Toronto West Serra Club Newsletter July 2013-1 Board of Trustees 2013-2014 President Anna Mangione V.P. Program Joseph Gennaro V.P. Membership Mario Cinelli V.P. Vocations David Bain V.P. Communications John Plunkett Treasurer Anthony Mangione Secretary Irene Skinner Bain Trustees Vince Citriniti Gary MacDonald Caroline Smith David Smith Past President Patrick Hearn Chaplain Father Martin Pereira Vocare Team Irene Skinner Bain Caroline Smith Anna Mangione John Plunkett Marcello Tarantino Irene Urbaniak Contact us 416 245 2223 serracanada@sympatico.ca Fellow Serrans: I heard today that Peter Calzavara passed away. Please remember him in your prayers. Peter may not be so well known to those of us who joined Serra in the past several years, however, we who have been in Serra for many years will have many fond memories of Peter, for he faithfully not only attended but participated eagerly in all Serra activities, for he loved Serra and all that we do for priestly vocations, and all that we do to grow in our own Faith. Before his sickness incapacitated him, Peter was the Editor of The Canadian Serran, a quarterly newsletter for all Canadian Serrans. He did this duty willingly and joyfully for the good of Serra, in much the same intensity and passion that he put forth towards all other Serra events and other Serra activities. I can still close my eyes and see Peter welcoming other Serrans at these Serra events with much joy and with his signature broad smile - and a hearty handshake that would last for a good 20 seconds or more! He was forever cheerful, and always a pleasure to be with! PETER CALZAVARA Past Serra Offices held and more - President, Toronto West Serra Club Member, Serra Canada Council Editor, The Canadian Serran National Newsletter Editor, Vocare Toronto West Club Newsletter Lector, St. Benedict s Parish Member, Knights of Columbus Married to Eilleen for 54 years. Father of 5 Would that we all have the same desire, love, Passion and intensity in all that we do for Serra, as Peter had, when he was able to! We would be the envy of all Serra Councils on this side of the universe. Peter, you have "run your good race", and are now at your eternal home! May your soul, and the soul of all the faithfully departed, rest in our Good Lord's peace! Mario Biscardi V.P. Serra International
Toronto West Serra Club July 2013 2 #1104 Apr 22 - Fr. Louis Mousseau Br. Louis Mousseau was our speaker on April 22, 2013. His earliest experience of Serrans involved bringing young people on retreat to an area that was difficult Tarantino Photos to get to on account of the steep terrain, and requiring help with their vehicle to manage the hills. He was brought up in a family that included several religious, and his studies included time spent in Italy where he met Padre Pio. In fact he considers himself a spiritual son of the famous priest who bore the stigmata of Christ. This year his work involves visiting ten high schools, as well as working with people in formation. In working to promote vocations at an international level, it is important to be visible and also to have a good website. #1105 May 13 Fr. Ronald Comeau Father Comeau is a teacher at St. Charles Garnier School, Mississauga. He is an Oblate of St. Gregory, and a Knight of Malta. His topic was the Eastern and Western Rites of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Church is self-governing, and in full communion with the Roman Church while preserving many centuries-old liturgies and theological tradition. Eastern rite Our Honoured Guests parishioners may receive the Roman sacraments, however we cannot receive theirs; women may marry a deacon priest. At Easter people bring baskets of food to be blessed; these baskets include eggs painted in red or blue, red for the divinity of Jesus and blue for his humanity. #1106 - May 27 - Filomina Lin Ms. Lin was born into the Buddhist faith in Singapore. She converted to Catholicism at age nineteen. This was a sign, in her culture, of disobedience and defiance, and she was disowned by her father. In Canada she connected with Madonna House at Combermere, Ontario and became a member of the lay apostolate community founded there by Catherine de Hueck and Eddie Doherty in 1947. This movement is part of the charismatic renewal which began in the United States, and was one of the Catholic responses to the post war depression. Guests are welcomed by the spiritual family at Madonna House and can stay for as little as one week, or one year. In summer there is a weeklong retreat for families. Discernment retreats as part of the priestly formation process are held from October till Easter. Early challenges for Filomena included coping with home sickness and Ontario s harsh climate as well as how to explain Madonna house to families, or those seeking consecrated life. One important confidence building lesson however, was accomplishing a simple task like ironing, and doing it well. > > > Guest Reviews continue on page 5
Toronto West Serra Club July 2013 3 Club Meetings Club Meetings are held in a private room, at the Canadiana Restaurant 5230 Dundas Street W. unless otherwise noted July 8 Meeting #1109 Cancelled - summertime July 22 Meeting #1110 Annual Family Barbecue 2013/14 Board Installation Aug 12 Meeting #1111 Cancelled - summertime Aug 26 Meeting #1112 Honoured Guest TBA Sept 9 Meeting #1113 Honoured Guest TBA Sept 23 Meeting #1114 Honoured Guest TBA Board Meetings The Board of Trustees meets on the 3 rd Monday of each month for planning and other Club business. July 15 Meeting #555 Cancelled - summertime Aug 19 Meeting #556 Location TBA Sept 16 Meeting #557 Location TBA Toronto West Club Family Barbecue Date: Monday, July 22 Place: Mary Lake Shrine 13760 Keele St. (at Bloomington Rd E.) 4:30 Arrive: (parking near the church) 5:15 Mass: (in Shrine Chapel) 6:00 Board Installation: 7:00 Dinner: Outdoor Gourmet Barbecue Beer, Wine & soft drinks included Cost: Club Members no charge Your Guests $25.00 R.S.V.P. By Monday, July 15 Caroline Smith - 416 239 9912 Please supply your Guest s names so we can pre-print Hospitality Name Badges. MARYLAKE SHRINE A Peter Story Donald Trump visits an old folks home to mingle with the people and pick up a little good P.R. at the same time. He walks up to a sweet old lady in a wheelchair who smiles at him with an otherwise blank stare. Do you know who I am? asks The Donald? She responds, No, but if you ask at the desk, they ll tell you. Get The Catholic Information You Need and support your Canadian Catholic newspaper The Catholic Register is published under the auspices of Cardinal Thomas Collins. It provides Faithful, Intelligent, Comprehensive, faithbased coverage of serious human, moral and ethical issues. It s important that we Serrans, as leaders in our community, maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of these matters in order to reflect the values taught in our schools and churches. Sunday sermons and Serra s University of Christian Principles program can t supply all the information that a Catholic needs to function rationally in today s changing society. To subscribe to this SPECIAL (limited time) OFFER of $32.90 for one year or $61.10 for two years - call John Plunkett at 416 245 2223 or jplunkett@sympatico.ca You may pay by cheque or Credit card.
