword by Spencer Johnson, M. D., who wrote Who Moved My Cheese.
Our Iceberg is Melting is described as a simple fable about doing well in an ever-changing world and has been used to help thousands of people and organizations.
This book is published by St. Martin’s Press. For more resources and ideas, log on to http://www.ouricebergismelting.com/.
We Are Blessed…
with the ordination of the following on Saturday, June 2 at St. Andrew’s:
Reverend Matthew J. Barnum, 27, was born to Daryl and Wendy Barnum of Hastings. Father Barnum has one younger sister. St. Paul Campus Parish in Big Rapids is his home parish. Father Barnum is a 2001 graduate of Aquinas College with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He holds a master’s degree in divinity and a master’s degree in theology from the Oblate School of Theology. He will serve as Assistant Pastor at Holy Spirit Parish.
Reverend Victor Kynam, 47, was born in Vietnam. Father Kynam has six siblings. His parents are deceased. St. Isodore Parish in Grand Rapids is his home parish. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2001 from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. In May 2007 he earned his master’s degree in divinity and a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology. He has been assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish as Assistant Pastor.
Reverend Mark E. Peacock, 49, was born in Trenton, Michigan to Lowell and the late Mary Louise Peacock. He has one sister and three brothers. Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Holland is his home parish. Father Peacock graduated from Aquinas College in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in religious education. He received his master’s degree in divinity from Sacred Heart School of Theology in May, 2007. He will begin his priesthood as Assistant Pastor at St. Jude’s.
Reverend Mister Michael Cilibraise, 49, is the oldest son of Charles and Charlene Cilibraise of Sheridan, Michigan. Deacon Cilibraise has two brothers and one sister. St. Paul Campus Parish in Big Rapids is his home parish. He graduated from Ferris State University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree of science in social work. He also earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Kellogg Community College. Deacon Cilibraise will be entering his final year of seminary at St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois this fall and is a candidate to receive his master’s degree in divinity in May, 2008.
Oops!
Larry Mulligan’s e-mail address is listed in the new directory as Lpmukkligan@comcast.net. Asked whether he considered the proposed name change a really good idea, he surmised that it might help keep the bill collectors away but in the end decided to remain Larry Mulligan. Therefore, you may write him at lpmulligan@comcast.net. Also, you may reach Darlene at XdarleneX2002@yahoo.com, as “hahoo.com” is just a fly-by-night outfit, not to be relied upon.
This item is not an OOPS! but simply a change that occurred after the directory was published. Please change Steve Kramer’s address to:
Steven Kramer
300 Riverfront Drive #4K
Detroit, MI 48226
stevenkramer946@sbcglobal.net
A Message From our President
Dear Serrans:
Last month the new officers and board members spent their first meeting defining our organizational chart committing to the events on our 15-month calendar. We are very fortunate to have a group of leaders who are willing to take on the task of running this club. While we are all volunteers, we commit to projects that aid in fulfilling our club’s mission, but also activities to foster our individual vocations. Please participate or assist in planning these events as your schedule permits.
Over the summer we continue to be involved in activities and events in addition to our regularly scheduled club meetings. A few of these events are as follows:
· The club will be providing transportation and financial support for the students we sponsor to attend Notre Dame Vocations Initiative.
· July 1 Feast of the Blessed Junipero Serra, 10:30 a.m. mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus with Msgr. Ancona as homilist and Fr. Hankiewicz as celebrant.
· The International Convention will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.
· The Annual Serra Picnic will take place at the home of the Franciscan Sisters in Lowell.
This October Fr. Hankiewicz will be hosting a trip to Rome for Serrans, their families, and guests. We will be having the first informational session on this event on Sunday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Rectory. Please notify me via e-mail or at 616-458-2026 or Fr. Hankiewicz at 616-459-8362 if you are interested. I hope you will consider joining us on June 10.
Very truly yours,
Mark A. Kubik, President
And Finally, Notes From Pam About More Summer Events
You are cordially invited to attend a Vespers Service in prayerful gratitude to Sister Patrice Konwinski for her 19 years of service as Chancellor of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. This service will take place on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, with a reception to follow in the parish center.
Please RSVP by June 13 to Jackie at jzbikowski@dioceseofgrandrapids.org or 616-243-0491 Ext, 1542.
Pam also reminds us of the annual Shrimp Dinner at Muskegon Catholic Central on August 21.
Mary, Mother of Vocations, Pray for Us.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
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