1 A Mission In Service to Vocations

March 2018

a Day of Wine and Romance

Photos by

Bob Luchi

We would like to thank Father Scott

Wallisch for filling in for Msg. Mike

Mullen at our Valentine Mass.

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CALENDAR

March

5 Runnin Revs basketball game at Bishop

Miege—7:00 P.M.

10 Lenten Retreat at Savior Pictorial Center

– Theme: “Holy Spirit” - 8:00 A.M.

14 Regular meeting, Painted Hills, speaker: John

Juryck – “The trial of Christ”

20 Regular Board Meeting – 9:00 A.M. Cure of

Ars

28 Regular meeting, Painted Hills, speaker:

Robert Luchi – “Crucifixion of Christ -

Medical Aspects”

April

10 Ben & Betty Zarda 5th Grade Vocation

Day – Prince of Peace

11 Regular meeting, Painted Hills, speaker: 6th

Grade Essay Contest - Painted Hills

17 Regular Board Meeting – 9:00 A.M. Cure of

Ars

25 Regular meeting, Painted Hills, speaker: Fr.

Agustin Martinez - Vocation Journey?

May

5 Blisters for Sisters

9 Regular meeting, Painted Hills, speaker:

TBA?

15 Regular Board Meeting – 9:00 A.M. Cure of

Ars

31 Priests/Seminarians Golf Outing and

Dinner – Saint Patrick’s

President’s Message

Gentlemen, As we enter this the third week of Lent

let us all be mindful of the personal commitments

made by us; embracing prayer, almsgiving and

fasting on this forty day journey. And if you, like

some of us, have already fallen short just a little

along the way; let me invite you to at-

tend Msgr Mike's Lenten Retreat on March 10 at

the Pastoral Savior Center on Parallel Parkway be-

ginning at nine in the morning. His focus this year

is "Come, Holy Spirit Come" with the objective to

make missionary disciples of all of us. Reserva-

tions are due in early March so please check your

calendars and get your checks in the mail ASAP to

Ron Rice who is coordinating this event.

Looking back, February was a busy month for us

beginning on the 7th with our annual Valentine

Mass and dinner at the Milburn Country Club

which was celebrated by Fr Scott Wallisch, the

Archdiocesan Director of Vocations. This is always

one of the highlights of our spring events when we

take the time to honor our Valentine for being our

life long partner. And this year was special indeed

allowing us to recognize Jim & Charlene Conrad

for their 65 Years of marriage, great role models

for all.

Then at lunch on the 28th we had the opportunity

to learn about The Legion of Mary from one of our

friends at Ascension, Dick Kane, and we thank him

for his presentation. Closing out the month was our

second Vocation Mass of the year at the Church of

the Nativity and I want to thank Jack Lawrence,

our VP of Vocations, for his remarks at the end of

Mass informing people about Serra and our minis-

try of support for vocations.

(Continued on page 10)

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2018 SSM Spaghetti Dinner

Each year on Super Bowl Sunday the Sister Servants of Mary hold a Spaghetti Dinner Fund raiser at

Saint Patrick’s in Kansas City, Kansas.

This year was better than most, the Philadelphia Eagles WON! I am originally from Philly, so pardon

my enthusiasm. But I digress, if you haven’t gone before I suggest you mark your calendar for 2019,

and go, it is well worth the cost. And hopefully the weather will be more cooperative.

A Mission In Service to Vocations

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Blisters for Sisters

In May of each year our fellow Serrans in Mis-

souri have worked on “BLISTERS FOR SIS-

TERS”, a fund raiser for Nuns and Sisters in the

Kansas City area.

Several years ago the Missouri and Kansas Clubs

started to work together helping each other on

major events. If you have the day open I am sure

they could use your support, and if not you might

want to make a donation, after all they help us

with “Religious Sisters Appreciation Day” in

August.

Serra News

Lenten Retreat:

“COME, HOLY SPIRIT”

Lead by Msgr. Michael Mullen

Saturday March 10, 2018

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Savior Pastoral Center

12615 Parallel Parkway

Kansas City, Kansas 66109

All Welcome!

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A Mission In Service to Vocations

6 A Mission In Service to Vocations

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Chapter three, the 1980’s

Before we continue with our Club’s history we would like to tell you this story sent to us

by Rick Wiseman. It is concerned with the golf and now famous George Gorman’s steak

dinner. Father Dolan, the longtime pastor of St. Joseph parish in Shawnee, would come

to the dinner accompanied by his lazy- boy chair for his comfort. If Archbishop

Strecker was not present Father Dolan would be the “Priest in charge” and sort of held

court, entertaining everyone.

Now, back to the history, entering into this time of the Club, the religious vocation

landscape changed. Msgr. Tank was a seminarian in the early sixties and one of 53

seminarians of our diocese at St. Johns Seminary in Denver. Yes, that’s right, 53. Com-

pare that with the number in the early 1980’s of 10 to 15. Msgr. Tank pointed out there

were many influences at that time which led to the change in culture, including changes

in the church through Vatican ll,as well as, a change in the appeal to young men to en-

ter into a religious vocation. To compound matters, Priests were leaving the church as

well.

This reversal of fortune called for an increased effort on the part of our Club. More

Serrans were needed and more activities as well. Fortunately, Serra had the answer, a

plan of action consisting of Pray, Invite, Encourage, and Affirm. It would take all of

them to reverse the downward trend.

