Come, Follow Me · Serra Club of North Houston - District 10 Page 1 Volume 4, Issue 7, 2019 Come, Follow Me Newsletter of the Serra Club of North Houston District 10 Volume 4, Issue

Serra Club of North Houston - District 10 Page 1 Volume 4, Issue 7, 2019

Come, Follow Me Newsletter of the Serra Club of North Houston

District 10 Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2019

Newsletter Index:

New Members and Call to Discern Religious Life Page 2 July 6: Surprise Brunch with Serrans and Father Jared Loehr, LC Page 4 July 24: Dan Kidd, Speaker at Program Meeting Page 5 July 28: Father Trung Celebrates 25th Priestly Anniversary Page 6 July 30: Cardinal’s Prayer Breakfast—God is my Co-Pilot Page 7 June 16: Father Kingsley’s First Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd Celebration Page 9 July: Boy’s Camp—Father Jared Loehr Page 10 Spiritual and Prayer Request Page 11 Upcoming Events: Page 12 Board Member’s Corner Page 18 Our Serrans Page 19 Letter from the President Page 21 Dates to Remember, Announcements and Prayer Page 22

Serrans Sponsor Bar-B-Que Lunch for Come and See Retreat

Holy Rosary Vietnamese Convent July 28, 2019

Larry Massy, president of Scanlan Foundation, and North Houston Serra Club Board Members attended: Veronica Arnold, Yolanda Cadena, Phil Duggan, Ed and Candice Tyrrell, Maria Vitucci and Ann Zdansky mingled and had lunch with the discerners.


Welcome New Member

Frederick and Teresa Warren - Christ the Good Shepherd

Call to Discern Religious Life Serrans Sponsor Bar-B-Que Lunch for

Come and See Retreat - Holy Rosary Vietnamese Convent July 28, 2019

22 Young girls from Texas, Oregon, Georgia and Canada spent 3 days with the Sisters at Holy Rosary Vietnamese Convent learning about the life of a Sister. Sr. Theresa Ho gave the Serrans a tour of the beautiful Convent. The Sisters stay busy teaching at elementary, middle, high school and universities. When off work the Sisters pray in their beautiful Chapel and meditate in the serene gardens. The Sisters also sew and sell beautiful Communion and Confirmation veils for young girls receiving the sacraments. A delicious barbeque was sponsored by the Serrans catered by Demeris Bar-B-Q with all the trimmings.

The young ladies serenaded us with beautiful songs: Click the links below to enjoy the video: 10,000 Reasons : Click Here for YouTube Link Amazing Grace : Click Here for YouTube Link

https://youtu.be/ifrbnu3-YbQ

https://youtu.be/S3n9qVw2Nds


Serrans Sponsor Meals for 10 New Seminarians on a Silent Retreat at St. Mary’s Seminary - July 14 - 17, 2019

10 Young men spent four days at St. Mary’s Seminary in a silent retreat. The retreat was led by Father Richard McNeillie (Vocation Director). Fr. Richard graciously asked if the Serra Clubs would be able to provide lunches and dinners for the silent retreat. Excited to help the Serra Clubs responded and provided: July 14, Sunday kick off lunch: Fajitas with the trimmings provided by the Serra Houston Club! July 14, Dinner: Lasagna, salad & dessert provided by the Serra North Houston Club (Thanks to Rossie Carrabba who donated her delicious salads and an amazing homemade freshly baked large Italian Cream Cake!!!)! July 15, Monday Lunch: Chic Filet mini sandwiches and homemade delicious cake provided by the Serra Bay Area Club! July 15, Dinner: Hunan Chef Chinese beef with vegies and chicken with vegies, eggrolls, provided by Governor Candice! July 16, Offsite events – visited Magnificat House and other places! July 17, Wednesday Lunch: Fried Chicken & trimmings provided by Serra East Harris Club! July 17, Wednesday Dinner: Pasta with meat, veggies, bread & dessert provided by Serra Northeast Club!

Again the Serrans came through and were very happy to help out! We thank Fr. Richard for having the Serrans involved to help! Special thanks to the North Houston Serrans: Phil Duggan, Candice & Ed Tyrrell and Ann Zdansky for helping with Sunday’s meal!


Surprise Brunch with Serrans and Father Jared Loehr, LC - July 6, 2019

After Father Jared celebrated Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd on July 6, 2019, he joined several Serrans for a surprise brunch at Northgate Country Club. Father Jared was ordained as a Legionaries of Christ Priest in Rome in May 2019. Father Jared is assigned to working and helping with the youth! He resides in Houston at the Legionaries home in Spring.

