OCTOBER 2007

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.

Message from Fr. Joe Syzbka: The mass on the first Saturday of the month is for vocations. October is Respect for Life month and also the Month of Mary. Fr. Tim Ferris’ father died. Please remember him in your prayers. On November 18 he will have a Latin Mass at 2:00 P.M. He thanked Toledo for sharing the booklets and music. He encouraged all to attend the mass. There was a retreat for the Sophomores and Juniors held in the Upper Room. He was very impressed with the participation of the students and enjoyed sharing the day with them.

President’s comments: We will send a letter of support to Fr. Noss and keep him in our prayers. They are looking into a poster contest for vocations during the month of January. Thank you letters were read from several seminarians who received their “Care “ packages. They are really appreciative of the packages and in return are continuing to pray for all Serrans. Remember to bring you items or cash donations to the first meeting every month.

Priesthood Sunday is October 28. Thank a priest for his dedication and service to the congregation.

Speakers: Janet Dell-Freeman spoke at the October 2 meeting on the Atlanta Convention. Janet said: “If you have never attended a Serra International Convention, I urge all Serrans to try the experience. In Atlanta, we were privileged to have Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, as the official host. There were three (3) cardinals in attendance: Cardinal Rigali, Episcopal Advisor of Serra International, Cardinal Ouellet from Quebec and Cardinal Sandoval from Guadalajara, Mexico .On Friday evening there was a wonderful event entitled “Dinner with Raymond Arroyo”. Raymond was a good friend of Mother Angelica. He spent 5 years interviewing her and before that he was an employee. Raymond said Mother Angelica in some ways was like a grandmother with whom he shared an uncommon ease and kinship. They conversed about any issue and did not avoid the occasional ribbing. He said she was a simple, deeply spiritual woman struggling to do God’s will and to overcome her personal failings.”

“Meeting Serrans from around the world is a thrilling part of an International Convention. At the Board Orientation meeting it felt as if I might be at the United Nations. The Council in Brazil has already moved forward with restructuring. They have 154 clubs and their relationship with the hierarchy is very good. There will be one national council and 10 regions, each with a coordinator and no paid staff.

Other international news concerns the next convention which will be held in Brazil August 14-17, 2008. It starts with Mass on Friday evening and ends with a banquet on Saturday night. Many of these Serrans will ride a bus 12-14 hours to attend.

The Italian Council is an outstanding group. These men have been working for years behind the Iron Curtain to form clubs. They are currently working in Crozia, Slovenia, and Hungary. They have no paid staff in their council and much of their work is paid from their own funds.

There were 4 Nigerians in attendance as well as their Archbishop. A newly formed club in Singapore was chartered on February 10, 2006. Their yearbook is inspiring. Their project of spirituality, a pilgrimage to Rome, attendance at the Asian Convention, retreats, and publishing a book of vocations is amazing.

There are positive signs around the world for Serra International. There are 7 new clubs, 156 new members and many clubs in formation. Charters of new clubs were approved in France, Mexico, Paraguay and Venezuela.

A very special gloomily was given at Mass on Saturday morning by Cardinal Quellet. He stated that people come from nations to pray and reflect on vocations and to express desire that the Church be alive and offering to the world vocations to the priesthood and other consecreated life. Vocation is all about love of God with a sense of totality; with your heart, soul and strength. The key to all vocations is the Holy Eucharist.

Sr. Catherine Marie was a very popular speaker and a dedicated religious. She reported that 9 young women entered the religious life in her community this year. She stressed the role of the family in vocations. He said the Holy Spirit works directly in love in the most basic unit, the family. She said we must support institutions that support families.

There were some very stressful meeting in Atlanta. The delegates’ meeting was the most disappointing function at the entire convention. Objections began immediately to everything.

There were many positive events at the convention. The Foundation board meeting was positive with two new members and $212,000 grants allocated.

Let us ever mindful of our motto:”Always go forward and never turn back”.”

Joann Kirian conducted the program at the October 16 meeting. She discussed the formation of Serra and showed a film on the history of Serra starting with the first formation in Seattle Washington. She then gave a synopsis of the formation of our club in Tiffin. Monsignor Richard Gabel obtained permission from Bishop George Rehring to

Organize the Serra Club in Tiffin. By the spring of 1955. 25 men were meeting bimonthly and the club was chartered the Serra Club of Tiffin, Ohio #125.Fred Wagner was the first president. In the beginning, internal programs were given by club members on topics assigned by Monsignor Gabel. The talks were biographies of early popes and Papal Encyclicals. Occasionally, a visiting missionary or priest would address the group.

Shortly after charter, a monthly all night prayer vigil was initiated at Mercy Hospital Chapel for the intention of vocations. Altar boys from each parish were given awards for service to their parishes. Vocation talks were given to grade students. Serrans assisted at eighth grade and high schools retreats and gave informational talks to Holy Name and Altar Rosary Societies. Serran Dr. Bill Carrigan produced a slide program on “The Life of a Parish Priest” Serran Jim Ewald pioneered a Vocation Prayer contest for several age groups at the elementary school. Under the leadership of Serrans Louse Lee and Bill Carrigan, an annual picnic honoring priest, sisters and seminarians of the area was held.

The Most Rev. Leonard P, Blair met with the District Serrans in March 2004 . He charged them to commit to their own personal vocations through example and continue to pray, encourage and sustain vocations in the priesthood and consecrated life.

Announcements: October 29 - Holy Hour

November 6- Dave Mileski- “Benedicts Way”

Men and women in formation: Michael J. Fonseca Raul & Mary Fonseca

5728 County Rd. 6

Delta, Ohio 43515

St. Meinard School of Theology

1^st Philosophy

Expected date of ordination: 2013

Enjoys eading scripture and spiritual books. Spending time with family, Goint to movies and walking.

“I would say my discernment started after a conversion experience in 2000. The love of Christ has influenced my decision to follow after him”

Footnote: Fr. Tim Ferris took a spill on his bike and had some minor injuries. Should we get him a set of training wheels?