October 3, 2008. Monthly adoration at IHM. Mass begins at 9:00 a.m. with adoration immediately following.
October 10-12, 2008. 2008 Serra Super Regional Convention for Regions 2,3,4,6, and 7, Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling, West Virginia. Nate McKenzie, John Osterhart, Mark Kubik, and Nancy King plan to attend. Find complete information at http://www.wheelingserra.org. Featured speakers are as follows: The Most Reverend Michael J. Bransfield, Biship of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, WV; The Most Reverend Bernard Schmitt, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, WV; the Most Reverend Edwin F. O'Brien, 15th Archbishop for the Diocese of Baltimore; and Heleln Alvare, Associate Professor of Law at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
October 13, 2008. Member-Guest Reception, Louis Benton Steak House, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
There will be no luncheon meeting on October 13. There is still time to submit names to Tim Hile.
October 20, 2008. Serra Board Meeting, Louis Benton Steak House, 12:00 Noon.
October 23, 2008. Leaf raking with the Consolata Sisters. Those who wish to help will join West Catholic High School students in assisting the Sisters with this necessary yearly task. Bring rakes and leaf blowers. The project will take place from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Sisters will provide coffee and donuts. Call Abe Rossi at 735-3312 if you wish to become part of the leaf raking team. Aside from the spiritual rewards of doing something good for the Sisters, consider also the benefits of the fresh air and exercise! Plan B, in case of rain, is as follows: Saturday, October 25, same time, same place.
October 26, 2008. Priesthood Sunday. Promotion for Priesthood Sunday appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of the Serra Leader with the Liturgy Guide as the center of the publication. Readings for the day are as follows: Reading 1: Exodus 22:20-26; Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:2-4, 47-50; Reading 2: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; and Gospel: Matthew Matthew 22:34-40.
October 27, 2008. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, Sacred Heart, 12:00 Noon.
November 8, 2008. Diocesean Youth Rally, Cathedral Square. This event will feature music, adoration, Mass, inspirational speakers, and small group meetings. Our club will have a booth there. Details will be finalized in the November newsletter.
December 2, 2008. Vocations Dinner, Cathedral Square. Serrans should have received invitations within the past few days.
February 21, 2008. Sisters' Appreciation Dinner, St. Jude's. Along with our other needs, President Pam McKenzie urges fellow Serrans to devote some thought to door prizes and the distribution thereof. Details about the dinner will follow as they become available.
Reflections from Serra International. At the September 8 luncheon meeting, Fr. Ed summarized the theme of Cardinal Rigali's address to the International Convention, Vocations, the Dream of God.
The following excerpts from the speech clearly define the role Serrans can play in our promotion of vocations:
"In your work for the promotion of vocations you are collaborators in the divine plan for the salvation of mankind through the growth of the Church. As we reflect on this vital and challenging mission, it is helpful to consider the nature of the 'work' of promoting vocations in the Church. Of course we think of the many and varied programs, initiatives and activities that the Serra Clubs sponsor to promote vocations, but we must also remember that the primary, and necessary, 'work' of Serrans is to pray for vocations. It is this 'work' of prayer which must underlie, direct, sustain and support all of Serra's other many and varied activities to promote vocations.
Does not the Lord command us: 'Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest' (Mt 9:38)?
This passage from the Gospel of Saint Matthew teaches us several things about the work of promoting vocations in the Church.
First, Jesus reminds us of the necessity of prayer, and its primacy in our efforts to nourish and support vocatins. While prayer is not the only part of our work, it is clearly the most important part. Without it, we are not only being unfaithful to the Lord's clear directive, but we run the risk of substituting our work, our ideas, our efforts for the plan of God Himself.
Second, this passage from Saint Matthew's Gospel tells us clearly that the harvest belongs to God who is the Lord of the harvest. It is He who sill send out laborers into His harvest. Indeed, it is a conforting thought that the challenge of promoting vocations in the Church does not depend solely upon our efforts, but is tryly the work of God Himself. He asks us to do our part by praying to the Lord of the harvest to supply the needs of the Church in our time, and in the future, for the evangelization of the world and the salvation of souls...
...Our faith is in Jesus Christ and the power of his Pascal Mystery transmitted to us in the Eucharist and through the Church. It is through the mystery of the Eucharist that the power of the live-giving Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord is given to each of us. It is through the Eucharist that we are empowered to pray and work for vocations inthe Church, trusting not so much in ourselves and our efforts, but in the loving Providence of God to provide for His Church in response to our prayers, offered in a spirit of humble faith and with an attitude of trust...