Brother Kevin (photo above with Father Jared) is scheduled to be ordained a priest next June.


Program Meeting July 24, 2019

Dan Kidd, Executive Director of Shalom Center in Splendora, Texas, was our fantastic guest speaker. Shalom Center was founded in 1990 by Rev. James Harnan, MSC, to provide resources for clergy and religious leaders to address spiritual, emotional, and relational healing and integration. Shalom offers a holistic approach to mental health, spirituality, and life for clergy, men and women religious, and persons in ministry. Dan gave several interesting and heartwarming examples of religious who have stayed at Shalom Center for several months. Dan said Shalom Center houses room for 20 religious and many visit from all parts of the world. His thoughts are after dealing with religious men, a seminarian should serve two years instead of one year for his pastoral year to be well adjusted to parish life.


Father Trung Celebrates 25th Anniversary July 28, 2019

Father Trung, Rector at the St. Mary’s Seminary, celebrated his 25th Priestly Anniversary. The celebration was held at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Houston. Father Trung celebrated with Father Christian Buil and all his priest friends in the parish hall.


Serran Tom Thibodeau Chairs the Cardinal’s Prayer Breakfast - God is my Co-Pilot - July 30, 2019

Tom Thibodeau was a fantastic Chair of the

event with 102 tables filled, more than any in

the past! Congratulations Tom for being a

fantastic Chair!!!

Left photo: Tom and Joanne Thibodeau,

Joan Nichols (Joanne’s mom), Dylan

Thibodeau (Tom and Joanne’s son).

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Prayer Breakfast was

created to unite the Greater Houston community annually in

expressing trust in and dependence on God through prayer.

As a forum to encourage people of all backgrounds in their journey of faith, the Prayer Breakfast reaffirms the desire of each participant to integrate their faith and daily life. This yearly gathering acknowledges the need for all persons to be supported in prayer as they strive to encounter the living God and thereby discover lasting meaning and hope.

Above photo: The Keynote speaker was Gene Kranz, Former NASA Flight Director.

Above photo: Bishop George Sheltz, Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, Tim Heller (Channel 13 ABC, Emcee of Prayer Breakfast), Raye White (generous sponsor who donated the Prayer Breakfast), Cardinal DiNardo, Marta Kranz, Eugene Kranz, and Joanne Thibodeau.


Serran Tom Thibodeau Chairs the Cardinal’s Prayer Breakfast - God is my Co-Pilot - July 30, 2019 cont’d

Father Phil “Skip” Negley (minister to priests), Mary Jane and T. Wayne Brewster, Candice Tyrrell, Father Matthew Suniga (Pastor of St. Theresa’s Sugar Land) and Father Rick Arriola (Parochial Vicar of St. Bartholomew in Katy)

Sister Gina Iadanza, MSC, Associate Director of Clergy Formation, Father Joe Barbieri C.P. (Director of Ministry Holy Name Retreat Center), and Kate Mims (CEO Holy Name Retreat Center)

Sister Gina Iadanza, MSC, Associate Director of Clergy Formation and Serran Terrie Mancini

Arland Nichols (Executive Director St. John Paul II Foundation), Father Chris Plant (Pastor of St. Bartholowmew Parish, Father David Hust (Parochial Vicar St. Vincent de Paul)

Father Rick Arriola, Gene Kranz, Father Phil “Skip” Negley, Deacon Thuc Nguyen


Father Kingsley - 1st Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd

June 16, 2019

The Serra Club of North Houston, led by Serrans Patty Sukala-McCollum and Yolanda Cadena, hosted a reception for Father Kingsley Nwoko’a first Mass at Christ the Good Shepherd after being ordained a priest. The reception was held in the social hall after Mass and the Serrans donated a beautiful large cake for Father Kinglsey!

Thank you to all the Serrans who helped decorate and donate goodies and especially Patty Sukala-McCollum and Yolanda Cadena (photo above) for stepping forward to lead the reception!


Boy’s Camp - Father Jared Loehr

After being ordained a Priest on May 4

th, Father Jared Loehr, LC,

was assigned to mentor and work with the youth!!! Father Jared was very excited to be assigned to help at the Boy’s Camps in Houston, New Orleans, Round Rock and College Station!

Texas Conquest leads boys to Christ through camps, clubs, and coaching in Christ-centered communion they train boys and young men to be apostles.

