Serra Spectrum Most Outstanding Newsletter Serra Clubs USA Council. Congratulations to us! Fr. Mark moves to diocese vocation office

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Serra Spectrum Most Outstanding Newsletter Serra Clubs USA Council. Congratulations to us! Fr. Mark moves to diocese vocation office"

Transcription

1 Serra Club of Augusta, Georgia Augusta Deanery, Diocese of Savannah Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 Serra Spectrum 2010 Most Outstanding Newsletter Serra Clubs USA Council Prayer for Vocations O God, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Bless our Diocese of Savannah with many priestly and religious vocations. Give the men and women you call the light to understand your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of your priestly Son. Amen W e re still almost four months away from our first official anniversary, but the eyes of the nation the Serra Club USA Council are upon us. Serra Spectrum has been selected Most Outstanding Newsletter of the USA Council of Serra International for Shannon Kaiser- Jewell of the Augusta chapter was honored by the Serra USA Council during the international organization s annual meeting and Super Congratulations to us! Weekend conference June in Chicago with announcement of the selection from chapters nationwide. The bi-monthly electronic newsletter Kaiser-Jewell a member of The Church of the Most Holy Trinity of Augusta writes, designs and edits as newsletter editor. She was cited by the USA Council for her tireless efforts to produce an exemplary newsletter that communicates effectively and efficiently. Fr. Mark moves to diocese vocation office Dear Serrans, What an opportunity! in God's grace for vocational work, and for our prayer for St. Mary on the Hill parish and yours truly in this transition. I'll be parochial vicar at the Cathedral parish and assistant vocation director, working with Fr. Mike Ingram. Imagine if I were a military chaplain, I could be moving along with so many of our soldiers to Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, or a number of other places less hospitable and further from home than Savannah. In Christ, Fr. Mark Fr. Mark VanAlstine (center), his parents (front) and Augusta Serrans gather for a farewell dinner. About us: Augusta Serra Club sponsors a special Holy Hour the second Wednesday of each month at various churches in the deanery. Watch our calendar for dates, times and places. We welcome new members. Look for membership information in this newsletter. Monthly meetings include Mass followed by a program and/or speaker. All are welcome. Again, check the calendar for dates and sites. Our Mission The Serra Club of Augusta has, as a deanery wide effort, the mission of promoting, encouraging and supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life by creating a culture of vocations in our parishes and our homes. To prepare ourselves for this mission, we assist one another in recognizing and responding to the universal call to holiness in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

2 Page 2 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 July 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Blessed Junipero Serra 2 3 St. Thomas, apostle 4 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5 St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest 6 St. Mary Goretti, virgin and martyr St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and martyr 10 Blessed Virgin Mary 11 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Henry 14 Fr. Gaspar Hegedus, birthday 15 St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel 17 Fr. Tim Donahue, birthday 18 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Apollinaris, bishop and martyr 21 St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest 22 St. Mary Magdalene 23 St. Bridget of Sweden 24 Mass 10 a.m. Church of Most Holy Trinity then Meet 25 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 26 St. Joachim and St. Anne, Blessed Virgin Mary s parents Serra Club of Augusta, Georgia President..Richard Ramirez President-Elect.Michelle Migone Treasurer...Terry Wick Secretary...Jennifer Hitt VP Programs...Beth Powers VP Membership...position open VP Communications...Jeff Ryan VP Vocations.Dee Campbell Co-Chaplains Fr. Mike Lubinsky Fr. Mark VanAlstine Spectrum Editor. Shannon Kaiser-Jewell Contact us: augustaserra1@gmail.com Or call Follow us on Facebook: Serra Club of Augusta Send comments or ideas for the newsletter to: SKJKRK@aol.com Serra Spectrum is published bi-monthly St. Martha 30 Caleb Harkleroad seminarian, birthday 31 St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest Join with us Membership in Augusta Serra Club is open to all practicing Catholic laypersons and permanent deacons from all the Augusta Deanery area parishes. Members are encouraged to attend club meetings, participate in activities sponsored by the club and share responsibilities by serving on committees. Individuals interested in joining our chapter can us at augustaserra1@gmail.com; attend a meeting, Holy Hour or other sponsored activity, where membership forms are available; or contact us on Facebook: Serra Club of Augusta.

3 Page 3 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 A Knight to remember Being a priest, you have to be a people person. Lots of people will say it s a lonely life, but that s not true, seminarian Vernon Knight believes. Talking to the Serra Club of Augusta, Vernon continued, 24/7, the priest is around a lot of people. They see a lot of sick, visit the schools. You just don t want to be a priest for yourself. It s a ministry. It s a service. The Diocese of Savannah seminarian is majoring in theology at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, When I was 7 or 8 years old, I was attracted to the priesthood. When I was going to Mass, I was seeing myself up there at the altar. a long way from his youth. I was a military brat, he smiled. His father, a native of Kentucky, was a career sergeant in the U.S. Army when he married Vernon s mother, in her native land of South Korea. Vernon was born in Indiana. Depending on his father s duty assignments, the family traveled from South Korean to El Paso, TX, from Kentucky to the Azores Islands off Portugal, from Italy to Germany, until his father retired from the Army after 20 years and the family settled eventually in Warner Robins, GA. The seminarian s home parish is Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warner Robins, and he graduated from Warner Robins High School in He then attended Macon State College, earning an Associate in Teachers Education of General and Special Fields degree. In my third year at Macon State College, I decided to make contact with the vocations director there, and ended up meeting with Fr. Tim McKeweon, diocesan vocations director. But that was not his first thought of discerning a vocation in the priesthood. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I was attracted to the priesthood. When I was going to Mass, I was seeing myself up there at the altar. During my college years, I started to get serious about it. About a month later, my parents finally agreed. He transferred to St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. I went through the physical and psychological interviews in mid-july and then Aug. 24 I began orientation. I signed up for a new major, going from teacher education to majoring in theology. It sparked a new interest in church history. This is the place I had to be, Vernon said of the seminary. After two years I m finally catching up on theology. If you pass first theology, you survived. I m starting to find a natural feel. Daily life is like any college, except everyone is a seminarian looking to be a priest. (Continued on page 12)

4 Page 4 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 While many children moan about getting up Sunday morning to go to Mass no further than across town, consider one Nguyen Bá Thông. His journey to attend Sunday service at a Catholic mission in his native Vietnam meant overnight travel there and back, across jungle terrain and a river. One particular attempt to attend mass at the South Vietnamese Catholic mission in 1983 was life-changing for this 7-year-old boy and his mother. After making the long trip from their refugee camp, they were greeted by a torn, handwritten note on the front of the mission church: Priest Arrested. No Mass Today. As the now grown man recalls that day, he said to his mother, When I grow up, I am going to be a priest. Through a childhood filled with persecution, a young adulthood in college and then the business world, he never lost that desire. Today Fr. Martino, as he is known, is parochial vicar of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Grovetown, GA. He shared his thoughts on his life, the priesthood and Serra Club s goals at a recent meeting. We have a problem with vocations. No, we have a problem working on vocations, the animated priest told the Serrans. His life started shortly after the Vietnam War and was in turmoil immediately. His parents had worked for the U.S. government -- his mother as an administrator, his father as Saigon commander of the Quan Cahn, the South Vietnamese military police. When the U.S. withdrew from South Vietnam, anyone who had worked with them were enemies of the communist state. Fr. Martino s mother was jailed in Saigon, his father in North Vietnam. Since his mother was seven months pregnant and on the verge of death from starvation, she was released to her brother to live in the streets of Saigon. Once she delivered Being Catholic not always easy her son, they were both sent to a refugee camp in Long An Province near the Cambodian border. Fr. Martino never saw his father until 10 years later, when he was finally released from prison in 1986 and the family reunited in Xuan Loc, north of Saigon. A 14-year-old Martino found Catholicism was barely tolerated by the communists. He had started teaching catechism classes, but by age 16 had been arrested and beaten four times, imprisoned in a windowless cell he has described as the size of a shower stall. (For a more detailed account of his life in Vietnam, go to savannahnow.com/ node/223167) By the time he was 17, his family was eligible for repatriation to the U.S. and they immigrated to Chicago. After high school graduation, he spent some time with the Xaverian Missionaries in Wisconsin before earning a Bachelor of Arts in finance from the University of Wisconsin along with employment with Blue Cross Blue Shield, eventually becoming an investment broker. At age 23, however, another journey brought him back to that childhood promise. He volunteered to work for a month for Mother Teresa at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity of Calcutta in India. His experiences confirmed his desire for the priesthood. He enrolled in pretheology at St. Mary s Seminary in Baltimore for the Diocese of Richmond, VA. He was not happy there, however, and was considering moving to Florida. En route, he met with Fr. Tim Donahue and Fr. Brett Brannen, who paid for his flight to Georgia. Because of the personal way he was treated, he cancelled his flight to Florida and stayed, transferring to the Savannah Diocese. They brought out in me commitment, a willingness to serve. I am here today because of that personal touch. I complain? Yes. Regret? No. I hug children and think, I wish I had my own. It s a normal human desire, but it doesn t mean I made the wrong choice. While assigned to Savannah following his ordination, Fr. Martino for a time was chaplain of the Savannah Serra Club. Priority No. 1 for Serra: Pray for vocations, he told the Augusta Serrans. Call your own priest to contact the vocations office if you can reach them. If I don t return your call, call and tell them to come for the body! he chuckled.

