Reflection for the First Anniversary - Markham and Scarborough Club
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His Excellency Bishop Peter Hundt, Reverend Fathers/ Deacons, Fellow Serrans, Guests, good evening and welcome to our thanksgiving celebration for the First Anniversary of the Charter of SERRA CLUB of Markham – Scarborough. On behalf of all the Officers and Members of our club – we wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.
It has been a privilege to work with all of you in the Mission field, working for Vocations. In our desire to do what is pleasing to the Lord, we have learned to work together. For our personal friends who joined Serra, our friendship has grown even closer, and we have found new friends for those we met last year, we are now one big family at Markham-Scarborough and with the members of other Clubs, I can say that what a TEAM we have in JESUS.
As we worked in the Lord’s vineyard, we fellowship at the same time amidst numerous tasks, we served with joy and through our laughter we bonded and our understanding of each other deepened, we became less judgmental and adjusted with every circumstances. We started 2010 with the spirit of Stewardship showed by attending our first Saturday meetings diligently showing out commitment for SERRA and for what it stands for, month after month, we thank sincerely our excellent speakers whose Vocation stories inspired and motivated all of us.
- We supported the initiatives of Durham club during the Spring Conference on April 2010, for us it was a learning process as we prepare for the FALL Conference. Our BIG ideas about the Altar Servers visit to St Augustine, the Breakfast with Seminarians, the Baptismal bibs and stoles, the Travelling Chalice filled the gap in between our preparations for the Altar Server’s award, the FALL Conference and the Anniversary celebration. Our Club is vibrant, alive and full of ideas, thank you all for your deep enthusiasm to serve God and one another through SERRA.
- There are many FIRSTS that we did in 2010, the FIRST ALTAR SERVER’s award last Oct 16 at St Rose of Lima parish, proved that working together as a TEAM will make things happen successfully. We thank God’s gracious blessings on all of us, for giving us the people we need in order to accomplish much. The FIRST time for us to Sponsor a Conference for SERRA at Mt Carmel for the FALL Conference with the assistance and guidance of Mario Biscardi, our past District Governor, it was tough but our presence in Niagara Falls that weekend was very visible to all that we are here to accomplish much more in our future events, praise God.
- And so 2010, is a Dress Rehearsal for 2011, which will prove even more our commitment to God as labourers in His vineyard and we pray that He will continuously bless us in our journey to complete the good work He started in us.
We are tired but not fatigued, there is a quiet sense of peace and we realize even more profoundly how the Lord has blessed us personally. Indeed, how blessed you and I are!
We will move with greater vigour next year with STEP UP. Recognizing that we are not really in control of our lives, we STEP UP. Realizing that for most of us, we are already in the last quarter of our lives, we STEP UP. Finally accepting that the source of true peace and true joy do not really come from temporary material things, but from HIM alone, we STEP UP. What does it mean to STEP UP?
S – Savour the goodness of the Lord by serving His people. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. With a grateful heart, experience and recognize God’s blessings everyday! Yes, the family is our first ministry. But Jesus also said “Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.” HE knows our family is important that’s why as we serve HIM, HE surely will take care of our family. Did the Lord not say; seek first the kingdom of God and all these will come unto you?
T – Tithe your time, talents and treasures generously. All our experiences and knowledge learned this year are vivid demonstrations that the Lord indeed cannot be outdone in His generosity. Think about it. How can we ever outdo the Lord in generosity?
E – Encourage one another, says St. Paul. Let our ministry be a ministry of encouragement.
P – Persist. As we encounter obstacles and conflicts, stay calm and collected. We look at obstacles as meaningful challenges compelling us to outgrow our limitations, thus becoming better persons. Like the persistent widow before a fearless judge, we do not give up, we persist!
U – Understand. Seek to understand than to be understood, that’s what Steven Covey says as one of the 7 Habits of Effective People. Each of us has our own quirks and eccentricities that make each of us unique. Be more understanding and accepting of each individual uniqueness. Set high expectations for yourself but refrain from having too many expectations from others. You will be disappointment
P - Pray daily. As you wake up, pray. As you drive for work, pray. As you work, pray. Hear mass and take the Holy Eucharist daily, when you can. When you wake up, say Thank You Lord. You are so good to me. You will be amazed at the positive spirit by which you start your day.
So, brothers & sisters, for 2011, let us STEP UP in our mission to proclaim and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Prepared by:
Felisa Pulumbarit
President, Serra Club of Markham & Scarborough