For more information visit: Www.texasconquest.com


Spiritual and Prayer Request

Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI, Spiritual Director at Rice University, attended and was guest speaker at the 76

th

Novena to Our Lady of the Snows in St. Louis Missouri! Patty Schneier, US speaker and cantor and lives in St. Louis, attended the evening to hear Fr. Ray and thought Father’s talk was so amazing that she sent it to Candice. Click here for a link to the YouTube of the presentation ( https://youtu.be/mHQNDnY3B0c )

PRAYERS NEEDED Father Ryan Stawaisz - Please continue to pray for our beloved Father Ryan for his complete healing! His mother, Susan Stawaisz, asks everyone to pray to: St. Stephen St. John Paul II St. Philomena St. Maria Goretti St. Rita St. Peregrine St. Padre Pio St. Mother Teresa St. Theresa of Lisieux St. Charbel St. Junipero Serra

https://youtu.be/mHQNDnY3B0c


Upcoming Events—September 7, 2019

St. Clare Monastery Fundraiser—Save the Date/Mark Your Calendars The Sixth Annual St. Clare Monastery Fundraiser will be held Saturday, September 7 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the St. Andrew Discipleship Center of the Prince of Peace Catholic Community at 19222 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77070. The day will begin with Mass featuring music by John Michael Talbot, our founder, followed by a very special silent auction, and a delicious catered lunch. The ticket donation is $50., or you can purchase a table of 10 for $500. and invite your friends! Tickets and tables can be purchased by calling Shirley Welch at 281-836-5783, or e-mail [email protected]. Or, if you cannot attend, we welcome any monetary donations or donations of items for our silent auction. Consider gift certificates, gift baskets, or religious gifts. This event has grown every year and has become very popular, so come join us!



Time: 7—8 pm



• "This was a great opportunity to take time away from the world and confirm our walk in holi-ness and prayer together [and] to be with like-minded people who want to do the same! We must build each other up as community and be united in this effort."

• 2018 Conference Participant

CLICK HERE for the link to the website for more information and to register.

https://forlifeandfamily.org/events/th19-htx-tw/



Priesthood Sunday, September 29, 2019, is a special day set aside to honor priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. Most priests know Serrans support them; but Priesthood Sunday is the day when the entire community can show up to join in the work and joy that is more often than not the specific role of Serrans. Therefore, the role of Serrans is to get the word out about Priesthood Sunday into parishes where there is no Serra club, and to invite others to help plan events and find out why Serra’s ministry is so special.

How can you show your love for our priests?


Upcoming Events—October 19, 2019

CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS

AND SPONSORSHIP

https://www.benefitbidding.net/signup/newest_registration.cfm?auction=481

https://www.benefitbidding.net/signup/newest_registration.cfm?auction=481


Upcoming Events—October 22, 2019


Board Member’s Corner

Maria Vitucci, a long time Serran and Trustee of our Board, has been quietly doing a terrific job for several years leading the Traveling Crucifix Program at Christ the Good Shepherd. The Traveling Crucifix Program highlights our need for Vocations to the Priesthood and consecrated religious life and gets more of our parishioners directly involved in praying for Vocations. Our Club has four Traveling Crucifix’s – two for English Masses and two for Spanish masses. Maria handles the Traveling Crucifix for English Masses and Dinora Diaz the Spanish Masses.

Maria personally recruits volunteers to take the Crucifix either at a Saturday evening Mass or at one of the Sunday Masses of their choice. To ensure a smooth operation Maria maintains a schedule of families for many future months. Working from her schedule Maria contacts each family prior to Mass to ensure their attendance. Fr. James Burkart or Fr. Innocent Okhifo present the Crucifix at the end of Mass to the family and ask the congregation to pray for Vocations. The family takes the Crucifix home, places it in a prominent location and prays for vocations at the Crucifix everyday for one week. At the end of each week Maria follows-up with each family to ensure the safe return of our Crucifix for the next family. Maria encourages her recruits to invite friends and other family members to pray with them during their Crucifix week and encourages all parishioners to welcome the Crucifix into their home. To take the Traveling Crucifix to your home, or to volunteer to help Maria with this important program you can contact Maria Vitucci at [email protected].