...It will be through your devotion to the Eucharist, and your commitment to prayer which is constant, unwavering, and full of trust that you will overcome any obstacles to the growth of an ever greater ecclesial community of one heart and mind for the good of the Church...
...And so, dear Serrans, let us listen to Mary, Mother and Model of the Church, who speaks to each of us in our hearts, saying:
'Do whatever he tells you'
'Do not waver; trust in the words of my Son.'
And listen to, and heed the word of Mary's Divine Son who tells us:
'Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest' (Mt 9:38).
Father Ed's message of urging the faithful to listen to the Lord and gaze upon the Eucharistic presence ties in nicely with Nate McKenzie's announcement regarding Adoration opportunities at St. Isidore Chapel. As of the September meeting, the following time slots needed to be filled:
Sunday 7:00-8:00 p.m.., five to eight weeks only.
Monday, 3:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m.
Tuesday 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.
Wednesday 3:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m.
Thursday 12:00 Midnight-1:00 a.m.
Friday 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m.
Saturday 5:00-6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.
Call Mary Lou Harig at 233-8898 for an update. Both Nate McKenzie and Dan Grady have long been regular participants in St. Isodore's perpetual Adoration program and highly recommend the spiritual benefits derived from this regularly scheduled quiet time with the Lord. This invitation to Adoration reinforces the theme of the 66th Annual Serra International Convention.
In his September 8 address Father Ed also spoke of the need for prayer for those already ordained. We need especially to remember in prayer those who have been placed on medical leave: Father Tom DeYoung of St. Adalbert's, Father Michael Danner of St. Jude's, and Father Donald Lomasiewicz of St. Isidore's. Also, pray for all of the priests of our diocese as they participate in their fall retreat this week.
Other Prayers. Pray also for the repose of the souls of Msgr. Ancona's sister, Illuminata Antoinette (Ancona) Herp; Father Bob Hart, and long-time Muskegon Serran Tom Hebert, all of whom passed away in September.
The College Connection. Serra Clubs in over a dozen dioceses implemented the College Connection program to help Catholic young adults who graduated from high school in 2008 to become connected with the Catholic Campus ministry or parish nearest to their campus. Club leaders can receive more information on the program through serraus.org or by writing to Dick Stolly at dikstoly@wcoil.com
Christ's Humility. Our age has been called the Age of Entitlement. We seem to have lost the ability to distinguish between needs and wants. Advertisers frequently urge consumers to grasp at more and more goods because "you deserve it." Our expectation of reward seems to be disproportionately high for the effort we put forth to earn it. Certainly everyone deserves the basic rights of human life: food, clothing, shelter, freedom, and peace. But this language of deserving doesn't seem to be applied to these things. It is inevitably appended to the desire for luxuries, honors, and riches. It seems to be designed to appeal to our greed rather than our need. In that context, Paul's simple statement about the humility of Christ stands in stark contrast: "Christ Jesus...did not regard equality with God something to be grasped." (Philippians 2:6). And how did he humble and abase himself? By becoming human, one of us. What could we possibly think ourselves entitled to?
Source: Our Lady of Sorrows Bulletin, September 14, 2008.
An Invitation from our Franciscan Friends. Franciscan Center's 20th Annual LIFE fest will take place on October 18, 6-10 p.m. and a family picnic on Sunday, October 19, 12-4:00 p.m. Saturday's speaker will be Charlie Aeschliman, former Navy SEAL and National Character Education Foundation representative. Tickets are $60 per adult, with dinner included, and $50 per student in grades 7-12. Emcee will be John Varineau. Sunday's event will begin with Mass at noon, with live music all afternoon, plus games, crafts, and silent auctin. Admission is $7.50 per person or $25.00 per family. The Francisdan Life Process Center is located at 11650 Downes Street, Lowell, 49331. Call 616-897-7842 for more information. All proceeds to go the Franciscans' scholarship funds and programs.
Venturing News from Serra USA Vocations Committee to Serra USA Leadership:...Congratulations are in order for Dennis Leiber, the Grand Rapids Serra Club and Diocesean Catholic Committee on Scouting for forming the first Serra Club chartered Catholic Venturing Crew for students at West Catholic High School. In 2006, the Serra International Foundation provided a $7,000 grant to fund the establishment of Serra Club chartered Venturing Crews or Sea Scouting units in Catholic high schools, Each Serra Club will receive funding for half of the expenses for chartering a Venturing Crew. Crew 2207 of West Catholic, charatered by Serra Club of Grand Rapids, with 30 male and female members, ages 15-18, is the first unit launched under the new Serra Club program. The Serra Internatinal Foundatin fund are a matching grant administered by the USA Council Vocations Committee to reimburse expenses of establishing a Venturw crew in and with a Catholic high school...Source: Letter of September 29.