5 Page 5 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 St. John Vianney: Patron saint of priests The patron saint of priests John Vianney, also known as Cure of Ars was born Jean- Baptiste-Marie Vianney, the third of six children of Matthieu Vianney and Marie Beluze in Darilly, near Lyons, France, in Before his death at Ars Aug. 4, 1859, he became acclaimed worldwide as a confessor with a simplicity of devotion in his daily faith. It was in observance of the 150th anniversary of his death Pope Benedict XVI declared the Year of the Priest When the French Revolution in 1790 forced priests to carry out the sacraments in secret illegally, according to the government the Vianneys journeyed to distant farms to pray in secret. At at young age, the youth thought the priests heroes, since their ves were at risk for celebrating the sacraments. By 1802, the Catholic Church was re-established in France and Jean-Baptiste-Marie wanted an education, But it wasn t until age 20 his father let him enter Fr. Balley s "presbytery school" in the neighboring village of Ecully. He struggled with his studies and had to be tutored in Latin by fellow student Matthias Loras, later to be the Bishop of Dubuque. Jean-Baptiste-Marie s masters at the school never doubted his desire to be a priest. But France s war with Spain interfered when Napoleon withdrew ecclesiastical student exemption from military service. Jean-Baptiste-Marie s father could not hire a substitute to fulfill his son s military obligation, so the youth prepared to head to battle with his regiment. The morning of departure, Jean-Baptiste-Marie went to church to pray and, on his return to the barracks, found his comrades had already left. He was threatened with arrest, but the recruiting captain believed his story and sent him after the troops. At nightfall he met a young man who volunteered to guide him to his fellow soldiers, but led him to Noes, where some deserters had gathered, according to Catholic Encyclopedia. The mayor persuaded him to remain there, under an assumed name, as schoolmaster. Eventually he resumed his studies at Ecully and in 1812 was sent to Verrieres seminary. He was ordained Aug. 13, 1815, and in 1818 assigned as parish priest of Ars, a village near Lyons. Faced with a parish with few active parishioners, he made it his mission to convert all 200 villagers, so they were living up to the ten commandments of God, the six precepts of the Church and the fulfillment of their duties in life. It was not an easy task: Complete enforcement of the third commandment took eight years. "You labor, but what you earn proves the ruin of your soul and your body. O what a beautiful thing it is to do all things in union with the good God! he would say. Oh! What a beautiful thing it is to offer oneself, each morning, as a victim to God! ( From remote Ars, he became known around the world. He founded a home for destitute girls, The Providence, later the model of similar institutions all over We should consider those moments spent before the Blessed Sacrament as the happiest of our lives. - Saint John Vianney France. The priest instructed the girls in the catechism and later brought the popular instructions to large crowds daily in the church. He soon started drawing people from other parishes even from other countries. During the last 10 years of his life, he spent from hours a day in the confessional. His advice was sought by bishops, priests, religious, young men and women in doubt as to their vocation, sinners, persons in all sorts of difficulties and the sick. In 1855, the number of pilgrims had reached 20,000 a year. His direction was characterized by common sense, remarkable insight and supernatural knowledge. His instructions were simple in language, full of imagery drawn from daily life and country scenes, but breathing faith and that love of God which was his life principle and which he infused into his audience as much by his manner and appearance as by his words, for, at the last, his voice was almost inaudible....he labored incessantly, with unfailing humility, gentleness, patience and cheerfulness, until he was more than 73 years old. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney was proclaimed Venerable by Pope Pius IX Oct. 3, 1874 and was enrolled among the Blessed Jan. 8, Pope Pius X proposed him as a model to all parochial clergy, and Pope Pius XI canonized him May 31, 1925, with the day of his death, Aug. 4, set as his feast day.

6 Page 6 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 Elijah Cup Program active in parishes Weeks before our charter ceremony, Serra Club of Augusta s presence was known in area parishes through establishment of the Elijah Cub program. The program is part of the club s mission of creating an environment conducive to vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. At The Church of the Most Holy Trinity. Augusta Serra President Richard Ramirez presented the idea to Fr. Tim Donahue last October, and Fr. Tim offered his chalice for use by the parishioners in the program. The last weekend of October the weekend of Serra International s Priesthood Sunday, pulpit announcements by Ramirez drew enough interest families signed up to fill the first five months of the program. At St Mary on the Hill. the program started the first Sunday of Advent, headed by Serrans and parishioners Frank Campbell, Miriam Cooper and Rhonda Wallace. Fr. Jerry Ragan, pastor, generously offered his great uncle's chalice to use for the program. In the initial weeks, 22 families had registered to participate. The club learned the guidelines of the program from Rita O'Keefe, who helped reinstate the program at St Joseph parish. Her son, Kevin, is a Diocese of Savannah seminarian at the Theological College in Washington DC. At participating parishes, each week at a Sunday mass, a family, individual or couple are called forward to receive the cup and a blessing. The cup is placed in a place of honor in the home, and the family prays for a week for vocations and keeps a journal about their experiences. The next Sunday they return the cup with the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory. By implementing programs like the Elijah Cup, we are all made aware prayer is an essential part of promoting vocations. The gospel scripture we hear in Luke 10:2 is a reminder to all it is the call of the laity to ask for laborers and likewise to pray for their commitment and holiness in their vocation. Ultimately, we should continuously show our support towards those It s not Sierra, but Serra As our club establishes its presence in the Augusta Deanery, we talk to friends about the organization and often are met wit h the response: Oh, yeah, Sierra Club. I ve heard of that. You do things with the environment, right? We may not be thinking green, but there is an environmental quality about what Serrans do: Helping to create a spiritually healthy and strong environment for those seeking a life in a religious vocation. When even Catholic friends are unfamiliar with the organization, there are questions to be answered and information offered. While the Sierra Club plants trees, the Serra Club strives to plants the seeds for future vocations. Our prayers, support and encouragement will hopefully help deepen the roots of faith that may lead someone to religious life. who have been called by God to follow Him in the life giving ministries of the priesthood and the religious life. The Elijah Cup program is based on 1 Kings 17 when, during a drought, Elijah instructs the poor widow of Zarapeth she should make him a small loaf of bread with her remaining flour and oil and the jar of flour will not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the Lord sends rain upon the earth. The widow baked the break and, for a year, she, her son and Elijah ate bread baked from the flour and oil. The Elijah Cup has some history in the Passover Seder meal of the Jewish faith, when a cup of wine is set for Elijah. The Seder recalls the historical redemption of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage. The cup of Elijah derives from a problem in Talmudic Law, according to Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner. During the Seder meal, there are four cups of wine to drink based on the four expressions of deliverance, but there is actually a fifth expression of deliverance. So the rabbis came up with the perfect Jewish compromise. We fill the fifth cup, but we don t drink from it... Elijah s cup.

