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2. christianity
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SERRA INTERNATIONAL REGION 9 • DISTRICT 12-1 • CLUB 19 NOVEMBER 2014
SERRA CLUB OF SAINT LOUIS
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
H
appy days are here as we celebrate vocations
week at the archdiocese! Posters are being
delivered all over our huge diocese. Serrans are
making contacts from Perryville to Silex to Potosi
to downtown St Louis. Friends are being made,
Ann Moloney
and it’s all to create a culture of vocations!
The Christmas party is December 17th, treat someone to a
wonderful evening, what is your clergy doing that night? Send a priest
or nun an “I’m thankful for YOU” card this month of Thanksgiving!
Please mark you calendar for May 18th, Monday. Serra Golf
tournament. Who do you know that can sign up today to play, they
won’t be sorry!
~Ann Moloney
Pope Francis a Man for Our Times
Remarks by Mary Wainscott to the Serra Club of Saint Louis October 8, 2014
By: Tom Fasl
M
ary Wainscott
PhD, SFO, and
Serran presented a
concise, enlightening
and entertaining history
of the priest we know as
Pope Francis to our lunch
meeting on October 8,
2014.
Mary recalled that she was in rehab when the new Pope
was introduced to the world and that Pope Francis’ election
had been preceded by a period of tumultuous speculation
because of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Mary
believes that there may be more written about Pope Francis
than the Saint who is his namesake.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born December 17, 1936, in Buenos
Aires Argentina, heard the call to the Priesthood while
preparing to propose to a young lady he had been dating,
Mary recalled.
Sixteen years later
Jorge was ordained a
Jesuit Priest. As his
career advanced from
Chaplain
Father Chris Martin
Director of Vocations(314)768.1888
Officers for 2014-15
President
Ann Moloney 314-265-6481
President-Elect
Robert Helmsing 314-822-4413
VP Programs
Chuck Raymond 636-733-7620
VP Vocations
Deacon John B. Wainscott 314-842-1230
VP Communications
Thomas J. Fasl
VP Membership
JoAnn Muenks 636- 273-4465
Luncheon Coordinator
JoAnn Muenks 636-273-4465
Secretary
Paul R. Kohl
Treasurer
Paul Knese
Historian
Glennon E. Mertens 314-638-5417
Trustees
- Eileen Wohlert
- John Stansfold
-George Kerry
Past President Trustees
- Anita Mulligan
- Paul Knese
Newsletter Editor
Elise Rich 314-605-5293
Newsletter E-mail - stlserra@iCloud.com
Serra Club of St. Louis Website www.serrastl.org
District Governor
William E. Polka
Serra International
70 East Lake St. Ste 1210
Chicago IL 60601 1-800-488-4008
Priest to Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop, Archbishop and Cardinal
his Jesuit responsibilities included Master of Novices,
Professor of Theology, and Rector of the Argentinian Jesuit
Seminary. Mary reflected that then Cardinal Bergoglio had
developed the skills to combined Academic Teaching, Parish
Pastoral Ministry and Spiritual Direction during his active
and fruitful ministry in Buenos Aires.
Continued
Pope Francis ... continued
“Then came the Conclave” said
Mary!
Souls And Goals
Soccer Match
SEMINARIANS 6 CLERGY 1
As the conclave opened the
Cardinals and Bishops talked
about the characteristics that they
would look for in the individual
who would be the next Pope. Five
characteristics emerged:
“The next Pope must be someone with a genuine
sense of the Universal Church”
“He must have a great pastoral sense”
“He must be a gifted administrator and be a
reformer”
“He must be fully committed to the New
Evangelization and be a natural Evangelist”
“He must be a person of Prayer and Holiness”
Mary contends, as do many Catholics, that “the demand for
reform in the Curia played a pivotal role in the selection of
[Jorge Bergoglio to be] Pope Francis.” Quoting Pope Francis
“The curia must not govern the Church but rather provide
service to the Pope”.
