February 2008

Prayer Intention: 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

For our military personnel and their families.

Fr. Szybka: Fr. Joe congratulated Deacon Dan Scherger on the nineteenth anniversary of his deaconate.

Fr. Richard Dunn had surgery at St. Lukes hospital in Toledo. He is showing improvement and hopes to be back at St. Francis this weekend for further recovery. Stations of the Cross will be 7:00 p.m. Fridays at St. Joseph, and Wednesdays at St. Mary Parish. The last week of Feb. St. Mary’s will hold Mission week and a community Penance Service that last Monday. Mar. 1 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Schaeffer Auditorium, Dr. Kevin Anderson would be presenting a Marriage Enrichment Program. $50.00 per couple. There will be a vocation mass March 1. Mass and breakfast for women will be March 15.

Mike Baltzell: Mike was introduced as the new Director of Development at Calvert Catholic schools. Mike will also do marketing and announced that they will have a kick off capital campaign in 2010 with a goal of 10 million dollars and a goal of 30% increase in enrollment. Four groups will be targeted: Students, alumni, businesses and friends. The ultimate goal in the future is to eliminate tuition.

Presidents messages: A “thank you” card was read from Chris Meleski. Tom Welter reminded everyone of the Holy Hour February 26^th at Mercy Hospital Chapel. He will have short meeting with the Vocation Committee after the regular meeting March 4. Denny will have a short meeting of the committee chairmen after tonight’s meeting.

Speakers: Pat E. introduced Ann and Doug McRoy from Lima, Ohio. Doug is the past District Governor of Serra, and present President Elect of USAC, 2008. He will serve as President in 2009 and asked for our prayers. He discussed USAC and International Club happenings. He enjoys the privilege of interacting with other clubs, and was glad to come to Tiffin Serra, the "heart of the diocese" he said we are referred to in Toledo. He was on the Executive Council for 2 yrs. and announced that a compromise was reached concerning USAC and Serra International this past December. A vote to accept a meeting with the Serra Internation Board was approved. USA has 12,000 U.S. Serrans, 320 Serra Clubs, 72 Districts, and 14 Regions, each with Regional directors on the USAC Board. What does it mean to us and how does it affect vocations was the question he wanted to address. First, we need to have a process to foster vocations, involve several Serra Clubs working together. We need to interact with our diocese. USAC can bring more to the local Serrans by joining and interacting with other regions and councils.

USAC has available its website: serraus.org, that provides a vast amount of helpful committee information and manuals that can be printed out. We also need to go to the parishes, they won't come to us, to promote vocations.

USAC Council hopes to build more Serra Clubs, and is offering a Serran Weekend at Notre Dame the weekend of June 20th.

Carolyn Price

February 19: Deacon Dan Scherger held a “mini-retreat” with the members. He read the epistle of Samuel and then had a series of questions for each to contemplate- how do we really see and evaluate other people, are we satisfied to pass judgment on the basis of external or do we look deeper? He then read Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”) and asked if we saw ourselves as shepherds/ Do we acknowledge in word and deed that we indeed have leadership roles for others? The author of Ephesians exhorts us to expose the works of darkness. Are we willing to speak out as a groups against injustices in our community? Both opening prayers powerfully remind us of Jesus” work of reconciliation. Are we intent upon offering the gift of reconciliation to members of our community. Do we go out of our way to break down those barriers that make true love impossible? Through baptism we become members of God’s family. Do we really look upon others as our sisters and brothers? What would it take for us personally to acknowledge others as sisters and brothers and how would we like others to demonstrate this kind of relationship to us.

Announcements:

February 25 - Holy hour at Mercy hospital chapel

February 24-27 - St. Mary’s Parish Mission featuring Father John Graden and Joanne Kinney

March 4 - Paul Wetzel

Vocation Committee meeting

April 13 - World Day of Prayer for vocations.

NB: There will not be a newsletter in March as I will be on vacation. I will combine March and April’s meetings. Joanne