7 Page 7 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 August 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests 5 Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome 6 Transfiguration of the Lord 7 Blessed Virgin Mary 8 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 9 St. Teresa Benedicta, virgin and martyr 10 St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr 11 St. Clare, virgin St. Fontian, pope Hippolytus, priest Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16 St. Stephen Of Hungary 17 Fr. Daniel Firmin, birthday St. John Eudes, priest 20 St. Bernard, abbot 21 St. Pius X, pope 22 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Bartholomew, apostle John Wright, seminarian, birthday 28 Meeting TBA 28 Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time We have many exciting programs coming in addition to our monthly Holy Hours, which have been very inspirational thanks to the host priests doing such a great job! Holy Hour attendance is growing. Keep coming and bring friends who might be interested in joining our club! Jason Adams, seminarian for the Diocese of Savannah at the Pontifical North American College in Rome who was featured in our first issue of Serra Spectrum, will be our speaker July 25. Mark it on your calendar so you don t miss his talk at the 10:45 AM meeting in St. Patrick Hall after 10 AM Mass at The Church of the Most Holy Trinity across Telfair Street in Augusta. In Augusta Serra Club s future * * * We ve been invited to visit the Carmelites in Savannah and are considering that visit in place of our regular August meeting. More details will be discussed at the July meeting. * * * If you can, attend a Mass Wednesday, Aug. 4 to observe the Feast Day of St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests. This Mass would be a great opportunity for us to offer our special prayers to not only encourage individuals to discern a vocation in the priesthood and religious life, but ask St. John Vianney s blessings on those already ordained. Did you know? Fr. Martino N gu ye n Bá Thông posts all his homilies on YouTube.com. He is known for his straightforward, unique approach, so check him out.

8 Page 8 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 God speed, Fr. Mark! Love and prayers, Your Augusta Serrans Having the Serrans to count on... will make my job easier, Fr. Mark Van Alstine, co-chaplain with Fr. Michael Lubinsky of the Serra Club of Augusta since its inception, said of his move to Savannah. Fr. Mark has joined the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Savannah, where our chapter will continue to work closely with him on encouraging and supporting those who choose to follow in his footsteps of a religious life. At his farewell dinner co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of St. Mary on the Hill, Augusta, his home parish while assigned here, Fr. Mark offered his beliefs on what the Serra chapter has accomplished and advice on how the chapter can continue to grow. Michelle Migone, vice president of the Serra Club of Augusta, also presented Fr. Mark with some farewell gifts, along with promises the club will continue its mission with the added input of our former co-chaplain from his new diocesan position. It will not be the last you see of me! Fr. Mark told the Serrans and Knights. One of my own goals was to be a holy priest. But the call to holiness is an ongoing challenge. I didn t know what to expect. It s promising to see we actually have a stable Serra Club. We have a core group of people who are capable and communicative. Help your young guys and girls (realize) God has a part in your life... doing what God wants you to do. He also thanked the Knights for doing things to help support our seminaries, like raising money through the pancake breakfast. Some guys in the seminary are not very well supported, and it can make a difference to have pocket money. Just help people live their lives fully. One of the things about vocations it really does become fulfillment to a priest. It may be in a way unexpected. He encouraged our Augusta Serra Club to keep growing. To see what opportunities we have, to nurture that desire. My great Serra Club reality is when it was very quickly developed with a number of people helping to make the club great. It will continue. I m impressed with your level of goal formation. There is great potential for our club to help others.

9 Page 9 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr. Bingham, OP John Marie Bingham joined the Catholic faith at The Church of the Most Holy Trinity July 4, 1993, so it was fitting to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving July 4, 2010 at that same church following his ordination as a Dominican priest June 25 in California. Fr. Bingham as a high school junior, his father, Fletcher (a former Episcopal priest), his mother, Kay, and a younger brother had been received into the Catholic Church at Most Holy Trinity by Fr. Allan J. McDonald. He started discerning his vocation at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA., returning to Georgia where he accepted a position as assistant to the Vocation Director of the Diocese of Savannah, Fr. Brett Brannen. Now Fr. Brett watched me twiddle my thumbs concerning my vocation for a couple of months, and then he had had enough. He called me into his office and gave me a proverbial kick, now Fr. Bingham wrote on his blog ( profiles/b/binghamjohn.htm). I had to go visit religious orders and let God open the doors he wanted me to walk through.... After a few visits to various communities, I discovered the Dominican charism of seeking the truth, living the truth communally and preaching the fruits of the contemplation of that truth resounded in my soul. So I entered the Order, made vows on Aug. 30, He studied with the Western Dominican Province, The Order of Preachers, in California, and was ordained to the priesthood at The Church of St. Dominic, where he has been assigned as parochial vicar. Serra patron s life recalled in Feast Day Mass Our patron was inspired, Serra Club of Augusta chaplain Fr. Michael Lubinsky proclaimed at the Feast Day Mass for Blessed Junipero Serra July 1 at The Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Augusta. As a young child he determined on his own he would become a priest. He was ordained and was a teacher and gifted orator, he related during his homily. But there was something in him that said this is not enough. God is calling me for more. So the padre was granted permission to travel to Mexico and the California coast. He was beatified because of his model of evangelization. His life boggles the mind in what he achieved, Fr. Lubinsky said. He was not a healthy man. His gait was not the best because of an injury soon after he arrived in the Americas. He was 56 years old and he did not stop at anything in creating a Catholic mission. He is credited with 6,000 Native American baptisms. He established nine missions. He taught the native Indians about Jesus and about agriculture. He taught them not to give up (by example as well as word). He is the perfect patron for Serra Club. Our patron was inspired. He traveled all over the west coast. He IS an apostle and he s saint worthy. He s very saint worthy. He never complained because his mission was to bring God to the new land.... in discipline, in dedication and in developing disciples for Christ.

10 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 Page 10 Reaching out to our college-bound students When teenagers graduate from high school and go off to college, it often is their first time on their own without parental supervision or guidance on their day-to-day lives. Helping them maintain some bridge to home and especially their faith is a program called College Connection for Catholics. This spring the Serra Club of Augusta partnered with the Augusta Deanery churches to offer their graduating seniors a way to stay in touch with their faith. Announcements were made at the Masses and notices placed in the bulletins for the seniors to call their church office with their contact info and the college they were attending in the fall. We also worked with the youth ministers of each parish to spread the word about the program. Serrans Miriam Cooper and Rhonda Wallace designed flyers and message boards to be displayed in the narthex of each church. Serrans Dee Campbell, Mary Carter, Jeff Ryan and Michelle Migone collected the names from the parishes. For the initial campaign, 35 college-bound students have registered, with our club forwarding their contact information to the national College Connection database. Each student has been matched in that database with their chosen university or college and then received a College Connection packet in the mail, including a welcome letter and a list of available Catholic ministries on their campus. As part of the program, the campus ministers also received the incoming student s contact information. In the future the local Serra club hopes to have a stronger outreach next year with a more visible presence in each of the deanery s parishes. As part of the Catholic Community, it is imperative for us to let the youth know their faith is important and should not be neglected once they leave home, says Migone. Like our dear JPII used to say: the youth are the future of the Church. If we can help foster this growth through the College Connection program, we will have done them and the church a great favor. Messages to Fr. Mark from his Serrans: In Ireland, there is now only one seminary. In France, there is a strong growth of Islam. In Africa and South America, vocations are booming. In Nigeria, there are 30 seminaries and 20 to 100 ordination s. In Korean, there are 10 diocese and priests each year. The past few years of our Priest son being assigned in Augusta was very good. It is with excitement we look forward down the road with him in Savannah. When you see your son or daughter enter the ministry you know their life is given to serving the Lord and that may mean not being an everyday member of family activities. We try to savor the times when he can take part in family activities but also savor the service he gives to plowing in the Lord s vineyard wherever that may be. We thank the Serra Club and its support of Fr. Mark Van Alstine, the other priests of the deanery as well as the religious of the deanery. Bill and Toni Van Alstine * * * * * * Thank you for all the many ways you served the Serra Club over the past year. You will be greatly missed. We love you. * * * * * Richard and Beth Ramirez It was a blessing to have Fr. Mark as one of our first co-chaplains. I am very happy for him as he moves on to his new assignment at the Cathedral and as co-vocations director for our diocese. I look forward to working with him as part of the Serra Club! Michelle Migone