“How many of us recall Pope Francis’ first appearance?” Mary
asked. “His simplicity, his profound gesture of bowing his
head to receive the blessing invoked on him by the people, his
spontaneous greeting, ‘brothers and sisters, Buena Serra, good
evening’.”
Mary further recalled and reminded all of us that at dinner the
evening of his election Pope Francis said to all of the Cardinals
“ May God forgive you for what you have done.”
Pope Francis’ first homily, Mary reflected, was impromptu, and
based upon three verbs, to Journey, to Build and to Profess.
Mary ended her remarks with a caution to all of us. Pope
Francis is very open, he speaks in an off handed manner that is
often missunderstood and miss represented by the world media,
carefully choose your interpreter of the Holy Fathers message.
Good Advice! Thank you Mary!!
Do you need a
Serra
Club
Shirt?
We currently have an inventory.
Women’s
One-- small
One-- medium
Two—large
Men’s
One—medium
Three—large
Three—Xlarge
Pricing: S thru XL $18.00
2XL and larger $21.00
Contact Tom Fasl if interested
314-373-8231
Serra Events
November 12th luncheon meeting: Sr. Mary
Michael, Carmel DCJ, Vocation Directress of the
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus
~Central Province, St. Louis will share with us the
exciting growth of young vocations to her order and
introduce us to a surprise postulate or novice. Why
are the Carmelite Sisters attracting young women
while so many orders are in critical decline? We will
pack the house for this insight into the fruits of the
Holy Spirit in the Carmelite Sisters DCJ right here
in St. Louis. Sr. Mary Michael will warm your heart.
We will not have a meeting on November
26th, the day before Thanksgiving.
Our only get together in December will be our
Christmas Mass/party/dinner on the 17th. Look
for your invitations in the mail and please RSVP
promptly!
February 25th Pastor’s Luncheon
Spiritual Works
As a Serran family we wish to pray for our Serra Club members,
benefactors and friends who have gone before us and pray that they are
celebrating with our Lord in heaven. Now we wish to pray for the safe
return of Lynn Messer to her family.
We wish to pray for Eileen Wohlert who underwent a total knee
replacement, Nena Van Camp, Karen Taylor’s daughter Theresa Wacker,
Howard Kirkpatrick 11, son in law of Vic Schulte, Pete Racher Sr, father
of Joseph, Michael Powers son of Leslie Powers, Clara Doyle, John
O’Rourke, Dr Mary M. Wainscott, Michael Seiffert, son of Leo, Fr Jim
Edwards, Tom O’Toole, Bill Patience, Sr Mary Joseph Heisler DCJ,
Denise O’Rourke, Dick Dames, Jim Doherty, and Leo Tevlin.
Please join Serrans in prayer for the
family of Joseph Lugalambi. Joseph is
from Uganda and a seminarian at Kenrick
Glennon. His family was involved in a
car accident, which killed his siter Carol,
his uncle Michael and hospitalized his
brother Stephen.
Serra Prayers For Priests
1.) HAGER, REVEREND RAYMOND D., 05/24/97
HALEY, REVEREND THOMAS J., 05/20/78
2.) HALLEMANN, REVEREND JOHN L., 03/26/55-RET.
HAMBROUGH, REVEREND MONSIGNOR PATRICK K., 12/14/85
3.) HAMPE, REVEREND MONSIGNOR RAYMOND A., 04/03/54-RET.
HANNEKE, REVEREND MONSIGNOR RICHARD E., 05/22/76
4.) HANSON, REVEREND MONSIGNOR JAMES E., 03/18/61-RET.
HAUCK, REVEREND HERBERT C., 12/16/64-RET.
5.) HAYDEN, REVEREND PATRICK T., 01/13/90
HECKTOR, REVEREND BRIAN E., 05/24/08
6.) HEIL, REVEREND JOHN P., 05/18/74
HEIM, REVEREND EDWARD , 08/25/71
7.) HEIMOS, REVEREND ROBERT L., 03/11/67-RET.
HEMAN, PH.D REVEREND RICHARD J., 03/11/67-RET.