Toronto West Serra Club July 2013 4 Bishop Gary Gordon with Maria and Tony Tolomei John Gennaro wwith Caroline Smith and Eilleen Calzavara. John Baycroft and Deacon Milan Popik sharing joke. John Holland debating the merits of wintering in Florida with John Plunkett R Ray Track focusing on the Honored Guest Speaker CLUB MEMBER NEWS We are pleased to report that Serran Frank Kennedy is now home, recovering from a serious heart operation. Teresa Gillard, wife of Serran Harry Gillard has been released after over three months in hospital and is now convalescing at home from a neck injury resulting from a fall. Maria Tolomei was appointed our Club s voting Delegate for Serra International s June 2013 Convention in Mallorca, Spain. Our Club presented a Foundation Gift Card to Eilleen Calzavara indicating that a donation has been made to the Serra Foundation of Canada with the request that Serran Peter Calzavara be remembered at a Mass to be celebrated by Serra Canada s Episcopal Adviser, Bishop Gary Gordon. We welcomed back Serran John Holland at a June Club Meeting following an extended absence resulting from his recent heart attack. ORDINANDI DINNER REPORT The Ordinandi Dinner Committee's final Report on the 2013 event shows a total attendance of 2154 persons, including the popular new Student Luncheon. Good planning and careful management made possible total donations in excess of thirty thousand dollars in support of Serra s vocation promotion goals. The principal recipients were - Serra House St. Augustine s Seminary Serra Foundation of Canada Redemptoris Mater Seminary We congratulate founder Mario Biscardi and all his hard working and talented team of colaborators. Birthdays JULY Mario Cinelli Bill Whelton AUGUST David Bain Gary MacDonald Anthony Mangione, Sr. Rev. Mr. Milan Popik Peter Takaoka SEPTEMBER Paul Horbatiuk Tony Tolomei Anniversaries JULY Anne & Richard Brisbois Abbott Rose & John Gennaro Florence & Bernard Smith Maria & Anthony Tolomei AUGUST Fedela & Carmen DeSantis Anna & Marcello Tarantino SEPTEMBER Anna & Anthony Mangione Irene & David Bain Caroline & David Smith Nadia & Peter Takaoka Remember in your prayer Frances Cinelli Teresa Gillard Frank Kennedy Ambrose Lucas Florence Smith Ray Track Bill & Clare Whelton and all who have requested our prayers
Toronto West Serra Club July 2013 5 continued from page 2 - Honored Guests #1107 June 10 Kathleen Ancker Our June 10, 2013 speaker was Kathleen Ancker, incoming president of the Toronto Downtown Serra Club. Her topic was Catholic Missions in Canada, work which was begun in 1908 by the Catholic Church Extension Society. Of the seventy dioceses in Canada, twenty seven are mission dioceses. Two million dollars funds the basic support of missionaries, for expenses such as food, gas, ATVs etc; half a million pays for building and repair of churches and related buildings, and a further one million supports the religious education of lay people, who conduct the business of the church in the absence of a priest. Finally, $405,000 is spent on helping seminarians become priests. It was suggested that the Serra Clubs might consider adopting a seminarian, with a view to corresponding with them, praying for them, and also giving a gift at Christmas, such as a required textbook for their program of study. Tarantino photo #1108 June 24 Father Mark Robson Fr. Mark Robson, instructor in Systematic Theology at St. Augustine Seminary was our guest speaker on June 24, 2013. This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the Seminary. Prior to 1913, training of priests took place mostly in overseas seminaries in Italy, or Ireland. The seminary s current mission includes not only the formation of priests, but also training for the restored office of Permanent Deacon. Many events are planned for the centenary year, including a gathering of the Bishops of Canada on September 5 th. Priest alumni, who number around eight hundred will also have their event, attended by Cardinal Urosa of Venezuela, the only living Cardinal alumnus. There will also be a reception for Serrans, and for members of all six school boards in the Archdiocese during Education Week in May, 2014. An outdoor mass for all Catholics is planned for June 1 st, 2014. New Club Member Induction Welcome - Anne Brisbois Abbott Celebrating April Birthdays Maria Tolomei and David Smith Tarantino photos Tarantino photos
Toronto West Serra Club July 2013 6 It s Good To Know! Extract from a speech by Sean Yeo (Singapore Serra Club) New President of Serra International (2013/2014) delivered at the Annual Convention on June 22 in Mallorca, Spain