A Message from our President. Dear Serrans: This letter is sent while all of our priests are in Traverse City attending their fall conference with Bishop Hurley. Of course, by now youknow their number is one less by the passing of Father Bob Hart. Father Bob suffered for a long time, May the angels greet him with open arms and may his soul rest in peace. Speaking of priests, keep in mind that October 26 is Priesthood Sunday, a good time to give your priest a card of support or some other greeting or gift. Our priests are special people. Let us show our appreciation for them.
The Member-Guest Reception is set for Monday, October 13. This reception has proven very helpful in increasing our membership and making other Catholics aware of the Serra mission.
Two upcoming events offer excellent opportunities to get to know our young people. We need adult supervision for the October 23 leaf-raking. Also, Len Gross is organizing the table and workers for the November 8 Youth Rally at Cathedral Square. We hope to play more Bible trivia with the young people at that event.
The invitation has been written and mailed for our Vocations Benefit Dinner. I have received a few telephone inquiries about the dinner, so I have decided to give some explanations. Over the years this dinner was held at Duba's Restaurant, but Duba's is now closed. Many of the details were handled by Duba's, and we did not have to do much. As we know, times have changed and costs have gone up. For several years, even though costs had gone up, we did not pass those costs on in the ticket price. This year, at the Bishop's request, we are holding the dinner at the new conference center within Cathedral Square. During our planning sessions we posed many questions. There are now guidelines available for using this new facility. One item is that cash bars are not allowed. Adult beverages are allowed; however, the costs of such beverages needs to be included in the ticket price. Several people have also asked why we do not give more money to the Bishop. At one time we donated $10,000, but during the past few years we have given only $5,000. We may not be able to return to the full $10,000 this year, but we should be able to exceed $5,000 while still keeping our Club's projects supported. The Programs Committee should be commended on their fine job in planning this large event; it was not an easy task. Please support the Grand Rapids Serra Club by selling tickets, buying a table, or giving a donation to our major fund-raising event. The evening offers time to visit the new center, socialize with old and new friends, and learn of the progress being made by our club as well as the Diocese in the area of vocations. I look forward to seeing all of you there on December 2, 2008.
Sincerely in Christ,
Pam McKenzie
P. S. Committees are busy at work. If you are not on a committee, please get involved. We need everyone! If I have forgotten to list your name, I'm sure you will let me know.
Programs. Joseph Scoville, Patty Hughes, Bill and Elizabeth Bjork, Weldon Schwarta, Bob Paul, Joe and Kathy Westdorp, Monica Westdorp, Philip Weber, Pam McKenzie. Vocations. Len Gross, Deacon Dale Hollern, Pam McKenzie, Bob Gabridge, Bev Shields, Larry Mulligan, Abe Rossi, Carl Rossi. Communications. Nancy King, Barb King, Darlene Braunschneider, Mark Kubik, John Osterhart. Membership. Tim Hile, Mark Kubik, Ralph Hauenstein, Chris Grady, Carlton Failor, Nate McKenzie. Finances. Pat Leikert, Dan Grady.
Chalice News.
Monica Westdorp has possession of the Vocations chalice during this month. If you would like to be the next person or couple to have it in your home, please let Monica know.
Reminder: The invitation to the Vocations Benefit Dinner reads as follows: The Serra Club of Grand Rapids requests the honor of your presence at the Eighteenth Annual Vocations Benefit Dinner, Tuestday, December 2, 2008, Conference Center at Cathedral Square. Social, 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. One hundred dollars per person. R. S. V. P. enclosed. Proceeds will benefit vocations to the priesthood and vowed religious life. Conference Center at Cathedral Square, 360 Division Avenue South, Grand Rapds. Please note the opportunity of a $10.00 savings if the reservations, with payment, are sent in by October 30.
Finally, let us pray for this project. Our Muskegon Serra Club friends invite us to pray for their Bible reading project, October 5-11, 2008. "Faith is learned through hearing, and what we hear is the Word of God;" a public reading of the entire Bible from cover to cover. This will take 12-14 hours per day, Sunday through Saturday.
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