The Traveling Crucifix program is one of 25 Programs developed by Serra USA and Serra International to promote Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life. You can learn more about these programs at www.serraspark.org


Our Serrans

Letter from Serran Ingrid Hamilton, Sts. Simon & Jude Serran: For 22 years a very remarkable lady by the name of Therese Lorentz has put together an amazing Catholic Conference in Colorado Springs. On the brochure it states: “Presented and Sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Society.” It usually takes place the first weekend in August. This year additional days were added. It began July 31 - August 4. What is so extraordinary, this wonderful event relies totally on voluntary donations. Photo above: Ingrid Hamilton and Father Mitch Pacwa There are speakers of every sort at this conference. For instance, testimonies of conversions by Patricia Sandoval, Kelly Nieto, Deacon Tim Kennedy. Musicians, Bernie Choiniere and Tony Melendez provided inspiring songs and instrumental accompaniment. Throughout the conference there was an adoration chapel available. Opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation…..a good number of priests, including Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Fr. Stephen Imbarrato who appear on EWTN. Fr. Andre Mahanna from Lebanon who is the Founding President of the Apostolate of Our Lady of Hope St. Rafka Mission of Hope and Mercy in Lakewood, Co. Father Mahanna is a powerful speaker and brings us awareness of the plight of Christians in the Middle East. Fr. Mahanna has various fundraisers throughout the year to help those poor persecuted Christians who have fled Syria and are now in Lebanon, living in dire straights. Very powerful sessions by Fr. Piotr Prusakiewicz, CSMA Divine Mercy and the Holy Angels. Fr. Piotr gave most interesting talks about the angels; especially St. Michael. He brought beautiful silver scapulars of St. Michael with him and enrolled us in same. Fr. Piotr was the main celebrant of the closing Mass August 4 with Adoration following and blessings with our Eucharistic Lord in the Monstrance. Fr. Piotr traveled from Poland.


Our Serrans - cont’d

Left photo: Father Martin Scott and Father Mitch Pacwa Daily Masses were celebrated by various priests in attendance and Bishop Michael Sheridan of the Diocese of Colorado Springs celebrated Holy Mass with all the priests who were present on August 2. There were many other wonderful presentations including these by the following priests: Fr. Mark Wheelan, SOLT; Fr. Kyle Ingels; Fr. Bill Halbing; Fr. Ken Gerace, CPM. Dr. Mark Miravalle who holds the Saint John Paul II Chair of Mariology at Franciscan University of Steubenville; he spoke of the hope to have a new Marian Dogma declaring

Mary, Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix. Also, there was a display of beautiful relics. It was a rich spiritual feast that is impossible to adequately describe. In addition to the speakers, there were many vendors with religious art, books, CDs, rosaries and many other items. One of our favorite young ladies in attendance was Elena Rodriguez from EWTN’s “Catholic View For Women.” She had a booth with many EWTN give-aways and invited those interested to become EWTN Media Missionaries. We are thankful and grateful to our Lord for providing this wonderful spiritual banquet for us by inspiring Therese Lorentz to step out in faith. Blessings! Ingrid Hamilton


Fellow Club of North Houston Serrans:

I wish that all Serrans could have heard Dan Kidd’s talk at our July program meeting. Dan is the Executive Director of the Shalom Center in Splendora, Texas. Dan shared several stories about the challenges our Priests face and why the Shalom Center is so desperately needed.

Shalom Center was founded to address concerns arising from the realization that fewer and older clergy and religious were responsible for an ever-increasing amount of work to be performed in the Church. The need to address emotional stress as these clergy and religious progressed through the stages of human development became an issue of justice in the Church. In 1979, at the request of Bishop Morkovsky, Bishop of the Galveston-Houston Diocese, Father James Harnan, M.S.C., researched and documented the needs of clergy and religious in ministry. The results were reported to the bishops and major superiors of the diocese. As a result, Shalom Center, Inc. a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1980.

Throughout the Center’s outpatient experience, it became apparent that a supportive residential environment, creating distance from the source of stress, would result in intensifying the effectiveness of therapy. In January 1990, Shalom Center, located 36 miles

north of Houston, in Splendora, Texas, became a reality - thanks in part to the tremendous efforts of fellow North Houston Serrans Larry Bouffard and our dearly departed Tom Mancini.

I encourage all members to google Shalom Center and learn more about this amazing place!!! Another great opportunity to do what we do ---- educate ourselves about the need for more Priests and learn new ways to better support our Priests and religious.

My many thanks to Yolanda Cadena and Patty Sukala-McCollum for leading a Serra hosted reception after Father Kingsley’s first mass at Christ the Good Shepherd. Please keep our beloved Father Kingsley in your prayers during his first year as parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua in the Woodlands.