11 Page 11 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 Savannah seminarians ordained transitional deacons Bishop J. Kevin Boland ordained seminarians Dawid Kwiatkowski (left) and Christopher Ortega (right) to the transitional diaconate June 5 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah. Natives of Poland and of California are the two latest seminarians ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Savannah. Bishop J. Kevin Boland ordained Dawid Kwiatkowski of Poland and Christopher Ortega of California at a June 5 Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah. Both are studying for the priesthood at Mt. St. Mary s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. Attending the Mass and reception were members of the Serra Club of Augusta along with members of the Savannah Serra Club. Bishop Boland told the men during his homily: Dawid and Christopher, you will be configured to Christ who is the servant of all. You are ordained for service to the Church. You will carry out this service under the authority of the bishop in the ministry of the Word, divine worship and pastoral care and charity." The diaconate ordination reminded me mostly of my own two years ago, where I took the promises of celibacy, obedience and prayer, recalls Fr. Pablo Migone, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Church in Warner Robins and brother-in-law of Michelle Migone, club president-elect. I relieved that moment when you let go and then know you are completely in God s hands. Fr. Pablo said. It was exciting to return to the cathedral for a big celebration and realize a whole year had already passed since my own ordination. After attending so many ordinations as a seminarian, it was neat to experience it as a priest. It seemed almost unreal to be there as a priest since all previous ordinations I had attended I had been an altar server or was the one being ordained. I felt proud of the two guys being ordained and happy to see two new young guys join into the diocese. Michelle s observances are based on previous experiences as well. Ever since I attended my first ordination back in 2007, I realized that being present for this yearly event should be on every Catholic s top 10 list. So many truths of our faith come together during the ceremony. Witnessing an ordination helped me better understand that the priesthood is truly the response to a higher calling. These men have arrived here thanks to God s grace. Seeing all brother priests and deacons, along with our bishop, seminarians and the faithful kneel in prayer asking for the intercessions of all saints in heaven while the ordinandi lie prostrate on the floor is always very awe-inspiring. It reinforced to me that need for prayer and grace for the ministry the young men are about to undertake. The imposition of hands from our bishop is that sign of continuity of the ministry that has been instituted by Christ, and handed down from the time of the apostles. Michelle also noted the ethnic diversity of those assembled, with Dawid s family of Polish nationality and Christopher s of Hispanic descent. It emphasized to me the universality of our Catholic faith. Summer assignments for the new deacons have been: Dawid to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah and Christopher to Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Savannah. They will return to Mt. St. Mary s in the fall to finish their last year of study before possible ordination to the priesthood in 2011.

12 Volume 1 Issue 3 July-Augusta 2010 Page 12 (Continued from page 3) You re up by 6:30 AM, then morning prayers at 7:30. Classes start at 8:30. I usually attend midday prayer with the monks. The seminary is run by Benedictine monks. At 4:30 PM you pray the mass, then after dinner you re on your own. The student body is a hodgepodge of students, from Columbia, Venezuela, Slovakia, England and the United States. You feel how the small the world is when we all come together. Friends ask me, Is it cold? Is it damp? It s a university. It s a place of discernment. It s not a final decision (to be ordained into the priesthood). One of the biggest influences in Vernon s discernment was his mother. Mostly my mother. She was the one who wanted me to be a priest. Her younger sister is a nun. It s a tragedy some parents don t want their children to be religious. They want better than themselves for their children (in material gains). Really, the desire for a vocation has to start at the home, probably at the elementary age. But some parents don t want to hear it at all. They re looking for comfort for their children. While Vernon won t get married and have kids, I ll still be a spiritual father. Hopefully I ll be a good role model. ~ ~ ~ ~ A Knight to remember ~ ~ ~ ~ Really, the desire for a vocation has to start at the home, probably at the elementary age. Vernon, who has been spending the summer working with homebound Catholics, said it gives me the opportunity to learn what to say to people. He also has worked spending the summer working with homebound Catholics and visiting patients in the hospital, said, it gives me the opportunity to learn what to say to people. He also has worked with Vacation Bible School. We talked about vocations, whether it s married life, priesthood, religious life, simple life. Each is a vocation. Some students were surprised priests still have a life. One of the professors at Latrobe is a monk and an archaeologist. We have people in religious orders who are involved in media arts, videos, teaching, forensic science. The kids will say, Oh, kewl. I thought you only did Mass. Vernon admits, I ve seen priests who don t want to be around people. (But) as a priest, you re making a commitment just not to one person, but to many. Hopefully I ll make an impact on kids discerning a religious life. For me, it s being there for people in their time of need for comfort. Being there includes a high school friend who was raised Methodist. We talked a lot and at one time we both were going to be Jesuits. He went to the University of Georgia, then went through RCIA. He joined the Army ROTC and became an Army chaplain. Whatever I said and whatever I did, it made a difference. Individuals making an impact on Vernon through his classes are ecumenical. A rabbi teaches pastoral counseling. A course on the Protestant and Catholic Reformations is taught by a Lutheran minister. Vernon suggested the Internet to me is a great source. Plus reading books in high school and college helped him to explore the possibility of a vocation. The rosary is a great tool for meditation of discernment. We have the rosary every day, and, because of the international student body, one part may be done in English, another in Spanish, French, Vietnamese or Chinese. There are five seminarians currently representing the Savannah Diocese in Latrobe. In our seminary class, we look out for each other. Just as Vernon Knight hopes to look out for his parishioners some day. Book update The book signings for Fr. Brett Brannen were well attended, and he sold about 100 books during the events around the Augusta Deanery.

PRACTICAL STEPS FOR FOSTERING VOCATIONS TABLE CONVERSATIONS SUMMARY 2013

PRACTICAL STEPS FOR FOSTERING VOCATIONS TABLE CONVERSATIONS SUMMARY 2013 PRACTICAL STEPS FOR FOSTERING VOCATIONS TABLE CONVERSATIONS SUMMARY 2013 What is a best practice you have to share? Keep asking the question putting the issue out Perpetual Adoration Multiple religious

More information

PRAYER IS THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH

PRAYER IS THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH NEWSLETTER of the St. John Vianney Vocations Ministry of Savannah March 2019 PRAYER IS THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH Photographed and transcribed by Peter Paolucci Our guest speaker at the March 30th meeting

More information

Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Our Lord Jesus Christ Deacon Cole Daily, Son of St. Patrick Parish, will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ June 3, 2017 at 11:00 am Cathedral

More information

Archdiocese of Washington. Map of the Archdiocese of Washington. Page A-1. Updated: 2/9/2018

Archdiocese of Washington. Map of the Archdiocese of Washington. Page A-1. Updated: 2/9/2018 Archdiocese of Washington Map of the Archdiocese of Washington Page A-1 History of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholicism was brought to Maryland in 1634 when Jesuit Father Andrew White celebrated the

More information

Vocations Reference Guide

Vocations Reference Guide Vocations Reference Guide Office of Priestly Vocations 2701 Chicago Blvd. Detroit, MI 48206 Archdiocese of Detroit www.detroitpriest.com 313-237-5875 If Jesus calls you, do not be afraid to respond to

More information

Serra Club of Lake-Geauga Counties

Serra Club of Lake-Geauga Counties ALWAYS TO GO FORWARD NEVER TURN BACK Serra Club of Lake-Geauga Counties April June 2009 Calendar of Events Apr 1 Board Meeting Apr 3 1 st Friday Mass & Rosary for Vocations Apr 15 Mass & Program, Fr. Jared

More information

May - June Vol. 28 No. 3

May - June Vol. 28 No. 3 We all are the Priestly People of God. Together, we are leaders in responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of Priests and Brothers. May - June 2012 - Vol. 28 No. 3 Thank you for your support. As

More information

Advent With Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent the New Liturgical Year of 2017 begins.

