ICDA- US Midwest Region E- Newsletter Hi, members and friends of ICDA- US Midwest Region, May 2012 Issue 38 th Biennial ICDA- US Midwest Regional Conference 2012 After few days of feeling exhausted from the conference, I am now starting to have my energy back to write this E- Newsletter to focus on the 2012 MWR Conference and the month of May to honor Mary our mother of God. For those 117 people who came to the MWR conference last weekend, I wanted to say many thanks for your support and also your presence. My hope for you is that in some way you felt inspired by this conference. Also many thanks went to Chairperson Al Alvord and his committee and volunteers for their wonderful job of this Conference and for their hard work and sweats of planning this conference for only eight months. Great job! As many of you may know by now that I resign from the position of Midwest President. I was elected in April 2010: ICDA- US would have my full attention as President. Last July 2011 I was elected as President of ICDA- US and said I would finish my term until April 2012 but found out that really the term itself is a four- year term. I must admit it has been two years of adventure with ups and downs for me as MWR President and that experience showed me another window that I could share my gift from God to be with others and serve as leader of ICDA community. But I do know that I can t do both at same time. And that I ask God to help the MWR Board to continue their work in next two years President Mike Muszynski, Secretary Paul Blicharz, Treasurer Vickie Caraballo and Past President Jerry Zondlo. May God bless them. Now let s talk a bit more about the MWR Conference this past weekend. The conference theme was Gateway to God. The Host Chapter is St. Louis Catholic Deaf Society, ICDA Chapter #6. The hotel was Doubletree in Chesterfield, MO, about 25-30 minutes away from Lambert St. Louis International Airport. The hotel s lobby was remodeling. This forced the changes in meeting rooms but that did not dampen our conference spirit. Friday - Highlights 1. Benediction Fr. Joseph Mulcrone from Chapter #10 Chicago started the Conference with the Benediction service. The meeting room was like an auditorium theatre. There we sat together and quietly looking at the Blessed Sacrament for twenty minutes. It was very spiritual moment for many of us there. 2. Workshop #1 Evangelization with Catholic Deaf Youth by Fr. Christopher Klusman from ICDA Chapter #7, Milwaukee WI, who would celebrate his first year of his priesthood ordination next month. The room was the auditorium theatre style. He explained about the theme of conference would fit his presentations. On looking toward to DY to bring them to the Church, how the attitudes and behaviors of each generation affect. Also the workshop allowed the opportunities for group discussion on our ideas how to bring the Deaf Youth DY to Church. Plus his computer presentation showed lots of awesome special effects to bring the eyes of the conference attendees to get his points of the presentation.
MWR, May 2012 Issue Page 2 3. Reception After Fr. Christopher s workshop #1, the room was cozy and warm feeling to welcome the new and old guests and fed them with the toasted Ravioli, Raw Vegetables, and Antipasto. The room was also filled with people to catch up on news with their old friends and also to meet new friends and get to know them. Saturday - Highlights 1. Business meeting We came back to the auditorium meeting room and started the meeting with officers, delegates and moderators along with some visitors. Discussions were: a. Conference Bid 2014 Cincinnati, Ohio got their bid with four conditions provided to ensure that they will host the next conference. b. Conference Bid 2016 Chicago, Illinois the MWR started in Chicago in 1966 and will celebrate 40th Anniversary in Chicago so it s perfect opportunity to celebrate 40th Anniversary where it began. c. Next two years with President Mike Muszynski with Secretary Paul Blicharz. Treasurer Vickie Caraballo is now the current Treasurer as the result from the resignation of previous Treasurer Brian Swatek. d. Many thanks went to the auditors, Ralph Fuechtmann, Joe Bloemer and Donald Lamberti for their time to audit the past four years of treasury reports. Thanks to Richard Kush as Parliamentarian and Fr. Joe Mulcrone as the Spiritual Advisor. 