January 4, 2009. The Epiphany of the Lord.
January 5, 2009. St. John Newman.
January 8-11, 2009. Super Weekend, O'Hare Mariott, Chicago.
January 11, 2009. The Baptism of the Lord.
January 11-16. Vocation Awareness Week.
January 12, 2009. Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon, Louis Benton Steak House. Note our guest speaker, Father Mark David Janus. Please consider inviting a guest.
January 19, 2009. Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon, Louis Benton Steak House.
January 26, 2009. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon, Sacred Heart.
February Dates to Remember.
February 8, 2009. World Day of Prayer for the Consecrated Life.
February 9, 2009. Member-Guest Reception, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Louis Benton Steak House.
There will be no noon meeting on February 9. Please supply Tim Hile with names of prospective members so that he can send invitations.
February 16, 2009. Board Meeting, 12:00 Noon, Louis Benton Steak House.
February 21, 2009. Sisters' Appreciation Dinner, St. Jude's. More information to come in Februrary newsletter.
February 23, 2009. Prayer Service and Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 Noon, Sacred Heart.
Two Converts, Two Cardinals.
At the Vocations Dinner last December Father Matthew Barnum told us the wonderful story of his conversion and his call to the priesthood. In this January newsletter we honor especially two distinguished converts to the Catholic faith, John Cardinal Newman and Avery Cardinal Dulles, whose great contributions to the Church deserve special note.
John Henry Cardinal Newman, 1801-1890) became a convert to the Roman Catholic Church in 1845, and was made a cardinal in 1879. Before his conversion, he had distinguished himself as a scholar and a preacher of the Church of England at Oxford University. In 1833 he joined the movement within the church to rid it of political domination and to ground it more firmly in traditional belief (The Oxford Movement). The movement helped strengthen the established church, but Newman shocked his fellow reformers when he joined the Roman Catholic Church. In 1846 he became a Catholic priest.
Newman was born in London. For most of his life as a Catholic, he lived in Birmingham as rector of an oratory, a group of men devoted to prayer and studies. He was considered one of the great thinkers of the 1800's.
Cardinal Newman's autobiography, the Apologia pro Vita Sua (1864), was an answer to an attack upon him by Charles Kingsley, an Anglican minister and author. Among his many lectures is "The Idea of a University" (1852). The Grammar of Assent (1870) was his answer to religious skepticism. He alwo wrote the famous hymn, "Lead Kindly Light". We observe his feast day on January 5.
One legacy of Cardinal Newman is the Newman Apostolate, a Roman Catholic organization whose presence was established on a number of college campuses throughout the United States. It was formed to serve students on campuses of universities and colleges not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. In its original form it sponsored lectures, seminars, conferences, and study groups and conducted educational, leadership, religious, and social programs, with a chaplain serving at each center. Today chapters of the Newman Apostolate can be found in a number of dioceses throughout the United States.
Avery Cardinal Dulles died on December 13, 2008. Brian Burch, of Catholic Vote.com, writes of him:
"This morning we were greeted with some difficult news. Cardinal Avery Dulles, S. J., a premier Catholic intellect and champion of the unborn, died this morning at the age of 90 in New York.
Dulles was actually once an agnostic. But after his service in the Navy, Dulles entered the Society of Jesus and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1956. His father was John Foster Dulles, who served as Secretary of State from 1953 to 1959, after whom Dulles Airport outside Washington D. C. was named.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal in the Catholic Church because of his renowned scholarship.
The legacy of Cardinal Dulles is impossible to sum up, and his writings will be considered one element of Dulles's prolific life involved in his dedication to the truths taught by the Church on the dignity of all human life.
This past election featured several public disputes over these topics, with some politicians who profess the Christian faith claiming that religious views should be censored from the public square, or that some truths chared by religious believers should not be 'imposed' on others. Cardinal Dulles soundly rejected this falsehood:
'Many politicians, like much of the American public, seem to be unaware that abortion and euthanasia are serious violations of the inalienable right to life. These are not just Church issues, but are governed by the natural law of God, which is binding upon all human beings. The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights, since a person deprived of life has no other rights.'
Cardinal Dulles was right. The truth about human life is not a "Catholic thing" or an exclusively religious doctrine. The priority of protecting all human life is a truth fundamental to all people. We must care because we are human, too.
More than anything, Cardinal Dulles was a model of holiness, living a life of prayer and scholarly service of his Church and country.
We will miss this strong voice for the unborn. May he be welcomed today in the arms of Our Heavenly Father, where we hope one day to join him."