Our Club was at the disposal of Archbishop Strecker and the Vocation Director. Father

Dennis Wait was the Director at that time, on a part- time basis. He was the first Direc-

tor to form a committee consisting of himself, Father Jim Ludwikoski, and Sister Mary

Schweiger, OSB. They often had events for aspiring candidates that would include both

women and men. They would meet a couple times a year with their contemporaries

from dioceses in Region 9, exchanging ideas.

In keeping with the Serran plan our Club designed activities to answer each part. In

terms of prayer we participated in prayer at our meetings, attended Vocation Masses,

formed 31 Clubs in parishes and individually prayed for vocations before the Blessed

Sacrament. ("Invite", the second area was probably the most difficult for us.) The 6th

grade essay was a way to introduce religious vocations to young people. The Call by

Name Program, a unique parish activity developed by Serra International, where pa-

rishioners “called out” certain younger members names who the parishioner felt had

qualities consistent with a religious vocation. For a period, as Serrans, we were given

the opportunity to administer a Vocation Aptitude test to high school seniors in their

(Continued on page 8)

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religion classes. The tests were sent to a firm back east for evaluation and results were

forwarded to the Vocation Director. In some ways the Vocation Masses in parishes

could be considered as inviting. We also made ourselves available to the Vocation Di-

rector as he needed us. Encourage and affirm were easier to accomplish. From the

Priest Appreciation Luncheon to visits to rural Priests, we were active. The Priest Ap-

preciation event was held each year to recognize the Quinquennial Anniversary of our

Priests (including the Monks of St Benedicts ). When Msgr. Mullen became our Chap-

lain he gave a short bio of each honoree. It started as a dinner but conflicts of schedul-

ing caused it to be moved to a luncheon event. Visits to rural Priests ( no longer an ac-

tivity like the Priest Appreciation ) were made by Serrans in pairs. It usually involved a

tour of the parish by the Priest and lunch at a café.

Finally, the Nuns picnic, as we called it, started in the late 80’s as recalled by George

Gorman. Once again it was organized by George and Virginia Gorman. Since we had

several activities for the benefit of our Priests it was felt we needed to do likewise for

the Nuns. The first several were held at Wyandotte Co. Park we are told. Jim and Char-

lene Conrad as co-chairpersons moved it to Pierson Park also in KCK. It had a small

lake for fishing, room for volleyball and a shelter house. It was common to see the nuns

competing in volleyball in their habits. However, due to steep steps, flies, and smelly

bathrooms, it was moved to St. Peters parish center. Bob Dougherty was the voice of

bingo. Fried chicken was served and our wives brought deserts.

George was able to convince several local businesses to volunteer prizes for winners.

Attendance grew steadily The 1980’s were a decade of continued growth, with strong

leadership provided by Serrans John Phillips, Jim Wavada, Bob Clune, John Ander-

son, DDS, and Ed Rafferty. We strove to live up to Serra’s motto “Always Forward,

Never Back”. Next, we’ll see how we continue our ministry into the 90’s.

We would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the contributions of George Lucas,

Rick Wiseman, John Jurcyk, and George Gorman. This wouldn’t have happened with-

out their help.

Stay tuned.

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Priest and Seminarians Birthdays

Please keep the following people and their families in your

prayers

A Mission In Service to Vocations

Rev. Richard Halvorson March 4 Rev. Dan Morris March 8

Brother Luke Turner, OSB March 5 Rev. Jonathan Dizon March 13

Msgr. Robert Bergman March 5 Rev. Anthony Lickteig March 15

Rev. Michael Peterson March 6 Rev. Mitchel Zimmerman March 17

Rev. Agustin Martinez March 7 Rev. Marianand Mendem March 30

Seminarians

Travis Mecum March 10 Michael Schreck March 17

Kenn Clem March 18

Rose Balestrere Aunt of Carl Gurera Agnes Coakley Wife of John

Mike Connolly Brother of Ed Tom Spencer

Beth Conrad Daughter-in-law of Jim Conrad John Jurcyk

Gaven Ragsdale Son of Bill Myers niece John Adams

Frank Gerner Topeka Serra Club Jack Winne

Alice Putnam Wife of Dale Jack Buckley

Lyette Schuchardt wife of Frank Glen Swoyer

Mary Lawrence Wife of Jack Bob Bechard

Barbara Buckley Wife of Jack Bill Peters

Elizabeth Hendricks Wife of Jim

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Frank Schuchardt 9705 Benson Street Overland Park, KS 66212-4035 fjschuchardt@everestkc.net

Coming up in March two of our Serran brothers will be making presentations that I am sure you will not

want to miss, both very informative on the legal and medical aspect of our Lords Crucifixion. These

luncheons would be a great time for you to bring a guest, a potential new member, for a free meal and

the opportunity to learn more about us and our ministry. Simply look around at Mass, ask your pastor for

a name, check your Knights organization or your men's prayer groups but find a guest to bring with you

this month.

We need new members and you our current members are the best resource to help find them. And please

take time during March to meet our two newest members John Bins and Dan Meara. Remember more

members mean’s more prayers and more prayers means more vocations.

In closing I want to remind each of you who have adopted one of our Seminarians to take the opportu-

nity during Lent to drop them each a card thanking them for their discernment of a religious vocation,

ask them for their prayers and to let them know that each of them are in our daily prayers. Recalling our

Lord's words to us in Matthew, that the Harvest is abundant but that the workers are few.

God Bless,

Gary

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A Mission In Service to Vocations