Advent With Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent the New Liturgical Year of 2017 begins. Liturgical Calendar Supplement for 2017 Office for Divine Worship Following is a diocesan calendar of select liturgical celebrations arranged by season. Advent With Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday

More information

Advent With Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent the New Liturgical Year of 2018 begins.

Advent With Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent the New Liturgical Year of 2018 begins. Liturgical Calendar Supplement for 2018 Office for Divine Worship Following is a diocesan calendar of select liturgical celebrations arranged by season. Advent With Evening Prayer I of the First Sunday

More information

WHY A HIERARCHY? All baptized people make up the christian faithful. We are all equal in dignity. The Christian faithful are divided into two groups

WHY A HIERARCHY? All baptized people make up the christian faithful. We are all equal in dignity. The Christian faithful are divided into two groups WHY A HIERARCHY? All baptized people make up the christian faithful. We are all equal in dignity. The Christian faithful are divided into two groups 1CLERGY All sacred ministers (bishops, priests, deacons)

More information

Archdiocese of Washington. Map of the Archdiocese of Washington. Page A-1. Updated: 1/31/2018

Archdiocese of Washington. Map of the Archdiocese of Washington. Page A-1. Updated: 1/31/2018 Archdiocese of Washington Map of the Archdiocese of Washington Page A-1 History of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholicism was brought to Maryland in 1634 when Jesuit Father Andrew White celebrated the

More information

St. Anthony Parish Pastoral Plan

St. Anthony Parish Pastoral Plan I. Pastor s Vision Statement As we look to the future, St. Anthony s Parish should strive for a vision that aligns with the universal mission of the Church. We must become ever more focused on our primary

More information

Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint Anthony of Padua Saint Anthony of Padua Saint Anthony was born in Portugal. He was strongly attracted to the simple Gospel lifestyle of the Franciscans. The martyrdom of five Franciscan friars who had gone to preach in

More information

LiturgyNotes May 2007 Agnoli Page 1 of 5

LiturgyNotes May 2007 Agnoli Page 1 of 5 LiturgyNotes May 2007 Agnoli Page 1 of 5 Dear servants of the liturgy, It has been a joy to be able to visit so many of the parishes with Bishop Amos for the celebration of Confirmation. On behalf of Fr.

More information

Three are ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield

Three are ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield Page 1 of 6 Three are ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield UPDATED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY EVENINGS NEWS Regional National World News Briefs FEATURES Calendar News from the Net

More information

Years a Priest. NEWSLETTER of the St. John Vianney Vocations Ministry of Savannah April 2017

Years a Priest. NEWSLETTER of the St. John Vianney Vocations Ministry of Savannah April 2017 NEWSLETTER of the St. John Vianney Vocations Ministry of Savannah April 2017 Monsignor William Oliver O Neill was our guest speaker at the April meeting of the Savannah Vocations Ministry. He announced

More information

The Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Toronto Catholic District School Board The Toronto Catholic District School Board Course: Grade 9 Religion Discipleship and Culture Date/Lesson Number: Lesson 8 Unit: Prayer and Sacramental Life Lesson Topic: The Growth of Religious Orders

More information

National Association of Diaconate Directors and Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. National Survey of U.S.

National Association of Diaconate Directors and Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. National Survey of U.S. National Association of Diaconate Directors and Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate National Survey of U.S. Permanent Deacons This survey gathers information on the attitudes and ministries of

More information

CALIFORNIA STATE COUNCIL SERVICE PROGRAM HANDBOOK REFUND SUPPORT VOCATION PROGRAM (RSVP) Supreme Featured Church Activities

CALIFORNIA STATE COUNCIL SERVICE PROGRAM HANDBOOK REFUND SUPPORT VOCATION PROGRAM (RSVP) Supreme Featured Church Activities REFUND SUPPORT VOCATION PROGRAM (RSVP) Supreme Featured Church Activities John Bertrand Program California has a goal this Columbian Year to increase the support given to seminarians and especially postulants.

More information

ESTABLISHING A CULTURE OF VOCATIONS WITHIN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PORTLAND IN OREGON PARISH VOCATION PROMOTER & FIVE STAR PROGRAMS

ESTABLISHING A CULTURE OF VOCATIONS WITHIN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PORTLAND IN OREGON PARISH VOCATION PROMOTER & FIVE STAR PROGRAMS ESTABLISHING A CULTURE OF VOCATIONS WITHIN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PORTLAND IN OREGON PARISH VOCATION PROMOTER & FIVE STAR PROGRAMS PARISH VOCATION PROMOTER Purpose: The purpose of the Parish Vocation Promoter

More information

PARISH VOCATIONS COMMITTEE

PARISH VOCATIONS COMMITTEE PARISH VOCATIONS COMMITTEE Fostering Awareness of Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life! Archdiocese of Vancouver Office of Vocations! Invitation If we love our faith, we will be proactive and

More information

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life: The Profession Class of 2016 A Report to the Secretariat

More information

Liturgical Calendar Advisory for the Diocese of Dallas Lectionary Cycle B ~ Year II

Liturgical Calendar Advisory for the Diocese of Dallas Lectionary Cycle B ~ Year II Liturgical Calendar Advisory for the Diocese of Dallas Lectionary Cycle B ~ Year II Published by the Office of Worship Date/Rank (Calendar Year 2011) ADVENT (Nov 27-Dec 24) Sunday, November 27 (Rank: Sunday)

More information

PRAY FOR A PRIEST CONTENTS. 1. Program description. 2. Bulletin Insert-Flyer. 3. Bulletin insert - short. 4. Sample Cards

PRAY FOR A PRIEST CONTENTS. 1. Program description. 2. Bulletin Insert-Flyer. 3. Bulletin insert - short. 4. Sample Cards PRAY FOR A PRIEST CONTENTS 1. Program description 2. Bulletin Insert-Flyer 3. Bulletin insert - short 4. Sample Cards 1 Pray for a Priest Program Object: To affirm the priests who serve our diocese and

More information

INTRODUCTION EXPECTATIONS. ISSUES FOR FOURTH THEOLOGY updated 16 July Human Formation

INTRODUCTION EXPECTATIONS. ISSUES FOR FOURTH THEOLOGY updated 16 July Human Formation ISSUES FOR FOURTH THEOLOGY updated 16 July 2010 INTRODUCTION The Fourth Year of seminary formation has a unique character all its own, for it is a time of transition from the seminary to ministry as a

More information

ST. ANGELA MERICI CATHOLIC CHURCH ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON INAUGURAL PASTORAL PLAN

ST. ANGELA MERICI CATHOLIC CHURCH ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON INAUGURAL PASTORAL PLAN ST. ANGELA MERICI CATHOLIC CHURCH ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON INAUGURAL PASTORAL PLAN 2015-2016 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION OF THE ST. ANGELA MERICI PASTORAL PLAN..3 II. ROLE OF THE PARISHIONER...4

More information

Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Actual Apostolic Missions 2012

Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Actual Apostolic Missions 2012 Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary Actual Apostolic Missions 2012 Our Apostolic Charism We are at the service of the New Evangelization to build a new civilization of love, life and truth!