8.) HENDERSON, REVEREND TIMOTHY J. , 05/29/04
HENKE, D.TH.M. REVEREND DONALD E., 01/16/93
9.) HENNING, REVEREND MICHAEL L., 05/18/74
HERMANN, V.G. MOST REVEREND ROBERT J., 03/30/63-RET.
10.) HERZOG, REVEREND LAWRENCE A., 05/24/80
HICKEL, REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOHN J., 03/26/55
11.) HILGEMAN, REVEREND EDWARD J., 03/08/52-RET.
HOGAN, REVEREND MONSIGNOR DANIEL M., 02/28/53
12.) HOLBROOK, REV. JAMES A., 05/29/10
HOLTMANN, REVEREND CHRISTOPHER F., 05/27/00
13.) HOLWAY, REV. CRAIG T., 05/29/10
HOPMEIR, REVEREND RONALD J., 01/12/91
14.) HOPPING, REVEREND JOHN PAUL , 06/08/85
HOUSER, REVEREND MICHAEL J., 05/24/08
15.) HUBER, REVEREND LARRY T., 05/27/95
HUGHES, REVEREND JOHN JAY, 04/03/54-RET.
16.) JIANG, REV. JOSEPH XIU HUI, 05/29/10
JOHNSON, REVEREND JOHN J., 03/26/66
17.) JOVANOVIC, REVEREND MONSIGNOR ROBERT P., 03/18/61
KASTENHOLZ, J.C.L. REVEREND NICHOLAS E., 05/25/02
18.) KASZNEL, REVEREND RICHARD C., 04/03/65
KEENOY, REVEREND JOHN A., 01/03/87
19.) KELLER, REVEREND THOMAS G., 05/24/97
KEMPF, M.A. REVEREND JOSEPH G., 05/24/80
20.) KEMPF, M.DIV. REVEREND WILLIAM G., 12/15/84
KENNEDY, REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOHN J., 06/07/49-RET.
21.) KERBER, REVEREND JOHN V., 03/22/58
KERSGIETER, REVEREND PAUL J., 06/02/45-RET.
22.) KESTER, REVEREND WILLIAM J., 06/13/70-RET.
KIRCHHOEFER, REVEREND THOMAS A., 05/23/98
23.) KLEBA, REVEREND GERALD J., 03/11/67
KLUMP, REVEREND GREGORY S., 05/23/98
24.) KNIGHT, REV. MSGR. JEFFREY N., 01/16/88
KNIGHT, REVEREND ROBERT D., 05/21/83
25.) KNOLL, REVEREND URBAN H., 06/07/69-RET.
KOCH, REVEREND DONALD J., 04/02/60-RET.
26.) KOENINGER, REVEREND FRANCIS F., 05/26/79
KOPFENSTEINER, REVEREND THOMAS R., 07/18/81
27.) KOVALCIN, REVEREND JOHN A., 05/23/81
KRAHMAN, REVEREND PHILIP G., 05/20/72
28.) KRILL, REV. PHILIP D., 04/25/81
KUNZ, REVEREND ERIC J., 05/24/08
29.) LAMPERT, REVEREND ROBERT E., 04/03/65-RET.
LANE, REVEREND ROBERT C., 06/07/69
30.) LEACH, REVEREND MONSIGNOR WILLIAM J., 03/22/58
LEIBRECHT, REVEREND ROBERT G., 03/22/58-RET.
“He Never Met a Serran He Didn’t Like”
Remarks by Ray Mohrman to the Serra Club of Saint Louis October 22, 2014
By: Tom Fasl
R
ay Mohrman, past president
of the Serra Club of Saint
Louis 1985-1986 and President
of Serra International 1997-1998
presented the history of the Serra
Club of Saint Louis to our lunch
meeting on October 22nd.
Ray stated in his opening
comments that his reflections
would focus on the beginning of
our Serra Club through the year
2000.
All United States Serra Clubs were
born in Seattle Washington in
1935. Four men joined together,
to pray for and promote religious vocations, choosing Junipero Serra as
their patron.