Sincerely, Brian Burch, CatholicVote.com
Let us Remember in our Prayers these two Cardinals, as well as all priests and religious.
As for those in our own diocese who passed away this past week let us pray for Fr. Ed Bielskas, our diocese's oldest priest, and for Consolata Sister Maria Guadalupe. Fr. Bielskas, 93, died on Wednesday, December 31, after a brief illness. Sister Maria Guadallupe Herrara went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 3. Service arrangement is to be announced.
Also, keep in mind the USA Council of Serra International Board's message to encourage Serrans throughout the United States to pray for all Serrans throughout the world who need healing.
One more miracle is needed to submit to the Church body examining Father Serra's cause for canonization. One way to do so is to pray the Father Serra Novena, available online or in PDF. for the healing of ailing Serrans. Pray this novena and any other devotions for sick Serrans as often as possible. Source: Home Page, serraus.org.
Another cause to pray for in January is the March for Life, scheduled for January 22, in Washington, D. C. and in other locations throught the United States. The March for Life is a prayerful observance of the dignity of all human life.
Two further notes regarding the 2009 March for Life.
As the date approaches, colleges are already making plans to travel to Washington for the annual March for Life in January. At Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N. C., director of campus ministry Jenny Ryan...says more students than ever are signing up for the school's bus ride to the January 22 march. The entire student body of Christendom College, over 400 strong, will fill several buses in a caravan from their Front Royal, Virginia campus to the march. According to Christendom spokesman Niall O'Donnell, the majority of the faculty and staff accompany them. About 300 students from The Catholic University of America officially signed up for last year's march. At the same time, the school opened up their gym as cohost with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for an overnight stay before the event for 1500 marchers coming from across the country. Even more students are expected this year.
Other campuses with strong support for the march are the 65 students of Magdalen College in Warner, N. H, along with several hundred students from Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH. Vice President of Students for Life says, "We had early sign-ups this year. That included an extra week of sign-ups and plans to fill at least seven or eight buses...(These students) are worried FOCA could hurt the pro-life movement the most," she said of the proposed Freedom of Choice Act, "They want to have a presence in Washington, D. C. Source: National Catholic Register, December 14-20, 2008.
In our diocese, Sister Colleen Nagle, F. S. E., has been working with Parish Pro-Life Ministries and Students for Life groups. She has been interested in organizing a Vespers Service for Human Life before the March in Washington, D. C. She may be reached at cnagle@dioceseofgrandrapids.org or 551-5633.
(Editor's Note: The participation of young people in the March for Life and the pro-life activities of the week serves always as a tremendous source of inspiration, with respect both to their large numbers and their enthusiasm and dedication to the cause).
Tim Hile has supplied the following information regarding a documentary film to be shot this January 22:
The 36th annual March for Life in Washington, D. C. will be filmed for a documentary which will be available in March, 2009. Producer Jack Cahill and Actress Jennifer O'Neill will be on site to capture an immense amount of footage for the documentary feature, Thine Eyes: A Witness to the March for Life. The film is slated to be an awareness and recruiting tool as well as a fund raising appeal for general support of the prolife cause. Executive producer Steve Sanborn and Production Director Mike Wunsch, of Outpost Worldwide, will also be on site. The film will offer open rights for use upon its release. Supporters are asked to visit http://www.thineeyes.org/ for more information. Tax-deductible donations for the project are being accepted, and preordering of the DVD is also available on the website...
"After thirty-six years of Roe v. Wade, it's obvious that prolifers have to do their own media and marketing work. No one else will do it for us," Sanborn said.
Donations may be mailed to: Thine Eyes Fund, SCCF, 706 N. Lindenwood Drive, Ste. 100, Olathe, KS 66062.
Our Vocations Committee, headed by Len Gross, has been arranging for presentations to several elementary schools and the two Catholic high schools. Len has given Paul Nelson a DVD, "The College Connection." DVDs also available are those aimed at Parish Vocations committees and the Parish Contact Program, which focuses on having at least one Serran in every parish. Pam McKenzie has planned three visits to fourth graders. She will be talking about vocations and asking for the students' help in praying for our seminarians. She will leave the Chalice with them for a time after each visit as a reminder to pray for vocations. St. Thomas School will be holding vocation actitivies each day during the week of January 12. Parishes throughout the diocese have received a note to add vocation prayers to their intercessions each week.