2. Workshop #2 Imitation of Mary by Fr. Christopher KIusman was held after lunch. First part he showed many different pictures but all is the same one Mary, Mother of God. Second part he explained to us why Mary is important to us with each picture from the Scripture to look at Jesus and to include Jesus in our life. Outstanding presentation! Thanks to Fr. Christopher to bring more awareness and understanding of Mary, Mother of God. 3. Mass with main celebrant, St. Louis Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice along with Fr. Joseph Mulcrone, and Fr. Jerry Trancone from Washington DC, Fr. Christopher Klusman and Deacon Ralph Hinch from Chicago. While during the Mass, I was inspired to see few military soldiers joining the Mass. (The military soldiers had workshops in same hotel on same weekend.) During the Mass, ICDA- US President Jean Cox presented the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf with the certificate recognizing their 175th Anniversary educating the deaf children. 4. Banquet Fr. Christopher Klusman said the opening prayer with us. Chuck Theel, master of ceremony, AKA Deaf Famous who never runs out of Jokes. Ann Pudlowski signed God Bless America with inspiring booming drum. The buffet dinner was served to hungry attendees. Banquet speaker Chuck Theel shared his experiences of stories with us. MWR President Jean Cox thanked all for their support and presented the surprised couple Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Huddleston with the outstanding members award. Janette Fields announced the winners of 16 raffle baskets along with Timothy Owen s funny notes on projector screen to get the attention and helped to bring the raffle winners to the table to pick up their winning baskets. Fr. John Brancich FSSP from Nebraska said the closing prayer. Again, I want to thank everyone for his or her help, support and prayers. Picture the Gateway, we together continue to form the ICDA community with faith, love and perseverance, and to recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters in Christ. God Bless you, Jean Cox
MWR, May 2012 Issue Page 3 Top row: Brother joseph Thermadon, OP M iss., Paul Blicharz, Dean Pudlowski, Brother Tom Offenburger, OP M iss. Middle row Gloria Kudrna, Monica Niemira, Janette Field. Bottom row: Mark Jodlowski, Al Alvord, Lola Laurent Volunteers not pictured: Harvey Cavagnaro, Rita Dunn, Pearl Glasscock, Kathleen Hendron, Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Huddleston, Sr. Maureen Langton CSJ, Ann Pudlowski, Irma Pudlowski, Eileen Ribaudo, Rene Schoeffer and Richard Schoeffler Chairperson Al Alvord in action Fr. Joe Mulcrone during Benediction service Workshop Presenter Fr. Christopher Klusman MC and Banquet Speaker Charles Theel Mass choir during Saturday Mass
MWR, May 2012 Issue Page 4 Officers, Delegates and Moderators pictures After hard work, now we can relax Hey was the meeting fun or what???? Announcing 2012 Outstanding Members Award of the Year Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Huddleston from Chapter 6 More details on this wonderful couple in next issue President Jean Cox presenting award to Ronald & Sharon Huddleston along with MWR Board members Vickie Caraballo, Paul Blicharz, and Mike Muszynicki.
Mary, Mother of God MWR May 2012 Issue Page 5 God wants us to honor Mary on earth as she is honored in heaven. Remember: We worship God, but we honor Mary. Why? Because Jesus honors her, and because she wants to do something for us to know Jesus. She is honored around in the world in different ways. See below Our Lady of Fatima Our Lady of Lourdes Our Lady of Knock Our Lady of Akita Our Lady of Snows Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Czestochowa
Announcements MWR, May 2012 Issue Page 6 Sandra Gorrill, 70, passed away on April 13, 2012 from leukemia cancer. She had it for several years. She lived in Wildwood, IL (40 miles north of Chicago). Sandra Gorrill Survivors: her husband Ronald, two sons, 11 grandchildren and three great Born: July 30, 1941 grandchildren. Died: April 13, 2012 She sewed a beautiful large banner of ICDA- US Midwest Region in 2000. Rest in Peace May her soul rest in everlasting peace. The article about her and how the ICDA- US Banner made was in February 2011 issue. See below **************************************************************************************** National Deaf Cursillo #64 October 4-7, 2012 (Thurs Sunday) At St. Benedict Abbey Benet Lake, Wisconsin Be Open to Jesus Presentations, Group Discussions, & Daily Masses For any questions contact: Arvilla Rank, Cursillo Coordinator 414-395- 2067 - VP 414-545- 0461 - TTY Website: www.deafcursillo.net Email: info@deafcursillo.net **************************************************************************************************************** Deadline date to submit your community news for June issue is May 28th. The mailing address if you prefer to send is MWR Attn: J. Cox, PO Box 811272, Cleveland, Ohio 44181. If by email, please send to Jcox551654@aol.com. Thank you.