More information

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life: The Profession Class of 2017 A Report to the Secretariat

More information

Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Actual Apostolic Projection 2010

Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Actual Apostolic Projection 2010 Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary Actual Apostolic Projection 2010 Our Apostolic Charism To be ardent witnesses to the power and fecundity of love and the splendor of the Magisterium and

More information

How the Legion of Mary can assist the pastor By Rev. Father Francis J. Peffley

How the Legion of Mary can assist the pastor By Rev. Father Francis J. Peffley How the Legion of Mary can assist the pastor By Rev. Father Francis J. Peffley The parish Legion group is intended to be the extension of the priest, to be at the disposal of the pastor to do spiritual

More information

January 2019 Women and Men Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life: The Profession Class of 2018

January 2019 Women and Men Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life: The Profession Class of 2018 January 2019 Women and Men Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life: The Profession Class of 2018 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC Women and Men Professing

More information

SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ARCHIVES

SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ARCHIVES SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ARCHIVES Vol 6 Father John E Boll No 3 MEET THE PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE Father Michael Devin Ritter Native of Carmichael, California Priest of the Diocese of Sacramento Parochial Vicar,

More information

HOLY ORDERS: Sacrament of Ministerial Service to God s People (CCC )

HOLY ORDERS: Sacrament of Ministerial Service to God s People (CCC ) HOLY ORDERS: Sacrament of Ministerial Service to God s People (CCC 1536-1600) In the Church s sacramental system, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are called sacraments of initiation; and Reconciliation

More information

Fr. J. Marcel Portelli Parochial Administrator Sacred Heart Parish-Gladwin St. Athanasius Parish-Harrison

Fr. J. Marcel Portelli Parochial Administrator Sacred Heart Parish-Gladwin St. Athanasius Parish-Harrison Dear Family of Sacred Heart Parish, Thank you for participating in our parish-wide efforts to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and the consecrated religious life. Your prayers are essential

More information

VOCATION INTERCESSIONS

VOCATION INTERCESSIONS First Sunday of Advent 2018 to Feast of Christ the King 2019 Cycle C First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018 That all those now discerning their vocations will be alert and responsive to the invitation

More information

PRESS CONFERENCE. Diocese of Jefferson City 21 November Remarks. Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Bishop-Elect of Jefferson City

PRESS CONFERENCE. Diocese of Jefferson City 21 November Remarks. Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Bishop-Elect of Jefferson City PRESS CONFERENCE Diocese of Jefferson City 21 November 2017 Remarks Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Bishop-Elect of Jefferson City Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! Before I begin introducing myself,

More information

2017 BISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL FOR CATHOLIC MINISTRIES. An Enduring Legacy Begins Today

2017 BISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL FOR CATHOLIC MINISTRIES. An Enduring Legacy Begins Today 2017 BISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL FOR CATHOLIC MINISTRIES An Enduring Legacy Begins Today DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, Since coming to Dallas earlier this year, I have been humbled and impressed by the

More information

Diocese of Owensboro Office of Vocations. Vocation Plan

Diocese of Owensboro Office of Vocations. Vocation Plan Diocese of Owensboro Office of Vocations Vocation Plan Prayerful & Practical Strategies To Promote Priestly Vocations Within Parishes, Schools, and College Campuses Our Diocesan Vocation Plan Follow me.

More information

Called. Often God is. Jesus stills calls people in. God s Ordinary Call ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA VOCATION OFFICE

Called. Often God is. Jesus stills calls people in. God s Ordinary Call ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA VOCATION OFFICE Called by CHRIST Christ God s Ordinary Call From the Desk of Fr. Luke Ballman, Vocation Director INSIDE Fr. Tim Gallagher The Father of a Priest Pins for Priests A Seminarian Tells His Story YEAR for PRIESTS

More information

GIFTS FOR THE KINGDOM 2012

GIFTS FOR THE KINGDOM 2012 WORKSHOPS 1. Faith and Understanding: Helping Teens to Live and Love Their Catholic Faith Presenter: Rev. Bernard Bourgeois Are your teenage children or students rebelling at the thought of living their

More information

Rev. Msgr. Michael Clay, D. Min.

Rev. Msgr. Michael Clay, D. Min. Rev. Msgr. Michael Clay, D. Min. School of Theology and Religious Studies The Catholic University of America Washington, DC 20064 202-319-6512 claym@cua.edu EMPLOYMENT Clinical Associate Professor of Pastoral

More information

Vespers ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE

Vespers ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE Vespers Your Eminence, Cardinal Keeler, my brother bishops, priests and deacons, men and women in consecrated life, seminarians brothers and sisters in Christ, all We have fittingly begun our procession

More information

Parish Planning and Promotional Tools

Parish Planning and Promotional Tools Parish Planning and Promotional Tools (502) 429-0865 www.justfaith.org Copyright 2015 by JustFaith Ministries Table of Contents Who to Invite... 2 How to Invite... 3-4 Promotional Tools... 5 Homily Helps...

More information

Relationship with God. Strengthen Their Love and. Helping Children. PreK-8th Grade Faith Formation C.C.D. Booklet

Relationship with God. Strengthen Their Love and. Helping Children. PreK-8th Grade Faith Formation C.C.D. Booklet 2018 C.C.D. Booklet PreK-8th Grade Faith Formation Helping Children Strengthen Their Love and Relationship with God JULY 2018 AUGUST 2018 11 8:00-12:00 Religious Education 12 9:15-10:45 Snapshot of SEPTEMBER

More information

National Directory for Catechesis # 20

National Directory for Catechesis # 20 Junior High Community Life Task 5: Catechesis prepares the Christian to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church Christians are called to live in Community and

More information

Meeting Topics by Liturgical Calendar (A Call to Holiness)

Meeting Topics by Liturgical Calendar (A Call to Holiness) Meeting Topics by Liturgical Calendar rev Mar 2017 [Type text] [Type text] [Type text] The USA Council of Serra International Meeting Topics by Liturgical Calendar (A Call to Holiness) Pray, therefore,

More information

52+2 Intercessions for Weekly Use to Encourage Vocation Awareness in the Diocese of Brownsville

52+2 Intercessions for Weekly Use to Encourage Vocation Awareness in the Diocese of Brownsville 52+2 Intercessions for Weekly Use to Encourage Vocation Awareness in the Diocese of Brownsville 1. For all young people of our parish who are making life choices at this time, we pray to the 2. For all

More information

Liturgical Calendar for the Diocese of Dallas Lectionary Cycle C & Year I weekday cycle

Liturgical Calendar for the Diocese of Dallas Lectionary Cycle C & Year I weekday cycle Liturgical Calendar for the Diocese of Dallas Lectionary Cycle C & Year I weekday cycle Published by the Office of Worship Solemnities/Feasts/Memorials/Optional Memorials/vesture Ordinary Time during Summer

More information

ORDO Supplement. Excerpts from. with References to. Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Ottawa, Ontario

ORDO Supplement. Excerpts from. with References to. Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Ottawa, Ontario ORDO 2018 2019 Liturgical Calendar Supplement with References to Excerpts from the Roman Missal Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Ottawa, Ontario ERM Excerpts from the Roman Missal cr. The Creed

More information

DIOCESAN PRIORITIES. (over)

DIOCESAN PRIORITIES. (over) DIOCESAN PRIORITIES Addressing effectively these pastoral priorities requires first and foremost a commitment by all in the Church to intentional discipleship and to enthusiastically embrace the mission

More information

Come, Follow Me. Newsletter of the Serra Club of North Houston Volume 1, Issue 9 July 2016

Come, Follow Me. Newsletter of the Serra Club of North Houston Volume 1, Issue 9 July 2016 Come, Follow Me Newsletter of the Serra Club of North Houston Volume 1, Issue 9 July 2016 The Serra International Convention in Saint Louis, MO. Pictured left to right: Kurt Metyko, Candice Tyrrell, Ed

More information

Serra Club of Spokane

Serra Club of Spokane A ministry to foster and promote voca ons through prayer, awareness, affirma on and support Nov-Dec 2017 Serra Club of Spokane Club 2 District 1 Region 12 Volume 7 Issue 6 Spokane, Washington USA President

More information

New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life

New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life January 2013 New Sisters and Brothers Professing Perpetual Vows in Religious Life Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC New Sisters and Brothers Professing