News from Mundelein Seminarians. Len and Robbie Gross have informed us that 25 Third Year Theologians, including David Gross, accompanied by three professors, have been studying in the Holy Land since the first week in December. They will spend time in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Notre Dame Center until mid-February. Len and Robbie will join a group of 40 Mundelein Seminary contributors to take part in a scheduled tour of the region. They will leave Chicago on January 24 and will return February 4. They anticipate seeing David on three different occasions. Let us praya for the safe return of all.
Local Catholic Radio Information. Two local radio stations, WTKG (1230 AM) recently began Catholic programming for two hours a day, 6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.These are prime morning drive hours. Also, WPRR (1680AM) has scheduled three hours of Catholic radio, on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Catholic radio is growing. In 1997 there were only seven Catholic radio stations in the U. S. In 2007 there were 160 stations. In October 2008 the FCC granted 175 more Catholic radio licenses. Within the next two years, there will be 300 Catholic radio stations in the U. S.
What can we do to help the cause?
1) Volunteers from each parish are needed to help promote Holy Family Radio with bulletin announcements, brochures, and the like. Volunteer with Pat Ryan joparyn@comcast.net or 243-7431.
2) Mary Lou Harig, Rita DeFouw, and Jane Wilmer will be organizing a prayer committee for continual prayers for the needs of Holy Family Radio. Reach Mary Lou at micharig@sbcglobal. net or 233-8998.
3) Grant Writing is also needed. The committee will be looking at several avenues of funding.
4) Send donations. Editor's Note: Please check this information before donating: Holy Family Radio's new address is P. O. Box 150154, Grand Rapids, MI 49515 -0154. Make checks payable to Holy Family Radio, Inc.
Our President's Message:
Happy New Year Serrans!
All of my days of late have run together and I've been having a hard time keeping track of the day of the week as well as the date.
This new year offers much hope for our club and vocations for our diocese. By working together as a club, with the Diocese and the Vocations Office, we can make a difference.
January is full of Vocation Awareness opportunities (as noted earlier in the newsletter).
Our first meeting this year will be at noon, Monday, January 12, at Louis Benton Steak House. Our guest speaker is Reverend Father Mark David Janus, Paulist Father and head of the Catholic Information Center, as well as Rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Father Mark David has made quite an impact since moving to the recotry at St. Andrew. He is a dynamic speaker, and this would be a great time to bring a guest.
The board has decided to ask the membership for more input in the form of a survey. Ths survey will be presented at the January 26 meeting at Sacred Heart. Bob Paul has compiled questions and ideas and will make a presentation before handing out the survey. Please plan to attend and give our input for the future of our club. If you cannot attend, you will receive the information via snail mail or e-mail. Please respond as soon as possible; every answer counts and you will get the results in a future newsletter and in future meetings.
We all have friend we want to introduce to Serra, but our plans somehow slip through the cracks. Well, now is the time to get those names and addresses to 'Tim Hile for the Member/Guest Reception scheduled for Monday, February 9 at 5:30 p.m. Again, this event is for the future of our-YOUR-club. New members bring energy and ideas for vocation related endeavors. Your help is needed--please respond with names to Tim Hile.
Have you missed our in participating i the Sisters' Appreciation Dinner? The date is set for February 21 at St. Jude's Brophy Center. This will be our Sixth Annual Appreciation Dinner. Nate McKenzie and Mark Kubik have been busy planning the menu. Invitations have been written and mailed to the various Orders in our diocese: Franciscan, Carmellite, Dominican, Mercy, and Consolata. If you know of any Sister who has not attended or is new to the area, please, please let me know. We do not want to miss anyone. More information will be coming in next month's newsletter for times to work and what is needed. We do need hors d'oeuvres for the social time as well as gifts for the sisters. About 100 ladies typically attend, and the gifts can be anything you think a sister would like.
We have received an invitation from the Saginaw Club as follows:
Saginaw Serra Club
Fourth Annual Dinner for the Bishop Robert J. Carlson Seminarian Endowment Fund
Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
6:00 p.m. Social Hour, 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Swan Valley Banquet Center
Saginaw, Michigan.
Keynote Speaker: Fr. William Baer, Rector-President, St. John Vianney College Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Donation $40 per person. Donation for a table of eight is $300.
The Saginaw Club has supported events here in Grand Rapids many times. It would be very nice if we can have one or more tables at their dinner. R. S. V. P. is needed by February 10, 2009. If you are interested in car-pooling, please call me at 893-5233 and I will co-ordinate the reservations with Saginaw.
As you can see, we are off and running in 2009. Thank you to everyone who helped make our 2008 vocation opportunities successful. Working together, we will make 2009 a GREAT year for vocations.
Respectfully, Pam McKenzie
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