ChaplainFather Chris Martin

Director of Vocations(314)768.1888Officers for 2012-13

President – Paul Knese 314-962-5608President-Elect – Anita Mulligan 314-822-4679VP Programs - George Kerry 314-351-3510VP Vocations– Ann Moloney 314-265-6481VP Communications – Robert Helmsing 314-822-4413VP Membership - Deacon John Wainscott 314-842-1230 Luncheon Coordinator - JoAnn Muenks 636-273-4465Secretary – JoAnn Muenks 636-273-4465Treasurer – Robert E. Ahrens313-353-8444Historian - Glennon E. Mertens 314-638-5417Trustees - Thomas J. Fasl - Marlene Phillips - Vincent G. StuartPast President Trustees - Rick Schmidt - Robert E. Ahrens - Leo F. SeiffertNewsletter Editor- Karen Taylor 636-938-6703Serra Club of St. Louis Website www.serrastl.orgDistrict Governor - William E. Polka

Serra International70 East Lake St. Ste 1210

Chicago IL 606011-800-488-4008www.serra.org

SEPTEMBER 2012 - Vol. 68, Issue 9

SERRA CLUB OF ST. LOUIS Serra International

Region 9 • District 12-1 • Club 195200 GLENNON DRIVE ST. LOUIS, MO 63119 314-792-6460

Serra Club of St. Louis September 2012

Blessed Junipero Serra, pray for us! Page 1 of 4

A Message from Our President

Dear Serrans, The seminarians are back; the academic year has begun; it's time to resume our First Friday support at the 7:30 AM Mass at the seminary. Our next Mass will be October 7, so mark your calendar. It means a lot to the seminarians.

Also, don't forget Serra Night at the Ballpark on Monday, October 1. The Cardinals will be playing Cincinnati; it should be a good game. Call Ray Gerritzen at 314-231-2786 for your $20 tickets. A real bargain!

We discovered a need to update our by-laws. We need to change the territorial limits for membership from the City and County of St. Louis to include the entire Archdiocese. The Board voted to put this change to the members for a written ballot. You should be receiving a ballot along with the rationale for the proposed change soon. The Board recommends approval and I hope this goes through without controversy.

Sincerely,Paul

" I A s k Y o u t o P r a y I n c e s s a n t l y "

by Dave WilmotAt our Club's first August meeting we had the pleasure of meeting Serra International President John Marcus "Tomi" Asenuga, in his first week of a 30-day visit to Serra Clubs across the United States in the company of Serra International Executive Director and old friend John Woodward.  John began his introductory remarks by observing that after so long an absence from St. Louis it was good to see so many faces that he recognized, and just as good to see so many he didn't.  He got to meet Tomi (the last four letters of his African name) when Tomi was appointed to the Board some 10 years ago; Tomi holds the unique distinction of being not only the first SI President from Africa but the only President to serve two terms within a three-year period.  Continued on page 2

" I ASK YOU TO PRAY INCESSANTLY”

In asking him to serve again, the Board felt he had the spiritual qualities needed to deal with a period of strain, a time of transition and a time of challenge within the organization.  The important thing is that he understands the third objective of Serra, to assist its members to recognize and respond in their own lives to God's call to holiness in Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit, is not something we can think about just part of the time; it's there as the

foundation of what we are and what we do. responded that he wasn't worthy of the things John had said about him, but thanked him anyway.     He brought us warm greetings from Nigeria and from the continent of Africa, where the bishops of nine countries have asked for Serra Clubs.  At the International Conference in Providence he decided to embrace the challenge he was given wholeheartedly.  When he joined Serra 24 years ago it was with the intention of giving his time, treasure and talent  for the love of Christ and His bride  the Church. He is asking all Serrans to commit themselves to the task  of reaching out to all nations, particularly during their time of daily prayer.  He asked to be allowed a digression on Nigeria, where there are presently 19 Serra Clubs in just one District, concentrated in the southwest part of the country; they have asked that the District be divided into three, each under the jurisdiction of of one ecclesiastical province.  As Serra expanded to become an international organization, it became necessary to establish national Councils to deal with differences in language, coinage and culture; all were, however, to be completely subservient to Serra International.  Over time it became apparent that, with a declining and aging membership in the United States, prudent use of our resources demanded a reassessment of how they are spent.  SI's long-range planning committee has been charged with developing a plan that will reduce and combine operating expenses, provide for the future needs of Serra Clubs in the United States, and define lines of authority within SI as it relates to them. The work of Serra is accomplished, Tomi concluded, not by Serra International or its Councils but by its Clubs, and not by individuals but by the power of the Holy Spirit within them.  "I ask you to pray incessantly for the successful resolution of this unfortunate dispute.".