Please continue to pray for our beloved Fr. Ryan Stawaisz’s complete healing who is Parochial Vicar at Prince of Peace.

Luke 10:2 – The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. I look forward to hearing from you.

Siempre Adelante!!! Your Brother in Christ,

Ed Tyrrell

Letter from your President ….


DATES TO REMEMBER

August 28, 2019: Wednesday: Monthly Program Meeting: Father Matthew Suniga is the guest speaker. He will talk about his first year as a priest. Meeting at St. Ignatius of Loyola at McGivney Hall. Fellowship at 7:15 pm, meeting at 7:30 pm. September 7, 2019: Saturday: St. Clare Monastery Fundraiser. At the St. Andrew Discipleship Center of the Prince of Peace Catholic Community at 19222 Tomball Parkway, Houston, 9am to 1pm. September 17, 2019: Tuesday: New Member Induction Mass. Details to follow. September 23, 2019: Monday: Serra Holy Hour / Adoration at St. Mary’s Seminary Chapel, led by Father Richard McNeillie. 7pm - 8pm September 25, 2019: Wednesday: Monthly Program Meeting: Father Michael Pham is the guest speaker. He will talk about his priestly community. Fellowship at 7:15 pm, meeting at 7:30pm. September 28-29, 2019: Priesthood Appreciation Sunday October 19, 2019: Saturday: Annual Fundraising Gala—Benefitting Legionaries of Christ and Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. Honoree: Father Tom Rafferty. At The Woodlands Country Club. Click Here for more information. WWW.RCgala2019.com October 23, 2019: Wednesday: Monthly Program Meeting: Dr. Michael Zizelmann, DDS, speaking on Relics. He will bring relics to view and venerate. Fellowship at 7:15pm, meeting at 7:30pm. November 13, 2019: Wednesday: Fill Christmas gift bags for Seminarians. 7:15pm December 1, 2019: Serra Advent Party at Shirley Acres, beginning at 5:00 pm January 15—19, 2020: Serra Rally in Venture, CA. There will be an optional follow-up pilgrimage to missions south of Ventura established by St. Serra. Details to follow. May 23, 2020: Saturday: Serra Installation Mass and Induction of New Officers. Details to follow. June 25-28, 2020: Serra International Convention in New Orleans, LA. Details to follow.

“Always Forward—Never Back!!!” Saint Junipero Serra

https://www.benefitbidding.net/auctions/listings/index.cfm?auction=481


Serra Prayer for the Perseverance of Vocations O God, You have constituted Your only-begotten Son supreme and eternal Priest for the glory of Your majesty and the salvation of mankind: grant that those whom He has chosen ministers and dispensers of His mysteries may be found faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received. Amen

Serra Club of North Houston Board Members President Ed Tyrrell Immediate Past President and Governor of Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Diocese of Beaumont Candice Tyrrell President Elect Candice Tyrrell VP of Programs Susan Stawaisz AVP of Programs Joanne Wycoff VP of Membership Phil Duggan AVP of Membership T. Wayne Brewster VP of Vocations Carol Cason AVP of Vocations Veronica Arnold VP of Communications Lynn Lewis AVP of Communications Diane Harrison VP of Newsletter Ann Zdansky Treasurer Ramona Scarlett Secretary Yolanda Cadena Trustee Maria Vitucci Trustee Deborah Havemann Trustee Beth Hutton Chaplain Father James Burkart

Quick Reference List Serra District 10 website www.Serra10.com Serra International website www.SerraInternational.org Serra US website www.SerraUS.org Email items to Newsletter Editor [email protected] Serra Membership Application: Link to application on transmittal page

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements and news articles wanted! If you have an announcement or interesting article that you think would be beneficial to the Serrans, please send it to me at my email address below. Please send photos on a JPG format. In order to streamline and organize the receipt of photographs and arti-cles to put in upcoming newsletters, please email them to: [email protected] Thank you! Ann Zdansky Newsletter Editor

http://www.Serra10.com

http://www.SerraInternational.org

http://www.SerraUS.org

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Information%20for%20Serra%20N%20Houston%20Newsletter

Documents

Come, Follow Me · Serra Club of North Houston - District 10 Page 1 Volume 4, Issue 7, 2019 Come, Follow Me Newsletter of the Serra Club of North Houston District 10 Volume 4, Issue