More information

Vatican II and the Church today

Vatican II and the Church today Vatican II and the Church today How is the Catholic Church Organized? Equal not Same A Rite represents an ecclesiastical, or church, tradition about how the sacraments are to be celebrated. Each of the

More information

Growing Up in the Parish

Growing Up in the Parish APRIL 2016 All Things and All People Are Made New PAGE 3 St. Vincent Ferrer: Forming Hearts, Hands and Minds for Christ in Our Children PAGE 4 Year of Mercy 2016 A Look Back on our Parish Mission PAGE

More information

SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ARCHIVES

SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ARCHIVES SACRAMENTO DIOCESAN ARCHIVES Vol 3 December 2013 No 11 FATHER THOMAS BATCH Pastor Emeritus of Saint Paul Parish, Knights Landing Interview by Father John E Boll, Diocesan Archivist, 2013 Father Thomas

More information

Saturday of Fifth Week of Easter. Ordination to the Order of Deacon: (Readings: Jer.1:4-9; 1Pet.4:7-11; Jn 10:11-16)

Saturday of Fifth Week of Easter. Ordination to the Order of Deacon: (Readings: Jer.1:4-9; 1Pet.4:7-11; Jn 10:11-16) May 9, 2015 Saturday of Fifth Week of Easter Ordination to the Order of Deacon: Jose de Jesus Haro Gomez Andrew Paul Raczkowski Bruno Ebubechukwu Okoli Paul George Redmond INTRODUCTION: (Readings: Jer.1:4-9;

More information

Unit 4. The Church in the World

Unit 4. The Church in the World Unit 4 The Church in the World A. The Church as Sign and Instrument The Church is both the sign of the communion of humanity with God and the Instrument that makes that unity happen. This means the Church

More information

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity ST. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD ST. JOSEPH MARY: Feasts: Jan. 1, Mar. 25, Aug. 15, Sept. 8, Dec. 8 Born: Nazareth (Sept. 8, 18 B.C. Aug. 15, 41 A.D.) Patron: All humanity, any good activity, mothers, sailors,

More information

#12. Rosaries for Vocations. Tools for Vocations. Serra Promotion and Resource Kit

#12. Rosaries for Vocations. Tools for Vocations. Serra Promotion and Resource Kit #12 Rosaries for Vocations Tools for Vocations Whether it's said on an individual or group basis, the Rosary is a powerful prayer for vocations. Includes two sample Rosaries for Vocations from Serra-US

More information

The Rev. Canon Kathryn Kai Ryan Canon to the Ordinary and Chief Operating Officer Episcopal Diocese of Texas

The Rev. Canon Kathryn Kai Ryan Canon to the Ordinary and Chief Operating Officer Episcopal Diocese of Texas The Rev. Canon Kathryn Kai Ryan Canon to the Ordinary and Chief Operating Officer Episcopal Diocese of Texas I came out of the delivery room at the Miners Hospital in Raton, New Mexico and into the font

More information

The Role of Teachers in Awakening Vocations

The Role of Teachers in Awakening Vocations The Role of Teachers in Awakening Vocations Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses. What teachers do and how

More information

Serra Club Northeast of Houston

Serra Club Northeast of Houston Serra Club Northeast of Houston March 2018 Volume 3, Issue 9 St. Martha, Mary & Lazarus, Friends of Jesus, St. Philip the Apostle, St. Leo the Great, St. Mary Magdalene, St. John of the Cross, St. Dominic

More information

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS OFFICIAL DIOCESAN COLLECTIONS

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS OFFICIAL DIOCESAN COLLECTIONS Collection Name Schedule 2014 2015 2016 Propagation of the Faith 3rd Sunday of January Jan. 19 Jan. 18 Jan. 17 The Catholic Times 2nd Sunday of February Feb. 9 Feb. 8 Feb. 14 Black and Indian Missions

More information

Serra Spectrum. We carry on... The club year is a continuing year of firsts : INSIDE: Our Mission. Southern Cross;

Serra Spectrum. We carry on... The club year is a continuing year of firsts : INSIDE: Our Mission. Southern Cross; Serra Club of Augusta, GA Augusta Deanery, Diocese of Savannah Volume 2 Issue 2 March-April 2011 Serra Spectrum 2010 Most Outstanding Newsletter Serra Clubs USA Council We carry on... The 2010-2011 club

More information

The Permanent Diaconate

The Permanent Diaconate The Permanent Diaconate Diocese of Duluth Contact Deacon John Weiske Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate jweiske@dioceseduluth.org 218-390-3032 5/2017 The Permanent Diaconate One of the fruits

More information

DIVINE RENOVATION BOOK READING AND DISCUSSION GUIDE. Resource for Individuals and Parish Teams in Preparation for the Renew My Church Process

DIVINE RENOVATION BOOK READING AND DISCUSSION GUIDE. Resource for Individuals and Parish Teams in Preparation for the Renew My Church Process DIVINE RENOVATION BOOK READING AND DISCUSSION GUIDE Resource for Individuals and Parish Teams in Preparation for the Renew My Church Process AS WE MOVE FORWARD, IT WILL BE OUR THREE IMPERATIVES THAT WILL

More information

Cranberry Catholic Collaborative Local Pastoral Plan Final Draft

Cranberry Catholic Collaborative Local Pastoral Plan Final Draft Our Collaborative Vision To plant, cultivate and harvest fruitful encounters with the real presence of Jesus Christ. Our Collaborative Purpose The Lord is not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire.

More information

Vocations Lesson Plan

Vocations Lesson Plan Vocations Lesson Plan An Overview This lesson plan will help you to provide a broad view of vocations and its expression in the lives of young people in Viatorian ministry sites. It answers many of the

More information

Contacting Us - Parish Staff & Leadership

Contacting Us - Parish Staff & Leadership ISSUE 19, Fall 2018 Promoting Lives of Virtue, Inspired by the Humility of our Patron St. Charles Borromeo. St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church www.stcharlescatholicperu.org 58 W. 5th Street, Peru, Indiana

More information

Discernment Information Packet for the Diaconate

Discernment Information Packet for the Diaconate Discernment Information Packet for the Diaconate The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Table of Contents Report from the Bishops Task for on the Diaconate 3 Commission on Ministry: What we see in a Deacon 8

More information

Office of the Permanent Diaconate

Office of the Permanent Diaconate Office of the Permanent Diaconate Pre-Formation for Permanent Deacons: D IOCESE OF D ULUTH Inquiry Handbook 2830 East Fourth Street Duluth, MN 55812 Phone: 218-724-9111 Fax: 218-724-1056 E-mail: jweiske@dioceseduluth.org

More information

Resilient faith: Josephites celebrate 125 years of ministry

Resilient faith: Josephites celebrate 125 years of ministry Resilient faith: Josephites celebrate 125 years of ministry Inside a luminous cathedral where many of their ancestors historically attended Mass segregated in a rear balcony, hundreds of African-American

More information

Celebrating God s Love 50 Years June 27, 2009

Celebrating God s Love 50 Years June 27, 2009 Celebrating God s Love 50 Years June 27, 2009 St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church 2930 Thomas Street Columbus, Georgia 1959 ~ 2009 St Benedict the Moor 1959-2009 Master of Ceremonies Welcome/Occasion

More information

Fourth Synod of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Synodal Summary

Fourth Synod of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Synodal Summary Fourth Synod of the Diocese of Bridgeport Synodal Summary September 19, 2015 Introduction On Friday, September 19, 2014, Bishop Frank Caggiano signed the official decree opening the Fourth Diocesan Synod

More information

CHANCERY BULLETIN March 25, 2013

CHANCERY BULLETIN March 25, 2013 Diocese of La Crosse P. O. Box 4004 La Crosse, WI 54602-4004 Tel: 608-788-7700 FAX: 608-788-8413 E-Mail: chancery@dioceseoflacrosse.com CHANCERY BULLETIN March 25, 2013 EASTER GREETING FROM BISHOP WILLIAM

