Serran, Vietnam Vet recently visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes!
Serra Club member Patrick Kent, a Viet Nam veteran, recently returned from the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. “It was the healing opportunity of my life,” he shared with the club at its August 2nd meeting. The pilgrimage was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, who took care of all the travel, hotel, meals, and personal arrangements; and the Military Archdiocese of the US, who took care of all the spiritual aspects. The program, Warriors to Lourdes, is available to US combat veterans for their physical and spiritual healing. Religious affiliation is not a consideration, although a large proportion of those participating were Roman Catholic. “All of us are wounded,” Patrick explained,”War has a lasting impact on all of us. The combination of the peace of the location, and the companionship of other combat veterans enabled much beneficial sharing, and growth in our relationships with our Lord and with each other. Our Lady intended healing for us, and we were keenly aware of her presence.” Any combat veteran can connect with Warriors to Lourdes through the Knights of Columbus.
God Bless all who have and will serve our great Country!
Priests Appreciation Banquet 2022
Tuesday, August 2 The Serra Club of Columbus hosted the Annual Priests Appreciation Banquet at Walter Commons on the campus of St Charles Preparatory School. Over 70 priests in the Diocese of Columbus and all 25 of the seminarians from the Josephinum attended along with Bishop James Griffin and Bishop Earl Fernandes.
The evening began with a social hour featuring hors d’oeuvres and beverages, followed by a wonderful dinner headlined with four entrees. The event was catered by Gary Alwine of Mustard Seed Catering and sponsored by Dee Printing.
The Serra Club of Columbus has been hosting this event for 40+ years. The mission of the Sierra Club is to foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood of the Catholic Church as a particular vocation of service and to support priests in their sacred ministry. Saint Pope John Paul II said, “Serrans, you are the lay vocation arm of the Catholic Church”. In addition to the Banquet, this club has many other activities to support and pray for vocations. A few of these are First Friday Adoration, Annual Outstanding Altar Server Awards presided over by Bishop Fernandes, monthly luncheons with guest speakers, an Adopt a Seminarian program, and much more.
Serra International was founded in 1935. The Serra Club of Columbus was chartered on September 14, 1954.
Bishop Earl Fernandes met with the priests prior to the beginning of the Appreciation Banquet to celebrate a Holy Hour with the specific intention of praying for an increase in priestly vocations. He then talked to the priests about his vision and priorities for the diocese.
Bishop Earl Fernandes celebrated Mass with the Serra Club of Columbus
Wednesday, June 22, the Serra Club of Columbus held their Annual Installation of Officers & Trustees Mass at the Mother of Mercy Chapel located at St Charles Preparatory School. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes, our new Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, and Fr William Hahn, Director of Vocations at the Josephinum. After Mass Bishop Fernandes installed 7 new members and then installed the Officers and Trustees of the Club. This was followed by dinner and comments by Bishop Fernandes at Walter Commons on the St Charles campus. Dinner was catered by Gary Allwein of Mustard Seed Catering.
Shown in the picture from left to right is: Chris Vollmer, John Swisher, Len Barbe, Mary Girard, Carl Faehnle, Bishop Fernandes, Fr Hahn, Charles Kielkopf, Dan Martin, Mike Kreber, and Steve Wood.
Fr. Seth Keller: Lessons in Priesthood
It was a true honor to have Fr. Seth Keller speak to the Serra Club of North Columbus about lessons he has learned in the 2 year of priesthood. Below are a few of those lessons:
- On own own we are helpless. We must depend on God’s Grace
- The Faith of children gives him hope! (he had the privilege to work with the students at St. Cecilia and Bishop Ready High School
- There are 3 types of people in this world: Practicing Catholics. Fallen away Catholics and potential Catholics.
- Through our witness and prayer the Holy Spirit will help us convert others.
- He has learned The Holy Spirit is always at work! Nothing in society and in our world, even as broken as it appears can stop The Holy Spirit’s work.
Let us pray for Father Seth as he is being reassigned in a couple of weeks and for all of our holy priest. Fr. Seth, you give us HOPE
