Minutes of Serra Club Meeting

Thursday, October 15, , 2015

Members present: Deacon Paul Weeder & Sue, Deacon Rod Weibelhaus, Kristi Steffen, Margaret & Neil Bloomquist, Mel Spader, Leon Gentrup &
Beth Gentrup, Nancy Rice, Marianne Wright, Kathleen OBrien, Cathy Berlage, Kathy Steffensmeier, Dave and Mary Lux, Linda Kerkman and Father
Ross.
Guests : No guests present

The meeting was opened by President Linda Kerkman. The meeting began with Serra Vocation Prayer
Program
: The speaker was Kathy Steffensmeier who talked about her trip to see the Pope and World Meeting of the Family in
Philadelphia. Kathy and her daughter traveled with 81 other pilgrims from the Lincoln Diocese by bus to Philadelphia. Kathy said the
1st talk was by Bishop Robert Barron. While waiting for the talk they got to see EWTN Live interview him. She said his talk was amazing
along with the others they heard. The recurring theme in all the talks she heard... was Family- Love & Mercy. Kathy said that
Philadelphia really embraced the Popes visit. Lots of signs welcoming him into the city. They went to the Festival of Families on Sat.
and while waiting got to see the Pope in the motorcade and Kathy felt he had looked at her & her daughter and would always
remember that moment. Kathy attended the Papal Mass at 4:00 on Sunday. She said they were a block away from the Main Altar but
lots of Big screen tvs made the viewing easier. She said that 500 Priest and around 250 Deacons distributed Communion. Kathy felt
blessed, gifted and a privilege to receive the Eucharist as they did run out. She said the Popes main message was Speak in your home
with tenderness & love He also stressed sharing our Faith - we need to become a Missionary Era in the Catholic Church.
Secretary:
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & approved and can be found on the website.
Norfolkareaserra.weebly.com
Treasurer
Kathleen OBrien shared Treasurers Report for September:
Opening balance $5,716.39
Income: none
paid out: $100.00 - to Leon Gentrup for Seminarian Picnic
Final balance $5,618.39
Treasurers Report was approved
Reports of vice presidents:
Communication:
Kathy Steffensmeier, not present for report
Vocations:
Sue Weeder will be in charge of the birthday cards for the Seminarians each month.
Membership:
Kathleen OBrien went over those members who still owe for dues and we have not seen at a meeting for awhile
Programs:
Information above
Unfinished Business:
Priest Appreciation Dinner
- November 12th. Leon has contacted the Knights of Columbus Hall. Mary Lux said that everything was
moving along. Decorating will be at 3:30 at the KC Hall. Any member wanting to help is welcome to come. If you have Fall decorations
they would be welcomed. Catholic Daughters will be making the dessert and 3 -4 women will help with the kitchen. Marilyn Kathol has
sent out a help request to serve to the youth of the Parish. Mary will talk to Paul Book about ordering wine for the night. Invitations to
the Priests and members have been sent out. Linda thought a raffle of different items would bring us more money than split the pot.
Kristi, Beth & Mary will set up the raffle for the night. Item to raffle can be brought that night and are welcomed.
Fr. Ross letter to area priests for funds and new members:
Father Ross read his letter draft to the Priests. He will be asking Priests to
email names of new members they have suggested.
Information talks on Serrans at Parishes:
A discussion was held about establishing vocation clubs in the Parishes. Mary gave history
on why Norfolk did not have one. Main reason was members of the old vocation club felt the club was not needed due to the
Chartering of Serra. Other area Parish members talked about doing Vocation Activities but no clubs. Many said that they and fellow
parishioners had stated they did not want to attend another meeting. President Linda Kerkman said she would be glad to help establish
a club if there was interest.
Priesthood Sunday: Mary Lux said that Sheryl Cahoy from the Parish Office had contacted her about the Sunday in Norfolk and that
she would be asking for help from the Serra Club. A Serra Club member would give a short talk followed by a 4 minute video about
Priests and their vocation. Prayers after Church would be lead by students
New Business:
By- Laws committee:
Mary Lux said she will look at the 1st section and re-work it for the meeting in January
November 1-7, 2015 National Vocation Awareness Week:

Linda wanted to make us aware of this

Christmas Dinner with Seminarians in Omaha:No date has been set as of yet

December Social:

Dave Lux will be talking to Sister Pia to set-up and evening with the Sisters to play games & cards. The Serra club
will provide snacks for the evening

Goals for 2015 - 2016 - Linda challenged the club to each make a list of goals they would like to see happen in 2016. She also asked
Deacon Rod Weibelhaus to read an article from the Vision Magazine she handed out to each member and to report on it at the Jan.
meeting.
Chaplains comments
: Fr. Ross reported on the Canonization Mass in Omaha on Oct. 13th for St. Junipero Serra. Said it was a very nice
Mass. Linda Kerkman, Cathy Berlage and Kathleen OBrien also attended.
Next Meeting:
Jan. 21st due to Priest Appreciation dinner in Nov. and Social in Dec.
. Food schedule
: January: Kristi Steffen and Beth and Leon Gentrup
The meeting was closed with Prayer for the Perseverance of Vocations.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Gentrup