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Serra Club of St. Louis September 2012

Blessed Junipero Serra, pray for us! Page 2 of 4

Blessed Junipero Serra, pray for us! Page 3 of 4

Serra Club of St. Louis September 2012

! New to the Serra Club are the Rachers: Joe Jr., his wife Barb and his father Joseph Sr. commonly known as “Pete”. Through his friendship with Bob Ahrens in the Knights of Columbus, Joe Jr. became familiar with the Serra Club. Eventually Bob and Roger Drone invited Joe Jr. to come to a Serran luncheon. Joe Jr. attended a luncheon and was impressed with the format of the meeting especially with the idea of a guest speaker.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Joe Jr. was very familiar with the idea of vocations. He therefore thought it would be a good idea to get more specifically involved in praying for and promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. As a result, in 2011, he became a member of the Serra Club.

As time went on, Joe Jr. felt that his wife Barb might enjoy the Serra Club as well. Therefore, he invited her to join the organization, knowing that she, too, would appreciate the Serrans and the luncheon meetings. Being that Joe and Barb live near Joe's father and spend time at Pete's house taking care of him daily, they thought that Pete would also find the Serra Club enjoyable. Therefore, this past June, both Barb and Pete officially became Serrans.

As a young boy, Joe Jr. was an altar server. Following high school, he attended the Air Force Academy. It was during this point of his life that Joe's faith strengthened. He became involved in the Catholic choir and he met a good priest at the Air Force who would make a big impression on him. Ironically, Barb spent some time in a convent in Chicago before returning to St. Louis, her hometown, and entering nursing school.

According to Joe Jr., he hopes to see more vocation committees established in parishes throughout the Archdiocese. In addition, he would like to see more parishes starting a Vocation Chalice Program where people are actively praying for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For Pete, the Serra Club has provided him with an opportunity to get out of the house and to visit with other Serrans.

All three of the Rachers are members of Our Lady of Presentation Parish in Overland. Pete still lives in the same house that Joe Jr. was raised in. Joe and Barb have three daughters and six grandchildren. Joe's mother, who died a few years ago, and his father Pete have four children, ten grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. Maybe in the future, we will see another generation of Rachers in the Serra Club.

“ A L L I N T H E F A M I L Y ”  ~ MADELEINE APPELBAUM

Corporal Works:As a Serran family we wish to pray for all the Serra Club members, benefactors and friends who have gone before us, and pray that they are celebrating with our Lord in heaven. We also wish to pray for the repose of the soul of Daniel Phillips, son of Marlene, who was buried from a funeral Mass on Friday, August 31, 2012 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Father Jim Edwards who is very ill at this time, Marie Schmidt, who shattered both hips, Pat Walsh Long, Jean McEwan, Dick Mulligan, husband of Anita, Tom O'Toole, Janet Hild, Bill Patience, Sr Mary Joseph Heisler DCJ, Lea Schwarz, Deb Lewis, Denise O'Rourke, Dick Dames, Jim Doherty, Leo Tevlin, Bob Donohue, and Kathy and Rick Schmidt. Thank you. Roger DroneRoger Drone

9/5  Herman  Kriegshauser9/10  Vincent  Shaw9/13  Patricia  Fechter9/13  Bartolomeo  Saracino

9/16  Raymond  Mohrman9/20  Paul  Gund9/20  Glennon  Mertens9/21  Marlene  Phillips9/21  John  Taylor9/22  Sunny  Edwards

9/25  Mary  Lee  Gund9/25  Chris  Guyol10/3  Evelyn  Kruckemeyer10/4  Thomas  Ebanues10/6  Mark  Guyol10/12  Lennis  Bange

S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r   B i r t h d a y   B l e s s i n g s

V o c a t i o n N e w s ~ Ann Moloney

Prayer changes things! Do you know a priest that would like to retire one day? Ask them to please consider the 31 Club for starters. And if they are really excited about getting a break one day, ask them to please start a chalice program at their parish.

Pray like everything depends in God, work like everything depends on You. 

Please put Mallorca, Spain on your calendar for June 20, 2013. This is the Serra International Convention date. Travel to Spain for the 300th birthday of Junipero Serra. Join forces with Serrans around the world  for a beautiful, prayer filled event.

SEPTEMBER 1 Blood, Rev. Msgr. Francis X. Bockskopf, Rev. Richard J. 2 Boehm, Rev. Michael P. Boisaubin, Rev. Robert D. 3 Bommarito, Rev. Msgr. Vincent R. Borcic, Rev. Msgr. John J. 4 Borgerding, Rev. Terry J. Bozada, Rev. Mark S. 5 Braun, Rev. Gary G. Breier, Rev. Msgr. Henry J. 6 Breig, Lt. Col. Gary R., USAF Brennan, Rev. Eugene P. 7 Brennan, Rev. George P. Brennan, Rev. Lawrence C. 8 Brennell, Rev. Msgr. John J. Britt, Rev. William J. 9 Brockland, Rev. John A. Brown, Rev. Kenneth A.10 Bryon, Rev. Thomas C. Buchheit, Rev. Msgr. Jerome J.11 Buhr, Rev. Donald L. Burghoff, Rev. Theodore H.12 Burgoon, Very Rev. Charles E. Burkemper, Rev. Robert W.13 Butler, Lt. Col. Michael T., USAF Byrnes, Rev. James J.14 Callahan, Rev. Msgr. James P. Callahan, Rev. Msgr. Kevin G.15 Carlson, Most Rev. Robert J. Cavitt, Rev. Arthur J.16 Chochol, Rev. Ronald C.