Ray reflected that unlike other Catholic Organizations, the Serra Club
has one single purpose; the promotion of vocations!
In the 1940’s there were nineteen Serra Clubs in the United States.
The Saint Louis Serra Club was number nineteen. May 26, 1943 Clyde
Hilton became the first President of the Saint Louis Serra Club.
Msgr John Cody, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, served
as the Chaplain of the newly formed Serra Club. When Msgr. Cody
was elevated to Auxiliary Bishop he appointed Msgr James Hoflich to
succeed him.
Ray recalled that Msgr. Hoflich attended every Serra Board meeting and
provided much needed continuity to the Board Members who changed
on an annual basis.
Msgr. Hoflich’s commitment to the Serra Club of Saint Louis included
his desire to provide for the Club in his estate planning. When he
passed away, before his will could be modified, Serrans petitioned the
Archbishop to acknowledge Msgr Hoflich’s wishes. The Archbishop
honored Msgr Hoflich’s wish and the Hoflich Fund was born.
Ray shared that in the 1950’s Serra aggregated to the Vatican
congregation for Catholic Education and Pontifical Work for Priestly
Vocations. That is why today Serra is referred to as the Vocation arm of
the Church. It was also in the 1950’s that the Serra Club of Saint Louis
produced the movie “God’s Career Women” which showcased twelve
religious orders in the area. The 1950’s were a time of expansion for the
Serra Club. As the number of clubs multiplied; District 12, the home
district of the Saint Louis Club, was divided in two to accommodate the
expansion.
During the 1960’s the Serra Club organized and participated in a three
day Vocation Exhibition sponsored by Cardinal Ritter. One hundred ten
exhibitors were in the Kiel Center. One hundred twenty five thousand
students from schools in the Archdiocese attended.
The 1970’s saw the inauguration of the Annual Lunch for Priests, the
31 Club, and Vocation –fest as well as the Seminary adoption program
which helped Seminarians find summer employment.
The 1980’s were equally eventful and successful for the club. Frank
McKeon and Ray initiated the “I am waiting to be
asked” program at every Parish. Their objective was to invite
parishioners to identify those individuals whom they
believed might be a candidate for the priesthood or religious life. The
program was well received and recognized by Serra
International with the Junipero Serra Award for 1984-1985. Funding for
the continuation of this program was generated
from the inauguration of the “Beat the Bishop” golf outings.
During the 1990’s the Saint Louis Serra Club produced two videos. One
video was directed at Black and Hispanic
vocations, the other was called “Gods Call a Family Affair”. In the 1990’s
Serra International changed their membership
policy; allowing women to become Serrans. In 1997 the Serra Club of
Saint Louis accepted women members. Dolores
Mohrman, wife of Ray Mohrman was the first; Mary Leber was the
second woman to become a Saint Louis Serran.
Past President Anita Mulligan was the third and Pat Van Camp was the
fourth woman to join the Saint Louis Serra Club.
At the 1990 International Convention in Chicago the Saint Louis Club
received another Junipero Serra award for its
unique use of essay contests for sixth grade and high school students.
The Saint Louis Serra Club has hosted a number of International
Conventions beginning in 1948, and continuing in 1951,
and 1966. The 2016 convention is scheduled to be held in Saint Louis.
Ray wrapped up his remarks with a reminder to all Serrans “the
vocations are out there…it’s up to us to find them”
Dolores Mohrman echoed Ray’s pride in being a Serran and shared her
wish that we all continue to “thank our priests
for their service to our beloved Church”.
Mary Mother of Vocations Pray for Us
November Birthdays
Patricia Van Camp 2
Jeanne McEwan 7
Jo Ann Muenks 7
Lee Hanley 8
Louis Holtmann 8
Molly Kertz 12
Victor Schulte 16
Claire Doyle 22
Mary Alice Helmsing 22
Leo Tevlin 24
Leandra Vonder Haar 24
George Convy 28