More information

The Profession Class of 2011: Survey of Women and Men Religious Professing Perpetual Vows

The Profession Class of 2011: Survey of Women and Men Religious Professing Perpetual Vows December 2011 The Profession Class of 2011: Survey of Women and Men Religious Professing Perpetual Vows Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC The Profession

More information

Vocation General Intercessions First Sunday of Advent 2018 to Feast of Christ the King 2019 Cycle C

Vocation General Intercessions First Sunday of Advent 2018 to Feast of Christ the King 2019 Cycle C Vocation General Intercessions First Sunday of Advent 2018 to Feast of Christ the King 2019 Cycle C December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent That all those now discerning their vocations will be alert

More information

Office of the Permanent Diaconate

Office of the Permanent Diaconate Office of the Permanent Diaconate Formation and Training for Permanent Deacons: D IOCESE OF D ULUTH A Guide for Pastors 2830 East Fourth Street Duluth, MN 55812 Phone: 218-724-9111 Fax: 218-724-1056 E-mail:

More information

Liturgical Calendar for Schools

Liturgical Calendar for Schools 2016 Liturgical Calendar for s Liturgical Year C The Year of Luke Weekday Readings Year II Jubilee Year of Mercy Pope Francis: It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may

More information

Carmelite Third Order (Secular) British Province INFORMATION FOR ENQUIRERS

Carmelite Third Order (Secular) British Province INFORMATION FOR ENQUIRERS Carmelite Third Order (Secular) British Province INFORMATION FOR ENQUIRERS updated December 2009 1 How do I join the Third Order? The first step is to make contact with the nearest community, which might

More information

Finding Our New Place Together Parish Assembly St. Stephen Parish, Riverview

Finding Our New Place Together Parish Assembly St. Stephen Parish, Riverview Finding Our New Place Together Parish Assembly St. Stephen Parish, Riverview Bryan Froehle, froehleb@gmail.com, 312-285-9121 April 2, 2017 From Reflection to Data and Back Again The parish is a community

More information

Part III: Voices from Parishes and Participating Organizations

Part III: Voices from Parishes and Participating Organizations Part III: Voices from Parishes and Participating Organizations 1. Make a list of some successful ways that parishes / organizations in the region are already responding to the obstacles, challenges and

More information

THE GIFT OF VOCATIONS

THE GIFT OF VOCATIONS I was born in Slovakia, the oldest of four children. I have two younger sisters and one brother. I first experienced my vocation to the priesthood in high school my pastor asked me if I was thinking of

More information

DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE

DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5 May 2015 CATHOLIC PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS WILL BIKE 1400 MILES TO PROMOTE VOCATIONS TO CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD Priests from Diocese

More information

Year of Prayer Calendar

Year of Prayer Calendar Year of Prayer Calendar Daily Mass Tuesday through Friday 9:00am, preceded by Rosary recitation SEPTEMBER Monthly Intention: COKAS Year of Prayer pray for the parishioners of COKAS that the Father, Son

More information

Holy Family Catholic Church Key Findings Report

Holy Family Catholic Church Key Findings Report Holy Family Catholic Church Key Findings Report Toward a Strategic Plan INTRODUCTION 1 I. PARISH VISION AND ORGANIZATION FOR MISSION 3 A. TOWARD A VISION STATEMENT 3 B. PASTORAL STAFF 13 C. LAY LEADERSHIP,

More information

General Intercessions for Vocations First Sunday of Advent through the Feast of Christ the King Cycle B Attn: Pastors and Parish Vocation Ministries

General Intercessions for Vocations First Sunday of Advent through the Feast of Christ the King Cycle B Attn: Pastors and Parish Vocation Ministries General Intercessions for Vocations First Sunday of Advent through the Feast of Christ the King Cycle B Attn: Pastors and Parish Vocation Ministries First Sunday of Advent: December 3, 2017 That the hearts

More information

WHY DO WE NEED DEACONS?

WHY DO WE NEED DEACONS? WHAT IS A DEACON? A Deacon in the Catholic Church is an ordained minister. He is ordained not to priesthood but to service. In the Catholic Church the ordained ministry comprises three orders: bishops,

More information

FOR TODAY FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US

FOR TODAY FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US FOR TODAY FOR TOMORROW FOR ALL OF US 2018 WWW.STCHARLESSEMINARYAPPEAL.ORG 2019 2018 2019 Dear Friends, For today. For tomorrow. For all of us. This truly embodies the spirit of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

More information

FACULTY INFORMATION Updated: 5/8/2017

FACULTY INFORMATION Updated: 5/8/2017 FACULTY INFORMATION Updated: 5/8/2017 The Reverend Msgr. Michael J. Begolly, MDiv, ThM, DMin How do we pray? Email: mbegolly@dioceseofgreensburg.org Monsignor Michael Begolly has served as pastor of Mount

More information

It s Your Call: Exploring Vocation

It s Your Call: Exploring Vocation It s Your Call: Exploring Vocation Contents 3 / Is God calling me? 4 / What is my vocation? 6 / Licensed lay ministry 8 / Ordained ministry 10 / Other types of Christian ministry 12 / The discernment and

More information

Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Executive Director Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations - -

Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Executive Director Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations  - - Rev. W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Executive Director Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations www.usccb.org/cclv - - smcknight@usccb.org Committee Bishop Michael Burbidge, Chairman + 8 Bishops

More information

DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE COUNCIL OF LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTERS APPROVED BY BISHOP MCGRATH JUNE 10, Page 1 of 11

DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE COUNCIL OF LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTERS APPROVED BY BISHOP MCGRATH JUNE 10, Page 1 of 11 DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE COUNCIL OF LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTERS APPROVED BY BISHOP MCGRATH JUNE 10, 2005 Page 1 of 11 DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTERS PREAMBLE The Apostle Paul, when writing to his newly-founded

More information

Basic Demographics 29% 20% 19% 10% 13% 5% 4% 2% 0% 2% 5% 0% ETHNICITY (n=91) and GENDER (n=84)

Basic Demographics 29% 20% 19% 10% 13% 5% 4% 2% 0% 2% 5% 0% ETHNICITY (n=91) and GENDER (n=84) 96 responses 1 Response tallies for youth ages 11-17 are reported separately at the end. When you reflect on the age, ethnic, and gender distributions of respondents, do they accurately reflect the people

More information

Basic Demographics 11% 8% ETHNICITY (n=238) and GENDER (n=222) Pacific

Basic Demographics 11% 8% ETHNICITY (n=238) and GENDER (n=222) Pacific 237 responses 1 Response tallies for youth ages 11-17 are reported separately at the end. When you reflect on the age, ethnic, and gender distributions of respondents, do they accurately reflect the people

More information

Basic Demographics 19% 10% 11% 5% 4% 0% 4% 7% 0% ETHNICITY (n=19) and GENDER (n=16) Pacific

Basic Demographics 19% 10% 11% 5% 4% 0% 4% 7% 0% ETHNICITY (n=19) and GENDER (n=16) Pacific 28 responses 1 Response tallies for youth ages 11-17 are reported separately at the end. When you reflect on the age, ethnic, and gender distributions of respondents, do they accurately reflect the people

More information

January Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Mary, Mother of God New Year s Day

January Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Mary, Mother of God New Year s Day January 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 Mary, Mother of God New Year s Day St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. John Neumann 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Epiphany of the Lord Acceptance

More information

Serra District 7 South Newsletter

Serra District 7 South Newsletter Serra District 7 South Newsletter Vol. II, Issue 1, June 2017 To My Fellow Serrans: I am happy to announce that our District 7 South will be publishing a District newsletter. Mary Mamer of the Owatonna

More information

EIGHTH GRADE REVIEW SHEET

EIGHTH GRADE REVIEW SHEET EIGHTH GRADE REVIEW SHEET 2017-2018 GOD and REVELATION There is one God, the Supreme Being, who is infinitely loving, powerful, perfect and eternal. Holy Trinity - Three divine persons in one God ( Blessed

More information