Chrismer, Rev. Mark A.17 Christopher, Rev. Patrick J. Classen, Rev. Joseph18 Coerver, Rev. Richard V. Comer, Rev. John P.19 Cook, Rev. Timothy R. Corbett, Rev. Robert L.20 Costello, Rev. Msgr. John M. Creason, Rev. Richard H.21 Cronin, Rev. Msgr. Timothy P. D'Amico, Rev. Frank A.22 Dalton, Rev. Donald T. Danter, Rev. Albert F.23 Dattilo, Rev. Anthony A. Deister, Rev. Charles C.24 Deken, Rev. John C. Delaney, Rev. Msgr. Dennis M.25 Dempsey, Rev. John G. Dempsey, Rev. Msgr. Thomas J.26 Dieckmann, Rev. Msgr. Michael E. Dietz, Rev. Msgr. Norbert J.27 Ditenhafer, Rev. John A. Doerhoff, Rev. Msgr. Dennis E.28 Doherty, Rev. Glennon C. Dolan, Rev. Mark A.29 Donald, Rev. Michael L. Dorhauer, Rev. C. Robert30 Dotson, Rev. William F. Doyen, Rev. Mitchell S.OCTOBER 1 Doyle, Rev. Dennis J. Doyle, Rev. Dennis M.

2 Drennan, Rev. Msgr. William A. Driscoll, Rev. Patrick J. 3 Dunlap, Rev. Christopher J. Dyer, Rev. James W. 4 Ebert, Rev. Mark S. Edwards, Rev. James T. 5 Elliott, Rev. Timothy P. Ernst, Rev. Msgr. Norbert A. 6 Esswein, Rev. Michael J. Evans, Rev. Robert T. 7 Everding, Rev. Richard F. Fallon, Rev. Brian S. 8 Faust, Rev. Gary J. Ferrara, Rev. Charles F. 9 Fischer, Rev. Brian R. Fitzgibbon, Rev. Edmond J.10 Fleiter, Rev. Robert V. Fleming, Rev. Rodger P.11 Foley, Rev. Timothy M. Forman, Rev. Bruce H.12 Forst, Rev. Aloysius A. Forst, Rev. Msgr. Charles J.13 Foster, Rev. James J. Foy, Rev. Timothy J.14 French, Rev. James R. Gahan, Rev. James L.15 Gardin, Rev. Msgr. Vernon E. Gebelein, Rev. Gary M.16 Geoghegan, Rev. John F. Gerber, Rev. Anthony J.17 Gettinger, Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Ghio, Rev. John J.

Serra Prays for Priests & Religious: Sept/oct 2012

SEPT 26 NOON MEETING AT BARTOLINO’S OSTERIA

OCT 1 7:15 PM SERRA NIGHT AT THE BALLPARKS

OCT 5 7:30 AM FIRST FRIDAY MASS WITH SEMINARIANS; BREAKFAST FOLLOWING MASS

OCT 5 7:30 PM FIRST FRIDAY HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONSST. MARY MAGDALEN PARISH IN BRENTWOOD

OCT 10 11:30 ROSARY, NOON MEETING AT BARTOLINO’S OSTERIA, SPEAKER: MICHAEL WITT WILL RE-VISIT OUR SERRA CLUB TO SPEAK ABOUT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND THE HHS MANDATE

OCT 24 NOON MEETING AT BARTOLINO’S OSTERIA

NOV 2 7:30 AM FIRST FRIDAY MASS WITH SEMINARIANS; BREAKFAST FOLLOWING MASS

NOV 2 7:30 PM FIRST FRIDAY HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONSST. MARY MAGDALEN PARISH IN BRENTWOOD

NOV 14 11:30 ROSARY, NOON MEETING AT BARTOLINO’S OSTERIA

NOV 28 NOON MEETING AT BARTOLINO’S OSTERIA, FR. KELLER WILL SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT OF ST. ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE’S CONVENT IN FLORISSANT.

JOANN MUENKS IS IN CHARGE OF RESERVATIONS AND/OR CANCELLATIONS.

PLEASE CALL HER AT 636-273-4465 (HOME) OR EMAIL HER JOANN.MUENKS@SBCGLOBAL.NET

Blessed Junipero Serra, pray for us! Page 4 of 4

Dec. 19 - Christmas Mass and DinnerSerra Club Phone System. Call 1-877-399-0278  using the

PIN number 59355 to hear the latest phone message sent.

Serra Club of St. Louis September 2012

S e r r a C l u b E v e n t sT a k e M e O u t t o

t h e B a l l g a m e !

The Serra Night at the Ballgame is Monday, October 1, 2012! The Cardinals take on the Cincinnati Reds. Game time is at 7:15 p.m. Come join other Serrans, priests and s e m i n a r i a n s f r o m o u r Archdiocese as we cheer on our Redbirds! Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by contacting Ray Gerrizen at 314-231-2786. Make sure you come early to see our chaplain Fr. Chris Martin throw out the first pitch before the game. Go, Cards! Go, Fr. Martin!