February/March 2007

Prayer Intentions: For an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life.

For an end to abortion and a respect for all life from birth to natural death.

President’s message: Pat Englehart conducted the March 6 meeting in the absence of President Dennis Behm. Committee reports were given.

Denny conducted the March 20 meeting. He announced that the “Leadership Conference” will be held May 12 and Tiffin Serra will be the host. Fr. Nuss will send more details next month. All officers are encouraged to attend and all Serrans are welcomed to attend. It was suggested that one person from each groups call members to remind them of the Holy Hour each month.

Dick Scheiber read a beautiful poem on Lent and the Crucifixion.

SIF Slate of Grants: Janet Dell-Freeman passed out copies of the Serra International Foundation slate of grants. $164,100 was dispersed between 20 organizations. She said we should encourage people to contribute to the foundation as many Churches etc. need support especially in foreign countries.

Speakers: Joanne Brickner gave an interesting presentation on “Swiss Guards at the Vatican”. The history goes back to the Renaissance in 1506 when Pope Julius II invited to Rome the Helvetian soldiers. The Vatican ,as we know it today, dates only from 1929 and the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy. She discussed the requirements needed to be come a guard and showed examples of their uniforms. Upon selection to the Swiss Guard, new recruits take their oath of loyalty on May 6, the anniversary of the Sack of Rome.

Fr. Frank Neiset spoke at the March 20 meeting and talked about the books that he has written for potential priests. He asked “What can you as Serrans do to recruit seminarians.” “What is involved in becoming a priest”. He said with so few priests and sisters, young people do not have the opportunity to see what it is like and who to talk to if they are interested in religious life. His book “More Guys in Roman Collars” talks about the life of a religious. It discusses what needs to be considered- mental status, moral, discipline and health. It helps to answer “what kind of life you are looking for” This book is in publication now.

Meetings: April 3- Richard Kozlowski will show the film on the mass from St. Michaels.

April 17- Christopher Bohnsack- seminarian-

Holy Hour: March 26: 7:00 P.M. Group C

8:00 P.M. Group A

9:00 P.M. Group B

What is our story?: If a documentary film, made of you life, wouldn’t you like to have editorial privileges? That way some aspects of your life could remain untold. On the other hand, should only the most wonderful things about you go into the film” . What would your honesty and integrity require you to include, and what would you decide it was wise to leave out? When it comes right down to it, each of us has a personal history made up of proud chapters, and then there are those times we would rather not recall. How realistic or objective can we be about our own stories?” How much did Jesus” disciples know about him when they decided to follow him” All they really knew was that he grew up in Nazareth, that his father was a carpenter named Joseph, his mother was named Mary, and that he worked with his father until he started teaching and preaching. Even so, they left what they were doing and followed him. It was only after his resurrection, and in some ways after Pentecost, that they were able to embrace the incredible but true story of Jesus.

Are we following Jesus with the intensity that the apostles did? We have the blueprint they didn’t have. We have the Bible. A structure is only as strong or as solid as it should be if the blueprint is followed closely. We can use our daily Lenten meditation to give ourselves a check-up on how strong or how solid our structure is. Are we following the blue print or do we occasionally try to “cut corners”?

Deacon Floyd

Men and women in formation:

Jerome Schetter Delores Schetter (Late Robert 33 Prospect Hill Rd. Rm 115 Scheeter

Cromwell, Ct. 06416

Holy Apostles College and Seminary - Pre Theology

Expected date of ordination 2011

Interests: Big time college sports fan - Ohio State- football & basketball, snow skiing - 29 year member of the National Ski Patrol. Golfing, bowling, helping in my local Parish.

Influenced- “First off my Uncle (my fathers brother) was a priest for the Arch Diocese of Cincinnati for 48 years- he was very close to our family. Secondly: My involvement in my local parish. Thirdly: God helped me sell my business, no more strings attached to hold me back.”

“Looking at your motto or slogan on your cover letter. Is a great inspiration to know that what is in our minds and that our efforts are for the better good of all. Christ is calling each and every one of us; he has opened our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and our lips to proclaim. So no matter what the obstacle we need to push forward in all that we do.

Joanne Brickner